bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Illness representations, coping and anxiety among men with localized prostate cancer over an 18‐months period: A parallel vs. level‐contrast mediation approach
Authors: Otto Isabella , Hilger Caren , Magheli Ahmed , Stadler Gertraud , Kendel Friederike
Published: September 2021

Objective

Men diagnosed with localized prostate cancer (lPCa) are confronted with the decision for a treatment strategy, potentially experiencing treatment side effects and psychological distress. The Common Sense Model proposes that coping with such challenges is related to illness representations: Beliefs regarding consequences, coherence, timeline, and controllability of the illness. We analyzed the interplay of illness representations, coping and anxiety over an 18‐month period among men with lPCa undergoing different treatment options (Active Surveillance, curative treatment).

Methods

In this longitudinal study, 183 men (age M = 66.83) answered a questionnaire before starting treatment, and 6, 12, and 18 months later. We analyzed time trajectories with growth curve modeling and conducted mediation analyses to evaluate the influence of coping on the association of illness representations and anxiety. Using a novel methodological approach, we compared a classic parallel mediation model with a level‐contrast approach for the correlated mediators problem‐ and emotion‐focused coping.

Results

Independent of treatment (b = 1.31, p = 0.200) men reported an elevated level of anxiety after diagnosis which declined considerably within the following 6 months (b = −1.87, p = 0.009). The perceived seriousness of consequences was significantly associated with greater anxiety, at baseline (β = 0.471) and over time (all β ≥ 0.204). This association was mediated by coping: Using more emotion‐than problem‐focused coping was associated with higher anxiety.

Conclusions

Receiving a lPCa diagnosis is associated with a phase of increased anxiety. In order to reduce anxiety, information provision should be accompanied by developing concrete action plans to enable problem‐focused coping strategies.
Modeling and Analysis of the Geometry‐Dependent Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Coiled Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Chen Yan , Qin Huasong , Liu Yilun , Pei Qing-Xiang , Zhang Yong-Wei
Published: September 2021

Coiled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have attracted much attention thanks to their unique geometrical structure along with outstanding mechanical and thermal properties. However, the relationship between the geometrical parameters and mechanical and thermal properties of coiled CNTs remains largely unexplored. Herein, coiled CNTs are constructed with various geometries by phase‐field crystal (PFC) modeling and their mechanical and thermal properties are investigated by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. It is found that the effect of geometrical parameters of coiled CNTs on the Young's modulus can be well captured by analytical formulas derived from the mechanical spring tube model. These extensive MD simulations show that the Young's modulus of coiled CNTs increases with an increase in coil pitch l and CNT radius r, but decreases with an increase in coil radius R. Furthermore, using the nonequilibrium MD (NEMD) method, it is found that the thermal conductivity of coiled CNTs decreases with an increase in coil radius R, but increases slightly with an increase of coil pitch l and CNT radius r. Valuable insights into the mechanical and thermal properties of coiled CNTs are provided and the findings here may serve as useful guidelines for the design of coiled CNTs for device applications.
Gaussian process regression‐based detection and correction of disturbances in surface topography measurements
Authors: Maculotti Giacomo , Genta Gianfranco , Quagliotti Danilo , Galetto Maurizio , Hansen Hans N.
Published: September 2021

Modern smart and intelligent manufacturing is characterised by an increasing use of highly engineered surfaces and quasi‐free form geometries, for example, by additive manufacturing, and the requirement for fast and informative measurement tools for quality controls in production. These have lately pulled towards the adoption of optical surface topography measuring instruments to qualify technological surfaces, which are core to being assessed to characterise the product and optimise the manufacturing process. Surface topography measurements performed by optical instruments are known to suffer from disturbances, such as non‐measured points and spikes. These are due to complex interactions between the measurand and the instrument and may result in poor measurement quality and biased characterisation results. Currently, the correction of measurement disturbances is carried out by empirical approaches which mostly involve thresholding and interpolations, whose sensitivity is often devolved to the operator. In this work, a Gaussian process regression‐based approach is outlined to identify and correct measurement disturbances exploiting spatial correlation properties of the measurements to provide a formal, robust, and univocally defined approach to manage measurement disturbances. The proposed approach, differently from currently available alternatives, is capable of managing at once the different type of disturbances by means of a supervised machine learning technique. The formal and practical advantages of the proposed method are discussed exploiting case studies of industrial interest applied on quasi‐flat surfaces to stress the disturbances effect.
Robust orbital stabilization: A Floquet theory–based approach
Authors: Sætre Christian Fredrik , Shiriaev Anton S. , Freidovich Leonid B. , Gusev Sergei V. , Fridman Leonid M.
Published: September 2021

