bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
VERDICT MRI for radiation treatment response assessment in neuroendocrine tumors
Authors: Lundholm Lukas , Montelius Mikael , Jalnefjord Oscar , Forssell‐Aronsson Eva , Ljungberg Maria
Published: December 2021

Noninvasive methods to study changes in tumor microstructure enable early assessment of treatment response and thus facilitate personalized treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diffusion MRI model, Vascular, Extracellular and Restricted Diffusion for Cytometry in Tumors (VERDICT), for early response assessment to external radiation treatment and to compare the results with those of more studied sets of parameters derived from diffusion‐weighted MRI data. Mice xenografted with human small intestine tumors were treated with external radiation treatment, and diffusion MRI experiments were performed on the day before and up to 2 weeks after treatment. The diffusion models VERDICT, ADC, IVIM, and DKI were fitted to MRI data, and the treatment response of each tumor was calculated based on pretreatment tumor growth and post‐treatment tumor volume regression. Linear regression and correlation analysis were used to evaluate each model and their respective parameters for explaining the treatment response. VERDICT analysis showed significant changes from day −1 to day 3 for the intracellular and extracellular volume fraction, as well as the cell radius index (p < 0.05; Wilcoxon signed‐rank test). The strongest correlation between the diffusion model parameters and the tumor treatment response was seen for the ADC, kurtosis‐corrected diffusion coefficient, and intracellular volume fraction on day 3 (τ = 0.47, 0.52, and −0.49, respectively, p < 0.05; Kendall rank correlation coefficient). Of all the tested models, VERDICT held the strongest explanatory value for the tumor treatment response on day 3 (R2 = 0.75, p < 0.01; linear regression). In conclusion, VERDICT has potential for early assessment of external radiation treatment and may provide further insights into the underlying biological effects of radiation on tumor tissue. In addition, the results suggest that the time window for assessment of treatment response using dMRI may be narrow.
Long‐horizon finite‐set model predictive control for grid‐connected photovoltaic inverters
Authors: Qiu Quanwei , Yang Fuwen , Zhu Yong , Han Qing‐Long
Published: December 2021

This article addresses the grid‐connected single‐phase photovoltaic (PV) inverter control. A long‐horizon finite‐set model predictive control (MPC) strategy is proposed to control the voltage source inverter. To achieve this, a multi‐step implementation approach and a control sequence rearrangement method are designed to reduce the sampling frequency and switching frequency. The optimization problem for the finite‐set MPC is further simplified to reduce the computational complexity of the optimization procedure. Moreover, a multi‐step delay compensation method is developed to compensate for the computational delay of the control algorithm. Finally, the proposed control method is implemented in a grid‐connected PV inverter and simulation test results demonstrate its effectiveness under different load and generation conditions.
Unpacking government social media messaging strategies during the COVID‐19 pandemic in China
Authors: Li Yiran , Chandra Yanto , Fan Yingying
Published: December 2021

A core aspect of agile governance is effectively managing communications between a government and its citizens. However, doing so during an emergency—particularly a pandemic—is often complex and challenging. In this article, we examine how various levels of the Chinese government (central, provincial, and municipal) communicated with the public in response to the COVID‐19 pandemic. Analyzing government social media posts during the COVID‐19 outbreak in Wuhan (“text as data”), we conduct topic modeling analysis and identify four strategies that characterize Chinese governments’ responses to a variety of issues at the ground level, which we labelinstructing information, adjusting information, advocacy, andbolstering. The results show that local government agencies predominantly used the first two strategies, whereas the central government mainly relied on the last two. These strategies explain how various levels of government engaged in agile governance through their communication with citizens, highlight the coordination and control work undertaken by governments at all levels, and demonstrate how these methods shielded the central government from blame for the pandemic.
An amphiphilic polymer for the synthesis of diverse polymer libraries exemplified using conjugates with lower critical solution temperatures that span water's liquid state
Authors: Huang Lihong , Carter Madeline J. , Pelet Jeisa M. , Putnam David
Published: December 2021

The discovery of new polymer functions is intrinsically tied to the synthesis of diverse structures. Herein we report the synthesis of a new polymer library precursor, poly[N‐(12‐carboxyl‐3,6,9‐trioxado) methacrylamide] (pCTMAAm), that is functionalizable with hydrophilic or hydrophobic ligands in both protic and aprotic solvents. The polymer is made through RAFT polymerization with narrow dispersities. Carboxylic acid groups terminate the pCTMAAm side chains, which allows conjugation of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups. As a demonstration, three very different ligands, agmantine (cation), galactosamine (polyol) and hexylamine (hydrophobic), were conjugated to pCTMAAm using DMTTM as a condensing agent with greater than 80% conjugation efficiency. To demonstrate the potential utility of the amphiphilic polymer, a polymer library containing side chains with a series of alkanes and varying degrees of substitution was synthesized showing lower critical solution temperature (LCST) profiles that span a temperature range of 7 °C to above 90 °C in water. Multivariate linear regression analysis of the polymer library was used to understand how polymer composition correlates to LCST, using molecular weight, alkane length and degree of substitution as continuous variables. The outcome showed that alkane length has the greatest influence on LCST and that LCST can be estimated using these material composition inputs.
Hydrogel‐shelled biodegradable microspheres for sustained release of encapsulants
Authors: Oh Yoonjin , Kim Shin‐Hyun
Published: December 2021

