bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Solving the migration–recombination equation from a genealogical point of view
Authors: Alberti F. , Baake E. , Letter I. , Martínez S.
Published: March 2021

We consider the discrete-time migration–recombination equation, a deterministic, nonlinear dynamical system that describes the evolution of the genetic type distribution of a population evolving under migration and recombination in a law of large numbers setting. We relate this dynamics (forward in time) to a Markov chain, namely a labelled partitioning process, backward in time. This way, we obtain a stochastic representation of the solution of the migration–recombination equation. As a consequence, one obtains an explicit solution of the nonlinear dynamics, simply in terms of powers of the transition matrix of the Markov chain. The limiting and quasi-limiting behaviour of the Markov chain are investigated, which gives immediate access to the asymptotic behaviour of the dynamical system. We finally sketch the analogous situation in continuous time.
CAS-LSM Datasets for the CMIP6 Land Surface Snow and Soil Moisture Model Intercomparison Project
Authors: Jia Binghao , Wang Longhuan , Wang Yan , Li Ruichao , Luo Xin , Xie Jinbo , Xie Zhenghui , Chen Si , Qin Peihua , Li Lijuan , Chen Kangjun
Published: March 2021

The datasets of the five Land-offline Model Intercomparison Project (LMIP) experiments using the Chinese Academy of Sciences Land Surface Model (CAS-LSM) of CAS Flexible Global-Ocean-Atmosphere-Land System Model Grid-point version 3 (CAS FGOALS-g3) are presented in this study. These experiments were forced by five global meteorological forcing datasets, which contributed to the framework of the Land Surface Snow and Soil Moisture Model Intercomparison Project (LS3MIP) of CMIP6. These datasets have been released on the Earth System Grid Federation node. In this paper, the basic descriptions of the CAS-LSM and the five LMIP experiments are shown. The performance of the soil moisture, snow, and land-atmosphere energy fluxes was preliminarily validated using satellite-based observations. Results show that their mean states, spatial patterns, and seasonal variations can be reproduced well by the five LMIP simulations. It suggests that these datasets can be used to investigate the evolutionary mechanisms of the global water and energy cycles during the past century.
Impact of the April–May SAM on Central Pacific Ocean sea temperature over the following three seasons
Authors: Liu Ting , Li Jianping , Sun Cheng , Lian Tao , Zhang Yazhou
Published: March 2021

Although the impact of the extratropical Pacific signal on the El Niño–Southern Oscillation has attracted increasing concern, the impact of Southern Hemisphere Annular Mode (SAM)-related signals from outside the southern Pacific Basin on the equatorial sea temperature has received less attention. This study explores the lead correlation between the April–May (AM) SAM and central tropical Pacific sea temperature variability over the following three seasons. For the positive AM SAM case, the related simultaneous warm SST anomalies in the southeastern Indian Ocean favor significant regulation of vertical circulation in the Indian Ocean with anomalous ascending motion in the tropics. This can further enhance convection over the Marine Continent, which induces a significant horizontal Kelvin response and regulates the vertical Walker circulation. These two processes both result in the anomalous easterlies east of 130° E in the equatorial Pacific during AM. These easterly anomalies favor oceanic upwelling and eastward propagation of the cold water into the central Pacific. The cold water in turn amplifies the development of the easterly wind and further maintains the cold water into the boreal winter. The results presented here not only provide a possible link between extratropical climate variability in the Indian Ocean and climate variation in the equatorial Pacific, but also shed new light on the short-term prediction of tropical central Pacific sea temperature.
Patterns of cervical lymph node metastasis in supraglottic laryngeal cancer and therapeutic implications of surgical staging of the neck
Authors: Kürten Cornelius H. L. , Zioga Eleni , Gauler Thomas , Stuschke Martin , Guberina Maja , Ludwig Johannes M. , Deuss Eric , Mattheis Stefan , Lang Stephan , Hussain Timon
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Accurate therapeutic management of the neck is a challenge in patients with supraglottic laryngeal cancer. Nodal metastasis is common at all disease stages, and treatment planning relies on clinical staging of the neck, for both surgical and non-surgical treatment. Here, we compared clinical and surgical staging results in supraglottic carcinoma patients treated with primary surgery to assess the accuracy of pre-therapeutic clinical staging and guide future treatment decisions.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of clinical, pathological, and oncologic outcome data of 70 patients treated with primary surgery and bilateral neck dissection for supraglottic laryngeal cancer. Patients where clinical and pathological neck staging results differed, were identified and analyzed in detail.

Results

On pathologic assessment, patients with early stage (pT1/2) primaries showed cervical lymph node metastases in 55% (n = 17/31) of cases, compared to 67% (n = 26/39) of patients with pT3/4 tumors. In 24% (n = 17/70) of all patients, cN status differed from pN status, resulting in an upstaging in 16% of cases (n = 11/70) and a downstaging in 9% (n = 6/70) of cases. 14% of patients with cN0 status had occult metastases (n = 5/30). As assessed by a retrospective tumor board, in case of a non-surgical treatment approach, the inaccurate clinical staging of the neck would have led to an over- or undertreatment of the neck in 20% (n = 14/70) of all patients.