The design of robust orbitally stabilizing feedback is considered. From a known orbitally stabilizing controller for a nominal, disturbance‐free system, a robustifying feedback extension is designed utilizing the sliding‐mode control (SMC) methodology. The main contribution of the article is to provide a constructive procedure for designing the time‐invariant switching function used in the SMC synthesis. More specifically, its zero‐level set (the sliding manifold) is designed using a real Floquet–Lyapunov transformation to locally correspond to an invariant subspace of the Monodromy matrix of a transverse linearization. This ensures asymptotic stability of the periodic orbit when the system is confined to the sliding manifold, despite any system uncertainties and external disturbances satisfying a matching condition. The challenging task of oscillation control of the underactuated cart–pendulum system subject to both matched‐ and unmatched disturbances/uncertainties demonstrates the efficacy of the proposed scheme.
Robust adaptive finite‐time trajectory tracking control of a quadrotor aircraft
Authors: Wu Di , Zhang Weijian , Du Haibo , Wang Xiangyu
Published: September 2021

This article mainly investigates the problem of tracking the flight trajectory for a quadrotor aircraft with uncertain parameters and external disturbances. Combined with the model structure, the quadrotor aircraft system can be divided into position system and attitude system. Firstly, for the position system with unknown parameters, some adaptive finite‐time position tracking controllers are designed based on the homogeneous system theory and finite‐time parameter estimators. For the attitude system, the uncertain parameters and external disturbances are regarded as lumped disturbances. Based on the homogeneous system theory and sliding‐mode observers, some adaptive finite‐time attitude controllers are proposed. Finally, some numerical simulation results are given to verify the control performance of the proposed control scheme.
Surface characteristics of polycarbonate by radio‐frequency linear dielectric barrier plasma activation
Authors: Cheng Chou‐Yuan , Jhuang Jia‐Cih , Wu Ping‐Ying , Huang Chun
Published: September 2021

In this paper, we report the surface activation of polycarbonate by linear dielectric barrier plasma treatment at one atmospheric pressure. Different analytical techniques were used to determine the changes in the surface characteristics of polycarbonate: Static and dynamic water contact angle examinations showed that the hydrophobicity of the surface decreased after being exposed to linear atmospheric pressure plasma; optical emission spectroscopy was used to identify the chemical species in the plasma before and after surface exposure; the variations in the surface morphology and chemical structure of polycarbonate were confirmed by atomic force microscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The latter clearly showed an increased surface concentration of oxygen‐containing functional groups after linear atmospheric pressure plasma treatment. Our experimental results display the essential role of polar atmospheric contaminants in the interaction between linear plasma and a polycarbonate surface and demonstrate that the input plasma power can be tuned to tailor the final hydrophilicity of the polymeric material.
An Active K‐OMS‐2 Supported Catalyst for Hydrogenolysis of Glycerol
Authors: Gogoi Pranjal , Chilukuri Satyanarayana , Thirumalaiswamy Raja
Published: September 2021

Propanediols are very important chemical intermediates, which need to be prepared through commercially viable routes. Cryptomelane type octahedral molecular sieve‐2 (K‐OMS‐2), a cheap and environmentally benign microporous oxide was employed to support Ru and used as a catalyst to get 1,2‐propanediol (1,2‐PDO) selectively through hydrogenolysis of glycerol. Three catalysts with different Ru content were prepared and evaluated for glycerol hydrogenolysis. Among these, 1 wt.% Ru‐K‐OMS‐2 showed reasonably good activity towards 1,2‐PDO formation under moderate reaction conditions even at lower Ru loading (0.9 wt.%).  When other metals such as Cu and Ni were supported on K‐OMS‐2, their performance was inferior compared to Ru‐supported catalysts. All the catalysts were characterized using various physicochemical techniques like XRD, N2‐sorption, TPD, H2‐TPR, TGA, ICP‐OES, FE‐SEM and TEM. The enhanced catalytic activity with the 1 wt.%Ru‐K‐OMS‐2 catalyst was attributed to the better Ru metal dispersion, higher active metal surface area, basic strength, and porosity of the support. The catalyst was found to be recyclable. Analysis of spent catalyst by TEM showed disintegration of Ru nanoparticles to smaller ones, under high H2 pressure at the reaction temperature. Smaller Ru particles are expected to promote C−C bond cleavage thus suppressing 1,2‐PDO formation. Furthermore, a relationship between the TOF value, Ru nanoparticles size, and the basic strength of the catalysts was established, which provides dipper insight into the different catalytic behavior of the catalysts.
Synthesis of 1,8‐Cineole Derivatives from 3‐Carene
Authors: Wang Jing , Zhang Hongmei , Xu Shichao , Jiang Jianxin , Chen Yuxiang , Zhao Zhendong
Published: September 2021

