bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do budget constraints limit access to health care? Evidence from PCI treatments in Hungary
Authors: Kiss András , Kiss Norbert , Váradi Balázs
Published: April 2023

Under Hungary’s single payer health care system, hospitals face an annual budget cap on most of their diagnoses-related group based reimbursements. In July 2012, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) treatments of acute myocardial infarction were exempted from that hospital level budget cap. We use countrywide individual-level patient data from 2009 to 2015 to map the effect of such a quasi-experimental change in monetary incentives on health provider decisions and health outcomes. We find that direct admissions into PCI-capable hospitals increase, especially in central Hungary, where there are several hospitals which can compete for patients. The proportion of PCI treatments at PCI-capable hospitals, however, does not increase, and neither does the number of patient transfers from non-PCI hospitals to PCI-capable ones. We conclude that only patient pathways, plausibly influenced by hospital management, were affected by the shift in incentives, while physicians’ treatment decisions were not. While average length of stay decreased, we do not find any effect on 30-day readmissions or in-hospital mortality.
Operational characteristics of full random effects modelling (‘frem’) compared to stepwise covariate modelling (‘scm’)
Authors: Amann Lisa F. , Wicha Sebastian G.
Published: April 2023

An adequate covariate selection is a key step in population pharmacokinetic modelling. In this study, the automated stepwise covariate modelling technique (‘scm’) was compared to full random effects modelling (‘frem’). We evaluated the power to identify a ‘true’ covariate (covariate with highest correlation to the pharmacokinetic parameter), precision, and accuracy of the parameter-covariate estimates. Furthermore, the predictive performance of the final models was assessed. The scenarios varied in covariate effect sizes, number of individuals (n = 20–500) and covariate correlations (0–90% cov-corr). The PsN ‘frem’ routine provides a 90% confidence intervals around the covariate effects. This was used to evaluate its operational characteristics for a statistical backward elimination procedure, defined as ‘fremposthoc’ and to facilitate the comparison to ‘scm’. ‘Fremposthoc’ had a higher power to detect the true covariate with lower bias in small n studies compared to ‘scm’, applied with commonly used settings (forward p < 0.05, backward p < 0.01). This finding was vice versa in a statistically similar setting. For ‘fremposthoc’, power, precision and accuracy of the covariate coefficient increased with higher number of individuals and covariate effect magnitudes. Without a backward elimination step ‘frem’ models provided unbiased coefficients with highly imprecise coefficients in small n datasets. Yet, precision was superior to final ‘scm’ model precision obtained using common settings. We conclude that ‘fremposthoc’ is also a suitable method to guide covariate selection, although intended to serve as a full model approach. However, a deliberated selection of automated methods is essential for the modeller and using those methods in small datasets needs to be taken with caution.
Finite-Temperature Avalanches in 2D Disordered Ising Models
Authors: Ettori Federico , Perani Filippo , Turzi Stefano , Biscari Paolo
Published: April 2023

We study the qualitative and quantitative properties of the Barkhausen noise emerging at finite temperatures in random Ising models. The random-bond Ising Model is studied with a Wolff cluster Monte-Carlo algorithm to monitor the avalanches generated by an external driving magnetic field. Satisfactory power-law distributions are found which expand over five decades, with a temperature-dependent critical exponent which matches the existing experimental measurements. We also focus on a Ising system in which a finite fraction of defects is quenched. Also the presence of defects proves able to induce a critical response to a slowly oscillating magnetic field, though in this case the critical exponent associated with the distributions obtained with different defect fractions and temperatures seems to belong to the same universality class, with a critical exponent close to 1.
Conflicting and complementary policy goals as sectoral integration challenge: an analysis of sectoral interplay in flood risk management
Authors: Nordbeck Ralf , Seher Walter , Grüneis Heidelinde , Herrnegger Mathew , Junger Lena
Published: April 2023

The paradigmatic shift from traditional flood defense toward integrated flood risk management has widened the sectors and policies affected and has spurred a growing interest of scholars to understand cross-sectoral flood policy integration. In this paper we argue that the cross-sectoral goal relationship—ranging from complementary to conflictual policy goals—is a useful conceptual framework to understand (1) the policy integration challenge at hands and (2) in particular the unfolding policy integration from a processual perspective. For our empirical analysis we identify three policy subsystems that are highly important for sectoral interplay in flood risk management: agriculture, hydropower generation, and spatial planning. Using Austria as a case study we illustrate the goal relationships and sectoral policy integration challenges in each of these fields of interaction. Based on 45 expert interviews in the selected policy sectors we provide useful insights into the current processes of flood policy integration. The empirical findings from our case studies show that sectoral goal relationships and the nature of the policy integration challenge drive flood policy integration. More pronounced land use conflicts are more strongly reflected in different actor interests, policy frames, policy goals, and the choice of policy instruments. Sectoral goal relationships are an important factor to explain the unfolding policy integration process. Complementary policy goals result in rather informal, harmonious integrative negotiations on strengthening synergies by using soft policy instruments. On the contrary, conflictual policy goals lead to more formal negotiations among the affected sectors relying on hard, regulative instruments.
Deconstructing involuntary financial exclusion: a focus on African SMEs
Authors: Simba Amon , Tajeddin Mahdi , Dana Léo-Paul , Ribeiro Soriano Domingo E.
Published: April 2023

