bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the spectrum of the double-layer operator on locally-dilation-invariant Lipschitz domains
Authors: Chandler-Wilde Simon N. , Hagger Raffael , Perfekt Karl-Mikael , Virtanen Jani A.
Published: May 2023

We say that $$\Gamma $$
Γ
, the boundary of a bounded Lipschitz domain, is locally dilation invariant if, at each $$x\in \Gamma $$

x
∈
Γ

, $$\Gamma $$
Γ
is either locally $$C^1$$

C
1

or locally coincides (in some coordinate system centred at x) with a Lipschitz graph $$\Gamma _x$$

Γ
x

such that $$\Gamma _x=\alpha _x\Gamma _x$$

Γ
x

=

α
x

Γ
x

, for some $$\alpha _x\in (0,1)$$

α
x

∈

(
0
,
1
)

. In this paper we study, for such $$\Gamma $$
Γ
, the essential spectrum of $$D_\Gamma $$

D
Γ

, the double-layer (or Neumann–Poincaré) operator of potential theory, on $$L^2(\Gamma )$$

L
2

(
Γ
)

. We show, via localisation and Floquet–Bloch-type arguments, that this essential spectrum is the union of the spectra of related continuous families of operators $$K_t$$

K
t

, for $$t\in [-\pi ,\pi ]$$

t
∈
[
-
π
,
π
]

; moreover, each $$K_t$$

K
t

is compact if $$\Gamma $$
Γ
is $$C^1$$

C
1

except at finitely many points. For the 2D case where, additionally, $$\Gamma $$
Γ
is piecewise analytic, we construct convergent sequences of approximations to the essential spectrum of $$D_\Gamma $$

D
Γ

; each approximation is the union of the eigenvalues of finitely many finite matrices arising from Nyström-method approximations to the operators $$K_t$$

K
t

. Through error estimates with explicit constants, we also construct functionals that determine whether any particular locally-dilation-invariant piecewise-analytic $$\Gamma $$
Γ
satisfies the well-known spectral radius conjecture, that the essential spectral radius of $$D_\Gamma $$

D
Γ

on $$L^2(\Gamma )$$

L
2

(
Γ
)

is $$<1/2$$

<
1
/
2

for all Lipschitz $$\Gamma $$
Γ
. We illustrate this theory with examples; for each we show that the essential spectral radius is$$<1/2$$

<
1
/
2

, providing additional support for the conjecture. We also, via new results on the invariance of the essential spectral radius under locally-conformal $$C^{1,\beta }$$

C

1
,
β

diffeomorphisms, show that the spectral radius conjecture holds for all Lipschitz curvilinear polyhedra.
Factors Affecting Early Cholecystectomy for Acute Cholecystitis in Older People—A Population‐Based Study
Authors: Köstenbauer Jakob K. , Gandy Robert C. , Close Jacqueline , Harvey Lara
Published: May 2023

Objectives

Acute cholecystitis is one of the most common surgical presentations in Australia and increases with age. Guidelines recommend early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (within 7 days), as it results in shorter length of stay, reduced costs and readmission rates. Despite this, there is a perception that early cholecystectomy may result in higher morbidity and conversion to open surgery in older patients. Our objective is to report the proportion of early versus delayed cholecystectomy in older patients in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, and to compare health outcomes and factors influencing variation.

Design

This is a retrospective population‐based cohort study of all cholecystectomies for primary acute cholecystitis in NSW residents aged >50, between 2009 and 2019. The primary outcome was the proportion of early versus delayed cholecystectomy. We used multilevel multivariable logistic regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, comorbidities, insurance status, socio‐economic status and hospital characteristics.

Results

A high rate (85%) of the 47,478 cholecystectomies in older patients were performed within 7 days of admission. Delayed surgery was associated with increasing age and comorbidity, male sex, Medicare‐only insurance and surgery in low‐ or medium‐volume centres. Early surgery was associated with shorter overall length of stay, fewer readmissions, less conversion to open surgery and lower bile duct injury rates.

Conclusion

A high proportion of adults with cholecystitis are undergoing early cholecystectomy in NSW. Our results support the efficacy of early cholecystectomy in older patients and identify potentially modifiable factors relevant to health care professionals and policymakers.
Necrotising Fasciitis During the COVID‐19 Pandemic: An Australian Hospital Network Experience
Authors: Nguyen Quoc Dung , Diab Jason , Khaicy David , Diab Vanessa , Hopkins Zachias , Foong Lai Heng , Berney Christophe R.
Published: May 2023

Background

The clinical presentations of diseases and the provision of global healthcare services have been negatively affected by the COVID‐19 pandemic. Our study aimed to determine the impact of this global pandemic on presentations of necrotising fasciitis (NF).

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted of adult patients with NF in South West Sydney Local Health District from January 2017 to October 2022. An analysis of sociodemographic and clinical outcomes was performed comparing the COVID‐19 cohort (2020–2022) and the pre‐COVID‐19 cohort (2017–2019).

