bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influences of the bark economics spectrum and positive termite feedback on bark and xylem decomposition
Authors: Tuo Bin , Yan En‐Rong , Guo Chao , Ci Hang , Berg Matty P. , Cornelissen Johannes H.C.
Published: July 2021

The plant economics spectrum integrates trade‐offs and covariation in resource economic traits of different plant organs and their consequences for pivotal ecosystem processes, such as decomposition. However, in this concept stems are often considered as one unit ignoring the important functional differences between wood (xylem) and bark. These differences may not only affect the performance of woody plants during their lifetime, but may also have important “afterlife effects.” Specifically, bark quality may strongly affect deadwood decomposition of different woody species. We hypothesized that (1) bark quality strongly influences bark decomposability to microbial decomposers, and possibly amplifies the interspecific variation in decomposition by invertebrate consumption, especially termites; and (2) bark decomposition has secondary effects on xylem mass loss by providing access to decomposers including invertebrates such as termites. We tested these hypotheses across 34 subtropical woody species representing five common plant functional types, by conducting an in situ deadwood decomposition experiment over 12‐month in two sites in subtropical evergreen broad‐leaved forest in China. We employed visual examination and surface density measurement to quantify termite consumption to both bark and the underlying xylem, respectively. Using principal component analysis, we synthesized seven bark traits to provide the first empirical evidence for a bark economics spectrum (BES), with high BES values (i.e., bark thickness, nitrogen, phosphorus, and cellulose contents) indicating a resource acquisitive strategy and low BES values (i.e., carbon, lignin, and dry matter contents) indicating a resource conservative strategy. The BES affected interspecific variation in bark mass loss and this relationship was strongly amplified by termites. The BES also explained nearly half of the interspecific variation in termite consumption to xylem, making it an important contributor to deadwood decomposition overall. Moreover, the above across‐species relationships manifested also within plant functional types, highlighting the value of using continuous variation in bark traits rather than categorical plant functional types in carbon cycle modeling. Our findings demonstrate the potent role of the BES in influencing deadwood decomposition including positive invertebrate feedback thereon in warm‐climate forests, with implications for the role of bark quality in carbon cycling in other woody biomes.
Learn from the leadership of the COVID‐19 healthcare workers
Authors: Hodges Dawn Z.
Published: July 2021

On Dec. 17, 2020, I woke up with a tickle in my throat. Later it became a cough. I took cough syrup. By the weekend, I had cold‐like symptoms and began taking medicine for cold and flu. On Monday I was nauseated; I took Pepto‐Bismol. I lay on the couch getting sicker and sicker. I tried to drink juice or ginger ale, but could keep nothing down. I canceled Christmas dinner with my son and his family. By Christmas Day, I'd lost 15 pounds.
Climate Change Warning Labels on Gas Pumps: The Role of Public Opinion Formation in Climate Change Mitigation Policies
Authors: Brooks James R. , Ebi Kristie L.
Published: July 2021

This article analyzes City of Cambridge, Massachusetts legislation that requires all gasoline and diesel pumps to display a consumer warning label outlining the climate change and public health impacts from fuel combustion. This review of empirical and theoretical scholarship on efficacy of carbon label programs and health warning labels suggests government‐sponsored “warming labels” may increase self‐efficacy beliefs. The analysis reveals warming labels may activate extant climate concern norms and shift public opinion toward long term support of sustainable transportation emissions policies and practices.
Effects of the hangover secret on mitigating hangover symptoms: A pilot study
Authors: Wang Der Yu , Patel Sheel , Maiton Kimberly , Pham Kevin , O'Dell Kate M. , Nguyen Nancy N. , Shah Sachin A.
Published: July 2021

Background

Due to the popularity of excessive alcohol consumption, there is an increasing need for hangover symptom remedies. Most commercially available hangover treatment products have not been tested for efficacy through clinical study.

Aims

The purpose of this pilot study was to characterize the activity of a commercially available hangover product, The Hangover Secret (THS).

Methods

This was a randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled, crossover pilot study. Healthy volunteers of 21‐ to 40‐years‐old were eligible for participation, and received either THS or placebo on two different occasions. Participants were given 43 mL of whiskey every twenty minutes for up to 3 hours to achieve a blood alcohol concentration (BrAC) ≥ 0.12%. Hangover severity was assessed using the Acute Hangover Scale (AHS) and Acute Hangover Severity Scale (AHSS) validated tools.

Results

Nine participants completed the study. AHS scores increased from baseline to 7 AM by 4.11 ± 3.17 and 1.26 ± 2.29 for the placebo and active arms respectively (P = .16). AHS headache scores increased from baseline to 7 AM by 2.44 ± 1.67 and 1.11 ± 1.17 for the placebo and active arms respectively (P = .06). AHSS scores increased from baseline to 7 AM by 1.0 ± 1.05 and 0.41 ± 1.08, for the placebo and active arms respectively (P = .30). There was no significant difference between average BrAC at 7 AM between the placebo and active arms.

