bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of drying and cooling rate on the survival of the desiccation-sensitive wheat pollen
Authors: Impe Daniela , Ballesteros Daniel , Nagel Manuela
Published: January 2022

Key message

Fast-drying and cooling induce fast intracellular water loss and reduced ice-crystal formation, which may promote the formation of intracellular glasses that might improve the likelihood of wheat pollen survival.

Long-term storage of pollen is important for the fertilization of spatially or temporally isolated female parents, especially in hybrid breeding. Wheat pollen is dehydration-sensitive and rapidly loses viability after shedding. To preserve wheat pollen, we hypothesized that fast-drying and cooling rates would increase the rate of intracellular water content (WC) removal, decrease intracellular ice-crystal formation, and increase viability after exposure to ultra-low temperatures. Therefore, we compared slow air-drying with fast-drying (dry air flow) and found significant correlations between pollen WC and viability (r = 0.92, P < 0.001); significant differences in WCs after specific drying times; and comparable viabilities after drying to specific WCs. Fast-drying to WCs at which ice melting events were not detected (ΔH = 0 J mg−1 DW, < 0.28 mg H2O mg−1 DW) reduced pollen viability to 1.2 ± 1.0%, but when drying to 0.39 mg H2O mg−1 DW, some viable pollen was detected (39.4 ± 17.9%). Fast cooling (150 °C min−1) of fast-dried pollen to 0.91 ± 0.11 mg H2O mg−1 DW induced less and a delay of ice-crystal formation during cryomicroscopic-video-recordings compared to slow cooling (1 °C min−1), but viability was low (4.5–6.1%) and comparable between cooling rates. Our data support that the combination of fast-drying and cooling rates may enable the survival of wheat pollen likely due to (1) a reduction of the time pollen would be exposed to drying-related deleterious biochemical changes and (2) an inhibition of intracellular ice-crystal formation, but additional research is needed to obtain higher pollen survival after cooling.
AMOC modes linked with distinct North Atlantic deep water formation sites
Authors: Dima Mihai , Lohmann Gerrit , Ionita Monica , Knorr Gregor , Scholz Patrick
Published: January 2022

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is a tipping component of the climate system, with a quasi-global impact. Several numerical and observational studies emphasized two modes of AMOC variability, characterized by two distinct Atlantic sea surface temperature patterns. One is associated with centennial changes, the Trend Mode, and the other with the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO). The origin of the different manifestations of these modes it is not fully understood. Using observational data and an ocean general circulation model we present evidence that, whereas the Trend Mode is mainly linked with deep water formation in the Nordic Seas and with a North Atlantic AMOC cell centered at 50° N, AMO is related with deep water formation in the Labrador and Irminger Seas and with an overturning cell centered at 20° N. In combination with previous studies, these results imply that a main route of increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration influence on AMOC passes through deep water formation in the Nordic Seas and it is reflected in a subpolar North Atlantic meridional cell.
Dual-scale single marker calibration for digital templating of total hip arthroplasty in standing radiographs: a prospective clinical study
Authors: Ries Christian , Baltin Christoph Tobias , Haneder Stefan , Eysel Peer , Hellmich Martin , Boese Christoph Kolja
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Accuracy of calibration of radiographs significantly influences the quality of digital templating for total hip arthroplasty (THA). The standard of care is calibration with external calibration markers (ECM). This method is associated with significant errors. Dual-scale single marker (DSSM) calibration methods may improve accuracy. The present prospective observational study is the first to analyze the application of a DSSM method in standing pelvis radiographs.

Methods

100 patients with unilateral THA underwent antero-posterior pelvis radiographs with ECM and DSSM. The hip components were used as reference calibration factor (internal calibration factor; ICM). Absolute differences of calibration factors for ECM and DSSM from ICM were calculated. Absolute relative deviations (ARD) were calculated. Subgroup analysis for sex and WHO BMI category was performed. Furthermore, patients reported subjective comfort for each marker using a 10-point scale and choosing the preferred marker.

Results

Maximum magnification factor differences from the ICM were 23.3% and 9.5% and mean absolute differences were 12.5% and 2.1% for the ECM and DSSM, respectively. ARD from ICM was significantly lower for DSSM compared to ECM (p < 0.001). Absolute differences increased with BMI category using ECM; calibration by DSSM was consistent in all subgroups. Patients preferred DSSM over ECM (n = 53) or were indifferent (n = 20). Comfort was rated significantly higher for DSSM versus ECM (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

DSSM method showed superior results in comparison to the ECM method for calibration of digital radiographs. DSSM could be used to improve digital templating in standing radiographs.
Soft hybrid intrinsically motile robot for wireless small bowel enteroscopy
Authors: Khan Hamza , Alijani Afshin , Mowat Craig , Cuschieri Alfred
Published: January 2022

Background

Difficulties in establishing diagnosis of small bowel (SB) disorders, prevented their effective treatment. This problem was largely resolved by wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE), which has since become the first line investigation for suspected SB disorders. Several types of WCE pills are now used in clinical practice, despite their limitations and complications. WCE pills are large, rigid and immotile capsules. When swallowed, they provide SB enteroscopy downloaded to a data logger carried by the patient. Most of the complications of WCEs result from lack of intrinsic locomotion: incomplete examination, capsule retention and impaction within strictures. In addition, the rigid nature and size of current generation of WCE pills is accompanied by 0.1% inability to swallow the pill by patients with normal esophageal motility.

