bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of two kinds of Kampo‐hozai, ninjinyoeito and kamikihito, on mental disorder‐like behaviors in senescence‐accelerated mouse‐prone 8 mice
Authors: Hirata Marika , Taniguchi Chise , Watanabe Takuya , Horikawa Toru , Akizuki Yufuko , Kubota Kaori , Katsurabayashi Shutaro , Iwasaki Katsunori
Published: June 2021

Aim

Ninjinyoeito (NYT) and kamikihito (KKT) are two types of a group of Japanese herbal medicines called ‘Kampo‐hozai’, which can improve depleted mental and physical energy in a variety of patients. NYT and KKT are therefore also expected to improve the symptoms of aging. However, evidence of the therapeutic effects of NYT and KKT on age‐related mental disorders in basic research remains scarce. The present study examined the effects of NYT and KKT on mental disorder‐like behaviors in senescence‐accelerated mouse‐prone 8 (SAMP8) mice, a model of accelerated aging.

Methods

SAMP8 mice were orally administered NYT or KKT (300 or 1000 mg/kg/d) starting from 12 weeks of age. A splash test was conducted at 21 weeks of age. An open‐field test was conducted at 20 and 33–34 weeks of age.

Results

Treatment with NYT, but not KKT, increased the grooming time of SAMP8 mice in the splash test at 21 weeks of age, suggesting that NYT ameliorates apathy‐like behavior. In contrast, treatment with KKT, but not NYT, increased the time spent by SAMP8 mice in the inner zone of the open‐field test at 33–34 weeks of age, suggesting that KKT ameliorates anxiety‐like behavior.

Conclusion

NYT and KKT may be useful for treating apathy and anxiety, respectively, in older individuals.
Crown–rump length measurement: a new age for first‐trimester ultrasound?
Authors: Stirnemann J. , Massoud M. , Fries N. , Dumont C. , Haddad G. , Bessis R. , Dhombres F. , Salomon L. J.
Published: June 2021

Linked article: This Editorial comments on the article by Gadsbøll et al. Click here to view the article.
Octagon with finite bridge: free fermions and determinant identities
Authors: Kostov Ivan , Petkova Valentina B.
Published: June 2021

Abstract

We continue the study of the octagon form factor which helps to evaluate a class of four-point correlation functions in $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 SYM theory. The octagon is characterised, besides the kinematical parameters, by a “bridge” of ℓ propagators connecting two nonadjacent operators. In this paper we construct an operator representation of the octagon with finite bridge as an expectation value in the Fock space of free complex fermions. The bridge ℓ appears as the level of filling of the Dirac sea. We obtain determinant identities relating octagons with different bridges, which we derive from the expression of the octagon in terms of discrete fermionic oscillators. The derivation is based on the existence of a previously conjectured similarity transformation, which we find here explicitly.
Delta invariants of projective bundles and projective cones of Fano type
Authors: Zhang Kewei , Zhou Chuyu
Published: June 2021

In this paper, we will give a precise formula to compute delta invariants of projective bundles and projective cones of Fano type.
A multi-representation approach to the contextual interference effect: effects of sequence length and practice
Authors: Verwey Willem B. , Wright David L. , Immink Maarten A.
Published: June 2021

The present study investigated the long-term benefit of Random-Practice (RP) over Blocked-Practice (BP) within the contextual interference (CI) effect for motor learning. We addressed the extent to which motor sequence length and practice amount factors moderate the CI effect given that previous reports, often in applied research, have reported no long-term advantage from RP. Based on predictions arising from the Cognitive framework of Sequential Motor Behavior (C-SMB) and using the Discrete Sequence Production (DSP) task, two experiments were conducted to compare limited and extended practice amounts of 4- and 7-key sequences under RP and BP schedules. Twenty-four-hour delayed retention performance confirmed the C-SMB prediction that the CI-effect occurs only with short sequences that receive little practice. The benefit of RP with limited practice was associated with overnight motor memory consolidation. Further testing with single-stimulus as well as novel and unstructured (i.e., random) sequences indicated that limited practice under RP schedules enhances both reaction and chunking modes of sequence execution with the latter mode benefitting from the development of implicit and explicit forms of sequence representation. In the case of 7-key sequences, extended practice with RP and BP schedules provided for equivalent development of sequence representations. Higher explicit awareness of sequence structures was associated with faster completion of practiced but also of novel and unstructured sequences.
HER2-PI9 and HER2-I12: two novel and functionally active splice variants of the oncogene HER2 in breast cancer
Authors: Hart Vic , Silipo Marco , Satam Swapna , Gautrey Hannah , Kirby John , Tyson-Capper Alison
Published: June 2021

