bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced pyroelectric performance in potassium sodium niobate‐based ceramics via multisymmetries coexistence design
Authors: Huang Yuntao , Xue Haoyue , Zheng Ting , Wu Jiagang
Published: September 2022

Achieving excellent pyroelectric performance remains a challenge for lead‐free piezoelectric ceramics. To meet the requirements of both an enhanced pyroelectric coefficient at room temperature and good thermal stability during the encapsulation of pyroelectric devices, (1–x)K0.48Na0.52NbO3–xBi0.5Ag0.5ZrO3–0.2%Fe2O3 (KNN–BAZ–Fe) lead‐free ferroelectric ceramics with high Curie temperatures were prepared to obtain improved pyroelectric performance via the coexistence of multiple symmetries. The variation of BAZ content led to the formation of rhombohedral–orthorhombic–tetragonal phase boundary and promoted grain growth, resulting in the best pyroelectric coefficient (p = 5.09 × 10−4 C m−2°C−1) and enhanced figures of merit (Fi = 0.2084 × 10−9 (m V−1), Fv = 0.0142 m2 C−1, Fd = 0.0947 × 10−4 Pa−1/2, and Fe = 17.66 J m−3 K−2) for infrared (IR) detection when x = 0.05. The room‐temperature pyroelectric coefficient obtained in this study is approximately four times that of the pure KNN ceramic and is the maximum value reported for niobate‐based piezoelectric ceramics. Moreover, compared with the poor thermal stability of barium titanate‐ and bismuth sodium titanate‐based ceramics because of their ultralow Curie temperature or thermal depolarization temperature, the ceramics investigated here exhibit much better thermal stability because of their high Curie temperature (TC > 300°C) and diffused phase‐transition behavior, making them more adaptable for practical applications. These results suggest that KNN–xBAZ–Fe ceramics are attractive candidates for applications in the field of IR sensors.
Strategic Financial Management Part II: Seasoned Equity Offerings, Corporate Payout Policy, and the Case of Regulated Utilities
Authors: Fu Fangjian , Smith Clifford
Published: September 2022

As discussed in the predecessor to this article that came out roughly two years ago, each of today's three dominant academic theories of capital structure has trouble explaining the financing behavior of public companies making seasoned equity offerings (SEOs) of their own stock. In conflict with the tradeoff theory, the authors' analysis of some 7,000 SEOs by U.S. industrial companies during the period 1970‐2017 finds that the vast majority, or roughly 80%, of them had the effect of moving the companies away from, rather than toward, their target leverage ratios. Inconsistent with the pecking order theory, SEO issuers have tended to be financially healthy companies with considerable unused debt capacity. And at odds with the market‐timing theory, SEOs appear to be driven more by the capital requirements associated with the large investment projects that tend to follow them than by favorable market conditions and overvalued stock prices.

Nevertheless, consistent with the tradeoff theory, the authors also find that SEO issuers tend to follow their stock offerings with one or more debt offerings that have the effect of raising their leverage back toward their targets. And whereas all of the three theories are “single‐period models” suggesting some degree of shortsightedness and “opportunism” by financial managers, the authors' findings present a picture of long‐run‐value‐maximizing strategic management of corporate capital structures—one that takes account of the company's current leverage in relation to its longer‐run target, investment opportunities, and long‐term capital requirements, and the costs and benefits associated with alternative sequences of financing transactions.

Building on their earlier article, the authors extend their analysis to examine the payout and well as leverage and investment decisions of SEO issuers—and expand their sample of some 7,000 industrial issuers to include another 1,500 SEOs by regulated utilities. In the wake of the SEOs, both dividends and repurchases tend to increase; but the payout rates for utilities were almost eight times higher than for industrials, and overwhelmingly take the form of dividends rather than buybacks.

In the final sections of the article, the authors first attempt to explain the negative stock price reactions to the announcements of SEOs, and then speculate about the causes of the even more negative, and puzzling, long‐run stock returns to industrial, but not utility, SEO issuers.
Texas Private Equity Conference 2022: Session I: The State of and Prospects for U.S. Private Equity
Authors: Hall Rich , Lee Kewsong
Published: September 2022

Kewsong Lee, CEO of the Carlyle Group was interviewed by Rich Hall, Chief Investment Officer of UTIMCO. From his vantage point at Carlyle overseeing 300 portfolio companies, Lee sees US economic growth as positive but decelerating while inflation continues to be high. So far, Carlyle‐owned firms have been able to pass through higher costs to their consumers although the expected Fed tightening would reduce asset values and general confidence.

Lee identified the international focus on climate change and achieving a “net‐zero” CO2 emissions level as a secular change. He warned that decarbonizing will be expensive and difficult to achieve and that divesting of carbon producing assets offered no solution. Private equity firms make their money by improving the operations of the companies they buy and not through financial engineering, according to Lee.

Lee cautioned listeners that a forty year long trend of declining interest rates is now reversing. This will have consequences for the real economy. Nevertheless, Lee emphasized, one should not underestimate the power of companies and technology to improve productivity. Relatively modest rate increases will not damage Carlyle's ability to buy companies as money is available and the leveraged finance markets are “wide open.”

