bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pitfalls in the diagnostics of shoulder dystocia: an analysis based on the scrutiny of 2274 deliveries
Authors: Heinonen Karin , Saisto Terhi , Gissler Mika , Kaijomaa Marja , Sarvilinna Nanna
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Shoulder dystocia is an obstetric emergency with severe complications. Our objective was to evaluate the major pitfalls in the diagnostics of shoulder dystocia, diagnostic descriptions documented in medical records, use of obstetric maneuvers, and their correlations to Erb’s and Klumpke’s palsy and the use of ICD-10 code 066.0.

Methods

A retrospective, register-based case–control study included all deliveries (n = 181 352) in Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa (HUS) area in 2006–2015. Potential shoulder dystocia cases (n = 1708) were identified from the Finnish Medical Birth Register and the Hospital Discharge Register using ICD-10 codes O66.0, P13.4, P14.0, and P14.1. After thorough assessment of all medical records, 537 shoulder dystocia cases were confirmed. Control group consisted of 566 women without any of these ICD-10 codes.

Results

The pitfalls in the diagnostic included suboptimal following of guidelines for making the diagnosis of shoulder dystocia, subjective interpretation of diagnostic criteria, and inexact or inadequate documentation in medical records. The diagnostic descriptions in medical record were highly inconsistent. The use of obstetric maneuvers was suboptimal among shoulder dystocia cases (57.5%). Overall, the use of obstetric maneuvers increased during the study period (from 25.7 to 97.0%, p < 0.001), which was associated with decreasing rate of Erb’s palsy and increasing use of ICD-10 code O66.0.

Conclusion

There are diagnostic pitfalls, which could be addressed by education regarding shoulder dystocia guidelines, by improved use obstetric maneuvers, and more precise documentation. The increased use of obstetric maneuvers was associated with lower rates of Erb’s palsy and improved coding of shoulder dystocia.
Diagnostic accuracy of combined optical- and radio-guided SNB for neck staging of oral squamous cell carcinoma lesions in the anterior oral cavity
Authors: Christensen Anders , Wessel Irene , Charabi Birgitte Wittenborg , Juhl Karina , Kiss Katalin , Lelkaitis Giedrius , Mortensen Jann , Kjaer Andreas , von Buchwald Christian , Tvedskov Jesper Filtenborg
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The purpose was to investigate the diagnostic performance of bimodal optical and radio-guided sentinel node biopsy (SNB) for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) sub-sites in the anterior oral cavity.

Methods

Prospective study of 50 consecutive patients with cN0 OSCC scheduled for SNB was injected with the tracer complex Tc99m:ICG:Nacocoll. A near-infrared camera was applied for optical SN detection. Endpoints were modality for intraoperative SN detection and false omission rate at follow-up.

Results

In all patients, a SN could be detected. In 12/50 (24%) of cases, the SPECT/CT showed no focus in level 1, but intraoperatively a SN in level 1 was optically detected. In 22/50 cases (44%), an additional SN was identified only due to the optical imaging. At follow-up, the false omission rate was 0%.

Conclusion

Optical imaging appears to be an effective tool to allow real-time SN identification comprising level 1 unaffected by possible interference of radiation site from the injection.
Primary cordierite with > 2.5 wt% CO2 from the UHT Bakhuis Granulite Belt, Surinam: CO2 fluid phase saturation during ultrahigh-temperature metamorphism
Authors: de Roever Emond W. F. , Harley Simon L. , Huizenga Jan M.
Published: April 2023

The Paleoproterozoic Bakhuis Granulite Belt (BGB) in Surinam, South America, shows ultrahigh-temperature metamorphism (UHTM) at temperatures of around 1000 °C which, unusually, produced peak-to-near-peak cordierite with sillimanite and, in some cases, Al-rich orthopyroxene on a regional scale. Mg-rich cordierite (Mg/(Mg + Fe) = 0.88) in a sillimanite-bearing metapelitic granulite has a maximum birefringence of second-order blue (ca. 0.020) indicative of a considerable amount of CO2 (> 2 wt%) within its structural channels. SIMS microanalysis confirms the presence of 2.57 ± 0.19 wt% CO2, the highest CO2 concentration found in natural cordierite. This high CO2 content has enabled the stability of cordierite to extend into UHT conditions at high pressures and very low to negligible H2O activity. Based on a modified calibration of the H2O–CO2 incorporation model of Harley et al. (J Metamorph Geol 20:71–86, 2002), this cordierite occupies a stability field that extends from 8.8 ± 0.6 kbar at 750 °C to 11.3 ± 0.65 kbar at 1050 °C. Volatile-saturated cordierite with 2.57 wt% CO2 and negligible H2O (0.04 wt%) indicates fluid-present carbonic conditions with a CO2 activity near 1.0 at peak or near-peak pressures of 10.5–11.3 kbar under UHT temperatures of 950–1050 °C. The measured H2O content of the cordierite in the metapelite is far too low to be consistent with partial melting at 1000–1050 °C, implying either that nearly all of any H2O originally in this cordierite under UHT conditions was lost during post-peak cooling or that the cordierite was formed after migmatization. The high level of CO2 required to ensure fluid saturation of the c. 11 kbar UHT cordierite is proposed to have been derived from an external, possibly mantle, source.
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation in garments optimized for compliance
Authors: Juthberg R. , Flodin J. , Guo L. , Rodriguez S. , Persson N. K. , Ackermann P. W.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Physical inactivity is associated with muscle atrophy and venous thromboembolism, which may be prevented by neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES). This study aimed to investigate the effect on discomfort, current amplitude and energy consumption when varying the frequency and phase duration of low-intensity NMES (LI-NMES) via a sock with knitting-integrated transverse textile electrodes (TTE).