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) struggle to obtain credit when credit ratings and collateral are used as criteria to assess their credit applications. In the context of Africa, the financial markets have gaping institutional voids, and contextual insights into SMEs’ experiences remain underdeveloped. Drawing on the stakeholder-agency theory of debt financing, this paper advances the scholarly conversation by theorising about how collateral security, collateral security value and the gender of SME owners lead to the involuntary financial exclusion of many manufacturing businesses in Africa. Analysis of the World Bank Enterprise Survey (WBES) dataset reveals that collateral security and collateral security value, together with gender biases in Africa’s financial markets, reduce credit access potential. Consequently, SMEs’ perceptions of the likelihood of obtaining credit for business purposes are reduced. Empirical results for 13,783 SMEs across 41 African countries indicate that the motivations to apply for credit also diminish. These observations contribute to entrepreneurial financing and SME research.
Verfestigung von Armut und die zunehmende Bedeutung von Pfadabhängigkeiten im Lebenslauf
Authors: Brülle Jan , Gangl Markus
Published: April 2023

Die Ausstiegswahrscheinlichkeit aus relativer Einkommensarmut hat sich in Deutschland seit Mitte der 1990er-Jahre deutlich verringert. Anhand von Daten des SOEP wird diese Entwicklung mithilfe von Ereignisdatenmodellen und einer nichtlinearen Dekompositionsanalyse durch Veränderungen in der Zusammensetzung der von Armut betroffenen Bevölkerung und der veränderten Struktur der Ausstiegsprozesse erklärt. Die zunehmende Anzahl von Alleinlebenden, vor allem aber steigende Arbeitslosigkeitserfahrungen und ein selbstverstärkender Effekt längerer Armutsepisoden erklären empirisch die abnehmenden Ausstiegschancen, sodass die Ergebnisse insgesamt auf die herausragende Relevanz von Pfadabhängigkeiten im Lebenslauf hinweisen. Zudem sind besonders Arbeiterinnen und Arbeiter sowie jüngere Erwachsene von sinkenden Ausstiegswahrscheinlichkeiten betroffen. Es zeigt sich auch, dass die Verfestigung von Armut vor allem für Ostdeutschland charakteristisch ist. Entwicklungen, die einen Trend sinkender Ausstiegschancen in Westdeutschland zum Teil kompensieren – etwa ein gestiegenes Bildungsniveau innerhalb der von Armut betroffenen Bevölkerung – fehlen in Ostdeutschland.
Frequency of inter-specialty consensus decisions and adherence to advice following discussion at a weekly neurovascular multidisciplinary meeting
Authors: Offiah Chika , Tierney Sean , Egan Bridget , Collins Ronán D. , Ryan Daniel J. , McCarthy Allan J. , Smith Deirdre R. , Mahon James , Boyle Emily , Delaney Holly , O.’Donohoe Rory , Hurley Alison , Walsh Richard A. , Murphy Sinead M. , Bogdanova-Mihaylova Petya , O.’Dowd Sean , Kelly Mark J. , Omer Taha , Coughlan Tara , O’Neill Desmond , Martin Mary , Murphy Stephen J. X. , McCabe Dominick J. H.
Published: April 2023

Background/aims

Data are limited on the frequency of ‘consensus decisions’ between sub-specialists attending a neurovascular multidisciplinary meeting (MDM) regarding management of patients with extracranial carotid/vertebral stenoses and post-MDM ‘adherence’ to such advice.

Methods

This prospective audit/quality improvement project collated prospectively-recorded data from a weekly Neurovascular/Stroke Centre MDM documenting the proportion of extracranial carotid/vertebral stenosis patients in whom ‘consensus management decisions’ were reached by neurologists, vascular surgeons, stroke physicians-geriatricians and neuroradiologists. Adherence to MDM advice was analysed in asymptomatic carotid stenosis (ACS), symptomatic carotid stenosis (SCS), ‘indeterminate symptomatic status stenosis’ (ISS) and vertebral artery stenosis (VAS) patients, including intervals between index event to MDM + / − intervention.

Results

One hundred fifteen patients were discussed: 108 with carotid stenosis and 7 with VAS. Consensus regarding management was noted in 96.5% (111/115): 100% with ACS and VAS, 96.2% with SCS and 92.9% with ISS. Adherence to MDM management advice was 96.4% (107/111): 100% in ACS, ISS and VAS patients; 92% (46/50) in SCS patients. The median interval from index symptoms to revascularisation in 50–99% SCS patients was 12.5 days (IQR: 9–18.3 days; N = 26), with a median interval from MDM to revascularisation of 5.5 days (IQR: 1–7 days). Thirty patients underwent revascularisation. Two out of twenty-nine patients (6.9%) with either SCS or ISS had a peri-procedural ipsilateral ischaemic stroke, with no further strokes/deaths during 3-months follow-up.

