bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physiological confounders of renal blood flow measurement
Authors: Alhummiany Bashair , Sharma Kanishka , Buckley David L. , Soe Kywe Kywe , Sourbron Steven P.
Published: November 2023

Objectives

Renal blood flow (RBF) is controlled by a number of physiological factors that can contribute to the variability of its measurement. The purpose of this review is to assess the changes in RBF in response to a wide range of physiological confounders and derive practical recommendations on patient preparation and interpretation of RBF measurements with MRI.

Methods

A comprehensive search was conducted to include articles reporting on physiological variations of renal perfusion, blood and/or plasma flow in healthy humans.

Results

A total of 24 potential confounders were identified from the literature search and categorized into non-modifiable and modifiable factors. The non-modifiable factors include variables related to the demographics of a population (e.g. age, sex, and race) which cannot be manipulated but should be considered when interpreting RBF values between subjects. The modifiable factors include different activities (e.g. food/fluid intake, exercise training and medication use) that can be standardized in the study design. For each of the modifiable factors, evidence-based recommendations are provided to control for them in an RBF-measurement.

Conclusion

Future studies aiming to measure RBF are encouraged to follow a rigorous study design, that takes into account these recommendations for controlling the factors that can influence RBF results.
Do we all perceive experiences of age discrimination in the same way? Cross-cultural differences in perceived age discrimination and its association with life satisfaction
Authors: P. de Paula Couto M. Clara , Nikitin Jana , Graf Sylvie , Fung Helene H. , Hess Thomas M. , Liou Shyhnan , Rothermund Klaus
Published: November 2023

Age discrimination is pervasive in most societies and bears far-reaching consequences for individuals’ psychological well-being. Despite that, studies that examine cross-cultural differences in age discrimination are still lacking. Likewise, whether the detrimental association between age discrimination and psychological well-being varies across contexts remains an open question. In this study, therefore, we examined cross-cultural differences in perceived experiences of age discrimination and their detrimental association with a specific indicator of psychological well-being, which is life satisfaction. The sample was drawn from the Ageing as Future study and comprised 1653 older adults (60–90 years) from the Czech Republic, Germany, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the USA. Participants self-reported their experiences of age discrimination and their life satisfaction. Findings indicated that participants from Hong Kong and Taiwan reported experiences of perceived age discrimination more often than participants from the Czech Republic, Germany, and the USA. Furthermore, experiences of age discrimination were negatively associated with life satisfaction. Cultural context moderated this relation: We found a smaller detrimental association between perceived experiences of age discrimination and life satisfaction in Eastern cultures, that is, in contexts where such experiences were perceived to be more prevalent. These findings highlight the importance of examining age discrimination across cultures. Experiences of age discrimination are clearly undesirable in that they negatively affect psychological well-being. Our results indicate that a higher self-reported prevalence of perceived age discrimination in the samples studied weakens this negative association. We discuss these findings in terms of adaptation (versus sensitization) in response to discrimination.
Learning to summarize and answer questions about a virtual robot’s past actions
Authors: DeChant Chad , Akinola Iretiayo , Bauer Daniel
Published: November 2023

When robots perform long action sequences, users will want to easily and reliably find out what they have done. We therefore demonstrate the task of learning to summarize and answer questions about a robot agent’s past actions using natural language alone. A single system with a large language model at its core is trained to both summarize and answer questions about action sequences given ego-centric video frames of a virtual robot and a question prompt. To enable training of question answering, we develop a method to automatically generate English-language questions and answers about objects, actions, and the temporal order in which actions occurred during episodes of robot action in the virtual environment. Training one model to both summarize and answer questions enables zero-shot transfer of representations of objects learned through question answering to improved action summarization.
The auditing game: the dark side of the private provision of a public good
Authors: Ehrmann Thomas , Prinz Aloys
Published: November 2023

The aim of auditing is to protect active and potential investors from accounting fraud. Nevertheless, as many auditing scandals have demonstrated, auditing has a dark side. Correct auditing is a public good provided by private auditing firms, but these firms are paid by the enterprise being audited. Therefore, audit firms may be dubbed as agents of two principals, the audited firm and the public. Reputation theory conjectures that auditors are disincentivized from performing shallow and fraudulent auditing because of reputational concerns and associated reputational costs. However, empirical evidence does not support this claim. While it may be irrational for a large audit firm (such as Arthur Andersen LLP) to sacrifice its reputational capital for a single client by doing superficial audits (such as WorldCom), it may be quite rational for the auditing firm’s engagement partners to do so. The result might be a conspiracy against the public and investors. Because of an inelastic supply of experienced auditors and a highly concentrated market of big auditing firms, reputational losses due to auditing scandals for the audit firms’ local partners and staff seem to be rather small. With a game theoretic model, we argue here that neither higher transparency nor higher fines for auditing failures may prevent such conspiracies. Therefore, legal regulations and court rulings can only change the expected fines for audit fraud, but they cannot solve the general problems arising from the symbiotic relationship between auditors and their client firms. As auditing firms may use the so-called expectation gap to protect themselves against legal claims of wrongdoing, avenues more suitable to deterring conspiracies by auditors and their client firms might include whistleblowing, short-selling investors and investigative journalism.
Exploring farmers’ perceptions of social sustainability
Authors: Saleh Rita , Ehlers Melf-Hinrich
Published: November 2023