Methods

On eleven healthy participants (four females), calf-NMES via a TTE sock was applied with increasing intensity (mA) until ankle-plantar flexion at which point outcomes were compared when testing frequencies 1, 3, 10 and 36 Hz and phase durations 75, 150, 200, 300 and 400 µs. Discomfort was assessed with a numerical rating scale (NRS, 0–10) and energy consumption was calculated and expressed in milli-Joule (mJ). Significance set to p ﻿≤ 0.05.

Results

1 Hz yielded a median (inter-quartile range) NRS of 2.4 (1.0–3.4), significantly lower than both 3 Hz with NRS 2.8 (1.8–4.2), and 10 Hz with NRS 3.4 (1.4–5.4) (both p ≤ .014). Each increase in tested frequency resulted in significantly higher energy consumption, e.g. 0.6 mJ (0.5–0.8) for 1 Hz vs 14.9 mJ (12.3–21.2) for 36 Hz (p = .003). Longer phase durations had no significant effect on discomfort despite generally requiring significantly lower current amplitudes. Phase durations 150, 200 and 400 µs required significantly lower energy consumption compared to 75 µs (all p ≤ .037).

Conclusion

LI-NMES applied via a TTE sock produces a relevant plantar flexion of the ankle with the best comfort and lowest energy consumption using 1 Hz and phase durations 150, 200 or 400 µs.
Single-centre experience with peptide receptor radionuclide therapy for neuroendocrine tumours (NETs): results using a theranostic molecular imaging-guided approach
Authors: Gordon S. , Chan D. L. H. , Bernard E. J. , Eslick M. E. , Willowson K. P. , Roach P. J. , Engel A. F. , Maher R. , Clarke S. J. , Agarwal V. , Yasmin L. , De Silva M. , Mascall S. , Conner A. , Nevell D. , Pavlakis N. , Bailey D. L.
Published: April 2023

Aim

To summarise our centre’s experience managing patients with neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) in the first 5 years after the introduction of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) with [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-octreotate (LUTATE). The report emphasises aspects of the patient management related to functional imaging and use of radionuclide therapy.

Methods

We describe the criteria for treatment with LUTATE at our centre, the methodology for patient selection, and the results of an audit of clinical measures, imaging results and patient-reported outcomes. Subjects are treated initially with four cycles of ~ 8 GBq of LUTATE administered as an outpatient every 8 weeks.

Results

In the first 5 years offering LUTATE, we treated 143 individuals with a variety of NETs of which approx. 70% were gastroentero-pancreatic in origin (small bowel: 42%, pancreas: 28%). Males and females were equally represented. Mean age at first treatment with LUTATE was 61 ± 13 years with range 28–87 years. The radiation dose to the organs considered most at risk, the kidneys, averaged 10.6 ± 4.0 Gy in total. Median overall survival (OS) from first receiving LUTATE was 72.5 months with a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 32.3 months. No evidence of renal toxicity was seen. The major long-term complication seen was myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) with a 5% incidence.

Conclusions

LUTATE treatment for NETs is a safe and effective treatment. Our approach relies heavily on functional and morphological imaging informing the multidisciplinary team of NET specialists to guide appropriate therapy, which we suggest has contributed to the favourable outcomes seen.
Spondyloenchondrodysplasia in five new patients: identification of three novel ACP5 variants with variable neurological presentations
Authors: Elhossini Rasha M. , Elbendary Hasnaa M. , Rafat Karima , Ghorab Raghda M. , Abdel-Hamid Mohamed S.
Published: April 2023

Spondyloenchondrodysplasia (SPENCD) is an immune-osseous disorder caused by biallelic variants in ACP5 gene and is less commonly associated with neurological abnormalities such as global developmental delay, spasticity and seizures. Herein, we describe five new patients from four unrelated Egyptian families with complex clinical presentations including predominant neurological presentations masking the skeletal and immunological manifestations. All our patients had spasticity with variable associations of motor and mental delay or epilepsy. All except for one patient had bilateral calcification in the basal ganglia. One patient had an associated growth hormone deficiency with fair response to growth hormone therapy (GH) where the height improved from −3.0 SD before GH therapy to −2.35 SD at presentation. Patients had different forms of immune dysregulation. All patients except for one had either cellular immunodeficiency (3 patients) or combined immunodeficiency (1 patient). Whole exome sequencing was performed and revealed four ACP5 variants: c.629C > T (p.Ser210Phe), c.526C > T (p.Arg176Ter), c.742dupC (p.Gln248ProfsTer3) and c.775G > A (p.Gly259Arg). Of them, three variants were not described before. Our study reinforces the striking phenotypic variability associated with SPENCD and expands the mutational spectrum of this rare disorder. Further, it documents the positive response to growth hormone therapy in the studied patient.
Transcriptomic reprogramming for neuronal age reversal
Authors: Plesa Alexandru M. , Shadpour Michael , Boyden Ed , Church George M.
Published: April 2023

