bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deciphering the enigma of female urethral strictures: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of management modalities
Authors: Sarin Indira , Narain Tushar A. , Panwar Vikas K. , Bhadoria Ajeet S. , Goldman Howard B. , Mittal Ankur
Published: December 2020

Objective

To evaluate the management methods of female urethral stricture (FUS) and analyze the outcomes of surgical treatments. A meta‐analysis was done in an attempt to identify the best approach of urethroplasty and the graft‐of‐choice.

Materials and Methods

A systematic search of Pubmed/Medline and Embase databases was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items For Systematic Review And Meta‐Analysis statement, for articles reporting on FUS management in the last decade. The Newcastle‐Ottawa scale was used to assess the quality of 28 included non‐randomized studies. The data on FUS management was summarized and pooled success rates (taken as symptom improvement and no need for further instrumentation) were compared. The secondary outcome was to establish a diagnostic modality of choice and define a “successful‐outcome” of repair.

Results

The outcome was separately reported for 554 women undergoing surgical intervention for FUS in the literature. The criteria defining FUS were varied. A combination of tests was used for diagnosis as none was singularly conclusive. A total of 301 patients had previous urethral instrumentations. The pooled success rate of urethral dilatation (234 women) was 49% at a mean follow‐up of 32 months; flap urethroplasty (108 cases) was 92% at a mean follow‐up of 42 months; buccal mucosal graft (BMG) urethroplasty (133 cases) was 89% at a mean follow‐up of 19 months; vaginal graft augmentation (44 cases) was 87% at a mean follow‐up of 15 months; and labial graft reconstruction (19 cases) was 89% at a mean follow‐up of 18.4 months. The dorsal approach of graft augmentation met with 88% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.79–0.95) success compared with 95% (95% CI 0.86–1) for the ventral approach.

Conclusion

FUS is a rare condition requiring a meticulous diagnostic workup using multiple tests. All urethroplasties have shown better pooled success rates (86%–93%) compared with dilatation (49%). BMG is equally effective as vaginal graft urethroplasty.
Aesthetics as a common denominator for moral and commercial judgments
Authors: Wang Xuanyu , Simmank Fabian , Zhang Dongxue , Zeng Yifan , Silveira Sarita , Sander Tilmann , Bao Yan , Paolini Marco
Published: December 2020

Using fMRI, a core evaluation mechanism was found for aesthetic judgments with add‐on neural activities for moral and commercial judgments. We propose that aesthetic evaluations serve as a basic core mechanism implicitly for moral and commercial judgments.
Evaluation of rescue oral glucocorticoid therapy during inpatient cystic fibrosis exacerbations
Authors: Muirhead Corinne A. , Lanocha Natalie , Markwardt Sheila , MacDonald Kelvin D.
Published: December 2020

An acute pulmonary exacerbation (APE) in cystic fibrosis (CF) is characterized by increased pulmonary symptoms attributed to bacterial colonization, neutrophil recruitment, and inflammation. Antimicrobials, airway clearance, and nutrition are the mainstay of therapy. However, when patients fail to improve, corticosteroids have been added to therapy. We retrospectively examined the use of rescue steroids in a children's hospital from 2013 to 2017 during CF APE treatment following at least 1 week of inpatient therapy without expected clinical improvement. In total, 106 encounters of 53 unique patients, aged 6–20 years, who had FEV1 percent predicted (FEV1pp) data at baseline, admission, midpoint, and discharge, and had admission duration of at least 12 days were studied. Encounters treated with steroids had less improvement at midpoint percent change from admission in FEV1pp (4.9 ± 11.3) than nonsteroid group change in FEV1pp (20.1 ± 24.6; p < .001). Failure to improve as expected was the rationale for steroid use. At discharge, there was no difference in mean FEV1pp (p = .76). Delays in steroid therapy by waiting until the end of the second week increased the total length of stay (LOS). Propensity matching, comparing outcomes in patients without midpoint improvement in FEV1pp, was also evaluated. There was no difference in admission or discharge FEV1pp between groups. Equally, no difference in FEV1pp at follow‐up visit or in time until the next APE was detected. Secondary analysis for associations including gender, genotype, fungal colonization, or inhaled antimicrobials was nonsignificant. These data suggest rescue use of corticosteroids during APE does not predictably impact important outcome measures during CF APE treatment.
Quantification of N6‐formylated lysine in bacterial protein digests using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry despite spontaneous formation and matrix effects
Authors: Folz Jacob S. , Patterson Jenelle A. , Hanson Andrew D. , Fiehn Oliver
Published: December 2020

Rationale

N6‐Formyl lysine is a well‐known modification of histones and other proteins. It can also be formed as a damaged product from direct formylation of free lysine and accompanied by other lysine derivatives such as acetylated or methylated forms. In relation to the activity of cellular repair enzymes in protein turnover and to lysine metabolism, it is important to accurately quantify the overall ratio of modified lysine to free lysine.

Methods

N6‐Formyl lysine was quantified using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) with data collected in a non‐targeted manner using positive mode electrospray ionization on a Q‐Exactive HF+ Orbitrap mass spectrometer. Studies were performed with lysine and deuterated lysine spiked into protein digests and solvents to investigate the extent of spontaneous formation and matrix effects of formation of N6‐formyl lysine.

