bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis and Construction of Typical Application Scenarios of Distribution Network Energy Storage Technology
Authors: Mao Xiangyang , Xiao Qianyuan , Han Zhanjun , Zhang Caihong
Published: February 2023

The power market in China is continuing to open, the energy Internet format is gradually being improved, and the energy storage system is going to become a major key technology that will support China’s energy development strategy. All of these developments are taking place against the backdrop of China’s massive investment in the development of new energy. It is one of the effective approaches to handle the problem of grid connection of new energy electrical power generation. This paper investigate and summarizes the typical application scenarios of the system from the three major fields of user side, power grid side, and power generation side, and takes user-side energy storage as an example to build an calculation model, and at the same time verifies it with cases to reflect the practical value. So as to draw the conclusion that the energy storage configuration can effectively regulate the output.
Mechanism Design of Blockage Management Based on Local Flexibility Market under High Proportion of Distributed Energy
Authors: Wang Shenglin , Hu Zhongshan , Su Jiehe
Published: February 2023

Continuous access to distributed energy sources greatly increases the uncertainty and complexity of distribution network operations. The distribution network is prone to congestion phenomena such as voltage or tide overruns and equipment overloads, thus causing a decrease in distribution network power supply reliability. Blockage management in distribution networks based on local flexibility markets is one of the blockage management methods currently adopted in many European regions. In order to clarify the operation mechanism of the local flexibility market, firstly, the basic requirements of the local flexibility market are introduced, including the concept of the local flexibility market, market members, and their rights and responsibilities; secondly, four key issues of local flexibility market construction are analyzed in detail: timing, controllability of resources, operating ownership, and Coordination of market members. Further, the organization and transaction process of the European local flexibility market is sorted out. Finally, two typical cases in the UK and their current market operation are introduced.
Research on Control Strategy of High Voltage Cascaded Energy Storage Converters
Authors: Chen Man , Wang Wen-Jie , Li Yong-Qi , Liu Bin , Li Yu-Xuan
Published: February 2023

High voltage cascaded energy storage power conversion system, as the fusion of the traditional cascade converter topology and the energy storage application, is an excellent technical route for large capacity high voltage energy storage system, but it also faces many new problems. How to use the control strategy to play better the advantages of high voltage cascaded energy storage has gotten more and more attention. This paper summarizes the research on power control, balance control, and fault-tolerant control of high voltage cascaded energy storage to provide a reference for related research and engineering application.
Crankshaft Stress Telemetry Device and Its Low Power Strategy
Authors: Guo Shenggang , Wang Daihua , Zhang Kaige , Zhang Qiang , An Xuehui
Published: February 2023

In view of the fact that the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine lacks the support of measured stress data due to the closed working environment, a real-time stress test device for crankshaft and its low power strategy were studied. An embedded telemetry technology is used to solve the system miniaturization and low-power strategy. The integrated circuit chip is used to realize the miniaturization design, and a specialized power management scheme is designed to realize the low-power strategy. The actual test shows that the device can run continuously and stably under the environment of high temperature and oil pollution inside the crankcase and can record the stress curve of the crankshaft and transmit it to the remote computer in real time, which realizes the data visualization on the computer. The designed low-power strategy can help the device complete a single test period, and the device has higher promotion value and practical significance.
Static Voltage Stability of Distributed Power Access Distribution Network Based on Thevenin Equivalent
Authors: Yang Lichao , Wang Yanshuo , Yang Yang , Yang Shenquan
Published: February 2023

As part of the process of voltage regulation, a voltage stability analysis approach suitable for wind power system needs to be established. On equivalent Thevenin parameters, the ordinary equivalent black-box Thevenin method is unable to characterize the wind connection mechanism. Accordingly, this paper proposes an analytical method equivalent to Thevenin for analyzing the steady-state voltage of electricity systems with wind energy. The equivalent model is adopted in this method connected to the wind energy grid because of the equivalence of injected nowaday sources. The analytic expressions for the equivalent Thevenin parameters are then derived in two equivalent ways, and the wind connection mechanism affecting equivalent Thevenin parameters is revealed. Lastly, the enhanced IEEE 30 bus system with wind power is simulated and validated, and it is verified that the research contents of the study contents can enhance the voltage stability of Network connection point. On the other hand, the research content of this topic reduces the active power wastage of the distributed generation connection, so as to keep the balanced terminal voltage distribution.
Study on the Influence of Gas Hydrate Reservoir Creep on Borehole Wall Deformation
Authors: Liu Xiaolan , Zheng Yong , Cao Jifei , Wang Yaohui , Ma Yongqian , Bi Yantao
Published: February 2023

