bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alternating treatments designs: Interpretation challenges and design solutions for validating and comparing interventions
Authors: Skinner Christopher H. , McClurg Virginia , Crewdson Margaret , Coleman Mari Beth , Bennett Jade , Fowler Kristen , Killion J. Brooke
Published: December 2021

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate and describe why alternating treatments design (ATD) researchers should consider employing a no‐treatment series during the alternating treatments phase. To identify limitations associated with excluding this design element, we obtained examples of ATD studies published in five school psychology journals published over 10 years. Next we read, scored, and analyzed these articles with our primary focus being authors' isolated and comparative effectiveness conclusions. After taking into account authors' relative effectiveness conclusions, we describe why some isolated treatment effectiveness conclusions may not be warranted because threats to internal validity were not controlled. Also, we describe how including a no‐treatment series during the alternating treatments phase can address these limitations by allowing researchers to assess and possibly rule out many threats to internal validity. Discussion focuses on how including this design element may increase the number of studies validating specific interventions, yield better relative effectiveness conclusions, and prevent researchers and consumers of research from concluding that an intervention was effective when observed changes were caused by uncontrolled threats to internal validity.
The relationships between oral reading fluency, sustained attention, working memory, and text comprehension in the third‐grade students
Authors: Kocaarslan Mustafa
Published: December 2021

The aim of this study was to illuminate the relationships between the three components of oral reading fluency, sustained attention, working memory, and text comprehension in typically developing third‐grade students (N = 140). The findings of hierarchical regression analysis reveal that speed, accuracy, and prosody together significantly explained the variance in text comprehension after taking sustained attention and working memory into account. In the final model, in which all variables were included, only prosody uniquely contributed to text comprehension. The subsequent mediation analyses revealed that prosody had a full mediating role in the relationship between working memory and text comprehension. This finding suggests that via retention of phonological information in the working memory, prosody contributes to the comprehension of the text.
Urinary microRNAs can predict response to abiraterone acetate in castration resistant prostate cancer: A pilot study
Authors: Snipaitiene Kristina , Bakavicius Arnas , Lazutka Juozas R. , Ulys Albertas , Jankevicius Feliksas , Jarmalaite Sonata
Published: December 2021

Background

Despite novel agents have been introduced to treat castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) during the last decade, up to one‐third of CRPC patients face primary resistance to new generation compounds. Therefore, sensitive molecular tools are urgently needed for reliable treatment selection and response prediction. This study aimed to evaluate urinary miRNAs and blood circulating androgen receptor (AR) transcript level as a tool for noninvasive outcome prediction for CRPC patients undergoing abiraterone acetate (AA) therapy.

Methods

Prostate cancer‐specific miR‐148a, ‐365, ‐375, and ‐429 were analyzed in 129 urine samples collected from 100 CRPC patients before and during AA therapy via quantitative reverse transcription PCR. To test the prognostic value, urinary miRNA levels alone, as well as combined with AR level were associated with progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

Results

Level of urinary miR‐375 was the highest in CRPC in comparison to noncancerous controls, as well as in combination with miR‐429 was predictive for short PFS in AA‐treated patients (HR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.1–4.2, p = 0.023). Especially high prognostic power of all analyzed miRNAs was observed in CRPC cases with high blood AR levels. For PFS prediction a tandem of miR‐429 and high AR reached HR of 5.0 (95% CI: 2.2–11.8, p < 0.001), while for prediction of OS the best combination was demonstrated by miR‐148a and AR with HR of 3.1 (95% CI: 1.4–7.1, p = 0.006).

Conclusions

Urinary miRNAs could be used as prognostic biomarkers for CRPC patients to predict response to AA therapy, especially for the cases with high blood AR levels.
Impact of mpMRI targeted biopsy on intraoperative nerve‐sparing (NeuroSAFE) during robot‐assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy
Authors: Leitsmann Conrad , Uhlig Annemarie , Bremmer Felix , Mut Tuna Till , Ahyai Sascha , Reichert Mathias , Leitsmann Marianne , Trojan Lutz , Popeneciu Ionel‐Valentin
Published: December 2021

Background

The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of prostate biopsy technique (transrectal ultrasound (US)—prostate biopsy (PBx) versus multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) targeted prostate biopsy (MRI‐PBx) on intraoperative nerve‐sparing and the rate of secondary neurovascular‐bundle resection (SNR) in patients undergoing robot‐assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RARP). A real‐time investigation with a frozen‐section examination (NeuroSAFE) microscopically excluded or confirmed prostate cancer invasion of the nerve structures resulting in preservation of the neurovascular bundle or SNR. Additionally, we analyzed risk factors related to SNR, such as longer operation time and postoperative complications.

Methods

The total study cohort was stratified according to non‐nerve‐sparing versus nerve‐sparing RARP. Patients with nerve‐sparing approach were then stratified according to biopsy technique (PBx vs. MRI‐PBx). Further, we compared PBx versus MRI‐PBx according to SNR rate.

Results

We included a total of 470 consecutive patients, who underwent RARP for PCa at our institution between January 2016 and December 2019. Patients with a preoperative MRI‐PBx had a 2.12‐fold higher chance of successful nerve‐sparing (without SNR) compared to patients with PBx (p < 0.01). Patients with preoperative MRI‐PBx required 73% less intraoperative SNR compared to patients with PBx (p < 0.0001). Prior MRI‐PBx is thus a predictor for successful nerve‐sparing RARP approach.

