bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toward a Normative Turn in Track Two Diplomacy? A Review of the Literature
Authors: Palmiano Federer Julia
Published: October 2021

Almost six decades since the emergence of Track Two diplomacy, a form of informal and unofficial dialogues between conflicting parties facilitated by scholar‐practitioners, scholarship on the field has grown exponentially. Originally conceived of as a discreet complement to Track One official negotiations between armed actors in conflict, Track Two has become an established and professionalized form of broader conflict resolution. Specific scholarship on Track Two has occupied the liminal space between theory and practice, in which theoretical propositions are often born out of observations from practical applications in empirical cases. Analyzing how Track Two theories reflect these paradigms can give greater insights into the theoretical evolution of the field and where it is headed. This begets a need to regularly and systematically survey the relevant literature on Track Two given the large‐scale changes occurring in its practice. This article discusses the evolution of Track Two theories as embedded in conflict resolution paradigms, namely, strategic bargaining and problem solving; conflict transformation; and liberal and post‐liberal peacebuilding. In particular, I focus on how the recent "normative turn" in conflict resolution literature has impacted Track Two scholarship. Following the analytical framework of a mediation process applied to Track Two scholarship, I organize relevant literature into “generations” and compare what are identified as the main constitutive components of a Track Two initiative in order to understand how the theories have evolved in this second generation of literature. My analysis finds that conceptions of Track Two have moved from “narrow” to “broad”: influenced by a normative imperative toward more inclusive and participatory peace processes in conflict resolution, activities labeled as Track Two have expanded from small, discreet dialogues between unofficial actors to include more robust forms of civil society inclusion and participation.
Anesthesia for children with anterior mediastinal masses
Authors: Tan Aileen , Nolan Judith Anne
Published: October 2021

Children with an anterior mediastinal mass may have cardiopulmonary compromise that can be exacerbated under general anesthesia. Signs and symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, stridor, orthopnea, accessory muscle use, a history of respiratory arrest, and the presence of a pleural effusion and upper body edema are predictive of perioperative complications. A larger mediastinal mass on imaging is predictive of perioperative complications. Risk stratification of patients, together with an individualized plan, will best guide operative management for patients with an anterior mediastinal mass. General anesthesia (GA) should be avoided if possible, but a spontaneous breathing technique is recommended if GA is required.
Acral manifestations associated with infection
Authors: Jordens Quentin , De Maeseneer Hannelore , De Crem Charlotte , Fölster‐Holst Regina , Van Gysel Dirk
Published: October 2021

Acral lesions are well‐known physical findings in various infectious disorders. Although they are often overlooked, they can be the key to the diagnosis of the underlying disease. Considering this, we present an overview of various infectious causes of acral lesions in childhood. In addition, we discuss their characteristic presentation, evolution, and appropriate treatment. To our knowledge, this is the first review covering viral, bacterial and mycotic causes.
Association between onset and disappearance of pain and changes in physical activity among older adults – longitudinal evidence from the German Ageing Survey
Authors: Baumbach Linda , König Hans‐Helmut , Hajek André
Published: October 2021

Background

Physical activity (PA) is important for healthy ageing. Nonetheless, recommended PA guidelines from the World Health Organization are not met by many older adults. To increase PA, influencing factors have been investigated. But it is still unknown how the onset or disappearance of pain within an individual is associated with different PA intensities in older men and women.

Method

We used longitudinal data from the nationwide representative German Ageing Survey, waves 2014 and 2017 (analytical sample, n = 6194, 45% women). PA was assessed with questions on low, moderate, and vigorous PA per week and converted into metabolic equivalent of task (MET) values. Pain was dichotomized from a 5‐point scale into no pain versus some pain. The association between the onset or disappearance of pain from 2014 to 2017 on total, vigorous, moderate, and low PA was investigated using sex stratified asymmetric fixed effects models.

Results

The onset of pain in older men (ß = 977.84, P = 0.041), and the disappearance of pain in older women (ß = 1531.69, P = 0.025), were associated with increased total PA. The results for men were driven by increases in vigorous (ß = 592.62, P = 0.035) PA, while the change in women was driven by low (ß = 242.16, P = 0.020) and moderate (ß = 496.48, P = 0.034) PA intensities. However, the observed differences between men and women were not statistically significant.

Conclusion

The divergent associations between the onset and disappearance of pain and PA, driven by different PA intensities in men and women, suggest the existence of factors such as PA intensity influencing the association.
Cognitive control is quickly adapted to actual task requirements despite misleading context cues—Evidence from the N2, CRN, and ERN
Authors: Grützmann Rosa , Kathmann Norbert , Heinzel Stephan
Published: October 2021

