bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of tibial anatomical-mechanical axis angles and patellar positions between tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) and modified cranial closing wedge osteotomy (AMA-based CCWO) for the treatment of cranial cruciate ligament disease in large dogs with tibial plateau slopes greater than 30° and clinically normal Labradors retrievers
Authors: Guénégo Laurent , Vezzoni Aldo , Vezzoni Luca
Published: December 2021

Background

The objective of this study was to evaluate tibial anatomical-mechanical axis angles (AMA-angles) and proximodistal and craniocaudal patellar positions following tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) and AMA-based modified cranial closing wedge osteotomy (CCWO) in large dogs with tibial plateau angle (TPA) > 30°, to compare these postoperative positions with those of a control group of healthy normal dogs, and to assess which procedure yields postoperative morphology of the tibiae and stifles that is most consistent with that of the unaffected group. This study also investigated whether the occurrence of patellar ligament thickening (PLT), which is commonly observed 2 months postoperatively after TPLO, is associated with misplacement of the osteotomy. A total of 120 dogs weighing more than 20 kg, 40 of which were control animals, were enrolled in this retrospective study. Stifles were radiographically evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively on the side with CCLR and on the healthy contralateral side and compared with clinically normal stifles. PLT was reassessed after 2 months.

Results

Significant decreases in median patellar height ratio were found after both procedures (TPLO 0.24 (0.05–0.8); CCWO 0.22 (0.05–0.4)). The postoperative craniocaudal patellar position and the median AMA angle differed significantly among the groups (P = 0.000) (TPLO 87.5% caudal to the AA and 3.12° (0.76–6.98°); CCWO 100% cranial to the AA and 0° (− 1.34–0.65°); control group 5% caudal to the AA and 0.99° (0–3.39°)).

At 8 weeks, PLT grade differed significantly in the two operated groups (P = 0.000) (TPLO 40% 0–2, 20% 2–4, 40% > 4; CCWO 98.8% 0).

Conclusions

TPLO and AMA-based CCWO are associated with significant decreases in patellar height; however, the PLT results 2 months postoperatively differed between the two groups; the decrease in patellar height and PLT were independent of osteotomy position in the TPLO group. Compared to TPLO, CCWO results in reduced postoperative AMA angles and craniocaudal patellar positions that more closely resemble those of unaffected dogs, suggesting that the CCWO procedure allows us to better correct the caudal bowing of the proximal tibia that is often associated with deficient stifles in large dogs with TPA > 30°.
A young girl with severe polyarteritis nodosa successfully treated with tocilizumab: a case report
Authors: Boistault Margaux , Lopez Corbeto Mireia , Quartier Pierre , Berbel Arcobé Laura , Carsi Durall Ariadna , Aeschlimann Florence A.
Published: December 2021

Background

Childhood Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a systemic vasculitis with necrotizing inflammation of medium- and small-sized arteries. Disease evolution may be severe and refractory to standard treatment including prednisone, azathioprine and cyclophosphamide.

Case presentation

We present the case of a young girl with severe PAN resulting in progressive ischemia and necrosis of fingers and toes. Biological work-up revealed increased acute phase reactants and interleukin-6 levels. She was only partially controlled despite high-dose corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide infusions, and eventually achieved rapid improvement and sustained remission on tocilizumab.

Further, we review the current evidence of the interleukin-6-inhibitor tocilizumab for the treatment of PAN.

Conclusion

Tocilizumab may be an efficient therapeutic option in a subset of treatment-refractory children with PAN.
Association between schizoid tendencies and aggressive behaviors: mediating and moderating influences in childhood trauma and life events among Chinese adolescents
Authors: Yang Tingyu , He Yuqiong , Wu Shuxian , Cui Xilong , Luo Xuerong , Liu Jianbo
Published: December 2021

Background

This study investigated an association between schizoid tendencies and aggressive behaviors in Chinese adolescents, and explored the underlying mechanism.

Methods

The data of 3094 adolescents aged 12 to 16 years were collected from an epidemiological survey in China. All the subjects or their parents completed the Achenbach’s Child Behavior Checklist, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form, and the Adolescent Self-rating Life Event Checklist (ASLEC).

Results

Relative to the non-schizoid group, adolescents with schizoid tendencies (male or female) showed significantly higher scores for aggressive behaviors, emotional abuse, and ASLEC. Regarding females only, those with schizoid tendencies had significantly higher (lower) scores for physical abuse and emotional neglect (physical neglect). The aggressive behaviors score was predicted by scores for schizoid tendencies (βmale = 0.620, βfemale = 0.638, both P < 0.001) and ASLEC (βmale = 0.125, βfemale = 0.061, both P < 0.01), and by childhood trauma score (males: emotional neglect [β = 0.045, P = 0.021]; females: emotional abuse and sexual abuse [β = 0.118 and − 0.062, both P < 0.01]). The ASLEC and childhood trauma scores mediated the association between scores for schizoid tendencies and aggressive behaviors, specifically, emotional neglect (emotional abuse and sexual abuse) in males (females). In females, the interaction between scores for childhood trauma and ASLEC affected the aggressive behaviors score (P = 0.023).

