bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increased tibial tubercle-trochlear groove and patellar height indicate a higher risk of recurrent patellar dislocation following medial reefing
Authors: Ahrend Marc-Daniel , Eisenmann Tobias , Herbst Moritz , Gueorguiev Boyko , Keller Gabriel , Schmidutz Florian , Döbele Stefan , Schröter Steffen , Ihle Christoph
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Identifying anatomical risk factors on recurrent dislocation after medial reefing is important for deciding surgical treatment. The present study aimed to retrospectively analyze the preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based parameters of patients treated with medial reefing and whether these parameters lead to a higher risk of recurrent dislocation.

Methods

Fifty-five patients (18.6 ± 6.6 years) who underwent medial reefing after primary traumatic patellar dislocation (84% with medial patellofemoral ligament [MPFL] rupture) were included. Patients were followed up for at least 24 months postoperatively (3.8 ± 1.2 years) to assess the incidence of recurrent patellar dislocation. In patients without recurrent dislocation, the Kujala and subjective IKDC scores were assessed. Moreover, the tibial tubercle-trochlear groove (TT-TG), sulcus angle, patellar tilt, patellar shift, and lateral trochlea index (LTI) were measured. The patellar height was measured using the Caton-Dechamps (CDI), Blackburne-Peel (BPI), and Insall-Salvati index (ISI). The cohort was subclassified into two groups with and without recurrent dislocation. Differences between groups were analyzed with respect to the MRI parameters.

Results

Forty percent had a pathological sulcus angle of > 145°, 7.2% had an LTI of < 11°, 47.3% had a patellar tilt of > 20°, and 36.4% had a TT-TG of ≥ 16 mm. Increased patellar height was observed in 34.5, 65.5, and 34.5% of the patients as per CDI, BPI, and ISI, respectively. Nineteen (34.5%) patients suffered from recurrent dislocation. Compared with patients without recurrent dislocation, those with recurrent dislocation had a significantly lower LTI (p = 0.0467). All other parameters were not significantly different between the groups. Risk factor analysis showed higher odds ratios (OR > 2), although not statistically significant, for MPFL rupture (OR 2.05 [95% confidence interval 0.38–11.03], LTI (6.6 [0.6–68.1]), TT-TG (2.9 [0.9–9.2]), and patellar height according to ISI (2.3 [0.7–7.5]) and CDI (2.3 [0.7–7.5])). Patients without recurrent dislocation had a Kujala score of 93.7 ± 12.1 (42–100) points and an IKDC score of 90.6 ± 11.7 (55.2–100) points.

Conclusion

Anatomical, MRI-based parameters should be considered before indicating medial reefing. A ruptured MPFL, an LTI < 11°, a TT-TG ≥ 16 mm, a patellar tilt > 20 mm, and an increased patellar height according to ISI and CDI were found to be associated, although not significantly, with a higher risk (OR > 2) of recurrent patellar dislocation after medial reefing. Thorough preoperative analysis is crucial to reduce the risk of recurrent dislocation in young patient cohorts.

Level of evidence

Level IV
Cementless unicompartmental knee arthroplasty results in higher pain levels compared to the cemented technique: a prospective register study
Authors: Gifstad Tone , Nordskar Jørgen Jebens , Egeberg Tarjei , Wik Tina Strømdal , Winther Siri Bjørgen
Published: May 2021

Purpose

In recent years, the preferred fixation method for unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) has changed from cemented to cementless. The aim of this study was to compare patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) from the cemented versus cementless techniques two- and twelve-months post-operation.

Methods

From 2015 to 2019, 187 cemented and 261 cementless UKAs were included based on an institutional registry. The Oxford Unicompartmental Knee System™ (Zimmer Biomet, Bridgend, United Kingdom) was used for all patients. Three experienced surgeons performed all procedures. Data were collected pre- and peroperatively, and at two- and twelve-months postoperatively. PROMs included pain (evaluated on a numeric rating scale [NRS] during activity and at rest), and knee function (evaluated with the disease-specific short form of the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score [KOOS-PS]). Patients also rated postoperative joint function (better, unchanged, uncertain or worse) and were asked, “based on your experience to date, would you go through the surgery again?”. Duration of surgery was noted and revisions during the first post-operative year were evaluated.

Results

The cemented group reported significantly lower activity-related pain at both two- and twelve-month follow-up. This was also the case for pain at rest at twelve-month follow-up, and KOOS-PS at two-month follow-up. Duration of surgery (adjusted for surgeon differences) was eight minutes less on average with the cementless technique. Eleven prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) were found following the cementless fixation technique compared to three using the cemented implant.

Conclusion

UKA cases with cemented implants had lower pain scores during activity two and twelve months after surgery compared with those who had cementless implants. Differences in favor of the cemented group were also found for pain at rest one year after surgery and for KOOS-PS two months after. Surgery was significantly shorter in duration in the cementless group, but a relatively high number of PJIs were found in that same group.

