bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Agent‐based stratosphere airship cooperative control for earth‐observing system
Authors: Zhang Peng , Wang Quanbao , Tang Jiwei , Duan Dengping
Published: February 2022

In this article, the agent‐based stratosphere airship cooperative control for the earth‐observing system is proposed under high order dynamic nonlinear. The distributed control is designed to achieve the leader‐following consensus for the stratosphere airship earth‐observing system. Finally, numerical results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme of leader‐following stratosphere airship earth‐observing system.
Perfect sampling from spatial mixing
Authors: Feng Weiming , Guo Heng , Yin Yitong
Published: February 2022

We introduce a new perfect sampling technique that can be applied to general Gibbs distributions and runs in linear time if the correlation decays faster than the neighborhood growth. In particular, in graphs with subexponential neighborhood growth like , our algorithm achieves linear running time as long as Gibbs sampling is rapidly mixing. As concrete applications, we obtain the currently best perfect samplers for colorings and for monomer‐dimer models in such graphs.
Software change‐proneness prediction based on deep learning
Authors: Zhu Xiaoyan , Li Nan , Wang Yong
Published: February 2022

Software change‐proneness prediction can help reduce software maintenance costs. Thus, it has drawn the attention of many researchers. In this paper, we propose a CNN (convolutional neural network)‐based method for software change‐proneness prediction, aiming to utilize the powerful prediction ability to make score of the performance measure higher than other baseline methods. Moreover, to alleviate the effect of the class imbalance problem, resampling methods are employed with the CNN. To validate the performance of the proposed CNN‐based method, an empirical study was conducted. The experimental results show that the CNN‐based method together with the resampling method performs better than the baseline methods, and the scores of performance measure of CNN with the ROS (random oversampling) method are higher than other method, especially the important performance measure.
Band im Grünen – die Radwegbrücke Rosenau in Fulda
Authors: Hoier Andreas
Published: February 2022

Der Neubau einer Radwegbrücke im Auenpark der Stadt Fulda ist das Herzstück eines neuen Geh‐ und Radwegkonzepts. Die Brücke schafft eine direkte Anbindung der umliegenden Stadtteile an die Innenstadt Fulda und bündelt die hessischen Fernradwege R1, R2 und R3. Eine in der direkten Nachbarschaft gelegene, vor 25 Jahren errichtete Holzbrücke kann nun zu einer reinen Gehwegbrücke umfunktioniert werden. Dies ermöglicht eine bessere Trennung der Verkehrsströme und erhöht die Verkehrssicherheit. Der Entwurf sah ein weit spannendes, elegant zurückgenommenes Band vor, das sich mit leichten Bögen in die Auenlandschaft eingliedert. Durch die doppelsymmetrische Linienführung der neuen Brücke, die geschwungenen Bögen der Zuwegung und die leicht verdrehte Ausrichtung relativ zu einer benachbarten Straßenbrücke entsteht eine harmonische Wegeführung, die sich fließend in die umgebende Auenlandschaft eingliedert. Entwurfsziele waren eine kurze und direkte Anbindung an das bestehende Radwegenetz, ein geringer Flächenverbrauch mit min. Eingriff in die Natur sowie die Errichtung eines ökologisch und ökonomisch nachhaltigen Bauwerks zur Stärkung umweltfreundlicher Mobilität.
Neural‐augmented two‐stage Monte Carlo tree search with over‐sampling for protein folding in HP Model
Authors: Deng Hangyu , Yuan Xin , Tian Yanling , Hu Jinglu
Published: February 2022

This paper proposes a novel Monte Carlo tree search (MCTS) algorithm to solve the protein folding problem in HP model. There are two main challenges. First, the problem is proved to be NP‐complete. The solution space is large and it is hard to find a good solution via a search algorithm without prior knowledge of the HP model. We tackle this challenge by formulating the problem as a deterministic Markov decision process (MDP) and solve it in an AlphaZero's manner. The difference is that we design a MCTS algorithm with two stages: neural exploitation stage and random exploration stage. In the first stage, the search algorithm utilizes the knowledge from previous experience by evaluating the states with a trained neural network, while in the second stage, the states are evaluated by fast and random rollouts. It effectively reduces the number of neural inferences and computational cost. The second challenge is that the evaluation of typical MCTS cannot preserve the correct preference over the actions in our task. To address this challenge, we propose an over‐sampling mechanism that encourages the agent to search more on those actions with high rollout values. The proposed method is tested and compared in a series of experiments. Experimental results have confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed method empirically. Besides, we also visualize the obtained the best conformations and verify the proposed technical designs through an ablation study. © 2022 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Exosomal lncRNA HMMR‐AS1 mediates macrophage polarization through miR‐147a/ARID3A axis under hypoxia and affects the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wang Xu , Zhou Yao , Dong Ke , Zhang Hao , Gong Jun , Wang Shan
Published: February 2022

Background

At present, the role of lncRNA in different kinds of tumors has been widely reported, but its role with hypoxic environment and macrophage polarization is still unclear. Therefore, this study tried to clarify the role of exosomal lncRNA in tumor hypoxic environment and macrophage polarization in the process of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and provide a basis for targeted therapy of HCC.

