bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘Like ships in the night’: A qualitative investigation of the impact of childhood cancer on parents’ emotional and sexual intimacy
Authors: Chow Wan Ka , Hetherington Kate , McGill Brittany C. , Sansom‐Daly Ursula M. , Daly Rebecca , Miles Gordon , Cohn Richard J. , Wakefield Claire E.
Published: October 2022

Background

Childhood cancer is highly distressing for families and can place strain on parents’ relationships. Parental functioning and cohesiveness are important predictors of family functioning and adaptation to stress. This qualitative study investigated the perceived impact of childhood cancer on parents’ relationship with their partner, with a focus on emotional and sexual intimacy.

Methods

We conducted semi‐structured interviews with 48 parents (42 mothers, six fathers) of children under the age of 18 who had completed curative cancer treatment. We analysed the interviews using thematic analysis.

Results

At interview, parents were on average 40.7 years old (SD = 5.5, range: 29–55 years), and had a child who had completed cancer treatment between 3 months and 10.8 years previously (M = 22.1 months). All participants were living with their partner in a married/de facto relationship. Most parents reported that their child's cancer treatment had a negative impact on emotional and sexual intimacy with their partner, with some impacts extending to the post‐treatment period. Reasons for compromised intimacy included exhaustion and physical constraints, having a shifted focus, and discord arising from different coping styles. Some parents reported that their relationship strengthened. Parents also discussed the impact of additional stressors unrelated to the child's cancer experience.

Conclusions

Parents reported that childhood cancer had a negative impact on aspects of emotional and sexual intimacy, although relationship strengthening was also evident. It is important to identify and offer support to couples who experience ongoing relationship stress, which may have adverse effects on family functioning and psychological wellbeing into survivorship.
Functional ability before and after rehabilitation in elderly patients with shortening and/or rotational deformity of the lower limb after hip fracture
Authors: Gialanella Bernardo , Santoro Raffaele , Prometti Paola , Monguzzi Vittoria , Comini Laura
Published: October 2022

Background

Shortening and rotational deformity of the lower limb (SRD) is a major complication of hip fracture surgery. It causes not only hip joint dysfunction but also functional impairments due to abnormal gait parameters, decreased gait velocity, and poor balance. Despite a number of previous studies, the effect of SRD on the postsurgical recovery of these patients is still not clear.

Objective

To compare the functional abilities and balance before and after rehabilitation for people with and without SRD after hip fracture surgery and to assess whether SRD affects rehabilitation.

Design

Prospective observational study.

Setting

Inpatients of a rehabilitation unit.

Participants

A total of 102 people with hip fracture (62 without SRD and 40 with SRD at the time of admission to the unit).

Main Outcome Measures

Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Functional Independence Measure (FIM) motor score, administered before and after rehabilitation.

Interventions

Motor rehabilitation.

Results

Before rehabilitation, patients with SRD had lower motor‐FIM (p = .002) and BBS (p = .001) scores than those without SRD. After rehabilitation, both groups showed similar improvements in motor‐FIM, BBS, range of motion, muscle strength, and pain scores (p < .001, for all), but patients with SRD still had lower motor‐FIM and BBS scores (p = .014 and .003, respectively) and lower effectiveness in motor‐FIM and BBS (p = .039 and p = .034, respectively) than those without SRD.

Conclusions

SRD is associated with lower levels of balance and functional abilities before and after rehabilitation and it adversely affects rehabilitation for patients with hip fractures.
Crystal structure of Campylobacter jejuni lipoprotein Cj1090c
Authors: Paek Seonghee , Kawai Fumihiro , Venisetty Nilamani , Kim Youngchang , Yeo Hye‐Jeong
Published: October 2022

In Gram‐negative bacteria, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is an essential component of the asymmetric outer membrane (OM). LptE is an OM lipoprotein that forms a complex with the β‐barrel OM protein, LptD. Incorporation of LPS into the OM outer leaflet is essential for bacterial viability, and mediated by the LptD/E complex. The genome of Campylobacter jejuni, a major foodborne pathogen, contains over 20 putative lipoproteins including Cj1090c. Here, we report the crystal structure of Cj1090c at 2.4 Å resolution, revealing structural evidence for LptE in C. jejuni. The analysis of this crystal structure, along with the genomic context, allows us to propose the C. jejuni LPS transport system for the first time, and permits for discussion of the features of the LptD/E complex of C. jejuni.
Support or burden? Mental health and transnational family contact among female migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong
Authors: Lai Yingtong , Fong Eric
Published: October 2022

A large and increasing number of female migrant domestic workers has been recorded within the Asia‐Pacific region. Thanks to the development of communication technologies, these migrant women can maintain intimate relations with their family back home despite the distances separating them. However, there have been concerns recently about the effect of preserving close family contact on female migrant domestic workers' mental health. Using recently collected survey data on female migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong, our study finds that daily family communication with parents or partners brings a psychological burden, rather than support, for migrant domestic workers. In addition, the findings show the importance of the workplace environment in moderating the effect of regular family contact. Implications of our findings are discussed.
Performance Improvement in AlGaN/GaN High‐Electron‐Mobility Transistors by Low‐Temperature Inductively Coupled Plasma–Chemical Vapor Deposited SiNx as Gate Dielectric and Surface Passivation
Authors: Surana Vivek Kumar , Ganguly Swaroop , Saha Dipankar
Published: October 2022