Aging is a progressive multifaceted functional decline of a biological system. Chronic age-related conditions such as neurodegenerative diseases are leading causes of death worldwide, and they are becoming a pressing problem for our society. To address this global challenge, there is a need for novel, safe, and effective rejuvenation therapies aimed at reversing age-related phenotypes and improving human health. With gene expression being a key determinant of cell identity and function, and in light of recent studies reporting rejuvenation effects through genetic perturbations, we propose an age reversal strategy focused on reprogramming the cell transcriptome to a youthful state. To this end, we suggest using transcriptomic data from primary human cells to predict rejuvenation targets and develop high-throughput aging assays, which can be used in large perturbation screens. We propose neural cells as particularly relevant targets for rejuvenation due to substantial impact of neurodegeneration on human frailty. Of all cell types in the brain, we argue that glutamatergic neurons, neuronal stem cells, and oligodendrocytes represent the most impactful and tractable targets. Lastly, we provide experimental designs for anti-aging reprogramming screens that will likely enable the development of neuronal age reversal therapies, which hold promise for dramatically improving human health.
Comparing direct anterior approach versus posterior approach or lateral approach in total hip arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ang James Jia Ming , Onggo James Randolph , Stokes Christopher Michael , Ambikaipalan Anuruban
Published: April 2023

Background

There are several approaches to THA, and each has their respective advantages and disadvantages. Previous meta-analysis included non-randomised studies that introduce further heterogeneity and bias to the evidence presented. This meta-analysis aims to present level I evidence by comparing functional outcomes, peri-operative parameters and complications of direct anterior approach (DAA) versus posterior approach (PA) or lateral approach (LA) in THA.

Patients and methods

A comprehensive multi-database search (PubMed, OVID Medline, EMBASE) was conducted from date of database inception to 1st December 2020. Data from randomised controlled trials comparing outcomes of DAA versus PA or LA in THA were extracted and analysed.

Results

Twenty-four studies comprising 2010 patients were included in this meta-analysis. DAA has a longer operative time (MD = 17.38 min, 95%CI: 12.28, 22.47 min, P < 0.001) but a shorter length of stay compared to PA (MD = − 0.33 days, 95%CI: − 0.55, − 0.11 days, P = 0.003). There was no difference in operative time or length of stay when comparing DAA versus LA. DAA also had significantly better HHS than PA at 6 weeks (MD = 8.00, 95%CI: 5.85, 10.15, P < 0.001) and LA at 12 weeks (MD = 2.23, 95%CI: 0.31, 4.15, P = 0.02). There was no significant difference in risk of neurapraxia for DAA versus LA or in risk of dislocations, periprosthetic fractures or VTE between DAA and PA or DAA and LA.

Conclusion

The DAA has better early functional outcomes with shorter mean length of stay but was associated with a longer operative time than PA. There was no difference in risk of dislocations, neurapraxias, periprosthetic fractures or VTE between approaches. Based on our results, choice of THA approach should ultimately be guided by surgeon experience, surgeon preference and patient factors.

Level of evidence I

Meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
Localization and expression profiles of gingival monocyte chemoattractant protein-1-induced protein-1 (MCPIP-1) and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma translocation protein 1 (MALT-1)
Authors: Yu Lili , Firatli Yigit , Elmanfi Samira , Gürsoy Mervi , Özdemir Kabalak Meltem , Kasnak Gökhan , Pussinen Pirkko , Bikker Floris J. , Caglayan Feriha , Firatli Erhan , Gürsoy Ulvi Kahraman
Published: April 2023

Objectives

The purposes of this study were to localize monocyte chemoattractant protein-1-induced protein-1 (MCPIP-1) and its suppressor mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma translocation protein 1 (MALT-1) in gingival tissues and to profile their protein expression levels in relation to the clinical inflammation, Porphyromonas gingivalis colonization, and interleukin (IL)-8 levels.

Materials and methods

Study samples were collected from two independent study populations: (1) Gingival tissues were collected from eight periodontally healthy individuals and eight periodontitis patients to localize MCPIP-1 and MALT-1 immunohistochemically, and (2) forty-one gingival tissue samples with marginal, mild, or moderate to severe inflammation were collected from 20 periodontitis patients to determine MCPIP-1 and MALT-1 levels using immunoblots, P. gingivalis levels with qPCR, P. gingivalis gingipain activities with fluorogenic substrates, and IL-8 levels with multiplex technique.

Results

MCPIP-1 was detectable in the epithelium and in connective tissue, being especially prominent around the blood vessel walls in healthy periodontal tissues. MALT-1 was observed at all layers of gingival epithelium and especially around the accumulated inflammatory cells in connective tissue. No difference in gingival tissue MCPIP-1 and MALT-1 levels was observed in relation to the severity of gingival inflammation. MALT-1 levels were elevated (p = 0.023) with the increase in tissue P. gingivalis levels, and there was an association between MALT-1 and IL-8 levels (β = 0.054, p = 0.001).