Conclusion

Preoperative MRI‐PBx led to better oncological outcomes and less SNR. Young patients with good erectile function could benefit from a preoperative MRI‐PBx before nerve‐sparing RARP.
Optimization of the Double Electron–Electron Resonance for C‐Centers in Diamond
Authors: Rubinas Olga R. , Soshenko Vladimir V. , Bolshedvorskii Stepan V. , Cojocaru Ivan S. , Vorobyov Vadim V. , Sorokin Vadim N. , Vins Victor G. , Yeliseev Alexander P. , Smolyaninov Andrey N. , Akimov Alexey V.
Published: December 2021

Nitrogen‐vacancy (NV) centers in diamond recommend themselves as good sensors of environmental fields as well as detectors of diamond impurities. In particular, C‐centers, often also called ‐centers, can be detected via double electron–electron resonance. This resonance can be used to measure the C‐center concentration. Herein, the concentration of C‐centers in several diamond plates is measured and the influence of the free precession time of the NV‐center on the observed contrast in the measured double electron–electron resonance spectrum is investigated. The dependence of the resonance amplitudes and widths on the concentration of C‐centers as well as the length of the combined C‐center driving and NV‐center π‐pulse is also discussed. The optimal contrast‐free precession time is determined for each C‐center concentration, showing a strong correlation with both the concentration of C‐centers and the NV‐center time.
Idiopathic dendriform pulmonary ossification diagnosed by bronchoscopic lung cryobiopsy: A case report
Authors: Sekimoto Yasuhito , Nagata Yuichi , Kato Motoyasu , Arai Yuta , Fujimoto Yuichi , Takagi Haruhi , Shukuya Takehiko , Hayashi Takuo , Nagaoka Tetsutaro , Yoshioka Yasuko , Takahashi Kazuhisa
Published: December 2021

Dendriform pulmonary ossification (DPO) is a rare condition characterized by heterotopic bone production of unknown origin within the pulmonary tissue. Many cases are asymptomatic with slow progression and are often diagnosed incidentally during autopsy. Thus, only few cases are diagnosed while the patient is still alive since surgical lung biopsy is often needed for pathological diagnosis. This is the case of a 37‐year‐old man treated at our hospital due to abnormal findings on chest x‐ray without any symptoms. His high‐resolution computed tomography revealed diffuse reticular shadows and micronodules, consistent with calcification. He underwent transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) and was diagnosed with idiopathic DPO based on pathological findings. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of DPO diagnosed using TBLC. TBLC can be a useful yet minimally invasive diagnostic tool to diagnose DPO and other interstitial lung diseases.
Marker‐free registration for intraoperative navigation using the transverse palatal rugae
Authors: Thiem Daniel G. E. , Seifert Lukas , Graef Julian , Al‐Nawas Bilal , Gielisch Matthias , Kämmerer Peer W.
Published: December 2021

Background

Registration is most important in navigation‐assisted‐surgery including the matching between the coordinates of the actual patient space and the medical image. Marker‐based techniques mostly include marker application with subsequent radiography. In the edentulous patient, maker‐free methods are generally less accurate and reproducible.

This new method of a marker‐free registration uses the transverse palatal rugae as registration structures.

Methods

(1) Segmentation of bone and hard palatal mucosa from initial 3D imaging (DICOM), (2) Maxillary intraoral‐scan with transfer to the 3D imaging using an Iterative‐Closest‐Point‐Algorithm (ICP), (3) Marking digital registration points with holes within IOS‐stl, (4) Transformation of the spatially aligned IOS‐stl to LabelMap and storage in DICOM (IOS‐DICOM), (5) Alignment of DICOM and IOS‐DICOM, (6) Controlled positioning of digital reg. points and clinical correlation.

Results

Fiducial localization error (0.48 mm) and Target registration error (0.65 mm) is comparable to those of tooth‐supported registration methods.

Conclusion

This approach of marker‐free registration for navigation‐assisted‐surgery could improve the treatment in edentulous patients avoiding additional imaging and invasive marker insertion.
A tutorial on generative adversarial networks with application to classification of imbalanced data
Authors: Huang Yuxiao , Fields Kara G. , Ma Yan
Published: December 2021

A challenge unique to classification model development is imbalanced data. In a binary classification problem, class imbalance occurs when one class, the minority group, contains significantly fewer samples than the other class, the majority group. In imbalanced data, the minority class is often the class of interest (e.g., patients with disease). However, when training a classifier on imbalanced data, the model will exhibit bias towards the majority class and, in extreme cases, may ignore the minority class completely. A common strategy for addressing class imbalance is data augmentation. However, traditional data augmentation methods are associated with overfitting, where the model is fit to the noise in the data. In this tutorial we introduce an advanced method for data augmentation: generative adversarial networks (GANs). The advantages of GANs over traditional data augmentation methods are illustrated using the Breast Cancer Wisconsin study. To promote the adoption of GANs for data augmentation, we present an end‐to‐end pipeline that encompasses the complete life cycle of a machine learning project along with alternatives and good practices both in the paper and in a separate video. Our code, data, full results and video tutorial are publicly available in the paper's GitHub repository (https://github.com/yuxiaohuang/research/tree/master/gwu/accepted/sam_2021).
RIFLING: A reinforcement learning‐based GPU scheduler for deep learning research and development platforms
Authors: Chen Zhaoyun
Published: December 2021