This work demonstrates performance improvements in AlGaN/GaN metal–insulator–semiconductor high‐electron‐mobility transistors (MIS‐HEMTs) using low‐temperature inductively coupled plasma chemical vapor deposited (ICP–CVD) silicon nitride (SiN
x
). The low‐temperature SiN
x
is used for both device passivation and gate dielectric. The bandgap of SiN
x
(4.9 eV) and AlGaN/SiN
x
type‐II staggered band alignment (ΔE
c  = 1.4 eV) are determined using ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. The SiN
x
layer effectively increases the in‐plane tensile strain in the AlGaN barrier layer. The tensile strain increases by 0.08% for a 150 nm SiN
x
layer. The corresponding increase in the piezoelectric polarization and 2D electron gas (2DEG) density is 1.5 × 1012 and 1.44 × 1012 cm−2, respectively. The transistor's on‐resistance decreases to 9.33 Ω mm compared with 14 Ω mm measured for the control devices with gate length 1 μm and source and drain separation of 11 μm. The gate leakage current reduces by more than three orders of magnitude. The I
ON/I
OFF ratio increases by two orders of magnitude. The improvements in the physical and electrical properties of the low‐temperature‐deposited ICP–CVD SiN
x
MIS‐HEMTs make it a viable candidate for low‐thermal‐budget fabrication. This nitride can be used with non‐alloyed Ohmic contacts on GaN for extremely low‐thermal‐budget transistors.
Riociguat inhibits ultra‐large VWF string formation on pulmonary artery endothelial cells from chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension patients
Authors: Jujo Sanada Takayuki , Manz Xue D. , Symersky Petr , Pan Xiaoke , Yoshida Keimei , Aman Jurjan , Bogaard Harm Jan
Published: October 2022

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is characterized by elevated pulmonary arterial pressure and organized thrombi within pulmonary arteries. Riociguat is a soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator and is approved for patients with inoperable CTEPH or residual pulmonary hypertension after pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA). Previous work suggested that riociguat treatment is associated with an increased risk of bleeding, although the mechanism is unclear. The aim of this study is to assess how riociguat affects primary hemostasis by studying its effect on the interaction between platelets and endothelial cells derived from CTEPH patients. Pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAECs) were isolated from thrombus‐free regions of PEA material. Purified PAECs were cultured in flow chambers and were stimulated with 0.1 and 1 µM riociguat for 24 h before flow experiments. After stimulation with histamine, PAECs were exposed to platelets under shear stress. Platelet adhesion and expression of von Willebrand Factor (VWF) were evaluated to assess the role of riociguat in hemostasis. Under dynamic conditions, 0.1 and 1.0 µM of riociguat suppressed platelet adhesion on the surface of PAECs. Although riociguat did not affect intracellular expression and secretion of VWF, PAECs stimulated with riociguat produced fewer VWF strings than unstimulated PAECs. Flow cytometry suggested that decreased VWF string formation upon riociguat treatment may be associated with suppressed cell surface expression of P‐selectin, a protein that stabilizes VWF anchoring on the endothelial surface. In conclusion, Riociguat inhibits VWF string elongation and platelet adhesion on the surface of CTEPH‐PAECs, possibly by reduced P‐selectin cell surface expression.
Multi‐threshold proportional hazards model and subgroup identification
Authors: Wang Bing , Li Jialiang , Wang Xiaoguang
Published: October 2022

We propose a novel two‐stage procedure for change point detection and parameter estimation in a multi‐threshold proportional hazards model. In the first stage, we estimate the number of thresholds by formulating the threshold detection problem as a variable selection problem and applying the penalized partial likelihood approach. In the second stage, the change point locations are refined by a grid search and the standard inference for segment regression can then follow. The proposed model and estimation procedure could lend support to subgroup identification and personalized treatment recommendation in medical research. We establish the consistency of the threshold estimators and regression coefficient estimators under technical conditions. The finite sample performance of the method is demonstrated via simulation studies and two cancer data examples.
Folate ‐ Conjugated Magnetite Nanoparticles for Targeted Drug Delivery and Hyperthermia Applications
Authors: Khan Ahmaduddin , Kumar Sahu Niroj
Published: October 2022

