bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Galois representations on the cohomology of hyper-Kähler varieties
Authors: Floccari Salvatore
Published: January 2022

We show that the André motive of a hyper-Kähler variety X over a field $$K \subset {\mathbb {C}}$$

K
⊂
C

with $$b_2(X)>6$$

b
2

(
X
)

>
6

is governed by its component in degree 2. More precisely, we prove that if $$X_1$$

X
1

and $$X_2$$

X
2

are deformation equivalent hyper-Kähler varieties with $$b_2(X_i)>6$$

b
2

(

X
i

)

>
6

and if there exists a Hodge isometry $$f:H^2(X_1,{\mathbb {Q}})\rightarrow H^2(X_2,{\mathbb {Q}})$$

f
:

H
2

(

X
1

,
Q
)

→

H
2

(

X
2

,
Q
)

, then the André motives of $$X_1$$

X
1

and $$X_2$$

X
2

are isomorphic after a finite extension of K, up to an additional technical assumption in presence of non-trivial odd cohomology. As a consequence, the Galois representations on the étale cohomology of $$X_1$$

X
1

and $$X_2$$

X
2

are isomorphic as well. We prove a similar result for varieties over a finite field which can be lifted to hyper-Kähler varieties for which the Mumford–Tate conjecture is true.
Detection of multi-resistant clinical strains of E. coli with Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Nakar Amir , Pistiki Aikaterini , Ryabchykov Oleg , Bocklitz Thomas , Rösch Petra , Popp Jürgen
Published: January 2022

In recent years, we have seen a steady rise in the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This creates many challenges in treating patients who carry these infections, as well as stopping and preventing outbreaks. Identifying these resistant bacteria is critical for treatment decisions and epidemiological studies. However, current methods for identification of resistance either require long cultivation steps or expensive reagents. Raman spectroscopy has been shown in the past to enable the rapid identification of bacterial strains from single cells and cultures. In this study, Raman spectroscopy was applied for the differentiation of resistant and sensitive strains of Escherichia coli. Our focus was on clinical multi-resistant (extended-spectrum β-lactam and carbapenem-resistant) bacteria from hospital patients. The spectra were collected using both UV resonance Raman spectroscopy in bulk and single-cell Raman microspectroscopy, without exposure to antibiotics. We found resistant strains have a higher nucleic acid/protein ratio, and used the spectra to train a machine learning model that differentiates resistant and sensitive strains. In addition, we applied a majority of voting system to both improve the accuracy of our models and make them more applicable for a clinical setting. This method could allow rapid and accurate identification of antibiotic resistant bacteria, and thus improve public health.

Graphical abstract
[18F]FDG-PET/CT to prevent futile surgery in indeterminate thyroid nodules: a blinded, randomised controlled multicentre trial
Authors: de Koster Elizabeth J. , de Geus-Oei Lioe-Fee , Brouwers Adrienne H. , van Dam Eveline W. C. M. , Dijkhorst-Oei Lioe-Ting , van Engen-van Grunsven Adriana C. H. , van den Hout Wilbert B. , Klooker Tamira K. , Netea-Maier Romana T. , Snel Marieke , Oyen Wim J. G. , Vriens Dennis ,   for the EfFECTS trial study group
Published: January 2022

Purpose

To assess the impact of an [18F]FDG-PET/CT-driven diagnostic workup to rule out malignancy, avoid futile diagnostic surgeries, and improve patient outcomes in thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology.

Methods

In this double-blinded, randomised controlled multicentre trial, 132 adult euthyroid patients with scheduled diagnostic surgery for a Bethesda III or IV thyroid nodule underwent [18F]FDG-PET/CT and were randomised to an [18F]FDG-PET/CT-driven or diagnostic surgery group. In the [18F]FDG-PET/CT-driven group, management was based on the [18F]FDG-PET/CT result: when the index nodule was visually [18F]FDG-positive, diagnostic surgery was advised; when [18F]FDG-negative, active surveillance was recommended. The nodule was presumed benign when it remained unchanged on ultrasound surveillance. In the diagnostic surgery group, all patients were advised to proceed to the scheduled surgery, according to current guidelines. The primary outcome was the fraction of unbeneficial patient management in one year, i.e., diagnostic surgery for benign nodules and active surveillance for malignant/borderline nodules. Intention-to-treat analysis was performed. Subgroup analyses were performed for non-Hürthle cell and Hürthle cell nodules.

Results

Patient management was unbeneficial in 42% (38/91 [95% confidence interval [CI], 32–53%]) of patients in the [18F]FDG-PET/CT-driven group, as compared to 83% (34/41 [95% CI, 68–93%]) in the diagnostic surgery group (p < 0.001). [18F]FDG-PET/CT-driven management avoided 40% (25/63 [95% CI, 28–53%]) diagnostic surgeries for benign nodules: 48% (23/48 [95% CI, 33–63%]) in non-Hürthle cell and 13% (2/15 [95% CI, 2–40%]) in Hürthle cell nodules (p = 0.02). No malignant or borderline tumours were observed in patients under surveillance. Sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive value, and benign call rate (95% CI) of [18F]FDG-PET/CT were 94.1% (80.3–99.3%), 39.8% (30.0–50.2%), 95.1% (83.5–99.4%), 35.2% (25.4–45.9%), and 31.1% (23.3–39.7%), respectively.