In this study, two novel alternative splice variants of HER2, named HER2-PI9 and HER2-I12, were identified in breast cancer cell lines and breast tumour tissues. Whilst HER2-P19 arises from the inclusion of an 117 bp cassette-exon of intron 9 of HER2, HER2-I12 results from intron 12 inclusion. In silico analyses were performed to predict the amino acid sequences of these two HER2 novel variants. To confirm their protein expression, plasmid vectors were generated and transfected into the HER2 negative breast cancer cell line, MCF-7. Additionally, their functional properties in oncogenic signalling were confirmed. Expression of HER2-PI9 and HER2-I12 was successful and matched the in silico predictions. Importantly, these splice variants can modulate the phosphorylation levels of extracellular signal-related kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and Akt/protein kinase B (Akt) signalling in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Enhanced cellular proliferation, migration and invasion were observed in the case of the HER2-I12 expressing model. In human tissues and breast carcinoma tumours both variants were present. This study reveals two novel splice variants of HER2. Additionally, the potential biological activity for HER2-PI9 and HER2-I12 in breast cancer cells is also reported..
Osteoporose bei pneumologischen Erkrankungen
Authors: Muschitz Christian , Zwick Ralf Harun , Haschka Judith , Dimai Hans Peter , Rauner Martina , Amrein Karin , Wakolbinger Robert , Jaksch Peter , Eber Ernst , Pietschmann Peter
Published: June 2021

Asthma und COPD sind die häufigsten obstruktiven Atemwegserkrankungen. Die chronische Inflammation bedingt eine Induktion von proinflammatorischen Zytokinkaskaden. Neben der systemischen Inflammation tragen Hypoxämie, Hyperkapnie, eine katabole Stoffwechsellage, eine gonadale oder eine Schilddrüsendysfunktion, eine muskuloskelettale Dysfunktion und Inaktivität sowie Vitamin D‑Mangel zu einem erhöhten Knochenbruchrisiko bei. Iatrogene Ursachen der Osteoporose sind die zum Teil langjährigen Anwendungen von inhalativen oder systemischen Glukokortikoiden (GC). Die inhalative GC Applikation bei Asthma ist oft schon im Kindes- und Jugendalter indiziert, aber auch interstitielle Lungenerkrankungen wie die chronisch organisierende Pneumonie, die Sarkoidose oder rheumatische Erkrankungen mit Lungenbeteiligung werden mit inhalativen oder oralen GC behandelt. Bei PatientInnen mit zystischer Fibrose kommt es durch die Malabsorption im Rahmen der Pankreasinsuffizienz, durch Hypogonadismus und chronische Inflammation mit erhöhter Knochenresorption zu einer Abnahme der Knochenstruktur. Nach Lungentransplantation ist die Immunsuppression mit GC ein Risikofaktor.

Die pneumologischen Grunderkrankungen führen zu einer Veränderung der trabekulären und kortikalen Mikroarchitektur des Knochens und zu einer Verminderung von osteologischen Formations- und Resorptionsmarkern. Hyperkapnie, Azidose und Vitamin D‑Mangel können diesen Prozess beschleunigen und somit das individuelle Risiko für osteoporotische Fragilitätsfrakturen erhöhen.

Eine Knochendichtemessung mit einem T‑Score < −2,5 ist ein Schwellenwert zur Diagnose der Osteoporose, die überwiegende Mehrzahl aller osteoporotischen Frakturen tritt bei einem T‑Score von > −2,5 auf. Eine niedrig-traumatische Fraktur in der Anamnese indiziert eine osteologische Therapie.

Neben der Optimierung des Vitamin D‑Spiegels sind sämtliche in Österreich zur Behandlung der Osteoporose zugelassenen antiresorptiv oder anabol wirksamen Medikamente auch bei pneumologischen PatientInnen mit einem erhöhten Knochenbruchrisiko entsprechend der nationalen Erstattungskriterien indiziert.
The assessment of returning to work following treatment and the associated personal, disease, and treatment factors among breast cancer survivors in central China
Authors: Li Min , Gao Jinnan , Li Ming , Wang Linying
Published: June 2021

Purpose

To assess the status of returning to work (RTW) following breast cancer treatment and to explore its associated factors among female patients.

Methods

Four-hundred-forty-two eligible patients admitted in a tertiary hospital since 2012 were followed up in 2018. Information about working status after treatment, date of RTW or reason for not RTW was obtained during a 30-min interview. Patients’ sociodemographic, disease, and treatment characteristics were retrieved from the hospital record. Overall prevalence rate and probability of RTW during the follow-up were estimated using Kaplan–Meier method. Factors associated with RTW were identified using regression analyses.

Results

Three-hundred-ninety-six patients (89.6%) completed the follow-up. The median follow-up was 31 months. Among them, 141 patents (35.6%) RTW of whom 68.1% (n = 96) were back within 12 months after cancer treatment. The reported reasons for not RTW included: prolonged fatigue, low self-esteem, lack of support from family and working unit, or voluntarily quitting. Patients aged under 50 years, being single, having higher level of education, not having extensive axillary node procedure, or without any comorbidities were more likely to RTW.

