bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Populations in environments with a soft carrying capacity are eventually extinct
Authors: Jagers Peter , Zuyev Sergei
Published: August 2020

Consider a population whose size changes stepwise by its members reproducing or dying (disappearing), but is otherwise quite general. Denote the initial (non-random) size by $$Z_0$$

Z
0

and the size of the nth change by $$C_n$$

C
n

, $$n= 1, 2, \ldots $$

n
=
1
,
2
,
…

. Population sizes hence develop successively as $$Z_1=Z_0+C_1,\ Z_2=Z_1+C_2$$

Z
1

=

Z
0

+

C
1

,

Z
2

=

Z
1

+

C
2

and so on, indefinitely or until there are no further size changes, due to extinction. Extinction is thus assumed final, so that $$Z_n=0$$

Z
n

=
0

implies that $$Z_{n+1}=0$$

Z

n
+
1

=
0

, without there being any other finite absorbing class of population sizes. We make no assumptions about the time durations between the successive changes. In the real world, or more specific models, those may be of varying length, depending upon individual life span distributions and their interdependencies, the age-distribution at hand and intervening circumstances. We could consider toy models of Galton–Watson type generation counting or of the birth-and-death type, with one individual acting per change, until extinction, or the most general multitype CMJ branching processes with, say, population size dependence of reproduction. Changes may have quite varying distributions. The basic assumption is that there is a carrying capacity, i.e. a non-negative number K such that the conditional expectation of the change, given the complete past history, is non-positive whenever the population exceeds the carrying capacity. Further, to avoid unnecessary technicalities, we assume that the change $$C_n$$

C
n

equals -1 (one individual dying) with a conditional (given the past) probability uniformly bounded away from 0. It is a simple and not very restrictive way to avoid parity phenomena, it is related to irreducibility in Markov settings. The straightforward, but in contents and implications far-reaching, consequence is that all such populations must die out. Mathematically, it follows by a supermartingale convergence property and positive probability of reaching the absorbing extinction state.
Using Projection-Based Clustering to Find Distance- and Density-Based Clusters in High-Dimensional Data
Authors: Thrun Michael C. , Ultsch Alfred
Published: August 2020

For high-dimensional datasets in which clusters are formed by both distance and density structures (DDS), many clustering algorithms fail to identify these clusters correctly. This is demonstrated for 32 clustering algorithms using a suite of datasets which deliberately pose complex DDS challenges for clustering. In order to improve the structure finding and clustering in high-dimensional DDS datasets, projection-based clustering (PBC) is introduced. The coexistence of projection and clustering allows to explore DDS through a topographic map. This enables to estimate, first, if any cluster tendency exists and, second, the estimation of the number of clusters. A comparison showed that PBC is always able to find the correct cluster structure, while the performance of the best of the 32 clustering algorithms varies depending on the dataset.
Intracellular pH regulation in mantle epithelial cells of the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas
Authors: Ramesh Kirti , Hu Marian Y. , Melzner Frank , Bleich Markus , Himmerkus Nina
Published: August 2020

Shell formation and repair occurs under the control of mantle epithelial cells in bivalve molluscs. However, limited information is available on the precise acid–base regulatory machinery present within these cells, which are fundamental to calcification. Here, we isolate mantle epithelial cells from the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas and utilise live cell imaging in combination with the fluorescent dye, BCECF-AM to study intracellular pH (pHi) regulation. To elucidate the involvement of various ion transport mechanisms, modified seawater solutions (low sodium, low bicarbonate) and specific inhibitors for acid–base proteins were used. Diminished pH recovery in the absence of Na+ and under inhibition of sodium/hydrogen exchangers (NHEs) implicate the involvement of a sodium dependent cellular proton extrusion mechanism. In addition, pH recovery was reduced under inhibition of carbonic anhydrases. These data provide the foundation for a better understanding of acid–base regulation underlying the physiology of calcification in bivalves.
Translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and validation of the sino-nasal outcome test (snot)-22 for Finnish patients
Authors: Koskinen Anni , Hammarén-Malmi Sari , Myller Jyri , Mäkelä Marjukka , Penttilä Elina , Pessi Timo , Puhakka Tuomo , Raappana Antti , Taulu Rami , Toppila-Salmi Sanna , Virkkula Paula , Hytönen Maija
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22) is the most commonly used disease-specific quality of life questionnaire in rhinology. The purpose of this prospective study was to translate and validate SNOT-22 into Finnish.

Methods

The validation process followed the guidelines proposed for cross-cultural adaptation of health-related measures of quality of life. The study consisted of three groups: rhinologic out-patients (N = 96), FESS patients (N = 49) and healthy controls (N = 79). Out-patient and FESS groups completed the questionnaire twice (answers A and B), out-patients after two weeks and FESS patients after 3 months. Validity, reliability and responsiveness were evaluated.

