bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cortical thickness across the cingulate gyrus in schizophrenia and its association to illness duration and memory performance
Authors: Thielen J.-W. , Müller B. W. , Chang D.-I. , Krug A. , Mehl S. , Rapp A. , Walter H. , Winterer G. , Vogeley K. , Klingberg S. , Wagner M. , Kircher T.
Published: January 2022

Schizophrenia has been associated with structural brain abnormalities and cognitive deficits that partly change during the course of illness. In the present study, cortical thickness in five subregions of the cingulate gyrus was assessed in 44 patients with schizophrenia-spectrum disorder and 47 control persons and related to illness duration and memory capacities. In the patients group, cortical thickness was increased in the posterior part of the cingulate gyrus and related to illness duration whereas cortical thickness was decreased in anterior parts unrelated to illness duration. In contrast, cortical thickness was related to episodic and working memory performance only in the anterior but not posterior parts of the cingulate gyrus. Our finding of a posterior cingulate increase may point to either increased parietal communication that is accompanied by augmented neural plasticity or to effects of altered neurodegenerative processes in schizophrenia.
Characterization of cognitive impairment in adult polyglucosan body disease
Authors: Zebhauser Paul Theo , Cordts Isabell , Hengel Holger , Haslinger Bernhard , Lingor Paul , Akman Hasan Orhan , Haack Tobias B. , Deschauer Marcus
Published: January 2022

Adult polyglucosan body disease (APBD) is a rare but probably underdiagnosed autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder due to pathogenic variants in GBE1. The phenotype is characterized by neurogenic bladder dysfunction, spastic paraplegia, and axonal neuropathy. Additionally, cognitive symptoms and dementia have been reported in APBD but have not been studied systematically. Using exome sequencing, we identified two previously unreported bi-allelic missense GBE1 variants in a patient with severe memory impairment along with the typical non-cognitive symptoms. We were able to confirm a reduction of GBE1 activity in blood lymphocytes. To characterize the neuropsychological profile of patients suffering from APBD, we conducted a systematic review of cognitive impairment in this rare disease. Analysis of 24 cases and case series (in total 58 patients) showed that executive deficits and memory impairment are the most common cognitive symptoms in APBD.
The importance of direct and indirect trophic interactions in determining the presence of a locally rare day-flying moth
Authors: O’Neill Hagen M. , Twiss Sean D. , Stephens Philip A. , Mason Tom H. E. , Ryrholm Nils , Burman Joseph
Published: January 2022

Ecosystem engineers affect other organisms by creating, maintaining or modifying habitats, potentially supporting species of conservation concern. However, it is important to consider these interactions alongside non-engineering trophic pathways. We investigated the relative importance of trophic and non-trophic effects of an ecosystem engineer, red deer, on a locally rare moth, the transparent burnet (Zygaena purpuralis). This species requires specific microhabitat conditions, including the foodplant, thyme, and bare soil for egg-laying. The relative importance of grazing (i.e., trophic effect of modifying microhabitat) and trampling (i.e., non-trophic effect of exposing bare soil) by red deer on transparent burnet abundance is unknown. We tested for these effects using a novel method of placing pheromone-baited funnel traps in the field. Imago abundance throughout the flight season was related to plant composition, diversity and structure at various scales around each trap. Indirect effects of red deer activity were accounted for by testing red deer pellet and trail presence against imago abundance. Imago abundance was positively associated with thyme and plant diversity, whilst negatively associated with velvet grass and heather species cover. The presence of red deer pellets and trails were positively associated with imago abundance. The use of these sites by red deer aids the transparent burnet population via appropriate levels of grazing and the provision of a key habitat condition, bare soil, in the form of deer trails. This study shows that understanding how both trophic and non-trophic interactions affect the abundance of a species provides valuable insights regarding conservation objectives.
Bestimmung der hydraulischen Durchlässigkeiten eines Sandsteins mithilfe eines Luftpermeameters
Authors: Hale Sina , Blum Philipp
Published: January 2022

Ziel dieser Studie ist die Bestimmung der hydraulischen Durchlässigkeiten eines Sandsteins unter Berücksichtigung der Gesteinsmatrix sowie einer Einzelkluft unter Verwendung eines tragbaren Luftpermeameters. Hierfür wurde der fluviatil-äolisch abgelagerte Bebertaler Sandstein des Oberen Rotliegenden in Sachsen-Anhalt untersucht. Es wurden die Matrixpermeabilitäten der unterschiedlichen Faziesbereiche sowie die Kluftöffnungsweiten entlang einer Schichtfuge bestimmt. Die ermittelten hydraulischen Durchlässigkeiten der Sandsteinmatrix liegen dabei zwischen 1,0 · 10−7 und 9,2 · 10−10 m/s, allerdings weisen nur 3 von insgesamt 298 Messpunkten einen kf-Wert von > 7,4 · 10−8 m/s bzw. eine Permeabilität von > 10 mD auf. Diese gehören zur homogenen und höher durchlässigen äolischen Fazies. Die bestimmte mittlere Öffnungsweite der Schichtfuge liegt bei 82 ± 12 µm. Mithilfe der ermittelten hydraulischen Eigenschaften konnte somit die effektive hydraulische Durchlässigkeit des untersuchten Sandsteins bestimmt werden. Unsere Ergebnisse verdeutlichen die praktische und robuste Anwendbarkeit des verwendeten Luftpermeameters zur Bestimmung der hydraulischen Durchlässigkeiten von Sandsteinen sowohl im Labor als auch im Gelände.
Peri-implant tissue conditions following transcrestal and lateral sinus floor elevation: 3-year results of a bi-center, randomized trial
Authors: Farina Roberto , Simonelli Anna , Franceschetti Giovanni , Minenna Luigi , Schincaglia Gian Pietro , Riccardi Orio , Trombelli Leonardo
Published: January 2022