Conclusions

The high frequency of inter-specialty consensus regarding management and adherence to proposed treatment supports a collaborative/multidisciplinary model of care in patients with extracranial arterial stenoses. Service development should aim to shorten times between MDM discussion-intervention and optimise prevention of stroke/death.
Externe validatie van de Prostaatwijzer binnen een Nederlands klinisch hoogrisicocohort
Authors: Hagens Marinus J. , Stelwagen Piter J. , Veerman Hans , Rynja Sybren P. , Smeenge Martijn , van der Noort Vincent , Roeleveld Ton A. , van Kesteren Jolien , Remmers Sebastiaan , Roobol Monique J. , van Leeuwen Pim J. , van der Poel Henk G.
Published: April 2023

Samenvatting

Het positieve effect van de Rotterdam Prostate Cancer Risk Calculator (RPCRC)-3/4 en RPCRC-MRI is reeds bevestigd. Toch worden de prestaties en de toepasbaarheid ervan in de klinische praktijk in twijfel getrokken. Deze studie verricht een externe validatie van de RPCRC-3/4 en -MRI binnen een Nederlands klinisch hoogrisicocohort. Mannen (n = 1.575) die tussen 2018 en 2021 prostaatbiopten ondergingen in verband met een klinische verdenking op prostaatkanker (PCa) werden retrospectief geïncludeerd. Bij 996/1.575 (63,2 %) en 656/1.575 (41,7 %) mannen werd respectievelijk PCa en klinisch significant PCa (csPCa) gediagnosticeerd. Uit analyse bleek de RPCRC-3/4 het risico op csPCa te onderschatten: al zou RPCRC-3/4 37,3 % van alle MRI’s voorkomen, dan nog zou 18,3 % van de csPCa-diagnoses worden gemist. Herkalibratie en aanpassing van risicodrempels was om die reden dan ook geïndiceerd. De RPCRC-MRI presteerde daarentegen adequaat en herkalibratie was niet noodzakelijk.
Equilibrium problems when the equilibrium condition is missing
Authors: Balaj Mircea , Serac Dan Florin
Published: April 2023

Given a nonempty convex subset X of a topological vector space and a real bifunction f defined on $$X \times X$$

X
×
X

, the associated equilibrium problem consists in finding a point $$x_0 \in X$$

x
0

∈
X

such that $$f(x_0, y) \ge 0$$

f
(

x
0

,
y
)
≥
0

, for all $$y \in X$$

y
∈
X

. A standard condition in equilibrium problems is that the values of f to be nonnegative on the diagonal of $$X \times X$$

X
×
X

. In this paper, we deal with equilibrium problems in which this condition is missing. For this purpose, we will need to consider, besides the function f, another one $$g: X \times X \rightarrow \mathbb {R}$$

g
:
X
×
X
→
R

, the two bifunctions being linked by a certain compatibility condition. Applications to variational inequality problems, quasiequilibrium problems and vector equilibrium problems are given.
Combined physical activity training versus aerobic activity training in unipolar depressive disorder: a quasi-randomised evaluation study
Authors: Berwinkel Andre , Driessen Martin , Beblo Thomas , Weigelt Matthias
Published: April 2023

Objective

The positive effect of sport and exercise interventions on the treatment of unipolar depressive disorder (UDD) is well documented with respect to aerobic exercise. However, few studies have determined the effectiveness of other types of interventions (e.g., weight training, body and mind oriented, qigong or progressive muscle relaxation). Additionally, the effectiveness of specific combined sport and exercise approaches has rarely been investigated. Therefore, recommendations for the use of sport and exercise therapy to treat UDD have been developed.

Methods

This quasi-randomised study used a pretest/posttest design to compare the effectiveness of two different interventions (aerobic activity training vs. combined physical activity training) on psychiatric outcome parameters in a day clinic psychiatric setting. A total of 62 participants were quasi-randomised to one of the two conditions. Affective, cognitive, psychosocial and neuropsychological changes were assessed by a battery of questionnaires before (t1) and after (t2) treatment. Accelerometers were used to assess energy consumption.

Results

The results show that both training interventions have similar effects on the treatment of UDD.

Conclusion

These findings highlight the effectiveness of different physical activities in the treatment of UDD and provide further information for good clinical practice.
Gasification kinetic studies of low volatile weakly caking coal
Authors: Mishra Akanksha , Gautam Shalini , Sharma Tripurari
Published: April 2023

Present investigation focuses on the fractional conversion of low volatile weakly caking coal (LVWC) under the standard set of operating conditions for gasification. For this purpose, samples of LVWC of different ash content have been collected from Kusunda Area of Bharat Coking Coal Ltd. Gasification results were validated using Homogenous and Shrinking Core kinetic models and the suitability of selected samples for gasification was assessed by estimating the activation energy. The values of activation energy for LVWC samples were obtained in the range of 25.17–44.09 kJ/mol. Further, empirical models were developed to correlate the response of interest with the input variables (temperature, residence time and CO2 flow rate). The significance of these developed empirical models was checked using analysis of variance (ANOVA).
Basic Psychological Needs and Psychological Well-being: The Mediating Role of Instagram Addiction
Authors: Sharifi Fard Sayed Ali , Griffiths Mark D. , Mohseni Farnaz , Nabi Zadeh Safdar , Ali Babaei Golnaz
Published: April 2023

Instagram is a popular social network platform that brings benefits to many. However, for a small minority, problematic use may be an issue of concern (i.e., Instagram addiction). This addiction appears to originate from various contexts and can also have psychosocial consequences. The present study investigated the basic psychological needs and psychological well-being and the mediating role of Instagram addiction. The sample comprised 660 participants who completed a number of psychometric scales including the: Instagram Addiction Scale (15 questions), Basic Psychological Needs Scale (21 questions), and Psychological Well-being Scale (18 questions). The results confirmed the fit of the model, and showed the direct adverse and significant effects of basic psychological needs on Instagram addiction, Instagram addiction on psychological well-being, and the positive and significant direct impact of basic needs on psychological well-being. There were also significant indirect effects of basic needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness) in well-being via Instagram addiction. The failure to satisfy basic psychological needs appears to play an important role in the addictive use of Instagram, leading to a decrease in psychological well-being.
Establishing a Dignity Scale - Measuring Intrinsic Value within Social Contexts
Authors: Pirson Michael , Piedmont Ralph L. , Nagy Noemi , Hicks Donna
Published: April 2023

