bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel method utilizing bisulfite conversion with dual amplification‐refractory mutation system polymerase chain reaction to detect circulating pancreatic β‐cell cfDNA
Authors: Okada Asami , Yamada‐Yamashita Misuzu , Tominaga Yukari , Jo Kyoka , Mori Hiroyasu , Suzuki Reiko , Ishizu Masashi , Tamaki Motoyuki , Akehi Yuko , Takashi Yuichi , Koga Daisuke , Shimokita Eisuke , Tanihara Fuminori , Kurahashi Kiyoe , Yoshida Sumiko , Mitsui Yukari , Masuda Shiho , Endo Itsuro , Aihara Ken‐ichi , Kagami Shoji , Abe Masahiro , Ferreri Kevin , Fujitani Yoshio , Matsuhisa Munehide , Kuroda Akio
Published: April 2022

Aims/Introduction

Several research groups have reported methods for quantifying pancreatic beta cell (β‐cell) injury by measuring β‐cell‐specific CpG unmethylation of the insulin gene in circulation using digital droplet PCR or next‐generation sequencing. However, these methods have certain disadvantages, such as the need to consider the background signal owing to the small number of target CpG sites and the need for unique equipment.

Materials and Methods

We established a novel method for detecting four CpG unmethylations of the insulin gene using two‐step amplification refractory mutation system PCR. We applied it to type 1 diabetes (T1D) patients with a wide range of disease durations and to healthy adults.

Results

The assay showed high linearity and could detect a single copy of unmethylated insulin DNA in experiments using methylated and unmethylated plasmid DNA. The unmethylated insulin DNA level in the type 1 diabetes group, whose β‐cell mass was considerably reduced, was similar to that of healthy adults. An inverse correlation was observed between copy number and disease duration in patients with unmethylated insulin DNA‐positive type 1 diabetes.

Conclusions

We developed a novel method for detecting unmethylated insulin DNA in circulation that can be performed using a conventional real‐time PCR system. This method would be useful for analyzing dynamic profiles of β‐cells in human disease such as type 1 diabetes.
Two cases with fulminant type 1 diabetes that developed long after cessation of immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment
Authors: Hatayama Satoko , Kodama Shinjiro , Kawana Yohei , Otake Sonoko , Sato Daiki , Horiuchi Takahiro , Takahashi Kei , Kaneko Keizo , Imai Junta , Katagiri Hideki
Published: April 2022

Various immune‐related adverse events (irAEs), including fulminant type 1 diabetes (FT1D), are known to be associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). We experienced two lung adenocarcinoma cases who developed fulminant type 1 diabetes long after discontinuation of ICI therapies. One, a 74‐year‐old male, received nivolumab and developed fulminant type 1 diabetes 44 days after the last infusion. The other, an 85‐year‐old male, received atezolizumab and developed fulminant type 1 diabetes 171 days after the last infusion. Clinical ICI treatment guidelines recommend laboratory tests during ICI treatments but the necessity of tests in patients whose ICI therapy has been discontinued is not clearly described. These cases indicate that blood glucose monitoring should be continued at least for several months, and that patients should be informed of the possibility of fulminant type 1 diabetes after ICI discontinuation, because fulminant type 1 diabetes progresses rapidly and can be life‐threatening if not promptly recognized.
Color stability of resin‐based composites: Staining procedures with liquids—A narrative review
Authors: Paolone Gaetano , Formiga Sara , De Palma Francesca , Abbruzzese Luca , Chirico Luca , Scolavino Salvatore , Goracci Cecilia , Cantatore Giuseppe , Vichi Alessandro
Published: April 2022

Objective

The objective of this study was to review the experimental staining procedures performed in in‐vitro studies for evaluating color stability of resin‐based composites used for direct restorations.

Overview

A review was performed with the purpose to identify in vitro procedures carried out to establish staining and color stability of resin‐based composites used for direct restorations. A literature search was performed on four online databases (PubMed, Scopus, Embase and Web of Science) for articles published from January 1st 2001 till March 20th 2021, using a combination of free words and Medical Subject Headings (MESH) terms: “Composite Resins” AND “Color Stability” OR “Staining.” Two reviewers screened titles and/or abstracts of 1728 unique studies. In total, 208 studies were selected for full‐text reading, from which 178 were included in the review. The assessed variables were specimen dimensions, shape, and surface finishing; time before immersion; staining media type, dwell time, temperature and renewal interval; type of composite; color and translucency assessment parameters and measuring system.

One hundred and seventy‐eight articles analyzed color stability with staining liquids. Coffee was the most used staining medium (n = 102), followed by tea (n = 61), and red wine (n = 55). A disc‐shaped specimen was used in most studies (n = 170) with a 2 mm thickness (n = 116). Spectrophotometers were the most used color assessment devices (n = 154), followed by colorimeters (n = 17). Color differences were quantified with ΔE (n = 154), ΔE00 (n = 23). Acceptability and or perceptibility thresholds were also taken into consideration (n = 126).

Conclusions

The large variety of staining procedure suggests the need for standardization.