Research in magnetic nanoparticles mediated drug delivery system for cancer therapy is of current demand due to its various attributes. It provides a way for ease of stimuli responsive drug delivery and also act as a hyperthermic agent. Folic acid is extensively used for functionalisation of nanoparticles (NP) as various cancerous cells show overexpression of folate receptors. In this article, we report folic acid conjugated magnetite (Fe3O4) NP by two different ways and characterised by XRD, SEM, UV, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy. The folic acid was conjugated by its amine and carboxyl groups respectively on the magnetite NP to bestow them with targeting abilities. The NP formed are spherical and the size ranges from 32–100 nm and are highly aqueous dispersible as evidenced through the wettability studies. The blank NP shows some cytotoxicity on the MCF‐7 breast cancer cells probably due to oxidative stress. The NP shows high DOX loading efficiency due to higher surface area and negative surface charge. The superior magnetic properties of the NP assures hyperthermic temperature of 41 °C within 49 sec for 2 mg/ml NP concentration at an applied current of 273 A and frequency 316 kHz.
Theoretical Design, Synthesis, Solvatochromic Studies and Non‐Linear Optical Properties of 3,4‐Ethylenedioxythiophene and 3,4‐ Propylenedioxythiophene based Copolymers
Authors: Baby Anju Maria , Savitha D. P. , Sreekumar Krishnapillai
Published: October 2022

Two thiophene based low band gap conjugated copolymers P(EDOT‐NA)] and P(PRDOT‐NA) were designed and synthesized via direct arylation polymerization. The copolymers were characterized by UV‐Vis, IR, Photoluminescence and NMR spectroscopic techniques. HOMO‐LUMO energy levels of the copolymers were theoretically calculated by two levels of DFT theories, HSE06 and B3LYP using a 6‐31G (d,p) basis set. Thermal properties were evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis. Optical properties of the copolymers showed solvatochromic behavior in different tolune/acetonitrile mixtures. P(EDOT‐NA) exhibited a negative solvatochromism in both absorption and emission spectra with a Stoke's shift of 6761 cm−1 to 7218 cm−1. P(PRDOT‐NA) was observed with a negative solvatochromism in absorption and positive solvatochromism in emission with Stoke's shift of 7265 cm−1 to 7891 cm−.1. Third‐order non‐linear optical properties of the copolymers were evaluated using the open‐aperture Z‐scan technique at 532 nm in DMSO solvent. OA Z‐scan behavior and optical limiting effect of the copolymers P(EDOT‐NA) and P(PRDOT‐NA) were studied at 81 μJ, 165 μJ and 300 μJ. Both copolymers exhibited reverse saturable non‐linear optical absorption with positive non‐linear absorption coefficient β (m/W) in the range of 10−10. The optical limiting threshold values obtained for the polymers at 81 μJ were 0.026 GW/cm2 and 0.033 GW/cm2.
Removal of Heavy Metal by Biosurfactant Producing Novel Halophilic Staphylococcus sciuri subsp. rodentium Strain SE I Isolated from Sambhar Salt Lake
Authors: Sharma Priyanka , Rekhi Pavni , Debnath Mousumi
Published: October 2022

The application of halophilic biosurfactant‐producing bacteria to remove the pollutants from textile effluent was investigated in the current study. Staphylococcus sciuri subsp. rodentium strain SE I isolated from Sambhar Salt Lake, Rajasthan showed the highest emulsification activity of 65±1.2 % after 96 h of incubation with a yield of 0.189 g/l of biosurfactant. The surface tension was reduced to 46.23 mN/m±0.46 after 72 h at pH 7.0. The presence of non‐ribosomal protein sequences gave a hint of the presence of surfactin‐type lipopeptide biosurfactant and Copper Translocating P‐type ATPase enzyme sequences indicating its presence can confer resistance against heavy metals. Strain SE I showed the potential to remove heavy metals from textile effluent viz. 67 % of Cd, 64 % of Pb, 59 % of Cu, 50 % of, Cr, and 33 % of Ni after 7 days of treatment as well exhibited decolorization of dyes ranging from 61 %±0.15 to 95 %±1.03, respectively. Based on the research findings, it is reasonable to conclude that surfactin biosurfactant extracted from S. sciuri subsp. rodentium strain SE I can be an alternative biosorbent and function as a bioremediation agent.
Ag/Se‐Catalyzed Selective Epoxidation of β‐Ionone with Molecular Oxygen
Authors: Zhang Xu , Zuo Tingting , Yu Lei
Published: October 2022

Ag/Se could be easily fabricated by calcining selenium and silver powders. It was found to be an efficient catalyst for the selective epoxidation of the endocyclic C=C bond of β‐ionone to produce β‐ionone epoxide, an important organic intermediate in pharmaceutical industry. It is notable that the reaction can employ molecular oxygen as the cheap, clean and relatively safe oxidant, and no additives such as NHPI are required. The green process makes the method practical for large‐scale application.
Scalable Two‐Step Production of High‐Efficiency Perovskite Solar Cells and Modules
Authors: Wu Zhifang , Bi Enbing , Li Chongwen , Chen Lei , Song Zhaoning , Yan Yanfa
Published: October 2022

