bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficient adjoint-based well-placement optimization using flow diagnostics proxies
Authors: Krogstad Stein , Nilsen Halvor Møll
Published: November 2021

Model-based optimization of placement and trajectories of wells in petroleum reservoirs by the means of reservoir simulation forecasts is computationally demanding due to the high number of simulations typically required to achieve a local optimum. In this work, we develop an efficient flow-diagnostics proxy for net-present-value (NPV) with adjoint capabilities for efficient computation of well control gradients and approximate sensitivities with respect to placement/trajectory parameters. The suggested flow-diagnostic proxy consists of numerically solving a single pressure equation for the given scenario and the solution of a few inter-well time-of-flight and steady-state tracer equations, typically achieved in a few seconds for a reservoir model of medium size. Although the proxy may not be a particularly good approximation for the full reservoir simulation response, we find that for the cases considered, the correlation is very good and hence the proxy is suitable for use in an optimization loop. The adjoint simulation for the proxy model which provides control gradients and placement sensitivities is of similar computational complexity as the forward proxy model (a few seconds). We employ a version of the generalized reduced gradient for handling individual well constraints (e.g., bottom-hole-pressures and rates). As a result, the individual well constraints are enforced within the flow-diagnostics computations, and hence every parameter update becomes feasible without sacrificing gradient information. We present two numerical experiments illustrating the efficiency and performance of the approach for well placement problems involving trajectories and simulation models of realistic complexity. The suggested placements are evaluated using full simulations. We conclude by discussing limitations and possible enhancements of the methodology.
Circulating insulin-like growth factor-I and risk of 25 common conditions: outcome-wide analyses in the UK Biobank study
Authors: Papier Keren , Knuppel Anika , Perez-Cornago Aurora , Watts Eleanor L. , Tong Tammy Y. N. , Schmidt Julie A. , Allen Naomi , Key Timothy J. , Travis Ruth C.
Published: November 2021

While there is strong epidemiological evidence that circulating insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is associated with a higher risk of several cancers, little is known about its association with non-cancer outcomes. We investigated associations of circulating IGF-I with risk of 25 common conditions, other than cancer, in a large British cohort. Study participants were 318,749 middle-aged adults enrolled in the UK Biobank Study. Serum IGF-I concentration was measured in samples collected at baseline (2006–2010), and re-measured in 12,334 participants after an average of 4.3 years. We followed-up participants over an average of 11.5 years by linking to hospital admissions and mortality registries. Multivariable-adjusted Cox regressions estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between circulating IGF-I and 25 common conditions, using the repeated IGF-I measurements to correct for regression dilution bias. After correction for multiple testing (P < 0.002), IGF-I was positively associated with carpal tunnel syndrome (HR per 5 nmol/l higher concentration = 1.12, 95% CI 1.08–1.16), and inversely associated with varicose veins (0.90, 0.85–0.95), cataracts (0.97, 0.95–0.99), diabetes (0.92, 0.90–0.95), and iron deficiency anaemia (0.90, 0.86–0.93). The associations for cataracts and diabetes attenuated when restricted to cases diagnosed after five or more years of follow-up, suggesting that these associations were likely affected by reverse causality. Higher IGF-I concentration might be associated with the risk for several conditions, but genetic studies are needed to clarify which associations may be causal.
Cold traps as reliable devices for quantitative determination of SARS-CoV-2 load in aerosols
Authors: Gehrke Sven G. , Förderer Claudia , Weiskirchen Ralf , Stremmel Wolfgang
Published: November 2021

Spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a demanding challenge. This is of particular importance in schools and public areas of unavoidable access. New viral mutations may increase infectivity and require even better methods to identify areas of potential hazards. High-throughput SARS-CoV-2 testing and legal restrictions are not effective in order to get the current outbreak under control. The occurrence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants with a higher transmissibility requires efficient strategies for early detection and surveillance. Until today, testing focuses on nasal or pharyngeal mucosa swabs, neglecting the origin of aerosolic transmission, thus failing to detect the spread by carriers of the virus. Therefore, in this study, SARS-CoV-2 RNA levels were determined by quantitative real time PCR in aerosols collected by non-powered cold traps. SARS-CoV-2 spreading kinetics were recorded in indoor hotspots within a high-endemic area. These hotspots included a SARS-CoV-2 isolation unit, an outpatient endoscopy facility, a concert hall, and a shopping mall. For determination of viral presence aerosols were collected by cold traps positioned at different locations in the area of interest over a period of 4–6 h. Indoor SARS-CoV-2 hotspots were found in non-ventilated areas and in zones that are predisposed to a buoyancy (chimney) effect. SARS-CoV-2 RNA in those aerosols reached concentrations of 105 copies/mL, while extensive outdoor air ventilation reliably eliminated SARS-CoV-2 aerosol contamination. The method presented herein is effective for the identification of SARS-CoV-2 indoor hotspots and may help to characterize the spreading kinetics of SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, it can be used for the surveillance of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. Due to low costs and easy handling, the procedure might enable efficient algorithms for COVID-19 screening and prevention.
Surgical management of Helveston syndrome (Triad exotropia)
Authors: Jin Xiaoqin , Peng Yi , Al-wesabi Samer Abdo , Deng Jun , Ming Yue , Wu Xi
Published: November 2021

Purpose

To evaluate and compare different surgical approaches for the treatment of Helveston syndrome and provide further information for preoperative planning.