In the farming sector, there is growing awareness of the importance of the social dimension of sustainability and its complex links to environmental and economic sustainability. However, social sustainability is generally the least understood dimension of sustainability. Despite efforts to empirically capture social sustainability, it remains unclear how it is relevant to individual farms and how it depends on their contexts. To generate a comprehensive and contextual understanding of social sustainability, we adopted a mixed-methods approach. We first conducted qualitative interviews with farm managers, which then informed the development of a survey focused on farmers’ perceptions and experiences of social sustainability at their farms. In total, 354 Swiss farm managers completed our online survey. First, we identified social aspects relevant to farmers and compared them across the three main production types in Switzerland (dairy, crop, and other livestock production). Second, we assessed farmers’ perceptions and experiences of social sustainability and the relationship of these perceptions and experiences with farmer identity (i.e., productivist, conservative, passionate caretaker, and forward-looking). The findings reveal differences in the meaning and importance of social sustainability across production types. Farmer identity appears to influence the experience of social sustainability at farms, with forward-looking farmers reporting better experiences of social sustainability than other farmers. The findings can inform the development and implementation of social sustainability indicators for farms and tailored interventions based on farm contexts and farmer characteristics.
Digital twins, big data governance, and sustainable tourism
Authors: Rahmadian Eko , Feitosa Daniel , Virantina Yulia
Published: November 2023

The rapid adoption of digital technologies has revolutionized business operations and introduced emerging concepts such as Digital Twin (DT) technology, which has the potential to predict system responses before they occur, making it an attractive option for smart and sustainable tourism. However, implementing DT software systems poses significant challenges, including compliance with regulations and effective communication among stakeholders, and concerns surrounding security, privacy, and trust with the use of big data. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a documentation framework for architectural decisions (DFAD) that applies the concept of big data governance to the digital system. The framework aims to ensure accountability, transparency, and trustworthiness while adhering to rules and regulations. To demonstrate its applicability, a case study and three case scenarios on the potential use of Mobile Positioning Data (MPD) in Indonesia for DT technology in smart and sustainable tourism were examined. The paper highlights the benefits of DFAD in shaping stakeholder communication and human–machine interactions while leveraging the potential of MPD to measure tourism statistics by Statistics Indonesia since 2016. Not only the documentation framework promotes compliance with regulations, but it also facilitates effective communication among stakeholders and enhances trust and transparency in the use of big data in DT technology for smart and sustainable tourism. This paper emphasizes the importance of effective big data governance and its potential to promote sustainable tourism practices. The multidisciplinarity approach on political science, software engineering, tourism, and official statistics provides an opportunity for academic contribution and decision-making processes.
What’s Wrong with Social Hierarchy? On Niko Kolodny’s The Pecking Order
Authors: Sharp Daniel
Published: November 2023

This review critically assesses Niko Kolodny’s theory of social hierarchy and its importance as articulated in The Pecking Order (2023). After summarizing Kolodny’s argument, I raise two critical challenges. First, I ask whether Kolodny leaves us without adequate account of why social hierarchies are, in themselves, objectionable. Second, I query whether Kolodny’s defense of representative democracy is decisive, and suggest that egalitarians should be open to alternative ways of mitigating the threat of hierarchy posed by political rule.
Epidemiological Models and Epistemic Perspectives: How Scientific Pluralism may be Misconstrued
Authors: Gaj Nicolò
Published: November 2023

In a scenario characterized by unpredictable developments, such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic, epidemiological models have played a leading part, having been especially widely deployed for forecasting purposes. In this paper, two real-world examples of modeling are examined in support of the proposition that science can convey inconsistent as well as genuinely perspectival representations of the world. Reciprocally inconsistent outcomes are grounded on incompatible assumptions, whereas perspectival outcomes are grounded on compatible assumptions and illuminate different aspects of the same object of interest. In both cases, models should be viewed as expressions of specific assumptions and unconstrained choices on the part of those designing them. The coexistence of a variety of models reflects a primary feature of science, namely its pluralism. It is herein proposed that recent over-exposure to science’s inner workings and disputes such as those pertaining to models, may have led the public to perceive pluralism as a flaw—or more specifically, as disunity or fragmentation, which in turn may have been interpreted as a sign of unreliability. In conclusion, given the inescapability of pluralism, suggestions are offered as to how to counteract distorted perceptions of science, and thereby enhance scientific literacy.
The effects of respiratory rate and tidal volume on pulse pressure variation in healthy lungs–a generalized additive model approach may help overcome limitations
Authors: Enevoldsen Johannes , Brandsborg Birgitte , Juhl-Olsen Peter , Rees Stephen Edward , Thaysen Henriette Vind , Scheeren Thomas W. L. , Vistisen Simon Tilma
Published: November 2023

