bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identifying factor‐augmented vector autoregression models via changes in shock variances
Authors: Yamamoto Yohei , Hara Naoko
Published: February 2022

This study proposes a method to identify factor‐augmented vector autoregression models without imposing uncorrelatedness or any timing restrictions among observed and unobserved factors in the vector autoregression system. To this end, we utilize changes in unconditional shock variances following Rigobon (2003). The proposed method can incorporate both observed and unobserved factors in the structural vector autoregression system and allows the contemporaneous matrix to be fully unrestricted. We derive the asymptotic distribution of the impulse response estimator and consider a bootstrap inference method. We also provide two diagnostic tools: a test for the identification condition and a class of overidentifying restrictions tests. A Monte Carlo experiment shows that the asymptotic and bootstrap methods yield a satisfactory coverage rate when the shock of an observed factor is analyzed, although the bootstrap method is more accurate. We apply the proposed method to an empirical example for the effects of U.S. monetary policies on asset prices. A contractionary monetary policy shock induces positive and hump‐shaped interest rate responses along the maturity dimension and negative but insignificant stock price responses.
Physicochemical properties and sensory evaluation of a bean‐based composite soup flour
Authors: Kambabazi Marie‐Rose , Okoth Michael Wandayi , Ngala Sophia , Njue Lucy , Vasanthakaalam Hilda
Published: February 2022

A bean‐based composite soup flour (CSF) containing red kidney beans, sweet potatoes, amaranth leaves, and carrots was developed using Nutrisurvey software to choose four nutritious CSFs, which were then subjected to sensory evaluation to select the most preferred CSF by mothers with young children. The top‐ranked bean‐based CSF was then analyzed for energy, proximate composition, and selected mineral/vitamin content. Additionally, swelling capacity, water and oil absorption capacity, emulsion activity/stability, foaming capacity/stability, gelatinization temperature, and least gelatinization concentration were determined. The optimum quality CSF was composed of 70% red kidney beans, 15% amaranth leaves, 10% sweet potatoes, and 5% carrots. The compositional and energy analysis showed that the selected CSF had 20.58% protein, 59% carbohydrates, 2.93% fat, 3.38% fiber, 8.95% moisture, 5.08% ash, and 344.9 kcal/100 g energy. The mineral and vitamins contents of CSF per 100 g were 216.2, 1.14, 3.83, and 32.83 mg for calcium, zinc, iron, and magnesium, respectively; 3.55 mg for vitamin A; and 166.36 mg vitamin C. Vitamins B2, B5, B6, B9, and B12 were 0.57, 3.53, 0.27, 0.07, and 0.02 mg/100 g, respectively. Functional properties determined were 31.5 ml (swelling capacity), 70.5% (water absorption capacity), 28% (oil absorption capacity), 25%, 18% (emulsion activity), 18% (emulsion stability), 15% (foam capacity), 33.4% (foam stability), 88.5°C (gelatinization temperature), and 10% (least gelation concentration). Consumption of the formulated CSF can nearly meet the dietary reference intake (DRI) of children aged 1–3 years in determined nutrients except for fiber. The developed bean‐based CSF can be used to improve dietary diversity and reduce malnutrition especially for young children.
On the 2‐Wasserstein distance for self‐similar measures on the unit interval
Authors: Brawley Easton , Doyle Mason , Niedzialomski Robert
Published: February 2022

We obtain a lower and an upper bound for the 2‐Wasserstein distance between self‐similar measures associated to two increasing non‐overlapping linear contractions of the unit interval. We use a method of approximation of the measures via iterations of the Hutchinson operator on a delta Dirac measure. This allows us to obtain explicit estimates for the 2‐Wasserstein distance between the approximating measures. We use these bounds to obtain the bounds for the distance between the self‐similar measures.
Slip resistance of bolted joints with slotted holes
Authors: Dörre M. , Glienke R. , Schwarz M. , Henkel K.‐H.
Published: February 2022

Gleitfest vorgespannte Schraubenverbindungen kommen überall dort zum Einsatz, wo zyklische Beanspruchungen auf Schraubenverbindungen wirken und aus Ermüdungsfestigkeitsgründen reibschlüssig übertragen werden müssen. Die Bemessung sowie die Nachweisführung dieser Verbindungen sind weitestgehend durch bestehende Normen und Regelwerke zu realisieren. Allerdings bestehen für Langlöcher sowie übergroße Rundlöcher nach wie vor offene Fragestellungen in der Nachweisführung. Diese werden notwendig um Fertigungstoleranzen kostengünstig auszugleichen. Im Rahmen eines öffentlich geförderten Forschungsprojektes (AiF‐Nr.: 18608BR) wurde u. a. der Fragestellung größerer Nennlochspiele und deren Einfluss auf die Tragwirkung hochfest vorgespannter Schraubverbindungen nachgegangen [1]. Dazu wurden die verschiedenen Regelwerke vergleichend gegenübergestellt. Anschließend wurden experimentelle Untersuchungen zum Einfluss der Lochgeometrie auf den Gleitwiderstand durchgeführt. Aus den Erkenntnissen wurden schlussendlich Empfehlungen für den Konstruktions‐ und Berechnungsingenieur abgeleitet.
Research on the enhancement of signal‐to‐noise ratio by radio frequency white noise in compact dense‐pattern multipass cell for trace gas detection
Authors: Tian Xing , Cheng Gang , Chen Jiajin , Liu Kun
Published: February 2022

