bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strukturationstheorie als theoretisches Fundament
Authors: Binder-Tietz Sandra
Published: July 2022

Die Strukturationstheorie bildet in dieser Arbeit das theoretische Fundament für die Erklärung der Kommunikation von Aufsichtsratsvorsitzenden. In diesem Kapitel werden daher zunächst die Grundlagen der Strukturationstheorie dargelegt, um ein Grundverständnis für die Argumentation zu schaffen. Dabei werden Begrifflichkeiten eingeführt, wie (kompetente) Akteure bzw. Handelnde, der Struktur und der Strukturation, da auf deren Basis im weiteren Verlauf der Arbeit strukturationstheoretische Einsichten abgeleitet werden.
Corporate-Governance-Grundlagen: Aufsichtsrat und Aufsichtsratsvorsitzende
Authors: Binder-Tietz Sandra
Published: July 2022

Der Aufsichtsrat ist ein Phänomen des dualistischen Systems der Unternehmensführung, das eine institutionelle Trennung der Unternehmensleitung (Vorstand) und -kontrolle (Aufsichtsrat) vorsieht. In diesem Kapitel werden die juristischen und wirtschaftswissenschaftlichen Grundlagen zum Aufsichtsrat im Allgemeinen und zu Aufsichtsratsvorsitzenden im Speziellen ausführlich dargestellt, um ein Verständnis für die Aufgaben und Organisation des Aufsichtsrats sowie die Tätigkeiten von Aufsichtsratsvorsitzenden zu etablieren. Auf dieser Basis können im weiteren Verlauf der Arbeit die kommunikativen Aufgaben abgeleitet werden.
Kommunikationswissenschaftliche Grundlagen: Öffentlichkeitsarenen, Kommunikationsmanagement und seine Akteure
Authors: Binder-Tietz Sandra
Published: July 2022

In diesem Kapitel werden die Rahmenbedingungen der Kommunikation von Aufsichtsratsvorsitzenden aus der kommunikationswissenschaftlichen Forschung abgeleitet. Dafür werden relevante Öffentlichkeiten analytisch hergeleitet sowie relevante Akteure und Themen beschrieben. Weiterhin wird die Kommunikationsmanagement-Forschung vorgestellt, um später die Kommunikation von Aufsichtsratsvorsitzenden darin verorten zu können. Schließlich werden Erkenntnisse zur Kommunikatorforschung diskutiert, um Aufsichtsratsvorsitzende als Kommunikatoren für Unternehmen zu verorten.
Die Kommunikation von Aufsichtsratsvorsitzenden
Authors: Binder-Tietz Sandra
Published: July 2022

Kommunikation ist ein zentraler Bestandteil der Aufgabe des Aufsichtsrats und im Speziellen von Aufsichtsratsvorsitzenden. Sie ist sowohl nach innen, sprich innerhalb des Gremiums sowie mit dem Vorstand, als auch nach außen, im Rahmen von Publizitätspflichten und als zusätzliche freiwillige Kommunikation, relevant. In diesem Kapitel soll daher erstmalig ein umfassendes Verständnis für die kommunikativen Aufgaben von Aufsichtsratsvorsitzenden etabliert werden.
Methodisches Vorgehen
Authors: Binder-Tietz Sandra
Published: July 2022

In diesem Kapitel wird die methodische Herangehensweise beschrieben, mit dessen Hilfe die Kommunikation von Aufsichtsratsvorsitzenden umfassend analysiert wird. Aus der externen Perspektive werden mithilfe einer Inhaltsanalyse der Medienberichterstattung und Analystenreports sowie von qualitativen Expertengesprächen mit Stakeholdern die Anforderungen an die Kommunikation aufgezeigt. Aus interner Perspektive werden qualitative Experteninterviews mit Aufsichtsratsvorsitzenden, Investor-Relations- und Public-Relations-Verantwortlichen geführt.
Resümee und Ausblick
Authors: Binder-Tietz Sandra
Published: July 2022

Die Kommunikation von Aufsichtsratsvorsitzenden ist ein neues Forschungsthema im Spannungsfeld von Corporate-Governance- und kommunikationswissenschaftlicher Forschung. In diesem Kapitel werden die Kernaussagen der Studie rekapituliert. Zudem werden die Erkenntnisse für die Praxis verdichtet. Abschließend werden auf Basis einer kritischen Reflexion die Grenzen sowie Ansatzpunkte für weitere Forschung aufgezeigt.
Policy Change in Moral Education: Working Through the Ministry of Education
Authors: Bamkin Sam
Published: July 2022

Moral education (dōtoku) was revised outside of the regular curriculum revision cycle, two years before other subjects. The new moral education places greater emphasis on teaching for patriotism and the subordination of individuality for the good of society. It converted moral education classtime into a designated subject. In concrete terms, this requires syllabus planning, the use of an approved textbook, and assessment for moral education. This significant reform was driven not by the Ministry of Education (MEXT), as most curriculum matters have been, but by a supra-cabinet council under the leadership of the prime minister. The reform changed the content of the course of study, but also exposed new tensions in the policymaking process, the examination of which provides new insight into the role of the Ministry of Education. This chapter examines how policy unfolds both before and after its written form is promulgated. It considers how policy changes as it is translated into practice, as teachers, school administrators, members of the boards of education and textbook publishers work through the Ministry to mediate policy. Rather than closing the discussion on how moral education is enacted in schools, this chapter aims to illustrate some of the complexities of policymaking, to question the perceived internal coherence and omnipotence of MEXT, and to encourage studies that look beyond written policy and towards the interaction between policy and practice.
Questionnaire Design and Response Propensities for Labour Income Microdata
Authors: Daniels Reza Che
Published: July 2022

