bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self‐matched learning to construct treatment decision rules from electronic health records
Authors: Xu Tianchen , Chen Yuan , Zeng Donglin , Wang Yuanjia
Published: May 2022

Electronic health records (EHRs) collected from large‐scale health systems provide rich subject‐specific information on a broad patient population at a lower cost compared to randomized controlled trials. Thus, EHRs may serve as a complementary resource to provide real‐world data to construct individualized treatment rules (ITRs) and achieve precision medicine. However, in the absence of randomization, inferring treatment rules from EHR data may suffer from unmeasured confounding. In this article, we propose a self‐matched learning method inspired by the self‐controlled case series (SCCS) design to mitigate this challenge. We alleviate unmeasured time‐invariant confounding between patients by matching different periods of treatments within the same patient (self‐controlled matching) to infer the optimal ITRs. The proposed method constructs a within‐subject matched value function for optimizing ITRs and bears similarity to the SCCS design. We examine assumptions that ensure Fisher consistency, and show that our method requires weaker assumptions on unmeasured confounding than alternative methods. Through extensive simulation studies, we demonstrate that self‐matched learning has comparable performance to other existing methods when there are no unmeasured confounders, but performs markedly better when unobserved time‐invariant confounders are present, which is often the case for EHRs. Sensitivity analyses show that the proposed method is robust under different scenarios. Finally, we apply self‐matched learning to estimate the optimal ITRs from type 2 diabetes patient EHRs, which shows our estimated decision rules lead to greater advantages in reducing patients' diabetes‐related complications.
Hafnium Oxide (HfO2) – A Multifunctional Oxide: A Review on the Prospect and Challenges of Hafnium Oxide in Resistive Switching and Ferroelectric Memories
Authors: Banerjee Writam , Kashir Alireza , Kamba Stanislav
Published: May 2022

Hafnium oxide (HfO2) is one of the mature high‐k dielectrics that has been standing strong in the memory arena over the last two decades. Its dielectric properties have been researched rigorously for the development of flash memory devices. In this review, the application of HfO2in two main emerging nonvolatile memory technologies is surveyed, namely resistive random access memory and ferroelectric memory. How the properties of HfO2equip the former to achieve superlative performance with high‐speed reliable switching, excellent endurance, and retention is discussed. The parameters to control HfO2domains are further discussed, which can unleash the ferroelectric properties in memory applications. Finally, the prospect of HfO2materials in emerging applications, such as high‐density memory and neuromorphic devices are examined, and the various challenges of HfO2‐based resistive random access memory and ferroelectric memory devices are addressed with a future outlook.
A phase 1b open‐label study of sodium selenate as a disease‐modifying treatment for possible behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia
Authors: Vivash Lucy , Malpas Charles B. , Meletis Christian , Gollant Meghan , Eratne Dhamidhu , Li Qiao‐Xin , McDonald Stuart , O'Brien William T. , Brodtmann Amy , Darby David , Kyndt Christopher , Walterfang Mark , Hovens Christopher M. , Velakoulis Dennis , O'Brien Terence J.
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Sodium selenate increases tau dephosphorylation through protein phosphatase 2 activation. Here we report an open‐label Phase 1b study of sodium selenate as a disease‐modifying treatment for behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD).

Methods

Twelve participants with bvFTD received sodium selenate (15 mg, three times a day) for 52 weeks. Safety assessments were carried out throughout the trial. Primary outcomes were frequency of adverse events (AEs), serious adverse events (SAEs), and discontinuations. Secondary outcomes of potential efficacy included cognitive and behavioral assessments, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) whole brain volume, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood total tau (t‐tau), phosphorylated tau (p‐tau), and neurofilament light (NfL) levels, which were measured at baseline and at week 52.

Results

Sodium selenate was safe and well tolerated. All participants completed the study, and the majority (64.7%) of reported AEs were mild. One SAE occurred, which was not treatment related. Small declines in MRI and cognitive and behavioral measures were observed over the treatment period. There was no evidence for change in CSF protein levels (t‐tau, p‐tau, or NfL). Further analysis showed two distinct groups when measuring disease progression markers over the course of the study—one (n = 4) with substantial brain atrophy (2.5% to 6.5% reduction) and cognitive and behavioral decline over the 12‐month treatment period, and the second group (n = 7) with no detectable change in cognitive and behavioral measures and less brain atrophy (0.3% to 1.7% reduction).

