bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Static and Dynamic High-Resolution Ultrasound Analysis of Tissue Distribution of Poly-L-Lactic Acid Particles During Subdermal Application in Two Different Presentations
Authors: da Cunha Marisa Gonzaga , Sigrist Rosa
Published: August 2022

Background

All the changes the skin goes through, peaking at flaccidity, occur in the dermis and hypodermis, leading to loss of support and a lower capacity to totally accommodate displacements or any loss of subjacent volume, bringing about the onset of furrows and sagging. Improvements in facial sagging may be obtained with the administrations of substances like poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), which triggers a tissue response through a controlled inflammatory reaction.

Objectives

Compare the tissue distribution of the particles of PLLA of both products available in Brazil (Sculptra® and Rennova Elleva®) during and immediately after their subdermal administrations, with 22G cannulas, through high-resolution ultrasound imaging.

Methods

A total of four patients aged between 18 and 64 years had the inner part of the upper arms divided into eight quadrants and treated with 16 ml of each product, reconstituted to correspond to 9.5 mg/ml. The sites where PLLA was injected were analyzed through the high-resolution ultrasound during (dynamic imaging) and immediately after the procedures (static imaging).

Results

During Sculptra® injection, high-resolution ultrasound revealed that its distribution did not follow the trajectory of the cannula homogeneously. It was characterized by a more hyperechogenic central portion and an anechogenic peripheral portion, forming discrete posterior acoustic shadowing at times. Regarding Rennova ELLEVA® injection, the high-resolution ultrasound analysis showed a homogeneous distribution of the product across the subcutaneous tissue following the trajectory of the cannula without formation of significant interface with the surrounding tissue, maintaining the sonographic aspect of thinly granulated hyperechogenic deposits, with strong posterior acoustic shadowing during and immediately after its administration.

Conclusion

Static and dynamic high-resolution ultrasound imaging show a more homogenous distribution of PLLA particles with the use of Rennova ELLEVA® when compared with Sculptra®, which may induce the formation of capsules and a subsequent more dispersed fibroplasia, with larger area of action and a possible better therapeutic result. The interest of this article lies in its originality, highlighting the differences in the tissue distribution of two different brands of PLLA particles, which can impact the clinical response to the two products - which we are researching and seems to interfere with the increase in dermal thickness.
The ambiguous competitive effects of passive partial forward ownership
Authors: Papadopoulos Konstantinos G. , Petrakis Emmanuel , Skartados Panagiotis
Published: August 2022

In a two‐tier industry with an upstream monopolist supplier and downstream competition with differentiated goods, we show that passive partial forward ownership (PPFO) has ambiguous effects on competition and welfare. When vertical trading is conducted via linear tariffs, PPFO is pro‐competitive and welfare‐increasing. While under two‐part tariffs, it is anti‐competitive and welfare‐decreasing. These hold irrespectively of the degree of product differentiation, the observability or not of contract terms, the mode of downstream competition, and the distribution of bargaining power between firms.
‘It's good to talk, and listen’
Authors: Donald Melissa , Loeb Josh
Published: August 2022

As she takes the reins as the new president of the RCVS, Melissa Donald speaks to Josh Loeb about why she wants to spend her year in the hot seat listening to as many vets as she can
Evaluating technical and financial factors for commercialising floating offshore wind: A stakeholder analysis
Authors: Moverley Smith Ben , Clayton Robert , van der Weijde Adriaan Hendrik , Thies Philipp R.
Published: August 2022

Recently, floating wind has enjoyed much public and governmental attention and is commonly identified as a crucial next step on the route to net zero targets for many countries. However, there is currently a large gap between the scale and readiness‐level of devices in the water and the end‐of‐ the‐decade aspirational targets of many governments. To facilitate the expansion of the industry, a wider acceptance and agreement of the realistic potential of floating wind and the barriers to the sector's development is required, particularly over this crucial 10‐year period, something currently scarce in published literature. In this work, a stakeholder engagement was performed, with subsequent analysis of the results to quantify industry expectations and identify the predominant technical and financial concerns of key stakeholders. The presented results of the work serve to both provide a point of comparison and updated account of industry‐based expert views in the near term, with further scientific analysis investigating distinctions between different stakeholder types. Secondarily, the key concerns of industry were analysed and compared with a literature review of recent research effort within floating wind, providing a high‐level gap analysis. A knowledge of the gaps can inform future areas for academic enquiry, ensuring the future needs of industry and the focus of research is aligned.
Short‐term photovoltaic power forecasting with adaptive stochastic configuration network ensemble
Authors: Guo Xifeng , Wang Xinlu , Ao Yanshuang , Dai Wei , Gao Ye
Published: August 2022

The volatility and intermittency of solar energy seriously restrict the development of the photovoltaic (PV) industry. Accurate forecast of short‐term PV power generation is essential for the optimal balance and dispatch of power plants in the smart grid. This article presents a machine learning approach for analyzing the volt‐ampere characteristics and influential factors on PV data. A correlation analysis is employed to discover some hidden characteristic variables. Then, an adaptive ensemble method with stochastic configuration networks as base models (AE‐SCN) is proposed to construct the PV prediction model, which integrates bagging and adaptive weighted data fusion algorithms. Compared with the original SCN, SCN ensemble (SCNE) and random vector functional‐link network (RVFLN), linear regression model, random forest model and autoregressive integrated moving average (ARMA) model, AE‐SCN performs favorably in the terms of the prediction accuracy.

