bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Celestial geometry
Authors: Mizera Sebastian , Pasterski Sabrina
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Celestial holography expresses $$ \mathcal{S} $$
S
-matrix elements as correlators in a CFT living on the night sky. Poincaré invariance imposes additional selection rules on the allowed positions of operators. As a consequence, n-point correlators are only supported on certain patches of the celestial sphere, depending on the labeling of each operator as incoming/outgoing. Here we initiate a study of the celestial geometry, examining the kinematic support of celestial amplitudes for different crossing channels. We give simple geometric rules for determining this support. For n ≥ 5, we can view these channels as tiling together to form a covering of the celestial sphere. Our analysis serves as a stepping off point to better understand the analyticity of celestial correlators and illuminate the connection between the 4D kinematic and 2D CFT notions of crossing symmetry.
Soft logarithms in processes with heavy quarks
Authors: Gaggero Daniele , Ghira Andrea , Marzani Simone , Ridolfi Giovanni
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Observables involving heavy quarks can be computed in perturbative QCD in two different approximation schemes: either the quark mass dependence is fully retained, or it is retained only where needed to regulate the collinear singularity. The two schemes have different advantages and drawbacks. In particular, it is known that the structure of large logarithms arising from soft emissions is different in the two approaches. We investigate the origin of this difference in some detail, focussing on a few specific processes. We show that it is related to the non-commutativity of the small-mass and soft-emission limits. Finally, we perform the resummation of soft-emission logarithms to next-to-leading accuracy in the case of Higgs decay into a b$$ \overline{b} $$

b
¯

pair, in the scheme in which the quark mass dependence is fully accounted for.
A continuum model based on Rayleigh dissipation functions to describe a Coulomb-type constitutive law for internal friction in woven fabrics
Authors: Ciallella Alessandro , Scerrato Daria , Spagnuolo Mario , Giorgio Ivan
Published: September 2022

A continuum model intended to provide predictions for the response of a woven fabric that includes the effects of friction between fibers is proposed. Specifically, we consider a macroscopic formulation in which the fabric weave is composed of two orthogonal families of continuously distributed yarns. The elastic behavior of the planar fabric is characterized by a second-gradient formulation, incorporating the capacity of the fibers to resist a bending deformation. Particular care is devoted to modeling the action of preventing fiber overlapping through a potential energy barrier. The frictional sliding effect of warp threads interwoven with the weft yarns is introduced through a Rayleigh dissipative function that can be appropriately shaped to consider a Coulomb-type law. Spinning friction of yarns belonging to different families also is conceived when a relative rotation between fibers is present to generalize the dissipation phenomenon involved in the considered sheet. Numerical simulations of the proposed model are provided and discussed.
Assessment of Phytotoxicity of Landfilled Waste and Foundry Dust Based on The Direct Test
Authors: Bożym Marta
Published: September 2022

The article presents the results of phytotoxicity tests on foundry dust and landfilled waste. Currently, all this waste is being reused. The research has focused on phytotoxicity tests performed directly on the waste. Garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.) was used as the test plant. The germination test (GI) and the accumulation test were used to assess phytotoxicity. All dust types were highly phytotoxic to L. sativum L. in the direct test. The reason for this effect could be the low pH, the high level of heavy metals (HM), and probably the presence of organic pollutants (phenol, formaldehyde). The most phytotoxic was electric arc furnace dust (EAFD), classified as hazardous waste due to the high content of HM. The landfilled foundry waste (LFW) was characterised by moderate phytotoxicity in the direct test. The study confirmed the usefulness of the direct test in the phytotoxicity assessment of foundry waste with L. sativum L.
In vitro models to detect in vivo bile acid changes induced by antibiotics
Authors: Zhang Nina , Wang Jingxuan , Bakker Wouter , Zheng Weijia , Baccaro Marta , Murali Aishwarya , van Ravenzwaay Bennard , Rietjens Ivonne M. C. M.
Published: September 2022

Bile acid homeostasis plays an important role in many biological activities through the bile–liver–gut axis. In this study, two in vitro models were applied to further elucidate the mode of action underlying reported in vivo bile acid changes induced by antibiotics (colistin sulfate, tobramycin, meropenem trihydrate, and doripenem hydrate). 16S rRNA analysis of rat fecal samples anaerobically incubated with these antibiotics showed that especially tobramycin induced changes in the gut microbiota. Furthermore, tobramycin was shown to inhibit the microbial deconjugation of taurocholic acid (TCA) and the transport of TCA over an in vitro Caco-2 cell layer used as a model to mimic intestinal bile acid reuptake. The effects induced by the antibiotics in the in vitro model systems provide novel and complementary insight explaining the effects of the antibiotics on microbiota and fecal bile acid levels upon 28-day in vivo treatment of rats. In particular, our results provide insight in the mode(s) of action underlying the increased levels of TCA in the feces upon tobramycin exposure. Altogether, the results of the present study provide a proof-of-principle on how in vitro models can be used to elucidate in vivo effects on bile acid homeostasis, and to obtain insight in the mode(s) of action underlying the effect of an antibiotic, in this case tobramycin, on bile acid homeostasis via effects on intestinal bile acid metabolism and reuptake.
First-in-human evaluation of [18F]CETO: a novel tracer for adrenocortical tumours
Authors: Silins Isabella , Sundin Anders , Lubberink Mark , O’Sullivan Lleah , Gurnell Mark , Aigbirhio Franklin , Brown Morris , Wall Anders , Åkerström Tobias , Roslin Sara , Hellman Per , Antoni Gunnar
Published: September 2022

