bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reliability assessment of existing structures using results of nondestructive testing
Authors: Küttenbaum Stefan , Braml Thomas , Taffe Alexander , Keßler Sylvia , Maack Stefan
Published: July 2021

Making optimal decisions about the reliability of existing structures requires that the information used in assessment adequately represents the properties and the condition of the structures. The knowledge gap regarding a structure to be assessed can be successively filled by individually purposeful observations on site. This paper gives an overview of an approach for utilizing nondestructively gathered measurement results in reliability assessment of existing structures. An essential part of measurement‐based stochastic modeling of basic variables is the calculation of measurement uncertainties, which serves to establish confidence in measurement, to ensure the comparability of unambiguously expressed measurement results, and to quantify the quality of the measured information. Regarding the current discourse on how to treat information collected on‐site in the context of assessment, the authors recommend that measurement uncertainty becomes an uncertainty component mandatorily to be represented in measurement‐based stochastic models. The main steps of the proposed concept are presented, and the advantages of its application are emphasized by means of a prestressed concrete bridge as case study. The bridge is assessed regarding the serviceability limit state decompression using ultrasonic and radar data measured at the structure.
MBSE delivers significant return on investment in evolutionary development of complex SoS
Authors: Rogers Edward B. , Mitchell Steven W.
Published: July 2021

The Submarine Warfare Federated Tactical Systems (SWFTS) is a rapidly evolving combat system of systems (SoS) product family. Managing the annual baseline updates requires processing thousands of baseline change requests, then coordinating and verifying their implementation. The complexity of this effort, which involves well over ten million source‐lines‐of‐code (SLOC) as well as Commercial‐Off‐the‐Shelf (COTS) and military‐unique hardware, is compounded by being deployed in ten variants.

After a feasibility study in 2010 the SWFTS systems engineering and integration program started a transition from traditional requirements database and document‐centric systems engineering (DCSE) to a model‐based systems engineering (MBSE) process. At that time there was little solid evidence in the literature for a positive Return on Investment (ROI) for moving from DCSE to MBSE.

Applying MBSE to this program has resulted in measurable monetary and operational benefits. We 1) summarize the DCSE to MBSE transition, 2) describe the accomplishments and observations to date, 3) define the metrics collected, and 4) quantify the achieved ROI. Background on the systems engineering and integration (SE&I) process and an apples‐to‐apples comparison of SE quality and efficiency are provided. The raw SE&I efficiencies of the DCSE and MBSE approaches are documented, along with conclusions showing that the MBSE approach delivers a positive ROI through higher quality SE products at significantly less cost‐per‐change, enables managing more baselines and SoS complexity using constant resources, and reduces the cost of the downstream integration effort.
Big data and decision‐making in international business
Authors: Ulman Milos , Musteen Martina , Kanska Eva
Published: July 2021

Drawing on the literature on decision‐making in international business (IB), we discuss how the advancements in big data, specifically business intelligence and analytics (BI&A) applications, are expected to affect the processes underlying IB decision‐making. We provide an overview of BI&A systems with focus on their key levers (i.e., data volume, variety, and velocity), link it to the existing IB literature and develop a theoretical framework that considers the role of specific BI&A mechanisms in IB decision‐making. By examining the expected impact of the BI&A applications on decision‐making in the IB context, we fill a gap in the IB literature. We do so by linking three important levers of BI&A (data volume, variety, and velocity) to three key dimensions of IB decisions—uncertainty, complexity, and dynamism. We provide examples of how specific features of BI&A applications can help managers deal with the challenges of decision‐making in the IB context.
Journal watch
Authors: Kirby Mike
Published: July 2021

Professor Mike Kirby, Editor on Trends in Urology and Men's Health, picks some interesting recent papers and highlights the ‘take‐home’ message.
Mixed signals: The inadequacy of provider‐per‐enrollee ratios for assessing network adequacy in California (and elsewhere)
Authors: Haeder Simon F. , Weimer David L. , Mukamel Dana B.
Published: July 2021

Health insurance regulators often set minimum ratios of provider = per‐enrollee for health insurance plans to try to ensure that their provider networks offer enrollees adequate access to medical care. However, plan‐specific ratios only have an unambiguous interpretation when each provider participates in only one single network. Based on network data, we show that endocrinologists, obstetrician–gynecologists, cardiologists, and pediatricians in California participate on average in 64, 66, 72, and 63 networks, respectively. Such high participation rates in networks make provider‐per‐enrollee ratios measured at the plan level meaningless as metrics for access. We recommend that plan‐specific ratios be abandoned in favor of a more qualitative approach with strong dispute resolution protections as well as “police patrols” (e.g., regulator surveys to assess waiting times for appointments) and “fire alarms” (e.g., investing resources in consumer advocate organizations).
Gluodynamics and deconfinement phase transition under rotation from holography
Authors: Chen Xun , Zhang Lin , Li Danning , Hou Defu , Huang Mei
Published: July 2021