Cognitive control is flexibly adapted to task requirements in healthy individuals. Medio‐frontal negativities in the event‐related potential of the electroencephalogram can serve as indicators of cognitive control. With increasing conflict frequency, stimulus‐locked control, as indexed by the N2, is increased and response‐locked control, as indexed by the correct‐related negativity, is reduced. On the behavioral level, this shift is associated with improved conflict resolution as evident in reduced response times and error rates in incompatible trials and a reduced response time congruency effect. Cognitive control adaptation might be implemented through experience‐based task sets specifying advantageous processing strategies. Here, we investigated whether the cognitive control task set will be sustained when coupled with a contextual cue, even when the initial task requirements are no longer present. A flanker task with two conflict frequency conditions (25% incompatible and 75% incompatible trials) was presented. In the training phase, the conflict frequency conditions were paired with a distinct context cue (i.e., background color). In the test phase, the previously associated cues were again presented, but conflict frequency was identical in both conditions (50% incompatible trials). Although typical cognitive control adaptation was observed in the training phase on the behavioral and event‐related potentials level, this pattern was not sustained in the test phase. Thus, the present study provides further evidence that cognitive control is flexibly adapted to task requirements even in the presence of misleading cues.
Maladaptive personality traits in depressive and substance use disorders: A study with the PID‐5
Authors: Gonçalves Bruno , Pires Rute , Sousa Ferreira Ana , Gama Marques João , Paulino Marco , Henriques‐Calado Joana
Published: October 2021

Studies on the relationship between personality and depressive disorders (DD) or substance use disorders (SUD) often refer to the normal personality model and focus mainly on the “big” factors. Domain level results with the Personality Inventory for DSM‐5 (PID‐5) tend to be consistent with NEO‐PI‐R or NEO‐FFI results, however facet level results in the specific characteristics of these disorders are scarce. The main objective of this study was to characterize DD and SUD’s maladaptive personality traits through the PID‐5. A sample of DD was compared with a sample of SUD, with a sample of other disorders, and with a community sample. A sample of the general Portuguese population (N = 693) and a heterogeneous clinical sample (N = 310) were studied. Participants responded to the PID‐5 and to the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). Depressivity, Irresponsibility and Anhedonia were the main characteristics of DD. However, high values in Depressivity and in depressive symptomatology were present in all the clinical subsamples. Irresponsibility, Deceitfulness and Callousness were the main characteristics of SUD. The occurrence of DD, SUD or Other disorders could be predicted using multinonomial logisitic regression analysis, and PID‐5 facets as independent variables. These results are in line with comorbidity data and tend to confirm the PID‐5 validity.
Gender differences in perceived risk of COVID‐19
Authors: Lewis Andrew , Duch Raymond
Published: October 2021

Objective

We examine gender‐based differences in perceived risks related to COVID‐19.

Methods

We analyze published findings from COVID‐related research on beliefs and attitudes about the health risks posed by the pandemic. We also design and administer a pair of online survey experiments (n = 502) to test if and how responsive men's attitudes are to information about male‐specific risks.

Results

Across 16 studies, men consistently express lower perceived risk of contracting COVID‐19 and less concern about the potential health consequences if they were to catch it. Our experimental results are mixed: Results for one information treatment indicate that men report greater relative risk of adverse outcomes. Men in one of the risk information treatments express less concern for their health if they were to contract the disease. Risk perceptions are positively correlated with self‐reported propensity toward protective behaviors.

Conclusion

Our review of recent studies finds a small‐but‐consistent gap in men and women's beliefs about their health risks related to the present pandemic. These risk beliefs are crucial determinants of whether individuals take protective measures. Our experimental results suggest that informing men of male‐specific risks associated with COVID‐19 can reduce their risk perceptions and perceptions of risk and widen the gap between men and women's perceptions.
Influence of geographical determinants on the spatial distribution of positioning uncertainties in mobile phone location data
Authors: Song Xiaoqing , Zhang Ling , Wang Sijia , Long Yi , Jiang Wei , Hao Qin
Published: October 2021

The increasing use of mobile phone location (MPL) data in mobility research has provided many insights into people's travel behaviors. Despite these achievements, the spatial distribution of MPL data positioning uncertainties and their influence mechanism are rarely discussed. In this research, we investigate the influence of geographical determinants on the spatial distribution of the positioning uncertainties in MPL data. First, we discuss the spatial distribution trends in the positioning uncertainties of MPL data. Then we apply multiple linear regression and geographical detector (GeoDetector) models to explore the influence mechanism on the spatial distribution of the positioning uncertainties. By applying these methods to MPL data sets from a major operator in Nanjing city, we find a spatial aggregation phenomenon in the positioning uncertainties. Elevation contributes most to the spatial distribution of the positioning uncertainties. Furthermore, the influencing power of geographical factors on the spatial distribution of positioning uncertainties is nonlinearly enhanced after an interaction.
Host specialization is ancestral in Torymus (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea) cynipid gall parasitoids
Authors: Gil‐Tapetado Diego , Durán‐Montes Patricia , García‐París Mario , López‐Estrada E. Karen , Sánchez‐Vialas Alberto , Jiménez‐Ruiz Yolanda , Gómez Jose F. , Nieves‐Aldrey Jose Luis
Published: October 2021