Conclusion

Our data re-emphasize the high cervical metastasis rates of supraglottic laryngeal cancer across all stages. Inaccurate clinical staging of the neck is common and should be taken into consideration when planning treatment.
Audiological practice and COVID-19: recommendations that audiological centers can use to maintain the safety and quality of service—expert opinion
Authors: Rajeswaran Ranjith , Tavora-Vieira Dayse , Mertens Griet , Dillon Margaret , Narayan Saranya , Kameswaran Mohan , Kurz Anja
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Audiology is an essential service for some patient groups and some interventions. This article sets forth experience-based recommendations for how audiological centers can continue to safely and effectively function during COVID-19.

Methods

The recommendations are the result of panel discussion and are based on the clinical experience of the panelists/authors.

Results

The recommendations cover which patient groups and which interventions should be treated when and whether this can be performed in the clinic or remotely; how to maintain the safety of workplace via optimizing patient flow within the clinic and the sanitation of rooms and equipment; and overcoming communication challenges that COVID-19 intensifies.

Conclusion

For essential audiological services to continue under COVID-19, safety measures must be implemented and maintained, and treatment and communication strategies must be adapted to offset communication difficulties due to personal protective equipment (PPE) and social distancing and to bolster patient confidence. In short, it is vital that staff feel safe, that patients either feel the clinic is safe enough to visit or that remote treatment may be an option, and that clinics and patients have a broad agreement on the urgency of any needed service. We hope that these recommendations help clinics effectively accomplish these goals.
A model to differentiate WAD patients and people with abnormal pain behaviour based on biomechanical and self-reported tests
Authors: Monaro Merylin , De Rosario Helios , Baydal-Bertomeu José María , Bernal-Lafuente Marta , Masiero Stefano , Macía-Calvo Mónica , Cantele Francesca , Sartori Giuseppe
Published: March 2021

The prevalence of malingering among individuals presenting whiplash-related symptoms is significant and leads to a huge economic loss due to fraudulent injury claims. Various strategies have been proposed to detect malingering and symptoms exaggeration. However, most of them have been not consistently validated and tested to determine their accuracy in detecting feigned whiplash. This study merges two different approaches to detect whiplash malingering (the mechanical approach and the qualitative analysis of the symptomatology) to obtain a malingering detection model based on a wider range of indices, both biomechanical and self-reported. A sample of 46 malingerers and 59 genuine clinical patients was tested using a kinematic test and a self-report questionnaire asking about the presence of rare and impossible symptoms. The collected measures were used to train and validate a linear discriminant analysis (LDA) classification model. Results showed that malingerers were discriminated from genuine clinical patients based on a greater proportion of rare symptoms vs. possible self-reported symptoms and slower but more repeatable neck motions in the biomechanical test. The fivefold cross-validation of the LDA model yielded an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.84, with a sensitivity of 77.8% and a specificity of 84.7%.
Phase-field modelling for fatigue crack growth under laser shock peening-induced residual stresses
Authors: Seiler Martha , Keller Sören , Kashaev Nikolai , Klusemann Benjamin , Kästner Markus
Published: March 2021

For the fatigue life of thin-walled components, not only fatigue crack initiation, but also crack growth is decisive. The phase-field method for fracture is a powerful tool to simulate arbitrary crack phenomena. Recently, it has been applied to fatigue fracture. Those models pose an alternative to classical fracture-mechanical approaches for fatigue life estimation. In the first part of this paper, the parameters of a phase-field fatigue model are calibrated and its predictions are compared to results of fatigue crack growth experiments of aluminium sheet material. In the second part, compressive residual stresses are introduced into the components with the help of laser shock peening. It is shown that those residual stresses influence the crack growth rate by retarding and accelerating the crack. In order to study these fatigue mechanisms numerically, a simple strategy to incorporate residual stresses in the phase-field fatigue model is presented and tested with experiments. The study shows that the approach can reproduce the effects of the residual stresses on the crack growth rate.
Genotype–phenotype correlations and nephroprotective effects of RAAS inhibition in patients with autosomal recessive Alport syndrome
Authors: Zhang Yanqin , Böckhaus Jan , Wang Fang , Wang Suxia , Rubel Diana , Gross Oliver , Ding Jie
Published: March 2021

Background

Autosomal recessive Alport syndrome (ARAS) is caused by pathogenic variants in both alleles of either COL4A3 or COL4A4 genes. Reports on ARAS are rare due to small patient numbers and there are no reports on renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibition therapy in ARAS.

Methods

Retrospective study in 101 patients with ARAS from Chinese Registry Database of Hereditary Kidney Diseases and European Alport Registry. Genotype–phenotype correlations and nephroprotective effects of RAAS inhibition in ARAS were evaluated.

