bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Return‐to‐sport quadriceps strength symmetry impacts 5‐year cartilage integrity after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A preliminary analysis
Authors: Brunst Caroline , Ithurburn Matthew P. , Zbojniewicz Andrew M. , Paterno Mark V. , Schmitt Laura C.
Published: April 2021

Quadriceps femoris strength asymmetry at the time of return to sports participation after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction contributes to worse function and asymmetric landing patterns, but the impact on longitudinal outcomes is not known. This study determined if young athletes after ACL reconstruction with quadriceps femoris strength asymmetry at a return to sports clearance would demonstrate markers of knee cartilage degeneration 5 years later compared to those with symmetric quadriceps femoris strength at return to sports. Participants (n = 27) were enrolled at the time of medical clearance for sports participation (baseline testing) and followed for 5 years. At baseline, quadriceps femoris strength was measured bilaterally and a limb symmetry index was used to divide the cohort into two groups: return to sport clearance with high quadriceps femoris strength (RTS‐HQ; limb symmetry index ≥ 90%) and return to sport clearance with low quadriceps femoris strength (RTS‐LQ; limb symmetry index < 85%). At 5 years post‐baseline, quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (T2 relaxation times (ms): involved knee medial/lateral femoral condyle and tibial plateau) data were collected. Group differences were evaluated with independent samples t tests. At 5 years post‐return to sports, the RTS‐LQ strength group (n = 14) demonstrated elevated T2 relaxation times at the anterior region of the lateral femoral condyle compared to the RTS‐HQ strength group (n = 13). Clinical Significance: Just over 50% of this cohort was cleared for sports participation with involved limb quadriceps femoris strength deficits that may contribute to early markers of knee cartilage degeneration within the subsequent 5 years.
Effectiveness of a nurse‐led, face‐to‐face health coaching intervention in enhancing activation and secondary outcomes of primary care users with chronic conditions
Authors: Moreno‐Chico Cibeles , Roy Callista , Monforte‐Royo Cristina , González‐De Paz Luis , Navarro‐Rubio Maria D. , Gallart Fernández‐Puebla Alberto
Published: April 2021

Prevalence of chronic diseases and multimorbidity is rising, and it remains unclear what the best strategy is for activating people with chronic conditions in their self‐care. We designed a two‐group quasi‐experimental time series trial to examine the effectiveness of a nurse‐led, face‐to‐face, individually‐tailored health coaching (HC) intervention in improving patient activation and secondary outcomes (self‐efficacy, quality of life, anxiety and depression symptoms, medication adherence, hospitalization and emergency visits) among primary care users with chronic conditions. A total of 118 people with chronic conditions were recruited through a primary care center and allocated to either the intervention group (IG) (n = 58) or control group (CG) (n = 60). The IG received a nurse‐led individually‐tailored HC intervention involving 4–6 face‐to‐face multicomponent sessions covering six core activation topics. The CG received usual primary care. Data were collected at baseline, after the intervention (6 weeks after baseline for controls) and at 6 and 12 months from baseline. Compared with controls, the IG had significantly higher patient activation scores after the intervention (73.29 vs. 66.51, p = .006). However, this improvement was not maintained at follow‐up and there were no significant differences in secondary outcomes across the study period. HC may be an effective strategy for achieving short‐term improvements in the activation of primary care users with chronic conditions. Further studies with different methodological approaches are needed to elucidate how HC may improve and sustain changes in patient activation.
TGF‐β as a driver of fibrosis: physiological roles and therapeutic opportunities
Authors: Budi Erine H , Schaub Johanna R , Decaris Martin , Turner Scott , Derynck Rik
Published: April 2021

Many chronic diseases are marked by fibrosis, which is defined by an abundance of activated fibroblasts and excessive deposition of extracellular matrix, resulting in loss of normal function of the affected organs. The initiation and progression of fibrosis are elaborated by pro‐fibrotic cytokines, the most critical of which is transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1). This review focuses on the fibrogenic roles of increased TGF‐β activities and underlying signaling mechanisms in the activated fibroblast population and other cell types that contribute to progression of fibrosis. Insight into these roles and mechanisms of TGF‐β as a universal driver of fibrosis has stimulated the development of therapeutic interventions to attenuate fibrosis progression, based on interference with TGF‐β signaling. Their promise in preclinical and clinical settings will be discussed. © 2021 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of the physicochemical, rheological, and mechanical properties of core and surface of polypropylene composite (GF50‐PP) plate fabricated by thermocompression process
Authors: Nikooharf Mohammad Hossein , Rezaei‐Khamseh Mojdeh , Shirinbayan Mohammadali , Fitoussi Joseph , Tcharkhtchi Abbas
Published: April 2021

The microstructural properties and rheological behavior of the long‐glass‐fiber‐reinforced polypropylene (GF50‐PP) composite produced by the compression molding process were studied and modeled. Composite plates of GF50‐PP with different thicknesses of 4, 12, and 24 mm have been used to study the effect of glass fiber distribution and various thicknesses on the properties of the core and the surface of the composites. Physicochemical characteristics and rheological behavior of the surface and the core of the plates have been compared. The effect of material sampling area on glass transition temperature, melting temperature, crystallization temperature, degree of crystallinity (Xc), and viscosity were analyzed. Mechanical tests have been carried out to assess the impact of the process parameters on the mechanical characteristics. The results showed that in the compression molding process, three competing parameters should be considered: the Xc, fiber accumulation, and presence of porosity. One can note that this study is applicable to present the relation or interaction between process, microstructure, and properties of the GF50‐PP composite prepared by the thermocompression method.
Luminescent Copper(I) Halides for Optoelectronic Applications
Authors: Yin Jun , Lei Qiong , Han Yu , Bakr Osman M. , Mohammed Omar F.
Published: April 2021

