bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digital Imaginaries and the Chinese Nation State
Authors: Lengen Samuel
Published: January 2022

This chapter develops the concept of digital imaginaries in order to examine collective visions of the Chinese nation state that are rooted in the promise of digital technologies and to highlight the crucial relationship between national imaginaries and everyday experiences of digital platforms in China. Drawing on thirteen months of fieldwork in Beijing, I explore the interplay between experiences of digital platforms, the narratives presented by technology companies and government discourses on digitization. To explore this interplay, the chapter focuses on the Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba as an important intermediary between Chinese citizens and the government. Alibaba’s self-proclaimed mission to digitally connect and provide opportunities to all Chinese echoes and gives purchase to the Chinese government’s claim that digital technologies can and have unified the socially, ethnically, economically and regionally fragmented space of the nation state. It also provides Chinese citizens with the experience of participating in Chinese modernity. Because of its double function, Alibaba plays a key role in connecting Chinese citizens’ experiences of digital participation to the digital imaginaries of a unified nation state.
Impact of fully coherent energy loss on heavy meson production in pA collisions
Authors: Arleo François , Jackson Greg , Peigné Stéphane
Published: January 2022

Abstract

Hadron production in proton-nucleus (pA) collisions was previously shown to be suppressed by medium-induced fully coherent energy loss (FCEL). We show that the quenching of D and B mesons in pPb collisions at the LHC due solely to FCEL is, at least, on par with other nuclear effects such as gluon shadowing or saturation. This is consistent with previous findings for both quarkonium and light hadron production in pA collisions, emphasising that FCEL effects need to be included for a reliable understanding of hadron production measurements in pA collisions.
Initial value problem in string-inspired nonlocal field theory
Authors: Erbin Harold , Fırat Atakan Hilmi , Zwiebach Barton
Published: January 2022

Abstract

We consider a nonlocal scalar field theory inspired by the tachyon action in open string field theory. The Lorentz-covariant action is characterized by a parameterξ2that quantifies the amount of nonlocality. Restricting to purely time-dependent configurations, we show that a field redefinition perturbative inξ2reduces the action to a local two-derivative theory with aξ2-dependent potential. This picture is supported by evidence that the redefinition maps the wildly oscillating rolling tachyon solutions of the nonlocal theory to conventional rolling in the new scalar potential. For general field configurations we exhibit an obstruction to a local Lorentz-covariant formulation, but we can still achieve a formulation local in time, as well as a light-cone formulation. These constructions provide an initial value formulation and a Hamiltonian. Their causality is consistent with a lack of superluminal behavior in the nonlocal theory.
Wrapped M5-branes and complex saddle points
Authors: Genolini Pietro Benetti
Published: January 2022

Abstract

We study the effects of the introduction of a ϑ term in minimal gauged supergravity in four dimensions. We show why this term is not present in supergravity duals of field theories arising on wrapped M2-branes, but is there in the case of M5-branes wrapping hyperbolic manifolds Σ3, and compute the higher-derivative corrections. Having proved that the on-shell supergravity action of any supersymmetric solution can be expressed in terms of data from the fixed points of a Killing vector, we show that it is proportional to a complex topological invariant of Σ3. This is consistent with the characteristics of the dual three-dimensional 𝒩= 2 SCFT predicted by the 3d-3d correspondence, and we match the large N limit of its partition functions in the known cases.
An effective three-dimensional de Sitter cosmology in string theory
Authors: Landgren Filip
Published: January 2022

Abstract

Motivated by the lack of consensus on whether or not de Sitter (dS) lies in the Swampland, we use a recently developed braneworld construction and known Anti-de Sitter (AdS) vacua to compute an explicit effective dS cosmology in three dimensions. We consider a non-perturbative AdS4 vacuum decaying to another lower AdS4 vacuum via bubble-nucleation. We also consider the more speculative case where a dS4 decay to a Minkowski4. The Israel junction conditions are solved across the bubble and we obtain the Friedmann equations from which the cosmological constants can be read off, in the respective cases. The cosmological constants are computed in a flux background yielding small positive values admitting a dS cosmology. However, we find that an energetically viable model in the AdS to AdS case requires more fine-tuning.
QCD static force in gradient flow
Authors: Brambilla Nora , Chung Hee Sok , Vairo Antonio , Wang Xiang-Peng
Published: January 2022

Abstract

We compute the QCD static force and potential using gradient flow at next-to-leading order in the strong coupling. The static force is the spatial derivative of the static potential: it encodes the QCD interaction at both short and long distances. While on the one side the static force has the advantage of being free of theO(ΛQCD) renormalon affecting the static potential when computed in perturbation theory, on the other side its direct lattice QCD computation suffers from poor convergence. The convergence can be improved by using gradient flow, where the gauge fields in the operator definition of a given quantity are replaced by flowed fields at flow timet, which effectively smear the gauge fields over a distance of order$$ \sqrt{t} $$t, while they reduce to the QCD fields in the limitt→ 0. Based on our next-to-leading order calculation, we explore the properties of the static force for arbitrary values oft, as well as in thet→ 0 limit, which may be useful for lattice QCD studies.
Smart soldiers: towards a more ethical warfare
Authors: Omotoyinbo Femi Richard
Published: January 2022

