bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Solvable time-like cosets and holography beyond AdS
Authors: Chakraborty Soumangsu , Goykhman Mikhail
Published: August 2022

Abstract

We build a novel time-like coset sigma-model describing type-II superstring theory in a charged rotating black-brane background that interpolates between a local AdS3 in the IR and a linear-dilaton geometry in the UV. This allows one to peform a systematic study of holography in non-AdS backgrounds which are smoothly connected to AdS3. We construct massless closed string states vertex operators in the NS-NS sector, calculate the corresponding two-point correlation functions, and discuss holographic interpretation of our results from 4+1 dimensional boundary field theory point of view. Compactifying the theory on 𝕋4, we show that the spectrum of a single long string with unit winding agrees with the spectrum of a CFT2 deformed by $$ T\overline{T} $$
T

T
¯

. We also calculate correlation functions of operators of the dual 1+1 dimensional non-conformal boundary field theory using worldsheet techniques.
Minimal Partitions with a Given s-Core and t-Core
Authors: Fayers Matthew
Published: August 2022

Suppose s and t are coprime positive integers, and let $$\sigma $$
σ
be an s-core partition and $$\tau $$
τ
a t-core partition. In this paper, we consider the set $${\mathcal {P}}_{\sigma ,\tau }(n)$$

P

σ
,
τ

(
n
)

of partitions of n with s-core $$\sigma $$
σ
and t-core $$\tau $$
τ
. We find the smallest n for which this set is non-empty, and show that for this value of n the partitions in $${\mathcal {P}}_{\sigma ,\tau }(n)$$

P

σ
,
τ

(
n
)

(which we call $$(\sigma ,\tau )$$

(
σ
,
τ
)

-minimal partitions) are in bijection with a certain class of (0, 1)-matrices with s rows and t columns. We then use these results in considering conjugate partitions: we determine exactly when the set $${\mathcal {P}}_{\sigma ,\tau }(n)$$

P

σ
,
τ

(
n
)

consists of a conjugate pair of partitions, and when $${\mathcal {P}}_{\sigma ,\tau }(n)$$

P

σ
,
τ

(
n
)

contains a unique self-conjugate partition.
Lessons learned during the sliding gantry CT implementation in a trauma suite
Authors: Lucas Benjamin , Meng Matthias , Schirrmeister Wiebke , Pliske Gerald , Walcher Felix , Schüttrumpf Jan Philipp
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Early detection of bleeding is important for managing trauma cases in the emergency department (ED). Several trauma suites are equipped with computed tomography (CT) scanners to reduce the time to CT. In the last decade, sliding gantry CT has been implemented in trauma suites, highlighting conventional techniques' advantages. We investigated the change in the time to CT and the challenges faced during the implementation.

Methods

Trauma suite treatments with a conventional CT scanner between January and December 2016 formed the control group. From January to April 2017, trauma suites were modified, and treatment was outsourced to an interim trauma suite. By May 2017, trauma suites were equipped with a sliding gantry CT scanner. Treatments from May to July 2017 formed the transition group, and those from August to December 2017 formed the routine use group. We evaluated the time to CT in all groups and considered the reasons for the delays in the transition and routine use groups.

Results

On sliding gantry CT implementation, although time to CT remained unaffected in the transition group, it significantly reduced in the routine use group, independent of injury severity score. The incidence of cable management problems was significantly higher in the latter group.

Conclusions

We have demonstrated a decrease in the time to CT with the implementation of a sliding gantry CT. However, due to a higher number of cable management problems in the routine use group, we recommend regular refresher team training with routine use.
Combined treatment with medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is effective on long-term follow-up
Authors: Jaber Ayham , Kim Chang min , Barié Alexander , Streit Marcus , Schmitt Holger , Clarius Michael , Merle Christian , Bangert Yannic
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the long-term outcome of combined medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). The authors hypothesized that the combined procedure leads to good long-term outcome in patients with isolated medial knee osteoarthritis (OA) and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficiency.

Methods

Twenty-three patients with ACL deficiency and concomitant medial knee OA were treated from 2008 to 2016 with a combined UKA (Oxford Partial Knee) and ACLR using a hamstring tendon autograft. The follow-up assessment included VAS pain score, Lysholm score, Oxford Knee Score (OKS), American Knee Society scores (AKSS), International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC 2000), Tegner and UCLA activity scores. Instrumented laxity test was done using the KT-1000 arthrometer. Survivorship analysis was performed using the Kaplan–Meier method. Implant loosening and disease progression was assessed by conventional radiography.

Results

Average follow-up duration was 10 years (6–14.5). VAS, Lysholm, Tegner and UCLA scores improved significantly. OKS, AKSS and IKDC 2000 showed excellent results on follow-up. Implant survivorship was 91.4% at 14.5 years. There were 2 revisions with conversion to total knee arthroplasty at 6 and 12 years postoperatively due to trauma and disease progression, respectively. There were no radiological or clinical signs of instability or disease progression in any of the remaining knees. The side-to-side difference using the KT-1000 arthrometer was insignificant.

Conclusions

UKA combined with ACLR is an effective therapeutic option with good outcome and return to sport rate on the long-term.

