bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The relations between discrimination, stressful life events, and substance use among adults experiencing homelessness
Authors: Alexander Adam C. , Waring Joseph J. C. , Olurotimi Oluwakemi , Kurien Jasmin , Noble Bishop , Businelle Michael S. , Ra Chaelin K. , Ehlke Sarah J. , Boozary Laili K. , Cohn Amy M. , Kendzor Darla E.
Published: June 2021

The current study investigated whether stressful life events and everyday discrimination experiences were associated with using one or more substances in the past 30‐days and substance use disorder (SUD) among adults experiencing homelessness. We obtained survey data from adults (N = 501) seeking services at a day shelter. Participants self‐reported whether they used cigarettes, other tobacco products, cannabis, alcohol, opioids, amphetamine, and cocaine/crack in the past 30‐days, and the total number of substances used were also calculated. We measured stressful life events and everyday discrimination using validated scales. We used multivariable logistic and negative binomial regression analyses to evaluate hypothesised associations. Results indicated that reporting a higher number of stressful life events was associated with past 30‐days cannabis, tobacco, alcohol, and other substance use, screening positive for a SUD, and using a greater number of substances in the past 30 days. After accounting for stressful life events, everyday discrimination was associated with only past 30‐days cannabis use. Overall, we found that reporting stressful life events was related to current substance use and screening positive for a SUD. Findings suggest that life stressors, and discrimination to a lesser extent, were associated with substance use and SUD among adults experiencing homelessness.
Software effort estimation accuracy prediction of machine learning techniques: A systematic performance evaluation
Authors: Mahmood Yasir , Kama Nazri , Azmi Azri , Khan Ahmad Salman , Ali Mazlan
Published: June 2021

Software effort estimation accuracy is a key factor in effective planning, controlling, and delivering a successful software project within budget and schedule. The overestimation and underestimation both are the key challenges for future software development, henceforth there is a continuous need for accuracy in software effort estimation. The researchers and practitioners are striving to identify which machine learning estimation technique gives more accurate results based on evaluation measures, datasets and other relevant attributes. The authors of related research are generally not aware of previously published results of machine learning effort estimation techniques. The main aim of this study is to assist the researchers to know which machine learning technique yields the promising effort estimation accuracy prediction in software development. In this article, the performance of the machine learning ensemble and solo techniques are investigated on publicly and non‐publicly domain datasets based on the two most commonly used accuracy evaluation metrics. We used the systematic literature review methodology proposed by Kitchenham and Charters. This includes searching for the most relevant papers, applying quality assessment (QA) criteria, extracting data, and drawing results. We have evaluated a state‐of‐the‐art accuracy performance of 35 selected studies (17 ensemble, 18 solo) using mean magnitude of relative error and PRED (25) as a set of reliable accuracy metrics for performance evaluation of accuracy among two techniques to report the research questions stated in this study. We found that machine learning techniques are the most frequently implemented in the construction of ensemble effort estimation (EEE) techniques. The results of this study revealed that the EEE techniques usually yield a promising estimation accuracy than the solo techniques.
First pan‐trionychid turtle (Testudines, Pan‐Trionychidae) from the Palaeogene of Africa
Authors: Georgalis Georgios L.
Published: June 2021

Pan‐trionychids (soft‐shelled turtles) are known from the Neogene and Quaternary fossil record of Africa. They have so far been totally absent in Palaeogene localities of the continent although they are commonly found in Palaeogene localities across Europe, North America, and Australasia; as such, their absence from the Palaeogene of Africa has been envisaged to be genuine. Here, I describe a large costal from the Eocene of Mali, which documents for the first time the presence of pan‐trionychid turtles in the Palaeogene of the then isolated Afro‐Arabia. The affinities of the new Malian pan‐trionychid with Neogene and Quaternary forms from Africa are discussed, as well as its biogeographic origins and potential dispersal scenarios from other landmasses to Afro‐Arabia during the Palaeogene.
Vergleich der statischen Festigkeit von Lichtbogen‐ und Laserschweißverbindungen: Anwendungen aus unlegiertem Baustahl am I‐Stoß und T‐Stoß im Dünnblechbereich
Authors: Geiger Martin , Twiehaus Thorsten , Klingschat Sven , Geffers Christoph
Published: June 2021

Im Rahmen der Untersuchungen wird ein Vergleich von Lichtbogenschweißverbindungen und Laserschweißverbindungen hinsichtlich ihrer statischen Festigkeiten erfolgen. Um einen praxisrelevanten Vergleich zu ermöglichen, werden die beiden Verfahren und deren Einfluss auf die Art der Ausführung der Verbindung berücksichtigt. Dies lässt sich am Beispiel der Kehlnaht erläutern. Während beim Lichtbogenschweißen Kehlnähte über ihr a‐Maß charakterisiert werden, wird beim Laserschweißen ohne Zusatzwerkstoff verfahrensbedingt ein Vollanschluss zwischen Steg‐ und Gurtblech angestrebt. Ziel der Untersuchung ist, die verfahrensbedingt unterschiedlich ausgeführten Verbindungen hinsichtlich der erreichbaren statischen Festigkeiten zu untersuchen und die Ergebnisse gegenüberzustellen. Für Blechdicken < 6 mm erreichen alle Proben eine vergleichbare Festigkeit. Bei den einseitig lasergeschweißten 6‐mm‐Kehlnähten ist aufgrund der fehlenden Vollanbindung das Versagen in der Schweißnaht eingetreten.
Assessment of corroded prestressed and posttensioned concrete structures: A review
Authors: Vereecken Eline , Botte Wouter , Lombaert Geert , Caspeele Robby
Published: June 2021