The income question in household surveys is one of the most socially sensitive constructs. Two problems that arise with social sensitivity concern the probability of obtaining a response and the type of response provided. In survey error terms, this translates into an important relationship between questionnaire design (construct validity) and item non-response. In turn, these affect the statistical distribution of income that has both univariate and multivariate implications. Consequently, the interrelationship between questionnaire design and response type is crucial to understand when conducting analyses of the income variable.
Cosmological scattering equations at tree-level and one-loop
Authors: Gomez Humberto , Jusinskas Renann Lipinski , Lipstein Arthur
Published: July 2022

Abstract

We recently proposed a formula for tree-level n-point correlators of massive ϕ4 theory in de Sitter momentum space which consists of an integral over n punctures on the Riemann sphere and differential operators in the future boundary dubbed the cosmological scattering equations. This formula was explicitly checked up to six points via a map to Witten diagrams using the global residue theorem. In this work we provide further details of these calculations and present an alternative formulation based on a double cover of the Riemann sphere. This framework can be used to derive simple graphical rules for evaluating the integrals more efficiently. Using these rules, we check the validity of our formula up to eight points and sketch the derivation of n-point correlators. Finally, we propose a similar formula for 1-loop n-point correlators in terms of an integral over (n + 2) punctures on the Riemann sphere, which we verify at four points. The 1-loop formula holds for small masses in de Sitter space and arbitrary masses satisfying the Breitenlohner-Freedman bound after Wick-rotating to Anti-de Sitter space.
Glueballs in a thermal squeezeout model
Authors: Asadi Pouya , Kramer Eric David , Kuflik Eric , Slatyer Tracy R. , Smirnov Juri
Published: July 2022

Abstract

It has been shown that a first order confinement phase transition can drastically change the relic dark matter abundance in confining dark sectors with only heavy dark quarks. We study the phenomenology of one such model with a Z′ portal to Standard Model. We find that dark glueballs are long-lived in this setup and dilute the dark matter abundance after their decay to Standard Model. With this effect, the correct relic abundance is obtained with dark matter masses up to $$ \mathcal{O} $$
O
(106) TeV. We find that while a part of the parameter space is already ruled out by direct detection and collider searches, there is still a broad space of viable scenarios that can be probed by future experiments.
Bubbles of nothing in binary black holes and black rings, and viceversa
Authors: Astorino Marco , Emparan Roberto , Viganò Adriano
Published: July 2022

Abstract

We argue that expanding bubbles of nothing are a widespread feature of systems of black holes with multiple or non-spherical horizons, appearing as a limit of regions that are narrowly enclosed by the horizons. The bubble is a minimal cycle that links the Einstein-Rosen bridges in the system, and its expansion occurs through the familiar stretching of space in black hole interiors. We demonstrate this idea (which does not involve any Wick rotations) with explicit constructions in four and five dimensions. The geometries of expanding bubbles in these dimensions arise as a limit of, respectively, static black hole binaries and black rings. The limit is such that the separation between the two black holes, or the inner hole of the black ring, becomes very small, and the horizons of the black holes correspond to acceleration horizons of the bubbles. We also explain how a five-dimensional black hole binary gives rise to a different type of expanding bubble. We then show that bubble spacetimes can host black hole binaries and black rings in static equilibrium, with their gravitational attraction being balanced against the background spacetime expansion. Similar constructions are expected in six or more dimensions, but most of these solutions can be obtained only numerically. Finally, we argue that the Nariai solution can be regarded as containing an expanding circular bubble of nothing.
Higher-derivative holography with a chemical potential
Authors: Cano Pablo A. , Murcia Ángel J. , Sánchez Alberto Rivadulla , Zhang Xuao
Published: July 2022

Abstract

We carry out an extensive study of the holographic aspects of any-dimensional higher-derivative Einstein-Maxwell theories in a fully analytic and non-perturbative fashion. We achieve this by introducing the d-dimensional version of Electromagnetic Quasitopological gravities: higher-derivative theories of gravity and electromagnetism that propagate no additional degrees of freedom and that allow one to study charged black hole solutions analytically. These theories contain non-minimal couplings, that in the holographic context give rise to a modified 〈JJ〉 correlator as well as to a general 〈TJJ〉 structure whose coefficients we compute. We constrain the couplings of the theory by imposing CFT unitarity and positivity of energy (which we show to be equivalent to causality in the bulk) as well as positive-entropy bounds from the weak gravity conjecture. The thermodynamic properties of the dual plasma at finite chemical potential are studied in detail, and we find that exotic zeroth-order phase transitions may appear, but that many of them are ruled out by the physical constraints. We further compute the shear viscosity to entropy density ratio, and we show that it can be taken to zero while respecting all the constraints, providing that the chemical potential is large enough. We also obtain the charged Rényi entropies and we observe that the chemical potential always increases the amount of entanglement and that the usual properties of Rényi entropies are preserved if the physical constraints are met. Finally, we compute the scaling dimension and magnetic response of twist operators and we provide a holographic derivation of the universal relations between the expansion of these quantities and the coefficients of 〈JJ〉 and 〈TJJ〉.
The genetic basis for panicle trait variation in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)
Authors: Zhang Li , MacQueen Alice , Weng Xiaoyu , Behrman Kathrine D. , Bonnette Jason , Reilley John L. , Rouquette Francis M. , Fay Philip A. , Wu Yanqi , Fritschi Felix B. , Mitchell Robert B. , Lowry David B. , Boe Arvid R. , Juenger Thomas E.
Published: July 2022

Key message

We investigate the genetic basis of panicle architecture in switchgrass in two mapping populations across a latitudinal gradient, and find many stable, repeatable genetic effects and limited genetic interactions with the environment.