Purpose

[11C]Metomidate positron emission tomography (PET) is currently used for staging of adrenocortical carcinoma and for lateralization in primary aldosteronism (PA). Due to the short half-life of carbon-11 and a high non-specific liver uptake of [11C]metomidate there is a need for improved adrenal imaging methods. In a previous pre-clinical study para-chloro-2-[18F]fluoroethyletomidate has been proven to be a specific adrenal tracer. The objective is to perform a first evaluation of para-chloro-2-[18F]fluoroethyletomidate positron emission computed tomography ([18F]CETO-PET/CT) in patients with adrenal tumours and healthy volunteers.

Methods

Fifteen patients underwent [18F]CETO-PET/CT. Five healthy volunteers were recruited for test-retest analysis and three out of the five underwent additional [15O]water PET/CT to measure adrenal blood flow. Arterial blood sampling and tracer metabolite analysis was performed. The kinetics of [18F]CETO were assessed and simplified quantitative methods were validated by comparison to outcome measures of tracer kinetic analysis.

Results

Uptake of [18F]CETO was low in the liver and high in adrenals. Initial metabolization was rapid, followed by a plateau. The kinetics of [18F]CETO in healthy adrenals and all adrenal pathologies, except for adrenocortical carcinoma, were best described by an irreversible single-tissue compartment model. Standardized uptake values (SUV) correlated well with the uptake rate constant K1. Both K1 and SUV were highly correlated to adrenal blood flow in healthy controls. Repeatability coefficients of K1, SUV65–70, and SUV120 were 25, 22, and 17%.

Conclusions

High adrenal uptake combined with a low unspecific liver uptake suggests that 18F]CETO is a suitable tracer for adrenal imaging. Adrenal SUV, based on a whole-body scan at 1 h p.i., correlated well with the net uptake rate Ki.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05361083 Retrospectively registered 29 April 2022. at, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05361083
Propensity matched comparison of TAVI and SAVR in intermediate-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis and moderate-to-severe chronic kidney disease: a subgroup analysis from the German Aortic Valve Registry
Authors: Mas-Peiro Silvia , Faerber Gloria , Bon Dimitra , Herrmann Eva , Bauer Timm , Bleiziffer Sabine , Bekeredjian Raffi , Böning Andreas , Frerker Christian , Beckmann Andreas , Möllmann Helge , Ensminger Stephan , Hamm Christian W. , Beyersdorf Friedhelm , Fichtlscherer Stephan , Walther Thomas ,   For the GARY-Executive Board
Published: September 2022

Objective

We compared TAVI vs. SAVR in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic kidney disease (eGFR 15–60 ml/min/1.73 m2) for whom both procedures could possibly be considered (age ≤ 80 years, STS-score 4–8).

Background

According to both ACC/AHA and ESC/EACTS recent guidelines, aortic stenosis may be treated with either transcatheter (TAVI) or surgical (SAVR) aortic valve replacement in a subgroup of patients. A shared therapeutic decision is made by a heart team based on individual factors, including chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods

Data from the large nationwide German Aortic Valve Registry were used. A propensity score method was used to select 704 TAVI and 374 SAVR matched patients. Primary endpoint was 1-year survival. Secondary endpoints were clinical complications, including pacemaker implantation, vascular complications, myocardial infarction, bleeding, and the need for new-onset dialysis.

Results

One-year survival was similar (HR [95% CI] for TAVI 1.271 [0.795, 2.031], p = 0.316), with no divergence in Kaplan–Meier curves. In spite of post-procedural short-term survival being numerically higher for TAVI patients and 1-year survival being numerically higher for SAVR patients, such differences did not reach statistical significance (96.4% vs. 94.2%, p = 0.199, and 86.2% vs. 81.2%, p = 0.316, respectively). In weighted analyses, pacemaker implantation, vascular complications, and were significantly more common with TAVI; whereas myocardial infarction, bleeding requiring transfusion, and longer ICU-stay and overall hospitalization were higher with SAVR. Temporary dialysis was more common with SAVR (p < 0.0001); however, a probable need for chronic dialysis was rare and similar in both groups.

Conclusion

Both TAVI and SAVR led to comparable and excellent results in patients with moderate-to-severe CKD in an intermediate-risk population of patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis for whom both therapies could possibly be considered.
Incidence and predictors of radial artery occlusion following transradial coronary angiography: the proRadial trial
Authors: Schlosser Julia , Herrmann Laura , Böhme Tanja , Bürgelin Karlheinz , Löffelhardt Nikolaus , Nührenberg Thomas , Mashayekhi Kambis , Valina Christian M. , Neumann Franz-Josef , Hochholzer Willibald
Published: September 2022

Objectives

This study investigated the contemporary incidence and predictors of radial artery occlusion as well as the effectiveness of antithrombotic treatment for radial artery occlusion following transradial coronary angiography.

