bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vibration‐controlled transient elastography for noninvasive evaluation of liver steatosis
Authors: Pearson Arthur , Dujardin Paul‐Armand , d'Alteroche Louis , Patat Frédéric , Scotto Béatrice , Dujardin Fanny , Bastard Cécile , Miette Véronique , Sandrin Laurent , Remenieras Jean‐Pierre
Published: January 2022

Background

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) refers to a large spectrum of liver disorders and is the most common cause of metabolic liver disease. The current gold standard for diagnosing NAFLD is liver biopsy, which can lead to severe complications.

Purpose

Among the noninvasive diagnostic options, we chose to use a FibroScan and developed an algorithm applying the Voigt rheological model to assess the viscoelastic properties of the liver and evaluate its performance for the diagnosis of steatosis.

Methods

Twenty‐two healthy volunteers and 20 patients with steatosis were included. For each subject, we used a modified FibroScan, whose data had been processed by our algorithm to separate the two viscoelastic components, stiffness μ, and viscosity η. The liver elasticity μFibroscan measured by the FibroScan was also recorded. Mann–Whitney tests and receiver operating characteristics (ROCs) curve analyses were performed to compare the parameters between the two groups, and Pearson's correlation coefficients were used to assess the correlations between the parameters.

Results

We found a good correlation between η and μFibroscan (r = 0.75), and poor correlations between μ and both η and μFibroscan (r = 0.33 and r = 0.03, respectively). We also showed that η and μFibroscan were higher in patients with steatosis compared to healthy volunteers, with area under the ROCs (AUROC) curve at 0.814 and 0.891, respectively. Conversely, μ was not different between the two groups (AUROC = 0.557).

Conclusions

Our novel method successfully separated the two viscoelastic properties of the liver, of which the parameter η is a sensitive indicator for steatosis.
Automatic segmentation of magnetic resonance images for high‐dose‐rate cervical cancer brachytherapy using deep learning
Authors: Yoganathan SA , Paul Siji Nojin , Paloor Satheesh , Torfeh Tarraf , Chandramouli Suparna Halsnad , Hammoud Rabih , Al‐Hammadi Noora
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is the gold standard in image‐guided brachytherapy (IGBT) due to its superior soft‐tissue contrast for target and organs‐at‐risk (OARs) delineation. Accurate and fast segmentation of MR images are very important for high‐quality IGBT treatment planning. The purpose of this work is to implement and evaluate deep learning (DL) models for the automatic segmentation of targets and OARs in MR image‐based high‐dose‐rate (HDR) brachytherapy for cervical cancer.

Methods

A 2D DL model using residual neural network architecture (ResNet50) was developed to contour the targets (gross tumor volume (GTV), high‐risk clinical target volume (HR CTV), and intermediate‐risk clinical target volume (IR CTV)) and OARs (bladder, rectum, sigmoid, and small intestine) automatically on axial MR slices of HDR brachytherapy patients. Furthermore, two additional 2D DL models using sagittal and coronal images were also developed. A 2.5D model was generated by combining the outputs from axial, sagittal, and coronal DL models. Similarly, a 2D and 2.5D DL models were also generated for the inception residual neural network (InceptionResNetv2 (InRN)) architecture. The geometric (Dice similarity coefficient (DSCs) and 95th percentile of Hausdorff distance (HD)) and dosimetric accuracy of 2D (axial only) and 2.5D (axial + sagittal + coronal) DL model generated contours were calculated and compared.

Results

The mean (range) DSCs of ResNet50 across all contours were 0.674 (0.05–0.96) and 0.715 (0.26–0.96) for the 2D and 2.5D models, respectively. For InRN, these were 0.676 (0.11–0.96) and 0.723 (0.35–0.97) for the 2D and 2.5D models, respectively. The mean HD of ResNet50 across all contours was 15.6 mm (1.8–69 mm) and 12.1 mm (1.7–44 mm) for the 2D and 2.5D models, respectively. The similar results for InRN were 15.4 mm (2–68 mm) and 10.3 mm (2.7–39 mm) for the 2D and 2.5D models, respectively. The dosimetric parameters (D90) of GTV and HR CTV for manually contoured plans matched better with the 2.5D model (p > 0.6) and the results from the 2D model were slightly lower (p < 0.08). On the other hand, the IR CTV doses (D90) for all of the models were slightly lower (2D: ‐1.3 to ‐1.5 Gy and 2.5D: ‐0.5 to ‐0.6 Gy) and the differences were statistically significant for the 2D model (2D: p < 0.000002 and 2.5D: p > 0.06). In case of OARs, the 2.5D model segmentations resulted in closer dosimetry than 2D models (2D: p = 0.07–0.91 and 2.5D: p = 0.16–1.0).