Prestressed structures are commonly used all over the world. They might be subjected to degradation, such as corrosion of the prestressing steel. This can influence the resistance of these structures and induce early failure. Hence, prediction of the corrosion level is important in the assessment of existing prestressed structures. For this purpose, the corrosion process and the accompanying influences on the structure should be modeled. For reinforced concrete (RC) structures, a lot of research and guidelines are available to model the corrosion process. Nevertheless, this corrosion process might differ for prestressed structures, due to the different structural composition, the different geometry of the strands or tendons compared with reinforcement bars, the presence of the prestress, and so on. Moreover, for posttensioned structures, initiation and propagation of corrosion are even more different from corrosion in RC structures, due to the location of the steel in ducts and the lack of direct contact with the surrounding concrete. In this paper, a state‐of‐the‐art on the assessment of prestressed and posttensioned structures subjected to corrosion is given based on a literature review. Different models for the corrosion process and their influence on the structure are discussed. Comparison is made between reinforced, prestressed, and posttensioned structures. Furthermore, some assessment procedures are indicated and relevant topics for further research are given.
Recent progress in biomaterials for heart valve replacement: Structure, function, and biomimetic design
Authors: Shao Ziyu , Tao Tingting , Xu Hongfei , Chen Cen , Lee In‐Seop , Chung Sungmin , Dong Zhihui , Li Weidong , Ma Liang , Bai Hao , Chen Qianming
Published: June 2021

Heart diseases caused by structure and function degradation is troubling millions of people all over the world. With the extension of human lifespan, the demand for heart valve replacement is rapidly increasing. However, the currently used prostheses of heart valve in clinic such as mechanical and tissue valves all have serious limitations over long‐term stability after implanting. Therefore, novel artificial heart valves with outstanding durability and low degradation risk are still in great demands, despite of numerous studies in the literature. The sophisticated, multiscale structure of native heart valve is believed to be the key to its mechanical and biological durability during long‐term cyclic motion. In this review, we discussed the complex structure of the native heart valve as well as their contributions to the valve's cyclic work. In addition, representative and state of the art studies of biomimetic heart valves inspired by the natural valve are also introduced. Based on these, the structural and functional design of future novel biomimetic heart valves are proposed.
Recent progress on novel current collector electrodes for energy storage devices: Supercapacitors
Authors: Kumar Nitesh , Pradhan Lingaraj , Jena Bikash Kumar
Published: June 2021

Current collectors play a very crucial role in the performance of an energy storage device. Regarding supercapacitors, material design, processing, and current collectors' surface properties can result in substantial variation in energy density, power output, cyclic charge–discharge behavior, and other key performance parameters. Most of the reviews in supercapacitor materials and devices focus on the synthesis, characterization, and electrochemical properties of electrode materials. In the present report, the recent advances in supercapacitor electrodes in conjunction with current collector materials and design are summarized in light of various supercapacitor devices categorized concerning their applications and working mechanisms. It includes the literature documented on multifarious supercapacitors, that is, flow supercapacitors, alternating current line filtering supercapacitors, redox electrolyte‐enhanced supercapacitor, metal ion hybrid supercapacitors, microsupercapacitors, electrochromic supercapacitors, and self‐healing supercapacitors. To the best of authors' knowledge, this is a new and recent summarized report on the development of current collector materials based on intended applications and the working principles of supercapacitors.

This article is categorized under:

Energy and Development > Science and Materials

Energy Research & Innovation > Science and Materials

Energy Systems Analysis > Science and Materials
Forbidden dark matter annihilations into Standard Model particles
Authors: D’Agnolo Raffaele Tito , Liu Di , Ruderman Joshua T. , Wang Po-Jen
Published: June 2021