Conclusions

Interactions of MALT-1 levels with gingival tissue P. gingivalis counts and IL-8 levels suggest that activation of MALT-1 can take part in P. gingivalis-regulated host immune responses.

Clinical relevance

Pharmacological targeting the crosstalk between immune response and MCPIP-1/MALT-1 may have benefits in periodontal treatment.
Effects of flow dimension in faulted or fractured rock on natural reductions of inflow during excavation: a case study of the Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory site, Japan
Authors: Ishii Eiichi
Published: April 2023

Major inflows of groundwater can occur during excavation in faulted or fractured rock masses, even if pre-excavation grouting is applied; postexcavation grouting may then be required to reduce these inflows. However, the diffusion equation for fluid pressure suggests that inflows may reduce naturally by 50–90% or more within days or weeks when the dimension of the flow in faults or fractures that feed the inflow (flow dimension) is close to 1, but inflow reduction is minimal when the flow dimension is close to 3. Therefore, if the flow dimension is close to 1, the natural reduction in inflow may obviate countermeasures. Nevertheless, this natural reduction being dependent on flow dimension is seldom considered explicitly when planning excavations or countermeasures. To verify the applicability of the relationship between natural changes of inflow and the flow dimension, this study measured changes in inflow at six locations at the Horonobe site, Japan, where major inflows occurred during excavations of tunnels or shafts in faulted or fractured siliceous rocks. The flow dimension at each location was assessed using pre-excavation packer tests in surface-based boreholes. The results confirm that changes in the inflows during the days and weeks immediately after their commencement depended consistently on the assessed flow dimension. Natural reductions in inflow during excavation are predictable based on the flow dimension, which can be estimated using pre-excavation borehole investigations or from the initial changes in inflow during the first several days. This approach may be helpful for improving the efficiency of excavations.
When are puppies receptive to emotion-induced human chemosignals? The cases of fear and happiness
Authors: D’Aniello Biagio , Pinelli Claudia , Scandurra Anna , Di Lucrezia Alfredo , Aria Massimo , Semin Gün R.
Published: April 2023

We report an observational, double-blind, experimental study that examines the effects of human emotional odors on puppies between 3 and 6 months and adult dogs (one year and upwards). Both groups were exposed to control, human fear, and happiness odors in a between subjects’ design. The duration of all behaviors directed to the apparatus, the door, the owner, a stranger, and stress behaviors was recorded. A discriminant analysis showed that the fear odor activates consistent behavior patterns for both puppies and adult dogs. However, no behavioral differences between the control and happiness odor conditions were found in the case of puppies. In contrast, adult dogs reveal distinctive patterns for all three odor conditions. We argue that responses to human fear chemosignals systematically influence the behaviors displayed by puppies and adult dogs, whichcouldbe genetically prefigured. In contrast, the effects of happiness odors constitute cues that require learning during early socialization processes, which yield consistent patterns only in adulthood.
On an elastic flow for parametrized curves in $$\mathbb {R}^{n}$$ suitable for numerical purposes
Authors: Pozzi Paola
Published: April 2023

In Pozzi and Stinner (ESAIM: M2AN 57:445–466, 2023) a variant of the classical elastic flow for closed curves in $$\mathbb {R}^{n}$$

R

n

was introduced, that is more suitable for numerical purposes. Here we investigate the long-time properties of such evolution demonstrating that the flow exists globally in time.
Using sentiment analysis to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on Italy’s country reputation and stock market performance
Authors: Zammarchi Gianpaolo , Mola Francesco , Conversano Claudio
Published: April 2023

During the recent Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, the microblogging service Twitter has been widely used to share opinions and reactions to events. Italy was one of the first European countries to be severely affected by the outbreak and to establish lockdown and stay-at-home orders, potentially leading to country reputation damage. We resort to sentiment analysis to investigate changes in opinions about Italy reported on Twitter before and after the COVID-19 outbreak. Using different lexicons-based methods, we find a breakpoint corresponding to the date of the first established case of COVID-19 in Italy that causes a relevant change in sentiment scores used as a proxy of the country’s reputation. Next, we demonstrate that sentiment scores about Italy are associated with the values of the FTSE-MIB index, the Italian Stock Exchange main index, as they serve as early detection signals of changes in the values of FTSE-MIB. Lastly, we evaluate whether different machine learning classifiers were able to determine the polarity of tweets posted before and after the outbreak with a different level of accuracy.
Identification of Bone Metastatic and Prognostic Alternative Splicing Signatures in Prostate Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zhu Jiwen , Zhang Jiayao , Hu Peng , Fan Mingxiang , Song Dianwen , Yin Huabin , Yan Penghui , Xian Shuyuan , Li Zhenyu , Guo Juanru , Long Chunling , Xu Runping , Huang Runzhi , Meng Tong , Zhang Jie , Huang Zongqiang
Published: April 2023

