bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Longobard Warriors in the Seprio Judicaria
Authors: Brandolini Cristiano
Published: November 2022

TheSeprio is an ancient territory with a history of millennia in which we find five important Longobardcenters: Sibrium(Castelseprio), Pagus Artiaco (Arsago Seprio), Castrum Novate (Castelnovate), and, further north, Stabulum (presently Stabio in the Swiss Canton of Ticino) and Campiliorum (now Campione d’Italia, an Italian exclave in Switzerland). The elements present in the grave goods of the Seprio have allowed us to understand that the Longobardwarrior held a shield, brandished a spatha (sword), and carried a scramasax (short weapon to a single cut), a spear, and in some cases even an axor bow and arrows, while the most important warriors were equipped with mailor lamellar armorand helmet. From the type of accoutrements (harnesses, belt elements, personal objects, pottery, golden crosses), it is possible to trace the owner’s position in the hierarchy of nobility, in the same way, that the degree of sophistication of the weapons and the shield indicated the social position of the warrior who wore them. The spatha and the scramasax were status symbols of the Longobardwarrior; they brought to the fore and underlined his status as a nobleman and free man. The Seprio has always played a leading role in the geopolitical events that have affected ancient Insubria in all its historical phases. In the last fifty years, many relics of the Arimannia of the Seprio have been unearthed and studied, but much still lies buried which scientific research is only slowly bringing to the surface.
The Dynamic Sphere: Thesis on the Third State of the Vitruvian Man
Authors: Gotti Roberto
Published: November 2022

The subject of this paper is the basic principles of a martial art that has been perfected over millennia of social strata, skirmishes, and settlements, and is the amalgamation of different cultures and traditions which flourished during the Renaissance. We can learn this art today thanks to the texts written and printed during that period. In his most famous drawing, Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) shows a man drawn inside two geometrical shapes: the square with the center at his groin and the circle with the center at his navel. But there is another possible representation that provides an anthropometric revelation with his center at the solar plexus. That is the man I define as dynamic. Many traces of him may be found in the Masters’ texts and we have magnificent examples of him in daily life: the man who, through performing perfect combat moves, is able to move and “become” a sphere, the “Palla,” or ball, as Camillo Agrippa calls it, with changing circumference and surface. He can move his center within his own body and outside of it, to the palm of his hand, to the blade of his sword, and even to inside his enemy. The dynamic man represents the development upon both the natural man, depicted in a square with his groin at the center and the speculative man, depicted in a circle with his navel at the center. This man creates a sphere around himself, with the solar plexus at its center. He has the ability to move that center to any part of his body, even to his blade and as far as the blade’s end, thus modifying the circumference of his sphere as he pleases. The findings presented here are the fruit of over twenty years of research and practice, reflecting my own progression in the theoretical and practical understanding of Italian martial arts.
Evolution of the “Crescent Guard” in Chinese Swords
Authors: Jian Gong
Published: November 2022

Iron and steel arms appeared in China during the late Warring States while guards on Han dynasty jian (double-edged sword) mainly continued Warring States designs. Single-edged ring-pommel sword (huanshoudao) which appeared during the same period did not have a guard. During the Jin dynasty, a type of V-shape sword guard appeared, which continued into the Southern and Northern dynasties. In the Tang dynasty, on the one hand, arms design continued Northern Zhou and Sui trends; at the same time, it absorbed Turkic and Sassanid influences from the west, which gave rise to a unique Tang sword aesthetic. From then on, V-shape guards started to gain popularity in China. Developments of this style were to have a major influence on sword guard designs during the Song, as well as among the Mongols and Tibetans until it finally attained the familiar form of zoomorphic guard during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Martial Arts Knowledge on and Beyond the Page: From Visual Mantras to Hyperrealism with Words and Brushes
Authors: Jaquet Daniel
Published: November 2022

Martial arts are cultural phenomena shaped by the societies in which they develop. They were—and still are—transmitted through interpersonal exchanges, from body to body. Martial arts experts use speech for devising these martial skills into complex systems of bodily knowledge. Once the systems are complex or vast enough to be verbalized, they are transmitted through bodies and speech with mnemotechnical texts such as poems, codified knowledge canons or a constellation of technical words associated with metaphors or images. Some of these mantras (mnemonic devices) found their way into writing or depiction. This process is a translation (transcription) from speech to the page, or to depiction. The written word or the depiction of bodies fighting on a wall, a painted canvas, or embedded into a sculpture, endures through time and survives the masters who created them. However, in most cases, those who wrote the words painted the images, or sculpted the stone were not the martial art experts themselves. The documents, depictions, and sculptures preserved for the study of martial arts culture of the past must be explored while taking into account the perspective of those who created them. Based on previous research about the circulation of knowledge based on the dissemination of European fight books, this contribution allows for a new approach to categorization of martial arts knowledge, on and beyond the page, with a focus on early modern fight books.
Form-factors and complete basis of observables via separation of variables for higher rank spin chains
Authors: Gromov Nikolay , Primi Nicolò , Ryan Paul
Published: November 2022

