bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Smartphone applications for physical activity promotion from physical education
Authors: Gil-Espinosa Francisco Javier , Nielsen-Rodríguez Adriana , Romance Ramón , Burgueño Rafael
Published: May 2022

Smartphone applications (apps) are thought to be an adequate instructional strategy not only to improve the quality of the teaching in physical education (PE), but also to effectively promote leisure-time physical activity (PA) of adolescent students in this context. Although the use of smartphone apps has been generalized in PE, little is known about the curricular approach of smartphone apps to be implemented by teacher to teach specific curricular contents in PE lessons. Therefore, the aim of this research was threefold: a) to conduct a systematic search for smartphone apps focused on PA and sport; b) to assess the features, content and quality of every included smartphone app; and c) to analyze the relationships between every selected app and the secondary PE curriculum. Systematic searches were completed on Google Play Store from January 2021 to March 2021. Apps were included when they met: main goal focused on PA and sport; permitted use by underage; they are free; user scores of at least 4. The app selection process was carried out by several reviewers and concordance measures were estimated. Additionally, an app quality assessment was independently conducted by three reviewers. A total of 18 apps focused on PA were included. Particularly, eight apps were suitable for fitness, health and quality of life curricular content; two for sports content; four for body expression content; and four apps for outdoor PA content. The mean quality score was 4.00. Apps could be helpful for teachers to implement the secondary PE curriculum and effectively promote PA among adolescent students.
On Coase and COVID-19
Authors: Allen Darcy W. E. , Berg Chris , Davidson Sinclair , Potts Jason
Published: May 2022

From an epidemiological perspective, the COVID-19 pandemic is a public health crisis. From an economic perspective, it is an externality and a social cost. Strikingly, almost all economic policy to address the infection externality has been formulated within a Pigovian analysis of implicit taxes and subsidies directed by a social planner drawing on social cost-benefit analysis. In this paper we examine the alternative economic methodology of the externality. We seek to understand how an exchange-focused and institutional analysis provides a better understanding of how to minimise social cost. Our Coasean framework allows us to further develop a comparative institutional analysis of the pandemic response.
Can you do all in one professional label? Complementarity, substitution, and independence effects in academic life
Authors: Carli Giacomo , Rita Tagliaventi Maria
Published: May 2022

The diffusion of evaluation systems based on research excellence has been confronting scholars with the dilemma of how to combine the different activities and roles characterizing the academic profession. Besides research, other types of knowledge transfer and academic citizenship, i.e., the service activities and roles carried out on behalf of the university within and outside organizational boundaries, are in fact cornerstones of universities’ functioning that allow for their thriving and need to be valued. This study investigates the complementarity, substitution, and independence effects between the various types of knowledge transfer and academic citizenship in a sample of 752 Italian academics working in business schools. We collected data combining different sources including CVs, publication records, and national datasets. Multivariate path analysis was employed to measure covariances between knowledge transfer and academic citizenship. We contribute to the debate on academic citizenship by showing that public and discipline-based service are complementary to knowledge transfer activities, while institutional service is independent from knowledge transfer. Remarkably, journal papers are research outcomes complementary to most academic activities, and the same holds true for dissemination at workshops and conferences. Running counter dominant rhetoric, this study testifies to the likelihood of faculty being “all-round” professionals. We disclose that activities and roles are influenced by academics’ previous pathways and research grants and discuss the need to value academic citizenship in performance measurement systems.
Primary prevention implantable cardioverter-defibrillator use in non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy based on arrhythmic risk stratification and left ventricular reverse remodeling prediction﻿
Authors: Muhammed Ahmed , Abdelazeem Mohamed , Elewa Mohamed Gamaleldin , Sharief Mohamed , Ammar Ahmed
Published: May 2022

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) and significant ventricular arrhythmias in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) have been markedly reduced over the last couple of decades as a result of the advances in pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment. Primary prevention implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) plays an important role in the treatment of patients at risk of SCD caused by ventricular arrhythmias. However, the arrhythmic risk stratification in patients with DCM remains extremely challenging, and the decision for primary prevention ICD implantation based on left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) solely appears to be insufficient. This review provides an update on current evidence for primary prevention ICD implantation, arrhythmic risk stratification, and left ventricular reverse remodeling (LVRR) prediction in patients with DCM in addition to most recent guideline recommendations for primary prevention ICD implantation in DCM patients and a proposed multiparametric algorithm based on arrhythmic risk stratification and left ventricular reverse remodeling (LVRR) prediction to better identify patients who are likely to benefit from primary prevention ICD.
Human factors in cobot era: a review of modern production systems features
Authors: Faccio Maurizio , Granata Irene , Menini Alberto , Milanese Mattia , Rossato Chiara , Bottin Matteo , Minto Riccardo , Pluchino Patrik , Gamberini Luciano , Boschetti Giovanni , Rosati Giulio
Published: May 2022

