bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A proposal for 3d quantum gravity and its bulk factorization
Authors: Mertens Thomas G. , Simón Joan , Wong Gabriel
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Recent progress in AdS/CFT has provided a good understanding of how the bulk spacetime is encoded in the entanglement structure of the boundary CFT. However, little is known about how spacetime emerges directly from the bulk quantum theory. We address this question in an effective 3d quantum theory of pure gravity, which describes the high temperature regime of a holographic CFT. This theory can be viewed as a q-deformation and dimensional uplift of JT gravity. Using this model, we show that the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy of a two-sided black hole equals the bulk entanglement entropy of gravitational edge modes. In the conventional Chern-Simons description, these black holes correspond to Wilson lines in representations of PSL(2, ℝ) ⨂ PSL(2, ℝ). We show that the correct calculation of gravitational entropy suggests we should interpret the bulk theory as an extended topological quantum field theory associated to the quantum semi-group $$ {\textrm{SL}}_q^{+}\left(2,\mathbb{R}\right)\bigotimes {\textrm{SL}}_q^{+}\left(2,\mathbb{R}\right) $$

SL
q
+

2
ℝ

⨂

SL
q
+

2
ℝ

. Our calculation suggests an effective description of bulk microstates in terms of collective, anyonic degrees of freedom whose entanglement leads to the emergence of the bulk spacetime.
3d defects in 5d: RG flows and defect F-maximization
Authors: Santilli Leonardo , Uhlemann Christoph F.
Published: June 2023

Abstract

We use a combination of AdS/CFT and supersymmetric localization to study codimension-2 defects in 5d SCFTs and their gauge theory deformations. The 5d SCFTs are engineered by (p, q) 5-brane webs, with defects realized by D3-branes ending on the 5-brane webs. We obtain the defect free energies and find that gauge theory descriptions of the combined 5d/3d systems can be connected to the UV defect SCFTs through a form of F-maximization which extremizes over different gauge theory defects. This leads to a match between the defect free energies obtained from supersymmetric localization in the gauge theories on the one hand and string theory results on the other. We extend this match to defect RG flows.
1/3 BPS loops and defect CFTs in ABJM theory
Authors: Drukker Nadav , Kong Ziwen
Published: June 2023

Abstract

We address a longstanding question of whether ABJM theory has Wilson loop operators preserving eight supercharges (so 1/3 BPS). We present such Wilson loops made of a large supermatrix combining two 1/2 BPS Wilson loops. We study the spectrum of operator insertions into them including the displacement operator and several others and study their correlation functions. Another natural construction arising in this context are Wilson loops with alternating superconnections. This amounts to including “defect changing operators” along the loop, similar to a discrete cusp. This insertion is topological and preserves two supercharges. We study the multiplet of this operator and how it can be used to introduce further operators. We also construct the defect conformal manifold arising from marginal defect operators.
Multiplication of distributions in a linear gain and loss system
Authors: Bagarello F.
Published: June 2023

We consider a model of coupled oscillators which can be seen as a gain and loss system. In the attempt to quantize the system, we propose a new definition of multiplication between distributions, and we check that this definition can be adopted when checking the biorthonormality of the eigenstates of the HamiltonianHof the system, and of its adjoint$$H^\dagger $$H†. In the analysis carried out here, the role ofweak pseudo-bosonicladder operators is relevant.
Bribery, regulation and firm performance: evidence from a threshold model
Authors: Chen Chaoyi , Pinar Mehmet , Stengos Thanasis
Published: June 2023

Firm-level bribery and regulation are two of the many determinants of firm performance. However, most of the existing studies examine the direct and linear effects of bribery and regulation and overlook their indirect effects. Using firm-level data, covering 20,343 firms in 78 developing countries, and employing a threshold model, the effects of firm performance’s standard determinants vary based on the bribery and regulation levels. Our findings reveal that the impact of bribery and regulation on firm performance varies significantly depending on corruption and regulation levels. Access to external finance improves firm performance if and only if the firms are exposed to bribes and firm-level regulation is below a given threshold. Furthermore, exports boost the performance of the firms that are exposed to more bribery and spend more time with regulation than those that face lower levels of regulation and bribery. While bribery harms firm performance, our findings reveal that spending time with regulation could improve firm performance if firms are exposed to low levels of bribery. Our findings confirm the ‘sand the wheels’ hypothesis and limiting firm-level bribery improves firm performance.
Assessing the impact of corrections included in the GRACE Level-3 data on gravimetric polar motion excitation estimates
Authors: Śliwińska Justyna , Nastula Jolanta
Published: June 2023