Results

The mean SNOT-22 sum score of the out-patient questionnaires were 35.3 points (answer A) and 32.4 points (answer B). ICC in out-patient group was 0.879. For the FESS patients, the mean pre- and postoperative (answer A and B) SNOT-22 sum scores were 46.8 and 21.9 points, respectively (p < 0.0001). The mean SNOT-22 of healthy controls was 8.9 points. The out-patients (answer A) and healthy controls had statistically significant difference in SNOT-22 scores (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

The results of our study show that the validated Finnish version of the SNOT-22 questionnaire demonstrates good validity, reliability and responsiveness.
Dental age estimation in children affected by juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Pinchi Vilma , Bianchi Ilenia , Pradella Francesco , Vitale Giulia , Focardi Martina , Tonni Ingrid , Ferrante Luigi , Bucci Andrea
Published: August 2020

Dental root calcification has proven to be a reliable biological evidence to estimate chronological age of children. The development of structures usually examined in the age estimation forensic practice (e.g. skeleton, teeth) is supposed to be influenced by diseases and nutritional, environmental, ethnic, and ultimately even socioeconomic factors. This research aims to study the age estimation in children affected by juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) with and without steroids treatment and compared with healthy subjects.

Material and methods

Dental age estimations based on 752 OPGs, 420 girls and 332 boys, aged from 3.3 to 15.99 years, were provided by applying Demirjian and Willems’ original methods. Of the whole sample, 103 individuals were affected by JRA and 40 received a continuous corticosteroid therapy, over 1 year long.

Conclusions

Willems’ and Demirjian’s original methods, as methods commonly applied to estimate age for sub-adults with unremarkable medical history, can be used for medico-legal purposes to children affected by JRA. Willems’ method tended to underestimate age while Demirjian’s method resulted to be prone to overestimation for both healthy and JRA-affected children. JRA showed to have no influence on root calcification process even in children that received steroid treatment for 1 year or longer.
Influence of oral anticoagulation on success rates and risk of bleeding events after iStent inject implantation combined with phacoemulsification
Authors: Widder Randolf A. , Lappas Alexandra , Rennings Corinna , Hild Matthias , Roessler Gernot F. , Dietlein Thomas S.
Published: August 2020

Purpose

We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering effect, the success rates, and the risk of bleeding events of patients receiving an iStent inject combined with phacoemulsification under anticoagulation therapy compared with a matched control group.

Methods

In this retrospective study, sixty-four eyes underwent an iStent inject implantation combined with phacoemulsification at two centers. Thirty-two eyes received surgery while under anticoagulation therapy, and another thirty-two eyes served as a control group matched for visual acuity, IOP, and medication score. Success was defined as criteria A and B (IOP < 18/21 mmHg, > 20% IOP reduction, no resurgery) and criteria C (IOP ≤ 15 mmHg, IOP reduction ≥ 40%, no resurgery). The clinical goal of the study was to determine the difference between the study and control groups with respect to IOP, medication score, and the frequency of intraoperative and postoperative bleeding events.

Results

After a mean follow-up time of 1 year, the IOP lowered 28% from 20.1 ± 4.8 to 14.5 ± 3.7 mmHg in the group of 64 eyes. The medication score lowered 38% from 2.1 ± 1.1 to 1.3 ± 1.2. The two groups with and without anticoagulant agents did not significantly differ in postoperative IOP, medication score, success rates, or number of bleeding events.

Conclusion

We conclude that in cataract surgery combined with the iStent inject a discontinuation of anticoagulant agents might not be necessary. It might be a good option in glaucoma surgery when anticoagulation treatment should not be interrupted and the target pressure is not very low.
Method of determining the effective surface area of a rigid body under wind disturbances
Authors: Cekus Dawid , Kwiatoń Paweł
Published: August 2020

This work proposes a method for determining the effective surface area of a rigid body induced by the wind. The proposed method assumes a variable surface effective area on which the wind acts. To determine the effective surface parameter, the dependence of normal vectors and the position change of individual vertices of the solid body were used. Cardan angles and its derivatives were used to determine the rigid body orientation in space. The free motion of the rigid body was analysed for two variants: influence of wind force and forced motion. During calculations, various cases were analysed differing in terms of wind speed and direction. A comparison of the developed method with the constant and projected surface area was presented. Various acceptable cases in which the surface area approximation is permissible were also shown. The proposed method can be used to calculate the wind load acting on a load of transport devices.
Definition and severity grading of postoperative lymphatic leakage following inguinal lymph node dissection
Authors: Gerken Andreas Lutz Heinrich , Herrle Florian , Jakob Jens , Weiß Christel , Rahbari Nuh N. , Nowak Kai , Karthein Constantin , Hohenberger Peter , Weitz Jürgen , Reißfelder Christoph , Dobroschke Jakob C.
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Lymphatic complications occur frequently after radical inguinal lymph node dissection (RILND). The incidence of lymphatic leakage varies considerably among different studies due to the lack of a consistent definition. The aim of the present study is to propose a standardized definition and grading of different types of lymphatic leakage after groin dissection.

Methods

A bicentric retrospective analysis of 82 patients who had undergone RILND was conducted. A classification of postoperative lymphatic leakage was developed on the basis of the daily drainage output, any necessary postoperative interventions and reoperations, and any delay in adjuvant treatment.

