bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In situ and micro‐Raman spectroscopy for the identification of natural Sicilian zeolites
Authors: Finocchiaro Claudio , Coccato Alessia , Barone Germana , Bersani Danilo , Culka Adam , Fornasini Laura , Mazzoleni Paolo , Jehlička Jan , Rousaki Anastasia , Vandenabeele Peter
Published: November 2021

Zeolites are present in numerous outcrops of volcanites of different ages in Sicily (Italy). Some of these outcrops are important because they constitute the ideal genesis conditions of some of these minerals, which represent geological indicators of chemical and geothermal gradients involved during their formation. For this purpose, a group of zeolites coming from areas of the Ionian coast and Palagonia village (Eastern Sicily) was investigated by means of Raman spectroscopy. In the geological record, these areas have been influenced by intense volcanic events that produced mineralization of hydrothermal origin. Sicilian zeolite samples were analysed in situ using different mobile Raman apparatus, directly on the outcrops of Aci Castello and the nearby Lachea Island, or in local collections where they are preserved. Some of these samples have been then analysed using laboratory micro‐Raman to compare the results and identify the zeolite types. The strength and weakness points of each instrument have been highlighted. Often, the Raman spectra of zeolites are affected by broad fluorescence, making them of difficult interpretation. However, satisfying results were obtained with portable devices, whose identifications were confirmed by micro‐Raman, discerning zeolites of different groups, such as analcime, chabazite, natrolite and phillipsite. The use of portable instruments has demonstrated the possibility to obtain identification of zeolites and related minerals both on site and in the laboratory, whose results match with the geological setting of the considered areas.
Effect of transducer placements on thresholds in ears with an abnormal ear canal and severe conductive hearing loss
Authors: Nishimura Tadashi , Hosoi Hiroshi , Saito Osamu , Shimokura Ryota , Morimoto Chihiro , Okayasu Tadao , Kitahara Tadashi
Published: November 2021

Objectives

Providing hearing compensation to patients with aural atresia is considerably challenging. Hearing aid transducers vibrating the aural cartilage (cartilage conduction; CC) have been devised, and hearing aids utilizing them (CC hearing aids) have quickly become a beneficial option for aural atresia in clinical applications. However, it remains unclear which placement (on the aural cartilage or mastoid) is beneficial to signal transmission.

Methods

This study included 35 patients (53 ears with an abnormal ear canal and severe conductive hearing loss) who were using CC hearing aids. Thresholds were compared between the transducers on the aural cartilage and on the mastoid.

Results

In ears with bony aural atresia, thresholds were significantly improved when the transducer was placed on the aural cartilage compared to when it was placed on the mastoid for frequencies ≤ 500 Hz (P < .05). In aural atresia ears with a fibrotic tissue pathway, the aural cartilage stimulation improved the thresholds by approximately 20 dB for frequencies ≤ 1000 Hz (P < .05). In non‐atretic ears, the aural cartilage locations significantly worsened the threshold at 4000 Hz (P < .05).

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrated that placing the transducer at the aural cartilage improved the mid‐to‐low frequency thresholds compared to mastoid transduction in aural atretic ears. In contrast, no clear improvement to the signal transmission due to the transducer's placement on the aural cartilage was recognized in non‐atretic ears.

Level of Evidence

2
Noninvasive Risk Stratification for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Among Living Liver Donor Candidates: A Proposed Algorithm
Authors: Danis Nilay , Weeks Sharon R. , Kim Ahyoung , Baghdadi Azarakhsh , Ghadimi Maryam , Kamel Ihab R. , Saberi Behnam , Woreta Tinsay , Garonzik‐Wang Jacqueline , Philosophe Benjamin , Gurakar Ahmet , Loomba Rohit
Published: November 2021

To reduce waitlist mortality, living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) has increased over the past decade in the United States, but not at a rate sufficient to completely mitigate organ shortage. As a result, there are ongoing efforts to expand the living liver donor pool. Simultaneously, the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the general population has increased, which has significant implications on the pool of potential living liver donors. As such, a clinical assessment algorithm that exhaustively evaluates for NAFLD and fibrosis is critical to the safe expansion of LDLT. An ideal algorithm would employ safe and noninvasive methods, relying on liver biopsy only when necessary. While exclusion of NAFLD and fibrosis by noninvasive means is widely studied within the general population, there are no well‐accepted guidelines for evaluation of living donors using these modalities. Here we review the current literature regarding noninvasive NALFD and fibrosis evaluation and propose a potential algorithm to apply these modalities for the selection of living liver donors.
A new eigenvalue problem solver for thermo‐mechanical vibration of Timoshenko nanobeams by an innovative nonlocal finite element method
Authors: Numanoğlu Hayri Metin , Ersoy Hakan , Akgöz Bekir , Civalek Ömer
Published: November 2021