Results

Sixty‐five patients were allocated to the COVID‐19 cohort, and 81 patients were in the control cohort. The presentation to hospitals of the COVID‐19 cohort was significantly delayed compared to the control cohort (6.1 vs. 3.2 days, P < 0.001). Patients of the age group of 40 years and younger experienced prolonged operative time (1.8 vs. 1.0 h, P = 0.040), higher number of operations (4.8 vs. 2.1, P = 0.008), and longer total length of stay (LoS) (31.3 vs. 10.3 days, P = 0.035) during the pandemic. The biochemical, clinical, or post‐operative outcomes of two groups were not significantly different.

Conclusion

This multi‐centre study showed that the COVID‐19 pandemic delayed presentations of NF but did not result in any significant overall changes in operative time, ICU admissions, LoS, and mortality rate. Patients aged less than 40 years in the COVID‐19 group were likely to experience prolonged operative time, higher number of operations, and greater LoS.
A machine-learning-based prediction of non-home discharge among acute heart failure patients
Authors: Okada Akira , Kaneko Hidehiro , Konishi Masaaki , Kamiya Kentaro , Sugimoto Tadafumi , Matsuoka Satoshi , Yokota Isao , Suzuki Yuta , Yamaguchi Satoko , Itoh Hidetaka , Fujiu Katsuhito , Michihata Nobuaki , Jo Taisuke , Matsui Hiroki , Fushimi Kiyohide , Takeda Norifumi , Morita Hiroyuki , Yasunaga Hideo , Komuro Issei
Published: May 2023

Background

Scarce data on factors related to discharge disposition in patients hospitalized for acute heart failure (AHF) were available, and we sought to develop a parsimonious and simple predictive model for non-home discharge via machine learning.

Methods

This observational cohort study using a Japanese national database included 128,068 patients admitted from home for AHF between April 2014 and March 2018. The candidate predictors for non-home discharge were patient demographics, comorbidities, and treatment performed within 2 days after hospital admission. We used 80% of the population to develop a model using all 26 candidate variables and using the variable selected by 1 standard-error rule of Lasso regression, which enhances interpretability, and 20% to validate the predictive ability.

Results

We analyzed 128,068 patients, and 22,330 patients were not discharged to home; 7,879 underwent in-hospital death and 14,451 were transferred to other facilities. The machine-learning-based model consisted of 11 predictors, showing a discrimination ability comparable to that using all the 26 variables (c-statistic: 0.760 [95% confidence interval, 0.752–0.767] vs. 0.761 [95% confidence interval, 0.753–0.769]). The common 1SE-selected variables identified throughout all analyses were low scores in activities of daily living, advanced age, absence of hypertension, impaired consciousness, failure to initiate enteral alimentation within 2 days and low body weight.

Conclusions

The developed machine learning model using 11 predictors had a good predictive ability to identify patients at high risk for non-home discharge. Our findings would contribute to the effective care coordination in this era when HF is rapidly increasing in prevalence.
Outcomes following oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma resection and bilateral neck dissection with or without contralateral postoperative radiotherapy of the pathologically node-negative neck
Authors: Jansen Florian , Betz Christian Stephan , Belau Matthias Hans , Matnjani Gesa , Clauditz Till Sebastian , Dwertmann-Rico Sebastian , Stölzel Katharina , Möckelmann Nikolaus , Böttcher Arne
Published: May 2023

Purpose

There are no consensus guidelines regarding the postoperative treatment of the contralateral pathologically node-negative neck in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. This study aimed to determine if omission of postoperative irradiation of the contralateral pathologically node-negative neck affects oncological outcomes.

Methods

We retrospectively identified 84 patients with primary surgical treatment including bilateral neck dissection and postoperative (chemo-)radiotherapy (PO(C)RT). Survival was analyzed using the log-rank test and the Kaplan–Meier method.

Results

Patients showed no decrease in tumor-free, cause-specific (CSS), or overall survival (OS) when PO(C)RT of the contralateral pathologically node-negative neck was omitted. Increased OS was found in patients with unilateral PO(C)RT and especially an increased OS and CSS was found in unilateral PO(C)RT and in tumors arising from lymphoepithelial tissue.

Conclusions

Omitting the contralateral pathologically node-negative neck appears to be safe in terms of survival and our retrospective study advocates further prospective randomized control de-escalation trials.
Matching the pitch perception of the cochlear implanted ear with the contralateral ear in patients with single-sided deafness: a novel approach
Authors: Tóth Tamás Ferenc , Németh Adrienne , Bakó Péter , Révész Péter , Gerlinger Imre , Szanyi István
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Single-sided deaf patients following cochlear implantation often compare the sound quality of their implanted ear with normal hearing. The interaural differences can result in dissatisfaction with speech comprehension and reduced time of usage of the speech processor; hence, prolonging auditory adaptation time. The proposed calibration method presented in this study demonstrates how the frequency distribution of the cochlear implant can be set to adequately approximate the pitch perception of the contralateral normal hearing ear towards improving speech intelligibility in a noisy environment.

