bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
From content moderation to visibility moderation: A case study of platform governance on TikTok
Authors: Zeng Jing , Kaye D. Bondy Valdovinos
Published: February 2022

TikTok, a short‐video app featuring video content typically between 15 and 60 s long, has become immensely popular around the world in the last few years. However, the worldwide popularity of TikTok requires the platform to constantly negotiate with the rules, norms and regulatory frameworks of the regions where it operates. Failure to do so has had significant consequences. For example, for content‐related reasons, the platform has been (temporarily and permanently) banned in several countries, including India, Indonesia and Pakistan. Moreover, its Chinese ownership and popularity among underage users have made the platform subject to heightened scrutiny and criticism. In this paper, we introduce the notion of visibility moderation, defined as the process through which digital platforms manipulate the reach of user‐generated content through algorithmic or regulatory means. We discuss particular measures TikTok implements to shape visibility and issues arising from it. This paper presents findings from interviews with content creators, which takes a user‐centric approach to understand their sense‐making of and negotiation with TikTok's visibility moderation. Findings from this study also highlight concerns that leave these stakeholders feeling confused, frustrated or powerless, which offer important directions for further research.
Brain‐Penetration and Neuron‐Targeting DNA Nanoflowers Co‐Delivering miR‐124 and Rutin for Synergistic Therapy of Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Ouyang Qin , Liu Kai , Zhu Qubo , Deng Huiyin , Le Yuan , Ouyang Wen , Yan Xiaoxin , Zhou Wenhu , Tong Jianbin
Published: February 2022

Alzheimer disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia that affects millions of old people. Despite significant advances in the understanding of AD pathobiology, no disease modifying treatment is available. MicroRNA‐124 (miR‐124) is the most abundant miRNA in the normal brain with great potency to ameliorate AD‐like pathology, while it is deficient in AD brain. Herein, the authors develop a DNA nanoflowers (DFs)‐based delivery system to realize exogenous supplementation of miR‐124 for AD therapy. The DFs with well‐controlled size and morphology are prepared, and a miR‐124 chimera is attached via hybridization. The DFs are further modified with RVG29 peptide to simultaneously realize brain‐blood barrier (BBB) penetration and neuron targeting. Meanwhile, Rutin, a small molecular ancillary drug, is co‐loaded into the DFs structure via its intercalation into the double stranded DNA region. Interestingly, Rutin could synergize miR‐124 to suppress the expression of both BACE1 and APP, thus achieving a robust inhibition of amyloid β generation. The nanosystem could pro‐long miR‐124 circulation in vivo, promote its BBB penetration and neuron targeting, resulting in a significant increase of miR‐124 in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice and robust therapeutic efficacy in vivo. Such a bio‐derived therapeutic system shows promise as a biocompatible nanomedicine for AD therapy.
Finding a solution to a deadly virus in elephants
Authors: Mills Georgina
Published: February 2022

Georgina Mills reports on new work that is testing a vaccine for elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus
Electric truck deployment in Chinese cities: Promotion policies and implications for future policymaking
Authors: Qiao Yanping , Raufer Roger
Published: February 2022

The electrification of road freight vehicles is an important approach to reduce air pollution and carbon emissions from the trucking industry. In its current stage, electric truck adoption in China is concentrated in a few cities that provide strong support for the technology. This article reviews the promotion policies adopted by ten major Chinese cities pioneering electric logistics vehicle (ELV) adoption. These policies include operational subsidies, road access privileges, subsidies for charger installation and operation, and other incentives for ELV charging and parking. As local purchasing subsidies for ELVs have been phased down, the operational subsidies and road access privileges provide the main impetus for urban ELV adoption. In addition, a holistic regional assessment identifying high‐potential provinces for future electric truck deployment in the country is described. The assessment takes into account eight indicators under three relevant categories of considerations (i.e., the unique attributes of the technology, where it is most needed, and where it has the most support) and shows that provinces favorable for electric truck deployments are concentrated in the east and south of China. Fleet operators, policymakers, and other industry stakeholders should consider prioritizing electric truck deployments in these regions. Some of these eight indicators are difficult or impossible to change, and policymakers looking to encourage more logistics vehicle electrification must therefore focus on those policy factors that can be changed. Policy recommendations are then formulated in light of the city‐level policy analysis as well as the regional assessment, which is expected to help inform future policymaking and speed ELV adoption in cities across the high‐potential regions and even nationwide.

