bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correction of direction reduction factors of extreme wind speed considering the Ekman spiral in the wind load estimation of super high‐rise buildings with heights of 400–800 m
Authors: He Bin , Quan Yong , Gu Ming , Chen Jialu
Published: February 2023

The wind direction in the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) twists with height due to the Coriolis force; this phenomenon is called the Ekman spiral. However, this phenomenon is generally not considered in the present wind load estimation of super high‐rise buildings, which may lead to an incorrect estimation and affect the safety of structures. Therefore, this study considers and analyzes the influence of the Ekman spiral phenomenon in the wind direction reduction effect (WDRE) of the wind load of super high‐rise buildings. First, this paper proposes an empirical fitting equation for the twisted wind direction angle for a height of 100–800 m according to the classical Ekman spiral theory model (CE model). Subsequently, on the basis of twisted wind, this paper proposes a method for the correction of the wind direction reduction factors (WDRFs) of strong winds considering the influence of the Ekman spiral phenomenon in the design wind load estimation of super high‐rise buildings with heights of 400–800 m. A high‐frequency balance force measurement test of a square‐section super high‐rise building model was performed to analyze the influence of the Ekman spiral phenomenon on the WDRE of the aerodynamic force and wind‐induced response. Three Chinese cities (i.e., Beijing, Wuhan, and Kunming) are selected as case studies to illustrate the importance and necessity of the correction method. The results demonstrate that the proposed empirical fitting equation accurately determines the twisted wind direction angle at different latitudes and altitudes. Furthermore, estimating the design wind load while considering the WDRE and neglecting the influence of the Ekman spiral phenomenon may lead to a significant underestimation of the wind load of super high‐rise buildings, rendering the designed building structure more dangerous.
The evaluation of the effect of tafluprost on the intraocular pressure of healthy male guinea pigs under different light‐and‐darkness regimes
Authors: Armin Arghavan , Arfaee Farnoosh , Ozmaie Saeed , Asghari Ahmad
Published: February 2023

Background

Ocular hypertension is one of the most underdiagnosed ocular abnormalities among guinea pigs around the world.

Objectives

The current study investigates the effect of 0.0015% preservative‐free tafluprost ophthalmic solution (Zioptan) on the intraocular pressure of 16 healthy male guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) under different light/darkness regimes.

Methods

All guinea pigs received a single drop of tafluprost at 5:30 in the right eye, whereas the contralateral eyes served as control to receive a placebo. Then, the animals were randomly divided into two groups; group A was exposed to light, whereas group B was placed in darkness from 5:30 to 18:00. Rebound tonometry (TonoVet) was instrumented to measure IOP values at 5:30 (baseline), 6:00, 7:00, 8:00, 9:00 and then every 3 h until 18:00.

Results

The maximum IOP reduction associated with tafluprost was observed at 6:00 by −1.4 ± 1.1 mmHg (p‐value = 0.026) and −2.5 ± 1.2 mmHg (p‐value = 0.011) in group A and B, respectively (repeated measure ANOVA test). There was a significant difference between the mean right and left eye IOP values in both groups at 5:30, 6:00, 7:00 and 8:00 (p‐value <0.05), which was greater in amount in group B compared to group A due to the effect of darkness on IOP reduction.

Conclusions

It is suggested that the variations of IOP in different light/dark conditions be taken into consideration when applying ocular hypotensive agents on guinea pigs’ eyes.
Emergence of [GAR+] cells in yeast from sake brewing affects the fermentation properties
Authors: Tanabe Koichi , Maeda Natsumi , Okumura Honoka , Shima Jun
Published: February 2023

In the traditional (kimoto) method of sake (Japanese rice wine) brewing, Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cells are exposed to lactate, which is produced by lactic acid bacteria in the seed mash. Lactate promotes the appearance of glucose‐repression‐resistant [GAR+] cells. Herein, we compared the resistance to glucose repression among kimoto, industrial, and laboratory yeast strains. We observed that the frequencies of the spontaneous emergence of [GAR+] cells among the kimoto strains were higher than those among the industrial and laboratory strains. The fermentation ability of a kimoto yeast (strain U44) was lower than that of an industrial strain (K701), as [GAR+] cells generally showed slower ethanol production. The addition of lactate decreased the fermentation abilities of the K701 strain by increasing the number of [GAR+] cells, but it did not affect those of the U44 strain. These results suggest that lactate controlled fermentation by promoting the appearance of [GAR+] cells in the industrial sake strains but not in the kimoto strains.
Improving detection performance of hepatocellular carcinoma and interobserver agreement for liver imaging reporting and data system on CT using deep learning reconstruction
Authors: Okimoto Naomasa , Yasaka Koichiro , Kaiume Masafumi , Kanemaru Noriko , Suzuki Yuichi , Abe Osamu
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This study aimed to compare the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) detection performance, interobserver agreement for Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) categories, and image quality between deep learning reconstruction (DLR) and conventional hybrid iterative reconstruction (Hybrid IR) in CT.

Methods

This retrospective study included patients who underwent abdominal dynamic contrast-enhanced CT between October 2021 and March 2022. Arterial, portal, and delayed phase images were reconstructed using DLR and Hybrid IR. Two blinded readers independently read the image sets with detecting HCCs, scoring LI-RADS, and evaluating image quality.

