bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decision aids for cancer survivors’ engagement with survivorship care services after primary treatment: a systematic review
Authors: Ke Yu , Zhou Hanzhang , Chan Raymond Javan , Chan Alexandre
Published: July 2022

Purpose

To elucidate existing decision aids (DAs) in supporting cancer survivors’ decisions to engage in cancer survivorship care services after primary treatment. Secondary objectives are to assess the DA acceptability, impact of DAs, and implementation barriers.

Methods

Databases (PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL) were searched to collect publications from inception through September 2021. Studies describing the development or evaluation of DAs used for survivorship care services after primary cancer treatment were included. Article selection and critical appraisal were conducted independently by two authors.

Results

We included 16 studies that described 13 DAs and addressed multiple survivorship care domains: prevention of recurrence/new cancers in Hodgkin lymphoma survivors and breast cancer gene mutation carriers, family building options, health insurance plans, health promotion (substance use behavior, cardiovascular disease risk reduction), advanced care planning, and post-treatment follow-up intensity. The electronic format was used to design most DAs for self-administration. The content presentation covered decisional context, options, and value clarification exercises. DAs were acceptable and associated with higher knowledge but presented inconclusive decisional outcomes. Implementation barriers included lack of design features for connectivity to care, low self-efficacy, and low perceived DA usefulness among healthcare professionals. Other survivor characteristics included age, literacy, preferred timing, and setting.

Conclusions

A diverse range of DAs exists in survivorship care services engagement with favorable knowledge outcomes. Future work should clarify the impact of DAs on decisional outcomes.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

DA characterization and suggestions for prospective developers could enhance support for cancer survivors encountering complex decisions throughout the survivorship continuum.
Investigation of automatic spindle detection in sleep EEG signals contaminated with noise and artifact sources
Authors: Eltrass Ahmed S. , Ghanem Noha H.
Published: July 2022

Electroencephalography (EEG) serves as the gold standard for noninvasive diagnosis of different types of sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, insomnia, narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome, and parasomnias. In this study, a novel automated cascade filter is introduced as a preprocessing tool for suppressing all noise and artifact interferences from sleep EEG signals before detecting sleep spindles. The multi-stage filter employs the Multi-Kernel Normalized Least Mean Square with Coherence-based Sparsification (MKNLMS-CS) algorithm in the first step to remove all artifact interferences while applying the 1-D patch-based Non-Local Means (NLM) algorithm in the subsequent step to remove all noise components. Three state-of-the-art automated spindle detection algorithms, namely Mc-Sleep, Spinky, and Spindler, are examined in EEG signals contaminated with noise and artifact components individually and concurrently. The spindle detection performance is investigated with real EEG data taken from the well-known DREAMS database, and the experimental results demonstrate the importance of the proposed multi-stage filter in enhancing the performance of spindle detection using the three spindle detection algorithms. This elucidates the robustness of the suggested multi-stage filter in providing high-resolution sleep EEG data from noisy EEG recordings. Also, experimental results reveal that Spinky algorithm outperforms Mc-Sleep and Spindler methods in detecting spindles for filtered EEG signals using several evaluation metrics, including accuracy (94.8% versus 92.0% and 94.6%), precision (53.4% versus 36.4% and 47.5%), specificity (97.3% versus 93.9% and 96.1%) and F1-score (58.2% versus 41.3% and 50.9%), respectively. This shows that combining the proposed multi-stage filter with Spinky algorithm outperforms the other two methods in detecting spindles in EEG signals, and it represents an efficient automated spindle detection system that achieves high diagnosis performance in terms of accuracy (94.8%), specificity (97.3%), and F1-score (58.2%).
Acetyl-CoA synthetase 2(ACSS2): a review with a focus on metabolism and tumor development
Authors: Ling Rui , Chen Gong , Tang Xiang , Liu Na , Zhou Yuepeng , Chen Deyu
Published: July 2022

Acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACSS2), an important member of the acetyl-CoA synthetase (ACSS) family, can catalyze the conversion of acetate to acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA). Currently, acetyl-CoA is considered an important intermediate metabolite in the metabolism of energy substrates. In addition, nutrients converge through acetyl-CoA into a common metabolic pathway, the tricarboxylic acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation. Not only does ACSS2 play a crucial role in material energy metabolism, it is also involved in the regulation of various acetylation processes, such as regulation of histone and transcription factor acetylation. ACSS2-mediated regulation of acetylation is related to substance metabolism and tumorigenesis. In mammalian cells, ACSS2 utilizes intracellular acetate to synthesize acetyl-CoA, a step in the process of DNA and histone acetylation. In addition, studies in tumors have shown that cancer cells adapt to the growth conditions in the tumor microenvironment (TME) by activating or increasing the expression level of ACSS2 under metabolic stress. Therefore, this review mainly outlines the role of ACSS2 in substance metabolism and tumors and provides insights useful for investigating ACSS2 as a therapeutic target.
Interlaboratory evaluation of a digital holographic microscopy–based assay for label-free in vitro cytotoxicity testing of polymeric nanocarriers
Authors: Marzi Anne , Eder Kai Moritz , Barroso Álvaro , Wågbø Ane Marit , Mørch Ýrr , Hatletveit Anne Rein , Visnes Torkild , Schmid Ruth B. , Klinkenberg Geir , Kemper Björn , Schnekenburger Jürgen
Published: July 2022