Results

We show that N6‐formyl lysine, N2‐formyl lysine, N6‐acetyl lysine, and N2‐acetyl lysine are all formed spontaneously during sample preparation and LC/MS/MS analysis, which complicates quantification of these metabolites in biological samples. N6‐Formyl lysine was spontaneously formed and correlated to the concentration of lysine. In the sample matrix of protein digests, 0.03% of lysine was spontaneously converted into N6‐formyl lysine, and 0.005% of lysine was converted into N6‐formyl lysine in pure run solvent.

Conclusions

Spontaneous formation of N6‐formyl lysine, N6‐acetyl lysine, N2‐formyl lysine, and N2‐acetyl lysine needs to be subtracted from biologically formed lysine modifications when quantifying these epimetabolites in biological samples.
A comparative analysis of predictors of teacher self‐efficacy in student engagement, instruction and classroom management in Nordic, Anglo‐Saxon and East and South‐East Asian countries
Authors: Fackler Sina , Sammons Pamela , Malmberg Lars‐Erik
Published: December 2020

Going beyond previous studies, we investigated differential effects of teacher self‐efficacy (TSE) across the three basic dimensions of educational equality in student engagement, instructional strategies and classroom management in East and South‐East Asian, Anglo‐Saxon and Nordic country clusters in a cross‐cultural analysis. It was found that all three domains of TSE show different patterns of associations in relation to teacher, classroom, principal and school predictors across the three country clusters. Most variation occurred within the classroom and principal predictors, whereas the teacher and school predictors were more homogeneously related to the three country clusters and the three domains of TSE. However, there were more similarities between the Nordic and Anglo‐Saxon clusters than the East and South‐East Asian clusters and any of the other two. Cultural values, as found in the GLOBE study and by Hofstede, were used as a cultural framework to interpret the differences occurring in the country clusters.
Using field sign surveys to estimate spatial distribution and territory dynamics following reintroduction of the Eurasian beaver to British river catchments
Authors: Campbell‐Palmer Róisín , Puttock Alan , Wilson Kelsey A. , Leow‐Dyke Alicia , Graham Hugh A. , Gaywood Martin J. , Brazier Richard E.
Published: December 2020

Eurasian beavers, keystone species, have returned to inhabit much of its former range following near extinction. Evidence repeatedly demonstrates that beavers can provide important riparian biotic and abiotic ecosystem services. These abilities to modify their surroundings can cause conflict, especially in prime agricultural landscapes. Understanding how beavers are utilizing and expanding in European catchments is therefore essential. This paper presents a methodology by which the spatial extent and environmental impact of beavers can be quantified via distinctive field signs. This has widespread application in understanding their distribution, expansion, and any management implications. Its application is tested within two diverse case studies, the Tayside catchment, Scotland, and the Wye catchment, Wales/England, collectively covering >10,000 km2 of catchment area. A minimum of 114 active territories were identified in Tayside and a small number of free‐roaming beavers with no strong evidence of breeding territories were recorded on the River Wye. This study demonstrates that a detailed, time and cost efficient but also easily replicable, field survey method can allow estimates of beaver territorial zones when combined with geospatial analysis and expert assessment. As populations of Eurasian beavers continue to expand and be actively reintroduced across Europe, this survey‐based approach can be utilized to increase understanding of their distribution, population dynamics, and territorial behavior, as well as informing management strategies and identifying areas of potential benefit and/or conflict.
Revising petiole nitrate sufficiency/deficiency guidelines for irrigated cotton in the Desert Southwest
Authors: Bronson Kevin F. , Norton E. Randall , Silvertooth Jeffrey C.
Published: December 2020

Petiole nitrate‐nitrogen (NO3–N) sampling and testing remains a popular in‐season nitrogen (N) management practice in the western United States for cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). However, the present guidelines used by Arizona are greater than 35 yr old and are in need of updating. The objectives of this study were to relate in‐season petiole NO3 levels with lint yields and N deficiencies and to revise the former critical deficiency level guidelines by growth stage. Petioles were sampled between first square and peak bloom in nine site‐years of cotton N management field trials in Maricopa and Safford, AZ, from 2014 to 2018. Irrigation type in Maricopa was overhead sprinkler irrigation (OSI) (2014–2015) and subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) (2016–2018). In Safford (2014–2017), surface irrigation (SI) was used. Petiole NO3 in SDI was dramatically lower than with SI or OSI, mostly in the deficient range. Lower lint yields in zero‐N treatments compared with pre‐plant soil NO3 test–based reference treatments occurred in eight site‐years (Safford 2016 crop lost to late hailstorm) and were considered N deficient. Critical petiole NO3–N levels from 1984 were revised downward 1 g N kg−1 because several N‐fertilized treatment means of petiole NO3 were in that range and did not exhibit an N rate–related yield depression. Sampling cotton plants for petiole NO3 analysis should start within 1 wk of first bloom. Petiole NO3 dynamics and critical levels in SDI cotton required further study.
Synthesis, Biological Evaluation and In silico Studies of Compounds Based on Tryptophan‐Naproxen‐Triazole Hybrids
Authors: Srinivas Suryapeta , Neeraja Papigani , Banothu Venkanna , Kumar Dubey Pramod , Mukkanti Khagga , Pal Sarbani
Published: December 2020