Abstract

Integrable $$ \mathfrak{sl} $$
sl
(N) spin chains, which we consider in this paper, are not only the prototypical example of quantum integrable systems but also systems with a wide range of applications. For these models we use the Functional Separation of Variables (FSoV) technique with a new tool called Character Projection to compute all matrix elements of a complete set of operators, which we call principal operators, in the basis diagonalising the tower of conserved charges as determinants in Q-functions. Building up on these results we then derive similar determinant forms for the form-factors of combinations of multiple principal operators between arbitrary factorizable states, which include, in particular, off-shell Bethe vectors and Bethe vectors with arbitrary twists. We prove that the set of principal operators generates the complete spin chain Yangian. Furthermore, we derive the representation of these operators in the SoV bases allowing one to compute correlation functions with an arbitrary number of principal operators. Finally, we show that the available combinations of multiple insertions includes Sklyanin’s SoV B operator. As a result, we are able to derive the B operator for $$ \mathfrak{sl} $$
sl
(N) spin chains using a minimal set of ingredients, namely the FSoV method and the structure of the SoV basis.
Rindler bulk reconstruction and subregion duality in AdS/CFT
Authors: Sugishita Sotaro , Terashima Seiji
Published: November 2022

Abstract

In this paper, we study the AdS-Rindler reconstruction. The CFT operators naively given by the holographic dictionary for the AdS-Rindler reconstruction contain tachyonic modes, which are inconsistent with the causality and unitarity of the CFT. Therefore, the subregion duality and the entanglement wedge reconstruction do not hold. We also find that the tachyonic modes in the AdS-Rindler patch lead to arbitrary high-energy or trans-Planckian modes in the global AdS. It means that the mode expansion of the Rindler patch is sensitive to the UV limit of the theory, that is, quantum gravity. In addition, the tachyonic modes are related to the existence of null geodesics connecting the past and future horizons.
Machine learning the trilinear and light-quark Yukawa couplings from Higgs pair kinematic shapes
Authors: Alasfar Lina , Gröber Ramona , Grojean Christophe , Paul Ayan , Qian Zhuoni
Published: November 2022

Abstract

Revealing the Higgs pair production process is the next big challenge in high energy physics. In this work, we explore the use of interpretable machine learning and cooperative game theory for extraction of the trilinear Higgs self-coupling in Higgs pair production. In particular, we show how a topological decomposition of the gluon-gluon fusion Higgs pair production process can be used to simplify the machine learning analysis flow. Furthermore, we extend the analysis to include $$ q\overline{q} $$
q

q
¯

→ hh production, which is strongly suppressed in the Standard Model, to extract the trilinear Higgs coupling and to bound large deviations of the light-quark Yukawa couplings from the Standard Model values. The constraints on the rescaling of the trilinear Higgs self-coupling, κλ, and the rescaling of light-quark Yukawa couplings, κu and κd, at HL-LHC (FCC-hh) from single parameter fits are:$$ {\displaystyle \begin{array}{c}{\kappa}_{\lambda }=\left[0.53,1.7\right]\ \left(\left[0.97,1.03\right]\right)\\ {}{\kappa}_u=\left[-470,430\right]\ \left(\left[-58,55\right]\right)\\ {}{\kappa}_d=\left[-360,360\right]\ \left(\left[-26,28\right]\right)\end{array}} $$

κ
λ

=

0.53
1.7

0.97
1.03

κ
u

=

−
470

430

−
58

55

κ
d

=

−
360

360

−
26

28

We show that the simultaneous modification of the Yukawa couplings can dilute the constraints on the trilinear coupling significantly. We perform similar analyses for FCC-hh. We discuss some motivated flavourful new physics scenarios where such an analysis prevails.
Abstract Integration with Respect to Measures and Applications to Modular Convergence in Vector Lattice Setting
Authors: Boccuto Antonio , Sambucini Anna Rita
Published: November 2022

A “Bochner-type” integral for vector lattice-valued functions with respect to (possibly infinite) vector lattice-valued measures is presented with respect to abstract convergences, satisfying suitable axioms, and some fundamental properties are studied. Moreover, by means of this integral, some convergence results on operators in vector lattice-valued modulars are proved. Some applications are given to moment kernels and to the Brownian motion.
Baire Category Lower Density Operators with Borel Values
Authors: Balcerzak Marek , Hejduk Jacek , Wachowicz Artur
Published: November 2022

We prove that the lower density operator associated with the Baire category density points in the real line has Borel values of class $$\pmb \Pi ^0_3$$

Π

3
0

which is analogous to the measure case. We also introduce the notion of the Baire category density point of a subset with the Baire property of the Cantor space, and we prove that it generates a lower density operator with Borel values of class $$\pmb \Pi ^0_3$$

Π

3
0

.
Self-efficacy and application of skills in the workplace after multidisciplinary trauma masterclass participation: a mixed methods survey and interview study
Authors: Haverkamp Frederike J. C. , Rahim Idris , Hoencamp Rigo , Fluit Cornelia R. M. G. , Van Laarhoven Kees J. H. M. , Tan Edward C. T. H.
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The most complex injuries are usually least often encountered by trauma team members, limiting learning opportunities at work. Identifying teaching formats that enhance trauma skills can guide future curricula. This study evaluates self-assessed technical and nontechnical trauma skills and their integration into novel work situations for multidisciplinary trauma masterclass participants.