Conclusions

Schizoid tendencies are associated with aggressive behaviors among Chinese adolescents. Recent life events and childhood trauma mediated an association between schizoid tendencies and aggressive behaviors. The interaction between childhood trauma and recent life events affected aggressive behaviors in females. Aggressive behaviors in adolescents may be ameliorated by reducing childhood trauma and life events.
Is Hashimoto thyroiditis associated with increasing risk of thyroid malignancies? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Abbasgholizadeh Pouya , Naseri Amirreza , Nasiri Ehsan , Sadra Vahideh
Published: December 2021

Background and purpose

Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) is the most common inflammatory autoimmune thyroid disease and also the most common cause of hypothyroidism in developed countries. There is evidence of the role of HT in developing thyroid cancers (TCs). This study investigated the association between HT and different types of TCs.

Methods

Results of a comprehensive search in three major databases, as well as hand searching, were screened in title/abstract and full-text stages and the relevant data were extracted from the studies that met the inclusion criteria. Risk of bias (RoB) was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tools and the meta-analysis was conducted with Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software.

Results

Out of 4785 records, 50 studies were included in the systematic review, and 27 of them met the criteria for quantitative synthesis. The results indicated a significant role for HT in developing papillary TC (OR: 1.65; 95% CI: 1.04 to 2.61), medullary TC (OR: 2.70; 95% CI: 1.20 to 6.07) and lymphoma (OR:12.92; 95% CI: 2.15 to 77.63); but not anaplastic TC (OR: 1.92; 95% CI: 0.29 to 1.90) and follicular TC (OR: 0.73; 95% CI: 0.41 to 1.27). Also, this study found a significant association between HT and thyroid malignancies (OR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.05 to 1.77).

Conclusion

Although we found a significant association between HT and some types of TCs, High RoB studies, high level of heterogeneity, and the limited number of well-designed prospective studies, suggested the need for more studies to reach more reliable evidence.
Enhanced algorithms for solving the spectral discretization of the vorticity–velocity–pressure formulation of the Navier–Stokes problem
Authors: Abdelwahed Mohamed , Chorfi Nejmeddine , Ouertani Henda
Published: December 2021

The objective of the article is to improve the algorithms for the resolution of the spectral discretization of the vorticity–velocity–pressure formulation of the Navier–Stokes problem in two and three domains. Two algorithms are proposed. The first one is based on the Uzawa method. In the second one we consider a modified global resolution. The two algorithms are implemented and their results are compared.
Prevalence and determinants of Anemia among pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Fite Meseret Belete , Assefa Nega , Mengiste Bizatu
Published: December 2021

Background

Anemia is one of the world’s leading cause of disability and the most serious global public health issues. This systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out very prudently in order to give up the pooled prevalence and determinants of anemia in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Methodology

To carry out this ephemeral systematic review and meta-analysis, a correlated literature review was done from various sources, PubMed Medline and Google Scholar Journals. Anemia related searching engine was used to make the study more evocative and intensive. We used modified Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale for cross sectional studies to evaluate the quality of the study in relations of their inclusion. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline was tracked to conduct this study. The pooled effect size was computed using the review manager and Compressive Meta-analysis software.

Results

Twenty-fife studies, which encompassed 15,061 pregnant women, were chosen for the analysis. From those an overall prevalence of anemia in pregnancy in SSA was 35.6%. However, the result from meta-analysis showed that women who were infected with intestinal parasite were 3.59 times more likely to develop anemia compared to those who were not infected [OR:3.59, 95% CI (2.44,5.28)].The result showed that women who had no iron and folic-acid supplementation were 1.82 times more likely to develop anemia compared to those women who had iron and folic-acid supplementation {OR:1.82, 95% CI (1.22,2.70]. Women who had women were in third trimester pregnancy were 2.37 times more likely to develop anemia compared to those who were in first and second trimester [OR:2.37, 95% CI (1.78, 3.24)]. Women who had low dietary diversity score were 3.59 times more likely to develop anemia compared to those who had high dietary diversity score [OR: 3.59, 95% CI (2.44, 5.28].

Conclusions

Our finding from this systematic review and meta-analysis displays the high case in prevalence of anemia among pregnant women in Sub-Saharan Africa. Predictors for this includes: intestinal parasite, iron and folic-acid supplementation, third trimester pregnancy and dietary diversified intake score were statistically correlated positively with anemia in pregnancy. These need cautious evaluation of impact of prevention effort for operational policy, programs and design nutrition intrusions for refining maternal food consumption during pregnancy. Also, dietary education intrusion requires to be prearranged to satisfy the desires of pregnant women. The finding of this work will be used as an evidences for policy makers of Africa; entirely for maternal and child health care. Lastly, we suggested further investigations to be carried out in the area of the study for more rigorous and comprehensive recommendations.
Opioid use disorder from poppy seed tea successfully treated with buprenorphine in primary care: a case report
Authors: Hagan Scott , Achtmeyer Carol E. , Hood Carly , Hawkins Eric J. , Williams Emily C.
Published: December 2021

Background

Poppy seeds contain morphine and other opioid alkaloids and are commercially available in the United States. Users of poppy seed tea (PST) can consume several hundred morphine milligram equivalents per day, and opioid dependence from PST use can develop. We report a case of a patient with chronic pain and PST use leading to opioid use disorder (OUD). This case represents the first published report of OUD from PST successfully treated with buprenorphine (BUP) in a primary care setting. The provider in this case used a unique model of care with an opioid prescribing support team to deliver safe and effective care.

