bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detecting impacts of surface development near weather stations since 1895 in the San Joaquin Valley of California
Authors: Kim Diane , Christy John R.
Published: June 2022

Temperature readings observed at surface weather stations have been used for detecting changes in climate due to their long period of observations. The most common temperature metrics recorded are the daily maximum (TMax) and minimum (TMin) extremes. Unfortunately, influences besides background climate variations impact these measurements such as changes in (1) instruments, (2) location, (3) time of observation, and (4) the surrounding artifacts of human civilization (buildings, farms, streets, etc.) Quantifying (4) is difficult because the surrounding infrastructure, unique to each site, often changes slowly and variably and is thus resistant to general algorithms for adjustment. We explore a direct method of detecting this impact by comparing a single station that experienced significant development from 1895 to 2019, and especially since 1970, relative to several other stations with lesser degrees of such development (after adjustments for the (1) to (3) are applied). The target station is Fresno, California (metro population ~ 15,000 in 1900 and ~ 1 million in 2019) situated on the eastern side of the broad, flat San Joaquin Valley in which several other stations reside. A unique component of this study is the use of pentad (5-day averages) as the test metric. Results indicate that Fresno experienced + 0.4 °C decade−1 more nighttime warming (TMin) since 1970 than its neighbors—a time when population grew almost 300%. There was little difference seen in TMax trends between Fresno and non-Fresno stations since 1895 with TMax trends being near zero. A case is made for the use of TMax as the preferred climate metric relative to TMin for a variety of physical reasons. Additionally, temperatures measured at systematic times of the day (i.e., hourly) show promise as climate indicators as compared with TMax and especially TMin (and thus TAvg) due to several complicating factors involved with daily high and low measurements.
The good, the bad and the worse: current, past and future consumption externalities and equilibrium efficiency
Authors: Gómez Manuel A.
Published: June 2022

We consider an Ak model in which instantaneous utility of the representative agent depends not only on current consumption, but also on a forward-looking external reference level which is specified as an exponentially declining average of future economy-wide average consumption. We show that the decentralized equilibrium is never efficient irrespective of the specification of the utility function. This result differs significantly from the implications of alternative specifications of the external reference level: In case that the latter is given by contemporaneous average consumption, the decentralized equilibrium is always efficient. However, if it is backward-looking, then efficiency obtains only if the arguments of the utility function are perfectly substitutable.
Natural Language Processing for Imaging Protocol Assignment: Machine Learning for Multiclass Classification of Abdominal CT Protocols Using Indication Text Data
Authors: Xavier Brian Arun , Chen Po-Hao
Published: June 2022

A correct protocol assignment is critical to high-quality imaging examinations, and its automation can be amenable to natural language processing (NLP). Assigning protocols for abdominal imaging CT scans is particularly challenging given the multiple organ specific indications and parameters. We compared conventional machine learning, deep learning, and automated machine learning builder workflows for this multiclass text classification task. A total of 94,501 CT studies performed over 4 years and their assigned protocols were obtained. Text data associated with each study including the ordering provider generated free text study indication and ICD codes were used for NLP analysis and protocol class prediction. The data was classified into one of 11 abdominal CT protocol classes before and after augmentations used to account for imbalances in the class sample sizes. Four machine learning (ML) algorithms, one deep learning algorithm, and an automated machine learning (AutoML) builder were used for the multilabel classification task: Random Forest (RF), Tree Ensemble (TE), Gradient Boosted Tree (GBT), multi-layer perceptron (MLP), Universal Language Model Fine-tuning (ULMFiT), and Google’s AutoML builder (Alphabet, Inc., Mountain View, CA), respectively. On the unbalanced dataset, the manually coded algorithms all performed similarly with F1 scores of 0.811 for RF, 0.813 for TE, 0.813 for GBT, 0.828 for MLP, and 0.847 for ULMFiT. The AutoML builder performed better with a F1 score of 0.854. On the balanced dataset, the tree ensemble machine learning algorithm performed the best with an F1 score of 0.803 and a Cohen’s kappa of 0.612. AutoML methods took a longer time for completion of NLP model training and evaluation, 4 h and 45 min compared to an average of 51 min for manual methods. Machine learning and natural language processing can be used for the complex multiclass classification task of abdominal imaging CT scan protocol assignment.
Computing Gaussian quadrature rules with high relative accuracy
Authors: Laudadio Teresa , Mastronardi Nicola , Van Dooren Paul
Published: June 2022

The computation of n-point Gaussian quadrature rules for symmetric weight functions is considered in this paper. It is shown that the nodes and the weights of the Gaussian quadrature rule can be retrieved from the singular value decomposition of a bidiagonal matrix of size n/2. The proposed numerical method allows to compute the nodes with high relative accuracy and a computational complexity of $ \mathcal {O} (n^{2}). $
O
(

n

2

)
.
We also describe an algorithm for computing the weights of a generic Gaussian quadrature rule with high relative accuracy. Numerical examples show the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
The path to contentless experience in meditation: An evidence synthesis based on expert texts
Authors: Woods Toby J. , Windt Jennifer M. , Carter Olivia
Published: June 2022

