bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Growth hormone treatment in the pre-transplant period is associated with superior outcome after pediatric kidney transplantation
Authors: Jagodzinski Celina , Mueller Sophia , Kluck Rika , Froede Kerstin , Pavičić Leo , Gellermann Jutta , Mueller Dominik , Querfeld Uwe , Haffner Dieter , Zivicnjak Miroslav
Published: September 2021

Background

Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) is frequently used for treatment of short stature in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) prior to kidney transplantation (KT). To what extent this influences growth and transplant function after KT is yet unknown.

Methods

Post-transplant growth (height, sitting height, leg length) and clinical parameters of 146 CKD patients undergoing KT before the age of 8 years, from two German pediatric nephrology centers, were prospectively investigated with a mean follow-up of 5.56 years. Outcome in patients with (rhGH group) and without (non-prior rhGH group) prior rhGH treatment was assessed by the use of linear mixed-effects models.

Results

Patients in the rhGH group spent longer time on dialysis and less frequently underwent living related KT compared to the non-prior rhGH group but showed similar heightz-scores at the time of KT. After KT, steroid exposure was lower and increments in anthropometricz-scores were significantly higher in the rhGH group compared to those in the non-prior rhGH group, although 18% of patients in the latter group were started on rhGH after KT. Non-prior rhGH treatment was associated with a faster decline in transplant function, lower hemoglobin, and higher C-reactive protein levels (CRP). After adjustment for these confounders, growth outcome did statistically differ for sitting heightz-scores only.

Conclusions

Treatment with rhGH prior to KT was associated with superior growth outcome in prepubertal kidney transplant recipients, which was related to better transplant function, lower CRP, less anemia, lower steroid exposure, and earlier maturation after KT.

Graphical abstract

A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information
Which scaling rule applies to large artificial neural networks
Authors: Végh János
Published: September 2021

Experience shows that cooperating and communicating computing systems, comprising segregated single processors, have severe performance limitations, which cannot be explained using von Neumann’s classic computing paradigm. In his classic “First Draft,” he warned that using a “too fast processor” vitiates his simple “procedure” (but not his computing model!); furthermore, that using the classic computing paradigm for imitating neuronal operations is unsound. Amdahl added that large machines, comprising many processors, have an inherent disadvantage. Given that artificial neural network’s (ANN’s) components are heavily communicating with each other, they are built from a large number of components designed/fabricated for use in conventional computing, furthermore they attempt to mimic biological operation using improper technological solutions, and their achievable payload computing performance is conceptually modest. The type of workload that artificial intelligence-based systems generate leads to an exceptionally low payload computational performance, and their design/technology limits their size to just above the “toy” level systems: The scaling of processor-based ANN systems is strongly nonlinear. Given the proliferation and growing size of ANN systems, we suggest ideas to estimate in advance the efficiency of the device or application. The wealth of ANN implementations and the proprietary technical data do not enable more. Through analyzing published measurements, we provide evidence that the role of data transfer time drastically influences both ANNs performance and feasibility. It is discussed how some major theoretical limiting factors, ANN’s layer structure and their methods of technical implementation of communication affect their efficiency. The paper starts from von Neumann’s original model, without neglecting the transfer time apart from processing time, and derives an appropriate interpretation and handling for Amdahl’s law. It shows that, in that interpretation, Amdahl’s law correctly describes ANNs.
The atomic Hardy space for a general Bessel operator
Authors: Kania-Strojec Edyta
Published: September 2021

We study Hardy spaces associated with a general multidimensional Bessel operator $$\mathbb {B}_\nu $$

B
ν

. This operator depends on a multiparameter of type $$\nu $$
ν
that is usually restricted to a product of half-lines. Here we deal with the Bessel operator in the general context, with no restrictions on the type parameter. We define the Hardy space $$H^1$$

H
1

for $$\mathbb {B}_\nu $$

B
ν

in terms of the maximal operator of the semigroup of operators $$\exp (-t\mathbb {B}_\nu )$$

exp
(
-
t

B
ν

)

. Then we prove that, in general, $$H^1$$

H
1

admits an atomic decomposition of local type.
A new mathematical hull-form with 10-shape parameters for evaluation of ship response in waves
Authors: Matsui Sadaoki
Published: September 2021

This study presents a new mathematical hull-form that is expressed as an explicit function with 10 hull-form parameters, which is called the Matsui hull-form in this study. The proposed hull-form was developed by expanding the modified Wigley hull-form so that the following 10 hull-form parameters can be independently varied: main dimensions $$L$$
L
, $$B$$
B
, $$d$$
d
, fineness coefficients $${C}_{b}$$