Conclusion

Sodium selenate is safe and well tolerated in patients with bvFTD. Randomized‐controlled trials are warranted to investigate potential efficacy.
Enacting Quality Talk Discussions About Text: From Knowing the Model to Navigating the Dynamics of Dialogic Classroom Culture
Authors: Murphy P. Karen , Croninger Rachel M. V. , Baszczewski Sara E. , Tondreau Cory L.
Published: May 2022

Classroom discussions are regarded by both practitioners and researchers as an essential pedagogical practice for fostering students' high‐level comprehension of text yet cultivating a dialogic classroom culture conducive to supporting students' productive talk can be a delicate undertaking. In this article, using a series of transcripts from one teacher's classroom, we describe how Quality Talk (QT), a teacher‐facilitated discussion approach, can be implemented in ways that promote a shift from a teacher‐controlled to a student‐centered dialogic classroom culture. First, we overview the QT model with particular attention to the instructional framework and underlying principles of QT. We then describe some challenging dynamics that arise when dialogic classroom culture shifts as well as approaches for balancing these opposing forces to effectively support student learning. Finally, we provide some initial thoughts on next steps in classroom discussion practice and research and the importance of centering equity and inclusion in dialogic classroom culture.
Age‐related cognitive impairments in domestic cats naturally infected with feline immunodeficiency virus
Authors: Azadian Amin , Gunn‐Moore Danièlle A.
Published: May 2022

Background

Age‐related dementia has been documented in domestic cats; however, its interaction with naturally occurring feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection has been investigated minimally.

Methods

Visuospatial working memory (VSWM) and problem‐solving (PS) ability were evaluated in FIV‐infected (n = 37) and control cats (n = 39) using two cognitive tasks tested serially, which assessed the ability of cats to remember the location of a baited container after a set delay, then evaluated the capability of the cats to manipulate the container to obtain the food within a time limit. Cats were categorized using 7 years of age as a cut‐off to determine age‐related differences. The relationship between cognitive performance and FIV viral load was investigated using real‐time PCR cycle threshold (Ct) values.

Results

Age significantly affected VSWM and PS ability. Younger cats had better VSWM performance and PS ability compared to older cats with the same FIV status. There was no difference between younger FIV‐positive and negative cats in either part of the task. While older FIV‐positive cats had significantly worse VSWM than older FIV‐negative cats, no differences were found in PS ability. Additionally, Ctvalues predicted VSWM but not PS ability.

Conclusion

Age‐related cognitive impairments and FIV infection appear synergetic, causing greater cognitive deficits in older FIV‐infected cats.
Linking wild turkey hen movement data to nesting behavior
Authors: Carpenter Bobbi G. , Sieving Kathryn E. , Terhune Theron , Picardi Simona , Griffith Aaron , Sheilds Roger , Pittman Henry Tyler
Published: May 2022

Monitoring of wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) females to obtain representative measures of apparent nesting and nest survival rates has long been an important component of wild turkey management. In the interest of improving estimates of apparent nesting and nest survival rates, we assessed the feasibility of inferring reproductive behavior of wild turkeys from remotely acquired movement data. We ascertained detailed nesting stage chronologies using Global Positioning System (GPS) data downloaded from 44 females fitted with transmitters that had both a very high frequency (VHF) beacon and a GPS logger. Then we tracked females using VHF to confirm nest locations and nest fate in north and north‐central Florida. Using twice hourly GPS derived locations, we evaluated 3 predictive machine learning models (Chi‐squared automatic interactive detection [CHAID], exhaustive CHAID, and multivariate adaptive regression splines [MARSpline]) for their ability to accurately classify nesting behaviors (laying and incubating stages) that were confirmed via visual inspection of all potential nest sites. Incubation stage was readily identifiable by the spatial signatures present in each female's GPS‐based movement track across all models (up to 92% true positive and as low as 8% false positives in exhaustive CHAID models), whereas the laying stage was more difficult to identify (up to 65% true positive and as low as 35% false positives in exhaustive CHAID models). Daily averages of movement metrics generally achieved better performance in predictive models than data sets with more frequent sampling (i.e., 30‐minute daytime locations). Our results indicated that exhaustive CHAID models performed best in identifying nesting stages, using movement metrics from GPS data. With continued development, these models may facilitate and improve large‐scale wild turkey monitoring.
Historical and potential growth of Gould's wild turkey populations in New Mexico
Authors: Lerich Scott P. , Cardinal Casey J.
Published: May 2022

Gould's wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo mexicana) are native to the southwest corner of New Mexico, southeastern Arizona, and northern and central Mexico. Early ornithological explorations of southwestern New Mexico documented the presence of turkeys, but the subspecies was not identified as Gould's wild turkeys until 1957. Although extirpated from Arizona by 1920, a remnant population of Gould's wild turkeys persisted in the Peloncillo and Animas mountains in New Mexico, possibly due to recolonization from or genetic exchange with proximal populations in Mexico. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish placed Gould's wild turkey on the State Endangered and Threatened list in 1974. Research and monitoring during the mid‐1980s through early 2000s largely focused on observational studies of Gould's wild turkey distribution, abundance, and habitat use. Since 2005, population status and distribution of Gould's wild turkeys in the Peloncillo Mountains was monitored using structured, annual surveys that provided greater insight into minimum population size. From January 2014 to January 2016, the population in the southern Peloncillo Mountains was augmented with the translocation of 60 Gould's wild turkeys from southeastern Arizona. Annual observations of Gould's wild turkeys increased following the 2014–2016 translocations in part due to the ability to detect radio‐marked individuals and identify previously unknown habitats birds were using, allowing for modified survey efforts. Although information on Gould's wild turkey distribution and abundance has increased since 1980, much of the available habitat is currently considered occupied, and future population distribution may be limited.
Mild Hyperthermia Induced by Water-Filtered Infrared A Irradiation: A Potent Strategy to Foster Immune Recognition and Anti-Tumor Immune Responses in Superficial Cancers?
Authors: Multhoff G. , Repasky E. A. , Vaupel Peter
Published: May 2022