Despite his industry's success, lee said that PE industry has “done a very bad job in helping the outside world appreciate who we are and what we do.” Accordingly, the PE industry must become becoming more stakeholder focused, and more socially comprehensive and aware, while also generating high returns.
After the Tax Breaks Fade: What Executives Need to Know About Transfer Pricing
Authors: Young S. David
Published: September 2022

Transfer pricing policies have traditionally been driven by a desire to limit taxes by shifting profits from high‐ to low‐tax jurisdictions. Though such practices will no doubt continue, recent changes in public policy, most notably the influence of the OECD's Base Erosion and Profit Shifting initiative, have rendered tax savings more difficult to achieve. But also working in this direction is the tax treaty agreed to by 136 countries in October 2021 mandating a minimum 15% corporate tax rate. The treaty was pushed largely as a reaction against abusive transfer pricing practices.

But another economic consequence of transfer pricing, one that is often ignored in practice, appears to be as important than ever—namely, the agency costs associated with conflicts of interests and incentives between corporate managers and owners. Apart from tax effects, when companies get transfer pricing wrong—that is, when the prices are too high or too low relative to opportunity cost—value‐maximizing cooperation across business units tends to be discouraged, resulting in excessive reliance on outsourcing. This article discusses the steps companies can take to limit such agency conflicts and the associated costs.
Plowback in the Constant‐Growth DCF Model
Authors: Canessa James L. , Jarrell Gregg A.
Published: September 2022

Valuation experts have recommended using the finance formula equating real growth in net cash flows (g) to the plowback rate (k) times the real return on investment (r) as a more reasonable basis for estimating plowback in the steady‐state perpetuity period of the standard value‐driver DCF formula. Unfortunately, practitioners make two errors when estimating implied plowback as k = g  ÷ r. The first error is to use the incorrect nominal formula k = G  ÷ R that is still found in finance and valuation textbooks. The second error arises because there are two ways to define plowback in the value‐driver DCF model. The problematic traditional definition measures plowback ratio as a function of accounting NOPAT (before it has been transformed into cash NOPAT by deducting incremental working capital), thereby including in the numerator not only net new investment, but also changes in incremental working capital. The authors call this accounting plowback, and show why it is generally inappropriate to estimate implied accounting plowback using the formula k = g  ÷ r. The authors explain in detail why the cash plowback presented in Bradley Jarrell (2008) is generally appropriate for estimating implied plowback and why accounting plowback is more problematic in this application.
Uncertainty in Capital Budgeting: Five Particular Safety‐(or Danger‐) Margins from the NPV Formula
Authors: Miller Richard A.
Published: September 2022

The primary approaches for evaluating prospective capital projects, which are investments (outlays) with future financial benefits, are net present value (NPV) and the internal rate of return (IRR), both based on the discounted expected positive and negative cash flows. The NPV formula can be used to provide three additional insights into the evaluation of prospective investment opportunities: normal profit, economic (discounted) payback (or breakeven) period, and maximum investment cost.

A review of over two centuries of discussion of capital budgeting techniques reveals no discussion of two alternative approaches and little discussion of a third. This note explores the evolution of capital budgeting techniques, and explains with examples these variations of the NPV formula as additional approaches to evaluating inherently uncertain investment decisions. The formula can be used to calculate “safety‐margins” (also “danger‐margins”) in evaluating potential investments.
Improvement in the quality of life of outpatients with severe mental illness in conjunction with intellectual disabilities and post‐traumatic stress disorder
Authors: Smits Hedwig J. H. , Seelen‐de Lang Birgit L. , Penterman Engelbertus J. M. , Nijman Henk L. I. , Noorthoorn Eric O.
Published: September 2022

Background

Elucidating the influence of mild intellectual disability (MID; IQ 50–70)/borderline intellectual functioning (BIF; IQ 70–85) and (comorbid) post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on the quality of life of patients with serious mental illness (SMI) could improve their mental health care.

Method

This study comprises a prospective longitudinal cohort study using routine outcome monitoring data. The cohort comprised 601 patients who had undertaken at least one Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life (MANSA). The scores for screeners to detect MID/BIF and PTSD were analysed, and a repeated measures analysis of variance and a multi‐level linear regression was performed on the MANSA scores.

Results

The average quality of life for all patient groups increased significantly over time. A between‐subject effect on quality of life was observed for PTSD, but not MID/BIF.

Conclusions

PTSD but not MID/BIF is associated with a lesser quality of life over time.
Patient‐rated satisfaction and improvement following hip and knee replacements: Development of prediction models
Authors: Appiah Karen O. B. , Khunti Kamlesh , Kelly Benjamin M. , Innes Aidan Q. , Liao Zhining , Dymond Michael , Middleton Robert G. , Wainwright Thomas W. , Yates Thomas , Zaccardi Francesco
Published: September 2022

Rationale

Effective preoperative assessments of determinants of health status and function may improve postoperative outcomes.

Aims and Objectives

We developed risk scores of preoperative patient factors and patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) as predictors of patient‐rated satisfaction and improvement following hip and knee replacements.