GPU platforms have been widely adopted in both academia and industry to support deep learning (DL) research and development (R&D). Compared with giant companies who favor custom‐designed AI platforms, most small‐and‐medium‐sized enterprises, institutes and universities (EIUs) prefer to build or rent a cost‐effective GPU cluster, usually in a limited‐scale, to process diverse DL R&D workloads. Therefore, more attention has been attracted by DL scheduling with the aim of improving the system efficiency and task performance. However, prior prediction‐based schedulers are limited in terms of their prediction accuracy and profiling overhead. Accordingly, in this article, we propose a reinforcement learning (RL)‐based online GPU scheduler,RIFLING, to model the scheduling problem as an online decision‐making process. Scheduling decisions are made according to Q‐learning, which is a typical RL method.RIFLINGcan achieve high scheduling efficiency based on the online exploring and exploiting of diverse scheduling strategies for various DL workloads, without the need for expensive offline profiling or sophisticated prediction model. We implementRIFLINGas a plugin of Tensorflow, and deploy it on a distributed GPU cluster. Experiments demonstrate thatRIFLINGachieves up to 47.8% reductions and 19.6% improvements in makespan and average normalized processing rate respectively compared to the best available baseline without any manual intervention.
Manipulating the film morphology evolution toward green solvent‐processed perovskite solar cells
Authors: Shan Shiqi , Li Yaokai , Wu Haotian , Chen Tianyi , Niu Benfang , Zhang Yingzhu , Wang Di , Kan Chenxia , Yu Xuegong , Zuo Lijian , Chen Hongzheng
Published: December 2021

High‐performance perovskite solar cells (PVSCs) with low energy consumption and green processing are highly desired, but constrained by the difficulty in morphology control and the poor understanding on morphology evolution mechanisms. To address this issue, here we studied the effect of antisolvents on the perovskite film formation. We found that both the antisolvents and the perovskite composition affect the perovskite film morphology greatly via influencing the intermediate phase, and different perovskite compositions require different antisolvents to reach the optimal morphology. This provides the opportunity to achieve high‐performance PVSCs with green antisolvent, that is, isopropanol (iPA) by changing the perovskite compositions, and leads to a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 21.50% for PVSCs based on MA0.6FA0.4PbI3. Further, we fabricated “fully green” PVSCs with all layers prepared by green solvents, and the optimal PCE can reach 19%, which represents the highest among PVSCs with full‐green processing. This work provides insight into the perovskite morphology evolution and paves the way toward “green” processing PVSCs.
Analysis of a New Tripled Boost High Voltage Gain DC/DC Converter With Continuous Input Current
Authors: Ahmad Javed , Lin Chang‐Hua , Lu Shiue‐Der , Kao Tzu‐Hsien , Liu Hwa‐Dong
Published: December 2021

In this paper, a new dc to dc boost converter with triple voltage gain and single switch is proposed for low power high voltage applications, analyzed for both ideal and non‐ideal conditions, and compared with the existing topologies. The converter belongs to the family of single‐stage high‐gain non‐isolated dc to dc converter. The design of the inductor, capacitors and the power losses in the circuit are discussed in detail, the output voltage gain of the proposed converter is compared with the output voltage gain of the other recent topologies of high‐gain DC/DC converters. To verify the theoretical results, a laboratory hardware prototype is developed and tested. © 2021 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Investigating cognition in midlife
Authors: Novotný Jan S. , Gonzalez‐Rivas Juan P. , Medina‐Inojosa Jose R. , Lopez‐Jimenez Francisco , Geda Yonas E. , Stokin Gorazd B.
Published: December 2021

We here posit that measurements of midlife cognition can be instructive in understanding cognitive disorders. Even though molecular events signal possible onset of cognitive disorders decades prior to their clinical diagnoses, cognition and its possible early changes in midlife remain poorly understood. We characterize midlife cognition in a cognitively healthy population‐based sample using the Cogstate Brief Battery and test for associations with cardiovascular, adiposity‐related, lifestyle‐associated, and psychosocial variables. Learning and working memory showed significant variability and vulnerability to psychosocial influences in midlife. Furthermore, midlife aging significantly and progressively increased prevalence of suboptimal cognitive performance. Our findings suggest that physiological changes in cognition, measured with simple tests suitable for use in everyday clinical setting, may signal already in midlife the first clinical manifestations of the presymptomatic biologically defined cognitive disorders. This pilot study calls for longitudinal studies investigating midlife cognition to identify clinical correlates of biologically defined cognitive disorders.
Novel method for sub‐grouping of genotype II African swine fever viruses based on the intergenic region between the A179L and A137R genes
Authors: Tran Ha Thi Thanh , Truong Anh Duc , Dang Anh Kieu , Ly Duc Viet , Chu Nhu Thi , Van Hoang Tuan , Nguyen Huyen Thi , Netherton Christopher L , Dang Hoang Vu
Published: December 2021

Background

African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious and deadly viral disease affecting domestic and wild pigs of all ages. African swine fever virus (ASFV) has spread rapidly through Eastern and Southeastern Asia first appearing in Vietnam in 2019.