Grass species exhibit large diversity in panicle architecture influenced by genes, the environment, and their interaction. The genetic study of panicle architecture in perennial grasses is limited. In this study, we evaluate the genetic basis of panicle architecture including panicle length, primary branching number, and secondary branching number in an outcrossed switchgrass QTL population grown across ten field sites in the central USA through multi-environment mixed QTL analysis. We also evaluate genetic effects in a diversity panel of switchgrass grown at three of the ten field sites using genome-wide association (GWAS) and multivariate adaptive shrinkage. Furthermore, we search for candidate genes underlying panicle traits in both of these independent mapping populations. Overall, 18 QTL were detected in the QTL mapping population for the three panicle traits, and 146 unlinked genomic regions in the diversity panel affected one or more panicle trait. Twelve of the QTL exhibited consistent effects (i.e., no QTL by environment interactions or no QTL × E), and most (four of six) of the effects with QTL × E exhibited site-specific effects. Most (59.3%) significant partially linked diversity panel SNPs had significant effects in all panicle traits and all field sites and showed pervasive pleiotropy and limited environment interactions. Panicle QTL co-localized with significant SNPs found using GWAS, providing additional power to distinguish between true and false associations in the diversity panel.
The state of the art of electrical discharge drilling: a review
Authors: Mao Xuanyu , Almeida Sergio , Mo John , Ding Songlin
Published: July 2022

Electrical discharge machining (EDM) is one of the most widely used non-conventional methods to machine electrically conductive materials in the manufacturing industry because of its strong capability in machining difficult-to-cut materials irrespective of their strength and hardness. Electrical discharge drilling (EDD) is an important variant of EDM. Due to the limitation of conventional drilling processes, special holes, particular those with high aspect ratios on hard-to-cut materials, can only be drilled by EDD. Extensive research has been carried out to improve the efficiency and quality of the EDD process by using different approaches, such as assisted EDD and powder-mixed EDM drilling aiming to improve the material removal rate (MRR), tool wear rate (TWR), surface quality and accuracy. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the EDD process. Different methods were compared; the advantages and disadvantages of each process were summarised; state-of-the-art technologies and the latest development were introduced, and research trends and new directions were presented.
Percutaneous cryoablation: a novel treatment option in non-visceral metastases of the abdominal cavity after prior surgery
Authors: van der Reijd D. J. , Baetens T. R. , Gomez Munoz F. , Aarts B. M. , Lahaye M. J. , Graafland N. M. , Lok C. A. R. , Aalbers A. G. J. , Kok N. F. M. , Beets-Tan R. G. H. , Maas M. , Klompenhouwer E. G.
Published: July 2022

Purpose

To assess the primary safety and oncological outcome of percutaneous cryoablation in patients with non-visceral metastases of the abdominal cavity after prior surgery.

Methods

All patients with non-visceral metastases after prior abdominal surgery, treated with percutaneous cryoablation, and at least one year of follow-up were retrospectively identified. Technical success was achieved if the ice-ball had a minimum margin of 10 mm in three dimensions on the per-procedural CT images. Complications were recorded using the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) classification system. Time until disease progression was monitored with follow-up CT and/or MRI. Local control was defined as absence of recurrence at the site of ablation.

Results

Eleven patients underwent cryoablation for 14 non-visceral metastases (mean diameter 20 ± 9 mm). Primary tumor origin was renal cell (n = 4), colorectal (n = 3), granulosa cell (n = 2), endometrium (n = 1) and appendix (n = 1) carcinoma. Treated metastases were localized retroperitoneal (n = 8), intraperitoneal (n = 2), or in the abdominal wall (n = 4). Technical success was achieved in all procedures. After a median follow-up of 27 months (12–38 months), all patients were alive. Local control was observed in 10/14 non-visceral metastases, and the earliest local progression was detected after ten months. No major adverse events occurred. One patient suffered a minor asymptomatic adverse event.

Conclusion

This proof-of-concept study suggests that cryoablation can be a minimal invasive treatment option in a selected group of patients with non-visceral metastases in the abdominal cavity after prior surgery.

Graphical abstract
Standardized measurement of abdominal muscle by computed tomography: association with cardiometabolic risk in the Framingham Heart Study
Authors: Kammerlander Andreas , Lyass Asya , Mahoney Taylor F. , Taron Jana , Eslami Parastou , Lu Michael T. , Long Michelle T. , Vasan Ramachandran S. , Massaro Joseph M. , Hoffmann Udo
Published: July 2022

Objectives

To provide a standard for total abdominal muscle mass (TAM) quantification on computed tomography (CT) and investigate its association with cardiovascular risk in a primary prevention setting.