Patients and Methods

Prospectively collected National Health Service and independent sector patient data (n = 30,457), including patients' self‐reported demographics, comorbidities, PROMs (Oxford Hip/Knee score (OHS/OKS) and European Quality of Life (EQ5D index and health‐scale), were analysed. Outcomes were defined as patient‐reported satisfaction and improvement following surgery at 7‐month follow‐up. Univariable and multivariable‐adjusted logistic regressions were undertaken to build prediction models; model discrimination was evaluated with the concordance index (c‐index) and nomograms were developed to allow the estimation of probabilities.

Results

Of the 14,651 subjects with responses for satisfaction following hip replacements 564 (3.8%) reported dissatisfaction, and 1433 (9.2%) of the 15,560 following knee replacement reported dissatisfaction. A total of 14,662 had responses for perceived improvement following hip replacement (lack of improvement in 391; 2.7%) and 15,588 following knee replacement (lack of improvements in 1092; 7.0%). Patients reporting poor outcomes had worse preoperative PROMs. Several factors, including age, gender, patient comorbidities and EQ5D, were included in the final prediction models: C‐indices of these models were 0.613 and 0.618 for dissatisfaction and lack of improvement, respectively, for hip replacement and 0.614 and 0.598, respectively, for knee replacement.

Conclusions

Using easily accessible preoperative patient factors, including PROMs, we developed models which may help predict dissatisfaction and lack of improvement following hip and knee replacements and facilitate risk stratification and decision‐making processes.
The BLOODSAFE program: Building the future of access to safe blood in Sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Delaney Meghan , Telke Susan , Zou Shimian , Williams Makeda J. , Aridi Jackline O. , Rudd Kristina E. , Puyana Juan Carlos , Kumar Pratap , Appiah Bernard , Dei‐Adomakoh Yvonne , Asamoah‐Akuoko Lucy , Olayemi Edeghonghon , Singogo Emmanuel , Hosseinipour Mina C. , M'baya Bridon , Chipeta Effie , Reilly Cavan ,   BLOODSAFE Program Investigators, Kamu Robert , Aridi Jackline , Munoz‐Valencia Alejandro , Raykar Nakul , Barnes Linda , Makin Jennifer , Bidanda Bopaya , Yazer Mark H. , MacLeod Jana , Muiri Carolyne Nkoki , Olayo Bernard , Murithi Gatwiri , Rajgopal Jayant , Tian Yiqi , Zeng Bo , Kivuli Tecla , Mate Muthoni , Musa Abdirahaman , Mical Cindy , Nyagol Hellen , Ochieng Kevin , Epuu Tonny , Kuma Amma Benneh‐Akwasi , Segbefia Catherine , Yawson Alfred , Adu‐Afarwuah Seth , Adongo Phillip , Acquah Michael , Tancred Tara , Dei Emmanuel Nene , Bates Imelda , Ofori‐Acquah Solomon , Ansah Justina Kordai , John‐Teye Dilys , Cohn Claudia , Chu Haitao , Burns Adam , Croal Mitch , Eckroth Kate , Van Ryn Collin , Chiwindo Titus , Mwapasa Victor , Muula Adamson , Mhango Patani , Kayira Princess , Likaka Andrew , Dzama Wilfred , Nsamala Natasha , Kadewere Geoffrey , Joshua Martias
Published: September 2022

Background

The supply of blood in many low‐ and middle‐income nations in Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) does not meet the patient care needs. Lack and delay of blood transfusion cause harm to patients and slow the rate of progress in other parts of the health system. Recognizing the power of implementation science, the BLOODSAFE Program was initiated which supports three SSA research study teams and one data coordinating center (DCC) with the goal to improve access to safe blood transfusion in SSA.

Study Design and Methods

The study team in Ghana is focusing on studying and decreasing iron deficiency in blood donors and evaluating social engagement of blood donors through different approaches. The study team in Kenya is building a “vein to vein” workflow model to elucidate and devise strategies to overcome barriers to blood donation and improve infrastructural components of blood product production and use. The Malawi team is studying the infectious disease ramifications of blood donation as well as blood donor retention strategies aimed at blood donors who commence their donation career in secondary schools.

Results and Discussion

Together the project teams and the DCC work as a consortium to support each other through a shared study protocol that will study donor motivations, outcomes, and adverse events across all three countries. The BLOODSAFE Program has the potential to lead to generalizable improvement approaches for increasing access to safe blood in SSA as well as mentoring and building the research capacity and careers of many investigators.
Effect of System Mode and Structural Damping Perturbation on the Mistuned Forced Response and Aerodynamic Damping of Embedded Compressor Rotors
Authors: Hegde Shreyas , Inge Jonathan D. , Kielb Robert
Published: September 2022

