bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differential Transcendence of Solutions of the Difference Equation $$\Delta y=ay^2+by+c$$
Authors: Nishioka Seiji
Published: August 2022

By a purely algebraic way, we investigate a necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of differentially algebraic and transcendental solutions to certain difference equations whose form is related to Riccati equations. Our result roughly implies that all the solutions do not satisfy any algebraic differential equations if there is no algebraic solution.
Clinical outcome in metastatic prostate cancer after primary radiotherapy
Authors: Moll Matthias , Herrmann Harald , Zaharie Alexandru , Goldner Gregor
Published: August 2022

Purpose

To describe a local radio-oncological treatment for patients with prostate cancer that metastasized to either the lymph nodes or distant regions.

Methods and materials

We included 133 patients with prostate cancer that displayed either distant metastases (DM) or lymph node metastases alone (NM) and were treated between 2004 and 2019. All patients underwent computed tomography and a bone scan or 18F- or prostate-specific membrane antigen-targeted positron emission tomography. Patients received local external beam radiation therapy to the prostate to achieve local control (60–81.4 Gy to the prostate, and 45–50.4 Gy to pelvic lymph nodes), with either the 3D conformal (4-field box) or volumetric modulated arc therapy technique. A urologist prescribed additional therapy.

Results

We included 51 patients with DM and 82 patients with NM. The mean follow-up was 42 months for all patients. The groups were similar in T stage, initial prostate-specific antigen, histology, androgen deprivation therapy, age, treatment techniques, and prescribed doses, but different in lymph node inclusion and follow-up times. In the NM and DM groups, the 5‑year biochemical recurrence-free rates were 52% and 24%, respectively (p < 0.0001); the 5‑year disease-specific survival rates were 92% and 61%, respectively (p = 0.001); and the 5‑year OS rates were 77% and 48%, respectively (p = 0.01). The groups had similar acute and late gastrointestinal and genitourinary side effects, except that late genitourinary side effects occurred significantly more frequently in the NM group (p = 0.01).

Conclusions

DM was associated with significantly worse outcomes than NM. The long-term survival of patients with metastatic prostate cancer was low.
Versorgungsaspekte der Elektrokonvulsionstherapie: Analyse der externen Zuweisungen an ein universitäres Zentrum
Authors: Methfessel Isabel , Belz Michael , Bühler Fabienne , Zilles-Wegner David
Published: August 2022

Hintergrund

Die Anwendungshäufigkeit der Elektrokonvulsionstherapie (EKT) in Deutschland variiert stark in Abhängigkeit von der regionalen Verfügbarkeit. Teilweise wird dieses Versorgungsdefizit durch Zuweisungen an EKT-durchführende Kliniken kompensiert, was jedoch durch dort verfügbare Ressourcen limitiert ist.

Ziel der Arbeit

Untersuchung der externen Zuweisungen zur EKT am Beispiel der Universitätsmedizin Göttingen. Analysiert werden sollen die Zuweiserstruktur, die Patientencharakteristika, die leitliniengerechte Pharmakotherapie vor Indikationsstellung zur EKT sowie das Therapieoutcome im Falle einer Behandlung mit EKT.

Material und Methoden

Externe Anmeldungen zur EKT wurden über ein Jahr systematisch erfasst und retrospektiv ausgewertet. Neben der deskriptiven Darstellung der Daten erfolgte der Abgleich pharmakologischer Vorbehandlungen mit den aktuellen Leitlinienempfehlungen. Das Therapieoutcome nach durchgeführter EKT wurde mittels des klinischen Gesamteindrucks (CGI-I) bestimmt.

Ergebnisse

Für N = 52 Patienten erfolgte die Anfrage zur Übernahme, davon kamen 82,7 % aus dem stationären Setting und aus einer Entfernung von bis zu 300 km. Unipolare Depressionen (57,7 %) und Störungen aus dem Schizophreniespektrum (36,5 %) waren die häufigsten Diagnosen. Vor Zuweisung erfolgte in der Mehrheit der Fälle mindestens eine leitliniengerechte Vorbehandlung. Bei 18 Patienten wurde eine EKT in unserem Haus durchgeführt, von diesen zeigten 72,7 % ein gutes bis sehr gutes Ansprechen.

Diskussion

Anzahl und Radius der Zuweisungen zeigen einen hohen ungedeckten Bedarf in der Versorgung mit EKT und damit einen eingeschränkten Zugang zu einer evidenzbasierten und leitlinienempfohlenen Therapie. Im Sinne einer heimatnahen Behandlung ist anzustreben, EKT als Therapieangebot an mehr Kliniken zu etablieren. Auch bei externen Zuweisungen und damit verbundenen, zum Teil erheblichen Verzögerungen ist die Ansprechrate diagnoseübergreifend gut.
Phenotypic and genetic classification of diabetes
Authors: Deutsch Aaron J. , Ahlqvist Emma , Udler Miriam S.
Published: August 2022

The historical subclassification of diabetes into predominantly types 1 and 2 is well appreciated to inadequately capture the heterogeneity seen in patient presentations, disease course, response to therapy and disease complications. This review summarises proposed data-driven approaches to further refine diabetes subtypes using clinical phenotypes and/or genetic information. We highlight the benefits as well as the limitations of these subclassification schemas, including practical barriers to their implementation that would need to be overcome before incorporation into clinical practice.