C
b

, $${C}_{\mathrm{m}}$$

C
m

, $${C}_{\mathrm{w}}$$

C
w

, second moment of waterplane area coefficient $${C}_{\mathrm{w}2}$$

C

w
2

, longitudinal center of buoyancy LCB and floatation LCF, and a parameter $$\beta$$
β
related to anterior–posterior asymmetry. The main purpose of this hull-form is that it is utilized for the following two objects: the first is the simple evaluation of the seakeeping performance and wave loads in the early ship designing stage without any detailed offset data, and the second is a systematical study on the influence of a ship’s dimensions on the ship response in waves. This paper presents the derivation of the Matsui hull-form and the applicability of the proposed hull-from was confirmed by comparing the ship response in waves with the actual ships. Moreover, a sensitivity analysis of the ship response in waves was conducted as an example of the application of the proposed hull-form.
Machine Learning in the Differentiation of Soft Tissue Neoplasms: Comparison of Fat-Suppressed T2WI and Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) Features-Based Models
Authors: Hu Peian , Chen Lei , Zhou Zhengrong
Published: September 2021

Machine learning has been widely used in the characterization of tumors recently. This article aims to explore the feasibility of the whole tumor fat-suppressed (FS) T2WI and ADC features-based least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO)-logistic predictive models in the differentiation of soft tissue neoplasms (STN). The clinical and MR findings of 160 cases with 161 histologically proven STN were reviewed, retrospectively, 75 with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI withbvalues of 50, 400, and 800 s/mm2). They were divided into benign and malignant groups and further divided into training (70%) and validation (30%) cohorts. The MR FS T2WI and ADC features-based LASSO-logistic models were built and compared. The AUC of the FS T2WI features-based LASSO-logistic regression model for benign and malignant prediction was 0.65 and 0.75 for the training and validation cohorts. The model’s sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the validation cohort were 55%, 96%, and 76.6%. While the AUC of the ADC features-based model was 0.932 and 0.955 for the training and validation cohorts. The model’s sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 83.3%, 100%, and 91.7%. The performances of these models were also validated by decision curve analysis (DCA). The AUC of the whole tumor ADC features-based LASSO-logistic regression predictive model was larger than that of FS T2WI features (p = 0.017). The whole tumor fat-suppressed T2WI and ADC features-based LASSO-logistic predictive models both can serve as useful tools in the differentiation of STN. ADC features-based LASSO-logistic regression predictive model did better than that of FS T2WI features.
Möglichkeiten der Kontrazeption bei Übergewicht und Adipositas
Authors: El-Hadad Samia , Insam Charlene , Unterhuber Katharina , Merki-Feld Gabriele Susanne , Leeners Brigitte
Published: September 2021

Die weltweit steigende Prävalenz von Übergewicht und Adipositas betrifft zunehmend Frauen im fertilen Alter. Ungewollte oder ungeplante Schwangerschaften treten bei Frauen mit Übergewicht häufiger auf, was sowohl auf die mangelnde Anwendung einer effektiven Kontrazeption als auch auf die pathophysiologischen Besonderheiten, die mit einem erhöhten Körperfettanteil einhergehen, zurückzuführen ist. Eine adäquate Kontrazeptionsberatung adipöser Frauen ist daher essenziell für ihre Gesundheit und Lebensqualität. Unter den kombinierten Kontrazeptiva stellen orale Präparate, die Ethinylestradiol und Levonorgestrel (LNG) enthalten, eine effiziente Option dar, vorausgesetzt, es bestehen zusätzlich zum erhöhten Body-Mass-Index (BMI) keine weiteren Risikofaktoren für kardiovaskuläre oder thrombembolische Ereignisse. Rein gestagene Präparate zeichnen sich durch ihre geringen gesundheitlichen Risiken aus. Die Angst vor einer weiteren Gewichtszunahme ist ein häufiger Grund für das Sistieren der Einnahme, wobei dieser Zusammenhang außer für Depot-Medoxyprogesteronacetat für die meisten Präparate wissenschaftlich nicht belegt wurde. Die Wirksamkeit intrauteriner Kontrazeptiva entfaltet sich unabhängig vom Körpergewicht. Als Notfallkontrazeption ist die Einlage eines kupferhaltigen Intrauterinpessars die sicherste Methode, jedoch erheblich aufwendiger und teurer als eine orale Notfallkontrazeption. Die orale Einnahme von Ulipristalacetat 30 mg ist aufgrund der potenteren Ovulationshemmung und der stärkeren Reduktion unerwünschter Schwangerschaften gegenüber LNG 1,5 mg zu bevorzugen.
The Precautionary Principle and Expert Disagreement
Authors: Elkin Lee
Published: September 2021

The Precautionary Principle is typically construed as a conservative decision rule aimed at preventing harm. But Martin Peterson (JME 33: 5–10, 2007; The ethics of technology: A geometric analysis of five moral principles, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2017) has argued that the principle is better understood as an epistemic rule, guiding decision-makers in forming beliefs rather than choosing among possible acts. On the epistemic view, he claims there is a principle concerning expert disagreement underlying precautionary-based reasoning called the ecumenical principle: all expert views should be considered in a precautionary appraisal, not just those that are the most prominent or influential. In articulating the doxastic commitments of decision-makers under this constraint, Peterson precludes any probabilistic rule that might result in combining expert opinions. For combined or consensus probabilities are likely to provide decision-makers with information that is more precise than warranted. Contra Peterson, I argue that upon adopting a broader conception of probability, there is a probabilistic rule, under which expert opinions are combined, that is immune to his criticism and better represents the ecumenical principle.
Separate counselling services in Norwegian upper secondary schools. A possibility for a collective holistic approach?
Authors: Mathiesen Ida Holth , Gunnarsdottir Hulda Mjöll
Published: September 2021