The host range of parasitoids varies greatly among species: Some only parasitize one to a few hosts (specialists), while others parasitize multiple species or a variety of host types (generalists). The direction of most host range shifts in parasitoid groups, that is from generalist to specialist or, alternatively, from specialist to generalist, is unknown. To explore the origin of host range shifts, we studied a clade within the genus Torymus (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea) that includes both generalist and specialist parasitoids of Cynipidae (Hymenoptera). We analysed the phylogenetic relationships of the species of Torymus on the basis of two gene fragments (cox1 and ITS2) of 246 specimens and performed an ancestral state reconstruction of the specialist/generalist trait. Our results revealed the following: (a) The ancestral state of this group of Torymus is specialist, with the generalist state evolving through a loss of specialization. (b) The species Torymus cyaneus and Torymus flavipes both have a strong genetic structure, suggesting the existence of different biological identities. (c) There has been a host plant shift in the lineage(s) leading to Torymus rubi and Torymus bedeguaris from galls on Quercus to those on Rosaceae. (d) The alien species Torymus sinensis and the native European species Torymus notatus are phylogenetically closely related. (e) Speciation within Torymus was likely associated with the diversification of their cynipid hosts, which itself was driven by the dramatic changes in climate and vegetation that occurred during the Miocene.
Protective mechanism of demethylase fat mass and obesity‐associated protein in energy metabolism disorder of hypoxia–reoxygenation‐induced cardiomyocytes
Authors: Deng Wenzheng , Jin Qiao , Li Liang
Published: October 2021

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

What is the effect of fat mass and obesity‐associated protein (FTO) on energy metabolism in hypoxia–reoxygenation (H/R)‐induced cardiomyocytes?

What is the main finding and its importance?

FTO modification of N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) is associated with myocardial cell energy metabolism disorder. FTO reduced the m6A level of sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase 2a (SERCA2a) mRNA through demethylation, thus promoting SERCA2a expression, maintaining calcium homeostasis, and improving energy metabolism of H/R cardiomyocytes.

Energy metabolism disorder is the initial physiological link of myocardial ischaemia–reperfusion injury. Fat mass and obesity‐associated protein (FTO) is an N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) demethylase implicated in several cardiac defects. This study sought to investigate the effect of FTO on energy metabolism in hypoxia–reoxygenation (H/R)‐induced cardiomyocytes. FTO and sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase 2a (SERCA2a) expression in H/R‐induced cardiomyocytes were determined. Cardiomyocyte viability, cytotoxicity and apoptosis were measured. The total RNA and polyA+ RNA contents were isolated from cells. The m6A level of RNA and the enrichment of m6A of SERCA2a mRNA were calculated. Several indices such as the glycolytic potential, reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial activity and ATP content were evaluated. The concentration of calcium in cardiomyocytes was determined. FTO and SERCA2a were poorly expressed in H/R‐induced cardiomyocytes. There was an elevated m6A level in total RNA and enrichment of m6A in SERCA2a mRNA. H/R treatment reduced the cell viability, mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP content in cardiomyocytes, but increased the cytotoxicity, apoptosis, ROS content and calcium concentration. Upregulation of FTO reversed the preceding findings with downregulation of the m6A level of SERCA2a mRNA. Downregulation of SERCA2a annulled the promoting effect of FTO on calcium homeostasis and energy metabolism in H/R‐induced cardiomyocytes. Collectively, the current study demonstrated that FTO reduced the m6A level on SERCA2a mRNA through demethylation, thus promoting SERCA2a expression, maintaining calcium homeostasis and improving the energy metabolism of H/R cardiomyocytes.
Thermohydraulic Performance Optimization of Automobile Radiators Using Statistical Approaches
Authors: Canbolat Ahmet Serhan , Bademlioglu Ali Husnu , Kaynakli Omer
Published: October 2021

Automobile radiator which is one of the vital components used for engine cooling in vehicles is expected to provide higher thermal performance without changing the exterior dimensions of the radiator with the development of engine technology. This situation necessitates changes in both design and operating parameters in the currently used radiator. In the present study, all fundamental parameters affecting the thermal and hydraulic performance of an automobile radiator are evaluated and optimized with statistical methods. Optimization study is carried out using Taguchi and ANOVA methods for two specified objective functions (heat transfer and pressure drop). The order of importance and impact rates for each design and operating parameter, the best and worst working conditions in terms of both target functions are determined. Air velocity, air inlet temperature, coolant inlet temperature, and fin pitch are found to be the most effective parameters on the heat transfer with a contribution ratio of 88%. The best and worst working conditions are obtained for the heat transfer and under these working conditions, they are calculated as 43.68 kW and 1.63 kW, respectively. When the system is examined in terms of the pressure drop, the results show that the coolant flowrate and tube height have a great impact with a contribution ratio of 67.04% and 32.06%, respectively. Lastly, the maximum and minimum pressure drop within the studied operating condition range is determined as 20.68 kPa and 0.12 kPa, respectively.
Modal Analysis of Breakup Mechanisms for a Liquid Jet in Crossflow
Authors: Salauddin Sheikh , Flores Wilmer , Otero Michelle , Stiehl Bernhard , Ahmed Kareem
Published: October 2021