Objectives

The present study was performed to comparatively evaluate the peri-implant bone stability and conditions of marginal tissues at 3 years following transcrestal and lateral sinus floor elevation (tSFE and lSFE, respectively).

Materials and methods

Patients included in a parallel-arm randomized trial comparatively evaluating tSFE and lSFE were recalled at 3 years post-surgery. Twenty-one and 24 patients in tSFE and lSFE groups, respectively, participated in the follow-up visit. Peri-implant bone support was evaluated as the proportion of the entire implant surface in direct contact with the radiopaque area (totCON%) on 3-year periapical radiographs. The conditions of the marginal peri-implant tissues at 3-year visit were classified as peri-implant health, peri-implant mucositis, or peri-implantitis.

Results

At 3 years, both groups showed an implant survival rate of 100%. Median totCON% was stable at 3 years, being 100% in both groups (p = 0.124). Peri-implant health and mucositis were diagnosed in 10 (47.6%) and 11 (52.4%) patients, respectively, in the tSFE group, and in 8 (33.3%) and 16 (66.7%) subjects, respectively, in the lSFE group (p = 0.502).

Conclusions

At 3 years following surgery, implants placed concomitantly with tSFE and lSFE fully maintain peri-implant bone support. Peri-implant mucositis was the most prevalent condition, with a similar prevalence between groups.

Clinical relevance.

Based on 3-year data on peri-implant bone support and prevalence of peri-implant diseases, the study suggests that tSFE and lSFE represent two equally valid options for the rehabilitation of the posterior maxilla. ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02415946.
The phantom steering effect in Q&A websites
Authors: Hoernle Nicholas , Kehne Gregory , Procaccia Ariel D. , Gal Kobi
Published: January 2022

Virtual rewards, such as badges, are commonly used in online platforms as incentives for promoting contributions from a userbase. It is widely accepted that such rewards “steer” people’s behaviour towards increasing their rate of contributions before obtaining the reward. This paper provides a new probabilistic model of user behaviour in the presence of threshold rewards, such a badges. We find, surprisingly, that while steering does affect a minority of the population, the majority of users do not change their behaviour around the achievement of these virtual rewards. In particular, we find that only approximately 5–30% of Stack Overflow users who achieve the rewards appear to respond to the incentives. This result is based on the analysis of thousands of users’ activity patterns before and after they achieve the reward. Our conclusion is that the phenomenon of steering is less common than has previously been claimed. We identify a statistical phenomenon, termed “Phantom Steering”, that can account for the interaction data of the users who do not respond to the reward. The presence of phantom steering may have contributed to some previous conclusions about the ubiquity of steering. We conduct a qualitative survey of the users on Stack Overflow which supports our results, suggesting that the motivating factors behind user behaviour are complex, and that some of the online incentives used in Stack Overflow may not be solely responsible for changes in users’ contribution rates.
Solutions to the routing problem: towards trustworthy autonomous vehicles
Authors: Varga László Z.
Published: January 2022

The general expectation is that the traffic in the cities will be almost optimal when the collective behaviour of autonomous vehicles will determine the traffic. Each member of the collective of autonomous vehicles tries to adapt to the changing environment, therefore together they execute decentralised autonomous adaptation by exploiting real-time information about their environment. The routing of these vehicles needs proper computer science models to be able to develop the best information technology for their control. We review different traffic flow models in computer science, and we evaluate their usefulness and applicability to autonomous vehicles. The classical game theory model implies flow level decision making in route selection. Non-cooperative autonomous vehicles may produce unwanted traffic patterns. Improved decentralised autonomous adaptation techniques try to establish some kind of coordination among autonomous vehicles, mainly through intention awareness. The aggregation of the intentions of autonomous vehicles may help to predict future traffic situations. The novel intention-aware online routing game model points out that intention-awareness helps to avoid that the traffic generated by autonomous vehicles be worse than the traffic indicated by classical traffic flow models. The review helps to make the first steps towards research on global level control of autonomous vehicles by highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the different formal models. The review also highlights the importance of research on intention-awareness and intention-aware traffic flow prediction methods.
Frozen with Fear? Attentional Mechanisms in Children with Selective Mutism
Authors: Vogel Felix , Gensthaler Angelika , Schwenck Christina
Published: January 2022

Background

Children with selective mutism (SM) are consistently unable to speak in certain social situations. Due to an overlap between SM and social anxiety disorder (SAD) in children, similar mechanisms could apply to both disorders. Especially biased attentional processing of threat and fear-induced reduced visual exploration (referred to as attentive freezing) appear promising in SM.