State-of-the-art in vitro test systems for nanomaterial toxicity assessment are based on dyes and several staining steps which can be affected by nanomaterial interference. Digital holographic microscopy (DHM), an interferometry-based variant of quantitative phase imaging (QPI), facilitates reliable proliferation quantification of native cell populations and the extraction of morphological features in a fast and label- and interference-free manner by biophysical parameters. DHM therefore has been identified as versatile tool for cytotoxicity testing in biomedical nanotechnology. In a comparative study performed at two collaborating laboratories, we investigated the interlaboratory variability and performance of DHM in nanomaterial toxicity testing, utilizing complementary standard operating procedures (SOPs). Two identical custom-built off-axis DHM systems, developed for usage in biomedical laboratories, equipped with stage-top incubation chambers were applied at different locations in Europe. Temporal dry mass development, 12-h dry mass increments and morphology changes of A549 human lung epithelial cell populations upon incubation with two variants of poly(alkyl cyanoacrylate) (PACA) nanoparticles were observed in comparison to digitonin and cell culture medium controls. Digitonin as cytotoxicity control, as well as empty and cabazitaxel-loaded PACA nanocarriers, similarly impacted 12-h dry mass development and increments as well as morphology of A549 cells at both participating laboratories. The obtained DHM data reflected the cytotoxic potential of the tested nanomaterials and are in agreement with corresponding literature on biophysical and chemical assays. Our results confirm DHM as label-free cytotoxicity assay for polymeric nanocarriers as well as the repeatability and reproducibility of the technology. In summary, the evaluated DHM assay could be efficiently implemented at different locations and facilitates interlaboratory in vitro toxicity testing of nanoparticles with prospects for application in regulatory science.

Graphical abstract
Approximate Bayesian computation approach on the maximal offspring and parameters in controlled branching processes
Authors: González Miguel , Minuesa Carmen , del Puerto Inés
Published: July 2022

Our purpose is to estimate the posterior distribution of the parameters of interest for controlled branching processes (CBPs) without prior knowledge of the maximum number of offspring that an individual can give birth to and without explicit likelihood calculations. We consider that only the population sizes at each generation and at least the number of progenitors of the last generation are observed, but the number of offspring produced by any individual at any generation is unknown. The proposed approach is twofold. Firstly, to estimate the maximum progeny per individual we make use of an approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) algorithm for model choice and based on sequential importance sampling with the raw data. Secondly, given such an estimate and taking advantage of the simulated values of the previous stage, we approximate the posterior distribution of the main parameters of a CBP by applying the rejection ABC algorithm with an appropriate summary statistic and a post-processing adjustment. The accuracy of the proposed method is illustrated by means of simulated examples developed with the statistical software R. Moreover, we apply the methodology to two real datasets describing populations with logistic growth. To this end, different population growth models based on CBPs are proposed for the first time.
MicroRNAs as biomarkers for monitoring cardiovascular changes in Type II Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and exercise
Authors: Saini Volga M , Liu Kaitlyn R. , Surve Aishwarya Suryakant , Gupta Sanjeev , Gupta Ananya
Published: July 2022

Introduction

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to be altered in both CVD and T2DM and can have an application as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. miRNAs are released into circulation when the cardiomyocyte is subjected to injury and damage.

Objectives

Measuring circulating miRNA levels in human plasma may be of great potential use for measuring the extent of damage to cardiomyocytes and response to exercise. This review is aimed to highlight the potential application of miRNAs as biomarkers of CVD progression in T2DM, and the impact of exercise on recovery.

Methods

The review aims to examine whether the health improvements following exercise in T2DM patients are reflective of changes in expression of plasma miRNAs. For this purpose, studies were identified from the literature that have established a correlation between diabetes, disease progression and plasma miRNA levels. We also reviewed studies which looked at the effect of exercise on plasma miRNA levels.

Results

The review identified miRNA signatures that are affected by T2DM and DHD and a subset of these miRNAs that are also affected by different types of exercise. This approach helped us to identify those miRNAs whose expression and function can be altered by regular bouts of exercise.

Conclusions

miRNAs identified as part of this review can serve as tools to monitor the cardio-protective, anti-inflammatory and metabolic effects of exercise in people suffering from T2DM. Future research should focus on regulation of these miRNAs in T2DM and how they can be altered by appropriate exercise interventions.
The association between fatigue severity and risk of falls among middle-aged and older Australian stroke survivors
Authors: Sibbritt David , Bayes Jessica , Peng Wenbo , Maguire Jane , Ladanyi Suzy , Adams Jon
Published: July 2022

Background

Fatigue is a common and often debilitating symptom experienced by many stroke survivors. Significant post stroke fatigue may predispose individuals to other health complications, such as falls, which can lead to fractures and soft tissue injuries. Only limited research has examined the association between fatigue and falls in stroke survivors.

