bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stabilization and disturbance rejection with decay rate bounding in discrete‐time linear parameter‐varying systems via ℋ∞gain‐scheduling static output feedback control
Authors: Sereni Bruno , Assunção Edvaldo , Teixeira Marcelo Carvalho Minhoto
Published: June 2022

The stabilization of discrete‐time linear parameter‐varying (LPV) systems via gain‐scheduling static output feedback (SOF) control is addressed in this article. We propose new sufficient linear matrix inequalities (LMI) conditions for synthesizing a gain‐scheduled SOF controller that ensures asymptotic stability and also imposes a lower bound on the closed‐loop decay rate. The SOF controller design is based on a two‐step method: a state‐feedback controller is obtained in a first‐stage design, which is then used as input information in the second stage for computing the desired gain‐scheduled SOF controller. The proposed LMI constraints are given in terms of the existence of affine parameter‐dependent Lyapunov functions, considering arbitrarily fast variation of the time‐varying parameters. An extension for coping with disturbance rejection is also proposed, in terms of the guaranteed cost optimization. Some numerical experiments are presented to illustrate the control synthesis procedure and its efficacy. Also, feasibility analyses are presented to compare and show the advantages of our results over other available strategies present in literature.
Hybrid asynchronous sliding mode control for hidden Markovian jump systems under optimized design
Authors: Zhou Sai , Song Jun , Yang Yekai
Published: June 2022

This article is concerned with the hybrid design of transition rates and asynchronous sliding mode control (SMC) law for continuous‐time Markovian jump systems with matched disturbances. First, a sufficient condition is established to ensure the stochastic ultimate boundedness (SUB) of the unforced systems, which are driven only by using the designed stabilizing transition rates. Furthermore, by considering the system modes are unavailable for the controller, a hidden Markov mode detector is introduced to emit the detection modes. Based on the mode detection probabilities, a hybrid design approach is proposed by co‐designing of transition rates and asynchronous SMC law, which ensures the SUB and disturbance attenuation performance of the resulted closed‐loop systems. The obtained sufficient conditions are solved via two iterative optimization algorithms, which combine cone complementarity linearization and genetic algorithm. Finally, a numerical example with three comparison cases is provided to illustrate the proposed results.
Exploring factors affecting developer abandonment of open source software projects
Authors: Kaur Rajdeep , Chahal Kuljit Kaur
Published: June 2022

Open Source Software (OSS) projects have long been studied to understand the need of community support for their growth and survival. However, there has been limited research on developers' abandonment, though it is found to have detrimental effect on quality and sustainability of OSS projects. This paper examines the impact of developer and project‐related factors on developer abandonment in OSS projects. Factors include developer attributes: experience, role, coding language, and joining date, and project attributes: change complexity and sentiments in commit logs. The findings are (1) for developer experience, core/non‐core member, and joining date; there exists a pattern of developers abandoning the projects. (2) There is no definite answer for coding language. (3) It does not relate to the change profile of a project except a few indicators. Sentiments can also not be linked. These results provide OSS community and researchers with useful insights on developer abandonment and the factors influencing it or not.
Mitigation of Grid Congestion by Curtailment of Thermal Generators and Renewable Energies Based on Sensitivity Analysis
Authors: Tanno Yujiro , Kaneko Akihisa , Hayashi Yasuhiro , Tobita Yuichi , Sasaki Kazuhito
Published: June 2022

Grid congestion is expected owing to the interconnection of massive renewable energies within the transmission system. Power system operators need to resolve the problem by controlling the output of thermal and renewable generators, such as curtailment, which should be the smallest possible for efficient utilization. Moreover, the equality of generation opportunities should be maintained among renewable energies. However, achieving the two objectives simultaneously is challenging, because the output curtailment effect on grid congestion in a loop system varies depending on its configuration. Further, the thermal generators are curtailed before renewable energies in the merit order scheme necessitating adjustments in the thermal generator output considering the renewable energy curtailment. This study proposed a method to determine the output curtailment ratio of thermal power and renewable energies employing sensitivity analysis, aiming to ensure equality, and maximize the power generation opportunities of renewable energies for the mitigation of grid congestion. The effectiveness of the proposed method was verified via numerical simulations using a power system model based on an actual power system in the northern Tohoku area of Japan. The results indicate that the proposed method can reduce the total amount of curtailment and improve the equality of generation opportunities. © 2022 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
A Network Analysis of L2 Motivational Factors: Structure, Connectivity, and Central Relational Links
Authors: Kiss Tamas , Pack Austin
Published: June 2022

Motivational factors have long attracted the attention of researchers and educators with their potential to shed light on what drives effective language learning. Although current research now views language learning motivation as a Complex Dynamic System (CDS), there is a dearth of empirical studies utilizing network analysis to understand how motivational systems operate. This exploratory study investigated the structure and connectivity of a second language (L2) motivational factor network, as well as its central relational links by using network analysis and graph visualizations. Findings suggest that L2 motivational factors rarely act alone and unique communities of L2 motivational factors can be identified. Furthermore, certain factors play a central role by connecting together a multitude of other factors and act as bridges between these communities. Learners' physical and emotional states, as initial conditions in the CDS, were key factors in tying communities together. The findings also indicate that motivating and demotivating factors do not only connect with factors of similar polarity (i.e., motivating or demotivating), they are also well‐connected to each other, suggesting their interaction keeps the motivational system dynamic.
Creeping flow around a sphere placed at the axis of a circular tube filled with non‐Newtonian power‐law fluid
Authors: Pantokratoras Asterios
Published: June 2022