Conclusion

An [18F]FDG-PET/CT-driven diagnostic workup of indeterminate thyroid nodules leads to practice changing management, accurately and oncologically safely reducing futile surgeries by 40%. For optimal therapeutic yield, application should be limited to non-Hürthle cell nodules.

Trial registration number

This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02208544 (5 August 2014), https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02208544.
Randomised Controlled Trial of Particles Used in Uterine fibRoid Embolisation (PURE): Non-Spherical Polyvinyl Alcohol Versus Calibrated Microspheres
Authors: Das Raj , Wale Anita , Renani Seyed Ameli , Ratnam Lakshmi , Mailli Leto , Chun Joo-Young , Das Sourav , Duggal Balpreet , Manyonda Isaac , Belli Anna-Maria
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The PURE study is a randomised controlled trial (RCT) comparing the clinical and MRI outcomes of patients treated with non-spherical polyvinyl alcohol, ns-PVA (Contour PVA–Boston Scientific–355–500 & 500–700 microns) versus calibrated hydrogel microspheres (Embozene–Varian Inc–700 & 900 microns) for symptomatic uterine fibroids.

Materials and Methods

Prospective, ethically approved non-sponsored RCT in 84 patients in a single UK tertiary IR unit, ISRCTN registry trial number ISRCTN18191539 in 2013 and 2014. All patients with symptomatic fibroid disease were eligible. UAE followed a standardised protocol with UFS-QOL and contrast-enhanced MRI before and 6 months post UAE. Outcome measures included: (1) Uterine Fibroid Symptom and Quality of Life questionnaire (UFS-QOL). (2) Percentage total and dominant fibroid infarction. (3) Uterine and dominant fibroid volume reduction. (4) Volume of embolics.

Results

Sixty-three patients completed the QOL follow-up (33 ns-PVA vs 30 Embozenes), the groups were equivalent at baseline. Patients were followed up for 6 months following UAE. There was no significant difference in symptom scores or HR-QOL between ns-PVA and Embozenes, p = 0.67 and 0.21, respectively. 92.7% of patients treated with ns-PVA achieved > 90% dominant fibroid infarction versus 61.8% treated with Embozenes (p = 0.0016). 66% of patients treated with ns = PVA achieved > 90% total fibroid percentage infarction compared with 35% in the Embozene group (p = 0.011). The mean vials/syringes used were 5.2 with Embozenes versus 4.1 using PVA (p = 0.08).

Conclusion

The PURE study informs IRs regarding the efficacy of embolic agents in UAE, with superior fibroid infarction on MRI using ns-PVA versus Embozenes however no significant difference in clinical outcomes at 6 months after UAE.
The pharmacokinetic and safety profile of single-dose deferiprone in subjects with sickle cell disease
Authors: Soulières Denis , Mercier-Ross Jules , Fradette Caroline , Rozova Anna , Tsang Yu Chung , Tricta Fernando
Published: January 2022

Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) who undergo repeated blood transfusions often develop iron overload. Deferiprone (Ferriprox®) is an oral iron chelator indicated for the treatment of transfusional iron overload due to thalassemia syndromes and has been recently approved as a treatment for iron overload in adult and pediatric patients with SCD and other anemias. The present study aims to characterize the pharmacokinetic (PK) profile of deferiprone (DFP) in adult subjects with SCD. In this phase I, open-label study, subjects with SCD were administered a single 1500 mg dose of DFP. Blood and urine samples were collected for PK assessments of DFP and its main metabolite, deferiprone 3-O-glucuronide (DFP-G). Eight subjects were enrolled and completed the study. Following drug administration, serum levels of DFP and DFP-G rose to maximum concentrations at 1.0 and 2.8 h post-dose, respectively. The half-lives of DFP and DFP-G were 1.5 and 1.6 h, respectively. The majority of administered drug was metabolized and excreted as DFP-G, with less than 4% excreted unchanged in urine up to 10 h post-dose. Subjects received a safety assessment 7 (± 3) days post-dose. Two subjects reported mild adverse events unrelated to the study drug, and no other safety concerns were reported. The PK profile of DFP in SCD subjects is consistent with previous reports in healthy adult volunteers, suggesting no special dosing adjustments are indicated for this population. These findings provide valuable insight for treating iron overload in patients with SCD, who have limited chelation therapy treatment options (trial registration number: NCT01835496, date of registration: April 19, 2013).
Associations between cardiac and pulmonary involvement in patients with juvenile dermatomyositis—a cross-sectional study
Authors: Witczak Birgit Nomeland , Schwartz Thomas , Barth Zoltan , Taraldsrud Eli , Lund May Brit , Aaløkken Trond Mogens , Flatø Berit , Sjaastad Ivar , Sanner Helga
Published: January 2022