Methods

Bioinformatics screening of differentially expressed lncRNA and mRNA was carried out through GEO database, and the expression of lncRNA HMMR‐AS1 in tumor tissues was detected and verified in HCC tissues. The effects of HMMR‐AS1 on proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and macrophage polarization were determined by in vitro and in vivo experiments. Perform luciferase reporter gene detection and RNA immunoprecipitation to reveal the interaction between HMMR‐AS1, miR‐147a, and ARID3A. At the same time, the JASPAR database and dual luciferase report were used to detect the relationship between HIF‐1α and HMMR‐AS1 transcription regulation. Finally, nanoparticle tracking technology, transmission electron microscopy, and western blot were used to detect the effect of hypoxic environment on exosome secretion.

Results

LncRNA HMMR‐AS1 was significantly up‐regulated in HCC tissues and HCC cells and was related to the poor prognosis. Inhibiting the expression of HMMR‐AS1 could significantly inhibit tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. Further study of the mechanism showed that HMMR‐AS1 could competitively bind to miR‐147a to prevent the degradation of ARID3A. Exosomes carrying HMMR‐AS1 could promote the M2 polarization of macrophages mediated by this pathway and further accelerate the progression of HCC. In addition, in the hypoxic environment, HIF‐1α promotes its transcription by binding to the HMMR‐AS1 promoter and induces an increase in the number of exosomes secreted.

Conclusion

In summary, we first discovered and verified the role of lncRNA HMMR‐AS1 in HCC. In terms of mechanism, the promotion of exosomal HMMR‐AS1 competitive adsorption of miR‐147a under hypoxic environment affects ARID3A‐mediated macrophage polarization. These data provide a new direction for the research on the pathogenesis of HCC and the development of targeted therapy.
Synthetic nanoprobes for biological hydrogen sulfide detection and imaging
Authors: Zhou Yingzhu , Mazur Federico , Fan Qingqing , Chandrawati Rona
Published: February 2022

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a gaseous molecule involved in multiple biological and physiological processes, including various diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. This has led to the development of various analytical methods to monitor H2S in biological settings. Among these, fluorescence‐based assays, specifically organic small‐molecule probes, have been thoroughly utilized. They offer good sensitivity and specificity as sensors, and noninvasive detection with high spatiotemporal resolution in in vitro and in vivo imaging. Despite attempts to decrease the rate of photobleaching and enhance the photostability of these dyes, they are still limited by low survival time and complex reagent pretreatment. Fortunately, nanotechnology has been applied to develop effective, highly sensitive, and specific fluorescent nanoprobes. Specifically, nanomaterial‐based H2S probes have emerged as promising candidates for real‐time detection and imaging. In contrast to their organic molecule‐based counterparts, they offer higher versatility in imaging modes due to their unique optical properties, improved photostability and solubility within physiological fluids, as well as easily modifiable surfaces and tuneable structures for improved specificity. Recently, many nanomaterial‐based probes, ranging from inorganic nanoparticles to self‐assembled nanocomposites, have been developed. These have, for the most part, achieved sensitive and specific endogenous H2S detection and in vivo imaging. In this review, we evaluate five different nanomaterials currently being researched to detect and image endogenous H2S within the last 5 years. Furthermore, analytical methods associated with the various signal outputs, current challenges in H2S nanoprobe design, and possible future research interests are outlined and discussed.
Retrospective de‐trending of wind site turbulence using machine learning
Authors: Tough Fraser , Hart Edward
Published: February 2022

This paper considers the removal of low‐frequency trend contributions from turbulence intensity values at sites for which only 10‐min statistics in wind speed are available. It is proposed the problem be reformulated as a direct regression task, solvable using machine learning techniques in conjunction with training data formed from measurements at sites for which underlying (non‐averaged) wind data are available. Once trained, the machine learning models can de‐trend sites for which only 10‐min statistics have been retained. A range of machine learning techniques are tested, for cases of linear and filtered approaches to de‐trending, using data from 14 sites. Results indicate this approach allows for excellent approximation of de‐trended turbulence intensity distributions at unobserved sites, providing significant improvements over the existing recommended method. The best results were obtained using Neural Network, Random Forest and Boosted Tree models.
Financial Forecasting with Word Embeddings Extracted from News: A Preliminary Analysis
Authors: Barbaglia Luca , Consoli Sergio , Wang Susan
Published: February 2022

News represents a rich source of information about financial agents actions and expectations. We rely on word embedding methods to summarize the daily content of news. We assess the added value of the word embeddings extracted from US news, as a case study, by using different language approaches while forecasting the US S&P500 index by means of DeepAR, an advanced neural forecasting method based on auto-regressive Recurrent Neural Networks operating in a probabilistic setting. Although this is currently on-going work, the obtained preliminary results look promising, suggesting an overall validity of the employed methodology.
Die Betriebswirtschaftslehre und Werturteile – Eine historisch-kritische Analyse und Standortbestimmung
Authors: Fuchs Florian
Published: February 2022

