bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On Free Field Realization of Quantum Affine W-Algebras
Authors: Kac Victor G. , Wakimoto Minoru
Published: August 2022

We find an explicit formula for the conformal vector of any quantum affine W-algebra in its free field realization.
Association of Abdominal Aortic Calcification with Peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography Bone Measures in Older Women: The Perth Longitudinal Study of Ageing Women
Authors: Dalla Via Jack , Sim Marc , Schousboe John T. , Kiel Douglas P. , Zhu Kun , Hodgson Jonathan M. , Gebre Abadi K. , Daly Robin M. , Prince Richard L. , Lewis Joshua R.
Published: August 2022

We have previously shown that abdominal aortic calcification (AAC), a marker of advanced atherosclerotic disease, is weakly associated with reduced hip areal bone mineral density (aBMD). To better understand the vascular–bone health relationship, we explored this association with other key determinants of whole-bone strength and fracture risk at peripheral skeletal sites. This study examined associations of AAC with peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT)-assessed total, cortical and trabecular volumetric BMD (vBMD), bone structure and strength of the radius and tibia among 648 community-dwelling older women (mean ± SD age 79.7 ± 2.5 years). We assessed associations between cross-sectional (2003) and longitudinal (progression from 1998/1999–2003) AAC assessed on lateral dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) images with cross-sectional (2003) and longitudinal (change from 2003 to 2005) pQCT bone measures at the 4% radius and tibia, and 15% radius. Partial Spearman correlations (adjusted for age, BMI, calcium treatment) revealed no cross-sectional associations between AAC and any pQCT bone measures. AAC progression was not associated with any bone measure after adjusting for multiple comparisons, despite trends for inverse correlations with total bone area at the 4% radius (rs =  − 0.088, p = 0.044), 4% tibia (rs =  − 0.085, p = 0.052) and 15% radius (rs =  − 0.101, p = 0.059). Neither AAC in 2003 nor AAC progression were associated with subsequent 2-year pQCT bone changes. ANCOVA showed no differences in bone measures between women with and without AAC or AAC progression, nor across categories of AAC extent. Collectively, these finding suggest that peripheral bone density and structure, or its changes with age, are not associated with central vascular calcification in older women.
Ultrasound-guided interventions of the upper extremity joints
Authors: Patel Rina P. , McGill Kevin , Motamedi Daria , Morgan Tara
Published: August 2022

Ultrasound guidance is valuable for performing precise joint interventions. Joint interventions may be requested for therapeutic and diagnostic pain injections, joint aspiration in the setting of suspected infection, or contrast injection for arthrography. In practice, interventions of the shoulder girdle, elbow, and hand/wrist joints may be performed without any imaging guidance. However, imaging guidance results in more accurate interventions and better patient outcomes than those performed by palpation alone. When compared to other modalities used for imaging guidance, ultrasound has many potential advantages. Radiologists should be prepared to perform ultrasound-guided upper extremity joint interventions utilizing recommended techniques to optimize clinical practice and patient outcomes.

Key points

1. Ultrasound-guided injections of the glenohumeral, acromioclavicular, sternoclavicular, elbow, and hand/wrist joints have higher accuracy than injections performed without imaging guidance.

2. Ultrasound-guided aspirations of upper extremity joints have advantages to fluoroscopic-guided aspirations because of the potential to identify effusions, soft tissue abscess, or bursitis.

3. Ultrasound-guided contrast injection prior to MR arthrography is as accurate as fluoroscopic-guided injection for upper extremity joints.
The Dammed and the Saved: a Conservation Triage Framework for Wetlands under Climate Change in the Murray–Darling Basin, Australia
Authors: Schweizer Vivienne , Colloff Matthew J. , Pittock Jamie
Published: August 2022

As the impacts of climate change and water demands from irrigation continue to increase in the Murray–Darling Basin, water for the environment is becoming more scarce and the ecological conditions of many wetlands is poor. With water scarcity, conservation triage is becoming an increasingly relevant management option for environmental watering of wetlands. However, triage is controversial; being considered contrary to current conservation objectives and practices. We assessed environmental watering at two Ramsar wetlands, Macquarie Marshes and Gunbower Forest, based on international environmental treaty obligations and domestic policy settings, changes to flow regimes, wetland condition and current management. Triage decision making was found to be in tacit use at Macquarie Marshes, based on ‘rules of thumb’ and experiential ecohydrological knowledge, whereas formal environmental watering planning formed the basis for triage decision making at Gunbower Forest. We developed a framework for conservation triage of wetlands in the Murray–Darling Basin to stimulate change in the decision context for wetland conservation and adaptation under climate change. Conservation triage entails reframing of relationships between people and nature and values, rules and knowledge used by stakeholders. Because water is the medium by which wetland conservation outcomes eventuate, trade-offs between competing water uses can be realised with the triage framework.
Management of Granulomatous Lobular Mastitis and Risk Factors Associated with Recurrence
Authors: Tian Chunxiang , Han Xiaorong , Liu Zeyu , Lv Xinlin , Ning Ping
Published: August 2022

Background

Granulomatous lobular mastitis (GM), an inflammatory breast lesion with unknown etiology, is prone to recur. There is no global consensus on the optimal treatment at present. This study was conducted to show our step‐by‐step systemic procedure and discuss the recurrence risk factors of GM.