Liquid fuel jet in crossflow (LJIC) is a vital atomization technique significant to the aviation industry. The hydrodynamic instability mechanisms that drive a primary breakup of a transverse jet are investigated using modal and traveling wavelength analysis. This study highlights the primary breakup mechanisms for aviation fuel Jet-A, utilizing a method that could be applied to any liquid fuel. Mathematical decomposition techniques known as POD (proper orthogonal decomposition) and Robust MrDMD (multiresolution dynamic mode decomposition) are used together to identify dominant instability flow dynamics associated with the primary breakup mechanism. Implementation of the Robust MrDMD method deconstructs the nonlinear dynamical systems into multiresolution time-scaled components to capture the intermittent coherent structures. The Robust MrDMD, in conjunction with the POD method, is applied to data points taken across the entire spray breakup regimes: enhanced capillary breakup, bag breakup, multimode breakup, and shear breakup. The dominant frequencies of breakup mechanisms are extracted and identified. These coherent structures are classified with an associated time scale and Strouhal number. Three primary breakup mechanisms, namely, ligament shedding, bag breakup, and shear breakup, were identified and associated with the four breakup regimes outlined above. Further investigation portrays these breakup mechanisms to occur in conjunction with each other in each breakup regime, excluding the low Weber number enhanced capillary breakup regime. Spectral analysis of the Robust MrDMD modes’ entire temporal window reveals that while multiple breakup mechanisms are convolved, there is a dominant breakup route for each breakup regime. An associated particular traveling wavelength analysis further investigates each breakup mechanism. Lastly, this study explores the effects of an increased momentum flux ratio on each breakup mechanism associated with a breakup regime.
Response and Instability of Sloping Seabed Supporting Small Marine Structures: Wave–Structure–Soil Interaction Analysis
Authors: Rafiei Amin , Rahman M.S. , Gabr M.A.
Published: October 2021

Wave-induced liquefaction in seabed may adversely impact the stability and bearing capacity of the foundation elements of coastal structures. The interaction of wave, seabed, and structure has been studied mostly for only mildly sloping seabed (<5deg) using a decoupled approach. However, some of the marine hydrokinetic devices (MHKs) may be built on or anchored to the seabed with significant steepness. The wave-induced response and instantaneous liquefaction within sloping seabed supporting a small structure (representing a small MHK device) are evaluated herein by developing an almost fully coupled finite element model. The effects of coupling approach on the stress response and liquefaction of the seabed soils are investigated. Subsequently, post-liquefaction deformation of seabed soils around the structure is assessed. The poroelasticity equations governing the seabed response coupled with those for other domains are solved simultaneously. For post-liquefaction analysis, the soil is modeled as elastic-perfectly plastic material. The development of instantaneously liquefied zones near the foundation is studied in terms of seabed steepness and wave parameters. The changes in the effective stress paths due to the development of liquefied zones are evaluated in view of the soil's critical state. The results indicate that the decoupled solution yields significantly larger stresses and liquefaction zones around the structure. The seabed response and the liquefaction zones become smaller for steeper slopes. The presence of liquefied zones brings the stress state closer to the failure envelope, reduces the confining stresses, and induces larger plastic strains around the foundation element.
Effects of Receiver Misalignment on the Intercept Factor of Parabolic Trough Collectors
Authors: Uzair Muhammad , Rehman Naveed ur , Asif Muhammad
Published: October 2021

This study developed a methodology for determining the intercept factor (γ) and reports the effects of varying the design parameters, within realistic ranges, on the optical performance of parabolic trough collectors (PTC). The design equations account for the aperture width of the concentrator, the geometric concentration ratio, rim-angle, and misalignment of the receiver, characterized by the radial and angular offsets. The Latin Hypercube Sampling (LHS)-based ray-tracing method was used. Validation of the method was performed by comparing the results obtained by tracing a single ray with measurements obtained in a two-dimensional (2D) drafting program. Then, parametric analyses were performed to determine the effects of changing the radial and angular offset, geometric concentration ratio, and rim-angle on the percentage change in intercept factor (γΔ) with respect to the γ of a PTC with a perfectly aligned receiver. Finally, contour plots depicting the γ of various standard troughs over the range of radial and angular offsets were plotted, compared, and discussed. An online tool is also presented to help designers and researchers analyze these effects quickly by providing the design parameters.
Section 4. Water Chemistry Parameters
Authors:   ASME Committee
Published: October 2021

The maintenance of specified feedwater and boiler water chemistry must be well regulated and documented by frequent analysis and record keeping. Normally, a combination of online analyzers and grab sample measurements is used to ensure proper chemistry control. Guidance on sample collection and conditioning is provided in “Consensus on Operating Practices for the Sampling and Monitoring of Feedwater and Boiler Water Chemistry in Modern Industrial Boilers” [7].
Section 5. Tables of Suggested Water Chemistry Targets
Authors:   ASME Committee
Published: October 2021