Lead‐free copper(I) halides have been demonstrated to exhibit high photoluminescence quantum yields with high air and light stability, making them one of the most promising semiconductors for next‐generation light‐emitting diode devices. The low‐dimensional structures and soft lattices of Cu(I) halides induce the formation of self‐trapped excitons (STEs) to achieve broadband emissions with high quantum yields. Herein, the recent studies on the electronic and optical properties of Cu(I) halides (i.e., Cs3Cu2X5, CsCu2X3, and A2CuX3, where A = K+ or Rb+, X = Cl−, Br−, or I−) are reviewed and particular emphasis is placed on the role of the dimensionality and the halide in governing the electronic and optical properties (e.g., emission color and photoluminescence efficiency) via STEs. Several optoelectronic applications of Cu(I) halides are also discussed. In the last section, perspectives and challenges for the future development of Cu(I) halides in both optoelectronic and photocatalytic applications are outlined.
Potentially unsafe structural consequences in the design of composite beam shear connectors
Authors: Diacu Ioan
Published: April 2021

This paper investigates the design of steel‐concrete composite beams, with an emphasis on the shear connectors as specified in Eurocode 4‐1. A structural safety inaccuracy is identified and analysed. Improvements for the future design code are proposed.
Tension pneumoperitoneum secondary to duodenal perforation presumptively due to the administration of meloxicam in a cat
Authors: Bernabe Alejandra , Valles Nuria , Echalecu Marina S. , Garrigos Alejandro , Agut Amalia
Published: April 2021

A 4‐year‐old neutered domestic cat was presented with a history of vomiting, anorexia, lethargy and severe abdominal distension. The cat was hypothermic and hypotensive. It had received a week course of meloxicam. Abdominal radiographies revealed the presence of a very large volume of peritoneal gas associated loss in peritoneal serosal detail and gastric dilatation. The presumptive diagnosis was tension pneumoperitoneum and peritonitis caused, most likely, by a gastrointestinal perforation. Exploratory laparotomy confirmed the presence of a duodenum perforation. At the end of the surgery, the cat suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest and died. Unfortunately, the post‐mortem examination was not allowed. Spontaneous pneumoperitoneum is a rare condition reported in cats. The incidence of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) induced by gastroduodenal perforation in cats has been reported in a few cases. In the cat reported here, the authors suspect that duodenal perforation was secondary to NSAID administration.
FIMP Dark Matter in Clockwork/Linear Dilaton extra-dimensions
Authors: Bernal Nicolás , Donini Andrea , Folgado Miguel G. , Rius Nuria
Published: April 2021

Abstract

We study the possibility that Dark Matter (DM) is made of Feebly Interacting Massive Particles (FIMP) interacting just gravitationally with the Standard Model particles in the framework of a Clockwork/Linear Dilaton (CW/LD) model. We restrict here to the case in which the DM particles are scalar fields. This paper extends our previous study of FIMP’s in Randall-Sundrum (RS) warped extra-dimensions. As it was the case in the RS scenario, also in the CW/LD model we find a significant region of the parameter space in which the observed DM relic abundance can be reproduced with scalar DM mass in the MeV range, with a reheating temperature varying from 10 GeV to 109 GeV. We comment on the similarities of the results in both extra-dimensional models.
Early biomechanical outcome in patients with acetabular fractures treated using the pararectus approach: a gait and stair climb analysis study
Authors: Brand Andreas , von Rüden Christian , Probst Carina , Wenzel Lisa , Augat Peter , Perl Mario
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Patients with surgically treated acetabular fractures using extensive dissection of hip muscles demonstrate an incomplete biomechanical recovery and limited joint mobility during movement. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the early biomechanical outcome in a series of patients with acetabular fractures treated using the less invasive anatomical pararectus approach.

Methods

Eight patients (48 ± 14 years, BMI 25.8 ± 3 kg/m2) were investigated 3.8 ± 1.3 months after surgery and compared to matched controls (49 ± 13 years, BMI 26 ± 2.8 kg/m2). Trunk and lower extremity kinematics and kinetics during gait and stair climb were calculated. SF-12 and the Merle d’Aubigné score were used for functional evaluation. Statistical analysis was conducted using Mann–Whitney test and Student’s t test. Effect sizes were calculated using Cohen’s d.

Results

No group differences for lower extremity kinematics during walking and stair climbing were found. During walking, patients showed significant reductions (p < 0.05) of the vertical ground reaction force (8%) and knee and hip extension moments (29 and 27%). Ipsilateral trunk lean was significantly increased by 3.1° during stair descend while reductions of vertical ground reaction force were found for stair ascend (7%) and descend (20%). Hip extension moment was significantly reduced during stair descend by 37%. Patients revealed acceptable SF-12 physical and mental component outcomes and a good rating for the Merle d’Aubigné score (15.9 ± 1.7).