In contentless experience (sometimes termed pure consciousness) there is an absence of mental content such as thought, perception, and mental imagery. The path to contentless experience in meditation can be taken to comprise the meditation technique, and the experiences (“interim-states”) on the way to the contentless “goal-state/s”. Shamatha, Transcendental, and Stillness Meditation are each said to access contentless experience, but the path to that experience in each practice is not yet well understood from a scientific perspective. We have employed evidence synthesis to select and review 135 expert texts from those traditions. In this paper we describe the techniques and interim-states based on the expert texts and compare them across the practices on key dimensions. Superficially, Shamatha and Transcendental Meditation appear very different to Stillness Meditation in that they require bringing awareness to a meditation object. The more detailed and systematic approach taken in this paper indicates that posturally Shamatha is closer to Stillness Meditation, and that on several other dimensions Shamatha is quite different to both other practices. In particular, Shamatha involves greater measures to cultivate attentional stability and vividness with respect to an object, greater focusing, less tolerance of mind-wandering, more monitoring, and more deliberate doing/control. Achieving contentless experience in Shamatha is much slower, more difficult, and less frequent. The findings have important implications for taxonomies of meditation and for consciousness, neuroscientific, and clinical research/practice, and will provide new and useful insights for meditation practitioners.
Is Two Still Best? Change in Parity-Specific Fertility Across Education in Low-Fertility Countries
Authors: Brzozowska Zuzanna , Beaujouan Eva , Zeman Kryštof
Published: June 2022

The dominance of two-child families is considered an intrinsic characteristic of low fertility societies. Their share was continuously increasing among baby boom cohorts but the rise ceased afterwards. While parity- and education-specific fertility trends during the expansion of the two-child families have been studied, corresponding analyses of developments in the post-expansion birth cohorts are scarce. This study investigates the parity-specific fertility trends that ended the expansion of two-child families across educational groups. We use data on completed fertility of female cohorts born between 1936 and 1970 in 16 low-fertility countries. Besides examining trends in education- and parity-specific fertility, we provide evidence on increasing variation in family size and on the contribution of parity-specific fertility to the share of two child families among women with low, medium and high education. Our results show that the expansion of two-child families stopped as the variation in family size increased: transition rates to first and/or second birth declined whereas those to third birth increased. This polarisation process was strongest among women with low education. Apparently, as the number of women progressing to second birth declined, they became more selected and family-oriented, and thus more likely to progress to further births. The fact that the strongest polarisation of fertility was observed among the low educated reflects the group’s increasing selectivity. We demonstrate that rising polarisation of family size is a common development to most high-income low-fertility populations, especially among the low educated, regardless of substantial cross-country differences in fertility levels as well as in institutional, economic and cultural settings.
Explaining costly religious practices: credibility enhancing displays and signaling theories
Authors: Brusse Carl , Handfield Toby , Zollman Kevin J. S.
Published: June 2022

This paper examines and contrasts two closely related evolutionary explanations in human behaviour: signalling theory, and the theory of Credibility Enhancing Displays (CREDs). Both have been proposed to explain costly, dangerous, or otherwise ‘extravagant’ social behaviours, especially in the context of religious belief and practice, and each have spawned significant lines of empirical research. However, the relationship between these two theoretical frameworks is unclear, and research which engages both of them (especially in systematic comparison) is largely absent. In this paper we seek to address this gap at the theoretical level, examining the core differences between the two approaches and prospects and conditions for future empirical testing. We clarify the dynamical and mechanistic bases of signalling and CREDs as explanatory models and contrast the previous uses to which they have been put in the human sciences. Because of idiosyncrasies regarding those uses (especially with signalling), several commonly supposed differences and comparative advantages are actually misleading and not in fact generalisable. We also show that signalling and CREDs theories as explanatory models are not interchangeable (or reducible to one another), because of deep structural differences. As we illustrate, the proposed causal networks of each theory are distinct, with important differences in the endogeneity of various phenomena within each model and their explanatory targets. As a result, they can be seen as complementary rather than in competition. We conclude by surveying the current state of the literature and identifying the differential predictions which could underpin more comprehensive empirical comparison in future research.
Unemployment in Rural Europe: A Machine Learning Perspective
Authors: Celbiş Mehmet Güney
Published: June 2022

This paper aims to provide policy-relevant findings that can contribute to the resilience of rural regions by discovering the main individual-level factors related to unemployment in those areas through the use of a set of machine learning techniques. Unemployment status is predicted using tree-based classification models: namely, classification tree, bootstrap aggregation, random forest, gradient boosting, and stochastic gradient boosting. The results are further analyzed using inferential techniques such as SHAP value analysis. Results suggest that access to training programmes can mitigate the labor market inequalities caused by differences in education levels, gender, age, alongside with parental education levels. The results also show how such inequalities are even larger for various subgroups detected by the employed algorithms.
Ozone Pollution, Perceived Support at Home, and Asthma Symptom Severity in the Adolescent Sample of the California Health Interview Survey
Authors: Robles Theodore F. , Bai Sunhye , Meng Ying-Ying
Published: June 2022

Background

Outdoor air pollution, including ozone (O3) pollution, and childhood family environments may interact and impact asthma exacerbations in children. Previous epidemiology studies have primarily focused on stress in the home, rather than support, and whether psychosocial factors modify the association between pollution and health outcomes, rather than whether pollution exposure modifies associations between psychosocial factors and health outcomes.