Clinical Significance

Aesthetic failure due to discoloration is a relevant clinical problem. Evaluating benefits and drawbacks of resin based composites artificial staining procedures will improve to predict materials clinical performances.
Operationalizing ICWA compliance to improve Native American child & family outcomes
Authors: Sage Melanie , Barkdull Carenlee
Published: April 2022

Objective

The 1978 Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) is a federal law enacted to prevent the unnecessary removal of tribal children from their families and cultures. This methodological report describes how a research team operationalized court compliance with ICWA through a statewide record audit conducted over three years in a Midwestern state.

Method

We designed an ICWA Compliance Checklist to serve as a basis for evaluating ICWA compliance and used it to assess court records. We analyzed the process of developing a compliance tool and documented the lessons learned.

Results

Methodological difficulties included matching research strategies to available data and negotiating the project's scope with the partners. However, the Checklist provided a unique opportunity to report on statewide compliance and shape local practice.

Conclusions

Amid increasing calls for the use of system data, social work scholars can consider strategies for a successful research partnership and bring an advocacy perspective to the assessment of public data, especially regarding sovereignty issues.
Vitamin D supplementation for irritable bowel syndrome: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Chong Ryan Ian Houe , Yaow Clyve Yu Leon , Loh Caitlin Yuen Ling , Teoh Seth En , Masuda Yoshio , Ng Wee Khoon , Lim Yu Liang , Ng Qin Xiang
Published: April 2022

Background and Aim

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent and complex gastrointestinal disorder characterized by chronic abdominal pain and altered bowel habits. Observational studies have suggested a relationship between serum vitamin D levels and IBS symptoms. This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to investigate the clinical effects of vitamin D supplementation on IBS symptom severity and quality of life (QoL) measures.

Methods

Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched. Data abstraction and quality assessment were conducted by four authors independently, and discrepancies were resolved through consensus from the senior author. Continuous data were pooled with standardized mean difference (SMD) using the DerSimonian and Laird's random‐effects model. Sensitivity analysis by risk of bias and potentially “predatory” publication were performed as well.

Results

A total of 685 patients across eight studies were included in the meta‐analysis. Vitamin D supplementation significantly improved IBS symptom severity scale scores, with a SMD of −0.77 (95% confidence interval [CI] −1.47 to −0.07, P = 0.04, I2 = 91%). Improvements in IBS‐QoL scores were also observed, albeit not statistically significant (SMD 0.54; 95% CI −0.34 to 1.41, P = 0.15, I2 = 87%). However, small sample sizes, a relatively young study population, limited ethnicities, and varied vitamin D dosing strategies across the studies were notable limitations.

Conclusions

Vitamin D supplementation could be part of our clinical armamentarium when managing IBS patients due to the potential efficacy and good safety profile. Further randomized, controlled trials are required to confirm the therapeutic effects.
Product label identification with OCR for model‐specific reuse, repair, and recycling: A case study for washing machines
Authors: Sterkens Wouter , Bracquené Ellen , Díaz‐Romero Dillam Jossue , Goedemé Toon , Dewulf Wim , Peeters Jef R.
Published: April 2022

In this study, a procedure to automatically identify the product model by evaluating an image of the label is presented. First, object character recognition (OCR) extracts text from the product label. Second, to identify the product model, the extracted text is compared with unique model references in a database, giving access to other model‐specific information. For this comparison, a novel variation of the partial ratio matching algorithm was developed. The product‐model identification procedure is integrated into an interactive web application, which allows for model identification to be performed during preparation for reuse, repair, and recycling: The SmartRe application. Three datasets consisting of 466, 422, and 771 images of washing machine product labels were gathered in collaboration with a (1) professional repair company for consumer devices, (2) a nonprofit repair and reuse center that resells devices in second‐hand stores, and (3) a large recycling company. Results demonstrate that 96%, 91%, and 40% of the product models were correctly read from the product label with OCR, respectively. Of these recognized models, 51%, 88%, and 76% were successfully identified with the SmartRe application by comparing the extracted text with the model database. Further analysis also demonstrated that 72% of the washing machine models identified at the nonprofit repair and reuse center were also found at the recycling facility and that 12% of these models are predicted to be less than 10‐years‐old. This highlights the potential of the SmartRe application to assist in product triage for reuse at recycling centers.
Effect of peer mentoring on physical activity in patients with cancer: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Sezgin Merve Gozde , Bektas Hicran
Published: April 2022

Aims and objectives

To systematically examine the effect of peer mentoring applied to patients with cancer on physical activity.

Design

Systematic review and meta‐analysis.

Methods

This systematic review and meta‐analysis was conducted as a result of reviewing randomised controlled trials. No year limitation was set, and studies published in English were included in the study. Web of Science, Science Direct, PubMed, ProQuest, EBSCOhost/CINAHL Complete, Springer Link, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE and Ovid databases were searched up to January 2022. The Comprehensive Meta‐Analysis 3 software was used to analyse the meta‐analysis data. PRISMA was employed. The Cochrane Collaboration tool was evaluated by two independent researchers.

Results

Six studies with a total of 1.551 participants were included in the meta‐analysis. The results showed that peer mentoring had positive medium effects on the physical activity process (95% Cl = 0.15 to 0.49, p < .001 and Hedge's g = 0.322). The results of the sensitivity analysis confirmed the reliability of the outcome measures.