Apart from a number of positive “physiological” effects such as an increase in local blood flow which results in an improved oxygen supply and a reversal of tumor hypoxia, a key hallmark of cancer growth which greatly impairs anti-tumor immune responses, hyperthermia (HT) also exerts beneficial effects on anti-cancer immunity. The water-filtered infrared A (wIRA) irradiation technique achieves tissue temperatures in the fever-range (tT = 39–41 °C) or mild hyperthermia levels (tT = 39–43 °C) up to tissue depths of ≈25 mm in tissues. At tissue temperatures of 39–43 °C, by fostering the reactivity of the “immunological” TME [e.g., the activity of CD8+cytotoxic T cells, CD4+helper T cells, dendritic cells (DC), M1 macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells, and NK-like T (NK-T) cells], while compromising immunosuppressive cells [e.g., tumor-associated M2 macrophages (TAMs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), regulatory T (Treg) cells]. Moreover, elevated temperatures resulting in mild hyperthermia induce the synthesis and release of heat-shock proteins (HSPs), and thereby augment tumor antigenicity.
Mode of Action, Efficacy, and Safety of Radiant Warmers in Neonatology
Authors: Singer D.
Published: May 2022

Given the serious adverse effects of hypothermia in term and preterm infants, thermal protection is of paramount importance in neonatal care. To compare potential benefits of wIRA radiators with conventional radiant warmers in neonatology, physical investigations (agar phantoms) and clinical observations (term and preterm neonates) were performed. Physical investigations revealed a fundamental difference in the mode of action between the two types of radiation: Whereas with conventional radiant warmers, the increase in core temperature (phantoms) is preceded by marked elevations in surface temperature, wIRA leads to more direct rises in core temperature and results in smaller amounts of evaporative water loss from the surface. Clinical observations reveal that wIRA causes less skin surface warming than conventional heat irradiation at equal power densities (irradiances). wIRA used as a supplementary source of heat during primary care in the delivery room was found to exert a preventive effect against unintentional heat loss during the subsequent incubator transport of preterm neonates to the intensive care unit. Overall, due to its specific physical properties (“enhanced depth effect with less surface overheating”), wIRA seems to be particularly suited to replace the extra heat losses occurring in preterm or otherwise compromised neonates without undue risk of superficial burns.
Influence of wIRA Irradiation on Wound Healing: Focus on the Dermis
Authors: Zöller N. , Kippenberger S.
Published: May 2022

Impaired wound healing, imbalanced fibroblast proliferation, and extracellular matrix synthesis are associated with aberrant scarring. The impact of impaired wound healing can be tremendous due to physical restrictions, high recurrence rates, stigmatization, and secondary infections in chronic wounds. It is therefore essential to develop alternative treatment regimens to those that are currently used. The highly diverse influence of water-filtered infrared-A (wIRA) on cell metabolism, bacterial colonisation, wound healing, and its high tissue penetration – reaching the subcutis without inducing harmful increases in skin surface temperature or pain – led to the investigation of the influence of the spectral and thermal component of wIRA on normal and keloid fibroblasts in vitro. Data show the potential value of the spectral and the thermal component of wIRA as an adjuvant therapy for aberrant scarring due to its differential influence on the proliferation, migration, and collagen type I synthesis of normal and keloid fibroblasts. The observed aspects in the context of hypertrophic scar treatment need to be evaluated in further basic research and clinical studies.
Whole-Body Hyperthermia in Oncology: Renaissance in the Immunotherapy Era?
Authors: Zschaeck S. , Beck M.
Published: May 2022

A short introduction to the use of whole-body hyperthermia (WBH) in oncology is provided. The main focus is on fever-range whole-body hyperthermia (FRWBH), since various preclinical studies have shown promising results using this approach. However, FRWBH has not been comprehensively investigated in clinical oncology trials. Having provided an overview on the methods to induce WBH, we will summarize preclinical and clinical data on the mode of action of FRWBH. The latter treatment positively affects the tumor micromilieu, especially by decreasing tumor hypoxia. It has the potential to enhance tumor-directed immune reactions and has proven anti-depressive and potential analgesic effects in patients without cancer. These pleiotropic effects align with good tolerability and high acceptability by patients. Given the available evidence, we argue that FRWBH should be investigated as an adjunct to modern cancer treatments in controlled clinical trials.
Experimentbezogene Definitionen, Entwicklungen und Betrachtungen
Authors: Wild Jochen
Published: May 2022

