bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Missed diagnosis of Fabry disease: should we screen patients with multiple sclerosis?
Authors: Rekova Petra , Kovarova Ivana , Uher Tomas , Srpova Barbora , Dostalova Gabriela , Linhart Ales , Vaneckova Manuela , Stastna Dominika
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Fabry disease (FD) can be undiagnosed in the context of multiple sclerosis (MS) due to similar clinical and paraclinical features. Our study aimed to determine the prevalence (and the necessity of screening) of FD among patients with possible or definite MS.

Methods

In this prospective monocentric observational study, we included consecutive patients enrolled between May 2017 and May 2019 after the first clinical event suggestive of MS. All patients underwent FD screening using dried blood spots in a stepwise manner combining genetic and enzyme testing. Patients were followed until May 2022.

Results

We included 160 patients (73.1% female, mean age 33.9 years). The 2017 revised McDonald’s criteria for definite MS were fulfilled by 74 (46.3%) patients at the time of study recruitment and 89 (55.6%) patients after 3–5 years of follow-up. None of the patients had a pathogenic GLA variant, and four (2.5%) had a variant of unknown significance (p.A143T, p.S126G, 2 × p.D313Y). In two of these patients, the intrathecal synthesis of oligoclonal bands was absent, and none had hyperproteinorachia or pleocytosis in cerebrospinal fluid. Detailed examination of FD organ manifestations revealed only discrete ocular and kidney involvement in two patients.

Conclusion

The prevalence of FD in the population of suspected or definite MS patients does not appear to be high. Our results do not support routine FD screening in all patients with a possible diagnosis of MS, but there is an urgent need to search for red flags and include FD in the differential diagnosis of MS.
Digging in? Migration preferences in communities affected by climate change — evidence from Bangladesh
Authors: Wiig Arne , Mahmud Minhaj , Kolstad Ivar , Lujala Päivi , Bezu Sosina
Published: July 2023

We analyse unique survey data on the migration intentions of 400 households in two extremely climate exposed communities in coastal Bangladesh. The results show that few households in these areas expect to relocate elsewhere over the coming 5-year period. Surprisingly, households that have experienced environmental shocks do not express higher migration intentions or expectations of future shocks. These results hold controlling for variables reflecting household constraints, vulnerability, and coping capacity, and likely reflects the population remaining in the region being a highly selected sample whose preferences for mobility are low and remain limited in the face of environmental shocks. Moreover, an embedded discrete choice experiment shows that shock-exposed households are less likely to move in scenarios of worse future environmental conditions. We argue that this is hard to explain through selection or increased resilience alone, and may instead reflect preference change among shock-exposed households that have chosen to remain. Our results suggest that in contexts of ongoing exposure to climate shocks, migration may over time become an increasingly unimportant adaptation strategy in affected areas.
How do spine surgeons cope with psychological distress: results of a cross-sectional study
Authors: Kalasauskas Darius , Ottenhausen Malte , Irene Irene , Chmitorz Andrea , Lieb Klaus , Ringel Florian
Published: July 2023

Cross Sectional Study/Online Survey. In this study, we sought to assess stress, psychological distress, resilience, and coping strategies among spine surgeons in German-speaking countries. Recent studies have reported high rates of stress and burnout among surgeons. A survey via Survey Monkey™ was conducted among spine surgeons practicing in German-speaking countries using validated questionnaires for perceived stress, mental burden, resilience, and quality of life. Data on working situation and demographics were also collected. 582 surgeons responded to the survey, representing 15% of those surveyed. 79% of respondents were satisfied with their professional success. Mental burden was higher than in the general population, as was perceived stress. Chairpersons were exposed to the lowest levels of perceived stress and mental burden. Mental distress was high (GHQ ≥ 12) in 59% of residents and 27% chairpersons. Self-reported psychological resilience was higher than levels found in the general population and highest among chairpersons. Quality of life was comparable to levels reported in the general population. There were statistically significant correlations between perceived stress and mental burden scores (r s = 0.65, p < 0.001). Career level (senior physicians vs. residents, OR 0.26; 95% CI 0.10-0.66), perceived stress (OR 1.54; 95% CI 1.33-1.77), self-reported resilience (OR 0.53; 95% CI 0.33-0.84), and mental composite score (SOR 0.86; 95% CI 0.83-0.90) were predictors of high mental burden. There was no interaction between perceived stress and resilience on mental burden (p = 0.835). Spine surgeons are exposed to higher levels of stress than the general population, which are associated with higher mental distress. More professional experience and higher levels of psychological resilience are associated with lower levels of stress.
State of activity classification of deep-seated gravitational slope deformation at regional scale based on Sentinel-1 data
Authors: Cignetti Martina , Godone Danilo , Notti Davide , Giordan Daniele , Bertolo Davide , Calò Fabiana , Reale Diego , Verde Simona , Fornaro Gianfranco
Published: July 2023