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) fabricated in laboratories have already achieved a power conversion efficiency (PCE) comparable to market‐dominant crystalline silicon solar cells. However, this promising photovoltaic technology suffers from severe loss of PCE during scaling up, limiting its progress toward commercialization. One critical question is to develop scalable, low‐cost, high throughput, and well‐controlled production methods to deposit high‐quality perovskite films. Among various approaches, two‐step sequential deposition methods have their unique advantages but have been long overlooked. This review provides an overview of two‐step methods for fabricating efficient and stable perovskite solar modules (PSMs). The mechanisms of two‐step perovskite conversion and advanced engineering approaches to modulate the perovskite formation process are discussed first. The progress of efficient PSCs prepared by different two‐step methods is surveyed and the advantages and disadvantages of each method for the scalable production of PSMs are compared. Particularly, it is highlighted that the vapor‐based two‐step methods are promising for high‐throughput in‐line production of PSMs. Finally, insights into the challenges and outlook of the industrialization of two‐step processes for producing PSMs are provided.
Trace-element distribution and ore-forming processes in Au–Ag-rich hydrothermal chimneys and mounds in the TA25 West vent field of the Tonga Arc
Authors: Choi Sun Ki , Pak Sang Joon , Park Jung-Woo , Kim Hyun-Sub , Kim Jonguk , Choi Sang-Hoon
Published: October 2022

We report detailed mineralogy and geochemistry of hydrothermal mounds and chimneys in the TA25 West vent field (TA25 WVF), a newly discovered magmatic–hydrothermal system in the Tonga (Tofua) arc. Chimney samples are classified as sulfate- or sulfide-rich, based on major sulfide, sulfosalt, and sulfate minerals. The former type represents a simple mineral assemblage of predominance of anhydrite/gypsum + barite + pyrite, whereas the sulfide-rich chimneys show three different stages of mineralization with decreasing fluid temperature: sphalerite–pyrite dominated stage I, sphalerite–sulfosalts dominated stage II, and stage III is dominated by seawater alteration. Mound samples are characterized by sulfide assemblages and paragenesis similar to those of sulfide-rich samples, but abundant chalcopyrite indicates a relatively high-temperature mineralization. The chimney and mound samples are enriched in Au (average 9.2 ppm), Ag (297 ppm), As (1897 ppm), Sb (689 ppm), Hg (157 ppm), and Se (34.6 ppm). LA–ICP–MS and FE–TEM studies indicate that most of these elements occur in sulfides or sulfosalts in solid solution, although some occur as nanoparticles. This is mainly controlled by the combined effects of fluid conditions (temperature and redox state) and influx of ambient seawater. Petrography and trace-element compositions of sulfides and/or sulfosalts suggest that most concentrations of Au and Ag in the TA25 WVF result from the precipitation and/or adsorption of Au–Ag-bearing nanoparticles on rapidly crystallized sulfides, the substitution of Au and Ag in sulfide and/or sulfosalt minerals, and the saturation of Ag in hydrothermal fluids during late, relatively low-temperature mineralization (< 150 °C). The maximum measured temperature (242 °C) of venting fluids and calculated formation temperatures of sphalerite (229–267 ℃) are below the boiling temperature of seawater at the depths (966–1096 m) of the TA25 WVF, suggesting fluid boiling had little effect on Au–Ag-rich mineralization in the TA25 WVF. The presence of enargite–tetrahedrite–tennantite assemblages, high concentrations of magma-derived elements (e.g., Au, Ag, As, Sb, Hg, and Se), low δ34S values (2.1 to 4.3‰) of sulfide minerals relative to the host rocks, and the distribution of CO2-rich hydrothermal plumes (500 to 1000 ppm) suggest that the TA25 WVF is a submarine hydrothermal system influenced by a magmatic contribution in an arc setting. Our results indicate that the magmatic contribution is most likely to play an important role in supplying various metals, including Au and Ag, to the TA25 WVF. Subsequently, the rapid crystallization of sulfides induced by abundant fluid-seawater mixing significantly contributes to the precipitation of Au–Ag-rich mineralization.
Characterization of vanillin carbon isotope delta reference materials
Authors: Chartrand Michelle M. G. , Meija Juris , Hélie Jean-Francois , Middlestead Paul , Ramalingam Malarvili , Aziz Azharuddin Abd , Mester Zoltan
Published: October 2022

Stable carbon isotope ratio measurements are used to investigate the provenance of vanillin. In this study, a variety of commercial vanillin samples and vanilla products were analyzed to provide a frame of reference for the variability of carbon isotope delta values in various vanillin samples, with the results ranging from −20.6 to −36.7‰ relative to the Vienna Peedee Belemnite (VPDB). We present information on the development of two synthetic vanillin reference materials, VANA-1 and VANB-1, prepared in 0.75 g units in glass vials, to be used for the calibration of carbon isotope delta measurements of vanillin and other easily combustible organic materials. Characterization of 40 vials each of VANA-1 and VANB-1 was performed by three laboratories over several measurement sequences. The certified carbon isotope delta values are −31.30 ± 0.06‰ (VANA-1) and −25.85 ± 0.05‰ (VANB-1). These uncertainties, for the 95% confidence level, include considerations for measurement uncertainty, coherence of the reference materials used for calibration, batch homogeneity, and stability during storage and transportation. The results are traceable to the VPDB through a set of nine reference materials (IAEA-CH-6, USGS65, IAEA-600, NBS22, USGS61, IAEA-603, IAEA-610, IAEA-611, and IAEA-612). For up to date certified values, users should refer to doi.org/10.4224/crm.2022.vana-1 and doi.org/10.4224/crm.2022.vanb-1.
Dynamic mechanical characteristics of aged silicone rubber blend
Authors: Mwafy Eman A. , Gaafar M. S.
Published: October 2022

