bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Beer, wine, and spirits differentially influence body composition in older white adults–a United Kingdom Biobank study
Authors: Larsen Brittany A. , Klinedinst Brandon S. , Le Scott T. , Pappas Colleen , Wolf Tovah , Meier Nathan F. , Lim Ye‐Lim , Willette Auriel A.
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND

Aging is characterized by body composition alterations, including increased visceral adiposity accumulation and bone loss. Alcohol consumption may partially drive these alterations, but findings are mixed. This study primarily aimed to investigate whether different alcohol types (beer/cider, red wine, white wine/Champagne, spirits) differentially associated with body composition.

METHODS

The longitudinal UK Biobank study leveraged 1869 White participants (40–80 years; 59% male). Participants self‐reported demographic, alcohol/dietary consumption, and lifestyle factors using a touchscreen questionnaire. Anthropometrics and serum for proteomics were collected. Body composition was obtained via dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry. Structural equation modeling was used to probe direct/indirect associations between alcohol types, cardiometabolic biomarkers, and body composition.

RESULTS

Greater beer/spirit consumptions were associated with greater visceral adiposity (β = 0.069, p < 0.001 and β = 0.014, p < 0.001, respectively), which was driven by dyslipidemia and insulin resistance. In contrast, drinking more red wine was associated with less visceral adipose mass (β = −0.023, p < 0.001), which was driven by reduced inflammation and elevated high‐density lipoproteins. White wine consumption predicted greater bone density (β = 0.051, p < 0.005).

DISCUSSION

Beer/spirits may partially contribute to the “empty calorie” hypothesis related to adipogenesis, while red wine may help protect against adipogenesis due to anti‐inflammatory/eulipidemic effects. Furthermore, white wine may benefit bone health in older White adults.1
Mother‐child cardiometabolic health 4–10 years after pregnancy complicated by obesity with and without gestational diabetes
Authors: Martin Samantha L. , Zhang Li , Callahan Makenzie L. , Bahorski Jessica , Lewis Cora E. , Hidalgo Bertha A. , Durant Nefertiti , Harper Lorie M. , Battarbee Ashley N. , Habegger Kirk , Moore Bethany A. , Everett Alysha , Aslibekyan Stella , Sertie Rogerio , Yi Nengjun , Garvey W. Timothy , Chandler‐Laney Paula
Published: February 2022

Objective

Obesity in pregnancy and gestational diabetes (GDM) increase cardiometabolic disease risk but are difficult to disentangle. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that 4–10 years after a pregnancy complicated by overweight/obesity and GDM (OB‐GDM), women and children would have greater adiposity and poorer cardiometabolic health than those with overweight/obesity (OB) or normal weight (NW) and no GDM during the index pregnancy.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional study, mother‐child dyads were stratified into three groups based on maternal health status during pregnancy (OB‐GDM = 67; OB = 76; NW = 76). Weight, height, waist and hip circumferences, and blood pressure were measured, along with fasting glucose, insulin, HbA1c, lipids, adipokines, and cytokines.

Results

Women in the OB and OB‐GDM groups had greater current adiposity and poorer cardiometabolic health outcomes than those in the NW group (p < 0.05). After adjusting for current adiposity, women in the OB‐GDM group had higher HbA1c, glucose, HOMA‐IR and triglycerides than NW and OB groups (p < 0.05). Among children, adiposity was greater in the OB‐GDM versus NW group (p < 0.05), but other indices of cardiometabolic health did not differ.

Conclusions

Poor cardiometabolic health in women with prior GDM is independent of current adiposity. Although greater adiposity among children exposed to GDM is evident at 4–10 years, differences in cardiometabolic health may not emerge until later.
Changes in the developmental status of preschoolers with sickle cell disease
Authors: Johnston Julia D. , Schatz Jeffrey , Bills Sarah E.
Published: February 2022

Developmental monitoring and screening are recommended strategies for identifying children with sickle cell disease at high risk for cerebrovascular complications. Studies examining developmental screenings have provided little data on change over time. We examined screenings longitudinally in 43 children screened as two‐year‐olds and four‐year‐olds using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, 2nd edition. Only two‐thirds of children had stable screening outcomes. A new onset of cerebrovascular complications predicted the emergence of developmental delay (P = 0.017). Multivariate analysis suggested a benefit from formal developmental interventions. Regular developmental screening during the preschool period is important to identify systematic changes in developmental status.
Aromatherapy massage seems effective in critically ill children: an observational before‐after study
Authors: van der Heijden Marianne J. E. , O’Flaherty Linda‐Anne , van Rosmalen Joost , de Vos Simone , McCulloch Mignon , van Dijk Monique
Published: February 2022