In this paper we describe the basics of the measurement of human dignity at the individual level, as well as within social contexts such as teams and organizations. In accordance with the prevailing literature, we define human dignity as the unconditional belief in the intrinsic value of life. Based on this, we established a model that understands dignity as a latent construct by evaluating personal sense of worth as well as behaviors that either violate or honor such an intrinsic value in social contexts. We developed and tested a 3-factor measure of dignity. The first factor assessed a personal sense of dignity (individual level), the second the extent to which leadership honors dignity and how work teams themselves express dignity to their members. The third factor assessed the extent to which the organizational culture honors and protects the dignity of its members. We examined the internal reliability, temporal stability, convergent, divergent, and predictive validity of our scales and presented a psychometrically sound assessment tool of intrinsic value for organizations, teams, and individuals.
Parametric Optimization on HPC Clusters with Geneva
Authors: Weßner Jonas , Berlich Rüdiger , Schwarz Kilian , Lutz Matthias F. M.
Published: April 2023

Many challenges of today’s science are parametric optimization problems that are extremely complex and computationally intensive to calculate. At the same time, the hardware for high-performance computing is becoming increasingly powerful. Geneva is a framework for parallel optimization of large-scale problems with highly nonlinear quality surfaces in grid and cloud environments. To harness the immense computing power of high-performance computing clusters, we have developed a new networking component for Geneva—the so-called MPI Consumer—which makes Geneva suitable for HPC. Geneva is most prominent for its evolutionary algorithm, which requires repeatedly evaluating a user-defined cost function. The MPI Consumer parallelizes the computation of the candidate solutions’ cost functions by sending them to remote cluster nodes. By using an advanced multithreading mechanism on the master node and by using asynchronous requests on the worker nodes, the MPI Consumer is highly scalable. Additionally, it provides fault tolerance, which is usually not the case for MPI programs but becomes increasingly important for HPC. Moreover, the MPI Consumer provides a framework for the intuitive implementation of fine-grained parallelization of the cost function. Since the MPI Consumer conforms to the standard paradigm of HPC programs, it vastly improves Geneva’s user-friendliness on HPC clusters. This article gives insight into Geneva’s general system architecture and the system design of the MPI Consumer as well as the underlying concepts. Geneva—including the novel MPI Consumer—is publicly available as an open source project on GitHub (https://github.com/gemfony/geneva) and is currently used for fundamental physics research at GSI in Darmstadt, Germany.
Grading Threads. Exploiting Viscous Thread Instability for the additive fabrication of Functionally Graded Structures via sensor-adaptive robotic control
Authors: Palma Marco
Published: April 2023

We present a novel computational fabrication method for the production of Functionally Graded Structures (FGS) via robotic control of Viscous Thread Instability (VTI). Of interest in several fields and at different scales of application, the fabrication of FGS is often relying on offline fabrication workflows and on stable material conditions. By introducing partial control in the process of spatial deposition of an extruded clay thread in a state of instability, our method extends the design and fabrication possibilities of VTI to the production of FGS. Traditionally exploited for the industrial production of not-graded two-dimensional nonwoven textiles or for surface treatments in design-related 3d printing applications, we frame VTI as the main design and fabrication driver for the computational fabrication of functionally graded clay volumetric structures. Without relying on predictive physical simulation models, our method relies on feedback information provided by sensing equipment in combination with an industrial 6 axis robotic manipulator integrated with a numerically controlled clay extruder. The sensed information is used to retroactively update the inputs of a computational model programmed to guide the robotic additive fabrication of user-defined functional volumetric gradients. We illustrate the main design- and fabrication-related parameters and a set of material experiments designed to validate the accuracy of our model. We present a set of fabricated outputs to illustrate the flexibility of the model to accommodate a variety of design intentions and, finally, we discuss its potential for further research involving cross-scalar and trans-disciplinary applications.
Pueblos viejos–pueblos nuevos: transformación del paisaje en el norte de Michoacán (México) a inicios del período novohispano (siglo dieciséis)
Authors: Lefebvre Karine , Dorison Antoine , Urquijo Torres Pedro
Published: April 2023

En el siglo dieciséis, la conquista española se extendió rápidamente hacia lo que hoy se conoce como el occidente de México. A partir de 1522, el reino tarasco sucumbió frente a los españoles y con ello iniciaron su proyecto de colonización y expansión territorial. Desde las primeras décadas, los españoles moldearon las actividades cotidianas para asegurar el control sobre las poblaciones indígenas, incluyendo la evangelización y promoviendo la explotación económica de los nuevos territorios.

Uno de los primeros pasos fue reorganizar el patrón de asentamiento de las poblaciones tarascas. En vísperas de la Conquista, los tarascos habitaban en pequeñas aldeas situadas en las cumbres y laderas de las montañas. Los españoles modificaron el patrón de asentamiento a través de dos medidas principales: en primer lugar, el desplazamiento de los antiguos asentamientos (pueblos viejos) a los valles o llanuras cercanas, con el fin de evitar que los sitios se convirtieran en fortalezas; en segundo lugar, los españoles reagruparon a la población en centros más grandes, conocidos como congregaciones.