Conclusion

The rate of RTW after cancer treatment in this cohort was lower than those reported in others. Both personal and treatment factors were associated with RTW.
Quality assessment for site characterization at seismic stations
Authors: Di Giulio Giuseppe , Cultrera Giovanna , Cornou Cécile , Bard Pierre-Yves , Al Tfaily Bilal
Published: June 2021

Many applications related to ground-motion studies and engineering seismology benefit from the opportunity to easily download large dataset of earthquake recordings with different magnitudes. In such applications, it is important to have a reliable seismic characterization of the stations to introduce appropriate correction factors for including site amplification. Generally, seismic networks in Europe describe the site properties of a station through geophysical or geological reports, but often ad-hoc field surveys are missing and the characterization is done using indirect proxy. It is then necessary to evaluate the quality of a seismic characterization, accounting for the available site information, the measurements procedure and the reliability of the applied methods to obtain the site parameters.In this paper, we propose a strategy to evaluate the quality of site characterization, to be included in the station metadata. The idea is that a station with a good site characterization should have a larger ranking with respect to one with poor or incomplete information. The proposed quality metric includes the computation of three indices, which take into account the reliability of the available site indicators, their number and importance, together with their consistency defined through scatter plots for each single pair of indicators. For this purpose, we consider the seven indicators identified as most relevant in a companion paper (Cultrera et al. 2021): fundamental resonance frequency, shear-wave velocity profile, time-averaged shear-wave velocity over the first 30 m, depth of both seismological and engineering bedrock, surface geology and soil class.
Feeling Seen, Being Heard: Perspectives of Patients Suffering from Mental Illness on the Possibility of Physician-Assisted Death in the Netherlands
Authors: Pronk Rosalie , Willems Dick L. , van de Vathorst Suzanne
Published: June 2021

Physician-assisted death (PAD) for patients suffering from a mental illness is allowed in the Netherlands under certain conditions but is a very controversial topic, mainly discussed by ethicists and physicians. The voice of the patient is rarely included in the debate, so we know little about what their views on the topic are. We aim to understand the views of patients with mental illness and wish to die with regard to the possibility of PAD in the Netherlands. The data for this qualitative study were collected through 21 in-depth interviews with Dutch patients who have a wish for PAD as a result of suffering from a mental illness. We identified four themes in relation to the meaning of PAD for the patients suffering from mental illness and wish to die. These themes are (1) Autonomy and self-determination, (2) ending the suffering, (3) recognition, and (4) a dignified end-of-life. The option of PAD for patients suffering from mental illnesses was considered of great importance to the patients who have a wish to die. We highlight the importance of ‘recognition’ for the situation of the patient, as this could lead to new perspective. We argue that psychiatrists need to reflect on providing this recognition in earlier phases of treatment, taking seriously and discussing a wish for PAD in treatment is beneficial to patients. It provides space for the patient to discuss their wishes and could cause them not wanting to die anymore.
Galin Tihanov, The Birth and Death of Literary Theory: Regimes of Relevance in Russia and Beyond. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 2019. 258 pages. $60. Hardcover ISBN: 9,780,804,785,228
Authors: Steiner Lina
Published: June 2021

This review discusses an important recent book by Galin Tihanov, the George Steiner Professor of Comparative Literature, Queen Mary University of London.
Video- und protokollbasierte Reflexionen eigener praktischer Unterrichtserfahrungen im Lehramtsstudium
Authors: Kücholl Denise , Lazarides Rebecca
Published: June 2021

Die Reflexion praktischer Unterrichtserfahrungen ermöglicht es Lehramtsstudierenden theoretische Wissensaspekte und praxisrelevante Erkenntnisse miteinander zu verknüpfen. Die vorliegende Studie untersucht die Bedeutung des Mediums der Reflexion (eigenes Video vs. fremdes Video vs. Protokoll) sowie der Art der reflektierten Unterrichtssituation (positiv vs. herausfordernd) für die Reflexionsprozesse Lehramtsstudierender. Darüber hinaus wird untersucht, auf welchen Ebenen (Basal‑, Sicht- und Tiefenstrukturen) das Unterrichtsgeschehen reflektiert wird. Datengrundlage der quasi-experimentellen Studie sind Unterrichtsreflexionen von 55 Lehramtsstudierenden, die inhaltsanalytisch ausgewertet wurden. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Lehramtsstudierende die Tiefenstrukturen des Unterrichts reflektieren, wenn die Reflexion von Situationen, die als positiv erlebt wurden, anhand fremder Unterrichtsvideos geschieht. Bei der Reflexion von herausfordernden Unterrichtssituationen werden Tiefenstrukturen sowohl anhand von fremden Videos als auch anhand von Protokollen reflektiert. Die Implikationen der Ergebnisse für die Lehrkräftebildung werden im Hinblick auf die Reflexion von Unterrichtspraxis diskutiert.
Post-operative Anemia After Major Surgery: a Brief Review
Authors: Kalra Smita K. , Thilagar Bright , Khambaty Maleka , Manjarrez Efren
Published: June 2021

Purpose of Review

Anemia is a very common complication in the post-operative period. Post-operative anemia is associated with poor outcomes including but not limited to infections, increased length of stay, circulatory overload, and mortality. The strategy of patient blood management focuses on three pillars that include the detection and treatment of pre-operative anemia; reduction of peri-operative blood loss; and harnessing and optimizing the patient-specific physiological reserve of anemia.

Recent Findings

Multiple studies in surgical patients have been conducted to study various methods of management of post-operative anemia. Recent advances in surgical techniques have also been studied to minimize blood loss. There is a widespread consensus on the use of intravenous iron in hospitalized post-operative patients after major surgery.