The creeping flow of a non‐Newtonian, power‐law fluid, around a sphere is considered in the present paper. The sphere is placed at the axis of a circular tube filled with non‐Newtonian power‐law fluid which moves in the tube. The problem is investigated by means of a three‐dimensional numerical simulation with the SIMPLE algorithm. The investigation covers the power‐law index from 0.2 up to 2 and tube‐to‐sphere ratio from 1.1 up to 100. For small values of the gap between the sphere and the tube the force acting on the sphere takes very high values in shear‐thickening fluids. When the tube‐to‐sphere ratio is lower or equal to 2 the force and the pressure drop increase exponentially with the power‐law index. The existing equation of Bungay and Brenner (1973) for a Newtonian fluid is very accurate for tube‐to‐sphere up to 100.
Asymptotic and Non-asymptotic Results in the Approximation by Bernstein Polynomials
Authors: Adell José A. , Cárdenas-Morales Daniel
Published: June 2022

This paper deals with the approximation of functions by the classical Bernstein polynomials in terms of the Ditzian–Totik modulus of smoothness. Asymptotic and non-asymptotic results are respectively stated for continuous and twice continuously differentiable functions. By using a probabilistic approach, known results are either completed or strengthened.
Die Marginalvene – nach wie vor eine seltene Entität: Fallserie von 16 Patienten
Authors: Liebetrau D. , Marnoto R. , Goßlau Y. , Zerwes S. , Stangl Franz , Wohlgemuth W. A. , Hyhlik-Dürr A.
Published: June 2022

Hintergrund

Die Marginalvene (MV) ist eine angeborene, vorwiegend venöse Gefäßmalformation, die auf einer fehlenden Rückbildung des embryonalen Venensystems an den unteren Extremitäten beruht. Sie geht mit einer Vielzahl an Komplikationen einher. Bisher werden in der Literatur keine einheitlichen Therapieregime beschrieben.

Fragestellung

Welche Behandlungsstrategien und Ergebnisse gibt es bei Patienten mit MV?

Material und Methoden

Im Zeitraum 01.01.2008 bis 31.12.2020 wurden alle am Universitätsklinikum Augsburg behandelten Patienten mit Marginalvene retrospektiv aufgearbeitet.

Ergebnisse

Das mediane Alter zum Diagnosezeitpunkt lag bei 14,8 Jahren (3–42 Jahre). 12/16 Patienten hatten eine Beinlängendifferenz. 75 % der Patienten (12/16) hatten bereits zur Diagnosestellung MV eine chronisch-venöse Insuffizienz (CVI). Im untersuchten Kollektiv wurden 62,5 % (10/16) der Patienten zum Zeitpunkt der Diagnosestellung mittels Kompression konservativ behandelt. Bei weiteren 31,3 % (5/16) der Patienten erfolgte primär eine offen-chirurgische Entfernung der MV und bei 1/16 Patienten wurde die MV primär mittels endovenöser Lasertherapie (EVLT) verschlossen; 15/16 Patienten wurden sekundär therapiert. 2,6 ± 2,4 (MW ± SD) Sekundärprozeduren wurden pro Patient im Follow up durchgeführt. Das mittlere Follow-up lag bei 8,1 Jahren.

Diskussion

Zur Prävention/Vermeidung einer Progression einer CVI und Thrombembolieprophylaxe sollte nach Diagnosestellung die MV zeitnah verschlossen/entfernt werden. Die Anwendung chirurgisch-konventioneller Techniken zur Entfernung der MV scheint gegenüber der Behandlung mit minimal-invasiven Prozeduren hinsichtlich der Anzahl der erforderlichen Sekundäreingriffe von Vorteil.
Swedish validation of the Pelvic Floor Questionnaire for pregnant and postpartum women
Authors: Jesberg Ute , Gutke Annelie
Published: June 2022

Introduction and hypothesis

The German “Pelvic Floor Questionnaire for pregnant and postpartum women” is a self-administered questionnaire customized for pregnancy and the postpartum period that assesses four domains of pelvic floor function regarding perceived symptoms, suffering, and impact on quality of life: bladder, bowel, prolapse, and sexual function. No similar questionnaire is available in Swedish, despite a high prevalence of pregnancy and postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction. Thus, we aimed to translate the validated German questionnaire into Swedish and test its validity and reliability in a Swedish population.

Methods

Translation and cultural adaptation were performed according to guidelines. Of the 248 women who answered the Swedish questionnaire, 57 filled out the questionnaire twice to evaluate test-retest reliability. We also assessed internal consistency and discriminant validity.

Results

The Swedish version of the questionnaire showed good face and content validity. Cronbach’s alpha was in the acceptable to excellent range (bladder 0.82, bowel 0.78, prolapse 0.91, and sexual 0.83), showing adequate internal consistency. A comparison of means (≥ 1 point) showed that the questionnaire significantly (p < 0.05) distinguished between women who reported suffering and those who did not. Cohen's kappa for all individual items showed fair to almost perfect agreement (0.24–0.87) between test and retest scores. The intraclass correlation coefficients for domain scores (0.92–0.97) were all in an optimal range.

