bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Equivalence Checking for Orthocomplemented Bisemilattices in Log-Linear Time
Authors: Guilloud Simon , Kunčak Viktor
Published: March 2022

Motivated by proof checking, we consider the problem of efficiently establishing equivalence of propositional formulas by relaxing the completeness requirements while still providing certain guarantees. We present a quasilinear time algorithm to decide the word problem on a natural algebraic structures we call orthocomplemented bisemilattices, a subtheory of Boolean algebra. The starting point for our procedure is a variation of Aho, Hopcroft, Ullman algorithm for isomorphism of trees, which we generalize to directed acyclic graphs. We combine this algorithm with a term rewriting system we introduce to decide equivalence of terms. We prove that our rewriting system is terminating and confluent, implying the existence of a normal form. We then show that our algorithm computes this normal form in log linear (and thus sub-quadratic) time. We provide pseudocode and a minimal working implementation in Scala.
Dartagnan: SMT-based Violation Witness Validation (Competition Contribution)
Authors: Ponce-de-León Hernán , Haas Thomas , Meyer Roland
Published: March 2022

The validation of violation witnesses is an important step during software verification. It hides false alarms raised by verifiers from engineers, which in turn helps them concentrate on critical issues and improves the verification experience. Until the 2021 edition of the Competition on Software Verification (SV-COMP), CPAchecker was the only witness validator for the ConcurrencySafety category. This article describes how we extended the Dartagnan verifier to support the validation of violation witnesses. The results of the 2022 edition of the competition show that, for witnesses generated by different verifiers, Dartagnan succeeds in the validation of witnesses where CPAchecker does not. Our extension thus improves the validation possibilities for the overall competition. We discuss Dartagnan ’s strengths and weaknesses as a validation tool and describe possible ways to improve it in the future.
GWIT: A Witness Validator for Java based on GraalVM (Competition Contribution)
Authors: Howar Falk , Mues Malte
Published: March 2022

GWIT is a validator for violation witnesses produced by Java verifiers in the SV-COMP software verification competition. GWIT weaves assumptions documented in a witness into the source code of a program, effectively restricting the part of the program that is explored by a program analysis. It then uses the GDart tool (dynamic symbolic execution) to search for reachable errors in the modified program.
Symbiotic 9: String Analysis and Backward Symbolic Execution with Loop Folding
Authors: Chalupa Marek , Mihalkovič Vincent , Řechtáčková Anna , Zaoral Lukáš , Strejček Jan
Published: March 2022

The development of Symbiotic  9 focused mainly on two components. One is the symbolic executor Slowbeast, which newly supports backward symbolic execution including its extension called loop folding. This technique can infer inductive invariants from backward symbolic execution states. Thanks to these invariants, Symbiotic  9 is able to produce non-trivial correctness witnesses, which is a feature that is missing in previous versions of Symbiotic. We have also extended forward symbolic execution in Slowbeast with a basic support for parallel programs. The second component with significant improvements is the instrumentation module. In particular, we have extended the static analysis of accesses to arrays with features designed for programs that manipulate C strings.

Symbiotic  9 is the Overall winner of SV-COMP  2022. Moreover, it won also the categories MemSafety and SoftwareSystems, and placed third in FalsificationOverall.
Theta: portfolio of CEGAR-based analyses with dynamic algorithm selection (Competition Contribution)
Authors: Ádám Zsófia , Bajczi Levente , Dobos-Kovács Mihály , Hajdu Ákos , Molnár Vince
Published: March 2022

Theta is a model checking framework based on abstraction refinement algorithms. In SV-COMP 2022, we introduce: 1) reasoning at the source-level via a direct translation from C programs; 2) support for concurrent programs with interleaving semantics; 3) mitigation for non-progressing refinement loops; 4) support for SMT-LIB-compliant solvers. We combine all of the aforementioned techniques into a portfolio with dynamic algorithm selection.
Practical Applications of the Alternating Cycle Decomposition
Authors: Casares Antonio , Duret-Lutz Alexandre , Meyer Klara J. , Renkin Florian , Sickert Salomon
Published: March 2022

In 2021, Casares, Colcombet, and Fijalkow introduced the Alternating Cycle Decomposition (ACD) to study properties and transformations of Muller automata. We present the first practical implementation of the ACD in two different tools, Owl and Spot, and adapt it to the framework of Emerson-Lei automata, i.e., $$\omega $$
ω
-automata whose acceptance conditions are defined by Boolean formulas. The ACD provides a transformation of Emerson-Lei automata into parity automata with strong optimality guarantees: the resulting parity automaton is minimal among those automata that can be obtained by duplication of states. Our empirical results show that this transformation is usable in practice. Further, we show how the ACD can generalize many other specialized constructions such as deciding typeness of automata and degeneralization of generalized Büchi automata, providing a framework of practical algorithms for $$\omega $$
ω
-automata.
Electroweak phase transition and gravitational waves in a two-component dark matter model
Authors: Mohamadnejad Ahmad
Published: March 2022