Graphical abstract
Thermal pulse propagation beyond the Maxwell–Cattaneo theory: Application to one-dimensional nanosystems
Authors: Di Domenico M. , Sellitto A. , Zampoli V.
Published: August 2022

A non-local and non-linear thermodynamical model of heat transfer at nanoscale beyond the well-known Maxwell–Cattaneo theory is derived. The compatibility of the proposed model with second law of thermodynamics is proved. The model is subsequently used to investigate the propagation of a heat pulse in one-dimensional nanosystems in the linear case. The predicted results are compared with those arising from the Maxwell–Cattaneo theory in order to point out the possible influence both of the non-local effects, and of the relaxation effects of the higher-order fluxes. Some problems related to initial data and boundary conditions are also discussed.
ERP evidence of heightened attentional response to visual stimuli in migraine headache disorders
Authors: Golshan Faly , Moss Daneil , Sun Gloria , Krigolson Olav , Cruz Maria T. , Loehr Janeen , Mickleborough Marla
Published: August 2022

New findings from migraine studies have indicated that this common headache disorder is associated with anomalies in attentional processing. In tandem with the previous explorations, this study will provide evidence to show that visual attention is impacted by migraine headache disorders. 43 individuals were initially recruited in the migraine group and 33 people with non-migraine headache disorders were in the control group. The event-related potentials (ERP) of the participants were calculated using data from a visual oddball paradigm task. By analyzing the N200 and P300 ERP components, migraineurs, as compared to controls, had an exaggerated oddball response showing increased amplitude in N200 and P300 difference scores for the oddball vs. standard, while the latencies of the two components remained the same in the migraine and control groups. We then looked at two classifications of migraine with and without aura compared to non-migraine controls. One-Way ANOVA analysis of the two migraine groups and the non-migraine control group showed that the different level of N200 and P300 amplitude mean scores was greater between migraineurs without aura and the control group while these components’ latency remained the same relatively in the three groups. Our results give more neurophysiological support that people with migraine headaches have altered processing of visual attention.
CT vascular territory mapping: a novel method to identify large vessel occlusion collateral
Authors: Valente Michael , Bivard Andrew , Cheung Andrew , Manning Nathan W. , Parsons Mark W.
Published: August 2022

Introduction

This descriptive study explores typical patterns of vascular territory mapping (VTM) in ischaemic stroke patients with proximal vessel occlusion. VTM is a novel process using CT perfusion that can identify the source and extent of collateral blood flow in patients with vessel occlusion. It functions by determining which vessel provides dominant blood flow to a brain voxel.

Methods

A total of 167 consecutive patients were analysed from INSPIRE (International Stroke Perfusion Imaging Registry) with their CT perfusion reprocessed through VTM software. We explored the typical territory maps generated by this software relating to common large vessel occlusion location sites (ACA/MCA/PCA).

Results/Conclusion

In the presence of occlusion, VTM demonstrated a reciprocal increase in collateral vessel territories.
Safety of [177Lu]Lu-NeoB treatment: a preclinical study characterizing absorbed dose and acute, early, and late organ toxicity
Authors: Ruigrok Eline A. M. , Verhoeven Marjolein , Konijnenberg Mark W. , de Blois Erik , de Ridder Corrina M. A. , Stuurman Debra C. , Bertarione Luisa , Rolfo Katia , de Jong Marion , Dalm Simone U.
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The radiolabeled gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR)-targeting antagonist NeoB is a promising radioligand for imaging and therapy of GRPR-expressing malignancies. In the current study, we aimed to discover the target organs of toxicity and the radiotoxic effects to these organs, when repeated dosages of [177Lu]Lu-NeoB are administered to healthy female and male mice.

Methods

Animals received either 3 injections, with a 7-day interval, of vehicle (control group 1), 1200 pmol [175Lu]Lu-NeoB (control group 2) or 40 MBq/400 pmol, 80 MBq/800 pmol, and 120 MBq/1200 pmol [177Lu]Lu-NeoB (treatment groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively). At week 5, 19, and 43 after the first injection acute, early, and late organ toxicity, respectively, was determined. For this, histopathological and blood analyses were performed. To correlate the observed toxicity to absorbed dose, we also performed extensive biodistribution and dosimetry studies.

Results

The biodistribution study showed the highest absorbed doses in GRPR-expressing pancreas, the liver, and the kidneys (the main organs of excretion). Both control groups and almost all animals of treatment group 1 did not show any treatment-related toxicological effects. Despite the high absorbed doses, no clear microscopic signs of toxicity were found in the pancreas and the liver. Histological analysis indicated kidney damage in the form of hydronephrosis and nephropathy in treatment groups 2 and 3 that were sacrificed at the early and late time point. In the same groups, increased blood urea nitrogen levels were found.