Methods

A total of N = 84 children (8–12 years, SM: n = 28, SAD: n = 28, typical development (TD): n = 28) participated in an eye-tracking paradigm with videos of a social counterpart expressing a question, a social evaluation or a neutral statement. We investigated gaze behavior towards the social counterpart’s eye-region and the extent of visual exploration (length of scanpath), across conditions.

Results

There were no group differences regarding gaze behavior on the eye region. Neither gaze behavior with respect to the eye region nor visual exploration were dependent on the video condition. Compared to children with TD, children with SM generally showed less visual exploration, however children with SAD did not.

Conclusion

Reduced visual exploration might be due to the mechanism of attentive freezing, which could be part of an extensive fear response in SM that might also affect speech-production. Interventions that counteract the state of freezing could be promising for the therapy of SM.
Attention and salience in preference reversals
Authors: Alós-Ferrer Carlos , Ritschel Alexander
Published: January 2022

We investigate the implications of Salience Theory for the classical preference reversal phenomenon, where monetary valuations contradict risky choices. It has been stated that one factor behind reversals is that monetary valuations of lotteries are inflated when elicited in isolation, and that they should be reduced if an alternative lottery is present and draws attention. We conducted two preregistered experiments, an online choice study ($$N=256$$N=256) and an eye-tracking study ($$N=64$$N=64), in which we investigated salience and attention in preference reversals, manipulating salience through the presence or absence of an alternative lottery during evaluations. We find that the alternative lottery draws attention, and that fixations on that lottery influence the evaluation of the target lottery as predicted by Salience Theory. The effect, however, is of a modest magnitude and fails to translate into an effect on preference reversal rates in either experiment. We also use transitions (eye movements) across outcomes of different lotteries to study attention on the states of the world underlying Salience Theory, but we find no evidence that larger salience results in more transitions.
Combination of Gibbs and Helmholtz Energy Equations of State in a Multiparameter Mixture Model Using the IAPWS Seawater Model as an Example
Authors: Semrau Benedikt , Hielscher Sebastian , Thol Monika , Span Roland
Published: January 2022

For carbon capture and storage (CCS) applications different sets of equations of state are used to describe the whole CCS-chain. While for the transport and pipeline sections highly accurate equations of state (EOS) explicit in the Helmholtz energy are used, properties under typical geological storage conditions are described by more simple, mostly cubic EOS, and brines are described by Gibbs energy models. Combining the transport and storage sections leads to inconsistent calculations. Since the used models are formulated in different independent variables (temperature and density versus temperature and pressure), mass and energy balances are challenging and equilibria in the injection region are difficult to model. To overcome these limitations, a predictive combination of the Gibbs energy-based IAPWS seawater model (IAPWS R13-08, 2008) with Helmholtz energy-based multi-parameter EOS is presented within this work. The Helmholtz energy model used in this work is based on the EOS-CG-2016 of Gernert and Span (J Chem Thermodyn 93:274–293, 10.1016/j.jct.2015.05.015, 2016). The results prove that a consistent combination of the two different models is possible. Furthermore, it is shown, that a more complex brine model needs to be combined with Helmholtz energy EOS for calculations at storage conditions.
A Fundamental Equation of State for Chloroethene for Temperatures from the Triple Point to 430 K and Pressures to 100 MPa
Authors: Thol Monika , Fenkl Florian , Lemmon Eric W.
Published: January 2022

A fundamental equation of state in terms of the Helmholtz energy is presented for chloroethene (vinyl chloride). Due to its fundamental nature, it can be used to consistently calculate all thermodynamic state properties in the fluid region. Based on the underlying experimental database, it is valid from the triple-point temperature 119.31 K to 430 K with a maximum pressure of 100 MPa. In addition to the accurate reproduction of experimental data, correct extrapolation behavior during the development of the equation was attained. This enables the equation to be applied in modern mixture frameworks.
Correlation Between Insulation Resistance and Temperature Measurement Error in Type K and Type N Mineral Insulated, Metal Sheathed Thermocouples
Authors: Pearce Jonathan , Tucker Declan , Izquierdo Carmen García , Caballero Raul , Ford Trevor , Williams Phill , Cowley Peter
Published: January 2022