Background

The radial artery is the standard access for coronary angiography and even complex interventions. Postprocedural radial artery occlusion is still a common and significant complication.

Methods

This prospective study enrolled 2004 patients following transradial coronary angiography. After sheath removal, hemostasis was obtained in a standardized fashion. Radial artery patency was evaluated by duplex ultrasonography in all patients. In case of occlusion, oral anticoagulation was recommended and patients were scheduled for a 30-day follow-up including Doppler ultrasonography.

Results

A new-diagnosed radial occlusion was found in 4.6% of patients. The strongest independent predictors of radial occlusion were female sex and active smoking status. In the subgroup of patients with percutaneous coronary interventions, female sex followed by sheath size > 6 French were the strongest predictors of radial occlusion. 76 of 93 patients with radial occlusion received an oral anticoagulation for 30 days. However, reperfusion at 30 days was found in 32% of patients on oral anticoagulation.

Conclusion

The incidence of radial artery occlusion following coronary angiography in contemporary practice appears with 4.6% to be lower as compared to previous cohorts. Female sex and smoking status are the strongest independent predictors of radial occlusion followed by procedural variables. The limited effectiveness of oral anticoagulation for treatment of radial artery occlusion suggests a primarily traumatic than thrombotic mechanism of this complication.

Graphical abstract
Receptor clustering and pathogenic complement activation in myasthenia gravis depend on synergy between antibodies with multiple subunit specificities
Authors: Rose Natalie , Holdermann Sebastian , Callegari Ilaria , Kim Hyein , Fruh Isabelle , Kappos Ludwig , Kuhle Jens , Müller Matthias , Sanderson Nicholas S. R. , Derfuss Tobias
Published: September 2022

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder defined by muscle weakness and fatigability associated with antibodies against proteins of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). The most common autoantibody target is the acetylcholine receptor (AChR). Three mechanisms have been postulated by which autoantibodies might interfere with neurotransmission: direct antagonism of the receptor, complement-mediated destruction of the postsynaptic membrane, and enhanced internalization of the receptor. It is very likely that more than one of these mechanisms act in parallel. Dissecting the mechanisms of autoantibody-mediated pathology requires patient-derived, monoclonal antibodies. Using membrane antigen capture activated cell sorting (MACACS), we isolated AChR-specific B cells from patients with myasthenia gravis, and produced six recombinant antibodies. All AChR-specific antibodies were hypermutated, including isotypes IgG1, IgG3, and IgG4, and recognized different subunits of the AChR. Despite clear binding, none of the individual antibodies showed significant antagonism of the AChR measured in an in vitro neuromuscular synapse model, or AChR-dependent complement activation, and they did not induce myasthenic signs in vivo. However, combinations of antibodies induced strong complement activation in vitro, and severe weakness in a passive transfer myasthenia gravis rat model, associated with NMJ destruction and complement activation in muscle. The strongest complement activation was mediated by combinations of antibodies targeting disparate subunits of the AChR, and such combinations also induced the formation of large clusters of AChR on the surface of live cells in vitro. We propose that synergy between antibodies of different epitope specificities is a fundamental feature of this disease, and possibly a general feature of complement-mediated autoimmune diseases. The importance of synergistic interaction between antibodies targeting different subunits of the receptor can explain the well-known discrepancy between serum anti-AChR titers and clinical severity, and has implications for therapeutic strategies currently under investigation.
Interobserver variability of cochlear duct measurements in pediatric cochlear implant candidates
Authors: Salkic Almir , Yildiz Erdem , Baumgartner Wolf-Dieter , Tokic Lejla , Uscuplic Sabrina , Sarihodzic Senada , Brkic Fuad , Harcinovic Alen , Liu David T. , Brkic Faris F.
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The objective of the study was to evaluate the proposed cochlear duct length estimation based on the cochlear ‘A value’. Furthermore, we assessed the interobserver variability between radiology and otolaryngology attending physicians and otolaryngology trainees.

Methods

Thirteen pediatric cochlear implant candidates were retrospectively analyzed by three otolaryngology physicians (attending physician, second year, and fourth year trainees) and a radiology attending. The cochlear duct length was calculated based on the formula of Grover et al. The differences in acquired measurements between observers were compared using the Wilcoxon matched signed-rank test.

Results

The differences in measurements between the attending otolaryngologist and radiologist were not statistically different, while several significant differences were observed with regard to measurements of attending doctors compared to both residents. In particular, a significant difference between the second year otolaryngology resident and otolaryngology and radiology attending was observed for one side (right ear p = 0.034 and p = 0.012, respectively). Moreover, the fourth year resident calculated significantly different cochlear duct measurements when compared to the attending otolaryngologist (left ear p = 0.014) and radiologist (right ear p = 0.047). Interestingly, differently experienced otolaryngology residents provided significantly different measurements for both ears.

