bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How do fiscal, monetary policies, and trade openness impact interest rates in India?
Authors: Maitra Biswajit
Published: March 2021

This study assesses the role of monetary, fiscal factors, and trade openness causing variations of nominal and real interest rates in India for the deregulated regime. The autoregressive distributive lag (ARDL) bounds testing approach to cointegration finds that deposit rate, lending rate, and real interest rate have long‐run associations with the monetary, fiscal policy instruments, and trade openness. The error correction model representation of the ARDL framework finds that the broad money supply negatively impacts the deposit rate and the real interest rate, while positive impacts of income on each of the three interest rates are noticed. The fiscal deficit has a significant short‐term negative impact on the deposit rate and has a positive impact on the real interest rate. The exchange rate and openness to trade lower interest rates. The econometric appraisal may be perceptive to keep interest rate in the desired trail through the judicious adjustments of the policy instruments and deficit management. The significant impact of openness to trade on interest rates is a critical issue that the macroeconomic policy may face more challenges.
Family history and pathogenic/likely pathogenic germline variants in prostate cancer patients
Authors: Sabol Rachel A. , Ledet Elisa M. , Jaeger Ellen , Hatton Whitley , Moses Marcus , Lankford Anjali , Zaheria Alexa , Barata Pedro , Layton Jodi L. , Lewis Brian E. , Sartor Oliver
Published: March 2021

Background

Recent literature highlights the importance of germline genetic testing in prostate cancer (PCa) patients. Surprisingly, a literature review indicates that family history (FH) records are incomplete in the major published studies from prostate cancer patients.

Methods

Prospective family history data were gathered from 496 men in a single institution with a personal history of PCa who underwent germline genetic testing using a panel of at least 79 genes. Comprehensive first degree FH were obtained in all PCa of patients and analysis of prevalent FH was assessed at the time of sample collection.

Results

Pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants (PV/LPVs) were not associated with age at diagnosis, race, or presence of metastasis. One or more first degree relatives (FDR) with any cancer was not predictive for germline PV/LPVs for men with PCa (p = .96). Separate analysis of patients with one or more FDR with breast, prostate, ovarian, or pancreatic cancer revealed that only FDR with breast or ovarian cancer was predictive for PV/LPVs (p = .028, p = .015 respectively). Patients with a FDR with breast cancer had 1.8 increased risk of PV/LPVs, and patients with a FDR with ovarian cancer had 2.9 increased risk of PV/LPV.

Conclusion

In men with a personal history of PCa, germline PV/LPVs were associated with a FDR with breast or ovarian cancer. Notably having FDRs with PCa does not predict for PV/LPVs. These data emphasize the contribution of FH in a data set with complete ascertainment of FH.
Tube‐enhanced multi‐stage model predictive control for flexible robust control of constrained linear systems with additive and parametric uncertainties
Authors: Subramanian Sankaranarayanan , Lucia Sergio , Paulen Radoslav , Engell Sebastian
Published: March 2021

The trade‐off between optimality and complexity has been one of the most important challenges in the field of robust model predictive control (MPC). To address the challenge, we propose a flexible robust MPC scheme by synergizing the multi‐stage and tube‐based MPC approaches. The key idea is to exploit the nonconservatism of the multi‐stage MPC and the simplicity of the tube‐based MPC. The proposed scheme provides two options for the user to determine the trade‐off depending on the application: the choice of the robust horizon and the classification of the uncertainties. Beyond the robust horizon, the branching of the scenario‐tree employed in multi‐stage MPC is avoided with the help of tubes. The growth of the problem size with respect to the number of uncertainties is reduced by handlingsmalluncertainties via an invariant tube that can be computed offline. This results in linear growth of the problem size beyond the robust horizon and no growth of the problem size concerning small magnitude uncertainties. The proposed approach helps to achieve a desired trade‐off between optimality and complexity compared to existing robust MPC approaches. We show that the proposed approach is robustly asymptotically stable. Its advantages are demonstrated for a CSTR example.
Multi Parametric Biophysical Assessment of Treatment Effects on Xerotic Skin
Authors: Stettler H. , Crowther J. M. , Brandt M. , Boxshall A. , Lu B. , De Salvo R. , Laing S. , Hennighausen N. , Bielfeldt S. , Blenkiron P.
Published: March 2021

Background

Topical moisturizing products are widely used to alleviate the problems associated with xerotic skin. Their use affects many properties of the stratum corneum (SC) in a complex and interrelated manner. The range of measurement techniques available to the researcher has increased in recent years. However, few studies have looked for correlations between the different techniques for assessing how aspects of xerotic skin change over time as a result of topical moisturizer usage.

Objectives

A 3-week in vivo study using an oil-in-water based moisturizing product and an untreated site was conducted to determine the clinical significance of and any correlations between a range of different approaches for the measurement of skin lipid content and also skin hydration and visual grading of dry skin.

Methods

A range of traditional and more recently developed skin measurement techniques have been used to examine a variety of SC properties in normal and xerotic skin during topical moisturizer usage.

Results

In vivo confocal Raman spectroscopy and analysis of SC lipids from tape strips both showed an increase in SC lipid level and organization after 3 weeks of moisturizer usage on xerotic skin. Hydration, measured both optically and electrically, also increased and skin barrier function improved, with strong correlations between the different measures of dryness being observed.

