bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Globaltest confidence regions and their application to ridge regression
Authors: Xu Ningning , Solari Aldo , Goeman Jelle
Published: May 2021

We construct confidence regions in high dimensions by inverting the globaltest statistics, and use them to choose the tuning parameter for penalized regression. The selected model corresponds to the point in the confidence region of the parameters that minimizes the penalty, making it the least complex model that still has acceptable fit according to the test that defines the confidence region. As the globaltest is particularly powerful in the presence of many weak predictors, it connects well to ridge regression, and we thus focus on ridge penalties in this paper. The confidence region method is quick to calculate, intuitive, and gives decent predictive potential. As a tuning parameter selection method it may even outperform classical methods such as cross‐validation in terms of mean squared error of prediction, especially when the signal is weak. We illustrate the method for linear models in simulation study and for Cox models in real gene expression data of breast cancer samples.
Teaching abduction prevention skills to children using a one‐on‐one training setting
Authors: Berube Taylor , MacDonald Jacquelyn , Parry‐Cruwys Diana
Published: May 2021

Child abduction is an uncommon but extremely dangerous event. The current study examined teaching abduction prevention skills to typically developing triplet boys using behavior skills training (BST) with the combination of in situ training (IST). We used a concurrent multiple baseline across participants design to evaluate the effects of BST and IST on teaching abduction prevention skills. When encountering a (confederate) stranger, participants were assessed on occurrence of three behaviors: saying “no,” leaving the scene, and telling an adult what happened. After implementing BST, participants were again tested using a novel stranger probe; if the participant scored below a perfect score, then IST was implemented. Two participants did not need IST. One participant received IST and performed the safety skills to mastery following IST. Results demonstrated that BST in a one‐on‐one setting was effective at teaching abduction prevention skills for two participants and effective when combined with IST for one participant.
Visual detection of S2− with a paper‐based fluorescence sensor coated with CdTe quantum dots via headspace sampling
Authors: Pan Yi , Fang Zheng , Chen Hanjiao , Long Zhou , Hou Xiandeng
Published: May 2021

A simple method was developed in this work for facile and visual detection of S2− using a paper‐based fluorescence (FL) sensor coated with CdTe quantum dots (QDs) by headspace sampling. With the addition of hydrochloric acid, the target S2− in the liquid phase would transform to H2S, which was released to headspace and quenched the FL of CdTe QDs in a linear manner through a gas–solid reaction, with any possible liquid‐phase interference avoided. The regular quenching caused by S2− in analyte solution with increased concentration could be easily observed by the naked eye, and the limit of detection (LOD) for this method was 0.13 μM and 0.93 μM for FL and visual sensing, respectively, comparable or not to that by other sensing probes. A relative standard deviation of 1.2% was accomplished from seven replicated measurements, implying the high reproducibility, and the recovery for the spiked water samples ranging from 94 to 103%, and illustrating the satisfactory reliability of this method. Moreover, the preparation of this paper sensor was facile and did not require any complicated or time‐consuming procedures for additional modification or functionalization as for other probes previously reported.
Gut microbiota variations in patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder—A systematic review
Authors: Knudsen Julie Kristine , Bundgaard‐Nielsen Caspar , Hjerrild Simon , Nielsen René Ernst , Leutscher Peter , Sørensen Suzette
Published: May 2021

Objective

The etiology of major depressive disorder (MDD) is multi‐factorial and has been associated with a perturbed gut microbiota. Thus, it is therefore of great importance to determine any variations in gut microbiota in patients with MDD.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted including original research articles based on gut microbiota studies performed in patients with MDD. Demographic and clinical characteristics, applied methodology and observed gut microbiota composition were compared between included studies.

Results

Seventeen studies were included with a total of 738 patients with MDD and 782 healthy controls using different DNA purification methods, sequencing platforms and data analysis models. Four studies found a reduced α‐diversity in patients with MDD, while gut microbiota compositions clustered separately according to β‐diversity between patients and controls in twelve studies. Additionally, there was an increase in relative abundance of Eggerthella, Atopobium, and Bifidobacterium and a decreased relative abundance of Faecalibacterium in patients with MDD compared with healthy controls.

Conclusion

Gut microbiota differs significantly when comparing patients with MDD and healthy controls, though inconsistently across studies. The heterogeneity in gut microbiota compositions between the studies may be explained by variations in study design.
Signature based on metabolic‐related gene pairs can predict overall survival of osteosarcoma patients
Authors: Li Long‐Qing , Zhang Liang‐Hao , Yuan Yao‐bo , Lu Xin‐Chang , Zhang Yi , Liu Yong‐Kui , Wen Jia , Khader Manhas Abdul , Liu Tao , Li Jia‐Zhen , Zhang Yan
Published: May 2021

Background

Osteosarcoma is a tumour of malignant origin in children and adolescents. Recent progression indicates that it is necessary to develop new therapies to improve the patient's prognosis rather than strengthen anti‐tumour chemotherapy. Researchers recently realised that cancer is a kind of disease with a metabolic disorder, and metabolic reprogramming is becoming a new cancer hallmark. Hence, our study's primary purpose is to explore the value of genes related to osteosarcoma metabolism.