Abstract

We investigate an extension of the Standard Model (SM) with two candidates for dark matter (DM). One of them is a real scalar field and the other is an Abelian gauge field. Except for these two, there is another beyond SM field which has unit charge under a dark UD(1) gauge symmetry. The model is classically scale invariant and the electroweak symmetry breaks because of the loop effects. Although SM is extended with a new dark symmetry and three fields, because of scale invariance, the parameter space is strictly restricted compared to other two-component DM models. We study both DM phenomenology and electroweak phase transition and show that there are some points in the parameter space of the model consistent with DM relic density and direct detection constraints, while at the same time can lead to first order electroweak phase transition. The gravitational waves produced during the phase transition could be probed by future space-based interferometers such as Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) and Big Bang Observer (BBO).
Dual-harm in adolescence and associated clinical and parenting factors
Authors: Spaan Pascalle , Michielsen Philip J. S. , de Neve-Enthoven Nita G. M. , Bouter Diandra C. , Grootendorst-van Mil Nina H. , Hoogendijk Witte J. G. , Roza Sabine J.
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Both aggression toward others and self peak in adolescence and interpersonal violence and suicide are among the leading causes of death in young people worldwide. Individuals who show both aggression toward others and self, i.e. dual-harm, may experience the worst outcomes. The current study investigates clinical and parenting factors associated with dual-harming in adolescence, to provide new insights for prevention and treatment.

Methods

In a prospective cohort of adolescents, oversampled on emotional and behavioral problems (n = 1022; aged 12–17 years), we investigated co-occurrence in harm toward others and self and presented findings in an area-proportional Euler diagram. Four harm groups (no harm, other-harm, self-harm, and dual-harm) were compared on intelligence scores, general functioning, emotional and behavioral problems, substance use, parental hostility, and harsh parenting with ANCOVAs and logistic regressions.

Results

In adolescents that other-harmed, the risk of self-harm was 1.9 times higher than for those who did not harm others. Dual-harm adolescents reported worse overall functioning, more emotional and behavioral problems, more parental hostility and harshness, and were more likely to use substances than those who did not engage in aggressive behaviors. No evidence of differences in intelligence scores between groups were found.

Conclusion

These findings highlight a vulnerable group of adolescents, at risk of future suicide, violent offending, and the development of severe psychopathology. Dual-harm is a promising marker for early intervention and referral to specialized mental health professionals. Further research is needed to examine underlying pathways and risk factors associated with persistent dual-harm trajectories into adulthood.
How to account for hallucinations in the interpretation of the antidepressant effects of psychedelics: a translational framework
Authors: van den Berg Manon , Magaraggia Igor , Schreiber Rudy , Hillhouse Todd M. , Porter Joseph H.
Published: March 2022

Rationale

Recent trials with psychedelics in major depressive disorder and treatment-resistant depression showed remarkable improvements in depressive symptoms that can last for up to several months after even a single administration. The lack of an appropriate placebo control group—as patients are often able to discriminate the subjective effects of the drug—and an incomplete understanding of the role of the hallucinogenic and mystical experience, hampers the interpretation of these therapeutic effects.

Objectives

To control for these factors, we developed a translational framework based on establishing pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) relationships in rodents and humans for hallucinogenic (i.e., discriminative stimulus effects in rodents and humans; head twitch responses in rodents; questionnaires in humans) and therapeutic effects. For the latter, we selected the pattern separation and attentional set-shifting tasks as measures for cognitive flexibility because of their high translational value. We predict that these PK/PD analyses will lead to a more objective evaluation of improvements in patients compared to relying only on the currently used self-reported questionnaires. We hypothesize that—if the role of the hallucinogenic experience is not central in the antidepressant effects of psychedelics—the ED50’s for the therapeutic effects will be significantly lower than for the hallucinogenic and mystical effects.

Conclusion

Our framework will help to inform future studies that aim at the elucidation of the mechanism(s) of action of psychedelics in depression, and the role of the acute subjective and/or hallucinogenic experience in their effects.
The role of artificial intelligence in paediatric neuroradiology
Authors: Pringle Catherine , Kilday John-Paul , Kamaly-Asl Ian , Stivaros Stavros Michael
Published: March 2022

Imaging plays a fundamental role in the managing childhood neurologic, neurosurgical and neuro-oncological disease. Employing multi-parametric MRI techniques, such as spectroscopy and diffusion- and perfusion-weighted imaging, to the radiophenotyping of neuroradiologic conditions is becoming increasingly prevalent, particularly with radiogenomic analyses correlating imaging characteristics with molecular biomarkers of disease. However, integration into routine clinical practice remains elusive. With modern multi-parametric MRI now providing additional data beyond anatomy, informing on histology, biology and physiology, such metric-rich information can present as information overload to the treating radiologist and, as such, information relevant to an individual case can become lost. Artificial intelligence techniques are capable of modelling the vast radiologic, biological and clinical datasets that accompany childhood neurologic disease, such that this information can become incorporated in upfront prognostic modelling systems, with artificial intelligence techniques providing a plausible approach to this solution. This review examines machine learning approaches than can be used to underpin such artificial intelligence applications, with exemplars for each machine learning approach from the world literature. Then, within the specific use case of paediatric neuro-oncology, we examine the potential future contribution for such artificial intelligence machine learning techniques to offer solutions for patient care in the form of decision support systems, potentially enabling personalised medicine within this domain of paediatric radiologic practice.
Lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab for systemic therapy-naïve and -experienced unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wu Chi-Jung , Lee Pei-Chang , Hung Ya-Wen , Lee Chieh-Ju , Chi Chen-Ta , Lee I-Cheng , Hou Ming-Chih , Huang Yi-Hsiang
Published: March 2022

Background

Lenvatinib combined with pembrolizumab showed a promising result in an early phase study for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The efficacy and safety of lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab for patients with unresectable HCC (uHCC) beyond the first-line setting were unclear.