Más allá de la distribución espacial de los lugares, esta transformación afectó por completo la configuración del espacio y repercutió en la relación existente entre los pobladores y el paisaje y con ello en la geografía sagrada. A partir del ejemplo de la localización de dos pueblos en el norte del estado de Michoacán—el sitio prehispánico Mich. 68-El Caracol y el pueblo colonial Mich. 415-Las Iglesias, descubiertos gracias a la obtención de imágenes LiDAR del Proyecto Arqueológico Uacúsecha—discutiremos las características de la distribución espacial antes y después de la Conquista y sus implicaciones en la relación existente entre la sociedad, el paisaje y la cosmovisión de la población.
A compact quasi-Yagi antenna for FMCW radar-on-chip-based through-wall imaging
Authors: Kumar Anand , Easha Easha , Sarkar Debdeep , Banerjee Gaurab
Published: April 2023

A compact quasi-Yagi antenna with a modified ground plane is designed for a through-wall radar on-chip. A slot-based ground plane modification in the proposed antenna results in significant miniaturization with an increase in the impedance bandwidth by 44.62%. The antenna has a high directivity of 9.02 dBi and a front-to-back ratio of 25.76 dB at 2.4 GHz. Based on experiments in real-world deployment scenarios, the performance of the proposed quasi-Yagi antenna is found to be comparable to that of a Vivaldi antenna and a commercial-off-the-shelf horn antenna. Spectrogram-based signatures of a moving person behind a wooden partition and a 40 cm thick masonry wall are successfully obtained using the designed antenna, demonstrating the suitability of the quasi-Yagi antenna for portable applications using a radar-on-chip.
Four ports MIMO printed antenna with high isolation for UWB and X-band systems
Authors: Ibrahim Ahmed A. , Eltokhy Amira , Daw Ahmed Fawzy
Published: April 2023

In this work, a compact size 4 ports multiple input multiple output (MIMO) slot antenna with the connected ground for Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) and X band applications is introduced and discussed. The single antenna is a cross-shaped slot antenna in the ground plane and a 50 Ω microstrip line with a small L-stub is used to feed the antenna on the other side. The suggested MIMO antenna has four identical elements arranged to be orthogonal to each other to enhance the MIMO system performance. The antenna elements are connected with a small strip to compose the proposed connected ground antennas. The suggested MIMO antenna has an overall size of 47 mm × 47 mm. The antenna has tested and simulated bandwidth with S11 < −10 dB extended from 4– 14 GHz and has isolation greater than 20 dB between ports without utilizing the decoupling elements and with good consistency between results. The MIMO antenna has peak gain and efficiency, envelope correlation coefficient, diversity gain, and channel capacity loss of 5.6 dBi and 80%, <5 × 10–3, 10 dB, and <0.4 bit/s/Hz, respectively which prove that our antenna can be suggested for the UWB MIMO applications.
Pan-Asianism, Anti-Imperialism, and International Law in the Early Twentieth Century
Authors: SHAHABUDDIN Mohammad
Published: April 2023

Pan-Asianism as a concept is conventionally associated with Japan's imperialism during the Second World War. This paper, in contrast, argues that far from being merely a language of hegemony, Pan-Asianism had a far more complex role to play in the early twentieth century. As an anti-imperial ideology, Pan-Asianism advanced a normative argument for the emancipation of Asia from Western imperialism and provided an alternative vision of civilization. As an anti-imperial strategy, Pan-Asianism offered Indian nationalist leaders in exile a necessary language to gain international support in favour of their nationalist movement. The paper explains how the ideological and strategic aspects of Pan-Asianism then affected and informed the development of contemporary international law with specific reference to the law of neutrality, the right to self-determination, racial equality, and the Monroe Doctrine. By doing so, it sheds light on an important yet ignored episode of the historical development of international law.
Structured magnetic resonance imaging-based characterization of the	marginal vein reveals limits of the Weber-classification
Authors: Hammer Simone , da Silva Natascha Platz Batista , Müller Johanna , Fellner Claudia , Greiner Barbara , Ingrid Huf Veronika , Stroszczynski Christian , Wohlgemuth Walter Alexander , Uller Wibke
Published: April 2023

Summary: Background: The marginal vein (MV) is a persisting embryonic vein located at the lateral aspect of the lower limb. The Weber-classification, which was developed on the basis of phlebography in the 1990s, is the only existing classification system for this rare disease. Aim of this study was the structured characterization of the lateral marginal vein (MV) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and evaluation of the applicability of the Weber-classification. Patients and methods: Institutional Review Board approval was obtained for this retrospective, single-center study. All patients who underwent contrast-enhanced MRI (using a prospectively determined protocol) of the untreated MV were included. MV anatomy and associated findings were characterized in a structured way taking into account the criteria of the Weber-classification for MV: inflow, outflow and extension. If three criteria of the Weber-classification were fulfilled the MV was categorized as “classifiable according to Weber”. The MV was categorized as “partially classifiable according to Weber”, if two criteria were met and as “not classifiable according to Weber” if less than two criteria were applicable. Results: 56 imaging studies of 58 MV (7 thoracoabdominal, 51 lower extremities) were reviewed. 18/51 MV of the lower extremities were “classifiable” according to the Weber-classification. 33/51 lower extremity MV were not definitely categorized according to the Weber-classification: 19/51 MV were “partially classifiable” and 14/51 MV were “not classifiable”. 30/51 MV presented with hypoplastic, 1/51 with aplastic deep venous system. 34/51 lower extremity and 6/7 thoracoabdominal MV were associated with an additional vascular malformation (VM). Conclusions: MRI is suitable for detailed anatomic characterization of the MV and reveals additional therapy relevant findings like associated VM. The Weber-classification was not applicable in most cases, reflecting its limits and the heterogeneity of this rare disease. Structured reports rather than an obsolete classification system should be preferred for MRI of the MV.
Access to Water‐Related Services Strongly Modulates Human Development
Authors: Amorocho‐Daza H. , van der Zaag P. , Sušnik J.
Published: April 2023

