bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Retracted: Co3O4 Polyhedron@MnO2 Nanotube Composite as Anode for High‐Performance Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Cao Zhiguang , Yang Yuebei , Qin Junling , He Jieying , Su Zixue
Published: March 2021

In this work, a novel lollipop nanostructure of Co3O4@MnO2 composite is prepared as anode material in lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). Cobalt metal–organic framework (ZIF‐67) is grown on the open end of MnO2 nanotubes via a self‐assembly process. The obtained ZIF‐67@MnO2 is then converted to Co3O4@MnO2 by a simple annealing treatment in air. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X‐ray diffraction characterizations indicate that the prepared Co3O4@MnO2 takes a lollipop nanostructure with a stick of ≈100 nm in diameter, consisting of MnO2 nanotube, and a head part of ≈1 µm, consisting of Co3O4 nanoparticles. The charge–discharge tests illustrate that this unique novel configuration endows the resulting Co3O4@MnO2 with excellent electrochemical performances, delivering a capacity of 1080 mAh g−1 at 300 mA g−1 after 160 cycles, and 696 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1 after 210 cycles, compared with 404 mAh g−1 and 590 for pure Co3O4 polyhedrons and pure MnO2 nanotubes at 300 mA g−1 after 160 cycles, respectively. The lollipop configuration consisting of porous Co3O4 polyhedron and MnO2 nanotube shows excellent structural stability and facilitates lithium insertion/extraction, leading to excellent cyclic stability and rate capacity of Co3O4@MnO2‐based LIBs.
Ermittlung von Inspektionsintervallen für Rissprüfungen an historischen genieteten Eisenbahnbrücken auf Basis der Bruchmechanik – Teil 1
Authors: Unterweger Harald , Derler Christoph
Published: March 2021

Eine konventionelle Restlebensdauerbeurteilung, auf Basis von Ermüdungs‐Festigkeitslinien (Wöhlerlinien), führt bei historischen genieteten Eisenbahnbrücken meist zu konservativen und unwägbaren Ergebnissen wegen des großen Einflusses der Ermüdungsschädigung aus der Vergangenheit, für die die Betriebszüge meist nur unzureichend bekannt sind. Für eine repräsentative einfeldrige Fachwerkbrücke erfolgte eine alternative Vorgehensweise auf Basis der Bruchmechanik, mit vorheriger Kalibrierung eines zutreffenden Bruchmechanikmodells anhand von Schwingversuchen an ausgebauten historischen und künstlich gekerbten Fahrbahnträgern sowie Betriebskollektiven aus simulierten Betriebszugsüberfahrten. Darauf wird in Teil 1 des Beitrags eingegangen. Bei vorausgesetzten Anfangsrisslängen, die im Zuge einer konventionellen Brückenprüfung feststellbar sind, lassen sich Restlebensdauern für die einzelnen Bauteile – bis zur Gefahr eines plötzlichen Sprödbruchs – ermitteln und daraus sinnvolle Inspektionsintervalle ableiten. Dies ist der Inhalt von Teil 2 des Beitrags.
Solutions to the problem of drinking water service affordability: A review of the evidence
Authors: Pierce Gregory , El‐Khattabi Ahmed Rachid , Gmoser‐Daskalakis Kyra , Chow Nicholas
Published: March 2021

Rapidly‐growing concern among scholars and policy makers over residential drinking water affordability in the United States highlights the need to identify and assess the efficacy of potential solutions to address this problem. Accordingly, in this advanced review of the literature, we examine the state of scholarly evidence over the last 30 years on the prevalence and effectiveness of strategies to address household drinking water affordability in the United States. We classify interventions into four categories: rate structure designs, water efficiency programs, recurring bill assistance, and crisis relief. Our findings are twofold. First, the conceptual literature on affordability interventions is fairly robust, but demonstrates both tradeoffs and complementarities across the four approaches. Second, despite employing a PRISMA approach, we identify few empirical studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of affordability interventions in practice, especially the targeted approaches of recurring bill assistance and crisis relief. The literature on affordability interventions thus appears to lag considerably behind scholarship identifying and defining the problem of affordability. Accordingly, we suggest key questions throughout our review that need to be answered, thereby providing an agenda for future research on drinking water affordability solutions.

This article is categorized under:

Engineering Water > Planning Water

Human Water > Value of Water
Semi-Abelian gauge theories, non-invertible symmetries, and string tensions beyond N-ality
Authors: Nguyen Mendel , Tanizaki Yuya , Ünsal Mithat
Published: March 2021

Abstract

We study a 3d lattice gauge theory with gauge group U(1)N−1 ⋊ SN, which is obtained by gauging the SN global symmetry of a pure U(1)N−1 gauge theory, and we call it the semi-Abelian gauge theory. We compute mass gaps and string tensions for both theories using the monopole-gas description. We find that the effective potential receives equal contributions at leading order from monopoles associated with the entire SU(N) root system. Even though the center symmetry of the semi-Abelian gauge theory is given by ℤN, we observe that the string tensions do not obey the N-ality rule and carry more detailed information on the representations of the gauge group. We find that this refinement is due to the presence of non-invertible topological lines as a remnant of U(1)N−1 one-form symmetry in the original Abelian lattice theory. Upon adding charged particles corresponding to W-bosons, such non-invertible symmetries are explicitly broken so that the N-ality rule should emerge in the deep infrared regime.
On duality of color and kinematics in (A)dS momentum space
Authors: Albayrak Soner , Kharel Savan , Meltzer David
Published: March 2021