Conclusion

THS showed positive signals in the prevention of alcohol‐induced hangover, especially headaches. The improvements with THS surpassed the minimum clinically important difference in overall AHS score and three individual AHS symptoms scores (hangover, headache, and thirsty). THS's reduction in AHS or AHSS scores did not reach statistical significance likely due to the small sample size. Larger studies with appropriate sample sizes are needed in light of these promising findings.
Integration of a new classification scheme for periodontal and peri‐implant diseases through blended learning
Authors: Huynh Ashley V. , Latimer Jessica M. , Daubert Diane M. , Roberts Frank A.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

In recent years, dental education has experienced a general shift toward an increased technology presence in education delivery and learning. This research examines the student‐perceived efficacy of a blended learning approach (mixture of online content and face‐to‐face instruction) in a predoctoral periodontics curriculum to teach a new periodontal classification scheme to dental students in clinical training.

Methods

Participants were recruited from third‐ and fourth‐year predoctoral periodontal classes at the University of Washington School of Dentistry. Students were administered a live lecture introducing the new classification system and given access to an online module with built in case quizzes and interactive activities. Upon completing the module, students were given a post‐module survey to assess learning preferences, utilization of various learning methods, and student‐perceived efficacy of blended learning.

Results

In a study group of 69 predoctoral dental students, the online module was the most preferred (52.2% ranked first) and utilized learning method for students (p < 0.001). Over 80% of students agreed or strongly agreed that they enjoyed using it and found it more effective than traditional lecture alone. Traditional lecture was preferred by 31.9% of students, and no students ranked the assigned reading as their first choice of learning method (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate higher student preference, utilization, and self‐perceived efficacy of blended learning as compared to traditional assigned readings and lectures – supporting blended learning as a promising educational approach for predoctoral dental education.
Anxiety symptoms and alcohol abuse during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A cross‐sectional study with Brazilian dental undergraduate students
Authors: Fernandez Matheus dos Santos , Vieira Igor Soares , Silva Nathalia Ribeiro Jorge da , Cardoso Taiane de Azevedo , Bielavski Camilla Hübner , Rakovski Coral , Silva Alexandre Emidio Ribeiro
Published: July 2021

Aim

The aim of this study is to assess whether anxiety symptoms are associated with alcohol abuse in Brazilian undergraduate dental students during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Method

A cross‐sectional study was conducted. A semi‐structured questionnaire addressing the variables of interest was hosted on Google Forms and shared with dental undergraduate students from all Brazilian regions between July 8 and 27, 2020. Alcohol abuse was measured using the Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye opener (CAGE) questionnaire score of ≥2. All participants responded to the seven‐item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD‐7). Hierarchical logistic regression was also conducted.

Results

Among the 1050 students evaluated, 18.7% (n = 196) had a positive screening for alcohol abuse during the pandemic. The prevalence of mild (GAD‐7 = 5–9), moderate (GAD‐7 = 10–14), and severe (GAD‐7 ≥15) anxiety among students were 31.3%, 29.6%, and 24.2%, respectively. The final hierarchical logistic regression model showed that during the COVID‐19 pandemic, anxiety levels predict the likelihood of alcohol abuse among students with moderate (OR 10.05 [95% IC: 4.12–24.52]) or severe (OR 15.82 [95% IC: 6.46–38.73]) anxiety, especially for male students (moderate anxiety: OR 17.06 [95% CI: 8.36–34.78]; severe anxiety: OR 28.38 [95% CI: 8.62–38.24]).

Conclusion

The prevalence of alcohol abuse and moderate or severe anxiety in Brazilian undergraduate dental students during the COVID‐19 pandemic was high. Male students may be more sensitive to the presence of anxiety symptoms in this period, thus contributing to higher levels of alcohol consumption, in comparison to female students. Intervention strategies that promote the adoption of healthier lifestyles can enable the effective management of anxiety symptoms during the pandemic and thus, hold the potential to reduce exacerbated alcohol intake in this population.
Trans‐seasonal activation of the neuroendocrine reproductive axis: Low‐temperature winter dormancy modulates gonadotropin‐releasing hormone neurons in garter snakes
Authors: Lutterschmidt Deborah I. , Lucas Ashley R. , Summers Andrew R.
Published: July 2021

All animals use external cues from the environment to accurately time life‐history events. How the brain decodes environmental stimuli to effect changes in physiology and behavior, however, is poorly understood, particularly with regard to supplementary environmental cues such as temperature. We asked if low‐temperature dormancy alters the synthesis and/or release of gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH). We used the well‐studied red‐sided garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) for this study, as low‐temperature exposure is both necessary and sufficient to induce reproduction in northern populations of this species. Snakes were collected from the field and hibernated at 4°C or 10°C in complete darkness for up to 16 weeks. In males, increasing duration of low‐temperature dormancy significantly increased GnRH‐immunoreactive cell number and GnRH soma size (a proxy for relative cell activity) in the forebrain. These changes mirrored those in male reproductive behavior (reported previously) and plasma androgen concentrations. The changes in GnRH cell area observed in males were specific to the neuroendocrine population of cells in the medial preoptic area; soma size in the rostral GnRH cells did not change. Finally, temperature‐induced changes in GnRH were sexually dimorphic: neither hibernation temperature nor the duration of winter dormancy significantly modulated GnRH cell number or soma size in females, despite the fact that plasma estradiol and corticosterone increased significantly in response to both. These data demonstrate that the neuroendocrine GnRH system is sensitive to environmental temperature and suggest that GnRH neurons play a conserved but trans‐seasonal role in mediating changes in reproductive physiology and behavior in dissociated breeders.
Questionnaire survey to identify meal habits which influence adherence to oral 5‐aminosalicylic acid regimens in patients with ulcerative colitis
Authors: Suzuki Keiko , Fujii Hironori , Yamauchi Tomoyo , Kato‐Hayashi Hiroko , Ishihara Masashi , Iihara Hirotoshi , Hirose Chiemi , Nishida Shohei , Funato Miyui , Kobayashi Ryo , Yasuda Koji , Ino Yoko , Tamaki Hirofumi , Yamashita Shuji , Iguchi Kazuhiro , Noguchi Yoshihiro , Teramachi Hitomi , Takada Jun , Kubota Masaya , Ibuka Takashi , Araki Hiroshi , Shimizu Masahito , Suzuki Akio
Published: July 2021