Conclusion

In general, repeated administration of [177Lu]Lu-NeoB was tolerated. The most significant radiotoxic effects were found in the kidneys, similar to other clinically applied radioligands. The results of this study underline the potential of [177Lu]Lu-NeoB as a promising option for clinical therapy.
Modified procedure for reconstructing the inferior wall of the orbit: identification of a reliable new landmark
Authors: Takabayashi Kosuke , Maeda Yohei , Kataoka Nobuya
Published: August 2022

Background

In orbital floor reconstruction, fractures involving the slope of the posterior end of the orbital floor make it difficult to determine the best location for implant placement. Therefore, landmarks for reconstruction are desirable to perform safe and reproducible reconstruction surgery.

Methods

We developed a surgical procedure that focuses on three orbital landmarks: the infraorbital nerve, the inferior margin of the greater wing of the sphenoid bone, and the posterior superior wall of the maxilla.

Conclusions

Landmark-based orbital floor fracture reconstruction enables accurate reconstruction of fractures that extend to the slope of the posterior end of the orbital floor.
Persistence, adherence, healthcare resource utilization and costs for ocrelizumab in the real-world of the Campania Region of Italy
Authors: Moccia Marcello , Affinito Giuseppina , Berera Giulia , Marrazzo Giuseppina , Piscitelli Raffaele , Carotenuto Antonio , Petracca Maria , Lanzillo Roberta , Triassi Maria , Brescia Morra Vincenzo , Palladino Raffaele
Published: August 2022

Aims

We aim to provide real-world evidence on the use of ocrelizumab for treating multiple sclerosis (MS), with specific regard to prescription pattern, adherence, persistence, healthcare resource utilization and related costs, also in relation to other disease-modifying treatments (DMTs).

Methods

We included 2495 people with MS from the Campania Region (South Italy) who received first or switch DMT prescription from Jan 2018 to Dec 2020, and with at least 6-month follow-up. We collected hospital discharge records, drug prescriptions, and related costs, and calculated persistence (time from first prescription to discontinuation or switch to other DMT), adherence (proportion of days covered (PDC)), annualized hospitalization rate (AHR) for MS-related hospital admissions, and DMT costs.

Results

Ocrelizumab was the most commonly prescribed DMT (n = 399; age = 45.74 ± 10.98 years; females = 224), after dimethyl fumarate (n = 588) and fingolimod (n = 401); 26% patients treated with ocrelizumab were naïve. When compared with ocrelizumab, the risk of discontinuation was higher for other highly active DMTs (HR = 3.78;p = 0.01), and low/medium efficacy DMTs (HR = 7.59;p < 0.01). When compared with ocrelizumab, PDC was similar to other highly active DMTs (Coeff = 0.01;p = 0.31), but higher for low/medium efficacy DMTs (Coeff = 0.09;p < 0.01). When compared with ocrelizumab, AHR was similar to other highly active DMTs (Coeff = 0.01;p = 0.51), and low/medium efficacy DMTs (Coeff = 0.01;p = 0.55). When compared with ocrelizumab, DMT monthly costs were higher for other highly active DMTs (Coeff = 92.30;p < 0.01), but lower for low/medium efficacy DMTs (Coeff = − 1043.61;p < 0.01).

Discussion

Ocrelizumab was among the most frequently prescribed DMTs, with 26% prescriptions to treatment-naïve patients, suggesting its relevance in addressing unmet clinical needs (e.g., first approved treatment for primary progressive MS). Ocrelizumab was associated with the highest persistence, confirming its favorable benefit-risk profile. Costs for ocrelizumab were lower than those associated to similarly effective DMTs, in absence of changes in healthcare resource utilization.
Increased expression of Myosin X contributes to the metastasis in patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Deng Gang , Fu Tie-Jun , Liu Cui-Ping
Published: August 2022

Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (LSCC) is one of the most common malignancy in Head and neck cancer for which the mechanism underlying its metastasis is poorly understood. Myosin X, a molecular motor in cells has been demonstrated to play an important role in cell migration. However, whether Myosin X is involved in the metastasis of LSCC remains unclear. To investigate the expression of Myosin X and its implication in the metastasis of LSCC, we recruited 30 patients with LSCC and 6 patients with vocal cord polyp range from October 2016 to October 2018. Tissue samples were obtained during surgery and the expression of Myosin X, Cortactin, MMP2, MMP9, E-cadherin, and β-catenin in tissue samples were evaluated by RT-PCR, Western blot, immunohistochemistry or ELISA. Patients with LSCC were further followed-up 2 year after surgery for metastasis analysis. We found that the level of Myosin X, Cortactin, MMP2, and MMP9 was much higher in poorly differentiated LSCC compared to that in moderately and highly LSCC, as well as the control tissues. In contrast, the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition related marker, E-cadherin, and β-catenin, were much lower in poorly differentiated LSCC tissues compared to that in moderately and highly differentiated LSCC tissues, as well as the control tissues. Moreover, the expression of Myosin X was positively correlated with Cortactin, MMP2, and MMP9 levels. Increased expression of Myosin X in LSCC tissues was related to higher risk of metastasis. In conclusion, our findings showed that. Myosin X augments the expression of Cortactin, MMP2 and MMP9, which could upregulate the cell migration and the matrix degradation, and consequently reduce the expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin, thereby activating epithelial-mesenchymal transformation and promoting the metastasis of LSCC. Targeting Myosin X may have potential therapeutic effect in the metastasis of LSCC.
Enhanced recovery after bariatric surgery: an Italian consensus statement
Authors: Marinari Giuseppe , Foletto Mirto , Nagliati Carlo , Navarra Giuseppe , Borrelli Vincenzo , Bruni Vincenzo , Fantola Giovanni , Moroni Roberto , Tritapepe Luigi , Monzani Roberta , Sanna Daniela , Carron Michele , Cataldo Rita
Published: August 2022