This article is categorized under:

Technologies > Prediction
Tunneling potentials for the tunneling action: gauge invariance
Authors: Arunasalam Suntharan , Ramsey-Musolf Michael J.
Published: August 2022

Abstract

We formulate a procedure to obtain a gauge-invariant tunneling rate at zero temperature using the recently developed tunneling potential approach. This procedure relies on a consistent power counting in gauge coupling and a derivative expansion. The tunneling potential approach, while numerically more efficient than the standard bounce solution method, inherits the gauge-dependence of the latter when naïvely implemented. Using the Abelian Higgs model, we show how to obtain a tunneling rate whose residual gauge-dependence arises solely from the polynomial approximations adopted in the tunneling potential computation.
Searching for dark radiation at the LHC
Authors: Bernreuther Elias , Kahlhoefer Felix , Lucente Michele , Morandini Alessandro
Published: August 2022

Abstract

In this work we explore the intriguing connections between searches for long-lived particles (LLPs) at the LHC and early universe cosmology. We study the non-thermal production of ultra-relativistic particles (i.e. dark radiation) in the early universe via the decay of weak-scale LLPs and show that the cosmologically interesting range ∆Neff ~ 0.01–0.1 corresponds to LLP decay lengths in the mm to cm range. These decay lengths lie at the boundary between prompt and displaced signatures at the LHC and can be comprehensively explored by combining searches for both. To illustrate this point, we consider a scenario where the LLP decays into a charged lepton and a (nearly) massless invisible particle. By reinterpreting searches for promptly decaying sleptons and for displaced leptons at both ATLAS and CMS we can then directly compare LHC exclusions with cosmological observables. We find that the CMB-S4 target value of ∆Neff = 0.06 is already excluded by current LHC searches and even smaller values can be probed for LLP masses at the electroweak scale.
On the classification of UV completions of integrable $$ T\overline{T} $$ deformations of CFT
Authors: Ahn Changrim , LeClair André
Published: August 2022

Abstract

It is well understood that 2d conformal field theory (CFT) deformed by an irrelevant $$ T\overline{T} $$
T

T
¯

perturbation of dimension 4 has universal properties. In particular, for the most interesting cases, the theory develops a singularity in the ultra-violet (UV), signifying a shortest possible distance, with a Hagedorn transition in applications to string theory. We show that by adding an infinite number of higher [$$ T\overline{T} $$
T

T
¯

]s>1 irrelevant operators of positive integer scaling dimension 2(s+1) with tuned couplings, this singularity can be resolved and the theory becomes UV complete with a Virasoro central charge cUV> cIR consistent with the c-theorem. We propose an approach to classifying the possible UV completions of a given CFT perturbed by [$$ T\overline{T} $$
T

T
¯

]s that are integrable. The main tool utilized is the thermodynamic Bethe ansatz. We study this classification for theories with scalar (diagonal) factorizable S-matrices. For the Ising model with cIR = $$ \frac{1}{2} $$

1
2

we find 3 UV completions based on a single massless Majorana fermion description with cUV =$$ \frac{7}{10} $$

7
10

and $$ \frac{3}{2} $$

3
2

, which both have $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 SUSY and were previously known, and we argue that these are the only solutions to our classification problem based on this spectrum of particles. We find 3 additional ones with a spectrum of 8 massless particles related to the Lie group E8 appropriate to a magnetic perturbation with cUV = $$ \frac{21}{22},\frac{15}{12} $$

21
22

,

15
12

, and $$ \frac{31}{2} $$

31
2

. We argue that it is likely there are more cases for this E8 spectrum. We also study simpler cases based on su(3) and su(4) where we can propose complete classifications. For su(3) the infrared (IR) theory is the 3-state Potts model with cIR = $$ \frac{4}{5} $$

4
5

and we find 3 completions with $$ \frac{4}{5} $$

4
5

< cUV≤$$ \frac{16}{5} $$

16
5

. For the su(4) case, which has 3 particles and cIR = 1, and we find 11 UV completions with 1 < cUV ≤ 5, most of which were previously unknown.
Hadronic effects in Møller scattering at NNLO
Authors: Erler Jens , Ferro-Hernández Rodolfo , Freitas Ayres
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Two-loop electroweak corrections to polarized Møller scattering are studied in two different schemes at low energies. We find the finite Q2 corrections to be well under control. The hadronic and perturbative QCD corrections to the γZ two-point function are incorporated through the weak mixing angle at low energies, which introduce an error of 0.08 × 10−3 in the weak charge of the electron $$ {Q}_W^e $$

Q
W
e

. Furthermore, by studying the scheme dependence, we obtain an estimate of the current perturbative electroweak uncertainty, $$ \delta {Q}_W^e $$
δ

Q
W
e

≈ 0.23 × 10−3, which is five times smaller than the precision estimated for the MOLLER experiment ($$ \delta {Q}_W^e $$
δ

Q
W
e

= 1.1 × 10−3). Future work is possible to reduce the theory error further.
The maximum standardized uptake value in patients with recurrent or persistent prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy and PSMA-PET-guided salvage radiotherapy—a multicenter retrospective analysis
Authors: Spohn Simon K. B. , Farolfi Andrea , Schandeler Sarah , Vogel Marco M. E. , Ruf Juri , Mix Michael , Kirste Simon , Ceci Francesco , Fanti Stefano , Lanzafame Helena , Serani Francesca , Gratzke Christian , Sigle August , Combs Stephanie E. , Bernhardt Denise , Gschwend Juergen E. , Buchner Josef A. , Trapp Christian , Belka Claus , Bartenstein Peter , Unterrainer Lena , Unterrainer Marcus , Eiber Matthias , Nekolla Stephan G. , Schiller Kilian , Grosu Anca L. , Schmidt-Hegemann Nina-Sophie , Zamboglou Constantinos , Peeken Jan C.
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the association of the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) in positron-emission tomography targeting prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA-PET) prior to salvage radiotherapy (sRT) on biochemical recurrence free survival (BRFS) in a large multicenter cohort.