Conclusions

The 2.5D DL models outperformed their respective 2D models for the automatic contouring of targets and OARs in MR image‐based HDR brachytherapy for cervical cancer. The InceptionResNetv2 model performed slightly better than ResNet50.
Physiological and Behavioral Responses of Age-0 Muskellunge during Simulated Stocking in Elevated pH Water
Authors: Kramer Randy J. , Suski Cory D. , Porreca Anthony P. , Parkos Joseph J.
Published: January 2022

Successful stocking of Muskellunge Esox masquinongy into reservoirs is hampered by a variety of stressors that can affect poststocking survival, such as elevated pH conditions common to eutrophic water bodies. We quantified Muskellunge survival, behavior, and physiological responses during a simulated stocking event where age-0 Muskellunge were netted, held on a hauling truck for 2 h, and then released into water with either the same pH (8.4) or one of two elevated pH levels (8.6 or 9.8). Following the hauling simulation, Muskellunge exhibited an upregulation of plasma-associated stress responses. Stocking into high-pH water did not cause mortality, but Muskellunge stocked into pH 9.8 showed signs of stress through ion imbalances and increased surfacing behavior. Four hours after stocking there were indications of recovery with reduced indicators of physiological stress, but Muskellunge did not fully recover in that time. Our study suggests that elevated pH alone may not result in short-term (≤4 h postrelease) poststocking mortality of age-0 Muskellunge but does add to the cumulative stress incurred during the stocking process.
Vaginal pressure sensor measurement during maximal voluntary pelvic floor contraction correlates with vaginal birth and pelvic organ prolapse—A pilot study
Authors: Parkinson Luke A. , Karjalainen Päivi K. , Mukherjee Shayanti , Papageorgiou Anthony W. , Kulkarni Mugdha , Arkwright John W. , Young Natharnia , Werkmeister Jerome A. , Davies‐Tuck Miranda , Gargett Caroline E. , Rosamilia Anna
Published: January 2022

Aims

To measure the force applied along the anterior and posterior vaginal walls in a cohort of 46 patients measured by a fiber‐optic pressure sensor and determine if this correlates with vaginal parity and pelvic organ prolapse (POP).

Methods

An intravaginal fiber‐optic sensor measured pressure at nine locations along the anterior and posterior vaginal walls during a maximal voluntary pelvic floor muscle contraction (MVC). An automated probe dilation cycle measured the tissue resistance incorporating the vagina and surrounding anatomy. MVC and resting tissue resistance (RTR) were assessed between subjects grouped by the number of vaginal births and prolapse stage.

Results

A previous vaginal birth was associated with a significant threefold decrease in the overall anterior pressure measurement during MVC. Decreased anterior pressure measurements were observed at Sensors 1 and 3 (distal vagina) and, posteriorly at Sensors 4–6 (midvagina). Women with Stage 2 posterior prolapse exhibited a decreased MVC pressure in the midvagina than those with Stage 0/1. In this pilot study, there was no difference in the vaginal wall RTR according to previous vaginal birth or stage of prolapse.

Conclusion

This pilot study found that a decrease in vaginal pressure measured during MVC is associated with vaginal birth and with posterior POP. Greater sample size is required to assess the role of resting tissue pressure measurement.
What is known from the existing literature about the available interventions for pelvic floor dysfunction among female athletes? A scoping review
Authors: Giagio Silvia , Innocenti Tiziano , Pillastrini Paolo , Gava Giulia , Salvioli Stefano
Published: January 2022

Background

Female athletes may be at higher risk of developing pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD). However, despite the great number of epidemiologic studies, the interventions have not been standardized.

Aim

The present scoping review aimed to map and summarize the literature to identify the available interventions for PFD among female athletes.

Methods

Seven databases were searched up to May 2021. Studies considering female athletes practising sports at any performance level with any type of PFD were eligible for inclusion. Any clinical intervention and any context were considered. No language, study design, and publication type restrictions were applied. Additional studies were identified through gray literature and the reference lists of articles included. The results were presented numerically and thematically.

Results

From 2625 initial records, 35 studies met inclusion criteria. The majority of articles were narrative reviews, considering athletes with urinary incontinence practising multiple or high‐impact sports. Authors discussed a wide range of interventions: preventive (n = 8); conservative (n = 35), pharmacological (n = 12), and surgical (n = 10). In particular, the Pelvic Floor Muscle Training was considered in 30 studies.

Conclusions

This is the first scoping review to provide a comprehensive overview of the topic. Besides the great number of available interventions, specific programs and randomized controlled clinical trials for female athletes are still limited. Findings highlighted evident gaps in the primary research confirming that the current management is based on expert opinion. This review may be useful for the overall management, and it may represent a starting point for future research.
Validity of the Graz Malnutrition Screening as an indicator of malnutrition in hospitalized patients
Authors: Sahin Nursel , Tek Nilufer Acar
Published: January 2022

Background

Hospital malnutrition is an important health problem for developed and developing countries, and screening tools are recommended in practice because they can be obtained quickly and easily to identify the risk of malnutrition. This study aimed to validate the use of the Graz Malnutrition Screening (GMS) in combination with different methods of nutrition assessment in the identification of malnutrition risk in hospitalized adult and older patients.

Methods

The study was performed with a total of 348 adult (64.4%) and older (35.6%) patients treated in the internal and surgical clinical units of Ankara Gazi Hospital between May and July 2019. A questionnaire including general information, anthropometric measurements, and biochemical parameters was applied. The Nutritional Risk Screening‐2002 (NRS‐2002), Short Nutritional Assessment Questionnaire (SNAQ), and GMS were applied, and results were evaluated by comparison.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 57.0 years, and the mean hospital length of stay (LOS) was 7.9 days. According to GMS, malnutrition risk was found in 47.7% of the patients. When NRS‐2002 was taken as a reference, the sensitivity and specificity of GMS were calculated as 95.16% and 78.57%, respectively, and Cohen's kappa coefficient was 0.686. When SNAQ was taken as a reference, the sensitivity and specificity of GMS were calculated as 91.59% and 75.11%, respectively, and Cohen's kappa coefficient was 0.609.