It is a truism that, due to human weaknesses, human soldiers have yet to have sufficiently ethical warfare. It is arguable that the likelihood of human soldiers to breach the Principle of Non-Combatant Immunity, for example, is higher in contrast tosmart soldierswho are emotionally inept. Hence, this paper examines the possibility that the integration of ethics into smart soldiers will help address moral challenges in modern warfare. The approach is to develop and employ smart soldiers that are enhanced with ethical capabilities. Advocates of this approach think that it is more realistic to make competent entities (i.e., smart soldiers) become morally responsible than to enforce moral responsibility on human soldiers with inherent (moral) limitations. This view somewhat seeks a radical transition from the usual anthropocentric warfare to arobocentricwarfare with the belief that the transition has moral advantages. However, the paper defends the claim that despite human limitations, the capacity ofethically enhanced smart soldiersfor moral sensitivity is artificial and unauthentic. There are significant problems with the three models of programming ethics into smart soldiers. Also, there are further challenges from the absence of emotion as a moral gauge, and the problems of apportioning responsibility in case of mishap from the actions or omissions of smart soldiers. Among other reasons, the paper takes the replacement of human soldiers as an extreme approach towards an ethical warfare. This replacement predicates ethical complications that outweigh the benefits from the exclusive use of smart soldiers.
Conservative treatment of acute traumatic posterior shoulder dislocations (Type A) is a viable option especially in patients with centred joint, low gamma angle, and middle or old age
Authors: Festbaum Christian , Minkus Marvin , Akgün Doruk , Hupperich Andreas , Maier Dirk , Auffarth Alexander , Mitterer Marian , Hoffelner Thomas , Tauber Mark , Fritsch Lorenz , Moroder Philipp
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Purpose of this study was to evaluate the mid- to long-term outcome after conservatively treated first-time posterior shoulder dislocations and to determine structural defects associated with failure.

Methods

In this multi-centric retrospective study, 29 shoulders in 28 patients with first-time acute posterior shoulder dislocation (Type A1 or A2 according to the ABC classification) and available cross-sectional imaging were included. Outcome scores as well as radiological and magnetic resonance imaging were obtained at a mean follow-up of 8.3 ± 2.7 years (minimum: 5 years). The association of structural defects with redislocation, need for secondary surgery, and inferior clinical outcomes were analysed.

Results

Redislocation occurred in six (21%) shoulders and nine shoulders (31%) underwent secondary surgery due to persistent symptoms. The posttraumatic posterior glenohumeral subluxation was higher in the redislocation group compared to the no redislocation group; however, statistical significance was not reached (61.9 ± 12.5% vs. 50.6 ± 6.4%). Furthermore, a higher adapted gamma angle was observed in the failed conservative treatment group versus the conservative treatment group, similarly without statistically significant difference (97.8° ± 7.2°, vs. 93.3° ± 9.7°). The adapted gamma angle was higher than 90° in all patients of failed conservative therapy and the redislocation group. An older age at the time of dislocation showed a significant correlation with better clinical outcomes (SSV: r = 0.543, p = 0.02; ROWE: r = 0.418, p = 0.035 and WOSI: r = 0.478, p = 0.045). Posterior glenohumeral subluxation after trauma correlated with a worse WOSI (r = − 0.59, p = 0.02) and follow-up posterior glenohumeral decentring (r = 0.68, p = 0.007). The gamma angle (r = 0.396, p = 0.039) and depth of the reverse Hill–Sachs lesion (r = 0.437, p = 0.023) correlated significantly with the grade of osteoarthritis at follow-up.

Conclusion

Conservative treatment is a viable option in patients with an acute traumatic posterior shoulder dislocation with good outcome after mid- and long-term follow-up especially in patients with centred joint, low gamma angle, and middle or old age.

Level of evidence

IV.
Autotrophic lactate production from H2 + CO2 using recombinant and fluorescent FAST-tagged Acetobacterium woodii strains
Authors: Mook Alexander , Beck Matthias H. , Baker Jonathan P. , Minton Nigel P. , Dürre Peter , Bengelsdorf Frank R.
Published: January 2022

Lactate has various uses as industrial platform chemical, poly-lactic acid precursor or feedstock for anaerobic co-cultivations. The aim of this study was to construct and characterise Acetobacterium woodii strains capable of autotrophic lactate production. Therefore, the lctBCD genes, encoding the native Lct dehydrogenase complex, responsible for lactate consumption, were knocked out. Subsequently, a gene encoding a d-lactate dehydrogenase (LDHD) originating from Leuconostoc mesenteroides was expressed in A. woodii, either under the control of the anhydrotetracycline-inducible promoter Ptet or under the lactose-inducible promoter PbgaL. Moreover, LDHD was N-terminally fused to the oxygen-independent fluorescence-activating and absorption-shifting tag (FAST) and expressed in respective A. woodii strains. Cells that produced the LDHD fusion protein were capable of lactate production of up to 18.8 mM in autotrophic batch experiments using H2 + CO2 as energy and carbon source. Furthermore, cells showed a clear and bright fluorescence during exponential growth, as well as in the stationary phase after induction, mediated by the N-terminal FAST. Flow cytometry at the single-cell level revealed phenotypic heterogeneities for cells expressing the FAST-tagged LDHD fusion protein. This study shows that FAST provides a new reporter tool to quickly analyze gene expression over the course of growth experiments of A. woodii. Consequently, fluorescence-based reporters allow for faster and more targeted optimization of production strains.