Methods

This mixed methods study included participants of a multidisciplinary 3-day trauma masterclass. Ratings of trauma skills were collected through pre- and postcourse questionnaires with 1-year follow-up. Qualitative semi-structured interviews 9 months postcourse focused on the course format and self-perceived association with technical and nontechnical skills applied at work.

Results

Response rates of pre- and postcourse questionnaires after 1 day, 3 months, and 1 year were respectively 72% (51/71), 85% (60/71), 34% (24/71), and 14% (10/71). Respondents were surgeons (58%), anesthesiologists (31%), and scrub nurses (11%). Self-efficacy in nontechnical (mean 3.4, SD 0.6 vs. mean 3.8, SD 0.5) and technical (mean 2.9, SD 0.6 vs. mean 3.6, SD 0.6) skills significantly increased postcourse (n = 40,p < 0.001). Qualitative interviews (n = 11) demonstrated that increased self-efficacy in trauma skills was the greatest benefit experienced at work. Innovative application of skills and enhanced reflection demonstrate adaptive expertise. Small-group case discussions and the operative porcine laboratory were considered the most educational working formats. The experienced faculty and unique focus on multidisciplinary teamwork were highly valued.

Conclusion

Course participants’ self-assessed work performance mostly benefited from greater self-efficacy and nontechnical skills. Future trauma curricula should consider aligning the teaching strategies accordingly.
Did the dislocation risk after primary total hip arthroplasty decrease over time? A meta-analysis across six decades
Authors: van Erp J. H. J. , Hüsken M. F. T. , Filipe M. D. , Snijders T. E. , Kruyt M. C. , de Gast A. , Schlösser T. P. C.
Published: November 2022

Background

While continuous optimization is attempted to decrease the incidence of dislocation after total hip arthroplasty (THA), dislocation remains a major complication. This meta-analysis aims to analyze the evolution of the dislocation risk after primary THA over the decades and to evaluate its potential publication bias.

Patients and methods

A systematic search was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines for this meta-analysis in the literature published between 1962 and 2020. MEDLINE, Cochrane and Embase databases were searched for studies reporting the dislocation risk and length of follow-up. Studies that reported on revision rates only and did not mention separate dislocations were excluded. All study designs were eligible. Study quality was assessed by existing quality assessment tools adjusted for arthroplasty research. Overall risk and yearly dislocation rates were calculated and related to historical time frame, study design, sample size and length of follow-up.

Results

In total, 174 studies were included with an overall moderate quality. In total there were 85.209 dislocations reported in 5.030.293 THAs, showing an overall dislocation risk of 1.7%, with a median follow-up of 24 months. The overall dislocation risk classified per decade decreased from 3.7% in 1960–1970 to 0.7% in 2010–2020. The yearly dislocation rate decreased from 1.8 to 0.7% within these same decades. There was no significant correlation between the reported dislocation risk and the duration of follow-up (p = 0.903) or sample size (p = 0.755). The reported dislocation risk was higher in articles with registry data compared to other study designs (p = 0.021).

Conclusion

The dislocation risk in THA has been decreasing over the past decades to 0.7%. Non-selective registry studies reported a higher dislocation risk compared to studies with selective cohorts and RCTs. This indicates that the actual dislocation risk is higher than often reported and ‘real-world data’ are reflected better in large-scale cohorts and registries.
Atypical wound trajectory after a tangential pistol shot
Authors: Lux Constantin , Kettner Mattias , Federspiel Jan M. , Ramsthaler Frank , Verhoff Marcel A.
Published: November 2022

Three intermediate-range shots from a Browning, model 1955, 7.65 mm caliber, pistol were fired from the driver’s seat of a car at a woman in the passenger seat. She sustained three wounds: An, ultimately fatal, penetrating head wound, a graze wound across her forehead, and a tangential, perforating, wound, with bullet entry over the medial sternum and exit through the right flank. Neither postmortem CT nor forensic autopsy discovered bony thoracic injuries or perforations of the thoracoabdominal cavities. There was pulmonary contusion in the medial lobe of the right lung and hemorrhage in the adipose tissue around the right kidney. The tangential bullet had left an almost 40-cm-long wound channel through a pronounced layer of subcutaneous fat. Based on 3D reconstructed CT-data determinations, a straight bullet trajectory between entry and exit wounds would have traversed the abdominothoracic cavities, right lung, and liver. The actual trajectory, however, described a prominent curve, without signs of deflection by bone. Postulated explanations for this unusual bullet track are that the woman was twisting her body in a dynamic scene when the bullet struck; further, due to its shallow angle of incidence on the skin, the bullet was deflected to an intracutaneous path. Additionally, soft tissue resistance may have caused the bullet to yaw. Caution should, thus, be exercised when reconstructing bullet trajectories solely from entry and exist wounds, also for bullet wounds through basically homogenous soft tissues.
Retrospective investigation of the 3D effects of the Carriere Motion 3D appliance using model and cephalometric superimposition
Authors: Schmid-Herrmann Carmen Ulrike , Delfs Jesper , Mahaini Luai , Schumacher Eliane , Hirsch Christian , Koehne Till , Kahl-Nieke Bärbel
Published: November 2022

Objectives

Carriere Motion 3D™ appliance (CMA) represents a method for molar distalization and correction of class II malocclusion. The aim was to investigate the 3D effects of the CMA by superimposing digital models and cephalometric X-rays.

