bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Universal tumor screening for lynch syndrome on colorectal cancer biopsies impacts surgical treatment decisions
Authors: Vazzano Jennifer , Tomlinson Jewel , Stanich Peter P. , Pearlman Rachel , Kalady Matthew F. , Chen Wei , Hampel Heather , Frankel Wendy L.
Published: June 2022

Universal tumor screening (UTS) for Lynch syndrome (LS) on colorectal cancer (CRC) can be performed on biopsies or resection specimens. The advantage of biopsies is the chance to provide preoperative genetic counseling/testing (GC/T) so patients diagnosed with LS can make informed decisions regarding resection extent. We evaluated utilization of UTS on biopsies, percentage of patients with deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) who underwent GC/T preoperatively, and whether surgical/treatment decisions were impacted. We performed a retrospective review of medical records to assess CRC cases with dMMR immunohistochemical staining from 1/1/2017 to 2/26/2021. 1144 CRC patients had UTS using MMR immunohistochemistry; 559 biopsies (48.9%) and 585 resections (51.1%). The main reason UTS was not performed on biopsy was it occurred outside our health system. 58 (5%) of CRCs were dMMR and did not have MLH1 promoter hypermethylation (if MLH1 and PMS2 absent). 28/58 (48.3%) of dMMR cases were diagnosed on biopsy. Of those 28, 14 (50%) eventually underwent GC/T, and 7 (25%) had GT results prior to surgery. One of the 7 had incomplete documentation of results affecting their treatment plan. Of the remaining 6 with complete documentation, 5 underwent surgery and one was treated with immunotherapy only. Three patients elected a more extensive surgery. 6/28 (21.4%) dMMR patients identified on biopsy made an informed surgical/treatment decision based on their dMMR status/LS diagnosis. When applied, UTS on biopsy followed by genetic counseling and testing informs surgical decision-making. Process and implementation strategies are in place to overcome challenges to more broadly optimize this approach.
The energy spectrum of metrics on surfaces
Authors: Slegers Ivo
Published: June 2022

Let $$(N,\rho )$$

(
N
,
ρ
)

be a Riemannian manifold, S a surface of genus at least two and let $$f:S \rightarrow N$$

f
:
S
→
N

be a continuous map. We consider the energy spectrum of $$(N,\rho )$$

(
N
,
ρ
)

(and f) which assigns to each point $$[J]\in \mathcal {T}(S)$$

[
J
]
∈
T
(
S
)

in the Teichmüller space of S the infimum of the Dirichlet energies of all maps $$(S,J)\rightarrow (N,\rho )$$

(
S
,
J
)
→
(
N
,
ρ
)

homotopic to f. We study the relation between the energy spectrum and the simple length spectrum. Our main result is that if $$N=S$$

N
=
S

, $$f={{\,\mathrm{id}\,}}$$

f
=

id

and $$\rho $$
ρ
is a metric of non-positive curvature, then the energy spectrum determines the simple length spectrum. Furthermore, we prove that the converse does not hold by exhibiting two metrics on S with equal simple length spectrum but different energy spectrum. As corollaries to our results we obtain that the set of hyperbolic metrics and the set of singular flat metrics induced by quadratic differentials satisfy energy spectrum rigidity, i.e. a metric in these sets is determined, up to isotopy, by its energy spectrum. We prove that analogous statements also hold true for Kleinian surface groups.
On the Attribution of Parental Competence: Parents’ Behavior Matters, not Their Sexual Orientation
Authors: Kranz Dirk
Published: June 2022

Using a vignette approach, two studies examined the impact of three factors on judgments of parental competence: target parents’ sexual orientation, gender, and parenting behavior. According to the aversive prejudice framework, people should express their subtle prejudice against lesbian and gay parents when the latter show detrimental parenting behavior––that is, when devaluation is easy to rationalize. Samples of 170 and 290 German heterosexual participants each were presented with a parent-child conflict situation. In Study 1, the child threw a public tantrum during a restaurant visit; in Study 2, the children wanted to play outside instead of doing their homework. Irrespective of target gender, lesbian and gay parents were judged as equally or even somewhat more competent than heterosexual parents. In both studies, parents who responded in an authoritative way received the most positive evaluation of parental competence, whereas parents who responded in an authoritarian way received the most negative evaluation. In neither study, however, there was a significant interaction between parents’ sexual orientation and parenting behavior. That is, contrary to hypothesis, lesbian and gay parents did not receive more negative evaluation than heterosexual parents when responding in a comparatively negative, authoritarian or permissive way. Such interaction could also not be found when additionally considering participants’ levels of homonegativity or social desirability. The discussion centers on the increasing acceptance of same-sex parenthood as well as the high appreciation of authoritative parenting in contemporary Germany.
Enhancing antibacterial property of porous titanium surfaces with silver nanoparticles coatings via electron-beam evaporation
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyu , Li Yaoxu , Luo Xiaobing , Ding Yumei
Published: June 2022