Objectives

Molecular typing of African swine fever virus (ASFV) in Vietnam has identified two principal variants circulating based on the sequencing of the intergenic region (IRG) between the I73R and I329L genes. Identification of additional genetic markers would enable higher resolution tracing of outbreaks within the country.

Methods

Sequence analysis suggested the IRG between the A179L and A137R genes may also exhibit variability, PCR primers were designed and samples from Vietnam were subject to Sanger sequencing.

Results

We developed a novel method for sub‐grouping of ASFV based on the IRG between the A179L and A137R genes of ASFV. Our results demonstrated that the finding of the insertion or deletion of an 11‐ nucleotide sequence (GATACAATTGT) between the A179L‐A137R genes.

Conclusions

The sub‐grouping method may provide useful insights into the evolution of genotype II ASFV as well as providing evidence of a relationship between geographically separated outbreaks.
Influence of water level management on vegetation and bird use of restored wetlands in the Montezuma Wetlands Complex
Authors: Farley Edward B. , Schummer Michael L. , Leopold Donald J. , Coluccy John M. , Tozer Douglas C.
Published: December 2021

Active water management of wetlands promotes seed and tuber production to feed migrating waterfowl, but few assessments exist to determine how management actions influence wetland structure, vegetation and bird response throughout the year. We identified effects of full water drawdown, partial water drawdown and passive wetlands (no active dewatering during the growing season) on plant communities and bird abundance in wetlands of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex, New York, May–October 2016–2018 and February–April 2017–2019. We detected few differences in the plant community during June, but during September we detected greater vegetative forage quality index for waterfowl, annual plant cover and seed density in full and partial drawdowns than passive wetlands. Bird abundance was greater in June–July in passive wetlands and greater in September–October in full drawdowns. During spring migration, duck densities were greater in full and partial drawdowns. Our results indicate that wetland managers should use a mix of full drawdowns and passive wetlands to provide habitat for the greatest diversity and number of birds throughout the year.
The Limits of Management by Objectives
Authors: Cardona Pablo , Rey Carlos
Published: December 2021

Many companies today experience a critical strategic contradiction. Their corporate purpose and values have evolved into what could be described as a humanistic vision while, at the same time, their management systems, mostly built around management by objectives (MBO), are designed to maximize shareholder value. Everything—customer service, talent development, even their philanthropy—is a means to increase profit. The problem is not about the objectives themselves, but rather their widespread misuse through the MBO system. Judging by the results of four decades of research, MBO has not been able to bring employees’ full potential into play. In this chapter, we analyze the limits of management by objectives and their consequences at organizational and personal levels.
The Values of a Balanced Culture
Authors: Cardona Pablo , Rey Carlos
Published: December 2021

Organizational values, as the criteria that guide decision-making, play a central role in the implementation of management by missions (MBM). Most social organizations today develop a set of values. These sets of values are normally treated as fixed and even as untouchable. However, over time, some values change and evolve both in the organizational environment and within the organizations themselves. Some values may fall into the background, while others should come to the forefront. As a result, leaders need to adapt to these changes and create corporate cultures that best align with their corporate purpose over time. In this chapter, we propose a framework to help organizations create balanced sets of values in four categories: business, relational, development and contribution values.
Zur Bedeutung von Sprache im Fachunterricht
Authors: Wey Santina
Published: December 2021

Nachfolgend werden basierend auf einer begrifflichen Abgrenzung von Alltags-, Bildungs- und Fachsprache die verschiedenen Rollen von Sprache im Geographieunterricht diskutiert. Dieses Kapitel soll offenlegen, warum sprachsensibler Geographieunterricht eine sinnvolle und notwendige Ausrichtung des Geographieunterrichts ist. Mit diesem Wissen werden anschließend verschiedene Studien zum Zusammenhang von Sprache und Fachkompetenz sowie relevante Interventionsstudien aus weiteren Fächern vorgestellt.
Forschungsfrage und -hypothesen
Authors: Wey Santina
Published: December 2021

Nachfolgend werden die Forschungsfragen und -hypothesen aus den bisherigen Ausführungen abgeleitet und im weiteren Verlauf empirisch geprüft. Die theoretischen und empirischen Forschungserkenntnisse aus den relevanten Bezugsdisziplinen deuten darauf hin, dass Fachsprache im Geographieunterricht wichtiger Lerngegenstand sowie als Lernmedium wichtiger Schlüssel zum fachlichen Verständnis ist. Sprachsensibler Geographieunterricht macht Sprache daher explizit zum Lernziel und will so den fachlichen Lernerfolg verbessern.
Zusammenfassung
Authors: Wey Santina
Published: December 2021

In der Einleitung wurde bereits deutlich, dass die Problemlösung durchgängiger Sprachbildung keine isolierte Aufgabe ist, sondern eine übergeordnete gesellschaftspolitische Herausforderung schulischer Bildung. Für diese Unternehmung braucht es nicht nur den Geographieunterricht oder Deutschförderung, sondern multiperspektivische Professionalität. Und vor diesem Hintergrund kann die vorliegende Forschungsarbeit nur ein Teil der Lösung dieser Aufgabe sein.
Notes on massless scalar field partition functions, modular invariance and Eisenstein series
Authors: Alessio Francesco , Barnich Glenn , Bonte Martin
Published: December 2021

