bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deep treatment-adaptive network for causal inference
Authors: Li Qian , Wang Zhichao , Liu Shaowu , Li Gang , Xu Guandong
Published: February 2022

Causal inference is capable of estimating the treatment effect (i.e., the causal effect oftreatmenton theoutcome) to benefit the decision making in various domains. One fundamental challenge in this research is that the treatment assignment bias in observational data. To increase the validity of observational studies on causal inference, representation-based methods as the state-of-the-art have demonstrated the superior performance of treatment effect estimation. Most representation-based methods assume all observed covariates are pre-treatment (i.e., not affected by the treatment) and learn a balanced representation from these observed covariates for estimating treatment effect. Unfortunately, this assumption is often too strict a requirement in practice, as some covariates are changed by doing an intervention on treatment (i.e., post-treatment). By contrast, the balanced representation learned from unchanged covariates thus biases the treatment effect estimation. In light of this, we propose a deep treatment-adaptive architecture (DTANet) that can address the post-treatment covariates and provide a unbiased treatment effect estimation. Generally speaking, the contributions of this work are threefold. First, our theoretical results guarantee DTANet can identify treatment effect from observations. Second, we introduce a novel regularization of orthogonality projection to ensure that the learned confounding representation is invariant and not being contaminated by the treatment, meanwhile mediate variable representation is informative and discriminative for predicting the outcome. Finally, we build on the optimal transport and learn a treatment-invariant representation for the unobserved confounders to alleviate the confounding bias.
Making graphs compact by lossless contraction
Authors: Fan Wenfei , Li Yuanhao , Liu Muyang , Lu Can
Published: February 2022

This paper proposes a scheme to reduce big graphs to small graphs. It contracts obsolete parts and regular structures into supernodes. The supernodes carry a synopsis $$S_\mathcal {Q}$$

S
Q

for each query class $$\mathcal {Q}$$
Q
in use, to abstract key features of the contracted parts for answering queries of $$\mathcal {Q}$$
Q
. Moreover, for various types of graphs, we identify regular structures to contract. The contraction scheme provides a compact graph representation and prioritizes up-to-date data. Better still, it is generic and lossless. We show that the same contracted graph is able to support multiple query classes at the same time, no matter whether their queries are label based or not, local or non-local. Moreover, existing algorithms for these queries can be readily adapted to compute exact answers by using the synopses when possible and decontracting the supernodes only when necessary. As a proof of concept, we show how to adapt existing algorithms for subgraph isomorphism, triangle counting, shortest distance, connected component and clique decision to contracted graphs. We also provide a bounded incremental contraction algorithm in response to updates, such that its cost is determined by the size of areas affected by the updates alone, not by the entire graphs. We experimentally verify that on average, the contraction scheme reduces graphs by 71.9% and improves the evaluation of these queries by 1.69, 1.44, 1.47, 2.24 and 1.37 times, respectively.
Diagnostic delay in axial spondyloarthritis: a systematic review
Authors: Hay Charles A. , Packham Jon , Ryan Sarah , Mallen Christian D. , Chatzixenitidis Alexandros , Prior James A.
Published: February 2022

Identification of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) remains challenging, frequently resulting in a diagnostic delay for patients. Current benchmarks of delay are usually reported as mean data, which are typically skewed and therefore may be overestimating delay. Our aim was to determine the extent of median delay patients’ experience in receiving a diagnosis of axSpA and examine whether specific factors are associated with the presence of such delay. We conducted a systematic review across five literature databases (from inception to November 2021), with studies reporting the average time period of diagnostic delay in patients with axSpA being included. Any additional information examining associations between specific factors and delay were also extracted. A narrative synthesis was used to report the median range of diagnostic delay experienced by patients with axSpA and summarise which factors have a role in the delay. From an initial 11,995 articles, 69 reported an average time period of diagnostic delay, with 25 of these providing a median delay from symptom onset to diagnosis. Across these studies, delay ranged from 0.67 to 8 years, with over three-quarters reporting a median of between 2 years and 6 years. A third of all studies reported median delay data ranging from just 2 to 2.3 years. Of seven variables reported with sufficient frequency to evaluate, only ‘gender’ and ‘family history of axSpA’ had sufficient concordant data to draw any conclusion on their role, neither influenced the extent of the delay. Despite improvements in recent decades, patients with axSpA frequently experience years of diagnostic delay and this remains an extensive worldwide problem. This is further compounded by a mixed picture of the disease, patient and healthcare-related factors influencing delay.Key points• Despite improvements in recent decades, patients with axSpA frequently experience years of diagnostic delay.• Median diagnostic delay typically ranges from 2 to 6 years globally.• Neither ‘gender’ nor ‘family history of axSpA’ influenced the extent of diagnostic delay experienced.• Diagnostic delay based on mean, rather than median, data influences the interpretation of the delay time period and consistently reports a longer delay period.
Neuregelung der Hinzuverdienstmöglichkeiten für Transferbeziehende: keine leichte Aufgabe
Authors: Bruckmeier Kerstin , Wiemers Jürgen
Published: February 2022