Aim

Patient adherence to oral 5‐aminosalicylic acid (5‐ASA) therapy is key for the induction and maintenance of remission in ulcerative colitis (UC). We conducted a questionnaire survey of meal habits among patients with UC to determine which meal habits influence adherence to oral 5‐ASA regimens.

Methods

The anonymous questionnaire, including information on basic demographics, disease status, 5‐ASA use, and patient lifestyle, was given to outpatients receiving oral 5‐ASA for UC between January 2019 and April 2019 at Gifu University Hospital.

Results

A total of 101 patients replied to the questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that “Often skipping a meal” and “Multiple dose regimen” were factors in decreased adherence (<80%) to oral 5‐ASA medications. Among patients taking a multi‐daily dose, the rate of patients with ≥80% adherence to oral 5‐ASA medications replying to “Often skipping a meal” was significantly lower than in patients replying to “Three meals per day (Not skipping a meal)" (53.8% vs 81.3%. p = 0.032), although these differences were not found among patients taking a once‐daily dose (80.0% vs 100%. p = 0.529).

Conclusion

These findings identify “Often skipping a meal” and “Multiple dose regimen” as factors associated with decreased adherence to oral 5‐ASA. Adherence to oral 5‐ASA in patients skipping a meal may be improved by adoption of a once‐daily dose regimen.
PPV Nanotube Sensor Arrays for Explosives Identification by Excitation Wavelength Regulation
Authors: Liu Xianbang , Hu Yongkang , Zhou Yuting , Zhang Peng , Gao Li , Liu Bingxin , Wu Zhaofeng , Zhang Lei
Published: July 2021

The development of sensitive materials for standard and improvised explosives is greatly significant to homeland security. In this paper, the phosphotungstate (NaPT) doped polyphenylene vinylene (PPV) nanotube arrays (NTAs), with excellent optical response, chemical stability, and larger specific surface area, are successfully fabricated by means of the “precursor film” infiltration method. The efficient charge carriers' separation of PPV NTAs can be achieved by doping NaPT to realize the photoelectric detection of explosive vapors. In addition, the identification of six explosives, including ammonium nitrate (AN), dinitrotoluence (DNT), picric acid (PA), p‐nitrotoluene (PNT), triacetone triperoxide (TATP), and trinitrotoluene (TNT), can also be realized through the fingerprint atlas. Moreover, the adsorption energy and excited oscillator intensity has also been employed to explain the interaction between NaPT doped PPV nanotube arrays and various explosive molecules. Obviously, the NaPT doped PPV developed has the potential to be used as an explosive sensor.
Design, Development, and Evaluation of an Interwoven Electrospun Nanotextile Vascular Patch
Authors: Babu Rosebin , R Reshmi C , Joseph John , Sathy Binulal N. , Nair Shantikumar V. , Varma Praveen Kerala , Menon Deepthy
Published: July 2021

This study details the design and fabrication of woven electrospun nanotextile patches for vascular applications that meet the mechanical and biological requirements. Nanotextile vascular patches based on biodegradable polymers such as poly‐l‐lactic acid (PLLA) and poly(caprolactone)/collagen (PCL/Col) are fabricated by integrating the techniques of electrospinning and weaving. Fibrous polymeric nanoyarns obtained by electrospinning are strengthened via different postprocessing techniques of heat‐stretching and plying, to generate interwoven nanotextiles that are tightly packed, mechanically strong, yet flexible. The unique pattern of nanofibers within the nanotextile results in its exceptional anisotropic mechanical behavior, appropriate for a vascular patch material. Moreover, these matrices exhibit good hydrophilicity, protein adsorption, and hemocompatibility, when compared to the commercial controls such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Furthermore, endothelial cells adhered, spread, and proliferate well on the nanotextile. Thus, this study demonstrates that the unique nanofibrous architecture of woven textiles aids in developing a novel biodegradable material, which meets the clinical standards of a vascular patch.
An evolutionary game‐theoretic analysis of enterprise information security investment based on information sharing platform
Authors: Li Xiaotong
Published: July 2021

The threat to enterprise information security is growing through advancing in information and communications technology; in order to enhance the efficiency of information security sharing platform, it is necessary to analyze the process about information security sharing between enterprises that take part in the sharing platform. In this paper, the evolutionary game theory (EGT) is applied to form a better understanding of information security investment based on information sharing platform. The evolution of information sharing and its influencing factors in information security sharing platforms are analyzed. The paper provides some suggestions for promoting the efficiency of platform information sharing.
New reports reveals billions in cost of schizophrenia
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: July 2021