Abstract

We explore color-kinematic duality for tree-level AdS/CFT correlators in momentum space. We start by studying the bi-adjoint scalar in AdS at tree-level as an illustrative example. We follow this by investigating two forms of color-kinematic duality in Yang-Mills theory, the first for the integrated correlator in AdS4 and the second for the integrand in general AdSd+1. For the integrated correlator, we find color-kinematics does not yield additional relations among n-point, color-ordered correlators. To study color-kinematics for the AdSd+1 Yang-Mills integrand, we use a spectral representation of the bulk-to-bulk propagator so that AdS diagrams are similar in structure to their flat space counterparts. Finally, we study color KLT relations for the integrated correlator and double-copy relations for the AdS integrand. We find that double-copy in AdS naturally relates the bi-adjoint theory in AdSd+3 to Yang-Mills in AdSd+1. We also find a double-copy relation at three-points between Yang-Mills in AdSd+1 and gravity in AdSd−1 and comment on the higher-point generalization. By analytic continuation, these results on AdS/CFT correlators can be translated into statements about the wave function of the universe in de Sitter.
Proktitis (ohne chronisch-entzündliche Darmerkrankung)
Authors: Kronberger Irmgard E.
Published: March 2021

Vermehrter Stuhldrang, Schleim‑/Blutabgänge sowie Läsionen an der Mukosa und ödematöse Veränderungen sind typische Beschwerden von Patienten mit Proktitis. Die Symptomatik und häufig auch die klinische Präsentation der Proktitiden sind nicht selten unspezifisch bzw. ähnlich und bedürfen aufgrund der drohenden Komplikationen mit Lebensqualitätseinschränkung einer guten Anamnese und des Wissens um die vielfältigen Ursachen. Man muss die Differenzialdiagnosen kennen, um sie auch erkennen zu können. Unser Fallbeispiel zeigt die Tücken einer vermeintlich leichten Diagnostik. Im vorliegenden Beitrag werden fast alle Proktitiden außer jener der chronisch-entzündlichen Darmerkrankungen beschrieben.
Injuries to the anterolateral ligament are observed more frequently compared to lesions to the deep iliotibial tract (Kaplan fibers) in anterior cruciate ligamant deficient knees using magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Runer Armin , Dammerer Dietmar , Kranewitter Christoph , Giesinger Johannes M. , Henninger Benjamin , Hirschmann Michael T. , Liebensteiner Michael C.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

To determine the accuracy of detection, injury rate and inter- and intrarater reproducibility in visualizing lesions to the anterolateral ligament (ALL) and the deep portion of the iliotibial tract (dITT) in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficient knees.

Methods

Ninety-one consecutive patients, out of those 25 children (age 14.3 ± 3.5 years), with diagnosed ACL tears were included. Two musculoskeletal radiologists retrospectively reviewed MRI data focusing on accuracy of detection and potential injuries to the ALL or dITT. Lesion were diagnosed in case of discontinued fibers in combination with intra- or peri-ligamentous edema and graded as intact, partial or complete tears. Cohen’s Kappa and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were determined for inter- and intrarater reliability measures.

Results

The ALL and dITT were visible in 52 (78.8%) and 56 (84.8%) of adult-and 25 (100%) and 19 (76.0%) of pediatric patients, respectively. The ALL was injured in 45 (58.5%; partial: 36.4%, compleate: 22.1%) patients. Partial and comleate tears, where visualized in 21 (40.4%) and 16 (30.8%) adult- and seven (28.0%) and one (4%) peditric patients. A total of 16 (21.3%; partial: 13.3%, compleate: 8.0%) dITT injuries were identified. Partal and complete lesions were seen in seven (12.5%) and five (8.9%) adult- and three (15.8%) and one (5.3%) pediatric patients. Combined injuries were visualized in nine (12.7%) patients. Inter-observer (0.91–0.95) and intra-observer (0.93–0.95) reproducibility was high.

Conclusion

In ACL injured knees, tears of the ALL are observed more frequently compared to lesions to the deep iliotibial tract. Combined injuries of both structures are rare. Clinically, the preoperative visualization of potentially injured structures of the anterolateral knee is crucial and is important for a more personalized preoperative planning and tailored anatomical reconstruction. The clinical implication of injuries to the anterolateral complex of the knee needs further investigation.