Methods

Data were obtained from the Sax Institute’s 45 and Up Study, from a subset of individuals who had experienced a stroke. The Modified Fatigue Impact Scale—5-item version (MFIS-5) was used to measure the level of fatigue. A logistic regression model, adjusted for stroke characteristics and comorbidities, was used to determine the magnitude of association between change in fatigue score and odds of having had a fall.

Results

A total of 576 participants completed the questionnaire. A total of 214 (37.2%) participants reported having had a fall in the previous 12 months. There was a statistically significant association between fatigue scores and fall status (p < 0.001). Specifically, for every 1-point increase in the fatigue score (MFIS-5) (i.e. higher level of fatigue), the odds of a person having a fall is 1.10 times greater (AOR = 1.10; 95% CI 1.05, 1.15; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

This study revealed an association between an increasing risk of falls with increasing severity of post stroke fatigue. Accurate detection and management of fatigue may help reduce the risk of falls and should be the focus of future research.
Weight spectra of Gabidulin rank-metric codes and Betti numbers
Authors: Johnsen Trygve , Pratihar Rakhi , Verdure Hugues
Published: July 2022

We consider q-matroids and their associated classical matroids derived from Gabidulin rank-metric codes. We express the generalized rank weights of a Gabidulin rank-metric code in terms of Betti numbers of the dual classical matroid associated to the q-matroid corresponding to the code. In our main result, we show how these Betti numbers and their elongations determine the generalized weight polynomials for q-matroids, in particular, for the Gabidulin rank-metric codes. In addition, we demonstrate how the weight distribution and higher weight spectra of such codes can be determined directly from the associated q-matroids by using Möbius functions of its lattice of q-flats.
Using Multi-decadal Satellite Records to Identify Environmental Drivers of Fire Severity Across Vegetation Types
Authors: Rodriguez-Cubillo Dario , Jordan Gregory J. , Williamson Grant J.
Published: July 2022

To date, most studies of fire severity, which is the ecological damage produced by a fire across all vegetation layers in an ecosystem, using remote sensing have focused on wildfires and forests, with less attention given to prescribed burns and treeless vegetation. Our research analyses a multi-decadal satellite record of fire severity in wildfires and prescribed burns, across forested and treeless vegetation, in western Tasmania, a wet region of frequent clouds. We used Landsat satellite images, fire history mapping and environmental predictor variables to understand what drives fire severity. Remotely-sensed fire severity was estimated by the Delta Normalised Burn Ratio (ΔNBR) for 57 wildfires and 70 prescribed burns spanning 25 years. Then, we used Random Forests to identify important predictors of fire severity, followed by generalised additive mixed models to test the statistical association between the predictors and fire severity. In the Random Forests analyses, mean summer precipitation, mean minimum monthly soil moisture and time since previous fire were important predictors in both forested and treeless vegetation, whereas mean annual precipitation was important in forests and temperature seasonality was important in treeless vegetation. Modelled ΔNBR (predicted ΔNBRs from the best-performing generalised additive mixed model) of wildfire forests was higher than modelled ΔNBR of prescribed burns. This study confirms that western Tasmania is a valuable pyrogeographical model for studying fire severity of wet ecosystems under climate change, and provides a framework to better understand the interactions between climate, fire severity and prescribed burning.
An assessment of strategies for sustainability priority challenges in Jordan using a water–energy–food Nexus approach
Authors: Ramirez Camilo , Almulla Youssef , Joyce Brian , Huber-Lee Annette , Nerini Francesco Fuso
Published: July 2022

This study aimed at supporting robust decision-making for planning and management of water–energy–food Nexus systems in the country of Jordan. Nexus priority challenges in Jordan were identified as (1) water scarcity, (2) agricultural productivity and water quality, and (3) shift to energy independence. We created a water–energy–food Nexus model that integrates three modelling frameworks: (1) the Water Evaluation and Planning system WEAP model to estimate water demands, supplies and allocation; (2) the MABIA model to estimate crop production, and, (3) a GIS-based energy modelling tool to estimate energy requirements of the water system. Through a set of scenario runs, results show how desalination is needed to address water scarcity, but it has to be coupled with low-carbon electricity generation in order to not exacerbate climate change. Improving water productivity in agriculture improves most of the studied dimensions across the water–energy–food security nexus; however, it does little for water scarcity at the municipal level. Reducing non-revenue water can have positive effects on municipal unmet demand and reduction of energy for pumping, but it does not improve agricultural water productivity and may have negative feedback effects on the Jordan Valleys aquifer levels. Energy efficiency can support energy-intensive projects, like desalination, by substantially reducing the load on the energy system, preventing increased emissions and achieving a more resilient water system. Finally, when all interventions are considered together all of the major drawbacks are reduced and the benefits augmented, producing a more holistic solution to the WEF Nexus challenges in Jordan.
Immunoglobulin Rapid Test Sensitivity in PCR-Positive COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Alharbi Ahmad A. , Alshomrani Mohammad K. , Alharbi Abdullah A. , Almaeen Abdulrahman H. , AlAsiri Saad , Al-Omari Awad , Alishat Imad , Dolgom Saeed
Published: July 2022

Background

Diagnostic assays aimed at the identification of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) offer a rapid and adjunct modality to conventional real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) assays for the diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Aim

To analyze the sensitivity of IgG and IgM-based serological assays in rRT-PCR-positive COVID-19 subjects.