Conclusions

The Swedish version of the questionnaire is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing pelvic floor disorders, symptom severity, and impact on quality of life during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Kann man Super-Shrinks ausbilden?
Authors: Taubner Svenja , Evers Oliver
Published: June 2022

Es werden die Ergebnisse einer von der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) geförderten längsschnittlichen Studie zur Kompetenzentwicklung von Psychotherapeut*innen in Ausbildung zusammenfassend dargestellt. Die Studie verfolgte das Ziel, die Entwicklung globaler verfahrensübergreifender Kompetenzen über einen Zeitraum von 3 Jahren zu untersuchen. Der Studie wurde das Kompetenzmodell der Bundespsychotherapeutenkammer zugrunde gelegt, das zwischen fachlichen, interpersonalen und personalen Kompetenzen unterscheidet. Die Kompetenzentwicklung wurde von Psycholog*innen zu Beginn der therapeutischen Ausbildung in kognitiver Verhaltenstherapie (KVT), tiefenpsychologisch fundierter Psychotherapie (TfP) oder Psychoanalyse (PA) im Vergleich zu einer Kontrollgruppe auf der Grundlage von Selbstberichten, Tests und Fremdauswertungen untersucht. Die Ergebnisse zeigten eine Verbesserung in Fachwissen, Fallformulierung, „healing involvement“ und der affiliativen Kommunikation mit Patient*innen, jedoch eine Stagnation und teilweise Verschlechterung im therapeutischen Arbeitserleben, in der Attributionskomplexität und der Introjektaffiliation. Veränderungen des positiven therapeutischen Arbeitserlebens wurden eher von Aspekten der Ausbildung beeinflusst, während Veränderungen im negativen therapeutischen Arbeitserleben von Aspekten der individuellen Persönlichkeit bestimmt wurden. Veränderungen im Introjekt wurden durch die Bindungsstile der Teilnehmenden erklärt. Die Studie zeigt, dass die erfolgreiche Kompetenzentwicklung durch eine stärkere Förderung globaler Kompetenzen, die als bedeutsam für das Erreichen eines Super-Shrink-Level eingeschätzt werden, ausgebaut werden könnte. Hierbei erscheinen die Aspekte Persönlichkeit und Bindungsstil als wichtige Bereiche der individuellen Förderung und einer Verringerung des ausbildungsbezogenen Stresslevels.
Bioprosthetic valve dysfunction and failure after TAVI in bicuspid aortic valve stenosis during one-year follow-up according to VARC-3
Authors: Veulemans Verena , Nuyens Philippe , Goh Shouheng , Maier Oliver , Binnebößel Stephan , Heermann Jacqueline , Jung Christian , Westenfeld Ralf , Kelm Malte , de Backer Ole , Zeus Tobias
Published: June 2022

Background

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) stenosis has become more frequent in the last years. This may pose challenges for long-time valve durability. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of bioprosthetic valve dysfunction (BVD) with the newest-generation devices in BAV stenosis up to one-year follow-up (FU).

Methods

The primary endpoint was defined as the prevalence of BVD during the first procedural year according to Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC)-3 criteria. Secondary endpoints were defined as failure in device success and clinical endpoints according to VARC-3.

Results

A total of 107 patients were included. Of these, 34 subjects (31.8%) met the criteria for BVD during a mean FU of 263 ± 180 days, of which 20.2% were already documented after thirty days. Device success after one year was lower in the + BVD cohort (57.6% vs. 98.7%, p < 0.0001*). The rates of structural valve deterioration were 6.5%, non-structural valve deterioration (NSVD) 17.8%, subclinical leaflet thickening 10.3%, and endocarditis 0.9%. NSVD was foremost triggered by patient prosthesis mismatch in balloon-expandable valves. Hemodynamic valve deterioration stage 1 and 2 was confirmed in 16.8% of + BVD patients, while stage 1 and 3 bioprosthetic valve failure occurred in 1.9%. There was no impact of BVD on mortality.

Conclusion

There is critical evidence of early BVD after TAVI in BAV during one-year FU in one-third of patients, also lowering device success. The most frequently observed bioprosthetic valve dysfunction was NSVD due to patient prosthesis mismatch following TAVI with a balloon-expandable valve.
Landmark-based retrieval of inflamed skin vessels enabled by 3D correlative intravital light and volume electron microscopy
Authors: Mildner Karina , Breitsprecher Leonhard , Currie Silke M. , Stegmeyer Rebekka I. , Stasch Malte , Volkery Stefan , Psathaki Olympia Ekaterini , Vestweber Dietmar , Zeuschner Dagmar
Published: June 2022