Conclusion

Patients showed some biomechanical restrictions that can be related to residual deficits in weight bearing capacity and strength of the hip muscles. In contrast, an immediate recovery of mobility was achieved by preserving lower extremity and pelvic movement. Therefore, the pararectus approach can serve as a viable strategy in the surgical treatment of acetabular fractures.

Clinical trial

Trial registration number DRKS00011308, 11/14/2016, prospectively registered.
Fifty years of EPA science for air quality management and control
Authors: Miller Charles Andrew
Published: April 2021

Research and development has been a key part of the foundation for improvements in US air quality since the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 50 years ago. Although the scientific accomplishments and advances over the course of EPA’s history are often overshadowed by policy debates, much of the air pollution science and engineering we now consider to be routine did not exist when EPA was established. Many of the advances in air pollutant measurement, monitoring, modeling, and control were developed by EPA researchers or supported by EPA programs. The technical foundation built during EPA’s early years has since given the Agency the scientific ability to respond quickly and effectively to unexpected and emerging issues. Equally important, EPA also developed approaches to conducting and presenting science in policy settings to ensure that the science was as objective and complete as possible and was communicated effectively. A look back at some of the accomplishments of EPA scientists and engineers provides a reminder that the cumulative effect of continual, incremental advances can result in large and lasting benefits to society.
Water stress modifies canopy light environment and qualitative and quantitative yield components in two soybean varieties
Authors: Anda Angela , Simon Brigitta , Soós Gábor , Teixeira da Silva Jaime A. , Menyhárt László
Published: April 2021

The influence of three levels of water supply (unlimited (WW); water stress during flowering (RO); rainfed (P)) on radiation properties and yield of two soybean varieties (Sinara, Sin; Sigalia, Sig) were evaluated. Sin is considered to be tolerant to water stress. The effect of leaf area index, year, variety, and meteorological variables on evapotranspiration (ET) was analysed by hierarchical regression. This study attempted to identify how water supply affects the crop–light relationship between photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) transmission and radiation use efficiency (RUE), which were involved in qualitative and quantitative traits related to soybean production (biomass and yield attributes: seed yield, 1000-grain weight, oil and protein content). Unstandardized coefficients of air temperature (Ta) showed that a 1 °C increase in daily mean Ta induced a higher ET, on average 0.16 mm day−1. Soil moisture strongly affected sowing time. When averaged across three seasons at flowering, 97.7, 95.1 and 97.3% of incoming PAR were intercepted by the canopies of plants in WW, RO and P, respectively. The average extinction coefficient (k) and RUE pooled across both varieties were 0.42 and 1.32 g MJ PAR−1 for WW, and 0.46 and 0.98 g MJ PAR−1 for RO, respectively, compared with 0.44 and 1.15 g MJ PAR−1 for P. As expected, water treatment significantly affected all yield traits: RO decreased yield whereas WW increased yield compared to P. Practically, both varieties are suitable for cultivation under water stress during flowering but Sin showed greater yield under unlimited watering and rainfed conditions.
Diagnostic performance of the noninvasive prenatal FetoGnost RhD assay for the prediction of the fetal RhD blood group status
Authors: Legler Tobias J. , Lührig Sandra , Korschineck Irina , Schwartz Dieter
Published: April 2021

Purpose

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a commercially available test kit for noninvasive prenatal determination of the fetal RhD status (NIPT-RhD) with a focus on early gestation and multiple pregnancies.

Methods

The FetoGnost RhD assay (Ingenetix, Vienna, Austria) is routinely applied for clinical decision making either in woman with anti-D alloimmunization or to target the application of routine antenatal anti-D prophylaxis (RAADP) to women with a RhD positive fetus. Based on existing data in the laboratory information system the newborn’s serological RhD status was compared with NIPT RhD results.

Results

Since 2009 NIPT RhD was performed in 2968 pregnant women between weeks 5 + 6 and 40 + 0 of gestation (median 12 + 6) and conclusive results were obtained in 2888 (97.30%) cases. Diagnostic accuracy was calculated from those 2244 (77.70%) cases with the newborn’s serological RhD status reported. The sensitivity of the FetoGnost RhD assay was 99.93% (95% CI 99.61–99.99%) and the specificity was 99.61% (95% CI 98.86–99.87%). No false-positive or false-negative NIPT RhD result was observed in 203 multiple pregnancies.

Conclusion

NIPT RhD results are reliable when obtained with FetoGnost RhD assay. Targeted routine anti-D-prophylaxis can start as early as 11 + 0 weeks of gestation in singleton and multiple pregnancies.
Die Vertiefte Überprüfung von Stauanlagen in Deutschland
Authors: Aufleger Markus , Knallinger Maximilian , Walter Alexander
Published: April 2021