Key points

•Autotrophic lactate production was achieved with A. woodii.

•FAST functions as fluorescent marker protein in A. woodii.

•Fluorescence measurements on single-cell level revealed population heterogeneity.
Multi-institutional analysis of outcomes for thermosphere microwave ablation treatment of colorectal liver metastases: the SMAC study
Authors: De Cobelli Francesco , Calandri Marco , Della Corte Angelo , Sirovich Roberta , Gazzera Carlo , Della Vigna Paolo , Bonomo Guido , Varano Gianluca Maria , Maiettini Daniele , Mauri Giovanni , Camisassi Nicola , Steidler Stephanie , Ratti Francesca , Gusmini Simone , Ronzoni Monica , Aldrighetti Luca , Odisio Bruno C. , Racca Patrizia , Fonio Paolo , Veltri Andrea , Orsi Franco
Published: January 2022

Objectives

Oligometastatic colorectal cancer benefits of locoregional treatments but data concerning microwave ablation (MWA) are limited and interactions with systemic therapy are still debated. The aim of this study is to evaluate safety and effectiveness of Thermosphere™ MWA (T-MWA) of colorectal liver metastases (CLM) and factors affecting local tumor progression-free survival (LTPFS).

Methods

In this multi-institutional retrospective study (January 2015–September 2019), patients who underwent T-MWA for CLM were enrolled. Complications according to SIR classification were collected, primary efficacy and LTP were calculated. Analyzed variables included CLM size at diagnosis and at ablation, CLM number, ablation margins, intra-segment progression, chemotherapy before ablation (CBA), variations in size (ΔSDIA-ABL), and velocity of size variation (VDIA-ABL) between CLM diagnosis and ablation. Uni/multivariate analyses were performed using mixed effects Cox model to account for the hierarchical structure of data, patient/lesions.

Results

One hundred thirty-two patients with 213 CLM were evaluated. Complications were reported in 6/150 procedures (4%); no biliary complications occurred. Primary efficacy was achieved in 204/213 CLM (95.7%). LTP occurred in 58/204 CLM (28.4%). Six-, twelve-, and eighteen-month LTPFS were 88.2%, 75.8%, and 69.9%, respectively. At multivariate analysis, CLM size at ablation (p = 0.00045), CLM number (p = 0.046), ablation margin < 5 mm (p = 0.0035), and intra-segment progression (p < 0.0001) were statistically significant for LTPFS. ΔSDIA-ABL (p = 0.63) and VDIA-ABL (p = 0.38) did not affect LTPFS. Ablation margins in the chemo-naïve group were larger than those in the CBA group (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

T-MWA is a safe and effective technology with adequate LTPFS rates. Intra-segment progression is significantly linked to LTPFS. CBA does not affect LTPFS. Anticipating ablation before chemotherapy may take the advantages of adequate tumor size with correct ablation margin planning.

Key Points

• Thermosphere™-Microwave ablation is a safe and effective treatment for colorectal liver metastases with no registered biliary complications in more than 200 ablations.

• Metastases size at time of ablation, intra-segment progression, and minimal ablation margin < 5 mm were found statistically significant for local tumor progression-free survival.

• Chemotherapy before ablation modifies kinetics growth of the lesions but deteriorates ablation margins and does not significantly impact local tumor progression-free survival.
Using an Automated Speech Recognition Approach to Differentiate Between Normal and Aspirating Swallowing Sounds Recorded from Digital Cervical Auscultation in Children
Authors: Frakking Thuy T. , Chang Anne B. , Carty Christopher , Newing Jade , Weir Kelly A. , Schwerin Belinda , So Stephen
Published: January 2022

Use of machine learning to accurately detect aspirating swallowing sounds in children is an evolving field. Previously reported classifiers for the detection of aspirating swallowing sounds in children have reported sensitivities between 79 and 89%. This study aimed to investigate the accuracy of using an automatic speaker recognition approach to differentiate between normal and aspirating swallowing sounds recorded from digital cervical auscultation in children. We analysed 106 normal swallows from 23 healthy children (median 13 months; 52.1% male) and 18 aspirating swallows from 18 children (median 10.5 months; 61.1% male) who underwent concurrent videofluoroscopic swallow studies with digital cervical auscultation. All swallowing sounds were on thin fluids. A support vector machine classifier with a polynomial kernel was trained on feature vectors that comprised the mean and standard deviation of spectral subband centroids extracted from each swallowing sound in the training set. The trained support vector machine was then used to classify swallowing sounds in the test set. We found high accuracy in the differentiation of aspirating and normal swallowing sounds with 98% overall accuracy. Sensitivity for the detection of aspiration and normal swallowing sounds were 89% and 100%, respectively. There were consistent differences in time, power spectral density and spectral subband centroid features between aspirating and normal swallowing sounds in children. This study provides preliminary research evidence that aspirating and normal swallowing sounds in children can be differentiated accurately using machine learning techniques.
Difference of compliance rates for the recommendations in Japanese Guideline on Febrile Neutropenia according to respondents’ attributes: the second report on a questionnaire survey among hematology-oncology physicians and surgeons
Authors: Akiyama Nobu , Okamura Takuho , Yoshida Minoru , Kimura Shun-ichi , Yano Shingo , Yoshida Isao , Kusaba Hitoshi , Takahashi Kosuke , Fujita Hiroyuki , Fukushima Keitaro , Iwasaki Hiromichi , Tamura Kazuo , Saeki Toshiaki , Takamatsu Yasushi , Zenda Sadamoto
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The Japanese Society of Medical Oncology (JSMO) published a guideline (GL) on febrile neutropenia (FN) in 2017. This study aims to identify promoting factors and disincentives for complying with GL recommendations according to attributes of doctors providing chemotherapy.

