bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Floral ultraviolet absorbance area responds plastically to ultraviolet irradiance in Brassica rapa
Authors: Gray Liberty A. , Varga Sandra , Soulsbury Carl D.
Published: September 2022

Solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation is known to have significant effects on the development and performance of plants, including flowers. In multiple species, UV‐absorbing floral patterns are associated with environmental conditions such as the solar UV exposure they typically receive. However, it is not known whether plants can increase the UV‐absorbing areas found on petals plastically when in a high‐UV environment. We grew Brassica rapa at three different UV radiation intensities (control, low, and high) and under two exposure duration regimes. We removed petals from flowers periodically during the flowering period and measured the proportion of the petal that absorbed UV. UV‐absorbing areas increased when plants were exposed to longer periods of UV radiation, and at high UV radiation intensities. UV‐absorbing area of petals of the UV intensity treatments decreased over time in long exposure plants. This study demonstrates that flowers can potentially acclimate to different UV radiation intensities and duration of exposure through an increase in UV‐absorbing areas even after a relatively short exposure time to UV. Such a rapid plastic response may be especially beneficial for dynamically changing UV conditions and in response to climate change.
Density functional theory study on gas‐phase microscopic basicity of some ketenimine derivatives and their isomers/tautomers
Authors: Solgi Leila , Mirjafary Zohreh , Mokhtari Javad , Saeidian Hamid
Published: September 2022

Microscopic basicity of some ketenimine derivatives 1–12 and their isomers/tautomers, bearing an unsaturated ring, has been studied in the present work. Isomerization process for some ketenimine derivatives and their protonated forms was also investigated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The protonation study in gas phase was performed by the DFT–B3LYP/6‐311+G(d,p) computational method. The results show that all the proposed ketenimines (less stable than their isomers/tautomers) have proton affinity (PA) values that are more than at least 20 kJ mol−1 greater than the PA of 1,8‐bis‐(dimethylamino)naphthalene. The primary strategy in this study for designing new exceptionally rare ketenimine forms possessing strong basicity is to link structurally an unsaturated ring to the molecular framework and to build conjugated systems, for which the positive charge of the conjugate acids is delocalized through resonance. PA values are enhanced by placing electron‐donating substituents on the unsaturated rings, stabilizing the conjugate acid. Two indices of aromaticity, the nucleus‐independent chemical shift and the harmonic oscillator model of aromaticity associated with the unsaturated ring, were calculated and compared for neutral and protonated forms. Natural bond orbital (NBO)–Wiberg bond orders, highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO), and molecular electrostatic potential investigations were also applied to explain the π‐type interaction of the unsaturated ring with the ketenimine unit.
Pulmonary function in children with persistent tachypnea of infancy
Authors: Marczak Honorata , Peradzyńska Joanna , Lange Joanna , Bogusławski Stanisław , Krenke Katarzyna
Published: September 2022

Background

Data on the prevalence and type of lung function impairment in preschool and school‐aged children previously diagnosed with persistent tachypnea of infancy (PTI) are scarce. Therefore, this study aims to assess pulmonary function in this age group.

Methods

Children diagnosed with PTI over 3 years old were admitted for follow‐up visits and healthy controls were enrolled. The study group included children who were able to complete pulmonary function tests (PFTs). Medical history, physical examination, and pulmonary function (spirometry, body plethysmography, impulse oscillometry, nitrogen multiple breath washout test, diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide [DLCO]) were assessed.

Results

Thirty‐seven children (26 boys, 11 girls; median age: 5.6 years) diagnosed with PTI and 37 healthy controls were recruited. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s and forced vital capacity were significantly lower (−1.12 vs. 0.48, p = 0.002 and −0.83 vs. 0.31, p = 0.009, respectively); respiratory resistance at 5 Hz (0.06 vs. −0.62, p = 0.003), resonant frequency (1.86 vs. 1.36, p = 0.04), residual volume (RV) (2.34 vs. −1.2, p < 0.0001), RV%TLC (total lung capacity) (2.63 vs. −0.72, p < 0.0001), and specific airway resistance (5.4 vs. 2.59, p = 0.04) were significantly higher in PTI patients as compared with controls (data were presented as median z‐score). Air trapping was found in 60.0%, and abnormally high lung clearance index and DLCO were found in 73.3% and 90.9% of PTI patients, respectively.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that lung function is affected in most children with PTI. PFTs showed that peripheral airways are the major zone of functional impairment.
Proteomics of azoospermia: Towards the discovery of reliable markers for non‐invasive diagnosis
Authors: Rusevski Aleksandar , Plaseska‐Karanfilska Dijana , Davalieva Katarina
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Azoospermia, as the most severe form of male infertility, no longer indicates sterility due to modern medical advancements. The current diagnostic procedure based on testicular biopsy has several drawbacks which urges the development of novel, non‐invasive diagnostic procedures based on biomarkers. In the last two decades, there have been many proteomics studies investigating potential azoospermia biomarkers. In this review, we aimed to provide a critical evaluation of these studies.

