bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feasibility and potential efficacy of a guided internet- and mobile-based CBT for adolescents and young adults with chronic medical conditions and comorbid depression or anxiety symptoms (youthCOACHCD): a randomized controlled pilot trial
Authors: Geirhos A. , Domhardt M. , Lunkenheimer F. , Temming S. , Holl R. W. , Minden K. , Warschburger P. , Meissner T. , Mueller-Stierlin A. S. , Baumeister H.
Published: February 2022

Background

Adolescents and young adults (AYA) with a chronic medical condition show an increased risk for developing mental comorbidities compared to their healthy peers. Internet- and mobile-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) might be a low-threshold treatment to support affected AYA. In this randomized controlled pilot trial, the feasibility and potential efficacy of youthCOACHCD, an iCBT targeting symptoms of anxiety and depression in AYA with chronic medical conditions, was evaluated.

Methods

A total of 30 AYA (Mage 16.13; SD= 2.34; 73% female), aged 12-21 years either suffering from cystic fibrosis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis or type 1 diabetes, were randomly assigned to either a guided version of the iCBT youthCOACHCD (IG, n=15) or to a waitlist control group (CG, n=15), receiving an unguided version of the iCBT six months post-randomization. Participants of the IG and the CG were assessed before (t0), twelve weeks after (t1) and six months after (t2) randomization. Primary outcome was the feasibility of the iCBT. Different parameters of feasibility e.g. acceptance, client satisfaction or potential side effects were evaluated. First indications of the possible efficacy with regard to the primary efficacy outcome, the Patient Health Questionnaire Anxiety and Depression Scale, and further outcome variables were evaluated using linear regression models, adjusting for baseline values.

Results

Regarding feasibility, intervention completion was 60%; intervention satisfaction (M = 25.42, SD = 5.85) and perceived therapeutic alliance (M = 2.83, SD = 1.25) were moderate and comparable to other iCBTs. No patterns emerged regarding subjective and objective negative side effects due to participation in youthCOACHCD. Estimates of potential efficacy showed between group differences, with a potential medium-term benefit of youthCOACHCD (β = -0.55, 95%CI: -1.17; 0.07), but probably not short-term (β = 0.20, 95%CI: -0.47; 0.88).

Conclusions

Our results point to the feasibility of youthCOACHCD and the implementation of a future definitive randomized controlled trial addressing its effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. Due to the small sample size, conclusions are premature, however, further strategies to foster treatment adherence should be considered.

Trial registration

The trial was registered at the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform via the German Clinical Trials Register (ID: DRKS00016714, 25/03/2019).
Bronchoalveolar lavage lymphocytosis in hypersensitivity pneumonitis: a retrospective cohort analysis with elimination of incorporation bias
Authors: Hill Meghan , Petnak Tananchai , Moua Teng
Published: February 2022

Background

Recent studies support the diagnostic role of bronchoalveolar lavage lymphocytosis (BALL) in patients with suspected hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). Our study aim was to determine the spectrum of BALL findings with elimination of incorporation bias in non-fibrotic and fibrotic patients and assess correlates of positive BALL cut-off and BALL association with long-term outcomes in those with fibrotic disease (f-HP).

Methods

A single-center retrospective cohort study was pursued of patients undergoing diagnostic bronchoscopy for interstitial lung disease. Strict study enrollment was based on recent ATS/JRS/ALAT diagnostic guidance meeting ‘moderate’ or higher diagnostic confidence. BALL findings were assessed in both fibrotic and non-fibrotic HP patients with regression and survival analysis pursued for correlates of positive BALL cut-off and long-term outcome.

Results

A total of 148 patients (88 fibrotic and 60 non-fibrotic) meeting moderate or higher diagnostic confidence were included. Median BALL in f-HP was 15% compared to 19% in non-fibrotic patients, with only 28% of f-HP meeting diagnostic cut-off (≥ 30%) compared to 41% of non-fibrotic. For f-HP, centrilobular nodules on computed tomography was positively correlated with a diagnostic BALL (OR 4.07; p = 0.018) while honeycombing was negatively correlated (OR 6.9 × e−8; p = 0.001). Higher BALL was also associated with lower all-cause mortality (HR 0.98; p = 0.015).

Conclusion

With elimination of incorporation bias, most patients with well-described HP did not meet diagnostic BALL thresholds. Higher BALL was associated with better long-term survival in those with fibrosis, but its diagnostic role may be more additive than characteristic or distinguishing.
Decision-making in postoperative chemotherapy for ovarian metastasis from colorectal cancer: a retrospective single-center study
Authors: Hamasaki Shunsuke , Fukunaga Yosuke , Nagayama Satoshi , Fujimoto Yoshiya , Akiyoshi Takashi , Nagasaki Toshiya , Ueno Masashi
Published: February 2022

Background

Ovarian metastases from colorectal cancer are relatively uncommon, and no consensus has been reached regarding resection of metastases or chemotherapy before and after surgery. We evaluated the clinicopathological characteristics of ovarian metastases from colorectal cancer and the impact of metastatic resection. We also performed a comparative analysis to clarify the prognostic impact of metastatic resection and the choice of chemotherapy before and after surgery.