Deep-seated gravitational slope deformations (DsGSDs) are very slow slope instabilities that can have a long-term impact on anthropic structures and infrastructures. The characterization of their state of activity is, therefore, essential to evaluate it. By employing Differential Interferometry Synthetic Aperture Radar (DInSAR) techniques, a dedicated procedure, to explore the behavior and define the state of activity of 279 DsGSDs, inventoried in the regional landslide inventory of the Aosta Valley Region (Western Italian Alps), has been implemented. The proposed methodology consists of several steps. Firstly, Sentinel-1 data have been processed through a two-step, advanced, DInSAR processing scheme to detect and identify Persistent Scatterers (PSs). The velocity values measured along the radar Line of Sight (LOS) have been projected along the steepest slope. Subsequently, an analysis of PSs within DsGSD polygons, devoted to the assessment of Sentinel-1 data coverage, has been carried out; in particular, considering the PS abundance, computing voids in point distributions and assessing PS clustering to identify cases with adequate point number and distribution for a suitable definition of the state of activity. Finally, a spatial analysis based on cluster and outlier identification has been carried out to characterize the moving phenomena and their degree of variability in deformation rates. Overall, the implemented methodology provides a valid instrument to remotely define the state of activity of these huge phenomena, often wrongly underestimated or neglected in risk management, useful for a better definition of DsGSD impacts on anthropic elements for a proper land use planning.
Scaling of Flame Describing Functions in Premixed Swirling Flames
Authors: Kallifronas Dimitrios P. , Ahmed Pervez , Massey James C. , Talibi Midhat , Ducci Andrea , Balachandran Ramanarayanan , Swaminathan Nedunchezhian
Published: July 2023

Predicting the response of swirling flames subjected to acoustic perturbations poses significant challenges due to the complex nature of the flow. In this work, the effect of swirl number on the Flame Describing Function (FDF) is explored through a computational study of four bluff-body stabilised premixed flames with swirl numbers ranging between 0.44 and 0.97 and at forcing amplitudes of 7% and 25% of the mean bulk velocity. The LES model used for the simulations is validated by comparing two of those flames to experiments. The comparison is observed to be good with the computations capturing the unforced flow structure, flame height and FDF behaviour. It is found that changes in the swirl number can affect the location of the minima and maxima of the FDF gain in the frequency space. These locations are not affected by changes in the forcing amplitude, but the gain difference between the minima and the maxima is reduced as the forcing amplitude is increased. It is then attempted to scale the FDF using Strouhal numbers based on two different flame length scales. A length scale based on the axial height of the maximum heat release rate per unit length leads to a good collapse of the FDF gain curves. However, it is also observed that flow instabilities present in the flow can affect the FDF scaling leading to an imperfect collapse.
Suicidality Among Syrian Refugee Children in Jordan
Authors: Dehnel Rebecca , Dalky Heyam , Sudarsan Subashini , Al-Delaimy Wael K.
Published: July 2023

History of adverse events in childhood is one of the strongest predictors of developing negative mental health outcomes with suicidality being the most devastating consequence. Syrian refugee children are at very high risk of developing mental illness, however, the prevalence and significance of suicidal thoughts among this population remains undocumented. A total of 339 Syrian refugee children and adolescents aged 10 to 17 years and their parents living in Jordan were surveyed to assess resilience, depression and suicidality. Demographics and parental depression were correlated with child suicidality. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine the predictors of suicidality within this population. A total of 94 (27.7%) children reported suicidal statements. In the multivariate analyses we found that younger children were more likely to state suicidal ideation than older children. Of the children who stated suicidal ideation, 49 were in primary school, 19 in pre-secondary and 26 in upper-secondary school. In the multivariate analyses, mild (OR 2.633 (95% CI 1.283, 5.709)) and high (OR 6.987 (95% CI 3.532, 14.614)) depression levels among the surveyed children were predictive of suicidality. Experiencing bullying was also predictive of suicidality (OR 2.181 (95% CI 1.179, 4.035)) when compared to those who did not report any bullying. We report high rates of suicidal ideation among Syrian refugee children, especially in children with exposure to pre-existing depression or bullying. Prevention through raising awareness, education and early detection of depression are needed to address suicidality in this and other vulnerable populations of children.
Continuum-kinematics-based peridynamics and phase-field approximation of non-local dynamic fracture
Authors: Partmann Kai , Wieners Christian , Weinberg Kerstin
Published: July 2023

In this work, two non-local approaches to dynamic fracture are investigated: a novel peridynamic formulation and a variational phase-field approach. The chosen continuum-kinematics-based peridynamic model extends the current peridynamic models by introducing surface and volume-based interactions. The phase-field fracture approach optimizes the body’s potential energy and provides a reliable method for predicting fracture in finite element computations. Both methods are able to efficiently compute crack propagation even when the cracks have arbitrary or complex patterns. We discuss the relations of critical fracture parameters in the two methods and show that our novel damage model for the continuum-kinematics-based peridynamics effectively manages fracture under dynamic loading conditions. Numerical examples demonstrate a good agreement between both methods in terms of crack propagation, fracture pattern, and in part, critical loading. We also show the limitations of the methods and discuss possible reasons for deviations.
Real-world outcomes of intravitreal bevacizumab treat-and-extend for cystoid macular oedema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion
Authors: Gildea David , Tang Bobby , Baily Caroline , Ryan Andrea
Published: July 2023

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to report the real-world treatment outcomes using a treat-and-extend intravitreal bevacizumab protocol in cystoid macular oedema (CMO) secondary to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO).

