bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stimulation of the atypical chemokine receptor 3 (ACKR3) by a small-molecule agonist attenuates fibrosis in a preclinical liver but not lung injury model
Authors: Van Loy Tom , De Jonghe Steven , Castermans Karolien , Dheedene Wouter , Stoop Reinout , Verschuren Lars , Versele Matthias , Chaltin Patrick , Luttun Aernout , Schols Dominique
Published: May 2022

Atypical chemokine receptor 3 (ACKR3, formerly CXC chemokine receptor 7) is a G protein-coupled receptor that recruits β-arrestins, but is devoid of functional G protein signaling after receptor stimulation. In preclinical models of liver and lung fibrosis, ACKR3 was previously shown to be upregulated after acute injury in liver sinusoidal and pulmonary capillary endothelial cells, respectively. This upregulation was linked with a pro-regenerative and anti-fibrotic role for ACKR3. A recently described ACKR3-targeting small molecule agonist protected mice from isoproterenol-induced cardiac fibrosis. Here, we aimed to evaluate its protective role in preclinical models of liver and lung fibrosis. After confirming its in vitro pharmacological activity (i.e., ACKR3-mediated β-arrestin recruitment and receptor binding), in vivo administration of this ACKR3 agonist led to increased mouse CXCL12 plasma levels, indicating in vivo interaction of the agonist with ACKR3. Whereas twice daily in vivo administration of the ACKR3 agonist lacked inhibitory effect on bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis, it had a modest, but significant anti-fibrotic effect in the carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis model. In the latter model, ACKR3 stimulation affected the expression of several fibrosis-related genes and led to reduced collagen content as determined by picro-sirius red staining and hydroxyproline quantification. These data confirm that ACKR3 agonism, at least to some extent, attenuates fibrosis, although this effect is rather modest and heterogeneous across various tissue types. Stimulating ACKR3 alone without intervening in other signaling pathways involved in the multicellular crosstalk leading to fibrosis will, therefore, most likely not be sufficient to deliver a satisfactory clinical outcome.
Exponential Dynamical Localization for Random Word Models
Authors: Rangamani Nishant
Published: May 2022

We show that one-dimensional Schrödinger operators whose potentials arise by randomly concatenating words from an underlying set exhibit exponential dynamical localization (EDL) on any compact set which trivially intersects a finite set of critical energies. We do so by first giving a new proof of spectral localization for such operators and then showing that once one has the existence of a complete orthonormal basis of eigenfunctions (with probability one), the same estimates used to prove it naturally lead to a proof of the aforementioned EDL result. The EDL statements provide new localization results for several classes of random Schrödinger operators including random polymer models and generalized Anderson models.
Use of a p64 MW Flow Diverter with Hydrophilic Polymer Coating (HPC) and Prasugrel Single Antiplatelet Therapy for the Treatment of Unruptured Anterior Circulation Aneurysms: Safety Data and Short-term Occlusion Rates
Authors: Hellstern V. , Aguilar Pérez M. , Henkes E. , Donauer E. , Wendl C. , Bäzner H. , Ganslandt O. , Henkes H.
Published: May 2022

Purpose

To assess the safety and short-term occlusion rates in procedures using the p64 MW hydrophilic polymer-coated (HPC) flow diverter (FD) with prasugrel single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) for the treatment of anterior circulation saccular aneurysms.

Methods

We retrospectively identified patients who underwent treatment of one or more intracranial anterior circulation saccular aneurysms between March 2020 and December 2021 with a p64 MW HPC FD and prasugrel SAPT with verified P2Y12 platelet receptor inhibition. Patients diagnosed with fusiform, dissecting, or recently ruptured aneurysms were excluded. Periprocedural and postprocedural complications, clinical outcomes, and angiographic follow-up results were evaluated.

Results

One hundred and two patients with 132 intracranial aneurysms met the inclusion criteria. Previous or concomitant treatments (e.g., coil occlusion) had been performed on 18 of these aneurysms. The technical success rate (i.e., implantation of the intended FD) was 100% with an average of 1.1 devices implanted per patient. Periprocedural and postprocedural complications occurred in 13.6% and 6.8% of these patients, respectively. No mortality or permanent clinical deterioration (i.e., modified Rankin scale score ≥ 3) were reported. Early follow-up digital subtraction angiography revealed aneurysmal occlusion rates of 72.6% and 83.8% at four and nine months, respectively.

Conclusions

The implantation of a p64 MW HPC FD with prasugrel SAPT is safe and results in rapid, reliable and effective aneurysmal occlusion.
Axillary lymph node imaging in mRNA, vector-based, and mix-and-match COVID-19 vaccine recipients: ultrasound features
Authors: Igual-Rouilleault Alba Cristina , Soriano Ignacio , Elizalde Arlette , Quan Paola Leonor , Fernandez-Montero Alejandro , Sobrido Carolina , Pina Luis
Published: May 2022

Objectives

To assess ultrasound characteristics of ipsilateral axillary lymph nodes after two doses of four different COVID-19 vaccination protocols, to determine whether these parameters differed with age, and to describe how they changed on follow-up imaging.