Abstract

The partition function of a massless scalar field on a Euclidean spacetime manifold ℝd−1 × 𝕋2 and with momentum operator in the compact spatial dimension coupled through a purely imaginary chemical potential is computed. It is modular covariant and admits a simple expression in terms of a real analytic SL(2, ℤ) Eisenstein series with s = (d + 1)/2. Different techniques for computing the partition function illustrate complementary aspects of the Eisenstein series: the functional approach gives its series representation, the operator approach yields its Fourier series, while the proper time/heat kernel/world-line approach shows that it is the Mellin transform of a Riemann theta function. High/low temperature duality is generalized to the case of a non-vanishing chemical potential. By clarifying the dependence of the partition function on the geometry of the torus, we discuss how modular covariance is a consequence of full SL(2, ℤ) invariance. When the spacetime manifold is ℝp × 𝕋q+1, the partition function is given in terms of a SL(q + 1, ℤ) Eisenstein series again with s = (d + 1)/2. In this case, we obtain the high/low temperature duality through a suitably adapted dual parametrization of the lattice defining the torus. On 𝕋d+1, the computation is more subtle. An additional divergence leads to an harmonic anomaly.
Inhomogeneous Conformal Field Theory Out of Equilibrium
Authors: Moosavi Per
Published: December 2021

We study the non-equilibrium dynamics of conformal field theory (CFT) in 1+1 dimensions with a smooth position-dependent velocity v(x) explicitly breaking translation invariance. Such inhomogeneous CFT is argued to effectively describe 1+1-dimensional quantum many-body systems with certain inhomogeneities varying on mesoscopic scales. Both heat and charge transport are studied, where, for concreteness, we suppose that our CFT has a conserved U(1) current. Based on projective unitary representations of diffeomorphisms and smooth maps in Minkowskian CFT, we obtain a recipe for computing the exact non-equilibrium dynamics in inhomogeneous CFT when evolving from initial states defined by smooth inverse-temperature and chemical-potential profiles $$\beta (x)$$

β
(
x
)

and $$\mu (x)$$

μ
(
x
)

. Using this recipe, the following exact analytical results are obtained: (i) the full time evolution of densities and currents for heat and charge transport, (ii) correlation functions for components of the energy–momentum tensor and the U(1) current as well as for any primary field, and (iii) the thermal and electrical conductivities. The latter are computed by direct dynamical considerations and alternatively using a Green–Kubo formula. Both give the same explicit expressions for the conductivities, which reveal how inhomogeneous dynamics opens up the possibility for diffusion as well as implies a generalization of the Wiedemann–Franz law to finite times within CFT.
Selected aspects of a cold forging process for hollow balls
Authors: Samołyk Grzegorz , Winiarski Grzegorz
Published: December 2021

This paper presents the results of a study investigating a cold forging process for producing hollow balls with different wall thicknesses. The study was performed by FEM numerical modelling, which made it possible to obtain a wide spectrum of results. For the analysis of FEM results obtained for problematic cases (shape defects in forged balls), novel hypotheses for results interpretation are proposed. The FEM numerical model and hypotheses are then verified via experimental testing, and selected theoretical results are compared with experimental findings. Finally, obtained results are discussed (e.g. the effect of billet dimensions on forging conditions, wall thickness and hole size), a method for FEM results interpretation is presented, and design-related solutions ensuring the production of defect-free hollow balls are proposed.
Archaeal and Bacterial Diversity and Distribution Patterns in Mediterranean-Climate Vernal Pools of Mexico and the Western USA
Authors: Montiel-Molina Jorge A. Mandussí , Sexton Jason P. , Frank A. Carolin , Beman J. Michael
Published: December 2021

Biogeographic patterns in microorganisms are poorly understood, despite the importance of microbial communities for a range of ecosystem processes. Our knowledge of microbial ecology and biogeography is particularly deficient in rare and threatened ecosystems. We tested for three ecological patterns in microbial community composition within ephemeral wetlands—vernal pools—located across Baja California (Mexico) and California (USA): (1) habitat filtering; (2) a latitudinal diversity gradient; and (3) distance decay in community composition. Paired water and soil samples were collected along a latitudinal transect of vernal pools, and bacterial and archaeal communities were characterized using 16S rDNA sequencing. We identified two main microbial communities, with one community present in the soil matrix that included archaeal and bacterial soil taxa, and another community present in the overlying water that was dominated by common freshwater bacterial taxa. Aquatic microbial communities were more diverse in the north, and displayed a significant but inverted latitudinal diversity pattern. Aquatic communities also exhibited a significant distance-decay pattern, with geographic proximity, and precipitation explaining part of the community variation. Collectively these results indicate greater sensitivity to spatial and environmental variation in vernal pool aquatic microbial communities than in soil microbial communities. We conclude that vernal pool aquatic microbial communities can display distribution patterns similar to those exhibited by larger organisms, but differ in some key aspects, such as the latitudinal gradient in diversity.
Non-disease specific patient-reported outcome measures of health-related quality of life in juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a systematic review of current research and practice
Authors: Młyńczyk Justyna , Abramowicz Paweł , Stawicki Maciej K. , Konstantynowicz Jerzy
Published: December 2021

