bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nonlinear multiobjective and dynamic real‐time predictive optimization for optimal operation of baseload power plants under variable renewable energy
Authors: Kim Rebecca , Lima Fernando V.
Published: January 2022

Considering the increase of disruptive variable renewable energy penetration into the power grid, this article focuses on the investigation of a multiobjective and dynamic real‐time optimization framework to address the cycling of large‐scale power plants under renewable penetration. In this framework, a parallelized particle swarm optimization step is first performed to generate feasible initial points. Then, a multiobjective and dynamic real‐time optimization formulation generates optimal trajectories. The benefit of predictive capability is investigated for the dynamic component, which introduces the novel nonlinear multiobjective and dynamic real‐time predictive optimization approach. Two multiobjective formulations to obtain Pareto front optimal in real time are explored: the modified Tchebycheff‐based weighted metric and ‐constraint methods. Economic and environmental objectives are considered in this study. A novel topical discussion on the intersection of dynamic real‐time optimization with model predictive control is also presented. The developed framework is successfully applied to a baseload coal‐fired power plant with postcombustion CO2 capture. Results indicate that the approach can be deployed for a large‐scale system if automatic differentiation, model reduction, and parallelization are adopted to improve computational tractability, with computational improvement up to 120‐folds after performing these steps. Finally, market and carbon policies showed an impact on the optimal compromise between the objectives with an additional 63 ton of CO2 captured under favorable market conditions.
Psychosocial functioning of caregivers of pediatric brain tumor survivors
Authors: Bates Carolyn R. , Fairclough Diane , Noll Robert B. , Barrera Maru E. , Kupst Mary Jo , Egan Anna M. , Gartstein Maria A. , Ach Emily L. , Gerhardt Cynthia A. , Vannatta Kathryn
Published: January 2022

Background

Assessment of caregiver needs is a recommended standard of care in pediatric oncology. Caregivers of pediatric brain tumor survivors (PBTS) are a subgroup that may be at highest psychosocial risk. This study examined psychosocial functioning of caregivers of PBTS in comparison to caregivers of youth without cancer history. We hypothesized that caregivers of PBTS would exhibit more psychological symptoms, higher caregiver burden, and lower perceptions of social support than caregivers of comparison youth.

Procedure

As part of a five‐site study, we utilized a matched sample design to evaluate psychosocial functioning of 301 caregivers of 189 PBTS (ages 8–15) who were 1–5 years post treatment, and 286 caregivers of 187 comparison youth matched for sex, race, and age. Caregivers completed measures of psychological symptoms, caregiver burden, and perceptions of social support. Repeated measures mixed models compared outcomes between groups and examined differences based on caregiver sex. Socioeconomic status (SES) was examined as a moderator of significant main effects.

Results

Caregivers of PBTS reported similar levels of psychological symptoms to caregivers of comparison youth. Mothers of PBTS mothers reported higher caregiver burden and lower perceptions of social support than mothers of comparison youth. Low SES exacerbated group differences in caregiver burden.

Conclusions

Mothers of PBTS may have more caregiving responsibilities and perceive less social support, but reported similar levels of psychological symptoms to comparison mothers; fathers of PBTS were similar to comparison fathers. The mechanisms involved in this complex psychosocial dynamic require further investigation.
Investigating the hydrolytic degradation of PLA/PCL/ZnO nanocomposites by using viscoelastic models
Authors: Dadashi Parsa , Babaei Amir , Abdolrasouli Mehdi Haji
Published: January 2022

In this research, the degradation of a polymer blend in the presence of nanoparticles by considering the effect of nanoparticles on the degradation was investigated using emulsion models and fractional Zener model for the first time. Poly(lactic acid)/poly(caprolactone)/zinc oxide nanocomposite blends were prepared using the melt mixing method. Interface complex shear modulus for the neat polymer blend and its nanocomposites were calculated using emulsion models in a range of frequencies. All competing factors imposing elasticity on the systems, including the solid‐like behavior and degradation catalytic activity of ZnO nanoparticles in the presence of polyesters, were considered. After comparing the interface complex shear modulus of samples, it was revealed that the negative elastic impact of ZnO (degradation role) governs the viscoelastic behavior of these systems. Accordingly, the samples containing ZnO nanoparticles exhibited low elasticity, which was attributed to overcoming the degradation role of ZnO compared with the hydrodynamic interaction of ZnO nanoparticles. Additionally, the results obtained from the fractional Zener model were in good harmony with the emulsion model analysis.
Temperature‐responsive smart surfaces via rise‐and‐descent transition: Attachability, durability, and fast sweating
Authors: Cho Yunho , Lee Jonghwi
Published: January 2022