Methods

Between 2006 and 2014, 38 patients at our institution underwent resection of ovarian metastases from colorectal cancer. Clinicopathological data were extracted from the patients’ records and evaluated with respect to the long-term outcome. For 15 patients with metachronous ovarian metastases who received chemotherapy until immediately before resection, we compared the prognosis with and without changes in the regimen after resection.

Results

The 5-year overall survival rate was 19.9%, and the median survival duration was 27.2 months. The survival rate in the R0 resection group (n = 8) was significantly better than that in the R1/2 resection group (n = 30) (P = 0.0004). Patients without peritoneal dissemination (n = 15) or extra-ovarian metastases (n = 31) had a significantly better prognosis than those with peritoneal dissemination (n = 23) or extra-ovarian metastases (n = 7) (P = 0.040 and P = 0.0005, respectively). The progression-free survival and median survival times of patients who resumed chemotherapy after resection without a change in their preoperative regimen were 10.2 months and 26.2 months, respectively, while those among patients with a change in their regimen before resection versus after resection were 11.0 months and 18.1 months, respectively. The difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (progression-free survival time and median survival time: P = 0.52 and P = 0.48, respectively).

Conclusions

Patients who underwent R0 resection of ovarian metastases clearly had a better prognosis than those who underwent R1/2 resection. Additionally, a poor prognosis was associated with the presence of peritoneal dissemination and extra-ovarian metastases. The data also suggested that resumption of chemotherapy without changing the regimen after resection could preserve the next line of chemotherapy for future treatment and improve the prognosis.
The effectiveness and sustainability of supervised balance training in chronic ankle instability with grade III ligament injury: a one‐year prospective study
Authors: Hou Zong‐chen , Huang Hong‐shi , Ao Ying‐fang , Hu Yue‐lin , Jiao Chen , Guo Qin‐wei , Miao Xin , Li Nan , Jiang Yan‐fang , Jiang Dong
Published: February 2022

Background

To determine the effectiveness and sustainability of supervised balance training in people with chronic ankle instability (CAI) with grade III ligament injury.

Methods

Twenty young adults (12 males and 8 females) diagnosed with CAI with grade III ligament injury underwent 3 months of supervised balance training. The self‐reported functional questionnaire, plantar pressure (walking and single leg standing), and isokinetic ankle strength were consecutively evaluated at pre‐training, 3 months, 6 months and one year. Paired T tests were used to explore changes in muscle strength and plantar pressures following the supervised balance training. According to whether the patient had sprain recurrence, the patients were divided into sprain recurrence group and control group. The risk factors of sprain recurrence were explored with univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression.

Results

The self‐reported functional scores, the plantar pressure distribution and the muscle strength showed significant immediate improvements after 3 months of supervised balance training. At 6 months post‐training, peak force under 2nd metatarsal, time to peak force under the medial hindfoot, time to boundary measurements and dorsiflexion, and eversion strength were partly declined to the pre‐training level. 16 patients (80%) resumed the daily life and sports without sprain recurrence during the follow‐up. Four patients (20%) reported ankle sprain during the follow‐up, and the sprain recurrence group showed significantly higher Beighton scores (p = 0.012) and weaker initial inversion strength (p = 0.022) than the control group.

Conclusions

Three months' of supervised balance training could effectively improve postural control and muscle strength of CAI cases with grade III ligament injury, although these improvements would partially deceased over time. Additional strength exercises for dorsiflexion and eversion should be supplemented from 6 months. Higher Beighton score and initial inversion muscle strength weakness might increase the risk of sprain recurrence.

Trial registration

ChiCTR, ChiCTR1900023999, Registered 21 June 2019, https://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=39984&htm=4
MUON: multimodal omics analysis framework
Authors: Bredikhin Danila , Kats Ilia , Stegle Oliver
Published: February 2022

Advances in multi-omics have led to an explosion of multimodal datasets to address questions from basic biology to translation. While these data provide novel opportunities for discovery, they also pose management and analysis challenges, thus motivating the development of tailored computational solutions. Here, we present a data standard and an analysis framework for multi-omics, MUON, designed to organise, analyse, visualise, and exchange multimodal data. MUON stores multimodal data in an efficient yet flexible and interoperable data structure. MUON enables a versatile range of analyses, from data preprocessing to flexible multi-omics alignment.
Existence of solutions for a Lipschitzian vibroimpact problem with time-dependent constraints
Authors: Adly Samir , Thieu Nguyen Nang
Published: February 2022

We study a mechanical system with a finite number of degrees of freedom, subjected to perfect time-dependent frictionless unilateral (possibly nonconvex) constraints with inelastic collisions on active constraints. The dynamic is described in the form of a second-order measure differential inclusion. Under some regularity assumptions on the data, we establish several properties of the set of admissible positions, which is not necessarily convex but assumed to be uniformly prox-regular. Our approach does not require any second-order information or boundedness of the Hessians of the constraints involved in the problem and are specific to moving sets represented by inequalities constraints. On that basis, we are able to discretize our problem by the time-stepping algorithm and construct a sequence of approximate solutions. It is shown that this sequence possesses a subsequence converging to a solution of the initial problem. This methodology is not only used to prove an existence result but could be also used to solve numerically the vibroimpact problem with time-dependent nonconvex constraints.
Tensile and Fracture Properties of Silicon Carbide Whisker-Modified Cement-Based Materials
Authors: Shi Tao , Lan Yingjia , Hu Zhuojun , Wang Haobo , Xu Jinhao , Zheng Bingmiao
Published: February 2022