In this study, size‐dependent thermo‐mechanical vibration analysis of nanobeams is examined. Size‐dependent dynamic equations are obtained by implementing Hamilton's principle based on Timoshenko beam theory and then combined with stress equation of nonlocal elasticity theory. The separation of variables total method and finite element formulation is utilized to solve the eigenvalue problem. Local and nonlocal stiffness and mass matrices are firstly derived by using a weighted residual method for the finite element analysis. The accuracy of the finite element solution is demonstrated by comparisons with the earlier studies. Then, nondimensional frequencies of nanobeams with different boundary conditions based on a nonlocal finite element method are presented for vibration analysis that cannot be analytically solved under different parameters. It is aimed to emphasize the importance of the nonlocal finite element method in the size‐dependent vibration behavior of nanobeams which form different components of nano‐electro‐mechanical systems.
Encounters with the Flesh of Fish: Subsistence Fishing along the Anacostia River
Authors: Aboii Sheyda M.
Published: November 2021

Coursing through Washington, DC, the Anacostia River is simultaneously an object of rehabilitation and a symbol of ongoing contamination. The river is a place where roadway runoff, sewer spillage, and trash add to the mix of industrial polychlorinated biphenyls and alkanes long wedded with the sediment. Yet, time spent with subsistence fishers along the Anacostia River also reveals how returning to the water’s edge, setting lines, hooking bait, or cleaning and consuming fish has the potential to expose the capitalist state. This essay considers the many facets of exposure beyond the sense of harm replete in environmentalist and environmental justice literatures. This essay ethnographically maps a constellation of bodies, environs, and exposures; it draws on Black feminist theory, including Leith Mullings’s conceptual treatment of environment, Audre Lorde’s erotics of the body, and Hortense J. Spillers’s analytic of the flesh, to conceptualize exposure as always an exposure to and an exposure of, or exposé. Through this synthesis, I not only trace the contours of a capitalist state where legacies of uneven contamination undergird selective prosperity but also attend to the excesses of exposure—what else there is to say about the river and ways of carefully paying attention along its banks.
The relationship between mindfulness and envy: The mediating role of emotional intelligence
Authors: Xiang Yanhui , Dong Xia , Zhao Jiaxu , Li Qingyin , Zhao Jingjing , Zhang Wenrui
Published: November 2021

Envy is a mixed negative emotion that is characterized by feelings of hostility, inferiority, resentment, and depression. It has been found that mindfulness is negatively associated with envy. This paper aimed to explore the interaction between mindfulness and envy by referring to the mindful emotion regulation model, and it also examines the mediation of emotional intelligence. Six hundred and seventy‐six participants (182 men and 494 women) completed the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, the Dispositional Envy Scale, and the Wong Law Emotional Intelligence Scale. Results suggest that mindfulness is significantly and negatively correlated with envy. Meanwhile, a multiple mediation analysis indicated that regulation of emotion and use of emotion partially mediate the impact of mindfulness on envy. The current study not only provides a theoretical basis for possible mechanisms underlying the inhibition of envy, but also provides valuable guidance for developing mindfulness‐based intervention programs aiming at reducing the negative effects of envy.
Effects of applied voltage waveform on the uniformity of a microplasma array confined inside polydimethylsiloxane microchannels
Authors: Wu Shuqun , Liu Xuhui , Ouyang Fan , Luo Yunxiang , Guo Yue , Zhang Chaohai
Published: November 2021

The uniformity of the microplasma array is essential to modify the hydrophilicity of the inner surface of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microchannels by plasma treatment. In this study, the effects of applied voltage waveforms on the uniformity of the microplasma array are investigated. Interestingly, the microplasma array excited by AC (alternate current) voltage looks more “uniform” by a digital camera and has higher gas temperature and electron density than that excited by unipolar and bipolar pulse voltage. Imaging the microplasma array by a fast intensified charge‐coupled device camera shows that the ignition of microplasma inside each microchannel has strong randomness in spatial distribution, and the opportunity of each microchannel being ignited is almost equal. Detailed analysis reveals that the low density of surface charges and the small overvoltage in the case of AC voltage are expected to play crucial roles in the stochastic behavior of microplasma ignition inside PDMS microchannels. This study is useful for understanding the uniformity of the microplasma array for surface modification of PDMS microchannels.
Synthesis, Biological Evaluation and Docking Studies of Quinoline Pyrazolyl‐Chalcone Hybrids as Anticancer and Antimicrobial Agents
Authors: Kamra Nisha , Rani Suman , Kumar Devinder , Singh Ajeet , Sangwan Payare L. , Singh Shashank K. , Thakral Samridhi , Singh Vikramjeet
Published: November 2021

A series of new quinoline pyrazolyl‐chalcone hybrids (4 a–4 s) was obtained from 4‐acetyl‐5‐methylquinolylpyrazole and aromatic aldehydes and the structure of these hybrids were established with the help of FTIR, 1D NMR (1H and13C), 2D NMR and HRMS data. The anticancer potential of selected quinoline pyrazolyl‐chalcone hybrids was evaluated against colon cancer (HT‐29, HCT‐116), lung cancer (A549), and prostate cancer (PC‐3) cell lines. (E)‐1‐(5‐Methyl‐1‐(4‐methylquinolin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl)‐3‐(2,4,6‐trimethoxyphenyl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐one (4 j) displayed good cytotoxicity with IC50values of 5.4, 3.2 and 2.8 μM against HT‐29, A549, and PC‐3 cancer cell lines, respectively. The antimicrobial potential of quinoline pyrazolyl‐chalcone hybrids was tested against three bacterial strains (B. subtilis,S. aureusandE. coli) and two fungal strains (A. nigerandC. albicans). (E)‐1‐(5‐Methyl‐1‐(4‐methylquinolin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl)‐3‐(3‐nitrophenyl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐one (4 r) exhibited significant activity against Gram positive bacteria (B. subtilisandS. aureus)and fungal strains with MIC value of 15.6 μM. Molecular docking analysis was conducted to determine the binding interactions of quinoline pyrazolyl‐chalcone hybrids with their respective biochemical targetsviz. Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase (EGFR), Thymidylate kinase (TMK) andC. albicansN‐myristoyltransferase.
Generation of Intense Short Electron Pulses Using High‐Intensity Lasers
Authors: Sakabe Shuji , Hashida Masaki , Inoue Shunsuke
Published: November 2021