This article is categorized under:

Cities and Transportation > Electric Mobility

Policy and Economics > Regional and International Strategies
Tumor treating fields therapy is feasible and safe in a 3-year-old patient with diffuse midline glioma H3K27M — a case report
Authors: Gött Hanna , Kiez Silke , Dohmen Hildegard , Kolodziej Malgorzata , Stein Marco
Published: February 2022

Since high grade gliomas are aggressive brain tumors, intensive search for new treatment options is ongoing. For adult patients with newly diagnosed (ndGBM) and recurrent glioblastoma (rGBM), low intensity intermediate frequency alternating electric fields, known as tumor treating fields (TTFields) have been established as a new treatment modality. Tumor treating fields significantly increase survival rates in combination with adjuvant temozolomide (TMZ) in adult and GBM patients. Here, we report about feasibility and safety of treatment on a pediatric patient with diffuse midline glioma who is receiving TTFields therapy in combination with temozolomide.
Association between regional summer monsoon onset in South Asia and Tibetan Plateau thermal forcing
Authors: Hu Die , Duan Anmin , Zhang Ping
Published: February 2022

By using multiple data sources and numerical simulation results from the atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM) of CAM4.0 (Community Atmosphere Model, version 4), we investigated the effect of thermal forcing over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) on the onset of the summer monsoon in the Arabian Sea (AS) and India. Results indicate that the spatial distribution of diabatic heating over the TP in May is a southeastern–northwestern inverse pattern. This diabatic heating shows a robust negative relationship with the onset date of the summer monsoon over the AS and India. A positive diabatic heating seesaw pattern can enhance the ascending (descending) motion over the southeastern (northwestern) TP, corresponding to above (below) normal in- situ precipitation. Temperature budget diagnosis reveals that the adiabatic heating due to anomalous vertical motion and relevant horizontal advection of temperature in the mid-upper troposphere are responsible for the warming over the TP. Consequently, the reversal of the meridional temperature gradient from winter to summer over South Asian regions occurs earlier than the climate-mean state. Furthermore, the diabatic heating over the TP induces an enhanced and westward-extended South Asian High (SAH), which together with the easterly along the southern flank of the SAH superimpose on the low-level westerly flow over the AS and India, results in intensive upper-level divergence-pumping and upward motion. This anomalous circulation configuration in lower and upper levels further facilitates an earlier onset of the summer monsoon in AS and India. These findings are corroborated in the sensitivity runs based on CAM4.0.
Diagnostische Fehler durch kognitive Verzerrungen
Authors: Kargl Simon
Published: February 2022

Kognitive Verzerrungen treten bei der täglichen klinischen Entscheidungsfindung auf und können zu diagnostischen Fehlern führen, die gegebenenfalls Morbidität oder sogar Mortalität verursachen. Ärztinnen und Ärzte müssen sich mit häufigen Varianten dieser kognitiven Verzerrungen vertraut machen.

In einem narrativen Review mit 3 instruktiven Fallbeispielen stellen wir Auftreten und Fallstricke von kognitiven Verzerrungen in der pädiatrischen Medizin dar. Kognitive Verzerrungen sind nicht das Ergebnis mangelnder Aufmerksamkeit oder Fachkenntnis, sondern entstehen als Folge unserer Denkweise auf unbewusster Ebene. Kognitive Verzerrungen interferieren mit dem diagnostischen Prozess und können sowohl in der klinischen Routine als auch in kritischen Situationen diagnostische Fehler verursachen. Die Suche nach Strategien, um kognitive Verzerrungen zu verhindern oder zu reduzieren, hat sich bisher mäßig erfolgreich gezeigt. Jedoch ist es mittlerweile wohl gelungen, ein Bewusstsein dafür zu schaffen
Depressive symptoms during pregnancy and after birth in women living in Sweden who received treatments for fear of birth
Authors: Hildingsson Ingegerd , Rubertsson Christine
Published: February 2022

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of depressive symptoms and associated factors in women who underwent treatments for fear of birth; internet-based cognitive therapy, counseling with midwives, continuity with a known midwife or standard care. A secondary analysis was performed using data collected from four samples of women identified with fear of birth and receiving treatment with different methods. A questionnaire was used to collect data in mid-pregnancy and at follow-up 2 months after birth. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depressive Scale. In mid-pregnancy, 32% of the 422 women with fear of birth also reported a co-morbidity with depressive symptoms. At postpartum follow-up, 19% reported depressive symptoms 2 months after birth, and 12% showed continued or recurrent depressive symptoms identified both during pregnancy and postpartum. A history of mental health problems was the strongest risk factor for presenting with depressive symptoms. None of the treatment options in this study was superior in reducing depressive symptoms. This study showed a significant co-morbidity and overlap between fear of birth and depressive symptoms. Screening for depressive symptoms and fear of birth during pregnancy is important to identify women at risk and offer specific treatment.
Equilibria on a circular market when consumers do not always buy from the closest firm
Authors: Keehan Dominic , Cahan Dodge , McCabe-Dansted John , Slinko Arkadii
Published: February 2022

We study spatial competition by firms which is often studied in the context of linear markets where customers always shop at the nearest firm. Here, customer behavior is determined by a probability vector $$\mathbf{p }=(p_1,\ldots ,p_n)$$

p
=
(

p
1

,
…
,

p
n

)

where $$p_i$$

p
i

is the probability that a customer visits the ith closest firm. At the same time, the market is circular a là Salop (Bell J Econ 10(1):141–156, 1979), which has the advantage of isolating the impact of customer shopping behavior from market boundary effects. We show that non-convergent Nash equilibria, in which firms cluster at distinct positions on the market, always exist for convex probability vectors as well as probability vectors exhibiting a certain symmetry. For concave probability vectors, on the other hand, we show that non-convergent Nash equilibria are unlikely to exist.
Gonad development in farmed male and female South African abalone, Haliotis midae, fed artificial and natural diets under a range of husbandry conditions
Authors: Meusel Esther , Menanteau-Ledouble Simon , Naylor Matthew , Kaiser Horst , El-Matbouli Mansour
Published: February 2022