Silicon carbide whiskers (SiCw) have many excellent properties such as high strength, high elastic modulus, and high temperature resistance. In this paper, by using water reducer as dispersant, a stable SiCw dispersion was obtained, and SiCw-modified cement-based composites were prepared. Tensile strength tests for 8-shaped specimens were carried out on the materials. The fracture properties of the materials were measured using a three-point bending test with pre-cracks based on the digital image correlation method. The microstructure of the SiCw-modified mortar was observed by SEM. The results showed that the SiCw improved the tensile strength of the cement-based materials, and the addition of SiCw effectively improved the fracture toughness of mortar. The SiCw caused crack deflection during crack propagation, accompanied by whisker pull-out and bridging phenomena. The SiCw bridging effect and pull-out mechanism effectively controlled the crack propagation and played a toughening role, thus enhancing the crack resistance of mortar.
Two-year longitudinal change in choroidal and retinal thickness in school-aged myopic children: exploratory analysis of clinical trials for myopia progression
Authors: Xu Meiping , Yu Xinping , Wan Minghui , Feng Kemi , Zhang Junxiao , Shen Meixiao , Drobe Björn , Chen Hao , Qu Jia , Bao Jinhua
Published: February 2022

Background

With increasing axial length and myopia progression, the micro-structure of the retina and choroid gradually changes. Our study describes the longitudinal changes in retinal and choroidal thickness in school-aged children with myopia and explores the relationship between changes in choroidal thickness and myopia progression.

Methods

An exploratory analysis of a randomized trial was performed. Children (n = 168, aged 7 to 12 years) with myopia from − 0.75 dioptre (D) to − 4.00 D were enrolled in this prospective longitudinal study. Cycloplegic refraction, axial length (AL), retinal and choroidal thicknesses were measured at baseline and at 1- and 2-year follow-ups. “Rapid progression myopia” was defined as increasing in myopia > 1.00 D and “stable progression myopia” was ≤ 1.00 D during the 2-year follow-up. Factors affecting the changes in choroidal thickness were analysed using linear mixed models.

Results

AL significantly increased by 0.67 ± 0.24 mm with a myopic shift of − 1.50 ± 0.64 D over the 2 years. The overall retinal thickness increased from 251.12 ± 15.91 µm at baseline to 253.47 ± 15.74 µm at the 2-year follow-up (F = 23.785, P < 0.001). The subfoveal choroidal thickness decreased from 231.03 ± 54.04 µm at baseline to 206.53 ± 59.71 µm at the 2-year follow-up (F = 73.358, P < 0.001). Choroidal thinning was significantly associated with AL elongation (β =  − 43.579 μm/mm, P = 0.002) and sex (β =  − 17.258, P = 0.001). Choroidal thickness continued to decrease in subjects with rapid progression (F = 92.06, P < 0.001) but not in those with steady progression (F = 2.23, P = 0.119).

Conclusion

Significant choroidal thinning was observed and was associated with rapid progression and sex. These findings indicate a need to understand the role of the choroid in eye growth and myopia development.

Synopsis/Precis

The macular choroidal thickness of myopic children is relevant to different degrees of myopic progression in this 2-year longitudinal study. These findings suggest that control of choroidal thickness might work to regulate human ocular growth.

Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Register (ChiCTR): ChiCTR-INR-16007722
Credit granting sorting model for financial organizations
Authors: Schotten Paulo Cesar , de Sousa Pereira Leydiana , Morais Danielle Costa
Published: February 2022

Considering the environment of risks and influences inherent in the decision-making process for credit-granting operations, it has become a matter of survival for financial organizations to seek to improve how they engage in effective decision-making to ensure that their returns on invested capital will meet the expectations established at the beginning of the process. A credit-granting sorting model for financial organizations is proposed. The model aggregates the perspectives of different decision-makers to support an organization in the process of credit analysis and, consequently, to improve its operationality. The decision-making model is based on the ELECTRE TRI-B multicriteria method. It sorts credit-granting proposals into three classes, namely credit approved, technical analysis, and credit rejected. The group decision emerges from the decision rules of the organization’s executive board. This new proposed approach to dealing with credit-granting results in the systematization of credit analysis, reduction of doubt among decision-makers, avoidance of the emergence of informal groups, reduction of conflicts within a financial organization, and external interferences.
4-Hexylresorcinol: pharmacologic chaperone and its application for wound healing
Authors: Kim Seong-Gon
Published: February 2022

4-Hexylresorcinol (4HR) is amphiphilic organic chemical and auto-regulator for micro-organism. As 4HR administration induces the stress on the endoplasmic reticulum, 4HR changes protein folding. The application of 4HR inhibits NF-κB signal pathway and TNF-α production. In addition, 4HR administration increases VEGF, TGF-β1, and calcification associated proteins. As a consequence, 4HR administration increases angiogenesis and bone formation in wounded area. Strong anti-inflammatory reaction and capillary regeneration in diabetic model demonstrate that 4HR can be applied on many types of surgical wound.
The role of the lower extremity functional scale in predicting surgical outcomes for total joint arthroplasty patients
Authors: Turcotte Justin J. , Kelly McKayla E. , Fenn Alyssa B. , Grover Jennifer J. , Wu Christina A. , MacDonald James H.
Published: February 2022

Background

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between lower extremity functional scale (LEFS) scores with postoperative functional outcomes for total joint arthroplasty (TJA) patients and to investigate the utility of this tool to create an individualized plan of care perioperatively.

