bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recent Progress of Carbon‐Based Anode Materials for Potassium Ion Batteries
Authors: Zhang Yamin , Wang Yuyan , Hou Linrui , Yuan Changzhou
Published: June 2022

With the increasing demand for clean energy, rechargeable batteries with K+ as carriers have attracted wide attention due to their advantages of expandability and low cost. High‐performance anode materials are the key to the development of potassium ion batteries (PIBs), improving their competitiveness and feasibility. Carbon materials have become promising anodes for PIBs due to their abundant resources, low cost, non‐toxicity and electrochemical diversity. This article reviews the research progress of carbon based anode materials in recent years. Firstly, the unique characteristics of carbon as a competitive anode for advanced PIBs are discussed, which provides guidance for optimal design and exploration. Then, various carbon materials as the anodes towards PIBs are summarized in detail, and the involved problems and corresponding solutions are analyzed. Finally, the future development and perspective of advanced carbons for next‐generation PIBs are proposed.
Scoping review of end‐of‐life decision‐making models used in dogs, cats and equids
Authors: Cameron Amelia , Pollock Kristian , Wilson Eleanor , Burford John , England Gary , Freeman Sarah
Published: June 2022

Background

End‐of‐life decisions for companion animals can be stressful for veterinarians and owners, and when delayed result in poor animal welfare. Delayed euthanasia has been identified as a particularly prominent issue for horses. This scoping review aimed to identify the available literature on veterinary decision‐making models, which can support end‐of‐life planning.

Methods

A protocol was preregistered, and a structured literature search was performed on six electronic databases. Publications were reviewed against specifically developed eligibility criteria. Data from original studies and narrative‐type reviews were extracted separately, and the components of each model were charted.

Results

A total of 2211 publications were identified, 23 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final review. Eight were original research studies and 15 were narrative reviews or similar. Publications were not indexed uniformly, increasing the difficulty of discovering relevant sources. The end‐of‐life decision‐making process comprised three stages: (1) making the decision, (2) enacting the decision and (3) aftercare. Twenty key components of decision‐making models were identified, although no publication reflected all of these.

Conclusions

A lack of original research studies and equine‐specific publications was identified. Shared decision‐making models for euthanasia in veterinary practice should include all three stages and consider species‐specific issues.
Small Militaries and Operational Art: A Strange but Beneficial Pairing
Authors: Jackson Aaron P.
Published: June 2022

This chapter examines why and how small militaries have adopted operational art despite not possessing large enough forces to apply the concept in the manner it was originally intended. First, it establishes context by summarizing three large military operational art traditions – the German, Soviet, and American traditions. Second, it examines why small militaries have adopted the concept, positing that it is due to a mixture of interoperability and cultural reasons. While there are many potential ways to define “small militaries,” they are defined here as either comprising less than 100,000 personnel, or as fielding land combat forces of one division or less in size. By either definition, these militaries are smaller in scale than those required to apply operational art as conceptualized within the three large military traditions summarized. Third, three case studies examine how small militaries have adapted and applied the concept: those of Australia; Canada; and the Nordic and Baltic countries. Despite facing different strategic situations, the way these militaries have applied operational art has been very similar. All have taken a functional approach, which de-links operational art from its original emphasis on scale. These militaries have used this modified concept to enable them to operate more effectively alongside their larger allies, America in particular.
Framing Mathematical Excellence
Authors: Schappacher Norbert
Published: June 2022

Todays International Mathematical Union (IMU) derives its greatest visibility among mathematicians world wide from the International Congresses. Its very foundation was an integral part of the mounting of the first postwar ICM at Harvard in 1950. It is via the experience of the quadrennial ICMs and the published traces they leave behind that an image of mathematics continues to be framed and projected for the mathematical community at large, and for the whole world to see. In this final chapter we present a data-based study of how the most exquisite layer of this image has evolved over the past seventy years.
Cooperation Between Russia and China in Multilateral Organizations: A Tactical or a Strategic Alliance?
Authors: Wientzek Olaf
Published: June 2022

Both China and Russia are heavyweights in multilateral Geneva. While their priorities and strategies are not identical, their interests are often aligned in many forums. Thus, close cooperation can be observed in several Geneva-based organizations. In some, such as the UN Human Rights Council, China and Russia form the backbone of an increasingly assertive “autocratic alliance.” Particularly China has attempted to establish a counter-narrative on questions of democracy, human rights, and international law. This article outlines some factors that increased the effect of Chinese-Russian cooperation, but also depicts its limits. Cooperation between Russia and China is often defensive rather than proactive and not (yet) based on a joint long-term strategy. However, it is a tactical alliance that is, and will likely remain, a major challenge for the proponents of a rules- and values-based multilateralism even though Russia’s war in Ukraine will further shift the balance in this alliance towards China. This article argues in favor of stronger engagement in UN forums by the West and outlines possibilities for how the growing influence of this tandem can be countered.
Options for Dealing with Russia and China: A US Perspective
Authors: Michta Andrew A.
Published: June 2022