Methods

Patients who underwent 68 Ga-PSMA11-PET prior to sRT were enrolled in four high-volume centers in this retrospective multicenter study. Only patients with PET-positive local recurrence (LR) and/or nodal recurrence (NR) within the pelvis were included. Patients were treated with intensity-modulated-sRT to the prostatic fossa and elective lymphatics in case of nodal disease. Dose escalation was delivered to PET-positive LR and NR. Androgen deprivation therapy was administered at the discretion of the treating physician. LR and NR were manually delineated and SUVmax was extracted for LR and NR. Cox-regression was performed to analyze the impact of clinical parameters and the SUVmax-derived values on BRFS.

Results

Two hundred thirty-five patients with a median follow-up (FU) of 24 months were included in the final cohort. Two-year and 4-year BRFS for all patients were 68% and 56%. The presence of LR was associated with favorable BRFS (p = 0.016). Presence of NR was associated with unfavorable BRFS (p = 0.007). While there was a trend for SUVmax values ≥ median (p = 0.071), SUVmax values ≥ 75% quartile in LR were significantly associated with unfavorable BRFS (p = 0.022, HR: 2.1, 95%CI 1.1–4.6). SUVmax value in NR was not significantly associated with BRFS. SUVmax in LR stayed significant in multivariate analysis (p = 0.030). Sensitivity analysis with patients for who had a FU of > 12 months (n = 197) confirmed these results.

Conclusion

The non-invasive biomarker SUVmax can prognosticate outcome in patients undergoing sRT and recurrence confined to the prostatic fossa in PSMA-PET. Its addition might contribute to improve risk stratification of patients with recurrent PCa and to guide personalized treatment decisions in terms of treatment intensification or de-intensification.

This article is part of the Topical Collection on Oncology—Genitourinary.
Diagnostic performance of 3D cardiac magnetic resonance perfusion in elderly patients for the detection of coronary artery disease as compared to fractional flow reserve
Authors: Károlyi Mihály , Gotschy Alexander , Polacin Malgorzata , Plein Sven , Paetsch Ingo , Jahnke Cosima , Frick Michael , Gebker Rolf , Alkadhi Hatem , Kozerke Sebastian , Manka Robert
Published: August 2022

Objectives

In patients of advanced age, the feasibility of myocardial ischemia testing might be limited by age-related comorbidities and falling compliance abilities. Therefore, we aimed to test the accuracy of 3D cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) stress perfusion in the elderly population as compared to reference standard fractional flow reserve (FFR).

Methods

Fifty-six patients at age 75 years or older (mean age 79 ± 4 years, 35 male) underwent 3D CMR perfusion imaging and invasive coronary angiography with FFR in 5 centers using the same study protocol. The diagnostic accuracy of CMR was compared to a control group of 360 patients aged below 75 years (mean age 61 ± 9 years, 262 male). The percentage of myocardial ischemic burden (MIB) relative to myocardial scar burden was further analyzed using semi-automated software.

Results

Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of 3D perfusion CMR deemed similar for both age groups in the detection of hemodynamically relevant (FFR < 0.8) stenosis (≥ 75 years: 86%, 83%, 92%, and 75%; < 75 years: 87%, 80%, 82%, and 85%; p > 0.05 all). While MIB was larger in the elderly patients (15% ± 17% vs. 9% ± 13%), the diagnostic accuracy of 3D CMR perfusion was high in both elderly and non-elderly populations to predict pathological FFR (AUC: 0.906 and 0.866).

Conclusions

3D CMR perfusion has excellent diagnostic accuracy for the detection of hemodynamically relevant coronary stenosis, independent of patient age.

Key Points

• The increasing prevalence of coronary artery disease in elderly populations is accompanied with a larger ischemic burden of the myocardium as compared to younger individuals.

• 3D cardiac magnetic resonance perfusion imaging predicts pathological fractional flow reserve in elderly patients aged ≥ 75 years with high diagnostic accuracy.

• Ischemia testing with 3D CMR perfusion imaging has similarly high accuracy in the elderly as in younger patients and it might be particularly useful when other non-invasive techniques are limited by aging-related comorbidities and falling compliance abilities.
Concomitant mitral regurgitation in patients with low-gradient aortic stenosis: an analysis from the German Aortic Valve Registry
Authors: Alushi Brunilda , Ensminger Stephan , Herrmann Eva , Balaban Ümniye , Bauer Timm , Beckmann Andreas , Bleiziffer Sabine , Möllmann Helge , Walther Thomas , Bekeredjian Raffi , Hamm Christian , Beyersdorf Friedhelm , Baldus Stephan , Boening Andreas , Falk Volkmar , Thiele Holger , Frerker Christian , Lauten Alexander
Published: August 2022

Background

Patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) frequently presented mitral regurgitation (MR), which may interfere with the standard echocardiographic measurements of mean pressure gradient (MPG), flow velocity, and aortic valve area (AVA).