The great potential of high‐intensity lasers to generate quantum beams for material analysis is highlighted by introducing some representative examples, including laser electron acceleration for ultrafast electron diffraction/deflectometry and laser terahertz surface wave generation. We have demonstrated that short electron pulses can be generated by intense femtosecond laser pulses. The pulse duration is as short as 100 fs, which is superior to that obtained using conventional accelerators. These short electron pulses are applicable to not only to the study of materials but also the observation of laser–matter interaction phenomena. © 2021 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
A meshless collocation method on nonlinear analysis of functionally graded hyperelastic plates using radial basis function
Authors: Hosseini Shahram , Rahimi Gholamhossein , Shahgholian‐Ghahfarokhi Davoud
Published: November 2021

In the present work, the nonlinear static analysis of functionally graded hyperelastic thin plate is investigated. The neo‐Hookean strain energy function and right Cauchy‐Green tensor are utilized to formulate the potential energy function. Also, the first‐order shear deformation theory of the plate is used to form the strain‐displacement relations. The strong form of the governing equations is derived using Euler‐Lagrange relations, and these relations are discretized using the meshless collocation method (MCM). The thin‐plate spline (TPS) radial basis function (RBF) is utilized to discretize the nonlinear governing equations, and the arc‐length continuation algorithm is used to solve the nonlinear algebraic system of equations. Square and circular plates with clamped and simply supported boundary conditions and various power‐law indexes are investigated using the MCM. The results are compared to those of the finite element method (FEM). The results show that the MCM is an accurate and efficient method in comparison to FEM for circular and square functionally graded (FG) hyperelastic thin plates.
The Trend of Deep Regional Integration
Authors: Jinji Naoto , Zhang Xingyuan , Haruna Shoji
Published: November 2021

The last quarter century until around 2016 has witnessed “unprecedented trade integration” (Baier et al. 2019) in the world. There has been a rapid proliferation of regional trade agreements (RTAs). Figure 2.1 shows the evolution of RTAs in the world since the World War II.
Conformal quantum mechanics & the integrable spinning Fishnet
Authors: Derkachov Sergey , Olivucci Enrico
Published: November 2021

Abstract

In this paper we consider systems of quantum particles in the 4d Euclidean space which enjoy conformal symmetry. The algebraic relations for conformal-invariant combinations of positions and momenta are used to construct a solution of the Yang-Baxter equation in the unitary irreducibile representations of the principal series ∆ = 2 + iν for any left/right spins ℓ,$$ \dot{\ell} $$

ℓ
̇

of the particles. Such relations are interpreted in the language of Feynman diagrams as integral star-triangle identites between propagators of a conformal field theory. We prove the quantum integrability of a spin chain whose k-th site hosts a particle in the representation (∆k, ℓk,$$ \dot{\ell} $$

ℓ
̇

k) of the conformal group, realizing a spinning and inhomogeneous version of the quantum magnet used to describe the spectrum of the bi-scalar Fishnet theories [1]. For the special choice of particles in the scalar (1, 0, 0) and fermionic (3/2, 1, 0) representation the transfer matrices of the model are Bethe-Salpeter kernels for the double-scaling limit of specific two-point correlators in the γ-deformed $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 and $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 supersymmetric theories.
p-form surface charges on AdS: renormalization and conservation
Authors: Esmaeili Erfan , Hosseinzadeh Vahid
Published: November 2021

Abstract

Surface charges of a p-form theory on the boundary of an AdSd+1 spacetime are computed. Counter-terms on the boundary produce divergent corner-terms which holographically renormalize the symplectic form. Different choices of boundary conditions lead to various expressions for the charges and the associated fluxes. With the usual standard AdS boundary conditions, there are conserved zero-mode charges. Moreover, we explore two leaky boundary conditions which admit an infinite number of charges forming an Abelian algebra and non-vanishing flux. Finally, we discuss magnetic p-form charges and electric/magnetic duality.
Multi-omics prediction of oat agronomic and seed nutritional traits across environments and in distantly related populations
Authors: Hu Haixiao , Campbell Malachy T. , Yeats Trevor H. , Zheng Xuying , Runcie Daniel E. , Covarrubias-Pazaran Giovanny , Broeckling Corey , Yao Linxing , Caffe-Treml Melanie , Gutiérrez Lucı́a , Smith Kevin P. , Tanaka James , Hoekenga Owen A. , Sorrells Mark E. , Gore Michael A. , Jannink Jean-Luc
Published: November 2021

Key message

Integration of multi-omics data improved prediction accuracies of oat agronomic and seed nutritional traits in multi-environment trials and distantly related populations in addition to the single-environment prediction.