In its coalition agreement, the German government proposes a reorganisation of the rules of earned income to be considered as a means test of basic income. In doing so, it takes up a frequently voiced criticism of the design of the basic income support for job-seekers under Book II of the Social Code. In recent years, researchers have called for a strengthening of (monetary) incentives to work, especially to take up employment with higher weekly working hours. In this paper, we summarise potential effects of such a reform on labour supply, the income distribution and the government budget in the context of a complex welfare system characterised by a high level of benefit non-take-up.
Bürgergeld und die Zukunft des Sozialstaats
Authors: Opielka Michael , Strengmann-Kuhn Wolfgang
Published: February 2022

The authors discuss the reform of basic security in the direction of a “citizen’s income” in the coalition agreement of the new “traffic light coalition” at the federal level against the background of fundamental considerations on the future of the welfare state, including those from the “Schleswig-Holstein Future Laboratory”. They see the reform of the citizen’s income as an incrementalist step toward a basic income and discuss their thesis on four topics: a) the question of the level of the basic income, b) the problem of counting other incomes, c) the relationship to the basic pension and citizen’s insurance, and d) the basic income for children.
Anhaltende Produktionslücken durch Vorleistungsengpässe
Authors: Bardt Hubertus , Grömling Michael
Published: February 2022

Die anhaltenden Probleme bei der Beschaffung von Vorleistungen belasten die deutsche Wirtschaft. Drei Viertel der Unternehmen berichten derzeit von Produktionsausfällen von im Durchschnitt 7%. Erst ab dem zweiten Halbjahr 2022 wird sich die Situation deutlich verbessern. Aber auch im Jahr 2023 rechnet noch knapp die Hälfte der privatwirtschaftlichen Unternehmen mit Ausfällen. Neben den fehlenden Vorleistungen ist vor allem der Fachkräftemangel eine permanente Produktionsbremse.
3G am Arbeitsplatz: zur Situation in niedersächsischen Unternehmen Ende 2021
Authors: Thomsen Stephan L. , Trunzer Johannes
Published: February 2022

Durch die Änderung des Infektionsschutzgesetzes Ende November 2021 wurde die Abbildung der 3G- und 2G-Quoten auf betrieblicher Ebene knapp ein Jahr nach Beginn der Impfungen möglich. Mithilfe einer Online-Blitzumfrage der Unternehmerverbände Niedersachsen, IHK Hannover, creditreform und dem Institut für Wirtschaftspolitik der Leibniz Universität Hannover zum Impf- und Genesenenstatus (2G), zur Zahl von Antigen-Schnelltests sowie dem Beschäftigtenanteil im Homeoffice können nun wichtige Hinweise auf die allgemeine Gefährdungslage im wirtschaftlichen und beruflichen Alltag sowie auf den damit verbundenen organisatorischen Aufwand in den Betrieben gegeben werden.
Migration patterns of Swedish Greylag geese Anser anser—implications for flyway management in a changing world
Authors: Månsson Johan , Liljebäck Niklas , Nilsson Lovisa , Olsson Camilla , Kruckenberg Helmut , Elmberg Johan
Published: February 2022

Significant population growth of some European goose populations has led to initiatives to implement management at the flyway level. Understanding migration routes and spatiotemporal distribution is crucial for the successful and coordinated management of migratory species such as geese. In this study, we describe movements across the entire annual cycle in 76 Greylag geese (Anser anser) fitted with GPS tracking devices at five catch sites in Sweden. We show that Greylag geese breeding in Sweden still use a NE-SW migration path. However, the wintering range has undergone a northward shift during the last decades. Compared to previous studies, our data suggest a continued reduction in migration distance, being most pronounced in birds in southernmost Sweden. Greylag geese tagged in southernmost Sweden spent almost the entire annual cycle in Sweden and Denmark (97 and 100% of all GPS locations). In contrast, the flyway of Greylag geese from the northern catch sites still covers countries from Sweden to Spain, but presently, only a small fraction of the population migrates to Spain. Instead, most of the annual cycle is spent in Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, or Germany. The contrasting spatiotemporal distribution in geese of different geographical origin indicates that management initiatives for the NW/SW European Greylag Goose population need to consider that different migration strategies occur within previously defined management units. As a consequence, coordination of management actions (e.g. monitoring, harvest quotas, reserves) may need to consider different spatial scales, i.e. from the regional to the international scale depending on the origin of the Greylag geese.
PrEP Use, Sexual Behaviour, and PrEP Adherence Among Men who have Sex with Men Living in Wales Prior to and During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Gillespie D. , Couzens Z. , de Bruin M. , Hughes D. A. , Jones A. , Ma R. , Williams A. , Wood F. , Blee K. , Bradshaw H. S. , Drayton R. , Knapper C. , Hood K.
Published: February 2022