A hybrid of three different frameworks e. g. tryptophan, naproxen and triazole has been explored for the identification of potential antibacterial / anticancer agents. A library of new compounds, designed based on this hybrid framework was synthesized via a multi‐step sequence using the Cu(I)‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) as the key reaction step. Thus the terminal alkyne obtained via the reaction of tryptophan ester with naproxen followed by N‐propargylation of the indole ring was coupled with a range of organic azides to give the desired products (through the formation of triazole ring) in good to acceptable yields. The in vitro antibacterial screening of these compounds against S. aureus (Gram‐positive) as well as E. coli and K. pneumoniae (Gram‐negative) strains identified several hits with moderate to good activities with 4‐(4‐((3‐(3‐methoxy‐2‐(2‐(6‐methoxynaphthalen‐2‐yl)propanamido)‐3‐oxopropyl)‐1H‐indol‐1‐yl)methyl)‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐1‐yl)benzoic acid (6 n) being the best (MIC∼25 μg/mL across all the strains). Several compounds e. g. analogues containing a (4‐chlorophenyl)amino)‐2‐oxoethyl moiety (6 e) and (4‐nitrophenyl)amino)‐2‐oxoethyl moiety (6 h) attached to the triazole ring also showed cytotoxic activities when tested against A549 cancer cell line (IC50=39.35 and 28.52 μg/mL, respectively).
Cytotoxicity and Antibacterial Activity of Silver Complexes Bearing Semicarbazones and Triphenylphosphine
Authors: Almeida Vitor Y. G. , Rocha Josias S. , Felix Débora P. , Oliveira Gabriela P. , Lima Mauro A. , Farias Renan L. , Zanetti Renan D. , Netto Adelino V. G. , Zambom Carolina R. , Garrido Saulo S. , Rocha Fillipe V.
Published: December 2020

The present work aimed to evaluate the biological activities of the silver (I) complexes, with the formulae [Ag(L)(PPh3)2]+ and [Ag(L)2]+ (L=(E)‐2‐((E)‐3‐phenylallylidene) hydrazine‐1‐carboxamide – CSC and (2E)‐2‐[(3E)‐4‐phenylbut‐3‐en‐2‐ylidene]‐hydrazinecarboxamide – BSC). Four new silver(I) compounds were synthesized and characterized by NMR 1H, 13C‐{1H}, 31P, IR, and UV‐Vis spectroscopies, molar conductivity, and elemental analysis (CNH). High cytotoxicity was found for all complexes being more active than cisplatin in the tested cell lines. The antibacterial assay demonstrated that the compounds without phosphine groups presented high levels of inhibition (80 %) at 70.4 uM against the Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria strains. The DNA interactions were investigated by UV‐Vis DNA titration, electrophoresis, and circular dichroism experiments. Data showed that the compounds did not interact with DNA in the tested conditions. However, the compounds have provided important information about the structural features that are needed in order to design new silver (I) complexes with biological activities.
Full‐Spectrum Absorption Enhancement in a‐Si:H Thin‐Film Solar Cell with a Composite Light‐Trapping Structure
Authors: Li Hongen , Hu Yizhi , Wang Hao , Tao Qi , Zhu Yonggang , Yang Yue
Published: December 2020

Thin‐film solar cells are favorable because of the reduced material and fabrication cost as well as the advantage of mechanical flexibility. However, due to the reduced thickness of the active layer, the light absorption is also decreased. Herein, a composite light‐trapping structure with a double‐layer antireflection coating on the upper surface and Ag hemispheres on the substrate is proposed to achieve full‐spectrum (350–800 nm) absorption enhancement. The results simulated by the finite‐difference‐time‐domain method show that compared with 100‐nm‐thick bare a‐Si:H solar cell, the short‐circuit current density (Jsc) and photoelectric conversion efficiency are respectively improved by 39% and 38% through adding the optimized composite light‐trapping structure. Excitingly, the light‐trapping effects remain efficient over different thicknesses of the active layer, and the Jsc of a 400‐nm‐thick a‐Si:H thin‐film solar cell can be enhanced to approach the theoretical limit. The light‐trapping method proposed in this study can provide general and valuable guidance for improving the light absorption in various thin‐film solar cells.
High‐Transconductance Organic Electrochemical Transistor Fabricated on Ultrathin Films Using Spray Coating
Authors: Nishinaka Masaya , Jinno Hiroaki , Jimbo Yasutoshi , Lee Sunghoon , Wang Jiabin , Lee Wonryung , Yokota Tomoyuki , Someya Takao
Published: December 2020

Organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) are widely used for monitoring electrophysiological activities by exploiting advantages, such as flexibility, biocompatibility, low‐voltage operation, and high transconductance. Transconductance is a major factor that determines the sensitivity of OECT‐based sensors. In comparison with other field‐effect transistors, the transconductance of OECTs having the poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) channel layer is proportional to the channel thickness because the entire film acts as a channel. Therefore, the formation of a thick channel layer is essential for OECTs. However, it is difficult to form a thick film by spin coating. Herein, spray coating is introduced, and a thick and uniform PEDOT:PSS layer (1.05 μm) is successfully formed by controlling the compressed air pressure and number of coating cycles. Moreover, a high‐transconductance (7.5 mS) ultraflexible OECT with a sufficiently rapid response is fabricated (2.3 kHz).
Genome‐wide association study of resistance to PstS2 and Warrior races of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (stripe rust) in bread wheat landraces
Authors: Tehseen Muhammad Massub , Tonk Fatma Aykut , Tosun Muzaffer , Amri Ahmed , Sansaloni Carolina P. , Kurtulus Ezgi , Yazbek Mariana , Al‐Sham'aa Khaled , Ozseven Izzet , Safdar Luqman Bin , Shehadeh Ali , Nazari Kumarse
Published: December 2020