Biodegradable microparticles are promising for the sustained release of encapsulated lipophilic drugs. In particular, the microparticles with uniform size show excellent linearity of cumulated release over time with minimized initial burst. Here, we encapsulate the biodegradable microparticles with a hydrogel shell to improve the controllability over the sustained release and suspension stability. With a capillary microfluidic device, monodisperse oil‐in‐water‐in‐oil (O/W/O) double‐emulsion droplets are produced to have a toluene solution of polylactic acid (PLA) in the core and sodium alginate and calcium‐ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) complex in the shell, whereas the continuous oil phase contains acetic acid. As the toluene evaporates, PLA consolidates to form a microsphere in the core. At the same time, acetic acid diffuses from the continuous phase to the water layer, which causes the dissociation of the Ca‐EDTA complex and the gelation of alginate. The hydrogel‐shelled PLA microspheres are transferred from the oil to an aqueous solution of calcium chloride, which further tightens the gel shell. The resulting core‐shell microspheres show sustained release of encapsulants for extended periods as the hydrogel shell serves as a diffusion barrier. Moreover, the hydrogel shells prevent interparticle agglomeration and adhesion to the solid walls, securing high suspension stability during the injection.
Aerosol–cloud–precipitation interactions during a Saharan dust event – A summertime case‐study from the Alps
Authors: Eirund Gesa K. , Drossaart van Dusseldorp Saskia , Brem Benjamin T. , Dedekind Zane , Karrer Yves , Stoll Marco , Lohmann Ulrike
Published: December 2021

Changes in the ambient aerosol concentration are known to affect the microphysical properties of clouds. Especially regarding precipitation formation, increasing aerosol concentrations are assumed to delay the precipitation onset, but may increase precipitation rates via convective invigoration and orographic spillover further downstream. In this study, we analyse the effect of increased aerosol concentrations on a heavy precipitation event observed in summer 2017 over northeastern Switzerland, an event which was considerably underestimated by the operational weather forecast model. Preceding the precipitation event, Saharan dust was advected towards the Alps, which could have contributed to increased precipitation rates north of the Alpine ridge. To investigate the potential impact of the increased ambient aerosol concentrations on surface precipitation, we perform a series of sensitivity simulations using the Consortium for Small‐scale Modeling (COSMO) model with different microphysical parametrizations and prognostic aerosol perturbations. The results show that the choice of the microphysical parametrization scheme in terms of a one‐ or two‐moment scheme has the relatively largest impact on surface precipitation rates. In the one‐moment scheme, surface precipitation is strongly reduced over the Alpine ridge and increased further downstream. Simulated changes in surface precipitation in response to aerosol perturbations remain smaller in contrast to the impact of the microphysics scheme. Elevated cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentrations lead to increased cloud water and decreased cloud ice mass, especially in regions of high convective activity south of the Alps. These altered cloud properties indeed increase surface precipitation further downstream, but the simulated change is too small to explain the observed heavy precipitation event. Additional ice‐nucleating particles (INPs) increase cloud ice mass, but only trigger local changes in downstream surface precipitation. Thus, increased aerosol number concentrations during the Saharan dust outbreak are unlikely to have caused the heavy precipitation event in summer 2017.
Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry of retro‐carotenoids
Authors: Schex Roland , Schweiggert Ralf , Steingass Christof B.
Published: December 2021

Rationale

The single and double bonds of the polyene chain of the studied retro‐carotenoids are located at the neighboring positions compared to those of regular carotenoids. Our mass spectrometry approach targeted at facilitating the characterization of retro‐carotenoids as their structural diversity in nature is not yet fully elucidated. Moreover, extended π‐electron systems endow several retro‐carotenoids with exceptional colors from golden‐orange to vibrant red that stimulate the food industry’s interest.

Methods

Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization‐quadrupole time‐of‐flight‐high‐resolution mass spectrometry (APCI‐QTOF‐HRMS) experiments of the three structurally related retro‐carotenoids rhodoxanthin, eschscholtzxanthone, and eschscholtzxanthin were performed to elucidate the formation of specific ion species compared to those of the common carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin. Mass fragmentations of the aforementioned retro‐carotenoids were unraveled using APCI‐tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) in the negative and positive ion modes.

Results

Abundant in‐source fragment ions [M + H − H2O]+ of eschscholtzxanthin and eschscholtzxanthone were formed in the positive ion mode owing to the loss of water at the hydroxylated ε‐rings. Eliminations of the ε‐rings at the characteristic exocyclic double bonds at C‐6,7 and C‐6′,7′ were observed after the resonance‐stabilized loss of water. Distinct product ions were yielded for all retro‐carotenoids assessed because of the cleavage at their typical central single bond at C‐15,15′.