Smart surfaces containing thermo‐responsive hydrogels have been investigated for several decades, but the development of mechanically durable and versatile surfaces that can undergo distinct property changes remains a challenging task. Herein, we prepare smart surfaces showing reversible changes in micro‐scale roughness, which are attachable to various polymeric substrates. The hydrogel microphase located between silicone phases responsively rise and descend (volcanic‐terrain‐mimetic transition); as a result, the surface properties reversibly swing from those of the hydrophobic silicone‐like ones to those of the wet hydrogel ones. The durability of these surfaces resembles that of silicone, while their fast water release characteristics allow the utilization of the studied materials in self‐aligning and artificial sweating applications. The release of the drug molecules loaded into the hydrogel phase is controlled by varying the temperature and composite structure. Thus, the fabricated versatile surfaces utilizing the volume transition of thermo‐responsive hydrogels can meet the requirements of various future applications.
Injectable and self‐healing hydrogels with tissue adhesiveness and antibacterial activity as wound dressings for infected wound healing
Authors: Zhang Mengyuan , Lin Peiling , Song Xiaofan , Chen Kun , Yang Yuxuan , Xu Yongliang , Zhang Qiang , Wu Youshen , Zhang Yanfeng , Cheng Yilong
Published: January 2022

The design of wound dressings with excellent self‐healing ability, adequate adhesion, good biocompatibility, and potential antibacterial ability is of great significance for the healing of infected wounds arising from human activities. Herein, a series of multi‐functional hydrogel dressings, poly(ionized isocyanoethyl methacrylate‐glutamine)/poly(hexamethylene guanidine) (iGx/PHMGy) hydrogels, were obtained through homopolymerization of fully ionized isocyanoethyl methacrylate‐glutamine (iIEM‐Gln) in the presence of poly(hexamethylene guanidine) (PHMG), in which strong hydrogen bonds were formed among urea groups in the P (iIEM‐Gln) chain to form a stable hydrogel network. The prepared iGx/PHMGy hydrogels exhibited adequate self‐healing ability and tissue adhesion, which could be firmly adhered to the wound surface and remained intact during application. In addition, the presence of PHMG imparted good antibacterial activity to the hydrogels for the effective promotion of the wound healing in S. aureus infected skin wound on mice. Overall, this multi‐functional hydrogel provides a facile and effective strategy for the design of infected wound dressings, and may show great potential in clinical applications.
Assessing climate risk to support urban forests in a changing climate
Authors: Esperon‐Rodriguez Manuel , Rymer Paul D. , Power Sally A. , Barton David N. , Cariñanos Paloma , Dobbs Cynnamon , Eleuterio Ana Alice , Escobedo Francisco J. , Hauer Richard , Hermy Martin , Jahani Ali , Onyekwelu Jonathan C. , Östberg Johan , Pataki Diane , Randrup Thomas B. , Rasmussen Tørres , Roman Lara A. , Russo Alessio , Shackleton Charlie , Solfjeld Ingjerd , van Doorn Natalie S. , Wells Matthew J. , Wiström Björn , Yan Pengbo , Yang Jun , Tjoelker Mark G.
Published: January 2022

Societal Impact Statement

Globally, cities are planning for resilience through urban greening initiatives as governments understand the importance of urban forests in improving quality of life and mitigating climate change. However, the persistence of urban forests and the ecosystem benefits they provide are threatened by climate change, and systematic assessments of causes of tree dieback and mortality in urban environments are rare. Long‐term monitoring studies and adaptive management are needed to identify and prevent climate change‐driven failures and mortality. Research and monitoring when coupled with systematic forecasting will enable governments to incorporate climate change resilience into urban forestry planning. Future scenarios in which urban forests are resilient or in decline will depend on the management and planning actions we make today.

The management of urban forests is a key element of resilience planning in cities across the globe. Urban forests provide ecosystem services as well as other nature‐based solutions to 4.2 billion people living in cities. However, to continue to do so effectively, urban forests need to be able to thrive in an increasingly changing climate. Trees in cities are vulnerable to extreme heat and drought events, which are predicted to increase in frequency and severity under climate change. Knowledge of species' vulnerability to climate change, therefore, is crucial to ensure provision of desired ecosystem benefits, improve species selection, maintain tree growth and reduce tree mortality, dieback and stress in urban forests. Yet, systematic assessments of causes of tree dieback and mortality in urban environments are rare. We reviewed the state of knowledge of tree mortality in urban forests globally, finding very few frameworks that enable detection of climate change impacts on urban forests and no long‐term studies assessing climate change as a direct driver of urban tree dieback and mortality. The effects of climate change on urban forests remain poorly understood and quantified, constraining the ability of governments to incorporate climate change resilience into urban forestry planning.
The effect of group IV chitinase, HaCHT4, on the chitin content of the peritrophic matrix (PM) during larval growth and development of Helicoverpa armigera
Authors: Hu De‐Qin , Luo Sheng‐Hui , Abudunasier Maimaitiaili , Cai Xin‐Hui , Feng Meng‐Meng , Liu Xiao‐Ning , Wang Dong‐Mei
Published: January 2022

BACKGROUND

Extensive research has been conducted on insect chitinases. However, little is known about the function of chitinase in the regulation of the surface structure of the peritrophic matrix (PM) in larval midguts. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of HaCHT4 on the chitin content and surface structure of the PM during larval growth and development of Helicoverpa armigera.