Stripe or yellow rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis Westend. f. sp. tritici is a major threat to bread wheat production worldwide. The breakdown in resistance of certain major genes and newly emerging aggressive races of stripe rusts pose serious concerns in all main wheat growing areas of the world. To identify new sources of resistance and associated QTL for effective utilization in future breeding programs an association mapping (AM) panel comprising of 600 bread wheat landraces collected from eight different countries conserved at ICARDA gene bank were evaluated for seedling and adult plant resistance against the PstS2 and Warrior races of stripe rust at the Regional Cereal Rust Research Center (RCRRC), Izmir, Turkey during 2016, 2018 and 2019. A set of 25,169 informative SNP markers covering the whole genome were used to examine the population structure, linkage disequilibrium and marker‐trait associations in the AM panel. The genome‐wide association study (GWAS) was carried out using a Mixed Linear Model (MLM). We identified 47 SNP markers across 19 chromosomes with significant SNP‐trait associations for both seedling stage and adult plant resistance. The threshold of significance for all SNP‐trait associations was determined by the false discovery rate (q) ≤ 0.05. Three genomic regions (QYr.1D_APR, QYr.3A_seedling and QYr.7D_seedling) identified in this study do not correspond to previously reported Yr genes or QTL, suggesting new genomic regions for stripe rust resistance.
Sensing the electrical properties of roots: A review
Authors: Ehosioke Solomon , Nguyen Frédéric , Rao Sathyanarayan , Kremer Thomas , Placencia‐Gomez Edmundo , Huisman Johan Alexander , Kemna Andreas , Javaux Mathieu , Garré Sarah
Published: December 2020

Thorough knowledge of root system functioning is essential to understand the feedback loops between plants, soil, and climate. In situ characterization of root systems is challenging due to the inaccessibility of roots and the complexity of root zone processes. Electrical methods have been proposed to overcome these difficulties. Electrical conduction and polarization occur in and around roots, but the mechanisms are not yet fully understood. We review the potential and limitations of low‐frequency electrical techniques for root zone investigation, discuss the mechanisms behind electrical conduction and polarization in the soil–root continuum, and address knowledge gaps. A range of electrical methods for root investigation is available. Reported methods using current injection in the plant stem to assess the extension of the root system lack robustness. Multi‐electrode measurements are increasingly used to quantify root zone processes through soil moisture changes. They often neglect the influence of root biomass on the electrical signal, probably because it is yet to be well understood. Recent research highlights the potential of frequency‐dependent impedance measurements. These methods target both surface and volumetric properties by activating and quantifying polarization mechanisms occurring at the root segment and cell scale at specific frequencies. The spectroscopic approach opens up a range of applications. Nevertheless, understanding electrical signatures at the field scale requires significant understanding of small‐scale polarization and conduction mechanisms. Improved mechanistic soil–root electrical models, validated with small‐scale electrical measurements on root systems, are necessary to make further progress in ramping up the precision and accuracy of multi‐electrode tomographic techniques for root zone investigation.
Differences in soil evaporation between row and interrow positions in furrowed agricultural fields
Authors: Al‐Oqaili Firas , Good Stephen P. , Frost Kenneth , Higgins Chad W.
Published: December 2020

Although large‐scale center pivot sprinkler irrigation has replaced surface irrigation in many locations, the agricultural practice of growing crops in furrows remains common. Still, how the presence of elevated soil rows under sprinkler irrigation influences evaporation losses remains unclear, even while quantifying nonproductive water losses becomes increasingly important for informing new water conservation and irrigation strategies. In this study at the Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Hermiston, OR, soil evaporation from the row and interrow positions within potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) fields of contrasting irrigation timing (daytime vs. nighttime) was estimated based on hydrogen and oxygen isotope ratios. Samples collected throughout the 2016 growing season were analyzed and used to calculate soil evaporation (E) losses relative to applied irrigation (I). On average, row positions were more enriched in heavy isotopes than interrow positions, indicating that the evaporated fraction of applied irrigation (E/I) depends on the position. Within the day‐irrigated field, the estimated (mean ± standard deviation) E/I ratios determined from both stable isotopes for May, July, and September were 18 ± 8%, 10 ± 3%, and 19 ± 5% for row and 15 ± 6%, 7 ± 2%, and 12 ± 4% for interrow samples. Within the night‐irrigated field during these same months, the E/I ratios were 13 ± 12%, 16 ± 7%, and 13 ± 5% for row and 12 ± 7%, 9 ± 2%, and 6 ± 2% for interrow samples, respectively. For these fields, these results reveal that there is more evaporation from row, as compared with interrow, positions. Therefore, management practices for water conservation should account for larger nonproductive evaporation from within rows in order to minimize evaporative losses.
Adaptation of Seaweed Farmers in Zanzibar to the Impacts of Climate Change
Authors: de Jong Cleyndert Georgia , Newman Rebecca , Brugere Cecile , Cuni-Sanchez Aida , Marchant Robert
Published: December 2020