Results

A total of 26 patients with HCC (mean age, 73 years ± 12.3) and 23 patients without HCC (mean age, 66 years ± 14.7) were included. The figures of merit (FOM) for the jackknife alternative free-response receiver operating characteristic analysis in detecting HCC averaged for the readers were 0.925 (reader 1, 0.937; reader 2, 0.913) in DLR and 0.878 (reader 1, 0.904; reader 2, 0.851) in Hybrid IR, and the FOM in DLR were significantly higher than that in Hybrid IR (p = 0.038). The interobserver agreement (Cohen’s weighted kappa statistics) for LI-RADS categories was moderate for DLR (0.595; 95% CI, 0.585–0.605) and significantly superior to Hybrid IR (0.568; 95% CI, 0.553–0.582). According to both readers, DLR was significantly superior to Hybrid IR in terms of image quality (p ≤ 0.021).

Conclusion

DLR improved HCC detection, interobserver agreement for LI-RADS categories, and image quality in evaluations of HCC compared to Hybrid IR in abdominal dynamic contrast-enhanced CT.

Graphical Abstract
The archaeobotany of Qaratepe, Azerbaijan 2nd–13th century
Authors: Stone David
Published: February 2023

This paper presents the results of an archaeobotanical analysis of plant macro-remains recovered during excavations of a rural tepe site at Qaratepe, Azerbaijan, occupied during the Sasanian and Islamic periods between the 2nd and 13th centuriesad. The material derives from a 4 year Oxford University expedition which occurred between 2015 and 2018, ‘The Archaeological Exploration of Barda Project (AEB)’, established to investigate the provincial structure of the eastern Caucasus region in the Late Antique and early Islamic periods. Traditionally, archaeological practice in Azerbaijan has not embraced environmental archaeological techniques and despite the region’s importance to the understanding of early agriculture and the diffusion of crop species during the Islamic period, little archaeobotanical research has been conducted there to date. This assemblage therefore forms a rare and unique contribution to the field of archaeobotany in the Late Antique and Islamic periods in Azerbaijan and provides the first archaeobotanical evidence of crop husbandry at a rural settlement during these periods. In total, 8,676 carbonised plant remains representing a minimum of 60 species were recorded from 80 samples analysed, providing important insights into plant utilisation in Azerbaijan (Full taxonomic list available in on-line supplementary material (ESM)). Archaeobotanical evidence has revealed the range of crops cultivated and consumed at the site between the 2nd and 13th centuries. Results demonstrate that naked wheat (Triticum aestivum/durum/turgidum), barley (Hordeum vulgare), and broomcorn millet (Panicum miliaceum) were the primarily cultivated crops between the 2nd and 6th centuries, key crops that have been present in the Southern Caucasus for several millennia. The study has also identified the cultivation of rice (Oryza sativa), watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), and melon (Melo sativa) in the 13th century, indicating a change in agricultural production in the Islamic period and the introduction of several new cultivars and agricultural adaptions.
A mathematically rigorous proof on the decoupling of the plate and disc problem
Authors: Meyer-Coors Michael , Kienzler Reinhold , Schneider Patrick
Published: February 2023

The three-dimensional problem of linear elasticity (linear 3D problem) can be derived from the elastic and dual potential using the calculus of variations and integration by parts in all three dimensions. For the special geometry of a thin cuboid solid, the application of integration by parts only in two dimensions and the use of Taylor series expansions yields the quasi-two-dimensional problem (quasi-2D problem). We show in a mathematically rigorous way that this problem can be separated into the plate and disc subproblem. Further, we prove that the decoupling behaviour of both subproblems depends on the sparsity scheme of the elasticity tensor. As a consequence of our mathematically rigorous proofs, the (decoupled) subproblems are together equivalent to the linear 3D problem. At the end, we discuss the implications of our results based on an example.
Structure and dynamics of old-growth Pinus nigra stands in Southeast Europe
Authors: Nagel Thomas A. , Cerioni Matteo
Published: February 2023

Pinus nigra has a scattered but widespread distribution across Mediterranean mountain regions, where it has often been planted to restore degraded sites, yet few studies have examined the dynamics of natural P. nigra stands. Old-growth P. nigra stands often occur on precipitous, rugged locations in the Southeastern Alps and Dinaric Mountain range, providing unique opportunities to study their natural dynamics and disturbance history. We quantified the structure and composition and used dendroecological methods to reconstruct disturbance history, including samples of fire-scarred trees, in two old-growth stands located in Slovenia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. The study stands were dominated by P. nigra, but also included a number of other thermophilic tree species, as well as shade-tolerant species common in the surrounding mountain forests. Both sites had an irregular uneven-age structure with several pulses of recruitment, perhaps indicating the influence of past fire events, and P. nigra regeneration was relatively abundant (> 3000 stems ha−1). The most recent fires at each site burned in 1947 and 1969, and there was evidence of post-fire recruitment at the study sites. However, although tree cores sampled from fire-scarred trees suggest there were scattered, but infrequent fires over the past few centuries, we did not find evidence suggesting a regime of frequent recurring surface fires. The results suggest that rare surface fires may play a role in preventing successional replacement of P. nigra on productive sites, whereas steep, rocky sites likely support persistent populations in the absence of fire.
Climate justice in higher education: a proposed paradigm shift towards a transformative role for colleges and universities
Authors: Kinol Alaina , Miller Elijah , Axtell Hannah , Hirschfeld Ilana , Leggett Sophie , Si Yutong , Stephens Jennie C.
Published: February 2023