Conclusions

Peer mentoring was found to have positive effects on improving the level of physical activity in patients with cancer. The use of peer mentoring can offer a holistic perspective by improving the quality and functional status of care.

Relevance to clinical practice

Peer mentoring can be beneficial in terms of being a comfortable method and improving the physical activity levels of patients. In addition, health professionals’ awareness of peer mentoring in terms of the provision of holistic care will increase.
Criteria‐led discharge for simple appendicitis in children: A pilot study
Authors: Roddis Bridget , Ensor Nicholas , Williamson Shona , Funnell Hannah , Murthi Sangeetha , Pacilli Maurizio , Nataraja Ramesh M
Published: April 2022

Aim

Criteria‐led discharge (CLD) protocols have been suggested to increase efficiency of discharge from hospital following surgical interventions. Our aim was to assess the feasibility, clinical outcomes and parental satisfaction following the introduction of a pilot CLD for simple appendicitis (SA) in children.

Methods

A prospective pilot cohort study was conducted including paediatric patients with SA who were managed with CLD and a control group who were managed with standard discharge procedures. A CLD pro forma was developed, standardising care guidelines and clinical criteria indicators to be met for children to be discharged post‐operatively. A post‐discharge parent survey was also utilised. The primary outcome measure was post‐operative length of stay (pLOS), with secondary outcomes of post‐operative complication rates and parental satisfaction.

Results

The control group consisted of 31 patients and CLD group 35 patients. There was no difference in the median pLOS (24 [16.7–44.6] vs. 25.3 [19.1–50.1] h, P = 0.3). Furthermore, there were no significant differences on any of the secondary outcomes. Parental confidence with time of discharge was very high in both control (85.7%) and CLD (88.2%) groups (P = 1.0).

Conclusion

The introduction of CLD is safe and feasible. Whilst this pilot has not demonstrated a reduction in pLOS, our data suggest that it is well accepted by the parents.
Molecular mechanisms underlying plasticity in a thermally varying environment
Authors: Salachan Paul Vinu , Sørensen Jesper Givskov
Published: April 2022

Adaptation to environmental variability is a prerequisite for species’ persistence in their natural environments. With climate change predicted to increase the frequency and severity of temperature fluctuations, ectothermic organisms may increasingly depend on acclimation capacity to accommodate thermal variability. To elucidate the molecular basis of fluctuating temperature‐induced phenotypic plasticity, we investigated heat tolerance and the mechanisms induced by acclimation to thermal variability as compared to those seen at constant temperature. We ran genome‐wide transcriptomic analysis on Drosophila melanogaster subjected to acclimation at constant (19 ± 0°C) and fluctuating (19 ± 8°C) temperatures and contrasted the induction of molecular mechanisms in adult males, adult females and larvae. We found life stage‐ and sex‐specific dynamics of the acclimation responses to fluctuating temperatures. Adult flies exposed to temperature fluctuations showed a constitutive improvement in heat tolerance while heat tolerance of larvae tracked thermal fluctuations. A constitutive down‐regulation of gene expression was observed for several genes in the larvae exposed to fluctuations. Our results for adult females showed that, for several genes, fluctuating temperature acclimation resulted in canalization of gene expression. Both transcriptional and post‐transcriptional machinery were greatly affected by fluctuations in adult males. Gene ontology analysis showed enrichment of the heat stress response involving several major heat shock proteins in both larvae and adults exposed to fluctuating temperatures, even though fluctuations were in a benign range of temperatures. Finally, molecular mechanisms related to environmental sensing seem to be an important component of insect responses to thermal variability.
Churning and profitability in the U.S. corporate sector
Authors: Davis Leila , de Souza Joao Paulo A.
Published: April 2022

This paper establishes that entry and exit stabilize the top half of the profitability distribution in the post‐1970 U.S. economy. We, first, document stability in the distribution of total profits earned on tangible, intangible, and financial capital. Whereas a narrower measure of returns on tangible capital, instead, suggests rising dispersion, it fails to capture post‐1970 growth in intangible and financial assets. Second, we use quantile decompositions to show that churning—specifically, exit for cause—regulates median and top‐end profitability. Thus, the process by which competition drives out unprofitable firms acts to stabilize profit rates in the U.S. economy.
Preparing for selection success: Socio‐demographic differences in opportunities and obstacles
Authors: Jackson Dawn , Ward Derek , Agwu Juliana Chizo , Spruce Austen
Published: April 2022

Introduction

There is a growing drive to improve the heterogeneity of medical school cohorts. However, those from lower socio‐economic groups remain under‐represented. Understanding the methods used by applicants to prepare for medical school selection, and the challenges they face with respect to opportunities and access, may provide important insights to this lack of diversity. This research considered the influence of socio‐demographic background on preparation for medical school selection and on the successful offer of a place.

Methods

All eligible applicants to a large UK medical school were invited to complete an anonymous online survey (international and mature applicants excluded), detailing demographic data and experiences of preparing for selection and challenges faced (n = 1885). Selection outcomes across all UK medical schools were examined for consenting students (n = 955). Univariate and multivariate analyses explored the associations of preparatory activities and demographic data with subsequent offer of a place at a UK medical school.