The number of reflections is increased as much as possible in the optical multi‐pass absorption cell to improve the effective optical path, but easily affected by light overlap resulting in light path interference. We present a novel strategy for suppressing the optical interference and improving the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) with the radio frequency (RF) bandwidth‐limited white noise. A linear output spectral response of the intensity with the CH4 concentration between 50 ppmv and 180 ppmv with a distributed feedback laser (DFB) at 1.653 μm was observed. The results show that the addition of RF noise effectively increases the laser line width and improves the SNR. About 3.6 gain in the SNR has been achieved using the RF noise, which led to a minimum detectable concentration of 0.03 ppmv (SNR = 1573). This performance level can reduce the difficulty of light adjustment and is very suitable for applications to trace gas sensing in harsh environment.
An insight into tapioca and wheat starch gelatinization mechanisms using TD‐NMR and complementary techniques
Authors: Rakhshi Elham , Cambert Mireille , Diascorn Yves , Lucas Tiphaine , Rondeau‐Mouro Corinne
Published: February 2022

To provide evidence for previously proposed assumptions concerning starch gelatinization sub‐mechanisms, a more detailed investigation was carried out using multiscale analysis of a starch type selected for its marked difference. Tapioca starch was chosen due to its cohesive/springy properties and its growing use in the food industry. Time‐domain nuclear magnetic resonance (TD‐NMR) was used to investigate the leaching of material, water absorption and crystallite melting in hydrated tapioca starch (45%). The interpretation of T2 mass intensity evolutions, especially those of the (intra‐ and extra‐granular) aqueous phases, was discussed drawing on complementary techniques such as microscopy, Rapid Visco Analyser (RVA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and swelling factor (SF) and solubility index (SI) measurements. Results show that the T2 assignments usually proposed in the literature are dependent on starch origin. The differences in T2 evolutions (value and mass intensity) observed between wheat and tapioca starches at intermediate hydration levels could be linked to the different gelatinization behaviour of tapioca starch involving the latter's higher granule rupture level, higher gelatinization temperature and greater swelling power above its gelatinization temperature.
Neighbor Q‐learning based consensus control for discrete‐time multi‐agent systems
Authors: Zhu Xiaoxia , Yuan Xin , Dong Lu , Wang Yuanda , Sun Changyin
Published: February 2022

The neighbor Q‐learning based consensus control algorithm is developed for discrete‐time multi‐agent systems in this article. To realize the proposed algorithm, a new actor‐critic architecture is employed for each agent. The critic network of each agent approximates its Q‐function while the actor network produces control signal by minimizing the Q‐function. Considering the distribution metrics of the systems, the neighbors' Q‐functions of each agent are applied to the update procedure of the critic network to stabilize the learning process and avoid the overestimation problem. The convergence properties and stability analysis for the proposed algorithm are provided. Different discount factors corresponding to various topology structures are discussed in the convergence analysis section. The accurate system model is nonessential for the algorithm which is too intricate to build up for practical systems. Finally, three simulation examples including different discount factors are conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the consensus control algorithm.
Assessing the inter‐rater and intra‐rater reliability of the Physical Therapy Competence Assessment for Airway Suctioning (PT‐CAAS)
Authors: Miller Erin , Brooks Dina , O’Brien Kelly K. , Beavers Lindsay , Stratford Paul , Nonoyama Mika , Mori Brenda
Published: February 2022

Background and Purpose

The Physical Therapy Competence Assessment for Airway Suctioning (PT‐CAAS) is a recently developed measure to assess the clinical competence of physiotherapists who perform airway suctioning with adults. The purpose of this study was to assess the inter‐rater and intra‐rater reliability of the PT‐CAAS.

Methods

Scoring rules were developed through expert consultation. Reliability was then assessed using nine videos of suctioning performed in a simulated learning environment. A repeated measures design was used, with two replicate sets of measurements made by each participant for all videos. Data were analyzed using a repeated measures model for the concurrent assessment of inter‐rater and intra‐rater reliability. Participants were physiotherapists with suctioning experience.

Results

Twenty physiotherapists completed initial scoring and re‐scoring for all nine videos; their data were included in the analysis. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for inter‐rater reliability ranged from 0.569 [lower one‐sided 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.395; standard error of measurement (SEM): 0.963] for infection control to 0.759 (lower one‐sided 95% CI: 0.612; SEM: 0.722) for post‐suctioning assessment and care. The inter‐rater ICC for overall performance was 0.752 (lower one‐sided 95% CI: 0.602; SEM: 0.660). ICCs for intra‐rater reliability ranged from 0.759 (lower one‐sided 95% CI: 0.197; SEM 0.721) for infection control to 0.860 (lower one‐sided 95% CI: 0.544; SEM: 0.550) for post‐suctioning assessment and care. The intra‐rater ICC for overall performance was 0.867 (lower one‐sided 95% CI: 0.559; SEM: 0.483).