Abstract

We present kinematically forbidden dark matter annihilations into Standard Model leptons. This mechanism precisely selects the dark matter mass that gives the observed relic abundance. This is qualitatively different from existing models of thermal dark matter, where fixing the relic density typically leaves open orders of magnitude of viable dark matter masses. Forbidden annihilations require the dark matter to be close in mass to the particles that dominate its annihilation rate. We show examples where the dark matter mass is close to the muon mass, the tau mass, or the average of the tau and muon masses. We find that most of the relevant parameter space can be covered by the next generation of proposed beam-dump experiments and future high-luminosity electron positron colliders. Forbidden dark matter predicts large couplings to the Standard Model that can explain the observed value of (g − 2)μ.
Differential gene expression response of synovial fibroblasts from temporomandibular joints and knee joints to dynamic tensile stress
Authors: Nazet Ute , Neubert Patrick , Schatz Valentin , Grässel Susanne , Proff Peter , Jantsch Jonathan , Schröder Agnes , Kirschneck Christian
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Apart from other risk factors, mechanical stress on joints can promote the development of osteoarthritis (OA), which can also affect the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), resulting in cartilage degeneration and synovitis. Synovial fibroblasts (SF) play an important role in upkeeping joint homeostasis and OA pathogenesis, but mechanical stress as a risk factor might act differently depending on the type of joint. We thus investigated the relative impact of mechanical stress on the gene expression pattern of SF from TMJs and knee joints to provide new insights into OA pathogenesis.

Methods

Primary SF isolated from TMJs and knee joints of mice were exposed to mechanical strain of varying magnitudes. Thereafter, the expression of marker genes of the extracellular matrix (ECM), inflammation and bone remodelling were analysed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).

Results

SF from the knee joints showed increased expression of genes associated with ECM remodelling, inflammation and bone remodelling after mechanical loading, whereas TMJ-derived SF showed reduced expression of genes associated with inflammation and bone remodelling. SF from the TMJ differed from knee-derived SF with regard to expression of ECM, inflammatory and osteoclastogenesis-promoting marker genes during mechanical strain.

Conclusions

Osteoarthritis-related ECM remodelling markers experience almost no changes in strain-induced gene expression, whereas inflammation and bone remodelling processes seem to differ depending on synovial fibroblast origin. Our data indicate that risk factors for the development and progression of osteoarthritis such as mechanical overuse have a different pathological impact in the TMJ compared to the knee joint.
An automated system repair framework with signal temporal logic
Authors: Ergurtuna Mert , Yalcinkaya Beyazit , Aydin Gol Ebru
Published: June 2021

We present an automated system repair framework for cyber-physical systems. The proposed framework consists of three main steps: (1) system simulation and fault detection to generate a labeled dataset, (2) identification of the repairable temporal properties leading to the faulty behavior and (3) repairing the system to avoid the occurrence of the cause identified in the second step. We express the cause as a past time signal temporal logic (ptSTL) formula and present an efficient monotonicity-based method to synthesize a ptSTL formula from a labeled dataset. Then, in the third step, we modify the faulty system by removing all behaviors that satisfy the ptSTL formula representing the cause of the fault. We apply the framework to two rich modeling formalisms: discrete-time dynamical systems and timed automata. For both of them, we define repairable formulae, the corresponding repair procedures, and illustrate them over case studies.
Genome Scan for Variable Genes Involved in Environmental Adaptations of Nubian Ibex
Authors: Chebii Vivien J. , Mpolya Emmanuel A. , Oyola Samuel O. , Kotze Antoinette , Entfellner Jean-Baka Domelevo , Mutuku J. Musembi
Published: June 2021

The Nubian ibex (Capra nubiana) is a wild goat species that inhabits the Sahara and Arabian deserts and is adapted to extreme ambient temperatures, intense solar radiation, and scarcity of food and water resources. To investigate desert adaptation, we explored the possible role of copy number variations (CNVs) in the evolution of Capra species with a specific focus on the environment of Capra nubiana. CNVs are structural genomic variations that have been implicated in phenotypic differences between species and could play a role in species adaptation. CNVs were inferred from Capra nubiana sequence data relative to the domestic goat reference genome using read-depth approach. We identified 191 CNVs overlapping with protein-coding genes mainly involved in biological processes such as innate immune response, xenobiotic metabolisms, and energy metabolisms. We found copy number variable genes involved in defense response to viral infections (Cluster of Differentiation 48, UL16 binding protein 3, Natural Killer Group 2D ligand 1-like, and Interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3), possibly suggesting their roles in Nubian ibex adaptations to viral infections. Additionally, we found copy number variable xenobiotic metabolism genes (carboxylesterase 1, Cytochrome P450 2D6, Glutathione S-transferase Mu 4, and UDP Glucuronosyltransferase-2B7), which are probably an adaptation of Nubian ibex to desert diets that are rich in plant secondary metabolites. Collectively, this study's results advance our understanding of CNVs and their possible roles in the adaptation of Nubian ibex to its environment. The copy number variable genes identified in Nubian ibex could be considered as subjects for further functional characterizations.
Real-time surface manipulation with $$C^{1}$$ continuity through simple and efficient physics-based deformations
Authors: Wang Shuangbu , Xiang Nan , Xia Yu , You Lihua , Zhang Jianjun
Published: June 2021

We present a novel but simple physics-based method to interactively manipulate surface shapes of 3D models with $$ C^1 $$

C
1

continuity in real time. A fourth-order partial differential equation involving a sculpting force originating from elastic bending of thin plates is proposed to define physics-based deformations and achieve $$ C^1 $$