Experimental Design

Published articles were gathered by systematic literature search using Pubmed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases until March 2022 and were further preselected to include only studies on human samples.

Results

A detailed review of these studies encompassed the proteomics platforms, sources of material, proposed candidate biomarkers, and their potential diagnostic specificity and sensitivity. In addition, emphasis was put on the top, most identified and validated biomarker candidates and their potential for discriminating azoospermia types and subtypes as well as predicting sperm retrieval success rate.

Conclusions

Proteomics research of azoospermia has laid the groundwork for the development of a more streamlined biomarker testing. The future research should be focused on well‐designed studies including samples from all types/subtypes as well as further testing of the most promising biomarkers identified so far.
Allosteric links between the hydrophilic N‐terminus and transmembrane core of human Na+/H+ antiporter NHA2
Authors: Velázquez Diego , Průša Vojtěch , Masrati Gal , Yariv Elon , Sychrova Hana , Ben‐Tal Nir , Zimmermannova Olga
Published: September 2022

The human Na+/H+ antiporter NHA2 (SLC9B2) transports Na+ or Li+ across the plasma membrane in exchange for protons, and is implicated in various pathologies. It is a 537 amino acids protein with an 82 residues long hydrophilic cytoplasmic N‐terminus followed by a transmembrane part comprising 14 transmembrane helices. We optimized the functional expression of HsNHA2 in the plasma membrane of a salt‐sensitive Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain and characterized in vivo a set of mutated or truncated versions of HsNHA2 in terms of their substrate specificity, transport activity, localization, and protein stability. We identified a highly conserved proline 246, located in the core of the protein, as being crucial for ion selectivity. The replacement of P246 with serine or threonine resulted in antiporters with altered substrate specificity that were not only highly active at acidic pH 4.0 (like the native antiporter), but also at neutral pH. P246T/S versions also exhibited increased resistance to the HsNHA2‐specific inhibitor phloretin. We experimentally proved that a putative salt bridge between E215 and R432 is important for antiporter function, but also structural integrity. Truncations of the first 50–70 residues of the N‐terminus doubled the transport activity of HsNHA2, while changes in the charge at positions E47, E56, K57, or K58 decreased the antiporter's transport activity. Thus, the hydrophilic N‐terminal part of the protein appears to allosterically auto‐inhibit cation transport of HsNHA2. Our data also show this in vivo approach to be useful for a rapid screening of SNP's effect on HsNHA2 activity.
Potential of ivermectin as an active ingredient of the attractive toxic sugar baits against the Indian malaria vectorsAnopheles culicifaciesandAnopheles stephensi
Authors: Kumar Gaurav , Pasi Shweta , Yadav Chander Prakash , Kaur Jaspreet , Sharma Amit
Published: September 2022

BACKGROUND

Attractive toxic sugar bait (ATSB) is a novel vector control tool that exploits the sugar feeding behavior of mosquitoes. The current study aims to evaluate the efficacy of ivermectin‐based ATSB against insecticide susceptible and resistant strains of major Indian malaria vectors –Anopheles culicifaciesandAnopheles stephensi. ATSB with different concentrations of ivermectin were tested against mosquito vectors under standard laboratory conditions.

RESULTS

Dose–response analysis of ivermectin–ATSB showed 7.8 and 19.8 ppm as 50% and 90% lethal concentration (LC50and LC90) values for insecticide susceptibleAn. culicifacies. In the case of insecticide susceptibleAn. stephensi, the LC90value was 35 ppm which was significantly higher in comparison to the LC90forAn. culicifacies. The LC50of insecticide‐resistantAn. culicifaciesandAn. stephensiwere 10.6 and 15.9 ppm respectively whereas LC90values were 36.9 and 61.0. Ivermectin–ATSB resulted in 99 ± 0.8% mortality ofAn. culicifaciesand 93 ± 3.8% mortality ofAn. stephensiat an ivermectin concentration of 25 ppm. In another set of experiments, the ATSB solution containing standardized dose of ivermectin was sprayed onAllysumplant and mortality of bothAnophelinevectors was recorded. Here, we observed > 90% mortality in bothAn. stephensiandAn. culicifacies.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrates the potential of ivermectin‐based ATSB in killing Indian malaria vectors irrespective of the method of application. Further field trials with ivermectin containing ATSB may pave the way for its usage in the national vector control program. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Comparing the applications of machine learning, PBPK, and population pharmacokinetic models in pharmacokinetic drug–drug interaction prediction
Authors: Gill Jaidip , Moullet Marie , Martinsson Anton , Miljković Filip , Williamson Beth , Arends Rosalinda H. , Pilla Reddy Venkatesh
Published: September 2022