Children treated in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) are at risk of distress and pain. This study investigated if aromatherapy massage can reduce children's distress and improve comfort. This observational before‐after study was performed in a 22‐bed PICU in Cape Town, South Africa. The aromatherapy massage consisted of soft massaging using the “M‐technique” and a 1% blend of essential oils of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), German Chamomile (Matricatia recutita) and Neroli (Citrus aurantium) mixed with a grapeseed carrier oil. All present children were eligible, except those who had recently returned, were asleep or deemed unstable. The primary outcome was distress measured with the COMFORT‐Behavior scale (COMFORT‐B). Secondary outcomes were heart rate, oxygen saturation (SatO2), the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)‐Anxiety and pain assessed by the NRS‐Pain scale. Outcomes variables were evaluated with Wilcoxon signed‐rank test and multiple regression analysis. The intervention was applied to 111 children, fifty‐one of whom (45.9%) were younger than three years old. The group median COMFORT‐B score before intervention was 15 (IQR 12–19), versus 10 (IQR 6–14) after intervention. Heart rate and NRS‐Anxiety were significantly lower after the intervention (P < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis showed that interrupted massages were less effective than the uninterrupted massages. Parental presence did not influence the outcome variables. We did not find a significant change on the NRS‐Pain scale or for SatO2. Aromatherapy massage appears beneficial in reducing distress, as measured by the COMFORT‐B scale, heart rate and the NRS‐Anxiety scale, in critically ill children. Thus, the potential of aromatherapy in clinical practice deserves further consideration.
Promise unfulfilled: Implementing web‐based psychological therapy in routine cancer care, a qualitative study of oncology health professionals’ attitudes
Authors: Davies Fiona , Harris Marnie , Shepherd Heather L. , Butow Phyllis , Beatty Lisa , Kemp Emma , Shaw Joanne
Published: February 2022

Background

Web‐based mental health interventions (e‐MhIs) show promise for increasing accessibility and acceptability of therapy for cancer patients.

Aim

This study aimed to elicit health professionals' (HPs) views on optimal models for including e‐MhIs within standard cancer care.

Materials & Method

Cancer HPs who worked in a service where an e‐MhI was available to patients, and multi‐disciplinary HPs interested in supportive care, were invited to participate via email. In semi‐structured phone interviews, participants' views on e‐MhIs were elicited. They were then presented with five model vignettes varying in local and centralised staff input, and asked to indicate their preference and views on each. A thematic analysis was applied to the data.

Results

Twelve nurses, nine psychologists, seven social workers, and three oncologists participated. Four key themes were identified: looking after patients, relationships and multidisciplinary care, trust, and feasibility, all contributing to a meta‐theme of tension. Participants were motivated to ensure optimal patient outcomes and thus needed to trust the intervention content and process. They believed personal relationships increased patient engagement while affording greater work satisfaction for HPs. Most participants preferred a fully integrated model of care involving local HP assessment and design of a tailored therapy incorporating some e‐MhI components where appropriate, but recognised this gold standard was likely not feasible given current resources.

Discussion and Conclusion

Co‐design with local staff of optimal models of care for the content and process of implementing e‐MhIs is required, with due consideration of the patient group, staffing levels, local workflows and HP preferences, to ensure sustainability and optimal patient outcomes.

Clinical Trial Registration

The ADAPT Cluster RCT is registered with the ANZCTR Registration number: ACTRN12617000411347.
Review of the layer of protection analysis results after process safety incidents
Authors: Essl Hans Juergen , Sandholzer Daniel , Werner Leonhard , Zimmer Georg
Published: February 2022

The layer of protection analysis (LOPA) is a well‐established and valuable tool to assess process risk in a plant. Due to the complexity of the method, the composition of the team evaluating a safety scenario bears the inherent risk of subjective judgment and may influence the outcome significantly. Factors influencing the results of the analysis are the experience and knowledge of team members, but also national regulations and standards. Thus, LOPA gives a good basis for process safety risks but needs to be accompanied by additional considerations. The aim of this paper is to share experiences of the practical application of LOPA in existing plants and review scenarios of Process Safety Incidents. The comparison of results between five Borealis ammonia plants located in France and Austria has revealed significant differences in approach and result.
Low fertility spread in China: A blended adaptation and diffusion explanation
Authors: Wu Xiwei , Yu Danlin , Zhang Yaojun , Li Ding , Wang Xiaoxi
Published: February 2022

Based on blended diffusion theory which reconciles the two mechanisms of fertility change (due to adaptation to social structure change or due to diffusion), this study examines the role of adaptation and diffusion of China's low fertility in the first decade of the 21st century. A two‐period panel data set on fertility for 358 prefecture‐level administrative units assembled in 2000 and 361 in 2010 population census is used. Exploratory and confirmatory analysis techniques from spatial econometrics are applied to analyze this data. Results from exploratory spatial data analysis reveal a general spatial autocorrelation for fertility and its change. Inspection with local indicators of spatial autocorrelation identifies local spatial clusters of fertility: high‐value clusters in the western region and low‐value clusters in northeastern and east coast areas. Total fertility rates and its change are modelled with socioeconomic and demographic factors using a spatial lag Durbin model. The results suggest that the spread of low fertility in China tends to be consistent with blended diffusion theory. Low fertility in China not only adapts to economic growth, social development and even institution structure, but also influenced by diffusion of new attitudes and ideas related to childbearing and family formation. More importantly, adaptation diffuses too. Socioeconomic circumstances in neighbouring cities often are strongly interdependent. This study highlights the importance of ‘bringing space back’ to demographic research.
From rural exodus to repopulation in Mexico's Mixteca Alta? Analyzing differential trends
Authors: Lorenzen Matthew
Published: February 2022

