bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamical properties in an SVEIR epidemic model with age‐dependent vaccination, latency, infection, and relapse
Authors: Sun Dandan , Li Yingke , Teng Zhidong , Zhang Tailei , Lu Jingjing
Published: June 2021

An SVEIR epidemic model with continuous age‐dependent vaccination, latency, infection, and disease relapse is proposed and analyzed in this paper. The dynamical behaviors including the derivation of basic reproduction number
, the existence and the stability of steady states, and the uniform persistence of the model are investigated. The results indicate that if
, the disease‐free steady state is globally asymptotically stable, and the disease dies out, whereas if
, the disease is uniformly persistent, and the endemic steady state is also globally asymptotically stable, and the disease remains at the endemic level. The research shows the global dynamics of the model are sharply determined by its basic reproduction number
. Finally, numerical examples support our main theoretical results.
OptimalL∞‐error estimate for the semilinear impulse control quasi‐variational inequality
Authors: Boulbrachene Messaoud
Published: June 2021

In this paper, we introduce a new method for the standard finite element approximation in theL∞‐norm of the semilinear quasi‐variational inequality (QVI) arising in impulse control theory. We derive the optimalL∞‐error estimate by means of the concept of subsolutions for QVIs.
Technical Note: Dose prediction for head and neck radiotherapy using a three‐dimensional dense dilated U‐net architecture
Authors: Gronberg Mary P. , Gay Skylar S. , Netherton Tucker J. , Rhee Dong Joo , Court Laurence E. , Cardenas Carlos E.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Radiation therapy treatment planning is a time‐consuming and iterative manual process. Consequently, plan quality varies greatly between and within institutions. Artificial intelligence shows great promise in improving plan quality and reducing planning times. This technical note describes our participation in the American Association of Physicists in Medicine Open Knowledge‐Based Planning Challenge (OpenKBP), a competition to accurately predict radiation therapy dose distributions.

Methods

A three‐dimensional (3D) densely connected U‐Net with dilated convolutions was developed to predict 3D dose distributions given contoured CT images of head and neck patients as input. While traditional augmentation techniques such as rotations and translations were explored, it was found that training on random patches alone resulted in the greatest model performance. A custom‐weighted mean squared error loss function was employed. Finally, an ensemble of best‐performing networks was used to generate the final challenge predictions.

Results

Our team (SuperPod) placed second in the dose stream of the OpenKBP challenge. The average mean absolute difference between the predicted and clinical dose distributions of the testing dataset was 2.56 Gy. On average, the predicted normalized target DVH metrics were within 3% of the clinical plans, and the predicted organ at risk DVH metrics were within 2 Gy of the clinical plans.

Conclusions

The developed 3D dense dilated U‐Net architecture can accurately predict 3D radiotherapy dose distributions and can be used as part of a fully automated radiation therapy planning pipeline.
Using data mining technology to predict medication‐taking behaviour in women with breast cancer: A retrospective study
Authors: Kuo Chen‐Chen , Wang Hsiu‐Hung , Tseng Li‐Ping
Published: June 2021

Aims

Medication‐taking behaviours of breast cancer survivors undergoing adjuvant hormone therapy have received considerable attention. This study aimed to determine factors affecting medication‐taking behaviours in people with breast cancer using data mining.

Design

A longitudinal observational retrospective cohort study with a hospital‐based survey.

Methods

A total of 385 subjects were surveyed, analysing existing data from January 2010 to December 2017 in Taiwan. Three data mining approaches—multiple logistic regression, decision tree and artificial neural network—were used to build the prediction models and rank the importance of influencing factors. Accuracy, specificity and sensitivity were used as assessment indicators for the prediction models.

Results

Multiple logistic regression was the most effective approach, achieving an accuracy of 96.37%, specificity of 96.75% and sensitivity of 96.12%. The duration of adjuvant hormone therapy discontinuation, duration of adjuvant hormone therapy use and age at diagnosis by data mining were the three most critical factors influencing the medication‐taking behaviours of people with breast cancer.
Nondestructive recognition and differentiation of quasi‐spherical structures of biologic interest
Authors: Rothschild Bruce , Biehler‐Gomez Lucie
Published: June 2021

Background

Biological findings in archaeological and paleontological contexts are not limited to bones. In particular, biological concretions can present valuable information regarding the health of the organisms under examination. However, these structures are often difficult to recognize and identify. Chemical analyses (e.g., Raman spectroscopy) can allow their identification but they are time‐consuming and destructive techniques, even if minimally so. In this research, the potential of nondestructive high magnification surface microscopy is investigated for the distinction of uroliths from other biological and nonbiological concretions, specifically gallstones, bezoars, gastric pellets, coprolites, eggs, gastroliths and geological concretions.