Methods

In 12 postlingual single-sided deaf patients, subjective interaural pitch-matching was carried out to determine new central frequencies for the reallocation of the frequency bands of their speech processor (CP910, CP950 or CP1000, Cochlear, Australia). The patients were asked to compare the pitch of the tones presented to their normal hearing ear to the pitch of individual channels of their cochlear implant (CI522 or CI622, Cochlear, Australia). A third-degree polynomial curve was fit to the acquired matching frequencies to create the new frequency allocation table. Audiological measurements (free-field aided thresholds, speech reception thresholds, and monosyllabic word recognition score) in noise, together with a Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ12) questionnaire (short version of the original SSQ) results were evaluated prior to the pitch-matching procedure, and again, 2 weeks later.

Results

The free-field aided thresholds of the patients showed no greater shift than ± 5 dB following the procedure; however, their monosyllabic word recognition score in noise improved significantly (mean − 9.58%, SD 4.98%, matched pairs t test comparison: p < 0.001). The results of the SSQ12 questionnaire also showed significant improvement in speech intelligibility, sound localization, and sound quality (mean 0.96 points, SD 0.45 points, matched pairs t test comparison: p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Matching the pitch perception of the implanted cochlea with the sensation of the normal hearing contralateral ear, resulted in significant changes in the quality of hearing in patients with single-sided deafness. It is plausible the procedure can usher positive results in bimodal patients or following sequential bilateral cochlear implantation.
Oligodendrocytes matter: a review of animal studies on early adversity
Authors: Abraham Mate , Peterburs Jutta , Mundorf Annakarina
Published: May 2023

Exposure to adversities in early life appears to affect the development of white matter, especially oligodendrocytes. Furthermore, altered myelination is present in regions subjected to maturation during the developmental time when early adversities are experienced. In this review, studies applying two well-established animal models of early life adversity, namely maternal separation and maternal immune activation, focusing on oligodendrocyte alterations and resulting implications for psychiatric disorders are discussed. Studies revealed that myelination is reduced as a result of altered oligodendrocyte expression. Furthermore, early adversity is associated with increased cell death, a simpler morphology, and inhibited oligodendrocyte maturation. However, these effects seem to be region- specific as some brain regions show increased expression while others show decreased expression of oligodendroglia-related genes, and they occur especially in regions of ongoing development. Some studies furthermore suggest that early adversity leads to premature differentiation of oligodendrocytes. Importantly, especially early exposure results in stronger oligodendrocyte-related impairments. However, resulting alterations are not restricted to exposure during the early pre- and postnatal days as social isolation after weaning leads to fewer internodes and branches and shorter processes of oligodendrocytes in adulthood. Eventually, the found alterations may lead to dysfunction and long-lasting alterations in structural brain development associated with psychiatric disorders. To date, only few preclinical studies have focused on the effects of early adversity on oligodendrocytes. More studies including several developmental stages are needed to further disentangle the role of oligodendrocytes in the development of psychiatric disorders.
Identification of neighborhood clusters on data balanced by a poset-based approach
Authors: Silan Margherita , Belloni Pietro , Boccuzzo Giovanna
Published: May 2023

The identification of territorial clusters where the population suffers from worse health conditions is an important topic in social epidemiology, in order to identify health inequalities in cities and provide health policy interventions. This objective is particularly challenging because of the mechanism of self-selection of individuals into neighborhoods, which causes selection bias. The aim of this paper consists in the identification of neighborhood clusters where elderly people living in Turin, a city in north-western Italy, are exposed to an increased risk of hospitalized fractures. The study is based on administrative data and is a retrospective, observational cohort study. It is composed by a first phase, in which the individual confounding variables are balanced across neighborhoods in order to make them comparable, and a second phase in which the neighborhoods are aggregated into clusters characterized by significantly higher health risk. In the first phase we exploited a balancing technique based on partially ordered sets (poset), called Matching on poset based Average Rank for Multiple Treatments (MARMoT). On the balanced dataset, we used a spatial scan to identify the presence of clusters and we checked whether the risk of fracture is significantly higher in some contiguous areas. The combination of both MARMoT procedure and spatial scan makes it possible to highlight two clusters of neighborhoods in Turin where the risk of incurring hospitalized fractures for elderly people is significantly higher than the mean. These results could have important implications for the implementation of health policies.
Trajectories of quality of life and mental health during the Covid-19 lockdown and six months after in Italy. A longitudinal exploration
Authors: Veronese Guido , Cavazzoni Federica , Pepe Alessandro
Published: May 2023

Aim

Covid-19 pandemic and its relative containment measures have affected populations' quality of life and psychological well-being worldwide. The fear related to the pandemic and the imposed containment measures has acted as a trigger causing a global increase in negative mental health states. Thus, we aimed to explore the relationship between fear of covid-19 and mental health via QoL (the first and the second lockdown in Italy, 2020).

Subject and methods

Through a quantitative cross-lagged path model research design, the study investigates people’s fear of Covid-19, quality of life, and negative mental states in a population of 444 Italian adults (Mean=40.7; Standard Deviation=16.9; 80% women), in the period between the first and the second waves of the pandemic.