Methods

The medical record database was retrospectively searched for patients with GM treated in our hospital between January 2015 and September 2021. Patients were divided into non‐recurrence group (group A) and recurrence group (group B). Demographic and clinical characteristics, treatment and follow‐up were collected and analyzed.

Results

A total of 885 GM patients were included in our study, all of whom received step‐by‐step systemic management. The mean age was 33.2 ± 5.2 years. There were 760 (85.9%) patients in group A and 125 (14.1%) in group B. Univariate analysis showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in size of mass, pregnancy, hyperprolactinemia, bacterial cultures, erythema nodosum. Multivariate analysis showed that patients with purulent nipple discharge, skin lesion, bilateral disease and patients who need the combination of surgery and medication to achieve complete remission had higher risk of recurrence.

Conclusions

We built a step‐by‐step systemic procedure for GM, and the recurrence rate was 14.1%. Prolactin level and microbiological results are important for the management of GM. Purulent nipple discharge, skin lesion, bilateral disease and patients who need the combination of surgery and medication to achieve complete remission are associated with GM recurrence. Prolonged maintenance therapy may secure a better prognosis.
Impact of sex on outcomes after surgery for non-muscle-invasive and muscle-invasive bladder urothelial carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mori Keiichiro , Yanagisawa Takafumi , Katayama Satoshi , Laukhtina Ekaterina , Pradere Benjamin , Mostafaei Hadi , Quhal Fahad , Rajwa Pawel , Moschini Marco , Soria Francesco , D’andrea David , Abufaraj Mohammad , Albisinni Simone , Krajewski Wojciech , Fukuokaya Wataru , Miki Jun , Kimura Takahiro , Egawa Shin , Teoh Jeremy YC. , Shariat Shahrokh F. ,   European Association of Urology–Young Academic Urologists Urothelial Carcinoma Working Group (EAU-YAU)
Published: August 2022

Purpose

To assess the prognostic value of sex for non-muscle-invasive/muscle-invasive bladder urothelial carcinoma (NMIBC/MIBC) treated with radical surgery.

Methods

The PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched in November 2021 according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis statement. Studies were deemed eligible if they involved the comparison of the overall, cancer-specific, progression, and recurrence-free survival of patients with NMIBC/MIBC. Formal sex-stratified meta-analyses of these outcomes were performed.

Results

Thirty-one studies, which included 32,525 patients with NMIBC, and 63 studies, which included 85,132 patients with MIBC, were eligible for review and meta-analysis. Female sex was associated with worse cancer-specific survival (pooled hazard ratio [HR], 1.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11–1.31) and overall survival (pooled HR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.00–1.05) in patients with MIBC. In contrast, however, sex was not associated with cancer-specific survival (pooled HR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.70–1.46), progression-free survival (pooled HR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.88–1.24), and recurrence-free survival (pooled HR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.98–1.16) in patients with NMIBC.

Conclusions

Sex is associated with an increased risk of worse survival outcomes in patients with MIBC but not in those with NMIBC. Given the genetic and social differences between sexes, sex may represent a key factor in the clinical decision-making process.
On the applicability of LDV profile-sensors for periodic open wet clutch flow scenarios
Authors: Leister Robin , Pasch Saskia , Kriegseis Jochen
Published: August 2022

The present experimental study revolves around the applicability of a Bragg-shifted laser Doppler velocimetry profile sensor (LDV-PS) in use for open wet clutch flow scenarios, where sub-millimeter gap height and textured surfaces are present. It is shown that the LDV-PS is capable to determine angular-resolved 1D3C velocity information, with all complex flow structures, depicted properly that are present in a radial groove. For the flow measurements the sensor is tilted to $$\pm 30^{\circ }$$

±

30
∘

compared to the axial orientation to enable the opportunity to reconstruct angular-resolved 1D3C velocity fields from two consecutively conducted runs. This facilitates measurement results with high axial and angular resolution for the complete open clutch flow and proves for the first time, that a profile sensor is capable to extract 3C information with the mentioned method. The results show that all characteristic flow structures occurring in the investigated sub-millimeter rotor-stator gap flow can be recorded properly. This insight renders the LDV-PS a promising and straight-forward applicable means to support industry-relevant research so as to uncover formerly hidden flow features and thus contribute to advanced development approaches for the respectively considered applications.

