bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Minimally invasive anatomic liver resection: Results of a survey of world experts
Authors: Morimoto Mamoru , Monden Kazuteru , Wakabayashi Taiga , Gotohda Naoto , Abe Yuta , Honda Goro , Abu Hilal Mohammed , Aoki Takeshi , Asbun Horacio J. , Berardi Giammauro , Chan Albert C.Y. , Chanwat Rawisak , Chen Kuo‐Hsin , Chen Yajin , Cherqui Daniel , Cheung Tan To , Ciria Ruben , Fuks David , Geller David A. , Han Ho‐Seong , Hasegawa Kiyoshi , Hatano Etsuro , Itano Osamu , Iwashita Yukio , Kaneko Hironori , Kato Yutaro , Kim Ji Hoon , Liu Rong , López‐Ben Santiago , Rotellar Fernando , Sakamoto Yoshihiro , Sugioka Atsushi , Yoshizumi Tomoharu , Akahoshi Keiichi , Alconchel Felipe , Ariizumi Shunichi , Benedetti Cacciaguerra Andrea , Durán Manuel , García Vázquez Alain , Golse Nicolas , Miyasaka Yoshihiro , Mori Yasuhisa , Ogiso Satoshi , Shirata Chikara , Tomassini Federico , Urade Takeshi , Nishino Hitoe , Kunzler Filipe , Kozono Shingo , Osakabe Hiroaki , Takishita Chie , Ban Daisuke , Hibi Taizo , Kokudo Norihiro , Ohtsuka Masayuki , Nagakawa Yuichi , Ohtsuka Takao , Tanabe Minoru , Nakamura Masafumi , Yamamoto Masakazu , Tsuchida Akihiko , Wakabayashi Go
Published: December 2021

Background

Although the number of minimally invasive liver resections (MILRs) has been steadily increasing in many institutions, minimally invasive anatomic liver resection (MIALR) remains a complicated procedure that has not been standardized. We present the results of a survey among expert liver surgeons as a benchmark for standardizing MIALR.

Method

We administered this survey to 34 expert liver surgeons who routinely perform MIALR. The survey contained questions on personal experience with liver resection, inflow/outflow control methods, and identification techniques of intersegmental/sectional planes (IPs).

Results

All 34 participants completed the survey; 24 experts (70%) had more than 11 years of experience with MILR, and over 80% of experts had performed over 100 open resections and MILRs each. Regarding the methods used for laparoscopic or robotic anatomic resection, the Glissonean approach (GA) was a more frequent procedure than the hilar approach (HA). Although hepatic veins were considered essential landmarks, the exposure methods varied. The top three techniques that the experts recommended for identifying IPs were creating a demarcation line, indocyanine green negative staining method, and intraoperative ultrasound.

Conclusion

Minimally invasive anatomic liver resection remains a challenging procedure; however, a certain degree of consensus exists among expert liver surgeons.
Movement Disorders and Musculoskeletal System: A Reciprocal Relationship
Authors: Pandey Sanjay , Chouksey Anjali , Pitakpatapee Yuvadee , Srivanitchapoom Prachaya
Published: December 2021

The association of movement disorders (MDs) with musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders is observed in two principal scenarios. First, MDs patients may present with MSK issues. This phenomenon is primarily observed in parkinsonian syndromes, but may also be seen in patients with dystonia, Tourette syndrome, and some gene‐related MDs. Second, there are MSK disorders that may produce or mimic MDs. Important primary MSK disorders producing MDs are joint hyperlaxity syndrome, non‐traumatic craniovertebral junction anomalies, congenital muscular torticollis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Peripheral trauma to the MSK system may also lead to MDs commonly referred to as peripherally induced MDs. The exact pathogenesis of these disorders is not clear, however many patients have associated sensory phenomena such as complex regional pain syndrome. Herein, we provide an overview of disorders that may manifest with a combination of MSK and MDs, as detailed above. The most common MDs are discussed in each section, along with important clinical points, suggested diagnostic workups, and possible differential diagnoses.
A Machine‐Learning Derived Huntington's Disease Progression Model: Insights for Clinical Trial Design
Authors: Mohan Amrita , Sun Zhaonan , Ghosh Soumya , Li Ying , Sathe Swati , Hu Jianying , Sampaio Cristina
Published: December 2021

Background

Applying machine‐learning algorithms to large datasets such as those available in Huntington's disease offers the opportunity to discover hidden patterns, often not discernible to clinical observation.

Objectives

To develop and validate a model of Huntington's disease progression using probabilistic machine learning methods.

Methods

Longitudinal data encompassing 2079 assessment measures from four observational studies (PREDICT‐HD, REGISTRY, TRACK‐HD, and Enroll‐HD) were integrated and machine‐learning methods (Bayesian latent‐variable analysis and continuous‐time hidden Markov models) were applied to develop a probabilistic model of disease progression. The model was validated using a separate Enroll‐HD dataset and compared with existing clinical reference assessments (Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale [UHDRS] diagnostic confidence level, total functional capacity, and total motor scores) and CAG‐age product.