Methods

The aim of this communication is to describe the initial prototype, P1, which is thinner and slightly longer than the current generation of WCEs. In addition, it exhibits intrinsic active locomotion, produced by vibrating silicon legs. These generate a controlled-skid locomotion on the small bowel mucosal surface, rendered slippery by surface mucus and intraluminal surfactant bile salts. We demonstrate the mechanism responsible for the active locomotion of P1, which we consider translatable into a working prototype, suitable for further R&D for eventual clinical translation.

Results

The shape and attachment of the rubber vibrating legs to vibrating actuators, have been designed specifically to produce a tight clockwise circular motion. When inserted inside a circular tube in vitro of equivalent diameter to human small intestine, the intrinsic circular clockwise motion of P1 translates into a linear locomotion by the constraints imposed by the surrounding circular walls of SB and rest of the gastrointestinal tract. This design ensures device stability during transit, essential for imaging and targeting lesions encountered during the enteroscopy. We preformed two experiments: (i) transit of P1 through a phantom consisting of a segment of PVC tube placed on a horizontal surface and (ii) transit through a transparent slippery nylon sleeve insufflated with air. In the PVC tube, its transit rate averages 15.6 mm/s, which is too fast for endoscopy: whereas inside the very slippery nylon sleeve insufflated with air, the average transit rate of P1 is reduced to 5.9 mm/s, i.e., ideal for inspection endoscopy.

Conclusions

These in-vitro experiments indicate that the P1 hybrid soft robot prototype has the potential specifically for clinical translation for SB enteroscopy.
Intra-lymphatic administration of GAD-alum in type 1 diabetes: long-term follow-up and effect of a late booster dose (the DIAGNODE Extension trial)
Authors: Casas Rosaura , Dietrich Fabrícia , Puente-Marin Sara , Barcenilla Hugo , Tavira Beatriz , Wahlberg Jeannette , Achenbach Peter , Ludvigsson Johnny
Published: January 2022

Aim

To evaluate the long-term effect of intra-lymphatic administration of GAD-alum and a booster dose 2.5 years after the first intervention (DIAGNODE Extension study) in patients with recent-onset type 1 diabetes.

Methods

DIAGNODE-1: Samples were collected from 12 patients after 30 months who had received 3 injections of 4 μg GAD-alum into a lymph node with one-month interval. DIAGNODE Extension study: First in human, a fourth booster dose of autoantigen (GAD-alum) was given to 3 patients at 31.5 months, who were followed for another 12 months. C-peptide was measured during mixed meal tolerance tests (MMTTs). GADA, IA-2A, GADA subclasses, GAD65-induced cytokines, PBMCs proliferation and T cells markers were analyzed.

Results

After 30-month treatment, efficacy was still seen in 8/12 patients (good responders, GR). Partial remission (IDAA1c < 9) had decreased compared to 15 months, but did not differ from baseline, and HbA1c remained stable. GAD65-specific immune responses induced by the treatment started to wane after 30 months, and most changes observed at 15 months were undetectable. GADA subclasses IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4 were predominant in the GR along with IgG1. A fourth intra-lymphatic GAD-alum dose to three patients after 31.5 months gave no adverse events. In all three patients, C-peptide seemed to increase the first 6 months, and thereafter, C-peptide, HbA1c, insulin requirement and IDAA1c remained stable.

Conclusion

The effect of intra-lymphatic injections of GAD-alum had decreased after 30 months. Good responders showed a specific immune response. Administration of a fourth booster dose after 31.5 months was safe, and there was no decline in C-peptide observed during the 12-month follow-up.
Kan Extensions are Partial Colimits
Authors: Perrone Paolo , Tholen Walter
Published: January 2022

One way of interpreting a left Kan extension is as taking a kind of “partial colimit”, whereby one replaces parts of a diagram by their colimits. We make this intuition precise by means of the partial evaluations sitting in the so-called bar construction of monads. The (pseudo)monads of interest for forming colimits are the monad of diagrams and the monad of small presheaves, both on the (huge) category CAT of locally small categories. Throughout, particular care is taken to handle size issues, which are notoriously delicate in the context of free cocompletion. We spell out, with all 2-dimensional details, the structure maps of these pseudomonads. Then, based on a detailed general proof of how the restriction-of-scalars construction of monads extends to the case of pseudoalgebras over pseudomonads, we consider a morphism of monads between them, which we call image. This morphism allows in particular to generalize the idea of confinal functors, i.e. of functors which leave colimits invariant in an absolute way. This generalization includes the concept of absolute colimit as a special case. The main result of this paper spells out how a pointwise left Kan extension of a diagram corresponds precisely to a partial evaluation of its colimit. This categorical result is analogous to what happens in the case of probability monads, where a conditional expectation of a random variable corresponds to a partial evaluation of its center of mass.
Central fibrous areas: changes in glomerular vascular pole lesions associated with age and disease
Authors: Kanetsuna Yukiko , Tanabe Kazunari , Hattori Motoshi , Nitta Kosaku , Moriyama Takahito , Horita Shigeru , Yamaguchi Yutaka
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Central fibrous areas (CFAs) are small, hyalinotic, monotonous nodular areas observed in glomerular vascular pole lesions. We attempted to clarify the relationship between CFA formation and age in healthy kidneys and in those affected by immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy.

