bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Drivers of Philanthropic Foundations in Emerging Markets: Family, Values and Spirituality
Authors: Giacomin Valeria , Jones Geoffrey
Published: June 2021

This article discusses the ethics and drivers of philanthropic foundations in emerging markets. A foundation organizes assets to invest in philanthropic initiatives. Previous scholarship has largely focused on developed countries, especially the United States, and has questioned the ethics behind the activities of foundations, particularly for strategic motives that served wider corporate purposes. We argue that philanthropic foundations in emerging markets have distinctive characteristics that merit separate examination. We scrutinize the ethics behind the longitudinal activity of such foundations using 70 oral history interviews with business leaders in 18 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. We find that 55 out of 70 foundations associated with these leaders have been used as vehicles for a specific type of philanthropic ethics defined as “spiritual philanthropy”. These foundations often embodied personal or family traditions, culture, and religious values, which emphasized charitable giving and social responsibility. As in the case of many of the industrial foundations in Europe, these foundations also carried founding family names and provided a structure to maintain family control and enhance corporate reputation. We argue that, as business leaders in emerging markets are more directly exposed to dire social, educational and health deprivation than their counterparts in developed countries, they are less inclined toward grandiose world-making, and their foundations are more focused on delivering immediate benefits to communities in their home countries, motivated by implicit or explicit spirituality.
Stability and Change of Psychopathology Symptoms Throughout Childhood and Adolescence
Authors: Blok Elisabet , de Mol C. Louk , van der Ende Jan , Hillegers Manon H. J. , Althoff Robert R. , Shaw Philip , White Tonya
Published: June 2021

Assessing stability and change of children’s psychopathology symptoms can help elucidate whether specific behaviors are transient developmental variations or indicate persistent psychopathology. This study included 6930 children across early childhood (T1), late childhood (T2) and early adolescence (T3), from the general population. Latent profile analysis identified psychopathology subgroups and latent transition analysis quantified the probability that children remained within, or transitioned across psychopathology subgroups. We identified four psychopathology subgroups; no problems (T1: 85.9%, T2: 79.0%, T3: 78.0%), internalizing (T1: 5.1%, T2: 9.2%, T3: 9.0%), externalizing (T1: 7.3%, T2: 8.3%, T3: 10.2%) and the dysregulation profile (DP) (T1: 1.7%, T2: 3.5%, T3: 2.8%). From T1 to T2, 44.7% of the children remained in the DP. Between T2 and T3, 33.6% remained in the DP; however, 91.4% were classified in one of the psychopathology subgroups. Our findings suggest that for many children, internalizing or externalizing symptoms encompass a transient phase within development. Contrary, the DP resembles a severe at-risk state in which the predictive value for being in one of the psychopathology subgroups increases over time.
Combination therapy with pazopanib and tivantinib modulates VEGF and c-MET levels in refractory advanced solid tumors
Authors: Kummar Shivaani , Srivastava Apurva K. , Navas Tony , Cecchi Fabiola , Lee Young H. , Bottaro Donald P. , Park Sook Ryun , Do Khanh T. , Jeong Woondong , Johnson Barry C. , Voth Andrea R. , Rubinstein Larry , Wright John J. , Parchment Ralph E. , Doroshow James H. , Chen Alice P.
Published: June 2021

The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/VEGFR and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/c-MET signaling pathways act synergistically to promote angiogenesis. Studies indicate VEGF inhibition leads to increased levels of phosphorylated c-MET, bypassing VEGF-mediated angiogenesis and leading to chemoresistance. We conducted a phase 1 clinical trial with 32 patients with refractory solid tumors to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of combinations of VEGF-targeting pazopanib and the putative c-MET inhibitor ARQ197 (tivantinib) at 5 dose levels (DLs). Patients either took pazopanib and tivantinib from treatment initiation (escalation phase) or pazopanib alone for 7 days, with paired tumor sampling, prior to starting combination treatment (expansion phase). Hypertension was the most common adverse event. No more than 1 dose limiting toxicity (DLT) occurred at any DL, so the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was not determined; DL5 (800 mg pazopanib daily and 360 mg tivantinib BID) was used during the expansion phase. Twenty of 31 evaluable patients achieved stable disease lasting up to 22 cycles. Circulating VEGF, VEGFR2, HGF, and c-MET levels were assessed, and only VEGF levels increased. Tumor c-MET levels (total and phosphorylated) were determined in paired biopsies before and after 7 days of pazopanib treatment. Total intact c-MET decreased in 6 of 7 biopsy pairs, in contrast to previously reported c-MET elevation in response to VEGF inhibition. These results are discussed in the context of our previously reported analysis of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in these tumors.
Phase I study of daily and weekly regimens of the orally administered MDM2 antagonist idasanutlin in patients with advanced tumors
Authors: Italiano Antoine , Miller Wilson H. , Blay Jean-Yves , Gietema Jourik A. , Bang Yung-Jue , Mileshkin Linda R. , Hirte Hal W. , Higgins Brian , Blotner Steven , Nichols Gwen L. , Chen Lin Chi , Petry Claire , Yang Qi Joy , Schmitt Christophe , Jamois Candice , Siu Lillian L.
Published: June 2021

