bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parametric approach for approximate efficiency of robust multiobjective fractional programming problems
Authors: Antczak Tadeusz
Published: May 2021

In this paper, a methodology is developed to solve an uncertain multiobjective fractional programming problem in the face of data uncertainty in the objective and constraint functions. We use the robust optimization approach (worst‐case approach) for finding ɛ‐efficient solutions of the associated robust multiobjective fractional programming problem defined as a robust (worst‐case) counterpart. For the robust multiobjective fractional programming problem constructed in the robust approach, In fact, in the parametric Dinkelbach approach. We define for the given multiobjective fractional programming problem its corresponding parametric robust vector optimization problem. Then, we establish both necessary and sufficient optimality conditions for a feasible solution to be an
‐efficient solution (an approximate efficient solution) of the parametric robust vector optimization problem. Also we prove the relationship between ɛ‐efficiency of the robust multiobjective fractional programming problem (and thus ɛ‐efficiency of the considered uncertain multiobjective fractional programming problem) and
‐efficiency of its corresponding parametric robust vector optimization problem constructed in the Dinkelbach approach. In order to prove this result, we also use a scalarization method. Thus, the equivalence between an approximate efficient solution of the parametric robust vector optimization problem and an approximate minimizer of its associated scalar optimization problem constructed in the used scalarization method is also established.
Densely connected U‐Net retinal vessel segmentation algorithm based on multi‐scale feature convolution extraction
Authors: Du Xinfeng , Wang Jiesheng , Sun Weizhen
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The segmentation results of retinal blood vessels have a significant impact on the automatic diagnosis of various ophthalmic diseases. In order to further improve the segmentation accuracy of retinal vessels, we propose an improved algorithm based on multiscale vessel detection, which extracts features through densely connected networks and reuses features.

Methods

A parallel fusion and serial embedding multiscale feature dense connection U‐Net structure are designed. In the parallel fusion method, features of the input images are extracted for Inception multiscale convolution and dense block convolution, respectively, and then the features are fused and input into the subsequent network. In serial embedding mode, the Inception multiscale convolution structure is embedded in the dense connection network module, and then the dense connection structure is used to replace the classical convolution block in the U‐Net network encoder part, so as to achieve multiscale feature extraction and efficient utilization of complex structure vessels and thereby improve the network segmentation performance.

Results

The experimental analysis on the standard DRIVE and CHASE_DB1 databases shows that the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and AUC of the parallel fusion and serial embedding methods reach 0.7854, 0.9813, 0.9563, 0.9794; 0.7876, 0.9811, 0.9565, 0.9793 and 0.8110, 0.9737, 0.9547, 0.9667; 0.8113, 0.9717, 0.9574, 0.9750, respectively.

Conclusions

The experimental results show that multiscale feature detection and feature dense connection can effectively enhance the network model's ability to detect blood vessels and improve the network segmentation performance, which is superior to U‐Net algorithm and some mainstream retinal blood vessel segmentation algorithms at present.
A systematic review of the effectiveness of Pilates on pain, disability, physical function, and quality of life in older adults with chronic musculoskeletal conditions
Authors: Denham‐Jones Laura , Gaskell Lynne , Spence Nicola , Pigott Tim
Published: May 2021

Objectives

This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness and delivery of Pilates to reduce pain and disability and to improve physical function and quality of life in middle‐aged to older adults with a range of chronic musculoskeletal conditions.

Methods

Searches were conducted using CENTRAL, CINAHL, SCOPUS, Pubmed, PsycInfo, Web of Science Core Collection and Google Scholar. Inclusion criteria were controlled trials and observational studies, population mean age 50 years and over with chronic musculoskeletal conditions, using mat‐based Pilates exercise. Outcomes included pain, disability, physical function and quality of life.

Results

Seven studies were included, with a combined total sample of 397 participants (73% female). Pilates was significantly effective (p ≤ 0.05) for reducing back pain, neck pain and pain associated with knee osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. Additional significant disability, physical functioning and quality of life effects were found for back pain, osteoporosis, and knee OA. Overall Pilates was as effective as other exercise. Adherence to group exercise was good, but poor for home exercise. No significant adverse effects were reported.

Conclusion

Pilates is a safe and effective exercise intervention for adults over 50 with a diverse range of musculoskeletal conditions which may otherwise put them at risk of becoming sedentary. Although no overall significant superiority was found over other exercise, participants reported psychosocial benefits particular to the Pilates group exercise, with enjoyment a possible positive factor in adherence. Further research on Pilates exercises for various pathologies could inform teaching and improve engagement with older adults, including those with chronic conditions.
A complex variable solution for a non‐circular tunnel in an elastic half‐plane
Authors: Lu Ai‐zhong , Zeng Gui‐sen , Zhang Ning
Published: May 2021