After two decades of Global War on Terror, the US is confronted by two near-peer military competitors, Russia and China, which have aligned in their opposition to the US-led international order. Russia is determined to revise the post-Cold War settlement, while China aims to replace it altogether with one built around its economic power, its military, and increasingly its values and ideological tenets. The West’s post-Cold War assumptions that economic globalization would lead to democratization have been proven false, with a new round of great power competition in full view. With the United States military refocusing on great power competition in the Indo-Pacific, Washington needs Europe to rearm and provide real capabilities to deter Russia in the event of a kinetic conflict in Asia. For the NATO alliance, “burden transferring” should be the way forward, with Europe providing core military capabilities while the US maintains its nuclear umbrella and high-end enablers. This approach will ensure deterrence in Europe holds, while the United States confronts China in the Indo-Pacific. It is even more urgent today in light of Russia’s second invasion of Ukraine in 2022 that Europe rebuild its militaries.
Gifts, Feasts, and the Surplus of Friendship: Practices in a Remembered Economy of Petty Trading
Authors: Huldén Niklas
Published: June 2022

The long tradition of barter trade between peasants, fishermen, and other inhabitants of Estonia and Finland established encounters over the Gulf of Finland. The petty trade was mutually beneficial as the parties could switch-trade their surplus means, exporting mainly salted herring from Finland and receiving grain products, mainly rye, from Estonia. The trade depended strongly on developing personal acquaintanceship with traders from the other side of the gulf. These formed a sort of partnership calledseprathat could last for a season or even for years and decades. This chapter concentrates on the actual practices described during the trading encounters in this Finnish-Estonian arena, through writings, answers to questionnaires in archives, and literature.
The Bigger Picture of Digital Interventions for Pain, Anxiety and Stress: A Systematic Review of 1200+ Controlled Trials
Authors: Khalili-Mahani Najmeh , Tran Sylvain
Published: June 2022

The aim of this systematic scoping review was to gain a better understanding of research trends in digital mental health care. We focused on comorbid conditions: depression, anxiety, and pain–which continue to affect an estimated 20% of world population and require complex and continuous social and medical care provisions. We searched all randomized controlled trials on PubMed until May 2021 for any articles that used a form of information and communication technology (ICT) in relation to primary outcomes anxiety, pain, depression, or stress. From 1285 articles that satisfied the inclusion criteria, 890 were randomized trials with nearly 70% satisfactory outcomes. For depression and anxiety, the most frequently reported, were web-based, or mobile apps used for self-monitoring, and guided interventions. For pain, VR-based interventions or games were more prevalent, especially as tools for distraction, or as stimuli for mechanistic studies of pain or anxiety. We discuss gaps in knowledge and challenges that relate to the human factors in digital health applications, and underline the need for a practical and conceptual framework for capturing and reporting such variations.
Echoes from hairy black holes
Authors: Guo Guangzhou , Wang Peng , Wu Houwen , Yang Haitang
Published: June 2022

Abstract

We study the waveforms of time signals produced by scalar perturbations in static hairy black holes, in which the perturbations can be governed by a double-peak effective potential. The inner potential peak would give rise to echoes, which provide a powerful tool to test the Kerr hypothesis. The waveforms are constructed in the time and frequency domains, and we find that the late-time waveforms are determined by the long-lived and sub-long-lived quasinormal modes, which are trapped in the potential valley and near the smaller peak, respectively. When the distance between the peaks is significantly larger than the width of the peaks, a train of decaying echo pulses is produced by the superposition of the long-lived and sub-long-lived modes. In certain cases, the echoes can vanish and then reappear. When the peaks are close enough, one detects far fewer echo signals and a following sinusoid tail, which is controlled by the long-lived or sub-long-lived mode and hence decays very slowly.
Radiotherapy for hormone-sensitive prostate cancer with synchronous low burden of distant metastases
Authors: Müller Arndt-Christian , Aebersold Daniel M. , Albrecht Clemens , Böhmer Dirk , Flentje Michael , Ganswindt Ute , Ghadjar Pirus , Schmidt-Hegemann Nina-Sophie , Höcht Stefan , Hölscher Tobias , Niehoff Peter , Pinkawa Michael , Sedlmayer Felix , Wolf Frank , Zamboglou Constantinos , Zips Daniel , Wiegel Thomas ,   Prostate Cancer Expert Panel of the German Society of Radiation Oncology (DEGRO) and the Working Party Radiation Oncology of the German Cancer Society (DKG-ARO)
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The DEGRO Expert Commission on Prostate Cancer has revised the indication for radiation therapy of the primary prostate tumor in patients with synchronous distant metastases with low metastatic burden.

Methods

The current literature in the PubMed database was reviewed regarding randomized evidence on radiotherapy of the primary prostate tumor with synchronous low metastatic burden.

Results

In total, two randomized trials were identified. The larger study, the STAMPEDE trial, demonstrated an absolute survival benefit of 8% after 3 years for patients with low metastatic burden treated with standard of care (SOC) and additional radiotherapy (RT) (EQD2 ≤ 72 Gy) of the primary tumor. Differences in the smaller Horrad trial were not statistically significant, although risk reduction in the subgroup (< 5 bone metastases) was equal to STAMPEDE. The STOPCAP meta-analysis of both trials demonstrated the benefit of local radiotherapy for up to 4 bone lesions and an additional subanalysis of STAMPEDE also substantiated this finding in cases with M1a-only metastases.