Aim The oral MDM2 antagonist idasanutlin inhibits the p53-MDM2 interaction, enabling p53 activation, tumor growth inhibition, and increased survival in xenograft models. Methods We conducted a Phase I study of idasanutlin (microprecipitate bulk powder formulation) to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, food effect, and clinical activity in patients with advanced malignancies. Schedules investigated were once weekly for 3 weeks (QW × 3), once daily for 3 days (QD × 3), or QD × 5 every 28 days. We also analyzed p53 activation and the anti-proliferative effects of idasanutlin. Results The dose-escalation phase included 85 patients (QW × 3, n = 36; QD × 3, n = 15; QD × 5, n = 34). Daily MTD was 3200 mg (QW × 3), 1000 mg (QD × 3), and 500 mg (QD × 5). Most common adverse events were diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, decreased appetite, and thrombocytopenia. Dose-limiting toxicities were nausea/vomiting and myelosuppression; myelosuppression was more frequent with QD dosing and associated with pharmacokinetic exposure. Idasanutlin exposure was approximately dose proportional at low doses, but less than dose proportional at > 600 mg. Although inter-patient variability in exposure was high with all regimens, cumulative idasanutlin exposure over the whole 28-day cycle was greatest with a QD × 5 regimen. No major food effect on pharmacokinetic exposure occurred. MIC-1 levels were higher with QD dosing, increasing in an exposure-dependent manner. Best response was stable disease in 30.6% of patients, prolonged (> 600 days) in 2 patients with sarcoma. Conclusions Idasanutlin demonstrated dose- and schedule-dependent p53 activation with durable disease stabilization in some patients. Based on these findings, the QD × 5 schedule was selected for further development.

Trial registration

NCT01462175 (ClinicalTrials.gov), October 31, 2011.
The Impact of SRA-Programming on Computational Thinking in a Visual Oriented Programming Environment
Authors: Fanchamps Nardie L. J. A. , Slangen Lou , Specht Marcus , Hennissen Paul
Published: June 2021

Visual programming environments are popular instruments in teaching Computational Thinking (CT) in schools today. Applying Sense-Reason-Act (SRA) programming can influence the development of computational thinking when forcing pupils to anticipate the unforeseen in their computer programs. SRA-programming originates from the programming of tangible robots, but can also be of equal value in visual programming with on-screen output. The underlying rationale is that programming in a visual programming environment using SRA leads to more understanding of the computational concepts addressed, resulting in a higher level of computational skill compared to visual programming without the application of SRA. Furthermore, it has been hypothesised that if pupils in a visual programming environment can anticipate unforeseen events and solve programming tasks by applying SRA, they will be better able to solve complex computational thinking tasks. To establish if characteristic differences in the development of computational thinking can be measured when SRA-programming is applied in a visual programming environment with an on-screen output, we assessed the applicability of SRA-programming with visual output as the main component of the execution of developed code. This research uses a pre-test post-test design that reveals significant differences in the development of computational thinking in two treatment conditions. To assess CT, the Computational Thinking Test (CTt) was used. Results show that when using SRA-programming in a visual programming environment it leads to an increased understanding of complex computational concepts, which results in a significant increase in the development of computational thinking.
How Are Curiosity and Interest Different? Naïve Bayes Classification of People’s Beliefs
Authors: Donnellan Ed , Aslan Sumeyye , Fastrich Greta M. , Murayama Kou
Published: June 2021

Researchers studying curiosity and interest note a lack of consensus in whether and how these important motivations for learning are distinct. Empirical attempts to distinguish them are impeded by this lack of conceptual clarity. Following a recent proposal that curiosity and interest are folk concepts, we sought to determine a non-expert consensus view on their distinction using machine learning methods. In Study 1, we demonstrate that there is a consensus in how they are distinguished, by training a Naïve Bayes classification algorithm to distinguish between free-text definitions of curiosity and interest (n = 396 definitions) and using cross-validation to test the classifier on two sets of data (main n = 196; additional n = 218). In Study 2, we demonstrate that the non-expert consensus is shared by experts and can plausibly underscore future empirical work, as the classifier accurately distinguished definitions provided by experts who study curiosity and interest (n = 92). Our results suggest a shared consensus on the distinction between curiosity and interest, providing a basis for much-needed conceptual clarity facilitating future empirical work. This consensus distinguishes curiosity as more active information seeking directed towards specific and previously unknown information. In contrast, interest is more pleasurable, in-depth, less momentary information seeking towards information in domains where people already have knowledge. However, we note that there are similarities between the concepts, as they are both motivating, involve feelings of wanting, and relate to knowledge acquisition.
Understanding Cognitive Load in Digital and Online Learning: a New Perspective on Extraneous Cognitive Load
Authors: Skulmowski Alexander , Xu Kate Man
Published: June 2021