Methods

From public databases, three osteosarcoma datasets with adequate clinical information were obtained. Besides, the IMvigor dataset through the ‘IMvigor’ package as a supplement was downloaded, the metabolic‐related genes were identified, and these genes were used to construct the metabolic‐related gene pairs (MRGP). Based on the prognosis‐related MRGP, two molecular subtypes were identified. There are significant differences in the metabolic characteristics between the two molecular subtypes. Subsequently, the MRGP signature is constructed using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression method. Finally, use SubMap analysis to evaluate the response of patients in the MRPG signature group to immunotherapy.

Results

The MRGP signature can reliably predict overall survival in patients with osteosarcoma. The MRGP signature is also associated with osteosarcoma patients’ metastatic status and can be used for subsequent risk classification of metastatic patients. The immunotherapy is more likely to benefit the patients in the MRGP low‐risk group.

Conclusion

Metabolic‐related gene pairs signature can assess the prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma.
The factorial structure and psychometric properties of the Committed Action Questionnaire (CAQ‐8) in a Portuguese clinical sample with eating disorders
Authors: Rodrigues Tânia F. , Vieira Ana I. , Vaz Ana R. , Brandão Isabel , Timóteo Sertório , Nunes Patrícia , Fernandez‐Aranda Fernando , Machado Paulo P. P.
Published: May 2021

The Committed Action Questionnaire (CAQ‐8) is an instrument developed to measure committed action, an adaptive psychological process. The main goal in the current study was to confirm the factorial structure of the Portuguese version of the CAQ‐8 in a transdiagnostic clinical sample of participants diagnosed with an eating disorder (ED). Participants were 102 female outpatients (Mage = 28.1, SD = 10.6; MBMI = 20.0, SD = 5.5) recruited from a clinical setting specialized in the treatment of ED. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to confirm the CAQ‐8's factorial structure. Both first‐ and second‐order models revealed adequate goodness‐of‐fit indices (e.g. χ2/df = 1.545, p = .06; SRMR = 0.049; RMSEA = 0.073; CFI/TLI > 0.95). A moderation model revealed that the conditional effect of weight, shape and eating concerns on experiential avoidance was significantly moderated by increased levels of committed action, F(3, 97) = 23.79, p < .001, accounting for 42% of the final variance. The present study supports the usefulness of the CAQ‐8 as a measure of levels of committed action with patients diagnosed with an ED.
Virtual reality in the treatment of eating disorders
Authors: Riva Giuseppe , Malighetti Clelia , Serino Silvia
Published: May 2021

Over the last 25 years, virtual reality (VR) has offered innovative solutions for targeting different key symptoms of eating disorders: from craving to negative emotions, from attentional biases to body dissatisfaction. The present narrative review assesses the existing literature in these areas trying to identify their different levels of clinical evidence. Specifically, the review presents four clinical approaches based upon VR and their implications in the treatment of eating disorders: VR cue exposure, VR reference frame shifting, VR for correcting body distortions and attentional biases. In general, existing findings demonstrate the clinical value of VR. On one side, the present review suggests that two VR‐based techniques—VR exposure and reference frame shifting—have a significant research support and provide a possible advantage over traditional cognitive‐behavioural therapy (CBT) for bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. On the other side, two emerging VR applications—multisensory body illusions and the use of VR for the modification of attentional biases—even if supported by preliminary data still need further research.
Shared disadvantage as a determinant of the relationship between White Americans’ socioeconomic status and racial/ethnic prejudice
Authors: Hines Bryon , Rios Kimberly
Published: May 2021

The present studies examined the conditions under which low subjective socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with greater racial/ethnic prejudice among White Americans. Using theories of intergroup threat and inclusive victim consciousness, we predicted that describing racial/ethnic minorities as disadvantaged (vs. as competitive or in neutral terms) would increase empathy and reduce prejudice among White Americans who consider themselves low in SES. Study 1 provided correlational evidence that White Americans who perceived themselves as low‐SES (but not high‐SES) were less prejudiced against racial/ethnic minorities the more they perceived minorities as disadvantaged. In Study 2, portraying the target outgroup (Arab immigrants) as disadvantaged increased outgroup empathy, and in turn reduced prejudice, among participants induced to think of themselves as low‐SES. Study 3 conceptually replicated these results using a different outgroup (Mexican Americans) and a behavioral measure of prejudice. Implications for reducing prejudice among White Americans of different socioeconomic backgrounds are discussed.
Three ways to solve partial differential equations with neural networks — A review
Authors: Blechschmidt Jan , Ernst Oliver G.
Published: May 2021

Neural networks are increasingly used to construct numerical solution methods for partial differential equations. In this expository review, we introduce and contrast three important recent approaches attractive in their simplicity and their suitability for high‐dimensional problems: physics‐informed neural networks, methods based on the Feynman–Kac formula and methods based on the solution of backward stochastic differential equations. The article is accompanied by a suite of expository software in the form of Jupyter notebooks in which each basic methodology is explained step by step, allowing for a quick assimilation and experimentation. An extensive bibliography summarizes the state of the art.
Formulation and Characterization of Formaldehyde‐Free Chemically Modified Bone‐Based Adhesive for Lignocellulosic Composite Products
Authors: Islam Md Nazrul , Liza Afroza Akter , Khatun Mst. Liza , Faruk Md Omar , Das Atanu Kumar , Dey Moutusi , Akanda Md Jahurul Haque
Published: May 2021