Materials and methods

We retrospectively examined 16 patients treated with CMA in combination with class II elastics. We compared digitized models and cephalometric X-rays of records taken before therapy and after the removal of CMA. The records were superimposed to assess the skeletal and dentoalveolar changes. The results of the cephalometric X-ray analysis were compared to an untreated age- and gender-matched sample.

Results

Class II occlusion was corrected after 11.85 ± 4.70 months by 3.45 ± 2.33 mm. The average distalization of the upper first molars was 0.96 ± 0.80 mm. The analysis of the cephalometric X-rays confirmed a distalization of the upper first molars with distal tipping and revealed a mesialization of the lower first molars of 1.91 ± 1.72 mm. Importantly, CMA resulted in a mild correction of the skeletal class II relationship (ANB: − 0.71 ± 0.77°; Wits: − 1.99 ± 1.74 mm) and a protrusion of the lower incisors (2.94 ± 2.52°). Compared to the untreated control group, there was significant distalization of the upper first molars and canines with mesialization and extrusion of the lower first molars.

Conclusion and clinical relevance

CMA is an efficient method for treating class II malocclusions. However, the class II correction is only partially caused by a distalization of the upper molars.
Optimal pit site selection in antlion larvae: the relationship between prey availability and pit maintenance costs
Authors: Hayashi Taka , Hayashi Kina , Hayashi Noriko , Hayashi Fumio
Published: November 2022

Traps are an efficient method of capturing prey for ambush predators, but trap building and maintenance are costly. We describe suitable hunting sites for pit-building antlion larvae living in sand dunes based on its cost–benefit relationship. In the field, antlion pits were located near natural barriers, such as cliffs, rocks and vegetation, but not closest to these barriers. Our results show that this pattern of pit location did not differ between populations; neither with or without the influence of a specific dipteran parasitoid of antlion larvae. Artificial pitfall traps deployed in their habitats revealed that invertebrates move along barriers, likely through thigmotaxis (wall hugging or wall-following), and drop sands in the traps set at barrier edges. In the laboratory, repeated artificial destruction of pits from larval antlions induced frequent pit relocation and rebuilding. This task reduces life history parameters, such as the larval growth and food conversion rates, suggesting a high cost of pit maintenance. Thus, antlion pits might shift away from barrier edges where more prey is available but pit destruction occurs more frequently due to wall-following invertebrates. Such disturbance may explain why antlions are not located closest to these barriers.
Contraction of the rigor actomyosin complex drives bulk hemoglobin expulsion from hemolyzing erythrocytes
Authors: Shirakashi Ryo , Sisario Dmitri , Taban Danush , Korsa Tessa , Wanner Sophia B. , Neubauer Julia , Djuzenova Cholpon S. , Zimmermann Heiko , Sukhorukov Vladimir L.
Published: November 2022

Erythrocyte ghost formation via hemolysis is a key event in the physiological clearance of senescent red blood cells (RBCs) in the spleen. The turnover rate of millions of RBCs per second necessitates a rapid efflux of hemoglobin (Hb) from RBCs by a not yet identified mechanism. Using high-speed video-microscopy of isolated RBCs, we show that electroporation-induced efflux of cytosolic ATP and other small solutes leads to transient cell shrinkage and echinocytosis, followed by osmotic swelling to the critical hemolytic volume. The onset of hemolysis coincided with a sudden self-propelled cell motion, accompanied by cell contraction and Hb-jet ejection. Our biomechanical model, which relates the Hb-jet-driven cell motion to the cytosolic pressure generation via elastic contraction of the RBC membrane, showed that the contributions of the bilayer and the bilayer-anchored spectrin cytoskeleton to the hemolytic cell motion are negligible. Consistent with the biomechanical analysis, our biochemical experiments, involving extracellular ATP and the myosin inhibitor blebbistatin, identify the low abundant non-muscle myosin 2A (NM2A) as the key contributor to the Hb-jet emission and fast hemolytic cell motion. Thus, our data reveal a rapid myosin-based mechanism of hemolysis, as opposed to a much slower diffusive Hb efflux.
Tracking wildlife diseases using community science: an example through toad myiasis
Authors: Szentivanyi Tamara , Vincze Orsolya
Published: November 2022

