bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self‐reported COVID‐19 infection, and illness severity associated with a large professional‐society meeting of the AAPM in 2022
Authors: Talcott Wesley , Ford Eric , Johnson Jennifer , Lincoln Holly , Evans Suzanne
Published: July 2023

Background

Many in‐person conferences were suspended during the initial stages of the COVID‐19 pandemic but have recently begun to return to in‐person or hybrid formats. However the incidence and severity of COVID‐19 infection during conferences, as well as behaviors at meetings associated with infection, are not well known.

Purpose

We performed a targeted, systematic survey of self‐reported COVID‐19 infection and severity rates among in‐person attendees and potential attendees of a large national medical conference held in hybrid format during the during the Omicron subvariant wave, to provide guidance for future meeting attendees and organizers on COVID‐19 risk.

Methods

A survey was sent to all members of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) as well as all attendees of the AAPM 2022 Annual Meeting (held July 10th–14th 2022 in Washington DC) with hybrid format) (total n = 10,627). The survey assessed relevant respondent demographics, views of COVID‐19 and in‐person meetings, COVID‐19 infection during the meeting or the following 7 days, and any COVID‐19 treatment received. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression with odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used for analysis.

Results

The response rate was 13.7% (n = 1464) among the total invitees. Of respondents, 62.9% (n = 921) attended the meeting in person and 37.1% (n = 543) did not. Among in‐person meeting attendees, 82.1% (n = 756) attended indoor social events during the meeting including 67.5% (n = 509) who attended a large, AAPM‐coordinated social event. Reported COVID‐19 infection rates were higher among in‐person attendees (15.3%, n = 141) versus those that did not attend in‐person (6.1%, n = 33) (p < 0.001). Of those infected, 97.9% (n = 138) recovered entirely at home, with the remaining 2 (1.4%) undergoing emergency room visit without admission, and 1 (unvaccinated) individual (0.7%) reported hospital admission. On multivariable analysis of reported in‐person attendee behaviors, only attendance of the large, AAPM‐coordinated social event remained significantly associated with COVID‐19 infection (OR 2.8, CI 1.8–4.2, p < 0.001). Among in‐person attendees, 74.1% (n = 682) agreed that they would feel comfortable attending in‐person conferences in the future, 11.8% (n = 109) disagreed, and 14.0% (n = 129) neither agreed nor disagreed.

Conclusions

Despite higher than previously reported COVID‐19 infection rates than prior studies, severity of infection was self‐limited with no hospitalizations among vaccinated attendees. In‐person attendees showed a willingness to return to large‐scale indoor social interaction, with a higher rate of COVID‐19 infection noted among those who attended a large conference‐affiliated social gathering. Most individuals reported feeling comfortable attending other in‐person meetings in the future.
Realistic numerical simulations of diffusion tensor cardiovascular magnetic resonance: The effects of perfusion and membrane permeability
Authors: Alemany Ignasi , Rose Jan N. , Ferreira Pedro F. , Pennell Dudley J. , Nielles‐Vallespin Sonia , Scott Andrew D. , Doorly Denis J.
Published: July 2023

Purpose

To study the sensitivity of diffusion tensor cardiovascular magnetic resonance (DT‐CMR) to microvascular perfusion and changes in cell permeability.

Methods

Monte Carlo (MC) random walk simulations in the myocardium have been performed to simulate self‐diffusion of water molecules in histology‐based media with varying extracellular volume fraction (ECV) and permeable membranes. The effect of microvascular perfusion on simulations of the DT‐CMR signal has been incorporated by adding the contribution of particles traveling through an anisotropic capillary network to the diffusion signal. The simulations have been performed considering three pulse sequences with clinical gradient strengths: monopolar stimulated echo acquisition mode (STEAM), monopolar pulsed‐gradient spin echo (PGSE), and second‐order motion‐compensated spin echo (MCSE).

Results

Reducing ECV intensifies the diffusion restriction and incorporating membrane permeability reduces the anisotropy of the diffusion tensor. Widening the intercapillary velocity distribution results in increased measured diffusion along the cardiomyocytes long axis when the capillary networks are anisotropic. Perfusion amplifies the mean diffusivity for STEAM while the opposite is observed for short diffusion encoding time sequences (PGSE and MCSE).

Conclusion

The effect of perfusion on the measured diffusion tensor is reduced using an increased reference b‐value. Our results pave the way for characterization of the response of DT‐CMR to microstructural changes underlying cardiac pathology and highlight the higher sensitivity of STEAM to permeability and microvascular circulation due to its longer diffusion encoding time.
Spiral inflow MRA with sliding‐slice localized quadratic encoding
Authors: Wang Dinghui , Krishnamoorthy Guruprasad , Ooi Melvyn B. , Pipe James G.
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This work proposes a 2D/3D hybrid inflow MRA technique for fast scanning and high SNR and contrast‐to‐noise (CNR) efficiencies.

Methods

Localized quadratic (LQ) encoding was combined with a sliding‐slice spiral acquisition. Inflow MRAs around the circle of Willis and the carotid bifurcations were collected on four healthy volunteers. Spiral images were deblurred without or with water–fat separation for sliding‐slice LQ (ssLQ) out‐of‐phase (OP) and Dixon inflow MRAs, respectively. Results were compared to multiple overlapping thin slab acquisitions (MOTSA) and 2D OP inflow MRAs. Noise data were also acquired with RF and gradients turned off to compute maps of SNR and SNR efficiency. Quantitative assessment of relative contrast, CNR, and CNR efficiency for flow were performed in regions of interest.