Pulse pressure variation (PPV) is a well-established method for predicting fluid responsiveness in mechanically ventilated patients. The predictive accuracy is, however, disputed for ventilation with low tidal volume (VT) or low heart-rate-to-respiratory-rate ratio (HR/RR). We investigated the effects of VT and RR on PPV and on PPV’s ability to predict fluid responsiveness. We included patients scheduled for open abdominal surgery. Prior to a 250 ml fluid bolus, we ventilated patients with combinations of VT from 4 to 10 ml kg−1 and RR from 10 to 31 min−1. For each of 10 RR-VT combinations, PPV was derived using both a classic approach and a generalized additive model (GAM) approach. The stroke volume (SV) response to fluid was evaluated using uncalibrated pulse contour analysis. An SV increase > 10% defined fluid responsiveness. Fifty of 52 included patients received a fluid bolus. Ten were fluid responders. For all ventilator settings, fluid responsiveness prediction with PPV was inconclusive with point estimates for the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve between 0.62 and 0.82. Both PPV measures were nearly proportional to VT. Higher RR was associated with lower PPV. Classically derived PPV was affected more by RR than GAM-derived PPV. Correcting PPV for VT could improve PPV’s predictive utility. Low HR/RR has limited effect on GAM-derived PPV, indicating that the low HR/RR limitation is related to how PPV is calculated. We did not demonstrate any benefit of GAM-derived PPV in predicting fluid responsiveness.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, reg. March 6, 2020, NCT04298931.
On decreasing the orders of $$(k,g)$$-graphs
Authors: Exoo Geoffrey , Jajcay Robert , Raiman Tom
Published: November 2023

A $$(k,g)$$

(
k
,
g
)

-graph is a k-regular graph of girth $$g$$
g
. Given $$k\ge 2$$

k
≥
2

and $$g\ge 3$$

g
≥
3

, $$(k,g)$$

(
k
,
g
)

-graphs of infinitely many orders are known to exist and the problem of finding a (k, g)-graph of the smallest possible order is known as the Cage Problem. The aim of our paper is to develop systematic (programmable) ways for lowering the orders of existing $$(k,g)$$

(
k
,
g
)

-graphs, while preserving their regularity and girth. Such methods, in analogy with the previously used excision, may have the potential for constructing smaller (k, g)-graphs from current smallest examples—record holders—some of which have not been improved in years. In addition, we consider constructions that preserve the regularity, the girth and the order of the considered graphs, but alter the graphs enough to possibly make them suitable for the application of our order decreasing methods. We include a detailed discussion of several specific parameter cases for which several non-isomorphic smallest examples are known to exist, and address the question of the distance between these non-isomorphic examples based on the number of changes required to move from one example to another.
Changes in Primary HIV-1 Drug Resistance Due to War Migration from Eastern Europe
Authors: Załęski Andrzej , Lembas Agnieszka , Dyda Tomasz , Siwak Ewa , Osińska Joanna , Suchacz Magdalena , Stempkowska-Rejek Justyna , Strycharz Marta , Orzechowska Justyna , Wiercińska-Drapało Alicja
Published: November 2023

In recent years, especially as a result of war in Ukraine, enormous movements of migration to Poland from eastern European countries have been reported, including people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). We have conducted multi-center, prospective study, which aimed to establish HIV-1 subtype and assess the presence of primary drug resistance mutations to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and protease inhibitors in antiretroviral treatment naïve patients. The clinical trial recruited 117 individuals during 2 years period (2020–2022). The prevalence of HIV-1 subtype A was statistically significantly more frequent in Ukrainian, and HIV-1 subtype B in Polish patients (p < 0.05). Drug resistance mutations were detected in 44% of all cases and the comparison of presence of mutations in the analyzed groups, as well as in the subgroups of subtype A and B HIV-1 has not revealed any significant differences (p > 0.05), nevertheless Polish patients had multidrug resistance mutations more frequent (p < 0.05). The results from our trial show no increased risk of transmission of multidrug resistant HIV strains in our cohort of Ukrainian migrants.

Clinical trials. Gov number NCT04636736; date of registration: November 19, 2020.
Thermal properties and thermodynamic model of lithium doped 45S5 bioglass
Authors: Chromčíková Mária , Hruška Branislav , Nowicka Aleksandra , Macháček Jan , Liška Marek
Published: November 2023