Mineral insulated, metal sheathed (MI) Type K and Type N thermocouples are widely used in industry for process monitoring and control. One factor that limits their accuracy is the dramatic decrease in the insulation resistance at temperatures above about 600 °C which results in temperature measurement errors due to electrical shunting. In this work the insulation resistance of a cohort of representative MI thermocouples was characterised at temperatures up to 1160 °C, with simultaneous measurements of the error in indicated temperature by in situ comparison with a reference Type R thermocouple. Intriguingly, there appears to be a systematic relationship between the insulation resistance and the error in the indicated temperature. At a given temperature, as the insulation resistance decreases, there is a corresponding increasingly negative error in the temperature measurement. Although the measurements have a relatively large uncertainty (up to about 1 °C in temperature error and up to about 10 % in insulation resistance measurement), the trend is apparent at all temperatures above 600 °C, which suggests that it is real. Furthermore, the correlation disappears at temperatures below about 600 °C, which is consistent with the well-established diminution of insulation resistance breakdown effects below that temperature. This raises the intriguing possibility of using the as-new MI thermocouple calibration as an indicator of insulation resistance breakdown: large deviations of the electromotive force (emf) in the negative direction could indicate a correspondingly low insulation resistance.
High-Temperature Collision Integrals for m-6-8 and Hulburt–Hirschfelder Potentials
Authors: Buchowiecki Marcin
Published: January 2022

This study is aimed to determine collision integrals for atoms interacting according to the m-6-8 and Hulburt–Hirschfelder potentials and analyze the differences between potentials. The precision of four significant digits was reached at all tested temperatures, and for high-temperature applications, six digits were calculated. The proposed method was tested on the Lennard-Jones potential and found to excellently agree with the recent high-quality data. In addition, the Hulburt–Hirschfelder potential was used for determining the collision integrals of the interaction of nitrogen atoms in the ground electronic state and compared with other known values. The calculations were performed using Mathematica computation system which can deal with singularities (so-called orbiting).
Effect of preoperative keratometry on visual outcomes after small-incision lenticule extraction for myopia
Authors: Lee Seongjun , Bae Sinwoo , Jung Moonsun
Published: January 2022

Purpose

To investigate the relationship between preoperative keratometry (K) and postoperative refraction and compare the visual outcomes after small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) between preoperative flat and steep corneas.

Methods

This study involved 814 consecutive eyes of 409 patients who underwent SMILE. A month later, a linear regression analysis of the relationship between preoperative K and the residual spherical equivalent (SE) along with eyes divided by a single standard deviation between flat and steep corneas (< 41.85 D, > 44.57 D, respectively) was conducted. Eyes were distinguished based on the degree of myopia.

Results

One month after surgery, no significant correlation existed between mean preoperative K and residual SE (P = 0.459). Linear regression analysis showed a weak negative correlation between flat corneas (r2 = 0.042, P = 0.025) rather than steep corneas (P = 0.908). Eyes with preoperative low myopia (< 3.00 D) (r2 = 0.233, P = 0.001) had a weak correlation compared with moderate and high myopia (P = 0.272, P = 0.257, respectively). Twelve months later, the predictability, safety, and efficacy did not vary between preoperative flat and steep corneas (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

One month after SMILE for myopia, the corneas were flatter in the preoperative flat corneas or all the low myopic corneas, and they were more overcorrected. However, preoperative corneal curvature does not influence visual outcomes at 1 year after SMILE.
Exploring the Experiences of Parents Whose Child has Received a Diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder in Adulthood
Authors: Legg Hannah , Tickle Anna , Gillott Alinda , Wilde Sarah
Published: January 2022

There is a growing trend of adult diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Research has found that diagnosis can prompt a process of sense-making which may be disrupted by lack of post-diagnostic support. Given the continued involvement of many parents in supporting their adult son or daughter with ASD, it is vital to understand their experiences to meet their needs in adapting to the diagnosis. Eleven parents of recently diagnosed adults participated in semi-structured interviews which were analysed thematically. Findings demonstrate that the new knowledge of diagnosis facilitates changes in attributions, interactions and relationships, but can result in unmet emotional and relational support needs. Findings are relevant to those involved in adult diagnosis, and the provision of post-diagnostic support.
Reconstruction approximating method by biquadratic splines of offset surfaces holes
Authors: Kouibia Abdelouahed , Pasadas Miguel
Published: January 2022

Standard Offset surfaces are defined as locus of the points which are at constant distance along the unit normal direction from the generator surfaces. Offset are widely used in various practical applications, such as tolerance analysis, geometric optics and robot path-planning. In some of the engineering applications, we need to extend the concept of standard offset to the generalized offset where distance offset is not necessarily constant and offset direction are not necessarily along the normal direction. Normally, a generalized offset is functionally more complex than its progenitor because of the square root appears in the expression of the unit normal vector. For this, an approximation method of its construction is necessary. In many situation it is necessary to fill or reconstruct certain function defined in a domain in which there is a lack of information inside one or several sub-domains (holes). In some practical cases, we may have some specific geometrical constrains, of industrial or design type, for example, the case of a specified volume inside each one of these holes. The problem of filling holes or completing a 3D surface arises in all sorts of computational graphics areas, like CAGD, CAD-CAM, Earth Sciences, computer vision in robotics, image reconstruction from satellite and radar information, etc. In this work we present an approximation method of filling holes of the generalized offset of a surface when there is a lack information in a sub-domain of the function that define it. We prove the existence and uniqueness of solution of this problem, we show how to compute it and we establish a convergence result of this approximation method. Finally, we give some graphical and numerical examples.
Supporting Staff in Southern Family Planning Clinics: Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Newton-Levinson Anna , Higdon Megan , Rochat Roger
Published: January 2022

Objectives

The aim of this study was to identify key challenges and opportunities to better support non-clinician clinic staff at family planning centers in Southern US states.