Conclusion

Therefore, due to the survival benefit after 3 years, current practice is changing. New palliative SOC is radiotherapy of the primary tumor in synchronously metastasized prostate cancer with low metastatic burden (defined as ≤ 4 bone metastases, with or without distant nodes) or in case of distant nodes only detected by conventional imaging.
Who to help? Helping decisions in a cooperatively breeding bird with redirected care
Authors: Sturrock Nicole J. , Hatchwell Ben J. , Firth Josh A. , Green Jonathan P.
Published: June 2022

Cooperative breeding sometimes occurs when adult breeders form groups following natal dispersal and mating. In such cases, individuals typically face a choice of social partner with whom to cooperate. Selecting appropriate social partners is crucial to maximising the fitness payoffs from cooperation, but our understanding of the criteria guiding partner choice is limited. Here, we analyse helping decisions by long-tailed tits (Aegithalos caudatus), which may redirect their care to assist breeders in raising offspring following the failure of their own nests. In this species, helpers prefer to help relatives at nearby nests, but it is unclear whether other criteria that may affect helper fitness also influence helping decisions. When choosing among broods of equivalent kinship, we found that helpers did not prefer those broods that offered the greatest indirect fitness returns. Further analyses revealed that helpers did not choose nests on the basis of brood size or age, but were more likely to help broods that were closer to their own failed nests and that were already being cared for by other helpers. Both effects likely reflect the limited choice available to helpers: although individuals breed close to relatives within kin neighbourhoods, a high rate of nest predation constrains helpers’ choice of broods. In other species where cooperatively breeding groups form after natal dispersal, a greater range of options may be available and here detailed analysis of group formation will be helpful for determining the decision rules that underpin partner choice and permit stable cooperation in the face of alternative options.

Significance statement

Cooperative breeding occurs most frequently when offspring delay dispersal from their natal site and help to care for their younger siblings. In some species, however, individuals first disperse and then come together as adults to cooperate in rearing young. In the latter case, multiple social partners may be available — what then determines which partner is helped? We studied partner choice in long-tailed tits, which may help to feed other broods if their own brood fails. When multiple related broods were available, individuals were more likely to help those close by but showed no preference for broods offering the greatest indirect fitness returns. One explanation for this result is that helping options for most individuals are limited by high levels of nest predation, favouring a simpler decision-making process based on identifying close relatives breeding in close proximity.
Effect of laser repetition rate on the growth of Sc2O3 via pulsed laser deposition
Authors: Govindassamy Goby A. , Prentice Jake J. , Lunney James. G. , Eason Robert W. , Mackenzie Jacob I.
Published: June 2022

This paper reports a study of the effect of laser pulse repetition rate and substrate temperature on the properties of crystalline Sc2O3 films grown on <0001>-oriented sapphire via pulsed laser deposition (PLD). For the range of substrate laser-heating powers investigated, optimum <111>-film growth was obtained at the highest available repetition rate of 100 Hz. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction measurements revealed that a decrease in the repetition rate favours highly textured/island growth. The repetition rate was also proven to affect the lattice constant of the films, with a difference up to 0.3% between the films grown at high and low repetition rates. The general trend indicates that the out-of-plane lattice constant of the film shifts closer to the bulk value when the pulse repetition rate is increased. However, the lattice constant could also be reduced through in-situ post-growth annealing, which had the additional benefit of reducing the width of the (222) rocking curve peak. This work provides further evidence that energetic-PLD dynamics leads to higher quality PLD-grown crystalline films and for this material undermines the old adage that lower pulse repetition rates lead to higher quality thin-film crystalline growth.
Erste klinische Ergebnisse mit dem PAUL®-Glaukom-Implantat an der Universitäts-Augenklinik Bonn
Authors: Weber Constance , Hundertmark Sarah , Brinken Ralf , Holz Frank G. , Mercieca Karl
Published: June 2022

Hintergrund

Glaukom-Drainage-Implantate (GDI) stellen ein invasives Verfahren zur Behandlung beim Glaukom dar. Neben dem Baerveldt- und Ahmed-Glaukom-Implantat wurde das PAUL®-Glaukom-Implantat (PGI) als neues, innovatives Therapieverfahren entwickelt. Dieses unterscheidet sich v. a. hinsichtlich der geringeren Größe des Drainageröhrchens von den bisherigen Präparaten.

Ziel der Arbeit

Sechs-Monats-Ergebnisse des PGI wurden hinsichtlich Effektivität und Komplikationsrate analysiert.

Methoden

Eine Datenbank von Patienten, die mit dem PGI an der Universitäts-Augenklinik Bonn versorgt wurden, wurde zur Dokumentation aller wesentlichen Parameter erstellt und kontinuierlich anhand der Verlaufskontrollen vervollständigt. Die statistische Auswertung erfolgte mittels SPSS Statistics for Windows.

