bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The universality of islands outside the horizon
Authors: He Song , Sun Yuan , Zhao Long , Zhang Yu-Xuan
Published: May 2022

Abstract

We systematically calculate the quantum extremal surface (QES) associated with Hawking radiation for general D-dimensional (D ≥ 2) asymptotically flat (or AdS) eternal black holes using the island formula. We collect the Hawking radiation particles by a non-gravitational bath and find that a QES exists in the near-horizon region outside the black hole when c · G(D) is smaller enough where c is the central charge of the conformal matter and G(D) the D-dimensional Newton constant. The locations of the QES in these backgrounds are obtained and the late-time radiation entropy saturates the two times of black hole entropy. Finally, we numerically check that the no island configuration exists once c · G(D) exceeds a certain upper bound in two-dimensional generalized dilaton theories (GDT). When c · G(D) close to the upper bound, the backreaction of the matter field on the background can not be neglected. We also consider the conditions of existence of the island configuration with the backreaction and prove that the upper bound also exist for the Witten black hole and Weyl-related Witten black hole.
Quantum field theory in a de-Sitter universe transiting to the radiation stage
Authors: Salazar Juan R. , Modak Sujoy K.
Published: May 2022

Abstract

We study some physical aspects of quantum field theory in a two stage universe starting from the inflationary de Sitter and transiting into the radiation dominated stage. We look into the time evolution of the primordial vacuum states, associated with the (i) comoving and (ii) Bunch-Davies modes. We show how the power spectrum for a comoving observer, obtained from the excitation of the aforementioned states defined in the de Sitter stage, changes as the universe transits into the radiation stage. In addition, we also develop a methodology to transfer the well known result of particle creation in the static de Sitter frame, originating from the aforementioned vacuum states, while the universe makes a transition to the next (radiation dominated) stage.
Influence of the Lateral Heterogeneity of Shallow Sediments on Site Effects in the Yuxi Basin
Authors: Li Tiefei , Chen Xueliang , Li Zongchao
Published: May 2022

As computing power and ground motion studies using numerical simulation methods have continuously improved, velocity model accuracies have become bottlenecks for simulation result accuracies. The characteristics of a hydrodynamic sedimentary environment in the Yuxi Basin are used as a classification standard, and a refined velocity model that depends on the lateral heterogeneity in sediments is constructed. The results of the lateral heterogeneity model are compared with those of the lateral uniformity model, and the distributions of the displacement peak ratio, focusing effect and edge effect change due to the refined basin structure. For the 4% of the surface area that is in the region with the largest amplification factor, the difference between the two models is greater than 20%, and this difference for nearly half of the surface area is greater than 5%.
Long-term neurocognitive function after whole-brain radiotherapy in patients with melanoma brain metastases in the era of immunotherapy
Authors: Salzmann Martin , Hess Klaus , Lang Kristin , Enk Alexander H. , Jordan Berit , Hassel Jessica C.
Published: May 2022

Background

Whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) used to be standard of care for patients suffering from melanoma brain metastases (MBM) and may still be applicable in selected cases. Deterioration of neurocognitive function (NCF) is commonly seen during and after WBRT. Knowledge on long-term effects in melanoma patients is limited due to short survival rates. With the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors, patients may experience ongoing disease control, emphasizing the need for paying more attention to potential long-term adverse effects.

Methods

In this single-center study, we identified in a period of 11 years all long-term survivors of MBM who received WBRT at least 1 year prior to inclusion. NCF was assessed by Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (NAB) screening and detailed neurological exam; confounders were documented.

Results

Eight patients (median age 55 years) could be identified with a median follow-up of 5.4 years after WBRT. Six patients reported no subjective neurological impairment. NAB screening revealed an average-range score in 5/8 patients. In 3/8 patients a NAB score below average was obtained, correlating with subjective memory deficits in 2 patients. In these patients, limited performance shown in modalities like memory function, attention, and spatial abilities may be considerably attributed to metastasis localization itself. Six out of 8 patients were able to return to their previous work.

Conclusion

Five of 8 long-term survivors with MBM after WBRT experienced little to no restriction in everyday activities. In 3 out of 8 patients, cognitive decline was primarily explained by localization of the metastases in functionally relevant areas of the brain. The results of our small patient cohort do not support general avoidance of WBRT for treatment of brain metastases. However, long-term studies including pretreatment NCF tests are needed to fully analyze the long-term neurocognitive effects of WBRT
Effects of alcohol hangover on attentional resources during a verbal memory/psychomotor tracking dual attention task
Authors: Ayre Elizabeth , Benson Sarah , Garrisson Harriet , Cox Katherine H. M. , Verster Joris C. , Scholey Andrew
Published: May 2022

Background

Alcohol hangover (AH) is associated with impaired attention and memory performance. However, whether this effect is related to reduced attentional resources remains unclear.

Aims

A dual-attention paradigm was employed to assess the effects of AH on attentional resources, delayed memory recognition, and the interaction between attentional load and AH. Mental effort and perceived performance during AH and control conditions were also assessed.