Shakhmatkin and Vedishcheva thermodynamic model (SV TDM) of the 45S5 Bioglass® doped with three different amounts of Li2O (4.1, 9.9, and 12.3 mol%) was evaluated at T = 800 K. The 55 components of SV TDM were considered, among them 12 lithium containing compounds. Different number of components with not negligible equilibrium molar amount was found for different glass compositions (9 or 10). In all glass compositions containing nonzero amount of Li2O, the four lithium compounds with not negligible equilibrium amount were identified, i.e., Li2O·SiO2, 3Li2O·P2O5, Li2O·2CaO·2SiO2, and 2Li2O·SiO2. In the 45S5 glass composition four phosphate compounds with not negligible abundance were identified: 9Na2O·6SiO2·2P2O5, Na2O·2CaO·P2O5, 5Na2O·4SiO2·P2O5, and Na2O·CaO·P2O5. In all other glasses the 3Li2O.P2O5 was found with not negligible abundance. Moreover, in the glass with 4.1 mol% Li2O the Na2O·2CaO·P2O5 and 3Li2O·P2O5 compounds were found with not negligible abundance. For each studied glass the glass transition temperature, coefficient of thermal expansion of glass and metastable melt were measured by thermodilatometry. The low temperature viscosity was measured by thermomechanical analysis. The viscous flow activation energy was evaluated from the viscosity temperature dependence. The compositional dependence of measured thermal properties was analyzed by correlation analysis with the Q-distribution of silicate and phosphate units.
Comparing the suitability of global gridded population datasets for local landslide risk assessments
Authors: Opdyke Aaron , Fatima Khadija
Published: November 2023

Landslide risk assessments are increasingly crucial for meeting global disaster risk reduction strategies and mobilising knowledge for local governments to protect communities and infrastructure. These assessments are data intensive, requiring large amounts of spatial demographic and natural hazard information. There are a growing number of high-resolution gridded population datasets that have global coverage with significant potential to transform disaster risk modelling, however landslide research has not yet compared the suitability of these gridded datasets for local risk assessments. Combining social vulnerability indicators with high-resolution settlement layer (HRSL) and WorldPop gridded population datasets, as well as a local household survey, we layer landslide susceptibility maps to compare three landslide risk estimates, examining the case of the Municipality of Carigara located in the central Philippines. Using statistical t tests, we compare aggregated community landslide risk for 49 communities. Findings revealed that HRSL data resulted in similar landslide risk at community scales when compared to local surveys, however WorldPop data greatly overestimated risk. Our findings point to a high level of accuracy of HRSL when used as an exposure dataset for local landslide risk studies and recommend avoiding WorldPop for such purposes. This research advances understanding of the suitability of open population datasets for use in landslide risk assessments in resource-constrained communities.
Gender Differences in Children’s Reasoning About and Motivation to Pursue Leadership Roles
Authors: Vial Andrea C. , Cimpian Andrei
Published: November 2023

Investigating how children think about leadership may inform theories of the gender gaps in leadership among adults. In three studies (N = 492 U.S. children ages 5–10 years), we investigated (1) whether children expect those who claim leadership roles within a peer group to elicit social support and cooperation from the group, (2) children’s own interest and self-efficacy in such roles, and (3) the influence of contextual cues (e.g., how leader roles are described) on children’s reasoning about and interest in leadership. We also explored differences based on children’s race/ethnicity. In Study 1, girls expected lower social support for child leaders than boys did. However, in Study 2, we found no evidence that girls are less interested in leadership. In addition, interest in leadership increased with age among White girls but decreased among White boys and girls and boys of color. In Study 3, we tested whether interest in a leader role is boosted (particularly among girls) by describing the role as helpful for the group and by providing gender-balanced peer role models. Regardless of gender, children in the helpful or “communal” (vs. “agentic”) leader condition were more interested in the leader role, anticipated stronger social support and cooperation from others, and reported higher self-efficacy as leaders. The gender composition of role models had little impact. This research underscores the early development of children’s attitudes toward leadership and highlights the potential value in early interventions to nurture children’s leadership ambitions.
The Mean Temperatures of CME-Related Dimming Masses
Authors: Thomson Emily , Hudson Hugh
Published: November 2023

Sun-as-a-star EUV spectroscopy from EVE (the Extreme-ultraviolet Variability Experiment, on board SDO, the Solar Dynamics Observatory) frequently shows striking irradiance reductions following major solar flares. These coincide with dimming events as seen in EUV and X-ray images, involving the evacuation of large volumes of the corona by the associated coronal mass ejections. The EVE view of the dimming process is precise and quantitative, whereas difference imaging in the EUV reveals the structures to be full of complicated detail due most likely to unrelated activity. We have studied a sample of 11 events, mostly GOES X-class flares, all of which were associated with coronal mass ejections. For a set of nine lines of Fe ions at stages viii – xiii, corresponding to nominal peak formation temperatures below $\log (T/\mathrm{K}) = 6.3$
log
(
T
/
K
)
=
6.3
, we have compared the emission-measure-weighted temperature of the preflare global corona and that of the dimming mass, defined by the deficit at the time of greatest dimming. We find similar temperatures by this measure, but with a distinctly narrower variation in the preflare samples. For higher ionization states, weak emission commonly appears during the dimming intervals, consistent with residual late-phase flare development. The dimming depths do not appear to correlate with the preflare state of the global corona.
Does reflective equilibrium help us converge?
Authors: Freivogel Andreas
Published: November 2023

