bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Uncertainty and the unmet informational needs of patients with cancer of unknown primary (CUP): a cross-sectional multi-site study
Authors: Guccione Lisa , Fisher Krista , Mileshkin Linda , Tothill Richard , Bowtell David , Quinn Stephen , DeFazio Anna , Karapetis Chris S. , Wilcken Nicholas , Singh Madhu , Steer Christopher , Gao Bo , Warren Mark , Collins Ian M. , Karanth Narayan , Bryant Cindy , Schofield Penelope
Published: July 2022

Objective

This study aimed to determine the healthcare experiences, quality of life, and psychosocial needs of patients with cancer of unknown primary (CUP) early after diagnosis; comparing their experiences to patients with advanced cancer of a known primary (non-CUP control patients) and published general population reference data where available.

Methods

This study was a cross-sectional, multi-site study comparing CUP patients (n = 139) compared to non-CUP controls (n = 45). Demographic, clinical information and patient-reported outcome questionnaire data were collected at baseline.

Results

Differences in healthcare experienced were found between CUP and non-CUP controls with CUP patients reporting higher scores for unmet medical communication/information needs compared with non-CUP control patients (p = 0.013) as well as greater uncertainty in illness (p = 0.042). Whilst no differences were found between CUP and non-CUP controls on the EORTC and PROMIS measures, of those that ‘received written information about your cancer…’ and asked ‘…how useful was it?’ fewer CUP patients reported finding the information useful 40% vs 61%, and more were likely to not have received written information at all 59% vs 32%; (p = 0.002). Additionally, of those that found information about their cancer online, fewer patients with CUP reported finding it useful 32% vs 48% control patients (p = 0.005).

Conclusions

CUP patients have unmet medical communication/information needs and greater uncertainty in illness but do not differ in health-related quality of life domains compared to patients with advanced cancer of a known primary.
Return of comprehensive tumour genomic profiling results to advanced cancer patients: a qualitative study
Authors: Best Megan C. , Bartley Nicci , Napier Christine E. , Fisher Alana , Ballinger Mandy L. , Thomas David M. , Goldstein David , Tucker Katherine , Biesecker Barbara B. , Butow Phyllis
Published: July 2022

Purpose

The introduction of comprehensive tumour genomic profiling (CGP) into clinical oncology allows the identification of molecular therapeutic targets. However, the potential complexity of genomic results and their implications may cause confusion and distress for patients undergoing CGP. We investigated the experience of advanced cancer patients receiving CGP results in a research setting.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews with 37 advanced cancer patients were conducted within two weeks of patients receiving CGP results. Interviewees were purposively sampled based on CGP result, cancer type, age and gender to ensure diversity. Themes were derived from interview transcripts using a framework analysis approach.

Results

We identified six themes: (1) hoping against the odds; (2) managing expectations; (3) understanding is cursory; (4) communication of results is cursory; (5) genomics and incurable cancer; and (6) decisions about treatment.

Conclusion

Despite enthusiasm regarding CGP about the hope it provides for new treatments, participants experienced challenges in understanding results, and acceptance of identified treatments was not automatic. Support is needed for patients undergoing CGP to understand the implications of testing and cope with non-actionable results.
Class binarization to neuroevolution for multiclass classification
Authors: Lan Gongjin , Gao Zhenyu , Tong Lingyao , Liu Ting
Published: July 2022

Multiclass classification is a fundamental and challenging task in machine learning. The existing techniques of multiclass classification can be categorized as (1) decomposition into binary (2) extension from binary and (3) hierarchical classification. Decomposing multiclass classification into a set of binary classifications that can be efficiently solved by using binary classifiers, called class binarization, which is a popular technique for multiclass classification. Neuroevolution, a general and powerful technique for evolving the structure and weights of neural networks, has been successfully applied to binary classification. In this paper, we apply class binarization techniques to a neuroevolution algorithm, NeuroEvolution of Augmenting Topologies (NEAT), that are used to generate neural networks for multiclass classification. We propose a new method that applies Error-Correcting Output Codes (ECOC) to design the class binarization strategies on the neuroevolution for multiclass classification. The ECOC strategies are compared with the class binarization strategies of One-vs-One and One-vs-All on three well-known datasets of Digit, Satellite, and Ecoli. We analyse their performance from four aspects of multiclass classification degradation, accuracy, evolutionary efficiency, and robustness. The results show that the NEAT with ECOC performs high accuracy with low variance. Specifically, it shows significant benefits in a flexible number of binary classifiers and strong robustness.
Triaxial Deformation of the Goldwyer Gas Shale at In Situ Stress Conditions—Part I: Anisotropy of Elastic and Mechanical Properties
Authors: Mandal Partha Pratim , Sarout Joel , Rezaee Reza
Published: July 2022