The direct and indirect costs of caring for the estimated 2.65 million people living with schizophrenia in the United States is a whopping estimated $281.6 billion in 2020, with a significant amount of the cost due to health care, incarceration, supportive housing and homelessness. The new report was released July 14 by the Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance (S&PAA).
Robust arterial input function surrogate measurement from the superior sagittal sinus complex signal for fast dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI in the brain
Authors: Bourassa‐Moreau Benoît , Lebel Réjean , Gilbert Guillaume , Mathieu David , Lepage Martin
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Accurately estimating the arterial input function for dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI is challenging. An arterial input function is typically determined from signal magnitude changes related to a contrast agent, often leading to underestimation of peak concentrations. Alternatively, signal phase recovers the accurate peak concentration for straight vessels but suffers from high noise. A recent method proposed to fit the signal in the complex plane by combining the advantages of the previous 2 methods. The purpose of this work is to refine this complex‐based method to determine the venous output function (VOF), an arterial input function surrogate, from the superior sagittal sinus.

Methods

We propose a state‐of‐the‐art complex‐based method that includes direct compensation for blood inflow and signal phase correction accounting for the curvature of the superior sagittal sinus, generally assumed collinear with B0. We compared the magnitude‐, phase‐, and complex‐based VOF determination methods against various simulated biases as well as for 29 brain metastases patients.

Results

Angulation of the superior sagittal sinus relative to B0 varied widely within patients, and its effect on the signal phase caused an underestimation of peak concentrations of up to 65%. Correction significantly increased the VOF peak concentration for the phase‐ and complex‐based VOFs in the cohort. The phase‐based method recovered accurate peak concentrations but lacked precision in the tail of the VOF. Our complex‐based VOF completely recovered the effect of inflow and resulted in a high‐peak concentration with limited noise.

Conclusion

The new complex‐based method resulted in high‐quality VOF robust against superior sagittal sinus curvature and variations in patient positioning.
Synergistic function of N‐P‐Cu containing supermolecular assembly networks in intumescent flame retardant thermoplastic polyurethane
Authors: Chen Kexin , Yang Dong , Shi Yongqian , Feng Yuezhan , Fu Libi , Liu Chuan , Chen Ming , Yang Fuqiang
Published: July 2021

The design of high‐performance compounded flame retardants based on multielement can be of great significance for reducing the flammability of polymer materials. In this article, a new type of N‐P‐Cu containing supermolecular assembly network (MPCSN) flame retardant was prepared and subsequently added into thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPU)/silicon microencapsulated ammonium polyphosphate (SiAPP) composites. The obtained results indicated that a series of TPU/SiAPP/MPCSN composites exhibited strong adhesions with the TPU matrix. Additionally, the thermal and flame retardant performances of TPU composites were markedly improved after the introduction of different proportions of SiAPP to MPCSN. For example, the peak of heat release rate, the total heat release, the peak of smoke production rate, the total smoke release of the TPU composite containing 7.5 wt% SiAPP and 2.5 wt% MPCSN (TPU/SiAPP3/MPCSN1) remarkably decreased by 68.7%, 52.9%, 52.4%, and 49.4%, respectively, besides the highest LOI value (27.5 vol%) and UL‐94 V‐0 rating, compared with those of pure TPU. The improved flame retardance of the TPU/SiAPP3/MPCSN1 composite was due to the explanations: On one hand, a compact intumescent char effectively protected the TPU matrix from heat and oxygen and retarded the gaseous products permeation into the combustion zone; on the other hand, evolved phosphorus‐containing free radicals captured the H• and HO• generated from the TPU material. The synergistic effect of SiAPP and MPCSN resulted in strong flame suppression, accompanied by 10.8% and 37.8% reductions in FIGRA and Av‐EHC, respectively. This article offers a facile approach to fabricate highly effective flame‐retardant TPU composites.
Second trimester maternal serum biomarkers and the risk of cerebral palsy
Authors: Peris Monique , Reid Susan M. , Dobie Stephen , Bonacquisto Leo , Shepherd Daisy A. , Amor David J.
Published: July 2021

Aims

To investigate whether second trimester maternal serum screening (2TMSS) biomarkers are associated with cerebral palsy (CP) and identify CP characteristics associated with abnormal biomarker levels.

Method

In this retrospective case–control data linkage study, we linked mothers of 129 singleton CP cases from a population register to their 2TMSS records and selected 10 singleton pregnancy controls per case (n = 1290). We compared mean and abnormal levels of alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP), beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotrophin (β‐hCG), unconjugated estriol (uE3), and inhibin between cases and controls and within CP subgroups.

Results

Compared to control pregnancies, CP pregnancies had higher mean levels of AFP (1.10 vs. 1.01 multiple of the population median [MoM], p = 0.01) and inhibin (1.10 vs. 0.98 MoM, p ≤ 0.01). CP pregnancies were 2.5 times more likely to be associated with high levels of AFP (OR 2.52 [95% confidence interval [CI] 1.30, 4.65]; p < 0.01) and 2.6 times for inhibin (OR 2.63 [95% CI 1.37, 4.77]; p < 0.01), and 6.8 times when AFP and inhibin were both elevated (OR 6.75 [95% CI 2.41, 18.94]; p < 0.01). In CP cases, high AFP and high inhibin levels were associated with preterm birth and low birthweight.