Level of evidence

Level II.
Dynamic alteration in miRNA and mRNA expression profiles at different stages of chronic arsenic exposure-induced carcinogenesis in a human cell culture model of skin cancer
Authors: Banerjee Mayukh , Ferragut Cardoso Ana , Al-Eryani Laila , Pan Jianmin , Kalbfleisch Theodore S. , Srivastava Sudhir , Rai Shesh N. , States J. Christopher
Published: May 2021

Chronic arsenic exposure causes skin cancer, although the underlying molecular mechanisms are not well defined. Altered microRNA and mRNA expression likely play a pivotal role in carcinogenesis. Changes in genome-wide differential expression of miRNA and mRNA at 3 strategic time points upon chronic sodium arsenite (As3+) exposure were investigated in a well-validated HaCaT cell line model of arsenic-induced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). Quadruplicate independent HaCaT cell cultures were exposed to 0 or 100 nM As3+ for up to 28-weeks (wk). Cell growth was monitored throughout the course of exposure and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was examined employing immunoblot. Differentially expressed miRNA and mRNA profiles were generated at 7, 19, and 28-wk by RNA-seq, followed by identification of differentially expressed mRNA targets of differentially expressed miRNAs through expression pairing at each time point. Pathway analyses were performed for total differentially expressed mRNAs and for the miRNA targeted mRNAs at each time point. RNA-seq predictions were validated by immunoblot of selected target proteins. While the As3+-exposed cells grew slower initially, growth was equal to that of unexposed cells by 19-wk (transformation initiation), and exposed cells subsequently grew faster than passage-matched unexposed cells. As3+-exposed cells had undergone EMT at 28-wk. Pathway analyses demonstrate dysregulation of carcinogenesis-related pathways and networks in a complex coordinated manner at each time point. Immunoblot data largely corroborate RNA-seq predictions in the endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress) pathway. This study provides a detailed molecular picture of changes occurring during the arsenic-induced transformation of human keratinocytes.
Tolerance to neurochemical and behavioral effects of the hallucinogen 25I-NBOMe
Authors: Herian Monika , Skawski Mateusz , Wojtas Adam , Sobocińska Małgorzata K. , Noworyta Karolina , Gołembiowska Krystyna
Published: May 2021

Rationale

4-Iodo-2,5-dimethoxy-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)phenethylamine (25I-NBOMe) is a potent serotonin 5-HT2A/2C receptor agonist with hallucinogenic activity. There is no data on the 25I-NBOMe effect on brain neurotransmission and animal performance after chronic administration.

Objectives

We examined the effect of a 7-day treatment with 25I-NBOMe (0.3 mg/kg/day) on neurotransmitters’ release and rats’ behavior in comparison to acute dose.

Methods

Changes in dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT), acetylcholine (ACh), and glutamate release were studied using microdialysis in freely moving rats. The hallucinogenic activity was measured in the wet dog shake (WDS) test. The animal locomotion was examined in the open field (OF) test, short-term memory in the novel object recognition (NOR) test. The anxiogenic/anxiolytic properties of the drug were tested using the light/dark box (LDB) test.

Results

Repeated administration of 25I-NBOMe decreased the response to a challenge dose of DA, 5-HT, and glutamatergic neurons in the frontal cortex as well as weakened the hallucinogenic activity in comparison to acute dose. In contrast, striatal and accumbal DA and 5-HT release and accumbal but not striatal glutamate release in response to the challenge dose of 25I-NBOMe was increased in comparison to acute treatment. The ACh release was increased in all brain regions. Behavioral tests showed a motor activity reduction and memory deficiency in comparison to a single dose and induction of anxiety after the drug’s chronic and acute administration.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that multiple injections of 25I-NBOMe induce tolerance to hallucinogenic activity and produce alterations in neurotransmission. 25I-NBOMe effect on short-term memory, locomotor function, and anxiety seems to be the result of complex interactions between neurotransmitter pathways.
On the Mumford–Tate conjecture for hyperkähler varieties
Authors: Floccari Salvatore
Published: May 2021

We study the Mumford–Tate conjecture for hyperkähler varieties. We show that the full conjecture holds for all varieties deformation equivalent to either an Hilbert scheme of points on a K3 surface or to O’Grady’s ten dimensional example, and all of their self-products. For an arbitrary hyperkähler variety whose second Betti number is not 3, we prove the Mumford–Tate conjecture in every codimension under the assumption that the Künneth components in even degree of its André motive are abelian. Our results extend a theorem of André.
Stereotactic Percutaneous Electrochemotherapy as Primary Approach for Unresectable Large HCC at the Hepatic Hilum
Authors: Luerken L. , Doppler M. , Brunner S. M. , Schlitt H. J. , Uller W.
Published: May 2021

Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is a novel non-thermal ablative technique that combines chemotherapy and the application of electric pulses for reversible cell membrane electroporation. This method was recently performed in the treatment of deep-seated liver tumors during open surgery but experience about percutaneous ECT is rare and further developments like combination of percutaneous ECT with stereotactic navigated devices may be very promising. We report on a case of a 4.7 × 4.5 × 3.5 cm unresectable HCC at the hepatic hilum adjacent to the major vessels and the bile duct that was successfully treated using percutaneous ECT in combination with stereotactic navigation. Follow-up imaging 6 weeks and 6 months after ECT showed complete response.
Functional syndromes and symptom-orientated aftercare after esophagectomy
Authors: Ukegjini Kristjan , Vetter Diana , Fehr Rebecca , Dirr Valerian , Gubler Christoph , Gutschow Christian A.
Published: May 2021

Background

Surgery is the cornerstone of esophageal cancer treatment but remains burdened with significant postoperative changes of gastrointestinal function and quality of life.

