bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Forming architectured paper by printing a starch patterned grid: a new low-cost approach for lightweighting packaging
Authors: Viguié Jérémie , Thalhofer Richard , Gourgeon William , Crowther-Alwyn Laura , Lamontagne Kevin , Abderrahmen Robin , Locre Caroline , Guérin David
Published: May 2021

To meet the environmental challenges, the use of plastic packaging must be drastically reduced. Paper-based solutions may be a credible alternative provided that their production cost is reduced. One way may be to improve the paper stiffness to weight ratio. In this work, a simple and low-cost approach is proposed, which consists in printing a patterned grid of starch at the paper surface by using a widespread printing process. With only a small quantity of starch (7 g/m2), the bending stiffness of a packaging paper of 60 g/m2was multiplied by more than a factor three. This improvement originates from the permanent 3D shape the paper unexpectedly took after printing. The printed lines formed “valleys” whereas the unprinted zones were raised, forming “mountains”. Drying shrinkage of the starch is assumed to play a major role, in particular by inducing local buckling of the unprinted zones. In addition, the resulting 3D shape could be interestingly tuned by adjusting the grid pattern. Even if a better understanding is necessary to be able to well control the phenomena, this approach appears relevant to form “architectured” papers with improved bending resistance to weight ratio.
SWOT analysis of renewable energy sector in Mazowieckie Voivodeship (Poland): current progress, prospects and policy implications
Authors: Igliński B. , Skrzatek M. , Kujawski W. , Cichosz M. , Buczkowski R.
Published: May 2021

Renewable energy (RE) plays an increasingly important role in the economy of almost every country in the world. In order to examine the state of renewable energy (RE) in Mazowieckie Voivodeship (Poland), a literature review was carried out, anonymous surveys were conducted, a SWOT (Strenghts, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) and TOWS analysis were carried out and the potential of RE in Mazowieckie voivodship was estimated. The total capacity of all installations is equal to 712 MW. In recent months, number of prosumers have increased to 11,742 in the Voivodeship, and the capacity of their installations is estimated at 66 MW. Simplification of legal regulations and educating society is strongly recommended. Respondents in the survey and SWOT analysis on the future of the energy sector in Mazowieckie Voivodeship show that solar energy (35.5% of respondents) and wind energy (24.5% of respondents) have the greatest chances for the development. Development of the RE sector in the Voivodeship means new jobs, both in this sector and around it. Significant RE potential together with large project financing possibilities may cause Mazowieckie Voivodeship to be a leader in RE production in Poland. It is this Voivodeship (with its capital Warsaw) that can serve as an example of the energy transformation towards 100% RE.
SkePU 3: Portable High-Level Programming of Heterogeneous Systems and HPC Clusters
Authors: Ernstsson August , Ahlqvist Johan , Zouzoula Stavroula , Kessler Christoph
Published: May 2021

We present the third generation of the C++-based open-source skeleton programming framework SkePU. Its main new features include new skeletons, new data container types, support for returning multiple objects from skeleton instances and user functions, support for specifying alternative platform-specific user functions to exploit e.g. custom SIMD instructions, generalized scheduling variants for the multicore CPU backends, and a new cluster-backend targeting the custom MPI interface provided by the StarPU task-based runtime system. We have also revised the smart data containers’ memory consistency model for automatic data sharing between main and device memory. The new features are the result of a two-year co-design effort collecting feedback from HPC application partners in the EU H2020 project EXA2PRO, and target especially the HPC application domain and HPC platforms. We evaluate the performance effects of the new features on high-end multicore CPU and GPU systems and on HPC clusters.
Explanations of Research Misconduct, and How They Hang Together
Authors: Haven Tamarinde , van Woudenberg René
Published: May 2021

In this paper, we explore different possible explanations for research misconduct (especially falsification and fabrication), and investigate whether they are compatible. We suggest that to explain research misconduct, we should pay attention to three factors: (1) the beliefs and desires of the misconductor, (2) contextual affordances, (3) and unconscious biases or influences. We draw on the three different narratives (individual, institutional, system of science) of research misconduct as proposed by Sovacool to review six different explanations. Four theories start from the individual: Rational Choice theory, Bad Apple theory, General Strain Theory and Prospect Theory. Organizational Justice Theory focuses on institutional factors, while New Public Management targets the system of science. For each theory, we illustrate the kinds of facts that must be known in order for explanations based on them to have minimal plausibility. We suggest that none can constitute a full explanation. Finally, we explore how the different possible explanations interrelate. We find that they are compatible, with the exception of explanations based on Rational Choice Theory and Prospect Theory respectively, which are incompatible with one another. For illustrative purposes we examine the case of Diederik Stapel.
Decreased ATM Function Causes Delayed DNA Repair and Apoptosis in Common Variable Immunodeficiency Disorders
Authors: Hargreaves Chantal E. , Salatino Silvia , Sasson Sarah C. , Charlesworth James E. G. , Bateman Elizabeth , Patel Arzoo M. , Anzilotti Consuelo , Broxholme John , Knight Julian C. , Patel Smita Y.
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Common variable immunodeficiency disorders (CVID) is characterized by low/absent serum immunoglobulins and susceptibility to bacterial infection. Patients can develop an infections-only phenotype or a complex disease course with inflammatory, autoimmune, and/or malignant complications. We hypothesized that deficient DNA repair mechanisms may be responsible for the antibody deficiency and susceptibility to inflammation and cancer in some patients.