Conclusions

Strong correlations were observed between the skin measurements for lipid assessment and skin hydration with regard to the assessment of xerotic skin, providing valuable new information for future in vivo clinical research into dry and atopic skin.
Developing an access control management metamodel for secure digital enterprise architecture modeling
Authors: Nahar Kamrun , Gill Asif Qumer , Roach Terry
Published: March 2021

There is an increasing interest in embedding the security in the design of digital enterprise architecture (EA) modeling platform to secure the digital assets. Access control management (ACM) is one of the key aspects of a secure digital enterprise architecture modeling platform design. Typical enterprise architecture modeling approaches mainly focus on the modeling of business, information, and technology elements. This draws our attention to this important question: how to model ACM for a secure digital EA modeling platform to ensure secure access to digital assets? This article aims to address this important research question in collaboration with our industry partner and developed an ontology‐based ACM metamodel that can be used by enterprises to model their ACM for a particular situation. This research has been conducted using the well‐known action‐design research (ADR) method to develop and evaluate the ACM metamodel for the secure digital EA modeling platform.
Relationship between internal viscous damping and stiffness of concrete material and structure
Authors: Liang Chaofeng , Xiao Jianzhuang , Wang Yuanfeng , Wang Chunhui , Mei Shengqi
Published: March 2021

This study focuses on the relationship between the internal viscous damping and the stiffness of concrete material and structure having small deformation amplitude. New damping parameters were proposed to describe the energy dissipation capacity and the vibration–amplitude attenuation rate. An improved damping suspension test method for predicting the essential material parameters, elasticity modulus and loss modulus, was developed and validated. The results show that the viscous damping energy dissipation capacity of concrete material and structure having small deformation amplitude is proportional to the product of the loss factor and the stiffness, and the vibration‐amplitude attenuation rate is proportional to the product of the damping ratio and the natural frequency. The variation in dimensionless damping mainly results from the change in the stiffness of concrete material and structure. The porosity shows the smallest elasticity modulus and the largest energy dissipation capacity of nano‐phase in cement paste under constant loading conditions. The improved damping suspension test method is proposed based on theoretical analysis and is validated using an experiment and finite element analysis.
Electroweak SU(2)L × U(1)Y model with strong spontaneously fermion-mass-generating gauge dynamics
Authors: Beneš Petr , Hošek Jiří , Smetana Adam
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Higgs sector of the Standard model (SM) is replaced by quantum flavor dynamics (QFD), the gauged flavor SU(3)f symmetry with scale Λ. Anomaly freedom requires addition of three νR. The approximate QFD Schwinger-Dyson equation for the Euclidean infrared fermion self-energies Σf(p2) has the spontaneous-chiral-symmetry-breaking solutions ideal for seesaw: (1) Σf(p2) = $$ {M}_{fR}^2/p $$

M
fR
2

/
p
where three Majorana masses MfR of νfR are of order Λ. (2) Σf(p2) = $$ {m}_f^2/p $$

m
f
2

/
p
where three Dirac masses mf = m(0)1 + m(3)λ3 + m(8)λ8 of SM fermions are exponentially suppressed w.r.t. Λ, and degenerate for all SM fermions in f. (1) MfR break SU(3)f symmetry completely; m(3), m(8) superimpose the tiny breaking to U(1) × U(1). All flavor gluons thus acquire self-consistently the masses ∼ Λ. (2) All mf break the electroweak SU(2)L × U(1)Y to U(1)em. Symmetry partners of the composite Nambu-Goldstone bosons are the genuine Higgs particles: (1) three νR-composed Higgses χi with masses ∼ Λ. (2) Two new SM-fermion-composed Higgses h3, h8 with masses ∼ m(3), m(8), respectively. (3) The SM-like SM-fermion-composed Higgs h with mass ∼ m(0), the effective Fermi scale. Σf(p2)-dependent vertices in the electroweak Ward-Takahashi identities imply: the axial-vector ones give rise to the W and Z masses at Fermi scale. The polar-vector ones give rise to the fermion mass splitting in f. At the present exploratory stage the splitting comes out unrealistic.
Hereditary Evolution Processes Under Impulsive Effects
Authors: Cardinali Tiziana , Rubbioni Paola
Published: March 2021

In this note, we deal with a model of population dynamics with memory effects subject to instantaneous external actions. We interpret the model as an impulsive Cauchy problem driven by a semilinear differential equation with functional delay. The existence of delayed impulsive solutions to the Cauchy problem leads to the presence of hereditary impulsive dynamics for the model. Furthermore, using the same procedure we study a nonlinear reaction–diffusion model.
COVID-19 in Schleswig-Holstein: Infektionsepidemiologische Auswertungen von März bis September 2020
Authors: Rose Ruben , Scherer Damian , Maschkowitz Gregor , Läubrich Christoph , Fickenscher Helmut
Published: March 2021

Die COVID-19-Pandemie stellt das deutsche Meldewesen im öffentlichen Infektionsschutz vor große Herausforderungen. Im Bundesland Schleswig-Holstein unterstützt die Landesmeldestelle die Gesundheitsämter durch tägliche und wöchentliche Auswertungen und hilft bei der Übermittlung der Meldedaten gemäß Infektionsschutzgesetz an das Robert Koch-Institut.