Methods

Data from the cross-sectional 2003 representative, population-based California Health Interview Survey were linked with air quality monitoring data on O3 pollution from the California Air Resources Board. Adolescents (N = 209) ages 12–17 who reported an asthma diagnosis and lived within 5 mi of the nearest air monitoring station had linked O3 data for a 12-month period preceding the survey interview date. Adolescents reported perceived available support from an adult at home and frequency of asthma symptoms.

Results

In unadjusted models, for adolescents living in high O3 pollution regions, greater perceived support was related to lower asthma symptom frequency. Follow-up analyses suggested that the most plausible interpretation of the interaction was that O3 exposure modified the association between perceived support and symptom frequency. O3 × perceived support interactions were not statistically significant after adjusting for covariates.

Conclusions

These data provide preliminary evidence that the association between the lack of support in the home environment and worse asthma symptoms may be stronger in areas with higher O3 exposure. Future work may benefit from incorporating personal pollution exposure assessments, comprehensive family environment assessments, and longitudinal follow-up of asthma exacerbations over time.
The Corona mortis is similar in size to the regular obturator artery, but is highly variable at the level of origin: an anatomical study
Authors: Heichinger René , Pretterklieber Michael L. , Hammer Niels , Pretterklieber Bettina
Published: June 2022

An enlarged anastomosis connecting the vascular territory of the external iliac and the obturator artery may replace most or all of the latter. This relatively common vascular variation, known as Corona mortis, can lead to death in the worst-case scenario if injured. Despite being well-known, exact anthropometric data are lacking. The purpose of this study was to determine diameters of the regular obturator artery, the Corona mortis and the inferior epigastric artery. In addition, the level of origin of the Corona mortis was quantified. The obturator artery and its norm variants were dissected bilaterally in 75 specimens (37 females, 38 males) and measured using two different methods. The Corona mortis was present in 36 of the 150 hemipelves (24%), presenting in one third of all cases bilaterally. Its level of origin measured from the commencement of the inferior epigastric artery was subject to high variability (4.4–28.3 mm). The mean diameters of the Corona mortis (mean 2.5 and 2.1 mm, respectively) and the regular obturator artery (mean 2.4 and 2.0 mm, respectively) were similar for both methods. There were no significant sex nor side differences. The diameter of the inferior epigastric artery was significantly smaller distal to the origin of the Corona mortis. The high incidence, non-predictable level of origin of the Corona mortis and its size similar to the regular obturator artery support its clinical relevance even to date. Clinicians should always be aware of an additional arterial vessel close to the pelvic brim.
Attitudes, Knowledge, and Perceived Barriers Towards Cancer Pain Management Among Healthcare Professionals in Libya: a National Multicenter Survey
Authors: Makhlouf Salim M. , Ahmed Shenaz , Mulvey Matthew , Bennett Michael I.
Published: June 2022

Cancer pain presents in approximately 66% of patients in advanced stages. Although several guidelines and pharmacological options are available for cancer pain management (CPM), assessment and treatment of cancer pain remain inadequate globally, particularly in developing countries. Lack of knowledge and negative attitudes towards CPM among healthcare professionals (HCPs) are important barriers to CPM. This survey aimed to evaluate nurses’ and physicians’ knowledge, attitudes, and potential barriers regarding CPM in Libya. This cross-sectional survey involved a convenience sample of 152 oncology nurses and physicians working in six oncology settings in Libya. The response rate was 76%. The Barriers Questionnaire II (BQ-II) was used for data collection (higher scores signify greater attitudinal barriers and poorer knowledge). Data analysis was carried out using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 26 software. An independent t-test (unadjusted estimate) indicated that Libyan nurses showed higher mean barrier scores (mean = 3.8, SD = 0.7) to CPM than physicians (mean = 2.9, SD = 0.8), p < 0.001. The six most common differences in attitudinal barriers between nurses and physicians were “opioid side effects,” “poor tolerance,” “strong patient endures pain,” “distract the physician,” “drug addiction,” and “opioids impair immune function,” p < 0.001. Multiple regression results (adjusted estimate) indicated that nurses had more barrier scores to CPM than physicians (B =  − 0.530, p < 0.05), and participants with higher educational levels were associated with lower barrier scores to CPM (B =  − 0.641, p < 0.05). Our results suggest that Libyan oncology HCPs hold perceived barriers, lack of knowledge, and negative attitudes towards CPM. Professional education and training in CPM, addressing phobia and myths on opioid usage, and the benefits and complications of using opioids are likely to result in reduced barriers to CPM in Libya.
Towards Comprehensive European Agricultural Data Governance: Moving Beyond the “Data Ownership” Debate
Authors: Atik Can
Published: June 2022