Conclusion

GMS can be used as a valid screening tool to identify malnutrition risk in both adult and older patients in the different hospital departments in Turkey.
Predictors of poor medication adherence of older people with hypertension
Authors: Wan Jingjing , Wu Yinyin , Ma Yuan , Tao Xiubin , Wang Anshi
Published: January 2022

Aims

To explore the risk factors for poor medication adherence in older people with hypertension.

Design

A cross‐sectional study.

Methods

Participants were administered with a self‐report questionnaire about their demographic characteristics; additionally, their four‐item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale scores were calculated. The STROBE checklist was applied as the reporting guideline for this study (File S1).

Results

Univariate analysis indicated that the following five factors were statistically significantly associated with medication adherence: education level (χ2 = 8.073, p = .045), co‐living (χ2 = 11.364, p = .010), hypertension complications (χ2 = 10.968, p = .001), admission blood pressure (χ2 = 8.876, p = .003), and falls (χ2 = 6.703, p = .010). Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis showed that there were four statistically significant predictors, such as people who lived with spouses and offspring (OR = 3.004, p = .017), and those who had high admission blood pressure (OR = 1.910, p = .003) had a greater risk of poor medication adherence, whereas those without hypertension complications (OR = 0.591, p = .026) and those without falls (OR = 0.530, p = .046) had a lower risk.

Relevance to clinical practice

We believe that these findings contribute to the identification of high‐risk people with poor adherence, allowing nurses to identify people with poor adherence in a timely manner, and pay attention to the people's medication.
Healthcare professionals' perceptions of digital health competence: A qualitative descriptive study
Authors: Jarva Erika , Oikarinen Anne , Andersson Janicke , Tuomikoski Anna‐Maria , Kääriäinen Maria , Meriläinen Merja , Mikkonen Kristina
Published: January 2022

Aims and objectives

This study aims to provide insight into healthcare professionals' lived experiences of digital health competence with the objective of improving the knowledge of how digital health competence is perceived by healthcare professionals.

Background

Healthcare professionals need to adjust to the digital era to provide quality and ethical care. Previous research has rarely adopted a healthcare professional's standpoint to describe their perceptions of digital health competence, even though their perspective in how new care practices are designed and implemented is vital.

Design

A qualitative descriptive study.

Methods

Healthcare professionals (nurses and allied health professionals) from versatile healthcare settings were recruited for individual semi‐structured interviews in Sweden (n = 5) and Finland (n = 15) (spring 2019‐summer 2020). Purposive and convenience sampling was used. Participants' backgrounds were in the public and private sectors. The interviews were transcribed for inductive content analysis. The SRQR guideline guided the study process.

Results

Healthcare professionals' perceptions of digital health competence are connected to competence to provide patient‐centric care through digital channels, using technology and digital health systems, interacting with the patient through digital means, evaluating what digital health is and combining digital and traditional methods. Professionals' perceptions of their own digital health competence were divided, with the participants either reporting sufficient competence or perceiving a lack of skills in some specific areas.

Conclusions

Healthcare professionals' perceptions of digital health competence focus on the ability to provide patient‐centric care by evaluating the need and possibilities for using digital health services jointly with more traditional methods. This study provides a sound basis for digital health research, but future studies should focus on elucidating factors which affect digital health competence and competence development.

Relevance to clinical practice

The results of this study can guide healthcare practices and digital health implementation, as well as function as a basis for instrument or theory development. Health care and nursing leaders should enable the resources to hybrid practices in patient‐centric care provision.
Quantifying real‐world upper limb activity via patient‐initiated spontaneous movement in neonatal brachial plexus palsy
Authors: Gatward Meghan E. , Logue Rachel N. , Yang Lynda J.‐S. , Brown Susan H.
Published: January 2022

Background

Neonatal brachial plexus palsy (NBPP) results in muscle weakness and impaired somatosensory function of the arm. Current functional assessment is primarily based on clinician‐elicited measurements including muscle strength and range of motion. To what extent these measures are representative of real‐world arm movement is unclear.

Objective

To determine the feasibility of using body‐worn accelerometers to remotely assess arm movements in children with NBPP.

Design

Prospective criterion validity study of accelerometry versus clinician assessment.

Setting

Academic medical center.

Participants

Nine adolescents with NBPP and nine age‐ and gender‐matched control adolescents participated in the study. All were enrolled in school and participated in community activities.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Methods

Standard clinician‐elicited measurements were collected. For assessing spontaneous arm movements, participants wore activity monitors during all waking hours for 7 days. Results were expressed as ratios of affected to unaffected arm motion for duration and magnitude and correlated with traditional clinic‐based assessments. Spearman correlations were used to determine relationships between accelerometry results and traditional assessments. A p value <.05 was considered statistically significant.

Main Outcome Measurements

Accelerometry measurements of arm motion and traditional clinical assessments.

Results

Compared to control ratios, duration of arm movement and magnitude ratios were reduced in the NBPP group, particularly for arm magnitude due to reduced affected arm movement and an increase in unaffected arm movement. Ratios were highly correlated with shoulder function and, to a lesser extent, with elbow function.