Results

Nine disease states were discovered based on 44 motor, cognitive, and functional measures, which correlated with reference assessments. The validation set included 3158 participants (mean age, 48.4 years) of whom 61.5% had manifest disease. Analysis of transition times showed that “early‐disease” states 1 and 2, which occur before motor diagnosis, lasted ~16 years. Increasing numbers of participants had motor onset during “transition” states 3 to 5, which collectively lasted ~10 years, and the “late‐disease” states 6 to 9 also lasted ~10 years. The annual probability of conversion from one of the nine identified disease states to the next ranged from 5% to 27%.

Conclusions

The natural history of Huntington's disease can be described by nine disease states of increasing severity. The ability to derive characteristics of disease states and probabilities for progression through these states will improve trial design and participant selection. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Stable‐isotope analysis of collective burial sites in Southern France at late Neolithic/early Bronze Age transition
Authors: Le Roy Mélie , Magniez Pierre , Goude Gwenaëlle
Published: December 2021

The northwestern Mediterranean has been an area favored for bioanthropological and biogeochemical investigations for almost 20 years now. Recent studies have demonstrated that, contrary to previous thought, the diets of Neolithic people were highly diversified and could be influenced by the organizational system and specific mobility of the people. Due to the presence of numerous single burial sites in southern France, most of the stable‐isotope data obtained on human remains come from the Early–Middle Neolithic periods. Currently, very little data are available on the late Neolithic and early Bronze Age. This study presents preliminary research on collective burial sites in this transitional context. A bioarchaeological analysis combined with a multi‐element (CNS) stable‐isotope analysis on human (n = 28) and animal (n = 12) bone collagen was performed for four sites in Southern France. This area provides an exceptional environment where wild and domestic terrestrial resources can be exploited, as well as river resources. Settlement documentation for the area is rare, and no relationship analysis can be performed between the burial sites and the little archaeozoological/archaeobotanical data available for the area. Although this investigation is preliminary, our results demonstrate the importance of domestic herbivores in the protein portion of the human diet, and we cautiously suggest a shift between caprine and bovine sources during the transition to the early Bronze Age. The sulfur data also indicate different environments exploited for some individuals and possibly different geographical origins, without the influence of biological (health status, sex, or age) and/or cultural (funerary treatment) parameters.
An automated evaluation of broker compatibility for the Message Queuing Telemetry Transport protocol
Authors: Sochor Hannes , Ferrarotti Flavio , Ramler Rudolf
Published: December 2021

Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) is the most widely used protocol within the communication layer of the Internet of Things (IoT). Message brokers are a key component of the MQTT protocol and a single point of failure. Incompatibilities between different MQTT brokers or broker versions with their clients can cause critical failures and become a source of security risks. Thus, every MQTT broker change or update needs to be accompanied by an evaluation of the compatibility between the new and the previous broker. In this work, we develop an automated framework for compatibility evaluation of MQTT brokers, which can be easily generalized to other similar IoT components. We apply this framework to perform a comprehensive experiment conducted with 16 different versions of 6 popular MQTT brokers. We report inconsistencies in the behavior of different MQTT brokers and broker versions. Based on the experiment results, we calculate and provide a visualization of compatibility among the evaluated brokers in terms of their distance, which indicates the risk of incompatibilities when replacing a broker with another one. The calculation of distance measures can be adjusted by giving higher weights to important features. We use this method to show security‐related differences between the brokers.
Post‐synthesis metal‐organic framework for turn‐on ratiometric fluorescence sensing of UO22+
Authors: Zhang Jun , Ren Yiming , Xia Tifeng , Du Yunfeng , Shao Lang , Tang Hao , Yang Shanli
Published: December 2021

Uranium is an important and toxic radioactive nuclide, which is usually exist in nature water as uranyl ions. In this work, we developed a rapid sensitive and selective analytical methods for detection uranyl ions in aqueous solution. The Eu3+ incorporated MOF through post‐synthesis strategy was obtained, which exhibits excellent turn‐on and ratiometric fluorescence sensing ability toward uranyl ions with the limit of detection as low as 3 nM. Moreover, this probe also shows great selectivity towards uranyl ions in the presence of a wide range of environmentally interfering species and good sensing capacity in real water samples. We also discussed the sensing mechanism combine the XPS results and calculations.
Captive rearing of orphaned African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) in Namibia: A case study
Authors: Marker Laurie , Honig Meredith , Pfeiffer Lauren , Kuypers Monique , Gervais Kathy
Published: December 2021

African wild dogs (AWDs; Lycaon pictus) are an endangered canid species facing drastic decline throughout their range due to habitat fragmentation and persecution by humans over livestock depredation, resulting in dens destroyed and adult members of packs and pups often being killed. Breeding of captive AWDs is challenging due to high juvenile mortality, only marginally improved from wild conditions, thus both in situ and ex situ conservation remains critical. As a result of human‐wildlife conflict, between 2017 and 2018, the Namibian Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism confiscated three litters of orphaned AWD pups from rural farmers who had destroyed the dens in Eastern Namibia and placed the pups with the Cheetah Conservation Fund. Seventeen of the 18 pups were successfully reared to yearlings with 15 individuals translocated for eventual soft release into a private game reserve. This case study provides information on the successful rearing of three litters of orphaned wild dog pups on behavior, housing, husbandry, diet, growth and medical issues as limited information is available for rearing orphaned pups from the age of 2.5 weeks old.
General non-leptonic ∆F = 1 WET at the NLO in QCD
Authors: Aebischer Jason , Bobeth Christoph , Buras Andrzej J. , Kumar Jacky , Misiak Mikołaj
Published: December 2021