„Die Geschichte wirtschaftlichen Denkens nachzuzeichnen beabsichtigt weder, bildungsbeflissen eine erlauchte Ahnenreihe vorweisen zu können, noch den Pessimisten zu bestätigen: ‚Alles schon einmal dagewesen‘. Vielmehr bezwecken wissenschaftsgeschichtliche Untersuchungen, das Verständnis für die unterschiedlichen Vorgehensweisen (Methoden) zu erleichtern, wie Erkenntnisse in einem Bereich des Forschens gesucht worden sind und werden. Damit erleichtert das Studium der Geschichte der Wirtschaftswissenschaften das Erlernen und Beurteilen […] wirtschaftswissenschaftlicher Theorien […].“
Konzeption einer subjektunabhängigen, analytischen Unternehmensethik
Authors: Fuchs Florian
Published: February 2022

Business ethics is essential for business. Business ethics is vital not because it is fashionable – though business can ill afford to ignore anything […] that seriously influences the markets in which it operates. Rather, business ethics is necessary because ethical choices are unavoidable. The business ethics challenge is to make that inevitable ethical decision-making explicit so as to make it better.
Resümee und Ausblick
Authors: Fuchs Florian
Published: February 2022

„Die Frage nach der gesellschaftlichen Verantwortung ist in den vergangenen Jahren eine zentrale Herausforderung für Unternehmen geworden.“
The COVID-19 pandemic reduced the trauma incidence and modified its pattern in Al-Ain City, United Arab Emirates
Authors: Alao David Olukolade , Cevik Arif Alper , Yasin Yasin Jemal , Jaiganesh Thiagarajan , Abu-Zidan Fikri
Published: February 2022

Aim

We aimed to study the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the pattern of injury and outcome of hospitalized trauma patients in Al-Ain City, United Arab Emirates, to use this information in the preparedness for future pandemics.

Methods

We retrospectively compared the trauma registry data of all hospitalised trauma patients, who were treated at the two main trauma centres in Al-Ain City (Al-Ain Hospital and Tawam Hospital); those who were treated over 1 year before the pandemic (n = 2002) and those who were treated at the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 1468).

Results

There was a 26.7% reduction in the overall incidence of trauma admissions in the COVID-19 pandemic period. The mechanism of injury significantly differed between the two periods (p < 0.0001, Fisher’s exact test). There was an absolute increase in the number of injuries, due to machinery and falling objects during the pandemic (39.7% and 54.1% respectively, p < 0.001). In contrast, road traffic collisions and falls were reduced by 33.5% and 31.3%, respectively. Location significantly differed between the two periods (p < 0.0001, Fisher’s exact test). There was an absolute increase of 18.4% in workplace injuries and a reduction of 39.3% in home injuries over the study period. In addition, we observed relatively more workplace injuries and fewer home injuries during the pandemic (11.3% and 42.8% compared with 7.1% and 52.4%, respectively). Mortality was similar between the two periods (1.8% compared with 1.2%, p = 0.16, Fisher’s exact test).

Conclusions

The COVID-19 pandemic has modified the trauma risk exposure in our population. It reduced trauma hospital admissions by around 27%. Work-related injuries, including falling objects and machinery injuries, were relatively higher during the pandemic. Prevention of work-related injuries should be an important component of preparedness for future pandemics.
Partnerschaftliche und familiäre Aspekte bei Krebserkrankungen
Authors: Zimmermann Tanja
Published: February 2022

Eine Krebserkrankung stellt nicht nur für die erkrankte Person eine Herausforderung dar, sondern kann auch mit psychosozialen Beeinträchtigungen der Angehörigen, insbesondere der Partner und Partnerinnen und der minderjährigen Kinder, einhergehen. Obwohl Studien zu langfristigen Auswirkungen einer Krebserkrankung auf Partner und Partnerinnen, die Partnerschaft und die kindliche Entwicklung noch selten sind, gibt es Hinweise für die Chronifizierung der psychischen Belastungen von Angehörigen und für Risiken der Entwicklung psychischer Störungen bei Kindern erkrankter Eltern. Darüber hinaus erhöht eine Verschlechterung der partnerschaftlichen Zufriedenheit auch das Trennungsrisiko.

In der psychoonkologischen Versorgung sollten daher nicht nur die psychosozialen Belastungen der Erkrankten, sondern auch die der Partner und Partnerinnen und die Auswirkungen auf die Partnerschaft berücksichtigt werden und entsprechende Angebote z. B. zur Erhöhung der partnerschaftlichen und sexuellen Zufriedenheit, der Kommunikation oder dem dyadischen Coping erfolgen. Auch Kinder sollten in der Versorgung als Angehörige betrachtet werden. Ein Fokussieren auf die kindlichen Belastungen sowie auf die Verbesserung der Eltern-Kind-Beziehung und des Erziehungsverhaltens kann Kindern bei der Bewältigung der elterlichen Erkrankung auch langfristig helfen. Somit sollte eine Krebserkrankung immer auf individueller, dyadischer und familiärer Ebene betrachtet werden und psychosoziale Versorgungsangebote sollten auf allen Ebenen erfolgen.
Subcutaneous ICD for more and transvenous ICD for few?!
Authors: Abdin Amr , Aktaa Suleman
Published: February 2022