Methods

Seventy-one consecutive patients who received lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab for uHCC were prospectively enrolled. Effect of lenvatinib combinations on Albumin-Bilirubin (ALBI) score and factors associated with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed.

Results

Of the 71 cases, 58 (81.7%) were in BCLC C. There were 44 (62%) for the first-line systemic treatment, and 27 (38%) had experienced targeted therapy or nivolumab treatment. The objective response rate and disease control rate (DCR) were 34.1% and 84.1% for the first-line setting, and 18.5% and 70.4% for systemic therapy-experienced cases (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1, RECIST v1.1), respectively. The mean ALBI score was stable during the treatment course. After a median of 9.3 months of follow-up, the median PFS was 9.3 months versus 4.4 months, and the median OS was not estimable yet versus 12 months for Child–Pugh A versus B patients, respectively. Prior nivolumab failure was the only significant factor associated with poorer PFS (HR = 3.253, p = 0.004). Child–Pugh class B (HR = 2.646, p = 0.039) and prior nivolumab failure (HR = 3.340, p = 0.014) were independent factors for poorer OS in multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

A high DCR was observed by lenvatinib/pembrolizumab combination without adverse effect on ALBI score for systemic therapy-naïve and -experienced uHCC. Suboptimal response to prior nivolumab-failed patients requires further exploration.
Anemia After Sleeve Gastrectomy and One‐Anastomosis Gastric Bypass: An Investigation Based on the Tehran Obesity Treatment Study (TOTS)
Authors: Barzin Maryam , Tasdighi Erfan , Ebadinejad Amir , Khalaj Alireza , Mahdavi Maryam , Valizadeh Majid , Hosseinpanah Farhad
Published: March 2022

Background

Bariatric surgery has been associated with iron, folate, and vitamin B12 deficiencies, which can lead to anemia. This study compares the incidence of anemia between sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and one‐anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB).

Methods

Patients from a prospectively collected database of patients with morbid obesity undergoing a primary bariatric procedure from April 2013 to September 2018 were included. Statistical analysis was performed using the general estimation equation. Patients were followed for 6, 12, 24, and 36 months post‐surgery.

Results

The present study included 2618 patients, of whom 72.3% underwent SG and 27.6% underwent OAGB. The majority of the study population were women (75.7%), and the mean age of the participants was 39.5 ± 11.7 years. At the end of the follow‐up, the excess weight loss percentage was 66.15 in the SG group and 75.41 in the OAGB group (P <  0.05). The incidence of anemia at 12‐, 24‐, and 36‐month was 16.2, 19.7, and 24.3% in the SG group and 28.4, 37.6, and 56.5% in the OAGB group, showing significantly higher incidence in the OAGB than the SG group ( < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference between the SG and OAGB groups regarding the incidence of iron and vitamin B12 deficiency.

Conclusions

The patients undergoing bariatric surgery, especially OAGB, should be closely monitored post‐surgery regarding the incidence of anemia, and supplementation in developing countries could be continued even after the first year.
Surgical Simulation Training for Medical Students: Strategies and Implications in Botswana
Authors: Bedada Alemayehu Ginbo , Hsiao Marvin , Chilisa Unami , Yarranton Brianne , Chinyepi Nkhabe , Azzie Georges
Published: March 2022

Background

The role of simulation in teaching technical skills to medical students is not yet well defined. Strategies for its use may be especially relevant where teachers, time, and resources are limited, especially in low‐middle‐income countries.

Methods

Sixty‐seven third‐year and 67 fifth‐year medical students at the University of Botswana were taught surgical skills by a trained peer medical student, a medical officer with no specialty training or a staff surgeon. Pre‐ and post‐intervention performance of two basic tasks (simple interrupted suture (SIS) and laparoscopic peg transfer (LPT)) and one complex task (laparoscopic intracorporeal suture (LIS)) were assessed. Subjective measures of self‐perceived performance, preparedness for internship, and interest in surgery were also measured.

Results

The simulation program decreased the time to complete the two basic tasks and improved the objective score for the complex task. Performance of the basic skills improved regardless of the seniority of the instructor while performance of the advanced skill improved more when taught by a staff surgeon. All students had similar improvements in their self‐reported confidence to perform the skills, preparedness to assist in an operation and preparedness for internship, regardless of the seniority of their instructor. Students taught by a staff surgeon felt better prepared to assist in laparoscopic procedures.