Graphical abstract
The solubility of N2 in silicate melts and nitrogen partitioning between upper mantle minerals and basalt
Authors: Keppler Hans , Cialdella Laura , Couffignal Frédéric , Wiedenbeck Michael
Published: August 2022

The solubility of N2 in basaltic (MORB) and haplogranitic melts was studied at oxidizing conditions (oxygen fugacity about two log units above the Ni–NiO buffer). Under these conditions, N2 is expected to be the only significant nitrogen species present in the melt. Experiments were carried out from 0.1 to 2 GPa and 1000–1450 ˚C using either an externally heated TZM pressure vessel, an internally heated gas pressure vessel or a piston cylinder apparatus. Nitrogen contents in run product glasses were quantified by SIMS (secondary ion mass spectrometry). To discriminate against atmospheric contamination, 15N-enriched AgN3 was used as the nitrogen source in the experiments. According to infrared and Raman spectra, run product glasses contain N2 as their only dissolved nitrogen species. Due to interactions with the matrix, the N2 molecule becomes slightly infrared active. Nitrogen solubility in the melts increases linearly with pressure over the entire range studied; the effect of temperature on solubility is small. The data may, therefore, be described by simple Henry constants Khaplogranite = (1461 ± 26) ppm N2/GPa and KMORB = (449 ± 21) ppm N2/GPa, recalculated to ppm by weight (μg/g) of isotopically normal samples. These equations describe the solubility of nitrogen during MORB generation and during melting in the crust, as we show by thermodynamic analysis that N2 is the only significant nitrogen species in these environments. Nitrogen solubility in the haplogranitic melt is about three times larger than for the MORB melt, as is expected from ionic porosity considerations. If expressed on a molar basis, nitrogen solubility is significantly lower than argon solubility, in accordance with the larger size of the N2 molecule. Notably, N2 solubility in felsic melts is also much lower than CO2 solubility, even on a molar basis. This implies that the exsolution of nitrogen may drive vapor oversaturation in felsic melts derived from nitrogen-rich sediments. We also measured the partitioning of nitrogen between olivine, pyroxenes, plagioclase, garnet, and basaltic melt by slowly cooling MORB melts to sub-liquidus temperatures to grow large crystals. The mineral/melt partition coefficients of nitrogen range from 0.001 to 0.002, and are similar to argon partition coefficients. These new data, therefore, support the assumption that there is little fractionation between nitrogen and argon during mantle melting and that the N2/Ar ratio in basalts and xenoliths is, therefore, representative of the N2/Ar ratio in the mantle source. This assumption is essential for assessing the size of the nitrogen reservoir in the mantle. Our data also show that for an upper mantle oxidation state that is similar to the one observed today, nitrogen outgassing by partial melting is extremely efficient and even low melt fractions in the range of a few percent may extract nearly all nitrogen from the mantle source.
Technical note: Practical application of post-mortem mechanical stimulation of skeletal muscle, a field study
Authors: Stigter H. , Krap T. , Gelderman T. , Dijkhuizen L. , Duijst WLJM
Published: August 2022

Background

Estimation of the post-mortem interval (PMI) is a crucial aspect in crime scene investigation. PMI is defined as the time between the moment of death and the moment of finding the dead body. A combination of methods for estimating the PMI in forensic casework is internationally mostly used. Supravital muscle reaction (SMR) is one of those methods. SMR is an idiomuscular contraction and can be provoked by mechanical stimulation.

Objectives

A field study was carried out with the aim to investigate whether a reflex hammer can be used as tool for triggering an idiomuscular contraction and, furthermore, to determine if a learning period has to be taken into account by a forensic physician for appropriate application of a reflex hammer to trigger SMR.

Methods

From January 2017 to January 2022, four forensic physicians used this SMR by mechanically stimulating the musculus brachioradialis and musculus biceps brachii. In total, 332 cases were included with a PMI less than 24 h. The cases were divided in chronological clusters of 20 cases. The ratio of the number of positive SMR versus the total number stimulations per forensic physician was used as a measure of accuracy of a reflex hammer for triggering SMR. The distribution of the data was analyzed by comparing the clusters in chronological order to assess whether a learning curve applies.

Results

In 55.7%, a muscle reaction could be provoked by mechanical stimulation. Comparable outcome of SMR between the participating physicians was observed after 40 stimulations.

Conclusion

A reflex hammer is usable for provoking SMR. A learning period has to be taken in to account during the first forty cases per forensic physician.
Risk for severe outcomes of COVID-19 and PIMS-TS in children with SARS-CoV-2 infection in Germany
Authors: Sorg Anna-Lisa , Hufnagel Markus , Doenhardt Maren , Diffloth Natalie , Schroten Horst , von Kries Rüdiger , Berner Reinhard , Armann Jakob
Published: August 2022

Although children and adolescents have a lower burden of SARS-CoV-2-associated disease compared to adults, assessing the risk for severe outcomes among SARS-CoV-2-infected children remains difficult due to a high rate of undetected cases. We combine data from three data sources — a national seroprevalence study (the SARS-CoV-2 KIDS study), the nationwide, state-based reporting system for PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections in Germany, and a nationwide registry on children and adolescents hospitalized with either SARS-CoV-2 or pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome (PIMS-TS, also known as MIS-C) — in order to provide estimates on the risk of hospitalization for COVID-19-related treatment, intensive care admission, and death due to COVID-19 and PIMS-TS in children. The rate of hospitalization for COVID-19-related treatment among all SARS-CoV-2 seropositive children was 7.13 per 10,000, ICU admission 2.21 per 10,000, and case fatality was 0.09 per 10,000. In children without comorbidities, the corresponding rates for severe or fatal disease courses were substantially lower. The lowest risk for the need of COVID-19-specific treatment was observed in children aged 5–11 without comorbidities. In this group, the ICU admission rate was 0.37 per 10,000, and case fatality could not be calculated due to the absence of cases. The overall PIMS-TS rate was 2.47 per 10,000 SARS-CoV-2 infections, the majority being children without comorbidities.