Stauanlagen müssen dauerhaft überwacht werden. In Deutschland werden im Zuge der Vertieften Überprüfungen in einem Zeitabstand von etwa 10–20 Jahren mit einem vergleichsweise großen Aufwand alle sicherheitsrelevanten Nachweise und Fakten dieser Bauwerke erhoben und bewertet. Die Grundlagen hierfür sind in verschiedenen Normen und Regelwerken zu finden. Auf Basis ihrer Erfahrungen in verschiedenen Projekten werden von den Autoren grundlegende Informationen und aktuelle praktische Erfahrungen dargestellt. Anhand tabellarischer Zusammenstellungen und verschiedener Beispiele werden typische Fragestellungen bei diesen sehr detaillierten Prüfungen in verkürzter Form vorgestellt. Der Schwerpunkt dieser Veröffentlichung liegt auf der Vertieften Überprüfung von Talsperren. Es wird gezeigt, dass diese Untersuchungen einen sehr hohen Aufwand erfordern. Sanierungserfordernisse müssen im Zuge dieser Überprüfungen erkannt werden.
The Expressivist Objection to Nonconsensual Neurocorrectives
Authors: De Marco Gabriel , Douglas Thomas
Published: April 2021

Neurointerventions—interventions that physically or chemically modulate brain states—are sometimes imposed on criminal offenders for the purposes of diminishing the risk that they will recidivate, or, more generally, of facilitating their rehabilitation. One objection to the nonconsensual implementation of such interventions holds that this expresses a disrespectful message, and is thus impermissible. In this paper, we respond to this objection, focusing on the most developed version of it—that presented by Elizabeth Shaw. We consider a variety of messages that might be expressed by nonconsensual neurointerventions. Depending on the message, we argue either that such interventions do not invariably express this message, that expressing this message is not invariably disrespectful, or that the appeal to disrespect is redundant.
Selenium, Selenoproteins, and Heart Failure: Current Knowledge and Future Perspective
Authors: Al-Mubarak Ali A. , van der Meer Peter , Bomer Nils
Published: April 2021

Purpose of Review

(Mal-)nutrition of micronutrients, like selenium, has great impact on the human heart and improper micronutrient intake was observed in 30–50% of patients with heart failure. Low selenium levels have been reported in Europe and Asia and thought to be causal for Keshan disease. Selenium is an essential micronutrient that is needed for enzymatic activity of the 25 so-called selenoproteins, which have a broad range of activities. In this review, we aim to summarize the current evidence about selenium in heart failure and to provide insights about the potential mechanisms that can be modulated by selenoproteins.

Recent Findings

Suboptimal selenium levels (<100 μg/L) are prevalent in more than 70% of patients with heart failure and were associated with lower exercise capacity, lower quality of life, and worse prognosis. Small clinical trials assessing selenium supplementation in patients with HF showed improvement of clinical symptoms (NYHA class), left ventricular ejection fraction, and lipid profile, while governmental interventional programs in endemic areas have significantly decreased the incidence of Keshan disease. In addition, several selenoproteins are found impaired in suboptimal selenium conditions, potentially aggravating underlying mechanisms like oxidative stress, inflammation, and thyroid hormone insufficiency.

While the current evidence is not sufficient to advocate selenium supplementation in patients with heart failure, there is a clear need for high level evidence to show whether treatment with selenium has a place in the contemporary treatment of patients with HF to improve meaningful clinical endpoints.

Graphical abstract
Zur Revisionspraxis der VGR der Länder
Authors: Döhrn Roland
Published: April 2021

Die Volkswirtschaftlichen Gesamtrechnungen der Länder werden oft als Erfolgsnachweis der Wirtschaftspolitik eines Bundeslandes herangezogen. Allerdings werden die Angaben im Laufe der Zeit erheblich revidiert, wodurch sich die Positionierung der Länder in einer „Wachstumsrangliste“ beträchtlich ändern kann. Der vorliegende Beitrag analysiert Revisionen der VGR der Länder im Zeitraum 2000 bis 2017. Er zeigt, dass die Angaben zum BIP kräftiger revidiert werden als die zum Arbeitsmarkt, so dass die daraus abgeleitete Produktivität im Zuge des Revisionsprozesses stark variiert. Besonders ausgeprägt sind die Revisionen aller Größen beim Baugewerbe. Alles in allem liefert die Evaluation der Revisionspraxis Hinweise, wie die Revisionen der VGR der Länder verringert werden könnten. So sollten den Angaben zum Arbeitsmarkt ein höheres Gewicht beigemessen, da sie weniger revisionsanfällig sind und besser einzelnen Regionen zugeordnet werden können. Zudem sollte die Produktivität als Kontrollgröße verwendet werden.
Set your mind on it: The mediating role of mindset in the relationship between a learning-from-error climate and work-related flow
Authors: Caniëls Marjolein C.J. , Adamska Katarzyna M. , van Oortmerssen Lise A. , van Assen Marcel F.
Published: April 2021

This study aims to investigate whether and how a learning-from-error climate is associated with work-related flow experiences by employees. Drawing on the tenets of Job Demands-Resources theory, we propose that this relationship is mediated by a work-related growth mindset. The study tests a mediation model by conducting structural equations modelling. Data were gathered in two waves from 159 employees within a Dutch financial organization. Results demonstrate that work-related mindset significantly mediates the relationship between a learning-from-error climate and work-related flow. In this study, we address the call for studies that empirically assess the influence of organizational climate on work-related flow in a multiwave study design. Specifically, we highlight the relevance of understanding how individual dispositions can shape the effects of a learning-from-error climate on work-related flow.
Congruence constructs as mediators of stereotypic image perceptions’ effect on student volunteering intention
Authors: Lindenmeier Jörg , Arnold Christian , Zogaj Adnan , Tscheulin Dieter K.
Published: April 2021