With the purpose of developing high‐value utilization approach for 3‐carene, various 1,8‐cineole derivatives bearing Br, OH, and NH2 groups at C‐6 were synthesized starting from it, following a new method of synthesis. The structure of 1,8‐cineole was established from the structure of carene by first introducing an OH and then carrying out ring‐opening and nucleophilic substitution reactions under acidic conditions. Br was simultaneously introduced at C‐6 as an active reaction site. The acidity of the medium significantly influenced the efficiency of the reaction. It was observed that trimethylsilyl bromide was the ideal reagent to carry out the reaction. 6‐Bromo‐1,8‐cineole was prepared from 3‐carene via a two‐steps process at 20 °C. The reaction time was ≤3 h. The maximum extent of conversion was 98.58 % and a selectivity of 60.66 % was achieved. Then, we synthesized two other compounds with high reactivities from 6‐bromo‐1,8‐cineole. 6‐Hydroxyl‐1,8‐cineole was synthesized by reacting 6‐bromo‐1,8‐cineole with H2O at 65 °C for 1 h. The extent of conversion was 98.49 % and the selectivity was 87.86 %. A hydroxyl derivative with >90 % purity was obtained after removing the solvent. 6‐Amino‐1,8‐cineole together with 6‐hydroxyl‐1,8‐cineole were synthesized by reacting 6‐bromo‐1,8‐cineole with ammonia with the conversion was >98 % under 70 °C for 1 h. Lower feed ratio of ammonia to 6‐bromo‐1,8‐cineole was good for the yield of amino derivative. The hydroxyl/amino ratio decreased from 4.0 to 1.6 with the feed ratio decreased from 8 to 4. The hydroxyl derivative and amino derivative could be efficiently separated by adjusting the pH of the reaction medium to obtain an amino derivative (>93 % purity).
Symptom‐based improvement recommendations
Authors: Pries‐Heje Jan , Johansen Jørn , Korsaa Morten
Published: September 2021

For this paper, we have identified a list of 32 characteristic symptoms that is often discussed during assessments, generated by two experienced assessors who had undertaken maturity assessments in more than 300 companies. We then use cognitive mapping and the “five whys” technique to look beyond the symptoms and reveal the underlying problems or causes of the problems. Following that, we evaluate our findings through the design and evaluation of a web‐based tool where users can score statements based on a formulation of the symptoms. This enables us to recommend to users the areas where they probably need to improve. We designed the tool in three learning cycles of design evaluation and ended up in a summative evaluation where we compared the outcome of using the website tool with a CMMI maturity assessment. We conclude that a systematic quest for symptoms coupled with scoring statements based on the symptoms can point to improvement areas. However, we conclude that doing so is no substitute for a maturity assessment; the scoring of statements cannot reveal the maturity of the organization, but it can quickly and easily point in a useful direction and provide recommendations for going in that direction.
Heterostructuring Mesoporous 2D Iridium Nanosheets with Amorphous Nickel Boron Oxide Layers to Improve Electrolytic Water Splitting
Authors: Kang Yunqing , Jiang Bo , Malgras Victor , Guo Yanna , Cretu Ovidiu , Kimoto Koji , Ashok Aditya , Wan Zhe , Li Hexing , Sugahara Yoshiyuki , Yamauchi Yusuke , Asahi Toru
Published: September 2021

2D heterostructures exhibit a considerable potential in electrolytic water splitting due to their high specific surface areas, tunable electronic properties, and diverse hybrid compositions. However, the fabrication of well‐defined 2D mesoporous amorphous‐crystalline heterostructures with highly active heterointerfaces remains challenging. Herein, an efficient 2D heterostructure consisting of amorphous nickel boron oxide (Ni‐Bi) and crystalline mesoporous iridium (meso‐Ir) is designed for water splitting, referred to as Ni‐Bi/meso‐Ir. Benefiting from well‐defined 2D heterostructures and strong interfacial coupling, the resulting mesoporous dual‐phase Ni‐Bi/meso‐Ir possesses abundant catalytically active heterointerfaces and boosts the exposure of active sites, compared to their crystalline and amorphous mono‐counterparts. The electronic state of the iridium sites is tuned favorably by hybridizing with Ni‐Bi layers. Consequently, the Ni‐Bi/meso‐Ir heterostructures show superior and stable electrochemical performance toward both oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in an alkaline electrolyte.
The Influence of Private Land Deer Management Cooperatives on Harvest Outcomes and Hunter Satisfaction
Authors: Mitterling Anna M. , Rudolph Brent A. , Kramer Daniel B.
Published: September 2021

Private‐land, deer‐hunting cooperatives seek to facilitate collective action to restrain buck harvest, encourage doe harvest, and improve hunter satisfaction. We evaluated 15 deer‐hunting cooperatives in southern Michigan to assess whether perceived satisfaction among 348 members was affected by deer harvest outcomes, characteristics of cooperative members, agreement over voluntarily established harvest and population management goals, and members' perceived fit with their cooperative. Our results indicate that cooperative members harvested just over 2 antlerless deer for every antlered buck, compared to an overall hunter harvest ratio of approximately 1:1 across all of southern Michigan. Perceived satisfaction levels generally increased among cooperative members after joining a cooperative. Perceived satisfaction was positively correlated with members' perceived fit within the cooperative, members' perceived agreement with other cooperative members on harvest and management goals, years of membership and antlerless harvest, and negatively associated with member age. Our results suggested that efforts to promote the formation and successful operation of private, deer‐management cooperatives may provide a way for state wildlife agencies to leverage collective action to enhance deer management capacity, boost hunter satisfaction, and potentially increase hunter recruitment, retention, and reactivation. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.
Makroskopische und mikroskopische Veränderungen des N. vestibulocochlearis nach Gamma-Knife-Therapie
Authors: Scheer Maximilian , Scheller Christian , Prell Julian , Mawrin Christian , Rahne Torsten , Strauss Christian , Simmermacher Sebastian
Published: September 2021