Conclusions

Based on these results, cochlear duct length measurement according to the proposed method may be a reliable and cost-effective method. Indeed, otolaryngology training may be sufficient to provide measurements comparable to radiologists. On the other hand, additional efforts should be invested during otolaryngology training in terms of the evaluation of radiological imaging which may increase the capabilities of otolaryngology residents in this regard.
Maintenance therapy improves the survival outcomes of patients with metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma responding to first-line chemotherapy: a multicentre, randomized controlled clinical study
Authors: Lu Ying , Huang Haixin , Yang Hui , Hu Xiaohua , Liu Meilian , Huang Changjie , Feng Xianbin , Chen Xishan , Jiang Zhou
Published: September 2022

Purpose

To explore the safety and role of tegafur/gimeracil/oteracil (S1) maintenance therapy (MT) in metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients after response to first-line chemotherapy and to assess outcome-associated biomarkers.

Methods

This was a multicentre, open-label, randomized controlled study involving metastatic NPC patients recruited (from May 2015 to May 2019) at five hospitals in China. The participants were randomized to S1-MT (receiving S1 MT until disease progression or intolerance) or non-MT (followed up until disease progression) groups. The primary endpoint was the progression-free survival (PFS). The secondary endpoints were the overall survival (OS), the correlation between EBV-DNA, serum amyloid A (SAA) status, and outcomes after the first-line chemotherapy, and safety.

Results

The median follow-up was 24.3 months; 88 and 95 participants were evaluable in the S1-MT and non-MT groups, respectively. Compared with non-MT, S1-MT prolonged PFS (16.9 vs. 9.3 months, P < 0.001) and OS (33.6 vs. 20.6 months, P < 0.001). Regardless of their EBV-DNA status after first-line chemotherapy, participants were able to benefit from S1 MT, but EBV-DNA-positive participants benefited more significantly (PFS: HR = 0.600, 95% CI = 0.373–0.965, P = 0.035; OS: HR = 0.393, 95% CI = 0.227–0.681, P = 0.001). MT only improved PFS and OS in patients with an SAA decline after first-line chemotherapy (PFS: HR = 0.570, 95% CI = 0.350–0.919, P = 0.021; OS: HR = 0.404, 95% CI = 0.230–0.709, P = 0.002). The median S1 treatment was 23 cycles. Grade 1–2 skin pigmentation, oral mucositis, and hand and foot syndrome were the main adverse reactions.

Conclusion

For metastatic NPC patients with first-line chemotherapy response, S1 MT can improve PFS and OS, with good tolerability. EBV-DNA and SAA can better help us identify patients who can benefit from MT after standard treatment.

Trial registration

The study protocol was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR-IOR-16007939).
Epigenetic inactivation of DNA repair genes as promising prognostic and predictive biomarkers in urothelial bladder carcinoma patients
Authors: Mohanad Marwa , Yousef Hend F. , Bahnassy Abeer A.
Published: September 2022

We sought to examine epigenetic inactivation of DNA damage repair (DDR) genes as prognostic and predictive biomarkers for urothelial bladder cancer (UBC) as there are currently no reliable prognostic biomarkers that identify UBC patients who would benefit from chemotherapy. Genome-wide DNA methylome using the cancer genome atlas-bladder cancer (TCGA-BLCA) datasets (primary tumors = 374 and normal tissues = 37) was performed for 154 DDR genes. The most two significant differentially methylated genes, Retinoblastoma binding protein 8 (RBBP8)and MutS homologue 4(MSH4), between primary tumors and normal tissues of TCGA–BLCA were validated by methylation-specific PCR (MSP) in UBC (n = 70) compared to normal tissues (n = 30).RBBP8andMSH4expression was measured using qRT-PCR. We developed a predictive model for therapeutic response based on theRBBP8- andMSH4-methylation along with patients’ clinical features.Then, we assessed the prognostic significance ofRBBP8andMSH4.RBBP8-andMSH4methylation and corresponding gene downregulation significantly associated with muscle-invasive phenotype, prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) and increased susceptibility to cisplatin chemotherapy in UBC. Promoter methylation ofRBBP8andMSH4was positively correlated with each other and with their corresponding gene repression. The best machine-learning classification model predicted UBC patients’ response to cisplatin-based chemotherapy with an accuracy of 90.05 ± 4.5%. Epigenetic inactivation ofRBBP8andMSH4in UBC could sensitize patients to DNA-damaging agents. A predictive machine-learning modeling approach based on the clinical features along withRBBP8-andMSH4-methylation might be a promising tool for stratification of UBC responders from nonresponders to chemotherapy.
Implementation of the “No ICU – Unless” approach in postoperative neurosurgical management in times of COVID-19
Authors: Qasem Lina-Elisabeth , Al-Hilou Ali , Zacharowski Kai , Funke Moritz , Strouhal Ulrich , Reitz Sarah C. , Jussen Daniel , Forster Marie Thérèse , Konczalla Juergen , Prinz Vincent Matthias , Lucia Kristin , Czabanka Marcus
Published: September 2022