Methods

Germline variants were identified following targeted sequencing of n = 252 genes related to DNA repair in n = 38 patients. NanoString nCounter PlexSet assay measured gene expression in n = 20 CVID patients and n = 7 controls. DNA damage and apoptosis were assessed by flow cytometry in n = 34 CVID patients and n = 11 controls.

Results

Targeted sequencing supported enrichment of rare genetic variants in genes related to DNA repair pathways with novel and rare likely pathogenic variants identified and an altered gene expression signature that distinguished patients from controls and complex patients from those with an infections-only phenotype. Consistent with this, flow cytometric analyses of lymphocytes following DNA damage revealed a subset of CVID patients whose immune cells have downregulated ATM, impairing the recruitment of other repair factors, delaying repair and promoting apoptosis.

Conclusion

These data suggest that germline genetics and altered gene expression predispose a subset of CVID patients to increased sensitivity to DNA damage and reduced DNA repair capacity.
Double mode model of size-dependent chaotic vibrations of nanoplates based on the nonlocal elasticity theory
Authors: Awrejcewicz Jan , Kudra Grzegorz , Mazur Olga
Published: May 2021

In this paper vibrations of the isotropic micro/nanoplates subjected to transverse and in-plane excitation are investigated. The governing equations of the problem are based on the von Kármán plate theory and Kirchhoff–Love hypothesis. The small-size effect is taken into account due to the nonlocal elasticity theory. The formulation of the problem is mixed and employs the Airy stress function. The two-mode approximation of the deflection and application of the Bubnov–Galerkin method reduces the governing system of equations to the system of ordinary differential equations. Varying the load parameters and the nonlocal parameter, the bifurcation analysis is performed. The bifurcations diagrams, the maximum Lyapunov exponents, phase portraits as well as Poincare maps are constructed based on the numerical simulations. It is shown that for some excitation conditions the chaotic motion may occur in the system. Also, the small-scale effects on the character of vibrating regimes are illustrated and discussed.
Controlling grazing-induced multistability in a piecewise-smooth impacting system via the time-delayed feedback control
Authors: Zhang Zhi , Páez Chávez Joseph , Sieber Jan , Liu Yang
Published: May 2021

Grazing events may create coexisting attractors and cause complex dynamics in piecewise-smooth dynamical systems. This paper studies the control of grazing-induced multistability in a soft impacting oscillator by using the time-delayed feedback control. The control switches from one of the coexisting attractors to a desired one to suppress complex dynamics near grazing events. We use path-following (continuation) techniques for non-smooth dynamical systems to investigate robustness of the controller and the parameter dependence of the controlled system. In particular, several newly developed computational methods are used, including a numerical method for analysing non-smooth delay equations and a method for calculating the Lyapunov exponents and the grazing point estimation. Numerical simulations demonstrate that the delayed feedback controller is effective, and a proper selection of the control gain and delay time can simplify the complex dynamics of the system near grazing.
Molecular, Solid-State and Surface Structures of the Conformational Polymorphic Forms of Ritonavir in Relation to their Physicochemical Properties
Authors: Wang Chang , Rosbottom Ian , Turner Thomas D. , Laing Sydney , Maloney Andrew G. P. , Sheikh Ahmad Y. , Docherty Robert , Yin Qiuxiang , Roberts Kevin J.
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Application of multi-scale modelling workflows to characterise polymorphism in ritonavir with regard to its stability, bioavailability and processing.

Methods

Molecular conformation, polarizability and stability are examined using quantum mechanics (QM). Intermolecular synthons, hydrogen bonding, crystal morphology and surface chemistry are modelled using empirical force fields.

Results

The form I conformation is more stable and polarized with more efficient intermolecular packing, lower void space and higher density, however its shielded hydroxyl is only a hydrogen bond donor. In contrast, the hydroxyl in the more open but less stable and polarized form II conformation is both a donor and acceptor resulting in stronger hydrogen bonding and a more stable crystal structure but one that is less dense. Both forms have strong 1D networks of hydrogen bonds and the differences in packing energies are partially offset in form II by its conformational deformation energy difference with respect to form I. The lattice energies converge at shorter distances for form I, consistent with its preferential crystallization at high supersaturation. Both forms exhibit a needle/lath-like crystal habit with slower growing hydrophobic side and faster growing hydrophilic capping habit faces with aspect ratios increasing from polar-protic, polar-aprotic and non-polar solvents, respectively. Surface energies are higher for form II than form I and increase with solvent polarity. The higher deformation, lattice and surface energies of form II are consistent with its lower solubility and hence bioavailability.