Hydrate decomposition caused by long-time drilling operations will reduce the strength of the reservoir and increase the risk of borehole wall damage. At the same time, the creep characteristics of the hydrate reservoir may also lead to engineering problems such as borehole shrinkage and sticking in the later stage of drilling, which seriously affects the drilling safety. The creep parameters are introduced to explore the influence mechanism of hydrate decomposition, and hydrate-bearing sediment creeps characteristics on wellbore mechanical behavior. The influence law of sediment shale content and hydrate saturation on wellbore stability during hydrate reservoir drilling is analyzed. The result shows the hydrate-bearing sediments creep characteristics will lead to the homogenization of stress distribution in different directions of the hydrate reservoir around the well, make theplastic yield zone shape around the well to circular, and may lead to the overall collapse of the well wall. Drilling for a long time will lead to a greater hydrate decomposition range and plastic yield zone around the well. Lower initial hydrate saturation, smaller sediment strength, and larger initial plastic strain and yield range of the formation. Increase of shale content will enhance the creep characteristics of sediments and aggravate yield degree of formation.
On Hole Cleaning Evaluation Method in Highly Deviated / Horizontal Well Sections
Authors: Ma Yongqian , Yang Chunxu , Liu Xiaolan
Published: February 2023

To solve the problem of hole cleaning quantitative evaluation in highly deviated / horizontal well sections, experiments are made on the experimental system of highly deviated / horizontal well sections, the influence laws of annulus return speed, pipe speed, drill tool eccentricity, well deviation angle, drilling fluid density and viscosity, cuttings size and other parameters on cuttings bed thickness are studied, and the calculation models of steady-state dimensionless cuttings bed thickness in horizontal well and highly deviated well are established, the calculation error is controlled within ±5%, which provides an accurate method for hydraulic parameter optimization and design.
Overview of the ATLAS ITk pixel detector
Authors: Heggelund A.L.
Published: February 2023

In the high-luminosity era of the Large Hadron Collider, the instantaneous luminosity is expected to reach unprecedented values, resulting in up to 200 proton-proton interactions per bunch crossing. To cope with the resulting increase in occupancy, bandwidth and radiation damage, the ATLAS Inner Detector will be replaced by an all-silicon system, the Inner Tracker (ITk), where the innermost part will consist of a pixel detector with about 14 m2 of active area. Several silicon sensor technologies will be employed in order to deal with the strict requirements in terms of radiation hardness, power dissipation and production yield. Prototype modules assembled with RD53A readout chips are being built to evaluate their production rate, thermal- and electrical performance, before- and after irradiation. In addition, a novel serial powering scheme will be implemented in the ITk pixel detector, which will help to reduce the material budget of the detector inside the active detector volume as well as power dissipation. Multiple system-level tests are being done with serial powering of pixel modules. The latest development of prototype modules, serial powering tests, and procedures of integration of modules and electrical services are presented.
Satellite-based global maps are rarely used in forest reference levels submitted to the UNFCCC
Authors: Melo Joana , Baker Timothy , Nemitz Dirk , Quegan Shaun , Ziv Guy
Published: February 2023

The Earth observation (EO) community is coordinating a range of activities in support of the Global Stocktake. One objective is to enhance the uptake of satellite-based global-scale maps (hereafter ‘EO products’) in national greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). To measure progress towards this objective, we compile information on the use of EO products on land cover, fire, and above-ground biomass to derive carbon flux estimates in forest reference levels from 56 tropical countries submitted to the UNFCCC between 2014–2022. The global forest change (GFC) was the only EO product used to measure land extent and change, and was used by almost half the countries. Only two countries used existing EO products for fire mapping. Four countries used biomass maps, although only indirectly, such as for comparing with biomass estimates from field plot measurements or with IPCC defaults. The uptake is limited but improved the measurement, reporting and verification capacity of 22 countries. The relatively high uptake of the GFC demonstrates the importance of meeting essential conditions in the IPCC guidance when developing EO products, including conditions on spatial and temporal resolution, temporal coverage and consistency, and the flexibility to adapt to biophysical thresholds in national definitions. The limited use of other global land EO products underlines the need for developers of EO products to interact with groups responsible for GHG inventories and experts familiar with IPCC guidance so that their products are suitable for national reporting, and thus contribute to more complete aggregated estimates in the Global Stocktake.
A full-Eulerian approach for simulation of a system of fluid–rigid–elastic structure interaction based on the vorticity-stream function formulation
Authors: Farahbakhsh Iman , Paknejad Amin , Ghassemi Hassan
Published: February 2023

A monolithic mathematical framework for understanding the fluid–rigid–elastic structure interaction problem is proposed. A numerical method in a secondary formulation of the Navier–Stokes equations accompanying a technique for imposing the rigid boundaries is applied. The one-fluid formulation of the incompressible Navier–Stokes equation, containing the terms governing the elastic structure, is transformed into the vorticity-stream function formulation. The rigid structure is imposed in the flow field based on the velocity–vorticity kinematic relation and harmonic function theorem. The vorticity, level-set function, and left Cauchy–Green deformation tensor are updated utilizing three transport equations to investigate the evolution of the velocity field, elastic structure(s) configuration, and elastic stress tensor. The method is implemented to solve three challenging problems, and the results show its capabilities in proper imposing the rigid structures in the flow field and also the simultaneous modeling the rigid and elastic structure interactions with incompressible fluid flow.
A strain-engineered graphene qubit in a nanobubble
Authors: Park Hee Chul , Han JungYun , Myoung Nojoon
Published: February 2023