Abstract

We investigate rotating effect on deconfinement phase transition in an Einstein-Maxwell-Dilaton (EMD) model in bottom-up holographic QCD approach. By constructing a rotating black hole, which is supposed to be dual to rotating strongly coupled nuclear matter, we investigate the thermodynamic quantities, including entropy density, pressure, energy density, trace anomaly, sound speed and specific heat for both pure gluon system and two-flavor system under rotation. It is shown that those thermodynamic quantities would be enhanced by large angular velocity. Also, we extract the information of phase transition from those thermodynamic quantities, as well as the order parameter of deconfinement phase transition, i.e. the loop operators. It is shown that, in the T − ω plane, for two-flavor case with small chemical potential, the phase transition is always crossover. The transition temperature decreases slowly with angular velocity and chemical potential. For pure gluon system with zero chemical potential, the phase transition is always first order, while at finite chemical potential a critical end point (CEP) will present in the T − ω plane.
T − W relation and free energy of the Heisenberg chain at a finite temperature
Authors: Lu Pengcheng , Qiao Yi , Cao Junpeng , Yang Wen-Li , Shi Kang jie , Wang Yupeng
Published: July 2021

Abstract

A new nonlinear integral equation (NLIE) describing the thermodynamics of the Heisenberg spin chain is derived based on the t − W relation of the quantum transfer matrices. The free energy of the system in a magnetic field is thus obtained by solving the NLIE. This method can be generalized to other lattice quantum integrable models. Taking the SU(3)-invariant quantum spin chain as an example, we construct the corre- sponding NLIEs and compute the free energy. The present results coincide exactly with those obtained via other methods previously.
Consequences of chirally enhanced explanations of (g − 2)μ for h → μμ and Z → μμ
Authors: Crivellin Andreas , Hoferichter Martin
Published: July 2021

Abstract

With the long-standing tension between experiment and Standard-Model (SM) prediction in the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon aμ recently reaffirmed by the Fermilab experiment, the crucial question becomes which other observables could be sensitive to the underlying physics beyond the SM to which aμ may be pointing. While from the effective field theory (EFT) point of view no direct correlations exist, this changes in specific new physics models. In particular, in the case of explanations involving heavy new particles above the electroweak (EW) scale with chiral enhancement, which are preferred to evade exclusion limits from direct searches, correlations with other observables sensitive to EW symmetry breaking are expected. Such scenarios can be classified according to the SU(2)L representations and the hypercharges of the new particles. We match the resulting class of models with heavy new scalars and fermions onto SMEFT and study the resulting correlations with h → μμ and Z → μμ decays, where, via SU(2)L symmetry, the latter process is related to Z → νν and modified W-μ-ν couplings.
Marginal deformations and RG flows for type IIB S-folds
Authors: Arav Igal , Gauntlett Jerome P. , Roberts Matthew M. , Rosen Christopher
Published: July 2021

Abstract

We construct a continuous one parameter family of AdS4× S1× S5 S-fold solutions of type IIB string theory which have nontrivial SL(2, ℤ) monodromy in the S1 direction. The solutions span a subset of a conformal manifold that contains the known $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 S-fold SCFT in d = 3, and generically preserve $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 supersymmetry. We also construct RG flows across dimensions, from AdS5× S5, dual to $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4, d = 4 SYM compactified with a twisted spatial circle, to various AdS4×S1×S5 S-fold solutions, dual to d = 3 SCFTs. We construct additional flows between the AdS5 dual of the Leigh-Strassler SCFT and an $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 S-fold as well as RG flows between various S-folds.
Super-soft CP violation
Authors: Valenti Alessandro , Vecchi Luca
Published: July 2021

Abstract

Solutions of the Strong CP Problem based on the spontaneous breaking of CP must feature a non-generic structure and simultaneously explain a coincidence between a priori unrelated CP-even and CP-odd mass scales. We show that these properties can emerge from gauge invariance and a CP-conserving, but otherwise generic, physics at the Planck scale. In our scenarios no fundamental scalar is introduced beyond the Standard Model Higgs doublet, and CP is broken at naturally small scales by a confining non-abelian dynamics. This approach is remarkably predictive: robustness against uncontrollable UV corrections to the QCD topological angle requires one or more families of vector-like quarks below a few 10’s of TeV, hence potentially accessible at colliders. Because CP violation is communicated to the SM at these super-soft scales, our solution of the Strong CP Problem is not spoiled by the presence of heavy new states motivated by other puzzles in physics beyond the Standard Model. In addition, these models generically predict a dark sector that may lead to interesting cosmological signatures.
N = 4 near-horizon geometries in D = 11 supergravity
Authors: Farotti D. , Gutowski J.
Published: July 2021

Abstract

Extreme near-horizon geometries in D = 11 supergravity preserving four supersymmetries are classified. It is shown that the Killing spinors fall into three possible orbits, corresponding to pairs of spinors defined on the spatial cross-sections of the horizon which have isotropy groups SU(3), G2, or SU(4). In each case, the conditions on the geometry and the 4-form flux are determined. The integrability conditions obtained from the Killing spinor equations are also investigated.
Changes in γδT Cells in Peripheral Blood of Patients with Ulcerative Colitis Exacerbations
Authors: Gryglewski Andrzej , Richter Piotr , Szczepanik Marian
Published: July 2021