Results

Median age was 15 years (range 1.5–46 years). Twelve patients progressed to stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD5) at median age 20.5 years. Patients without missense variants had both higher prevalence and earlier onset age of hearing loss, nephrotic-range proteinuria, more rapid decline of eGFR, and earlier onset age of CKD5 compared to patients with 1 or 2 missense variants. Most patients (79/101, 78%) currently are treated with RAAS inhibitors; median age at therapy initiation was 10 years and mean duration 6.5 ± 6.0 years. Median age at CKD5 for untreated patients was 24 years. RAAS inhibition therapy delayed CKD5 onset in those with impaired kidney function (T-III) to median age 35 years, but is undefined in treated patients with proteinuria (T-II) due to low number of events. No treated patients with microalbuminuria (T-I) progressed to CKD5. ARAS patients with 1 or 2 missense variants showed better response to treatment than patients with non-missense-variants.

Conclusions

Our study provides the first evidence for early use of RAAS inhibition therapy in patients with ARAS. Furthermore, genotype in ARAS correlates with response to therapy in favor of missense variants.
Nonlinear reconstruction of bioclimatic outdoor-environment dynamics for the Lower Silesia region (SW Poland)
Authors: Głogowski Arkadiusz , Perona Paolo , Bryś Krystyna , Bryś Tadeusz
Published: March 2021

Measured meteorological time series are frequently used to obtain information about climate dynamics. We use time series analysis and nonlinear system identification methods in order to assess outdoor-environment bioclimatic conditions starting from the analysis of long historical meteorological data records. We investigate and model the stochastic and deterministic properties of 117 years (1891–2007) of monthly measurements of air temperature, precipitation and sunshine duration by separating their slow and fast components of the dynamics. In particular, we reconstruct the trend behaviour at long terms by modelling its dynamics via a phase space dynamical systems approach. The long-term reconstruction method reveals that an underlying dynamical system would drive the trend behaviour of the meteorological variables and in turn of the calculated Universal Thermal Climatic Index (UTCI), as representative of bioclimatic conditions. At longer terms, the system would slowly be attracted to a limit cycle characterized by 50–60 years cycle fluctuations that is reminiscent of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO). Because of lack of information about long historical wind speed data we performed a sensitivity analysis of the UTCI to three constant wind speed scenarios (i.e. 0.5, 1 and 5 m/s). This methodology may be transferred to model bioclimatic conditions of nearby regions lacking of measured data but experiencing similar climatic conditions.
Invariance under discretization for positive systems
Authors: Bartosiewicz Zbigniew
Published: March 2021

Positive dynamical or control systems have all their variables nonnegative. Euler discretization transforms a continuous-time system into a system on a discrete time scale. Some structural properties of the system may be preserved by discretization, while other may be lost. Four fundamental properties of positive systems are studied in the context of discretization: positivity, positive stability, positive reachability and positive observability. Both linear and nonlinear systems are investigated.
Surgical treatment outcome after serial debridement of infected nonunion—A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Rupp Markus , Kern Stefanie , Walter Nike , Anastasopoulou Lydia , Schnettler Reinhard , Heiss Christian , Alt Volker
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Reported outcome after multiple staged surgical treatment of infected nonunion is scarce. We, therefore, asked: (1) What is the clinical outcome in infected nonunion patients after multiple staged revision surgery? (2) Are different pathogens evidenced after surgical treatment in patients who have undergone more or less surgeries?

Methods

All enrolled patients were surgically treated for long bone-infected nonunion between January 2010 and March 2018. Besides patients´ demographics outcome in terms of bony consolidation and major complications defined as death during inward treatment, amputation and recurrence of infection during follow-up of at least 12 months were assessed. Microbiological findings were assessed and compared between two groups with less than five versus five or more surgical revisions.

Results

Bone consolidation was achieved in 86% of the patients while complications such as femoral or transtibial amputation, recurrence of infection or even death during inpatient treatment could be evidenced in six patients (14%). In patients who underwent multiple-stage surgery for five or more times, germ changes and repeated germ detection was more common than in patients with less surgeries.

Conclusions

Surgical treatment of infected nonunions poses a high burden on the patients with major complications occurring in about 14% of the patients using a multiple staged treatment concept. Future prospective studies comparing outcomes after limited with multiple staged revision surgeries are necessary.
Cognitive dysfunction in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: can we predict it?
Authors:   on behalf of SIgN, De Marchi Fabiola , Carrarini Claudia , De Martino Antonio , Diamanti Luca , Fasano Antonio , Lupica Antonino , Russo Mirella , Salemme Simone , Spinelli Edoardo Gioele , Bombaci Alessandro
Published: March 2021

Background and aim

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the degeneration of both upper and lower motoneurons in the brain and spinal cord leading to motor and extra-motor symptoms. Although traditionally considered a pure motor disease, recent evidences suggest that ALS is a multisystem disorder. Neuropsychological alterations, in fact, are observed in more than 50% of patients: while executive dysfunctions have been firstly identified, alterations in verbal fluency, behavior, and pragmatic and social cognition have also been described. Detecting and monitoring ALS cognitive and behavioral impairment even at early disease stages is likely to have staging and prognostic implications, and it may impact the enrollment in future clinical trials. During the last 10 years, humoral, radiological, neurophysiological, and genetic biomarkers have been reported in ALS, and some of them seem to potentially correlate to cognitive and behavioral impairment of patients. In this review, we sought to give an up-to-date state of the art of neuropsychological alterations in ALS: we will describe tests used to detect cognitive and behavioral impairment, and we will focus on promising non-invasive biomarkers to detect pre-clinical cognitive decline.