Purpose

The aim of this narrative review is to assess and summarize the current knowledge on postoperative functional syndromes and quality of life after esophagectomy for cancer, and to provide orientation for the reader in the challenging field of functional aftercare.

Conclusions

Post-esophagectomy syndromes include various conditions such as dysphagia, reflux, delayed gastric emptying, dumping syndrome, weight loss, and chronic diarrhea. Clinical pictures and individual expressions are highly variable and may be extremely distressing for those affected. Therefore, in addition to a mostly well-coordinated oncological follow-up, we strongly emphasize the need for regular monitoring of physical well-being and gastrointestinal function. The prerequisite for an effective functional aftercare covering the whole spectrum of postoperative syndromes is a comprehensive knowledge of the pathophysiological background. As functional conditions often require a complex diagnostic workup and long-term therapy, close interdisciplinary cooperation with radiologists, gastroenterologists, oncologists, and specialized nutritional counseling is imperative for successful management.
Correction to: Association of laparoscopic colectomy versus open colectomy on the long‑term health‑related quality of life of colon cancer survivors
Authors: Thong Melissa S. Y. , Jansen Lina , Chang‑Claude Jenny , Hofmeister Michael , Brenner Hermann , Arndt Volker
Published: May 2021

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-021-08557-0
Incidence and risk factors for chronic kidney disease in patients with congenital heart disease
Authors: Fang Nai-Wen , Chen Yu-Chieh , Ou Shih-Hsiang , Yin Chun-Hao , Chen Jin-Shuen , Chiou Yee-Hsuan
Published: May 2021

Backgrounds

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is underdiagnosed in children with congenital heart disease (CHD). Our aim was to study the incidence of CKD in CHD children and identify risk factors for CKD.

Methods

CHD patients were enrolled from the Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital database between 2010 and 2019. Patient age at enrollment was age at first visit to the hospital. The end of follow-up was marked by the last measurement of serum creatinine, urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPCR), or urine microalbumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) after enrollment, and only patients who underwent the aforementioned tests in 2 different years were included. Patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 90 mL/min/1.73m2 were diagnosed as having CKD and were further classified into clinically recognized CKD (CR-CKD, defined as eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73m2, UPCR >0.5, or UACR >30 mg/g) and non-clinically recognized CKD (NCR-CKD). Their demographic data, CHD category, heart surgery types, medications, and contrast-related examinations during follow-up were collected.

Results

The study included 359 CHD patients, of whom 167 (46.5%) developed CKD (18 patients with CR-CKD and 341 with NCR-CKD). Patients with CR-CKD were significantly older at enrollment than patients with NCR-CKD. Corrective heart surgery may be a protective factor for CKD. Furthermore, cyanotic heart disease, two or more image-related contrast exposures, and diuretic use may be associated with CKD.

Conclusion

CHD patients have a high incidence of CKD. The early detection of CKD and prompt corrective heart surgery for CHD may be beneficial for kidney function.

Graphical abstract
Ultra-high speed video observations of intracloud lightning flash initiation
Authors: Stolzenburg Maribeth , Marshall Thomas C. , Bandara Sampath , Hurley Brian , Siedlecki Raymond
Published: May 2021

This study describes results from video observations of five intracloud flashes located ≤ 20 km from the camera and recorded with 6.1 µs exposure time and 6.66 µs frame intervals. Video data are supported with electric field change (E-change) and VHF measurements, with emphasis on the flash initiating event (IE) and initial breakdown (IB) stage. In four of the five flashes, the IE is accompanied by weak luminosity, ≤ 5% above background, lasting for 300–500 µs. Two of these four IEs were positive Narrow Bipolar Events (NBEs) with VHF powers of 43 and 990 W; these are the first (known) data showing visible light detected with a positive NBE. Two other IEs with weak luminosity had powers of 0.5 and 1 W, and the IE with no detected luminosity had a VHF power of 3 W. A typical IB cluster consists of several narrow pulses and one classic pulse in E-change data (along with many VHF pulses), and each example flash has 2–10 IB clusters in the first 5–50 ms. The luminosity of IB clusters was substantially greater than IE luminosity, ranging from 10 to 40% above background in four examples, while for one flash with 10 IB clusters, the luminosity range was 35–360% above background (average 190%). Luminosity durations of IB clusters were 520–1750 µs with average 1210 µs. For both IEs and IB clusters, increases in the detected luminosity were closely timed with substantial VHF emissions and decreased when VHF emissions weakened.
A Plane-Stress Damage Model for Vectran Laminated Composite
Authors: Abdullah S. I. B. Syed , Iannucci L. , Greenhalgh E. S. , Ahmad Z.
Published: May 2021