Multi-omics prediction has been shown to be superior to genomic prediction with genome-wide DNA-based genetic markers (G) for predicting phenotypes. However, most of the existing studies were based on historical datasets from one environment; therefore, they were unable to evaluate the efficiency of multi-omics prediction in multi-environment trials and distantly related populations. To fill those gaps, we designed a systematic experiment to collect omics data and evaluate 17 traits in two oat breeding populations planted in single and multiple environments. In the single-environment trial, transcriptomic BLUP (T), metabolomic BLUP (M), G + T, G + M, and G + T + M models showed greater prediction accuracy than GBLUP for 5, 10, 11, 17, and 17 traits, respectively, and metabolites generally performed better than transcripts when combined with SNPs. In the multi-environment trial, multi-trait models with omics data outperformed both counterpart multi-trait GBLUP models and single-environment omics models, and the highest prediction accuracy was achieved when modeling genetic covariance as an unstructured covariance model. We also demonstrated that omics data can be used to prioritize loci from one population with omics data to improve genomic prediction in a distantly related population using a two-kernel linear model that accommodated both likely casual loci with large-effect and loci that explain little or no phenotypic variance. We propose that the two-kernel linear model is superior to most genomic prediction models that assume each variant is equally likely to affect the trait and can be used to improve prediction accuracy for any trait with prior knowledge of genetic architecture.
Using structural break inference for forecasting time series
Authors: Altansukh Gantungalag , Osborn Denise R.
Published: November 2021

Rather than relying on a potentially poor point estimate of a coefficient break date when forecasting, this paper proposes averaging forecasts over sub-samples indicated by a confidence interval or set for the break date. Further, we examine whether explicit consideration of a possible variance break and the use of a two-step methodology improves forecast accuracy compared with using heteroskedasticity robust inference. Our Monte Carlo results and empirical application to US productivity growth show that averaging using the likelihood ratio-based confidence set typically performs well in comparison with other methods, while two-step inference is particularly useful when a variance break occurs concurrently with or after any coefficient break.
Initial Angiotensin Receptor Blocker Response in Young Marfan Patients Decreases After 3 Years of Treatment
Authors: Pees Christiane , Heno Julian , Michel-Behnke Ina
Published: November 2021

Marfan syndrome is caused by mutations of the fibrillin-1 gene, which weakens the connective tissue integrity. Since 2003, bioavailability regulations of TGF-ß through fibrillin alterations have been presumed of being the culprit mechanisms for aortic aneurysm development. We present the analysis of our single-center Marfan children and adolescents cohort to assess the influence of age, sex, degree of cardiovascular involvement and dosage on losartan effectivity. This prospective longitudinal registered echocardiographical investigation (EudraCT 2009-016139-36) of 49 patients with an average follow-up of 72 months focused on aortic root z-scores, elasticity, and yearly progression rates. The 33 patients under medication with losartan showed an aortic root z-score reduction during the first 36 months compared to 22 patients without medication presenting constant mild progression. Yet, results diminished under losartan thereafter, adding up to similar progressions over 72 months in both groups (0.07 ± 0.10/year versus 0.04 ± 0.11/year). Although male patients exhibited higher root z-scores, progression with and without medication was comparable to females and not age-dependent. In conclusion, losartan evoked a significant aortic root z-score regression in young Marfan patients over the first 3 years, but this effect mitigated thereafter. The initial improvement concurred with ameliorated elasticity; lower stiffness levels predicted better clinical outcome, but likewise only up to 36 months. Sex differences in dilatation severity were observed but neither age nor sex had significant influence on progression rates. Losartan dosages were gradually increased in more severely affected patients and provided an equal rate of root progression over 72 months in comparison to patients under losartan treatment with lesser baseline dilatation severity.
On the Diurnal Cycle of Heavy Rainfall over the Sichuan Basin during 10–18 August 2020
Authors: Xia Rudi , Luo Yali , Zhang Da-Lin , Li Mingxin , Bao Xinghua , Sun Jisong
Published: November 2021

A sustained heavy rainfall event occurred over the Sichuan basin in southwest China during 10–18 August 2020, showing pronounced diurnal rainfall variations with nighttime peak and afternoon minimum values, except on the first day. Results show that the westward extension of the anomalously strong western Pacific subtropical high was conducive to the maintenance of a southerly low-level jet (LLJ) in and to the southeast of the basin, which favored continuous water vapor transport and abnormally high precipitable water in the basin. The diurnal cycle of rainfall over the basin was closely related to the periodic oscillation of the LLJ in both wind speed and direction that was caused by the combination of inertial oscillation and terrain thermal forcing. The nocturnally enhanced rainfall was produced by moist convection mostly initiated during the evening hours over the southwest part of the basin where high convective available potential energy with moister near-surface moist air was present. The convective initiation took place as cold air from either previous precipitating clouds from the western Sichuan Plateau or a larger-scale northerly flow met a warm and humid current from the south. It was the slantwise lifting of the warm, moist airflow above the cold air, often facilitated by southwest vortices and quasi-geostrophic ascent, that released the convective instability and produced heavy rainfall.
Long-lasting olfactory dysfunction in COVID-19 patients
Authors: Prem Bernhard , Liu David T. , Besser Gerold , Sharma Gunjan , Dultinger Laura E. , Hofer Sissy V. , Matiasczyk Martina M. , Renner Bertold , Mueller Christian A.
Published: November 2021

Objectives

Olfactory dysfunction (OD) is a common symptom of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Although many patients have been reported to regain olfactory function within the first month, long-term observation reports vary. Therefore, we aimed to assess the course of chemosensory function in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 within 3–15 months after the infection.