Methods

Patients undergoing primary TJA at a single institution from 2016 to 2019 was retrospectively reviewed by a univariate analysis in terms of patient characteristics and outcomes across LEFS quartiles. Multivariate regression models were constructed to evaluate the association between the LEFS quartile and outcomes after controlling for confounding factors.

Results

A total of 1389 patients were included. All patients had a documented LEFS pre- and postoperatively with the last value documented at least 60 days to a maximum of 1 year after surgery. The following cutoffs for LEFS quartiles were observed: quartile 1 preoperative LEFS ≤27, quartile 2 ranges from 28 to 35, quartile 3 ranges from 36 to 43, and quartile 4 ≥ 44. Patients with a higher comorbidity burden and ASA score were more likely to have a lower LEFS. Higher levels of preoperative function were significantly associated with shorter LOS and higher rates of same day discharge, independent ambulation, mobility and activity scores, and rates of discharge home.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that LEFS is a useful tool for aiding clinical resource allocation decisions, and incorporation of the measure into existing predictive models may improve their accuracy.
Well integrity evaluation using acoustic and electromagnetic measurements
Authors: Brill Thilo M. , Shaposhnikov Pavel , Valstar Dirk , Singh Kamaljeet
Published: February 2022

The evaluation of downhole well integrity is an important business for the oil and gas industry. It is driven primarily by the need to optimize production while maintaining a safe environment despite the inexorable corrosion of casing strings and other harsh downhole conditions. Furthermore, with aging infrastructure, evaluating well integrity to plan plug and abandonment or slot recovery projects is critically important. Many technologies have been developed to address the challenges of evaluating casing and cement integrity under varied downhole conditions. These technologies are necessarily growing increasingly more sophisticated to meet the requirements of evaluating multiple cemented casing strings. In particular, wireline cased-hole logging techniques based on electromagnetic (EM) and acoustic techniques have been applied to casing corrosion and cement integrity evaluation. The acoustic measurement techniques deployed for well integrity evaluation typically include the sonic frequency range of tens of kilohertz up to the ultrasonic frequency range of megahertz. The frequency ranges are appropriate for characteristic resolutions of decimeters down to millimeters for sonic and ultrasonic measurements, respectively. These techniques are sensitive to the elastic properties of materials in the well completion and crucial for assessing zonal isolation. In the domain of evaluating corrosion in one or multiple casing strings, the traditional measurement approach uses EM techniques, which are sensitive to the metal thickness, the electrical conductivity (the inverse of electrical resistivity), and the magnetic permeability of ferromagnetic pipes. The spectrum of common EM casing inspection techniques encompasses a frequency range between quasi-static (direct current) up to about 100 kHz. More recently, transient EM or pulsed-field eddy current tools have been introduced. Specific physics and challenges associated with well integrity measurements must be understood and considered in existing and emerging technology solutions.
Distributed fiber-optic sensing transforms an abandoned well into a permanent geophysical monitoring array: A case study from Australian South West
Authors: Sidenko Evgenii , Tertyshnikov Konstantin , Gurevich Boris , Isaenkov Roman , Ricard Ludovic P. , Sharma Sandeep , Van Gent Dominique , Pevzner Roman
Published: February 2022

Distributed temperature sensing (DTS) and distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) data recorded by a fiber-optic array installed during the decommissioning operations of the 1550 m Harvey 3 well in Western Australia reveal an abundance of valuable information about the course of the decommissioning process and the quality of the cement job. The DAS monitoring has detected vibrational disturbances during the cement's setting up, while DTS was used to assess setting up of the cement and curing times as well as uniformity of cementation from the distribution of temperature along the borehole. A weeklong trial acquisition of passive seismic data with the same array a year later shows an abundance of seismic events in a wide frequency range from below 1 mHz to above 200 Hz. The downhole DAS array provides traveltimes and amplitudes of these events, which include earthquakes, mine blasts, ocean microseisms, and local human activity. The amplitudes of waves from distant seismic events can be used to estimate and monitor physical properties of the media along the extent of the well. When used in combination with information from active vertical seismic profiling, these events can help obtain independent estimates of velocities and densities. Spectral analysis of low-frequency microseisms shows a strong correlation between passively recorded DAS and local weather observations. This shows that the ability to continuously record oceanic microseisms at low frequencies opens opportunities to employ such arrays for wave climate studies. In addition, the data contain peculiar in-hole reverberations likely caused by crossflow of groundwater behind the intermediate casing, which may indicate imperfections of the cement job. The results demonstrate that a downhole fiber-optic array installed in an abandoned well represents an opportunity to establish a permanent facility for continuous recording of passive and active geophysical data and for exploring various applications.
Reviews
Authors: Green William
Published: February 2022