Guidance counsellors hold an important role in youth’s educational and vocational choices, well-being and future careers. Central Norwegian policy documents recommend dividing counselling practices in schools into two functions: (1) career guidance and (2) educational welfare guidance. Policy documents also promote a holistic view of the pupil and the value of safeguarding the pupils’ best interest. This study explores how counsellors interpret these potentially conflicting recommendations for counselling practice. Our findings indicate that counsellors act as street-level bureaucrats and interpret the recommendations in relation to professional values and local contexts. Our analysis reveals three perspectives on how separate forms of counselling can be practised. The first view suggests an integrated, holistic approach. The second suggests a collective holistic approach. The third view indicates a reductionistic approach to career guidance. Counsellors appear to base their views on occupational professionalism, with the ideal of guarding the pupils’ best interest at its centre. Hence, the different understandings of separate counselling services, a holistic approach and ofwhatis in the pupils’ best interest appear significant for implementing the policy recommendations in schools.
Exclusion regions for parameter-dependent systems of equations
Authors: Ponleitner Bettina , Schichl Hermann
Published: September 2021

This paper presents a new algorithm based on interval methods for rigorously constructing inner estimates of feasible parameter regions together with enclosures of the solution set for parameter-dependent systems of nonlinear equations in low (parameter) dimensions. The proposed method allows to explicitly construct feasible parameter sets around a regular parameter value, and to rigorously enclose a particular solution curve (resp. manifold) by a union of inclusion regions, simultaneously. The method is based on the calculation of inclusion and exclusion regions for zeros of square nonlinear systems of equations. Starting from an approximate solution at a fixed set p of parameters, the new method provides an algorithmic concept on how to construct a box $${\mathbf {s}}$$
s
around p such that for each element $$s\in {\mathbf {s}}$$

s
∈
s

in the box the existence of a solution can be proved within certain error bounds.
Is there a Mineral-Induced ‘Economic Euphoria’?: Evidence from Latin America
Authors: Fenton Villar Paul
Published: September 2021

A development imperative emphasising the economic benefits of mineral extraction has led researchers to speculate about whether minerals inflate citizens’ economic expectations and, due to an upward shift in aspirations, cause a degree of dissatisfaction. Using survey data from 18 Latin American countries, this study finds evidence of the ‘euphoric effect’ of minerals materialising among household expectations concerning future changes in the economic situation of their country. Similarly, it also finds a positive and significant relationship with expectations concerning future changes in respondents’ personal economic situation. However, it does not detect a significant relationship between minerals and citizens’ life satisfaction.
Inverses of SBP-SAT Finite Difference Operators Approximating the First and Second Derivative
Authors: Eriksson Sofia
Published: September 2021

The scalar, one-dimensional advection equation and heat equation are considered. These equations are discretized in space, using a finite difference method satisfying summation-by-parts (SBP) properties. To impose the boundary conditions, we use a penalty method called simultaneous approximation term (SAT). Together, this gives rise to two semi-discrete schemes where the discretization matrices approximate the first and the second derivative operators, respectively. The discretization matrices depend on free parameters from the SAT treatment. We derive the inverses of the discretization matrices, interpreting them as discrete Green’s functions. In this direct way, we also find out precisely which choices of SAT parameters that make the discretization matrices singular. In the second derivative case, it is shown that if the penalty parameters are chosen such that the semi-discrete scheme is dual consistent, the discretization matrix can become singular even when the scheme is energy stable. The inverse formulas hold for SBP-SAT operators of arbitrary order of accuracy. For second and fourth order accurate operators, the inverses are provided explicitly.
Clergy-Perpetrated Sexual Abuse in Ghana: A Media Content Analysis of Survivors, Offenders, and Offence Characteristics
Authors: Quarshie Emmanuel Nii-Boye , Davies Priscilla Ayebea , Acharibasam Jeremiah Wezenamo , Owiredua Christiana , Atorkey Prince , Quarshie Daniel Annang , Quarshie Sandra Naa-Shasha
Published: September 2021

While there are no official data and published studies on clergy-perpetrated sexual abuse (CPSA) from Ghana, local media reports continue to show worrying trends of the phenomenon. We drew on 73 media reports from January 2000 to March 2019, to describe the offence characteristics and profiles of the perpetrators and survivors of CPSA in Ghana. The findings showed females aged 10–19 as predominant survivors. The perpetrators were all males found guilty of lone rape, incest, defilement, indecent assault, sodomy, attempted rape, or gang rape. A preventive measure could involve streamlining the recruitment, training, and leadership structures of the church.
Gibbs Distribution from Sequentially Predictive Form of the Second Law
Authors: Hiura Ken
Published: September 2021