Results

The survey response rate was 66.4%. Clinical work experience (hospital or general practice), fee‐based courses for admissions tests and school preparation courses for interview were activities significantly associated with the offer of a place (P < .05). Those attending independent (private) schools most frequently reported school support and fee‐based courses to support preparation (P < .01). Applicants from state non‐selective (SNS) schools and lower socio‐economic groups more frequently reported challenges in accessing fee‐based support, school interview courses and clinical work experience (P ≤ .02).

Discussion

Clinical work experience, commercial courses for admissions tests and school‐based support for interview represent areas of preparation that are associated with success. However, they also represent areas that are more challenging to access for demographic groups traditionally under‐represented in medicine. Addressing complex issues of fairness in highly selective higher education settings can appear an insurmountable task. These preparatory activities represent key areas for applicants, schools and institutions to explore and address.
Opposing effects of MYZUS PERSICAE‐INDUCED LIPASE 1 and jasmonic acid influence the outcome of Arabidopsis thaliana–Fusarium graminearum interaction
Authors: Alam Syeda T. , Sarowar Sujon , Mondal Hossain A. , Makandar Ragiba , Chowdhury Zulkarnain , Louis Joe , Shah Jyoti
Published: April 2022

Fusarium graminearum (Fg) is an important fungal pathogen of small grain cereals that can also infect Arabidopsis thaliana. In Arabidopsis, jasmonic acid (JA) signalling involving JASMONATE RESISTANT 1 (JAR1), which synthesizes JA‐isoleucine, a signalling form of JA, promotes susceptibility to Fg. Here we show that Arabidopsis MYZUS PERSICAE‐INDUCED LIPASE 1 (MPL1), via its influence on limiting JA accumulation, restricts Fg infection. MPL1 expression was up‐regulated in response to Fg infection, and MPL1‐OE plants, which overexpress MPL1, exhibited enhanced resistance against Fg. In comparison, disease severity was higher on the mpl1 mutant than the wild type. JA content was lower in MPL1‐OE and higher in mpl1 than in the wild type, indicating that MPL1 limits JA accumulation. Pharmacological experiments confirmed the importance of MPL1‐determined restriction of JA accumulation on curtailment of Fg infection. Methyl‐JA application attenuated the MPL1‐OE‐conferred resistance, while the JA biosynthesis inhibitor ibuprofen enhanced resistance in mpl1. Also, the JA biosynthesis‐defective opr3 mutant was epistatic to mpl1, resulting in enhanced resistance in mpl1 opr3 plants. In comparison, JAR1 was not essential for the mpl1‐conferred susceptibility to Fg. Considering that methyl‐JA promotes Fg growth in culture, we suggest that in part MPL1 curtails disease by limiting the availability of a plant‐derived Fg growth‐promoting factor.
First evidence of pyrethroid resistance in Italian populations of West Nile virus vector Culex pipiens
Authors: Pichler Verena , Giammarioli Carola , Bellini Romeo , Veronesi Rodolfo , Arnoldi Daniele , Rizzoli Annapaola , Lia Riccardo Paolo , Otranto Domenico , Ballardini Marco , Cobre Pietro , Serini Paola , della Torre Alessandra , Caputo Beniamino
Published: April 2022

Culex pipiens (Linnaeus), one of the most abundant mosquito species in Europe, plays a crucial role in the endemic transmission of West Nile virus and caused the large outbreak with >1600 human cases in 2018. Although evidence of resistance to pyrethroids has been reported for Cx. pipiens populations from Spain and Greece, resistance monitoring has been largely neglected in Italy. Herein, we investigate susceptibility of Italian Cx. pipiens populations to the pyrethroids permethrin and deltamethrin. Results from WHO‐tube‐bioassays revealed mortalities ranging from 14–54%, indicating high levels of resistance, in four out of 10 populations exposed to permethrin (0.75%) and of 63% in one of three populations exposed to deltamethrin (0.05%). Reduced susceptibility (mortality<98%) was detected in almost all other populations. A clear association is shown between the resistant phenotype and the presence of kdr‐alleles in position 1014 of the VSSC, strongly suggesting its role in reducing susceptibility. The study provides the first evidence of pyrethroid‐resistance in Italian Cx. pipiens populations and reports levels of resistance paralleled in the European region only in Turkey. This highlights the urgent need to implement insecticide‐resistance management plans to restore the efficacy of the nowadays only chemical weapon available to control arbovirus transmission in Europe.
Downregulation of a gibberellin 3β‐hydroxylase enhances photosynthesis and increases seed yield in soybean
Authors: Hu Dezhou , Li Xiao , Yang Zhongyi , Liu Shulin , Hao Derong , Chao Maoni , Zhang Jinyu , Yang Hui , Su Xiaoyue , Jiang Mingyue , Lu Shaoqi , Zhang Dan , Wang Li , Kan Guizhen , Wang Hui , Cheng Hao , Wang Jiao , Huang Fang , Tian Zhixi , Yu Deyue
Published: April 2022

Seed yield, determined mainly by seed numbers and seed weight, is the primary target of soybean breeding. Identifying the genes underlying yield‐related traits is of great significance.