Conclusions

Detailed APCI‐QTOF‐HRMS analyses enabled a highly accurate detection of the most abundant ion species and respective signal intensity ratios of retro‐carotenoids, facilitating their further screening and reliable identification in natural sources. Mass fragmentations of the studied retro‐carotenoids were found to be substantially impacted by the extraordinary configuration of their polyene backbone.
Laboratory‐based testing for hepatitis C infection using dried blood spot samples: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of diagnostic accuracy
Authors: Carty Paul G. , McCarthy Michael , O’Neill Sinéad M. , De Gascun Cillian F. , Harrington Patricia , O’Neill Michelle , Smith Susan M. , Teljeur Conor , Ryan Mairin
Published: December 2021

The use of dried blood spot (DBS) samples can facilitate the implementation of reflex testing by circumventing the need for centrifugation and freezing of venous blood samples. This systematic review assessed the accuracy of using DBS samples to diagnose chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. A comprehensive search was undertaken to identify articles published up to July 2020 evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of anti‐HCV, HCV‐RNA and HCV core antigen tests using DBS. Screening, data extraction, quality appraisal and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations certainty of the evidence assessment were performed independently by two reviewers. Meta‐analysis, meta‐regression and sensitivity analyses were conducted. The evidence demonstrates that laboratory‐based anti‐HCV and HCV‐RNA tests using DBS samples have high diagnostic accuracy. All comparisons were between DBS and venous samples. For the detection of anti‐HCV, sensitivity was 95% (95% CI: 92%–97%) and specificity was 99% ([95% CI: 98%–99%]; n = 25; I2 = 81%; moderate certainty). For the detection of HCV‐RNA, the sensitivity was 95% (95% CI: 93%–97%) and specificity was 97% ([95% CI: 94%–98%]; n = 20; I2 = 52%; moderate certainty). The sensitivity of HCV core antigen tests was 86% (95% CI: 79%–91%) and specificity was 98% ([95% CI: 94%–99%]; n = 5; I2 = 37%; low certainty) compared with HCV‐RNA (the gold standard for detecting chronic HCV). DBS samples could facilitate diagnosis of chronic HCV infection as the necessary sequential tests (anti‐HCV and then HCV‐RNA or HCV core antigen) can be undertaken using the same blood sample. This could reduce loss of patient follow‐up and support international efforts towards HCV elimination in both high and low prevalence settings.
Dynamic event‐triggered control for Markovian jump linear systems with time‐varying delay
Authors: Zhao Hui , Li Weidong , Li Zhicheng , Ren Yu
Published: December 2021

In this article, the problem of dynamic event‐triggered control (ETC) for Markovian jump linear systems (MJLSs) with time‐varying delay is investigated. First, the original system is transformed into an interconnection system with input–output form. Then, the dynamic ETC is proposed to reduce the transmission frequency. Meanwhile, the conditions of stochastic stability are proposed by constructing a novel stochastic Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional and using the scaled stochastic small‐gain theorem. Further, the controller design method is presented to stabilize the closed‐loop MJLSs with time‐varying delay. The merit of this article lies in that the conservatism for stability results is reduced and the transmission efficiency is improved by reducing the event‐triggered times, which is made possible by designing dynamic ETC. Finally, two numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the advantages and effectiveness of the proposed methods.
Augmented flexible least squares algorithm for time‐varying parameter systems
Authors: Chen Jing , Guo Liuxiao , Hu Manfeng , Gan Min , Zhu Quanmin
Published: December 2021

This study proposes an augmented flexible least squares (FLS) algorithm for time‐varying parameter systems. The parameter estimates, obtained by minimizing the squared residual measurement and dynamic errors, can catch the true values through a penalized term/weight. The algorithm associated properties are analyzed accordingly. By absorbing all into time varying parameters, the algorithm can convert complex nonlinear processes into various linear relations in time varying parameters. Thus, it can be extended to many kinds of systems. Compared to the classical FLS algorithm, the algorithm proposed in this article has less computational efforts and concise structures. To show the effectiveness of the algorithm and help the readers to follow systematically, this study provides several simulation examples.
An extension of the mixed‐effects growth model that considers between‐person differences in the within‐subject variance and the autocorrelation
Authors: Nestler Steffen
Published: December 2021

Experience sampling methods have led to a significant increase in the availability of intensive longitudinal data. Typically, this type of data is analyzed with a mixed‐effects model that allows to examine hypotheses concerning between‐person differences in the mean structure by including multiple random effects per individual (eg, random intercept and random slopes). Here, we describe an extension of this model that—in addition to the random effects for the mean structure—also includes a random effect for the within‐subject variance and a random effect for the autocorrelation. After the description of the model, we show how its parameters can be efficiently estimated using a marginal maximum likelihood (ML) approach. We then illustrate the model using a real data example. We also present the results of a small simulation study in which we compare the ML approach with a Bayesian estimation approach.
Xylobiose and Xylotriose Production from Alkali Soluble Defatted Rice Bran Arabinoxylan Using Endoxylanase from Neocallimastix partriciarum
Authors: Jaichakan Pannapapol , Thongsook Tipawan , Nakphaichit Massalin , Wattanasiritham Ladda Sangduean , Phongthai Suphat , Pattarapisitporn Alisa , Utama‐ang Niramon , Laokuldilok Thunnop , Klangpetch Wannaporn
Published: December 2021