The nanometer spatial resolution of electron microscopy imaging remains an advantage over light microscopy, but the restricted field of view that can be inspected and the inability to visualize dynamic cellular events are definitely drawbacks of standard transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Several methods have been developed to overcome these limitations, mainly by correlating the light microscopical image to the electron microscope with correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM) techniques. Since there is more than one method to obtain the region of interest (ROI), the workflow must be adjusted according to the research question and biological material addressed. Here, we describe in detail the development of a three-dimensional CLEM workflow for mouse skin tissue exposed to an inflammation stimulus and imaged by intravital microscopy (IVM) before fixation. Our aim is to relocate a distinct vessel in the electron microscope, addressing a complex biological question: how do cells interact with each other and the surrounding environment at the ultrastructural level? Retracing the area over several preparation steps did not involve any specific automated instruments but was entirely led by anatomical and artificially introduced landmarks, including blood vessel architecture and carbon-coated grids. Successful retrieval of the ROI by electron microscopy depended on particularly high precision during sample manipulation and extensive documentation. Further modification of the TEM sample preparation protocol for mouse skin tissue even rendered the specimen suitable for serial block-face scanning electron microscopy (SBF-SEM).
Comprehensive bioinformatics analyses reveal immune genes responsible for altered immune microenvironment in intervertebral disc degeneration
Authors: Hai Bao , Song Qingpeng , Du Chuanchao , Mao Tianli , Jia Fei , Liu Yu , Pan Xiaoyu , Zhu Bin , Liu Xiaoguang
Published: June 2022

We sought to identify novel biomarkers and related mechanisms that might shape the immune infiltration in IDD, thereby providing novel perspective for IDD diagnosis and therapies. Gene expression data sets GSE124272 (for initial analysis) and GSE56081 (for validation analysis) involving samples from IDD patients and healthy controls were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Immune genes associated with IDD were identified by GSEA; module genes that exhibited coordinated expression patterns and the strongest positive or negative correlation with IDD were identified by WGCNA. The intersection between immune genes and module genes was used for LASSO variable selection, whereby we obtained pivotal genes that were highly representative of IDD. We then correlated (Pearson correlation) the expression of pivotal genes with immune cell proportion inferred by CIBERSORT algorithm, and revealed the potential immune-regulatory roles of pivotal genes on the pathogenesis of IDD. We discovered several immune-associated pathways in which IDD-associated immune genes were highly clustered, and identified two gene modules that might promote or inhibit the pathogenesis of IDD. These candidate genes were further narrowed down to 8 pivotal genes, namely, MSH2, LY96, ADAM8, HEBP2, ANXA3, RAB24, ZBTB16 and PIK3CD, among which ANXA3, MSH2, ZBTB16, LY96, PIK3CD, ZBTB16, and ADAM8 were revealed to be correlated with the proportion of CD8 T cells and resting memory CD4 T cells. This work identified 8 pivotal genes that might be involved in the pathogenesis of IDD through triggering various immune-associated pathways and altering the composition of immune and myeloid cells in IDD patients, which provides novel perspectives on IDD diagnosis and treatment.
Non-negative moment fitting quadrature for cut finite elements and cells undergoing large deformations
Authors: Garhuom Wadhah , Düster Alexander
Published: June 2022

Fictitious domain methods, such as the finite cell method, simplify the discretization of a domain significantly. This is because the mesh does not need to conform to the domain of interest. However, because the mesh generation is simplified, broken cells with discontinuous integrands must be integrated using special quadrature schemes. The moment fitting quadrature is a very efficient scheme for integrating broken cells since the number of integration points generated is much lower as compared to the commonly used adaptive octree scheme. However, standard moment fitting rules can lead to integration points with negative weights. Whereas negative weights might not cause any difficulties when solving linear problems, this can change drastically when considering nonlinear problems such as hyperelasticity or elastoplasticity. Then negative weights can lead to a divergence of the Newton-Raphson method applied within the incremental/iterative procedure of the nonlinear computation. In this paper, we extend the moment fitting method with constraints that ensure the generation of positive weights when solving the moment fitting equations. This can be achieved by employing a so-called non-negative least square solver. The performance of the non-negative moment fitting scheme will be illustrated using different numerical examples in hyperelasticity and elastoplasticity.
Evaluation of the SPARTACUS-Urban Radiation Model for Vertically Resolved Shortwave Radiation in Urban Areas
Authors: Stretton Megan A. , Morrison William , Hogan Robin J. , Grimmond Sue
Published: June 2022

The heterogenous structure of urban environments impacts interactions with radiation, and the intensity of urban–atmosphere exchanges. Numerical weather prediction (NWP) often characterizes the urban structure with an infinite street canyon, which does not capture the three-dimensional urban morphology realistically. Here, the SPARTACUS (Speedy Algorithm for Radiative Transfer through Cloud Sides) approach to urban radiation (SPARTACUS-Urban), a multi-layer radiative transfer model designed to capture three-dimensional urban geometry for NWP, is evaluated with respect to the explicit Discrete Anisotropic Radiative Transfer (DART) model. Vertical profiles of shortwave fluxes and absorptions are evaluated across domains spanning regular arrays of cubes, to real cities (London and Indianapolis). The SPARTACUS-Urban model agrees well with the DART model (normalized bias and mean absolute errors < 5.5%) when its building distribution assumptions are fulfilled (i.e., buildings randomly distributed in the horizontal). For realistic geometry, including real-world building distributions and pitched roofs, SPARTACUS-Urban underestimates the effective albedo (< 6%) and ground absorption (< 16%), and overestimates wall-plus-roof absorption (< 15%), with errors increasing with solar zenith angle. Replacing the single-exponential fit of the distribution of building separations with a two-exponential function improves flux predictions for real-world geometry by up to half. Overall, SPARTACUS-Urban predicts shortwave fluxes accurately for a range of geometries (cf. DART). Comparison with the commonly used single-layer infinite street canyon approach finds SPARTACUS-Urban has an improved performance for randomly distributed and real-world geometries. This suggests using SPARTACUS-Urban would benefit weather and climate models with multi-layer urban energy balance models, as it allows more realistic urban form and vertically resolved absorption rates, without large increases in computational cost or data inputs.
A mixed method study of medical oncologists’ perceived barriers and motivators to addressing long-term effects in breast cancer survivors
Authors: Fauer Alex J. , Ganz Patricia A. , Brauer Eden R.
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to identify oncologist-reported barriers and motivators in addressing long-term effects with breast cancer survivors.