Wir berichten über einen Fall, bei dem makroskopische und mikroskopische Veränderungen des Verstibularnervs nach radiochirurgischer Behandlung eines intrameatalen Vestibularisschwannoms beobachtet wurden. Der Fallbericht zeigt das erste Mal ein morphologisches Korrelat der unerwünschten Effekte der Gamma-Knife-Therapie von Vestibularisschwannomen und unterstreicht, dass trotz eines deutlichen Abstands zum bestehenden Tumor degenerative Veränderungen der neuralen Strukturen erwartet werden können.
„C-Probleme“ des nichttraumatologischen Schockraummanagements
Authors: Michael M. , Kumle B. , Pin M. , Michels G. , Hammer N. , Kümpers P. , Bernhard M.
Published: September 2021

Im Rahmen des nichttraumatologischen Schockraummanagements zur Versorgung kritisch kranker Patienten werden akute Störungen der Vitalfunktionen rasch detektiert und behandelt. Beim „primary survey“ (Erstversorgung) dient das etablierte ABCDE-Schema der strukturierten Untersuchung aller relevanten Vitalparameter. Akute Störungen werden hierbei unmittelbar detektiert und therapiert. „C-Probleme“ stellen den größten Anteil der ABCDE-Störungen bei nichttraumatologischen Schockraumpatienten dar und zeichnen sich durch eine hämodynamische Instabilität infolge hypovolämischer, obstruktiver, distributiver oder kardiogener Schockformen aus. Abhängig von den lokalen Versorgungsstrukturen umfasst die nichttraumatologische Schockraumversorgung hierbei auch die Stabilisierung von Patienten mit akutem Koronarsyndrom oder nach prähospitaler Reanimation (Cardiac Arrest Center).
Cell-free DNA comparative analysis of the genomic landscape of first-line hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer from the US and China
Authors: Liu Xiaoran , Davis Andrew A. , Xie Feng , Gui Xinyu , Chen Yifei , Zhang Qiang , Gerratana Lorenzo , Zhang Youbin , Shah Ami N. , Behdad Amir , Wehbe Firas , Huang Yong , Yu Jianjun , Du Pan , Jia Shidong , Li Huiping , Cristofanilli Massimo
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Meaningful comparison of mutational landscapes across ethnic groups requires the use of standardized platform technology. We have used a harmonized NGS-based liquid biopsy assay to explore the differential genomic landscape of patients with initially hormone receptor-positive (HR+), HER2-negative MBC of first line metastasis or primary Stage IV at diagnosis from the United States (US) and China (CN).

Methods

Plasma circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) from 27 US patients and 65 CN patients was sequenced using the harmonized CLIA-certified, 152-gene PredicineCare™ liquid biopsy assay. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was performed to analyze the correlation between genomic alterations and progression-free survival (PFS), and p-values were calculated using the log-rank test.

Results

All patients in the CN cohort received chemotherapy and/or hormonal therapy, while 85.2% (23/27) patients in the US cohort received hormonal therapy plus CDK4/6 inhibitors. Mutations were detected in 23 of 27 (85%) US patients and 54 of 65 (83%) CN patients. The prevalence of AKT1 (P = 0.008) and CDH1 (P = 0.021) alterations were both higher in the US vs. CN cohort. In addition, FGFR1 amplification were more frequent in the CN vs. US cohort (P = 0.048). PTEN deletions (P = 0.03) and ESR1 alterations (P = 0.02) were associated with shorter PFS in the CN cohort, neither of these associations were observed in the US cohort. Interestingly, a reduced association between PTEN deletion and PFS was observed in patients receiving CDK4/6 inhibitor treatment.

Conclusion

The differential prevalence of ctDNA-based alterations such as FGFR1, AKT1, and CDH1 was observed in initially HR+/HER2− MBC patients in the US vs. CN. In addition, the association of PTEN deletions with shorter PFS was found in the CN but not the US cohort. The differential genomic landscapes across the two ethnic groups may reflect biologic differences and clinical implications.
Truth and Method in Southern Criminology
Authors: Brown Mark
Published: September 2021

What does it mean to “do” southern criminology? What does this entail and what demands should it place on us as criminologists ethically and methodologically? This article addresses such questions through a form dialogue between the Global North and the Global South. At the center of this dialogue is a set of questions about ethical conduct in the pursuit of knowledge and understanding in human relations. These develop into a conversation that engages South Asian scholars working at the forefront of critical social science, history and theory with a foundational text of European hermeneuticist theory and practice, Hans-Georg Gadamer’s Truth and Method, published in 1960. Out of this exercise in communication across culture, histories and knowledge practices emerges a new kind of dialogue and a new way of thinking about ethical practice in criminology. To give such abstractions a concrete reference point, the article illustrates their possibilities and tensions through a case study of penal reform and the question of whether so-called “failed” Northern penal methods—like the prison—should be exported to the Global South. The article thus works dialogically back and forth through these scholars’ accounts of ethical conduct, research practice, the weight of history, and the work of theory with a very concrete and common criminological context in sight. The result is what might be understood as a norm of ethical engagement and an epistemology of dialogue.
Improved pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile of a novel PEGylated native Erwinia chrysanthemi L-Asparaginase
Authors: Modi Tapasvi , Gervais David
Published: September 2021

