bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Imaging seismic wave-fields with AlpArray and neighboring European networks
Authors: Tesch M. , Stampa J. , Meier T. , Kissling E. , Hetényi G. , Friederich W. , Weber M. , Heit B. ,   The AlpArray Working Group
Published: November 2021

The AlpArray experiment and the deployment of Swath-D together with the dense permanent network in Italy allow for detailed imaging of the spatio-temporal imaging complexity of seismic wave-fields within the greater Alpine region. The distance of any point within the area to the nearest station is less than 30 km, resulting in an average inter-station distance of about 45 km. With a much denser deployment in a smaller region of the Alps (320 km in length and 140 km wide), the Swath-D network possesses an average inter-station distance of about 15 km. We show that seismogram sections with a spatial sampling of less than 5 km can be obtained using recordings of these regional arrays for just a single event. Multiply reflected body waves can be observed for up to 2 h after source time. In addition, we provide and describe animations of long-period seismic wave-fields using recordings of about 1300–1600 broadband stations for six representative earthquakes. These illustrate the considerable spatio-temporal variability of the wave-field’s properties at a high lateral resolution. Within denser station distributions like those provided by Swath-D, even shorter period body and surface wave features can be recovered. The decrease of the horizontal wavelength from to to surface waves, deviations from spherically symmetric wavefronts, and the capability to detect multi-orbit arrivals are demonstrated qualitatively by the presented wave-field animations, which are a valuable tool for educational, quality control, and research purposes. We note that the information content of the acquired datasets can only be adequately explored by application of appropriate quantitative methods accounting for the considerable complexity of the seismic wave-fields as revealed by the now available station configuration.
Establishment and validation of a nomogram and web calculator for the risk of new vertebral compression fractures and cement leakage after percutaneous vertebroplasty in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures
Authors: Li Wenle , Wang Haosheng , Dong Shengtao , Tang Zhi-Ri , Chen Longhao , Cai Xintian , Hu Zhaohui , Yin Chengliang
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The aim of this work was to investigate the risk factors for cement leakage and new-onset OVCF after Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) and to develop and validate a clinical prediction model (Nomogram).

Methods

Patients with Osteoporotic VCF (OVCF) treated with PVP at Liuzhou People’s Hospital from June 2016 to June 2018 were reviewed and met the inclusion criteria. Relevant data affecting bone cement leakage and new onset of OVCF were collected. Predictors were screened using univariate and multi-factor logistic analysis to construct Nomogram and web calculators. The consistency of the prediction models was assessed using calibration plots, and their predictive power was assessed by tenfold cross-validation. Clinical value was assessed using Decision curve analysis (DCA) and clinical impact plots.

Results

Higher BMI was associated with lower bone mineral density (BMD). Higher BMI, lower BMD, multiple vertebral fractures, no previous anti-osteoporosis treatment, and steroid use were independent risk factors for new vertebral fractures. Cement injection volume, time to surgery, and multiple vertebral fractures were risk factors for cement leakage after PVP. The development and validation of the Nomogram also demonstrated the predictive ability and clinical value of the model.

Conclusions

The established Nomogram and web calculator (https://dr-lee.shinyapps.io/RefractureApp/) (https://dr-lee.shinyapps.io/LeakageApp/) can effectively predict the occurrence of cement leakage and new OVCF after PVP.
Microparticle-tagged image-based cell counting (ImmunoSpin) for CD4 + T cells
Authors: Hwang Sang-Hyun , Yang John Jeongseok , Oh Yoon-Hee , Ko Dae-Hyun , Sung Heungsup , Cho Young-Uk , Jang Seongsoo , Park Chan-Jeoung , Oh Heung-Bum
Published: November 2021

Affordable point-of-care (POC) CD4 + T lymphocyte counting techniques have been developed as alternatives to flow cytometry-based instruments caring for patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1. However, POC CD4 enumeration technologies can be inaccurate. Here, we developed a microparticle-based visual detector of CD4 + T lymphocytes (ImmunoSpin) using microparticles conjugated with anti-CD4 antibodies, independent of microfluidic or fluorescence detection systems. Visual enumeration of CD4 + T cells under conventional light microscope was accurate compared to flow cytometry. Microparticle-tagged CD4 + T cells were well-recognized under a light microscope. ImmunoSpin showed very good precision (coefficients of variation of ImmunoSpin were ≤ 10%) and high correlation with clinical-grade flow cytometry for the enumeration of CD4 + T cells (y = 0.4232 + 0.9485 × for the %CD4 + T cell count,R2 = 0.99). At thresholds of 200 and 350 cells/µL, there was no misclassification of the ImmunoSpin system compared to the reference flow cytometry. ImmunoSpin showed clear differential classification of CD4 + T lymphocytes from granulocytes and monocytes. Because non-fluorescence microparticle-tags and cytospin slides are used in ImmunoSpin, they can be applied to an automatic digital image analyzer. Slide preparation allows long-term storage, no analysis time limitations, and image transfer in remote areas.