Through joint linkage mapping and a genome‐wide association study for 100‐seed weight, we cloned GmGA3ox1, a gene encoding gibberellin 3β‐hydroxylase, which is the key enzyme in the gibberellin synthesis pathway.

Genome resequencing identified a beneficial GmGA3ox1 haplotype contributing to high seed weight, which was further confirmed by soybean transformants. CRISPR/Cas9‐generated gmga3ox1 mutants showed lower seed weight, but promoted seed yield by increasing seed numbers. The gmga3ox1 mutants reduced gibberellin biosynthesis while enhancing photosynthesis. Knockout of GmGA3ox1 resulted in the upregulation of numerous photosynthesis‐related genes, particularly the GmRCA family encoding ribulose‐1,5‐bispho‐sphate carboxylase‐oxygenase (Rubisco) activases. The basic leucine zipper transcription factors GmbZIP97 and GmbZIP159, which were both upregulated in the gmga3ox1 mutants and induced by the gibberellin synthesis inhibitor uniconazole, could bind to the promoter of GmRCAβ and activate its expression. Analysis of genomic sequences with over 2700 soybean accessions suggested that GmGA3ox1 is being gradually utilized in modern breeding.

Our results elucidated the important role of GmGA3ox1 in soybean yield. These findings reveal important clues for future high‐yield breeding in soybean and other crops.
Genetic variation for seed storage protein composition in rapeseed (Brassica napus) and development of near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy calibration equations
Authors: Stolte Nils , Vettel Jasmin , Möllers Christian
Published: April 2022

Rapeseed protein consists mainly of the seed storage protein cruciferin and napin. Cruciferin and napin have different nutritional values and techno‐functional properties. Shifting the cruciferin/napin ratio towards either more napin or more cruciferin could allow diversified applications. The objective of this study was to investigate the genetic variation of cruciferin and napin in modern winter rapeseed cultivars. Cruciferin and napin contents were analysed by SDS‐PAGE. Genetic variation for both protein fractions was highly significant. Heritabilities were high ranging from 74% for cruciferin to 82% for napin. Napin was positively correlated with glucosinolate (rS = .52**) and seed protein content (rS = .48**). Additional plant material with much larger trait variation was included to develop near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopical calibrations. The Near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) equations showed high fractions of explained variance in cross and independent validation of around .9 for all traits, indicating that the NIRS equations can be applied in routine screening of plant material.
Impact of the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program on hospital readmission and mortality: An economic analysis
Authors: Qiu Liangfei , Kumar Subodha , Sen Arun , Sinha Atish P.
Published: April 2022

Reduction in hospital readmissions has long been identified as a target area for healthcare public policy reform by the US government. In October 2012, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) established the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP) program, which requires the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to reduce payments to hospitals with excess readmissions. Even with recent changes in ACA, the HRRP program is still in place. In this study, we empirically examine the effectiveness of the introduction of the HRRP on hospital readmission and mortality rates. We observe that, in general, the introduction of the HRRP has significantly reduced readmission rates. However, the introduction of the HRRP does not necessarily decrease the mortality rates, which highlights the unintended consequences of public policy. What is more interesting is that the impact of the HRRP is heterogeneous in hospital size and racial groups. First, after the HRRP introduction, large hospitals have experienced a greater reduction in readmission rates than small hospitals. Second, after the introduction of the HRRP, the zip code regions with a higher percentage of Hispanic and African‐American populations have experienced a larger reduction in readmission rates. These results contribute to both theory and practice in public policy and provide important and nuanced policy implications for evaluating the effectiveness of the HRRP. Policy‐makers also need to pay close attention to these results for future implementations of policies similar to the HRRP.
Fulfillment scheduling for buy‐online‐pickup‐in‐store orders
Authors: Wu Xueqi , Chen Zhi‐Long
Published: April 2022

One of the most popular ways of shopping in an omnichannel retailing environment is buy‐online‐pickup‐in‐store (BOPS). Retailers often promise BOPS shoppers short in‐store pickup ready times. We study fulfillment scheduling decisions of BOPS orders destined for a single store of a retailer. There are two fulfillment options for BOPS orders: they can be either processed at a fulfillment center (FC) and delivered to the store or processed at the store without needing delivery. There are two types of trucks available to deliver the BOPS orders fulfilled at the FC: prescheduled trucks that are already committed to replenishing store inventory and have some spare capacity that can be utilized, and additional trucks that can be hired from third‐party logistics providers. There is a fixed cost for using each truck; the cost for using a prescheduled truck is lower than that for using an additional truck. If an order is fulfilled at the store, it incurs a processing cost and a processing time, whereas the processing cost and time are negligible if an order is fulfilled at the FC. The problem is to determine where to fulfill each order (FC vs. the store), how to assign the orders fulfilled at the FC to trucks for delivery, and how to schedule the orders fulfilled at the store for store processing, so as to minimize the total fulfillment cost, including the delivery cost from the FC to the store incurred by the orders processed at the FC, and the processing cost for fulfilling the rest of the orders at the store, subject to the constraint that each order is ready for pickup at the store by its promised pickup ready time. We consider various cases of the problem by clarifying their computational complexity, developing optimal algorithms and heuristics, and analyzing theoretical performance of the heuristics. We also conduct computational experiments to validate the effectiveness of the proposed heuristics in both static and dynamic settings and derive important insights about how the presence of prescheduled trucks and the presence of store fulfillment option impact the fulfillment cost and decisions.
Natural Theology and the Clarity of General RevelationWithout Excuse: Scripture, Reason, and Presuppositional Apologetics, DavidHaines (ed.), The Davenant Press, 2020 (ISBN 978‐1949716030), 323 pp., pb $23.95Natural Theology: A Biblical and Historical Introduction and Defense, DavidHaines, The Davenant Press, 2021 (ISBN 978‐1949716092), 195 pp., pb $14.95
Authors: Anderson Owen
Published: April 2022