Methods

A total of 247 volunteer employees from our center who had received two doses of COVID-19 vaccination were recruited and followed prospectively. Axillary ultrasound of the ipsilateral vaccinated arm was performed the week after receiving the second dose to analyze lymph node features (number, long-axis, cortical thickness, morphology, and vascular imaging). Axillary lymphadenopathy resulting from four vaccination protocols—mRNA (BNT162b2, mRNA-1273), ChAdOx1-S, and mix-and-match—was compared. Analysis was conducted using the Kruskal-Wallis test and post hoc analysis with Bonferroni corrections. Nodal reactogenicity was evaluated for two age groups: young (< 45 years old) and middle-aged ( ≥ 45 years old). All parameters were compared between both groups using an unpaired-sample Student t test. A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Significantly higher values for total number of visible nodes, cortical thickness, Bedi’s classification (p < 0.001), and vascularity (p < 0.05) were observed in mRNA vaccine recipients compared to full ChAdOx1-S protocol recipients. Moreover, mix-and-match protocol recipients showed greater nodal cortical thickness and higher Bedi’s classification than full ChAdOx1-S recipients (p < 0.001). Analyses between age groups revealed greater cortical thickness, Bedi’s classification, and color Doppler signal in younger patients (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Nodal parameters of Bedi’s classification and cortical thickness were more often increased in mRNA and mix-and-match vaccine recipients when compared to ChAdOx1-S vaccine alone, especially in younger patients.

Key Points

• Hyperplastic lymphadenopathy was observed more frequently in mRNA and mix-and-match vaccine protocols compared to full vector-based vaccination.

• Higher values for cortical thickness, Bedi’s classification, and color Doppler signal parameters were identified in younger patients.

• Observed lymph node findings normalized in greater than 80% of patients by the third month following vaccination.
Climate impacts alter fisheries productivity and turnover on coral reefs
Authors: Hamilton Mark , Robinson James P. W. , Benkwitt Cassandra E. , Wilson Shaun K. , MacNeil M. Aaron , Ebrahim Ameer , Graham Nicholas A. J.
Published: May 2022

Alteration of benthic reef habitat after coral bleaching and mortality induces changes in fish assemblages, with implications for fisheries. Our understanding of climate impacts to coral reef fisheries is largely based on fish abundance and biomass. The rates at which biomass is produced and replenished (productivity and turnover) are also important to sustaining fisheries, yet the responses of these metrics following bleaching are largely unknown. Here, we examine changes in fish productivity and turnover after mass coral bleaching events in Seychelles, on reefs that were recovering to coral-dominated habitats and those that shifted to macroalgae-dominated regimes. Productivity of fish assemblages increased on all recovering reefs, particularly on fished reefs resulting in levels similar to protected reefs 19 years after bleaching. Herbivore-detritivores, such as scraping and excavating parrotfish, appeared to drive biomass production through increased abundance on recovering reefs. Productivity on regime-shifted reefs remained stable at 1994 levels in fished areas, with increases observed on protected reefs. Large increases in browser productivity (particularly on protected reefs), combined with increases for invertivores, maintained post-bleaching productivity on macroalgal reefs. For all diet groups, net turnover was generally higher on fished regime-shifted reefs than on recovering reefs, suggesting fish biomass is more readily replenished on macroalgal reefs. Reef structural complexity was a positive predictor of productivity for all diet groups. These findings indicate that post-bleaching reef fish productivity is strongly influenced by benthic recovery trajectories, and demonstrates the importance of herbivore and invertivore species in sustaining small-scale inshore fisheries following climatic disturbances.
Mechanical characterization of composite materials with rectangular microstructure and voids
Authors: Colatosti Marco , Shi Farui , Fantuzzi Nicholas , Trovalusci Patrizia
Published: May 2022

The purpose of this work is to study the mechanical behavior of microstructured materials, in particular porous media. We consider a detailed description of the material through a discrete model, considered as the benchmark of the problem. Two continuous models, one micropolar and one classic, obtained through a homogenization procedure of the material, are studied both in static and dynamic conditions. Furthermore, the internal characteristics of the material, such as the internal scale of the microstructure and the percentage of the voids, are made to vary in order to investigate the mechanical response and to have an exhaustive comparison among the models.
Impact of acute dynamic exercise and arterial shear rate modification on radial artery low-flow mediated constriction in young men
Authors: Alali Mohammad H. , Lucas Rebekah A. I. , Junejo Rehan T. , Fisher James P.
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Leg cycling exercise acutely augments radial artery low-flow mediated constriction (L-FMC). Herein, we sought to determine whether this is associated with exercise-induced changes in arterial shear rate (SR).

Methods

Ten healthy and recreationally active young men (23 ± 2 years) participated in 30 min of incremental leg cycling exercise (50, 100, 150 Watts). Trials were repeated with (Exercise + WC) and without (Exercise) the use of a wrist cuff (75 mmHg) placed distal to the radial artery to increase local retrograde SR while reducing mean and anterograde SR. Radial artery characteristics were measured throughout the trial, and L-FMC and flow mediated dilatation (FMD) were assessed before and acutely (~ 10 min) after leg cycling.