Ergebnisse

Insgesamt wurden in dieser Studie 53 Augen der ersten 51 konsekutiv mit dem PGI behandelten Patienten eingeschlossen. Der durchschnittliche Augeninnendruck lag präoperativ bei 26,62 mmHg (7–48 mmHg) und reduzierte sich auf 12,20 mmHg (3–22 mmHg) nach sechs Monaten. Die lokale drucksenkende Therapie konnte von 3,37 Wirkstoffen präoperativ auf 0,30 Wirkstoffe nach sechs Monaten gesenkt werden. Die Komplikationsrate war insgesamt gering, bei drei Patienten (5,7 %) kam es zu einer persistierenden Hypotonie. Bei 16 Patienten wurde im postoperativen Verlauf nach durchschnittlich 2,9 Monaten der intraluminale Prolenefaden entfernt. Danach kam es bei diesen Patienten zu einer Drucksenkung von 22,21 mmHg auf 11,07 mmHg.

Schlussfolgerung

Das PAUL®-Glaukom-Implantat stellt eine sichere Behandlungsmethode dar, die erfolgreich den Augeninnendruck auf ein niedriges Niveau senkt, die drucksenkende Lokaltherapie reduziert und mit einer geringen Komplikationsrate, besonders hinsichtlich postoperativer Hypotonien, einhergeht.
Implementation and validation of a competency assessment tool for laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Authors: Chevallay Mickael , Liot Emilie , Fournier Ian , Abbassi Ziad , Peloso Andrea , Hagen Monika E. , Mönig Stefan P. , Morel Philippe , Toso Christian , Buchs Nicolas , Miskovic Danilo , Ris Frederic , Jung Minoa K.
Published: June 2022

Background

Achieving proficiency in a surgical procedure is a milestone in the career of a trainee. We introduced a competency assessment tool for laparoscopic cholecystectomy in our residency program. Our aim was to assess the inter-rater reliability of this tool.

Methods

We included all laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed by residents under the supervision of board certified surgeons. All residents were assessed at the end of the procedure by the supervising surgeon (live reviewer) using our competency assessment tool. Video records of the same procedure were analyzed by two independent reviewers (reviewer A and B), who were blinded to the performing trainee’s. The assessment had three parts: a laparoscopic cholecystectomy-specific assessment tool (LCAT), the objective structured assessment of technical skills (OSATS) and a 5-item visual analogue scale (VAS) to address the surgeon’s autonomy in each part of the cholecystectomy. We compared the assessment scores of the live supervising surgeon and the video reviewers.

Results

We included 15 junior residents who performed 42 laparoscopic cholecystectomies. Scoring results from live and video reviewer were comparable except for the OSATS and VAS part. The score for OSATS by the live reviewer and reviewer B were 3.68 vs. 4.26 respectively (p = 0.04) and for VAS (5.17 vs. 4.63 respectively (p = 0.03). The same difference was found between reviewers A and B with OSATS score (3.75 vs. 4.26 respectively (p = 0.001)) and VAS (5.56 vs. 4.63 respectively; p = 0.004)).

Conclusion

Our competency assessment tool for the evaluation of surgical skills specific to laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been shown to be objective and comparable in-between raters during live procedure or on video material.
Artificial intelligence for diagnosing microvessels of precancerous lesions and superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinomas: a multicenter study
Authors: Yuan Xiang-Lei , Liu Wei , Liu Yan , Zeng Xian-Hui , Mou Yi , Wu Chun-Cheng , Ye Lian-Song , Zhang Yu-Hang , He Long , Feng Jing , Zhang Wan-Hong , Wang Jun , Chen Xin , Hu Yan-Xing , Zhang Kai-Hua , Hu Bing
Published: June 2022

Background

Intrapapillary capillary loop (IPCL) is an important factor for predicting invasion depth of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The invasion depth is closely related to the selection of treatment strategy. However, diagnosis of IPCLs is complicated and subject to interobserver variability. This study aimed to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) system to predict IPCLs subtypes of precancerous lesions and superficial ESCC.

Methods

Images of magnifying endoscopy with narrow band imaging from three hospitals were collected retrospectively. IPCLs subtypes were annotated on images by expert endoscopists according to Japanese Endoscopic Society classification. The performance of the AI system was evaluated using internal and external validation datasets (IVD and EVD) and compared with that of the 11 endoscopists.

Results

A total of 7094 images from 685 patients were used to train and validate the AI system. The combined accuracy of the AI system for diagnosing IPCLs subtypes in IVD and EVD was 91.3% and 89.8%, respectively. The AI system achieved better performance than endoscopists in predicting IPCLs subtypes and invasion depth. The ability of junior endoscopists to diagnose IPCLs subtypes (combined accuracy: 84.7% vs 78.2%, P < 0.0001) and invasion depth (combined accuracy: 74.4% vs 67.9%, P < 0.0001) were significantly improved with AI system assistance. Although there was no significant differences, the performance of senior endoscopists was slightly elevated.

