bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prospective, randomized, controlled, trial to assessASADOSingby body mass index inHEalthyvolunteers (DOSEstudy)
Authors: Nay Isaac , Hutchinson Doug , Rondina Matthew , Kim Kibum , Kroencke Rachel , Kirkham Amanda , Trujillo Toby , Tolley Neal D. , Munger Mark
Published: February 2023

Study Objective

Aspirin (ASA) has demonstrated inconsistent results in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Guidelines are also inconsistent in the recommendation of routine ASA use for primary prevention of CVD, but advocate dosing as a “one‐size‐fits‐all” approach.

Design

An intention‐to‐treat, double‐blind, randomized, controlled, clinical trial comparing three treatment arms of ASA 81, 325, and 500 mg daily dosed for 14 days were evenly randomized across the dosing categories to measure the impact of dosing by body mass index (BMI) (20–24.9, 25–29.9, ≥30 kg/m2) on ASA anti‐platelet effects.

Setting

University Ambulatory Clinic.

Patients

Healthy volunteers defined as individuals who were medication free without acute or chronic significant health problems.

Intervention

Change in ASA reactivity unit (ARU), salicylate levels, and thromboxane B2 (TxB2) levels were measured across BMI dosing categories and time.

Main Results

Fifty‐four participants with a mean (±SD) age of 34.4 ± 10.9 years (M:F; 23:31) completed the study. Baseline ARU and TxB2 levels were not significantly different between obese and non‐obese individuals. BMI was not a predictor of platelet inhibition. There was no interaction between gender and platelet activation at baseline or following ASA treatment. ASA 81 mg was associated with a lower ARU response (approximate 50% lower response) than either the 325‐mg or the 500‐mg doses of ASA. TxB2 and salicylate levels exhibited lower trends at 81 mg compared with higher doses.

Conclusions

In healthy male and female participants administered ASA for 14 days, obesity is not associated with increased basal platelet activation or ASA resistance. ASA 81 mg was significantly less effective in reducing platelet aggregation compared with ASA 325 and 500 mg, independent of BMI.
‘Diabulimia’: current insights into type 1 diabetes and bulimia nervosa
Authors: Yahya Ahmed Saeed , Khawaja Shakil , Naguib Meena
Published: February 2023

The combination of type 1 diabetes and bulimia nervosa has been referred to as ‘diabulimia’. The prognosis is poorer in subjects with comorbid disorder than those with isolated bulimia nervosa. Collaborative, integrated care is needed in the assessment and treatment of patients. In this review article we provide a formulation merging both the transdiagnostic and dual pathway models and discuss the latest evidence‐based management for patients with coexisting diagnoses.
Disorder–Order Transition in Ga2O3 and Its Solid Solution with In2O3 upon Thermal Annealing
Authors: Reis Anna , Hanke Michael , Bierwagen Oliver , Trampert Achim , Mazzolini Piero , Welter Edmund
Published: February 2023

The local ordering in amorphous Ga2O3 and (In
x
Ga1−x
)2O3 thin ﬁlms on Si(111) and its change on crystallization upon annealing are investigated. Synchrotron‐based extended X‐ray absorption ﬁne structure data, as probed across the Ga K‐edge in conjunction with a numerical implementation of the scattering process including multiple scattering events, provide detailed insights into the bonding character of the Ga cations. Bond lengths and coordination numbers indicate the preferential formation of GaO4 tetrahedrons in the amorphous binary and ternary solid solution at the absence of long‐range ordering. Upon annealing there is no tendency toward the formation of long‐range ordering for the ternary alloy, while the amorphous Ga2O3 ﬁlm turns into monoclinic β‐Ga2O3 crystallites with both tetra‐ and octahedral coordination.
Bayesian single‐to‐double arm transition design using both short‐term and long‐term endpoints
Authors: Xu Tianlin , Shi Haolun , Lin Ruitao
Published: February 2023

The choice between single‐arm designs versus randomized double‐arm designs has been contentiously debated in the literature of phase II oncology trials. Recently, as a compromise, the single‐to‐double arm transition design was proposed, combining the two designs into one trial over two stages. Successful implementation of the two‐stage transition design requires a suspension period at the end of the first stage to collect the response data of the already enrolled patients. When the evaluation of the primary efficacy endpoint is overly long, the between‐stage suspension period may unfavorably prolong the trial duration and cause a delay in treating future eligible patients. To accelerate the trial, we propose a Bayesian single‐to‐double arm design with short‐term endpoints (BSDS), where an intermediate short‐term endpoint is used for making early termination decisions at the end of the single‐arm stage, followed by an evaluation of the long‐term endpoint at the end of the subsequent double‐arm stage. Bayesian posterior probabilities are used as the primary decision‐making tool at the end of the trial. Design calibration steps are proposed for this Bayesian monitoring process to control the frequentist operating characteristics and minimize the expected sample size. Extensive simulation studies have demonstrated that our design has comparable power and average sample size but a much shorter trial duration than conventional single‐to‐double arm design. Applications of the design are illustrated using two phase II oncology trials with binary endpoints.
The effects of phytochemicals on serum triglycerides in subjects with hypertriglyceridemia: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Dadkhah Tehrani Sahar , Shojaei Mehrnaz , Bagherniya Mohammad , Pirro Matteo , Sahebkar Amirhossein
Published: February 2023