Methods

A seminaturalistic, crossover design was used. In total, 25 healthy social drinkers aged 18–35 years, visited the laboratory following a typical night out drinking (Hangover condition) and after alcohol abstinence (control) between 8:30 am and 12:30 pm, with conditions counterbalanced. Attentional load was manipulated via the presence (dual attention) or absence of psychomotor tracking during verbal memory encoding. Perceived mental effort and performance were measured using the NASA-TLX. Participants’ recollected alcohol consumption was used to compute estimated blood alcohol level (eBAC).

Results

Compared with the control visit, AH was associated with reduced recognition accuracy (particularly more false negatives), higher “tracking costs” (poorer accuracy) in the dual attention condition, increased ratings of “mental demand,” “effort,” and “frustration,” and lower ratings of task performance. There was also a significant main effect of attentional load with poorer recognition accuracy and response time in the dual attention condition. There were no significant interaction effects between hangover and attentional load.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that reduced attentional resources contribute to the cognitive deficits associated with AH including impaired memory consolidation. They further suggest that while hungover, participants are aware of these deficits but are unable to compensate.
From sea salt to seawater: a novel approach for the production of water CRMs﻿
Authors: Pagliano Enea , Nadeau Kenny , Mihai Ovidiu , Pihillagawa Gedara Indumathi , Mester Zoltán
Published: May 2022

Natural water certified reference materials (CRMs) are mostly available in a liquid form, and they are produced starting from suitable environmental samples. Many precautions are usually needed to avoid biological or physical degradation, including filtration, acidification, and sterilization. In this study, the drawbacks associated with liquid-based seawater CRMs were tackled by developing a salt-based seawater proxy for nutrients that could be reconstituted in water solution just before use. Phosphate, silicate, and nitrate were chosen as target analytes. Sea salt mimicking the composition of seawater was spiked with an aqueous solution of the analytes and homogenized using a high-energy planetary ball mill (uhom < 1.2%). The salt powder CRM SALT-1 (https://doi.org/10.4224/crm.2022.salt-1) demonstrated good short- and long-term stability for nutrients. When the SALT-1 was reconstituted in water at the 4.0% w/w level, the resulting solution had similar properties with respect to typical seawater in terms of major constituents (± 20%), trace metals, density (1.023 g/mL), pH (8.8–9.0), and optical properties relevant to the photometric characterization. Phosphate and silicate were quantified by photometry (molybdenum blue method, batch mode), whereas nitrate was quantified by isotope dilution GC−MS (uchar < 1.2%). In the SALT-1 reconstituted seawater solution at the 4.0% w/w salt level, the nutrient amount concentration was w(phosphate, PO43−) = 1.615 ± 0.030 μmol/L, w(silicate as SiO2) = 8.89 ± 0.31 μmol/L, and w(nitrate, NO3−) = 18.98 ± 0.45 μmol/L at the 95% confidence (k = 2). Overall, the SALT-1 CRM exhibits similar nutrient profile and general analytical characteristics as the MOOS-3 CRM. However, the SALT-1 has much reduced preparation, storage, and distribution cost, likely much better long-term stability, and it could enable the production of lower cost and more accessible seawater reference materials.

Graphical abstract
Factors influencing downstaging after neoadjuvant long-course chemoradiotherapy in rectal carcinoma
Authors: Kohl Valerie K. B. , Weber Klaus , Brunner Maximilian , Geppert Carol I. , Fietkau Rainer , Grützmann Robert , Semrau Sabine , Merkel Susanne
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This single-centre cohort study was designed to identify factors that can predict primary tumour downstaging by neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) in rectal carcinoma.

Methods

Prospectively collected data from 555 patients with clinical T category (cT) cT3-4 rectal carcinoma treated between 1995 and 2019 were retrospectively analysed. All patients received long-term neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery with curative intent at the Department of Surgery, University Hospital Erlangen, Germany. Patient-, tumour- and treatment-related factors with a potential impact on the downstaging of rectal carcinoma to pathological T category (pT) ≤ ypT2 and ypT0 were analysed in univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. The prognosis of patients with and without downstaging of the primary tumour was compared.

Results

A total of 288 (51.9%) patients showed downstaging to ≤ ypT2. Eighty-six (15.5%) patients achieved clinical complete regression (ypT0). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the factors cT category, BMI, ECOG score, CEA, histological type, extension in the rectum and year of the start of treatment were found to be independent factors for predicting downstaging to ≤ ypT2 after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. The year of treatment initiation also remained an independent significant predictor for pathological complete regression. The prognosis was superior in patients with downstaging to ≤ ypT2 in terms of locoregional and distant recurrence as well as disease-free and overall survival.

Conclusion

Factors predicting downstaging after long-term nCRT could be identified. This may be helpful for counselling patients and selecting the optimal treatment for patients with advanced rectal carcinoma.
Identifying predictive signalling networks for Vedolizumab response in ulcerative colitis
Authors: Singh Amrinder , Fenton Christopher G. , Anderssen Endre , Paulssen Ruth H.
Published: May 2022

Background

In ulcerative colitis (UC), the molecular mechanisms that drive disease development and patient response to therapy are not well understood. A significant proportion of patients with UC fail to respond adequately to biologic therapy. Therefore, there is an unmet need for biomarkers that can predict patients’ responsiveness to the available UC therapies as well as ascertain the most effective individualised therapy. Our study focused on identifying predictive signalling pathways that predict anti-integrin therapy response in patients with UC.