Level of evidence

IV.
Orthogonal root numbers of tempered parameters
Authors: Schwein David
Published: August 2022

We show that an orthogonal root number of a tempered L-parameter $$\varphi $$
φ
decomposes as the product of two other numbers: the orthogonal root number of the principal parameter and the value on a central involution of Langlands’s central character for $$\varphi $$
φ
. The formula resolves a conjecture of Gross and Reeder and computes root numbers of Weil–Deligne representations arising in a conjectural description of the Plancherel measure.
Interpolation and duality in spaces of pseudocontinuable functions
Authors: Dyakonov Konstantin M.
Published: August 2022

Given an inner function $$\theta $$
θ
on the unit disk, let $$K^p_\theta :=H^p\cap \theta {\overline{z}}\overline{H^p}$$

K
θ
p

:
=

H
p

∩
θ

z
¯

H
p

¯

be the associated star-invariant subspace of the Hardy space $$H^p$$

H
p

. Also, we put $$K_{*\theta }:=K^2_\theta \cap \mathrm{BMO}$$

K

∗
θ

:
=

K
θ
2

∩
BMO

. Assuming that $$B=B_{{\mathcal {Z}}}$$

B
=

B
Z

is an interpolating Blaschke product with zeros $${\mathcal {Z}}=\{z_j\}$$

Z
=
{

z
j

}

, we characterize, for a number of smoothness classes X, the sequences of values $${\mathcal {W}}=\{w_j\}$$

W
=
{

w
j

}

such that the interpolation problem $$f\big |_{{\mathcal {Z}}}={\mathcal {W}}$$

f

|

Z

=
W

has a solution f in $$K^2_B\cap X$$

K
B
2

∩
X

. Turning to the case of a general inner function $$\theta $$
θ
, we further establish a non-duality relation between $$K^1_\theta $$

K
θ
1

and $$K_{*\theta }$$

K

∗
θ

. Namely, we prove that the latter space is properly contained in the dual of the former, unless $$\theta $$
θ
is a finite Blaschke product. From this we derive an amusing non-interpolation result for functions in $$K_{*B}$$

K

∗
B

, with $$B=B_{{\mathcal {Z}}}$$

B
=

B
Z

as above.
Postural support requirements preferentially modulate late components of the gastrocnemius response to transcranial magnetic stimulation
Authors: Russell Cassandra , Difford Nathan , Stamenkovic Alexander , Stapley Paul , McAndrew Darryl , Arpel Caitlin , MacKinnon Colum , Shemmell Jonathan
Published: August 2022

Mounting evidence suggests that motor evoked potentials (MEPs) recorded in upper limb muscles with postural support roles following transcranial magnetic stimulation receive contributions from both corticospinal and non-corticospinal descending pathways. We tested the hypothesis that neural structures responsible for regulating upright balance are involved in transmitting late portions of TMS-induced MEPs in a lower limb muscle. MEPs were recorded in the medial gastrocnemius muscles of each leg, while participants supported their upright posture in five postural conditions that required different levels of support from the target muscles. We observed that early and late portions of the MEP were modulated independently, with early MEP amplitude being reduced when high levels of postural support were required from a target muscle. Independent modulation of early and late MEPs by altered postural demand suggests largely separable transmission of each part of the MEP. The early component of the MEP is likely generated by fast-conducting corticospinal pathways, whereas the later component may be primarily transmitted along a polysynaptic cortico-reticulospinal pathway.
A Case Study: Comprehensive Approach for Treating Horizontal Neck Wrinkles Using Hyaluronic Acid Injections and Thread-Lifting
Authors: Liao Zhi-Feng , Yang Wei , Lin Fu-Chuan , Wang Shi-wei , Hong Wei-Jin , Luo Sheng-Kang
Published: August 2022

Background

Horizontal neck wrinkles develop during the aging process.

Aims

This study assessed the effectiveness of a comprehensive approach to treating horizontal neck wrinkles using non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid injection and smooth absorbable PPDO (Poly p-dioxanon) thread insertion.

Methods

Ten patients with horizontal neck wrinkles were treated with hyaluronic acid injection and thread-lifting. The clinical outcomes were evaluated six months after treatment.

Results

The median global aesthetic improvement scale scores evaluated by plastic surgeons and the patients were 4.3 ± 0.8 (3–5) and 4.1 ± 0.7 (3–5), respectively, at six months post-treatment. Five (50%) patients strongly agreed, and three subjects (30%) agreed that their horizontal neck wrinkles had improved following treatment. No serious adverse events, including infections, lumps, irregularities, or the Tyndall effect, occurred during treatment.

Conclusion

This study revealed that a comprehensive approach using hyaluronic acid and thread-lifting provided satisfactory and effective clinical outcomes in treating horizontal neck wrinkles.

Level of evidence IV

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors http://www.springer.com/00266.
Radiofrequency Ablation Versus Repeat Hepatectomy for Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Yeow Marcus , Zhao Joseph J. , Fong Khi Yung , Wong Joel , Tan Alvin Yong Hui , Kam Juinn Huar , Nikfarjam Mehrdad , Goh Brian K. P. , Kabir Tousif
Published: August 2022

Background

An updated systematic review and meta‐analysis was conducted to compare radiofrequency ablation (RFA) versus repeat hepatectomy (RH) for patients with recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (rHCC) after a previous liver resection.