We examined PrEP use, condomless anal sex (CAS), and PrEP adherence among men who have sex with men (MSM) attending sexual health clinics in Wales, UK. In addition, we explored the association between the introduction of measures to control transmission of SARS-CoV-2 on these outcomes. We conducted an ecological momentary assessment study of individuals in receipt of PrEP in Wales. Participants used an electronic medication cap to record PrEP use and completed weekly sexual behaviour surveys. We defined adherence to daily PrEP as the percentage of CAS episodes covered by daily PrEP (preceded by ≥ 3 days of PrEP and followed by ≥ 2 days). Sixty participants were recruited between September 2019 and January 2020. PrEP use data prior to the introduction of control measures were available over 5785 person-days (88%) and following their introduction 7537 person-days (80%). Data on CAS episodes were available for 5559 (85%) and 7354 (78%) person-days prior to and following control measures respectively. Prior to the introduction of control measures, PrEP was taken on 3791/5785 (66%) days, there were CAS episodes on 506/5559 (9%) days, and 207/406 (51%) of CAS episodes were covered by an adequate amount of daily PrEP. The introduction of pandemic-related control measures was associated with a reduction in PrEP use (OR 0.44, 95%CI 0.20–0.95), CAS (OR 0.35, 95%CI 0.17–0.69), and PrEP adherence (RR = 0.55, 95%CI 0.34–0.89) and this may have implications for the health and wellbeing of PrEP users and, in addition to disruption across sexual health services, may contribute to wider threats across the HIV prevention cascade.
Deficiency of Parkinson’s Related Protein DJ-1 Alters Cdk5 Signalling and Induces Neuronal Death by Aberrant Cell Cycle Re-entry
Authors: López-Grueso María José , Padilla Carmen Alicia , Bárcena José Antonio , Requejo-Aguilar Raquel
Published: February 2022

DJ-1 is a multifunctional protein involved in Parkinson disease (PD) that can act as antioxidant, molecular chaperone, protease, glyoxalase, and transcriptional regulator. However, the exact mechanism by which DJ-1 dysfunction contributes to development of Parkinson’s disease remains elusive. Here, using a comparative proteomic analysis between wild-type cortical neurons and neurons lacking DJ-1 (data available via ProteomeXchange, identifier PXD029351), we show that this protein is involved in cell cycle checkpoints disruption. We detect increased amount of p-tau and α-synuclein proteins, altered phosphoinositide-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathways, and deregulation of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5). Cdk5 is normally involved in dendritic growth, axon formation, and the establishment of synapses, but can also contribute to cell cycle progression in pathological conditions. In addition, we observed a decrease in proteasomal activity, probably due to tau phosphorylation that can also lead to activation of mitogenic signalling pathways. Taken together, our findings indicate, for the first time, that aborted cell cycle re-entry could be at the onset of DJ-1-associated PD. Therefore, new approaches targeting cell cycle re-entry can be envisaged to improve current therapeutic strategies.

Graphical Abstract
Cognitive Triad and Depressive Symptoms in Adolescence: Specificity and Overlap
Authors: Marchetti Igor , Pössel Patrick
Published: February 2022

Adolescence is a critical period for the development of depressive symptoms and the understanding of vulnerability factors that facilitate their onset is pivotal. In this study, we focused on Beck’s cognitive triad, namely its three-fold structure, comprising views of the self, world, and future. Despite its crucial role in the cognitive theory of depression, the relationship between the cognitive triad and depressive symptoms in adolescence is still unclear. In our study, we adopted a meta-analytic commonality analysis approach, in order to clarify whether the three components of the triad overlap in accounting for depressive symptoms, or they show distinct profiles of association. By relying on six independent samples of early adolescents (age range = 13–14: n = 174, 66% female, n = 347, 41% female), mid adolescents (age range = 15–17: n = 304, 61% female; n = 92, 34% female), and late adolescents (age range = 18–21: n = 217, 84% female, n = 101, 56% female), we showed that the views of the self, world, and future substantially overlap in accounting for depressive symptoms, although specific areas of distinctiveness could be detected. Moreover, the association between the cognitive triad and depressive symptoms appeared to be a function of both the developmental phase and gender. Furthermore, the cognitive triad emerged as specifically related to symptoms related to negative mood, absence of positive mood, and negative appraisal of the past. These findings advance our understanding of cognitive vulnerability for depressive symptoms in adolescence.
Quantitative Macroeconomics: Lessons Learned from Fourteen Replications
Authors: Kirkby Robert
Published: February 2022

I replicate all tables and figures from fourteen papers in Quantitative Macroeconomics, with an emphasis on incomplete market heterogeneous agent models. I report three main findings: (i) all (non-welfare related) major findings of the papers replicate, (ii) welfare findings based on linear approximation methods—1st-order perturbation, linear and log-linearization around steady-state, and linear-quadratic methods—should be treated as quantitatively suspect, (iii) decisions around methods for discretizing exogenous shocks have a large and unappreciated influence on results and should be prominently discussed in papers. While some smaller aspects of the papers do not replicate exactly, rather than nitpick in the body of this paper I instead describe some lessons learnt that may be useful for practitioners working with Quantitative Macroeconomic models. The replications use global methods allowing for non-linearities and I argue that these are important and need to be more widely used. I provide a checklist that researchers can use when trying to check that their work will be more easily reproducible. Matlab codes implementing the replications using the VFI Toolkit are provided, and full results of all replications are given in the online appendix. I conclude with three core points for best practice: (i) codes be made directly available (e.g., on github, not only ’on request’, and not just inside a zip file), (ii) report not just baseline parameters but also hyperparameters, equilibrium values, non-baseline parameters and initial conditions, and (iii) replication means rewriting codes from scratch, not just re-running available codes.
Shear layer over floodplain vegetation with a view on bending and streamlining effects
Authors: Caroppi Gerardo , Järvelä Juha
Published: February 2022