Conclusion

Real‐world arm use is an appropriate outcome measure that reflects functional recovery. This study demonstrates the feasibility of wearable technology to quantify duration and intensity of spontaneous arm movement in children with NBPP. Accelerometry also allows for the association between traditional clinician‐elicited assessment measures and spontaneous arm movements, demonstrating the importance of the shoulder as a focus of treatment in NBPP.
Crystal structures of a new class of pyrimidine/purine nucleoside phosphorylase revealed a Cupin fold
Authors: Wen Yan , Li Xiaojia , Guo Wenting , Wu Baixing
Published: January 2022

Nucleotides metabolism is a fundamental process in all organisms. Two families of nucleoside phosphorylases (NP) that catalyze the phosphorolytic cleavage of the glycosidic bond in nucleosides have been found, including the trimeric or hexameric NP‐I and dimeric NP‐II family enzymes. Recent studies revealed another class of NP protein in Escherichia coli named Pyrimidine/purine nucleoside phosphorylase (ppnP), which can catalyze the phosphorolysis of diverse nucleosides and yield d‐ribose 1‐phosphate and the respective free bases. Here, we solved the crystal structures of ppnP from E. coli and the other three species. Our studies revealed that the structure of ppnP belongs to the RlmC‐like Cupin fold and showed as a rigid dimeric conformation. Detail analysis revealed a potential nucleoside binding pocket full of hydrophobic residues, and the residues involved in the dimer and pocket formation are all well conserved in bacteria. Since the Cupin fold is a large superfamily in the biosynthesis of natural products, our studies provide the structural basis for understanding, and the directed evolution of NP proteins.
Time‐dependent dual beneficial modulation of interferon‐γ, interleukin 5, and Treg cytokines in asthma patient peripheral blood mononuclear cells by ganoderic acid B
Authors: Liu Changda , Cao Mingzhuo , Yang Nan , Reid‐Adam Jessica , Tversky Jody , Zhan Jixun , Li Xiu‐Min
Published: February 2022

Th2 cytokines play a dominant role in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma. Interferon gamma (IFN‐γ), a Th1 cytokine, links to therapeutic mechanisms of allergic asthma. Interleukin (IL)‐10, a regulatory cytokine, is involved in the induction of immune tolerance. We previously demonstrated that Anti‐Asthma Simplified Herbal Medicine Intervention (ASHMI) suppressed Th2 and increased IFN‐γ in patients with asthma and in animal models, but its bioactive compound is unknown. Ganoderic acid beta (GAB) was isolated from Ganoderma lucidum (one herb in ASHMI). Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from adult patients with asthma were cultured with GAB or dexamethasone (Dex) in the presence of environmental allergens. The cytokine levels of IL‐10, IFN‐γ, IL‐5, transcription factors T‐bet, Foxp‐3, and GATA3 were measured. Following 3‐day culture, GAB, but not Dex, significantly increased IL‐10 and IFN‐γ levels by allergic patients' PBMCs. Following 6‐day treatment, GAB inhibited IL‐5 production, but IL‐10 and IFN‐γ remained high. Dex suppressed production of all three cytokines. GAB suppressed GATA3 and maintained Foxp‐3 and T‐bet gene expression, while Dex significantly suppressed GATA3 and T‐bet expression. GAB simultaneously increased IL‐10, IFN‐γ associated with induction of T‐bet and Foxp3, while suppressing IL‐5, which was associated with suppression of GATA3, demonstrating unique beneficial cytokine modulatory effect, which distinguishes from Dex's overall suppression.
Processes associated with extremely heavy precipitation in the Meghalaya Plateau region: A case modelling study
Authors: Ahmed Tanvir , Lee Joohyun , Jin Han‐Gyul , Baik Jong‐Jin
Published: January 2022

The Meghalaya Plateau (MP) located in northeast India is one of the rainiest regions in the world. On 18–19 August 2015, Mawsynram on the southern slope of MP received 745 mm of precipitation in 24 hr. This study investigates the dynamical, thermodynamical and cloud microphysical processes associated with this event through numerical simulations with fine horizontal resolutions (1 and 1/3 km). The control (CNTL) simulation with 1 km grid spacing successfully reproduces the observed spatial pattern of accumulated precipitation. A simulation without MP (noMP) is carried out to examine the role of MP in this precipitation. From 1500 LST 18 to 0000 LST 19 (P1) when the low‐level jet carrying warm and moist air towards MP is relatively weak, the upslope region receives a moderate amount of precipitation which is initiated over this region due to the orographic lifting, while almost no precipitation is received there in the noMP simulation. Warm microphysical processes play dominant roles in the precipitation in P1. From 0000 to 0900 LST 19 (P2) when the low‐level jet is enhanced, the CNTL simulation shows very heavy precipitation in the upslope region, much heavier than that in the noMP simulation. Deep convective systems developed upwind of MP move towards MP. These convective systems merge together and strengthen over the upslope region. The accretion process is substantially enhanced by the vigorous updraughts at low levels over the steep slope of MP, resulting in heavy precipitation. The 1/3 km resolution simulation shows much heavier precipitation in the upslope region than the CNTL simulation. The increased horizontal resolution makes the slopes steeper, resulting in further intensification of the updraughts over this region. This increase in simulated precipitation reduces the deviation from the rain‐gauge observation, implying the importance of very high horizontal resolutions in simulating extremely heavy precipitation in MP.
A channel selection for the assimilation of CrIS and HIRAS instruments at full spectral resolution
Authors: Carminati Fabien
Published: January 2022