We discuss the most common causes of post-operative anemia and management focusing on measures to reduce blood loss and measures to increase red blood cell (RBC) mass. In this brief review, we present updates from the most relevant articles in the past 5 years and include updates from the 2018 international consensus statement on the management of post-operative anemia after major surgical procedures.
Prevalence of mood, panic and eating disorders in obese patients referred to bariatric surgery: patterns of comorbidity and relationship with body mass index
Authors: Barbuti Margherita , Brancati Giulio E. , Calderone Alba , Fierabracci Paola , Salvetti Guido , Weiss Francesco , Carignani Giulia , Santini Ferruccio , Perugi Giulio
Published: June 2021

Purpose

We aimed at investigating the lifetime prevalence of mood, eating and panic disorders in a large sample of obese patients referred to bariatric surgery. We also explored the patterns of psychiatric comorbidity and their relationship with Body Mass Index (BMI).

Methods

The sample was composed of patients consecutively referred for pre-surgical evaluation to the Obesity Center of Pisa University Hospital between January 2004 and November 2016. Clinical charts were retrieved and examined to obtain sociodemographic information, anthropometric variables and lifetime psychiatric diagnoses according to DSM-IV criteria.

Results

A total of 871 patients were included in the study; 72% were females, and most patients had BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2 (81%). Overall, 55% of the patients were diagnosed with at least one lifetime psychiatric disorder. Binge eating disorder (27.6%), major depressive disorder (16%), bipolar disorder type 2 (15.5%), and panic disorder (16%) were the most common psychiatric diagnoses. Mood disorders showed associations with panic disorder (OR = 2.75, 95% CI = 1.90–3.99, χ2 = 41.85, p = 0.000) and eating disorders (OR = 2.17, 95% CI 1.64–2.88, χ2 = 55.54, p = 0.000). BMI was lower in patients with major depressive disorder (44.9 ± 7.89) than in subjects without mood disorders (46.75 ± 7.99, padj = 0.017).

Conclusion

Bariatric patients show high rates of psychiatric disorders, especially binge eating and mood disorders. Longitudinal studies are needed to explore the possible influence of such comorbidities on the long-term outcome after bariatric surgery.

Level of evidence

V, cross sectional descriptive study.
ST-V-Net: incorporating shape prior into convolutional neural networks for proximal femur segmentation
Authors: Zhao Chen , Keyak Joyce H. , Tang Jinshan , Kaneko Tadashi S. , Khosla Sundeep , Amin Shreyasee , Atkinson Elizabeth J. , Zhao Lan-Juan , Serou Michael J. , Zhang Chaoyang , Shen Hui , Deng Hong-Wen , Zhou Weihua
Published: June 2021

We aim to develop a deep-learning-based method for automatic proximal femur segmentation in quantitative computed tomography (QCT) images. We proposed a spatial transformation V-Net (ST-V-Net), which contains a V-Net and a spatial transform network (STN) to extract the proximal femur from QCT images. The STN incorporates a shape prior into the segmentation network as a constraint and guidance for model training, which improves model performance and accelerates model convergence. Meanwhile, a multi-stage training strategy is adopted to fine-tune the weights of the ST-V-Net. We performed experiments using a QCT dataset which included 397 QCT subjects. During the experiments for the entire cohort and then for male and female subjects separately, 90% of the subjects were used in ten-fold stratified cross-validation for training and the rest of the subjects were used to evaluate the performance of models. In the entire cohort, the proposed model achieved a Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) of 0.9888, a sensitivity of 0.9966 and a specificity of 0.9988. Compared with V-Net, the Hausdorff distance was reduced from 9.144 to 5.917 mm, and the average surface distance was reduced from 0.012 to 0.009 mm using the proposed ST-V-Net. Quantitative evaluation demonstrated excellent performance of the proposed ST-V-Net for automatic proximal femur segmentation in QCT images. In addition, the proposed ST-V-Net sheds light on incorporating shape prior to segmentation to further improve the model performance.
Quantitative analysis of trade networks: data and robustness
Authors: Sajedianfard Najmeh , Hadian Ebrahim , Samadi Ali Hussain , Dehghan Shabani Zahra , Sarkar Somwrita , Robinson P. A.
Published: June 2021

A common issue in trade network analysis is missing data, as some countries do not report trade flows. This paper explores what constitutes suitable data, how to deal with missing data, and demonstrates the results using key network measures. All-to-all potential connectivity of trade between countries is considered as a starting point, in contrast to the common approach of analyzing trade networks using only the countries that actually report trade flows. In order to fill the gap between the two approaches, a more complete dataset than just the dataset of trade between reporting countries is reconstructed and the robustness of studying this bigger dataset is examined. The difference between imputed and actual network adjacency matrices is evaluated based on several centrality measures. The results are illustrated using ten commodity groups from the United Nations Database, which demonstrate that under the proposed reconstruction procedure the ranks of the countries do not change significantly as the size of the imputed network becomes bigger or smaller. Further, the degree distributions of networks based on reporting countries and trading partners are the same to within their uncertainties. So, it is robust to study the imputed bigger network that provides richer insights into trade relations, particularly for nonreporting countries.
Mental and Sexual Health of Polish Women of Reproductive Age During the COVID-19 Pandemic – An Online Survey
Authors: Szuster Ewa , Kostrzewska Paulina , Pawlikowska Anna , Mandera Amanda , Biernikiewicz Małgorzata , Kałka Dariusz
Published: June 2021

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic can cause emotional distress, which can in turn lead to the development of mental and physical symptoms.