Antibacterial activity is one of the most vital characteristics for Titanium (Ti) dental implants. Coating antibacterial material onto Ti surfaces is an effective approach to enhance their intrinsic antibacterial ability. However, a cost-effective but efficient coating strategy for realizing this objective still remains challenging. In this study, we proposed a novel implant surface modification strategy for coating silver nanoparticles onto the porous Ti surface via a facile electron beam evaporation (EBE) approach. Porous Ti surfaces were firstly prepared by sand-blasting large grit acid-etching (SLA) process. Then, the silver nanoparticles coating thickness on the porous Ti surface was adjusted and optimized by altering the duration of EBE process. Consequently, composite porous Ti surfaces with different silver thicknesses were synthesized. Polished Ti (PT) surface without SLA or EBE process was also prepared as the controlled blank group. The surface characterizations were analyzed by SEM, AFM, and XPS. After that, the antibacterial properties of all groups were tested with bacteria counting method, bacterial viability test, live/dead bacterial staining, and SEM examination. Results show that silver nanoparticles were uniformly distributed on the porous Ti surfaces after the SLA and EBE processes. After being incorporated with silver nanoparticles, the composite surfaces successfully inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). The antibacterial ratio (AR) values of SLA-Ag groups increased with the increasing silver thickness and are significantly higher than those of PT and SLA groups. Therefore, by the SLA and EBE processes, the composite porous Ti surfaces modified with silver nanoparticles coatings demonstrate superior antibacterial property compared with pure Ti surfaces, which is highly promising for enhancing the antibacterial functions of dental implants.
Hydrazone-based Materials; DFT, TD-DFT, NBO Analysis, Fukui Function, MESP Analysis, and Solar Cell Applications
Authors: Sakr Mahmoud A. S. , Sherbiny Farag F. , El-Etrawy Abd-Allah Sh.
Published: June 2022

Due to numerous pharmaceutical and biological activities hydrazone (TC) based materials, it was important to investigate quantum chemical studies such as Density functional theory (DFT) calculations, natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis, molecular electrostatic potential (MESP), and local reactivity usage Fukui function for six TC derivatives compounds. DFT, NBO, MESP, and local reactivity calculations were obtained via utilizing CAM-Becke's three-parameter functional and Leee Yange Parr (CAM-B3LYP) functional and 6-311G +  + (2d, 2p) basis set. Optimized molecular structures for all studied compounds were obtained usage the DFT/CAM-B3LYP/6-311G +  + (2d, 2p) method. In addition, the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO), lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO), energy gap (Eg), light harvest efficiency (LHE), and open-circuit voltage (Voc) of all studied MSs are calculated and illustrated. These properties indicate that these molecular modeling structures as good candidates for utilization in organic DSSCs. The calculated spectroscopic investigations of hydrazine derivatives have been obtained by applying the TD/CAM-B3LYP/6-311G +  + (2d, 2p) method. the calculated UV–Vis absorption spectra for molecular structures under study show nice correlations with experimental spectra.
The Role of ‘Peace of Mind’ and ‘Meaningfulness’ as Psychological Concepts in Explaining Subjective Well-being
Authors: Sophie Vandepitte , Sara Claes , Jellen T’Jaeckx , Lieven Annemans
Published: June 2022

Background

Although extensive research has been conducted to explain what contributes to subjective wellbeing, still a substantial part of its variance remains unexplained. This study investigated whether psychological concepts ‘peace of mind’ and ‘meaningfulness’ contribute to SWB beyond the basic and psychological needs while using several needs theories as a theoretical basis and thereby hypothesizing that both concepts are actionable and help enhance SWB.

Methods

The cross-sectional data (N = 3770) of the Belgian National happiness study (2018) were used. Three components of SWB (life satisfaction, positive and negative affect) were identified as predicted variables and used in threefold stepwise forward regression analyses.

Results

As expected both basic and psychological needs explained a considerable part of the three SWB components. However, including meaningfulness and peace of mind in the last step of the models resulted in a substantially higher total variance that was explained in these components (i.e. 56.7% for life satisfaction, 37.2% for positive affect, and 56.1% for negative affect). More specific, in the final models: basic needs, feelings of autonomy and relatedness, peace of mind and meaningfulness were significantly associated with the life satisfaction component. For the positive affect component: psychological needs, peace of mind, and meaningfulness were the significantly associated factors. Finally, the negative affect component was most significantly associated with basic needs, psychological needs, and peace of mind, while meaningfulness did not play a significant role in explaining negative affect.