Conclusion

Simulation‐based teaching of defined surgical skills can be effectively conducted by peers and near‐peers. The implications are widespread and may be most relevant where time and resources are limited, and where experienced teachers are scarce.
Housing conditions modify seasonal changes in basal metabolism and body mass of the Siberian hamster, Phodopus sungorus
Authors: Jefimow Małgorzata , Przybylska-Piech Anna S.
Published: March 2022

Proper housing conditions are important aspects of animal welfare. Animals housed in enriched environments show less stereotypic behaviours than animals kept in barren cages. However, different types of cage enrichment may affect the results of experimental studies and hinder comparative analyses of animal physiology and behaviour. We investigated whether access to a running wheel, availability of nesting material, and pair housing affect basal metabolic rate (BMR) of Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) under various acclimation conditions. We used 70 adult hamsters (35 males and 35 females) divided into five groups housed under different cage conditions. All individuals experienced the same acclimation procedure: first a winter (L8:D16) then a summer (L16:D8) photoperiod, at air temperatures of first 20 °C then 7 °C under both photoperiods. We found that nesting material and pair housing did not affect hamster BMR, while access to a running wheel increased BMR and body mass regardless of photoperiod and ambient temperature. Thus, we suggest that cage enrichment should be applied with caution, especially in studies on energetics or thermoregulation, particularly in seasonal animals.
Molecular detection of Tritrichomonas foetus in bovine samples: a novel real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay targeting EF1-alpha-Tf1 and a comparative study of published PCR techniques
Authors: Polo Coral , García-Seco Teresa , Fernández Víctor , Hernández Marta , Briones Victor , Diez-Guerrier Alberto , Domínguez Lucas , Pérez-Sancho Marta
Published: March 2022

The parasite T. foetus causes trichomonosis in cattle but is generally asymptomatic in males. Thus, many bulls carrying the disease go unnoticed, making the detection of T. foetus in bulls an important aspect for its control. Due to drawbacks posed by its cultivation, PCR is a preferred option for diagnostic laboratories. Most published PCR protocols target the genomic region compring the 18S, 5.8S, and 28S rRNA genes and internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2 (rRNA-ITS region), homologous to that of other Tritrichomonas species. There is minimal information on alternative genetic targets and no comparative studies have been published. We compared a protocol based on the microsatellite TfRE (called H94) and five protocols based on the rRNA-ITS region (called M06, M15, G02, G05, and N02). We also designed and evaluated a novel PCR-based assay on the EF1-alpha-Tf1 gene (called V21). The analytical sensitivity and specificity assays for the PCR protocols were performed according to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) directives and the comparative study was performed with a widely used PCR (M06) on clinical samples from 466 breeding bulls. V21 showed a high degree of agreement with our reference M06 (kappa = 0.967), as well as M15 (kappa = 0.958), G05 (kappa = 0.948), and H94 (kappa = 0.986). Protocols H94 and V21 appear to be good approaches for confirming clinical cases in preputial bull samples when genomic regions alternative to rRNA-ITS are required. By contrast, N02 gave false negatives and G02 false positives.
The association of unplanned pregnancy with perinatal depression: a longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Muskens Lotte , Boekhorst Myrthe G. B. M. , Kop Willem J. , van den Heuvel Marion I. , Pop Victor J. M. , Beerthuizen Annemerle
Published: March 2022

Perinatal depression is common, affecting approximately 7–13% of women. Studies have shown an association between unplanned pregnancy and perinatal depressive symptoms, but many used a cross-sectional design and limited postnatal follow-up. The current study investigated the association of unplanned pregnancy with perinatal depressive symptoms using a longitudinal cohort study that followed women from the first trimester until 12 months postpartum. Pregnant women (N = 1928) provided demographic and clinical data and information about pregnancy intention at the first trimester. Depressive symptoms were assessed during each trimester of pregnancy and five times postpartum using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) until 12 months postpartum. Mixed model analyses were used to investigate the association between an unplanned pregnancy and the level of depressive symptoms. Women with an unplanned pregnancy (N = 111, 5.8%) reported persistently higher levels of depressive symptoms during the entire perinatal period compared to women with a planned pregnancy, after adjustment for confounders (p < 0.001). However, the course of depressive symptom scores over time in women with an unplanned pregnancy was similar to that of women with a planned pregnancy. Lower age (p = 0.006), unemployment (p = 0.004), and history of depression (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with higher levels of perinatal depressive symptoms. An unplanned pregnancy may have a long-lasting negative impact on a woman’s perinatal mental health. Therefore, women with an unplanned pregnancy may benefit from systematic follow-up during the perinatal period with contingent mental health support.
Neuropathic pain after spinal intradural benign tumor surgery: an underestimated complication?
Authors: Butenschoen Vicki Marie , Nehiba Annika , Meyer Bernhard , Wostrack Maria
Published: March 2022