Background

Enhanced recovery after bariatric surgery (ERABS) is an approach developed to improve outcomes in obese surgical patients. Unfortunately, it is not evenly implemented in Italy. The Italian Society for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Diseases and the Italian Society of Anesthesia, Analgesia, Resuscitation and Intensive Care joined in drafting an official statement on ERABS.

Methods

To assess the effectiveness and safety of ERABS and to develop evidence-based recommendations with regard to pre-, intra-, and post-operative care for obese patients undergoing ERABS, a 13-member expert task force of surgeons and anesthesiologists from Italian certified IFSO center of excellence in bariatric surgery was established and a review of English-language papers conducted. Oxford 2011 Levels of Evidence and U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Grade Definitions were used to grade the level of evidence and the strength of recommendations, respectively. The supporting evidence and recommendations were reviewed and discussed by the entire group at meetings to achieve a final consensus.

Results

Compared to the conventional approach, ERABS reduces the length of hospital stay and does not heighten the risk of major post-operative complications, re-operations, and hospital re-admissions, nor does it increase the overall surgical costs. A total of 25 recommendations were proposed, covering pre-operative evaluation and care (7 items), intra-operative management (1 item, 11 sub-items), and post-operative care and discharge (6 items).

Conclusions

ERABS is an effective and safe approach. The recommendations allow the proper management of obese patients undergoing ERABS for a better outcome.
Dispositional optimism and all-cause mortality after esophageal cancer surgery: a nationwide population-based cohort study
Authors: Liu Yangjun , Pettersson Erik , Schandl Anna , Markar Sheraz , Johar Asif , Lagergren Pernilla
Published: August 2022

Purpose

To examine the association between dispositional optimism and all-cause mortality after esophageal cancer surgery and whether pathological tumor stage and the COVID-19 pandemic modified this association.

Methods

This nationwide, population-based prospective cohort study included 335 patients undergoing esophageal cancer surgery in Sweden between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2019. Dispositional optimism was measured 1 year post-surgery using Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R). A higher LOT-R sum score represents higher dispositional optimism. Mortality information was obtained from the Swedish Register of the Total Population. All patients were followed up until death or until December 31, 2020, whichever occurred first. Cox regression with adjustments for confounders was used.

Results

The median follow-up was 20.8 months, during which 125 (37.3%) patients died. Among the included 335 patients, 219 (65.4%) patients had tumor pathologically staged Tis-II, and 300 (89.6%) patients entered the cohort before the COVID-19 pandemic. Both tumor stage and the COVID-19 pandemic were effect modifiers. For each unit increase in LOT-R sum score, the risk of all-cause mortality decreased by 11% (HR 0.89, 95% CI 0.81 to 0.98) among patients with tumor staged Tis-II before the COVID-19 pandemic. This association was non-significant in patients with tumor staged III–IV (HR 0.99, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.07) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (HR 1.08, 95% CI 0.94 to 1.25).

Conclusion

Assessing dispositional optimism may help predict postoperative survival, especially for patients with early and intermediate esophageal cancer. Increasing dispositional optimism might be a potential intervention target to improve survival after esophageal cancer surgery.
Probabilistic Time Estimation of Tunneling Projects: The Uri Headrace Tunnel
Authors: Mohammadi Mohammad , Spross Johan , Stille Håkan
Published: August 2022

Probabilistic time estimation is an essential part of proper risk management in tunneling projects. In recent decades, several models have been developed for this purpose, one of which was developed by Isaksson and Stille (Rock Mech Rock Eng 38:373–398, 2005). In this paper, Isaksson and Stille’s probabilistic time and cost estimation model was improved and then applied to estimate the total tunneling time of the headrace tunnel in the Uri hydropower project in India. The improvements allow the user to more accurately account for different types of geological features and disruptive events. The result of the estimation is a distribution of tunneling time. The outcome illustrates how a proper understanding of the geological setting of the project and its effect on construction performance can contribute to effective risk management.
Intravenous immunoglobulin bridging to rituximab in NMDAR encephalitis patients non-responders to first-line treatments
Authors: Massa Federico , Franciotta Diego , Grisanti Stefano , Roccatagliata Luca , Morbelli Silvia , Beltramini Sabrina , Uccelli Antonio , Schenone Angelo , Benedetti Luana
Published: August 2022

Background

The immunotherapy strategy for autoimmune encephalitis is based on several types and schedules of both first- and second-line drugs. Failing to respond to the latter prompts the use of non-conventional rescue therapies, with higher risks of severe adverse effects. We report on a protocol that entails the use of intravenous immunoglobulin cycles to bridge the 4-month period that the second-line drug rituximab needs to exert its full therapeutic effects.