I address the worry that reflective equilibrium is too weak as an account of justification because it fails to let differing views converge. I take up informal aspects of convergence and operationalise them in a formal model of reflective equilibrium. This allows for exploration by the means of computer simulation. Findings show that the formal model does not yield unique outputs, but still boosts agreement. I conclude from this that reflective equilibrium is best seen as a pluralist account of justification that cannot be accused of resulting in an “anything goes” relativism.
Exploring risk perceptions: a new perspective on analysis
Authors: Garthwaite Kathryn , Birdsall Sally , France Bev
Published: November 2023

When secondary school students were asked about the socioscientific issue of using sodium fluoroacetate (1080) poison to control New Zealand’s possum pests, they provided a wide range of responses. Their responses showed that they considered this method of control to be risky and contentious. Such contentious issues are an example of the complexity involved in using a socioscientific approach to investigate an aspect of post-normal science. This paper provides the background to and development of a new risk perceptions analysis framework that was employed to qualitatively interpret these diverse viewpoints. Four Cultural Types (Nature Benign, Nature Tolerant, Nature Ephemeral and Nature Capricious) are accommodated within this framework. Each Cultural Type has a particular view of risk that is defined using common characteristics and is differentiated by unique individual attributes. It is proposed that this framework has the potential to analyse students’ responses to this contentious issue of 1080 use. The framework could be used as an educative tool in classrooms to investigate the range of views within society about issues that involve risk. Additionally, it could be used to assist students to gain awareness of their own view as well as develop an appreciation about the differing views of risk held by other people when discussing contentious issues.
Clay hypoplasticity coupled with small-strain approaches for complex cyclic loading
Authors: Medicus Gertraud , Tafili Merita , Bode Manuel , Fellin Wolfgang , Wichtmann Torsten
Published: November 2023

Constitutive models that are able to accurately predict cyclic soil behaviour are crucial for finite element design of offshore foundation or railway embankments. Basic hypoplastic models introduce the history of loading in state variables such as the stress and void ratio and are therefore incapable of describing small-strain stiffness and cyclic loading. In this work, clay hypoplasticity is extended with a modified intergranular strain proposed by Duque et al. [3]. The new model is compared to the one coupled previously with ISA based on unconventional as well as complex cyclic loading paths. Abilities and limitations of the models are addressed: (i) showing that both models predict a reduction in strain accumulation with an increasing number of cycles. (ii) For both models pronounced over- and undershooting effects can occur for certain cyclic loading paths and certain parameters. Despite the consensus in the literature, the results show that a yield surface in the (intergranular) strain space is not sufficient to ban these effects. Furthermore, the models’ predictive capabilities are verified with simulations of monotonic and cyclic tests of Lower Rhine clay.
The UTUH model: a time-dependent unified hardening constitutive model for unsaturated soils
Authors: Zhao Runkang , Zhou Annan , Yao Yang-Ping
Published: November 2023

An advanced constitutive framework for unsaturated soils, the UTUH model, is proposed in this paper, which considers the joint effect of time, suction and overconsolidation within the framework of sub-loading surface plasticity. A reference line, namely the instantaneously normal compression line (INCLs) for unsaturated soils, is introduced from a conceptual framework drawn from constant rates of strain test results to determine creep time and overconsolidation states of unsaturated soils. Subsequently, an isotropic elasto-viscoplastic constitutive model for unsaturated soils is produced by combining viscous deformation with mechanical and hydraulic deformation through overconsolidation parameter. Net stress, suction and time are adopted as fundamental constitutive variables and time-dependent loading collapse yield surface is derived to characterize the relationship between yield stress, suction, and time. Then, an extension to a triaxial stress state is built in the space of mean effective stress, suction, deviator stress and time variable. The hardening of yield surface and sub-loading surface is controlled by viscoplastic volumetric strain and unified hardening parameter. The performance of the proposed UTUH model is addressed through four numerical studies, and the proposed model is validated against experimental data from the literature.
A Portrait of Gambling Behaviors and Associated Cognitive Beliefs Among Young Adolescents in Italy
Authors: Favieri Francesca , Forte Giuseppe , Casagrande Maria , Dalpiaz Claudio , Riglioni Anna , Langher Viviana
Published: November 2023

Gambling disorder is a highly prevalent behavioral addiction in young adults. Accordingly, data on the prevalence of gambling as experience and problem gambling as at-risk behavior among adolescents are necessary, due to the increase in gambling behavior and its implications in recent years. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and characteristics (i.e., cognitive beliefs and knowledge of risk) of gambling among Italian adolescents.

A cross-sectional survey analyzed gambling behavior, related cognitive beliefs, and knowledge of the gambling context in a large sample of Italian adolescents, differentiating gambling activities per se and problem gambling as a risk for addiction. Data from 4825 Italian 15-year-olds showed that the prevalence of regular gamblers (i.e., experiencing frequent gambling experience in the last 12 months) was 6.4%, and that of adolescents who played at least once in the last 12 months was 52%. The regular and at-risk gamblers who reported critical scores in the Gambling Related Cognitions Scale declared higher knowledge of gambling and worse cognitive beliefs than both non-gamblers and occasional gamblers.