Conclusion

Inter-relationship between molecular, solid-state and surface structures of the polymorphic forms of ritonavir are quantified in relation to their physical-chemical properties.
Singlet oxygen damages the function of Photosystem II in isolated thylakoids and in the green alga Chlorella sorokiniana
Authors: Bashir Faiza , Rehman Ateeq Ur , Szabó Milán , Vass Imre
Published: May 2021

Singlet oxygen (1O2) is an important damaging agent, which is produced during illumination by the interaction of the triplet excited state pigment molecules with molecular oxygen. In cells of photosynthetic organisms 1O2 is formed primarily in chlorophyll containing complexes, and damages pigments, lipids, proteins and other cellular constituents in their environment. A useful approach to study the physiological role of 1O2 is the utilization of external photosensitizers. In the present study, we employed a multiwell plate-based screening method in combination with chlorophyll fluorescence imaging to characterize the effect of externally produced 1O2 on the photosynthetic activity of isolated thylakoid membranes and intact Chlorella sorokiniana cells. The results show that the external 1O2 produced by the photosensitization reactions of Rose Bengal damages Photosystem II both in isolated thylakoid membranes and in intact cells in a concentration dependent manner indicating that 1O2 plays a significant role in photodamage of Photosystem II.
Health-related quality of life in patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with sofosbuvir-based treatment at 1-year post-sustained virological response
Authors: Miyasaka Akio , Yoshida Yuichi , Suzuki Akiko , Takikawa Yasuhiro
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Long-term effects on patient health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) are unknown. We assessed the impact of DAA-mediated HCV clearance on HRQoL from DAA initiation to 1 year after confirmed sustained virological response at 24 weeks post-treatment (SVR24).

Methods

HRQoL was evaluated using the eight-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-8). Chronic HCV-infected patients were treated for 12 weeks with sofosbuvir-based DAAs. SF-8 was administered at baseline, treatment cessation, SVR24, and 1-year post-SVR24.

Results

A total of 109 chronic HCV-infected patients were enrolled. The average SF-8 scores were higher than the Japanese national standard values for bodily pain (BP) and mental health at baseline and for general health at 1-year post-SVR24. None of the SF-8 scores differed significantly between baseline and 1-year post-SVR24. Regarding age, sex, liver status, and treatment regimen, the SF-8 scores at 1-year post-SVR24 were affected by only age; individuals aged < 65 years had significantly higher physical component score (PCS), physical functioning, role physical, and BP scores than older individuals. In the multivariable analysis, only age of ≥ 65 years was significantly associated with influencing PCS at 1-year post-SVR24. However, no significant factors were identified for mental component score.

Conclusion

Upon long-term assessment, although more factors trended higher than national standard values at 1-year post-SVR24 than at baseline, there were no significant changes within factors. As PCS tended to be associated with age, patients aged ≥ 65 years should be carefully monitored for PCS.
Evaluating the Activity and Stability of Perovskite LaMO3-Based Pt Catalysts in the Aqueous Phase Reforming of Glycerol
Authors: Inns Donald R. , Mayer Alexander J. , Skukauskas Vainius , Davies Thomas E. , Callison June , Kondrat Simon A.
Published: May 2021

The aqueous phase reforming of glycerol, to hydrogen, alkanes and liquid phase dehydration/dehydrogenation products, was studied over a series of 1 wt% Pt/LaMO3(where M = Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) catalysts and compared to a standard 1 wt% Pt/γ-Al2O3catalyst. The sol–gel combustion synthesis of lanthanum-based perovskites LaMO3produced pure phase perovskites with surface areas of 8–18 m2g−1. Glycerol conversions were higher than the Pt/γ-Al2O3(10%) for several perovskite supported catalysts, with the highest being for Pt/LaNiO3(19%). Perovskite-based catalysts showed reduced alkane formation and significantly increased lactic acid formation compared to the standard catalyst. However, most of the perovskite materials undergo phase separation to LaCO3OH and respective M site oxides with Pt particle migration. The exception being the LaCrO3support which was found to remain structurally stable. Catalytic performance remained stable over several cycles, for catalysts M = Al, Cr and Ni, despite phase separation of some of these materials. Materials where M site leaching into solution was observed (M = Mn and Co), were found to be catalytically unstable, which was hypothesised to be due to significant loss in support surface area and uncontrolled migration of Pt to the remaining support surface. In the case of Pt/LaNiO3alloying between the exsoluted Ni and Pt was observed post reaction.
Health and Illness as Enacted Phenomena
Authors: Svenaeus Fredrik
Published: May 2021

In this paper I explore health and illness through the lens of enactivism, which is understood and developed as a bodily-based worldly-engaged phenomenology. Various health theories – biomedical, ability-based, biopsychosocial – are introduced and scrutinized from the point of view of enactivism and phenomenology. Health is ultimately argued to consist in a central world-disclosing aspect of what is called existential feelings, experienced by way of transparency and ease in carrying out important life projects. Health, in such a phenomenologically enacted understanding, is an important and in many cases necessary part of leading a good life. Illness, on the other hand, by such a phenomenological view, consist in finding oneself at mercy of unhomelike existential feelings, such as bodily pains, nausea, extreme unmotivated tiredness, depression, chronic anxiety and delusion, which make it harder and, in some cases, impossible to flourish. In illness suffering the lived body hurts, resists, or, in other ways, alienates the activities of the ill person.
A Lightweight Chaos-Based Medical Image Encryption Scheme Using Random Shuffling and XOR Operations
Authors: Masood Fawad , Driss Maha , Boulila Wadii , Ahmad Jawad , Rehman Sadaqat Ur , Jan Sana Ullah , Qayyum Abdullah , Buchanan William J.
Published: May 2021