Growth rate is one of the most important factors in the farming of Haliotis midae, and somatic growth rates decline after abalone reach sexual maturity. Artificial diets are suspected to accelerate maturation, in particular when soya meal is used as a protein source, because of this plant’s high concentration of phytoestrogens. The effect of diet on the gonad development of 27-month-old farmed Haliotis midae, raised at two stocking densities, was analysed. We fed two artificial diets and a natural diet, kelp, to cultured abalone. The first artificial diet had fishmeal as its main source of protein, while in the other, Abfeed® S34, 32% of the fish meal was replaced with soya meal. For each gonad sample, the development phase was determined based on both histological criteria and the gonad bulk index (GBIn). The hypothesised link between dietary protein source and gonad development could not be established by either morphological criteria or GBIn. Similarly, stocking density did not have a significant effect on GBIn-values. GBIn values were significantly correlated to the results from the histological analyses in males and females. The results from this study suggest that artificial diets including those using soya meal are a valid alternative in the feeding of abalone. The research provides a database for future research on factors influencing gonad development in this species.
An adaptive moment estimation framework for well placement optimization
Authors: Arouri Yazan , Sayyafzadeh Mohammad
Published: February 2022

In this study, we propose the use of a first-order gradient framework, the adaptive moment estimation (Adam), in conjunction with a stochastic gradient approximation, to well location and trajectory optimization problems. The Adam framework allows the incorporation of additional information from previous gradients to calculate variable-specific progression steps. As a result, this assists the search progression to be adjusted further for each variable and allows a convergence speed-up in problems where the gradients need to be approximated. We argue that under computational budget constraints, local optimization algorithms provide suitable solutions from a heuristic initial guess. Nonlinear constraints are taken into account to ensure the proposed solutions are not in violation of practical field considerations. The performance of the proposed algorithm is compared against steepest descent and generalized pattern search, using two case studies — the placement of four vertical wells and placement of 20 nonconventional (deviated, horizontal and/or slanted) wells. The results indicate that the proposed algorithm consistently outperforms the tested methods in terms computational efficiency and final optimum value. Additional discussions regarding nonconventional parameterization provide insights into simultaneous perturbation gradient approximations.
Epidemic spread of smut fungi (Quambalaria) by sexual reproduction in a native pathosystem
Authors: McTaggart Alistair R. , Drenth André , Wingfield Michael J. , O’Dwyer Cecilia , Shuey Louise S. , Pegg Geoff S.
Published: February 2022

Quambalaria are fungal pathogens of Corymbia, Eucalyptus and related genera of Myrtaceae. They are smut fungi (Ustilaginomycota) described from structures that resemble conidia and conidiophores. Whether these spore forms have asexual or sexual roles in life cycles of Quambalaria is unknown. An epidemic of Q. pitereka destroyed plantations of Corymbia in New South Wales and Queensland (Australia) in 2008. We sampled 177 individuals from three plantations of C. variegata and used AFLPs to test hypotheses that the epidemic was spread by asexual reproduction and dominated by a single genotype. There was high genotypic diversity across ≥600 AFLP loci in the pathogen populations at each plantation, and evidence of sexual reproduction based on neighbour-net analyses and rejection of linkage disequilibrium. The populations were not structured by host or location. Our data did not support a hypothesis of asexual reproduction but instead that Q. pitereka spreads exclusively by sexual reproduction, similar to life cycles of other smut fungi. Epidemics were exacerbated by monocultures of Corymbia established from seed collected from a single provenance. This study showcases an example of an endemic pathogen, Q. pitereka, with a strictly outbreeding life cycle that has caused epidemics when susceptible hosts were planted in large monoculture plantations.
MEFV and NLRP3 Inflammasome Expression Is Attributed to Immature Macrophages and Correlates with Serum Inflammatory Proteins in Crohn´s Disease Patients
Authors: Gorreja Frida , Caër Charles , Rush Stephen T. A. , Forsskål Sophia K. , Härtlova Anetta , Magnusson Maria K. , Bexe Lindskog Elinor , Börjesson Lars G. , Block Mattias , Wick Mary Jo
Published: February 2022