This study investigates the efficacy of chemically modified bone adhesive as a formaldehyde‐free binder for wood‐based industries. Two different types of adhesive are formulated after chemical modification of bone powder using sulfuric acid (0.5 m) and polyvinyl acetate (PVA). Gel time, solid content, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), viscosity, and single lap joint test for shear strength are analyzed in order to assess the adhesive properties. To analyze the efficacy of the formulated adhesive, particleboards are fabricated using boiled and unboiled sugarcane bagasse. The physical and mechanical properties of the fabricated panels are measured following ASTM standards. It is found that adhesive Type C (T‐C) has the shortest gel time of 4.2 min for the highest shear strength, i.e., 5.31 MPa. The particleboard (BTC‐2) fabricated using T‐C adhesive shows a highest density of 0.73 g cm−3, a modulus of elasticity (MOE) of 1975 N mm−2, and a modulus of rupture (MOR) of 11.80 N mm−2. The dimensional stability of the fabricated particleboards does not follow the standard requirements; however, further study might be helpful for using the chemically modified bone adhesive as a biobased adhesive.
The use of positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging in dementia: A literature review
Authors: Lorking Nicole , Murray Alison D. , O'Brien John T.
Published: May 2021

Objectives

Positron emission tomography–magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) is an emerging hybrid imaging system in clinical nuclear medicine. Research demonstrates a comparative utility to current unimodal and hybrid methods, including PET‐computed tomography (PET/CT), in several medical subspecialities such as neuroimaging. The aim of this review is to critically evaluate the literature from 2016 to 2021 using PET/MRI for the investigation of patients with mild cognitive impairment or dementia, and discuss the evidence base for widening its application into clinical practice.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search using the PubMed database was conducted to retrieve studies using PET/MRI in relation to the topics of mild cognitive impairment, dementia, or Alzheimer's disease between January 2016 and January 2021. This search strategy enabled studies on all dementia types to be included in the analysis. Studies were required to have a minimum of 10 human subjects and incorporate simultaneous PET/MRI.

Results

A total of 116 papers were retrieved, with 39 papers included in the final selection. These were broadly categorised into reviews (12), technical/methodological papers (11) and new data studies (16). For the current review, discussion focused on findings from the new data studies.

Conclusions

PET/MRI offers additional insight into the underlying anatomical, metabolic and functional changes associated with dementia when compared with unimodal methods and PET/CT, particularly relating to brain regions including the hippocampus and default mode network. Furthermore, the improved diagnostic utility of PET/MRI, as reported by radiologists, offers improved classification of dementia patients, with important implications for clinical management.
Race/ethnicity and underlying disease influences hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell mobilization response: A single center experience
Authors: Uzoka Chukwuemeka , Liu Li C. , Park Youngmin , Lin Yuankai , Patel Pritesh , Campbell‐Lee Sally , Sweiss Karen , Wang Xinhe , Tepak Elena , Peace David , Saraf Santosh , Rondelli Damiano , Mahmud Nadim
Published: May 2021

Background

Whether race/ethnicity plays a role in hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPC) mobilization in autologous donors has not been studied. We hypothesize that donor characteristic including race/ethnicity, age, sex, body mass index, and diagnostic groups influences HSPC mobilization. Diagnostic groups include healthy allogeneic donors, autologous multiple myeloma (MM) and non‐MM donors.

Study Design and Methods

Here, we conducted a single‐center retrospective study in 64 autologous patients and 48 allogeneic donors. Autologous donors were patients diagnosed with MM or non‐MM. All donors were grouped as African American (AA), White (W), or “Other”(O).

Results

Multivariate analysis demonstrated diagnostic group differences for CD34+ cell yields between race/ethnicity. Specifically, non‐MM patients had the lowest CD34+ cell yields in AA and O, but not in W. For pre‐apheresis peripheral blood (PB) CD34+ cell numbers, race/ethnicity had a significant effect both in bivariate and multivariate analyses. Non‐MM patients had the lowest, and AA patients had the highest PB CD34+ cells. The results support the view that past therapies used in MM are likely more conducive of recovery of HSPC.

Conclusions

Our study shows that race/ethnicity and diagnostic group differences influenced CD34+ cell mobilization response across donor types. Interestingly, autologous MM donors with the aid of plerixafor displayed comparable CD34 yields to allogeneic donors. Even though both MM and non‐MM donors received plerixafor, non‐MM donors had significantly lower CD34 yields among AA and O donors but not in W donors. Larger studies would be required to validate the role of diagnostic groups and race/ethnicity interactions.
Minimally invasive ultrasound‐guided vs open release for carpal tunnel syndrome in working population: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: de la Fuente Javier , Aramendi Jose F. , Ibañez Jose M. , Blasi Marc , Vazquez Alberto , Aurrekoetxea Juan J. , Dávila Fernando
Published: May 2021

Purpose

To compare the clinical effectiveness of minimally invasive ultrasound (US)‐guided vs open release for carpal tunnel syndrome.