Methods

Zero-hour biopsy specimens from living renal donors (135 cases) and IgA nephropathy biopsy specimens (67 cases) were collected retrospectively. We observed each biopsy specimen and determined the total number of glomeruli, total level of glomerulosclerosis, number of observable glomerular vascular poles, number of glomeruli with CFAs, serum creatinine level, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Additionally, we calculated the glomerular sclerosis rate (GSR), vascular pole appearance rate (PAR), and CFA rate (CFAR) to evaluate the relationship between these factors and patient age.

Results

There was a significant negative correlation between patient age and eGFR for both the zero-hour (p < 0.0001 in Spearman, p = 0.0009 in multiple regression, the same hereafter) and IgA (p = 0.0022, p = 0.0001) groups. In the zero-hour group, we observed a significant positive correlation between patient age and GSR (p = 0.0001, p < 0.0001); however, there was no such correlation in the IgA group. In both groups, there was a significant positive correlation between patient age and CFAR (zero-hour group: p = 0.0003, p = 0.0091, IgA group; p < 0.0001, p = 0.0004). The slope of the regression line of the IgA group formula was also significantly higher than that of the zero-hour group formula (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

These findings indicate that CFA may be a useful indicator of kidney aging, especially in patients with kidney disease caused by IgA nephropathy.
Architecture of a Low Latency H.264/AVC Video Codec for Robust ML based Image Classification
Authors: Steinert Fritjof , Stabernack Benno
Published: January 2022

The use of neural networks is considered as the state of the art in the field of image classification. A large number of different networks are available for this purpose, which, appropriately trained, permit a high level of classification accuracy.
Typically, these networks are applied to uncompressed image data, since a corresponding training was also carried out using image data of similar high quality. However, if image data contains image errors, the classification accuracy deteriorates drastically. This applies in particular to coding artifacts which occur due to image and video compression. Typical application scenarios for video compression are narrowband transmission channels for which video coding is required but a subsequent classification is to be carried out on the receiver side. In this paper we present a special H.264/Advanced Video Codec (AVC) based video codec that allows certain regions of a picture to be coded with near constant picture quality in order to allow a reliable classification using neural networks, whereas the remaining image will be coded using constant bit rate. We have combined this feature with the ability to run with lowest latency properties, which is usually also required in remote control applications scenarios. The codec has been implemented as a fully hardwired High Definition video capable hardware architecture which is suitable for Field Programmable Gate Arrays.
Effect of Solution Treatment and Cooling Rate on the Microstructure and Hardness of Ti-6Al-4V Alloy Manufactured by Selective Laser Melting Before and After Hot Isostatic Pressing Treatment
Authors: Eshawish Naeem , Malinov Savko , Sha Wei
Published: January 2022

This paper extends our previous work to investigate the effect of heat treatment on the microstructure of Ti-6Al-4V fabricated by selective laser melting. A post-heat treatment at 930 °C for 15 min followed by three cooling rates before and after hot isostatic pressing (HIP) treatment was applied. The findings illustrated that the microstructure of the quenched samples before the HIP treatment was characterized by a mixture of α + α′ phase with a microhardness value of 336 ± 6 HV0.3. Air cooling produced a structure dominated by the α phase, with ~ 7.5% of the β phase and a microhardness value of about 330 ± 4 HV0.3. Furnace cooling led to a mixture of α phase and ~ 17% of the β phase and hardness of 327 ± 6 HV0.3. After HIP followed by post-heat treatment, acicular α′ martensite with microhardness value 377 ± 2 HV0.3 dominated the quenched specimen microstructure. Following air cooling, the microstructure consisted of a mixture of α-lamella and β with some needles of the α with a microhardness value of 336 ± 3 HV0.3. In the case of the furnace cooling, a complete transformation of β to a mixture of α + β phase was observed. The β volume fraction formed in the microstructure was estimated at ~ 8.5%, having microhardness 322 ± 4 HV0.3. Reasons for such behaviors are discussed.
Renal tumouroids: challenges of manufacturing 3D cultures from patient derived primary cells
Authors: Nyga Agata , Stamati Katerina , Redondo Patricia A. , Azimi Tayebeh , Feber Andrew , Neves Joana B. , Hamoudi Rifat , Presneau Nadège , El Sheikh Soha , Tran Maxine G. B. , Emberton Mark , Loizidou Marilena , Cheema Umber
Published: January 2022