This systematic review aimed to evaluate the efficacy of phytochemicals on lipid parameters in patients with hypertriglyceridemia (HTG). A comprehensive search was performed in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, and Google Scholar from inception up to October 2021 to recognize randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effects of phytochemicals on lipid profiles in patients with HTG. Forty‐eight RCTs including 53 arms and comprising 3,478 HTG patients met the eligibility criteria. Phytochemicals significantly reduced the serum levels of triglycerides in 32 out 53 arms, total cholesterol in 22 out of 51, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol in 21 out of 48, very low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol in 1 out of 5, apolipoprotein B in 2 out of 4, and lipoprotein(a) levels in 2 out of 4 arms. Furthermore, phytochemicals supplementation increased the levels of high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol in 15 out of 48 arms. In brief, phytochemicals supplementation might have beneficial effects on HTG. In most of the studies, phytochemicals had a favorable effect on at least one of the lipid parameters.
Aggrecan accumulates at sites of increased pulmonary arterial pressure in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: van der Have Oscar , Mead Timothy J. , Westöö Christian , Peruzzi Niccolò , Mutgan Ayse C. , Norvik Christian , Bech Martin , Struglics André , Hoetzenecker Konrad , Brunnström Hans , Westergren‐Thorsson Gunilla , Kwapiszewska Grazyna , Apte Suneel S. , Tran‐Lundmark Karin
Published: February 2023

Expansion of extracellular matrix occurs in all stages of pulmonary angiopathy associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). In systemic arteries, dysregulation and accumulation of the large chondroitin‐sulfate proteoglycan aggrecan is associated with swelling and disruption of vessel wall homeostasis. Whether aggrecan is present in pulmonary arteries, and its potential roles in PAH, has not been thoroughly investigated. Here, lung tissue from 11 patients with idiopathic PAH was imaged using synchrotron radiation phase‐contrast microcomputed tomography (TOMCAT beamline, Swiss Light Source). Immunohistochemistry for aggrecan core protein in subsequently sectioned lung tissue demonstrated accumulation in PAH compared with failed donor lung controls. RNAscope in situ hybridization indicated ACAN expression in vascular endothelium and smooth muscle cells. Based on qualitative histological analysis, aggrecan localizes to cellular, rather than fibrotic or collagenous, lesions. Interestingly, ADAMTS15, a potential aggrecanase, was upregulated in pulmonary arteries in PAH. Aligning traditional histological analysis with three‐dimensional renderings of pulmonary arteries from synchrotron imaging identified aggrecan in lumen‐reducing lesions containing loose, cell‐rich connective tissue, at sites of intrapulmonary bronchopulmonary shunting, and at sites of presumed elevated pulmonary blood pressure. Our findings suggest that ACAN expression may be an early response to injury in pulmonary angiopathy and supports recent work showing that dysregulation of aggrecan turnover is a hallmark of arterial adaptations to altered hemodynamics. Whether cause or effect, aggrecan and aggrecanase regulation in PAH are potential therapeutic targets.
3D printer platform and conductance feedback loop for automated imaging of uneven surfaces by liquid microjunction‐surface sampling probe mass spectrometry
Authors: Hermann Matthias , Metwally Haidy , Yu Jian , Smith Rachael , Tomm Hailey , Kaufmann Martin , Ren Kevin Y. M. , Liu Chang , LeBlanc Yves , Covey Thomas R. , Ross Avena C. , Oleschuk Richard D.
Published: February 2023

Rationale

Molecular imaging of samples using mass spectrometric techniques, such as matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization or desorption electrospray ionization, requires the sample surface to be even/flat and sliced into thin sections (c. 10 μm). Furthermore, sample preparation steps can alter the analyte composition of the sample. The liquid microjunction‐surface sampling probe (LMJ‐SSP) is a robust sampling interface that enables surface profiling with minimal sample preparation. In conjunction with a conductance feedback system, the LMJ‐SSP can be used to automatically sample uneven specimens.

Methods

A sampling stage was built with a modified 3D printer where the LMJ‐SSP is attached to the printing head. This setup can scan across flat and even surfaces in a predefined pattern (“static sampling mode”). Uneven samples are automatically probed in “conductance sampling mode” where an electric potential is applied and measured at the probe. When the probe contacts the electrically grounded sample, the potential at the probe drops, which is used as a feedback signal to determine the optimal position of the probe for sampling each location.

Results

The applicability of the probe/sensing system was demonstrated by first examining the strawberry tissue using the “static sampling mode.” Second, porcine tissue samples were profiled using the “conductance sampling mode.” With minimal sample preparation, an area of 11 × 15 mm was profiled in less than 2 h. From the obtained results, adipose areas could be distinguished from non‐adipose parts. The versatility of the approach was further demonstrated by directly sampling the bacteria colonies on agar and resected human kidney (intratumoral hemorrhage) specimens with thicknesses ranging from 1 to 4 mm.