Seaweed farming is an important alternative livelihood activity that has been heralded as a development success story. It has advanced women’s empowerment and economic liberation in coastal communities in Zanzibar, despite recent declines in its production. Using data from 36 semistructured interviews, we explore the impacts of climate change on seaweed farming in Zanzibar and the coping and adaptation strategies available to farmers. Interviews reveal that climatic changes observed in Zanzibar are characterized by increased temperatures, increased winds, and irregular rainfall, and these changes have negatively affected coastal seaweed farming yields and quality. Combined with economic challenges, these environmental stressors are threatening the sustainability of seaweed farming and the wider development impacts that have been gained over the past decades. Establishing seaweed farms in deeper water, using new technologies, could be an adaptation method to overcome rising temperatures; however, there are significant socioeconomic barriers for this to happen. For example, women lack access to boats and the ability to swim. Adaptation options to the increasing impacts of climate change will be possible only with institutional support, significant investment, and through the empowerment of women and the participation local communities.
Genus expansion of matrix models and ћ expansion of KP hierarchy
Authors: Andreev A. , Popolitov A. , Sleptsov A. , Zhabin A.
Published: December 2020

Abstract

We studyћexpansion of the KP hierarchy following Takasaki-Takebe [1] considering several examples of matrix modelτ-functions with natural genus expansion. Among the examples there are solutions of KP equations of special interest, such as generating function for simple Hurwitz numbers, Hermitian matrix model, Kontsevich model and Brezin-Gross-Witten model. We show that all these models with parameterћareτ-functions of theћ-KP hierarchy and the expansion inћfor theћ-KP coincides with the genus expansion for these models. Furthermore, we show a connection of recent papers considering theћ-formulation of the KP hierarchy [2, 3] with original Takasaki-Takebe approach. We find that in this approach the recovery of enumerative geometric meaning ofτ-functions is straightforward and algorithmic.
What does it mean to embed ethics in data science? An integrative approach based on microethics and virtues
Authors: Bezuidenhout Louise , Ratti Emanuele
Published: December 2020

In the past few years, scholars have been questioning whether the current approach in data ethics based on the higher level case studies and general principles is effective. In particular, some have been complaining that such an approach to ethics is difficult to be applied and to be taught in the context of data science. In response to these concerns, there have been discussions about how ethics should be “embedded” in the practice of data science, in the sense of showing how ethical issues emerge in small technical choices made by data scientists in their day-to-day activities, and how such an approach can be used to teach data ethics. However, a precise description of how such proposals have to be theoretically conceived and could be operationalized has been lacking. In this article, we propose a full-fledged characterization of ‘embedding’ ethics, and how this can be applied especially to the problem of teaching data science ethics. Using the emerging model of ‘microethics’, we propose a way of teaching daily responsibility in digital activities that is connected to (and draws from) the higher level ethical challenges discussed in digital/data ethics. We ground this microethical approach into a virtue theory framework, by stressing that the goal of a microethics is to foster the cultivation of moral virtues. After delineating this approach of embedding ethics in theoretical detail, this article discusses a concrete example of how such a ‘micro-virtue ethics’ approach could be practically taught to data science students.
Phenolic acid content and in vitro antioxidant capacity of einkorn water biscuits as affected by baking time
Authors: Santa Cruz Olivos Juan Edgar , De Noni Ivano , Hidalgo Alyssa , Brandolini Andrea , Yilmaz Volkan Arif , Cattaneo Stefano , Ragg Enzio M.
Published: December 2020

Aim of this research was to study the evolution of heat damage, phenolic acid content and in vitro antioxidant capacity of whole meal einkorn water biscuits baked at 205 °C for increasing times (10 min steps) from 25 to 75 min. The heat damage was gauged by determining furosine, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), furfural and glucosylisomaltol (GLI) contents. Furosine increased up to 50 min baking, when HMF started to form; furfural augmented only after 65 min treatment, whereas GLI did not change. An unknown compound, apparently related to the severity of the heat load, aroses through the aldolic condensation of HMF with the acetone used for the extraction of phenolic acids; hence the use of acetone-based solvents in thermally processed cereal products should be avoided. The conjugated phenolic acids ferulic, vanillic, syringic, p-coumaric, p-hydroxybenzoic and syringaldehyde and the bound phenolic acids ferulic, p-coumaric, syringic, and p-hydroxybenzoic were identified in water biscuits. The stronger heating treatments led to an increase of the soluble conjugated compounds, but did not influence the bound fraction. The in vitro antioxidant capacity of water biscuits augmented significantly as baking time increased, likely for the formation of antioxidant compounds as a consequence of heat damage.
Singularity of the Spectrum for Smooth Area-Preserving Flows in Genus Two and Translation Surfaces Well Approximated by Cylinders
Authors: Chaika Jon , Frączek Krzysztof , Kanigowski Adam , Ulcigrai Corinna
Published: December 2020