Methods

A consecutive cohort of 69 patients with COVID-19-related symptoms or recent exposure to COVID-19-positive individuals were included after taking informed consent. Nasopharyngeal swabs for SARS-CoV-2 rRT-PCR analysis and venous blood samples for the COVID-19 IgG/IgM rapid test were simultaneously collected from each subject on day 0. Then, in the case of positive PCR results, subsequent blood samples for COVID-19 IgG/IgM analysis were collected on days 7, 10 and 14. Samples were statistically analyzed to determine the sensitivity of the serology-based assays.

Results

No correlation was found between age or sex and the rRT-PCR, IgG and IgM results; 65.2% of subjects tested positive by rRT-PCR. The sensitivity of the IgM and IgG rapid test increased gradually with time, reaching the highest level on day 14 (22.2% and 72%, respectively).

Conclusion

Serological assays for the detection of infection with SARS-CoV-2 were compared to rRT-PCR. These assays yielded lower sensitivities than rRT-PCR-based assays. However, given that these immunoassays are more affordable, faster, and easier to execute, they could be recommended for epidemiological research or characterizing the immune status of post-infection or post-vaccination subjects.
Investigating the Factors Affecting Overweight/Obese amidst Non-pregnant Women in Bangladesh: A Multi-level Analysis of Demographic and Health Survey
Authors: Raihan Hasin , Khan Md. Nafiul Alam , Islam Md. Akhtarul
Published: July 2022

The primary goal of this study was to investigate the severity of being overweight/obese among non-pregnant women and its trend for change over the last 10 years in Bangladesh. This research featured 16,398 female participants and used the chi-Squared test to investigate the association between different socioeconomic variables and dependent variables. We applied the average annual rate of increase (AARI) to determine the trends of selected variables over the last decade. Next, we applied a multilevel logistic regression model to determine specific trigger factors at the individual and community levels; for this, we used the 2017–2018 data from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS). Individually, women between the ages of 40 and 44 years (odds ratio [OR] 5.68; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 4.68–6.89) with better education (OR 1.55; 95% CI 1.34–1.80) and from the wealthiest households (OR 3.65; 95% CI 3.17–4.20) had a higher risk for being overweight or obese. On the other hand, working women (OR 0.80; 95% CI 0.75–0.87) had a lower risk of becoming overweight or obese. Respondents from affluent communities had a higher probability of being overweight or obese (OR 1.93; 95% CI 1.72–2.18) whereas women in rural areas were less likely (OR 0.63; 95% CI 0.57–0.69) to be overweight or obese. The efforts of both individuals and communities are expected to raise awareness among wealthy and educated women.
Simone de Beauvoir
Authors: Green Karen
Published: July 2022

Tracing her intellectual development from her university years, when she was trained in a Cartesian and neo-Kantian philosophical tradition, to her final decade, during which she was recognised as having inspired the emerging strands of late twentieth-century feminism, Beauvoir is shown to have been among the most influential philosophical voices of the mid twentieth century. Countering the recent trend to read her in isolation from Sartre, she is shown to have both adopted, adapted, and influenced his philosophy, most importantly through encouraging him to engage with Hegel and to consider our relations with others. The Second Sex is read in the light of her existentialist humanism and ultimately faulted for having succumbed too uncritically to the masculine myth that it is men who are solely responsible for society's intellectual and cultural history.
Creating Local Democracy in Iran
Authors: Tajbakhsh Kian
Published: July 2022

Empirically rich and theoretically informed, this book is an innovative analysis of political decentralization under the Islamic Republic of Iran. Drawing upon Kian Tajbakhsh's twenty years of experience working with and researching local government in Iran, it uses original data and insights to explain how local government operates in towns and cities as a form of electoral authoritarianism. With a combination of historical, political, and financial field research, it explores the multifaceted dimensions of local power and how various ideologically opposed actors shaped local government as an integral component of authoritarian state building. Ultimately, this book demonstrates how local government serves to undermine democratization and consolidate the Islamist regime. As Iran's cities and towns grow and develop, their significance will only increase, and this study is vital to understanding their politics, administration and influence.
Parceling in Structural Equation Modeling
Authors: Little Todd D. , Rioux Charlie , Odejimi Omolola A. , Stickley Zachary L.
Published: July 2022

Parceling is pre-modeling strategy to create fewer and more reliable indicators of constructs for use with latent variable models. Parceling is particularly useful for developmental scientists because longitudinal models can become quite complex and even intractable when measurement models of items are fit. In this Element the authors provide a detailed account of the advantages of using parcels, their potential pitfalls, as well as the techniques for creating them for conducting latent variable structural equation modeling (SEM) in the context of the developmental sciences. They finish with a review of the recent use of parcels in developmental journals. Although they focus on developmental applications of parceling, parceling is also highly applicable to any discipline that uses latent variable SEM.
A Guide to the Geography of Pliny the Elder
Authors: Roller Duane W.
Published: July 2022