Neuropathic pain presents a burdening and impairing condition which may occasionally occur after spinal tumor surgery. While it has been described in peripheral nerve sheath tumors, data on other intradural tumor patients is sparse. We hereby present a large cohort population undergoing different intradural spinal tumor surgery with assessment of early postoperative and follow-up outcomes, focusing on the occurrence of neuropathic pain. We performed a retrospective monocentric study including all patients treated for intradural spinal tumors between 2009 and 2020. We extracted surgical aspects as well as pre- and postoperative clinical courses from the records. Statistical analysis of potential contributing prognostic factors was performed including matched pair analysis. In total, 360 patients were included for analysis. At a median follow-up of 2 years, 26/360 patients complained of a neuropathic pain syndrome (7.2%) requiring continuous medication. Of these patients only 50% complained preoperatively of pain. Tumor entity did not significantly influence the incidence of postoperative neuropathic pain (p = 0.91). Sacrifice of the tumor carrying nerve root and tumor recurrence also did not increase the risk for this condition. Persistent neuropathic pain requiring continuous treatment occurred in 7.2% of patients undergoing intradural spinal surgery in our cohort. This frequently underestimated postoperative adverse event represents a disabling condition leading to a substantial impairment in the quality of life among the affected patients.
Zur Rolle artenschutzrechtlicher Ausnahmen im Rahmen der raumordnerischen Konzentrationszonenplanung für die Windenergie: Ausnahmevoraussetzungen nach 45 Abs. 7 S. 2 BNatSchG und Regelhaftigkeit der Ausnahmeerteilung
Authors: Wagner Stephan
Published: March 2022

Angesichts des ungebrochenen Ausbaubedarfs der Windenergie und zunehmend knapper werdender Standorte
rückt die artenschutzrechtliche Ausnahme nach 45 Abs. 7 BNatSchG mehr und mehr in den Fokus der Raumplanung.
In einem vorhergehenden Beitrag (NuR 2021, 803ff.) wurde die – mit Blick auf das Unionsrecht derzeit
nicht rechtssicher zu bejahende – Frage untersucht, ob für die Errichtung von Windkraftanlagen
ein Ausnahmegrund gemäß 45 Abs. 7 S. 1 BNatSchG gegeben ist. Im vorliegenden Beitrag werden
mit der Alternativlosigkeit und dem artenschutzrechtlichen Verschlechterungsverbot die weiteren Ausnahmevoraussetzungen
nach 45 Abs. 7 S. 2 BNatSchG sowie die für Planungspraxis und Projektträger nicht unwesentliche
Frage erörtert, ob und inwiefern die Ausnahmeerteilung durch die Naturschutzbehörden an eine gewisse
Regelhaftigkeit und damit Vorhersehbarkeit gebunden werden kann.
Closed-form perturbation theory in the restricted three-body problem without relegation
Authors: Cavallari Irene , Efthymiopoulos Christos
Published: March 2022

We propose a closed-form normalization method suitable for the study of the secular dynamics of small bodies in heliocentric orbits perturbed by the tidal potential of a planet with orbit external to the orbit of the small body. The method makes no use of relegation, thus circumventing all convergence issues related to that technique. The method is based on a convenient use of a book-keeping parameter keeping simultaneously track of all the small quantities in the problem. The book-keeping affects both the Lie series and the Poisson structure employed in successive perturbative steps. In particular, it affects the definition of the normal form remainder at every normalization step. We show the results obtained by assuming Jupiter as perturbing planet, and we discuss the validity and limits of the method.
Fire Severity Outcome Comparison of Apartment Buildings Constructed from Combustible and Non-Combustible Construction Materials
Authors: Zheng Alex , Garis Len , Pike Ian
Published: March 2022

Wood is commonly used in construction, but often perceived as being less safe than structures made from non-combustible materials. With the advancement of wood products and treatment, construction techniques, and protective systems, this may not be the case any longer. Using retrospective data from fire departments across Canada, this study aimed to determine whether the type of construction material (combustible or non-combustible) affected the fire severity outcome of a one to six storey apartment building fire, after accounting for protective systems (smoke alarms and sprinklers). The study found that, after adjusting for the presence of smoke alarms and sprinklers, structures constructed from non-combustible construction materials did not perform better in terms of injuries, requiring extinguishment by fire department, or the fire spreading beyond the room of origin. The presence of working smoke alarms and sprinklers played a central role in reducing the severity outcome of a fire. Smoke alarms and sprinklers both reduced the odds of extinguishment by the fire department and the fire spreading beyond the room of origin. Sprinklers also reduced the injury rate. Overall, this study highlighted the importance of protective systems in reducing fire severity outcomes.
Long-lasting effects of experimental flow intermittency on alpine stream macroinvertebrates (Val Roseg, Switzerland)
Authors: Drost Annemieke M. , Siebers Andre R. , Paillex Amael , Misteli Benjamin , Peeters Edwin T. H. M. , Robinson Christopher T.
Published: March 2022