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) have been shown to reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death in primary or secondary prevention with thousands of ICDs implanted every year worldwide. Whilst ICD are more commonly implanted transvenously (TV), this approach carries high risk of peri- and post-procedural complications. Subcutaneous ICD (S-ICD) have been introduced to overcome the intravascular complications of TV system by placing all metalware outside the chest cavity for those with an indication for a defibrillator and no pacing requirements. In conclusion, a review of the current guidelines recommendations regarding S-ICD may be needed considering the emerging evidence which shows high efficacy and safety with contemporary devices and programming algorithms. A stronger recommendation may be developed for selective patients who have an indication for single-chamber ICD in the absence of negative screening, recurrent monomorphic ventricular tachycardia, cardiac resynchronization therapy, or pacemaker indication. These criteria encapsulate a large proportion (around 70%!) of all ICD eligible patients.
Thermal vacuum tests for the ESA’s OPS-SAT mission
Authors: Kubicka Manuel , Zeif Reinhard , Henkel Maximilian , Hörmer Andreas Johann
Published: February 2022

OPS-SAT is an ESA nanosatellite launched in December 2019. The spacecraft is open for third-party experiments, which can use almost all functions provided by the spacecraft and take full control of it. Depending on the experiment and usage of the payload, the power consumption of the spacecraft may be as small as a few watts but can exceed 30 W at full load. The peak power production lies in the same order of magnitude, which is highly demanding for thermal regulation. This article describes the preparation and execution of the OPS-SAT Thermal Vacuum (TVAC) test campaign and discusses the limitations and restrictions that had to be taken into account, such as technical limitations with respect to mounting the spacecraft inside the TVAC chamber. Additionally, the procedure of identifying a comprehensive test scenario is discussed. The general approach of TVAC tests and the results of one full test cycle are presented, and the key findings are discussed. The goal is to address the problems and limitations that were encountered during the TVAC test campaign and to provide some ideas and suggestions for improvement for the future.
Blindleistungsbereitstellung aus Flächenverteilnetzen – praktische Umsetzung in einem Feldtest
Authors: Kreutziger Marcus , Wende-von-Berg Sebastian , Krahmer Sebastian , Schegner Peter
Published: February 2022

Im Rahmen des Beitrags sollen das Potenzial der Blindleistungsbereitstellung und mögliche Regelungskonzepte im Kontext von Redispatch 2.0 dargestellt werden. Ein umfangreicher Feldtest zeigt das Zusammenspiel von Übertragungs- und Verteilnetzbetreibern bezüglich einer spannungsebenenübergreifenden Blindleistungsregelung auf. Neben der Konzeption und Entwicklung aller Systemkomponenten wurden die Funktionalität einer aktiven Blindleistungsregelung und deren Wirkung auf den realen Netzbetrieb evaluiert.
Perennial pasture grass invasion changes fire behaviour and recruitment potential of a native forb in a temperate Australian grassland
Authors: Walker Zac C. , Morgan John W.
Published: February 2022

Invasive grasses can modify fire regimes of native ecosystems leading to changed ecosystem structure, composition, and functioning. Temperate grasslands in Australia are currently being invaded by a suite of exotic perennial pasture grasses, but their effects on ecosystems remain largely unknown. We aimed to determine the effect of invasion by the exotic perennial grass Phalaris aquatica on fire behaviour, as well as the regeneration potential of an endangered forb in temperate native grasslands in south-eastern Australia. Frequently burnt native grasslands invaded by exotic grasses were found to have two times more fuel than grasslands dominated by native grasses; in less-frequently burned native grasslands, exotic grasses contributed to fuel loads that were five times higher than native grasslands. Exotic-dominated grasslands burned differently than native grasslands; fire intensities were three times higher in exotic-dominated grasslands and had a wide variability in fire residence times. Soil heating was positively related to fire residence time but had no clear relationship with fire intensity. Seed germinability of Leucochrysum albicans var. tricolor (Hoary Sunray, Asteraceae) was reduced by exotic grass-fueled fire and increasing fire residence times. The observed changes in fire behaviour represent an invasion-driven shift in the ecosystem’s fire regime. By increasing fuel mass, fire residence time increased, and this influenced seed survival and subsequent germinability. Increased fire intensity following invasion highlights that invasive grasses can increase the fire-risk of grasslands. Maintaining native grasslands free of invasive pasture grasses therefore has environmental and fire-risk benefits.
“I tried to control my emotions”: Nursing Home Care Workers’ Experiences of Emotional Labor in China
Authors: Yan Zhe
Published: February 2022

Despite dramatic expansions in the Chinese nursing home sector in meeting the increasing care needs of a rapidly aging population, direct care work in China remains largely devalued and socially unrecognized. Consequently, scant attention has been given to the caregiving experiences of direct care workers (DCWs) in Chinese nursing homes. In particular, given the relational nature of care work, there is little knowledge as to how Chinese DCWs manage emotions and inner feelings through their emotional labor. This article examines the emotional labor of Chinese DCWs through ethnographic data collected with 20 DCWs in one nursing home located in an urban setting in central China. Data were analyzed using conventional content analysis and constant comparison. Participants’ accounts of sustaining a caring self, preserving professional identity, and hoping for reciprocity revealed implicit meanings about the often-conflicting nature of emotional labor and the nonreciprocal elements of care work under constrained working conditions. Importantly, the moral-cultural notion ofbao(报 norm of reciprocity) was found to be central among DCWs in navigating strained resources and suggested their agency in meaning-construction. However, their constructed moral buffers may be insufficient if emotional labor continues to be made invisible by care organizations.
Evaluation of ePC-SAFT for pH Calculation in Aqueous Itaconic Acid Solutions at High Ionic Strengths
Authors: Styn Robert , Holtz Arne , Biselli Andreas , Kaminski Sebastian , Jupke Andreas
Published: February 2022