This is the first thorough English commentary on the geographical books of Pliny the Elder, written in the AD 70s. Pliny's account is the longest in Latin, and represents the geographical knowledge of that era, when the Roman Empire was the dominant force in the Mediterranean world. The work serves both cultural and ideological functions: much of it is topographical, but it also demonstrates the political need to express a geographical basis for the importance of the Roman state. In five books, Pliny covers the entire world as it was known in his era and includes some of the first information on the extremities of the inhabited region, including Scandinavia and the Baltic, eastern Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa. The commentary provides a detailed analysis of all the points Pliny raises: his sources, toponyms, and understanding of the place of the earth in the cosmos.
Milk intake across adulthood and muscle strength decline from mid- to late life: the MRC National Survey of Health and Development
Authors: Granic Antoneta , Cooper Rachel , Dodds Richard M. , Hillman Susan J. , Sayer Avan A. , Robinson Sian M.
Published: July 2022

Milk is a source of several nutrients which may be beneficial for skeletal muscle. Evidence that links lower milk intake with declines in muscle strength from midlife to old age is lacking. We used data from the Medical Research Council National Survey of Health and Development to test sex-specific associations between milk consumption from age 36 to 60–64 years, low grip strength (GS) or probable sarcopenia, and GS decline from age 53 to 69 years. We included 1340 men and 1383 women with at least one measure of both milk intake and GS. Milk intake was recorded in 5-d food diaries (aged 36, 43, 53 and 60–64 years), and grand mean of total, reduced-fat and full-fat milk each categorised in thirds (T1 (lowest) to T3 (highest), g/d). GS was assessed at ages 53, 60–64, and 69 years, and probable sarcopenia classified at the age of 69 years. We employed logistic regression to examine the odds of probable sarcopenia and multilevel models to investigate decline in GS in relation to milk intake thirds. Compared with T1, only T2 (58·76–145·25 g/d) of reduced-fat milk was associated with lower odds of sex-specific low GS at the age of 69 years (OR (95 % CI): 0·59 (0·37, 0·94), P = 0·03). In multilevel models, only T3 of total milk (≥ 237·52 g/d) was associated with stronger GS in midlife in men (β (95 % CI) = 1·82 (0·18, 3·45) kg, P = 0·03) compared with T1 (≤ 152·0 g/d), but not with GS decline over time. A higher milk intake across adulthood may promote muscle strength in midlife in men. Its role in muscle health in late life needs further examination.
Diet therapy along with nutrition education can improve renal function in people with stages 3–4 chronic kidney disease who do not have diabetes: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Hamidianshirazi Maryam , Shafiee Maryam , Ekramzadeh Maryam , Torabi Jahromi Mahsa , Nikaein Farzad
Published: July 2022

The current trial investigates the effect of renal diet therapy and nutritional education on the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), blood pressure (BP) and depression among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). A total of 120 CKD patients (stages 3–4) (15<eGFR < 60) were randomised into an intensive nutrition intervention group (individualised renal diet therapy plus nutrition counselling: 0·75 g protein/kg/d and 30–35 kcal/kg/d with Na restriction) and a control group (routine and standard care) for 24 weeks. The primary outcome was the change in the eGFR. Secondary outcomes included changes in anthropometric measures, biochemistry (serum creatinine (Cr), uric acid, albumin, electrolytes, Ca, vitamin D, ferritin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and Hb), BP, nutritional status, depression and quality of life. The eGFR increased significantly in the intervention group compared with the control group (P < 0·001). Moreover, serum levels of Cr and the systolic and diastolic BP decreased significantly in the intervention group relative to the control group (P < 0·001, P < 0·001 and P = 0·020, respectively). The nutrition intervention also hindered the increase in the BUN level and the depression score (P = 0·045 and P = 0·028, respectively). Furthermore, the reduction in protein and Na intake was greater in the intervention group (P = 0·003 and P < 0·001, respectively). Nutritional treatment along with supportive education and counselling contributed to improvements in renal function, BP control and adherence to protein intake recommendations. A significant difference in the mean eGFR between the groups was also confirmed at the end of the study using ANCOVA (β = -5·06; 95 % CI (−8·203, −2·999)).
Social groups and the computational conundrums of delays, proximity, and loyalty
Authors: Simandan Dragos
Published: July 2022

Even though Pietraszewski acknowledges the tentative nature of the theory and the multiple lines of adjacent research needed to flesh it out, he insists that the finite set of primitives he identified is necessary and sufficient for defining social groups in the context of conflict. In this commentary I expose three interrelated conundrums that cast doubt on this simplistic presumption.
Latent structure learning as an alternative computation for group inference
Authors: Cikara Mina
Published: July 2022

In contrast to Pietraszewski's account, latent structure learning neither requires conflict nor relies on observation of explicit coalitional behavior to support group inference. This alternative addresses how even non-conflict-based groups may be defined and is supported by experimental evidence in human behavior.
Group? What group? A computational model of the group needs a psychology of “us” (not “them”)
Authors: Wiles Janet , Haslam S. Alexander , Steffens Niklas K. , Jetten Jolanda
Published: July 2022