Methods

PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched from inception to October 2021 for randomized controlled trials and propensity‐score matched studies. Individual participant survival data of disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were extracted and reconstructed followed by one‐stage and two‐stage meta‐analysis. Secondary outcomes were major complications and length of hospital stay (LOHS).

Results

A total of seven studies (1317 patients) were analysed. In both one‐stage and two‐stage meta‐analysis, there was no significant difference in OS between the RFA and RH cohorts (Hazard Ratio (HR) 1.15, 95% CI 0.98–1.36, P = 0.094 and HR 1.12, 95% CI 0.77–1.64, P = 0.474 respectively), while the RFA group had a higher hazard rate of disease recurrence compared to the RH group (HR 1.30, 95% CI 1.13–1.50, P < 0.001 and HR 1.31, 95% CI 1.09–1.57, P = 0.013, respectively). RFA was associated with fewer major complications and shorter LOHS versus RH (Odds Ratio 0.34, 95% CI 0.15–0.76, P = 0.009 and Weighted Mean Difference − 4.78, 95% CI − 6.30 to − 3.26, P < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusions

RH may be associated with superior DFS for rHCC, at the expense of higher morbidity rate and longer LOHS. However, OS is comparable between both modalities. As such, these techniques may be utilized as complementary strategies depending on individual patient and disease factors. Large‐scale, randomized, prospective studies are required to corroborate these findings.
The Effect of Single‐Anastomosis Sleeve Ileal (SASI) Bypass on Patients with Severe Obesity in Three Consecutive Years
Authors: Hosseini Seyed Vahid , Moeinvaziri Nader , Medhati Pourya , Salem Safa Aldin , Hosseini Elnaz , Clark Cain C. T. , Haghighat Neda
Published: August 2022

Background

Sparse data are available regarding the efficacy and safety of single anastomosis sleeve ileal (SASI) bypass surgery, where most available studies utilized short‐term follow‐ups. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the safety and outcomes of this procedure in three consecutive years after the surgery.

Materials and methods

This retrospective study was carried out with 116 patients who underwent SASI from October 2016 to September 2021. Anthropometric, clinical, and biochemical data were recorded before, 1, 2, and 3 years after surgery.

Results

The 1, 2, and 3‐year percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) were 87.37%, 90.7%, and 80.6%, respectively. Remission or improvement was recorded for diabetes mellitus in 90.9%, hypertension in 80.0%, hyperlipidemia in 100%, sleep apnea in 100%, and irregular menstruation in 58.06 at 3 years after surgery. No mortality and 5.1% early major postoperative complications were recorded. Eight patients (6.8%) had reversal surgery due to EWL > 100%.

Conclusions

The SASI bypass is an effective bariatric surgery that achieved sequential weight loss and improvement in medical comorbidities three years after the surgery; however, standardization of SASI procedure technique is needed to ameliorate nutritional deficiencies.
Modelling water fluxes to improve banana irrigation scheduling and management in Magdalena, Colombia
Authors: Zubelzu Sergio , Panigrahi Niranjan , Thompson Andrew J. , Knox Jerry W.
Published: August 2022

In this paper, an irrigation scheduling model for banana (Musa sp.) was developed to simulate crop growth and water fluxes under typical commercial plantation conditions. Whilst generic models exist for scheduling irrigation for many crops, their suitability for bananas are limited because of the asynchronous nature of crop growth. Individual fields on banana plantations typically contain trees at varying stages in their development cycle, so it is important for scheduling to account for this heterogeneity in simulating crop production. A crop modelling approach was developed using field data from Magdalena, an economically important region of banana production in Colombia. Following model development and calibration, irrigation water demand was estimated and weekly irrigation scheduling advice then transmitted by SMS to individual farmers in the region. The model also takes into account farmer feedback on actual irrigation practices to compare against estimated irrigation demands and to train model performance. Despite good model calibration, analysis of irrigation practices from farmer feedback showed only moderate to poor correlation between actual irrigation applications and the scheduling guidance. This implies a reluctance of farmers to change long-established traditional irrigation management practices, despite awareness of the impacts of systematic over-irrigation on yields and increased nutrient leaching risks. Significant ongoing research efforts will be needed to support improved knowledge and practical water management for key plantation crops.
Global and regional prevalence and incidence of systemic lupus erythematosus in low-and-middle income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Fatoye Francis , Gebrye Tadesse , Mbada Chidozie
Published: August 2022