Essential Statistical Physics, by Malcom P. Kennett, ISBN 978-1-108-48078-9, 2020, Cambridge University Press, 260 p. Unconventional Reservoir Geomechanics: Shale Gas, Tight Oil, and Induced Seismicity, by Mark D. Zoback and Arjun H. Kohli, ISBN 978-1-107-08707-1, 2019, Cambridge University Press, 492 p.
The Perspective of DMPK on Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus-Based Gene Therapy: Past Learning, Current Support, and Future Contribution
Authors: Chen Nancy , Sun Kefeng , Chemuturi Nagendra Venkata , Cho Hyelim , Xia Cindy Q.
Published: February 2022

Given the recent success of gene therapy modalities and the growing number of cell and gene-based therapies in clinical development across many different therapeutic areas, it is evident that this evolving field holds great promise for the unmet medical needs of patients. The recent approvals of Luxturna® and Zolgensma® prove that recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV)-based gene therapy is a transformative modality that enables curative treatment for genetic disorders. Over the last decade, Takeda has accumulated significant experience with rAAV-based gene therapies, especially in the early stage of development. In this review, based on the learnings from Takeda and publicly available information, we aim to provide a guiding perspective on Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics (DMPK) substantial role in advancing therapeutic gene therapy modalities from nonclinical research to clinical development, in particular the characterization of gene therapy product biodistribution, elimination (shedding), immunogenicity assessment, multiple platform bioanalytical assays, and first-in-human (FIH) dose projection strategies.
Brahma-related gene 1 has time-specific roles during brain and eye development
Authors: Holdhof Dörthe , Schoof Melanie , Al-Kershi Sina , Spohn Michael , Kresbach Catena , Göbel Carolin , Hellwig Malte , Indenbirken Daniela , Moreno Natalia , Kerl Kornelius , Schüller Ulrich
Published: February 2022

During development, gene expression is tightly controlled to facilitate the generation of the diverse cell types that form the central nervous system. Brahma-related gene 1 (Brg1, also known as Smarca4) is the catalytic subunit of the SWItch/sucrose nonfermentable (SWI/SNF) chromatin remodeling complex that regulates transcription. We investigated the role of Brg1 between embryonic day 6.5 (E6.5) and E14.5 in Sox2-positive neural stem cells (NSCs). Being without major consequences at E6.5 and E14.5, loss of Brg1 between E7.5 and E12.5 resulted in the formation of rosette-like structures in the subventricular zone, as well as morphological alterations and enlargement of neural retina (NR). Additionally, Brg1-deficient cells showed decreased survival in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we uncovered distinct changes in gene expression upon Brg1 loss, pointing towards impaired neuron functions, especially those involving synaptic communication and altered composition of the extracellular matrix. Comparison with mice deficient for integrase interactor 1 (Ini1, also known as Smarcb1) revealed that the enlarged NR was Brg1 specific and was not caused by a general dysfunction of the SWI/SNF complex. These results suggest a crucial role for Brg1 in NSCs during brain and eye development.
The stiffness of lime and lime-cement stabilised capping layers
Authors: Παπαδημητρίου Γεώργιος
Published: February 2022