Conclusion: Overall, the SARS-CoV-2-associated burden of a severe disease course or death in children and adolescents is low. This seems particularly the case for 5–11-year-old children without comorbidities. By contrast, PIMS-TS plays a major role in the overall disease burden among all pediatric age groups.

What is Known:• SARS-CoV-2-associated burden of disease in children is considered to be low, but accurate risk estimates accounting for clinically undiagnosed infections are lacking.• Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections are common in children.

What is New:• We provide risk estimates for hospitalization for COVID-19-related treatment, ICU admission, death from COVID-19, and PIMS-TS for children with SARS-CoV-2 infections by pooling different data sources.• The risk for PIMS-TS exceeds the risk for severe COVID-19 in all age groups; the risk for severe COVID-19 is the lowest in 5–11 years old.
Inserting One Edge into a Simple Drawing is Hard
Authors: Arroyo Alan , Klute Fabian , Parada Irene , Vogtenhuber Birgit , Seidel Raimund , Wiedera Tilo
Published: August 2022

A simple drawingD(G) of a graph G is one where each pair of edges share at most one point: either a common endpoint or a proper crossing. An edge e in the complement of G can be inserted into D(G) if there exists a simple drawing of $$G+e$$

G
+
e

extending D(G). As a result of Levi’s Enlargement Lemma, if a drawing is rectilinear (pseudolinear), that is, the edges can be extended into an arrangement of lines (pseudolines), then any edge in the complement of G can be inserted. In contrast, we show that it is -complete to decide whether one edge can be inserted into a simple drawing. This remains true even if we assume that the drawing is pseudocircular, that is, the edges can be extended to an arrangement of pseudocircles. On the positive side, we show that, given an arrangement of pseudocircles $$\mathcal {A}$$
A
and a pseudosegment $$\sigma $$
σ
, it can be decided in polynomial time whether there exists a pseudocircle $$\Phi _\sigma $$

Φ
σ

extending $$\sigma $$
σ
for which $$\mathcal {A}\cup \{\Phi _\sigma \}$$

A
∪
{

Φ
σ

}

is again an arrangement of pseudocircles.
Lithogenesis of a phosphatized tephra marker horizon in the Eocene Messel maar lake
Authors: Liesegang Moritz , Wuttke Michael
Published: August 2022

The bituminous black pelite of the Messel UNESCO world heritage site is an exceptional palaeobiological archive from the Middle Eocene greenhouse climate. The pronounced homogeneity of the annually laminated pelite through a time interval of 640 kyr complicates the relative stratigraphic classification of fossil remains and is, thus, largely dependent on particular marker horizons within the uniform sedimentary column. We analyzed the most prominent marker horizon M using petrographic microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and electron probe microanalyses to identify and characterize its structure and phosphate-dominated mineralogy. Based on our analytical data, we suggest that this phosphatic marker horizon resulted from the exceptional combination of external tephra enclosed in bacteria and algae-rich layers, producing a coupled phosphorus and cation diffusion during diagenesis. Mantienneite (KMg2Al2Ti(PO4)4(OH)3 • 15H2O) is documented for the first time in the Messel fossil deposit. The diagenetic succession of messelite, montgomeryite, and mantienneite precipitation reflects the internal heterogeneities in primary mineral composition of an ash layer. Kerogen maturation and hydrocarbon migration produced acidic, reducing pore fluids with high P concentration, which enhanced the mobility of Al and Ti. The mantienneite-forming reaction marks the change from a regime of reducing to oxidizing conditions. With the deposition and diagenesis of the marker horizon M, a singular event is preserved in a sedimentary sequence otherwise regarded as largely uniform over a time span of about 640 kyr.
A 5-years results of the Ponseti method in the treatment of congenital clubfoot: a retrospective study
Authors: Bitew Almaw , Melesse Debas Yaregal , Admass Biruk Adie
Published: August 2022

Background

Clubfoot is a common congenital deformity affecting mobility of children. It leads to pain and disability. The Ponseti treatment method is non-surgical method for the correction of clubfoot. There is variation from country to country in how the result of clubfoot management is measured and reported. This study aimed to assess the 5-years results of the Ponseti method in the treatment of congenital clubfoot which was performed for children aged under 2 years in western Amhara, Ethiopia.

Objectives

The objective of this study was to assess a 5-years results of the Ponseti method in the treatment of congenital clubfoot among under 2-years old children in Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital, Bahir-Dar, Ethiopia, from 2015 to 2019 G.C.

