bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multi‐functional structural supercapacitor based on manganese oxide‐hydroxide nanowires modified carbon fiber fabric electrodes
Authors: Zhao Yue , Xu Haibing , Cai Guangbin , Yan Chun , Liu Dong , Chen Gang , Zhu Yingdan
Published: September 2022

Carbon fiber is an ideal candidate for preparing electrode of structural supercapacitors, while its low specific surface area is a vital factor which restricts energy storage performance. In this study, MnOOH nanowires (MnOOH‐NWs) are in‐situ deposited onto the woven carbon fiber fabric (WCF) surface through an effective one‐step hydrothermal treatment to prepare MnOOH‐NWs modified WCF (MnOOH‐NWs@WCF) structural supercapacitor with appreciable electrochemical performance. The areal capacitance of MnOOH‐NWs@WCF structural supercapacitor reaches 77.1 mF/cm2, which is two orders of magnitude higher than that made from neat WCF electrode. The increase in areal capacitance is primarily due to the presence of conductive networks and abundant ion storage sites constructed by the MnOOH‐NWs. Meanwhile, flexural strength and modulus of the MnOOH‐NWs@WCF structural supercapacitor are 30.3 MPa and 1.8 GPa, respectively. Interestingly, the resultant structural supercapacitor also enables electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding based on the conductive networks constructed by the WCF and MnOOH‐NWs, and the maximum EMI‐shielding effectiveness (EMI‐SE) is 59.1 dB. Consequently, a highly integrated multi‐functional structural supercapacitor is developed, which cannot only be applied as energy storage module and load bearing component but can also be adopted to protect electronic devices from the electromagnetic pollution.
Programmable photonics for optical communications
Authors: Gonzalez Ana , Theodoras Jim
Published: September 2022

As the bandwidth requirements in communication networks continue to increase unabated, wafer level photonic integration is becoming key to miniaturizing components and increasing the number of functionalities, thereby replacing bulky systems. However, a variety of challenges such as long development times and high costs of fabrication are impeding the widescale adoption of this technology in the optical communication field.
Enhanced edge strength for augmented reality waveguide laser singulation
Authors: Gaab Andreas , Roeder Tobias , Hayet Quentin , Becker Alejandro
Published: September 2022

With a new enhanced nanoperforation (EnP) approach, Corning Laser Technologies can demonstrate an increase to 128 MPa B10 in edge strength (ES) for 1.8RI glass. This will help designers and manufacturers to meet the expectations of future AR applications.
X‐Ray Luminescence, Photoluminescence, and Radiation Shielding Properties of Europium‐Doped Oxide Glasses for Red Light‐Emitting Device Applications
Authors: Rajaramakrishna Rajanavaneethakrishna , Chaiphaksa Wuttichai , Garima  , Kolar Nagesha Sharvani , Kothan Suchart , Kaewkhao Jakrapong
Published: August 2022

This study is focused on bringing significance to the X‐ray luminescence, photoluminescence, and radiation shielding properties of Eu3+ ions doped oxide glasses. X‐ray luminescence spectra show signature emission peaks at 579, 590, 613, 645, and 700 nm corresponding from 5D0 to 7F0, 1,2,3,4. The asymmetry ratio decreases with an increase in Eu3+ concentration. X‐ray luminescence shows the highest and broad emission at 613 nm followed by 700 nm. Judd–Ofelt (J–O) analyses are employed to understand the oscillator strength and to obtain radiative properties. Thermal corrections are instigated using the J–O theory. The phonon sideband analysis is studied and it is found that the prepared glasses show phonon energy around 1384 cm−1. Radiative properties are employed using J–O parameters. The quantum efficiency for 1 mol% Eu2O3 content is 60.57%. Structural analysis is employed using a Fourier transform infra‐red study and it is found that the glasses show signature B–O vibrations in BO3 and BO4 units. The CIE 2015 color coordinate, delta UV, and color correlated temperature values are evaluated. Radiation shielding properties such as mass attenuation coefficient, total attenuation coefficient, effective atomic number, and electron density are calculated. Higher radiation shielding values are observed for the Eu2O3 doped glasses compared to undoped glasses.
Modified explicitly correlated Fock‐space coupled‐cluster method for modeling confined molecular systems
Authors: Bedniakov Aleksandr S. , Bokhan Denis , Trubnikov Dmitrii N. , Novakovskaya Yulia V.
Published: August 2022

A model for calculation of the ground and excited state energies, single and double electron affinities and ionization potentials of a many‐electron system confined in a cavity with a finite boundary potential is presented. Additional integrals of explicitly correlated Fock‐space coupled‐cluster method are calculated numerically with the use of conventional Gaussian basis sets on the same type of fine grids as those used for one‐electron integrals, which represents a rational and efficient tool for modeling confined systems. The method is verified by an example of H, He, and LiH systems with spherical potential and applied to describing a representative set of diverse spin and orbital states of molecule and its ions. As the size of the system and so the total number of the basis functions are increased, the accuracy of predictions also increases. In the case of , the internuclear distance is shown to be shortened with the increase in the potential wall height, while the energy differences between , , and states change only slightly. Critical cavity radii are determined, which correspond to the spontaneous ionization of and the loss of an excess electron by .
Haystack hunting hints and locker room communication
Authors: Czumaj Artur , Kontogeorgiou George , Paterson Mike
Published: August 2022