Methods

A questionnaire survey was conducted with SurveyMonkey™ for physician members of the Japanese Association of Supportive Care in Cancer and relevant academic organizations. Each question had four options (always do, do in more than half of patients, do in less than half, do not at all) and a free description form. Responses were analyzed according to the respondents’ attributes.

Result

Seven hundred eighty-eight out of retrieved 801 responses were available for analysis. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that the percentage of GL users was higher among women and Japanese Society of Clinical Oncology members. The overall compliance rate was higher among women, JSMO members, and board-certified medical oncologists. Internists emphasized the significance of collecting blood cultures at FN onset, and surgeons stressed the importance of G-CSF prophylaxis. Hematologists were less likely to adhere to recommendations on risk assessment of FN by the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer score and administration of gammaglobulin products. However, those are acceptable due to the characteristics of their practice. Eight recommendations had no difference in compliance rates between users and non-users, some of whose statements were ambiguous and discretionary.

Conclusion

Women were more likely to use and adhere to GL. The recommendations should be developed considering the characteristics of specialty and subspecialty and avoiding ambiguity and discretionary statements.
Virtual reality and machine learning in the automatic photoparoxysmal response detection
Authors: Moncada Fernando , Martín Sofía , González Víctor M. , Álvarez Víctor M. , García-López Beatriz , Gómez-Menéndez Ana Isabel , Villar José R.
Published: January 2022

Photosensitivity, in relation to epilepsy, is a genetically determined condition in which patients have epileptic seizures of different severity provoked by visual stimuli. It can be diagnosed by detecting epileptiform discharges in their electroencephalogram (EEG), known as photoparoxysmal responses (PPR). The most accepted PPR detection method—a manual method—considered as the standard one, consists in submitting the subject to intermittent photic stimulation (IPS), i.e. a flashing light stimulation at increasing and decreasing flickering frequencies in a hospital room under controlled ambient conditions, while at the same time recording her/his brain response by means of EEG signals. This research focuses on introducing virtual reality (VR) in this context, adding, to the conventional infrastructure a more flexible one that can be programmed and that will allow developing a much wider and richer set of experiments in order to detect neurological illnesses, and to study subjects’ behaviours automatically. The loop includes the subject, the VR device, the EEG infrastructure and a computer to analyse and monitor the EEG signal and, in some cases, provide feedback to the VR. As will be shown, AI modelling will be needed in the automatic detection of PPR, but it would also be used in extending the functionality of this system with more advanced features. This system is currently in study with subjects at Burgos University Hospital, Spain.
Recurrent neural network model for high-speed train vibration prediction from time series
Authors: Siłka Jakub , Wieczorek Michał , Woźniak Marcin
Published: January 2022

In this article, we want to discuss the use of deep learning model to predict potential vibrations of high-speed trains. In our research, we have tested and developed deep learning model to predict potential vibrations from time series of recorded vibrations during travel. We have tested various training models, different time steps and potential error margins to examine how well we are able to predict situation on the track. Summarizing, in our article we have used the RNN-LSTM neural network model with hyperbolic tangent in hidden layers and rectified linear unit gate at the final layer in order to predict future values from the time series data. Results of our research show the our system is able to predict vibrations with Accuracy of above 99% in series of values forward.
The impact of ambulatory care spending, continuity and processes of care on ambulatory care sensitive hospitalizations
Authors: Schuettig Wiebke , Sundmacher Leonie
Published: January 2022

Ambulatory care sensitive hospitalizations are widely considered as important measures of access to as well as quality and performance of primary care. In our study, we investigate the impact of spending, process quality and continuity of care in the ambulatory care sector on ambulatory care sensitive hospitalizations in patients with type 2 diabetes. We used observational data from Germany’s major association of insurance companies from 2012 to 2014 with 55,924 patients, as well as data from additional sources. We conducted negative binomial regression analyses with random effects at the district level. To control for potential endogeneity of spending and physician density in the ambulatory care sector, we used an instrumental variable approach. We controlled for a wide range of covariates, such as age, sex, and comorbidities. The results of our analysis suggest that spending in the ambulatory care sector has weak negative effects on ambulatory care sensitive hospitalizations. We also found that continuity of care was negatively associated with hospital admissions. Patients with type 2 diabetes are at increased risk of hospitalization resulting from ambulatory care sensitive conditions. Our study provides some evidence that increased spending and improved continuity of care while controlling for process quality in the ambulatory care sector may be effective ways to reduce the rate of potentially avoidable hospitalizations among patients with type 2 diabetes.
Haushaltspolitik der neuen Bundesregierung
Authors:   Überblick
Published: January 2022