The gold‐standard approach for modeling pharmacokinetic mediated drug–drug interactions is the use of physiologically‐based pharmacokinetic modeling and population pharmacokinetics. However, these models require extensive amounts of drug‐specific data generated from a wide variety of in vitro and in vivo models, which are later refined with clinical data and system‐specific parameters. Machine learning has the potential to be utilized for the prediction of drug–drug interactions much earlier in the drug discovery cycle, using inputs derived from, among others, chemical structure. This could lead to refined chemical designs in early drug discovery. Machine‐learning models have many advantages, such as the capacity to automate learning (increasing the speed and scalability of predictions), improved generalizability by learning from multicase historical data, and highlighting statistical and potentially clinically significant relationships between input variables. In contrast, the routinely used mechanistic models (physiologically‐based pharmacokinetic models and population pharmacokinetics) are currently considered more interpretable, reliable, and require a smaller sample size of data, although insights differ on a case‐by‐case basis. Therefore, they may be appropriate for later stages of drug–drug interaction assessment when more in vivo and clinical data are available. A combined approach of using mechanistic models to highlight features that can be used for training machine‐learning models may also be exploitable in the future to improve the performance of machine learning. In this review, we provide concepts, strategic considerations, and compare machine learning to mechanistic modeling for drug–drug interaction risk assessment across the stages of drug discovery and development.
Benign descriptors and ADNEX in two‐step strategy to estimate risk of malignancy in ovarian tumors: retrospective validation in IOTA5 multicenter cohort
Authors: Landolfo C. , Bourne T. , Froyman W. , Van Calster B. , Ceusters J. , Testa A. C. , Wynants L. , Sladkevicius P. , Van Holsbeke C. , Domali E. , Fruscio R. , Epstein E. , Franchi D. , Kudla M. J. , Chiappa V. , Alcazar J. L. , Leone F. P. G. , Buonomo F. , Coccia M. E. , Guerriero S. , Deo N. , Jokubkiene L. , Savelli L. , Fischerova D. , Czekierdowski A. , Kaijser J. , Coosemans A. , Scambia G. , Vergote I. , Timmerman D. , Valentin L.
Published: September 2022

Objective

Previous work has suggested that the ultrasound‐based benign simple descriptors (BDs) can reliably exclude malignancy in a large proportion of women presenting with an adnexal mass. This study aimed to validate a modified version of the BDs and to validate a two‐step strategy to estimate the risk of malignancy, in which the modified BDs are followed by the Assessment of Different NEoplasias in the adneXa (ADNEX) model if modified BDs do not apply.

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis using data from the 2‐year interim analysis of the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) Phase‐5 study, in which consecutive patients with at least one adnexal mass were recruited irrespective of subsequent management (conservative or surgery). The main outcome was classification of tumors as benign or malignant, based on histology or on clinical and ultrasound information during 1 year of follow‐up. Multiple imputation was used when outcome based on follow‐up was uncertain according to predefined criteria.

Results

A total of 8519 patients were recruited at 36 centers between 2012 and 2015. We excluded patients who were already in follow‐up at recruitment and all patients from 19 centers that did not fulfil our criteria for good‐quality surgical and follow‐up data, leaving 4905 patients across 17 centers for statistical analysis. Overall, 3441 (70%) tumors were benign, 978 (20%) malignant and 486 (10%) uncertain. The modified BDs were applicable in 1798/4905 (37%) tumors, of which 1786 (99.3%) were benign. The two‐step strategy based on ADNEX without CA125 had an area under the receiver‐operating‐characteristics curve (AUC) of 0.94 (95% CI, 0.92–0.96). The risk of malignancy was slightly underestimated, but calibration varied between centers. A sensitivity analysis in which we expanded the definition of uncertain outcome resulted in 1419 (29%) tumors with uncertain outcome and an AUC of the two‐step strategy without CA125 of 0.93 (95% CI, 0.91–0.95).

Conclusion

A large proportion of adnexal masses can be classified as benign by the modified BDs. For the remaining masses, the ADNEX model can be used to estimate the risk of malignancy. This two‐step strategy is convenient for clinical use. © 2022 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Autobiographical memory and psychopathology: Is memory specificity as important as we make it seem?
Authors: Barry Tom J. , Takano Keisuke , Hallford David J. , Roberts John E. , Salmon Karen , Raes Filip
Published: September 2022

Several decades of research have established reduced autobiographical memory specificity, or overgeneral memory, as an important cognitive factor associated with the risk for and maintenance of a range of psychiatric diagnoses. In measuring this construct, experimenters code autobiographical memories for the presence or absence of a single temporal detail that indicates that the remembered event took place on a single, specific, day (Last Thursday when I rode bikes with my son), or multiple days (When I rode bikes with my son). Studies indicate that the specificity of memories and the amount of other episodic detail that they include (e.g., who, what, and where) are related and may rely on the same neural processes to elicit their retrieval. However, specificity and detailedness are nonetheless separable constructs: imperfectly correlated and differentially associated with current and future depressive symptoms and other associated intrapersonal (e.g., rumination) and interpersonal (e.g., social support) outcomes. The ways in which the details of our memories align with narrative themes (i.e., agency, communion, identity) and the coherence with which these details are presented, are also emerging as important factors associated with psychopathology. The temporal specificity of autobiographical memories may be important, but other memory constructs warrant further attention in research and theory, especially given the associations, and dependencies, between each of these constructs. Researchers in this area must consider carefully whether their research questions necessitate a focus on autobiographical memory specificity or whether a more inclusive analysis of other autobiographical memory features is necessary and more fruitful.