Medical images possess significant importance in diagnostics when it comes to healthcare systems. These images contain confidential and sensitive information such as patients’ X-rays, ultrasounds, computed tomography scans, brain images, and magnetic resonance imaging. However, the low security of communication channels and the loopholes in storage systems of hospitals or medical centres put these images at risk of being accessed by unauthorized users who illegally exploit them for non-diagnostic purposes. In addition to improving the security of communication channels and storage systems, image encryption is a popular strategy adopted to ensure the safety of medical images against unauthorized access. In this work, we propose a lightweight cryptosystem based on Henon chaotic map, Brownian motion, and Chen’s chaotic system to encrypt medical images with elevated security. The efficiency of the proposed system is proved in terms of histogram analysis, adjacent pixels correlation analysis, contrast analysis, homogeneity analysis, energy analysis, NIST analysis, mean square error, information entropy, number of pixels changing rate, unified average changing intensity, peak to signal noise ratio and time complexity. The experimental results show that the proposed cryptosystem is a lightweight approach that can achieve the desired security level for encrypting confidential image-based patients’ information.
Solvability Criterion for Convolution Equations on a Half-Strip
Authors: Dilnyi Volodymyr
Published: May 2021

We obtain the criterion of solvability of homogeneous convolution equation in a half-strip. Proof is based on a new decomposition property of the weighted Hardy space. This result has relations to the spectral analysis-synthesis problem, cyclicity problem, information theory. All data generated or analysed during this study are included in this published article.
Importance of dashboard camera (Dash Cam) analysis in fatal vehicle–pedestrian crash reconstruction
Authors: Giovannini Elena , Giorgetti Arianna , Pelletti Guido , Giusti Alessio , Garagnani Marco , Pascali Jennifer Paola , Pelotti Susi , Fais Paolo
Published: May 2021

The reconstruction of dynamic of traffic injuries remains a challenge in forensic pathology and is often based on circumstantial data. Dash Cams are digital video recorders which can be located inside a vehicle and continuously record the view through the windscreen, thus providing objective evidence. Here we present the case of a traffic crash in which a pedestrian was hit by an articulated lorry. The analysis of a video recorded from a Dash Cam retrieved inside the vehicle during the death scene investigation (DSI) was crucial in the reconstruction of the manner of death. Indeed, the death, which was initially assumed to be accidental, was finally deemed as a suicide on the basis of the video recording, which showed an intentional and sudden rush of the victim to the middle of the roadway. Advantages and disadvantages of the use of Dash Cams will be discussed, focusing on the profound differences in the related national and international regulations. Based on the present case, in traffic crashes, the search for Dash Cams during the DSI may be recommended and the video recordings should be analyzed in the setting of a multidisciplinary and multimodal evaluation of the case, for a proper reconstruction of the facts.
Development of a Real-time PCR Method Targeting an Unauthorized Genetically Modified Microorganism Producing Alpha-Amylase
Authors: Fraiture Marie-Alice , Marchesi Ugo , Verginelli Daniela , Papazova Nina , Roosens Nancy H. C.
Published: May 2021

Using a recently developed genetically modified microorganisms (GMM) detection strategy, unexpected contaminations of unauthorized GMM in commercialized microbial fermentation products have been reported. A first-line real-time PCR screening analysis was initially performed to determine the presence of key targets frequently found in genetically modified (GM) bacteria. A second-line real-time PCR analysis was subsequently applied to identify specific GMM, including to date a GM Bacillus velezensis producing protease and a GM B. subtilis producing vitamin B2. In this study, an additional real-time PCR method specific to a newly identified GMM producing alpha-amylase was developed to be integrated in such second-line real-time PCR analysis, allowing to strengthen the GMM detection strategy. This method was successfully validated based on the assessment of its specificity and sensitivity performance. In addition, its applicability was confirmed using several food enzyme products commercialized on the market. Finally, via its transfer to an external laboratory, the transferability of the in-house validated method was positively evaluated, allowing its easy implementation in enforcement laboratories.
Transcriptome Analyses Implicate Endogenous Retroviruses Involved in the Host Antiviral Immune System through the Interferon Pathway
Authors: Wang Miao , Wang Liying , Liu Haizhou , Chen Jianjun , Liu Di
Published: May 2021

Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are the remains of ancient retroviruses that invaded our ancestors’ germline cell and were integrated into the genome. The expression of HERVs has always been a cause for concern because of its association with various cancers and diseases. However, few previous studies have focused on specific activation of HERVs by viral infections. Our previous study has shown that dengue virus type 2 (DENV-2) infection induces the transcription of a large number of abnormal HERVs loci; therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between exogenous viral infection and HERV activation further. In this study, we retrieved and reanalyzed published data on 21 transcriptomes of human cells infected with various viruses. We found that infection with different viruses could induce transcriptional activation of HERV loci. Through the comparative analysis of all viral datasets, we identified 43 key HERV loci that were up-regulated by DENV-2, influenza A virus, influenza B virus, Zika virus, measles virus, and West Nile virus infections. Furthermore, the neighboring genes of these HERVs were simultaneously up-regulated, and almost all such neighboring genes were interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs), which are enriched in the host’s antiviral immune response pathways. Our data supported the hypothesis that activation of HERVs, probably via an interferon-mediated mechanism, plays an important role in innate immunity against viral infections.
Correction to: The Japanese Breast Cancer Society Clinical Practice Guidelines, 2018 edition: the tool for shared decision making between doctor and patient
Authors: Iwata Hiroji , Saji Shigehira , Ikeda Masahiko , Inokuchi Masashi , Uematsu Takayoshi , Toyama Tatsuya , Horii Rie , Yamauchi Chikako
Published: May 2021

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12282-021-01253-w
Correction to: The Japanese Breast Cancer Society Clinical Practice Guideline for radiation treatment of breast cancer, 2018 edition
Authors: Yamauchi Chikako , Yoshimura Michio , Sekiguchi Kenji , Hamamoto Yasushi , Nakajima Naomi , Sanuki Naoko , Ogo Etsuyo , Oguchi Masahiko , Saji Shigehira , Iwata Hiroji
Published: May 2021

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12282-021-01255-8
Causes of False-Positive Radioactive Iodine Uptake in Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Wu Karin , Ozomaro Uzoezi , Flavell Robert , Pampaloni Miguel , Liu Chienying
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Radioactive iodine (RAI) whole-body scan is a sensitive imaging modality routinely used in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer to detect persistent and recurrent disease. However, there can be false-positive RAI uptake that can lead to misdiagnosis and misclassification of a patient’s cancer stage. Recognizing the causes of false positivity can avoid unnecessary testing and treatment as well as emotional stress. In this review, we discuss causes and summarize various mechanisms for false-positive uptake.

Recent Findings

We report a patient with differentiated thyroid cancer who was found to have Mycobacterium avium complex infection as the cause of false-positive RAI uptake in the lungs. Using this case example, we discuss and summarize findings from the literature on etiologies of false-positive RAI uptake. We also supplement additional original images illustrating other examples of false RAI uptake.

False-positive RAI uptake may arise from different causes and RAI scans need to be interpreted in the context of the patient’s history and corresponding cross-sectional imaging findings on workup. Understanding the potential pitfalls of the RAI scan and the mechanisms underlying false uptake are vital in the care of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer.
Dati evidence-based sulla affidabilità dei sistemi ecografici per la stratificazione del rischio di malignità del nodulo tiroideo (TIRADS)
Authors: Trimboli Pierpaolo , Scappaticcio Lorenzo , Castellana Marco
Published: May 2021

Sommario

L’esame strumentale più comunemente utilizzato per valutare il rischio di malignità del nodulo tiroideo è l’ecografia. Con questo esame è possibile individuare posizione, dimensioni e caratteristiche del nodulo. Dal momento che l’uso dei singoli aspetti ecografici di sospetto ha dimostrato una bassa riproducibilità nell’indicazione all’agoaspirato, nel corso degli ultimi anni sono stati sviluppati diversi sistemi per la stratificazione del rischio ecografico di malignità (Thyroid Image And Reporting Data Systems, TIRADS). Nella presente rassegna vengono riportati e discussi alcuni recenti studi relativi all’affidabilità dei sistemi ecografici.
Zur „culture continuée“ Gaston Bachelards
Authors: Ebner von Eschenbach Malte
Published: May 2021

Als Pädagoge ist Gaston Bachelard in den deutschsprachigen erziehungswissenschaftlichen Diskursen wenig bekannt – als Erwachsenenpädagoge noch viel weniger. Vielmehr hat er sich als Wissenschaftsphilosoph einen Namen gemacht und übte als solcher großen Einfluss auf die französische Wissenschaftsgeschichte und Wissenschaftsphilosophie seiner Zeit und darüber hinaus aus. Vermittelt über den Ansatz der historischen Epistemologie erfahren die epistemologischen Konzepte Bachelards gegenwärtig Aufmerksamkeit in erziehungswissenschaftlichen Diskursen. Dadurch geraten auch Bachelards pädagogische Überlegungen in den Fokus. Diesem Sichtbarwerden des pädagogischen Gehalts in Bachelards Denken soll nachgegangen werden. Dies geschieht mit dem Ziel, Bachelards Konzeption einer „culture continuée“ (auf Deutsch „ununterbrochene Bildung“) nachzugehen. Mit diesem Konzept lässt sich einer Funktion von Erwachsenenbildung Kontur verleihen, die die Zuwendung zu epistemischen Brüchen betont.
Land cover change and its impact on human–elephant conflict: a case from Fashiakhali forest reserve in Bangladesh
Authors: Billah Mohammad Maruf , Rahman Md. Masudur , Abedin Joynal , Akter Humaira
Published: May 2021