Inflammasomes are intracellular protein complexes whose activation results in proinflammatory cytokines. Inflammasomes are implicated in Crohn´s disease (CD) pathogenesis, yet the contribution of inflammasomes in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) versus lamina propria (LP) macrophages is poorly understood. Whether inflammasome expression in intestinal tissue reflects the serum inflammatory protein profile of patients is also not known. We aimed to determine the intestinal cell types where inflammasome expression is increased in CD and if they correlate with the serum protein profile. RT-PCR and NanoString nCounter technology were used to characterize inflammasome gene expression in CD patients and controls. The mucosa, LP and IEC cell fractions and FACS-sorted cells were analyzed. Proximity extension assay with a 92-protein panel was used to determine the serum inflammatory protein profile. Compositional analysis was used to correlate ileum inflammasome gene expression with intestinal mononuclear phagocyte populations. We show that NLRP3 and MEFV inflammasome sensors and downstream effector expression including IL-1β are increased in inflamed mucosa of IBD patients and correlate with disease activity. Inflammasome gene expression increased with the abundance of immature intestinal macrophages, and increased IL-1β released by CD LP cells correlated with immature macrophage frequency. Inflammasome gene expression was also increased in circulating monocytes, the precursors of immature intestinal macrophages. Finally, the serum inflammatory profile of CD patients correlates with ileal expression of genes related to NLRP3 and MEFV inflammasomes. Overall, we show that MEFV and NLRP3 inflammasome expression in CD intestine is attributed to the accumulation of immature macrophages and correlates with serum inflammatory proteins.
A Methodology for Reconstructing Source Properties of a Conical Piezoelectric Actuator Using Array-Based Methods
Authors: Selvadurai P. A. , Wu R. , Bianchi P. , Niu Z. , Michail S. , Madonna C. , Wiemer S.
Published: February 2022

We investigated the force produced by a conical piezoelectric (PZT, lead zirconate titanate) transducer actuated by high voltage pulses (HVP) in contact with a steel transfer plate. Using elastic wave propagation theory in a semi-infinite plate, we aimed to quantify the magnitude and estimate the shape of the force–time function via the body waves produced in the transfer plate using the displacement field recorded on an array of 20 absolutely calibrated PZT receivers. We first calibrated the receiver array using glass capillary fracture. We proceeded to use a conical PZT transducer to actively produce a source at the origin, allowing us to study the displacement field produced on the now calibrated PZT receiver array. We studied two types of HVP: An impulsive and step source. The calibrated receiver array was used to estimate the general shape of the force–time functions for each type of HVP. From our hypothesized force–time functions we were able to estimate the peak force produced by the PZT actuator: The impulsive source generated a force of $$f_{peak} = 2.90 \pm 0.42$$

f

peak

=
2.90
±
0.42

N and the step source generated $$f_{peak} = 1.79 \pm 0.30$$

f

peak

=
1.79
±
0.30

N, respectively, for a peak applied voltage of 273 V. This translates to an applied force of $$\sim $$
∼
0.011 N/V and 0.007 N/V for the impulse and step force–time functions, respectively, which is similar to estimates found in the literature for other conical transducers in contact with metallic transfer media. This measurement was verified directly by independent measurements of the peak force $$f_{peak}$$

f

peak

using a dynamic force transducer. We found that our methodology correctly estimated the magnitude of the force but is limited to transducers with incident angles $$\theta<$$

θ
<

53$$^{\circ }$$

∘

. Beyond this angle, overestimates of the force were observed due to the lack of body wave energy produced by the source. These results allow us to quantitatively determine the forces produced by active PZT techniques using only the measurement of the displacement field captured on a calibrated conical PZT array. Quantitative understanding of active PZT sources additionally constrains the transfer functions approach, which is commonly used in the non-destructive testing of materials and in other fields, such as rock physics and laboratory seismology.
The Societal Territory of Academic Disciplines: How Disciplines Matter to Society
Authors: Tellmann Silje Maria
Published: February 2022

This paper analyses the interrelations between academic disciplines and society beyond academia by the case of sociology in Norway. For that purpose, this paper introduces the concept of disciplines’ societal territories, which refer to bounded societal spaces that are shaped by the knowledge of a discipline, premised on the linkages between the discipline and its audience. By mapping sociologists’ reported contributions to societal changes beyond academia, the paper firstly shows how societal territories are established by sociologists’ recurring engagement with certain topics and research users. Secondly, it traces the interactions between researchers and their users, and identifies four ideal typical pathways by which the cognitive territory of Norwegian sociology is transformed into societal territories. A key observation is that the establishment of societal territories is co-determined by the structures of research use among its audience. As for the case of sociology in Norway, questions therefore arise over the interdependency between sociologists as knowledge ‘suppliers’ and the ‘demand side’ for research, and the autonomy of the sociological discipline in selecting its focus of attention.
Workflow management system with smart procedures
Authors: Chmiel Wojciech , Derkacz Jan , Jȩdrusik Stanisław , Kadłuczka Piotr , Mikrut Zbigniew , Niemiec Marcin , Pałka Dariusz , Rogus Grzegorz , Skalna Iwona , Turek Michał
Published: February 2022

Supervision of repair and diagnostic works aimed at improving the safety of maintenance crews is one of the key objectives of the distributed INRED system. Working in a real industrial environment, the INRED system includes, among others, the so-called INRED-Workflow, which provides an infrastructure for process automation. Participants of the service processes, managed by the INRED-Workflow, are controlled at each stage of the performed service procedures, both by the system and other process participants, such as quality managers and technologists. All data collected from the service processes is stored in the System Knowledge Repository (SKR) for further processing by using advanced algorithms, and the so-called Smart Procedures merge services supplied by other INRED system modules. The applicability of workflow management systems in conjunction with image recognition and machine learning methods has not yet been thoroughly explored. The presented paper shows the innovative usage of such systems in the supervision of the repair and diagnostic works.
Clinical and molecular characterization of isolated M1 disease in pediatric medulloblastoma: experience from the German HIT-MED studies
Authors: Obrecht Denise , Mynarek Martin , Hagel Christian , Kwiecien Robert , Spohn Michael , Bockmayr Michael , Bison Brigitte , Pfister Stefan M. , Jones David T. W. , Sturm Dominik , von Deimling Andreas , Sahm Felix , von Hoff Katja , Juhnke B.-Ole , Benesch Martin , Gerber Nicolas U. , Friedrich Carsten , von Bueren André O. , Kortmann Rolf-Dieter , Schwarz Rudolf , Pietsch Torsten , Fleischhack Gudrun , Schüller Ulrich , Rutkowski Stefan
Published: February 2022