Interpretation

Abnormal second‐trimester biomarker levels suggest abnormal placentation plays a role in the causal pathway of some CP cases.
A hybrid machine learning/pharmacokinetic approach outperforms maximum a posteriori Bayesian estimation by selectively flattening model priors
Authors: Hughes Jasmine H. , Keizer Ron J.
Published: July 2021

Model‐informed precision dosing (MIPD) approaches typically apply maximum a posteriori (MAP) Bayesian estimation to determine individual pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters with the goal of optimizing future dosing regimens. This process combines knowledge about the individual, in the form of drug levels or pharmacodynamic biomarkers, with prior knowledge of the drug PK in the general population. Use of “flattened priors” (FPs), in which the weight of the model priors is reduced relative to observations about the patient, has been previously proposed to estimate individual PK parameters in instances where the patient is poorly described by the PK model. However, little is known about the predictive performance of FPs and when to apply FPs in MIPD. Here, FP is evaluated in a data set of 4679 adult patients treated with vancomycin. Depending on the PK model, prediction error could be reduced by applying FPs in 42–55% of PK parameter estimations. Machine learning (ML) models could identify instances where FPs would outperform MAPs with a specificity of 81–86%, reducing overall root mean squared error (RMSE) of PK model predictions by 12–22% (0.5–1.2 mg/L) relative to MAP alone. The factors most indicative of the use of FPs were past prediction residuals and bias in past PK predictions. A more clinically practical minimal model was developed using only these two features, reducing RMSE by 5–18% (0.20–0.93 mg/L) relative to MAP. This hybrid ML/PK approach advances the precision dosing toolkit by leveraging the power of ML while maintaining the mechanistic insight and interpretability of PK models.
Dynamics of forecast‐error growth along cut‐off Sanchez and its consequence for the prediction of a high‐impact weather event over southern France
Authors: Binder Hanin , Rivière Gwendal , Arbogast Philippe , Maynard Karine , Bosser Pierre , Joly Bruno , Labadie Carole
Published: July 2021

The representation of a high‐impact weather (HIW) event over southern France is evaluated in Météo‐France forecasts, and the sensitivity of the HIW forecast to the upstream upper‐level flow and the Mediterranean and North Atlantic humidity structure prior to the event is quantified. The event occurred in October 2016 during the international field experiment NAWDEX. The approach of an upper‐level potential vorticity (PV) cut‐off, referred to as cut‐off , triggered extreme precipitation over southern France. Many 2‐ to 7‐day ensemble forecasts predicted the maximum of the extreme precipitation and the location of the upper‐level PV cut‐off too far to the east. This eastward shift primarily resulted from an underestimation of the cut‐off intensity two days before the HIW and the subsequent downstream propagation and amplification of these errors in the vicinity of . Improving the representation of the cut‐off two days before the event significantly improved the forecast quality. Another error source were inaccuracies in the moisture structure in the eastern North Atlantic. Specifically, an underestimation of the moisture in the warm conveyor belt inflow led to errors in the low‐ and upper‐level circulation that eventually contributed to the eastward shift of the HIW two days later. Corrections in the eastern North Atlantic humidity structure further improved the forecast quality. On the other hand, corrections in the Mediterranean humidity structure had only a small impact on the accuracy of the forecast. The findings illustrate the importance of downstream error propagation and moist diabatic processes for the prediction of extreme weather over Europe, and demonstrate how targeted changes in the PV and humidity field a few days in advance can improve the quality of the forecasts.
The Shiryaev–Roberts control chart for Markovian count time series
Authors: Ottenstreuer Sebastian
Published: July 2021

The present article examines the performance of the Shiryaev–Roberts (SR) procedure for Markov‐dependent count time series, using the Poisson INARCH(1) model as the representative data‐generating count process. For the purpose of easier performance evaluation, a comparative analysis with existing cumulative sum (CUSUM) results from the literature is provided. In particular, the zero‐state and the steady‐state behavior of the two control schemes is considered with regard to the average run length (ARL), the median run length, and the extra quadratic loss as performance measures. The comparison shows that SR performs at least as well as its more popular competitor in detecting changes in the process distribution. In terms of usability, however, the SR procedure has a practical advantage, which is illustrated by an application to a real data set. Moreover, a parametric bootstrap study based on a second data example investigates the effects of parameter estimation on the chart's true ARL to false alarm. In sum, the research reveals the SR chart to be the better tool for monitoring Markov‐dependent counts.
Tribolayer‐dependent origin of ultralow friction in nanocrystalline diamond films sliding against Si3N4 ball
Authors: Qi Wei , Xiao Long , Yu Qingyuan , Chen Xinchun , Jin Jie , Yang Yang , Wu Sudong
Published: July 2021