Prevalence data and descriptive outcomes of this study suggest the importance of further analyzing the gambling phenomenon among adolescents. The increasing intensity of gambling engagement and compulsive gambling highlights the clinical need to address youth addiction through structured primary and secondary prevention programs.
An elementary proof of the dual representation of Expected Shortfall
Authors: Herdegen Martin , Munari Cosimo
Published: November 2023

We provide an elementary proof of the dual representation of Expected Shortfall on the space of integrable random variables over a general probability space. Unlike the results in the extant literature, our proof only exploits basic properties of quantile functions and can thus be easily implemented in any graduate course on risk measures. As a byproduct, we obtain a new proof of the subadditivity of Expected Shortfall.
Optimal fracture prediction thresholds for therapy onset, established from FRAX and Garvan algorithms: a longitudinal observation of the population representative female cohort from the RAC-OST-POL Study
Authors: Pluskiewicz W. , Werner A. , Bach M. , Adamczyk P. , Drozdzowska B.
Published: November 2023

Summary

The study shows that the use of unified cutoff thresholds to identify high fracture risks by two popular calculators—FRAX and Garvan—leads to a significant discrepancy between the prediction of fractures and their actual prevalence over the period of 10 years. On the basis of the ROC analyses, a proposal of differentiated thresholds is presented. They were established at 6% for FRAX major fracture risk, 1.4% for FRAX hip fracture risk, 14.4% for Garvan any fracture risk, and 8.8% for Garvan hip fracture risk.

Purpose/introduction

The aim of the study was to verify how much were the tools, designed to predict fracture risks, precise vs. the actual fracture incidence values over a prospective observation.

Methods

The study group consisted of a population-based postmenopausal sample from the RAC-OST-POL Study. At baseline, there were 978 subjects at the mean age of 66.4 ± 7.8 years and, after a 10-year follow-up, 640 women remained at the mean age of 75.0 ± 6.95 years. At baseline, the fracture risk was established by the FRAX and Garvan tools.

Results

During the observation period, 190 osteoporotic fractures were identified in 129 subjects. When high-risk fracture cutoff thresholds (of 10% for major/any and 3% for hip fractures) were employed, only 19.59% of major fractures and 50% of hip fractures were identified in the high-risk group. For the Garvan tool, the percentage of correctly predicted fractures for any and hip fractures was 86.05% and 71.43%, respectively. Nevertheless, the fracture prediction by the Garvan tool was associated with the qualification of numerous subjects to the high-risk group, who subsequently did not experience a fracture in the 10-year follow-up period (false-positive prediction). Based on the ROC analyses, new high-risk thresholds were proposed individually for each calculator, improving the sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of these tools. They were established at 6% for FRAX major fracture risk, 1.4% for FRAX hip fracture risk, 14.4% for Garvan any fracture risk, and 8.8% for Garvan hip fracture risk.

Conclusions

The current prospective study enabled to establish new, optimal thresholds for therapy initiation. Such a modified approach may enable a more accurate identification of treatment requiring patients and, in consequence, reduce the number of new fractures.
Machine-Learning-Assisted Development of Carbon Steel With Superior Strength and Ductility Manufactured by Electron Beam Powder Bed Fusion
Authors: Gui Yunwei , Aoyagi Kenta , Bian Huakang , Chiba Akihiko
Published: November 2023

In this study, based on a novel support vector machine optimization method, a wide processing window for manufacturing defect-free S25C carbon steel by electron beam powder bed fusion (EB-PBF) was identified. Samples with same energy densities exhibited similar microstructures and mechanical properties. One sample showed an optimum strength and elongation combination of 459.3 MPa and 57.6 pct. The pearlite region with irregular cementite particles was the first to crack during deformation, and the cracks gradually expanded into the surrounding area. Ferrite, cellular structures, and pearlite with parallel and straight cementite particles could effectively modulate the deformation by slip and enhance the plasticity of the S25C parts. After quenching, the strength improved to an unprecedented value of 1722.5 MPa owing to the presence of martensite and dislocation entanglements, with an elongation of 16.8 pct. The strength decreased after further tempering, and the plasticity evidently increased, with an optimum strength and elongation combination of 722.7 MPa and 44.2 pct, respectively. The microstructure of tempered sample contained lath martensite, cementite particles, and sparse dislocation lines. These results demonstrate that the current method can serve as a powerful tool for effectively optimizing the high-dimensional parameters of the EB-PBF process to produce carbon steel with excellent mechanical properties.
Wireworm feeding behaviours: the capacity of Hypnoidus bicolor to damage soybean under different environmental conditions
Authors: Drahun Ivan , Rutherford Pamela L. , van Herk Willem G. , Cassone Bryan J.
Published: November 2023