We consider smooth flows preserving a smooth invariant measure, or, equivalently, locally Hamiltonian flows on compact orientable surfaces and show that, when the genus of the surface is two, almost every such locally Hamiltonian flow with two non-degenerate isomorphic saddles has singular spectrum. More in general, singularity of the spectrum holds for special flows over a full measure set of interval exchange transformations with a hyperelliptic permutation (of any number of exchanged intervals), under a roof with symmetric logarithmic singularities. The result is proved using a criterion for singularity based on tightness of Birkhoff sums with exponential tails decay. A key ingredient in the proof, which is of independent interest, is a result on translation surfaces well approximated by single cylinders. We show that for almost every translation surface in any connected component of any stratum there exists a full measure set of directions which can be well approximated by a single cylinder of area arbitrarily close to one. The result, in the special case of the stratum $$\mathcal {H}(1,1)$$

H
(
1
,
1
)

, yields rigidity sets needed for the singularity result.
National study for multidisciplinary outpatient oncological rehabilitation: online survey to support revised quality and performance criteria
Authors: Dorey Graham , Cabaset Sophie , Richard Aline , Dehler Anna , Kudre Daisy , Schneider-Mörsch Beate , Sperisen Nicolas , Schmid Margareta , Rohrmann Sabine
Published: December 2020

Purpose

More and more people survive cancer, but the disease and its treatment often lead to impairment. Multidisciplinary ambulatory oncological rehabilitation (OR) programs have thus been developed. SW!SS REHA, the organization of major Swiss rehabilitation clinics, has defined ambulatory OR quality criteria for its members (about 50% of the Swiss rehabilitation capacity). However, SW!SS REHA criteria are not fully implemented and/or interpreted differently by different specialties or in different linguistic regions in Switzerland. The aim of our study was to carry out an online survey of existing outpatient programs to define quality criteria for an ideal OR program in Switzerland.

Methods

A mixed methods approach was used for the survey—qualitative and quantitative. The qualitative part consisted of a guided discussion with OR experts and the quantitative part of an online survey. The quantitative part comprised the development and evaluation of an online questionnaire. It served to record the opinions of OR centers in Switzerland on the desired situation of outpatient rehabilitation.

Results

Eighteen OR centers and 71 (49.7% response rate) OR actors participated in the online survey. The survey results indicate that some of the SW!SS REHA quality and performance criteria only partially match with the desired OR criteria for Switzerland. Key disparities occur particularly in the program design and structure and specifically around how many interventions are required to constitute an OR program, the extent of standardization versus individualization of the program, i.e., how many and which modules in a program should be obligatory, and finally the duration and intensity of the program. The online survey did not generate any statistical evidence that OR requirements vary significantly between different linguistic regions and among different specialties.

Conclusions

Cancer patients are heterogeneous with respect to cancer type, prognosis, and disability level, such that a standard program cannot be uniformly applied. Therefore, a flexible program is required with few mandatory modules and additional individual modules to achieve the threshold number of modules that would constitute a multidisciplinary OR program. Intensity and frequency of OR needs to consider the health state of the participants. The results indicate a need to modify some of the existing SW!SS REHA criteria to ensure that more patients can gain access and benefit form evidence-based OR interventions. Furthermore, the survey provides important findings so that the existing OR offer can be improved with the goal that OR centers will be able to be quality certified in the future.
Proximity measures based on KKT points for constrained multi-objective optimization
Authors: Eichfelder Gabriele , Warnow Leo
Published: December 2020

An important aspect of optimization algorithms, for instance evolutionary algorithms, are termination criteria that measure the proximity of the found solution to the optimal solution set. A frequently used approach is the numerical verification of necessary optimality conditions such as the Karush–Kuhn–Tucker (KKT) conditions. In this paper, we present a proximity measure which characterizes the violation of the KKT conditions. It can be computed easily and is continuous in every efficient solution. Hence, it can be used as an indicator for the proximity of a certain point to the set of efficient (Edgeworth-Pareto-minimal) solutions and is well suited for algorithmic use due to its continuity properties. This is especially useful within evolutionary algorithms for candidate selection and termination, which we also illustrate numerically for some test problems.
Set-Valued Functions of Bounded Generalized Variation and Set-Valued Young Integrals
Authors: Michta Mariusz , Motyl Jerzy
Published: December 2020

The paper deals with some properties of set-valued functions having bounded Riesz p-variation. Set-valued integrals of Young type for such multifunctions are introduced. Selection results and properties of such set-valued integrals are discussed. These integrals contain as a particular case set-valued stochastic integrals with respect to a fractional Brownian motion, and therefore, their properties are crucial for the investigation of solutions to stochastic differential inclusions driven by a fractional Brownian motion.
Nonlinear vibration of a lumped system with springs-in-series
Authors: Awrejcewicz Jan , Starosta Roman , Sypniewska-Kamińska Grażyna
Published: December 2020

The paper deals with the dynamics of a lumped mass mechanical system containing two nonlinear springs connected in series. The external harmonic excitation, linear and nonlinear damping are included into considerations. The mathematical model contains both differential and algebraic equations, so it belongs to the class of dynamical systems governed by the differential–algebraic system of equations (DAEs). An approximate analytical approach is used to solve the initial value problem for the DAEs. We adopt the multiple scales method (MSM) that allows one to obtain the sufficiently correct approximate solutions both far from the resonance and at the resonance conditions. The steady and non-steady resonant vibrations are analyzed by employing the modulation equations of the amplitudes and phases which are yielded by the MSM procedure.
The potential of working hypotheses for deductive exploratory research
Authors: Casula Mattia , Rangarajan Nandhini , Shields Patricia
Published: December 2020