This study investigates the role of sliding counterbodies, which significantly affect the wear properties and friction of nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) film. The bearing steel balls exhibit a high friction coefficient of 0.12, whereas a ceramic ball of Si3N4 achieves an ultralow friction coefficient of 0.06. The evolution of different friction coefficients with different counterbodies is associated with the formation of a tribolayer at the sliding interface. The decreased friction coefficient in NCD films sliding against Si3N4 ball is likely linked to the occurrence of lubricating nanostructures, especially the silica‐like oxide compounds and graphite‐like carbon phases. The findings of this study may provide new avenues for the design and development of wear‐resistant and environment‐friendly hard carbon films.
Roles of Proton in the Formation of Microspheres: Precipitation Polymerization of Styrene in Alcohols by Using AIBN as Initiator
Authors: Xu Xiuhang , Yu Haihua , Xia Yunfei , Qian Jiajia , Wang Fei , Zhou Chuan , Ni Henmei , Li Cuihong
Published: July 2021

In this paper, the alcoholization of lyophobic monomer similar to the hydration was introduced into the mechanism of polystyrene microspheres formation in alcohols. Entropic charges emerged on the surface of alcoholization shell due to the order structure of alcohol molecules. Such an electric‐negative atmosphere attracted protons and cations which finally destroyed the alcoholization shell to release the lyophobic monomer. It was considered as the decisive factor on the stability of monomer mini‐droplets and the microspheres. Large number of protons favored the phase‐separation of monomer‐solvent and the stabilization of microspheres, but unfavored the stability of mini‐droplets. The precipitation polymerization of styrene was carried out in alcohols of EG, MeOH, EtOH and IPA by using AIBN. It was observed that pKa of alcohol significantly impacted the microspheres formation. Microspheres were prepared in EG and MeOH, but not in EtOH and IPA. According to the proposition of entropic charges, MAA, HAc, NaOH and KOH were employed to adjust the concentration of protons in EtOH and IPA. Consequentially, the microspheres were obtained by adding HAc, NaOH and KOH in EtOH and IPA. Effects of NaOH/KOH on the molecular weight of PSt and the size of microspheres were also investigated in EtOH and IPA. Microspheres of 0.93 and 1.11 μm were prepared with 15 wt% St and 0.1154 mol/L NaOH in EtOH and IPA, respectively, but not obtained with KOH.
Facile Surface Functionalization Strategy for Two‐Photon Lithography Microstructures
Authors: Zhang Junning , Ding Haibo , Liu Xiaojiang , Gu Hongcheng , Wei Mengxiao , Li Xiaoran , Liu Shengnan , Li Sen , Du Xin , Gu Zhongze
Published: July 2021

Two‐photon lithography (TPL) is a powerful tool to construct small‐scale objects with complex and precise 3D architectures. While the limited selection of chemical functionalities on the printed structures has restricted the application of this method in fabricating functional objects and devices, this study presents a facile, efficient, and extensively applicable method to functionalize the surfaces of the objects printed by TPL. TPL‐printed objects, regardless of their compositions, can be efficiently functionalized by combining trichlorovinylsilane treatment and thiol–ene chemistry. Various functionalities can be introduced on the printed objects, without affecting their micro‐nano topographies. Hence, microstructures with diverse functions can be generated using non‐functional photoresists. Compared to existed strategies, this method is fast, highly efficient, and non photoresist‐dependent. In addition, this method can be applied to various materials, such as metals, metal oxides, and plastics that can be potentially utilized in TPL or other 3D printing technologies. The applications of this method on the biofunctionalization of microrobots and cell scaffolds are also demonstrated.
Facile Preparation of MoS2 Nanocomposites for Efficient Potassium‐Ion Batteries by Grinding‐Promoted Intercalation Exfoliation
Authors: Wang Honglei , Niu Jiazheng , Shi Jun , Lv Wenzhen , Wang Hongguang , van Aken Peter A. , Zhang Zhonghua , Chen Runfeng , Huang Wei
Published: July 2021

Efficient exfoliations of bulk molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) into few‐layered nanosheets in pure phase are highly attractive because of the promising applications of the resulted 2D materials in diversified optoelectronic devices. Here, a new exfoliation method is presented to prepare semiconductive 2D hexagonal phase (2H phase) MoS2–cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) nanocomposites using grinding‐promoted intercalation exfoliation (GPIE). This method with facile grinding of the bulk MoS2 and CNC powder followed by conventional liquid‐phase exfoliation in water can not only efficiently exfoliate 2H‐MoS2 nanosheets, but also produce the 2H‐MoS2/CNC 2D nanocomposites simultaneously. Interestingly, the intercalated CNC sandwiched in MoS2 nanosheets increases the interlayer spacing of 2H‐MoS2, providing perfect conditions to accommodate the large‐sized ions. Therefore, these nanocomposites are good anode materials of potassium‐ion batteries (KIBs), showing a high reversible capacity of 203 mAh g−1 at 200 mA g−1 after 300 cycles, a good reversible capacity of 114 mAh g−1 at 500 mA g−1, and a low decay of 0.02% per cycle over 1500 cycles. With these impressive KIB performances, this efficient GPIE method will open up a new avenue to prepare pure‐phase MoS2 and promising 2D nanocomposites for high‐performance device applications.
Effect of Particle Types on the Production of Reactive Oxygen Species in Anti‐Infective System with Ultrasound Stimulation
Authors: Nitta Naotaka , Kaya Akio , Misawa Masaki , Hyodo Koji
Published: July 2021