Shrubby and woody vegetation growing on floodplains profoundly influences hydrodynamic and transport processes in riverine systems. Existing hydrodynamic research is mostly focused on conditions with aquatic plants and rigid model vegetation. To appreciate the different hydrodynamic impacts of submerged floodplain and riverbank vegetation, a novel flume investigation was carried out. We simulated conditions found in riparian environments in terms of vegetation density, plant structure and flexibility, and presence of a grassy understory. Four experimental cases were defined so that vegetation exhibited different degrees of bending and streamlining. Extensive set of velocity measurements allowed reliable description of the double averaged flow. Vegetation morphology, with the flexibility-induced streamlining and dynamic motion controlled the magnitude and distribution of the vegetative drag, shaping the shear penetration within the canopy. The flows were highly heterogeneous, thus calling for spatially averaged approaches for the flow field investigation. The relative importance of dispersive momentum fluxes was high in the canopy bottom region where both Reynolds and dispersive stresses were small. The contribution of dispersive fluxes to momentum transport decreased with increasing reconfiguration. The results revealed the shear layers over floodplain vegetation to be dynamically similar to other environmental flows over porous obstructions. However, the velocity-dependent vegetative drag and deflected height introduced additional complexity in the flow simulation. Altogether our findings implied that accurate description of vegetated floodplain flows can be achieved only when plant morphology and flexibility are appropriately described in drag models.

Article highlights

A novel experimental setup with flexible woody plants and grasses was used to model the hydrodynamics of vegetated floodplains.

Plant morphology and flexibility controlled the vegetative drag, affecting key shear layer features, including the shear penetration.

The spatially heterogeneous flows had higher dispersive stresses at the canopy bottom, where the total fluid stress was small.
Agri-environmental implications of N- and P-based manure application to perennial and annual cropping systems
Authors: Kokulan Vivekananthan , Ige Dupe , Akinremi Olalekan O.
Published: February 2022

Continuous manure application based on crop nitrogen (N) requirements could substantially increase field nutrient losses from croplands. Although phosphorus-based (P) manure application is an alternative, crops may suffer from potential microbial P immobilization and fixation of P in soil. A three-year study (2012–2014) was carried out in Manitoba, Canada, to evaluate the agronomic and environmental benefits and tradeoffs between N- and P-based liquid and solid swine manure applications on previously established (2009) annual (ACS) and perennial (PCS) cropping systems. The N-based solid manure produced greater aboveground biomass and grain yields of barley than the unfertilized control in the ACS. The N-based liquid manure produced greater biomass than the control in the PCS. Phosphorus-based treatments produced statistically similar canola oilseed grains as the N-based treatments. Seeding the PCS to canola in 2013 produced greater aboveground biomass yields than the ACS; however, the canola oilseed yields were not significantly different between the two systems. The N-based solid manure application increased Olsen P by approximately 30 mg kg−1 in both cropping systems during the three-year study period. Both N- and P-based liquid manure treatments and the N-based solid manure treatment lost significantly greater nitrate through leaching than the control in 2013, when most leaching losses occurred. Our study also showed that some of the environmental benefits of the perennial cropping system, such as reduced nitrate leaching, could be lost when converted to an annual cropping system.
Vacuum decay and quadratic gravity: the massive case
Authors: Vicentini Silvia , Rinaldi Massimiliano
Published: February 2022

False vacuum decay in field theory may be formulated as a boundary value problem in Euclidean space. In a previous work, we studied its solution in single scalar field theories with quadratic gravity and used it to find obstructions to vacuum decay. For simplicity, we focused on massless scalar fields and false vacua with a flat geometry. In this paper, we generalize those findings to massive scalar fields with the same gravitational interactions, namely an Einstein-Hilbert term, a quadratic Ricci scalar, and a non-minimal coupling. We find that the scalar field reaches its asymptotic value faster than in the massless case, in principle allowing for a wider range of theories that may accommodate vacuum decay. Nonetheless, this hardly affects the viability of the bounce in the scenarios here considered. We also briefly consider other physically interesting theories by including higher-order kinetic terms and changing the number of spacetime dimensions.
The Social Support Network of Adults with an Autism Spectrum Condition: An Exploration Using the Network in Action-Questionnaire
Authors: van den Heuvel Rinske M. , Wensing Michel , Geurts Hilde M. , Teunisse Jan-Pieter
Published: February 2022

Actively involving the network during treatment, as recommended in Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) guidelines, can be facilitated with the Network in Action-Questionnaire (NiA-Q), which identifies the current and potential sources of social support. The aims of this study were to (1) examine the factor structure of the NiA-Q and (2) to explore the self- and proxy-report on the social network. Before the start of treatment in a mental health institution, 193 adults with an ASC diagnosis and 84 proxies completed the NiA-Q. Factor analysis showed two factors: positive social support and interpersonal distress. Self- and proxy-report on the NiA-Q did not differ for most variables, except for social network wishes. The NiA-Q provides a basis for network involvement and strengthening.
Orthogonal Iterations on Companion-Like Pencils
Authors: Bevilacqua R. , Del Corso G. M. , Gemignani L.
Published: February 2022