Changes in land cover are a major driving force behind habitat change, which significantly impacts the distribution of wildlife and ecological systems. However, there is a substantial lack of information on the effects of land cover changes on wildlife habitat and local conservation. Therefore, it is essential to understand how land cover changes may threaten future land cover trends and wildlife habitat loss, especially in protected areas. Landsat satellite imagery uses a geographic information system and remote sensing techniques to determine the spatiotemporal pattern of land cover change and its impact on the human–elephant conflict in the Fashiakhali Wildlife Sanctuary. We found that within the sanctuary (1994–2005), settlements, agricultural land, and bare land increased by 69.8 ha (2.3%), 991.6 ha (32.3%), and 39.5 ha (1.3%), and forest areas and water areas decreased by 1094.1 ha (35.7%) and 6.9 ha (0.2%), respectively. On the other hand (2005–2015), settlements, agricultural land, and water areas increased by 11.7 ha (0.4%), 264.7 ha (8.6%), and 36.2 ha (1.2%), and forest areas and bare land decreased by 308.9 ha (10.1%) and 3.7 ha (0.1%), respectively. Our findings have shown that increased agriculture and settlements have become a severe threat to the ecological sustainability of elephant habitat, resulting in habitat fragmentation and human encroachment of elephant habitats, as well as extreme pressure and competition on resources.
Seeding Grammars in Grammatical Evolution to Improve Search-Based Software Testing
Authors: Anjum Muhammad Sheraz , Ryan Conor
Published: May 2021

Heuristic-based optimization techniques have been increasingly used to automate different types of code coverage analysis. Several studies suggest that interdependencies (in the form of comparisons) may exist between the condition constructs, of variables and constant values, in the branching conditions of real-world programs, e.g. ($$i \le 100$$

i
≤
100

) or ($$i==j$$

i
=
=
j

), etc. In this work, by interdependencies we refer to the situations where, to satisfy a branching condition, there must be a certain relationship between the values of some specific condition constructs (which may or may not be a part of the respective condition predicates). For example, the values of variables i and j must be equal to satisfy the condition of ($$i==j$$

i
=
=
j

), and the value of variable k must be equal to 100 for the satisfaction of the condition of ($$k==100$$

k
=
=
100

). To date, only the Ariadne, a Grammatical Evolution (GE)-based system, exploits these interdependencies between input variables (e.g. of the form ($$i \le j$$

i
≤
j

) or ($$i==j$$

i
=
=
j

), etc.) to efficiently generate test data. Ariadne employs a simple attribute grammar to exploit these dependencies, which enables it to evolve complex test data, and has been compared favourably to other well-known techniques in the literature. However, Ariadne does not benefit from interdependencies involving constants, e.g. ($$i \le 100$$

i
≤
100

) or ($$j==500$$

j
=
=
500

), etc., due to the difficulty in evolving precise values, and these are equally important constructs of condition predicates. Furthermore, constant creation in GE can be difficult, particularly with high precision. We propose to seed the grammar with constants extracted from the source code of the program under test to enhance and extend Ariadne’s capability to exploit richer types of dependencies (involving all combinations of both variables and constant values). We compared our results with the original system of Ariadne against a large set of benchmark problems which include 10 numeric programs in addition to the ones originally used for Ariadne. Our results demonstrate that the seeding strategy not only dramatically improves the generality of the system, as it improves the code coverage (effectiveness) by impressive margins, but it also reduces the search budgets (efficiency) often up to an order of magnitude. Moreover, we also performed a rigorous analysis to investigate the scalability of our improved Ariadne, showing that it stays highly scalable when compared to both the original system of Ariadne and GA-based test data generation approach.
The Paraphilias and Medical Licensure in the United States
Authors: Cranstoun Landi M. , Moser Charles
Published: May 2021

Background

As part of their mission to protect the public from exploitation, state medical boards query physicians about a wide range of topics prior to licensure, including in some cases whether the applicant has been diagnosed with or been treated for paraphilias or paraphilic disorders.

Aim

We investigated the prevalence of questions inquiring about the applicants’ history of paraphilias and paraphilic disorders on applications for medical licensure.

Methods

The allopathic medical licensure application forms for each of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia were reviewed. Medical boards with questions pertaining to paraphilias or paraphilic disorders were asked how many affirmative responses had been obtained in the prior 5 years and how they would treat an affirmative response.

Outcomes

Eight medical boards inquired about paraphilias or paraphilic disorders, however there was no evidence of an affirmative response to these questions in the prior 5 years.

RESULTS

Of the 51 applications reviewed, 8 (16%) inquired whether the applicant had, was diagnosed with, or had been treated for a paraphilia or paraphilic disorder. The wording of the questions was variable and often failed to distinguish between paraphilias and paraphilic disorders. All but one medical board responded to requests for further information. The medical board staff members stated that an affirmative response would result in case-by-case review, including request for further information and possibly an in-person appearance before the board. None of the medical boards were willing or able to provide a formal count of affirmative responses in the last 5 years.