Methods

Three patients with NMDAR encephalitis who were non-responders to first-line treatments entered the study. The protocol consisted of six monthly cycles of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG, 0.4 mg/kg/die for 5 days), starting 1 month after the last rituximab infusion (1000 mg at days 0 and 15). Brain MRI and [18F]-FDG-PET were performed at onset and at six and 18 months after onset.

Results

In the three patients, substantial improvements of disability or complete recovery were achieved, without modifications over the 30-to-50-month follow-up. No adverse events nor laboratory test abnormalities were recorded. Imaging findings paralleled the favorable disease courses. Brain [18F]-FDG-PET was more sensitive than MRI in detecting abnormalities.

Discussion

Our observations suggest that the herein-described protocol might be used in patients with NMDAR encephalitis at risk for poor prognosis in the mid-term when they need to shift to rituximab. [18F]-FDG-PET confirmed to be a sensitive tool to detect the minimal brain lesions that can underlie isolated cognitive and psychiatric symptoms.
Assessing the cost-effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in a low incidence and low mortality setting: the case of Thailand at start of the pandemic
Authors: Wang Yi , Luangasanatip Nantasit , Pan–ngum Wirichada , Isaranuwatchai Wanrudee , Prawjaeng Juthamas , Saralamba Sompob , Painter Christopher , Briones Jamaica Roanne , Teerawattananon Yot
Published: August 2022

Objective

This study aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, preferred COVID-19 vaccine profiles, and the preferred vaccination strategies in Thailand.

Methods

An age-structured transmission dynamic model was developed based on key local data to evaluate economic consequences, including cost and health outcome in terms of life-years (LYs) saved. We considered COVID-19 vaccines with different profiles and different vaccination strategies such as vaccinating elderly age groups (over 65s) or high-incidence groups, i.e. adults between 20 and 39 years old who have contributed to more than 60% of total COVID-19 cases in the country thus far. Analyses employed a societal perspective in a 1-year time horizon using a cost-effectiveness threshold of 160,000 THB per LY saved. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to identify and characterize uncertainty in the model.

Results

COVID-19 vaccines that block infection combined with social distancing were cost-saving regardless of the target population compared to social distancing alone (with no vaccination). For vaccines that block infection, the preferred (cost-effective) strategy was to vaccinate the high incidence group. Meanwhile, COVID-19 vaccines that reduces severity (including hospitalization and mortality) were cost-effective when the elderly were vaccinated, while vaccinating the high-incidence group was not cost-effective with this vaccine type. Regardless of vaccine type, higher vaccination coverage, higher efficacy, and longer protection duration were always preferred. More so, vaccination with social distancing measures was always preferred to strategies without social distancing. Quarantine-related costs were a major cost component affecting the cost-effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines.

Conclusion

COVID-19 vaccines are good value for money even in a relatively low-incidence and low-mortality setting such as Thailand, if the appropriate groups are vaccinated. The preferred vaccination strategies depend on the type of vaccine efficacy. Social distancing measures should accompany a vaccination strategy.
Remark on digital accessibility: educational disparities define digital inclusion from adolescence onwards
Authors: Kaarakainen Meri-Tuulia , Saikkonen Loretta
Published: August 2022

Along with the digitalisation of societies and services, the accessibility of digital content has become the focus of attention. However, emphasis has been on technical accessibility, ignoring the large number of people suffering from cognitive challenges that are expected to increase as the population ages. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that the problem affects not only the elderly but also the young. Utilising multivariate methods and a data set of 14,892 young Finns, the study examines the impact of educational disparities on young people’s digital usage and skills. It is observed that the level of education, the form of education and the regularity of the education path are related to differences in digital abilities of young people. Based on the results, the risks of being excluded from digital inclusion accumulate among adolescents for the youngest, but especially for those with a wide range of language, learning or motivational difficulties that manifest as delays in education path. As is known from previous research, such differences are expected to be reinforced in later life, threatening to become rather determinative.
Pseudospectral methods and iterative solvers for optimization problems from multiscale particle dynamics
Authors: Aduamoah Mildred , Goddard Benjamin D. , Pearson John W. , Roden Jonna C.
Published: August 2022

We derive novel algorithms for optimization problems constrained by partial differential equations describing multiscale particle dynamics, including non-local integral terms representing interactions between particles. In particular, we investigate problems where the control acts as an advection ‘flow’ vector or a source term of the partial differential equation, and the constraint is equipped with boundary conditions of Dirichlet or no-flux type. After deriving continuous first-order optimality conditions for such problems, we solve the resulting systems by developing a link with computational methods for statistical mechanics, deriving pseudospectral methods in space and time variables, and utilizing variants of existing fixed-point methods as well as a recently developed Newton–Krylov scheme. Numerical experiments indicate the effectiveness of our approach for a range of problem set-ups, boundary conditions, as well as regularization and model parameters, in both two and three dimensions. A key contribution is the provision of software which allows the discretization and solution of a range of optimization problems constrained by differential equations describing particle dynamics.
Moomins Take the Floor. Finnish Trolls in Contemporary Mass Social (Media) Events
Authors: Dymel-Trzebiatowska Hanna
Published: August 2022