Cognitive load theory has been a major influence for the field of educational psychology. One of the main guidelines of the theory is that extraneous cognitive load should be reduced to leave sufficient cognitive resources for the actual learning to take place. In recent years, research regarding various design factors, in particular from the field of digital and online learning, have challenged this assumption. Interactive learning media, immersion, disfluency, realism, and redundant elements constitute five major challenges, since these design factors have been shown to induce task-irrelevant cognitive load, i.e., extraneous load, while still promoting motivation and learning. However, currently there is no unified approach to integrate such effects into cognitive load theory. By including aspects of constructive alignment, an approach aimed at fostering deep forms of learning in order to achieve specific learning outcomes, we devise a strategy to balance cognitive load in digital learning. Most importantly, we suggest considering both the positive and negative effects on cognitive load that certain design factors of digital learning can cause. In addition, a number of research results highlight that some types of positive effects of digital learning can only be detected using a suitable assessment method. This strategy of aligning cognitive load with desired learning outcomes will be useful for formulating theory-guided and empirically testable hypotheses, but can be particularly helpful for practitioners to embrace emerging technologies while minimizing potential extraneous drawbacks.
Unravelling climate change impacts from other anthropogenic influences in a subalpine lake: a multi-proxy sediment study from Oberer Soiernsee (Northern Alps, Germany)
Authors: Hofmann Andrea M. , Kuefner Wolfgang , Mayr Christoph , Dubois Nathalie , Geist Juergen , Raeder Uta
Published: June 2021

Mountain lakes are increasingly impacted by a series of both local and global disturbances. The present study reveals the eutrophication history of a remote subalpine lake (Oberer Soiernsee, Northern Alps, Germany), triggered by deforestation, alpine pasturing, hut construction, tourism and atmospheric deposition, and identifies the intertwined consequences of on-going global warming on the lake’s ecosystem. The primary objective was to disentangle the various direct and indirect impacts of these multiple stressors via down-core analyses. Our multi-proxy approach included subfossil diatom assemblages, carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios and subfossil pigments from dated sediments. Shifts within the diatom assemblages were related to variations in trophic state, lake transparency, water temperature and thermal stratification. The organic carbon isotope (δ13Corg) records, the diatom valve density and the pigment concentrations documented the development of primary production and composition. Total nitrogen isotope values (δ15N) are more likely to reflect the history of atmospheric nitrogen pollution than lake-internal processes, also mirrored by the decoupling of δ15N and δ13Corg trends. The composition of sedimentary pigments allowed a differentiation between planktonic and benthic primary production. Concordant trends of all indicators suggested that the lake ecosystem passed a climatic threshold promoted by local and long-distance atmospheric nutrient loadings.
Gaming Disorder in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Murray Alayna , Mannion Arlene , Chen June L. , Leader Geraldine
Published: June 2021

Gaming disorder (GD) is a clinical addiction to video or internet games. This study investigated whether GD symptoms are heightened in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in comparison to a control group, and explored predictors of GD in 230 adults with ASD and 272 controls. The relationship between GD and gelotophobia was examined. Measures included the Ten-Item Internet Gaming Disorder Test, GELOPH < 15 >, Autism Spectrum Quotient-10 items, Inventory of Parent and Peer attachment, Emotional Regulation Questionnaire, Social Functioning Questionnaire (SFQ) and the NEO-FFI-3. Individuals in the ASD group showed significantly higher symptoms of GD. Peer-attachment, emotional regulation and extraversion significantly predicted GD scores. Gelotophobia and GD were related to each other with a small effect size.
Alexithymic But Not Autistic Traits Impair Prosocial Behavior
Authors: Lischke Alexander , Freyberger Harald J. , Grabe Hans J. , Mau-Moeller Anett , Pahnke Rike
Published: June 2021

Social impairments are a core feature of autism-spectrum disorders. However, there is a considerable variability in these impairments. Most autistic individuals show large impairments in social functioning but some autistic individuals show small impairments in social functioning. The variability of these impairments has been attributed to the presence or absence of alexithymia. To address this issue, we capitalized on the fact that alexithymic and autistic traits are broadly distributed in the population. This allowed us to investigate how alexithymic and autistic traits affect social functioning in healthy individuals. Healthy individuals showed impairments on a resource-allocation task that were due to alexithymic but not autistic traits. These findings suggest that alexithymic rather than autistic traits impair prosocial behavior across the autism-spectrum.
A Quick Measure of Theory of Mind in Autistic Adults: Decision Accuracy, Latency and Self-Awareness
Authors: Brewer Neil , Young Robyn L. , Norris Jade Eloise , Maras Katie , Michael Zoe , Barnett Emily
Published: June 2021

Autistic adults often experience difficulties in taking the perspective of others, potentially undermining their social interactions. We evaluated a quick, forced-choice version of the Adult Theory of Mind (A-ToM) test, which was designed to assess such difficulties and comprehensively evaluated by Brewer et al. (2017). The forced-choice version (the A-ToM-Q) demonstrated discriminant, concurrent, convergent and divergent validity using samples of autistic (N = 96) and non-autistic adults (N = 75). It can be administered in a few minutes and machine-scored, involves minimal training and facilitates large-scale, live, or web-based testing. It permits measurement of response latency and self-awareness, with response characteristics on both measures enhancing understanding of the nature and extent of perspective taking difficulties in autistic individuals.
Correction to: Can methods of artificial intelligence aid in optimizing patient selection in patients undergoing intrauterine inseminations?
Authors: Kozar Nejc , Kovač Vilma , Reljič Milan
Published: June 2021