Methods

We conducted a retrospective case series of consecutive adult patients with CMO secondary to CRVO who presented between 1st January 2019 and 31st December 2021. All included patients were treated with bevacizumab using a treat-and-extend protocol, were followed up for a minimum of 6 months and had a clinical examination including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) at every visit. The primary outcome measure was mean change in BCVA.

Results

Thirty-three eyes of 33 patients were included in the study. The mean change in BCVA from baseline was + 24.5 (Median 18, SD 21.5) letters, with a mean follow-up duration of 18.5 (SD 8.9) months. The mean number of injections was 9.5 (SD 1.9) in year 1 and 7.8 (SD 2.8) in year 2. 87.9% of patients were still requiring active treatment, with a maximum interval achieved of 4-weekly in 18.2%, 6-weekly in 42.4%, 8-weekly in 6.1%, 10-weekly in 15.2%, and 12-weekly in 6.1%. The mean maximum interval achieved of those requiring ongoing treatment was 6.8 (SD 2.4) weeks. Multiple regression analyses showed that a higher baseline BCVA was negatively associated with mean visual acuity gain (P < 0.001) and positively associated with final BCVA (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The use of intravitreal bevacizumab in a treat-and-extend regimen is effective in treating CMO secondary to CRVO, in a real-world setting.
Generalized Polarity and Weakest Constraint Qualifications in Multiobjective Optimization
Authors: Stein Oliver , Volk Maximilian
Published: July 2023

In Haeser and Ramos (J Optim Theory Appl, 187:469–487, 2020), a generalization of the normal cone from single objective to multiobjective optimization is introduced, along with a weakest constraint qualification such that any local weak Pareto optimal point is a weak Kuhn–Tucker point. We extend this approach to other generalizations of the normal cone and corresponding weakest constraint qualifications, such that local Pareto optimal points are weak Kuhn–Tucker points, local proper Pareto optimal points are weak and proper Kuhn–Tucker points, respectively, and strict local Pareto optimal points of order one are weak, proper and strong Kuhn–Tucker points, respectively. The constructions are based on an appropriate generalization of polarity to pairs of matrices and vectors.
Learnings from rapid response efforts to remotely detect landslides triggered by the August 2021 Nippes earthquake and Tropical Storm Grace in Haiti
Authors: Amatya Pukar , Scheip Corey , Déprez Aline , Malet Jean-Philippe , Slaughter Stephen L. , Handwerger Alexander L. , Emberson Robert , Kirschbaum Dalia , Jean-Baptiste Julien , Huang Mong-Han , Clark Marin K. , Zekkos Dimitrios , Huang Jhih-Rou , Pacini Fabrizio , Boissier Enguerran
Published: July 2023

On August 14, 2021, a Mw 7.2 earthquake struck the Tiburon Peninsula of western Haiti triggering thousands of landslides. Three days after the earthquake on August 17, 2021, Tropical Storm Grace crossed shallow waters offshore of southern Haiti triggering more landslides worsening the situation. In the aftermath of these events, several organizations with disaster response capabilities or programs activated to provide information on the location of landslides to first responders on the ground. Utilizing remote sensing to support rapid response, one organization manually mapped initiation point of landslides and three automatically detected landslides. The 2021 Haiti event also provided a unique opportunity to test different automated landslide detection methods that utilized both SAR and optical data in a rapid response scenario where rapid situational awareness was critical. As the methods used are highly replicable, the main goal of this study is to summarize the landslide rapid response products released by the organizations, detection methods, quantify accuracy and provide guidelines on how some of the shortcomings encountered in this effort might be addressed in the future. To support this validation, a manually mapped polygon-based landslide inventory covering the entire affected area was created and is also released through this effort.
Identification of potential DNA gyrase inhibitors: virtual screening, extra-precision docking and molecular dynamics simulation study
Authors: Kumar Avinash , Prasun Chakrawarti , Rathi Ekta , Nair Maya S. , Kini Suvarna G.
Published: July 2023