The role of γδT cells in ulcerative colitis (UC) is well confirmed in experimental animals and demonstrated in many clinical observations. Recent investigations have indicated that UC is associated with several forms of immune imbalance, such as an imbalance between effector T cells and regulatory T cells. However, little is known about the cellular aspect of clinical colitis exacerbations. We observed 140 patients with histologically confirmed UC over the course of 8 years. We investigated the percentage of γδT and αβT cells in peripheral blood of patients and also the expression of various surface markers (CD25, CD54, CD62L). Patients were assembled into stable colitis and exacerbated colitis groups. The percentage of γδT and αβT cells was evaluated by Ortho Cytorone Absolute flow cytometer. In patients with exacerbated colitis we observed a decrease of γδT cells in peripheral blood and an increased ratio of αβT/γδT. Additionally, we found that exacerbation results in a significant increase of percentage of γδTCD25, γδTCD54 and γδTCD62L lymphocytes in peripheral blood when compared to patients with stable colitis. Exacerbation of ulcerative colitis results in a decreased percentage of γδT cells in peripheral blood with increase of CD25, CD54 and CD62L expressing γδT cells. This may represent the effect of cell activation and migration, similar to that observed after the surgical trauma. We hope that this observation may help to predict exacerbations in colitis patients.
Subsidence of a metaphyseal-anchored press-fit stem after 4-year follow-up: an EBRA-FCA analysis
Authors: Dammerer Dietmar , Blum Philipp , Putzer David , Krappinger Dietmar , Liebensteiner Michael C. , Nogler Michael , Thaler Martin
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Uncemented stem migration analysis by EBRA-FCA (Einzel-Bild-Roentgen Analyse, Femoral Component Analyse) has been seen to be a good predictive indicator for early implant failure. In this study, we investigated the migration behavior of a cementless metaphyseal-anchored press-fit stem after 4-year follow-up.

Methods

Applying a retrospective study design, we reviewed all consecutive patients who between 2012 and 2017 received a cementless Accolade II press-fit stem at our Department. We reviewed medical histories and performed radiological measurements using EBRA-FCA software. EBRA-FCA measurements and statistical investigations were performed by two independent investigators.

Results

A total of 102 stems in 91 patients (female 60; male 31) fulfilled our inclusion criteria. Mean age at surgery was 66.2 (range 24.3–92.6) years. EBRA migration analysis showed a mean subsidence of 1.4 mm (range 0.0–12.0) at final follow-up. The angle between stem and femur axis was 0.5° (range 0.0°–2.8°) after 48 months. No correlations between gender or Dorr types and subsidence were found (p > 0.05). A body mass index > 30 kg/m2 showed a significant increase in stem subsidence within the first 6 (p = 0.0258) and 12 months (p = 0.0466) postoperative.

Conclusions

Migration pattern of the metaphyseal-anchored stem and a low subsidence rate at final follow-up may predict a good long-term clinical result.

Trial registration

Number: 20181024-1875.
The Chatbot Usability Scale: the Design and Pilot of a Usability Scale for Interaction with AI-Based Conversational Agents
Authors: Borsci Simone , Malizia Alessio , Schmettow Martin , van der Velde Frank , Tariverdiyeva Gunay , Balaji Divyaa , Chamberlain Alan
Published: July 2021

Standardised tools to assess a user’s satisfaction with the experience of using chatbots and conversational agents are currently unavailable. This work describes four studies, including a systematic literature review, with an overall sample of 141 participants in the survey (experts and novices), focus group sessions and testing of chatbots to (i) define attributes to assess the quality of interaction with chatbots and (ii) the designing and piloting a new scale to measure satisfaction after the experience with chatbots. Two instruments were developed: (i) A diagnostic tool in the form of a checklist (BOT-Check). This tool is a development of previous works which can be used reliably to check the quality of a chatbots experience in line with commonplace principles. (ii) A 15-item questionnaire (BOT Usability Scale, BUS-15) with estimated reliability between .76 and .87 distributed in five factors. BUS-15 strongly correlates with UMUX-LITE by enabling designers to consider a broader range of aspects usually not considered in satisfaction tools for non-conversational agents, e.g. conversational efficiency and accessibility, quality of the chatbot’s functionality and so on. Despite the convincing psychometric properties, BUS-15 requires further testing and validation. Designers can use it as a tool to assess products, thus building independent databases for future evaluation of its reliability, validity and sensitivity.
The ERACE-PA Global Surveillance Program: Ceftolozane/tazobactam and Ceftazidime/avibactam in vitro Activity against a Global Collection of Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Gill Christian M. , Aktaþ Elif , Alfouzan Wadha , Bourassa Lori , Brink Adrian , Burnham Carey-Ann D. , Canton Rafael , Carmeli Yehuda , Falcone Marco , Kiffer Carlos , Marchese Anna , Martinez Octavio , Pournaras Spyros , Satlin Michael , Seifert Harald , Thabit Abrar K. , Thomson Kenneth S. , Villegas Maria Virginia , Nicolau David P. ,   the ERACE-PA Global Study Group
Published: July 2021