In the context of the raw material change for sustainable production of chemicals, the selected bio-based amino acids and carboxylic acids are considered as promising platform chemicals. After fermentation, the acids are present in aqueous solutions with many side components and elevated ionic strength. The ionic strength is even further increased when pH-shift operations are applied for the separation of the target compounds. Since high ionic strengths strongly affect the solution properties, particularly the solid–liquid-equilibrium and the dissociation equilibrium in the solution, the high ionic strengths and the resulting effects on the solutions must also be taken into account in process modeling and the design of downstream processes. Various models have been reported in the literature but the majority cannot be applied for predicting the solution composition and pH at high ionic strengths. In this work, a procedure for the calculation of the composition, i.e. the distribution of the present species and pH, of aqueous itaconic acid solutions based on ePC-SAFT is developed and evaluated at different levels of ionic strengths. The ePC-SAFT parameters of itaconic acid are determined based on experimental solubility data from literature. The resulting model is validated with experimentally measured titration curves and compared with the ideal model and the Davies approximation to the Debye–Hückel model. It is demonstrated that the ePC-SAFT approach provides reliable results at high ionic strengths with lower deviations from experimental data than current literature models.
Bifurcation analysis and nonlinear dynamics of a capacitive energy harvester in the vicinity of the primary and secondary resonances
Authors: Azizi Saber , Madinei Hadi , Taghipour Javad , Ouakad Hassen M.
Published: February 2022

The objective of the present study is to examine the effect of nonlinearity on the efficiency enhancement of a capacitive energy harvester. The model consists of a cantilever microbeam underneath which there is an electret layer with a surface voltage, which is responsible for the driving energy. The packaged device is exposed to unwanted harmonic mechanical excitation. The microbeam undergoes mechanical vibration, and accordingly, the energy is harvested throughout the output electric circuit. The dynamic formulation accounts for nonlinear curvature, inertia, and nonlinear electrostatic force. The efficiency of the device in the vicinity of the primary and super-harmonic resonances is examined, and accordingly, the output power is evaluated. Bifurcation analysis is carried out on the dynamics of the system by detecting the bifurcations in the frequency domain and diagnosing their respective types. One of the challenging issues in the design and analysis of energy-harvesting devices is to broaden the bandwidth so that more frequencies are potentially accomodated within the amplification region. In this study, the effect of the nonlinearity on the bandwidth broadening, as well as efficiency improvement of the device, are examined. It is seen that as the base excitation amplitude increases, the vibration amplitude does also increase and accordingly the nonlinearity dominates. The super-harmonic resonance regions emerge and get bigger as the vibration amplitude increases, and pull-in gaps appear in the frequency response curves.
Causal fundamentality
Authors: Hamri Soufiane
Published: February 2022

I present an argument for causal fundamentality, understood as the thesis that the causal history of every being, whose existence has a causal explanation, includes some uncaused beings. I argue that this thesis is a consequence of an actualist account of metaphysical modality whose novelty lies in its hybrid dispositional-essentialist foundation. I argue that my modal theory is extensionally correct and minimalistic. Its range of metaphysical necessities and possibilities is just as wide as needed to capture the pre-theoretical notion of modality. Moreover, my theory is immune from the necessitism of standard essentialist accounts of modality and addresses the challenge of global possibilities facing dispositionalist modal theories thanks to its essentialist component.
1H, 13C and 15N chemical shift assignment of the stem-loops 5b + c from the 5′-UTR of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Mertinkus Klara R. , Grün J. Tassilo , Altincekic Nadide , Bains Jasleen Kaur , Ceylan Betül , Ferner Jan-Peter , Frydman Lucio , Fürtig Boris , Hengesbach Martin , Hohmann Katharina F. , Hymon Daniel , Kim Jihyun , Knezic Božana , Novakovic Mihajlo , Oxenfarth Andreas , Peter Stephen A. , Qureshi Nusrat S. , Richter Christian , Scherf Tali , Schlundt Andreas , Schnieders Robbin , Schwalbe Harald , Stirnal Elke , Sudakov Alexey , Vögele Jennifer , Wacker Anna , Weigand Julia E. , Wirmer-Bartoschek Julia , Martin Maria A. Wirtz , Wöhnert Jens
Published: February 2022

The ongoing pandemic of the respiratory disease COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 (SCoV2) virus. SCoV2 is a member of the Betacoronavirus genus. The 30 kb positive sense, single stranded RNA genome of SCoV2 features 5′- and 3′-genomic ends that are highly conserved among Betacoronaviruses. These genomic ends contain structured cis-acting RNA elements, which are involved in the regulation of viral replication and translation. Structural information about these potential antiviral drug targets supports the development of novel classes of therapeutics against COVID-19. The highly conserved branched stem-loop 5 (SL5) found within the 5′-untranslated region (5′-UTR) consists of a basal stem and three stem-loops, namely SL5a, SL5b and SL5c. Both, SL5a and SL5b feature a 5′-UUUCGU-3′ hexaloop that is also found among Alphacoronaviruses. Here, we report the extensive 1H, 13C and 15N resonance assignment of the 37 nucleotides (nts) long sequence spanning SL5b and SL5c (SL5b + c), as basis for further in-depth structural studies by solution NMR spectroscopy.
CAD and FEM Modelling of Theoretical Roughness in Diamond Burnishing
Authors: Felhő Csaba , Varga Gyula
Published: February 2022