Methods

This study is a secondary analysis of data from a survey of U.S. medical oncologists (n = 217) about breast cancer survivorship care in clinical practice. Using both closed- and open-ended questions, we asked oncologists to report barriers and motivators they perceived in addressing long-term effects with breast cancer patients. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize and rank items endorsed by oncologists in analyses of quantitative data; content analysis was used to identify salient categories of barriers and motivators in qualitative data.

Results

Key barriers to managing physical long-term effects included lack of time during appointments (n = 128 oncologists, 59%) and perceived lack of evidence-based interventions (n = 89, 41%). With respect to psychosocial effects, oncologists reported lack of knowledge (n = 88, 40.6%) and challenges making referrals to mental health providers (n = 115, 53%). From the qualitative data, three distinct barrier categories emerged: “Competing priorities during brief appointments;” “Discussing long-term effects—Who? What? When?;” and “Beyond my expertise and comfort level.” Two motivator categories emerged: “I owe it to them;” and “Giving people a life worth living.”

Conclusion

Oncologists’ key motivators for addressing long-term effects were focused on professional values, relationships with survivors, and their commitment to prioritizing patients' quality of life. Future efforts should leverage oncologists' professional and interpersonal motivators to enhance the delivery of survivorship care for breast cancer.
First-in-human phase 1/1b study to evaluate sitravatinib in patients with advanced solid tumors
Authors: Bauer Todd , Cho Byong Chul , Heist Rebecca , Bazhenova Lyudmila , Werner Theresa , Goel Sanjay , Kim Dong-Wan , Adkins Douglas , Carvajal Richard D. , Alva Ajjai , Eaton Keith , Wang Judy , Liu Yong , Yan Xiaohong , Christensen Jamie , Neuteboom Saskia , Chao Richard , Pant Shubham
Published: June 2022

Sitravatinib (MGCD516), a spectrum-selective receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting TAM (TYRO3, AXL, MERTK) and split kinase family receptors, has demonstrated preclinical anti-tumor activity and modulation of tumor microenvironment. This first-in-human phase 1/1b study included sitravatinib dose exploration and anti-tumor activity evaluation in selected patients with advanced solid tumors. Primary objectives included assessment of safety, pharmacokinetics and clinical activity of sitravatinib. Secondary objectives included identifying doses for further investigation and exploring molecular markers for patient selection. In phase 1, 32 patients received 10–200 mg, while phase 1b dose expansion comprised 161 patients (150 mg n = 99, 120 mg n = 62). Maximum tolerated dose was determined as 150 mg daily. Dose-limiting toxicity was reported in 4/28 evaluable phase 1 patients (three at 200 mg, one at 80 mg). In phase 1b, 120 mg was defined as the recommended dose due to tolerability. Treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were experienced by 174/193 patients (90.2%); grade ≥ 3 TRAEs in 103 patients (53.4%). Most common TRAEs were diarrhea, fatigue, hypertension and nausea; TRAEs led to treatment discontinuation in 26 patients (13.5%) and death in one patient. Sitravatinib was steadily absorbed and declined from plasma with a terminal elimination half-life of 42.1–51.5 h following oral administration. Overall objective response rate was 11.8% in phase 1b, 13.2% in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and 4.2% in patients with NSCLC with prior checkpoint inhibitor experience. Sitravatinib demonstrated manageable safety and modest clinical activity in solid tumors. NCT02219711 (first posted August 14, 2014).
Frequency and Content of the Last Fifty Years of Papers on Aristotle’s Writings on Biological Phenomena
Authors: Sharpley Christopher F. , Koehn Clemens
Published: June 2022

Aristotle is often named as the first zoologist or biologist because of his writings on animals. Although Aristotle’s major intention in these books was to illustrate his ideas of how knowledge and understanding might advance, at least one modern biologist (C. Darwin) has recognized Aristotle's depth and breadth as being of surviving merit. Of greater surprise is the ongoing attention that his works continue to receive, including publications in contemporary scientific journals. This review identifies 38 peer-reviewed papers on various topics from Aristotle’s biological writings that have been published during the last 50 years. These papers are described according to content (genetics, population biology, anatomy, brain, movement), specific creatures (fish, scorpions, elephants, insects, birds), publication outlet, distribution over the fifty year period surveyed, and visible trends in the topics studied. It is concluded that, in the highly-competitive field of peer-reviewed scientific publication and citation, Aristotle's biology continues to excite the interest of scientists and remains salient to modern science itself.
The importance of dynamic open-canopy woodlands for the conservation of a specialist butterfly species
Authors: Habel Jan Christian , Teucher Mike , Gros Patrick , Gfrerer Verena , Eberle Jonas
Published: June 2022

Context

Intensification of land-use caused a reduction of ecosystem heterogeneity and diversity, and subsequently led to dramatic decrease of biodiversity. Species depending on dynamic ecosystems are particularly affected from this trend of land-use intensification, landscape homogenization, and the optimization of land-use. Forest species suffer under the intensification of forest management, in the worst case transforming light and heterogeneous deciduous forests into species-poor intensively used deciduous forests optimized for wood production. This lead to the destruction of a mosaic consisting of various successional stages in parallel.