Clinical Implications

Medical boards may be contributing to the stigma experienced by both physicians and patients with diverse sexual interests. The benefit of retaining these questions is not clear.

Strengths and Limitations

This study is the first to investigate the use of paraphilias and paraphilic disorders as screening questions for medical licensure. Data regarding the number of affirmative responses were limited by the medical boards’ inability or unwillingness to respond to share the information.

CONCLUSIONS

Eliminating or modifying physician licensing application questions pertaining to paraphilias and paraphilic disorders may decrease the stigma encountered by persons with diverse sexual interests. Removal also may diminish the barriers to accessing health care services for both physicians and patients with diverse sexualities. If the questions are retained, they should conform to the current DSM-5 nosology, which distinguishes between the mere presence of a paraphilia and a diagnosis of a paraphilic disorder.
Volcanic Ash as a Precursor for SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Susceptible Populations in Ecuador: A Satellite Imaging and Excess Mortality-Based Analysis
Authors: Toulkeridis Theofilos , Seqqat Rachid , Torres Arias Marbel , Salazar-Martinez Rodolfo , Ortiz-Prado Esteban , Chunga Scarlet , Vizuete Karla , Heredia-R Marco , Debut Alexis
Published: May 2021

The global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has altered entire nations and their health systems. The greatest impact of the pandemic has been seen among vulnerable populations, such as those with comorbidities like heart diseases, kidney failure, obesity, or those with worse health determinants such as unemployment and poverty. In the current study, we are proposing previous exposure to fine-grained volcanic ashes as a risk factor for developing COVID-19. Based on several previous studies it has been known since the mid 1980s of the past century that volcanic ash is most likely an accelerating factor to suffer from different types of cancer, including lung or thyroid cancer. Our study postulates, that people who are most likely to be infected during a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) widespread wave will be those with comorbidities that are related to previous exposure to volcanic ashes. We have explored 8703 satellite images from the past 21 y of available data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) database and correlated them with the data from the national institute of health statistics in Ecuador. Additionally, we provide more realistic numbers of fatalities due to the virus based on excess mortality data of 2020-2021, when compared with previous years. This study would be a very first of its kind combining social and spatial distribution of COVID-19 infections and volcanic ash distribution. The results and implications of our study will also help countries to identify such aforementioned vulnerable parts of the society, if the given geodynamic and volcanic settings are similar.
The effective Shafarevich conjecture for abelian varieties of -type
Authors: von Känel Rafael
Published: May 2021

In this article we establish the effective Shafarevich conjecture for abelian varieties over${\mathbb Q}$of${\text {GL}_2}$-type. The proof combines Faltings’ method with Serre’s modularity conjecture, isogeny estimates and results from Arakelov theory. Our result opens the way for the effective study of integral points on certain higher dimensional moduli schemes such as, for example, Hilbert modular varieties.
Extreme Justice: Decapitations and Prone Burials in Three Late Roman Cemeteries at Knobb's Farm, Cambridgeshire
Authors: Wiseman Rob , Neil Benjamin , Mazzilli Francesca
Published: May 2021

Excavations at Knobb's Farm, Somersham, Cambridgeshire, uncovered three small late Roman cemeteries, positioned at the edge of a farming settlement. The 52 burials found included 17 decapitated bodies and 13 prone burials – far higher than the British average. In two cases, cut marks show decapitation to have been the mechanism of death, and cuts on two other bodies indicate they experienced extreme violence. We conclude that the decapitations were the result of judicial execution. The significance of the prone burials is less clear, but it is demonstrably related to decapitation. Supplementary material is available online (https://doi.org/10.1017/S0068113X21000064) and comprises a detailed osteological report and skeleton catalogue, specialist reports, DNA and isotopic analyses, and a complete description of the settlement's development.
CHARIOT KRATERS AND HORSE–HUMAN RELATIONS IN LATE BRONZE AGE GREECE AND CYPRUS
Authors: Recht Laerke , Morris Christine E.
Published: May 2021

This paper offers a new comprehensive catalogue and discussion of Late Helladic III chariot kraters, and explores what they reveal about horse–human relations in Greece and Cyprus in the Late Bronze Age. The nearly 400 known examples of chariot kraters were produced in mainland Greece and exported to Cyprus and the Levant. Although the vessels were surely adapted to local contexts, the motif of horses and chariot was part of the ‘international’ spirit of the Late Bronze Age and was meaningful throughout the eastern Mediterranean. Following a discussion of the chronological and geographical distribution of the kraters, alongside notes regarding changes in shape, we examine each of the elements of the characteristic horses-and-chariot motif in depth. This close analysis, supplemented by evidence from faunal remains, Linear B and other visual media, and combined with modern equine knowledge, allows us to understand some of the complexities of horse–human relations in ancient Greece and Cyprus. Through this, we see a co-becoming and mutual training of horse and human in the endeavour to become a successful chariot team; we can also recognise elements of ancient acknowledgement of equine agency and personhood. Horses and humans acted and reacted to each other, thereby living and learning together. The images on the chariot kraters reflect both ancient observation and knowledge of horses and caballine behaviour and artistic conventions and developments. Finally, horses were expensive animals to breed, keep and train (with accompanying expensive gear), and direct physical contact would have been for the fortunate few. The chariot kraters allowed a broader segment of the population to engage with horses and chariots, albeit indirectly.
The integrated information theory of consciousness: A case of mistaken identity
Authors: Merker Bjorn , Williford Kenneth , Rudrauf David
Published: May 2021