Methods

A facility-based retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted. After receiving letter of ethical clearance from the University, IRB board, the data were collected from medical record/charts of patients’ who received Ponseti treatment, and the collected data were entered and analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 21. The results were presented with texts and tables.

Results

A total of 200 children with 256 congenital clubfeet involved in the study. Among the total study subjects, 143 (71.5%) had unilateral clubfeet. The 5-years results of the Ponseti method in the treatment of congenital clubfoot conducted in 200 children with clubfeet were 187 (93.5%) with 95% (CI 90–99.5). Among the study participants, males were 66.5% (almost two times from females).

Conclusions and recommendations

According to the results from a 5-years data showed that the Ponseti method in the treatment of congenital clubfoot was successful with a success rate of 93.5%. We recommend that children with congenital clubfeet should be managed with Ponseti treatment method timely.
A new long-step interior point algorithm for linear programming based on the algebraic equivalent transformation
Authors: E.-Nagy Marianna , Varga Anita
Published: August 2022

In this paper, we investigate a new primal-dual long-step interior point algorithm for linear optimization. Based on the step size, interior point algorithms can be divided into two main groups, short-step, and long-step methods. In practice, long-step variants perform better, but usually, a better theoretical complexity can be achieved for the short-step methods. One of the exceptions is the large-update algorithm of Ai and Zhang. The new wide neighborhood and the main characteristics of the presented algorithm are based on their approach. In addition, we use the algebraic equivalent transformation technique of Darvay to determine new modified search directions for our method. We show that the new long-step algorithm is convergent and has the best known iteration complexity of short-step variants. We present our numerical results and compare the performance of our algorithm with two previously introduced Ai-Zhang type interior point algorithms on a set of linear programming test problems from the Netlib library.
Toward BDS/Galileo/GPS/QZSS triple-frequency PPP instantaneous integer ambiguity resolutions without atmosphere corrections
Authors: Tao Jun , Chen Guo , Guo Jing , Zhang Qiang , Liu Sijing , Zhao Qile
Published: August 2022

Multi-frequency precise point positioning (PPP) has drawn attention along with the modernization of the Global Navigation Satellite Systems. There are now nearly 90 satellites providing multi-frequency signals. This contribution aims to achieve fast convergence of a few seconds for BDS/Galileo/GPS/QZSS integrated triple-frequency PPP with integer ambiguity resolution (IAR) without atmosphere corrections. A unified model of an uncombined and undifferenced manner for PPP-IAR with dual- and triple-frequency observations is presented. The uncalibrated phase delays (UPD) of extra wide-lane (EWL), wide-lane (WL), and N1 ambiguities for triple-frequency PPP are estimated with standard deviations of 0.02, 0.05, and 0.10 cycles achieved, respectively. The PPP-IAR validation based on 20 stations evenly distributed in China is conducted using UPD products generated from a regional network covering a large part of China. The EWL, WL, and N1 ambiguities are sequentially fixed utilizing the least-squares ambiguity decorrelation adjustment (LAMBDA) technique. In terms of convergence time, PPP instantaneous IAR is achievable without using atmosphere corrections, thanks to the contribution of the multi-frequency and multi-constellation observations. This has been proved by performing PPP-IAR restart every 10-min over 2520 times in our case study. For PPP-IAR solutions produced with BDS/Galileo/GPS/QZSS triple-frequency observations with an interval of 1 s, the convergence is fulfilled within 1 s for the horizontal components with an accuracy of better than 5 cm, while 2 s for the vertical component with better than 10 cm accuracy, and both are at 95% confidence level.
Age-independent diameter increment models for mixed mountain forests
Authors: Ciceu Albert , Bronisz Karol , Garcia-Duro Juan , Badea Ovidiu
Published: August 2022

Mixed mountain forests with an uneven-aged structure are characterized by a high tree-growth variability making traditional age-dependent growth models inapplicable. Estimating site productivity is yet another impediment for modelling tree growth in such forests. Uneven-aged mixed-stand forests are known for their high resilience, resistance and productivity, and are being promoted as a suitable alternative to even-aged, pure plantations for climate change adaptation and mitigation. However, their growth must be accurately measured and predicted, but diameter at the breast height (dbh) increment models specifically designed for uneven-aged mixed mountain forests are still rare. Using permanent sampling network data and 465 increment cores, we built two age-independentdbhincrement ($${i}_{d}$$id) models for the main species of the study area, namely Norway spruce (Picea abies(L.) Karst.), silver fir (Abies albaMill.) and European beech (Fagus sylvaticaL.). Mixed effects models and the algebraic difference approach were employed to develop$${i}_{d}$$idmodels based on empirical and commonly used theoretical growth functions. A past growth index was further developed and introduced in the model in order to explain the$${i}_{d}$$idvariability. Several mixed effects calibration strategies were assessed in order to obtain the most accurate localized curve for new plots. Tree size, competition and biogeoclimatic variables were found to explain the$${i}_{d}$$idthrough the empirical growth function, while the growth index significantly improved the theoretical growth function for Norway spruce. The optimization of the calibration strategy for the mixed effects modelling framework enables the growth index implementation in forest practice as an accurate method for estimating site productivity. The accuracy of the two$${i}_{d}$$idmodels was similar: the root mean squared error of the empirical growth function varied between 0.940 and 1.042 cm for spruce, beech and fir, while the root mean squared error obtained through the theoretical growth function for spruce only was 1.105 cm. The basal area increment prediction at the plot level based on the theoretical growth function reached a root mean squared error of 0.043 m2while using the empirical growth function the root mean squared error is 0.047 m2. The high accuracy obtained using age-independent models underlines their suitability for predicting growth in mixed uneven-aged forests. The developed models can be easily integrated into forest practice to accurately obtain$${i}_{d}$$idestimates.
Effects of Bilateral Assistance for Hemiparetic Gait Post-Stroke Using a Powered Hip Exoskeleton
Authors: Pan Yi-Tsen , Kang Inseung , Joh James , Kim Patrick , Herrin Kinsey R. , Kesar Trisha M. , Sawicki Gregory S. , Young Aaron J.
Published: August 2022