DNA gyrase brings negative supercoils into DNA and loosens up certain positive supercoils that collect during replication and transcription and is a notable antibacterial target. To fight against the menace of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, we have employed various computational tools like high throughput virtual screening (HTVS), standard precision (SP) docking, extra precision (XP) docking, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation studies to identify some potential DNA gyrase inhibitors. A focused library of 5968 anti-bacterial compounds was screened using the HTVS docking protocol of the glide module of Maestro. The top 200 docked compounds were further filtered using SP and XP docking protocols, and their free binding energies were calculated using MM-GBSA studies. The binding and stability of the top two compounds which showed better docking scores than the co-crystallized ligand (Clorobiocin) of DNA gyrase (PDB ID: 1KZN) were further probed by MD simulation of 100 ns using GROMACS. MD simulation study suggested that the compounds AM1 and AM5 form a stable complex with DNA gyrase with a good number of hydrogen bonds. XP docking study showed that interaction with the crucial amino acids for compounds AM1 and AM5 was like the co-crystallized ligand. These compounds were also predicted to be drug-like molecules with good water solubility and excellent absorption profiles. Based on the above studies, herein we report compounds AM1 (1R,3S)-1-(2-((3-(ammoniomethyl)phenyl)amino)-2-oxoethyl)-3-carbamoylpiperidin-1-ium and AM5 (1'S,2 s,4R)-4-ammonio-6-ethyl-1'-methylspiro[chromane-2,4'-piperidin]-1'-ium as potential DNA gyrase inhibitors which can be further developed as a potential lead against the menace of antibiotic resistance.
Clinical Practice Guidelines For the Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Systematic Review
Authors: Seth Ishith , Siu Adrian , Hewitt Lyndel , Budak Ulvi , Farah Beshoy , Jaber Mouhannad
Published: July 2023

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, including Australia. The absence of a consensus clinical practice guideline (CPG) specific to HCC management poses challenges in reducing morbidity, mortality, and improving patient recovery. This systematic review aims to evaluate the existing evidence and assess the potential of published guidelines, including those with an international scope, to provide guidance for healthcare professionals in Australia.

Methods

Electronic search of MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and PubMed was conducted. Peer-reviewed English language articles from 2005 to June 2022 were included if they described management of HCC as part of an evidence-based overall management plan or CPG. The quality of the included CPGs was assessed by the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II) tool.

Results

Twenty-one articles from 16 regions throughout the world were included in this review. All included guidelines (n = 21, 100%) recommended evaluating cirrhosis, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C as potential risk factors of HCC. Obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease were recommended by 19 CPGs (91%) as risk factor for HCC. Fourteen guidelines (67%) endorsed using the BCLC staging system. Eighteen guidelines (86%) recommended a multidisciplinary approach for the management of HCC. Eighteen guidelines (86%) advised that surveillance using ultrasound should be implemented in all cirrhotic patients every 6 months regardless of the cause of cirrhosis. AGREE II mean overall assessment score was 90% indicating that all guidelines included were highly recommended in majority of domains.

Conclusions

The included CPGs provided a comprehensive approach, emphasizing the evaluation of risk factors, utilization of the BCLC staging system, and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach. Regular surveillance using ultrasound for cirrhotic patients was widely recommended. An understanding of contemporary international CPGs can prioritize aspects of the management of HCC to assist healthcare professionals to develop a national guideline to enable standardized, comprehensive, and evidence-based care for patients with HCC.
Target Protein Expression on Tetrahymena thermophila Cell Surface Using the Signal Peptide and GPI Anchor Sequences of the Immobilization Antigen of Cryptocaryon irritans
Authors: Watanabe Yuho , Asada Masahito , Inokuchi Mayu , Kotake Maho , Yoshinaga Tomoyoshi
Published: July 2023

Cryptocaryoniasis, caused by Cryptocaryon irritans, is a significant threat to marine fish cultures in tropical and subtropical waters. However, controlling this disease remains a challenge. Fish infected with C. irritans acquires immunity; however, C. irritans is difficult to culture in large quantities, obstructing vaccine development using parasite cells. In this study, we established a method for expressing an arbitrary protein on the surface of Tetrahymena thermophila, a culturable ciliate, to develop a mimetic C. irritans. Fusing the signal peptide (SP) and glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor sequences of the immobilization antigen, a surface protein of C. irritans, to the fluorescent protein, monomeric Azami-green 1 (mAG1) of the stony coral Galaxea fascicularis, allowed protein expression on the surface and cilia of transgenic Tetrahymena cells. This technique may help develop transgenic Tetrahymena displaying parasite antigens on their cell surface, potentially contributing to the development of vaccines using “mimetic parasites”.
Oral Administration of Silybin Protects Against MPTP-Induced Neurotoxicity by Reducing Pro-inflammatory Cytokines and Preserving BDNF Levels in Mice
Authors: Ramírez-Carreto Ricardo J. , Zaldívar-Machorro Víctor J. , Pérez-Ramírez Dafne J. , Rodríguez-López Blanca E. , Meza Claudia , García Esperanza , Santamaría Abel , Chavarría Anahí
Published: July 2023

