bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Weights and recursion relations for ϕp tree amplitudes from the positive geometry
Authors: Kojima Ryota
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Recently, the accordiohedron in kinematic space was proposed as the positive geometry for planar tree-level scattering amplitudes in the ϕ

p
theory [1]. The scattering amplitudes are given as a weighted sum over canonical forms of some accordiohedra with appropriate weights. These weights were determined by demanding that the weighted sum corresponds to the scattering amplitudes. It means that we need additional data from the quantum field theory to compute amplitudes from the geometry. It has been an important problem whether scattering amplitudes are completely obtained from only the geometry even in this ϕ

p
theory. In this paper, we show that these weights are completely determined by the factorization property of the accordiohedron. It means that the geometry of the accordiohedron is enough to determine these weights. In addition to this, we study one-parameter recursion relations for the ϕ

p
amplitudes. The one-parameter “BCFW”-like recursion relation for the ϕ
3 amplitudes was obtained from the triangulation of the ABHY-associahedron [2]. After this, a new recursion relation was proposed from the projecting triangulation of the generalized ABHY-associahedron in [3, 4]. We generalize these one-parameter recursion relations to the ϕ

p
amplitudes and interpret as triangulations of the accordiohedra.
Towards stability of NLO corrections in high-energy factorization via modified multi-Regge kinematics approximation
Authors: Nefedov Maxim
Published: August 2020

Abstract

The perturbatively-stable scheme of Next-to-Leading order (NLO) calculations of cross-sections for multi-scale hard-processes in DIS-like kinematics is developed in the framework of High-Energy Factorization. The evolution equation for unintegrated PDF, which resums log 1/z-corrections to the coefficient function in the Leading Logarithmic approximation together with a certain subset of Next-to-Leading Logarithmic and Next- to-Leading Power corrections, necessary for the perturbative stability of the formalism, is formulated and solved in the Doubly-Logarithmic approximation. An example of DIS-like process, induced by the operator tr [G

μν

G

μν
], which is sensitive to gluon PDF already in the LO, is studied. Moderate (O(20%)) NLO corrections to the inclusive structure function are found at small x

B

< 10
−4, while for the p

T
-spectrum of a leading jet in the considered process, NLO corrections are small (< O(20%)) and LO of k

T
-factorization is a good approximation. The approach can be straightforwardly extended to the case of multi-scale hard processes in pp-collisions at high energies.
On some short-distance properties of the fourth-rank hadronic vacuum polarization tensor and the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon
Authors: Knecht Marc
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Some short-distance properties of the fourth-rank hadronic vacuum polarization tensor are re-examined. Their consequences are critically discussed in the context of the hadronic light-by-light scattering contribution to the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon.
Cyclic Flats of a Polymatroid
Authors: Csirmaz Laszlo
Published: August 2020

Polymatroids can be considered as “fractional matroids” where the rank function is not required to be integer valued. Many, but not every notion in matroid terminology translates naturally to polymatroids. Defining cyclic flats of a polymatroid carefully, the characterization by Bonin and de Mier of the ranked lattice of cyclic flats carries over to polymatroids. The main tool, which might be of independent interest, is a convolution-like method which creates a polymatroid from a ranked lattice and a discrete measure. Examples show the ease of using the convolution technique.
Tools of the trade: trade flexibility with respect to margins and buyers
Authors: Asche Frank , Oglend Atle , Straume Hans-Martin
Published: August 2020

Access to highly disaggregated trade data allows for a more nuanced investigation of different margins of trade, and the factors known to influence them. In this paper, the number of importers and shipments to each importer is investigated together with the more traditional margins. Potential explanatory factors of these trade margins are combined from three literature strands in addition to the standard gravity variables; firm productivity, per-unit shipment costs and country-specific trade costs. The empirical results show, not unexpectedly, that insights from all these different strands of literature influence trade margins significantly. In particular, the number of shipments per importer increases with distance, degree of remoteness and per-shipment cost, and the number of importers decreases with the distance, remoteness and per-unit shipping cost. This indicates that increased trade costs make exporters economize in existing networks. Finally, disaggregating the data into three main product categories using Rauch’s classification, trade patterns are shown to vary by product group.
Effects of Different Types of Exercise on Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Kemmler Wolfgang , Shojaa Mahdieh , Kohl Matthias , von Stengel Simon
Published: August 2020

