bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Positive Psychology and Religiousness/Spirituality in the Context of Couples and Families
Authors: Mahoney Annette , Chinn Jay R. , McGraw James S.
Published: November 2022

In this chapter, we examine the intersections of positive psychology (PP) and religiousness/spirituality (R/S) in close relationships. Specifically, within Mahoney’s (J Marriage Fam 72:805–827, 2010) relational spirituality framework, we focus on the maintenance stage of healthy relationships and explore helpful roles that R/S can play for diverse types of couples and families. We briefly summarize extensive evidence that global markers of R/S (e.g., religious service attendance) are associated with relational well-being. We also highlight that global markers of R/S confound relatively commonplace positive religious/spiritual processes with less common but potentially toxic manifestations of R/S. We then delve into four specific religious/spiritual strengths that are empirically tied to better relational functioning: sanctification, spiritual intimacy, prayer for partner, and positive religious/spiritual coping. Next, we offer guidelines consistent with available scientific research that religious leaders, chaplains, couple and family educators, and psychotherapists might consider when working in community or clinical settings. Finally, we suggest ways to advance science and practice on the roles of R/S, for better and worse, within intimate and family relationships.
Cultural Considerations in Positive Psychology and the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality
Authors: Mattis Jacqueline S.
Published: November 2022

Research in positive psychology and the psychology of religion and spirituality has been largely acultural, acontextual, and apolitical. However, social scientists interested in positive human development have long recognized that culture plays a central and indelible role in shaping human behavior. In this chapter, I highlight clarifying definitions of culture. I explore the link between culture, religiosity, spirituality, and positive psychological development. I argue that extant approaches to the study of culture, religiosity/spirituality, and positive development are limited in that they do not sufficiently account for structural and sociopolitical contributors to these relationships. I also posit that existing models do not typically account for the power dynamics that shape positive psychological and prosocial outcomes. Drawing on the Socioecological, Transactional model of Religiosity and Spirituality (SET-RS Urban; Mattis et al., 2019), I propose a new conceptual frame that addresses these gaps. This new framework, the integrative model of Culture, Religiosity, and Spirituality in Positive Development (CRSPD), can guide future research on the relations between culture, religiosity, spirituality, and prosocial development.
Strengthening Social Cohesion
Authors: Jennissen Roel , Bovens Mark , Engbersen Godfried , Bokhorst Meike
Published: November 2022

The increasing diversity of the Dutch population is making conviviality more complicated. Not only in the big cities and their suburbs, but also in medium-sized cities, expat and horticultural municipalities (see Chap. 3). Moreover, modern migrants do not stay in the Netherlands as long as they used to; half have left again after 5 years. This places considerable demands upon schools, for example, which have to deal with pupils arriving and leaving throughout the course of the year. For voluntary associations, too, a high turnover of members is not conducive to cohesion. And the same applies to neighbourhoods where much of the population is just ‘passing through’.
Towards Migration Policy with an Eye for Social Cohesion
Authors: Jennissen Roel , Bovens Mark , Engbersen Godfried , Bokhorst Meike
Published: November 2022

In Chap.3we established that increasing ethnic diversity puts pressure on social cohesion. In Chap.4we noted the lack of coherence between policies addressing migration and aspects of conviviality. These observations raise the question as to what extent the government could take more account of the issue of social cohesion in the design of Dutch migration policy.
Freeze-out forbidden dark matter in the hidden sector in the mass range from sub-GeV to TeV
Authors: Yang Kwei-Chou
Published: November 2022

Abstract

Kinematically forbidden channels can set the freeze-out dark matter (DM) relic abundance. These channels are described by DM annihilations into heavier states, which vanish at zero temperature limit, but occur at finite temperatures in the early Universe. For the case that the final state of the forbidden channel is scalar mediators that couple to Standard Model (SM) matter through mixing with the SM Higgs, the signals from DM-nucleon interactions and from mediator-related missing energy or displaced vertices could be detected by direct detections and particle physics experiments, respectively. We thus present a study on the simplest secluded vector dark matter model that can exhibit this scenario in the mass range from sub-GeV to TeV. The dark matter resides in the hidden sector, which is in thermal equilibrium with the SM before freeze-out. During freeze-out, the depletion of its density results from its annihilation into two heavier but metastable scalars, where the coupling can be determined by having the correct relic density and constrained by the perturbative unitarity bound. However, much of the allowed parameter space is insensitive to the mixing angle between the hidden scalar and SM Higgs. We find that a more significant mass splitting between DM and the mediator can be allowed only in the sub-GeV region. Moreover, the mass splitting in the TeV region is required to be within the percent level. This model of the forbidden DM interacting with SM particles through the scalar portal is testable in experiments.
Four-loop QCD cusp anomalous dimension at small angle
Authors: Grozin Andrey G. , Lee Roman N. , Pikelner Andrey F.
Published: November 2022