The aim of this paper is to present a plane-stress damage model based on the Classical Lamination Theory (CLT), developed for polymer fibre-based composite. The proposed numerical model utilises a damage mechanics methodology coupled with fracture mechanics to predict composite failure, particularly under quasi-static and dynamic loadings. In addition, the proposed constitutive equations consider a single secant modulus to describe its tensile and compressive modulus, as opposed to the physically-proposed tier models for polymer fibres which possesses a ‘skin–core’ structure. The result of single element and coupon-level modelling showed excellent correlation with the experimental results. It is expected that the proposed numerical model will be able to predict, up to a considerable accuracy, the response of the composite under low and high velocity impact loadings.
Dynamic simulation of high-purity twin-bed N2-PSA plants
Authors: Marcinek A. , Möller A. , Guderian J. , Bathen D.
Published: May 2021

At present, nitrogen production from air by pressure swing adsorption (PSA) is simulated almost exclusively at low product purity levels (< 99% N2). However, with increasing global demand for highly purified gases provided by energy-efficient separation processes the requirement for either extensive experimental research in the high-purity range or predictive computer simulations arises. This paper presents a mathematical model of a twin-bed PSA plant equipped with a carbon molecular sieve (Shirasagi MSC CT-350) for the generation of high-purity nitrogen (99.9–99.999% N2). The model is implemented in the process simulator Aspen Adsorption™. The influence of operating conditions as well as the cycle organisation on the process performance is validated, especially the influence of pressure, temperature, half-cycle time, purge flow rate, and cutting time. The precision of the performance prediction by numerical simulations is critically discussed. Based on the new insights efficiency improvement strategies with a focus on reduced energy consumption are introduced and discussed by means of radar charts.
Development of the START Program for Academic Readiness and Its Impact on Behavioral Self-regulation in Japanese Kindergarteners
Authors: Imai-Matsumura Kyoko , Schultz David
Published: May 2021

The “first-grade problem” of the lack of concentration, listening, and following of instruction has been widely identified among Japanese kindergarten students. To promote their executive functioning and self-regulation to prevent this issue, we developed the Social Thinking and Academic Readiness Training (START) program. The experimental group in which the program was implemented contained 79 children (average age = 73.22 months), and the standard practices group contained 70 children (average age = 72.91 months). Before and after the intervention, the children underwent tasks to test their behavioral self-regulation and executive function (working memory). For behavioral self-regulation, a significant interaction occurred between condition (experimental and standard practices) and time (pre- and post-test), suggesting that these 6 START lessons promoted self-regulation. However, no effects were found on either auditory or visual memory. Teacher reports in surveys were consistent with the executive functioning outcomes, reporting improvement in children’s concentration, listening, and self-regulation skills.
Fast Vacuum Fluctuations and the Emergence of Quantum Mechanics
Authors: ’t Hooft Gerard
Published: May 2021

Fast moving classical variables can generate quantum mechanical behavior. We demonstrate how this can happen in a model. The key point is that in classically (ontologically) evolving systems one can still define a conserved quantum energy. For the fast variables, the energy levels are far separated, such that one may assume these variables to stay in their ground state. This forces them to be entangled, so that, consequently, the slow variables are entangled as well. The fast variables could be the vacuum fluctuations caused by unknown super heavy particles. The emerging quantum effects in the light particles are expressed by a Hamiltonian that can have almost any form. The entire system is ontological, and yet allows one to generate interference effects in computer models. This seemed to lead to an inexplicable paradox, which is now resolved: exactly what happens in our models if we run a quantum interference experiment in a classical computer is explained. The restriction that very fast variables stay predominantly in their ground state appears to be due to smearing of the physical states in the time direction, preventing their direct detection. Discussions are added of the emergence of quantum mechanics, and the ontology of an EPR/Bell Gedanken experiment.
Collapse and Measures of Consciousness
Authors: Kent Adrian
Published: May 2021

There has been an upsurge of interest lately in developing Wigner’s hypothesis that conscious observation causes collapse by exploring dynamical collapse models in which some purportedly quantifiable aspect(s) of consciousness resist superposition. Kremnizer–Ranchin, Chalmers–McQueen and Okon–Sebastián have explored the idea that collapse may be associated with a numerical measure of consciousness. More recently, Chalmers–McQueen have argued that any single measure is inadequate because it will allow superpositions of distinct states of equal consciousness measure to persist. They suggest a satisfactory model needs to associate collapse with a set of measures quantifying aspects of consciousness, such as the “Q-shapes” defined by Tononi et al. in their “integrated information theory” (IIT) of consciousness. I argue here that Chalmers–McQueen’s argument against associating a single measure with collapse requires a precise symmetry between brain states associated with different experiences and thus does not apply to the only case where we have strong intuitions, namely human (or other terrestrial biological) observers. In defence of Chalmers–McQueen’s stance, it might be argued that idealized artificial information processing networks could display such symmetries. However, I argue that the most natural form of any theory (such as IIT) that postulates a map from network states to mind states is one that assigns identical mind states to isomorphic network states (as IIT does). This suggests that, if such a map exists, no familiar components of mind states, such as viewing different colours, or experiencing pleasure or pain, are likely to be related by symmetries.
Patients, primary care, and policy: Agent-based simulation modeling for health care decision support
Authors: Comis Martin , Cleophas Catherine , Büsing Christina
Published: May 2021