Results

Exercise increased radial artery mean and anterograde SR, along with radial artery diameter, velocity, blood flow and conductance (P < 0.05). Exercise + WC attenuated the exercise-induced increase in mean and anterograde SR (P > 0.05) but also increased retrograde SR (P < 0.05). In addition, increases in radial artery blood flow and diameter were reduced during Exercise + WC (Exercise + WC vs. Exercise, P < 0.05). After Exercise, L-FMC was augmented (− 4.4 ± 1.4 vs. − 13.1 ± 1.6%, P < 0.05), compared to no change in L-FMC after Exercise + WC (− 5.2 ± 2.0 vs. − 3.0 ± 1.6%, P > 0.05). In contrast, no change in FMD was observed in either Exercise or Exercise + WC trials (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

These findings indicate that increases in L-FMC following exercise are abolished by the prevention of increases radial artery diameter, mean and anterograde SR, and by elevation of retrograde SR, during exercise in young men.
Selective decontamination of the digestive tract in colorectal surgery reduces anastomotic leakage and costs: a propensity score analysis
Authors: Bogner Andreas , Stracke Maximilian , Bork Ulrich , Wolk Steffen , Pecqueux Mathieu , Kaden Sandra , Distler Marius , Kahlert Christoph , Weitz Jürgen , Welsch Thilo , Fritzmann Johannes
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Anastomotic leakage (AL) and surgical site infection (SSI) account for most postoperative complications in colorectal surgery. The aim of this retrospective trial was to investigate whether perioperative selective decontamination of the digestive tract (SDD) reduces these complications and to provide a cost-effectiveness model for elective colorectal surgery.

Methods

All patients operated between November 2016 and March 2020 were included in our analysis. Patients in the primary cohort (PC) received SDD and those in the historical control cohort (CC) did not receive SDD. In the case of rectal/sigmoid resection, SDD was also applied via a transanally placed Foley catheter (TAFC) for 48 h postoperatively. A propensity score-matched analysis was performed to identify risk factors for AL and SSI. Costs were calculated based on German diagnosis-related group (DRG) fees per case.

Results

A total of 308 patients (154 per cohort) with a median age of 62.6 years (IQR 52.5–70.8) were analyzed. AL was observed in ten patients (6.5%) in the PC and 23 patients (14.9%) in the CC (OR 0.380, 95% CI 0.174–0.833; P = 0.016). SSI occurred in 14 patients (9.1%) in the PC and 30 patients in the CC (19.5%), representing a significant reduction in our SSI rate (P = 0.009). The cost-effectiveness analysis showed that SDD is highly effective in saving costs with a number needed to treat of 12 for AL and 10 for SSI.

Conclusion

SDD significantly reduces the incidence of AL and SSI and saves costs for the general healthcare system.
Mechanisms of ion transport regulation by HNF1β in the kidney: beyond transcriptional regulation of channels and transporters
Authors: Tholen Lotte E. , Hoenderop Joost G. J. , de Baaij Jeroen H. F.
Published: May 2022

Hepatocyte nuclear factor 1β (HNF1β) is a transcription factor essential for the development and function of the kidney. Mutations in and deletions ofHNF1βcause autosomal dominant tubule interstitial kidney disease (ADTKD) subtype HNF1β, which is characterized by renal cysts, diabetes, genital tract malformations, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Electrolyte disturbances including hypomagnesemia, hyperuricemia, and hypocalciuria are common in patients with ADTKD-HNF1β. Traditionally, these electrolyte disturbances have been attributed to HNF1β-mediated transcriptional regulation of gene networks involved in ion transport in the distal part of the nephron includingFXYD2,CASR,KCNJ16, andFXR. In this review, we propose additional mechanisms that may contribute to the electrolyte disturbances observed in ADTKD-HNF1β patients. Firstly, kidney development is severely affected inHnf1b-deficient mice. HNF1β is required for nephron segmentation, and the absence of the transcription factor results in rudimentary nephrons lacking mature proximal tubule, loop of Henle, and distal convoluted tubule cluster. In addition, HNF1β is proposed to be important for apical-basolateral polarity and tight junction integrity in the kidney. Interestingly, cilia formation is unaffected byHnf1bdefects in several models, despite the HNF1β-mediated transcriptional regulation of many ciliary genes. To what extent impaired nephron segmentation, apical-basolateral polarity, and cilia function contribute to electrolyte disturbances in HNF1β patients remains elusive. Systematic phenotyping ofHnf1bmouse models and the development of patient-specific kidney organoid models will be essential to advance future HNF1β research.
Health-related quality of life of advanced prostate cancer patients and spouses: results from actor-partner interdependence models
Authors: Sauer Christina , Ihrig Andreas , Hanslmeier Tobias , Huber Johannes , Hiller Kiriaki , Friederich Hans-Christoph , Maatouk Imad
Published: May 2022

Background

Patients with prostate cancer (PC) and their spouses are confronted with several treatment-related and psychosocial challenges that can reduce their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Patients with advanced PC (aPC) and their spouses are at highest risk for psychological distress and show lower HRQoL compared with couples in other phases. The aim of this study was to investigate the psychological interdependencies between HRQoL and anxiety, fear of progression (FoP), and depression in patients with aPC and their spouses.

Methods

Ninety-six heterosexual couples with aPC participated in this cross-sectional study. Patients and spouses provided information about anxiety and depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-4), fear of progression (short form of the Fear of Progression Questionnaire), and HRQoL (EORTC QoL-C30, version 3). Psychological interdependencies were analyzed with various actor-partner interdependence models using structural equation modeling.