Graphical abstract
Gezielte Variation des Beanspruchungskollektivs zur Verbesserung des Einlaufverhaltens im Trockenlauf
Authors: Klotz Thomas , Bause Katharina , Ott Sascha , Albers Albert
Published: November 2021

Präzise steuer- und regelbaren Kupplungen wird eine Schlüsselrolle in der Transformation der Automobilwirtschaft zugesprochen. Als Grundlage der präzisen Übertragung des Drehmoments sind zuverlässig gleichbleibende Reibeigenschaften der in der Kupplung verbauten Friktionspaarungen von großem Vorteil. Diese Reibeigenschaften können sich jedoch unter entsprechenden Randbedingungen, wie beispielsweise während des Einlaufs, bei erhöhten Temperaturen und bei stark erhöhten Beanspruchungen, äußerst volatil verhalten. Dieses Verhalten kann durch die Auswahl der Friktionswerkstoffe verbessert werden. Jüngste Forschungsergebnisse zeigen, dass das Erholungsverhalten nach einer Schädigung durch zum Beispiel eine Notfallbremsung ebenso wie durch das Beanspruchungskollektiv beeinflusst wird und durch dessen Variation nachweislich verbessert werden kann. Es bleibt zu zeigen, inwiefern die Variation des Beanspruchungskollektiv auch in anderen Situationen dazu beitragen kann, die gewünschten Reibeigenschaften zu erreichen.

Diese Studie dient dazu, dieses Potenzial anhand des Einlaufverhaltens trockenlaufender Friktionspaarungen mit organischen Reibbelägen aufzuzeigen. Um Beanspruchungskollektive abzuleiten, welche den Einlauf verkürzen, werden Erklärungsmodelle sowie Methoden, Ergebnisse und Erkenntnisse aus vorangegangenen Forschungsarbeiten genutzt. Die experimentellen Ergebnisse zeigen auf, dass eine Verkürzung des Einlaufs und eine Stabilisierung der Reibeigenschaften durch diese veränderten Beanspruchungskollektive erzielt werden können. Folglich ist es denkbar, in zukünftigen Anwendungen die Reibeigenschaften zu überwachen und bei Bedarf durch die Variation des Beanspruchungskollektiv gezielt zu regeln.
Overlooked evidence for semantic compositionality and signal reduction in wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)
Authors: Gabrić Petar
Published: November 2021

Recent discoveries of semantic compositionality in Japanese tits have enlivened the discussions on the presence of this phenomenon in wild animal communication. Data on semantic compositionality in wild apes are lacking, even though language experiments with captive apes have demonstrated they are capable of semantic compositionality. In this paper, I revisit the study by Boesch (Hum. Evol. 6:81–89, 1991) who investigated drumming sequences by an alpha male in a chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) community in the Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire. A reanalysis of the data reveals that the alpha male produced semantically compositional combined messages of travel direction change and resting period initiation. Unlike the Japanese tits, the elements of the compositional expression were not simply juxtaposed but displayed structural reduction, while one of the two elements in the expression coded the meanings of both elements. These processes show relative resemblance to blending and fusion in human languages. Also unlike the tits, the elements of the compositional expression did not have a fixed order, although there was a fixed distribution of drumming events across the trees used for drumming. Because the elements of the expression appear to carry verb-like meanings, the compositional expression also resembles simple verb-verb constructions and short paratactic combinations of two clauses found across languages. In conclusion, the reanalysis suggests that semantic compositionality and phenomena resembling paratactic combinations of two clauses might have been present in the communication of the last common ancestor of chimpanzees and humans, not necessarily in the vocal modality.
Cognitive telerehabilitation in neurological patients: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Cacciante Luisa , Pietà Camilla della , Rutkowski Sebastian , Cieślik Błażej , Szczepańska-Gieracha Joanna , Agostini Michela , Kiper Pawel
Published: November 2021

Telerehabilitation (TR) seems to be an encouraging solution for the delivery of cognitive treatments in patients with neurological disorders. This study was aimed to analyze and synthesize the evidence on the efficacy of cognitive TR interventions in patients with neurological diseases, compared with conventional face-to-face rehabilitation. From a total of 4485 records, 9 studies met the inclusion criteria for qualitative analysis. At the end of the process, 7 studies remained for quantitative analysis. By comparing TR with face-to-face treatments for cognitive impairments, we assessed improvements in global cognitive domain (Mini Mental State Exam) (MD = −0.86; 95% CI −2.43, 0.72, I2 = 0%), in learning and memory domains (SMD = 0.26, 95% CI −0.22, 0.74, I2 = 24%), in verbal fluency (SMD = 0.08, 95% CI −0.47, 0.62, I2 = 0%), and in executive functions (i.e., problem-solving, central processing speed and working memory) (SMD = 0.38, 95% CI 0.06, 0.71, I2 = 0%). In all the included studies, improvement in the performance of the TR groups was comparable to that achieved through face-to-face intervention. Significant differences between those two modalities of providing treatments were observed for working memory and total executive function comparison, in favor of TR. The results of this study can sustain the efficacy of TR and its application for the treatment of neurological patients, especially when treated for executive function impairments.
Analysis of Flame Front Breaks Appearing in LES of Inhomogeneous Jet Flames Using Flamelets
Authors: Soli Alessandro , Langella Ivan , Chen Zhi X.
Published: November 2021