Methods

We included 3016 Framingham Heart Study participants free of cardiovascular disease (CVD) who underwent abdominal CT between 2002 and 2005. On a single CT slice at the level of L3/L4, we segmented (1) TAM-Area, (2) TAM-Index (= TAM-Area/height) and, (3) TAM-Fraction (= TAM-Area/total cross-sectional CT-area). We tested the association of these muscle mass measures with prevalent and incident cardiometabolic risk factors and incident CVD events during a follow-up of 11.0 ± 2.7 years.

Results

In this community-based sample (49% women, mean age: 50.0 ± 10.0 years), all muscle quantity measures were significantly associated with prevalent and incident cardiometabolic risk factors and CVD events. However, only TAM-Fraction remained significantly associated with key outcomes (e.g., adj. OR 0.68 [0.55, 0.84] and HR 0.73 [0.57, 0.92] for incident hypertension and CVD events, respectively) after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, and waist circumference. Moreover, only higher TAM-Fraction was associated with a lower risk (e.g., adj. OR: 0.56 [0.36–0.89] for incident diabetes versus TAM-Area: adj. OR 1.26 [0.79–2.01] and TAM-Index: 1.09 [0.75–1.58]).

Conclusion

TAM-Fraction on a single CT slice at L3/L4 is a novel body composition marker of cardiometabolic risk in a primary prevention setting that has the potential to improve risk stratification beyond traditional measures of obesity.

Key Points

• In this analysis of the Framingham Heart Study (n = 3016), TAM-F on a single slice CT was more closely associated with prevalent and incident cardiometabolic risk factors as compared to TAM alone or TAM indexed to body surface area.

• TAM-F on a single abdominal CT slice at the level of L3/L4 could serve as a standard measure of muscle mass and improve risk prediction
Impact of a content-based image retrieval system on the interpretation of chest CTs of patients with diffuse parenchymal lung disease
Authors: Röhrich Sebastian , Heidinger Benedikt H. , Prayer Florian , Weber Michael , Krenn Markus , Zhang Rui , Sufana Julie , Scheithe Jakob , Kanbur Incifer , Korajac Aida , Pötsch Nina , Raudner Marcus , Al-Mukhtar Ali , Fueger Barbara J. , Milos Ruxandra-Iulia , Scharitzer Martina , Langs Georg , Prosch Helmut
Published: July 2022

Objectives

Content-based image retrieval systems (CBIRS) are a new and potentially impactful tool for radiological reporting, but their clinical evaluation is largely missing. This study aimed at assessing the effect of CBIRS on the interpretation of chest CT scans from patients with suspected diffuse parenchymal lung disease (DPLD).

Materials and methods

A total of 108 retrospectively included chest CT scans with 22 unique, clinically and/or histopathologically verified diagnoses were read by eight radiologists (four residents, four attending, median years reading chest CT scans 2.1± 0.7 and 12 ± 1.8, respectively). The radiologists read and provided the suspected diagnosis at a certified radiological workstation to simulate clinical routine. Half of the readings were done without CBIRS and half with the additional support of the CBIRS. The CBIRS retrieved the most likely of 19 lung-specific patterns from a large database of 6542 thin-section CT scans and provided relevant information (e.g., a list of potential differential diagnoses).

Results

Reading time decreased by 31.3% (p < 0.001) despite the radiologists searching for additional information more frequently when the CBIRS was available (154 [72%] vs. 95 [43%], p < 0.001). There was a trend towards higher overall diagnostic accuracy (42.2% vs 34.7%, p = 0.083) when the CBIRS was available.

Conclusion

The use of the CBIRS had a beneficial impact on the reading time of chest CT scans in cases with DPLD. In addition, both resident and attending radiologists were more likely to consult informational resources if they had access to the CBIRS. Further studies are needed to confirm the observed trend towards increased diagnostic accuracy with the use of a CBIRS in practice.

Key Points

• A content-based image retrieval system for supporting the diagnostic process of reading chest CT scans can decrease reading time by 31.3% (p < 0.001).

• The decrease in reading time was present despite frequent usage of the content-based image retrieval system.

• Additionally, a trend towards higher diagnostic accuracy was observed when using the content-based image retrieval system (42.2% vs 34.7%, p = 0.083).
Impact of converging sociocultural and substance-related trends on US autism rates: combined geospatiotemporal and causal inferential analysis
Authors: Reece Albert Stuart , Hulse Gary Kenneth
Published: July 2022