This paper is a continuation of previous papers by the authors that focuses on predicting the mistuned embedded rotor blade forced response. The compressor under consideration is a part of a 3.5stage rig located at Purdue University. Previously, the current authors have discussed the impact of sideband traveling wave forcing functions on the mistuned response and pinned down the reason for a constant underprediction in the amplification factor. This prompted further research to determine the sensitivity of the response to a known change in the system mode. In the first section of the current paper, the authors perturb the system modes frequencies in a probabilistic manner and compute the influence of the system mode on the mistuning amplification factor. The second part of this study involves determining the impact of a perturbation in the structural damping on the mistuned response. The study is also extended to an aerodynamic dynamic analysis wherein the impact of a perturbation in system mode frequency and structural damping is determined both individually and as a combined influence. Finally, a brief investigation of system eigenvalues and eigenvectors is conducted to understand the impact of mistuning on aerodynamic damping suppression. This analysis is joined with a broad examination of the relationship between damping and the extent of mistuning. The key conclusions from this paper are (1) the mistuned forced response was highly sensitive to the system mode input, i.e., although the input was probabilistic, the output was deterministic, (2) since the aerodynamic damping dominates in the case study, a change in the structural damping parameter has minimal effect on the mistuned response, particularly the mistuning amplification factor, (3) the results of the flutter analysis show that a perturbation in the system mode frequency stabilizes the system much faster than a perturbation in the structural damping, and the latter has minimal influence on the eigenvalues of the solution, (4) under the application of mistuning, compression of the damping components of the complex eigenvalues is dominant over the expansion of the frequency components and is amplified when the structural coupling is not considered, and (5) in cases of both random and near alternate blade mistuning, the relationship between mistuning and damping is positive up to a point, after which further increasing mistuning begins to reduce system damping.
Signs of state meddling seen in Russian academy election
Authors: Dobrovidova Olga
Published: September 2022

Leader of Russia’s largest chipmaker elected president after incumbent’s sudden withdrawal
Fully Automated EUCAST Rapid Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (RAST) from Positive Blood Cultures: Diagnostic Accuracy and Implementation
Authors: Cherkaoui Abdessalam , Schorderet Didier , Azam Nouria , Crudeli Luigi , Fernandez José , Renzi Gesuele , Fischer Adrien , Schrenzel Jacques
Published: September 2022

The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and robustness of a fully automated EUCAST RAST (rapid antimicrobial susceptibility test) directly from positive blood culture and to appreciate its implementation constraints. This study was conducted in two phases: (i) spiked blood culture bottles (BCs) using 779 non-duplicate clinical isolates and (ii) a prospective clinical trial including 534 positive BCs sequentially processed in routine at the Bacteriology Laboratory of Geneva University Hospitals.
Draft Genome Sequence of Shewanella indica Isolated from a Marine Sponge (Callyspongia diffusa)
Authors: Raj Devika , Anas Abdulaziz , Chekidhenkuzhiyil Jasmin
Published: September 2022

The draft genome sequence of
Shewanella indica
strain MMRF542, which was isolated from a marine sponge (
Callyspongia diffusa
), is reported. The genome sequence provides insight into the ecological relevance and biotechnological potential of
Shewanella
species.
Supplemental Material: Strategies for effective unmanned aerial vehicle use in geological field studies based on cognitive science principles
Authors: Bateman Kathryn M. , al. et
Published: September 2022

Item 1: Field-Based UAV Protocol for Geoscientists. Used in the Mecca Hills with field geologists at three locations. Provides goals, instructions to the geologist, and questions asked of them before, during, and after their flights. Item 2: AV Geoscience User Survey. Administered to expert geoscientists attending a UAV operators group town hall at the 2019 American Geophysical Union (AGU) meeting. 
Archeology of Distinctiveness: the Material World of Muscovy of the 14th–16th Centuries
Authors: Belyaev L. A.
Published: September 2022

The paper sets as its goal to take a closer look at heritage of Muscovite Russia from the archeological perspective, while presenting it as an archeological culture of a kind with the inherent distinctiveness. It considers the origin of Muscovite culture after the Horde invasion and a number of case studies from the fields of architecture, ornament, funerary customs, and crafts. The end of the 14th–early 15th century marks out a chronological threshold, crossing which this “archeological culture” can be deemed self-contained. The concepts are refined with respect to the genesis of a sarcophagus and gravestone slab. The paper assesses a role of the Eastern (Islam), Eastern Christian, and West European impulses in the development of material culture of “Muscovy.”
Wine at the Feasts of Moscow Sovereigns in the 16th–17th Centuries
Authors: Petrov D. A.
Published: September 2022

The extent of wine in Muscovy, primarily in the palace economy, is considered. On the basis of a comparison of materials from Russian records management and notes of foreigners, the use of wine in the embassy ceremonies (primarily at the reception of the ambassadors of the King of England in 1664) and in the celebration of important events in the life of the Russian society elite is elucidated. The problem of centralized importation, internal trade, and storage of wine is touched upon. The varieties of alcoholic beverages common in Russia are studied separately. The author comes to the conclusion that there had been a fairly wide range of wine varieties in Russia, despite the fact that tastes did not fundamentally change and the wine menu had been relatively stable for many decades.
Zigzags of the Post-Imperial Syndrome
Authors: Garbuzov V. N.
Published: September 2022