Abstract

We calculate the small angle expansion of the four-loop QCD cusp anomalous dimension. As a byproduct of our calculation, we also obtain the four-loop anomalous dimension of the heavy-quark field in HQET. The validity of the calculational setup is cross-checked by the independent calculation of the four-loop QCD beta-function from heavy-quark-gluon vertex renormalization in HQET. We check the obtained results for the cusp anomalous dimension and heavy-quark field anomalous dimension against available analytical and numerical results. Finally, we find that the maximal transcendentality contribution to the QCD Bremsstrahlung function coincides, up to a factor 3/2, with the Bremsstrahlung function in $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory, at least, through 4 loops.
Complexity for superconformal primaries from BCH techniques
Authors: Rabambi Phumudzo , van Zyl Hendrik J. R.
Published: November 2022

Abstract

We extend existing results for the Nielsen complexity of scalar primaries and spinning primaries in four dimensions by including supersymmetry. Specifically, we study the Nielsen complexity of circuits that transform a superconformal primary with definite scaling dimension, spin and R-charge by means of continuous unitary gates from the $$ \mathfrak{su} $$
su
(2, 2|$$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
) group. Our analysis makes profitable use of Baker-Campbell-Hausdorff formulas including a special class of BCH formulas we conjecture and motivate. With this approach we are able to determine the super-Kähler potential characterizing the circuit complexity geometry and obtain explicit expressions in the case of $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 and $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 supersymmetry.
Equivariant multiplicities via representations of quantum affine algebras
Authors: Casbi Elie , Li Jian-Rong
Published: November 2022

For any simply-laced type simple Lie algebra$$\mathfrak {g}$$gand any height function$$\xi $$ξadapted to an orientationQof the Dynkin diagram of$$\mathfrak {g}$$g, Hernandez–Leclerc introduced a certain category$$\mathcal {C}^{\le \xi }$$C≤ξof representations of the quantum affine algebra$$U_q(\widehat{\mathfrak {g}})$$Uq(g^), as well as a subcategory$$\mathcal {C}_Q$$CQof$$\mathcal {C}^{\le \xi }$$C≤ξwhose complexified Grothendieck ring is isomorphic to the coordinate ring$$\mathbb {C}[\textbf{N}]$$C[N]of a maximal unipotent subgroup. In this paper, we define an algebraic morphism$${\widetilde{D}}_{\xi }$$D~ξon a torus$$\mathcal {Y}^{\le \xi }$$Y≤ξcontaining the image of$$K_0(\mathcal {C}^{\le \xi })$$K0(C≤ξ)under the truncatedq-character morphism. We prove that the restriction of$${\widetilde{D}}_{\xi }$$D~ξto$$K_0(\mathcal {C}_Q)$$K0(CQ)coincides with the morphism$$\overline{D}$$D¯recently introduced by Baumann–Kamnitzer–Knutson in their study of equivariant multiplicities of Mirković–Vilonen cycles. This is achieved using the T-systems satisfied by the characters of Kirillov–Reshetikhin modules in$$\mathcal {C}_Q$$CQ, as well as certain results by Brundan–Kleshchev–McNamara on the representation theory of quiver Hecke algebras. This alternative description of$$\overline{D}$$D¯allows us to prove a conjecture by the first author on the distinguished values of$$\overline{D}$$D¯on the flag minors of$$\mathbb {C}[\textbf{N}]$$C[N]. We also provide applications of our results from the perspective of Kang–Kashiwara–Kim–Oh’s generalized Schur–Weyl duality. Finally, we use Kashiwara–Kim–Oh–Park’s recent constructions to define a cluster algebra$$\overline{\mathcal {A}}_Q$$A¯Qas a subquotient of$$K_0(\mathcal {C}^{\le \xi })$$K0(C≤ξ)naturally containing$$\mathbb {C}[\textbf{N}]$$C[N], and suggest the existence of an analogue of the Mirković–Vilonen basis in$$\overline{\mathcal {A}}_Q$$A¯Qon which the values of$${\widetilde{D}}_{\xi }$$D~ξmay be interpreted as certain equivariant multiplicities.
Weld bead geometry real-time control in gas metal arc welding processes using intelligent systems
Authors: Girón-Cruz Jorge Andrés , Pinto-Lopera Jesús Emilio , Alfaro Sadek C. A.
Published: November 2022

Gas metal arc welding (GMAW) process is one of the most important in the industry, so different efforts have been made to anticipate the parameters to convert this process into a stable one capable of joining parts with minimum human interference. In this sense, controlling is essential for automated applications because properties such as the weld mechanical strength are defined by the metal composition, the microstructure, and the weld bead geometry. Nevertheless, performing this automatic control to guarantee quality characteristics similar to a human expert’s in mechanized welding systems is still tricky. Nowadays, although various sensors have been used in the monitoring for control, it is still hard to detect effective options to real-time identify geometry characteristics in the formation process of the welds. Furthermore, even today, a process much more complex is to control more than one parameter simultaneously or control the weld penetration using a single sensor. Then, this research describes two intelligence systems for real-time control of the weld bead geometry in the GMAW process. The first is a passive vision system with sensor fusion that controls the width and height; the second is an active vision system that controls the penetration. Results indicate that the proposed methodology can be applied to simultaneously control external geometrical parameters without a predefined model of the welding process. In the case of penetration, a fuzzy controller and a neural network-based model help the system adapt to input parameter variations throughout the welding process, thus correcting instabilities under changing operating conditions.
Distinct redox state regulation in the seedling performance of Norway maple and sycamore
Authors: Alipour Shirin , Wojciechowska Natalia , Bujarska-Borkowska Barbara , Kalemba Ewa Marzena
Published: November 2022