C
1

continuity at the boundary of deformation regions. In order to obtain real-time physics-based surface manipulation, we construct a mapping relationship between a deformation region in a 3D coordinate space and a unit circle on a 2D parametric plane, formulate corresponding $$ C^1 $$

C
1

continuous boundary conditions for the unit circle, and obtain a simple analytical solution to describe the physics-based deformation in the unit circle caused by a sculpting force. After that, the obtained physics-based deformation is mapped back to the 3D coordinate space, and added to the original surface to create a new surface shape with $$ C^1 $$

C
1

continuity at the boundary of the deformation region. We also develop an interactive user interface as a plug-in of the 3D modelling software package Maya to achieve real-time surface manipulation. The effectiveness, easiness, real-time performance, and better realism of our proposed method is demonstrated by testing surface deformations on several 3D models and comparing with other methods and ground-truth deformations.
The determinants and longitudinal changes in vitamin D status in middle-age: a Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 study
Authors: Ikonen Helmi , Lumme Johanna , Seppälä Jussi , Pesonen Paula , Piltonen Terhi , Järvelin Marjo-Riitta , Herzig Karl-Heinz , Miettunen Jouko , Niinimäki Maarit , Palaniswamy Saranya , Sebert Sylvain , Ojaniemi Marja
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Populations living in the Nordic countries are at high risk for vitamin D (VitD) deficiency or insufficiency. To reduce the risk, nationwide interventions based on food fortification and supplementation are being implemented. However, there is limited evidence about the impact of such public health campaigns on target populations.

Methods

We studied an unselected sample of 3650 participants (56.2% females) from the longitudinal Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 with repeated measures of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] at ages 31 (1997) and 46 (2012–2013). Timepoints corresponded to the period before and during the food fortification. We examined the effect of VitD intake from the diet and supplementation, body mass index and previous 25(OH)D concentration on 25(OH)D concentration at 46 years using a multivariable linear regression analysis. A 25(OH)D z score adjusted for sex, season, latitude and technical effect was used in the analysis.

Results

We observed an increase of 10.6 nmol/L in 25(OH)D, when the baseline 25(OH)D was 54.3 nmol/L. The prevalence of serum 25(OH)D below < 50 nmol/L was halved. The changes were found for both sexes and were more pronounced in winter compared to summer months. Regular VitD supplementation had a significant positive effect on 25(OH)D at the age of 46, as well as had the dietary intake of fortified dairy products and fish, and the previous 25(OH)D concentration. However, the intake of fat-spreads albeit VitD-fortified, did not predict 25(OH)D.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrated the positive impact of the fortification programme on VitD status in middle-aged population.
Complements or substitutes? Associations between volumes of care provided in the community and hospitals
Authors: Lau Yiu-Shing , Malisauskaite Gintare , Brookes Nadia , Hussein Shereen , Sutton Matt
Published: June 2021

Policymakers often suggest that expansion of care in community settings may ease increasing pressures on hospital services. Substitution may lower overall health system costs, but complementarity due to previously unidentified needs might raise them. We used new national data on community and primary medical care services in England to undertake system-level analyses of whether activity in the community acts as a complement or a substitute for activity provided in hospitals. We used two-way fixed effects regression to relate monthly counts of community care and primary medical care contacts to emergency department attendances, outpatient visits and admissions for 242 hospitals between November 2017 and September 2019. We then used national unit costs to estimate the effects of increasing community activity on overall system expenditure. The findings show community care contacts to be weak substitutes with all types of hospital activity and primary care contacts are weak substitutes for emergency hospital attendances and admissions. Our estimates ranged from 28 [95% CI 21, 45] to 517 [95% CI 291, 7265] community care contacts and from 34 [95% CI 17, 1283] to 1655 [95% CI − 1995, 70,145] GP appointments to reduce one hospital service visit. Primary care and planned hospital services are complements. Increases in community services and primary care activity are both associated with increased overall system expenditure of £34 [95% CI £156, £54] per visit for community care and £41 [95% CI £78, £74] per appointment in general practice. Expansion of community-based services may not generate reductions in hospital activity and expenditure.
Polysaccharide films modified by compounds of natural origin and silver having potential medical applications
Authors: Antosik Adrian Krzysztof , Miądlicki Piotr , Wilpiszewska Katarzyna , Markowska-Szczupak Agata , Koren Zvi C. , Wróblewska Agnieszka
Published: June 2021

In the first stage, seven polysaccharide films were prepared with varying compositions of starch, carboxymethyl starch (CMS), and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), together with glycerol and citric acid. From these samples, the most suitable film for possible future applications in medicine in the form of patches was selected based on tensile strength tests, solubility in water, moisture sorption, swelling, and wetting angle. This film (labelled as “V”) contained (in wt%) CMS (2.5), CMC (2.5), citric acid (3), and glycerol (3). In the second stage, the selected film was used for further applications by individually introducing into it appropriate additives with known antimicrobial activity. These additives consisted of terpene compounds of natural origin (α-pinene, menthol, and eugenol) as well as colloidal silver. These four films were then studied to determine the influence of the appropriate additive on moisture absorption, solubility in water, swelling, and antimicrobial activity. The results of the microbiological tests confirmed the antimicrobial activities, and also the anti-infective and regenerative effect of these films. In general, the films containing terpenes showed comparable or better medicinal properties than the film obtained with colloidal silver. A patch prototype (with a medical net) based on the optimal film (“V”) was developed, and its flexibility is apparent in that it can take the shape and size of the area on the human body that it should cover.