Primary care systems are a cornerstone of universally accessible health care. The planning, analysis, and adaptation of primary care systems is a highly non-trivial problem due to the systems’ inherent complexity, unforeseen future events, and scarcity of data. To support the search for solutions, this paper introduces the hybrid agent-based simulation model SiM-Care. SiM-Care models and tracks the micro-interactions of patients and primary care physicians on an individual level. At the same time, it models the progression of time via the discrete-event paradigm. Thereby, it enables modelers to analyze multiple key indicators such as patient waiting times and physician utilization to assess and compare primary care systems. Moreover, SiM-Care can evaluate changes in the infrastructure, patient behavior, and service design. To showcase SiM-Care and its validation through expert input and empirical data, we present a case study for a primary care system in Germany. Specifically, we study the immanent implications of demographic change on rural primary care and investigate the effects of an aging population and a decrease in the number of physicians, as well as their combined effects.
A latent variable approach to account for correlated inputs in global sensitivity analysis
Authors: Melillo Nicola , Darwich Adam S.
Published: May 2021

In drug development decision-making is often supported through model-based methods, such as physiologically-based pharmacokinetics (PBPK). Global sensitivity analysis (GSA) is gaining use for quality assessment of model-informed inference. However, the inclusion and interpretation of correlated factors in GSA has proven an issue. Here we developed and evaluated a latent variable approach for dealing with correlated factors in GSA. An approach was developed that describes the correlation between two model inputs through the causal relationship of three independent factors: the latent variable and the unique variances of the two correlated parameters. The latent variable approach was applied to a set of algebraic models and a case from PBPK. Then, this method was compared to Sobol’s GSA assuming no correlations, Sobol’s GSA with groups and the Kucherenko approach. For the latent variable approach, GSA was performed with Sobol’s method. By using the latent variable approach, it is possible to devise a unique and easy interpretation of the sensitivity indices while maintaining the correlation between the factors. Compared methods either consider the parameters independent, group the dependent variables into one unique factor or present difficulties in the interpretation of the sensitivity indices. In situations where GSA is called upon to support model-informed decision-making, the latent variable approach offers a practical method, in terms of ease of implementation and interpretability, for applying GSA to models with correlated inputs that does not violate the independence assumption. Prerequisites and limitations of the approach are discussed.
What Morality and Religion have in Common with Health? Pedagogy of Religion in the Formation of Moral Competence
Authors: Marek Zbigniew , Walulik Anna
Published: May 2021

The aim of the article is to discuss how pedagogy of religion can contribute to the formation of moral competence and how this competence is in turn conducive to a new quality of life. Such analysis seems to be extremely important for modern educational theory. There are controversies concerning the role of morality in human life and its relationship with religion, and at the same time there is an increasing body of research that highlights the place and importance of religion in the formation of healthy individuals and societies. At the same time, the problem of the relationship between morality, religion and health is by no means new. The biblical writers already pointed out the connection between good and life, and between evil and death on the other hand. Both health and illness were taken to have their physical, inner, and spiritual dimensions. While Kulikova and Malchukova (2019) review the pedagogical and psychological subject literature, they lack references to the pedagogy of religion as a scientific discipline. This article aims to outline the Christian perspective on the formation of moral competence and its relationship with human health, understood as physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being. The understanding of this relationships is built on anthropological and transcendent foundations. Christian anthropological perspective means the acceptance of the so-called “personalistic norm.” Christian transcendent framework of moral education refers to the divine reality of the only God, the Creator and Redeemer of man. Moral competence is the result of moral education, which aims at engaging all human faculties—reason, emotions, and will—in discovering, accepting and internalizing values. One way of fostering moral competence based on the pedagogy of religion is to use the principles of the so-called pedagogy of accompaniment and testimony.
Cartesian Lattice Counting by the Vertical 2-sum
Authors: Kohonen Jukka
Published: May 2021

A vertical 2-sum of a two-coatom lattice L and a two-atom lattice U is obtained by removing the top of L and the bottom of U, and identifying the coatoms of L with the atoms of U. This operation creates one or two nonisomorphic lattices depending on the symmetry case. Here the symmetry cases are analyzed, and a recurrence relation is presented that expresses the number of nonisomorphic vertical 2-sums in some desired family of graded lattices. Nonisomorphic, vertically indecomposable modular and distributive lattices are counted and classified up to 35 and 60 elements respectively. Asymptotically their numbers are shown to be at least Ω(2.3122n) and Ω(1.7250n), where n is the number of elements. The number of semimodular lattices is shown to grow faster than any exponential in n.
Structured Evaluation of Rehabilitation Programs Outcomes in Psychiatry: Application of a Recovery-Centered Model
Authors: Vanzetto Simone , Zabotto Matteo , Fasciana Federica , Varinelli Alberto , Cirnigliaro Giovanna , Ferrara Luca , Dell’Osso Bernardo , Viganò Caterina
Published: May 2021