Collaborative robots are increasingly common in modern production systems, since they allow to merge the productivity of automated systems with the flexibility and dexterity of manual ones. The direct interaction between the human and the robot can be the greatest advantage and the greatest limit of collaborative systems at the same time, depending on how it affects human factors like ergonomics and mental stress. This work presents an overview of collaborative robotics considering three main dimensions: robot features, modern production systems characteristics and human factors. A literature review on how such dimensions interact is addressed and a discussion on the current state of the art is presented, showing the topics that have been already widely explored and the research gaps that should be fulfilled in the future.
Distinct CD8 T Cell Populations with Differential Exhaustion Profiles Associate with Secondary Complications in Common Variable Immunodeficiency
Authors: Klocperk Adam , Friedmann David , Schlaak Alexandra Emilia , Unger Susanne , Parackova Zuzana , Goldacker Sigune , Sediva Anna , Bengsch Bertram , Warnatz Klaus
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is the most frequent symptomatic primary immunodeficiency, with heterogeneous clinical presentation. Our goal was to analyze CD8 T cell homeostasis in patients with infection only CVID, compared to those additionally affected by dysregulatory and autoimmune phenomena.

Methods

We used flow and mass cytometry evaluation of peripheral blood of 40 patients with CVID and 17 healthy donors.

Results

CD8 T cells are skewed in patients with CVID, with loss of naïve and increase of effector memory stages, expansion of cell clusters with high functional exhaustion scores, and a highly activated population of cells with immunoregulatory features, producing IL-10. These findings correlate to clinically widely used B cell-based EURO classification. Features of exhaustion, including loss of CD127 and CD28, and expression of TIGIT and PD-1 in CD8 T cells are strongly associated with interstitial lung disease and autoimmune cytopenias, whereas CD8 T cell activation with elevated HLA-DR and CD38 expression predict non-infectious diarrhea.

Conclusion

We demonstrate features of advanced differentiation, exhaustion, activation, and immunoregulatory capabilities within CD8 T cells of CVID patients. Assessment of CD8 T cell phenotype may allow risk assessment of CVID patients and provide new insights into CVID pathogenesis, including a better understanding of mechanisms underlying T cell exhaustion and regulation.
A probabilistic framework for particle-based reaction–diffusion dynamics using classical Fock space representations
Authors: del Razo Mauricio J. , Frömberg Daniela , Straube Arthur V. , Schütte Christof , Höfling Felix , Winkelmann Stefanie
Published: May 2022

The modeling and simulation of stochastic reaction–diffusion processes is a topic of steady interest that is approached with a wide range of methods. At the level of particle-resolved descriptions, where chemical reactions are coupled to the spatial diffusion of individual particles, there exist comprehensive numerical simulation schemes, while the corresponding mathematical formalization is relatively underdeveloped. The aim of this paper is to provide a framework to systematically formulate the probabilistic evolution equation, termed chemical diffusion master equation (CDME), that governs particle-based stochastic reaction–diffusion processes. To account for the non-conserved and unbounded particle number of this type of open systems, we employ a classical analogue of the quantum mechanical Fock space that contains the symmetrized probability densities of the many-particle configurations in space. Following field-theoretical ideas of second quantization, we introduce creation and annihilation operators that act on single-particle densities and provide natural representations of symmetrized probability densities as well as of reaction and diffusion operators. These operators allow us to consistently and systematically formulate the CDME for arbitrary reaction schemes. The resulting form of the CDME further serves as the foundation to derive more coarse-grained descriptions of reaction–diffusion dynamics. In this regard, we show that a discretization of the evolution equation by projection onto a Fock subspace generated by a finite set of single-particle densities leads to a generalized form of the well-known reaction–diffusion master equation, which supports non-local reactions between grid cells and which converges properly in the continuum limit.
Policy’s role in democratic conflict management
Authors: Hinterleitner Markus , Sager Fritz
Published: May 2022

This article proposes rethinking democratic conflict management by acknowledging the increasingly important role policy plays in it. As the debate on the health of democracy intensifies, research on how democracies manage and absorb political and societal conflicts becomes broadly relevant. Existing theories and perspectives view conflict management through the lens of elections and other institutional mechanisms, or they examine the social and economic preconditions for successful conflict management while inadequately understanding how policies contribute to conflict management. The article develops a theoretical framework that allows for the analysis of how policies’ material and interpretive effects influence societal conflicts and thereby strengthen (or weaken) democracy. While the article focuses on hypothesis-generation rather than hypothesis-testing, it draws on a large variety of policy and case examples to corroborate and illustrate the theoretical expectations embodied in the framework. Insights into policy’s role in democratic conflict management expand our understanding of the challenges to democracy in the twenty-first century and create new possibilities for comparative, policy-focused research into what makes democracy work.
Strategies to acquire and use phosphorus in phosphorus-impoverished and fire-prone environments
Authors: Lambers Hans , de Britto Costa Patrícia , Cawthray Gregory R. , Denton Matthew D. , Finnegan Patrick M. , Hayes Patrick E. , Oliveira Rafael S. , Power Simon C. , Ranathunge Kosala , Shen Qi , Wang Xiao , Zhong Hongtao
Published: May 2022

Background

Unveiling the diversity of plant strategies to acquire and use phosphorus (P) is crucial to understand factors promoting their coexistence in hyperdiverse P-impoverished communities within fire-prone landscapes such as in cerrado (South America), fynbos (South Africa) and kwongan (Australia).