We propose a controllable qubit in a graphene nanobubble (NB) with emergent two-level systems (TLSs) induced by pseudo-magnetic fields (PMFs). We found that double quantum dots can be created by the strain-induced PMFs of a NB, and also that their quantum states can be manipulated by either local gate potentials or the PMFs. Graphene qubits clearly exhibit avoided crossing behavior as electrical detuning, with energy splittings of about few meV. We show a remarkable tunability of our device design that allows a fine control of the Landau–Zener transition probability by strain engineering of the NB, showing half-and-half splitting at the avoided crossing point. Further, we demonstrate that the TLSs in the NB exhibit Rabi oscillations near the avoided crossing point, resulting in very fast Rabi cycles of a few ps.
Anomalous Hall effect and two-dimensional Fermi surfaces in the charge-density-wave state of kagome metal RbV3Sb5
Authors: Wang Lingfei , Zhang Wei , Wang Zheyu , Poon Tsz Fung , Wang Wenyan , Tsang Chun Wai , Xie Jianyu , Zhou Xuefeng , Zhao Yusheng , Wang Shanmin , Lai Kwing To , Goh Swee K
Published: February 2023

AV3Sb5 (A = Cs, K, Rb) is a recently discovered superconducting system (

T

c

∼
0.9

–2.5 K) in which the vanadium atoms adopt the kagome structure. Intriguingly, these systems enter a charge-density-wave (CDW) phase (

T

C
D
W

∼
80

–100 K), and further evidence shows that the time-reversal symmetry is broken in the CDW phase. Concurrently, the anomalous Hall effect (AHE) has been observed in KV3Sb5 and CsV3Sb5 inside the novel CDW phase. Here, we report a comprehensive study of a high-quality RbV3Sb5 single crystal with magnetotransport measurements. Our data demonstrate the emergence of the AHE in RbV3Sb5 when the CDW state develops. The magnitude of the anomalous Hall resistivity in the low temperature limit is comparable to the reported values in KV3Sb5 and CsV3Sb5. The magnetoresistance channel further reveals a rich spectrum of quantum oscillation frequencies, many of which have not been reported before. In particular, a large quantum oscillation frequency (2235 T), which occupies ∼56% of the Brillouin zone area, was recorded. For the quantum oscillation frequencies with sufficient signal-to-noise ratio, we further perform field angle-dependent measurements, and our data indicate two-dimensional Fermi surfaces in RbV3Sb5. Our results provide indispensable information for understanding the AHE and band structure in kagome metal AV3Sb5.
Nugget zone characterization of friction stir welded hypereutectic Al-Si alloy
Authors: Prasad Rabindra , Kumar Harikishor , Kumar Parshant , Gupta Abha
Published: February 2023

Despite excellent properties of aluminium silicon (Al-Si) alloys in several aircraft and automotive applications, its usage is limited because near net shape casting of Al-Si alloys may cause several defects like surface pinholes and grooves. Fabrication of components and then welding them via fusion-based welding processes imposes issues like porosity and slag inclusions which may severely degrades its properties. Thus in present study, friction stir welding (FSW) was employed for welding of hypereutectic Al-Si cast alloy. The nugget zone (NZ) of welded alloy and its as-cast counterparts were characterized for their performance in terms of mechanical and tribological behaviour. The results depicted fragmentation of α-Al dendrites, refinement and redistribution of acicular Si particles as a result of stirring with high strain rate, and improvement in mechanical properties such as ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, ductility, hardness and wear resistance as compared to as-cast alloy. It is also shown that disparate wear mechanisms occured in friction stir welded (FSWed) and as-cast alloys. A sizeable amount of adhesion with plastic deformation and delamination pits were observed for as-cast alloy, while the dominant mechanism in FSWed alloy was peeling with little adhesion.
Neural network enhanced measurement efficiency for molecular groundstates
Authors: Iouchtchenko Dmitri , Gonthier Jérôme F , Perdomo-Ortiz Alejandro , Melko Roger G
Published: February 2023

It is believed that one of the first useful applications for a quantum computer will be the preparation of groundstates of molecular Hamiltonians. A crucial task involving state preparation and readout is obtaining physical observables of such states, which are typically estimated using projective measurements on the qubits. At present, measurement data is costly and time-consuming to obtain on any quantum computing architecture, which has significant consequences for the statistical errors of estimators. In this paper, we adapt common neural network models (restricted Boltzmann machines and recurrent neural networks) to learn complex groundstate wavefunctions for several prototypical molecular qubit Hamiltonians from typical measurement data. By relating the accuracy ɛ of the reconstructed groundstate energy to the number of measurements, we find that using a neural network model provides a robust improvement over using single-copy measurement outcomes alone to reconstruct observables. This enhancement yields an asymptotic scaling near ɛ
−1 for the model-based approaches, as opposed to ɛ
−2 in the case of classical shadow tomography.
Emergency Department Co-testing for Human Immunodeficiency Virus When Testing for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia: A Readily Available, Missed Opportunity for Targeted HIV Testing in Emergency Departments
Authors: Phelan Michael P , Panakkal Vinothini , Muir McKinsey , Seballos Spencer , Kadkhoda Kamran
Published: February 2023

Objectives

Conducting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing in emergency departments (EDs) can be an effective approach to testing and reaching populations at highest risk of contracting HIV.