Correction to this paper has been published: 10.1007/s10815-021-02264-4
Feedback Relevance Spaces: Interactional Constraints on Processing Contexts in Dynamic Syntax
Authors: Howes Christine , Eshghi Arash
Published: June 2021

Feedback such as backchannels and clarification requests often occurs subsententially, demonstrating the incremental nature of grounding in dialogue. However, although such feedback can occur at any point within an utterance, it typically does not do so, tending to occur at Feedback Relevance Spaces (FRSs). We present a corpus study of acknowledgements and clarification requests in British English, and describe how our low-level, semantic processing model in Dynamic Syntax accounts for this feedback. The model trivially accounts for the 85% of cases where feedback occurs at FRSs, but we also describe how it can be integrated or interpreted at non-FRSs using the predictive, incremental and interactive nature of the formalism. This model shows how feedback serves to continually realign processing contexts and thus manage the characteristic divergence and convergence that is key to moving dialogue forward.
‘I Think it Just Made Everything Very Much More Intense’: A Qualitative Secondary Analysis Exploring The Role Of Friends and Family Providing Support to Survivors of Domestic Abuse During The COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Gregory Alison , Williamson Emma
Published: June 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic, and associated social restrictions, have amplified women’s experiences of domestic abuse (DA). In usual times, female DA survivors reach out to those around them (friends, family members, neighbors, and colleagues) for support. Accessing of both professional and informal support by survivors has increased during the pandemic. Informal supporters are often deeply invested and immersed in situations of DA because of the closeness of relationships. The accounts of informal supporters are rarely sought, yet these are people who may have a considerable awareness of what is happening. The aim of this study was to explore how the pandemic had impacted people’s assessment of abusive situations and their ability to provide informal support. This paper reports a secondary analysis of qualitative data collected in 2020 in England. The data were gathered in 18 in-depth interviews with people who knew a female friend, relative, neighbor, or colleague who had experienced DA. The age range of participants was 25–69 years, three were men and fifteen were women. A reflexive thematic analysis was carried out. Findings indicated: (i) the pandemic had changed people’s ability to read situations and assess risk (ii) perpetrators were exploiting the pandemic to further abuse (iii) within the context of the pandemic there was additional challenge to offering support (iv) informal supporters found creative ways to remain in-touch and to continue offering support. Further research with informal supporters is needed to ascertain how best to support and equip people, without imposing an impossible burden.
Optimal exercise of American put options near maturity: A new economic perspective
Authors: Battauz Anna , De Donno Marzia , Gajda Janusz , Sbuelz Alessandro
Published: June 2021

The critical price $$S^{*}\left( t\right) $$

S

∗

t

of an American put option is the underlying stock price level that triggers its immediate optimal exercise. We provide a new perspective on the determination of the critical price near the option maturity T when the jump-adjusted dividend yield of the underlying stock is either greater than or weakly smaller than the riskfree rate. Firstly, we prove that $$S^{*}\left( t\right) $$

S

∗

t

coincides with the critical price of the covered American put (a portfolio that is long in the put as well as in the stock). Secondly, we show that the stock price that represents the indifference point between exercising the covered put and waiting until T is the European-put critical price, at which the European put is worth its intrinsic value. Finally, we prove that the indifference point’s behavior at T equals $$S^{*}\left( t\right) $$

S

∗

t

’s behavior at T when the stock price is either a geometric Brownian motion or a jump-diffusion. Our results provide a thorough economic analysis of $$S^{*}\left( t\right) $$

S

∗

t

and rigorously show the correspondence of an American option problem to an easier European option problem at maturity .
Expanding catchment-scale hydrologic restoration in suburban watersheds via stream mitigation crediting—A Northern Kentucky (USA) case study
Authors: Hawley Robert J.
Published: June 2021

The need for hydrologic restoration is well established in stream ecosystems across the world; however, available funding for catchment-scale restoration typically falls far short of what is required to produce in-stream results. Hydrologic restoration can be particularly important for improving stream integrity in urban watersheds, but implementation can be challenging due to high property values and limited space for retroactive stormwater control measures. This Northern Kentucky (USA) case study summarizes how stormwater mitigation interventions could be, and have already been, used to credit stream mitigation projects via conventional US Army Corps of Engineers crediting protocols. Hydrologic restoration can generate stream mitigation credits by directly improving the flow class and/or by indirectly improving the habitat quality. For example, a stormwater intervention could create a shift from an ephemeral to intermittent flow class, while at the same time facilitating greater substrate stability, lower embeddedness, and other geomorphic improvements, that subsequently improve the categorical habitat rating. The ecological lift of such hydrologic interventions could be further expanded via concurrent in-stream mitigation measures such as re-establishing a jurisdictional stream in place of a drainage ditch or installing habitat structures such as toe wood and log steps, among other activities. Such process-based hydrologic restoration is consistent with the goals of the Clean Water Act and has the potential to be more beneficial to greater portions of stream networks and greater numbers of stakeholders than conventional habitat restoration alone.
The Effect of a Housing First Intervention on Acute Health Care Utilization among Homeless Adults with Mental Illness: Long-term Outcomes of the At Home/Chez-Soi Randomized Pragmatic Trial
Authors: Lachaud James , Mejia-Lancheros Cilia , Durbin Anna , Nisenbaum Rosane , Wang Ri , O’Campo Patricia , Stergiopoulos Vicky , Hwang Stephen W.
Published: June 2021