Parasite and pathogen surveillance is crucial for understanding trends in their distributions and host spectra, as well as to document changes in their population dynamics. Nevertheless, continuous surveillance is time-consuming, underfunded due to the non-charismatic nature of parasites/pathogens, and research infrastructure is usually limited to short-term surveillance efforts. Species observation data provided by the public can contribute to long-term surveillance of parasites using photographic evidence of infections shared on community science platforms. Here, we used public photo repositories to document the occurrence across space and time of Lucilia spp. (Diptera: Calliphoridae), a parasite inducing nasal toad myiasis in the European toad Bufo bufo (Anura: Bufonidae). We found a total of 262 toad myiasis observations on iNaturalist (n = 132), on GBIF (n = 86), on Flickr (n = 41), and on observation.org (n = 3). Our results indicate that the distribution of toad myiasis is regionally limited, despite its host being widely distributed and abundant across a wide region in Europe. Observations were found in 12 countries with relatively low prevalence, including Belgium (3.90%, CI 2.44–6.18), Denmark (1.26%, CI 0.89–1.80), France (0.45%, CI 0.14–1.38), Germany (1.27%, CI 0.92–1.75), Lithuania (0.50%, CI 0.13–1.98), Luxembourg (1.30%, CI 0.42–3.95), the Netherlands (2.71%, CI 1.61–4.52), Poland (0.89%, CI 0.34–2.35), Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) (4.76%, CI 0.67–27.14), Switzerland (NA), Ukraine (0.87%, CI 0.12–5.91), and in the UK (0.45%, CI 0.28–0.72). Nevertheless, the number of uploaded observations of both parasite infection and host presence indicates a stable increase likely due to the growing popularity of community science websites. Overall, community science is a useful tool to detect and monitor certain wildlife diseases and to recognize potential changes in disease dynamics through time and space.
Control strategies for transport networks under demand uncertainty
Authors: Göttlich Simone , Schillinger Thomas
Published: November 2022

In this article, we consider transport networks with uncertain demands. Network dynamics are given by linear hyperbolic partial differential equations and suitable coupling conditions, while demands are incorporated as solutions to stochastic differential equations. For the demand satisfaction, we solve a constrained optimal control problem. Controls in terms of network inputs are then calculated explicitly for different assumptions. Numerical simulations are performed to underline the theoretical results.
Training of Lived Experience Workforces: A Rapid Review of Content and Outcomes
Authors: Opie Jessica E. , McLean Siân A. , Vuong An T. , Pickard Heather , McIntosh Jennifer E.
Published: November 2022

Recently, the lived and living experience (LLE) workforce in mental health and alcohol and other drugs (AOD) sectors has expanded. Despite widespread benefit of this inclusion, some LLE practitioners have encountered personal and professional challenges in their workforce roles. An essential avenue to address these challenges is through provision of training to ensure adequate LLE role preparation, and to support integration of LLE workforces within mental health and AOD settings. We aim to understand the primary components applied in LLE training programs (i.e., content and methods), the outcomes from program participation, and to summarize observed patterns between training components and outcomes. This rapid review utilized a systematic methodology following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines to synthesize existing literature on training programs for service users or carers/family in lived experience roles, in the mental health and AOD workforce. We searched CINAHL, PsycINFO, Medline, and Web of Science databases. We identified 36 relevant studies. Findings indicate short- and long-term impacts of training participation for this emerging workforce, with the most promising outcomes being increased professional knowledge and skills and improved personal psychosocial wellbeing and trauma recovery. Other positive training outcomes included high trainee satisfaction, increased application of training skills, and employment/education opportunities following training completion. Gaps and training limitations were noted in relation to the training content/delivery, trainee reservations, and personal barriers to training participation or completion. In response to program benefits and limitations investigated, we present recommendations for improving training processes for this workforce.
The formation of the 8˚20’ N seamount chain, east pacific rise
Authors: Romano Valentina , Gregg Patricia M. , Zhan Yan , Fornari Daniel J. , Perfit Michael R. , Wanless Dorsey , Battaglia Maurizio , Anderson Molly
Published: November 2022

Near-axis seamounts provide a unique setting to investigate three-dimensional mantle processes associated with the formation of new oceanic crust and lithosphere. Here, we investigate the characteristics and evolution of the 8˚20’N Seamount Chain, a lineament of seamounts that extends ~ 175 km west of the East Pacific Rise (EPR) axis, just north of the fracture zone of the Siqueiros Transform Fault. Shipboard gravity, magnetic, and bathymetric data acquired in 2016 are utilized to constrain models of seamount emplacement and evolution. Geophysical observations indicate that these seamounts formed during four distinct episodes of volcanism coinciding with changes in regional plate motion that are also reflected in the development of intra-transform spreading centers (ITSCs) along the Siqueiros transform fault (Fornari et al. 1989; Pockalny et al. 1997). Although volcanism is divided into distinct segments, the magnetic data indicate continuous volcanic construction over long portions of the chain. Crustal thickness variations along the chain up to 0.75 km increase eastward, inferred from gravity measurements, suggest that plate reorganization has considerably impacted melt distribution in the area surrounding the Siqueiros-EPR ridge transform intersection. This appears to have resulted in increased volcanism and the formation of the 8˚20’N Seamounts. These findings indicate that melting processes in the mantle and subsequently the formation of new oceanic crust and lithosphere are highly sensitive to tectonic stress changes in the vicinity of fast-spreading transform fault offsets.
Neutrino-Induced Decay: A Critical Review of the Arguments
Authors: Pommé S. , Pelczar K.
Published: November 2022