Scope

We explore the diversity of P-acquisition strategies, highlighting one that has received little attention: acquisition of P following fires that temporarily enrich soil with P. This strategy is expressed by fire ephemerals as well as fast-resprouting perennial shrubs. A plant’s leaf manganese concentration ([Mn]) provides significant clues on P-acquisition strategies. High leaf [Mn] indicates carboxylate-releasing P-acquisition strategies, but other exudates may play the same role as carboxylates in P acquisition. Intermediate leaf [Mn] suggests facilitation of P acquisition by P-mobilising neighbours, through release of carboxylates or functionally similar compounds. Very low leaf [Mn] indicates that carboxylates play no immediate role in P acquisition. Release of phosphatases also represents a P-mining strategy, mobilising organic P. Some species may express multiple strategies, depending on time since germination or since fire, or on position in the landscape. In severely P-impoverished landscapes, photosynthetic P-use efficiency converges among species. Efficient species exhibit rapid rates of photosynthesis at low leaf P concentrations. A high P-remobilisation efficiency from senescing organs is another way to use P efficiently, as is extended longevity of plant organs.

Conclusions

Many P-acquisition strategies coexist in P-impoverished landscapes, but P-use strategies tend to converge. Common strategies of which we know little are those expressed by ephemeral or perennial species that are the first to respond after a fire. We surmise that carboxylate-releasing P-mobilising strategies are far more widespread than envisaged so far, and likely expressed by species that accumulate metals, exemplified by Mn, metalloids, such as selenium, fluorine, in the form of fluoroacetate, or silicon. Some carboxylate-releasing strategies are likely important to consider when restoring sites in biodiverse regions as well as in cropping systems on P-impoverished or strongly P-sorbing soils, because some species may only be able to establish themselves next to neighbours that mobilise P.
Can truth relativism account for the indeterminacy of future contingents?
Authors: Besson Corine , Hattiangadi Anandi
Published: May 2022

John MacFarlane has recently argued that his brand of truth relativism provides the best solution to the puzzle of future contingents: assertions about the future that express propositions that are metaphysically neither necessary nor impossible. In this paper, we show that even if we grant all of the metaphysical, semantic and pragmatic assumptions in terms of which MacFarlane sets and aims to solve the puzzle, his truth relativism is not apt to solve the problem of future contingents. We argue that the theory fails to vindicate the intuition that future contingent propositions are neither true nor false, leaving the theory open to a charge of Reductio. We show that these problems cannot be answered while preserving the core tenets of truth relativism.
On the Long and Short-Range Adhesive Interactions in Viscoelastic Contacts
Authors: Violano G. , Afferrante L.
Published: May 2022

Recently, tribologists have shown increasing interest in rate-dependent phenomena occurring in viscoelastic fractures. However, in some cases, conflicting results are obtained despite the use of similar theoretical models. For this reason, we try to shed light on the effects that long and short-range adhesion has on the pull-off force in the contact of viscoelastic media by exploiting a recently developed numerical model. We find that, in the limit of long-range adhesion, the unloading velocity has little effect on the pull-off force, which is close to the value predicted by Bradley for rigid bodies. In such case, the detachment process is characterized by a uniform bond-breaking of the contact area, and viscous dissipation involves the bulk material. For medium(short)-range adhesion, the pull-off force is instead a monotonic increasing function of the pulling velocity and, at high speeds, reaches a plateau that is a function of the adiabatic surface energy. In this case, the detachment process is similar to the opening of a circular crack, and viscous dissipation is localized at the contact edge.
Deterministic annealing with Potts neurons for multi-robot routing
Authors: David Jennifer , Rögnvaldsson Thorsteinn , Söderberg Bo , Ohlsson Mattias
Published: May 2022

A deterministic annealing (DA) method is presented for solving the multi-robot routing problem with min–max objective. This is an NP-hard problem belonging to the multi-robot task allocation set of problems where robots are assigned to a group of sequentially ordered tasks such that the cost of the slowest robot is minimized. The problem is first formulated in a matrix form where the optimal solution of the problem is the minimum-cost permutation matrix without any loops. The solution matrix is then found using the DA method is based on mean field theory applied to a Potts spin model which has been proven to yield near-optimal results for NP-hard problems. Our method is bench-marked against simulated annealing and a heuristic search method. The results show that the proposed method is promising for small-medium sized problems in terms of computation time and solution quality compared to the other two methods.
3D localization of vena contracta using Doppler ICE imaging in tricuspid valve interventions
Authors: Nisar Hareem , Fakim Djalal , Bainbridge Daniel , Chen Elvis C. S. , Peters Terry
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Tricuspid valve (TV) interventions face the challenge of imaging the anatomy and tools because of the ‘TEE-unfriendly’ nature of the TV. In edge-to-edge TV repair, a core step is to position the clip perpendicular to the coaptation gap. In this study, we provide a semi-automated method to localize the VC from Doppler intracardiac echo (ICE) imaging in a tracked 3D space, thus providing a pre-mapped location of the coaptation gap to assist device positioning.

Methods

A magnetically tracked ICE probe with Doppler imaging capabilities is employed in this study for imaging three patient-specific TVs placed in a pulsatile heart phantom. For each of the valves, the ICE probe is positioned to image the maximum regurgitant flow for five cardiac cycles. An algorithm then extracts the regurgitation imaging and computes the exact location of the vena contracta on the image.