Results

The sliding‐slice spiral technique alone reduces scan time by 10% to 40% compared with a standard spiral acquisition scheme. The proposed spiral ssLQ OP achieves 50% higher scan speed than the spiral MOTSA with comparable SNR and CNR efficiencies, which are ∼100% higher than the Cartesian MOTSA for intracranial inflow MRAs. Spiral ssLQ Dixon inflow MRA provides better visibility for vessels around the fat compared to spiral ssLQ OP inflow MRA, with a trade‐off of scan speed. Spiral ssLQ MRA with thinner slice thickness is two to five times faster than the 2D Cartesian inflow neck MRA around the carotid bifurcations, while also achieving higher SNR efficiency.

Conclusion

The proposed spiral ssLQ is a fast and flexible MRA method with improved SNR and CNR efficiencies over traditional Cartesian inflow MRAs.
SSL‐QALAS: Self‐Supervised Learning for rapid multiparameter estimation in quantitative MRI using 3D‐QALAS
Authors: Jun Yohan , Cho Jaejin , Wang Xiaoqing , Gee Michael , Grant P. Ellen , Bilgic Berkin , Gagoski Borjan
Published: July 2023

Purpose

To develop and evaluate a method for rapid estimation of multiparametric T1, T2, proton density, and inversion efficiency maps from 3D‐quantification using an interleaved Look‐Locker acquisition sequence with T2 preparation pulse (3D‐QALAS) measurements using self‐supervised learning (SSL) without the need for an external dictionary.

Methods

An SSL‐based QALAS mapping method (SSL‐QALAS) was developed for rapid and dictionary‐free estimation of multiparametric maps from 3D‐QALAS measurements. The accuracy of the reconstructed quantitative maps using dictionary matching and SSL‐QALAS was evaluated by comparing the estimated T1 and T2 values with those obtained from the reference methods on an International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine/National Institute of Standards and Technology phantom. The SSL‐QALAS and the dictionary‐matching methods were also compared in vivo, and generalizability was evaluated by comparing the scan‐specific, pre‐trained, and transfer learning models.

Results

Phantom experiments showed that both the dictionary‐matching and SSL‐QALAS methods produced T1 and T2 estimates that had a strong linear agreement with the reference values in the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine/National Institute of Standards and Technology phantom. Further, SSL‐QALAS showed similar performance with dictionary matching in reconstructing the T1, T2, proton density, and inversion efficiency maps on in vivo data. Rapid reconstruction of multiparametric maps was enabled by inferring the data using a pre‐trained SSL‐QALAS model within 10 s. Fast scan‐specific tuning was also demonstrated by fine‐tuning the pre‐trained model with the target subject's data within 15 min.

Conclusion

The proposed SSL‐QALAS method enabled rapid reconstruction of multiparametric maps from 3D‐QALAS measurements without an external dictionary or labeled ground‐truth training data.
Bioinspired High‐Magnesium Calcite for Efficiently Reducing Chemical Oxygen Demand in Lake Water
Authors: Shang Li‐Mei , Li Si‐Cheng , Jiang Jun , Mao Li‐Bo , Yu Shu‐Hong
Published: July 2023

Organic matter accumulation in water can cause serious problems such as oxygen depletion and quality deterioration of waters. While calcium carbonate has been used as green and low‐cost adsorbent for water treatment, its efficiency in reducing the chemical oxygen demand (COD) of water, which is a measure of organic pollution, is restrained by the limited specific surface area and chemical activity. Herein, inspired by the high‐magnesium calcite (HMC) found in biological materials, a feasible method to synthesize fluffy dumbbell‐like HMC with large specific surface area is reported. The magnesium inserting increases the chemical activity of the HMC moderately but without lowering its stability too much. Therefore, the crystalline HMC can retain its phase and morphology in aqueous environment for hours, which allows the establishment of adsorption equilibrium between the solution and the adsorbent that retains its initial large specific surface area and improved chemical activity. Consequently, the HMC exhibits notably enhanced capability in reducing the COD of lake water polluted by organics. This work provides a synergistic strategy to rationally design high‐performance adsorbents by simultaneously optimizing the surface area and steering the chemical activity.
A Platform for Atomic Fabrication and In Situ Synthesis in a Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope
Authors: Dyck Ondrej , Lupini Andrew R. , Jesse Stephen
Published: July 2023

The engineering of quantum materials requires the development of tools able to address various synthesis and characterization challenges. These include the establishment and refinement of growth methods, material manipulation, and defect engineering. Atomic‐scale modification will be a key enabling factor for engineering quantum materials where desired phenomena are critically determined by atomic structures. Successful use of scanning transmission electron microscopes (STEMs) for atomic scale material manipulation has opened the door for a transformed view of what can be accomplished using electron‐beam‐based strategies. However, serious obstacles exist on the pathway from possibility to practical reality. One such obstacle is the in situ delivery of atomized material in the STEM to the region of interest for further fabrication processes. Here, progress on this front is presented with a view toward performing synthesis (deposition and growth) processes in a scanning transmission electron microscope in combination with top‐down control over the reaction region. An in situ thermal deposition platform is presented, tested, and deposition and growth processes are demonstrated. In particular, it is shown that isolated Sn atoms can be evaporated from a filament and caught on the nearby sample, demonstrating atomized material delivery. This platform is envisioned to facilitate real‐time atomic resolution imaging of growth processes and open new pathways toward atomic fabrication.
Stakeholder opinion‐led study to identify canine priority diseases for surveillance and control in the UK
Authors: Tamayo Cuartero Carmen , Radford Alan D. , Szilassy Eszter , Newton J. Richard , Sánchez‐Vizcaíno Fernando
Published: July 2023