Level of evidence

II.
Punching test for estimating tensile strength and total elongation of steel sheets
Authors: Nakamura Naotaka , Mori Ken-ichiro , Okada Hiroki , Abe Yohei
Published: March 2021

A punching test for simply estimating the tensile strength and total elongation of steel sheets and formed parts was proposed. The tensile strength and total elongation were estimated from the shear stress at the maximum punching load and percentage of the burnished depth at the sheared edge of the slug measured without cutting, respectively. For a variety of steel sheets with a range of the tensile strength from 360 to 1500 MPa, linear functions for the estimation were experimentally obtained. The correlation of the estimated tensile strength of the steel sheets with the measured one from the uniaxial tensile test was considerably high, and the correlation of the estimated total elongation was high. The distributions of tensile strength and total elongation for hot- and cold-stamped parts were estimated. The proposed punching test is available under not only a laboratory environment but also a factory environment.
Typical Sequences Revisited — Computing Width Parameters of Graphs
Authors: Bodlaender Hans L. , Jaffke Lars , Telle Jan Arne
Published: March 2021

In this work, we give a structural lemma on merges of typical sequences, a notion that was introduced in 1991 [Lagergren and Arnborg, Bodlaender and Kloks, both ICALP 1991] to obtain constructive linear time parameterized algorithms for treewidth and pathwidth. The lemma addresses a runtime bottleneck in those algorithms but so far it does not lead to asymptotically faster algorithms. However, we apply the lemma to show that the cutwidth and the modified cutwidth of series parallel digraphs can be computed in polynomial time.
Diet affects glycosylation of serum proteins in women at risk for cardiometabolic disease
Authors: Kim Tyler , Xie Yixuan , Li Qiongyu , Artegoitia Virginia M. , Lebrilla Carlito B. , Keim Nancy L. , Adams Sean H. , Krishnan Sridevi
Published: March 2021

Background

Glycoproteomics deals with glycoproteins that are formed by post-translational modification when sugars (like fucose and sialic acid) are attached to protein. Glycosylation of proteins influences function, but whether glycosylation is altered by diet is unknown.

Objective

To evaluate the effect of consuming a diet based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans on circulating glycoproteins that have previously been associated with cardiometabolic diseases.

Design

Forty-four women, with one or more metabolic syndrome characteristics, completed an 8-week randomized controlled feeding intervention (n = 22) consuming a diet based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA 2010); the remaining consumed a ‘typical American diet’ (TAD, n = 22). Fasting serum samples were obtained at week0 (baseline) and week8 (post-intervention); 17 serum proteins were chosen for targeted analyses. Protein standards and serum samples were analyzed in a UHPLC-MS protocol to determine peptide concentration and their glycan (fucosylation or sialylation) profiles. Data at baseline were used in correlational analyses; change in proteins and glycans following intervention were used in non-parametric analyses.

Results

At baseline, women with more metabolic syndrome characteristics had more fucosylation (total di-fucosylated proteins: p = 0.045) compared to women with a lesser number of metabolic syndrome characteristics. Dietary refined grain intake was associated with increased total fucosylation (ρ = − 0.530, p < 0.001) and reduced total sialylation (ρ = 0.311, p = 0.042). After the 8-week intervention, there was higher sialylation following the DGA diet (Total di-sialylated protein p = 0.018, poly-sialylated orosomucoid p = 0.012) compared to the TAD diet.

Conclusions

Based on this study, glycosylation of proteins is likely affected by dietary patterns; higher sialylation was associated with a healthier diet pattern. Altered glycosylation is associated with several diseases, particularly cancer and type 2 diabetes, and this study raises the possibility that diet may influence disease state by altering glycosylation.

Clinical trial registration

NCT02298725 at clinicaltrials.gov; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02298725.
Prediction of daily suspended sediment load (SSL) using new optimization algorithms and soft computing models
Authors: Darabi Hamid , Mohamadi Sedigheh , Karimidastenaei Zahra , Kisi Ozgur , Ehteram Mohammad , ELShafie Ahmed , Torabi Haghighi Ali
Published: March 2021

Accurate modeling and prediction of suspended sediment load (SSL) in rivers have an important role in environmental science and design of engineering structures and are vital for watershed management. Since different parameters such as rainfall, temperature, and discharge with the different lag times have significant effects on the SSL, quantifying and understanding nonlinear interactions of the sediment dynamics has always been a challenge. In this study, three soft computing models (multilayer perceptron (MLP), adaptive neuro-fuzzy system (ANFIS), and radial basis function neural network (RBFNN)) were used to predict daily SSL. Four optimization algorithms (sine–cosine algorithm (SCA), particle swarm optimization (PSO), firefly algorithm (FFA), and bat algorithm (BA)) were used to improve the capability of SSL prediction of the models. Data from gauging stations at the mouth of the Kasilian and Talar rivers in northern Iran were used in the analysis. The selection of input combinations for the models was based on principal component analysis (PCA). Uncertainty in sequential uncertainty fitting (SUFI-2) and performance indicators were used to assess the potential of models. Taylor diagrams were used to visualize the match between model output and observed values. Assessment of daily SSL predictions for Talar station revealed that ANFIS-SCA yielded the best results (RMSE (root mean square error): 934.2 ton/day, MAE (mean absolute error): 912.2 ton/day, NSE (Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency): 0.93, PBIAS: 0.12). ANFIS-SCA also yielded the best results for Kasilian station (RMSE: 1412.10 ton/day, MAE: 1403.4 ton/day, NSE: 0.92, PBIAS: 0.14). The Taylor diagram confirmed that ANFIS-SCA achieved the best match between observed and predicted values for various hydraulic and hydrological parameters at both Talar and Kasilian stations. Further, the models were tested in Eagel Creek Basin, Indiana state, USA. The results indicated that the ANFIS-SCA model reduced RMSE by 15% and 21% compared to the MLP-SCA and RBFNN-SCA models in the training phase. Comparing models performance indicated that the ANFIS-SCA model could decrease MAE error compared to ANFIS-BA, ANFIS-PSO, ANFIS-FFA, and ANFIS models by 18%, 32%, 37%, and 49% in the training phase, respectively. The results indicated that the integration of optimization algorithms and soft computing models can improve the ability of models for predicting SSL. Additionally, the hybridization of soft computing models with optimization algorithms can decrease the uncertainty of models.
Contributions of pictorial and binocular cues to the perception of distance in virtual reality
Authors: Hornsey Rebecca L. , Hibbard Paul B.
Published: March 2021