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may be more prevalent among most ethnic groups in the low-and-middle income countries (LMICs), still these countries are under-represented in epidemiological data on SLE. The aim of this study was to review the prevalence and incidence of SLE in LMICs and use meta-analytic techniques. The MEDLINE, CINHAL, Web of Science, Scopus and Global Index Medicus databases were searched for relevant studies published up to July of 2022. Papers selected for full-text review were included in the systematic review if they provided the prevalence or incidence of SLE in LMICs and published in English language. The reference lists of included articles were also searched for additional studies. Two individuals independently performed abstract and full-text review, data extraction, and quality assessment of the papers. The prevalence and incidence of SLE were pooled through random effects model. Pooled estimates were expressed with 95% confidence. Out of 2340 papers, 23 studies were included in the review. The mean age at diagnosis ranged from 25.5 to 45.8 years. Three studies were conducted in Argentina and Brazil, two studies in China and one study in Cuba, Colombia, Democratic Republic Congo, Ecuador, Egypt, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Turkey, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe. The SLE prevalence and incidence varied from 3.2 to 159 per 100,000 and 0.3–8.7 per 100,000 persons, respectively. In a random effects meta-analysis (n = 10), the pooled prevalence of SLE was 103 (95% confidence interval [CI] – 17 to 224) per 100,000. Meta‐analysis of data from 6 incidence studies revealed an incidence of 5 cases per year (95% CI 2–8) per 100,000. According to WHO regions, the pooled prevalence of American and Western Pacific regions was 300 (95% CI – 200 to 900) and 36 (95% CI 35–37) per 100,000, respectively. The pooled incidence of the American region was 10 (95%, 0–14) per 100,000 inhabitants. Systemic lupus erythematosus is a common disease with considerable variation in prevalence and incidence among the general population in LMICs. Accurate estimates of prevalence and incidence of SLE are required to put in place appropriate programmes to reduce its burden in LMICs. PROSPERO registration number: CRD: 42020197495, https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/.
Coloring Graphs in Oriented Coloring of Cubic Graphs
Authors: Dybizbański Janusz
Published: August 2022

Oriented coloring of an oriented graph G is an arc-preserving homomorphism from G into a tournament H. We say that the graph H is universal for a family of oriented graphs $$\mathcal {C}$$
C
if for every $$G\in \mathcal {C}$$

G
∈
C

there exists a homomorphism from G into H. We are interested in finding a universal graph for the family of orientations of cubic graphs. In this paper we present constructive proof that: if there exists a universal graph H on 7 vertices for every orientation of cubic graphs, then minimum out-degree and minimum in-degree of H are equal to 2. That gives a negative answer to the question presented in Pinlou’s PHD thesis.
Impact of High-Grade Patterns in Early-Stage Lung Adenocarcinoma: A Multicentric Analysis
Authors: Bertoglio Pietro , Aprile Vittorio , Ventura Luigi , Cattoni Maria , Nachira Dania , Lococo Filippo , Perez Maria Rodriguez , Guerrera Francesco , Minervini Fabrizio , Querzoli Giulia , Bocchialini Giovanni , Bacchin Diana , Franzi Francesca , Rindi Guido , Bellafiore Salvatore , Femia Federico , Bogina Giuseppe Salvatore , Solli Piergiorgio , Kestenholz Peter , Ruffini Enrico , Paci Massimiliano , Margaritora Stefano , Imperatori Andrea Selenito , Lucchi Marco , Gnetti Letizia , Terzi Alberto Claudio
Published: August 2022

Objective

The presence of micropapillary and solid adenocarcinoma patterns leads to a worse survival and a significantly higher tendency to recur. This study aims to assess the impact of pT descriptor combined with the presence of high-grade components on long-term outcomes in early-stage lung adenocarcinomas.

Methods

We retrospectively collected data of consecutive resected pT1-T3N0 lung adenocarcinoma from nine European Thoracic Centers. All patients who underwent a radical resection with lymph-node dissection between 2014 and 2017 were included. Differences in Overall Survival (OS) and Disease-Free Survival (DFS) and possible prognostic factors associated with outcomes were evaluated also after performing a propensity score matching to compare tumors containing non-high-grade and high-grade patterns.

Results

Among 607 patients, the majority were male and received a lobectomy. At least one high-grade histological pattern was seen in 230 cases (37.9%), of which 169 solid and 75 micropapillary. T1a-b-c without high-grade pattern had a significant better prognosis compared to T1a-b-c with high-grade pattern (p = 0.020), but the latter had similar OS compared to T2a (p = 0.277). Concurrently, T1a-b-c without micropapillary or solid patterns had a significantly better DFS compared to those with high-grade patterns (p = 0.034), and it was similar to T2a (p = 0.839). Multivariable analysis confirms the role of T descriptor according to high-grade pattern both for OS (p = 0.024; HR 1.285 95% CI 1.033–1.599) and DFS (p = 0.003; HR 1.196, 95% CI 1.054–1.344, respectively). These results were confirmed after the propensity score matching analysis.

Conclusions

pT1 lung adenocarcinomas with a high-grade component have similar prognosis of pT2a tumors.
Blood identified and quantified in formalin fixed paraffin embedded lung sections using eosin fluorescence
Authors: Francis Robert J. , Ferguson Deborah , Kempster Sarah , Hall Joanna , Berry Neil , MacLellan-Gibson Kirsty
Published: August 2022

Eosin Y is a common stain in histology. Although usually used for colourimetric imaging where the dye is used to stain pink/red a range of structures in the tissue, Eosin Y is also a fluorochrome, and has been used in this manner for decades. In this study our aim was to investigate the fluorescence properties of the dye to enable quantification of structures within formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue sections. To do this, FFPE sections of hamster tissue were prepared with haematoxylin and eosin Y dyes. Spectral detection on a confocal laser scanning microscope was used to obtain the fluorescence emission spectra of the eosin Y under blue light. This showed clear spectral differences between the red blood cells and congealed blood, compared to the rest of the section. The spectra were so distinct that it was possible to discern these in fluorescence and multi-photon microscopy. An image analysis algorithm was used to quantify the red blood cells. These analyses could have broad applications in histopathology where differentiation is required, such as the analysis of clotting disorders to haemorrhage or damage from infectious disease.
Comparison of pulmonary function changes between patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy prior to minimally invasive esophagectomy: a randomized and controlled trial
Authors: Chen Xiaosang , Du Mingjun , Tang Han , Wang Hao , Fang Yong , Lin Miao , Yin Jun , Tan Lijie , Shen Yaxing
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Adequate pulmonary function is important for patients undergoing surgical resection of esophageal cancer, especially those that received neoadjuvant therapy. However, it is unknown if pre-operative radiation affects pulmonary function differently compared to chemotherapy. The purpose of this study was to compare changes in pulmonary function between patients undergoing minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy.