This study aimed at exploring the association between detectable cardiac and pulmonary involvement in long-term juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) and to assess if patients with cardiac and pulmonary involvement differ with regard to clinical characteristics. 57 JDM patients were examined mean 17.3 (10.5) years after disease onset; this included clinical examination, myositis specific/associated autoantibodies (immunoblot), echocardiography, pulmonary function tests and high-resolution computed tomography. Cardiac involvement was defined as diastolic and/or systolic left ventricular dysfunction and pulmonary involvement as low diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide, low total lung capacity and/or high-resolution computed tomography abnormalities. Patients were stratified into the following four groups: (i) no organ involvement, (ii) pulmonary only, (iii) cardiac only, and (iv) co-existing pulmonary and cardiac involvement. Mean age was 25.7 (12.4) years and 37% were males. One patient had coronary artery disease, seven had a history of pericarditis, seven had hypertension and three had known interstitial lung disease prior to follow-up. There was no association between cardiac (10/57;18%) and pulmonary (41/57;72%) involvement (p = 0.83). After stratifying by organ involvement, 21% of patients had no organ involvement; 61% had pulmonary involvement only; 7% had cardiac involvement only and 11% had co-existing pulmonary or cardiac involvement. Patients with co-existing pulmonary or cardiac involvement had higher disease burden than the remaining patients. Patients with either cardiac or pulmonary involvement only, differed in clinical and autoantibody characteristics. We found no increased risk of developing concomitant cardiac/pulmonary involvement in JDM. Our results shed light upon possible different underlying mechanisms behind pulmonary and cardiac involvement in JDM.
Repeat two-stage exchange arthroplasty for recurrent periprosthetic hip or knee infection: what are the chances for success?
Authors: Steinicke A. C. , Schwarze J. , Gosheger G. , Moellenbeck B. , Ackmann T. , Theil C.
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Two-stage revision is a frequently chosen approach to treat chronic periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). However, management of recurrent infection after a two-stage exchange remains debated and the outcome of a repeat two-stage procedure is unclear. This study investigates the success rates of repeat two-stage exchange arthroplasty and analyzes possible risk factors for failure.

Materials and methods

We retrospectively identified 55 patients (23 hips, 32 knees) who were treated with repeat resection arthroplasty and planned delayed reimplantation for recurrent periprosthetic joint infection between 2010 and 2019 after a prior two-stage revision at the same institution. The minimum follow-up was 12 months with a median follow-up time of 34 months (IQR 22–51). The infection-free survival, associated revision surgeries, and potential risk factors for further revision were analyzed using Kaplan–Meier survival curves and comparative non-parametric testing.

Results

78% (43/55) underwent reimplantation after a repeat implant removal. Of those who completed the second-stage surgery, 37% (16/43) underwent additional revision for infection and 14% (6/55) underwent amputation. The reinfection-free implant survivorship amounted to 77% (95% CI 64–89%) after 1 year and 38% (95% CI 18–57%) after 5 years. Patients with a higher comorbidity score were less likely to undergo second-stage reimplantation (median 5 vs. 3, p = 0.034). Furthermore, obese patients (p = 0.026, Fisher’s exact test) and diabetics (p < 0.001, log-rank test) had a higher risk for further infection. Most commonly cultures yielded polymicrobial growth at the repeat two-stage exchange (27%, 15/55) and at re-reinfection (32%, 9/28). Pathogen persistence was observed in 21% (6/28) of re-reinfected patients.

Conclusion

The success rates after repeat two-stage exchange arthroplasty are low. Patients must be counseled accordingly and different modes of treatment should be considered.
Taxane/gemcitabine-containing chemotherapy plus locoregional IMRT for patients with de novo metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma: the treatment outcomes and prognostic factors analysis
Authors: Du Chengrun , Ni Mengshan , Jiang Jianyun , Kong Fangfang , Zhai Ruiping , Lv Yingchen , Hu Chaosu , Ying Hongmei
Published: January 2022

Purpose

To evaluate treatment outcomes of de novo metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (mNPC) patients receiving taxane/gemcitabine-containing chemotherapy followed by locoregional intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and analyze potential prognostic factors.

Methods

A total of 118 patients between March 2008 and November 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients were treated with taxane/gemcitabine-containing systemic chemotherapy followed by definitive locoregional IMRT. Potential prognostic factors including baseline absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) and the subdivision of metastasis were analyzed.

Results

The median follow-up time for the whole group was 31.5 months (range 5–138 months). Of the 118 patients, 9 (7.6%) patients experienced local regional failure and 60 (50.8%) patients had progression of distant metastasis. At the time of the last follow-up, 61 (51.7%) patients were dead. The 5-year actuarial progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS),distant metastasis relapse free survival (DMFS) and local regional recurrence free survival (LRFS) were 34.2%, 44%, 41.1% and 82.6%, respectively. Baseline lymphocyte count ≥ 1600/μl prior to the treatment conferred better locoregional control (5y-LRFS 96% vs. 64.7%, p < 0.001) and distant metastasis control (5y-MFS 50.4% vs. 32.4%, p = 0.023). The multivariate analysis showed that high lymphocyte count was the most relevant predictor of superior PFS (HR = 0.236, p < 0.001) and OS (HR = 0.518, p = 0.04). M subdivision was found as another independent prognostic factor for OS but not for PFS.