Conclusion

The LMJ‐SSP in conjunction with a conductive feedback system is a powerful tool that allows for fast, reproducible, and automated assessment of uneven surfaces with minimal sample preparation. This setup could be used for perioperative assessment of tissue samples, food screening, and natural product discovery, among others.
Preparation of Self‐Catalyzing Sols in the 40SiO2 – 30FeO – 20FeO – 20CaO – 10Na2O Glass System by Sol‐Gel Method
Authors: Rezvani M. , Oskoui P. Rastgoo , Kianvash A.
Published: February 2023

In this research, the self‐catalyzing sol method was used to prepare amorphous glass. In this method, as a result of the reaction between iron nitrate and ethanol, nitrous acid was synthesized. Nitrous acid reduced pH and acted as a catalyst ethanol oxidation to ethanoic acid. Different factors affect the preparation of self‐catalyzing sol and the amount of synthesized acid (aging time, temperature of sol preparation, and ratio of precursor to solvent). It was seen that the aging time had the greatest effect in reducing the pH of the sol. Ethanol oxidation was measured by gas chromatography (GC), and it was observed that approximately 95 % of ethanol was converted to ethanoic acid. The optimum glass was heat treated at different temperatures. Maghemite, hematite, and sodium calcium silicate phases were crystallized. The maximum saturation magnetization of the sample treated at 680 °C was 0.27 emu/g.
Microstructure Stabilities of Newly Developed Hot‐Working Die Steel and H13 Steel at Elevated Temperature
Authors: Zhang Cheng , Cao Yuqian , Chen Junyu , Ye Huanyu , Zhao Chao , Huang Jinfeng
Published: February 2023

Herein, the microstructure stability of a newly developed hot‐working die (HWD700) steel at elevated temperatures up to 700 °C is investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected‐area electron diffraction, energy‐dispersive spectrometer, and high‐resolution transmission electron microscope. The results show that the HWD700 steel exhibits a higher thermal stability than the commercial H13 steel when the temperature is up to 700 °C. After quenching and tempering, high densities of intra‐lath rodlike and inter‐lath spherical MC nano‐carbides and inter‐lath strip‐like M7C3 nano‐carbides are observed in the HWD700 steel. These carbides remain nanoscale at temperatures up to 700 °C. For comparison, rod‐shaped MC nano‐carbides in the tempered H13 steel tend to coarsen and transform into larger M23C6 carbides at temperatures up to 650 °C. The TEM observation further reveals that the interface misfit between the MC nano‐carbide and matrix in the HWD700 steel is as low as 0.88%, lower than that of 14.8% in the H13 steel. This can be the main reason for the improved stability of the HWD700 steel by pinning dislocations and grain boundaries and thereby hindering the recrystallization process at an elevated temperature.
Effect of early‐strengthening of RC beams using UHPC layers on their performance against reinforcement corrosion
Authors: Al‐Huri Mohammed A. , Al‐Osta Mohammed A. , Ahmad Shamsad , Al‐Dulaijan Salah U.
Published: February 2023

In the present work, the effect of early‐strengthening of reinforced concrete (RC) beam specimens using layers of ultra‐high performance concrete (UHPC) on their performance against reinforcement corrosion was examined. A number of fifteen RC beam specimens were prepared, one beam specimen uncorroded and unstrengthened was considered as a control beam, two beams were corroded and unstrengthened, and twelve corroded and strengthened beam specimens that were divided into two groups. RC beam specimens of the first group were corroded continuously to cause total theoretically targeted mass losses of the steel rebars and then strengthened using UHPC layers. RC beams of the second group were also corroded to the same degrees but in two steps. In the first step, the beams were corroded to cause a portion of targeted theoretical mass losses. Then the beams were strengthened in the same way as the beams of the first group and then subjected to second‐step accelerated reinforcement corrosion to achieve finally the same degrees of total theoretical mass losses as that of the first group. The corroded and strengthened beam specimens were exposed to flexural testing, and then the corroded rebars extracted from the beams were used to conduct gravimetric tests to determine the actual values of the mass losses due to accelerated corrosion. The gravimetric and flexural tests' results were used mainly to observe the influence of early‐strengthening on the actual mass loss and the flexural behavior of the tested beam specimens. Results showed a significant reduction in the values of the actual mass loss and better flexural behavior due to the early‐strengthening of the corroded beams. An analytical model, developed and validated using the data collected from the experimental tests, can be utilized to predict the ultimate load‐carrying capacities of the corroded strengthened RC beam specimens.
Battery Scheduling Control of a Microgrid Trading with Utility Grid Using Deep Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Mohamed Mahmoud , Tsuji Takao
Published: February 2023