The effect of aging on the mechanical properties of silicone rubber (SR) was investigated by means of ultrasonic, dynamic mechanical analysis, and FTIR techniques. Both longitudinal and shear (Ultrasonic wave velocities) were measured at room temperature and at frequencies of 2 MHz. Density, molar volume, ultrasonic wave velocities, tensile strength, mechanical properties, and FT–IR showed the improvement of the silicone rubber network with aging time from 0 to 70 days, while loosening of the network structure was observed at 14 days and 50 days aging. These behaviours were explained in terms of the change in cross-link density and average stretching force constant of bonds with aging. Thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetric techniques showed quite low thermal stability and temperature performance for aged SR at 14 and 50 days than virgin SR which was confirmed by the cracks and voids appeared under scanning electron microscope.
Adversarial attacks on graph-level embedding methods: a case study
Authors: Giordano Maurizio , Maddalena Lucia , Manzo Mario , Guarracino Mario Rosario
Published: October 2022

As the number of graph-level embedding techniques increases at an unprecedented speed, questions arise about their behavior and performance when training data undergo perturbations. This is the case when an external entity maliciously alters training data to invalidate the embedding. This paper explores the effects of such attacks on some graph datasets by applying different graph-level embedding techniques. The main attack strategy involves manipulating training data to produce an altered model. In this context, our goal is to go in-depth about methods, resources, experimental settings, and performance results to observe and study all the aspects that derive from the attack stage.
The climate benefit of sequestration in soils for warming mitigation
Authors: Crow Susan E. , Sierra Carlos A.
Published: October 2022

Soils are an enticing reservoir for nature-based climate solutions, but long timescales are required to store amounts of C of relevance to mitigate warming acknowledging its impermanence. Scientific clarity on the controlling factors in soil C persistence should help to disambiguate debates related to permanence in the climate policy domain. However, another contributing factor that is lacking in this debate is a way to compute the climate benefits of C in terrestrial ecosystems over time in the same units as greenhouse gas emissions. We use a case study approach here to demonstrate the use of the metrics of carbon sequestration (CS) and climate benefit of sequestration (CBS) with the aim of assessing the contribution of simultaneous emissions and uptake on radiative forcing. We show how this new computational framework quantifies the climate benefit achieved in two different agricultural systems, one a managed tropical perennial grass system in Hawaiʻi, USA and the other a boreal (cold-temperate, semi-humid) agricultural soil from long term amendment trials in Sweden. Using a set of computations, we show how C inputs and persistence interact to produce different levels of radiative forcing at relevant time frames, which could greatly help to clarify issues of carbon permanence discussed in climate policy. Temporary soil C storage could help to decrease peak warming provided that ambitious emission reductions are part of the portfolio of solutions; the CS and CBS framework gives us a way to quantify it based on biogeochemical understanding of soil C persistence.
Epidemiology of interstitial lung disease in patients with metastatic breast cancer at baseline and after treatment with HER2-directed therapy: a real-world data analysis
Authors: Law Jeanna Wallenta , Campbell Alicyn , Weller Colin , Johanson Colden , Broome Ronda , Piault Elisabeth , Izano Monika , Schrag Andrew , Tran Mary , Brown Thomas D. , Kaplan Henry G.
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Using real-world data, interstitial lung disease (ILD) prevalence before and after HER2-directed therapy was estimated. Potential ILD risk factors in patients receiving HER2-directed therapy for metastatic breast cancer (mBC) were evaluated.

Methods

Adults with HER2-directed therapy for mBC initiated between September 25, 1998, and February 22, 2020 were, included. ILD was defined broadly as one or more of 64 lung conditions. Patients were followed until incident ILD, death, last contact, or study end.

Results

In total, 533 patients were identified with median age at mBC of 57, 51% had de novo mBC, 43% were ever smokers, 30% had lung metastases, 9% had thoracic radiation, 6% had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and 16% had prevalent ILD. ILD cumulative incidence at one year was 9% (95% CI 6%, 12%), with a median follow-up of 23 months. Smoking (HR 2.2, 95% CI 1.1, 4.8) and Black/African-American race (HR 3.4, 95% CI 1.6, 7.5) were significantly associated with ILD; HRs for preexisting lung conditions (HR 1.8, 95% CI 0.9, 3.8) and thoracic radiation (HR 2.3, 95% CI 0.8, 7.1) were not statistically significant. Prevalent ILD was associated with 13-fold greater occurrence of incident ILD. 85% of patients with prevalent or incident ILD were symptomatic.