Methods

From February 2008 to December 2018, data of 52 patients with Helveston syndrome were retrospectively reviewed. Different surgical approaches were selected based on the extent of A-pattern exotropia, dissociated vertical deviation (DVD), and both superior oblique muscle overaction (SOOA) with fundus photograph intorsion. Eye position, A-pattern, DVD, superior oblique muscle function, and binocular vision function were evaluated pre- and postoperatively. The average follow-up duration was 20.5 months.

Results

Nine cases underwent simultaneous horizontal deviation correction with bilateral superior rectus recession, 24 underwent simultaneous horizontal deviation correction with bilateral superior oblique muscle lengthening, and 19 underwent two stages of horizontal deviation correction with superior oblique muscle lengthening, and later bilateral superior rectus recession. A-pattern, DVD, SOOA, and fundus intorsion were all collapsed in all patients postoperatively. Forty-five patients had an orthophoric eye position with considerably aligned ocular movements postoperatively. The total success rate was 86.5%. Postoperatively, eight of the 10 patients with diplopia experienced a recovery of binocular single vision and three had a recovery of rudimentary stereopsis (Titmus 3000–400 s of arc). The compensatory head posture of patients improved significantly postoperatively.

Conclusions

The surgical planning of Helveston syndrome should be designed based on the degree of the A-pattern, SOOA, DVD, and the intorsion in fundus photographs, and the appropriate approach should be selected to improve patient satisfaction.
Well-being Changes from Year to Year: A Comparison of Current, Remembered and Predicted Life Satisfaction
Authors: Klemm Marcus
Published: November 2021

I study yearly changes in personal well-being combining data on current, retrospective and prospective life satisfaction from the German Socio-Economic Panel. Predicted and remembered changes in life satisfaction are both positive on average and match well, whereas the average year to year-change inferred from reports of current life satisfaction is negative. Retrospective assessments of past well-being are strongly influenced by current life satisfaction, significantly related to past life satisfaction and linked to past predictions of current satisfaction. Due to different problems related to the ordinal measurement scale, changes in subjective reference systems and recall ability, the analysis overall suggests that direct reports of intertemporal changes provide valuable additional information for the analysis of individual well-being.
Levels of the absolute in Husserl
Authors: Marosan Bence Peter
Published: November 2021

Edmund Husserl’s ultimate aim was to give an overall philosophical explanation of the totality of Being. In this endeavour, the term “absolute” was crucial for him. In this paper, I aim to clarify the most important ways in which Husserl used this notion. I attempt to show that, despite his rather divergent usages, eventually three fundamental meanings and coordinated levels of the “absolute” can be differentiated in his thought: the epistemological (absolute evidence and ego), the ontological (intersubjectivity), and the theological or metaphysical level (God). According to Husserl, we can approach this ultimate level of the Absolute, through the method of phenomenological construction. A closer reading of Husserl’s texts shows that his conception of the absolute was astonishingly modern. The main features of the conception—on all three levels—were non-foundationalism, contextualism, openness, and circularity. Each level mutually founds and determines the others. It is a non-foundational Absolute, the moments of which constitute an organic and open totality which is essentially processual. In my interpretation, this theory opens a fruitful working area, which has enormous philosophical potential and is surprisingly up-to-date.
On The Randomized Schmitter Problem
Authors: Albrecher Hansjörg , Araujo-Acuna José Carlos
Published: November 2021

We revisit the classical Schmitter problem in ruin theory and consider it for randomly chosen initial surplus level U. We show that the computational simplification that is obtained for exponentially distributed U allows to connect the problem to m-convex ordering, from which simple and sharp analytical bounds for the ruin probability are obtained, both for the original (but randomized) problem and for extensions involving higher moments. In addition, we show that the solution to the classical problem with deterministic initial surplus level can conveniently be approximated via Erlang(k)-distributed U for sufficiently large k, utilizing the computational advantages of the advocated randomization approach.
How are we measuring health-related quality of life in patients with a Barrett Esophagus? A systematic review on patient-reported outcome measurements
Authors: van der Ende-van Loon Mirjam C. M. , Stoker A. , Nieuwkerk P. T. , Curvers W. L. , Schoon E. J.
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Barrett esophagus (BE) is associated with a significant decrease of health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Too often, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are applied without considering what they measure and for which purposes they are suitable. With this systematic review, we provide researchers and physicians with an overview of all the instruments previously used for measuring HRQoL in BE patients and which PROMs are most appropriate from the patient’s perspective.