Aims

Herein we investigated the prevalence and severity of MR in patients with severe AS and its role on the accuracy of the standard echocardiographic parameters of AS quantification.

Methods

Of all patients with severe AS undergoing transcatheter or surgical aortic valve replacement enrolled in the German Aortic Registry from 2011 to 2017, 119,641 were included in this study. The population was divided based on the values of left ventricular ejection fraction ([LVEF] > 50%, LVEF 31–50%, and LVEF ≤ 30%] and AVA (0.80 to ≤ 1.00 cm2, 0.60 to < 0.80 cm2, 0.40 to < 0.60 cm2, and 0.20 to < 0.40 cm2).

Results

Overall, 77,890 (65%) patients with mild to-moderate and 4262 (4%) with severe MR were compared with 37,489 (31%) patients without MR. Patients with mild-to-moderate and severe MR presented significantly lower mPG (ΔmPG [95%CI] − 1.694 mmHg [− 2.123 to − 1.265], p < 0.0001 and − 6.954 mmHg [− 7.725 to − 6.183], p < 0.0001, respectively), that increased with LVEF impairment. Conversely, AVA did not differ (severe versus no MR: ΔAVA [95%CI]: − 0.007cm2 [− 0.023 to 0.009], p = 0.973). Increasing MR severity was associated with significant mPG reduction throughout all AVA strata, causing a low-gradient pattern, that manifested since the early stages of severe AS (LVEF > 50%: AVA 0.80 to 1.00 cm2; LVEF 31–50%: AVA 0.60 to 0.80 cm2).

Conclusions

In patients with severe AS, concomitant MR is common, contributes to the onset of a low-gradient AS pattern, and affects the diagnostic accuracy of flow-dependent AVA measurements. In this setting, a multimodality, AVA-centric approach should be implemented.

Graphical abstract

In patients with severe aortic stenosis, concomitant mitral regurgitation contributes to the onset of a low-gradient pattern, warranting a multimodality, and AVA-centric diagnostic approach.
The intraocular implant and visual rehabilitation improve the quality of life of elderly patients with geographic atrophy secondary to age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Nekolova Jana , Kremlacek Jan , Lukavsky Jiri , Sikl Radovan , Sin Martin , Langrova Jana , Szanyi Jana , Jiraskova Nada
Published: August 2022

Introduction

The objective of this prospective study was to evaluate the effects of intraocular macular lens implantation and visual rehabilitation on the quality of life of patients with geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods

Patients with bilaterally decreased near vision (not better than 0.3 logMAR with the best correction), pseudophakia, were included in the project. The Scharioth macula lens (SML) was implanted into the patients’ better-seeing eye. Intensive visual rehabilitation of the ability to perform nearby activities was performed for 20 consecutive postoperative days. All subjects were examined before and after SML implantation ophthalmologically. The National Eye Institute 25-Item Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) was administered before and 6 months after surgery.

Results

Twenty eligible patients with mean age 81 years (63 to 92 years) were included in the project: 7 males and 13 females. Nineteen of them completed the 6-month follow-up. Near uncorrected visual acuity was 1.321 ± 0.208 logMAR before SML implantation and improved to 0.547 ± 0.210 logMAR after 6 months (dz =  − 2.846, p < 0.001, BF10 = 3.29E + 07). In the composite score of the NEI VFQ-25, there was an improvement in the general score and the specific domains related to the implantation. Participants reported fewer difficulties in performing near activities (dz = 0.91, p = 0.001, BF10 = 39.718) and upturns in mental health symptoms related to vision (dz = 0.62, p = .014, BF10 = 3.937).

Conclusion

SML implantation, followed by appropriate rehabilitation, improved near vision and increased the quality of life of visually handicapped patients with AMD in our project.
Open abdominal management after ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm repair: from a single-center study in Japan
Authors: Maze Yasumi , Tokui Toshiya , Kawaguchi Teruhisa , Murakami Masahiko , Inoue Ryosai , Hirano Koji , Sato Keita , Tamura Yoshihisa
Published: August 2022

Purpose

We investigated the utility of the open abdominal management (OA) technique for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA).

Methods

Between January 2016 and August 2021, 33 patients underwent open surgery for rAAA at our institution. The patients were divided into OA (n = 12) and non-OA (n = 21) groups. We compared preoperative characteristics, operative data, and postoperative outcomes between the two groups. The intensive care unit management and abdominal wall closure statuses of the OA group were evaluated.

Results

The OA group included significantly more cases of a preoperative shock than the non-OA group. The operation time was also significantly longer in the OA group than in the non-OA group. The need for intraoperative fluids, amount of bleeding, and need for blood transfusion were significantly higher in the OA group than in the non-OA group. Negative pressure therapy (NPT) systems are useful in OA. In five of the six survivors in the OA group, abdominal closure was able to be achieved using components separation (CS) technique.