Conclusion

Taxane/gemcitabine-containing chemotherapy combined with IMRT represents an effective treatment modality for mNPC. Baseline ALC is an independent significant prognostic factor for PFS and OS.
Higher baseline blood glucose is associated with reduced likelihood for successful recanalization in patients with basilar artery occlusion
Authors: Broocks Gabriel , Groffmann Maximilian , Meyer Lukas , Elsayed Sarah , Kniep Helge , Kemmling Andre , van Horn Noel , McDonough Rosalie , Faizy Tobias D. , Bechstein Matthias , Sporns Peter , Rusche Thilo , Schön Gerhard , Nawabi Jawed , Fiehler Jens , Hanning Uta
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Evidence regarding the effect of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) of basilar artery occlusion (BAO) stroke is yet sparse. As successful recanalization has been suggested as major determinant of outcome, the early identification of modifiable factors associated with successful recanalization could be of importance to improve functional outcome. Hyperglycemia has been associated with enhanced thrombin generation and unfavorably altered clot features.

Objective

We hypothesized that serum baseline glucose is associated with likelihood of vessel recanalization mediated by collateral quality and clot burden in BAO stroke.

Methods

BAO stroke patients who received multimodal CT on admission were analyzed. The association of vessel recanalization defined using modified Thrombolysis in cerebral infarction scale (mTICI) scores 2b-3, and baseline imaging and clinical parameters were tested in logistic regression analyses. Collateral quality and clot burden were evaluated using the Basilar Artery on CT-Angiography (BATMAN) score.

Results

Out of 117 BAO patients, 91 patients (78%) underwent MT. In 70 patients (77%), successful recanalization could be achieved (mTICI 2b/3). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, only a higher BGL (aOR 0.97, 95% CI 0.96–0.99, p = 0.03) and higher BATMAN score (aOR 1.77, 95% CI 1.11–2.82, p = 0.02) were independently associated with vessel recanalization. Application of alteplase, or time from symptom onset-imaging revealed no independent association with recanalization status.

Conclusion

Higher BGL was significantly associated with reduced likelihood for recanalization success besides BATMAN score as a measure of collateral quality and clot burden. BGL could be tested as a modifiable parameter to increase likelihood for recanalization in BAO stroke, aiming to improve functional outcome.
Matching Regular Expressions on uncertain data
Authors: Gil José Arturo , Santini Simone
Published: January 2022

In this paper we study regular expression matching in cases in which the identity of the symbols received is subject to uncertainty. We develop a model of symbol emission and uses a modification of the shortest path algorithm to find optimal matches on the Cartesian Graph of an expression provided that the input is a finite list. In the case of infinite streams, we show that the problem is in general undecidable but, if each symbols is received with probability 0 infinitely often, then with probability 1 the problem is decidable.
Jump processes as generalized gradient flows
Authors: Peletier Mark A. , Rossi Riccarda , Savaré Giuseppe , Tse Oliver
Published: January 2022

We have created a functional framework for a class of non-metric gradient systems. The state space is a space of nonnegative measures, and the class of systems includes the Forward Kolmogorov equations for the laws of Markov jump processes on Polish spaces. This framework comprises a definition of a notion of solutions, a method to prove existence, and an archetype uniqueness result. We do this by using only the structure that is provided directly by the dissipation functional, which need not be homogeneous, and we do not appeal to any metric structure.
De Giorgi’s inequality for the thresholding scheme with arbitrary mobilities and surface tensions
Authors: Laux Tim , Lelmi Jona
Published: January 2022

We provide a new convergence proof of the celebrated Merriman–Bence–Osher scheme for multiphase mean curvature flow. Our proof applies to the new variant incorporating a general class of surface tensions and mobilities, including typical choices for modeling grain growth. The basis of the proof are the minimizing movements interpretation of Esedoḡlu and Otto and De Giorgi’s general theory of gradient flows. Under a typical energy convergence assumption we show that the limit satisfies a sharp energy-dissipation relation.
Accuracy of full-arch digitalization for partially edentulous jaws — a laboratory study on basis of coordinate-based data analysis
Authors: Kontis Panagiotis , Güth Jan-Frederik , Keul Christine
Published: January 2022

Objectives

To compare the accuracy (trueness and precision) of direct digitization of four different dental gap situation with two IOS (intraoral scanner).

Materials and methods

Four partially edentulous polyurethane mandible models were used: (1) A (46, 45, 44 missing), (2) B (45, 44, 34, 35 missing), (3) C (42, 41, 31, 32 missing), and (4) D (full dentition). On each model, the same reference object was fixed between the second molars of both quadrants. A dataset (REF) of the reference object was generated by a coordinate measuring machine. Each model situation was scanned by (1) OMN (Cerec AC Omnicam) and (2) PRI (Cerec Primescan AC) (n = 30). Datasets of all 8 test groups (N = 240) were analyzed using inspection software to determine the linear aberrations in the X-, Y-, Z-axes and angular deviations. Mann–Whitney U and two-sample Kolmogorov–Smirnov tests were used to detect differences for trueness and precision.