This article is categorized under:

Psychology > Memory
Development of a Library of Extremely Bulky Amide Ligands, and their use for the Stabilization of Germanium(I) and Germanium(II) Compounds
Authors: Garg Palak , Dange Deepak , Jones Cameron
Published: September 2022

Eleven new extremely bulky aryl/silyl substituted secondary amines, L1–11H, have been prepared. These incorporate a combination of one of the bulky aryl groups, C6H2{C(H)Ph2}2R‐2,6,4; R=Me (Ar*), Pri (Ar†); C6H2{C(H)(C6H3But2‐3,5)2}2Me‐2,6,4) (Ar#); or C6H2{C(H)(2‐naphthyl)2}2Me‐2,6,4 (Ar¥), and one of the silyl fragments, SiMe3, SiCy3 (Cy=cyclohexyl), SiPri3, Si(p‐C6H4But)3, or Si(OBor)3 (OBor=[(1S)‐endo]‐(−)‐borneoxy). Amines including the latter silyl group represent the first enantiopure examples of this ligand class. All amines are readily deprotonated with n‐butyllithium or KH. Reactions of five alkali metal amide complexes with GeCl2⋅dioxane have given monomeric amido‐germanium(II) chloride complexes, LxGeCl (x=1–4, 7). Treatment of two of these with KOBut afforded monomeric amido‐germanium(II) tert‐butoxide species, LxGeOBut (x=1 or 3). Reductions of two amido‐germanium(II) chloride systems with a dimagnesium(I) compound afforded amido‐digermyne species, LxGeGeLx (x=3 or 4), the X‐ray crystal structures of which show them to possess very short Ge−Ge bonds, with considerable implied multiple bond character.
Legislating Historical Memory in Post-Soviet Ukraine
Authors: Zhurzhenko Tatiana
Published: September 2022

The decommunization laws adopted in Ukraine in 2015 provoked a number of concerns regarding the freedom of academic research and the potentially divisive effects of the new legislation on the Ukrainian society. The proponents of the decommunization laws, in turn, were referring to the Russian hybrid aggression and security concerns. This chapter addresses current controversies around the legislation of historical memory in war-torn Ukraine which is facing the difficult challenge of preserving both democratic freedoms and national sovereignty. The chapter offers a brief overview of the history of mnemonic legislation in Ukraine since national independence but focuses on the most recent developments in the aftermath of the Euromaidan and the annexation of Crimea by Russia.
Social-Ecological Transformation to Coexist with Wildfire: Reflecting on 18 Years of Participatory Wildfire Governance
Authors: Otero Iago
Published: September 2022

The risk of devastating wildfires – exacerbated by climate change – poses a threat to urban areas worldwide. There is a pressing need to strengthen societal efforts to coexist with this perturbation by creating resilient social-ecological systems. To enable this, a significant social-ecological transformation of wildfire-prone regions seems to be required. Here, I reflect on my experience in three projects of participatory wildfire governance conducted in the Barcelona Metropolitan Region (Spain) during the last 18 years. The goal is to learn from the experience and to sketch new transformative options to coexist with wildfire. After a literature review on the links between resilience to wildfire, adaptation and transformation, I analyse these projects with regard to their achievements, challenges and potential new transformative avenues. The analysis shows the crucial role that a locally rooted civil society can have when it is able to network with key agencies and actors over the long term. It also shows the importance of developing integrative wildfire planning networks where different ecosystem services and values are considered in successive phases of public deliberation between actors, citizens and wildfire managers. It is concluded that deepening the transdisciplinary content of participatory wildfire governance can increase its transformative potential.
The Design of “Future Work” in Industrial Contexts
Authors: Barcellini Flore
Published: September 2022

This chapter proposes to discuss work transformation management as a key issue to designing working conditions to ensure safe, healthy and performant work in a context of technological transitions. Here, we view the design of future work as a transition process and as a set of projects—social, organisational, technological—that will together shape a “future of work”. We consider lessons from the past regarding: (1) cooperation between workers and technology and (2) project management of work transformations, as resources to manage this transition. These lessons will be discussed with reference to ongoing research dealing with introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) or collaborative robotics at work in the French industrial context, as an illustration of the transformation of industry at a global level.
Conjectures and Challenges of Safety Management
Authors: Pariès Jean
Published: September 2022

Climate disruption, changing demographics, globalisation, financialisation, industrial and economic fragmentation and complexification, mass digitalisation are all major changes currently taking place in the world and in societies, and theoretically, they will accelerate by 2030–2040. The impact of these major trends on the strategies for managing industrial safety is a rather underexplored topic that is the subject of this collaborative book. This final chapter looks at some of the lessons from the book and places them in perspective by offering conjectures on the place of the human operator, the responsibility of stakeholders and organisations, the reliability and vulnerability of sociotechnical systems, the strategic vision of safety… Taking into account this range of possibilities and the challenges the industrial sector is facing, it proposes avenues to explore so that, in future, risks continue to be managed to the standards expected by society.
Evolution in the Way of Waging War for Combatants and Military Leaders
Authors: de Boisboissel Gérard
Published: September 2022