RESULTS

The expression level of HaCHT4 was lower and the chitin content was higher in the early stages of fourth to sixth instar larvae, but they were reversed in the corresponding late stages. The correlation coefficient between the expression level of HaCHT4 and the chitin content was −0.585 (P < 0.05), with a higher negative correlation of −0.934 for the fourth instar (P < 0.01). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the surface structure of PM was multi‐laminated with small pores in the early stages of fourth to sixth instar larvae, and more and bigger pores in the late stages. Low expression of HaCHT4 caused by RNA interference (RNAi) resulted in the increase of chitin content in the PM, and the surface structure of PM became multilayered with smaller pore size in the late stage of fourth instar larvae. Also, induction of HaCHT4 by application of 2‐tridecanone (2‐TD), decreased the chitin content of PM, caused larger pores to form and lots of food bolus to attach to the PM surface, and also increased the larval susceptibility to chlorantraniliprole.

CONCLUSION

These results provided strong evidence that HaCHT4 plays an important role by regulating the chitin content of the PM and its surface structure, thereby affecting the sensitivity of H. armigera to chlorantraniliprole.
Iron therapy as a novel treatment of scleroderma‐related pulmonary hypertension: A case report and literature review
Authors: Neumann Melissa , Wong Karen A. , Lazo Kevin , Stover Diane
Published: January 2022

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is the leading cause of death in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), with a 3‐year mortality of 40%–50% despite optimal therapy. Treatment mirrors that of idiopathic PAH and is often ineffective. This is a case report of a patient with SSc evaluated for progressive dyspnoea with exertion and found to have elevated pulmonary artery systolic pressures (PASPs). She received ferritin‐targeted iron infusions as a novel treatment of suspected SSc‐associated PAH, with subsequent resolution of respiratory symptoms and PASPs that normalized. We review PAH especially associated with SSc, its treatment and identify a possible novel therapeutic approach for those with PAH‐SSc.
Taxonomic and functional distinctness of the fish assemblages differing among different types of reservoirs in south‐eastern Brazil
Authors: Mattos Tailan Moretti , Carvalho Dandhara Rossi , Guerra‐Júnior Augusto de Salles , Araújo Francisco Gerson
Published: January 2022

The dynamics of fish assemblages in reservoirs depend on factors such as the morphometry of the catchment, habitat structure, and the uses of the reservoir. In the Paraíba do Sul (PSR) basin in southeastern Brazil, there are several types of reservoirs, some on the main channel, some are cascade reservoirs originated from a diversion of the waters of the PSR, and others are isolated reservoirs from tributaries. This study aimed to evaluate the influences of these three types of reservoirs on the taxonomic and functional distinctness of the fish assemblages. It was hypothesized that reservoirs on the main channel (more inflowing waters and habitat availability) have higher taxonomic and functional distinctness compared to cascade reservoirs, which in turn, have greater distinctness than isolated reservoirs. In addition, we expect assemblage structure to differ among these types of reservoirs because of the close relationship with local environmental conditions and habitat structure. Thirty measurements (26 quantitative and 4 categorical) from 34 fish species representing functional traits associated with locomotion, feeding, life strategy, and habitat use were taken. Fish assemblages differed among the three types of reservoirs, which was probably associated with different environmental and local habitat conditions. Higher taxonomic and functional distinctness were found for the isolated reservoirs, and lower for reservoirs on the main channel. This suggests that the fish fauna in this latter type of reservoir were probably composed of phylogenetically close and morphologically similar species. It is likely that limitation of the available resources induces fish to partition the available niches to coexist, favoring assemblages with species adapted to different functions. Our results demonstrate that assessing fish functional and taxonomic distinctness can be used to advance understanding of fish communities from reservoirs in Neotropical regions.
Molecular dynamics simulation of organic contaminant adsorption on organic‐coated smectite clay
Authors: Willemsen Jennifer A. R. , Emunah Meléa , Bourg Ian C.
Published: January 2022

Molecular dynamics simulations are used to examine the adsorption and aggregation of tyrosine and glutamate molecules on a stack of smectite particles at three different organic loadings. The results reveal a strong affinity of the smectite surface for the organic molecules with the zwitterionic tyrosine molecules coating the exterior surfaces (and entering the interlayer region to a lesser extent), whereas the negatively charged glutamate molecules are generally found near the clay edge sites and in coordination with aqueous and coordinating Ca ions. Additional simulations examine the effects of the tyrosine and glutamate organic coatings on the adsorption of two organic contaminants, dimethyl phthalate (DMP) and perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS). The addition of these coatings did not prevent the DMP and PFBS molecules from accessing previously identified favorable adsorption domains. An analysis of the adsorption energetics shows an initial decrease in contaminant adsorption relative to pure mineral surfaces as tyrosine and glutamate are introduced to the system, followed by increasing adsorption with increasing organic loadings. Overall, this research advances the mechanistic understanding of the interplay between smectite surfaces, organic coatings, and organic contaminants.
Are duplicates really harmful? An empirical study on bug report summarization techniques
Authors: Hao Rui , Li Yuying , Feng Yang , Chen Zhenyu
Published: January 2022