Wie bereits in Kapitel 4 erläutert, ist die Durchführung von FE-Simulationen bei lediglich stichprobenartig experimenteller Ergebnisabsicherung eine in der Wissenschaft und Technik bewährte Strategie zur systematischen Analyse strukturmechanischer Sachverhalte. Dies ist auf ihre Effizienz zurückzuführen. Aus diesem Grund findet sie auch zur Ergebnisgenerierung für diese Dissertation Anwendung, wodurch für diesen Zweck geeignete experimentelle Ergebnisse zwingend erforderlich sind.
Ausblick
Authors: Wild Jochen
Published: May 2022

Die Gestaltfestigkeit evolventisch basierter Zahnwellenverbindungen ist ein großes und komplexes Themengebiet. Zwar sind durch die mit dieser Dissertation veröffentlichten Ergebnisse, Erkenntnisse und Entwicklungen zahlreiche Fragestellungen beantwortet. Allerdings existieren weiterführende technische Sachverhalte, die wissenschaftliche Klärung erfordern.
The sinh-Gordon model beyond the self dual point and the freezing transition in disordered systems
Authors: Bernard Denis , LeClair André
Published: May 2022

Abstract

The S-matrix of the well-studied sinh-Gordon model possesses a remarkable strong/weak coupling dualityb →1/b. Since there is no understanding nor evidence for such a duality based on the quantum action of the model, it should be questioned whether the properties of the model forb >1 are simply obtained by analytic continuation of the weak coupling regime 0< b <1. In this article we assert that the answer is no, and we develop a concrete and specific proposal for the properties whenb >1. Namely, we propose that in this region one needs to introduce a background chargeQ∞=b+ 1/b −2 which differs from the Liouville background charge by the shift of−2. We propose that in this regime the model has non-trivial massless renormalization group flows between two different conformal field theories. This is in contrast to the weak coupling regime which is a theory of a single massive particle. Evidence for our proposal comes from higher order beta functions. We show how our proposal correctly reproduces the freezing transitions in the multi-fractal exponents of a Dirac fermion in 2 + 1 dimensions in a random magnetic field, which provides a strong check since such transitions have several detailed features. We also point out a connection between a semi-classical version of this transition and the so-called Manning condensation phenomena in polyelectrolyte physics.
Rational Normal Curves and Hadamard Products
Authors: Carlini Enrico , Catalisano Maria Virginia , Favacchio Giuseppe , Guardo Elena
Published: May 2022

Given $$r>n$$

r
>
n

general hyperplanes in $$\mathbb P^n,$$

P
n

,

a star configuration of points is the set of all the n-wise intersection of the hyperplanes. We introduce contact star configurations, which are star configurations where all the hyperplanes are osculating to the same rational normal curve. In this paper, we find a relation between this construction and Hadamard products of linear varieties. Moreover, we study the union of contact star configurations on a same conic in $$\mathbb P^2$$

P
2

, we prove that the union of two contact star configurations has a special h-vector and, in some cases, this is a complete intersection.
Clinical overlap between functional neurological disorders and autism spectrum disorders: a preliminary study
Authors: Nisticò Veronica , Goeta Diana , Iacono Adriano , Tedesco Roberta , Giordano Barbara , Faggioli Raffaella , Priori Alberto , Gambini Orsola , Demartini Benedetta
Published: May 2022

Functional neurological disorders (FNDs) and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) share common features in terms of deficits in emotion regulation and recognition, sensory sensitivity, proprioception and interoception. Nevertheless, few studies have assessed their overlap. We recruited 21 patients with FNDs, 30 individuals with ASDs without intellectual disabilities and 45 neurotypical adults (NA). Participants completed: the Autism Quotient (AQ); the Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale-Revised (RAADS-R); and a questionnaire assessing functional neurological symptoms (FNS). ASDs participants also completed the Sensory Perception Quotient-Short Form (SPQ-SF35), assessing sensory sensitivity. In the FNDs sample, no patient scored above the clinical cut-off at the AQ and the 19% scored above the cut-off at the RAADS-R, a prevalence similar to the one we found in NA (15.6%; both p > 0.05). The 86.7% of participants with ASDs reported at least one FNS, a prevalence significantly higher than the NA one (35.6%, p < 0.001). In the ASDs sample, tactile hypersensitivity was found to be a risk factor for functional weakness (OR = 0.74, p = 0.033) and paraesthesia (OR = 0.753, p = 0.019). In conclusions, FNDs individuals did not present autistic traits more than NA, but ASDs individuals presented a higher number of FNSs than NA; this rate was associated with higher sensory sensitivity, especially in the touch domain.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of homocysteine concentrations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Zinellu Angelo , Zinellu Elisabetta , Pau Maria Carmina , Fois Alessandro G. , Mellino Sabrina , Piras Barbara , Scano Valentina , Fois Sara S. , Mangoni Arduino A. , Carru Ciriaco , Pirina Pietro
Published: May 2022