In dem vorliegenden Bericht der Landesmeldestelle Schleswig-Holstein werden die SARS-CoV-2-Meldedaten aus dem Zeitraum März bis September 2020 ausgewertet. In Orientierung an der Entwicklung der Infektionszahlen wurde der Zeitraum in zwei Phasen ähnlichen Umfangs eingeteilt: März bis Mai und Juni bis September. Insgesamt wurden 4898 Infektionsfälle gemeldet. Bei dem Vergleich der Phasen zeigten sich besonders deutliche Unterschiede hinsichtlich der Hospitalisierung und Letalität, des Alters und der Staaten des Infektionsorts. In der ersten Phase waren besonders ältere Personen von einer hohen Hospitalisierungsrate und Sterblichkeit betroffen. In der zweiten Phase lagen das durchschnittliche Alter und die Hospitalisierungs- und Sterberaten deutlich niedriger und ein besonders großer Anteil war mit internationaler Reiseaktivität verbunden. Die Auswertung der Ausbruchsdokumentationen ergab den besonderen Schwerpunkt im Setting der privaten Haushalte. Dieser Artikel beschreibt die epidemische Situation in einem im Bundesvergleich Niedriginzidenzland.
A systematic approach to reduce the independent tensor components by symmetry transformations: a commented translation of “Tensors and Crystal Symmetry” by Carl Hermann
Authors: Glüge Rainer , Aßmus Marcus
Published: March 2021

We here present a faithful translation of Carl Hermann’s important 1934 paper “Tensoren und Kristallsymmetrie”. This work, originally published in German language, is transferred into English while the preceding foreword summarizes Hermann’s achievements.
The multidimensional truncated moment problem: Carathéodory numbers from Hilbert functions
Authors: di Dio Philipp J. , Kummer Mario
Published: March 2021

In this paper we improve the bounds for the Carathéodory number, especially on algebraic varieties and with small gaps (not all monomials are present). We provide explicit lower and upper bounds on algebraic varieties, $$\mathbb {R}^n$$

R

n

, and $$[0,1]^n$$

[
0
,
1
]

n

. We also treat moment problems with small gaps. We find that for every $$\varepsilon >0$$

ε
>
0

and $$d\in \mathbb {N}$$

d
∈
N

there is a $$n\in \mathbb {N}$$

n
∈
N

such that we can construct a moment functional $$L:\mathbb {R}[x_1,\cdots ,x_n]_{\le d}\rightarrow \mathbb {R}$$

L
:
R

[

x
1

,
⋯
,

x
n

]

≤
d

→
R

which needs at least $$(1-\varepsilon )\cdot \left( {\begin{matrix} n+d\\ n\end{matrix}}\right) $$

(
1
-
ε
)

·

n
+
d

n

atoms $$l_{x_i}$$

l

x
i

. Consequences and results for the Hankel matrix and flat extension are gained. We find that there are moment functionals $$L:\mathbb {R}[x_1,\cdots ,x_n]_{\le 2d}\rightarrow \mathbb {R}$$

L
:
R

[

x
1

,
⋯
,

x
n

]

≤
2
d

→
R

which need to be extended to the worst case degree 4d, $$\tilde{L}:\mathbb {R}[x_1,\cdots ,x_n]_{\le 4d}\rightarrow \mathbb {R}$$

L
~

:
R

[

x
1

,
⋯
,

x
n

]

≤
4
d

→
R

, in order to have a flat extension.
A Preliminary Comparison on Faecal Microbiomes of Free-Ranging Large Baleen (Balaenoptera musculus, B. physalus, B. borealis) and Toothed (Physeter macrocephalus) Whales
Authors: Glaeser Stefanie P. , Silva Liliana M. R. , Prieto Rui , Silva Mónica A. , Franco Angel , Kämpfer Peter , Hermosilla Carlos , Taubert Anja , Eisenberg Tobias
Published: March 2021

Large baleen and toothed whales play crucial ecological roles in oceans; nonetheless, very little is known about their intestinal microbiomes. Based on striking differences in natural history and thus in feeding behaviours, it can be expected that intestinal microbiomes of large baleen whales and toothed whales are different. To test this hypothesis, the phylogenetic composition of faecal microbiomes was investigated by a 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequence–based approach for Bacteria and Archaea. Faecal samples from free-ranging large whales collected off the Azores Archipelago (Portugal) were used, comprising 13 individual baleen whales (one sei, two blue and ten fin whales) and four sperm whales. The phylogenetic composition of the Bacteria faecal microbiomes of baleen and toothed whales showed no significant differences at the phylum level. However, significant differences were detected at the family and genus levels. Most abundant phyla were Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, Tenericutes and Spirochaeta. Few highly abundant bacterial genera were identified as key taxa with a high contribution to differences among baleen and toothed whales microbiomes. Only few archaeal sequences were detected, primarily Methanomassiliicoccales representing potential methanogenic Archaea. This is the first study that directly compares the faecal bacterial and archaeal microbiomes of free-ranging baleen and toothed whales which represent the two parvorders of Cetacea which members are fully aquatic large mammals which were evolutionary split millions of years ago.
Morbidity and Mortality in Patients with Perioperative COVID‐19 Infection: Prospective Cohort in General, Gastroesophagic, Hepatobiliary, and Colorectal Surgery
Authors: Inzunza Martin , Romero Cecilia , Irarrázaval María Jesús , Ruiz‐Esquide Magdalena , Achurra Pablo , Quezada Nicolás , Crovari Fernando , Muñoz Rodrigo
Published: March 2021

Background

Severe acute respiratory syndrome due to coronavirus 2 has rapidly spread worldwide in an unprecedented pandemic. Patients with an ongoing COVID‐19 infection requiring surgery have higher risk of mortality and complications. This study describes the mortality and morbidity in patients with perioperative COVID‐19 infection undergoing elective and emergency surgeries.