Introduction. Erwinase® (native Erwinia chrysanthemi L-Asparaginase (nErA)) is an approved second-line treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in children and adolescents, who develop hypersensitivity or neutralising antibodies to E.coli derived L-Asparaginases (ASNases). However, nErA has a short in vivo half-life requiring frequent dosing schedules in patients. In this study, nErA was covalently conjugated to PEG molecules with the aim of extending its half-life in vivo. Methods. Firstly, efficacy of this novel product PEG-nErA was investigated on human ALL cell lines (Jurkat, CCRF-CEM and CCRF-HSB2), in vitro. Secondly, its pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) characteristics were determined, in vivo (12 rats in each group). Results. It was found that the specific activity (U/mg of enzyme) and the kinetic constant (KM) of nErA remained unaltered post PEGylation. PEG-nErA was shown to have similar cytotoxicity to nErA (IC50: 0.06–0.17 U/mL) on human ALL cell lines, in vitro. Further, when compared to nErA, PEG-nErA showed a significantly improved half-life in vivo, which meant that L-Asparagine (Asn) levels in plasma remained depleted for up to 25 days with a four-fold lower dose (100 U/kg) compared with 72 h for nErA at 400 U/kg dose. Conclusion. Overall, this next generation product PEG-nErA (with improved PK and PD characteristics compared to nErA) would bring a significant advantage to the therapeutic needs of ALL patients and should be further explored in clinical trials.
Investigation on graduate students’ social presence and social knowledge construction in two online discussion settings
Authors: Guo Chen , Shea Peter , Chen Xiangdong
Published: September 2021

Online discussions have become important educational activities through which collaborative learning and knowledge construction can be facilitated. This study explores the use of two online discussion tools, online discussion board and VoiceThread, for supporting online course discussion activities among a group of graduate students and investigates the differences in the levels of social presence and social knowledge construction in the two discussion settings. Meanwhile, the participants’ posting behaviors and interaction patterns were also examined. Results reveal that the participants contributed more words when using the audio and video features of VoiceThread. Additionally, the graduate students tended to create more contents and demonstrated more social presence behaviors when interacting with others in the VoiceThread discussion platform. However, the participants exhibited fewer social knowledge construction behaviors than they did in the text-based online discussion board.
Reproductive effort affects subsequent horn growth in sexually dimorphic male ungulates
Authors: Willisch Christian Simon , Neuhaus Peter
Published: September 2021

Trade-offs between reproductive effort and subsequent growth in males are not well explored, despite their relevance in questions of individual energy allocation. Regarding the growth of sexual secondary characters in polygynous breeding male mammals, indeed, no conclusive studies exist. We investigated in male Alpine ibex (Capra ibex) the relationship between their behavioral reproductive effort, current horn size, and subsequent horn growth. While controlling for age, no evidence was found for male behavioral reproductive effort during the rut being affected by their horn size. On the other hand, reproductive effort significantly decreased age-specific horn growth during the following summer. Our study provides evidence that growth of secondary sexual characters is traded against behavioral investments in reproduction in a male mammal. It bears important implications for the understanding of energy allocation between various life-history components and the evolutionary ecology of secondary sexual characters.
Weekly Crime Concentration
Authors: Prieto Curiel Rafael
Published: September 2021

Objectives

Examine and visualise the temporal concentration of different crime types and detect if their intensity varies through distinct moments of the week.

Methods

The “heartbeat of the crime signal” is constructed by overlapping the weekly time they were suffered. This study is based on more than 220,000 crimes reported to the Mexico City Police Department between January 2016 and March 2020 to capture the day and time of crimes and detect moments of the week in which the intensity exceeds the average frequency. A new metric for the temporal concentration of crime is constructed for different types of crime and regions of the city based on the corresponding heartbeats.

Results

The temporal concentration of crime is a stable signature of different types of crime. The intensity of robberies and theft is more homogeneous from Monday to Sunday, but robberies of a bank user are highly concentrated in a week, meaning that few hours of the week capture most of the burning moments. The concentration is not homogeneously distributed in the city, with some regions experiencing a much higher temporal concentration of crime.

Conclusions

Crime is highly concentrated when observed in its weekly patterns, but different types of crime and regions exhibit substantially distinct concentration levels. The temporal trace indicates specific moments for the burning times of different types of crime, which is a critical element of a policing strategy.
Risks and neurological benefits of meningioma surgery in elderly patients compared to young patients
Authors: Ahmeti Hajrullah , Borzikowsky Christoph , Hollander Dieter , Röcken Christoph , Jansen Olav , Synowitz Michael , Mehdorn Maximilian H.
Published: September 2021

Introduction

While surgery is the primary treatment choice for intracranial meningiomas in young patients, surgery in elderly patients, especially those with pre-existing comorbidities, has been the subject of repeated discussion. This study investigated the postoperative risks and neurological benefits of meningioma surgery in elderly patients compared to young patients.