Managing microgrids (MGs) with variable renewable energy (VRE) is challenging because of uncertainties of electricity production, loads, and energy price, so we need flexible control strategies for battery energy storage system (BESS) to handle those challenges. Model‐based approaches require precise models of the MG to give accurate results but having an accurate model can be difficult in continually changing environments. We introduced a new day‐ahead optimization method to control BESS scheduling and power exchange between the utility grid and an MG with a load, photovoltaics, and BESS with the aim of energy cost minimization. Deep reinforcement learning (DRL) was used for the optimization of sequential actions of BESS over a time horizon. A theoretical optimum scheduling was derived using a linear programming optimization to be compared with the DRL agent. Both no‐battery and greedy control algorithms were used as baselines. It was shown that the results of the proposed technique were better than the baselines through numerical simulations using whole year's data. © 2023 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Searching for Safety and Researching for Justice: Documenting Migrant Experiences in the Paso del Norte Border Region
Authors: Harvey Neil , Slack Jeremy , Mateo Nancy , Martin Zaira , Garcia Kathryn , Garcia Alondra Aca , Avitia Daniel , McElhone Yates Ava
Published: February 2023

How can higher education advance knowledge of the harmful conditions faced by migrants fleeing violence and poverty in ways that support ongoing efforts to achieve change in how they are perceived and treated in the U.S.? This chapter seeks to address this question through discussion of the National Science Foundation-Research Experience for Undergraduates (NSF-REU) Site Program on Immigration Policy and Border Communities, co-directed by Neil Harvey and Jeremy Slack since 2018.
Court Interpretation, or Ganas Goes Legit
Authors: Pitcher Jonathan
Published: February 2023

This chapter recounts how “Ganas” went from a brief conversation and makeshift practice to an established structure in which students could ground their education. It is still hard to pin down, however, for its only permanent ethos is to serve its members, mostly consisting of Latino migrant workers and successive generations of Bennington undergraduates, which means instead that it is reinvented on a yearly basis, at the very least. Of late, it has come to include a course on court interpretation, prompted by immediate need and informed by interactions with the National Center for State Courts, a task force of experts led by the Vermont Office of the Court Administrator, and The Consortium on Forced Migration, Displacement and Education. Its continued relevance is sadly all too obvious, although I can but hope that one day its services will no longer be required.
Scaling solutions for asymptotically free quantum gravity
Authors: Sen Saswato , Wetterich Christof , Yamada Masatoshi
Published: February 2023

Abstract

We compute scaling solutions of functional flow equations for quantum grav- ity in a general truncation with up to four derivatives of the metric. They connect the asymptotically free ultraviolet fixed point, which is accessible to perturbation theory, to the non-perturbative infrared region. The existence of such scaling solutions is necessary for a renormalizable quantum field theory of gravity. If the proposed scaling solution is con- firmed beyond our approximations asymptotic freedom is a viable alternative to asymptotic safety for quantum gravity.
New physics contributions to moments of inclusive b → c semileptonic decays
Authors: Fael Matteo , Rahimi Muslem , Vos K. Keri
Published: February 2023

Abstract

Inclusive semileptonic B →$$ {X}_c\ell {\overline{\nu}}_{\ell } $$

X
c

ℓ

ν
¯

ℓ

decays, where ℓ = μ, e, are by now standard candles in the determination of the CKM element |Vcb|. These determinations rely on the heavy-quark expansion and use moments of decay spectra to extract the non-perturbative parameters directly from data under the standard model assumption.

At the same time, new physics could influence the moments of the inclusive decay. In this paper, we compute power-corrections and next-to-leading order corrections in the strong coupling constant using the full basis of dimension-six new physics operators for the inclusive B →$$ {X}_c\ell \overline{\nu} $$

X
c

ℓ

ν
¯

decay. We provide predictions for lepton energy, hadronic and leptonic invariant mass moments, and perform a phenomenological study to show the possible impact of new physics. Our results could be used to perform a global fit including new physics contributions.
Reliability evaluation of a novel fault tolerant multilevel inverter with reduced components
Authors: Dewangan Niraj Kumar , Verma Deepak , Agrawal Rakeshwri , Kumar Dhananjay , Gupta Krishna Kumar
Published: February 2023

Safety–critical applications rely heavily on multilevel inverters. This article introduces a fault tolerant (FT) multilevel inverter sustaining an uninterrupted operation with an open switch fault occurred in a single and multiple power switches. Power semiconductor devices used in dc-ac converters increased in numbers to obtain high-quality voltage waveform which makes them vulnerable to failure. As a result, reliability is one of the biggest challenges in the utilization of multilevel inverters (MLIs) in many industrial applications. At the same time, reduced component multilevel inverters can achieve the highest resolution in output voltage waveform by compromising significant features (such as fault tolerance ability, charge balance control, etc.) but it is required to be preserved. For effective fault tolerant operation of MLIs, redundant switching states have given the highest priority in terms of switch level failures. A study is being undertaken to develop a novel fault-tolerant MLI, in the event of an open circuit fault on single and multiple switches. Therefore, the proposed FT-MLI structure can fulfill the operational requirement for a time being and claimed to be reduced components. A valid fault tolerant switching technique along with appropriate fault clearance is employed to obtain the desirable output voltage waveforms. In order to determine the feasibility of FT-MLI, performance evaluations are carried out based on results obtained under normal and abnormal operating conditions through the use of a laboratory prototype.
Genetic association of the rs17782313 polymorphism with antipsychotic-induced weight gain
Authors: Schreyer Korbinian Felix , Leucht Stefan , Heres Stephan , Steimer Werner
Published: February 2023

Rationale

Weight gain is a frequent side effect of treatment with SGAs (second-generation antipsychotics) and a leading cause for nonadherence. Several candidate genes have been identified that could influence the amount of AIWG (antipsychotic-induced weight gain). The polymorphism rs17782313 near the MC4R (human melanocortin 4 receptor gene) was strongly associated with obesity in a large scale GWAS (genome wide association study), yet previous studies investigating its impact on AIWG did not lead to a definite conclusion regarding its effect. In particular, they were all relatively short and had a naturalistic design.