Rehabilitation is oriented to psychiatric patients’ recovery through specific techniques and structured projects, not yet fully standardized, carried out in territorial services. This study aims to apply an operational structured outcome indicator model (hospitalizations, continuity of care, LAI treatment adherence, working support) through a recovery-centered model in a rehabilitation community in Milan. This observational-retrospective study included 111 patients from a University High Assistance Rehabilitation Community (C.R.A.) based in Milan. Psychopathological and psychosocial functioning was evaluated with Kennedy Axis V, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Life Skills Profile (LSP), AR module of the VADO scale. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software version 19. Student t test and Wilcoxon Test were used to analyze quantitative variables, while McNemar test for qualitative variables. The minimum level of significance was set at 0.05 (p <0.05). The results showed that CRA rehabilitation program led to significant improvement in global functioning in terms of hospitalization reduction; improved continuity of care; stable adherence to psychopharmacological treatment with Long Acting Injectable (LAI) antipsychotics; stable employment maintenance during the year following discharge from the CRA. This study confirmed the utility of a structured outcome indicator model and highlighted its feasibility in daily clinical context of a rehabilitative community. Our results supported the effectiveness of a community-based rehabilitation program to improve individual functioning and clinical stability. However, further studies are required to better achieve the development of a recovery-oriented rehabilitation model and rigorously define an outcomes evaluation model.
A New View of the Solar Interface Region from the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS)
Authors: De Pontieu Bart , Polito Vanessa , Hansteen Viggo , Testa Paola , Reeves Katharine K. , Antolin Patrick , Nóbrega-Siverio Daniel Elias , Kowalski Adam F. , Martinez-Sykora Juan , Carlsson Mats , McIntosh Scott W. , Liu Wei , Daw Adrian , Kankelborg Charles C.
Published: May 2021

The Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) has been obtaining near- and far-ultraviolet images and spectra of the solar atmosphere since July 2013. IRIS is the highest resolution observatory to provide seamless coverage of spectra and images from the photosphere into the low corona. The unique combination of near- and far-ultraviolet spectra and images at sub-arcsecond resolution and high cadence allows the tracing of mass and energy through the critical interface between the surface and the corona or solar wind. IRIS has enabled research into the fundamental physical processes thought to play a role in the low solar atmosphere such as ion–neutral interactions, magnetic reconnection, the generation, propagation, and dissipation of waves, the acceleration of non-thermal particles, and various small-scale instabilities. IRIS has provided insights into a wide range of phenomena including the discovery of non-thermal particles in coronal nano-flares, the formation and impact of spicules and other jets, resonant absorption and dissipation of Alfvénic waves, energy release and jet-like dynamics associated with braiding of magnetic-field lines, the role of turbulence and the tearing-mode instability in reconnection, the contribution of waves, turbulence, and non-thermal particles in the energy deposition during flares and smaller-scale events such as UV bursts, and the role of flux ropes and various other mechanisms in triggering and driving CMEs. IRIS observations have also been used to elucidate the physical mechanisms driving the solar irradiance that impacts Earth’s upper atmosphere, and the connections between solar and stellar physics. Advances in numerical modeling, inversion codes, and machine-learning techniques have played a key role. With the advent of exciting new instrumentation both on the ground, e.g. the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST) and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), and space-based, e.g. the Parker Solar Probe and the Solar Orbiter, we aim to review new insights based on IRIS observations or related modeling, and highlight some of the outstanding challenges.
Calibration of Design Models for Leakage Management of Water Distribution Networks
Authors: Berardi L. , Giustolisi O.
Published: May 2021

Water losses in urban water distribution networks (WDN) accelerate the deterioration of such infrastructures. The enhanced hydraulic modelling provides a phenomenological representation of WDN hydraulics, including the modelling of leakages as function of pipe average pressure and deterioration. The methodological use of such models on real WDN was demonstrated to support the planning of leakage management actions. Nonetheless, many water utilities are still in the process of designing flow/pressure monitoring, thus data available are not enough to perform detailed calibration of such models.