Conclusions

The proposed AI system could improve the diagnostic ability of endoscopists to predict IPCLs classification of precancerous lesions and superficial ESCC.
Thermodynamic Characterization of Chemical Damage in Variably Saturated Water-Active Shales
Authors: Siddiqui Mohammed Abdul Qadeer , Roshan Hamid
Published: June 2022

A constitutive framework is developed for variably saturated water-active swelling rocks undergoing chemical damage using modified mixture theory and continuum damage mechanics. The Helmholtzian thermodynamic potential for the skeletal system is derived as a function of the state variables including deformation, damage, two-phase fluid pressures, and chemical potential. Using this, in addition to chemo-poroelastic constitutive equations, a thermodynamically consistent first-order estimation of the damage variable is developed. The working of the theory is shown through the numerical example of water uptake in clay-rich shale rocks solved by the finite element method. The numerical results portray the significance of including variably saturated conditions in constitutive equations as a unique damage-dependent poroelastic behavior was observed for wet and dry regions. The theoretical-based damage estimation corroborated by previous experimental observations illustrates that the rock strength is dominantly controlled by the time of exposure to water rather than the level of water saturation. Contrary to what was perceived, the results show that poroelastic and chemo-poroelastic responses do not coincide even in less reactive shales due to the time-dependent water-induced microstructural deterioration of the rock. The microstructural deterioration increases the storage and flow capacity in the water-saturated region giving rise to substantive spatio-temporal changes in matrix stresses. The research findings provide valuable insights to understand how poromechanics plays a role in causing water uptake in water-sensitive rocks and how such behavior is coupled with associated microstructural chemical damage.
Wider urban zones: use of topology and nighttime satellite images for delimiting urban areas
Authors: Spinosa Andrea
Published: June 2022

In the literature on the definition of urban areas, the methodological approaches are divided into formalist (aggregation by density thresholds) and functionalist (aggregation by commuting quotas). This paper proposes a mixed approach, in which the territorial density threshold from the lower-level administrative unit is combined with the brightness of nighttime satellite imagery, intended as a proxy variable for the functional links. The objective is to attain a method for the delimitation of urban areas, to be used by various States and Regions across the world in an iterative procedure, for the delimitation of urban areas as connected topological spaces. This represents an independent method, compared to the various standards adopted by national and regional statistics bureaus, which allows comparing the infrastructural, economic, and social data of different cities in the world. Such cities are hence described in terms of the “real” dimension of the urban areas, partially correcting the bias related to the adoption of administrative perimeters as a “fact” when local authorities make decisions regarding them.
Amelioration of radiation-induced liver damage by p-coumaric acid in mice
Authors: Li Yun-Hong , Wu Jiang-Xue , He Qian , Gu Jia , Zhang Lin , Niu Hao-Zhi , Zhang Xin-Wen , Zhao Han-Ting , Xu Jia-Ying , Qin Li-Qiang
Published: June 2022

Radiation-induced liver damage (RILD) is a spiny problem in radiotherapy or other circumstances that exposure to radiation. The need for radioprotective agent is increasing to protect liver tissue. This study aimed to explore the hepatoprotective effect ofp-coumaric acid (CA) against RILD. C57BL/6 male mice were exposed to 4 Gy irradiation and administrated with CA for 4 days starting on the same day of irradiation. Mice were sacrificed to obtain blood and liver tissues on day 3.5 or 14 post irradiation, respectively. The blood and liver tissues were collected. As compared with the only irradiated group, CA supplementation improved liver morphology, decreased serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, inhibited BCL2-associated X (BAX) protein expression, and improved the mice hematopoietic function. CA at the dose of 100 mg/kg body weight showed better effect compared to the other doses. Thus, CA might possess potential to protect against RILD.
A user-guided personalization methodology to facilitate new smart home occupancy
Authors: Ali S. M. Murad , Augusto Juan Carlos , Windridge David , Ward Emma
Published: June 2022

Smart homes are becoming increasingly popular in providing people with the services they desire. Activity recognition is a fundamental task to provide personalised home facilities. Many promising approaches are being used for activity recognition; one of them is data-driven. It has some fascinating features and advantages. However, there are drawbacks such as the lack of ability to providing home automation from the day one due to the limited data available. In this paper, we propose an approach, called READY (useR-guided nEw smart home ADaptation sYstem) for developing a personalised automation system that provides the user with smart home services the moment they move into their new house. The system development process was strongly user-centred, involving users in every step of the system’s design. Later, the user-guided transfer learning approach was introduced that uses an old smart home data set to enhance the existing smart home service with user contributions. Finally, the proposed approach and designed system were tested and validated in the smart lab that showed promising results.
A novel procedure for constructing invariant subspaces of a set of matrices
Authors: Al-Dweik Ahmad Y. , Ghanam Ryad , Thompson Gerard , Azad Hassan
Published: June 2022