Objective

We therefore examined the influence of the rs17782313 polymorphism on SGA-related weight gain.

Methods

Participants of a multicenter randomized, controlled, double-blind study comparing two treatment strategies in individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were genotyped using a rapid-cycle polymerase chain reaction. Up to 252 individuals completed the first 2 weeks (phase I), 212 the entire 8 weeks (hence ‘completers’). Patients received either amisulpride or olanzapine or both consecutively. Thirty-seven had their first episode. Weight gain occurring in different genotypes was statistically compared and confounding factors were adjusted by stepwise multiple linear regression. A correction for multiple testing was included.

Results

Within 212 ‘completers’, carriers of the C allele had a higher absolute weight gain than those homozygous for the T allele (2.6 kg vs. 1.2 kg), though this observation was not significant (P = 0.063). In the amisulpride subpopulation, this association appeared stronger and reached significance (2.5 kg vs. 0.7 kg, P = 0.043), though failed to remain significant after correction for multiple testing. A stepwise multiple linear regression showed a significant association in both the whole study population (P < 0.001) and the amisulpride subpopulation (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Our results indicate that the rs17782313 polymorphism might influence antipsychotic-induced weight gain and therefore confirm some of the earlier conclusions.
Myocardial perfusion SPECT in Germany from 2012 to 2021: insights into development and quality indicators
Authors: Lindner O. , Schäfer W. , Rischpler C. , Silber S. , Burchert W. ,   on behalf of the Working Group “Cardiovascular Nuclear Medicine” of the German Society for Nuclear Medicine
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This paper summarises the results of 4 national surveys on the numbers, utilisation and technique of myocardial perfusion SPECT (MPS) from 2012 to 2021.

Methods

A one-page questionnaire for information on MPS in 2012, 2015, 2018 and 2021 was sent to German centres practising nuclear medicine. To check for representativeness, the numbers obtained were related to official annual data and furthermore to the numbers of invasive coronary angiography procedures (ICA).

Results

MPS examinations increased by > 40% from 2012 to 2021 and showed a centralisation with increasing MPS per centre. In 2020, a mild impact of the COVID-19 pandemic could be observed in the form of only a slight MPS increase, which was compensated in the following year. Outpatient care cardiologists represent the most important referrer (70%). Mostly, 2-day protocols were used. One-day protocols and stress-only protocols showed insignificant changes. The use of exercise stress decreased steadily. In 2021, exercise stress was replaced by pharmacological stress as the most frequent stress modality. Camera systems showed a shift to more SPECT-CT systems. The use of gated SPECT increased to almost 90%. Quantitative scoring showed an increasing acceptance. The ratio of invasive coronary angiographies (ICA) to MPS was between 3.9 and 4.5. A significant proportion of ICA in the context of CCS (chronic coronary syndrome) was performed without prior testing for ischaemia.

Conclusion

The 2012 to 2021 MPS surveys reveal a continuously growing number of examinations with only a mild temporary effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and a centralisation with increasing numbers per centre. Performance and technical data reveal a high-grade adherence of MPS practice to the current ESC guideline. A large potential of non-invasive diagnostics remains for the future.
Integrating animal physiology into the adaptive management of restored landscapes
Authors: Tudor Emily P. , Lewandrowski Wolfgang , Tomlinson Sean
Published: February 2023

Global-scale ecological changes and intensifying habitat destruction and have caused alarming declines in wildlife populations, resulting in a great need for concerted efforts towards their conservation. Despite this, animals are frequently overlooked in restoration and management initiatives and therefore populations often do not reassemble following disturbance without re-establishing habitat that meets their abiotic and biotic requirements. However, restoration ecologists broadly lack insight into the physiological mechanisms that can govern the responses of fauna to environmental change and management. Therefore, we conducted a literature search for studies reporting a mechanistic understanding of faunal habitat suitability and selection in restored landscapes to deliver an updated perspective on the integration of animal ecophysiology and restoration ecology. Of the 75,442 studies that we identified discussing ecological restoration in the last 50 years, only 8,627 (11.4%) did so in the context of fauna from which 912 studies (1.2%) examined habitat selection, 35 studies (0.05%) integrated physiology and only 15 studies (0.02%) explored thermal biology, despite temperature being one of the most pervasive drivers of physiological functioning. To combat this, we developed a conceptual framework that can guide restoration ecophysiology and promote innovative, multidisciplinary research through an established adaptive management structure. While physiological tools and approaches are currently underutilised in restoration practice, integrating them into ecological restoration, and environmental management more broadly, will offer exciting new opportunities to describe, explain and predict the responses of fauna to environmental change occurring, and that yet to come.
Comparison of lung ultrasound scores with clinical models for predicting bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Authors: Li Zhenyu , Mu Xin , Dang Dan , Lv Xiaoming , Si Shuyu , Guo Yiyi , Wu Hui
Published: February 2023