Results

Across the three pathological, patient-specific valves, the average distance error between the detected VC and the ground truth model is $$({1.22 \pm 2.00})$$

(

1.22
±
2.00

)

mm. For each of the valves, one case represented the outlier where the algorithm misidentified the vena contracta to be near the annulus. In such cases, it is recommended to retake the five-second imaging data.

Conclusion

This study presented a method for ultrasound-based localization of vena contracta in 3D space. Mapping such anatomical landmarks has the potential to assist with device positioning and to simplify tricuspid valve interventions by providing more contextual information to the interventionalists, thus enhancing their spatial awareness. Additionally, ICE can be used to provide live US and Doppler imaging of the complex TV anatomy throughout the procedure.
Stability of plane shear flows in a layer with rigid and stress-free boundary conditions
Authors: Falsaperla Paolo , Mulone Giuseppe , Perrone Carla
Published: May 2022

We study the stability of shear flows of an incompressible fluid contained in a horizontal layer. We consider rigid–rigid, rigid—stress-free and stress-free—stress-free boundary conditions. We study (and recall some known results) linear stability/instability of the basic Couette, Poiseuille and a laminar parabolic flow with the spectral analysis by using the Chebyshev collocation method. We then use an $$L_2$$

L
2

-energy with Lyapunov second method to obtain nonlinear critical Reynolds numbers, by solving a maximum problem arising from the Reynolds energy equation. We obtain this maximum (which gives the minimum Reynolds number) for streamwise perturbations $$\mathrm{Re}_c={\text {Re}}^y$$

Re
c

=

Re

y

. However, this contradicts a theorem which proves that streamwise perturbations are always stabilizing, $${\text {Re}}^y=+\infty $$

Re

y

=
+
∞

. We solve this contradiction with a conjecture and prove that the critical nonlinear Reynolds numbers are obtained for two-dimensional perturbations, the spanwise perturbations, $$\mathrm{Re}_c={\text {Re}}^x$$

Re
c

=

Re

x

, as Orr had supposed in the classic case of Couette flow between rigid planes.
Discussing students’ thinking and perspectives for improving teaching: An analysis of teachers’ reflection in post-lesson discussions in lesson study cycles
Authors: Shimizu Yoshinori , Kang Hyomin
Published: May 2022

Lesson study is a Japanese concept to improve teaching and learning mathematics through a particular form of activity in which a group of teachers works collaboratively to plan, implement, observe, and reflect on the proposed research lessons. Although lesson study is internationally acknowledged as providing key learning opportunities for teachers, there is limited information on post-lesson discussion and its contribution toward teachers’ professional growth. This study has the aim of describing the key features of post-lesson discussions. An entire group of teachers at a public elementary school in Japan participated in three lesson study cycles. During the post-lesson discussion in each cycle, the teachers were invited to write down what they believed was significant in the planned lesson and their comments regarding the lessons, for the discussion. The writings and comments were collected and analyzed. This method helped capture teachers’ ‘voices’ better compared to recordings of oral discussion. The results of the analyses of teachers’ writings and comments revealed that a major part of post-lesson discussions involved issues related to pedagogies, and teachers’ reflections tended to focus more on students’ thinking and mathematical topics over time as the cycles of lesson study proceeded. The results suggested that teachers’ professional growth can be related to their recognition of the importance of understanding students’ thinking and their perspectives on mathematics, in order to improve teaching.
Statistik zwischen Data Science, Artificial Intelligence und Big Data: Beiträge aus dem Kolloquium „Make Statistics great again“
Authors: Rendtel Ulrich , Seidel Willi , Müller Christine , Meinfelder Florian , Wagner Joachim , Chlumsky Jürgen , Zwick Markus
Published: May 2022

Die Statistik als fachliche Disziplin muss sich in einem rasch wandelnden Umfeld behaupten, das durch den Aufstieg der Data Science, den Bedeutungszuwachs der künstlichen Intelligenz sowie neue Datenstrukturen charakterisiert wird. Wie kann sich die Statistik hier behaupten oder verlorenes Terrain wiedergewinnen? Unter dem provokanten Motto „Make Statistics great again“ wurden aus verschiedenen Blickwinkeln Entwicklungen, Strategien und positive Beispiele skizziert, wie sich das Fach Statistik an der Universität, im Wissenschaftsbetrieb und auf dem Arbeitsmarkt positionieren sollte. Willi Seidel schaut aus dem Blickwinkel eines Hochschulpräsidenten auf den Ressourcenkampf der Fächer. Christine Müller berichtet über die Initiativen der Dachorganisation DAGStat die vielen Teildisziplinen der Statistik wirkungsvoll im Wissenschaftsbetrieb und in der Öffentlichkeit zu positionieren. Florian Meinfelder dokumentiert den Aufstieg des Masterstudiengangs in Survey Statistik zu einem der nachgefragtesten Studiengänge der Uni Bamberg. Jürgen Chlumsky und Markus Zwick beleuchten die historische Wahrnehmung der Amtsstatistik bei Pflichterhebungen und die Entwicklung der Forschungsdatenzentren sowie moderner Zugänge zu neuen Datenquellen. Joachim Wagner schildert das Verhältnis von Datenproduzenten und Datennutzern aus der Sicht eines unzufriedenen Datennutzers. Schließlich geht es um die Position der Statistik in der Datenwissenschaft. Ist „Data Science“ nur ein neumodisches Wort für Statistik? Ein Konzeptionspapier der Gesellschaft für Informatik (GI) hat zu Positionspapieren der DStatG und der DAGStat geführt, die von Ulrich Rendtel vorgestellt werden.