Discussion

This study reconfirms the value of several needs theories in explaining the components of SWB and the role of universal needs. The final steps of the models also indicate that different needs contribute independently to the different SWB components. This is the first study demonstrating that ‘meaningfulness’ and ‘peace of mind’ contribute substantially to SWB beyond the typical basic and psychological needs.
Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Deoxidation of Copper Surfaces in an Ar/SiH4 Atmosphere
Authors: Udachin Viktor , Wegewitz Lienhard , Dahle Sebastian , Maus-Friedrichs Wolfgang
Published: June 2022

Nowadays, cold plasma techniques like dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasmas have attracted considerable interest in view of high deoxidation efficiencies as well as relative simplicity of setups. Although DBD plasma deoxidation of copper has been mainly studied in Ar/H2 mixtures, there is no information on reduction performance of such methods in other protective atmospheres. In this study, the reduction of natively oxidized copper surfaces using a DBD plasma in an Ar/SiH4 atmosphere at 100 hPa and 20 °C was investigated. The influence of a silane gas on the deoxidation performance was studied by varying the SiH4 concentration from 0.0 to 0.5 vol%. An addition of a SiH4 gas to an Ar atmosphere results in the increase of the deoxidation effect of a DBD plasma, so almost all Cu2O was reduced after 10 s of treatment in 0.1 vol% silane. Surface morphology analysis showed formation of particles after Ar/SiH4 plasma treatments that can be cleaned from the surfaces by wiping. Additionally, characterization of the plasma phase indicated the presence of SiH* radicals that likely play a role in the deoxidation effect. Moreover, an elimination of residual oxygen and nitrogen species in Ar by addition of SiH4 was observed.
Overwhelmed by Learning in Lockdown: Effects of Covid-19-enforced Homeschooling on Parents’ Wellbeing
Authors: Heers Marieke , Lipps Oliver
Published: June 2022

With the closure of schools due to the Covid-19-pandemic, parents of schoolchildren had to quickly adapt their daily schedules by taking over responsibilities of homeschooling for their children, while arranging their own schedule. This study first identifies the parents who are most challenged by having to ensure homeschooling responsibilities and then assesses how homeschooling affects different dimensions of parents’ wellbeing. Analyzing data from a large general population-representative panel survey in Switzerland, we compare subjective wellbeing before the Covid-19-outbreak to wellbeing at the end of the semi-lockdown. Almost one fifth of parents report being sometimes overwhelmed by homeschooling obligations for their children. Women, mid-aged and lower-educated individuals as well as those with young children and a lower income are particularly overwhelmed. Being sometimes overwhelmed by homeschooling does not cause changes in life satisfaction, stress and negative affect. Yet, it leads to a decrease in positive affect. We derive recommendations for educational and public health policies.
A knowledge graph empowered online learning framework for access control decision-making
Authors: You Mingshan , Yin Jiao , Wang Hua , Cao Jinli , Wang Kate , Miao Yuan , Bertino Elisa
Published: June 2022

Knowledge graph, as an extension of graph data structure, is being used in a wide range of areas as it can store interrelated data and reveal interlinked relationships between different objects within a large system. This paper proposes an algorithm to construct an access control knowledge graph from user and resource attributes. Furthermore, an online learning framework for access control decision-making is proposed based on the constructed knowledge graph. Within the framework, we extract topological features to represent high cardinality categorical user and resource attributes. Experimental results show that topological features extracted from knowledge graph can improve the access control performance in both offline learning and online learning scenarios with different degrees of class imbalance status.
Hepatic and renal toxicity following the injection of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) in mature male Westar rats: histochemical and caspase 3 immunohistochemical reactivities
Authors: Ghonimi Wael A. M. , Alferah Mosaid A. Z. , Dahran Naief , El-Shetry Eman S.
Published: June 2022

Copper nanoparticles are widely utilized in a variety of applications, including metal catalysts, semiconductors, heat transfer fluids in machine tools, and even in antibacterial medications. Forty mature healthy Westar rats were utilized in the current investigation and grouped randomly into four groups (n = 10 rats/group). Group I (G1) was kept as a control group, but G2, G3, and G4 were intraperitoneally injected with CuO NPs with a dose (5 mg, 10 mg, 25 mg/kg body weight/day) respectively for 9 days. Rats were sacrificed; then, the livers and kidneys were dissected and subjected to histopathological and immunohistochemical examination. Our findings of G2 and G3 revealed mild to moderate degenerative changes within the hepatic parenchyma, moderate blood vessel congestions, glycogen depletion, hemosiderosis, and microvesicular steatosis (fatty changes within the hepatocytes). In addition, at the level of kidney, our examination clarified moderate degenerations of the renal corpuscles and renal tubules with moderate swelling and congestions of the glomerulus with moderate vacuolations in the renal tubules lining epithelium. On the other hand, increasing the dose of CuO NPs, the toxicity became more obvious, where the liver of G4 revealed severe necrosis of hepatocytes with completely disorganizations of the hepatic rays, loss of the hepatic architectures, severe steatosis, severe hemosiderosis, sinusoidal dilatations with congestions, as well as severe fibrous tissue proliferation with anti-inflammatory cell infiltrations specially around portal triad with hyperplasia of bile duct. Meanwhile in kidney, G4 clarified severe necrosis and atrophy of the renal corpuscles with severe damage of Bowman’s capsule leading to completely disorganization and loss of normal renal cortex architectures, severe congestion of the glomerulus, severe necrosis of the renal tubules with damage and sloughing for its lining epithelium, and severe hemorrhage between renal tubules. In addition, severe and diffuse caspase 3 immunoreactivity were observed within the hepatic and renal tissues of G4. The present investigation was concluded that the CuO NPs have a potential toxicological effect on the hepatic and renal tissues that may affect their functions.-->
Anemia is associated with increased risk of non-vertebral osteoporotic fractures in elderly men: the MrOS Sweden cohort
Authors: Kristjansdottir Hallgerdur Lind , Mellström Dan , Johansson Peter , Karlsson Magnus , Vandenput Liesbeth , Lorentzon Mattias , Herlitz Hans , Ohlsson Claes , Lerner Ulf H. , Lewerin Catharina
Published: June 2022

Summary

This study includes 1005 men from the Gothenburg part of the Osteoporotic Fracture in Men Study (MrOS). Included are 66 men with anemia (hemoglobin < 130 g/L). The follow-up time was up to 16 years, and the main results are that anemia is associated with all fractures and non-vertebral osteoporotic fractures.