Objective

In this study we analyse the relevance of forest heterogeneity, forest disturbance and microhabitat preferences of egg oviposition and larval development for a highly endangered butterfly species, Euphydryas maturna. This butterfly species mainly occurs in light and moist deciduous forests, such as riparian forests along mountain streams in northern Austria.

Methods

We combine detailed field observations with high resolution aerial pictures taken with an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to build ensemble habitat suitability models from GAM, GBM, GLM, and Maxent models.

Results

We found that egg ovipositions take place exclusively on the tree species Fraxinus excelsior, preferably exposed to the south, partly shaded, and at medium height (3 m). Our habitat suitability models based on high resolution aerial pictures indicate that egg ovipositions are clustered and accumulate along forest edges and at sites with high forest heterogeneity.

Conclusion

Our study underlines the high relevance and importance of light deciduous forest structures with environmental dynamics creating the preconditions of specific microhabitat structures for endangered species, such as E. maturna. Our study shows that UAV-captured high precision aerial imagery are well suited to optimally connect two spatial scales, the ecosystem and microhabitat scale.
AI-based adaptive personalized content presentation and exercises navigation for an effective and engaging E-learning platform
Authors: Sayed Wafaa S. , Noeman Ahmed M. , Abdellatif Abdelrahman , Abdelrazek Moemen , Badawy Mostafa G. , Hamed Ahmed , El-Tantawy Samah
Published: June 2022

Effective and engaging E-learning becomes necessary in unusual conditions such as COVID-19 pandemic, especially for the early stages of K-12 education. This paper proposes an adaptive personalized E-learning platform with a novel combination of Visual/Aural/Read, Write/Kinesthetic (VARK) presentation or gamification and exercises difficulty scaffolding through skipping/hiding/ reattempting. Cognitive, behavior and affective adaptation means are included in developing a dynamic learner model, which detects and corrects each student’s learning style and cognitive level. As adaptation targets, the platform provides adaptive content presentation in two groups (VARK and gamification), adaptive exercises navigation and adaptive feedback. To achieve its goal, the platform utilizes a Deep Q-Network Reinforcement Learning (DQN-RL) and an online rule-based decision making implementation. The platform interfaces front-end dedicated website and back-end adaptation algorithms. An improvement in learning effectiveness is achieved comparing the post-test to the pre-test in a pilot experiment for grade 3 mathematics curriculum. Both groups witnessed academic performance and satisfaction level improvements, most importantly, for the students who started the experiment with a relatively low performance. VARK group witnessed a slightly more improvement and higher satisfaction level, since interactive activities and games in the kinesthetic presentation can provide engagement, while keeping other presentation styles available, when needed.
Quality of life impairment after a diagnosis of Cushing’s syndrome
Authors: Webb Susan M , Valassi Elena
Published: June 2022

This brief review is devoted mainly to publications in the last 5 years dealing with health-related quality of life (QoL) after a diagnosis of endogenous hypercortisolism, due to pituitary-dependent Cushing’s disease (CD) or any other cause of Cushing syndrome (CS). Despite improvement after treatment, persistent physical morbidity, neurocognitive problems like worse executive capacity and memory as well as stress intolerance, depressive symptoms and more anxiety, lead to long-term impairment of QoL.
Polymetallic (zinc and cadmium) hyperaccumulation in the Australian legume Crotalaria novae-hollandiae compared to Crotalaria cunninghamii
Authors: Tang Roger H. , Nkrumah Philip N. , Erskine Peter D. , van der Ent Antony
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Hyperaccumulators are plants with the ability to tolerate and accumulate high concentrations of potentially phytotoxic metals. The Australian legumeCrotalaria novae-hollandiaeaccumulates remarkably high concentrations of zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd) and copper (Cu) in its shoots when growing on metalliferous (Zn-Cd ‘calamine’) soils. This study aimed to investigate zinc-cadmium tolerance inC. novae-hollandiaeand to compare it with the closely related, but non-metalliferous,C. cunninghamii.

Methods

Crotalaria cunninghamiiandC. novae-hollandiaewere exposed to Zn (3–1000 μM) and Cd (0–60 μM) treatments in hydroponics culture. At the end of the experiment, harvested plants were segmented into roots, old and young stems, old and young leaves for elemental analysis with Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Laboratory-based micro-X-ray fluorescence (μXRF) analysis was used to elucidate elemental distribution in a shoot and in leaflets.

Results

Crotalaria cunninghamiiaccumulated up to 1210 μg Zn g−1and 47.6 μg Cd g−1in its leaves, with a 75% reduction in biomass in the Zn treatment.Crotalaria novae-hollandiaeaccumulated up to 16,600 μg Zn g−1and 1250 μg Cd g−1, with a 70% increase in biomass when exposed to Zn. The species both exhibited chlorosis and stunted growth in the Cd treatments, while onlyC. cunninghamiiexhibited toxicity symptoms in Zn treatment.