We propose a prequential or sequentially predictive formulation of the work extraction where an external agent repeats the extraction of work from a heat engine by cyclic operations based on his predictive strategy. We show that if we impose the second law of thermodynamics in this situation, the empirical distribution of the initial microscopic states of the engine must converge to the Gibbs distribution of the initial Hamiltonian under some strategy, even though no probability distribution are assumed. We also propose a protocol where the agent can change only a small number of control parameters linearly coupled to the conjugate variables. We find that in the restricted situation the prequential form of the second law of thermodynamics implies the strong law of large numbers of the conjugate variables with respect to the control parameters. Finally, we provide a game-theoretic interpretation of our formulation and find that the prequential work extraction can be interpreted as a testing procedure for random number generator of the Gibbs distribution.
Thermochemical compatibilization of reclaimed tire rubber/ poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) blend using electron beam irradiation and amine-based chemical
Authors: Ramarad Suganti , Ratnam Chantara Thevy , Munusamy Yamuna , Rahim Nor Azura Abdul , Muniyadi Mathialagan
Published: September 2021

Waste tire rubber is commonly recycled by blending with other polymers. However, the mechanical properties of these blends were poor due to lack of adhesion between the matrix and the waste tire rubber. In this research, the use of electron beam irradiation and (3-Aminopropyl)triethoxy silane (APTES) on enhancing the performance of 50 wt% reclaimed tire rubber (RTR) blend with 50 wt% poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA) was investigated. Preparation of RTR/EVA blends were carried out in the internal mixer. The blends were then exposed to electron beam (EB) irradiation at doses ranging from 50 to 200 kGy. APTES loading was varied between 1 to 10 wt%. The processing, morphological, mechanical, and calorimetric properties of the blends were investigated. The stabilization torque and total mixing energy was higher in compatibilized blends. Mechanical properties of RTR/EVA blends were improved due to efficiency of APTES in further reclaiming the RTR and compatibilizing the blends. APTES improved the dispersion of embedded smaller RTR particles in EVA matrix and crosslinking efficiency of the blends. Calorimetric studies showed increased crystallinity in compatibilized blends which corresponds to improved mechanical properties. However, the ductility of the blend was decreased due to increased interaction between EVA and APTES. Presence of APTES increased the efficiency of electron beam irradiation induced crosslinking which was shown through gel content analysis and Charlesby-Pinner equation.
Internationalization of family firms: the effect of CEO attributes
Authors: Sánchez Pulido Laura , Moreno Gené Jordi , Gallizo Larraz José Luis
Published: September 2021

This paper examines the influence of CEO characteristics on the internationalization of family businesses. The study is based on Upper Echelons Theory, where organizational performance is related to the cognitive foundations and values of the managers of the family business. This work aims to contribute to the construction of a link between research in management teams and theoretical studies on family businesses. Using Probit and Tobit regression analyses on a sample of 1005 Spanish family businesses, this study demonstrates that CEOs with some specific characteristics are more likely to adopt some strategies for the internationalization of a company. For example, the type of studies undertaken by the CEO or the existence of a consensual strategic plan within the family business are positively linked to the adoption of an exportation strategy. Also, previous professional experience outside the family business or being a first-generation family member contributes to going international via establishing strategic alliances, while being a tenured CEO shows a positive effect on an internationalization strategy based on direct investment, but a negative effect on the establishment of strategic alliances. Finally, a family member CEO negatively affects an internationalization strategy based on direct investment. The results also affirm that the internationalization strategy is determined by the size of the business and the sector in which it operates.
Economic damages due to extreme precipitation during tropical storms: evidence from Jamaica
Authors: Collalti Dino , Strobl Eric
Published: September 2021

This study investigates economic damage risk due to extreme rainfall during tropical storms in Jamaica. To this end, remote sensing precipitation data are linked to regional damage data for five storms. Extreme value modelling of precipitation is combined with an estimated damage function and satellite-derived nightlight intensity to estimate local risk in monetary terms. The results show that variation in maximum rainfall during a storm significantly contributes to parish level damages even after controlling for local wind speed. For instance, the damage risk for a 20 year rainfall event in Jamaica is estimated to be at least 238 million USD, i.e. about 1.5% of Jamaica’s yearly GDP.
A synthetic phytosiderophore analog, proline-2′-deoxymugineic acid, is efficiently utilized by dicots
Authors: Ueno Daisei , Ito Yuta , Ohnishi Miho , Miyake Chikahiro , Sohtome Takayuki , Suzuki Motofumi
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Phytosiderophores (PS) from grasses solubilize sparingly soluble iron (Fe), and the resultant PS-Fe is an Fe source even for dicots. Recently, the synthetic PS proline-2′-deoxymugineic acid (PDMA) has been developed as a moderately biodegradable Fe fertilizer for grasses. We aimed to investigate whether PDMA-Fe is also a good Fe source for dicots.

Methods

The availability of PDMA-Fe to cucumber was evaluated in a calcareous substrate and hydroponic cultures at pH 7.0–9.0 by determining chlorophyll level, PSII activity, and Fe uptake. EDDHA-Fe, EDTA-Fe, and citrate-Fe were used as controls. The reducibility of Fe chelates by roots was measured to determine the mechanism underlying differences in availability. Expressions of Fe deficiency-inducible genes were analyzed to estimate the Fe status in plants.