Graphical Abstract
An effective procedure for feature subset selection in logistic regression based on information criteria
Authors: Civitelli Enrico , Lapucci Matteo , Schoen Fabio , Sortino Alessio
Published: June 2021

In this paper, the problem of best subset selection in logistic regression is addressed. In particular, we take into account formulations of the problem resulting from the adoption of information criteria, such as AIC or BIC, as goodness-of-fit measures. There exist various methods to tackle this problem. Heuristic methods are computationally cheap, but are usually only able to find low quality solutions. Methods based on local optimization suffer from similar limitations as heuristic ones. On the other hand, methods based on mixed integer reformulations of the problem are much more effective, at the cost of higher computational requirements, that become unsustainable when the problem size grows. We thus propose a new approach, which combines mixed-integer programming and decomposition techniques in order to overcome the aforementioned scalability issues. We provide a theoretical characterization of the proposed algorithm properties. The results of a vast numerical experiment, performed on widely available datasets, show that the proposed method achieves the goal of outperforming state-of-the-art techniques.
Gastric and urinary bladder pressures correlate with intra-abdominal pressure in patients with morbid obesity
Authors: Hamoud Shadi , Abdelgani Siham , Mekel Michal , Kinaneh Safa , Mahajna Ahmad
Published: June 2021

Intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) affects cardio-respiratory and hemodynamic parameters and can be measured directly or indirectly by measuring gastric or urinary bladder pressure. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between IAP, gastric pressure and urinary bladder pressure in patients with morbid obesity, at normal and elevated levels of IAP in two positions. As well, to examine the effects of increasing IAP and patient's position on hemodynamic and respiratory parameters. Twelve patients undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery were included. IAP, gastric pressure, and urinary bladder pressure were measured while patients were in the supine position and after 45° anti-Trendelenburg tilt. Mean inspiratory pressure, peak inspiratory pressure, and tidal volume were recorded and assessed. In supine position; directly measured IAP was 9.1 ± 1.8 mmHg, compared to 10 ± 3.6 and 8.9 ± 2.9 mmHg in the stomach and bladder, respectively. Increasing IAP to 15 mmHg resulted in an increased gastric pressure of 17 ± 3.8 mmHg, and urinary bladder pressure of 14.8 ± 3.9 mmHg. Gastric and urinary bladder pressures strongly correlated with IAP (R = 0.875 and 0.847, respectively). With 45° anti-Trendelenburg tilt; directly measured IAP was 9.4 ± 2.2 mmHg, and pressures of 10.8 ± 3.8 mmHg and 9.2 ± 3.8 mmHg were measured in the stomach and the bladder, respectively. Increasing IAP to 15 mmHg resulted in elevating gastric and bladder pressures to 16.6 ± 5.3 and 13.3 ± 4 mmHg, respectively. Gastric and urinary bladder pressures had good correlation with IAP (R = 0.843 and 0.819, respectively). Changing patient position from supine to 45° anti-Trendelenburg position resulted in decreased mean and peak inspiratory pressures, and increased tidal volume. Basal IAP is high in patients with morbid obesity. IAP shows positive correlation to gastric and urinary bladder pressures at both normal and elevated levels of IAP. Anti-Trendelenburg tilt of mechanically ventilated morbidly obese patients resulted in favorable effects on respiratory parameters.

Trial Registration: The study was retrospectively registered in the NIH registry. Registration number is pending.
Exploring Fear of Cancer Recurrence in a Sample of Heterogeneous Distressed Cancer Patients with and Without a Psychiatric Disorder
Authors: Bisseling Else M. , Compen Félix R. , Schellekens Melanie P. J. , Thewes Belinda , Speckens Anne E. M. , van der Lee Marije L.
Published: June 2021

Fear of Cancer Recurrence (FCR) is a concern among cancer patients. Recent insights suggest that FCR should be viewed as a distinct syndrome. However, few studies have explored its overlap with psychiatric morbidity. We examined this overlap in a sample of distressed cancer patients. Self-referred patients (n = 245) were assessed with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR Axis-I disorders and the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory-Short Form. Proportions of patients with and without a psychiatric disorder meeting validated cut-offs for screening and clinically relevant FCR were compared. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders was 36%. Clinically relevant FCR was found in 198 patients (81%). Patients with a current psychiatric disorder reported clinically relevant FCR more frequently (89%) compared to those with no disorder (77%). Of patients reporting clinically relevant FCR, the majority (61%) did not additionally meet the criteria for a psychiatric disorder. These findings suggest that there should be particular attention for patients with elevated levels of FCR, warranting FCR-specific treatment.