Methods

We retrieved and pre-processed two publicly accessible gene expression datasets (GSE73661 and GSE72819) of UC patients treated with anti-integrin therapies: (1) 12 non-IBD controls and 41 UC patients treated with Vedolizumab therapy, and (2) 70 samples with 58 non-responder and 12 responder UC patient samples treated with Etrolizumab therapy without non-IBD controls. We used a diffusion-based signalling model which is mainly focused on the T-cell receptor signalling network. The diffusion model uses network connectivity between receptors and transcription factors.

Results

The network diffusion scores were able to separate VDZ responder and non-responder patients before treatment better than the original gene expression. On both anti-integrin treatment datasets, the diffusion model demonstrated high predictive performance for discriminating responders from non-responders in comparison with ‘nnet’. We have found 48 receptor-TF pairs identified as the best predictors for VDZ therapy response with AUC ≥ 0.76. Among these receptor-TF predictors pairs, FFAR2-NRF1, FFAR2-RELB, FFAR2-EGR1, and FFAR2-NFKB1 are the top best predictors. For Etrolizumab, we have identified 40 best receptor-TF pairs and CD40-NFKB2 as the best predictor receptor-TF pair (AUC = 0.72). We also identified subnetworks that highlight the network interactions, connecting receptors and transcription factors involved in cytokine and fatty acid signalling. The findings suggest that anti-integrin therapy responses in cytokine and fatty acid signalling can stratify UC patient subgroups.

Conclusions

We identified signalling pathways that may predict the efficacy of anti-integrin therapy in UC patients and personalised therapy alternatives. Our results may lead to the advancement of a promising clinical decision-making tool for the stratification of UC patients.
Pilot study of a new freely available computer-aided polyp detection system in clinical practice
Authors: Lux Thomas J. , Banck Michael , Saßmannshausen Zita , Troya Joel , Krenzer Adrian , Fitting Daniel , Sudarevic Boban , Zoller Wolfram G. , Puppe Frank , Meining Alexander , Hann Alexander
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Computer-aided polyp detection (CADe) systems for colonoscopy are already presented to increase adenoma detection rate (ADR) in randomized clinical trials. Those commercially available closed systems often do not allow for data collection and algorithm optimization, for example regarding the usage of different endoscopy processors. Here, we present the first clinical experiences of a, for research purposes publicly available, CADe system.

Methods

We developed an end-to-end data acquisition and polyp detection system named EndoMind. Examiners of four centers utilizing four different endoscopy processors used EndoMind during their clinical routine. Detected polyps, ADR, time to first detection of a polyp (TFD), and system usability were evaluated (NCT05006092).

Results

During 41 colonoscopies, EndoMind detected 29 of 29 adenomas in 66 of 66 polyps resulting in an ADR of 41.5%. Median TFD was 130 ms (95%-CI, 80–200 ms) while maintaining a median false positive rate of 2.2% (95%-CI, 1.7–2.8%). The four participating centers rated the system using the System Usability Scale with a median of 96.3 (95%-CI, 70–100).

Conclusion

EndoMind’s ability to acquire data, detect polyps in real-time, and high usability score indicate substantial practical value for research and clinical practice. Still, clinical benefit, measured by ADR, has to be determined in a prospective randomized controlled trial.
Admissible Reversing and Extended Symmetries for Bijective Substitutions
Authors: Bustos Álvaro , Luz Daniel , Mañibo Neil
Published: May 2022

In this paper, we deal with reversing and extended symmetries of subshifts generated by bijective substitutions. We survey some general algebraic and dynamical properties of these subshifts and recall known results regarding their symmetry groups. We provide equivalent conditions for a permutation on the alphabet to generate a reversing/extended symmetry, and algorithms how to compute them. Moreover, for any finite group H and any subgroup P of the d-dimensional hyperoctahedral group, we construct a bijective substitution which generates an aperiodic subshift with symmetry group $${\mathbb {Z}}^{d}\times H$$

Z

d

×
H

and extended symmetry group $$({\mathbb {Z}}^{d} \rtimes P)\times H$$

(

Z

d

⋊
P
)
×
H

. A similar construction with the same symmetry group, but with extended symmetry group $$({\mathbb {Z}}^{d} \times H) \rtimes P$$

(

Z

d

×
H
)
⋊
P

is also provided under a mild assumption on the dimension.
Second primary malignancies in patients with clinical T1bN0 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after definitive therapies: supplementary analysis of the JCOG trial: JCOG0502
Authors: Mitani Seiichiro , Kato Ken , Daiko Hiroyuki , Ito Yoshinori , Nozaki Isao , Kojima Takashi , Yano Masahiko , Nakagawa Satoru , Ueno Masaki , Watanabe Masaya , Tsunoda Shigeru , Abe Tetsuya , Kadowaki Shigenori , Kadota Tomohiro , Sasaki Keita , Machida Ryunosuke , Kitagawa Yuko
Published: May 2022

Background

Previous studies have suggested that patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) are still at a high risk of developing second primary malignancies (SPMs) after definitive therapies. We evaluated the development of SPMs and explored its risk factors in patients with clinical T1bN0 ESCC.