Discussion

Evidence of moderate to good inter‐rater and good intra‐rater reliability was found; however, the results should be interpreted with caution given the wide CIs and relatively large SEMs. Improved assessor training and assessments of reliability using a larger sample size are recommended.
Maltol mitigates cisplatin‐evoked cardiotoxicity via inhibiting the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in rodents in vivo and in vitro
Authors: Xing Jing‐Jing , Mi Xiao‐Jie , Hou Jin‐Gang , Cai En‐Bo , Zheng Si‐Wen , Wang Shi‐Han , Wang Zi , Chen Chen , Li Wei
Published: February 2022

Our current research aims to evaluate the efficiency of a flavor enhancer, maltol (produced by heating ginseng) against cisplatin‐evoked cardiotoxicity by establishing cisplatin‐induced heart injury in vivo and H9C2 rat cardiomyocyte model. The cisplatin‐treated mice at 3 mg/kg for four times on the 7th, 9th, 11th and 13th day, and in them appeared a serious cardiac damage accompanied with the increase in indicators of heart damage. Multiple exposure of 3 mg/kg for four times of cisplatin increased cardiac cells apoptosis with increased expression of Bax and cleaved‐caspase 3, and decreased expression of Bcl‐2. Interestingly, supplement of maltol at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg for 15 days significantly suppressed the cardiac disturbance. In cultured H9C2 cells, maltol enhanced PI3K/Akt expression level during cisplatin treatment, and reduced cisplatin‐induced apoptosis. Notably, inhibition of PI3K/Akt by LY294002 and HY‐10249A lessened the efficacy of maltol. In mice, maltol apparently induced PI3K/Akt in heart tissues and protected against cisplatin‐induced cardiotoxicity. In conclusion, maltol exerted the protective effects against cisplatin‐induced cardiotoxicity, at least partially by inhibiting the activation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathways in cardiomyocytes, to ease oxidative stress, and alleviate reactive oxygen species‐mediated apoptosis.
Repeated ultrasound‐guided saphenous and sciatic nerve block in a calf with tibial comminuted fracture undergoing surgical stabilisation
Authors: Ríos‐Álvarez Elena , Serra C. Iván , García de Carellán Mateo Alejandra
Published: February 2022

A 4‐day‐old, 32 kg, male wagyu calf presented with a comminuted diaphyseal fracture of the right tibia for surgical stabilisation. The calf was premedicated with butorphanol, anaesthesia induced with ketamine, the trachea was intubated and continuous mandatory ventilation was initiated during surgery. Maintenance was with isoflurane carried in oxygen and medical air mixture. Ultrasound‐guided blocks of the sciatic and saphenous nerves were performed with lidocaine 2% before and after surgery. Rescue analgesia was not required intra‐ or postoperatively, as heart and respiratory rate remained within the normal limits. Meloxicam was the only drug administered during the postoperative period. Two days after surgery, the ultrasound‐guided block was repeated under general anaesthesia to allow the removal of an intramedullary nail and fibreglass cast placement. This case report highlights the feasibility and repeatability of ultrasound‐guided blocks of the sciatic and saphenous nerve in a neonatal calf, avoiding side effects associated with systemic opioid administration.
Developing a soil column system to measure hydrogeophysical properties of unconsolidated sediment
Authors: Bienvenue Taylor , Xie Jing , Niu Qifei
Published: February 2022

Geophysical methods have been increasingly used to characterize the Earth's critical zone (CZ) and monitor hydrological processes occurring within it. For a quantitative interpretation, geophysical studies of CZ materials are necessary, and thus require more sophisticated laboratory setups. In this study, we develop a hydrogeophysical soil column system to measure key hydraulic and electrical properties of regolith in CZs. The developed soil column system consists of two components: (a) a novel hydrogeophysical probe that measures pore water pressure and electrical potential in soils and (b) a cylindrical cell to hold soil samples. The system can be arranged to perform both saturated flow and drainage tests. The saturated flow test is similar to the traditional constant head experiment for determining the hydraulic conductivity and streaming potential coupling coefficient. The drainage tests can produce transient responses of cumulative overflow, pore water pressure, and streaming potential. These transient data can be used to estimate the sample's electrical and hydraulic properties with the coupled, stochastic hydrogeophysical inversion. A sand sample is used to demonstrate the procedures of applying this new system. The measured saturated hydraulic conductivity and streaming potential coupling coefficient of the sand are within the typical ranges of sands reported in the literature. The inversion‐estimated soil parameters can well reproduce the measured transient responses during the drainage test of the sample. Moreover, the inversion‐estimated saturated properties are in good agreement with those independently measured in the saturated flow test, showing the robustness of the developed system.
Knowledge-Based UML Dynamic Models Generation from Enterprise Model in Hospital Information Management Process Example
Authors: Veitaite Ilona , Lopata Audrius
Published: February 2022