Lung ultrasound scores (LUSs) have been demonstrated to accurately predict moderate-to-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (msBPD). This study attempted to explore the additional value of LUSs for predicting msBPD compared to clinical multivariate models in different gestational age (GA) groups. The study prospectively recruited preterm infants with GA < 32 weeks. Lung ultrasound was performed on days 3, 7, 14, and 21 after birth. A linear mixed-effects regression model was used to evaluate LUS evolution in infants born before and after 28 weeks. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) procedure was used to analyze the reliability of LUS and clinical multivariable models for predicting msBPD. The optimal time to predict msBPD in all infants was 7 days with a cut-off point of 5 (area under the ROC (AUROC) curve: 0.78, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.71–0.84). In infants with GA ≥ 28 weeks, LUSs provided a moderate diagnostic accuracy for all four time points (AUROC curve: 0.74–0.78), and the AUROC curve for the clinical multivariable model on day 14 was 0.91 (95% CI: 0.84–0.96), which was significantly higher than that of LUSs (AUROC curve: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.68–0.85, P < 0.05). In infants born at 23–27 weeks, LUSs showed a low diagnostic accuracy with higher cut-off points to predict msBPD, and the AUROC curve for GA to predict msBPD was 0.75 (95% CI: 0.59–0.85), providing diagnostic accuracy similar to that of LUSs.

  Conclusion: The contribution of LUSs to predict msBPD in infants with different GAs remains controversial and requires further investigation.

What is Known:• Lung ultrasound scores (LUSs) have been demonstrated to accurately predict moderate-to-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia in infants with gestational age (GA)＜32 weeks.

What is New:• The LUSs evolution differed between extremely preterm infants born before 28 weeks and preterm infants born at 28–32 weeks of gestation.• LUSs provided similar moderate predictive performance as GA-adjusted LUS and clinical multivariate models in infants born after 28 weeks, while LUSs seem to be less helpful in infants born before 28 weeks.
Prevalence and severity of anxiety in cancer patients: results from a multi-center cohort study in Germany
Authors: Goerling Ute , Hinz Andreas , Koch-Gromus Uwe , Hufeld Julia Marie , Esser Peter , Mehnert-Theuerkauf Anja
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Anxiety is an accompanying symptom in cancer patients that can have a negative impact on patients. The aim of the present analyses is to determine the prevalence of anxiety, taking into account sociodemographic and medical variables, and to determine the odds ratio for the occurrence of anxiety in cancer patients compared to general population.

Methods

In this secondary analyses, we included 4,020 adult cancer patients during and after treatment from a multi-center epidemiological study from 5 regions in Germany in different treatment settings and a comparison group consisting of 10,000 people from the general population in Germany. Anxiety was measured with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) questionnaire. In multivariate analyses adjusted for age and sex, we calculated the odds of being anxious.

Results

The prevalence of anxiety was observed to be 13.8% (GAD-7 ≥ 10). The level of anxiety was significant higher for patients in rehabilitation, compared to patients during inpatient and outpatient treatment (p = .013). Comparison with the general population yielded a 2.7-fold increased risk for anxiety among cancer patients (95% CI 2.4–3.1; p < .001). Patients with bladder cancer (OR, 5.3; 95% CI 3.0–9.4) and testicular cancer (OR, 5.0; 95% CI 2.1–12.1) showed the highest risk of having high levels of anxiety.

Conclusion

The results highlight the importance of identifying anxiety in cancer patients.
Anatomical distribution of celiac artery with histochemical investigation to the proventriculus of barn owl (Tyto alba)
Authors: Maher M. A. , Hussein Shaymaa
Published: February 2023

The present investigation was performed to transpire the celiac artery distribution, histological, and histochemical characteristics of the proventriculus in eight adult barn owls (Tyto alba) of both sexes. Six birds were subjected to anatomical investigation of the celiac artery distribution and two owls were used for routine histomorphological techniques. The proventricular length, width, and lumen diameter were measured at 14.18 ± 0.08, 6.46 ± 0.17 and 1.46 ± 0.14 mm, respectively. The celiac artery in barn owl gave off six collateral arteries before its division into right and left branches. The arteria hepatica dextra does not originate from the right celiac division. Unlike other birds, there were left dorsal and left ventral gastric arteries. Histologically, the proventricular wall consisted of main four tunics. The lining epithelium is simple columnar with plicae and sulci. The muscularis mucosa is absent. The submucosal gastric glands were in two rows in the cranial proventricular portion while were arranged in one parallel row in the middle and caudal portions with pear-shaped, oval to round tubuloalveolar lobules. The mucosal folds, tubular mucosal glands, tubuloalveolar lobules, and their mucus secretion in the collecting ducts were positively reacted to PAS and alcian blue stains. The interlobular collagen fibers, elastic fibers, and reticular network were intensely reacted to Masson’s trichrome, Orcein, and Gomori's reticulin stains, respectively. These anatomical and histomorphological features of the barn owl proventriculus were aimed to provide recent data comparable with most species of birds and the presence of diversity that might be attributed to their feeding demeanor.
Hummingbird community structure and nectar resources modulate the response of interspecific competition to forest conversion
Authors: Guevara Esteban A. , Bello Carolina , Poveda Cristian , McFadden Ian R. , Schleuning Matthias , Pellissier Loïc , Graham Catherine H.
Published: February 2023