Results

PRI revealed higher trueness and precision in most of the measured parameters ($${\overrightarrow{V}}_{E}$$

V
→

E

 120.95 to 175.01 μm, $$\overrightarrow{V}_{E}$$

V
→

E

(x) − 58.50 to − 9.40 μm, $$\overrightarrow{V}_{E}$$

V
→

E

(z) − 70.35 to 63.50 μm), while OMN showed higher trueness for $$\overrightarrow{V}_{E}$$

V
→

E

 (y) regardless of model situation (− 104.90 to 34.55 μm). Model D revealed the highest trueness and precision in most of the measured parameters regardless of IOS ($$\overrightarrow{V}_{E}$$

V
→

E

 120.95 to 195.74 μm, $$\overrightarrow{V}_{E}$$

V
→

E

(x) − 9.40 to 66.75 μm,$$\overrightarrow{V}_{E}$$

V
→

E

(y) − 14.55 to 51.50 μm, $$\overrightarrow{V}_{E}$$

V
→

E

(z) 63.50 to 120.75 μm).

Conclusions

PRI demonstrated higher accuracy in the X- and Z-axes, while OMN depicted higher trueness in the Y-axis. For PRI, Model A revealed the highest distortion, while for OMN, Model B produced the largest aberrations in most parameters.

Clinical relevance

Current results suggest that both investigated IOS are sufficiently accurate for the manufacturing of tooth-borne restorations and orthodontic appliances. However, both hardware specifications of IOS and the presence of edentulous gaps in the dental model have an influence on the accuracy of the virtual model dataset.
Biomass:polystyrene co-pyrolysis coupled with metal-modified zeolite catalysis for liquid fuel and chemical production
Authors: Dyer Andrew C. , Nahil Mohamad A. , Williams Paul T.
Published: January 2022

Biomass and waste polystyrene plastic (ratio 1:1) were co-pyrolysed followed by catalysis in a two-stage fixed bed reactor system to produce upgraded bio-oils for production of liquid fuel and aromatic chemicals. The catalysts investigated were ZSM-5 impregnated with different metals, Ga, Co, Cu, Fe and Ni to determine their influence on bio-oil upgrading. The results showed that the different added metals had a different impact on the yield and composition of the product oils and gases. Deoxygenation of the bio-oils was mainly via formation of CO2 and CO via decarboxylation and decarbonylation with the Ni–ZSM-5 and Co–ZSM-5 catalysts whereas higher water yield and lower CO2 and CO was obtained with the ZSM-5, Ga–ZSM-5, Cu–ZSM-5 and Fe–ZSM-5 catalysts suggesting hydrodeoxygenation was dominant. Compared to the unmodified ZSM-5, the yield of single-ring aromatic compounds in the product oil was increased for the Co–ZSM-5, Cu–ZSM-5, Fe–ZSM-5 and Ni–ZSM-5 catalysts. However, for the Ga–ZSM-5 catalyst, single-ring aromatic compounds were reduced, but the highest yield of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was produced. A higher biomass to polystyrene ratio (4:1) resulted in a markedly lower oil yield with a consequent increased yield of gas.
Encounter with heavier females changes courtship and fighting efforts of male field crickets Gryllus bimaculatus (Orthoptera: Gryllidae)
Authors: Kuriwada Takashi
Published: January 2022

The effects of mating experience on male mating behavior are mediated by four factors: mating cost, such as resource depletion, perception of mating opportunities, self-perception of attractiveness, and female quality. For example, encountering females might increase male expectations of prospective mating opportunities, while copulation increases self-perception of attractiveness in males. To determine the relative importance of these factors, the effect of mating on the two components of reproductive effort (courtship and fighting effort) inGryllus bimaculatuswas examined. Calling activity before and after encountering females was measured, and copulation success was recorded. Subsequently, the intensity and outcome of male–male fighting behavior was recorded. Female encounter increased calling activity irrespective of copulation, thereby indicating that the perception of mating opportunities is important factor for the males. Changes in courtship effort of males were larger and fighting success was lower when they were previously paired with relatively heavier females. These results indicate that male reproductive effort is also affected by quality of previous mating partners.
Dynamic cyber risk estimation with competitive quantile autoregression
Authors: Dzhamtyrova Raisa , Maple Carsten
Published: January 2022

The increasing value of data held in enterprises makes it an attractive target to attackers. The increasing likelihood and impact of a cyber attack have highlighted the importance of effective cyber risk estimation. We propose two methods for modelling Value-at-Risk (VaR) which can be used for any time-series data. The first approach is based on Quantile Autoregression (QAR), which can estimate VaR for different quantiles, i. e. confidence levels. The second method, we term Competitive Quantile Autoregression (CQAR), dynamically re-estimates cyber risk as soon as new data becomes available. This method provides a theoretical guarantee that it asymptotically performs as well as any QAR at any time point in the future. We show that these methods can predict the size and inter-arrival time of cyber hacking breaches by running coverage tests. The proposed approaches allow to model a separate stochastic process for each significance level and therefore provide more flexibility compared to previously proposed techniques. We provide a fully reproducible code used for conducting the experiments.
Premature repayment of fixed interest mortgage loans without compensation, a case of misguided consumer protection in the EU
Authors: Schäfer Hans-Bernd , Wulf Alexander J.
Published: January 2022