The main purpose of this paper is to present knowledge-based Enterprise model (EM) sufficiency as data repository for Unified Modelling Language (UML) models generation. UML models are one of the most usable modelling languages in system lifecycle design stage, despite the problem domain of the system. UML models can be generated from Enterprise Model by using particular transformation algorithms presented in previous researches. Generation process from Enterprise model is represented by certain Hospital Information Management process example. Generated UML dynamic Use Case, Activity, Sequence and State models of different perspectives of Hospital Information Management process prove sufficiency of stored information in Enterprise model.
An Overview of Measurement Systems and Practices in Healthcare Systems Applied to Person-Centred Care Interventions
Authors: Raposo Vítor , Antonić Darijana , Nova António Casa , Lewandowski Roman Andrzej , Melo Paulo
Published: February 2022

Person-centred care (PCC) is an increasing international priority and a shift in health systems orientation and development. Innovative models are required across Europe to prototype healthcare based on health promotion and PCC to improve healthcare quality and costs containment. Regardless of the type of intervention, investments will be required, and it will be essential to demonstrate the value created, comparing consequences and the associated costs. Independent of PCC intervention, we must consider different decision levels and stakeholders in the process. This work aims to focus on a broader perspective of health governance on PCC implementations, considering the need and importance of measurement systems (outcomes and costs) to support and evaluate innovative health service delivery models. It is necessary to have a global view of the entire system considering, from a health governance perspective, the different decision-making levels, the multiple stakeholders and the alignment of their interests. Value-Based Healthcare (VBHC), Value for Money (VfM) and economic evaluation provide concepts, methodologies, and tools that can be used to compare costs and consequences evaluating their impact on society. We need accurate outcomes and costs measurement systems and evaluation tools that can be incorporated in an organizational environment supporting organizational learning and interaction in exchanging knowledge and experience about implementation.
Association between mothers’ fish intake during pregnancy and infants’ sleep duration: a nationwide longitudinal study—The Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS)
Authors: Sugimori Narumi , Hamazaki Kei , Matsumura Kenta , Kasamatsu Haruka , Tsuchida Akiko , Inadera Hidekuni ,   The Japan Environment Children’s Study Group, Kamijima Michihiro , Yamazaki Shin , Ohya Yukihir , Kishi Reiko , Yaegashi Nobuo , Hashimoto Koichi , Mori Chisato , Ito Shuichi , Yamagata Zentaro , Inadera Hidekuni , Nakayama Takeo , Iso Hiroyasu , Shima Masayuki , Kurozawa Youichi , Suganuma Narufumi , Kusuhara Koichi , Katoh Takahiko
Published: February 2022

Purpose

N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), which are an important nutrient for humans, are particularly essential to the growth and development of the central nervous system (CNS) in fetuses and infants. Consequently, sufficient n-3 PUFA intake by mothers during pregnancy is considered to contribute to CNS development in their infants. CNS development is known to be associated with sleep, but no large epidemiological studies have yet confirmed that n-3 PUFA intake during pregnancy is associated with infants’ sleep.

Methods

After exclusion and multiple imputation from a dataset comprising 104 065 records from the Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS), we examined 87 337 mother–child pairs for the association between mothers’ fish and n-3 PUFA intakes and risk of their infants sleeping less than 11 h at 1 year of age.

Results

Multiple logistic regression analysis with the lowest quintile used as a reference revealed odds ratios for the second through fifth quintiles of 0.81 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.76–0.87), 0.81 (95% CI 0.76–0.87), 0.78 (95% CI 0.72–0.84), and 0.82 (95% CI 0.76–0.88) for fish intake (p for trend < 0.001) and 0.90 (95% CI 0.84–0.97), 0.88 (95% CI 0.81–0.94), 0.88 (95% CI 0.82–0.95), and 0.93 (95% CI 0.86–0.998) for n-3 PUFA intake (p for trend = 0.04).

Conclusions

Low fish intake during pregnancy may increase the risk of infants sleeping less than 11 h at 1 year of age. This relationship may have been mediated by maternal n-3 PUFA intake and infant neurodevelopment, but further evidence from interventional and other studies is needed to determine the appropriate level of fish intake during pregnancy.