Methods

In total, 768 patients were included and divided into two main groups: group I (age: ≤ 64 years; 484 young patients) and group II (age: ≥ 65 years; 284 elderly patients). Group II was subdivided into: IIa (age: 65–69 years), IIb (age: 70–79 years); and IIc (age: ≥ 80 years).

Results

The total tumor resection rate was higher in the elderly cohort than in the young cohort (84.5 and 76.2%, respectively). 154 young patients (31.8%) and 132 elderly patients (46.5%) developed postoperative morbidities, with the three most common being bleeding (12.9%), cranial nerve disorder (10%) and CSF fistula (8.1%). Postoperative bleeding, palsy, speech disorder, pneumonia and renal insufficiency were dependent on age (r = 0.123, p = 0.001; r = 0.089, p = 0.014; r = 0.100, p = 0.006; r = 0.098, p = 0.007 and r = 0.084, p = 0.020) and presented more often in elderly patients. 6 young and 15 elderly patients died during the 17.4-year observation period. Most patients showed a significant improvement in postoperative KPS (p < 0.001), except those over 80 years old (p = 0.753). The KPS at the last follow-up was significantly improved in all patients (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Meningioma surgery is associated with a higher rate of postoperative complications in elderly patients than in young patients. Most elderly patients, similar to young patients, show a significant improvement in neurological status postoperatively.
bSTAB: an open-source software for computing the basin stability of multi-stable dynamical systems
Authors: Stender Merten , Hoffmann Norbert
Published: September 2021

The pervasiveness of multi-stability in nonlinear dynamical systems calls for novel concepts of stability and a consistent quantification of long-term behavior. The basin stability is a global stability metric that builds on estimating the basin of attraction volumes by Monte Carlo sampling. The computation involves extensive numerical time integrations, attractor characterization, and clustering of trajectories. We introduce , an open-source software project that aims at enabling researchers to efficiently compute the basin stability of their dynamical systems with minimal efforts and in a highly automated manner. The source code, available athttps://github.com/TUHH-DYN/bSTAB/, is available for the programming language featuring parallelization for distributed computing, automated sensitivity and bifurcation analysis as well as plotting functionalities. We illustrate the versatility and robustness of for four canonical dynamical systems from several fields of nonlinear dynamics featuring periodic and chaotic dynamics, complicated multi-stability, non-smooth dynamics, and fractal basins of attraction. The projects aims at fostering interdisciplinary scientific collaborations in the field of nonlinear dynamics and is driven by the interaction and contribution of the community to the software package.
Criminals, bankruptcy, and cost of debt
Authors: Regenburg Kasper , Seitz Morten Nicklas Bigler
Published: September 2021

We examine whether criminal records of CEOs and rank-and-file employees are associated with firms’ likelihood of bankruptcy, and whether lenders adjust their required cost of debt accordingly. We use a nationwide sample of private firms and criminal registers covering all firm employees. We find that the likelihood of bankruptcy is positively associated with the CEO’s criminal record and the proportion of employees with criminal records. We find some, though less robust, evidence that lenders price a firm’s loan higher when the firm’s CEO has a criminal record and when more of the employees have criminal records. The results suggest that the characteristics of firm employees represent a risk that, to some extent, is priced by lenders.
Outlier detection in non-elliptical data by kernel MRCD
Authors: Schreurs Joachim , Vranckx Iwein , Hubert Mia , Suykens Johan A. K. , Rousseeuw Peter J.
Published: September 2021

The minimum regularized covariance determinant method (MRCD) is a robust estimator for multivariate location and scatter, which detects outliers by fitting a robust covariance matrix to the data. Its regularization ensures that the covariance matrix is well-conditioned in any dimension. The MRCD assumes that the non-outlying observations are roughly elliptically distributed, but many datasets are not of that form. Moreover, the computation time of MRCD increases substantially when the number of variables goes up, and nowadays datasets with many variables are common. The proposed kernel minimum regularized covariance determinant (KMRCD) estimator addresses both issues. It is not restricted to elliptical data because it implicitly computes the MRCD estimates in a kernel-induced feature space. A fast algorithm is constructed that starts from kernel-based initial estimates and exploits the kernel trick to speed up the subsequent computations. Based on the KMRCD estimates, a rule is proposed to flag outliers. The KMRCD algorithm performs well in simulations, and is illustrated on real-life data.
2D and 3D numerical models to evaluate trabecular bone damage
Authors: Buccino Federica , Colombo Chiara , Duarte Daniel Hernando Lozano , Rinaudo Luca , Ulivieri Fabio Massimo , Vergani Laura Maria
Published: September 2021

The comprehension of trabecular bone damage processes could be a crucial hint for understanding how bone damage starts and propagates. Currently, different approaches to bone damage identification could be followed. Clinical approaches start from dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) technique that can evaluate bone mineral density (BMD), an indirect indicator of fracture risk. DXA is, in fact, a two-dimensional technology, and BMD alone is not able to predict the effective risk of fractures. First attempts in overcoming this issue have been performed with finite element (FE) methods, combined with the use of three-dimensional high-resolution micro-computed tomographic images. The purpose of this work is to evaluate damage initiation and propagation in trabecular vertebral porcine samples using 2D linear-elastic FE models from DXA images and 3D linear FE models from micro-CT images. Results show that computed values of strains with 2D and 3D approaches (e.g., the minimum principal strain) are of the same order of magnitude. 2D DXA-based models still remain a powerful tool for a preliminary screening of trabecular regions that are prone to fracture, while from 3D micro-CT-based models, it is possible to reach details that permit the localization of the most strained trabecula.