A new channel selection is proposed for the processing of observations at full spectral resolution (FSR) from the Cross‐track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) and Hyperspectral Infrared Atmospheric Sounder (HIRAS) instruments in the Met Office global numerical weather prediction (NWP) system. The new selection has been derived in order to minimise the error in NWP analysis and has been compared to an existing selection developed at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Both selections have been tested in the Met Office global NWP system to investigate the use of FSR CrIS compared with the current normal spectral resolution (NSR) set‐up employed in operations. Improvements are obtained for most forecast variables up to 7‐day lead times, with change in root‐mean‐square error (RMSE) ranging from 0.13 to 0.54%, although degradation of tropical temperatures are noted for the NOAA selection. The background fit to observations from independent sounders improves by up to 0.8% with the new selection, outperforming the NOAA selection which results in degradations across most instruments. The assimilation of HIRAS observations does not however benefit the system.
The life cycle of meridional heat flux peaks
Authors: Marcheggiani Andrea , Ambaum Maarten H. P. , Messori Gabriele
Published: January 2022

Covariance between meridional wind and air temperature in the lower troposphere quantifies the poleward flux of dry static energy in the atmosphere; in the midlatitudes, this is primarily realised by baroclinic weather systems. It is shown that strong covariance between temperature and meridional wind results from both enhanced correlation and enhanced variance, and that the two evolve according to a distinct temporal structure akin to a life‐cycle. Starting from a state of low correlation and variance, there is first a gradual build‐up to modal growth at constant, high correlation, followed by a rapid decay at relatively low correlation values. This life‐cycle evolution is observed most markedly over oceanic regions, and cannot be explained on purely statistical grounds. We find that local peaks of meridional heat flux are not exclusively linked to the action of individual weather systems and can affect the atmospheric circulation on larger length‐scales through wave propagation along waveguides.
Reply to the comment by Davison and Haynes: Madden–Julian Oscillation like behaviour does persist at small time steps
Authors: Vallis Geoffrey K.
Published: January 2022

In their comment, Davison and Haynes remark on an apparent time‐step sensitivity in the model presented by Vallis and Penn, such that in their own simulations the excitability is lost when using a smaller time step. However, this reply shows that if the condensational time‐scale is suitably small then excitable behaviour can be achieved over a range of time steps, including very small ones, with very similar energy levels and large‐scale behaviour at both large and small time steps. In particular, an eastward‐propagating disturbance resembling the Madden–Julian Oscillation can still be reproduced, independent of time step. Certainly there are numerical, mathematical, and physical difficulties in understanding a system in which condensation occurs on short time‐scales, and this reply discusses further the applicability of the results to the real atmosphere.
Higher‐order derivatives of generalized Lyapunov‐like functions for switched nonlinear systems
Authors: Liu Qian , Li Xiaoli
Published: January 2022

This paper is concerned with utilizing higher‐order derivatives of generalized Lyapunov‐like functions to infer asymptotic stability of the switched nonlinear system without requiring the first derivative of the Lyapunov function for each activated subsystem to be negative definite. In contrast to the existing switched systems literature, we allow generalized Lyapunov‐like functions to increase both during the continuous flows and the discrete jumps. Firstly, a set of sufficient conditions for asymptotic stability of switched nonlinear systems are derived under a state‐dependent switching law. Then, all the above‐mentioned conditions are transformed to a set of bilinearly diagonally dominant sum of squares constraints. Bilinearly diagonally dominant sum of squares programming is proposed as a tool to solve the conditions provided. Finally, two examples are introduced to prove the effectiveness of the above method.
Collaborative structure and post‐mobility knowledge spillovers: A dyadic approach
Authors: Tzabbar Daniel , Lee Jeongsik (Jay) , Seo Donghwi (Josh)
Published: January 2022

Research Summary

How does the dyadic collaborative structure between the hiring firm and the losing firm influence knowledge spillovers following an employee's move? We demonstrate that knowledge spill‐ins (to the hiring firm) and spill‐backs (to the losing firm) are the greatest when a firm with a strong collaborative density hires an employee from another firm that too has a strong collaborative density. Furthermore, such a dyadic combination results in the greatest degree of access to the broader knowledge of the other firm. By considering the role of relative collaborative structures in post‐mobility knowledge‐building activities, we inform the extant literature on the importance of this factor. In doing so, we invite scholars to take a more holistic view of the risks and benefits associated with “learning by hiring.”