Die neue Bundesregierung aus SPD, Bündnis 90/Die Grünen und FDP hat im Koalitionsvertrag ein „Jahrzehnt der Zukunftsinvestitionen“ in Aussicht gestellt. Bereits im Vorfeld der Koalitionsverhandlungen wurde kontrovers über die finanzpolitischen Möglichkeiten und Spielräume diskutiert. Die Vorhaben der neuen Koalition — Schuldenbremse einhalten, Reform der Grundsicherung, keine Steuererhöhungen, grüne Investitionen — waren dabei häufig als „Quadratur des Kreises“ gesehen worden. Die Autor:innen des Zeitgesprächs diskutieren, ob die im Koalitionsvertrag genannten Finanzierungsinstrumente geeignet sind, um die zentralen finanzpolitischen Herausforderungen in den kommenden Jahren zu bewältigen, und wie die Haushaltspläne mit der Schuldenbremse sowie den fiskalischen Regeln auf EU-Ebene in Einklang gebracht werden können.
Kommunen zentral für Jahrzehnt der Zukunftsinvestitionen
Authors: Rietzler Katja
Published: January 2022

In the coalition agreement, the new federal government holds out the prospect of a “decade of investment for the future”. It thus recognises that considerable additional investment-related government spending is necessary to overcome the investment backlog in Germany and promote the socio-ecological transformation. Based on current studies, a total of 600 to 800 billion euros over ten year seems plausible, with a significant share accruing at the municipal level. The new government addresses important problems of municipal finances including significant regional disparities, but further measures are needed to enable all local communities to invest sufficiently.
Wettbewerb im Deutschlandtakt
Authors: Kühling Jürgen , Greer Katja
Published: January 2022

Die neue Bundesregierung hält an dem verkehrspolitischen Ziel einer Steigerung des Verkehrs auf der Schiene fest. Dazu sieht sie im Koalitionsvertrag neben einer weiteren Erhöhung der Investitionen in die Schieneninfrastruktur auch eine prioritäre Ausrichtung der Finanzierung auf den Deutschlandtakt vor. Damit durch die angestrebte Umgestaltung tatsächlich eine Verkehrsverlagerung auf die Schiene und eine Steigerung des Schienenverkehrs erreicht werden kann, sollte frühzeitig auf eine wettbewerbliche Ausgestaltung geachtet werden. Dafür sind regulatorische Anpassungen notwendig. Ein geeignetes Instrument ist die Umgestaltung des Schienenpersonenfernverkehrs hin zu einem Ausschreibungs- bzw. Konzessionsmodell. Hierdurch könnte die Bedienung der vordefinierten Deutschlandtakt-Strecken sichergestellt werden. Die Umgestaltung kann zudem zu einer Steigerung des Wettbewerbs, einem attraktiveren Bahnmarkt und somit auch zu einer Verkehrssteigerung auf der Schiene beitragen.
Obligatorische Versicherung gegen Schäden infolge von Naturkatastrophen
Authors: Becker Ann-Kristin , Oslislo Christoph
Published: January 2022

Wie schon die Hochwasserereignisse 2002 und 2013 haben auch die Folgen der Flutkatastrophe im Juli 2021 dramatisch die Notwendigkeit von gesellschaftlichen Klimaanpassungsstrategien in Deutschland aufgezeigt. Bund und Länder haben zum dritten Mal eine Arbeitsgruppe mit der verfassungsrechtlichen Prüfung einer Versicherungspflicht gegen Elementarschäden beauftragt. Während sich die grundsätzlichen Argumente in der Debatte um die Einführung wiederholen, lohnt sich ein Blick auf die zentralen Ausgestaltungsfragen einer potenziellen Versicherungspflicht. Die häufig vorgebrachten Kritikpunkte gegen eine Versicherungspflicht legen konkrete Ausgestaltungsannahmen zugrunde und sprechen daher nicht pauschal gegen das Instrument.
The concept of disability and its causal mechanisms in older people over time from a theoretical perspective: a literature review
Authors: Mouchaers Ines , Verbeek Hilde , Kempen Gertrudis I. J. M. , van Haastregt Jolanda C. M. , Vlaeyen Ellen , Goderis Geert , Metzelthin Silke F.
Published: January 2022

Ageing with a disability increases the risk of hospitalization and nursing home admission. Ageing in place interventions aiming to reduce disability are often not sufficiently effective and inadequately theory-based. There are many models available on disability, but it is unclear how they define disability, what their differences are, and how they evolved throughout the years. This paper aims to provide an overview of the evolution of these models and to elaborate on the causal mechanisms of disability. A literature review was conducted as part of the TRANS-SENIOR international training and research network. PubMed and Google Scholar were searched, and snowball sampling was applied to eligible publications. Data were extracted from the included publications, and a thematic analysis was performed on the retrieved data. Overall, 29 publications were included in the final sample. All included models arose from three original models and could be divided into two types: linear models and models on the interaction between the person and the environment. Thematic analysis led to three distinct evolutionary trends: (1) from a unidirectional linear path to a multidirectional nonlinear path, (2) from the consequences of disease towards the consequences of person–environment interaction, and (3) from disability towards health and functioning. Our findings suggest that by optimizing the use of personal as well as environmental resources, and focusing on health and functioning, rather than disability, an older person’s independence and wellbeing can be improved, especially while performing meaningful daily activities in accordance with the person’s needs and preferences.
Application of the HYSPLIT model for birch pollen modelling in Poland
Authors: Bilińska-Prałat Daria , Werner Małgorzata , Kryza Maciej , Malkiewicz Małgorzata , Rapiejko Piotr , Chłopek Kazimiera , Dąbrowska-Zapart Katarzyna , Lipiec Agnieszka , Jurkiewicz Dariusz , Kalinowska Ewa , Majkowska-Wojciechowska Barbara , Myszkowska Dorota , Piotrowska-Weryszko Krystyna , Puc Małgorzata , Rapiejko Anna , Siergiejko Grzegorz , Weryszko-Chmielewska Elżbieta , Wieczorkiewicz Andrzej , Ziemianin Monika
Published: January 2022