An analytical solution for a non‐circular tunnel excavated in an elastic homogeneous half‐plane is obtained, which considers gravity and different lateral pressure coefficients. The solution is deduced using the complex variable method, mapping the region containing a non‐circular tunnel onto a circular ring. The basic equations for the analytic functions are established using the stress boundary conditions at the ground surface and the edges of the tunnel and the analytical functions are solved by the power series method. In the process of solving, the Fourier series was used. To elaborate the solution process clearly and verify the correctness of the solution, a shallow quasi‐ellipse tunnel was analyzed as a computational example, and the results obtained using the presented analytical method are compared with that obtained by the numerical software ANSYS.
A systematic review on distributed denial of service attack defense mechanisms in programmable networks
Authors: Dalmazo Bruno L. , Marques Jonatas A. , Costa Lucas R. , Bonfim Michel S. , Carvalho Ranyelson N. , da Silva Anderson S. , Fernandes Stenio , Bordim Jacir L. , Alchieri Eduardo , Schaeffer‐Filho Alberto , Paschoal Gaspary Luciano , Cordeiro Weverton
Published: May 2021

Design flaws and vulnerabilities inherent to network protocols, devices, and services make Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) a persisting threat in the cyberspace, despite decades of research efforts in the area. The historical vertical integration of traditional IP networks limited the solution space, forcing researchers to tweak network protocols while maintaining global compatibility and proper service to legitimate flows. The advent of Software‐Defined Networking (SDN) and advances in Programmable Data Planes (PDP) changed the state of affairs and brought novel possibilities to deal with such attacks. In summary, the ability of bringing together network intelligence to a control plane, and offloading flow processing tasks to the forwarding plane, opened up interesting opportunities for network security researchers unlike ever. In this article, we dive into recent research that relies on SDN and PDP to detect, mitigate, and prevent DDoS attacks. Our literature review takes into account the SDN layered view as defined in RFC7426 and focuses on the data, control, and application planes. We follow a systematic methodology to capture related articles and organize them into a taxonomy of DDoS defense mechanisms focusing on three facets: activity level, deployment location, and cooperation degree. From the analysis of existing work, we also highlight key research gaps that may foster future research in the field.
Metabolomic Profiles of Shift Workers and Day Workers: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Huang Xinru , Chen Xiaoyi , Zhao Shiyu , Hou Jiaojiao , Huang Li , Xu Jie , Wang Wei , He Mengting , Shen Ouxi , Zhang Jie
Published: May 2021

Objective

The purpose of this study was to characterize the metabolomic profiles of shift workers and day workers and to discover the effect of shift work on workers’ metabolic health.

Methods

A total of 824 participants aged 25 to 55 years were recruited, and 485 (275 shift workers and 210 day workers) completed the study. The mean age of the shift workers was 37.32 (5.53) years old, and that of day workers was 36.50 (7.83) years old. Serum and salivary samples were collected for the detection of key biochemical indicators (melatonin, cholesterol, and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol) and for metabolome profile analyses.

Results

Compared with female day workers, female shift workers had a higher BMI, waist circumference, and hip circumference. Correspondingly, we identified 76 significant metabolites (false discovery rate < 0.05) in shift workers, including L‐tryptophan, acylcarnitines, and several fatty acids. Three pathways that presented significant differences were biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, linoleic acid metabolism, and ubiquinone and other terpenoid‐quinone biosynthesis.

Conclusions

Compared with day workers, shift workers were more prone to weight gain and central obesity and were at a higher risk for impaired lipid metabolism with disrupted circadian rhythms.
The Rapidly Evolving Landscape of First-Line Targeted Therapy in Metastatic Urothelial Cancer: A Systematic Review
Authors: Lavoie Jean-Michel , Sridhar Srikala S. , Ong Michael , North Scott , Alimohamed Nimira , McLeod Deanna , Eigl Bernhard J.
Published: May 2021

Background

Metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) historically is treated with first-line platinum-based combination chemotherapy, preferably cisplatin plus gemcitabine whenever possible. In recent years, multiple classes of targeted therapy have demonstrated benefit, with some receiving approval in mUC. This review will summarize phase III efficacy and safety data for targeted agents, principally immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), as either first-line or first-line switch-maintenance therapy for mUC and interpret these findings in the context of the current treatment landscape.

Materials and Methods

Published and presented phase III data on targeted therapy for the first-line or first-line switch-maintenance treatment of mUC were identified using the key search terms “targeted therapy” AND “urothelial carcinoma” AND “advanced” OR respective aliases according to the guidelines for Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA).

Results

Of the six eligible phase III targeted therapy trials, two assessing ICIs met their primary endpoints in platinum-eligible patients. First-line ICI plus chemotherapy combinations have not improved overall survival (OS), although final OS results of the IMVigor 130 trial are pending. Switch-maintenance using an ICI in patients achieving at least stable disease following platinum-based chemotherapy statistically significantly improved OS (21.4 vs. 14.3 months, hazard ratio, 0.69; 95% confidence interval, 0.56–0.86; p = .001). Current sequencing options for mUC include first-line platinum-based chemotherapy with a switch to ICI either immediately or upon disease progression.