Conclusions

To date, the research on humoral, radiological, neurophysiological, and genetic correlates of neuropsychological alterations is at the early stage, and no conclusive longitudinal data have been published. Further and longitudinal studies on easily accessible and quantifiable biomarkers are needed to clarify the time course and the evolution of cognitive and behavioral impairments of ALS patients.
Gender differences in time to first hospital admission at age 60 in Denmark, 1995–2014
Authors: Höhn Andreas , Oksuzyan Anna , Lindahl-Jacobsen Rune , Christensen Kaare , Seaman Rosie
Published: March 2021

Women have consistently lower mortality rates than men at all ages and with respect to most causes. However, gender differences regarding hospital admission rates are more mixed, varying across ages and causes. A number of intuitive metrics have previously been used to explore changes in hospital admissions over time, but have not explicitly quantified the gender gap or estimated the cumulative contribution from cause-specific admission rates. Using register data for the total Danish population between 1995 and 2014, we estimated the time to first hospital admission for Danish men and women aged 60. This is an intuitive population-level metric with the same interpretive and mathematical properties as period life expectancy. Using a decomposition approach, we were able to quantify the cumulative contributions from eight causes of hospital admission to the gender gap in time to first hospital admission. Between 1995 and 2014, time to first admission increased for both, men (7.6 to 9.4 years) and women (8.3 to 10.3 years). However, the magnitude of gender differences in time to first admission remained relatively stable within this time period (0.7 years in 1995, 0.9 years in 2014). After age 60, Danish men had consistently higher rates of admission for cardiovascular conditions and neoplasms, but lower rates of admission for injuries, musculoskeletal disorders, and sex-specific causes. Although admission rates for both genders have generally declined over the last decades, the same major causes of admission accounted for the gender gap. Persistent gender differences in causes of admission are, therefore, important to consider when planning the delivery of health care in times of population ageing.
Effects of experimental warming on small phytoplankton, bacteria and viruses in autumn in the Mediterranean coastal Thau Lagoon
Authors: Courboulès Justine , Vidussi Francesca , Soulié Tanguy , Mas Sébastien , Pecqueur David , Mostajir Behzad
Published: March 2021

To investigate the responses of a natural microbial plankton community of coastal Mediterranean waters to warming, which are still poorly known, an in situ mesocosm experiment was carried out in Thau Lagoon during autumn 2018. Several microorganisms, including virio-, bacterio-, and phytoplankton < 10 µm in size, were monitored daily and analysed using flow cytometry for 19 consecutive days in six mesocosms. Three mesocosms (control) had the same natural water temperature as the lagoon, and the other three were warmed by + 3 °C in relation to the control temperature. The cytometric analyses revealed an unexpected community dominated by picophytoplanktonic cells, including Prochlorococcus-like and Picochlorum-like cells, which had not previously been found in Thau Lagoon. The experimental warming treatment increased the abundances of nanophytoplankton, cyanobacteria, bacteria and viruses during the experiment and triggered earlier blooms of cyanobacteria and picoeukaryotes. Only the abundance of Picochlorum-like cells was significantly reduced under warmer conditions. The growth and grazing rates of phytoplankton and bacterioplankton estimated on days 2 and 8 showed that warming enhanced the growth rates of most phytoplankton groups, while it reduced those of bacteria. Surprisingly, warming decreased grazing on phytoplankton and bacteria at the beginning of the experiment, while during the middle of the experiment it decreased the grazing on prokaryote only but increased it for eukaryotes. These results reveal that warming affected the Thau Lagoon plankton community from viruses to nanophytoplankton in fall, inducing changes in both dynamics and metabolic rates.
A first-in-human phase I study of TAS0728, an oral covalent binding inhibitor of HER2, in patients with advanced solid tumors with HER2 or HER3 aberrations
Authors: Piha-Paul Sarina A. , Azaro Analía , Arkenau Hendrik Tobias , Oh Do-Youn , Galsky Matthew D. , Pal Sumanta Kumar , Hamada Kensuke , He Yaohua , Yamamiya Ikuo , Benhadji Karim A , Hollebecque Antoine
Published: March 2021