Results

Results show that participants’ Covid-19 fear decreased between waves, contributing to a decrease in negative mental states (stress, anxiety and depression), thus improving the perceived quality of life. Furthermore, quality of life emerged as able to buffer the impact of fear of Covid on people’s psychological distress in short and medium terms, confirming its central role in regulating mental distress.

Conclusion

The study suggests important guidelines for developing interventions to support the populations’ well-being and mental health.
A modified single edge V-notched beam method for evaluating surface fracture toughness of thermal barrier coatings
Authors: Bai Haoran , Wang Zhanyu , Luo Sangyu , Qu Zhaoliang , Fang Daining
Published: May 2023

The surface fracture toughness is an important mechanical parameter for studying the failure behavior of air plasma sprayed (APS) thermal barrier coatings (TBCs). As APS TBCs are typical multilayer porous ceramic materials, the direct applications of the traditional single edge notched beam (SENB) method that ignores those typical structural characters may cause errors. To measure the surface fracture toughness more accurately, the effects of multilayer and porous characters on the fracture toughness of APS TBCs should be considered. In this paper, a modified single edge V-notched beam (MSEVNB) method with typical structural characters is developed. According to the finite element analysis (FEA), the geometry factor of the multilayer structure is recalculated. Owing to the narrower V-notches, a more accurate critical fracture stress is obtained. Based on the Griffith energy balance, the reduction of the crack surface caused by micro-defects is corrected. The MSEVNB method can measure the surface fracture toughness more accurately than the SENB method.
Do soft soil layers reduce the seismic kinematic distress of onshore high-pressure gas pipelines?
Authors: Makrakis Nikolaos , Psarropoulos Prodromos N. , Sextos Anastasios , Tsompanakis Yiannis
Published: May 2023

Onshore high - pressure gas pipelines constitute critical infrastructure that usually cross seismic - prone regions and are vulnerable to Permanent Ground Deformations (PGDs) due to active seismic faults. In design, it may not be feasible to avoid fault rupture areas due to various technical, economical and topographic reasons. Moreover, the presence of soil layers affects the PGDs resulting from a tectonic fault, which in turn may alter the seismic demand on the pipeline. The current study investigates numerically the impact of soft soil layers on the seismic kinematic distress of onshore gas pipelines. For this purpose, a decoupled numerical modeling approach is adopted, consisting of two separate finite - element models for the simulation of soil response and pipeline distress, respectively. Soil non - linearities are taken into account utilizing the Mohr - Coulomb constitutive model with isotropic strain softening. An extensive parametric analysis is performed considering different faulting mechanisms and fault dip angles, as well as soil geometry and mechanical properties. Consequently, the maximum absolute values of both tensile and compressive pipeline strains are correlated with the seismic intensity level (i.e., in terms of bedrock offset which is associated with earthquake magnitude via simple relationships). The paper concludes with a set of design charts and tables for the preliminary seismic design of onshore high - pressure gas pipelines. These charts and tables predict with reasonable accuracy pipeline deformations, in terms of strains, for different magnitude, fault type, dip angle, sand type, and varying overlying soil layer thickness.
Teachers’ Scaffolding Behavior and Visual Perception During Cooperative Learning
Authors: Li Rangmei , Cao Yiming , Tang Haijun , Kaiser Gabriele
Published: May 2023

Teacher scaffolding is crucial to promote students’ cooperative learning processes, but little is known about the cognitive attention underlying teachers’ scaffolding behavior. This study aims to investigate the scaffolding behavior teachers exhibit while intervening in students’ cooperative learning and to explore the relation between teachers’ scaffolding behavior and visual perception when applying supportive strategies. Four secondary teachers in China were studied during mathematics lessons using eye-tracking glasses complemented by an additional classroom camera with interviews. The results show that the teachers applied scaffolding strategies very often, followed by the usage of diagnostic strategies. Furthermore, they were more concerned about the cognitive aspects of students’ learning processes than the social aspects. The applied strategies were significantly related to fixation patterns during scaffolding. Detailed analysis suggests that (1) the teachers diagnosed students’ understanding mainly by observing the material with an attention or scan pattern; (2) during scaffolding processes, when applying a cognitive performance strategy, teachers paid attention to both the students and their material; (3) while regulating cognitive processes, most teachers scanned students’ material quickly; and (4) teachers generally focused more on materials to provide interaction-related help than on students’ facial expressions. Additionally, the study points out that teachers’ perception skills and behaviors during class activities may be influenced by the task being performed, teachers’ teaching experience, and their beliefs.
Adapting Cubic Hermite Splines to the Presence of Singularities Through Correction Terms
Authors: Amat Sergio , Li Zhilin , Ruiz-Álvarez Juan , Solano Concepción , Trillo Juan C.
Published: May 2023