Methods

A comprehensive search was performed to identify all PROMs used for measuring HRQoL in BE patients, to identify factors influencing HRQoL according to BE patients, and to evaluate each PROM from a patients’ perspective.

Results

Among the 27 studies, a total of 32 different HRQoL instruments were identified. None of these instruments were designed or validated for use in BE patients. Four qualitative studies were identified exploring factors influencing HRQoL in the perceptions of BE patients. These factors included fear of cancer, anxiety, trust in physician, sense of control, uncertainty, worry, burden of endoscopy, knowledge and understanding, gastrointestinal symptoms, sleeping difficulties, diet and lifestyle, use of medication, and support of family and friends.

Conclusion

None of the quantitative studies measuring HRQoL in BE patients sufficiently reflected the perceptions of HRQoL in BE patients. Only gastrointestinal symptoms and anxiety were addressed in the majority of the studies. For the selection of PROMs, we encourage physicians and researchers measuring HRQoL to choose their PROMs from a patient perspective and not strictly based on health professionals’ definitions of what is relevant.
Land Value Taxation: A Spatially Explicit Economic Experiment with Endogenous Institutions
Authors: Duke Joshua M. , Gao TianHang
Published: November 2021

An economic experiment with endogenous institutions informs the political economy of land value taxation relative to uniform property taxation in terms of efficiency and sprawl reduction. Heterogeneous type distributions were used so that land value taxation was earnings-rational, relative to uniform property taxation, for 40, 60, and 80 percent of the participants. The model’s induced values predict land value taxation leads to less sprawl, more earnings, and more tax revenue than uniform property taxation. Experimental data do not consistently match this prediction, where both tax institutions led to more sprawl and lower earnings than predicted. Results show participants voted for the tax institution that does not maximize their individual earnings in 16.7 percent of rounds. These earnings-irrational choices occurred when the type distributions were 40 and 60 percent in favor of land value taxation. The experiment results nonetheless show the absolute advantage of land value taxation for producing less sprawl, more tax revenue, and more earnings. Moreover, the behavioral evidence suggests that relative advantage of land value taxation in reducing sprawl is greater than predicted by the model. This suggests further inquiry about whether land value taxation promotion activities may best be targeted towards cities using uniform property taxation where economies are vibrant, land uses are already relatively intensive, and greater-than-average population density already exists.
Word order in heritage Russian: clause type and majority language matter
Authors: Zuban Yulia , Martynova Maria , Zerbian Sabine , Szucsich Luka , Gagarina Natalia
Published: November 2021

Heritage speakers (HSs) are known to differ from monolingual speakers in various linguistic domains. The present study focuses on the syntactic properties of monolingual and heritage Russian. Using a corpus of semi-spontaneous spoken and written narratives produced by HSs of Russian residing in the US and Germany, we investigate HSs’ word order patterns and compare them to monolingual speakers of Russian from Saint Petersburg. Our results show that the majority language (ML) of HSs as well as the clause type contribute to observed differences in word order patterns between speaker groups. Specifically, HSs in Germany performed similarly to monolingual speakers of Russian while HSs in the US generally produced more SVO and less OVS orders than the speakers of the latter group. Furthermore, HSs in the US produced more SVO orders than both monolingual speakers and HSs in Germany in embedded clauses, but not in main clauses. The results of the study are discussed with the reference to the differences between main and embedded clauses as well as the differences between the MLs of the HSs.
Type studies and fourteen new North American species of Cortinarius section Anomali reveal high continental species diversity
Authors: Dima Bálint , Liimatainen Kare , Niskanen Tuula , Bojantchev Dimitar , Harrower Emma , Papp Viktor , Nagy László G. , Kovács Gábor M. , Ammirati Joseph F.
Published: November 2021

Section Anomali is a species-rich group in North America belonging to Cortinarius, the most diverse genus in the Agaricales. This study is based on extensive morphological investigations and molecular methods using 191 nrDNA ITS sequence data and recovered 43 phylogenetic species from which 14 are described here as new to science. We sequenced ten type materials which belonged to eight species. The synonymy of C. caesiellus with C. albidipes and C. copakensis with C. albocyaneus is proposed here. The North American occurrence of four species (C. albocyaneus, C. anomalus, C. caninus, and C. tabularis), so far known only from Europe, was confirmed. Thirteen species were not formally described here due to lack of relevant information. An identification key to the known Anomali species in North America is provided.
Inter- and Intrapopulational Heterogeneity of Characteristic Markers in Adult Human Neural Crest-derived Stem Cells
Authors: Windmöller Beatrice A. , Höving Anna L. , Knabbe Cornelius , Greiner Johannes F. W.
Published: November 2021