Consensus water chemistry controls for the six types of steam generator systems are presented in Tables 1 through 7. The tabulated information is categorized according to operating pressure ranges because this is the prime factor that dictates the type of internal water chemistry employed, the normal cycles of feedwater concentration, the silica volatility, and the carryover tendency. The difference between steam and water densities decreases with increasing pressure and temperature; therefore, separating the steam/water phases completely in the boiler drum becomes increasingly difficult to achieve. Since the tendency to carryover is greater at higher operating pressures, it is necessary to maintain lower boiler water contaminant concentrations to meet the same steam purity target.
Introduction to the special issue on machine learning in acoustics
Authors: Michalopoulou Zoi-Heleni , Gerstoft Peter , Kostek Bozena , Roch Marie A.
Published: October 2021

The use of machine learning (ML) in acoustics has received much attention in the last decade. ML is unique in that it can be applied to all areas of acoustics. ML has transformative potentials as it can extract statistically based new information about events observed in acoustic data. Acoustic data provide scientific and engineering insight ranging from biology and communications to ocean and Earth science. This special issue included 61 papers, illustrating the very diverse applications of ML in acoustics.
Utilizing Playdoh in the Classroom to Construct a 3D Model Depicting Cellular Movements and Tissue Remodeling during Human Gastrulation, Early Organogenesis, and Embryonic Folding
Authors: Hesterman Ryan , Rose Shannon , LeFever Will , Stewart Ryan , Krone Martina , Holihan Camryn , Ackerman Kristin
Published: October 2021

In classroom studies of mammalian embryology, students must fully grasp the cellular and tissue remodeling needed to initiate gastrulation to ensure comprehension of forthcoming developmental processes such as tissue specification and organogenesis. However, quickly and completely communicating three-dimensional concepts such as gastrulation, neurulation, and embryonic folding through common two-dimensional tools such as PowerPoint is challenging for students because this method lacks the spatial orientation needed to fully understand development.
The Effect of Specifications Grading on Students’ Learning and Attitudes in an Undergraduate-Level Cell Biology Course
Authors: Katzman Shoshana D. , Hurst-Kennedy Jennifer , Barrera Alessandra , Talley Jennell , Javazon Elisabeth , Diaz Mary , Anzovino Mary E.
Published: October 2021

Specifications (specs) grading is a grading system in which mastery of specific educational outcomes is the basis for the final grade a student earns in the course. Implementation of the types of assessments used for specs grading has shown to be beneficial for student learning and motivation compared to traditional grading systems. We designed a specs grading strategy in an undergraduate Cell Biology course, creating 20 individual learning outcomes (LOs).
Supplemental Material: The influence of off-fault deformation zones on the near-fault distribution of coseismic landslides
Authors: Bloom Colin K. , al. et
Published: October 2021

Off-fault deformation (OFD) data, additional methodology, and analysis.
Supplemental Material: Detrital zircon geothermochronology reveals pre-Alleghanian exhumation of regional Mississippian sediment sources in the southern Appalachian Valley and Ridge Province
Authors: McKay M. , al. et
Published: October 2021

Figure 4 is interactive. Hover over each sample set (right) to see stacked on composition-age fields (left) (A) 250–500 Ma and (B) 800– 1200 Ma. Layers may be viewed separately or in combination using the capabilities of the Acrobat (PDF) layering function (click “Layers” icon along vertical bar on left side of window for display of available layers; turn layers on or off by clicking the box to the left of the layer name). Figure 5 is interactive. Hover over the Th/U>75 (black-red) box and Th/U<75 (green) box in the lower part of the figure to view subset KDEs of each sample. Layers may be viewed separately or in combination using the capabilities of the Acrobat (PDF) layering function (click “Layers” icon along vertical bar on left side of window for display of available layers; turn layers on or off by clicking the box to the left of the layer name).
Loeys-Dietz syndrome and isolated severe ostial left main coronary stenosis presenting as ventricular fibrillation arrest and biventricular takotsubo syndrome in a 25-year-old patient
Authors: Gargoum Ahmed , Bare Idris , Pekrul Christopher , Nosib Shravan
Published: October 2021

We present the case of a previously healthy 25-year-old woman who presented with an out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation arrest. Postresuscitation ECG did not show any evidence of ST segment elevation. Echocardiogram showed regional wall abnormalities in keeping with takotsubo syndrome (TTS). Urgent coronary angiogram to rule out malignant congenital coronary artery anomaly revealed an isolated severe ostial left main coronary artery (LMCA) stenosis, a rare disease, approximately 0.2% in previous case series. The LMCA was aneurysmal. Genetic studies revealed a novel frameshift pathogenic variant in the transforming growth factor B two ligand gene (TGFB2) gene, suggestive of Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) type 4, an aggressive vascular disease. Ostial LMCA stenosis has not been previously reported in LDS, and we outline the management of this unique disease combination. We also reflect on its presentation as TTS and infer that TTS and acute coronary syndromes are not mutually exclusive.
Loneliness is strongly linked to depression among older adults, a long term study suggests
Authors: Saul Helen , Gursul Deniz
Published: October 2021

The study

Lee SL, Pearce E, Ajnakina O, et al. The association between loneliness and depressive symptoms among adults aged 50 years and older: a 12-year population-based cohort study.Lancet Psychiatry2021;8:1.