In this work, the HYSPLIT model was used to reproduce birch pollen concentrations in Poland for the years 2015 and 2016, where there was significant variation in terms of pollen concentrations and start/end dates of the pollen season. The analysis of pollen observations showed that the seasonal pollen integral (SPIn) was low in 2015 with a shorter season compared to 2016. In 2016, SPIn was unusually high. The HYSPLIT model simulation, with a one-hour temporal resolution, was conducted during the birch pollen season (from March to May) for 2015 and 2016. Meteorological data were obtained from the WRF model. The birch coverage map of the European Forest Institute was used. The emission, introduced to the model, covered Central Europe with a resolution of 0.3° × 0.3°. The results were compared to data from 11 observation stations in Poland. The measured birch pollen concentrations for 2015 were overestimated by HYSPLIT at 8 of the 11 stations (normalized mean bias/NMB from 0.13 to 2.53) and underestimated for three stations (NMB from − 0.44 to − 0.15). For 2016, the model highly underestimated the pollen concentrations, with NMB ranging from − 0.45 to − 0.93. In general, the results show that the model can resolve the main peaks of pollen concentrations, which is a step forward in the application of the HYSPLIT model for birch pollen forecasting over Poland. We suggest the application of methods that can reduce the bias of temperature such as meteorological data assimilation or bias correction, which could improve calculation of the start of emissions and consequently the start of the pollen season as well as pollen concentrations.
AI-aided general clinical diagnoses verified by third-parties with dynamic uncertain causality graph extended to also include classification
Authors: Zhang Zhan , Jiao Yang , Zhang Mingxia , Wei Bing , Liu Xiao , Zhao Juan , Tian Fengwei , Hu Jie , Zhang Qin
Published: January 2022

Artificial intelligence (AI)-aided general clinical diagnosis is helpful to primary clinicians. Machine learning approaches have problems of generalization, interpretability, etc. Dynamic Uncertain Causality Graph (DUCG) based on uncertain casual knowledge provided by clinical experts does not have these problems. This paper extends DUCG to include the representation and inference algorithm for non-causal classification relationships. As a part of general clinical diagnoses, six knowledge bases corresponding to six chief complaints (arthralgia, dyspnea, cough and expectoration, epistaxis, fever with rash and abdominal pain) were constructed through constructing subgraphs relevant to a chief complaint separately and synthesizing them together as the knowledge base of the chief complaint. A subgraph represents variables and causalities related to a single disease that may cause the chief complaint, regardless of which hospital department the disease belongs to. Verified by two groups of third-party hospitals independently, total diagnostic precisions of the six knowledge bases ranged in 96.5–100%, in which the precision for every disease was no less than 80%.
Effects of an oil-based substrate (The Water Cleanser™) and bacterial additives on nitrogen and phosphorous dynamics in freshwater crayfish (Cherax cainii, Austin and Ryan 2002) aquaculture
Authors: Cole Anthony J. , Tulsankar Smita S. , Saunders Benjamin J. , Fotedar Ravi
Published: January 2022

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of an oil-based substrate, The Water Cleanser™ (TWC). The first experiment studied the effects two substrates of different oil composition (TWC, TWC +), and a commercial bacterial additive (Bio-Aid) on concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorous in indoor aquaria. The second experiment studied the effects of TWC, a bacterial additive, and a combination (TWC + B) on concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorous, phytoplankton abundance and diversity in outdoor freshwater crayfish (Cherax cainii, Austin and Ryan, Invertebr Syst 16:357–367, 2002) tanks. In the first experiment, the concentration of TAN decreased more rapidly with Bio-Aid, whilst the maximum concentrations of NO2-N and NO3-N were reduced with the substrates. The concentration of orthophosphate was reduced in aquaria with TWC + . In the second experiment, concentrations of TAN, NO2-N, NO3-N and total phosphate were not significantly affected by TWC. After addition of TWC + B, there was a significant decrease in the concentrations of nitrate and total phosphate, and a higher abundance of phytoplankton was maintained than with other treatments. Additionally, a population Bacillus sp. was found on the substrate surface. TWC had no adverse effects on phytoplankton abundance or diversity, or C. cainii physiology, weight gain or survival. TWC and TWC + were effective bioremediators of eutrophic water, whilst a combination of TWC + B was effective in short term bioremediation and in promoting phytoplankton abundance in C. cainii tank culture.
Macroseismic intensity hazard maps for Italy based on a recent grid source model
Authors: Cito Pasquale , Chioccarelli Eugenio , Iervolino Iunio
Published: January 2022