Abstract

We reconsider the complete set of four-quark operators in the Weak Effective Theory (WET) for non-leptonic ∆F = 1 decays that govern s → d and b → d, s transitions in the Standard Model (SM) and beyond, at the Next-to-Leading Order (NLO) in QCD. We discuss cases with different numbers Nf of active flavours, intermediate threshold corrections, as well as the issue of transformations between operator bases beyond leading order to facilitate the matching to high-energy completions or the Standard Model Effective Field Theory (SMEFT) at the electroweak scale. As a first step towards a SMEFT NLO analysis of K → ππ and non-leptonic B-meson decays, we calculate the relevant WET Wilson coefficients including two-loop contributions to their renormalization group running, and express them in terms of the Wilson coefficients in a particular operator basis for which the one-loop matching to SMEFT is already known.
Is the bioactivity of induced membranes time dependent?
Authors: Gessmann Jan , Rosteius Thomas , Baecker Hinnerk , Sivalingam Kavitha , Peter Elvira , Schildhauer Thomas Armin , Köller Manfred
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The induced membrane technique (IMT) is a two-stage surgical procedure for reconstruction of bone defects. Bone grafting (second stage of IMT) is recommend after 4–8 weeks assuming the highest bioactivity of IMs. However, larger studies concerning the biology and maturation of IMs and a potential time dependency of the bioactivity are missing. Therefore, aim of this study was the time-dependent structural and cellular characterization of cement spacer IMs concomitantly to an analysis of membrane bioactivity.

Methods

IMs from 60 patients (35–82 years) were obtained at different maturation stages (1–16 weeks). IMs were studied by histology and co-culture with mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). IM lysates were analyzed by ELISA and protein microarray.

Results

Increasing vascularization and fibrosis were found in membranes older than 4 and 7 weeks, respectively. MSC grew out from all membranes and all membranes enhanced proliferation of cultured MSC. Osteocalcin and osteopontin (in membrane lysates or induced in MSC by membrane tissue) were found over all time points without significant differences. In contrast to alkaline phosphatase activity, increasing levels of osteoprotegerin were found in membranes.

Conclusion

The histological structure of IMs changes during growth and maturation, however, biologically active MSC and factors related to osteogenesis are found over all time points with minor changes. Thus, membranes older than 8 weeks exert regenerative capacities comparable to the younger ones. The postulated narrow time frame of 4–8 weeks until bone grafting can be questioned and surgeons may choose timing for the second operation more independently and based on other clinical factors.
Deformation and Hochschild cohomology of coisotropic algebras
Authors: Dippell Marvin , Esposito Chiara , Waldmann Stefan
Published: December 2021

Coisotropic algebras consist of triples of algebras for which a reduction can be defined and unify in a very algebraic fashion coisotropic reduction in several settings. In this paper, we study the theory of (formal) deformation of coisotropic algebras showing that deformations are governed by suitable coisotropic DGLAs. We define a deformation functor and prove that it commutes with reduction. Finally, we study the obstructions to existence and uniqueness of coisotropic algebras and present some geometric examples.
Absence of Mycoplasma spp. in nightingales (Luscinia megarhynchos) and blue (Cyanistes caeruleus) and great tits (Parus major) in Germany and its potential implication for evolutionary studies in birds
Authors: Fischer Luisa , Möller Palau-Ribes Franca , Kipper Silke , Weiss Michael , Landgraf Conny , Lierz Michael
Published: December 2021

Mycoplasma spp. are important pathogens in poultry and cause high economic losses for poultry industry worldwide. In other bird species (e.g. white storks, birds of prey, and several waterfowl species), Mycoplasma spp. are regularly found in healthy individuals, hence, considered apathogenic or part of the microbiota of the upper respiratory tract. However, as Mycoplasma spp. are absent in healthy individuals of some wild bird species, they might play a role as respiratory pathogen in these bird species, e.g. Mycoplasma gallisepticum in house finches. The knowledge on the occurrence of Mycoplasma spp. in wild birds is limited. To evaluate the relevance of Mycoplasma spp. in free-ranging nightingales and tits, 172 wild caught birds were screened for the presence of mycoplasmas. The birds were sampled via choanal swabs and examined via molecular methods (n = 172) and, when possible, via culture (n = 142). The Mycoplasma sp. was determined by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene and 16S-23S Intergenic Transcribed Spacer Region. All birds were tested negative for mycoplasmas via PCR and/or mycoplasmal culture. Hence, free-ranging nightingales and tits do not show any mycoplasma in their microbial flora of the respiratory tract. Therefore, these songbird species may suffer from clinical mycoplasmosis when being infected. We hypothesize that birds relying on their vocal ability for reproduction have excluded mycoplasmas from their respiratory flora compared to other bird species.
The Curious Case of the Excellent Gossiper
Authors: Kotsonis Alkis
Published: December 2021