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most frequent neurodegenerative disease associated with motor dysfunction secondary to the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the nigrostriatal axis. Actual therapy consists mainly of levodopa; however, its long-term use promotes secondary effects. Consequently, finding new therapeutic alternatives, such as neuroprotective molecules, is necessary. Among these alternatives is silybin (Sb), the major bioactive flavonolignan in silymarin. Both exert neuroprotective effects, preserving dopamine levels and dopaminergic neurons when administered in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) mouse PD model, being probably Sb the potential therapeutic molecule behind this effect. To elucidate the role of Sb in the PD model, we determined the dose-dependent conservation of striatal dopamine content following Sb oral administration. Then, we evaluated motor deficit tests using the best dopamine conservative dose of Sb and determined a cytokine-dependent inflammatory profile status, malondialdehyde as an oxidative stress product, and neurotrophic factors content in the MPTP-induced mouse PD model. Our results show that oral Sb at 100 mg/kg dose conserved about 60% dopamine levels. Also, Sb improved motor deficits, preserved neurotrophic factors content and mitochondrial function, reduced lipid peroxidation, diminished proinflammatory cytokines to basal levels, enhanced fractalkine production in the striatum and substantia nigra, and increased IL-10 and IL-4 levels in the substantia nigra in the MPTP mice. Thus, oral Sb may be a potential pharmacological PD treatment alternative.
Organized crime behavior of shell-company networks in procurement: prevention insights for policy and reform
Authors: Nicolás-Carlock J. R. , Luna-Pla I.
Published: July 2023

In recent years, the analysis of economic crime and corruption in procurement has benefited from integrative studies that acknowledge the interconnected nature of the procurement ecosystem. Following this line of research, we present a networks approach for the analysis of shell-companies operations in procurement that makes use of contracting and ownership data under one framework to gain knowledge about the organized crime behavior that emerges in this setting. In this approach, ownership and management data are used to identify connected components in shell-company networks that, together with the contracting data, allows to develop an alternative representation of the traditional buyer-supplier network: the module-component bipartite network, where the modules are groups of buyers and the connected components are groups of suppliers. This is applied to two documented cases of procurement corruption in Mexico characterized by the involvement of large groups of shell-companies in the misappropriation of millions of dollars across many sectors. We quantify the economic impact of single versus connected shell-companies operations. In addition, we incorporate metrics for the diversity of operations and favoritism levels. This paper builds into the quantitative organized crime in the private sector studies and contributes by proposing a networks approach for preventing fraud and understanding the need for legal reforms.
Does it matter who harmed whom? A cross-cultural study of moral judgments about harm by and to insiders and outsiders
Authors: McKee Paul , Kim Hyo-eun , Tang Honghong , Everett Jim A. C. , Chituc Vladimir , Gibea Toni , Marques Lucas Murrins , Boggio Paulo , Sinnott-Armstrong Walter
Published: July 2023

This cross-cultural study compared judgments of moral wrongness for physical and emotional harm with varying combinations of in-group vs. out-group agents and victims across six countries: the United States of America (N = 937), the United Kingdom (N = 995), Romania (N = 782), Brazil (N = 856), South Korea (N = 1776), and China (N = 1008). Consistent with our hypothesis we found evidence of an insider agent effect, where moral violations committed by outsider agents are generally considered more morally wrong than the same violations done by insider agents. We also found support for an insider victim effect where moral violations that were committed against an insider victim generally were seen as more morally wrong than when the same violations were committed against an outsider, and this effect held across all countries. These findings provide evidence that the insider versus outsider status of agents and victims does affect moral judgments. However, the interactions of these identities with collectivism, psychological closeness, and type of harm (emotional or physical) are more complex than what is suggested by previous literature.
Hyaenid remains from the Late Miocene of Kutschwan (Shanxi Province, China)
Authors: Kargopoulos Nikolaos , Kampouridis Panagiotis , Hartung Josephina , Böhme Madelaine
Published: July 2023

The hyaenid family reached its peak of spatial range and taxonomic diversity during the Late Miocene, including a very wide range of different forms that were spanning throughout the Old World. Particularly, the fossil record of the family in the Balkans and China has been extremely variable during that time. The present paper deals with cranial and postcranial hyaenid material from the Late Miocene locality of Kutschwan (Shanxi Province, China). The specimens were identified as Hyaenictitherium wongii, a widespread species with well-known occurrences throughout Eurasia during the Vallesian and the Turolian. The material presents some notable features, such as the enlarged M1, M2 and m2 that point towards a more basal form of the species. However, the statistical analysis of the variability of these characters points towards intraspecific divergence based on selective release, instead of taxonomically significant adaptive traits. The postcranial material conforms very well to the known material of H. wongii from other localities, indicating an agile cursorial hunter. This species is the only carnivoran found in Kutschwan, based on the current data.
The path towards increasing RAMS for novel complex missions based on CubeSat technology
Authors: Cervone A. , Topputo F. , Franzese V. , Pérez-Silva A. Rodríguez , Leon B. Benavent , Garcia B. Delmas , Minacapilli P. , Rosa P. , Bay G. , Radu S.
Published: July 2023