Whilst cannabis is known to be toxic to brain development, it is unknown if it is driving rising US autism rates (ASMR). A longitudinal epidemiological study was conducted using national autism census data from the US Department of Education Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) 1991–2011 and nationally representative drug exposure (cigarettes, alcohol, analgesic, and cocaine abuse, and cannabis use monthly, daily, and in pregnancy) datasets from National Survey of Drug Use and Health and US Census (income and ethnicity) and CDC Wonder population and birth data. Analysis was conducted in R. 266,950 were autistic of a population of 40,119,464 8-year-olds in 1994–2011. At national level after adjustment, daily cannabis use was significantly related to ASMR (β estimate = 4.37 (95%C.I. 4.06, 4.68), P < 2.2 × 10–16) as was first pregnancy trimester cannabis exposure (β estimate = 0.12 (0.08, 0.16), P = 1.7 × 10–12). At state level following adjustment for cannabis, cannabigerol (from β estimate = – 13.77 (– 19.41, 8.13), P = 1.8 × 10–6) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (from β estimate = 1.96 (0.88–3.04), P = 4 × 10–4) were significant. Geospatial state-level modelling showed exponential relationship between ASMR and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabigerol exposure. Exponential coefficients for the relationship between modelled ASMR and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabigerol exposure were 7.053 (6.39–7.71) and 185.334 (167.88–202.79; both P < 2.0 × 10–7). E-values are an instrument related to the evidence for causality in observational studies. High E-values were noted. Dichotomized legal status was linked with elevated ASMR. Data show cannabis use is associated with ASMR, is powerful enough to affect overall trends, and persists after controlling for other major covariates. Cannabinoids are exponentially associated with ASMR. The cannabis–autism relationship satisfies criteria of causal inference.
Requirement of preoperative blood typing for cholecystectomy and appendectomy: a systematic review
Authors: Fadel Michael G , Patel Ishaan , O’Leary Lawrence , Behar Nebil , Brewer James
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Blood typing, or group and save (G&S) testing, is commonly performed prior to cholecystectomy and appendectomy in many hospitals. In order to determine whether G&S testing is required prior to these procedures, we set out to evaluate the relevant literature and associated rates of perioperative blood transfusion.

Methods

Studies from January 1990 to June 2021 assessing the requirement of preoperative G&S testing for elective or emergency cholecystectomy and appendectomy were retrieved from MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL databases. The search was performed on 6th July 2021 (PROSPERO registration number CRD42021267967). Number of patients, co-morbidities, operation performed, number of patients that underwent preoperative G&S testing, perioperative transfusion rates and financial costs were extracted.

Results

We initially screened 194 studies of which 15 retrospective studies, a total of 477,437 patients, specifically met the inclusion criteria. Ten studies reported on cholecystectomy, two studies on appendectomy and three studies included both procedures. Where reported, a total of 177,539/469,342 (37.8%) patients underwent preoperative G&S testing with a perioperative transfusion rate of 2.1% (range 0.0 to 2.1%). The main preoperative risk factors associated with perioperative blood transfusion identified include cardiovascular co-morbidity, coagulopathy, anaemia and haematological malignancy. All 15 studies concluded that routine G&S is not warranted.

Conclusion

The current evidence suggests that G&S is not necessarily required for all patients undergoing cholecystectomy or appendectomy. Having a targeted G&S approach would reduce delays in elective and emergency lists, reduce the burden on the blood transfusion service and have financial implications.
Process development of sugar beet enzymatic hydrolysis with enzyme recycling for soluble sugar production
Authors: Chen Yike , Aramrueang Natthiporn , Zicari Steve , Zhang Ruihong
Published: July 2022

Enzymatic hydrolysis of sugar beets for achieving liquefaction and sugar release is a critical step for beet-ethanol production. An enzyme recycling process was developed in this study to reduce the economic uncertainty raised by the high costs of enzymes by reducing the fresh enzyme usage. A mixture of cellulases and pectinases was used in the beet hydrolysis. The hydrolysate was centrifuged and then processed through a 50 kDa molecular weight cut-off polyethersulfone membrane to recover enzymes from the liquid. Liquid enzyme recycling with 50% fresh enzyme addition achieved a similar liquefaction extent and sugar yield compared to the positive control with 100% fresh enzyme. Solid enzyme recycling showed a lower liquefaction efficiency, requiring at least 75% of fresh enzyme addition for a comparable liquefaction extent. Five sequential batches of hydrolysis with liquid enzyme recycling were successfully conducted to hydrolyze sugar beets with similar liquefaction extents and sugar yields.
A method to characterize climate, Earth or environmental vector random processes
Authors: Cobos M. , Otiñar P. , Magaña P. , Baquerizo A.
Published: July 2022

We propose a general methodology to characterize a non-stationary random process that can be used for simulating random realizations that keep the probabilistic behavior of the original time series. The probability distribution of the process is assumed to be a piecewise function defined by several weighted parametric probability models. The weights are obtained analytically by ensuring that the probability density function is well defined and that it is continuous at the common endpoints. Any number of subintervals and continuous probability models can be chosen. The distribution is assumed to vary periodically in time over a predefined time interval by defining the model parameters and the common endpoints as truncated generalized Fourier series. The coefficients of the expansions are obtained with the maximum likelihood method. Different sets of orthogonal basis functions are tested. The method is applied to three time series with different particularities. Firstly, it is shown its good behavior to capture the high variability of the precipitation projected at a semiarid location of Spain for the present century. Secondly, for the Wolf sunspot number time series, the Schwabe cycle and time variations close to the 7.5 and 17 years are analyzed along a 22-year cycle. Finally, the method is applied to a bivariate time series that contains (1) freshwater discharges at the last regulation point of a dam located in a semiarid zone in Andalucía (Spain) which is influenced not only by the climate variability but also by management decisions and (2) the salinity at the mouth of the river. For this case, the analysis, that was combined with a vectorial autoregressive model, focus on the assessment of the goodness of the methodology to replicate the statistical features of the original series. In particular, it is found that it reproduces the marginal and joint distributions and the duration of sojourns above/below given thresholds.
The combination of gene hyperamplification and PD-L1 expression as a biomarker for the clinical benefit of tislelizumab in gastric/gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma
Authors: Lu Zhihao , Yang Silu , Luo Xuerui , Shi Yang , Lee Jong-Seok , Deva Sanjeev , Liu Tianshu , Chao Yee , Zhang Yun , Huang Ruiqi , Xu Yaling , Shen Zhirong , Shen Lin
Published: July 2022

Background

In solid tumor Phase 1/2 trials (NCT02407990; NCT04068519), tislelizumab demonstrated clinical benefit, including in advanced gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA). However, the majority of patients with GEA did not respond, highlighting the need to understand mechanisms of resistance and identify predictive biomarkers for response.