My main aim in this paper is to examine whether gossip should be categorized as an epistemically valuable character trait. Gossip satisfies the necessary and jointly sufficient conditions for an acquired character trait to be classified as an intellectual virtue under the responsibilist understanding of the concept of virtue. The excellent gossiper is (i) motivated to acquire epistemic goods through gossiping, (ii) reliably successful in acquiring epistemic goods through gossiping, (iii) competent at the activity of gossiping and (iv) good at judging when, with whom and what to gossip. Nonetheless, I show that the excellent gossiper inflicts (knower-initiated) epistemic wrong on others. The excellent gossiper comes to intentionally acquire another person’s private information (e.g., their sexual preferences) without their consent. This leaves virtue responsibilists with three options: (a) resist my argument that gossip qualifies as a responsibilist virtue and/or that excellent gossiping inflicts epistemic wrong, (b) bite the bullet and argue that the intellectually virtuous agent sometimes inflicts epistemic wrong on other agents intentionally, (c) develop a no-wrong principle that disqualifies gossip from being categorized as an intellectual virtue.
Psychometric Validation of the Spanish Gaming Disorder Test (GDT): Item Response Theory and Measurement Invariance Analysis
Authors: Maldonado-Murciano Laura , Pontes Halley M. , Barrios Maite , Gómez-Benito Juana , Guilera Georgina
Published: December 2021

Gaming Disorder (GD) has been recently added to the eleventh revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) by the World Health Organization (WHO), as such, psychometrically sound psychological measures are required to assess this disorder. The objective of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Spanish Gaming Disorder Test (GDT) by assessing its dimensionality, reliability, convergent validity, and associations with other variables of importance through polytomous Item Response Theory (IRT) and Measurement Invariance (MI) analysis across genders. To achieve this, a sample of 538 gamers (42.94% female, meanage = 23.29 years, SD = 7.24) was recruited. The results obtained supported a one-factor structure for the Spanish GDT with adequate reliability and convergent validity. Furthermore, satisfactory goodness of fit in the partial credit model (PCM) with more precise scores at high trait levels to assess GD was found, and strict invariance across genders was supported. These findings attest to the suitability of the Spanish GDT for clinical assessment and research on disordered gaming beyond community samples.
Arbeit in der psychosozialen Versorgung von Kindern, Jugendlichen und Familien während der Covid-19-Pandemie – Ergebnisse einer qualitativen Interviewstudie in Wien und Niederösterreich
Authors: Jesser Andrea , Mädge Anna-Lena , Maier Carina , Hierzer Jana , Dörfler Sylvia , Haslinger Martha , Muckenhuber Johanna , Schrank Beate
Published: December 2021

Die Vorgaben des „Social Distancing“ während der Corona-Pandemie stellten Angebote der psychosozialen Versorgung von Kindern, Jugendlichen und Familien, die traditionell auf persönlichem Kontakt beruhen, in der Durchführung vor neue Herausforderungen. In dieser qualitativen Studie wurde zu drei Erhebungszeitpunkten zwischen März und Oktober 2020 untersucht, wie sich die Pandemie speziell auf diese Angebote ausgewirkt hat und wie Mitarbeiter*innen und Führungspersonen psychosozialer Einrichtungen die Arbeit unter den veränderten Gegebenheiten erlebten. Ihre Arbeitssituation wird unter Zuhilfenahme der Konzepte des Arbeitskraftunternehmers und der Vulnerabilität untersucht. Es werden zwei Themenfelder vorgestellt, die sich in der Analyse der ersten beiden Erhebungszeiträume als zentral erwiesen haben: Das Spannungsfeld zwischen dem Schutz der eigenen Gesundheit und der Versorgungssicherheit für Klient*innen und das Belastungserleben von Praktiker*innen in Zusammenhang mit stark veränderten Arbeitsrealitäten in der Sozialen Arbeit und der eigenen Betroffenheit von der Corona-Pandemie. Deutlich wird das Bestreben der Fachkräfte, trotz schwieriger Rahmenbedingungen unterstützende Angebote während der Krise aufrechtzuerhalten. Es zeigen sich aber auch die Belastung und Überforderung der Praktiker*innen im Feld und es wird ersichtlich, dass adäquate Rahmenbedingungen sowohl zur Stärkung der psychosozialen Versorgung generell wie auch für die Bewältigung gesellschaftlicher Krisen notwendig sind.
Covid-19 and child criminal exploitation in the UK: implications of the pandemic for county lines
Authors: Brewster Ben , Robinson Grace , Silverman Bernard W. , Walsh Dave
Published: December 2021

In March 2020, the UK was placed in lockdown following the spread of the Covid-19 virus. Just as legitimate workplaces made changes to enable their employees to work from home, the illicit drugs trade also made alternative arrangements, adapting its supply models to ensure continuity of operations. Based upon qualitative interviews with 46 practitioners, this paper assesses how front-line professionals have experienced and perceived the impact of Covid-19 on child criminal exploitation and County Lines drug supply in the UK. Throughout the paper, we highlight perceived adaptations to the County Lines supply model, the impact of lockdown restrictions on detection and law enforcement activities aimed at County Lines, and on efforts to safeguard children and young people from criminal exploitation. Our participants generally believed that the pandemic had induced shifts to County Lines that reflected an ongoing evolution of the drug supply model and changes in understanding or attention because of Covid-19 restrictions, rather than a complete reconstitution of the model itself. Practitioners perceived that Covid-19 has had, and continues to have, a significant impact on some young people’s vulnerability to exploitation, on the way in which police and frontline practitioners respond to County Lines and child criminal exploitation, and on the way illegal drugs are being moved and sold.
Sport and climate change—how will climate change affect sport?
Authors: Schneider Sven , Mücke Hans-Guido
Published: December 2021