Managerial Summary

Firms interested in acquiring the knowledge of other firms through employee recruitment face a dilemma. To best integrate the knowledge brought in by new employees, firms must encourage extensive collaboration between existing employees and new hires. However, such a dense collaboration exposes firms to potential knowledge spill out through these new hires, which may undermine their competitive edge. Firms that lose employees face the reverse dilemma. Accordingly, managers and practitioners should realize that not all recruitments may result in net knowledge gains. Our findings strongly suggest that where a firm hires from also matters, not just who it hires, thereby offering a practical insight for organizations in properly assessing the utility of hiring an employee, particularly in consideration of their relative collaborative structures.
Optimization and design of carbon fabric‐reinforced cementitious matrix composites
Authors: Su Mei‐ni , Wang Zhi , Ueda Tamon
Published: January 2022

Interest in carbon fabric‐reinforced cementitious matrix (C‐FRCM) composites as structural strengthening materials for reinforced concrete structures has recently increased. In such applications, the mechanical properties of C‐FRCM composites are the key to unlocking the corresponding strengthening effects. Therefore, this study explores different optimization approaches to improve the loading behaviors of C‐FRCM composites, such as different carbon fabric contents in the cementitious matrix and different surface treatments of the carbon fiber meshes. Then, a series of tensile tests are carried out to evaluate the performance of the modified C‐FRCM composites. Furthermore, experimental results of other FRCM composites are collected from the literature to create a larger data pool for analysis. Finally, two existing constitutive models for FRCM composites — the Aveston‐Cooper‐Kelly (ACK) model and the AC434 model — are compared against these experimental data.
Nonlinear finite element modeling of the impact of reinforcement corrosion on bridge piers under concentric loads
Authors: Zaghian Sepideh , Martín‐Pérez Beatriz , Almansour Husham
Published: January 2022

Corrosion of reinforcing steel in reinforced concrete (RC) infrastructure is one of the most detrimental deterioration mechanisms, affecting both safety and serviceability. In the present study, a comprehensive analysis methodology of corrosion damage is adopted. The detrimental effects of corrosion‐induced degradation of material properties on the ultimate capacity of an existing aging RC bridge pier under concentric loading are investigated. A three‐dimensional nonlinear finite element analysis using the commercially available finite element program DIANA is used. The main corrosion‐induced deteriorating factors considered in the present study are: concrete strength degradation within the cover and part of the confined concrete core due to corrosion‐induced cracking, degradation of confinement effects, steel area reduction due to uniform corrosion (in both longitudinal and tie reinforcement), steel ductility degradation due to pitting corrosion, buckling of compressive steel bars due to cross‐section reduction and confinement degradation, and bond strength degradation between steel and concrete induced by concrete cracking/spalling. The methodology is evaluated by comparing the numerical results to those of corroded column tests reported in the literature.
Entanglement in descendants
Authors: Chowdhury Barsha G. , David Justin R.
Published: February 2022

Abstract

We study the single interval entanglement and relative entropies of conformal descendants in 2d CFT. Descendants contain non-trivial entanglement, though the entanglement entropy of the canonical primary in the free boson CFT contains no additional entanglement compared to the vacuum, we show that the entanglement entropy of the state created by its level one descendant is non-trivial and is identical to that of the U(1) current in this theory. We determine the first sub-leading corrections to the short interval expansion of the entanglement entropy of descendants in a general CFT from their four point function on the n-sheeted plane. We show that these corrections are determined by multiplying squares of appropriate dressing factors to the corresponding corrections of the primary. Relative entropy between descendants of the same primary is proportional to the square of the difference of their dressing factors. We apply our results to a class of descendants of generalized free fields and descendants of the vacuum and show that their dressing factors are universal.
Free Covers and Minimal Sets of Generators
Authors: Facchini Alberto
Published: January 2022

We continue our study of the relation between existence of projective covers and existence of minimal sets of generators for right modules over an arbitrary ring.
Location of Solutions of Fredholm–Nemytskii Integral Equations from a Whittaker-Type Operator
Authors: Ezquerro J. A. , Hernández-Verón M. A.
Published: January 2022

We analyse the global convergence of a Whittaker-type iterative method and obtain restricted global convergence domains, so that we can locate and separate solutions of Fredholm–Nemytskii nonlinear integral equations by means of balls. For this, we use two techniques, one based on the well-known fixed point theorem and the other on a system of recurrence relations. In both techniques, we use the Whittaker-type operator involved and auxiliary functions.
PARP-1 regulates inflammasome activity by poly-ADP-ribosylation of NLRP3 and interaction with TXNIP in primary macrophages
Authors: Chiu Ling-Ya , Huang Duen-Yi , Lin Wan-Wan
Published: January 2022

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) plays an essential role in DNA repair by catalyzing the polymerization of ADP-ribose unit to target proteins. Several studies have shown that PARP-1 can regulate inflammatory responses in various disease models. The intracellular Nod-like receptor NLRP3 has emerged as the most crucial innate immune receptor because of its broad specificity in mediating immune response to pathogen invasion and danger signals associated with cellular damage. In our study, we found NLRP3 stimuli-induced caspase-1 maturation and IL-1β production were impaired by PARP-1 knockout or PARP-1 inhibition in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM). The step 1 signal of NLRP3 inflammasome activation was not affected by PARP-1 deficiency. Moreover, ATP-induced cytosolic ROS production was lower in Parp-1−/− BMDM, resulting in the decreased inflammasome complex assembly. PARP-1 can translocate to cytosol upon ATP stimulation and trigger the PARylation modification on NLRP3, leading to NLRP3 inflammasome assembly. PARP-1 was also a bridge between NLRP3 and thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) and participated in NLRP3/TXNIP complex formation for inflammasome activation. Overall, PARP-1 positively regulates NLRP3 inflammasome activation via increasing ROS production and interaction with TXNIP and NLRP3, leading to PARylation of NLRP3. Our data demonstrate a novel regulatory mechanism for NLRP3 inflammasome activation by PARP-1. Therefore, PARP-1 can serve as a potential target in the treatment of IL-1β associated inflammatory diseases.
Discrimination Between Small Earthquakes and Quarry Blasts in Egypt Using Spectral Source Characteristics
Authors: Korrat I. M. , Lethy Ahmed , ElGabry M. N. , Hussein H. M. , Othman Adel S.
Published: January 2022