Methods

Prospective cohort of consecutive patients who required a general, gastroesophageal, hepatobiliary, colorectal, or emergency surgery during COVID‐19 pandemic at an academic teaching hospital. The primary outcome was 30‐day mortality and major complications. Secondary outcomes were specific respiratory mortality and complications.

Results

A total of 701 patients underwent surgery, 39 (5.6%) with a perioperative COVID‐19 infection. 30‐day mortality was 12.8% and 1.4% in patients with and without COVID‐19 infection, respectively (p < 0.001). Major surgical complications occurred in 25.6% and 6.8% in patients with and without COVID‐19 infection, respectively (p < 0.001). Respiratory complications occurred in 30.8% and 1.4% in patients with and without COVID‐19 infection, respectively (p < 0.001). Mortality due to a respiratory complication was 100% and 11.1% in patients with and without COVID‐19 infection, respectively (p < 0.006).

Conclusions

30‐day mortality and surgical complications are higher in patients with perioperative COVID‐19 infection. Indications for elective surgery need to be reserved for non‐deferrable procedures in order to avoid unnecessary risks of non‐urgent procedures.
Diagnostic value of video-oculography in progressive supranuclear palsy: a controlled study in 100 patients
Authors: Wunderlich Jessica , Behler Anna , Dreyhaupt Jens , Ludolph Albert C. , Pinkhardt Elmar H. , Kassubek Jan
Published: March 2021

Background

The eponymous feature of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is oculomotor impairment which is one of the relevant domains in the Movement Disorder Society diagnostic criteria.

Objective

We aimed to investigate the value of specific video-oculographic parameters for the use as diagnostic markers in PSP.

Methods

An analysis of video-oculography recordings of 100 PSP patients and 49 age-matched healthy control subjects was performed. Gain of smooth pursuit eye movement and latency, gain, peak eye velocity, asymmetry of downward and upward velocities of saccades as well as rate of saccadic intrusions were analyzed.

Results

Vertical saccade velocity and saccadic intrusions allowed for the classification of about 70% and 56% of the patients, respectively. By combining both parameters, almost 80% of the PSP patients were covered, while vertical velocity asymmetry was observed in approximately 34%. All parameters had a specificity of above 95%. The sensitivities were lower with around 50–60% for the velocity and saccadic intrusions and only 27% for vertical asymmetry.

Conclusions

In accordance with oculomotor features in the current PSP diagnostic criteria, video-oculographic assessment of vertical saccade velocity and saccadic intrusions resulted in very high specificity. Asymmetry of vertical saccade velocities, in the opposite, did not prove to be useful for diagnostic purposes.
Longitudinal associations of sociodemographic, lifestyle, and clinical factors with alcohol consumption in colorectal cancer survivors up to 2 years post-diagnosis
Authors: Révész Dóra , Bours Martijn J. L. , Wegdam Johannes A. , Keulen Eric T. P. , Breukink Stéphanie O. , Slooter Gerrit D. , Vogelaar F. Jeroen , Weijenberg Matty P. , Mols Floortje
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Alcohol consumption can lead to worse prognosis and mortality among colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. We investigated alcohol consumption of CRC survivors up to 2 years post-diagnosis, and how sociodemographic, lifestyle, and clinical factors were associated longitudinally with these habits.

Methods

We pooled longitudinal data of 910 CRC survivors from the ongoing PROCORE and EnCoRe studies with data collected at diagnosis (baseline) and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months post-diagnosis. Both studies assessed alcohol consumption, including beer, wine, and liquor. Generalized estimated equation models were used to examine changes over time in alcohol consumption and multivariable longitudinal associations of sociodemographic, lifestyle, and clinical factors with alcohol consumption.

Results

At baseline, participants were on average 67 years old, 332 (37%) were female, and alcohol was consumed by 79%. Most survivors (68–71%) drank less at all follow-ups. Beer, wine, and liquor were consumed by 51%, 58%, and 25% at baseline, respectively, and these declined over time. Males consumed more alcohol, and higher education, more physical activity, and not having a (permanent) stoma were associated with consuming more alcohol.

Conclusion

CRC survivors decreased their alcohol consumption in the 2 years post-diagnosis. Future studies should take the significant factors that were associated with alcohol post-diagnosis consumption into account, when they investigate CRC health outcomes or for identifying subgroups for interventions. Males with higher education, more physical activity, and no stoma should be reminded after diagnosis for reducing their alcohol consumption.
Successful application of focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis in patients suffering from metastatic breast cancer
Authors: Zdravkovic Andrej , Mickel Michael , Crevenna Richard
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Focused extracorporeal shock wave therapy (fESWT) has been shown to be effective in a large number of musculoskeletal disorders. Until 2016, cancer was considered a contraindication for fESWT. The goal of this Commentary is to address the subject of fESWT in cancer patients and present a case of a successful application of fESWT in a breast cancer patient with metastatic bone disease, suffering from debilitating heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis.