We assessed the contribution of binocular disparity and the pictorial cues of linear perspective, texture, and scene clutter to the perception of distance in consumer virtual reality. As additional cues are made available, distance perception is predicted to improve, as measured by a reduction in systematic bias, and an increase in precision. We assessed (1) whether space is nonlinearly distorted; (2) the degree of size constancy across changes in distance; and (3) the weighting of pictorial versus binocular cues in VR. In the first task, participants positioned two spheres so as to divide the egocentric distance to a reference stimulus (presented between 3 and 11 m) into three equal thirds. In the second and third tasks, participants set the size of a sphere, presented at the same distances and at eye-height, to match that of a hand-held football. Each task was performed in four environments varying in the available cues. We measured accuracy by identifying systematic biases in responses and precision as the standard deviation of these responses. While there was no evidence of nonlinear compression of space, participants did tend to underestimate distance linearly, but this bias was reduced with the addition of each cue. The addition of binocular cues, when rich pictorial cues were already available, reduced both the bias and variability of estimates. These results show that linear perspective and binocular cues, in particular, improve the accuracy and precision of distance estimates in virtual reality across a range of distances typical of many indoor environments.
Continuous facility location on graphs
Authors: Hartmann Tim A. , Lendl Stefan , Woeginger Gerhard J.
Published: March 2021

We study a continuous facility location problem on undirected graphs where all edges have unit length and where the facilities may be positioned on the vertices as well as on interior points of the edges. The goal is to cover the entire graph with a minimum number of facilities with covering range $$\delta >0$$

δ
>
0

. In other words, we want to position as few facilities as possible subject to the condition that every point on every edge is at distance at most $$\delta $$
δ
from one of these facilities. We investigate this covering problem in terms of the rational parameter $$\delta $$
δ
. We prove that the problem is polynomially solvable whenever $$\delta $$
δ
is a unit fraction, and that the problem is NP-hard for all non unit fractions $$\delta $$
δ
. We also analyze the parametrized complexity with the solution size as parameter: The resulting problem is fixed parameter tractable for $$\delta <3/2$$

δ
<
3
/
2

, and it is W[2]-hard for $$\delta \ge 3/2$$

δ
≥
3
/
2

.
Depletion of Arg/Abl2 improves endothelial cell adhesion and prevents vascular leak during inflammation
Authors: Amado-Azevedo Joana , van Stalborch Anne-Marieke D. , Valent Erik T. , Nawaz Kalim , van Bezu Jan , Eringa Etto C. , Hoevenaars Femke P. M. , De Cuyper Iris M. , Hordijk Peter L. , van Hinsbergh Victor W. M. , van Nieuw Amerongen Geerten P. , Aman Jurjan , Margadant Coert
Published: March 2021

Endothelial barrier disruption and vascular leak importantly contribute to organ dysfunction and mortality during inflammatory conditions like sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome. We identified the kinase Arg/Abl2 as a mediator of endothelial barrier disruption, but the role of Arg in endothelial monolayer regulation and its relevance in vivo remain poorly understood. Here we show that depletion of Arg in endothelial cells results in the activation of both RhoA and Rac1, increased cell spreading and elongation, redistribution of integrin-dependent cell-matrix adhesions to the cell periphery, and improved adhesion to the extracellular matrix. We further show that Arg is activated in the endothelium during inflammation, both in murine lungs exposed to barrier-disruptive agents, and in pulmonary microvessels of septic patients. Importantly, Arg-depleted endothelial cells were less sensitive to barrier-disruptive agents. Despite the formation of F-actin stress fibers and myosin light chain phosphorylation, Arg depletion diminished adherens junction disruption and intercellular gap formation, by reducing the disassembly of cell-matrix adhesions and cell retraction. In vivo, genetic deletion of Arg diminished vascular leak in the skin and lungs, in the presence of a normal immune response. Together, our data indicate that Arg is a central and non-redundant regulator of endothelial barrier integrity, which contributes to cell retraction and gap formation by increasing the dynamics of adherens junctions and cell-matrix adhesions in a Rho GTPase-dependent fashion. Therapeutic inhibition of Arg may provide a suitable strategy for the treatment of a variety of clinical conditions characterized by vascular leak.
Portfolio management system in equity market neutral using reinforcement learning
Authors: Wu Mu-En , Syu Jia-Hao , Lin Jerry Chun-Wei , Ho Jan-Ming
Published: March 2021