Recent advancements in 3D in vitro culture have allowed for the development of cancer tissue models which accurately recapitulate the tumour microenvironment. Consequently, there has been increased innovation in therapeutic drug screening. While organoid cultures show great potential, they are limited by the time scale of their growth in vitro and the dependence upon commercial matrices, such as Matrigel, which do not allow for manipulations of their composition or mechanical properties. Here, we show a straightforward approach for the isolation and culture of primary human renal carcinoma cells and matched non-affected kidney. This approach does not require any specific selection for cancer cells, and allows for their direct culture in amenable 3D collagen-based matrices, with the preservation of cancer cells as confirmed by NGS sequencing. This method allows for culture of patient-derived cancer cells in 3D microenvironment, which can be used for downstream experimentation such as investigation of cell–matrix interaction or drug screening.
A new comprehensive dimensionless inflow performance relationship for gas wells
Authors: Kalantariasl Azim , Farhadi Isa , Farzani Soosan , Keshavarz Alireza
Published: January 2022

Prediction of gas well deliverability is important for reservoir management. Conventional flow after flow, isochronal or modified isochronal tests are common methods for calculation of well deliverability. Single-point test using Vogel-type dimensionless inflow performance relationships (IPR) was also proposed to overcome the need for multi-point tests. However, analysis of field data showed that existing dimensionless IPR correlations fail to accurately predict well deliverability for some reservoir conditions. In this study, a wide range of reservoir rock and fluid data was used to develop a comprehensive dimensionless IPR correlation for calculation of gas well deliverability from single-point test data. Multi-point well test data from 61 different gas wells of 15 fields were used to compare predicted absolute open flow (AOF) and calculated AOF from multi-point test data. The data used for validation of the proposed dimensionless IPR cover a wide range of actual AOFs (2.1–1411 MMSCF/D). Good agreement between predicted well deliverability from new dimensionless IPR and that from multi-point test was achieved. In addition, superiority of the new dimensionless IPR to previous correlations was confirmed for a wide range of reservoir conditions through error analysis. The average absolute error for new model is 11.6% (standard deviation of 8.5%) while for the other models are 85.9% (standard deviation of 148.1%) and 68.6% (standard deviation of 115.3%) for a wide range of field data.
Spatio-Temporal Representation Learning with Social Tie for Personalized POI Recommendation
Authors: Dai Shaojie , Yu Yanwei , Fan Hao , Dong Junyu
Published: January 2022

Recommending a limited number of Point-of-Interests (POIs) a user will visit next has become increasingly important to both users and POI holders for Location-Based Social Networks (LBSNs). However, POI recommendation is a challenging task since complex sequential patterns and rich contexts are contained in extremely sparse user check-in data. Recent studies show that embedding techniques effectively incorporate POI contextual information to alleviate the data sparsity issue, and Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) has been successfully employed for sequential prediction. Nevertheless, existing POI recommendation approaches are still limited in capturing user personalized preference due to separate embedding learning or network modeling. To this end, we propose a novel unified spatio-temporal neural network framework, named PPR, which leverages users’ check-in records and social ties to recommend personalized POIs for querying users by joint embedding and sequential modeling. Specifically, PPR first learns user and POI representations by joint modeling User-POI relation, sequential patterns, geographical influence, and social ties in a heterogeneous graph and then models user personalized sequential patterns using the designed spatio-temporal neural network based on LSTM model for the personalized POI recommendation. Furthermore, we extend PPR to an end-to-end recommendation model by jointly learning node representations and modeling user personalized sequential preference. Extensive experiments on three real-world datasets demonstrate that our model significantly outperforms state-of-the-art baselines for successive POI recommendation in terms of Accuracy, Precision, Recall and NDCG. The source code is available at:https://www.anonymous.4open.science/r/DSE-1BEC.
Technik als Weltbezug, Affordanzen als Reflexionsbegriff
Authors: König Tim
Published: January 2022

Der Artikel beleuchtet das Verhältnis von Technik und Politischer Theorie in der digitalen Konstellation, indem auf Hubigs technikphilosophische Konzeption von Technik als Medium zurückgegriffen wird. Der mediale Charakter technischer Systeme besteht dabei in der Strukturierung des Möglichkeitsraums, in welchem Handlungen erst vorstellbar werden. In diesem Sinne kann Technik als Weltbezug gefasst werden, welcher mit den Akteur:innen eigenen epistemischen Dispositionen in einem dialektischen Verhältnis steht. Anhand des Beispiels digitaler Öffentlichkeit wird illustriert, inwiefern diese Strukturierung epistemischer Möglichkeitsräume durch Technik Gegenstand einer präzisen politiktheoretischen Analyse sein muss. Für die Reflexion des dialektischen Verhältnisses epistemischer Dispositionen und technischer Vermittlung wird weiterhin der Begriff der Affordanzen vorgeschlagen, dessen Mehrwert mit Blick auf die Plattform Twitter aus öffentlichkeitstheoretischer Perspektive illustriert wird. Der Beitrag knüpft somit einerseits an die Diskussion um die Theoretisierung digitaler Technologien an, indem er Perspektiven der Politischen Theorie, der Technikphilosophie und der Science and Technology Studies verbindet. Andererseits greift er Diskussionsstränge um die Epistemologie der digitalen Konstellation auf, indem er auf das Verhältnis zwischen Politischer Theorie und digitalen Phänomenen eingeht. Überlegungen zu der spezifischen Messbarkeit dieser Phänomene knüpfen darüber hinaus an Fragen der Vereinbarkeit von Theorie und Empirie an.
Adhesion, mobility and aggregation of nanoclusters at surfaces: Ni and Ag on Si, HOPG and graphene
Authors: D’Addato Sergio , Perricone Federica , Paolicelli Guido
Published: January 2022