Recent research works have proven that duplicate bug reports can provide helpful information to assist developers in software tasks such as fault localization and program fixing, while thoroughly reading duplicate bug reports is time‐consuming and inefficient. Summarization is a possible solution for gaining essential information quickly. However, there are many challenges when applying existing summarizing techniques on duplicate bug reports. Duplicate bug reports describe the same problem from different views and vary in quality, content, and writing style. Moreover, the code snippet understanding and the semantic gap between natural and programming languages make the summary generation even more difficult. Thus, in this paper, we want to investigate whether the state‐of‐the‐art summarization approaches can overcome the resistance and generate an effective summary for duplicate bug reports. We collected more than 8,000 groups of duplicate reports from GitHub and labeled 60 groups with 149 reports manually for the evaluation. Results showed that although the existing summarization approaches can work on duplicate bug reports, there are significant differences between them when it comes to code snippet summarization. Moreover, several methods can be very sluggish for summarizing long bug reports. Our study provides insights and guidelines for choosing proper summarization approaches in different scenarios.
Anti‐ulcerative effects of wogonin on ulcerative colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium via Nrf2/TLR4/NF‐κB signaling pathway in BALB/c mice
Authors: Zhou Yadong , Dou Fafu , Song Huwei , Liu Tao
Published: January 2022

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory disease on the deepest lining of the colon and rectum. Wogonin is an antitumor flavonoid, which possesses various therapeutic properties. Even if the anti‐colitis effect of wogonin was documented earlier, but the wogonin effect on inflammation underlying mechanism is not fully elucidated. In this present study, we hypothesized to study the oxidative damage, anti‐inflammatory, and molecular action of wogonin on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)‐induced UC mice model. In methods, mice were categorized into four groups: that is, normal control, DSS alone, DSS + wogonin (30 mg/kg/day), and DSS + sulfasalazine (50 mg/kg/day). We determined the biochemical markers, inflammatory cytokines, histopathology of colon tissue, and western blot analysis. DSS significantly reduced body weight, colon length, and increased inflammation in the colon. Wogonin treatment prevented colonic ulceration, neutrophil infiltration, oxidative stress, pro‐inflammatory cytokines, and histological changes. Oxidative damage and inflammatory mediators' elevation were also dramatically diminished by wogonin. Wogonin activates apoptosis via inhibiting Bcl‐2 and augmenting Bax, caspase‐3, and ‐9 expressions. Wogonin downregulated the COX‐2 and iNOS, thereby repressing NF‐κB. Wogonin regulated the Nrf2 signaling pathway and decreased TLR‐4/NF‐κB triggering. Taken together our study exposed that wogonin has a promising anti‐ulcerative agent and recommended for good anti‐inflammatory drug in the colon.
Gene expression of adipokines and inflammatory cytokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of obese dogs
Authors: Hwang Seo‐Young , An Ju‐Hyun , Kim Kyung‐Bo , Lee Jeong‐Hwa , Park Su‐Min , Oh Ye‐in , Chae Hyung Kyu , Youn Hwa‐Young
Published: January 2022

Background

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) have been identified as a possible marker of inflammation in obesity. Understanding the expression of pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokines in PBMCs in obese dogs will help control obesity‐related inflammatory diseases.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of PBMCs in obesity‐associated chronic inflammation by analyzing the expression of adipokines and inflammatory cytokines.

Methods

Blood samples were obtained from 25 subjects and real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction determinations were performed to quantify the gene expression levels of adipokines and inflammatory cytokines, including TNF‐α, IL‐17, leptin, MCP‐1, and adiponectin, in the PBMCs.

Results

The results showed that the gene expression levels of TNF‐α (p < 0.001), IL‐17 (p < 0.0001), and leptin (p < 0.0001) were strongly upregulated in the PBMCs of obese dogs compared to that in non‐obese dogs.

Conclusions

The changes in gene expression levels of inflammation‐related adipokines and pro‐inflammatory cytokines occur in PBMCs, which may contribute to the low‐grade chronic inflammation that is present in obesity.
Cross‐border migration on a warming planet: A policy framework
Authors: Byravan Sujatha , Rajan Sudhir C.
Published: January 2022

Migration is frequently driven by the need to improve social and economic opportunities or to flee conditions of political insecurity. The increased risks of environmental hazards, including climate change, have intensified the push to migrate. Nevertheless, the relation between climate change and forced displacement is not direct and is complicated by globalization, local ecological conditions, and deteriorating domestic institutions. Significantly, the muddy situation means the question “did this person migrate because of climate change?” may never be fully answered. On the basis of ethical arguments, in this Perspective article we propose a framework with both strong and mild responses to address cross‐border migration. The strong version acknowledges that it is impossible to separate out fully the climate‐induced causes of migration from others and using climate attribution studies for this purpose is potentially harmful. This implies designing an open door policy for asylum seekers as the impacts of climate change unfold, bearing in mind that host countries having the most responsibility for climate change ought to be the most welcoming to them. In the mild version, the international community designates vulnerable zones, areas where significant land area is susceptible to overwhelming loss and damage. Such countries would include most small‐island states, those that are severely drought‐prone and those with substantial low‐lying deltaic areas. In both the mild and strong versions, asylum seekers are provided rights of free passage to host countries under nonrefoulement, so that they are not forced to return to their unliveable or unviable home countries and face continuing harm.