As the most common nonepithelial malignancy, prostate adenocarcinoma (PRAD) is the fifth chief cause of cancer mortality in men. Distant metastasis often occurs in advanced PRAD and most patients are dying from it. However, the mechanism of PRAD progression and metastasis is still unclear. It’s widely reported that more than 94% of genes are selectively splicing in humans and many isoforms are particularly related with cancer progression and metastasis. Spliceosome mutations occur in a mutually exclusive manner in breast cancer, and different components of spliceosomes are targets of somatic mutations in different types of breast cancer. Existing evidence strongly supports the key role of alternative splicing in breast cancer biology, and innovative tools are being developed to use splicing events for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. In order to identify if the PRAD metastasis is associated with alternative splicing events (ASEs), the RNA sequencing data and ASEs data of 500 PRAD patients were retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and TCGASpliceSeq databases. By Lasso regression, five genes were screened to construct the prediction model, with a good reliability by ROC curve. Additionally, results in both univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis confirmed the well prognosis efficacy of the prediction model (both P < 0.001). Moreover, a potential splicing regulatory network was established and after multiple-database validation, we supposed that the signaling axis of HSPB1 up-regulating the PIP5K1C − 46,721 − AT (P < 0.001) might mediate the tumorigenesis, progression and metastasis of PRAD via the key members of Alzheimer’s disease pathway (SRC, EGFR, MAPT, APP and PRKCA) (P < 0.001).
Product integration rules by the constrained mock-Chebyshev least squares operator
Authors: Dell’Accio Francesco , Mezzanotte Domenico , Nudo Federico , Occorsio Donatella
Published: April 2023

In this paper we consider the problem of the approximation of definite integrals on finite intervals for integrand functions showing some kind of “pathological” behavior, e.g. “nearly” singular functions, highly oscillating functions, weakly singular functions, etc. In particular, we introduce and study a product rule based on equally spaced nodes and on the constrained mock-Chebyshev least squares operator. Like other polynomial or rational approximation methods, this operator was recently introduced in order to defeat the Runge phenomenon that occurs when using polynomial interpolation on large sets of equally spaced points. Unlike methods based on piecewise approximation functions, mainly used in the case of equally spaced nodes, our product rule offers a high efficiency, with performances slightly lower than those of global methods based on orthogonal polynomials in the same spaces of functions. We study the convergence of the product rule and provide error estimates in subspaces of continuous functions. We test the effectiveness of the formula by means of several examples, which confirm the theoretical estimates.
Aesthetic Injustice
Authors: Hofmann Bjørn
Published: April 2023

In business as elsewhere, “ugly people” are treated worse than ”pretty people.” Why is this so? This article investigates the ethics of aesthetic injustice by addressing four questions: 1. What is aesthetic injustice? 2. How does aesthetic injustice play out? 3. What are the characteristics that make people being treated unjustly? 4. Why is unattractiveness (considered to be) bad? Aesthetic injustice is defined as unfair treatment of persons due to their appearance as perceived or assessed by others. It is plays out in a variety of harms, ranging from killing (genocide), torture, violence, exclusion (social or physical), discrimination, stigmatization, epistemic injustice, harassment, pay inequity, bullying, alienation, misrecognition, stereotyping, and to prejudice. The characteristics that make people treated unjustly are (lack of) attractiveness, averageness, proportion, and homogeneity. Furthermore, prejudice, psychological biases, logical fallacies, and unwarranted fear of disease are some reasons why unattractiveness is (considered to be) bad. In sum, this study synthesizes insights from a wide range of research and draws attention to aesthetic injustice as a generic term for a form of injustice that deserves more systematic attention. Having a definition, description, and explanation of the concept makes it easier to target the problems with aesthetic injustice. As the business world is an arena of ubiquitous aesthetic injustice business ethics can take the lead in identifying, explaining, and addressing the problem.
Point-missing s-resolvable t-designs: infinite series of 4-designs with constant index
Authors: Trung Tran van
Published: April 2023

The paper deals with t-designs that can be partitioned into s-designs, each missing a point of the underlying set, called point-missing s-resolvable t-designs, with emphasis on their applications in constructing t-designs. The problem considered may be viewed as a generalization of overlarge sets which are defined as a partition of all the $$\left( {\begin{array}{c}v +1\\ k\end{array}}\right) $$

v
+
1

k

k-sets chosen from a $$(v+1)$$

(
v
+
1
)

-set X into $$(v+1)$$

(
v
+
1
)

mutually disjoint s-$$(v,k,\delta )$$

(
v
,
k
,
δ
)

designs, each missing a different point of X. Among others, it is shown that the existence of a point-missing $$(t-1)$$

(
t
-
1
)

-resolvable t-$$(v,k,\lambda )$$

(
v
,
k
,
λ
)

design leads to the existence of a t-$$(v,k+1,\lambda ')$$

(
v
,
k
+
1
,

λ
′

)

design. As a result, we derive various infinite series of 4-designs with constant index using overlarge sets of disjoint Steiner quadruple systems. These have parameters 4-$$(3^n,5,5)$$

(

3
n

,
5
,
5
)