This study aims to analyze the effects of ideal and actual self-congruence and functional congruence on the volunteering intentions of university students. The empirical analysis is based on a sample of 735 students from universities in southwestern Germany. The current paper shows that stereotypic image perceptions (i.e., perceived warmth and competence) represent antecedents of the considered congruence constructs. Moreover, the study shows that actual self-congruence and functional congruence mediate the effect of perceived warmth and competence on the intention to volunteer. Ideal self-congruence did not mediate the effect of stereotypical image perceptions, nor did it have a direct effect on the willingness to take voluntary action. The study offers practical recommendations for nonprofit organizations, as well as avenues for future research based on its empirical findings.
Shape Perturbation of Grushin Eigenvalues
Authors: Lamberti Pier Domenico , Luzzini Paolo , Musolino Paolo
Published: April 2021

We consider the spectral problem for the Grushin Laplacian subject to homogeneous Dirichlet boundary conditions on a bounded open subset of $${\mathbb {R}}^N$$

R

N

. We prove that the symmetric functions of the eigenvalues depend real analytically upon domain perturbations and we prove an Hadamard-type formula for their shape differential. In the case of perturbations depending on a single scalar parameter, we prove a Rellich–Nagy-type theorem which describes the bifurcation phenomenon of multiple eigenvalues. As corollaries, we characterize the critical shapes under isovolumetric and isoperimetric perturbations in terms of overdetermined problems and we deduce a new proof of the Rellich–Pohozaev identity for the Grushin eigenvalues.
Spreading herbivore manure in livestock farms increases soil carbon content, while granivore manure decreases it
Authors: Curien Morgan , Issanchou Alice , Degan Francesca , Manneville Vincent , Saby Nicolas P. A. , Dupraz Pierre
Published: April 2021

Livestock farming occupies 57% of agricultural area in France and has contrasting impacts on the environment. Studies have analyzed relations between livestock farming and soil organic carbon (SOC) content, but the influence of livestock farming on soils is difficult to perceive at a large scale. The objective of this study was to increase understanding of impacts of livestock farming on soils that receive livestock manure depending on different initial levels of SOC content, at cantonal level. To this end, we used French soil and agricultural databases to analyze relations between livestock farming practices and SOC content. We used statistical data calculated from the French soil test database for the periods 2000–2004 and 2010–2014. For livestock farming practices, we used data from the French agricultural census of 2000 and 2010, and for spreading of livestock manure, data from the French program to control pollution of agricultural origin (2002–2007) and data from the French Livestock Institute. The novelty of our large-scale analysis is to differentiate the origin of livestock manure (herbivore or granivore) and the type of crop on which it was spread (crops or grasslands). Statistical analysis was performed at the cantonal scale for France using the method of generalized least squares. We show for the first time that, at the national scale, spreading of livestock manure influences SOC content and dynamics significantly. Our results also show the importance of the nature of the manure; solid manure increases SOC content, unlike liquid manure. Spreading herbivore manure on crops increases SOC content, but spreading granivore manure may decrease it. Livestock manure spread on grasslands has no significant effect on SOC content, possibly due to under-representation of grassland soils in the soil database. These results demonstrate the importance of the complementary between crop and livestock to maintain soil ecosystem services, including soil fertility.
Ethics of AI in Education: Towards a Community-Wide Framework
Authors: Holmes Wayne , Porayska-Pomsta Kaska , Holstein Ken , Sutherland Emma , Baker Toby , Shum Simon Buckingham , Santos Olga C. , Rodrigo Mercedes T. , Cukurova Mutlu , Bittencourt Ig Ibert , Koedinger Kenneth R.
Published: April 2021

While Artificial Intelligence in Education (AIED) research has at its core the desire to support student learning, experience from other AI domains suggest that such ethical intentions are not by themselves sufficient. There is also the need to consider explicitly issues such as fairness, accountability, transparency, bias, autonomy, agency, and inclusion. At a more general level, there is also a need to differentiate between doing ethical things and doing things ethically, to understand and to make pedagogical choices that are ethical, and to account for the ever-present possibility of unintended consequences. However, addressing these and related questions is far from trivial. As a first step towards addressing this critical gap, we invited 60 of the AIED community’s leading researchers to respond to a survey of questions about ethics and the application of AI in educational contexts. In this paper, we first introduce issues around the ethics of AI in education. Next, we summarise the contributions of the 17 respondents, and discuss the complex issues that they raised. Specific outcomes include the recognition that most AIED researchers are not trained to tackle the emerging ethical questions. A well-designed framework for engaging with ethics of AIED that combined a multidisciplinary approach and a set of robust guidelines seems vital in this context.
An intelligent approach for analyzing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on marketing mix elements (7Ps) of the on-demand grocery delivery service
Authors: Altay Burak Can , Okumuş Abdullah , Adıgüzel Mercangöz Burcu
Published: April 2021