Production of defatted rice bran arabinoxylan (DRB‐AX) from defatted rice bran (DRB) is maximized using alkali extraction. Conversion of DRB‐AX into xylooligosaccharide (XOS) by endoxylanase from Neocallimastix partriciarum, and refining enzymatic XOS liquor using activated carbon are also investigated. Chemical composition analysis of DRB indicates the richness of nutrients at 60.76% carbohydrate, 10.42% protein, and 32.69% total dietary fiber. Alkali extraction performed at 2.5 M NaOH solution for 12 h is the optimal condition to produce DRB‐AX, with a crude yield of 52.82 g 100 g−1 containing 26.96% arabinoxylan, 26.07% arabinose, and 21.42% xylose with arabinose/xylose ratio 1.22. Endoxylanase from N. partriciarum partially hydrolyzes DRB‐AX at 50 °C, pH 6.0 at enzyme concentration of 80 U g−1 substrate for 24 h. This enzymatic XOS production design yields 26.67 ± 0.69 mg g−1 DRB. Xylobiose and xylotriose including an unknown saccharide are short chain oligomer products. Refining XOS from DRB with 15% (w/v) activated carbon recover 55.7% (w/w) of initial XOS. Hence, DRB can be used as an alternative highly branched arabinoxylan source for novel substituted XOS production.
The hierarchy of Davydov's Ansätze and its applications
Authors: Zhao Yang , Sun Kewei , Chen Lipeng , Gelin Maxim
Published: December 2021

This review provides a bird's eye view over the development of the hierarchy of Davydov's Ansätze and its applications in a variety of problems in computational physical chemistry. Davydov's original solitons appeared in the 1970s as a candidate for vibrational energy carriers in proteins, thanks to their association with the Fröhlich Hamiltonian and the Holstein molecular crystal model. Momentum‐space projection of those solitary waves emerged to be great approximations to the ground‐state wave functions of the extended Holstein Hamiltonian, lending unambiguous evidence to the absence of formal quantum phase transitions in those systems. The multiple Davydov Ansätze are introduced, with increasing multiplicity, as incremental improvements of their corresponding single‐Ansatz parents. The time‐dependent variational formalism of Davydov's Ansätze is discussed in great detail, and the relative deviation of the Ansätze is constructed to quantify how faithfully they follow the Schrödinger equation, a quantity that is shown to vanish in the limit of large multiplicities. Three approaches to finite‐temperature variational dynamics of Davydov's Ansätze are demonstrated, namely, the Monte Carlo importance sampling, the method of thermo‐field dynamics, and the method of displaced number states. Applications of Davydov's Ansätze are given to variants of the spin‐boson model, the Landau–Zener transition, the Holstein Hamiltonian, energy transfer in light‐harvesting, and singlet fission in organic photovoltaics. As an example, simulation of multidimensional spectroscopic signals via Davydov's Ansätze is fully implemented for the finite‐temperature fission process in crystalline rubrene.

This article is categorized under:

Theoretical and Physical Chemistry > Reaction Dynamics and Kinetics

Software > Simulation Methods

Theoretical and Physical Chemistry > Spectroscopy
Fungal diversity on brewery filling hall surfaces and quality control samples
Authors: Sohlberg Elina , Sarlin Tuija , Juvonen Riikka
Published: December 2021

Breweries produce an increasing selection of beer and nonbeer beverages. Yeast and filamentous fungi may compromise quality and safety of these products in several ways. Recent studies on fungal communities in breweries are scarce and mostly conducted with culture‐dependent methods. We explored fungal diversity in the production of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages in four breweries. Samples were taken for next generation sequencing (NGS) at the key contamination sites in 10 filling lines. Moreover, fungal isolates were identified in 68 quality control samples taken from raw materials, filling line surfaces, air, and products. NGS gave a comprehensive view of fungal diversity on filling line surfaces. The surface‐attached communities mainly contained ascomycetous fungi. Depending on the site, the dominant genera included Candida, Saccharomyces, Torulaspora, Zygosaccharomyces, Alternaria, Didymella, and Exophiala. Sanger sequencing revealed 28 and 27 species of yeast and filamentous fungi, respectively, among 91 isolates. The most common species Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Zygosaccharomyces rouxii, and Wickerhamomuces anomalus were detected throughout production. Filling line surface and air samples showed the greatest diversity of yeast and filamentous fungi, respectively. The isolates of the most common yeast genera Candida, Pichia, Saccharomyces, and Wickerhamomyces showed low spoilage abilities in carbonated, chemically preserved drinks but could grow in products with reduced hurdles. Preservative resistant yeasts were rare, belonging to the species Dekkera bruxellensis, Pichia manschurica, and Zygosaccharomyces bailii. Penicillium spp. were dominant filamentous fungi. The results of this study help to evaluate spoilage risks caused by fungal contaminants detected in breweries.
Dissecting the collinear structure of quark splitting at NNLL
Authors: Dasgupta Mrinal , El-Menoufi Basem Kamal
Published: December 2021