Methods

We conducted qualitative interviews with 15 individuals in clinic staff and leadership positions at family planning centers in seven Southern states.

Results

Turnover had negative impacts on both clinic functioning as well as patient care. Participants identified several challenges related to recruitment and retention in family planning health centers in the South, including the conservative contextual landscape, the perceived value of support staff, gaps in communication, and rural locations. In response to these challenges, staff also identified key strategies to better support and retain health center workers. These included prioritizing investment in management, creating career advancement opportunities, prioritizing staff retention, and creating space for self-care. Health center staff and leadership who used these strategies to support and retain staff noted improvements in the effectiveness of staff work as well as increases in patient volume.

Conclusions for Practice

Study findings provide key areas for intervention including providing development opportunities, commitment from leadership to recognize and invest in staff and supporting self-care. Focusing on ensuring internal organizational justice for staff may also facilitate resilience to external challenging environments. Better supporting clinic staff is likely also important for quality services and ensures the full workforce involved in providing family planning care can work at full capacity.
Climate events and the role of adaptive capacity for (im-)mobility
Authors: Koubi Vally , Schaffer Lena , Spilker Gabriele , Böhmelt Tobias
Published: January 2022

The study examines the relationship between sudden- and gradual-onset climate events and migration, hypothesizing that this relationship is mediated by the adaptive capacity of affected individuals. We use survey data from regions of Cambodia, Nicaragua, Peru, Uganda, and Vietnam that were affected by both types of events with representative samples of non-migrant residents and referral samples of migrants. Although some patterns are country-specific, the general findings indicate that less educated and lower-income people are less likely to migrate after exposure to sudden-onset climate events compared to their counterparts with higher levels of education and economic resources. These results caution against sweeping predictions that future climate-related events will be accompanied by widespread migration.
Efficient plant regeneration via meristematic nodule culture in Paeonia ostii ‘Feng Dan’
Authors: Xu Li , Cheng Fangyun , Zhong Yuan
Published: January 2022

Tree peony (Paeonia sect. Moutan) is an economically important multipurpose woody plant in terms of its medical, ornamental and oil values, but its breeding and industrial development are severely limited due to inefficient traditional propagation methods and existing in vitro regeneration systems. Meristematic nodules (MNs) are an attractive alternative to solve this problem. This study first presented a protocol for in vitro regeneration of P. ostii ‘Feng Dan’ via MN culture with four consecutive steps, including embryogenic callus (EC) formation, MN induction and leaf cluster differentiation, shoot elongation, rooting and acclimatization. The highest EC induction rate (81.25%) was achieved when cotyledons were cultured on modified Murashige and Skoog (mMS) medium with 4.04 µM N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N-phenylurea (CPPU) + 5.37 µM α-naphthylacetic acid (NAA) for 30 days. The optimal MN induction rate (100%) and leaf cluster differentiation rate (45.83%) were obtained when ECs were cultured on modified woody plant medium (mWPM) supplemented with 2.02 µM CPPU + 2.27 µM thidiazuron (TDZ) for a subculture time of 10 days. The combination of 1.29 µM 6-benzyladenine (BA) + 0.58 µM gibberellin (GA3) yielded the best shoot elongation (13.40 shoots per nodule), rooting rate (43.33%) and consequently survival rate (45.83%). The study will be beneficial to the mass propagation, breeding and genetic improvement of tree peony.
Updated national emission inventory and comparison with the Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR): case of Lebanon
Authors: Shami Anwar Al , Aawar Elissar Al , Baayoun Abdelkader , Saliba Najat A. , Kushta Jonilda , Christoudias Theodoros , Lakkis Issam
Published: January 2022