Methods

Between March 2017 and March 2018, esophageal cancer patients requiring neoadjuvant therapy were prospectively enrolled and randomly assigned to receive chemotherapy (CT) or chemoradiotherapy (CRT) before MIE. All patients received pulmonary function testing before and after the neoadjuvant therapy. Changes in pulmonary function, operative data, and pulmonary complications were compared between the 2 groups.

Results

A total of 71 patients were randomized and underwent MIE after receiving CT (n = 34) or CRT (n = 37). Baseline clinical characteristics were comparable between the 2 groups. The CRT group experienced a greater decrease of forced expiratory volume at 1 s (FEV1) (2.66 to 2.18 L, p = 0.023) and diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide divided by the mean alveolar volume (DLCO/Va) (17.3%, p < 0.001) than the CT group (FEV1 2.53 to 2.41 L; DLCO/Va 4.8%). The incidence of pulmonary complications was higher in the CRT group (13.51 vs. 8.82%), but the difference was not significant (p = 0.532).

Conclusions

Preoperative CRT affects pulmonary function more than CT alone, but does not increase the risk of pulmonary complications in patients undergoing MIE.
Comparing anatomy, chemical composition, and water permeability of suberized organs in five plant species: wax makes the difference
Authors: Suresh Kiran , Zeisler-Diehl Viktoria V. , Wojciechowski Tobias , Schreiber Lukas
Published: August 2022

Main conclusion

The efficiency of suberized plant/environment interfaces as transpiration barriers is not established by the suberin polymer but by the wax molecules sorbed to the suberin polymer.

Suberized cell walls formed as barriers at the plant/soil or plant/atmosphere interface in various plant organs (soil-grown roots, aerial roots, tubers, and bark) were enzymatically isolated from five different plant species (Clivia miniata, Monstera deliciosa, Solanum tuberosum, Manihot esculenta, and Malus domestica). Anatomy, chemical composition and efficiency as transpiration barriers (water loss in m s−1) of the different suberized cell wall samples were quantified. Results clearly indicated that there was no correlation between barrier properties of the suberized interfaces and the number of suberized cell layers, the amount of soluble wax and the amounts of suberin. Suberized interfaces of C. miniata roots, M. esculenta roots, and M. domestica bark periderms formed poor or hardly any transpiration barrier. Permeances varying between 1.1 and 5.1 × 10−8 m s−1 were very close to the permeance of water (7.4 × 10−8 m s−1) evaporating from a water/atmosphere interface. Suberized interfaces of aerial roots of M. deliciosa and tubers of S. tuberosum formed reasonable transpiration barriers with permeances varying between 7.4 × 10−10 and 4.2 × 10−9 m s−1, which were similar to the upper range of permeances measured with isolated cuticles (about 10−9 m s−1). Upon wax extraction, permeances of M. deliciosa and S. tuberosum increased nearly tenfold, which proves the importance of wax establishing a transpiration barrier. Finally, highly opposite results obtained with M. esculenta and S. tuberosum periderms are discussed in relation to their agronomical importance for postharvest losses and tuber storage.
Eulerian Walks in Temporal Graphs
Authors: Marino Andrea , Silva Ana
Published: August 2022

An Eulerian walk (or Eulerian trail) is a walk (resp. trail) that visits every edge of a graph G at least (resp. exactly) once. This notion was first discussed by Leonhard Euler while solving the famous Seven Bridges of Königsberg problem in 1736. But what if Euler had to take a bus? In a temporal graph $$\varvec{(G,\lambda )}$$

(
G
,
λ
)

, with $$\varvec{\lambda : E(G)}\varvec{\rightarrow } \varvec{2}^{\varvec{[\tau ]}}$$

λ
:
E
(
G
)

→

2

[
τ
]

, an edge $$\varvec{e}\varvec{\in } \varvec{E(G)}$$

e

∈

E
(
G
)

is available only at the times specified by $$\varvec{\lambda (e)}\varvec{\subseteq } \varvec{[\tau ]}$$

λ
(
e
)

⊆

[
τ
]

, in the same way the connections of the public transportation network of a city or of sightseeing tours are available only at scheduled times. In this paper, we deal with temporal walks, local trails, and trails, respectively referring to edge traversal with no constraints, constrained to not repeating the same edge in a single timestamp, and constrained to never repeating the same edge throughout the entire traversal. We show that, if the edges are always available, then deciding whether $$\varvec{(G,\lambda )}$$

(
G
,
λ
)

has a temporal walk or trail is polynomial, while deciding whether it has a local trail is $$\varvec{\texttt {NP}}$$

NP

-complete even if $$\varvec{\tau = 2}$$

τ
=
2

. In contrast, in the general case, solving any of these problems is $$\varvec{\texttt {NP}}$$