Moving beyond technocratic approaches to climate action, climate justice articulates a paradigm shift in how organizations think about their response to the climate crisis. This paper makes a conceptual contribution by exploring the potential of this paradigm shift in higher education. Through a commitment to advancing transformative climate justice, colleges and universities around the world could realign and redefine their priorities in teaching, research, and community engagement to shape a more just, stable, and healthy future. As inequitable climate vulnerabilities increase, higher education has multiple emerging opportunities to resist, reverse, and repair climate injustices and related socioeconomic and health disparities. Rather than continuing to perpetuate the concentration of wealth and power by promoting climate isolationism’s narrow focus on technological innovation and by prioritizing the financial success of alumni and the institution, colleges and universities have an opportunity to leverage their unique role as powerful anchor institutions to demonstrate climate justice innovations and catalyze social change toward a more equitable, renewable-based future. This paper explores how higher education can advance societal transformation toward climate justice, by teaching climate engagement, supporting impactful justice-centered research, embracing non-extractive hiring and purchasing practices, and integrating community-engaged climate justice innovations across campus operations. Two climate justice frameworks, Green New Deal-type policies and energy democracy, provide structure for reviewing a breadth of proposed transformational climate justice initiatives in higher education.
Promoting Temporal Investigations of Development in Context: a Systematic Review of Longitudinal Research Linking Childhood Circumstances and Learning-related Outcomes
Authors: Grant Molly , Meissel Kane , Exeter Daniel
Published: February 2023

Children’s learning and cognitive development have a distinct receptivity to the circumstances of childhood. However, not all children have equal opportunities and learning inequities continue to be influenced by the social and economic circumstances of childhood. Examining factors within the environments that children are growing up in, and the associations of these factors with learning, can help to identify leverage points for change, enabling more children to be supported to reach their potential. Specifically, turning attention to the timing and duration of exposure to specific social and economic factors across childhood can provide essential details to determine who is most susceptible to contextual effects and at what ages. This paper presents a systematic review of 75 longitudinal studies of families and children carried out between 2000 and 2021. These studies tracked social and economic circumstances between pregnancy and early adolescence in relation to educational and cognitive outcomes across the lifespan. The results of the included studies were examined and grouped into themes using reflexive thematic analysis. The findings largely suggest that the degree to which educational and cognitive outcomes are affected by specific social and economic circumstances depends on the duration, timing, and mobility across childhood. In particular, findings relating to the developmental timing of exposure, as well as persistent exposure, revealed distinct evidence of the effects of temporality. These findings provide detail into how much and in what instances temporality should be considered—results which can be used to inform avenues for reducing learning disparities.
Interventions with Digital Tools for Mental Health Promotion among 11–18 Year Olds: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wright Michaela , Reitegger Franziska , Cela Herald , Papst Andrea , Gasteiger-Klicpera Barbara
Published: February 2023

The availability of digital tools aiming to promote adolescent mental health is rapidly increasing. However, the field lacks an up-to-date and focused review of current evidence. This study thus looked into the characteristics and efficacy of digital, evidence-based mental health programs for youth (11–18 years). The selection procedure followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and resulted in 27 eligible studies. The high heterogeneity of the results calls for careful interpretation. Nevertheless, small, but promising, effects of digital tools were found with respect to promoting well-being, relieving anxiety, and enhancing protective factors. Some important factors influencing overall efficacy include the given setting, the level of guidance and support, and the adherence to the intervention.
Mycelial inoculation of containerized Norway spruce seedlings with ectomycorrhizal fungi
Authors: Himanen Katri , Nygren Markku , Pennanen Taina
Published: February 2023

An inoculation technique to create ectomycorrhizal symbiosis in 1.5-year-old Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) container seedlings was tested. The mycelia of ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) – Tylospora asterophora, Piloderma olivaceum, and Cenococcum geophilum – each grown in a silica dioxide powder carrier, was mixed with a conventional low-humified Sphagnum peat at the time of sowing. Seedlings were grown in four growth media: (1) conventional peat; (2) conventional peat mixed with sterile carrier; (3) conventional peat mixed with carrier containing T. asterophora and C. geophilum, (4) conventional peat mixed with carrier containing P. olivaceum and C. geophilum. The seedling development and EMF colonization was followed during the nursery production. Further, seedlings grown in the four media were planted on a former nursery field, and their development was observed for three years. At the end of the nursery production phase, there were no differences in the seedling height or stem diameter between the growing media. The colonization degree by the introduced EMF was low. The height growth of the seedlings inoculated with T. asterophora + C. geophilum was 16% higher during the first growing season after out-planting compared to seedlings grown in the conventional peat medium, but the effect was transient. At the end of the out-planting experiment, the seedlings grown in conventional peat had the highest proportion of healthy and lowest proportion of dead seedlings. The results emphasize the importance of the growing media for seedling quality and out-planting success. The tested inoculation technique was ineffective in creating substantial levels of EMF colonization.
Implications of the syntheses on definition, theory, and methods conducted by the Response Shift – in Sync Working Group
Authors: Sprangers Mirjam A. G. , Sawatzky Richard , Vanier Antoine , Böhnke Jan R. , Sajobi Tolulope , Mayo Nancy E. , Lix Lisa M. , Verdam Mathilde G. E. , Oort Frans J. , Sébille Véronique ,   Response Shift – in Sync Working Group
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Our aim is to advance response shift research by explicating the implications of published syntheses by the Response Shift – in Sync Working Group in an integrative way and suggesting ways for improving the quality of future response shift studies.