Consumer protection shifts risks from consumers to businesses. This raises marginal costs and equilibrium prices. It is justified when markets are not strong enough to allocate contractual risks or accident risks efficiently, especially in cases of severe asymmetric information between suppliers and consumers. Consumer protection can then increase the consumer’s expected welfare from a contract. We test these considerations in a theoretical and empirical study on consumers' right to early repayment of mortgage loans without damage compensation to the creditor in the European Union. We show in a formal model that such a right can lead to an impairment of consumer welfare, compared with the traditional rule of expectation damages for breach of contract. This applies if the consumer is risk averse and repays a loan with a high interest rate in a low interest period to take up a new loan for the same project at lower interests. From a theoretical point of view, this right has no solid economic underpinning, if it is not restricted to cases of personal hardship of the consumer and serves an insurance purpose. We present empirical evidence supporting this argument. In a panel study on monthly mortgage interest rates of 23 EU Member States between 2005 and 2017 we show how interest rate spreads change with the level of consumer protection.
3D-printed swab with cover for precision diagnosis
Authors: Huang Fan , Song Kewei , Jiang Yue , Hirose Kayo , Umezu Shinjiro
Published: January 2022

The collection capacity of common nasopharyngeal swabs and irregularities of medical personnel limit the accuracy of PCR testing. This study describes a newly designed 3D-printed swab that is combined with a 3D-printed cover to prevent the extraction of undesired nasal secretions. This swab improved the accuracy of PCR test results. The results of a series of experiments showed that, because of the mucus extraction effect, 3D-printed swabs can replace ordinary cotton swabs. The crisis of the worldwide medical supply shortage can be ameliorated to a certain extent by applying 3D printing technology.
Assessment of Variation in Feeding Behavior by Color Morph in the Asian citrus Psyllid (Diaphorina citri)
Authors: Antolínez Carlos A. , Szejbak Krzysztof , Mauck Kerry E. , Rivera Monique J.
Published: January 2022

The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera:Liviidae), vector of huanglongbing disease, displays a high degree of color polyphenism. In the adult stage, ACP exhibits abdominal colors that can be separated into three color groupings: blue-green, grey-brown and orange-yellow. Color morphology has been shown to influence important and energetically costly psyllid life traits including reproduction, dispersion, immune defense and resistance to insecticides. Despite this, it remains unclear how color morphology is correlated with feeding behavior. Understanding variation in feeding behavior of the ACP color morphs is critical to better understanding how ACP populations utilize host-plants and to assess potential risk for transmission of the causal agent of huanglongbing disease. We compared the feeding behavior of the three ACP color morphs by using electropenetrography (EPG). We did not detect differences in the feeding behavior activities at phloem or xylem tissues when comparing the three-color morphs. Furthermore, there were no differences in feeding behavioral parameters before reaching phloem or xylem tissues. Our results suggest energy requirements are similar between color morphs and feeding behavior parameters associated with CLas transmission are potentially similar between color morphs.
Developing an Anti-Racist Foundations Course in MCH for MPH Students
Authors: Marshall Cassondra , Bakal Michael , Deardorff Julianna , Pies Cheri , Lu Michael C.
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Over the past decade, foundational courses in MCH have been revised and revamped to integrate the life course perspective and social determinants of health in ways that bring these essential issues to the core of the learning experience. Yet the racial reckoning of 2020 and the racially disparate health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic underscore that a deeper, more focused approach to anti-racist pedagogy is now imperative for MCH educators and others responsible for developing the MCH workforce.

Methods

In this paper, we discuss our experience of building a ‘community of practice’ of anti-racist MCH trainees through our course, ‘Foundations of Maternal and Child Health Policy, Practice, and Science.’

Results

We identify four principles which guided our course: (1) building on students’ experience, knowledge, identities and social justice commitments; (2) creating a common purpose and shared vocabulary related to racism; (3) organizing classroom activities to reflect real-world problems and professional practices related to addressing structural racism as a root cause of health inequities; and (4) building students’ skills and confidence to recognize and address structural racism as MCH professionals.

Discussion

We hope that this description of our principles, along with examples of how they were put into practice, will be useful to MCH educators who seek to build anti-racist frameworks to guide MCH workforce development.
Women’s Status and its Association With Home Delivery: A Cross-Sectional Study Conducted in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Authors: Ali Hussain , Mahmood Qaisar Khalid , Jalil Aisha , Fischer Florian
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Home delivery is a predominant driver of maternal and neonatal deaths in developing countries. Despite the efforts of international organizations in Pakistan, home childbirth is common in the remote and rural areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. We studied women’s position within the household (socio-economic dependence, maternal health decision making, and social mobility) and its association with the preference for home delivery.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional household survey among 503 ever-married women of reproductive age (15–49 years), who have had childbirth in the last twelve months or were pregnant (more than 6 months) at the time of the interview. A two-stage cluster sampling technique has been used for recruitment. Descriptive and bivariate analyses have been conducted. A binary logistic regression model was calculated to present odds ratios and corresponding 95% confidence intervals for factor associated with home delivery.

Results

An inferior status of women, restrictions in mobility and limited power in decision making related to household purchases, maternal health care, and outdoor socializing are contributing factors of home delivery. Furthermore, women having faced intimate partner violence were much more likely to deliver at home (OR = 2.66, 95% CI: 1.83.3.86, p < 0.001).