Methods

All gonorrhea and chlamydia (G/C) and HIV tests ordered in the Cleveland Clinic Health System’s 14 EDs were included in the analysis. Data were collected from electronic health records. Descriptive statistics, with medians and means, were computed.

Results

From January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2021, we reviewed ED visits for the purpose of sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening, with an emphasis on G/C screening. In October 2019, both HIV rapid testing and G/C testing began across all 14 Cleveland Clinic EDs. The overall rate of co-testing for HIV when obtaining a G/C test for STI evaluation increased overall to around 30% for our health system EDs, with some individual EDs approaching 60%.

Conclusions

The approach the Cleveland Clinic implemented is an effective way to test for HIV in the ED. Local health departments and stakeholders in HIV communities should support and collaborate with EDs in their jurisdictions to accelerate HIV testing initiatives by using an HIV plus G/C co-testing metric.
Brief reflections on 50 years as a plant ecophysiologist
Authors: Winter Klaus
Published: February 2023

Scope: This paper is a short biographical sketch of my life as a plant ecophysiologist in which serendipity and outstanding collaborators have been key allies.
Large-Volume Fat Grafting to the Breast With External Expansion Assist
Authors: Moltaji Syena , Hoffbauer Stephanie , Brown Mitchell H
Published: February 2023

Background

Large-volume autologous fat transfer (AFT) to the breast with external expansion has emerged as an alternative to alloplastic augmentation or reconstruction in appropriate patients.

Objectives

Report the authors’ technique for this procedure and experience with 49 consecutive patients of a single surgeon’s practice from 2013 to 2021.

Methods

The authors performed a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients undergoing fat grafting to the breast with preexpansion. Patients were included if they had a clinical problem amenable to correction with large-volume fat injection and adequate donor sites, and were willing to undergo preexpansion. Data was collected through chart review and deidentified. Demographics, diagnosis, radiation status, volume grafted, complications, and adjunct procedures were recorded.

Results

Forty-nine patients underwent external expansion with AFT by a single surgeon. Twenty-three patients (47%) had hypoplastic indications, including tuberous breast deformity (n = 9) and Poland syndrome (n = 1). Seventeen patients (35%) had indications for secondary breast revision of previously placed implants. Nine patients (18%) utilized the procedure for primary oncologic breast reconstruction. A total of 71 procedures were performed, with an average of 1.45 procedures per patient. The average volume of fat grafted per breast was 372 mL for hypoplasia, 240 mL for secondary breast revision, and 429 mL for oncologic reconstruction. Concurrent procedures included implant exchange, implant removal, mastopexy, and breast reduction. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 84 (average = 20) months.

Conclusions

The authors’ experience shows promising results with external expansion and large-volume fat grafting to the breast.

Level of Evidence: 4
Breastfeeding Outcome and Complications in Females With Breast Implants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Chen Jeffrey , Zhu Xi Ming , Huynh Minh N Q , McRae Mark
Published: February 2023

Breast augmentation is a commonly performed cosmetic procedure. We set out to determine whether there was any effect on breastfeeding in females after breast implants. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the current evidence on breastfeeding outcome and complications in females with breast augmentation. A systematic review was performed utilizing MEDLINE, EMBASE, and all evidence-based medicine reviews from their respective inception dates to November 7, 2022, to assess outcomes of breastfeeding in females with breast implants (PROSPERO ID: CRD42022357909). This review was in accordance with both the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Review of Interventions and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Eleven studies (4 prospective and 7 retrospective) in total were included in the review. A total of 8197 out of 9965 (82.25%) patients were successfully able to breastfeed after breast implants. Of 5 studies that included a control group, 343,793 of 388,695 (88.45%) women without breast implants successfully breastfed. A meta-analysis of 5 comparative studies showed a significant reduction of breastfeeding in females with breast implants, n = 393,686, pooled odds ratio = 0.45 (95% CI, 0.38 to 0.53). Complications described included pain, mastitis, insufficient or excessive lactation, and nipple inversion. There may be impairment in ability to breastfeed for females who receive breast implants when compared with those without. Additional studies on the topic are needed to further clarify the relationship.
Deep autoregressive generative models capture the intrinsics embedded in T-cell receptor repertoires
Authors: Jiang Yuepeng , Li Shuai Cheng
Published: February 2023