Results

In the majority of cases, RILND was performed in patients with inguinal metastases of malignant melanoma (n = 71). Reinterventions were necessary in 15% of the patients and reoperations in 32%. A new classification of postoperative lymphatic leakage was developed. According to this definition, grade A lymphatic leakage (continued secretion of lymphatic fluid from the surgical drains without further complications) occurred in 13% of the patients, grade B lymphatic leakage (persistent drainage for more than 10 postoperative days or the occurrence of a seroma after the initial removal of the drain that requires an intervention) in 28%, and grade C lymphatic leakage (causing a reoperation or a subsequent conflict with medical measures) in 33%. The drainage volume on the second postoperative day was a suitable predictor for a complicated lymphatic leakage (grades B and C) with a cutoff of 110 ml.

Conclusion

The proposed definition is clinically relevant, is easy to employ, and may serve as the definition of a standardized endpoint for the assessment of lymphatic morbidity after RILND in future studies.
Inter-observer variability of cribriform architecture and percent Gleason pattern 4 in prostate cancer: relation to clinical outcome
Authors: van der Slot Margaretha A. , Hollemans Eva , den Bakker Michael A. , Hoedemaeker Robert , Kliffen Mike , Budel Leo M. , Goemaere Natascha N. T. , van Leenders Geert J. L. H.
Published: August 2020

The Grade group is an important parameter for clinical decision-making in prostate cancer. Recently, percent Gleason pattern 4 and presence of invasive cribriform and/or intraductal carcinoma (CR/IDC) have been recognized for their independent predictive value for prostate cancer outcome. There is sparse data on the inter-observer agreement for these pathologic features in practice. Our objectives were to investigate inter-observer variability of percent Gleason pattern and CR/IDC and to relate individual tumour scores to clinical outcome. Our cohort included 80 consecutive radical prostatectomies with a median follow-up 87.1 months (interquartile range 43.3–119.2), of which the slide with largest tumour volume was scored by six pathologists for Grade group (four tiers: 1, 2, 3 and 4/5), percent Gleason pattern 4 (four tiers: 0–25%, 26–50%, 51–75% and 76–100%) and presence of CR/IDC (two tiers: absent, present). The individual assignments were related to post-operative biochemical recurrence (20/80). Inter-observer agreement was substantial (Krippendorff’sα0.626) for assessment of Grade group and moderate for CR/IDC (α0.507) and percent Gleason pattern 4 (α0.551). For each individual pathologist, biochemical recurrence rates incremented by Grade group and presence of CR/IDC, although such relation was less clear for percent Gleason pattern 4. In conclusion, inter-observer agreement for CR/IDC and percent Gleason pattern 4 is lower than for Grade groups, indicating awareness of these features needs further improvement. Grade group and CR/IDC, but not percent Gleason pattern 4 was related to biochemical recurrence for each pathologist, indicating overall validity of individual grade assignments despite inter-observer variability.
On the density of “wild” initial data for the compressible Euler system
Authors: Feireisl Eduard , Klingenberg Christian , Markfelder Simon
Published: August 2020

We consider a class of “wild” initial data to the compressible Euler system that give rise to infinitely many admissible weak solutions via the method of convex integration. We identify the closure of this class in the natural$$L^1$$L1-topology and show that its complement is rather large, specifically it is an open dense set.
Optical character recognition with neural networks and post-correction with finite state methods
Authors: Drobac Senka , Lindén Krister
Published: August 2020

The optical character recognition (OCR) quality of the historical part of the Finnish newspaper and journal corpus is rather low for reliable search and scientific research on the OCRed data. The estimated character error rate (CER) of the corpus, achieved with commercial software, is between 8 and 13%. There have been earlier attempts to train high-quality OCR models with open-source software, like Ocropy (https://github.com/tmbdev/ocropy) and Tesseract (https://github.com/tesseract-ocr/tesseract), but so far, none of the methods have managed to successfully train a mixed model that recognizes all of the data in the corpus, which would be essential for an efficient re-OCRing of the corpus. The difficulty lies in the fact that the corpus is printed in the two main languages of Finland (Finnish and Swedish) and in two font families (Blackletter and Antiqua). In this paper, we explore the training of a variety of OCR models with deep neural networks (DNN). First, we find an optimal DNN for our data and, with additional training data, successfully train high-quality mixed-language models. Furthermore, we revisit the effect of confidence voting on the OCR results with different model combinations. Finally, we perform post-correction on the new OCR results and perform error analysis. The results show a significant boost in accuracy, resulting in 1.7% CER on the Finnish and 2.7% CER on the Swedish test set. The greatest accomplishment of the study is the successful training of one mixed language model for the entire corpus and finding a voting setup that further improves the results.
Rock support prediction based on measurement while drilling technology
Authors: van Eldert Jeroen , Funehag Johan , Saiang David , Schunnesson Håkan
Published: August 2020