Introduction

Anemia and osteoporotic fractures are conditions that are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Clinical studies have suggested that anemia can be used as a predictor of future osteoporotic fractures.

Method

Men from the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Study (MrOS) Sweden, Gothenburg, with available hemoglobin (Hb) values (n = 1005, median age 75.3 years (SD 3.2)), were included in the current analyses. Of these, 66 suffered from anemia, defined as Hb < 130 g/L. Median follow-up time for fracture was 10.1 years and the longest follow-up time was 16.1 years.

Results

Men with anemia had, at baseline, experienced more falls and had a higher prevalence of diabetes, cancer, prostate cancer, hypertension, and stroke. Anemia was not statistically significantly associated with bone mineral density (BMD). Men with anemia had higher serum levels of fibroblast growth factor 23 (iFGF23) (p < 0.001) and phosphate (p = 0.001) and lower serum levels of testosterone (p < 0.001) and estradiol (p < 0.001). Moreover, men with anemia had an increased risk of any fracture (hazard ratio (HR) 1.97, 95% CI 1.28–3.02) and non-vertebral osteoporotic fracture (HR 2.15, 95% CI 1.18–3.93), after adjustment for age and total hip BMD, in 10 years. The risk for any fracture was increased in 10 and 16 years independently of falls, comorbidities, inflammation, and sex hormones. The age-adjusted risk of hip fracture was increased in men with anemia (HR 2.32, 95% CI 1.06–5.12), in 10 years, although this was no longer statistically significant after further adjustment for total hip BMD.

Conclusions

Anemia is associated with an increased risk for any fracture and non-vertebral osteoporotic fracture in elderly men with a long follow-up time. The cause is probably multifactorial and our results support that anemia can be used as a predictor for future fracture.
Efficacy and Fate of Fluridone Applications for Control of Invasive Submersed Aquatic Vegetation in the Estuarine Environment of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta
Authors: Rasmussen Nick , Conrad J. Louise , Green Heather , Khanna Shruti , Wright Hailey , Hoffmann Krista , Caudill Jeffrey , Gilbert Patricia
Published: June 2022

Estuaries are ecologically and economically important ecosystems but are threatened by non-native invasive species, including many species of submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV). Herbicides are the primary tool used to control SAV, but most field evaluations of herbicides have been conducted in lentic systems. Therefore, managers working in estuaries must base their SAV control programs largely on findings from systems fundamentally different from their own. We conducted a study in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to determine efficacy of the widely used herbicide fluridone in an estuarine ecosystem. The primary goal of SAV removal was restoration of open water habitat for endangeredHypomesus transpacificus(Delta Smelt). Over 18 months and multiple sets of multi-week fluridone applications, we monitored concentrations of fluridone and responses by SAV across pairs of treated and reference sites. Fluridone concentrations in the water were generally below the 2–5 parts per billion required for SAV control. Monitoring demonstrated that these low water concentrations were likely due to dissipation by tides, despite use of pelleted fluridone formulations marketed for flowing water environments. Fluridone did, however, accumulate in sediment at concentrations hundreds of times higher than those measured in the water. Nonetheless, we did not observe lasting reductions in SAV abundance or changes in SAV community composition. By demonstrating lack of efficacy of one of the few herbicides permitted for use in this estuary, this study highlights the need for development of SAV management tools tailored to the challenges of hydrologically complex environments like estuaries.
Benthic Foraminiferal Response to Trace Elements in a Tropical Mesotidal Brazilian Estuary
Authors: Raposo Débora , Frontalini Fabrizio , Clemente Iara , da Conceição Guerreiro Couto Erminda , Veríssimo Fábio , Laut Lazaro
Published: June 2022