Hermite interpolation is classically used to reconstruct smooth data when the function and its first order derivatives are available at certain nodes. If first order derivatives are not available, it is easy to set a system of equations imposing some regularity conditions at the data nodes in order to obtain them. This process leads to the construction of a Hermite spline. The problem of the described Hermite splines is that the accuracy is lost if the data contains singularities. The consequence is the appearance of oscillations, if there is a jump discontinuity in the function, that globally affects the accuracy of the spline, or the smearing of singularities, if the discontinuities are in the derivatives of the function. This paper is devoted to the construction and analysis of a new technique that allows for the computation of accurate first order derivatives of a function close to singularities using a Hermite spline. The idea is to correct the system of equations of the spline in order to attain the desired accuracy even close to the singularities. Once we have computed the first order derivatives with enough accuracy, a correction term is added to the Hermite spline in the intervals that contain a singularity. The aim is to reconstruct piecewise smooth functions with$$O(h^4)$$O(h4)accuracy even close to the singularities. The process of adaption will require some knowledge about the position of the singularity and the jumps of the function and some of its derivatives at the singularity. The whole process can be used as a post-processing, where a correction term is added to the classical cubic Hermite spline. Proofs for the accuracy and regularity of the corrected spline and its derivatives are given. We also analyse the mechanism that eliminates the Gibbs phenomenon close to jump discontinuities in the function. The numerical experiments presented confirm the theoretical results obtained.
The Concept of Legal Language: What Makes Legal Language ‘Legal‘?
Authors: Glogar Ondřej
Published: May 2023

Many legal theorists and linguists have addressed the notion of legal language from different perspectives. Despite that, the definitions of legal language vary. Almost all of the approaches conclude that legal language entails several types of communication. Nevertheless, not all of these categories are sufficiently researched. Some types of legal communication seem to be neglected. This lack of interest might be rooted in the uncertainty of whether these texts or utterances even fall under the scope of the concept of legal language. In order to avoid this superficiality in subsequent research, it is first necessary to come to a clear determination of which communicative acts can be considered a part of legal language and which cannot. Accordingly, in this search for the definition of legal language, we should not neglect the fact that language is executed in concrete communicative acts, and the only means to grasp the language is through communication. The aim of this article is therefore to clearly delineate the boundaries of this concept. Based on analysis of how the given term is currently defined, I draw out the common features and trace the characteristics in which they differ. Taking into account these findings, I propose a novel comprehensive demarcation of legal language. This concept argues that the ‘legal’ nature of language should be determined by the context and function of the particular statement or exchange, in connection with the role of participants in the communication. This means that a particular act may be considered a part of legal language not in accordance with a certain form or lexicon used, but mainly by extralinguistic circumstances in the context of which it is being performed.
Heavy metal uptake by plant parts of Populus species: a meta-analysis
Authors: Tőzsér Dávid , Horváth Roland , Simon Edina , Magura Tibor
Published: May 2023

Populus species are well documented for being potentially suitable for phytoremediation purposes regarding their accumulation characteristics. However, published results are contradictory. Based on the data gathered during an extensive literature search, we aimed to assess and revise the metal accumulation potential in the root, stem, and leaf of Populus species growing in contaminated soils, with meta-analysis. We evaluated the influences of pollution level, soil pH, and exposure time on the metal uptake patterns. We found accumulations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn to be significant in each plant part, while that was only moderate for Ni, and limited for Mn. By calculating the soil pollution index (PI), we observed significantly intensive, PI-independent accumulation for Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn. A decrease in soil pH significantly increased the uptake of Mn and significantly decreased the accumulation of Pb in the stem. Metal uptake was significantly influenced by exposure time as well; Cd concentration was significantly decreased in the stem, while concentrations of Cr in the stem and leaf, and Mn in the stem were significantly increased with time. These aforementioned findings support a well-founded metal-and-growth condition-specific application of poplars in phytoremediation processes, also triggering further in-depth assessments to enhance the efficiency of relevant poplar-based technologies.
Sorry—Bad Habit! Validation of the German Self-Report Habit Index with a Test for Its Relation to Potentially Addictive Forms of Health-Risk Behaviors
Authors: Opwis Mareile , Bartel Eva Catrin , Salewski Christel , Schmidt Jennifer
Published: May 2023

Habits are highly automated behaviors that have received renewed attention in addiction research. The Self-Report Habit Index (SRHI) is a widely used measure of habits. Two cross-sectional online studies aimed at validating a German version of the SRHI to assess two everyday health-risk behaviors: caffeine consumption and smartphone/tablet use. In both studies (N = 1310), the SRHI scales (one adapted for caffeine consumption, one for smartphone/tablet use), as well as corresponding addiction scales and health outcomes (study 1), or established validity measures (study 2), were assessed. Both SRHI scales showed satisfying item characteristics, high internal consistencies (αs > .90), adequate construct validity, and a three-factorial solution with a satisfying model fit (CFI/TLIs > .95, SRMRs ≤ 0.05). Highest correlations emerged between SRHI and addiction scales. The studies show that the German SRHI can be used to validly assess health-risk behaviors. The observed strong correlations of the SRHI scales with addiction scales suggest that (self-reported) habit is indeed an important aspect to consider in addiction research.
‘Oh you’re on our side, you’re my brother’: occupational ontology and challenges for Muslim prison officers in Europe
Authors: Quraishi Muzammil , Wilkinson Matthew
Published: May 2023