The physical mechanism leading to flame local extinction remains a key issue to be further understood. An analysis of large eddy simulation (LES) data with presumed probability density function (PDF) based closure (Chen et al., 2020, Combust. Flame, vol. 212, pp. 415) indicated the presence of localised breaks of the flame front along the stoichiometric line. These observations and their relation to local quenching of burning fluid particles, together with the possible physical mechanisms and conditions allowing their appearance in LES with a simple flamelet model, are investigated in this work using a combined Lagrangian-Eulerian analysis. The Sidney/Sandia piloted jet flames with compositionally inhomogeneous inlet and increasing bulk speeds, amounting to respectively 70 and 90% of the experimental blow-off velocity, are used for this analysis. Passive flow tracers are first seeded in the inlet streams and tracked for their lifetime. The critical scenario observed in the Lagrangian analysis, i.e., burning particles crossing extinction holes on the stoichiometric iso-surface, is then investigated using the Eulerian control-volume approach. For the 70% blow-off case the observed flame front breaks/extinction holes are due to cold and inhomogeneous reactants that are cast onto the stoichiometric iso-surface by large vortices initiated in the jet/pilot shear layer. In this case an extinction hole forms only when the strain effect is accompanied by strong subgrid mixing. This mechanism is captured by the unstrained flamelets model due to the ability of the LES to resolve large-scale strain and considers the SGS mixture fraction variance weakening effect on the reaction rate through the flamelet manifold. Only at 90% blow-off speed the expected limitation of the underlying combustion model assumption become apparent, where the amount of local extinctions predicted by the LES is underestimated compared to the experiment. In this case flame front breaks are still observed in the LES and are caused by a stronger vortex/strain interaction yet without the aid of mixture fraction variance. The reasons for these different behaviours and their implications from a physical and modelling point of view are discussed in this study.
Genetic programming for iterative numerical methods
Authors: Sobania Dominik , Schmitt Jonas , Köstler Harald , Rothlauf Franz
Published: November 2021

We introduce GPLS (Genetic Programming for Linear Systems) as a GP system that finds mathematical expressions defining an iteration matrix. Stationary iterative methods use this iteration matrix to solve a system of linear equations numerically. GPLS aims at finding iteration matrices with a low spectral radius and a high sparsity, since these properties ensure a fast error reduction of the numerical solution method and enable the efficient implementation of the methods on parallel computer architectures. We study GPLS for various types of system matrices and find that it easily outperforms classical approaches like the Gauss–Seidel and Jacobi methods. GPLS not only finds iteration matrices for linear systems with a much lower spectral radius, but also iteration matrices for problems where classical approaches fail. Additionally, solutions found by GPLS for small problem instances show also good performance for larger instances of the same problem.
T Cell Repertoire Abnormality in Immunodeficiency Patients with DNA Repair and Methylation Defects
Authors: Fang Mingyan , Su Zheng , Abolhassani Hassan , Zhang Wei , Jiang Chongyi , Cheng Bochen , Luo Lihua , Wu Jinghua , Wang Shiyu , Lin Liya , Wang Xie , Wang Longlong , Aghamohammadi Asghar , Li Tao , Zhang Xiuqing , Hammarström Lennart , Liu Xiao
Published: November 2021

Both DNA damage response and methylation play a crucial role in antigen receptor recombination by creating a diverse repertoire in developing lymphocytes, but how their defects relate to T cell repertoire and phenotypic heterogeneity of immunodeficiency remains obscure. We studied the TCR repertoire in patients with the mutation in different genes (ATM, DNMT3B,ZBTB24,RAG1,DCLRE1C, andJAK3) and uncovered distinct characteristics of repertoire diversity. We propose that early aberrancies in thymus T cell development predispose to the heterogeneous phenotypes of the immunodeficiency spectrum. Shorter CDR3 lengths in ATM-deficient patients, resulting from a decreased number of nucleotide insertions during VDJ recombination in the pre-selected TCR repertoire, as well as the increment of CDR3 tyrosine residues, lead to the enrichment of pathology-associated TCRs, which may contribute to the phenotypes of ATM deficiency. Furthermore, patients withDNMT3BandZBTB24mutations who exhibit discrepant phenotypes present longer CDR3 lengths and reduced number of known pathology-associated TCRs.
Upregulation of homeobox D10 expression suppresses invasion and migration of clear cell renal cell carcinoma through targeting of E-cadherin
Authors: Ren Zongtao , Niu Yunfeng , Fan Bo , Zhang Aili
Published: November 2021

Background

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) is one of the most common types of renal cell carcinoma. Accumulating evidence indicates that homeobox D10 (HOXD10) acts as a tumor suppressor or oncogene in various carcinomas. However, the regulation and potential mechanisms of HOXD10 in CCRCC remain largely unknown.

Purpose

To explore the effect and potential mechanism of HOXD10 on the invasion and migration of CCRCC cells.

Methods

The expression of HOXD10, E-cadherin and other epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins was assessed by reverse transcription-quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blots. A series of functional assays were performed in RCC cell lines to explore the function of HOXD10 in CCRCC progression. Bioinformatics analysis, ChIP assays, and dual luciferase reporter assays were utilized to identify the interaction between HOXD10 and E-cadherin.