While hypotheses frame explanatory studies and provide guidance for measurement and statistical tests, deductive, exploratory research does not have a framing device like the hypothesis. To this purpose, this article examines the landscape of deductive, exploratory research and offers the working hypothesis as a flexible, useful framework that can guide and bring coherence across the steps in the research process. The working hypothesis conceptual framework is introduced, placed in a philosophical context, defined, and applied to public administration and comparative public policy. Doing so, this article explains: the philosophical underpinning of exploratory, deductive research; how the working hypothesis informs the methodologies and evidence collection of deductive, explorative research; the nature of micro-conceptual frameworks for deductive exploratory research; and, how the working hypothesis informs data analysis when exploratory research is deductive.
Review of: Olga Zhukova, An essay on Russian culture: philosophy of history, literature and art. Moscow: “Soglasie” Publisher house, 2019. 588 pages. Hardcover: ISBN 978-5-907038-50-9, € 17
Authors: Kara-Murza Alexei Alexeevich
Published: December 2020

This book review discusses the new research of the Russian philosopher and cultural study scholar Olga A. Zhukova. What is special about the Russian intellectual movement Russian Europeanism? Zhukova reconstructs the ideas of Russian Europeanism, and she evaluates the approaches of Russian thinkers to national cultural history. The author manages to introduce the reader to current discussions about the specifics of the Russian cultural and philosophical “project” and to propose new approaches for the interpretation of the intellectual and literary heritage of Russia. In addition to offering a critical analysis of Zhukova’s volume, the book review presents this thought provoking monograph as a great piece of scholarly work.
Forecasting peak energy demand for smart buildings
Authors: Alduailij Mona A. , Petri Ioan , Rana Omer , Alduailij Mai A. , Aldawood Abdulrahman S.
Published: December 2020

Predicting energy consumption in buildings plays an important part in the process of digital transformation of the built environment, and for understanding the potential for energy savings. This also contributes to reducing the impact of climate change, where buildings need to increase their adaptability and resilience while reducing energy consumption and maintain user comfort. The use of Internet of Things devices for monitoring and control of energy consumption in buildings can take into account user preferences, event monitoring and building optimization. Detecting peak energy demand from historical building data can enable users to manage their energy use more efficiently, while also enabling real-time response strategies (including control and actuation) to known or future scenarios. Several statistical, time series, and machine learning techniques are proposed in this work to predict electricity consumption for five different building types, by using peak demand forecasting to achieve energy efficiency. We have used several indigenous and exogenous variables with a view to test different energy forecasting scenarios. The suggested techniques are evaluated for creating predictive models, including linear Regression, dynamic regression, ARIMA time series, exponential smoothing time series, artificial neural network, and deep neural network. We conduct the analysis on an energy consumption dataset of five buildings from 2014 until 2019. Our results show that for a day ahead prediction, the ARIMA model outperforms the other approaches with an accuracy of 98.91% when executed over a 168 h (1 week) of uninterrupted data for five government buildings.
Impact of 2020 SARS-CoV-2 outbreak on telemedicine management of cardiovascular disease in Italy
Authors: Molinari Giuseppe , Brunetti Natale Daniele , Nodari Savina , Molinari Martina , Spagna Giampietro , Ioakim Mariangela , Migliore Giovanni , Dattoli Vitangelo , Di Cillo Ottavio
Published: December 2020

The Covid-19 pandemic affected large part of Italy since February 2020; we, therefore, aimed to assess the impact of 2020 SARS-CoV-2 outbreak on telemedicine management of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Italy. We analyzed data from three telemedicine dispatch centers, one located in Genoa, serving private clients (pharmacies, general practitioners), one in Brescia, serving pharmacies, and one in Bari, serving regional public STEMI network and emergency medical service in Apulia (4 million inhabitants). Demographic data and principal electrocardiogram diagnosis were collected and analyzed. Records from the time interval March 1, 2020 and April 1, 2020 were compared with the corresponding period in 2019. The comparative analysis of data shows a 54% reduction of telemedicine electrocardiogram transmission in Genoa telemedicine center (from 364 to 166), 68% in Brescia (from 5.745 to 1.905), 24% in Bari (from 15.825 to 11.716); relative reduction according to electrocardiogram diagnosis was 38% for acute coronary syndrome, 40% for other acute CVD in Genoa center, 24% for acute coronary syndrome, and 38% for other acute CVD in Bari. Male/female ratio remained substantially unchanged. A dramatic reduction of telemedicine access for CVD was observed during Covid-19 outbreak in March 2020 in Italy. The reduction was substantially consistent for all electrocardiogram findings, ACS, other acute CVD and normal.
Consumers’ preferences regarding energy efficiency: a qualitative analysis based on the household and services sectors in Spain
Authors: de Ayala Amaia , Foudi Sébastien , Solà María del Mar , López-Bernabé Elena , Galarraga Ibon
Published: December 2020