Methods

JCOG0502 prospectively compared esophagectomy with definitive chemo-radiotherapy for clinical T1bN0 ESCC. Here, we reviewed all JCOG0502 patients’ data for SPMs and investigated the risk factors for SPMs using uni-variable and multivariable analyses by Fine and Gray model.

Results

Among 379 enrolled patients, 213 underwent esophagectomy and 166 received chemo-radiotherapy. Patient characteristics were male (85%); median age [63 (range 41–75) years; location of the primary tumor (upper/middle/lower thoracic esophagus, 11%/63%/27%, respectively]; alcohol consumption history (79%); smoking history (66%); prevalence of no/several/many/unknown Lugol-voiding lesions (LVLs) (45%/36%/8%/11%, respectively). In a median follow-up of 7.1 years, 118 SPMs occurred in 99 (26%) patients. Cumulative incidences of SPMs after 3, 5, and 10 years were 9%, 15%, and 36%, respectively. The most common primary tumor sites were the head and neck (35%), stomach (20%) and lungs (14%). In multivariable analyses, compared to no LVLs, several LVLs [hazard ratio (HR) 2.24, 95% confidential interval (CI) 1.32–3.81] and many LVLs (HR 2.88, 95% CI 1.27–6.52) were significantly associated with the development of SPMs. Sixteen patients died due to the SPMs.

Conclusion

The incidence of SPMs was high. The presence of LVLs, which was a predictive factor for SPMs, may be useful for surveillance planning.
Tests of stochastic dominance with repeated measurements data
Authors: Angelov Angel G. , Ekström Magnus
Published: May 2022

The paper explores a testing problem which involves four hypotheses, that is, based on observations of two random variables X and Y, we wish to discriminate between four possibilities: identical survival functions, stochastic dominance of X over Y, stochastic dominance of Y over X, or crossing survival functions. Four-decision testing procedures for repeated measurements data are proposed. The tests are based on a permutation approach and do not rely on distributional assumptions. One-sided versions of the Cramér–von Mises, Anderson–Darling, and Kolmogorov–Smirnov statistics are utilized. The consistency of the tests is proven. A simulation study shows good power properties and control of false-detection errors. The suggested tests are applied to data from a psychophysical experiment.
TFEB controls integrin-mediated endothelial cell adhesion by the regulation of cholesterol metabolism
Authors: Ariano Camilla , Riganti Chiara , Corà Davide , Valdembri Donatella , Mana Giulia , Astanina Elena , Serini Guido , Bussolino Federico , Doronzo Gabriella
Published: May 2022

The dynamic integrin-mediated adhesion of endothelial cells (ECs) to the surrounding ECM is fundamental for angiogenesis both in physiological and pathological conditions, such as embryonic development and cancer progression. The dynamics of EC-to-ECM adhesions relies on the regulation of the conformational activation and trafficking of integrins. Here, we reveal that oncogenic transcription factor EB (TFEB), a known regulator of lysosomal biogenesis and metabolism, also controls a transcriptional program that influences the turnover of ECM adhesions in ECs by regulating cholesterol metabolism. We show that TFEB favors ECM adhesion turnover by promoting the transcription of genes that drive the synthesis of cholesterol, which promotes the aggregation of caveolin-1, and the caveolin-dependent endocytosis of integrin β1. These findings suggest that TFEB might represent a novel target for the pharmacological control of pathological angiogenesis and bring new insights in the mechanism sustaining TFEB control of endocytosis.
Effects of Measurement Height and Low-Pass-Filtering Corrections on Eddy-Covariance Flux Measurements Over a Forest Clearing with Complex Vegetation
Authors: Reitz Oliver , Graf Alexander , Schmidt Marius , Ketzler Gunnar , Leuchner Michael
Published: May 2022

Flux measurements over heterogeneous surfaces with growing vegetation and a limited fetch are a difficult task, as measurement heights that are too high or too low above the canopy adversely affect results. The aim of this study is to assess implications from measurement height in regard to low-pass filtering, footprint representativeness, and energy balance closure for a clear-cut site with regrowing vegetation of varying height. For this, measurements from two open-path eddy-covariance systems at different heights are compared over the course of one growing season. Particular attention is paid to low-pass-filtering corrections, for which five different methods are compared. Results indicate significant differences between fluxes from the upper and lower systems, which likely result from footprint differences and an insufficient spectral correction for the lower system. Different low-pass-filtering corrections add an uncertainty of 3.4% (7.0%) to CO2 fluxes and 1.4% (3.0%) to H2O fluxes for the upper (lower) system, also leading to considerable differences in cumulative fluxes. Despite limitations in the analysis, which include the difficulty of applying a footprint model at this study site and the likely influence of advection on the total exchange, the analysis confirms that information about the choice of spectral correction method and measurement-height changes are critical for interpreting data at complex sites.
Amending China’s Notion of a “Consumer”: Lessons from Comparative Analysis of the PRC Consumer Protection Law
Authors: Thomas K.
Published: May 2022