Background

Many pathogens cause disease in dogs; however, meaningful surveillance in small companion animals is often only possible for the most impactful diseases. We describe the first stakeholder opinion‐led approach to identify which canine infectious diseases should be prioritised for inclusion in surveillance and control strategies in the UK.

Methods

Participants were identified through a stakeholder analysis. A multicriteria decision analysis was undertaken to establish and weight epidemiological criteria for evaluating diseases, and a Delphi technique was employed to achieve a consensus among participants on the top‐priority canine diseases.

Results

Nineteen stakeholders from multiple backgrounds participated in this study. Leptospirosis and parvovirus were identified as the top two endemic diseases of concern, while leishmaniosis and babesiosis were the top two exotic diseases. Respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases were identified as the top two syndromes of concern.

Limitations

Due to the COVID‐19 pandemic, the number of participants was reduced. Despite this, a representative multidisciplinary sample of relevant stakeholders contributed to the present study.

Conclusions

Findings from this study are being used to inform the development of a future UK‐wide epidemic response strategy. This methodology could provide a blueprint for other countries.
On string one-loop correction to the Einstein-Hilbert term and its implications on the Kähler potential
Authors: Kim Manki
Published: July 2023

Abstract

To compute the string one-loop correction to the Kähler potential of moduli fields of string compactifications in Einstein-frame, one must compute: the string one-loop correction to the Einstein-Hilbert action, the string one-loop correction to the moduli kinetic terms, the string one-loop correction to the definition of the holomorphic coordinates. In this note, in the small warping limit, we compute the string one-loop correction to the Einstein-Hilbert action of type II string theory compactified on orientifolds of Calabi-Yau threefolds. We find that the one-loop correction is determined by the new supersymmetric index studied by Cecotti, Fendley, Intriligator, and Vafa and the Witten index. As a simple application, we apply our results to estimate the size of the one-loop corrections around a conifold point in the Kähler moduli space.
The torus one-point diagram in two-dimensional string cosmology
Authors: Rodriguez Victor A.
Published: July 2023

Abstract

We calculate numerically the torus one-point string diagram in the two-dimensional string cosmology background by decomposing the one-point functions in c = 1 and c = 25 Liouville CFT into torus one-point Virasoro conformal blocks and integrating over the fundamental domain of the torus moduli space. We find a remarkably simple result as a function of the outgoing closed string energy. This torus one-point diagram is expected to contribute to the one-point cosmological wavefunction at order gs, and to the four-point cosmological wavefunction at order $$ {g}_s^2 $$

g
s
2

through the disconnected product of the torus one-point diagram and the sphere three-point diagram.
B-meson hadroproduction in the SACOT-mT scheme
Authors: Helenius Ilkka , Paukkunen Hannu
Published: July 2023

Abstract

We apply the SACOT-mT general-mass variable flavour number scheme (GM-VFNS) to the inclusive B-meson production in hadronic collisions at next-to-leading order in perturbative Quantum Chromodynamics. In the GM-VFNS approach one matches the fixed-order heavy-quark production cross sections, accurate at low transverse momentum (pT), with the zero-mass cross sections, accurate at high pT. The physics idea of the SACOT-mT scheme is to do this by accounting for the finite momentum transfer required to create a heavy quark-antiquark pair throughout the calculation. We compare our results with the latest LHC data from proton-proton and proton-lead collisions finding a very good agreement within the estimated theoretical uncertainties. We discuss also scheme-related differences and their impact on the scale uncertainties.
Kappa vacua: enhancing the Unruh temperature
Authors: Azizi Arash
Published: July 2023

Abstract

We provide further elaboration on kappa mode, which is a mode constructed by the linear combination of Rindler modes in the right and the left Rindler wedges, exhibiting norms with opposite signs. We establish a relation among different kappa vacua, resembling the thermofield double state. However, the energy of a kappa photon no longer exhibits a linear dependence on its frequency, unless the limit of κ → 0 (the Rindler vacuum) is taken into account. In other words, a kappa vacuum can be expressed in terms of the Rindler vacuum as the conventional thermofield double state, with the usual energy for a photon. However, it features a modified Unruh temperature given by $$ {T}_{\kappa }=\frac{\mathit{\hslash a}}{2\pi c{k}_B}\kappa $$

T
κ

=

ℏa

2
πc

k
B

κ
. Consequently, when a uniformly accelerated observer with an acceleration a is immersed in a κ-vacuum, they perceive a thermal bath. However, the temperature experienced by the observer is a modified Unruh temperature denoted as Tκ. Remarkably, the Unruh temperature can be enhanced by an arbitrary factor of κ.
In Situ Programming of CAR-T Cells: A Pressing Need in Modern Immunotherapy
Authors: Śledź Marta , Wojciechowska Alicja , Zagożdżon Radosław , Kaleta Beata
Published: July 2023