This paper analyzes differential trends in rural depopulation and repopulation in nine municipalities of Mexico's Mixteca Alta region, in the southern state of Oaxaca, based on census data and interviews carried out in 2019. From 1950 to 2000, the study area experienced a substantial loss of population, linked essentially to out‐migration to Mexico City. However, from 2000 to 2020, four of the municipalities regained population, while the remaining five continued losing residents. This repopulation is explained by a declining but still positive natural population growth combined with less out‐migration and slightly more in‐migration, linked to growing return migration. However, in‐migration is too small to meaningfully explain the transition from massive depopulation to repopulation, meaning that concepts such as counterurbanization and rurbanization are not easily transposed onto the study area, as they centre their attention on the in‐migration of former urban dwellers. The paper thus highlights the importance of population retention—explained by local tertiarization, the possibility of commuting to nearby small cities, and the weakening of traditional pull factors—as key to understanding rural repopulation in the study area.
Action of Matricaria recutita (chamomile) in the management of radiochemotherapy oral mucositis: A systematic review
Authors: de Lima Dantas Juliana Borges , Freire Tila Fortuna Costa , Sanches Ana Carla Barletta , Julião Erielma Lomba Dias , Medrado Alena Ribeiro Alves Peixoto , Martins Gabriela Botelho
Published: February 2022

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of topical chamomile in the prevention and/or treatment of oral mucositis (OM) in cancer patients. It was a systematic review, which sought articles of the randomized clinical trial according to the PRISMA parameters, registered in the PROSPERO. The databases used were PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Bireme. Descriptors were selected from DeCs/MeSH and the PICO strategy was applied. The search found 148 publications. After all the steps, six articles were selected. The total sample included 492 patients and all studies used the same OM measurement scale. The results showed that the application of topical chamomile was effective in the prevention and/or treatment of OM in four of the six studies, with a dose ranging from 1% to 2.5% and duration that ranged from single to 4 times a day. Some limitations were observed: the minimum age of the patients was not informed, and there was no specification of the sites involved or the chemotherapies used. The application of topical chamomile in the preventive/therapeutic of chemo‐induced OM seems to be recommended. In addition, scientific production should be encouraged, as it aims to determine useful protocols for this phytotherapy for the oncology population.
How does the extent of fibrosis in adenomyosis lesions contribute to heavy menstrual bleeding?
Authors: Huang Qingqing , Liu Xishi , Critchley Hilary , Fu Zhongpeng , Guo Sun‐Wei
Published: February 2022

Purpose

To investigate how the extent of fibrosis in adenomyosis lesions contributes to heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB).

Methods

We recruited 57 women with histologically confirmed adenomyosis, 29 of whom reported moderate/heavy bleeding (MHB) (menstrual blood loss (MBL) ≥20 but <100 mL) and the remaining 28, excessive MBL (EXB; ≥100 mL). Lesional stiffness was measured by transvaginal elastosonography. Full‐thickness uterine tissue columns containing the lesion and its neighboring endometrial‐myometrial interface (EMI) and endometrial tissues were evaluated for tissue fibrosis and immunohistochemical analysis of HIF‐1α, COX‐2, EP2, and EP4.

Results

The lesional stiffness in the EXB group was significantly higher than that of MHB, and consistently, the extent of lesional fibrosis and the extent of tissue fibrosis in both EMI and eutopic endometrium were also significantly higher. In adenomyotic lesions and their neighboring EMI and eutopic endometrial tissues, the immunostaining of HIF‐1α, COX‐2, EP2, and EP4 was significantly reduced. The extent of fibrosis and the immunostaining levels of HIF‐1α, COX‐2, EP2, and EP4 were negatively correlated in all tissues.

Conclusions

Lesional fibrosis begets stiffening matrix, propagating fibrosis to neighboring EMI and eutopic endometrium, resulting in reduced PGE2 and HIF‐1α signaling, and thus likely reduced hypoxia necessary for endometrial repair, leading to HMB.
Multifold Integration of Printed and Holographic Meta‐Image Displays Enabled by Dual‐Degeneracy
Authors: Zhou Zhou , Wang Yiqun , Chen Chen , Fu Rao , Guan Zhiqiang , Li Zile , Zheng Guoxing , Yu Shaohua
Published: February 2022

By virtue of the unprecedented ability of manipulating the optical parameters, metasurfaces open up a new avenue for realizing ultra‐compact image displays, e.g., nanoprinting on the surface and holographic displaying in the far‐field. The multifold integration of these two functions into a single metasurface can undoubtedly expand the functionality and increase the information capacity. In this study, a minimalist tri‐channel metasurface is proposed and experimentally demonstrated with multifold integration of printed and holographic displaying, which can generate two N‐bit grayscale images and a four‐step holographic image simultaneously. Benefiting from exploiting the degeneracy of energy allocation and the degeneracy of nanostructure orientations, the functionalities of nanoprinting and holography are combined without the need of a large amount of nanostructures with varied dimensions, which would facilitate both the metasurface design and fabrication. The proposed scheme provides a new idea in enhancing the functionality and capacity of metasurfaces without complicating their design, which has promising prospects for applications in ultra‐compact image displays, high‐density optical storage, optical anti‐counterfeiting and many other related fields.
3D Vertically Aligned Microchannel Three‐Layer All Ceramic Lithium Ion Battery for High‐Rate and Long‐Cycle Electrochemical Energy Storage
Authors: Ji Shuaijing , Wang Xinjian , Li Kunze , Huan Yu , Ma Guanjun , Su Yuanhui , Wei Tao
Published: February 2022