We assessed the effects of the Toronto Site Housing First (HF) intervention on hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits among homeless adults with mental illness over 7 years of follow-up. The Toronto Site is part of an unblinded multi-site randomized pragmatic trial of HF for homeless adults with mental illness in Canada, which followed participants up to 7 years. Five hundred seventy-five participants were recruited and classified as having high (HN) or moderate need (MN) for mental health support services. Each group was randomized into intervention (HF) and treatment as usual groups, and 567 (98.6%) consented to link their data to health administrative databases. HF participants received a monthly rent supplement of $600 (Canadian) and assertive community treatment (ACT) support or intensive care management (ICM) support based on need level. Treatment as usual (TAU) participants had access to social, housing, and health services generally available in the community. Outcomes included all-cause and mental health-specific hospitalization, number of days in hospital, and ED visit. We used GEE models to estimate ratio of rate ratios (RRR). The results showed HF with ACT had no significant effect on hospitalization rates among HN participants, but reduced the number of days in hospital (RRR = 0.32, 95% CI 0.16-0.63) and number of ED visits (RRR = 0.57, 95% CI 0.34-0.95). HF with ICM resulted in an increase in the number of hospitalizations (RRR = 1.69, 95% CI 1.09-2.60) and ED visit rates (RRR = 1.42, 95% CI 1.01-2.01) but had no effect in days in hospital for MN participants. Addressing the health needs of this population and reducing acute care utilization remain system priorities. Trial registration: http://www.isrctn.com/identifier: ISRCTN42520374
Zoledronate-induced acute anterior uveitis: a three-case report and brief review of literature
Authors: Jin Xue , Shou Zhangxuan , Shao Yuhong , Bian Pingda
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This three-case report aims to highlight the ocular adverse effects induced by bisphosphonate therapy and to call clinicians’ attention.

Methods

Three cases of acute anterior uveitis secondary to the initial dose of zoledronate infusion were reported with focus on their symptoms, treatment regimens, and outcomes. A review of published reports provided a basis for discussion.

Results

Three cases of acute anterior uveitis were either bilateral or unilateral. They demonstrated typical manifestations of bisphosphonate-induced acute anterior uveitis such as eye pain, blurred vision, conjunctival and ciliary hyperemia, keratic precipitates, and flare in the anterior chamber. After topical corticosteroid-containing comprehensive treatments, these symptoms resolved completely without any vision loss and long-term sequelae.

Conclusions

Acute anterior uveitis may be part of the acute phase reaction induced by zoledronate. Patients should be informed of its symptoms in advance and be monitored closely during and after administration. Clinicians should have a good awareness of the zoledronate-associated acute anterior uveitis and to treat it in a prompt and appropriate manner.
Strategies for High-Temperature Corrosion Simulations of Fe-Based Alloys Using the Calphad Approach: Part I
Authors: Bigdeli Sedigheh , Kjellqvist Lina , Naraghi Reza , Höglund Lars , Larsson Henrik , Jonsson Torbjörn
Published: June 2021

The environmental degradation of materials at high temperatures limits the useful life of different industrial components and hinders the development of more economical and environmentally friendly processes for the energy production. Despite the importance of this phenomena, a model to predict lifetime of materials that degrade due to high-temperature corrosion has up till now been lacking due to limitations of the computational possibilities and the complex nature of oxidation. In the present work we develop some strategies to model high-temperature corrosion in Fe-based alloys using the Calphad (Calculation of Phase Diagrams) approach. It is proposed that kinetic-based simulations for oxidation of Al and Cr can accurately represent the lifetime of the protective layers in FeCrAl and FeCr alloys at different temperatures in air. The oxide systems are in addition investigated by equilibrium calculations. The corrosion mechanisms of FeCr and FeCrAl alloys are discussed based on theoretical and experimental knowledge.
New-Onset Cancer in the HF Population: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Clinical Management
Authors: Cuomo Alessandra , Paudice Francesca , D’Angelo Giovanni , Perrotta Giovanni , Carannante Antonio , Attanasio Umberto , Iengo Martina , Fiore Francesco , Tocchetti Carlo Gabriele , Mercurio Valentina , Pirozzi Flora
Published: June 2021

Purpose of Review

Oncological treatments are known to induce cardiac toxicity, but the impact of new-onset cancer in patients with pre-existing HF remains unknown. This review focuses on the epidemiology, pathophysiological mechanisms, and clinical implications of HF patients who develop malignancies.

Recent Findings

Novel findings suggest that HF and cancer, beside common risk factors, are deeply linked by shared pathophysiological mechanisms. In particular, HF itself may enhance carcinogenesis by producing pro-inflammatory cytokines, and it has been suggested that neurohormonal activation, commonly associated with the failing heart, might play a pivotal role in promoting neoplastic transformation.