In this sub-analysis of a comprehensive meta-analysis, we aimed to determine the effect of different types of exercise on (areal) bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women. A systematic review of the literature according to the PRISMA statement included (a) controlled trials, (b) with at least one exercise and one control group, (c) intervention ≥ 6 months, (d) BMD assessments at lumbar spine (LS), femoral neck (FN) or total hip (TH), (e) in postmenopausal women. Eight electronic databases were scanned without language restrictions up to March 2019. The present subgroup analysis was conducted as a mixed-effect meta-analysis with “type of exercise” as the moderator. The 84 eligible exercise groups were classified into (a) weight bearing (WB,n = 30) exercise, (b) (dynamic) resistance exercise (DRT,n = 18), (c) mixed WB&DRT interventions (n = 36). Outcome measures were standardized mean differences (SMD) for BMD-changes at LS, FN and TH. All types of exercise significantly affect BMD at LS, FN and TH. SMD for LS average 0.40 (95% CI 0.15–0.65) for DRT, SMD 0.26 (0.03–0.49) for WB and SMD 0.42 (0.23–0.61) for WB&DRT. SMD for FN were 0.27 (0.09–0.45) for DRT, 0.37 (0.12–0.62) for WB and 0.35 (0.19–0.51) for WB&DRT. Lastly, SMD for TH changes were 0.51 (0.28–0.74) for DRT, 0.40 (0.21–0.58) for WB and 0.34 (0.14–0.53) for WB&DRT. In summary, we provided further evidence for the favorable effect of exercise on BMD largely independent of the type of exercise. However, in order to generate dedicated exercise recommendations or exercise guideline, meta-analyses might be a too rough tool.
Pelvic lymph-node staging with 18F-DCFPyL PET/CT prior to extended pelvic lymph-node dissection in primary prostate cancer - the SALT trial -
Authors: Jansen B. H. E. , Bodar Y. J. L. , Zwezerijnen G. J. C. , Meijer D. , van der Voorn J. P. , Nieuwenhuijzen J. A. , Wondergem M. , Roeleveld T. A. , Boellaard R. , Hoekstra O. S. , van Moorselaar R. J. A. , Oprea-Lager D. E. , Vis A. N.
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The detection of lymph-node metastases (N1) with conventional imaging such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) is inadequate for primarily diagnosed prostate cancer (PCa). Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET/CT is successfully introduced for the staging of (biochemically) recurrent PCa. Besides the frequently used68gallium-labelled PSMA tracers,18fluorine-labelled PSMA tracers are available. This study examined the diagnostic accuracy of18F-DCFPyL (PSMA) PET/CT for lymph-node staging in primary PCa.

Methods

This was a prospective, multicentre cohort study. Patients with primary PCa underwent18F-DCFPyL PET/CT prior to robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) with extended pelvic lymph-node dissection (ePLND). Patients were included between October 2017 and January 2020. A Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre (MSKCC) nomogram risk probability of ≥ 8% of lymph-node metastases was set to perform ePLND. All images were reviewed by two experienced nuclear physicians, and were compared with post-operative histopathologic results.

Results

A total of 117 patients was analysed. Lymph-node metastases (N1) were histologically diagnosed in 17/117 patients (14.5%). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for the18F-DCFPyL PET/CT detection of pelvic lymph-node metastases on a patient level were 41.2% (confidence interval (CI): 19.4–66.5%), 94.0% (CI 86.9–97.5%), 53.8% (CI 26.1–79.6%) and 90.4% (CI 82.6–95.0%), respectively.

Conclusion

18F-DCFPyL PET/CT showed a high specificity (94.4%), yet a limited sensitivity (41.2%) for the detection of pelvic lymph-node metastases in primary PCa. This implies that current PSMA PET/CT imaging cannot replace diagnostic ePLND. Further research is necessary to define the exact place of PSMA PET/CT imaging in the primary staging of PCa.
An Analytical Review of Different Approaches to Wastewater Discharge Standards with Particular Emphasis on Nutrients
Authors: Preisner Michał , Neverova-Dziopak Elena , Kowalewski Zbigniew
Published: August 2020

Despite the implementation of strict legal standards concerning nutrient loads within wastewater discharges in all European Union (EU) Member States it was not possible to achieve good ecological and chemical water status by 2015 in all EU countries. The main reasons for this situation are the imperfections of the legislation tools regarding the standardization of wastewater quality and the methodology of determining the conditions for wastewater introduction into receivers. The study aims to review and analyze the currently existing in various countries legal regulations setting the standards for wastewater discharged into receivers, which were intended for surface water protection and eutrophication mitigation. Besides the EU effluent standards, the regional and national regulations in chosen EU Member States (e.g., Germany, Sweden, and Denmark) have been reviewed. Moreover, the Helsinki Commission recommendations for signatory countries within the Baltic Sea catchment and the approaches for wastewater quality standardization in non-EU countries (e.g., Russia, Belarus, Switzerland, China, USA, Canada, and Dubai) were assessed. The analysis of the reviewed legal regulations allowed to diversify the methodological approaches for setting effluent quality standards in different regions and countries and to assess the effectiveness of existing legal tools in the field of eutrophication mitigation with the consideration of the environmental and economic reasonability. The results suggest that the receiver-oriented policies used among others in Switzerland and China are the most reasonable in terms of eutrophication mitigation.
The EQ-5D-3L administered by text message compared to the paper version for hard-to-reach populations in a rural South African trauma setting: a measurement equivalence study
Authors: Burnand Henry G. , McMahon Samuel E. , Sayers Adrian , Tshengu Tembisa , Gibson Norrie , Blom Ashley W. , Whitehouse Michael R. , Wylde Vikki
Published: August 2020

Introduction

Administering patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) by text message may improve response rate in hard-to-reach populations. This study explored cultural acceptability of PROMs and compared measurement equivalence of the EQ-5D-3L administered on paper and by text message in a rural South African setting.