The revolution in systems autonomy is underway. We are at the dawn of a radical change in the use we make of the equipment available to us, with the upcoming and progressive autonomy of this equipment allowing it to adapt to the situation. The danger and complexity of the military world makes it difficult to anticipate the major issues linked to the adoption of these machines, in particular that of the responsibility of the leaders who will allocate their tasks or missions, as well as that of those who design and test these systems. This chapter proposes to list some of the safeguards necessary for their use: the control of these systems by leaders, the necessary confidence in their use and the need to integrate into their embedded software rules to be respected when tasks are executed (rules of engagement linked to the circumstances, or standards not to be violated). It emphasises the absolute role of leaders whose choices must, at all times, prevail over those of AIs, especially in complex situations, and who must ensure the conduct of the manoeuver because they are the guarantor who gives meaning to military action.
Critical Digital Services
Authors: Allspaw John
Published: September 2022

While the COVID-19 pandemic has brought new attention to how essential Internet-connected services are to society's functioning, there continues to be a dearth of research about how these critical digital services (CDSs) are operated, maintained, and delivered from a cognitive work, human factors, and safety science perspective. Efforts to anticipate what the future of work will look like must consider the challenges and opportunities this now critical domain faces. The conditions are favorable for making progress in studying work in this domain. A small (but growing) community of practitioners in software engineering and operations are enthusiastic about exploring and understanding the cognitive work they engage in every day. There is also (at least, currently) a relative absence of regulatory or procedural barriers that would otherwise hamper productive exploration by researchers.
Between Natural and Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Antonsen Stian
Published: September 2022

Algorithms have always been a key topic in safety science, whether they are governing technology through computer programming or human actors through organisational procedures. However, when the term “algorithm” is not limited to the static pre-programming of expert knowledge algorithms with the ability to change themselves, a new branch of uncertainties appears. With the concepts of epistemic uncertainty and epistemic accidents as a backdrop, I discuss safety-related challenges with the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in high-risk industries. The aim is to highlight uncertainties inherent in AI, paradoxes for safety management and risk governance, as well as the human contribution to safety in future.
Senior Mentoring, Skills Transfer Subject to Conditions
Authors: Rodríguez Tania Navarro , Largier Alexandre
Published: September 2022

The purpose of this chapter is to highlight the main findings of French language studies on senior mentoring. It shows in particular that mentoring is a protean system which can be defined and fashioned by the way it is exercised, by the type of activity that it involves and by the context in which the mentoring practices take place.
Airbus Global Workforce Forecast (GWF)
Authors: Pons Béatrice , Rodriguez Jean-Hugues , Reuzeau Florence
Published: September 2022

This chapter is a brief overview of the Global Workforce Forecast (GWF), a document made public by Airbus presenting the results of a large study launched by the group in 2018. The aim of the GWF is to provide every employee, every reader with relevant information and data to be prepared for the 2019–2029 competence challenge the company will face by 2030.
Educational Interface Design and the Role of Artifacts
Authors: Giannakos Michail
Published: September 2022

User interfaces (UI) are an inherent part of any technology with human end-users. The design of the UI depends heavily on the intended end-user and is therefore extremely important for research in both learning technology (where the learner is the end-user) and CCI (where the child is the end-user). Another important concept of learning technology and CCI research (and also in neighboring fields) is that of “artifact”. Artifacts correspond to novel designs (which may be prototype systems, interfaces, materials, or procedures) that have a certain set of qualities or components (such as functionalities and affordances) and that allow us to experiment (e.g., to isolate and test certain components). This chapter describes how researchers can design educational interfaces, visualizations, and other artifacts to support their experiments and enhance learners’ and children’s experience with technology.
Common Types of Experimental Designs in CCI and Learning Technology Research
Authors: Giannakos Michail
Published: September 2022

Experiments and experimental studies are used to collect data and build scientific knowledge, and it is one of the primary methodologies for a wide range of disciplines including CCI and learning technology. In this chapter, we provide the basics of experimental research in CCI and learning technology. The goal is to support researchers to gain an understanding of the main methodological decisions and the ways in which experiments can answer RQs. Researchers will also be introduced in evaluating the circumstances that favour (or do not favour) the use of experiments, and how to make the necessary methodological decisions about the type and features of the experiment for CCI and learning technology research.
Developments in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence in Learning Technology and CCI Research
Authors: Giannakos Michail
Published: September 2022