Norway maple and sycamore, two Acer genus species, have an important ecological value and different sensitivity to stressing factors being currently aggravated by climate change. Seedling growth is postulated to be the main barrier for successful plant establishment under the climate change scenarios. Therefore, the differences in redox regulation during the seedling performance of Norway maple and sycamore were investigated. Seeds of the two Acer species exhibited an identical high germination capacity, whereas seedling emergence was higher in sycamores. PCA analyses revealed that there is more diversification in the leaf characteristics than roots. Norway maple displayed a higher chlorophyll content index (CCI) with a similar leaf mass whereas sycamore seedlings exhibited a higher normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), higher water content, higher root biomass and higher shoot height. Based on NDVI, sycamore seedlings appeared as very healthy plants, whereas Norway maple seedlings displayed a moderate healthy phenotype. Therefore, redox basis of seedling performance was investigated. The total pool of glutathione was four times higher in sycamore leaves than in Norway maple leaves and was reflected in highly reduced half-cell reduction potential of glutathione. Sycamore leaves contained more ascorbate because the content of its reduced form (AsA) was twice as high as in Norway maple. Therefore, the AsA/DHA ratio was balanced in sycamore leaves, reaching 1, and was halved in Norway maple leaves. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate content was twice as high in sycamore leaves than in Norway maples; however, its reduced form (NADPH) was predominant in Norway maple seedlings. Norway maple leaves exhibited the highest anabolic and catabolic redox charge. The higher reduction capacity and the activity of NADPH-dependent reductases in Norway maple leaves possibly resulted in higher CCI, whereas the larger root system contributed to higher NDVI in sycamore. The different methods of controlling redox parameters in Acer seedlings grown at controlled conditions provided here can be useful in understanding how tree species can cope with a changing environment in the future.
SVM ensemble training for imbalanced data classification using multi-objective optimization techniques
Authors: Grzyb Joanna , Woźniak Michał
Published: November 2022

One of the main problems with classifier training for imbalanced data is defining the correct learning criterion. On the one hand, we want the minority class to be correctly recognized, and on the other hand, we do not want to make too many mistakes in the majority class. Commonly used metrics focus either on the predictive quality of the distinguished class or propose an aggregation of simple metrics. The aggregate metrics, such asGmeanorAUC, are primarily ambiguous, i.e., they do not indicate the specific values of errors made on the minority or majority class. Additionally, improper use of aggregate metrics results in solutions selected with their help that may favor the majority class. The authors realize that a solution to this problem is using overall risk. However, this requires knowledge of the costs associated with errors made between classes, which is often unavailable. Hence, this paper will propose thesemoosalgorithm - an approach based on multi-objective optimization that optimizes criteria related to the prediction quality of both minority and majority classes.semoosreturns a pool of non-dominated solutions from which the user can choose the model that best suits him. Automatic solution selection formulas with a so-called Pareto front have also been proposed to comparestate-of-the-artmethods. The proposed approach will train asvmclassifier ensemble dedicated to the imbalanced data classification task. The experimental evaluations carried out on a large number of benchmark datasets confirm its usefulness.
Contrasting responses of vascular plants and bryophytes to present and past connectivity in unmanaged grasslands
Authors: Järvenpää Suvi , Kytöviita Minna-Maarit , Pitkämäki Tinja , Lampinen Jussi
Published: November 2022

The area of semi-natural grasslands has decreased dramatically causing many grassland specialist species to persist in small habitat fragments. Furthermore, ecological communities once shaped by disturbances related to traditional agriculture now face the impacts of modern agriculture and urbanization. Many of the species have become endangered due to the combined effects of habitat destruction and degradation. We studied the responses of vascular plants and bryophytes to present and past connectivity in semi-natural grasslands, while accounting for the effects of local environmental conditions. We conducted vegetation surveys in 33 fragmented, unmanaged dry grasslands in Southwest Finland. A total of 191 vascular plant species and 60 bryophyte species were recorded. Higher vascular plant diversity was associated with higher historical connectivity, whereas bryophyte diversity declined with increasing current connectivity. Edaphic conditions, microclimate and disturbances were found to structure both vascular plant and bryophyte communities, but the responses to individual environmental variables were very different. The contrasting responses could be explained by the differences between the typical life-history strategies in vascular plants and bryophytes as well as resource competition between the two groups. These results highlight the need to consider different species groups when planning conservation measures. Vascular plant richness may best be conserved in connected grasslands whereas bryophyte richness in isolated ones. The results also indicated that trampling by humans could result in positive disturbance and to some extent help maintain richness of grassland specialist species.
Cost-effectiveness of 5 fraction and partial breast radiotherapy for early breast cancer in the UK: model-based multi-trial analysis
Authors: Glynn David , Bliss Judith , Brunt Adrian Murray , Coles Charlotte E. , Wheatley Duncan , Haviland Joanne S. , Kirby Anna M. , Longo Francesco , Faria Rita , Yarnold John R. , Griffin Susan
Published: November 2022