Conclusions

NPT and the CS technique may increase the abdominal wall closure rate in rAAA surgery using OA and are expected to improve outcomes.
Predictors of flow diverter stent in large and giant unruptured intracranial aneurysms, single-center experience
Authors: Abdelkhalek Hazem , Abdelhameed Esam Ahmed , Zakarea Ayman , El Malky Islam
Published: August 2022

Background

Flow diversion with or without coiling has been established as the treatment of choice for large unruptured aneurysms. This study aims to assess possible predictors for radiological and clinical outcome such as location of the aneurysm (anterior or posterior circulation), complexity by a branching artery, bifurcation, and adjuvant coiling.

Methods

This study was conducted on 65 consecutive patients with 65 large, unruptured intracranial aneurysms (size ≥ 10 mm) treated with flow diverters. Follow-up angiography was done for 60 patients (92.3%) at 12 ± 8.6 months range from 3 to 36 months.

Results

Complete occlusion was achieved in 50 from 60 aneurysms (83.4%), while 8 aneurysms (13.3%) had neck remnant, and another two aneurysms (3.3%) remained with aneurysmal remnant. Periprocedural complications were encountered in 14 patients (21.5%) with morbidity in six patients (9.2%) and mortality in one patient (1.5%). In a multivariate logistic regression, anterior versus posterior location was less likely associated with worse outcome; adjusted OR (95% CI) of 0.16 (0.07–0.01), p = 0.006. Complete occlusion in complex aneurysms with branching artery was 60% versus 88% in simple aneurysms without branching artery (p-value = 0.04).

Conclusions

Flow diverter deployment of a large, unruptured aneurysm in the anterior circulation might have a better outcome than one in the posterior circulation. Flow diverter of aneurysms with branching artery or at bifurcation might be associated with aneurysm persistence and complications respectively.
The origination events of gametic sexual reproduction and anisogamy
Authors: Yasui Yukio , Hasegawa Eisuke
Published: August 2022

The evolution of gametic sex (meiosis and fertilization) and subsequent transition from isogamy (fusion between two equal-sized gametes) to anisogamy (dimorphism into eggs and sperm, namely, females and males) is one of the largest enigmas of evolutionary biology. Meiosis entails genome-dilution cost and anisogamy entails male-production cost. Despite much progress has been made for the maintenance mechanisms of sex, its origination events under such “twofold cost of sex” are still unsolved. Here, we posit two hypothetical scenarios as follows: the “Seesaw Effect” hypothesizes that automictic selfing between isogametes effectively purged deleterious mutations from an organism’s lineage and simultaneously fixed the sex-controlling allele and all other loci (no genome-dilution cost raised). The high relatedness among homoeologous cell colonies led to multicellularization. The “inflated isogamy” hypothesizes that multicellularity increased the reproductive investment of both mates, resulting in excessively large isogametes. This redundancy induced cheating of one sex (evolving to male) to reduce gamete size. However, the other sex (evolving to female) allowed this cheat because her cost did not change. Therefore, anisogamy originated as a kind of commensalism but turned into beneficial for females because it solved the gamete limitation problem inherent to isogamy. Thus, smooth transition to anisogamy had been attained.
Were we happy and we didn’t know it? A subjective dynamic and financial assessment pre-, during and post-COVID-19
Authors: Mureșan Gabriela-Mihaela , Văidean Viorela-Ligia , Mare Codruța , Achim Monica Violeta
Published: August 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many changes into people’s lives. Fear, job insecurity, changes in their financial stability, concerns about their future lives have changed the entire lives of people and have affected the cognitive well-being of individuals. The purpose of the present analysis is to measure how the COVID-19 pandemic, along with financial factors, has affected the perceived level of well-being of individuals. We are also interested whether there are differences between life before COVID-19, life now with COVID-19, and life after the COVID-19 pandemic, in terms of future expectations. To address this objective, we performed an ANOVA approach and a GLM estimate on repeated measures for a large sample (1572 respondents) from 43 worldwide countries, during the period May 2020 and July 2021. Our results show that financial factors reflected by both the size of income and changes in personal or family income affect the levels of happiness. Robustness checks using stress as an alternative estimator for happiness have consolidated our results. Additionally, we find that well-being during COVID-19 compared to the previous period decreased, while in future, people expect to be happier, but not more than in the past when they did not know about the existence of this virus. This is one of the first studies to investigate the relationship between happiness and income before, during, and after COVID-19. These findings are important for policymakers to improve the conditions of living in the areas of health and financial stability.
The Archaeology of Unexploded World War II Bomb Sites in the Koźle Basin, Southern Poland
Authors: Waga Jan Maciej , Szypuła Bartłomiej , Fajer Maria
Published: August 2022

One of the largest territories affected by the aerial bombardment carried out in Europe in 1944 is located near Kędzierzyn-Koźle. Surrounded by former synthetic fuel production plants, it contains craters from the explosions of detonation and general-purpose bombs, as well as smaller craters indicating the existence of unexploded bombs. The research presented in this article was conducted in forested areas and swampy wastelands, where these forms have been preserved until today. The article includes the analysis of their distribution and morphology, as well as characteristic cases occurring in multiple geoenvironmental situations. It also provides a model for research work leading to the determination of the most likely locations of unexploded bombs.
Symmetry Breaking by Consecutive Amplification: Efficient Paths to Homochirality
Authors: Huber Laura , Trapp Oliver
Published: August 2022