Conclusions

Crotalaria novae-hollandiaehas limited tolerance for Cd and based on the accumulation and distribution of foliar Zn and Cd it is suspected thatC. novae-hollandiaehas different uptake and tolerance mechanisms when compared to other widely studied Zn-Cd hyperaccumulators (such asNoccaea caerulescensandArabidopsis halleri).
Root diameter decreases and rhizosheath carboxylates and acid phosphatases increase in chickpea during plant development
Authors: Pang Jiayin , Kim Hee Sun , Boitt Gustavo , Ryan Megan H. , Wen Zhihui , Lambers Hans , Sharma Manish , Mickan Bede , Gadot Gautier , Siddique Kadambot H. M.
Published: June 2022

Background and aims

This study investigated whether root traits at the seedling stage are maintained at the flowering stage in two chickpea (Cicer arietinum) genotypes with contrasting root morphology and physiology; and whether the genotype with greater rhizosheath carboxylates mobilises more poorly-available phosphorus (P) pools to increase shoot P at flowering/podding and seed yield at maturity.

Methods

Two chickpea genotypes were grown in a low P soil with or without P addition (0 and 40 µg P g−1 soil as KH2PO4) under controlled glasshouse conditions and harvested at seedling, flowering/podding, physiological maturity.

Results

At the seedling and flowering/podding stages, ICC2884 had thinner roots and greater root mass ratio, specific root length and rhizosheath carboxylates per root dry weight (DW) than ICC456. Both genotypes had smaller root diameter, higher carboxylates and acid phosphatase activity in rhizosheath soil at flowering/podding than at seedling. In the rhizosheath soil of both genotypes, NaHCO3-Pi concentration was depleted under P0 only; under both P0 and P40, NaHCO3-Po concentration increased while NaOH-Pi and NaOH-Po concentrations decreased at the seedling stage but accumulated at the flowering/podding stage, relative to the bulk soil. ICC2884 did not mobilise more poorly available soil P or acquire more P at the seedling or flowering/podding stages, or produce higher seed yields than ICC456.

Conclusion

ICC2884 and ICC456 maintained the difference in root morphological and physiological characteristics from the seedling stage to the flowering/podding stage. The genotype with greater rhizosheath carboxylates (root DW basis) did not produce higher yield than genotype with less rhizosheath carboxylates.
Integrating a computable general equilibrium model with the four-step framework
Authors: Shahriari Siroos , Robson Edward N. , Wang Jason , Dixit Vinayak V. , Waller S. Travis , Rashidi Taha H.
Published: June 2022

In the transport policy development process, four-step models are commonly used to estimate transport costs and flows based on representations of travel demands and networks. However, these models typically do not account for broader changes in the economy, which may significantly shift travel patterns in the case of larger transport projects. LUTI models are often applied to simulate changes in land-use patterns, and regional production function models have been used to estimate changes in production, but these methods rely on fixed economic parameters that may not capture the structural economic changes induced by large transport projects. In a separate line of development, computable general equilibrium (CGE) models, which simulate entire economies, have been increasingly applied to estimate the magnitude and distribution of economic impacts from transport improvements both spatially and through markets, including GDP and welfare. Some CGE models are linked with transport network models, but none incorporate detailed networks or generate a complete set of travel demands. This paper presents an integrated CGE and transport model that generates household and freight trips and simulates a detailed road network for different time periods, such that the transport submodel can be calibrated and run as a conventional transport model. The model provides a tool for the rapid strategic assessment of transport projects and policies when economic responses cannot be assumed to remain static. In the model, the CGE submodel simulates the behaviour of households and firms interacting in markets, where their behaviour takes trip costs into account. The model then generates trips as a derived demand from agent activities and assigns them to the road network according to user equilibrium, before feeding back trip costs to the CGE submodel. The model is then tested by simulating the WestConnex motorway project under construction in Sydney, with results showing significant increases in welfare for regions close to the improvements. Further development of the model is required to incorporate land-use and mode choice.
The 6-Month Efficacy of an Intensive Lifestyle Modification Program on Type 2 Diabetes Risk Among Rural Women with Prior Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Chen Yao , Zhong Qinyi , Luo Jiaxin , Tang Yujia , Li Mingshu , Lin Qian , Willey James Allen , Chen Jyu-Lin , Whittemore Robin , Guo Jia
Published: June 2022