Case presentation

A 47-year-old man with chronic pain and prescription opioid use presented to primary care to discuss a flare of shoulder pain, and revealed in subsequent conversation a long-standing use of PST to supplement pain control. Attempts at cessation resulted in severe withdrawal symptoms, leading to return to PST use. The primary care provider consulted the VA Puget Sound SUpporting Primary care Providers in Opioid Risk reduction and Treatment (SUPPORT) team to evaluate the patient for OUD. The patient discontinued all opioids, and initiated BUP under the supervision of the primary care provider. He remained on a stable dosage, without relapse, 24 months later.

Conclusions

PST, which can be made through purchase of readily available poppy pods, carries risk for development of OUD and overdose. Herein we highlight the utility of a primary care opioid prescribing support team in empowering a primary care provider to prescribe BUP to treat a patient with complex OUD.
Influencing factors of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation in the treatment of respiratory failure: a 10-year study in one single center
Authors: Wang Juan , Bian Shuang , Tang Xiaomiao , Ye Sheng , Meng Shen , Lei Wei
Published: December 2021

Background

The utilization of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) is becoming more and more common, especially in patients with acute or chronic respiratory failure. The purpose of our study is to analyze the factors that influence the efficacy of NPPV in the treatment of respiratory failure caused by a variety of etiology.

Methods

From May 2011 to April 2020, patients treated with NPPV during hospitalization in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were enrolled. According to the clinical outcome of NPPV treatment and whether converted to invasive mechanical ventilation, patients were divided into the success group and the failure group. The clinical data and the characteristics of NPPV application were compared between the two groups.

Results

A total of 3312 patients were enrolled, including 2025 patients in the success group and 1287 patients in the failure group. Univariate analysis suggested that there were no statistical differences in patients' age, gender, use of analgesia and/or sedation, complicated with barotrauma, inspiratory positive airway pressure and expiratory positive airway pressure between the success and failure groups (P > 0.05). However, there were statistically significant differences in serum albumin levels, Ca2+ concentration, blood glucose levels, duration of NPPV treatment and length of hospital stay between the success and failure groups (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that serum albumin levels and duration of NPPV treatment had statistical significance on the therapeutic effect of NPPV (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Serum albumin levels and duration of NPPV treatment were independent risk factors for the efficacy of NPPV treatment in respiratory failure.
A systematic review of dialectical behavior therapy mobile apps for content and usability
Authors: Wilks Chelsey R. , Gurtovenko Kyrill , Rebmann Kevin , Williamson James , Lovell Josh , Wasil Akash R.
Published: December 2021

Background

The gap between treatment need and treatment availability is particularly wide for individuals seeking Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and mobile apps based on DBT may be useful in increasing access to care and augmenting in-person DBT. This review examines DBT based apps, with a specific focus on content quality and usability.

Methods

All apps referring to DBT were identified in Google Play and iOS app stores and were systematically reviewed for app content and quality. The Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) was used to evaluate app usability and engagement.

Results

A total of 21 free to download apps were identified. The majority of apps (71%) included a component of skills training, five apps included a diary card feature. Most (76.19%) apps were designed to function without help from a therapist. The average user “star” rating was 4.39 out of 5. The mean overall MARS score was 3.41, with a range of 2.15 to 4.59, and 71.43% were considered minimally ‘acceptable,’ as defined by a score of 3 or higher. The average star rating was correlated with the total MARS score (r = .51, p = .02). Estimates of app usage differed substantially between popular and unpopular apps, with the three most popular apps accounting for 89.3% of monthly active users.

Conclusions

While the present study identified many usable and engaging apps in app stores designed based on DBT, there are limited apps for clinicians. DBT based mobile apps should be carefully developed and clinically evaluated.
Isolated arthroscopic treatment of intra-articular pathologies in mild hip dysplasia: a short-term case control study
Authors: Tassinari Enrico , Mariotti Federica , Castagnini Francesco , Lucchini Stefano , Perdisa Francesco , Bracci Giovanni , Cosentino Monica , Bordini Barbara , Traina Francesco
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The aim is to compare the results of isolated hip arthroscopy in patients with borderline dysplasia with Lateral center edge angle (LCEA) between 18° and 25° with a control group of patients with normal LCEA (> 25°).

Methods

Fifty hip arthroscopies performed in 45 patients were retrospectively evaluated. Exclusion criteria were: age > 40, hip arthritis > grade 2 according to Tonnis classification, femoral head avascular necrosis, pediatric’s orthopaedics conditions and true dysplasia with LCEA < 18°.Two groups were identified: group A with 15 hips with LCEA between 25° and 18° and Group control B made of 35 hips with LCEA > 25°.