Tove Jansson (1914–2001) was an outstandingly talented Finnish-Swedish artist, recognized worldwide mostly as the creator of the Moomins. Although the last of the nine-volume series (1945–1970) about the internationally popular Finnish trolls, Moominvalley in November, was published over fifty years ago, the Moomins’ and Jansson’s popularity is still rising, which testifies to the universality and timelessness of the books as well as the thoughtful marketing strategies of Moomin Characters Ltd, the company responsible for copyright supervision. In this article I discuss the Moomin characters’ representation in three events set in contemporary (2017–2021), extratextual societal contexts, both strategically planned and co-organized by Moomin Characters Ltd and spontaneously organized by ordinary people. The motifs and figures from Moominvalley which have been applied in (1) the Invisible Child campaign, (2) the #OURSEA campaign, and/ (3) the women’s strike protests in Poland are exemplified and juxtaposed with their literary images in the nine Moomin books by Jansson. My conclusion is that the references are based on a selective reading and focus on beneficial—in specific contexts—facets. On the one hand, it proves the Moomin books’ versatility and topicality, while on the other, it is not inclusive and disregards the holistic message of the saga, which is an evolving continuum. Furthermore, this way of reading reinforces a single address of the unequivocally double-addressed series.
Cats are not necessarily animals
Authors: Hermida Margarida
Published: August 2022

Some plausibly necessary a posteriori theoretical claims include ‘water is H2O’, ‘gold is the element with atomic number 79’, and ‘cats are animals’. In this paper I challenge the necessity of the third claim. I argue that there are possible worlds in which cats exist, but are not animals. Under any of the species concepts currently accepted in biology, organisms do not belong essentially to their species. This is equally true of their ancestors. In phylogenetic systematics, monophyletic clades such as the animal kingdom are composed of an ancestral stem species and all of its descendants. If the stem species had not existed, neither would the clade. Thus it could have been the case that all the organisms which actually belong to the animal kingdom might have existed yet not have been animals.
“The Temporal ‘Succession’ of Here and Now Situations”: Schütz and Garfinkel on Sequentiality in Interaction
Authors: Coates Lilian
Published: August 2022

The article re-examines the relationship between the works of Alfred Schütz and Harold Garfinkel, focusing on their respective approaches to temporality in interaction. Although there are good reasons to emphasize the differences between Schütz’s notion of individual projects of action and Garfinkel’s interest in communicative sequencing, there is also an interesting historical connection. In order to elucidate this connection, the article provides a close reading of the steps that lead Schütz from his premise of ‘egological’ time consciousness to his understanding of the reflexive and interactive process of meaning establishment and interpretation developed in his first book,The Phenomenology of the Social World(1967 [1932]). The article reflects further upon which aspects of Schütz’s considerations resonated with Garfinkel in his formative years and how Garfinkel related to them variously in his later development of ethnomethodology. Hence, it appears that Garfinkel’s ethnomethodology successively departs from many of Schütz’s premises while simultaneously incorporating and further developing some of his notions on the sequential organization and temporal flux of interactive processes.
A combination of host ecology and habitat but not evolutionary history explains differences in the microbiomes associated with rotifers
Authors: Eckert Ester M. , Cancellario Tommaso , Bodelier Paul L. E. , Declerck Steven A. J. , Diwen Liang , Samad Sainur , Winder Monika , Zhou Libin , Fontaneto Diego
Published: August 2022

The holobiont concept places emphasis on the strict relationship between a host and its associated microbiome, with several studies supporting a strong effect of the quality of the microbiome on the host fitness. The generalities of the holobiont have been questioned for several invertebrates, including zooplankton. Here we assess the role of host ecology, habitat, and evolutionary history to explain the differences in the microbiomes associated with rotifers, across a broad taxonomic spectrum and from different habitats. The analyses of 93 rotifer-associated microbiomes from 23 rotifer host species revealed that a combination of effects from the host ecology and its habitat seem to be stronger than host phylogenetic distances in explaining differences in microbial composition of the microbiomes. This pattern is in line with the idea of habitat filtering being a stronger explanation than co-evolution in shaping the relationship between a microbiome and its rotifer host.
Locating Mesolithic Hunter-Gatherer Camps in the Carpathian Basin
Authors: Duffy Paul R. , Marton Tibor , Borić Dušan
Published: August 2022