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, on-demand grocery delivery service that combines mobile technology and city logistics has gained tremendous popularity among grocery shoppers as a substitute to self-service grocery shopping in the store. This paper proposes an intelligent comparative approach where fuzzy logic and the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) method are combined to determine the importance weights of the criteria for marketing mix elements (7Ps) of the on-demand grocery delivery service for the period before COVID-19 and during COVID-19. In addition to its comprehensive theoretical insight, this paper provides a practical contribution to decision makers who create a marketing mix for the on-demand grocery delivery service and other similar online grocery businesses in terms of efficient allocation of resources to the development of marketing mix elements. The study’s findings can also provide clues for the decision makers in times of similar pandemics and crises that are likely to be seen in the future.
An overview of optical and thermal methods for the characterization of carbonaceous aerosol
Authors: Massabò D. , Prati P.
Published: April 2021

Carbon is present in the atmosphere not only as $$\hbox {CO}_2$$

CO
2

and other gaseous compounds: it is also one of the major components of the atmospheric aerosols. Carbonaceous Aerosols, CA, have a high but still not fully understood impact on climate and human health, furthermore, their composition is part of the “fingerprint” characteristic of different “sources” of airborne Particulate Matter (PM). The set of methodologies to quantify the concentration of specific carbonaceous species in the atmospheric aerosols is extremely ample, however a completely assessed standard has not been defined yet. In this review article we summarize the state of the art in such wide and multi-disciplinary field, with a focus on optical and thermo-optical methodologies and insights on the more relevant open problems.
Neural Networks Trained on Natural Scenes Exhibit Gestalt Closure
Authors: Kim Been , Reif Emily , Wattenberg Martin , Bengio Samy , Mozer Michael C.
Published: April 2021

The Gestalt laws of perceptual organization, which describe how visual elements in an image are grouped and interpreted, have traditionally been thought of as innate. Given past research showing that these laws have ecological validity, we investigate whether deep learning methods infer Gestalt laws from the statistics of natural scenes. We examine the law of closure, which asserts that human visual perception tends to “close the gap” by assembling elements that can jointly be interpreted as a complete figure or object. We demonstrate that a state-of-the-art convolutional neural network, trained to classify natural images, exhibits closure on synthetic displays of edge fragments, as assessed by similarity of internal representations. This finding provides further support for the hypothesis that the human perceptual system is even more elegant than the Gestaltists imagined: a single law—adaptation to the statistical structure of the environment—might suffice as fundamental.
Modelling gender differences in participation in PhD studies in mathematics
Authors: Sumpter L. , Sumpter D. J. T.
Published: April 2021

In most subject areas, the proportion of women PhD students is around 50%. Mathematics differs despite minimal differences between boys’ and girls’ school achievements. In this paper, we show, drawing on Swedish data from the last 45 years, that low female participation in mathematical PhDs is due to low participative growth rates rather than historical low levels. In comparison, science has twice as strong growth rate, while non-STEM subjects have grown four times faster. The results show that gender differences regarding participation is indeed dynamic, but changes do not occur despite political initiatives such as laws on non-discrimination and encouragement of equal parental leave. Instead, the results imply that in order for maths departments to avoid continuing being gendered institutions, it requires active changes in structures and working environment.
Exploring Malicious Hacker Communities
Authors: Marin Ericsson , Almukaynizi Mohammed , Sarkar Soumajyoti , Nunes Eric , Shakarian Jana , Shakarian Paulo , Amoroso Edward G.
Published: April 2021

Malicious hackers utilize the World Wide Web to share knowledge. Analyzing the online communication of these threat actors can help reduce the risk of attacks. This book shifts attention from the defender environment to the attacker environment, offering a new security paradigm of 'proactive cyber threat intelligence' that allows defenders of computer networks to gain a better understanding of their adversaries by analyzing assets, capabilities, and interest of malicious hackers. The authors propose models, techniques, and frameworks based on threat intelligence mined from the heart of the underground cyber world: the malicious hacker communities. They provide insights into the hackers themselves and the groups they form dynamically in the act of exchanging ideas and techniques, buying or selling malware, and exploits. The book covers both methodology - a hybridization of machine learning, artificial intelligence, and social network analysis methods - and the resulting conclusions, detailing how a deep understanding of malicious hacker communities can be the key to designing better attack prediction systems.
Effective Governance Under Anarchy
Authors: Börzel Tanja A. , Risse Thomas
Published: April 2021

Policy makers and academics alike have mistakenly promoted an agenda which takes well-governed democratic and consolidated 'Weberian' states as the model for the world and the goal of development programs. Whilst Western industrial democracies are the exception, areas of limited statehood where state institutions are weak and ineffective, are everywhere, and, this books argues, can still be well-governed. Three factors explain effective governance in areas of limited statehood: Fair and transparent institutions 'fit for purpose,' legitimate governors accepted by the people, and social trust among the citizens. Effective and legitimate governance in the absence of a functioning state is not only provided by international organizations, foreign aid agencies, and non-governmental organizations but also by multi-national companies, rebel groups and other violent non-state actors, 'traditional' as well as religious leaders, and community-based organizations. Börzel and Risse base their argument on empirical findings from over a decade of research covering Latin America, the Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Asia.
Georgina Weldon
Authors: Martin Joanna
Published: April 2021

A fascinating account of the life of one of the most famous women of the Victorian era.
Music, Politics, and History: An Introduction
Authors: Kennerley David
Published: April 2021