Purpose

To evaluate the clinical impact of isolated spread of medulloblastoma cells into cerebrospinal fluid without additional macroscopic metastases (M1-only).

Methods

The HIT-MED database was searched for pediatric patients with M1-only medulloblastoma diagnosed from 2000 to 2019. Corresponding clinical and molecular data was evaluated. Treatment was stratified by age and changed over time for older patients.

Results

70 patients with centrally reviewed M1-only disease were identified. Clinical data was available for all and molecular data for 45/70 cases. 91% were non-WNT/non-SHH medulloblastoma (Grp3/4).

5-year PFS for 52 patients ≥ 4 years was 59.4 (± 7.1) %, receiving either upfront craniospinal irradiation (CSI) or SKK-sandwich chemotherapy (CT). Outcomes did not differ between these strategies (5-year PFS: CSI 61.7 ± 9.9%, SKK-CT 56.7 ± 6.1%). For patients < 4 years (n = 18), 5-year PFS was 50.0 (± 13.2) %. M1-persistence occurred exclusively using postoperative CT and was a strong negative predictive factor (pPFS/OS < 0.01).

Patients with additional clinical or molecular high-risk (HR) characteristics had worse outcomes (5-year PFS 42.7 ± 10.6% vs. 64.0 ± 7.0%, p = 0.03). In n = 22 patients ≥ 4 years with full molecular information and without additional HR characteristics, risk classification by molecular subtyping had an effect on 5-year PFS (HR 16.7 ± 15.2%, SR 77.8 ± 13.9%; p = 0.01).

Conclusions

Our results confirm that M1-only is a high-risk condition, and further underline the importance of CSF staging. Specific risk stratification of affected patients needs attention in future discussions for trials and treatment recommendations. Future patients without contraindications may benefit from upfront CSI by sparing risks related to higher cumulative CT applied in sandwich regimen.
On positivity of orthogonal series and its applications in probability
Authors: Szabłowski Paweł J.
Published: February 2022

We give necessary and sufficient conditions for an orthogonal series to converge in the mean-squares to a nonnegative function. We present many examples and applications, in analysis and probability. In particular, we give necessary and sufficient conditions for a Lancaster-type of expansion$$ \sum _{n\ge 0}c_{n}\alpha _{n}(x)\beta _{n}(y)$$∑n≥0cnαn(x)βn(y)with two sets of orthogonal polynomials$$\left\{ \alpha _{n}\right\} $$αnand$$\left\{ \beta _{n}\right\} $$βnto converge in means-squares to a nonnegative bivariate function. In particular, we study the properties of the set$$C(\alpha ,\beta )$$C(α,β)of the sequences$$\left\{ c_{n}\right\} ,$$cn,for which the above-mentioned series converge to a nonnegative function and give conditions for the membership to it. Further, we show that the class of bivariate distributions for which a Lancaster type expansion can be found, is the same as the class of distributions having all conditional moments in the form of polynomials in the conditioning random variable.
The Kardashian Index: a study of researchers' opinions on twitter 2014–2021
Authors: Powell Kerrington , Haslam Alyson , Prasad Vinay
Published: February 2022

The Kardashian Index was designed for comedic purposes and meant to highlight researchers with minimal scholar contribution but oversized social media influence. We sought to examine attitudes and understanding of the Kardashian index by conducting a retrospective observational study of tweets retrieved from the Twitter API, Academic Track. From July 30th, 2014 to May 1st, 2021, 5826 unique tweets containing the phrase "Kardashian index” or related search terms were identified. Interest in the Kardashian Index peaked around the time of publication (July 30th, 2014), though the metric received continued discussion. One hundred random tweets were analyzed to see if the conversation points were positive, negative, or neutral. A majority (29%) of the tweets were neutral. Twenty-three percent of the tweets addressed the user’s own K-Index value, while 21% and 17% of the tweets were either critical or joking, respectively. Only a minority of tweets are critical of or appreciate the humor of the Kardashian index. The majority discuss the term matter-of-factly. Although the Kardashian Index was created in a lighthearted manner, a more serious tone emerges, prompting questions about the shifting role of scholarly and public influence.
Conventionalism about time direction
Authors: Farr Matt
Published: February 2022

In what sense is the direction of time a matter of convention? In The Direction of Time, Hans Reichenbach makes brief reference to parallels between his views about the status of time’s direction and his conventionalism about geometry. In this article, I: (1) provide a conventionalist account of time direction motivated by a number of Reichenbach’s claims in the book; (2) show how forwards and backwards time can give equivalent descriptions of the world despite the former being the ‘natural’ direction of time; and (3) argue that this offers an important middle-ground position between existing realist and antirealist accounts of the direction of time.
A fixed-point problem for theories of meaning
Authors: Dahl Niklas
Published: February 2022