NP

-complete, even under very strict hypotheses. We finally give $$\varvec{\texttt {XP}}$$

XP

algorithms parametrized by $$\varvec{\tau }$$

τ

for walks, and by $$\varvec{\tau +tw(G)}$$

τ
+
t
w
(
G
)

for trails and local trails, where $$\varvec{tw(G)}$$

t
w
(
G
)

refers to the treewidth of $$\varvec{G}$$

G

.
Analytical chemistry in technical approaches: immobilization of biosorbent waste containing heavy metals in cemented materials
Authors: Zein Rahmiana , Fauzia Syiffa , Bielan Zuzanna , Aziz Hermansyah , Dahlan Dahyunir , Konieczka Piotr , Cieślik Bartłomiej Michał
Published: August 2022

An ecologically safe and economically justified method of stabilization of the used biosorbents was developed. Sorbent contaminated with heavy metals has been successfully solidified/stabilized using a hydraulic binder. The test results indicated that up to 1% of the biosorbent residue used could be added without compromising the compressive strength of the mortar. The compressive strength of the modified mortars did not change significantly even after 20 freeze/thaw cycles. The analytical methods such as Flame Atomization-Atomic Absorption Spectrometer, Graphite Furnace-Atomic Absorption Spectrometer, and Cold Vapor-Atomic Absorption Spectrometry were utilized to examine the leaching behavior of selected heavy metals during harsh condition exposure. The leachability of selected heavy metals was found to be below the limit allowed by the US EPA after immersion and agitation for 10 days in artificial water solutions (seawater, groundwater, and rainwater). X-Ray Diffraction and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller data showed no significant changes in the crystalline structure and surface area of the modified mortars after treatment. Research showed that mixing the adsorbent used with mortar was effective in immobilizing heavy metals and allowed the implementation of a so-called ‘zero waste’ management method.

Graphical abstract
Determination of the iron(IV) local spin states of the Q intermediate of soluble methane monooxygenase by Kβ X-ray emission spectroscopy
Authors: Cutsail George E. , Banerjee Rahul , Rice Derek B. , McCubbin Stepanic Olivia , Lipscomb John D. , DeBeer Serena
Published: August 2022

Soluble methane monooxygenase (sMMO) facilitates the conversion of methane to methanol at a non-heme FeIV2 intermediate MMOHQ, which is formed in the active site of the sMMO hydroxylase component (MMOH) during the catalytic cycle. Other biological systems also employ high-valent FeIV sites in catalysis; however, MMOHQ is unique as Nature’s only identified FeIV2 intermediate. Previous 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopic studies have shown that MMOHQ employs antiferromagnetic coupling of the two FeIV sites to yield a diamagnetic cluster. Unfortunately, this lack of net spin prevents the determination of the local spin state (Sloc) of each of the irons by most spectroscopic techniques. Here, we use Fe Kβ X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) to characterize the local spin states of the key intermediates of the sMMO catalytic cycle, including MMOHQ trapped by rapid-freeze-quench techniques. A pure XES spectrum of MMOHQ is obtained by subtraction of the contributions from other reaction cycle intermediates with the aid of Mössbauer quantification. Comparisons of the MMOHQ spectrum with those of known Sloc = 1 and Sloc = 2 FeIV sites in chemical and biological models reveal that MMOHQ possesses Sloc = 2 iron sites. This experimental determination of the local spin state will help guide future computational and mechanistic studies of sMMO catalysis.

Graphical abstract
Non-covalent interactions from a Quantum Chemical Topology perspective
Authors: Popelier Paul L. A.
Published: August 2022

About half a century after its little-known beginnings, the quantum topological approach called QTAIM has grown into a widespread, but still not mainstream, methodology of interpretational quantum chemistry. Although often confused in textbooks with yet another population analysis, be it perhaps an elegant but somewhat esoteric one, QTAIM has been enriched with about a dozen other research areas sharing its main mathematical language, such as Interacting Quantum Atoms (IQA) or Electron Localisation Function (ELF), to form an overarching approach called Quantum Chemical Topology (QCT). Instead of reviewing the latter’s role in understanding non-covalent interactions, we propose a number of ideas emerging from the full consequences of the space-filling nature of topological atoms, and discuss how they (will) impact on interatomic interactions, including non-covalent ones. The architecture of a force field called FFLUX, which is based on these ideas, is outlined. A new method called Relative Energy Gradient (REG) is put forward, which is able, by computation, to detect which fragments of a given molecular assembly govern the energetic behaviour of this whole assembly. This method can offer insight into the typical balance of competing atomic energies both in covalent and non-covalent case studies. A brief discussion on so-called bond critical points is given, highlighting concerns about their meaning, mainly in the arena of non-covalent interactions.
Balancing stand productivity and wood quality in chestnut coppices using chronosequence approach and productivity model
Authors: Marziliano Pasquale A. , Tognetti Roberto , Mercuri Michele , Labate Antonino , Lombardi Fabio
Published: August 2022