The death of every empire is always painful and often turns into tragedy. It inevitably entails painful processes: the rupture of habitual economic ties, the loss of vast territories and spheres of influence, the formation of new states and the definition of borders between them, the emergence of national minorities on the territory of neighbors, etc. However, perhaps the most painful result is the sense of loss of self-worth, a complex of lost greatness that develops into the so-called post-imperial syndrome. In the 20th century, it manifested itself in Germany, Great Britain, France, Austria, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, and former metropolises, which, with the loss of their colonies, lost not only established ties but also geopolitical influence, and with it their former imperial power. In the first quarter of the 21st century, Russia also has had to face the post-imperial syndrome. This article is devoted to its manifestations at this time.
Position of Joe Biden’s Administration on the World Trade Organization
Authors: Menshikova A. M.
Published: September 2022

The election of Democratic Party candidate Joe Biden as President of the United States did not change Washington’s negative attitude towards the activities of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The historically established consensus of the Republican and Democratic parties, expressed in the general similarity of the approach of the legislative and executive branches of the U.S. government to the WTO as a tool primarily for realizing U.S. national interests in the foreign economic sphere, hinders the achievement of generally acceptable agreements within the WTO in key areas of its activities. Like the previous administration of Donald Trump, Joe Biden’s administration has, in particular, been blocking the activities of the WTO’s Appellate Body for a number of years. Despite the Democratic President’s statements about the commitment of the United States to the principles of liberal trade, the White House, as before, proceeds from the desire to maintain the leading role of the United States in the WTO, even at the cost of curtailing certain areas of its work. The dominant desire is to transform the WTO into an international economic mechanism to strategically contain China and openly oppose Russia by politicizing the WTO and taking measures that pave the way for the complete dismantling of the rules-based multilateral trading system. The WTO is in fact in a state of permanent institutional crisis in a number of central areas of its activity. The only way to deal with the current crisis is to give economics precedence, not politics, and prevent violations of agreed multilateral trade rules by unilateral actions; otherwise the negative impact on world markets and the economies of many WTO members will continue.
French Tax for the European Union: The Genesis of Cross-Border Carbon Adjustment
Authors: Roginko S. A.
Published: September 2022

The genesis of the EU initiative of cross-border carbon tax on imported carbon-intensive products is analyzed. An assessment of the positions of the EU countries in relation to this initiative has been given, and the evolution of these positions over the past 25 years has been traced. An analysis has been made of the tactics of France, as the main supporter of the cross-border carbon tax, used to promote this tax on the EU agenda during a number of presidencies, from J. Chirac to E. Macron. The link between the UN climate negotiation process and the EU’s position on the cross-border carbon tax has been clarified. Particular attention was paid to the analysis of the early versions of the EU cross-border carbon tax, which preceded the current version of this initiative, and a comparative study of these versions by the basic parameters of carbon taxation has been conducted.
Clinical prediction models for multidrug-resistant organism colonisation or infection in critically ill patients: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Wang Yi , Xiao Yanyan , Yang Qidi , Wang Fang , Wang Ying , Yuan Cui
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) are pathogenic bacteria that are the leading cause of hospital-acquired infection which is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates in intensive care units, increasing hospitalisation duration and cost. Predicting the risk of MDRO colonisation or infection for critically ill patients supports clinical decision-making. Several models predicting MDRO colonisation or infection have been developed; however, owing to different disease scenarios, bacterial species and few externally validated cohorts in different prediction models; the stability and applicability of these models for MDRO colonisation or infection in critically ill patients are controversial. In addition, there are currently no standardised risk scoring systems to predict MDRO colonisation or infection in critically ill patients. The aim of this systematic review is to summarise and assess models predicting MDRO colonisation or infection in critically ill patients and to compare their predictive performance.

Methods and analysis

We will perform a systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Embase, Web of science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang databases to identify all studies describing the development and/or external validation of models predicting MDRO colonisation or infection in critically ill patients. Two reviewers will independently extract and review the data using the Data Extraction for Systematic Reviews of Prediction Modelling Studies checklist; they will also assess the risk of bias using the Prediction Model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool. Quantitative data on model predictive performance will be synthesised in meta-analyses, as applicable.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical permissions will not be required because all data will be extracted from published studies. We intend to publish our results in peer-reviewed scientific journals and to present them at international conferences on critical care.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022274175.
Major elective non-cardiac operations in adults with congenital heart disease
Authors: Williamson Catherine G , Ebrahimian Shayan , Ascandar Nameer , Sanaiha Yas , Sakowitz Sara , Biniwale Reshma M , Benharash Peyman
Published: September 2022

Objective

To assess the impact of congenital heart disease (CHD) on resource utilisation and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing major elective non-cardiac operations.

Background

Due to advances in congenital cardiac management in recent years, more patients with CHD are living into adulthood and are requiring non-cardiac operations.

Methods

The 2010–2018 Nationwide Readmissions Database was used to identify all adults undergoing major elective operations (pneumonectomy, hepatectomy, hip replacement, pancreatectomy, abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, colectomy, gastrectomy and oesophagectomy). Multivariable regression models were used to categorise key clinical outcomes.