Results

The groups were homogeneous for demography and pre-operative WOMAC and HOOS. Osteoplasty for CAM were performed in 100% of patients in both groups, only in 12 hips (34.4%) in group B we had both femoral and acetabular osteoplasty. Labral repair was performed in 86% of patients in group A, in 60% of patients in group B, capsular plication in 93% of group A, in 5% of case of group B. WOMAC and HOOS statically significant improved in both groups at final follow-up (24 months). No cases in both groups required conversion to total hip arthroplasty.

Clinical outcomes of study group were comparable to the control group.

Conclusion

Even if the present small series is not conclusive, we suggest isolated arthroscopic management of patients with FAI and LCEA between 18° and 25°, but capsular plication and careful labral management are strongly recommended.

Level of evidence

Level IV.
EFL supervisors’ written feedback focus and language functions: a mixed methods study
Authors: Gedamu Abate Demissie , Gezahegn Tesfaye Habtemariam
Published: December 2021

The objectives of this study were to examine the EFL supervisors’ written feedback focus, and language functions at selected public universities in Ethiopia. To address the objectives of the study, qualitative and quantitative approaches with concurrent mixed methods design was adopted. 55 supervisees were randomly selected out of 205 for the questionnaire survey. Besides, four supervisors were selected for interviews. Moreover, feedback comments on five theses drafts were utilized as data sources. To decide the language functions and feedback foci, frequency counts and percentages were used. Nonetheless, content analysis was used to analyze the interview data. The results showed that thesis supervisors used the directive feedback language function most prevailingly over the expressive function. Besides, the result indicated there was no balance of praise, criticism, and suggestions in the provision of feedback comments. The supervisors largely focused on content knowledge, followed by genre knowledge, and then linguistic accuracy and appropriateness (forms), respectively. Based on the results, supervisors were recommended to write their feedback comments in helpful and constructive ways based on the needs and preferences of their supervisees for the development of writing skills.
A Novel Approach for Quantifying the Pharmacological Activity of T-Cell Engagers Utilizing In Vitro Time Course Experiments and Streamlined Data Analysis
Authors: Van De Vyver Arthur , Eigenmann Miro , Ovacik Meric , Pohl Christian , Herter Sylvia , Weinzierl Tina , Fauti Tanja , Klein Christian , Lehr Thorsten , Bacac Marina , Walz Antje-Christine
Published: December 2021

CD3-bispecific antibodies are a new class of immunotherapeutic drugs against cancer. The pharmacological activity of CD3-bispecifics is typically assessed through in vitro assays of cancer cell lines co-cultured with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Assay results depend on experimental conditions such as incubation time and the effector-to-target cell ratio, which can hinder robust quantification of pharmacological activity. In order to overcome these limitations, we developed a new, holistic approach for quantification of the in vitro dose–response relationship. Our experimental design integrates a time-independent analysis of the dose–response across different time points as an alternative to the static, “snap-shot” analysis based on a single time point commonly used in dose–response assays. We show that the potency values derived from static
in vitro experiments depend on the incubation time, which leads to inconsistent results across multiple assays and compounds. We compared the potency values from the time-independent analysis with a model-based approach. We find comparably accurate potency estimates from the model-based and time-independent analyses and that the time-independent analysis provides a robust quantification of pharmacological activity. This approach may allow for an improved head-to-head comparison of different compounds and test systems and may prove useful for supporting first-in-human dose selection.
AMBRA1 promotes dsRNA- and virus-induced apoptosis through interacting with and stabilizing MAVS
Authors: Lin Yuxia , Huang Changbai , Gao Huixin , Li Xiaobo , Lin Quanshi , Zhou Shili , Huo Zhiting , Huang Yanxia , Liu Chao , Zhang Ping
Published: December 2021

Apoptosis is an important cellular response to viral infection. In this study, we identified activating molecule in Beclin1-regulated autophagy protein 1 (AMBRA1) as a positive regulator of apoptosis triggered by double-stranded (ds)RNA. Depletion of AMBRA1 by gene editing significantly reduced dsRNA-induced apoptosis, which was largely restored by trans-complementation of AMBRA1. Mechanistically, AMBRA1 interacts with mitochondrial antiviral-signaling protein (MAVS), a key mitochondrial adaptor in the apoptosis pathway induced by dsRNA and viral infection. Further co-immunoprecipitation analysis demonstrated that the mitochondrial localization of MAVS was essential for their interaction. The impact of AMBRA1 on dsRNA-induced apoptosis relied on the presence of MAVS and caspase-8. AMBRA1 was involved in the stabilization of MAVS through preventing its dsRNA-induced proteasomal degradation. Consistently, AMBRA1 upregulated the apoptosis induced by Semliki Forest virus infection. Taken together, our work illustrated a role for AMBRA1 in virus-induced apoptosis through interacting with and stabilizing MAVS.
Non-Enzymatic Kinetic Resolution and Desymmetrization of α-Quaternary Carboxylic Acids via Chiral Bifunctional Sulfide-Catalyzed Bromolactonization
Authors: Okuno Ken , Hiraki Mana , Chan Bun , Shirakawa Seiji
Published: December 2021