On-going land-use change has profound impacts on biodiversity by filtering species that cannot survive in disturbed landscapes and potentially altering biotic interactions. In particular, how land-use change reshapes biotic interactions remains an open question. Here, we used selectivity experiments with nectar feeders in natural and converted forests to test the direct and indirect effects of land-use change on resource competition in Andean hummingbirds along an elevational gradient. Selectivity was defined as the time hummingbirds spent at high resource feeders when feeders with both low and high resource values were offered in the presence of other hummingbird species. Selectivity approximates the outcome of interspecific competition (i.e., the resource intake across competing species); in the absence of competition, birds should exhibit higher selectivity. We evaluated the indirect effect of forest conversion on selectivity, as mediated by morphological dissimilarity and flower resource abundance, using structural equation models. We found that forest conversion influenced selectivity at low and mid-elevations, but the influence of morphological dissimilarity and resource availability on selectivity varied between these elevations. At mid-elevation, selectivity was more influenced by the presence of morphologically similar competitors than by resource abundance while at low-elevation resource abundance was a more important predictor of selectivity. Our results suggest that selectivity is influenced by forest conversion, but that the drivers of these changes vary across elevation, highlighting the importance of considering context-dependent variation in the composition of resources and competitors when studying competition.
A model-based infrastructure for the specification and runtime execution of self-adaptive IoT architectures
Authors: Alfonso Iván , Garcés Kelly , Castro Harold , Cabot Jordi
Published: February 2023

To meet increasingly restrictive requirements and improve quality of service (QoS), Internet of Things (IoT) systems have embraced multi-layered architectures leveraging edge and fog computing. However, the dynamic and changing IoT environment can impact QoS due to unexpected events. Therefore, proactive evolution and adaptation of the IoT system becomes a necessity and concern. In this paper, we present a model-based approach for the specification and execution of self-adaptive multi-layered IoT systems. Our proposal comprises the design of a domain-specific language (DSL) for the specification of such architectures, and a runtime framework to support the system behaviuor and its self-adaptation at runtime. The code for the deployment of the IoT system and the execution of the runtime framework is automatically produced by our prototype code generator. Moreover, we also show and validate the extensibility of such DSL by applying it to the domain of underground mining. The complete infrastructure (modeling tool, generator and runtime components) is available in a online open source repository.
“We’re led by stupid people”: Exploring Trump’s use of denigrating and deprecating speech to promote hatred and violence
Authors: Valcore Jace , Asquith Nicole L. , Rodgers Jess
Published: February 2023

In response to a call for criminologists to consider the impact of former President Donald Trump’s presumed criminality, we analyze verbal-textual hostility (VTH) in Trump’s campaign speeches. Politicians have particular power and reach with their speech and their use of VTH is an important part of the trifecta of violence. Using a framework informed by linguistic theory and previous analysis of hate speech in recorded hate crimes, we present the categories of deprecation and denigration, and discuss their relationship to domination. In context, these forms of VTH enhance and serve as precursors to more violent speech and acts.
Evolving market boundaries and competition policy enforcement in the pharmaceutical industry
Authors: Siotis Georges , Ornaghi Carmine , Castanheira Micael
Published: February 2023

Competition investigations start with market definition, which establishes the perimeter of the competitive analysis. In this paper, we focus on the definition of economic markets in the pharmaceutical industry, where the entry of generics in different therapeutic areas provides a sequence of quasi-natural experiments involving a significant competitive shock for the originator producer. We show how generic entry modifies price and non-price competitive constraints over time, generating market-wide effects. Paradoxically, generic entry may soften the competitive pressure for brands other than the originator. We obtain these results by econometrically estimating time-varying price elasticities. We then apply the logic of the Hypothetical Monopolist Test to gauge the strength of competitive constraints under different market structures. Our results provide strong empirical support for an approach that defines relevant markets contingent on the theory of harm. We discuss the relevance of these findings in the context of ongoing cases.
Moral Education Through the Fostering of Reasoning Skills
Authors: Meyer Kirsten
Published: February 2023

The development of reasoning skills is often regarded as a central goal of ethics and philosophy classes in school education. In light of recent studies from the field of moral psychology, however, it could be objected that the promotion of such skills might fail to meet another important objective, namely the moral education of students. In this paper, I will argue against such pessimism by suggesting that the fostering of reasoning skills can still contribute to the aims of moral education. To do so, I will engage with the concept of moral education, point out different ways in which reasoning skills play an essential role in it, and support these considerations by appealing to further empirical studies. My conclusion will be that the promotion of ethical reasoning skills fulfils two important aims of moral education: First, it enables students to critically reflect on their ethical beliefs. Second, it allows them to explore ethical questions in a joint conversation with others. Lastly, I will refer to education in the field of sustainable development in order to exemplify the importance of these abilities.
Magnetite immobilized metal nanoparticles in the treatment and removal of pollutants from wastewater: a review
Authors: Lourens Anname , Falch Anzel , Malgas-Enus Rehana
Published: February 2023