Results

The application of PDMA-Fe and EDDHA-Fe to a calcareous substrate reduced Fe-deficient chlorosis to a similar extent; however, the shoot Fe concentration was higher in the PDMA-Fe treatment. In the hydroponic culture, the availability of PDMA-Fe was higher than that of the other chelates at all pH levels, and this was confirmed by higher PSII activity and lower expression of Fe deficiency-inducible genes. The reducibility assay revealed that the reduction level of PDMA-Fe was greater than that of EDTA-Fe and citrate-Fe under alkaline pH.

Conclusions

PDMA-Fe is utilized by cucumber roots more efficiently than traditional synthetic chelates in both calcareous substrate and hydroponic cultures. The higher availability of PDMA-Fe may be attributed to its higher reducibility. Our findings suggest that PDMA-Fe could be a good Fe fertilizer for dicots.
Variational Principles for Maximization Problems with Lower-semicontinuous Goal Functions
Authors: Ivanov M. , Kenderov P.S. , Revalski J.P.
Published: September 2021

Let X be a completely regular topological space and f a real-valued bounded from above lower semicontinuous function in it. Let C(X) be the space of all bounded continuous real-valued functions in X endowed with the usual sup-norm. We show that the following two properties are equivalent:

X is α-favourable (in the sense of the Banach-Mazur game);

The set of functions h in C(X) for which f + h attains its supremum in X contains a dense and Gδ-subset of the space C(X).

In particular, property (b) has place if X is a compact space or, more generally, if X is homeomorphic to a dense Gδ subset of a compact space.

We show also the equivalence of the following stronger properties:

X contains some dense completely metrizable subset;

the set of functions h in C(X) for which f + h has strong maximum in X contains a dense and Gδ-subset of the space C(X).

If X is a complete metric space and f is bounded, then the set of functions h from C(X) for which f + h has both strong maximum and strong minimum in X contains a dense Gδ-subset of C(X).
Direct Comparison of [18F]F-DPA with [18F]DPA-714 and [11C]PBR28 for Neuroinflammation Imaging in the same Alzheimer’s Disease Model Mice and Healthy Controls
Authors: López-Picón Francisco R. , Keller Thomas , Bocancea Diana , Helin Jatta S. , Krzyczmonik Anna , Helin Semi , Damont Annelaure , Dollé Frédéric , Rinne Juha O. , Haaparanta-Solin Merja , Solin Olof
Published: September 2021

Purpose

In this study we compared the recently developed TSPO tracer [18F]F-DPA, with [18F]DPA-714 and [11C]PBR28 by performing in vivo PET imaging on the same Alzheimer’s disease mouse model APP/PS1-21 (TG) and wild-type (WT) mice with all three radiotracers.

Procedures

To compare the radiotracer uptake, percentage of injected dose/mL (%ID/mL), standardized uptake value ratios to cerebellum (SUVRCB), and voxel-wise analyses were performed.

Results

The peak uptake of [18F]F-DPA was higher than 4.3% ID/mL, while [18F]DPA-714 reached just over 3% ID/mL, and [11C]PBR28 was over 4% ID/mL in only one brain region in the WT mice. The peak/60-min uptake ratios of [18F]F-DPA were significantly higher (p < 0.001) than those of [18F]DPA-714 and [11C]PBR28. The differences in [18F]F-DPA SUVRCB between WT and TG mice were highly significant (p < 0.001) in the three studied time periods after injection. [18F]DPA-714 uptake was significantly higher in TG mice starting in the 20–40-min timeframe and increased thereafter, whereas [11C]PBR28 uptake became significant at 10–20 min (p < 0.05). The voxel-wise analysis confirmed the differences between the radiotracers.

Conclusions

[18F]F-DPA displays higher brain uptake, higher TG-to-WT SUVRCB ratios, and faster clearance than [18F]DPA-714 and [11C]PBR28, and could prove useful for detecting low levels of inflammation and allow for shorter dynamic PET scans.
Gender Differences in Children’s Psychological Well-Being in Mainland China: Risk and Protective Factors
Authors: Geng Yanling , He Longtao
Published: September 2021

Despite extensive research on children’s psychological well-being, little consensus about gender’s influence has been reached. In response, we examined gender differences in children’s psychological well-being in mainland China, along with the gender-based risk and protective factors and their effects on psychological well-being. For a sample, we compiled data with 2466 children aged between 10 and 15 years old derived from the China Family Panel Studies. Among our results, an independent sample t test indicated that girls in China reported higher psychological well-being than boys. A multiple regression analysis revealed that certain protective factors associated with children’s competence and protective factors in their family and school systems could promote the psychological well-being of both boys and girls, while risk factors such as academic pressure and parent–child conflict were detrimental to the psychological health of all children regardless of gender. We discuss gender differences in those risk and protective effects, and with reference to our findings, we propose social service recommendations aimed at boosting the psychological well-being of children in mainland China.
Quantile inference for nonstationary processes with infinite variance innovations
Authors: Liu Qi-meng , Liao Gui-li , Zhang Rong-mao
Published: September 2021