In tunnelling, rock mass support is designed based on the observed rock mass conditions. These conditions are determined by rock mass characterization. Measurement while drilling (MWD), one such characterization method, acquires drill parameter data during drilling. These data can be used to predict rock mass conditions ahead of the face. In this study, grout-hole MWD data are collected at one of the main tunnels in the large infrastructural project Stockholm bypass tunnels. The normalized and filtered MWD data are correlated to the rock mass characteristics using multilinear regression and the Levenberg-Marquardt method. Although a strong numerical correlation cannot be obtained, the results are promising. As a result, a holistic visual approach, which linked the MWD parameters with the rock mass classification and rock support requirements, was developed.
Sclerostin is an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality in kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Zeng Shufei , Slowinski Torsten , Pommer Wolfgang , Hasan Ahmed A. , Gaballa Mohamed M. S. , Lu Yongping , Krämer Bernhard K. , Hocher Berthold
Published: August 2020

Background

Sclerostin is a hormone contributing to the bone-vascular wall cross talk and has been implicated in cardiovascular events and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We analyzed the relationship between sclerostin and mortality in renal transplant recipients.

Methods

600 stable renal transplant recipients (367men, 233 women) were followed for all-cause mortality for 3 years. Blood and urine samples for analysis and clinical data were collected at study entry. We performed Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and Cox regression models considering confounding factors such as age, eGFR, cold ischemia time, HbA1c, phosphate, calcium, and albumin. Optimal cut-off values for the Cox regression model were calculated based on ROC analysis.

Results

Sixty-five patients died during the observation period. Nonsurvivors (n = 65; sclerostin 57.31 ± 30.28 pmol/L) had higher plasma sclerostin levels than survivors (n = 535; sclerostin 47.52 ± 24.87 pmol/L) (p = 0.0036). Kaplan–Meier curve showed that baseline plasma sclerostin concentrations were associated with all-cause mortality in stable kidney transplant recipients (p = 0.0085, log-rank test). After multiple Cox regression analysis, plasma levels of sclerostin remained an independent predictor of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 1.011; 95% CI 1.002–1.020; p = 0.0137).

Conclusions

Baseline plasma sclerostin is an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality in patients after kidney transplantation.
Neuromorphic Model of Reflex for Realtime Human-Like Compliant Control of Prosthetic Hand
Authors: Niu Chuanxin M. , Luo Qi , Chou Chih-hong , Liu Jiayue , Hao Manzhao , Lan Ning
Published: August 2020

Current control of prosthetic hands is ineffective when grasping deformable, irregular, or heavy objects. In humans, grasping is achieved under spinal reflexive control of the musculotendon skeletal structure, which produces a hand stiffness commensurate with the task. We hypothesize that mimicking reflex on a prosthetic hand may improve grasping performance and safety when interacting with human. Here, we present a design of compliant controller for prosthetic hand with a neuromorphic model of human reflex. The model includes 6 motoneuron pools containing 768 spiking neurons, 1 muscle spindle with 128 spiking afferents, and 1 modified Hill-type muscle. Models are implemented using neuromorphic hardware with 1 kHz real-time computing. Experimental tests showed that the prosthetic hand could sustain a 40 N load compared to 95 N for an adult. Stiffness range was adjustable from 60 to 640 N/m, about 46.6% of that of human hand. The grasping velocity could be ramped up to 14.4 cm/s, or 24% of the human peak velocity. The complaint control could switch between free movement and contact force when pressing a deformable beam. The amputee can achieve a 47% information throughput of healthy humans. Overall, the reflex-enabled prosthetic hand demonstrated the attributes of human compliant grasping with the neuromorphic model of spinal neuromuscular reflex.
Anemia and iron metabolism in COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Taneri Petek Eylul , Gómez-Ochoa Sergio Alejandro , Llanaj Erand , Raguindin Peter Francis , Rojas Lyda Z. , Roa-Díaz Zayne Milena , Salvador Dante , Groothof Dion , Minder Beatrice , Kopp-Heim Doris , Hautz Wolf E. , Eisenga Michele F. , Franco Oscar H. , Glisic Marija , Muka Taulant
Published: August 2020

Iron metabolism and anemia may play an important role in multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate biomarkers of anemia and iron metabolism (hemoglobin, ferritin, transferrin, soluble transferrin receptor, hepcidin, haptoglobin, unsaturated iron-binding capacity, erythropoietin, free erythrocyte protoporphyrine, and erythrocyte indices) in patients diagnosed with COVID-19, and explored their prognostic value. Six bibliographic databases were searched up to August 3rd 2020. We included 189 unique studies, with data from 57,563 COVID-19 patients. Pooled mean hemoglobin and ferritin levels in COVID-19 patients across all ages were 129.7 g/L (95% Confidence Interval (CI), 128.51; 130.88) and 777.33 ng/mL (95% CI, 701.33; 852.77), respectively. Hemoglobin levels were lower with older age, higher percentage of subjects with diabetes, hypertension and overall comorbidities, and admitted to intensive care. Ferritin level increased with older age, increasing proportion of hypertensive study participants, and increasing proportion of mortality. Compared to moderate cases, severe COVID-19 cases had lower hemoglobin [weighted mean difference (WMD), − 4.08 g/L (95% CI − 5.12; − 3.05)] and red blood cell count [WMD, − 0.16 × 1012/L (95% CI − 0.31; − 0.014)], and higher ferritin [WMD, − 473.25 ng/mL (95% CI 382.52; 563.98)] and red cell distribution width [WMD, 1.82% (95% CI 0.10; 3.55)]. A significant difference in mean ferritin levels of 606.37 ng/mL (95% CI 461.86; 750.88) was found between survivors and non-survivors, but not in hemoglobin levels. Future studies should explore the impact of iron metabolism and anemia in the pathophysiology, prognosis, and treatment of COVID-19.
Voter and Majority Dynamics with Biased and Stubborn Agents
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Arpan , Mazumdar Ravi R. , Roy Rahul
Published: August 2020