Methods

Members of the Working Group further discussed the syntheses of the literature on definitions, theoretical underpinnings, operationalizations, and response shift methods. They outlined areas in need of further explication and refinement, and delineated additional implications for future research.

Results

First, the proposed response shift definition was further specified and its implications for the interpretation of results explicated in relation to former, published definitions. Second, the proposed theoretical model was further explained in relation to previous theoretical models and its implications for formulating research objectives highlighted. Third, ways to explore alternative explanations per response shift method and their implications for response shift detection and explanation were delineated. The implications of the diversity of the response shift methods for response shift research were presented. Fourth, the implications of the need to enhance the quality and reporting of the response shift studies for future research were sketched.

Conclusion

With our work, we intend to contribute to a common language regarding response shift definitions, theory, and methods. By elucidating some of the major implications of earlier work, we hope to advance response shift research.
Experimental Study of the Ternary Phase Diagram Al–Ge–Mg
Authors: Zobač Ondřej , Karpíšková Lenka , Kroupa Aleš
Published: February 2023

The phase equilibria of the Al-Ge-Mg ternary phase diagram were experimentally studied at the temperatures of 250, 300, 400 and 450 °C. The ternary phase τ (Al2Ge2Mg) suggested by the earlier structural study was found to be stable at all temperatures studied. Detailed study of the phase equilibria containing the τ (Al2Ge2Mg) phase in the ternary system have been carried out. The average composition of this phase was found to be 36 at.% Al-36 at.% Ge–Mg. In contrast to the previously published binary Ge–Mg phase diagram, the solubility of Mg in Ge was found to be within a few atomic percent. It was also found that GeMg2 intermetallic phase dissolves only small amount of Al but there is significant nonstoichiometricity with respect to the Ge/Mg ratio especially for lower annealing temperatures.
Clinical application of liquid biopsy in endometrial carcinoma
Authors: Shen Yan , Shi Rui , Zhao Rong , Wang Hongbo
Published: February 2023

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecological malignant tumor in women, and its morbidity and mortality have been rising in recent years. Over the past two decades, the diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic strategies for endometrial cancer have not significantly improved, and reliable biomarkers for detecting and monitoring EC recurrence and progression remain limited. Tumor genome analysis identified molecular alterations related to the growth and progression of endometrial cancer, but these data are incomplete. Recently, through extensive exploration of liquid biopsy, it has been determined that circulating tumor cells and circulating tumor DNA can lay a foundation for real-time and non-invasive monitoring of tumors and provide novel insights into cancer evolution, invasion, and metastasis. Hence, this review aimed to analyze the value of liquid biopsy in endometrial cancer screening, early diagnosis, treatment response, and prognosis monitoring in order to prolong the survival time of EC patients.
Localized Plastic Deformation of Superelastic NiTi Wires in Tension
Authors: Kadeřávek Lukáš , Šittner Petr , Molnárová Orsolya , Klimša Ladislav , Heller Luděk
Published: February 2023

Tensile deformation of superelastic NiTi shape memory alloy wires at temperatures above austenite finish temperature proceeds via stress-induced martensitic transformation followed by plastic deformation of oriented martensite. While superelastic deformation tends to proceed in localized manner, plastic deformation of martensite is considered to be homogeneous. In this work, we have investigated strain localization patterns in tensile tests on superelastic NiTi wires deformed until fracture in wide temperature range from 10 to 400 °C using in situ digital image correlation analysis of local strains and analyzed lattice defects created during the deformation in TEM. We have found that plastic deformation of oriented martensite can be either homogeneous or localized, depending on the yield stress and strain hardening rate (on the Considere criterion for stability of tensile deformation). Plastic deformation of martensite proceeds via peculiar deformation mode involving combination of deformation twinning and dislocation-based kinking. Strain localization takes the form of either necking leading to wire fracture at 13–15% strain or via propagation of macroscopic deformation band fronts at constant stress. Regardless the deformation is homogeneous or localized, plastic strains at fracture reach ~ 50%. Strain localized within the propagating band front as large as ~ 40% was observed in tensile tests test on NiTi wires having specific microstructures (grain size ~ 230 nm) in a narrow temperature range (~ 10–60 °C).
Mind and Rights
Authors: Mahlmann Matthias
Published: February 2023

Mind and Rights combines historical, philosophical, and legal perspectives with research from psychology and the cognitive sciences to probe the justification of human rights in ethics, politics and law. Chapters critically examine the growth of the human rights culture, its roots in history and current human rights theories. They engage with the so-called cognitive revolution and investigate the relationship between human cognition and human rights to determine how insights gained from modern theories of the mind can deepen our understanding of the foundations of human rights. Mind and Rights argues that the pursuit of the human rights idea, with its achievements and tragic failures, is key to understand what kind of beings humans are. Amidst ongoing debate on the universality and legitimacy of human rights, this book provides a uniquely comprehensive analysis of great practical and political importance for a culture of legal justice undergirded by rights. This title is also available as open access on Cambridge Core.
Identifying spatial and temporal suicide clusters in a Californian county
Authors: Waalen Anders K. , Telep Seraphim , Bera Rimal
Published: February 2023