Who does the law treat as a “consumer” and why does it matter? How should China’s notion of a “consumer” best be articulated within the law and applied in practice? This article will attempt to answer these intriguing questions by first focusing on the approach taken to define a “consumer” in China’s Law on the Protection of Consumer Rights and Interests before examining the legal notion of a “consumer” in comparative perspective, in order to further understand the competing rationales behind the consumer protection law. This article will explore this Chinese definition of a “consumer” to propose how China’s vague and unworkable statutory definition of a ‘consumer’ should be amended in future.
The Effects of Attentional Deployment on Reinterpretation in Depressed Adolescents: Evidence from an Eye-Tracking Study
Authors: Piechaczek Charlotte Elisabeth , Schröder Pia-Theresa , Feldmann Lisa , Schulte-Körne Gerd , Greimel Ellen
Published: May 2022

Background

Individuals with major depression have difficulties employing cognitive reappraisal. Most prior studies have not accounted for attentional deployment, which seems to be involved in this process.

Methods

We investigated the cognitive reappraisal tactic reinterpretation in 20 depressed and 28 healthy youths and assessed regulation success in response to negative pictures via self-report. To investigate attentional deployment during reinterpretation, we applied eye-tracking and manipulated gaze focus by instructing participants to direct their attention towards/away from emotional picture aspects.

Results

Depressed adolescents, compared with healthy youths, had a diminished regulation success when their gaze was focused on emotional aspects. Both depressed and healthy adolescents spent less time fixating on emotional facets of negative pictures when using reinterpretation as compared with simply attending to the pictures.

Conclusions

Results from this study suggest that adolescents with major depression have emotion regulation deficits when being confronted with negative emotional facets, while showing intact overt attentional processes. The findings provide important starting points for future research investigating the role of other factors which might impact on emotion regulation processes in this patient group, such as cognitive control deficits.
Unravelling chironomid biodiversity response to climate change in subarctic lakes across temporal and spatial scales
Authors: Belle Simon , Klaus Frederika , González Sagrario María de los Ángeles , Vrede Tobias , Goedkoop Willem
Published: May 2022

We combined paleolimnological reconstructions and space-for-time substitutions to unravel chironomid biodiversity responses to climate change in subarctic mountains across temporal and spatial scales. Using sediment records, we found that long-term temporal changes in chironomid taxonomic diversity were mainly induced by the temperature tolerance/optimum of species, while little changes in functional diversity were found due to the replacement of similar functional-type taxa within the community. Overall, paleolimnological reconstructions suggested the selection of larger chironomid species by long-term climate cooling and little changes in trophic guilds. Space-for-time substitutions showed, however that low-elevation lakes with forested have more sediment-feeding taxa and larger larvae than high-elevation lakes, thus, suggesting the selection of large chironomid morphotypes with a sediment-feeding mode under warmer climate. Space-for-time substitutions and paleolimnological reconstructions, therefore, gave contrasting results for the link between climate and functional diversity of chironomid communities, likely because space-for-time substitutions failed to match the extent of both spatial and temporal climatic gradients. We suggest that future studies must address biodiversity issues across both temporal and spatial scales as an improved understanding of biodiversity responses to climate change may help us to understand how biodiversity will be affected by ongoing and future change.
Europe’s nature governance revolution: harnessing the shadow of heterarchy
Authors: Kingston Suzanne , Wang Zizhen , Alblas Edwin , Callaghan Mícheál , Foulon Julie , Daly Clodagh , Norris Deirdre
Published: May 2022

In the battle to address Europe’s biodiversity crisis, fixing its implementation gap—the gap between EU nature law on the books, and on the ground—is vital. Europe’s private nature governance revolution, underpinned by the UNECE Aarhus Convention, is a core part of its response. This article breaks new empirical ground in understanding how those mechanisms have been working in practice, and their knock-on effects for traditional enforcement by the State. We develop an innovative methodological tool, the Nature Governance Effectiveness Indicators (“NGEIs”), enabling the first quantitative measurement of the effectiveness of public and private nature governance in practice. In collecting data on these indicators, we create a novel dataset spanning three jurisdictions and 23 years, giving a unique insight into Europe’s “environmental democracy in action”. We regress the NGEIs against the Nature Governance Index, an original longitudinal index measuring the evolution in nature governance laws over this period. Our results provide the first systematic empirical evidence that, despite the widespread embrace of private nature governance laws on the books across our studied jurisdictions from 1992 to 2015, the enhanced citizens’ rights conferred by these laws are not being consistently used in practice. They also reveal that, despite these inconsistencies in usage of the Aarhus mechanisms in practice, passing private governance laws can in fact improve levels of State enforcement of EU nature law in practice. For policymakers seeking to increase enforcement of EU nature law on the ground, harnessing what we term the shadow of heterarchy, by strengthening private governance rights, may therefore be a more effective means of doing so than simply ratcheting up existing traditional governance mechanisms such as levels of maximum criminal penalties or civil fines.
Bioinspired Legged Robot Design via Blended Physical and Virtual Impedance Control
Authors: Mohseni Omid , Rashty Aida Mohammadi Nejad , Seyfarth Andre , Hosoda Koh , Sharbafi Maziar Ahmad
Published: May 2022