We want to efficiently find a specific object in a large unstructured set, which we model by a random ‐permutation, and we have to do it by revealing just a single element. Clearly, without any help this task is hopeless and the best one can do is to select the element at random, and achieve the success probability . Can we do better with some small amount of advice about the permutation, even without knowing the target object? We show that by providing advice of just one integer in , one can improve the success probability considerably, by a factor. We study this and related problems, and show asymptotically matching upper and lower bounds for their optimal probability of success. Our analysis relies on a close relationship of such problems to some intrinsic properties of random permutations related to the rencontres number.
A Kinetic Model for the Generation and Annihilation of Thermally Induced Carrier Donors in a Semiconducting Metal‐Oxide Thin Film
Authors: Wang Yuqi , Jiang Wei , Xie Xinying , Xia Zhihe , Wong Man
Published: September 2022

Based on a kinetic model involving oxidant diffusion and an oxidation‐reduction reaction, a 3‐parameter equation is derived relating the change in the concentration of thermally induced carrier donors in common metal‐oxide semiconductors (such as indium–gallium–zinc oxide and indium–tin–zinc oxide) to heat‐treatment time. The change in the concentration of such donors is characterized by measuring the shift in the turn‐on voltage of a thin‐film transistor subjected to heat treatments in different atmospheres for different durations. The model parameters are extracted using optimal curve‐fitting techniques, leading to the determination of relevant activation energies from the temperature dependence of the extracted parameters. The proposed model is found to be applicable to metal‐oxide semiconductors of different compositions. It is discovered that the generation of donors in a non‐oxidizing atmosphere is largely suppressed at a temperature below 250 °C, but the effective annihilation of the donors spans over a wider temperature range in an oxidizing atmosphere.
Efficacy and safety of hangekobokuto (Banxia‐houpo‐tang) in treating panic disorder: A pilot study
Authors: Nakajima‐Ohyama Kakusho Chigusa , Shizusawa Yoshie , Tanimukai Hitoshi
Published: August 2022

Aim

The prevalence of panic disorder in patients with comorbidities is higher than in the general population. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or benzodiazepines, the common pharmacotherapy, can cause adverse effects in the patients. To research other options, we report a retrospective pilot study on hangekobokuto in treating panic disorder.

Methods

We reviewed the data of consecutive cases with panic disorder treated with hangekobokuto from April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2021 at Kindai University Nara Hospital. The changes in the symptoms, assessed by the Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS), and adverse events were investigated.

Results

The total number of patients was 35 (8 males and 27 females). The median and the interquartile range (IQR) of age (years old) were 50 and 42.5–70. The mean and standard deviation (SD) of PDSS score were initially 14.51/28 (±4.76). They changed to 10.91/28 (±6.11) after one month, then 9.40/28 (±6.99) after three months (p < 0.05). After one month 19 patients (54.3%) and after three months 23 patients (65.7%) saw an improvement with a decrease of PDSS score equal to or more than three points from the baseline. The middle‐aged group seemed to have shown the highest response to hangekobokuto. As adverse effects, one patient reported nausea and another diarrhea.

Conclusion

The efficacy and safety of hangekobokuto for panic disorder are suggested in our study, but more research will be necessary.
A review on novel and hybrid/integrated reactor configurations for the removal of recalcitrant organics from petroleum refinery wastewater
Authors: Paul Tanushree , Janakiraman Iyyappan , Pakshirajan Kannan , Pugazhenthi Gopal
Published: August 2022

Owing to the high demand of petroleum and petrochemical products, refineries, among the many industries that are set up worldwide, are of special importance. Wastewater generated from such industrial activities, however, contains toxic compounds that are of environmental concern. Due to the presence of highly recalcitrant organics present in refinery wastewater, treatment prior to its discharge into the environment and water bodies in order to meet certain acceptable discharge limits is imperative. Petroleum refineries unavoidably discharge a large volume of wastewater mainly with high chemical oxygen demand (COD). Low‐cost biological wastewater treatment methods are reported to show excellent COD removal efficiency from wastewater but have their own drawbacks. Hence, advanced integrated approaches are of new interest in this field. This review focuses on emerging technologies, in particular bioreactor configurations for petroleum wastewater treatment. It further discusses some future perspective in hybrid/integrated systems for treating PRWW.
Analyzing dual porosity in soil hydraulic properties using soil databases for pedotransfer function development
Authors: Zhang Yonggen , Weihermüller Lutz , Toth Brigitta , Noman Muhammad , Vereecken Harry
Published: August 2022