T-cell receptors (TCRs) play an essential role in the adaptive immune system. Probabilistic models for TCR repertoires can help decipher the underlying complex sequence patterns and provide novel insights into understanding the adaptive immune system. In this work, we develop TCRpeg, a deep autoregressive generative model to unravel the sequence patterns of TCR repertoires. TCRpeg largely outperforms state-of-the-art methods in estimating the probability distribution of a TCR repertoire, boosting the average accuracy from 0.672 to 0.906 measured by the Pearson correlation coefficient. Furthermore, with promising performance in probability inference, TCRpeg improves on a range of TCR-related tasks: profiling TCR repertoire probabilistically, classifying antigen-specific TCRs, validating previously discovered TCR motifs, generating novel TCRs and augmenting TCR data. Our results and analysis highlight the flexibility and capacity of TCRpeg to extract TCR sequence information, providing a novel approach for deciphering complex immunogenomic repertoires.
Ancestor regression in linear structural equation models
Authors: Schultheiss C , Bühlmann P
Published: February 2023

We present a new method for causal discovery in linear structural equation models. We propose a simple technique based on statistical testing in linear models that can distinguish between ancestors and non-ancestors of any given variable. Naturally, this approach can then be extended to estimating the causal order among all variables. We provide explicit error control for false causal discovery, at least asymptotically. This holds true even under Gaussianity, where other methods fail due to non-identifiable structures. These Type I error guarantees come at the cost of reduced power. Additionally, we provide an asymptotically valid goodness-of-fit p-value for assessing whether multivariate data stem from a linear structural equation model.
Indeterminate cell histiocytosis treated with 0.5% delgocitinib ointment
Authors: Fujimoto Rai F T , Miura Hiroyuki , Takata Mayumi , Fujiwara Sakukei
Published: February 2023

Although delgocitinib has been used for atopic dermatitis, it is also effective for indeterminate cell histiocytosis, a rare CD207–/CD1a+ histiocyte proliferative disease.
Prevalence of Ocular Candidiasis and Candida Endophthalmitis in Patients With Candidemia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Phongkhun Kasidis , Pothikamjorn Thananop , Srisurapanont Karan , Manothummetha Kasama , Sanguankeo Anawin , Thongkam Achitpol , Chuleerarux Nipat , Leksuwankun Surachai , Meejun Tanaporn , Thanakitcharu Jaedvara , Walker Morgan , Gopinath Shilpa , Torvorapanit Pattama , Langsiri Nattapong , Worasilchai Navaporn , Moonla Chatphatai , Plongla Rongpong , Kates Olivia S , Nematollahi Saman , Permpalung Nitipong
Published: February 2023

Background

Infectious diseases and ophthalmology professional societies have disagreed regarding ocular screening in patients with candidemia. We aimed to summarize the current evidence on the prevalence of ocular candidiasis (OC) and Candida endophthalmitis (CE) according to the standardized definitions.

Methods

A literature search was conducted from the inception date through 16 October 2022 using PubMed, Embase, and SCOPUS. Pooled prevalence of ocular complications was derived from generalized linear mixed models (PROSPERO CRD42022326610).

Results

A total of 70 and 35 studies were included in the meta-analysis for OC and concordant CE (chorioretinitis with vitreous involvement), respectively. This study represented 8599 patients with candidemia who underwent ophthalmologic examination. Pooled prevalences (95% CI) of OC, overall CE, concordant CE, and discordant CE were 10.7% (8.4–13.5%), 3.1% (2.1–4.5%), 1.8% (1.3–2.6%), and 7.4% (4.5–12%) of patients screened, respectively. Studies from Asian countries had significantly higher concordant CE prevalence (95% CI) of patients screened (3.6%; 2.9–4.6%) compared with studies from European countries (1.4%; .4–5%) and American countries (1.4%; .9–2.2%) (P <.01). Presence of total parenteral nutrition and Candida albicans was associated with CE, with pooled odds ratios (95% CI) of 6.92 (3.58–13.36) and 3.02 (1.67–5.46), respectively.

Conclusions

Prevalence of concordant CE overall and among Asian countries was 2 and 4 times higher than the prevalence previously reported by the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) of <0.9%, respectively. There is an urgent need to study optimal screening protocols and to establish joint recommendations by the Infectious Diseases Society of America and AAO.
Is female sex impactful in the pathophysiology, presentation, management, and outlook of type A acute aortic dissection?
Authors: Frati Giacomo , Bernardi Marco , Biondi-Zoccai Giuseppe , Wael Saade , Giordano Arturo
Published: February 2023