Conclusions

This real-world population of patients with mBC had a high prevalence of ILD prior to HER2-directed therapy, reflecting the multifactorial causation of interstitial lung changes. The cumulative incidence of ILD in patients receiving HER2-directed therapy for mBC augments prior reports. Symptomatic presentation suggests an opportunity for early intervention.
Fungible and non-fungible tokens with snapshots in Java
Authors: Crosara Marco , Olivieri Luca , Spoto Fausto , Tagliaferro Fabio
Published: October 2022

Many blockchain applications exchange tokens, such as bitcoin and ether, or implement them through smart contracts. A trend in blockchain is to apply standards for token interoperability, unchanged, from platform to platform, easing the design challenges with trusted and widely-used specifications. However, the exploitation of the target language semantics can result in technological advantages and more efficient contracts. This paper presents a re-engineering of OpenZeppelin’s implementation of the ERC-20 and ERC-721 standards in Takamaka, a Java framework for programming smart contracts. It describes a sound solution to the issue about the types allowed for the token holders and a novel implementation for making snapshots of tokens, based on tree maps, that is possible in Java, but not in Solidity, more efficient than the literal translation in Java from Solidity, within the Java virtual machine. Moreover, it applies to ERC-721 as well, where a snapshot mechanism was previously missing. The same snapshot mechanism can also be applied beyond the smart contracts for tokens.
Flicker electroretinogram in newborn infants
Authors: Hanson James V. M. , Weber Caroline , Pfäffli Oliver A. , Bassler Dirk , McCulloch Daphne L. , Gerth-Kahlert Christina
Published: October 2022

Purpose

To develop and validate a flicker electroretinogram (ERG) protocol in term-born neonates as a potential tool for assessing preterm infants at risk of developing retinopathy of prematurity.

Methods

A custom flicker ERG protocol was developed for use with the hand-held RETeval® electrophysiology device. Feasibility of measuring flicker ERG through closed eyelids and without mydriasis was established in a pilot study enabling optimisation of the test protocol. Following this, healthy term-born neonates (gestational age 37–42 weeks) were recruited at the Neonatology clinic of the University Hospital Zurich. Flicker ERG recordings were performed using proprietary disposable skin electrodes during the first four days of life when the infants were sleeping. Flicker stimuli were presented at 28.3 Hz for a stimulus series at 3, 6, 12, 30, and 50 cd·s/m2, with two measurements at each stimulus level. Results were analysed offline. Flicker ERG peak times and amplitudes were derived from the averaged measurements per stimulus level for each subject.

Results

28 term-born neonates were included in the analysis. All infants tolerated the testing procedure well. Flicker ERG recording was achieved in all subjects with reproducible flicker ERG waveforms for 30 and 50 cd·s/m2 stimuli. Reproducible ERGs were recorded in the majority of infants for the weaker stimuli (with detectable ERGs in 20/28, 25/28, and 27/28 at 3, 6, and 12 cd·s/m2, respectively). Flicker ERG amplitudes increased with increasing stimulus strength, with peak times concurrently decreasing slightly.

Conclusion

Flicker ERG recording is feasible and reliably recorded in sleeping neonates through closed eyelids using skin electrodes and without mydriasis. Flicker ERG amplitude decreases for lower luminance flicker but remains detectable for 3 cd·s/m2 flicker in the majority of healthy term-born neonates. These data provide a basis to study retinal function in premature infants using this protocol.
Basic block coverage for search-based unit testing and crash reproduction
Authors: Derakhshanfar Pouria , Devroey Xavier , Zaidman Andy
Published: October 2022

Search-based techniques have been widely used for white-box test generation. Many of these approaches rely on the approach level and branch distance heuristics to guide the search process and generate test cases with high line and branch coverage. Despite the positive results achieved by these two heuristics, they only use the information related to the coverage of explicit branches (e.g., indicated by conditional and loop statements), but ignore potential implicit branchings within basic blocks of code. If such implicit branching happens at runtime (e.g., if an exception is thrown in a branchless-method), the existing fitness functions cannot guide the search process. To address this issue, we introduce a new secondary objective, called Basic Block Coverage (BBC), which takes into account the coverage level of relevant basic blocks in the control flow graph. We evaluated the impact of BBC on search-based unit test generation (using the DynaMOSA algorithm) and search-based crash reproduction (using the STDistance and WeightedSum fitness functions). Our results show that for unit test generation, BBC improves the branch coverage of the generated tests. Although small ($\sim $
∼
1.5%), this improvement in the branch coverage is systematic and leads to an increase of the output domain coverage and implicit runtime exception coverage, and of the diversity of runtime states. In terms of crash reproduction, in the combination of STDistance and WeightedSum, BBC helps in reproducing 3 new crashes for each fitness function. BBC significantly decreases the time required to reproduce 43.5% and 45.1% of the crashes using STDistance and WeightedSum, respectively. For these crashes, BBC reduces the consumed time by 71.7% (for STDistance) and 68.7% (for WeightedSum) on average.
Causal Lie Products of Free Fields and the Emergence of Quantum Field Theory
Authors: Buchholz Detlev , Longo Roberto , Rehren Karl-Henning
Published: October 2022

All causal Lie products of solutions of the Klein-Gordon equation and the wave equation in Minkowski space are determined. The results shed light on the origin of the algebraic structures underlying quantum field theory.
Limitations to Genuine Measurements in Ontological Models of Quantum Mechanics
Authors: Tumulka Roderich
Published: October 2022