Conclusion

Recent targeted therapy trials have expanded ICI sequencing options for mUC. The treatment landscape is likely to evolve rapidly, with results from multiple phase III trials expected in the next 5 years.

Implications for Practice

Multiple classes of targeted agents are approved for use in metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC). Six phase III trials have recently provided insight on the benefit of these agents in the first-line setting. In platinum-eligible patients, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) combined with first-line platinum-based chemotherapy failed to demonstrate improved survival, although ICI monotherapy as switch-maintenance significantly improved overall survival in patients with mUC who had achieved at least stable disease following first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. In patients ineligible for any chemotherapy, pembrolizumab, atezolizumab, or pembrolizumab in combination with enfortumab vedotin may be options.
Dynamic association between perceived conflict and communication behavior in intimate relationships: The moderating effect of traumatic experience
Authors: Liu Xiaoyan , Chen Sicheng , Zhang Qian , Wen Xue , Xu Wei
Published: May 2021

Many individuals may face traumatic events throughout their lives. For intimate relationship partners, early traumatic experiences can have a specific effect on their interpersonal communication. This study examined the moderating effect of traumatic experiences at early ages between perceived conflict and communication behavior among individuals in an intimate relationship. A total of 186 college students in intimate relationships reported their perceived conflict and communication behaviors with their partners three times a day for 14 days using ambulatory assessment. Findings from the multilevel model showed that a higher level of perceived conflict significantly positively associated with negative communication and negatively correlated with positive communication at the within‐person level. Traumatic experiences at the between‐person level moderated the within‐person level associations between the dynamic perceived conflict and negative and positive communication behavior. However, the moderating effect of traumatic experiences on the association between perceived conflict and positive communication was contrary to the hypothesis. Daily perceived conflict was associated with daily communication behavior. For those with early traumatic experiences, the relationship between negative communication and conflict was stronger than for those who had not experienced such trauma.
Forty years on: how close is an HIV vaccine?
Authors: Greener Mark
Published: May 2021

Forty years has passed since the first cases of an illness subsequently identified as AIDS were reported, yet despite extensive research and many clinical trials, an HIV vaccine is still not available. However, there is now renewed optimism that a vaccine with broad activity against several HIV variants is possible.
Heat-stable enterotoxin inhibits intestinal stem cell expansion to disrupt the intestinal integrity by downregulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway
Authors: Zhou Jia-yi , Huang Deng-gui , Gao Chun-qi , Yan Hui-chao , Zou Shi-geng , Wang Xiu-qi
Published: May 2021

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli causes severe infectious diarrhea with high morbidity and mortality in newborn and weanling pigs mainly through the production of heat-stable enterotoxins (STs). However, the precise regulatory mechanisms involved in ST-induced intestinal epithelium injury remain unclear. Consequently, we conducted the experiments in vivo (mice), ex vivo (mouse and porcine enteroids), and in vitro (MODE-K and IPEC-J2 cells) to explore the effect of STp (one type of STa) on the integrity of the intestinal epithelium. The results showed that acute STp exposure led to small intestinal edema, disrupted intestinal integrity, induced crypt cell expansion into spheroids, and downregulated Wnt/β-catenin activity in the mice. Following a similar trend, the enteroid-budding efficiency and the expression of Active β-catenin, β-catenin, Lgr5, PCNA, and KRT20 were significantly decreased after STp treatment, as determined ex vivo. In addition, STp inhibited cell proliferation, induced cell apoptosis, destroyed cell barriers, and reduced Wnt/β-catenin activity by downregulating its membrane receptor Frizzled7 (FZD7). In contrast, Wnt/β-catenin reactivation protected the IPEC-J2 cells from STp-induced injury. Taking these findings together, we conclude that STp inhibits intestinal stem cell expansion to disrupt the integrity of the intestinal mucosa through the downregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
Robust parameter design of human induced pluripotent stem cell differentiation protocols defines lineage-specific induction of anterior-posterior gut tube endodermal cells
Authors: Yasui Ryota , Sekine Keisuke , Yamaguchi Kiyoshi , Furukawa Yoichi , Taniguchi Hideki
Published: May 2021

Tissues and cells derived from pluripotent stem cells (PSC) are likely to become widely used in disease modeling, drug screening, and regenerative medicine. For these applications, the in vitro PSC differentiation process must be elaborately investigated and controlled to reliably obtain the desired end products. However, because traditional experimental methods, such as one factor at a time or brute-force approaches, are impractical for detailed screening of complex PSC cultivation conditions, more strategic and effective screening based on statistical design of experiments (DOE) ought to be indispensable. Among various DOE approaches, we regard robust parameter design (RPD) as particularly suited for differentiation protocol optimization due to its suitability for multifactorial screening. We confirmed the adaptability of RPD for investigating human induced PSC lineage specification toward anterior-posterior gut tube endodermal cells and clarified both the contribution of each cell signaling pathway and the effect of cell signaling condition alteration on marker RNA expression levels, while increasing the efficiency of the screening in 243-fold (18 vs 4374) compared with that of a brute-force approach. Specific induction of anterior foregut, hepatic, pancreatic, or mid-hindgut cells was achieved using seven iPSC strains with the optimal culture protocols established on the basis of RPD analysis. RPD has the potential to enable efficient construction and optimization of PSC differentiation protocols, and its use is recommended from fundamental research to mass production of PSC-derived products.
Molecular requirements for human lymphopoiesis as defined by inborn errors of immunity
Authors: Della Mina Erika , Guérin Antoine , Tangye Stuart G.
Published: May 2021