The cephalosporin-β-lactamase-inhibitor-combinations, ceftolozane/tazobactam and ceftazidime/avibactam, have revolutionized treatment of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CR-PA). A contemporary assessment of their in vitro potency against a global CR-PA collection and an assessment of carbapenemase diversity are warranted. Isolates determined as CR-PA by the submitting site were collected from 2019–2021 (17 centers in 12 countries) during the ERACE-PA Global Surveillance Program. Broth microdilution MICs were assessed per CLSI standards for ceftolozane/tazobactam, ceftazidime/avibactam, ceftazidime, and cefepime. Phenotypic carbapenemase testing was conducted (modified carbapenem inactivation method (mCIM)). mCIM positive isolates underwent genotypic carbapenemase testing using the CarbaR, the CarbaR NxG, or whole genome sequencing. The MIC50/90 was reported as well as percent susceptible (CLSI and EUCAST interpretation). Of the 807 isolates, 265 (33%) tested carbapenemase-positive phenotypically. Of these, 228 (86%) were genotypically positive for a carbapenemase with the most common being VIM followed by GES. In the entire cohort of CR-PA, ceftolozane/tazobactam and ceftazidime/avibactam had MIC50/90 values of 2/ > 64 and 4/64 mg/L, respectively. Ceftazidime/avibactam was the most active agent with 72% susceptibility per CLSI compared with 63% for ceftolozane/tazobactam. For comparison, 46% of CR-PA were susceptible to ceftazidime and cefepime. Against carbapenemase-negative isolates, 88 and 91% of isolates were susceptible to ceftolozane/tazobactam and ceftazidime/avibactam, respectively. Ceftolozane/tazobactam and ceftazidime/avibactam remained highly active against carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa, particularly in the absence of carbapenemases. The contemporary ERACE-PA Global Program cohort with 33% carbapenemase positivity including diverse enzymology will be useful to assess therapeutic options in these clinically challenging organisms with limited therapies.
Bridging the model-to-code abstraction gap with fuzzy logic in model-based regression test selection
Authors: Cazzola Walter , Ghosh Sudipto , Al-Refai Mohammed , Maurina Gabriele
Published: July 2021

Regression test selection (RTS) approaches reduce the cost of regression testing of evolving software systems. Existing RTS approaches based on UML models use behavioral diagrams or a combination of structural and behavioral diagrams. However, in practice, behavioral diagrams are incomplete or not used. In previous work, we proposed a fuzzy logic based RTS approach called FLiRTS that uses UML sequence and activity diagrams. In this work, we introduce FLiRTS 2, which drops the need for behavioral diagrams and relies on system models that only use UML class diagrams, which are the most widely used UML diagrams in practice. FLiRTS 2 addresses the unavailability of behavioral diagrams by classifying test cases using fuzzy logic after analyzing the information commonly provided in class diagrams. We evaluated FLiRTS 2 on UML class diagrams extracted from 3331 revisions of 13 open-source software systems, and compared the results with those of code-based dynamic (Ekstazi) and static (STARTS) RTS approaches. The average test suite reduction using FLiRTS 2 was 82.06%. The average safety violations of FLiRTS 2 with respect to Ekstazi and STARTS were 18.88% and 16.53%, respectively. FLiRTS 2 selected on average about 82% of the test cases that were selected by Ekstazi and STARTS. The average precision violations of FLiRTS 2 with respect to Ekstazi and STARTS were 13.27% and 9.01%, respectively. The average mutation score of the full test suites was 18.90%; the standard deviation of the reduced test suites from the average deviation of the mutation score for each subject was 1.78% for FLiRTS 2, 1.11% for Ekstazi, and 1.43% for STARTS. Our experiment demonstrated that the performance of FLiRTS 2 is close to the state-of-art tools for code-based RTS but requires less information and performs the selection in less time.
Well-being Indicators: a Review and Comparison in the Context of Italy
Authors: Facchinetti Silvia , Siletti Elena
Published: July 2021

Interest in the well-being measurement is constantly increasing worldwide, especially due to the Stiglitz Commission suggestions, which opened several questions about its assessment and theoretical framework. This paper focuses on the Italian scenario due to the central role given to this topic by the Italian Parliament, which introduces equitable and sustainable well-being among the objectives of the government’s economic and social policy. Significant differences exist among the proposed Italian well-being indices in terms of theoretical approach, statistical rigour and aims. We propose a detailed outline of these indices useful for policy-makers, practitioners, economists and statistics scholars, with the awareness that for a good analysis, a complete and conscious description of the data is the starting point to further improve their usefulness, to maximise their advantages and to cut down their limitations.
Aggregation induced emission of chalcones
Authors: Kagatikar Sneha , Sunil Dhanya
Published: July 2021

There is always a need for efficient luminescent materials with simple synthesis and possible ease of hydrogen atom or functional group manipulation for use in different optoelectronic and biological applications. However, for certain real-world uses aggregation caused quenching effect of luminophores in their solid/aggregate state is undesirable, and is a cause of concern in areas, wherein the solid-state optical performance is more crucial. In this regard, chalcones have been explored for their ability to display aggregation-induced emission (AIE) or aggregation-induced enhanced emission (AIEE), which can be of practical use. This article is thus focused on an integrated evidence-based report on the AIE/AIEE-active chalcone systems for potential technological and biological applications.