Graphical abstract
Ex vivo lung perfusion: how we do it
Authors: Murala John Santosh , Whited William Michael , Banga Amit , Castillo Robert , Peltz Matthias , Huffman Lynn Custer , Hackmann Amy Elizabeth , Jessen Michael Erik , Torres Fernando , Wait Michael Alton
Published: September 2021

Lung transplantation is an established treatment for patients with end-stage lung disease. However, a shortage of donors, low lung utilization among potential donors, and waitlist mortality continue to be challenges. In the last decade, ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) has expanded the donor pool by allowing prolonged evaluation of marginal donor lungs and allowing reparative therapies for lungs, which are otherwise considered not transplantable. In this review, we describe in detail our experience with EVLP including our workflow, setup, operative technique, and protocols. Our multidisciplinary EVLP program functions with the collaboration of surgeons, pulmonologists, and EVLP nurses who run the pump. EVLP program has been a valuable addition to our program. Since Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in 2019, we experienced incremental increased lung transplant volume of 12% annually.
Pore pressure prediction in Niger Delta high pressure, high temperature (HP/HT) domains using well logs and 3D seismic data: a case study of X-field, onshore Niger Delta
Authors: Alabere Abdulquadri O. , Akangbe Olayemi K.
Published: September 2021

Few wells targeting high temperature, high pressure intervals in most tertiary sedimentary basins have achieved their objective in terms of technicalities and cost. Since most shallow targets have been drilled, exploration focus is drifting into deeper plays both onshore and in deep offshore areas. To ensure safe and economic drilling campaigns, pore pressure prediction methodologies used in the region needs to be improved. The research aims at generating and testing a modification of Eaton’s equation fit for high temperature, high pressure intervals on a field. The evolution of pore pressure in the field was established from offset well data by making several crossplots, and fracture gradient was computed using Mathew and Kelly’s equation. Eaton’s equation parameters were then calibrated using several wells until a desired field scale result was achieved when compared with information from already drilled intervals i.e., kicks and RFT data. Seismic velocity data resulting from high density, high resolution velocity analysis done to target deep overpressured intervals were then used to predict 1D pore pressure models at six selected prospect locations. Analyses reveal depths shallower than 3800 m TVD/MSL with geothermal gradient 3.0 °C/100 m and pressure gradient less than 1.50sg EMW are affected mainly by undercompaction; depths greater than 3800 m TVD/MSL with geothermal gradient of 4.1 °C/10 m and pressure gradients reaching 1.82–2.12sg EMW are affected by unloading with a narrow drilling margin for the deep highly pressured prospect intervals. Eaton’s n-exponent was modified to 6, and it proved accurate in predicting high overpressure in the first prospect wells drilled.
Extinctions
Authors: Hannah Michael
Published: September 2021

Are we now entering a mass extinction event? What can mass extinctions in Earth's history tell us about the Anthropocene? What do mass extinction events look like and how does life on Earth recover from them? The fossil record reveals periods when biodiversity exploded, and short intervals when much of life was wiped out in mass extinction events. In comparison with these ancient events, today's biotic crisis hasn't (yet) reached the level of extinction to be called a mass extinction. But we are certainly in crisis, and current parallels with ancient mass extinction events are profound and deeply worrying. Humanity's actions are applying the same sorts of pressures - on similar scales - that in the past pushed the Earth system out of equilibrium and triggered mass extinction events. Analysis of the fossil record suggests that we still have some time to avert this disaster: but we must act now.
Cognitive Behavior Therapy Targeting Intolerance of Uncertainty Versus Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor for Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Zemestani Mehdi , Beheshti Negar , Rezaei Farzin , van der Heiden Colin , Kendall Philip C.
Published: September 2021

Given the high prevalence and adverse outcomes associated with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), development and expansion of effective treatment modalities are important. The present study compared the effectiveness of cognitive behavior therapy targeting intolerance of uncertainty (CBT-IU) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for treating GAD. A total of 30 Iranian patients with GAD (Mage = 25.16 ± 6.73) were randomised to receive either CBT-IU (n = 15) or SSRI (n = 15). Measures included the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5), Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ), Why Worry-II (WW-II), Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS), and Negative Problem Orientation Questionnaire (NPOQ). Repeated measures analysis of variance tested differential treatment outcomes. The results of intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis indicated that although both CBT-IU and SSRI were effective treatments for GAD, CBT-IU produced significantly better results than SSRI at post-treatment. This clinical trial provides preliminary cross-cultural support for the treatment of GAD using CBT-IU, with findings suggesting that this non-medication intervention reduces GAD symptoms.
Mesolithic Pyrotechnology: Practices and Perceptions in Early Holocene Coastal Norway
Authors: Damm Charlotte Brysting
Published: September 2021