To read the full NIHR Alert go tohttps://evidence.nihr.ac.uk/alert/loneliness-strongly-linked-depression-older-adults/
Time trend analysis of social inequalities in psychological distress among young adults before and during the pandemic: evidence from the UK Household Longitudinal Study COVID-19 waves
Authors: Gagné Thierry , Nandi Alita , Schoon Ingrid
Published: October 2021

Background

Despite concerns about mental health problems among those aged 16–24 in England, which social groups have been most at risk, both over the past decade and during the COVID-19 pandemic, remains unclear.

Methods

We examined trends in psychological distress among young adults 16–24 years old in England using data from the UK Household Longitudinal Study. Using longitudinal data as repeated cross-sectional waves, we examined differences over time in mean General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) scores from wave 1 (2009–2010) to wave 10 (2018–2019) and six COVID-19 waves collected between April and November 2020, by economic activity, cohabitation with parents, parental education, area deprivation, ethnicity, age and sex.

Results

Compared with 2009–2010, increases in GHQ scores in 2018–2019 were higher in women than men (2.1 vs 1.3), those aged 16–18 than aged 22–24 (2.6 vs 0.9), those from white UK group versus other ethnic minorities, and those out of the labour force (3.6) or employed part time (2.2) than those employed full time (0.8). Compared with 2018–2019, psychological distress in 2020 also further increased among young adults residing in the most deprived areas (4.1 vs 1.2 in the least deprived areas). In 2020, losing one’s job or most of one’s work hours was associated with higher psychological distress and attenuated the differences between deprivation quartiles by 17%.

Conclusion

In England, inequalities in psychological distress among young adults may have changed and increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Investing in opportunities for young adults, particularly in more deprived areas, may be key to improve population levels of mental health.
Effect of CRTH2 antagonism on the response to experimental rhinovirus infection in asthma: a pilot randomised controlled trial
Authors: Farne Hugo , Glanville Nicholas , Johnson Nicholas , Kebadze Tata , Aniscenko Julia , Regis Eteri , Zhu Jie , Trujillo-Torralbo Maria-Belen , Kon Onn Min , Mallia Patrick , Prevost A Toby , Edwards Michael R , Johnston Sebastian L , Singanayagam Aran , Jackson David J
Published: October 2021

Background and aims

The chemoattractant receptor-homologous molecule expressed on T helper type 2 cells (CRTH2) antagonist timapiprant improved lung function and asthma control in a phase 2 study, with evidence suggesting reduced exacerbations. We aimed to assess whether timapiprant attenuated or prevented asthma exacerbations induced by experimental rhinovirus (RV) infection. We furthermore hypothesised that timapiprant would dampen RV-induced type 2 inflammation and consequently improve antiviral immune responses.

Methods

Atopic patients with partially controlled asthma on maintenance inhaled corticosteroids were randomised to timapiprant (n=22) or placebo (n=22) and challenged with RV-A16 3 weeks later. The primary endpoint was the cumulative lower respiratory symptom score over the 14 days post infection. Upper respiratory symptoms, spirometry, airway hyperresponsiveness, exhaled nitric oxide, RV-A16 virus load and soluble mediators in upper and lower airways samples, and CRTH2 staining in bronchial biopsies were additionally assessed before and during RV-A16 infection.

Results

Six subjects discontinued the study and eight were not infected; outcomes were assessed in 16 timapiprant-treated and 14 placebo-treated, successfully infected subjects. There were no differences between treatment groups in clinical exacerbation severity including cumulative lower respiratory symptom score day 0–14 (difference 3.0 (95% CI −29.0 to 17.0), p=0.78), virus load, antiviral immune responses, or RV-A16-induced airway inflammation other than in the bronchial biopsies, where CRTH2 staining was increased during RV-A16 infection in the placebo-treated but not the timapiprant-treated group. Timapiprant had a favourable safety profile, with no deaths, serious adverse events or drug-related withdrawals.

Conclusion

Timapiprant treatment had little impact on the clinicopathological changes induced by RV-A16 infection in partially controlled asthma.
Dual fields of massive/massless gravitons in IR/UV completions
Authors: Danehkar Ashkbiz , Alshal Hassan , Curtright Thomas L.
Published: October 2021

In the holographic picture, the Brout-Englert-Higgs (BEH) mechanism in [Formula: see text]-dimensional Yang–Mills theories is conjectured to provide a Higgs-like mechanism for gravity in [Formula: see text] dimensions, resulting in massive (or massless) gravitons in IR (or UV) completions. Accordingly, one could imagine dual (magnetic-type) fields of massive gravitons in the IR (low-energy) limit that are coupled to the curl of their own energy–momentum, as well as to the rotation of matter fields on large scales. This hypothesis, which might solve cosmological issues currently ascribed to dark matter and dark energy, needs to be examined by the future Laser Interferometer Space Antenna mission using observations of gravitational waves emitted from extragalactic sources.
Analysis of Trending Topics and Text-based Channels of Information Delivery in Cybersecurity
Authors: Wu Tingmin , Ma Wanlun , Wen Sheng , Xia Xin , Paris Cecile , Nepal Surya , Xiang Yang
Published: October 2021