Together, these two books by David Haines give a biblical and historical defense of natural theology and an argument against VanTil's rejection of it. They bring to our attention the remaining problems in Aristotelian and Thomist approaches to natural theology including what can be known about God from general revelation so that Aristotle's unbelief is without excuse. In the end, the need is for sound arguments to show what is clearly revealed about God.
Variable rate precision farming and advisory services in Scotland: Supporting responsible digital innovation?
Authors: Townsend Leanne C. , Noble Christina
Published: April 2022

This article presents research carried out in Scotland that explored the role of advisors in supporting the adoption of variable rate precision farming (VRPF). Examining data from in‐depth interviews with farmers and advisors in Scotland through a responsible research and innovation lens with a focus on inclusion, we consider the implications of a changing advisory landscape for responsible digital innovation. Our findings show that the main advisors supporting the adoption of VRPF are based in commercial companies, which mostly target large farms. We explore concerns over bias in the advisory process on the one hand and long‐running trusted relationships between commercial advisors and farmers on the other. The research shows that the current system excludes certain stakeholders from the process. Recommendations include policy and programmes to support collaboration between a broader range of stakeholders, including advisory suppliers and farmers in the innovation process. This can promote more inclusive development of VRPF technologies, which represent the interests of more diverse farm types and avoid exacerbating agricultural digital divides.
A Cartographic Approach To The Right Periphery: The Dual Status Of ItalianSembrareAnd Its Korean Counterpart*
Authors: An Duk‐Ho
Published: April 2022

The cartographic project aims at drawing a map of clause structure that is as precise and as detailed as possible (Cinque 1999, 2004, Rizzi 1997, among many others). In this paper, I focus on the distribution of heads in the right periphery in Korean that I argue provides a direct window into the clausal architecture of the language. Taking as a starting point Cinque's (2004) discussion on the Italian verbsembrarein the context of clitic climbing and restructuring (see also Haegeman 2006, 2010), I examine the behavior of the verbpotain Korean and show that the verbs in question behave in exactly the same way in crucial respects—they can be merged high as functional heads marking speaker‐related evidentiality, while they can also be merged low as lexical verbs. The parallelism betweenpotaandsembrareprovides strong evidence for the universality of the cartographic hierarchy of functional projections.
From modern to classic: Classification of the planthopper family Issidae (Hemiptera, Auchenorrhyncha, Fulgoroidea) derived from a total‐evidence phylogeny
Authors: Gnezdilov Vladimir M. , Konstantinov Fedor V. , Namyatova Anna A.
Published: April 2022

The Issidae are highly diverse in terms of morphology and species richness. Despite recent efforts, the internal phylogeny and classification of this planthopper family remain controversial. Here, we present a phylogeny of the family inferred with Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood analyses of a nine‐gene molecular dataset (4702 bp) and morphological data (35 characters) across a broad sample of taxa (99 terminals). Based on these results, we verify the taxonomic status of the issid subfamilies, tribes and generic complexes. Results revealed a well‐supported basal dichotomy of the family into two clades, corresponding to the subfamilies Issinae and Hysteropterinae. Within Issinae, the tribes Issini, Thioniini, Sarimini, Hemisphaeriini, Parahiraciini and Kodaianellini were recovered with high support. Four strongly statistically supported clades were revealed within the subfamily Hysteropterinae, but we refrain from taxonomic decisions in the absence of morphological characters to diagnose the clades A–C. Interestingly, the obtained results are in good agreement with L. Melichar's view on Issidae classification suggested more than a century ago. Our results challenge an early Cretaceous origin of the Issidae and the basal split of the family between Neotropical taxa (Thioniini) and the remaining issids.
Data-Enabled Predictive Control for Building HVAC Systems
Authors: Chinde Venkatesh , Lin Yashen , Ellis Matthew J.
Published: April 2022