This article is categorized under:

Climate, Nature, and Ethics > Climate Change and Global Justice
Truth as social practice in a digital era: iteration as persuasion
Authors: Foster Clare L. E.
Published: January 2022

This article reflects on the problem of false belief produced by the integrated psychological and algorithmic landscape humans now inhabit. Following the work of scholars such as Lee McIntyre (Post-Truth, MIT Press, 2018) or Cailin O’Connor and James Weatherall (The Misinformation Age: How False Beliefs Spread, Yale University Press, 2019) it combines recent discussions of fake news, post-truth, and science denialism across the disciplines of political science, computer science, sociology, psychology, and the history and philosophy of science that variously address the ineffectiveness, in a digital era, of countering individual falsehoods with facts. Truth and falsehood, it argues, rather than being seen as properties or conditions attached to individual instances of content, should now be seen as collective, performative, and above all persuasive phenomena. They should be practically evaluated as networked systems and mechanisms of sharing in which individually targeted actions are combining with structural tendencies (both human and mechanical) in unprecedented ways. For example, the persuasive agency of apparent consensus (clicks, likes, bots, trolls) is newly important in a fractured environment that only appears to be, but is no longer ‘public’; the control of narratives, labels, and associations is a live, time-sensitive issue, a continuous contest, or ongoing cusp. Taking a social approach to truth yields observations of new relevance; from how current strategies of negative cohesion, blame, and enemy-creation depend crucially on binary ways of constructing the world, to how the offer of identity/community powerfully cooperates with the structural tendencies of algorithm-driven advertiser platforms towards polarisation. Remedies for these machine-learned and psychological tendencies lie in end-user education. So the Arts and Humanities, whether via comparisons with previous historical periods, or via principles of critical thinking and active reading, offer crucial resources to help counter what since 1997 silicon valley executives and scholars have called ‘persuasive technology’ (Fogg in Persuasive Technology: Using Computers to Change What we Think and Do, Morgan Kaufmann, 2003; Hamari et al. (eds) in Persuasive Technology, Springer International Publishing, 2014; Harris in How a Handful of Tech Companies Control Billions of Minds Every Day, 2017; Lanier in Who Owns the Future? Simon & Schuster, 2014 and Ten Arguments for Deleting your Social Media Accounts Right Now, Picador, 2019). The article proposes a paradigm shift in public understandings of this new social environment: from a culture of discovery, where what matters is what exists or is in fact the case, to a culture of iteration, where what matters is what gets repeated.
Fatigue strength improvement due to alloying steel weld toes with WC tool constituent elements through friction stir processing
Authors: Yamamoto Hajime , Koga Shodai , Ito Kazuhiro , Mikami Yoshiki
Published: January 2022

Friction stir processing (FSP) enables surface modifications can likely be applied as a new post-weld treatment for improving fatigue strength. When applying FSP to high-strength materials, tool wear occurring at the interface between the tool tip and the topmost steel layer has been regarded as an unavoidable issue and is related to the tool rotational speed. The present study investigated the relationship between the tool rotational speed and fatigue strength of arc-welded high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steel joints with weld toes subjected to FSP using a spherical-tip WC tool. FSP was conducted on the weld toe of HSLA steel joints with various tool rotational speeds. Tool wear increased with increase in tool rotational speed, and consequently contents of constituent elements of the WC tool increased in the topmost steel layer of weld toes, leading to large increase in fatigue strength. One reason for the increase with tool rotational speed is significant increase in solid solution hardening due to supersaturated W and C in the topmost steel layer consisting of martensite laths. The hardened topmost steel layer prevented fatigue crack initiation, and the increased fatigue strength depended on the contents of supersaturated W and C. Alloying of the topmost steel layer with tool constituent elements of W and C accompanied with WC tool wear during FSP is unique additive manufacturing to increase the fatigue strength of welded joints, and can be employed locally on structural components susceptible to fatigue.
Body mass index in type 2 spinal muscular atrophy: a longitudinal study
Authors: Ferrantini Gloria , Coratti Giorgia , Onesimo Roberta , Lucibello Simona , Bompard Sarah , Turrini Ida , Cicala Graziamaria , Caprarelli Michela , Pera Maria Carmela , Bravetti Chiara , Berti Beatrice , Giorgio Valentina , Bruno Claudio , Brolatti Noemi , Panicucci Chiara , D’Amico Adele , Longo Antonella , Leoni Chiara , Sansone Valeria A. , Albamonte Emilio , Messina Sonia , Sframeli Maria , Bertini Enrico , Pane Marika , Mercuri Eugenio ,   the Italian ISMAC study group
Published: January 2022

The aim of this retrospective study was to review body mass index (BMI) in a large cohort of Italian pediatric type 2 spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) patients, aged between 0 and 20 years and to establish possible differences in relation to a number of variables such as ventilation, motor function, and survival motor neuron 2 gene copies. Cross-sectional data were collected from 102 patients for a total of 344 visits. Standard growth charts for height and weight were used as reference, with age adjusted BMI calculated using the Center for Disease and Prevention Children’s BMI Tool. In the 344 visits, weight ranged between 3.90 and 83 kg, and the BMI between 8.4 and 31.6 with a BMI/age z-scores <  − 2SD present in 28% and BMI/age z-scores >  + 2SD in 9% of the measurements. The BMI/age z-scores were relatively stable < 5 years of age with an increasing number of patients <  − 2SD after the age of 5, and a wider range of BMI/age z-scores after the age of 13. A difference on the BMI/age z-scores was found among the different age subgroups (< 5, 5–12, ≥ 13 years). A multivariate analysis in 58 patients with longitudinal assessments showed that baseline BMI/age z-scores and gender were significantly contributing to the changes while other variables were not.