Trial registration

The Japan Environment and Children’s Study, https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000035091 (Registration no. UMIN000030786).
Influence of Silicon Forms on Nutrients Accumulation and Grain Yield of Wheat Under Water Deficit Conditions
Authors: Salem Emad M. M. , Kenawey Mohammed K. M. , Saudy Hani Saber , Mubarak Manal
Published: February 2022

Wheat productivity is severely hampered by drought, owing to its negative impacts on crop growth and development. For obtaining better yield, the impacts of drought should be ameliorated. Therefore, the current study scrutinizes the potential of different silicon (Si) forms to minify the drought-associated reduction in yield and the changes in nutrients accumulation. In a strip plots design based on randomized complete block arrangement using 3 replicates, two field experiments were carried out in 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons. Three silicon (Si) forms (potassium silicate, calcium silicate, and aluminum silicate), in addition to the control (tap water) were sprayed. Also, three irrigation regimes were applied as ratio of crop evapotranspiration (60, 80 and 100%, denoted Irr60, Irr80 and Irr100, respectively). Findings clarified that application of aluminum silicate in both seasons, in addition to calcium silicate in the second season recorded the maximum accumulation of Si in wheat plants. Supplying wheat plants with different forms of Si reduced zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) and increased Si compared to the control (no Si application). Irr100 possessed increase in accumulation of Si in plant tissues greater than Irr80 or Irr60. Significant increases in all agronomic traits of wheat were obtained owing to spraying any Si form compared to the control. The differences between potassium silicate, calcium silicate, and aluminum silicate were not significant in flag leaf greenness (SPAD value), grains weight spike−1, weight of 1000 grains, and grain yield ha−1 in 2020/21 season. Irr100 was the effective treatment for enhancing SPAD value, spike length, grains weight spike−1, weight of 1000 grains, and grain yield ha−1. When irrigation water was reduced by 20% (Irr80), the lowest reduction in grain yield was obtained with potassium silicate compared to other forms of Si. It could be concluded that since lower accumulation of Si in plant tissues under water deficit than well-watered was recorded, the spraying of Si is great of importance to be applied under drought stress.
Wavelet adaptive proper orthogonal decomposition for large-scale flow data
Authors: Krah Philipp , Engels Thomas , Schneider Kai , Reiss Julius
Published: February 2022

The proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) is a powerful classical tool in fluid mechanics used, for instance, for model reduction and extraction of coherent flow features. However, its applicability to high-resolution data, as produced by three-dimensional direct numerical simulations, is limited owing to its computational complexity. Here, we propose a wavelet-based adaptive version of the POD (the wPOD), in order to overcome this limitation. The amount of data to be analyzed is reduced by compressing them using biorthogonal wavelets, yielding a sparse representation while conveniently providing control of the compression error. Numerical analysis shows how the distinct error contributions of wavelet compression and POD truncation can be balanced under certain assumptions, allowing us to efficiently process high-resolution data from three-dimensional simulations of flow problems. Using a synthetic academic test case, we compare our algorithm with the randomized singular value decomposition. Furthermore, we demonstrate the ability of our method analyzing data of a two-dimensional wake flow and a three-dimensional flow generated by a flapping insect computed with direct numerical simulation.
Rethinking authentic assessment: work, well-being, and society
Authors: McArthur Jan
Published: February 2022

This article seeks a deeper understanding of the concept of authentic assessment which ensures it does not become another educational buzzword, slowly diminishing in real meaning. I consider the origins of the term in the US schooling sector, and how it has developed over time, and in different countries, to today focus in higher education largely on real world tasks. There is, however, I argue, a common conflation of real world with the world of work. Little of this literature actually engages with the rich philosophical debates on authenticity, and in this article, I suggest that this deeper understanding of authenticity can enable us to build on existing work on authentic assessment to develop a more holistic and richer concept that will be more beneficial to individual students and to the larger society of which they are part. I argue that we should move from thinking in terms of either the so-called real world, or the world of work, to focus our justification for authentic assessment on its social value (which encompasses but is not limited to its economic value). To achieve this aim, I suggest we move from simply focusing on the authentic task to considering why that task matters? This then enables a shift from the student in isolation to the student as a member of society. Senses of achievement can become richer, thus enhancing the students’ sense of self, self-worth, and well-being.
Valence, Instrumentality, Expectancy, and Ability as Determinants of Faking, and the Effects of Faking on Criterion-Related Validity
Authors: Dunlop Patrick D. , Holtrop Djurre , Ashby Liam M. , Bharadwaj Anupama , Donovan John J.
Published: February 2022

We investigated individual differences in faking in simulated high-stakes personality assessments through the lens of expectancy (VIE) theory, using a novel experimental paradigm. Three hundred ninety-eight participants (MTurk) completed a “low-stakes” HEXACO personality assessment for research purposes. Three months later, we invited all 398 participants to compete for an opportunity to complete a genuine, well-paid, one-off MTurk job, and 201 accepted. After viewing the selection criteria, which described high levels of perfectionism as critical for selection, these participants completed the HEXACO personality assessment as part of their applications (“high-stakes”). All 201 participants were then informed their applications were successful and were invited to complete the performance task, with 189 accepting the offer. The task, which involved checking text data for inconsistencies, captured two objective performance criteria. We observed faking on measures of diligence and perfectionism. We found that perceived job desirability (valence) was the strongest (positive) determinant of individual differences in faking, along with perceived instrumentality and expectancy. Honesty-humility was also associated with faking however, unexpectedly, the association was positive. When all predictors were combined, only perceived job desirability remained a significant motivational determinant of faking, with cognitive ability also being a positive predictor. We found no evidence that cognitive ability moderated the relations of motivation and faking. To investigate the role of faking on predictive validity, we split the sample into those who had faked to a statistically large extent, and those who had not. We found that the validity of high-stakes assessments was higher amongst the group that had faked.
Biofortification of major crop plants with iron and zinc - achievements and future directions
Authors: Stangoulis James C. R. , Knez Marija
Published: February 2022