Abstract

We explore the collinear limit of final-state quark splittings at order $$ {\alpha}_s^2 $$

α
s
2

. While at general NLL level, this limit is described simply by a product of leading-order 1 → 2 DGLAP splitting functions, at the NNLL level we need to consider 1 → 3 splitting functions. Here, by performing suitable integrals of the triple-collinear splitting functions, we demonstrate how one may extract $$ {\mathrm{\mathcal{B}}}_2^q(z) $$

ℬ
2
q

z

, a differential version of the coefficient $$ {\mathrm{\mathcal{B}}}_2^q $$

ℬ
2
q

that enters the quark form factor at NNLL and governs the intensity of collinear radiation from a quark. The variable z corresponds to the quark energy fraction after an initial 1 → 2 splitting, and our results yield effective higher-order splitting functions, which may be considered as a step towards the construction of NNLL parton showers. Further, while in the limit z → 1 we recover the standard soft limit results involving the CMW coupling with scale kt, the z dependence we obtain also motivates the extension of the notion of a physical coupling beyond the soft limit.
Modularity of supersymmetric partition functions
Authors: Gadde Abhijit
Published: December 2021

Abstract

We discover a modular property of supersymmetric partition functions of supersymmetric theories with R-symmetry in four dimensions. This modular property is, in a sense, the generalization of the modular invariance of the supersymmetric partition function of two-dimensional supersymmetric theories on a torus i.e. of the elliptic genus. The partition functions in question are on manifolds homeomorphic to the ones obtained by gluing solid tori. Such gluing involves the choice of a large diffeomorphism of the boundary torus, along with the choice of a large gauge transformation for the background flavor symmetry connections, if present. Our modular property is a manifestation of the consistency of the gluing procedure. The modular property is used to rederive a supersymmetric Cardy formula for four dimensional gauge theories that has played a key role in computing the entropy of supersymmetric black holes. To be concrete, we work with four-dimensional $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 supersymmetric theories but we expect versions of our result to apply more widely to supersymmetric theories in other dimensions.
Model systems in SDHx-related pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma
Authors: Takács-Vellai Krisztina , Farkas Zsolt , Ősz Fanni , Stewart Gordon W.
Published: December 2021

Pheochromocytoma (PHEO) and paraganglioma (PGL) (together PPGL) are tumors with poor outcomes that arise from neuroendocrine cells in the adrenal gland, and sympathetic and parasympathetic ganglia outside the adrenal gland, respectively. Many follow germline mutations in genes coding for subunits of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), a tetrameric enzyme in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle that both converts succinate to fumarate and participates in electron transport. GermlineSDHsubunitB(SDHB) mutations have a high metastatic potential. Herein, we review the spectrum of model organisms that have contributed hugely to our understanding of SDH dysfunction. InSaccharomyces cerevisiae(yeast), succinate accumulation inhibits alpha-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase enzymes leading to DNA demethylation. In the wormCaenorhabditis elegans, mutated SDH creates developmental abnormalities, metabolic rewiring, an energy deficit and oxygen hypersensitivity (the latter is also found inDrosophila melanogaster). In the zebrafishDanio rerio,sdhbmutants display a shorter lifespan with defective energy metabolism. Recently,SDHB-deficient pheochromocytoma has been cultivated in xenografts and has generated cell lines, which can be traced back to a heterozygousSDHB-deficient rat. We propose that a combination of such models can be efficiently and effectively used in both pathophysiological studies and drug-screening projects in order to find novel strategies in PPGL treatment.
The role of the metabolite cargo of extracellular vesicles in tumor progression
Authors: Harmati Mária , Bukva Mátyás , Böröczky Tímea , Buzás Krisztina , Gyukity-Sebestyén Edina
Published: December 2021

Metabolomic reprogramming in tumor and stroma cells is a hallmark of cancer but understanding its effects on the metabolite composition and function of tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) is still in its infancy. EVs are membrane-bound sacs with a complex molecular composition secreted by all living cells. They are key mediators of intercellular communication both in normal and pathological conditions and play a crucial role in tumor development. Although lipids are major components of EVs, most of the EV cargo studies have targeted proteins and nucleic acids. The potential of the EV metabolome as a source for biomarker discovery has gained recognition recently, but knowledge on the biological activity of tumor EV metabolites still remains limited. Therefore, we aimed (i) to compile the list of metabolites identified in tumor EVs isolated from either clinical specimens or in vitro samples and (ii) describe their role in tumor progression through literature search and pathway analysis.
Managing Marine Mammals and Fisheries: A Calibrated Programming Model for the Seal-Fishery Interaction in Sweden
Authors: Jansson Torbjörn , Waldo Staffan
Published: December 2021