Trade-offs between high stand productivity and good wood quality exist for chestnut coppices and related wood-based products. The main objective of this study was to determine the most suitable duration (in years) of cutting cycles that maximizes stand productivity and preserve wood quality of chestnut coppices in a Mediterranean setting. To this aim, a stand-level growth model was developed to verify if wood quality of chestnut coppices at different stand ages varies when the rotation period is modified. Wood quality and stand productivity were analysed, using a chronosequence approach, in coppice stands in Southern Italy characterized by four cutting cycles (15, 25, 30, and 50 years). Results implied that the culmination of the mean annual increment occurs at 28 years, while the current annual increment culminates 10 years earlier. The MOEd values revealed a negative correlation with shoot age; however, a cutting cycle between 25 and 30 years might represent the best compromise for balancing stand productivity and wood quality. Results are discussed in the context of adaptive forest management.
Online risk-averse submodular maximization
Authors: Soma Tasuku , Yoshida Yuichi
Published: August 2022

We present a polynomial-time online algorithm for maximizing the conditional value at risk (CVaR) of a monotone stochastic submodular function. GivenTi.i.d. samples from an underlying distribution arriving online, our algorithm produces a sequence of solutions that converges to a ($$1-1/e$$1-1/e)-approximate solution with a convergence rate of$$O(T^{-1/4})$$O(T-1/4)for monotone continuous DR-submodular functions. Compared with previous offline algorithms, which require$$\Omega (T)$$Ω(T)space, our online algorithm only requires$$O(\sqrt{T})$$O(T)space. We extend our online algorithm to portfolio optimization for monotone submodular set functions under a matroid constraint. Experiments conducted on real-world datasets demonstrate that our algorithm can rapidly achieve CVaRs that are comparable to those obtained by existing offline algorithms.
Responsible innovation in emerging markets’ SMEs: The role of alliance learning and absorptive capacity
Authors: Zahoor Nadia , Khan Huda , Khan Zaheer , Akhtar Pervaiz
Published: August 2022

This paper presents an examination of the role played by alliance learning in enabling emerging market small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to develop responsible innovation. SMEs based in emerging markets face significant challenges due to their weak resource base and the limited support they receive from formal institutions. In such a context, we argued that alliance learning takes a more prominent role in enabling these firms to develop responsible innovation via their absorptive capacity and sense-making competency. Drawn from 176 survey responses from SMEs originating from Pakistan, our findings shed light on the vital role played by alliance learning in enhancing SMEs’ responsible innovation. Specifically, the findings indicate that absorptive capacity acts as an important mechanism between alliance learning and responsible innovation. In addition, sense-making competency emerges as an important boundary condition and as a vital dynamic capability under which the effects of alliance learning on responsible innovation are stronger through the mediating mechanisms of absorptive capacity. These moderating-mediating findings contribute to the literature on dynamic capabilities and responsible innovation and provide important insights into the mechanisms and boundary conditions of responsible innovation in the context of emerging Asian markets.
DNA Methylation Analysis of Imprinted Genes in the Cortex and Hippocampus of Cross-Fostered Mice Selectively Bred for Increased Voluntary Wheel-Running
Authors: Latchney Sarah E. , Cadney Marcell D. , Hopkins Austin , Garland Theodore
Published: August 2022

We have previously shown that high runner (HR) mice (from a line genetically selected for increased wheel-running behavior) have distinct, genetically based, neurobiological phenotypes as compared with non-selected control (C) mice. However, developmental programming effects during early life, including maternal care and parent-of-origin-dependent expression of imprinted genes, can also contribute to variation in physical activity. Here, we used cross-fostering to address two questions. First, do HR mice have altered DNA methylation profiles of imprinted genes in the brain compared to C mice? Second, does maternal upbringing further modify the DNA methylation status of these imprinted genes? To address these questions, we cross-fostered all offspring at birth to create four experimental groups: C pups to other C dams, HR pups to other HR dams, C pups to HR dams, and HR pups to C dams. Bisulfite sequencing of 16 imprinted genes in the cortex and hippocampus revealed that the HR line had altered DNA methylation patterns of the paternally imprinted genes,Rasgrf1andZdbf2, as compared with the C line. Both fostering between the HR and C lines and sex modified the DNA methylation profiles for the paternally expressed genesMest,Peg3, Igf2, Snrpn,andImpact.Ig-DMR, a gene with multiple paternal and maternal imprinted clusters, was also affected by maternal upbringing and sex.Our results suggest that differential methylation patterns of imprinted genes in the brain could contribute to evolutionary increases in wheel-running behavior and are also dependent on maternal upbringing and sex.
Minimum cost b-matching problems with neighborhoods
Authors: Espejo I. , Páez R. , Puerto J. , Rodríguez-Chía A. M.
Published: August 2022

In this paper, we deal with minimum cost b-matching problems on graphs where the nodes are assumed to belong to non-necessarily convex regions called neighborhoods, and the costs are given by the distances between points of the neighborhoods. The goal in the proposed problems is twofold: (i) finding a b-matching in the graph and (ii) determining a point in each neighborhood to be the connection point among the edges defining the b-matching. Different variants of the minimum cost b-matching problem are considered depending on the criteria to match neighborhoods: perfect, maximum cardinality, maximal and the a–b-matching problems. The theoretical complexity of solving each one of these problems is analyzed. Different mixed integer non-linear programming formulations are proposed for each one of the considered problems and then reformulated as Second Order Cone formulations. An extensive computational experience shows the efficiency of the proposed formulations to solve the problems under study.
“In Police We Trust?”—Confidence in the Police Among Adolescents With and Without a Migration Background in Germany
Authors: Krieg Yvonne , Lehmann Lena , Dreißigacker Leonie , Kliem Sören
Published: August 2022