Portfolio management involves position sizing and resource allocation. Traditional and generic portfolio strategies require forecasting of future stock prices as model inputs, which is not a trivial task since those values are difficult to obtain in the real-world applications. To overcome the above limitations and provide a better solution for portfolio management, we developed a Portfolio Management System (PMS) using reinforcement learning with two neural networks (CNN and RNN). A novel reward function involving Sharpe ratios is also proposed to evaluate the performance of the developed systems. Experimental results indicate that the PMS with the Sharpe ratio reward function exhibits outstanding performance, increasing return by 39.0% and decreasing drawdown by 13.7% on average compared to the reward function of trading return. In addition, the proposed model is more suitable for the construction of a reinforcement learning portfolio, but has 1.98 times more drawdown risk than the . Among the conducted datasets, the PMS outperforms the benchmark strategies in TW50 and traditional stocks, but is inferior to a benchmark strategy in the financial dataset. The PMS is profitable, effective, and offers lower investment risk among almost all datasets. The novel reward function involving the Sharpe ratio enhances performance, and well supports resource-allocation for empirical stock trading.
Clinical and genomic assessment of PD-L1 SP142 expression in triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Ahn Sung Gwe , Kim Seon-Kyu , Shepherd Jonathan H. , Cha Yoon Jin , Bae Soong June , Kim Chungyeul , Jeong Joon , Perou Charles M.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The SP142 PD-L1 assay is a companion diagnostic for atezolizumab in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). We strove to understand the biological, genomic, and clinical characteristics associated with SP142 PD-L1 positivity in TNBC patients.

Methods

Using 149 TNBC formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor samples, tissue microarray (TMA) and gene expression microarrays were performed in parallel. The VENTANA SP142 assay was used to identify PD-L1 expression from TMA slides. We next generated a gene signature reflective of SP142 status and evaluated signature distribution according to TNBCtype and PAM50 subtypes. A SP142 gene expression signature was identified and was biologically and clinically evaluated on the TNBCs of TCGA, other cohorts, and on other malignancies treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI).

Results

Using SP142, 28.9% of samples were PD-L1 protein positive. The SP142 PD-L1-positive TNBC had higher CD8+ T cell percentage, stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte levels, and higher rate of the immunomodulatory TNBCtype compared to PD-L1-negative samples. The recurrence-free survival was prolonged in PD-L1-positive TNBC. The SP142-guided gene expression signature consisted of 94 immune-related genes. The SP142 signature was associated with a higher pathologic complete response rate and better survival in multiple TNBC cohorts. In the TNBC of TCGA, this signature was correlated with lymphocyte-infiltrating signature scores, but not with tumor mutational burden or total neoantigen count. In other malignancies treated with ICIs, the SP142 genomic signature was associated with improved response and survival.

Conclusions

We provide multi-faceted evidence that SP142 PDL1-positive TNBC have immuno-genomic features characterized as highly lymphocyte-infiltrated and a relatively favorable survival.
A novel intraoral neuromuscular stimulation device for treating sleep-disordered breathing
Authors: Kotecha Bhik , Wong Phui Yee , Zhang Henry , Hassaan Amro
Published: March 2021

Purpose

To ascertain the usefulness of a novel intraoral neuromuscular stimulation device in treating patients with primary snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). This device uses daytime awake neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) as an application to induce toning of the tongue muscles.

Methods

A prospective cohort study of 70 patients with sleep-disordered breathing was conducted. Objective snoring and respiratory parameters were recorded with 2 consecutive night WatchPat sleep studies before and after treatment. The device was used for 20 min once daily for a 6-week period. Secondary outcome measures using visual analogue scale reporting of snoring by patient and Epworth Sleepiness Score (ESS) were recorded. Quality of life parameters were also noted.

Results

Objective reduction of snoring was noted on the sleep studies in 95% of participants, with an average snoring time reduction of 48%. Subjectively, the visual analogue scale reported by partners’ similarly demonstrated reduction in 95% of the patients with an average reduction of 40%. In a subset of 38 patients with mild OSA, AHI reduced from 9.8 to 4.7/h (52% reduction), ODI 7.8 to 4.3/h (45% reduction), and ESS from 9.0 to 5.1. Adverse effects encountered were minimal.

Conclusion

This prospective cohort study demonstrates a notable improvement in both objective and subjective parameters of snoring and mild OSA in both simple snorers and patients with mild OSA. This device offers a safe and novel approach to reduce snoring and mild OSA by utilising intraoral neuromuscular electrical stimulation. This could be a preferred option for patients as it alleviates the need of using an oral device during sleep.

Trial registration

clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT03829956
Multiple genetic variations of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps are associated with respiratory parameters in men with obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Zhang Qianqian , Wang Xiaoting , Cheng Xiangyu , Wu Xiaolin , Feng Yunhai , Xu Huajun , Zhu Huaming , Yi Hongliang , Zhang Weitian , Li Xinyi , Ye Haibo
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) have a higher risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, the relationship between CRSwNP and OSA remains unclear. The aim of this research study was to evaluate the association of multiple single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variations in CRSwNP with sleep- and breath-related parameters in men with OSA.

Methods

We included eight CRSwNP SNPs in 2320 participants after strict screening. For each participant, the genetic risk score (GRS) was calculated based on the cumulative effect of multiple genetic variants of CRSwNP. A bivariate correlation analysis was used to assess the relationship between CRSwNP genetic polymorphisms and polysomnography parameters in men with OSA. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess the relationship between the risk of OSA and CRSwNP genetic polymorphisms.