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are the progenitor cells that give rise to the diverse repertoire of all immune cells. As they differentiate, HSCs yield a series of cell states that undergo gradual commitment to become mature blood cells. Studies of hematopoiesis in murine models have provided critical insights about the lineage relationships among stem cells, progenitors, and mature cells, and these have guided investigations of the molecular basis for these distinct developmental stages. Primary immune deficiencies are caused by inborn errors of immunity that result in immune dysfunction and subsequent susceptibility to severe and recurrent infection(s). Over the last decade there has been a dramatic increase in the number and depth of the molecular, cellular, and clinical characterization of such genetically defined causes of immune dysfunction. Patients harboring inborn errors of immunity thus represent a unique resource to improve our understanding of the multilayered and complex mechanisms underlying lymphocyte development in humans. These breakthrough discoveries not only enable significant advances in the diagnosis of such rare and complex conditions but also provide substantial improvement in the development of personalized treatments. Here, we will discuss the clinical, cellular, and molecular phenotypes, and treatments of selected inborn errors of immunity that impede, either intrinsically or extrinsically, the development of B- or T-cells at different stages.
ERG1 plays an essential role in rat cardiomyocyte fate decision by mediating AKT signaling
Authors: Wang Duo , Liu Chang , Liu Huan , Meng Yilei , Lin Fang , Gu Yanqiong , Wang Hanrui , Shang Mengyue , Tong Chang , Sachinidis Agapios , Ying Qilong , Li Li , Peng Luying
Published: May 2021

ERG1, a potassium ion channel, is essential for cardiac action potential repolarization phase. However, the role of ERG1 for normal development of the heart is poorly understood. Using the rat embryonic stem cells (rESCs) model, we show that ERG1 is crucial in cardiomyocyte lineage commitment via interactions with Integrin β1. In the mesoderm phase of rESCs, the interaction of ERG1 with Integrin β1 can activate the AKT pathway by recruiting and phosphorylating PI3K p85 and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) to further phosphorylate AKT. Activation of AKT pathway promotes cardiomyocyte differentiation through two different mechanisms, (a) through phosphorylation of GSK3β to upregulate the expression levels of β-catenin and Gata4; (b) through promotion of nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB by phosphorylating IKKβ to inhibit cell apoptosis, which occurs due to increased Bcl2 expression. Our study provides solid evidence for a novel role of ERG1 on differentiation of rESCs into cardiomyocytes.
Intracellular matrix metalloproteinase-9 mediates epigenetic modifications and autophagy to regulate differentiation in human cardiac stem cells
Authors: Yadav Santosh K. , Mishra Paras K.
Published: May 2021

Epigenetic reprogramming and autophagy have critical roles in differentiation of stem cells. However, very little is known about how epigenetic modifications are mediated and how they contribute to autophagy and differentiation in human cardiac stem cells (hCSCs). Previously, we have reported that intracellular matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9), a collagenase, mediates cell death in hCSCs. Here, we investigated whether intracellular MMP9 mediates epigenetic modifications and autophagy in hCSCs. We created MMP9KO hCSCs and treated them with 5-azacytidine, an inhibitor of DNA methylation, and bafilomycin A1, an inhibitor of autophagosome degradation, and evaluated epigenetic modifications, autophagic flux, and differentiation. Our results showed compromised epigenetic modifications, reduced autophagy, and impaired differentiation in MMP9KO hCSCs. Remarkably, paracrine MMP9 supplementation restored epigenetic modifications but further reduced autophagy in MMP9KO hCSCs. We conclude that intracellular MMP9 is a critical mediator of epigenetic modifications and autophagy in hCSCs. Furthermore, the endocrine and paracrine effects of MMP9 vary for regulating autophagy in hCSCs. These novel roles of MMP9 are valuable for stem cell therapy.
Kappa opioid receptor controls neural stem cell differentiation via a miR-7a/Pax6 dependent pathway
Authors: Xu Chi , Fan Wenxiang , Zhang Ying , Loh Horace H. , Law Ping-Yee
Published: May 2021