Trial registry number Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02138513
Refugee, Migrant and Asylum Seekers’ Experience of Accessing and Receiving Primary Healthcare in a UK City of Sanctuary
Authors: Scott Rosie , Forde Emer , Wedderburn Clare
Published: June 2021

The World Health Organisation estimate there are about 1 billion migrants in the world today. The scale of population movement and a global refugee crisis presents an enormous challenge for healthcare provision, and too often the specific health needs of refugees and migrants are not met. This study assessed refugee, asylum seeker and vulnerable migrants’ (AMRs') experience of front line primary healthcare in a region of the United Kingdom designated as a ‘City of Sanctuary’. A questionnaire study explored the views of people seeking refuge and third sector workers supporting them. The majority of AMRs were registered with a GP and positive about their consultations. The views of third sector workers provided a less favourable window into their experience of primary care. In conclusion, the work highlighted patchy experience of primary care, even in a region of the UK designated as a ‘City of Sanctuary’ for people seeking refuge. There is a need for further education of rights to care in the UK, information for people on how to navigate local healthcare systems, consistent access to routine health checks and translation services.
Isomonodromic Laplace transform with coalescing eigenvalues and confluence of Fuchsian singularities
Authors: Guzzetti Davide
Published: June 2021

We consider a Pfaffian system expressing isomonodromy of an irregular system of Okubo type, depending on complex deformation parameters$$u=(u_1,\ldots ,u_n)$$u=(u1,…,un), which are eigenvalues of the leading matrix at the irregular singularity. At the same time, we consider a Pfaffian system of non-normalized Schlesinger-type expressing isomonodromy of a Fuchsian system, whose poles are the deformation parameters$$u_1,\ldots ,u_n$$u1,…,un. The parameters vary in a polydisc containing acoalescence locus for the eigenvaluesof the leading matrix of the irregular system, corresponding toconfluence of the Fuchsian singularities. We construct isomonodromicselected and singular vector solutionsof the Fuchsian Pfaffian system together with theirisomonodromic connection coefficients, so extending a result of Balser et al. (I SIAM J Math Anal 12(5): 691–721, 1981) and Guzzetti (Funkcial Ekvac 59(3): 383–433, 2016) to the isomonodromic case, including confluence of singularities. Then, we introduce an isomonodromic Laplace transform of the selected and singular vector solutions, allowing to obtain isomonodromic fundamental solutions for the irregular system, and their Stokes matrices expressed in terms of connection coefficients. These facts, in addition to extending (Balser et al. in I SIAM J Math Anal 12(5): 691–721, 1981; Guzzetti in Funkcial Ekvac 59(3): 383–433, 2016) to the isomonodromic case (with coalescences/confluences), allow to prove by means of Laplace transform the main result of Cotti et al. (Duke Math JarXiv:1706.04808, 2017), namely the analytic theory ofnon-generic isomonodromic deformationsof the irregular system with coalescing eigenvalues.
A Poset-Generalizability Method for Human Development Indicators
Authors: Comim Flavio
Published: June 2021

The paper introduces a poset-generalizability perspective for analysing human development indicators. It suggests a new method for identifying admissibility of different informational spaces and criteria in human development analysis. From its inception, the Capability Approach has argued for informational pluralism in normative evaluations. But in practice, it has turned its back to other (non-capability) informational spaces for being imperfect, biased or incomplete and providing a mere evidential role in normative evaluations. This paper offers the construction of a proper method to overcome this shortcoming. It combines tools from poset analysis and generalizability theory to put forward a systematic categorization of cases with different informational spaces. It provides illustrations by using key informational spaces, namely, resources, rights, subjective well-being and capabilities. The offered method is simpler and more concrete than mere human development guidelines and at the same time it avoids results based on automatic calculations. The paper concludes with implications for human development policies and an agenda for further work.
The place beyond the trees: renewed excavations of the Middle Stone Age deposits at Olieboomspoort in the Waterberg Mountains of the South African Savanna Biome
Authors: Val A. , de la Peña P. , Duval M. , Bansal S. , Colino F. , Culey J. , Hodgskiss T. , Morrissey P. , Murray A. , Murungi M. , Neumann F.H. , Shadrach K. , Thomsen K.J. , van der Ryst M. , Witelson D.M. , Zhao J.X. , Stratford D.
Published: June 2021