Given an ontological model of a quantum system, a “genuine measurement,” as opposed to a quantum measurement, means an experiment that determines the value of a beable, i.e., of a variable that, according to the model, has an actual value in nature before the experiment. We prove a theorem showing that in every ontological model, it is impossible to measure all beables. Put differently, there is no experiment that would reliably determine the ontic state. This result shows that the positivistic idea that a physical theory should only involve observable quantities is too optimistic.
Knowledge of Wildlife, Hunting, and Human-felid Interactions in Maya Forest Communities of the Northern Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico
Authors: Piña-Covarrubias Evelyn , Chávez Cuauhtémoc , Doncaster C. Patrick
Published: October 2022

Human-wildlife impacts threaten large-felid persistence in the northern Yucatán Peninsula, triggered largely by livestock depredation. We aimed to explore knowledge and attitudes about local wildlife in relation to husbandry practices, hunting habits, and human-wildlife interactions, in three Maya Forest communities. A questionnaire survey of 30 long-established smallholdings, where livelihood depended on a private fenced plot and surrounding communal forest, found wide knowledge of local wildlife, perception biases for abundances of game species, and preference for living amongst wild herbivores over carnivores. Interviewees had concerns about perceived year-on-year decreases in local wildlife, attributed to regular subsistence hunting by their communities. The few interviewees reporting large-felid attacks on their livestock subsequently altered management practices to prevent further attacks. The region suffers from a poverty trap of subsistence hunting by smallholders needing protein supplement potentially exacerbating depredation on the livestock that sustain their economies by large felids deprived of their natural prey.
Optimal linear income taxes and education subsidies under skill-biased technical change
Authors: Jacobs Bas , Thuemmel Uwe
Published: October 2022

This paper studies how linear tax and education policy should optimally respond to skill-biased technical change (SBTC). SBTC affects optimal taxes and subsidies by changing (1) direct distributional benefits of each policy instrument, (2) indirect, general-equilibrium effects on wages, and (3) education distortions. Analytically, the effect of SBTC on these three components is shown to be ambiguous. In simulations for the US economy, SBTC makes the optimal tax system more progressive and lowers optimal education subsidies. This is because for both income taxes and education subsidies; their direct distributional effects become more important, which more than offsets the larger general-equilibrium effects and increased education distortions.
Appreciating the Good Things in Life During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Controlled Trial and Evaluation of a Gratitude App
Authors: Kloos Noortje , Austin Judith , van ‘t Klooster Jan-Willem , Drossaert Constance , Bohlmeijer Ernst
Published: October 2022

The Covid-19 pandemic has had many negative consequences on the general public mental health. The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of and satisfaction with an app with gratitude exercises to improve the mental health of people with reduced mental well-being due to the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as potential mechanisms of well-being change and dose–response relationships. A two-armed randomized controlled trial design was used, with two groups receiving the 6-week gratitude intervention app either immediately (intervention group, n = 424) or after 6 weeks (waiting list control group, n = 425). Assessments took place online at baseline (T0), six weeks later (T1) and at 12 weeks (T2), measuring outcomes (i.e., mental well-being, anxiety, depression, stress), and potential explanatory variables (i.e., gratitude, positive reframing, rumination). Linear mixed models analyses showed that when controlled for baseline measures, the intervention group scored better on all outcome measures compared to the control group at T1 (d = .24–.49). These effects were maintained at T2. The control group scored equally well on all outcome measures at T2 after following the intervention. Effects of the intervention on well-being were partially explained by gratitude, positive reframing, and rumination, and finishing a greater number of modules was weakly related to better outcomes. The intervention was generally appealing, with some room for improvement. The results suggest that a mobile gratitude intervention app is a satisfactory and effective way to improve the mental health of the general population during the difficult times of a pandemic.
Chemistry in earthquake: the active chemical role of liquid and supercritical waters in microfracturing at depth
Authors: Calcara Massimo
Published: October 2022

The role of water in the nucleation process of an earthquake and its contribution to the mainshock is ascertained by many models in its physical part, as a factor capable of altering the balance of pressures and thus influencing the effective pressure. Assuming that water is present at depth, starting from the observation of its molecular structure at various crustal pressure and temperature conditions, the present paper analyses water’s chemical role in relation with the rock matrix, and its response during microfracturing. The creation of a network of new void spaces produces a decrease of the water pressure. Water may respond at molecular scale differently, depending on its aggregation state. Effectively depressurisation has a limited influence on the liquid water, only if it does not cause the transition to the vapour phase. Conversely, depressurisation causes an instantaneous variation in the intermolecular structure of supercritical water (SCW). Specifically, the nearly total disappearance of its ionic characteristics: that means the severe drop of solubility constants. At the same time, the already low viscosity decreases too: SCW intrudes easily into new fissures. When the microcracks tend to close, SCW reacquires adequate ionic characteristics for the rise in density (isothermal pressurisation); hence, an intense water rock interaction starts with freshly opened surfaces. This process influences actively the subcritical crack growth too, again with differences between liquid and SCW: last one participates only when reacquires density. Summarising, it is likely that water plays a fundamental and active role in determining the rock weakening, once earthquake preparation process begin with the development of microcracks are forming, perhaps playing an active role in determining the main rupture. With different modalities according to its aggregation state.
Characterization of aggregate-stabilized dissolved organic matter release - A novel approach to determine soil health advances of conservation farming systems
Authors: Sae-Tun Orracha , Keiblinger Katharina M. , Rosinger Christoph , Mentler Axel , Mayer Herwig , Bodner Gernot
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Since principles of conservation agriculture mimic the soil conditions of undisturbed natural soils, linking aggregation and dissolved organic matter (DOM) occlusion would therefore provide a targeted descriptor for soil health advances of innovative farming systems. This study aimed to assess structure-related DOM patterns of conservation farming systems and underlying bio-chemical drivers by using a novel method for the combined analysis of aggregate breakdown and DOM release.