Important agricultural pests in the Canadian Prairies, wireworms are the soil-living larvae of click beetles. Several notable species are found within the Prairies, with Hypnoidus bicolor being the most ubiquitous in most parts of the region. Despite their prevalence, H. bicolor is often disregarded as a significant pest species due to their comparatively small larval sizes. However, few studies have directly assessed the capacity of wireworms to cause damage to particular crop(s), and thus far no such studies have been undertaken for H. bicolor. We therefore carried out laboratory experiments under controlled environmental conditions, with soil and wireworms transplanted from the field, to determine the capability of H. bicolor to damage soybean. As expected, wireworm damage was strongly associated with larval densities, with more severe soybean injury occurring in the presence of greater numbers of H. bicolor. Further, feeding damage to soybean by H. bicolor was greater at lower temperatures (10 °C and 20 °C) than at higher temperatures (30 °C). In terms of soil texture, soybean grown in loam and silt soils were the most susceptible to wireworm damage and those grown in clay soil were the least affected. Although the larvae are not capable of damaging soybean to the same extent as other Prairie pest species, Limonius californicus and Hypnoidus abbreviatus, in high enough densities and under ideal environmental conditions H. bicolor can significantly impact soybean growth. Overall, our study suggests that soybean is susceptible to considerable wireworm damage and H. bicolor is an under recognized pest species of this legume.
An R-based tool for identifying sex-linked markers from restriction site-associated DNA sequencing with applications to elasmobranch conservation
Authors: Devloo-Delva Floriaan , Gosselin Thierry , Butcher Paul A. , Grewe Peter M. , Huveneers Charlie , Thomson Robin B. , Werry Jonathan M. , Feutry Pierre
Published: November 2023

Identifying sex-linked markers from genomic data has both theoretical and applied importance, especially in conservation. Yet, few methods and tools exist to detect such markers from Restriction-site-Associated DNA sequencing reads and even fewer tools can identify sex-linked markers from existing genotyped data. Here, we describe a new R function that can identify sex-linked markers in species with partially non-recombining sex chromosomes. We test the accuracy and speed of our function with an example dataset from a species of conservation concern, the White Shark, Carcharodon carcharias. We further compare our method against other approaches and find that our method detects more sex-linked markers that can be reliably mapped to reference genomes. Overall, we provide a conservation and fisheries-relevant tool that can reliably and efficiently assign sex from genetic data in species with a heterogametic sex and we demonstrate its utility by developing a sex-identification PCR test for White Sharks.
Testing Correlation in a Three-Level Model
Authors: Szczepańska-Álvarez Anna , Álvarez Adolfo , Szwengiel Artur , von Rosen Dietrich
Published: November 2023

In this paper, we present a statistical approach to evaluate the relationship between variables observed in a two-factors experiment. We consider a three-level model with covariance structure $${\varvec{\Sigma }} \otimes {\varvec{\Psi }}_1 \otimes {\varvec{\Psi }}_2$$

Σ

⊗

Ψ

1

⊗

Ψ

2

, where $${\varvec{\Sigma }}$$

Σ

is an arbitrary positive definite covariance matrix, and $${\varvec{\Psi }}_1$$

Ψ

1

and $${\varvec{\Psi }}_2$$

Ψ

2

are both correlation matrices with a compound symmetric structure corresponding to two different factors. The Rao’s score test is used to test the hypotheses that observations grouped by one or two factors are uncorrelated. We analyze a fermentation process to illustrate the results. Supplementary materials accompanying this paper appear online.
Farmland biodiversity monitoring through citizen science: A review of existing approaches and future opportunities
Authors: Ruck Andy , van der Wal René , S. C. Hood Amelia , L. Mauchline Alice , G. Potts Simon , F. WallisDeVries Michiel , Öckinger Erik
Published: November 2023

Biodiversity monitoring in agricultural landscapes is important for assessing the effects of both land use change and activities that influence farmland biodiversity. Despite a considerable increase in citizen science approaches to biodiversity monitoring in recent decades, their potential in farmland-specific contexts has not been systematically examined. This paper therefore provides a comprehensive review of existing citizen science approaches involving biodiversity monitoring on farmland. Using three complementary methods, we identify a range of programmes at least partially covering farmland. From these, we develop a typology of eight programme types, reflecting distinctions in types of data collected and nature of volunteer involvement, and highlight their respective strengths and limitations. While all eight types can make substantial contributions to farmland biodiversity monitoring, there is considerable scope for their further development—particularly through increased engagement of farmers, for whom receiving feedback on the effects of their own practices could help facilitate adaptive management.
Interventions to increase circularity and reduce environmental impacts in food systems
Authors: van Selm Benjamin , van Zanten Hannah H. E. , Hijbeek Renske , van Middelaar Corina E. , Schop Marijke , van Ittersum Martin K. , de Boer Imke J. M.
Published: November 2023