, 4-$$(3^n+2,5,5)$$

(

3
n

+
2
,
5
,
5
)

and 4-$$(2^n+1,5,5)$$

(

2
n

+
1
,
5
,
5
)

, for $$n \ge 2$$

n
≥
2

, and were unknown until now. We also include a recursive construction of point-missing s-resolvable t-designs and its application.
Tight lower bounds and optimal constructions of anonymous broadcast encryption and authentication
Authors: Kobayashi Hirokazu , Watanabe Yohei , Minematsu Kazuhiko , Shikata Junji
Published: April 2023

Broadcast Encryption (BE) is public-key encryption allowing a sender to encrypt a message by specifing recipients, and only the specified recipients can decrypt the message. In several BE applications, since the privacy of recipients allowed to access the message is often as important as the confidentiality of the message, anonymity is introduced as an additional but important security requirement for BE. Kiayias and Samari (IH 2013) presented an asymptotic lower bound on the ciphertext sizes in BE schemes satisfying anonymity (ANO-BE for short). More precisely, their lower bound is derived under the assumption that ANO-BE schemes have a special property. However, it is insufficient to show their lower bound is asymptotically tight since it is unclear whether existing ANO-BE schemes meet the special property. In this work, we derive asymptotically tight lower bounds on the ciphertext size in ANO-BE by assuming only properties that most existing ANO-BE schemes satisfy. With a similar technique, we first derive asymptoticallyPlease provide MSC codes. For more details, please visit http://www.ams.org/msc/. tight lower bounds on the authenticator sizes in Anonymous Broadcast Authentication (ABA). Furthermore, we extend the above result and present (non-asymptotically) tight lower and upper bounds on thePlease check and confirm the Running title. ciphertext sizes in ANO-BE. We show that a variant of ANO-BE scheme proposed by Li and Gong (ACNS 2018) is optimal. We also provide tight bounds on the authenticator sizes in ABA via the same approach as ANO-BE, and propose an optimal construction for ABA.
Text Generation Benefits Learning: a Meta-Analytic Review
Authors: Schindler Julia , Richter Tobias
Published: April 2023

Learning can be made more efficient when learners generate the to-be-learned text contents instead of passively receiving them. A multi-level meta-analysis was conducted to provide an overall estimate of the text generation effect’s magnitude and to identify theoretically and practically relevant moderators. Overall, generation interventions improved learning with texts compared to reading them (Hedges’g = .41). This benefit was not attributable to time-on-task and was found across several learning conditions and settings (e.g., narratives and expository texts, multiple generation, and learning assessment tasks). The meta-analysis further suggests that generation benefits learning most strongly if the cognitive processes stimulated by the generation task complement those processes already stimulated by the text. In sum, the findings suggest that text generation can be suitable for educational applications especially if certain conditions are observed.
The Unmeasurability of Absolute Velocities from the Point of View of Epistemological Internalism
Authors: Luc Joanna
Published: April 2023

Absolute velocities in Newtonian mechanics are commonly regarded as unmeasurable. Roberts (Br J Philos Sci 59(2):143–168, 2008) provides a justification for this thesis which appeals to the observational indistinguishability of boost-related models of Newtonian mechanics. Middleton and Murgueitio Ramírez (Australas J Philos, 2020) criticise his argumentation by pointing out that his analysis of the notion of measurement is too restrictive, and that, under a weaker analysis (based on counterfactuals), absolute velocities are measurable. Jacobs (Australas J Philos, 2020) opposes their view, arguing that, on a properly formulated counterfactual-based account of measurement, absolute velocities are unmeasurable. However, in his argument, observational indistinguishability plays no role, even though, intuitively, it is very relevant for the issue of (un)measurability. This paper’s aim is to bring observational indistinguishability back to this discussion. I build upon the observation that there is an analogy between possible views on knowledge and justification on the one hand, and on measurement on the other. In particular, I explore the distinction between externalist and internalist approaches. Counterfactual-based accounts are all externalist, whereas the observational indistinguishability of boost-related models becomes relevant if we are interested in an internalist concept of measurement.
Pitting Virtue Ethics Against Situationism: An Empirical Argument for Virtue
Authors: de Bruin Boudewijn , Zaal Raymond , Jeurissen Ronald
Published: April 2023

Situationists maintain that psychological evidence (e.g., the well-known Good Samaritan experiment) challenges a key assumption of virtue ethics, namely that virtuous people display cross-situational consistency of behavior. This situationist critique is frequently thought to pose a serious threat to virtue ethics. Virtue ethicists have so far mainly put forward conceptual rather than empirical arguments against situationism. In this paper, we examine the extent to which a plausible empirical argument can be developed against situationism, and in favor of virtue ethics. We note that such an argument will naturally entail empirical simplification, and consequently concessions from both sides of the debate will be required. We argue, however, that with such concessions in place, the debate between situationists and virtue ethicists can be captured by a claim about the way that virtuous behavior may change when situations change. We report the results of an experiment (conducted twice, for replication) showing how social science methods can be introduced to the situationism debate to test such a claim empirically. Our results offer tentative support for eudaemonist and agent-based varieties (but not for target-centered) versions of virtue ethics.
A marginal modelling approach for predicting wildfire extremes across the contiguous United States
Authors: D’Arcy Eleanor , Murphy-Barltrop Callum J. R. , Shooter Rob , Simpson Emma S.
Published: April 2023