There has been scientific debate about speculations that ‘neutrino-induced’ radioactive decay causes apparent violations of the exponential-decay law. Sturrock and others repeatedly publish papers asserting influences by solar and cosmic neutrinos on radioactive decay measurements and therefrom draw conclusions about space science that are highly speculative. Recurrent themes in their work are claims that the solar neutrino flux reveals oscillations at a monthly rate which can be linked to solar rotation, that annual and monthly oscillations occur in radioactive decay rates or directionality of emitted radiation which can be linked to variations in solar and cosmic neutrino flux hitting Earth’s surface, and that unstable radioactivity measurements can be used as a source of information about the interior of the Sun and dark matter. Radionuclide metrologists have extensively investigated and refuted their arguments. Metrological evidence shows that radioactive decay does not violate the exponential-decay law and is not a probe for variations in solar neutrino flux. In this review paper, the main arguments of Sturrock are listed and counterarguments are presented. Reference is made to earlier published work in which the evidence has been scrutinised in detail.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Ameliorative role of nanocurcumin against the toxicological effects of novel forms of Cuo as nanopesticides: a comparative study
Authors: Abdel-Azeem Abeer M. , Abdel-Rehiem Eman S. , Farghali Ahmed A. , Khidr Fatma K. , Abdul-Hamid Manal
Published: November 2022

Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) have a wide range of uses in agricultural applications. Nanocurcumin (NCur) acts as an antioxidant treatment. The goal of the study is to reduce the toxicity resulting from the use of CuONPs as nanopesticides on living organisms by inducing changes in the morphological shape of CuONPs or treating it with NCur. So, we induced a comparative study between three shapes of CuONPs: CuO nanosphere (CuONSp), CuO nanosheet (CuONS), and CuO nanoflower (CuONF). We characterize each nano-form by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), and Zetasizer HT device; 36 rats were divided into six groups (n = 6): 1st group was the control group; 2nd group received 50 mg/kg/day of NCur orally for 30 days; 3rd, 4th, and 5th groups received orally 50 mg/kg/day of CuONSp, CuONS, and CuONF, respectively, for 30 days; 6th group received 50 mg/kg/day CuONSp plus 50 mg/kg/day of NCur orally for 30 days. An elevation occurred in malondialdehyde (MDA), liver and kidney functions, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2) by CuONSp > CuONS > CuONF, respectively. An inhibition occurred in glutathione (GSH), superoxidase (SOD) catalase (CAT), apoptotic Bax gene (Bax), histopathological, and ultrastructural alterations by CuONSp < CuONS < CuONF, respectively. NCur ameliorated these alternations. In conclusion, CuONF is a better form compared to other forms of nanopesticide in agriculture due to its lower toxicity. NCur decreased the biological alternations which induced by CuONSp due to its antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties.

Graphical Abstract
Living labs in the context of the UN sustainable development goals: state of the art
Authors: Leal Filho Walter , Ozuyar Pinar Gokcin , Dinis Maria Alzira Pimenta , Azul Anabela Marisa , Alvarez María Garcia , da Silva Neiva Samara , Salvia Amanda Lange , Borsari Bruno , Danila Andreea , Vasconcelos Claudio Ruy
Published: November 2022

This paper reports on a comprehensive study, which has investigated the approaches, methods and tools being deployed in implementing living labs among higher education institutions (HEIs) around the world. Two methods were employed. First, a bibliometric analysis of the current emphasis given to living labs in a sustainable development context and in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Second, an empirical study aimed at identifying the use levels of living labs at HEIs. This was accomplished through an analysis of selected case studies that showcased successful approaches to SDGs implementation with living labs, and resulted in a framework for action. There are three main findings from these analyses. The first is that the multidisciplinary character of living labs in the context of sustainable development needs to be considered, to maximize their impacts. Second, most of the studied living labs focus on SDGs 4 and 11, which deal with providing quality education and ensuring the sustainable development of cities and communities. Third, the challenges encountered in the implementation of living labs refer to (1) the complexities in institutional administration, (2) the tensions between different groups of interest that need to be addressed by enhanced communication, and (3) the necessity to pay attention to the demand of using sustainability and innovation as a strategy in the operations of living labs. The paper draws from the experiences and lessons learned and suggests specific measures, which will improve the use of living labs as more systemic tools towards the implementation of the SDGs.
Body mass index (BMI) influence on Cetuximab-induced antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity in advanced colon cancer
Authors: Tralongo Antonino Carmelo , Caspani Francesca , Proserpio Ilaria , Volpi Lisa , Campiotti Leonardo
Published: November 2022

To date, we do not know if the excess of the body mass index (BMI) improves or worsens the outcomes in colorectal cancer treatment, and the correlation between BMI and prognosis remains unclear. A recent study in vitro showed a significant negative correlation between BMI and Cetuximab-induced antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. On these bases, we tried to analyze the potential correlation between BMI and survival in patients affected by metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) and treated with Cetuximab. Retrospective data were collected from 132 patients affected by mCRC treated with Cetuximab in monotherapy or association with chemotherapy between January 2007 and October 2019. The cohort of patients was divided into different groups according to the World Health Organization (WHO) BMI classification: underweight (BMI < 18.59), normal weight (BMI 18.5–24.9,) overweight (BMI 25–29.9), and obese (BMI > 30), and we observed the influence of BMI on survival and treatment response. Patients with BMI ≥ 25 had statistically significantly better survival than patients BMI < 25 (19 vs 10 months, p = 0.025). Dividing the sample into the four WHO BMI categories, the best survival rates were seen in the overweight and obese subgroups (18 and 26 months respectively, p < 0.01). The multivariate analysis confirmed BMI as the only parameter able to influence survival. No correlation between BMI and treatment response was seen between BMI ≥ 25 and BMI ≤ 24 groups (p = 0.14). Our experience suggests that mild obese and overweight patients treated with Cetuximab could experience a better survival. We also observed that among normal weight, overweight, and mild obese patients, there is a better response to immunochemotherapy in comparison with underweight patients, but this difference does not reach a significative statistical value.
Detecting DNA damage in stored blood samples
Authors: Schulze Johann Kristina , Bauer Hannah , Wiegand Peter , Pfeiffer Heidi , Vennemann Marielle
Published: November 2022