TAS0728 is an oral covalent binding inhibitor of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). A first-in-human open-label, dose-escalation, phase I study (NCT03410927) was initiated to investigate the safety and dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) and to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and/or recommended phase II dose of TAS0728 in adults with advanced solid tumors with HER2 or HER3 overexpression, amplification or mutation. In total, 19 patients received TAS0728 at escalating doses from 50 to 200 mg BID for 21-day cycles. Following escalation of the dose to 200 mg BID, a total of two DLTs were observed, both cases of Grade 3 diarrhea (lasting >48 h and not responsive to aggressive antidiarrheal treatment). Following de-escalation of the dose to 150 mg BID, another DLT of Grade 3 diarrhea was observed in one patient. Additionally, at 150 mg BID, one patient had a fatal cardiac arrest after receiving 1 cycle (21 days) of TAS0728. The etiology of the cardiac arrest event was not clear, however causal relationship to TAS0728 could not be excluded due to the temporal association observed. Partial responses were observed in 2 of 14 patients evaluable for TAS0728 treatment response. The study was stopped due to unacceptable toxicity during the dose-escalation as the overall risk-benefit ratio no longer favored the dose level being tested, therefore the MTD was not determined. ClinicalTrials.gov registration number: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03410927; registered on January 25, 2018.
Teachers’ conceptual understanding of fraction operations: results from a national sample of elementary school teachers
Authors: Copur-Gencturk Yasemin
Published: March 2021

Teachers’ understanding of the concepts they teach affects the quality of instruction and students’ learning. This study used a sample of 303 teachers from across the USA to examine elementary school mathematics teachers’ knowledge of key concepts underlying fraction arithmetic. Teachers’ explanations were coded based on the accuracy of their explanations and the kinds of concepts and representations they used in their responses. The results showed that teachers’ understanding of fraction arithmetic was limited, especially for fraction division, yet a moderate relationship was found between teachers’ understanding of fraction addition and division. Furthermore, more experienced teachers seemed to have a deeper understanding of fraction arithmetic, whereas special education teachers had a substantially limited understanding.
Give me a challenge or give me a raise
Authors: Alekseev Aleksandr
Published: March 2021

I study the effect of task difficulty on workers’ effort. I find that task difficulty has an inverse-U effect on effort and that this effect is quantitatively large, especially when compared to the effect of conditional monetary rewards. Difficulty acts as a mediator of monetary rewards: conditional rewards are most effective at the intermediate or high levels of difficulty. The inverse-U pattern of effort response to difficulty is inconsistent with many popular models in the literature, including the Expected Utility models with the additively separable cost of effort. I propose an alternative mechanism for the observed behavior based on non-linear probability weighting. I structurally estimate the proposed model and find that it successfully captures the behavioral patterns observed in the data. I discuss the implications of my findings for the design of optimal incentive schemes for workers and for the models of effort provision.
Legal Translation Versus Legal Interpretation. A Legal-Theoretical Perspective
Authors: Zeifert Mateusz , Tobor Zygmunt
Published: March 2021

In this article we investigate the relationship between legal translation and legal interpretation. The common wisdom is that these activities are closely related, but the nature of that relationship remains disputable. We adopt the perspective of legal theory—as opposed to the perspective of translation studies—which seems to be underrepresented in the literature of the subject. We start with distinguishing between the two notions of legal interpretation: the wide sense (interpretation as understanding) and the narrow sense (interpretation as problem solving). We argue that the relationship between legal translation and legal interpretation changes significantly depending on the notion of legal interpretation that is assumed. The wide sense is often assumed by translation scholars and it renders legal interpretation as a necessary prerequisite for legal translation. Jurists, on the other hand, usually assume the narrow sense which renders legal interpretation and legal translation as two distinct activities with some shared features. We then focus on four issues of legal interpretation in the narrow sense: the types of legal interpretive problems, the creation of legal interpretive problems, the methods of legal interpretation, the resolution of legal interpretive problems. We conclude with a detailed comparison of legal translation and legal interpretation in the context of those four issues.
A New Measure of 19th Century US Suicides
Authors: Kronenberg Christoph
Published: March 2021

Suicides hurt families and the US economy with an annual cost of $69 billion. However, little is known about what determined suicide rates in the past. This is likely due to the lack of consistent data prior to the 20th century. In this article, I propose using newspaper suicide mentions for the period 1840–1910 as a proxy measure for suicide and perform several validation exercises. I show that the stylized facts like suicides drop during wars holds for suicide mentions. I also validate the newspaper suicide mentions against sparse suicide mortality data and a novel valence measure. This new measure can be used to assess the relationship between suicides and numerous policy changes happening in the 19th century that previously could not be explored. It thus offers a new research avenue for quantitative historical analyses, which can inform current policy via novel historical insights.
Does the combining effects of energy and consideration of financial development lead to environmental burden: social perspective of energy finance?
Authors: Chien Fengsheng , Chau Ka Yin , Ady Sri Utami , Zhang YunQian , Tran Quyen Ha , Aldeehani Talla M.
Published: March 2021

In light of the rapidly growing industrialization in BRICS and G7 regions, thorough energy, financials, and environmental analyses are essential for sustainable financial development in these countries. In this context, this work analyzes the relationship between energy, financial, and environmental sustainability and the regions’ social performance. Data from 2000 to 2017 is analyzed through a data envelopment analysis (DEA) like a composite index. Results show China and Brazil’s better performance in the region, with a sustainability score of 0.96, India was the third, followed by South Africa and Russia. Japan, the UK, and the USA were the most energy-efficient countries for five consecutive years. A 0.18%, 0.27%, 0.22%, 0.09%, 0.31%, and 0.32% reduction in carbon emission is observed with a 1% increase in R&D costs by Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the USA, respectively. This work contributes to the existing literature regarding an eco-friendly sustainable policy design for the G7 countries based on multiple indicators.
Are children’s judgments of another’s accuracy linked to their metacognitive confidence judgments?
Authors: Baer Carolyn , Malik Puja , Odic Darko
Published: March 2021