Giulio Tononi's integrated information theory (IIT) proposes explaining consciousness by directly identifying it with integrated information. We examine the construct validity of IIT's measure of consciousness,phi(Φ), by analyzing its formal properties, its relation to key aspects of consciousness, and its co-variation with relevant empirical circumstances. Our analysis shows that IIT's identification of consciousness with the causal efficacy with which differentiated networks accomplish global information transfer (which is what Φ in fact measures) is mistaken. This misidentification has the consequence of requiring the attribution of consciousness to a range of natural systems and artifacts that include, but are not limited to, large-scale electrical power grids, gene-regulation networks, some electronic circuit boards, and social networks. Instead of treating this consequence of the theory as a disconfirmation, IIT embraces it. By regarding these systems as bearers of consciousnessex hypothesi, IIT is led toward the orbit of panpsychist ideation. This departure from science as we know it can be avoided by recognizing the functional misattribution at the heart of IIT's identity claim. We show, for example, what function is actually performed, at least in the human case, by the cortical combination of differentiation with integration that IIT identifies with consciousness. Finally, we examine what lessons may be drawn from IIT's failure to provide a credible account of consciousness for progress in the very active field of research concerned with exploring the phenomenon from formal and neural points of view.
Risk factors associated with the incidence of self-reported COVID-19-like illness: data from a web-based syndromic surveillance system in the Netherlands
Authors: McDonald Scott A. , van den Wijngaard Cees C. , Wielders Cornelia C. H. , Friesema Ingrid H. M. , Soetens Loes , Paolotti Daniela , van den Hof Susan , van Hoek Albert Jan
Published: May 2021

During the first wave of the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 epidemic in the Netherlands, notifications consisted mostly of patients with relatively severe disease. To enable real-time monitoring of the incidence of mild coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) – for which medical consultation might not be required – the Infectieradar web-based syndromic surveillance system was launched in mid-March 2020. Our aim was to quantify associations between Infectieradar participant characteristics and the incidence of self-reported COVID-19-like illness. Recruitment for this cohort study was via a web announcement. After registering, participants completed weekly questionnaires, reporting the occurrence of a set of symptoms. The incidence rate of COVID-19-like illness was estimated and multivariable Poisson regression used to estimate the relative risks associated with sociodemographic variables, lifestyle factors and pre-existing medical conditions. Between 17 March and 24 May 2020, 25 663 active participants were identified, who reported 7060 episodes of COVID-19-like illness over 131 404 person-weeks of follow-up. The incidence rate declined over the analysis period, consistent with the decline in notified cases. Male sex, age 65+ years and higher education were associated with a significantly lower COVID-19-like illness incidence rate (adjusted rate ratios (RRs) of 0.80 (95% CI 0.76–0.84), 0.77 (0.70–0.85), 0.84 (0.80–0.88), respectively) and the baseline characteristics ever-smoker, asthma, allergies, diabetes, chronic lung disease, cardiovascular disease and children in the household were associated with a higher incidence (RRs of 1.11 (1.04–1.19) to 1.69 (1.50–1.90)). Web-based syndromic surveillance has proven useful for monitoring the temporal trends in, and risk factors associated with, the incidence of mild disease. Increased relative risks observed for several patient factors could reflect a combination of exposure risk, susceptibility to infection and propensity to report symptoms.
Primary and secondary callous–unemotional traits in adolescence are associated with distinct maladaptive and adaptive outcomes in adulthood
Authors: Goulter Natalie , Craig Stephanie G. , McMahon Robert J.
Published: May 2021

While phenotypically indistinguishable with respect to callousness, individuals with primary and secondary callous–unemotional (CU) traits may show different developmental outcomes. This research predominantly comprised cross-sectional studies of male participants with a focus on maladaptive correlates. Thus, the present study examined whether youth with primary and secondary CU traits identified in Grade 7 reported distinct maladaptive outcomes (internalizing, externalizing, and substance use problems; criminal offenses; and sexual and partner experiences) and adaptive outcomes (health and wellbeing, education, and employment) in adulthood at age 25. We also examined sex differences. Participants included the high-risk control and normative samples from the Fast Track project (N= 754, male = 58%, Black = 46%). Youth with secondary CU traits reported higher levels of adult internalizing and externalizing psychopathology, a greater number of sexual partners and risky sexual behavior, and a greater number of violent offenses, compared with individuals with primary CU traits and those with low CU and anxiety symptoms. Conversely, youth with primary CU traits and low symptoms had higher wellbeing and happiness scores than those with secondary CU traits. Finally, there was differentiation on outcomes between female primary and secondary CU variants and male primary and secondary CU variants.