Methods

The subject of fESWT application in cancer patients is discussed using the example of a 75-year-old female with breast cancer and metastatic bone disease suffering from bilateral inferior heel pain, who was referred to our clinic with a tentative diagnosis of polyneuropathy. Patient history, clinical examination, electrodiagnostic testing, and radiological findings all indicated plantar fasciitis, rather than polyneuropathy. The possibility of metastatic bone lesions in the treatment area was excluded and the patient was thereupon treated with 5 weekly applications of low-energy fESWT.

Results

The treatment lead to a reduction in pain of approximately 80% with no adverse events.

Conclusion

fESWT may be a viable treatment option for plantar fasciitis even in cancer patients, provided certain conditions are met.
In search of historical roots of the extraterrestrial impact theory, II: two unknown German pioneers from the 1850s, Ludwig Pfeil and Karl Reichenbach
Authors: Racki Grzegorz , Koeberl Christian , Michalak Michał
Published: March 2021

The mid-nineteenth century is not regarded as the time when the theory of extraterrestrial catastrophism developed. However, two German scholars independently introduced original concepts of terrestrial impacts of large celestial bodies at that time. Ludwig Pfeil (1803–1896), a self-educated wealthy landowner, and Karl Reichenbach (1788–1869), an eminent scientist and industrialist, independently proposed in the 1850s that the Earth is an aggregate of meteoritic masses and has experienced many impact-induced cataclysms throughout its geological history. Until 1891, Pfeil analyzed the effects of the collision of a comet's gaseous body with Earth. He tried to simulate the effects of tsunami waves generated by impacts into the ocean and inferred the route of “cometary currents” from the morphology and orientation of coastlines and associated mountain ranges. Reichenbach speculated about fertilization of the terrestrial surface by extraterrestrial dust in the context of an accretionary origin for Earth that also manifested in meteoritic sources of volcanic extrusions. He linked the Mesozoic succession of “buried living worlds” to geological catastrophes, caused by successive meteorite impacts. These cosmic bombardment concepts were comprehensively criticized by contemporary researchers, but soon found many conceptual successors in the German-speaking science community. Therefore, Pfeil and Reichenbach should be regarded as pioneers of the impact theory.
Awareness and integrated information theory identify plant meristems as sites of conscious activity
Authors: Trewavas Anthony
Published: March 2021

Lacking an anatomical brain/nervous system, it is assumed plants are not conscious. The biological function of consciousness is an input to behaviour; it is adaptive (subject to selection) and based on information. Complex language makes human consciousness unique. Consciousness is equated to awareness. All organisms are aware of their surroundings, modifying their behaviour to improve survival. Awareness requires assessment too. The mechanisms of animal assessment are neural while molecular and electrical in plants. Awareness of plants being also consciousness may resolve controversy. The integrated information theory (IIT), a leading theory of consciousness, is also blind to brains, nerves and synapses. The integrated information theory indicates plant awareness involves information of two kinds: (1) communicative, extrinsic information as a result of the perception of environmental changes and (2) integrated intrinsic information located in the shoot and root meristems and possibly cambium. The combination of information constructs an information nexus in the meristems leading to assessment and behaviour. The interpretation of integrated information in meristems probably involves the complex networks built around [Ca2+]i that also enable plant learning, memory and intelligent activities. A mature plant contains a large number of conjoined, conscious or aware, meristems possibly unique in the living kingdom.
MSDP: multi-scheme privacy-preserving deep learning via differential privacy
Authors: Owusu-Agyemeng Kwabena , Qin Zhen , Xiong Hu , Liu Yao , Zhuang Tianming , Qin Zhiguang
Published: March 2021

Human activity recognition (HAR) generates a massive amount of the dataset from the Internet of Things (IoT) devices, to enable multiple data providers to jointly produce predictive models for medical diagnosis. That the accuracy of the models is greatly improved when trained on a large number of datasets from these data providers on the untrusted cloud server is very significant and raises privacy concerns. With the migration of a deep neural network (DNN) in the learning experience in HAR, we present a privacy-preserving DNN model known as Multi-Scheme Differential Privacy (MSDP) depending on the fusion of Secure Multi-party Computation (SMC) and 𝜖-differential privacy, making it very practical since existing proposals are unable to make all the fully homomorphic encryption multi-key which is very impracticable. MSDP inputs a secure multi-party alternative to the ReLU function to reduce the communication and computational cost at a minimal level. With the aid of experimental verification on the four of the most widely used human activity recognition datasets, MSDP demonstrates superior performance with very good generalization performance and is proven to be secure as compared with existing ultramodern models without breach of privacy.
A decade of neonatal sepsis caused by gram-negative bacilli—a retrospective matched cohort study
Authors: Nordberg Viveka , Iversen Aina , Tidell Annika , Ininbergs Karolina , Giske Christian G. , Navér Lars
Published: March 2021