In order to approach the performance of biological locomotion in legged robots, better integration between body design and control is required. In that respect, understanding the mechanics and control of human locomotion will help us build legged robots with comparable efficient performance. From another perspective, developing bioinspired robots can also improve our understanding of human locomotion. In this work, we create a bioinspired robot with a blended physical and virtual impedance control to configure the robot’s mechatronic setup. We consider human neural control and musculoskeletal system a blueprint for a hopping robot. The hybrid electric-pneumatic actuator (EPA) presents an artificial copy of this biological system to implement the blended control. By defining efficacy as a metric that encompasses both performance and efficiency, we demonstrate that incorporating a simple force-based control besides constant pressure pneumatic artificial muscles (PAM) alone can increase the efficiency up to 21% in simulations and 7% in experiments with the 2-segmented EPA-hopper robot. Also, we show that with proper adjustment of the force-based controller and the PAMs, efficacy can be further increased to 41%. Finally, experimental results with the 3-segmented EPA-hopper robot and comparisons with human hopping confirm the extendability of the proposed methods to more complex robots.
Influence of humidity on the rheology of thermoresponsive shape memory polymers
Authors: Fauser Dominik , Steeb Holger
Published: May 2022

Shape Memory Polymers (SMPs) have the inherent ability to maintain a reversible temporary shape and restore a permanent shape under an external trigger. The class of materials has great potential to contribute to smart applications in soft robotics, aerospace, actuation and biomedicine. In these potential application domains, materials are often exposed to large fluctuations due to humidity influences. Therefore, a novel approach is developed to characterize the stronlgy coupled thermal, humidity and time-dependent behavior of polyurethane-based SMP. Weight gain measurements with disk samples of dimension 35$$\,\times $$

×

35 $$\times $$
×
1.5 $$\text {mm}^\text {3}$$

mm
3

and linear expansion tests with rectangular samples of dimension 10 $$\times $$
×
40 $$\times $$
×
1.0 $$\text {mm}^\text {3}$$

mm
3

at different relative humidity are carried out to perform the isothermal and isohumid dynamic measurements in thermodynamic equilibrium. The time-temperature superposition is used to characterize and compare the viscoelastic properties at different relative humidity. Concerning effective material properties, a major finding of this investigation is the horizontal shift of the material parameter in the temperature space due to the presence of humidity. Thus, the humidity-dependent material behavior is fully described by a humidity-dependent glass transition temperature. The measured experiments provide a full description of the thermal, humidity and mechanical behavior of SMPs.

Graphical abstract
Hydrophobicity improvement of cellulose nanofibrils films by stearic acid and modified precipitated calcium carbonate coating
Authors: Costa V. L. D. , Simões R. M. S.
Published: May 2022

The development of a cellulose nanofibrils film with permanent hydrophobicity using green processes, avoiding hazardous solvents, through easy procedures, is a great challenge. The hydrophobicity of a layer of calcium carbonate modified with stearic acid has already been presented. However, the combination of a cellulose nanofibrils film with a layer of modified calcium carbonate to develop a permanent hydrophobic cellulose-based material rises the additional issue of adhesion between layers. In the present study, a set of cellulose nanofibrils films was coated with a layer of stearic acid and another set was additionally covered with modified precipitated calcium carbonate (0.4–6 µm sized particles with above 50% aragonite crystalline form), previously modified with a stearic acid suspension using ultrasounds. To investigate the issue of adhesion between layers, some films were subjected to heat treatments at 68 and 105 °C. Structural and physical analysis of the films, as well as barrier properties and static/dynamic contact angle measurements were performed. Results show that overall mechanical performance of the films was not substantially affected by the coating and posterior heat treatments. Heat treatments decreased the water vapor transmission rate of stearic acid coated films from 91.9 to 31.6 g m−2 day−1and the oxygen permeability of stearic acid and modified calcium carbonate coated films from 26.4 to 2.6 cm3 µm/(m2 day kPa). The double layered coated cellulose nanofibrils films attained contact angle hysteresis of 3.1° and 5° and static contact angles of 150° and 140° with no heat treatment and with a heat treatment of 68 °C, respectively. The heat treatment enabled to permanently adhere modified calcium carbonate particles on the film, providing it with persistent hydrophobicity.
Irritability and Emotional Impulsivity as Core Feature of ADHD and ODD in Children
Authors: Junghänel Michaela , Thöne Ann-Kathrin , Ginsberg Claudia , Görtz-Dorten Anja , Frenk Franziska , Mücke Kristina , Treier Anne-Katrin , Labarga Sara Zaplana , Banaschewski Tobias , Millenet Sabina , Fegert Jörg M. , Bernheim Dorothee , Hanisch Charlotte , Kölch Michael , Schüller Anne , Ravens-Sieberer Ulrike , Kaman Anne , Roessner Veit , Hinz Julian , Döpfner Manfred
Published: May 2022