Results

Anxiety, FoP, and depression were significant predictors of HRQoL for patients with aPC and their spouses (actor effects). Spouses’ anxiety and FoP were negatively associated with patients’ HRQoL (partner effects), showing that patients’ HRQoL is associated with their own and their spouses’ anxiety and FoP. No partner effect was revealed between depression and HRQoL in the patients or spouses.

Conclusions

The resulted partner effects between spouses and patients underline the importance of considering HRQoL in patients with aPC from a dyadic perspective. It is important that physicians explore patients’ and spouses’ needs and psychological burden to offer support and access to psycho-oncological services. Future studies are needed to investigate the effects of suitable interventions on spouses’ anxiety and FoP.
What is success of treatment? Expected outcome scores in cervical radiculopathy patients were much higher than the previously reported cut-off values for success
Authors: Taso Mirad , Sommernes Jon Håvard , Bjorland Siri , Zwart John Anker , Engebretsen Kaia Beck , Sundseth Jarle , Pripp Are Hugo , Kolstad Frode , Brox Jens Ivar
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Treatment success can be defined by asking a patient how they perceive their condition compared to prior to treatment, but it can also be defined by establishing success criteria in advance. We evaluated treatment outcome expectations in patients undergoing surgery or non-operative treatment for cervical radiculopathy.

Methods

The first 100 consecutive patients from an ongoing randomized controlled trial (NCT03674619) comparing the effectiveness of surgical and nonsurgical treatment for cervical radiculopathy were included. Patient-reported outcome measures and expected outcome and improvement were obtained before treatment. We compared these with previously published cut-off values for success. Arm pain, neck pain and headache were measured by a numeric rating scale. Neck disability index (NDI) was used to record pain-related disability. We applied Wilcoxon signed-rank test to compare the expected outcome scores for the two treatments.

Results

Patients reported mean NDI of 42.2 (95% CI 39.6–44.7) at baseline. The expected mean NDI one year after the treatment was 4 (95% CI 3.0–5.1). The expected mean reduction in NDI was 38.3 (95% CI 35.8–40.8). Calculated as a percentage change score, the patients expected a mean reduction of 91.2% (95% CI 89.2–93.2). Patient expectations were higher regarding surgical treatment for arm pain, neck pain and working ability, P < 0.001, but not for headache.

Conclusions

The expected improvement after treatment of cervical radiculopathy was much higher than the previously reported cut-off values for success. Patients with cervical radiculopathy had higher expectations to surgical treatment.
Exposure of Primate Reservoir Hosts to Mosquito Vectors in Malaysian Borneo
Authors: Brown Rebecca , Salgado-Lynn Milena , Jumail Amaziasizamoria , Jalius Cyrlen , Chua Tock-Hing , Vythilingam Indra , Ferguson Heather M.
Published: May 2022

Several vector-borne pathogens of primates have potential for human spillover. An example is the simian malaria Plasmodium knowlesi which is now a major public health problem in Malaysia. Characterization of exposure to mosquito vectors is essential for assessment of the force of infection within wild simian populations, however few methods exist to do so. Here we demonstrate the use of thermal imaging and mosquito magnet independence traps (MMIT) to assess the abundance, diversity and infection rates in mosquitoes host seeking near long-tailed macaque (Macaca fasicularis) sleeping sites in the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Malaysian Borneo. The primary Plasmodium knowlesi vector, Anopheles balabacensis, was trapped at higher abundance near sleeping sites than control trees. Although none of the An. balabacensis collected (n = 15) were positive for P. knowlesi by PCR screening, two were infected with another simian malaria Plasmodium inui. Analysis of macaque stools from sleeping sites confirmed a high prevalence of Plasmodium infection, suspected to be P. inui. Recently, natural transmission of P. inui has been detected in humans and An. cracens in Peninsular Malaysia. The presence of P. inui in An. balabacensis here and previously in human-biting collections highlight its potential for spillover from macaques to humans in Sabah. We advocate the use of MMITs for non-invasive sampling of mosquito vectors that host seek on wild simian populations.
Exploring the landscape of seasonal forecast provision by Global Producing Centres
Authors: Bojovic Dragana , Nicodemou Andria , St.Clair Asun Lera , Christel Isadora , Doblas-Reyes Francisco J.
Published: May 2022

Despite the growing demand for seasonal climate forecasts, there is limited understanding of the landscape of organisations providing this critically important climate information. This study attempts to fill this gap by presenting results from an in-depth dialogue with the organisations entrusted with the provision of seasonal forecasts by the World Meteorological Organisation, known as the Global Producing Centres for Long-Range Forecasts (GPCs-LRF). The results provide an overview and detailed description of the organisational setup, mandate, target audience of GPCs-LRF and their interactions with other centres. Looking beyond the GPCs-LRF to other centres providing seasonal forecasts, some of which have been rapidly taking prominent places in this landscape, revealed a heterogeneous and still maturing community of practice, with an increasing number of players and emerging efforts to produce multi-model ensemble forecasts. The dialogues pointed at the need to not only improve climate models and produce more skilful climate forecasts, but also to improve the transformation of the forecasts into useful and usable products. Finally, using the lenses of credibility, salience and legitimacy, we explore ways to bridge the fragmentation of the information offered across the organisations considered and the people involved in the delivery and use of seasonal forecasts. The paper concludes by suggesting ways to address the boundary crossing between science, policy and society in the context of seasonal climate prediction.
Connecting for Creativity in Higher Education
Authors: Rae John
Published: May 2022