Following elective craniotomy, patients routinely receive 24-h monitoring in an intensive care unit (ICU). However, the benefit of intensive care monitoring and treatment in these patients is discussed controversially. This study aimed to evaluate the complication profile of a “No ICU – Unless” strategy and to compare this strategy with the standardized management of post-craniotomy patients in the ICU. Two postoperative management strategies were compared in a matched-pair analysis: The first cohort included patients who were managed in the normal ward postoperatively (“No ICU – Unless” group). The second cohort contained patients routinely admitted to the ICU (control group). Outcome parameters contained detailed complication profile, length of hospital and ICU stay, duration to first postoperative mobilization, number of unplanned imaging before scheduled postoperative imaging, number and type of intensive care interventions, as well as pre- and postoperative modified Rankin scale (mRS). Patient characteristics and clinical course were analyzed using electronic medical records. The No ICU – Unless (NIU) group consisted of 96 patients, and the control group consisted of 75 patients. Complication rates were comparable in both cohorts (16% in the NIU group vs. 17% in the control group; p = 0.123). Groups did not differ significantly in any of the outcome parameters examined. The length of hospital stay was shorter in the NIU group but did not reach statistical significance (average 5.8 vs. 6.8 days; p = 0.481). There was no significant change in the distribution of preoperative (p = 0.960) and postoperative (p = 0.425) mRS scores in the NIU and control groups. Routine postoperative ICU management does not reduce postoperative complications and does not affect the surgical outcome of patients after elective craniotomies. Most postoperative complications are detected after a 24-h observation period. This approach may represent a potential strategy to prevent the overutilization of ICU capacities while maintaining sufficient postoperative care for neurosurgical patients.
Immediate dental implant placement in post-extraction-infected sites decontaminated with Er,Cr:YSGG laser: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Crippa Rolando , Aiuto Riccardo , Dioguardi Mario , Nieri Michele , Peñarrocha-Diago María , Peñarrocha-Diago Miguel , Angiero Francesca
Published: September 2022

Dental implants placed in fresh extraction alveoli provide several advantages, including shorter treatment periods and improved patient comfort. After a compromised tooth extraction, the Er,Cr:YSGG laser can considerably reduce bacterial concentration. The objective of this controlled study conducted after at least 1 year of follow-up was to compare the use of immediate post-extraction implants in infected sites treated with laser (test group) versus conventional implants in edentulous sites (control group) through an analysis of pre- and post-operative radiographs. The study was based on a series of patients treated between 2014 and 2019, with a 1-year minimum follow-up, and up to over 4 years. An analysis of the clinical history of the treated patients and pre- and post-operative radiographs was performed to evaluate the implant success and to measure the marginal bone level (MBL). Overall, 149 implants were studied. There was only one failure in the test group (1%) and no failures in the control group. The test group gained 0.1 mm of the MBL compared to the baseline, while the control group lost 0.1 mm of the MBL. The difference between the two groups of only 0.2 mm was not statistically significant (P = 0.058). Immediate dental implants in infected sockets debrided and decontaminated using Er,Cr:YSGG laser do not appear to enhance the likelihood of failure; however, peri-implantitis and associated problems must be avoided by following a certain set of protocols and procedures.
Disentangling arthropod and plant resources consumed by Orius spp. in peach and alfalfa crops by metagenomic analysis
Authors: Batuecas Iván , Alomar Oscar , Castañé Cristina , Piñol Josep , Gallardo-Montoya Lorena , Agustí Nuria
Published: September 2022

Agricultural intensification is affecting the biological control of insect pests, an important component for sustainable crop production. To understand the changing patterns of insect abundance within an agroecosystem, it is necessary to disentangle the trophic interactions between species, and metabarcoding is an excellent alternative to show them. In the Ebro Basin (NE Iberian Peninsula), agricultural landscapes are composed of a mosaic of crops scattered with natural and semi-natural habitats, where the presence of Orius spp., used as biocontrol agents, is well known. To shed light on their predatory role in this area, a previously developed metabarcoding multi-primer method has been used to study the arthropod and plant most frequently resources consumed by some field-collected Orius, sampled at different dates in a peach and an alfalfa adjacent crop. Their high-throughput sequencing (HTS) analysis showed the consumption of 15 arthropod and 12 plant taxa. Eight of them were consumed by O. laevigatus, six by O. majusculus and 23 by O. niger. The obtained results showed that HTS is a powerful tool in studies of trophic interactions in agroecosystems. Among the detected arthropods, other natural enemies were present, showing a certain degree of intraguild predation, which has been demonstrated by developing a new added strategy in the bioinformatic analysis. Detected plant consumption indicates that Orius forages on several plant species, showing their movement from them to the sampled crops. These plants could have a potential role in attracting or maintaining these predators in both crops in biological control strategies.
Analysis of inter and intra-front operations in multi-modal multi-objective optimization problems
Authors: Javadi Mahrokh , Mostaghim Sanaz
Published: September 2022