An experimental investigation of Ag and Ni nanoparticles (NPs) deposited on Silicon with its native oxide, on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite and on graphene flakes is reported. The NPs were physically synthesized with a magnetron based gas aggregation source and the produced beam was mass-filtered and deposited in vacuum on the substrates. The study was concentrated on the morphology for the different cases, shedding some light on the interaction of pre-formed NPs with surfaces, a crucial aspect both of technological and scientific relevance. The nature of adhesion can be strongly influenced by the intrinsic properties of the surface (like for instance the energetics of interaction between the NP surface atoms and the first layers of the substrate) and/or the extrinsic properties, like the presence of defects, step edges, impurities and other irregularities. After adhesion, the NPs mobility and their mutual interaction are very relevant. In this work, the study was concentrated on NP/surface morphology, by using atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

Article highlights

Morphology of physically synthesized metal Nano-Particles (NPs) on Si, HOPG and Graphene was investigated. The NPs were pure Ag and Ni.

Coalescence, diffusion and self-aggregation and preferential adhesion were observed, with possible applications in sensor technology.

Possible explanations are: NP softness, NP/surface bonding interaction and presence of contaminant species molecules between NP.
An analysis of the relationships between human, technological and physical factors in the retail banking sector
Authors: Mason Michela C. , Massara Francesco , Raggiotto Francesco
Published: January 2022

In the light of the increasingly massive implementation of technology in retail settings, the present research aims at exploring the relationships between interacting factors of the retail servicescape: human interaction, automated service, and atmosphere, and their impact on customer satisfaction regarding the service. We develop a theoretical framework to understand the relationships between the single components of the servicescape and we empirically test our framework within the context of retail banking services. We develop a moderated mediation model on a sample of 1346 retail banking customers. We find that the human factor mediates the relationship between self-service technologies and satisfaction, and that this mediation is negatively moderated by a favourable perception of the banking service atmosphere. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.
A Symbolic Programming Approach to the Rendezvous Search Problem
Authors: Leone Pierre , Alpern Steve
Published: January 2022

In this paper we solve the rendezvous problem on the line with markers that can be dropped at chosen times when the initial distance D between the players is known. In the case of one marker, the $$M_1$$

M
1

game, the marker is held by player II at the start of the game and, once dropped and found by player I, indicates in which direction player I must move. In the case of two markers, the $$M_2$$

M
2

game, each player holds one and the dropping times may differ. There is uncertainty regarding the problem initial configuration, and the goal is to minimize the expected rendezvous time that we call the rendezvous value (of the game) denoted $$R_1$$

R
1

and $$R_2$$

R
2

for the $$M_1$$

M
1

and $$M_2$$

M
2

games respectively. We present an algorithm that computes exactly the rendezvous value of the $$M_1$$

M
1

game as a function of the dropping time z, i.e. $$z\mapsto R_1(z)$$

z
↦

R
1

(
z
)

. Then we show that the function $$R_1(z)$$

R
1

(
z
)

is locally an affine function and we compute the parameters of the local representations of $$R_1(z)$$

R
1

(
z
)

. Finally, the rendezvous value of the game $$R_1=min_z R_1(z)$$

R
1

=
m
i

n
z

R
1

(
z
)

and the optimal dropping times can be determined with the expression of $$R_1(z)$$

R
1

(
z
)

. The same proceeding can be extended to apply to the problem $$M_2$$

M
2

. Symbolic execution of programs is a classical technique of program testing in computer science, see King [1] for the pioneering work. In this work we adapt the symbolic execution technique to solve an optimization problem. To our knowledge this is the first time that this is attempted, in particular to deal with rendezvous problems.
The Reduced Order Method for Solving the Linear Complementarity Problem with an M-Matrix
Authors: Fang Xi-Ming , Zhao Heng-Jun , Li Jing , Qiao Zhijun
Published: January 2022

In this paper, by seeking the zero and the positive entry positions of the solution, we provide a direct method, called the reduced order method, for solving the linear complementarity problem with an M-matrix. By this method, the linear complementarity problem is transformed into a low order linear complementarity problem with some low order linear equations and the solution is constructed by the solution of the low order linear complementarity problem and the solutions of these low order linear equations in the transformations. In order to show the accuracy and the effectiveness of the method, the corresponding numerical experiments are performed.
Managing type 2 diabetes and depression with Mindfulness-integrated Cognitive Behavior Therapy (MiCBT)
Authors: Sohrabi Fateh , Sohrabi Ahmad , Shams-Alizadeh Narges , Cayoun Bruno A.
Published: January 2022