Between 2002 and 2017, the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission provided datasets of temporal variations of the Earth’s gravity field, among others in the form of maps of terrestrial water storage (TWS) changes (Level-3 datasets). This paper examines the impact of several corrections included in the GRACE Level-3 data on the estimated series of hydrological plus cryospheric angular momentum (HAM/CAM). We tested the role of removing the glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) signal, adding degree-1 coefficients of geopotential (DEG1 correction), replacing the degree-2 zonal coefficient with a more accurate estimate from satellite laser ranging (C20correction), and restoring ocean bottom pressure geopotential coefficients (GAD). The contribution of improved separation of land and ocean signals by using the Coastal Resolution Improvement (CRI) filter was also assessed. We examined the change in agreement between HAM/CAM and the hydrological plus cryospheric signal in geodetically observed excitation (geodetic residuals, GAO) when the corrections are applied. The results show that including GIA, DEG1, C20, and GAD corrections in the GRACE data increases HAM/CAM trends and reduces overall HAM/CAM variability. The exploitation of corrections slightly heightens consistency between HAM/CAM and GAO for χ1and χ2in the non-seasonal spectral band and for χ1in the seasonal spectral band. The results from this study demonstrate how the different corrections combine to make the overall improvement in agreement between HAM/CAM and GAO and which corrections are most valuable.
Modular Structure and Inclusions of Twisted Araki-Woods Algebras
Authors: Correa da Silva Ricardo , Lechner Gandalf
Published: June 2023

In the general setting of twisted second quantization (including Bose/Fermi second quantization,S-symmetric Fock spaces, and full Fock spaces from free probability as special cases), von Neumann algebras on twisted Fock spaces are analyzed. These twisted Araki-Woods algebras$$\mathcal {L}_{T}(H)$$LT(H)depend on the twist operatorTand a standard subspaceHin the one-particle space. Under a compatibility assumption onTandH, it is proven that the Fock vacuum is cyclic and separating for$$\mathcal {L}_{T}(H)$$LT(H)if and only ifTsatisfies a standard subspace version of crossing symmetry and the Yang-Baxter equation (braid equation). In this case, the Tomita-Takesaki modular data are explicitly determined. Inclusions$$\mathcal {L}_{T}(K)\subset \mathcal {L}_{T}(H)$$LT(K)⊂LT(H)of twisted Araki-Woods algebras are analyzed in two cases: If the inclusion is half-sided modular and the twist satisfies a norm bound, it is shown to be singular. If the inclusion of underlying standard subspaces$$K\subset H$$K⊂Hsatisfies an$$L^2$$L2-nuclearity condition,$$\mathcal {L}_{T}(K)\subset \mathcal {L}_{T}(H)$$LT(K)⊂LT(H)has type III relative commutant for suitable twistsT. Applications of these results to localization of observables in algebraic quantum field theory are discussed.
Evolutionary Consequences of Functional and Regulatory Divergence of HD-Zip I Transcription Factors as a Source of Diversity in Protein Interaction Networks in Plants
Authors: Żyła Natalia , Babula-Skowrońska Danuta
Published: June 2023

The HD superfamily has been studied in detail for several decades. The plant-specific HD-Zip I subfamily attracts the most attention because of its involvement in plant development and stress responses. In this review, we provide a comprehensive insight into the evolutionary events responsible for the functional redundancy and diversification of the HD-Zip I genes in regulating various biological processes. We summarized the evolutionary history of the HD-Zip family, highlighting the important role of WGDs in its expansion and divergence of retained duplicates in the genome. To determine the relationship between the evolutionary origin and functional conservation of HD-Zip I in different species, we performed a phylogenetic analysis, compared their expression profiles in different tissues and under stress and traced the role of orthologs and paralogs in regulating developmental processes. We found that HD-Zip I from different species have similar gene structures with a highly conserved HD and Zip, bind to the same DNA sequences and are involved in similar biological processes. However, they exhibit a functional diversity, which is manifested in altered expression patterns. Some of them are involved in the regulation of species-specific leaf morphology and phenotypes. Here, we discuss the role of changes in functional domains involved in DNA binding and protein interaction of HD-Zip I and in cis-regulated regions of its target genes in promoting adaptive innovations through the formation of de novo regulatory systems. Understanding the role of the HD-Zip I subfamily in organism-environment interactions remains a challenge for evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo).
Incomplete meniscal healing in early second-look arthroscopy does not indicate failure of repair: a case series
Authors: Malinowski Konrad , Kim Dong Woon , Mostowy Marcin , Pękala Przemysław , Kennedy Nicholas I. , LaPrade Robert F.
Published: June 2023

Purpose

To assess if incomplete meniscal healing during second-look arthroscopy at six to eight weeks after all-inside suture hook meniscus repair results in longer-term failure of repair in patients with restored knee stability.

Methods

From 2008 to 2013, 41 patients with post-traumatic, longitudinal, vertical, complete meniscal tears with concomitant ACL injury were treated via a two-stage surgical procedure and prospectively evaluated. In the first stage, all-inside meniscus repair was performed using suture hook passers and non-absorbable sutures. In total, there were 26 medial and 16 lateral meniscus tears. A second-stage ACL reconstruction, performed six to eight weeks later, served as an early second-look arthroscopic evaluation of meniscal healing. Clinical follow-up was performed at a minimum of 24 months.

Results

Second-look arthroscopy revealed 31 cases (75.6%) of complete and ten cases (24.4%) of incomplete meniscal healing. Two patients were lost prior to follow-up, and three were excluded due to recurrent instability. Therefore, 36 patients were assessed at the final follow-up. All patients with complete meniscal healing during second-look arthroscopy achieved clinical success at follow-up. Six out of nine (66.7%) of patients with incomplete meniscal healing during second-look arthroscopy achieved clinical success at follow-up (p = 0.012). One saphenous neuropathy occurred (2.4%).