The evolution of shale’s mechanical properties with confining pressure, temperature, and mineral composition directly influences fracture closure besides the effect of in situ stress variation across lithologies. We are the first to perform experimental study to characterize the mechanical properties of the Goldwyer gas shale formation located in the Canning Basin, Western Australia. We have performed constant strain rate multistage triaxial tests at in situ stress condition (confining pressure ≤ 22 MPa) on 15 samples of the Goldwyer gas shales with variable minerology, organic content, and heterogeneity. Deformation tests were conducted at room temperature and in drained conditions on cylindrical samples cored parallel (horizontal) and perpendicular (vertical) to the bedding plane. Both triaxial compressive strength (σTCS) and static young’s modulus E show a strong sensitivity to confining pressure and mineralogy, while only E shows a directional dependency, i.e., Eh > Ev. The internal friction coefficient µi in a plane parallel to the bedding is 0.72 ± 0.12, while it is only 0.58 ± 0.17 in the orthogonal direction. Both σTCS and E are significantly lower when larger fractions of weak mineral constituents are present (clays or organic matter). We observe that the Young’s modulus of most vertical samples is best approximated by Reuss’s bound, whereas that of horizontal samples is best approximated by Hill’s average of Voigt and Reuss bounds. The most prospective G-III unit of the Goldwyer shale formation (depth > 1510 m) is semi-brittle to brittle, making it suitable for future development.
Human tissue lead (Pb) levels and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of case–control studies
Authors: Farace Cristiano , Fiorito Giovanni , Pisano Andrea , Etzi Federica , Sabalic Angela , Fenu Grazia , Asara Yolande , Solinas Giuliana , Madeddu Roberto
Published: July 2022

Aim

To combine the current scientific literature evidence and elucidate the differences of lead (Pb) bioaccumulation in human tissues by comparing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients and healthy controls.

Methods

We systematically searched for case–control studies on the association of Pb levels with ALS, in human cells, tissues, and body fluids (nervous tissue, muscle, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, urine, skin appendages). Then, we performed a meta-analysis for all the tissues in which at least five case–control studies were available: whole blood (9 studies), serum/plasma (5 studies), and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (6 studies). Differences between cases and controls were evaluated using standardized mean difference, and combined estimates were derived using random effect maximum likelihood (REML) meta-analyses.

Results

Among 1734 records, we identified 46 full-text studies, of which 14 case–control studies met the meta-analysis inclusion criteria. We found higher Pb levels in ALS cases than controls in blood (standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.61; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.20, 1.01; p = 0.003), plasma/serum (SMD = 0.27; 95% CI − 0.16, 0.70; p = 0.26), and CSF (SMD = 0.53; 95% CI − 0.09, 1.15; p = 0.09).

Conclusions

This work provides further evidence of the association between Pb bioaccumulation and ALS in body fluids. The lack of association studies in solid tissues did not allow a robust meta-analysis. Future prospective studies are needed to clarify the causality in the association of Pb bioaccumulation with ALS.
Pathogenic correlation between mosaic variegated aneuploidy 1 (MVA1) and a novel BUB1B variant: a reappraisal of a severe syndrome
Authors: Pavone Piero , Pappalardo Xena Giada , Mustafa Naira , Falsaperla Raffaele , Marino Simona Domenica , Corsello Giovanni , Bianca Sebastiano , Parano Enrico , Ruggieri Martino
Published: July 2022

Background

The BUB 1 mitotic checkpoint serine/threonine kinase B (BUB1B) gene encodes a key protein in the mitotic spindle checkpoint, which acts as a surveillance mechanism, crucial for the maintenance of the correct chromosome number during cell deviation. Mutations of BUB1B gene are linked to mosaic variegated aneuploidy 1 (MVA1) syndrome, a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by widespread mosaic aneuploidies, involving different chromosomes and tissues. MVA1 is clinically characterized by intrauterine growth restriction, post-natal growth retardation, and severe neurologic impairment including microcephaly, developmental delay/intellectual disability, epileptic seizures, and generalized hypotonia. Malignancies are also serious sequelae associated with the disorder. We reported on a case of two-year-old Italian girl with MVA1 who shows severe neurologic impairment, microcephaly and epileptic seizures.

Materials and methods

Clinical data collection and genetic diagnosis of the patient were assessed. Mutational analysis covers the chromosomal microarray analysis, the gene methylation pattern studied using the methylation-specific multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, and the family-based Whole Exome Sequencing (WES). A literature research based on reported cases of MVA and premature chromatid separation was also included.

Results

Karyotyping has revealed 12% of mosaics in the patient who carries a novel variant in BUB1B gene (c.2679A > T, p.Arg893Ser) detected by WES. Thirty-one cases of MVA1 including the present report, and four prenatally diagnosed cases with MVA1 were selected and inspected.