Computer users are generally faced with difficulties in making correct security decisions. While an increasingly fewer number of people are trying or willing to take formal security training, online sources including news, security blogs, and websites are continuously making security knowledge more accessible. Analysis of cybersecurity texts from this grey literature can provide insights into the trending topics and identify current security issues as well as how cyber attacks evolve over time. These in turn can support researchers and practitioners in predicting and preparing for these attacks. Comparing different sources may facilitate the learning process for normal users by creating the patterns of the security knowledge gained from different sources. Prior studies neither systematically analysed the wide range of digital sources nor provided any standardisation in analysing the trending topics from recent security texts. Moreover, existing topic modelling methods are not capable of identifying the cybersecurity concepts completely and the generated topics considerably overlap. To address this issue, we propose a semi-automated classification method to generate comprehensive security categories to analyse trending topics. We further compare the identified 16 security categories across different sources based on their popularity and impact. We have revealed several surprising findings as follows: (1) The impact reflected from cybersecurity texts strongly correlates with the monetary loss caused by cybercrimes, (2) security blogs have produced the context of cybersecurity most intensively, and (3) websites deliver security information without caring about timeliness much.
Service Provisioning for Multi-source IoT Applications in Mobile Edge Computing
Authors: Li Jing , Liang Weifa , Xu Zichuan , Jia Xiaohua , Zhou Wanlei
Published: October 2021

We are embracing an era of Internet of Things (IoT). The latency brought by unstable wireless networks caused by limited resources of IoT devices seriously impacts the quality of services of users, particularly the service delay they experienced. Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) technology provides promising solutions to delay-sensitive IoT applications, where cloudlets (edge servers) are co-located with wireless access points in the proximity of IoT devices. The service response latency for IoT applications can be significantly shortened due to that their data processing can be performed in a local MEC network. Meanwhile, most IoT applications usually impose Service Function Chain (SFC) enforcement on their data transmission, where each data packet from its source gateway of an IoT device to the destination (a cloudlet) of the IoT application must pass through each Virtual Network Function (VNF) in the SFC in an MEC network. However, little attention has been paid on such a service provisioning of multi-source IoT applications in an MEC network with SFC enforcement.

In this article, we study service provisioning in an MEC network for multi-source IoT applications with SFC requirements and aiming at minimizing the cost of such service provisioning, where each IoT application has multiple data streams from different sources to be uploaded to a location (cloudlet) in the MEC network for aggregation, processing, and storage purposes. To this end, we first formulate two novel optimization problems: the cost minimization problem of service provisioning for a single multi-source IoT application, and the service provisioning problem for a set of multi-source IoT applications, respectively, and show that both problems are NP-hard. Second, we propose a service provisioning framework in the MEC network for multi-source IoT applications that consists of uploading stream data from multiple sources of the IoT application to the MEC network, data stream aggregation and routing through the VNF instance placement and sharing, and workload balancing among cloudlets. Third, we devise an efficient algorithm for the cost minimization problem built upon the proposed service provisioning framework, and further extend the solution for the service provisioning problem of a set of multi-source IoT applications. We finally evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithms through experimental simulations. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithms are promising.
How Good is Good Enough? Quantifying the Impact of Benefits, Accuracy, and Privacy on Willingness to Adopt COVID-19 Decision Aids
Authors: Kaptchuk Gabriel , Goldstein Daniel G. , Hargittai Eszter , Hofman Jake M. , Redmiles Elissa M.
Published: October 2021

An increasing number of data-driven decision aids are being developed to provide humans with advice to improve decision-making around important issues such as personal health and criminal justice. For algorithmic systems to support human decision-making effectively, people must be willing to use them. Yet, prior work suggests that accuracy and privacy concerns may both deter potential users and limit the efficacy of these systems.

We expand upon prior research by empirically modeling how accuracy and privacy influence intent to adopt algorithmic systems. We focus on an algorithmic system designed to aid people in a globally-relevant decision context with tangible consequences: the COVID-19 pandemic. We use statistical techniques to analyze surveys of 4,615 Americans to (1) evaluate the effect of both accuracy and privacy concerns on reported willingness to install COVID-19 apps; (2) examine how different groups of users weigh accuracy relative to privacy; and (3) we empirically develop the first statistical models, to our knowledge, of how theamountof benefit (e.g., error rate) anddegreeof privacy risk in a data-driven decision aid may influence willingness to adopt.
“Off-Label” Use of DNS
Authors: Wala Fatema Bannat , Cotton Chase
Published: October 2021