Barriers to suicide cluster detection and monitoring include requiring advanced software and statistical knowledge. We tested face validity of a simple method using readily accessible household software, Excel 3D Maps, to identify suicide clusters in this county, years 2014–2019. For spatial and temporal clusters, respectively, we defined meaningful thresholds of suicide density as 1.39/km2 and 33.9/yearly quarter, defined as the 95th percentile of normal logarithmic and normal scale distributions of suicide density per area in each ZIP Code Tabulated Area and 24 yearly quarters from all years. We generated heat maps showing suicide densities per 2.5 km viewing diameter. We generated a one-dimensional temporal map of 3-month meaningful cluster(s). We identified 21 total population spatial clusters and one temporal cluster. For greater accessibility, we propose an alternative method to traditional scan statistics using Excel 3D Maps potentially broadly advantageous in detecting, monitoring, and intervening at suicide clusters.
Narcissism and the perception of failure – evidence from the error-related negativity and the error positivity
Authors: Mück Markus , Mattes André , Porth Elisa , Stahl Jutta
Published: February 2023

The literature on narcissism suggests two contradictory ways how highly narcissistic individuals deal with their failures: They might avoid consciously recognising their failures to protect their ego or they might vigilantly turn towards their failures to process cues that are important for maintaining their grandiosity. We tried to dissolve these contradictory positions by studying event-related potential components of error processing and their variations with narcissism. With a speeded go/no-go task, we examined how the error-related negativity (Ne; reflecting an early, automatic processing stage) and the error positivity (Pe; associated with conscious error detection) vary with Admiration and Rivalry, two narcissism dimensions, under ego-threatening conditions. Using multilevel models, we showed that participants with high Rivalry displayed higher Ne amplitudes suggesting a heightened trait of defensive reactivity. We did not find variations of either narcissism dimension with the Pe, which would have pointed to weaker error awareness. Thus, our results only supported the second position: a heightened vigilance to errors in narcissism at early, rather automatic processing stages.
Brave New Worlds? COVID-19 and Irish-Language Theatre Produced under Lockdown in Northern Ireland
Authors: HUDDLESON RICHARD
Published: February 2023

Taking a closer look at the digital monologue series Go mBeire Muid Beo (May We Be Alive [to See Each Other Again]), which was produced by the Belfast-based Irish-language theatre company Aisling Ghéar, this article seeks to document Irish-language theatre produced under coronavirus lockdown measures in Northern Ireland, whilst acknowledging the various issues that continue to haunt the Irish language, and highlighting the particular dangers and potential pitfalls in a context where very limited funding for theatre continues to dwindle. Through an analysis of the monologue series, its content, and the wider sociopolitical context that engulfs Irish-language theatre in Northern Ireland, this article also provides an important snapshot of current and ongoing debates within Irish-language theatre at a critical juncture.
Theatre and Its Enchantments
Authors: SVICH CARIDAD
Published: February 2023

Theatre is full of failure and risk. The digital medium, too, is fragile. Caridad Svich is interested in how the digital is dependent on stability and how this echoes the fact that theatre deals with instability on a granular level. The glitches in this video are therefore intentional.

In theatre there is always failure. It is the eternal rope upon which the high-wire act of making is built. At every moment something may break, not connect, fall apart, lose its way. The beauty of theatre is that it is always at risk, on the edge, vulnerable to itself and others, and enthralled by the mechanism of its own co-creation with an audience.
Introducing ScrumAdemia: An Agile Guide for Doctoral Research
Authors: Franco Clara , Fünfgeld Anna , García Pinzón Viviana , Klenke Jan , Lohmann Rebecca , Reder Désirée , Schirmer Swantje
Published: February 2023

Pursuing a PhD is an exigent endeavor entailing various psychological and organizational challenges. This article proposes our adaptation of the agile method Scrum, which we call “ScrumAdemia,” as a solution. We illustrate how ScrumAdemia helps us to overcome the challenges related to workflows, working conditions, and mental health during doctoral research. We use data from a self-evaluation survey executed over 18 months, as well as an extended focus-group discussion to assess ScrumAdemia’s usefulness. Our experiences show that ScrumAdemia helps us to (1) overcome limitations of organization and structure relating to working conditions; (2) solve time-management problems affecting workflows; and (3) remedy the lack of support. This study has broader implications for doctoral research: more attention should be given to creating structures for peer-to-peer support.
Non-decision decisions in the Huawei 5G dilemma: Policy in Japan, the UK, and Germany
Authors: Krolikowski Alanna , Hall Todd H.
Published: February 2023