Aim

We examined the association of the COVID-19 outbreak and the mental, physical and sexual health of the female Polish population.

Methods

Data were collected in an online survey distributed on social media from April 22, 2020 through to May 7, 2020. The data collection began one month after the start of lockdown in Poland.

Main Outcome Measure

Women were asked to complete the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaires.

Results

Overall, 1644 women (median age 23 years) took part in the survey. They reported a lower frequency of sexual activity (P < .001) and a lower libido level (P < .001) during the pandemic then before it. 57.5% of the study group (n = 944) strongly agreed or agreed that fear of the health condition of loved ones was a source of stress and depressed mood. The average BDI-II total score was 11 (range 0-51; IQR 5-18), which corresponds to minimal depression. The average FSFI total score was 27.01 ± 7.61 (range 2-36). The FSFI and BDI scores were significantly correlated (P < .001). The FSFI score was significantly correlated with the presence of any comorbid chronic disease, the intensity of the fear of infection and fear of health conditions, perceived loneliness, and the being up to date with media news. The BDI score was significantly correlated with age, the intensity of the fear of infection and fear of health conditions, perceived loneliness, being up to date with media news, and the more frequent use of stimulants.

Conclusions

The COVID-19 lockdown setting was associated with a high occurrence of depressive symptoms and increased risk of sexual dysfunction with decreased libido and lower sexual frequency the most commonly reported issues.
Causation
Authors: Fenton-Glynn Luke
Published: June 2021

This Element provides an accessible introduction to the contemporary philosophy of causation. It introduces the reader to central concepts and distinctions (type vs token causation, probabilistic vs deterministic causation, difference-making, interventions, overdetermination, pre-emption) and to key tools (structural equations, graphs, probabilistic causal models) drawn upon in the contemporary debate. The aim is to fuel the reader's interest in causation, and to equip them with the resources to contribute to the debate themselves. The discussion is historically informed and outward-looking. 'Historically informed' in that concise accounts of key historical contributions to the understanding of causation set the stage for an examination of the latest research. 'Outward looking' in that illustrations are provided of how the philosophy of causation relates to issues in the sciences, law, and elsewhere. The aim is to show why the study of causation is of critical importance, besides being fascinating in its own right.
Epistemic Obligations of the Laity
Authors: Millar Boyd
Published: June 2021

Very often when the vast majority of experts agree on some scientific issue, laypeople nonetheless regularly consume articles, videos, lectures, etc., the principal claims of which are inconsistent with the expert consensus. Moreover, it is standardly assumed that it is entirely appropriate, and perhaps even obligatory, for laypeople to consume such anti-consensus material. I maintain that this standard assumption gets things backwards. Each of us is particularly vulnerable to false claims when we are not experts on some topic – such falsehoods have systematic negative impacts on our doxastic attitudes that we can neither prevent nor correct. So, when there is clear expert consensus on a given scientific issue, while it is permissible for experts to consume anti-consensus material, laypeople have an epistemic obligation to avoid such material. This argument has important consequences for philosophical discussions of our epistemic obligations to perform or omit belief-influencing actions. Such discussions typically abstract away from the important differences between experts and laypeople. Accordingly, we should reject this typical practice as problematic, and insist instead that laypeople and experts have fundamentally different epistemic obligations.
Parrondo's paradox for homoeomorphisms
Authors: Gasull A. , Hernández-Corbato L. , Ruiz del Portal F. R.
Published: June 2021

We construct two planar homoeomorphisms $f$ and $g$ for which the origin is a globally asymptotically stable fixed point whereas for $f \circ g$ and $g \circ f$ the origin is a global repeller. Furthermore, the origin remains a global repeller for the iterated function system generated by $f$ and $g$ where each of the maps appears with a certain probability. This planar construction is also extended to any dimension $>$2 and proves for first time the appearance of the dynamical Parrondo's paradox in odd dimensions.
Dual exponential polynomials and a problem of Ozawa
Authors: Heittokangas Janne , Ishizaki Katsuya , Tohge Kazuya , Wen Zhi-Tao
Published: June 2021

Complex linear differential equations with entire coefficients are studied in the situation where one of the coefficients is an exponential polynomial and dominates the growth of all the other coefficients. If such an equation has an exponential polynomial solution $f$, then the order of $f$ and of the dominant coefficient are equal, and the two functions possess a certain duality property. The results presented in this paper improve earlier results by some of the present authors, and the paper adjoins with two open problems.
Toponyms on the ice: The symbolic and iconographical role of Antarctic research base names
Authors: Lindsay Neil , Yoon Hong-Key
Published: June 2021

Place names serve a symbolic function in enforcing colonial power over landscapes. Within colonial locales, place names reproduce and reflect the ideological goals of settlers to reinforce or claim space for an individual, group or nation. One toponymically understudied colonial region where place names play a prominent role is the Antarctic, where the names of research bases promote the cultural power of settler nations to symbolically claim the continental landscape. As Antarctica is a geopolitically contested space, Antarctic research base names serve as an ideological purpose in reinforcing claims to the Antarctic, contrasting the ostensibly scientific purpose of research bases. This paper examines Antarctic research base names by categorising and interpreting their naming sources through a critical toponymic lens. This paper discusses general Antarctic naming trends and establishes possible reasons and outcomes of their employment, using three primary arguments: (1) Antarctic research base names are often nationalistic and reflect the implicit geopolitical goals of settler nations, (2) Antarctic research base names reflect and reproduce ongoing polar colonialism and (3) contestation over the naming of Antarctic research bases exemplifies the iconographical and cultural conflict between Antarctic nations. This paper seeks to provoke a future toponymic investigation into Antarctica and study Antarctic cultural landscapes more generally.
Dynamic modeling and power optimization of a 4R