Conclusion

Incomplete meniscal healing during early second-look arthroscopy after all-inside meniscal repair using suture hook passers and non-absorbable sutures did not necessarily result in longer-term failure in patients with restored knee stability. The described method of meniscal repair was associated with a low rate of symptomatic re-tears and complications.
Kajava Classification: The Person and the Research
Authors: Surcel Elena , Koljonen Virve
Published: June 2023

The Kajava classification for ectopic breast tissue is still widely used, although it was published in 1915 in Finnish. This historical note sheds light on the person and research behind the classification.

Level of Evidence V This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.
Trends in mortality in patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARD) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico
Authors: Munguía-Realpozo Pamela , Mendoza-Pinto Claudia , Etchegaray-Morales Ivet , Solis-Poblano Juan Carlos , Ayón-Aguilar Jorge , Ramírez-Lara Edith , Orbe-Sosa Jacsiry , Méndez-Martínez Socorro , García-Carrasco Mario
Published: June 2023

The study aimed to analyze the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on mortality rates in patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARD) in Mexico. We selected SARD-related deaths using National Open Data and Information from the Ministry of Health, Mexico, and ICD-10 codes. We assessed the observed compared to the predicted mortality values for 2020 and 2021, employing trends from 2010 to 2019 with joinpoint and prediction modelling analyses. Among 12,742 deaths due to SARD between 2010 and 2021, the age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) increased significantly between 2010 and 2019 (pre-pandemic) (annual percentage change [APC] 1.1%; 95% CI 0.2–2.1), followed by a non-significant decrease during the pandemic period (APC 13.9%; 95% CI 13.9–5.3). In addition, the observed ASMR of 1.19 for 2020 for SARD and of 1.14 for 2021 were lower than the predicted values of 1.25 (95% CI 1.22–1.28) for 2020 and 1.25 (95% CI 1.20–1.30) for 2021. Similar findings were identified for specific SARD, mainly systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), or by sex or age group. Interestingly, the observed mortality rates for SLE in the Southern region of 1.00 in 2020 and 1.01 in 2021 were both significantly greater than the predicted values of 0.71 (95% CI 0.65–0.77) in 2020 and 0.71 (95% CI 0.63–0.79). In Mexico, the observed SARD mortality rates were not higher than the expected values during the pandemic, except for SLE in the Southern region. No differences by sex or age group were identified.
Association between vaccination and the risk of central demyelination: results from a case-referent study
Authors: Grimaldi-Bensouda Lamiae , Papeix Caroline , Hamon Yann , Benichou Jacques , Abenhaim Lucien
Published: June 2023

Background

Few studies documented the potential association between vaccination and the risk of central demyelination (CD). Specifically, anti-hepatitis B and anti-human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines have been the subject of distrust with regard to their implication to trigger CD.

Methods

From a systematic national registry, patients with first signs of CD (cases) were identified and documented for their exposure to vaccination up to 24 months before the first signs occurred. This exposure was compared to that of a representative sample of general practice patients without a history of CD, randomly selected from a national registry (referents). CD cases were 2:1 matched on age, sex, index date (ID), and region of residence. Vaccines against influenza, HPV, hepatitis B and diphtheria–tetanus–pertussis–poliomyelitis–haemophilus (DTPPHae) were considered. Associations between vaccination and CD were assessed using multivariate conditional logistic regressions, controlled for confounding factors.

Findings

564 CD cases were matched to 1,128 randomly selected referents (age range: 2–79 years old). Overall, 123 (22%) CD cases and 320 (28%) referents had received at least one vaccine within 24 months before ID. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for any vaccination were 0.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.54–0.88] with respect to any CD first signs, 0.68 [0.51–0.90] for myelitis and 0.70 [0.42–1.17] for optic neuritis. Adjusted ORs for any CD first signs were 1.02 [0.71–1.47] for influenza vaccine (administered in 9.6% of cases and 10.4% of referents) and 0.72 [0.53–0.99] for DTPPHae vaccine (administered in 10.8% of cases and 14.5% of referents). Vaccines against hepatitis B and HPV were only administered in 1.1% and 1.2% of cases and in 2.9% and 3.2% of referents respectively, which statistically explained the point estimates < 1 (ORs of 0.39 [0.16–0.94] and of 0.32 [0.13–0.80]).

Interpretation

No increased risk of CD incidence was observed amongst vaccinated patients. Lower rates of vaccination against hepatitis B and HPV observed in patients with CD compared to referents may be due to the reluctance of physicians to vaccinate patients considered at risk of CD.
Establishing normative data for the evaluation of cognitive performance in Huntington’s disease considering the impact of gender, age, language, and education
Authors: Mühlbäck Alžbeta , Mana Josef , Wallner Michael , Frank Wiebke , Lindenberg Katrin S. , Hoffmann Rainer , Klempířová Olga , Klempíř Jiří , Landwehrmeyer G. Bernhard , Bezdicek Ondrej ,   the REGISTRY investigators of the European Huntington’s Disease Network, the Enroll-HD investigators
Published: June 2023

Background

A declining cognitive performance is a hallmark of Huntington’s disease (HD). The neuropsychological battery of the Unified HD Rating Scale (UHDRS'99) is commonly used for assessing cognition. However, there is a need to identify and minimize the impact of confounding factors, such as language, gender, age, and education level on cognitive decline.