Discussion

We concluded that women are in a position with minimal authority in decision making to access and deliver the baby in any health facility. We recommend that the government should ensure the availability of health facilities in nearby locations to increase institutional deliveries in the study area.
Parental Perception of Body Weight Status of Their 8-year-old Children: Findings from the European CHOP Study
Authors: Xhonneux Annick , Langhendries Jean-Paul , Martin Françoise , Seidel Laurence , Albert Adelin , Dain Elena , Totzauer Martina , Grote Veit , Luque Veronica , Closa-Monasterolo Ricardo , Dionigi Alice Re , Verduci Elvira , Gruszfeld Darius , Socha Piotr , Koletzko Berthold ,   for the European Childhood Obesity Trial Study group
Published: January 2022

Background

Maternal perception of child weight status in children with overweight or obesity has received a lot of attention but data on paternal perception of children from presumably healthy cohorts are lacking.

Objective

We aimed to investigate paternal and maternal perception of child weight status at the age of 8 years in a cohort of 591 children from 5 European countries.

Material and Methods

Included were 8-year-old children and their parents participating in the European Childhood Obesity Project (EU CHOP). Weight and height of children and parents were measured and Body Mass Index (BMI, kg/m2) was calculated. Both parents were asked to assess their perception of child weight status using Eckstein scales and their concern about child overweight. The agreement between mother and father perceptions was assessed by Cohen kappa coefficient and their relationship was analyzed by linear mixed effects models based on ordinal logistic regression, accounting for country, child gender and BMI, parental BMI, level of education, concern and type of feeding during first year of life.

Results

Data from children and both parents were available for 432 girls and boys. Mean BMI was comparable in boys and girls (16.7 ± 2.31 vs. 16.9 ± 2.87 kg/m2, P = 0.55). In total, 172 children (29.3%) were overweight or obese. There was a high degree of agreement between mother and father perceptions of their child’s weight status (Cohen kappa 0.77). Multivariate modelling showed that perception levels significantly increased with child BMI but were globally lower than assessed. They differed between countries, gender and types of feeding during first year of life, were influenced by education level of the father but were not related to parental BMI and concern about childhood overweight.

Conclusions

The study showed no overall differences between mothers and fathers in rating their child’s weight status but both parents had a propensity to underestimate their child’s actual weight, particularly in boys.

The EU CHOP trial registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00338689.
When less conditioning provides better estimates: overcontrol and endogenous selection biases in research on intergenerational mobility
Authors: Grätz Michael
Published: January 2022

The counterfactual approach to causality has become the dominant approach to understand causality in contemporary social science research. Whilst most sociologists are aware that unobserved, confounding variables may bias the estimates of causal effects (omitted variable bias), the threats of overcontrol and endogenous selection biases are less well known. In particular, widely used practices in research on intergenerational mobility are affected by these biases. I review four of these practices from the viewpoint of the counterfactual approach to causality and show why overcontrol and endogenous selection biases arise when these practices are implemented. I use data from the German Socio-Economic Panel Study (SOEP) to demonstrate the practical consequences of these biases for conclusions about intergenerational mobility. I conclude that future research on intergenerational mobility should reflect more upon the possibilities of bias introduced by conditioning on variables.
Bank switching of US small businesses: new methods and evidence
Authors: Zhang Song , Han Liang , Kallias Konstantinos , Kallias Antonios
Published: January 2022

Despite being informationally opaque, small firms often switch from their primary financial institution to transactional lenders, with the relationship banking theory invoking the holdup problem as a culprit explanation. Using US evidence and an estimation strategy that overcomes traditional shortcomings in small business research, our study captures the determinants and, for the first time, the ex post effects of the switching decision. We find that switching is less likely when the primary financial institution is a nearby bank associated with quality services and connected to the firm via other business or social relationships. Small firms become more loyal as they grow in size and pursue nonmortgage credit. Outside the primary relationship, both loan approval and borrowing cost are adversely impacted, however loan maturities are longer. Moreover, the likelihood of pledging collateral remains unaffected, provided that the type of collateral is least sensitive to the borrower’s information environment. Jointly, our findings describe a trade-off inconsistent with the holdup problem, and an opportunity for banks to enhance customer loyalty by improving aspects of the relationship unrelated to the terms of credit.
Merging Arcs to Produce Acyclic Phylogenetic Networks and Normal Networks
Authors: Willson Stephen J.
Published: January 2022

As phylogenetic networks grow increasingly complicated, systematic methods for simplifying them to reveal properties will become more useful. This paper considers how to modify acyclic phylogenetic networks into other acyclic networks by contracting specific arcs that include a set D. The networks need not be binary, so vertices in the networks may have more than two parents and/or more than two children. In general, in order to make the resulting network acyclic, additional arcs not in D must also be contracted. This paper shows how to choose D so that the resulting acyclic network is “pre-normal”. As a result, removal of all redundant arcs yields a normal network. The set D can be selected based only on the geometry of the network, giving a well-defined normal phylogenetic network depending only on the given network. There are CSD maps relating most of the networks. The resulting network can be visualized as a “wired lift” in the original network, which appears as the original network with each arc drawn in one of three ways.
Development of an SDG interlinkages analysis model at the river basin scale: a case study in the Luanhe River Basin, China
Authors: Zhou Xin , Moinuddin Mustafa , Renaud Fabrice , Barrett Brian , Xu Jiren , Liang Qiuhua , Zhao Jiaheng , Xia Xilin , Bosher Lee , Huang Suiliang , Hoey Trevor
Published: January 2022