We present a class of fast subspace algorithms based on orthogonal iterations for structured matrices/pencils that can be expressed as small rank perturbations of unitary matrices. The representation of the matrix by means of a new data-sparse factorization—named LFR factorization—using orthogonal Hessenberg matrices is at the core of these algorithms. The factorization can be computed at the cost of$$O(n k^2)$$O(nk2)arithmetic operations, wherenandkare the sizes of the matrix and the small rank perturbation, respectively. At the same cost from the LFR format we can easily obtain suitable QR and RQ factorizations where the orthogonal factor Q is a product of orthogonal Hessenberg matrices and the upper triangular factor R is again given into the LFR format. The orthogonal iteration reduces to a hopping game where Givens plane rotations are moved from one side to the other side of these two factors. The resulting new algorithms approximate an invariant subspace of sizesassociated with a set ofsleading or trailing eigenvalues using onlyO(nks) operations per iteration. The number of iterations required to reach an invariant subspace depends linearly on the ratio$$|\lambda _{s+1}|/|\lambda _s|$$|λs+1|/|λs|. Numerical experiments confirm the effectiveness of our adaptations.
From waste incineration by-products to functional materials: a “Chimie douce” route to VOCs mineral adsorbents
Authors: Corbin Alexis , Guichaoua Lise , Baradari Hiva , Gueneau Flavien , Chaucherie Xavier , Gilardin Bruno , Gosset Thierry , Boissière Cédric , Nicole Lionel , Sanchez Clément
Published: February 2022

One of today’s major world challenges is the accumulation and the storage of tens of millions of tons per year of final materials resulting from the incineration of domestic and industrial waste. This raises the question of the recycling of these “raw materials”, while making allowance for environmental, economic, social and public health aspects. Our strategy targets the incorporation of waste incineration by-products in a totally circular economy. We propose an innovative process combining templated sol–gel growth of an inorganic or hybrid silica-based network with a solubilized fraction of bottom ash coming from the combustion of industrial and household wastes. The resulting materials engineered via aerosol processing demonstrate maximum adsorption capacity of model pollutant compounds (1-2 dichlorobenzene) competitive with activated carbons currently used in modern incineration plants. We believe that they have the potential to replace conventional activated carbon commonly used in incineration plants, enabling the first step of the long road of recycling final waste.
Enhancing pedestrian evacuation routes during flood events
Authors: Musolino Giovanni , Ahmadian Reza , Xia Junqiang
Published: February 2022

The increasing rate of anthropic activities in flood-prone areas and the effects of climate change are aggravating the dangers posed by floods to people. One of the main reasons for fatality during flood events is walking through floodwaters. Although authorities strongly advise against walking in flood waters, evacuations or the accessing of flooded areas by emergency services might be necessary. This research proposes a novel approach to increasing resilience by retrofitting existing infrastructures to enhance evacuation and access routes by reducing flood hazard rate based on flood and pedestrian characteristics. The methodology was applied to flash floods in two case studies in the UK, namely Boscastle and Borth, highlighting that retrofitting small regions of the existing roads and pathways to reduce flood hazard can enhance people’s safety during the evacuation, and hence provides a solution to improve the resilience of the existing environment.
Do health preferences differ among Asian populations? A comparison of EQ-5D-5L discrete choice experiments data from 11 Asian studies
Authors: Yang Zhihao , Purba Fredrick Dermawan , Shafie Asrul Akmal , Igarashi Ataru , Wong Eliza Lai-Yi , Lam Hilton , Van Minh Hoang , Lin Hsiang-Wen , Ahn Jeonghoon , Pattanaphesaj Juntana , Jo Min-Woo , Mai Vu Quynh , Busschbach Jan , Luo Nan , Jiang Jie
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Many countries have established their own EQ-5D value sets proceeding on the basis that health preferences differ among countries/populations. So far, published studies focused on comparing value set using TTO data. This study aims to compare the health preferences among 11 Asian populations using the DCE data collected in their EQ-5D-5L valuation studies.

Methods

In the EQ-VT protocol, 196 pairs of EQ-5D-5L health states were valued by a general population sample using DCE method for all studies. DCE data were obtained from the study PI. To understand how the health preferences are different/similar with each other, the following analyses were done: (1) the statistical difference between the coefficients; (2) the relative importance of the five EQ-5D dimensions; (3) the relative importance of the response levels.

Results

The number of statistically differed coefficients between two studies ranged from 2 to 16 (mean: 9.3), out of 20 main effects coefficients. For the relative importance, there is not a universal preference pattern that fits all studies, but with some common characteristics, e.g. mobility is considered the most important; the relative importance of levels are approximately 20% for level 2, 30% for level 3, 70% for level 4 for all studies.