This work presents a physically based approach for the calibration of WDN hydraulic models aimed at supporting leakage management plans since early stages. The proposed procedure leverages the key role of mass balance in enhanced hydraulic models and the technical insight on pipe deterioration mechanisms for various quantity and quality of available data. Two calibration studies of real WDNs demonstrate the feasibility of the approach and show that the distribution of leakages in the WDN does not much influence the pressure values, which confirms the need for flow measurements at monitoring districts for leakage and asset management.
Effects of particle size of dielectric fillers on the output performance of piezoelectric and triboelectric nanogenerators
Authors: Meng Xiao , Zhang Zhuo , Lin Dabin , Liu Weiguo , Zhou Shun , Ge Shaobo , Su Yongming , Peng Chang , Zhang Lin
Published: May 2021

Recently, piezoelectric/triboelectric nanogenerators based on piezoelectric composite materials have been intensively studied to achieve high electrical output performance. In this work, flexible BaTiO3 (BT)/PDMS nanocomposite films with various sizes and concentrations were fabricated and used as the nanogenerators. The influence of dielectric properties on the electrical output of nanogenerators was studied as well as the structure of the composites. The dielectric constant increased from 6.5 to 8 with the concentration of BT nanoparticles and decreased with the frequency from 102 to 106 Hz. Furthermore, the dielectric constant showed 11% decrease with the temperature range from 30 to 180 °C. It was found that the concentration of BT nanoparticles has promoted the electrical output of nanogenerators. The output voltage and current are all enhanced with the BT nanoparticles, which reached 200 V and 0.24 °A in TENG with 40 wt% BT nanoparticles, respectively. The selected device exhibited the power of 0.16 mW and employed to demonstrate its ability to power wearable/portable electronics by lighting the LEDs.
Is that eye dead or alive? Detecting new iris biometrics attacks
Authors: Czajka Adam
Published: May 2021

Iris recognition has been revolutionising biometric-based human identification for almost three decades, due to the unprecedented information richness of iris patterns translating into low false matches – which has now been observed across a population exceeding 1 billion users worldwide. We are also able to effectively detect those presentation attack types known to our algorithms during the design phase. But the question remains: are we prepared to detect those unknown specimens, strikingly similar to images of authentic irises, that can be generated by modern artificial intelligence tools or – more gruesomely – captured from decedents?
Network Tomography
Authors: He Ting , Ma Liang , Swami Ananthram , Towsley Don
Published: May 2021

Providing the first truly comprehensive overview of Network Tomography - a novel network monitoring approach that makes use of inference techniques to reconstruct the internal network state from external vantage points - this rigorous yet accessible treatment of the fundamental theory and algorithms of network tomography covers the most prominent results demonstrated on real-world data, including identifiability conditions, measurement design algorithms, and network state inference algorithms, alongside practical tools for applying these techniques to real-world network management. It describes the main types of mathematical problems, along with their solutions and properties, and emphasizes the actions that can be taken to improve the accuracy of network tomography. With proofs and derivations introduced in an accessible language for easy understanding, this is an essential resource for professional engineers, academic researchers, and graduate students in network management and network science.
Crusading and Pilgrimage in the Norman World
Authors: Abram Andrew , Aird William M. , Albu Emily , Drell Joanna , Hicks Leonie V. , Hodgson Natasha R. , Murray / The Editor Alan , Spear David S , Villegas-Aristizábal Lucas
Published: May 2021

The reputation of the Normans is rooted in warfare, faith and mobility. They were simultaneously famed as warriors, noted for their religious devotion, and celebrated as fearless travellers. In the Middle Ages few activities offered a better conduit to combine warfare, religiosity, and movement than crusading and pilgrimage. However, while scholarship is abundant on many facets of the Norman world, it is a surprise that the Norman relationship with crusading and pilgrimage, so central in many ways to Norman identity, has hitherto not received extensive treatment. The collection here seeks to fill this gap. It aims to identify what was unique or different about the Normans and their relationship with crusading and pilgrimage, as well as how and why crusade and pilgrimage were important to the Normans. Particular focus is given to Norman participation in the First Crusade, to Norman interaction in later crusading initiatives, to the significance of pilgrimage in diverse parts of the Norman world, and finally to the ways in which crusading and pilgrimage were recorded in Norman narrative. Ultimately, this volume aims to assess, in some cases to confirm, and in others to revise the established paradigm of the Normans as crusaders par excellence and as opportunists who used religion to serve other agendas. Dr Kathryn Hurlock is Senior Lecturer in Medieval History at Manchester Metropolitan University; Dr Paul Oldfield is Lecturer in Medieval History at the University of Manchester. Contributors: Andrew Abram, William M. Aird, Emily Albu, Joanna Drell, Leonie Hicks, Natasha Hodgson, Kathryn Hurlock, Alan V. Murray, Paul Oldfield, David S. Spear, Lucas Villegas-Aristizábal.
A Re-examination of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in a Political Society in the Light of the Principle of Human Dignity
Authors: Mosissa Getahun A.
Published: May 2021