Chimeric antigen receptor-T (CAR-T) cell-based therapy has become a successful option for treatment of numerous hematological malignancies, but also raises hope in a range of non-malignant diseases. However, in a traditional approach, generation of CAR-T cells is associated with the separation of patient’s lymphocytes, their in vitro modification, and expansion and infusion back into patient’s bloodstream. This classical protocol is complex, time-consuming, and expensive. Those problems could be solved by successful protocols to produce CAR-T cells, but also CAR-natural killer cells or CAR macrophages, in situ, using viral platforms or non-viral delivery systems. Moreover, it was demonstrated that in situ CAR-T induction may be associated with reduced risk of the most common toxicities associated with CAR-T therapy, such as cytokine release syndrome, immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome, and “on-target, off-tumor” toxicity. This review aims to summarize the current state-of-the-art and future perspectives for the in situ-produced CAR-T cells. Indeed, preclinical work in this area, including animal studies, raises hope for prospective translational development and validation in practical medicine of strategies for in situ generation of CAR-bearing immune effector cells.
Frühkindliche psychische Störungen: Exzessives Schreien, Schlaf- und Fütterstörungen sowie Interventionen am Beispiel des „Münchner Modells“
Authors: Ziegler Margret , Wollwerth de Chuquisengo Ruth , Mall Volker , Licata-Dandel Maria
Published: July 2023

Bis zu 20 % aller gesunden Säuglinge und Kleinkinder zeigen in den ersten Lebensjahren psychische Störungen im Sinne von untröstbarem Schreien (sog. Schreibabys), Schlaf- und Fütterstörungen. Nach Frühgeburt und bei Kindern mit neuropädiatrischen Erkrankungen finden sich noch deutlich häufiger vor allem langanhaltende Fütterstörungen und Schlafstörungen. Langfristig können sich daraus internalisierende und externalisierende Störungen im späteren Kindesalter entwickeln, häufig ist die Eltern-Kind-Beziehung belastet. Die Eltern schildern schwere Erschöpfung, extreme Verunsicherung und Hilflosigkeit.

Kinderärztinnen und Hebammen sind die ersten Anlaufstellen für die Familien. Schreibabyambulanzen, wie die 1991 von Mechthild Papoušek gegründete „Münchner Sprechstunde für Schreibabys“ am kbo-Kinderzentrum-München, sind für die hochbelasteten Familien ein niederschwelliges Angebot und leisten einen wichtigen Beitrag zur Prävention von Vernachlässigungen, Misshandlungen und psychischen Folgeerkrankungen des Kindes. Behandlungskonzepte basieren auf der Eltern-Kleinkind- und Bindungsforschung und integrieren kind- und elternbezogene Therapieansätze.

Während der COVID-19-Pandemie sind die psychosozialen Belastungen in den Familien gestiegen; dies war auch in den Schreibabyambulanzen deutlich spürbar.
Krisenreaktion zu Beginn der COVID-19-Pandemie in Sammelunterkünften für Geflüchtete
Authors: Gold Andreas W. , Bozorgmehr Kayvan , Biddle Louise , Perplies Clara , Rast Eilin , Jahn Rosa
Published: July 2023

Hintergrund

Geflüchtete Menschen in Sammelunterkünften (SU) sind durch hohe Belegungsdichte und gemeinschaftlich genutzte Räume einem erhöhten SARS-CoV-2-Infektionsrisiko ausgesetzt. Unklar ist, mit welchen (organisationalen) Akteuren und in welcher Form die Aufnahmebehörden im Rahmen ihrer Krisenreaktion zur Eindämmung der COVID-19-Pandemie zusammenarbeiteten. Ziel des Beitrags ist es, die Zusammenarbeit zwischen Aufnahmebehörden und weiteren an der Unterbringung und Versorgung beteiligten Akteuren während der ersten Welle der COVID-19-Pandemie darzustellen und Empfehlungen für eine zukünftig verbesserte Krisenreaktion abzuleiten.

Methoden

Datengrundlage bilden qualitative Interviews die im Zeitraum Mai–Juli 2020 mit Ansprechpersonen in Aufnahmebehörden, die für die Unterbringung von Geflüchteten zuständig sind (N = 46). Es erfolgen eine Visualisierung von Akteursnetzwerken und eine qualitative Analyse des Datenmaterials mittels Framework-Methode.

Ergebnisse

Die Aufnahmebehörden arbeiteten mit einer Vielzahl weiterer (organisationaler) Akteure zusammen. Am häufigsten wurden Gesundheitsämter, Sozialarbeiter*innen und Sicherheitsdienste genannt. Die Krisenreaktion fiel sehr unterschiedlich aus, häufig in Abhängigkeit von Engagement, Wissen und Einstellungen einzelner Personen und beteiligten Organisationen. Bei Abwesenheit einer koordinierenden Stelle konnte es zu Verzögerungen durch eine „Wartehaltung“ der beteiligten Akteure kommen.