Kinetic resolution of racemic carboxylic acids is a reliable method to enantioselectively prepare chiral carboxylic acids. Although efficient catalytic kinetic resolutions of chiral α-tertiary carboxylic acids have been reported, the kinetic resolution of α-quaternary carboxylic acids bearing an all-carbon quaternary stereocenter has remained a formidable challenge. Herein, we report a precious example of a kinetic resolution of α-quaternary carboxylic acids via a chiral bifunctional sulfide-catalyzed bromolactonization of alkynes. The ability of chiral sulfides to recognize α-quaternary carboxylic acids was evaluated via the catalytic enantioselective desymmetrizing bromolactonization of achiral α,α-dipropargyl carboxylic acids, which is a reaction that is related to target kinetic resolution. The optimum chiral sulfide was successfully applied to the efficient kinetic resolution of α-propargyl carboxylic acids that bear an all-carbon quaternary stereocenter.
Halide-Adducts of OsO4. Structure and Reactivity in Alcohol-Oxidation
Authors: Fujimoto Tomohiro , Hirata Yuka , Sugimoto Hideki , Miyanishi Mayuko , Shiota Yoshihito , Yoshizawa Kazunari , Itoh Shinobu
Published: December 2021

Interaction of osmium tetroxide (OsO4) with a series of halide ions (X− = I−, Br−, Cl−, and F−) is examined. Stable 1:1 adducts, [OsO4(X)]− (1X), are formed in the case of Br−, Cl−, and F−, whereas redox reaction takes place with I− to give [OsVIIO4]− and I•. The adduct formation constant (KfX) increases as the basicity of the halide ion increases (Br− < Cl− < F−). Upon the adduct formation, the symmetric (ν(Os=O)sym) and asymmetric (ν(Os=O)asym) Os=O stretching vibration energies are lowered as compared with those of OsO4. The X-ray crystallographic analyses of the halide adducts indicate that the structural distortion of the osmium center from tetrahedron to trigonal bipyramid becomes larger as the KfX value becomes larger. 1F shows much higher reactivity compared with 1Br and 1Cl in the oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde, even though 1F has a lower reduction potential compared to 1Br and 1Cl. Mechanistic details of the alcohol oxidation reaction are evaluated by kinetic studies including Hammett analysis and kinetic deuterium isotope effect as well as by DFT calculations.
The jury is out: a new approach to awarding science prizes
Authors: Hill Michael
Published: December 2021

Research evaluation is often understood as something similar to a competition, where an evaluation panel’s task is to award the most excellent researchers. This interpretation is challenging, in as far as excellence it is at best a multi-dimensional concept and at worst an ill-defined term because it assumes that there exists some ground truth as to who the very best researchers are and all that an evaluation panel needs to do is uncover this ground truth. Therefore, instead of focusing on competition, the Swiss National Science Foundation focused on active decision-making and sought inspiration in the deliberation proceedings of a jury trial for the design of a new evaluation procedure of an academic award. The new evaluation procedure is based upon fully anonymised documents consisting of three independent parts (achievements, impact and prominence). Before the actual evaluation meeting, the panel, which includes non-academic experts, pre-evaluates all nominations through a pseudo-randomly structured network, such that every nomination is reviewed by six members of the panel only. Evaluation decisions are based upon anonymous votes, structured discussions in the panel, ranking as opposed to rating of nominees and data-rich figures providing an overview of the positioning of the nominee along various dimensions and the ranking provided by the individual panel members. The proceedings are overseen by an academic chair, focusing on content, and a procedural chair, focusing on the process and compliance. Combined, these elements form a highly-structure deliberation procedure, consisting of individual steps, through which nominations proceed and which each either feed into the next step or into the final verdict. The proposed evaluation process has been successfully applied in the real world in the evaluation of the Swiss Science Prize Marcel Benoist, Switzerland’s most prestigious academic award.
Optimal Bundling of Events
Authors: Kolay Sreya , Tyagi Rajeev K.
Published: December 2021

This paper derives optimal bundling strategies for events of potentially different popularity held over time.
A Variable Sample-Size Stochastic Quasi-Newton Method for Smooth and Nonsmooth Stochastic Convex Optimization
Authors: Jalilzadeh Afrooz , Nedić Angelia , Shanbhag Uday V. , Yousefian Farzad
Published: December 2021