Although the roles of opioid receptors in neurogenesis have been implicated in previous studies, the mechanism by which κ-opioid receptor (OPRK1) regulates adult neurogenesis remains elusive. We now demonstrate that two agonists of OPRK1, U50,488H and dynorphin A, inhibit adult neurogenesis by hindering neuronal differentiation of mouse hippocampal neural stem cells (NSCs), both in vitro and in vivo. This effect was blocked by nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI), a specific antagonist of OPRK1. By examining neurogenesis-related genes, we found that OPRK1 agonists were able to downregulate the expression of Pax6, Neurog2, and NeuroD1 in mouse hippocampal NSCs, in a way that Pax6 regulates the transcription of Neurog2 and Neurod1 by directly interacting with their promoters. Moreover, this effect of OPRK1 was accomplished by inducing expression of miR-7a, a miRNA that specifically targeted Pax6 by direct interaction with its 3′-UTR sequence, and thereby decreased the levels of Pax6, Neurog2, and NeuroD1, thus resulted in hindrance of neuronal differentiation of NSCs. Thus, by modulating Pax6/Neurog2/NeuroD1 activities via upregulation of miR-7a expression, OPRK1 agonists hinder the neuronal differentiation of NSCs and hence inhibit adult neurogenesis in mouse hippocampus.
Dead‐Time Elimination PWM with Switching Times Sharing for H Bridge Inverter
Authors: Song Chunwei , Wang Yuhua
Published: May 2021

In this paper, the novel on‐off modes including 12 conduction states is presented for H bridge in one switching period. Based on the novel on‐off mode, the dead‐time elimination pulse width modulation (PWM) is presented with good switching times sharing effect. The digital judgment method of output current polarity is proposed for the dead‐time elimination PWM. The PWM generator is integrated in the field‐programmable gate array. Simulation and experimental results are provided to validate that the proposed PWM can be applied to H‐bridge voltage source inverter with good performance. © 2021 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Ophthalmic artery Doppler in prediction of pre‐eclampsia: insights from hemodynamic considerations
Authors: Gonser M. , Vonzun L. , Ochsenbein‐Kölble N.
Published: May 2021

Linked article: This Correspondence comments on Sapantzoglou et al. and Sarno et al.
Flavor symmetries of six-dimensional $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = (1, 0) theories from AdS/CFT correspondence
Authors: Fujiwara Shota , Imamura Yosuke , Mori Tatsuya
Published: May 2021

Abstract

We calculate the superconformal indices of a class of six-dimensional $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= (1, 0) superconformal field theories realized on M5-branes at ℂ2/ℤk singularity by using the method developed in previous works of the authors and collaborators. We use the AdS/CFT correspondence, and finite N corrections are included as the contribution of M2-branes wrapped on two-cycles in S4/ℤk. We confirm that the indices are consistent with the expected flavor symmetries.
The difference in local, regional and distant breast cancer recurrence between the immediate and delayed DIEP flap procedure; a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Joosen M. E. M. , Schop S. J. , Reinhoudt L. L. , van Kuijk S. M. J. , Beugels J. , de Bruïne A. P. , Goudkade D. , Heuts E. M. , van der Hulst R. R. W. J. , de Grzymala A. A. Piatkowski
Published: May 2021

Purpose

It has been hypothesized that autologous breast reconstruction can cause reactivation of dormant micro metastases by its extensive tissue trauma, influencing the risk of breast cancer recurrence. However, about the specific effect of timing on breast cancer recurrence in the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap reconstruction is not much known. In this study the rate of local, regional and distant recurrence between patients undergoing an immediate and delayed autologous DIEP flap breast reconstruction were evaluated.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, breast cancer patients undergoing a DIEP flap breast reconstruction between 2010 and 2018 in three hospitals in the Netherlands were evaluated. Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were performed to assess the impact of different factors on breast cancer recurrence. The primary endpoint was local breast cancer recurrence. Secondary endpoints were regional and distant recurrence.

Results

A total of 919 DIEP-flap reconstructions were done in 862 women of which 347 were immediate- and 572 were delayed DIEP flap reconstructions. After a median follow-up of 46 months and 86 months respectively (p < 0.001), local breast cancer recurrence occurred in 1.5% and in 1.7% of the patients resulting in an adjusted hazard ratio of 2.890 (p = 0.001, 95% CI 1.536, 5437).

Conclusion

This study suggests an increased risk for breast cancer recurrence in women receiving a delayed DIEP flap reconstruction as compared to women receiving an immediate DIEP flap reconstruction. However, these data should be interpreted carefully as a result of selection bias.
Shareholder Value Effects of Ethical Sourcing: Comparing Reactive and Proactive Initiatives
Authors: Kim Seongtae , Chae Sangho
Published: May 2021

With the advent of responsible business, ensuring social responsibility in sourcing is of interest to both academics and practitioners. In this study, we examine one way of achieving this goal: ethical sourcing initiatives (ESIs). ESIs refer to a firm’s formal and informal actions to manage sourcing processes in an ethical and socially responsible manner. While ESIs have been established as an important part of corporate social responsibility, it is unclear whether, how, and when this corporate effort is economically beneficial. We conduct an event study estimating the shareholder value effect of 159 publicly traded firms’ ESIs and find that the stock market reacts positively to ESIs in general. We also compare market reactions under different conditions including reactive versus proactive ESIs, and their interactions with initiative timing, firm size, and financial risk. Additionally, we find that ESIs are associated with long-term stock price and operating performance. Overall, our findings clarify the potential economic benefits of corporate ESIs and encourage buying firms to take these initiatives selectively according to business contexts.
Publicity and Common Commitment to Believe
Authors: Williams J. R. G.
Published: May 2021