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often suffer from other conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, that further increase the risk of adverse outcomes in this group. Serum homocysteine concentrations are positively associated with cardiovascular risk and have also been reported to be increased in COPD. This meta-analysis investigated the association between homocysteine concentrations and COPD. A systematic search of publications in the electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar, from inception to September 2021, was conducted using the following terms: “Homocysteine” or “Hcy” and “Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease” or “COPD”. Weighted mean differences (WMDs) were calculated to evaluate differences in homocysteine concentrations between COPD patients and non-COPD subjects. Risk of bias and certainty of evidence were assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist and GRADE, respectively. Nine studies in 432 COPD patients (mean age 65 years, 65% males) and 311 controls (mean age 65 years, 56% males) were identified. Pooled results showed that serum homocysteine concentrations were significantly higher in patients with COPD (WMD = 2.91 µmol/L, 95% CI 2.00–3.82 µmol/L;p < 0.001; high certainty of evidence). No publication bias was observed. Our results support the hypothesis that increased homocysteine concentrations are significantly associated with COPD and may account, at least in part, for the increased cardiovascular risk in these patients.
Assessing the validity of test scores using response process data from an eye-tracking study: a new approach
Authors: Yaneva Victoria , Clauser Brian E. , Morales Amy , Paniagua Miguel
Published: May 2022

Understanding the response process used by test takers when responding to multiple-choice questions (MCQs) is particularly important in evaluating the validity of score interpretations. Previous authors have recommended eye-tracking technology as a useful approach for collecting data on the processes test taker’s use to respond to test questions. This study proposes a new method for evaluating alternative score interpretations by using eye-tracking data and machine learning. We collect eye-tracking data from 26 students responding to clinical MCQs. Analysis is performed by providing 119 eye-tracking features as input for a machine-learning model aiming to classify correct and incorrect responses. The predictive power of various combinations of features within the model is evaluated to understand how different feature interactions contribute to the predictions. The emerging eye-movement patterns indicate that incorrect responses are associated with working from the options to the stem. By contrast, correct responses are associated with working from the stem to the options, spending more time on reading the problem carefully, and a more decisive selection of a response option. The results suggest that the behaviours associated with correct responses are aligned with the real-world model used for score interpretation, while those associated with incorrect responses are not. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to perform data-driven, machine-learning experiments with eye-tracking data for the purpose of evaluating score interpretation validity.
Influences of atmospheric blocking on North American summer heatwaves in a changing climate: a comparison of two Canadian Earth system model large ensembles
Authors: Jeong Dae II , Cannon Alex J. , Yu Bin
Published: May 2022

As summer heatwaves have severe adverse impacts on human society and ecosystems, there is need to better understand their meteorological drivers and future projections under climate change. This study investigates the linkage between atmospheric blocking and summer (June–August) heatwaves over North America using two reanalysis datasets (ERA-Interim and NCEP-DOE-R2) and two large-ensembles of Canadian Earth System Models (CanESM2 and CanESM5) for the 1981–2010 baseline period as well as projected changes under high-emission scenarios out to 2071–2100. Compared to NCEP-DOE-R2, both ensembles underestimate summer blocking frequency in the north Pacific, Alaska, and western Canada (by − 37%), while CanESM2 ensemble also underestimates blocking frequency in central and eastern Canada (by − 36%). CanESM5 generally shows better performance than CanESM2 in its reproduction of blocking frequency over central and eastern Canada, which is consistent with its overall improvements in simulating large-scale climate patterns. The two ensembles, however, agree with the reanalyses in their blocking-heatwave linkages. Above-normal heatwave frequency occurs in the blocking core and its surroundings due to positive heat flux anomalies, while below-normal frequency occurs at remote locations on the eastern and/or southern flanks of the blocking core due to cold air temperature advection anomalies. Future projections in central Canada differ between the models, largely due to the significant under-representation of blocking frequency by CanESM2. However, the two ensembles generally project similar behavior between the baseline and future period for spatial distributions of blocking-heatwave linkages, indicating blocking will continue to play an important role in the development of summer heatwaves in the future.
On metaphors in thinking about preparing mathematics for teaching
Authors: Scheiner Thorsten , Godino Juan D. , Montes Miguel A. , Pino-Fan Luis R. , Climent Nuria
Published: May 2022

This paper explores how different schools of thought in mathematics education think and speak about preparing mathematics for teaching by introducing and proposing certain metaphors. Among the metaphors under consideration here are the unpacking metaphor, which finds its origin in the Anglo-American school of thought of pedagogical reduction of mathematics; the elementarization metaphor, which has its origin in the German school of thought of didactic reconstruction of mathematics; and the recontextualization metaphor, which originates in the French school of thought of didactic transposition. The metaphorical language used in these schools of thought is based on different theoretical positions, orientations, and images of preparing mathematics for teaching. Although these metaphors are powerful and allow for different ways of thinking and speaking about preparing mathematics for teaching, they suggest that preparing mathematics for teaching is largely a one-sided process in the sense of an adaptation of the knowledge in question. To promote a more holistic understanding, an alternative metaphor is offered: preparing mathematics for teaching as ecological engineering. By using the ecological engineering metaphor, the preparation of mathematics for teaching is presented as a two-sided process that involves both the adaptation of knowledge and the modification of its environment.
Take a deep breath: Benefits of neuroplasticity practices for software developers and computer workers in a family of experiments
Authors: Penzenstadler Birgit , Torkar Richard , Martinez Montes Cristina
Published: May 2022

Context

Computer workers in general, and software developers specifically, are under a high amount of stress due to continuous deadlines and, often, over-commitment.