Informational failures frequently lead consumers to make non-optimal energy-efficient purchasing decisions. Energy efficiency labels seek to influence consumer behaviour at the point of sale by reducing informational failures regarding energy efficiency. However, several informational and behavioural factors contribute to the energy efficiency gap and could render label-oriented policies useless. The purchasing decision model of Allcott and Greenstone (The Journal of Economic Perspectives, 26, 3–28, 2012) is used here to explore the different factors that influence purchasing decisions and understand (i) the importance of energy consumption compared to other attributes; (ii) how consumers weight energy savings and (iii) what other benefits and costs influence the purchase of energy-efficient goods. The analysis reported here is based on qualitative research methods and is conducted in the household and service sectors (the accommodation sector and private service companies), for appliances, heating and cooling systems and cars in Spain. Results show that (i) there is still an informational gap regarding energy labels and (ii) bounded rationality and end-user behaviour are important limiting factors for the purchase of energy-efficient goods in Spain.
Know-Your-Customer (KYC) Requirements for Initial Coin Offerings
Authors: Ostern Nadine Kathrin , Riedel Johannes
Published: December 2020

Blockchain technology is often proposed as an infrastructure for decentralized Know-Your-Customer (KYC) verification, i.e., a process determining whether a customer is eligible for a given transaction. The benefit of using blockchain technology lies in the expected compliance costs reduction for companies by automatically enforcing KYC-requirements, whose results are accessible by multiple financial institutions. While information systems researchers have proposed conceptual models and prototypes of blockchain-based KYC-systems, they do not yet consider severe penalties that are applicable to companies if KYC-requirements are not met. Hence, if the legal requirements for KYC-processes cannot be met, these systems are not applicable. The paper uses an objective-centered design science research approach to develop a blockchain-based KYC-system for the conduct of ICOs that is compliant-by-design. To this end, the authors first identify existing KYC-requirements and define corresponding system design objectives that are used to develop a KYC-system that automatically enforces KYC-regulations, thereby preventing money laundering and other forms of identity fraud. Second, the authors contribute to the literature by providing a blueprint for compliant-by-design blockchain-based KYC-systems, in the paper, integrated into the investment flow of an ICO. Third, the authors propose a KYC-system that is applicable in the real world, by making – due to legal certainty – KYC-processes cost-effective, i.e., the proposed blockchain-based KYC-system expectably reduces compliance costs for customers and financial organizations.
Positive energy representations of Sobolev diffeomorphism groups of the circle
Authors: Carpi Sebastiano , Del Vecchio Simone , Iovieno Stefano , Tanimoto Yoh
Published: December 2020

We show that any positive energy projective unitary representation of $$\mathrm{Diff}_+(S^1)$$

Diff
+

(

S
1

)

extends to a strongly continuous projective unitary representation of the fractional Sobolev diffeomorphisms $$\mathcal {D}^s(S^1)$$

D

s

(

S
1

)

for any real $$s>3$$

s
>
3

, and in particular to $$C^k$$

C
k

-diffeomorphisms $$\mathrm{Diff}_+^k(S^1)$$

Diff
+
k

(

S
1

)

with $$k\ge 4$$

k
≥
4

. A similar result holds for the universal covering groups provided that the representation is assumed to be a direct sum of irreducibles. As an application we show that a conformal net of von Neumann algebras on $$S^1$$

S
1

is covariant with respect to $$\mathcal {D}^s(S^1)$$

D

s

(

S
1

)

, $$s > 3$$

s
>
3

. Moreover every direct sum of irreducible representations of a conformal net is also $$\mathcal {D}^s(S^1)$$

D

s

(

S
1

)

-covariant.
Spatiotemporal Assessment of COVID-19 Spread over Oman Using GIS Techniques
Authors: Al-Kindi Khalifa M. , Alkharusi Amira , Alshukaili Duhai , Al Nasiri Noura , Al-Awadhi Talal , Charabi Yassine , El Kenawy Ahmed M.
Published: December 2020

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is a worldwide challenge effecting millions of people in more than 210 countries, including the Sultanate of Oman (Oman). Spatiotemporal analysis was adopted to explore the spatial patterns of the spread of COVID-19 during the period from 29th April to 30th June 2020. Our assessment was made using five geospatial techniques within a Geographical Information System (GIS) context, including a weighted mean centre (WMC), standard deviational ellipses, Moran’s I autocorrelation coefficient, Getis-Ord General-G high/low clustering, and Getis-Ord $$G_{i}^{*}$$

G

i

∗

statistic. The Moran’s I-/G- statistics proved that COVID-19 cases in datasets (numbers of cases) were clustered throughout the study period. The Moran’s I and Z scores were above the 2.25 threshold (a confidence level above 95%), ranging from 2274 cases on 29th April to 40,070 cases on 30th June 2020. The results of $$G_{i}^{*}$$

G

i

∗

showed varying rates of infections, with a large spatial variability between the different wilayats (district). The epidemic situation in some wilayats, such as Mutrah, As-Seeb, and Bowsher in the Muscat Governorate, was more severe, with Z score higher than 5, and the current transmission still presents an increasing trend. This study indicated that the directional pattern of COVID-19 cases has moved from northeast to northwest and southwest, with the total impacted region increasing over time. Also, the results indicate that the rate of COVID-19 infections is higher in the most populated areas. The findings of this paper provide a solid basis for future study by investigating the most resolute hotspots in more detail and may help decision-makers identify targeted zones for alleviation plans.