Filling a significant gap in prisons research, this paper articulates the experiences and perspectives of a group of Muslim prison officers interviewed as part of an international study examining Islam in prison. These Muslim prison officers occupied a precarious occupational cultural space between Us (prison officers) and Them (Muslim prisoners) which presented both risks of exclusion, religious and racial prejudices and opportunities to build bridges between prisoners and staff and to educate, especially in the dimension of religion. The very presence of Muslim prison officers in prisons challenged traditional occupational cultural stereotypes around both prison officers and Muslims. The disproportionately large numbers of Muslim prisoners in Europe and the haphazard way that Muslim prison officers often encounter the profession, suggest both that better training focused upon Islam in prison for existing prison officers is vital and that more directed recruitment of Muslim prison officers is needed.
Gopal Sreenivasan, Emotion and Virtue: Five Questions About Courage
Authors: Barney Rachel
Published: May 2023

An important virtue of Emotion and Virtue is its careful and sophisticated discussion of the central yet ill-understood virtue of courage. However, Sreenivasan’s treatment of courage raises as many questions as it answers; several of these can be brought into sharper focus by comparison with the argument of Plato and Aristotle on the topic.
Ultraviolet Light Radiation Effects on Viscoelastic Property Variation in Polymers
Authors: Farroni Flavio , Sakhnevych Aleksandr , Timpone Francesco , Genovese Andrea
Published: May 2023

Viscoelastic materials exhibit a variable mechanical behavior generally investigated through Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA). Such kind of test is carried out on standardized specimens, which have to be specifically produced or extracted from the component to be characterized, causing its destruction. This work, taking advantage of an innovative non-invasive testing procedure, based on an instrumented evaluation of indentation, aims to experimentally study the viscoelastic properties changes in polymer compounds, caused by exposure to UV rays. The analysis has been executed on two different polymer compounds designed for tire tread. An extensive use of UV radiation is performed to generate changes in rubber compound properties, but as concerns tire compounds application, there are only a few studies in literature and the same can be stated regarding the monitoring of properties over time using non-destructive procedures. In order to evaluate the viscoelastic properties variation, a proper test bench has been developed employing an UV lamp coupled with an innovative testing device. A test campaign has been carried out on the different tire compound specimens, tested in different conditions in terms of exposure time, exposure face and after various time ranges from the exposition. The tested compound samples exhibit a different chemical composition in terms of polymer blend ratio. The overall results highlight: the ability of the proposed technique to measure the variation in the mechanical behavior of the materials induced by exposure to UV rays and significant variations in viscoelastic properties induced on the compounds as a function of the time of exposure to UV rays and of the chemical composition.
CellRemorph: A Toolkit for Transforming, Selecting, and Slicing 3D Cell Structures on the Road to Morphologically Detailed Astrocyte Simulations
Authors: Keto Laura , Manninen Tiina
Published: May 2023

Understanding functions of astrocytes can be greatly enhanced by building and simulating computational models that capture their morphological details. Novel computational tools enable utilization of existing morphological data of astrocytes and building models that have appropriate level of details for specific simulation purposes. In addition to analyzing existing computational tools for constructing, transforming, and assessing astrocyte morphologies, we present here the CellRemorph toolkit implemented as an add-on for Blender, a 3D modeling platform increasingly recognized for its utility for manipulating 3D biological data. To our knowledge, CellRemorph is the first toolkit for transforming astrocyte morphologies from polygonal surface meshes into adjustable surface point clouds and vice versa, precisely selecting nanoprocesses, and slicing morphologies into segments with equal surface areas or volumes. CellRemorph is an open-source toolkit under the GNU General Public License and easily accessible via an intuitive graphical user interface. CellRemorph will be a valuable addition to other Blender add-ons, providing novel functionality that facilitates the creation of realistic astrocyte morphologies for different types of morphologically detailed simulations elucidating the role of astrocytes both in health and disease.
Entity Realism Meets Perspectivism
Authors: Khalili Mahdi
Published: May 2023

Relying on the notion of “overlapping perspectives,” this paper argues that entity realism and perspectivism are complementary. According to entity realism, it is justified to maintain a positive attitude toward the existence of unobservable entities with which multiple experimental interactions are possible. Perspectivism also explains that our beliefs about these entities are bounded by historically contingent theoretical and instrumental perspectives. The argument of the paper is developed through a discussion of Ronald Giere’s versions of realism: entity realism, constructive realism, and perspectival realism.
Increased breast cancer mortality due to treatment delay and needle biopsy type: a retrospective analysis of SEER-medicare
Authors: Pathak Rashmi , Leslie Macall , Dondapati Priya , Davis Rachel , Tanaka Kenichi , Jett Elizabeth , Chervoneva Inna , Tanaka Takemi
Published: May 2023

Background

Substantial evidence indicates that delay of first treatment after diagnosis is associated with poorer survival outcomes in breast cancer. Accordingly, the Commission on Cancer introduced a quality measure for receipt of therapeutic surgery within 60 days of diagnostic biopsy for stage I–III breast cancer patients in the non-neoadjuvant setting. It is unknown, however, what may contribute to mortality associated with treatment delay. Therefore, we investigated whether biopsy type moderates the effect of the mortality risk posed by treatment delay.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of 31,306 women with stage I–III breast cancer diagnosed between 2003 and 2013 selected from the SEER-Medicare database was performed to determine whether needle biopsy type [core needle biopsy (CNB) or vacuum-assisted biopsy (VAB)] impacts time to treatment (TTT)-associated survival outcomes. Multivariable Fine-Gray competing risk survival models, adjusted for inverse propensity score weights, were used to determine the association between biopsy type, TTT, and breast cancer-specific mortality (BCSM).