The risk of malignancies seems to be higher in HF patients compared to the general population, probably due to shared risk factors and common pathophysiological pathways. Additionally, management of these patients represents a challenge for clinicians, considering that the co-existence of these diseases significantly worsens patients’ prognosis and negatively affects therapeutic options for both diseases.
An ACO-based cross-layer routing algorithm in space-air-ground integrated networks
Authors: Zheng Rongping , Zhang Jiaxiang , Yang Qi
Published: June 2021

Space-air-ground integrated networks (SAGINs) are heterogeneous, self-organizing and time-varying wireless networks providing massive and global connectivity. These three characteristics of SAGINs bring great challenges for routing design. In this paper, the important parameters affecting performance of SAGINs are analyzed, based on which the heterogeneous network framework is described as a vector weighted topology. Instead of a scale, the weighted parameter of the topology is a vector with elements of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), variation of SNR, end-to-end delay and queuing length. To meet the time-varying requirements, a Wiener predictor is adopted for obtaining the estimated channel information, the expectation of queuing delay is also acquired by modeling the process of packets waiting the transmitting buffer as a M/M/1 queuing system. Considering the Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithm sharing the common decentralized feature with routing algorithm in SAGINs, a novel ACO-based cross-layer routing algorithm for SAGINs is proposed. The proposed algorithm takes the link quality and end-to-end packed delay in the physical layer as deciding factors in searching for optimal routing. Simulations performed in different scenarios show that this proposed algorithm demonstrates a higher packet delivery rate.
Repetitive negative thinking mediates the relationship between addictive Facebook use and suicide-related outcomes: A longitudinal study
Authors: Brailovskaia Julia , Margraf Jürgen , Teismann Tobias
Published: June 2021

Repetitive negative thinking (RNT) and addictive Facebook use have been shown to be associated with suicide ideation and suicidal behavior. The present longitudinal study aimed to investigate whether the association between addictive Facebook use and suicide-related outcomes is mediated by RNT. Data of 191 German Facebook users (Mage = 26.17, SDage = 6.63) were assessed at two measurement time points over a one-year period (first measurement = T1, second measurement = T2) via online surveys. The significant positive association between addictive Facebook use (T1) and suicide-related outcomes (T2) was significantly mediated by RNT (T1). In contrast, a check test that included RNT (T1) as predictor and addictive Facebook use (T1) as mediator revealed no significant mediation effect. The current results demonstrate that if addictive Facebook use leads to RNT suicide ideation and attempts become likely. Therefore, RNT and addictive Facebook use should be taken into account when assessing individuals for risk of suicide.
Microlandform classification method for grid DEMs based on support vector machine
Authors: Zhou Fangbin , Zou Lianhua , Liu Xuejun , Zhang Yunfei , Meng Fanyi , Xie Caichang , Zhang Shanshan
Published: June 2021

Microlandform classification of grid digital elevation models (DEMs) is the foundation of digital landform refinement applications. To solve the shortcomings of the traditional regular grid DEM microlandform classification method, including low automation and incomplete classification results, a support vector machine (SVM) classifier was designed for grid DEM microlandform classification, and an automatic grid-based DEM microlandform classification method based on the SVM method was created. The experiment applies the SVM-based grid DEM microlandform classification method to identify different hill positions, namely, the summit, shoulder, back-slope, foot-slope, toe-slope, and alluvium. The results show that this method is most efficient in identifying the toe-slope, with an accuracy rate of 99.60%, and least efficient in identifying the foot-slope, with an accuracy rate of 98.18%. The kappa coefficient and model evaluation index F1-score verify that the method and model are reliable when applied to grid DEM microlandform classification problems.
Urbanisation as driver of food system transformation and opportunities for rural livelihoods
Authors: de Bruin Sophie , Dengerink Just , van Vliet Jasper
Published: June 2021

Urbanisation is changing food systems globally, and in particular in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. This transformation can affect rural livelihoods in multiple ways. Evidence on what enabling conditions are needed to materialise the opportunities and limit risks is scattered. Here we review scientific literature to elaborate on how urbanisation affects food systems, and on the enabling conditions that subsequently shape opportunities for rural livelihoods. We find that urbanisation leads to a rising and changing food demand, both direct and indirect land use changes, and often to more complex market linkages. Evidence shows that a wide range of enabling conditions can contribute to the materialisation of opportunities for rural livelihoods in this context. Reviewed evidence suggests that the connectivity to urban centres is pivotal, as it provides access to finance, inputs, information, services, and off-farm employment. As a result, physical and communication infrastructure, the spatial pattern of urbanisation, and social networks connecting farmers to markets are identified as important enabling factors for the improvement of rural livelihood outcomes. Our findings suggest that coordinated and inclusive efforts are needed at different scales to make sure rural livelihoods benefit from urbanisation and food system transformation.
The Cantor–Schröder–Bernstein Theorem for $$\infty $$-groupoids
Authors: Escardó Martín Hötzel
Published: June 2021