Creativity is an important goal for higher education yet there is limited guidance on how to facilitate it at an organisational level. This arts-based exploration of the experiences of three award-winning academics who have been recognised for their creative work identifies that creativity can emerge from three interrelated factors — conversations and relationships, liminal space and leadership. These factors combined form a useful model that offers higher education institutions a means for enhancing creativity at a time when arguably it has never been needed more. The three factors are easily articulated, not resource-dependent or contingent on specialist knowledge or skill and will likely be well accepted by academics, academic leaders and others who participate in higher education.
Assessment of biosafety and implantation feasibility of novel phakic refractive lens
Authors: Zhang Shaohua , Huang Chang , Miao Huamao , Wu Junyao , Xing Chao , Dai Zhaoxing , Sun Jianguo
Published: May 2022

Purpose

We investigated the biosafety and implantation feasibility of a new phakic refractive lens (PRL) in rabbit eyes.

Methods

Short PRLs (S-PRLs), large PRLs (L-PRLs), and large-grooved PRLs (LG-PRLs), were prepared by molding medical-grade liquid silicon. The cytotoxicity and cellular adhesion of the PRLs was assessed in vitro. To assess implantation feasibility, the S-PRL, L-PRL, and LG-PRL were implanted in the posterior chamber of rabbit eyes and the relative position was assessed by optical coherence tomography. The intraocular pressures (IOP) were compared between the S-PRL, L-PRL, LG-PRL, and control groups to evaluate the PRL biosafety after implantation.

Results

The in vitro assays showed that cell viability and cellular adhesion in the S-PRL, L-PRL and LG-PRL groups was not significantly different to those in the control group throughout the study. After implantation into the posterior chamber of rabbit eyes, there were no obvious signs of inflammation or increases in IOP at each time point relative to the control group, demonstrating good biosafety of the PRL. The relative positions of the L-PRLs and LG-PRLs in the posterior chamber were appropriate and the retention frequencies were high.

Conclusions

The newly developed LG-PRL showed good biosafety with negligible in vitro cytotoxicity, ocular inflammation, or fluctuations in IOP. The LG-PRL provided the best implantation feasibility. The grooves on the LG-PRL provided channels for aqueous humor circulation. The LG-PRL is a promising type of PRL with an appropriate size and surface structure for effective correction of refractive errors in rabbit eyes.
Real-time fracturing in video games
Authors: Thomas Rachel , Zhang Wenshu
Published: May 2022

Destruction in video games traditionally use pre-fracturing techniques to efficiently swap out game objects at run-time, which requires artists to create multiple models in various states of destruction. Real-time methods require less design time and can produce more realistic results but often come at a cost of performance. If real-time methods can perform at similar levels as tradition pre-fracturing means, this could increase the current standards of realistic destruction in video games. This paper explores and implements real-time fracturing techniques, comparing these to traditional pre-fracturing methods in terms of visual realism and performance. The results of the implementation were then distributed in an online questionnaire, to view how participants perceived the differences of both techniques and whether the visual or performance aspects affected their preferences of one method over the other.
Object-aware Policy Network in Deep Recommender Systems
Authors: Zhou Guoqiang , Xu Zhangxian , Lin Jiayin , Bao Shudi , Zhou Liliang , Shen Jun
Published: May 2022

Deep learning has been successfully applied in the recommender system. Low-dimensional dense embedding is typically used to represent the feature of users and items. To optimize the model, some models propose to dynamically search the embedding size based on the popularity of different users and items. However, these models ignore the interaction between the user and the item which will hinder the optimization of the features in embedding. In this paper, we propose Object-aware Policy Network (OPN) and introduces an object-aware method that is used for optimizing the features in embedding. We evaluate our model on the two real-world benchmark datasets. With less than 10% increased time consumption in all experiments, the results show that our proposed model is able to improve the performance of binary classification task by a margin of 0.30 and multiclass classification task by a margin of 0.35 compared to the best accuracies achieced by baselines on different datasests.
Feasibility analysis for floating offshore wind energy
Authors: Maienza Carmela , Avossa Alberto Maria , Picozzi Vincenzo , Ricciardelli Francesco
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The assessment of the economic feasibility of floating offshore wind farms (FOWFs) plays an important role in the future possible spreading of this challenging technology in the wind power industry. The use of specific economic analyses is fundamental to point out the potential of FOWFs and to sustain their technical value. Within this topic, the implementation of the FOWF life cycle cost model and producibility analysis in a geographic information system is developed, with the aim of carrying out a feasibility analysis at the territorial scale, for different types of floater. Moreover, a simplified model for a quick life cycle cost assessment is proposed and calibrated.

Methods

The available cost model is first validated comparing the costs of FOWFs based on different floaters (Semi-Submersible Platform—SSP, Spar Buoy—SB and Tension Leg Platform—TLP) with corresponding results available in the literature. Then, it is implemented in QGIS to be used for territorial-scale analyses and sensitivity analyses of the cost parameters. A feasibility analysis is developed through the main financial parameters. Finally, the results are then used to calibrate a simplified version of the cost model that depends on three main parameters, namely distance to shore, distance from the port of operation and bathymetry.