Changing weather patterns and receding glaciers are predicted to increase flow intermittency in alpine streams. If aquatic macroinvertebrate communities largely comprise taxa adapted to perennial flows, an increase in flow intermittency substantially reduces biodiversity and affects functional processes. We conducted a before-after-control-impact field experiment to examine how macroinvertebrate communities in an alpine headwater stream responded to and recovered from a repeated experimental increase in flow intermittency. Flow in one channel was manipulated to simulate increased summer intermittency (June–September) over two consecutive years, whilst an adjacent channel served as a control. We monitored the density of benthic macroinvertebrates, periphyton and organic matter at approximately monthly intervals over three years during the snow-free period. Before manipulation, both channels had similar ecological properties. The flow manipulation reduced the overall macroinvertebrate density, and especially the proportional rheophile density, across both years. Recovery of the macroinvertebrate community following experimental flow intermittency took more than a year, and longer than our study period. This could be due to long aquatic life stages, dispersal limitation and biotic interactions. We conclude that climate-induced changes in alpine stream flow regimes can lead to a fundamental shift in macroinvertebrate assemblages through local extinctions, mostly of rheophilic species.
Stable isotope analysis reveals trophic segregation between the invasive zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha and the native duck mussel Anodonta anatina in Lake Trasimeno (Italy)
Authors: Ludovisi Alessandro , Goretti Enzo , Pallottini Matteo , Lucentini Livia , Pizzirani Claudia , Vizzini Salvatrice , Mancinelli Giorgio
Published: March 2022

Non-indigenous freshwater bivalves negatively affect invaded ecosystems through different mechanisms, including inter-specific competition for trophic resources. Here, we investigated in Lake Trasimeno (Central Italy) the diet of the invasive Dreissena polymorpha and the native Anodonta anatina. δ15N and δ13C stable isotopes were measured in winter and summer in bivalves, phytoplankton, and sedimentary organic matter (SOM); the relative dietary contributions of the two resources were determined using Bayesian mixing models. To elucidate the different carbon and nitrogen pools characterizing the study site, isotopic analyses were extended to zooplankton and to representatives of the benthic flora and macroinvertebrate fauna. Independently from the season, the two bivalves showed a limited trophic overlap, as mixing models indicated for D. polymorpha a diet based primarily on phytoplankton, while A. anatina relied mainly on SOM. Dietary differences were less marked in summer, when comparable isotopic values characterized phytoplankton and SOM. In winter, conversely, the trophic differentiation between the two species was more evident, and corresponded with a significant enrichment in SOM δ13C values, likely due to a substantial contribution of carbon deriving from decaying macrophytes. Whether differences in ecological and behavioral traits alone can explain the observed trophic segregation between the two species, or if they have actively shifted their diet to reduce competition for food is discussed. We conclude emphasizing the need of an advanced resolution of the influence of non-indigenous species on the flux of energy and matter in invaded lentic systems, including Lake Trasimeno.
Adolescent Mental Health Resilience and Combinations of Caregiver Monitoring and Warmth: A Person-centred Perspective
Authors: Theron Linda , Rothmann Sebastiaan , Makhnach Alexander , Ungar Michael
Published: March 2022

Caregiver monitoring and warmth have protective mental health effects for adolescents, including vulnerable adolescents. However, combinations of the aforesaid parenting behaviours and their relationship with adolescent mental health are underexplored, especially among younger and older South African (SA) adolescents challenged by structural disadvantage. Hence, the purpose of this study was to investigate unique profiles of caregiver monitoring and warmth and their associations with depression and conduct problems as reported by younger and older adolescents from disadvantaged SA communities. Latent profile and linear regression analyses were used to examine cross-sectional survey data generated by 891 adolescents from two disadvantaged SA communities (62.2% aged 13–17 [average age: 16.13]; 37.5% aged 18–24 [average age: 20.62]). Two profiles emerged. The first, i.e. substantial caregiver warmth and some monitoring, was associated with younger and older adolescent reports of statistically significantly fewer symptoms of depression and conduct problems. The second, i.e. caregiver monitoring without much warmth, was associated with significantly more symptoms of depression or conduct problems among younger and older adolescents. Traditional gender effects (i.e. higher depression symptoms among girls; higher conduct problem symptoms among boys) were amplified when caregiver monitoring was combined with low warmth. In short, protecting the mental health of younger and older adolescents from disadvantaged communities requires higher levels of caregiver warmth combined with moderate levels of caregiver supervision. Because stressors associated with disadvantaged communities jeopardise warm parenting, supporting caregiver resilience to those stressors is integral to supporting adolescent mental health.
Optimal WACC in tariff regulation under uncertainty
Authors: Romeijnders Ward , Mulder Machiel
Published: March 2022

In the regulation of network tariffs, the compensation for the opportunity costs of capital through the Weighted Average Costs of Capital (WACC) plays a crucial role. Determining the appropriate level for the WACC is, though, problematic because of the uncertainty about the future conditions in capital markets. When the WACC is set above the future opportunity costs of capital, consumers will pay too much, while when the WACC is below that level, network operators may be unable to finance investments affecting quality of network services. In this paper, we explicitly take this uncertainty into account when we determine the optimal WACC for the tariff regulation of an electricity network. By trading off consumer surplus and expected disruption costs in the electricity grid, we conclude that from a social-welfare perspective in most cases the optimal WACC in tariff regulation is above the historical mean costs of capital. Only in case of high uncertainty about the true costs of capital while network operators are able to quickly increase investment levels, the optimal WACC is below the historical mean because then it is less likely that the WACC is constantly insufficient to cover actual costs of capital. However, when network operators cannot quickly increase investment levels the optimal WACC is always above the historical mean cost of capital.
Exploring the Origin of Stealth Coronal Mass Ejections with Magnetofrictional Simulations
Authors: Bhowmik P. , Yeates A. R. , Rice O. E. K.
Published: March 2022

Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) – among the most energetic events originating from the Sun – can cause significant and sudden disruption to the magnetic and particulate environment of the heliosphere. Thus, in the current era of space-based technologies, early warning that a CME has left the Sun is crucial. Some CMEs exhibit signatures at the solar surface and in the lower corona as the eruption occurs, thus enabling their prediction before arriving at near-Earth satellites. However, a significant fraction of CMEs exhibit no such detectable signatures and are known as “stealth CMEs”. Theoretical and observational studies aiming to understand the physical mechanism behind stealth CMEs have identified coronal streamers as potential sources. In this paper, we show that such streamer-blowout eruptions – which do not involve the lift-off of a low-coronal magnetic flux rope – are naturally produced even in the quasi-static magnetofrictional model for the coronal magnetic field. Firstly, we show that magnetofriction can reproduce in this way a particular stealth CME event observed during 1 – 2 June 2008. Secondly, we show that the magnetofrictional model predicts the occurrence of repeated eruptions without clear low-coronal signatures from such arcades, provided that the high, overlying magnetic field lines are sufficiently sheared by differential rotation. A two-dimensional parameter study shows that such eruptions are robust under variation of the parameters, and that the eruption frequency is primarily determined by the footpoint shearing. This suggests that magnetofrictional models could, in principle, provide early indication – even pre-onset – of stealth eruptions, whether or not they originate from the eruption of a low-coronal flux rope.
A Study Examining the Usefulness of a New Measure of Research Engagement
Authors: Bowen Deborah J. , Ackermann Nicole , Thompson Vetta Saunders , Nederveld Andrea , Goodman Melody
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Engagement of relevant stakeholders’ ideas, opinions, and concerns is critical to the success of modern research projects. We have developed a tool to measure stakeholder engagement, called the Research Engagement Survey Tool (REST). The purpose of this paper is to present the implementation and uptake of the stakeholder engagement measure REST among research teams, including the assessment of barriers and facilitating factors for use of the new research engagement measure in practice.

Methods

In this implementation study, project team members participated in baseline and follow-up web-based surveys. Web-based interviews were conducted with a subset of project teams that implemented the REST. On the baseline survey, project teams were asked to provide details about up to three ongoing or recently completed projects, were asked if they agreed with compensation for REST completion, and were asked if they would like to send the survey to stakeholders or would prefer our project team to email their project stakeholders. Follow-up surveys contained questions on reactions to implementing REST and results of REST.

Results

Project team members/researchers who completed the baseline survey (n=86) were mostly female (79%) and Non-Hispanic/Latino(a) White (76%). Those who implemented REST were also mostly female (86%) and Non-Hispanic/Latino(a) White (71%), with an average of 11 years in academic research. About 98% of all participants completing the baseline survey had the capacity to survey partners, while 100% of all teams who implemented REST did. A small portion of respondents indicated the time commitment of REST would be a barrier (29% of baseline survey respondents, 10% of those who implemented REST) and indicated workload would be a barrier (31% of baseline survey respondents, 14% of those who implemented REST).

Discussion

The data presented here indicate that REST implementation is feasible in a volunteer group of ongoing research projects.
An End-User’s Personal Perspective on the Need of Consumer Involvement in Research
Authors: Ferry S. M. , Henzel M. Kristi , Bogie Kath M.
Published: March 2022

There is growing understanding that the consumer’s voice in research needs to be stronger. Translational research studies need consumer inclusion in order to be effectively implemented. This narrative article provides the perspective of a Veteran with spinal cord injury (SCI) who is an active member of several study teams and serves as a Consumer Advocate, providing the voice of the person with SCI. Factors that drive people to develop new research ideas are considered. Consumer involvement offers helpful insight into project outcomes that are valuable to the end-user. It is also recognized that data can be interpreted in several different ways depending on the observer. Including the consumer in a research project enables another interpretation, creating a more complete evaluation. Participating in health research is becoming a new standard for persons with many different illnesses and diseases. Greater things are accomplished by physicians, healthcare scientists, engineers, and healthcare consumers interacting together to increase both the quality of research projects and the quality of life for everyone involved, especially the person with the disorder. There will be more acceptance of ideas or projects when consumers are involved from the early steps and learn how the process works from beginning to end.
Increasing Engagement of Women Veterans in Health Research
Authors: Chrystal Joya G. , Dyer Karen E. , Gammage Cynthia E. , Klap Ruth S. , Carney Diane V. , Frayne Susan M. , Yano Elizabeth M. , Hamilton Alison B.
Published: March 2022

Background

Meaningful engagement of patients in health research has the potential to increase research impact and foster patient trust in healthcare. For the past decade, the Veterans Health Administration (VA) has invested in increasing Veteran engagement in research.