When titanium dioxide (TiO2) particles are irradiated with ultrasound, the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is enhanced. The application of this phenomenon to infection prevention and cancer treatment has been extensively studied. However, to date, it has not been adequately verified whether the use of TiO2 particles induce the optimal production of ROS. In this study, we compared the enhancement of dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA) production as a quantification of ROS production when TiO2 and other particles were irradiated with ultrasound. The results suggested that the production of DHBA was enhanced with the use of TiO2 particles as compared with the use of other particles. © 2021 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Territorial reserves of innovative development of the waste management systems in Ukraine
Authors: Kolodiichuk Volodymyr , Kolodiichuk Iryna , Kravtsiv Vasyl
Published: July 2021

The article deals with the problem of noncompliance of the utilization capacity potential with the rate of waste generation, which entails environmental risks and potential economic losses due to insufficient recycling. The paper suggests the coefficient of the territorial balance of waste processing for the regions of Ukraine and provides relevant calculations. It allows to integrally assess the existing regional disparities between waste generation and disposal and determine priority regions for the construction of recycling facilities. The analysis of quantitative and qualitative parameters of the national waste management system was carried out, and the main problems of its development were identified. The ecological and economic assessment of the innovativeness of waste‐processing technologies is given, and the prospects of using the autoclave method of waste sterilization in Ukraine are determined. The paper outlines the method of determining the coordinates of a recycling enterprise's location in the region, taking into account the limits of the center of gravity of material flows, which in combination with autoclave technology secures innovative development of waste management system using territorial reserves.
Investigating food preference in zoo‐housed meerkats
Authors: Brox Bridget W. , Edwards Katheryn , Buist Natasha A. , Macaskill Anne C.
Published: July 2021

Understanding food preference among animals in human care can support improvements to welfare through training and day‐to‐day care (e.g., diet management). Little has been published about food preference in zoo‐housed meerkats. Assessing meerkat food preference would be useful, not only for the welfare of that species, but also for developing approaches to assessing food preference in other group‐housed, social species. The specific aim of this study was to quantify food preference within the meerkat mob at Wellington Zoo. We developed a simple, cost‐effective method for characterizing the food preference hierarchy in meerkats by presenting pairs of foods to the mob as a group. We observed stable preference with the hierarchy for pups closely resembling that for adults. This study demonstrated that it is possible to assess food preference and identify a food preference hierarchy for a group of animals from a social species where it was neither practical nor appropriate to assess individuals' preferences separately.
An SMT Solver for Regular Expressions and Linear Arithmetic over String Length
Authors: Berzish Murphy , Kulczynski Mitja , Mora Federico , Manea Florin , Day Joel D. , Nowotka Dirk , Ganesh Vijay
Published: July 2021

We present a novel length-aware solving algorithm for the quantifier-free first-order theory over regex membership predicate and linear arithmetic over string length. We implement and evaluate this algorithm and related heuristics in the Z3 theorem prover. A crucial insight that underpins our algorithm is that real-world regex and string formulas contain a wealth of information about upper and lower bounds on lengths of strings, and such information can be used very effectively to simplify operations on automata representing regular expressions. Additionally, we present a number of novel general heuristics, such as the prefix/suffix method, that can be used to make a variety of regex solving algorithms more efficient in practice. We showcase the power of our algorithm and heuristics via an extensive empirical evaluation over a large and diverse benchmark of 57256 regex-heavy instances, almost 75% of which are derived from industrial applications or contributed by other solver developers. Our solver outperforms five other state-of-the-art string solvers, namely, CVC4, OSTRICH, Z3seq, Z3str3, and Z3-Trau, over this benchmark, in particular achieving a speedup of 2.4$$\times $$×over CVC4, 4.4$$\times $$×over Z3seq, 6.4$$\times $$×over Z3-Trau, 9.1$$\times $$×over Z3str3, and 13$$\times $$×over OSTRICH.
Counting Minimal Unsatisfiable Subsets
Authors: Bendík Jaroslav , Meel Kuldeep S.
Published: July 2021

Given an unsatisfiable Boolean formulaFin CNF, an unsatisfiable subset of clauses U ofFis called Minimal Unsatisfiable Subset (MUS) if every proper subset ofUis satisfiable. Since MUSes serve as explanations for the unsatisfiability ofF, MUSes find applications in a wide variety of domains. The availability of efficient SAT solvers has aided the development of scalable techniques for finding and enumerating MUSes in the past two decades. Building on the recent developments in the design of scalable model counting techniques for SAT, Bendík and Meel initiated the study of MUS counting techniques. They succeeded in designing the first approximate MUS counter,$$\mathsf {AMUSIC}$$AMUSIC, that does not rely on exhaustive MUS enumeration.$$\mathsf {AMUSIC}$$AMUSIC, however, suffers from two shortcomings: the lack of exact estimates and limited scalability due to its reliance on 3-QBF solvers.