Olieboomspoort is one of the few rock shelters in the vast interior of southern Africa documenting pulses of occupation from the Acheulean until the end of the Later Stone Age. Revil Mason excavated the site in 1954 and attributed the large Middle Stone Age (MSA) lithic assemblage to his middle phase of the so-called Pietersburg Industry. Recent work at the site has focused on the Holocene layers, but little is known about the earlier phases of shelter use. Here, we provide some background to the shelter, give a history of past research and present initial results following renewed fieldwork at the site. The MSA deposits contain abundant lithic artefacts and ochre, and we present an initial description of these cultural remains. Palynological analysis reveals limited potential for palaeoenvironmental reconstructions, but some faunal remains indicate open grasslands. We dated two equid teeth that provided highly consistent combined U-series-ESR estimates, resulting in a mean age of 150 ± 14 ka (1σ). Even when considering potential sources of uncertainty such as variations in water-intake, these fossils can securely be dated to Marine Isotopic Stage 6. Our reappraisal of site formation processes highlights the fact that the archaeological assemblage is strongly time-averaged. We discuss these different results in the context of a recently rekindled interest in the so-called Pietersburg Industry.
Modern brackish bryostromatolites (“bryoliths”) from Zeeland (Netherlands)
Authors: Harrison G. William M. , Claussen Anna Lene , Schulbert Christian , Munnecke Axel
Published: June 2021

Bryostromatolites are found in stressed environments from the Paleozoic to the Recent. They are formed by alternating layers of bryozoans and microbes. This study investigates recent bryostromatolites in brackish ponds in the Netherlands to better understand ancient analogues and the environments which hosted them. They formed a fringing reef at the site Ronde Weel and a barrier reef at Kaaskenswater. The ponds had low biodiversity with only one bivalve species, two gastropod species, one ostracod species, and three diatom species comprising most of the easily fossilizable taxa; one isopod species, one decapod species, and two polychaete species were also present. Observations of microbial layers and cementation practices indicate that an alternation of bryozoan-favouring conditions and microbe-favouring conditions is essential to forming bryostromatolites. The collected bryostromatolites only had tiny living bryozoan patches. Water tests confirmed a brackish environment but with enriched arsenic and titanium concentrations and periodic euxinia. The extreme environment explains the lack of biodiversity and may provide information about the environments in which past bryostromatolites formed.
Examining Diversity: a Content Analysis of Cancer Depictions on Primetime Scripted Television
Authors: Kim Grace
Published: June 2021

Entertainment programming provides a unique opportunity for cancer education, particularly for higher risk racial and ethnic minority groups. Cultural relevancy is key to quality narrative cancer communication, and minorities often prefer media content produced by and featuring members of their own cultural in-group. However, little is known about whether cancer depictions or the television programs they appear in are culturally diverse. Using media content analysis, this study aims to assess the cultural diversity of cancer depictions on primetime scripted television to reveal opportunities to improve cancer education through entertainment. Indicators used to assess cultural diversity at the program level and depiction levels were collected. Out of 111 television programs, 10 (9.01%) programs mentioned cancer, from which 37 cancer depictions were identified. However, the majority of cancer depictions involved White patients and White health providers. Depictions of coping and treatment also dominated with less than 10% of depictions discussing cancer prevention. These patterns reveal a missed opportunity in existing cancer narratives on primetime scripted television and a lack of representation of cultural, social, and environmental factors that affect the health of minority communities, who need to hear these messages the most.
Application of nature-inspired algorithms and artificial neural network in waterflooding well control optimization
Authors: Ng Cuthbert Shang Wui , Jahanbani Ghahfarokhi Ashkan , Nait Amar Menad
Published: June 2021

With the aid of machine learning method, namely artificial neural networks, we established data-driven proxy models that could be utilized to maximize the net present value of a waterflooding process by adjusting the well control injection rates over a production period. These data-driven proxies were maneuvered on two different case studies, which included a synthetic 2D reservoir model and a 3D reservoir model (the Egg Model). Regarding the algorithms, we applied two different nature-inspired metaheuristic algorithms, i.e., particle swarm optimization and grey wolf optimization, to perform the optimization task. Pertaining to the development of the proxy models, we demonstrated that the training and blind validation results were excellent (with coefficient of determination,R2being about 0.99). For both case studies and the optimization algorithms employed, the optimization results obtained using the proxy models were all within 5% error (satisfied level of accuracy) compared with reservoir simulator. These results confirm the usefulness of the methodology in developing the proxy models. Besides that, the computational cost of optimization was significantly reduced using the proxies. This further highlights the significant benefits of employing the proxy models for practical use despite being subject to a few constraints.
Ecosystem restoration as a boundary object, demonstrated in a large-scale landscape restoration project in the Dovre Mountains, Norway
Authors: Aasetre Jørund , Hagen Dagmar , Bye Kristine
Published: June 2021

Coordinating and implementing ecosystem restoration projects can be challenging when the professions involved have differing perceptions of ecological restoration and implementation in practice. To overcome these barriers in complex restoration projects, we suggest analysing ecosystem restoration as a boundary object, a concept drawn from the field of science and technology studies. We use a large scale restoration project in the Dovre Mountains of Norway to demonstrate the validity of using the boundary object concept in this context. The restoration involves a former military training area where the goal of the project was to protect and restore the environment and allow for civilian use. We examine how the different professions developed sufficient mutual understanding to make the project work. In particular, we explore the extent to which the perceptions of different professions overlap, the diversity of the perceptions in the project and how this might influence the outcome of the restoration. The boundary object concept offers potential to help improve restoration quality and reduce conflicts.
Polyconvex hyperelastic modeling of rubberlike materials
Authors: Suchocki Cyprian , Jemioło Stanisław
Published: June 2021