Acute aortic dissection (AAD) is the most common acute aortic syndrome. It is a life-threatening condition and surgical emergency associated with high mortality if not treated promptly. While it is well established that cardiovascular disease recognises different pathophysiological pathways between men and women, there is limited evidence of sex differences in AAS, especially in type A AAD. According to a recent synthesis of clinical studies on gender differences in type A AAD, women were found to have different baseline characteristics, presentation and outcomes, and thus sex should be considered relevant for diagnosis, risk-stratification and management of type A AAD.
Complex hybridization between deeply diverged fish species in a disturbed ecosystem
Authors: Banerjee Shreya M , Powell Daniel L , Moran Benjamin M , Ramírez-Duarte Wilson F , Langdon Quinn K , Gunn Theresa R , Vazquez Gaby , Rochman Chelsea , Schumer Molly
Published: February 2023

Over the past two decades researchers have documented the extent of natural hybridization between closely related species using genomic tools. Many species across the tree of life show evidence of past hybridization with their evolutionary relatives. In some cases, this hybridization is complex—involving gene flow between more than two species. While hybridization is common over evolutionary timescales, some researchers have proposed that it may be even more common in contemporary populations where anthropogenic disturbance has modified a myriad of aspects of the environments in which organisms live and reproduce. Here, we develop a flexible tool for local ancestry inference in hybrids derived from three source populations and describe a complex, recent hybridization event between distantly related swordtail fish lineages (Xiphophorus) and its potential links to anthropogenic disturbance.
Contesting illness: communicative (dis)enfranchisement in patient–provider conversations about chronic overlapping pain conditions
Authors: Hintz Elizabeth A , Tucker Rachel V
Published: February 2023

Guided by the theory of communicative (dis)enfranchisement (TCD), this study analyzes 738 narratives describing negative (n = 381) and positive (n = 357) patient–provider interactions recounted by 399 female-identifying patients residing in 22 countries who are living with poorly understood chronic overlapping pain conditions (COPCs) such as fibromyalgia, vulvodynia, and endometriosis. Using thematic co-occurrence analysis (TCA), a novel method that builds on the identification of themes to map and visualize conceptual interrelationships, we identify nine enactments of (dis)enfranchising talk (DT) across three functions (discrediting, silencing, and stereotyping), four domains of consequences of DT (perceptual, emotional, physical, and material), and two patterns of co-occurrence between functions and consequences of DT (discrediting and physical, silencing and emotional). We illustrate how three MAXQDA software features can facilitate multi-coder TCA in large qualitative datasets. We offer theoretical implications and practical implications for communication researchers, patients, and medical providers toward improving difficult conversations concerning chronic pain.
Reducing and Managing Risk: The Dimensions of Strong Ceasefires in Intra-State Conflict
Authors: Nathan Laurie , Sethi Ajay
Published: February 2023

This article presents a conceptual framework for analyzing the strength of ceasefires in intra-state conflict. The framework is based on the perspectives of ceasefire practitioners. The practitioners view the essence of ceasefire design as the reduction and management of risk, which ranges in severity from violations to complete breakdown of the ceasefire agreement. The framework identifies three determinants of ceasefire risk: the design's objective quality, being the extent to which the ceasefire arrangements reduce and manage risk; the design's subjective quality, being the parties’ satisfaction with these arrangements; and the will of the parties to end the conflict through negotiations. Each dimension is negatively associated with risk, such that strong objective quality, strong subjective quality, and strong political will reduce the level of risk. We explore the effects of these dimensions and the relationship between them. We discuss two exceptions to the standard thesis that objectively strong design leads to subjectively strong design and ceasefire durability: “spurious agreements,” which are signed by the parties under duress with no intention of honoring them, and preliminary ceasefires, which the parties generally prefer to be objectively weak. We illustrate the conceptual framework through case studies of ceasefires in Sudan and South Sudan.
Do Administrative Procedures Fix Cognitive Biases?
Authors: Chen Benjamin Minhao , Libgober Brian
Published: February 2023

This article uses survey experiments to assess whether administrative procedures fix cognitive bias. We focus on two procedural requirements: qualitative reason-giving and quantitative cost-benefit analysis (CBA). Both requirements are now firmly entrenched in the U.S. federal regulation-making. Multilateral organizations such as the World Bank, OECD, and EU have encouraged their broad diffusion across many national contexts. Yet CBA, in particular, remains controversial. Supporters of CBA claim it leads to more rational regulation, with Sunstein (2000) asserting that CBA can reduce cognitive biases. By contrast, we argue that procedures should be conceptualized as imperfect substitutes subject to diminishing marginal benefits. To test and illustrate this argument, we examine how each procedure individually and cumulatively modulates gain–loss framing, partisan-motivated reasoning, and scope insensitivity in a nationally representative sample. We find that one or both procedures decreased cognitive bias. CBA was the most helpful against partisan reasoning whereas reason-giving did little. Both procedures seem comparably effective against the other biases, although in each case only one of the two procedures produced reductions distinguishable from zero. We only find substantial synergies between the two procedures with respect to gain–loss framing. For the other biases, the combination of both procedures did not generate significant reductions over and above that achieved by the more effective procedure alone. We hypothesize that procedures will only fix cognitive biases if they disrupt bias-inducing mental processes, and we reconcile this proposition with our findings. We conclude by relating our framework to debates about the design of administrative procedures and describe a research agenda based upon rationality-improving procedures.
Acute compartment syndrome of the leg caused by cocaine use, creatine supplementation and vigorous exercise
Authors: Robles Emilio L , Pache Killian M , Gluck Joshua S
Published: February 2023