This book is focusing on experimental studies in learning technology and CCI research. During the last years, the areas of data science and AI have influenced different aspects of human-factors IT-related research in general and learning technology and CCI research in particular. Therefore, although this book does not provide a deep discussion on how data science and AI have influenced contemporary learning technology and CCI research; in this chapter, we provide a brief presentation of the developments in data science and AI, and the role of those developments in learning technology and CCI research.
Kernelization for Feedback Vertex Set via Elimination Distance to a Forest
Authors: Dekker David , Jansen Bart M. P.
Published: September 2022

We study efficient preprocessing for the undirected Feedback Vertex Set problem, a fundamental problem in graph theory which asks for a minimum-sized vertex set whose removal yields an acyclic graph. More precisely, we aim to determine for which parameterizations this problem admits a polynomial kernel. While a characterization is known for the related Vertex Cover problem based on the recently introduced notion of bridge-depth, it remained an open problem whether this could be generalized to Feedback Vertex Set. The answer turns out to be negative; the existence of polynomial kernels for structural parameterizations for Feedback Vertex Set is governed by the elimination distance to a forest. Under the standard assumption $$\textrm{NP}\not \subseteq \textrm{coNP}/\textrm{poly}$$, we prove that for any minor-closed graph class $$\mathcal {G}$$, Feedback Vertex Set parameterized by the size of a modulator to $$\mathcal {G}$$ has a polynomial kernel if and only if $$\mathcal {G}$$ has bounded elimination distance to a forest. This captures and generalizes all existing kernels for structural parameterizations of the Feedback Vertex Set problem.
Can one hear the shape of a wormhole?
Authors: Antonini Stefano , Simidzija Petar , Swingle Brian , Van Raamsdonk Mark
Published: September 2022

Abstract

A large class of flat big bang-big crunch cosmologies with negative cosmological constant are related by analytic continuation to asymptotically AdS traversable wormholes with planar cross section. In recent works (arXiv:2102.05057, arXiv:2203.11220) it was suggested that such wormhole geometries may be dual to a pair of 3D holographic CFTs coupled via auxiliary degrees of freedom to give a theory that confines in the infrared. In this paper, we explore signatures of the presence of such a wormhole in the state of the coupled pair of 3D theories. We explain how the wormhole geometry is reflected in the spectrum of the confining theory and the behavior of two-point functions and entanglement entropies. We provide explicit algorithms to reconstruct the wormhole scale factor (which uniquely determines its geometry) from entanglement entropies, heavy operator two-point functions, or light operator two-point functions (which contain the spectrum information). In the last case, the physics of the bulk scalar field dual to the light operator is closely related to the quantum mechanics of a one-dimensional particle in a potential derived from the scale factor, and the problem of reconstructing the scale factor from the two-point function is directly related to the problem of reconstructing this Schrödinger potential from its spectrum.
A Canonical Complex Structure and the Bosonic Signature Operator for Scalar Fields in Globally Hyperbolic Spacetimes
Authors: Finster Felix , Much Albert
Published: September 2022

The bosonic signature operator is defined for Klein–Gordon fields and massless scalar fields on globally hyperbolic Lorentzian manifolds of infinite lifetime. The construction is based on an analysis of families of solutions of the Klein–Gordon equation with a varying mass parameter. It makes use of the so-called bosonic mass oscillation property which states that integrating over the mass parameter generates decay of the field at infinity. We derive a canonical decomposition of the solution space of the Klein–Gordon equation into two subspaces, independent of observers or the choice of coordinates. This decomposition endows the solution space with a canonical complex structure. It also gives rise to a distinguished quasi-free state. Taking a suitable limit where the mass tends to zero, we obtain corresponding results for massless fields. Our constructions and results are illustrated in the examples of Minkowski space and ultrastatic spacetimes.
Hypogammaglobulinemia in pediatric kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Dimitriades Victoria , Butani Lavjay
Published: September 2022

Infections remain the most common cause of hospitalization after kidney transplantation, contributing to significant post-transplant morbidity and mortality. There is a growing body of literature that suggests that immunoglobulins may have a significant protective role against post-transplant infections, although the literature remains sparse, inconsistent, and not well publicized among pediatric nephrologists. Of great concern are data indicating a high prevalence of immunoglobulin abnormalities following transplantation and a possible link between these abnormalities and poorer outcomes. Our educational review focuses on the epidemiology and risk factors for the development of immunoglobulin abnormalities after kidney transplantation, the outcomes in patients with low immunoglobulin levels, and studies evaluating possible interventions to correct these immunoglobulin abnormalities.
Allokation von einmalig zu applizierenden Arzneimitteln bei Kindern in globalen Compassionate Use-Programmen
Authors: Miller Clemens
Published: September 2022