The increase in population and industrial activities has resulted in harmful pollutants in our water sources that cause a concern for our future health and environmental well-being. These pollutants include pharmaceuticals, nitroarenes, synthetic dyes, oil and heavy metals that can be toxic, carcinogenic and lead to multiple organ failure. Conventional methods used to remove these toxins are of high cost, poor recyclability and low efficiency. Therefore, it is important to find suitable methods to purify industrial and household wastewater. Nanoparticles possess useful characteristics such as high surface-to-volume ratio, high optical absorption coefficient and tunable band edges for optimized catalytic capability. Magnetite NPs in specific have proven great efficiency in the removal and degradation of such pollutants as it is affordable, recyclable and easy to remove in the presence of an external magnetic field. Surface functionalization of these magnetic NPs is seen as an excellent bridge between homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. A metal catalyst immobilized on the surface of these magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) affords customization and optimization of their properties for targeted applications. This study briefly discusses the synthesis of the magnetic core and different immobilization methods used to secure a metal catalyst onto its surface. This is followed by a detailed discussion where these metal catalysts immobilized on MNPs are used to improve its absorption and degradation capabilities in wastewater treatment.
A Complementary Topographic Feature Detection Algorithm Based on Surface Curvature for Three-Dimensional Level-Set Functions
Authors: Lenz Christoph , Aguinsky Luiz Felipe , Hössinger Andreas , Weinbub Josef
Published: February 2023

The level-set method is widely used in expanding front simulations in numerous fields of computational research, such as computer graphics, physics, or microelectronics. In the latter, the level-set method is employed for topography simulations of semiconductor device fabrication processes, being driven by complicated physical and chemical models. These models tend to produce surfaces with critical points where accuracy is paramount. To efficiently increase the accuracy in regions neighboring these critical points, automatic hierarchical domain refinement is required, guided by robust feature detection. Feature detection has to be computationally efficient and sufficiently accurate to reliably detect the critical points. To that end, we present a fast parallel geometric feature detection algorithm for three-dimensional level-set functions. Our approach is based on two different, complementary curvature calculation methods of the zero level-set and an optimized feature detection parameter to detect features. For performance reasons, our algorithm can be in principal linked to different curvature calculation methods, however, as will be discussed, two particularly attractive options are available: (i) A novel extension of the standard curvature calculation method for level-set functions, and (ii) an often disregarded method for calculating the curvature due to its purported low numerical accuracy. We show, however, that the latter is still a viable option, and that our algorithm is able to reliably detect features on geometries stemming from complicated, practically relevant geometries. Our algorithm and findings are applicable to other fields of applications such as surface simplification.
PAC-learning with approximate predictors
Authors: Turner Andrew J. , Kabán Ata
Published: February 2023

Approximate learning machines have become popular in the era of small devices, including quantised, factorised, hashed, or otherwise compressed predictors, and the quest to explain and guarantee good generalisation abilities for such methods has just begun. In this paper, we study the role of approximability in learning, both in the full precision and the approximated settings. We do this through a notion of sensitivity of predictors to the action of the approximation operator at hand. We prove upper bounds on the generalisation of such predictors, yielding the following main findings, for any PAC-learnable class and any given approximation operator: (1) We show that under mild conditions, approximable target concepts are learnable from a smaller labelled sample, provided sufficient unlabelled data; (2) We give algorithms that guarantee a good predictor whose approximation also enjoys the same generalisation guarantees; (3) We highlight natural examples of structure in the class of sensitivities, which reduce, and possibly even eliminate the otherwise abundant requirement of additional unlabelled data, and henceforth shed new light onto what makes one problem instance easier to learn than another. These results embed the scope of modern model-compression approaches into the general goal of statistical learning theory, which in return suggests appropriate algorithms through minimising uniform bounds.
Influence of detailed ball-and-socket modelling on tilting pad journal bearings dynamics
Authors: Dyk Štěpán , Rendl Jan , Bulín Radek , Smolík Luboš
Published: February 2023

The paper focuses on local phenomena modelling in the ball-and-socket pivot of tilting pad journal bearings. It provides an in-depth analysis of the influence of nonlinear normal force and friction forces generated in the pivot on the dynamic behaviour of the bearing. Contemporary works often employ the Hertz theory, which is valid for non-conformal contacts. This research, however, utilises a conformal sphere-to-sphere contact and uses the Bengisu-Akay and LuGre models, which describe static and dynamic friction. Furthermore, the latter model respects effects such as presliding, which can be essential for accurate predictions of nonlinear behaviour and which has not been employed to simulate the dynamics of the tilting pad journal bearings so far. This work also discusses the influence of model parameters. Such a discussion is critical for the LuGre model, whose proper parameter values are not straightforward to estimate.