A problem that is frequently encountered in a variety of mathematical contexts is to find the common invariant subspaces of a single or of a set of matrices. A new method is proposed that gives a definitive answer to this problem. The key idea consists of finding common eigenvectors for exterior powers of the matrices concerned. A convenient formulation of the Plücker relations is then used to ensure that these eigenvectors actually correspond to subspaces or provide the initial constraints for eigenvectors involving parameters. A procedure for computing the divisors of a totally decomposable vector is also provided. Several examples are given for which the calculations are too tedious to do by hand and are performed by coding the conditions found into Maple. Our main motivation lies in Lie symmetry, where the invariant subspaces of the adjoint representations for the Lie symmetry algebra of a differential equation must be known explicitly and comprehensively in order to determine all the ideals of the Lie symmetry algebra.
Planfeststellung und Plangenehmigung im Wasserhaushaltsrecht
Authors: Kümper Boas
Published: June 2022

Nachdem in NuR (2022, Heft 2, S. 77ff.) und NuR (2022, Heft 5) die Reichweite des wasserhaushaltsrechtlichen
Planfeststellungsvorbehalts und Fragen der Verfahrenswahl, die Planrechtfertigung sowie die zwingenden Versagungsgründe
erörtert wurden, behandelt der abschließende dritte Teil des Beitrags die fachplanerische Abwägung
sowie die Rechtswirkungen der wasserhaushaltsrechtlichen Planfeststellung und Plangenehmigung.
Deformations of $$\mathrm {G}_2$$-instantons on nearly $$\mathrm {G}_2$$ manifolds
Authors: Singhal Ragini
Published: June 2022

We study the deformation theory of$$\mathrm {G}_2$$G2-instantons on nearly$$\mathrm {G}_2$$G2manifolds. There is a one-to-one correspondence between nearly parallel$$\mathrm {G}_2$$G2structures and real Killing spinors; thus, the deformation theory can be formulated in terms of spinors and Dirac operators. We prove that the space of infinitesimal deformations of an instanton is isomorphic to the kernel of an elliptic operator. Using this formulation we prove that abelian instantons are rigid. Then we apply our results to describe the deformation space of the characteristic connection on the four normal homogeneous nearly$$\mathrm {G}_2$$G2manifolds.
Application of the adverse outcome pathway concept for investigating developmental neurotoxicity potential of Chinese herbal medicines by using human neural progenitor cells in vitro
Authors: Klose Jördis , Li Lu , Pahl Melanie , Bendt Farina , Hübenthal Ulrike , Jüngst Christian , Petzsch Patrick , Schauss Astrid , Köhrer Karl , Leung Ping Chung , Wang Chi Chiu , Koch Katharina , Tigges Julia , Fan Xiaohui , Fritsche Ellen
Published: June 2022

Adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) are organized sequences of key events (KEs) that are triggered by a xenobiotic-induced molecular initiating event (MIE) and summit in an adverse outcome (AO) relevant to human or ecological health. The AOP framework causally connects toxicological mechanistic information with apical endpoints for application in regulatory sciences. AOPs are very useful to link endophenotypic, cellular endpoints in vitro to adverse health effects in vivo. In the field of in vitro developmental neurotoxicity (DNT), such cellular endpoints can be assessed using the human “Neurosphere Assay,” which depicts different endophenotypes for a broad variety of neurodevelopmental KEs. Combining this model with large-scale transcriptomics, we evaluated DNT hazards of two selected Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) Lei Gong Teng (LGT) and Tian Ma (TM), and provided further insight into their modes-of-action (MoA). LGT disrupted hNPC migration eliciting an exceptional migration endophenotype. Time-lapse microscopy and intervention studies indicated that LGT disturbs laminin-dependent cell adhesion. TM impaired oligodendrocyte differentiation in human but not rat NPCs and activated a gene expression network related to oxidative stress. The LGT results supported a previously published AOP on radial glia cell adhesion due to interference with integrin-laminin binding, while the results of TM exposure were incorporated into a novel putative, stressor-based AOP. This study demonstrates that the combination of phenotypic and transcriptomic analyses is a powerful tool to elucidate compounds’ MoA and incorporate the results into novel or existing AOPs for a better perception of the DNT hazard in a regulatory context.

Graphical abstract
Carceral Experiences of White-Collar Offenders: Qualitative Research Design Utilising the Offender-Based Definition and Pierre Bourdieu’s Capital Theory
Authors: Uhl Andrzej
Published: June 2022

As the awareness and extent of white-collar crime increases, the number of prison inmates from the middle and upper classes can be expected to grow. However, existing scholarship on the imprisoned white-collar offenders has geographical and methodological limits, is of a predominantly explorative nature and often employs definitions focused on the offence rather than the perpetrator. This study attempts to advance the current state of research by utilising Bourdieu’s capital theory in the description and explanation of the prison experience of a sample of 13 politicians, businesspersons, and lawyers serving prison terms for corruption and embezzlement in Poland. Deductive analysis of semi-structured interviews reveals how participants used social, cultural, and symbolic capital to secure an advantageous position whilst in prison. Due to varied assets such as their non-criminal identity, interpersonal skills and legal knowledge, the incarcerated elites studied were able to curry favour with guards, win recognition from fellow inmates and, unlike most prisoners, maintain supportive connections with the outside world. When considered within Bourdieu’s framework, these results provide an insight into the workings of capital in carceral settings, support the special resiliency hypothesis and explain it through differences in the social situation of inmates.
Socialism Order of Worth and Analytical Adequacy Axiom
Authors: Schneijderberg Christian
Published: June 2022