Results

TTT ≥ 60 days was associated with 45% higher risk of BCSM (sHR = 1.45, 95% CI 1.24–1.69) compared to those with TTT < 60 days in stage I–III cases. Independent of TTT, CNB was associated with 28% higher risk of BCSM compared to VAB in stage II–III cases (sHR = 1.28, 95% CI 1.11–1.36), translating to a 2.7% and 4.0% absolute difference in BCSM at 5 and 10 years, respectively. However, in stage I cases, the BCSM risk was not associated with type of biopsy.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that treatment delay ≥ 60 days is independently associated with poorer survival outcomes in breast cancer patients. In stage II–III, CNB is associated with higher BCSM than VAB. However, type of biopsy does not underlie TTT-associated breast cancer mortality risk.
The enumerative geometry of cubic hypersurfaces: point and line conditions
Authors: Belotti Mara , Danelon Alessandro , Fevola Claudia , Kretschmer Andreas
Published: May 2023

The set of smooth cubic hypersurfaces in $${{\mathbb {P}}}^n$$

P

n

is an open subset of a projective space. A compactification of the latter which allows to count the number of smooth cubic hypersurfaces tangent to a prescribed number of lines and passing through a given number of points is termed a 1–complete variety of cubic hypersurfaces, in analogy with the space of complete quadrics. Imitating the work of Aluffi for plane cubic curves, we construct such a space in arbitrary dimensions by a sequence of five blow-ups. The counting problem is then reduced to the computation of five total Chern classes. In the end, we derive the desired numbers in the case of cubic surfaces.
You are how (and where) you search? Comparative analysis of web search behavior using web tracking data
Authors: Urman Aleksandra , Makhortykh Mykola
Published: May 2023

In this article, we conduct a comparative analysis of web search behaviors in Switzerland and Germany. For this aim, we rely on a combination of web tracking data and survey data collected over a period of 2 months from users in Germany (n = 558) and Switzerland (n = 563). We find that web search accounts for 13% of all desktop browsing, with the share being higher in Switzerland than in Germany. In over 50% of cases users clicked on the first search result, with over 97% of all clicks being made on the first page of search outputs. Most users rely on Google when conducting searches, with some differences observed in users’ preferences for other engines across demographic groups. Further, we observe differences in the temporal patterns of web search use between women and men, marking the necessity of disaggregating data by gender in observational studies regarding online information seeking behaviors. Our findings highlight the contextual differences in web search behavior across countries and demographic groups that should be taken into account when examining search behavior and the potential effects of web search result quality on societies and individuals.
Determination of the health-protective effect of ancient cereals and one possibility of increasing their functionality
Authors: Sik Beatrix , Lakatos Erika , Márkus Anna , Székelyhidi Rita
Published: May 2023

This study aimed to examine the differences between the antioxidant capacity, and the total polyphenol content of the ancient grains namely Einkorn (Triticum monococcum L.) and Khorasan (Triticum turanicum) compared with wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), furthermore attempt to create a functional loaf enriched with rosemary (Salvia Rosmarinus Spenn.). To achieve this goal, 1, 3, and 5% of rosemary were added to the loafs made of Einkorn, Khorasan, and common wheat flour, and then the changes in their antioxidant and polyphenol content were examined. Based on the spectrophotometric results, it can be said that the type of wheat clearly affects the amount of the tested components. In all cases, the loafs made from common wheat contained the least amount of antioxidants (0.74 mg AAE/g) and polyphenols (0.41 mg GAE/g). On the other hand, Khorasan loaves showed outstanding values in terms of their antioxidant (0.89 mg AAE/g) and polyphenol (0.68 mg GAE/g) content. Einkorn loaves contained smaller amounts of the tested antioxidants (0.71 mg AAE/g) and polyphenols (0.51 mg GAE/g), but they were still better than common wheat loaves. The addition of rosemary can significantly increase the amount of compounds with an antioxidant effect in bakery products, but care must be taken to preserve the favorable organoleptic properties. It has been proven that ancient grains have a more positive physiological effect than common wheat, and the health-protective properties of bakery products can be increased by adding herbs.