Classical theory for quasi-Newton schemes has focused on smooth, deterministic, unconstrained optimization, whereas recent forays into stochastic convex optimization have largely resided in smooth, unconstrained, and strongly convex regimes. Naturally, there is a compelling need to address nonsmoothness, the lack of strong convexity, and the presence of constraints. Accordingly, this paper presents a quasi-Newton framework that can process merely convex and possibly nonsmooth (but smoothable) stochastic convex problems. We propose a framework that combines iterative smoothing and regularization with a variance-reduced scheme reliant on using an increasing sample size of gradients. We make the following contributions. (i) We develop a regularized and smoothed variable sample-size BFGS update (rsL-BFGS) that generates a sequence of Hessian approximations and can accommodate nonsmooth convex objectives by utilizing iterative regularization and smoothing. (ii) In strongly convex regimes with state-dependent noise, the proposed variable sample-size stochastic quasi-Newton (VS-SQN) scheme admits a nonasymptotic linear rate of convergence, whereas the oracle complexity of computing an [Formula: see text]-solution is [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] denotes the condition number and [Formula: see text]. In nonsmooth (but smoothable) regimes, using Moreau smoothing retains the linear convergence rate for the resulting smoothed VS-SQN (or sVS-SQN) scheme. Notably, the nonsmooth regime allows for accommodating convex constraints. To contend with the possible unavailability of Lipschitzian and strong convexity parameters, we also provide sublinear rates for diminishing step-length variants that do not rely on the knowledge of such parameters. (iii) In merely convex but smooth settings, the regularized VS-SQN scheme rVS-SQN displays a rate of [Formula: see text] with an oracle complexity of [Formula: see text]. When the smoothness requirements are weakened, the rate for the regularized and smoothed VS-SQN scheme rsVS-SQN worsens to [Formula: see text]. Such statements allow for a state-dependent noise assumption under a quadratic growth property on the objective. To the best of our knowledge, the rate results are among the first available rates for QN methods in nonsmooth regimes. Preliminary numerical evidence suggests that the schemes compare well with accelerated gradient counterparts on selected problems in stochastic optimization and machine learning with significant benefits in ill-conditioned regimes.
Partial Completion as a Nonprofit Strategy
Authors: Zhang Can , Atasu Atalay , Ramachandran Karthik
Published: December 2021

Problem definition: Faced with the challenge of serving beneficiaries with heterogeneous needs and under budget constraints, some nonprofit organizations (NPOs) have adopted an innovative solution: providing partially complete products or services to beneficiaries. We seek to understand what drives an NPO’s choice of partial completion as a design strategy and how it interacts with the level of variety offered in the NPO’s product or service portfolio. Academic/practical relevance: Although partial product or service provision has been observed in the nonprofit operations, there is limited understanding of when it is an appropriate strategy—a void that we seek to fill in this paper. Methodology: We synthesize the practices of two NPOs operating in different contexts to develop a stylized analytical model to study an NPO’s product/service completion and variety choices. Results: We identify when and to what extent partial completion is optimal for an NPO. We also characterize a budget allocation structure for an NPO between product/service variety and completion. Our analysis sheds light on how beneficiary characteristics (e.g., heterogeneity of their needs, capability to self-complete) and NPO objectives (e.g., total-benefit maximization versus fairness) affect the optimal levels of variety and completion. Managerial implications: We provide three key observations. (1) Partial completion is not a compromise solution to budget limitations but can be an optimal strategy for NPOs under a wide range of circumstances, even in the presence of ample resources. (2) Partial provision is particularly valuable when beneficiary needs are highly heterogeneous, or beneficiaries have high self-completion capabilities. A higher self-completion capability generally implies a lower optimal completion level; however, it may lead to either a higher or a lower optimal variety level. (3) Although providing incomplete products may appear to burden beneficiaries, a lower completion level can be optimal when fairness is factored into an NPO’s objective or when beneficiary capabilities are more heterogeneous.

History: This paper has been accepted for the Manufacturing & Service Operations Management Special Section on Responsible Research in Operations Management.

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2021.1031 .
Subsampling to Enhance Efficiency in Input Uncertainty Quantification
Authors: Lam Henry , Qian Huajie
Published: December 2021

Quantifying the impact of input estimation errors in data-driven stochastic simulation often encounters substantial computational challenges due to the entanglement of Monte Carlo and input data noises. In this paper, we propose a subsampling framework to bypass this computational bottleneck, by leveraging the form of the output variance and its estimation error in terms of data size and sampling effort. Compared with standard subsampling in the literature, our motivation is distinctly to reduce the sampling complexity of the two-layer bootstrap required in simulation uncertainty quantification. Compared with standard bootstraps, our subsampling approach provably and experimentally leads to more accurate variance and confidence interval estimations under the same amount of simulation budget.
I Left Venus and Came Back to Mars: Temporal Focus Congruence in Dyadic Relationships Following Maternity Leave
Authors: Freeney Yseult , van der Werff Lisa , Collings David G.
Published: December 2021

Temporal focus on past, present, and future of contributions to work is critical to understanding how employees and their line managers navigate career disruptions and minimize their potential for negative impact. This paper reframes temporal focus using a dyadic, relational perspective to explore how temporal focus (in)congruence shapes resocialization experiences for returners and their line managers following maternity leave disruption. Our qualitative study draws on 54 interviews across 27 organizations and demonstrates that a congruent, broader temporal focus—that embraces the past, present, and future—is associated with more positive relational and career outcomes than an incongruent focus, where one dyadic partner holds a narrow temporal focus. Our findings explicate how the adoption of a broad versus narrow temporal focus creates a perception of maternity leave as either a brief interlude or a major disruption. A congruent, broader temporal focus allows returners and their line managers to reduce their reliance on typical motherhood biases and instead, consider the woman’s past, present, and potential future contributions over the course of her career. We highlight the importance of temporal focus congruence at a dyadic level and the value of adopting a broader temporal focus on careers while offering new insights regarding the temporal dynamics inherent to maternity leave transitions for both returners and their managers.
Data-Driven Competitor-Aware Positioning in On-Demand Vehicle Rental Networks
Authors: Schroer Karsten , Ketter Wolfgang , Lee Thomas Y. , Gupta Alok , Kahlen Micha
Published: December 2021