This paper details a methodology proposed for the EVA 2021 conference data challenge. The aim of this challenge was to predict the number and size of wildfires over the contiguous US between 1993 and 2015, with more importance placed on extreme events. In the data set provided, over 14% of both wildfire count and burnt area observations are missing; the objective of the data challenge was to estimate a range of marginal probabilities from the distribution functions of these missing observations. To enable this prediction, we make the assumption that the marginal distribution of a missing observation can be informed using non-missing data from neighbouring locations. In our method, we select spatial neighbourhoods for each missing observation and fit marginal models to non-missing observations in these regions. For the wildfire counts, we assume the compiled data sets follow a zero-inflated negative binomial distribution, while for burnt area values, we model the bulk and tail of each compiled data set using non-parametric and parametric techniques, respectively. Cross validation is used to select tuning parameters, and the resulting predictions are shown to significantly outperform the benchmark method proposed in the challenge outline. We conclude with a discussion of our modelling framework, and evaluate ways in which it could be extended.
Decision support for managing assortments, shelf space, and replenishment in retail
Authors: Hübner Alexander , Kuhn Heinrich
Published: April 2023

Efficiently managing retail space is critical as the increase in product variety is in conflict with limited shelf space and instore replenishment constraints. This paper develops a general framework for retail space management and presents a decision support model with the related problems within the framework of optimizing assortment, shelf space assignment and replenishment. An integrative approach to these planning problems becomes particularly relevant for fast-moving consumer goods and groceries, where stores are regularly replenished from distribution centers. The planning problem at hand is a multi-product shelf space allocation problem where demand is a composite function of the shelf space allocated and assortment-related demand substitution, and actual replenishment practices from retail are incorporated. The model developed extends existing models of shelf space management by jointly considering space-elastic demand and assortment-based substitution and integrating restocking constraints. For the latter, we consider real-world replenishment processes of retailers that distinguish between period-based and ad-hoc replenishment from the backroom. We develop three solution approaches that are based on efficient pre-processing and a nonlinear binary integer programming formulation of the problem. The computation tests based on retail data show the efficiency of the solution approaches in terms of computation time and solution quality. We reveal the improvement in profit levels that can be achieved from integrating assortments, shelf space planning and replenishment where challenges arise in obtaining feasible solutions with limited shelf space and replenishment constraints. We also use sensitivity analyses to demonstrate the high impact of replenishment constraints on profits and solution structures.
Sea Ice Remote Sensing—Recent Developments in Methods and Climate Data Sets
Authors: Sandven Stein , Spreen Gunnar , Heygster Georg , Girard-Ardhuin Fanny , Farrell Sinéad L. , Dierking Wolfgang , Allard Richard A.
Published: April 2023

Sea ice monitoring by polar orbiting satellites has been developed over more than four decades and is today one of the most well-established applications of space observations. This article gives an overview of data product development from the first sensors to the state-of-the-art regarding retrieval methods, new products and operational data sets serving climate monitoring as well as daily operational services including ice charting and forecasting. Passive microwave data has the longest history and represents the backbone of global ice monitoring with already more than four decades of consistent observations of ice concentration and extent. Time series of passive microwave data is the primary climate data set to document the sea ice decline in the Arctic. Scatterometer data is a valuable supplement to the passive microwave data, in particular to retrieve ice displacement and distinguish between firstyear and multiyear ice. Radar and laser altimeter data has become the main method to estimate sea ice thickness and thereby fill a gap in the observation of sea ice as an essential climate variable. Data on ice thickness allows estimation of ice volume and masses as well as improvement of the ice forecasts. The use of different altimetric frequencies also makes it possible to measure the depth of the snow covering the ice. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) has become the work horse in operational ice observation on regional scale because high-resolution radar images are delivered year-round in nearly all regions where national ice services produce ice charts. Synthetic Aperture Radar data are also important for sea ice research because the data can be used to observe a number of sea ice processes and phenomena, like ice type development and sea ice dynamics, and thereby contribute to new knowledge about sea ice. The use of sea ice data products in modelling and forecasting services as well as in ice navigation is discussed. Finally, the article describes future plans for new satellites and sensors to be used in sea ice observation.
Effects of raw and hydrolysed Nannochloropsis gaditana biomass included at low level in finishing diets for gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) on fillet quality and shelf life
Authors: Sáez M. I. , Galafat A. , Suárez M. D. , Chaves-Pozo E. , Arizcun M. , Ayala M. D. , Alarcón F. J. , Martínez T. F.
Published: April 2023