Την τελευταία δεκαετία έχει διατυπωθεί η ανάγκη τόσο από την κατασκευαστική όσο και την ακαδημαϊκή κοινότητα προκειμένου η υφιστάμενη εμπειρική διαδικασία σχεδιασμού της θεμελίωσης των οδοστρωμάτων να αντικατασταθεί με μια περισσότερο αναλυτική επιστημονική διαδικασία η οποία θα επιτρέπει την αξιολόγηση των χρησιμοποιούμενων υλικών τόσο εργαστηριακά πριν την κατασκευή όσο και μετά την κατασκευή της θεμελίωσης ώστε να εξασφαλιστεί η τελική ποιότητα. Έμφαση προς την κατεύθυνση αυτή έχει δοθεί προς το παρόν μόνο όσον αφορά συνεκτικά και μη συνεκτικά εδάφη ενώ ο τομέας των χημικά βελτιωμένων εδαφών παραμένει ως επί το πλείστον αχαρτογράφητος. Ειδικά στην περίπτωση της χημικής βελτίωσης, απαιτείται πρόσθετη προσπάθεια για την ακριβή διερεύνηση των δυνατοτήτων φέρουσας ικανότητας και παραμόρφωσης των υλικών αφού η απόδοσή τους και στους δύο τομείς βελτιώνεται με το χρόνο (ωρίμανση) παράμετρος που με τη σειρά της εξαρτάται από τη θερμοκρασία και τη διαθεσιμότητα νερού καθώς και την εκτροπική τάση κατά τη διάρκεια της ωρίμανσης. Προς το παρόν δεν υπάρχει διαδικασία για την επαρκή προσομοίωση των πιθανών συνθηκών ωρίμανσης πεδίου. Η παρούσα μελέτη διερευνά τις επιπτώσεις της δυναμικής φόρτισης σε βελτιωμένα με άσβεστο και άσβεστο-τσιμέντο αργιλικά εδάφη τα οποία έχουν ωριμάσει υπό ρεαλιστικές συνθήκες σύμφωνα με ένα νέο μοντέλο το οποίο έχει αναπτυχθεί ειδικά για τις ανάγκες αυτής της διατριβής. Τα αποτελέσματα έδειξαν ότι οι μικρού μεγέθους εκτροπικές τάσεις οι οποίες υφίστανται κατά την επιτόπου ωρίμανση του βελτιωμένου εδάφους δεν μπορούν να αγνοηθούν κατά την ωρίμανση στο εργαστήριο λόγω του γεγονότος ότι συμβάλλουν σημαντικά στη δομική ακεραιότητα της βελτιωμένης εδαφικής στρώσης κατά την απορρόφηση/έντονη παρουσία ύδατος. Η συμπεριφορά της βελτιωμένης αργιλικής στρώσης υπό αυξανόμενα επίπεδα δυναμικής φόρτισης αποδείχθηκε κατά πολλούς τρόπους παρόμοια με αυτή της μη επεξεργασμένης αργίλου, ωστόσο υπήρξαν επίσης σημαντικές διαφορές. Συνολικά, η προσθήκη μικρών ποσοτήτων ασβέστου ή ασβέστου-τσιμέντου βελτίωσε όχι μόνο την φέρουσα ικανότητα της αργιλικής στρώσης αλλά και τις ελαστικές και μη ελαστικές της ιδιότητες ενώ ταυτόχρονα μείωσε την ευαισθησία του υλικού σε μη ελαστικές παραμορφώσεις σε περιπτώσεις έντονης παρουσίας ύδατος.
Sensitivity of RT-PCR testing of upper respiratory tract samples for SARS-CoV-2 in hospitalised patients: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Williams Thomas C. , Wastnedge Elizabeth , McAllister Gina , Bhatia Ramya , Cuschieri Kate , Kefala Kallirroi , Hamilton Fiona , Johannessen Ingólfur , Laurenson Ian F. , Shepherd Jill , Stewart Alistair , Waters Donald , Wise Helen , Templeton Kate E.
Published: February 2022

Background: This study aimed to determine the sensitivity and specificity of reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) testing of upper respiratory tract samples from hospitalised patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), compared to the gold standard of a clinical diagnosis.

Methods: All RT-PCR testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in NHS Lothian, Scotland, United Kingdom between the 7th of February and 19th April 2020 (inclusive) was reviewed, and hospitalised patients were identified. All upper respiratory tract RT-PCR tests were analysed for each patient to determine the sequence of negative and positive results. For those who were tested twice or more but never received a positive result, case records were reviewed, and a clinical diagnosis of COVID-19 allocated based on clinical features, discharge diagnosis, and radiology and haematology results. For those who had a negative RT-PCR test but a clinical diagnosis of COVID-19, respiratory samples were retested using a multiplex respiratory panel, a second SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR assay, and a human RNase P control.

Results: Compared to the gold standard of a clinical diagnosis of COVID-19, the sensitivity of a single upper respiratory tract RT-PCR for COVID-19 was 82.2% (95% confidence interval 79.0-85.1%).   The sensitivity of two upper respiratory tract RT-PCR tests increased sensitivity to 90.6% (CI 88.0-92.7%). A further 2.2% and 0.9% of patients who received a clinical diagnosis of COVID-19 were positive on a third and fourth test; this may be an underestimate of the value of further testing as the majority of patients 93.0% (2999/3226) only had one or two RT-PCR tests.

Conclusions: The sensitivity of a single RT-PCR test of upper respiratory tract samples in hospitalised patients is 82.2%. Sensitivity increases to 90.6% when patients are tested twice.  A proportion of cases with clinically defined COVID-19 never test positive on RT-PCR despite repeat testing.
The genome sequence of the small skipper, Thymelicus sylvestris (Poda, 1761)
Authors: Hayward Alex , Biscocho Ryan ,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: February 2022

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Thymelicus sylvestris (the small skipper; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Hesperiidae). The genome sequence is 471 megabases in span. The majority of the assembly (99.97%) is scaffolded into 27 chromosomal pseudomolecules, with the Z sex chromosome assembled. The mitochondrial genome was also assembled and is 17.1 kilobases in length.
SYSTEMIC CHARACTER OF THE FUNCTIONS OF RELIGION
Authors: Rybakova Olga B.
Published: February 2022

The relevance of the article is due to the need to systematize the functions of religion in society, since different authors offer different sets of these functions, each of which individually can be adequate to the particular objectives of the study. In accordance with this, the goal is to interpret the functions of religion as a response to the system’s request for the need to form human thinking and society as a whole. As a paradigm, the well-known Kantian position was chosen, which emphasizes the duality of the rational and moral systems of reference in religion, or, in other words, the synthesis of the cognitive and normative aspects. In accordance with these criteria, an analysis of the works of researchers of social processes at the early stages of the development of human societies is carried out. According to the proposed concept, the functions of religion can be divided into two complementary groups - cognitive and regulatory. The first will include the epistemological and symbolization function, the second - axiological, normative, consolidating-demarcation and legitimizing. They are defined as basic, of which the implicitly contained in them worldview, compensatory, motivational, etc. As a result, it is concluded that religion is a systemic integrity, it becomes more complex as the human community develops, its new functions appear (new ones are always only additional, including old ones), which are differentiated and institutionalized as the tasks solved by the cultural system become more complex.
THE INDIVIDUAL EXISTENTIAL SECURITY IN THE CONTEXT OF THE CRISIS OF THE HUMANISTIC PHILOSOPHY
Authors: Artyuhin Anton S.
Published: February 2022