Information can be public among a group. Whether or not information is public matters, for example, for accounts of interdependent rational choice, of communication, and of joint intention. A standard analysis of public information identifies it with (some variant of) common belief. The latter notion is stipulatively defined as an infinite conjunction: forpto be commonly believed is for it to believed by all members of a group, for all members to believe that all members believe it, and so forth. This analysis is often presupposed without much argument in philosophy. Theoretical entrenchment or intuitions about cases might give some traction on the question, but give little insight aboutwhythe identification holds, if it does. The strategy of this paper is to characterize a practical-normative role for information being public, and show that the only things that play that role are (variants of) common belief as stipulatively characterized. In more detail: a functional role for “taking a proposition for granted” in non-isolated decision making is characterized. I then present some minimal conditions under which such an attitude is correctly held. The key assumption links this attitude to beliefs about what is public. From minimal a priori principles, we can argue that a proposition being public among a group entails common commitment to believe among that group. Later sections explore partial converses to this result, the factivity of publicity and publicity from the perspective of outsiders to the group, and objections to the aprioricity of the result deriving from a posteriori existential presuppositions.
Caterpillars of the marsh fritillary butterfly Euphydryas aurinia can extend their life-cycle in Scotland
Authors: Ravenscroft Neil O. M.
Published: May 2021

The marsh fritillaryEuphydryas auriniais declining across Europe and is of high conservation interest. Its ecology has been defined and its conservation status assessed primarily from the affinities and populations of young caterpillars in the autumn, before hibernation and high winter mortality. The possibility that caterpillars ofE. auriniacan overwinter more than once was investigated on the Isle of Islay, Scotland after caterpillars were found to occur at some locations in the spring despite a pre-hibernation absence. Closely-related species in North America and Northern Europe can prolong larval development by diapausing for a year as doesE. auriniain Scandinavia. Measurements of development and manipulations of distribution confirmed that some caterpillars do extend the life-cycle in Scotland and may occur in areas devoid of larvae in their first year. Caterpillars attempting this life-cycle develop slowly in spring, attain the normal penultimate spring instar and then enter diapause while other caterpillars are pupating. They moult just before diapause, construct highly cryptic webs and on emergence the following spring are 5–6 times heavier than larvae emerging in their first spring, or the equivalent of a month or so ahead. They attain a final, extra instar as larvae in their first spring reach the penultimate instar. Knowledge of this life-cycle is confined in the UK to Islay but its occurrence in this mild climate implies that it is more widespread.

Implications for insect conservationConditions that permit long diapause are probably precise and may not be reflected in recognised qualities of habitat. The species may also be present despite a perceived absence in autumn, the standard period for monitoring. Assessments of the prevalence of the life-cycle and its contribution to the persistence ofE. auriniaare required. Populations ofE. auriniaare known to fluctuate greatly and do occur below the observation threshold for long periods.
An Autonomous Cybersecurity Framework for Next-generation Digital Service Chains
Authors: Repetto Matteo , Striccoli Domenico , Piro Giuseppe , Carrega Alessandro , Boggia Gennaro , Bolla Raffaele
Published: May 2021

Today, the digital economy is pushing new business models, based on the creation of value chains for data processing, through the interconnection of processes, products, services, software, and things across different domains and organizations. Despite the growing availability of communication infrastructures, computing paradigms, and software architectures that already effectively support the implementation of distributed multi-domain value chains, a comprehensive architecture is still missing that effectively fulfills all related security issues: mutual trustworthiness of entities in partially unknown topologies, identification and mitigation of advanced multi-vector threats, identity management and access control, management and propagation of sensitive data. In order to fill this gap, this work proposes a new methodological approach to design and implement heterogeneous security services for distributed systems that combine together digital resources and components from multiple domains. The framework is designed to support both existing and new security services, and focuses on three novel aspects: (i) full automation of the processes that manage the whole system, i.e., threat detection, collection of information and reaction to attacks and system anomalies; (ii) dynamic adaptation of operations and security tasks to newest attack patterns, and (iii) real-time adjustment of the level of detail of inspection and monitoring processes. The overall architecture as well as the functions and relationships of its logical components are described in detail, presenting also a concrete use case as an example of application of the proposed framework.
Rheology, Morphology and Thermal Properties of a PLA/PHB/Clay Blend Nanocomposite: The Influence of Process Parameters
Authors: D’Anna Alessandra , Arrigo Rossella , Frache Alberto
Published: May 2021