Discussion

Following a standardized study protocol, there are still considerable differences in the modeling and relative importance results in the EQ-5D-5L DCE data among 11 Asian studies. These findings advocate the use of local value set for calculating health state utility.
Mitigating Intergroup Conflict: Effectiveness of Qualifying Subjective Justice Views as an Intervention Technique in Comparison to Empathy Induction
Authors: Sasse Julia , Nazlic Tanja , Alrich Katja , Frey Dieter , Baumert Anna
Published: February 2022

Intergroup conflicts can be triggered and perpetuated by collective perceptions of injustice. In two experiments, we applied the qualifying of subjective justice views, a justice-focused intervention initially introduced to resolve interpersonal conflicts, and evaluated whether it can mitigate intergroup conflicts. This intervention included explicating opposing justice perceptions, explaining the dilemma structure of justice conflicts, and emphasizing that each conflict party applies different justice standards in different situations. In a realistic conflict setting, among advantaged group members, the intervention enhanced the willingness to pay monetary concessions to the out-group. This effect was mediated through an enhanced understanding of the justice dilemma (Study 2) and legitimacy judgments of the out-group’s justice claim (Studies 1 and 2). Furthermore, effects of the justice-focused intervention were compared to those of empathy induction as a benchmark to evaluate the effectiveness. The comparison provided additional evidence for the effectiveness of the justice-focused intervention to mitigate intergroup conflicts.
A framework for multi-core schedulability analysis accounting for resource stress and sensitivity
Authors: Davis Robert I. , Griffin David , Bate Iain
Published: February 2022

Timing verification of multi-core systems is complicated by contention for shared hardware resources between co-running tasks on different cores. This paper introduces the Multi-core Resource Stress and Sensitivity (MRSS) task model that characterizes how much stress each task places on resources and how much it is sensitive to such resource stress. This model facilitates a separation of concerns, thus retaining the advantages of the traditional two-step approach to timing verification (i.e. timing analysis followed by schedulability analysis). Response time analysis is derived for the MRSS task model, providing efficient context-dependent and context independent schedulability tests for both fixed priority preemptive and fixed priority non-preemptive scheduling. Dominance relations are derived between the tests, along with complexity results, and proofs of optimal priority assignment policies. The MRSS task model is underpinned by a proof-of-concept industrial case study. The problem of task allocation is considered in the context of the MRSS task model, with Simulated Annealing shown to provide an effective solution.
Eugenol and carvacrol attenuate brain d-galactose-induced aging-related oxidative alterations in rats
Authors: El-Far Ali H. , Mohamed Hadeer H. , Elsabagh Doaa A. , Mohamed Shymaa A. , Noreldin Ahmed E. , Al Jaouni Soad K. , Alsenosy Abdelwahab A.
Published: February 2022

Aging represents the accumulation of progressive changes in a human being over time and can cover physical, psychological, and social changes. It is an oxidative stress-associated process that progresses with age. The antioxidant activity of either eugenol (EU) or carvacrol (CAR) for aging in rats induced by d-gal for 42 days was investigated in the current study using 10 and 20 mg of EU/kg/day/orally, while CAR was supplemented by 40 and 80 mg /kg/day/orally. Biochemical, mRNA expression, and histopathological assessments of brain samples evaluated the oxidative alterations induced by d-gal and the protective role of EU and CAR. Results showed that d-gal was causing oxidative alternation of the brain that was recognized via upregulation of p53 and p21 mRNA expression levels, as aging markers and Bax mRNA expression level, as an apoptotic marker. Also, the results observed alterations in the levels of biochemical markers as creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and triacylglycerol (TAG), besides, enhancement of brain antioxidant capacity. Finally, these results compared with the groups treated with EU and CAR to observe that the EU and CAR potentially attenuate these aging-related oxidative alterations in a dose-dependent manner. Finally, we can conclude that EU and CAR supplementations are considered promising natural protective compounds that could delay aging and maintain health.
CPU and GPU real-time filtering methods for dense surface metrology using general matrix to matrix multiplications
Authors: Usamentiaga R.
Published: February 2022

Filtering is a required task in surface metrology for the identification of the components relevant for automated quality control. The calculation of real-time features about the surface is crucial to determining the mechanical and physical properties of the inspected product. The computation efficiency of the filtering operations is a major challenge in surface metrology, as current sensors provide massive volumes of data at very high acquisition rates. To overcome the challenges, this work presents different real-time filtering solutions comparing the performance on the CPU and on the GPU, using modern hardware. The proposed framework is focused on filtering techniques that can be expressed using a finite impulse response (FIR) kernel that includes the Gaussian kernel, the most common filtering technique recommended by ISO and ASME standards. This research work proposes variations of the double FIFO and double circular filters. The filters are transformed into a series of general matrix to matrix multiplications, which can be run extremely efficiently on different architectures. The proposed filtering approach provides superior performance compared with previous works. Additionally, tests are carried out to quantify the performance of the GPU in terms of data transfer and computation capabilities in order to diminish the penalty imposed by data transfer from main memory to the GPU in real-time operations. Based on the results, an efficient batch filtering technique is proposed that can be run on the GPU faster than the CPU even for small profile and kernel sizes, offloading this task from the host CPU for optimal system and application response.
A combined role for low vitamin D and low albumin circulating levels as strong predictors of worse outcome in COVID-19 patients
Authors: Sanson Gianfranco , De Nicolò Amedeo , Zerbato Verena , Segat Ludovica , Koncan Raffaella , Di Bella Stefano , Cusato Jessica , di Masi Alessandra , Palermo Andrea , Caironi Pietro , D’Agaro Pierlanfranco , Luzzati Roberto , D’Avolio Antonio
Published: February 2022

Purpose

We aimed to assess the combined role of vitamin D and albumin serum levels as predictors of COVID-19 disease progression.