Das Kolloquium fand anlässlich der Abschiedsvorlesung von Ulrich Rendtel im Juni 2019 am Fachbereich Wirtschaftswissenschaft der Freien Universität statt.
Slice Regular Functions as Covering Maps and Global $$\star $$-Roots
Authors: Altavilla Amedeo , Mongodi Samuele
Published: May 2022

The aim of this paper is to prove that a large class of quaternionic slice regular functions result to be (ramified) covering maps. By means of the topological implications of this fact and by providing further topological structures, we are able to give suitable natural conditions for the existence of k-th $$\star $$
⋆
-roots of a slice regular function. Moreover, we are also able to compute all the solutions which, quite surprisingly, in the most general case, are in number of $$k^2$$

k
2

. The last part is devoted to compute the monodromy and to present a technique to compute all the $$k^2$$

k
2

roots starting from one of them.
Abilities and the structure of the firm
Authors: Hiller Tobias
Published: May 2022

In this paper, we enhance the production games approach introduced by Hiller (Manag Decis Econ 40(5):520–525, 2019) with aspects from a recent article by Morelli and Park (Games Econ Behav 96(1):90–96, 2016), to analyze how abilities of employees influence the structure and the wage scheme of the firm. The analysis is done within the framework of cooperative game theory. Concretely, we apply the coalition structure approach and the $$\chi$$
χ
value (Casajus in Games Econ Behav 65(1):49–61, 2009).
Student Behavior Data Analysis Based on Association Rule Mining
Authors: Wang Tengfei , Xiao Baorong , Ma Weixiao
Published: May 2022

With the advancement of intelligent campus data acquisition technology, student behavioral data are growing in size, variety, and real-time throughput, posing challenges to the storage capacity and computing power of traditional behavioral data analysis methods. The study focuses on the application of association rule mining in student behavioral data analysis. Data collection, storage, computation, and analysis all comprise integral parts of a four-layer data association mining architecture, and the three-step mining process from “data preprocessing” to “finding association rules” to “acquiring relevant knowledge” is described. The existing mining algorithm is updated to address the issues of overscanning of the original dataset and excess iterations. The findings from the case study reveal that the number of iterations in the modified mining algorithm is greatly lessened, effectively improving the mining efficiency of the massive student behavioral dataset.
All you need is time to generalise the Goman–Khrabrov dynamic stall model
Authors: Ayancik Fatma , Mulleners Karen
Published: May 2022

Dynamic stall on airfoils negatively impacts their aerodynamic performance and can lead to structural damage. Accurate prediction and modelling of the dynamic stall loads are crucial for a more robust design of wings and blades that operate under unsteady conditions susceptible to dynamic stall and for widening the range of operation of these lifting surfaces. Many dynamic stall models rely on empirical parameters that need to be obtained from experimental or numerical data which limits their generalisability. Here, we introduce physically derived time scales to replace the empirical parameters in the Goman–Khrabrov dynamic stall model. The physics-based time constants correspond to the dynamic stall delay and the decay of post-stall load fluctuations. The dynamic stall delay is largely independent of the type of motion, the Reynolds number and the airfoil geometry, and is described as a function of a normalised instantaneous pitch rate. The post-stall decay is independent of the motion kinematics and is related to the Strouhal number of the post-stall vortex shedding. The general validity of our physics-based time constants is demonstrated using three sets of experimental dynamic stall data covering various airfoil profiles, Reynolds numbers varying from 75 000 to 1 000 000, and sinusoidal and ramp-up pitching motions. The use of physics-based time constants generalises the Goman–Khrabrov dynamic stall model and extends its range of application.
The eastern limit of ‘Kunlun-Pamir-Karakoram Anomaly’ reflected by changes in glacier area and surface elevation
Authors: Liang Qian , Wang Ninglian , Yang Xuewen , Chen Anan , Hua Ting , Li Zhijie , Yang Daqing
Published: May 2022

Under global warming, many glaciers worldwide are receding. However, recent studies have suggested the extension of the Karakoram Anomaly, a region of anomalous glacier mass gain, into the western Kunlun and eastern Pamir mountains. However, the eastern limit of this anomaly in the Kunlun Mountains is unclear. This study, using changes in glacier area and surface elevation, estimates the eastern limit of the Kunlun-Pamir-Karakoram anomaly at ~85°E. Over the past 50 years, glaciers west of 85°E in the Kunlun Mountains decreased in area from 8401 to 7945 km2 at a rate of −0.12 ± 0.07% a−1, showed a reduction in the rate of retreat through time and have recently gained mass, with surface elevation changes of 0.15 ± 0.35 m a−1 over the period of 2000–2013. Glaciers east of 85°E have experienced greater rates of area change (−61 ± 12 km2 and −0.43 ± 0.13% a−1) over the past 50 years, accelerated area loss in recent years and elevation change rate of −0.51 ± 0.18 m a−1 between 2000 and 2013. These patterns of elevation and area change are consistent with regional increases in summer temperature in the eastern Kunlun Mountains and slight cooling in the western Kunlun Mountains.
Primeros entierros y primeros cultivos en el Valle Calchaquí: Los inicios del Holoceno y del primer milenio en el sitio Puente del Diablo (SSalLap20)
Authors: Lema Verónica Soledad
Published: May 2022