Results

Of an estimated 4 941 203 adults meeting inclusion criteria, 5234 (0.11%) had a previous diagnosis of CHD. Over the study period, the incidence of CHD increased from 0.06% to 0.17%, p<0.001. CHD patients were on average younger (63.3±14.8 vs 64.4±12.5 years, p=0.004), had a higher Elixhauser Comorbidity Index (3.3±2.2 vs 2.3±1.8, p<0.001) and received operations at high volume centres more frequently (66.6% vs 62.0%, p=0.003). Following risk adjustment, these patients had increased risk of in-hospital mortality (adjusted risk ratio (ARR): 1.76, 95% CI 1.25 to 2.47), experienced longer hospitalisation durations (+1.6 days, 95% CI 1.3 to 2.0) and cost more (+$8370, 95% CI $6686 to $10 055). Furthermore, they were more at risk for in-hospital complications (ARR: 1.24 95% CI 1.17 to 1.31) and endured higher adjusted risk of readmission at 30 days (ARR: 1.32 95% CI 1.13 to 1.54).

Conclusions

Adults with CHD are more frequently comprising the major elective operative cohort for non-cardiac cases. Due to the inferior clinical and financial outcomes suffered by this population, perioperative risk stratification may benefit from the inclusion of CHD as a factor that portends unfavourable outcomes.
Multimodality analysis confers a prognostic benefit of a T-cell infiltrated tumor microenvironment and peripheral immune status in patients with melanoma
Authors: Beasley Georgia M , Brown Michael C , Farrow Norma E , Landa Karenia , Al-Rohil Rami N , Selim Maria Angelica , Therien Aaron D , Jung Sin-Ho , Gao Junheng , Boczkowski David , Holl Eda K , Salama April K S , Bigner Darell D , Gromeier Matthias , Nair Smita K
Published: September 2022

Background

We previously reported results from a phase 1 study testing intratumoral recombinant poliovirus, lerapolturev, in 12 melanoma patients. All 12 patients received anti-PD-1 systemic therapy before lerapolturev, and 11 of these 12 patients also received anti-PD-1 after lerapolturev. In preclinical models lerapolturev induces intratumoral innate inflammation that engages antitumor T cells. In the current study, prelerapolturev and postlerapolturev tumor biopsies and blood were evaluated for biomarkers of response.

Methods

The following analyses were performed on tumor tissue (n=11): (1) flow cytometric assessment of immune cell density, (2) NanoString Digital Spatial profiling of protein and the transcriptome, and (3) bulk RNA sequencing. Immune cell phenotypes and responsiveness to in vitro stimulation, including in vitro lerapolturev challenge, were measured in peripheral blood (n=12).

Results

Three patients who received anti-PD-1 therapy within 30 days of lerapolturev have a current median progression-free survival (PFS) of 2.3 years and had higher CD8+T cell infiltrates in prelerapolturev tumor biopsies relative to that of 7 patients with median PFS of 1.6 months and lower CD8+T cell infiltrates in prelerapolturev tumor biopsies. In peripheral blood, four patients with PFS 2.3 years (including three that received anti-PD-1 therapy within 30 days before lerapolturev and had higher pretreatment tumor CD8+T cell infiltrates) had significantly higher effector memory (CD8+, CCR7-, CD45RA-) but lower CD8+PD-1+ and CD4+PD-1+ cells compared with eight patients with median PFS 1.6 months. In addition, pretreatment blood from the four patients with median PFS 2.3 years had more potent antiviral responses to in vitro lerapolturev challenge compared with eight patients with median PFS 1.6 months.

Conclusion

An inflamed pretreatment tumor microenvironment, possibly induced by prior anti-PD-1 therapy and a proficient peripheral blood pretreatment innate immune response (antiviral/interferon signaling) to lerapolturev was associated with long term PFS after intratumoral lerapolturev in a small cohort of patients. These findings imply a link between intratumoral T cell inflammation and peripheral immune function.

Trial registration number

NCT03712358.
Reasoning and reversibility in capacity law
Authors: Hass Binesh
Published: September 2022

A key objective of the law in the assessment of decision-making capacity in clinical settings is to allow clinicians and judges to avoid making value judgements about the reasons that patients use to refuse treatment. This paper advances two lines of argument in respect of this objective. The first is that authorities cannot rationally avoid significant evaluative judgements in the assessment of a patient’s own assessment of the facts of their case. Assessing reasoning is unavoidably value-laden. Yet the underlying motivation behind clinicians’ and the law’s value-neutral aims, ie, the avoidance of undue paternalism, is worth preserving. That being so, the second line of argument will try to show that that underlying motivation is better served in a limited range of cases by embedding a ‘reversibility standard’ in the assessment process so that the patient can, if they wish, and in due course, bring about the consequences that they were prevented from realising as a result of a determination of incapacity.
Taking a moral holiday? Physicians’ practical identities at the margins of professional ethics
Authors: van Gils-Schmidt Henk Jasper , Salloch Sabine
Published: September 2022