Due to the growing energy and safety demands, rechargeable all‐solid‐state Li+ batteries using metallic Li anode and ceramic‐based electrolytes have attracted extensive attentions. However, the inherent safety problem of Li metal anode, the ceramic‐electrode low Li+ conductivity, and the high electrolyte/electrode solid–solid interfacial impedance slow the development of high‐performance all‐solid‐state batteries. In this work, a three‐layer all ceramic battery with Li4Ti5O12 ceramic as anode, LiCoO2 as cathode, and Li0.34La0.56TiO3 as electrolyte to solve the safety problem is proposed. The low Li+ conductivity of electrodes are effectively addressed by fabricating the electrode/electrolyte composite electrodes in 3D vertically aligned microchannel structures. The large interfacial impedance is greatly reduced by co‐constructing the microchannel‐dense‐microchannel structure with high Li+ conducting electrolytes. Experimental results reveal that a working cell by applying the 3D vertically aligned microchannel three‐layer all ceramic structure enables high energy storage at 2 C rate and long cycling stability for more than 500 times.
Plasmonic LAMP: Improving the Detection Specificity and Sensitivity for SARS‐CoV‐2 by Plasmonic Sensing of Isothermally Amplified Nucleic Acids
Authors: Ye Haihang , Nowak Chance , Liu Yaning , Li Yi , Zhang Tingting , Bleris Leonidas , Qin Zhenpeng
Published: February 2022

The ability to detect pathogens specifically and sensitively is critical to combat infectious diseases outbreaks and pandemics. Colorimetric assays involving loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) provide simple readouts yet suffer from the intrinsic non‐template amplification. Herein, a highly specific and sensitive assay relying on plasmonic sensing of LAMP amplicons via DNA hybridization, termed as plasmonic LAMP, is developed for the severe acute respiratory syndrome‐related coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) RNA detection. This work has two important advances. First, gold and silver (Au–Ag) alloy nanoshells are developed as plasmonic sensors that have 4‐times stronger extinction in the visible wavelengths and give a 20‐times lower detection limit for oligonucleotides over Au counterparts. Second, the integrated method allows cutting the complex LAMP amplicons into short repeats that are amendable for hybridization with oligonucleotide‐functionalized Au–Ag nanoshells. In the SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA detection, plasmonic LAMP takes ≈75 min assay time, achieves a detection limit of 10 copies per reaction, and eliminates the contamination from non‐template amplification. It also shows better detection specificity and sensitivity over commercially available LAMP kits due to the additional sequence identification. This work opens a new route for LAMP amplicon detection and provides a method for virus testing at its early representation.
An Investigation into the Effective Removal of VOCs Released from Wood Drying using Rare Metal‐Organic Frameworks
Authors: Hu Zichu , An Yuhong , Zhang Wanqi , Zhong Yuan , Chen Zhangjing , Wang Boyun , Wang Sunguo , Wang Qiang , Li Xinran , Zhang Xiaotao , Wang Ximing
Published: February 2022

This work reported the synthesis of Ce‐MOF and Nd‐MOF adsorption materials using the solvothermal method with the rare earth metals Ce3+ and Nd3+ as the particle center and discussed the adsorption effect of the two synthesized nanomaterials on the VOCs released by dry wood. The porous morphology of the material increases the benzene gas contact area. The maximum adsorption capacity of benzene, according to the Langmuir model, is 128.98 mg/g and 132.22 mg/g, respectively. The method has a large adsorption capacity, good adsorption effect, non‐toxic and harmless, low recycling cost, recyclable multiple times, simple operation, stable structure, no secondary environmental pollution, etc., and has good application prospects in the wood drying industry.
Reaction of 2,6‐Bis(diazaboryl)pyridine with Alkyls of Lithium, Zinc and Magnesium
Authors: Rommel Valentin M. L. , Fix Jana M. , Böttcher Tobias
Published: February 2022

The reactivity of 2,6‐bis(diazaboryl)pyridine (dab2py) with the metal alkyls MeLi, Et2Zn and n‐Bu2Mg is reported. In all reactions, the alkylation of one boron atom of dab2py was observed to yield a new type of anionic pyridine ligand, which forms the respective adducts with [Li(OEt2)]+, [ZnEt]+ or [Mg(n‐Bu)]+. The alkylation of the boron atom results in a tetrahedral geometry, which allows for both amine nitrogen atoms to participate in the coordination. The products are highly soluble in all common solvents including alkanes. The reactivity is compared with the one already reported for unsubstituted pyridine, which is alkylated at the 2‐position by treatment with MeLi. The reaction of these metal alkyls with the popular terdentate 2,6‐diiminopyridine ligand (DIMPY) were previously reported to yield N‐alkylated anionic ligands, which subsequently undergo alkyl‐migration or deprotonation reactions. Single crystal XRD was performed on the products obtained from the reaction with MeLi and Et2Zn. Attempts to grow crystals for the respective magnesium alkyl complex in a dry ice box yielded a dinuclear complex bridged by two valerate groups instead.
Urban Metabolism Evaluation Methods: Life Cycle Assessment and Territorial Regeneration
Authors: De Toro Pasquale , Iodice Silvia
Published: February 2022