We show that the Cantor–Schröder–Bernstein Theorem for homotopy types, or $$\infty $$
∞
-groupoids, holds in the following form: For any two types, if each one is embedded into the other, then they are equivalent. The argument is developed in the language of homotopy type theory, or Voevodsky’s univalent foundations (HoTT/UF), and requires classical logic. It follows that the theorem holds in any boolean $$\infty $$
∞
-topos.
Inorganic nanomaterial lubricant additives for base fluids, to improve tribological performance: Recent developments
Authors: Wang Junhai , Zhuang Weipeng , Liang Wenfeng , Yan Tingting , Li Ting , Zhang Lixiu , Li Shu
Published: June 2021

In this paper, we review recent research developments regarding the tribological performances of a series of inorganic nano-additives in lubricating fluids. First, we examine several basic types of inorganic nanomaterials, including metallic nanoparticles, metal oxides, carbon nanomaterials, and “other” nanomaterials. More specifically, the metallic nanoparticles we examine include silver, copper, nickel, molybdenum, and tungsten nanoparticles; the metal oxides include CuO, ZnO, Fe3O4, TiO2, ZrO2, Al2O3, and several double-metal oxides; the carbon nanomaterials include fullerene, carbon quantum dots, carbon nanotubes, graphene, graphene oxides, graphite, and diamond; and the “other” nanomaterials include metal sulfides, rare-earth compounds, layered double hydroxides, clay minerals, hexagonal boron nitride, black phosphorus, and nanocomposites. Second, we summarize the lubrication mechanisms of these nano-additives and identify the factors affecting their tribological performance. Finally, we briefly discuss the challenges faced by inorganic nanoparticles in lubrication applications and discuss future research directions. This review offers new perspectives to improve our understanding of inorganic nano-additives in tribology, as well as several new approaches to expand their practical applications.
Identification of abnormal tribological regimes using a microphone and semi-supervised machine-learning algorithm
Authors: Pandiyan Vigneashwara , Prost Josef , Vorlaufer Georg , Varga Markus , Wasmer Kilian
Published: June 2021

Functional surfaces in relative contact and motion are prone to wear and tear, resulting in loss of efficiency and performance of the workpieces/machines. Wear occurs in the form of adhesion, abrasion, scuffing, galling, and scoring between contacts. However, the rate of the wear phenomenon depends primarily on the physical properties and the surrounding environment. Monitoring the integrity of surfaces by offline inspections leads to significant wasted machine time. A potential alternate option to offline inspection currently practiced in industries is the analysis of sensors signatures capable of capturing the wear state and correlating it with the wear phenomenon, followed by in situ classification using a state-of-the-art machine learning (ML) algorithm. Though this technique is better than offline inspection, it possesses inherent disadvantages for training the ML models. Ideally, supervised training of ML models requires the datasets considered for the classification to be of equal weightage to avoid biasing. The collection of such a dataset is very cumbersome and expensive in practice, as in real industrial applications, the malfunction period is minimal compared to normal operation. Furthermore, classification models would not classify new wear phenomena from the normal regime if they are unfamiliar. As a promising alternative, in this work, we propose a methodology able to differentiate the abnormal regimes, i.e., wear phenomenon regimes, from the normal regime. This is carried out by familiarizing the ML algorithms only with the distribution of the acoustic emission (AE) signals captured using a microphone related to the normal regime. As a result, the ML algorithms would be able to detect whether some overlaps exist with the learnt distributions when a new, unseen signal arrives. To achieve this goal, a generative convolutional neural network (CNN) architecture based on variational auto encoder (VAE) is built and trained. During the validation procedure of the proposed CNN architectures, we were capable of identifying acoustics signals corresponding to the normal and abnormal wear regime with an accuracy of 97% and 80%. Hence, our approach shows very promising results for in situ and real-time condition monitoring or even wear prediction in tribological applications.
Structure modification, antialgal, antiplasmodial, and toxic evaluations of a series of new marine-derived 14-membered resorcylic acid lactone derivatives
Authors: Xu Wei-Feng , Wu Na-Na , Wu Yan-Wei , Qi Yue-Xuan , Wei Mei-Yan , Pineda Laura M. , Ng Michelle G. , Spadafora Carmenza , Zheng Ji-Yong , Lu Ling , Wang Chang-Yun , Gu Yu-Cheng , Shao Chang-Lun
Published: June 2021

Marine natural products play critical roles in the chemical defense of many marine organisms and are essential, reputable sources of successful drug leads. Sixty-seven 14-membered resorcylic acid lactone derivatives 3–27 and 30–71 of the natural product zeaenol (1) isolated from the marine-derived fungus Cochliobolus lunatus were semisynthesized by chlorination, acylation, esterification, and acetalization in one to three steps. The structures of these new derivatives were established by HRESIMS and NMR techniques. All the compounds (1–71) were evaluated for their antialgal and antiplasmodial activities. Among them, 14 compounds displayed antifouling activities against adhesion of the fouling diatoms. In particular, 9 and 34 exhibited strong and selective inhibitory effects against the diatoms Navicula laevissima and Navicula exigua (EC50 = 6.67 and 8.55 μmol/L), respectively, which were similar in efficacy to those of the positive control SeaNine 211 (EC50 = 2.90 and 9.74 μmol/L). More importantly, 38, 39, and 69–71 showed potent antiplasmodial activities against Plasmodium falciparum with IC50 values ranging from 3.54 to 9.72 μmol/L. Very interestingly, the five antiplasmodial derivatives displayed non-toxicity in the cytotoxicity assays and the zebrafish embryos model, thus, representing potential promising antiplasmodial drug agents. The preliminary structure–activity relationships indicated that biphenyl substituent at C-2, acetonide at positions C-5′ and C-6′, and tri- or tetra-substituted of acyl groups increased the antiplasmodial activity. Therefore, combining evaluation of chemical ecology with pharmacological models will be implemented as a systematic strategy, not only for environmentally friendly antifoulants but also for structurally novel drugs.
Sportvereine als Orte von politischer Bildung und Demokratiebildung
Authors: Ahlrichs Rolf , Fritz Fabian
Published: June 2021