Materials and methods

Participants with upper or lower limb orthopaedic pathology were recruited. The EQ-5D was administered first on paper and then by text message after 24 h and 7 days. Differences in mean scores for paper and text message versions of the EQ-5D were evaluated. Test–retest reliability between text message versions was evaluated using Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICCs).

Results

147 participants completed a paper EQ-5D. Response rates were 67% at 24 h and 58% at 7 days. There were no differences in means between paper and text message responses for the EQ-5D Index (p = 0.95) or EQ-5D VAS (p = 0.26). There was acceptable agreement between the paper and 24-h text message EQ-5D Index (0.84; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.78–0.89) and EQ-5D VAS (0.73; 95% CI 0.64–0.82) and acceptable agreement between the 24-h and 7-day text message EQ-Index (0.72; CI 0.62–0.82) and EQ-VAS (0.72; CI 0.62–0.82). Non-responder traits were increasing age, Xhosa as first language and lower educational levels.

Conclusions

Text messaging is equivalent to paper-based measurement of EQ-5D in this setting and is thus a viable tool for responders. Non-responders had similar socioeconomic characteristics and attrition rates to traditional modes of administration. The EQ-5D by text message offers potential clinical and research uses in hard-to-reach populations.
Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for refractory stiff-person syndrome: the UK experience
Authors: Kass-Iliyya Lewis , Snowden John A. , Thorpe Alice , Jessop Helen , Chantry Andrew D. , Sarrigiannis Ptolemaios G. , Hadjivassiliou Marios , Sharrack Basil
Published: August 2020

Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) is a rare immune-mediated disabling neurological disorder characterised by muscle spasms and high GAD antibodies. There are only a few case reports of autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) as a treatment for SPS.

Objective

To describe the UK experience of treating refractory SPS with auto-HSCT.

Methods

Between 2015 and 2019, 10 patients with SPS were referred to our institution for consideration of auto-HSCT. Eight patients were deemed suitable for autograft and four were treated. Of the treated patients, three had classical SPS and one had the progressive encephalomyelitis with rigidity and myoclonus variant. All patients were significantly disabled and had failed conventional immunosuppressive therapy. Patients were mobilised with Cyclophosphamide (Cy) 2 g/m2 + G-CSF and conditioned with Cy 200 mg/kg + ATG followed by auto-HSCT.

Results

Despite their significantly reduced performance status, all patients tolerated the procedure with no unexpected toxicities. Following autograft, all patients improved symptomatically and stopped all forms of immunosuppressive therapies. Two patients were able to ambulate independently from being wheelchair dependent. One patient’s walking distance improved from 300 meters to 5 miles and one patient’s ambulation improved from being confined to a wheelchair to be able to walk with a frame. Two patients became seronegative for anti-GAD antibodies and normalised their neurophysiological abnormalities.

Conclusions

Auto-HSCT is an intensive but well tolerated and effective treatment option for patients with SPS refractory to conventional immunotherapy. Further work is warranted to optimise patient selection and establish the efficacy, long-term safety, and cost-effectiveness of this treatment.
Axial and rotational alignment of lower limb in a Caucasian aged non-arthritic cohort
Authors: Farinelli L. , Baldini M. , Bucci A. , Ulisse S. , Carle F. , Gigante A.
Published: August 2020

Background

The alignment of human lower limb has been an area of ongoing study for decades. The purpose of this study was to analyze the axial and rotational alignment from hip to ankle in a Caucasian aged non-arthritic cohort.

Methods

A non-arthritic cohort of aged patients was retrospectively analyzed by computer tomography. Anatomical–mechanical angle of femur (AMA), femur inclination (FI), femoral anteversion (FA), posterior condylar angle (PCA), proximal tibial torsion (TEAs-PTC and TEAs-PTT) and tibial fibular torsion (PTC-TFA) were measured.

Results

The median age of the patients was 76 years (range 67 to 91 years). Regarding axial alignment, the AMA was 5 (2.94; 6.80). No significance differences were reported by side and age. AMA was significantly lower in men. The FI was 125.3 (120.0; 134.8) with no differences in terms of side, age or gender. Regarding torsion alignment, the median values of FA, PTC-TFA and TEAs-PTT were, respectively, 16.8, 28.5 and − 1.4. No differences were reported by age. Right tibia was externally rotated by 1.5 degrees as compared to the left side (P 0.035).