Results

Low expression of HOXD10 and E-cadherin was observed in CCRCC tissues and ACHN and 786-O cells. Downregulation of HOXD10 expression was correlated with the TNM stage of CCRCC patients. Functional experiments demonstrated that malignant biological ability was significantly inhibited by HOXD10 overexpression in RCC cells. Moreover, E-cadherin was a potential target gene of HOXD10, as evidenced by a series of assays. In addition, overexpression of HOXD10 inhibited the progression of CCRCC by regulating the expression of E-cadherin, vimentin, and β-catenin in vitro.

Conclusion

HOXD10 acts as a tumor suppressor and suppresses invasion and migration of CCRCC cells by regulating E-cadherin and EMT processes. Thus, targeting HOXD10 may be a therapeutic strategy for CCRCC treatment.
Various brain-eating amoebae: the protozoa, the pathogenesis, and the disease
Authors: Zhang Hongze , Cheng Xunjia
Published: November 2021

Among various genera of free-living amoebae prevalent in nature, some members are identified as causative agents of human encephalitis, in whichNaegleria fowlerifollowed byAcanthamoebaspp. andBalamuthia mandrillarishave been successively discovered. As the three dominant genera responsible for infections,AcanthamoebaandBalamuthiawork as opportunistic pathogens of granulomatous amoebic encephalitis in immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals, whereasNaegleriainduces primary amoebic meningoencephalitis mostly in healthy children and young adults as a more violent and deadly disease. Due to the lack of typical symptoms and laboratory findings, all these amoebic encephalitic diseases are difficult to diagnose. Considering that subsequent therapies are also affected, all these brain infections cause significant mortality worldwide, with more than 90% of the cases being fatal. Along with global warming and population explosion, expanding areas of human and amoebae activity in some regions lead to increased contact, resulting in more serious infections and drawing increased public attention. In this review, we summarize the present information of these pathogenic free-living amoebae, including their phylogeny, classification, biology, and ecology. The mechanisms of pathogenesis, immunology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, epidemiology, diagnosis, and therapies are also discussed.
Geophysical Studies for the Crust and Upper Mantle Structure of the Himalaya: Contributions of CSIR-NGRI
Authors: Manglik Ajay , Gupta Sandeep , Tiwari Virendra M.
Published: November 2021

The geologically young Himalayan mountain belt, a product of continued continent-continent collision, is a natural laboratory that has always been a sought after place for the global geoscience community to study geodynamics and natural hazards, besides many other aspects such as monsoon and climate, and natural resources. CSIR-NGRI, soon after its inception in 1961, initiated geophysical studies of the Himalaya and within the first decade a super-thick crust for the Himalaya-Tibet system by a surface wave study and upper mantle P-wave velocity down to 230 km for the Hindu Kush region by analysis of travel times of deep earthquakes were inferred. A few years later, the first ever trans-Himalayan deep seismic sounding (DSS) study by CSIR-NGRI provided further definitive evidence for crustal thickening and spatial variation of the Moho within the Kashmir Himalaya. In subsequent years, a number of seismological studies were launched, both in network and profile mode, in northeast India covering the Shillong Plateau, the eastern Himalaya, the Indo-Burmese Arc and the Assam valley, and in the northwest Himalaya covering mainly the Kumaun and Garhwal sectors. These studies yielded information about the Moho disposition, crust and upper mantle velocity structure, nature of the décollement surface, upper mantle discontinuities and the mantle transition zone, and seismic anisotropy. A good number of gravity and magnetotelluric studies have also been carried out by CSIR-NGRI to decipher the density structure, mechanical strength of the lithosphere and electrically conductive zones, respectively, and their possible correlation with seismicity. This review paper presents a synthesis of the geophysical studies carried out by CSIR-NGRI for imaging of the crust and upper mantle of the Himalayan collision belt.
Implementation of an Evidence-Based Intervention with Safety Net Clinics to Improve Mammography Appointment Adherence Among Underserved Women
Authors: Holcomb Jennifer , Rajan Suja S. , Ferguson Gayla M. , Sun Jiali , Walton Gretchen H. , Highfield Linda
Published: November 2021

The Peace of Mind Program is an evidence-based intervention to improve mammography appointment adherence in underserved women. The aim of this study was to assess effectiveness of the intervention and implementation of the intervention in safety net clinics. The intervention was implemented through a non-randomized stepped wedge cluster hybrid study design with 19 Federally Qualified Health Centers and charity care clinics within the Greater Houston area. A multivariable generalized estimating equation logistic regression was conducted to examine mammography appointment adherence. A survey assessing Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research constructs was also conducted with clinic staff prior to adoption and eight weeks post implementation. One-sided t-tests were conducted to analyze mean score changes between the surveys. A total of 4402 women (baseline period = 2078; intervention period = 2324) were included in the final regression analysis. Women in the intervention period were more likely to attend or reschedule their mammography appointment (OR = 1.30; p < 0.01) than those in the baseline period receiving usual care. Women who completed the intervention were more likely to attend or reschedule their mammography appointment than those who did not complete the intervention (OR = 1.62; p < 0.01). The mammography appointment no-show rates for those in the baseline period, in the intervention period, and who completed the intervention were, respectively, 22%, 19%, and 15%. A total of 15 clinics prior to adoption and eight clinics completed the survey at 8 weeks post implementation A statistically significant mean score decrease was observed in Inner Setting and in two Inner Setting CFIR constructs, Culture–Effort, and Implementation Climate. While the intervention improved mammography appointment adherence, there are opportunities to further integrate Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research constructs. Trial registration: Clinical trials registration number: NCT02296177.
Entwicklung von Praxiskompetenz durch Kooperationsprozesse von Lehrkräften
Authors: Bloh Thiemo
Published: November 2021