Huawei, the telecommunications company based in the People's Republic of China (PRC), has presented the governments of several middle powers with a policy dilemma. On the one hand, Huawei's affordable 5G network technology is attractive to telecommunications operators in these countries, which do not have domestic producers of this equipment. On the other hand, the U.S. government and intelligence agencies in other countries maintain that Huawei gear presents intolerable network security risks, a charge that the PRC government and Huawei forcefully reject as they insist Huawei merits access to foreign markets. Facing the question of whether and how to allow the installation of Huawei's 5G equipment in their domestic networks, the governments of Japan, the United Kingdom, and Germany have been caught between the competing demands of the two rivalrous superpowers and faced internal divisions among communities of government experts. At first glance, Japan, the UK, and Germany each appear to have responded to the Huawei dilemma in a different way. The Japanese government moved quickly and without formal announcement to exclude Huawei from its market, while publicly denying a ban. The UK government initially allowed Huawei to supply some of its national 5G infrastructure, but then reversed itself to ban the company's equipment outright after a U.S. regulatory change. The German government has yet to officially ban Huawei, but has taken successive steps to curtail the PRC company's continued involvement in its domestic networks. In spite of their apparent differences, the three national responses to the Huawei dilemma share a fundamental commonality: all amount to ‘non-decision decisions’ on the question of whether and how to allow Huawei to supply domestic 5G networks. In one way or another, each government avoided making policy decisions that were either explicit, definitive, or singular on the issue, but nonetheless reduced the likelihood of Huawei's participation in its domestic 5G infrastructure. After developing the concept of a ‘non-decision decision,’ we explain why these maneuvers are not isolated responses to a specific policy conundrum, but may presage a mode of middle power coping with competing demands from two increasingly rivalrous superpowers.
Prioritizing Irrigation‐System Upgrades to Maximize Improvements to Agricultural Drain‐Network Water Quality: A Graph‐Theoretic Approach
Authors: Harp Dylan R. , Orlando Anthony S. , Hohn Elliot , Sood Aditya , Franzen Tommy , Rubenson Maddee , Atchison David L. , Webster Dion , Osman Nick , Burcsu Theresa K. , Primozich David
Published: February 2023

We develop and demonstrate an approach to optimally prioritize fields for irrigation‐system upgrades to improve agricultural‐drain discharge water quality. The approach accounts for the attenuation of pollutants transported along complex drain networks from fields to drain‐network outlets. The approach produces a Pareto‐optimal cost curve of irrigation‐system upgrade combinations that compromise between maximizing the reduction of drain‐outlet loads and minimizing upgrade implementation costs. The approach utilizes a graph‐theoretic data structure to organize drain‐network data, route drain‐network flow paths, and formulate objectives and constraints for multi‐objective optimization. Due to the linearity of the objective functions and constraints, Pareto‐optimal solutions are obtained along the cost curve by prioritizing fields by decreasing load‐reduction/cost ratio (pollutant load‐reduction per cost). Multi‐objective optimization will identify additional Pareto‐optimal solutions along the cost curve providing additional compromises. The approach allows for a computationally efficient prioritization, providing a level of complexity that is able to incorporate commonly available data. The cost curve is highly sensitive to the pollutant attenuation coefficient, with higher attenuation coefficients resulting in low sensitivity of load reduction to cost. While the focus of this work is on irrigation‐system upgrades, there are other conservation actions and/or land‐use change scenarios that this method could also prioritize. Analyses of this nature could prove valuable in improving the allocation of limited conservation funding and/or developing cost‐effective water quality trading programs. We demonstrate the approach on a collection of drain networks around Grand View, Idaho, USA with the objective to reduce total phosphorus loads to the Snake River.
Novel roles of RNA-binding proteins in drug resistance of breast cancer: from molecular biology to targeting therapeutics
Authors: Cen Yinghuan , Chen Letian , Liu Zihao , Lin Qun , Fang Xiaolin , Yao Herui , Gong Chang
Published: February 2023

Therapy resistance remains a huge challenge for current breast cancer treatments. Exploring molecular mechanisms of therapy resistance might provide therapeutic targets for patients with advanced breast cancer and improve their prognosis. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) play an important role in regulating therapy resistance. Here we summarize the functions of RBPs, highlight their tremendously important roles in regulating therapy sensitivity and resistance and we also reveal current therapeutic approaches reversing abnormal functions of RBPs in breast cancer.
A chromosome-level reference genome of the wax gourd (Benincasa hispida)
Authors: Luo Wenlong , Yan Jinqiang , Luo Shanwei , Liu Wenrui , Xie Dasen , Jiang Biao
Published: February 2023

The wax gourd (Benincasa hispida), the only species in the genus Benincasa, is an important crop native to Asia that has been widely planted for multi-purpose uses. The first wax gourd draft genome was published three years ago, but it was incomplete and highly-fragmented due to data and technical limitations. Herein, we report a new chromosome-level genome assembly and annotation of B. hispida. We generated 974.87 Mb of unitigs with N50 size of 2.43 Mb via a hybrid assembly strategy by using PacBio long reads and Illumina short reads. We then joined them into scaffolds with Hi-C data, resulting 1862 scaffolds with a total length of 975.62 Mb, and 94.92% of the length (926.05 Mb) is contained in the 12 largest scaffolds corresponding to the 12 chromosomes of B. hispida. We predicted 37,092 protein-coding genes, and 85.05% of them were functionally annotated. This chromosome-level reference genome provides significant improvement to the earlier version of draft genome and would be valuable resource for research and molecular breeding of the wax gourd.
Fractal dimension complexity of gravitation fractals in central place theory
Authors: Banaszak Michał , Górnisiewicz Krzysztof , Nijkamp Peter , Ratajczak Waldemar
Published: February 2023