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), as a chronic condition, is associated with symptoms negatively impacting health-related quality of life (HRQL). Regarding growing interest in the implementation of the patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), we aimed to review the non-disease specific PROMs addressing HRQL assessment, potentially useful in the clinical care of JIA and daily practice. A systematic literature search was conducted using MEDLINE/PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus and Embase databases (1990 to 2021), with a focus on the recent 5-years period. Entry keywords included the terms: “children”, “adolescents”, “JIA”, “chronic diseases”, “HRQL”, “PROMs” and wordings for the specific tools. Several available PROMs intended to measure HRQL, non-specific to JIA, were identified. The presented outcomes differed in psychometric properties, yet all were feasible in assessing HRQL in healthy children and those with chronic diseases. Both EQ-5D-Y and PedsQL have already been tested in JIA, showing relevant reliability, validity, and similar efficiency as disease-specific measurements. For PROMIS® PGH-7 and PGH-7 + 2, such validation and cross-cultural adaptation need to be performed. Considering the future directions in pediatric rheumatology, the large-scale implementation of PROMIS® PGH-7 and PGH-7 + 2 in JIA offers a particularly valuable opportunity. The PROMs reflect the patient perception of the chronic disease and allow to understand child’s opinions. The PROMs may provide an important element of the holistic medical care of patients with JIA and a standardized tool for clinical outcomes, monitoring disease severity and response to treatment.
Fire now, fire later: alarm-based systems for prescriptive process monitoring
Authors: Fahrenkrog-Petersen Stephan A. , Tax Niek , Teinemaa Irene , Dumas Marlon , Leoni Massimiliano de , Maggi Fabrizio Maria , Weidlich Matthias
Published: December 2021

Predictive process monitoring is a family of techniques to analyze events produced during the execution of a business process in order to predict the future state or the final outcome of running process instances. Existing techniques in this field are able to predict, at each step of a process instance, the likelihood that it will lead to an undesired outcome. These techniques, however, focus on generating predictions and do not prescribe when and how process workers should intervene to decrease the cost of undesired outcomes. This paper proposes a framework for prescriptive process monitoring, which extends predictive monitoring with the ability to generate alarms that trigger interventions to prevent an undesired outcome or mitigate its effect. The framework incorporates a parameterized cost model to assess the cost–benefit trade-off of generating alarms. We show how to optimize the generation of alarms given an event log of past process executions and a set of cost model parameters. The proposed approaches are empirically evaluated using a range of real-life event logs. The experimental results show that the net cost of undesired outcomes can be minimized by changing the threshold for generating alarms, as the process instance progresses. Moreover, introducing delays for triggering alarms, instead of triggering them as soon as the probability of an undesired outcome exceeds a threshold, leads to lower net costs.
A note on the complexity of the bilevel bottleneck assignment problem
Authors: Fischer Dennis , Muluk Komal , Woeginger Gerhard J.
Published: December 2021

We establish the NP-completeness of the variant of the bilevel assignment problem, where the leader and the follower both have bottleneck objective functions and were the follower behaves according to the optimistic rule. This result settles a problem that has been left open by Klinz & Gassner [4OR 7:379–394, 2009].
Mitigating social-ecological risks from the surge in China’s overseas investment: an Indonesian profile
Authors: Pramono Albertus Hadi , Fuad Habiburrahman A. H. , Haryanto Budi , Indrawan Mochamad , Khasanah Nurlaely , Manessa Masita Dwi Mandini , Pratiwi Kartika , Sari Dwi Amalia , Siregar Rondang S. E. , Supriatna Jatna , Winarni Nurul L. , Gallagher Kevin P. , Ray Rebecca , Simmons B. Alexander
Published: December 2021

Rapid development has become a global priority as countries strive to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Sustainable development is crucial for increasing human well-being in emerging economies while avoiding perverse outcomes on livelihoods, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) promises to help countries reach their national goals for economic growth, trade, and development, but there remain widespread concerns over how this boom in Chinese foreign direct investment (FDI) will impact social-ecological systems. Here, we discuss the risks implicit in BRI-related FDI projects to ecosystems and local communities, and how these risks can be mitigated or exacerbated by national governance of BRI projects and national development policies. We frame our discussion around Indonesia, where convoluted governance of some of the largest Chinese FDI projects may reduce accountability, and a recent job creation law brings risks of rapid unsustainable development practices across this biodiversity hotspot.
PRODUCTIVITY IN UK HEALTHCARE DURING AND AFTER THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Authors: Coyle Diane , Dreesbeimdiek Kaya , Manley Annabel
Published: December 2021

Measured health output in the UK declined sharply during the Covid-19 pandemic, despite the evident large increase in some National Health Service (NHS) activities such as critical care, and the new test and trace and vaccination programmes. We explain the measurement methods applied to public services that produced the published decline, in the context of the inherent difficulties of defining and measuring health output and productivity; and describe the changes in practice that had to take place in NHS hospitals. We also discuss, on the basis of these changes including increased use of technology, the likely outlook for healthcare productivity. We conclude that within NHS England capacity, constraints have contributed to substantial falls in non-Covid-19 healthcare output and argue that increased capacity in the social infrastructure of the health service is essential to enable higher productivity in an uncertain environment.
Horses, Curiosities, and the Culture of Collection at Early Modern Germanic Courts
Authors: Margócsy Dániel
Published: December 2021