Conclusion

Clinical and genetic findings reported in the girl strongly suggest a new MVA1 genotype–phenotype correlation and lead to a reappraisal of a severe syndrome. Diagnosis and in-depth follow-up provided worthwhile data.
A modelling-chain linking climate science and decision-makers for future urban flood management in West Africa
Authors: Miller James D. , Vischel Theo , Fowe Tazen , Panthou Geremy , Wilcox Catherine , Taylor Christopher M. , Visman Emma , Coulibaly Gnenakantanhan , Gonzalez Pepo , Body Richard , Vesuviano Gianni , Bouvier Christophe , Chahinian Nanee , Cazenave Frédéric
Published: July 2022

Intensification of the hydrological cycle resulting from climate change in West Africa poses significant risks for the region’s rapidly urbanising cities, but limited research on flood risk has been undertaken at the urban domain scale. Furthermore, conventional climate models are unable to realistically represent the type of intense storms which dominate the West African monsoon. This paper presents a decision-first framing of climate research in co-production of a climate-hydrology-flooding modelling chain, linking scientists working on state-of-the-art regional climate science with decision-makers involved in city planning for future urban flood management in the city of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The realistic convection-permitting model over Africa (CP4A) is applied at the urban scale for the first time and data suggest significant intensification of high-impact weather events and demonstrate the importance of considering the spatio-temporal scales in CP4A. Hydrological modelling and hydraulic modelling indicate increases in peak flows and flood extents in Ouagadougou in response to climate change which will be further exacerbated by future urbanisation. Advances in decision-makers’ capability for using climate information within Ouagadougou were observed, and key recommendations applicable to other regional urban areas are made. This study provides proof of concept that a decision-first modelling-chain provides a methodology for co-producing climate information that can, to some extent, bridge the usability gap between what scientists think is useful and what decision-makers need.
Weather conditions determine reproductive success of a ground-nesting bird of prey in natural dune grasslands
Authors: Kämpfer Steffen , Engel Elias , Fartmann Thomas
Published: July 2022

The Short-eared Owl (Asioflammeus) inhabits open grasslands and belongs to the ground-breeding birds that have experienced the most severe declines during recent decades. Here, we studied nest and fledgling survival of the owl species in relation to (i) habitat composition, (ii) vegetation structure, (iii) weather conditions and (iv) vole abundance. The study was conducted on the East Frisian Island of Spiekeroog (southern North Sea, Lower Saxony, Germany), which harbours one of the last remaining permanent populations of the species in Central Europe. With a mean hatching success of 5.6 young per nest (N = 34) and an average probability of nest survival of 0.9 (N = 28), values ascertained in this study exceeded those reported in previous research. We attribute this to the special environmental conditions on the island, i.e. (i) the absence of mammalian mesopredators such as the Red Fox (Vulpesvulpes), (ii) nearly no disturbance through agricultural measures and (iii) low level of human disturbance due to legal regulations of the National Park. By contrast, the survival of fledglings was lower than survival of nests and varied considerably between the investigated years. Weather conditions were the key driver of fledgling survival. Maximum wind speed and sunshine duration had a negative effect on the probability that chicks successfully fledged. Both lead to reduced hunting success, and the former is also associated with increased costs for thermoregulation. Consequently, increasing frequency of extreme weather events caused by climate change could negatively impact the breeding success of vole-dependent raptors, such as the Short-eared Owl.
Mass media pressure on psychological and healthy well-being. An explanatory model as a function of physical activity
Authors: González-Valero Gabriel , Melguizo-Ibáñez Eduardo , Ortega-Caballero Manuel , Marfil-Carmona Rafael , Zurita-Ortega Félix , Puertas-Molero Pilar
Published: July 2022

Objectives

The present research aims to identify and establish the relationships between media pressure, psychological well-being, age, physical activity and adherence to the Mediterranean diet. This objective is broken down into (a) developing an explanatory model of media pressure, psychological well-being, age, physical activity and adherence to the Mediterranean diet and (b) testing the structural model by means of a multi-group analysis according to physical activity level.

Material and methods

To this end, a quantitative, non-experimental (ex post facto), comparative and cross-sectional study was carried out on a sample of 634 participants (35.18 ± 9.68). The instruments used were an ad hoc questionnaire, the Spanish version of Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-4 (SATAQ-4), the Psychological Well-Being Scales (PWBS) and the Prevention with Mediterranean Diet (PREDIMED).

Conclusions

The data reveal that meeting the WHO physical activity criteria improves the relationships between media pressure, psychological well-being and healthy well-being.
Instance space analysis for the car sequencing problem
Authors: Sun Yuan , Esler Samuel , Thiruvady Dhananjay , Ernst Andreas T. , Li Xiaodong , Morgan Kerri
Published: July 2022