Results and discussion

The FOWF cost values are found to be in good agreement with those coming from analytical methods similar to the one from the authors. However, some discrepancies with those based on average costs are observed. Then, the results of the sensitivity analysis are presented as life cycle cost maps, giving an overall picture of the variation of the total cost of FOWF installations on a reference domain. The results show that among the three types of floaters considered here, the SSP proved to be the most promising one, giving lower costs than the SB and the TLP. Moreover, a good agreement between the results in terms of total cost of FOWFs calculated with the analytical and simplified models for SSPs, SBs and TLPs is observed. Finally, the feasibility analysis showed that the financial parameters are more influenced by the wind speed than by the cost of the farm.

Conclusions

The paper aims to provide guidance on how to carry out feasibility analyses of a specific site for FOWF installation, thus supporting decision-making procedures. The approach and the results presented here are meant for use in the early stage of the decision-making process, as a tool for the assessment of the economic feasibility of FOWFs installation.
‘Supporting socially shared regulation during collaborative task-oriented reading’
Authors: Kielstra Jolique , Molenaar Inge , van Steensel Roel , Verhoeven Ludo
Published: May 2022

This study examined how to improve students’ regulation of task-oriented reading (TOR). TOR encompasses reading and information processing needed to perform a specific task. Previous studies suggest students can benefit from a collaboration script to enhance socially shared regulation of TOR. The collaboration script elicits discussions about task perception, strategy selection, and strategy reflection. This study aimed to examine the depth and socially sharedness of metacognitive regulation when working with a collaboration script among 44 prevocational secondary school students working in groups of four. In addition, we examined the consequent improvement of individual task representation, strategy selection, and strategy reflection after working with the script. The analysis of group discussions indicated that the collaboration script facilitated mainly low-level metacognitive regulation of TOR. However, after working with the script, students did improve their ability to determine a correct representation of a high-level task and to reflect on the most appropriate reading strategy for these tasks. Hence, we concluded that the ‘Y-read?’ collaboration script did elicit shared regulation during TOR.
Melatonin photoreactivity: phosphorescence formation and quenching processes
Authors: Guðmundsson Kristján Einar , Marteinsdóttir Guðrún , Kristbergsson Kristberg , Kvaran Ágúst
Published: May 2022

Studies of melatonin photoreactivity in water solutions: An effect of an external heavy atom I− on UV/Vis absorption, fluorescence and phosphorescence spectra is explored. The data allowed determination of relevant energetics for the system.The heavy atom effect (HAE) of I− on melatonin is clearly found to induce an intersystem crossing from the lowest energy singlet state to the lowest energy triplet state (T1) by a state mixing. Lifetime for the first excited triplet states of melatonin in association with I− and quenching rates for halomethanes (CH2X2, CHX3, CY4, X = Cl, Br, Y = Cl) are determined from Time-Correlated Single-Photon Counting decay curves for the phosphorescence. Dramatic alterations in quenching rate constants with quenchers as CH2X2 < CHX3 < CX4 and Cl < Br are attributed to energy transfer from an I−…Me*(T1) complex to low-lying electronic states of the halomethanes followed by dissociation to form R and X fragments. Relevance of the melatonin photoreactivity to photosensitizer properties in organic media is discussed.

Graphical abstract
Paralyzed by shock: the portfolio formation behavior of peer-to-business lending investors
Authors: Dorfleitner Gregor , Hornuf Lars , Weber Martina
Published: May 2022

We examine investor behavior on a leading peer-to-business lending platform and identify an investment mistake that we refer to as default shock bias. First, we find that investors stop investing in new loans and cease diversifying their portfolio after experiencing a loan default. The default shock significantly worsens the risk–return profile of investors’ loan portfolios. The defaults investors experience are often not beyond what would have been expected from the information that was provided by the platform ex ante. Second, investment experience on the platform is related to better investment decisions in general, but it does not reduce the default shock bias. These findings have important implications not only for the behavioral finance literature but also more generally for new forms of Internet-based finance.
The Role of Identity and Ontological (In)Security in Return Migration: an Empirical Perspective from Hungary
Authors: Lados Gabor , Hegedus Gabor , Kovacs Zoltan
Published: May 2022

East–West migration has become a dominant spatial phenomenon in Europe since the step-by-step enlargement of the EU, posing considerable socio-economic and demographic challenges for sending countries. However, little is known about the geopolitics and motivations that inspire a return to the country of origin. The objective of this article is to identify the motivations for emigration, adaptation experiences and decisions of Hungarian migrants who worked in the West for a period of time and returned to Hungary, based on their skills and family status before their return. The research is based on in-depth interviews with 48 returnees and builds on the cultural identity model and the notion of ontological security. The study demonstrates the growing role of geopolitics in return migration, although its relevance differs in various groups, with clear distinctions between the high- and low-skilled migrants. The role of family as a geopolitical unit is increasing; factors like their endeavour to hold the family together, fear of children’s assimilation, loss of identity and uncertainty while abroad are important in shaping decisions to return. On the other hand, schemes to enhance the return migration of the highly skilled also build on geopolitical and nationalistic rhetoric, which appear to target experiences of ontological (in)security among migrants.
High-Efficiency (Over 10%) Parallel Tandem Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Based on Tri-Carbon Electrodes
Authors: Shao Wu , Wu Wenjun
Published: May 2022