Methods

In an open randomized controlled trial, 47 employed patients were allocated to US‐guided carpal tunnel release (USCTR) and 42 to an open carpal tunnel release (OCTR) procedure. The main outcome was symptom severity measured by the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTQ‐S). Secondary outcomes were hand functionality (BCTQ‐F), nerve conduction, two‐point discrimination, handgrip and pinch strength, pain (visual analog scale), work leave and complications. For BCTQ‐S and BCTQ‐F, minimal clinically important differences (MCID) were also considered. Follow‐up duration was 12 months.

Results

Mixed model analyses detected no significant differences between the two treatment arms in BCTQ‐S (P = .098) while BCTQ‐F scores were significantly better in the USCTR group (P = .007). This benefit was, however, not supported by the MCID data. Remaining variables were similar in the two groups except pain which was lower in USCTR at 3 months follow‐up. All variables but two‐point discrimination showed significant improvement after 3 months.

Conclusions

Our findings reveal similar symptom relief benefits following OCTR or USCTR in these patients. The patients in our USCTR group, however, reported better hand functional status and less pain.
Acalabrutinib in management of chronic lymphocytic leukemia: An Indian perspective
Authors: Sood Nitin , Varghese Abraham , Chakrabarty Joydeep , Chezhian Subhash , Sopory Pranav
Published: May 2021

The treatment landscape of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has witnessed immense changes in the past decade. Several newer target therapies and their combinations with anti‐CD 20 therapies have got approval for management of CLL in the treatment‐naïve and relapsed/refractory setting. Also, the availability of newer diagnostic techniques has helped differentiate the disease into high‐ and low‐risk CLL which acts not just as a prognostic marker but also helps decide the best drug management that can be administered to the patients. Targeted therapy has largely overtaken chemoimmunotherapy in the management of CLL, except for a small subset of the population (young and fit with IGHV mutation). However, with targeted therapy, there is also an issue of previously uncommon treatment‐emergent adverse events, the duration of therapy, and financial toxicity. The aim of this review article is to gather results from all landmark CLL trials and discuss the feasibility of incorporating Acalabrutinib in the CLL landscape from an Indian perspective.
Application of oil‐in‐water nanoemulsions based on grape and cinnamon essential oils for shelf‐life extension of chilled flathead mullet fillets
Authors: Ameur Abderrahmane , Bensid Abdelkader , Ozogul Fatih , Ucar Yilmaz , Durmus Mustafa , Kulawik Piotr , Boudjenah‐Haroun Saliha
Published: May 2021

BACKGROUND

The effect of nanoemulsions prepared with grape seed and cinnamon essential oils on the shelf‐life of flathead mullet (Mugil cephalus) fillets was evaluated by determining physicochemical (pH, free fatty acids, peroxide value, total volatile base nitrogen (TVB‐N), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs)), sensory and microbiological (mesophilic aerobic bacteria, total psychrophilic bacteria, and Enterobacteriaceae counts) properties during 14 day storage at 2 °C.

RESULTS

The nanoemulsions showed good stability and low average droplet size. The results indicated that nanoemulsion treatments significantly prolonged the shelf‐life of the fillets. Treatment inhibited increases in pH and TVB‐N, and retarded lipid oxidation and hydrolysis. Sensory assessment revealed that treatment induced shelf‐life extension from 10 to 14 days, compared with controls. Microbiological analyses showed nanoemulsion treatment caused shelf‐life extension from 10 to 12 days with reduction of microbiological contamination by up to 1 log cfu g−1 in mesophilic and 1.5 log cfu g−1 in psychrotrophic bacteria.

CONCLUSION

Considering the results, grape seed and cinnamon essential oil nanoemulsions could be considered as novel antimicrobial and antioxidant materials for shelf‐life extension of flathead mullet fillets during cold storage. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Investigation of in vivo three‐dimensional changes of the spinal canal after corrective surgeries of the idiopathic scoliosis
Authors: Han Chaofan , Hai Yong , Zhou Chaochao , Yin Peng , Guo Runsheng , Wang Haiming , Wang Wei , Cha Thomas , Li Guoan
Published: May 2021

Objective

To determine the three‐dimensional (3D) changes of the spinal canal length (SCL) after corrective surgeries and their association with the radiographic and clinical outcomes of idiopathic scoliosis patients. The length of the spinal cord has been demonstrated to be strongly correlated with the SCL. Understanding the changes in SCL could help determine the morphologic changes in the spinal cord to prevent spinal cord injury.

Methods

Twenty‐seven scoliotic patients' 3D spinal canal were investigated using computed tomography images. The SCL between the upper and lower end vertebrae (U/L‐EV) was measured at five locations. The radiographic parameters of each patient and the patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) scores were also collected. The correlations of the changes of the SCLs with the other factors were analyzed.

Results

The SCL between the U/L‐EV changed non‐uniformly at different locations. The post‐operative SCLs were significantly elongated by 7.5 ± 3.5 mm (6.0 ± 2.5%, P < .001) at the concave side and compressed by −2.6 ± 2.6 mm (−1.9 ± 1.9%, P < .001) at the convex side. The elongations of the SCL at the concave and posterior locations were correlated with the radiographic parameters including the pre‐operative main Cobb angles (r = .511, P = .006; r = .613, P = .001) and apical vertebral translation (AVT) (r = .481, P = .011; r = .684, P = .000). No PRO scores were found to correlate with the SCL changes.