In this paper I argue that it’s impossible for there to be a single universal theory of meaning for a language. First, I will consider some minimal expressiveness requirements a language must meet to be able to express semantic claims. Then I will argue that in order to have a single unified theory of meaning, these expressiveness requirements must be satisfied by a language which the semantic theory itself applies to. That is, we would need a language which can express its own meaning. It has been well-known since Tarski that theories of meaning whose central notion is truth can’t be expressed in a language which they apply to. Here, I develop Quine’s formulation of the Liar Paradox in grammatical terms and use this to extend Tarski’s result to all theories of meaning. This general version of the paradox can be formalised as a special case of the Lawvere Fixed-Point Theorem applied to a categorial grammar. Taken together with the initial arguments, I infer that a universal theory of meaning is impossible and conclude the paper with a brief discussion on what alternatives are available.
Repräsentation in der (Internationalen) Politischen Theorie – eine feministische Kritik und ein Aufruf zum Dialog
Authors: Holthaus Leonie , Knappe Henrike , Martinez Mateo Marina
Published: February 2022

Wer darf für wen jenseits des Staates sprechen, und welche Identitäten werden durch dieses Sprechen erst angeboten und erzeugt? Auch wenn die theoretische wie praktische Relevanz dieser Fragen klar zu ersehen ist, bergen sie eine Reihe von Herausforderungen. Wir möchten in einer Replik auf eine 2020 erschienene Debatte Verweise auf sehr relevante wie schwierige Fragen zu transnationaler Repräsentation mit der These verbinden, dass die feministische Beschäftigung mit transnationaler Repräsentation exemplarisch Ansätze zur Verbindung von normativer und empirischer Forschung zur Verfügung stellt. Bedauerlicherweise wurde die feministische Repräsentationstheorie und die Inspiration, die von ihr ausgeht, in der Debatte nicht beachtet. Über eine fokussierte Besprechung der Beiträge der Internationalen Beziehungen und der Politischen Theorie zeigen wir, dass feministische Interventionen im Spannungsfeld zwischen Theorie und Praxis stetige Kritik an aufkommenden Ungleichheiten und Identitätskonstruktionen leisten. Darin schließlich tragen sie zu einer Verunsicherung von theoretischen Vorannahmen bei, die für eine empirisch informierte Politische Theorie entscheidend ist.
Changes in the Composition of Oral and Intestinal Microbiota After Sleeve Gastrectomy and Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass and Their Impact on Outcomes of Bariatric Surgery
Authors: Stefura Tomasz , Zapała Barbara , Gosiewski Tomasz , Skomarovska Oksana , Pędziwiatr Michał , Major Piotr
Published: February 2022

Background

We aimed to assess the changes in composition of bacterial microbiota at two levels of the digestive tract: oral cavity and large intestine in patients 6 months after bariatric surgery.

Methods

This was a prospective cohort study including patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Before surgery and 6 months after the procedure, oral swabs were obtained and stool samples were provided. Our endpoint was the analysis of the differences in compositions of oral and fecal microbiota prior and after the surgical treatment of obesity.

Results

Bacteria from phylum Bacteroidetes seemed to increase in abundance in both the oral cavity and the large intestine 6 months after surgery among patients undergoing bariatric surgery. The subgroup analysis we conducted based on the volume of weight-loss revealed that patients achieving at least 50% of excess weight loss present similar results to the entire study group. Patients with less favorable outcomes presented an increase in the population of bacteria from phylum Fusobacteria and a decrease of phylum Firmicutes in oral cavity.

Conclusion

Intestinal microbiota among these patients underwent similar changes in composition to the rest of the study group. Bariatric surgery introduces a significant change in composition of oral and intestinal microbiota.

Graphical abstract
Workpiece image-based tool wear classification in blanking processes using deep convolutional neural networks
Authors: Molitor Dirk Alexander , Kubik Christian , Hetfleisch Ruben Helmut , Groche Peter
Published: February 2022

Blanking processes belong to the most widely used manufacturing techniques due to their economic efficiency. Their economic viability depends to a large extent on the resulting product quality and the associated customer satisfaction as well as on possible downtimes. In particular, the occurrence of increased tool wear reduces the product quality and leads to downtimes, which is why considerable research has been carried out in recent years with regard to wear detection. While processes have widely been monitored based on force and acceleration signals, a new approach is pursued in this paper. Blanked workpieces manufactured by punches with 16 different wear states are photographed and then used as inputs for Deep Convolutional Neural Networks to classify wear states. The results show that wear states can be predicted with surprisingly high accuracy, opening up new possibilities and research opportunities for tool wear monitoring of blanking processes.
Evidence-based guidelines for hypofractionated radiation in breast cancer: conclusions of the Catalan expert working group
Authors: Eraso Arantxa , Sanz Javier , Mollà Meritxell , Reyes Vicky , Pedro Agustí , Arenas Meritxell , Martinez Evelyn , Ballester Rosa , Cambra Maria José , García Virginia , Prades Joan Lluis , Borras Josep M. , Algara Manuel
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Daily, moderate hypofractionation has become standard treatment for breast cancer following breast-conserving surgery, although substantial variation exists in its use. This paper describes the generation of consensus-based recommendations for the utilisation of this therapy at the healthcare system level and compares these to American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) guidelines.