Many real-world multi-objective optimization problems inherently have multiple multi-modal solutions and it is in fact very important to capture as many of these solutions as possible. Several crowding distance methods have been developed in the past few years to approximate the optimal solution in the search space. In this paper, we discuss some of the shortcomings of the crowding distance-based methods such as inaccurate estimates of the density of neighboring solutions in the search space. We propose a new classification for the selection operations of Pareto-based multi-modal multi-objective optimization algorithms. This classification is based on utilizing nearby solutions from other fronts to calculate the crowding values. Moreover, to address some of the drawbacks of existing crowding methods, we propose two algorithms whose selection mechanisms are based on each of the introduced types of selection operations. These algorithms are called NxEMMO and ES-EMMO. Our proposed algorithms are evaluated on 14 test problems of various complexity levels. According to our results, in most cases, the NxEMMO algorithm with the proposed selection mechanism produces more diverse solutions in the search space in comparison to other competitive algorithms.
Limited diversity and QCA solution types: assumptions and their consequences
Authors: Glaesser Judith
Published: September 2022

Limited diversity is a term employed in the context of Ragin’s Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA), but it describes a phenomenon which is widespread in social contexts: cases are usually not distributed evenly across all the possible combinations of factors linked to some outcome. Instead, they are often clustered together. To deal with limited diversity, the three solution types parsimonious, intermediate, and complex (or conservative) solution have been proposed. There is an ongoing debate as to the merits of each solution type. This paper contributes to the debate by focussing on what the implications of choosing each solution type are. In making this choice, researchers have to make certain assumptions, and the paper discusses what these are and how they vary depending on which solution type is being implemented, drawing on invented examples and examples from published work to bring out the consequences of these assumptions. It concludes that it is not obvious that any one solution type is superior, certainly not to the degree that the others always have to be ruled out. They rely on different kinds of assumptions and models of causation. Thus, depending on the research situation, it may be helpful to analyse different scenarios, including one(s) where we assume that our initial assumptions are wrong. Ideally, researchers are able to take steps to reduce or eliminate limited diversity since none of the existing solution types are without problems. However, since this is not always possible, it is best to be aware of the consequences of choices.
Multiscale Analysis of the Gold Dust Defect in AISI 430 Industrial Stainless Steels: Influence of the Aluminum Content
Authors: Amaya Dolores Beatriz , Letofsky-Papst Ilse , Domínguez Manuel , Núñez Galindo Andrés , Calvino Gámez José Juan , Almagro Juan Francisco , Lajaunie Luc
Published: September 2022

The "Gold Dust Defect" affects the surface quality of AISI 430 ferritic stainless steels. However, there is a very limited number of studies focusing on it. To better understand its nature, we have combined several techniques, such as x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy, in order to extract a maximum of structural and compositional information. Our results show that the surface quality, microstructure, and chemistry of the samples are strongly affected by the aluminum content, the severity of the defect being the highest at the lowest Al concentration. Not only is the concentration of the defects at the surface strongly reduced when increasing the Al. at.% but the depth of the cavities is also reduced by a factor of 3 when the Al content is increased from 0.09  at.% to 0.59 at.%. Our results provide new information on the nature of this defect, and show that an increase of the aluminum content allows the Cr concentration to be maintained in the range of values required to maintain the passivity of the steel, thus improving the surface quality.
Joint energy efficiency and load balancing optimization in hybrid IP/SDN networks
Authors: Galán-Jiménez Jaime , Polverini Marco , Lavacca Francesco G. , Herrera Juan Luis , Berrocal Javier
Published: September 2022

Software-defined networking (SDN) is a paradigm that provides flexibility and programmability to computer networks. By introducing SDN nodes in a legacy IP network topology, network operators can benefit on higher control over the infrastructure. However, this migration is not a fast or straightforward process. Furthermore, to provide an adequate quality of service in hybrid IP/SDN networks, the coordination of both IP and SDN paradigm is fundamental. In this paper, this coordination is used to solve two optimization problems that are typically solved separately: (i) traffic load balancing and (ii) power consumption minimization. Each of these problems has opposing objectives, and thus, their joint consideration implies striking a balance between them. Therefore, this paper proposes the Hybrid Spreading Load Algorithm (HSLA) heuristic that jointly faces the problems of balancing traffic by minimizing link utilization and network’s power consumption in a hybrid IP/SDN network. HSLA is evaluated over differently sized topologies using different methods to select which nodes are migrated from IP to SDN. These evaluations reveal that alternative approaches that only address one of the objectives are outperformed by HSLA.
“Do technologies really affect that much? exploring the potential of several industry 4.0 technologies in today’s lean manufacturing shop floors”
Authors: Sartal Antonio , Llach Josep , León-Mateos Fernando
Published: September 2022