Music has been steadily rising up the historical agenda, a product of the emergence of sound studies, the history of the senses, and a mood of interdisciplinary curiosity. This introductory article offers a critical review of how the relationship between music and politics has featured in extant historical writing, from classic works of political history to the most recent scholarship. It begins by evaluating different approaches that historians have taken to music, summarizes the important shifts in method that have recently taken place, and advocates for a performance-centered, contextualized framework that is attentive to the distinctive features of music as a medium. The second half examines avenues for future research into the historical connections between music and politics, focusing on four thematic areas—the body, emotions, space, and memory—and closes with some overarching reflections on music's use as a tool of power, as well as a challenge to it. Although for reasons of cohesion, this short article focuses primarily on scholarship on Britain and Ireland in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, its discussion of theory and methods is intended to be applicable to the study of music and political culture across a broad range of periods and geographies.
Differenzierung von Angststörungen im Elternurteil: Untersuchung anhand des Fragebogens für Angst- und Zwangsstörungen (FBB-ANZ)
Authors: Mühlherr Andreas M. , Yousaf Afsheen , Freitag Christine M.
Published: April 2021

Zusammenfassung. Im Rahmen der Abklärung des Verdachts einer Angststörung kommen in der klinischen Praxis regelmäßig Screeningfragebögen für Eltern zum Einsatz, die teilweise auch unterschiedliche Angststörungen erfassen. Im klinischen Kontext ist die valide Abgrenzung von Angststörungen zu anderen psychischen Störung sowie die differenzialdiagnostische Abklärung spezifischer Angststörungen relevant. Das Ziel der vorliegenden Studie ist die Untersuchung der Validität eines Screenings durch den Fremdbeurteilungsbogen für Angst- und Zwangsstörungen (FBB-ANZ) hinsichtlich unterschiedlicher Angststörungen. Überprüft wurde die Diskriminationsfähigkeit von (1) Angststörungen und anderen kinder- und jugendpsychiatrischen Störungen und (2) verschiedenen Angststörungen mittels ROC-Analysen (Receiver Operating Characteristics). Der FBB-ANZ wurde von 972 Eltern von 4;00–11;11-jährigen Kindern und 12;00–17;11-jährigen Jugendlichen mit Angststörungen oder depressiven Episoden oder externalisierenden Störungen ausgefüllt. Die Diskriminationsfähigkeit von Angststörungen und externalisierenden Störungen bei Kindern (AUC [Area Under the Curve] = .72) und Jugendlichen (AUC = .76) sowie von Angststörungen und depressiven Episoden im Kindesalter (AUC = .77) war moderat. Eine gute Unterscheidung verschiedener Angststörungen bei Angstpatient_innen war nur hinsichtlich der emotionalen Störung mit Trennungsangst bei Kindern (AUC = .84) und Jugendlichen (AUC = .87) gegeben. Die Ergebnisse deuten auf einen eingeschränkten diagnostischen Nutzen des Screeningurteils der Eltern zur Unterscheidung verschiedener Angststörungen im Kindes- und Jugendalter hin. Mögliche Erklärungsansätze für die vorliegenden Ergebnisse werden kritisch diskutiert.
The Impact of Climate Change on Ocean Submesoscale Activity
Authors: Richards K. J. , Whitt D. B. , Brett G. , Bryan F. O. , Feloy K. , Long M. C.
Published: April 2021

Global warming may modify submesoscale activity in the ocean through changes in the mixed layer depth (MLD) and lateral buoyancy gradients. As a case study we consider a region in the NE Atlantic under present and future climate conditions, using a time‐slice method and global and nested regional ocean models. The high resolution regional model reproduces the strong seasonal cycle in submesoscale activity observed under present‐day conditions. Focusing on the well‐resolved winter months, in the future, with a reduction in the MLD, there is a substantial reduction in submesoscale activity, an associated decrease in kinetic energy (KE) at the mesoscale, and the vertical buoyancy flux induced by submesoscale activity is reduced by a factor of 2. When submesoscale activity is suppressed, by increasing the parameterized lateral mixing in the model, the climate change induces a larger reduction in winter MLDs while there is less of a change in KE at the mesoscale. A scaling for the vertical buoyancy flux proposed by (Fox‐Kemper et al., 2008; doi:10.1175/2007JPO3792.1) based on the properties of mixed layer instability (MLI), is found to capture much of the seasonal and future changes to the flux in terms of regional averages as well as the spatial structure, although it over predicts the reduction in the flux in the winter months. The vertical buoyancy flux when the mixed layer is relatively shallow is significantly greater than that given by the scaling based on MLI, suggesting during these times other processes (besides MLI) may dominate submesoscale buoyancy fluxes.
Rethinking Oceanic Overturning in the Nordic Seas
Authors: Chafik L�on , Rossby T. , H�t�n Hj�lmar , S�iland Henrik
Published: April 2021

Recent research offers new insights into exchanges of water between the North Atlantic and the Nordic Seas, which play critical roles in the climate-regulating Atlantic overturning circulation.
Mutant KRAS triggers functional reprogramming of tumor-associated macrophages in colorectal cancer
Authors: Liu Huashan , Liang Zhenxing , Zhou Chi , Zeng Ziwei , Wang Fengwei , Hu Tuo , He Xiaowen , Wu Xiaojian , Wu Xianrui , Lan Ping
Published: April 2021