The principal question investigated in this book is what normative justification can be provided for economic, social and cultural rights (ESC rights) guaranteed under international law and how this justification can or should impact the State obligations emerging from these rights. In particular, it seeks to answer whether and in what manner human dignity provides a viable normative justification for ESC rights guaranteed under international law, what kind of concrete legal obligations of the State party flow from these rights, and the way these obligations are reflected in the jurisprudence of international human rights monitoring bodies from across jurisdictions. It also examines the kind of legal obligations the State bears towards vulnerable persons within its jurisdiction. These are questions born out of the current limitations and lack of substantive progress in both the academic debate and practical enforcement of ESC rights. In order to give answers to these questions, this book has adopted two levels of inquiry. First, it discusses the theoretical problems affecting the effective realisation of ESC rights. Secondly, it takes an inductive approach in analysing ESC rights jurisprudence from African, Inter-American, European and UN human rights systems. Thus, having identified the critical limitations of traditional human rights theories, the book introduces the idea of the social conception of human rights, that is, human rights as being rooted in and essentially concerned with the practical and complex social relations and therewith the protection, preservation and promotion of the life and value of human beings. It is argued that human dignity constitutes an underlying moral principle behind the social relations and the normative justification of all human rights. As a normative principle, human dignity entails the State obligation to ensure an unconditional respect for the moral and biological being of humans. In the context of ESC rights, this obligation influences the State's obligation to respect and ensure essential procedural and substantive conditions required to live a dignified human life. The study therefore offers a fresh perspective on the way we should approach the justification, nature and legal implications of ESC rights both generally and in the specific context of vulnerable persons. It is hoped that beyond inspiring further academic discourse on ESC rights the book serves as a useful reference material for courts, human rights monitoring bodies, policy makers and civil societies concerned with the realisation of ESC rights both at the national and international level.
Looking at Law through Children's Eyes
Authors: Hopman Marieke J.
Published: May 2021

Since the adoption of the 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, all children in the world have rights that are protected by states - at least in theory. In practice, children's rights are grossly violated on a daily basis and on a global scale. Studies in children's rights struggle to find why this is the case, and what can be possibly done to change this situation. This publication proposes that a better understanding of children's rights violations may be achieved if looking at law from a child's perspective. This means that a researcher has to go beyond the analysis of international conventions and national law, to include what is perceived as law by children. This book presents a new theoretical framework and methodology for finding law for children, combining legal pluralism, law and sociology, philosophy of law and legal empirical research. This framework is then put to the test in three case studies, all which include empirical research data. The book explores the possible legal orders that arise when looking at law through children's eyes, such as the household and the classroom. These legal orders, that we find when looking at law through children's eyes, have to be recognized as part of a complete picture of law influencing the protection and/or violation of children's rights.
The Patient, Data Protection and Changing Healthcare Models
Authors: Verhenneman Griet
Published: May 2021

Healthcare is changing. It is moving to a paperless environment and becoming a team-based, interdisciplinary and patient-centred profession. Modern healthcare models reflect our data-driven economy, and adopt value-driven strategies, evidence-based medicine, new technology, decision support and automated decision-making. Amidst these changes are the patients, and their right to data protection, privacy and autonomy. The question arises of how to match phenomena that characterise the predominant ethos in modern healthcare systems, such as e-health and personalised medicine, to patient autonomy and data protection laws. That matching exercise is essential. The successful adoption of ICT in healthcare depends, at least partly, on how the public's concerns about data protection and confidentiality are addressed. Three backbone principles of European data protection law are considered to be bottlenecks for the implementation of modern healthcare systems: informed consent, anonymisation and purpose limitation. This book assesses the adequacy of these principles and considers them in the context of technological and societal evolutions. A must-read for every professional active in the field of data protection law, health law, policy development or IT-driven innovation. GRIET VERHENNEMAN is a legal expert on e-health with an academic background. Today Griet is Data Protection Officer at the University Hospitals KU Leuven (UZ Leuven). Previously, she worked as a legal researcher at the Centre for IT and IP Law KU Leuven (CiTiP) and participated in several interdisciplinary projects. Griet continues her collaboration with the Centre as a Research Fellow. In her position of Data Protection Officer, Griet brings data protection into practice. Through her work as an academic, Griet continues to assess, discuss and disseminate about the legal implications of ICT-driven evolutions in the field of health and medicine.
Integrating Remote Sensing and Indigenous Archaeology to Locate Unmarked Graves
Authors: Wadsworth William T. D. , Supernant Kisha , Dersch Ave ,   the Chipewyan Prairie First Nation
Published: May 2021

Archaeologists have long been called on to use geophysical techniques to locate unmarked graves in both archaeological and forensic contexts. Although these techniques—primarily ground-penetrating radar (GPR)—have demonstrated efficacy in this application, there are fewer examples of studies driven by Indigenous community needs. In North America, the location of ancestors and burial grounds is a priority for most Indigenous communities. We argue that when these Indigenous voices are equitably included in research design, the practice of remote sensing changes and more meaningful collaborations ensue. Drawing on Indigenous archaeology and heart-centered practices, we argue that remote-sensing survey methodologies, and the subsequent narratives produced, need to change. These approaches change both researchers’ and Indigenous communities’ relationships to the work and allow for the inclusion of Indigenous Knowledge (IK) in interpretation. In this article, we discuss this underexplored research trajectory, explain how it relates to modern GPR surveys for unmarked graves, and present the results from a survey conducted at the request of the Chipewyan Prairie First Nation. Although local in nature, we discuss potential benefits and challenges of Indigenous remote sensing collaborations, and we engage larger conversations happening in Indigenous communities around the ways these methods can contribute to reconciliation and decolonization.