Seismic hazard maps from probabilistic seismic hazard analysis or PSHA collect, at different sites, the values of the (site-specific) ground motion intensity measures of interest that, taken individually, have the same exceedance return period. For large-scale analyses, a widely used intensity measure is the macroseismic (MS) intensity, that provides an assessment of the earthquake effect based on the observed consequences in the hit area. Hazard maps can be developed in terms of MS intensity, and some examples exist in this respect. In the case of Italy, the last MS hazard map is based on the same seismic source model (known as MPS04) adopted to derive the design seismic actions of the current building code, a study dating more than ten years ago. It provides results in terms of countrywide Mercalli–Cancani–Sieberg (MCS) intensity level with 475 years return period. This short paper presents and discusses MCS probabilistic seismic hazard maps for Italy based on a recent grid-seismicity source model, herein named MPS19, synthetizing the large effort of a wide scientific community. The results, which are obtained by means of classical PSHA, are given in the form of maps referring to the 475 years return period, and also others of earthquake engineering interest. Moreover, it is discussed that the return period does not univocally identifies the MS intensity because, although MS is, by definition, a discrete random variable, it is modelled, in a given earthquake, by means of a normal distribution, that is, treated as continuous. Thus, the maps of the minimum return period causing the occurrence or exceedance of different MCS intensities are also provided. Finally, the comparison between the 475 years return period hazard map presented and the one which is currently the point of reference in Italy, that is, computed using MPS04, is briefly discussed. All the computed maps are made available to the reader as supplemental material.
Key Genes Associated with Tumor-Infiltrating Non-regulatory CD4- and CD8-Positive T Cells in Microenvironment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Zhao Zijun , Wang Chaonan , Chu Peishan , Lu Xin
Published: January 2022

The immune microenvironment in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), especially T-cell infiltration, plays a key role in the prognosis and drug sensitivity of HCC. Our study aimed to analyze genes related to non-regulatory CD4+and CD8+T cell in HCC. Data of HCC samples were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. According to stromal and immune score retrieved by Estimation of Stromal and Immune cells in Malignant Tumor tissues using Expression data (ESTIMATE) algorithm, differentiated expressed genes (DEGs) between high and low stromal/immune scoring groups were collected. Using Cibersort algorithm, abundance of immune cells was calculated and genes related with CD4+and CD8+T cells were selected. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks and networks of microRNA (miRNA)–target gene interactions were illustrated, in which CD4+and CD8+T cell-related core genes were selected. Finally, Cox regression test and Kaplan–Meier (K–M) survival analysis were conducted. Totally, 1579 DEGs were identified, where 103 genes and 407 genes related with CD4+and CD8+T cell were selected, respectively. Each of 30 core genes related to CD4+T cells and CD8+T cells were selected by PPI network. Four genes each related with the two types of T cells had a significant impact on prognosis of HCC patients. Amongst, KLRB1 and IL18RAP were final two genes related to both two kinds of T cells and associated with overall survival of the HCC patients.
Ethical Orientation and Research Misconduct Among Business Researchers Under the Condition of Autonomy and Competition
Authors: Fink Matthias , Gartner Johannes , Harms Rainer , Hatak Isabella
Published: January 2022

The topics of ethical conduct and governance in academic research in the business field have attracted scientific and public attention. The concern is that research misconduct in organizations such as business schools and universities might result in practitioners, policymakers, and researchers grounding their decisions on biased research results. This study addresses ethical research misconduct by investigating whether the ethical orientation of business researchers is related to the likelihood of research misconduct, such as selective reporting of research findings. We distinguish between deontological and consequentialist ethical orientations and the competition between researchers and investigate the moderating role of their perceived autonomy. Based on global data collected from 1031 business scholars, we find that researchers with a strong deontological ethical orientation are less prone to misconduct. This effect is robust against different levels of perceived autonomy and competition. In contrast, researchers having a consequentialist ethical orientation is positively associated with misconduct in business research. High levels of competition in the research environment reinforce this effect. Our results reveal a potentially toxic combination comprising researchers with a strong consequentialist orientation who are embedded in highly competitive research environments. Our research calls for the development of ethical orientations grounded on maxims rather than anticipated consequences among researchers. We conclude that measures for ethical governance in business schools should consider the ethical orientation that underlies researchers’ decision-making and the organizational and institutional environment in which business researchers are embedded.
Enzymatic synthesis of cellulose in space: gravity is a crucial factor for building cellulose II gel structure
Authors: Kuga Tomohiro , Sunagawa Naoki , Igarashi Kiyohiko
Published: January 2022

We previously reported in vitro synthesis of highly ordered crystalline cellulose II by reverse reaction of cellodextrin phosphorylase from the cellulolytic bacterium Clostridium (Hungateiclostridium) thermocellum (CtCDP), but the formation mechanism of the cellulose crystals and highly ordered structure has long been unclear. Considering the specific density of cellulose versus water, the formation of crystalline and highly ordered structure in an aqueous solution should be affected by gravity. Thus, we synthesized cellulose with CtCDP stable variant at the International Space Station, where sedimentation and convection due to gravity are negligible. Optical microscopic observation suggested that cellulose in space has a gel-like appearance without apparent aggregation, in contrast to cellulose synthesized on the ground. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) indicated that cellulose synthesized in space has a more uniform particle distribution in the ~ 100 nm scale region than cellulose synthesized on the ground. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that both celluloses have a micrometer scale network structure, whereas a fine fiber network was constructed only under microgravity. These results indicate that gravity plays a role in cellulose II crystal sedimentation and the building of network structure, and synthesis in space could play a role in designing unique materials.