This study is to determine the incidence and outcome of neonatal gram-negative bacilli (GNB) sepsis in Stockholm, Sweden, and describe bacterial characteristics. This is a retrospective cohort study. All infants with GNB-sepsis between 2006 and 2016 were included and matched with two control groups, with suspected sepsis and uninfected neonates, respectively. Outcome was death before discharge, risk of death within 5 days after sepsis onset, and morbidity. The resistance pattern from all GNB was collected, and all available isolates were subjected to genome typing. All neonates with GNB-sepsis (n = 107) were included, and the cumulative GNB-sepsis incidence was 0.35/1000 live born. The in-hospital mortality was 30/107 (28%). GNB late-onset sepsis (LOS) was associated with an increase in mortality before discharge compared to uninfected controls (OR = 3.9; CI 1.6–9.4) but not versus suspected sepsis. The suspected LOS cases did not statistically differ significantly from uninfected controls. The case fatality rate (CFR) at 5 days was 5/33 (15%) in GNB early-onset sepsis (EOS) and 25/74 (34%) in GNB-LOS. The adjusted hazard for 5 days CFR was higher in GNB-LOS versus uninfected controls (HR = 3.7; CI 1.2–11.2), but no significant difference was seen in GNB-LOS versus suspected sepsis or in suspected sepsis versus controls. ESBL production was seen in 7/107 (6.5%) of the GNB isolates. GNB-LOS was associated with a higher 5 days CFR and in-hospital mortality compared to uninfected controls but not versus suspect sepsis. The incidence of both GNB-EOS and GNB-LOS was lower than previously reported from comparable high-income settings. The occurrence of antibiotic resistance was low.
Morphological and reproductive characterization of nascent allotetraploids cross-compatible with cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)
Authors: Levinson Chandler , Chu Ye , Luo Xuelin , Stalker H. Thomas , Gao Dongying , Holbrook C. Corley , Ozias-Akins Peggy
Published: March 2021

Peanut improvement is limited by a narrow genetic base. However, this obstacle can be circumvented by incorporating phenotypic variability from wild, diploid Arachis species through interspecific hybridizations. In this study, four allotetraploid interspecific hybrids IpaCor4x (A. ipaensis × A. correntina), IpaDur4x (A. ipaensis × A. duranensis), IpaSten4x (A. ipaensis × A. stenosperma), and ValSten4x (A. valida × A. stenosperma) were created and morphologically characterized through the following parameters: flower count, flower size, flower banner pigmentation, leaf area and weight, leaf hairiness, main stem height, internode length, percent of reproductive nodes, biomass, 100 pod weight, and 100 seed weight. For every trait, except for flower banner absorption at 380 nm, at least one or more allotetraploids differed from the cultivated peanut control. In general, these allotetraploids had a greater production of flowers during the growing season, larger flowers, larger and hairier leaves, taller main stems, longer primary laterals, longer internodes, lower percentage of reproductive nodes, heavier plant body masses, and smaller seeds and pods. This phenotypic diversity can be utilized directly in ornamental and forage breeding, while for oil and food crop breeding, this diversity will likely need to be selected against while desirable traits such as disease and insect resistance and abiotic stress tolerances derived from the wild diploid species are maintained.
A New Argument for No-Fault Compensation in Health Care: The Introduction of Artificial Intelligence Systems
Authors: Holm Søren , Stanton Catherine , Bartlett Benjamin
Published: March 2021

Artificial intelligence (AI) systems advising healthcare professionals will be widely introduced into healthcare settings within the next 5–10 years. This paper considers how this will sit with tort/negligence based legal approaches to compensation for medical error. It argues that the introduction of AI systems will provide an additional argument pointing towards no-fault compensation as the better legal solution to compensation for medical error in modern health care systems. The paper falls into four parts. The first part rehearses the main arguments for and against no-fault compensation. The second explains why it is likely that AI systems will be widely introduced. The third part analyses why it is difficult to fit AI systems into fault-based compensation systems while the final part suggests how no-fault compensation could provide a possible solution to such challenges.
Approximate and robust bounded job start scheduling for Royal Mail delivery offices
Authors: Letsios Dimitrios , Bradley Jeremy T. , G Suraj , Misener Ruth , Page Natasha
Published: March 2021

Motivated by mail delivery scheduling problems arising in Royal Mail, we study a generalization of the fundamental makespan scheduling $$P||C_{\max }$$

P
|
|

C
max

problem which we call the bounded job start scheduling problem. Given a set of jobs, each specified by an integer processing time $$p_j$$

p
j

, that have to be executed non-preemptively by a set of m parallel identical machines, the objective is to compute a minimum makespan schedule subject to an upper bound $$g\le m$$

g
≤
m

on the number of jobs that may simultaneously begin per unit of time. With perfect input knowledge, we show that Longest Processing Time First (LPT) algorithm is tightly 2-approximate. After proving that the problem is strongly $${\mathcal {N}}{\mathcal {P}}$$

N
P

-hard even when $$g=1$$

g
=
1

, we elaborate on improving the 2-approximation ratio for this case. We distinguish the classes of long and short instances satisfying $$p_j\ge m$$

p
j

≥
m

and $$p_j<m$$

p
j

<
m

, respectively, for each job j. We show that LPT is 5/3-approximate for the former and optimal for the latter. Then, we explore the idea of scheduling long jobs in parallel with short jobs to obtain tightly satisfied packing and bounded job start constraints. For a broad family of instances excluding degenerate instances with many very long jobs, we derive a 1.985-approximation ratio. For general instances, we require machine augmentation to obtain better than 2-approximate schedules. In the presence of uncertain job processing times, we exploit machine augmentation and lexicographic optimization, which is useful for $$P||C_{\max }$$

P
|
|

C
max

under uncertainty, to propose a two-stage robust optimization approach for bounded job start scheduling under uncertainty aiming in a low number of used machines. Given a collection of schedules of makespan $$\le D$$

≤
D

, this approach allows distinguishing which are the more robust. We substantiate both the heuristics and our recovery approach numerically using Royal Mail data. We show that for the Royal Mail application, machine augmentation, i.e., short-term van rental, is especially relevant.
The Number of Optimal Matchings for Euclidean Assignment on the Line
Authors: Caracciolo Sergio , Erba Vittorio , Sportiello Andrea
Published: March 2021