To understand chiral symmetry breaking on the molecular level, we developed a method to efficiently investigate reaction kinetics of single molecules. The model systems include autocatalysis as well as a reaction cascade to gain further insight into the prebiotic origin of homochirality. The simulated reactions start with a substrate and only a single catalyst molecule, and the occurrence of symmetry breaking was examined for its degree of dependence on randomness. The results demonstrate that interlocking processes, which e.g., form catalysts, autocatalytic systems, or reaction cascades that build on each other and lead to a kinetic acceleration, can very well amplify a statistically occurring symmetry breaking. These results suggest a promising direction for the experimental implementation and identification of such processes, which could have led to a shift out of thermodynamic equilibrium in the emergence of life.
Loading rate dependence of granular cushion under rockfall impact and proposal of an analytical model for impact force estimation
Authors: Naito Naoto , Maeda Kenichi , Konno Hisashi , Ushiwatari Yuji , Suzuki Kentaro , Kawase Ryoji
Published: August 2022

The cushioning behaviour of granular materials, such as sand and gravel, has been studied for the rational design and performance evaluation of a rock shed intended for rockfall protection. The shape of the collision surface of a falling mass strongly affects the impact force waveform of the falling mass. However, the control factors for generating impact force waveform have not been fully clarified. Previous studies have shown that the maximum transmitted impact force acting on the top plate of a rock shed through a cushioning material depends not only on the maximum impact force acting on the falling mass but also on its duration. To accurately predict the maximum transmitted impact force acting on a structure, understanding the generation mechanism of the impact force waveform acting on the falling mass is necessary. These control factors were investigated through the two-dimensional (2D) discrete element method (DEM) analysis. It was shown that the mean principal stress of particles around a falling mass increased with the loading velocity of the falling mass. Based on this result, an analytical model for estimation the impact force waveform of the falling mass was proposed. The validity of the proposed method and the control factors estimated via simulations was confirmed by comparing the results obtained by the proposed method with 2D DEM simulation results and experimental results. This study contributes to the elucidation of the deformation mechanism of soil under high-speed loading and development of rational countermeasures considering the deformation behaviour of a sand cushion.
Management in times of crises: reflections on characteristics, avoiding pitfalls, and pathways out
Authors: Bouncken Ricarda B. , Kraus Sascha , de Lucas Ancillo Antonio
Published: August 2022

The world is shaken by global crises that have severe implications for firms and their management. But what is characteristic of a global crisis, and why do firms and their managers often fail to deal proactively and strategically with coping strategies for crises. This introductory paper explains the characteristics of crises and important underlying management behavior. These behaviors are most important to understand because they might escalate or reduce the effects of a global crisis in firms. We also explain the challenges associated with emphasizing the local effects of crises while ignoring or downplaying their global effects. Finally, we present the papers in this special issue that provide specific answers that can help to deal with aspects of a global crisis.
Is a Sociology of Hope Possible? An Attempt to Recompose a Theoretical Framework and a Research Programme
Authors: Gili Guido , Mangone Emiliana
Published: August 2022

The societal changes of the last century, especially in the aftermath of World War II, have led thinkers to imagine philosophical anthropology centred on the concept of hope. From very different perspectives, authors such as Ernst Bloch, Erich Fromm, and Hannah Arendt understood that hope is deeply connected with the condition and destiny of humanity. Various sociologists have developed concepts closely linked with hope: action, social change, utopia, revolution, emancipation, innovation, and trust. However, a coherent and systematic analysis is yet to emerge. Taking up the threads of this rich but fragmented reflection, this paper intends to outline the traits of a “sociology of hope” as a tool for critically interpreting today’s society and the processes of change crisscrossing it, starting from some crucial questions: Who are the actors and historical bearers of hope? What are the main socio-historical forms of hope? What social, political, and cultural conditions favour the emergence and strengthening of this disposition? What are the effects and consequences on personal and social life?
Perceptions of Love and Infidelity by Polish Youth
Authors: Wróblewska-Skrzek Joanna
Published: August 2022

The article presents results of research on academic youth attitudes on love, intimacy, and infidelity in Poland. The research goal was to determine how modern adolescents define a relationship, what role is played in this regard by the sociocultural understanding of love they adopted, and how their ideas about relationship and love translate into faithfulness in the relationship. The research was conducted using quantitative methods with computer assisted (aided) web interviews on an Internet channel supervised by Lime-Survey system. The study was of an exploratory character; it used N = 621 of full questionnaires. Factor analysis enabled distinguishing three analytic areas: relationship, infidelity and causes of infidelity. Within every definitional range, the number of variables extracted from the question pool was reduced to two dimensions. In each case, the definitional variants clearly fit into a distinct dualism of cultural forms of love, which distinguished between romantic love and pure relationship. Young people’s attitudes towards love and infidelity are full of contradictions and paradoxes. On the one hand, they look for romantic love, on the other, one can observe a need of sexual experiences and pleasures. Adolescents define infidelity in corporal terms, but they do not forget about its emotional aspect. Their opinions about infidelity point to a rather elusive nature of traditionally applying norms and prohibitions. What is crucial in this regard is the way the relationship is perceived and the strength of emotional involvement and ties binding the couple.
Lukea gen. nov. (Monodoreae-Annonaceae) with two new threatened species of shrub from the forests of the Udzungwas, Tanzania and Kaya Ribe, Kenya
Authors: Cheek Martin , Luke W. R. Quentin , Gosline George
Published: August 2022