Conclusion

The broad variability of the parameters analyzed highlights the necessity for a more anatomical and individualized approach during surgery of lower limb. The present study offers the fundament to understand and treat lower limb deformities. Hence, these data can constitute the normal reference values useful to investigate lower limb malalignment. Moreover, it helps to assess the possible changes of axial and rotational alignment in idiopathic OA of lower limb.

Level of evidence III

Retrospective cohort study
Early detection of infectious complications using C-reactive protein and the procalcitonin levels after laparoscopic colorectal resection: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Tatsuoka Teppei , Okuyama Takashi , Takeshita Emiko , Oi Haruka , Noro Takuji , Mitsui Takashi , Yoshitomi Hideyuki , Oya Masatoshi
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The predictive values of the C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) levels for postoperative infectious complications were investigated in patients who underwent elective laparoscopic resection of colorectal cancer.

Methods

A total of 154 consecutive patients who underwent elective laparoscopic resection for colorectal cancer (CRC) were prospectively studied. The CRP and PCT levels on the first postoperative day (POD1) and the fourth postoperative day (POD4) were measured. Any correlations between the CRP and PCT levels on POD1 and POD4 with the occurrence of infectious complications were examined.

Results

Infectious complications occurred in 18 (11.7%) patients. CRP on POD1 and CRP and PCT on POD4 were significantly higher in patients who developed infectious complications than in those who did not. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves of CRP on POD1 and CRP and PCT on POD4 were 0.597, 0.763 and 0.768, respectively. The cut-off values of CRP and PCT levels on POD4 were 14.33 mg/dl and 0,264 ng/ml, respectively. Whereas the positive predictive value of an elevated CRP level was high, the negative predictive value of an elevated PCT was high.

Conclusion

The CRP and PCT levels on POD4 are both considered to be useful for the early detection of infectious complications after laparoscopic resection of CRC.
Average frequencies of digits in infinite IFS’s and applications to continued fractions and Lüroth expansions
Authors: Olsen L. , West M.
Published: August 2020

The detailed investigation of the distribution of frequencies of digits of points belonging to attractors K of Infinite iterated functions systems (IIFS’s) is a fundamental and important problem in the study of attractors of IIFS’s. This paper studies the Baire category of different families of sets of points belonging to attractors of IIFS’s characterised by the behaviour of the frequencies of their digits. All our results are of the following form:

a typical (in the sense of Baire) point $$x\in K$$

x
∈
K

has the following property: the average frequencies of digits of x have maximal oscillation.

We consider general types of average frequencies, namely, average frequencies associated with general averaging systems. These averages include, for example, all higher order Hölder and Cesaro averages, and Riesz averages. Surprising, for all averaging systems (regardless of how powerful they are) we prove that a typical (in the sense of Baire) point $$x\in K$$

x
∈
K

has the following property: the average frequencies of digits of x have maximal oscillation. This substantially extends previous results and provides a powerful topological manifestation of the fact that “points of divergence” are highly visible. Several applications are given, e.g. to continued fraction digits and Lüroth expansion digits.
Using Red List species in designating protection status to forest areas: a case study on the problem of spatio-temporal dynamics
Authors: Tingstad Lise , Grytnes John-Arvid , Sætersdal Magne , Gjerde Ivar
Published: August 2020

Red-listed species are often used as target species in selection of sites for conservation. However, limitations to their use have been pointed out, and here we address the problem of expected high spatio-temporal dynamics of red-listed species. We used species data (vascular plants, bryophytes, macrolichens and polypore fungi) from two inventories 17 years apart to estimate temporal turnover of red-listed and non-red-listed species in two forest areas (147 and 195 ha) and of plots (0.25 ha) within each area. Furthermore, we investigated how turnover of species affected the rank order of plots regarding richness of red-listed species, using two different national Red List issues (1998 and 2015). In both study areas, temporal turnover was substantial, despite minor changes in the overall number of species. At plot level, temporal turnover in red-listed species was higher than in non-red-listed species, but similar to non-red-listed species of the same frequency of occurrence. Adding the effect of changing identities of species red-listed according to the two Red List issues, further increased the estimated spatio-temporal dynamics. Recorded spatio-temporal turnover also resulted in substantial changes in the rank order of plots regarding richness of red-listed species. Using rare red-listed species for site selection may therefore be accompanied by a higher loss of conservation effectiveness over time than for more common species, and particularly at finer scales.
What to share, when, and where: balancing the objectives and complexities of open source software contributions
Authors: Linåker Johan , Regnell Björn
Published: August 2020

Context:

Software-intensive organizations’ rationale for sharing Open Source Software (OSS) may be driven by both idealistic, strategic and commercial objectives, and include both monetary as well as non-monetary benefits. To gain the potential benefits, an organization may need to consider what they share and how, while taking into account risks, costs and other complexities.