We investigated the synergies and trade-offs between lean management practices and digital transformation promoted via Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies in current manufacturing shop floors. We used a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis to examine possible interactions in a sample of 568 European manufacturing plants from the European Manufacturing Survey. Our results show that various causal pathways exist between lean practices and I4.0 technologies that contribute to improving industrial performance, highlighting the influence of vertical and horizontal data integration (VHDI) even ahead of other more extended applications, such as robotics. Furthermore, our results reveal that the combination of I4.0 technologies analyzed (VHDI, advanced robotics, and additive manufacturing) can lead to sufficient conditions for improving plant performance. From a management point of view, our findings underline the need to avoid myopic attitudes toward I4.0 opportunities. Lean programs should be designed with technological issues in mind, as digital features can establish powerful mechanisms that develop and reinforce the contributions of operational routines to manufacturing strengths in the face of new market requirements. In addition, managers must take into account the implications of the new situation: continuous learning and workforce training will be essential for workers to adapt to the requirements that digital transformation of shop floors has brought about.
Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration Among Sexual Minority People and Associated Factors: A Systematic Review of Quantitative Studies
Authors: Trombetta Tommaso , Rollè Luca
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Intimate partner violence (IPV) among sexual minority people has been underestimated since few decades ago despite its spreading. The current systematic review aims to review and systematize studies on factors associated with IPV perpetration within this population.

Methods

Data search was conducted on EBSCO and PubMed considering articles published until July 2022, and 78 papers were included.

Results

Although methodological limitations can affect the results found, the data demonstrated an association between IPV perpetration and psychological, relational, family of origin-related and sexual minority-specific factors, substance use, and sexual behaviors.

Conclusion

The findings emerged highlight the importance of a multidimensional approach to tackle IPV perpetration among sexual minority people and limit relapses, while increasing individual and relational wellbeing.

Policy Implications

The empirical evidence emerged can contribute to the development of policies and services tailored for sexual minority people victims of IPV, to date still scarce and often ineffective.
Automatic Generation of Personalised and Context-Dependent Textual Interventions During Neuro-rehabilitation
Authors: Felske Timon , Bader Sebastian , Kirste Thomas
Published: September 2022

In this paper we present our system that synthesises personalised and context dependent texts during robot guided exercises for neuro-rehabilitation. This system is used to generate texts for the communication between a care robot and patients. We present requirements that a system in such a medical domain has to meet. Afterwards the results of a systematic literature review are presented. We present our solution based on the RosaeNLG system. It supports different language levels and referring expressions in a real-time text generation system, so that generated texts can be adapted to the reader in the best possible way. We evaluate our system with respect to the requirements. The contribution of the paper is twofold: We present a set of requirements for Natural Language Generation (NLG) in medical domains and we show how to extend RosaeNLG with an external dialogue memory to handle complex referring expressions in medical real time settings.
The future of the Black Sea: More pollution in over half of the rivers
Authors: Strokal Maryna , Strokal Vita , Kroeze Carolien
Published: September 2022

The population in the Black Sea region is expected to decline in the future. However, a better understanding of how river pollution is affected by declining trends in population and increasing trends in economic developments and urbanization is needed. This study aims to quantify future trends in point-source emissions of nutrients, microplastics, Cryptosporidium, and triclosan to 107 rivers draining into the Black Sea. We apply a multi-pollutant model for 2010, 2050, and 2100. In the future, over half of the rivers will be more polluted than in 2010. The population in 74 sub-basins may drop by over 25% in our economic scenario with poor wastewater treatment. Over two-thirds of the people will live in cities and the economy may grow 9-fold in the region. Advanced wastewater treatment could minimize trade-offs between economy and pollution: our Sustainability scenario projects a 68–98% decline in point-source pollution by 2100. Making this future reality will require coordinated international efforts.
Clinically unsuspected orthopedic implants during S. aureus bacteremia do not require additional diagnostic work-up
Authors: Kouijzer Ilse J. E. , Speijker L. T. D. , Aarntzen E. H. J. G. , Rijnen W. H. C. , Somford M. P. , Maat I. , van Meer M. P. A. , Oever J. Ten , Gisolf E. H.
Published: September 2022

Purpose

To assess the likelihood of occult infection in patients with clinically unsuspected orthopedic implants during Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB).

Methods

In a retrospective study in two Dutch hospitals, we included all patients with SAB between 2013 and 2020 with one or more orthopedic implants in whom [18F]FDG-PET/CT was performed. The primary outcome was the percentage of patients who had an orthopedic implant-related infection by S. aureus. We also compared clinical parameters in patients with clinically suspected and unsuspected implants.

Results

Fifty-five of 191 (29%) orthopedic implants in 118 SAB patients included had clinical signs of infection. Of all 136 unsuspected implants, 5 (3%, all arthroplasties), showed increased [18F]FDG uptake around the prosthesis on [18F]FDG-PET/CT. The clinical course of these patients without clinically overt infection or relapse of bacteremia during follow-up of a median of 48 months (range 0–48), however, argued against prosthetic joint infection.