Methods

We conducted a prospective observational study on adult patients hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia (March–September 2020). Vitamin D and albumin serum levels were measured on admission. These variables were categorized in albumin < 3.5 or ≥ 3.5 g/dL and vitamin D < 30 ng/mL or ≥ 30 ng/mL. We excluded patients with known bone diseases, renal failure, hypercalcemia and/or treated with antiepileptic drugs and steroids, and patients who received previous vitamin D supplementation. A composite outcome including any ventilatory support, PaO2/FiO2 ratio, and 60-day mortality was defined.

Results

Sixty-nine patients were enrolled, of whom 50% received non-invasive (NIV) or invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), 10% died, whereas 89% and 66% presented low albumin and low vitamin D serum levels, respectively. No correlation between vitamin D and albumin levels was found. In multivariable logistic regression analyses adjusted for sex and age-corrected comorbidities, patients having albumin < 3.5 g/dL and vitamin D < 30 ng/mL showed a significant increased risk for all study outcomes, namely NIV/IMV (OR 3.815; 95% CI 1.122–12.966; p = 0.032), NIV/IMV or death (OR 3.173; 95% CI 1.002–10.043; p = 0.049) and PaO2/FIO2 ≤ 100 (OR 3.410; 95% CI 1.138–10.219; p = 0.029).

Conclusion

The measurement of both vitamin D and serum albumin levels on COVID-19 patients’ admission, and their combined evaluation, provides a simple prognostic tool that could be employed to guide prompt clinical decisions.
Manganese Accumulation and Tissue-level Distribution in the Australian Hyperaccumulator Gossia Bidwillii (Myrtaceae)
Authors: Abubakari Farida , Nkrumah Philip Nti , Fernando Denise R. , Erskine Peter D. , Echevarria Guillaume , van der Ent Antony
Published: February 2022

The manganese (Mn) hyperaccumulator Gossia bidwillii is a tree species native to subtropical eastern Australia where it occurs on Mn-rich soils. Here, we conducted the first Mn accumulation and tissue-level distribution study on wild and experimentally grown G. bidwillii. Gossia bidwillii plants were subjected to different levels of Mn (250 µg g−1, 500 µg g−1, 1000 µg g−1) soil dosing treatments, whereas the wild G. bidwillii was sampled from growing on highly Mn-enriched natural soils. We used laboratory-based micro-X-ray Fluorescence (µXRF) elemental mapping to elucidate in situ distribution patterns of Mn and other elements in hydrated wild and Mn-dosed G. bidwillii leaves. The data from wild G. bidwillii revealed that it can be strongly Mn-hyperaccumulating with foliar Mn concentrations of 39 000 µg g−1 and 24 000 µg g−1 in old and young leaves, respectively. In the Mn dosing trial, G. bidwillii accumulated 24 400 µg g−1 in old leaves and 17 100 µg g−1 in young leaves in the highest treatment level. The laboratory based µXRF data revealed that Mn is uniformly enriched throughout the laminae and petioles of both young and old leaves in wild G. bidwillii; while in Mn-dosed G. bidwillii, the foliar Mn distribution was primarily concentrated at the leaf-tip and lamina. The approach employed by combining data from the field and controlled experiments was especially meaningful for investigating Mn accumulation in this species and gaining added insight into the phenomenon of Mn hyperaccumulation.
On the road again—a review of pretreatment methods for the decontamination of skeletal materials for strontium isotopic and concentration analysis
Authors: Wathen Crista Adelle , Isaksson Sven , Lidén Kerstin
Published: February 2022

Strontium isotopic and concentration results from archeological skeletons have proved useful in demonstrating human and animal mobility patterns, and dietary life-history. This initiated the movement from proxies to answer these questions. However, there remains an issue as to whether the produced isotopic and concentration values are those accumulated by an individual during life and not an analytical artifact or the result of remaining diagenetic material or other forms of contamination. Over the last 40 years, there have been a variety of protocols used with varying success to remove contaminants prior to analysis, as well as a movement from bone analysis to solely enamel. This review covers the evolution of pretreatment protocols, the role of technological advances in producing accurate and precise results, and a discussion of best practices. Archeological case studies will demonstrate the evolution of these topics as well as their limitations and potential.
2021 Nobel Prize for mechanosensory transduction
Authors: Martinac Boris
Published: February 2022