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is the most common metabolic disorder and the most common cause of death in eastern populations, with prevalence estimated to be at the level of epidemic illness. Despite medical attention, psychological factors remain a significant contributor to DM, requiring effective psychological interventions. This study evaluated the effects of Mindfulness-integrated Cognitive Behavior Therapy (MiCBT) on depression, treatment adherence, and control of blood glucose of 25 Iranian patients (11 males and 14 females, mean age = 45.6) with type 2 DM, randomly assigned to either an 8-session MiCBT (n = 12) or treatment-as-usual (TAU) (n = 13). We present a theoretical conceptualization and detailed step-by-step implementation of MiCBT, and an assessment of its effectiveness in this sample. While no between-group differences were found at pre-treatment on any of the measures, the MiCBT group showed a significantly greater reduction in depression and greater treatment adherence than the TAU group at post-treatment. The MiCBT group also showed a significantly greater blood sugar reduction than the TAU group at 6-week follow-up. Within-group analysis found no significant change on any of the measures for TAU, whereas the MiCBT group reported a significant decrease in depression and increase in treatment adherence from pre- to post-treatment and maintained at 6-week follow-up. Blood sugar reduction also only occurred in the MiCBT group from pre- to post-treatment. Replication studies with larger samples are necessary to confirm these findings and validate the transdiagnostic efficacy and transcultural applicability of MiCBT in type 2 DM.
Hans Kelsen's Normativism
Authors: Heidemann Carsten
Published: January 2022

Hans Kelsen's Pure Theory of Law is the most prominent example of legal normativism. This text traces its origins and its genesis. In philosophy, normativism started with Hume's distinction between Is- and Ought-propositions. Kant distinguished practical from theoretical judgments, while resting even the latter on normativity. Following him, Lotze and the Baden neo-Kantians instrumentalized normativism to secure a sphere of knowledge which is not subject to the natural sciences. Even in his first major text, Kelsen claims that law is solely a matter of Ought or normativity. In the second phase of his writings, he places himself into the neo-Kantian tradition, holding legal norms to be Ought-judgments of legal science. In the third phase, he advocates a barely coherent naive normative realism. In the fourth phase, he supplements the realist view with a strict will-theory of norms, coupled with set-pieces from linguistic philosophy; classical normativism is more or less dismantled.
Effects of delay to stroke unit admission in patients with ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke
Authors: Chen Bing Yu , Gupta Himanshu , Yacas Clifford , Snyder Hannah Elaine , Lee Catherine , Bharwani Aadil , Jung Jessica , Suk Yujin , Surendran Vithushan , Chen Steven , Zawawi Ismaiel , Ma Yu Fei , MacGregor Sarah , Sharma Mukul
Published: January 2022

Objective:

To determine the association between delay in transfer to a central stroke unit from peripheral institutions and outcomes.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all patients with acute stroke, admitted to a comprehensive stroke center (CSC) from three emergency departments (EDs), between 2016 and 2018. The primary outcomes were length of stay, functional status at 3 months, discharge destination, and time to stroke investigations.

Results:

One thousand four hundred thirty-five patients were included, with a mean age of 72.9 years, and 92.4% ischemic stroke; 663 (46.2%) patients were female. Each additional day of delay was associated with 2.0 days of increase in length of stay (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.8–3.2, p = 0.001), 11.5 h of delay to vascular imaging (95% CI 9.6–13.4, p < 0.0001), 24.2 h of delay to Holter monitoring (95% CI 7.9–40.6, p = 0.004), and reduced odds of nondisabled functional status at 3 months (odds ratio 0.98, 95% CI 0.96–1.00, p = 0.01). Factors affecting delay included stroke onset within 6 h of ED arrival (605.9 min decrease in delay, 95% CI 407.9–803.9, p < 0.0001), delay to brain imaging (59.4 min increase in delay for each additional hour, 95% CI 48.0–71.4, p < 0.0001), admission from an alternative service (3918.7 min increase in delay, 95% CI 3621.2–4079.9, p < 0.0001), and transfer from a primary stroke center (PSC; 740.2 min increase in delay, 95% CI 456.2–1019.9, p < 0.0001).

Conclusion:

Delay to stroke unit admission in a system involving transfer from PSCs to a CSC was associated with longer hospital stay and poorer functional outcomes.
Getting the word out: Methods of learning about research and motivations for participation in a study focusing on a reproductive-aged Latina/x population
Authors: Sekula Nicole M. , Plowden Torie C. , Waldo Anne , Bryce Richard , Castillo-Mackenzie Maricela , Acosta Sonia , Valbuena Felix , Carnethon Mercedes , Marsh Erica E.
Published: January 2022

Background:

Although one of the fastest-growing populations in the USA, Latinx individuals remain underrepresented in research. In this study, we aimed to identify how Latina/Latinx participants of the Environment, Leiomyomas, Latinas, and Adiposity Study (ELLAS) learned about the research study and what motivated them to participate.

Materials and Methods:

Using a standardized survey tool, bilingual staff interviewed participants and asked them, 1) how they heard about ELLAS and 2) to identify and rank their top three reasons for participating in ELLAS.

Results:

“Word of mouth” through a friend or relative was the most common method of learning about ELLAS (49.0%), followed by a “community outreach event” (29.3%). The three most common reasons for participating in ELLAS were “to learn more about women’s health” (83.3%), “to receive a free health assessment” (79.4%), and “to contribute to scientific knowledge” (59.5%). Correlation between demographic and socioeconomic characteristics and participant responses indicated that there are different reasons for participation based on these factors.