In this work a number of selected, isotropic, invariant-based hyperelastic models are analyzed. The considered constitutive relations of hyperelasticity include the model by Gent (G) and its extension, the so-called generalized Gent model (GG), the exponential-power law model (Exp-PL) and the power law model (PL). The material parameters of the models under study have been identified for eight different experimental data sets. As it has been demonstrated, the much celebrated Gent’s model does not always allow to obtain an acceptable quality of the experimental data approximation. Furthermore, it is observed that the best curve fitting quality is usually achieved when the experimentally derived conditions that were proposed by Rivlin and Saunders are fulfilled. However, it is shown that the conditions by Rivlin and Saunders are in a contradiction with the mathematical requirements of stored energy polyconvexity. A polyconvex stored energy function is assumed in order to ensure the existence of solutions to a properly defined boundary value problem and to avoid non-physical material response. It is found that in the case of the analyzed hyperelastic models the application of polyconvexity conditions leads to only a slight decrease in the curve fitting quality. When the energy polyconvexity is assumed, the best experimental data approximation is usually obtained for the PL model. Among the non-polyconvex hyperelastic models, the best curve fitting results are most frequently achieved for the GG model. However, it is shown that both the G and the GG models are problematic due to the presence of the locking effect.
BSO20: efficient brain storm optimization for real-parameter numerical optimization
Authors: Xu Peilan , Luo Wenjian , Lin Xin , Cheng Shi , Shi Yuhui
Published: June 2021

Brain storm optimization (BSO) is an emerging global optimization algorithm. The primary idea is to divide the population into different clusters, and offspring are generated within a cluster or between two clusters. However, the problems of inefficient clustering strategy and insufficient exploration exist in BSO. In this paper, a novel and efficient BSO is proposed, called BSO20 (proposed in 2020). BSO20 pays attention to both the clustering strategy and the mutation strategy. First, we propose a hybrid clustering strategy, which combines two clustering strategies, i.e., nearest-better clustering and random grouping strategy. The size of the subpopulation clustered by two strategies is dynamically adjusted as the population evolves. Second, a modified mutation strategy is used in BSO20 to share information within a cluster or among multiple clusters to enhance the ability of exploration. BSO20 is tested on the problems of the 2017 IEEE Congress on Evolutionary Computation competition on real parameter numerical optimization. BSO20 is compared with several variants of BSO and two variants of particle swarm optimization, and the experimental results show that BSO20 is competitive.
DMPs-based skill learning for redundant dual-arm robotic synchronized cooperative manipulation
Authors: Lu Zhenyu , Wang Ning , Shi Donghao
Published: June 2021

Dual-arm robot manipulation is applicable to many domains, such as industrial, medical, and home service scenes. Learning from demonstrations is a highly effective paradigm for robotic learning, where a robot learns from human actions directly and can be used autonomously for new tasks, avoiding the complicated analytical calculation for motion programming. However, the learned skills are not easy to generalize to new cases where special constraints such as varying relative distance limitation of robotic end effectors for human-like cooperative manipulations exist. In this paper, we propose a dynamic movement primitives (DMPs) based skills learning framework for redundant dual-arm robots. The method, with a coupling acceleration term to the DMPs function, is inspired by the transient performance control of Barrier Lyapunov Functions. The additional coupling acceleration term is calculated based on the constant joint distance and varying relative distance limitations of end effectors for object-approaching actions. In addition, we integrate the generated actions in joint space and the solution for a redundant dual-arm robot to complete a human-like manipulation. Simulations undertaken in Matlab and Gazebo environments certify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
GPU-Based Dynamic Hyperspace Hash with Full Concurrency
Authors: Ren Zhuo , Gu Yu , Li Chuanwen , Li FangFang , Yu Ge
Published: June 2021

Hyperspace hashing which is often applied to NoSQL data-bases builds indexes by mapping objects with multiple attributes to a multidimensional space. It can accelerate processing queries of some secondary attributes in addition to just primary keys. In recent years, the rich computing resources of GPU provide opportunities for implementing high-performance HyperSpace Hash. In this study, we construct a fully concurrent dynamic hyperspace hash table for GPU. By using atomic operations instead of locking, we make our approach highly parallel and lock-free. We propose a special concurrency control strategy that ensures wait-free read operations. Our data structure is designed considering GPU specific hardware characteristics. We also propose a warp-level pre-combinations data sharing strategy to obtain high parallel acceleration. Experiments on an Nvidia RTX2080Ti GPU suggest that GHSH performs about 20-100X faster than its counterpart on CPU. Specifically, GHSH performs updates with up to 396 M updates/s and processes search queries with up to 995 M queries/s. Compared to other GPU hashes that cannot conduct queries on non-key attributes, GHSH demonstrates comparable building and retrieval performance.