Boltanski and Thévenot (On justification. Economies of worth, Princeton University Press, Princeton, 2006) constructed in their seminal work On Justification the Orders of Worth (OW) framework as a research program for further empirical and theoretical development. This article suggests two methodological additions to extend the analytical capacities of the OW framework: The Socialism OW and the analytical adequacy axiom. The polito-philosophical Socialism OW, which acknowledges '(collective) welfare' as its mode of evaluation (worth) and the higher principle of 'solidarity' as its test, is rooted in the political philosophy of Rosanvallon (The society of equals, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, 2013). In addition to the systematic justification of the canonical text, this article also offers a tabular presentation for the construction of a new OW in relation to the axioms. In the article, first, the existing OW are put under scrutiny discussing the test category of solidarity, which was added and creates an analytic overload for the Civic OW. Second, analyzing the case of the German binary statutory health system, comprising of a private (first-class) and a public (second-class) healthcare, the capacities of the existing OW are discussed to identify a blank spot in the OW framework for empirical analysis. Accordingly, the descriptive analysis of the German binary health system is less about how the system is justified, and much more about understanding how given OW operate within it as coordinative devices. This systematic analysis of a situation of (temporary) agreements, especially of investments in forms, amends the OW use for empirical analysis of critique and justification in a situation.
Modern surgical management of incidental gliomas
Authors: Pradhan Anjali , Mozaffari Khashayar , Ghodrati Farinaz , Everson Richard G. , Yang Isaac
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Gliomas are the most common primary tumors of the central nervous system and are categorized by the World Health Organization into either low-grade (grades 1 and 2) or high-grade (grades 3 and 4) gliomas. A subset of patients with glioma may experience no tumor-related symptoms and be incidentally diagnosed. These incidental low-grade gliomas (iLGG) maintain controversial treatment course despite scientific advancements. Here we highlight the recent advancements in classification, neuroimaging, and surgical management of these tumors.

Methods

A review of the literature was performed. The authors created five subtopics of focus: histological criteria, diagnostic imaging, surgical advancements, correlation of surgical resection and survival outcomes, and clinical implications.

Conclusions

Alternating studies suggest that these tumors may experience higher mutational rates than their counterparts. Significant progress in management of gliomas, regardless of the grade, has been made through modern neurosurgical treatment modalities, diagnostic neuroimaging, and a better understanding of the genetic composition of these tumors. An optimal treatment approach for patients with newly diagnosed iLGG remains ill-defined despite multiple studies arguing in favor of safe maximal resection. Our review emphasizes the not so benign nature of incidental low grade glioma and further supports the need for future studies to evaluate survival outcomes following surgical resection.
Prognostic impact of obesity in newly-diagnosed glioblastoma: a secondary analysis of CeTeG/NOA-09 and GLARIUS
Authors: Weller Johannes , Schäfer Niklas , Schaub Christina , Potthoff Anna-Laura , Steinbach Joachim P. , Schlegel Uwe , Sabel Michael , Hau Peter , Seidel Clemens , Krex Dietmar , Goldbrunner Roland , Pietsch Torsten , Tzaridis Theophilos , Zeyen Thomas , Borger Valeri , Güresir Erdem , Vatter Hartmut , Herrlinger Ulrich , Schneider Matthias
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The role of obesity in glioblastoma remains unclear, as previous analyses have reported contradicting results. Here, we evaluate the prognostic impact of obesity in two trial populations; CeTeG/NOA-09 (n = 129) for MGMT methylated glioblastoma patients comparing temozolomide (TMZ) to lomustine/TMZ, and GLARIUS (n = 170) for MGMT unmethylated glioblastoma patients comparing TMZ to bevacizumab/irinotecan, both in addition to surgery and radiotherapy.

Methods

The impact of obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) on overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) was investigated with Kaplan–Meier analysis and log-rank tests. A multivariable Cox regression analysis was performed including known prognostic factors as covariables.

Results

Overall, 22.6% of patients (67 of 297) were obese. Obesity was associated with shorter survival in patients with MGMT methylated glioblastoma (median OS 22.9 (95% CI 17.7–30.8) vs. 43.2 (32.5–54.4) months for obese and non-obese patients respectively, p = 0.001), but not in MGMT unmethylated glioblastoma (median OS 17.1 (15.8–18.9) vs 17.6 (14.7–20.8) months, p = 0.26). The prognostic impact of obesity in MGMT methylated glioblastoma was confirmed in a multivariable Cox regression (adjusted odds ratio: 2.57 (95% CI 1.53–4.31), p < 0.001) adjusted for age, sex, extent of resection, baseline steroids, Karnofsky performance score, and treatment arm.