Groups are only real, and only serve as a basis for collective action, when their members perceive them to be real. For a computational model to have analytic fidelity and predictive validity it, therefore, needs to engage with the psychological reality of groups, their internal structure, and their structuring by (and of) the social context in which they function.
Interacting with others while reacting to the environment
Authors: Fischer Ilan , Levin Simon A. , Rubenstein Daniel I. , Avrashi Shacked , Givon Lior , Oz Tomer
Published: July 2022

Here, we revise Pietraszewski's model of groups by assigning participant pairs with two triplets, denoting: (1) the type of game that models the interaction, (2) its critical switching point between alternatives (i.e., the game's similarity threshold), and (3) the perception of strategic similarity with the opponent. These triplets provide a set of primitives that accounts for individuals' strategic motivations and observed behaviors.
Conciliation and meta-contrast are important for understanding how people assign group memberships during conflict situations
Authors: Levine Mark , Philpot Richard
Published: July 2022

Pietraszewski misrepresents both the nature of behaviour in conflict and the ability of psychology to theorise the relational properties of group designation. At the behavioural level, he focusses exclusively on “attack,” when consolation/care in conflict is equally present and important. At the theoretical level, he ignores existing psychological work on how group perception is shaped by the meta-contrast principle.
Towards a computational network theory of social groups
Authors: Redhead Daniel , Minocher Riana , Deffner Dominik
Published: July 2022

Network theory is necessary for the realization of cognitive representations and resulting empirical observations of social groups. We propose that the triadic primitives denoting individual roles are multilayer, with positive and negative relations feeding into cost–benefit calculations. Through this, we advance a computational theory that generalizes to different scales and to contexts where conflict is not present.
Compassion within conflict: Toward a computational theory of social groups informed by maternal brain physiology
Authors: Ho S. Shaun , Rosenthal Richard N. , Fox Helen , Garry David , Gopang Meroona , Rollins Mikaela J. , Soliman Sarah , Swain James E.
Published: July 2022

Benevolent intersubjectivity developed in parent–infant interactions and compassion toward friend and foe alike are non-violent interventions to group behavior in conflict. Based on a dyadic active inference framework rooted in specific parental brain mechanisms, we suggest that interventions promoting compassion and intersubjectivity can reduce stress, and that compassionate mediation may resolve conflicts.
How do we know who may replace each other in triadic conflict roles?
Authors: Thomsen Lotte
Published: July 2022

Group representations need not reduce to triadic conflict roles, although we infer group membership from them. A conceptual primitive of  as one solidary, bounded unity or clique may motivate and facilitate reasoning about cooperative group interactions in context with and without intergroup conflict and may also be necessary for representing which agents would replace one another in a triadic conflict.
Transactional associations between vocabulary and disruptive behaviors during the transition to formal schooling
Authors: Pinsonneault Michelle , Parent Sophie , Castellanos-Ryan Natalie , Zelazo Philip David , Séguin Jean R. , Tremblay Richard E.
Published: July 2022

This study investigated the transactional relations between vocabulary and disruptive behaviors (DB; physical aggression and opposition/rule breaking/theft and vandalism), during the transition to formal schooling, using a community sample of 572 children. Cross-lagged panel model analyses were used to examine bidirectional relationships, comparing physical aggression to non-aggressive DB. Transactional associations between vocabulary and DB were observed, coinciding with school entry. Lower vocabulary in preschool (60mo.) was predictive of higher physical aggression scores in kindergarten. In turn, higher physical aggression in kindergarten was predictive of lower vocabulary in 1st grade. For non-aggressive DB, recurrent associations were found. Lower verbal skills in preschool (42mo.) and kindergarten predicted higher non-aggressive DB scores later in preschool and in 1st grade respectively. In turn, higher non-aggressive DB in kindergarten predicted lower vocabulary scores in 1st grade. In contrast to transactional paths from vocabulary to DB, transactional paths from DB to vocabulary observed after the transition to elementary school remained significant after controlling for comorbid hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention behaviors, suggesting these links were specific to aggressive and non-aggressive DB. Practical implications for prevention are discussed.
Social determinants of mental health during a year of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Minihan Savannah , Orben Amy , Songco Annabel , Fox Elaine , Ladouceur Cecile D. , Mewton Louise , Moulds Michelle , Pfeifer Jennifer H. , Van Harmelen Anne-Laura , Schweizer Susanne
Published: July 2022

Belonging is a basic human need, with social isolation signaling a threat to biological fitness. Sensitivity to ostracism varies across individuals and the lifespan, peaking in adolescence. Government-imposed restrictions upon social interactions during COVID-19 may therefore be particularly detrimental to young people and those most sensitive to ostracism. Participants (N = 2367; 89.95% female, 11–100 years) from three countries with differing levels of government restrictions (Australia, UK, and USA) were surveyed thrice at three-month intervals (May 2020 – April 2021). Young people, and those living under the tightest government restrictions, reported the worst mental health, with these inequalities in mental health remaining constant throughout the study period. Further dissection of these results revealed that young people high on social rejection sensitivity reported the most mental health problems at the final assessment. These findings help account for the greater impact of enforced social isolation on young people’s mental health, and open novel avenues for intervention.
Not All That Glitters is Gold? Rock Crystal in the Early British Neolithic at Dorstone Hill, Herefordshire, and the Wider British and Irish Context
Authors: Overton Nick J. , Healey Elizabeth , Garcia Rovira Irene , Thomas Julian , Birchenall Julie , Challinor Dana , Hoverd Tim , Ray Keith
Published: July 2022