We investigate an important research question for solving the car sequencing problem, that is, which characteristics make an instance hard to solve? To do so, we carry out an instance space analysis for the car sequencing problem, by extracting a vector of problem features to characterize an instance. In order to visualize the instance space, the feature vectors are projected onto a 2-D space using dimensionality reduction techniques. The resulting 2-D visualizations provide new insights into the characteristics of the instances used for testing and how these characteristics influence the behaviours of an optimization algorithm. This analysis guides us in constructing a new set of benchmark instances with a range of instance properties. We demonstrate that these new instances are more diverse than the previous benchmarks, including some instances that are significantly more difficult to solve. We introduce two new algorithms for solving the car sequencing problem and compare them with four existing methods from the literature. Our new algorithms are shown to perform competitively for this problem but no single algorithm can outperform all others over all instances. This observation motivates us to build an algorithm selection model based on machine learning, to identify the niche in the instance space that an algorithm is expected to perform well on. Our analysis helps to understand problem hardness and select an appropriate algorithm for solving a given car sequencing problem instance.
Production of dissolved carbon and alkalinity during macroalgal wrack degradation on beaches: a mesocosm experiment with implications for blue carbon
Authors: Perkins Anita K. , Santos Isaac R. , Rose Andrew L. , Schulz Kai G. , Grossart Hans-Peter , Eyre Bradley D. , Kelaher Brendan P. , Oakes Joanne M.
Published: July 2022

Marine macroalgae are a key primary producer in coastal ecosystems, but are often overlooked in blue carbon inventories. Large quantities of macroalgal detritus deposit on beaches, but the fate of wrack carbon (C) is little understood. If most of the wrack carbon is respired back to CO2, there would be no net carbon sequestration. However, if most of the wrack carbon is converted to bicarbonate (alkalinity) or refractory DOC, wrack deposition would represent net carbon sequestration if at least part of the metabolic products (e.g., reduced Fe and S) are permanently removed (i.e., long-term burial) and the DOC is not remineralised. To investigate the release of macroalgal C via porewater and its potential to contribute to C sequestration (blue carbon), we monitored the degradation of Ecklonia radiata in flow-through mesocosms simulating tidal flushing on sandy beaches. Over 60 days, 81% of added E. radiata organic matter (OM) decomposed. Per 1 mol of detritus C, the degradation produced 0.48 ± 0.34 mol C of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) (59%) and 0.25 ± 0.07 mol C of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) (31%) in porewater, and a small amount of CO2 (0.3 ± 0.0 mol C; ca. 3%) which was emitted to the atmosphere. A significant amount of carbonate alkalinity was found in porewater, equating to 33% (0.27 ± 0.05 mol C) of the total degraded C. The degradation occurred in two phases. In the first phase (days 0–3), 27% of the OM degraded, releasing highly reactive DOC. In the second phase (days 4–60), the labile DOC was converted to DIC. The mechanisms underlying E. radiata degradation were sulphate reduction and ammonification. It is likely that the carbonate alkalinity was primarily produced through sulphate reduction. The formation of carbonate alkalinity and semi-labile or refractory DOC from beach wrack has the potential to play an overlooked role in coastal carbon cycling and contribute to marine carbon sequestration.

Graphical abstract
Variational symplectic diagonally implicit Runge-Kutta methods for isospectral systems
Authors: da Silva Clauson Carvalho , Lessig Christian
Published: July 2022

Isospectral flows appear in a variety of applications, e.g. the Toda lattice in solid state physics or in discrete models for two-dimensional hydrodynamics. The isospectral property thereby often corresponds to mathematically or physically important conservation laws. The most prominent feature of these systems, i.e. the conservation of the eigenvalues of the matrix state variable, should therefore be retained when discretizing these systems. Recently, it was shown how isospectral Runge-Kutta methods can in the Lie-Poisson case be obtained through Hamiltonian reduction of symplectic Runge-Kutta methods on the cotangent bundle of a Lie group. We provide the Lagrangian analogue and, in the case of symplectic diagonally implicit Runge-Kutta methods, derive the methods through a discrete Euler-Poincaré reduction. Our derivation relies on a formulation of diagonally implicit isospectral Runge-Kutta methods in terms of the Cayley transform, generalizing earlier work that showed this for the implicit midpoint rule. Our work is also a generalization of earlier variational Lie group integrators that, interestingly, appear when these are interpreted as update equations for intermediate time points. From a practical point of view, our results allow for a simple implementation of higher order isospectral methods and we demonstrate this with numerical experiments where both the isospectral property and energy are conserved to high accuracy.
Including the Urban Canopy Layer in a Lagrangian Particle Dispersion Model
Authors: Stöckl Stefan , Rotach Mathias W. , Kljun Natascha
Published: July 2022

In this study we introduce a novel extension of an existing Lagrangian particle dispersion model for application over urban areas by explicitly taking into account the urban canopy layer. As commonly done, the original model uses the zero-plane displacement as a lower boundary condition, while the extension reaches to the ground. To achieve this, spatially-averaged parametrizations of flow and turbulence characteristics are created by fitting functions to observational and numerical data. The extended model is verified with respect to basic model assumptions (well-mixed condition) and its behaviour is investigated for unstable/neutral/stable atmospheric stabilities. A sensitivity study shows that the newly introduced model parameters characterizing the canopy turbulence impact the model output less than previously existing model parameters. Comparing concentration predictions to the Basel Urban Boundary Layer Experiment—where concentrations were measured near roof level—shows that the modified model performs slightly better than the original model. More importantly, the extended model can also be used to explicitly treat surface sources (traffic) and assess concentrations within the urban canopy and near the surface (pedestrian level). The small improvement with respect to roof level concentrations suggests that the parametrized canopy profiles for flow and turbulence characteristics realistically represent the dispersion environment on average.
Recursive SQL and GPU-support for in-database machine learning
Authors: Schüle Maximilian E. , Lang Harald , Springer Maximilian , Kemper Alfons , Neumann Thomas , Günnemann Stephan
Published: July 2022