Conclusion

The corrective surgeries elongated the spinal canal mainly at the concave side and compressed at the convex side. The main thoracic Cobb angle, the changes of AVT, and Cobb angles were moderately associated with the changes of the SCLs, but no PRO score was found to associate with the changes of the SCLs. The data could be instrumental for the improvement of corrective surgeries that are aimed to maximize the correction of scoliosis and minimize the negative effect on the spinal cord to prevent neurological complications.
Developmental Trauma Disorder: A Legacy of Attachment Trauma in Victimized Children
Authors: Spinazzola Joseph , van der Kolk Bessel , Ford Julian D.
Published: May 2021

Developmental trauma disorder (DTD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been found to have both shared and unique traumatic antecedents. The present study was an independent replication, with the DTD Structured Interview and the Traumatic Events Screening Instrument administered to 271 children in mental health treatment in six U.S. sites. On an unadjusted basis, DTD (27.3% prevalence, N = 74) and PTSD (40.2% prevalence, N = 109) both were associated with traumatic physical assault or abuse, family violence, emotional abuse, caregiver separation or impairment, and polyvictimization. After controlling for PTSD, DTD was associated emotional abuse, OR = 2.9, 95% CI [1.19, 6.95], and traumatic separation from a primary caregiver, OR = 2.2, 95% CI [1.04. 4.60], both of which also were associated with caregiver impairment, physical assault/abuse, and witnessing family/community violence. Three traumatic antecedents associated with PTSD were not associated with DTD: noninterpersonal trauma, sexual trauma, and traumatic loss. Children exposed to both traumatic victimization and attachment trauma (36.2%) or attachment trauma alone (32.5%) were more likely than children exposed only to victimization (17.5%) or those with no history of victimization or attachment trauma (8.1%) to meet the symptom criteria for DTD, χ²(3, N = 271) = 17.68, p < .001. Study findings replicate and extend prior DTD field trial study results, showing that, although PTSD and DTD share traumatic antecedents, DTD is uniquely associated with traumatic emotional abuse and caregiver separation. Further research is needed to examine how specific trauma types contribute to the risk, course, and severity of DTD.
Fractional weighted problems with a general nonlinearity or with concave‐convex nonlinearities
Authors: Appolloni Luigi , Mugnai Dimitri
Published: May 2021

We consider nonlocal problems in which the leading operator contains a sign‐changing weight which can be unbounded. We begin studying the existence and the properties of the first eigenvalue. Then we study a nonlinear problem in which the nonlinearity does not satisfy the usual Ambrosetti‐Rabinowitz condition. Finally, we study a problem with general concave‐convex nonlinearities.
Study on friction behavior of fabric–silicone rubber composites under dry/wet sliding environment
Authors: Han Ruijie , Shao Yuanrui , Quan Xudong , Niu Kangmin
Published: May 2021

The dry/wet environment's effects on the sliding friction properties of fabric–silicone rubber composites are studied, and the wear resistance of polyester fabric is evaluated. The yarn directions of the fabrics (inner and outer) have significant influence on the coefficient of friction (COF) of fabric–silicone rubber composites during sliding friction due to the difference in fabric texture and yarn modulus. The COF's variation laws of fabric–silicone rubber composites under different vertical loads and sliding rates are observed, respectively. Additionally, the outer fabric is more sensitive to the changes of vertical loads than those of the sliding rates under the wet environment, which can be attributed to the destruction of the fabric original structure by high load, resulting in the fabric fibers' pulling and breaking during the steel ball's sliding. This study provides new ideas for the design of fabric–silicone rubber composites applied in friction conditions and complex environments.
Vacuum Field Photonic Trap for Excitons
Authors: Gurioli Massimo
Published: May 2021

The spectral and spatial dependence of the resonant Lamb shift of an exciton inside a photonic vacuum field landscape is considered to predict an optical dipole potential generated via virtual photons quantum fluctuations. This trapping potential can be exploited for exciton self‐positioning in electric field hotspots at the nanoscale in view of quantum electrodynamics effects. By non Hermitian decomposition of the electromagnetic Green tensor in terms of quasi normal modes, the resonant part of the Lamb shift is expressed as Fano profile strictly interlinked to the Purcell enhancement of the exciton radiative lifetime. This approach explains how to tailor the depth of the vacuum photonic potential in several possible scenarios.
Prediction‐driven pooled testing methods: Application to HIV treatment monitoring in Rakai, Uganda
Authors: Brand Adam , May Susanne , Hughes James P. , Nakigozi Gertrude , Reynolds Steven J. , Gabriel Erin E.
Published: May 2021