Urban Metabolism (UM) is a scientific phenomenon that comprises individual processes taking place in all cities at different spatial and temporal scales and that is based on the principle of conserving mass and energy. Analysing the metabolism of a city allows one to evaluate the impacts of urban functioning, taking into account the flows of energy, water, nutrients and waste and the materials in general that circulate within a city, and contributing to a multidimensional assessment of sustainability. Many authors have explored the phenomenon of UM and experimented with indices and evaluation methods, but there is still no consensus on the best assessment methods to use.

The present paper presents an overview of UM assessment methods, particularly Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and its possible uses for supporting territorial regeneration. A literature analysis is conducted of the evolution of this method in relation to scales that are different from the single product scale. LCA aims to assess the environmental impacts of the life cycles of single industrial products and services, but over the years it has gained increased attention in the urban planning field. Life cycle, in general, refers to all the phases that characterise the life of elements, comprising not only a single product, but extending this concept also to the wider territorial system. The concept of the life cycle of territorial systems is related to the evolution of the territory as a heritage and as a system of environmental, social and economic resources and services, whose transformation is linked to the different forms of governance. The territorial life cycle is formed by interconnected phases, referred to as the sub-systems of the resources and performance of a territory, that follow a predefined plan scenario. Consequently, the life cycle concept can be compared to that of change and it is closely linked to the analogy of ecosystems and the urban environment, which views the city as an entity in constant transformation.

In the last few years, there has been an increase in activity in the LCA application field, with the introduction of scale variations and of the distinction between applications at the level of the single product and applications at the meso and macro levels. In other words, this approach is evolving and applications and hypotheses involving scales different from the micro scale are becoming popular.

In this regard, extending the LCA tool to a meso perspective on a municipal scale or an individual urban district scale could prove to be a valid tool for assessing the sustainability of a territory with regard to the metabolic flows and the evolution of its life cycle.
Adaptive Management to Reduce Nest Inundation of a Critically Endangered Freshwater Turtle: Confirming the Win-win
Authors: Espinoza Tom , Marshall Sharon M. , Limpus Duncan J. , Limpus Col J. , McDougall Andrew J.
Published: February 2022

Inundation of Australian freshwater turtle nests has been identified as a threat to recruitment and long-term viability of species such as the critically endangered white-throated snapping turtle (Elseya albagula). Water level fluctuations within water storage infrastructure can inundate significant proportions of E. albagula nests in any year. Using an ecological risk assessment framework, operating rules for a water storage in the Burnett River (South East Queensland, Australia) were implemented to support nesting of E. albagula. Turtles were encouraged to nest at higher elevations on riverbanks by maintaining higher water levels in the impoundment during the nesting season, followed by lowering of water levels during the incubation period to minimise rates of nest inundation from riverine inflows. To verify the success of the new rules, a three-year confirmation monitoring program of nest heights and water levels was undertaken. Results of confirmation monitoring showed that 3% (2018), 11% (2019) and 0% (2020) of E. albagula nests were inundated under the new operating rules, compared to previously estimated nest inundation rates of >20% in ~24% of years of a 118-year simulation period (1890–2008) under previous storage operating rules. Emergency releases from an upstream storage in 2019 and 2020 for dam safety did not affect the success of the rule, demonstrating its resilience to natural and artificial flow regimes. This study demonstrates the importance of confirmation monitoring in verifying the efficacy of targeted changes to water management, and highlights potential application across other water storage infrastructure with threatened freshwater turtle populations requiring adaptive management.
Continuous and Discrete Radius Functions on Voronoi Tessellations and Delaunay Mosaics
Authors: Biswas Ranita , Cultrera di Montesano Sebastiano , Edelsbrunner Herbert , Saghafian Morteza
Published: February 2022

The Voronoi tessellation in $${{{\mathbb {R}}}}^d$$

R

d

is defined by locally minimizing the power distance to given weighted points. Symmetrically, the Delaunay mosaic can be defined by locally maximizing the negative power distance to other such points. We prove that the average of the two piecewise quadratic functions is piecewise linear, and that all three functions have the same critical points and values. Discretizing the two piecewise quadratic functions, we get the alpha shapes as sublevel sets of the discrete function on the Delaunay mosaic, and analogous shapes as superlevel sets of the discrete function on the Voronoi tessellation. For the same non-critical value, the corresponding shapes are disjoint, separated by a narrow channel that contains no critical points but the entire level set of the piecewise linear function.
Integral input-to-state stability of unbounded bilinear control systems
Authors: Hosfeld René , Jacob Birgit , Schwenninger Felix L.
Published: February 2022