Adult human neural crest-derived stem cells (NCSCs) are found in a variety of adult tissues and show an extraordinary broad developmental potential. Despite their great differentiation capacity, increasing evidence suggest a remaining niche-dependent variability between different NCSC-populations regarding their differentiation behavior and expression signatures. In the present study, we extended the view on heterogeneity of NCSCs by identifying heterogeneous expression levels and protein amounts of characteristic markers even between NCSCs from the same niche of origin. In particular, populations of neural crest-derived inferior turbinate stem cells (ITSCs) isolated from different individuals showed significant variations in characteristic NCSC marker proteins Nestin, S100 and Slug in a donor-dependent manner. Notably, increased nuclear protein amounts of Slug were accompanied by a significantly elevated level of nuclear NF-κB-p65 protein, suggesting an NF-κB-dependent regulation of NCSC-makers. In addition to this interpopulational genetic heterogeneity of ITSC-populations from different donors, single ITSCs also revealed a strong heterogeneity regarding the protein amounts of Nestin, S100, Slug and NF-κB-p65 even within the same clonal culture. Our present findings therefor strongly suggest ITSC-heterogeneity to be at least partly based on an interpopulational genetic heterogeneity dependent on the donor accompanied by a stochastic intrapopulational heterogeneity between single cells. We propose this stochastic intrapopulational heterogeneity to occur in addition to the already described genetic variability between clonal NCSC-cultures and the niche-dependent plasticity of NCSCs. Our observations offer a novel perspective on NCSC-heterogeneity, which may build the basis to understand heterogeneous NCSC-behavior.

Graphical Abstract
Association of Left Atrial Sphericity with Risk of Stroke in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation. Sub-Analysis of the ASSAM Study
Authors: Dudzińska-Szczerba Katarzyna , Zalewska Marta , Niemiro Wojciech , Michałowska Ilona , Piotrowski Roman , Sikorska Agnieszka , Kułakowski Piotr , Baran Jakub
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The study was designed to evaluate the value of left atrial (LA) sphericity (LASP) in the identification of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who had prior ischemic stroke. The secondary aim was to investigate the possibility of improving stroke risk assessment based on six geometrical variables of LA.

Methods

This prospective observational study involved 157 patients: 74 in the stroke group and 83 in the control. All patients had cardiac computed tomography (CT) performed to analyze LA volume and dimensions. LASP and the discriminant function of six geometrical measurements were calculated.

Results

Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a significant association of stroke with and gender, diabetes, CHA2DS2-VASc score, LA anteroposterior diameter, and LA sphericity. Patients with prior stroke had lower LASP than those without (66.6 ± 10.3% vs. 70.5 ± 7%; p = 0.0062). The most accurate identification of patients with a history of ischemic stroke was achieved by using a function of six geometrical measurements, the sphericity and volume coefficient. The C-statistic was higher for the above discriminant function (0.7273) than for LASP (0.3974). The addition of the discriminant function to the CHA2DS2-VASc score increased the performance of the risk score alone.

Conclusion

LASP is associated with prior stroke in AF patients. The proposed new formula for identification of AF patients who are at risk of stroke, based on geometrical measurements of LA, is superior to the basic LASP in identification of AF patients with a history of stroke.
Intelligent vision based wear forecasting on surfaces of machine tool elements
Authors: Schlagenhauf Tobias , Burghardt Niklas
Published: November 2021

To realize autonomous production machines it is necessary that machines are able to automatically and autonomously predict their condition. Although many classical as well as Deep Learning based approaches have shown the ability to classify faults, so far there are no approaches that go beyond the basic detection of faults. A complete, image based predictive maintenance approach for machine tool components has to the best of our knowledge not been investigated so far. In this paper it is shown how defects on a Ball Screw Drive (BSD) can be automatically detected by using a machine learning based detection module, quantified by using an intelligent defect quantification module and finally forecasted by a prognosis module in a combined approach. To optimize the presented method, it is shown how existing domain knowledge can be formalized in an expert system and combined with the predictions of the machine learning model to aid quality of the prediction system. This enables the practitioner to forecast the severity of failures on BSD and prevent machine breakdowns. The work is intended to set new accents for the development of practical predictive maintenance systems and bridging the fields of machine learning and production engineering. The code is available under: https://github.com/2Obe/Pitting_Pred_Maintenance.
Visualization of 3D cable between utility poles obtained from laser scanning point clouds: a case study
Authors: Inoue Masaaki , Niigaki Hitoshi , Shimizu Tomoya , Honda Nazuki , Oshida Hiroyuki , Ebine Takashi
Published: November 2021

We can automate inspection work of infrastructure facilities by analyzing the characteristics of 3D structure information obtained through 3D structure visualization using a point cloud. The safety level of equipment can then be diagnosed quantitatively. In this paper, we investigate the modeling of wire structures such as overhead communication cables between utility poles, which are close to the ground, have many obstructions, and have a complex structure. We evaluate the accuracy of cable models and compare them to the correct model. We use three modeling methods: a machine-learning method based on the extruded surface of a point cloud as a feature, a rule-based method involving principal component analysis, and models generated from a combination of these models. In addition, we focus on modeling overhead cables from field data (urban and suburban). Results show the practicability of modeling overhead cables with a cable length of 10–70 m regardless of the area type. We find that the best cable modeling rate with the precision and recall of 80.76% and 83.84%, respectively, can be obtained using the machine-learning method and by specifying the cable reproduction rate to be 2 m.