Purpose

We estimated the cost-effectiveness of 4 radiotherapy modalities to treat early breast cancer in the UK. In a subgroup of patients eligible for all modalities, we compared whole-breast (WB) and partial breast (PB) radiotherapy delivered in either 15 (WB15F, PB15F) or 5 fractions (WB5F, PB5F). In a subgroup ineligible for PB radiotherapy, we compared WB15F to WB5F.

Methods

We developed a Markov cohort model to simulate lifetime healthcare costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) for each modality. This was informed by the clinical analysis of two non-inferiority trials (FAST Forward and IMPORT LOW) and supplemented with external literature. The primary analysis assumed that radiotherapy modality influences health only through its impact on locoregional recurrence and radiotherapy-related adverse events.

Results

In the primary analysis, PB5F had the least cost and greatest expected QALYs. WB5F had the least cost and the greatest expected QALYs in those only eligible for WB radiotherapy. Applying a cost-effectiveness threshold of £15,000/QALY, there was a 62% chance that PB5F was the cost-effective alternative in the PB eligible group, and there was a 100% chance that WB5F was cost-effective in the subgroup ineligible for PB radiotherapy.

Conclusions

Hypofractionation to 5 fractions and partial breast radiotherapy modalities offer potentially important benefits to the UK health system.
Genotoxicity, DNA damage and sperm defects induced by vinblastine
Authors: Fahmy Maha A. , Hassan Entesar E. , Farghaly Ayman A. , Hassan Zeinab M.
Published: November 2022

Background

The treatment with chemotherapy may develop secondary tumors as a result of chemo genotoxicity. Sperm defects is another complication associated with chemo treatment. In this study the genotoxicity of vinblastine (VB) was estimated in both somatic and germ cells.

Materials

85 mice were taken. Four single doses of VB at 3, 4.5, 6 and 10 mg/kg and three successive doses at 3, 4.5 and 6 mg/kg were taken for estimation of chromosomal aberrations (CAs). Four single doses of VB were involved in estimating the DNA fragmentation, and comet assay. For sperm abnormalities mice were injected with three successive doses of VB at 3, 4.5, and 6 mg/kg.

Results

The results demonstrated a significant frequency of DNA fragmentation in spleen cells and in the percentage of CAs in bone marrow. Numerical and structural aberrations were recorded with a pronounced number of polyploidy metaphases which reached (11.60%) after treatment with 6 mg/kg for three successive days vs zero for control. VB also induced a significant percentage of CAs in spermatocytes in the form of univalent. Sperm defects in the form of coiled tail, absence of acrosome and shapeless head and a significant DNA damage in the testes were recorded. The frequency of sperm abnormalities reached 11.06 ± 0.14 after treatment with highest tested dose (6 mg/kg) vs 3.04 ± 0.19 for control.

Conclusion

VB is genotoxic in somatic and germ cells. Sperm defects induced by VB are of serious concern to future generations and may affect the fertility of cancer survivors.
Complex Problems and Dealing with them on a Research Methods Course in a Business School
Authors: Harwood Stephen
Published: November 2022

This study offers a conceptual explanation of a holistic methodology that has utility in how we engage with complex situations. This is the VIPLAN Methodology developed by Raul Espejo and first published in 1988. A case is presented that evaluates whether this methodology has impact when tacitly embedded in a postgraduate research methods course. The underlying argument is that research can be usefully viewed as a form of engagement in complex problem situations, with one challenge being to make sense of situational complexity and establish the question. Thus, it becomes appropriate to introduce the principles underpinning this methodology into a research methods course in order to develop student understanding of how to move from making sense of the situation to a clearly defined problem that is then handled. The study examines a research methods course delivered annually over a period of three years, but drawing upon data from the previous two years, permitting a five year perspective. The evidence from this study in the form of marks attained and proposal - dissertation topics, indicates that this more holistic approach to a research methods course has a positive impact, especially in terms of establishing a research question. It is concluded that the introduction of the principles underpinning this methodology into a research methods course does enhance the student ability to handle complex situations.
Enabling educational innovation through complexity leadership? Perspectives from four Dutch universities
Authors: Schophuizen Martine , Kelly Aodhán , Utama Caitlin , Specht Marcus , Kalz Marco
Published: November 2022