Settlement centers of various types, including cities, produce basins of attraction whose shape can be regular or complexly irregular (from the point of view of geometry). This complexity depends in part on properties of the space surrounding a settlement. This paper demonstrates that by introducing a dynamic approach to space and by including an equation of motion and space resistance, a dramatic change in the stylized static CPT (Central Place Theory) image occurs. As a result of the interplay of gravitational forces, basins of attraction arise around cities, whose boundaries appear to be fractals. This study provides a wealth of spatial fractal complex images which may change the traditional understanding of CPT.
A reconciling vision of the Adriatic-Ionian Bimodal Oscillating System
Authors: Eusebi Borzelli Gian Luca , Carniel Sandro
Published: February 2023

The bimodal oscillating system (BiOS) consists in an oscillation of the Ionian Sea surface structure with period of 12–13 years, which reflects in a near-surface circulation inversion. BiOS regimes are deeply interconnected with the circulation patterns of the Eastern Mediterranean, and it is a dominant process governing water masses formation, air-sea fluxes and bio-geochemical properties, which impacts living organisms. The BiOS has been partially explained as a self-sustained oscillation maintained by the interplay between Adriatic dense water formation and changes in the relative volume of waters of Levantine and Atlantic origin entering the Adriatic; however, attempts have also been made to explain the BiOS in terms of atmospheric-related processes. Despite the intensive research aiming at reproducing this oscillating system, the fundamental question “which is the source of energy necessary to initiate the BiOS?” has, until now, remained unanswered. The scope of this paper is two-fold. First, we document that, since 1993, two periods in the BiOS can be observed: a first one, between 1993 and 2017, during which the BiOS damped up to nearly disappear, with e-folding time of 11 years; and a second one, starting in 2017, during which the BiOS revitalized. Then, we propose here an analytical model that, under a two-layer ocean assumption, shows how it is possible for winds rotating in the same direction to initiate oscillations of the free surface, as result of the competing effects of wind and internal fluid pressure fields. The proposed model forced with wind data could successfully reproduce the characteristic time scales of the BiOS cycle over the period 1993–2019, and is therefore offered as a novel vision explaining the originating mechanism as the basis of its initiation, as well as a fundamental tool to address possible BiOS regimes in future climate scenarios.
Polarization-dependent plasmonic heating in epitaxially grown multilayered metal–organic framework thin films embedded with Ag nanoparticles
Authors: Okada Kenji , Mashita Risa , Fukatsu Arisa , Takahashi Masahide
Published: February 2023

Polarization-dependent plasmonic heating by lasers in a multilayered metal–organic framework (MOF-on-MOF) oriented film embedded with silver nanoparticles, paving the way for MOF-based thin-film devices with temperature-controllable electrical and optical properties.
Development and optimization of a continuous flow ester reduction with LiAlH4 in the synthesis of a key intermediate for a PI3Kδ inhibitor (CPL302415)
Authors: Michałek Stanisław , Maj Anna M. , Gurba-Bryśkiewicz Lidia , Maruszak Wioleta , Zagozda Marcin , Ochal Zbigniew , Dubiel Krzysztof , Wieczorek Maciej
Published: February 2023

Highly productive (11.3 g h−1) continuous flow LAH ester reduction in the synthesis of a new PI3Kδ inhibitor (CPL302415). Comparison of the efficiency and selectivity of various reduction methods (catalytic with stoichiometric and flow with batch).
Gezielte medikamentöse Therapie der pulmonalarteriellen Hypertonie nach den aktuellen Leitlinien
Authors: Grünig Ekkehard , Egenlauf Benjamin , Benjamin Nicola , Braun Moritz , Harutyunova Satenik , Winterbauer Marc , Klose Hans
Published: February 2023

Dieser Artikel stellt die gezielte Therapie der pulmonalarteriellen Hypertonie (PAH) vor. Die medikamentöse Therapie der PAH hat sich in den letzten Jahren entscheidend verbessert und
ermöglicht heute vielen Patienten eine deutliche Verbesserung der körperlichen Belastbarkeit, Lebensqualität und des Langzeitüberlebens. Die neuen ESC/ERS-Leitlinien zur pulmonalen
Hypertonie haben die aus vielen neuen Studien entstandenen Evidenzen zusammengetragen, bewertet und den therapeutischen Algorithmus und die Therapieempfehlungen entsprechend angepasst. In
dem folgenden Artikel werden die neuen Empfehlungen zur medikamentösen Therapie der PAH zusammengefasst und eingeordnet. Die PAH-Therapie wird wie bisher am Schweregrad der Erkrankung
orientiert, der bei Diagnose nach einem 3-Risikostufen-Modell abgeschätzt wird. Neu ist die Anwendung eines 4-stufigen Risikomodells bei der Therapieanpassung im Krankheitsverlauf. In den
neuen Leitlinien werden erstmals auch Therapieempfehlungen für Patienten mit PAH und Komorbiditäten gegeben.
Allgemeine Therapie der pulmonalarteriellen Hypertonie nach den neuen Leitlinien
Authors: Benjamin Nicola , Resag Carolin , Weinstock Kilian , Grünig Ekkehard
Published: February 2023