Methods

One hundred and two patients (71 females and 31 males; mean age 38.8 years) diagnosed with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 and subjective OD participated in this single-center study 111–457 days after onset of OD. Patients first performed chemosensory tests at home, followed by psychophysical testing (Sniffin’ Sticks (TDI), 27-item Candy Smell Test (CST), Taste Strips Test (TST)) in the clinic. Questionnaires regarding importance of olfaction (IOQ) and olfactory-specific quality of life (QOD) were applied at both timepoints.

Results

After a mean 216 days (SD 73; range 111–457) between OD onset and follow-up testing, the mean Sniffin’ Sticks (TDI) score was 27.1 points (SD 5.8; range 4.25–38.5): 4.0% were anosmic, 72.5% hyposmic, and 23.5% normosmic. At follow-up testing, 73.5% of patients reported improvement, 5.9% deterioration, and 20.6% no change in OD. Moreover, full recovery of self-perceived smell, flavor, and taste was not observed. According to questionnaires, the individual importance of smell did not change, but participants showed improvement in OD-related quality of life (p < 0.001) and had increased parosmia scores (p = 0.014) at follow-up.

Conclusion

Our results show that long-lasting OD after SARS-CoV-2 infection is a common symptom. The majority of patients had OD in the range of hyposmia, which was confirmed by comprehensive smell tests.
Mammalian animal models for dengue virus infection: a recent overview
Authors: Kayesh Mohammad Enamul Hoque , Tsukiyama-Kohara Kyoko
Published: November 2021

Dengue, a rapidly spreading mosquito-borne human viral disease caused by dengue virus (DENV), is a public health concern in tropical and subtropical areas due to its expanding geographical range. DENV can cause a wide spectrum of illnesses in humans, ranging from asymptomatic infection or mild dengue fever (DF) to life-threatening dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS). Dengue is caused by four DENV serotypes; however, dengue pathogenesis is complex and poorly understood. Establishing a useful animal model that can exhibit dengue-fever-like signs similar to those in humans is essential to improve our understanding of the host response and pathogenesis of DENV. Although several animal models, including mouse models, non-human primate models, and a recently reported tree shrew model, have been investigated for DENV infection, animal models with clinical signs that are similar to those of DF in humans have not yet been established. Although animal models are essential for understanding the pathogenesis of DENV infection and for drug and vaccine development, each animal model has its own strengths and limitations. Therefore, in this review, we provide a recent overview of animal models for DENV infection and pathogenesis, focusing on studies of the antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) effect in animal models.
Sexual Consent Perceptions of a Fictional Vignette: A Latent Growth Curve Model
Authors: Willis Malachi , Jozkowski Kristen N.
Published: November 2021

Sexual consent can be conceptualized as a process of accumulating cues that build toward and continue throughout a consensual sexual encounter. How people perceive the cues of others during this process is an important aspect of consent. However, previous research has not investigated the trajectories of people’s consent perceptions throughout such a process. Using a novel staggered vignette protocol, we examined participants’ (N = 1218; 64.4% female) perceptions of fictional targets’ sexual consent at 11 time points. We tested latent growth curve models using multilevel structural equation modeling to examine trajectories in consent perceptions over the course of the vignette. We hypothesized that mean differences and rates of change would be associated with several constructs relevant to sexual consent. We found that initial consent perceptions and trends over the course of the vignette varied by whether the participant was a university student, by an alcohol manipulation in the vignette, by the fictional target’s sex, and by type of sexual behavior. Researchers should examine whether our findings on consent perceptions of a fictional vignette extend to people’s actual sexual encounters, including potential associations between the three primary aspects of sexual consent: perceptions, feelings, and communication.
The Duty of Violence
Authors: Chouraqui Frank
Published: November 2021

This essay argues that the deontological view of morality is connected to extreme and massive forms of violence through a kind of phenomenological necessity. In the first main section, I examine one family of such violence, which usually comes under the label of “religious violence”. I argue that it is not the religious element but the disqualification of context from the realm of justification which characterizes such violence. In the second main section, I examine the phenomenology of duty to conclude that duty, by definition, denies any normative relevance to context. In the third main section, I use this sketch of a phenomenology of duty to propose a hypothesis about the underpinnings of the connection between mass violence and duty, namely, that the notion of duty carries with it the exclusion of moderation, and places the agent before an impossible situation that can only be resolved by violence.
Modelling Robust Delivery Scenarios for a Fleet of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Disaster Relief Missions
Authors: Radzki G. , Golinska-Dawson P. , Bocewicz G. , Banaszak Z.
Published: November 2021