Leadership in higher can influence the structurally embedding of educational technologies in higher education institutions. However, HEIs are complex pluralistic organizational environments with loosely coupled systems, diffused power and goal ambiguity which makes governance of educational innovations a wicked problem in which they have to balance dynamic complex interactions while also setting out a clear vision and enacting this vision towards organizational goals. This paper analyses four qualitative case studies with a focus on the choices made by leaders in four Dutch universities that aim to contribute to organisational educational innovation. We investigated the data through the lens of complexity leadership theory in which three types of leadership play an important role: administrative leadership (i.e. top-down oriented), adaptive leadership (i.e. bottom-up oriented) and enabling leadership that emerges as a leadership type between administrative and adaptive leadership and contributes to governing innovation in complex environments. This study sheds light on how, in the case of HEIs as complex environments, leaders made strategic choices and followed up on them to enable the innovative potential of the organisation.
Die Berliner Stadtreinigung (BSR) auf dem Weg ins „Neue Normal“ – Eine Fallstudie
Authors: Hansen-Heidelk Stefanie
Published: November 2022

Die COVID-19-Pandemie war der größte Transformationsbeschleuniger für die Arbeitsorganisation. Die BSR hat in einer repräsentativen Studie 2374 Beschäftigten zu Erfahrungen und Erwartungen mit mobilen Arbeiten (MoA) befragt. Es konnten keine unterschiedlichen Erwartungen bei Beschäftigten verschiedener Verwaltungsbereiche oder unterschiedlicher Altersgruppen nachgewiesen werden. Auch die familiäre Situation führt zu keinen anderen Erwartungen an das MoA. Führungskräfte wünschen sich weniger MoA. Die meisten wollen 2 bis 4 Tage im MoA arbeiten. Es bedarf daher keiner differenzierten Regelungen für unterschiedliche Beschäftigtengruppen für das langfristige Gelingen des mobilen Arbeitens.
Sustainability innovations: a proposal for an analytical framework and its empirical application in the Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve
Authors: Dabard Caroline Hélène , Mann Carsten
Published: November 2022

Abstract

Sustainability innovations influence societal transformations through the development of new products, processes, organizations, behaviors or values. Although various research approaches have tackled technological innovations in the last few decades, the specificities and enabling conditions of individual sustainability innovations remain rather unknown. We therefore propose an analytical framework, built on learning from the social–ecological systems and transitions literature. The sustainability innovation framework features four dimensions: context, actors, process and outcomes, which are detailed in 31 variables. We use the sustainability innovation framework to analyze two case studies selected in the Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve, Germany. The first refers to technological and organizational innovation in mobility, while the second relates to social and organizational innovation in agriculture. As a result, we highlight commonalities and differences in enabling conditions and variables between the two cases, which underpin the influence of trust, commitment, resource availability, experimenting, learning, advocating, and cooperating for innovation development. The cases further demonstrate that sustainability innovations develop as bundles of interdependent, entangled novelties, due to their disruptive character. Their specificity thereby resides in positive outcomes in terms of social–ecological integrity and equity. This study therefore contributes to transitions studies via a detailed characterization of sustainability innovations and of their outcomes, as well as through a generic synthesis of variables into an analytical framework that is applicable to a large and diverse range of individual sustainability innovations. Further empirical studies should test these findings in other contexts, to pinpoint generic innovation development patterns and to develop a typology of sustainability innovation archetypes.
Differences in long-term survival outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting using single vs multiple arterial grafts: a meta-analysis with reconstructed time-to-event data and subgroup analyses
Authors: Magouliotis Dimitrios E. , Fergadi Maria P. , Zotos Prokopis-Andreas , Rad Arian Arjomandi , Xanthopoulos Andrew , Bareka Metaxia , Spiliopoulos Kyriakos , Athanasiou Thanos
Published: November 2022

Objective

We reviewed the available literature on patients with coronary artery disease undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with either single (SAG) or multiple arterial grafting (MAG).

Methods

Original research studies that evaluated the long-term survival of MAG versus SAG were identified, from 1995 to 2022. The median overall survival (OS) and event-free OS were the primary endpoints. Comparison of median OS between the right internal mammary artery (RIMA) and radial artery (RA) as a second arterial conduit was the secondary endpoint. Subgroup analyses were performed regarding patients older than 70 years, with diabetes mellitus, and females. A sensitivity analysis was performed with the leave-one-out method.

Results

Forty-four studies were included in the qualitative and thirty-nine in the quantitative synthesis. After pooling data from 180 to 459 patients, the MAG group demonstrated a higher OS (HR, 0.589; 95% CI, 0.58–0.60; p < 0.0001) and event-free OS compared with the SAG group (HR, 0.828; 95% CI, 0.80–0.86; p < 0.0001). In addition, RITA was associated with superior OS compared with RA as a second arterial conduit (HR, 0.936; 95% CI, 0.89–0.98; p = 0.009). MAG was also superior to SAG in patients over 70 years, females, and patients with diabetes mellitus. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated a small-size study effect on the female subgroup analysis.