Model predictive control is widely used as a control technology for the computation of optimal control inputs of building heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. However, both the benefits and widespread adoption of model predictive control (MPC) are hindered by the effort of model creation, calibration, and accuracy of the predictions. In this paper, we apply the data-enabled predictive control (DeePC) algorithm for designing controls for building HVAC systems. The algorithm solely depends on input/output data from the system to predict future state trajectories without the need for system identification. The algorithm relies on the idea that a vector space of all input–output trajectories of a discrete-time linear time-invariant (LTI) system is spanned by time-shifts of a single measured trajectory, given the input signal is persistently exciting. Closed-loop simulations using EnergyPlus are performed to demonstrate the approach. The simulated building modeled in EnergyPlus is a modified commercial large office prototype building served by an air handling unit-variable air volume HVAC system. Temperature setpoints of zones are used as control variables to minimize the HVAC energy cost of the building considering a time-of-use electricity rate structure. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis is conducted to gain insights into the effect of parameter tuning on DeePC performance. Simulation results are used to illustrate the performance of the algorithm and compare the algorithm with model-based MPC and occupancy-based setpoint controller. Overall, DeePC achieves similar performance compared to MPC for lower engineering effort.
Four-quark states with charm quarks in a two-body Bethe–Salpeter approach
Authors: Santowsky Nico , Fischer Christian S.
Published: April 2022

We study the internal structure of a range of four-quark states with charm quark contributions using a two-body Bethe–Salpeter equation. Thereby, we examine charmonium-like states with hidden charm and quark content $$c\bar{c}q\bar{q}$$

c

c

¯

q

q

¯

, open-charm states with quark content $$cc\bar{q}\bar{q}$$

c
c

q

¯

q

¯

and all-charm states with $$cc\bar{c}\bar{c}$$

c
c

c

¯

c

¯

. In particular we study the internal competition between meson–meson components and diquark–antidiquark components in the wave functions of these states. Our results indicate that the $$\chi _{c1}(3872)$$

χ

c
1

(
3872
)

and the $$Z_c(3900)$$

Z
c

(
3900
)

are predominantly $$D\bar{D}^*$$

D

D

¯

∗

states and that the recently discovered open-charm state $$T_{cc}^+$$

T

cc

+

is dominated by an internal $$DD^*$$

D

D
∗

component. In both cases the diquark components are negligible. For the all-charm state X(6900) with as yet unknown quantum numbers we identify candidates in the excitation spectra of $$0^+$$

0
+

and $$1^+$$

1
+

states. Furthermore, our framework serves to provide predictions for further, yet undiscovered open and hidden charm four-quark states.
Time-travel Investigation: Toward Building a Scalable Attack Detection Framework on Ethereum
Authors: Wu Siwei , Wu Lei , Zhou Yajin , Li Runhuai , Wang Zhi , Luo Xiapu , Wang Cong , Ren Kui
Published: April 2022

Ethereum has been attracting lots of attacks, hence there is a pressing need to perform timely investigation and detect more attack instances. However, existing systems suffer from the scalability issue due to the following reasons. First, the tight coupling between malicious contract detection and blockchain data importing makes them infeasible to repeatedly detect different attacks. Second, the coarse-grained archive data makes them inefficient to replay transactions. Third, the separation between malicious contract detection and runtime state recovery consumes lots of storage.

In this article, we propose a scalable attack detection framework named
EthScope
, which overcomes the scalability issue by neatly re-organizing the Ethereum state and efficiently locating suspicious transactions. It leverages the fine-grained state to support the replay of arbitrary transactions and proposes a well-designed schema to optimize the storage consumption. The performance evaluation shows that
EthScope
can solve the scalability issue, i.e., efficiently performing a large-scale analysis on billions of transactions, and a speedup of around

\( \text{2,300}\times \)

when replaying transactions. It also has lower storage consumption compared with existing systems. Further analysis shows that
EthScope
can help analysts understand attack behaviors and detect more attack instances.
XCode
: Towards Cross-Language Code Representation with Large-Scale Pre-Training
Authors: Lin Zehao , Li Guodun , Zhang Jingfeng , Deng Yue , Zeng Xiangji , Zhang Yin , Wan Yao
Published: April 2022

Source code representation learning is the basis of applying artificial intelligence to many software engineering tasks such as code clone detection, algorithm classification, and code summarization. Recently, many works have tried to improve the performance of source code representation from various perspectives, e.g., introducing the structural information of programs into latent representation. However, when dealing with rapidly expanded unlabeled cross-language source code datasets from the Internet, there are still two issues. Firstly, deep learning models for many code-specific tasks still suffer from the lack of high-quality labels. Secondly, the structural differences among programming languages make it more difficult to process multiple languages in a single neural architecture.

To address these issues, in this article, we propose a novel
Cross
-language
Code
representation with a large-scale pre-training (
XCode
) method. Concretely, we propose to use several abstract syntax trees and ELMo-enhanced variational autoencoders to obtain multiple pre-trained source code language models trained on about 1.5 million code snippets. To fully utilize the knowledge across programming languages, we further propose a Shared Encoder-Decoder (SED) architecture which uses the multi-teacher single-student method to transfer knowledge from the aforementioned pre-trained models to the distilled SED. The pre-trained models and SED will cooperate to better represent the source code. For evaluation, we examine our approach on three typical downstream cross-language tasks, i.e., source code translation, code clone detection, and code-to-code search, on a real-world dataset composed of programming exercises with multiple solutions. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed approach on cross-language code representations. Meanwhile, our approach performs significantly better than several code representation baselines on different downstream tasks in terms of multiple automatic evaluation metrics.
Queuing Ports for Mesh Based Many-Core Processors
Authors: García Villaescusa David , Aldea Rivas Mario , González Harbour Michael
Published: April 2022