Source parameters calculated from displacement spectra of both P and S waves are used to discriminate between earthquakes and quarry blasts in three regions of Egypt during the 2009–2015 period. We use vertical component seismograms from 440 earthquakes and 450 quarry explosions with MD 1.5 to 3.3 to calculate source parameters, including scalar moments and corner frequencies. The Mo(P,S) vs. fc(P,S) and P- to S-wave corner frequency fc(P)/fc(S) ratios are used to distinguish quarry blasts from earthquakes. A comparison of Mo(P,S) vs. fc(P,S) for both earthquakes and explosions in Egypt demonstrates that explosions had significantly lower corner frequencies than earthquakes, particularly for S-wave displacement spectra. In contrast to the Northern and Central regions, the Southern Egyptian region provides a perfect separation of corner frequencies of earthquakes and explosions for both P- and S-waves. The empirically derived average ratio of fc(P)/fc(S) for earthquakes is 1.28, 1.26 and 1.26 in the Northern, Central and Southern Egyptian regions, respectively. For explosions, average fc(P)/fc(S) ratios are 1.89, 1.86 and 2.0 in the three Egyptian regions, respectively. According to these findings, the average ratio of fc(P) to fc(S) for explosions is higher than those for earthquakes, implying that the differences in ratios enhance the ability of the fc(P) vs. fc(S) approach to discriminate between earthquakes and explosions. Based on the average fc(P)/fc(S) ratios vs. Mw in the whole of Egypt, the observed fc(P)/fc(S) discrimination threshold value for separating quarry explosions from earthquakes is 1.51–1.52.
Uncrowding Algorithm for Hook-Valued Tableaux
Authors: Pan Jianping , Pappe Joseph , Poh Wencin , Schilling Anne
Published: January 2022

Whereas set-valued tableaux are the combinatorial objects associated to stable Grothendieck polynomials, hook-valued tableaux are associated with stable canonical Grothendieck polynomials. In this paper, we define a novel uncrowding algorithm for hook-valued tableaux. The algorithm “uncrowds” the entries in the arm of the hooks, and yields a set-valued tableau and a column-flagged increasing tableau. We prove that our uncrowding algorithm intertwines with crystal operators. An alternative uncrowding algorithm that “uncrowds” the entries in the leg instead of the arm of the hooks is also given. As an application of uncrowding, we obtain various expansions of the canonical Grothendieck polynomials.
Adaptive step-length selection in gradient boosting for Gaussian location and scale models
Authors: Zhang Boyao , Hepp Tobias , Greven Sonja , Bergherr Elisabeth
Published: January 2022

Tuning of model-based boosting algorithms relies mainly on the number of iterations, while the step-length is fixed at a predefined value. For complex models with several predictors such as Generalized additive models for location, scale and shape (GAMLSS), imbalanced updates of predictors, where some distribution parameters are updated more frequently than others, can be a problem that prevents some submodels to be appropriately fitted within a limited number of boosting iterations. We propose an approach using adaptive step-length (ASL) determination within a non-cyclical boosting algorithm for Gaussian location and scale models, as an important special case of the wider class of GAMLSS, to prevent such imbalance. Moreover, we discuss properties of the ASL and derive a semi-analytical form of the ASL that avoids manual selection of the search interval and numerical optimization to find the optimal step-length, and consequently improves computational efficiency. We show competitive behavior of the proposed approaches compared to penalized maximum likelihood and boosting with a fixed step-length for Gaussian location and scale models in two simulations and two applications, in particular for cases of large variance and/or more variables than observations. In addition, the underlying concept of the ASL is also applicable to the whole GAMLSS framework and to other models with more than one predictor like zero-inflated count models, and brings up insights into the choice of the reasonable defaults for the step-length in the simpler special case of (Gaussian) additive models.
Abnormal multisensory integration in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis
Authors: Giurgola Serena , Casati Carlotta , Stampatori Chiara , Perucca Laura , Mattioli Flavia , Vallar Giuseppe , Bolognini Nadia
Published: January 2022

Temporal Binding Window (TBW) represents a reliable index of efficient multisensory integration process, which allows individuals to infer which sensory inputs from different modalities pertain to the same event. TBW alterations have been reported in some neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders and seem to negatively affects cognition and behavior. So far, it is still unknown whether deficits of multisensory integration, as indexed by an abnormal TBW, are present even in Multiple Sclerosis. We addressed this issue by testing 25 participants affected by relapsing–remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) and 30 age-matched healthy controls. Participants completed a simultaneity judgment task (SJ2) to assess the audio-visual TBW; two unimodal SJ2 versions were used as control tasks. Individuals with RRMS showed an enlarged audio-visual TBW (width range = from − 166 ms to + 198 ms), as compared to healthy controls (width range = − 177/ + 66 ms), thus showing an increased tendency to integrate temporally asynchronous visual and auditory stimuli. Instead, simultaneity perception of unimodal (visual or auditory) events overall did not differ from that of controls. These results provide first evidence of a selective deficit of multisensory integration in individuals affected by RRMS, besides the well-known motor and cognitive impairments. The reduced multisensory temporal acuity is likely caused by a disruption of the neural interplay between different sensory systems caused by multiple sclerosis.
Osteoporosis and HIV Infection
Authors: Biver Emmanuel
Published: January 2022