Diamond burnishing is a widely used finishing machining that can have a positive effect on both the roughness of cut surfaces and its stress state. This paper is focused on the examination of the theoretical and real roughness of surfaces machined by sliding burnishing. In determining the theoretical roughness, the surface structure created by the pre-burnishing cutting (turning) was also considered. Two different modelling methods were used to obtain theoretical surface roughness data: CAD-modelling and finite element simulation. A method using CAD-based modelling of the machined surface was used to determine the theoretical roughness for both the turning and burnishing processes. However, this previously developed model is not directly applicable to plastic deformation processes such as diamond burnishing, so the principle of the Hertz theory for normal contact of elastic solids was used to calculate the penetration depth of the tool into the workpiece. The 2D FEM simulations were performed in the DEFORM software. To validate the applied modelling methods, real cutting experiments were performed, where the surface roughness values were measured during diamond burnishing experiments with different feed per revolution values. Based on the comparison of both applied modelling methods with real roughness data it can be stated that the theoretical roughness values are well approximated the real data.
Sustainability of groundwater resources of weathered and fractured schists in the rural areas of Galicia (Spain)
Authors: Samper Javier , Naves Acacia , Pisani Bruno , Dafonte Jorge , Montenegro Luis , García-Tomillo Aitor
Published: February 2022

Water supply deficits in droughts, groundwater pollution and climate change are the main challenges for the sustainability of groundwater resources from hard-rock aquifers in rural areas of Galicia (Spain). Here, we address the sustainability of groundwater resources of weathered and fractured schists in the rural areas of the Abegondo municipality. The conceptualization of the hydrogeology of the study area includes: (1) The weathered schist (regolith), (2) The decompressed highly fractured schist layer; and (3) An underlying slightly fractured schist. Groundwater flows mostly through the regolith and the highly fractured rock. Rainfall infiltration is the source of aquifer recharge. Groundwater discharges in seepage areas, springs and along creeks and valleys. The water table is generally shallow and shows seasonal oscillations of up to 4 m. The equivalent transmissivity of the regolith and the highly fractured schist ranges from 15 to 35 m2/days. The electrical resistivity tomography identifies a shallow water table and attests that the contact of the highly fractured schist and the slightly fractured schist is highly heterogeneous. Groundwater resources were quantified with a hydrological water balance model. The mean annual recharge is about 185 mm. Groundwater recharge at the end of the twenty-first century could decrease from 6 to 10% due to climate change. The decline in groundwater table could aggravate the shortages during droughts. Groundwater quality data show bacteriological and nitrate contamination due to the poor management of the manure in the fields and occasional discharges of slurry from pig and mink farms. Groundwater management and protection actions are proposed to prevent groundwater pollution and achieve a sustainable groundwater supply in the study area.
Firms’ distance to the European productivity frontier
Authors: Añón Higón Dolores , Máñez Juan A. , Rochina-Barrachina María E. , Sanchis Amparo , Sanchis Juan A.
Published: February 2022

In this article we explore the factors contributing to reduce the distance of laggard firms to the European frontier, focusing on institutional factors. To characterize Total Factor Productivity frontier firms within industries for the European Union we use firm level data from AMADEUS for the period 2003–2014. Our findings provide evidence on the importance of governance quality and easiness in getting credit in explaining the distance of laggard firms to the European productivity frontier. We also find that other factors at the country level -tertiary education, R&D stock, and trade openness- and at the firm level -size, age, and capital-intensity- influence the distance of laggards to the frontier. In addition, we examine the role of the Great Recession in moderating the contribution of all these factors to reduce firms’ distance to the European productivity frontier.
Computational Topology for Data Analysis
Authors: Dey Tamal Krishna , Wang Yusu
Published: February 2022

Topological data analysis (TDA) has emerged recently as a viable tool for analyzing complex data, and the area has grown substantially both in its methodologies and applicability. Providing a computational and algorithmic foundation for techniques in TDA, this comprehensive, self-contained text introduces students and researchers in mathematics and computer science to the current state of the field. The book features a description of mathematical objects and constructs behind recent advances, the algorithms involved, computational considerations, as well as examples of topological structures or ideas that can be used in applications. It provides a thorough treatment of persistent homology together with various extensions – like zigzag persistence and multiparameter persistence – and their applications to different types of data, like point clouds, triangulations, or graph data. Other important topics covered include discrete Morse theory, the Mapper structure, optimal generating cycles, as well as recent advances in embedding TDA within machine learning frameworks.
Disaster Preparedness Among Populations in Shenzhen, China, With and Without Chronic Disease
Authors: Qin Yu-Ju , Liu Jia-Hong , Xie Yao-Jie , Wang Shao-ling , Liu Xian-liang , Loke Alice Yuen , Mo Bei-Rong
Published: February 2022

Objective:

This survey examined and compared the disaster perception and preparedness of 2421 residents with and without chronic disease in Shenzhen, China.