Climate change will have complex consequences for the environment, society, economy and people’s health. The issue of climate change has received comparatively little attention to date in the fields of sports science. Thus, sport-related health risks caused by climate change are discussed and summarized in a conceptual model presented here for the first time. Climate change is associated with the following increases of health-related risks for athletes in particular: Direct consequences caused by extreme temperature and other extreme weather events (e.g. increasing risks due to heatwaves, thunderstorms, floods, lightning, ultraviolet radiation) and indirect consequences as a result of climate-induced changes to our ecosystem (e.g. due to increased air pollution by ozone, higher exposures to allergens, increasing risks of infection by viruses and bacteria and the associated vectors and reservoir organisms). Each aspect is supplemented with advice on the prevention of health hazards. Not only individual athletes but also sports organizations and local clubs will have to respond to the changes in our climate, so that they can appropriately protect both athletes and spectators and ensure a plannable continuation of the sport in the future.
White paper peanut allergy—part 2: Diagnosis of peanut allergy with special emphasis on molecular component diagnostics
Authors: Blum Lea Alexandra , Ahrens Birgit , Klimek Ludger , Beyer Kirsten , Gerstlauer Michael , Hamelmann Eckard , Lange Lars , Nemat Katja , Vogelberg Christian , Blumchen Katharina
Published: December 2021

Background

Peanut allergy is an immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated immune response that usually manifests in childhood and can range from mild skin reactions to anaphylaxis. Since quality of life maybe greatly reduced by the diagnosis of peanut allergy, an accurate diagnosis should always be made.

Methods

A selective literature search was performed in PubMed and consensus diagnostic algorithms are presented.

Results

Important diagnostic elements include a detailed clinical history, detection of peanut-specific sensitization by skin prick testing and/or in vitro measurement of peanut (extract)-specific IgE and/or molecular components, and double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge as the gold standard. Using these tools, including published cut-off values, diagnostic algorithms were established for the following constellations: 1) Suspicion of primary peanut allergy with a history of immediate systemic reaction, 2) Suspicion of primary peanut allergy with questionable symptoms, 3) Incidental findings on sensitization testing and peanut ingestion so far or 4) Suspicion of pollen-associated peanut allergy with solely oropharyngeal symptoms.

Conclusion

The most important diagnostic measures in determining the diagnosis of peanut allergy are clinical history and detection of sensitizations, also via component-based diagnostics. However, in case of unclear results, the gold standard—an oral food challenge—should always be used.
Investigation of effect of electrode polarity on electrochemistry and magnetohydrodynamics using tertiary current distribution in electroslag remelting process
Authors: Karimi-Sibaki E. , Kharicha A. , Vakhrushev A. , Wu M. , Ludwig A. , Bohacek J.
Published: December 2021

Transport phenomena including the electromagnetic, concentration of ions, flow, and thermal fields in the electroslag remelting (ESR) process made of slag, electrode, air, mold, and melt pool are computed considering tertiary current distribution. Nernst–Planck equations are solved in the bulk of slag, and faradaic reactions are regarded at the metal–slag interface. Aiming at exploring electrochemical effects on the behavior of the ESR process, the calculated field structures are compared with those obtained using the classical ohmic approach, namely, primary current distribution whereby variations in concentrations of ions and faradaic reactions are ignored. Also, the influence of the earth magnetic field on magnetohydrodynamics in the melt pool and slag is considered. The impact of the polarity of electrode, whether positive, also known as direct current reverse polarity (DCRP), or negative, as known as direct current straight polarity (DCSP), on the transport of oxygen to the ingot of ESR is investigated. The obtained modeling results enabled us to explain the experimental observation of higher oxygen content in DCSP than that of DCRP operated ESR process.
Simplified calculation of friction mean effective pressure for fast simulation of fuel consumption
Authors: Finger Georg
Published: December 2021