Compassionate Use beschreibt die Anwendung zulassungsüberschreitender Arzneimittel für Patient*innengruppen, die an einer lebensbedrohlichen oder zu einer schweren Behinderung führenden Erkrankung leiden, ohne dass eine alternative Therapieoption besteht. An Ärzt*innen vorbei werden solche Programme ausschließlich von Pharmaunternehmen initiiert, was viele ethische Konflikte mit sich bringt. Eine neue Dimension erreichte das 2020 gestartete Programm für Onasemnogenum abeparvovecum zur Therapie von Spinaler Muskelatrophie bei Kindern, welches die Krankheit nach nur einmaliger Gabe stoppen sollte. Die globale Allokation von nur 100 zur Verfügung gestellten Dosierungen per Losverfahren stellte ein Novum bei der Allokation in Compassionate Use-Programmen dar und wurde vielfach kritisiert. Diese Arbeit untersucht mögliche alternative Allokationsprinzipien auf das Beispiel von Onasemnogenum abeparvovecum. Für jedes in Frage kommende Prinzip der Allokation medizinischer Güter bestehen Aspekte, die im Hinblick auf die drängende Zeit und die globale Verteilung bedacht werden müssen. Dies lässt einige Prinzipien wie First-Come-First-Served vernachlässigbar erscheinen. Verbliebene Prinzipien werden hierarchisch geordnet, um einen Algorithmus abzuleiten, der eine Alternative zum Losverfahren darstellen kann. Eine Kombination von Teilnahmebereitschaft bei Forschung, Dringlichkeit und Erfolgsaussicht (bezogen auf die Existenz supportiver Therapieoptionen) kann in ähnlichen Fällen bei zukünftigen globalen Compassionate Use-Programmen bei Kindern erwogen werden. Da universelle Algorithmen nur schwer definierbar sind, sollten Allokationskriterien in jedem Fall durch ein unabhängiges Expert*innengremium diskutiert werden. Sowohl die Konstitution eines solchen Gremiums sowie deren verpflichtende Konsultierung sind gefordert, um für Entlastung aller Beteiligten zu sorgen und Willkür vorzubeugen.
An evolutionary account of impairment of self in cognitive disorders
Authors: Benítez-Burraco Antonio , Adornetti Ines , Ferretti Francesco , Progovac Ljiljana
Published: September 2022

Recent research has proposed that certain aspects of psychosis, as experienced in, e.g., schizophrenia (SCZ), but also aspects of other cognitive conditions, such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and synesthesia, can be related to a shattered sense of the notion of self. In this paper, our goal is to show that altered processing of self can be attributed to an abnormal functioning of cortico-striatal brain networks supporting, among other, one key human distinctive cognitive ability, namely cross-modality, which plays multiple roles in human cognition and language. Specifically, our hypothesis is that this cognitive mechanism sheds light both on some basic aspects of the minimal self and on some aspects related to higher forms of self, such as the narrative self. We further link the atypical functioning in these conditions to some recent evolutionary changes in our species, specifically, an atypical presentation of human self-domestication (HSD) features. In doing so, we also lean on previous work concerning the link between cognitive disorders and language evolution under the effects of HSD. We further show that this approach can unify both linguistic and non-linguistic symptoms of these conditions through deficits in the notion of self. Our considerations provide further support for the hypothesis that SCZ and ASD are diametrically opposed cognitive conditions, as well for the hypothesis that their etiology is associated with recent human evolution, leading to a deeper understanding of the causes and symptoms of these disorders, and providing new cues, which can be used for an earlier and more accurate diagnostics.
Multitrophic interactions of entomopathogenic fungi in BioControl
Authors: Quesada-Moraga Enrique , Garrido-Jurado Inmaculada , Yousef-Yousef Meelad , González-Mas Natalia
Published: September 2022

Biocontrol with hypocrealean entomopathogenic fungi (EF) is a key tool to develop Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs for the progressive replacement of synthetic chemical insecticides with more environmentally friendly pest control measures. These fungi stand out among entomopathogens not only for their contact mechanism of infection through the arthropod integument, but also for developing close associations with plants including the endophytic lifestyle and rhizosphere competence that can enable them to make broader contributions to IPM and crop production. Anyhow, the interaction of EF with the plants incorporates multitrophic complexity at different levels including insect pests, plants, and their natural enemies. The aim of the present review was to gather and summarize all available data on multitrophic interactions of EF. These fungi can influence both the chemical ecology of host-plant selection by insect pests and the host or prey selection by parasitoid or predators, respectively. Moreover, EF treatments are compatible with natural enemies in terms of safety and effectiveness, which could allow biocontrol strategies for their synergistic application in IPM programs. A comprehensive understanding of the impact of these multitrophic interactions in longer term, farm-level real-life biocontrol implementation studies will provide new opportunities in plant protection and production.
Using a socio-ecological framework to understand how 8–12-year-olds build and show digital resilience: A multi-perspective and multimethod qualitative study
Authors: Hammond Simon Patrick , Polizzi Gianfranco , Bartholomew Kimberley Jane
Published: September 2022