We consider the Random Euclidean Assignment Problem in dimension $$d=1$$

d
=
1

, with linear cost function. In this version of the problem, in general, there is a large degeneracy of the ground state, i.e. there are many different optimal matchings (say, $$\sim \exp (S_N)$$

∼
exp
(

S
N

)

at size N). We characterize all possible optimal matchings of a given instance of the problem, and we give a simple product formula for their number. Then, we study the probability distribution of $$S_N$$

S
N

(the zero-temperature entropy of the model), in the uniform random ensemble. We find that, for large N, $$S_N \sim \frac{1}{2} N \log N + N s + {\mathcal {O}}\left( \log N \right) $$

S
N

∼

1
2

N
log
N
+
N
s
+
O

log
N

, where s is a random variable whose distribution p(s) does not depend on N. We give expressions for the moments of p(s), both from a formulation as a Brownian process, and via singularity analysis of the generating functions associated to $$S_N$$

S
N

. The latter approach provides a combinatorial framework that allows to compute an asymptotic expansion to arbitrary order in 1/N for the mean and the variance of $$S_N$$

S
N

.
Boosting Poisson regression models with telematics car driving data
Authors: Gao Guangyuan , Wang He , Wüthrich Mario V.
Published: March 2021

With the emergence of telematics car driving data, insurance companies have started to boost classical actuarial regression models for claim frequency prediction with telematics car driving information. In this paper, we propose two data-driven neural network approaches that process telematics car driving data to complement classical actuarial pricing with a driving behavior risk factor from telematics data. Our neural networks simultaneously accommodate feature engineering and regression modeling which allows us to integrate telematics car driving data in a one-step approach into the claim frequency regression models. We conclude from our numerical analysis that both classical actuarial risk factors and telematics car driving data are necessary to receive the best predictive models. This emphasizes that these two sources of information interact and complement each other.
Pre-Training Acquisition Functions by Deep Reinforcement Learning for Fixed Budget Active Learning
Authors: Taguchi Yusuke , Hino Hideitsu , Kameyama Keisuke
Published: March 2021

There are many situations in supervised learning where the acquisition of data is very expensive and sometimes determined by a user’s budget. One way to address this limitation is active learning. In this study, we focus on a fixed budget regime and propose a novel active learning algorithm for the pool-based active learning problem. The proposed method performs active learning with a pre-trained acquisition function so that the maximum performance can be achieved when the number of data that can be acquired is fixed. To implement this active learning algorithm, the proposed method uses reinforcement learning based on deep neural networks as as a pre-trained acquisition function tailored for the fixed budget situation. By using the pre-trained deep Q-learning-based acquisition function, we can realize the active learner which selects a sample for annotation from the pool of unlabeled samples taking the fixed-budget situation into account. The proposed method is experimentally shown to be comparable with or superior to existing active learning methods, suggesting the effectiveness of the proposed approach for the fixed-budget active learning.
Transvenous phrenic nerve stimulation improves central sleep apnea, sleep quality, and quality of life regardless of prior positive airway pressure treatment
Authors: Schwartz Alan R. , Goldberg Lee R. , McKane Scott , Morgenthaler Timothy I.
Published: March 2021

Study objective

Positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy for central sleep apnea (CSA) is often poorly tolerated, ineffective, or contraindicated. Transvenous phrenic nerve stimulation (TPNS) offers an alternative, although its impact on previously PAP-treated patients with CSA has not been examined.

Methods

TPNS responses among PAP-naïve and prior PAP-treated patients from the remedē® System Pivotal Trial were assessed. Of 151, 56 (37%) used PAP therapy before enrolling in the trial. Patients were implanted with a TPNS device and randomized to either active or deferred (control) therapy for 6 months before therapy activation. Apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and patient-reported outcomes (PRO) were assessed at baseline, and 6 and 12 months following active therapy.

Results

Patients had moderate-severe CSA at baseline, which was of greater severity and more symptomatic in the PAP-treated vs. PAP-naïve group (median AHI 52/h vs. 38, central apnea index (CAI) 32/h vs. 18, Epworth Sleepiness Scale 13 vs. 10, fatigue severity scale 5.2 vs. 4.5). Twelve months of TPNS decreased AHI to <20/h and CAI to ≤2/h. Both groups showed reductions in daytime sleepiness and fatigue, improved well-being by patient global assessment, and high therapeutic acceptance with 98% and 94% of PAP-treated and PAP-naïve patients indicating they would undergo the implant again. Stimulation produced discomfort in approximately one-third of patients, yet <5% of prior PAP-treated participants discontinued therapy.