Methods

All tislelizumab-treated patients with GEA from the Phase 1/2 trials were included (N = 105). Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression (Tumor Area Positivity [TAP] ≥ 5%), interferon gamma (IFNγ)-related gene signature, gene expression profile, tumor mutational burden (TMB), and gene hyperamplification (HA) were analyzed for correlation with tislelizumab.

Results

A moderate association was observed between PD-L1 TAP ≥ 5%, IFNγ gene signature, TMB-high and efficacy. A potential correlation between hyperamplification (HA +) and worse outcomes with programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibition was identified. Hyperamplified genes were mainly enriched in cancer progression pathways, including cell cycle and RTK-RAS-PI3K pathways. Joint PD-L1 TAP ≥ 5% and lack of hyperamplification showed the most favorable benefit with an objective response rate of 29.4%, and median progression-free survival and overall survival of 4.1 and 14.7 months, respectively. Tumors with TAP ≥ 5% and HA − had inflamed immune signatures with increased immune cell infiltration, enhanced anti-tumor cytotoxic activity and antigen presentation signatures. Findings were validated in two independent gastric and gastrointestinal cancer cohorts treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Conclusions

In GEA, PD-L1 positivity, IFNγ-related gene signature and TMB-high status were positively associated with tislelizumab clinical benefit, whereas HA was associated with worse clinical outcomes. Combining PD-L1 positivity and HA − may help identify patients more likely to benefit from PD-1 blockade.
Tree species admixture increases ecosystem service provision in simulated spruce- and beech-dominated stands
Authors: Mey Reinhard , Zell Jürgen , Thürig Esther , Stadelmann Golo , Bugmann Harald , Temperli Christian
Published: July 2022

Climate-adaptive forest management aims to sustain the provision of multiple forest ecosystem services and biodiversity (ESB). However, it remains largely unknown how changes in adaptive silvicultural interventions affect trade-offs and synergies among ESB in the long term. We used a simulation-based sensitivity analysis to evaluate popular adaptive forest management interventions in representative Swiss low- to mid-elevation beech- and spruce-dominated forest stands. We predicted stand development across the twenty-first century using a novel empirical and temperature-sensitive single-tree forest stand simulator in a fully crossed experimental design to analyse the effects of (1) planting mixtures of Douglas-fir, oak and silver fir, (2) thinning intensity, and (3) harvesting intensity on timber production, carbon storage and biodiversity under three climate scenarios. Simulation results were evaluated in terms of multiple ESB provision, trade-offs and synergies, and individual effects of the adaptive interventions. Timber production increased on average by 45% in scenarios that included tree planting. Tree planting led to pronounced synergies among all ESBs towards the end of the twenty-first century. Increasing the thinning and harvesting intensity affected ESB provision negatively. Our simulations indicated a temperature-driven increase in growth in beech- (+ 12.5%) and spruce-dominated stands (+ 3.7%), but could not account for drought effects on forest dynamics. Our study demonstrates the advantages of multi-scenario sensitivity analysis that enables quantifying effect sizes and directions of management impacts. We showed that admixing new tree species is promising to enhance future ESB provision and synergies among them. These results support strategic decision making in forestry.
A survey on deep reinforcement learning for audio-based applications
Authors: Latif Siddique , Cuayáhuitl Heriberto , Pervez Farrukh , Shamshad Fahad , Ali Hafiz Shehbaz , Cambria Erik
Published: July 2022

Deep reinforcement learning (DRL) is poised to revolutionise the field of artificial intelligence (AI) by endowing autonomous systems with high levels of understanding of the real world. Currently, deep learning (DL) is enabling DRL to effectively solve various intractable problems in various fields including computer vision, natural language processing, healthcare, robotics, to name a few. Most importantly, DRL algorithms are also being employed in audio signal processing to learn directly from speech, music and other sound signals in order to create audio-based autonomous systems that have many promising applications in the real world. In this article, we conduct a comprehensive survey on the progress of DRL in the audio domain by bringing together research studies across different but related areas in speech and music. We begin with an introduction to the general field of DL and reinforcement learning (RL), then progress to the main DRL methods and their applications in the audio domain. We conclude by presenting important challenges faced by audio-based DRL agents and by highlighting open areas for future research and investigation. The findings of this paper will guide researchers interested in DRL for the audio domain.
What Makes Learners Overestimate Their Text Comprehension? The Impact of Learner Characteristics on Judgment Bias
Authors: Golke Stefanie , Steininger Tim , Wittwer Jörg
Published: July 2022