Se presentan los resultados del estudio de la colección del sitio Puente del Diablo (SSalLap20) ubicado en la cabecera del Valle Calchaquí (La Poma, Salta, Argentina). Mediante el estudio de los materiales, registros, libretas de campo y nuevos análisis, se caracterizan cuatro enterratorios, dos de inicios del Holoceno con modalidades funerarias no descritas previamente. Asimismo, se caracteriza el material lítico, faunístico y vegetal; en este último caso se reportan especies domesticadas, entre ellas una semilla de poroto fechada por AMS, siendo el registro directo más temprano del valle. Los enterratorios aportan no sólo al entendimiento de la funebria en los albores del Holoceno —práctica que cuenta con escasos registros en la región— sino también al fechado directo más temprano sobre restos humanos de la zona valliserrana del Noroeste argentino.
Circuits regulating pleasure and happiness – focus on potential biomarkers for circuitry including the habenuloid complex
Authors: Loonen Anton J.M. , Ivanova Svetlana A.
Published: May 2022

Introduction:

The multiplicity and complexity of the neuronal connections in the central nervous system make it difficult to disentangle circuits that play an essential role in the development or treatment of (neuro)psychiatric disorders. By choosing the evolutionary development of the forebrain as a starting point, a certain order in the connections can be created. The dorsal diencephalic connection (DDC) system can be applied for the development of biomarkers that can predict treatment response.

Materials and methods:

After providing a brief introduction to the theory, we examined neuroanatomical publications on the connectivity of the DDC system. We then searched for neurochemical components that are specific for the habenula.

Results and discussion:

The best strategy to find biomarkers that reflect the function of the habenular connection is to use genetic variants of receptors, transporters or enzymes specific to this complex. By activating these with probes and measuring the response in people with different functional genotypes, the usefulness of biomarkers can be assessed.

Conclusions:

The most promising biomarkers in this respect are those linked to activation or inhibition of the nicotine receptor, dopamine D4 receptor, μ-opioid receptor and also those of the functioning of habenular glia cells (astrocytes and microglia).
Morphometric analysis ofSkiagia-plexus acritarchs from the early Cambrian of North Greenland: toward a meaningful evaluation of phenotypic plasticity
Authors: Wallet Elise , Willman Sebastian , Slater Ben J.
Published: May 2022

The Cambrian evolutionary radiations are marked by spectacular biotic turnovers and the establishment of increasingly tiered food chains. At the base of these food chains are primary producers, which in the Cambrian fossil record are chiefly represented among organic-walled microfossils. The majority of these microfossil remains have traditionally been attributed to an informal category of incertae sedis called “acritarchs,” based entirely on form taxonomy. Acritarch form taxa have been intensely used for biostratigraphy and in large-scale studies of phytoplankton diversity. However, both prospects have been challenged by cases of taxonomic inconsistencies and oversplitting arising from the large phenotypic plasticity seen among these microfossils. The acritarch form genusSkiagiastands as an ideal case study to explore these taxonomic challenges, because it encompasses a number of form species widely used in lower Cambrian biostratigraphy. Moreover, subtle morphological differences amongSkiagiaspecies were suggested to underlie key evolutionary innovations toward complex reproductive strategies. Here we apply a multivariate morphometric approach to investigate the morphological variation ofSkiagia-plexus acritarchs using an assemblage sourced from the Buen Formation (Cambrian Series 2, Stages 3–4) of North Greenland. Our analysis showed that the species-level classification ofSkiagiadiscretizes a continuous spectrum of morphologies. While these findings bring important taxonomic and biostratigraphic hurdles to light, the unequal frequency distribution of life cycle stages amongSkiagiaspecies suggests that certain elements of phytoplankton paleobiology are nonetheless captured bySkiagiaform taxonomy. These results demonstrate the value of using morphometric tools to explore acritarch phenotypic plasticity and its potential ontogenetic and paleoecological drivers in Cambrian ecosystems.
A new approach for investigating spatial relationships of ichnofossils: a case study of Ediacaran–Cambrian animal traces
Authors: Mitchell Emily G. , Evans Scott D. , Chen Zhe , Xiao Shuhai
Published: May 2022