The paper presents the initial outcomes of a project, currently ongoing under the supervision of the European Space Agency, having the main objective to specify and design a Fault Detection Isolation and Recovery (FDIR) system by making use of relevant RAMS (Reliability, Availability, Maintainability, Safety) analyses for missions in non-deterministic environment with limited resources. The initial project tasks have been to select a study case represented by a CubeSat complex mission, analyse in detail both its mission and system requirements and, based on them, define a set of relevant RAMS analyses to be carried out in the second phase of the project, as inputs for the development of a FDIR concept aimed at a careful balance of the limited spacecraft resources in case of critical failures. Two possible study cases have been identified: LUMIO, a 12U CubeSat mission for the observation of micro-meteoroid impacts on the Lunar farside, and M-ARGO, a 12U deep-space CubeSat which will rendezvous with a near-Earth asteroid and characterize its physical properties for the presence of in-situ resources. Although both missions are characterized by a high level of autonomy and complexity in a harsh environment, LUMIO has been eventually selected as study case for the project. In the paper, the challenges and features of this mission are shortly presented. The specificities of the RAMS analysis and FDIR concept for this specific class of small satellite missions (including the selected study case) are highlighted in the paper, looking in particular at aspects such as the improvement of reliability while maintaining the CubeSat philosophy, the tuning of mission and system requirements in view of facilitating the design and implementation of the FDIR concept, and the current gaps within the RAMS/FDIR body of knowledge. The conclusions drawn during this first project phase provide a real view of how systems engineering must work in tandem with RAMS analyses and FDIR to achieve a more robust and functional mission architecture, thus improving the mission reliability.
Building Bridges Instead of Putting Up Walls: Connecting the “Teams” to Improve Soccer Players’ Support
Authors: Silva João Renato , Buchheit Martin , Hader Karim , Sarmento Hugo , Afonso José
Published: July 2023

The increase in the economic value of soccer occurred in parallel with an increase in competing demands. Therefore, clubs and federations evolved to greater specialization (e.g., state-of-the-art facilities and high-profile expertise staff) to support players’ performance and health. Currently, player preparation is far from exclusively club or national team centered, and the lack of control in each player’s environment can be more prevalent than expected. For example, an elite group of professional players faces disruptions in the season club-oriented planification due to involvement in national teams. Moreover, as elite players’ financial resources grow, it is common for them to employ specialized personal staff (e.g., strength and conditioning, nutritionist, and sports psychologist) to assist in their preparation, resulting in complex three-fold relationships (i.e., club, player’s staff, national team). Although efforts have been made to improve communication with and transition from the club to the national team supervision, this new reality (club-players’ staff) may generate serious compound role-related problems and difficulties in monitoring load and training adaptation and having a unified message. Therefore, efforts must be implemented to ensure a more informed management of the players’ performance environment, where the existence and impact of these various personal staff are considered to avoid a long-term non-zero sum for all intervening parties. If left unchecked, current professional thinking may collide or overlap, potentially triggering conflict escalation and impairing athletic performance or health, especially if effective communication routes are not adequately established. Moreover, diluted personal responsibility regarding performance may ensue, resulting in decreased productivity from all involved, which may cause more harm than benefits for the player’s overall health and performance. This emerging reality calls for developing a joint working framework (i.e., between the player’s personalized support team and the clubs’ team) and better managing of a player-centered process.
Heterogeneous spatial models in R: spatial regimes models
Authors: Piras Gianfranco , Sarrias Mauricio
Published: July 2023

This paper presents the progress made so far in the development of the R package hspm. The package hspm aims at implementing a variety of models and methods to control for heterogeneity in spatial models. Spatial heterogeneity can be specified in different ways, ranging from exogenous (or endogenous) spatial regimes models, to models with coefficients that potentially vary for each observations (i.e., continuous heterogeneity). We focus on a few R functions that allow for the estimation of a general spatial regimes model, as well as all of the nested specifications deriving from it. The models are estimated by instrumental variables and generalized method of moments techniques.
Confirmation bias studies: towards a scientific theory in the humanities
Authors: Rist Thomas
Published: July 2023

This article argues that a global crisis of interpretation can and should be confronted by humanities programmes in UK and similar universities. It contends that raising the standards of proof for theoretical models of interpretation in the humanities will help reverse erosions of trust undermining democratic institutions and expertise. To this end, it considers how financial challenges facing UK universities mould the teaching of theory in the humanities and the knowledge this teaching gives rise to. The article considers how standards of proof from the social sciences can interrogate theory in these conditions, developing it and increasing its assurance. The essay illustrates this claim through a series of sample theories and literary works: Roland Barthes’ ‘Death of the Author’, the Orientalism derived of Edward Said, Chinua Achebe’s novelThings Fall Apartand Jung Chang’sWild Swans: Three Daughters of China. From these examples the essay draws larger conclusions, the biggest of which is a new subfield of study for the humanities: Confirmation Bias Studies. The article is structured as follows. In ‘Part 1: Introduction’, the article considers the openness of literary theory to confirmation bias, which is considered historically, in cognitive processes, especially those processes in the age of the internet, and in educational processes in the humanities. In ‘Part 2: Procedure’, the article explores the challenges of applying a confirmation bias approach to literary theory as a means of interpretation. In ‘Part 3: Conclusion’, the article summarises the key strategies for overcoming confirmation bias in theoretical approaches to the humanities discovered in the article.
The Making of the Doric Temple
Authors: Zuchtriegel Gabriel
Published: July 2023