Conclusion: Our results confirm that careful surveillance of weight and BMI/age z-scores is needed in type 2 SMA. Further studies, including assessments of chewing and swallowing and of lean/fat body mass, will help to better understand the possible mechanisms underlying weight issues.

What is Known:• Feeding difficulties have been reported in a few studies and were invariably found in patients with type 1 SMA.• Type 2 SMA patients often have low BMI with a relevant number of patients requiring tube feeding.

What is New:• Reduction in BMI/age z-score overtime appeared to depend on baseline BMI/age z-score and gender.• Patients with a low BMI/age z-score were at higher risk of developing further reduction.
A model-driven approach to machine learning and software modeling for the IoT
Authors: Moin Armin , Challenger Moharram , Badii Atta , Günnemann Stephan
Published: January 2022

Models are used in both Software Engineering (SE) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). SE models may specify the architecture at different levels of abstraction and for addressing different concerns at various stages of the software development life-cycle, from early conceptualization and design, to verification, implementation, testing and evolution. However, AI models may provide smart capabilities, such as prediction and decision-making support. For instance, in Machine Learning (ML), which is currently the most popular sub-discipline of AI, mathematical models may learn useful patterns in the observed data and can become capable of making predictions. The goal of this work is to create synergy by bringing models in the said communities together and proposing a holistic approach to model-driven software development for intelligent systems that require ML. We illustrate how software models can become capable of creating and dealing with ML models in a seamless manner. The main focus is on the domain of the Internet of Things (IoT), where both ML and model-driven SE play a key role. In the context of the need to take a Cyber-Physical System-of-Systems perspective of the targeted architecture, an integrated design environment for both SE and ML sub-systems would best support the optimization and overall efficiency of the implementation of the resulting system. In particular, we implement the proposed approach, called ML-Quadrat, based on ThingML, and validate it using a case study from the IoT domain, as well as through an empirical user evaluation. It transpires that the proposed approach is not only feasible, but may also contribute to the performance leap of software development for smart Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) which are connected to the IoT, as well as an enhanced user experience of the practitioners who use the proposed modeling solution.
Exploring a landslide inventory created by automated web data mining: the case of Italy
Authors: Franceschini Rachele , Rosi Ascanio , Catani Filippo , Casagli Nicola
Published: January 2022

Nowadays, several systems to set up landslide inventories exist although they rarely rely on automated or real-time updates. Mass media can provide reliable info about natural hazard events with a relatively high temporal and spatial resolution. The news publication about a natural disaster inside newspaper or crowdsourcing platforms allows a faster observation, survey, and classification of these phenomena. Several techniques have been developed for data mining inside social media for many natural events, but they have been rarely applied to the automatic extraction of “landslide events”. This source of information allows continuous feedback from real world, and news concerning landslide events can be rapidly collected. In this work, the newspaper articles about landslides in Italy are automatically collected by an existing data mining algorithm, based on a semantic engine. The news has been analysed to assess their distribution over the territory and to verify the possibility of using them for hazard mapping purpose. In 10 years, from 2010 to 2019, the algorithm identified and geolocated 184322 articles referring to 32525 generical events (“news”). At first, the collected data underwent to a manual verification, followed by a classification based on news relevance, localization accuracy and time of publication. Then, these data have been used to identify the areas and the periods most affected by landslide phenomena. The analyses show that almost 42% of Italian municipalities have been affected by landslide. According to the results, the use of data mining is helpful for the creation of landslide databases where the day and the approximative location (municipality) of the possible landslide triggers are known. This database, in turn, can be used for scientific purposes, as the definition of the meteorological condition associated with landslide initiation, the validation of risk maps. It can also be used for a proper land use or risk mitigation planning, since the most landslide-prone municipalities can be defined.
Munitionsaltlasten vor deutschen Küsten und deren Bezug zum Gewässerschutz-, Naturschutz- und Gefahrenabwehrrecht
Authors: Kollenberg Roman
Published: January 2022

Insbesondere der Politikdiskurs in den norddeutschen Bundesländern, aber auch die Wissenschaft
befasst sich schon seit einigen Jahren mit den Munitionsaltlasten, die sich vor den deutschen Küsten
befinden. Dass diese als Gefahrenquellen mit drohenden erheblichen schädlichen Folgen für Mensch
und Natur beseitigt werden müssen, erscheint immer dringlicher. Jedoch erweist sich der rechtliche
Rahmen dieser Beseitigungsmaßnahmen vor dem Hintergrund der bestehenden gewässerschutz-, naturschutz-
und gefahrenabwehrrechtlichen Regelungen als sehr unübersichtlich. Er soll daher in dem vorliegenden
Beitrag ausgeleuchtet werden.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Eco-Performance at Farm Level: A Parametric Approach
Authors: Stetter Christian , Sauer Johannes
Published: January 2022