Biofortification is a long-term strategy of delivering more iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) to those most in need. Plant breeding programs within the CGIAR and NARS have made major advances in Fe- and Zn-dense variety development and there have been successful releases of new biofortified varieties. Recent research effort has led to a substantial improvement in our knowledge of Fe and Zn homeostasis and gene regulation, resulting in the identification of candidate genes for marker assisted selection. International cooperation between the agricultural and nutrition community has been strengthened, with numerous implementation and partnership strategies developed and employed over the years. The evidence on the effectiveness of Fe and Zn biofortified crops is slowly building up and the results are encouraging. Biofortification continues to be scaled out and further work is required to reach the general aim of eradicating the hidden hunger of Fe and Zn deficiency in the world’s population and ensuring nutritional security.
Living with cryptoglandular anal fistula: a qualitative investigation of the patient's experience through semi-structured patient interviews
Authors: Iqbal Nusrat , Machielsen Astrid J. H. M. , Breukink Stephanie O. , Woodcock Rebecca , Kane Gillian , Alrubaiy Laith , Grossi Ugo , Kimman Merel L. , Tozer Phil J.
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Cryptoglandular anal fistula continues to be a subject of extensive surgical research due to the lack of effective and enduring treatments, some of which incur risks to continence and quality of life. However, the patient experience of disease has seldom been reported. The aims of this study are to understand the impact of living with a fistula and the treatment outcomes that are valued by patients.

Methods

Patients with cryptoglandular anal fistula were recruited using purposive sampling from two tertiary referral centres in the UK and the Netherlands. Patients underwent semi-structured interviews that were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Dutch transcripts were translated into English and underwent independent, thematic analysis using open coding by two study team members to identify common themes and sub-themes.

Results

Twenty interviews were conducted before saturation was reached (11 male, median age 49, Interquartile range 39–55 years). Four broad themes emerged, covering the physical symptoms of fistula, the patient journey towards understanding the condition, life impact, and treatment. Several inter-related sub-themes were found, reflecting the extensive impact and adjustment that the disease entails.

Conclusion

The impact of cryptoglandular anal fistula extends beyond the physical symptoms of pain and discharge, requires significant readjustment, and often negatively impacts psycho-social wellbeing. These aspects of disease should receive greater attention in future assessment of treatment and quality of life.
AI and the Social Sciences: Why All Variables are Not Created Equal
Authors: Greene Catherine
Published: February 2022

This article argues that it is far from trivial to convert social science concepts into accurate categories on which algorithms work best. The literature raises this concern in a general way; for example, Deeks notes that legal concepts, such as proportionality, cannot be easily converted into code noting that ‘The meaning and application of these concepts is hotly debated, even among lawyers who share common vocabularies and experiences’ (Deeks in Va Law Rev 104, pp. 1529–1593, 2018). The example discussed here is recidivism prediction, where the factors that are of interest are difficult to capture adequately through questionnaires because survey responses do not necessarily indicate whether the behaviour that is of interest is present. There is room for improvement in how questions are phrased, in the selection of variables, and by encouraging practitioners to consider whether a particular variable is the sort of thing that can be measured by questionnaires at all.
The Role of Just World Beliefs in Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Mariss Antonia , Reinhardt Nina , Schindler Simon
Published: February 2022

This study investigated whether people’s personal belief in a just world (BJW) is linked to their willingness to physically distance themselves from others during the COVID-19 pandemic. Past research found personal BJW to be positively related to prosocial behavior, justice striving, and lower risk perceptions. If social distancing reflects a concern for others, high personal BJW should predict increased interest in social distancing. If social distancing reflects a concern for one’s personal risk, high personal BJW should predict decreased interest in social distancing. Results of a pre-registered internet-based study from Germany (N = 361) indicated that the higher people’s personal BJW, the more they generally practiced social distancing. This association still occurred when controlling for empathy, another significant predictor of social distancing. There were no mediation effects of empathy and risk perception. The findings extend knowledge on the correlates of social distancing in the COVID-19 pandemic which could be used to increase compliance among citizens.
Structuralist approaches to Bohmian mechanics
Authors: Lorenzetti Lorenzo
Published: February 2022

Lam and Esfeld have argued that, within Bohmian mechanics, the wave function can be interpreted as a physical structure instantiated by the fundamental particles posited by the theory. Further, to characterize the nature of this structure, they appeal to the framework of Ontic Structural Realism (OSR), thereby proposing a structuralist interpretation of Bohmian mechanics. However, I shall point out that OSR denotes a family of distinct views, each of which maintains a different account about the relation between structures and objects, and entails a different kind of ontology. Thus, in this paper I will show how to articulate the structuralist approach to Bohmian Mechanics accordingly to the different standard versions of OSR, and I will evaluate these alternatives. Moreover, I will propose a novel and sui generis kind of structuralist interpretation of Bohmian Mechanics, based on the framework of metaphysical coherentism.
Understanding and scientific progress: lessons from epistemology
Authors: Emmerson Nicholas
Published: February 2022