Chronic medical conditions often necessitate regular testing for proper treatment. Regular testing of all afflicted individuals may not be feasible due to limited resources, as is true with HIV monitoring in resource‐limited settings. Pooled testing methods have been developed in order to allow regular testing for all while reducing resource burden. However, the most commonly used methods do not make use of covariate information predictive of treatment failure, which could improve performance. We propose and evaluate four prediction‐driven pooled testing methods that incorporate covariate information to improve pooled testing performance. We then compare these methods in the HIV treatment management setting to current methods with respect to testing efficiency, sensitivity, and number of testing rounds using simulated data and data collected in Rakai, Uganda. Results show that the prediction‐driven methods increase efficiency by up to 20% compared with current methods while maintaining equivalent sensitivity and reducing number of testing rounds by up to 70%. When predictions were incorrect, the performance of prediction‐based matrix methods remained robust. The best performing method using our motivating data from Rakai was a prediction‐driven hybrid method, maintaining sensitivity over 96% and efficiency over 75% in likely scenarios. If these methods perform similarly in the field, they may contribute to improving mortality and reducing transmission in resource‐limited settings. Although we evaluate our proposed pooling methods in the HIV treatment setting, they can be applied to any setting that necessitates testing of a quantitative biomarker for a threshold‐based decision.
Chiral Photonic Liquid Crystal Films Derived from Cellulose Nanocrystals
Authors: Duan Chengliang , Cheng Zheng , Wang Bin , Zeng Jinsong , Xu Jun , Li Jinpeng , Gao Wenhua , Chen Kefu
Published: May 2021

As a nanoscale renewable resource derived from lignocellulosic materials, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) have the features of high purity, high crystallinity, high aspect ratio, high Young's modulus, and large specific surface area. The most interesting trait is that they can form the entire films with bright structural colors through the evaporation‐induced self‐assembly (EISA) process under certain conditions. Structural color originates from micro‐nano structure of CNCs matrixes via the interaction of nanoparticles with light, rather than the absorption and reflection of light from the pigment. CNCs are the new generation of photonic liquid crystal materials of choice due to their simple and convenient preparation processes, environmentally friendly fabrication approaches, and intrinsic chiral nematic structure. Therefore, understanding the forming mechanism of CNCs in nanoarchitectonics is crucial to multiple fields of physics, chemistry, materials science, and engineering application. Herein, a timely summary of the chiral photonic liquid crystal films derived from CNCs is systematically presented. The relationship of CNC, structural color, chiral nematic structure, film performance, and applications of chiral photonic liquid crystal films is discussed. The review article also summarizes the most recent achievements in the field of CNCs‐based photonic functional materials along with the faced challenges.
An Earth‐Abundant Ni‐Based Single‐Atom Catalyst for Selective Photodegradation of Pollutants
Authors: Vilé Gianvito , Sharma Priti , Nachtegaal Maarten , Tollini Flavio , Moscatelli Davide , Sroka-Bartnicka Anna , Tomanec Ondrej , Petr Martin , Filip Jan , Pieta Izabela S. , Zbořil Radek , Gawande Manoj B.
Published: May 2021

Highly efficient catalytic technologies are urgently needed to remove pharmaceutical pollutants from water. In this work, the preparation, characterization, and photocatalytic performance of an earth‐abundant Ni‐based heterogeneous catalyst featuring highly dispersed Ni species over nanosheets of carbon nitride are reported. The absence of any metallic nickel phase has been confirmed by spectrometric analyses, unveiling the NiN environment for the metal centers and attaining synergistic interfacial carrier transfer via NNiN coordination. By combining advanced characterizations with kinetic investigations, it is demonstrated that these newly formed isolated single atoms of Ni act as a bridge, facilitating faster electron transfer, increasing the charge density on Ni, and reducing the photocarrier transfer barrier. Compared to literature precedents, this substantially enhances the degradation of gemfibrozil, a model pharmaceutical pollutant found in wastewater, reducing the formation of toxic benzenic byproducts during photooxidation. This effect, which is not observed over conventional nanoparticle‐based materials, discriminates the role of single‐atom and nanoparticle‐based catalysis during degradation of pollutants. This work opens new avenues in designing selective and earth‐abundant photocatalysts for advanced oxidation processes, showing the importance of atom coordination to control the surface and catalytic properties of single‐atom materials.
Edible Films Incorporating with Lactobacillus plantarum Based on Sourdough, Wheat Flour, and Gelatin: Films Characterization and Cell Viability During Storage and Simulated Gastrointestinal Condition
Authors: Kalantarmahdavi Mahboubeh , Khanzadi Saeid , Salari Amir
Published: May 2021

Incorporating probiotic bacteria with different biopolymers as edible films is an effective approach to improve their viability. In this study, three different films (wheat sourdough powder, whole wheat flour, and bovine bone gelatin) are incorporated with Lactobacillus plantarum separately and the viability of bacteria is monitored during the storage time (40 days at 4 °C) and simulated gastrointestinal conditions. The results demonstrated that the sourdough film has the best protective effect on the viability of the cells during the film's preparation, storage time (6.5 Log/CFU/g), and simulated gastrointestinal conditions (7.13 Log/CFU/g). A higher rate of reduction is observed in gelatin film at the end of the storage time (4.03 Log/CFU/g). Physicochemical, and mechanical characteristics are examined. It is observed that the incorporation of bacteria does not affect the thickness, moisture content, and solubility of all films, but changed the mechanical properties of the sourdough and the wheat flour films (p ≤ 0.05). Scanning Electron Microscope images showed a more uniform and compact structure for both bacterial and control gelatin films. Although the sourdough film is appropriate for protecting probiotic bacteria (>106 CFU/g), further studies are needed to improve its mechanical properties.
Inhibition of the notch signaling pathway overcomes resistance of cervical cancer cells to paclitaxel through retardation of the epithelial–mesenchymal transition process
Authors: Sun Tianzhu , Zhang Dengyang , Wang Zehao , Zhao Bingyu , Li Yaping , Sun Xiuli , Liu Jia , Wang Xuanjun , Sheng Jun
Published: May 2021