This paper presents the implementation of Queuing Ports, a blocking communication protocol developed for manycore architectures that perform a synchronized communication between cores without the need of polling. This implementation has been performed on M2OS-mc, a Real- Time Operating System (RTOS) that has already been tested in the Epiphany processor. The extension presented is based on the ARINC-653's Queuing Port communication primitive and gives an alternative to the implementation based in the ARINC-653's Sampling Port communication primitive previously developed.1
Static Analysis for Ada, C/C++ and Python
Authors: Martignano Maurizio
Published: April 2022

Spazio IT has been working on the Independent Software Verification and Validation of several codebases, some written in Ada, others in C/C++ and more recently also in Python; in all cases Spazio IT has used static analysis techniques and tools facilitating code inspection. Static analysis has always proven to be beneficial, but depending on the programming language, its advantages have emerged in different areas and namely: metrics and structural analysis for Ada, bugs finding at execution/semantic level for C/C++ and errors finding at compilation/syntactical level for Python. The paper presents first some general considerations on static analysis, then it concentrates on static analysis specifically applied to Ada, C/C++ and Python codebases. Finally, the paper describes Spazio IT future activities in the area of static analysis.
ASIS vs. LibAdalang
Authors: Rosen J-P.
Published: April 2022

This paper compares the origins, features, and status of two different tools intended to facilitate static analysis of Ada programs: ASIS and LibAdalang.

It stresses the differences in principles, features, and intended usages, and shows use cases where each is more appropriate.
A Novel Consensus Algorithm Based on Segmented DAG and BP Neural Network for Consortium Blockchain
Authors: Deng Xiaohong , Li Kangting , Wang Zhiqiang , Liu Huiwen
Published: April 2022

Currently, because of the excellent properties of decentralization, hard tamperability, and traceability, blockchain is widely used in WSN and IoT applications. In particular, consortium blockchain plays a fundamental role in the practical application environment, but consensus algorithm is always a key constraint. Over the past decade, we have been witnessing the obvious growth in blockchain consensus algorithms. However, in the existing consortium blockchain consensus algorithms, there is a limited characteristic of scalability, concurrency, and security. To address this problem, this work introduces a new consensus algorithm that is derived from a directed acyclic graph and backpropagation neural network. First, we propose a partitioned structure and segmented directed acyclic graph as data storage structure, which allows us to improve scalability, throughput, and fine-grained granularity of transaction data. Furthermore, in order to provide the accuracy of node credit evaluation and reduce the possibility of Byzantine nodes, we introduce a novel credit evaluation mechanism based on a backpropagation neural network. Finally, we design a resistant double-spending mechanism based on MapReduce, which ensures the transaction data are globally unique and ordered. Experimental results and security analysis demonstrate that the proposed algorithm has advantages in throughput. Compared with the existing methods, it has higher security and scalability.
Prediction of Long‐Term Prestress Loss and Crack Resistance Analysis of Corroded Prestressed Concrete Box‐Girder Bridges
Authors: Yang Yiming , Tang Huang , Mao Yu , Wang Xinzhong
Published: April 2022

Reasonable assessment of long‐term prestress loss and crack resistance is essential to ensure the service performance of prestressed concrete (PC) bridges. In this paper, a novel prediction model of long‐term prestress loss considering the coupling effect of shrinkage and creep of concrete, prestressing steel relaxation, and presence of nonprestressing steel as well as the corrosion of prestressing and nonprestressing steel is proposed. Then, the probability analysis approach of long‐term prestress loss considering the uncertainties of calculation parameters and models is introduced. Moreover, the assessment approach of crack resistance of local and overall structure is also developed, taking into account the effect of corrosion and time‐dependent long‐term prestress loss. The previously proposed approaches are applied to a three‐span PC box‐girder bridge. It is found that the prediction results of long‐term prestress loss have high uncertainty, and the upper bound of long‐term prestress loss at the confidence level of 95% is approximately 50% higher than the result obtained by deterministic analysis. The effect of corrosion on the long‐term prestress loss is basically negligible, and the crack resistance of bottom slab and web is more sensitive to the coupled effect of corrosion and long‐term prestress loss than that of top slab. Additionally, setting vertical prestressing tendons is conducive to improving the crack resistance level of web and whole section.
Research on Cumulative Deformation Characteristics of Subgrade Filling under Cyclic Train Loading
Authors: Yao Junkai , Ye Yangsheng , Cai Degou , Bi Zongqi , Yan Hongye
Published: April 2022

The smoothness of high-speed railway is extremely strict. As an important part of the high-speed railway foundation, the subgrade structure has strict deformation requirements. It is necessary to ensure that the subgrade structure does not have plastic cumulative deformation under the long-term cyclic load of the train, which is the most critical geodynamic problem in high-speed railway subgrade. This paper studied the cumulative deformation characteristics of subgrade filling under cyclic train loading through the cyclic triaxial test, three types of accumulative plastic deformation trends, and the value of critical volume shear strain was discussed, which would provide the theoretical support for the dynamic design of high-speed railway.