Methods

Soil samples were collected from conventional farming, conservation farming and natural reference soil systems over a wide range of soil types. Ultrasonication aggregate breakdown combined with continuous UV–Vis measurement was used to characterize DOM release from soil. Measures of breakdown dynamics were related to soil physical and chemical properties to determine the strongest predictors of DOM release.

Results

The quantity of DOM released and aggregate stabilization showed a steady continuum starting from standard farming through conservation agriculture towards reference soil systems. DOM released from reference soils however was less complex and occluded in more stable soil aggregates than arable soils. The overall DOM release dynamics are shaped by agricultural management with site-specific modifiers driving aggregation and mineral-organic interactions in soils.

Conclusions

The simultaneous quantification of aggregate breakdown and DOM release captures key biophysical effects in structure-related DOM stabilization and revealed significant differences between land-use and agricultural management systems. The linkage of physical with functional soil organic matter descriptors provides an improved approach to monitor soil health advances in arable cropping systems.
Do people care about loss probabilities?
Authors: Zeisberger Stefan
Published: October 2022

In a series of experiments, we provide evidence that people pay special attention to the probability of losing. We first analyze this behavior in the typically used one-shot choice tasks. We then extend our analysis to repeated decisions in choice tasks, as well as allocation and investment tasks. Additionally, we test both decision making under risk and under gradually removed uncertainty, as with decisions from experience. Our findings of explicit attention to loss probabilities contradict the predictions of normative and descriptive decision theories, such as Expected Utility Theory and (Cumulative) Prospect Theory. We suggest a value function with a jump rather than a kink at the reference point, which separates gains and losses.
The Real Law
Authors: Philippopoulos-Mihalopoulos Andreas
Published: October 2022

Three movements that trace a certain understanding of law, from textual to spatial/material to spectacularised. The passages between the three movements are performed with the help of a visualisation that keeps on evolving, following the narrative of the legal understanding. This is accompanied by a thick description of instances from various iterations of an art performance/participatory game I have been performing in the past few years at various art and law institutions called escaping the lawscape. These hermeneutic tools help me situation the law from a critique of Habermasian rationality to a critique of Luhmannian functionality, only to arrive to a full aestheticisation of contemporary law as a spectacle that needs to prove its validity through social media and other techniques of packaging.
Measuring Competitiveness at NUTS3 Level and Territorial Partitioning of the Italian Provinces
Authors: D’Urso Pierpaolo , Giovanni Livia De , Sica Francesca G. M. , Vitale Vincenzina
Published: October 2022

In this paper we propose a dashboard of indicators of territorial attractiveness at NUTS3 level in the framework of the EU Regional Competitiveness Index (RCI). Then, the Fuzzy C-Medoids Clustering model with multivariate data and contiguity constraints is applied for partitioning the Italian provinces (NUTS3). The novelty is the territorial level analized, and the identification of the elementary indicators at the basis of the construction of the eleven composite competitiveness pillars. The positioning of the Italian provinces is deeply analyzed. The clusters obtained with and without contraints are compared. The obtained partition may play an important role in the design of policies at the NUTS3 level, a route already considered by the Italian government. The analysis developed and the related set of indicators at NUTS3 level constitute an information base that could be effectively used for the implementation of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP).
Numerical investigation of laboratory hydraulic fracturing tests in Pocheon granite
Authors: Farkas Márton Pál , Hofmann Hannes , Zimmermann Günter , Zang Arno , Zhuang Li , Kim Kwang Yeom
Published: October 2022

This study investigates numerically several hydraulic fracturing experiments that were performed on intact cubic Pocheon granite samples applying different injection protocols. The goal of the laboratory experiments is to test the concept of cyclic soft stimulation which aims to increase permeability sustainably among others. The Irazu 2D numerical code is used to simulate explicitly coupled hydraulic diffusion and fracturing processes under bi-axial stress conditions. Using the hybrid finite-discrete element modelling approach, we test two injection schemes, constant-rate continuous injection and cyclic progressive injection on homogeneous and heterogeneous samples. Our study focuses on the connection between the geometry of hydraulic fractures, fracturing mechanisms and the permeability increase after injection. The models capture several characteristics of the hydraulic fracturing tests using a time-scaling approach. The numerical simulation results show good agreement with the laboratory experiments in terms of pressure evolution characteristics and fracture pattern. Based on the simulation results, the constant-rate continuous and cyclic progressive injection schemes applied to heterogeneous rock sample with pre-existing fractures show the highest hydraulic aperture increase, and thus permeability enhancement.