Conclusion

Obesity was associated with shorter survival in MGMT methylated, but not in MGMT unmethylated glioblastoma patients.
Temporal Dynamics of Resting-state Functional Networks and Cognitive Functioning following Systemic Treatment for Breast Cancer
Authors: Luijendijk Maryse J. , Bekele Biniam M. , Schagen Sanne B. , Douw Linda , de Ruiter Michiel B.
Published: June 2022

Many women with breast cancer suffer from a decline in memory and executive function, particularly after treatment with chemotherapy. Recent neuroimaging studies suggest that changes in network dynamics are fundamental in decline in these cognitive functions. This has, however, not yet been investigated in breast cancer patients. Using resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging, we prospectively investigated whether changes in dynamic functional connectivity were associated with changes in memory and executive function. We examined 34 breast cancer patients that received chemotherapy, 32 patients that did not receive chemotherapy, and 35 no-cancer controls. All participants were assessed prior to treatment and six months after completion of chemotherapy, or at similar intervals for the other groups. To assess memory and executive function, we used the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test – Immediate Recall and the Trail Making Test B, respectively. Using a sliding window approach, we then evaluated dynamic functional connectivity of resting state networks supporting memory and executive function, i.e. the default mode network and frontoparietal network, respectively. Next, we directly investigated the association between cognitive performance and dynamic functional connectivity. We found no group differences in cognitive performance or connectivity measures. The association between dynamic functional connectivity of the default mode network and memory differed significantly across groups. This was not the case for the frontoparietal network and executive function. This suggests that cancer and chemotherapy alter the role of dynamic functional connectivity in memory function. Further implications of these findings are discussed.
Appetite for Natech Risk Information in Japan: Understanding Citizens’ Communicative Behavior Towards Risk Information Disclosure Around Osaka Bay
Authors: Tzioutzios Dimitrios , Kim Jeong-Nam , Cruz Ana Maria
Published: June 2022

Effective risk communication is essential for disaster risk management. Apart from empowering communities to make informed risk choices, risk information disclosure can also drastically enhance their disaster preparedness, especially concerning conjoint scenarios of technological and natural hazards (Natech). A fundamental precondition is the actual demand for such information. This study ventures to assess whether residents around Osaka Bay have this demand, or “appetite,” for risk information disclosure, as well as to understand their communicative behavior and perceived challenges in the Japanese context through the prism of the Situational Theory of Problem Solving. To test this framework under realistic conditions, data were collected through a household questionnaire survey from two urban areas near industrial complexes in Osaka Bay. The results show that identifying Natech risk information deficiency as a problem was not a statistically significant predictor for individuals’ motivation to communicate. However, their motivation increased as their perceived personal involvement with the situation rose, while the perceived obstacles in doing something about it exerted a negative influence on their motivation. Individuals’ motivation intensified their communicative actions to solve this problem. Public segmentation underscored the elevated public perceptions concerning the issue of risk information deficiency in nearly nine out of ten respondents. These findings indicate a strong community appetite for chemical and Natech risk information, which subsequently led to high situational motivation to engage in communicative action, particularly information acquisition. Risk management policy is suggested to focus on introducing chemical risk information disclosure regulatory initiatives to encourage citizen engagement.
The Music Playlist as a Method of Education Research
Authors: Lamb James
Published: June 2022

As technologies are woven deep into the fabric of our postdigital society and universities, there is a need to devise new research methods, and to seek out new kinds of research material, in order to better understand our complex and changing surroundings. One such approach, I argue in this article, involves creating and analysing music playlists as a way of critically exploring the learning spaces and practices of higher education. To make this argument, I describe and discuss the ways that music playlists contributed towards an ethnographic study of undergraduate courses in Architecture and History at a UK university. This involved inviting students to participate in the creation of ‘study playlists’, as I sought to understand how their learning spaces and practices were affected by digital technologies. This approach initially helped to establish rapport and trust with participants, as well as eliciting conversation and interview discussion which surfaced how students use streamed playlists and other digital technologies to negotiate personalised learning spaces. By helping to reveal these and other rituals, the music playlist was shown to work as an ethnographic artefact, while at the same time exposing the postdigital character of the contemporary university.
Biologia futura: combinatorial stress responses in fungi
Authors: Emri Tamás , Forgács Katalin , Pócsi István
Published: June 2022

In the ever-changing fungal environment, fungi have to cope with a wide array of very different stresses. These stresses frequently act in combination rather than independently, i.e., they quickly follow one another or occur concomitantly. Combinatorial stress response studies revealed that the response of fungi to a stressor is highly dependent on the simultaneous action of other stressors or even on earlier stresses to which the fungi adapted. Several important phenomena were discovered, such as stress pathway interference, acquired stress tolerance, stress response memory or stress cross-protection/sensitization, which cannot be interpreted when we study the consequences of a single stressor alone. Due to the interactions between stressors and stress responses, a stress response that develops under a combined stress is not the simple summation of stress responses observed during single stress treatments. Based on the knowledge collected from single stress treatment experiments, we cannot predict how fungi will respond to a certain combination of stresses or even whether this combination will be more harmful than single stress treatments. This uncertainty warns us that if we want to understand how fungi adapt to a certain habitat (e.g., to the human body) to find a point of weakness in this adaptation, we must understand how the fungi cope with combinations of stresses, rather than with single stressors.