An environmentally friendly and economical ship operation can be accomplished through many different methods. Most of these approaches focus on technological solutions, e.g. internal engine measures in order to make the engine more eco-friendly, by changing engine control parameters for a better connection between propulsion system and ship, by usage of different fuels or fuel supplements or installation of exhaust gas-treatment systems. For many ships, it is neither efficient nor economically viable to replace or improve existing power generation or propulsion systems in order to improve efficiency or reduce emissions. Some of the internal measures used to reduce NOx-emissions like exhaust gas recirculation even lead to a higher fuel consumption. The vessel itself is still controlled by a crew and they should be kept in the loop to improve efficiency. Therefore optimal operational procedures for handling ships and specifically the outcome of engine manoeuvres is a substantial source for eco-friendly ship operations. The German research project MEmBran (Modelling Emissions and Fuel Consumption during Ship Manoeuvres) addresses especially the basis for optimising ship engine manoeuvres. It focusses on very detailed simulation of the processes of currently existing ship diesel engines, especially in a first step 4-stroke engines in order to implement models in wider comprehensive ship handling simulation software. As part of an existing planning and prediction software that can be used on board, it enables the watch keeping nautical officer and the shipping company to forecast and compare the fuel consumption of the ship for each manoeuvre. In order to reach this goal it is necessary to use fast calculating and stable methods that can be used to forecast the power output of the engine and the fuel consumption. This paper discusses an approach to calculate friction mean effective pressure.
FgRab5 and FgRab7 are essential for endosomes biogenesis and non-redundantly recruit the retromer complex to the endosomes in Fusarium graminearum
Authors: Abubakar Yakubu Saddeeq , Qiu Han , Fang Wenqin , Zheng Huawei , Lu Guodong , Zhou Jie , Wang Zonghua , Zheng Wenhui
Published: December 2021

The retromer complex, composed of the cargo-selective complex (CSC) Vps35-Vps29-Vps26 in complex with the sorting nexin dimer Vps5-Vps17, mediates the sorting and retrograde transport of cargo proteins from the endosomes to the trans-Golgi network in eukaryotic cells. Rab proteins belong to the Ras superfamily of small GTPases and regulate many trafficking events including vesicle formation, budding, transport, tethering, docking and fusion with target membranes. Herein, we investigated the potential functional relationship between the retromer complex and the 11 Rab proteins that exist in Fusarium graminearum using genetic and high-resolution laser confocal microscopic approaches. We found that only FgRab5 (FgRab5A and FgRab5B) and FgRab7 associate with the retromer complex. Both FgVps35-GFP and FgVps17-GFP are mis-localized and appear diffused in the cytoplasm of ΔFgrab5A, ΔFgrab5B and ΔFgrab7 mutants as compared to their punctate localization within the endosomes of the wild-type. FgRab7 and FgRab5B were found to co-localize with the retromer on endosomal membranes. Most strikingly, we found that these three Rab GTPases are indispensable for endosome biogenesis as both early and late endosomes could not be detected in the cells of the mutants after FM4-64 staining of the cells, while they were very clearly seen in the wild-type PH-1. Furthermore, FgRab7 was found to recruit FgVps35 but not FgVps17 to the endosomal membranes, whereas FgRab5B recruits both FgVps35 and FgVps17 to the membranes. Thus, we conclude that the Rab proteins FgRab5A, FgRab5B and FgRab7 play critical roles in the biogenesis of endosomes and in regulating retromer-mediated trafficking in F. graminearum.
Innovation and opportunity: review of the UK’s national AI strategy
Authors: Kazim Emre , Almeida Denise , Kingsman Nigel , Kerrigan Charles , Koshiyama Adriano , Lomas Elizabeth , Hilliard Airlie
Published: December 2021

The publication of the UK’s National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy represents a step-change in the national industrial, policy, regulatory, and geo-strategic agenda. Although there is a multiplicity of threads to explore this text can be read primarily as a ‘signalling’ document. Indeed, we read the National AI Strategy as a vision for innovation and opportunity, underpinned by a trust framework that has innovation and opportunity at the forefront. We provide an overview of the structure of the document and offer an emphasised commentary on various standouts. Our main takeaways are: Innovation First: a clear signal is that innovation is at the forefront of UK’s data priorities. Alternative Ecosystem of Trust: the UK’s regulatory-market norms becoming the preferred ecosystem is dependent upon the regulatory system and delivery frameworks required. Defence, Security and Risk: security and risk are discussed in terms of utilisation of AI and governance. Revision of Data Protection: the signal is that the UK is indeed seeking to position itself as less stringent regarding data protection and necessary documentation. EU Disalignment—Atlanticism?: questions are raised regarding a step back in terms of data protection rights. We conclude with further notes on data flow continuity, the feasibility of a sector approach to regulation, legal liability, and the lack of a method of engagement for stakeholders. Whilst the strategy sends important signals for innovation, achieving ethical innovation is a harder challenge and will require a carefully evolved framework built with appropriate expertise.
Comparing Self-Reported Pain During Intercourse and Pain During a Standardized Gynecological Exam at 12- and 24-Month Postpartum
Authors: Rossi Meghan A. , Vermeir Ella , Brooks Melissa , Pierce Marianne , Pukall Caroline F. , Rosen Natalie O.
Published: December 2021

Background

There is limited information about the physical indicators and biopsychosocial predictors of self-reported pain during intercourse and pain during a gynecological examination at 12- and 24-month following childbirth.

Aim

This longitudinal study aimed to (i) Compare the findings from gynecological exams at 12- and 24-month postpartum for women with minimal vs clinically significant pain during intercourse; (ii) Assess the biomedical and psychosocial correlates of self-reported pain during intercourse and the vestibular pain index (VPI) from the cotton-swab test at 12- and 24-month postpartum; (iii) Establish the relationship between self-reported pain during intercourse and the cotton-swab test.