In this work, we address the two shortcomings of$$\mathsf {AMUSIC}$$AMUSICby designing the first exact MUS counter,$$\mathsf {CountMUST}$$CountMUST, that does not rely on exhaustive enumeration.$$\mathsf {CountMUST}$$CountMUSTcircumvents the need for 3-QBF solvers by reducing the problem of MUS counting to projected model counting. While projected model counting is #NP-hard, the past few years have witnessed the development of scalable projected model counters. An extensive empirical evaluation demonstrates that$$\mathsf {CountMUST}$$CountMUSTsuccessfully returns MUS count for 1500 instances while$$\mathsf {AMUSIC}$$AMUSICand enumeration-based techniques could only handle up to 833 instances.
Decision Tree Learning in CEGIS-Based Termination Analysis
Authors: Kura Satoshi , Unno Hiroshi , Hasuo Ichiro
Published: July 2021

We present a novel decision tree-based synthesis algorithm of ranking functions for verifying program termination. Our algorithm is integrated into the workflow of CounterExample Guided Inductive Synthesis (CEGIS). CEGIS is an iterative learning model where, at each iteration, (1) a synthesizer synthesizes a candidate solution from the current examples, and (2) a validator accepts the candidate solution if it is correct, or rejects it providing counterexamples as part of the next examples. Our main novelty is in the design of a synthesizer: building on top of a usual decision tree learning algorithm, our algorithm detectscyclesin a set of example transitions and uses them for refining decision trees. We have implemented the proposed method and obtained promising experimental results on existing benchmark sets of (non-)termination verification problems that require synthesis of piecewise-defined lexicographic affine ranking functions.
CoqQFBV: A Scalable Certified SMT Quantifier-Free Bit-Vector Solver
Authors: Shi Xiaomu , Fu Yu-Fu , Liu Jiaxiang , Tsai Ming-Hsien , Wang Bow-Yaw , Yang Bo-Yin
Published: July 2021

We present a certified SMT  QF_BV solver CoqQFBV built from a verified bit blasting algorithm, Kissat, and the verified SAT certificate checker GratChk in this paper. Our verified bit blasting algorithm supports the full QF_BV logic of SMT-LIB; it is specified and formally verified in the proof assistant Coq . We compare CoqQFBV with CVC4, Bitwuzla, and Boolector on benchmarks from the QF_BV division of the single query track in the 2020 SMT Competition, and real-world cryptographic program verification problems. CoqQFBV surprisingly solves more program verification problems with certification than the 2020 SMT  QF_BV division winner Bitwuzla without certification.
Correction to: Biotransformation of bisphenol a analogues by the biphenyl-degrading bacterium Cupriavidus basilensis - a structure-biotransformation relationship
Authors: Zühlke Marie-Katherin , Schlüter Rabea , Mikolasch Annett , Henning Ann-Kristin , Giersberg Martin , Lalk Michael , Kunze Gotthard , Schweder Thomas , Urich Tim , Schauer Frieder
Published: July 2021

A Correction to this paper has been published: 10.1007/s00253-021-11421-9
Role of assist device implantation and heart transplantation in the long-term outcome of patients with structural heart disease after catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia
Authors: Darma Angeliki , Bertagnolli Livio , Dinov Borislav , Shamloo Alireza Sepehri , Torri Federica , Efimova Elena , Dagres Nikolaos , Husser-Bollmann Daniela , Bollmann Andreas , Hindricks Gerhard , Arya Arash
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Ablation of ventricular tachycardias (VTs) in patients with structural heart disease (SHD) has been associated with advanced heart failure and poor survival.

Methods and results

This matched case-control study sought to assess the difference in survival after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation and/or heart transplantation (HTX) in SHD patients undergoing VT ablation. From the initial cohort of 309 SHD patients undergoing VT ablation (187 ischemic cardiomyopathy, mean age 64 ± 12 years, ejection fraction of 34 ± 13%), 15 patients received an LVAD and nine patients HTX after VT ablation during a follow-up period of 44 ± 33 months.

Long-term survival after LVAD did not differ from the matched control group (p = 0.761), although the cause of lethal events was different. All post-HTX patients survived during follow-up.

Conclusion

In this matched case-control study on patients with SHD undergoing VT ablation, patients that received LVAD implantation had similar survival compared to the control group after 4‑year follow-up, while the patients with HTX had a significantly better outcome.
Therapists’ Contributions to the Alliance in Home-Based Family Treatment: The Role of Alliance Building Behaviors, Personality, and Clinical Experience
Authors: Welmers-van de Poll M. J. , Stams G. J. J. M. , van den Akker A. L. , Overbeek G.
Published: July 2021

Alliance is a robust contributor to the outcome of adult, youth, and family therapy, but little is known about therapists’ contributions to the alliance in conjoint family treatment. We investigated the predictive value of therapists’ personality, clinical experience and observed alliance building behaviors for mid-treatment alliance as reported by therapists and family members. Participants were 77 parents and 21 youth from 57 families receiving home-based family treatment from 33 therapists. Therapist openness to experience and agreeableness as well as therapists’ in-session engagement and emotional connection behaviors predicted more positive therapists’ and family members’ reports of the alliance. Therapist neuroticism, extraversion and conscientiousness predicted more negative alliance-reports. In-session safety behaviors also predicted more negative alliance-reports, but this finding was only significant for therapists’ and not family members’ reports of the alliance. Clinical experience did not predict quality of alliances. We conclude that training and supervision of family therapists could benefit from focusing on emotional connection with and active engagement of family members in treatment, and from increasing self-awareness of the impact of their personality on alliances with family members.