Graphic abstract
Bedrohungsmanagement: deeskalieren, bevor etwas passiert
Authors: Guldimann Angela , Brunner Reinhard , Habermeyer Elmar
Published: July 2021

In diesem Beitrag wird die Arbeit des Kantonalen Bedrohungsmanagements (KBM) Zürich vorgestellt. Personen, die durch ihre Kommunikation und/oder ihr Verhalten Hinweise auf ein mögliches Gewaltpotenzial zeigen (sog. Gefährder), sollen frühzeitig erkannt, eingeschätzt und so risikobehaftete Entwicklungen entschärft werden. Forensische Fachpersonen der Fachstelle Forensic Assessment & Risk Management (FFA) der Psychiatrischen Universitätsklinik Zürich unterstützen die polizeilichen Gewaltschützer darin, ein tragfähiges Fallverständnis im Hinblick auf die (psychisch kranken) Gefährder zu erarbeiten. Das Fallverständnis gilt es, im Rahmen von Gefährderansprachen sorgfältig zu überprüfen. In dieser Arbeit wird zudem erläutert, wie das KBM Behörden und Institutionen in der Einschätzung und im Management mit möglichen Gefährdern unterstützt. Hierbei werden potenzielle Fallstricke der Behördenmitglieder im Umgang mit Querulanten reflektiert, aber auch die Fürsorgepflicht des Arbeitgebers bzw. der betroffenen Behörden in den Fokus gerückt. Zuletzt werden auch Gefahren des Bedrohungsmanagementansatzes reflektiert, und es wird für höchstmögliche Transparenz gegenüber den potenziellen Gefährdern sowie den Bürgern und Bürgerinnen plädiert.
Retrospective evaluation of landslide susceptibility maps and review of validation practice
Authors: Fleuchaus Paul , Blum Philipp , Wilde Martina , Terhorst Birgit , Butscher Christoph
Published: July 2021

Despite the widespread application of landslide susceptibility analyses, there is hardly any information about whether or not the occurrence of recent landslide events was correctly predicted by the relevant susceptibility maps. Hence, the objective of this study is to evaluate four landslide susceptibility maps retrospectively in a landslide-prone area of the Swabian Alb (Germany). The predictive performance of each susceptibility map is evaluated based on a landslide event triggered by heavy rainfalls in the year 2013. The retrospective evaluation revealed significant variations in the predictive accuracy of the analyzed studies. Both completely erroneous as well as very precise predictions were observed. These differences are less attributed to the applied statistical method and more to the quality and comprehensiveness of the used input data. Furthermore, a literature review of 50 peer-reviewed articles showed that most landslide susceptibility analyses achieve very high validation scores. 73% of the analyzed studies achieved an area under curve (AUC) value of at least 80%. These high validation scores, however, do not reflect the high uncertainty in statistical susceptibility analysis. Thus, the quality assessment of landslide susceptibility maps should not only comprise an index-based, quantitative validation, but also an additional qualitative plausibility check considering local geomorphological characteristics and local landslide mechanisms. Finally, the proposed retrospective evaluation approach cannot only help to assess the quality of susceptibility maps and demonstrate the reliability of such statistical methods, but also identify issues that will enable the susceptibility maps to be improved in the future.
Exploring distribution of potentially toxic elements in soil profiles to assess the geochemical background and contamination extent in soils of a metallurgical and industrial area in Kosovo
Authors: Protano Giuseppe , Di Lella Luigi Antonello , Nannoni Francesco
Published: July 2021

This geochemical study explored the distribution of potentially toxic elements (PTEs), such as As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sb, Tl, U, and Zn, along soil profiles of a metallurgical and industrial area in Kosovo, with the aim of assessing geochemical background and contamination threshold of PTEs in soil, and defining surface and vertical level and extent of soil contamination by PTEs. The geochemical background was assessed by exploratory data analysis of PTE concentrations in soil profiles. The upper limit of geochemical background (contamination threshold) was used as reference value to calculate the single pollution index and establish the PTE contamination level. Cadmium, Pb, Sb, Zn were the primary soil contaminants and As, Cu, Tl the secondary ones. The main sources of soil contaminants were the Zvecan smelter for Pb, Sb, As, Cu, Tl, and the Trepca industrial complex for Cd and Zn. The highest levels of Pb and Sb contamination were found up to depths between 30 and 60 cm in soil profiles within 5 km north and south-east of the Zvecan smelter. Contamination by Pb and Sb decreased with depth and affected the whole thickness of soil profiles closer the smelter. Cadmium and Zn contamination declined with distance from the Trepca industrial complex and decreased with depth, extending down to depths of 40–90 cm and 30–70 cm, respectively. Anomalous natural concentrations of Co, Cr, and Ni were found in soils collected in the northern part of the study area, where the geology consists mainly of ultrabasic and basic magmatic rocks.
The Influence of Types of Stimulation and Attitudes to Clitoral Self-stimulation on Female Sexual and Orgasm Satisfaction: a Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Hoy Madita , van Stein Katharina , Strauss Bernhard , Brenk-Franz Katja
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Societal assumptions and individual myths that define vaginal penetration as normal sexuality can affect the sexual pleasure of varied sexual activities. Although women orgasm much more easily through direct clitoral stimulation than through vaginal intercourse, many couples desire the latter. The purpose of this study is to investigate how orgasms from different types of stimulation with a partner affect sexual satisfaction and orgasm satisfaction in cisgender women. Also, the attitude of women to stimulate their clitoris themselves to reach orgasm during sex with their partner will be included.