This article offers a new interpretation of the concept of wonder in early modern Europe by focusing on large collections. It shows that many princelyKunstkammernwere located above stables, and argues that the horses downstairs and the curiosities upstairs performed similar roles in the courtly display of power. The size and design of stables shaped how curiosities were exhibited and viewed. These majestic buildings facilitated cursory viewing experiences of the assemblage of a great number of animals and objects. They did not necessarily encourage the detailed examination of particular and unique exhibits.
Listening in on the Neighbors: The Reception of German and Austrian Radio in Cold War Czechoslovakia
Authors: Johnston Rosamund
Published: December 2021

In 1966, a Radio Free Europe (RFE) report estimated that seven in ten Czechs and Slovaks listened to Radio Vienna, making it the most popular foreign station in Czechoslovakia. Yet conventional narratives of Western radio in socialist central Europe highlight the role played by runner-up RFE. By focusing on the practice of listening to German-language radio in Czechoslovakia between 1945 and 1969, this article shows that cross-border, German-language listening mattered not only between the Germanies, but also in central Europe, where listening habits were shaped by the region's multilingual heritage. In addition to highlighting German's significance as a language of regional communication, the article reveals the importance of cross-border contacts and the significance of light entertainment in Cold War central Europe. Rather than separating listeners out by citizenship, foreign radio listening fostered solidarities that cut across national boundaries and divided people by generation, geography, class, and technical dexterity instead.
A SHORT ARGUMENT FOR BELIEF IN PROGRESS
Authors: Smilansky Saul
Published: December 2021

The notion of social progress is not much in favour in these sophisticated times of scepticism, cynicism, relativism and political correctness; at least in the West. Most people might admit that some indubitable advances have occurred, primarily in terms of this or that useful technological innovation. But any wider claim about ‘social progress’ is often met by overwhelming doubt and suspicion, if not outright derision. I provide a short argument for belief in progress.
When Climate Ruled the Dinosaurs of Grand Staircase
Authors: Morton Mary
Published: December 2021

Living in Geologic Time: Navigate the prolific boneyards and shifting boundaries of Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears National Monuments.
Numerical Simulation of Cool Hydrothermal Processes in the Upper Volcanic Crust Beneath a Marine Sediment Pond: North Pond, North Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Price A. N. , Fisher A. T. , Stauffer P. H. , Gable C. W.
Published: December 2021

Low temperature hydrothermal systems hosted in the volcanic oceanic crust are responsible for ∼20% of Earth's global heat loss. Marine sediment ponds comprise an important type setting on young ridge flanks where hydrothermal circulation advectively extracts lithospheric heat, but the nature of coupled fluid‐heat transport in these settings remains poorly understood. Here we present coupled (fluid‐heat) numerical simulations of ocean crustal hydrogeology in and below North Pond, a sediment pond on ∼8 Ma seafloor of the North Atlantic Ocean. Two‐ and three‐dimensional simulations show that advective transport beneath North Pond is complex and time varying, with multiple spatial and temporal scales, consistent with seafloor and borehole observations. A unidirectional, single‐pass flow system is neither favored nor needed to match the spatial distribution of seafloor heat flux through North Pond sediments. When the permeability of the crustal aquifer is relatively high (10−10–10−9 m2), simulations can replicate much of the observed variability and suppression of seafloor heat flux and can explain basement overpressures and transient perturbations in pressure and temperature in the upper volcanic crust. Simulation results can also help explain heterogeneity in pore fluid chemistry and microbiology in the crust. Although driven by the same physical processes, the dynamics of hydrothermal circulation below North Pond are different from those seen on "discharge‐dominated" ridge flanks, where the permeability and exposed area of isolated basement outcrops control the extent of regional heat extraction.
Global CO2 fertilization of Sphagnum peat mosses via suppression of photorespiration during the twentieth century
Authors: Serk Henrik , Nilsson Mats B. , Bohlin Elisabet , Ehlers Ina , Wieloch Thomas , Olid Carolina , Grover Samantha , Kalbitz Karsten , Limpens Juul , Moore Tim , Münchberger Wiebke , Talbot Julie , Wang Xianwei , Knorr Klaus-Holger , Pancotto Verónica , Schleucher Jürgen
Published: December 2021