The Mesolithic in Eastern Europe was the last time that hunter-gatherer economies thrived there before the spread of agriculture in the second half of the seventh millennium BC. But the period, and the interactions between foragers and the first farmers, are poorly understood in the Carpathian Basin and surrounding areas because few sites are known, and even fewer have been excavated and published. How did site location differ between Mesolithic and Early Neolithic settlers? And where should we look for rare Mesolithic sites? Proximity analysis is seldom used for predictive modeling for hunter-gatherer sites at large scales, but in this paper, we argue that it can serve as an important starting point for prospection for rare and poorly understood sites. This study uses proximity analysis to provide quantitative landscape associations of known Mesolithic and Early Neolithic sites in the Carpathian Basin to show how Mesolithic people chose attributes of the landscape for camps, and how they differed from the farmers who later settled. We use elevation and slope, rivers, wetlands prior to the twentieth century, and the distribution of lithic raw materials foragers and farmers used for toolmaking to identify key proxies for preferred locations. We then build predictive models for the Mesolithic and Early Neolithic in the Pannonian region to highlight parts of the landscape that have relatively higher probabilities of having Mesolithic sites still undiscovered and contrast them with the settlement patterns of the first farmers in the area. We find that large parts of Pannonia conform to landforms preferred by Mesolithic foragers, but these areas have not been subject to investigation.
Asynchronous Online Instruction Leads to Learning Gaps When Compared to a Flipped Classroom
Authors: Jensen Jamie , Smith Clara M. , Bowers Robert , Kaloi Mahealani , Ogden T. Heath , Parry Kirkham A. , Payne Joshua S. , Fife Porter , Holt Emily
Published: August 2022

With the gradual shift to online education models that has taken place in recent decades, research has sought to understand the nuances of student performance in an online model in comparison to more traditional in-person modalities. However, the effects of instructional modality have been difficult to determine given the many variables that exist in course design between these methods. In this study, we attempt to determine the efficacy of asynchronous online instruction by comparing two nearly equivalent courses. The first course was a flipped classroom, a recent and well-studied hybrid model of instruction. The second was an asynchronous fully online course that contained all the same instructional elements as the in-person course but lacked any student or instructor interaction. Student performance was tracked at both a highly-selective private institution and an open-enrollment public institution. Results show that students’ performance drops in an asynchronous online course compared to an equivalent in-person experience. Several potential hypotheses are put forth to explain a change in performance that can potentially shape the design of online instruction.
A 4D-Var method with flow-dependent background covariances for the shallow-water equations
Authors: Paulin Daniel , Jasra Ajay , Beskos Alexandros , Crisan Dan
Published: August 2022

The 4D-Var method for filtering partially observed nonlinear chaotic dynamical systems consists of finding the maximum a-posteriori (MAP) estimator of the initial condition of the system given observations over a time window, and propagating it forward to the current time via the model dynamics. This method forms the basis of most currently operational weather forecasting systems. In practice the optimisation becomes infeasible if the time window is too long due to the non-convexity of the cost function, the effect of model errors, and the limited precision of the ODE solvers. Hence the window has to be kept sufficiently short, and the observations in the previous windows can be taken into account via a Gaussian background (prior) distribution. The choice of the background covariance matrix is an important question that has received much attention in the literature. In this paper, we define the background covariances in a principled manner, based on observations in the previousbassimilation windows, for a parameter$$b\ge 1$$b≥1. The method is at mostbtimes more computationally expensive than using fixed background covariances, requires little tuning, and greatly improves the accuracy of 4D-Var. As a concrete example, we focus on the shallow-water equations. The proposed method is compared against state-of-the-art approaches in data assimilation and is shown to perform favourably on simulated data. We also illustrate our approach on data from the recent tsunami of 2011 in Fukushima, Japan.
Localizing, describing, interpreting: effects of different audio text structures on attributing meaning to digital pictures
Authors: Glaser Manuela , Knoos Manuel , Schwan Stephan
Published: August 2022

Based on previous research on multimedia learning and text comprehension, an eye-tracking study was conducted to examine the influence of audio text coherence on visual attention and memory in a multimedia learning situation with a focus on picture comprehension. Audio text coherence was manipulated by the type of LDI structure, that is, whether localization, description, and interpretation followed in immediate succession for each pictorial detail or whether localizations and description of details were separated from their interpretation. Results show that with a LDI integrated structure compared to a LDI separated structure the referred-to picture elements were fixated longer during interpretation parts, and linkages between descriptions and interpretations were better recalled and recognized. The effects on recall and recognition of linkages were fully mediated by fixation times. This pattern of results can be explained by an interplay between audio text coherence and dual coding processes. It points out the importance of local coherence and the provision of localization information in audio explanations as well as visual attention to allow for dual coding processes that can be used to better attribute meaning to picture details. Practical implications for the design of educational videos, audio texts on websites, and audio guides are discussed.
A Spectrum of Open Social Innovation Within Social Enterprise
Authors: Tuckerman Lauren , Roberts Julie , Whittam Geoff
Published: August 2022

The concept of ‘open social innovation’ (OSI) has not yet been fully understood, particularly in relation to social enterprises (SEs). This paper explores the use of OSI as a means of achieving social change through two in-depth, longitudinal, qualitative case studies with Scottish SEs. The researcher undertook participant observation for a year as well as conducting interviews and reviewing documents of the case study organizations. We build on Wikhamn (2013) by conceptualizing two approaches to OSI: ‘controlled’ which is closely connected to market-based attitudes, and ‘libre’ which is connected to the knowledge commons. Each approach has ramifications for how SEs achieve social change: either through exploitation of intellectual property as a means of income generation or freely revealing to accelerate social impact. The ways in which SEs manage OSI could thus determine the impact they can have on tackling some of society’s most challenging social problems.
The use of experimental vignettes in studying police procedural justice: a systematic review
Authors: Nivette Amy , Nägel Christof , Stan Andrada
Published: August 2022

Objectives

The current review assesses the methodological characteristics of between-subjects experiments, in particular documenting the scenarios and treatments described in each vignette, the extent to which confounds are embedded or accounted for in the design, and the analytic approach to estimating direct and interaction effects.