Conclusion

Polysomnographic and clinical responses to TPNS were comparable in PAP-naïve and prior PAP-treated CSA patients. TPNS is a viable therapy across a broad spectrum of CSA patients.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT01816776; March 22, 2013
Triaxial Compression on Semi-solid Alloys
Authors: Altuhafi Fatin N. , O’Sullivan Catherine , Sammonds Peter , Su Te-Cheng , Gourlay Christopher M.
Published: March 2021

Multi-axial compression of the mushy zone occurs in various pressurized casting processes. Here, we present a drained triaxial compression apparatus for semi-solid alloys that allow liquid to be drawn into or expelled from the sample in response to isotropic or triaxial compression. The rig is used to measure the pressure-dependent flow stress and volumetric response during isothermal triaxial compression of globular semi-solid Al-15 wt pct Cu at 70 to 85 vol pct solid. Analysis of the stress paths and the stress–volume data show that the combination of the solid fraction and mean effective pressure determines whether the material undergoes shear-induced dilation or contraction. The results are compared with the critical state soil mechanics (CSSM) framework and the similarities and differences in behavior between equiaxed semi-solid alloys and soils are discussed.
Structure Homogeneity and Thermal Stability of Austempered Ductile Iron
Authors: Górny M. , Gondek Ł. , Tyrała E. , Angella G. , Kawalec M.
Published: March 2021

Solid-state transformation during heat treatment is of great practical importance because it significantly affects the final structure, properties, and thermal stability of cast components. The present study highlights the issue of structure formation and its effect on the thermal stability of high-quality cast iron, namely, austempered ductile iron (ADI). In this study, experiments were carried out for castings with a 25-mm-walled thickness and under variable heat treatment conditions, i.e., austenitization and austempering within ranges of 850 °C to 925 °C and 250 °C to 380 °C, respectively. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) investigations were carried out within a range of − 260 °C to + 450 °C to study the structure parameters related to the XRD tests, which provided information related to the phase participation, lattice parameters, and stresses in the microstructure as well as with an expansion of the crystal lattice. The results also provide insight into the role of the structure and its homogeneity on the thermal stability of ADI cast iron. The present work also aims to develop strategies to suppress the formation of blocky-shaped austenite in the ADI structure to maintain a homogeneous microstructure and high thermal stability.
Functionalization of Suspension Sprayed HVOF TiO2 Coatings by Direct Laser Interference Patterning
Authors: Toma Filofteia-Laura , Alamri Sabri , Leupolt Beate , Kunze Tim , Barbosa Maria
Published: March 2021

For more than one decade, suspension spraying has been gaining interest for the development and manufacture of coatings for wide range of applications such as photocatalysis, thermal barrier coatings, wear resistance, biomaterials or superhydrophobicity. Even though these coatings are already promising, a modification of their surface properties can further improve their functionality and lifetime in order to meet the growing requirements on the coating demands. Direct laser interference patterning (DLIP) is a versatile laser technology which allows fabricating microstructures with high flexibility and therefore designing surface properties on a large diversity of materials, including metals, polymers, ceramics and coatings. In this contribution, DLIP technology was applied to texture the surface of suspension sprayed high velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) TiO2coatings. In particular, a nanosecond-pulsed laser has been used to produce cross-like patterns and the effect of laser parameters on the coating properties was investigated. The coatings were characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and UV–Vis–IR measurements, and the influence of the laser treatment on the photocatalytic activity and wettability behavior has been investigated. The results showed that the DLIP technology is suitable for designing and tailoring of the surface properties of the suspension sprayed coatings.
Carotenoid Extract Derived from Euglena gracilis Overcomes Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Neuroinflammation in Microglia: Role of NF-κB and Nrf2 Signaling Pathways
Authors: Piovan Anna , Filippini Raffaella , Corbioli Giovanni , Costa Vanessa Dalla , Giunco Elisabetta Maria Vittoria , Burbello Gianluca , Pagetta Andrea , Giusti Pietro , Zusso Morena
Published: March 2021

Activation of microglia results in the increased production and release of a series of inflammatory and neurotoxic mediators, which play essential roles in structural and functional neuronal damage and in the development and progression of a number of neurodegenerative diseases. The microalga Euglena gracilis (Euglena), rich in vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, has gained increasing attention due to its antimicrobial, anti-viral, antitumor, and anti-inflammatory activities. In particular, anti-inflammatory properties of Euglena could exert neuroprotective functions in different neurodegenerative diseases related to inflammation. However, the mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory effect of Euglena are not fully understood. In this study, we investigated whether Euglena could attenuate microglia activation and we also studied the mechanism of its anti-inflammatory activity. Our results showed that non-cytotoxic concentrations of a Euglena acetone extract (EAE) downregulated the mRNA expression levels and release of pro-inflammatory mediators, including NO, IL-1β, and TNF-α in LPS-stimulated microglia. EAE also significantly blocked the LPS-induced nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 subunit and increased the mRNA expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Furthermore, the release of pro-inflammatory mediators and NF-κB activation were also blocked by EAE in the presence of ML385, a specific Nrf2 inhibitor. Together, these results show that EAE overcomes LPS-induced microglia pro-inflammatory responses through downregulation of NF-κB and activation of Nrf2 signaling pathways, although the two pathways seem to get involved in an independent manner.
Dealing with the Competition of English-language Export Editions: Voices from the Dutch Trade Book Market
Authors: Trentacosti Giulia , Pilcher Nick
Published: March 2021

This project explores the responses of the Dutch trade book market to the ever-increasing influx of Anglophone publications. Based on in-depth interviews (n = 42) carried out between 2015 and 2017 with Dutch publishing professionals, this research identifies the approaches and strategies they adopt to defend their market from the competition of English-language editions. Findings show that the main defence strategy used is to release translations simultaneously with English-language originals, but that this creates significant pressures on both publishers and translators. Concomitantly, there has been an increasing focus on Dutch originals and non-Anglophone books. The strategies and approaches documented in this study may be of interest for scholars and practitioners in relation to other book markets and linguistic areas facing similar circumstances.