Conclusions:

Community engagement and word of mouth are vital to the successful recruitment of Latina/Latinx participants to research studies. Latinx participants are most motivated to participate by health benefits and health education, as well as altruistic aspects of research studies. Therefore, establishing mutually beneficial relationships within Latinx communities and appealing to motivations for research participation with close attention to the demographics of participants can both expand and allow for targeted recruitment efforts for this underrepresented group in research studies.
COVID-19-Related Knowledge and Practices of Cancer Patients and Their Anxiety and Depression During the Early Surge Phase of the Pandemic: A Cross-sectional Online Survey
Authors: Pi Hui-Min , Zhang Shao-Yun , Zheng Ru-Jun , Fu Yan , Li Jun-Ying , Yu Chun-Hua , Jiang Yan , Huang Hao
Published: January 2022

Objective:

We aimed to investigate the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related knowledge and practices of cancer patients and to assess their anxiety- and depression-related to COVID-19 during the early surge phase of the pandemic.

Methods:

An online questionnaire survey of cancer patients was conducted from February 10-29, 2020. Knowledge and practices related to COVID-19 were assessed using a custom-made questionnaire. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to assess the presence of anxiety and depression, with scores beyond 7 indicating anxiety or depressive disorder. Univariate and multiple linear regression analyses were used to identify the high-risk groups according to the level of knowledge, practices, anxiety, and depression scores.

Results:

A total of 341 patients were included. The rate of lower level of knowledge and practices was 49.9% and 18.8%, respectively. Education level of junior high school degree or lower showed a significant association with lower knowledge score (β: −3.503; P < 0.001) and lower practices score (β: −2.210; P < 0.001) compared to the education level of college degree and above. The prevalence of anxiety and depression among the respondents was 17.6% and 23.2%, respectively. A higher depression score was associated with older age, marital status of the widowed, and lower level of education, knowledge score, and practices score (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

Targeted COVID-19-related education interventions are required for cancer patients with a lower level of knowledge to help improve their practices. Interventions are also required to address the anxiety and depression of cancer patients.
COVID-19 post-vaccination depression in older Israeli adults: the role of negative world assumptions
Authors: Greenblatt-Kimron Lee , Hoffman Yaakov , Ben-Ezra Menachem , Goodwin Robin , Palgi Yuval
Published: January 2022

Background

With the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, the aging population has been shown to be highly vulnerable. As a result, policy makers and the media urged older adults to restrict social interactions, placing them at greater risk of mental health problems, such as depression. However, there has been a little previous attempt to examine coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) vaccine-related risk factors and depressive symptoms amongst older adults.

Methods

Participants (938 older adults, Mage = 68.99, s.d. = 3.41, range 65–85) answered an online questionnaire at the start of the COVID-19 vaccination program in Israel. Participants completed measures of background characteristics, world assumptions, COVID-19 vaccine-related variables, and symptoms of depression.

Results

Univariate logistic regression revealed that more negative world assumptions were linked with clinical depression levels.

Conclusions

Older adults in our sample were susceptible to unique factors associated with clinical depression influenced by their world assumptions during their COVID-19 vaccination. The high level of depression following vaccination indicates that it may take time to recover from depression associated with pandemic distress. Cognitive interventions that focus on world assumptions are recommended.
Improving antibiotic use for sinusitis and upper respiratory tract infections: A virtual-visit antibiotic stewardship initiative
Authors: Wasylyshyn Anastasia I. , Kaye Keith S. , Chen Julia , Haddad Haley , Nagel Jerod , Petrie Joshua G. , Gandhi Tejal N. , Petty Lindsay A.
Published: January 2022

Background:

Asynchronous virtual patient care is increasingly used; however, the effectiveness of virtually delivering guideline-concordant care in conjunction with antibiotic stewardship initiatives remains uncertain. We developed a bundled stewardship intervention to improve antibiotic use in E-visits for upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs).

Methods:

In this before-and-after study, adult patients who completed E-visits for “cough,” “flu,” or “sinus symptoms” at Michigan Medicine between January 1, 2018, and September 30, 2020, were included. Patient demographics, diagnoses, and antibiotic details were collected. The multifaceted intervention occurred over 6 months. Segmented linear regression was performed to estimate the effect of the intervention on appropriate antibiotic use for URTI diagnoses (defined as no antibiotic prescribed) and sinusitis (defined as guideline-concordant antibiotic selection and duration). Regression lines were fit to data before the bundled intervention (January 2019) and after the bundled intervention (May 2019).

Results:

In total, 5,151 E-visits were included. The intervention decreased the number of visits for flu, cough, or sinus symptoms prescribed antibiotics from 43.2% to 28.9% (P < .001). Guideline concordance of antibiotic prescriptions improved following the intervention: first-line amoxicillin-clavulanate rose from 37.9% of prescriptions to 66.1% of prescriptions (P < .001), second-line doxycycline rose from 13.8% to 22.7% (P < .001); and median duration of antibiotics decreased from 10 days to 5 days (P < .001).