Lehrkräftekooperation wird generell eine positive Bedeutung in Bezug auf Schul- und Unterrichtsentwicklung zugeschrieben. Dabei sind empirische Belege für eine positive Wirksamkeit nach wie vor kaum vorhanden, es gibt sogar Befunde zu ‚negativen‘ Konsequenzen von Lehrkräftekooperation. Um diese Widersprüchlichkeit zu klären, wurde in der vorliegenden Arbeit Kooperation nicht als Instrument bzw. als Technik betrachtet, sondern als soziale Praxis verstanden, in der eigenlogisches, kollektiv-implizites Wissen (re)produziert wird (Community of Practice). Parallel dazu wurde ein praxeologisches Kompetenzverständnis (Praxiskompetenz) eingeführt, das wesentlich auf die Praxeologie Pierre Bourdieus zurückgeht und den Zusammenhang zwischen Lehrkräftekooperation als Community of Practice und kollektiv strukturierter, individueller Kompetenz theoretisch verdeutlicht. Die empirischen Befunde, welche mittels der Dokumentarischen Methode generiert wurden, verweisen auf die Bedeutung unterschiedlicher Relationslogiken (Nicht-Passung, Entfaltung, Herausforderung) für das ‚Lernen‘ von oder innerhalb von Praxiskompetenz(en) und damit auch auf die Wichtigkeit einer grundlegend kollektiv gerahmten Perspektive auf Lehrkräftekooperation. Vor diesem Hintergrund ist ein allzu positiver Blick auf Lehrkräftekooperationsprozesse kritisch zu betrachten.
In the Cause of Humanity
Authors: Klose Fabian
Published: November 2021

In the Cause of Humanity is a major new history of the emergence of the theory and practice of humanitarian intervention during the nineteenth century when the question of whether, when and how the international community should react to violations of humanitarian norms and humanitarian crises first emerged as a key topic of controversy and debate. Fabian Klose investigates the emergence of legal debates on the protection of humanitarian norms by violent means, revealing how military intervention under the banner of humanitarianism became closely intertwined with imperial and colonial projects. Through case studies including the international fight against the slave trade, the military interventions under the banner of humanitarian aid for Christian minorities in the Ottoman Empire, and the intervention of the United States in the Cuban War of Independence, he shows how the idea of humanitarian intervention established itself as a recognized instrument in international politics and international law.
Legalising the Drug Wars
Authors: Collins John
Published: November 2021

Where did the regulatory underpinnings for the global drug wars come from? This book is the first fully-focused history of the 1961 UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the bedrock of the modern multilateral drug control system and the focal point of global drug regulations and prohibitions. Although far from the propagator of the drug wars, the UN enabled the creation of a uniform global legal framework to effectively legalise, or regulate, their pursuit. This book thereby answers the question of where the international legal framework for drug control came from, what state interests informed its development and how complex diplomatic negotiations resulted in the current regulatory system, binding states into an element of global policy uniformity.
Religious Experience
Authors: Griffioen Amber L.
Published: November 2021

This Element looks at religious experience and the role it has played in philosophy of religion. It critically explores the history of the intertwined discourses on mysticism and religious experience, before turning to a few specific discussions within contemporary philosophy of religion. One debate concerns the question of perennialism vs. constructivism and whether there is a 'common core' to all religious or mystical experience independent of interpretation or socio-historical background. Another central discussion concerns the epistemology of purportedly theophanic experience and whether a perceptual model of religious experience can provide evidence or justification for theistic belief. The Element concludes with a discussion of how philosophy of religion can productively widen its treatment of religious experience in the service of creating a more inclusive and welcoming discipline.
The Law and Policy of the World Trade Organization
Authors: Van den Bossche Peter , Zdouc Werner
Published: November 2021

Since the publication of its first edition, this textbook has been the prime choice of teachers and students alike, due to its clear and detailed explanation of the basic principles of the multilateral trading system and the law of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The fifth edition continues to explore the institutional and substantive law of the WTO. It has been updated to incorporate all new developments in the WTO's ever-growing body of case law. Moreover, each chapter includes a 'Further Readings' section to encourage and facilitate research and discussion on the topics addressed. As in previous editions, each chapter also features a summary to reinforce learning. Questions, assignments, and exercises on WTO law and policy are contained in an online supplement, updated regularly. This textbook is an essential tool for all WTO law students and will also serve as a practitioner's introductory guide to the WTO.
The Geography of Words
Authors: Sipka Danko
Published: November 2021