Personal security is one of the important components of Russian national security. A serious challenge to the existential security of the individual comes from modern biomedical and information technologies, the use of which creates opportunities for changing the biosocial nature of a person. The distortion of the moral content of the philosophical principle of humanism in the conditions of the Fourth Industrial Revolution gave rise to the spread of the philosophy and ideology of transhumanism and post-humanism. The introduction of Trans-human and Post-human images into the public consciousness is a global threat to the continued existence of mankind.

Purpose is to trace the historical transformation of the philosophy of humanism, which led to the formation of modern concepts of Trans-human and Post-human.

Methodology: the article uses the methodology of historical and philosophical research approaches.

Results:

1) A brief overview of the evolution of understanding of the essence of man and the principle of humanism in the history of philosophical thought is given.

2) The danger of deepening the gap between man and the technologies he creates is shown, especially in the conditions of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

3) The content of the ideology and philosophy of transhumanism is revealed.

4) Various images of the Post-human, replacing Homo Sapiens, are considered.

5) The possible negative consequences for humanity of attempts to artificially change human nature are indicated.

Practical implications: scientific discussions, expert activity, educational process.

Conclusions:

1) A serious challenge to the security of the individual in modern society is the implementation in practice of the ideas of «cybernetic evolution», which call into question the continuation of human existence as a biological species.

2) The philosophy of classical humanism, based on the recognition of human life as the highest ethical value, is being blurred and distorted today.

3) Advances in the development of biomedical and information technologies have created favorable opportunities for attempts to revise the very nature of man in order to prolong life expectancy and overcome mortality, which was expressed in the concepts of Trans-human and Post-human.

4) The philosophy of transhumanism and post-humanism consistently leads to the destruction of the human personality.

5) The task of global management of post-humanity is greatly facilitated by the use of genetic and information technologies.
TRAINING OF UNIVERSITY TEACHERS TO FORM CRITICAL THINKING IN STUDENTS
Authors: SHESTAKOVA L.G.
Published: February 2022

The task of forming critical thinking among university students is urgent. The article highlights the content, evaluation means; methods of teaching teachers to form students’ critical thinking. Form of training: scientific and methodological seminar.
Four views on a research project about Siberian collection from the Ethnographic Museum in Kraków
Authors: Zych Magdalena
Published: February 2022

The article examines the process, methods and results of a 3-year-long research project (2016-2019) concerning the 19th century Siberian collection from the resources of the Ethnographic Museum in Kraków which was donated by political prisoners, scientists and travellers. The authors discuss how the contemporary knowledge of many local experts from different ethnic groups (such as local residents, reindeer herders, whale hunters, museum staff, donators’ families) combined with archival sources could help to understand the unique connections between the past and the future of such heritage and its consequences in our lives. After the research, the collection is now accessible in a digital repository along with audio and visual materials from the fieldwork and the available archive data. Some of the stories are presented also in the exhibition “Siberia. Voices from the North”
Kultura dla klimatu
Authors: Janus Aleksandra
Published: February 2022

W ostatnich latach obserwujemy stopniową zmianę w sposobie definiowania społecznej roli i odpowiedzialności instytucji muzealnych (a także szerzej - instytucji kultury). Sygnałem tej zmiany są chociażby dyskusje wokół nowej definicji muzeum prowadzone na forum ICOM, czy publikacje proklamujące zwrot ku modelowi instytucji zaangażowanej. Pomimo iż przywykło się postrzegać instytucje muzealne jako specjalizujące się w zagadnieniach „długiego trwania”, nie zaś w aktywistycznym zaangażowaniu w bieżące wyzwania i problemy współczesności, kryzys klimatyczny jawi się jako jedno ze zjawisk, które wymuszają rewizję takiego rozumienia publicznej odpowiedzialności muzeów. Nieformalna grupa aktywistyczna Kultura dla klimatu podjęła próbę przełożenia tych postulatów na praktykę instytucjonalną. Artykuł analizuje praktyczne konsekwencje, jakie niesie ze sobą taka zmiana paradygmatu dla instytucji muzealnych oraz próbując uchwycić znaczenie tej zmiany dla sektora muzealnego, a także szerzej - całego sektora dziedzictwa.
Język ma znaczenie
Authors: Nieroba Elżbieta
Published: February 2022