Based on the quantile regression, we extend Koenker and Xiao (2004) and Ling and McAleer (2004)’s works from finite-variance innovations to infinite-variance innovations. A robustt-ratio statistic to test for unit-root and a re-sampling method to approximate the critical values of thet-ratio statistic are proposed in this paper. It is shown that the limit distribution of the statistic is a functional of stable processes and a Brownian bridge. The finite sample studies show that the proposedt-ratio test always performs significantly better than the conventional unit-root tests based on least squares procedure, such as the Augmented Dick Fuller (ADF) and Philliphs-Perron (PP) test, in the sense of power and size when infinite-variance disturbances exist. Also, quantile Kolmogorov-Smirnov (QKS) statistic and quantile Cramer-von Mises (QCM) statistic are considered, but the finite sample studies show that they perform poor in power and size, respectively. An application to the Consumer Price Index for nine countries is also presented.
More than meets the eye: use of computer vision algorithms to identify stone tool material through the analysis of cut mark micro-morphology
Authors: Cifuentes-Alcobendas Gabriel , Domínguez-Rodrigo Manuel
Published: September 2021

Artificial intelligence algorithms have recently been applied to taphonomic questions with great success, outperforming previous methods of bone surface modification (BSM) identification. Following these new developments, here we try different deep learning model architectures, optimizers and activation functions to assess if it is possible to identify a stone tool’s raw material simply by looking at the cut marks that it created on bone. The deep learning models correctly discerned between flint, sandstone and quartzite with accuracy rates as high as 78%. Also, single models seem to work better than ensemble ones, and there is no optimal combination of hyperparameters that perform better in every possible scenario. Model fine-tuning is thus advised as a protocol. These results consolidate the potential of deep learning methods to make classifications out of BSM’s microscopic features with a higher degree of confidence and more objectively than alternative taphonomic procedures.
Insights into the application of soccer-specific actions in established and new game forms of youth soccer
Authors: Lex Heiko , Simon Malte , Schwab Sebastian
Published: September 2021

Soccer is constantly changing regarding the demands of the new generation. At its best, young players develop outstanding technical and tactical skills as well as a wealth of competition experience. In addition to targeted training, maintaining motivation is one of the biggest challenges facing youth coaches. One possible way is to build their confidence while having fun. As a new game form, 3 vs. 3 unites the main events of the soccer game, challenges young players in a versatile manner, and promotes joy. In the present study, 23 games played in the new and 16 games played in the established competitive styles (7 vs. 7 and 6 vs. 6) were compared and analyzed regarding the variables passing, dribbling, shooting, and scoring. MANOVA revealed a significant effect for the factor game form: F(4,33) = 8.974, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.521. Additionally, post-hoc comparisons (using Sidak correction) indicated a significantly higher number for the occurrence of each game event in the new game form. This finding suggests an increased involvement. Child-friendly small-sided games (SSG; like the new game form) will help to promote children in the best way and inspire them to play soccer for a long time.
Congenital amusia—pathology of musical disorder
Authors: Szyfter Krzysztof , Wigowska-Sowińska Jadwiga
Published: September 2021

Amusia also known as tone deafness affects roughly 1.5% population. Congenital amusia appears from birth and lasts over life span. Usually, it is not associated with other diseases. Its link to hearing impairment has been definitively excluded. Neurobiological studies point to asymmetrical processing of musical signals in auditory cortex of left and right brain hemispheres. The finding was supported by discovering microlesions in the right-side gray matter. Because of its connection with asymmetry, amusia has been classified to disconnection syndromes. Alternatively to the neurobiological explanation of amusia background, an attention was turned to the significance of genetic factors. The studies done on relatives and twins indicated familial aggregation of amusia. Molecular genetic investigations linked amusia with deletion of 22q11.2 chromosome region. Until now no specific genes responsible for development of amusia were found.
Optimization of several surface treatment processes for alleviating fretting damage of a locking pin
Authors: He Jifan , Cai Zhenbing , Ren Yanping , Peng Jinfang , Liu Jianhua , Zhu Minhao
Published: September 2021

The operational safety and reliability of a variable gauge train are affected by the anti-fretting wear performance of the locking mechanism. The main purpose of this study is to optimize the surface treatment process for a locking pin material under actual service conditions to alleviate fretting damage. Based on the two basic principles of surface strengthening and friction reduction, a substrate (AISI 4135 steel) surface was treated by laser quenching (LQ), plasma nitriding (PN), and bonded MoS2 coating. Systematic fretting wear tests were conducted, and the wear behavior and damage mechanism of various treated surfaces were comprehensively investigated. The results indicate that the wear resistances of the LQ- and PN-treated surfaces were significantly improved, and their main wear mechanisms were abrasive wear, delamination, and oxidation wear. The MoS2 coating exhibits the lowest friction coefficient and energy dissipation due to its self-lubricating property, but it incurs the highest wear rate and failure in the form of plastic deformation. Furthermore, the rough compound layer with a high hardness on the PN-treated surface is conducive to the formation and maintenance of the third-body contact at the fretting interface, consequently resulting in a significant reduction in wear. An optimal surface treatment process for alleviating fretting damage of the locking pin is recommended via comprehensive evaluation, which provides a reference for the anti-fretting protection of related mechanical components.
A Montgomery–Hooley Theorem for sums of two cubes
Authors: Brüdern Jörg , Vaughan Robert C.
Published: September 2021

Asympototic formulae are obtained for the variance associated with the distribution in arithmetic progressions of the numbers that are the sum of two positive cubes of integers.
Self-inflicted injury and the older trauma patient: a 20 year review of suicide attempts and outcomes
Authors: Schaffer Kathryn B. , Dandan Tala , Bayat Dunya , Castelo Matthew R. , Reames Summer H. , Hutkin-Slade Linda , Biffl Walter L.
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Older patients (Older) have complex health management needs often requiring additional resources. Mental health disorders are common among trauma patients, yet minimal information on older suicidal related injury and outcomes exists. A review of trauma patients with intentional self-inflicted injury at one trauma center was done to describe and identify unique elements of this cohort of patients.