Article highlights

This study is useful in determining the practicality of 3D visualization of communication cables based on a 3D point cloud.

Precision and recall are presented as indices to determine the practicality of 3D cable modeling.

This study provides 3D cable modeling for actual field data (in suburban, bridges, and urban areas).
The periodic table of photosynthetic purple non-sulfur bacteria: intact cell-metal ions interactions
Authors: Grattieri Matteo , Labarile Rossella , Buscemi Gabriella , Trotta Massimo
Published: November 2021

Photosynthetic purple non-sulfur bacteria (PNB) have been widely utilized as model organisms to study bacterial photosynthesis. More recently, the remarkable resistance of these microorganisms to several metals ions called particular interest. As a result, several research efforts were directed toward clarifying the interactions of metal ions with PNB. The mechanisms of metal ions active uptake and bioabsorption have been studied in detail, unveiling that PNB enable harvesting and removing various toxic ions, thus fostering applications in environmental remediation. Herein, we present the most important achievements in the understanding of intact cell-metal ions interactions and the approaches utilized to study such processes. Following, the application of PNB-metal ions interactions toward metal removal from contaminated environments is presented. Finally, the possible coupling of PNB with abiotic electrodes to obtain biohybrid electrochemical systems is proposed as a sustainable pathway to tune and enhance metal removal and monitoring.

Graphic abstract
Improving surgical training: Establishing a surgical anatomy programme in Scotland
Authors: Jones Ross A. , Mortimer Jeremy W. , Thompson Christopher S.G. , Clark-Stewart Saskia , Hogg Gemma , Keni Shivank , McCulloch Victoria , Alashkham Abduelmenem , Dhumale Sameer , Maclean Stephen J. , Vella Mark , Findlater Gordon S. , Sinclair David W. , Yalamarthi Satheesh , Gillingwater Thomas H.
Published: November 2021

Abstract

Background

It is well recognized that a sound foundation in surgical anatomy is a cornerstone of safe surgical practice, yet many trainees struggle with the upskilling in anatomy that is required to support their day-to-day practice. In the context of the UK-wide Improving Surgical Training pilot, we set out to establish a surgical anatomy programme for core surgical trainees in the Scotland Deanery. The aim was to enable all trainees to review the surgical anatomy of the whole body to MRCS level at least once during core surgical training. Materials and Methods. Teaching was delivered in Edinburgh, with trainees commuting from all parts of the Scotland Deanery. Individual teaching days focused on the surgical anatomy of the head and neck, trunk and limbs, using a combination of lectures (principles and cases) and interactive demonstrations on prosected specimens. Faculty comprised a balance of surgical demonstrators and senior academic staff, including MRCS examiners. Results. In total, 16 individual teaching sessions were attended by over 300 trainees across the first 2 years of the programme. Evaluation form response rate was nearly 80%. The programme was highly rated by trainees in relation to the method of delivery, level of teaching and surgical focus. Conclusion. Surgical anatomy remains an integral part of surgical training. Our experience in developing a deanery-wide surgical anatomy programme highlights the crucial links between medical school, training deanery and surgical college. This collaborative approach can be extended to higher surgical training and continuing professional development, and the methods can be adapted to meet the needs of trainees in different parts of the globe.

Highlights
Gastrectomy with omentum preservation versus gastrectomy with omentectomy for locally advanced gastric cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chen Mi , He Fu-Qian , Liao Mao-Shan , Yang Chao , Chen Xiao-Dong
Published: November 2021

Abstract

Background

Omentectomy has been traditionally a part of standard radical gastrectomy. Its clinical benefit for locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC) remains controversial. This study aimed at evaluating the impact of gastrectomy with omentum preservation (GOP) on survival, recurrence, surgical outcomes and postoperative complications by comparing with gastrectomy with omentum resection (GOR).

Methods

Original studies comparing GOP with GOR in LAGC were searched. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4.

Results

Seven studies involving 1879 patients were analyzed. Compared with GOR, GOP achieved significantly better overall survival (HR = 0.75 [0.60, 0.95], P = 0.01), with similar relapse-free survival (HR = 0.84 [0.68, 1.03], P = 0.10). The two groups had similar total recurrence rate (OR = 0.86 [0.68, 1.08], P = 0.19) and no significant differences in rates of peritoneal, hematogenous, locoregional or distant lymph node recurrences. GOP had significantly less blood loss (MD = −83 [-139, −28] ml, P = 0.003) and tended to have shorter operation time (MD = −28 [-58, 2] min, P = 0.06), with similar harvested number of lymph nodes (MD = −0.4 [-2.6, 1.8], P = 0.70). The incidences of total all grade and major complications were similar in GOP and GOR (all grade: 31.8% vs. 30.3%, OR = 1.08 [0.79, 1.46], P = 0.64; major: 9.2% vs. 10.1%, OR = 1.14 [0.55, 2.34], P = 0.73). There were no significant differences in incidences of complication or postoperative mortality.