Farming has become more productive and less costly thanks to the effective usage of data-driven “digital agriculture” services. However, this new form of “smart farming” has also brought about data-related concerns connected with the ambiguity regarding who owns the data, who has what rights over it, and ultimately whether there is a need for regulation. The idea of providing a “data ownership” right to farmers is predominantly defended by the sectoral literature and has even been adopted already through the voluntary agricultural data codes of conduct developed by stakeholders both in Europe and the US. This paper approaches this debate from the perspective of the sectoral market failures including data lock-in, data fragmentation, data access problems, and a lack of trust on the part of farmers. It demonstrates that the way in which ownership is framed is not adequate to address these problems and has the potential to exacerbate them. An alternative legal design should be flexible enough to remove the reasons for these problems. Creating rules/rights might not be enough to remove all the issues though. A holistic approach including a legal design and infrastructural opportunities assumes great importance in this regard on the eve of the Common European Agricultural Data Space and possible sectoral regulatory intervention following the horizontal framework provided by the recent Data Act.
The correlation study on chest CT features and kidney injury in severe COVID-19 pneumonia from a multicenter cohort study
Authors: Li Guan , Sun Zhiyuan , Luo Song , Qiu Lianli , Zhang Longjiang , Lu Guangming
Published: June 2022

Background

Among confirmed severe COVID-19 patients, although the serum creatinine level is normal, they also have developed kidney injury. Early detection of kidney injury can guide doctors to choose drugs reasonably. Study found that COVID-19 have some special chest CT features. The study aimed to explore which chest CT features are more likely appear in severe COVID-19 and the relationship between related (special) chest CT features and kidney injury or clinical prognosis.

Methods

In this retrospective study, 162 patients of severe COVID-19 from 13 medical centers in China were enrolled and divided into three groups according to the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) level: Group A (eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2), Group B (60 ml/min/1.73 m2 ≤ eGFR < 90 ml/min/1.73 m2), and Group C (eGFR ≥ 90 ml/min/1.73 m2). The demographics, clinical features, auxiliary examination, and clinical prognosis were collected and compared. The chest CT features and eGFR were assessed using univariate and multivariate Cox regression. The influence of chest CT features on eGFR and clinical prognosis were calculated using the Cox proportional hazards regression model.

Results

Demographic and clinical features showed significant differences in age, hypertension, and fatigue among the Group A, Group B, and Group C (all P < 0.05). Auxiliary examination results revealed that leukocyte count, platelet count, C-reactive protein, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, respiratory rate ≥ 30 breaths/min, and CT images rapid progression (>50%) within 24–48 h among the three groups were significantly different (all P < 0.05). Compared to Group C (all P < 0.017), Groups A and B were more likely to show crazy-paving pattern. Logistic regression analysis indicated that eGFR was an independent risk factor of the appearance of crazy-paving pattern. The eGFR and crazy-paving pattern have a mutually reinforcing relationship, and eGFR (HR = 0.549, 95% CI = 0.331–0.909, P = 0.020) and crazy-paving pattern (HR = 2.996, 95% CI = 1.010–8.714, P = 0.048) were independent risk factors of mortality. The mortality of severe COVID-19 with the appearance of crazy-paving pattern on chest CT was significantly higher than that of the patients without its appearance (all P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The crazy-paving pattern is more likely to appear in the chest CT of patients with severe COVID-19. In severe COVID-19, the appearance of the crazy-paving pattern on chest CT indicates the occurrence of kidney injury and proneness to death. The crazy-paving pattern can be used by doctors as an early warning indicator and a guidance of reasonable drug selection.
Pyrolyzed biomass-derived nanoparticles: a review of surface chemistry, contaminant mobility, and future research avenues to fill the gaps
Authors: Swaren Logan , Safari Salman , Konhauser Kurt O. , Alessi Daniel S.
Published: June 2022

Nanoparticles are abundant in the subsurface, soil, streams, and water bodies, and are often a critical control on elemental speciation, transport and cycling in the natural environment. This review provides an overview of pyrolyzed biomass-derived nanoparticles (PBNPs), their surface properties and reactivity towards aqueous species. We focus specifically on biochar-derived nanoparticles and activated carbon-derived nanoparticles which fall under our classification of PBNPs. Activated carbon-iron (nano)composites are included in some instances where there are significant gaps in literature because of their environmental relevance. Increased use of activated carbon, along with a resurgence in the manufacture and application of biochar for water treatment and soil amendment, has generated significant concerns about the mobility and toxicity of PBNPs derived from the bulk material in environmental applications. Recent examples are discussed to highlight current progress in understanding the influence of PBNPs on contaminant transport, followed by a critical discussion of gaps and future research directions.

Graphical Abstract
Increased carbapenemase testing following implementation of national
VA guidelines for carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE)
Authors: Fitzpatrick Margaret A. , Suda Katie J. , Ramanathan Swetha , Wilson Geneva , Poggensee Linda , Evans Martin , Jones Makoto M. , Pfeiffer Christopher D. , Klutts J. Stacey , Perencevich Eli , Rubin Michael , Evans Charlesnika T. ,   for the QUERI CARRIAGE Program
Published: June 2022

Objective:

To describe national trends in testing and detection of carbapenemases
produced by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) and associate
testing with culture and facility characteristics.

Design:

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting:

Department of Veterans’ Affairs medical centers (VAMCs).

Participants:

Patients seen at VAMCs between 2013 and 2018 with cultures positive for CRE,
defined by national VA guidelines.

Interventions:

Microbiology and clinical data were extracted from national VA data sets.
Carbapenemase testing was summarized using descriptive statistics.
Characteristics associated with carbapenemase testing were assessed with
bivariate analyses.