Results

In moderate OSA, rs28383314 was related to the oxygen desaturation index, and rs4807532 was positively associated with the microarousal index (r = 0.09, P = 0.03 and r = 0.11, P = 0.01, respectively). The CRSwNP GRS was positively correlated with the oxygen desaturation index and cumulative time percentage with SpO2 < 90% in moderate OSA (r = 0.13, P < 0.001 and r = 0.1, P = 0.01, respectively). There was no association between the CRSwNP GRS and the risk of OSA (OR = 1.007; 95% CI, 0.973–1.042; P = 0.702).

Conclusion

In men with moderate OSA, single CRSwNP genetic variations correlated with sleep-related parameters, and the cumulative effects of CRSwNP genetic variations were associated with the hypoxic index. CRSwNP may be a predisposing condition for sleep disorders in men with moderate OSA.
Single- and Multiple-Group Penalized Factor Analysis: A Trust-Region Algorithm Approach with Integrated Automatic Multiple Tuning Parameter Selection
Authors: Geminiani Elena , Marra Giampiero , Moustaki Irini
Published: March 2021

Penalized factor analysis is an efficient technique that produces a factor loading matrix with many zero elements thanks to the introduction of sparsity-inducing penalties within the estimation process. However, sparse solutions and stable model selection procedures are only possible if the employed penalty is non-differentiable, which poses certain theoretical and computational challenges. This article proposes a general penalized likelihood-based estimation approach for single- and multiple-group factor analysis models. The framework builds upon differentiable approximations of non-differentiable penalties, a theoretically founded definition of degrees of freedom, and an algorithm with integrated automatic multiple tuning parameter selection that exploits second-order analytical derivative information. The proposed approach is evaluated in two simulation studies and illustrated using a real data set. All the necessary routines are integrated into the R package penfa.
Worker Well-Being: What it Is, and how it Should Be Measured
Authors: Wijngaards Indy , King Owen C. , Burger Martijn J. , van Exel Job
Published: March 2021

Worker well-being is a hot topic in organizations, consultancy and academia. However, too often, the buzz about worker well-being, enthusiasm for new programs to promote it and interest to research it, have not been accompanied by universal enthusiasm for scientific measurement. Aim to bridge this gap, we address three questions. To address the question ‘What is worker well-being?’, we explain that worker well-being is a multi-facetted concept and that it can be operationalized in a variety of constructs. We propose a four-dimensional taxonomy of worker well-being constructs to illustrate the concept’s complexity and classify ten constructs within this taxonomy. To answer the question ‘How can worker well-being constructs be measured?’, we present two aspects of measures: measure obtrusiveness (i.e., the extent to which obtaining a measure interferes with workers’ experiences) and measure type (i.e., closed question survey, word, behavioral and physiological). We illustrate the diversity of measures across our taxonomy and uncover some hitherto under-appreciated avenues for measuring worker well-being. Finally, we address the question ‘How should a worker well-being measure be selected?’ by discussing conceptual, methodological, practical and ethical considerations when selecting a measure. We summarize these considerations in a short checklist. It is our hope that with this study researchers – working in organizations, in academia or both – will feel more competent to find effective strategies for the measurement worker well-being and eventually make policies and choices with a better understanding of what drives worker well-being.
Gesundheitskompetenz bei chronischer Krankheit in Deutschland: ein Scoping Review
Authors: Griese Lennert
Published: March 2021

Hintergrund

Trotz der hohen Bedeutung von Gesundheitskompetenz (GK) für die Bewältigung chronischer Krankheit steht die empirische Forschung zu diesem Thema in Deutschland noch am Anfang. Gleichzeitig fehlt es an einer systematischen Aufarbeitung des Forschungsstands, um Anhaltspunkte für die Ausrichtung der zukünftigen Forschung und Interventionsentwicklung zu gewinnen.

Material und Methoden

Deshalb wurde mit Hilfe eines Scoping Reviews eine systematisierte Literaturrecherche in internationalen und nationalen Fachdatenbanken durchgeführt. Die nach vorab festgelegten Einschlusskriterien berücksichtigten Studien wurden unter folgenden Kriterien analysiert: a) betrachtete Studienpopulationen, b) Konzeptualisierung und Messung von GK sowie c) bestehende Untersuchungsergebnisse.

Ergebnisse

Insgesamt konnten 22 Studien berücksichtigt werden. In ihnen wird GK primär bei ausgewählten, überwiegend prävalenten chronischen Krankheiten betrachtet und ausschließlich über selbsteingeschätzte Fähigkeiten im Umgang mit (digitaler) Gesundheitsinformation untersucht. Die GK ist mit zahlreichen gesundheitlichen Outcomes assoziiert. Wenig ist dagegen über die Determinanten von GK bei chronischer Krankheit bekannt.