Methods

Two independent surveys (N = 388 and N = 555) were conducted online in 2016 and 2020.

Results

Regression analyses showed that orgasm consistency through sexual intercourse had a stronger influence on orgasm satisfaction and sexual satisfaction than orgasm consistency through oral sex, stimulation by the partner’s hand, or self-stimulation. Positive thoughts and feelings about self-stimulation of the clitoris during sex with the partner showed only little effect, but in some cases, they were even negatively related to the reported satisfaction.

Conclusions

The results indicate that the common misconception about sexuality, that it is normal for women to experience orgasms during penile-vaginal intercourse, influences the subjective evaluation of one’s own sexuality. Orgasms from clitoral stimulation seem to have a second-class quality for some women, although there is no evidence that these orgasms feel like less pleasureable.

Policy Implication

Rigid assumptions about what normal sexuality should look like should be publicly addressed and discussed in sex education classes.
On the K(1)-local homotopy of $$\mathrm {tmf}\wedge \mathrm {tmf}$$
Authors: Culver Dominic Leon , VanKoughnett Paul
Published: July 2021

As a step towards understanding the$$\mathrm {tmf}$$tmf-based Adams spectral sequence, we compute theK(1)-local homotopy of$$\mathrm {tmf}\wedge \mathrm {tmf}$$tmf∧tmf, using a small presentation of$$L_{K(1)}\mathrm {tmf}$$LK(1)tmfdue to Hopkins. We also describe theK(1)-local$$\mathrm {tmf}$$tmf-based Adams spectral sequence.
Frailty predicts failure to discharge patients home from a subacute-care unit: a 3-year Italian experience
Authors: Mazzola Paolo , Buttò Valeria , Elli Simona , Galluccio Riccardo , Domenici Giulia , Stella Valentina , Haas Justin , Peschi Gianluca , Monzio Compagnoni Matteo , Annoni Giorgio , Bellelli Giuseppe
Published: July 2021

Background

The primary purpose of Subacute Care Units (SCU) is to decongest acute hospital wards and facilitate the return of older patients to home.

Aims

We analyzed the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients admitted to an Italian SCU, and we explored factors associated with discharge to locations other than home (outcome).

Methods

This retrospective observational cohort study was conducted at a medium-sized suburban hospital, enrolling all patients consecutively admitted to one SCU from October 2017 to February 2020. We collected demographics, cause of admission, comorbidities, cognition, Barthel Index (BI), nutritional status, Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), length of stay, and discharge destination. Delirium was screened with the 4AT score. We adopted a multivariable conditional logistic regression model to identify the factors associated with the outcome.

Results

Frail subjects accounted for 58.6% of 406 patients (mean age 78.2 years, SD 11.6), while 61% were classified as functionally dependent. More than half of patients had relevant comorbidity, approximately 80% had a poor nutritional status, and 25% had pre-existing dementia. The overall prevalence of delirium was 14.5%. Most patients came from a hospital setting; recurrent reasons for admission were infections (70.5%) and heart failure (12.7%). Having a urinary bladder catheter at discharge, being overtly frail (CFS > 8), and low BI score were factors independently associated with not being discharged home.

Discussion and conclusion

The routine assessment of frailty, as expressed by the CFS, may help redirecting the patients eligible for SCU admission.
Drawing mechanisms for top coal in longwall top coal caving (LTCC): A review of two decades of literature
Authors: Wang Jiachen , Yang Shengli , Wei Weijie , Zhang Jinwang , Song Zhengyang
Published: July 2021

This review details the state of the art in research on top coal drawing mechanisms in Longwall top coal caving (LTCC) by examining the relevant literature over the last two decades. It starts with an introduction of the brief history and basic procedures of LTCC. The framework of research on the drawing mechanism, basic concepts, and some theoretical models of LTCC are detailed in sect. research framework of top coal drawing mechanism. The authors note that the Top coal drawbody (TCD), Top coal boundary (TCB) and Top coal recovery ratio (TCRR) are key factors in the drawing mechanism. The Body–boundary–ratio (BBR) research system has been the classic framework for research over the last 20 years. The modified Bergmark–Roos model, which considers the effects of the supporting rear canopy, flowing velocity of top coal, and its shape factor, is optimal for characterizing the TCD. A 3D model to describe the TCB that considers the thicknesses of the coal seam and roof strata is reviewed. In sect. physical testing and numerical simulation, the physical tests and numerical simulations in the literature are classified for ease of bibliographical review, and classic conclusions regarding the drawing mechanism of top coal are presented and discussed with elaborate illustrations and descriptions. The deflection of the TCD is noted, and is caused by the shape of the rear canopy. The inclined coal seam always induces a larger TCD, and a deflection in the TCD has also been observed in it. The effects of the drawing sequence and drawing interval on the TCRR are reviewed, where a long drawing interval is found to lead to significant loss of top coal. Its flowing behavior and velocity distribution are also presented. Sect. practical applications of drawing mechanisms for LTCC mines 4 summarizes over 10 cases where the TCRR of LTCC mines improved due to the guidance of the drawing mechanism. The final section provides a summary of the work here and some open questions. Prospective investigations are highlighted to give researchers guidance on promising issues in future research on LTCC.
Regulatory Lag, Regulatory Friction and Regulatory Transition as FinTech Disenablers: Calibrating an EU Response to the Regulatory Sandbox Phenomenon
Authors: Ahern Deirdre
Published: July 2021