Objective:

This study aims to empirically investigate objectives and complexities organizations need to consider and balance between when deciding on what software to share as OSS, when to share it, and whether to create a new or contribute to an existing community.

Method:

A multiple-case study of three case organizations was conducted in two research cycles, with data gathered from interviews with 20 practitioners from these organizations. The data was analyzed qualitatively in an inductive and iterative coding process.

Results:

12 contribution objectives and 15 contribution complexities were found. Objectives include opportunities for improving reputation, managing suppliers, managing partners and competitors, and exploiting externally available knowledge and resources. Complexities include risk of loosing control, risk of giving away competitive advantage, risk of creating negative exposure, costs of contributing, and the possibility and need to contribute to an existing or new community.

Conclusions:

Cross-case analysis and interview validation show that the identified objectives and complexities offer organizations a possibility to reflect on and adapt their contribution strategies based on their specific contexts and business goals.
Deceptive Appearances: the Turing Test, Response-Dependence, and Intelligence as an Emotional Concept
Authors: Wheeler Michael
Published: August 2020

The Turing Test is routinely understood as a behaviourist test for machine intelligence. Diane Proudfoot (Rethinking Turing’s Test,Journal of Philosophy, 2013) has argued for an alternative interpretation. According to Proudfoot, Turing’s claim that intelligence is what he calls ‘an emotional concept’ indicates that he conceived of intelligence in response-dependence terms. As she puts it: ‘Turing’s criterion for “thinking” is…: x is intelligent (or thinks) if in the actual world, in an unrestricted computer-imitates-human game, x appears intelligent to an average interrogator’. The role of the famous test is thus to provide the conditions in which to examine the average interrogator’s responses. I shall argue that Proudfoot’s analysis falls short. The philosophical literature contains two main models of response-dependence, what I shall call thetransparencymodel and thereference-fixingmodel. Proudfoot resists the thought that Turing might have endorsed one of these models to the exclusion of the other. But the details of her own analysis indicate that she is,in fact, committed to the claim that Turing’s account of intelligence is grounded in a transparency model, rather than a reference-fixing one. By contrast, I shall argue that while Turing did indeed conceive of intelligence in response-dependence terms, his account is grounded in a reference-fixing model, rather than a transparency one. This is fortunate (for Turing), because, as an account of intelligence, the transparency model is arguably problematic in a way that the reference-fixing model isn’t.
Detection of anomalies in compiled computer program files inspired by immune mechanisms using a template method
Authors: Wawryn Krzysztof , Widuliński Patryk
Published: August 2020

An intrusion detection system inspired by the human immune system is described: a custom artificial immune system that monitors a local area containing critical files in the operating system. The proposed mechanism scans the files and checks for possible malware-induced alterations in them, based on a negative selection algorithm. The system consists of two modules: a receptor generation unit, which generates receptors using an original method based on templates, and an anomaly detection unit. Anomalies detected in the files using previously generated receptors are reported to the user. The system has been implemented and experiments have been conducted to compare the effectiveness of the algorithms with that of a different receptor generation method, called the random receptor generation method. In a controlled testing environment, anomalies in the form of altered program code bytes were injected into the monitored programs. Real-world tests of this system have been performed regarding its performance and scalability. Experimental results are presented, evaluated in a comparative analysis, and some conclusions are drawn.
A comparison of different optical instruments and machine learning techniques to identify sprouting activity in potatoes during storage
Authors: Rady Ahmed M. , Guyer Daniel E. , Donis-González Irwin R. , Kirk William , Watson Nicholas James
Published: August 2020

The quality of potato tubers is dependent on several attributes been maintained at appropriate levels during storage. One of these attributes is sprouting activity that is initiated from meristematic regions of the tubers (eyes). Sprouting activity is a major problem that contributes to reduced shelf life and elevated sugar content, which affects the marketability of seed tubers as well as fried products. This study compared the capabilities of three different optical systems (1: visible/near-infrared (Vis/NIR) interactance spectroscopy, 2: Vis/NIR hyperspectral imaging, 3: NIR transmittance) and machine learning methods to detect sprouting activity in potatoes based on the primordial leaf count (LC). The study was conducted on Frito Lay 1879 and Russet Norkotah cultivars stored at different temperatures and classification models were developed that considered both cultivars combined and classified the tubers as having either high or low sprouting activity. Measurements were performed on whole tubers and sliced samples to see the effect this would have on identifying sprouting activity. Sequential forward selection was applied for wavelength selection and the classification was carried out using K-nearest neighbor, partial least squares discriminant analysis, and soft independent modeling class analogy. The highest classification accuracy values obtained by the hyperspectral imaging system and was 87.5% and 90% for sliced and whole samples, respectively. Data fusion did not show classification improvement for whole tubers, whereas a 7.5% classification accuracy increase was illustrated for sliced samples. By investigating different optical techniques and machine learning methods, this study provides a first step toward developing a handheld optical device for early detection of sprouting activity, enabling advanced aid potato storage management.
Thickness of epicardial and pericoronary adipose tissue measured using 128-slice MSCT as predictors for risk of significant coronary artery diseases
Authors: Gać Paweł , Macek Piotr , Poręba Małgorzata , Kornafel-Flak Olga , Mazur Grzegorz , Poręba Rafał
Published: August 2020

Aim

Determination the relationship between the epicardial adipose tissue thickness (EATT) and pericoronary adipose tissue thickness (PATT) and the risk of significant coronary artery diseases (CAD) using the coronary artery calcium score (CACS).