Conclusions

Omentum preservation did not affect curability or survival in LAGC. These findings require validation in randomized controlled trials with large sample sizes.

Graphical abstract

Highlights
The Law of the Sea, International Courts, and Judicialization
Authors: Rothwell Donald R.
Published: November 2021

Dispute settlement is entrenched in the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) through the Part XV compulsory mechanisms. It is also reflected in UNCLOS's indication that delimitation of the exclusive economic zone or the continental shelf is to be by way of agreement between coastal states. While maritime boundary delimitation may be viewed as dominated by judicialization, that is not reflected in UNCLOS. The maritime boundary delimitation project unleashed by UNCLOS gave primacy to delimitation by agreement, with third party settlement under Part XV the secondary mechanism. The 2018 Australia/Timor-Leste maritime boundary settlement highlights how, even when Part XV third party mechanisms were used, the coastal states were able to reach agreement on a maritime boundary by negotiation, without recourse to judicialization.
Causal Inference, International Law, And Maritime Disputes
Authors: Appel Benjamin J.
Published: November 2021

Sara Mitchell and Andrew Owsiak's examination of the impact of UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and Article 287 declarations on the peaceful resolution of maritime disputes significantly advances the literature on the relationship between international law/international courts and maritime issues. To their credit, the authors employ a wide range of empirical tests in the article to provide readers with confidence in the empirical results. Nonetheless, there are some important limitations in their approach. Drawing on insights from the causal inference literature, I argue that Mitchell and Owsiak's empirical analyses suffer from two biases that both (1) raise concerns about the causal relationships identified in the article, and (2) suggest some important scope conditions in its empirical findings. I investigate the biases and propose suggestions for legal scholarship to produce more credible results.
Scandal in Somers town: conspiracism and Catholic schools in early Victorian England
Authors: Cottrell-Boyce Aidan
Published: November 2021

The middle years of the nineteenth century are notable in the history of Catholicism in England for the development of the ‘papal aggression’ crisis. Catholic emancipation had been met with suspicion by Protestant groups and this suspicion grew into violent antipathy with the publication by Nicholas Wiseman of ‘Ex Porta Flaminia.’ At the same time that this crisis was emerging, Catholic charitable organizations were also attempting to garner support from the state for the building of Catholic schools. With a boom in the poor, urban population, fuelled by the arrival of Irish refugees, this assistance was urgently required. In the midst of this a small school in the heart of London became the focus of a cause célèbre. The belief that this school had been funded by lucre, defrauded from dying and vulnerable members of the Somers Town community by simonist priests, provided the source of a widespread conspiracy theory. The result of this conspiracy theory was a lawsuit, brought in 1851 by the relatives of a deceased benefactor of the school, against the newly enthroned Cardinal Wiseman. Metairie vs. Wiseman became one of the most celebrated and cited cases of the early Victorian era.
The shortlist effect: nestedness contributions as a tool to explain cultural success
Authors: Morin Olivier , Sobchuk Oleg
Published: November 2021

Detecting the forces behind the success or failure of cultural products, such as books or films, remains a challenge. Three such forces are drift, context-biased selection and selection based on content – when things succeed because of their intrinsic appeal. We propose a tool to study content-biased selection in sets of cultural collections – e.g. libraries or movie collections – based on the ‘shortlist effect’: the fact that smaller collections are more selective and more likely to favour highly appealing items over others. We use a model to show that, when the shortlist effect is at work, content-biased cultural selection is associated with greater nestedness in sets of collections. Having established empirically the existence of the shortlist effect, and of content-biased selection, in 28 sets of movie collections, we show that nestedness contributions can be used to estimate to what extent specific movies owe their success to their intrinsic properties. This method can be used in a wide range of datasets to detect the items that owe their success to their intrinsic appeal, as opposed to ‘hidden gems’ or ‘accidental hits’.
Who Teams Up with the European Parliament? Examining Multilevel Party Cooperation in the European Union
Authors: Meissner Katharina L. , Rosén Guri
Published: November 2021

As in nearly all European Union (EU) policy areas, scholars have turned to analysing the role of national parliaments, in addition to that of the European Parliament (EP), in trade politics. Yet, there is limited understanding of how the parliamentarians at the two levels interact. This article fills the gap by conceptualizing these interactions as a continuum ranging between cooperation, coexistence and competition. We use this continuum to explore multilevel party interactions in EU trade talks and show how cooperation compels politicization – national parliamentarians mainly interact with their European colleagues in salient matters. However, we argue that the impact of politicization on multilevel relations between parliamentarians in the EP and national parliaments is conditioned by party-level factors. Hence, we account for how and why politicization triggers multilevel party cooperation across parliaments in the EU through ideological orientation, government position and policy preferences and show how this takes place in the case of trade.
Predation of Florida red scale Chrysomphalus aonidum (L.) by the metallic blue ladybeetle Curinus coeruleus (Mulsant)
Authors: Al-Shami Salman , Qureshi Jawwad A.
Published: November 2021