Educationalists’, researchers’, and policy makers’ work on children’s digital resilience has marginalised the role of the broader context within which digital resilience is constituted, experienced and derived. We aimed to address this lacuna by exploring how pre-teen’s digital resilience operates as a dynamic socio-ecological process. Addressing this aim, we employed participatory methods and thematically analysed eight focus groups with children aged 8–12 years (n = 59) and 20 telephone interviews with parents/carers and teachers of 8–12-year-olds and internet safety experts to examine this issue. We used purposive sampling and collected data over three months (January-March 2020). Our analysis constructed a matrix of main themes, constituent, and cross-cutting sub-themes. By placing this within a socio-ecological framework, we illustrate how pre-teens’ digital resilience operates within and across differing four levels (individual, home, community and societal) and four domains (learning, recognising, managing, and recovery). The paper advances the literature by illustrating how children can be supported to build and show digital resilience within and across different levels and domains. It is argued that digital resilience should be re-conceptualised as a collective endeavour involving children at an individual level, parents/carers within home environments, youth workers, civil society, teachers, and schools at a community level, along with governments, policymakers, and the education system and internet corporations at a societal level. We conclude by providing practice and research recommendations guiding those supporting children to facilitate opportunities to thrive online.
Automated conduction velocity estimation based on isochronal activation of heart chambers
Authors: Santurri Michela , Bonga Jennifer , Schmid Maurizio , Cauti Filippo Maria , Solimene Francesco , Polselli Marco , Bura Mauro , Piccolo Francesco , Malacrida Maurizio , Pelargonio Gemma , Spera Francesco Raffaele , Bianchi Stefano , Rossi Pietro
Published: September 2022

Background

Spatial differences in conduction velocity (CV) are critical for cardiac arrhythmias induction. We propose a method for an automated CV calculation to identify areas of slower conduction during cardiac arrhythmias and sinus rhythm.

Methods

Color-coded representations of the isochronal activation map using data coming from the RHYTHMIA™ Mapping System were reproduced by applying a temporal isochronal window at 20 ms. Geodesic distances of the 3D mesh were calculated using an algorithm selecting the minimum distance pathway (MDP). The CV estimation was performed considering points on the boundary of two spatially and temporally adjacent isochrones. For each of the boundary points of a given isochrone, the nearest boundary point of the consecutive isochrone was chosen, the MDP was evaluated, and a map of CV was created. The proposed method has been applied to a population of 29 patients.

Results

In all cases of perimitral atrial flutter (16 pts out of 29 (55%)), areas with significantly low CV (< 30 cm/s) were found. Half of the cases present regions with low CV located in the anterior wall. No case with low CV at the so-called LA isthmus was observed. Right atrial maps during common atrial flutters showed low CV areas mainly located in the inferior inter-atrial septum. No areas of low CV were observed in subjects without a history of atrial arrhythmia while pts affected by paroxysmal AF showed areas with a limited extension of low CV.

Conclusions

The proposed software for automated CV estimation allows the identification of low CV areas, potentially helping electrophysiologists to plan the ablation strategy.
The Use of Drones in the Area of Minimizing Health Risk during the COVID-19 Epidemic
Authors: Król-Całkowska Esthera Justyna , Walczak Daniel
Published: September 2022

Despite their general availability, drones are not currently widely used in emergency medicine, distribution of medication and other medical products, as well as in epidemiological emergencies, in which limiting interpersonal contact is crucial for minimizing the public health risk. Given the current epidemiological situation, it is pertinent to consider, whether implementing activities with the use of drones can significantly contribute to minimizing health risks, and whether such initiatives are acceptable in the light of applicable legal regulations. The main objective is supported by an analysis of the usefulness of applicable provisions, indicating the direction of possible changes in existing legal regulations. Additionally, the article aims to demonstrate the feasibility of drone use in activities related to combating epidemics, as well as to emphasize their practical importance. Reports on the commercial use of drones in the distribution of goods and services have also been used as material for comprehensive analysis. Simultaneously, the article also includes data on quantities of equipment available to healthcare units in Poland for saving life and health. The present work uses the method of analysis of applicable legal regulations, as a criterion for the usefulness of existing solutions in the area of improving the quality of medical services, including preventive measures and combating the effects of an epidemic.
Biological small-calibre tissue engineered blood vessels developed by electrospinning and in-body tissue architecture
Authors: Su Zhixiang , Xing Yuehao , Wang Fei , Xu Zeqin , Gu Yongquan
Published: September 2022

There are no suitable methods to develop the small-calibre tissue-engineered blood vessels (TEBVs) that can be widely used in the clinic. In this study, we developed a new method that combines electrospinning and in-body tissue architecture(iBTA) to develop small-calibre TEBVs. Electrospinning imparted mechanical properties to the TEBVs, and the iBTA imparted biological properties to the TEBVs. The hybrid fibres of PLCL (poly(L-lactic-co-ε-caprolactone) and PU (Polyurethane) were obtained by electrospinning, and the fibre scaffolds were then implanted subcutaneously in the abdominal area of the rabbit (as an in vivo bioreactor). The biotubes were harvested after four weeks. The mechanical properties of the biotubes were most similar to those of the native rabbit aorta. Biotubes and the PLCL/PU vascular scaffolds were implanted into the rabbit carotid artery. The biotube exhibited a better patency rate and certain remodelling ability in the rabbit model, which indicated the potential use of this hybridization method to develop small-calibre TEBVs.