We study integral input-to-state stability of bilinear systems with unbounded control operators and derive natural sufficient conditions. The results are applied to a bilinearly controlled Fokker–Planck equation.
The potential of advanced MR techniques for precision radiotherapy of glioblastoma
Authors: Tang Patrick L. Y. , Méndez Romero Alejandra , Jaspers Jaap P. M. , Warnert Esther A. H.
Published: February 2022

As microscopic tumour infiltration of glioblastomas is not visible on conventional magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, an isotropic expansion of 1–2 cm around the visible tumour is applied to define the clinical target volume for radiotherapy. An opportunity to visualize microscopic infiltration arises with advanced MR imaging. In this review, various advanced MR biomarkers are explored that could improve target volume delineation for radiotherapy of glioblastomas. Various physiological processes in glioblastomas can be visualized with different advanced MR techniques. Combining maps of oxygen metabolism (CMRO2), relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV), vessel size imaging (VSI), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) or amide proton transfer (APT) can provide early information on tumour infiltration and high-risk regions of future recurrence. Oxygen consumption is increased 6 months prior to tumour progression being visible on conventional MR imaging. However, presence of the Warburg effect, marking a switch from an infiltrative to a proliferative phenotype, could result in CMRO2 to appear unaltered in high-risk regions. Including information on biomarkers representing angiogenesis (rCBV and VSI) and hypercellularity (ADC) or protein concentration (APT) can omit misinterpretation due to the Warburg effect. Future research should evaluate these biomarkers in radiotherapy planning to explore the potential of advanced MR techniques to personalize target volume delineation with the aim to improve local tumour control and/or reduce radiation-induced toxicity.
The level of water in the river flowing through the breeding site shapes the body condition of a lekking bird—the Great Snipe Gallinago media
Authors: Witkowska Marta , Pinchuk Pavel , Meissner Włodzimierz , Karlionova Natalia , Marynkiewicz Zuzanna
Published: February 2022

The display of lekking Great Snipe males is an energetically demanding activity and therefore, access to the rich feeding sites in the proximity of their leks is essential. During the breeding season, Great Snipes mostly prey on earthworms, whose availability is affected by moisture and penetrability of the soil. In this study, we investigated the relation between the body condition of displaying Great Snipe males and the water level of the river flowing through their breeding grounds, which can affect soil characteristics. We found that the body condition of males decreased over the course of the lekking period in May, showing the great energetic expenditure of their advertising display in courtship. The high water level in the river resulted in the increase in body condition of birds, probably due to improved prey availability, as earthworms moved closer to the ground surface in search of optimal conditions. Further rise in the water level caused flooding of the meadow and a decrease in the body condition of lekking Great Snipes, possibly because of the deterioration of feeding condition, as earthworms tend to leave flooded areas. Moreover, as the flooded area enlarged, the floodplain became inaccessible for foraging Great Snipes, due to their relatively short legs restricting them from wading in deep water. Our results show that for the lowland leks of the Great Snipe to be preserved it is advisable to allow for the natural water level fluctuations in the river shaping the hydrological conditions of the floodplains.
Forced interruption and reunion: the effect of COVID-pandemic related restrictions on ongoing psychodrama groups in Hungary
Authors: Szathmári Edit , Ferencz Veronika , Kiss Orhidea Edith
Published: February 2022

The COVID-pandemic measures, restricting physical distancing and lockdown in 2020, had fundamental effects on all aspects of life, including face-to-face group methods, like psychodrama. This situation provided a unique opportunity to study the effects of unavoidable environmental interruptions on psychodrama groups and the leaders’ roles and responses in such situations. We invited Hungarian psychodrama leaders to describe their experiences with their ongoing groups. They completed two online questionnaires; the first was after the initial lock-down and the second during the next wave of the pandemic. Results showed the risk factors and protection regarding the stress on leaders during the interruption and their immediate and lasting consequences after the reunion of the group. In addition, to using role reversal and mirror technique questions, the emerging themes and patterns of their experiences and their key learning regarding interruption and online group sessions were also identified.
New records of Xenanoetus species (Astigmata: Histiostomatidae) in Western Europe, and their association with pig carcasses
Authors: Hani Medjedline , Saloña-Bordas Marta I. , Perotti M. Alejandra
Published: February 2022

The genus Xenanoetus Mahunka, 1969, only described by the hypopial stage, is characterised by an enlarged gnathosoma, the presence of double claws in legs I, II and III in addition to remarkably broadened femur and genu of legs I and II, particularly visible in lateral view. Only five species from this genus have been described and they are all from the northern hemisphere. Hypopi are generally found as phoretic on Sphaeroceridae flies and Hydrophilidae beetles. Until present, hypopi of the species Xenanoetus grandiceps have only been reported in Mongolia, described by Mahunka in 1973. Xenanoetus grandiceps is characterised by the presence of a pair of arches pointing anteriorly in the posterior part of the gnathosoma. Here we report for the first time X. grandiceps in Spain, and for the second time X. vestigialis. Both species were found in association with carcass remains, as phoretic on lesser dung flies (Sphaeroceridae), which were collected in a mixed deciduous forest near the Atlantic coast. Additional new information on morphological characteristics of these Xenanoetus species, as well as habitat requirements and biology are presented in this report.
Covid-19 Coping Survey: an In-depth Qualitative Analysis of Free-Text Responses from People With and Without Existing Health Conditions in the UK
Authors: Hewitt Rachael M. , Carrier Judith , Jennings Stephen , Nagorski Lilith , Pattinson Rachael , Anstey Sally , Daniel Rhian , Bundy Chris
Published: February 2022

Background

There is currently a lack of qualitative research exploring how cognitive and emotional reactions to the threat of SARS-CoV-2 affected the health behaviours of people living with and without pre-existing mental and physical health conditions. We aimed to investigate how the threat of SARS-CoV-2 influenced the thoughts, feelings and health behaviours of people with and without pre-existing health conditions in the UK.