Besides commercial and military applications, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are now used more commonly in disaster relief operations. This study proposes a novel model for proactive and reactive planning (different scenarios) that allow for a higher degree of realism, thus a higher likelihood for a mission of being executed according to the plan even when weather forecasts are changing. The novelty of this study results from the addition of a function of resistance of UAVs mission to changes in weather conditions. We link the influence of weather conditions on the UAV’s energy consumption. The goal is to ensure the completion of planned deliveries by a fleet of UAVs under changing weather conditions before their batteries discharge and to identify the emergency route for returned if the mission cannot be completed. An approach based on constraint programming is proposed, as it has proven to be effective in various contexts, especially related to the nonlinearity of the system’s characteristics. The proposed approach has been tested on several instances, which have allowed for analyzing how the plan of mission is robust to the changing weather conditions with different parameters, such as the fleet size, battery capacity, and distribution network layout.
Modeling Latent Topics in Social Media using Dynamic Exploratory Graph Analysis: The Case of the Right-wing and Left-wing Trolls in the 2016 US Elections
Authors: Golino Hudson , Christensen Alexander P. , Moulder Robert , Kim Seohyun , Boker Steven M.
Published: November 2021

The past few years were marked by increased online offensive strategies perpetrated by state and non-state actors to promote their political agenda, sow discord, and question the legitimacy of democratic institutions in the US and Western Europe. In 2016, the US congress identified a list of Russian state-sponsored Twitter accounts that were used to try to divide voters on a wide range of issues. Previous research used latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) to estimate latent topics in data extracted from these accounts. However, LDA has characteristics that may limit the effectiveness of its use on data from social media: The number of latent topics must be specified by the user, interpretability of the topics can be difficult to achieve, and it does not model short-term temporal dynamics. In the current paper, we propose a new method to estimate latent topics in texts from social media termed Dynamic Exploratory Graph Analysis (DynEGA). In a Monte Carlo simulation, we compared the ability of DynEGA and LDA to estimate the number of simulated latent topics. The results show that DynEGA is substantially more accurate than several different LDA algorithms when estimating the number of simulated topics. In an applied example, we performed DynEGA on a large dataset with Twitter posts from state-sponsored right- and left-wing trolls during the 2016 US presidential election. DynEGA revealed topics that were pertinent to several consequential events in the election cycle, demonstrating the coordinated effort of trolls capitalizing on current events in the USA. This example demonstrates the potential power of our approach for revealing temporally relevant information from qualitative text data.
Mesenchymal stromal cell-derived small extracellular vesicles promote neurological recovery and brain remodeling after distal middle cerebral artery occlusion in aged rats
Authors: Dumbrava Danut-Adrian , Surugiu Roxana , Börger Verena , Ruscu Mihai , Tertel Tobias , Giebel Bernd , Hermann Dirk M. , Popa-Wagner Aurel
Published: November 2021

Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) obtained from mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) promote neurological recovery after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in young rodents. Ischemic stroke mainly affects aged humans. MSC-sEV effects on stroke recovery in aged rodents had not been assessed. In a head-to-head comparison, we exposed young (4–5 months) and aged (19–20 months) male Sprague–Dawley rats to permanent distal MCAO. At 24 h, 3 and 7 days post-stroke, vehicle or MSC-sEVs (2 × 106 or 2 × 107 MSC equivalents/kg) were intravenously administered. Neurological deficits, ischemic injury, brain inflammatory responses, post-ischemic angiogenesis, and endogenous neurogenesis were evaluated over 28 days. Post-MCAO, aged vehicle-treated rats exhibited more severe motor-coordination deficits evaluated by rotating pole and cylinder tests and larger brain infarcts than young vehicle-treated rats. Although infarct volume was not influenced by MSC-sEVs, sEVs at both doses effectively reduced motor-coordination deficits in young and aged rats. Brain macrophage infiltrates in periinfarct tissue, which were evaluated as marker of a recovery-aversive inflammatory environment, were significantly stronger in aged than young vehicle-treated rats. sEVs reduced brain macrophage infiltrates in aged, but not young rats. The tolerogenic shift in immune balance paved the way for structural brain tissue remodeling. Hence, sEVs at both doses increased periinfarct angiogenesis evaluated by CD31/BrdU immunohistochemistry in young and aged rats, and low-dose sEVs increased neurogenesis in the subventricular zone examined by DCX/BrdU immunohistochemistry. Our study provides robust evidence that MSC-sEVs promote functional neurological recovery and brain tissue remodeling in aged rats post-stroke. This study encourages further proof-of-concept studies in clinic-relevant stroke settings.
Mycotoxins occurrence in medicinal herbs dietary supplements and exposure assessment
Authors: Pallarés Noelia , Berrada Houda , Font Guillermina , Ferrer Emilia
Published: November 2021