The effect of process parameters on the final properties of a poly-lactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) polymer blend filled with nanoclays was evaluated. To this aim, the nanofilled blend was processed in a co-rotating twin screw extruder, considering three different screw profiles and different values of the screw rotation speed, and the thermal and thermo-mechanical properties of the so-obtained materials were investigated. Furthermore, XRD analyses, SEM observations and rheological characterization were exploited to infer the coupled effect of the process parameters and nanoclay presence on the microstructure of the filled blend. Preliminary thermodynamic calculations allowed predicting the preferential localization of the nanoclay in the interfacial region between the polymeric phases. The relaxation mechanism of the particles of the dispersed phase in nanofilled blend processed, by rheological measurements, is not fully completed due to an interaction between polymer ad filler in the interfacial region with a consequent modification of the blend morphology and, specifically, a development of an enhanced microstructure. Therefore, by varying the screw configuration, particularly the presence of backflow and distribution elements in the screw profile, high shear stresses are induced during the processing able to allow a better interaction between polymers and clay. This finding also occurs in the thermo-mechanical properties of material, as an improvement of storage modulus up to 20% in filled blend processed with a specific screw profile. Otherwise, the microstructure of filled blend processed with different screw speed is similar, according to the other characterizations where no remarkable alterations of materials were detected.
Safety and Reverence: How Roman Catholic Liturgy Can Respond to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Budaev Sergey
Published: May 2021

The current COVID-19 pandemic is a major challenge for many religious denominations. The Roman Catholic Church strongly depends on physical communal worship and sacraments. Disagreements grow concerning the best balance between safety and piety. To address this issue, I review the major transmission risks for the SARS-CoV-2 virus and list certain measures to enhance the safety of the Roman Catholic Liturgy without compromising its intrinsic beauty and reverent spiritual attitude. This can be achieved through assimilation of several traditional elements into the modern liturgy. I emphasize that religious leadership and decision-making should be transparent and based on inclusiveness, pluralism, best scientific evidence and voluntary cooperation.
A framework for the fine-grained evaluation of the instantaneous expected value of soccer possessions
Authors: Fernández Javier , Bornn Luke , Cervone Daniel
Published: May 2021

The expected possession value (EPV) of a soccer possession represents the likelihood of a team scoring or conceding the next goal at any time instance. In this work, we develop a comprehensive analysis framework for the EPV, providing soccer practitioners with the ability to evaluate the impact of observed and potential actions, both visually and analytically. The EPV expression is decomposed into a series of subcomponents that model the influence of passes, ball drives and shot actions on the expected outcome of a possession. We show we can learn from spatiotemporal tracking data and obtain calibrated models for all the components of the EPV. For the components related with passes, we produce visually-interpretable probability surfaces from a series of deep neural network architectures built on top of flexible representations of game states. Additionally, we present a series of novel practical applications providing coaches with an enriched interpretation of specific game situations. This is, to our knowledge, the first EPV approach in soccer that uses this decomposition and incorporates the dynamics of the 22 players and the ball through tracking data.
Corporate strategies oriented towards sustainable governance: advantages, managerial practices and main challenges
Authors: Hristov Ivo , Chirico Antonio , Ranalli Francesco
Published: May 2021

In the face of advancing globalization, societies have undergone a significant transformation over the last decades. The resulting environmental, social, economic and institutional challenges have made the issue of sustainability more relevant than ever, touching every aspect of our lives. To respond to these challenges, institutions and companies must jointly pursue the common goal of sustainable development. However, to integrate sustainability in strategic decision-making, academics and managers require a clear view of the advantages, key value drivers and potential solutions. Accordingly, we focus on two questions: What are the advantages of integrating sustainability initiatives in strategic decision-making? How can sustainability be integrated in the corporate strategy with a view to sustainable development? Based on semi-structured interviews with 85 managers specialized in sustainable governance, we provide a clear picture of the role of sustainability in the value creation process. Our proposed conceptual model suggests a positive correlation between implementing sustainability initiatives and corporate performance. Moreover, our findings show that firms that effectively implement sustainability improve the conditions of their surrounding communities. Indeed, a sustainable corporate strategy can lead not only to superior performance, but also to improving the wellbeing of all stakeholders.
Gaussian quantum states can be disentangled using symplectic rotations
Authors: de Gosson Maurice A.
Published: May 2021

We show that every Gaussian mixed quantum state can be disentangled by conjugation with a passive symplectic transformation, that is a metaplectic operator associated with a symplectic rotation. The main tools we use are the Werner–Wolf condition on covariance matrices and the symplectic covariance of Weyl quantization. Our result therefore complements a recent study by Lami, Serafini, and Adesso.
Dual addition formulas: the case of continuous q-ultraspherical and q-Hermite polynomials
Authors: Koornwinder Tom H.
Published: May 2021

We settle the dual addition formula for continuous q-ultraspherical polynomials as an expansion in terms of special q-Racah polynomials for which the constant term is given by the linearization formula for the continuous q-ultraspherical polynomials. In a second proof we derive the dual addition formula from the Rahman–Verma addition formula for these polynomials by using the self-duality of the polynomials. We also consider the limit case of continuous q-Hermite polynomials.
Electrical Signatures of Diffusion-Limited Mixing: Insights from a Milli-fluidic Tracer Experiment
Authors: Fernandez Visentini Alejandro , de Anna Pietro , Jougnot Damien , Le Borgne Tanguy , Méheust Yves , Linde Niklas
Published: May 2021