Conclusion

The present meta-analysis indicates that MAG is associated with enhanced survival outcomes compared to SAG for patients undergoing isolated CABG.
High-Performance Quality Factor Based Sensor With Diagonal Cylinder Metasurface of the Bound State in the Continuum
Authors: Chen Yuxuan , Li Yuke , Hu Zhengda , Wang Zexiang , Li Zhenxing , Wang Jicheng
Published: November 2022

High-quality-factor (high-Q-factor) electromagnetic resonance plays an important role in sensor applications. Previously proposed gas refractive index sensors are often limited by the large cavity length or microscale fabrication process in practical applications. Recently, ultra-high Q factor resonance based on the bound state in the continuum (BIC) has provided a feasible approach to solve these problems. In this paper, we propose a metasurface structure consisting of a single size tetramer cylinder. It supports dual band toroidal dipole (TD) resonances driven by BIC. The physical mechanism of double TD resonances is clarified by the multipole decomposition of the metasurface band structure and far-field scattering power. The sensor structure based on this achieves a sensitivity of 518.3 MHz/RIU, and the maximum line width does not exceed 680 kHz. The high-Q-factor electromagnetic resonance has the advantages of polarization independence and simplicity to manufacture. These findings will open up an avenue to develop the ultrasensitive sensor in the gigahertz regime.
The impact of a sepsis performance improvement program in the emergency department: a before–after intervention study
Authors: Schinkel Michiel , Holleman Frits , Vleghels Richarda , Brugman Kayla , Ridderikhof Milan L. , Dzelili Mahi , Nanayakkara Prabath W. B. , Wiersinga W. Joost
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The latest Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines advocate that all hospitals use sepsis performance improvement programs. However, there is a limited evidence about how to structure such programs and what their potential impact is on sepsis management and outcomes in the emergency department (ED). In this study, we evaluated the implementation of a sepsis performance improvement program in the ED including a dedicated sepsis response team and analyzed the management and outcomes of sepsis patients before and after.

Methods

We conducted a before–after interventional study in the ED of the Amsterdam University Medical Centers, the Netherlands. The sepsis performance improvement program included regular educational meetings, daily audits and weekly feedback, a screening tool, and a dedicated multidisciplinary sepsis response team. We studied all adult patients who presented to the ED with a suspected infection and a Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) ≥ 3 during their stay. In the postintervention phase, these patients were seen by the sepsis team. Process-related and patient-related outcomes were measured between November 2019 and February 2020 (preintervention) and December 2021–May 2022 (postintervention).

Results

A total of 265 patients were included in the primary study, 132 patients preintervention and 133 patients postintervention. The postintervention phase was associated with improvements in nearly all process-related outcomes, such as a shorter time to antibiotics (66 vs. 143 min; p < 0.001), increased number of lactate measurements (72.9 vs. 46.2%; p < 0.001), and improved completeness of documented MEWS scores (85.0 vs. 62.9%; p < 0.001). Except for an improvement in the number of immediate versus delayed ICU admissions (100% immediate vs. 64.3% immediate; p = 0.012), there was no improvement in the other patient-related outcomes such as 28 days mortality (14.3 vs. 9.1%; p = 0.261), during the postintervention phase.

Conclusion

Our program stimulated physicians to make timely decisions regarding diagnostics and treatment of sepsis in the ED. Implementing the sepsis performance improvement program was associated with significant improvements in most process-related outcomes but with minimal improvements in patient-related outcomes in our cohort.
MinION Whole-Genome Sequencing in Resource-Limited Settings: Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Wasswa Fredrickson B. , Kassaza Kennedy , Nielsen Kirsten , Bazira Joel
Published: November 2022

Purpose of Review

The introduction of MinION whole-genome sequencing technology greatly increased and simplified complete genome sequencing in various fields of science across the globe. Sequences have been generated from complex organisms to microorganisms and are stored in genome databases that are readily accessible by researchers. Various new software for genome analysis, along with upgrades to older software packages, are being generated. New protocols are also being validated that enable WGS technology to be rapidly and increasingly used for sequencing in field settings.

Recent Findings

MinION WGS technology has been implemented in developed countries due to its advantages: portability, real-time analysis, and lower cost compared to other sequencing technologies. While these same advantages are critical in developing countries, MinION WGS technology is still under-utilized in resource-limited settings.

In this review, we look at the applications, advantages, challenges, and opportunities of using MinION WGS in resource-limited settings.
Prospettive future nella terapia della Sindrome di Cushing
Authors: Pivonello Claudia , Simeoli Chiara , Patalano Roberta , Di Paola Nicola , Pivonello Rosario
Published: November 2022

Sommario

La chirurgia rappresenta la terapia di elezione della Sindrome di Cushing (SC). Quando è controindicata o rifiutata dal paziente, o quando non si dimostra un trattamento di successo perché associato a recidiva o persistenza di malattia, si può ricorrere alla terapia medica che include principalmente tre categorie farmacologiche: i farmaci ad azione centrale, quali gli analoghi della somatostatina e gli agonisti della dopamina; i farmaci ad azione surrenalica, ossia gli inibitori della steroidogenesi surrenalica; e i bloccanti dei recettori dei glucocorticoidi (GC). Recentemente, anche in Italia sono disponibili nuove molecole con diversi target terapeutici e altre sono tuttora oggetto di studi preclinici e clinici.
Solitary Waves of the Perturbed KdV Equation with Nonlocal Effects
Authors: Ge Jianjiang , Wu Ranchao
Published: November 2022