In machine learning, continuously retraining a model guarantees accurate predictions based on the latest data as training input. But to retrieve the latest data from a database, time-consuming extraction is necessary as database systems have rarely been used for operations such as matrix algebra and gradient descent. In this work, we demonstrate that SQL with recursive tables makes it possible to express a complete machine learning pipeline out of data preprocessing, model training and its validation. To facilitate the specification of loss functions, we extend the code-generating database system Umbra by an operator for automatic differentiation for use within recursive tables: With the loss function expressed in SQL as a lambda function, Umbra generates machine code for each partial derivative. We further use automatic differentiation for a dedicated gradient descent operator, which generates LLVM code to train a user-specified model on GPUs. We fine-tune GPU kernels at hardware level to allow a higher throughput and propose non-blocking synchronisation of multiple units. In our evaluation, automatic differentiation accelerated the runtime by the number of cached subexpressions compared to compiling each derivative separately. Our GPU kernels with independent models allowed maximal throughput even for small batch sizes, making machine learning pipelines within SQL more competitive.
The Swedish military conscription register: opportunities for its use in medical research
Authors: Ludvigsson Jonas F. , Berglind Daniel , Sundquist Kristina , Sundström Johan , Tynelius Per , Neovius Martin
Published: July 2022

In Sweden, conscription around age 18y was mandatory for young men until June 30, 2010. From July 1, 2017, it became mandatory again for both sexes but the proportion of summoned people for standardised testing has so far been low. This paper describes the history, structure and content of the Swedish Military Conscription Register (SMCR). We retrieved information about the SMCR from written sources and through e-mail interviews with key personnel at the Swedish Defence Conscription and Assessment Agency. We also analysed data from the SMCR between 1969 and 2018. Between 1969 and 2018 the SMCR contains digital data on approximately 2 million individuals (98.6% men). Most conscripts were born between 1951 and 1988 (n = 1,900,000; tested between 1969 and 2006). For the 1951–1987 birth cohorts, the register has a population coverage of approximately 90% for men. Conscripts underwent written tests focusing on verbal, spatial, logical and technical ability, medical, physical, and psychological tests. The medical assessment included hearing, vision, muscle and exercise capacity, height, weight, blood pressure and resting heart rate. The SMCR has been widely used to study, e.g., obesity, cardiovascular disease, mental health, crime, cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, sick leave and disability pension. Severe disease could qualify for exemption from military service. Thus, the prevalence of such diseases is underestimated in the SMCR population. Between 1990 and 2018, about 25,000 women also volunteered for testing. The SMCR contains population-based data on physical and psychological health in about 90% of all men born between 1951 and 1987 (corresponding to testing between 1969 and 2006), and can be used to address a host of research questions.
Objective Phenomenology
Authors: Lee Andrew Y.
Published: July 2022

This paper examines the idea of objective phenomenology, or a way of understanding the phenomenal character of conscious experiences that doesn’t require one to have had the kinds of experiences under consideration. My central thesis is that structural facts about experience—facts that characterize purely how conscious experiences are structured—are objective phenomenal facts. I begin by precisifying the idea of objective phenomenology and diagnosing what makes any given phenomenal fact subjective. Then I defend the view that structural facts about experience are objective. I also argue that structural facts about experience, despite being objective, nevertheless still give rise to an explanatory gap.
On the change of risk aversion in wealth: a field experiment in a closed economic system
Authors: Huber Tobias , Jaspersen Johannes G. , Richter Andreas , Strümpel Dennis
Published: July 2022

How does risk aversion change in wealth? To answer this question, we implemented a field experiment in the form of a free-to-play mobile game. Players made lottery choices at various points in the game and at different levels of in-game wealth. Since the game was designed as a closed economic system, that is, wealth could not be transferred into or out of the game, only in-game wealth was relevant for players’ choices. Analyzing the choices of over 2000 players, we find evidence for decreasing absolute risk aversion and decreasing relative risk aversion. We also find evidence of an “always safe” heuristic in a subgroup of decisions and observe a tendency of players to act according to the “hot hand fallacy”. Our research design allows us to exclude inertia and lets us analyze lottery stakes of significant size relative to in-game wealth. Our results render implications for theoretical research, empirical studies, and for the optimal design of financial products.
Population structure and microhabitat preference of a threatened freshwater mussel, Westralunio carteri, in south-western Australia
Authors: Ma Le , Beatty Stephen J. , Morgan David L. , Lymbery Alan J.
Published: July 2022