A new genus, Lukea Cheek & Gosline (Annonaceae), is erected for two new species to science, Lukea quentinii Cheek & Gosline from Kaya Ribe, SE Kenya, and Lukea triciae Cheek & Gosline from the Udzungwa Mts, Tanzania. Lukea is characterised by a flattened circular bowl-shaped receptacle-calyx with a corolla of three free petals that give the buds and flowers a unique appearance in African Annonaceae. Both species are extremely rare shrubs of small surviving areas of lowland evergreen forest under threat of habitat degradation and destruction and are provisionally assessed as Critically Endangered and Endangered respectively using the IUCN 2012 standard. Both species are illustrated and mapped. Material of the two species had formerly been considered to be possibly Uvariopsis Engl. & Diels, and the genus Lukea is placed in the Uvariopsis clade of the Monodoreae (consisting of the African genera Uvariodendron (Engl. & Diels) R.E.Fries, Uvariopsis, Mischogyne Exell, Dennettia Baker f., and Monocyclanthus Keay). The clade is characterised by often conspicuous, finely reticulate quaternary nervation, incomplete or absent connective shields (in Annonaceae the connective shield is usually complete) and free petals (except in some Uvariopsis). Morphologically Lukea is distinct for its broad, turbinate, fleshy pedicel, a potential synapomorphy within Monodoreae. It appears closest morphologically to the West African monotypic Monocyclanthus, since it shares a trait unusual in the Annonaceae: the calyx in both genera forms a shallow bowl (calyx lobes are absent or vestigial), barely enclosing the base of the petals at anthesis, which persists, living and green, in the mature fruit. However, on recent molecular phylogenetic evidence, Lukea is sister to Mischogyne and the two split c. 20 million years BP, while Monocyclanthus is sister to Dennettia. The placement of Lukea within the Uvariopsis clade is discussed.
Magnetic Resonance T1w/T2w Ratio in the Putamen and Cerebellum as a Marker of Cognitive Impairment in MSA: a Longitudinal Study
Authors: Cuoco Sofia , Ponticorvo Sara , Bisogno Rossella , Manara Renzo , Esposito Fabrizio , Di Salle Gianfranco , Di Salle Francesco , Amboni Marianna , Erro Roberto , Picillo Marina , Barone Paolo , Pellecchia Maria Teresa
Published: August 2022

The exact pathophysiology of cognitive impairment in multiple system atrophy (MSA) is unclear. In our longitudinal study, we aimed to analyze (I) the relationships between cognitive functions and some subcortical structures, such as putamen and cerebellum assessed by voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and T1-weighted/T2-weighted (T1w/T2w) ratio, and (II) the neuroimaging predictors of the progression of cognitive deficits. Twenty-six patients with MSA underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological battery, motor examination, and brain MRI at baseline (T0) and 1-year follow-up (T1). Patients were then divided according to cognitive status into MSA with normal cognition (MSA-NC) and MSA with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). At T1, we divided the sample according to worsening/non worsening of cognitive status compared to baseline evaluation. Logistic regression analysis showed that age (β =  − 9.45, p = .02) and T1w/T2w value in the left putamen (β = 230.64, p = .01) were significant predictors of global cognitive status at T0, explaining 65% of the variance. Logistic regression analysis showed that ∆-values of WM density in the cerebellum/brainstem (β = 2188.70, p = .02) significantly predicted cognitive worsening at T1, explaining 64% of the variance. Our results suggest a role for the putamen and cerebellum in the cognitive changes of MSA, probably due to their connections with the cortex. The putaminal T1w/T2w ratio may deserve further studies as a marker of cognitive impairment in MSA.
The role of highly intercited papers on scientific impact: the Mexican case
Authors: Dorantes-Gilardi Rodrigo , Ramírez-Álvarez Aurora A. , Terrazas-Santamaría Diana
Published: August 2022

The present paper explores the relationship between highly intercited papers in the k-max of citation networks and an author’s impact from the Mexican National System of Researchers (SNI). We investigate whether a more interconnected network, a higher k of the k-max, explains the variation of the total number of citations, controlling for personal characteristics such as SNI level, area of expertise, and the number of publications. We find that the k-max is positively and significantly correlated with impact. In this context, we find that the share of self and collaborator-citations increases with the magnitude of the k-max and women tend to have less interlinked cores of their citation networks than men (smaller k’s). Interestingly, we find that women tend to have a higher share of third-party citations while men tend to have a higher share of self and collaborator-citations, for all k’s and areas of expertise. We conduct a Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition to better understand the citation gender gap and find that much of it can be explained through the differences in observable characteristics (including the k-max) between women and men.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Use in Pregnancy and Protective Mechanisms in Preeclampsia
Authors: Vignato Julie A. , Gumusoglu S. Banu , Davis Heather A. , Scroggins Sabrina M. , Hamilton Wendy S. , Brandt Debra S. , Pierce Gary L. , Knosp Boyd A. , Santillan Donna A. , Santillan Mark K.
Published: August 2022