Current databases of soil hydraulic properties (SHPs) have typically been used to develop pedotransfer functions (PTFs) to estimate water retention [θ(h)] assuming a unimodal pore‐size distribution. However, natural soils often show the presence of bimodal to multimodal pore‐size distributions. Here, we used three widely spread databases for PTF development: UNsaturated SOil hydraulic DAtabase (UNSODA) 2.0, Vereecken, and European hydropedological data inventory (EU‐HYDI), to analyze the presence of structural effects in both θ(h) and hydraulic conductivity [K(h)]. Only undisturbed samples were included in the analysis that contained enough datapoints for both θ(h) and K(h) properties, especially in the wet range. One‐hundred ninety‐two samples were suitable for our analysis, which is only 1% of the total samples in the three databases. Results showed that 65% of the samples exhibited a bimodal pore‐size distribution, and bimodality was not limited to fine‐textured but also coarser‐textured soils. The Mualem–van Genuchten (MvG) expression for both unimodal and bimodal soils was not able to predict the observed unsaturated K. Only a joint fitting of measured θ(h) and K(h) functions provided parameter estimates that were able to describe unsaturated K for uni‐ and bimodal soils. In addition, we observed a negative relationship between α and n in the case of low sand content (<52%) for both unimodal and bimodal matrix domain properties, contradicting the classical notion. The ratio of α for the macropore and matrix domain was positively correlated with the fraction of macropores and sand content. We anticipate that the results will contribute to deriving PTF for structured soils and avoid unrealistic combinations of MvG parameters.
The Common Good and the Anthropological Insight
Authors: Goodpaster Kenneth E.
Published: September 2022

In this chapter, I take up the insufficiency of the stockholder-stakeholder debate characteristic of business ethics in its earlier years. I argue that this debate rarely goes deeply enough: to a more comprehensive picture of the human person, a more robust account of the good. This is not optional—if such a more robust account of the good is not made explicit in a normative view of ethics, it inevitably enters beneath the surface, without being made explicit. The sources for more comprehensive accounts of the human person lie in moral traditions that we have inherited, faith traditions, or more secular rational frameworks. This realization, that a satisfactory account of applied normative ethics calls for an anthropology—a substantive view of the good for the human person and the common good of the human community—I call the anthropological insight. Without this insight, appeals to the interests of shareholders or stakeholders have very little content. Before concluding, this chapter explores two important topics: (a) the nature of the common good, and (b) the relevance of “mediating institutions.” Under (a), I discuss the aspiration of “integral human development” emphasized in several faith-based traditions. It maintains that if we focus on the good of the whole person, body and soul, including the reaching out for relationships that whole persons need for their flourishing, the good of all (the common good) can be achieved. Under (b), I argue that the common good requires mediating institutions between the individual and society at large: the family, churches, schools, voluntary organizations, businesses, and local governments. These institutions foster and reinforce the social motivations that are essential to the pursuit of the common good. This chapter is an organic part of a larger work about the overall contribution of Kenneth Goodpaster to the field of applied ethics and is best read in the context of that larger work.
Safety and short-term efficacy of preoperative FOLFOX therapy in patients with resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who are ineligible for cisplatin
Authors: Kadono Toru , Yamamoto Shun , Hirose Toshiharu , Ikeda Go , Ohara Akihiro , Itoyama Mai , Yokoyama Kazuki , Honma Yoshitaka , Hashimoto Taiki , Sekine Shigeki , Ishiyama Koshiro , Oguma Junya , Daiko Hiroyuki , Kato Ken
Published: September 2022

Background

The standard preoperative treatment for resectable locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (LAESCC) in Japan is docetaxel, cisplatin (CDDP), and 5-fluorouracil. However, patients with renal or cardiac dysfunction and elderly patients are ineligible for a CDDP-containing regimen because of toxicities. Oxaliplatin, leucovorin, and 5-fluorouracil (FOLFOX) therapy has less renal toxicity than CDDP-containing regimens and does not require hydration. However, there are limited data on preoperative FOLFOX therapy in these patients.

Methods

This retrospective study analyzed patients with resectable LAESCC who were aged ≥ 75 years or had renal or cardiac dysfunction and received preoperative FOLFOX between 2019 and 2021. FOLFOX was administered every 2 weeks for 3 or 4 cycles and was followed by surgery. Adverse events associated with chemotherapy, the complete resection (R0) rate, relative dose intensity (RDI), and histopathological response were evaluated.

Results

Thirty-five patients were eligible. Median age was 77 (range 65–89) years; 68.6% were aged ≥ 75 years, 74.3% had renal dysfunction, and 17.1% had cardiac dysfunction. The RDI was 70.2% and 87.1% for bolus and continuous intravenous 5-fluorouracil, respectively and 85.2% for oxaliplatin. The most common grade ≥ 3 adverse events were neutropenia (60.0%) and leucopenia (28.6%). Two patients (5.7%) had febrile neutropenia and grade 3 pneumonia. Thirty-one patients underwent surgery. The R0 resection rate was 87.1%, and there was no histopathological evidence of residual tumor in 16.1%. There were no treatment-related deaths.