We study binary opinion dynamics in a fully connected network of interacting agents. The agents are assumed to interact according to one of the following rules: (1) Voter rule: An updating agent simply copies the opinion of another randomly sampled agent; (2) Majority rule: An updating agent samples multiple agents and adopts the majority opinion in the selected group. We focus on the scenario where the agents are biased towards one of the opinions called the preferred opinion. Using suitably constructed branching processes, we show that under both rules the mean time to reach consensus is $$\varTheta (\log N)$$

Θ
(
log
N
)

, where N is the number of agents in the network. Furthermore, under the majority rule model, we show that consensus can be achieved on the preferred opinion with high probability even if it is initially the opinion of the minority. We also study the majority rule model when stubborn agents with fixed opinions are present. We find that the stationary distribution of opinions in the network in the large system limit using mean field techniques.
On LA-Courant Algebroids and Poisson Lie 2-Algebroids
Authors: Jotz Lean M.
Published: August 2020

This paper reformulates Li-Bland’s definition for LA-Courant algebroids, or Poisson Lie 2-algebroids, in terms of split Lie 2-algebroids and self-dual 2-representations. This definition generalises in a precise sense the characterisation of (decomposed) double Lie algebroids via matched pairs of 2-representations. We use the known geometric examples of LA-Courant algebroids in order to provide new examples of Poisson Lie 2-algebroids, and we explain in this general context Roytenberg’s equivalence of Courant algebroids with symplectic Lie 2-algebroids. We study further the core of an LA-Courant algebroid and we prove that it carries an induced degenerate Courant algebroid structure. In the nondegenerate case, this gives a new construction of a Courant algebroid from the corresponding symplectic Lie 2-algebroid. Finally we completely characterise VB-Dirac and LA-Dirac structures via simpler objects, that we compare to Li-Bland’s pseudo-Dirac structures.
Combined ultrasound-ozone treatment for reutilization of primary effluent—a preliminary study
Authors: Rossi Giada , Mainardis Matia , Aneggi Eleonora , Weavers Linda K. , Goi Daniele
Published: August 2020

The present work is a preliminary study on the potential of low-frequency ultrasound irradiation coupled with O3 process for the disinfection of a primary effluent from a municipal wastewater treatment plant preserving nutrient levels (in particular nitrogen and phosphorous), for its possible reuse in civil, industrial, and agricultural sectors. The treated water could be reused, after appropriate dilution, contributing to the circular economy perspective and reducing the need for both chemical fertilizer addition and freshwater supply. The effect of different specific ultrasonic energies and ozone doses was assessed on a bench-top system, composed of an ultrasonic reactor and a semi-batch ozonation vessel. The results showed that the combined US-O3 process produces a good removal efficiency regarding soluble Chemical Oxygen Demand, sCOD (ca. 60%), anionic surfactants (ca. 50%), and formaldehyde (ca. 50%), and an optimal abatement for Methylene Blue Active Substances (MBAS, > 90%). The process also reached high disinfection performances, obtaining 4 logs for E. coli and 5 log abatement for Total Coliforms. The high removal efficiency is matched by an outstanding retention of nutrients (total nitrogen and orthophosphate) highlighting a high potential value for agricultural reuse of the treated primary effluent, with possible significant saving of chemical fertilizers. It was concluded that low-frequency ultrasound pre-treatment, combined with ozonation, could be a useful process for primary effluent recovery for several purposes. Further studies are expected to be planned and executed to evaluate system scale-up feasibility.
Transfer of metacognitive skills in self-regulated learning: an experimental training study
Authors: Schuster Corinna , Stebner Ferdinand , Leutner Detlev , Wirth Joachim
Published: August 2020

Training interventions for self-regulated learning foster the use of strategies and skills as well as their transfer to new learning tasks. Because cognitive strategies or motivation regulation strategies are task-specific, their transfer is limited. In contrast, metacognitive skills are task-general and transferable to a wide variety of learning tasks. Questions arise, therefore, as to whether students transfer metacognitive skills spontaneously and how to support metacognitive skill transfer. Previous research shows that hybrid training, which addresses both metacognitive skills and cognitive strategies, supports near transfer. However, it is not clear whether hybrid training also fosters far transfer of metacognitive skills. In investigating this research question, 233 fifth-grade students were randomly assigned to six different conditions: two hybrid-training conditions (metacognitive skills and one out of two cognitive strategies), two non-hybrid training conditions (“only” one out of two cognitive strategies), and two control training conditions (neither metacognitive skills nor cognitive strategies). After 15 weeks of training, transfer of metacognitive skills to learning tasks similar to training tasks (near transfer) was tested. In the following 15 weeks, all students received a second, non-hybrid training involving a new cognitive strategy. Far transfer of metacognitive skills to the new cognitive strategy was tested afterward. The results show that hybrid training, compared to non-hybrid and control training, improved both students’ near and far transfer of metacognitive skills. Moreover, cognitive strategy use increased in at least one of the hybrid-training conditions. However, since the level of metacognitive skills use remained low, further means to support transfer are discussed.
Correction to: The search for, and chemistry and mechanism of, neurotrophic natural products
Authors: Fukuyama Yoshiyasu , Kubo Miwa , Harada Kenichi
Published: August 2020