P

SP+PS parallel flight simulator machine
Authors: Zarkandi Soheil
Published: June 2021

Reducing consumed power of a robotic machine has an essential role in enhancing its energy efficiency and must be considered during its design process. This paper deals with dynamic modeling and power optimization of a four-degrees-of-freedom flight simulator machine. Simulator cabin of the machine has yaw, pitch, roll and heave motions produced by a 4RPSP+PS parallel manipulator (PM). Using the Euler–Lagrange method, a closed-form dynamic equation is derived for the 4RPSP+PS PM, and its power consumption is computed on the entire workspace. Then, a newly introduced optimization algorithm called multiobjective golden eagle optimizer is utilized to establish a Pareto front of optimal designs of the manipulator having a relatively larger workspace and lower power consumption. The results are verified through numerical examples.
LEXICAL COMPETENCE UNDERLYING SECOND LANGUAGE WORD ASSOCIATION TASKS
Authors: Eguchi Masaki , Suzuki Shungo , Suzuki Yuichi
Published: June 2021

This study investigated the constructs underlying second language (L2) word association (WA) with regard to three dimensions of lexical competence—size, organization, and accessibility—and the lexical performance of speech. One-hundred and thirteen Japanese learners of English completed a computer-delivered oral WA task along with three vocabulary tasks: a form-recall gap-filling task (size), a primed lexical decision task (organization and accessibility), and an oral cartoon narrative (lexical richness). Regression analyses explored how well these lexical competence and performance scores predicted two WA outcome variables: response profiles and response times. Form-recall vocabulary knowledge, (collocational) priming, and lexical richness explained a large amount of variance in WA response type profiles (Nagelkerke’s pseudo R2 = .901). Form-recall vocabulary knowledge and lexical decision time explained 28.5% of the variance of WA response times. A three-stage model of L2 WA task performance is proposed to account for the constructs underlying WA performance.
Characteristics of systematic reviews evaluating treatments for COVID-19 registered in PROSPERO
Authors: Zhang Ruinian , Gao Ya , Xie Dairong , Lian Rongna , Tian Jinhui
Published: June 2021

Characteristics and research collaboration of registered systematic reviews (SRs) on treatment modalities for coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) remain unclear. This study analysed research collaboration, interventions and outcome measures in registered SRs on COVID-19 treatments and pointed out the relevant problems. PROSPERO (international prospective register of systematic reviews) was searched for SRs on COVID-19 treatments as of 2 June 2020. Excel 2016 was used for descriptive analyses of the extracted data. VOSviewer 1.6.14 software was used to generate network maps for collaborations between countries and institutions. A total of 189 SRs were included, which were registered by 301 institutions from 39 countries. China (69, 36.50%) exhibited the highest output. Cooperation between countries was not close enough. As an institution, the Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (7, 3.70%) had the highest output. There was close cooperation between institutions. Interventions included antiviral therapy (81, 42.86%), respiratory support (16, 8.47%), circulatory support (11, 5.82%), plasma therapy for convalescent patients (11, 5.82%), immunotherapy (9, 4.76%), TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) treatment (9, 4.76%), rehabilitation treatment (5, 2.65%), anti-inflammatory treatment (16, 8.47%) and other treatments (31, 16.40%). Concerning antiviral therapy (81, 42.86%), the most commonly used antiviral agents were chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine (26, 13.76%), followed by remdesivir (12, 6.35%), lobinavir/ritonavir (11, 5.82%), favipiravir (5, 2.65%), ribavirin (5, 2.65%), interferon (5, 2.65%), abiron (4, 2.12%) and abidor (4, 2.12%). The most frequently used primary and secondary outcomes were the mortality rate (92, 48.68%) and hospital stay length (48, 25.40%), respectively. The expression of the outcomes was not standardised. Many COVID-19 SRs on treatment modalities have been registered, with a low completion rate. Although there was some collaboration between countries and institutions in the currently registered SRs on treatment modalities for COVID-19 on PROSPERO, cooperation between countries should be further enhanced. More attention should be directed towards identifying deficiencies of outcome measures, and the standardisation of results should be maximised.
Performance Validity and Outcome of Cognitive Behavior Therapy in Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Authors: Roor Jeroen J. , Dandachi-FitzGerald Brechje , Peters Maarten J.V. , Knoop Hans , Ponds Rudolf W.H.M.
Published: June 2021

Objective:

There is limited research examining the impact of the validity of cognitive test performance on treatment outcome. All known studies to date have operationalized performance validity dichotomously, leading to the loss of predictive information. Using the range of scores on a performance validity test (PVT), we hypothesized that lower performance at baseline was related to a worse treatment outcome following cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and to lower adherence to treatment.