Hemiparetic gait due to stroke is characterized by an asymmetric gait due to weakness in the paretic lower limb. These inter-limb asymmetries increase the biomechanical demand and reduce walking speed, leading to reduced community mobility and quality of life. With recent progress in the field of wearable technologies, powered exoskeletons have shown great promise as a potential solution for improving gait post-stroke. While previous studies have adopted different exoskeleton control methodologies for restoring gait post-stroke, the results are highly variable due to limited understanding of the biomechanical effect of exoskeletons on hemiparetic gait. In this study, we investigated the effect of different hip exoskeleton assistance strategies on gait function and gait biomechanics of individuals post-stroke. We found that, compared to walking without a device, powered assistance from hip exoskeletons improved stroke participants’ self-selected overground walking speed by 17.6 ± 2.5% and 11.1 ± 2.7% with a bilateral and unilateral assistance strategy, respectively (p < 0.05). Furthermore, both bilateral and unilateral assistance strategies significantly increased the paretic and non-paretic step length (p < 0.05). Our findings suggest that powered assistance from hip exoskeletons is an effective means to increase walking speed post-stroke and tuning the balance of assistance between non-paretic and paretic limbs (i.e., a bilateral strategy) may be most effective to maximize performance gains.
On-line estimators for ad-hoc task execution: learning types and parameters of teammates for effective teamwork
Authors: Shafipour Yourdshahi Elnaz , do Carmo Alves Matheus Aparecido , Varma Amokh , Soriano Marcolino Leandro , Ueyama Jó , Angelov Plamen
Published: August 2022

It is essential for agents to work together with others to accomplish common objectives, without pre-programmed coordination rules or previous knowledge of the current teammates, a challenge known as ad-hoc teamwork. In these systems, an agent estimates the algorithm of others in an on-line manner in order to decide its own actions for effective teamwork. A common approach is to assume a set of possible types and parameters for teammates, reducing the problem into estimating parameters and calculating distributions over types. Meanwhile, agents often must coordinate in a decentralised fashion to complete tasks that are displaced in an environment (e.g., in foraging, de-mining, rescue or fire control), where each member autonomously chooses which task to perform. By harnessing this knowledge, better estimation techniques can be developed. Hence, we present On-line Estimators for Ad-hoc Task Execution (OEATE), a novel algorithm for teammates’ type and parameter estimation in decentralised task execution. We show theoretically that our algorithm can converge to perfect estimations, under some assumptions, as the number of tasks increases. Additionally, we run experiments for a diverse configuration set in the level-based foraging domain over full and partial observability, and in a “capture the prey” game. We obtain a lower error in parameter and type estimation than previous approaches and better performance in the number of completed tasks for some cases. In fact, we evaluate a variety of scenarios via the increasing number of agents, scenario sizes, number of items, and number of types, showing that we can overcome previous works in most cases considering the estimation process, besides robustness to an increasing number of types and even to an erroneous set of potential types.
Towards explainable interactive multiobjective optimization: R-XIMO
Authors: Misitano Giovanni , Afsar Bekir , Lárraga Giomara , Miettinen Kaisa
Published: August 2022