Methods

A cross-sectional online survey of UK adults (aged 18 and over). Free-text responses were analysed using a qualitative framework approach guided by the Common-Sense Model of Self-Regulation.

Results

Of the 9110 respondents, 2763 participants provided at least one free-text response. Three main themes were derived from the data. Theme one, locus of control, reports on the extent to which people felt in control during the first wave of the pandemic. Theme two, emotional impact, conveys how individuals felt and how people’s personal circumstances made them more vulnerable to experiencing negative emotions during the pandemic. Theme three, coping strategies, describes common health-protective and health-threatening behaviours performed by individuals, as well as the importance of social connectedness, the social context and the need for collective action during the first national lockdown.

Conclusion

Complex psychological interventions including behaviour change are required to mitigate the psychological burden of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and increase autonomy in people with and without pre-existing conditions during this highly uncertain time. Behavioural scientists can support governments and public health agencies to develop evidence-based communication and behaviour change strategies that support people to address unhelpful beliefs and emotions and strengthen coping abilities as the UK moves through and beyond the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
Evolution of chromosome number in grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Caelifera: Acrididae)
Authors: Husemann Martin , Dey Lara-Sophie , Sadílek David , Ueshima Norihiro , Hawlitschek Oliver , Song Hojun , Weissman David B.
Published: February 2022

Orthoptera have some of the largest genomes of all insects. At the same time, the architecture of their genomes remains poorly understood. Comparative cytological data across a wide range of taxa, even for basic parameters such as chromosome number, may provide important insights into the evolution of these genomes and help answer the question of why some species attained such large genome sizes. We collected and compiled more than 1,000 records of chromosome numbers of 339 genera (13.8% of 2,452 known genera) and 769 species (6.2% of 12,250 known species) of Caelifera, the suborder of Orthoptera that includes those taxa with short antennae. Within the family Acrididae, most of the records come from the subfamilies Oedipodinae (N = 325), Melanoplinae (N = 192) and Gomphocerinae (N = 254). Out of the 621 investigated species of Acrididae, 459 (73.9%) shared a chromosome number of 2n♂ = 23. Chromosome numbers of 2n♂ = 17 (12.2%) and 2n♂ = 21 (9.9%) were less common. The remaining 4.0% of species exhibited different chromosome numbers between 2n♂ = 8 (6 + XY) and 2n♂ = 27. Plotted on a phylogenetic tree, our results confirm that chromosome numbers, especially in the largest grasshopper family Acrididae, are highly conserved with a basic count of 2n♂ = 23 (22 + X0), sometimes reduced to, e.g., 2n♂ = 17 (16 + X0) in some genera of the slant-faced grasshopper subfamily Gomphocerinae. Species with divergent chromosome numbers occur in many of the groups we studied, but are not a systematic trait and have evolved multiple times independently. Our study supports the view that chromosome numbers are much more stable across the investigated Caelifera compared to Ensifera, the second suborder of Orthoptera that includes the long antennae bush crickets and crickets. Our results significantly extend our knowledge on the diversity of this character in Caelifera.
Appraisal of spatial–temporal variation and pollution source estimation of Ganga River system through pollution indices and environmetrics in Upper Ganga basin
Authors: Matta Gagan , Kumar Avinash , Nayak Anjali , Kumar Pawan
Published: February 2022

National river of India, Ganga River, nurturing ecological, economic, and socio-cultural aspects defining the last long history of country. Forming the largest catchment, fulfil the needs of millions of people for fresh water used in domestic, agriculture, commercial and industrial sectors. Therefore, River Ganga is always the center of attraction to the administrative authorities, institutions, academicians and researchers for its quality issues. The periodically examination of the river water quality for its conservation, restoration or rejuvenation is essential and conducted by many researcher on different quality aspects. The aim of the present investigation is to estimates the spatio-temporal variability in the Ganga River System's hydrology in upstream regions in the Himalayan Region of Uttarakhand state, India. The result clearly explains considerable variation in water quality index (WQI: 29.39–71.60) screening seasonal variation, defining the deterioration of water quality (WQ) of Ganga River from good to moderate polluted level through the overall index of pollution (OIP). Moreover, principal component analysis (PCA) has implied to identify the pollution sources. The PCA generates seven components and contributes (85.1%) to influencing river water's hydrochemistry. These outcomes give detailed information to understand the water quality affecting factors in the Ganga River system. The management and remedial practices are an urgent task required to conserve WQ in the upstream region to check WQ's further deterioration in the future.
Bounds for mixing times for finite semi-Markov processes with heavy-tail jump distribution
Authors: Georgiou Nicos , Scalas Enrico
Published: February 2022