he article The search for, and chemis
Critical challenges in biohydrogen production processes from the organic feedstocks
Authors: Osman Ahmed I. , Deka Tanmay J. , Baruah Debendra C. , Rooney David W.
Published: August 2020

The ever-increasing world energy demand drives the need for new and sustainable renewable fuel to mitigate problems associated with greenhouse gas emissions such as climate change. This helps in the development toward decarbonisation. Thus, in recent years, hydrogen has been seen as a promising candidate in global renewable energy agendas, where the production of biohydrogen gains more attention compared with fossil-based hydrogen. In this review, biohydrogen production using organic waste materials through fermentation, biophotolysis, microbial electrolysis cell and gasification are discussed and analysed from a technological perspective. The main focus herein is to summarise and criticise through bibliometric analysis and put forward the guidelines for the potential future routes of biohydrogen production from biomass and especially organic waste materials. This research review claims that substantial efforts currently and, in the future, should focus on biohydrogen production from integrated technology of processes of (i) dark and photofermentation, (ii) microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) and (iii) gasification of combined different biowastes. Furthermore, bibliometric mapping shows that hydrogen production from biomethanol and the modelling process are growing areas in the biohydrogen research that lead to zero-carbon energy soon.
A comparative study of overlapping community detection methods from the perspective of the structural properties
Authors: Vieira Vinícius da Fonseca , Xavier Carolina Ribeiro , Evsukoff Alexandre Gonçalves
Published: August 2020

Community detection is one of the most important tasks in network analysis. It is increasingly clear that quality measures are not sufficient for assessing communities and structural properties play a key hole in understanding how nodes are organized in the network. This work presents a comparative study of some representative state-of-the-art methods for overlapping community detection from the perspective of the structural properties of the communities identified by them. Experiments with synthetic and real-world benchmark Ground-Truth networks show that, although the methods are able to identify modular communities, they often miss many structural properties of the communities, such as the number of nodes in the overlapping region and the memberships of the nodes. This is a strong suggestion that a deeper comprehension of the overlapping properties of the communities is needed for the design of more efficient community detection methods.
Epigenetic Consequences of Adversity and Intervention Throughout the Lifespan: Implications for Public Policy and Healthcare
Authors: Collins Nicholas , Phillips Natalia Ledo Husby , Reich Lauren , Milbocker Katrina , Roth Tania L.
Published: August 2020

Behavioral epigenetics posits that both nature and nurture must be considered when determining the etiology of behavior or disease. The epigenome displays a remarkable ability to respond to environmental input in early sensitive periods but also throughout the lifespan. These responses are dependent on environmental context and lead to behavioral outcomes. While early adversity has been shown to perpetuate issues of mental health, there are numerous intervention strategies shown efficacious to ameliorate these effects. This includes diet, exercise, childhood intervention programs, pharmacological therapeutics, and talk therapies. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of the ability of the epigenome to adapt in different contexts is essential to advance our understanding of mechanisms of adversity and pathways to resilience. The present review draws on evidence from both humans and animal models to explore the responsivity of the epigenome to adversity and its malleability to intervention. Behavioral epigenetics research is also discussed in the context of public health practice and policy, as it provides a meaningful source of evidence concerning child development and disease intervention and prevention.
Global prevalence and reasons for case cancellation on the intended day of surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Abate Semagn Mekonnen , Chekole Yigrem Ali , Minaye Solomon Yimer , Basu Bivash
Published: August 2020

ABSTRACT

Background:

Cancellation of operation on the intended day of surgery affects the efficiency of Operation Room which incurs a significant financial loss for the patient, hospital, and health care cost of a country at large. This systematic and Meta-Analysis was intended to provide evidence on the global prevalence and determinants of case cancellation on the intended day of surgery.

Methods:

A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed/Medline; Science direct and LILACS from January 2010 to May 2020 without language restriction. The Heterogeneity among the included studies was checked with forest plot, χ2 test, I2 test, and the p-values. All observational studies reporting prevalence and determinants were included.

Results:

A total of 1207 articles were identified from different databases with an initial search. Fort-eight articles were selected for evaluation after the successive screening. Thirty-three Articles with 306,635 participants were included. The Meta-Analysis revealed that the global prevalence of case cancellation on the intended day of surgery was 18% (95% CI: 16 to 20). The Meta-Analysis also showed that lack of operation theatre facility accounted for the major reason for cancellation followed by no attendant and change in medical condition.