Water enables health, education, and economic well‐being opportunities for humanity. Access to basic water and sanitation services, freshwater variability, and water storage are some of the dimensions that may impact on human development worldwide. Yet few studies quantitatively explore the relationship between water and human development. This study uses a statistical approach to quantify the Water‐Human Development relation in a global sample, both in terms of correlation and causality between variables. Correlation is established using a multiple linear regression approach, while causality is explored by implementing the multi‐spatial convergent cross mapping technique. Our study finds strong interdependence between water‐related variables and human development globally. Access to water services positively influences the Human Development Index (HDI), seasonal variability of freshwater resources restricts it, and large water storage is not significant. The analysis is robust between 2000 and 2017, and implies that a 1% increment in a country's HDI is associated with a 1.3%–3.2% increment in water and sanitation access. Causal analyses show strong coupling, suggesting positive feedback between access to water services and HDI that could be exploited. Reaching Sustainable Development Goal 6 requires closing the water and sanitation access gaps while addressing freshwater variability challenges. This will result in global human development benefits.
The Role of On‐ and Off‐Axis Faults and Fissures During Eruption Cycles and Crustal Accretion at 9°50′N, East Pacific Rise
Authors: Wu Jyun‐Nai , Parnell‐Turner Ross , Fornari Daniel J. , Berrios‐Rivera Natalia , Barreyre Thibaut , McDermott Jill M.
Published: April 2023

Fissures and faults provide insight into how plate separation is accommodated by magmatism and brittle deformation during crustal accretion. Although fissure and fault geometry can be used to quantify the spreading process at mid‐ocean ridges, accurate measurements are rare due to insufficiently detailed mapping data. Here, fissures and faults at the fast‐spreading 9°50′N segment of the East Pacific Rise were mapped using bathymetric data collected at 1‐m horizontal resolution by autonomous underwater vehicle Sentry. Fault dip estimates from the bathymetric data were calibrated using co‐registered near‐bottom imagery and depth transects acquired by remotely operated vehicle Jason. Fissures are classified as either eruptive or non‐eruptive (i.e., cracks). Tectonic strain estimated from corrected fault heaves suggests that faulting plays a negligible role in the plate separation on crust younger than 72 kyr (<4 km from the ridge axis). Pre‐ and post‐eruption surveys show that most fissures were reactivated during the eruptions in 2005–2006. Variable eruptive fissure geometry could be explained by the frequency with which each fissure is reactivated and partially infilled. Fissure swarms and lava plateaus in low‐relief areas >2 km from the ridge are spatially associated with off‐axis lower‐crustal magma lenses identified in multichannel seismic data. Deep, closely spaced fissures overlie a relatively shallow portion of the axial magma lens. The width of on‐axis fissures and inferred subsurface dike geometry imply a ∼9‐year long diking recurrence interval to fully accommodate plate spreading, which is broadly consistent with cycle intervals obtained from estimates of melt extraction rates, eruption volumes, and spreading rate.
Volcano Opto‐Acoustics: Mapping the Infrasound Wavefield at Yasur Volcano (Vanuatu)
Authors: Johnson J. B. , Boyer T. , Watson L. M. , Anderson J. F.
Published: April 2023

We explore the capabilities of volcano opto‐acoustics, a promising technique for measuring explosion and infrasound resonance phenomena at open‐vent volcanoes. Joint visual and infrasound study at Yasur Volcano (Vanuatu) demonstrate that even consumer‐grade cameras are capable of recording infrasound with high fidelity. Passage of infrasonic waves, ranging from as low as 5 Pa to hundreds of Pa, from both explosions and persistent tremor, pressurizes and depressurizes ambient plumes inducing visible vaporization and condensation respectively. Optical tracking of these pressure wavefields can be used to identify spectral characteristics, which vary within Yasur's two deep craters and are distinct for explosion and tremor sources. Wavefield maps can illuminate the propagation of blasts as well as the dynamics of persistent infrasonic tremor associated with standing waves in the craters. We propose that opto‐acoustic monitoring is useful for extraction of near‐vent infrasound signal and for tracking volcanic unrest from a remote distance.
Simulating the Upper Hybrid Instability as a Cause for 150 km Echoes
Authors: Green A. , Oppenheim M. , Longley W.
Published: April 2023

One Hundred and Fifty kilometer echoes are a type of strong radar echo observed in the valley region of the equatorial ionosphere, whose origin was long standing mystery. Recently, a new upper hybrid (UH) instability theory, driven by high energy photoelectrons, has been proposed to explain most features of 150 km echoes. However, this instability excites high frequency electron modes, whereas radars observe low frequency ion modes. To explain 150 km echoes, the UH instability must ultimately excite ion acoustic modes. This paper describes a set of particle‐in‐cell simulations used to study how photoelectrons interacting with a cold background plasma generate UH waves, and how these drive ion acoustic waves measured by radars. We implement a new electron‐N2 collision algorithm to better model the bump on tail features of the photoelectron distribution in the valley region. These simulations show that photoelectrons drive unstable UH waves that strongly enhance ion acoustic waves. We also show a strong frequency dependence on power in the ion line, which explains observational differences between radars, most notably the lack of echoes at ALTAIR. The photoelectron driven UH instability successfully reproduces most features of 150 km echoes associated with naturally enhanced incoherent scattering.
Breaking the Ring of Fire: How Ridge Collision, Slab Age, and Convergence Rate Narrowed and Terminated the Antarctic Continental Arc
Authors: Burton‐Johnson Alex , Bastias Joaquin , Kraus Stefan
Published: April 2023