Materials and methods

The study group consisted of 80 patients. The risk of significant CAD was estimated based on CACS. Adipose tissue thickness was measured based on multiplanar reformation (MPR), left ventricle short axis and mid-chamber level. EATT in the middle of the length of the right ventricular free wall, PATT around the left anterior descending (LAD), around the left circumflex (LCX) and around the right coronary artery in the posterior interventricular sulcus (RCA).

Results

The median (IQR) values of CACS and EATT were 12.00 (97.90) and 8.65 (3.90) mm. It was found that in the subgroup CACS = 0 statistically significantly lower than in the subgroup CACS > 0 were mean values EATT and PATT RCA. Based on the regression analysis, it was demonstrated that higher CACS is associated with higher EATT, independent of older age and higher BMI. On the basis the ROC curve analysis, the highest prediction sensitivity of 98.4% was demonstrated for EATT ≥ 16.7 mm as a predictor of high risk of significant CAD and the highest specificity of 61.5% for the criterion EATT ≤ 8.7 mm as a predictor of practically no risk of significant CAD.

Conclusion

There is a positive relationship between the risk of a significant CAD estimated based on the coronary artery calcium score and the epicardial adipose tissue thickness.
Big Data Approaches in Heart Failure Research
Authors: Lanzer Jan D. , Leuschner Florian , Kramann Rafael , Levinson Rebecca T. , Saez-Rodriguez Julio
Published: August 2020

Purpose of Review

The goal of this review is to summarize the state of big data analyses in the study of heart failure (HF). We discuss the use of big data in the HF space, focusing on “omics” and clinical data. We address some limitations of this data, as well as their future potential.

Recent Findings

Omics are providing insight into plasmal and myocardial molecular profiles in HF patients. The introduction of single cell and spatial technologies is a major advance that will reshape our understanding of cell heterogeneity and function as well as tissue architecture. Clinical data analysis focuses on HF phenotyping and prognostic modeling.

Big data approaches are increasingly common in HF research. The use of methods designed for big data, such as machine learning, may help elucidate the biology underlying HF. However, important challenges remain in the translation of this knowledge into improvements in clinical care.
Three-dimensional spatial structure of the macro-pores and flow simulation in anthracite coal based on X-ray μ-CT scanning data
Authors: Fang Hui-Huang , Sang Shu-Xun , Liu Shi-Qi
Published: August 2020

The three-dimensional (3D) structures of pores directly affect the CH4 flow. Therefore, it is very important to analyze the 3D spatial structure of pores and to simulate the CH4 flow with the connected pores as the carrier. The result shows that the equivalent radius of pores and throats are 1–16 μm and 1.03–8.9 μm, respectively, and the throat length is 3.28–231.25 μm. The coordination number of pores concentrates around three, and the intersection point between the connectivity function and the X-axis is 3–4 μm, which indicate the macro-pores have good connectivity. During the single-channel flow, the pressure decreases along the direction of CH4 flow, and the flow velocity of CH4 decreases from the pore center to the wall. Under the dual-channel and the multi-channel flows, the pressure also decreases along the CH4 flow direction, while the velocity increases. The mean flow pressure gradually decreases with the increase of the distance from the inlet slice. The change of mean flow pressure is relatively stable in the direction horizontal to the bedding plane, while it is relatively large in the direction perpendicular to the bedding plane. The mean flow velocity in the direction horizontal to the bedding plane (Y-axis) is the largest, followed by that in the direction horizontal to the bedding plane (X-axis), and the mean flow velocity in the direction perpendicular to the bedding plane is the smallest.
Single Photon Compressive Imaging Based on Digital Grayscale Modulation Method
Authors: Yuan Chenglong , Yan Qiurong , Wu Yiqiang , Wang Yifan , Wang Yuhao
Published: August 2020