Use of paclitaxel as monotherapy or in combination with other therapeutic agents is a widely employed front‐line chemotherapeutic strategy for cervical cancer. However, previous reports have shown that approximately 70% of the patients with cervical cancer develop resistance to paclitaxel. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) contributes to the occurrence of chemoresistance in several types of cancer, including cervical cancer. Identification of the critical signaling pathway that regulates the EMT process may provide a novel strategy for avoiding or delaying the emergence of paclitaxel resistance during the treatment of cervical cancer. Herein, we established a paclitaxel‐resistant cervical cancer cell line (HeLa‐229PTR cells) by culturing parental HeLa‐229 cells with increasing concentrations of paclitaxel. We observed elevated expression of Notch1 in HeLa‐229PTR cells compared with their parental HeLa‐229 cells, indicating its potential involvement in the EMT phenotype of the paclitaxel‐resistant cells. Furthermore, silencing of the NOTCH1 gene, as well as treatment with a γ‐secretase inhibitor (DAPT) partially reversed the EMT phenotype and significantly enhanced the sensitivity of HeLa‐229PTR cells to paclitaxel. Moreover, we found that DAPT could significantly inhibit invasiveness, reduce colony formation activity, and promote apoptosis of HeLa‐229PTR cells. Taken together, these results indicated that HeLa‐229PTR cells develop the EMT phenotype partly through activation of Notch1 signaling. Thus, inhibition of Notch1 signaling can be a strategy for the reversal of the EMT phenotype and may increase the sensitivity of cervical cancer cells to treatment with paclitaxel.
Operationalizing the Role of Context in Language Variation: The Role of Perspective Alignment in the Spanish Imperfective Domain
Authors: Fuchs Martín , Piñango María Mercedes , Deo Ashwini
Published: May 2021

We present a cognitively grounded analysis of the pattern of variation that underlies the ​use of two aspectual markers in Spanish (the Simple-Present marker,Ana baila‘Ana dances’, and the Present-Progressive marker,Ana está bailando‘Ana is dancing’) when they express anevent-in-progressreading. This analysis is centered around one fundamental communicative goal, which we term perspectivealignment: the bringing of the hearer’s perspective closer to that of the speaker.Perspective alignmentoptimizes the tension between two nonlinguistic constraints: Theory of Mind, which gives rise tolinguisticexpressivity, and Common Ground, which gives rise tolinguisticeconomy. We propose that, linguistically,perspectivealignment capitalizes on lexicalized meanings, such as theprogressivemeaning, that can bring the hearer to the “here and now”. In Spanish,progressivemeaning can be conveyed with the Present-Progressive marker regardless of context. By contrast, if the Simple-Present marker is used for that purpose, it must be in a context of shared perceptual access between speaker and hearer; precisely, a condition that establishes perspectivealignmentnon-linguistically. Support for this analysis comes from a previously observed yet unexplained pattern of contextually-determined variation for the use of the Simple-Present marker in Iberian and Rioplatense (vs. Mexican) Spanish—in contrast to the preference across all three varieties for the use of the Present-Progressive marker—to express anevent-in-progressreading.
A Frame-Based Analysis of Verbal Particles in Hungarian
Authors: Balogh Kata , Osswald Rainer
Published: May 2021

The verbal particle in Hungarian raises a number of intriguing issues for any theory of the syntax-semantics interface. In this article, we aim at a formal account of the semantic contribution of various verbal particles in Hungarian and we show how the semantic representation of the clause can be compositionally derived. We will concentrate on the four frequent particles meg-, le-, el- and fel-. Our approach makes use of a formalized version of Role and Reference Grammar and the framework of decompositional frame semantics. In particular, we give a formal representation of the boundary-setting function of the verbal particle in terms of decompositional frames which builds on a scalar change analysis. We furthermore analyze the interaction of the particle with resultative adjectives and provide a formal model of how their syntactic representations drive their frame-semantic composition.
Cascades. Goldman’s Level-Generation, Multilevel Categorization of Action, and Multilevel Verb Semantics
Authors: Löbner Sebastian
Published: May 2021

The paper proposes a novel theory of the categorization of acts and applies it to the semantics of action verbs, with fundamental consequences for semantic theory and beyond. The theory is based on Goldman’s (Theory of human action. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, 1970) multilevel theory of action which is taken here as a theory of categorization. Goldman’s central notion islevel-generation: acts of a type may under circumstances generate acts of other, more abstract types. The acts form a hierarchical structure which Goldman calls anact-tree. Level-generation results in a conceptual relation calledc-constitutionhere, i.e. constitution under the given circumstances; I also introduce the more general termcascadefor act-trees. In the second part, multilevel cascade-structure categorization is combined with a cognitive semantics that models meanings with Barsalou frames. A multilevel analysis of the concept of writing is discussed in depth and detail in order to illustrate the potential and the consequences of a cascade approach to verb semantics. It is shown that the concept of c-constitution can be generalized as to cover the roles of persons and objects across levels in a cascade. The generalization suggests that multilevel categorization may be a very general and fundamental phenomenon in the psychology of categorization.
Extremes are Typical. A Game Theoretical Derivation
Authors: van Rooij Robert , Brochhagen Thomas
Published: May 2021