The categorical approach of diagnosing mental disorders entails the problem of frequently occurring comorbidities, suggesting a more parsimonious structure of psychopathology. In this study, we therefore aim to assess how affective dysregulation (AD) is associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) in children. To assess AD in children aged 8–12 years (n = 391), we employed the parent version of a newly constructed parent rating scale. Following item reduction, we conducted exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to establish a factorial structure of AD. One core dimension was identified, comprising irritability and emotional impulsivity, and two smaller dimensions, comprising positive emotionality and exuberance. Subsequently, we examined five different latent factor models – a unidimensional model, a first-order correlated factor model, a second-order correlated factor model, a traditional bifactor model, and a bifactor S-1 model, in which the first-order factor AD-Irritability/Emotional Impulsivity (II) was modeled as the general reference factor. A bifactor S-1 model with the a priori defined general reference domain AD-II provided the best fit to our data and was straightforward to interpret. This model showed excellent model fit and no anomalous factor loadings. This still held true, when comparing it to bifactor S-1 models with ADHD/ODD-related reference factors. Differential correlations with emotion regulation skills and the established Parent Proxy Anger Scale validate the interpretation of the different dimensions. Our results suggest that irritability/emotional impulsivity might be a common core feature of ADHD and ODD.
The Stochastic Bilevel Continuous Knapsack Problem with Uncertain Follower’s Objective
Authors: Buchheim Christoph , Henke Dorothee , Irmai Jannik
Published: May 2022

We consider a bilevel continuous knapsack problem where the leader controls the capacity of the knapsack, while the follower chooses a feasible packing maximizing his own profit. The leader’s aim is to optimize a linear objective function in the capacity and in the follower’s solution, but with respect to different item values. We address a stochastic version of this problem where the follower’s profits are uncertain from the leader’s perspective, and only a probability distribution is known. Assuming that the leader aims at optimizing the expected value of her objective function, we first observe that the stochastic problem is tractable as long as the possible scenarios are given explicitly as part of the input, which also allows to deal with general distributions using a sample average approximation. For the case of independently and uniformly distributed item values, we show that the problem is #P-hard in general, and the same is true even for evaluating the leader’s objective function. Nevertheless, we present pseudo-polynomial time algorithms for this case, running in time linear in the total size of the items. Based on this, we derive an additive approximation scheme for the general case of independently distributed item values, which runs in pseudo-polynomial time.
Backward Euler–Maruyama Method for the Random Periodic Solution of a Stochastic Differential Equation with a Monotone Drift
Authors: Wu Yue
Published: May 2022

In this paper, we study the existence and uniqueness of the random periodic solution for a stochastic differential equation with a one-sided Lipschitz condition (also known as monotonicity condition) and the convergence of its numerical approximation via the backward Euler–Maruyama method. The existence of the random periodic solution is shown as the limit of the pull-back flows of the SDE and the discretized SDE, respectively. We establish a convergence rate of the strong error for the backward Euler–Maruyama method with order of convergence 1/2.
Xenotransplantation becoming reality
Authors: Fischer Konrad , Schnieke Angelika
Published: May 2022

To bridge the gap between organ demand and supply, xenotransplantation has long been considered as a realistic option for end-stage organ failure. Early this year this promise became reality for David Bennett Sr., the first patient whose own failing heart was replaced with a xeno-pig heart. To get here has been a rollercoaster ride of physiological hurdles seemingly impossible to overcome, technological breakthroughs and ethical and safety concerns. It started in 1984, with Stephanie Fae Beauclair, also known as baby Fae, receiving a baboon heart, which allowed her to survive for another 30 days. For ethical reasons primate work was soon abandoned in favour of the pig. But increased phylogenetic distance also brought with it an increased immunological incompatibility. It has been the development of ever more sophisticated genetic engineering tools, which brought down the physiological barriers, enabled humanisation of porcine organs and helped addressing safety concerns. This renewed the confidence in xenotransplantation, brought new funding opportunities and resulted finally in the first in human trial.
Atoll inland and coastal mangrove climate change vulnerability assessment
Authors: Crameri Nicholas J. , Ellison Joanna C.
Published: May 2022

Climate change threatens global mangroves, which are already among the world’s most impacted ecosystems. Vulnerability components of exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity were evaluated on mangroves of atoll settings on Jaluit Atoll, in the Marshall Islands, assessing spatial changes of mangrove cover 1945–2018/19, sea-level trends 1968–2019, and reviewing available information. Inland mangrove depressions occur on Jaluit, as well as coastal lagoon margin mangroves, and both were assessed using the same methods. Spatial analysis results showed both inland and coastal mangroves have increased in area. Inland mangroves on eight of Jaluit’s islands mostly expanded after 1976 from 40 to 50 hectares, with progradation and tidal creek infill closing lagoon connections. Shoreline mangroves showed 88–100% of transects prograding 0.1–0.51 m year−1 and 0–11.5% of transects eroding 0–0.18 m year−1. Assessment of a combination of aerial/satellite images, literature and on-the-ground photos indicated that the mangroves are in healthy condition. Vulnerability assessment results showed both inland and coastal mangroves to have similar strengths and weaknesses in resilience, with intrinsic areas of vulnerability persisting during increased future sea level rise, limited sediment supply and extremely low elevations.
Blood sample profile helps to injury forecasting in elite soccer players
Authors: Rossi Alessio , Pappalardo Luca , Filetti Cristoforo , Cintia Paolo
Published: May 2022

Purpose

By analyzing external workloads with machine learning models (ML), it is now possible to predict injuries, but with a moderate accuracy. The increment of the prediction ability is nowadays mandatory to reduce the high number of false positives. The aim of this study was to investigate if players’ blood sample profiles could increase the predictive ability of the models trained only on external training workloads.