This paper develops a model based on the concept of Positive Mathematical Programming (PMP) that is useful for ex-ante analyses of how policy measures affect commercial fisheries. PMP models are frequently used in agriculture, but rarely for analyzing fisheries. Fisheries often face a large set of constraints such as effort regulations and catch quotas of which some might be binding and others not. An econometric approach is developed for calibrating models with both binding and non-binding constraints. The interaction between seals and Swedish fisheries is used as an empirical application. Seal interaction is modeled as seals predating fish from passive gear (nets and hooks), which is primarily an issue for the coastal fishery. The model contains 24 fleet segments involved in 247 different fishing activities in 2012. The results show that if no further management action is taken, fisheries using passive gear will reduce their activities from about 46 000 days at sea per year to about 41 000 and reducing their economic performance from losses of about 2 million Euros to about 3.3 million. The impact from seals can be reduced by reducing the seal population or providing economic compensation.
Employment Sustainability for People with Intellectual Disability: A Systematic Review
Authors: Taubner Helena , Tideman Magnus , Staland Nyman Carin
Published: December 2021

Purpose Previous reviews about employment for people with intellectual disability (ID) have left questions about employment sustainability unanswered. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to identify and analyse research regarding employment sustainability for people with ID. The research questions were: What research about employment sustainability for people with ID has been published internationally between 2010 and 2020? In the identified studies, how is employment sustainability defined and measured and what are the main findings regarding employment sustainability? Methods A systematic review was conducted using eight databases from various disciplines including medical, health, and social sciences. After a selection process, 10 articles remained, and a framework matrix was created to analyse them. An employment sustainability definition was used as an analytical tool. Results Ten articles were identified as being about employment sustainability for people with ID. Five of them used qualitative designs and five used quantitative designs. Only four out of ten contained a definition of employment sustainability, and there was an inconsistency in measurement methods. The reported findings in the studied articles were categorised into three types: proportions of long-term employed individuals within the studied population, facilitators and barriers to long-term employment. Conclusions There is only a limited amount of research about employment sustainability for people with ID. Nevertheless, a few facilitators and barriers could be identified. There is no consensus about how to define or measure employment sustainability, making comparisons difficult.
Revealing the counterfactuals: molinism, stubbornness, and deception
Authors: Moravec Matyáš
Published: December 2021

This paper argues that the possibility of revealing counterfactuals of creaturely freedom to agents in possible worlds forming part of God’s natural knowledge poses a new problem for Molinism. This problem best comes to light when considering the phenomenon of stubbornness, i.e., the conscious refusal of fulfilling the providential plan revealed to and intended for us by another agent. The reason why this problem has gone unnoticed is that the usual instances of prophecy dealt with by Molinists (especially the story of Peter’s denial) are highly specific cases. These cases are special for three reasons: (1) because the content of the revelations does not include the relevant counterfactuals of creaturely freedom, (2) because the specific revelation plays no causal role in the immediate circumstances of the action that the agent is performing, and (3) because the agent is not intent on consciously refusing the providential plan intended by the relevant counterfactual. I explore possible worlds where one or more of these three conditions do not obtain and demonstrate the consequences these possible worlds have for Molinists.
Annual and seasonal changes of the air temperature with altitude in the Upper Dades valley, High Atlas, Morocco
Authors: Żmudzka Elwira , Dłużewski Maciej , Dąbski Maciej , Leziak Kamil , Rojan Elżbieta
Published: December 2021

The purpose of this study is to determine the size of air temperature changes with altitude in the mountains of the arid zone, on the example of the Upper Dades valley (High Atlas, Morocco). The air temperature change with altitude was determined on the basis of 5 years data from three meteorological stations. The analysis was carried out on an annual and seasonal basis. The annual and daily variations of thermal gradients between pairs of stations were also determined. It was found that the average thermal gradient in the Upper Dades valley was -1.02°C per 100 m. The highest values of the thermal gradient occur in winter and the lowest in summer. In winter, the thermal gradient was characterized by the greatest variability. Minima of the daily variation of air temperature gradients were observed in early morning hours and maxima around midday. In the lower part of the valley, air temperature inversion frequently developed between 10 AM and 3 PM UTC. The obtained results show high thermal gradients in the mountains of the arid zone, with their annual amplitude increasing in the lower parts of the valley. The instantaneous values of the gradients were significantly modified by the supply of latent heat and the occurrence of dust storms. It has been shown that the advection factor plays an important role in shaping large gradient values. The study contains novel results of thermal gradient measurements in high mountains of arid zone.
Modelling the impact of climate change on maize yield in Victoria Nile Sub-basin, Uganda
Authors: Bwambale Joash , Mourad Khaldoon A.
Published: December 2021