It is frequently assumed that learner characteristics (e.g., reading skill, self-perceptions, optimism) account for overestimations of text comprehension, which threaten learning success. However, previous findings are heterogenous. To circumvent a key problem of previous research, we considered cognitive, metacognitive, motivational, and personality characteristics of learners (N = 255) simultaneously with regard to their impact on the judgment biases in prediction and postdiction judgments about factual and inference questions. The main results for the factual questions showed that men, lower reading skill, working memory capacity, and topic knowledge, yet higher self-perceptions of cognitive and metacognitive capacities yielded stronger overestimations for prediction judgments. For inference questions, a lower reading skill, higher self-perceptions of metacognitive capacities, and a higher self-efficacy were related to stronger overestimations for prediction and postdiction judgments. A higher openness was a risk factor for stronger overestimations when making predictions for the inference questions. The findings demonstrate that learner characteristics are a relevant source of judgment bias, which should be incorporated explicitly in theories of judgment accuracy. At the same time, fewer learner characteristics were actually relevant than previous research suggests. Moreover, which learner characteristics impact judgment bias also depends on task requirements, such as factual versus inference questions.
Storylines in public news media about mathematics education and minoritized students
Authors: Andersson Annica , Ryan Ulrika , Herbel-Eisenmann Beth , Huru Hilja Lisa , Wagner David
Published: July 2022

Public media both reflects and shapes societal perceptions and attitudes. Teachers and others around students in mathematics classrooms have expectations for the students, projected with what appears in these media. We are most concerned about the expectations placed on students who are identified with minoritized groups—particularly students who are Indigenous or migrated to Norway. We investigate how minoritized group contexts and mathematics education appear together in Norwegian news media texts. Our analysis uses the notion of storylines to describe the expectations about minoritized groups that news media project. We found seven entangled storylines: “the majority language and culture are keys to learning and knowing mathematics,” “mathematics is language- and culture-neutral,” “minoritized groups’ mathematics achievements are linked to culture and gender,” “extraordinary measures are needed to teach students from minoritized groups mathematics,” “students from minoritized groups underachieve,” “students from minoritized groups put in extraordinary effort and time to learn mathematics,” and “minoritized mathematics students are motivated by gratitude.”
Covid-19 infection risk on US domestic airlines
Authors: Barnett Arnold , Fleming Keith
Published: July 2022

Working with recent data and research findings, we estimate the probability that an air traveler in economy class would have contracted Covid-19 on a US domestic jet flight over the nine-month period June 2020 to February 2021. The estimates take account of the rates of confirmed Covid-19 infections in the US, flight duration, fraction of seats occupied, and some demographic differences between US air travelers and US citizens as a whole. Based on point estimates, the risk of contracting Covid-19 in-flight exceeded 1 in 1000 on a fully-loaded two-hour flight at the height of the pandemic over the nine months, but was about 1 in 6000 on a half-full flight when the pandemic was at a low ebb. However, these estimates are subject to substantial uncertainty, with the 10th percentiles of various risk distributions only about 1/7 as large as the medians, and the 90th percentiles about four times as large. Based on seat-occupancy levels on US flights for each month over June 2020 to February 2021, the median risk estimate for that period is 1 in 2250, while the mean risk estimate is 1 in 1450. Indirect effects arose because those who contracted Covid-19 on US airplanes could in turn infect others.
The assessment of Intolerance of uncertainty in youth: An examination of the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale-Revised in Italian nonclinical boys and girls
Authors: Bottesi Gioia , Iannattone Sara , Carraro Eleonora , Lauriola Marco
Published: July 2022

Intolerance of Uncertainty (IU) is a transdiagnostic factor involved in several psychological disorders. Adolescence is characterized by elevated uncertainty and psychopathological vulnerability, but insufficient attention has been paid to IU at this age. This study aimed to investigate the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale-Revised (IUS-R) in Italian preadolescents and adolescents. 862 Italian students (57.3% girls) aged 11–17 (M = 14.8 ± 1.91) completed the IUS-R and measures of internalizing and externalizing symptoms, and psychological well-being. To test the factor structure of the IUS-R, one-factor, two-factor, and bifactor models were compared; measurement invariance, reliability, and validity were also addressed. Results showed that the bifactor model outperformed alternative factor models, and a general factor was needed to model the IUS-R. Bifactor model indices supported using the total score to assess IU reliably. Configural and metric invariance by age and sex were fully supported, while the IUS-R achieved partial scalar invariance. Significant correlations emerged for the IUS-R total score with psychopathological constructs, while no relationships with psychological well-being were found. Compared to adult normative data, higher total IUS-R scores were detected, suggesting that IU may be a phase-specific characteristic of adolescence. Our findings support using the IUS-R to measure IU across the lifespan. The recommended use of the total score and its associations with psychopathological dimensions highlight the transdiagnostic nature of IU in adolescence. Therefore, including IU when implementing interventions to prevent maladaptive outcomes in teenagers would be beneficial.
The Role of Culture and Contextual Risk for Maternal Parenting and Children’s Behavior Regulation in Chile and Germany
Authors: Deffaa Mirjam , Weis Mirjam , Muñoz Lorena , Trommsdorff Gisela
Published: July 2022