We investigate how diffusion-limited mixing of a layered solute concentration distribution within a porous medium impacts bulk electrical conductivity. To do so, we perform a milli-fluidic tracer test by injecting a fluorescent and electrically conductive tracer in a quasi two-dimensional (2D) water-saturated porous medium. High resolution optical- and geoelectrical monitoring of the tracer is achieved by using a fluorimetry technique and equipping the flow cell with a resistivity meter, respectively. We find that optical and geoelectrical outputs can be related by a temporal re-scaling that accounts for the different diffusion rates of the optical and electrical tracers. Mixing-driven perturbations of the electrical equipotential field lines cause apparent electrical conductivity time-series, measured perpendicularly to the layering, to peak at times that are in agreement with the diffusion transport time-scale associated with the layer width. Numerical simulations highlight high sensitivity of such electrical data to the layers’ degree of mixing and their distance to the injection electrodes. Furthermore, the electrical data correlate well with time-series of two commonly used solute mixing descriptors: the concentration variance and the scalar dissipation rate.
Urbanisation differently affects decomposition rates of recalcitrant woody material and labile leaf litter
Authors: Kotze DJ , Setälä H
Published: May 2021

Litter decomposition is a fundamental ecosystem process and service that supplies nutrients to the soil. Although decomposition rate is influenced by litter quality, climatic conditions, the decomposer community and vegetation type in non-urban ecosystems, little is known about the degradation of different organic matter types in urban settings. We investigated the decomposition rates of recalcitrant (wood sticks for 4 years) and labile litter (green tea leaves in pyramid-shaped teabags for 3 years) in urban habitats that differed in level of management and disturbance. We found that recalcitrant woody material decomposed slower in urban habitat types (ca. 60–75% mass loss after 4 years in remnant spruce forests, park lawns, ruderal habitats) than in natural to semi-natural spruce forest soils (84% mass loss) outside the city. Labile tea litter, however, decomposed faster in typical open urban habitats (70% mass loss after 3 years in park lawns, ruderal habitats) than in forested habitats (60% mass loss in semi-natural and remnant spruce forests), with a remarkable dichotomy in decomposition rate between open and forested habitats. We suggest that the slower rate of wood decomposition in the city relates to its depauperate saprotrophic fungal community. The faster rate of labile litter decomposition in open habitats is difficult to explain, but is potentially a consequence of environmental factors that support the activity of bacteria over fungi in open habitats. We propose that the reintroduction of decaying woody material into the urban greenspace milieu could increase biodiversity and also improve the ability of urban soils to decompose an array of organic material entering the system. This reintroduction of decaying woody material could either occur by leaving cut logs – due to management – in urban remnant forests, which has been shown to be accepted as natural features by residents in Fennoscandian cities, and by placing logs in urban parks in ways that communicate their intentional use as part of urban landscape design and management.
The Influence of Face Gaze by Physicians on Patient Trust: an Observational Study
Authors: Jongerius Chiara , Twisk Jos W. R. , Romijn Johannes A. , Callemein Timothy , Goedemé Toon , Smets Ellen M. A. , Hillen Marij A.
Published: May 2021

Background

Physicians’ gaze towards their patients may affect patients’ trust in them. This is especially relevant considering recent developments, including the increasing use of Electronic Health Records, which affect physicians’ gaze behavior. Moreover, socially anxious patients’ trust in particular may be affected by the gaze of the physician.

Objective

We aimed to evaluate if physicians’ gaze towards the face of their patient influenced patient trust and to assess if this relation was stronger for socially anxious patients. We furthermore explored the relation between physicians’ gaze and patients’ perception of physician empathy and patients’ distress.

Design

This was an observational study using eye-tracking glasses and questionnaires.

Participants

One hundred patients and 16 residents, who had not met before, participated at an internal medicine out-patient clinic.

Measures

Physicians wore eye-tracking glasses during medical consultations to assess their gaze towards patients’ faces. Questionnaires were used to assess patient outcomes. Multilevel analyses were conducted to assess the relation between physicians’ relative face gaze time and trust, while correcting for patient background characteristics, and including social anxiety as a moderator. Analyses were then repeated with perceived empathy and distress as outcomes.

Results

More face gaze towards patients was associated with lower trust, after correction for gender, age, education level, presence of caregivers, and social anxiety (β=−0.17, P=0.048). There was no moderation effect of social anxiety nor a relation between face gaze and perceived empathy or distress.

Conclusions

These results challenge the notion that more physician gaze is by definition beneficial for the physician-patient relationship. For example, the extent of conversation about emotional issues might explain our findings, where more emotional talk could be associated with more intense gazing and feelings of discomfort in the patient. To better understand the relation between physician gaze and patient outcomes, future studies should assess bidirectional face gaze during consultations.