Languages around the world organize their lexicons, or vocabularies, in a myriad of different ways. This book is a celebration of global linguistic diversity, bringing together fascinating cases from a wide range of languages to explore how and why this lexical variation occurs. Each of the thirty-six short chapters shows how different culturally-specific words, relating to a range of phenomena such as kinship, colour, space, time, objects, smells, and animals, vary across languages and geographical locations. It also explains the mechanisms of development in vocabularies, showing why this variation occurs, and how languages and cultures interact, to deepen the reader's understanding of one of the most important aspects of linguistics. Assuming little to no prior knowledge of linguistics, and introducing concepts in an accessible way, this book is an entertaining, informative read for anyone who wants to learn more about the incredible variation and diversity of the human lexicon.
The role of artificial intelligence in disinformation
Authors: Bontridder Noémi , Poullet Yves
Published: November 2021

Artificial intelligence (AI) systems are playing an overarching role in the disinformation phenomenon our world is currently facing. Such systems boost the problem not only by increasing opportunities to create realistic AI-generated fake content, but also, and essentially, by facilitating the dissemination of disinformation to a targeted audience and at scale by malicious stakeholders. This situation entails multiple ethical and human rights concerns, in particular regarding human dignity, autonomy, democracy, and peace. In reaction, other AI systems are developed to detect and moderate disinformation online. Such systems do not escape from ethical and human rights concerns either, especially regarding freedom of expression and information. Having originally started with ascending co-regulation, the European Union (EU) is now heading toward descending co-regulation of the phenomenon. In particular, the Digital Services Act proposal provides for transparency obligations and external audit for very large online platforms’ recommender systems and content moderation. While with this proposal, the Commission focusses on the regulation of content considered as problematic, the EU Parliament and the EU Council call for enhancing access to trustworthy content. In light of our study, we stress that the disinformation problem is mainly caused by the business model of the web that is based on advertising revenues, and that adapting this model would reduce the problem considerably. We also observe that while AI systems are inappropriate to moderate disinformation content online, and even to detect such content, they may be more appropriate to counter the manipulation of the digital ecosystem.
‘Exertion is not connected to success’: everyday Yoruba discourse of work and success
Authors: Agwuele Augustine
Published: November 2021

Work hard, work smart, make the right connections, get the right education, invest wisely – yet after doing all the supposedly right things, success remains elusive to many. For a few, however, who may or may not have done exactly these things, success seems to come effortlessly. Some are very fortunate and others not so much. The lack of correspondence between exertion and success or work and good fortune is an issue that confronts lay persons and professionals alike. Focusing on Yoruba people, I discursively present lay Yoruba persons’ apprehension and common-sense view of this conundrum as reflected in their contextualized language use and supported by other ‘mundane’ information from day-to-day life. By looking at their everyday language, it is possible to deduce their reality as socially constructed in their discourses and gain insight into how they reconcile individual exertions with a view that asserts determinism. Further, I will suggest that the basis of the Yoruba conventional knowledge system informing their utterances and actions pertaining specifically to people's earthly fortunes lies in their origination narrative and original life quest, the essence of which remains inarguable even if temporarily pliable. The popular saying ‘iṣẹ́ o kan oríire’, exertion does not relate to success, is used as a point of departure and sense contained in their orature – situational utterances, pithy proverbs, aphorism and anecdotes – to tease out the Yoruba ordinary meaning of success/fortune and how it is acquired, relative to individuals’ earthly journey and preoccupation. Based on the sampled day-to-day utterances, individual life, it seems, unfolds as presumably scripted, despite apparent avowal and disavowal of ordination in people's pronouncements. Orí (head) retains its position at the summit, assenting – or not – to earthly endeavours.
Does pregnancy have an influence on otosclerosis?
Authors: Fabbris C , Molteni G , Tommasi N , Marchioni D
Published: November 2021

Objective

Otosclerosis affects women twice as often as men, especially during fertile age. A role of female hormones has been claimed, but controversy still exists regarding the influence of pregnancy. The purpose of this research was to analyse the role of pregnancy on the course of otosclerosis.

Method

PubMed was searched in May 2019 using the terms ‘otosclerosis AND pregnancy’, ‘otosclerosis AND pregnant’, ‘otosclerosis AND parous’, ‘otosclerosis AND parity’, and ‘otosclerosis AND puerperium’. Age at diagnosis, number of pregnancies and the temporal relationship of the disease with childbearing were considered.

Results

From 65 articles, 11 were chosen for review. They described 2323 women affected by otosclerosis: 1805 had at least 1 pregnancy, while 518 did not. During childbearing, otosclerosis began in 1 per cent of pregnant women, worsened in 21 per cent and worsened during puerperium in 4 per cent. Often, the authors reported hearing change with pregnancy without details, so a further group has been considered composed of women belonging to any of the groups just mentioned or to another group of women not further characterised. Overall, hearing change occurred during pregnancy in 44 per cent. A statistically significant correlation emerged between hearing change and number of pregnancies (p= 0.003).