In single-pixel imaging or computational ghost imaging, the measurement matrix has a great impact on the performance of the imaging system, because it involves modulation of the optical signal and image reconstruction. The measurement matrix reported in the existing literatures is first binarized and then loaded onto the digital micro-mirror device (DMD) for optical modulation, that is, each pixel can only be modulated into on-off states. In this paper, we propose a digital grayscale modulation method for more efficient compressive sampling. On the basis of this, we demonstrate a single photon compressive imaging system. A control and counting circuit, based on field-programmable gate array (FPGA), is developed to control DMD to conduct digital grayscale modulation and count single-photon pulse output from the photomultiplier tube (PMT) simultaneously. The experimental results show that the imaging reconstruction quality can be improved by increasing the sparsity ratio properly and compressive sampling ratio (SR) of these gray-scale matrices. However, when the compressive SR and sparsity ratio are increased appropriately to a certain value, the reconstruction quality is usually saturated, and the imaging reconstruction quality of the digital grayscale modulation is better than that of binary modulation.
The fourth-order Hermitian Toeplitz determinant for convex functions
Authors: Lecko Adam , Sim Young Jae , Śmiarowska Barbara
Published: August 2020

The sharp bounds for the fourth-order Hermitian Toeplitz determinant over the class of convex functions are computed.
Temporal partitioning by felids, dholes and their potential prey in northern Laos
Authors: Rasphone Akchousanh , Kamler Jan F. , Macdonald David W.
Published: August 2020

Temporal partitioning can allow sympatric carnivores to coexist, especially if overlap of other resources is high. Using camera trap data from 2013 to 2017, we investigated the temporal partitioning of a community of wild felids and a canid in Nam Et–Phou Louey National Protected Area, Laos, to determine the extent to which temporal avoidance might be facilitating coexistence of similarly sized carnivores. We also investigated temporal overlap of these carnivore species and their presumed main prey, to determine if their activity is likely most influenced by their prey or potential competitors. The dhole (Cuon alpinus) and clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), the two largest carnivores, had low temporal overlap, and activity appeared to be synchronized with the main prey for dhole, but not clouded leopard. Thus, it was possible that clouded leopard used temporal partitioning to coexist with dhole. The temporal overlap of Asian golden cat (Catopuma temminckii) was high with clouded leopard and moderate with dhole, and overall appeared to be influenced most by its presumed prey species, rather than by its potential competitors. The two small felids had the least temporal overlap between any species, as the marbled cat (Pardofelis marmorata) was primarily diurnal whereas the leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) was primarily nocturnal. Given that the two small felids reportedly have similar diets consisting of small rodents and birds, their temporal partitioning is likely to help facilitate their coexistence. For carnivore species in northern Laos that are most similar in body size and diet, temporal partitioning is likely to be an important mechanism of coexistence. Otherwise, temporal patterns appear to be synchronized with their main prey.
Opportunity for sustainable biomass valorization to produce biochar for improving soil characteristics
Authors: Ulusal Aysu , Apaydın Varol Esin , Bruckman Viktor J. , Uzun Basak Burcu
Published: August 2020

Biochar, a byproduct obtained from valorization of waste biomass, is utilized in environmental management to restore or improve soil functions where it alters chemical, physical, and biological processes. Therefore, in this study, vastly available oak sawdust was evaluated as a potential feedstock for biochar production with the aim to identify the influence of carbonization conditions on biochar characteristics. Slow pyrolysis with temperatures ranging from 400 to 600 °C and residence times from 15 to 120 min was performed. The feedstock material and resulting biochar were characterized for physical, chemical, and hydraulic properties that are significant for their ability and characteristics as a soil amendment. The pH, BET surface area, carbon content, nutrient content, alkaline functional groups, and water holding capacity increased with increasing pyrolysis temperature and residence time while biochar yield, O/C ratio, and acidic functional groups decreased. Although the effect of holding time on biochar physicochemical properties is less significant than that of temperature, it is an essential parameter to obtain desired biochar properties. It can be concluded that pyrolysis has the potential to add value to regionally available oak sawdust on a sustainable basis and help to restore or improve essential soil functions.

Graphical abstract
Assessment of thermal and energy performance of masonry blocks prepared with date palm ash
Authors: Ashraf Noman , Nasir Muhammad , Al-Kutti Walid , Al-Maziad Faris A.
Published: August 2020

This article evaluates the thermal and energy performance of mortar blocks containing local agricultural waste. The mortar blocks were cast by the replacement of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) with varying amounts of date palm ash (DPA) in the range of 10–30%. Experiments and simulations were carried out to assess the thermal characteristics and energy performance of the specimens. A prototype office building was modeled and simulated in DesignBuilder (Version 6.1.06) with modified blocks prepared with DPA under the Arabian Gulf environment characterized by hot and humid climatic conditions of Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. The developed blocks are characterized as lightweight blocks based on density data which satisfy the requirement of ASTM C55-11. The analysis and simulation indicate that the incorporation of DPA improves the thermal resistance of up to 47%, enhances the indoor environment and yields annual energy consumption of up to 7.6%, consequently reduces the cost of masonry block production by ~ 11% without compromising the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties. The masonry blocks prepared with DPA found to be economical than conventional masonry blocks. It is postulated that the novel DPA-based developed blocks are significantly sustainable products which will contribute to the valorization of DPA waste along with the reduction in the cost of construction and operational cost of the building.
Revenue management systems as symbiotic analytics systems: insights from a field study
Authors: Schütze Claudia , Cleophas Catherine , Tarafdar Monideepa
Published: August 2020