Results:

Of 5,778 standard cultures that grew CRE, 1,905 (33.0%) had evidence of
molecular or phenotypic carbapenemase testing and 1,603 (84.1%) of these had
carbapenemases detected. Among these cultures confirmed as
carbapenemase-producing CRE, 1,053 (65.7%) had molecular testing for
≥1 gene. Almost all testing included KPC (n = 1,047, 99.4%), with KPC
detected in 914 of 1,047 (87.3%) cultures. Testing and detection of other
enzymes was less frequent. Carbapenemase testing increased over the study
period from 23.5% of CRE cultures in 2013 to 58.9% in 2018. The South US
Census region (38.6%) and the Northeast (37.2%) region had the highest
proportion of CRE cultures with carbapenemase testing. High complexity (vs
low) and urban (vs rural) facilities were significantly associated with
carbapenemase testing (P < .0001).

Conclusions:

Between 2013 and 2018, carbapenemase testing and detection increased in the
VA, largely reflecting increased testing and detection of KPC. Surveillance
of other carbapenemases is important due to global spread and increasing
antibiotic resistance. Efforts supporting the expansion of carbapenemase
testing to low-complexity, rural healthcare facilities and standardization
of reporting of carbapenemase testing are needed.
Infectious Disease Modeling: Recommendations for Public Health Decision-Makers
Authors: Olesen Scott W. , Trabert Eric
Published: June 2022

Infectious disease modeling plays an important role in the response to infectious disease outbreaks, perhaps most notably during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. In our experience working with state and local governments during COVID-19 and previous public health crises, we have observed that, while the scientific literature focuses on models’ accuracy and underlying assumptions, an important limitation on the effective application of modeling to public health decision-making is the ability of decision-makers and modelers to work together productively. We therefore propose a set of guiding principles, informed by our experience, for working relationships between decision-makers and modelers. We hypothesize that these guidelines will improve the utility of infectious disease modeling for public health decision-making, irrespective of the particular outbreak in question and of the precise modeling approaches being used.
Are Anti-corruption Campaigns Fighting a Losing Battle?
Authors: NAGAWA MARIA
Published: June 2022

Corruption is a problem everywhere in the world, but it can be particularly damaging where political institutions and legal rules are weak. Many of those who grow up in developing countries have either been required to pay a bribe to a police officer, tax collector, or other government agent, or know someone who has.
Attention allocation to negatively-valenced stimuli in PTSD is associated with reward-related neural pathways
Authors: Suarez-Jimenez Benjamin , Lazarov Amit , Zhu Xi , Pine Daniel S. , Bar-Haim Yair , Neria Yuval
Published: June 2022

Background

In a recent eye-tracking study we found a differential dwell time pattern for negatively-valenced and neutral faces among patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), trauma-exposed healthy control (TEHCs), and healthy control (HC) participants. Here, we explored whether these group differences relate to resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) patterns of brain areas previously linked to both attention processes and PTSD. These encompass the amygdala, dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC), dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (vlPFC), and nucleus accumbens (NAcc).

Methods

Ten minutes magnetic resonance imaging rsFC scans were recorded in 17 PTSD patients, 21 TEHCs, and 16 HCs. Participants then completed a free-viewing eye-tracking task assessing attention allocation outside the scanner. Dwell time on negatively-valenced stimuli (DT%) were assessed relative to functional connectivity in the aforementioned seed regions of interest (amygdala, dACC, dlPFC, vlPFC, and NAcc) to whole-brain voxel-wise rsFC.

Results

As previously reported, group differences occurred in attention allocation to negative-valence stimuli, with longer dwell time on negatively valence stimuli in the PTSD and TEHC groups than the HC group. Higher DT% correlated with weaker NAcc-orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) connectivity in patients with PTSD. Conversely, a positive association emerged in the HC group between DT% and NAcc-OFC connectivity.

Conclusions

While exploratory in nature, present findings may suggest that reward-related brain areas are involved in disengaging attention from negative-valenced stimuli, and possibly in regulating ensuing negative emotions.
Trajectory planning and control of multiple mobile robot using hybrid MKH-fuzzy logic controller
Authors: Kumar Saroj , Parhi Dayal R.
Published: June 2022

Robotics with artificial intelligence techniques have been the center of attraction among researchers as it is well equipped in the area of human intervention. Here, the krill herd (KH) optimization algorithm is modified and hybridized with a fuzzy logic controller to frame an intelligent controller for optimal trajectory planning and control of mobile robots in obscure environments. The controller is demonstrated for single and multiple robot’s trajectory planning. A Petri-net controller has also been added to avoid conflict situations in multi-robot navigation. MATLAB and V-REP software are used to simulate the work, backed with real-time experiments under laboratory conditions. The robots efficiently achieved the goals by tracing an optimal path without any collision. Trajectory length and time spent during navigation are recorded, and a good agreement between the results is observed. The proposed technique is compared against existing research techniques, and an improvement of 14.26% is noted in terms of path length.
RUTH G. MILLIKAN'S CONVENTIONALISM AND LAW
Authors: Matczak Marcin
Published: June 2022

Conventionalism once seemed an attractive way to justify the viability of the positivistic social thesis. Subsequent criticism, however, has significantly lessened its attractiveness. This paper attempts to revive jurisprudential interest in conventionalism by claiming that positivists would profit more from the conventionalism of Ruth G. Millikan than that of David Lewis.