Several commercially available quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) systems enable highly sensitive detection of human DNA and provide a degradation index (DI) to assess DNA quality. From routine casework in forensic genetics, it was observed that DNA degradation in forensic samples such as blood samples stored under sub-optimal conditions leads to visible effects in multiplex analyses of short tandem repeat markers (STRs) due to decreased amplification efficiencies in longer amplicons. It was further noticed that degradation indices often remain below the value that is considered to be critical. Thus, the aim of this work was to systematically analyze this effect and to compare conventional qPCR assays with a modified qPCR approach using uracil DNA glycosylase (UNG) and DNA quality assessment methods based on electrophoresis. Blood samples were stored at three different storage temperatures for up to 316 days. Significantly increased DNA recovery was observed from samples stored at high temperatures (37 °C) compared samples stored at room temperature and 4 °C. We observed typical effects of degradation in STR analyses but no correlation between DI and storage time in any of the storage conditions. Adding UNG slightly increased the sensitivity of detecting DNA degradation in one of the qPCR kits used in this study. This observation was not confirmed when using a second qPCR system. Electrophoretic systems did also not reveal significant correlations between integrity values and time. Methods for detecting DNA degradation are usually limited to the detection of DNA fragmentation, and we conclude that degradation affecting forensic STR typing is more complex.
How Personality, Emotions and Situational Characteristics Affect Learning from Social Interactions in the Workplace
Authors: Leiß Tamara Vanessa , Rausch Andreas
Published: November 2022

The present study examines the effects of social interactions’ situational characteristics, emotions, and personality on self-perceived learning from social interactions at work based on diary and survey data. The sample comprises 43 German vocational education and training (VET) trainees in various apprenticeship programs. During the diary period of ten working days, the participants were instructed to record five typical social interactions at work every day. Quantitative data of 1,328 social interactions were analyzed by means of multilevel analysis. Regarding social interactions’ characteristics, the analysis revealed the baseline level of instrumentality, an interruption of the social interaction, its instrumentality and questions asked by the trainee during the interaction as positive predictors of self-perceived learning. A trainee’s higher speech proportion, however, was a negative predictor. Regarding state emotions, the emotional experiences of bored and motivated were identified as significant positive predictors of learning from social interactions at work. Emotions’ baseline level as well as personality traits had no significant influence. The results indicate that social interactions’ situational characteristics have the biggest influence on self-perceived learning from social interactions.
A sensitization strategy for highly efficient blue fluorescent organic light-emitting diodes
Authors: Duan Yalei , Guo Runda , Wang Yaxiong , Di Kaiyuan , Wang Lei
Published: November 2022

Highly efficient blue fluorescent materials have recently attracted great interest for organic light-emitting diode (OLED) application. Here, two new pyrene based organic molecules consisting of a highly rigid skeleton, namely SPy and DPy, are developed. These two blue light emitters exhibit excellent thermal stability. The experiment reveals that the full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) of the emission spectrum can be tuned by introducing different amounts of 9,9-diphenyl-N-phenyl-9H-fluoren-2-amine on pyrene units. The FWHM of the emission spectrum is only 37 nm in diluted toluene solution for DPy. Furthermore, highly efficient blue OLEDs are obtained by thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) sensitization strategy. The blue fluorescent OLEDs utilizing DPy as emitters achieve a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 10.4% with the electroluminescence (EL) peak/FWHM of 480 nm/49 nm. Particularly, the EQE of DPy-based device is boosted from 2.6% in non-doped device to 10.4% in DMAc-DPS TADF sensitized fluorescence (TSF) device, which is a 400% enhancement. Therefore, this work demonstrates that the TSF strategy is promising for highly efficient fluorescent OLEDs application in wide-color-gamut display field.

Graphical Abstract
Machine learning for optimizing daily COVID-19 vaccine dissemination to combat the pandemic
Authors: Oyewola David Opeoluwa , Dada Emmanuel Gbenga , Misra Sanjay
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Vaccines are the most important instrument for bringing the pandemic to a close and saving lives and helping to reduce the risks of infection. It is important that everyone has equal access to immunizations that are both safe and effective. There is no one who is safe until everyone gets vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccinations are a game-changer in the fight against diseases. In addition to examining attitudes toward these vaccines in Africa, Asia, Oceania, Europe, North America, and South America, the purpose of this paper is to predict the acceptability of COVID-19 vaccines and study their predictors.