Ensuring high power conversion efficiency, partially or completely replacing Pt electrodes with inexpensive materials is one of the important development directions of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In this work, we have developed a three-component (MWCNTs, carbon black and graphite) carbon (tri-carbon) electrode material for DSSC devices combined with the advantages of high electron transfer kinetics of MWCNTs, plentiful catalytic sites in crystal edges of carbon black and superior electrical conductivity and catalytic activity of graphite. Using a tri-carbon electrode, a Pt electrode, and two N719-sensitized photoanodes, a parallel tandem dye-sensitized solar cells are assembled obtaining a high PCE of 10.26% (Voc = 0.70 V, Jsc = 19.99 mA/cm2, FF = 73.33%). It opens up a new avenue for the development of low-cost and high-performance DSSCs.
Proposing a combined method for the estimation of spatial and temporal variation of crop water productivity under deficit irrigation scenarios based on the AquaCrop model
Authors: Ahmadpour Abdoreza , Farhadi Bansouleh Bahman , Azari Arash
Published: May 2022

Deficit irrigation is a management strategy to improve crop water productivity, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. Soil characteristics and weather parameters are among the factors affecting crop water productivity in water stress conditions. Due to spatial changes in soil characteristics and temporal and spatial variations in meteorological parameters, it can be expected that crop water productivity will also have temporal and spatial variations. In this study, by combining the Geographic Information System (GIS) with the grid weather generation tools from the Crop Growth Monitoring System (CGMS) and the plug-in version of the AquaCrop, a combined method was developed to investigate the spatial and temporal variation of crop yield, seasonal crop evapotranspiration, and water productivity of maize under various irrigation scenarios. The proposed model was implemented in a case study in the west of Iran. The study area was divided into 37 grid weather with 5 * 5 km and 19 soil units. By overlaying soil units and grid weathers, 94 homogeneous units were created. The model was executed for 94 homogeneous areas, using calibrated crop file of grain maize under four irrigation scenarios of 40, 60, 80, and 100% of potential irrigation requirement (S40, S60, S80, and S100, respectively) for 28 years (1988–2015) of weather data (10,528 runs). The results showed that by increasing water stress, the percentage of spatial and temporal variation of the studied parameters (crop yield, seasonal crop water requirement, and water productivity) would be increased. The percentage of spatial changes in crop yield and crop water productivity was more significant than temporal changes. The average of crop water productivity in the scenarios of S100, S80, S60, and S40 was determined as 1.5, 1.4, 1.2, and 0.5 kg m−3, respectively.
Economic value of water for irrigation in São Francisco River Basin, Brazil
Authors: de Brito Pedro Lucas Cosmo , de Azevedo José Paulo Soares
Published: May 2022

Agriculture is the economic activity which uses water the most in Brazil, particularly in São Francisco River Basin, where water withdrawals for irrigation granted by water authorities amount to 22.3 billion m3 per year, a number which is close to 81% of the total withdrawal. On the other hand, bulk water in Brazil is underpriced. Water charges for agricultural users neither reflect the economic value of water nor induce a rational and efficient use of water resources, two key concepts of the Brazilian water law. Even so, it is common for irrigators to complain about the water prices charged for their use of bulk water. To throw some light on the real impact of charging water in the agriculture sector, this article evaluates the economic value of irrigation water in the São Francisco River basin through the shadow price approach, calculated by using the Residual Value Method. The analysis was performed for the top ten major São Francisco River basin crops in water use terms, namely corn, soybean, mango, beans, coffee bean, banana, cotton, sugar cane, papaya and rice. Results for the 2019 harvests show that except for sugar cane, all water shadow prices were positive, notably mango, beans and papaya. This paper also evaluated water shadow prices interannual variation from 2014 to 2019 for six crops. Except for sugarcane, the other crops have been profitable most of the time in the last 6 years. A wide fluctuation in the shadow price of water was observed over these years due to variations in sales prices and costs of production.
Cyanide removal from cassava wastewater onto H3PO4 activated periwinkle shell carbon
Authors: Eke-emezie Nnanna , Etuk Benjamin Rueben , Akpan Otobong Peter , Chinweoke Okechukwu Chibuzor
Published: May 2022

The continuous generation of waste resulting from the industrial activities of humans has significantly been on the rise, especially liquid wastes emanating from cassava processing mills, which is a major cause for concern in developing countries. This study focused on the preparation of H3PO4 activated periwinkle carbon (APSC) and use in the removal of cyanide in cassava wastewater. The influence of variables such as pH, adsorbent dosage, contact time, and different cyanide concentrations was investigated in batch procedures. Results from the batch studies reveal a strong pH-dependent adsorption process with optimum cyanide removal occurring at pH 8. An equilibrium time of 80 min and adsorbent dosage of 3.0 g gave the highest percentage of cyanide adsorbed at 83.93%. The Pseudo-first-order, Pseudo-second-order, and Elovich kinetic models were used for the analysis of experimental data while equilibrium data analysis using Langmuir, Freundlich, and Redlich–Peterson was carried out to determine the best-fit isotherm model. The Coefficient of determination (r2), Sum of square error (SSE), and Chi-square ($$\chi^{2}$$