Conclusion:

The meta-analysis revealed that the prevalence of case cancellation was very high in low and middle-income countries and the majorities were avoidable which entails rigorous activities on operation theatre facilities, preoperative evaluation and preparation, patient and health care provider communications.

Registration:

This Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis was registered in a research registry (researchregistry5746) available at https://www.researchregistry.com/browse-the-registry#home/

Highlights:
Variabilidad morfológica de anzuelos en concha deChoromytilus chorus(8500-4500 cal aP), costa sur del Desierto de Atacama, Taltal, Chile
Authors: Alcalde Verónica , Flores Carola
Published: August 2020

A través de la morfometría geométrica, este estudio explora la influencia del contexto cronológico y de procedencia en la variabilidad morfológica de 75 anzuelos de concha deChoromytilus chorusprovenientes de siete sitios arqueológicos de la comuna de Taltal, en la costa sur del Desierto de Atacama, Chile. Los resultados muestran diferencias significativas en las formas de los anzuelos provenientes de distintos sitios y períodos. El rasgo que explica el mayor porcentaje de variación morfológica es el largo de una de las puntas, seguido por la abertura del anzuelo. Se identifican tres momentos clave en la evolución morfológica de estos artefactos. Entre 8500 y 7500 cal aP aparecen los primeros anzuelos, predominantemente sin vástago y de abertura amplia pero variable. De 7500 cal aP en adelante, la tecnología prolifera y se diversifica: los anzuelos sin vástago y con abertura amplia siguen predominando, pero formas con vástago y abertura media también están presentes en el kit de pesca. Finalmente, entre 5500 y 4500 cal aP el número de anzuelos disminuye, desaparecen las formas circulares y se mantienen las formas con vástago, pero con abertura más estrecha. El caso de estudio de Taltal contribuye a enriquecer el conocimiento sobre la tecnología del anzuelo en concha a lo largo del Pacífico.
Tempo of a Mega-henge: A New Chronology for Mount Pleasant, Dorchester, Dorset
Authors: Greaney Susan , Hazell Zoë , Barclay Alistair , Ramsey Christopher Bronk , Dunbar Elaine , Hajdas Irka , Reimer Paula , Pollard Joshua , Sharples Niall , Marshall Peter
Published: August 2020

Radiocarbon dating and Bayesian chronological modelling have provided precise new dating for the henge monument of Mount Pleasant in Dorset, excavated in 1970–1. A total of 59 radiocarbon dates are now available for the site and modelling of these has provided a revised sequence for the henge enclosure and its various constituent parts: the timber palisaded enclosure, the Conquer Barrow, and the ditch surrounding Site IV, a concentric timber and stone monument. This suggests that the henge was probably built in the 26th century calbc, shortly followed by the timber palisade and Site IV ditch. These major construction events took place in the late Neolithic over a relatively short timespan, probably lasting 35–125 years. The principal results are discussed for each element of the site, including comparison with similar monument types elsewhere in Britain and Ireland, and wider implications for late Neolithic connections and later activity at the site associated with Beaker pottery are explored.
The effect of soya consumption on inflammatory biomarkers: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials
Authors: Rezazadegan Mahsa , Mirjalili Fatemeh , Clark Cain C. T. , Rouhani Mohammad Hossein
Published: August 2020

Inflammation is a major cause of chronic diseases. Several studies have investigated the effects of soya intake on inflammatory biomarkers; however, the results are equivocal. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials that evaluated the effect of soya consumption on inflammatory biomarkers. Medline, Scopus, ISI Web of Science and Google Scholar were systematically searched, up to and including May 2020, for clinical trials that evaluated the effects of soya and soya products on TNF-α, IL-6, IL-2, IL-1β and interferon γ (IFN-γ) in adults. A random effects method was used to calculate overall effects, and subgroup analyses were performed to discern probable sources of inter-study heterogeneity. A total of twenty-eight clinical trials were included. Although soya consumption reduced TNF-α (Hedges’ g = –0·28; 95 % CI –0·49, –0·07), it had no significant effect on IL-6 (Hedges’ g = 0·07, 95 % CI –0·14, 0·28), IL-2 (mean difference (MD) = –1·38 pg/ml; 95 % CI –3·07, 0·31), IL-1β (MD = –0·02 pg/ml; 95 % CI –0·08, 0·03) and IFN-γ (MD = 1685·82 pg/ml; 95 % CI –1604·86, 4976·50). Subgroup analysis illustrated a reduction in TNF-α in parallel designed studies, at dosages ≥100 mg of isoflavones, and in unhealthy subjects. The present study showed that high doses of isoflavones in unhealthy subjects may yield beneficial effects on TNF-α.
Legislative and Other Selected Challenges Affecting Financial Inclusion for the Poor and Low Income Earners in South Africa
Authors: Chitimira Howard , Ncube Menelisi
Published: August 2020