Children’s behavior regulation development takes place in diverse sociocultural settings. In this study, we take a multilayer ecological perspective and examine cross-cultural as well as intra-cultural similarities and differences in relations between different aspects of contextual risks (i.e., family and neighborhood risk), maternal restrictive control, and children’s behavior regulation in Chile and Germany. One hundred sixty-seven mothers of primary school children in Chile and 109 mothers in Germany (total sample M (child age) = 10.01 years) completed questionnaires on family risk, parenting practices, and their child’s behavior regulation. Mothers in Germany rated children’s behavior regulation significantly higher than mothers in Chile. Further, in both cultural contexts (Chile, Germany), the higher the family risk, the higher was the use of maternal restrictive control and the lower the child’s behavior regulation. In Chile, after including maternal restrictive control, the relation between family risk and children’s behavior regulation remained significant. In Germany, in contrast, there was no direct significant relation between family risk and children’s behavior regulation, instead we found a significant indirect pathway via maternal restrictive control. Further, we investigated the moderating role of neighborhood risk, as distal contextual risk, for the relation between family risk and maternal restrictive control as well as for the relation between maternal restrictive control and children’s behavior regulation. We found no significant overall moderated mediation effect. However, findings in Chile and Germany revealed a conditional indirect effect indicating that family risk and behavior regulation were indirectly related via maternal restrictive control only when neighborhood risk was high. This underlines the need for an integrative consideration of the cultural context as well as family risk and neighborhood risk when investigating the role of maternal parenting for children’s behavior regulation development.
A novel tracking system for the iron foundry field based on deep convolutional neural networks
Authors: Beck Michael , Layh Michael , Nebauer Markus , Pinzer Bernd R.
Published: July 2022

In modern manufacturing the ability of retracing produced components is crucial for quality management and process optimization. Tracking is essential, especially for analyzing the influence of the production parameters on the final quality of the castings. In the iron foundry industry, common marking methods, such as a datamatrix code, cannot be used due to harsh environmental conditions and the rough surface of the cast parts. This work presents a new coding and reading system that guarantees unique marking in the casting process.The coding is built up over several beveled pins and is read out using an optical 2D handheld scanner. With a deep convolutional neural network approach of object detection and classification, a stable image processing algorithm is presented. With a first prototype a reading accuracy of 99.86% for each pin was achieved with an average scanning time of 0.43 s. The presented code is compatible with existing foundry processes, while the handheld scanner is intuitive and reliable. This allows immediate benefits for process optimization.
DC sputter deposited TiO2 layers on FTO: towards a maximum photoelectrochemical response of photoanodes
Authors: Kim Hyesung , Wang Yue , Denisov Nikita , Wu Zhenni , Kment Štěpán , Schmuki Patrik
Published: July 2022

In this work, we examine the photoelectrochemical response of TiO2 layers prepared by reactive DC sputter deposition on conductive glass (FTO). We show that adequate conditioning of the FTO by a very thin (few nm thick) Ti interlayer and optimizing the sputter parameters, compact TiO2 anatase layers can be produced that reach incident photocurrent conversion efficiencies (IPCE) maxima peaking at 75%. This is outperforming many of the best titania photoanode structures (including high surface area 1D and 3D titania structures). The key role of the interlayer is to promote the crystallization of titania in the anatase form during the annealing process (as opposed to rutile in the interlayer-free case). Without this interlayer, an IPCE maxima of ≈43% is obtained for otherwise identically processed electrodes. The present work thus describes a most simple straightforward approach for fabricating compact, high-efficiency TiO2 (anatase) photoanodes.

Graphical abstract
Long-term SARS-CoV-2 Asymptomatic Carriage in an Immunocompromised Host: Clinical, Immunological, and Virological Implications
Authors: Spinicci Michele , Mazzoni Alessio , Coppi Marco , Antonelli Alberto , Salvati Lorenzo , Maggi Laura , Basile Gregorio , Graziani Lucia , Di Lauria Nicoletta , Di Pilato Vincenzo , Kiros Seble Tekle , Beccastrini Enrico , Saccardi Riccardo , Angileri Manuela , Cecchi Michele , Cusi Maria Grazia , Rossolini Gian Maria , Annunziato Francesco , Bartoloni Alessandro , Parronchi Paola
Published: July 2022

Purpose

SARS-CoV-2 infection in immunocompromised hosts is challenging, and prolonged viral shedding can be a common complication in these patients. We describe the clinical, immunological, and virological course of a patient with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, who developed the status of long-term asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 carrier for more than 7 months.

Methods

Over the study period, the patient underwent 20 RT-PCR tests for SARS-CoV-2 detection on nasopharyngeal swabs. In addition, viral cultures and genetic investigation of SARS-CoV-2 were performed. As for immunological assessment, serological and specific T-cell testing was provided at different time points.

Results

Despite the patient showing a deep drug-induced B and T adaptive immunity impairment, he did not experience COVID-19 progression to severe complications, and the infection remained asymptomatic during the follow-up period, but he was not able to achieve viral clearance for more than 7 months. The infection was finally cleared by SARS-CoV-2-specific monoclonal antibody treatment, after that remdesivir and convalescent plasma failed in this scope. The genetic investigations evidenced that the infection was sustained by multiple viral subpopulations that had apparently evolved intra-host during the infection.

Conclusion

Our case suggests that people with highly impaired B- and T-cell adaptive immunity can prevent COVID-19 progression to severe complications, but they may not be able to clear SARS-CoV-2 infection. Immunocompromised hosts with a long-term infection may play a role in the emergence of viral variants.