The geometry of the Antarctic‐Phoenix Plate system, with the Antarctic Plate forming both the overriding plate and the conjugate to the subducting oceanic plate, allows quantification of slab age and convergence rate back to the Paleocene and direct comparison with the associated magmatic arc. New Ar‐Ar data from Cape Melville (South Shetland Islands, SSI) and collated geochronology shows Antarctic arc magmatism ceased at ∼19 Ma. Since the Cretaceous, the arc front remained ∼100 km from the trench whilst its rear migrated trenchward at 6 km/Myr. South of the SSI, arc magmatism ceased ∼8–5 Myr prior to each ridge‐trench collision, whilst on the SSI (where no collision occurred) the end of arc magmatism predates the end of subduction by ∼16 Myr. Despite the narrowing and successive cessation of the arc, geochemical and dyke orientation data shows the arc remained in a consistently transitional state of compressional continental arc and extensional backarc tectonics. Numerically relating slab age, convergence rate, and slab dip to the Antarctic‐Phoenix Plate system, we conclude that the narrowing of the arc and the cessation of magmatism south of the SSI was primarily in response to the subduction of progressively younger oceanic crust, and secondarily to the decreasing convergence rate. Increased slab dip beneath the SSI migrated the final magmatism offshore. Comparable changes in the geometry and composition are observed on the Andean arc, suggesting slab age and convergence rate may affect magmatic arc geometry and composition in settings currently attributed to slab dip variation.
Revisiting Biophysical Impacts of Greening on Precipitation Over the Loess Plateau of China Using WRF With Water Vapor Tracers
Authors: Liu Yu , Ge Jun , Guo Weidong , Cao Yipeng , Chen Chaorong , Luo Xing , Yang Limei , Wang Shiyao
Published: April 2023

The Loess Plateau of China has witnessed a remarkable greening trend due to vegetation restoration in recent decades. However, the precipitation response to greening remains unclear, and the hydrological effect of greening is controversial. Here, we revisited biophysical effects of greening on precipitation over the plateau during 2002–2015 using the state‐of‐the‐art water vapor tracer embedded in a regional coupled model. We find that greening can promote the growing season precipitation (0.45 mm·day−1), with 15% and 85% of the precipitation increment resulting from increases in the local evapotranspiration and the water vapor inflow from outside the plateau, respectively. As a consequence, the enhanced precipitation can compensate for the terrestrial water loss driven by the increased evapotranspiration, leading to a slight increase in the water yield. This study highlights the dominant role of the nonlocal effect in precipitation responses to greening in this region.
The Impacts of a Weakened Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation on ENSO in a Warmer Climate
Authors: Liu Wei , Duarte Cavalcante Pinto David , Fedorov Alexey , Zhu Jiang
Published: April 2023

This study quantifies the impacts of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) on the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) under anthropogenic warming by comparing climate change model simulations with declining and fixed strengths of the overturning. After the 1980s, a weakened AMOC is shown to reduce the strength of the annual cycle of sea surface temperature (SST) in the eastern equatorial Pacific and induce anomalous cross‐equatorial northerly winds there, which strengthens ENSO variability by about 11%. An analysis of the Bjerknes stability index reveals that this intensification of ENSO results mainly from enhanced Ekman upwelling feedback due to amplified atmospheric wind response to SST anomalies and oceanic upwelling response to equatorial wind stress anomalies. The weakened AMOC also promotes the occurrence of Central Pacific El Niño events and reduces ENSO skewness. These AMOC impacts on ENSO magnitude and complexity throughout the twenty‐first century are however smaller than ENSO variations expected from internal climate variability.
Far-infrared transparent conductors
Authors: Hu Chaoquan , Zhou Zijian , Zhang Xiaoyu , Guo Kaiyu , Cui Can , Li Yuankai , Gu Zhiqing , Zhang Wei , Shen Liang , Zhu Jiaqi
Published: April 2023

The long-standing challenge in designing far-infrared transparent conductors (FIRTC) is the combination of high plasma absorption edge (λp) and high conductivity (σ). These competing requirements are commonly met by tuning carrier concentration or/and effective carrier mass in a metal oxide/oxonate with low optical dielectric constant (εopt = 2–7). However, despite the high σ, the transparent band is limited to mid-infrared (λp < 5 μm). In this paper, we break the trade-off between high σ and λp by increasing the “so-called constant” εopt that has been neglected, and successfully develop the material family of FIRTC with εopt > 15 and λp > 15 μm. These FIRTC crystals are mainly octahedrally-coordinated heavy-metal chalcogenides and their solid solutions with shallow-level defects. Their high εopt relies on the formation of electron-deficiency multicenter bonds resulting in the great electron-polarization effect. The new FIRTC enables us to develop the first “continuous film” type far-infrared electromagnetic shielder that is unattainable using traditional materials. Therefore, this study may inaugurate a new era in far-infrared optoelectronics.
Cuticle supplementation and nitrogen recycling by a dual bacterial symbiosis in a family of xylophagous beetles
Authors: Kiefer Julian Simon Thilo , Bauer Eugen , Okude Genta , Fukatsu Takema , Kaltenpoth Martin , Engl Tobias
Published: April 2023