In den neuen Leitlinien (LL) für pulmonalarterielle Hypertonie (PAH) sind die allgemeinen Maßnahmen ein integraler Bestandteil der Behandlung der Patienten. Auch die systemischen
Auswirkungen der pulmonalen Hypertonie und Rechtsherzinsuffizienz sollten angemessen berücksichtigt und behandelt werden. Im folgenden Artikel werden die in den LL genannten Maßnahmen unter
Berücksichtigung des bestehenden Empfehlungsgrads und der Evidenzen beschrieben. Leider sind die meisten Allgemeinmaßnahmen, wie die Gabe von Diuretika, Sauerstoff, psychosozialer Support
und Impfungen, nicht oder unzureichend in randomisierten, kontrollierten Studien untersucht worden. So haben sie zwar einen hohen I-Empfehlungsgrad, aber einen niedrigen Evidenzgrad C. Nur
bei dem spezialisierten körperlichen Training liegen bislang insgesamt 7 randomisierte, kontrollierte Studien und 5 Metaanalysen vor, die eine Verbesserung der Sauerstoffaufnahme,
körperlichen Belastbarkeit, der Beschwerden (WHO-Funktionsklasse), Lebensqualität und Hämodynamik nachgewiesen haben (daher neu IA-Empfehlung). Auch weitere Maßnahmen wie die
Antikoagulation, Eisensubstitution und andere werden im Folgenden besprochen.
Retrospektive Auswertung der Anwendung eines dermalen Ersatzmaterials
bei der Indikation zur Septorhinoplastik
Authors: Swensson Magdalena , Grundmann Thomas , Mauss Karl
Published: February 2023

Hintergrund Zur Camouflage des Nasenrückens bei Septorhinoplastiken
existieren gegenwärtig verschiedene Methoden. Das Thema der Arbeit ist
die retrospektiv-deskriptive Untersuchung des operativen Einsatzes der bovinen
Kollagen-/Glykosaminoglykanmatrix Integra Dermal Regeneration Template
Single Layer Thin (IDRT-SL Thin) des Unternehmens Integra LifeSciences bei
Septorhinoplastiken.

Methodik Der Schwerpunkt der Arbeit liegt in der Evaluierung der
postoperativen Verträglichkeit des Präparates, der Sicherheit
und des Verlaufes der Wundheilung bei Anwendung von IDRT-SL Thin als
Kollagensheet bei Septorhinoplastiken. Die Auswertung erfolgte mittels eines
für die Arbeit entwickelten Bewertungsbogens. Die in die Studie
eingeschlossenen Patienten wurden für ein Jahr postoperativ betreut; der
in der Auswertung berücksichtigte postoperative Beobachtungszeitraum
umfasst dagegen 14 Wochen.

Ergebnisse Die für diesen Zeitraum erfolgte Analyse der operativen
Ergebnisse zeigt für die von uns untersuchten Kriterien relativ homogene
Ergebnisse. Nennenswerte Komplikationen wurden innerhalb unserer
Patientenkohorte bis zur 14. postoperativen Woche nicht beobachtet.

Diskussion Trotz einer fehlenden Kontrollgruppe, die auf anderem Wege
operativ versorgt worden wäre, und der geringen Patientenfallzahl,
eignet sich der hier angelegte Beobachtungszeitrum von sechs bzw. 14 Wochen, um
eine prinzipielle Eignung und Verträglichkeit festzustellen. Somit
können die im Rahmen der Arbeit präsentierten Ergebnisse als
möglicher Ausgangspunkt für weitere Untersuchungen zum Einsatz
von IDRT-SL Thin bei der Indikation zur Septorhinoplastik verstanden werden.
No-touch endoscopic full-thickness resection technique for gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors
Authors: Chen Tao , Zhang Yun-Wei , Lian Jing-Jing , Zhang Hai-Bin , Xu Ai-Ping , Li Fang , Yan Xiao-Han , Duan Ben-Song , Zhao Zi-Ying , Chu Yuan , Shen Li , Cao Jia , Zhang Li , Zheng Liang , Chu Shu-Guang , Xu Mei-Dong
Published: February 2023

Background There remain concerns regarding the technical feasibility of endoscopic resection for large gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), mainly relating to the risk of tumor rupture and the adequacy of the resection margins. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and therapeutic outcomes of the newly developed no-touch endoscopic full-thickness resection (NT-EFTR) technique for GISTs.

Methods In this retrospective study, 92 patients with gastric GISTs undergoing NT-EFTR were included. Clinicopathological, endoscopic, and follow-up data were collected and analyzed.

Results The median tumor size was 2.5 cm and en bloc resection was achieved in all patients with negative surgical margins. The median time of the NT-EFTR procedure was 59.5 minutes. Large tumors (> 3.0 cm), extraluminal tumor growth pattern, and large gastric defects were significant contributors to long operative times. Patients were discharged within 4 days postoperatively. During follow-up, all patients were free from local recurrence and distant metastasis.

Conclusions NT-EFTR was a feasible method for the resection of gastric GISTs and can be expected to achieve complete radical resection. Large tumors with extraluminal growth and large gastric defects impact procedural difficulty.