In this volume, Gabriel Zuchtriegel revisits the idea of Doric architecture as the paradigm of architectural and artistic evolutionism. Bringing together old and new archaeological data, some for the first time, he posits that Doric architecture has little to do with a wood-to-stone evolution. Rather, he argues, it originated in tandem with a disruptive shift in urbanism, land use, and colonization in Archaic Greece. Zuchtriegel presents momentous architectural change as part of a broader transformation that involved religion, politics, economics, and philosophy. As Greek elites colonized, explored, and mapped the Mediterranean, they sought a new home for the gods in the changing landscapes of the sixth-century BC Greek world. Doric architecture provided an answer to this challenge, as becomes evident from parallel developments in architecture, art, land division, urban planning, athletics, warfare, and cosmology. Building on recent developments in geography, gender, and postcolonial studies, this volume offers a radically new interpretation of architecture and society in Archaic Greece.
Rapid Formation of the Ellice and Osbourn Basins and Ontong Java Nui Breakup Kinematics
Authors: Davidson P. C. , Koppers A. A. P. , Konter J. G.
Published: July 2023

Breakup of the proposed greater Ontong Java Nui large igneous province during the Cretaceous Normal Superchron can be constrained by the opening of the Ellice Basin (EB) separating the Ontong Java and Manihiki Plateaus and the Osbourn Basin separating the Manihiki and Hikurangi Plateaus. Dating of recovered dredged samples using plagioclase 40Ar/39Ar and zircon U/Pb geochronology methods indicates that spreading was well underway in the EB by 118 Ma with full spreading rates up to 3X faster than any observed today of 30–45 cm/yr and spreading likely continued until 112‐108 Ma. Ellice Basin samples show diverse geochemical affinities ranging from mid‐ocean ridge basalt (MORB) or Ontong Java‐like to more enriched OIB‐like. Pb and Nd isotopes from six samples contain varying influences from Pacific MORB and possibly Ontong Java. The geochemistry shows a lack of a clear mantle plume influence despite EB's close temporal and spatial relationship to Ontong Java, while some data resemble the Louisville Seamounts. This compositional diversity complements morphological differences among dredge sites and shows that both in situ MORB and younger overprinted features related to the nearby Tuvalu Seamounts were sampled. 40Ar/39Ar geochronology confirms the age of International Ocean Discovery Program Site U1365 near the Osbourn Trough (OT) to be 102.60 ± 0.26 Ma (2σ, n = 18). This age constrains the timing of a spreading reorientation event observed in the OB to coincide with a global plate reorganization event around 105 Ma and estimates the cessation of spreading at the OT to 96 Ma.
The Intersection of Wastewater Treatment Plants and Threatened and Endangered Species in California, USA Watersheds
Authors: Cassady Anna , Anderson Kurt E. , Schwabe Kurt A. , Regan Helen M.
Published: July 2023

A changing climate and often unregulated water extractions have exposed over 2 billion people to water stress worldwide. While water managers have explored a portfolio of options to reduce this stress, supply augmentation through reuse of treated municipal wastewater is becoming increasingly attractive. Wastewater treatment plants protect water quality and prevent sewage from contaminating waterways. Increasingly, this resource is utilized for numerous human (e.g., irrigation, drinking water, groundwater recharge) and conservation (e.g., stream and river recharge) needs in water stressed regions. To understand the role treated municipal wastewater plays in impacting conservation objectives we identified the intersection of wastewater treatment plant locations and occurrences of threatened and endangered (T&E) species in California and compared the permitted contribution of effluent to baseflow quantities of the receiving waterbody to assess the degree to which changes in effluent could affect instream waterbodies. We found a positive correlation between the presence of treatment plants and T&E species in California watersheds—a quarter of species have 100% of their range in watersheds with at least one treatment plant. This correlation is greatest for species associated with terraces and riparian habitat, followed by aquatic habitat and aquatic emergent vegetation. One‐third of watersheds in our analysis can receive most of their cumulative watershed baseflow from effluent and are characterized by dense urbanization or agriculture. Our analysis demonstrates that the fates of T&E species and effluent are interconnected in ways important for water policy, suggesting that species conservation goals should be considered when making decisions about effluent reuse.
The Inequality of Heat Stress
Authors: Owen Rebecca
Published: July 2023

Residents in historically redlined neighborhoods deal with greater heat stress than other areas.
Estimation of the Kelvin–Helmholtz Unstable Boundary
Authors: Ma Xuanye
Published: July 2023