Revenue management is a complex operational planning process involving predictive and prescriptive analytics. As real-world implementations strongly rely on the joint outcomes from both algorithms and analysts, we consider the revenue management system as an example of symbiotic analytics systems. This paper presents insights from a field study observing a natural experiment in revenue management. As a firm updates its automated revenue management systems, it also updates the related processes and the corresponding organizational structure. We use this opportunity to examine the multilevel use of symbiotic analytics systems based in a field study and explore the implications for the design of future systems. Specifically, we identify two different perspectives on the revenue management process. In the functional view, jobs are organized sequentially with a high degree of system-oriented specialization. The process view organizes jobs in a parallel structure, differentiating two perspectives on demand. Depending on what view the firm implements, different structural fault lines turn the communication and training of analysts into keystones of the planning process. Furthermore, as we point out, even implementing more sophisticated algorithms and redesigning planning processes and organization do not seem to reduce the relevance of human analysts.
Secondary-Atom-Doping Enables Robust Fe–N–C Single-Atom Catalysts with Enhanced Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Luo Xin , Wei Xiaoqian , Wang Hengjia , Gu Wenling , Kaneko Takuma , Yoshida Yusuke , Zhao Xiao , Zhu Chengzhou
Published: August 2020

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) with nitrogen-coordinated nonprecious metal sites have exhibited inimitable advantages in electrocatalysis. However, a large room for improving their activity and durability remains. Herein, we construct atomically dispersed Fe sites in N-doped carbon supports by secondary-atom-doped strategy. Upon the secondary doping, the density and coordination environment of active sites can be efficiently tuned, enabling the simultaneous improvement in the number and reactivity of the active site. Besides, structure optimizations in terms of the enlarged surface area and improved hydrophilicity can be achieved simultaneously. Due to the beneficial microstructure and abundant highly active FeN5 moieties resulting from the secondary doping, the resultant catalyst exhibits an admirable half-wave potential of 0.81 V versus 0.83 V for Pt/C and much better stability than Pt/C in acidic media. This work would offer a general strategy for the design and preparation of highly active SACs for electrochemical energy devices.
German Teachers’ Digital Habitus and Their Pandemic Pedagogy
Authors: Blume Carolyn
Published: August 2020

After closing public schools in early 2020 to slow the spread of Covid-19, attempts to provide continuity of education in Germany by means of digital tools faltered in variety of ways, with insufficient competence and inadequate technology leading to inequitable access and uneven implementation. Understanding how German teachers were caught unprepared in this time of crisis, especially in comparison with their European neighbors, requires an examination of their habitus as discussed by Bourdieu and Wacquant (1992) that accounts for their behaviors beyond existing models regarding technology acceptance. Drawing on existing sociological and media-related studies, this contribution will describe the attitudes of German teachers and educational decision-makers in light of their digital, cultural, and educational habitus to provide a partial explanatory account for the current state of affairs. It will show how traditional skepticism for innovation among teachers in general, and German teachers in particular, is reinforced by demographic and sociological characteristics of the German teacher population and the nature of German schooling. After describing extant conditions regarding digitally mediated educational experiences during the initial Covid-19 phase in Germany based on emerging data, this article will subsequently identify prospective issues in this area in the near future. While the transition to digital teaching and learning has the potential to bring about a number of challenges, early data suggests that a possibility of significant positive development may occur as well. Based on these indications, the article will conclude with implications for teacher professionalization going forward.
Polyphenolic extracts from the olive mill wastewater as a source of biopesticides and their effects on the life cycle of the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Diptera, Tephriditae)
Authors: Di Ilio Vincenzo , Cristofaro Massimo
Published: August 2020

The Mediterranean Fruit Fly Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera, Tephriditae) is an important pest in the Mediterranean region causing severe economic losses. Currently, pyrethroids are the most common insecticides used in the control of the Medfly. However, the demand for biopesticides is growing due to the necessity to limit the use of hazardous chemical pesticides in the context of the integrated pest management. In this context, a valid alternative is the use of plant derived pesticides with a selective action against target pests and a shorter persistence in ecosystems.

Among plant products, olive tree phenolic and polyphenolic compounds show potent bioactive properties as insecticides and growth regulators. The olive mill wastewater is an important source of these compounds.

We are reporting here that the polyphenolic fractions of the olive mill wastewater, show ovicidal effects in terms of reduction of the hatching rate, whereas the larval development is not affected by the treatments.

On the adults, we show that selected fractions induce a complete block of the fecundity of the females probably due to an induced disruption of the oogenesis.

These results suggest that the polyphenolic fractions derived from the olive mill wastewater can be used as a strong natural chemosterilant against the Mediterranean Fruit fly and can be considered as a putative ovicidal agent.