Conclusion

Because of wide data heterogeneity and the difficulty in analysing a single factor, absolute statements could not be formulated. According to this review, pregnancy seems to have a worsening effect on the course of otosclerosis.
Presbylarynx: is diabetes mellitus a risk factor for vocal atrophy? A prospective case–control study
Authors: Santos M , Machado A , Vaz Freitas S , Almeida e Sousa C , Moreira da Silva Á
Published: November 2021

Objective

To evaluate the prevalence of diabetes mellitus type 2 in subjects with presbylarynx.

Method

A case–control, prospective study was carried out on consecutive subjects who presented to the otorhinolaryngology department.

Results

The study comprised 174 subjects (60 males and 114 females) with a mean age of 73.99 years (65–95 years). Presbylarynx was identified in 71 patients (41 per cent). Among patients with diabetes mellitus type 2, 20 patients (77 per cent) exhibited endoscopic signs of presbylarynx. A statistically significant difference was found between presbylarynx versus no presbylarynx concerning diabetes mellitus type 2 (p < 0.001). Subjects with diabetes mellitus type 2 were approximately eight times more likely to have presbylarynx compared to subjects without diabetes mellitus type 2.

Conclusion

In this study, 77 per cent of patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 had endoscopic signs of presbylarynx. A multivariable analysis, which took into account co-morbidities of the elderly, identified diabetes mellitus type 2 as a possible risk factor for presbylarynx. Many physiopathological mechanisms might explain this result, as diabetes mellitus type 2 is known to affect muscular, neurological and vascular systems.
Otitis externa: what is the problem with getting it right? A mixed-methods study in primary and secondary care
Authors: Mohammed H , Mather M W , Lumb J , Butler C C , Wilson J A
Published: November 2021

Objective

Otitis externa accounts for 1.1–1.3 per cent of patient presentations in primary care and 25 per cent of urgent referrals to ENT. This study aimed to explore otitis externa clinical decision-making at the primary-secondary care interface, otitis externa prevalence and recent trends in antimicrobial resistance in otitis externa related bacterial isolates and ototopical prescribing.

Method

This is a mixed-methods study drawing on data from primary and secondary care and open National Health Service sources.

Results

A total of 101 general practitioner survey respondents reported frequently prescribing oral antibiotics for otitis externa. General practitioner consultations for otitis externa increased 25 per cent over 15 years. General practitioner ototopical preparations cost the National Health Service £7 410 440 in 2006 and £11 325 241 in 2016. A total of 162 consecutive hospital otitis externa-related bacterial isolates yielded 128 pseudomonas species, with 18 that were resistant to gentamicin and 7 that were resistant to ciprofloxacin. Ten guidelines reviewed showed systematic inconsistencies.

Conclusion

General practitioners reported regularly prescribing oral antibiotics for otitis externa. Antimicrobial drug resistance is common in otitis externa. The available guidance is suboptimal.
Hot saline irrigation for haemostasis in functional endoscopic sinus surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ranford D , Fu B , Surda P , Rudd J
Published: November 2021

Objective

The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of existing evidence on the role of hot saline irrigation in patients undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery and its impact on the visibility of the surgical field.

Method

A search of PubMed, Cochrane, Ovid databases and Google Scholar was performed.

Results

Three randomised controlled trials were included. Pooled meta-analysis demonstrated a statistically significant better visibility of the surgical field, and a reduction in total blood loss and operating time during functional endoscopic sinus surgery in the hot saline irrigation group compared with the room temperature irrigation group. Subgroup analysis of studies that did not use vasoconstrictors showed a significant reduction in total blood loss and operating time.

Conclusion

This is the first systematic review that addresses hot saline irrigation for haemostasis in functional endoscopic sinus surgery. The results suggest that hot saline irrigation in functional endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis may significantly improve visibility of the surgical field, reduce total blood loss by 20 per cent and decrease operating time by 9 minutes. However, there are limitations of the study because of the significant heterogeneity of the methods, quality and size of the studies.
An observer-based output tracking controller for electrically driven cooperative multiple manipulators with adaptive Bernstein-type approximator
Authors: Izadbakhsh Alireza
Published: November 2021

Thisarticle presents an observer-based output tracking control method for electrically actuated cooperative multiple manipulators using Bernstein-type operators as a universal approximator. This efficient mathematical tool represents lumped uncertainty, including external perturbations and unmodeled dynamics. Then, adaptive laws are derived through the stability analysis to tune the polynomial coefficients. It is confirmed that all the position and force tracking errors are uniformly ultimately bounded using the Lyapunov stability theorem. The theoretical achievements are validated by applying the proposed observer-based controller to a cooperative robotic system comprised of two manipulators transporting a rigid object. The outcomes of the introduced method are also compared to RBFNN, which is a powerful state-of-the-art approximator. The results demonstrate the efficacy of the introduced adaptive control approach in controlling the system even in the presence of disturbances and uncertainties.
Wing shape differences along a migration route of the long-distance migrant Globe Skimmer DragonflyPantala flavescens
Authors: Johansson Frank , Kollberg Hedström Tobias , Anderson R. Charles , Divakaran Prathapan K. , Kakkassery Francy K.
Published: November 2021