The multimycotoxin analysis of aflatoxins (AFs), zearalenone (ZEA), ochratoxin A (OTA), enniatins (ENNs) and beauvericin (BEA) was performed in 85 samples of medicinal herbs dietary supplements. The samples were classified in 64 samples of one herbal ingredient and 21 mixed samples. The extraction was performed by QuEChERS method and the determination by liquid chromatography coupled to ion-trap tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS-IT). Then, the risk characterization to mycotoxins through the consumption of medicinal herbs dietary supplements was assessed. The results showed that ZEA, OTA, ENNs and BEA showed in the samples with incidences between 1 and 34%, being ENNB the most detected mycotoxin. Mycotoxins contents ranged from LOQ to 3850.5 µg/kg while the mean of positives samples were 65.5 µg/kg (ENNA), 82.7 µg/kg (ENNA1), 88.7 µg/kg (ENNB), 324.9 µg/kg (ENNB1), 137.9 µg/kg (BEA) and 1340.11 µg/kg (ZEA), respectively. OTA was detected in one herbal mix tablet for insomnia at concentration of 799 μg/kg. In herbal drugs the European Pharmacopoeia Commission has implemented limits of 2 µg/kg for AFB1 and 4 µg/kg for total AFs. In the present study AFs have not been detected in the analyzed medicinal herbs dietary supplements. The Estimated Daily Intakes (EDIs) values were calculated using a deterministic method, considering two exposure scenarios (lower bound (LB) and upper bound (UB)). The values obtained were in general far below the Tolerable Daily Intakes (TDIs) established.

Graphical abstract
Experiences and perspectives of older patients with a return visit to the emergency department within 30 days: patient journey mapping
Authors: Schouten Bo , Driesen Babiche E. J. M. , Merten Hanneke , Burger Brigitte H. C. M. , Hartjes Mariëlle G. , Nanayakkara Prabath W. B. , Wagner Cordula
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Up to 22% of older patients who visit the emergency department (ED) have a return visit within 30 days. To achieve patient-centered care for this group at the ED it is important to involve the patient perspective and strive to provide the best possible experience. The aim of this study was to gain insight into the experiences and perspectives of older patients from initial to return ED visit by mapping their patient journey.

Methods

We performed a qualitative patient journey study with 13 patients of 70 years and older with a return ED visit within 30 days who presented at the Amsterdam UMC, a Dutch academic hospital. We used semi-structured interviews focusing on the patient experience during their journey and developed a conceptual framework for coding.

Results

Our sample consisted of 13 older patients with an average age of 80 years, and 62% of them were males. The framework contained a timeline of the patient journey with five chronological main themes, complemented with an ‘experience’ theme, these were divided into 34 subthemes. Health status, social system, contact with the general practitioner, aftercare, discharge and expectations were the five main themes. The experiences regarding these themes differed greatly between patients. The two most prominent subthemes were waiting time and discharge communication, which were mostly related to a negative experience.

Conclusions

This study provides insight into the experiences and perspectives of older patients from initial to return ED visit. The two major findings were that lack of clarity regarding waiting times and suboptimal discharge communication contributed to negative experiences. Recommendations regarding waiting time (i.e. a two-hour time out at the ED), and discharge communication (i.e. checklist for discharge) could contribute to a positive ED experience and thereby potentially improve patient-centered care.
Virtual Reality Application of the Fortress Al Zubarah in Qatar Including Performance Analysis of Real-Time Visualisation
Authors: Kersten Thomas , Drenkhan Daniel , Deggim Simon
Published: November 2021

Technological advancements in the area of Virtual Reality (VR) in the past years have the potential to fundamentally impact our everyday lives. VR makes it possible to explore a digital world with a Head-Mounted Display (HMD) in an immersive, embodied way. In combination with current tools for 3D documentation, modelling and software for creating interactive virtual worlds, VR has the means to play an important role in the conservation and visualisation of cultural heritage (CH) for museums, educational institutions and other cultural areas. Corresponding game engines offer tools for interactive 3D visualisation of CH objects, which makes a new form of knowledge transfer possible with the direct participation of users in the virtual world. However, to ensure smooth and optimal real-time visualisation of the data in the HMD, VR applications should run at 90 frames per second. This frame rate is dependent on several criteria including the amount of data or number of dynamic objects. In this contribution, the performance of a VR application has been investigated using different digital 3D models of the fortress Al Zubarah in Qatar with various resolutions. We demonstrate the influence on real-time performance by the amount of data and the hardware equipment and that developers of VR applications should find a compromise between the amount of data and the available computer hardware, to guarantee a smooth real-time visualisation with approx. 90 fps (frames per second). Therefore, CAD models offer a better performance for real-time VR visualisation than meshed models due to the significant reduced data volume.
P-POSSUM as mortality predictor in COVID-19-infected patients submitted to emergency digestive surgery. A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Madrazo Zoilo , Osorio Javier , Videla Sebastián , Sainz Beatriz , Rodríguez-González Araceli , Campos Andrea , Santamaría Maite , Pelegrina Amalia , González-Serrano Carmen , Aldeano Aurora , Sarriugarte Aingeru , Gómez-Díaz Carlos Javier , Ruiz-Luna David , García-Ruiz-de-Gordejuela Amador , Gómez-Gavara Concepción , Gil-Barrionuevo Marta , Vila Marina , Clavell Arantxa , Campillo Beatriz , Millán Laura , Olona Carles , Sánchez-Cordero Sergi , Medrano Rodrigo , López-Arévalo Camilo Andrés , Pérez-Romero Noelia , Artigau Eva , Calle Miguel , Echenagusia Víctor , Otero Aurema , Tebé Cristian , Pallarès Natàlia , Biondo Sebastiano
Published: November 2021

Abstract

Background

COVID-19 infection is associated with a higher mortality rate in surgical patients, but surgical risk scores have not been validated in the emergency setting. We aimed to study the capacity for postoperative mortality prediction of the P-POSSUM score in COVID-19-positive patients submitted to emergency general and digestive surgery.