Three arguments are proffered to support this contention. First, Millikan's conventionalism is not vulnerable to the major criticism leveled at conventionalism, viz its compliance-dependence (i.e., the main reason to follow a convention is that other social actors do so), as this is not its defining feature. Second, Millikanian conventionalism retains conventionalism's ability to explain how law emerges from social practices while avoiding the main disadvantage of Lewisian conventionalism, viz its inability to explain the normativity and contestability of law. Third, Millikan's conventionalism can more effectively repel Dworkin's and Greenberg's assaults on legal positivism than its Lewisian counterpart.

To the memory of Maurice O'Brien
Theoriegeleitetes Handeln als pflegerisches Bildungsmuster
Authors: Kühme Benjamin
Published: June 2022

Zusammenfassung. Untersuchungen zeigen (Kühme, 2022, i.d. Heft), dass theoriegeleitetes Handeln als Bildungsmuster bei Lernenden in der Praxis nicht gefragt ist. Gefragt ist vor allem die schnelle Eingliederung in die Arbeitsabläufe der Pflegeeinheiten, um Verrichtungen zu sichern, wodurch Bildungsmuster unterlaufen werden. Nachstehend wird nun dargelegt, wie die Befunde der Realanalyse pflegedidaktisch „gewendet“ werden, um bildungstheoretische Konsequenzen für die Lehre in einem Pflegestudiengang zu ziehen.
Evidenzbasiert Lehren und Lernen
Authors: Paridon Hiltraut , Krause Anja
Published: June 2022

Zusammenfassung. Evidenzbasierte Praxis (EBP) wird auch im Bereich der Bildung diskutiert. Ziel der vorliegenden Untersuchung war es zu erfassen, ob Lehrkräfte im Gesundheitswesen pädagogische Forschungsergebnisse bei ihrer Unterrichtsgestaltung einbinden und wie ihre grundsätzliche Einstellung zu diesem Thema ist. Es zeigt sich, dass trotz positiver Grundhaltung und hoher Bereitschaft zur Umsetzung einer EBP die tatsächliche Umsetzung nur ungenügend gelingt.
Greenland Ice Sheet Rainfall, Heat and Albedo Feedback Impacts From the Mid‐August 2021 Atmospheric River
Authors: Box Jason E. , Wehrlé Adrien , van As Dirk , Fausto Robert S. , Kjeldsen Kristian K. , Dachauer Armin , Ahlstrøm Andreas P. , Picard Ghislain
Published: June 2022

Rainfall at the Greenland ice sheet Summit 14 August 2021, was delivered by an atmospheric river (AR). Extreme surface ablation expanded the all‐Greenland bare ice area to near‐record‐high with snowline climbing up to 788 ± 90 m. Ice sheet wet snow extent reached 46%, a record high for the 15–31 August AMSR data since 2003. Heat‐driven firn deflation averaged 0.14 ± 0.05 m at four accumulation area automatic weather stations (AWSs). Energy budget calculations from AWS data indicate that surface heating from rainfall is much smaller than from either the sensible, latent, net‐longwave or solar energy fluxes. Sensitivity tests show that without the heat‐driven snow‐darkening, melt at 1,840 m would have totaled 28% less. Similarly, at 1,270 m elevation, without the bare ice exposure, melting would have been 51% less. Proglacial river discharge was the highest on record since 2006 for late August and confirms the melt‐sustaining effect of the albedo feedback.
Application of Recursive Estimation to Heat Tracing for Groundwater/Surface‐Water Exchange
Authors: McAliley W. Anderson , Day‐Lewis Frederick D. , Rey David , Briggs Martin A. , Shapiro Allen M. , Werkema Dale
Published: June 2022

We present and demonstrate a recursive‐estimation framework to infer groundwater/surface‐water exchange based on temperature time series collected at different vertical depths below the sediment/water interface. We formulate the heat‐transport problem as a state‐space model (SSM), in which the spatial derivatives in the convection/conduction equation are approximated using finite differences. The SSM is calibrated to estimate time‐varying specific discharge using the Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) and Extended Rauch‐Tung‐Striebel Smoother (ERTSS). Whereas the EKF is suited to real‐time (“online”) applications and uses only the past and current measurements for estimation (filtering), the ERTSS is intended for near‐real time or batch‐processing (“offline”) applications and uses a window of data for batch estimation (smoothing). The two algorithms are demonstrated with synthetic and field‐experimental data and are shown to be efficient and rapid for the estimation of time‐varying flux over seasonal periods; further, the recursive approaches are effective in the presence of rapidly changing flux and (or) nonperiodic thermal boundary conditions, both of which are problematic for existing approaches to heat tracing of time‐varying groundwater/surface‐water exchange.
Development and Application of a 1D Compaction Model to Understand 65 Years of Subsidence in the San Joaquin Valley
Authors: Lees Matthew , Knight Rosemary , Smith Ryan
Published: June 2022