Evidence for working rock crystal, a rare form of water-clear type of quartz, is occasionally recovered from prehistoric sites in Britain and Ireland, however, very little has been written on the specific methods of working this material, and its potential significance in the past. This paper presents the first synthesis of rock crystal evidence from Britain and Ireland, before examining a new assemblage from the Early Neolithic site of Dorstone Hill, Herefordshire. This outlines a methodology for analysing and interpreting this unusual material, and, through comparison with the flint assemblage, examines the specific uses and treatments of this material. Far from being used to make tools, we argue the distinctive and exotic rock crystal was being used to create distinctive and memorable moments, binding individuals together, forging local identities, and connecting the living and the dead.
THE MAGIC OF NASH SOCIAL WELFARE IN OPTIMIZATION: DO NOT SUM, JUST MULTIPLY!
Authors: CHARKHGARD HADI , KESHANIAN KIMIA , ESMAEILBEIGI RASUL , CHARKHGARD PARISA
Published: July 2022

We explain some key challenges when dealing with a single- or multi-objective optimization problem in practice. To overcome these challenges, we present a mathematical program that optimizes the Nash social welfare function. We refer to this mathematical program as the Nash social welfare program (NSWP). An interesting property of the NSWP is that it can be constructed for any single- or multi-objective optimization problem. We show that solving the NSWP could result in more desirable solutions in practice than its single- or multi-objective counterpart. We also discuss several promising approaches that could be employed to solve the NSWP in practice.
Whose Freedom is it Anyway? The Fundamental Rights of Companies in EU Law
Authors: Gill-Pedro Eduardo
Published: July 2022

Granting fundamental rights to companies – nature of freedom as a fundamental value in EU law – intrinsic value of protecting freedom of individuals and instrumental value of protecting freedom of companies – Dan Cohen and rationale for protecting rights of organisations – transformation of the right to conduct business in EU law in Alemo Herron and subsequent case law – from right to do that which the law allows to right to be free from constraints – whose freedom is at stake when a company’s right to conduct business is protected – theories of the firm – company as a nexus of contracts or as a subject of rights on its own behalf – company as a locus of authority and as a jurisdiction – protecting freedom of company to restrict freedom of human beings – ideological underpinnings of extensive protection of freedom of companies – dehumanisation of fundamental rights.
Fire Regions as Environmental Niches: A New Paradigm to Define Potential Fire Regimes in Africa and Australia
Authors: Zubkova M. , Boschetti L. , Abatzoglou J. T. , Giglio L.
Published: July 2022

Despite the widespread use of the “fire regime” concept for describing spatial and temporal patterns and ecosystem impacts of fire, this concept lacks an unambiguous, quantitative definition. By adopting from the ecological literature the concept of climate niche, that is, the environmental conditions that allow a specie to exist, we propose a new framework where variables that promote fuel accumulation and desiccation were used to define the environmental space at the continental level, later divided into regions (“fire regions”) with distinct fire potential. Our proposed approach emphasizes climate controls on fire patterns, distinct from the controls that humans exert on observed fire activity. By applying this framework, we identified nine fire regions in Africa and eight in Australia, distinguishing differences in fire patterns between continents as a result of changes in environmental gradient. Not only did we find that fire size and intensity varied significantly between continents, but biomes at a continental level were also found to be heterogeneous in terms of fire frequency, size, and intensity. For example, within African tropical savannas, the total annual rainfall and tree cover change drastically North and South of the equator, resulting in fire regions with significantly different fire characteristics. Meanwhile, in Australia, a strong gradient of annual temperature and precipitation seasonality was observed within tropical savannas and xeric shrublands, which was recognized by dividing those biomes into five regions with statistically different fire activity. Additionally, human presence led to some heterogeneity of fire patterns within delineated fire regions that also varied across biomes.
Dynamics of Volcanic Processes
Authors: Roche Olivier , Aoki Yosuke ,   Nikolai, Heap Michael , Hreinsdottir Sigrun , Huang Qinghua , Pastor-Galan Daniel , Poland Michael , Sachpazi Maria , Teng Fang-Zhen , Waite Gregory , Edmonds Marie , Asimow Paul , Zhang Minghua , Caprarelli Graziella
Published: July 2022

A new cross-journal special collection invites contributions on modern approaches used to investigate dynamics of volcanic processes.
A Multi‐Algorithm Analysis of Projected Changes to Freezing Rain Over North America in an Ensemble of Regional Climate Model Simulations
Authors: McCray Christopher D. , Paquin Dominique , Thériault Julie M. , Bresson Émilie
Published: July 2022