Depression and preeclampsia share risk factors and are bi-directionally associated with increased risk for each other. Despite epidemiological evidence linking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in pregnancy to preeclampsia, serotonin (5-HT) and vasopressin (AVP) secretion mechanisms suggest that SSRIs may attenuate preeclampsia risk. However, there is a need to clarify the relationship between SSRIs and preeclampsia in humans to determine therapeutic potential. This retrospective cohort study included clinical data from 9558 SSRI-untreated and 9046 SSRI-treated pregnancies. In a subcohort of 233 pregnancies, early pregnancy (< 20 weeks) maternal plasma copeptin, an inert and stable AVP prosegment secreted 1:1 with AVP, was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Diagnoses and depression symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9]) were identified via medical records review. Descriptive, univariate, and multivariate regression analyses were conducted (α = 0.05). SSRI use was associated with decreased preeclampsia after controlling for clinical confounders (depression severity, chronic hypertension, diabetes, body mass index, age) (OR = 0.9 [0.7–1.0], p = 0.05). Moderate-to-severe depression symptoms were associated with significantly higher copeptin secretion than mild-to-no depression symptoms (240 ± 29 vs. 142 ± 10 ng/mL, p < 0.001). SSRIs significantly attenuated first trimester plasma copeptin (78 ± 22 users vs. 240 ± 29 ng/ml non-users, p < 0.001). In preeclampsia, SSRI treatment was associated with significantly lower copeptin levels (657 ± 164 vs. 175 ± 134 ng/mL, p = 0.04). Interaction between SSRI treatment and preeclampsia was also significant (p = 0.04). SSRIs may modulate preeclampsia risk and mechanisms, although further studies are needed to investigate the relationships between 5-HT and AVP in depression and preeclampsia.

Graphical abstract
Analysis of risk factors related to severe postpartum hemorrhage of twin pregnancies delivered by cesarean section
Authors: Yin Fufen , Li Ruixue , Xie Junshu , Zhang Xiaohong
Published: August 2022

Objective

To investigate the risk factors of severe postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) in cesarean section of twin pregnancy, and to provide clinical basis for pregnancy management and perioperative obstetric management of twin pregnancy.

Methods

The clinical data of 631 twin pregnancies with gestational age ≥28 weeks delivered by cesarean section at Peking University People's Hospital (PKUPH) from January 2004 to January 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Methods of conception, the combined weight of twins, serum albumin level before cesarean section, operation time and other factors on the amount of blood loss during cesarean section were analyzed.

Results

The proportion of severe PPH was significantly higher in in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) group, the combined weight of twins > 6000g group, serum albumin before cesarean section < 30 ​g/dl group than in the natural pregnancy group, 4000–6000g group, < 4000g group and serum albumin ≥30 ​g/dl group respectively (P ​< ​0.05). The proportion of severe PPH in the elective surgery group of twin pregnancy was higher than that in the emergency surgery group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P ​> ​0.05). Moreover, according to the surgical indications, the emergency surgery group was divided into premature rupture of membranes (PROM), labor, fetal distress and others groups, no significant difference were detected among these groups (P>0.05).

Conclusion

IVF-ET, the combined weight of twins, serum albumin before operation were significantly correlated with severe PPH of twin pregnancies delivered by cesarean section, revealing that it is necessary to strengthen pregnancy management of twin pregnancy.
Hierarchies at Home
Authors: Hicks Anasa
Published: August 2022

Hierarchies at Home traces the experiences of Cuban domestic workers from the abolition of slavery through the 1959 revolution. Domestic service – childcare, cleaning, chauffeuring for private homes – was both ubiquitous and ignored as formal labor in Cuba, a phenomenon made possible because of who supposedly performed it. In Cuban imagery, domestic workers were almost always black women and their supposed prevalence in domestic service perpetuated the myth of racial harmony. African-descended domestic workers were 'like one of the family', just as enslaved Cubans had supposedly been part of the families who owned them before slavery's abolition. This fascinating work challenges this myth, revealing how domestic workers consistently rejected their invisibility throughout the twentieth century. By following a group marginalized by racialized and gendered assumptions, Anasa Hicks destabilizes traditional analyses on Cuban history, instead offering a continuous narrative that connects pre- and post-revolutionary Cuba.
The Informal Regulation of Criminal Markets in Latin America
Authors: Flom Hernán
Published: August 2022

This book explains how states informally regulate drug markets in Latin America. It shows how and why state actors, specifically police and politicians, confront, negotiate with, or protect drug dealers to extract illicit rents or prevent criminal violence. The book highlights how, in countries with weak institutions, police act as interlocutors between criminals and politicians. It shows that whether and how politicians control their police forces explains the prevalence of different informal regulatory arrangements to control drug markets. Using detailed case studies built on 180 interviews in four cities in Argentina and Brazil, the book reconstructs how these informal regulatory arrangements emerged and changed over time.
Silence as Language
Authors: Ephratt Michal
Published: August 2022

Verbal silence touches on every possible aspect of daily life. This book provides a full linguistic analysis of the role of silence in language, exploring perspectives from semantics, semiotics, pragmatics, phonetics, syntax, grammar and poetics, and taking into account a range of spoken and written contexts. The author argues that silence is just as communicative in language as speech, as it results from the deliberate choice of the speaker, and serves functions such as informing, conveying emotion, signalling turn switching, and activating the addresser. Verbal silence is used, alongside speech, to serve linguistic functions in all areas of life, as well as being employed in a wide variety of written texts. The forms and functions of silence are explained, detailed and illustrated with examples taken from both written texts and real-life interactions. Engaging and comprehensive, this book is essential reading for anyone interested in this fascinating linguistic phenomenon.