Objectives

Aim is to provide appropriate, normative data to allow clinicians to identify disease-associated cognitive decline in diverse HD populations by compensating for the impact of confounding factors

Methods

Sample data, N = 3267 (60.5% females; mean age of 46.9 years (SD = 14.61, range 18–86) of healthy controls were used to create a normative dataset. For each neuropsychological test, a Bayesian generalized additive model with age, education, gender, and language as predictors was constructed to appropriately stratify the normative dataset.

Results

With advancing age, there was a non-linear decline in cognitive performance. In addition, performance was dependent on educational levels and language in all tests. Gender had a more limited impact. Standardized scores have been calculated to ease the interpretation of an individual’s test outcome. A web-based online tool has been created to provide free access to normative data.

Conclusion

For defined neuropsychological tests, the impact of gender, age, education, and language as factors confounding disease-associated cognitive decline can be minimized at the level of a single patient examination.
Time to first passage of meconium and defecation frequency preceding necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants: a case–control study
Authors: Deianova Nancy , Moonen Quincy , Sluis Sientje E. , Niemarkt Hendrik J. , de Jonge Wouter J. , Benninga Marc A. , de Boer Nanne K. H. , Tanger Helen L. , van Weissenbruch Mirjam M. , van Kaam Anton H. , de Meij Tim G. J. , Koppen Ilan J. N.
Published: June 2023

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in preterm infants. Early recognition and treatment of NEC are critical to improving outcomes. Enteric nervous system (ENS) immaturity has been proposed as a key factor in NEC pathophysiology. Gastrointestinal dysmotility is associated with ENS immaturity and may serve as a predictive factor for the development of NEC. In this case–control study, preterm infants (gestational age (GA) < 30 weeks) were included in two level-IV neonatal intensive care units. Infants with NEC in the first month of life were 1:3 matched to controls based on GA (± 3 days). Odds ratios for NEC development were analyzed by logistic regression for time to first passage of meconium (TFPM), duration of meconial stool, and mean daily defecation frequency over the 72 h preceding clinical NEC onset (DF < T0). A total of 39 NEC cases and 117 matched controls (median GA 27 + 4 weeks) were included. Median TFPM was comparable in cases and controls (36 h [IQR 13–65] vs. 30 h [IQR 9–66], p = 0.83). In 21% of both cases and controls, TFPM was ≥ 72 h (p = 0.87). Duration of meconial stool and DF < T0 were comparable in the NEC and control group (median 4 and 3, resp. in both groups). Odds of NEC were not significantly associated with TFPM, duration of meconial stools, and DF < T0 (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.00 [0.99–1.03], 1.16 [0.86–1.55] and 0.97 [0.72–1.31], resp.).

Conclusion: In this cohort, no association was found between TFPM, duration of meconium stool, and DF < T0 and the development of NEC.

What is Known:• Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a life-threatening acute intestinal inflammatory disease of the young preterm infant. Early clinical risk factors for NEC have been investigated in order to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment.• Signs of disrupted gastrointestinal mobility, such as gastric retention and paralytic ileus, have been established to support the diagnosis of NEC. Nevertheless, defecation patterns have insufficiently been studied in relation to the disease.

What is New:• Defecation patterns in the three days preceding NEC did not differ from gestational age-matched controls of corresponding postnatal age. Additionally, the first passage of meconium and the duration of meconium passage were comparable between cases and controls. Currently, defecation patterns are not useful as early warning signs for NEC. It remains to be elucidated whether these parameters are different based on the location of intestinal necrosis.
The Prevalence and Nature of Eating and Swallowing Problems in Adults with Fibromyalgia: A Systematic Review
Authors: Gilheaney Órla , Chadwick Andrea
Published: June 2023

Fibromyalgia is a complex chronic pain condition characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, and sleep disturbances. People with fibromyalgia can experience both autonomic and somatic disturbances, cognitive and mental health symptoms, and hypersensitivity to external stimuli. Fibromyalgia often co-occurs with a range of well-researched comorbidities (e.g., temporomandibular disorders, migraine, and irritable bowel syndrome). However, emerging research suggests that individuals with fibromyalgia also often experience eating, drinking, and swallowing problems (e.g., odynophagia, glossodynia, etc.). However, there is very little known about these issues, their psychosocial impact, or the best means of managing them clinically. As such, the aim of this research was to examine the epidemiology, prevalence and nature of eating and swallowing problems in adults with fibromyalgia as reported within previous research. A systematic search of electronic databases, selected conference proceedings, and reference lists was completed in March 2021, with no date or language restrictions. Studies reporting the presence and nature of eating and drinking problems in this cohort were included. Eligibility was assessed by two independent reviewers who also critically appraised the included studies using the Joanna Briggs Tool. This literature search yielded a total of 38 potentially eligible studies, with 6 studies included in analysis. Studies were highly heterogeneous in methodology and design, with meta-analysis showing that dysphagia and GERD are prevalent in fibromyalgia patients (51.9% and 25.9%, respectively), among other issues. From review of existing literature, eating and swallowing problems appear to be common among adults with fibromyalgia, with potential additional repercussions for activity, participation, and quality of life. Further research is required to prospectively investigate these issues, with patient and public involvement necessary to guide impactful research planning.
A topic-aware classifier based on a hybrid quantum-classical model
Authors: Metawei Maha A. , Taher Mohamed , ElDeeb Hesham , Nassar Salwa M.
Published: June 2023