In interactive multiobjective optimization methods, the preferences of a decision maker are incorporated in a solution process to find solutions of interest for problems with multiple conflicting objectives. Since multiple solutions exist for these problems with various trade-offs, preferences are crucial to identify the best solution(s). However, it is not necessarily clear to the decision maker how the preferences lead to particular solutions and, by introducing explanations to interactive multiobjective optimization methods, we promote a novel paradigm of explainable interactive multiobjective optimization. As a proof of concept, we introduce a new method, R-XIMO, which provides explanations to a decision maker for reference point based interactive methods. We utilize concepts of explainable artificial intelligence and SHAP (Shapley Additive exPlanations) values. R-XIMO allows the decision maker to learn about the trade-offs in the underlying problem and promotes confidence in the solutions found. In particular, R-XIMO supports the decision maker in expressing new preferences that help them improve a desired objective by suggesting another objective to be impaired. This kind of support has been lacking. We validate R-XIMO numerically, with an illustrative example, and with a case study demonstrating how R-XIMO can support a real decision maker. Our results show that R-XIMO successfully generates sound explanations. Thus, incorporating explainability in interactive methods appears to be a very promising and exciting new research area.
Systematic assessment of coronary calcium detectability and quantification on four generations of CT reconstruction techniques: a patient and phantom study
Authors: Dobrolinska M. M. , van Praagh G. D. , Oostveen L. J. , Poelhekken K. , Greuter M. J. W. , Fleischmann D. , Willemink M. J. , de Lange F. , Slart R. H. J. A. , Leiner T. , van der Werf N. R.
Published: August 2022

In computed tomography, coronary artery calcium (CAC) scores are influenced by image reconstruction. The effect of a newly introduced deep learning-based reconstruction (DLR) on CAC scoring in relation to other algorithms is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of four generations of image reconstruction techniques (filtered back projection (FBP), hybrid iterative reconstruction (HIR), model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR), and DLR) on CAC detectability, quantification, and risk classification. First, CAC detectability was assessed with a dedicated static phantom containing 100 small calcifications varying in size and density. Second, CAC quantification was assessed with a dynamic coronary phantom with velocities equivalent to heart rates of 60–75 bpm. Both phantoms were scanned and reconstructed with four techniques. Last, scans of fifty patients were included and the Agatston calcium score was calculated for all four reconstruction techniques. FBP was used as a reference. In the phantom studies, all reconstruction techniques resulted in less detected small calcifications, up to 22%. No clinically relevant quantification changes occurred with different reconstruction techniques (less than 10%). In the patient study, the cardiovascular risk classification resulted, for all reconstruction techniques, in excellent agreement with the reference (κ = 0.96–0.97). However, MBIR resulted in significantly higher Agatston scores (61 (5.5–435.0) vs. 81.5 (9.25–435.0); p < 0.001) and 6% reclassification rate. In conclusion, HIR and DLR reconstructed scans resulted in similar Agatston scores with excellent agreement and low-risk reclassification rate compared with routine reconstructed scans (FBP). However, caution should be taken with low Agatston scores, as based on phantom study, detectability of small calcifications varies with the used reconstruction algorithm, especially with MBIR and DLR.
Market Structure and Instability Artifacts in Heterogeneous Agent Models: Lessons from Implicit Discretizations of Stiff Equations
Authors: Baumann Michael Heinrich , Baumann Michaela , Grüne Lars , Herz Bernhard
Published: August 2022

We consider a standard heterogeneous agent model (HAM) that is widely used to analyze price developments in financial markets. The model is linear in log-prices and, in its basic setting, populated by fundamentalists and chartists. As the number of fundamentalists increases and exceeds a specific threshold, oscillations occur whose amplitude might even grow exponentially over time. From an economic perspective to adequately interpret such instability results it is indispensable to ensure that the characteristics and specific building blocks of the HAM are not at odds with the underlying structure of financial markets, in particular the specific trading rules. We expect that in markets with (almost) only fundamentalist traders prices might in the most extreme case oscillate, but never explode. In addition, if limit orders are available, prices should converge monotonically. Finally, if price bubbles occur in financial markets with fundamentalist traders, they should only result from the interactions between fundamentalists and the other traders, e.g., chartists, but not from fundamentalists’ decisions alone. From a mathematical perspective we show that the instability result common to the standard approach can be related to a “hidden” explicit discretization of a stiff ordinary differential equation contained in the model. Replacing this explicit discretization by an implicit one improves the model as it removes this artifact, bringing the model’s prediction in line with standard theory. The refined model still allows for price overshoots, bubbles, and crashes. However, in the implicit model these instabilities are caused by chartists and not by an unintended artifact.
SOKNL: A novel way of integrating K-nearest neighbours with adaptive random forest regression for data streams
Authors: Sun Yibin , Pfahringer Bernhard , Gomes Heitor Murilo , Bifet Albert
Published: August 2022

Most research in machine learning for data streams has focused on classification algorithms, whereas regression methods have received a lot less attention. This paper proposes Self-Optimising K-Nearest Leaves (SOKNL), a novel forest-based algorithm for streaming regression problems. Specifically, the Adaptive Random Forest Regression, a state-of-the-art online regression algorithm is extended like this: in each leaf, a representative data point – also called centroid – is generated by compressing the information from all instances in that leaf. During the prediction step, instead of letting all trees in the forest participate, the distances between the input instance and all centroids from relevant leaves are calculated, only k trees that possess the smallest distances are utilised for the prediction. Furthermore, we simplify the algorithm by introducing a mechanism for tuning the k values, which is dynamically and automatically optimised based on historical information. This new algorithm produces promising predictive results and achieves a superior ranking according to statistical testing when compared with several standard stream regression methods over typical benchmark datasets. This improvement incurs only a small increase in runtime and memory consumption over the basic Adaptive Random Forest Regressor.
Nursing student´s attitudes toward e-learning: a quantitative approach
Authors: Sánchez Alina de las Mercedes Martínez , Karaksha Abdullah
Published: August 2022