Trace fossils record foraging behaviors, the search for resources in patchy environments, of animals in the rock record. Quantification of the strength, density, and nature of foraging behaviors enables the investigation of how these may have changed through time. Here, we present a novel approach to explore such patterns using spatial point process analyses to quantify the scale and strength of ichnofossil spatial distributions on horizontal bedding planes. To demonstrate the utility of this approach, we use two samples from the terminal Ediacaran Shibantan Member in South China (between 551 and 543 Ma) and the early Cambrian Nagaur Sandstone in northwestern India (between 539 and 509 Ma). We find that ichnotaxa on both surfaces exhibited significant nonhomogeneous lateral patterns, with distinct levels of heterogeneity exhibited by different types of trace fossils. In the Shibantan, two ichnotaxa show evidence for mutual positive aggregation over a shared resource, suggesting the ability to focus on optimal resource areas. Trace fossils from the Nagaur Sandstone exhibit more sophisticated foraging behavior, with greater niche differentiation. Critically, mark correlation functions highlight significant spatial autocorrelation of trace fossil orientations, demonstrating the greater ability of these Cambrian tracemakers to focus on optimal patches. Despite potential limitations, these analyses hint at changes in the development and optimization of foraging at the Ediacaran/Cambrian transition and highlight the potential of spatial point process analysis to tease apart subtle differences in behavior in the trace fossil record.
How concert promoters think: five approaches to concert promotion in Norway
Authors: Berge Ola K. , Kleppe Bård
Published: May 2022

Between artists and the audience, the concert promoter holds an important position within the music industry. This article, based on an empirical study of promoters in Norway, aims to analyse how concert promoters think, what their motivation and attitudes are like, their goals and their perceptions of a good concert and a good promoter. Drawing from both qualitative and quantitative data, we identify two dimensions in concert promotion: a paternalistic and a demand-driven approach. We also identify five typologies of concert promoters: the idealist, the curator, the rationalist, the entrepreneur and the instrumentalist.
Increased serum concentrations of growth differentiation factor-15 in children with acute rheumatic fever
Authors: Karakuş-Epçaçan Zerrin , Ramoğlu Mehmet Gökhan , Epçaçan Serdar
Published: May 2022

Aim:

In this single-centre prospective study, we aimed to evaluate the role of growth differentiation factor-15 in children with acute rheumatic fever.

Methods:

The study group included 25 children with acute rheumatic fever, and the control group included 25 healthy children. In addition to routine laboratory tests used in the diagnosis and treatment of acute rheumatic fever, growth differentiation factor-15 levels of the study group (at the time of diagnosis and after the treatment) and the control group were assessed and compared.

Results:

The mean growth differentiation factor-15 level of the study group at the time of diagnosis (918.40 ± 605.65 pg/ml) was significantly higher than the mean post-treatment level (653.08 ± 330.92 pg/ml) (p = 0.015). Similarly, the mean growth differentiation factor-15 level of the study group at the time of diagnosis was significantly higher than the control group (p = 0.04). However, mean growth differentiation factor-15 levels were similar between the groups after the treatment. Growth differentiation factor-15 was positively correlated with both C-reactive protein (p < 0.001) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p = 0.001) at the time of diagnosis.

Conclusion:

Growth differentiation factor-15 levels are significantly increased in children with acute rheumatic fever at the time of diagnosis and return to similar levels with healthy children after treatment. Growth differentiation factor-15 is positively and significantly correlated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein at the time of diagnosis.
Achieving Robust and Transferable Performance for Conservation‐Based Models of Dynamical Physical Systems
Authors: Zheng Feifei , Chen Junyi , Maier Holger R. , Gupta Hoshin
Published: May 2022

Because physics‐based models of dynamical systems are constrained to obey conservation laws, they must typically be fed long sequences of temporally consecutive (TC) data during model calibration and evaluation. When memory time scales are long (as in many physical systems), this requirement makes it difficult to ensure distributional similarity when partitioning the data into independent, TC, calibration and evaluation subsets. The consequence can be poor and/or uncertain model performance when applied to new situations. To address this issue, we propose a novel strategy for achieving robust and transferable model performance. Instead of partitioning the data into TC calibration and evaluation periods, the model is run in continuous simulation mode for the entire period, and specific time steps are assigned (via a deterministic data‐allocation approach) for use in computing the calibration and evaluation metrics. Generative adversarial testing shows that this approach results in consistent calibration and evaluation data subset distributions. When tested using three conceptual rainfall‐runoff models applied to 163 catchments representing a wide range of hydro‐climatic conditions, the proposed “distributionally consistent (DC)” strategy consistently resulted in better overall performance than achieved using the traditional “TC” strategy. Testing on independent data periods confirmed superior robustness and transferability of the DC‐calibrated models, particularly under conditions of larger runoff skewness. Because the approach is generally applicable to physics‐based models of dynamical systems, it has the potential to significantly improve the confidence associated with prediction and uncertainty estimates generated using such models.
Consuming fresh macroalgae induces specific catabolic pathways, stress reactions and Type IX secretion in marine flavobacterial pioneer degraders
Authors: Brunet Maéva , Le Duff Nolwen , Barbeyron Tristan , Thomas François
Published: May 2022