Methods

Women (N = 97 at 12 months postpartum and N = 44 at 24-month postpartum) recruited from a local women’s hospital completed online surveys in their first trimester of pregnancy and at 12- and 24-month postpartum to assess pain during intercourse and biopsychosocial variables. Those with clinically significant (pain ≥4/10 on a visual analogue scale) were matched with those reporting minimal pain (pain <3/10) and underwent a gynecological exam including a cotton-swab test. Descriptive analyses, multiple regressions, and bivariate correlations were conducted to address each of the study aims, respectively.

Main Outcome Measures

(i) Findings from the gynecological examination (ii) Numerical rating scale for the VPI; (iii) Visual analogue scale of pain during intercourse.

Results

The majority of women in both pain groups had normal physical findings in the gynecological exam. Greater sexual distress and pain catastrophizing at 12- and 24-month postpartum were significantly associated with greater pain during intercourse at each time-point, respectively. Greater pain catastrophizing at 12 months postpartum was significantly associated with greater pain during the cotton-swab test at that time-point. Lower relationship satisfaction at 12 months postpartum was associated with greater VPI ratings at 24 months postpartum. Pain during intercourse and the VPI were moderately and positively correlated.

Clinical Implications

Addressing psychosocial variables may interrupt the maintenance of postpartum pain. Following an initial assessment, self-reported pain intensity may be a suitable proxy for repeated examinations.

Strengths & Limitations

This study is the first to describe the physical findings and psychosocial predictors of pain during intercourse and the VPI at 12- and 24-month postpartum. The homogenous and small sample may limit generalizability.

Conclusion

There were no observable physical indicators of clinically significant postpartum pain during intercourse. Psychosocial variables were linked to women’s greater postpartum pain during intercourse and VPI ratings.
How Archaeologists Can Effectively and Ethically Cultivate Responsible and Responsive Stewards
Authors: Wright Dennis L.
Published: December 2021

The objective of this article is to share how professional archaeologists can leverage their knowledge and influence to develop collectors and amateur archaeologists into responsible and responsive stewards (RRS). This approach furthers the primary purposes of the National Historic Preservation Act as well as the ethics of the Society for American Archaeology. I share my own journey about finding artifacts in the Texas Panhandle, yearning to understand more about them, and how a poster in a gas station led me to visiting a local Stone Age Fair where I met a professional archaeologist. This archaeologist mentor was willing to answer my questions and guide me to greater understanding of archaeological ethics and practice, which prompted me to document everything I had found. In turn, I have shared my experience with many other nonprofessionals. Archaeologist mentors can have great influence if they are willing to meet collectors and amateur archaeologists on their level. Ultimately, collectors and archaeologists share a love of artifacts and a passion for the history behind them.
Centers and Peripheries in a World of Blockchain: An Introduction to the Symposium
Authors: Johns Fleur
Published: December 2021

If, as has been claimed by one of their most successful proponents, blockchain technologies “automate away . . . center[s]” of authority, in lieu of subordinating peripheries, then what might this imply for global governance: already the work of a distributed politico-legal regime without a single center? Does blockchain seem likely to emancipate and equalize in the ways frequently anticipated? Whose authority is being “automate[d] away” and whose is being augmented by prevailing blockchain implementations? How might blockchain-borne redistribution bear upon law and legal institutions, or what might it demand of those, on the international plane? How might we envision blockchain-based futures on the global plane? These are among the questions taken up by contributors to this symposium. Before examining the various ways in which this rich suite of essays approach these and other cognate questions, the central object of their concern—blockchain—warrants brief, explanatory attention.
Quadrature as applied to computer models for robust design: theoretical and empirical assessment
Authors: Frey Daniel D. , Lin Yiben , Heijnen Petra
Published: December 2021

This paper develops theoretical foundations for extending Gauss–Hermite quadrature to robust design with computer experiments. When the proposed method is applied with m noise variables, the method requires 4m + 1 function evaluations. For situations in which the polynomial response is separable, this paper proves that the method gives exact transmitted variance if the response is a fourth-order separable polynomial response. It is also proven that the relative error mean and variance of the method decrease with the dimensionality m if the response is separable. To further assess the proposed method, a probability model based on the effect hierarchy principle is used to generate sets of polynomial response functions. For typical populations of problems, it is shown that the proposed method has less than 5% error in 90% of cases. Simulations of five engineering systems were developed and, given parametric alternatives within each case study, a total of 12 case studies were conducted. A comparison is made between the cumulative density function for the hierarchical probability models and a corresponding distribution function for case studies. The data from the case-based evaluations are generally consistent with the results from the model-based evaluation.
THE PERFORMANCE OF SILENCE IN EARLY CHINA: THE YANZI CHUNQIU AND BEYOND
Authors: Yuan Ai
Published: December 2021