Many insects engage in stable nutritional symbioses with bacteria that supplement limiting essential nutrients to their host. While several plant sap-feeding Hemipteran lineages are known to be simultaneously associated with two or more endosymbionts with complementary biosynthetic pathways to synthesize amino acids or vitamins, such co-obligate symbioses have not been functionally characterized in other insect orders. Here, we report on the characterization of a dual co-obligate, bacteriome-localized symbiosis in a family of xylophagous beetles using comparative genomics, fluorescence microscopy, and phylogenetic analyses. Across the beetle family Bostrichidae, most investigated species harbored the Bacteroidota symbiont Shikimatogenerans bostrichidophilus that encodes the shikimate pathway to produce tyrosine precursors in its severely reduced genome, likely supplementing the beetles’ cuticle biosynthesis, sclerotisation, and melanisation. One clade of Bostrichid beetles additionally housed the co-obligate symbiont Bostrichicola ureolyticus that is inferred to complement the function of Shikimatogenerans by recycling urea and provisioning the essential amino acid lysine, thereby providing additional benefits on nitrogen-poor diets. Both symbionts represent ancient associations within the Bostrichidae that have subsequently experienced genome erosion and co-speciation with their hosts. While Bostrichicola was repeatedly lost, Shikimatogenerans has been retained throughout the family and exhibits a perfect pattern of co-speciation. Our results reveal that co-obligate symbioses with complementary metabolic capabilities occur beyond the well-known sap-feeding Hemiptera and highlight the importance of symbiont-mediated cuticle supplementation and nitrogen recycling for herbivorous beetles.
Effect of pharmacokinetics and pharmacogenomics in adults with allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation conditioned with Busulfan
Authors: Seydoux Claire , Uppugunduri Chakradhara Rao Satyanarayana , Medinger Michael , Nava Tiago , Halter Joerg , Heim Dominik , Chalandon Yves , Schanz Urs , Nair Gayathri , Cantoni Nathan , Passweg Jakob R. , Ansari Marc
Published: April 2023

Busulfan (Bu) combined with cyclophosphamide (Cy) is commonly used as a myeloablative conditioning regimen for allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT). There is inter-individual variability of Bu pharmacokinetics (PK) and hence in toxicity and efficacy. The introduction of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of Bu has decreased toxicity of the regimen. Hepatic metabolism of Bu is mediated through Glutathione-S-Transferases (GSTs), mainly GSTA1. Patients with GSTA1*A variants are considered normal metabolizers and GSTA1*B corresponds to poor metabolism, defined by nucleotide changes at −52 or −69 locus in GSTA1 promoter region. The aim of the study was to explore the correlation between GSTA1 polymorphisms and Bu-PK in 60 adult patients receiving an allo-HCT in the BuCyBu clinical study (ClinicalTrials.gov I, ID NCT01779882) comparing the sequence BuCy to CyBu. DNA samples prior to conditioning were genotyped for candidate variants at −52 (rs3957356) and −69 (rs3957357) loci in the GSTA1 promoter. Thirty-three % of patients were GSTA1*A*A, 49% GSTA1*A*B and 18% GSTA1*B*B. In GSTA1*A*A patients, median Bu-AUC was 3.6 ± 0.7 mg*h/L, in GSTA1*A*B 4.5 ± 1.6 and in GSTA1*B*B 4.9 ± 1.4 (AUC 35% higher than GSTA1*A*A, p = 0.03), with a similar significant correlation with Bu-clearance (p = 0.04). The correlation between GSTA1 polymorphism and AUC remained significant in multivariate linear regression analysis. There was a trend for lower non-relapse mortality (NRM) in patients with low AUC. We could not demonstrate a correlation between GSTA1 polymorphisms and NRM, acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD) in this small cohort, but there is a trend of higher aGvHD incidence in GSTA1*B*B patients.
Mobilization of monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells is regulated by PTH1R activation in bone marrow stromal cells
Authors: Lee Eun Jung , Lee Kyoung Jin , Jung Seungpil , Park Kyong Hwa , Park Serk In
Published: April 2023

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are bone marrow (BM)-derived immunosuppressive cells in the tumor microenvironment, but the mechanism of MDSC mobilization from the BM remains unclear. We investigated how BM stromal cell activation by PTH1R contributes to MDSC mobilization. PTH1R activation by parathyroid hormone (PTH) or PTH-related peptide (PTHrP), a tumor-derived counterpart, mobilized monocytic (M-) MDSCs from murine BM without increasing immunosuppressive activity. In vitro cell-binding assays demonstrated that α4β1 integrin and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1, expressed on M-MDSCs and osteoblasts, respectively, are key to M-MDSC binding to osteoblasts. Upon PTH1R activation, osteoblasts express VEGF-A and IL6, leading to Src family kinase phosphorylation in M-MDSCs. Src inhibitors suppressed PTHrP-induced MDSC mobilization, and Src activation in M-MDSCs upregulated two proteases, ADAM-17 and MMP7, leading to VCAM1 shedding and subsequent disruption of M-MDSC tethering to osteoblasts. Collectively, our data provide the molecular mechanism of M-MDSC mobilization in the bones of tumor hosts.