This article discusses the challenges affecting the achievement of financial inclusion for the poor and low-income earners in South Africa. The concept of financial inclusion could be defined as the provision of affordable financial products and services to all members of the society by the government and/or other relevant role-players such as financial services providers. This article identifies unemployment, poverty, financial illiteracy, over-indebtedness, high bank fees, mistrust of the banking system, lack of relevant national identity documentation and poor legislative framework for financial inclusion as some of the challenges affecting the full attainment of financial inclusion for the poor and low-income earners in South Africa. Given these flaws, the article highlights the need for the government, financial institutions and other relevant stakeholders to adopt legislative and other measures as an antidote to financial exclusion and poverty challenges affecting the poor and low-income earners in South Africa.
Effects of different sources and levels of tannins on live performance and antioxidant response of Ossimi lambs
Authors: Hassan Tamer M. M. , Ahmed-Farid Omar A. , Abdel-Fattah Fathy A. I.
Published: August 2020

Pomegranate peels (PP) and mango leaves (ML) were analysed for nutrients and tannin contents. In anin vitrotest, ten diets were prepared; six contained 2, 4 and 6% of PP or ML, three diets supplemented with mixed levels of PP and ML (1 + 1%, 2 + 2% and 3 + 3%) and control diet free of them. Gas was measured after 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h of incubation. Methane and rumen parameters were estimated. In anin vivoexperiment, 40 Ossimi lambs were divided into four groups; the first was control, other groups (T1, T2 and T3) fed diets containing 6% PP, 6% ML or mix levels (3% PP + 3%ML), respectively, for 2 months. Results showed that PP and ML were rich in tannins. In thein vitrotest, a maximum reduction in gas, methane and NH3-N was in 6% PP, 6% ML and mixed levels (3% PP + 3% ML). In thein vivoexperiment, there were no differences in growth and digestibility of DM and nutrients between treatment groups. Only a lowered DM intake and protein digestibility in lambs fed 6% PP. Gas and methane emission was decreased significantly in lambs fed 6% PP, compared to other groups. TVFAs and NH3-N were decreased for treatment groups. Also, all treatments did not show any pathological changes in liver function or on oxidative stress markers. In conclusion, PP and ML can be used in sheep diets at inclusion levels of 6% and mixture without detrimental effects on general health of Ossimi lambs.
Theory of the tertiary instability and the Dimits shift within a scalar model
Authors: Zhu Hongxuan , Zhou Yao , Dodin I. Y.
Published: August 2020

The Dimits shift is the shift between the threshold of the drift-wave primary instability and the actual onset of turbulent transport in a magnetized plasma. It is generally attributed to the suppression of turbulence by zonal flows, but developing a more detailed understanding calls for consideration of specific reduced models. The modified Terry–Horton system has been proposed by St-Onge (J. Plasma Phys., vol. 83, 2017, 905830504) as a minimal model capturing the Dimits shift. Here, we use this model to develop an analytic theory of the Dimits shift and a related theory of the tertiary instability of zonal flows. We show that tertiary modes are localized near extrema of the zonal velocity$U(x)$, where$x$is the radial coordinate. By approximating$U(x)$with a parabola, we derive the tertiary-instability growth rate using two different methods and show that the tertiary instability is essentially the primary drift-wave instability modified by the local$U'' \doteq {\rm d}^2 U/{\rm d} x^2 $. Then, depending on$U''$, the tertiary instability can be suppressed or unleashed. The former corresponds to the case when zonal flows are strong enough to suppress turbulence (Dimits regime), while the latter corresponds to the case when zonal flows are unstable and turbulence develops. This understanding is different from the traditional paradigm that turbulence is controlled by the flow shear$| {\rm d} U / {\rm d} x |$. Our analytic predictions are in agreement with direct numerical simulations of the modified Terry–Horton system.
Commercial bumble bee (Bombus impatiens) hives under exclusion netting systems for apple pollination in orchards
Authors: Normandeau Bonneau Mélanie , Samson-Robert Olivier , Fournier Valérie , Chouinard Gérald
Published: August 2020

Exclusion netting systems are effective in various contexts and are increasingly used to control crop pests. However, factors affecting pollination management under nets are poorly known. The pollination effectiveness of commercial bumble bee hives ofBombus impatiensCresson (Hymenoptera: Apidae) was studied for apple production under exclusion netting systems in a research orchard located in Quebec, Canada during 2016–2017. Sixteen single-row plots of apple trees (plot length: 18.5 m, cultivar GingerGold) were subjected to one of the following four treatments during bloom: (1) introduction of a bumble bee hive placed at the end of the row, under nets; (2) introduction of a bumble bee hive placed in the middle of the row, under nets; (3) negative control with no pollinators, under nets and (4) agronomic control with nearby bee hives (<50 m), without nets. Resulting post-harvest fruit quality (e.g., fruit weight, size, number and distribution of seeds) was evaluated, as well as correlations between bumble bee visitation rates and fruit quality parameters were evaluated. Results suggest that bumble bees provided adequate pollination under exclusion netting systems and that resulting fruit quality was equivalent to that of apple fruit conventionally pollinated by honey bees and wild bees community (bumble bees and other bees) in the orchard environment. Positioning bumble bee hives in the middle of the row provided better fruit load homogeneity in pollinated trees. Additional discussion on bumble bees as apple pollinators and on pollen distribution methods is also included.