Overall, adolescents exhibit a high level of confidence in the police. Nevertheless, it is problematic when certain social groups show lower levels of confidence in the police as this can affect police legitimacy. Based on a representative survey of ninth-grade students in Lower Saxony (N = 12,444), conducted in 2019, the current study examines confidence in the police among adolescents with and without a migration background. As well as an examination of the correlation, the study analyses whether the lower rate of confidence in the police among adolescents with a migration background can potentially be explained by them being exposed to a greater share and burden of influencing factors which impact confidence in the police (e.g. police contact, involvement with delinquent peers and neighbourhood characteristics). It is shown that adolescents with a migration background exhibit lower levels of confidence in the police than adolescents without a migration background. Although the correlation decreases upon the inclusion of other factors that influence confidence in the police, this relationship cannot be fully explained by the fact that young people with a migration background are also more burdened by the other determinants. However, the strongest correlations with confidence in the police are found for affinity for violence, friendship with delinquent individuals, police contact, property offenders, fear of crime and incivilities.
Higher education at the margins – success criteria for blended learning systems for marginalized communities
Authors: Mayr Anna , Oppl Stefan
Published: August 2022

Providing access to higher education for people in marginalized communities, in particular for refugees, requires to re-think the traditional ways of teaching and learning in higher education institutions. The challenges of these circumstances both in terms of access to learning materials and the opportunity to collaboratively learn with others require specific support via appropriate didactical settings. Blended learning arrangements, i.e., settings that bring together online learning activities with synchronous, co-located settings show potential for addressing these requirements. In the present study, we examine the success factors in the design of blended learning settings for supporting higher education in marginalized communities. Based on an established model of blended learning success, we explore the specific challenges of the target group via a survey which was distributed to students of different subject areas and of the higher education programs of Jesuit Worldwide Learning. The 80 survey participants analyzed in this paper live in refugee camps, or marginalized areas located in rural and remote areas in Afghanistan, Guyana, India, Iraq, Kenya, Malawi, Myanmar, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand. While we could confirm the success factors that also apply for blended learning scenarios in traditional settings, we also found evidence for the crucial role of facilitation in both, online and co-located learning phases, and challenges regarding the access to suitable infrastructure. Both need to be considered during design of blended learning programs for this target group.
Stay or flee? Hit-and-run accidents, darkness and probability of punishment
Authors: Castriota Stefano , Tonin Mirco
Published: August 2022

Empirical studies on the economic theory of crime have extensively analyzed the importance of the probability of punishment with regard to premeditated criminal activities. Unplanned crimes also occur, however, and this paper will focus on a very serious and widespread example: the hit-and-run road accident. Using police records for every road accident with injuries or mortalities that took place in Italy in the period 1996–2016, we rely on changes in daylight, both when switching between daylight saving time and winter time and across seasons, as an exogenous source of variation affecting the probability of apprehension and find that the likelihood of hit-and-run conditional on an accident taking place increases by around 20% with darkness. Our results suggest that policies increasing the likelihood of apprehension could be effective in reducing hit-and-run.
Flexible Acceptance Condition of Generics from a Probabilistic Viewpoint: Towards Formalization of the Semantics of Generics
Authors: Ryu Soo Hyun , Yang Wonsuk , Park Jong C.
Published: August 2022

Formalization of the semantics of generics has been considered extremely challenging for their inherent vagueness and context-dependence that hinder a single fixed truth condition. The present study suggests a way to formalize the semantics of generics by constructing flexible acceptance conditions with comparative probabilities. Findings from our in-depth psycholinguistic experiment show that two comparative probabilities—cue validity and prevalence—indeed construct the flexible acceptance conditions for generics in a systematic manner that can be applied to a diverse types of generics: Acceptability of IS_A relational generics is mostly determined by prevalence without interaction with cue validity; feature-describing generics are endorsed acceptable with high cue validity, albeit mediated by prevalence; and acceptability of feature-describing generics with low cue validity is mostly determined by prevalence irrespective of cue validity. Such systematic patterns indicate a great potential for the formalization of the semantics of generics.
Peri-urban growth into natural hazard-prone areas: mapping exposure transformation of the built environment in Nairobi and Nyeri, Kenya, from 1948 to today
Authors: Fekete Alexander
Published: August 2022

Kenya experiences massive urban growth, also into natural hazard-prone areas, exposing settlements and the natural environment to riverine and pluvial floods and other natural hazards. While Nairobi as the capital and principal city has been extensively analysed regarding urban growth and flood hazard in some central parts, awareness of growing peri-urban areas has not been studied as much. The results are of interest to other locations in Kenya and worldwide, too, since the current research and disaster risk practice focus is still too much on megacities and city centres. Therefore, the study compares urban growth into hazard areas in urban rims of Nairobi and Nyeri, Kenya. A change assessment from 1948 to 2020 is conducted by aerial images, declassified satellite images, and recent data. Urban growth rates are 10- to 26-fold, while growth into flood exposed areas ranges from 2- to 100-fold. This study reveals unused opportunities for expanding existing land-use change analysis back to the 1940s in data-scarce environments.