Materials and methods

Consensus-based guidelines were developed in three steps, including a systematic literature review and involvement of radiation oncologists specialising in breast cancer in Catalonia: (a) creation of a working group and evidence review; (b) consideration of the levels of evidence and agreement on the formulation of survey questions; and (c) performance of survey and development of consensus-based recommendations. Results were compared to the ASTRO recommendations.

Results

Consensus was above 80% for 10 of the 14 survey items. Experts supported hypofractionated radiotherapy for all breast cancer patients aged 40 years or more; with invasive carcinoma and breast-conserving surgery; without radiation of lymph nodes; and regardless of the tumour size, histological grade, molecular subtype, breast size, laterality, other treatment characteristics, or need for a boost. Over half favoured its use in all situations, even where available scientific evidence is insufficient. The resulting recommendations and the quality of the evidence are comparable to those from ASTRO, despite some differences in the degree of consensus.

Conclusion

Specialists agree that hypofractionation is the standard treatment for breast cancer following breast-conserving surgery, but some specific areas require a higher level of evidence before unequivocally extending indications.
Self-regulated learning self-efficacy, motivation, and intention to drop-out: The moderating role of friendships at University
Authors: Morelli Mara , Chirumbolo Antonio , Baiocco Roberto , Cattelino Elena
Published: February 2022

University dropout represents a serious problem across the world. Past research has suggested the merits of studying both additive and multiplicative effects among the variables that affect the intention to drop out. In the present study, we tested the potential moderating effect of friendships at university, on both the association between self-regulated learning self-efficacy and intention to drop out and the associations between different motivations for attending university and intention to drop out. A sample of 404 Italian university students (Mage = 21.83; SD = 2.37) completed an online questionnaire. The outcomes showed that having friends at university was a protective factor in the relationship between self-regulated learning self-efficacy and intention to drop out. Students with a high number of university friends and low self-efficacy were less likely to intend to drop out than students with few university friends and low self-efficacy. Thus, having friends at university appears to protect students from developing the intention to drop out.
Phenotypic Stability and Correlation for Late Blight Resistance in Advanced Potato Clones Under Field and Controlled Conditions
Authors: Gastelo Manuel , Perez Willmer , Quispe Katherine , Pozo Victor
Published: February 2022

Late blight (LB) is the main potato disease worldwide and one of the most important ways to control it is the use of resistant varieties. Twenty-two potato clones from the B3 breeding population developed by the International Potato Center with high resistance to the disease and two susceptible controls were inoculated with four Peruvian complex isolates (POX67, PPA61, PLL69, and PPI112) of Phytophthora infestans, with complex virulence on potato. Whole plant inoculation assays were carried out under greenhouse and humid chamber conditions in Lima, Peru, and data obtained were correlated with data from field assays carried out in Oxapampa (Pasco), a CIP breeding site in the Peruvian rain forest. High significant correlations (α = 0.01) were found in the resistance to LB shown by potato clones, the values of the correlations under greenhouse conditions between the isolates POX67, PPA61, and PLL69 with the resistance in the field were r = 0.93, 0.92 and 0.80, respectively and under humid chamber conditions were r = 0.94, 0.93 and 0.94, respectively. Moderate correlations were found between resistance in the field and in the greenhouse (r = 0.69) and the field and in humid chamber conditions (r = 0.77) for inoculations with PPI112 isolate. The twenty-two clones tested in this study showed phenotypic stability for LB resistance according to non-parametric analysis.
Upper Cretaceous Limestones as Stone Resources for the Monuments of Oviedo (Asturias, NW of Spain): Petrographic Variability and Stratigraphic Origin
Authors: González-Fernández B. , Alonso F. J. , Valdeón L. , Pando L.
Published: February 2022

This study offers an analysis of the petrographic variability and the stratigraphic origin of the rocks used as building stones in the vast majority of the historical monuments of Oviedo, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites. More than a hundred samples of Upper Cretaceous stone were obtained from monuments and outcrops. Based on petrographic characteristics, a macroscopic scale classification was established, and two lithotypes were identified, Piedramuelle and La Granda. Further varieties were differentiated at a microscopic scale: five in the first lithotype and two in the second one. Regarding stratigraphic origin, both rock types come from the Upper Cretaceous San Lázaro and Oviedo Formations. The building stones were mostly extracted from quarries located in the surroundings of the city and, in some cases, within the urban area. The lithotype used in monuments built up to the eighteenth century is Piedramuelle, while La Granda dominates in buildings erected during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.
UEFA and the Super League: who is calling who a cartel?
Authors: Houben Robby , Blockx Jan , Nuyts Steve
Published: February 2022