Life expectancy of people living with HIV (PLWH) is now close to that of the HIV-uninfected population. As a result, age-related comorbidities, including osteoporosis, are increasing in PLWH. This narrative review describes the epidemiology of bone fragility in PLWH, changes of bone features over the course of HIV infection and their determinants, as well as the available evidence regarding the management of osteoporosis in PLWH. The risk of fracture is higher and increases about 10 years earlier compared to the general population. The classical risk factors of bone fragility are very widespread and are major determinants of bone health in this population. The majority of bone loss occurs during virus replication and during immune reconstitution at antiretroviral therapies (ART) initiation, which both increase osteoclast activity. Abnormalities in bone formation and mineralization have also been shown in histomorphometric studies in untreated PLWH. Measurement of bone mineral density (BMD) is the first line tool for assessing fracture risk in postmenopausal women, men above 50 years, and other HIV-infected patients with clinical risk factors for osteoporosis. FRAX underestimates fracture probability in PLWH. In case of indication for anti-osteoporotic drug, bisphosphonates remain the reference option. Calcium and vitamin D supplementation should be considered as ART initiation, since it may attenuate bone loss at this stage. Bone-protective ART regimens improve BMD compared to other regimens, but to a lesser extent than bisphosphonate, and without available data on their influence on the incidence of fracture.
Stroke population–specific neuroanatomical CT-MRI brain atlas
Authors: Kaffenberger Tina , Venkatraman Vijay , Steward Chris , Thijs Vincent N. , Bernhardt Julie , Desmond Patricia M. , Campbell Bruce C. V. , Yassi Nawaf
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Development of a freely available stroke population–specific anatomical CT/MRI atlas with a reliable normalisation pipeline for clinical CT.

Methods

By reviewing CT scans in suspected stroke patients and filtering the AIBL MRI database, respectively, we collected 50 normal-for-age CT and MRI scans to build a standard-resolution CT template and a high-resolution MRI template. The latter was manually segmented into anatomical brain regions. We then developed and validated a MRI to CT registration pipeline to align the MRI atlas onto the CT template. Finally, we developed a CT-to-CT-normalisation pipeline and tested its reliability by calculating Dice coefficient (Dice) and Average Hausdorff Distance (AHD) for predefined areas in 100 CT scans from ischaemic stroke patients.

Results

The resulting CT/MRI templates were age and sex matched to a general stroke population (median age 71.9 years (62.1–80.2), 60% male). Specifically, this accounts for relevant structural changes related to aging, which may affect registration. Applying the validated MRI to CT alignment (Dice > 0.78, Average Hausdorff Distance < 0.59 mm) resulted in our final CT-MRI atlas. The atlas has 52 manually segmented regions and covers the whole brain. The alignment of four cortical and subcortical brain regions with our CT-normalisation pipeline was reliable for small/medium/large infarct lesions (Dice coefficient > 0.5).

Conclusion

The newly created CT-MRI brain atlas has the potential to standardise stroke lesion segmentation. Together with the automated normalisation pipeline, it allows analysis of existing and new datasets to improve prediction tools for stroke patients (free download at https://forms.office.com/r/v4t3sWfbKs).
Partnerbeziehungen bei jungen Erwachsenen: Flucht vor der Intimität?
Authors: Seiffge-Krenke Inge
Published: January 2022

Hintergrund

Junge Erwachsene kommen häufig mit Partnerproblemen in die Behandlung; die Abgrenzung zwischen Bindungsstörungen bzw. narzisstischen Persönlichkeitsstörungen und normalen Entwicklungsphänomenen ist oftmals schwer.

Ziel der Arbeit

Es wird ein Überblick über Forschungsbefunde zu Partnerbeziehungen der 20- bis 30-Jährigen, den „emerging adults“, gegeben. Diese befinden sich in einer spezifischen, neu entdeckten Entwicklungsphase mit viel Exploration und wenig „commitment“.

Ergebnisse

Internationale Forschungsarbeiten, aber auch Arbeiten im deutschsprachigen Raum, belegen einheitlich eine Form von „Nichtbeziehungen“, in denen Sexualität gelebt, aber definitiv keine Partnerbeziehung gewünscht wird. Die Beziehungsqualitäten und die Form der Nichtbeziehungen sind bei allen Geschlechtern gleich. Längsschnittstudien belegen, dass eine Entwicklung zur Paarbindung, die im Jugendalter eingesetzt hatte, unterbrochen wird und erst Jahre später wieder länger dauernde, bezogene Paarbeziehungen bei den meisten jungen Menschen nachweisbar sind.

Diskussion

Es wird diskutiert, inwieweit zu enge, intrusive und zu unterstützende Elternbeziehungen zur „Flucht vor der Intimität“ beitragen, und welchen Einfluss neue Medien und Dating-Portale, aber auch der zunehmende Optimierungswahn und narzisstische gesamtgesellschaftliche Entwicklungen haben. Für diese Einflussfaktoren gibt es auch empirische Belege.