In this paper, the Korteweg–de Vries (KdV) equation is considered, which is a shallow water wave model in fluid mechanic fields. First the existence of solitary wave solutions for the original KdV equation and geometric singular perturbation theory are recalled. Then the existence of solitary wave solutions is established for the equation with two types of delay convolution kernels by using the method of dynamical system, especially the geometric singular perturbation theory, invariant manifold theory and Melnikov method. Finally, the asymptotic behaviors of solitary wave solution are discussed by applying the asymptotic theory. Moreover, an interesting result is found for the equation without backward diffusion effect, there is no solitary wave solution in the case of local delay, but there is a solitary wave solution in the case of nonlocal delay.
Air ionization in self-neutralizing air-breathing plasma thruster
Authors: Taploo Anmol , Lin Li , Keidar Michael
Published: November 2022

The paper describes an arc electron source for air ionization applications in a self-neutralizing air-breathing plasma thruster. The arc electron source is an electron source with a prominent level of electron energy control that is required for the air-breathing plasma thruster. The mean energy of the electrons in the arc electron source is controlled by changing the grid voltage in the range of 0 V–300 V. The Langmuir/Faraday probes were used to obtain ion/electron current, electron temperature, and electron density as a function of pressure and electron energy. Ion current measurements concerning distance from the source were obtained as a function of pressure and grid voltage. Optical emission spectroscopy was used to obtain electron temperature, spectral intensities, and ion formation rate. Additionally, a drift tube based on radial magnetic field electron confinement was designed to detect the presence of negative ions. It has been shown that both positive and negative ions can be produced thus providing conditions for a self-neutralizing air-breathing plasma thruster.
Acoustic characteristics of fricatives in Francoprovençal (Nendaz)
Authors: Chong Adam J. , Kasstan Jonathan R.
Published: November 2022

Francoprovençal (FP) is a highly fragmented, severely endangered, and under-documented language spoken in parts of France, Italy and Switzerland. FP spoken in the Swiss Canton of Valais has a relatively rich voiceless fricative inventory, which for some varieties includes /ɬ/. FP is therefore unusual amongst Romance languages given the presence of a phonemic lateral fricative, which is also typologically rare in the world’s languages. Moreover, voiceless lateral fricatives have been reported to display a wide range of variation in acoustic properties cross-linguistically. To date, there is very little synchronic work examining the details of both the phonology and phonetics of FP, and no published acoustic work at all on any aspect of FP’s sound system. This study provides the first acoustic investigation of one variety of FP spoken in the Valaisancommuneof Nendaz, concentrating on a preliminary examination of the fricative system. We examine productions from four speakers whose data is part of a larger study into language variation and change in the region. We show that voiceless fricative categories are distinguished primarily through spectral centre-of-gravity and variance measures. Further evidence from a series of acoustic measures, including proportion of pre-voicing, relative intensity and zero-crossing ratios, suggest that /ɬ/ in FP sits between two poles: a prototypical lateral fricative and a prototypical lateral approximant. In this respect, the study’s findings corroborate observations made elsewhere, and not only contributes to the documentation and description of a lesser-studied language, but also our understanding of voiceless lateral fricative typology.
Team reasoning cannot be viewed as a payoff transformation
Authors: Colman Andrew M.
Published: November 2022

In a recent article in this journal, Duijf claims to have proved that team reasoning can be viewed as a payoff transformation. His formalization mimics team reasoning but ignores its essential agency switch. The possibility of such a payoff transformation was never in doubt, does not imply that team reasoning can be viewed as a payoff transformation, and makes no sense in a game in which payoffs represent players’ utilities. A theorem is proved here that a simpler and more intuitive payoff transformation can mimic any theory that predicts what strategies players will choose in a well-defined game.
Incomplete Catching Up: Income among Yi, Manchu and Han People in Rural China, 2002–2018
Authors: Gustafsson Björn A. , Zhang Yudan
Published: November 2022

This paper explores household income per capita for the rural Yi and Manchu ethnic minority groups and the Han majority using data from the China Household Income Project 2002, 2013 and 2018. The disparity between total per capita income for the Yi and Han populations narrowed, while the average per capita income for the Manchu population remained relatively similar to that of the Han population. Decomposing total income to its sources shows that the rapid increase in agricultural income among the Yi was a main reason why the disparity in income, compared to the two other ethnic groups, narrowed. Nevertheless, reliance on agricultural income among the Yi was reduced as wage employment and migration increased. The Manchu group and the Han group also experienced rapid increases in wages and self-employment income. The aggregated value of transfers from the public sector was similar for all three ethnic groups.
DINÁMICA DEL DESARROLLO CULTURAL Y SOCIOPOLÍTICO DE NAKUM, GUATEMALA DURANTE EL PRECLÁSICO MEDIO
Authors: Źrałka Jarosław , Hermes Bernard , Velásquez Juan Luis , Koszkul Wiesław , Wasilewski Michał
Published: November 2022