Materials and methods

Kaggle datasets are used to estimate the prediction outcomes of the daily COVID-19 vaccination to prevent a pandemic. The Kaggle data sets are classified into training and testing datasets. The training dataset is comprised of COVID-19 daily data from the 13th of December 2020 to the 13th of June 2021, while the testing dataset is comprised of COVID-19 daily data from the 14th of June 2021 to the 14th of October 2021. For the prediction of daily COVID-19 vaccination, four well-known machine learning algorithms were described and used in this study: CUBIST, Gaussian Process (GAUSS), Elastic Net (ENET), Spikes, and Slab (SPIKES).

Results

Among the models considered in this paper, CUBIST has the best prediction accuracy in terms of Mean Absolute Scaled Error (MASE) of 9.7368 for Asia, 2.8901 for America, 13.2169 for Oceania, and 3.9510 for South America respectively.

Conclusion

This research shows that machine learning can be of great benefit for optimizing daily immunization of citizens across the globe. And if used properly, it can help decision makers and health administrators to comprehend immunization rates and create strategies to enhance them.
Identifying the determinants of lapse rates in life insurance: an automated Lasso approach
Authors: Reck Lucas , Schupp Johannes , Reuß Andreas
Published: November 2022

Lapse risk is a key risk driver for life and pensions business with a material impact on the cash flow profile and the profitability. The application of data science methods can replace the largely manual and time-consuming process of estimating a lapse model that reflects various contract characteristics and provides best estimate lapse rates, as needed for Solvency II valuations. In this paper, we use the Lasso method which is based on a multivariate model and can identify patterns in the data set automatically. To identify hidden structures within covariates, we adapt and combine recently developed extended versions of the Lasso that apply different sub-penalties for individual covariates. In contrast to random forests or neural networks, the predictions of our lapse model remain fully explainable, and the coefficients can be used to interpret the lapse rate on an individual contract level. The advantages of the method are illustrated based on data from a European life insurer operating in four countries. We show how structures can be identified efficiently and fed into a highly competitive, automatically calibrated lapse model.
Factors Affecting Behaviors that Precede Evacuation at the Onset of a Heavy Rainstorm in Japan
Authors: Nogami Tatsuya
Published: November 2022

There exist certain behaviors that people tend to do in disaster situations before evacuation. Such behaviors include warning confirmation behavior (for example, seeking information) and family-oriented behavior (for example, contacting one’s family). Identifying factors that affect these behaviors is of particular importance in building a better understanding of why people often fail to respond quickly to evacuation orders. For this purpose, the present study employed some of the established factors affecting evacuation behavior as predictor variables along with the timing of an evacuation order. A total of 518 participants took part in a 12-item online questionnaire survey that contained a hypothetical disaster scenario. The results of ordinal logistic regression analyses revealed that only risk area residence and disaster preparedness were associated with warning confirmation behavior, while gender, age, disaster preparedness, and risk perception had some associations with family-oriented behavior. Also, the participants were not more likely to engage in these behaviors in the morning and the afternoon than the evening in the hypothetical scenario. These findings imply the possibility that people engage in warning confirmation behavior and family-oriented behavior before evacuation regardless of individual characteristics and the circumstances surrounding them.
Vaccine-hesitant individuals accumulate additional COVID-19 risk due to divergent perception and behaviors related to SARS-CoV-2 testing: a population-based, cross-sectional study
Authors: Wratil Paul R. , Kotter Katharina , Bischof Marie L. , Hollerbach Sophie , Apak Elif , Kalteis Anna-Lena , Nayeli-Pflantz Tamara , Kaderali Lars , Adorjan Kristina , Keppler Oliver T.
Published: November 2022

Purpose

To investigate the perception of SARS-CoV-2 detection methods, information sources, and opinions on appropriate behavior after receiving negative or positive test results.

Methods

In a questionnaire-based, cross-sectional study conducted between September 1 and November 17, 2021, epidemiological, behavioral, and COVID-19-related data were acquired from the public in Munich, Germany.

Results

Most of the 1388 participants obtained information from online media (82.8%) as well as state and federal authorities (80.3%). 93.4% believed in the accuracy of SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing and 41.2% in the accuracy of rapid antigen tests (RATs). However, RATs were preferred for testing (59.1%) over PCR (51.1%). 24.0% of all individuals were willing to ignore hygiene measures and 76.9% were less afraid of SARS-CoV-2 transmission after receiving a negative PCR test (5.9% and 48.8% in case of a negative RAT). 28.8% reported not to self-isolate after receiving a positive RAT. Multivariate analyses revealed that non-vaccinated individuals relied less on information from governmental authorities (p = 0.0004) and more on social media (p = 0.0216), disbelieved in the accuracy of the PCR test (p ≤ 0.0001) while displaying strong preference towards using RATs (p ≤ 0.0001), were more willing to abandon pandemic-related hygiene measures (p ≤ 0.0001), less afraid of transmitting SARS-CoV-2 after a negative RAT (p ≤ 0.0001), and less likely to isolate after a positive RAT (p ≤ 0.0001).

Conclusion

Insights into preferred information sources as well as perception, preferences, and behavior related to SARS-CoV-2 testing and hygiene measures are key to refining public health information and surveillance campaigns. Non-vaccinated individuals’ divergent believes and behaviors possibly increase their COVID-19 risk.