In the era of Large Language Models, there is still potential for improvement in current Natural Language Processing (NLP) methods in terms of verifiability and consistency. NLP classical approaches are computationally expensive due to their high-power consumption, computing power, and storage requirements. Another computationally efficient approach to NLP is categorical quantum mechanics, which combines grammatical structure and individual word meaning to deduce the sentence meaning. As both quantum theory and natural language use vector space to describe states which are more efficient on quantum hardware, QNLP models can achieve up to quadratic speedup over classical direct calculation methods. In recent years, there is significant progress in utilizing quantum features such as superposition and entanglement to represent linguistic meaning on quantum hardware. Earlier research work has already demonstrated QNLP’s potential quantum advantage in terms of speeding up search, enhancing classification tasks’ accuracy and providing an exponentially large quantum state space in which complex linguistic structures can be efficiently embedded. In this work, a QNLP model is used to determine if two sentences are related to the same topic or not. By comparing our QNLP model to a classical tensor network-based one, our model improved training accuracy by up to 45% and validation accuracy by 35%, respectively. The QNLP model convergence is also studied when varying: first, the problem size, second, parametrized quantum circuits used for model’s training, and last, the backend quantum simulator noise model. The experimental results show that strongly entangled ansatz designs result in fastest model convergence.
Association of ulcerative colitis symptom severity and proctocolectomy with multidimensional patient-reported outcomes: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Matsuoka Katsuyoshi , Yamazaki Hajime , Nagahori Masakazu , Kobayashi Taku , Omori Teppei , Mikami Yohei , Fujii Toshimitsu , Shinzaki Shinichiro , Saruta Masayuki , Matsuura Minoru , Yamamoto Takayuki , Motoya Satoshi , Hibi Toshifumi , Watanabe Mamoru , Fernandez Jovelle , Fukuhara Shunichi , Hisamatsu Tadakazu
Published: June 2023

Background

The YOu and Ulcerative colitis: Registry and Social network (YOURS) is a large-scale, multicenter, patient-focused registry investigating the effects of lifestyle, psychological factors, and clinical practice patterns on patient-reported outcomes in patients with ulcerative colitis in Japan. In this initial cross-sectional baseline analysis, we comprehensively explored impacts of symptom severity or proctocolectomy on nine patient-reported outcomes.

Methods

Patients receiving tertiary care at medical institutions were consecutively enrolled in the YOURS registry. The patients completed validated questionnaires on lifestyle, psychosocial factors, and disease-related symptoms. Severity of symptoms was classified with self-graded stool frequency and rectal bleeding scores (categories: remission, active disease [mild, moderate, severe]). The effects of symptom severity or proctocolectomy on nine scales for quality of life, fatigue, anxiety/depression, work productivity, and sleep were assessed by comparing standardized mean differences of the patient-reported outcome scores.

Results

Of the 1971 survey responses analyzed, 1346 (68.3%) patients were in remission, 583 (29.6%) had active disease, and 42 (2.1%) had undergone proctocolectomy. A linear relationship between increasing symptom severity and worsening quality of life, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and work productivity was observed. Patients with even mild symptoms had worse scores than patients in remission. Patients who had undergone proctocolectomy also had worse scores than patients in remission.

Conclusions

Ulcerative colitis was associated with reduced mood, quality of life, fatigue, and work productivity even in patients with mild symptoms, suggesting that management of active ulcerative colitis may improve patient-reported outcomes irrespective of disease severity. (UMIN Clinical Trials Registry: UMIN000031995, https://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index-j.htm).
On the statistical distribution of temperature and the classification of extreme events considering season and climate change—an application in Switzerland
Authors: Gubler Stefanie , Fukutome Sophie , Scherrer Simon C.
Published: June 2023

With the increased occurrence of hot spells in recent years, there is growing interest in quantifying the recurrence of extreme temperature events. However, pronounced temperature anomalies occur all year round, and a reliable classification in terms of the time of occurrence in the year is needed. In this study, we present a novel approach to classifying daily air temperatures that take into account the seasonal cycle and climate change. We model the distribution of the daily Swiss temperatures using the skewed generalized error distribution with four time-varying parameters, thereby accounting for non-Gaussianity in daily air temperature, while the climatic trend is modeled linearly with smoothed northern hemisphere temperature as an explanatory variable. The daily observations are then transformed into a standard normal distribution. The resultant standardized temperature anomalies are comparable within a year and between years and are used for quantile-based empirical classification. The approach is suitable to classify historical and current extreme temperatures with respect to the temperature range expected at the time of the event. For example, a heat wave occurring at the end of June is classified as less likely to occur than a heat wave of similar intensity occurring in mid-July, as is shown for the two 7-day heat waves that struck Switzerland in the summer of 2019. Furthermore, climate change has increased the probability of hot events and decreased the probability of cold events in recent years. The presented approach thus allows a fair classification of extreme temperatures within a year and between years and offers new possibilities to analyze daily air temperature.
Stimulated Raman histology for histological evaluation of oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Steybe David , Poxleitner Philipp , Metzger Marc C. , Rothweiler René , Beck Jürgen , Straehle Jakob , Vach Kirstin , Weber Andreas , Enderle-Ammour Kathrin , Werner Martin , Schmelzeisen Rainer , Bronsert Peter
Published: June 2023