Agriculture is the backbone of Uganda’s economy, with about 24.9% contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) as per the Uganda National Household Survey 2016/17. Agricultural productivity (yield per hectare) is still low due to the high dependence on rain-fed subsistence farming. Climate change is expected to further reduce the yield per hectare. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the potential impact of climate change on maize yield in the Victoria Nile Sub-basin using the AquaCrop model. It further assesses the possible adaptation measures to climate change. The Hadley Centre Global Environmental Model version 2–Earth System (HadGEM2-ES) data downloaded from the Coordinated Regional Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX) was used to simulate maize yield in the near future (2021–2040), mid future (2041–2070) and late future (2071–2099). Results show that maize yield is likely to reduce by as high as 1–10%, 2–42% and 1–39% in the near, mid and late futures, respectively, depending on the agro-ecological zone. This decline in maize yield can have a significant impact on regional food security as well as socio-economic well-being since maize is a staple crop. The study also shows that improving soil fertility has no significant impact on maize yield under climate change. However, a combined application of supplementary irrigation and shifting the planting dates is a promising strategy to maintain food security and socio-economic development. This study presents important findings and adaptation strategies that policymakers and other stakeholders such as farmers can implement to abate the effects of climate change on crop production.
Neuromusculoskeletal Health in Pediatric Obesity: Incorporating Evidence into Clinical Examination
Authors: O’Malley Grace C. , Shultz Sarah P. , Thivel David , Tsiros Margarita D.
Published: December 2021

Purpose of Review

The study aims to highlight the clinical importance of assessing and managing neuromusculoskeletal health in pediatric obesity and to support translation of evidence into practice.

Recent Findings

A growing evidence base suggests that children with obesity experience neuromusculoskeletal impairments and physical complications including increased pain, reduced muscle strength, impaired balance and motor skill, gait deviations, postural malalignment, greater fatigue, and potentially reduced flexibility and sub-optimal bone health. Such evidence supports the need to screen, assess, and optimize neuromusculoskeletal health as part of pediatric obesity management.

Summary

The likelihood of children with obesity experiencing neuromusculoskeletal impairments is high and can impact the way a child moves, and their interest or capacity to engage in physical activity and exercise. Barriers to movement should be minimized to promote optimal development of the neuromusculoskeletal system and to support engagement in sufficient physical activity for weight management. Healthcare professionals should screen for neuromusculoskeletal impairments as well as personalize interventions and modify standardized exercise interventions to optimize obesity treatment. Further research should explore whether neuromusculoskeletal impairments influence the success of obesity treatment or whether they improve following obesity treatment.
Efficacy of Dapoxetine in the Treatment of Patients With Lifelong Premature Ejaculation as an Alternative to Sertraline Therapy
Authors: Liu Guoxiong , Yin Yinghao , Zhang Lei , He Dalin , Yang Lin
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Before dapoxetine was approved for the treatment of lifelong premature ejaculation (LPE) in China, daily dosing with off-label sertraline was common.

Aim

To investigate the efficacy of dapoxetine in the treatment of patients with LPE as an alternative to sertraline therapy.

Methods

This prospective study included LPE patients who previously attempted treatment with sertraline and who agree to receive dapoxetine therapy in our hospital from January 2020 to March 2021. Patients who received any PE therapy in the two months prior to the dapoxetine therapy were excluded. All patients received dapoxetine 30 mg (taken 1–3 hours before sexual intercourse) for 12 weeks, and they were not taking sertraline during the trial.

Main Outcome Measure

Data on their intravaginal ejaculatory latency time and premature ejaculation profile were recorded before and after the dapoxetine treatment. Clinical Global Impression of Change scores and data on Treatment-Emergent adverse events were collected after treatment.

Results

A total of 144 patients with LPE completed this study; including 64 patients who reported that previous sertraline treatment was satisfactory (group A) and 80 patients for whom previous sertraline therapy was unsatisfactory in treating PE (group B). Both groups experienced significantly increased intravaginal ejaculatory latency time. Dapoxetine therapy was reported satisfactory by 67.5% of patients with LPE in whom sertraline therapy unsatisfactory according to their Clinical Global Impression of Change score, which was not different from those who reported this result in group A (62.5%). Similar outcomes were also reported for premature ejaculation profile and treatment-emergent adverse events.

Conclusion

: Although both dapoxetine and sertraline are selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, dapoxetine therapy is satisfactory in 67.5% of patients with LPE in whom sertraline treatment unsatisfactory, and the effect of dapoxetine was independent of the effect of sertraline.
The Judge as a Negotiator: Claims Negotiating and Inequalities in China’s Judicial Mediation
Authors: He Xin
Published: December 2021

I propose a three-way model of negotiation on judicial mediation: the judge as a negotiator. Primarily drawing on ethnographic observations of a civil judge in a basic-level court in hinterland China, I document Chinese judges’ tactics at the micro level. I find that the Chinese judge not only “expands” and “narrows” claims. In addition, included in her repertoire are “repression,” “conversion,” and “facilitation.” Following this, I explore the inequitable consequences of the judge’s apparent success in disposing cases. In negotiating the claims, the judge convinces or cajoles litigants who are economically vulnerable, inexperienced in the courtroom, legally bewildered, or timid in confronting the judges’ authority, into the settlement. But she often facilitates the claims of litigants who can mount credible political resistance. The interests of those who are vulnerable in one way or another, but not in a position to initiate political threats, are often dispensed. Inequalities are thus generated, reproduced, and reinforced. This three-way negotiation model provides a new perspective to study judicial mediation comparatively.
HEROIC DEMOCRACY IN HIGH RELIEF: POLITICAL LEGITIMACY AND MONUMENTAL IMAGERY IN FIFTH-CENTURY ATHENS
Authors: Fisher Mark
Published: December 2021