Numerous studies evaluating the effects of the incorporation of microalgae in feeds have reported favourable impacts on different physiological aspects of aquacultured fish. Although productivity is the major goal in terms of profitability in fish farming, qualitative aspects are gaining the attention of producers, given the relevance of quality attributes related to organoleptic parameters, proximal composition, and shelf life on the commercial value of fish. Indeed, microalgae are acknowledged for their richness in substances with potential positive effects on all those quality attributes. In this context, this study assesses the effects of finishing diets enriched with the microalga Nannochloropsis gaditana, either crude or enzymatically hydrolysed, on several quality parameters of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) fillets. Two inclusion levels (2.5 and 5%) of raw and enzymatically hydrolysed microalgal biomass were incorporated into diets, plus a microalgae-free control diet, and a 42-day feeding trial was carried out on fish of commercial size (approx. 500 g body weight). The influence of the experimental diets on fish biometry, fillet quality parameters, and shelf life was evaluated. The results indicate, overall, that microalgae-enriched diets yielded favourable, dose-dependent effects on several objective quality parameters of fillets, namely, improved fatty acid profile, reduced microbial counts, enhanced lipid oxidative status, and improved textural and skin colour attributes. Although the enzymatic pre-treatment of the microalgal biomass was expected to impact positively its functional effects on all quality parameters, however, no general trend was observed.
Robust Non-Contact Monitoring of Respiratory Rate using a Depth Camera
Authors: Addison Paul S , Antunes André , Montgomery Dean , Smit Philip , Borg Ulf R.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Respiratory rate (RR) is one of the most common vital signs with numerous clinical uses. It is an important indicator of acute illness and a significant change in RR is often an early indication of a potentially serious complication or clinical event such as respiratory tract infection, respiratory failure and cardiac arrest. Early identification of changes in RR allows for prompt intervention, whereas failing to detect a change may result in poor patient outcomes. Here, we report on the performance of a depth-sensing camera system for the continuous non-contact ‘touchless’ monitoring of Respiratory Rate.

Methods

Seven healthy subjects undertook a range of breathing rates from 4 to 40 breaths-per-minute (breaths/min). These were set rates of 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 breaths/min. In total, 553 separate respiratory rate recordings were captured across a range of conditions including body posture, position within the bed, lighting levels and bed coverings. Depth information was acquired from the scene using an Intel D415 RealSenseTMcamera. This data was processed in real-time to extract depth changes within the subject’s torso region corresponding to respiratory activity. A respiratory rate RRdepthwas calculated using our latest algorithm and output once-per-second from the device and compared to a reference.

Results

An overall RMSD accuracy of 0.69 breaths/min with a corresponding bias of -0.034 was achieved across the target RR range of 4–40 breaths/min. Bland-Altman analysis revealed limits of agreement of -1.42 to 1.36 breaths/min. Three separate sub-ranges of low, normal and high rates, corresponding to < 12, 12–20, > 20 breaths/min, were also examined separately and each found to demonstrate RMSD accuracies of less than one breath-per-minute.

Conclusions

We have demonstrated high accuracy in performance for respiratory rate based on a depth camera system. We have shown the ability to perform well at both high and low rates which are clinically important.
On the study of multistage stochastic vector quasi-variational problems
Authors: Molho Elena , Scopelliti Domenico
Published: April 2023

This paper focuses on the study of multistage stochastic vector generalized quasi-variational inequalities with a variable ordering structure. The proposed multistage stochastic vector quasi-variational problems are defined in a suitable functional setting relative to a finite set of final possible states and certain information fields; these formulations are a multicriteria extension of the multistage stochastic variational inequalities. A relevant aspect of these problems is the presence of the nonanticipativity constraints on the variables of the problem; stage by stage, these constraints impose the measurability with respect to the information field at that stage. Without requiring any assumption of monotonicity, we prove some existence results by using a nonlinear scalarization technique. On this basis, we analyze multistage stochastic vector Nash equilibrium problems: as an example, we focus on a suitable multistage stochastic bicriteria Cournot oligopolistic model.
The Curious Case of 1-Ethylpyridinium Triflate: Ionic Liquid Exhibiting the Mpemba Effect
Authors: Chorążewski Mirosław , Wasiak Michał , Sychev Alexander V. , Korotkovskii Vadim I. , Postnikov Eugene B.
Published: April 2023

Here, we report the results of qualitative and quantitative investigations of the first-order phase transition in the ionic liquid 1-ethylpyridinium triflate exhibiting a high variability of temperature ranges, within which the freezing and melting occur. By two methods, the direct fast quenching/annealing and the slow temperature-controlled differential scanning calorimeter, it is revealed that despite the almost constant absolute enthalpies of phase transition, the freezing occurs faster with the larger temperature contrast (cooling rate) between the initially hotter sample and the colder surrounding. This feature is a clear exhibition of the Mpemba effect. The regularity in the change of the melting point is analyzed as well.
Memento: a prototype search engine for LSC 2021
Authors: Alam Naushad , Graham Yvette
Published: April 2023

In this extended paper, we describe our lifelog retrieval system called Memento which participated in the 2021 Lifelog Search Challenge in detail. Memento leverages semantic representations of images and textual queries projected into a common latent space to facilitate effective retrieval, aiming to bridge the existing semantic gap between complex visual scenes/events and user information needs expressed as textual and faceted queries. Our system also has a minimalist user interface which includes functionalities such as visual data filtering and temporal search. Finally, we include a comparative analysis of Memento’s performance at LSC 2021 and suggest improvements for future iterations of the system.