Methods:

The participants were recruited and were asked to complete a survey in 2018.

Results:

Three types of disasters considered most likely to happen in Shenzhen were: typhoons (73.5% vs 74.9%), major transport accidents (61.5% vs 64.7%), and major fires (60.8% vs 63.0%). Only 5.9% and 5% of them, respectively, considered infectious diseases pandemics to be likely. There were significant differences between those with and without chronic disease in disaster preparedness, only a small percentage could be considered to have prepared for disaster (20.7% vs 14.5%). Logistic regression analyses showed that those aged 65 or older (odds ratio [OR] = 2.76), who had attained a Master’s degree or higher (OR = 2.0), and with chronic disease (OR = 1.38) were more prepared for disasters.

Conclusions:

Although participants with chronic disease were better prepared than those without, overall, Shenzhen residents were inadequately prepared for disasters and in need of public education.
The Explanationist and the Modalist
Authors: Mortini Dario
Published: February 2022

Recent epistemology has witnessed a substantial opposition between two competing approaches to capturing the notion of non-accidentality in the analysis of knowledge: the explanationist and the modalist. According to the latest advocates of the former (e.g., Bogardus and Perrin 2020), S knows that p if and only if S believes that p because p is true. According to champions of the latter (e.g., safety and sensitivity theorists), S knows that p if and only if S's belief that p is true in a relevant set of possible worlds. Because Bogardus and Perrin's explanationism promises to deliver a plausible analysis of knowledge without any need for modal notions, it is an elegant proposal with prima facie appeal. However, such version of explanationism ultimately does not live up to its promises: in this paper, I raise some objections to their explanationist analysis of knowledge while showing that modalism is in much better shape than they think. In particular, I argue that their explanationist condition generates the wrong results in Gettier cases and fake-barn cases. I also offer and defend a novel version of modalism: I introduce a refined safety condition which is shown to successfully handle the same Gettier cases that beset Bogardus and Perrin's version of explanationism. The paper concludes with a reassessment of the explanationist's initial ambition to provide an analysis of knowledge without modal notions. The upshot will be that even if the prospects for such analysis remain dim, our money should be on the modalist, not the explanationist.
Afghanistan's humanitarian crisis and its impacts on the mental health of healthcare workers during COVID-19
Authors: Islam Zarmina , Rija Aiman , Mohanan Parvathy , Qamar Khulud , Jahangir Kainat , Nawaz Faisal A. , Essar Mohammad Yasir
Published: February 2022

Afghanistan's humanitarian crisis has severely impacted the mental health of frontline workers. With the introduction of the Taliban government, ongoing civil unrest, and other forms of violent attacks, healthcare workers (HCWs) continue to provide patient care despite minimal resources. A severe contraction in the economy, poor supply of medications, political turmoil, and insufficient humanitarian aid have added to pre-existing problems. High levels of insecurity and instability as well as decades of traumatic experiences have contributed to increasing mental health challenges amongst frontline workers. Despite the scarcity of mental health services, HCWs continue to persevere with their service to the community. However, inadequate interventions may have serious implications for HCWs bearing the brunt of multiple traumas. Thus, governmental and international involvement is needed to address both the economic and psychological needs of HCWs in Afghanistan.
Sharp decline in rates of community respiratory viral detection among patients at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic
Authors: Woolbert Michele E. , Spalding Christine D. , Sinaii Ninet , Decker Brooke K. , Palmore Tara N. , Henderson David K.
Published: February 2022

Objectives:

To analyze the frequency and rates of community respiratory virus infections detected in patients at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (NIHCC) between January 2015 and March 2021, comparing the trends before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective study comparing frequency and rates of community respiratory viruses detected in NIHCC patients between January 2015 and March 2021. Test results from nasopharyngeal swabs and washes, bronchoalveolar lavages, and bronchial washes were included in this study. Results from viral-challenge studies and repeated positives were excluded. A quantitative data analysis was completed using cross tabulations. Comparisons were performed using mixed models, applying the Dunnett correction for multiplicity.

Results:

Frequency of all respiratory pathogens declined from an annual range of 0.88%–1.97% between January 2015 and March 2020 to 0.29% between April 2020 and March 2021. Individual viral pathogens declined sharply in frequency during the same period, with no cases of influenza A/B orparainfluenza and 1 case of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Rhino/enterovirusdetection continued, but with a substantially lower frequency of 4.27% between April 2020 and March 2021, compared with an annual range of 8.65%–18.28% between January 2015 and March 2020.