In recent decades, political theorists have significantly revised their understanding of Athenian democratic thinking. By opening up the canon, shifting their focus from abstract principles to democratic practices, and employing an increasingly diverse range of interpretive approaches, they have collectively reconstructed a more robust and multi-faceted account of the Athenian democratic public sphere. Despite its ecumenical ambitions and manifest successes, however, this project has been fettered by a singular focus on language as the medium of democratic politics. As can be seen in the gloss of one of its contributors, this body of work effectively limits the democratic public sphere to ‘the domain in which judgments and public opinion are shaped and formedthrough speech’. This logocentric demarcation of democratic practice does not harmonize well with our own experience of modern politics, however, where public monuments, political imagery, and civic spaces play a critical role in the formation of political understanding and judgment, as well as starting points for discussion, debate, and disagreement. It seems similarly out of tune with what we know about the ancient Greeks, who demonstrated a readiness to move between visual and verbal content in reflecting on political and ethical life, and who developed the very idea oftheôriaout of an extension of the process of seeing. If, as political theorists, we can temper our habitual logocentrism and learn to attend more closely to the visual culture of Athenian democracy, we stand to add new dimensions to our collective reconstruction of the democratic public sphere and, in turn, to enhance our understanding of those texts that have long preoccupied our attention.
THE GIFT OF IDENTITY: (RE)PRESENTING AUTOCHTHONY IN CLASSICAL ATHENS
Authors: Clements Jacquelyn H.
Published: December 2021

The Athenians of the fifth century BCE both created and were captivated by an unusual and memorable concept that provided citizens with an ancestry that was closely linked to the very earth they inhabited: autochthony. Although autochthony in classical Athens has been studied extensively, the methodology of viewing the myth as a representation of a ritual and performative act has not been widely considered. This paper reflects upon autochthony from the angle of its ceremonial (re)presentation, considering how iconography helped shape a concrete and specific understanding of Athenian civic identity, including familial ties with the gods and eponymous ancestors. By situating fifth-century visual representations in vase painting as the most effective conduit for what autochthony meant, we can better understand its power as a visual action that replicates a ritual gift.
MOBILITY AND SEXUAL LABORERS IN MENANDER'SDIS EXAPATONAND PLAUTUS’BACCHIDES
Authors: Lape Susan
Published: December 2021

Greek new comedy is infused with characters on the move, whether they be mercenaries, traders, economic migrants, refugees, or the many and various victims of trafficking (slave and free). While it is unclear exactly how closely comic mobility tracks historical circumstances, mobility in and out of Athens was certainly more frequent in the later part of the fourth century. Witnessing free and enslaved others—both in comedy and in culture—forced to contend with the consequences of migration and displacement gave audience members new opportunities to perceive and respond to the newly relocated and the dispossessed, and to take a closer look at their own circumstances and perceptual processes. This study investigates the way comedy brings the precarities faced by female economic migrants into view, and what this reveals about gender, freedom, and cultural frames, using Menander'sDis Exapatonwith Plautus’Bacchidesas test cases.
Hitler, for Example: Registers of National Socialist Exemplarity in Contemporary Germany
Authors: Shoshan Nitzan
Published: December 2021

This article examines whether and how the figure of Adolf Hitler in particular, and National Socialism more generally, operate as moral exemplars in today’s Germany. In conversation with similar studies about Mosely in England, Franco in Spain, and Mussolini in Italy, it seeks to advance our comparative understanding of neofascism in Europe and beyond. In Germany, legal and discursive constraints limit what can be said about the Third Reich period, while even far-right nationalists often condemn Hitler, for either the Holocaust or his military failure. Here I revise the concept of moral exemplarity as elaborated by Caroline Humphry to argue that Hitler and National Socialism do nevertheless work as contemporary exemplars, in at least three fashions: negativity, substitution, and extension. First, they stand as the most extreme markers of negative exemplarity for broad publics that understand them as illustrations of absolute moral depravity. Second, while Hitler himself is widely unpopular, Führer-substitutes such as Rudolf Hess provide alternative figures that German nationalists admire and seek to emulate. Finally, by extension to the realm of the ordinary, National Socialism introduces a cast of exemplars in the figures of loving grandfathers or anonymous fallen soldiers. The moral values for which they stand, I show, appear to be particularly significant for young nationalists. An extended, more open-ended notion of exemplarity, I conclude, can offer important insights about the lingering afterlife of fascist figures in the moral life of European nationalists today.
Commutator length of powers in free products of groups
Authors: Bereznyuk Vadim Yu. , Klyachko Anton A.
Published: December 2021

Given groups$A$and$B$, what is the minimal commutator length of the 2020th (for instance) power of an element$g\in A*B$not conjugate to elements of the free factors? The exhaustive answer to this question is still unknown, but we can give an almost answer: this minimum is one of two numbers (simply depending on$A$and$B$). Other similar problems are also considered.