We study a novel operational problem that considers vehicle positioning in on-demand rental networks, such as car sharing in the wider context of a competitive market in which users select vehicles based on access. Existing approaches consider networks in isolation; our competitor-aware model takes supply situations of competing networks into account. We combine online machine learning to predict market-level demand and supply with dynamic mixed integer nonlinear programming. For evaluation, we use discrete event simulation based on real-world data from Car2Go and DriveNow. Our model outperforms conventional models that consider the fleet in isolation by a factor of two in terms of profit improvements. In the case we study, the highest theoretical profit improvements of 7.5% are achieved with a dynamic model. Operators of on-demand rental networks can use our model under existing market conditions to build a profitable competitive advantage by optimizing access for consumers without the need for fleet expansion. Model effectiveness increases further in realistic scenarios of fleet expansion and demand growth. Our model accommodates rising demand, defends against competitors’ fleet expansion, and enhances the profitability of own fleet expansions.
Model Variasi Kalender pada Regresi Runtun Waktu untuk Peramalan Jumlah Pengunjung Grojogan Sewu
Authors: Zukhronah Etik , Sulandari Winita , Slamet Isnandar , Sugiyanto Sugiyanto , Susanto Irwan
Published: December 2021

Abstract. Grojogan Sewu visitors experience a significant increase during school holidays, year-end holidays, and also Eid al-Fitr holidays. The determination of Eid Al-Fitr uses the Hijriyah calendar so that the occurrence of Eid al-Fitr will progress 10 days when viewed from the Gregorian calendar, this causes calendar variations. The objective of this paper is to apply a calendar variation model based on time series regression and SARIMA models for forecasting the number of visitors in Grojogan Sewu. The data are Grojogan Sewu visitors from January 2009 until December 2019. The results show that time series regression with calendar variation yields a better forecast compared to the SARIMA model. It can be seen from the value of  root mean square error (RMSE) out-sample of time series regression with calendar variation is less than of SARIMA model.

Keywords: Calendar variation, time series regression, SARIMA, Grojogan Sewu
Being a transnational researcher and a mother amid the COVID-19 crisis
Authors: Tartari Morena
Published: December 2021

The article focuses on the author’s experience as a transnational researcher during the early months of the COVID-19 outbreak (January–April 2020), and discusses the possibilities and impossibilities of the COVID-19 pandemic for mothers who are transnational researchers.

The sociological approach of institutional ethnography is utilised to analyse entries from the author’s diary, articles and videos from mass media, posts on social media, and institutional texts (for example, regulations, policies).

The disjunctures between the different versions of reality (the author’s experiential perspective versus the ruling perspectives of the various institutions that framed the author’s experience at different stages) are discussed from the author’s standpoint as an international researcher, a woman and a single mother.
Simultaneous imaging of sound propagations and spatial distribution of acoustic frequencies
Authors: Hashimoto Sota , Takase Yuki , Inoue Tomoyoshi , Nishio Kenzo , Xia Peng , Rajput Sudheesh K. , Matoba Osamu , Awatsuji Yasuhiro
Published: December 2021

We propose a simultaneous imaging technique of both sound propagations and spatial distribution of acoustic frequencies. We experimentally demonstrated the proposed technique for the acoustic waves of frequencies 39,500 and 40,500 Hz, which have close sound pressure. The sounds were recorded at the framerate of 100,000 fps by parallel phase-shifting digital holography. To obtain the distribution of the acoustic frequencies, the short-time Fourier transform analysis was applied. The simultaneous imaging was carried out by assigning the frequencies and the pixel values of the phase-difference images to the components of HSL color space. The images obtained by the proposed technique represent the frequencies with the hue in addition to the sound propagations with the luminance. We succeeded in imaging the spatiotemporal evolution of the spatial frequencies of the sounds.
Constrained nonlinear optimization method for accurate calibration of a bi-telecentric camera in a three-dimensional microtopography system
Authors: Xiao Wenfan , Zhou Pei , An Shiyong , Zhu Jiangping
Published: December 2021

Telecentric cameras are widely used in the field of microscopic imaging because of
their constant magnification and tiny distortion in the depth of
field. Camera calibration has always been a key step in the field of
computer vision. Usually, the precise parameters of the telecentric
camera are obtained by nonlinear optimization; however, the randomness
of the optimization algorithm without proper constraints will cause
the results to be inconsistent with reality. Existing studies paid
little attention to this issue; therefore, we show a reliable
optimization approach for the bi-telecentric camera in a structured
illumination three-dimensional microtopography measurement system. In
this method, the distortion-free camera parameters are solved through
a closed-form solution. Then a nonlinear optimization algorithm with
constraining the world coordinates of the precise calibration target
is proposed to refine the global parameters, leading to the
calibration results being more accurate and authentic. The real
experiments are conducted to verify the feasibility of the proposed
method. The comparative experiments with the exiting approach are then
carried out, manifesting that the proposed method enjoys advantages in
terms of both reprojection error and operating efficiency.
Additionally, the average offset of the world coordinates on the
calibration target derived from the proposed method verifies its
effectiveness and reasonability.
Fluorescence lifetime needle optical biopsy discriminates hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zherebtsov Evgenii A. , Potapova Elena V. , Mamoshin Andrian V. , Shupletsov Valery V. , Kandurova Ksenia Y. , Dremin Viktor V. , Abramov Andrey Y. , Dunaev Andrey V.
Published: December 2021