Objective

This study investigates the effects of a neuroplasticity practice, a specific breathing practice, on the attention awareness, well-being, perceived productivity, and self-efficacy of computer workers.

Method

The intervention was a 12-week program with a weekly live session that included a talk on a well-being topic and a facilitated group breathing session. During the intervention period, we solicited one daily journal note and one weekly well-being rating. We created a questionnaire mainly from existing, validated scales as entry and exit survey for data points for comparison before and after the intervention. We replicated the intervention in a similarly structured 8-week program. The data was analyzed using Bayesian multi-level models for the quantitative part and thematic analysis for the qualitative part.

Results

The intervention showed improvements in participants’ experienced inner states despite an ongoing pandemic and intense outer circumstances for most. Over the course of the study, we found an improvement in the participants’ ratings of how often they found themselves in good spirits as well as in a calm and relaxed state. We also aggregate a large number of deep inner reflections and growth processes that may not have surfaced for the participants without deliberate engagement in such a program.

Conclusion

The data indicates usefulness and effectiveness of an intervention for computer workers in terms of increasing well-being and resilience. Everyone needs a way to deliberately relax, unplug, and recover. A breathing practice is a simple way to do so, and the results call for establishing a larger body of work to make this common practice.
Eulerian Routing in Practice
Authors: Rizza Davide
Published: May 2022

The Königsberg bridge problem has played a central role in recent philosophical discussions of mathematical explanation. In this paper I look at it from a novel perspective, which is independent of explanatory concerns. Instead of restricting attention to the solved Königsberg bridge problem, I consider Euler’s construction of a solution method for the problem and discuss two later integrations of Euler’s approach into a more structured methodology, arisen in operations research and genetics respectively. By examining Euler’s work and its later developments, I achieve two main goals. First, I offer an analysis of the role played by mathematics as a problem-solving instrument within scientific enquiry. Second, I shed light on the broader significance of well known contributions to the debate on mathematical explanation. I suggest that these contributions, which are tied to a localised explanatory context, achieve a greater relevance and attain a sharper formulation when they are referred to scientific enquiry at large, as opposed to its possible explanatory outcomes alone.
Turning the tide on sex and the microbiota in aquatic animals
Authors: Bates Kieran A. , Higgins Chelsea , Neiman Maurine , King Kayla C.
Published: May 2022

Sex-based differences in animal microbiota are increasingly recognized as of biological importance. While most animal biomass is found in aquatic ecosystems and many water-dwelling species are of high economic and ecological value, biological sex is rarely included as an explanatory variable in studies of the aquatic animal microbiota. In this opinion piece, we argue for greater consideration of host sex in studying the microbiota of aquatic animals, emphasizing the many advancements that this information could provide in the life sciences, from the evolution of sex to aquaculture.
Feeling It/Not Feeling It: Mood Stories as Accounts of Political Intuition
Authors: Coleman Stephen
Published: May 2022

What does it mean to speak of a society being nervous, a demos angry, a polity depressed or a population exhausted? Are these merely frothy terms of journalistic description or can such moods be captured in meaningful ways? This article responds to two tendencies: the dismissal of mood as affective blur and claims to represent mood through scales of empirical measurement. The argument presented here is that mood is a definable phenomenon, relating to perceptual confusion between objectivity and subjectivity; diffuse affective sources and cumulative sensations rather than temporally containable events. To speak of the mood of a social situation is to acknowledge this ambiguous juncture between subjective determination and objective constraint. More like background feelings that persists over time, moods frame not only immediate situational experience but scope for future thought and action. In this sense, moods frame political agency. This framing is primarily intuitive rather than conventionally cognitive.

This article explores one method for capturing the ways in which mood shapes agency. In interview-based mood stories, interviewees are invited to focus upon how the mood affect them as political actors. Mood stories are neither traditional representational narratives nor simple impressionistic portraits of feelings, but accounts of how people find meaningful ways of constituting their own experience. Mood stories aim to get at the intuitive work involved in forming political experience. The empirical context for the mood stories examined here are 42 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with British citizens aged between 18 and 80 with a view to understanding how Brexit made them feel.
Self-Esteem, Socially Prescribed Perfectionism, and Parental Burnout
Authors: Raudasoja Mirjam , Sorkkila Matilda , Aunola Kaisa
Published: May 2022