Physically based computational modeling is an effective tool for estimating and predicting the spatial distribution of pollutant concentrations in complex environments. A detailed and up-to-date emission inventory is one of the most important components of atmospheric modeling and a prerequisite for achieving high model performance. Lebanon lacks an accurate inventory of anthropogenic emission fluxes. In the absence of a clear emission standard and standardized activity datasets in Lebanon, this work serves to fill this gap by presenting the first national effort to develop a national emission inventory by exhaustively quantifying detailed multisector, multi-species pollutant emissions in Lebanon for atmospheric pollutants that are internationally monitored and regulated as relevant to air quality. Following the classification of the Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR), we present the methodology followed for each subsector based on its characteristics and types of fuels consumed. The estimated emissions encompass gaseous species (CO, NOx, SO2), and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10). We compare totals per sector obtained from the newly developed national inventory with the international EDGAR inventory and previously published emission inventories for the country for base year 2010 presenting current discrepancies and analyzing their causes. The observed discrepancies highlight the fact that emission inventories, especially for data-scarce settings, are highly sensitive to the activity data and their underlying assumptions, and to the methodology used to estimate the emissions.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Routine Medical Care and Cancer Screening
Authors: Wenger Neil S. , Stanton Annette L. , Baxter-King Ryan , Sepucha Karen , Vavreck Lynn , Naeim Arash
Published: January 2022

Background

COVID-19 restrictions and fear dramatically changed the use of medical care. Understanding the magnitude of cancelled and postponed appointments and associated factors can help identify approaches to mitigate unmet need.

Objective

To determine the proportion of medical visits cancelled or postponed and for whom. We hypothesized that adults with serious medical conditions and those with higher anxiety, depressive symptoms, and avoidance-oriented coping would have more cancellations/postponements.

Design

Four nationally representative cross-sectional surveys conducted online in May, July, October, and December 2020.

Participants

59,747 US adults who completed 15-min online surveys. 69% cooperation rate.

Measures

Physical and mental health visits and cancer screening cancelled or postponed over prior 2 months. Plan to cancel or postpone visits over the next 2 months. Relationship with demographics, medical conditions, local COVID-19 death rate, anxiety, depressive symptoms, coping, intolerance of uncertainty, and perceived COVID-19 risk.

Key Results

Of the 58% (N = 34,868) with a medical appointment during the 2 months before the survey, 64% had an appointment cancelled or postponed in May, decreasing to 37% in December. Of the 41% of respondents with scheduled cancer screening, 20% cancelled/postponed, which was stable May to December. People with more medical conditions were more likely to cancel or postpone medical visits (OR 1.19 per condition, 95% CI 1.16, 1.22) and cancer screening (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.15, 1.24). Race, ethnicity, and income had weak associations with cancelled/postponed visits, local death rate was unrelated, but anxiety and depressive symptoms were strongly related to cancellations, and this grew between May and December.

Conclusions

Cancelled medical care and cancer screening were more common among persons with medical conditions, anxiety and depression, even after accounting for COVID-19 deaths. Outreach and support to ensure that patients are not avoiding needed care due to anxiety, depression and inaccurate perceptions of risk will be important.
Notes on the H-measure of classifier performance
Authors: Hand D. J. , Anagnostopoulos C.
Published: January 2022

The H-measure is a classifier performance measure which takes into account the context of application without requiring a rigid value of relative misclassification costs to be set. Since its introduction in 2009 it has become widely adopted. This paper answers various queries which users have raised since its introduction, including questions about its interpretation, the choice of a weighting function, whether it is strictly proper, its coherence, and relates the measure to other work.
On the Influence of Alloy Composition on the Additive Manufacturability of Ni-Based Superalloys
Authors: Ghoussoub Joseph N. , Tang Yuanbo T. , Dick-Cleland William J. B. , Németh André A. N. , Gong Yilun , McCartney D. Graham , Cocks Alan C. F. , Reed Roger C.
Published: January 2022

The susceptibility of nickel-based superalloys to processing-induced crack formation during laser powder-bed additive manufacturing is studied. Twelve different alloys—some of existing (heritage) type but also other newly-designed ones—are considered. A strong inter-dependence of alloy composition and processability is demonstrated. Stereological procedures are developed to enable the two dominant defect types found—solidification cracks and solid-state ductility dip cracks—to be distinguished and quantified. Differential scanning calorimetry, creep stress relaxation tests at 1000 °C and measurements of tensile ductility at 800 °C are used to interpret the effects of alloy composition. A model for solid-state cracking is proposed, based on an incapacity to relax the thermal stress arising from constrained differential thermal contraction; its development is supported by experimental measurements using a constrained bar cooling test. A modified solidification cracking criterion is proposed based upon solidification range but including also a contribution from the stress relaxation effect. This work provides fundamental insights into the role of composition on the additive manufacturability of these materials.
Efficacy and safety of ferric derisomaltose (FDI) compared with iron sucrose (IS) in patients with iron deficiency anemia after bariatric surgery
Authors: Auerbach Michael , Achebe Maureen M. , Thomsen Lars L. , Derman Richard J.
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Iron deficiency is common following bariatric surgery, and treatment with intravenous iron is often required. This post hoc analysis of data from two randomized, open-label, multicenter trials evaluated the efficacy and safety of ferric derisomaltose (FDI; formerly iron isomaltoside 1000) versus iron sucrose (IS) over 4 weeks in adults with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) resulting from prior bariatric surgery.