Methods

Trauma registry data from 2000 to 2019 were reviewed for intentional injury and data abstracted included demographics, injury severity, diagnoses, comorbidities and outcomes. Cohorts by age were compared: Older (65 +) vs Younger (< 65). Values considered significant at p ≤ 0.05.

Results

557 suicide attempts were identified with 9% among Older patients. Most patients were male with median age of 75 years for Older and 35 years for Younger cohort, with similar length of stay (LOS) and injury severity scores (ISS). Penetrating injury was more common among Older patients with firearm used most often, 34% vs 14% for Younger. Differences were evident between male and female Older patients with ISS 16.7 vs 5, p < 0.01 and mortality, p = 0.03. The outcome of discharge to home was significantly different between Older and Younger, 6% vs 20% (p < 0.05). A difference in mortality was evident, Older 38% vs Younger 18% (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

With the growing aging population, it is important to acknowledge the resultant increase in concomitant mental health issues and suicidality among older patients, where depression may be undiagnosed and untreated. Providing care within this cohort may reduce future attempts and lessen the burden on the health care system.
Fehlermanagementkultur und Fehlervermeidungskultur in Schulklassen
Authors: Fischer Sebastian , Freund Philipp Alexander
Published: September 2021

Der individuelle Umgang von Schüler*innen mit Fehlern im Unterricht hängt von der auf Klassenebene etablierten gemeinsamen Kultur im Umgang mit Fehlern zusammen. Der vorliegende Artikel entwickelt theoriegeleitet Skalen zur Messung einer Fehlermanagement- und Fehlervermeidungskultur im Unterricht und untersucht Zusammenhänge der beiden Fehlerkulturdimensionen mit Lernmotivation, Kognition und Verhalten. Ergebnisse anhand der Daten von insgesamt N = 1306 Schüler*innen in K = 61 Klassen der Jahrgangsstufen 7 bis 9 zeigen, dass eine Fehlermanagementkultur in Schulklassen mit einer hohen intrinsischen Lernmotivation, aber auch mit weiteren lernförderlichen Verhaltensweisen (wenig Schummeln und Self-Handicapping) und Kognitionen (weniger gefühlter Stress bei Fehlern und geringere gefühlte Hilflosigkeit bei stärkerem Fähigkeitsselbstkonzept) einhergeht. Dagegen ist eine Fehlervermeidungskultur weniger stark mit diesen lernförderlichen Verhaltensweisen und Kognitionen verbunden, dafür aber mit einer Leistungszielorientierung oder -vermeidung, sowie mit gefühlter Hilflosigkeit und Self-Handicapping. Die Ergebnisse deuten auf Vorteile einer Fehlermanagementkultur gegenüber einer Fehlervermeidungskultur im Unterricht hinsichtlich von Variablen hin, die das Lernen fördern.
Developmental pathways linking the quality and intensity of organized afterschool activities in middle school to academic performance in high school
Authors: Liu Yangyang , Simpkins Sandra D. , Vandell Deborah Lowe
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Adolescents' organized afterschool activities have been linked to their academic performance, but processes contributing to these relations are not well understood. This study tested two pathways linking activity intensity and activity quality in 6th grade to high school academic performance: adolescents' activities in 9th grade and adolescents’ academic skills in 9th grade.

Methods

Data were from the Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development, a longitudinal study conducted at 10 sites in the United States. Data were collected from 918 participants (51% female) who were assessed in 6th grade (Age 12; middle school), 9th grade (Age 15; beginning of high school), and 12th grade (Age 18; end of high school).

Results & Conclusions

Findings from structural equation models indicated that adolescents who had higher activity intensity and activity quality in 6th grade participated in activities with higher intensity and quality in 9th grade. These 9th grade activities formed an indirect path linking 6th grade activities to high school academic performance, including grades and number of advanced classes. In addition, 6th grade activity quality promoted adolescents’ work orientations in 9th grade, a key academic disposition that then predicted grades and number of advanced classes in high school. These findings suggest that organized afterschool activities in middle school may prepare adolescents for academic success in high school via their participation in activities in 9th grade as well a stronger work orientation in 9th grade.
Coalescence and the Spread of Glaze-Painted Pottery in the Central Rio Grande: The View from Tijeras Pueblo (LA581), New Mexico
Authors: Habicht-Mauche Judith A. , Eckert Suzanne L.
Published: September 2021