The world can be a confusing place, which leads to a significant challenge: how do we figure out what is true? To accomplish this, children possess two relevant skills: reasoning about the likelihood of their own accuracy (metacognitive confidence) and reasoning about the likelihood of others’ accuracy (mindreading). Guided by Signal Detection Theory and Simulation Theory, we examine whether these two self- and other-oriented skills are one in the same, relying on a single cognitive process. Specifically, Signal Detection Theory proposes that confidence in a decision is purely derived from the imprecision of that decision, predicting a tight correlation between decision accuracy and confidence. Simulation Theory further proposes that children attribute their own cognitive experience to others when reasoning socially. Together, these theories predict that children’s self and other reasoning should be highly correlated and dependent on decision accuracy. In four studies (N = 374), children aged 4–7 completed a confidence reasoning task and selective social learning task each designed to eliminate confounding language and response biases, enabling us to isolate the unique correlation between self and other reasoning. However, in three of the four studies, we did not find that individual differences on the two tasks correlated, nor that decision accuracy explained performance. These findings suggest self and other reasoning are either independent in childhood, or the result of a single process that operates differently for self and others.
A Mathematical Model Supporting a Hyperpredation Effect in the Apparent Competition Between Invasive Eastern Cottontail and Native European Hare
Authors: Caudera Elisa , Viale Simona , Bertolino Sandro , Cerri Jacopo , Venturino Ezio
Published: March 2021

In this work a mathematical model is built in order to validate on theoretical grounds field study results on a three-species system made of two prey, of which one is native and another one invasive, together with a native predator. Specifically, our results mathematically describe the negative effect on the native European hare after the introduction of the invasive Eastern cottontail, mediated by an increased predation rate by foxes. Two nonexclusive assumptions can be made: an increase in cottontail abundance would lead to a larger fox population, magnifying their predatory impact (“hyperpredation”) on hares; alternatively, cottontails attract foxes in patches where they live, which are also important resting sites for hares and consequently the increased presence of foxes results in a higher predation rates on hares. The model results support hyperpredation of increasing fox populations on native hares.
Asymptomatic systolic dysfunction on contemporary echocardiography in anthracycline-treated long-term childhood cancer survivors: a systematic review
Authors: Merkx Remy , Leerink Jan M. , de Baat Esmée C. , Feijen Elizabeth A. M. , Kok Wouter E. M. , Mavinkurve-Groothuis Annelies M. C. , Loonen Jacqueline , van der Pal Helena J. H. , Bellersen Louise , de Korte Chris L. , Kremer Leontien C. M. , van Dalen Elvira C. , Kapusta Livia
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Echocardiographic surveillance for asymptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction (ALVSD) is advised in childhood cancer survivors (CCS), because of their risk of heart failure after anthracycline treatment. ALVSD can be assessed with different echocardiographic parameters. We systematically reviewed the prevalence and risk factors of late ALVSD, as defined by contemporary and more traditional echocardiographic parameters.

Methods

We searched databases from 2001 to 2020 for studies on ≥ 100 asymptomatic 5-year CCS treated with anthracyclines, with or without radiotherapy involving the heart region. Outcomes of interest were prevalence of ALVSD—measured with volumetric methods (ejection fraction; LVEF), myocardial strain, or linear methods (fractional shortening; FS)—and its risk factors from multivariable analyses.

Results

Eleven included studies represented 3840 CCS. All studies had methodological limitations. An LVEF < 50% was observed in three studies in 1–6% of CCS, and reduced global longitudinal strain (GLS) was reported in three studies in 9–30% of CCS, both after a median follow-up of 9 to 23 years. GLS was abnormal in 20–28% of subjects with normal LVEF. Abnormal FS was reported in six studies in 0.3–30% of CCS, defined with various cut-off values (< 25 to < 30%), at a median follow-up of 10 to 18 years. Across echocardiographic parameters, reported risk factors were cumulative anthracycline dose and radiotherapy involving the heart region, with no ‘safe’ dose for ALVSD.

Conclusions

GLS identifies higher prevalence of ALVSD in anthracycline-treated CCS, than LVEF.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

The diagnostic and prognostic value of GLS should be evaluated within large cohorts.