Objective

We sought the perspectives of women Veterans, VA women’s health primary care providers (WH-PCPs), and administrators on barriers to and facilitators of health research engagement among women Veterans, the fastest growing subgroup of VA users.

Design

Semi-structured qualitative telephone interviews were conducted from October 2016 to April 2018.

Participants

Women Veterans (N=31), WH-PCPs (N=22), and administrators (N=6) were enrolled across five VA Women’s Health Practice-Based Research Network sites.

Approach

Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Consensus-based coding was conducted by two expert analysts.

Key Results

All participants endorsed the importance of increasing patient engagement in women’s health research. Women Veterans expressed altruistic motives as a personal determinant for research engagement, and interest in driving women’s health research forward as a stakeholder or research partner. Challenges to engagement included lack of awareness about opportunities, distrust of research, competing priorities, and confidentiality concerns. Suggestions to increase engagement include utilizing VA’s patient-facing portals of the electronic health record for outreach, facilitating “warm hand-offs” between researchers and clinic staff, developing an accessible research registry, and communicating the potential research impact for Veterans.

Conclusions

Participants expressed support for increasing women Veterans’ engagement in women’s health research and identified feasible ways to foster and implement engagement of women Veterans. Given the unique healthcare needs of women Veterans, engaging them in research could translate to improved care, especially for future generations. Knowledge about how to improve women Veterans’ research engagement can inform future VA policy and practice for more meaningful interventions and infrastructure.
Co-creating the Patient Partner Guide by a Multiple Chronic Conditions Team of Patients, Clinicians, and Researchers: Observational Report
Authors: van Eeghen Constance , Hitt Juvena R. , Pomeroy Douglas J. , Reynolds Paula , Rose Gail L. , O’Rourke Lavoie Jennifer
Published: March 2022

Background

Engaging patients as partners can influence research, with rewards and deterrents. The authors are researchers and patient co-investigators who collaborated on a comparative effectiveness, randomized controlled study of a structured quality improvement (QI) process to improve behavioral health and primary care integration for people managing multiple chronic conditions (MCC). Patient co-investigators responded to a gap in available resources to support study clinics in partnering with their own patients in QI and co-created the Patient Partner Guide (PPG).

Objective

Describe the development of the PPG, its use by clinics undertaking the QI project, and research team partnerships.

Design

Observational report of study intervention component.

Participants

Diverse patients and family members managing MCC and members of their primary care clinics.

Intervention

The PPG component of the study intervention is a five-step workbook providing practical tools and resources to sustain partnerships across clinic QI team members, including patient partners. The process of developing the PPG relied on relationship-building tools that were iteratively assessed, practiced, improved, and incorporated into the PPG under the leadership of patient co-investigators.

Main Measures

Observations related to PPG use and patient partner inclusion in clinic QI; impact on the research team.

Key Results

Of 20 clinics, 6 engaged patients as full partners on QI teams. Clinics found resistance in partnering and challenges in using the PPG but valued the material and their partners’ contributions. Similarly, engagement of patient co-investigators in research brought a shift in perspective to team members. The PPG is available and was adapted for use by research teams.

Conclusions

Engagement of patients and other stakeholders in research can be transformative and productive. Building relationships through meaningful work benefits others, and in turn, the research process. This approach can enhance clinical care QI and may result in substantial contributions to the conduct of research.

Clinical Trial Registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02868983
Reparaturwege in Krebszellen gezielt ausschalten
Authors: Ensminger Michael , Llorens-Agost Marta , Löbrich Markus
Published: March 2022

Mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 are associated with breast, ovarian and other cancers. Cells with these mutations are defective in homologous recombination (HR), one of two main processes to repair DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Survival of these cells strongly relies on the usage of alternative repair pathways, such as POLθ-mediated end-joining (TMEJ). Thus, targeting TMEJ could be a promising new strategy for the therapy of BRCA1- and BRCA2-mutant tumours.
Nurturing Innovative Work Behaviour through Workplace Learning among Knowledge Workers of Small and Medium Businesses
Authors: Shah Syed Tanveer Hussain , Shah Syed Mohsin Ali , El-Gohary Hatem
Published: March 2022

Organisations need to be innovative to be able to face the complexity and turbulence of the environmental forces and factors surrounding them. This is true in the case of all types of organisations, including SMEs, where innovations are essential for their survival and growth. As such, organisations need to nurture Innovative Work Behaviour (IWB) among their employees through different means. To achieve such ultimate goal, Workplaces Employees Learning can benefit many companies. Meanwhile, Workplace Learning (WPL) can improve the competencies and skills of employees and help their IWB. This research focuses on the role of WPL as a predictor of IWB among knowledge workers of SMEs in developing countries (i.e. Pakistan). Through convenient sampling technique, questionnaires were distributed among employees of 173 SMEs, resulting in 311 useable questionnaires. Data were analysed using Smart-PLS 3. The results indicated that WPL facilitated IWB among SME employees, with informal and incidental learning being the most critical predictors compared to formal means of learning. The research results reinforce the importance of WPL and IWB, and their implications are beneficial for SMEs and the academic society.