Objectives

To investigate whether in patients undergoing surgery for oral squamous cell carcinoma, stimulated Raman histology (SRH), in comparison with H&E-stained frozen sections, can provide accurate diagnoses regarding neoplastic tissue and sub-classification of non-neoplastic tissues.

Materials and methods

SRH, a technology based on Raman scattering, was applied to generate digital histopathologic images of 80 tissue samples obtained from 8 oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients. Conventional H&E-stained frozen sections were then obtained from all 80 samples. All images/sections (SRH and H&E) were analyzed for squamous cell carcinoma, normal mucosa, connective tissue, muscle tissue, adipose tissue, salivary gland tissue, lymphatic tissue, and inflammatory cells. Agreement between SRH and H&E was evaluated by calculating Cohen’s kappa. Accuracy of SRH compared to H&E was quantified by calculating sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) as well as area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).

Results

Thirty-six of 80 samples were classified as OSCC by H&E-based diagnosis. Regarding the differentiation between neoplastic and non-neoplastic tissue, high agreement between H&E and SRH (kappa: 0.880) and high accuracy of SRH (sensitivity: 100%; specificity: 90.91%; PPV: 90.00%, NPV: 100%; AUC: 0.954) were demonstrated. For sub-classification of non-neoplastic tissues, SRH performance was dependent on the type of tissue, with high agreement and accuracy for normal mucosa, muscle tissue, and salivary glands.

Conclusion

SRH provides high accuracy in discriminating neoplastic and non-neoplastic tissues. Regarding sub-classification of non-neoplastic tissues in OSCC patients, accuracy varies depending on the type of tissue examined.

Clinical relevance

This study demonstrates the potential of SRH for intraoperative imaging of fresh, unprocessed tissue specimens from OSCC patients without the need for sectioning or staining.
About a misinterpretation of the potential of ion sensitive electrodes
Authors: Scholz Fritz , Kahlert Heike
Published: June 2023

The potential of several ion-sensitive electrodes responds to the incorporated cations and anions. This has led some authors to misinterpret the potential of metal salt membrane electrodes and of electrodes of the second kind. Neglecting the kinetics of potential establishment and interpreting the potentials solely based on thermodynamics produce completely irrelevant data and suggest that ion concentrations down to 10−45 mol L−1 are accessible by simple potentiometric measurements. The switching from cation to anion response mechanism cannot be derived from thermodynamic equations. It bears complete similarity to the switching of response in the case of foreign interfering ions.
MoonLight: a lightweight tool for monitoring spatio-temporal properties
Authors: Nenzi Laura , Bartocci Ezio , Bortolussi Luca , Silvetti Simone , Loreti Michele
Published: June 2023

We present MoonLight, a tool for monitoring temporal and spatio-temporal properties of mobile, spatially distributed, and interacting entities such as biological and cyber-physical systems. In MoonLight the space is represented as a weighted graph describing the topological configuration in which the single entities are arranged. Both nodes and edges have attributes modeling physical quantities and logical states of the system evolving in time. MoonLight is implemented in Java and supports the monitoring of Spatio-Temporal Reach and Escape Logic (STREL). MoonLight can be used as a standalone command line tool, such as Java API, or via Matlab™ and Python interfaces. We provide here the description of the tool, its interfaces, and its scripting language using a sensor network and a bike sharing example. We evaluate the tool performances both by comparing it with other tools specialized in monitoring only temporal properties and by monitoring spatio-temporal requirements considering different sizes of dynamical and spatial graphs.
Contact tracing for vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE): evaluation of the Dutch policy of quintuple screening cultures
Authors: Wammes Linda J. , Voor in ’t holt Anne F. , Klaassen Corné H.W. , Vos Margreet C. , Verkaik Nelianne J. , Severin Juliëtte A.
Published: June 2023