Conclusions:

The decrease in viral respiratory infections detected in NIHCC patients during the pandemic was likely due to the layered COVID-19 prevention and mitigation measures implemented in the community and the hospital. Hospitals should consider continuing the use of nonpharmaceutical interventions in the future to prevent nosocomial transmission of respiratory viruses during times of high community viral load.
Alterations in taste and smell associated with SARS-CoV-2: an exploratory study investigating food consumption and subsequent behavioural changes for those suffering from post-acute sequelae of COVID-19
Authors: Khatri Yunus
Published: February 2022

Objective: To explore food consumption and subsequent behavioural changes amongst PASC suffers associated with alterations in taste and smell.Design: A qualitative study involving five focus groups.Setting: Birmingham and Leicester, England, United Kingdom.Participants: Forty-seven Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 sufferers.Results: Shifts in taste and odour were very common with disgusting or unpleasant notes being perceived in many foods, including animal products rich in protein. Food consumption patterns varied affecting nutrition status, individuals weight, types of foods consumed, cooking habits, coping mechanisms, anxieties, family and social interactions. Individuals expressed the need to taste something or experience normal tastes and flavour. Low pH foods, highly processed foods which may contain large amounts of refined sugars as well as cold processed food were the preferred items for consumption.Conclusion: Olfactory dysfunction was related to the consumption of nutrients that require moderation and to the quality of life. Intervention at an early stage is necessary in order to help avoid such complications and thus, this work informs medical practitioners and health workers of the variety of food choices that are more acceptable for people suffering from altered tastes and odour perception.
Renewal theory for iterated perturbed random walks on a general branching process tree: intermediate generations
Authors: Bohun Vladyslav , Iksanov Alexander , Marynych Alexander , Rashytov Bohdan
Published: February 2022

An iterated perturbed random walk is a sequence of point processes defined by the birth times of individuals in subsequent generations of a general branching process provided that the birth times of the first generation individuals are given by a perturbed random walk. We prove counterparts of the classical renewal-theoretic results (the elementary renewal theorem, Blackwell’s theorem, and the key renewal theorem) for the number of jth-generation individuals with birth times
$\leq t$
, when
$j,t\to\infty$
and
$j(t)={\textrm{o}}\big(t^{2/3}\big)$
. According to our terminology, such generations form a subset of the set of intermediate generations.
CONNECTEDNESS IN STRUCTURES ON THE REAL NUMBERS: O-MINIMALITY AND UNDECIDABILITY
Authors: DOLICH ALFRED , MILLER CHRIS , SAVATOVSKY ALEX , THAMRONGTHANYALAK ATHIPAT
Published: February 2022

We initiate an investigation of structures on the set of real numbers having the property that path components of definable sets are definable. All o-minimal structures on
$(\mathbb {R},<)$
have the property, as do all expansions of
$(\mathbb {R},+,\cdot ,\mathbb {N})$
. Our main analytic-geometric result is that any such expansion of
$(\mathbb {R},<,+)$
by Boolean combinations of open sets (of any arities) either is o-minimal or defines an isomorph of
$(\mathbb N,+,\cdot )$
. We also show that any given expansion of
$(\mathbb {R}, <, +,\mathbb {N})$
by subsets of
$\mathbb {N}^n$
(n allowed to vary) has the property if and only if it defines all arithmetic sets. Variations arise by considering connected components or quasicomponents instead of path components.
Expensive and Cheap Wine Words Revisited
Authors: Capehart Kevin W.
Published: February 2022

Previous work has quantitatively analyzed expert wine descriptions to identify some so-called “expensive” and “cheap” words that are indicative of a wine's price. This paper revisits that work. In particular, I examine whether words previously identified as expensive and cheap ones are still indicative of a wine's price when using the same methods and a different, larger dataset. My findings mostly confirm previous conclusions, although many directions for further research into expensive and cheap wine words remain open. (JEL Classifications: D83, L66)
The effect of post-auricular canal wall down mastoidectomy on the position of the auricle
Authors: Akgül G , Turgut N F , Özdemir D , Unal A , Özgür A
Published: February 2022

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the effect of surgical incision on the auricle position in patients undergoing canal wall down mastoidectomy to treat chronic otitis media.

Methods

Thirty-four patients who had undergone canal wall down mastoidectomy with a post-auricular incision approach were included in the study. Patients who had a previous auricle deformity, who underwent limited mastoidectomy surgery or mastoid obliteration, or who were younger than 18 years of age were excluded. The distances of the upper and middle parts of the auricle to the mastoid were measured.

Results

Measurements in the first post-operative year were found to be 13.15 ± 3.59 mm in the upper region and 16.29 ± 5.00 mm in the middle region. It was observed that the auricle was approaching the mastoid area in both regions.

Conclusion

In patients undergoing radical mastoidectomy, the distance between the auricle and the mastoid may decrease, leading to narrowing of the auriculo-cephalic angle.
Formation control of multiple wheeled mobile robots based on model predictive control
Authors: Nfaileh Najla , Alipour Khalil , Tarvirdizadeh Bahram , Hadi Alireza
Published: February 2022

This paper considers the problem of formation control for a team of nonholonomic wheeled mobile robots considering obstacle avoidance. A new control algorithm based on the model predictive control (MPC) and the nonlinear dynamics of the system is presented here. The control algorithm is applied to the nonlinear system using two different controllers including linear MPC and nonlinear MPC. The virtual structure formation approach and artificial potential field method are employed to determine the reference trajectories of the robots and to solve the problem of obstacle avoidance. A control algorithm consisting of two parts is proposed to track the trajectories and maintain the team’s formation. Two advantages of using MPC techniques are the ability to consider control and state constraints which are of high importance in practical applications. The main contribution of this paper is the design of two robust control systems to disturbance with respect to actuator saturation limits. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed control algorithm in trajectory tracking and formation maintenance in the presence of disturbance and actuator limits.