Living benthic foraminifera have been widely used as ecological indicators in coastal ecosystems. There is, however, a lack of studies on their response to trace element pollution in tropical estuarine systems. Here we analyze the living assemblages of benthic foraminifera, collected in 2016, in the Cachoeira River Estuary (CRE) in northeastern Brazil, to understand their response to natural and anthropogenic stressors, including trace element pollution. Some species were good bioindicators of specific environmental conditions, such as the agglutinant Paratrochammina clossi which preferred mangrove areas and anoxic conditions. In addition, the calcareous Ammonia tepida and Cribroelphidium excavatum, dominant within the whole system disregarding organic or trace element pollution, seem to resist even in the areas most polluted by trace elements. Interestingly, C. excavatum showed a particular positive relationship with trace element pollution (specifically by Cu and Pb), outnumbering the opportunistic A. tepida in the areas with higher pollution of these metals. However, for other species, it is still difficult to constrain to which parameters they respond (i.e., Haynesina germanica and Elphidium gunteri, which in the present study seem to respond to natural conditions, whereas in the literature they are regarded as indicators of trace element and organic pollution, respectively). Therefore, our findings shed light on the response of benthic foraminiferal species in a highly polluted and highly mixed tropical estuarine system and highlight the need to understand the complexity of these environments when applying foraminiferal biological indexes to avoid imprecise conclusions.
Optimization of Aspergillus niger NRC1ami Pectinase Using Citrus Peel Pectin, Purification, and Thermodynamic Characterization of the Free and Modified Enzyme
Authors: Esawy Mona A. , Gamal Amira A. , Kamel Zeinat
Published: June 2022

Enzyme cost and stability are the main problems facing industrial applications. Consequently, Aspergillus nigerNRC1ami was isolated from rotten orange and recorded a promising pectinase activity (13.8 U/ml). The enzyme was optimized using citrus peel pectin as the sole carbon source and recorded (40 U/ml). It was purified by two steps purifications and recorded 632 purification folds. The pure enzyme showed 14.7% carbohydrate content and consists of 15 amino acids. Glutamic acid was the major (22%) followed by leucine (10.67%) and threonine was the minor (2.70%). A. niger NRC1ami pectinase was conjugated by covalent coupling to sodium periodate (NaIO4) activated polysaccharides. Galactomannan showed the highest recovered activity (85%) and 94.34% reduction in viscosity. The optimum temperature for the pure enzyme shifted from 40 to 45 °C after the conjugation process. Also, the free enzyme showed its optimum activity at pH 5 compared to pH 4, 5 in the conjugated form case. The thermal stability of the free enzyme greatly improved after the modification process. The conjugated process reduced the activation energy to 36%, prolonged the enzyme half-life 5.6-fold at 60 °C, and increase the deactivation energy (Ed) by about 19% in comparison to the free form. The D value of the conjugated enzyme increased to 13.2-fold at 50 °C compared to the free form. Gibbs's free energy (ΔG) of the enzyme increased after the modification process, while the enthalpy (ΔH) and entropy (ΔS) decreased. Na+ and Zn2+ had a stimulating effect on both enzyme forms.

Graphical Abstract
Blends of palm kernel oil, soybean oil and palm stearin as an alternative to milk fat for frozen dessert application
Authors: Hasan T. , Thoo Y. Y. , Chew C. L. , Kong P. S. , Siow L. F.
Published: June 2022

In this study, the ternary blends of palm kernel oil (PKO), soybean oil (SBO) and two types of palm stearin (PS) (PS33 and PS38) were systematically prepared and evaluated for their application as an alternative to milk fat in frozen dessert. The physicochemical characteristics namely fatty acids constituent, triacylglycerols (TAGs) composition, melting behavior, solid fat content (SFC) and microstructure were studied. All ternary blends of PKO/SBO/PS33 and PKO/SBO/PS38 had comparable microstructure to that of milk fat. However, 80/15/5 (PKO/SBO/PS33) and 80/15/5 to 80/5/15 (PKO/SBO/PS38) mixtures were found to have similar SFC as milk fat at temperature above 20 °C, allowing these ternary blends to be completely melted at body temperature. With this, 80/15/5 (PKO/SBO/PS33) and 80/15/5 to 80/5/15 (PKO/SBO/PS38) mixtures were able to provide similar meltdown and mouth feel as milk fat at room temperature. Nonetheless, fatty acids constituent, TAGs composition and melting behavior of the blends were different from milk fat. This study showed that ternary blends of PKO, SBO and PS at ratios 80/15/5 (PKO/SBO/PS33) and 80/15/5 to 80/5/15 (PKO/SBO/PS38) can be potentially used as a milk fat alternative for frozen dessert application based on its similar microstructure and SFC profile as the milk fat.
A connections model with decreasing returns link-formation technology
Authors: Olaizola Norma , Valenciano Federico
Published: June 2022

We study a connections model where the strength of a link depends on the amount invested in it and is determined by an increasing strictly concave function. The revenue from investments in links is the value (information, contacts, friendship) that the nodes receive through the network. First, assuming that links are the result of investments by the node-players involved, there is the question of stability. We introduce and characterize a notion of marginal equilibrium, where all nodes play locally best responses, and identify different marginally stable structures. This notion is based on weak assumptions about node-players’ information and is necessary for Nash equilibrium and for pairwise stability. Second, efficient networks in absolute terms are characterized. Efficiency and stability are shown to be incompatible, but partial subsidizing is shown to be able to bridge the gap.
Instruments to measure environmental and personal radiofrequency-electromagnetic field exposures: an update
Authors: Bhatt Chhavi Raj , Henderson Stuart , Brzozek Chris , Benke Geza
Published: June 2022