With transformative evolution involving crypto-assets, machine learning applications and data-driven finance models, complex regulatory and policy issues are emerging. Inadequate frameworks in FinTech markets create regulatory friction and regulatory fragmentation. These limitations continue to feature when piecemeal regulatory transition occurs. The danger of EU Member States being left behind in the FinTech innovation race if the regulatory landscape is cumbersome or incomplete for new business models is real. Regulatory lag and regulatory friction also act as a ‘disenabler’ for ease of cross-border FinTech trade in the EU. This article critically engages with the manner in which the regulatory sandbox has rapidly gained critical mass in Member States as a valuable adaptive measure supporting a route to market for FinTech entrepreneurs. Against the backdrop of the European Commission’s Digital Finance Strategy, the article further advances scholarship on FinTech in the EU by probing the EU’s resulting regulatory dilemma, undertaking a systematic evaluation of the continuum of complex policy options available to the European Union in response to the spreading regulatory sandbox phenomenon.
Fragile X-Related Protein 1 (FXR1) Promotes Trophoblast Migration at Early Pregnancy via Downregulation of GDF-15 Expression
Authors: Hong Wei , Chen Jin-Hong , Ma Hong-jiao , Li-Li  , Li Xiao-Cui
Published: July 2021

Fragile X-related protein 1 (FXR1) is an RNA-binding protein that can regulate specific mRNA decay in cells. Our previous study showed that FXR1 expression was significantly decreased in trophoblasts from patients with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA); however, the role of FXR1 in trophoblast function during early placenta development has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we found that knockdown of FXR1 using siRNA effectively inhibited the migration of HTR-8 cells and extravillous trophoblast (EVT) outgrowth in an ex vivo extravillous explant culture model. Furthermore, through analysis of a panel of cytokines, we found that the GDF-15 protein was upregulated after knockdown of FXR1 in HTR-8/SVneo cells. This was further confirmed by western blotting and immunofluorescence in HTR-8/SVneo cells and an extravillous explant. Our data also showed that FXR1 expression was downregulated and GDF-15 was upregulated in chorionic villous tissues from RSA patients compared with those from healthy controls (HCs). Further, immunohistochemistry showed a strong expression of GDF-15 in chorionic villous tissue in the RSA group, which was mainly distributed in villous trophoblasts (CTBs) and syncytiotrophoblasts (STBs). Moreover, knockdown of GDF-15 enhanced the migration of HTR-8 cells, while overexpression of GDF-15 using plasmid or treatment with recombinant human GDF-15 protein inhibited trophoblast migration. Importantly, RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation showed that FXR1 directly bound to the 3′-UTR of GDF-15 mRNA to promote GDF-15 mRNA decay. Together, our data provide new insight into the function of FXR1 in human placenta via regulation of GDF-15 expression in trophoblasts and suggest a possible pathological process involved in RSA.
No Change in the Use of Antivenom in Copperhead Snakebites in Ohio
Authors: Plash Walker B. , Stolz Uwe , Goertemoeller Sheila , Otten Edward J.
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Historically, copperhead snake ( Agkistrodon contortrix) envenomations were not treated with antivenom owing to related adverse events and little benefit. However, recent studies have shown improved outcomes with antivenom use. We hypothesized that the frequency of antivenom use for copperhead envenomation in Ohio has increased as benefits of administration became more widely known.

Methods

All copperhead snakebites reported to the Ohio poison control centers from 2006 through 2016 were compiled. Antivenom use, bite severity, and disposition were abstracted. A nonparametric test for trend was used to evaluate changes over time for the number of patients treated with antivenom and patient disposition. Logistic regression was used to assess the odds of admission vs discharge with antivenom administration, bite severity, age, and sex as independent variables.

Results

Ninety-eight patients reported copperhead snakebites to the poison control centers. The test of trend showed no change in the proportion of patients treated with antivenom by year ( P=0.42). There was no difference in the proportion of patients discharged home ( P=0.38) per year. Logistic regression showed antivenom use was associated with an odds ratio for admission of 46.7 (95% CI: 7.3–296.4).