Materials and methods

Data were pooled for participants who received FDI or IS in the PROVIDE or FERWON-IDA trials for the treatment of IDA post bariatric surgery. Efficacy outcomes included changes in hemoglobin (Hb) and iron parameters; safety outcomes included the incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs), serious or severe hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs), and hypophosphatemia.

Results

The analysis included 159 patients. Mean (standard deviation) cumulative iron doses were 1199 (± 347) mg for FDI and 937 (± 209) mg for IS. Compared with IS, FDI resulted in a faster and more pronounced Hb response, and a higher proportion of responders (Hb level increase ≥ 2 g/dL from baseline) at all time points. The incidence of ADRs was similar with FDI and IS (15.1% and 18.2%, respectively), with no serious ADRs or serious or severe HSRs reported. The incidence of hypophosphatemia was low and similar in both treatment groups, with no cases of severe hypophosphatemia observed.

Conclusions

In patients with IDA resulting from bariatric surgery, FDI produced a faster and more pronounced Hb response than IS. Both FDI and IS were well tolerated.

Graphical abstract
Analysis of the interactions between joint and component properties during clinching
Authors: Steinfelder Christian , Acksteiner Johann , Guilleaume Christina , Brosius Alexander
Published: January 2022

Clinching is a joining process that is becoming more and more important in industry due to the increasing use of multi-material designs. Despite the already widespread use of the process, there is still a need for research to understand the mechanisms and design of clinched joints. In contrast to the tool parameters, process and material disturbances have not yet been investigated to a relatively large extent. However, these also have a great influence on the properties and applicability of clinching. The effect of process disturbances on the clinched joint are investigated with numerical and experimental methods. The investigated process variations are the history of the sheets using the pre-hardening of the material, different sheet thicknesses, sheet arrangements and punch strokes. For the consideration of the material history, a specimen geometry for pre-stretching specimens in uniaxial tension is used, from which the pre-stretched secondary specimens are taken. A finite element model is set up for the numerical investigations. Suitable clinching tools are selected. With the simulation, selected process influences can be examined. The effort of the numerical investigations is considerably reduced with the help of a statistical experimental design according to Taguchi. To confirm the simulation results, experimental investigations of the clinch point geometry by using micrographs and the shear strength of the clinched joint are performed. The analysis of the influence of difference disturbance factors on the clinching process demonstrate the importance of the holistic view of the clinching process.
On assessing excess mortality in Germany during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: De Nicola Giacomo , Kauermann Göran , Höhle Michael
Published: January 2022

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with a very high number of casualties in the general population. Assessing the exact magnitude of this number is a non-trivial problem, as relying only on officially reported COVID-19 associated fatalities runs the risk of incurring in several kinds of biases. One of the ways to approach the issue is to compare overall mortality during the pandemic with expected mortality computed using the observed mortality figures of previous years. In this paper, we build on existing methodology and propose two ways to compute expected as well as excess mortality, namely at the weekly and at the yearly level. Particular focus is put on the role of age, which plays a central part in both COVID-19-associated and overall mortality. We illustrate our methods by making use of age-stratified mortality data from the years 2016 to 2020 in Germany to compute age group-specific excess mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Perceptions of teachers towards COVID appropriate behaviors for school children in coastal South India
Authors: Kamath Sowmini Padmanabh , Mithra Prasanna , Joshi Jayateertha , Kamath Padmanabh , Unnikrishnan Bhaskaran , K. Jayashree , Rao Suchetha , S.R. Ravikiran , Pai Keshav , Kamath Nutan , Bhat Kamalakshi G.
Published: January 2022

COVID appropriate behavioral measures need to be followed once school reopens. School teachers being in the forefront could substantiate the feasibility of suggested safety measures. This study aimed to assess teachers’ perceptions towards COVID appropriate behaviors for children with school reopening and compare their mean scores between public versus private schools and across school boards. We conducted an observational school-based study of teachers over two months. Perceptions were scored using a five-point Likert symmetric agree to disagree scale. Results were expressed as proportions and analyzed using an independent sample t-test. Of the 547 teachers surveyed, most (> 90%) agreed to the suggested social distancing and hygiene measures. There was a significant difference in perception scores between private versus public schools and across boards regarding i) reducing the academic syllabus, ii) adopting a cloud-based system to integrate online-offline learning, and iii) conducting meetings online. In addition, measures such as i) teaching classes on alternate days with a limited number of children, ii) arranging benches/desks to maintain six feet distance between students, iii) dealing with psychological stress by counselors, and iv) arrangement with local hospitals for medical services were significant statistically across school boards. To conclude, most schoolteachers agreed with the need for social distancing and hygiene measures for children. There was a significant difference in perceptions between public versus private schools and across boards regarding academic syllabus, integration of online-offline student learning, number of children per class, the timing of classes, student seating arrangement, and medical/psychological guidance availability.
Parteiendifferenz in der lokalen Klimapolitik? Eine empirische Analyse der hessischen Klima-Kommunen
Authors: Schulze Kai , Schoenefeld Jonas J.
Published: January 2022