Florida red scale, Chrysomphalus aonidum (L.) is a species of armored scales, which attacks citrus crops. Biological control, particularly ladybeetles, are critical for its management in citrus production systems. We evaluated predation of C. aonidum by adult and larvae (3rd–4th instar) of the metallic blue ladybeetle, Curinus coeruleus. C. coeruleus were tested against C. aonidum in three separate treatments on Valencia orange leaves in Petri-dish arenas (1) individuals with armor intact, (2) individuals with armor removed, and (3) mix of individuals with armor intact or removed, to determine if armor inflicts distraction to predator consumption of scale and impact. Within 24 h of exposure to C. aonidum, adult beetle consumption rate averaged 64–68% in the two treatments containing all or half of the individuals with armor, compared to 100% in the treatment with armor removed. The consumption rate in the former two treatments increased to 83–89% within 72 h. Larval consumption of C. aonidum with armor intact was 25% at 24 h and 41% at 72 h, compared to 92–100% in the treatment with armor removed. The adults resulting from the larvae developed on C. aonidum with the armor intact or between the diets of armor intact or removed consumed more scales without armor than with armor. Significant consumption of C. aonidum by adults and larvae of C. coeruleus indicates that it is an efficient predator of this pest species. These novel findings suggest that this predator could be useful for suppressing C. aonidum populations in citrus production systems, particularly in habitats where both species are established such as Florida.
The Portuguese Road to Neoliberalism (1976–1989)
Authors: Noronha Ricardo
Published: November 2021

The Portuguese constitution, passed in April 1976, considered the nationalisations undertaken after the Carnation Revolution to be ‘irreversible’, prescribing a development model based on state planning. Changes made to the constitutional text, in 1989, allowed for a privatisation programme that curtailed government intervention and reinforced market provision. This mirrored a previous shift in the public sphere. Whereas political debate in 1976 was mostly centred on state-led development models, the next decade witnessed the rise of a pro-market approach. Two crises of the balance of payments encouraged a growing number of economists, businessmen, journalists and politicians to argue for the need to revise the constitution, enhancing the role and scope of markets. This article focuses on the rise of a neoliberal intellectual field in Portugal between 1976 and 1989, analysing its efforts to overcome the legacy of the Carnation Revolution and build a competitive market order in a semiperipheral context.
Analysis of Relationships Between ENSO Events and Atmospheric Angular Momentum Variations
Authors: Yu Nan , Liu Huanling , Chen Gang , Chen Wei , Ray Jim , Wen Hanjiang , Chao Nengfang
Published: November 2021

The El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) event has a long incubation process, during which the interannual variation of length‐of‐day (LOD) and the atmospheric angular momentum (AAM) series will be quickly affected due to the interaction between sea and air. Based on the comparisons between filtered interannual LOD variation, the AAM, the Oceanic Niño Index (ONI), and the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) for the period of January 1953 and December 2013, the relationships among them and ENSO are studied. The results demonstrate that AAM changes and SOI/ONI series have similar waveform structures and trends. Interannual LOD variations, atmospheric LOD excitations, and ENSO indices such as the SOI and ONI are well correlated as a consequence of angular momentum conservation. AAMs can be accurately modeled at present, taking ESMGFZ as an example, its sampling interval can reach 3 hr, and can realize accurate prediction in the next 90 days. Consequently, AAM series also can be used as an index for ENSO events and has its own advantages compared with SOI/ONI.
Size Distribution of Mineral Dust Emissions From Sparsely Vegetated and Supply‐Limited Dryland Soils
Authors: Webb Nicholas P. , LeGrand Sandra L. , Cooper Brad F. , Courtright Ericha M. , Edwards Brandon L. , Felt Christopher , Van Zee Justin W. , Ziegler Nancy P.
Published: November 2021

Controls on the particle size distribution (PSD) of mineral dust emissions remain poorly understood. Under near‐idealized conditions, dust PSDs can appear invariant with wind friction velocity. However, dryland vegetation attenuates surface friction velocities, and soil crusting reduces the supply of loose erodible material and increases surface resistance to abrasion. Under such conditions, variability in saltation bombardment efficiency and intensity could have a large effect on dust PSDs. We present dust emission measurements from vegetated, supply‐limited aeolian systems that indicate the dependence of emission‐flux PSD on wind friction velocity. We find the fine fraction (<5 μm) of dust particles increases with friction velocity. Results suggest models that assume wind‐invariance of the emission‐flux PSD may not be generalizable for crusted soils with vegetation. There is a need for dust models to represent variability in emission‐flux PSDs for land management, air quality, and climate applications across vegetated and sediment supply‐limited drylands.
Using Unsupervised and Supervised Machine Learning Methods to Correct Offset Anomalies in the GOES‐16 Magnetometer Data
Authors: Inceoglu F. , Loto'aniu Paul T. M.
Published: November 2021