Animals which migrate by flying should be subject to selection for optimal wing characteristics that maximize energy efficiency during migration. We investigated wing shape and wing area variation in the Globe Skimmer DragonflyPantala flavescens, which has the longest known migration of any insect. Wing shape and wing area differences between individuals in southern Peninsular India, and migrating individuals at a stop-over site on the Maldives, were compared. Results suggest that individuals which successfully reached the Maldives, on their way from India to Africa, had a broader wing base and an overall more slender wing shape than individuals in southern India. Contrary to our expectations, wing area did not differ significantly in most of our comparisons between southern India and the Maldives, suggesting that wing shape is more important than wing area for successful migration inP. flavescens. The results provide indirect evidence of natural selection on wing shape in a migrating dragonfly.
Decoding Political Trust in China: A Machine Learning Analysis
Authors: Li Lianjiang
Published: November 2021

Survey results inflate political trust in China if the observed trust in the central government is mistaken for the latent trust in the Centre. The target of trust in the country is the Centre, which is ultimately the top leader. The critical issue domain for assessing the Centre's trustworthiness is policy implementation rather than policymaking. The Centre's trustworthiness has two dimensions: commitment to good governance and the capacity to discipline local officials. Observed trust in the central government indicates trust in the Centre's commitment, while observed trust in the local government reflects confidence in the Centre's capacity. A machine learning analysis of a national survey reveals how much conventional reading overestimates political trust. At first glance, 85 per cent of the respondents trust the central government. Upon further inspection, 18 per cent have total trust in the Centre, 34 per cent have partial trust and 33 per cent are sceptical.
Functional properties of edible insects: a systematic review
Authors: D’Antonio V. , Battista N. , Sacchetti G. , Di Mattia C. , Serafini M.
Published: November 2021

Consumption of edible insects has been widely suggested as an environmentally sustainable substitute for meat to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, the novel research field for edible insects relies on the content of bioactive ingredients and on the ability to induce a functional effect in humans. The goal of this manuscript is to review the available body of evidence on the properties of edible insects in modulating oxidative and inflammatory stress, platelet aggregation, lipid and glucose metabolism and weight control. A search for literature investigating the functional role of edible insects was carried out in the PubMed database using specific keywords. A total of 55 studies, meeting inclusion criteria after screening, were divided on the basis of the experimental approach: in vitro studies, cellular models/ex vivo studies or in vivo studies. In the majority of the studies, insects demonstrated the ability to reduce oxidative stress, modulate antioxidant status, restore the impaired activity of antioxidant enzymes and reduce markers of oxidative damage. Edible insects displayed anti-inflammatory activity reducing cytokines and modulating specific transcription factors. Results from animal studies suggest that edible insects can modulate lipid and glucose metabolism. The limited number of studies focused on the assessment of anti-coagulation activity of edible insects makes it difficult to draw conclusions. More evidence from dietary intervention studies in humans is needed to support the promising evidence from in vitro and animal models about the functional role of edible insect consumption.
Longest segment of balanced parentheses: an exercise in program inversion in a segment problem
Authors: MU SHIN-CHENG , CHIANG TSUNG-JU
Published: November 2021

Given a string of parentheses, the task is to find the longest consecutive segment that is balanced, in linear time. We find this problem interesting because it involves a combination of techniques: the usual approach for solving segment problems and a theorem for constructing the inverse of a function—through which we derive an instance of shift-reduce parsing.
Transcatheter versus surgical closure of atrial septal defects: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical outcomes
Authors: Chambault Aimee-Louise , Olsen Kathryn , Brown Louise J. , Mellor Sophie L. , Sorathia Nilofer , Thomas Arthur E. , Kothari Neel , Harky Amer
Published: November 2021

Background:

Atrial septal defects are a common form of CHD and dependent on the size and nature of atrial septal defects, closure may be warranted. The paper aims to compare outcomes of transcatheter versus surgical repair of atrial septal defects.

Methods:

A comprehensive electronic literature search was conducted. Primary studies were included if they compared both closure techniques. Primary outcomes included procedural success, mortality, and reintervention rate. Secondary outcomes included residual defect and mean hospital stay.

Results:

A total of 33 studies were included in meta-analysis. Mean total hospital stay was significantly shorter in the transcatheter cohort across both the adult (95% confidence interval, mean difference −4.05 (−4.78, −3.32) p < 0.00001) and paediatric populations (95% confidence interval, mean difference −4.78 (−5.97, −3.60) p < 0.00001). There were significantly fewer complications in the transcatheter group across both the adult (odds ratio 0.45, 95% confidence interval, [0.28, 0.72], p < 0.00001) and paediatric cohorts (odds ratio 0.26, 95% confidence interval, [0.14, 0.49], p < 0.00001). No significant difference in overall mortality was found between transcatheter versus surgical closure across the two groups, adult (odds ratio 0.76, 95% confidence interval, [0.40, 1.45], p = 0.41), paediatrics (odds ratio 0.62, 95% confidence interval, [0.21, 1.83], p = 0.39).

Conclusion:

Both transcatheter and surgical approaches are safe and effective techniques for atrial septal defect closure. Our study has demonstrated the benefits of transcatheter closure in terms of lower complication rates and mean hospital stay. However, surgery still has a place for more complex closure and, as we have demonstrated, shows no difference in mortality.