Detection of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) is hampered by low sensitivity of rectal swab cultures. This study aimed to define the number of screening cultures needed to increase sensitivity to detect VRE transmission, and to determine time from presumed exposure to detectable colonization. In a tertiary care setting, we retrospectively analyzed data from 9 VRE outbreaks. As a proxy or estimation for time to detectable colonization, the time between first positive culture of the presumed index patient and that of their contacts was determined. Only 64% of secondary cases were positive in the first out of five cultures. By using the first three out of five rectal swabs, 89% (95%CI: 78–95%) of all secondary cases would have been identified. The median number of days between the positive culture of the index patient and the first positive culture of secondary cases was 9 days. Eleven percent of secondary cases would have been missed if only three rectal samples would have been obtained. Furthermore, our results show that one or more rectal swabs taken around day 9 after presumed exposure should at least be included in the screening approach. In our setting, obtaining a fourth and a fifth rectal swab showed a relevant additional value compared to only one to three swabs. Our findings are useful for determining the most effective VRE contact tracing approach to prevent transmission.
Persistent hyperparathyroidism after preemptive kidney transplantation
Authors: Okada Manabu , Sato Tetsuhiko , Hasegawa Yuki , Futamura Kenta , Hiramitsu Takahisa , Ichimori Toshihiro , Goto Norihiko , Narumi Shunji , Takeda Asami , Watarai Yoshihiko
Published: June 2023

Background

Long-term dialysis vintage is a predictor of persistent hyperparathyroidism (HPT) after kidney transplantation (KTx). Recently, preemptive kidney transplantation (PKT) has increased. However, the incidence, predictors, and clinical implications of HPT after PKT are unclear. Here, we aimed to elucidate these considerations.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, we enrolled patients who underwent PKT between 2000 and 2016. Those who lost their graft within 1 year posttransplant were excluded. HPT was defined as an intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) level exceeding 80 pg/mL or hypercalcemia unexplained by causes other than HPT. Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence of HPT 1 year after PKT. The primary outcome was the predictors of HPT after PKT, and the secondary outcome was graft survival.

Results

Among the 340 consecutive patients who underwent PKT, 188 did not have HPT (HPT-free group) and 152 had HPT (HPT group). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that pretransplant PTH level (P < 0.001; odds ratio [OR], 5.480; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.070–14.50) and preoperative donor-estimated glomerular filtration rate (P = 0.033; OR, 0.978; 95% CI, 0.957–0.998) were independent predictors of HPT after PKT. Death-censored graft survival was significantly lower in the HPT group than that in the HPT-free group (90.4% vs. 96.4% at 10 years,P = 0.009).

Conclusions

Pretransplant PTH levels and donor kidney function were independent predictors of HPT after PKT. In addition, HPT was associated with worse graft outcomes even after PKT.
Effects of daily artificial gravity training on orthostatic tolerance following 60-day strict head-down tilt bedrest
Authors: Hoenemann J.-N. , Moestl S. , van Herwaarden A. E. , Diedrich A. , Mulder E. , Frett T. , Petrat G. , Pustowalow W. , Arz M. , Heusser K. , Lee S. , Jordan J. , Tank J. , Hoffmann F.
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Orthostatic intolerance commonly occurs following immobilization or space flight. We hypothesized that daily artificial gravity training through short-arm centrifugation could help to maintain orthostatic tolerance following head-down tilt bedrest, which is an established terrestrial model for weightlessness.

Methods

We studied 24 healthy persons (eight women; age 33.3 ± 9.0 years; BMI 24.3 ± 2.1 kg/m2) who participated in the 60-days head-down tilt bedrest (AGBRESA) study. They were assigned to 30 min/day continuous or 6 × 5 min intermittent short-arm centrifugation with 1Gz at the center of mass or a control group. We performed head-up tilt testing with incremental lower-body negative pressure until presyncope before and after bedrest. We recorded an electrocardiogram, beat-to-beat finger blood pressure, and brachial blood pressure and obtained blood samples from an antecubital venous catheter. Orthostatic tolerance was defined as time to presyncope. We related changes in orthostatic tolerance to changes in plasma volume determined by carbon dioxide rebreathing.

Results

Compared with baseline measurements, supine and upright heart rate increased in all three groups following head-down tilt bedrest. Compared with baseline measurements, time to presyncope decreased by 323 ± 235 s with continuous centrifugation, by 296 ± 508 s with intermittent centrifugation, and by 801 ± 354 s in the control group (p = 0.0249 between interventions). The change in orthostatic tolerance was not correlated with changes in plasma volume.

Conclusions

Daily artificial gravity training on a short-arm centrifuge attenuated the reduction in orthostatic tolerance after 60 days of head-down tilt bedrest.
Timing of migration and African non-breeding grounds of geolocator-tracked European Pied Flycatchers: a multi-population assessment
Authors: Adamík Peter , Bureš Stanislav , Hahn Steffen , Oatley Graeme , Briedis Martins
Published: June 2023