Modern human populations are exposed to anthropogenic sources of radiofrequency-electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs), primarily to telecommunication and broadcasting technologies. As a result, ongoing concerns from some members of the public have arisen regarding potential health effects following RF-EMF exposures. In order to monitor human RF-EMF exposures and investigate potential health effects, an objective assessment of RF-EMF exposures is necessary. Accurate dosimetry is essential for any investigation of potential associations between RF-EMF exposure and health effects in human populations. This review updates state-of-the-art knowledge of currently available RF-EMF exposure assessment tools applicable in human epidemiological studies. These tools cater for assessing RF-EMF exposures in human environments; through mobile phone-based tools or other standalone tools. RF-EMF exposure assessment has been significantly improved through the application of some of these tools in recent years.
Preparation and Properties of Geopolymer Matrix Composites Containing Waste Olivine Sands from a Metallurgical Process
Authors: Furlani E. , Rondinella A. , Aneggi E. , Maschio S.
Published: June 2022

Several geopolymer-based materials were produced and characterized by mixing metakaolin, a commercial sodium silicate solution, a sodium hydroxide solution, and a loose waste olivine sand deriving from a metallurgical process devoted to the production of a high manganese steel. Olivine sand was added either in the as-received form or after a thermal treatment at 900 °C. Hardened materials containing different amounts of olivine sand were characterized and their behavior was compared to that of a blank geopolymeric matrix. Materials were examined by X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared Radiation, and optical and scanning electron microscope investigation; mechanical compressive strength was discussed taking into account water absorption and microstructure. It has been observed that all compositions containing the as-received olivine sands badly perform, whereas those prepared using thermally treated olivine have higher compressive strength than the reference blank composition. In particular, samples with composition containing 100 g of metakaolin and 75 g of olivine displayed the best overall behavior.

Graphical Abstract
The effect of early automation on the wage distribution with endogenous occupational choices
Authors: Hidalgo-Pérez Manuel A. , Molinari Benedetto
Published: June 2022

While the literature demonstrated that automation reduces employment in routine jobs (job polarization), its impact on wages is still unclear and the debate open. By applying Counterfactual Quantile Regressions to historical data, this paper analyzes the channels through which automation affected wage inequality in the U.S. labor market during the 1990s. Contrary to conventional wisdom, we find that the observed decline in wage inequality among low earners was not due to lower prices paid for technology-substitute occupational tasks, but instead due to more homogeneous wages of workers performing these tasks. This evidence is consistent with a model of directed (routine-biased) technical change in which skill-heterogeneous workers face endogenous occupational choices and learning costs in connection with operating new technology. In this model, directed technical change reduces wage inequality among low earners by shrinking the skill distribution of routine workers, thus making their wages more homogenous as observed in data.
Leveraging Machine Learning to Automatically Derive Robust Decision Strategies from Imperfect Knowledge of the Real World
Authors: Mehta Aashay , Jain Yash Raj , Kemtur Anirudha , Stojcheski Jugoslav , Consul Saksham , Tošić Mateo , Lieder Falk
Published: June 2022

Teaching people clever heuristics is a promising approach to improve decision-making under uncertainty. The theory of resource rationality makes it possible to leverage machine learning to discover optimal heuristics automatically. One bottleneck of this approach is that the resulting decision strategies are only as good as the model of the decision problem that the machine learning methods were applied to. This is problematic because even domain experts cannot give complete and fully accurate descriptions of the decisions they face. To address this problem, we develop strategy discovery methods that are robust to potential inaccuracies in the description of the scenarios in which people will use the discovered decision strategies. The basic idea is to derive the strategy that will perform best in expectation across all possible real-world problems that could have given rise to the likely erroneous description that a domain expert provided. To achieve this, our method uses a probabilistic model of how the description of a decision problem might be corrupted by biases in human judgment and memory. Our method uses this model to perform Bayesian inference on which real-world scenarios might have given rise to the provided descriptions. We applied our Bayesian approach to robust strategy discovery in two domains: planning and risky choice. In both applications, we find that our approach is more robust to errors in the description of the decision problem and that teaching the strategies it discovers significantly improves human decision-making in scenarios where approaches ignoring the risk that the description might be incorrect are ineffective or even harmful. The methods developed in this article are an important step towards leveraging machine learning to improve human decision-making in the real world because they tackle the problem that the real world is fundamentally uncertain.
Organizational Challenges in the Pediatric Onco-hematology Units During the First and Second Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A National Survey in Italy
Authors: Amicucci Matteo , Biagioli Valentina , Rostagno Elena , Canesi Marta , Bergadano Anna , Botta Debora , Crotti Partel Moreno
Published: June 2022