Freshwater mussels are important functional components of aquatic ecosystems.Westralunio carteriis a threatened freshwater mussel species, endemic to south-western Australia, which has suffered a recent, dramatic decline in range. The density, size structure and distribution of adult mussels of this species within river reaches were investigated using quadrat searches and modelled against a range of microhabitat factors. Mussels were found from 26 sites in 14 different rivers at a mean density of 28.4 ± 2.3 individuals m−2. The distribution ofW. carteriwas highly aggregated within river reaches. The most important factors explaining mussel distribution were substrate grain size, substrate debris and distance from the riverbank, with finer substrate, the presence of woody debris and proximity to the riverbank associated with greater abundance of mussels. In all rivers where mussels were found, most populations appeared to be actively recruiting. However, no mussels were found in six sites, despite them having been recorded as present within the last 20 years, which suggests that the range of the species is still in decline. The identification of microhabitat requirements forW. carteriwill assist in identifying suitable release sites for translocation and/or captive propagation, which may be required to prevent extinction of the species.
Compact Remote Spectral Terahertz Imager
Authors: Fedorov K. , Karataev P. , Sahafi P. , Antonov I. , Asada M. , Antonov V. N.
Published: July 2022

We report on development of an array of spectral sensitive detectors cooled down to 70 K by the compact cryocooler. The spectral sensitive operation of the detectors, explored between 0.16 THz and 0.22 THz, is due to the resonant excitation of the plasma waves in the two-dimensional electron gas of GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructure. A typical responsivity of the detectors is 0.01 A/W at 70 K while it increases by two orders of magnitude when the detector array is cooled down to 0.5 K. The photo-response has surprisingly a narrow peak of spectral sensitivity,$$\sim$$∼2–5%, which are highly likely due to the dimensional resonances of the plasma waves. As a demonstration of the spectral sensitive operation we detect a spectral feature of LiNbO$$_{3}$$3crystal at 0.174 THz.
Identification of HPr kinase/phosphorylase inhibitors: novel antimicrobials against resistant Enterococcus faecalis
Authors: Kumar Sandeep , Bhadane Rajendra , Shandilya Shruti , Salo-Ahen Outi M. H. , Kapila Suman
Published: July 2022

Enterococcus faecalis, a gram-positive bacterium, is among the most common nosocomial pathogens due to its limited susceptibility to antibiotics and its reservoir of the genes coding for virulence factors. Bacterial enzymes such as kinases and phosphorylases play important roles in diverse functions of a bacterial cell and, thus, are potential antibacterial drug targets. In Gram-positive bacteria, HPr Kinase/Phosphorylase (HPrK/P), a bifunctional enzyme is involved in the regulation of carbon catabolite repression by phosphorylating/dephosphorylating the histidine-containing phosphocarrier protein (HPr) at Ser46 residue. Deficiencies in HPrK/P function leads to severe defects in bacterial growth. This study aimed at identifying novel inhibitors of E. faecalis HPrK/P from a commercial compound library using structure-based virtual screening. The hit molecules were purchased and their effect on enzyme activity and growth of resistant E. faecalis was evaluated in vitro. Furthermore, docking and molecular dynamics simulations were performed to study the interactions of the hit compounds with HPrK/P. Among the identified hit molecules, two compounds inhibited the phosphorylation of HPr as well as significantly reduced the growth of resistant E. faecalis in vitro. These identified potential HPrK/P inhibitors open new research avenues towards the development of novel antimicrobials against resistant Gram-positive bacteria.
Oral anticoagulant underutilization among elderly patients with atrial fibrillation: insights from the United States Medicare database
Authors: Munir Muhammad Bilal , Hlavacek Patrick , Keshishian Allison , Guo Jennifer D. , Mallampati Rajesh , Ferri Mauricio , Russ Cristina , Emir Birol , Cato Matthew , Yuce Huseyin , Hsu Jonathan C.
Published: July 2022

Background

Oral anticoagulants (OACs) mitigate stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The study aim was to analyze prevalence and predictors of OAC underutilization.

Methods

Newly diagnosed AF patients with a CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥ 2 were identified from the US CMS Database (January 1, 2013–December 31, 2017). Patients were stratified based on having an OAC prescription versus not and the OAC prescription group was stratified by direct OAC (DOACs) versus warfarin. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine predictors of OAC underutilization.

Results

Among 1,204,507 identified AF patients, 617,611 patients (51.3%) were not prescribed an OAC during follow-up (mean: 2.4 years), and 586,896 patients (48.7%) were prescribed an OAC during this period (DOAC: 388,629 [66.2%]; warfarin: 198,267 [33.8%]). Age ≥ 85 years (odds ratio [OR] 0.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.55–0.56), female sex (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.95–0.96), Black race (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.77–0.79) and comorbidities such as gastrointestinal (GI; OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.41–0.44) and intracranial bleeding (OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.28–0.31) were associated with lower utilization of OACs. Furthermore, age ≥ 85 years (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.91–0.94), Black race (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.76–0.80), ischemic stroke (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.75–0.80), GI bleeding (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.68–0.77), and intracranial bleeding (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.65–0.80) predicted lower use of DOACs versus warfarin.