Physicians frequently encounter situations in which their professional practice is intermingled with moral affordances stemming from other domains of the physician’s lifeworld, such as family and friends, or from general morality pertaining to all humans. This article offers a typology of moral conflicts ‘at the margins of professionalism’ as well as a new theoretical framework for dealing with them. We start out by arguing that established theories of professional ethics do not offer sufficient guidance in situations where professional ethics overlaps with moral duties of other origins. Therefore, we introduce the moral theory developed by Christine M. Korsgaard, that centres around the concept of practical identity. We show how Korsgaard’s account offers a framework for interpreting different types of moral conflicts ‘at the margins of professionalism’ to provide either orientation for solving the conflict or an explanation for the emotional and moral burden involved in moral dilemmas.
How can quantum field operators encode entanglement?
Authors: Rubin Mark A.
Published: September 2022

We present techniques to construct the Deutsch–Hayden representation for quantum field operators and apply them to an entangled state of identical nonrelativistic spin-1/2 fermions localized in well-separated spatial regions. Using these entangled field operators we construct operators measuring spin in localized spatial regions, and verify that matrix elements of the spin-measurement operators in the information-free Deutsch–Hayden state yield the expected correlations between pairs of both entangled and unentangled particles. The entangled Deutsch–Hayden representation field operators furnish an explicitly separable description of the entangled system.
Global–Local Spatial Platform for Economic Geography: Mechanism for Sustaining Bifurcation
Authors: Kogure Y. , Ikeda K.
Published: September 2022

This paper develops a spatial platform for economic agglomerations that can represent a hierarchical structure of cities, towns, and so on. A global system models geographical distribution of a system of cities, while population size and local geography of each city are modeled by an individual square lattice network. The mechanism of economic agglomeration is described by economic geography models with the replicator dynamics. As a major theoretical contribution of this paper, we elucidate the bifurcation mechanism of the mono-centric distribution in a square domain. Such bifurcation expresses how satellite places appear around a large city. This bifurcation behavior, called sustaining bifurcation, is different from symmetry-breaking bifurcation studied in nonlinear mathematics, and is not given much attention in economic geography, despite its importance. An air-network of cities with the seven largest hub airports in USA is employed as a realistic example, and is modeled as a global–local system comprising a series of local square lattices with different sizes connected by an equidistant economy. This system for an economic geography model displays successive sustaining bifurcations occurring many times leading to gradual emergence of satellite places around a large city.
Multi-Moment Multiscale Local Sample Entropy and Its Application to Complex Physiological Time Series
Authors: Li Sange , Shang Pengjian
Published: September 2022

The Multiscale Entropy (MSE) is an effective measure to quantify the dynamical complexity of complex systems, which has many successful applications in physiological and physical fields. It uses different scales to mean-coarse-grain the original series, and then calculates the sample entropy for each coarse-grained series. Inspired by the MSE, we in this paper propose the Multi-Moment Multiscale Local Sample Entropy (MMMLSE), which considers both mean-coarse-grained and standard-deviation-coarse-grained characteristics of the original series for each scale, to quantify the dynamical complexity of complex systems. We use simulated data ([Formula: see text] noise, white noise and logistic map) to test the performance of our proposed method, with results showing that the MMMLSE can accurately and effectively characterize these complex systems. The ability to preserve nonlinear dynamics of the proposed method is also proved by surrogate data and nonlinearity test experiment. Furthermore, we apply the MMMLSE to analyze physiological signals, and the MMMLSE reveals that the ill individuals have lower dynamical complexity at larger scales than the healthy ones, and the elder individuals have lower dynamical complexity at larger scales than the younger ones, which are consistent with the reality.
Bifurcation Analysis of Brain Connectivity Regulated Neural Oscillations in Schizophrenia
Authors: Chen Yaqian , Ghori Muhammad Bilal , Kang Yanmei
Published: September 2022

To disclose the pathophysiological mechanism of schizophrenia from the general connectivity among distinct brain regions, the computational model proposed by Szalisznyó et al. is generalized by incorporating the effects of the hippocampus. Based on the center manifold theorem and normal form theory, the emergence of abnormal alpha oscillations, which are directly associated with symptoms of schizophrenia, is analyzed in this network with Hopf bifurcation as a precursor. It is found that the clinically significant hypoconnectivities between the anterior cingulate and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex or from the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex to the hippocampus are helpful in inhibiting the abnormal alpha oscillations, while disconnection of the coupling from the anterior cingulate cortex to the striatum can induce schizophrenia. Moreover, polynomial chaos expansion and variance-based sensitivity analysis are applied to determine the contributions of these connection strengths to the variance of the neuronal population activity. Our model results are consistent with experimental observations and thus might be meaningful for clinical interference.
Compressed and Encrypted Acquisition of Transient Signals
Authors: Xu Bo , Song Yongxin , Wu Hao , Han Tailin , Liu Hong , Ju Mingchi , Liu Xuan
Published: September 2022