Socially prescribed perfectionism (SPP) has been shown to be a risk factor for parental burnout (Sorkkila & Aunola, 2020). In the present study, we investigated the moderating role of self-esteem in this association. A total of 479 Finnish mothers of infants filled in questionnaires measuring their self-esteem, SPP, and symptoms of parental burnout. The results of structural equation modelling (SEM) showed that mothers’ self-esteem moderated the effect of SPP on parental burnout: Mothers with high self-esteem were at lower risk of showing burnout symptoms even when SPP co-occurred, whereas for mothers with low self-esteem, the effect of SPP on burnout symptoms was further strengthened. The results can be applied when aiming to improve maternal well-being by recognizing the risk factors of parental burnout and by offering counseling for parents at high risk.
Global Attractivity for Nonautonomous Delay-Differential Equations with Mixed Monotonicity and Two Delays
Authors: El-Morshedy Hassan , Ruiz-Herrera Alfonso
Published: May 2022

In this paper we study the scalar delay differential equation $$\begin{aligned} x'(t)=\alpha (t) x(t-g_{1}(t)) f(a(t),x(t-g_{2}(t)))-\beta (t) x(t) \end{aligned}$$

x
′

(
t
)

=
α

(
t
)

x

(
t
-

g
1

(
t
)

)

f

(
a

(
t
)

,
x

(
t
-

g
2

(
t
)

)

)

-
β

(
t
)

x

(
t
)

where f is decreasing in both arguments and the coefficients are positive and bounded. Sufficient conditions for the permanence and global attractivity for a fixed positive solution are derived. We apply our results to nonautonomous variants of Nicholson’s blowfly equation and the Beverton–Holt model.
Spectral Analysis and Stability of the Moore-Gibson-Thompson-Fourier Model
Authors: Conti Monica , Dell’Oro Filippo , Liverani Lorenzo , Pata Vittorino
Published: May 2022

We consider the linear evolution system $$\begin{aligned} {\left\{ \begin{array}{ll} u_{ttt}+\alpha u_{tt} + \beta \Delta ^2 u_t + \gamma \Delta ^2 u =- \eta \Delta \theta \\ \theta _t - \kappa \Delta \theta = \eta \Delta u_{tt} + \alpha \eta \Delta u_t \end{array}\right. } \end{aligned}$$

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describing the dynamics of a thermoviscoelastic plate of MGT type with Fourier heat conduction. The focus is the analysis of the energy transfer between the two equations, particularly when the first one stands in the supercritical regime, and exhibits an antidissipative character. The principal actor becomes then the coupling constant $$\eta $$
η
, ruling the competition between the Fourier damping and the MGT antidamping. Indeed, we will show that a sufficiently large $$\eta $$
η
is always able to stabilize the system exponentially fast. One of the features of this model is the presence of the bilaplacian in the first equation. With respect to the analogous model with the Laplacian, this introduces some differences in the mathematical approach. From the one side, the energy estimate method does not seem to apply in a direct way, from the other side, there is a gain of regularity allowing to rely on analytic semigroup techniques.
Simulated Annealing for Convex Optimization: Rigorous Complexity Analysis and Practical Perspectives
Authors: Badenbroek Riley , de Klerk Etienne
Published: May 2022

We give a rigorous complexity analysis of the simulated annealing algorithm by Kalai and Vempala (Math Oper Res 31(2):253–266, 2006) using the type of temperature update suggested by Abernethy and Hazan (International Conference on Machine Learning, 2016). The algorithm only assumes a membership oracle of the feasible set, and we prove that it returns a solution in polynomial time which is near-optimal with high probability. Moreover, we propose a number of modifications to improve the practical performance of this method, and present some numerical results for test problems from copositive programming.
NIR spectroscopy for reaction monitoring and reaction mixture identification of cycloaliphatic epoxides
Authors: Betz Kai C. , Heinz Roman , Tesch Matthias , Pauer Werner
Published: May 2022

The industrially relevant cycloaliphatic epoxides do not have a directly distinguishable band in the NIR spectrum and their polymerisation conversion has so far typically been estimated via the simultaneous polymerisation of vinyl ethers. Here, an analytical procedure is presented for the quantitative inline analysis of 4-epoxycyclohexyl methyl-3,4-epoxycyclohexane carboxylate without the need to mix cycloaliphatic epoxides with vinyl ethers. By employing multivariate data analysis on the reaction spectra, the conversion could be analysed spectroscopically. This resulted in a mean uncertainty of 3.38% conversion in the range between 0 and 40% conversion. In addition, a deviation from the initial monomer concentration of 5 w% over a temperature range of 100 °C can be detected and identified via principal component analysis.
Effective deep Q-networks (EDQN) strategy for resource allocation based on optimized reinforcement learning algorithm
Authors: Talaat Fatma M.
Published: May 2022