Natural peatlands contribute significantly to global carbon sequestration and storage of biomass, most of which derives fromSphagnumpeat mosses. Atmospheric CO2levels have increased dramatically during the twentieth century, from 280 to > 400 ppm, which has affected plant carbon dynamics. Net carbon assimilation is strongly reduced by photorespiration, a process that depends on the CO2to O2ratio. Here we investigate the response of the photorespiration to photosynthesis ratio inSphagnummosses to recent CO2increases by comparing deuterium isotopomers of historical and contemporarySphagnumtissues collected from 36 peat cores from five continents. Rising CO2levels generally suppressed photorespiration relative to photosynthesis but the magnitude of suppression depended on the current water table depth. By estimating the changes in water table depth, temperature, and precipitation during the twentieth century, we excluded potential effects of these climate parameters on the observed isotopomer responses. Further, we showed that the photorespiration to photosynthesis ratio varied betweenSphagnumsubgenera, indicating differences in their photosynthetic capacity. The global suppression of photorespiration inSphagnumsuggests an increased net primary production potential in response to the ongoing rise in atmospheric CO2, in particular for mire structures with intermediate water table depths.
Utilization of Carica papaya latex on coating of SPIONs for dye removal and drug delivery
Authors: Samrot Antony V. , Saigeetha S. , Mun Chua Yeok , Abirami S. , Purohit Kajal , Cypriyana P. J. Jane , Dhas T. Stalin , Inbathamizh L. , Kumar S. Suresh
Published: December 2021

Latex, a milky substance found in a variety of plants which is a natural source of biologically active compounds. In this study, Latex was collected from rawCarica papayaand was characterized using UV–Vis, FTIR and GC–MS analyses. Super Paramagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs) were synthesized, coated withC. papayalatex (PL-Sp) and characterized using UV–Vis, FT-IR, SEM–EDX, XRD, VSM and Zeta potential analyses. SPIONs and latex coated SPIONs (PL-Sp) were used in batch adsorption study for effective removal of Methylene blue (MB) dye, where (PL-Sp) removed MB dye effectively. Further the PL-Sp was used to produce a nanoconjugate loaded with curcumin and it was characterized using UV–Vis spectrophotometer, FT-IR, SEM–EDX, XRD, VSM and Zeta potential. It showed a sustained drug release pattern and also found to have good antibacterial and anticancer activity.
Biodiversity and ecosystem functions depend on environmental conditions and resources rather than the geodiversity of a tropical biodiversity hotspot
Authors: Wallis Christine I. B. , Tiede Yvonne C. , Beck Erwin , Böhning-Gaese Katrin , Brandl Roland , Donoso David A. , Espinosa Carlos I. , Fries Andreas , Homeier Jürgen , Inclan Diego , Leuschner Christoph , Maraun Mark , Mikolajewski Katrin , Neuschulz Eike Lena , Scheu Stefan , Schleuning Matthias , Suárez Juan P. , Tinoco Boris A. , Farwig Nina , Bendix Jörg
Published: December 2021

Biodiversity and ecosystem functions are highly threatened by global change. It has been proposed that geodiversity can be used as an easy-to-measure surrogate of biodiversity to guide conservation management. However, so far, there is mixed evidence to what extent geodiversity can predict biodiversity and ecosystem functions at the regional scale relevant for conservation planning. Here, we analyse how geodiversity computed as a compound index is suited to predict the diversity of four taxa and associated ecosystem functions in a tropical mountain hotspot of biodiversity and compare the results with the predictive power of environmental conditions and resources (climate, habitat, soil). We show that combinations of these environmental variables better explain species diversity and ecosystem functions than a geodiversity index and identified climate variables as more important predictors than habitat and soil variables, although the best predictors differ between taxa and functions. We conclude that a compound geodiversity index cannot be used as a single surrogate predictor for species diversity and ecosystem functions in tropical mountain rain forest ecosystems and is thus little suited to facilitate conservation management at the regional scale. Instead, both the selection and the combination of environmental variables are essential to guide conservation efforts to safeguard biodiversity and ecosystem functions.
Molecular surveillance of pneumococcal carriage following completion of immunization with the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine administered in a 3 + 1 schedule
Authors: Syrogiannopoulos George A. , Grivea Ioanna N. , Moriondo Maria , Nieddu Francesco , Michoula Aspasia N. , Calabrese Maria Rita , Anthracopoulos Michael , Azzari Chiara
Published: December 2021

In a cross-sectional study, with the use of molecular methods, we aimed to gain insight into oropharyngeal pneumococcal colonization over time in 1212 Greek children recruited in general pediatric settings throughout the country; they were fully vaccinated with PCV13 (3 + 1 schedule). A single sample was obtained from each child at a time interval of 26 days to 70 months after administration of the 4th (booster) PCV13 dose; sampling time was divided into six time intervals. Carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae was detected by real-time PCR targeting the lytA gene and isolates were serotyped by singleplex real-time PCR assays. Multiple control procedures to avoid false-positive results were applied. We showed an overall S. pneumoniae carriage rate of 48.6%. Serotyping identified typeable isolates in 82% of the total lytA-positive samples. Non-PCV13 serotypes represented 83.8% of total isolates when excluding serogroups with mixed PCV13 and non-PCV13 serotypes. In multivariate analysis daycare/school attendance emerged as the main contributing factor. Notably, serotypes 19A and 3 were the only two PCV13 serotypes the colonization rate of which increased over time (χ2 for trend P < 0.001 and P = 0.012, respectively). The application of the SP2020 gene on lytA-positive serotyped samples showed pneumococcal colonization in 97% of cases, and the overall colonization profile over time closely resembled that of the lytA gene. With the provisions of the methodological approach and age group of our study, the use of the oropharynx emerges as a reliable alternative to the nasopharynx in estimating pneumococcal carriage in epidemiological studies.