Delayed diagnosis of acute compartment syndrome (ACS) can be catastrophic. Reporting abnormal presentations to facilitate timely diagnosis and treatment is vital. We present a case of ACS in the deep posterior compartment of the leg with an unusual presentation and cause. The patient presented to the emergency department complaining of numbness on the plantar aspect of his left foot, and described a history of cocaine use, increased exercise and creatine supplementation. The patient was diagnosed with acute deep posterior compartment syndrome of the left leg and underwent a lower extremity fasciotomy. There are case reports demonstrating that strenuous activity, drug use and creatine supplementation cause increased compartment pressures and ACS. Rare in the literature is a case where these activities occur concurrently with the abnormal presentation of symptoms seen in this case. We hope this case brings awareness of atraumatic risk factors and uncommon presentations to the medical community.
Deep vein thrombosis causing abdominal wall varicosities
Authors: Norys John H , Sexton Kevin W , Jensen Hanna K , Deneke Matthew , Priddy Erin E
Published: February 2023

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a common medical finding occurring in ~25% of hospitalized patients with roughly half of these patients experiencing post-thrombotic complications [Baldwin, Moore, Rudarakanchana, Gohel, Davies (Post-thrombotic syndrome: a clinical review. J Thromb Haemost 2013;11:795–805.)]. There are many associated complications of DVTs, including pulmonary embolism and lower extremity swelling; however, the occurrence of abdominal wall varicosities with DVT’s is rare [Baldwin, Moore, Rudarakanchana, Gohel, Davies (Post-thrombotic syndrome: a clinical review. J Thromb Haemost 2013;11:795–805.)]. The purpose of this case study is to rare presentation of abdominal vein varicosities as manifestation of DVT.
Evolution of erectile dysfunction in individuals infected with human T-lymphotropic virus 1: a prospective cohort study
Authors: de Oliveira Cassius J V , Neto José Abraão Carneiro , Liberato de Matos Sheila N F , Oliveira Paulo , Tannus Matheus , Castro Néviton , Rocha Paulo N , Carvalho Edgar M
Published: February 2023

Background

Virtually all patients with human T-lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1)–associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) have some degree of erectile dysfunction (ED), but ED is also found in a large percentage of HTLV-1 carriers.

Aim

To evaluate the evolution of ED in individuals infected with HTLV-1 who were followed for up to 15 years.

Methods

This prospective cohort study included men infected with HTLV-1 who had ED, were aged 18 to 70 years, and were followed from January 2004 to December 2019. We used the International Index of Erectile Function–5 (IIEF-5), the Expanded Disability Status Scale and Osame Motor Disability Scale, and the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) to define and stratify ED, neurologic disability, and bladder dysfunction, respectively.

Outcomes

Time to development of severe ED was the main outcome.

Results

We studied 90 men with ED (mean ± SD age, 52.8 ± 9.78 years). At baseline, 42 were carriers, 16 had probable HAM/TSP, and 32 had definite HAM/TSP. IIEF-5 was highest among carriers and lowest in patients with definite HAM/TSP, whereas OABSS was lowest in carriers and highest in patients with definite HAM/TSP. Median (IQR) follow-up was 8.50 years (3.00-12.00). IIEF-5 fell significantly from baseline to last follow-up among carriers and patients with probable and definite HAM/TSP. There was an inverse correlation between the IIEF-5 and the OABSS at last follow-up (r = −0.62, P < .001). In survival analysis, the time to development of severe ED was significantly shorter in patients with definite HAM/TSP when compared with carriers (P = .001) and those with probable HAM/TSP (P = .014). The presence of definite HAM/TSP at baseline was independently associated with the development of severe ED, after adjustment for baseline age and proviral load (hazard ratio, 6.74; P = .008).

Clinical Implications

Formal assessment of erectile function should be part of the routine clinical assessment of individuals infected with HTLV-1; worsening erectile function should alert clinicians to the possibility of neurologic deterioration.

Strengths and Limitations

This is the first prospective cohort study to describe the course of ED in men infected with HTLV-1. The small sample size and absence of seronegative controls are limitations.