Contemporary debate surrounding the nature of scientific progress has focused upon the precise role played by justification, with two realist accounts having dominated proceedings. Recently, however, a third realist account has been put forward, one which offers no role for justification at all. According to Finnur Dellsén’s (Stud Hist Philos Sci Part A 56:72–83, 2016) noetic account, science progresses when understanding increases, that is, when scientists grasp how to correctly explain or predict more aspects of the world that they could before. In this paper, we argue that the noetic account is severely undermotivated. Dellsén provides three examples intended to show that understanding can increase absent the justification required for true belief to constitute knowledge. However, we demonstrate that a lack of clarity in each case allows for two contrasting interpretations, neither of which serves its intended purpose. On the first, the agent involved lacks both knowledge and understanding; and, on the second, the agent involved successfully gains both knowledge and understanding. While neither interpretation supports Dellsén’s claim that understanding can be prised apart from knowledge, we argue that, in general, agents in such cases ought to be attributed neither knowledge nor understanding. Given that the separability of knowledge and understanding is a necessary component of the noetic account, we conclude that there is little support for the idea that science progresses through increasing understanding rather than the accumulation of knowledge.
Predictive minds can think: addressing generality and surface compositionality of thought
Authors: Rappe Sofiia
Published: February 2022

Predictive processing framework (PP) has found wide applications in cognitive science and philosophy. It is an attractive candidate for a unified account of the mind in which perception, action, and cognition fit together in a single model. However, PP cannot claim this role if it fails to accommodate an essential part of cognition—conceptual thought. Recently, Williams (Synthese 1–27, 2018) argued that PP struggles to address at least two of thought’s core properties—generality and rich compositionality. In this paper, I show that neither necessarily presents a problem for PP. In particular, I argue that because we do not have access to cognitive processes but only to their conscious manifestations, compositionality may be a manifest property of thought, rather than a feature of the thinking process, and result from the interplay of thinking and language. Pace Williams, both of these capacities, constituting parts of a complex and multifarious cognitive system, may be fully based on the architectural principles of PP. Under the assumption that language presents a subsystem separate from conceptual thought, I sketch out one possible way for PP to accommodate both generality and rich compositionality.
Urethral injection of dedifferentiated fat cells ameliorates sphincter damage and voiding dysfunction in a rat model of persistence stress urinary incontinence
Authors: Murata Yasutaka , Obinata Daisuke , Matsumoto Taro , Ikado Yuichiro , Kano Koichiro , Fukuda Noboru , Yamaguchi Kenya , Takahashi Satoru
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Dedifferentiated fat (DFAT) cells are mature adipocyte-derived multipotent cells that can be applicable to cell-based therapy for stress urinary incontinence (SUI). This study developed a persistence SUI model that allows long-term evaluation using a combination of vaginal distention (VD) and bilateral ovariectomy (OVX) in rats. Then, the therapeutic effects of DFAT cell transplantation in the persistence SUI model was examined.

Methods

In total, 48 Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into four groups and underwent VD (VD group), bilateral OVX (OVX group), VD and bilateral OVX (VD + OVX group), or sham operation (Control group). At 2, 4, and 6 weeks after injury, leak point pressure (LPP) and histological changes of the urethral sphincter were evaluated. Next, 14 rats undergoing VD and bilateral OVX were divided into two groups and administered urethral injection of DFAT cells (DFAT group) or fibroblasts (Fibroblast group). At 6 weeks after the injection, LPP and histology of the urethral sphincter were evaluated.

Results

The VD + OVX group retained a decrease in LPP with sphincter muscle atrophy at least until 6 weeks after injury. The LPP and urethral sphincter muscle atrophy in the DFAT group recovered better than those in the fibroblast group.

Conclusions

The persistence SUI model was created by a combination of VD and bilateral OVX in rats. Urethral injection of DFAT cells inhibited sphincter muscle atrophy and improved LPP in the persistence SUI model. These findings suggest that the DFAT cells may be an attractive cell source for cell-based therapy to treat SUI.
An online research approach for a dual perspective analysis of brand associations in art museums
Authors: Ranfagni Silvia , Milanesi Matilde , Guercini Simone
Published: February 2022