Graphical abstract
Effects of Gestational Hypoxia on PGC1α and Mitochondrial Acetylation in Fetal Guinea Pig Hearts
Authors: Song Hong , Thompson Loren P.
Published: May 2023

Chronic intrauterine hypoxia is a significant pregnancy complication impacting fetal heart growth, metabolism, and mitochondrial function, contributing to cardiovascular programming of the offspring. PGC1α (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ co-activator 1α) is the master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis. We investigated the effects of hypoxia on PGC1α expression following exposure at different gestational ages. Time-mated pregnant guinea pigs were exposed to normoxia (NMX, 21% O2) or hypoxia (HPX, 10.5% O2) at either 25-day (early-onset) or 50-day (late-onset) gestation, and all fetuses were extracted at term (term = ~65-day gestation). Expression of nuclear PGC1α, sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and mitochondrial sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) was measured, along with SIRT3 activity and mitochondrial acetylation of heart ventricles of male and female fetuses. Early-onset hypoxia increased (P<0.05) fetal cardiac nuclear PGC1α and had no effect on mitochondrial acetylation of either growth-restricted males or females. Late-onset hypoxia had either no effect or decreased (P<0.05) PCC1α expression in males and females, respectively, but increased (P<0.05) mitochondrial acetylation in both sexes. Hypoxia had variable effects on expression of SIRT1, AMPK, SIRT3, and SIRT3 activity depending on the sex. The capacity of the fetal heart to respond to hypoxia differs depending on the gestational age of exposure and sex of the fetus. Further, the effects of late-onset hypoxia on fetal heart function impose a greater risk to male than female fetuses, which has implications toward cardiovascular programming effects of the offspring.
A General Relativity Coursebook
Authors: Daw Ed
Published: May 2023

General relativity is a subject that most undergraduates in physics are particularly curious about, but it has a reputation for being very difficult. This book provides as gentle an introduction to general relativity as possible, leading you through the necessary mathematics in order to arrive at important results. Of course, you cannot avoid the mathematics of general relativity altogether, but, using this book, you can gain an appreciation of tensors and differential geometry at a pace you can keep up with. Early chapters build up to a complete derivation of Einstein's Equations, while the final chapters cover the key applications on black holes, cosmology and gravitational waves. It is designed as a coursebook with just enough material to cover in a one-semester undergraduate class, but it is also accessible to any numerate readers who wish to appreciate the power and beauty of Einstein's creation for themselves.
Quantifying dissolution rates of Antarctic icebergs in open water
Authors: Orheim Olav , Giles A. Barry , Jacka T. H. (Jo) , Moholdt Geir
Published: May 2023

At any one time 130 000 icebergs are afloat in the Southern Ocean; 97% of these are too small to be registered in current satellite-based databases, yet the melting of these small icebergs provides a major input to the Southern Ocean. We use a unique set of visual size observations of 53 000 icebergs in the South Atlantic Ocean, the SCAR International Iceberg Database, to derive average iceberg dissolution rates. Fracture into two parts is the dominant dissolution process for tabular icebergs, with an average half-life of 30 days for icebergs <4 km length and 60 days for larger icebergs. Complete shatter producing many icebergs <1 km length is rare. A side attrition rate of 0.23 m d−1 combined with drift speed of 6 km d−1, or any proportional change in both numbers fits the observed changes in iceberg distribution. The largest injection into the Southern Ocean of fresh water and any iceberg-transported material takes place in a ~2.3 × 10⁶ km2 zone extending east-northeast from the Antarctic Peninsula to the Greenwich meridian. The iceberg contribution to salinities and temperatures, with maximum contribution north of the Weddell Sea, differs in some regions, from those indicated by tracking large icebergs.
Dynamics of iteration operators on self-maps of locally compact Hausdorff spaces
Authors: GOPALAKRISHNA CHAITANYA , VEERAPAZHAM MURUGAN , ZHANG WEINIAN
Published: May 2023

In this paper, we prove the continuity of iteration operators
$\mathcal {J}_n$
on the space of all continuous self-maps of a locally compact Hausdorff space X and generally discuss dynamical behaviors of them. We characterize their fixed points and periodic points for
$X=\mathbb {R}$
and the unit circle
$S^1$
. Then we indicate that all orbits of
$\mathcal {J}_n$
are bounded; however, we prove that for
$X=\mathbb {R}$
and
$S^1$
, every fixed point of
$\mathcal {J}_n$
which is non-constant and equals the identity on its range is not Lyapunov stable. The boundedness and the instability exhibit the complexity of the system, but we show that the complicated behavior is not Devaney chaotic. We give a sufficient condition to classify the systems generated by iteration operators up to topological conjugacy.
Supply Chain Governance at a Distance
Authors: Sarfaty Galit A. , Deberdt Raphael
Published: May 2023

This article examines the role of industry in implementing and interpreting the international legal norm of human rights due diligence. Our study focuses on a multi-industry association called the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI), which has assumed a leading role in implementing conflict minerals legislation and interpreting the norm of human rights due diligence in mineral supply chains. Drawing on interviews with RMI staff, corporate representatives, and independent members of the RMI’s governance committees, we analyze the RMI’s risk assessment tools that facilitate corporate compliance with global mineral supply chain regulations. We demonstrate that these technocratic tools mask the underlying corporate interests that control how human rights due diligence is being interpreted and implemented on the ground. We then argue that global supply chains are being “governed at a distance” through these technical practices whereby companies divest themselves of responsibility to their suppliers. Supply chain governance at a distance is therefore transforming the norm of human rights due diligence from an instrument of corporate accountability to a tool of corporate legitimacy.