Protocol registration

PROSPERO CRD42019126588
Development of alternative splicing signature in lung squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Yan Jia-qing , Liu Min , Ma Ying-lin , Le Kai-di , Dong Bin , Li Guo-hui
Published: March 2021

Increasing evidence demonstrated that alternative splicing (AS) plays a vital role in tumorigenesis and clinical outcome of patient. However, systematical analysis of AS in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) is lacking and greatly necessary. Thus, this study was to systematically estimate the function of AS events served as prognostic indicators in LUSC. Among 31,345 mRNA AS events in 9633 genes, we detected 1996 AS in 1409 genes which have significant connection with overall survival (OS) of LUSC patients. Then, prognostic model based on seven types of AS events was established and we further constructed a combined prognostic model. The Kaplan–Meier curve results suggested that seven types of AS signatures and the combined prognostic model could exhibit robust performance in predicting prognosis. Patients in the high-risk group had significantly shorter OS than those in the low-risk group. The ROC showed all prognostic models had high accuracy and powerful predictive performance with different AUC ranging from 0.837 to 0.978. Moreover, the combined prognostic model had highest performance in risk stratification and predictive accuracy than single prognostic models and had higher accuracy than other mRNA model. Finally, a significant correlation network between survival-related AS genes and prognostic splicing factors (SFs) was established. In conclusion, our study provided several potential prognostic AS models and constructed splicing network between AS and SFs in LUSC, which could be used as potential indicators and treatment targets for LUSC patients.
Lymph Node Status and Long-Term Oncologic Outcomes After Colon Resection in Locally Advanced Colon Cancer
Authors: Sahakyan Artur M. , Aleksanyan Andranik , Batikyan Hovhannes , Petrosyan Hmayak , Sahakyan Mushegh А.
Published: March 2021

Locally advanced colon cancer is associated with poor prognosis. The aim of this report was to examine the association between the lymph node status and prognosis of locally advanced colon cancer. Perioperative and oncologic outcomes were studied in patients who had undergone colectomy for colon cancer between June 2004 and December 2018. Locally advanced colon cancer was defined as stage T4a/T4b cancer. The long-term oncologic results were investigated in patients with non-metastatic locally advanced colon cancer. Of 195 patients operated for locally advanced colon cancer, 83 (42.6%), 43 (22.1%), and 69 (35.3%) had pN0, pN1, and pN2 disease, respectively. Preoperative serum levels of CEA and CA 19-9, as well as incidence of distant metastases were significantly higher in patients with pN2 compared to those with pN0 and pN1. In non-metastatic setting, a trend towards higher incidence of recurrence was observed in node-positive patients. Nodal stage was a significant predictor for survival in the univariable analysis but non-significant after adjusting for confounders. Subgroup analyses among the patients with T4a and T4b cancer did not demonstrate any association between the nodal stage and survival. Preoperative CA 19-9 > 37 U/ml and adjuvant chemotherapy were the only prognostic factors in T4a and T4b colon cancer, respectively. Although a trend towards higher incidence of recurrence was observed in node-positive locally advanced colon cancer, nodal stage was not associated with survival. Adjuvant chemotherapy should be strongly considered in T4b stage colon cancer.
To be or not to be local: a provenance study of archaeological ceramics from Shahr-i Sokhta, eastern Iran
Authors: Eftekhari Negar , Holakooei Parviz , Marrocchino Elena , Vaccaro Carmela
Published: March 2021

Findings from the archaeological site of Shahr-i Sokhta in eastern Iran include a wide range of undecorated, monochrome, and polychrome ceramics with gray, red, and buff-colored bodies that date back to a period spanning from 3200 to 1800 B.C.E. Given the large number and variety of ceramics unearthed from Shahr-i Sokhta, the provenance of these wares has remained a subject of controversy. Based on compositional data obtained from quantitative wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) spectroscopy studies and petrographic observations, findings from this study provide information that can be used to determine whether the ceramics from Shahr-i Sokhta were manufactured locally or were imported from elsewhere. We show here that the chemical components of a large group of ceramics with gray, red, and buff-colored bodies are similar to those found in local clay sources and kiln wasters, suggesting local production of these wares. However, one group of red and gray-colored wares demonstrated entirely different chemistry, suggesting a different origin. In support of the quantitative WDXRF data, petrofabric analysis of the first group of buff, gray, and red wares revealed poorly sorted basaltic clasts similar to those found randomly distributed in the matrix of local clays. By contrast, the non-local gray and red wares exhibited fine-grained clay bodies with sorted distribution of fine-grained quartz within the clay matrix.
Experimental Philosophy of Technology
Authors: Kraaijeveld Steven R.
Published: March 2021

Experimental philosophy is a relatively recent discipline that employs experimental methods to investigate the intuitions, concepts, and assumptions behind traditional philosophical arguments, problems, and theories. While experimental philosophy initially served to interrogate the role that intuitions play in philosophy, it has since branched out to bring empirical methods to bear on problems within a variety of traditional areas of philosophy—including metaphysics, philosophy of language, philosophy of mind, and epistemology. To date, no connection has been made between developments in experimental philosophy and philosophy of technology. In this paper, I develop and defend a research program for an experimental philosophy of technology.
Photopolymerization-based additive manufacturing of ceramics: A systematic review
Authors: Rasaki Sefiu Abolaji , Xiong Dingyu , Xiong Shufeng , Su Fang , Idrees Muhammad , Chen Zhangwei
Published: March 2021