The paper develops a research approach that combines digital ethnography with text mining to explore consumers’ perception of a brand and the degree of alignment between brand identity and image. In particular, the paper investigates the alignment between the art museum’s brand identity and the brand image emerging from visitors’ narratives of their experience. The study adopts a mixed methodology based on netnography and text mining techniques. The analysis concerns an art museum’s brand, with the case of the “Opera del Duomo Museum” in Florence. The methodological approach enables a combined investigation of user-generated content in online communities and the company’s online brand communication, contributing to identifying branding actions that can be taken to increase the brand alignment. It also enables the measurement of the degree of alignment between museums and visitors among common brand themes. Specific indicators of alignment are provided. A key point is the replicability of the model in other contexts of analysis in which the content produced by consumers in online contexts are relevant and readily available, such as fashion or food.
Effect of Prostate Artery Embolization on Erectile Function – A Single Center Experience of 167 Patients
Authors: Bhatia Shivank , Acharya Vedant , Jalaeian Hamed , Kumar Jessica , Bryant Evan , Richardson Andrew , Malkova Kseniia , Harward Sardis , Sinha Vishal , Kably Issam , Kava Bruce R.
Published: February 2022

Background

Prostate artery embolization (PAE) is an emerging therapy for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Aim

This retrospective study was conducted to assess the effect of prostate artery embolization (PAE) on erectile function in a cohort of patients with LUTS attributable to BPH at 3-months after the procedure.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed on 167 patients who underwent PAE. Data collected included Sexual Health Inventory in Men (SHIM) scores at 3, 6, and 12 months post-PAE, in conjunction with the International Prostate Symptom Scores (IPSS), Quality of Life (QoL) scores, and prostate volumes. Primary outcome was erectile function as assessed by SHIM scores at 3 months after PAE. An analysis was performed to identify patients with a ±5-point SHIM change to group them according to this minimum clinically significant difference in erectile function. Adverse events were recorded using the Clavien-Dindo (CD) classification.

Outcomes

At 3 months following PAE, median IPSS decreased by 16.0 [IQR, 9.0–22.0] points, median QOL decreased by 4.0 [IQR, 2.0–5.0] points, and median prostate volume decreased by 33 g [IQR, 14–55].

Results

Median SHIM score was 17.0 [IQR, 12.0–22.0] at baseline, 18.0 [IQR, 14.0–23.0] at 3 months [P = .031], 19.0 [IQR, 14.5–21.5] at 6 months [P = .106] and 20 [IQR, 16.0–24.0] at 12 months [P = .010] following PAE. In patients with no erectile dysfunction (ED) at baseline, 21% (n = 9) reported some degree of decline in erectile function post-PAE. However, 38% (n = 40) of patients who presented with mild-to-moderate ED reported improvement in their erectile function 3 months following PAE. Overall, the changes in baseline SHIM score were relatively small; 82% (n = 137) of patients did not have more than 5 points of change in their SHIM scores at 3 months following PAE.

Clinical Implications

Our findings suggest PAE has no adverse impact on erectile function for most patients.

Strengths & Limitations

The study was performed at a single center with 1 operator’s experience, and is retrospective with no control group.

Conclusion

Findings suggest that prostate artery embolization has no adverse effect on erectile function in the majority of patients with LUTS attributable to BPH at 3 months after the procedure.
J.P. Morgan & Co. and the Crisis of Capitalism
Authors: Horn Martin
Published: February 2022

During the interwar period, J.P. Morgan was the most important bank in the world and at the crossroads of US politics, international relations and finance. In J.P. Morgan & Co. and the Crisis of Capitalism, Martin Horn brings us the first in-depth history of how J.P. Morgan responded to the greatest crisis in the history of financial capitalism, shedding new light on the Great Depression, the New Deal, and the coming of World War II. Horn shows how J.P. Morgan & Co as a business responded to the 1929 Crash and the Depression, including its part in the New York Stock Exchange Crash, arguing that the Morgan partners misread the seriousness of the crash. He also offers new insights into the interactions of politics and finance, exploring J.P. Morgan's relationship with the Hoover administration and the bank's clash with Roosevelt over New Deal legislation.
Understanding Genes
Authors: Kampourakis Kostas
Published: February 2022

What are genes? What do genes do? These questions are not simple and straightforward to answer; at the same time, simplistic answers are quite prevalent and are taken for granted. This book aims to explain the origin of the gene concept, its various meanings both within and outside science, as well as to debunk the intuitive view of the existence of 'genes for' characteristics and disease. Drawing on contemporary research in genetics and genomics, as well as on ideas from history of science, philosophy of science, psychology and science education, it explains what genes are and what they can and cannot do. By presenting complex concepts and research in a comprehensible and rigorous manner, it examines the potential impact of research in genetics and genomics and how important genes actually are for our lives. Understanding Genes is an accessible and engaging introduction to genes for any interested reader.
The Money Minders
Authors: Chadha Jagjit
Published: February 2022

In the crises of the past fifteen years, central bankers have become big public players in a drama that affects all our lives, involving financial market crashes, public health threats and devastating economic downturns. Having played a lead role in the global financial crisis and the coronavirus crisis, they are now being asked to broaden their appeal. But the key aim has always been one of simply ensuring monetary and financial stability. In this book, NIESR director Jagjit Chadha unpacks the world of central banking, explaining in accessible language the analytical techniques, policy toolkits or simple story-telling that they use to understand the economy, to implement monetary policy and to communicate their decisions to key decision-makers and the wider public.