Substantial pyrotechnological structures and large quantities of charcoal are rarely found on Early Holocene sites in coastal Norway. Nevertheless, information on the use of fire and fuel types is available and presented in this article, a survey of sites dating from 10,000 to 8000 uncalbp.Possible fuel types and preferences are discussed and it is argued that most fires would have been small and short-lived, making extensive use of low vegetation. This suggests that food must have been largely consumed raw, fermented, or dried. The distinction between the use of shrubs and trees must have had implications for the perception of their properties, which appear to have persisted even after the emergence of more forested landscapes.
Slip length formulas for longitudinal shear flow over a superhydrophobic grating with partially filled cavities
Authors: Crowdy Darren G.
Published: September 2021

Explicit formulas are given for the hydrodynamic slip lengths associated with longitudinal shear flow over a superhydrophobic grating where the menisci have partially invaded the cavities and are only weakly curved. For flat menisci that have depinned from the top of the grating and have displaced downwards into the cavities, the axial velocity is determined analytically and the slip length extracted from it. This solution is then combined with an integral identity to determine the first-order correction to the slip length when the displaced menisci bow weakly into the cavity. It is argued that the new formulas provide useful upper bounds for quantifying slip in microchannel flows involving partially filled cavities. The new solutions are natural extensions of prior results due to Philip (Z. Angew. Math. Phys., vol. 23, 1972, pp. 353–372) for shear flow over mixed no-slip/no-shear surfaces and due to Bechert & Bartenwerfer (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 206, 1989, pp. 105–129) for shear flow over blade-shaped riblets.
Women and wildlife crime: hidden offenders, protectors and victims
Authors: Kahler Jessica S. , Rinkus Marisa A.
Published: September 2021

Gender is an explanatory factor in multiple dimensions of conservation, including women's access to and participation in conservation programmes, with gender bias in wildlife research persisting globally. There is reason to believe the current global wildlife crime crisis is no exception, with a lack of critical examination of gendered roles in security for biodiversity conservation. Despite the emergence of high-profile all-women ranger units (e.g. Akashinga in Zimbabwe) there has been a lack of systematic integration of gender within biodiversity protection. Theoretical and methodological applications from criminology have become progressively more common in response to an increase in a wide range of environmental crimes with consequences for women and their communities. Here we consider the implications of the lack of knowledge of women's direct and indirect roles in wildlife security. We used the criminology and conservation literature to identify key gaps in research, and relevant and robust typologies and frameworks informed by criminology to structure future research on women as offenders, protectors (handlers, managers, guardians) and victims of wildlife crime. We argue that more intentional research into the direct and indirect roles of women in wildlife crime is needed to address wildlife crime, protect biodiversity and support social justice in response to wildlife crimes.
Own health, spousal health and transitions in loneliness among middle-aged and older adults in China
Authors: Luo Ye
Published: September 2021

This study examines the effects of own and spousal health on transitions in loneliness over time among married middle-aged and older adults in China, and explores the possible gender differences in these effects using data from the three waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (2011–2015). The sample includes 6,422 men and 6,391 women who were married and aged 45 and older at the baseline survey. Middle-aged and older adults with poorer physical and emotional health statuses are more likely to transition into and less likely to transition out of loneliness in a two-year period. Spouse's emotional health also affects both types of transition in loneliness and spouse's functional limitation affects transition into loneliness through spouse's emotional health. In addition, for married men, their own functional limitation is significantly associated with their transitions into and out of loneliness. For married women, their spouse's functional limitation is significantly associated with their transition into loneliness and this is mainly through its association with spouse's emotional health. Also, for married women, their spouse's emotional health is significantly associated with their transition out of loneliness. Social interventions to reduce feelings of loneliness need to take a couple approach and consider both spouses’ health problems and how they may affect their daily activities and their interactions with each other and with others.
LONGITUDINAL L2 DEVELOPMENT IN THE PROSODIC MARKING OF PRAGMATIC MEANING
Authors: Taguchi Naoko , Hirschi Kevin , Kang Okim
Published: September 2021

This study investigated whether L2 English learners’ prosodic properties in speech acts change as they are immersed in the English-speaking academic community over time, and if so, what individual and contextual factors (proficiency, orientation to language study, and target language contact) potentially affect these changes. Forty-seven Japanese learners of English in an English-medium university in Japan completed a speaking task that elicited two speech acts (request and opinion) three times over one academic year (8 months). Their speech was analyzed for discourse intonational features (e.g., tone choices, prominence ratio, and pitch range). Results showed that all prosodic properties changed over time, although the pace and patterns of changes differed among the properties. Proficiency and language contact significantly affected the change in tone choice, but no other relationship was found between individual/contextual factors and changes in prominence ratio or pitch range.