Written by someone who has worked in the mechanobiology field for close to 40 years, this commentary describes some historical background to the recent award of one-half of the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine to Ardem Patapoutian for his discovery of the family of mechanosensitive Piezo ion channels, which function as mechanoreceptors feeling the environment in senses such as touch, pain, and proprioception.
Patient-facing genetic and genomic mobile apps in the UK: a systematic review of content, functionality, and quality
Authors: Gasteiger Norina , Vercell Amy , Davies Alan , Dowding Dawn , Khan Naz , Davies Angela
Published: February 2022

Close relative (consanguineous) marriage is widely practised globally, and it increases the risk of genetic disorders. Mobile apps may increase awareness and education regarding the associated risks in a sensitive, engaging, and accessible manner. This systematic review of patient-facing genetic/genomic mobile apps explores content, function, and quality. We searched the NHS Apps Library and the UK Google Play and Apple App stores for patient-facing genomic/genetic smartphone apps. Descriptive information and information on content was extracted and summarized. Readability was examined using the Flesch–Kincaid metrics. Two raters assessed each app, using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) and the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics functionality score. A total of 754 apps were identified, of which 22 met the eligibility criteria. All apps intended to inform/educate users, while 32% analyzed genetic data, and 18% helped to diagnose genetic conditions. Most (68%) were clearly about genetics, but only 14% were affiliated with a medical/health body or charity, and only 36% had a privacy strategy. Mean reading scores were 35 (of 100), with the average reading age being equivalent to US grade 12 (UK year 13). On average, apps had 3.3 of the 11 IMS functionality criteria. The mean MARS quality score was 3.2 ± 0.7. Half met the minimum acceptability score (3 of 5). None had been formally evaluated. It was evident that there are few high-quality genomic/genetic patient-facing apps available in the UK. This demonstrates a need for an accessible, culturally sensitive, evidence-based app to improve genetic literacy within patient populations and specific communities.
Quality of Government and Types of Innovation—Empirical Evidence for Italian Manufacturing Firms
Authors: Barra Cristian , Ruggiero Nazzareno
Published: February 2022

Using firm-level information on Italian manufacturing companies provided by Capitalia and the Institutional Quality Index (IQI) dataset over the 2004–2006 (10th edition) period, we employ a multi-probit model to assess the effects of government quality upon four dimensions of innovation, namely, marketing, organisational, product and process innovation. Findings presented in the paper suggest that higher government quality stimulates firms’ innovative activities, though the impact of governance varies across the various dimensions of innovation examined. Our evidence, which is robust to firms’ size, PAVITT classification and firms’ geographical location, provides room for policy interventions.
Socioeconomic outcomes of agricultural land use change in Southeast Asia
Authors: Appelt Jonas L. , Garcia Rojas Diana C. , Verburg Peter H. , van Vliet Jasper
Published: February 2022

Agricultural land use is transforming rapidly in Southeast Asia, often supported by development policies aiming primarily at economic growth. However, the socioeconomic outcomes of these changes for smallholder farmers remain unclear. Here, we systematically review cases of agricultural land use change in Southeast Asia to assess their socioeconomic outcomes and potential trade-off and synergies in these outcomes. Of the 126 reviewed cases, we find mostly positive outcomes for income (SDG 1, 100 cases) and employment (SDG 8, 11 cases), while outcomes on health (SDG 3, 9 cases) were mixed, and outcomes for food security (SDG 2, 44 cases), gender equality (SDG 5, 13 cases), and economic equality (SDG 10, 14 cases) were mostly negative. Studies describing multiple outcomes show indications of synergies between income and food security, and between income and employment, but also potential trade-offs between income and economic equality. In addition, we find that economic land concessions result in multiple negative outcomes more often than other types of land governance regimes. The results provide evidence that economic gains from agricultural land use change often come at a cost of other dimensions of sustainable development.
Insights of microorganisms role in rice and rapeseed wastes as potential sorbents for metal removal
Authors: Shen X. , Zhao J. , Bonet-Garcia N. , Villagrasa E. , Solé A. , Liao X. , Palet C.
Published: February 2022

Rice and rapeseed agricultural wastes, as nonliving biomass, are proposed for heavy metal remediation in polluted effluents (chromium, cadmium, copper and lead). The physicochemical characterization of these biomasses shows that the surface of both sorbents is negatively charged (zeta potential), the surface area of sorbents is 4.39 and 40.7 (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller), and the main functional groups are carboxylic and hydroxyl (attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy). The main purpose of this work is to evaluate the insights of microorganisms associated with these nonliving biomasses in the removal of heavy metals from synthetic aqueous solutions, adjusted at pH 4.0 (as the best acidic condition for the sorption process). The isolates (Bacillus genus in rice and Escherichia, Micrococcus and Staphylococcus genus in rapeseed) remove heavy metals from mentioned solutions, mainly in consortia, with contribution percentage over than 80% of total metals. In addition, when they are present in biomass, they provide an additional metal removal effect, especially in rapeseed biomass system and with multiple heavy metals aqueous solutions: i.e. Cr(III) removal, at 4 mmol/L, increases from 70 to 100%. This knowledge makes possible the use of the nonliving biomasses with no need for any special pretreatment against the microorganisms, prior to their use as metal sorbents that implies their good feasibility for application from an economical point of view.