Machen Parteien für die Klimapolitikgestaltung einen Unterschied? Diese Frage ist nicht nur angesichts des auf nationalen Beiträgen basierenden globalen Klimaregimes relevant, sondern auch, da die Klimapolitik häufig als stärker parteipolitisiert wahrgenommen wird als die Umweltpolitik im Allgemeinen. Der vorliegende Beitrag geht der Frage auf der kommunalen Ebene nach, die bislang in der Forschung zur umweltpolitischen Parteiendifferenzhypothese selten Beachtung findet. Am Beispiel des Bundeslandes Hessen prüfen wir erstens, ob Parteiendifferenzen eine Rolle für den Beitritt der hessischen Städte und Gemeinden zum Klimanetzwerk „Hessen aktiv: Die Klima-Kommunen“ spielen. Zweitens prüfen wir, ob die Erstellung der obligatorischen Aktionspläne unter den Mitgliedern des Netzwerks mit Parteiendifferenzen in Zusammenhang steht. Die Untersuchung beruht auf einer Ereignisdatenanalyse der hessischen Städte und Gemeinden über den Zeitraum von 2009 bis 2020. Die Ergebnisse deuten an, dass von Grünen (Ober‑)Bürgermeister*innen regierte Städte und Gemeinden eher den Klima-Kommunen beitreten. Allerdings finden wir keine Hinweise darauf, dass sich die Erstellung der Aktionspläne, und damit ein konkreteres klimapolitisches Engagement, auf die Parteizugehörigkeit der (Ober-)Bürgermeister*innen zurückführen lässt. Allerdings zeigt sich, dass die Wahrscheinlichkeit der Erstellung eines Aktionsplans mit der Stärke der Grünen in der Gemeindevertretung steigt. Diese heterogenen Ergebnisse lassen erkennen, dass die Parteiendifferenzhypothese auch zur Erklärung von Unterschieden in der kommunalen Klimapolitik beitragen könnte und dass weiterer Forschungsbedarf hierzu auf der lokalen Ebene besteht.
A practitioners approach to individual claims models for bodily injury claims in german non-life insurance
Authors: Wiedemann Marcel , John Daniel
Published: January 2022

The aim of our paper is to discuss the difficulties non-life actuaries are currently facing from a practical point of view. Based on this, we show that individual claims models are the key to address these difficulties and discuss how such models give actuaries a new and very powerful tool to explore further fields of application. Moreover, we address a very essential question: What data is needed for developing individual claims models? For bodily injury claims in German motor liability insurance, we shall derive specific attributes based on a detailed discussion of the legal background. All our ideas are based on practical experience for a large German motor insurance portfolio.
LMBOPT: a limited memory method for bound-constrained optimization
Authors: Kimiaei Morteza , Neumaier Arnold , Azmi Behzad
Published: January 2022

Recently, Neumaier and Azmi gave a comprehensive convergence theory for a generic algorithm for bound constrained optimization problems with a continuously differentiable objective function. The algorithm combines an active set strategy with a gradient-free line search along a piecewise linear search path defined by directions chosen to reduce zigzagging. This paper describes , an efficient implementation of this scheme. It employs new limited memory techniques for computing the search directions, improves by adding various safeguards relevant when finite precision arithmetic is used, and adds many practical enhancements in other details. The paper compares and several other solvers on the unconstrained and bound constrained problems from the collection and makes recommendations on which solver to use and when. Depending on the problem class, the problem dimension, and the precise goal, the best solvers are , , and .
Automatic cabin virtualization based on preliminary aircraft design data
Authors: Walther Jan-Niclas , Kocacan Bahadir , Hesse Christian , Gindorf Alex , Nagel Björn
Published: January 2022

Preliminary aircraft design and cabin design are essential and well-established steps within the product development cycle for modern passenger aircraft. In practice, the execution usually takes place sequentially, with the preliminary design defining a basic cabin layout and the detail implementation following in a subsequent step. To enable higher fidelity assessment of the cabin early in the design process—for example by means of virtual reality applications—this paper proposes an interface, which can derive detailed 3D geometry of the fuselage from preliminary design data provided in the Common Parametric Aircraft Configuration Schema (CPACS). This is a key step towards integration of cabin analysis and preliminary design in automated collaborative aircraft design chains, not only in terms of passenger comfort, but also manufacturability or crash safety. Like the TiGL Geometry Library for CPACS, the interface presented acts as a parameter engine, which translates data from CPACS into CAD geometry using the Open Cascade Technology library. However, the scope of TiGL is expanded significantly, albeit with an explicit focus on the fuselage, by including more details such as extruded frame and stringer profiles and floor structures. Furthermore, advanced knowledge management techniques are employed to detect and augment missing data. For virtual reality applications, triangulated representations of the CAD geometry can be provided in established exchange formats, creating an interface to common visualization platforms. Additionally, a new evolution of the cabin definition schema in CPACS is presented, to incorporate models of cabin components such as seats or sidewall panels enabling immersive virtual mock-ups.