Conclusions

Preoperative FOLFOX had a manageable safety profile and showed favorable short-term efficacy in patients with resectable LAESCC who were ineligible for CDDP-containing treatment.
Structural and mechanical anisotropy in rheotactically aligned bacterial cellulose
Authors: Gmach Yvonne , Opdenbosch Daniel Van
Published: August 2022

In this work, we demonstrate the preparation of oriented bacterial cellulose from Komagataeibacter sucrofermentans by rheotactic growth in a simple and adaptable setup. The resulting materials were assessed by their yields, geometric densities, and by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron and optical microscopy, and mechanical testing. They exhibited large differences in toughness, resulting from differences in fracture strain or highly anisotropic strengths. Their growth characteristics, structural and mechanical anisotropies and crystalline phase characteristics are discussed and compared to statically grown references and to instances from the literature. Here, we consider the length scales of structural anisotropy in native bacterial cellulose pellicles, and the origin of mechanical anisotropy. Further, we identify a tentative limit on achievable structural alignment in bacterial cellulose, as well as a correlation between crystallinity and disorder in the crystalline phase of bacterial cellulose.
The Associations between Child Irritability, Parental Distress, Parental Irritability and Family Functioning in Children Accessing Mental Health Services
Authors: Zendarski Nardia , Galligan Roslyn , Coghill David , Payne Jonathan M. , De Luca Cinzia R. , Mulraney Melissa
Published: August 2022

Irritability, characterised by anger, frustration, and emotional dysregulation, is a common transdiagnostic symptom associated with child and adolescent referrals to mental health services and is associated with significant negative outcomes. Despite this, little is known about the link between irritability and the broader family environment. The present study described parental and family dysfunction in families of 51 children and adolescents (aged 6 to 15 years) with severe irritability referred to Victorian public mental health services. Further, we aimed to explore the associations between children’s irritability, parent functioning (parental distress and parental irritability), and family dysfunction. Child irritability was measured on the Affective Reactivity Index (ARI) and was obtained from participating children and their primary parent/caregiver (90% mothers). Participants psychiatric diagnoses were obtained using the Development and Well-Being Assessment through an interview with parents who also provided ratings of their own distress (Kessler 6), irritability (ARI), and family dysfunction (McMaster Family Assessment Device). We found high rates of family dysfunction (80%) and 39% of parents reported moderate to high psychological distress. Higher self-reported irritability was moderately associated with lower family dysfunction. All other relationships examined were non-significant. Findings suggest a complex relationship between severe childhood irritability and parental and family functioning with implications for treatment discussed.
Entrepreneurial ecosystems and industry knowledge: does the winning region take all?
Authors: Li Yating , Kenney Martin , Patton Donald , Song Abraham
Published: September 2022

Entrepreneurial ecosystems (EE) are composed not only of startups but also the organizations that support them. Theory has been ambivalent about whether an EE is spatially bounded or includes distant organizations. This exploratory study uses a time series of all Internet industry initial public offerings (IPO) to explore the locational changes not only of startups but also four key EE service providers: lawyers, investment bankers, venture capitalists, and board directors. We find that while the startups became only slightly more concentrated, the EE service providers concentrated more rapidly, as an industry center in Silicon Valley emerged. Our results suggest that over the industry life cycle, industry knowledge exhibits a tendency to spatially concentrate, and this results in a concentration of industry-specific EE service providers that is even greater than the more gradual concentration of startups. As a result, startups, wherever they are located, increasingly source EE services from the industrial knowledge concentration.
Housing and occupant health: Findings from Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Phuong Thu , Srivastava Preety , Ye Longfeng , Boymal Jonathan
Published: August 2022

This paper investigates how poor-quality housing affects Vietnamese individuals’ health, measured using the number of sick days, which directly affects productivity and economic growth. Our analysis addresses endogeneity issues generally ignored in previous studies. We provide evidence, robust to various alterations that, the absence of an indoor water tap and homeownership, harmful indoor cooking fuel type, and the poor physical structure of the dwelling have adverse impacts on individuals’ health. Our findings indicate that the adverse effects of housing on health arise from a larger spectrum of housing issues in rural areas compared to urban areas. We also find that the intensity in deprived housing conditions has a non-linear relationship with health, suggesting that even some degree of housing assistance can have a beneficial impact on individuals’ health. Our study provides useful policy guides and informs healthy living practices.
The self-regulation for learning online (SRL-O) questionnaire
Authors: Broadbent Jaclyn , Panadero E. , Lodge J. M. , Fuller-Tyszkiewicz M.
Published: September 2022