Conclusions:

A multifaceted stewardship bundle for E-visits involving both changes in the EMR and audit and feedback improved guideline-concordant antibiotic use for URTIs. This approach can aid stewardship efforts in the ambulatory care setting with regard to telemedicine.
Turbulent spot transit of a hypersonic laminar separation
Authors: Estruch-Samper David , Hillier Richard , Vanstone Leon
Published: January 2022

This paper presents an experimental study of the interaction of turbulent spots with an initially laminar separation, using schlieren visualisation and dynamic measurements of surface heat transfer and pressure. The separation is generated on a blunt cylinder-flare body, tested at Mach 9, and entropy layer effects result in a boundary layer edge Mach number of 3.43 at separation. A single roughness element is used to produce isolated spots, defined such that separation collapse and re-establishment is completed before arrival of the next spot. On average the spot axial length, at the start of the interaction, is 2.5 times the separation length, growing to 6.8 times as the spot base passes the original reattachment position. As such the spot comprises a large perturbation. The local separation responds almost immediately with passage of the spot, so that the downstream region may be unaffected while the upstream part has already collapsed. Re-establishment of separation is slow, taking up to four times the total transit time of the spot. A basic model is presented to explore the transient wave processes during spot passage.
Granular dynamics in auger sampling
Authors: Feng Yajie , Huang Shuo , Pang Yong , Huang Kai , Liu Caishan
Published: January 2022

From geotechnical applications to space exploration, auger drilling is often used as a standard tool for soil sample collection, instrument installation and others. Focusing on granular flow associated with the rotary drilling process, we investigate the performance of auger drilling in terms of sampling efficiency, defined as the mass ratio of the soil sample collected in the coring tube to its total volume at a given penetration depth, by means of experiments, numerical simulations as well as theoretical analysis. The ratio of rotation to penetration speed is found to play a crucial role in the sampling process. A continuum model for the coupled granular flow in both coring and discharging channels is proposed to elucidate the physical mechanism behind the sampling process. Supported by a comparison with experimental results, the continuum model provides a practical way to predict the performance of auger drilling. Further analysis reveals that the drilling process approaches a steady state with constant granular flow speeds in both channels. In the steady state, sampling efficiency decreases linearly with the growth of the rotation to penetration speed ratio, which can be well captured by the analytical solution of the model. The analytical solution also suggests that the sampling efficiency is independent of gravity in the steady state, which has profound implications for extraterrestrial sample collection in future space missions.
Scientific Theories as Bayesian Nets: Structure and Evidence Sensitivity
Authors: Grim Patrick , Seidl Frank , McNamara Calum , Rago Hinton E. , Astor Isabell N. , Diaso Caroline , Ryner Peter
Published: January 2022

We model scientific theories as Bayesian networks. Nodes carry credences and function as abstract representations of propositions within the structure. Directed links carry conditional probabilities and represent connections between those propositions. Updating is Bayesian across the network as a whole. The impact of evidence at one point within a scientific theory can have a very different impact on the network than does evidence of the same strength at a different point. A Bayesian model allows us to envisage and analyze the differential impact of evidence and credence change at different points within a single network and across different theoretical structures.
Derived categories of skew-gentle algebras and orbifolds
Authors: Labardini-Fragoso Daniel , Schroll Sibylle , Valdivieso Yadira
Published: January 2022

Skew-gentle algebras are a generalisation of the well-known class of gentle algebras with which they share many common properties. In this work, using non-commutative Gröbner basis theory, we show that these algebras are strong Koszul and that the Koszul dual is again skew-gentle. We give a geometric model of their bounded derived categories in terms of polygonal dissections of surfaces with orbifold points, establishing a correspondence between curves in the orbifold and indecomposable objects. Moreover, we show that the orbifold dissections encode homological properties of skew-gentle algebras such as their singularity categories, their Gorenstein dimensions and derived invariants such as the determinant of theirq-Cartan matrices.
Genetic evidence indicates the occurrence of the Endangered Kashmir musk deer Moschus cupreus in Uttarakhand, India
Authors: Kumar Ajit , Singh Bhim , Sahoo Subhashree , Gautam Kumudani Bala , Gupta Sandeep Kumar
Published: January 2022

The Endangered Kashmir musk deer Moschus cupreus occurs in the western Himalayan region from Nepal to Afghanistan, but there is a lack of comprehensive and reliable information on its range. The region also harbours the Endangered Himalayan musk deer Moschus leucogaster, and this range overlap may have led to misidentification of the two musk deer species and errors in the delimitation of their ranges. Here, using genetic analysis of the mitochondrial DNA control region, we examined the phylogenetic relationship among musk deer samples from three regions in India: Ganderbal District in Jammu and Kashmir, and Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary and Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, both in Uttarakhand. The Bayesian phylogenetic analysis indicated a close genetic relationship between samples from Jammu and Kashmir, Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary and Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, validated by previously published sequences of Kashmir musk deer from Nepal. Our analyses confirmed the samples from Uttarakhand to be from the Kashmir musk deer, which was not previously known from this region. Therefore, we recommend further research in this area, to validate species identification and confirm the geographical distribution of the various species of musk deer. In addition, we recommend revision of the range of M. cupreus in the IUCN Red List assessment, to facilitate effective conservation and management of this Endangered species.