Conclusion

Although orthopedic implants are evidently a risk factor for metastatic infection during SAB, the absence of clinical symptoms obviate the need of additional investigations or prolonged antibiotic treatment.
Memory retrieval and harshness of conflict in the hawk–dove game
Authors: Bilancini Ennio , Boncinelli Leonardo , Ille Sebastian , Vicario Eugenio
Published: September 2022

We study the long-run dynamics of a repeated non-symmetric hawk–dove type interaction between agents of two different populations. Agents choose a strategy based on their previous experience with the other population by sampling from a collective memory of past interactions. We assume that the sample size differs between populations and define a measure of harshness of conflict in the hawk–dove interaction. We then show how the properties of the long-run equilibrium depend on the harshness of conflict and the relative length of the sample. In symmetric interactions, if conflict is harsh, the population which samples relatively more past interactions is able to appropriate a higher payoff in the long-run, while the population with a relatively smaller sample does so if conflict is mild. These results hold subject to constraints on the sample size which we discuss in detail. We further extend our results to non-symmetric hawk–dove games.
Health-Related Disparities in the Metropolitan Region Ruhr: Large-Scale Spatial Model of Local Asthma Prevalence, Accessibility of Health Facilities, and Socioeconomic and Environmental Factors
Authors: Ortwein Annette , Redecker Andreas P. , Moos Nicolai
Published: September 2022

This paper investigates the area of the Metropole Ruhr in terms of spatial distributions of environmental factors that can prevent or cause a significantly lower or higher rate of respiratory diseases such as asthma. Environmental factors can have negative impact, like air pollution, and positive, like the access to urban green areas. In the second part of the analysis, the accessibility of pharmacies, hospitals, and medical facilities that offer a special treatment for people with respiratory diseases will be spatially analysed and associated to those detected urban areas of higher and lower prevalence. The results of both approaches are spatially blended with socioeconomic and socio-demographic values of the respective residents. With this it is possible to point out whether accessibility of health facilities is a suitable and equitable for all people diagnosed with asthma regardless of their educational or migration background, their employment rate, salary or age. Consequently, all values will be disaggregated from large spatial units, such as city districts municipalities or neighbourhoods, to small city blocks, to assess large-scale spatial variability. This provides the opportunity of a point-by-point investigation and statistical analysis with a high level of detail that significantly exceeds previous study results. In the sociological context of environmental justice this highly interdisciplinary study contributes to the assessment of fair health conditions for people in densely populated conurbations.
Analyzing user engagement in news application considering popularity diversity and content diversity
Authors: Sonoda Atom , Seki Yoshifumi , Toriumi Fujio
Published: September 2022

The diversity of recommender systems has been well analyzed, but the impact of their diversity on user engagement is less understood. Our study is the first to attempt to analyze the relationship between diversity and user engagement in the news domain. In this study, we introduce the notion of popularity diversity, propose metrics for it, and analyze user behavior on popular news applications in terms of content diversity and popularity diversity, the impact of which we find to be closely related to user activity. We also find that users who use these services for longer periods have not only higher content diversity and popularity diversity but also a tendency to increase diversity as the week progresses. Users with low content diversity had a 224% greater withdrawal rate than those with high content diversity, and users with low popularity diversity had a 112% greater withdrawal rate than those with high popularity diversity. Although many studies have examined changes in diversity in recommender systems, we notice this trend is affected by user withdrawal. Finally, we confirm that popularity diversity and content diversity explain user withdrawal and predict user behavior. Our study reveals the relationship between diversity and engagement in the news domain and introduces the impact of popularity bias per user as a metric of diversity.
Nonparametric Analysis of Balanced Incomplete Block Rank Data
Authors: Livingston G. C. , Rayner J. C. W.
Published: September 2022

Traditional nonparametric analysis of balanced incomplete block rank data usually involves the Durbin test. Here we give an alternative adjustment for the Durbin statistic for when there are ties and mid-ranks are used. The adjusted Durbin statistic is shown to be simply related to the ANOVA F statistic on the ranks, so that the corresponding tests are, in a sense, equivalent. This means both are tests of equality of mean treatment ranks. A simulation study compares the size and power performances of the competing tests. We also apply the nonparametric ANOVA methodology to give tests for univariate moment effects and, when treatments are ordered, for bivariate moment effects. The latter includes umbrella tests.
Predicting the Thermal Behavior in Functional Textile Fibers Having Embedded Electronics
Authors: Berry Shaun , Redmond Shawn , Wang Tairan , Rothschild Mordechai
Published: September 2022

In this paper, both steady-state and transient thermal simulations were performed on functional fibers having an embedded electronic chip acting as a heat source. Simulations were conducted for a range of different fiber materials and arbitrary fiber cross-sectional shapes. We show that under steady-state heating conditions, the thermal response for any arbitrary fiber shape and fiber material system was convection dominated regardless of the effective thermal conductivity of the fiber, and that the corresponding temperature rise within the fiber can be predicted analytically allowing for the maximum temperature to be estimated for any known heat load and fiber geometry. In the case of transient heating, we show that for pulsed power operation of the embedded electronic device, the maximum temperature reached in the fiber is always greater than the maximum temperature of the equivalent steady-state average power. However, high peak powers can be safely achieved if the power-on pulse time and duty cycle are selected to limit the maximum temperature reached in the fiber. Based on the results from the transient simulations, a set of criteria was developed to determine whether the operating conditions would be: (1) allowable for the fiber system, thus requiring no transient simulations, (2) requiring a transient simulation to verify that the maximum temperature is acceptable, and (3) the operating conditions are too severe and device operation at these conditions are not practical.

Graphical Abstract