Sportvereine werden im Ende 2020 erschienenen 16. Kinder- und Jugendbericht als Orte demokratischer und politischer Bildung identifiziert. Dieser Beitrag stellt eine theoretische Grundlage zur Bestimmung von Demokratiebildung im Verein vor und diskutiert die Empirie in Sportvereinen anhand einer Studie in Baden-Württemberg und dem Modell Lernort Stadion. Dabei wird deutlich, dass – im Unterschied zum 16. Kinder- und Jugendbericht – eine analytische Differenzierung zwischen politischer Bildung und demokratischem Erfahrungslernen sinnvoll ist, um die Potenziale von Sportvereinen als Orten der Demokratiebildung weiterzuentwickeln.
Reading social change on a potter's wheel: Chalcis (Euboea) from the Byzantine to the Modern Greek era
Authors: Kontogiannis Nikos D. , Skartsis Stefania S.
Published: June 2021

In this article, the socio-economic and cultural identity of Chalcis is traced through, and combined with, the story of its material culture and, in particular, of its impressive pottery production and consumption. Through this lens, the historical conditions and daily life over more than ten centuries (from the ninth to the early twentieth century) of this relatively unknown provincial town are closely examined. This makes it possible to detect one field in which local communities reacted to, adjusted to, took advantage of, survived or sometimes succumbed to the wider turmoil of the Byzantine, Ottoman and Modern Greek eras.
Perceived barriers to assessing understanding and appreciation of informed consent in clinical trials: A mixed-method study
Authors: Solomon Erin D. , Mozersky Jessica , Baldwin Kari , Wroblewski Matthew P. , Parsons Meredith V. , Goodman Melody , DuBois James M.
Published: June 2021

Introduction:

Participants and research professionals often overestimate how well participants understand and appreciate consent information for clinical trials, and experts often vary in their determinations of participant’s capacity to consent to research. Past research has developed and validated instruments designed to assess participant understanding and appreciation, but the frequency with which they are utilized is unknown.

Methods:

We administered a survey to clinical researchers working with older adults or those at risk of cognitive impairment (N= 1284), supplemented by qualitative interviews (N= 60).

Results:

We found that using a validated assessment of consent is relatively uncommon, being used by only 44% of researchers who had an opportunity. Factors that predicted adoption of validated assessments included not seeing the study sponsor as a barrier, positive attitudes toward assessments, and being confident that they had the resources needed to implement an assessment. The perceived barriers to adopting validated assessments of consent included lack of awareness, lack of knowledge, being unsure of how to administer such an assessment, and the burden associated with implementing this practice.

Conclusions:

Increasing the use of validated assessments of consent will require educating researchers on the practice and emphasizing very practical assessments, and may require Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) or study sponsors to champion the use of assessments.
Occupational Stress and Stress Busters Used Among Saudi Dental Practitioners During the COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak
Authors: Aldhuwayhi Sami , Shaikh Saquib Ahmed , Mallineni Sreekanth Kumar , Kumari Vinutha Varadharaju , Thakare Amar Ashok , Ahmed Khan Abdul Rehman , Mustafa Mohammed Ziauddeen , Manva Mohnish Z.
Published: June 2021

Objective:

This study aims to assess the stress levels, stress busters (stress relievers), and coping mechanisms among Saudi dental practitioners (SDPs) during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic outbreak.

Method:

A self-administered questionnaire was sent to SDPs via Google Forms. Cohen’s stress score scale was used for stress evaluation, and the mean scores were compared based on age, gender, qualification, and occupation. In addition, comparisons of the utilization of stress coping mechanisms and stress busters based on gender, age, and occupation were evaluated. Descriptive statistics were carried out using SPSS Version 21.0 (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY).

Results:

A total of 206 SDPs (69% males and 31% females) participated in the study. Male SDPs showed a higher score than females (P> 0.05). SDPs around age 50 years and above obtained high stress scores (25 ± 7.4) as compared with other age groups (P< 0.05). The occupational level showed higher stress scores (22.6 ± 4.6 than the other occupation groups (P< 0.05). The majority of the SDPs used watching TV/mobile/computer (80%) as a stress buster, followed by binge eating (64%), exercise (44%), smoking (32%), do-it-yourself (DIY; 23%), and meditation (17%).

Conclusion:

SDPs are experiencing stress levels during the COVID-19 pandemic. Male SDPs above age 50 years and private practitioners showed higher levels of stress scores. An overall commonly used stress buster was smoking in males and meditation in females.