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an intensive lifestyle modification program tailored to rural Chinese women with prior gestational diabetes mellitus compared with usual care. In a cluster randomized controlled trial, 16 towns (clusters) in two distinct rural areas in China were randomly selected (8 towns per district); and 320 women with prior gestational diabetes mellitus were recruited from these towns. With stratification for the two study districts, eight towns (160 women) were randomly assigned to the intervention group of a tailored intensive lifestyle modification program and 8 towns (160 women) to the control group. Process measures were collected on attendance, engagement, fidelity, and satisfaction. Primary efficacy outcomes included glycemic and weight-related outcomes, while secondary efficacy outcomes were behavioral outcomes and type 2 diabetes risk score, which were collected at baseline, 3-month, and 6-month follow-up. Generalized estimation equations were used to analyze the data. High attendance (72% of sessions), engagement (67% of interactive activities and group discussions), fidelity (98%), and satisfaction (92%) with the tailored intensive lifestyle modification program were achieved. There were significant reductions in fasting blood glucose, oral glucose tolerance test 2 h, waist circumference, and type 2 diabetes risk score of participants in the intervention group compared to the control group (p < .05). There was no significant intervention effect on body mass index or behavioral outcomes (p > .05). In this study, we demonstrate the successful efficacy of an Intensive Lifestyle Modification Program in reducing type 2 diabetes risk among younger women with prior gestational diabetes mellitus. This tailored program delivered by local healthcare providers is a promising approach for diabetes prevention in rural China, reducing health disparities in rural communities about diabetes prevention. Registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2000037956) on 3rd Jan 2018.
Efficacy of radiofrequency and laser thermal ablation in solving thyroid nodule-related symptoms and cosmetic concerns. A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Cesareo Roberto , Egiddi Silvia , Naciu Anda M. , Tabacco Gaia , Leoncini Andrea , Napoli Nicola , Palermo Andrea , Trimboli Pierpaolo
Published: June 2022

Several studies have showed good/excellent results of thermal-ablation (TA) to reduce volume of benign thyroid nodule (TN). Nevertheless, no systematic review has reported information about clinical achievements with TA. Being the latter of high interest, this systematic review was undertaken to achieve high evidence about the efficacy of TA in reducing TN-related symptoms and cosmetic concerns. Radiofrequency (RFA) and laser (LA) therapies were considered. A comprehensive literature search of online databases was performed on January 2022 looking for studies reporting clinical results obtained by RFA or LA in terms of VAS (namely, Visual Analogic Scale) and cosmetic concerns. Initially, 318 records were found and 14 were finally included in the meta-analysis. VAS data were available in all RFA studies and the pooled mean reduction was of 3.09 points with significant heterogeneity. Cosmetic score data were available in 11 RFA studies and the pooled mean reduction was of 1.45 with significant heterogeneity. Regarding LA studies, 4 series reported VAS data and the pooled mean reduction was of 2.61 points with significant heterogeneity. The analysis of LA data about cosmetic concerns was not performed due to data paucity. Importantly, heterogeneities were not explained by meta-regression analyses using several covariates (i.e., baseline TN volume, follow-up duration, volume reduction rate). This systematic review showed that clinical data about TN TA efficacy are sparse and affected by high unexplained inconsistency. International societies should give indication about how we should clinically select and evaluate patients undergoing TN TA.
Inspiring Muslim Appreciation in the First-Year of College: What Makes a Difference?
Authors: Shaheen Musbah , Dahl Laura S. , Mayhew Matthew J. , Rockenbach Alyssa N.
Published: June 2022

The purpose of this study was to examine first-year change in appreciative attitudes toward Muslims by non-Muslim students. To this end, we longitudinally assessed 6229 undergraduate students at the beginning and end of their first year in college. We performed a hierarchical linear modeling analysis and found evidence that Muslim appreciation can change as a result of exposure to and participation in the first year in college, specifically through provocative encounters that are adequately supported by administrative practices designed for helping students interact productively. Implications are discussed.
Construction of a Reflective Quality of Life Index for Gauteng Province in South Africa
Authors: Katumba Samy , de Kadt Julia , Orkin Mark , Fatti Paul
Published: June 2022

This paper demonstrates a simple methodological sequence for the statistical calculation of a context-sensitive quality of life index especially suitable for use in the Global South, i.e. lower and middle income countries. We draw on the large (n = 24,889), area-sampled, survey dataset of the fifth Quality of Life Survey (QoL V, 2017/18) of South Africa’s Gauteng province, conducted by the Gauteng City-Region Observatory. Using overtly exploratory analysis, and a fully reflective conception of indicators, we apply exploratory factor analysis (EFA) in two stages to generate our model, while defending our approach methodologically and empirically and indicating its philosophical foundations. We contrast this approach to previous analyses using the QoL I (2010) data, which defined their dimensions and assign their indicators in advance, drawing on literature and indexes largely from the Global North. We ran series of EFAs on 60 longitudinally available variables from the QoL V data set. This allowed us to determine the optimal number of factors/dimensions, guided by established criteria and the interpretability of the grouped indicators. Each dimension score is calculated arithmetically, using the indicators’ factor loadings as weights. Then the dimensions, weighted by their eigenvalues, are aggregated into the composite index, scaled to run from 0 to 100. The resulting seven-dimension, 33-indicator model was validated through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on the QoL V data; and its configural invariance, i.e. whether the pattern of indicators amongst the factors holds over time, was checked against the two previous QoL datasets and confirmed. This validates the ability of the approach outlined to generate a stable index. Analysis of the resulting quality of life index by race and municipality reveals trends consistent with the South African context. Overall, the White population group has the highest measured quality of life index, followed in turn by the Indian/Asian, Coloured and Black African population groups. Changes in the quality-of-life ranking of the nine municipalities comprising Gauteng province may be observed over time, using the validated previous models. The value of the exploratory approach in enabling context to influence the index construction is highlighted by the emergence of a distinct dimension of bottom-up political voice, which is relevant for democratic governance.