Fazit

Die Krisenreaktion in SU für Geflüchtete würde von einer klaren Zuordnung der koordinierenden Funktion an einen geeigneten Akteur profitieren. Anstelle von Ad-hoc-Lösungen bedarf es nachhaltiger Verbesserungen im Sinne einer transformativen Resilienz, um strukturelle Vulnerabilitäten zu reduzieren.
A new modeling approach for the unrestricted block relocation problem
Authors: Kimms Alf , Wilschewski Fabian
Published: July 2023

We consider the block relocation problem (BRP), a combinatorial optimization problem that may arise in storage systems where items are organized in stacks. The objective is to retrieve all items in a predefined order with a minimal number of relocations. It can be distinguished between a restricted and an unrestricted version of the BRP. While in the restricted BRP (R-BRP) only relocations of items located above the item to be retrieved next are permitted, in the unrestricted BRP (U-BRP) all possible relocations are allowed. Existing exact methods concerning the BRP are frequently search-based methods which appear to be very effective. Nevertheless, recent literature concerning the R-BRP has shown that model-based methods can be competitive and therefore should also be taken into consideration. In this paper, we propose a new model-based approach for the U-BRP. It eliminates the fact that the number of variables is increasing with the number of necessary relocations; a disadvantage most mathematical models for the U-BRP have in common.
Predictors for infection severity for open tibial fractures: major trauma centre perspective
Authors: Zhang James , Lu Victor , Zhou Andrew Kailin , Stevenson Anna , Thahir Azeem , Krkovic Matija
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Open diaphyseal tibial fractures are the most common long-bone fractures and require a rapid approach to prevent devastating complications. Current literature reports the outcomes of open tibial fractures. However, there is no robust, up-to-date research on the predictive indicators of infection severity in a large open tibial fracture patient cohort. This study investigated the predictive factors of superficial infections and osteomyelitis in open tibial fractures.

Materials and methods

A retrospective analysis of the tibial fracture database was carried out from 2014 to 2020. Criteria for inclusion was any tibial fracture including tibial plateau, shaft, pilon or ankle, with an open wound at the fracture site. Exclusion criteria included patients with a follow-up period of less than 12 months and who are deceased. A total of 235 patients were included in our study, of which 154 (65.6%), 42 (17.9%), and 39 (16.6%) developed no infection, superficial infection, or osteomyelitis, respectively. Patient demographics, injury characteristics, fracture characteristics, infection status and management details were collected for all patients.

Results

On multivariate modelling, patients with BMI > 30 (OR = 2.078, 95%CI [1.145–6.317], p = 0.025), Gustilo-Anderson (GA) type III (OR = 6.120, 95%CI [1.995–18.767], p = 0.001), longer time to soft tissue cover (p = 0.006) were more likely to develop a superficial infection, and patients with wound contamination (OR = 3.152, 95%CI [1.079–9.207], p = 0.036), GA-3 (OR = 3.387,95%CI [1.103–10.405], p = 0.026), longer to soft tissue cover (p = 0.007) were more likely to develop osteomyelitis.

Univariate analysis also determined that risk factors for superficial infection were: BMI > 35 (OR = 6.107, 95%CI [2.283–16.332], p = 0.003) and wound contamination (OR = 2.249, 95%CI [1.015–5.135], p = 0.047); whilst currently smoking (OR = 2.298, 95%CI [1.087–4.856], p = 0.025), polytrauma (OR = 3.212, 95%CI [1.556–6.629], p = 0.001), longer time to definitive fixation (p = 0.023) were for osteomyelitis. However, none of these reached significance in multivariate analysis.

Conclusion

Higher GA classification is a significant risk factor for developing superficial infection and osteomyelitis, with a stronger association with osteomyelitis, especially GA 3C fractures. Predictors for superficial infection included BMI and time to soft tissue closure. Time to definitive fixation, time to soft tissue closure, and wound contamination were associated with osteomyelitis.
The effect of emotional arousal on visual attentional performance: a systematic review
Authors: Zsidó Andras N.
Published: July 2023

Although the arousal elicited by emotional stimuli, similarly to valence, is an integrative part of emotion theories, previous studies and reviews mostly focused on the valence of a stimulus and rarely investigated the role of arousal. Here, I systematically searched for articles that used visual attentional paradigms, manipulated emotional arousal by auditory or visual, task-relevant or task-irrelevant stimuli, measured behavioral responses, ocular behavior, or neural correlates. I found that task-relevant arousing stimuli draw and hold attention regardless of the modality. In contrast, task-irrelevant arousing stimuli impaired task performance. However, when the emotional content precedes the task or it is presented for a longer duration, arousal increased performance. Future directions on how research could address the remaining questions are discussed.
Coalition-based task assignment with priority-aware fairness in spatial crowdsourcing
Authors: Zhao Yan , Zheng Kai , Wang Ziwei , Deng Liwei , Yang Bin , Pedersen Torben Bach , Jensen Christian S. , Zhou Xiaofang
Published: July 2023