χ
2

) were used to estimate the error deviations between the predicted and the experimental models using nonlinear regression analysis to determine models that best explain the adsorption process. Kinetic data fitted well to the Elovich and Pseudo-second-order kinetic model which implies chemisorption as the dominant adsorption process. The Redlich–Peterson and Langmuir model best describes the adsorption process suggesting mono-layer adsorption with the monolayer adsorption capacity of APSC found to be 2.856 mg.g−1.
Data Cleaning and AutoML: Would an Optimizer Choose to Clean?
Authors: Neutatz Felix , Chen Binger , Alkhatib Yazan , Ye Jingwen , Abedjan Ziawasch
Published: May 2022

Data cleaning is widely acknowledged as an important yet tedious task when dealing with large amounts of data. Thus, there is always a cost-benefit trade-off to consider. In particular, it is important to assess this trade-off when not every data point and data error is equally important for a task. This is often the case when statistical analysis or machine learning (ML) models derive knowledge about data. If we only care about maximizing the utility score of the applications, such as accuracy or F1 scores, many tasks can afford some degree of data quality problems. Recent studies analyzed the impact of various data error types on vanilla ML tasks, showing that missing values and outliers significantly impact the outcome of such models. In this paper, we expand the setting to one where data cleaning is not considered in isolation but as an equal parameter among many other hyper-parameters that influence feature selection, regularization, and model selection. In particular, we use state-of-the-art AutoML frameworks to automatically learn the parameters that benefit a particular ML binary classification task. In our study, we see that specific cleaning routines still play a significant role but can also be entirely avoided if the choice of a specific model or the filtering of specific features diminishes the overall impact.
Assessment of LAA Strain and Thrombus Mobility and Its Impact on Thrombus Resolution—Added-Value of a Novel Echocardiographic Thrombus Tracking Method
Authors: Morais Pedro , Nelles Dominik , Vij Vivian , Al-Kassou Baravan , Weber Marcel , Nickenig Georg , Schrickel Jan Wilko , Vilaça João L. , Sedaghat Alexander
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The mobility of left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombi and changes hereof under anticoagulation may serve as a marker of both risk of embolism and efficacy of treatment. In this study, we sought to evaluate thrombus mobility and hypothesized that LAA dynamics and thrombus mobility could serve as a baseline marker of thrombus dissolvability.

Methods

Patients with two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiographic images of the LAA, and with evidence of LAA thrombus were included in this study. Using a speckle tracking algorithm, functional information from the LAA and thrombi of different patients was computed. While the LAA motion was quantified through the longitudinal strain, thrombus mobility was evaluated using a novel method by directly tracking the thrombus, isolated from the global cardiac motion. Baseline characteristics and echocardiographic parameters were compared between responders (thrombus resolution) and non-responders (thrombus persistence) to anticoagulation.

Results

We included 35 patients with atrial fibrillation with evidence of LAA thrombi. Patients had a mean age of 72.9 ± 14.1 years, exhibited a high risk for thromboembolism (CHA2DS2-VASc-Score 4.1 ± 1.5) and had moderately reduced LVEF (41.7 ± 14.4%) and signs of diastolic dysfunction (E/E′ = 19.7 ± 8.5). While anticoagulation was initiated in all patients, resolution was achieved in 51.4% of patients. Significantly higher LAA peak strain (− 3.0 ± 1.3 vs. − 1.6 ± 1.5%, p < 0.01) and thrombus mobility (0.33 ± 0.13 mm vs. 0.18 ± 0.08 mm, p < 0.01) were observed in patients in whom thrombi resolved (i.e. responders against non-responders). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed a high discriminatory ability for thrombus mobility with regards to thrombus resolution (AUC 0.89).

Conclusion

Isolated tracking of thrombus mobility from echocardiographic images is feasible. In patients with LAA thrombus, higher thrombus mobility appeared to be associated with thrombus resolution. Future studies should be conducted to evaluate the role of the described technique to predict LAA thrombus resolution or persistence.
Asymptotic profile for a two-terms time fractional diffusion problem
Authors: D’Abbicco Marcello , Girardi Giovanni
Published: May 2022

We consider the Cauchy-type problem associated to the time fractional partial differential equation:$$\begin{aligned} {\left\{ \begin{array}{ll} \partial _t u+\partial _t^{\beta }u-\varDelta u=g(t,x), &{} t>0, \ x\in {\mathbb {R}}^n \\ u(0,x)=u_0(x), \end{array}\right. } \end{aligned}$$∂tu+∂tβu-Δu=g(t,x),t>0,x∈Rnu(0,x)=u0(x),with$$\beta \in (0,1)$$β∈(0,1), where the fractional derivative$$\partial _t^{\beta }$$∂tβis in Caputo sense. We provide a sufficient condition on the right-hand termg(t, x) to obtain a solution in$${\mathcal {C}}_b([0,\infty ),H^s)$$Cb([0,∞),Hs). We exploit a dissipative-smoothing effect which allows to describe the asymptotic profile of the solution in low space dimension.