Wydarzenia, których byliśmy świadkami latem 2021 – ulewy i powodzie w Niemczech, pożary w Turcji, fala upałów w Kanadzie czy tornado w Czechach – to przykłady ekstremalnych zjawisk, o których nie możemy już powiedzieć, że nas nie dotyczą, bo dzieją się gdzieś indziej, dotykają kogoś innego. Dystans przestrzenny, który dotychczas dzielił nas od skutków zmian klimatycznych zmniejsza się. Artykuł jest próbą odpowiedzi na pytanie, w jakie sposób muzeum mogą ramować swój przekaz, aby angażować publiczność w działania mitygacyjne i adaptacyjne do zmian klimatycznych. Na przykładzie działalności Muzeum Wody w Londynie omawiam cechy skutecznego komunikowania. Efektywne komunikat to taki, który spełnia dwie kluczowe cechy – wiarygodności i względnej istotności.
"For the return of museum slippers," i.e. an indication of selected possibilities for museums to respond to trends in changes in the natural and cultural environment.
Authors: Barańska Katarzyna
Published: February 2022

The IPCC Report on the Future of Climate Change, published in August 2021, leaves no doubt that everyone must work to reverse deadly trends. Museum institutions also share responsibility for the future of the planet, and their raison d'être also depends on it. Only a fragment of museum activities that are or may be undertaken in order to participate in saving the Earth is mentioned in the text. They concern the last and seemingly the least important link in museum activities - the shops and souvenirs offered there. The ways of thinking and organizing the sales of souvenirs were indicated, as well as arguments to counteract excessive consumerism, which was treated as the implementation of the mission and essence of museology.
UN World Food Programme: Toward Zero Hunger with Analytics
Authors: Peters Koen , Silva Sérgio , Wolter Tim Sergio , Anjos Luis , van Ettekoven Nina , Combette Éric , Melchiori Anna , Fleuren Hein , den Hertog Dick , Ergun Özlem
Published: February 2022

Each year, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) provides food assistance to around 100 million people in more than 80 countries. Significant investments over the last decade have put planning and optimization at the forefront of tackling emergencies at WFP. A data-driven approach to managing operations has gradually become the norm and has culminated in the creation of a supply chain planning unit and savings of more than USD 150 million—enough to support two million food-insecure people for an entire year. In this paper, we describe three analytical solutions in detail: the Supply Chain Management Dashboard, which uses descriptive and predictive analytics to bring end-to-end visibility and anticipate operational issues; Optimus, which uses a mixed-integer programming model to simultaneously optimize food basket composition and supply chain planning; and DOTS, which is a data integration platform that helps WFP automate and synchronize complex data flows. Three impact studies for Iraq, South Sudan, and COVID-19 show how these tools have changed the way WFP manages its most complex operations. Through analytics, decision makers are now equipped with the insights they need to manage their operations in the best way, thereby saving and changing the lives of millions and bringing the world one step closer to zero hunger.
Introduction: 2021 Franz Edelman Award for Achievement in Advanced Analytics, Operations Research, and Management Science
Authors: Beam Carrie M. , Milne R. John
Published: February 2022

This special issue of the INFORMS Journal on Applied Analytics (formerly Interfaces) is devoted to the finalists of the 50th annual competition for the Franz Edelman Award for Achievement in Advanced Analytics, Operations Research, and Management Science, the profession’s most prestigious award for deployed work. As in previous years, the finalists this year cover a wide range of industries and functions.
Probability Weighting and Cognitive Ability
Authors: Choi Syngjoo , Kim Jeongbin , Lee Eungik , Lee Jungmin
Published: February 2022

Probability weighting is a major concept for accommodating systematic departures from expected utility theory. We examine the relation between probability weighting and cognitive ability with two experiments: one recruiting subjects with a large variation in cognitive ability and the other using the within-subject manipulation of time constraints in lottery choices and cognitive tests. We find a significant association between likelihood insensitivity—the cognitive component of probability weighting—and cognitive limitation such that subjects with a lower cognitive score or more interrupted cognition due to time pressure respond less discriminately to intermediate probabilities and more over-sensitively to extreme probabilities. Our findings shed light on the sources of anomalous choices against expected utility theory.

This paper was accepted by Yan Chen, behavioral economics and decision analysis.
Preliminary Indicators of EFL Essay Writing for Teachers’ Feedback Using Automatic Text Analysis
Authors: Phoophuangpairoj Rong , Pipattarasakul Piyarat
Published: February 2022

During the pandemic of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), English as a foreign language (EFL) students have to study and submit their assignments and quizzes through online systems using electronic files instead of hardcopies. This has created an opportunity for teachers to use computer tools to conduct preliminary assessment of the students’ writing performance and then give advice to them timely. Hence, this paper proposed some indicators which were essay readability scored by Flesch Reading Ease (FRE), length of essays, errors in writing and a method to assist the teachers in providing writing feedback to the students. The results showed a large difference in FRE, the number of words, sentences, paragraphs and errors. The K-means clustering findings were applied to classify groups of students based on writing proficiency indicators. The findings also revealed that the number of words and sentences in the essays indicated some deficiencies. The concept of paragraph should be reinforced while some specific errors such as misspelling, grammatical and typographical errors found need to be eliminated. This study showcased that the computer tools should be integrated to process the students’ essays so that the teachers can pinpoint the problems and make suggestions to their students in appropriate time. Lastly, the results can be served as the guidelines for the teachers to develop and adjust teaching materials pertinent to writing to enhance the writing performance of EFL learners.