Conclusions

Although OAC therapy prescription is the standard of care for stroke prevention in AF patients, its overall utilization is still low among Medicare patients ≥ 65 years old, with specific patient characteristics that predict underutilization.
Relating wear stages in sheet metal forming based on short- and long-term force signal variations
Authors: Niemietz Philipp , Kornely Mia J. K. , Trauth Daniel , Bergs Thomas
Published: July 2022

Monitoring systems in sheet metal forming cannot rely on direct measurements of the physical condition of interest because the space between the die component and the material is inaccessible. Therefore, in order to gain further insight into the forming or stamping process, sensors must be used to detect auxiliary quantities such as acoustic emission and force that relate to the physical quantities of interest. While it is known that changes in force data are related to physical parameters of the process material, lubricant used, and geometry, the changes in data over large stroke series and their relationship to wear are the subject of this paper. Previously, force data from different wear conditions (artificially introduced into the system and not occurring in an industry-like environment) were used as input for clustering and classifying high and low wear force data. This paper contributes to fill the current research gap by isolating structural properties of data as indicators of wear growth to quantify the wear evolution during ongoing production in industry-like scenarios. The selected methods represent either established methods in sheet metal forming force data analysis, dimensionality reduction for local structure separation or generic feature extraction. The study is conducted on a set of four experiments with each containing about 3000 strokes.
Digging deeper: microbial communities in subsoil are strongly promoted by trees in temperate agroforestry systems
Authors: Beule Lukas , Guerra Victor , Lehtsaar Ena , Vaupel Anna
Published: July 2022

Aims

Temperate alley-cropping agroforestry systems maintain agricultural production while offering several environmental benefits. Central benefits of agroforestry systems such as the ‘safety-net’-role of the trees for leached nutrients are mainly due to processes occurring below the soil surface: the subsoil. Microorganisms in the subsoil may play a key role in the ‘safety-net’-function as they can improve the capturing and uptake of nutrients by the trees. Systematic investigations of microbial communities in temperate agroforestry systems, however, are restricted to topsoil.

Methods

We quantified bacteria, fungi, and functional groups of microorganisms in the topsoil and subsoil of two alley-cropping systems using real-time PCR. Topsoil and subsoil samples were collected in the tree rows and at multiple distances from the trees within the crop rows of the agroforestry systems as well as at an adjacent monoculture cropland.

Results

Microbial population size decreased with soil depth likely due to limited resource availability in subsoil. Tree rows in agroforestry systems not only promote soil microbial populations in both the topsoil and subsoil but the promotion also extends gradually into the crop rows of the systems. The promotion of microorganisms through trees is stronger in subsoil than topsoil, pointing at more intense resource scarcity in the subsoil than topsoil.

Conclusions

We propose that tree root-derived resources and root litter, which are scarce in agricultural subsoils, triggered the strong positive response of the subsoil community to the trees. Finally, we provide initial evidence that subsoil microorganisms contribute to the ‘safety-net’-role of the trees in agroforestry systems.
Spatiotemporally variable incident light, leaf photosynthesis, and yield across a greenhouse: fine-scale hemispherical photography and a photosynthesis model
Authors: Kimura Kensuke , Yasutake Daisuke , Koikawa Kota , Kitano Masaharu
Published: July 2022

Although greenhouse agriculture can generate high crop yields, they vary due to spatiotemporal differences in incident light and photosynthesis. To elucidate these dynamics, multipoint analysis of hemispheric images and a photosynthesis model were used to visualize the spatiotemporal distribution of photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) and leaf photosynthetic rate (A) and compared these with strawberry fruit yield in a greenhouse. This method enabled successful estimation of spatiotemporal variability in PPFD and A with relative root mean square errors of 4.4% and 11.0%, respectively. PPFD, captured at ca. 2 m resolution, varied diurnally and seasonally based on sun position and external light intensity. A showed less spatial variability, because it is reduced by physical and physiological mechanisms in the leaves at excessive leaf temperatures and becomes saturated at high PPFD. Yield spatial variability was better explained by A than by PPFD. The association between A and yield weakened over the cultivation period (R2 declined from 46% in winter to 12% in spring), thus suggesting that, over the cultivation period, factors such as photoassimilate availability replaced A as the primary limiting factor. The proposed method can be directly applied to other types of greenhouses, and the findings may facilitate spatiotemporal optimization in crop production, improving precision greenhouse agriculture.
An Inlet Computation Zone Optimization for EHL Line Contacts
Authors: Higashitani Yuko , Kawabata Sanemasa , Björling Marcus , Almqvist Andreas
Published: July 2022

Most EHL numerical calculation methods considering both starved and flooded conditions, employ a fixed multiple of the Hertzian radius for the normalization of the computational domain. These methods are often used to investigate the influence of the lubricant supply on friction etc., but the solutions obtained might be numerically starved. The present numerical calculation method utilizes an optimized normalization of the computational domain to ensure that the solutions obtained are not numerically starved. With this normalization method, the computational domain can be appropriately meshed, regardless of the variability in the inlet length due to changes in the operating conditions. This method can, therefore, be used to obtain accurate EHL film thickness and pressure data over a wide range of operating conditions.
Short-term outcomes after transplantation of deceased donor kidneys with acute kidney injury: a retrospective analysis of a multicenter cohort of marginal donor kidneys with post-explantation biopsies
Authors: Scurt Florian G. , Ernst Angela , Wassermann Tamara , Hammoud Ben , Mertens Peter R. , Schwarz Anke , Becker Jan U. , Chatzikyrkou Christos
Published: July 2022

Background

Deceased donor kidneys with acute kidney injury (AKI) are often discarded because of concerns about inferior transplant outcomes. A means of grading the quality of such kidneys is the performance of procurement biopsies.