Freezing rain events have caused severe socioeconomic and ecosystem impacts. An understanding of how these events may evolve as the Earth warms is necessary to adequately adapt infrastructure to these changes. We present an analysis of projected changes to freezing rain events over North America relative to the 1980–2009 recent past climate for the periods during which +2, +3, and +4°C of global warming is attained. We diagnose freezing rain using four precipitation‐type algorithms (Cantin and Bachand, Bourgouin, Ramer, and Baldwin) applied to four simulations of the fifth‐generation Canadian Regional Climate Model (CRCM5) driven by four global climate models (GCMs). We find that the choice of driving GCM strongly influences the spatial pattern of projected change. The choice of algorithm has a comparatively smaller impact, and primarily affects the magnitude but not the sign of projected change. We identify several regions where all simulations and algorithms agree on the sign of change, with increases projected over portions of western Canada and decreases over the central, eastern, and southern United States. However, we also find large regions of disagreement on the sign of change depending on driving GCM and even ensemble member of the same GCM, highlighting the importance of examining freezing rain events in a multi‐member ensemble of simulations driven by multiple GCMs to sufficiently account for uncertainty in projections of these hazardous events.
Microwave Split Ring Resonator Sensor for Determination of the Fluids Permittivity With Measurement of Human Milk Samples
Authors: Navaei Moein , Rezaei Pejman , Kiani Sina
Published: July 2022

In this paper, the human milk dielectric constant by a microwave sensor has been evaluated. The proposed sensor is result of coupling between a simple microstrip line and a split ring resonator and its resonance frequency is 6 GHz. When up to 30 μl of milk are placed on the sensing area on the sensor, it causes the resonance frequency to shift. Six samples of human milk were measured by a network analyzer, then the dielectric constant of the samples were determined, and three similar samples were measured by the built‐in sensor. The proposed microwave sensor has Q‐factor of 38 and its sensitivity is 0.17%. The implemented sensor has acceptable performance compared to previous sensors and it can be used to determine the normal behavior of human milk with a simple method and for this work, it requires to small value of sample for measurement.
Liquid crystal between two distributed Bragg reflectors enables multispectral small-pitch spatial light modulator
Authors: Park Junghyun , Won Kanghee , Kim Young
Published: July 2022

The ability of controlling the phase of light at the subwavelength scale can be a game-changer due to its extraordinally wide angle-range in the wavefront shaping. By combining two conventional material and configuration, liquid crystal and distributed Bragg reflectors, we are getting close to this ultimate goal.
Full experimental determination of tunneling time with attosecond-scale streaking method
Authors: Yu Miao , Liu Kun , Li Min , Yan Jiaqing , Cao Chuanpeng , Tan Jia , Liang Jintai , Guo Keyu , Cao Wei , Lan Pengfei , Zhang Qingbin , Zhou Yueming , Lu Peixiang
Published: July 2022

Tunneling is one of the most fundamental and ubiquitous processes in the quantum world. The question of how long a particle takes to tunnel through a potential barrier has sparked a long-standing debate since the early days of quantum mechanics. Here, we propose and demonstrate a novel scheme to accurately determine the tunneling time of an electron. In this scheme, a weak laser field is used to streak the tunneling current produced by a strong elliptically polarized laser field in an attoclock configuration, allowing us to retrieve the tunneling ionization time relative to the field maximum with a precision of a few attoseconds. This overcomes the difficulties in previous attoclock measurements wherein the Coulomb effect on the photoelectron momentum distribution has to be removed with theoretical models and it requires accurate information of the driving laser fields. We demonstrate that the tunneling time of an electron from an atom is close to zero within our experimental accuracy. Our study represents a straightforward approach toward attosecond time-resolved imaging of electron motion in atoms and molecules.
Recent advances in microsystem approaches for mechanical characterization of soft biological tissues
Authors: Song Enming , Huang Ya , Huang Ningge , Mei Yongfeng , Yu Xinge , Rogers John A.
Published: July 2022

Microsystem technologies for evaluating the mechanical properties of soft biological tissues offer various capabilities relevant to medical research and clinical diagnosis of pathophysiologic conditions. Recent progress includes (1) the development of tissue-compliant designs that provide minimally invasive interfaces to soft, dynamic biological surfaces and (2) improvements in options for assessments of elastic moduli at spatial scales from cellular resolution to macroscopic areas and across depths from superficial levels to deep geometries. This review summarizes a collection of these technologies, with an emphasis on operational principles, fabrication methods, device designs, integration schemes, and measurement features. The core content begins with a discussion of platforms ranging from penetrating filamentary probes and shape-conformal sheets to stretchable arrays of ultrasonic transducers. Subsequent sections examine different techniques based on planar microelectromechanical system (MEMS) approaches for biocompatible interfaces to targets that span scales from individual cells to organs. One highlighted example includes miniature electromechanical devices that allow depth profiling of soft tissue biomechanics across a wide range of thicknesses. The clinical utility of these technologies is in monitoring changes in tissue properties and in targeting/identifying diseased tissues with distinct variations in modulus. The results suggest future opportunities in engineered systems for biomechanical sensing, spanning a broad scope of applications with relevance to many aspects of health care and biology research.