Applying specific circularity interventions to the food system may have environmental benefits. Using an iterative linear food system optimisation model (FOODSOM), we assess how changes in human diets, imports and exports, and the utilisation of waste streams impact land use and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). After including these circularity principles, land use and GHG emissions were on average 40% and 68% lower than in the current food system, primarily driven by a reduction in production volumes and a shift towards feeding the domestic population. Shifting from the current diet to a circular diet decreased land use with 43% and GHG emissions with 52%. Allowing up to half of each nutrient in the human diet to be imported, while balancing imports with equal exports in terms of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, also decreased land use (up to 34%) and GHG emissions (up to 26%) compared to no imported food. Our findings show that circularity interventions should not be implemented mutually exclusively; by combining a circular diet with imported food and fully utilising waste streams, the lowest land use and GHG emissions can be realised.
Chronic Disease Management and Optimization of Functional Status Before Surgery: Does This Improve Long-Term Postoperative Outcomes?
Authors: Warwick Eleanor , Moonesinghe Suneetha Ramani
Published: November 2023

Purpose of the Review

Perioperative care is facing many challenges; these include long surgical wait times, an increasing demand for surgery, a more complex perioperative population, and increased health inequalities. As perioperative care providers, we have an opportunity to shape the future of perioperative care and address these challenges by working to improve the health of those presenting for surgery.

Recent Findings

There is equipoise in the literature on the impact of chronic disease management and functional status optimization, but we feel that it is now time to embed these concepts into perioperative care and up-to-date guidance and policy support this.

Clinicians have the opportunity to improve the care of complex patients in the perioperative period, and they can contribute to the development of robust, equitable, and streamlined perioperative pathways. However, perioperative care also affords the opportunity to engage, educate, and empower patients in their health looking beyond purely surgical outcomes, aiming for improved long-term health management and behavioural modification.
Tsunami tide prediction in shallow water using recurrent neural networks: model implementation in the Indonesia Tsunami Early Warning System
Authors: Dharmawan Willy , Diana Mery , Tuntari Beti , Astawa I. Made , Rahardjo Sasono , Nambo Hidetaka
Published: November 2023

Near-field tides prediction for tsunami detection in the coastal area is a significant problem of the cable-based tsunami meter system in north Sipora, Indonesia. The problem is caused by its shallow water condition and the unavailability of an applicable model or research for tsunami detection in this area. The problem foundation of shallow water area is its ambient noise level-dependent property that requires preprocessing to improve its feature representation. Moreover, because this shallow water is close to the land area, we must consider a model that can accommodate low prediction time for a Tsunami Early Warning System. Therefore, we propose a recurrent neural network (RNN) model because of its reliable performance for time series forecasting. Our report evaluates variants of the RNN model (the vanilla RNN, LSTM and GRU models) in tides prediction and z-score analysis for tsunami identification. The GRU model overwhelms the other two variants in error scores and time processed (training and prediction). It can achieve median error score distribution of $$7.8 \times 10^{-5}$$

7.8
×

10

-
5

on the L1000-P250 configuration with time prediction under 0.1 s. This lower-time prediction is necessary to ensure the early warning system is going well. Moreover, the GRU model can identify all synthetic tsunami tide spikes (compared with the ground truth result) from magnitude 7.2–8.2 by applying a z-score on the GRU’s prediction.
Factors influencing the emissions of aldehydes from plant species of the Korean peninsula
Authors: Kim So-Young
Published: November 2023

This study present the factors controlling the aldehyde emission (formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, etc.) from plant species such as Pinus densiflora, Pinus koraiensis, Quercus acutissima, Quercus variabilis, Ginkgo biloba, and Oryza sativa. Even in the same tree species illustrate the emission rate variation of as much as 30 ~ 40%. The β-value, a parameter quantifying the temperature and emission correlation, were assessed as 0.07, 0.05 for formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, respectively. The coefficient of correlation was 0.4 and 0.5. for Quercus variabilis. In addition, the correlation between PAR (photosynthetically active radiation) and the emission is assessed close to the temperature impact on the emission. The emission of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde from P. densiflora, P. koraiensis, and Q. variabilis also depends on temperature and PAR. The ERs of total aldehydes of P. koraiensis are assessed at the level of 357.2 ng gdw−1 h−1, followed by propionaldehyde (110.6 ng gdw−1 h−1), acetaldehyde (102.5 ng gdw−1 h−1), and formaldehyde (73.66 ng gdw−1 h−1).
The Body Image Book for Girls
Authors: Markey Charlotte
Published: November 2023

It is worrying to think that most girls feel dissatisfied with their bodies, and that this can lead to serious problems including depression and eating disorders. Can some of those body image worries be eased? Body image expert and psychology professor Dr Charlotte Markey helps girls aged 9-15 to understand, accept, and appreciate their bodies. She provides all the facts on puberty, mental health, self-care, why diets are bad news, dealing with social media, and everything in-between. Girls will find answers to questions they always wanted to ask, the truth behind many body image myths, and real-life stories from girls who share their own experiences. Through this easy-to-read and beautifully illustrated guide, Dr Markey teaches girls how to nurture both mental and physical health to improve their own body image, shows the positive impact they can have on others, and enables them to go out into the world feeling fearless!