The healthcare industry has always been an early adopter of new technology and a big benefactor of it. The use of reinforcement learning in the healthcare system has repeatedly resulted in improved outcomes.. Many challenges exist concerning the architecture of the RL method, measurement metrics, and model choice. More significantly, the validation of RL in authentic clinical settings needs further work. This paper presents a new Effective Resource Allocation Strategy (ERAS) for the Fog environment, which is suitable for Healthcare applications. ERAS tries to achieve effective resource management in the Fog environment via real-time resource allocating as well as prediction algorithms. Comparing the ERAS with the state-of-the-art algorithms, ERAS achieved the minimum Makespan as compared to previous resource allocation algorithms, while maximizing the Average Resource Utilization (ARU) and the Load Balancing Level (LBL). For each application, we further compared and contrasted the architecture of the RL models and the assessment metrics. In critical care, RL has tremendous potential to enhance decision-making. This paper presents two main contributions, (i) Optimization of the RL hyperparameters using PSO, and (ii) Using the optimized RL for the resource allocation and load balancing in the fog environment. Because of its exploitation, exploration, and capacity to get rid of local minima, the PSO has a significant significance when compared to other optimization methodologies.
Irish Property Price Estimation Using A Flexible Geo-spatial Smoothing Approach: What is the Impact of an Address?
Authors: Hurley Aoife K. , Sweeney James
Published: May 2022

Accurate and efficient valuation of property is of utmost importance in a variety of settings, such as when securing mortgage finance to purchase a property, or where residential property taxes are set as a percentage of a property’s resale value. Internationally, resale based property taxes are most common due to ease of implementation and the difficulty of establishing site values. In an Irish context, property valuations are currently based on comparison to recently sold neighbouring properties, however, this approach is limited by low property turnover. National property taxes based on property value, as opposed to site value, also act as a disincentive to improvement works due to the ensuing increased tax burden. In this article we develop a spatial hedonic regression model to separate the spatial and non-spatial contributions of property features to resale value. We mitigate the issue of low property turnover through geographic correlation, borrowing information across multiple property types and finishes. We investigate the impact of address mislabelling on predictive performance, where vendors erroneously supply a more affluent postcode, and evaluate the contribution of improvement works to increased values. Our flexible geo-spatial model outperforms all competitors across a number of different evaluation metrics, including the accuracy of both price prediction and associated uncertainty intervals. While our models are applied in an Irish context, the ability to accurately value properties in markets with low property turnover and to quantify the value contributions of specific property features has widespread application. The ability to separate spatial and non-spatial contributions to a property’s value also provides an avenue to site-value based property taxes.
Early Careers of Graduates from Private and Public Universities in Germany: A Comparison of Income Differences Regarding the First Employment
Authors: Herrmann Sonja , Nagel Christian
Published: May 2022

Research estimating the outcomes of higher education in Germany has widely ignored the private educational sector. This study focuses on labour market returns in terms of the income of graduates from private higher education institutions in Germany. Using data from the National Education Panel Study (NEPS) the results of the Bayesian regression analysis indicate a moderate wage premium for private students compared to students who are enrolled in public higher education institutions regarding the first employment. Despite the predominant role of public universities in Germany, graduates of private higher education institutions receive similar advantages on the labour market as their counterparts in other countries, although private education in other countries is more prestigious.
Natural cases of polyarthritis associated with feline calicivirus infection in cats
Authors: Balboni Andrea , Verin Ranieri , Buldrini Isotta , Zamagni Silvia , Morini Maria , Terrusi Alessia , Gallina Laura , Urbani Lorenza , Dondi Francesco , Battilani Mara
Published: May 2022

The limping syndrome is occasionally reported during acute feline calicivirus (FCV) infections or as consequence of vaccination. In this retrospective study, three clinical cases of lameness in household cats naturally infected by FCV were described and phylogeny of the virus were investigated by analysing the hypervariable E region of the ORF2 viral gene. Cats were diagnosed with polyarthritis and FCV RNA or antigens were detected in symptomatic joints. One cat, euthanized for ethical reasons, underwent a complete post-mortem examination and was subjected to histopathological and immunohistochemical investigations. No phylogenetic subgrouping were evident for the sequenced FCV. Histopathology of the euthanized cat revealed diffuse fibrinous synovitis and osteoarthritis eight months after the onset of lameness and the first detection of FCV RNA, supporting the hypothesis of a persistent infection. FCV was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry in synoviocytes and fibroblasts of the synovial membranes. This study provides new data on the occurrence of polyarthritis in FCV-infected cats, demonstrates by immunohistochemistry the presence of FCV in the synovial membranes of a cat with persistent polyarthritis and supports the absence of correlation between limping syndrome and phylogenetic subgrouping of viruses.
State Variable Implications on Hydraulic State Estimation
Authors: Ruiz Emilio , Díaz Sarai , González Javier
Published: May 2022

Hydraulic State Estimation allows to estimate the most likely state of a water supply network considering multiple sources of information and their associated uncertainty. It is set out as an optimization problem, often addressed according to the Weighted Least Squares criterion. It can be formulated differently depending on the selected set of state variables. This choice is not straightforward and leads to different problem dimensions, time complexities and convergence behavior. All possible essential approaches are gathered in this work and two are identified as the most suitable according to the resulting problem dimensions: a head-based approach and a demand-based approach. The particularities and the formulation according to both sets of state variables are discussed, seeking for efficient implementation. Their time complexity and convergence behavior are compared to draw conclusions that help to identify the most suitable approach for real practice applications.