The Self-Regulation for Learning Online (SRL-O) questionnaire was developed to encompass the breadth of motivational beliefs and learning strategies that are often used in online and/or blended learning contexts. No current measure meets all these needs. This study used two non-duplicate samples to provide evidence of the psychometric properties of SRL-O using exploratory factor analyses (sample 1, n = 313), and confirmatory factor analyses, convergent and content validity and reliability (sample 2, n = 321). The SRL-O has a 10-factor structure, made up of (1) online self-efficacy, (2) online intrinsic motivation, (3) online extrinsic motivation, (4) online negative achievement emotion, (5) planning and time management, (6) metacognition, (7) study environment, (8) online effort regulation, (9) online social support, and (10) online task strategies. The SRL-O was also found to have two superordinate factors (motivational beliefs and learning strategies). The SRL-O was demonstrated to be a psychometrically sound measure of online SRL for learners studying in online and blended learning contexts. There is no other online self-regulated learning questionnaire that currently covers such a wide range of motivational beliefs and learning strategies.
Efficient contour-based annotation by iterative deep learning for organ segmentation from volumetric medical images
Authors: Zhuang Mingrui , Chen Zhonghua , Wang Hongkai , Tang Hong , He Jiang , Qin Bobo , Yang Yuxin , Jin Xiaoxian , Yu Mengzhu , Jin Baitao , Li Taijing , Kettunen Lauri
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Training deep neural networks usually require a large number of human-annotated data. For organ segmentation from volumetric medical images, human annotation is tedious and inefficient. To save human labour and to accelerate the training process, the strategy of annotation by iterative deep learning recently becomes popular in the research community. However, due to the lack of domain knowledge or efficient human-interaction tools, the current AID methods still suffer from long training time and high annotation burden.

Methods

We develop a contour-based annotation by iterative deep learning (AID) algorithm which uses boundary representation instead of voxel labels to incorporate high-level organ shape knowledge. We propose a contour segmentation network with a multi-scale feature extraction backbone to improve the boundary detection accuracy. We also developed a contour-based human-intervention method to facilitate easy adjustments of organ boundaries. By combining the contour-based segmentation network and the contour-adjustment intervention method, our algorithm achieves fast few-shot learning and efficient human proofreading.

Results

For validation, two human operators independently annotated four abdominal organs in computed tomography (CT) images using our method and two compared methods, i.e. a traditional contour-interpolation method and a state-of-the-art (SOTA) convolutional network (CNN) method based on voxel label representation. Compared to these methods, our approach considerably saved annotation time and reduced inter-rater variabilities. Our contour detection network also outperforms the SOTA nnU-Net in producing anatomically plausible organ shape with only a small training set.

Conclusion

Taking advantage of the boundary shape prior and the contour representation, our method is more efficient, more accurate and less prone to inter-operator variability than the SOTA AID methods for organ segmentation from volumetric medical images. The good shape learning ability and flexible boundary adjustment function make it suitable for fast annotation of organ structures with regular shape.
The long-term effect of removing the UV-protectant usnic acid from the thalli of the lichen Cladonia foliacea
Authors: Veres Katalin , Sinigla Mónika , Szabó Krisztina , Varga Nóra , Farkas Edit
Published: September 2022

Terricolous lichens are abundant in semi-arid areas, where they are exposed to high irradiation. Photoprotection is essential for the algae as the photobiont provides the primer carbon source for both symbionts. The UV-protectant lichen metabolites and different quenching procedures of the alga ensure adequate photoprotection. Since the long-term effect of diminishing UV-protectant lichen metabolites is unknown, a major part of lichen secondary metabolites was removed from Cladonia foliacea thalli by acetone rinsing, and the lichens were then maintained under field conditions to investigate the effect on both symbionts for 3 years. Our aim was to determine if the decreased level of UV-protectant metabolites caused an elevated photoprotection in the algae and to reveal the dynamics of production of the metabolites. Photosynthetic activity and light protection were checked by chlorophyll a fluorescence kinetics measurements every 6 months. The concentrations of fumarprotocetraric and usnic acids were monitored by chromatographic methods. Our results proved that seasonality had a more pronounced effect than that of acetone treatment on the function of lichens over a long-term scale. Even after 3 years, the acetone-treated thalli contained half as much usnic acid as the control thalli, and the level of photoprotection remained unchanged in the algae. However, the amount of available humidity was a more critical limiting environmental factor than the amount of incoming irradiation affecting usnic acid production. The lichenicolous fungus Didymocyrtis cladoniicola became relatively more abundant in the acetone-treated samples than in the control samples, indicating a slight change caused by the treatment.
The assessment of an acoustic Doppler velocimetry profiler from a user’s perspective
Authors: Liu Da , Alobaidi Khaldoon , Valyrakis Manousos
Published: August 2022

Acoustic Doppler velocimetry profilers (ADVPs) are widely used in both experimental and field studies because of their robustness in velocity measurements. The acquired measurements do not only offer estimates of the local and instantaneous flow velocity at the interrogated measurement volume, but can also be further processed for the estimation of the bed surface shear stresses, thus they are finding a wide range of applications ranging from water engineering to geomorphology and eco-hydraulics. This study aims to evaluate the performance of an ADVP in obtaining hydrodynamics measurements under fixed flow conditions, with various probe configurations. To this goal, a robust search is conducted where ADVP probe settings are sequentially altered. A number of assessment criteria are used including qualitative observations, such as checking the shape of the velocity profile, as well as quantitative error metrics, including signal-to-noise ratio, correlations and number of spikes. Further, estimation of the bed shear stresses computed by means of using the log Law of the Wall and turbulent kinetic energy, allow obtaining a better understanding of the uncertainties involved and the importance of making a better informed choice with respect to the probe configuration settings. Thus, the methodology and performance metrics provided herein, although presented for a given flow, can generally be applied from practitioners and researchers alike.
The Directiveness that Dare Not Speak Its Name. Views and Attitudes of Polish Clinical Geneticists toward the Nondirectiveness Principle
Authors: Chańska Weronika , Grunt-Mejer Katarzyna
Published: September 2022