The concept of coalescent communities has been widely used by North American archaeologists as a framework for understanding cultural responses to social upheaval. In this article we explore how the concept of coalescence helps us understand the processes that led to the emergence of aggregated settlements in the Albuquerque district of the central Rio Grande Valley around the turn of the fourteenth century. We argue that such communities emerged as strategic local responses to disruptive social and demographic trends on a macroregional scale. Specifically, we use NAA and petrographic sourcing of Western Pueblo- and Rio Grande-style glaze-painted pottery in conjunction with settlement data from the site of Tijeras Pueblo (LA581) to explore how the amalgamation of immigrant and autochthonous people, technology, knowledge, and ritual creatively and radically transformed local and regional practices of community and identity formation.
Complex Designers and Emergent Design: Reforming the Investment Treaty System
Authors: Roberts Anthea , St John Taylor
Published: September 2021

How do actors undertake institutional design in complex systems? Scholars recognize that many international regimes are becoming increasingly complex. Yet relatively little is known about how actors design or redesign institutions amid this complexity. As participant-observers in the UN negotiations on investment treaty reform, we have watched state officials and other participants grapple with this question for several years. To help explain what we have observed, we conceptualize these participants as complex designers—actors who seek to design and redesign institutions within complex adaptive systems. We then formulate three emergent design principles that seem to guide their approach as they aim to create: flexible structures, balanced content, and adaptive management processes. In a dynamic era marked by unpredictability, division, and complex transnational challenges, we believe these concepts may prove to be increasingly relevant in global governance.
Applying a scoping review approach for identifying effective implementation strategies in oral health settings
Authors: Guerrero Erick G. , Kaplan Charles D. , Gruß Inga , Frantsve-Hawley Julie , Fellows Jeffrey L. , Yosuf Nadia , Polk Deborah E.
Published: September 2021

Dental service providers have limited capacity to identify strategies to implement evidence-based practices (EBPs). We developed a rigorous yet parsimonious scoping review approach to identify, select, and rate implementation strategies based on an oral health system context. From 153 strategies identified, we selected the top 11 strategies, which had a moderate level of support of evidence and where managers were the main actors. The main actions were to educate, remind, structure, and influence. Targets included dentists, dental hygienists, and assistants and managers from a large prepaid dental care delivery system. This approach responds to calls for rapid and innovative methods to implement EBPs in oral health.
An outbreak of severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections among hospital personnel with high mRNA vaccine uptake
Authors: Tene Yael , Levytskyi Katia , Adler Amos , Halutz Ora , Paran Yael , Goldshmidt Hanoch , Itzhaki-Alfia Ayelet , Halperin Tamar , Stepansky Sarit , Ben-Ami Ronen , Henig Oryan
Published: September 2021

Real-world studies have demonstrated impressive effectiveness of the BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine in preventing symptomatic and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. We describe an outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 infections in a hospital with high vaccine uptake. We found a low secondary attack rate (7%), suggesting low infectivity of vaccinated persons with vaccine breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infections.
What's in a buzzword? A systematic review of the state of populism research in political science
Authors: Hunger Sophia , Paxton Fred
Published: September 2021

Although attention to populism is ever-increasing, the concept remains contested. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of populism research and identifies tendencies to a conflation of host ideologies and populism in political science through a two-step analysis. First, we conduct a quantitative review of 884 abstracts from 2004 to 2018 using text-as-data methods. We show that scholars sit at “separate tables,” divided by geographical foci, methods, and host ideologies. Next, our qualitative analysis of 50 articles finds a common conflation of populism with other ideologies, resulting in the analytical neglect of the former. We, therefore, urge researchers to properly distinguish populism from “what it travels with” and engage more strongly with the dynamic interlinkages between thin and thick ideologies.
Point break: using machine learning to uncover a critical mass in women's representation
Authors: Funk Kendall D. , Paul Hannah L. , Philips Andrew Q.
Published: September 2021

Decades of research has debated whether women first need to reach a “critical mass” in the legislature before they can effectively influence legislative outcomes. This study contributes to the debate using supervised tree-based machine learning to study the relationship between increasing variation in women's legislative representation and the allocation of government expenditures in three policy areas: education, healthcare, and defense. We find that women's representation predicts spending in all three areas. We also find evidence of critical mass effects as the relationships between women's representation and government spending are nonlinear. However, beyond critical mass, our research points to a potential critical mass interval or critical limit point in women's representation. We offer guidance on how these results can inform future research using standard parametric models.
Invariance of KMS states on graph C*-algebras under classical and quantum symmetry
Authors: Joardar Soumalya , Mandal Arnab
Published: September 2021

We study the invariance of KMS states on graph $C^{\ast }$-algebras coming from strongly connected and circulant graphs under the classical and quantum symmetry of the graphs. We show that the unique KMS state for strongly connected graphs is invariant under the quantum automorphism group of the graph. For circulant graphs, it is shown that the action of classical and quantum automorphism groups preserves only one of the KMS states occurring at the critical inverse temperature. We also give an example of a graph $C^{\ast }$-algebra having more than one KMS state such that all of them are invariant under the action of classical automorphism group of the graph, but there is a unique KMS state which is invariant under the action of quantum automorphism group of the graph.