This study aimed to describe and compare, at a national level, the measures implemented in the pediatric onco-hematology units and the number of infections among patients and healthcare staff during the first and second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy. A multicenter, descriptive, online survey was conducted between15th March and 15th April 2020 (T1) and between 1 and 31st January 2021 (T2). All the Italian Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Association (AIEOP) centers were invited to participate in the study. Data of the pre-pandemic, first, and second phase were compared. Thirty-six of the 48 AIEOP centers completed the survey (75%). Several organizational, screening, and swab measures were implemented by AIEOP centers to prevent the SARS-CoV-2 infection among patients and visitors. During the pandemic, there was a significant reduction in the number of onco-hematology inpatient beds (p < 0.001), including inpatient beds dedicated to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), and consultations in the outpatient clinics (p < 0.001). During the first wave, 37 pediatric patients with cancer tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 versus 174 patients during the second wave. The reduction in routine services was also greater in the second than in the first wave. All the AIEOP centers showed the capacity to adapt and promptly respond to both waves of the pandemic.
Understanding Differences in Problematic Pornography Use: Considerations for Gender and Sexual Orientation
Authors: Borgogna Nicholas C. , Griffin Kaelyn R. , Grubbs Joshua B. , Kraus Shane W.
Published: June 2022

Background

While preliminary research suggests non-heterosexual men and women view more pornography than their heterosexual counterparts, few studies have examined how problematic use differs across sexual and gender identity groups.

Aim

We sought to test measurement invariance across popular measures of problematic pornography use (PPU) and examine mean PPU differences across heterosexual men, non-heterosexual men, heterosexual women, and non-heterosexual women.

Methods

We used 3 large archival datasets to examine psychometrics/group differences on the Brief Pornography Screen (BPS; N = 1,439), Problematic Pornography Use Scale (PPUS; N = 5,859), and Cyber Pornography Use Inventory-4 (CPUI-4; N = 893).

Outcomes

Most PPU scales/subscales demonstrated acceptable fit, and non-heterosexual men and women tended to report more PPU than heterosexual men and women (though exceptions were evident).

Results

Confirmatory factor analyses revealed good fit across each group and instrument, with exception to sexual minority women on the CPUI-4. Each instrument demonstrated at least metric invariance between groups, with exception to one item between heterosexual and sexual minority men on the CPUI-4. Mean differences suggested that sexual minority men and women tend to report more PPU than heterosexual men and women, though several exceptions were evident depending on the PPU dimension. Men tended to report more PPU than women, though exceptions were also evident. Effect sizes ranged from large-to-non-significant depending on PPU dimension.

Clinical Implications

Researchers and clinicians should consider sexual orientation, gender, and PPU dimension when addressing PPU concerns.

Strengths & Limitations

A primary strength of this study is the use of multiple large samples, meaning our results are likely highly generalizable. However, this study is limited in that it only examined sexual orientation groups broadly and did not account for non-cisgender identities.

Conclusions

The BPS, PPUS, and CPUI-4 are all appropriate tools to measure PPU depending on researcher and clinician needs.
Inconsistency in Linguistic Theorising
Authors: Kertész András , Rákosi Csilla
Published: June 2022

It is widely believed that inconsistency is one of the greatest sins a scholar can commit. This issue is especially relevant in linguistics due to the rich diversity of data types, exceptions to the rules, counterexamples to the hypotheses, and background assumptions which constantly come into conflict with methodological principles. Bringing together ideas from linguistics and philosophy of science, this groundbreaking book seeks to answer the following questions: which kinds of inconsistency arise in linguistic theorising? Under which conditions can inconsistencies be tolerated? And how can inconsistencies be resolved? It is the first study to develop a novel metatheoretical framework that accounts for the emergence and the resolution of inconsistency in linguistic theorising, and to reveal the strategies of inconsistency resolution in theoretical linguistics. Supported by detailed case studies, the findings of this metatheoretical analysis can be applied to improve the effectiveness of the working linguist's problem-solving activity.
A Literary History of Latin & English Poetry
Authors: Moul Victoria
Published: June 2022

Victoria Moul's groundbreaking study uncovers one of the most important features of early modern English poetry: its bilingualism. The first guide to a forgotten literary landscape, this book considers the vast quantities of poetry that were written and read in both Latin and English from the sixteenth to the eighteenth century. Introducing readers to a host of new authors and drawing on hundreds of manuscript as well as print sources, it also reinterprets a series of landmarks in English poetry within a bilingual literary context. Ranging from Tottel's miscellany to the hymns of Isaac Watts, via Shakespeare, Jonson, Herbert, Marvell, Milton and Cowley, this revelatory survey shows how the forms and fashions of contemporary Latin verse informed key developments in English poetry. As the complex, highly creative interactions between the two languages are revealed, the work reshapes our understanding of what 'English' literary history means.
Urban Development in Southeast Asia
Authors: Padawangi Rita
Published: June 2022

Urbanization as a process is rife with inequality, in Southeast Asia as anywhere else, but resistance and contestation persist on the ground. In this element, the author sets out to achieve three goals: 1) to examine the political nature of urban development; 2) to scrutinize the implications of power inequality in urban development discussions; and 3) to highlight topical and methodological contributions to urban studies from Southeast Asia. The key to a robust understanding is groundedness: knowledge about the everyday realities of urban life that are hard to see on the surface but dominate how the city functions, with particular attention to human agency and the political life of marginalized groups. Ignoring politics in research on urbanization essentially perpetuates the power inequities in urban development; this element thus focuses not just on Southeast Asian cities and urbanization per se, but also on critical perspectives on patterns and processes in their development.
Association of antibiotics with veteran visit satisfaction and antibiotic expectations for upper respiratory tract infections
Authors: Staub Milner B. , Pellegrino Rachael , Gettler Erin , Johnson Morgan C. , Roumie Christianne L. , Grijalva Carlos G. , Reasoner Kaitlyn , Dittus Robert S. , Hulgan Todd
Published: June 2022