Schlussfolgerung

Die Forschung über GK bei chronischer Krankheit in Deutschland hat in der Vergangenheit zwar zugenommen, erfolgt im Vergleich zu anderen Ländern aber immer noch eher verhalten und wenig systematisch. Auch deshalb fehlt es bislang an ausreichend empirischen Erkenntnissen über die individuellen und sozialen Voraussetzungen und Rahmenbedingungen, die im Zusammenhang von GK mit chronischer Krankheit bedeutsam sind. Sie gilt es zukünftig verstärkt in den Fokus zu rücken.
Evaluation and re-understanding of the global natural gas hydrate resources
Authors: Pang Xiong-Qi , Chen Zhuo-Heng , Jia Cheng-Zao , Wang En-Ze , Shi He-Sheng , Wu Zhuo-Ya , Hu Tao , Liu Ke-Yu , Zhao Zheng-Fu , Pang Bo , Wang Tong
Published: March 2021

Natural gas hydrate (NGH) has been widely considered as an alternative to conventional oil and gas resources in the future energy resource supply since Trofimuk’s first resource assessment in 1973. At least 29 global estimates have been published from various studies so far, among which 24 estimates are greater than the total conventional gas resources. If drawn in chronological order, the 29 historical resource estimates show a clear downward trend, reflecting the changes in our perception with respect to its resource potential with increasing our knowledge on the NGH with time. A time series of the 29 estimates was used to establish a statistical model for predict the future trend. The model produces an expected resource value of 41.46 × 1012 m3 at the year of 2050. The statistical trend projected future gas hydrate resource is only about 10% of total natural gas resource in conventional reservoir, consistent with estimates of global technically recoverable resources (TRR) in gas hydrate from Monte Carlo technique based on volumetric and material balance approaches. Considering the technical challenges and high cost in commercial production and the lack of competitive advantages compared with rapid growing unconventional and renewable resources, only those on the very top of the gas hydrate resource pyramid will be added to future energy supply. It is unlikely that the NGH will be the major energy source in the future.
It’s a Match: Task Assignment in Human–Robot Collaboration Depends on Mind Perception
Authors: Wiese Eva , Weis Patrick P. , Bigman Yochanan , Kapsaskis Kyra , Gray Kurt
Published: March 2021

Robots are becoming more available for workplace collaboration, but many questions remain. Are people actually willing to assign collaborative tasks to robots? And if so, exactly which tasks will they assign to what kinds of robots? Here we leverage psychological theories on person-job fit and mind perception to investigate task assignment in human–robot collaborative work. We propose that people will assign robots to jobs based on their “perceived mind,” and also that people will show predictable social biases in their collaboration decisions. In this study, participants performed an arithmetic (i.e., calculating differences) and a social (i.e., judging emotional states) task, either alone or by collaborating with one of two robots: an emotionally capable robot or an emotionally incapable robot. Decisions to collaborate (i.e., to assign the robots to generate the answer) rates were high across all trials, especially for tasks that participants found challenging (i.e., the arithmetic task). Collaboration was predicted by perceived robot-task fit, such that the emotional robot was assigned the social task. Interestingly, the arithmetic task was assigned more to the emotionally incapable robot, despite the emotionally capable robot being equally capable of computation. This is consistent with social biases (e.g., gender bias) in mind perception and person-job fit. The theoretical and practical implications of this work for HRI are being discussed.
Pioneer Legislation on Second Order of Sexual Harassment: Sociolegal Innovation in Addressing Sexual Harassment
Authors: Vidu Ana , Tomás Gema , Flecha Ramon
Published: March 2021

Backgroud

Countless efforts to combat sexual harassment have been proposed, and for the first time in history, the second order of sexual harassment (SOSH) has been legislated under the term second-order violence (SOV) by a unanimous vote of the Catalan Parliament. Advances in preventing and responding to sexual harassment contribute to highlighting the intervention as being crucial to supporting survivors against retaliation. A lack of support provides a general explanation on why bystanders tend not to intervene and highlights the reality that reprisals are suffered by those who support victims.

Methods

From the existing knowledge about sexual harassment prevention and response mechanisms, this paper analyzes scientific evidence through a review of the literature published in databases, as well as legislation, reports, and other materials.

Results

The context that enables SOV legislation is grounded in three realms: (1) bystander intervention and protection, (2) the role of support networks in protecting survivors, and (3) awareness and legislation of SOSH. An active bystander refers to the involvement of someone who is aware of potential sexual harassment situations.

Conclusions

The lack of legislation against SOSH limits bystander intervention and support; therefore, legislating protection for supporters has become urgent and necessary. Legislating SOSH has great social implications because gender equality cannot be fully achieved if bystander protection is not legally considered. Policy Implications: As no legal system has previously contemplated SOSH, its pioneering parliamentarian approval and establishment by Catalan law constitute a legal key innovation for the field of gender and women’s studies. In fact, evidence reported here are important in developing further regulations and policy.

Policy Implications

As no legal system has previously contemplated SOSH, its pioneering parliamentarian approval and establishment by Catalan law constitute a legal key innovation for the field of gender and women’s studies. In fact, evidence reported here are important in developing further regulations and policy.
A meta-analysis of multi-factors leading to performance challenges across Nigeria’s state-owned refineries
Authors: Iheukwumere Obinna , Moore David , Omotayo Temitope
Published: March 2021