Graphical abstract
A Realistic Theory of Quantum Measurement
Authors: Harrison Alan K.
Published: January 2022

We propose that the ontic understanding of quantum mechanics can be extended to a fully realistic theory that describes the evolution of the wavefunction at all times, including during a measurement. In such an approach the wave equation should reduce to the standard wave equation when there is no measurement, and describe state reduction when the system is measured. The general wave equation must be nonlinear and nonlocal, and we require it to be time-symmetric; consequently, this approach is not a new interpretation but a new theory. The wave equation is an integrodifferential equation (IDE). The time symmetry requirement leads to a retrocausal approach, in which the wave equation is solved subject to initial and final conditions to determine history at intermediate times. We propose that different outcomes from (apparently) identically prepared experiments may result from uncontrolled parameters; both the nonlocality and the retrocausality of the theory imply that Bell’s Theorem cannot rule out such “hidden variables.” Beginning with Hamilton’s principle, we demonstrate the construction of such a theory by replacing the action with a functional designed to give rise to a nonlinear, nonlocal IDE as the wave equation. This IDE reduces to the standard wave equation (a differential equation) in the absence of a measurement, but exhibits state reduction to a single eigenvalue when the system interacts with another system with the properties of a measurement apparatus. We demonstrate several desirable features of this theory; for other properties we indicate their plausibility and possible avenues to a proof.
Toward Gamma Ray Immune Fibre-Optic Phosphor Thermometry for Nuclear Decommissioning
Authors: Pisani Nicolò , Numkam Fokoua Eric , Davidson Ian A. K. , Poletti Francesco , Slavík Radan , Lowe Dave , Machin Graham , Sutton Gavin
Published: January 2022

Temperature measurement of stored nuclear waste is important for long-term monitoring. Conventional sensors can degrade in ionizing radiation from induced transmutations and their frequent replacement is inconvenient. A thermometer based on suitable phosphors can overcome some problems, but the optical signal needs to be transmitted through an optical fibre and processed remotely away from the dangerous area. This requires that the optical fibre itself be suitably resistant to radiation-induced damage. Here, we report transmission measurements through a type of hollow-core fibre based on anti-resonance and with transmission windows at wavelengths suitable for use with the thermographic phosphor magnesium fluorogermanate whilst subjected to gamma radiation. Its performance is compared to commercially available standard fibres (single mode and radiation hard fibres) at dose rates equivalent to decades of use in a storage facility. Transmission was unchanged for the anti-resonant fibre at the phosphor emission wavelength and it was successfully incorporated into a fibre thermometer that worked from $${20}\,^{\circ }\hbox {C}$$

20

∘

C

to $$200\,^{\circ }\hbox {C}$$

200

∘

C

. Performance at the phosphor excitation wavelength needs to be improved by modification to the hollow-core fibre design, but we show that a hybrid of single mode and anti-resonant fibres can already be made into a thermometer with suitable gamma immunity.
Application of iron-based magnetic nanoparticles stabilized with triethanolammonium oleate for theranostics
Authors: Pawlik Piotr , Blasiak Barbara , Depciuch Joanna , Pruba Marcin , Kitala Diana , Vorobyova Svetlana , Stec Malgorzata , Bushinsky Maxim , Konakov Artem , Baran Jaroslaw , Fedotova Julia , Ivashkevich Oleg , Parlinska-Wojtan Magdalena , Maximenko Alexey
Published: January 2022

The novel iron-oxide nanoparticles (NPs) stabilized with triethanolammonium oleate were produced. The specimens were divided into two groups: the top NPs (extracted from the supernatant) and the bottom NPs (nanoparticles sedimented at the bottom of the flask during centrifugation), respectively. The XRD and Mössbauer studies revealed a presence of the Fe3O4 phase in both types of nanoparticles. Furthermore, the formation of maghemite layer on the surface of nanoparticles was observed. Average particle sizes determined from TEM and XRD studies were lower than the superparamagnetic limit for the magnetite NPs. For glycerol dispersions of both types of NPs, when exposed to 100 kHz external magnetic field, a significant heat release was observed. Furthermore, the contrasts of T1- and T2-weighted MR images were significantly dependent on the concentration of NPs in their water solutions. Additionally, the reductions of the relaxation times were different for the top and the bottom NPs. The viability studies of the colon cancer cells have shown low cytotoxicity of both types of NPs due to their coating with triethanolammonium oleate, which confirm the possibility to apply the NPs for MRI-guided hyperthermia. Moreover, the presence of NPs did not cause greatest increase of the number of apoptotic cells in the human dermal fibroblasts’ culture and has stimulated proliferation of those cells, revealing great potential of the NPs in regenerative medicine.

Graphical abstract