Conversion of inorganic-organic frameworks (ceramic precursors and ceramic-polymer mixtures) into solid mass ceramic structures based on photopolymerization process is currently receiving plentiful attention in the field of additive manufacturing (3D printing). Various techniques (e.g., stereolithography, digital light processing, and two-photon polymerization) that are compatible with this strategy have so far been widely investigated. This is due to their cost-viability, flexibility, and ability to design and manufacture complex geometric structures. Different platforms related to these techniques have been developed too, in order to meet up with modern technology demand. Most relevant to this review are the challenges faced by the researchers in using these 3D printing techniques for the fabrication of ceramic structures. These challenges often range from shape shrinkage, mass loss, poor densification, cracking, weak mechanical performance to undesirable surface roughness of the final ceramic structures. This is due to the brittle nature of ceramic materials. Based on the summary and discussion on the current progress of material-technique correlation available, here we show the significance of material composition and printing processes in addressing these challenges. The use of appropriate solid loading, solvent, and preceramic polymers in forming slurries is suggested as steps in the right direction. Techniques are indicated as another factor playing vital roles and their selection and development are suggested as plausible ways to remove these barriers.
Remote sensing image building detection method based on Mask R-CNN
Authors: Han Qinzhe , Yin Qian , Zheng Xin , Chen Ziyi
Published: March 2021

Quickly and conveniently identifying buildings in disaster areas plays an important role in disaster assessment. To achieve the technical requirements of flood disaster relief projects, this paper proposes a building extraction method for use with remote sensing images that combines traditional digital image processing methods and convolution neural networks. First, the threshold segmentation method is used to select and construct a training dataset. Then, a variety of preprocessing methods are used to enhance the selected dataset. Finally, the improved Mask R-CNN algorithm is used to detect buildings in the images. Experiments show that compared to the R-CNN algorithm, the proposed method improves detection accuracy and reduces the computational time.
3D Printed Multi-material Medical Phantoms for Needle-tissue Interaction Modelling of Heterogeneous Structures
Authors: Yin Jun , Li Manqi , Dai Guangli , Zhou Hongzhao , Ma Liang , Zheng Yixiong
Published: March 2021

The fabrication of multi-material medical phantoms with both patient-specificity and realistic mechanical properties is of great importance for the development of surgical planning and medical training. In this work, a 3D multi-material printing system for medical phantom manufacturing was developed. Rigid and elastomeric materials are firstly combined in such application for an accurate tactile feedback. The phantom is designed with multiple layers, where silicone ink, Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU), and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) were chosen as printing materials for skin, soft tissue, and bone, respectively. Then, the printed phantoms were utilized for the investigation of needle-phantom interaction by needle insertion experiments. The mechanical needle-phantom interaction was characterized by skin-soft tissue interfacial puncture force, puncture depth, and number of insertion force peaks. The experiments demonstrated that the manufacturing conditions, i.e. the silicone grease ratio, interfacial thickness and the infill rate, played effective roles in regulating mechanical needle-phantom interaction. Moreover, the influences of material properties, including interfacial thickness and ultimate stress, on needle-phantom interaction were studied by finite element simulation. Also, a patient-specific forearm phantom was printed, where the anatomical features were acquired from Computed Tomography (CT) data. This study provided a potential manufacturing method for multi-material medical phantoms with tunable mechanical properties and offered guidelines for better phantom design.
Fish Lateral Line Inspired Flow Sensors and Flow-aided Control: A Review
Authors: Zhai Yufan , Zheng Xingwen , Xie Guangming
Published: March 2021

Any phenomenon in nature is potential to be an inspiration for us to propose new ideas. Lateral line is a typical example which has attracted more interest in recent years. With the aid of lateral line, fish is capable of acquiring fluid information around, which is of great significance for them to survive, communicate and hunt underwater. In this paper, we briefly introduce the morphology and mechanism of the lateral line first. Then we focus on the development of artificial lateral line which typically consists of an array of sensors and can be installed on underwater robots. A series of sensors inspired by the lateral line with different sensing principles have been summarized. And then the applications of artificial lateral line systems in hydrodynamic environment sensing and vortices detection, dipole oscillation source detection, and autonomous control of underwater robots have been reviewed. In addition, the existing problems and future foci in this field have been further discussed in detail. The current works and future foci have demonstrated that artificial lateral line has great potentials of applications and contributes to the development of underwater robots.
Do right PLS and do PLS right: A critical review of the application of PLS-SEM in construction management research
Authors: Zeng Ningshuang , Liu Yan , Gong Pan , Hertogh Marcel , König Markus
Published: March 2021

Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) is a modern multivariate analysis technique with a demonstrated ability to estimate theoretically established cause-effect relationship models. This technique has been increasingly adopted in construction management research over the last two decades. Accordingly, a critical review of studies adopting PLS-SEM appears to be a timely and valuable endeavor. This paper offers a critical review of 139 articles that applied PLS-SEM from 2002 to 2019. Results show that the misuse of PLS-SEM can be avoided. Critical issues related to the application of PLS-SEM, research design, model development, and model evaluation are discussed in detail. This paper is the first to highlight the use and misuse of PLS-SEM in the construction management area and provides recommendations to facilitate the future application of PLS-SEM in this field.