Los resultados de investigaciones arqueológicas recientes llevadas a cabo en el sitio Nakum, ubicado en el noreste de Guatemala, indican que este centro experimentó una importante evolución cultural, sociopolítica y arquitectónica entre los horizontes pre-Mamom y Mamom (1000–300 a.C.). Las excavaciones arqueológicas permitieron documentar varios edificios y complejos fechados para este periodo, incluyendo un grupo tipo E, una cancha de juego de pelota y un baño de vapor. Asimismo, producto de las excavaciones, se obtuvo una gran colección cerámica de dicha temporalidad, la cual permite—gracias a estudios estilísticos, modales, petrográficos y fisicoquímicos—conocer con mayor detalle los cambios culturales y sociales que tuvieron lugar en el sitio durante el preclásico medio.
Influence of single nucleotide polymorphism in the IGF-1 gene on performance and conformation traits in Munjal sheep
Authors: Kumar Sandeep , Dahiya S.P. , Magotra Ankit , Ratwan Poonam , Bangar Yogesh
Published: November 2022

Genetic polymorphism research in livestock species aims to assess genetic differences within and among breeds, primarily for conservation and development objectives. The aim of the present study was to determine the point mutation in the IGF-1 gene (g.855G>C and g.857G>A) and its association with performance traits in Munjal sheep. In total, 50 Munjal sheep were selected and the genomic DNA was isolated using the Automated Maxell RSC DNA/RNA purification system and the Maxwell RSC whole blood DNA kit. A reported set of primers was used to amplify the 294-bp fragment encompassing the targeted region, i.e. the 5′ flanking region of the IGF-1 gene. The polymerase chain reaction product of 294-bp size harbouring the g.857G>A mutation in the 5′ flanking region of the IGF-1 gene was digested with HaeII enzyme. Three possible genotypes were defined by distinct banding patterns, i.e. GG (194, 100 bp), GA (294, 194, 100 bp) and AA (294 bp) in the studied population of Munjal sheep. The genotypic and allelic frequencies of g.857G>A single nucleotide polymorphism of the IGF-1 gene indicated that the frequency of the A allele was higher in the studied population, i.e. 0.59 and the GA genotype was found to be the predominant genotype (0.66). Allele A of the IGF-1 gene was found to be associated with higher body weights and can be used in selection criteria for improving the performance of Munjal sheep. The positive effect of the IGF-1 gene on several conformational traits as observed in this study suggests that this area of the ovine IGF-I gene is particularly important and warrants further investigation on a larger population size.
Things in Themselves and the Inner/Outer Dichotomy in Kant’s Amphiboly of the Concepts of Reflection
Authors: Zanette de Araujo Rodrigo
Published: November 2022

Langton’s (1998) and Allais’ (2015) metaphysical interpretations of Kant’s idealism have given special relevance to Kant’s analysis of the inner/outer dichotomy in the Amphiboly of the Concepts of Reflection, for they agree that this dichotomy is key to correctly grasping Kant’s distinction between appearances and things in themselves. In this article I argue that Langton’s and Allais’ accounts of Kant’s analysis of the inner/outer dichotomy have major limitations, and therefore that the text should not be read in the way they propose. In order to show these limitations, I examine the overall structure of Kant’s argument in the Amphiboly. Furthermore, I aim to establish the contribution brought by the Amphiboly to the issue of noumenal knowledge and the nature of things in themselves. Langton’s and Allais’ accounts of the relation between appearances and things in themselves as the inner nature of things not only prove to be unwarranted, but indeed to some extent opposite to what I claim to be Kant’s actual stance on things in themselves in the Amphiboly.
‘Almost None’: Women Sociologists and the Study of Women’s Crime in Early 20th-Century China and the U.S.
Authors: Montgomery Stephanie M.
Published: November 2022

The question of how and why women committed crimes was a topic of hot debate in 1930s Republican China. Although men sociologists during this period largely framed the origins of both men’s and women’s crime as a social issue, they nonetheless still seriously considered biological and physiological factors in women’s motivation for crime. At the same time, women sociologists who authored the two most comprehensive 1930s studies on women’s crime – Zhou Shuzhao and research team Liu Qingyu and Xu Huifang – pushed back on the connections between biology and physiology in relation to crime for both women and men. Instead, they argued unconditionally for the social causes of all crime and particular social challenges for Chinese women. Their methodologies and frameworks were especially influenced by work from the Chicago school of sociology, a department which itself produced a number of prominent women social scientists. This article traces the transnational conversation on women’s crime in Republican China through the work of U.S. sociologists who were cited by Zhou, Liu, and Xu; research by Chinese men sociologists, especially prominent sociologist Yan Jingyue; and finally, Zhou, Liu, and Xu’s own rebuttals, conclusions, and contributions in developing a theory of Chinese women’s crime. By also comparing the work of Chinese and U.S. women social scientists, this article argues that both groups pushed back, with varying strategies, on their men colleagues’ inordinate focus on criminalized women’s biology and physiology. In this way, both Chinese and U.S. women social scientists spoke into a largely male-dominated conversation and provided novel theories of women’s crime as women themselves.