Using light-level geolocators, eight European Pied Flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca) from two breeding sites in Czechia were tracked. We also gathered all available geolocator tracks on 76 individuals from four European populations and compared the timing of annual cycle events and the African non-breeding sites among all populations. Individuals from both Czech breeding sites had overlapping migration events and non-breeding locations. Four individuals resided in the southwestern edge of Mali, two in Burkina Faso, one in Guinea, and the easternmost one in the Ivory Coast. On average, the birds left the Czech breeding grounds on 8 August and took between one to three stopovers during autumn migration. Birds crossed the Sahara on its western edge on average on 13 September. The mean arrival to the African non-breeding grounds was 47.5 days after departure on 2 October (range 10 September to 10 October). One bird showed intra-tropical movement within West Africa when after a 60-day residency it moved approximately 3° westwards. Estimated locations at the African non-breeding grounds overlapped among tracked birds from five European breeding sites. However, statistically, we could detect longitudinal segregation in two clusters. Birds from the British and Finnish breeding populations shared non-breeding grounds and were located in Africa west of the second cluster of the birds from the Czech and Dutch breeding populations. We show considerable population-specific differences in the timing of annual cycle events. Birds from Dutch breeding sites were the first in all three phases—departure from breeding sites, Sahara crossing and arrival to African non-breeding grounds, followed by the British, Czech, and Finnish birds, respectively. All tracked flycatchers so far fill only the western part of the African non-breeding range. For a complete understanding of the migration pattern in the species, we highlight the need for tracking studies from the eastern part of the range.
The Future of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV Prevention: A Global Qualitative Consultation on Provider Perspectives on New Products and Differentiated Service Delivery
Authors: Henderson Mary , Schmidt Heather-Marie A , Chitembo Lastone , Peralta Hortencia , Alaama Ahmed S , Johnson Cheryl , Baggaley Rachel , Schaefer Robin
Published: June 2023

Differentiated service delivery and new products, such as long-acting injectable cabotegravir (CAB-LA) and the dapivirine vaginal ring (DVR), could increase uptake and use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention. We explored PrEP provider perspectives on differentiated PrEP service delivery and new PrEP products to inform World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and programme implementation. 150 PrEP providers who participated in a WHO survey were randomly selected and 67 were invited for interviews based on geographic representation, provider cadre, gender, experience with community-based PrEP service delivery, and familiarity with new PrEP products. Semi-structured interviews were conducted virtually. Key themes were inductively extracted relating to differentiated service delivery and benefits and concerns regarding new PrEP products. 30 PrEP providers from 24 countries were interviewed. Across regions, providers were supportive of differentiated service delivery to respond to clients’ needs and preferences, maintain services during COVID-19, and ensure access for priority populations that may face access challenges. Providers welcomed prospects of offering CAB-LA to their clients but had concerns about HIV testing, costs, and the need for clinic-based services, including staff who can administer injections. Providers felt the DVR was potentially important for some cisgender women, especially young clients and female sex workers, and raised fewer concerns compared to injectable PrEP. Providers’ views are critical for the development of guidelines and implementing programmes that will best serve PrEP users. Understanding areas where provider capacities and biases may create barriers can define opportunities for training and support to ensure that providers can deliver effective programmes.
Large and moderate deviations for importance sampling in the Heston model
Authors: Geha Marc , Jacquier Antoine , Žurič Žan
Published: June 2023

We provide a detailed importance sampling analysis for variance reduction in stochastic volatility models. The optimal change of measure is obtained using a variety of results from large and moderate deviations: small-time, large-time, small-noise. Specialising the results to the Heston model, we derive many closed-form solutions, making the whole approach easy to implement. We support our theoretical results with a detailed numerical analysis of the variance reduction gains.
Portfolio Selection with a Rank-Deficient Covariance Matrix
Authors: Gulliksson Mårten , Oleynik Anna , Mazur Stepan
Published: June 2023

In this paper, we consider optimal portfolio selection when the covariance matrix of the asset returns is rank-deficient. For this case, the original Markowitz’ problem does not have a unique solution. The possible solutions belong to either two subspaces namely the range- or nullspace of the covariance matrix. The former case has been treated elsewhere but not the latter. We derive an analytical unique solution, assuming the solution is in the null space, that is risk-free and has minimum norm. Furthermore, we analyse the iterative method which is called the discrete functional particle method in the rank-deficient case. It is shown that the method is convergent giving a risk-free solution and we derive the initial condition that gives the smallest possible weights in the norm. Finally, simulation results on artificial problems as well as real-world applications verify that the method is both efficient and stable.
Measuring welfare with the use of the MIMIC approach: evidence for Poland
Authors: Jewczak Maciej , Korczak Karol
Published: June 2023

The growing interest in the concept of using welfare categories as a measure of economic or social development results from the fact that dominant income categories have been replaced by solutions related to individuals’ basic, existential and higher-order needs being fulfilled. The transition from analysing the poverty rate category, through the various approaches to material deprivation, to the perception of welfare in economic, subjective, or hidden terms is visible. The main purpose of the study is to estimate the subjective level of welfare of households in Poland. The subjective level of various socio-economic phenomena is often difficult to estimate; therefore, the study uses the approach of structural modelling for the multiple indicators and multiple causes model (MIMIC), which assumes the presence of a latent variable. The research is based on data from the Social Diagnosis panel study for household level in Poland. Based on the construction and positive substantive and statistical verification of the model the results show that subjectively the best welfare situation was identified mainly for households located in countryside areas, where even the lowest estimated levels of welfare exceed the highest estimated levels for cities of various sizes. Investigating the spatial distribution, the highest levels of subjective welfare were recorded for the Lubelskie and Swietokrzyskie voivodeships, and thanks to moving to a higher spatial data aggregation level (to the sub-regional), a more detailed assessment of spatial units was possible. In further research, individualised voivodeship models will be estimated to capture a more accurate differentiation of the influence of MIMIC model variables. A similar direction of analysis is anticipated for sub-regional data.