The football industry finds itself at a turning point. Through the recent rise and steep fall of the Super League, the concept of a super breakaway league in football is once again at the center of the discussions among football stakeholders. Whilst the key discussion points of such breakaway projects seem to be primarily of a commercial and political nature, EU competition law could also have a crucial impact on the success rate of these initiatives. Sports governing bodies often build in control mechanisms which require their consent prior to the establishment of new third-party competition, often complemented with a severe sanctioning mechanism for athletes participating in non-authorized events. In the ISU case, the European Commission and the General Court found such an ex-ante control mechanism to be contrary to EU competition law in certain circumstances. This Article will analyze UEFA’s ex-ante control system in light of the decision in the ISU case. If the football pyramid desires to uphold its control mechanism it should introduce objective, non-discriminatory, transparent, and proportionate criteria, as well as proportionate sanctions. This article will also analyze whether the Super League's own set-up is compliant with EU competition law.
Effect of process parameters and grain refinement on hot tearing susceptibility of high strength aluminum alloy 2139 in laser powder bed fusion
Authors: Elambasseril Joe , Benoit Michael J. , Zhu Suming , Easton Mark A. , Lui Edward , Brice Craig A. , Qian Ma , Brandt Milan
Published: February 2022

High strength aluminum alloys, especially those that are age-hardenable, such as 2xxx series, 6xxx series, and 7xxx series, are widely used as structural materials in transport and aerospace industries due to their good mechanical properties. However, additive manufacturing of high strength aluminum alloys is challenging due to their susceptibility to hot tearing. In this work, a systematic study has been conducted in an attempt to eliminate hot tearing in laser powder bed fusion (PBF-LB/M) manufacturing of Al2139 alloy through selecting process parameters and the addition of an AlTiB grain refiner. It was found that hot tearing in Al2139 during PBF-LB/M can be reduced or eliminated by increasing volumetric energy density. Furthermore, grain refinement by AlTiB addition shows a clear effect in reducing hot tearing, even though the refined grains remain predominantly columnar rather than equiaxed. The effect of increasing volumetric energy density on hot tearing of Al2139 during PBF-LB/M was analyzed by thermomechanical finite-element simulation, which showed that the reduction in hot tearing with increasing energy density is associated with a decrease in the thermal residual stress. However, it was also shown that there can be a substantive loss of Mg due to evaporation at high energy densities. From a hot tearing model based on solidification thermodynamics, the loss of Mg on hot tearing in Al2139 was estimated to reduce hot tearing by up to 10%, compared to the initial powder composition. With the selected PBF-LB/M parameters, crack-free tensile specimens were fabricated, with and without the addition of AlTiB. Compared with their wrought or cast counterparts, the PBF-LB/M Al2139 and Al2139-AlTiB specimens show lower yield strength but better ductility, which can be attributed to the loss of Mg during PBF-LB/M.
Lights on 2,5-diaryl tetrazoles: applications and limits of a versatile photoclick reaction
Authors: Pirota Valentina , Benassi Alessandra , Doria Filippo
Published: February 2022

Recently, photoclick chemistry emerged as a powerful tool employed in several research fields, from medicinal chemistry and biology to material sciences. The growing interest in this type of chemical process is justified by the possibility to produce complex molecular systems using mild reaction conditions. However, the elevated spatio-temporal control offered by photoclick chemistry is highly intriguing, as it expands the range of applications. In this context, the light-triggered reaction of 2,5-diaryl tetrazoles with dipolarophiles emerged for its interesting features: excellent stability of the substrates, fast reaction kinetic, and the formation of a highly fluorescent product, fundamental for sensing applications. In the last years, 2,5-diaryl tetrazoles have been extensively employed, especially for bioorthogonal ligations, to label biomolecules and nucleic acids. In this review, we summarized recent applications of this interesting photoclick reaction, with a particular focus on biological fields. Moreover, we described the main limits that affect this system and current strategies proposed to overcome these issues. The general discussion here presented could prompt further optimization of the process and pave the way for the development of new original structures and innovative applications.

Graphical abstract
Coupling Vibration Model of Submerged Floating Tunnel in Space
Authors: Changzhao Li , Mengying Zhang , Liquan Liu , Yu Cheng , Fei Han , Jubao Zang
Published: February 2022

Submerged floating tunnel is a new type of traffic building structure under water surface which can span various water courses. The structure has the characteristics of high flexibility and low damping so that vibration problems would be caused by hydrodynamic excitation. Long-term vibration problems could affect the safety and durability of the structure. Therefore, it is necessary to accurately understand the dynamic behavior of the floating tunnel under hydrodynamic excitation. This paper proposes a simplified three-dimensional model to study vibration of the structure for the excitation. Based on the Galerkin method and the mode superposition method with the boundary conditions, the dynamic differential equations of the structure were established in Generalized coordinate system. The $$Newmark - \beta$$

N
e
w
m
a
r
k
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β

method is used to solve the equations. Then, adopting FEA (Finite Element Analysis) method to establish the finite element model of the submerged floating tunnel. The result verified the accuracy of the present model. Based on the present model for parameter analysis, the following conclusions are: displacement coordination at the connection position affects the cables’ dynamic behavior greatly compared to tube. Current and horizontal component of wave have significant impact on dynamic response of tube. While the vertical wave component influences cable greatly.