High rates of land subsidence, caused by groundwater overdraft, are resulting in millions of dollars of infrastructure damage in California's San Joaquin Valley (SJV). In recent years, the use of interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) has enabled us to substantially improve our understanding of this subsidence. However, only very occasionally have the InSAR data been integrated with a physical model of subsurface compaction. Here, we have used InSAR and other data to parameterize and calibrate a 1D compaction model. We applied our model to a study area in the SJV where we had access to the necessary information on hydraulic head to develop model inputs. Our model simulated subsidence in the three aquifer system layers over the period 1952–2017, and is the first 1D compaction model in the SJV to simulate multiple aquifer system layers from the 1950s to 2017. The results from our model suggest that previous studies have significantly underestimated the time constants governing the slow, residual compaction of subsurface clays. We suggest that residual compaction of clays is a process that continues for decades‐to‐centuries, indicating that to significantly reduce subsidence requires some recovery of head, not just a stabilization. We also show how compaction in the lower, confined aquifer has accounted for over 90% of subsidence in the past 20 years. Although our study area is small, our findings are likely representative of the subsiding regions of the SJV, and our methodology can be applied to unconsolidated aquifer systems exhibiting subsidence worldwide.
Large‐Scale Interseismic Strain Mapping of the NE Tibetan Plateau From Sentinel‐1 Interferometry
Authors: Ou Q. , Daout S. , Weiss J. R. , Shen L. , Lazecký M. , Wright T. J. , Parsons B. E.
Published: June 2022

The launches of the Sentinel‐1 synthetic aperture radar satellites in 2014 and 2016 started a new era of high‐resolution velocity and strain rate mapping for the continents. However, multiple challenges exist in tying independently processed velocity data sets to a common reference frame and producing high‐resolution strain rate fields. We analyze Sentinel‐1 data acquired between 2014 and 2019 over the northeast Tibetan Plateau, and develop new methods to derive east and vertical velocities with ∼100 m resolution and ∼1 mm/yr accuracy across an area of 440,000 km2. By implementing a new method of combining horizontal gradients of filtered east and interpolated north velocities, we derive the first ∼1 km resolution strain rate field for this tectonically active region. The strain rate fields show concentrated shear strain along the Haiyuan and East Kunlun Faults, and local contractional strain on fault junctions, within the Qilianshan thrusts, and around the Longyangxia Reservoir. The Laohushan‐Jingtai creeping section of the Haiyuan Fault is highlighted in our data set by extremely rapid strain rates. Strain across unknown portions of the Haiyuan Fault system, including shear on the eastern extension of the Dabanshan Fault and contraction at the western flank of the Quwushan, highlight unmapped tectonic structures. In addition to the uplift across most of the lowlands, the vertical velocities also contain climatic, hydrological or anthropogenic‐related deformation signals. We demonstrate the enhanced view of large‐scale active tectonic processes provided by high‐resolution velocities and strain rates derived from Sentinel‐1 data and highlight associated wide‐ranging research applications.
Outperforming piezoelectric ultrasonics with high-reliability single-membrane CMUT array elements
Authors: Dew Eric B. , Kashani Ilkhechi Afshin , Maadi Mohammad , Haven Nathaniel J. M. , Zemp Roger J.
Published: June 2022

It has long been hypothesized that capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducers (CMUTs) could potentially outperform piezoelectric technologies. However, challenges with dielectric charging, operational hysteresis, and transmit sensitivity have stood as obstacles to these performance outcomes. In this paper, we introduce key architectural features to enable high-reliability CMUTs with enhanced performance. Typically, a CMUT element in an array is designed with an ensemble of smaller membranes oscillating together to transmit or detect ultrasound waves. However, this approach can lead to unreliable behavior and suboptimal transmit performance if these smaller membranes oscillate out of phase or collapse at different voltages. In this work, we designed CMUT array elements composed of a single long rectangular membrane, with the aim of improving the output pressure and electromechanical efficiency. We compare the performance of three different modifications of this architecture: traditional contiguous dielectric, isolated isolation post (IIP), and insulated electrode-post (EP) CMUTs. EPs were designed to improve performance while also imparting robustness to charging and minimization of hysteresis. To fabricate these devices, a wafer-bonding process was developed with near-100% bonding yield. EP CMUT elements achieved electromechanical efficiency values as high as 0.95, higher than values reported with either piezoelectric transducers or previous CMUT architectures. Moreover, all investigated CMUT architectures exhibited transmit efficiency 2–3 times greater than published CMUT or piezoelectric transducer elements in the 1.5–2.0 MHz range. The EP and IIP CMUTs demonstrated considerable charging robustness, demonstrating minimal charging over 500,000 collapse-snap-back actuation cycles while also mitigating hysteresis. Our proposed approach offers significant promise for future ultrasonic applications.
Function of PHEX mutations p.Glu145* and p.Trp749Arg in families with X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets by the negative regulation mechanism on FGF23 promoter transcription
Authors: Gan Yu-mian , Zhang Yan-ping , Ruan Dan-dan , Huang Jian-bin , Zhu Yao-bin , Lin Xin-fu , Xiao Xiao-ping , Cheng Qiong , Geng Zhen-bo , Liao Li-sheng , Tang Fa-qiang , Luo Jie-wei
Published: June 2022