Nondirectiveness is widely regarded as an important principle of genetic counseling. However, numerous studies have indicated that the use of this principle and its content itself are subject to controversies. The present study aimed to verify how the nondirectiveness principle is defined by Polish geneticists, the extent to which it is considered the main principle in clinical practice, and the situations in which geneticists see the positive value of the directive action. Using quantitative and qualitative methods, the study compared the abstract declarations of the directiveness validity and the scope of this principle with the declaration of action in situations close to reality (case scenarios). The results showed that the high rank assigned to the nondirectiveness principle does not translate into the conviction about the absolute obligation to use it in clinical practice. Polish geneticists are inclined to restrict the scope of patients’ choices when these are outside of their definition of medical standard. Strong medical paternalism manifests itself particularly in invasive prenatal diagnostics, where geneticists play the role of gatekeepers. In this study, we offer hypotheses about the sources of these attitudes by analyzing the current cultural and legal context of Poland.
Ultrasound screening for asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis in critically ill patients: a pilot trial
Authors: Tini Giordano , Moriconi Amanda , Ministrini Stefano , Zullo Valentina , Venanzi Elisa , Mondovecchio Giulia , Campanella Tommaso , Marini Ettore , Bianchi Maura , Carbone Federico , Pirro Matteo , De Robertis Edoardo , Pasqualini Leonella
Published: August 2022

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in critically ill patients still represents a clinical challenge. The aim of the study was to investigate whether a systematic ultrasound (US) screening might improve the management of the antithrombotic therapy in intensive care unit (ICU). In this non-randomized diagnostic clinical trial, 100 patients consecutively admitted to ICU of the University Hospital of Perugia were allocated either in the screening group or in the control group. Subjects in the screening group underwent US examination of lower limbs 48 h after admission, and again after 5 days. Subjects in the control group underwent US examination according to the standard of care (SOC) of the enrolling institution. Retrospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05019092) on 24.08.2021. Lower limb DVT was significantly more frequent in the screening group (p < 0.001), as well as the subsequent extension of a pre-existing DVT (p = 0.027). In the control group, DVT of large veins was more frequent (p = 0.038). Major bleedings were reported in 5 patients, 4 in the non-screening group and in 1 in the screening group. Patients in the screening group started the antithrombotic treatment later (p = 0.038), although the frequency, dose and duration of the treatment were not different between the two groups. The duration of stay in ICU was longer in the screening group (p = 0.007). Active screening for DVT is associated with an increased diagnosis of DVT. The screening could be associated with a reduced incidence of proximal DVT and a reduction in the bleeding risk.
Attenuating Muscle Mass Loss in Critical Illness: the Role of Nutrition and Exercise
Authors: Chapple Lee-anne S. , Parry Selina M. , Schaller Stefan J.
Published: August 2022

Purpose of Review

Impaired recovery following an intensive care unit (ICU) admission is thought related to muscle wasting. Nutrition and physical activity are considered potential avenues to attenuate muscle wasting. The aim of this review was to present evidence for these interventions in attenuating muscle loss or improving strength and function.

Recent Findings

Randomised controlled trials on the impact of nutrition or physical activity interventions in critically ill adult patients on muscle mass, strength or function are presented. No nutrition intervention has shown an effect on strength or function, and the effect on muscle mass is conflicting. RCTs on the effect of physical activity demonstrate conflicting results; yet, there is a signal for improved strength and function with higher levels of physical activity, particularly when commenced early.

Further research is needed to elucidate the impact of nutrition and physical activity on muscle mass, strength and function, particularly in combination.
Schools’ We-mentality and Students’ Civic Engagement – A Text-based Approach
Authors: Hüning Hendrik
Published: August 2022

This paper studies the role of schools' we-mentality in shaping students' civic outcome. A school's we-mentality is important for the students' perception and education of sense of community. We-mentality is measured by an automated content-analysis approach applied to the schools' general principle. Data stem from a survey conducted in 13 German schools with 488 students. Using OLS and multi-level regression techniques, I find that stronger we-mentality is associated with more students being engaged in local civic activities. Moreover, students that exhibit stronger trust in others and are willing to engage with new and unknown tasks show more positive attitudes towards civic issues. The results hold relevance for the educational design of schools in fostering adolescents' civic education and participation.
Towards an Interdisciplinary Development of IoT-Enhanced Business Processes
Authors: Valderas Pedro , Torres Victoria , Serral Estefanía
Published: August 2022