A shockwave signal has the characteristics of short duration and wide dynamic range, so the wireless test system needs to collect it at a continuous high sampling rate, resulting in a short node life cycle and a large amount of redundant data during the test process. Moreover, test data with confidentiality, if it is still recorded and transmitted in plaintext, will challenge information security. Therefore, a compressed and encrypted acquisition framework based on hyperchaotic compressed sensing and semi-tensor is proposed in this paper. Firstly, a new four-dimensional hyperchaotic system is used to generate a compressed sensing measurement matrix to improve the encryption and anti-noise performance. Secondly, for saving memory space and improving computing efficiency, the semi-tensor product is introduced to reduce the dimension of the measurement matrix exponentially. The experimental results show that the proposed framework can realize the compressed and encrypted acquisition of transient signals with small memory space and low computational complexity. And the acquisition results can be directly transmitted to meet the requirements of real-time wireless transmission bandwidth and information security.
Vision-Based Dynamic Response Measurements of Structures by Using Smartphone Videos and Alternative Techniques
Authors: Karameşe Genco , Yardımcı Ferit , Güllü Ahmet , Yüksel Ercan , Yalçın Cem , Büyüköztürk Oral
Published: September 2022

This study aimed to measure dynamic responses of structural systems using smartphone videos and vision-based sensing processes. Two algorithms, based on template matching and feature extraction, are employed for this purpose. They were verified on the shake table experiments with single and multi-degree freedom steel specimens where their videos were captured by an ordinary smartphone during excitation. Dynamic responses such as strains at discrete sections as well as displacements, velocities, and accelerations at the floor levels of the specimens were obtained by following the signs of physical or virtual markers during the video recording. Through comprehensive experiments and one available full-scale multi-story shake table experiment in the literature, the developed vision-based algorithms were validated to be used with smartphone videos. It was also shown that regardless of the quality of the video record, substantial characteristics of a specimen or a structure could be determined reasonably by smartphone videos since the absolute mean relative differences varied between 10% to 20%.
Criteria for p-supersolvability of a finite group
Authors: Zhang Boru , Li Binbin , Lu Jiakuan
Published: September 2022

In this paper, we investigate the [Formula: see text]-supersolvability of a finite group in which some [Formula: see text]-subgroups satisfy a subgroup embedding property and we extend some known results.
Some observations and reflections on geodiversity, the oft-forgotten half of nature
Authors: Gray Murray
Published: September 2022

Geodiversity first emerged nearly 30 years ago in the wake of the Convention on Biological Diversity, when geoscientists realized that they too study diverse natural phenomena that are also often threatened with loss or degradation resulting from human activities. Since then, geodiversity has emerged as an important geoscientific paradigm with a central position in the relationships between the geoscientific ‘Gs’ (Geoheritage, Geoconservation, Geoparks, etc). It has spawned much discussion on how geodiversity can be classified and measured; it is often used as the basis for selecting geoheritage sites for geoconservation, including the development of the World Heritage List; it is often used by geoparks to publicize their range of geofeatures; and it is the basis for many ‘geosystem services’ essential to our modern societies. But despite its importance, it is poorly understood and poorly integrated into nature conservation policy and practice. The result is that the value of the whole of nature is underestimated, and the policy and practice for the management of nature lack integration.
Geodiversity and Biodiversity
Authors: Tukiainen Helena , Toivanen Maija , Maliniemi Tuija
Published: September 2022

Non-living and living nature are inherently connected. Geodiversity, which consists of the variation in geology, soils, topography, geomorphology and hydrology, is seen as the foundation and stage for biodiversity. Underlying theory suggests that the increasing variation in the abiotic foundation creates and maintains available niche space for different organisms to thrive, resulting in higher biodiversity. Emerging scientific observations support this premise, indicating a positive influence of geodiversity on biodiversity across different environments, regions and spatial scales. Inclusion of geodiversity into biodiversity research and conservation therefore has capacity to improve our understanding of biodiversity patterns and dynamics. Current challenges that need to be overcome in this relatively new field of science are related to defining and measuring geodiversity and gaining more empirical evidence on the link between geodiversity and biodiversity. Despite these challenges, connecting these two concepts and embracing the interdisciplinary cooperation have great potential in advancing our understanding of diversity of nature and integrating geodiversity in conservation assessments across scales.
Where geodiversity meets biodiversity and culture: a case study from the abandoned limestone quarries of Hády (Brno, Czech Republic)
Authors: Kubalíková Lucie , Balková Marie , Zapletalová Dana
Published: September 2022

Geodiversity represents the basis of landscapes and it has close connections to biodiversity and culture. This complexity is visible in different types of areas and should be taken into account when planning and managing natural resources, considering legal protection and developing sustainable forms of tourism and environmental education activities. Abandoned quarries represent a good example of a specific ecosystem where the relationships between geodiversity, biodiversity and culture are very tight and clearly visible. The Hády quarries (Brno, Czech Republic) is such a case and has significant potential regarding the development of geotourist and geoeducational activities. To recognize and evaluate the mutual links between abiotic, biotic and cultural issues, the ecosystem services concept was applied here and, together with a mind map, it served as a basis for the design of a geotourist map. However, merging these two approaches can be used for other purposes. It may be considered a starting point for designing integrated promotion, conservation and management of natural and cultural heritage. These two tools also enable involving local stakeholders and communities and may be applied in other areas where geodiversity, biodiversity and culture are closely interconnected.