Oncogenic KRAS has been previously identified to act in a cell-intrinsic manner to modulate multiple biological functions of colorectal cancer (CRC). Here, we demonstrate a cell-extrinsic role of KRAS, where KRAS engages with the tumor microenvironment by functional reprogramming of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). In human CRC specimens, mutant KRAS positively correlates with the presence of TAMs. Mutationally activated KRAS in tumor cells reprograms macrophages to a TAM-like phenotype via a combination effect of tumor-derived CSF2 and lactate. In turn, KRAS-reprogrammed macrophages were shown to not only promote tumor progression but also induce the resistance of tumor cells to cetuximab therapy. Mechanistically, KRAS drives the production of CSF2 and lactate in tumor cells by stabilizing hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), a transcription factor that controls the expression of CSF2 and glycolytic genes. Mutant KRAS increased the production of reactive oxygen species, an inhibitor of prolyl hydroxylase activity which decreases HIF-1α hydroxylation, leading to enhanced HIF-1α stabilization. This cell-extrinsic mechanism awards KRAS a critical role in engineering a permissive microenvironment to promote tumor malignancy, and may present new insights on potential therapeutic defense strategies against mutant KRAS tumors.
Author Correction: Endogenous FGF21-signaling controls paradoxical obesity resistance of UCP1-deficient mice
Authors: Keipert Susanne , Lutter Dominik , Schroeder Bjoern O. , Brandt Daniel , Ståhlman Marcus , Schwarzmayr Thomas , Graf Elisabeth , Fuchs Helmut , de Angelis Martin Hrabe , Tschöp Matthias H. , Rozman Jan , Jastroch Martin
Published: April 2021

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-22119-x
Geometric frustration in polygons of polariton condensates creating vortices of varying topological charge
Authors: Cookson Tamsin , Kalinin Kirill , Sigurdsson Helgi , Töpfer Julian D. , Alyatkin Sergey , Silva Matteo , Langbein Wolfgang , Berloff Natalia G. , Lagoudakis Pavlos G.
Published: April 2021

Vorticity is a key ingredient to a broad variety of fluid phenomena, and its quantised version is considered to be the hallmark of superfluidity. Circulating flows that correspond to vortices of a large topological charge, termed giant vortices, are notoriously difficult to realise and even when externally imprinted, they are unstable, breaking into many vortices of a single charge. In spite of many theoretical proposals on the formation and stabilisation of giant vortices in ultra-cold atomic Bose-Einstein condensates and other superfluid systems, their experimental realisation remains elusive. Polariton condensates stand out from other superfluid systems due to their particularly strong interparticle interactions combined with their non-equilibrium nature, and as such provide an alternative testbed for the study of vortices. Here, we non-resonantly excite an odd number of polariton condensates at the vertices of a regular polygon and we observe the formation of a stable discrete vortex state with a large topological charge as a consequence of antibonding frustration between nearest neighbouring condensates.
Seroprevalence and correlates of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies from a population-based study in Bonn, Germany
Authors: Aziz N. Ahmad , Corman Victor M. , Echterhoff Antje K. C. , Müller Marcel A. , Richter Anja , Schmandke Antonio , Schmidt Marie Luisa , Schmidt Thomas H. , de Vries Folgerdiena M. , Drosten Christian , Breteler Monique M. B.
Published: April 2021

To estimate the seroprevalence and temporal course of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies, we embedded a multi-tiered seroprevalence survey within an ongoing community-based cohort study in Bonn, Germany. We first assessed anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G levels with an immunoassay, followed by confirmatory testing of borderline and positive test results with a recombinant spike-based immunofluorescence assay and a plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT). Those with a borderline or positive immunoassay result were retested after 4 to 5 months. At baseline, 4771 persons participated (88% response rate). Between April 24th and June 30th, 2020, seroprevalence was 0.97% (95% CI: 0.72−1.30) by immunoassay and 0.36% (95% CI: 0.21−0.61) when considering only those with two additional positive confirmatory tests. Importantly, about 20% of PRNT+ individuals lost their neutralizing antibodies within five months. Here, we show that neutralizing antibodies are detectable in only one third of those with a positive immunoassay result, and wane relatively quickly.
Graphene collage on Ni-rich layered oxide cathodes for advanced lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Park Chang Won , Lee Jung-Hun , Seo Jae Kwon , Jo Won Young , Whang Dongmok , Hwang Soo Min , Kim Young-Jun
Published: April 2021

The energy storage performance of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) depends on the electrode capacity and electrode/cell design parameters, which have previously been addressed separately, leading to a failure in practical implementation. Here, we show how conformal graphene (Gr) coating on Ni-rich oxides enables the fabrication of highly packed cathodes containing a high content of active material (~99 wt%) without conventional conducting agents. With 99 wt% LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 (NCA) and electrode density of ~4.3 g cm-3, the Gr-coated NCA cathode delivers a high areal capacity, ~5.4 mAh cm−2 (~38% increase) and high volumetric capacity, ~863 mAh cm-3 (~34% increase) at a current rate of 0.2 C (~1.1 mA cm-2); this surpasses the bare electrode approaching a commercial level of electrode setting (96 wt% NCA; ~3.3 g cm-3). Our findings offer a combinatorial avenue for materials engineering and electrode design toward advanced LIB cathodes.