IoT-enhanced Business Processes make use of sensors and actuators to carry out the process tasks and achieve a specific goal. One of the most important difficulties in the development of IoT-enhanced BPs is the interdisciplinarity that is demanded by this type of project. Defining an interdisciplinary tool-supported development approach that facilitates the collaboration of different professionals, with a special focus on three main facets: business process requirements, interoperability between IoT devices and BPs, and low-level data processing. The study followed a Design Science Research methodology for information systems that consists of a 6-step process: (1) problem identification and motivation; (2) define the objectives for a solution; (3) design and development; (4) demonstration; (5) evaluation; and (6) communication. The paper presents an interdisciplinary development process to support the creation of IoT-enhanced BPs by applying the Separation of Concerns principle. A collaborative development environment is built to provide each professional with the tools required to accomplish her/his development responsibilities. The approach is successfully validated through a case-study evaluation. The evaluation allows to conclude that the proposed development process and the supporting development environment are effective to face the interdisciplinary nature of IoT-enhanced BPs.
Gendered perception of change in prevalence of pests and management in Zimbabwe smallholder irrigation schemes
Authors: Mwadzingeni Liboster , Mugandani Raymond , Mafongoya Paramu L.
Published: September 2022

A better understanding of gendered perception on the prevalence and management of pests in irrigated agriculture in the context of a changing climate can help recommend more gender-sensitive policies, particularly in smallholder farming systems. Limited studies have been conducted to assess gender differences in perception of the prevalence and management of pests among smallholder irrigation schemes especially in Zimbabwe. This study is the first one to assess gendered perceptions on the change in prevalence and management of pests in Exchange, Insukamini, and Ruchanyu irrigation schemes in Zimbabwe. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered using face-to-face interviews with participants. Data from focus group discussions and key informant interviews were used for validating data from questionnaire interviews. Mann-Whitney U test was employed to assess perception on the prevalence of pests between male and female farmers. Findings from this study depict that the females perceived a higher prevalence of bollworms (Helicoverpa armigera) (P ≤ 0.01), fall armyworms (Spodoptera frugiperda) (P ≤ 0.01), red spider mites (Tetranychus urticae) (P ≤ 0.01), and maize grain weevils (Sitophilus zeamais) (P ≤ 0.01) than males, while males perceive a higher prevalence of termites (Isoptera) (P ≤ 0.01) and cutworms (Noctuidae) (P ≤ 0.01) than females. Both male and female farmers perceived a greater increase in prevalence of aphids (Aphidoidea). Here, we show that farmers’ perceptions of changes in pest prevalence and pest management strategies differ by gender. Gender perception on change in prevalence of pests can be a valuable resource for the sustainable development of smallholder irrigation farming system and scientific research.
Differential inhibition of CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 by verapamil
Authors: Wang Y. , Jones D.R. , Hall S.D.
Published: August 2022

Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2003) 73, P16–P16; doi:
Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic alterations of enalapril and temocapril during a repeated dosing in elderly hypertensive patients
Authors: Arakawa M. , Ohmori M. , Harada K. , Araki N. , Saito T. , Sugimoto K. , Fujimura A.
Published: August 2022

Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2003) 73, P69–P69; doi:
Effective Results and Methods for Diophantine Equations over Finitely Generated Domains
Authors: Evertse Jan-Hendrik , Győry Kálmán
Published: August 2022

This book provides the first thorough treatment of effective results and methods for Diophantine equations over finitely generated domains. Compiling diverse results and techniques from papers written in recent decades, the text includes an in-depth analysis of classical equations including unit equations, Thue equations, hyper- and superelliptic equations, the Catalan equation, discriminant equations and decomposable form equations. The majority of results are proved in a quantitative form, giving effective bounds on the sizes of the solutions. The necessary techniques from Diophantine approximation and commutative algebra are all explained in detail without requiring any specialized knowledge on the topic, enabling readers from beginning graduate students to experts to prove effective finiteness results for various further classes of Diophantine equations.
On coherent vortical structures in wave breaking
Authors: Di Giorgio Simone , Pirozzoli Sergio , Iafrati Alessandro
Published: August 2022

The flow generated by the breaking of free-surface waves in a periodic domain is simulated numerically with a gas–liquid Navier–Stokes solver. The solver relies on the volume-of-fluid method to account for different phases, and the interface tracking is carried out by using novel schemes based on a tailored total-variation-diminishing limiter. The numerical solver is proved to be characterized by a low numerical dissipation, thanks to the use of a scheme that guarantees energy conservation in the discrete form. Both two- and three-dimensional simulations have been performed, and the analysis is presented in terms of energy dissipation, air entrainment, bubble fragmentation, statistics and distribution. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of the mechanisms of viscous dissipation. To this purpose, coherent vortical structures, such as vortex tubes and vortex sheets, are identified, and the different behaviours of the vortex sheets and tubes at various Reynolds numbers are highlighted. The correlation between vortical structures and energy dissipation demonstrates clearly their close link both in the mixing zone and in the pure water domain, where the coherent structures propagate as a consequence of the downward transport. Notably, it is found that the dissipation is identified primarily by the vortex sheets, whereas the vortex tubes govern mainly the intermittency.
Applications of gene drive systems for population suppression of insect pests
Authors: Asad Muhammad , Liu Dan , Chen Jing , Yang Guang
Published: August 2022