Agriculture is an important source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and thus contributes considerably to global warming. However, farms can vary substantially in terms of their climatic impact. So far, most policies aiming at reducing GHG emissions from farming have largely been based on findings at the aggregate level, without taking farm heterogeneity properly into account. This study seeks to provide a better understanding of the GHG mitigation potential at the micro-level. We develop a comprehensible analytical framework for analyzing economic-ecological performance by way of stochastic frontier analysis. We introduce the concept of emission efficiency, where we distinguish between persistent and time-varying efficiency. We further analyze farms with respect to their emission-performance dynamics. Results from our (2005–2014) empirical application from Bavaria—an important region for the EU – show considerable differences in farm-level GHG emissions across different farm types. The same applies to emission efficiencies. Overall, emission performance improved over time. The results have important climate-policy implications as they help to provide better target measures for mitigating GHG emissions from agriculture, without compromising economic performance levels.
Solving non-monotone equilibrium problems via a DIRECT-type approach
Authors: Lucidi Stefano , Passacantando Mauro , Rinaldi Francesco
Published: January 2022

A global optimization approach for solving non-monotone equilibrium problems (EPs) is proposed. The class of (regularized) gap functions is used to reformulate any EP as a constrained global optimization program and some bounds on the Lipschitz constant of such functions are provided. The proposed global optimization approach is a combination of an improved version of the algorithm, which exploits local bounds of the Lipschitz constant of the objective function, with local minimizations. Unlike most existing solution methods for EPs, no monotonicity-type condition is assumed in this paper. Preliminary numerical results on several classes of EPs show the effectiveness of the approach.
Seasonal phosphorus and nitrogen cycling in four Japanese cool-temperate forest species
Authors: Seidel Felix , Lopez C. M. Larry , Bonifacio Eleonora , Kurokawa Hiroko , Yamanaka Toshiro , Celi Luisella
Published: January 2022

Purpose

In plant-soil systems, phosphorus partitioning during the annual cycle related to nitrogen partitioning remains largely unknown. The present study aims at assessing the soil-plant P allocation patterns of four tree species along four phenological stages and its relationship with tissues and soil N concentrations.

Methods

Cryptomeria japonica, Larix kaempferi, Fagus crenata and Robinia pseudoacacia trees were selected to sample coarse roots, sapwood, foliage, litter and soil during four phenological stages where total and Olsen extractable P and nitrogen content were measured respectively.

Results

Intra- and inter plant tissue nitrogen correlated well with phosphorus during the four phenological stages, especially root nitrogen. Fagus and Robinia were phosphorus limited, Larix was nitrogen limited and Cryptomeria co-limited. All species reabsorbed phosphorus and nitrogen from foliage prior to leaf abscission and stored nitrogen in roots and sapwood. Phosphorus storage was solely found in sapwood of Robinia. Soil dissolved ammonium correlated positively with nitrogen reabsorption efficiency during the green leaf stage, while single soil nutrient variables did not correlate with phosphorus reabsorption efficiency.

Conclusions

Plant tissues nitrogen partitioning correlated well with their respective phosphorus partitioning and the increase of soil NH4+ correlated positively with nitrogen reabsorption efficiency, regardless of tree species during the green leaf stage. The results of this study show the intricate relationship that exists between nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil-plant continuum as well as the tree species specific internal cycling of these nutrients.
2018 Real Estate Finance & Investment Symposium
Authors: Lindenthal Thies , Ling David C. , Ooi Joseph
Published: January 2022

In October 2018, the Real Estate Finance & Investment Symposium, sponsored and organized by the University of Cambridge, the University of Florida, and the National University of Singapore, was held in Gainesville, Florida. Ten papers on various research topics were presented over the day and one-half symposium. Each presentation
was followed by remarks from a discussant as well as general discussion from the audience. This short editorial discusses the five papers from the symposium that are included in this special issue.
A novel data solution to inform curriculum decolonisation: the case of the Imperial College London Masters of Public Health
Authors: Price Robyn , Skopec Mark , Mackenzie Simon , Nijhoff Coco , Harrison Ruth , Seabrook Gemma , Harris Matthew
Published: January 2022

There is increasing interest within Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to examine curricula for legacies of colonialism or empire that might result in a preponderance of references to research from the global north. Prior attempts to study reading lists for author geographies have employed resource-intensive audit and data collection methods based on manual searching and tagging individual reading list items by characteristics such as author country or place of publication. However, these manual methods are impractical for large reading lists with hundreds of citations that change over instances the course is taught. Laborious manual methods may explain why there is a lack of quantitative evidence to inform this debate and the understanding of geographic distribution of curricula. We describe a novel computational method applied to 568 articles, representing 3166 authors from the Imperial College London Masters in Public Health programme over two time periods (2017–18 and 2019–20). Described with summary statistics, we found a marginal shift away from global north-affiliated authors on the reading lists of one Masters course over two time periods and contextualise the role and limitations of the use of quantitative data in the decolonisation discourse. The method provides opportunities for educators to examine the distribution of course readings at pace and over time, serving as a useful point of departure to engage in decolonisation debates.
Endogenous testosterone density is an independent predictor of pelvic lymph node invasion in high-risk prostate cancer: results in 201 consecutive patients treated with radical prostatectomy and extended pelvic lymph node dissection
Authors: Porcaro Antonio Benito , Tafuri Alessandro , Panunzio Andrea , Mazzucato Giovanni , Cerrato Clara , Gallina Sebastian , Bianchi Alberto , Rizzetto Riccardo , Amigoni Nelia , Serafin Emanuele , Cianflone Francesco , Orlando Rossella , Gentile Ilaria , Migliorini Filippo , Zecchini Antoniolli Stefano , Di Filippo Giacomo , Brunelli Matteo , Pagliarulo Vincenzo , Cerruto Maria Angela , Antonelli Alessandro
Published: January 2022