Method:

Archival data of 1081 outpatients treated with CBT for CFS were used in this study. At baseline, all patients were assessed with a PVT, the Amsterdam Short-Term Memory test (ASTM). Questionnaires assessing fatigue, physical disabilities, psychological distress, and level of functional impairment were administered before and after CBT.

Results:

Our main hypothesis was not confirmed: the total ASTM score was not significantly associated with outcomes at follow-up. However, patients with a missing follow-up assessment had a lower ASTM performance at baseline, reported higher levels of physical limitations, and completed fewer therapy sessions.

Conclusions:

CFS patients who scored low on the ASTM during baseline assessment are more likely to complete fewer therapy sessions and not to complete follow-up assessment, indicative of limited adherence to treatment. However, if these patients were retained in the intervention, their response to CBT for CFS was comparable with subjects who score high on the ASTM. This finding calls for more research to better understand the impact of performance validity on engagement with treatment and outcomes.
Validation of the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS) in the Russian Population
Authors: Evdoshenko Evgeniy , Laskova Kristina , Shumilina Maria , Nekrashevich Ekaterina , Andreeva Maria , Neofidov Nikolay , Kalinin Ivan , Nikitchenko Daria , Rogozina Anna , Kupaeva Alina , Bulanov Ilya , Bakirtzis Christos , Grigoriadis Nicolaos , Khachanova Natalia , Davydovskaya Maria , Makshakov Gleb
Published: June 2021

Objective:

Cognitive dysfunction is common in multiple sclerosis (MS). The Brief International Cognitive Assessment for MS (BICAMS) battery of tests has been suggested as a measure for the evaluation of the cognitive status of MS patients. This study aims to validate the BICAMS battery in the Russian population of MS patients.

Methods:

Age- and sex-matched MS patients (n = 98) and healthy individuals (n = 86) were included in the study. Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), California Verbal Learning Test, 2nd edition (CVLT-II) and the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test – Revised (BVMT-R) were administered to all participants. The battery was readministered 1 month later to 44 MS patients to investigate the test–retest reliability.

Results:

MS patients exhibited a significantly lower performance in testing with BICAMS than the control group in all three neuropsychological tests. Test–retest reliability was good for SDMT and CVLT-II (r = .82 and r = .85, respectively) and adequate for BVMT-R (r = .70). Based on the proposed criterion for impairment as z score below 1.5 SD the mean of the control group, we found that 34/98 (35%) of MS patients were found impaired at least in one cognitive domain. Patients with Expanded Disability Status Scale score ≥3.5 performed significantly worse than controls (SDMT, p < .0001; CVLT–II, p = .03; BVMT-R, p = .0004), while those with ≤3.0 scores did not.

Conclusion:

This study demonstrates that the BICAMS battery is a valid instrument to identify cognitive impairment in MS patients and it can be recommended for routine use in the Russian Federation.
Pulling Together – The Protective Role of Belongingness for Depression, Suicidal Ideation and Behavior Among Suicide-Bereaved Individuals
Authors: Levi-Belz Yossi , Feigelman William
Published: June 2021

Abstract. Background: While belongingness has frequently been investigated in the general population as an antidote to experiencing depression, suicidal thoughts, and suicidal behavior, it has rarely been evaluated as a protective factor among individuals bereaved by suicide. Aims: We examined whether perceived belongingness could moderate the differences between suicide-bereaved, suicide-exposed, and nonexposed respondents regarding depression, suicide ideation, and suicide attempts. Method: We conducted an online survey of the adult Israeli population ( N = 806), with 203 suicide-bereaved, 266 suicide-exposed, and 377 nonexposed respondents. Participants completed several questionnaires tapping depression and suicidality as well as perceived belongingness levels. Results: Individuals bereaved by suicide reported the highest levels of depression, suicide ideation, and suicide attempts in comparison with suicide-exposed and nonexposed individuals. However, belongingness was found to moderate these distinctions concerning suicide ideation and suicide attempts. Limitations: Belongingness was assessed by only a single question, and the online survey suffered from a relatively high nonresponse rate. Conclusion: Our results suggest that belongingness may act as a potent antidote to the adverse mental health consequences among individuals bereaved by suicide. Clinicians should accord adequate attention to fostering social connectedness among their clients bereaved by suicide.
Cluster Analysis of Submicron Particle Number Size Distributions at the SORPES Station in the Yangtze River Delta of East China
Authors: Chen Liangduo , Qi Ximeng , Nie Wei , Wang Jiaping , Xu Zheng , Wang Tianyi , Liu Yuliang , Shen Yicheng , Xu Zhengning , Kokkonen Tom V. , Chi Xuguang , Aalto Pasi P. , Paasonen Pauli , Kerminen Veli‐Matti , Petäjä Tuukka , Kulmala Markku , Ding Aijun
Published: June 2021