Conclusions

The frequency of antivenom use for copperhead bites did not significantly increase between 2006 and 2016. Administration of antivenom was associated with a large increase in the odds of admission to the hospital, even when controlling for bite severity. Further education regarding the benefits and safety of antivenom may increase its use for copperhead snakebites, but may lead to an increase in hospital admissions.
The Superiority of Women in the Seventeenth Century
Authors: DESLAURIERS MARGUERITE
Published: July 2021

Early feminist or pro-woman works often combine the claim that the rational souls of men and women are the same with an argument for the superiority of women. This article considers two such works, Lucrezia Marinella's The Nobility and Excellence of Women and the Defects and Vices of Men (Venice, 1601 [1999]) and Marguerite Buffet's In Praise of Illustrious Learned Women, both Ancient and Modern (Paris, 1668), in order to show the continuities and distinctive features of feminist arguments for superiority, to emphasize the differences in the conceptions of reason and physiology that distinguish them, and to demonstrate that claims of superiority persisted even as those defending women's worth began to adopt egalitarian positions.
Corporate Social Responsibility and Government: The Role of Discretion for Engagement with Public Policy
Authors: Knudsen Jette Steen , Moon Jeremy
Published: July 2021

We investigate the relationship of corporate social responsibility (CSR) (often assumed to reflect corporate voluntarism) and government (often assumed to reflect coercion). We distinguish two broad perspectives on the CSR and government relationship: thedichotomous(i.e., government and CSR are / should be independent of one another) and therelated(i.e., government and CSR are / should be interconnected). Using typologies of CSR public policy and of CSR and the law, we present an integrated framework for corporate discretion for engagement with public policy for CSR. We make four related contributions. First, we explain the dichotomous and the related perspectives with reference to their various assumptions and analyses. Second, we demonstrate that public policy for CSR and corporate discretion coexist and interact. Specifically, we show, third, that public policy for CSR can inform and stimulate corporate discretion and, fourth, that corporations have discretion for CSR, particularly as to how corporations engage with such policy.
Leveraging a qualitative data repository to integrate patient and caregiver perspectives into clinical research
Authors: Christensen Vivian , Parker Kellee , Cottrell Erika
Published: July 2021

Understanding patient and caregiver experiences is a critical component of the conception, design, and implementation of clinical research studies. The “Database of Individual Patient Experiences” (DIPEx) is an innovative, evidence-based approach for eliciting rich information about health experiences. We conducted a formative evaluation with 14 pediatric oncology researchers to assess the value of using data from a DIPEx study on patient and caregiver experiences with childhood cancer to inform patient-centered research in pediatric oncology. Participants identified barriers to incorporating patient perspectives and experiences into their research and how the DIPEx approach could be leveraged to facilitate this practice.
Enhancing translational team effectiveness: The Wisconsin Interventions in Team Science framework for translating empirically informed strategies into evidence-based interventions
Authors: Rolland Betsy , Hohl Sarah D. , Johnson LaKaija J.
Published: July 2021

Achieving the clinical, public health, economic, and policy benefits of translational science requires the integration and application of findings across biomedical, clinical, and behavioral science and health policy, and thus, collaboration across experts in these areas. To do so, translational teams need the skills, knowledge, and attitudes to mitigate challenges and build on strengths of cross-disciplinary collaboration. Though these competencies are not innate to teams, they can be built through the implementation of effective strategies and interventions. The Science of Team Science (SciTS) has contributed robust theories and evidence of empirically-informed strategies and best practices to enhance collaboration. Yet the field lacks methodological approaches to rigorously translate those strategies into evidence-based interventions to improve collaborative translational research. Here, we apply lessons from Implementation Science and Human-Centered Design & Engineering to describe the Wisconsin Interventions in Team Science (WITS) framework, a process for translating established team science strategies into evidence-based interventions to bolster translational team effectiveness. To illustrate our use of WITS, we describe how University of Wisconsin’s Institute for Clinical and Translational Research translated the existing Collaboration Planning framework into a robust, scalable, replicable intervention. We conclude with recommendations for future SciTS research to refine and test the framework.
Trend Analysis on Road Traffic Collision Occurrence in Nigeria
Authors: Awoniyi Oluwafunbi , Hart Alexander , Argote-Aramendiz Killiam , Voskanyan Amalia , Sarin Ritu , Molloy Michael S. , Ciottone Gregory R.
Published: July 2021

Objectives:

Road traffic collisions (RTC) result in a significant number of preventable deaths worldwide. In 2010, the United Nations General Assembly launched, “The Decade of Action for Road Safety (2011–2020)” with the stated goal to “reduce road traffic deaths and injuries by 50% by 2020.” This study aims to analyze trends in RTC numbers and subsequent deaths with respect to road safety laws in Nigeria and to suggest suitable interventions.

Methods:

Annual reports for the period 2007–2017 were obtained from the Federal Road Safety Corps of Nigeria. These reports were analyzed for trends in RTC, including reported causes, fatalities, injuries, and casualties.

Results:

Overall total injuries, casualties, and fatalities increased by 74.7%, 61.2%, and 9.6%, respectively. Analysis showed that the 3 main causes of RTC were speed violation, loss of control, and dangerous driving.

Conclusions:

Although current trends do not suggest that Nigeria will accomplish its initial goal of decreasing fatalities by 50% by 2020, there has been a reduction in the number of crashes resulting from dangerous driving. Further interventions such as implementing automated speed monitoring, collaboration, and data sharing between federal and regional agencies, and improving the state of road networks should be implemented to decrease fatalities further.