This work presents results of in vivo and in situ measurements of hepatocellular carcinoma by a developed optical biopsy system. Here, we describe the technical details of the implementation of fluorescence lifetime and diffuse reflectance measurements by the system, equipped with an original needle optical probe, compatible with the 17.5G biopsy needle standard. The fluorescence lifetime measurements observed by the setup were verified in fresh solutions of NADH and FAD++, and then applied in a murine model for the characterisation of inoculated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and adjacent liver tissue. The technique, applied in vivo and in situ and supplemented by measurements of blood oxygen saturation, made it possible to reveal statistically significant transformation in the set of measured parameters linked with the cellular pools of NADH and NADPH. In the animal model, we demonstrate that the characteristic changes in registered fluorescent parameters can be used to reliably distinguish the HCC tissue, liver tissue in the control, and the metabolically changed liver tissues of animals with the developed HCC tumour. For further transition to clinical applications, the optical biopsy system was tested during the routing procedure of the PNB in humans with suspected HCC. The comparison of the data from murine and human HCC tissues suggests that the tested animal model is generally representative in the sense of the registered fluorescence lifetime parameters, while statistically significant differences between their absolute values can still be observed.
Developing test color samples to compute color fidelity of light sources for printing matter
Authors: Hu Xiaojie , Lian Yusheng , Hu Xiangmei , Liu Zilong , Wang Meng , Chen Yingwen , Yang Zizhao , Zhang Haoyu
Published: December 2021

Based on the clustering optimization of test color samples and a psychophysical experiment, the objective and subjective color fidelity of light sources for printing matter is evaluated, and an improved evaluation method thus has been proposed. Firstly, for representing the output characteristics of printing press, the International Color Consortium standard color target samples (ICC SCTS), which is measured in the process of color management, is used as a large color sample set. In a 6D spectral color space proposed in this paper, the optimized color sample set (OCSS) is obtained by Self Organizing Maps Neural Networks (SOMNN) clustering algorithm from ICC SCTS. Taking OCSS, ICC SCTS, and standard color sample set (SCSS) as the test color sample set, three objective color fidelity indexes (CFIs) CIE-Ra, Ra,2012, and CIE-Rf of 1202 light sources are calculated. The correlation metrics of the CFIs show that the OCSS highly improved the objective accuracy of color fidelity evaluation for printing matters. Secondly, in the psychophysical experiment, 20 observers have evaluated the visual color difference of the OCSS under the illumination of nine pairs of test and reference light sources. The subjective CFIs are calculated by using the visual color difference of OCSS obtained from the psychophysical experiment. In order to improve the subjective and objective consistency of CFIs, a polynomial modified model for objective color difference of OCSS is proposed. By the optimization of test color samples and the modification of color difference calculation, the method developed in this paper can be effectively and conveniently applied to the subjective and objective evaluation of light source for printing matters.
Microwave two-photon spectroscopy of cesium Rydberg atoms
Authors: Xue Yongmei , Jiao Yuechun , Hao Liping , Zhao Jianming
Published: December 2021

We present a two-photon microwave spectra of cesium Rydberg atoms in the room-temperature vapor cell. The three-level atom including a ground state 6S1/2 (F = 4), an excited state 6P3/2 (F′ = 5) and Rydberg state consists of Rydberg electromagnetically induced transparency (Rydberg-EIT), that is employed to detect the microwave two-photon spectra. The microwave field with frequency ν
DD
= 11.42865 GHz couples the transition of Rydberg energy level |68D5/2〉 → |69D5/2〉, measured two-photon spectra display a rich of information including the microwave ac Stark shifts and two-photon Autler-Townes (AT) splitting. In the strong microwave field, the two-photon spectroscopy shows the state mixture between |68D5/2〉 and |68D3/2〉 Stark lines. The microwave two-photon spectra of the |69S1/2〉 → |70S1/2〉 transition coupled with frequency ν
SS
= 11.73503 GHz are also presented. The Floquet theory is employed to simulate the two-photon microwave spectra, showing the good agreement with the measurements. The work suggests the new method that may be used to investigate the multi-photon field-atom interaction and as an atom-based technique for precision field measurements.
Multiple and off-axis optical bottles from the chirped circular Pearcey Gaussian vortex beams
Authors: Mo Zhenwu , Jiang Junjie , Wei Quanfeng , Xu Danlin , Yang Haobin , Huang Haiqi , Wu You , Liu Hongzhan , Shui Lingling , Deng Dongmei
Published: December 2021

We introduce a new type of multiple and off-axis optical bottles (OBs) based on the chirped circular Pearcey Gaussian vortex beam. This kind of beam allows the generation of the OBs with a perfect bottle shape through coherent superposition. Also, we show that the number and the position of the OBs can be precisely and flexibly controlled. The experimental results agree well with our numerical simulations, and we observe stable trapping of the mesocarbon microbeads particles by the proposed bottle beam.