Submicron particles in polluted regions have received much attention because of their influences on human health and climate. A k‐means clustering technique was performed on a data set of particle number size distributions (PNSD) that was obtained over more than 3 years in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region of East China. With simultaneous measurements of meteorological conditions, trace gases and aerosol compositions, seven clusters were categorized and interpreted. Cluster 1 and cluster 2, which accounted for 9.9% of the total PNSD data, were attributed to new particle formation (NPF) and vehicle exhaust emissions with different intensities; Cluster 3 and Cluster 4, which accounted for 10.5% of the total PNSD data, were related to the growth of nucleation mode particles; Cluster 5, which accounted for 37.9% of the total data, was attributed to the humid YRD background; and Cluster 6 and Cluster 7, which accounted for 41.6% of the total data set, were both pollution‐related clusters with similar mass concentrations but completely different PNSD. Although the PM2.5 mass concentrations were somewhat similar, the particle number concentrations of the accumulation mode particles could vary by more than one order of magnitude from the urban background cluster to the pollution‐related clusters. The cluster proximity diagram and conversion flow chart of clusters clearly show the influence of NPF and growth on haze, as well as the conversion between background and polluted conditions. This study highlights the importance of PNSD for understanding urban air quality and recommends the clustering technique for analyzing complex PNSD datasets.
Indian Cities Prepare for Floods with Predictive Technology
Authors: Padmanaban Deepa
Published: June 2021

The number and intensity of floods are increasing—they can inundate neighborhoods in Chennai in just 15 minutes. New models can pinpoint and help warn vulnerable areas hours or even days in advance.
Magnetic Reconnection in a Sheared Magnetic Flux Tube: Slippage Versus Tearing
Authors: Kuniyoshi Hidetaka , Hesse Michael , Norgren Cecilia , Tenfjord Paul , Kwagala Norah Kaggwa
Published: June 2021

The process of magnetic reconnection in a flux tube can occur in a time‐stationary fashion as slippage reconnection or in a time‐dependent manner based on, for example, the tearing instability. However, it is not well known under which conditions a system can sustain slippage reconnection. Likewise, it is unclear whether systems can exhibit slippage reconnection and time‐dependent reconnection simultaneously. In order to investigate these questions, we employ a set of 3D magnetohydrodynamic simulation. Using these simulations, we model a twisted flux tube with a spatially localized resistive region in the center of the simulation box, and an applied driver on one end plane of the simulation box. As a result, the Poynting flux injected at the boundary propagates to the resistive region and dissipates there. If the driver is nearly circular, we find a predominance of slippage reconnection, which decouples the applied driver entirely from one half of the flux tube. Second, a tearing‐like instability occurs with slippage reconnection in the resistive region when the resistivity is strong enough and the cross section of the flux tube, as defined by the shape of the applied velocity perturbation, is elliptical enough. In this case we find the surprising feature that magnetic field perturbation generated by the tearing‐like instability radiates away from the resistive region to influence the entire flux tube shape.
In-situ diagnostic of femtosecond laser probe pulses for high resolution ultrafast imaging
Authors: Xie Chen , Meyer Remi , Froehly Luc , Giust Remo , Courvoisier Francois
Published: June 2021

Ultrafast imaging is essential in physics and chemistry to investigate the femtosecond dynamics of nonuniform samples or of phenomena with strong spatial variations. It relies on observing the phenomena induced by an ultrashort laser pump pulse using an ultrashort probe pulse at a later time. Recent years have seen the emergence of very successful ultrafast imaging techniques of single non-reproducible events with extremely high frame rate, based on wavelength or spatial frequency encoding. However, further progress in ultrafast imaging towards high spatial resolution is hampered by the lack of characterization of weak probe beams. For pump–probe experiments realized within solids or liquids, because of the difference in group velocities between pump and probe, the determination of the absolute pump–probe delay depends on the sample position. In addition, pulse-front tilt is a widespread issue, unacceptable for ultrafast imaging, but which is conventionally very difficult to evaluate for the low-intensity probe pulses. Here we show that a pump-induced micro-grating generated from the electronic Kerr effect provides a detailed in-situ characterization of a weak probe pulse. It allows solving the two issues of absolute pump–probe delay determination and pulse-front tilt detection. Our approach is valid whatever the transparent medium with non-negligible Kerr index, whatever the probe pulse polarization and wavelength. Because it is nondestructive and fast to perform, this in-situ probe diagnostic can be repeated to calibrate experimental conditions, particularly in the case where complex wavelength, spatial frequency or polarization encoding is used. We anticipate that this technique will enable previously inaccessible spatiotemporal imaging in a number of fields of ultrafast science at the micro- and nanoscale.
Operando monitoring transition dynamics of responsive polymer using optofluidic microcavities
Authors: Yang Da-Quan , Chen Jin-hui , Cao Qi-Tao , Duan Bing , Chen Hao-Jing , Yu Xiao-Chong , Xiao Yun-Feng
Published: June 2021

Optical microcavities have become an attractive platform for precision measurement with merits of ultrahigh sensitivity, miniature footprint and fast response. Despite the achievements of ultrasensitive detection, optical microcavities still face significant challenges in the measurement of biochemical and physical processes with complex dynamics, especially when multiple effects are present. Here we demonstrate operando monitoring of the transition dynamics of a phase-change material via a self-referencing optofluidic microcavity. We use a pair of cavity modes to precisely decouple the refractive index and temperature information of the analyte during the phase-transition process. Through real-time measurements, we reveal the detailed hysteresis behaviors of refractive index during the irreversible phase transitions between hydrophilic and hydrophobic states. We further extract the phase-transition threshold by analyzing the steady-state refractive index change at various power levels. Our technology could be further extended to other materials and provide great opportunities for exploring on-demand dynamic biochemical processes.