While the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) are broadly framed with 17 goals, the goals and their targets inherently connect with each other forming a complex system. Actions supporting one goal may influence progress in other goals, either positively (synergies) or negatively (trade-offs). Effective managing the synergies and trade-offs is a prerequisite for ensuring policy coherence. This is particular relevant at the river basin scale where the implementation of national policies may generate inequalities at the sub-basin levels, such as the upstream and the downstream. In the existing literature, there is still a lack of methodologies to assess the SDG interlinkages and their differences at the subnational levels. This paper presents a methodology on the development of an SDG interlinkages analysis model at the basin scale and its application to a case study in China’s Luanhe River Basin (LRB). Seven broad areas, namely land use and land cover change, climate change, ecosystem services, flood risks, water sector, urbanisation, and energy, were set as the scope of study. Through a systematic review, key elements of the SDG interlinkages system were identified and their interactions were mapped. The resulting generic SDG interlinkages model were validated with expert survey and stakeholders’ consultation and tailored to the LRB. Quantification of the SDG interlinkages was conducted for 27 counties in the LRB and demonstrated by the results of 3 selected counties located in the upstream, midstream and downstream areas, respectively. The methodology and its applications can be used to support integrated water resource management in river basins.
A framework to harness effective partnerships for the sustainable development goals
Authors: Horan David
Published: January 2022

The sustainable development goals (SDGs) offer a broad, holistic framework of interdependent economic, social, and environmental objectives to enable integrated and collaborative approaches to their implementation. A key obstacle for operationalizing such an approach is knowing the right actors to engage on specific challenges. It is acknowledged that linkages across sectors, scales, and actors could provide an evidence base to assess and forge participation in multistakeholder partnerships for implementation. However, technical tools that could help to identify relevant actors and discussions of institutional arrangements to bring these actors on board are notably lacking in the extant literature. To support an evidence-based and systematic approach to coalition building that accounts for synergies and trade-offs across goals and targets, this paper proposes broad-based partnerships and a framework that lead actors can use to help harness collaborative SDG implementation: (1) define the partnership’s scope, (2) identify the main interlinkages, (3) assign responsibilities, (4) select the best available indicators, (5) assess the challenges, and (6) forge a broad-based partnership. After describing key decisions at each step, the article discusses applications of the proposed analytic partnership-building framework to problems that warrant the approach at global, regional, and national levels covering issues such as policy coordination across line ministries, global partnerships for SDG13 implementation in SIDS, energy compacts for SDG7 implementation, and integrated multilateral responses to crises.
Microstructural Evolution and Behavior of Deuterium in a Ferritic ODS 12 Cr Steel Annealed at Different Temperatures
Authors: Pereira V. S. M. , Wang S. , Morgan T. , Schut H. , Sietsma J.
Published: January 2022

In the present work, an ODS 12 Cr steel was characterized using Electron Microscopy techniques, in an as-received condition and after annealing treatments between 773 K and 1573 K. Results show a complex microstructure, with the presence of fine Y–Ti–O nanoparticles dispersed in the matrix. After annealing at 1573 K, the average diameter of Y–Ti–O nanoparticles increases from ~ 4 to ~ 7 nm and partial recrystallization occurs. The trapping behavior of deuterium in the steel in its as-received state and annealed at 1573 K was investigated. Samples were exposed to low-energy deuterium plasma and analyzed with thermal desorption spectroscopy, after waiting times of 1 day and 25 days. The samples measured 1 day after exposure released a higher total amount of deuterium than the ones measured after 25 days. The effect of waiting time is explained by the release of deuterium, at 300 K, from sites with low activation energy for detrapping, E
d. In the as-received condition, part of the deuterium detrapped at 300 K was re-trapped by high-E
d sites. For the samples in the annealed condition, the redistribution of deuterium from low-E
d to high-E
d sites was not observed, but the total amount of deuterium released was higher.
Wear-Model-Based Analysis of the State of Blast Furnace Hearth
Authors: Helle Mikko , Saxén Henrik , de Graaff Bart , van der Bent Cornelis
Published: January 2022

The condition and state of the hearth of the blast furnace is of considerable importance since the life length of the refractories governs the campaign length of the furnace, but it is also of significance as it affects the drainage of iron and slag and the hot metal temperature and composition. The paper analyses the hearth of a blast furnace using a model of the lining wear based on the solution of an inverse heat conduction problem, studying the changes in the lining state throughout the campaign. Different operation states are detected, characterized by smooth and efficient hot metal production and by erratic behavior with large disturbances in the hearth state. During the periods of poor performance, the hearth exhibits a cycling state with stages of excessive skull growth on the unworn refractory, followed by periods of dissolution of the skull and lining erosion. An explanation of the transitions is sought by a stating and solving a force balance for the deadman with the aim to clarify whether it is floating or sitting. A connection between the thermal cycles in the hearth and the hot metal sulfur content is finally demonstrated.