The
Domain Name System
(
DNS
) is known to be one of the most widely abused protocols by threat actors to use in unconventional ways to hide under normal traffic. Apart from threat actors, DNS is being actively used or rather misused by many other service providers, vendors, and so on, to provide the intended services. An in-depth examination of the DNS logs collected over a long period revealed some very interesting legitimate use cases of the DNS protocol by the industry and other players, apart from its normal name resolution service function. We coin the term “Off-label use of DNS” to represent those use cases. Legitimate here simply means using DNS for non-malicious purposes other than what it was traditionally designed for, which is for providing domain resolution; a dictionary service mapping domain names to corresponding IP addresses. One of the main reasons DNS is used, or possibly misused, for these off-label use cases is the speed of data transfer and reduced overhead in terms of bandwidth. These off-label use cases of DNS can often leak important information about the clients and software they are running and can be leveraged in a variety of ways by the network security defenders/analysts to improve their detection on the network. This research will detail some of those legitimate off-label use cases and how they can be leveraged by the analysts to detect malware trends in the network and much more just by analyzing an enterprise's DNS logs.
Regenerated Silk Fibroin-Modified Soft Graphene Aerogels for Supercapacitive Stress Sensors
Authors: Huang Linsheng , Guo Hongmei , Long Chang , Fu Jizhu , Zeng Wei , Xiong Yi , Wei Ning , Guo Xiaohui , Xu Chao , Fang Pengfei
Published: October 2021

The regenerated silk fibroin is developed to soft graphene aerogels for application in stress sensor. The resultant graphene aerogel owns a low density of 14.1 mg cm−3 with high mass specific capacitance of 128.4 F g−1. When a single aerogel serving as elastic medium, a supercapacitive stress sensor is established to offer high sensitivity of 0.73 kPa−1 in ranging 0.01–10 kPa. In contract, the sensor based on original graphene aerogel just shows a sensitivity of 0.04 kPa−1. Further, the sensing stability of the optimized sensor can retain 87% under constant pressure intensity of 1 kPa for 1000 cycles. The soft effect can be attributed to the regenerated silk fibroin by intercalation in preparation, and the simulated results show that the stress response originated from the variation of ion concentration in the electrochemical system.
Methods—A Potential–Dependent Thiele Modulus to Quantify the Effectiveness of Porous Electrocatalysts
Authors: Wan Charles Tai-Chieh , Greco Katharine V. , Alazmi Amira , Darling Robert M. , Chiang Yet-Ming , Brushett Fikile R.
Published: October 2021

Electrochemical reactors often employ high surface area electrocatalysts to accelerate volumetric reaction rates and increase productivity. While electrocatalysts can alleviate kinetic overpotentials, diffusional resistances at the pore-scale often prevent full catalyst utilization. The effect of intraparticle diffusion on the overall reaction rate can be quantified through an effectiveness factor expression governed by the Thiele modulus parameter. This analytical approach is integral to the development of catalytic structures for thermochemical processes and has previously been extended to electrochemical processes by accounting for the relationship between reaction kinetics and electrode overpotential. In this paper, we illustrate the method by deriving the expression for the potential-dependent Thiele modulus and using it to quantify the effectiveness factor for porous electrocatalytic structures. Specifically, we demonstrate the application of this mathematical framework to spherical microparticles as a function of applied overpotential across catalyst properties and reactant characteristics. The relative effects of kinetics and mass transport are related to overall reaction rates, revealing markedly lower catalyst utilization at increasing overpotential. Subsequently, we generalize the analysis to different catalyst shapes and provide guidance on the design of porous catalytic materials for use in electrochemical reactors.
Thermodynamic Properties of Ni–Nd Intermetallic Compounds Measured Electrochemically in Molten CaCl2–NdCl3
Authors: Hua Hang , Yasuda Kouji , Nohira Toshiyuki
Published: October 2021

The electrochemical formation of Ni–Nd intermetallic compounds has been investigated in a molten CaCl2–NdCl3 system. For further understanding the thermodynamic properties of different Ni–Nd intermetallic compounds, an electrochemical investigating method was used. The temperature dependences of the Nd3+/Nd potential and two-phase coexisting potentials of the Ni–Nd intermetallic compounds were determined via open-circuit potentiometry using Mo and Ni flag electrodes, respectively. Expressing the two-phase coexisting potentials with respect to the Nd3+/Nd potential, the relative partial molar Gibbs energies of Nd were calculated. The Nernst and Gibbs-Duhem equations were used to determine the activities of Ni and Nd, respectively. The relative partial molar Gibbs energies of Ni were calculated using its activities. Thereafter, the relative partial molar enthalpies and entropies of Ni and Nd were obtained using the temperature dependences of the relative partial molar Gibbs energies. Finally, the standard Gibbs energies, enthalpies, and entropies of formation of the various Ni–Nd intermetallic compounds were calculated using the relative partial molar Gibbs energies of Nd and Ni. The obtained thermodynamic parameters were compared with previously reported values obtained by the CALPHAD method and modeling calculations.
Modulation of p66Shc impairs cerebrovascular myogenic tone in low renin but not low nitric oxide models of systemic hypertension
Authors: Hughes William E. , Hockenberry Joe , Miller Bradley , Sorokin Andrey , Beyer Andreas M.
Published: October 2021

We demonstrate that the modulation of p66Shc signaling impairs cerebral artery myogenic tone in a low renin model of hypertension. This impairment is dependent upon the genetic background, as modulated p66Shc signaling in Sprague-Dawley rats does not impair cerebral artery myogenic tone.