Methods

This is a retrospective study of 221 brain death donors with marginal kidneys transplanted in 223 recipients in Germany. Marginal kidneys were defined as kidneys with procurement biopsies done exceptionally to assess suitability for transplantation in otherwise potentially discarded organs. The impact of deceased donor AKI on patient survival and death-censored graft survival at 1, 3 and 5 years and graft function at 1 and 3 years after transplantation was investigated.

Results

Recipients of kidneys with stage 3 AKI had a greater incidence of delayed graft function [DGF; ORStage 1: 1.435 (95% CI 0.438–0.702), ORStage 2: 2.463 (95% CI 0.656–9.245), ORStage 3: 4.784 (95% CI 1.421–16.101)] but a similar graft and patient survival compared to recipients of donors without AKI and with AKI stage 1 and 2 as well. The coexistence of recipient DGF and donor AKI was associated with the lowest graft survival and function rates.

Conclusion

The transplantation of deceased donor marginal kidneys with AKI confers a higher risk for DGF but is associated with acceptable graft and patient outcomes, which do not differ in comparison with marginal donor kidneys without AKI. Graft prognosis is especially poor if donor AKI and recipient DGF concur. Donor AKI was a risk factor independent of the histological lesions of procurement biopsies.
Pairwise Alignment of Archaeological Fragments Through Morphological Characterization of Fracture Surfaces
Authors: ElNaghy Hanan , Dorst Leo
Published: July 2022

We design a computational method to align pairs of counter-fitting fracture surfaces of digitized archaeological artefacts. The challenge is to achieve an accurate fit, even though the data is inherently lacking material through abrasion, missing geometry of the counterparts, and may have been acquired by different scanning practices. We propose to use the non-linear complementarity-preserving properties of Mathematical Morphology to guide the pairwise fitting in a manner inherently insensitive to these aspects. In our approach, the fracture surface is tightly bounded by a concise set of characteristic multi-local morphological features. Such features and their descriptors are computed by analysing the discrete distance transform and its causal scale-space information. This compact morphological representation provides the information required for accurately aligning the fracture surfaces through applying a RANSAC-based algorithm incorporating weighted Procrustes to the morphological features, followed by ICP on morphologically selected ‘flank’ regions. We propose new criteria for evaluating the resulting pairwise alignment quality, taking into consideration both penetration and gap regions. Careful quantitative evaluation on real terracotta fragments confirms the accuracy of our method under the expected archaeological noise. We show that our morphological method outperforms a recent linear pairwise alignment method and briefly discuss our limitations and the effects of variations in digitization and abrasion on our proposed alignment technique.
Impact of economic policy uncertainty, energy intensity, technological innovation and R&D on CO2 emissions: evidence from a panel of 18 developed economies
Authors: Vitenu-Sackey Prince Asare , Acheampong Theophilus
Published: July 2022

This study examines the impact of economic policy uncertainty (EPU) and ecological innovation on carbon (CO2) emissions in a panel of 18 developed countries from 2005 to 2018 using second-generation time-series panel data techniques. We use three robust long-run estimators, namely two-stage least squares (2SLS), panel generalised method of moments (GMM) and generalised least squares (GLS), to resolve heterogeneity, endogeneity and simultaneity in the panels. We further performed causality tests to ascertain the direction of causality between the variables. Our estimations suggest three innovative findings. First, economic growth contributes significantly and positively to CO2 emissions; however, this happens at an optimal level of growth after which carbon emission reduces, indicating that our sample exhibits an inverted U-shaped environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) relationship. Second, the impact of EPU on CO2 emissions is diverse: high levels of EPU have a significant influence on CO2 emissions only in high-polluting countries but not in low-polluting ones. Thirdly, research and development (R&D), foreign direct investment (FDI), urbanisation and renewable energy (RE) usage were also found to have varying effects on CO2 emissions. These findings highlight the heterogeneous relationship between carbon emissions and economic indicators even in advanced economies, as the pollution haven hypothesis (PHH) holds true in high-pollution countries while the pollution halo effect holds for low-pollution ones. A key policy implication of this work is that the quest to mitigate emissions should not be a one-size-fits-all approach because not every country’s urbanisation rate, FDI inflows, R&D and renewable energy consumption directly affect CO2 emissions in the face of economic policy uncertainties.