Material and methods

Consecutive patients undergoing emergency general and digestive surgery from March to June 2020, and from March to June 2019 in 25 Spanish hospitals were included in a retrospective cohort study. Main outcome: 30-day mortality. P-POSSUM discrimination was quantified by the area under the curve (AUC) of ROC curves; calibration was assessed by linear regression slope (β estimator); and sensitivity and specificity were expressed as percentage and 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

4988 patients were included: 177 COVID-19-positive; 2011 intra-pandemic COVID-19-negative; and 2800 pre-pandemic. COVID-19-positive patients were older, with higher surgical risk, more advanced pathologies, and higher P-POSSUM values (1.79% vs. 1.09%, p < 0.001, in both the COVID-19-negative and control cohort). 30-day mortality in the COVID-19-positive, intra-pandemic COVID-19-negative and pre-pandemic cohorts were: 12.9%, 4.6%, and 3.2%. The P-POSSUM predictive values in the three cohorts were, respectively: AUC 0.88 (95% CI 0.81–0.95), 0.89 (95% CI 0.87–0.92), and 0.91 (95% CI 0.88–0.93); β value 0.97 (95% CI 0.74–1.2), 0.99 (95% CI 0.82–1.16), and 0.78 (95% CI 0.74–0.82); sensitivity 83% (95% CI 61–95), 91% (95% CI 84–96), and 89% (95% CI 80–94); and specificity 81% (95% CI 74–87), 76% (95% CI 74–78), and 80% (95% CI 79–82).

Conclusion

The P-POSSUM score showed a good predictive capacity for postoperative mortality in COVID-19-positive patients submitted to emergency general and digestive surgery.

Highlights
TRUNCATED AFFINE SPRINGER FIBERS AND ARTHUR’S WEIGHTED ORBITAL INTEGRALS
Authors: Chen Zongbin
Published: November 2021

We explain an algorithm to calculate Arthur’s weighted orbital integral in terms of the number of rational points on the fundamental domain of the associated affine Springer fiber. The strategy is to count the number of rational points of the truncated affine Springer fibers in two ways: by the Arthur–Kottwitz reduction and by the Harder–Narasimhan reduction. A comparison of results obtained from these two approaches gives recurrence relations between the number of rational points on the fundamental domains of the affine Springer fibers and Arthur’s weighted orbital integrals. As an example, we calculate Arthur’s weighted orbital integrals for the groups
${\textrm {GL}}_{2}$
and
${\textrm {GL}}_{3}$
.
Tropical Cyclone Frequency
Authors: Sobel Adam H. , Wing Allison A. , Camargo Suzana J. , Patricola Christina M. , Vecchi Gabriel A. , Lee Chia‐Ying , Tippett Michael K.
Published: November 2021

The frequency with which tropical cyclones (TCs) occur controls all other aspects of tropical cyclone risk since a storm that does not occur can do no harm. Yet this frequency is poorly understood. There is no accepted theory that explains the average number of TCs that occur each year on the Earth, nor how that number will change with global warming. Arguments based on global budgets of heat or moisture do not yet appear helpful, nor does a detailed understanding of the physical processes of TC genesis. Empirical indices that predict TC frequency as a function of large‐scale environmental variables can explain some of its relative variations in space and time, but not its absolute value. Global numerical models with horizontal grid spacings on the order of 25–50 km have allowed much improved simulations of TC activity, however. Many such models project a decrease in frequency with warming, but some project an increase. Idealized simulations, including those at higher resolutions, offer promise by allowing a systematic, deductive investigation of the roles of individual environmental factors. In addition to the larger‐scale environmental modulation of genesis likelihood, precursor disturbances, or “seeds”, may exert an independent influence on TC frequency.
A Generalized Magnetospheric Disturbance Index: Initial Application to Mars Using MAVEN Observations
Authors: Gruesbeck J. R. , Espley J. R. , Lee C. O. , Curry S. M.
Published: November 2021

Since MAVEN's arrival at Mars in 2014, in situ observations of the magnetic field have been made continually. During this time, the Martian magnetosphere has been disturbed by various solar transient events such as stream interaction regions (SIRs) and interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs). To understand the impact of transient events on magnetospheres, statistical studies with large sets of events are necessary. At Earth, quantitative disturbance metrics have been employed, primarily relying on ground‐based magnetometer observations, enabling statistical studies of transient events to various physical processes driven by solar wind‐planetary interactions. However, many of these indices require assumptions about the magnetic field background. Lacking an intrinsic global magnetic field, the Martian magnetosphere is a product of piled‐up interplanetary magnetic field resulting in a variable “nominal” state of the system. To estimate the level of the disturbance to the Martian system, we have developed a generalized Magnetospheric Disturbance Index (MDI). MDI normalizes each observation and quantifies the change in field strength and variability inside of the bow shock. As an initial application, we compare the effectiveness of more than 70 SIRs and ICMEs at disturbing the Martian system. We find that the strength of MDI is not dependent on the type of space weather event impacting Mars. Additionally, the duration of the disturbance is not correlated to the type of space weather event or strength of disturbance. The short duration of the disturbance may imply that the system reacts to enhanced dynamic pressure and quickly relaxes back to a nominal state.