The Kelvin–Helmholtz (KH) instability is one of the most important mechanisms of the viscous‐like interaction between the solar wind and the magnetosphere (MSP), which transport the mass, energy, momentum, and magnetic flux. Thus, it is important to examine whether the magnetopause boundary is KH unstable or not. Based on the KH onset conditions, this report proposes to use a matrix to identify the most KH unstable direction based on the in situ measurements of the density, velocity, and magnetic field in the MSP and magnetosheath. The range of the KH unstable direction can be easily estimated based on the eigenvalues of the matrix. The eigenvectors of the matrix provide a new boundary normal coordinate system, which could be useful for 2‐D KH instability simulation.
Magma Transport and Storage Along Rift Zones Through Volcanic Conduits
Authors: Roman A. , Lundgren P.
Published: July 2023

Recent geodetic data has clearly imaged significant contraction of rift zones during effusive eruptions, which is attributed to deformation of active, elongated feeders, challenging the rigid conduit paradigm. In this work we develop a physical model to understand the impact of conduit deformation on the eruptive dynamics. Numerical calculations show that magma overpressure increases the width of the conduit, resulting in higher discharge rates than would be expected from the rigid case. At the same time, conduits with high aspect ratio, have larger compressibility and can store significant amount of magma, thereby acting as secondary reservoirs. The net result is that rift zones can maintain high fluxes over prolonged periods of time, leading to large volume eruptions and biasing magma compressibility estimates. We apply our findings to the 2018 Kīlauea eruption where episodic collapse of the summit led to pressure pulses that propagated down‐rift and that were recorded by both tiltmeters and peaks in the effusion rates. Inversion of the data indicates a conduit with a height of 700–800 m and a maximum opening of 4 m, located at a depth of 2.5 km in the Upper East Rift Zone, becoming shallower in the Puʻu ʻŌʻō region and propagating sub‐horizontally in the Middle and Lower East Rift Zone. Based on these properties we infer that up to 30% of the erupted volume can be attributed to magma stored in the rift zone. In agreement with recent studies, we find that magma over‐pressure was low at the end of the 2018 eruption.
A Conceptual Investigation of Transition to Self‐Driven Turbidity Currents From Along‐Shelf Current‐Supported Turbidity Currents
Authors: Ozdemir Celalettin E. , Yue Liangyi , Nazari Haq Murad , Xue George , Bentley Samuel J. , Yang Shuo , Hofioni Sayed O. , Forney Robert , Aradpour Saber
Published: July 2023

Wave‐ and current‐supported turbidity currents (WCSTCs) are one of the sediment delivery mechanisms from the inner shelf to the shelf break. Therefore, they play a significant role in the global cycles of geo‐chemically important particulate matter. Recent observations suggest that WCSTCs can transform into self‐driven turbidity currents close to the continental margin. However, little is known regarding the critical conditions that grow self‐driven turbidity currents out of WCSTCs. This is in part due to the knowledge gaps in the dynamics of WCSTCs regarding the role of density stratification. Especially the effect of sediment entrainment on the amount of sediment suspension has been overlooked. To this end, this study revisits the existing theoretical framework for a simplified WCSTC, in which waves are absent, that is, along‐shelf current‐supported turbidity current. A depth‐integrated advection model is developed for suspended sediment concentration. The model results, which are verified by turbulence‐resolving simulations, indicate that the amount of suspended sediment load is regulated by the equilibrium among positive/negative feedback between entrainment and cross‐shelf gravity force/density stratification, and settling flux dissociated with density stratification. It is also found that critical density stratification is not a necessary condition for equilibrium. A quantitative relation is developed for the critical conditions for self‐driven turbidity currents, which is a function of bed shear stress, entrainment parameters, bed slope, and sediment settling velocity. In addition, the suspended sediment load is analytically estimated from the model developed.
Analysis of postpartum hypertension in women with preeclampsia
Authors: Xue Qinqin , Li Guang , Gao Yanyun , Deng Yunjing , Xu Bianju , Chen Yu , Gao Yu , Chen Qi
Published: July 2023

Postpartum hypertension including persistent and recurrent hypertension could significantly affect maternal morbidity in preeclampsia. Data on the postpartum management of women with preeclampsia is limited. The objective of this study was to investigate the details of women experiencing persistent postpartum hypertension (PerPPH) or developing recurrent postpartum hypertension (RecPPH) after birth and whether the treatment with anti-hypertensive drugs could shorten the hospital stay. We also compared the clinical parameters in women who developed RecPPH and who did not. Data on 188 preeclamptic women, including the severity or time of onset, duration of hospital admission postpartum, and blood pressure during the admission were collected and analyzed. Overall, 30% of preeclamptic women developed RecPPH on day 1, 13% on day 3, and 12% on day 5 after birth. Women with severe preeclampsia or early onset preeclampsia are more likely to develop RecPPH, compared to women with mild or late onset preeclampsia. The overall time in days before discharge was not different between women with normal blood pressure and women with abnormal blood pressure 1 h after birth, regardless of the severity or gestation of onset. However, women with severe or early onset preeclampsia stayed longer in the hospital, compared to women with mild or late onset preeclampsia. In addition, women with severe or early onset preeclampsia or early delivery increased risk of developing RecPPH. In conclusion, we demonstrate that RecPPH became apparent on day 1 after delivery, and hence close monitoring of blood pressure even if initially seemingly normal after birth is important.