X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets (XLH) is characterized by increased circulating fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) concentration caused by PHEX (NM_000444.5) mutations. Renal tubular resorption of phosphate is impaired, resulting in rickets and impaired bone mineralization. By phenotypic-genetic linkage analysis, two PHEX pathogenic mutations were found in two XLH families: c.433 G > T, p.Glu145* in exon 4 and c.2245 T > C, p.Trp749Arg in exon 22. Immunofluorescence showed that the localization of p.Glu145* and p.Trp749Arg mutant and secretory PHEX (secPHEX) changed, with decreased expression. In a HEK293T cell model co-transfected with PHEX, secPHEX, and FGF23, wild-type PHEX, secPHEX, and FGF23 proteins were distributed in the cell membrane or endoplasmic reticulum, while the mutant was located in the nuclear membrane and cytoplasm. qPCR of p.Glu145* revealed decreased PHEX and secPHEX mRNA expression in cells, with no difference in mRNA expression of p.Trp749Arg. Both mutations decreased intracellular PHEX endopeptidase activity. Western blot analysis showed decrease in mutant and secPHEX protein expression and no FGF23 protein expression in single-transfected PHEX and secPHEX cells. In cells co-transfected with FGF23, PHEX and secPHEX mutation promoted FGF23 expression. Dual-luciferase reporter gene was used to detect the effect of PHEX on FGF23 promoter. The dual-luciferase reporter gene showed that after PHEX overexpression, the activity of mutant firefly luciferase was significantly higher than that of wild type. The regulatory mechanism between PHEX and FGF23 is still unclear, but we found that PHEX is a direct transcriptional inhibitor of FGF23 and affects the expression of FGF23. This study verified the pathogenicity of the two variants and revealed the possible regulatory mechanism between PHEX and FGF23.
Direct interaction of a chaperone-bound type III secretion substrate with the export gate
Authors: Gilzer Dominic , Schreiner Madeleine , Niemann Hartmut H.
Published: June 2022

Several gram-negative bacteria employ type III secretion systems (T3SS) to inject effector proteins into eukaryotic host cells directly from the bacterial cytoplasm. The export gate SctV (YscV in Yersinia) binds substrate:chaperone complexes such as YscX:YscY, which are essential for formation of a functional T3SS. Here, we present structures of the YscX:YscY complex alone and bound to nonameric YscV. YscX binds its chaperone YscY at two distinct sites, resembling the heterotrimeric complex of the T3SS needle subunit with its chaperone and co-chaperone. In the ternary complex the YscX N-terminus, which mediates YscX secretion, occupies a binding site within one YscV that is also used by flagellar chaperones, suggesting the interaction’s importance for substrate recognition. The YscX C-terminus inserts between protomers of the YscV ring where the stalk protein binds to couple YscV to the T3SS ATPase. This primary YscV–YscX interaction is essential for the formation of a secretion-competent T3SS.
Hierarchical tensile structures with ultralow mechanical dissipation
Authors: Bereyhi M. J. , Beccari A. , Groth R. , Fedorov S. A. , Arabmoheghi A. , Kippenberg T. J. , Engelsen N. J.
Published: June 2022

Structural hierarchy is found in myriad biological systems and has improved man-made structures ranging from the Eiffel tower to optical cavities. In mechanical resonators whose rigidity is provided by static tension, structural hierarchy can reduce the dissipation of the fundamental mode to ultralow levels due to an unconventional form of soft clamping. Here, we apply hierarchical design to silicon nitride nanomechanical resonators and realize binary tree-shaped resonators with room temperature quality factors as high as 7.8 × 108 at 107 kHz frequency (1.1 × 109 at T = 6 K). The resonators’ thermal-noise-limited force sensitivities reach 740 zN/Hz1/2 at room temperature and 90 zN/Hz1/2 at 6 K, surpassing state-of-the-art cantilevers currently used for force microscopy. Moreover, we demonstrate hierarchically structured, ultralow dissipation membranes suitable for interferometric position measurements in Fabry-Pérot cavities. Hierarchical nanomechanical resonators open new avenues in force sensing, signal transduction and quantum optomechanics, where low dissipation is paramount and operation with the fundamental mode is often advantageous.
Self-assembly of highly ordered micro- and nanoparticle deposits
Authors: Zargartalebi Hossein , Hejazi S. Hossein , Sanati-Nezhad Amir
Published: June 2022

The evaporation of particle-laden sessile droplets is associated with capillary-driven outward flow and leaves nonuniform coffee-ring-like particle patterns due to far-from-equilibrium effects. Traditionally, the surface energies of the drop and solid phases are tuned, or external forces are applied to suppress the coffee-ring; however, achieving a uniform and repeatable particle deposition is extremely challenging. Here, we report a simple, scalable, and noninvasive technique that yields uniform and exceptionally ordered particle deposits on a microscale surface area by placing the droplet on a near neutral-wet shadow mold attached to a hydrophilic substrate. The simplicity of the method, no external forces, and no tuning materials’ physiochemical properties make the present generic approach an excellent candidate for a wide range of sensitive applications. We demonstrate the utility of this method for fabricating ordered mono- and multilayer patternable coatings, producing nanofilters with controlled pore size, and creating reproducible functionalized nanosensors.