Methods

We conducted a pre-registered systematic review of 20 publications containing 20 independent studies and 23 vignette scenarios.

Results

We find that the majority of studies rely on non-probability convenience sampling, manipulate a combination of procedural justice elements at positive and negative extremes, but often do not address potential confounds or threats to internal validity. The procedural justice manipulations that combine different elements show relatively consistent associations with a range of attitudinal outcomes, whereas the results for manipulations that test individual components of procedural justice (e.g., voice) are more mixed.

Conclusions

Based on our review, we recommend that future studies using text-based vignettes disaggregate different elements of procedural justice in manipulations, and include a gradient of treatment or behavior (including control) to avoid comparing extremes, to incorporate potential confounders as either fixed covariates or manipulations, and to formally assess the information equivalence assumption using placebo tests.
Subjective Freedom of Speech: Why Do Citizens Think They Cannot Speak Freely?
Authors: Menzner Jan , Traunmüller Richard
Published: August 2022

We provide the first systematic research into the origins of subjective freedom of speech in Germany. Relying on the GLES 2021 Cross-Section Pre-Election Survey, which includes a newly designed survey item on subjective freedom of speech, we evaluate a whole range of plausible candidate hypotheses. First, we contribute to cumulative research by testing the explanatory factors in Gibson (1993)—citizens’ social class, their political involvement and political preferences, and their personality dispositions—for the German case. Second, we move beyond the state of the art and test three new hypotheses that reflect more recent political developments and arguments in the free speech debate: the role of social media, increasing political and social polarization, and the rise of populism. Importantly, all hypothesis tests reported in this paper have been preregistered prior to data collection. Our results reveal that three explanatory factors are significantly, consistently, and substantively related to subjective free speech in Germany: political preferences, populist attitudes, and identification with the Alternative for Germany party.
Interdependentes Entscheiden in der Unterrichtsplanung – Entwicklung eines generischen Rahmenmodells und eines vignettenbasierten Fähigkeitstests
Authors: Scholl Daniel , Küth Simon , Schüle Christoph
Published: August 2022

Didaktische Ansätze, Studien des Decision-Making-Paradigmas und gegenwärtige Kompetenzmodelle erachten die wechselseitige Verknüpfung aller Planungsentscheidungen (Interdependenz) als wichtige Anforderung an die Unterrichtsplanung. Ein generisches Rahmenmodell und einen Test für interdependentes Planungsentscheiden gibt es allerdings noch nicht. Deshalb wird in diesem Beitrag zunächst ein zweidimensionales Rahmenmodell vorgeschlagen, in dem die entsprechende kognitive Operation (1) formal als konditionales, begrenztes und potenziell unbegrenztes interdependentes Entscheiden und (2) inhaltlich als wechselseitige Verknüpfung intentionalen, thematischen, methodischen und medialen Entscheidens spezifiziert wird. Anschließend wird die Entwicklung eines raschhomogenen, standardisierten Vignettentests mit akzeptablen Reliabilitäten und ersten Validierungsbefunden berichtet. Die Pilotierungsstichprobe umfasst N = 547 Teilnehmer*innen, davon 313 angehende und praktizierende Lehrkräfte.
A system leverage points approach to governance for sustainable development
Authors: Bolton Mitzi
Published: August 2022

Governments are inherently responsible for citizens' well-being. Given that achieving sustainable development ["Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their own needs"—(WCED in Our common future, Oxford University Press, New York, 1987)] is core to the attainment and maintenance of citizens' well-being, and increasingly understood to require major transformations in integrated social, technological and ecological systems (Sachs et al. in The decade of action for the sustainable development goals: sustainable development report 2021, Cambridge, 2021), it follows that governments have a significant role in shaping transformations. Muted progress on long-standing social, environmental, and economic challenges alongside spiralling public budgets and intergenerational debt suggests, however, that public governance systems are inadequate to facilitate the transformations urgently required. Conceptualising the practice of public decision-making as a complex system, this paper investigates whether known influences on public decision-makers can be linked to Meadows’ (Leverage points: places to intervene in a system, Sustainability Institute, North Charleston, 1999) leverage point framework. Finding meaningful connections, it further explores how the leverage point framework can be employed to engage decision-making influences as enablers of desirable public outcomes. It is contended that shifting decision-makers’ focus one step beyond currently prevalent leverage points will set in motion the transformations in governance required to facilitate sustainable development.