Population suppression is an effective way for controlling insect pests and disease vectors, which cause significant damage to crop and spread contagious diseases to plants, animals and humans. Gene drive systems provide innovative opportunities for the insect pests population suppression by driving genes that impart fitness costs on populations of pests or disease vectors. Different gene-drive systems have been developed in insects and applied for their population suppression. Here, different categories of gene drives such as meiotic drive (MD), under-dominance (UD), homing endonuclease-based gene drive (HEGD) and especially the CRISPR/Cas9-based gene drive (CCGD) were reviewed, including the history, types, process and mechanisms. Furthermore, the advantages and limitations of applying different gene-drive systems to suppress the insect population were also summarized. This review provides a foundation for developing a specific gene-drive system for insect population suppression.
Egg development and viability in three species of Cyclocephala (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae)
Authors: Souza Thamyrys Bezerra de , Albuquerque Larissa Simões Corrêa de , Iannuzzi Luciana , Costa Fábio Correia , Gibernau Marc , Maia Artur Campos Dália
Published: August 2022

Different species of Cyclocephala scarab beetles (Scarabaeidae, Dynastinae) perform key functional roles in both natural and agricultural systems, such as the cycling of organic matter and pollination, while also being known as destructive pests both as immatures and adults. Therefore, the identification of biological parameters is crucial for defining strategies for their conservation and efficient pest management. In a forest fragment within the Brazilian Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot, we field-captured adult individuals of Cyclocephala cearae, C. celata, and C. paraguayensis then reared and bred them under controlled temperature and humidity conditions. On a daily basis, we individually weighted eggs of all three species, from oviposition until hatching, and monitored egg development parameters (i.e., incubation duration, viability, and egg weight increase). Our findings provide novel empirical evidence showing (i) a positive correlation between egg weight and incubation duration, (ii) idiosyncratic characteristics on egg development, and (iii) a negative (involuntary) effect of manipulation on egg development and viability. Thus, the successful breeding and rearing of Cyclocephala spp. is correlated with egg integrity and the targeted species. Our analyses present a quantitative understanding of the egg phase and can assist in refining strategies for ovicidal activity and pest management of Cyclocephala spp. in agriculture systems. Moreover, they can provide a basis for new studies related to captivity breeding, pollinator management, and developmental biology for biodiversity conservation.
International Law of War, War Crimes in Ethiopia, and Italy's Imperial Misrecollection at the End of Empire, 1946–1950
Authors: Urbano Annalisa
Published: August 2022

The article explores the post-1945 discourse around Italian war crimes committed in Ethiopia from 1935 to 1942. Although Italians largely escaped prosecutions after the Second World War, the article demonstrates how an international controversy – the appointment and dismissal of a former general of the Italian army as governor of Somalia in 1949 – forced a reappraisal of Italy's imperial, fascist, and wartime past. Exploring this discourse is important for three reasons. First, it shows that, contrary to long-held assumptions, questions related to war crimes and empire were part of Italy's public debate after 1945. Second, it challenges the notion of national forgetting of the imperial past in post-war Italy. Third, it helps us better understand the multiple and subtle connections between empire and international legal order in the interwar and the early post-war period. It shows that arguments based on race, which drew heavily on fascist rhetoric and were made within rather than outside the law, served to justify violations of international legal conventions before similar issues were raised during the wars of decolonization of the 1950s and 1960s.
Moral Empire and the Global Meaning of Gandhi's Anti-imperialism
Authors: Sultan Nazmul S.
Published: September 2022

Gandhi famously shook the foundations of the British Empire and sparked the beginning of a new anti-imperial era. But his critique of empire does not quite fit the familiar script of twentieth-century anti-imperialism. Gandhi's positions ranged from sincere expressions of imperial loyalty to a condemnation of English civilization while endorsing its moral empire, to an unqualified disavowal of the Britsh Empire without necessarily claiming independence. Reconstructing the long arc of his (anti-)imperial thought, this article shows that the idea of empire operated in the early Gandhi's thought in two ways: as the authorizing source of the rights of Indians and as the addressee of political claims. This genealogy helps explain the complex trajectory of his two separate breaks from empire. The article ultimately suggests that the key to understanding the global resonance of Gandhi's ideas lies in his transformation of the imperial adversary into a universal addressee of action.
A unique phenomenon: triple-chambered left ventricle with transposition of great arteries
Authors: Hussain Arif , Horne David , Dhillon Santokh
Published: September 2022

A rare case of unique and previously unreported variant of transposition of great arteries with bilateral coni, ventricular septal defect, and triple-chambered left ventricle which led to an unexpected and accelerated post-natal cardiac anatomical and physiologic deviation from prenatal and immediate postnatal diagnosis altering the surgical management and patient outcome.