This article seeks to determine the attitudes of undergraduate nursing students toward e-learning at the (X). A quantitative, non-experimental, descriptive, and exploratory approach was the procedural methodology selected in this study. A suitable sample of sophomore nursing scholars (n = 71) was registered. A total of 58 students returned the questionnaire (82.8% were females). Students who have previous computer training were significantly more confident in connecting to the internet than those with no prior computer training (t = 2.1, p < 0.05). Students who had prior experience in e-learning predicted they would feel significantly more nervous when working with computers than those who did not have this prior experience (t = 2.3, p < 0.05). In general, our investigation uncovered a differently favorable view of nursing students towards e-learning, however, some negative attitudes were also recorded. Factors likes students` motivation and personalities, backgrounds and feelings related to the control of their educational process must be considered in the application of e-learning.
Teach to use CAD or through using CAD: An interview study with technology teachers
Authors: Brink Helen , Kilbrink Nina , Gericke Niklas
Published: August 2022

Today, many technology teachers in compulsory technology education teach design and design processes using a digital design tool, such as computer aided design (CAD). Teaching involving CAD is a relatively new element and not very much is known about what teachers intend pupils to learn in compulsory education. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate technology teachers’ experiences in order to gain insight into their teaching practices involving CAD. A phenomenographic approach was used and twelve semi-structured interviews with lower secondary technology teachers were conducted. The interviews were analyzed and categories of description were hierarchically organized into the phenomenographic outcome space. The results show that teachers have different experiences of the intended learning outcomes when CAD is used in teaching, and four hierarchical categories emerged: (1) Handling the software, (2) Using ready-made models, (3) Manufacturing and creating printed models, and (4) Designing. The four categories describe teaching to use CAD and/or through using CAD. Further, the hierarchical categories indicate a teaching progression and the categories can be used as a basis for further discussions among teachers, teacher educators and researchers to develop CAD pedagogies within compulsory technology education.
Effects of experimental rewilding on butterflies, bumblebees and grasshoppers
Authors: Garrido P. , Naumov V. , Söderquist L. , Jansson A. , Thulin C.-G.
Published: August 2022

Grassland ecosystems are species-rich habitats that are rapidly declining globally posing serious concerns for biodiversity conservation. This situation is particularly relevant in agricultural areas in Europe. As traditional management practices and livestock grazing regimes ceased, rewilding could be a potential avenue to tackle current biodiversity declines. To test this hypothesis, we set up a 3-year experiment where 12 horses were introduced in three 10-hectare enclosure replicates (four horses per enclosure). Horses were kept without supplementary feeding to mimic ecosystem functions of wild horses. We applied Generalized Linear Mixed Effects Models and a backward stepwise model selection procedure to elucidate factors that modulate insect richness induced by grazing. Our results show that plant species richness, the proportion of flowers and plant height play a significant role for butterfly and bumblebee richness, while the opposite effect was detected for grasshoppers. However, the effect on grasshoppers was counterbalanced by increased grasshopper species richness in habitats adjacent to horse latrines.

Implications for insect conservation

Rewilding with horses may offset current biodiversity declines by maintaining important functional links between plants and pollinators in grassland ecosystems. Horse grazing can however have different effects on diverse functional groups of insects. Application of integrative landscape scale approaches may be needed to elucidate the effects of rewilding for certain functional groups such as grasshoppers. With current biodiversity declines, up-scaling rewilding research and practice might be crucial to mitigate the pervasive effects on insects as their services and functions are critical for our existence.
Attractivity of various artificial light sources to caddisfly (Trichoptera) species and its importance in their sampling and conservation
Authors: Szanyi Kálmán , Nagy Antal , Varga Zoltán , Potish Ludvid , Szanyi Szabolcs
Published: August 2022

The artificial light sources are useful tools for sampling night active insects, however, they also possess potential environmental risks in their habitats. To test their applicability and evaluate environmental risk for caddisflies (Trichoptera), the attractivity of different portable light traps working with LED, UV and mixed-white light sources was studied and compared with attractivity of traditionally used mercury-vapour lamp (in Jermy-type light trap), which is tool of sampling and street-light. Analysing 1135 caught individuals of 19 species light sources emitting different wavelength spectra showed different attractivity and selectivity on caddisflies both on species and family levels. Attractivity of mercury-vapour lamp was generally lower than the other tested light sources. We found that the most attractive wavelength range for caddisflies is between 360 and 407 nm. One of the tested LED and mixed-white lamps together could cover this spectrum and a high and wide spectral peak of mixed-white light source between 375 and 391 nm resulted additional catches considering both species and number of individuals. Lamps emitting between 360 and 407 nm may be both a useful tool for sampling caddisflies and dangerous source of light pollution along lowland water courses where the sampled species are common and widespread.