With the widespread use of networked and geo-positioned mobile devices, e.g., smartphones, Spatial Crowdsourcing (SC), which refers to the assignment of location-based tasks to moving workers, is drawing increasing attention. One of the critical issues in SC is task assignment that allocates tasks to appropriate workers. We propose and study a novel SC problem, namely Coalition-based Task Assignment (CTA), where the spatial tasks (e.g., home improvement and furniture installation) may require more than one worker (forming a coalition) to cooperate to maximize the overall rewards of workers. We design a greedy and an equilibrium-based CTA approach. The greedy approach forms a set of worker coalitions greedily for performing tasks and uses an acceptance probability to identify high-value task assignments. In the equilibrium-based approach, workers form coalitions in sequence and update their strategies (i.e., selecting a best-response task), to maximize their own utility (i.e., the reward of the coalition they belong to) until a Nash equilibrium is reached. Since the equilibrium obtained is not unique and optimal in terms of total rewards, we further propose a simulated annealing scheme to find a better Nash equilibrium. To achieve fair task assignments, we optimize the framework to distribute rewards fairly among workers in a coalition based on their marginal contributions and give workers who arrive first at the SC platform highest priority. Extensive experiments demonstrate the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed methods on real and synthetic data.
Withdrawal of mechanical ventilation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients: a multicenter Italian survey
Authors: Moglia Cristina , Palumbo Francesca , Veronese Simone ,   M. N. D. Italian Study Group, Angelocola Stefania , Barone Paolo , Bartolomei Ilaria , Bersano Enrica , Bombaci Alessandro , Borghero Giuseppe , Cabras Sara , Cambieri Chiara , Canali Elena , Canosa Antonio , Capasso Margherita , Caponnetto Claudia , Cardinali Patrizio , Casmiro Mario , Ceccanti Marco , Chiò Adriano , Consonni Monica , Dalla Bella Eleonora , De Marchi Fabiola , De Mattei Filippo , D’Errico Eustachio , Di Pede Francesca , Diamanti Luca , Dubbioso Raffaele , Filippi Massimo , Filosto Massimiliano , Fini Nicola , Gianferrari Giulia , Grassano Maurizio , Inghilleri Maurizio , La Bella Vincenzo , Lauria Pinter Giuseppe , Libonati Laura , Logullo Francesco , Mandrioli Jessica , Manera Umberto , Martinelli Ilaria , Martusciello Gioacchino , Matà Sabrina , Matteoni Enrico , Mazzini Letizia , Medici Doriana , Miniello Stefania , Moret Federica , Nozzoli Cecilia , Piccirillo Giovanni , Pilurzi Giovanna , Riva Nilo , Romito Silvia , Russo Massimo , Salvi Fabrizio , Sette Elisabetta , Silani Vincenzo , Simone Isabella Laura , Simonini Cecilia , Spataro Rossella , Squintani Giovanna , Stano Salvatore , Tanel Raffaella , Tedeschi Gioacchino , Ticozzi Nicola , Toriello Antonella , Tremolizzo Lucio , Trojsi Francesca , Vacchiano Veria , Vasta Rosario , Volanti Paolo , Zinno Lucia , Zucchi Elisabetta , Calvo Andrea
Published: July 2023

Background

Law 219/2017 was approved in Italy in December
2017, after a years-long debate on the autonomy of healthcare choices. This Law, for the first time in Italian legislation, guarantees the patient’s right to request for withdrawal of life-sustaining treatments, including mechanical ventilation (MV).

Objective

To investigate the current status of MV withdrawal in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients in Italy and to assess the impact of Law 219/2017 on this practice.

Methods

We conducted a Web-based survey, addressed to Italian neurologists with expertise in ALS care, and members of the Motor Neuron Disease Study Group of the Italian Society of Neurology.

Results

Out of 40 ALS Italian centers, 34 (85.0%) responded to the survey. Law 219/2017 was followed by an increasing trend in MV withdrawals, and a significant increase of neurologists involved in this procedure (p 0.004). However, variations across Italian ALS centers were observed, regarding the inconsistent involvement of community health services and palliative care (PC) services, and the intervention and composition of the multidisciplinary team.

Conclusions

Law 219/2017 has had a positive impact on the practice of MV withdrawal in ALS patients in Italy. The recent growing public attention on end-of-life care choices, along with the cultural and social changes in Italy, requires further regulatory frameworks that strengthen tools for self-determination, increased investment of resources in community and PC health services, and practical recommendations and guidelines for health workers involved.
Postfire hydrologic response along the Central California (USA) coast: insights for the emergency assessment of postfire debris-flow hazards
Authors: Thomas Matthew A. , Kean Jason W. , McCoy Scott W. , Lindsay Donald N. , Kostelnik Jaime , Cavagnaro David B. , Rengers Francis K. , East Amy E. , Schwartz Jonathan Y. , Smith Douglas P. , Collins Brian D.
Published: July 2023

The steep, tectonically active terrain along the Central California (USA) coast is well known to produce deadly and destructive debris flows. However, the extent to which fire affects debris-flow susceptibility in this region is an open question. We documented the occurrence of postfire debris floods and flows following the landfall of a storm that delivered intense rainfall across multiple burn areas. We used this inventory to evaluate the predictive performance of the US Geological Survey M1 likelihood model, a tool that presently underlies the emergency assessment of postfire debris-flow hazards in the western USA. To test model performance, we used the threat score skill statistic and found that the rainfall thresholds estimated by the M1 model for the Central California coast performed similarly to training (Southern California) and testing (Intermountain West) data associated with the original model calibration. Model performance decreased when differentiating between “minor” and “major” postfire hydrologic response types, which weigh effects on human life and infrastructure. Our results underscore that the problem of false positives is a major challenge for developing accurate rainfall thresholds for the occurrence of postfire debris flows. As wildfire activity increases throughout the western USA, so too will the demand for the assessment of postfire debris-flow hazards. We conclude that additional collection of field-verified inventories of postfire hydrologic response will be critical to prioritize which model variables may be suitable candidates for regional calibration or replacement.
Clean versus dirty electricity generation and economic growth in South Africa: time–frequency study
Authors: Phiri Andrew , Nyoni Bothwell
Published: July 2023