In this paper we argue that a typical member of a class, or category, is an extreme, rather than a central, member of this category. Making use of a formal notion of representativeness, we can say that a typical member of a category is a stereotype of this category. In the second part of the paper we show that this account of typicality can be given a rational motivation by providing a game-theoretical derivation.
Grading Similarity
Authors: Umbach Carla , Gust Helmar
Published: May 2021

There are numerous words across languages expressing similarity or indistinguishability. In this paper, three types of similarity expressions in German and English are compared—ähnlich/similar,so/such, andgleich/same. They differ in a number of respects, one of them being gradability: Whileähnlich/similarare gradable,so/suchas well asgleich/sameare not. The analysis in this paper starts from the analysis of Germansoas a demonstrative expressing similarity (instead of identity) to its demonstration target (Umbach and Gust 2014). It is suggested that the meaning of the three types of similarity expressions is based on a common similarity relation, while differences in meaning are provided by constraints referring to the selection of dimensions of comparison and preconditions of usage. The focus of the paper is on gradability and on the question of what it means for a pair of items to be more similar than another pair. An analysis in the spirit of Klein (1980) is presented accounting for the fact thatähnlich/similarare gradable while neitherso/suchnorgleich/sameare. The formal framework makes use of representations based on attribute spaces and classifiers, where representations may be of different granularity.
Influence of Manner Adverbs on Action Verb Processing
Authors: Sieksmeyer Jan , Klepp Anne , Niccolai Valentina , Metzlaff Jacqueline , Schnitzler Alfons , Biermann-Ruben Katja
Published: May 2021

Language-motor interaction is suggested by the involvement of motor areas in action-related language processing. In a double-dissociation paradigm we aimed to investigate motor cortical involvement in the processing of hand- and foot-related action verbs combined with manner adverbs. In two experiments using different tasks, subjects were instructed to respond with their hand or foot following the presentation of an adverb-verb combination. Experiment 1, which prompted reactions via color changes of the stimuli combined with a semantic decision, showed an influence of manner adverbs on response times. This was visible in faster responses following intensifying adverbs compared with attenuating adverbs. Additionally, an interaction between implied verb effector and response effector manifested in faster response times for matching verb-response conditions. Experiment 2, which prompted reactions directly by the adverb type (intensifying vs. attenuating), revealed an interaction between manner adverbs and response effector with faster hand responses following intensifying compared with attenuating adverbs. Additional electroencephalography (EEG) recordings in Experiment 2 revealed reduced beta-desynchronization for congruent verb-response conditions in the case of foot responses along with faster response times. Yet, a direct modulation of verb-motor priming by adverbs was not found. Taken together, our results indicate an influence of manner adverbs on the interplay of language processing and motor behavior. Results are discussed with respect to embodied cognition theories.
Implicatures and Naturalness
Authors: Douven Igor
Published: May 2021

Pragmatics postulates a rich typology of implicatures to explain how true assertions can nevertheless be misleading. This typology has been mainly defended on the basis of a priori considerations. We consider the question of whether the typology corresponds to an independent reality, specifically whether the various types of implicatures constitute natural concepts. To answer this question, we rely on the conceptual spaces framework, which represents concepts geometrically, and which provides a formally precise criterion for naturalness. Using data from a previous study, a space for the representation of implicatures is constructed. Examination of the properties of various types of implicatures as represented in that space then gives some reason to believe that most or even all types of implicatures do correspond to natural concepts.
Simulation and R&D: Knowing and Making
Authors: Gowanlock Jordan
Published: May 2021

This chapter of Animating Unpredictable Effects charts the development of the software tools used to create uncanny simulation-based digital animations, drawing a genealogy that starts with nineteenth century mathematics, which were transformed into management and prediction tools by private and military R&D between the 1940s and 1980s. Through this, the chapter identifies a connection between these animation tools and simulation tools used in fields as diverse as meteorology, nuclear physics, and aeronautics that create unpredictability through stochastic or dynamic simulation. Using this information, the chapter offers a theoretical framework for understanding how fictional simulations in animation and visual effects make meaning through “knowing how” as opposed to cinema’s tradition approach of “knowing that,” leveraging concepts from the history of science.
Engineering Moving Images: “Tech Dev” Meets “Look Dev”
Authors: Gowanlock Jordan
Published: May 2021

This chapter investigates the way engineering principles have transformed cinematic visual effects and animation production since the 1980s, noting the growing influence of “agile” software development. Film industry training manuals, trade press articles, and interviews with workers show that the flexible, reprogrammable nature of production “workflows” requires constant work to maintain the technical connective tissue of “pipelines.” This emphasis on making and re-making custom tools for every production serves post-Fordist demands of flexibility. Automated simulation-based forms of animation offer a paradigmatic case for these trends, where a spectrum of technical work spans basic research done by lead scientists, through to the scripts written and plug-ins installed by simulation artists.