Method

Eighteen elite soccer players competing in Italian league (Serie B) during the seasons 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 took part in this study. Players’ blood samples parameters (i.e., Hematocrit, Hemoglobin, number of red blood cells, ferritin, and sideremia) were recorded through the two soccer seasons to group them into two main groups using a non-supervised ML algorithm (k-means). Additionally to external workloads data recorded every training or match day using a GPS device (K-GPS 10 Hz, K-Sport International, Italy), this grouping was used as a predictor for injury risk. The goodness of ML models trained were tested to assess the influence of blood sample profile to injury prediction.

Results

Hematocrit, Hemoglobin, number of red blood cells, testosterone, and ferritin were the most important features that allowed to profile players and to analyze the response to external workloads for each type of player profile. Players’ blood samples’ characteristics permitted to personalize the decision-making rules of the ML models based on external workloads reaching an accuracy of 63%. This approach increased the injury prediction ability of about 15% compared to models that take into consideration only training workloads’ features. The influence of each external workload varied in accordance with the players’ blood sample characteristics and the physiological demands of a specific period of the season.

Conclusion

Field experts should hence not only monitor the external workloads to assess the status of the players, but additional information derived from individuals’ characteristics permits to have a more complete overview of the players well-being. In this way, coaches could better personalize the training program maximizing the training effect and minimizing the injury risk.
First atmospheric mercury measurements at a coastal site in the Apulia region: seasonal variability and source analysis
Authors: Martino Maria , Tassone Antonella , Angiuli Lorenzo , Naccarato Attilio , Dambruoso Paolo Rosario , Mazzone Fiorella , Trizio Livia , Leonardi Cristina , Petracchini Francesco , Sprovieri Francesca , Pirrone Nicola , D’Amore Francesco , Bencardino Mariantonia
Published: May 2022

In the framework of the Italian Special Network for Mercury (ISNM) “Reti Speciali”, a sampling campaign to monitor atmospheric mercury (Hg) was carried out at Monte Sant’Angelo (MSA). This is a coastal monitoring station in the Apulia region, representative of the Southern Adriatic area, within the Mediterranean basin. This work presents continuous Gaseous Elemental Mercury (GEM) measurements over about three years at MSA, using the Lumex RA-915AM mercury analyzer. The aim was to obtain a dataset suitable for the analysis of Hg concentrations in terms of source and transport variation. Diurnal cycles of GEM were evaluated to observe the influence of local atmospheric temperature and wind speed on potential re-emissions from surrounding sea and soil surfaces. Data were also analyzed in terms of long-range transport, using backward trajectory cluster analysis. The spatial distribution of potential sources, contributing to higher measured GEM values, was obtained employing Potential Source Contribution Function (PSCF) statistics. The influence of major Hg anthropogenic point sources, such as mining activities and coal-fuel power plants, both regionally and continentally, from mainland Europe, was observed. The role of the vegetation GEM uptake in modulating the seasonal GEM variability was also investigated. The potential of wildfire influence over the highest detected GEM levels was further examined using active fire data and the evaluation of the vegetation dryness index during the selected episodes.

Graphical abstract
A computer-aided diagnosis system for detecting various diabetic retinopathy grades based on a hybrid deep learning technique
Authors: AbdelMaksoud Eman , Barakat Sherif , Elmogy Mohammed
Published: May 2022

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a serious disease that may cause vision loss unawares without any alarm. Therefore, it is essential to scan and audit the DR progress continuously. In this respect, deep learning techniques achieved great success in medical image analysis. Deep convolution neural network (CNN) architectures are widely used in multi-label (ML) classification. It helps in diagnosing normal and various DR grades: mild, moderate, and severe non-proliferative DR (NPDR) and proliferative DR (PDR). DR grades are formulated by appearing multiple DR lesions simultaneously on the color retinal fundus images. Many lesion types have various features that are difficult to segment and distinguished by utilizing conventional and hand-crafted methods. Therefore, the practical solution is to utilize an effective CNN model. In this paper, we present a novel hybrid, deep learning technique, which is called E-DenseNet. We integrated EyeNet and DenseNet models based on transfer learning. We customized the traditional EyeNet by inserting the dense blocks and optimized the resulting hybrid E-DensNet model’s hyperparameters. The proposed system based on the E-DenseNet model can accurately diagnose healthy and different DR grades from various small and large ML color fundus images. We trained and tested our model on four different datasets that were published from 2006 to 2019. The proposed system achieved an average accuracy (ACC), sensitivity (SEN), specificity (SPE), Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), the quadratic Kappa score (QKS), and the calculation time (T) in minutes (m) equal$$91.2\%$$91.2%,$$96\%$$96%,$$69\%$$69%,$$92.45\%$$92.45%, 0.883, and 3.5mrespectively. The experiments show promising results as compared with other systems.

Graphical abstract