Consider a Markov chain with finite state space and suppose you wish to change time replacing the integer step index n with a random counting process N(t). What happens to the mixing time of the Markov chain? We present a partial reply in a particular case of interest in which N(t) is a counting renewal process with power-law distributed inter-arrival times of index

$$\beta $$

β

. We then focus on

$$\beta \in (0,1)$$

β
∈
(
0
,
1
)

, leading to infinite expectation for inter-arrival times and further study the situation in which inter-arrival times follow the Mittag-Leffler distribution of order

$$\beta $$

β

.
Frequency-based ensemble forecasting model for time series forecasting
Authors: Saeed Waddah
Published: February 2022

The M4 forecasting competition challenged the participants to forecast 100,000 time series with different frequencies: hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly. These series come mainly from the economic, finance, demographics, and industrial areas. This paper describes the model used in the competition, which is a combination of statistical methods, namely auto-regressive integrated moving-average, exponential smoothing (ETS), bagged ETS, temporal hierarchical forecasting method, Box-Cox transformation, ARMA errors, Trend and Seasonal components (BATS), and Trigonometric seasonality BATS (TBATS). Forty-nine submissions were evaluated by the organizers and compared with 12 benchmarks and standards for comparison forecasting methods. Based on the results, the proposed model is listed among the 17 submissions that outperform the 12 benchmarks and standards for comparison forecasting methods, ranked 15th on average and 4th with the weekly time series. In addition, a further comparison was conducted between the proposed model and other forecasting methods on forecasting EUR/USD exchange rate and Bitcoin closing price time series. It is apparent from the results that the proposed model can produce accurate results compared to many forecasting methods.
Benefits and Risks of Clays and Clay Minerals to Human Health From Ancestral to Current Times: A Synoptic Overview
Authors: Gomes Celso , Rautureau Michel , Poustis Julia , Gomes Jorge
Published: February 2022

Clay, or more precisely, certain clay typologies, have been used traditionally by humans for therapeutic, nutritional, and skin-care purposes though they may be responsible for some relatively rare but significant health and skin-care risks. For example, clay particles could adsorb and make available for elimination or excretion any potential toxic elements or toxins being ingested or produced, but they could also adsorb and make available for incorporation, through ingestion or through dermal absorption, toxic elements, e.g. heavy metals. Geophagy has been observed in all parts of the world since Antiquity, reflecting cultural practices, religious beliefs, and physiological needs, be they nutritional (dietary supplementation) or as a remedy for disease. Some clays and clay minerals are employed widely in both the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries as active compounds/agents and as excipients. In the biomedical field, some clay minerals such as halloysite and montmorillonite are known for their effective role as carriers for the control and sustainable delivery of active drug molecules, and in the biomaterials field some clay minerals are used for scaffold, hydrogel, foam, and film production. Constraints, both chemical and microbiological, on the use of clay-based products for therapeutic and cosmetic topical applications are generally imposed by sanitary regulations, and some solutions are proposed herein to control and reduce such restrictions. Particular emphasis is placed here on peloids and pelotherapy, as well as on manipulated and modified peloids, and specifically on tailored peloids or ‘designed and engineered’ peloids, and their derivatives, bactericidal peloids and ointments. As far as the so-called ‘killer clays’ are concerned, their pre-requisites, mechanisms of action, and disinfection role are also enhanced. Podoconiosis is an environment-related or geochemical disease that occurs in tropical highland areas, and is caused by long-term exposure of bare feet to volcanic, red-clay soil and affects some people, particularly those working in agriculture in some regions of Africa, Asia, and South America.
Magic in Merlin's Realm
Authors: Young Francis
Published: February 2022

Belief in magic was, until relatively recent times, widespread in Britain; yet the impact of such belief on determinative political events has frequently been overlooked. In his wide-ranging new book, Francis Young explores the role of occult traditions in the history of the island of Great Britain: Merlin's realm. He argues that while the great magus and artificer invented by Geoffrey of Monmouth was a powerful model for a succession of actual royal magical advisers (including Roger Bacon and John Dee), monarchs nevertheless often lived in fear of hostile sorcery while at other times they even attempted magic themselves. Successive governments were simultaneously fascinated by astrology and alchemy, yet also deeply wary of the possibility of treasonous spellcraft. Whether deployed in warfare, rebellion or propaganda, occult traditions were of central importance to British history and, as the author reveals, these dark arts of magic and politics remain entangled to this day.
Free Will
Authors: Pereboom Derk
Published: February 2022

This Element provides a thorough overview of the free will debate as it currently stands. After distinguishing the main senses of the term 'free will' invoked in that debate, it proceeds to set out the prominent versions of the main positions, libertarianism, compatibilism, and free will skepticism, and then to discuss the main objections to these views. Particular attention is devoted to the controversy concerning whether the ability to do otherwise is required for moral responsibility and whether it is compatible with determinism, and to manipulation arguments against compatibilism. Two areas in which the free will debate has practical implications are discussed in detail, personal relationships and criminal justice.