Conclusion

ED is a slowly progressive clinical manifestation of HTLV-1 infection, and the degree of neurologic compromise at baseline is the main predictor of time to progression to severe ED.
Framework Convention on Tobacco Control 2030—A Program to Accelerate the Implementation of World Health Organization Framework Convention for Tobacco Control in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation
Authors: Siddiqi Kamran , Elsey Helen , Khokhar Mariam A , Marshall Anna-Marie , Pokhrel Subhash , Arora Monika , Crankson Shirley , Mehra Rashmi , Morello Paola , Collin Jeff , Fong Geoffrey T
Published: February 2023

Background

Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) 2030 Program (2017–2021) was launched to accelerate World Health Organization (WHO) FCTC implementation in 15 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We evaluated the Program in six domains: Governance; Smoke-Free Policies; Taxation; Packaging and Health Warnings; Tobacco Advertising, Promotion, and Sponsorship (TAPS) bans; and International and Regional Cooperation.

Aims and Methods

Following a mixed-methods design, we surveyed (June–September 2020) FCTC focal persons in 14 of the 15 countries, to understand the Program’s financial and technical inputs and progress made in each of the six domains. The data were coded in terms of inputs (financial = 1, technical = 1, or both = 2) and progress (none = 1, some = 2, partial = 3, or strong = 4) and a correlation was computed between the inputs and progress scores for each domain. We conducted semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders in five countries. We triangulated between the survey and interview findings.

Results

FCTC 2030 offered substantial financial and technical inputs, responsive to country needs, across all six domains. There was a high positive correlation between technical inputs and progress in five of the six domains, ranging from r = 0.61 for taxation (p < .05) to r = 0.91 and for smoke-free policies (p < .001). The interviews indicated that the Program provided timely and relevant evidence and created opportunities for influencing tobacco control debates.

Conclusions

The FCTC 2030 Program might have led to variable, but significant progress in advancing FCTC implementation in the 15 countries. As expected, much of the progress was in augmenting existing structures and resources for FCTC implementation. The resulting advances are likely to lead to further progress in FCTC policy implementation.

Implications

What this study adds: In many LMICs, WHO FCTC policies are not in place; and even when enshrined in law, they are poorly enforced. It is not clear how financial and technical assistance to high tobacco-burden LMICs can most effectively accelerate the implementation of WHO FCTC policies and offer value for money. Bespoke and responsive assistance, both financial and technical, to LMICs aimed at accelerating the implementation of WHO FCTC policies are likely to lead to progress in tobacco control.
The Oxford History of Witchcraft and Magic
Authors: Davies Owen
Published: February 2023

This richly illustrated book provides a readable and fresh approach to the extensive and complex history of witchcraft and magic. Telling the story from the dawn of writing in the ancient world to the globally successful Harry Potter films, the authors explore a wide range of magical beliefs and practices, the rise of the witch trials, and the depiction of the Devil-worshipping witch. The book also tells the history of witchcraft and magic from the Enlightenment to the present, through exploring the rise of modern magic, the anthropology of magic around the globe, and finally the cinematic portrayal of witches and magicians today.
The Witch Trials
Authors: Voltmer Rita
Published: February 2023

This chapter tells the story of the witch trials through an exploration of the archives that shape our understanding of their dynamics, and of their instigators and victims. Examples of the questionnaires used under continental Roman law to interrogate suspected witches illustrate the mind-set of the prosecuting authorities, and also the importance of torture to the inquisitorial process. Witness statements give an insight into the strength of popular conviction regarding the power of witchcraft, and the range of popular concerns. Even seemingly dry expense accounts provide valuable insights. The influence of popular print is also explained, with examples showing how the trial process was reported and more generally influenced popular perceptions of witchcraft and magic.
The Witch and Magician in European Art
Authors: Zika Charles
Published: February 2023

This chapter examines the nature of artistic representations of the witch from the early modern period to the nineteenth century, from simple woodcut images in fifteenth-century demonological texts to satirical engravings in the eighteenth century. A key aim is to show how artistic representations reflected the development of ideas about witchcraft as a social and religious threat in the early demonologies and ended with Enlightenment mockery and satire of the belief in witches. In the process a range of other themes are explored, such as notions of the witches’ sabbat, sexual imagery, the international exchange of ideas, and the elision of imagination with the reality of the witch trials.
Apps targeting anorexia nervosa in young people: a systematic review of active ingredients
Authors: Chiang Clara P , Hayes Daniel , Panagiotopoulou Elena
Published: February 2023

Evaluating the presence of behavior change techniques (BCTs) in mHealth apps could be used to better understand what “active ingredients” contribute to outcomes. Despite the early onset of Anorexia Nervosa (AN) and the increasing use of mobile apps to seek mental healthcare among young people, BCTs underpinning mHealth apps targeting AN have never been systematically examined. This review systematically identified and analyzed BCTs underpinning apps targeted at reducing AN in young people in an attempt to understand their active components. Apps were searched and screened in Apple Store and Google Play. Six apps that met the inclusion criteria and were coded by trained researchers against the BCT Taxonomy V1. Overall, 22 of 93 possible BCTs were identified. The most common were “Information about health consequences,” “Social support (unspecified),” and “Information about antecedents”. Identified BCTs suggested potential overlaps with traditional clinical treatments for AN, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and family-based therapy. Further investigation is required to evaluate the apps’ usability and effectiveness.