This article looks beyond the dichotomy between silence (mo 默) and speech (yan 言) and discusses the functions of and attitudes toward silence in the Yanzi chunqiu 晏子春秋 as a case representing the variety of ideas of silence in early China. In the West, silence has been widely explored in fields such as religion and theology, linguistic studies, and communication and literary studies. The consensus has moved away from viewing silence as abstaining from speech and utterance—and therefore absence of meaning and intention, toward seeing it as a culturally dependent and significant aspect of communication. However, beyond a number of studies discussing unspoken teachings in relation to early Daoism, silence has received little attention in early China studies. This article approaches the functions of silence by pursuing questions regarding its rhetorical, emotive, political, and ethical aspects. Instead of searching for the nature of silence and asking what silence is, this article poses alternative questions: How do ancient Chinese thinkers understand the act of silence? What are the attitudes toward silence in early China? How does silence foster morality? How does silence function as performative remonstrance? How is it used for political persuasion? How does silence draw the attention of and communicate with readers and audiences? How does silence allow time for contemplation, reflection, and agreement among participants? How is silence related to various intense emotional states? These questions lead us to reflect on previous scholarship which regarded silence in early China as the most spontaneous and natural way to grasp the highest truth, which is unpresentable and inexpressible through articulated speech and artificial language. In this sense, the notion of the unspoken teaching is not only understood in opposition to speech, but also as a means to reveal the deficiency of language and the limits of speech. However, through a survey of dialogues, stories, and arguments in Yanzi chunqiu, I show that silence is explicitly marked and explained within the text, and is used actively, purposefully, and meaningfully, to persuade, inform, and motivate audiences. In other words, silence is anything but natural and spontaneous. Rather, it is intentionally adopted, carefully crafted, and publicly performed to communicate, remonstrate, criticize, reveal, and target certain ideas. That is to say, silence is as argumentative as speech and as arbitrary as language. Finally, an awareness of and sensitivity to silence provides a new perspective to engage with other early Chinese texts.
MOLECULAR INCOHERENCE, CONTINUITY, AND THE PERFECTION OF THE LAOZI
Authors: Lebovitz David J.
Published: December 2021

The Laozi is a well-loved and oft-translated ancient text, whose popularity with interpreters and translators seems to have hardly ebbed in over two thousand years. This is attested in part by the number of bamboo and silk manuscript versions of the text unearthed in recent years from the Warring States (475–221 b.c.e.) and Western Han (221–206 b.c.e.), such that few transmitted Chinese texts have so many corresponding manuscript versions. The Laozi's popularity and relative abundance have also made the text instrumental in shaping theoretical approaches to book formation in early Chinese manuscript culture. In particular, the Laozi has been central to the study of how books were assembled out of pre-existent, stable, coherent molecules of text, or zhang 章 (chapters). Emerging from a case study of Laozi chapter 13, in which interpretive problems of the written commentarial tradition are shown to be continuous with those in manuscript culture, this article re-examines the theory of molecular coherence in the Laozi's formation, showing ultimately that the textual and rhetorical patterns by which zhang cohere internally are created by the same forces that deposit zhang in proximity to one another. Moving from the molecular to organismic level, the article also examines the use of conjoining phrases in Peking University's Laozi manuscript to demonstrate how editors, compilers, and interpreters may sacrifice coherence at one level of organization to achieve perfection at another.
Rheology of mobile sediment beds in laminar shear flow: effects of creep and polydispersity
Authors: Rettinger Christoph , Eibl Sebastian , Rüde Ulrich , Vowinckel Bernhard
Published: December 2021

Classical scaling relationships for rheological quantities such as the

$\mu (J)$

-rheology have become increasingly popular for closures of two-phase flow modelling. However, these frameworks have been derived for monodisperse particles. We aim to extend these considerations to sediment transport modelling by using a more realistic sediment composition. We investigate the rheological behaviour of sheared sediment beds composed of polydisperse spherical particles in a laminar Couette-type shear flow. The sediment beds consist of particles with a diameter size ratio of up to 10, which corresponds to grains ranging from fine to coarse sand. The data was generated using fully coupled, grain resolved direct numerical simulations using a combined lattice Boltzmann–discrete element method. These highly resolved data yield detailed depth-resolved profiles of the relevant physical quantities that determine the rheology, i.e. the local shear rate of the fluid, particle volume fraction, total shear and granular pressure. A comparison against experimental data shows excellent agreement for the monodisperse case. We improve upon the parameterization of the

$\mu (J)$

-rheology by expressing its empirically derived parameters as a function of the maximum particle volume fraction. Furthermore, we extend these considerations by exploring the creeping regime for viscous numbers much lower than used by previous studies to calibrate these correlations. Considering the low viscous numbers of our data, we found that the friction coefficient governing the quasi-static state in the creeping regime tends to a finite value for vanishing shear, which decreases the critical friction coefficient by a factor of three for all cases investigated.
Political Legitimacy, Authoritarianism, and Climate Change
Authors: MITTIGA ROSS
Published: December 2021

Is authoritarian power ever legitimate? The contemporary political theory literature—which largely conceptualizes legitimacy in terms of democracy or basic rights—would seem to suggest not. I argue, however, that there exists another, overlooked aspect of legitimacy concerning a government’s ability to ensure safety and security. While, under normal conditions, maintaining democracy and rights is typically compatible with guaranteeing safety, in emergency situations, conflicts between these two aspects of legitimacy can and often do arise. A salient example of this is the COVID-19 pandemic, during which severe limitations on free movement and association have become legitimate techniques of government. Climate change poses an even graver threat to public safety. Consequently, I argue, legitimacy may require a similarly authoritarian approach. While unsettling, this suggests the political importance of climate action. For if we wish to avoid legitimating authoritarian power, we must act to prevent crises from arising that can only be resolved by such means.