This study uses supervised and unsupervised machine learning (ML) methods to correct unwanted offsets observed in the NOAA GOES‐16 magnetometer data. All GOES satellites have an inboard and outboard magnetometer sensor mounted along a long boom. Post‐launch testing of the GOES‐16 magnetometers found that the inboard sensor suffers significant thermally induced magnetic contamination and currently only the outboard sensor is used in NOAA operations. The contamination varies both diurnally and seasonally making it very difficult to correct using basic statistical methods. For simplicity in explaining the offsets we are trying to correct, and methods used, we focus on correcting only one of the inboard vector components, the E‐component (Earthward). We start by applying the unsupervised k‐Shape method to the magnetic field vector E‐component outboard minus inboard sensor time series, ΔE, resulting in four clusters that are closely related to the time of year and the solar β angle, which is a measure of the amount of time that a satellite is in direct sunlight. We then utilized LSTM networks as regressors to correct the offsets observed in GOES‐16 inboard sensor E‐component data. We trained our LSTMs using GOES‐17 magnetometer data, which we show to exhibit much less variability compared with the GOES‐16 data. The correction results reduced the offsets in the clusters from between 3–5 nT and 0–2 nT standard deviations. The combining of unsupervised and supervised ML methods is a powerful technique that can be applied to space‐based instruments that produce time series data.
Peripheral immune cells and perinatal brain injury: a double-edged sword?
Authors: Herz Josephine , Bendix Ivo , Felderhoff-Müser Ursula
Published: November 2021

Perinatal brain injury is the leading cause of neurological mortality and morbidity in childhood ranging from motor and cognitive impairment to behavioural and neuropsychiatric disorders. Various noxious stimuli, including perinatal inflammation, chronic and acute hypoxia, hyperoxia, stress and drug exposure contribute to the pathogenesis. Among a variety of pathological phenomena, the unique developing immune system plays an important role in the understanding of mechanisms of injury to the immature brain. Neuroinflammation following a perinatal insult largely contributes to evolution of damage to resident brain cells, but may also be beneficial for repair activities. The present review will focus on the role of peripheral immune cells and discuss processes involved in neuroinflammation under two frequent perinatal conditions, systemic infection/inflammation associated with encephalopathy of prematurity (EoP) and hypoxia/ischaemia in the context of neonatal encephalopathy (NE) and stroke at term. Different immune cell subsets in perinatal brain injury including their infiltration routes will be reviewed and critical aspects such as sex differences and maturational stage will be discussed. Interactions with existing regenerative therapies such as stem cells and also potentials to develop novel immunomodulatory targets are considered.

Impact

Comprehensive summary of current knowledge on the role of different immune cell subsets in perinatal brain injury including discussion of critical aspects to be considered for development of immunomodulatory therapies.
Altered metabolome and microbiome features provide clues in understanding irritable bowel syndrome and depression comorbidity
Authors: Han Lijuan , Zhao Ling , Zhou Yong , Yang Chao , Xiong Teng , Lu Lin , Deng Yusheng , Luo Wen , Chen Yang , Qiu Qinwei , Shang Xiaoxiao , Huang Li , Mo Zongchao , Huang Shaogang , Huang Suiping , Liu Zhi , Yang Wei , Zhai Lixiang , Ning Ziwan , Lin Chengyuan , Huang Tao , Cheng Chungwah , Zhong Linda L D , Li Shuaicheng , Bian Zhaoxiang , Fang Xiaodong
Published: November 2021

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the functional gastrointestinal disorders characterized by chronic and/or recurrent symptoms of abdominal pain and irregular defecation. Changed gut microbiota has been proposed to mediate IBS; however, contradictory results exist, and IBS-specific microbiota, metabolites, and their interactions remain poorly understood. To address this issue, we performed metabolomic and metagenomic profiling of stool and serum samples based on discovery (n = 330) and validation (n = 101) cohorts. Fecal metagenomic data showed moderate dysbiosis compared with other diseases, in contrast, serum metabolites showed significant differences with greater power to distinguish IBS patients from healthy controls. Specifically, 726 differentially abundant serum metabolites were identified, including a cluster of fatty acyl-CoAs enriched in IBS. We further identified 522 robust associations between differentially abundant gut bacteria and fecal metabolites, of which three species including Odoribacter splanchnicus, Escherichia coli, and Ruminococcus gnavus were strongly associated with the low abundance of dihydropteroic acid. Moreover, dysregulated tryptophan/serotonin metabolism was found to be correlated with the severity of IBS depression in both fecal and serum metabolomes, characterized by a shift in tryptophan metabolism towards kynurenine production. Collectively, our study revealed serum/fecal metabolome alterations and their relationship with gut microbiome, highlighted the massive alterations of serum metabolites, which empower to recognize IBS patients, suggested potential roles of metabolic dysregulation in IBS pathogenesis, and offered new clues to understand IBS depression comorbidity. Our study provided a valuable resource for future studies, and would facilitate potential clinical applications of IBS featured microbiota and/or metabolites.