This paper measured the significant factors leading to performance challenges across state-owned refineries in Nigeria based on experts’ views. The study was carried out with a view of making policy recommendations to help address these issues and thereby improve performance. A quantitative approach was adopted to sample the viewpoints of the professionals who work across the NNPC refineries. Using a Likert-type questionnaire, the professionals’ expert opinions were ranked across four main categories covering political, economic, social, and technical (PEST) factors. A Cronbach alpha test was performed to certify the consistency and reliability of the sub-category factors included on the Likert scale. In addition, a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was carried out to check for any statistically significant differences in the respondents’ opinions as a result of their different years of work experience. The study revealed that while all four PEST factors are crucial to the performance of the state-owned refineries in Nigeria, political, economic, and technical factors were viewed as more significant than the social factors. A comparative analysis of the sub-category factors using the relative significance index (RSI) and the respondents’ mean scores of importance (RMSI) revealed that government interference, funding issues, political indecision, theft and pipeline attacks, cost of spare parts, maintenance issues, operating capital, feedstock supply, staff training and competence issues are some of the significant factors that affect the performance of the refineries. The identified performance challenges from this study were used to inform policy recommendations to help address the problems of the refineries.
A numerical method of analyzing the composition of colored wastewater from dyeing plant
Authors: Jędrzejczak M. , Wojciechowski K.
Published: March 2021

Studies on the effectiveness of removing colored impurities from wastewater after dyeing process obtained from five dyeing plants located in the Lodz region in Poland were performed as well as a comparative spectrophotometric analysis of wastewater before and after treatment, in the visible range of absorption of 350–750 nm, attributed to dyes from different groups and with different structures of chromophoric systems. It was found that the method of calculating differences in the total areas under the curves of absorption from the range of 280–800 nm cannot determine precisely the effectiveness of color wastewater treatment. The method using a normalization procedure of the relevant spectra and the analysis of their partial differences proposed in this work allows to describe the efficiency of the process more precisely and indicates the class of synthetic dyes used in dyeing processes, giving the opportunity to the selection of appropriate procedures for their removal or disposal. By analysis of II-derivative of absorption bands, amount of colored components in the wastewater and the effects of physicochemical and biological treatment have been identified. This made it possible to determine the class of the colored impurities remaining in the wastewater.
A fresh look: technical analysis and treatment of Picasso's Science and Charity at the Museu Picasso
Authors: Jiménez Reyes
Published: March 2021

The condition of the Picasso’s Science and Charity has always been a matter of concern for the Conservation Department at the Museu Picasso in Barcelona. In the last few years, several historical and technical lines of research (based on vintage photographs and physicochemical studies) have increased the understanding of the painting’s materials and how they have responded to the different environments since the painting was created. In 2017, a campaign was launched to consolidate flaking paint, remove traces of animal glue, and correct colour retouching from previous inpainting campaigns and filling issues from previous treatments from 1970. The new treatment was successful, with cracks and cuppings being stabilized. The treatment heavily relied on high-resolution, multi-band images, as well as research from a previous study published in 2010. Infrared reflectography and colorimetry provided new information and corroborated a new vision of the creative process that had previously only been based on micro-analyses of samples. Science and Charity provides a relevant case study as the painting suffers from many degradation problems that are found in other Picasso paintings restored in the same period.
Potential antifungal effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) of different sizes against phytopathogenic Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici (FORL) strains
Authors: Akpinar Ilgin , Unal Muammer , Sar Taner
Published: March 2021

Fusarium species are the primary fungal pathogen affecting agricultural foodstuffs both in crop yield and economic loss. Due to these problems, control of phytopathogenic fungi has become one of the critical problems around the World. Nanotechnology is a new technology with potential in many fields, including agriculture. This study focused on determining potential effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with different nanosizes (3, 5, 8 and 10 nm) and at different concentrations (12.5–100 ppm) against phytopathogenic Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici (FORL) strains. The maximum antifungal activity was achieved by decreasing nanosize and increasing concentration of AgNPs. Mycelium growth abilities were decreased about 50%, 75% and 90% by AgNPs treatment with 3 nm sizes at 25 ppm, 37.5 ppm and 50 ppm concentrations, respectively. The productivity of fungal biomass in the liquid growth media was found to be too limited at the 25–37.5 ppm of AgNPs concentrations with all sizes. In addition, both septation number and dimensions of micro- and macroconidia were found to be gradually decreased with the application of silver nanoparticles. This work showed that the low concentration of AgNPs could be used as potential antifungal agents and applied for control of phytopathogens.
Hey Cyba
Authors: Young Steve
Published: March 2021

Recent developments in artificial intelligence, especially neural network and deep learning technology, have led to rapidly improving performance in voice assistants such as Siri and Alexa. Over the next few years, capability will continue to improve and become increasingly personalised. Today's voice assistants will evolve into virtual personal assistants firmly embedded within our everyday lives. Told through the view of a fictitious personal assistant called Cyba, this book provides an accessible but detailed overview of how a conversational voice assistant works, especially how it understands spoken language, manages conversations, answers questions and generates responses. Cyba explains through examples and diagrams the neural network technology underlying speech recognition and synthesis, natural language understanding, knowledge representation, conversation management, language translation and chatbot technology. Cyba also explores the implications of this rapidly evolving technology for security, privacy and bias, and gives a glimpse of future developments. Cyba's website can be found at HeyCyba.com.
The Book of Geoffroi de Charny
Authors: Wilson Ian , Bryant Nigel
Published: March 2021

The Livre Charny (Charny's Book), by the 14th century French knight Geoffroi de Charny, translated here by Nigel Bryant with an introduction by Ian Wilson.
When the Dead Rise
Authors: Livermore Christian
Published: March 2021

A survey of the motif of the revenant, showing how medieval themes and motifs persist today.