Background and objective:

Veterans’ Affairs (VA) healthcare providers perceive that Veterans expect and base visit satisfaction on receiving antibiotics for upper respiratory tract infections (URIs). No studies have tested this hypothesis. We sought to determine whether receiving and/or expecting antibiotics were associated with Veteran satisfaction with URI visits.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study included Veterans evaluated for URI January 2018–December 2019 in an 18-clinic ambulatory VA primary-care system. We evaluated Veteran satisfaction via the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire Short Form (RAND Corporation), an 18-item 5-point Likert scale survey. Additional items assessed Veteran antibiotic expectations. Antibiotic receipt was determined via medical record review. We used multivariable regression to evaluate whether antibiotic receipt and/or Veteran antibiotic expectations were associated with satisfaction. Subgroup analyses focused on Veterans who accurately remembered antibiotic prescribing during their URI visit.

Results:

Of 1,329 eligible Veterans, 432 (33%) participated. Antibiotic receipt was not associated with differences in mean total satisfaction (adjusted score difference, 0.6 points; 95% confidence interval [CI], −2.1 to 3.3). However, mean total satisfaction was lower for Veterans expecting an antibiotic (adjusted score difference −4.4 points; 95% CI −7.2 to −1.6). Among Veterans who accurately remembered the visit and did not receive an antibiotic, those who expected an antibiotic had lower mean satisfaction scores than those who did not (unadjusted score difference, −16.6 points; 95% CI, −24.6 to −8.6).

Conclusions:

Veteran expectations for antibiotics, not antibiotic receipt, are associated with changes in satisfaction with outpatient URI visits. Future research should further explore patient expectations and development of patient-centered and provider-focused interventions to change patient antibiotic expectations.
Asymptotic interpretation of the Miles mechanism of wind-wave instability
Authors: Bonfils A.F. , Mitra Dhrubaditya , Moon W. , Wettlaufer J.S.
Published: June 2022

When wind blows over water, ripples are generated on the water surface. These ripples can be regarded as perturbations of the wind field, which is modelled as a parallel inviscid flow. For a given wavenumber

$k$

, the perturbed streamfunction of the wind field and the complex phase speed are the eigenfunction and the eigenvalue of the so-called Rayleigh equation in a semi-infinite domain. Because of the small air–water density ratio,

$\rho _{{a}}/\rho _{{w}}\equiv \epsilon \ll 1$

, the wind and the ripples are weakly coupled, and the eigenvalue problem can be solved perturbatively. At the leading order, the eigenvalue is equal to the phase speed

$c_0$

of surface waves. At order

$\epsilon$

, the eigenvalue has a finite imaginary part, which implies growth. Miles (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 3, 1957, pp. 185–204) showed that the growth rate is proportional to the square modulus of the leading-order eigenfunction evaluated at the so-called critical level

$z=z_c$

, where the wind speed is equal to

$c_0$

and the waves extract energy from the wind. Here, we construct uniform asymptotic approximations of the leading-order eigenfunction for long waves, which we use to calculate the growth rate as a function of

$k$

. In the strong wind limit, we find that the fastest growing wave is such that the aerodynamic pressure is in phase with the wave slope. The results are confirmed numerically.
Suggested explanations for the (in)effectiveness of nutrition information interventions among adults with a low socioeconomic status: a scoping review
Authors: van Meurs Tim , Oude Groeniger Joost , de Koster Willem , van der Waal Jeroen
Published: June 2022

Unhealthy diets are a major threat to population health and are especially prevalent among those with a low socioeconomic status (SES). Health promotion initiatives often rely on nutrition information interventions (NIIs), but are usually less effective among adults with a low SES than in their high-SES counterparts. Explanations for this lower effectiveness are set out in extant studies. These have been conducted across a wide range of disciplines and subject fields and using a variety of methodological approaches. We have therefore conducted a scoping review to identify and synthesise the following: (1) explanations suggested in studies carried out in high-income countries for why NIIs are (in)effective among adults with a low SES and (2) whether these suggested explanations were studied empirically. Eight databases were searched for relevant studies published since 2009 across various disciplines. This identified 4951 papers, 27 of which were included in our review after screening. Only fifteen of these proposed an explanation for the (in)effectiveness of NIIs among adults with a low SES. The following four main themes were uncovered: health literacy, economic resources, social resources and convenience. Ten studies tested their explanations empirically, but the results were inconsistent. The reasons why NIIs are (in)effective among low-SES adults are therefore still largely unclear. Also, current literature predominantly relies on individualistic explanations, most notably focusing on psychological and economic attributes. Consequently, if the effectiveness of NIIs among low-SES populations is to be improved, future studies should examine a wider range of explanations and test them systematically and empirically.