Macroalgae represent huge amounts of biomass worldwide, largely recycled by marine heterotrophic bacteria. We investigated the strategies of bacteria within the flavobacterial genus Zobellia to initiate the degradation of whole algal tissues, which has received little attention compared to the degradation of isolated polysaccharides. Zobellia galactanivorans DsijT has the capacity to use fresh brown macroalgae as a sole carbon source and extensively degrades algal tissues via the secretion of extracellular enzymes, even in the absence of physical contact with the algae. Co-cultures experiments with the non-degrading strain Tenacibaculum aestuarii SMK-4T showed that Z. galactanivorans can act as a pioneer that initiates algal breakdown and shares public goods with other bacteria. A comparison of eight Zobellia strains, and strong transcriptomic shifts in Z. galactanivorans cells using fresh macroalgae vs. isolated polysaccharides, revealed potential overlooked traits of pioneer bacteria. Besides brown algal polysaccharide degradation, they notably include oxidative stress resistance proteins, type IX secretion system proteins and novel uncharacterized polysaccharide utilization loci. Overall, this work highlights the relevance of studying fresh macroalga degradation to fully understand the metabolic and ecological strategies of pioneer microbial degraders, key players in macroalgal biomass remineralization.
Fluorescence in situ hybridization detection of chromosome 7 and/or 17 polysomy as a prognostic marker for cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Deenonpoe Raksawan , Sa-ngiamwibool Prakasit , Watcharadetwittaya Sasithorn , Thanee Malinee , Intuyod Kitti , Kongpan Thachanan , Padthaisong Sureerat , Nutalai Rungtiwa , Chamgramol Yaovalux , Pairojkul Chawalit
Published: May 2022

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is highly endemic in the Northeast Thailand. Recently, chromosome aberrations provided new insights into pathogenesis of CCA. Therefore, chromosome aberration might be used as a prognostic factor and therapeutic planning of this cancer. This aim of this study is to examine the correlation between an increase of chromosome 7 (C7) and/or 17 (C17) copy number variants (CNVs) with clinicopathological data and the overall survival time (OS) of CCA patients using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assays. C7 and C17 CNVs were examined using FISH form 157 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues of CCA patients from Khon Kaen, Thailand between 2011 and 2015. OS was visualized using Kaplan–Meier plot. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine the ability of the clinicopathological parameters to predict OS. C17 > trisomy (odd ratio, 6.944, P < 0.001), C7/17 trisomy (odd ratio; 4.488, P = 0.019), and C7/17 > trisomy (odd ratio; 6.723, P < 0.001) were independently predictive factors for lymph node metastasis. Interestingly, an increase of C7, C17, and C7/17 CNVs in both trisomy and > trisomy was independently correlated with short median OS. An increased of C7 and/or 17 have a potential as a poor prognostic marker in CCA patients.
Effect of excess weight and insulin resistance on DNA methylation in prepubertal children
Authors: Barbosa Pedro , Landes Reid D. , Graw Stefan , Byrum Stephanie D. , Bennuri Sirish , Delhey Leanna , Randolph Chris , MacLeod Stewart , Reis Andreia , Børsheim Elisabet , Rose Shannon , Carvalho Eugenia
Published: May 2022

Epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, regulate gene expression and play a role in the development of insulin resistance. This study evaluates how the BMIz-score (BMIz) and the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), alone or in combination, relate to clinical outcomes and DNA methylation patterns in prepubertal children. DNA methylation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and clinical outcomes were measured in a cohort of 41 prepubertal children. Children with higher HOMA-IR had higher blood pressure and plasma lactate levels while children with higher BMIz had higher triglycerides levels. Moreover, the DNA methylation analysis demonstrated that a 1 unit increase in the BMIz was associated with a 0.41 (95% CI: 0.29, 0.53) increase in methylation of a CpG near thePPP6R2gene. This gene is important in the regulation of NF-kB expression. However, there was no strong evidence that the BMIz and the HOMA-IR were synergistically related to any clinical or DNA methylation outcomes. In summary, the results suggest that obesity and insulin resistance may impact metabolic health both independently in prepubertal children. In addition, obesity also has an impact on the DNA methylation of thePPP6R2gene. This may be a novel underlying starting point for the systemic inflammation associated with obesity and insulin resistance, in this population.
Prevalence of pain in community-dwelling older adults with hypertension in the United States
Authors: Li Chao-Yi , Lin Wei-Cheng , Lu Ching-Yen , Chung Yu Shan , Cheng Yu-Chen
Published: May 2022

Hypertension and pain are both prevalent conditions in the older adult population. We aimed to report the prevalence of pain discomforts and investigated the association between hypertension and pain discomforts among older adults in the United States. Data from the 2011 National Health and Aging Trends Study were analyzed. In-person interviews were conducted in 7601 adults ages ≥ 65 years. Prevalence of bothersome pain, activity-limiting pain, locations of pain and usage of pain medicine were evaluated. Demographics, comorbidities, and other covariates were compared between older adults with hypertension and those without. Multivariate regression was further performed to yield adjusted odd ratios. Among 6825 older adults, 4533 of them had a history of hypertension while 2272 of them had not. Prevalence of bothersome pain (57.12% versus 44.81%, p < 0.001) and activity-limiting pain (56.21% versus 46.12%, p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the hypertension group. After adjusting for all covariates, hypertension demonstrated a significant association with activity-limiting pain (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.06 to 2.52, p = 0.02). In conclusion, pain was more prevalent in older Americans with hypertension. The positive association between hypertension and pain suggested that routine pain assessment and proper treatment would be required to improve the function and quality of life among older adults especially with hypertension.