Objective

To evaluate the influence of endogenous testosterone density (ETD) on pelvic lymph node invasion (PLNI) in high risk (HR) prostate cancer (PCa) treated with radical prostatectomy (RP) and staged with extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND).

Materials and methods

ETD was evaluated as the ratio of endogenous testosterone (ET) on prostate volume (PV). HR-PCa was assessed according to the European Association of Urology (EAU) system. The association of ETD and other routinely clinical factors (BPC: percentage of biopsy positive cores; PSA: prostate specific antigen; ISUP: tumor grade system according to the International Society of Urologic Pathology; cT: tumor clinical stage) with the risk of PLNI was assessed by the logistic regression model.

Results

Overall, 201 out of 805 patients (24.9%) were classified HR and PLNI occurred in 42 subjects (20.9%). On multivariate analysis, PLNI was independently predicted by BPC (OR 1.020; 95% CI 1.006–1.035; p = 0.019), ISUP > 3 (OR 2.621; 95% CI 1.170–5.869; p = 0.019) and ETD (OR 0.932; 95% CI 0.870–0.999; p = 0.045). After categorizing continuous clinical predictors, the risk of PLNI was independently increased by ETD up to the median (OR 2.379; 95% CI 1.134–4.991; p = 0.022), BPC > 50% (OR 3.125; 95% CI 1.520–6.425; p = 0.002) as well as by ISUP > 3 (OR 2.219; 95% CI 1.031–4.776; p = 0.042).

Conclusions

As ETD measurements decreased, patients were more likely to have PLNI. In HR disease with PLNI, the influence of PCa on ETD should be addressed by higher level studies.
A closed-form solution for the failure interaction diagrams of pile groups subjected to inclined eccentric load
Authors: Di Laora Raffaele , Iodice Chiara , Mandolini Alessandro
Published: January 2022

The work at hand proposes a method for assessing, under reasonable hypotheses from an engineering perspective, the failure envelope of a pile group subjected to generalized loading conditions involving a vertical and a lateral force along with a moment. Following different assumptions of increasing complexity, a simple closed-form expression, which is however capable of considering also the strong dependence of sectional yielding moment on the axial force, is derived. The use of such formula, which allows a practical hand calculation of the interaction diagrams at failure, returns conservative yet very accurate results. As a follow up, with reference to reinforced concrete piles, design considerations involving both structural and geotechnical failure under lateral load are reported. It is found that for most cases, if steel reinforcement is established to resist the design bending moment, the geotechnical Ultimate Limit State checks are automatically satisfied.
Alcohol Screening During US Primary Care Visits, 2014–2016
Authors: Chatterton Brittany , Agnoli Alicia , Schwarz Eleanor Bimla , Fenton Joshua J.
Published: January 2022

Background

Unhealthy alcohol use is a significant health issue for the US population. The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening adults 18 years or older for unhealthy alcohol use during primary care visits.

Objectives

To evaluate alcohol screening among ambulatory visits made by US adult primary care patients and identify characteristics predictive of alcohol screening.

Design

A series of cross-sectional analysis of the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) data collected from 2014 to 2016 was used to examine US primary care providers’ use of alcohol screening questionnaires and delivery of counseling on alcohol use.

Participants

A total of 19,213 visits made by patients aged 18 years or older to a US primary care physician trained in family medicine or internal medicine.

Main Measures

Administration of a validated alcohol screening questionnaire and counseling/education on alcohol use. Variation in alcohol screening by patient demographic characteristics, reason for office visit, length of office visit, chronic medical conditions, evaluation by assigned primary care physician, new patient to practice, and region.

Key Results

Alcohol screening with a validated questionnaire occurred during 2.6% (95% Cl: 0.9%, 4.3%) of visits. Alcohol counseling, provided either by the physician or by referral, was documented in 0.8% (95% Cl: 0.3%, 1.3%) of visits. Screening was significantly more likely if patients were seen by their assigned primary care physician (adjOR 4.38 (95% Cl: 1.41, 13.61)), a new patient to the practice (adjOR 4.18 (95% Cl: 2.30, 7.79)), or had several chronic medical conditions (adjOR 3.40 (95% Cl: 1.48, 7.78)). Patients’ sex, race/ethnicity, age group, or length of appointment time was not associated with screening for unhealthy alcohol use.

Conclusions

Screening for unhealthy alcohol use using a validated questionnaire is uncommonly performed during US primary care visits. Interventions or incentives may be needed to increase uptake of USPSTF alcohol screening recommendations.