The purpose of the study is to contrast the impact of ‘clean’ and ‘dirty’ electricity production on economic growth for South Africa and determine whether a faster transition from fossil fuels to renewables is beneficial for growth. To this end, we use wavelet coherence analysis to examine the time–frequency relationship between electricity and economic growth for aggregated and disaggregated measures of clean and dirty sources over the period 1985–2021 At an aggregated level, the low frequency (long-run) correlations are eventually substituted with high frequency (short-run) co-movements. At disaggregated level, the results are mixed, with dirty energy components (coal, oil, gas) having a weakening effect on economic growth over time whilst clean energy sources (solar and wind, biomass, hydro) show the greatest potential for growth over both low and high frequency relationships. Moreover, the various structural breaks identified in the frequency bands for different electricity sources allow us to evaluate the impact of energy policies and load shedding on the electricity-growth relationship and offer further insights to which clean sources of electricity production have more potential to be growth enhancing.
From Thieves to Martyrs: The Story of Two Jews from Early Modern Moravia
Authors: Cohen Roman Oren , Soukup Daniel
Published: July 2023

This paper focuses on the story of two Jewish men who were convicted of theft and executed in Prostějov, Moravia, in the spring of 1684. Although the two were offered a pardon in exchange for converting to Christianity, they resolutely refused. Their story was recorded in a contemporaneous Yiddish song that serves as the basis for the current case-study. The informative layer of the text portrays an event that can be contextualized within the campaign to proselytize Jews in the Bohemian lands at the turn of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Likewise, it indicates the great significance that Jews and Christians alike attributed to public conversions—or the lack thereof. From the formative perspective, the text crowns the two Jews as martyrs who died sanctifying God’s Name, disregarding their undenied legal culpability. Accordingly, this paper traces developments in the Ashkenazic ethos of martyrdom from the Middle Ages to the seventeenth century. It also highlights the shared cultural legacy that bound the larger early modern Ashkenazic communities, such as those in Amsterdam, Hamburg, Frankfurt, or Prague, to smaller Jewish settlements, like those of Moravia. Besides its hagiographical function, this historic song also imparts didactic and moralizing messages. It censures those who are too lenient vis-à-vis their children’s education as well as criticizing the habit of gambling, practices that may lead to criminal activities and push those involved to the margins of Jewish society.
Noncoding RNAs in atherosclerosis: regulation and therapeutic potential
Authors: Qi Luyao , Xing Jixiang , Yuan Yuesong , Lei Ming
Published: July 2023

Atherosclerosis, a chronic disease of arteries, results in high mortality worldwide as the leading cause of cardiovascular disease. The development of clinically relevant atherosclerosis involves the dysfunction of endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells. A large amount of evidence indicates that noncoding RNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), are involved in various physiological and pathological processes. Recently, noncoding RNAs were identified as key regulators in the development of atherosclerosis, including the dysfunction of endothelial cells, and vascular smooth muscle cells and it is pertinent to understand the potential function of noncoding RNAs in atherosclerosis development. In this review, the latest available research relates to the regulatory role of noncoding RNAs in the progression of atherosclerosis and the therapeutic potential for atherosclerosis is summarized. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the regulatory and interventional roles of ncRNAs in atherosclerosis and to inspire new insights for the prevention and treatment of this disease.
The impact of green financial development on stock price crash risk from the perspective of information asymmetry in Chinese listed companies
Authors: Zhang Zhibin , Ding Youqiang
Published: July 2023

Solving the crash risk problem of corporate stock price caused by information asymmetry can mitigate the negative externality of its carbon emission to become green, low-carbon, and high-quality development. Green finance generally profoundly impacts micro-corporate economics and macro-financial systems but remains a giant puzzle of whether they can effectively resolve the crash risk. This paper examined the impact of green financial development on the stock price crash risk using the sample data of non-financial listed companies in Shanghai and Shenzhen A stock market in China from 2009 to 2020. We found that green financial development significantly inhibits the stock price crash risk; this is more obvious in listed companies with a high level of asymmetric information. And companies in high-level regions of green financial development attracted more attention from institutional investors and analysts. As a result, they disclosed more information about their operational status, thus reducing the crash risk of corporate stock price from the torrential public pressure of lousy environmental details. Therefore, this study will help continuously discuss the costs, benefits, and value promotion of green finance for synergy between corporate performance and environmental performance to improve ESG capabilities.
Standing and Pre-trial Misconduct: Hypocrisy, ‘Separation’, Inconsistent Blame, and Frustration
Authors: Stark Findlay
Published: July 2023

Existing justifications for exclusionary rules and stays of proceedings in response to pre-trial wrongdoing by police officers and prosecutors are often thought to be counter-productive or disproportionate in their consequences. This article begins to explore whether the concept of standing to blame can provide a fresh justification for such responses. It focuses on a vice related to standing—hypocrisy—and a related vice concerning inconsistent blame. It takes seriously the point that criminal justice agencies, although all part of the State, are in real terms separated from each other, and analyses the so-called separation thesis (or theses). It concludes that hypocrisy and inconsistent blame arguments could plausibly justify exclusion and stays only in relation to lower-level offending, and even there only indirectly. This is in the sense that exclusion and stays are expressions of judicial frustration with other bodies for their failure to take pre-trial wrongdoing seriously.
Lessons Learned from Telemonitoring in an Outpatient Bariatric Surgery Pathway—Secondary Outcomes of a Patient Preference Clinical Trial
Authors: van Ede Elisabeth S. , Scheerhoorn Jai , Schonck Friso M. J. F. , van der Stam Jonna A. , Buise Marc P. , Nienhuijs Simon W. , Bouwman R. Arthur
Published: July 2023

Background

Remote monitoring is increasingly used to support postoperative care. This study aimed to describe the lessons learned from the use of telemonitoring in an outpatient bariatric surgery pathway.

Materials and Methods

Patients were assigned based on their preference to an intervention cohort of same-day discharge after bariatric surgery. In total, 102 patients were monitored continuously for 7 days using a wearable monitoring device with a Continuous and Remote Early Warning Score–based notification protocol (CREWS). Outcome measures included missing data, course of postoperative heart and respiration rate, false positive notification and specificity analysis, and vital sign assessment during teleconsultation.

Results

In 14.7% of the patients, data for heart rate was missing for > 8 h. A day-night-rhythm of heart rate and respiration rate reappeared on average on postoperative day 2 with heart rate amplitude increasing after day 3. CREWS notification had a specificity of 98%. Of the 17 notifications, 70% was false positive. Half of them occurred between day 4 and 7 and were accompanied with surrounding reassuring values. Comparable postoperative complaints were encountered between patients with normal and deviated data.

Conclusion

Telemonitoring after outpatient bariatric surgery is feasible. It supports clinical decisions, however does not replace nurse or physician care. Although infrequent, the false notification rate was high. We suggested additional contact may not be necessary when notifications occur after restoration of circadian rhythm or when surrounding reassuring vital signs are present. CREWS supports ruling out serious complications, what may reduce in-hospital re-evaluations. Following these lessons learned, increased patients’ comfort and decreased clinical workload could be expected.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov. Identifier: NCT04754893.

Graphical Abstract
A cost estimation approach for aircraft design enhancement
Authors: Abbate Raffaele , Turino Maria Antonietta , Morse Llewellyn , Fera Marcello , Mallardo Vincenzo , Macchiaroli Roberto
Published: July 2023

This paper presents a novel reliability-based parametric methodology for quantifying the reliability of cost estimates for new composite aircraft components. In recent years, the aircraft production sector has increased its attention on optimizing their composite manufacturing operations. It has become clear that a key factor in the success of these operations is the consideration that not only technical factors, but also economic ones as well are relevant. Composite manufacturing variability is greatly influenced by many of these factors, and since manufacturing with composites is significantly more difficult than with more traditional materials, there are many sources of uncertainty that could influence the reliability of manufacturing cost estimates for new composite aircraft components. Therefore, it is worth considering these sources of uncertainty during the cost estimation process and to quantify the reliability of the cost estimates. To demonstrate the proposed methodology, a numerical example featuring a real-life composite aircraft component from a Boeing 787, with real-life data, is presented. Results show that the proposed methodology can quantify the uncertainty associated with cost estimates for new composite aircraft components in an effective manner, thereby supporting engineers in optimising the cost of their designs, helping them avoid errors in budget definition, and enabling them to allocate resources more efficiently.
Blockchain for Data Originality in Pharma Manufacturing
Authors: Durá Marta , Leal Fátima , Sánchez-García Ángel , Sáez Carlos , García-Gómez Juan M. , Chis Adriana E. , González-Vélez Horacio
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This paper analyses the feasibility of tracking data originality for pharmaceutical manufacturing in a tamper-proof manner using a geographically distributed system. The main research question is whether it is possible to ensure the traceability of drug manufacturing through the use of smart contracts and a private blockchain network.

Methods

This work employs a private Ethereum network with a proof-of-authority consensus algorithm to allow participating nodes to commit the medicament manufacturing originality as transactions in blocks. We use smart contracts to assess the “Original” principle of the ALCOA+ data integrity principles for full sensor-enabled production lines within pharmaceutical manufacturing plants. We have evaluated our data originality assessment approach employing a temporal series of 1300 reports generated based on real datasets from pharma production lines. Out of these reports, 300 reports have been randomly tampered with to make them “unoriginal” (i.e., falsified).

Results

Evaluation consistently shows that the proposed approach systematically detects all the manufacturing records whether original or not, together with any source of falsification. By randomly injecting four common data falsification types, their approach effectively detects tampering and ensures the authenticity of the data originality acquired by sensors within manufacturing lines.

Conclusion

The approach of using a private blockchain network with a proof-of-authority consensus algorithm and smart contracts is a feasible method to track data originality for pharmaceutical manufacturing in a tamper-proof manner. In addition, this approach effectively detects tampering and ensures the authenticity of the data originality acquired by sensors within manufacturing lines.