Methods

The external surfaces of uroliths, bezoars, gastric pellets, gallstones, coprolites, gastroliths, eggs and geologic concretions were examined microscopically at ×20, ×50 and ×200 magnification.

Results

Morphological surface appearance of uroliths was independent of producer phylogeny and chemical composition and presented as smooth surfaces with level, faceted or lobulated configurations. Gallstones also presented a large array of shapes with smooth or porous external surfaces. Gastric pellets, bezoars and coprolites could be distinguished from other biological stones by the common presence of hair, sand grains, bone fragments or hair. Presence of uniform pores permitted the recognition of egg shells. Distinguishing gastroliths and geologic concretions requires additional diagnostic criteria.

Conclusion

High magnification surface microscopy of biological concretions from reference collections permits a better understanding of biological concretions and their normal variation. In addition, it allowed the distinction of uroliths from most biological concretions. Nonetheless, gallstones constitute the major differential diagnosis of uroliths, and destructive chemical analyses may be ultimately required for their distinction.
Misrepresentation of mild traumatic brain injury research in press releases
Authors: Choi Ariel R. , Feller Edward R.
Published: June 2021

Background

Press releases from academic medical centers often form the basis for health and science news stories. Press release coverage of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) research has not been formally appraised in the literature.

Objective

To perform a systematic content analysis of mTBI‐based press releases.

Design

Retrospective database study.

Setting

EurekAlert! (eurekalert.org), the main distribution engine for scientific press releases.

Participants

Press releases indexed between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2019 containing a minimum of 150 words.

Interventions

Pre‐established, investigator‐generated criteria delineating aspects of misinformation.

Main Outcome Measurements

Press releases were evaluated for manifestations of “spin,” including misleading title, misleading reporting, misleading claims, and inappropriate extrapolation.

Results

Our database search yielded 125 entries within the specified time period. Of these, 66 met inclusion criteria. Fifty‐five of 66 (83%) press releases exhibited at least one manifestation of spin. We identified 38 (58%) with misleading titles, 49 (74%) with misleading reporting, 44 (67%) with misleading claims, and 38 (58%) with inappropriate extrapolation.

Conclusions

Our analysis revealed a high degree of spin in recent press releases dedicated to mTBI research. The reports often overstated the strengths and practical impact of the study, publicize substandard research without clinical relevance, while downplaying or failing to report limitations and caveats. Misrepresentation in press releases can affect real‐life medical decisions and outcomes.
Physics‐based protein structure refinement in the era of artificial intelligence
Authors: Heo Lim , Janson Giacomo , Feig Michael
Published: June 2021

Protein structure refinement is the last step in protein structure prediction pipelines. Physics‐based refinement via molecular dynamics (MD) simulations has made significant progress during recent years. During CASP14, we tested a new refinement protocol based on an improved sampling strategy via MD simulations. MD simulations were carried out at an elevated temperature (360 K). An optimized use of biasing restraints and the use of multiple starting models led to enhanced sampling. The new protocol generally improved the model quality. In comparison with our previous protocols, the CASP14 protocol showed clear improvements. Our approach was successful with most initial models, many based on deep learning methods. However, we found that our approach was not able to refine machine‐learning models from the AlphaFold2 group, often decreasing already high initial qualities. To better understand the role of refinement given new types of models based on machine‐learning, a detailed analysis via MD simulations and Markov state modeling is presented here. We continue to find that MD‐based refinement has the potential to improve AI predictions. We also identified several practical issues that make it difficult to realize that potential. Increasingly important is the consideration of inter‐domain and oligomeric contacts in simulations; the presence of large kinetic barriers in refinement pathways also continues to present challenges. Finally, we provide a perspective on how physics‐based refinement could continue to play a role in the future for improving initial predictions based on machine learning‐based methods.
Application of a dual mechanistic approach to support bilastine dose selection for older adults
Authors: Kim Chaejin , Lo Re Valentina , Rodriguez Monica , Lukas John C. , Leal Nerea , Campo Cristina , García‐Bea Aintzane , Suarez Elena , Schmidt Stephan , Vozmediano Valvanera
Published: June 2021

The objective of this study was to evaluate bilastine dosing recommendations in older adults and overcome the limitation of insufficient data from phase I studies in this underrepresented population. This was achieved by integrating bilastine physicochemical, in vitro and in vivo data in young adults and the effect of aging in the pharmacology by means of two alternative approaches: a physiologically‐based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model and a semi‐mechanistic population pharmacokinetic (Senescence) model. Intestinal apical efflux and basolateral influx transporters were needed in the PBPK model to capture the observations from young adults after single i.v. (10 mg) and p.o. (20 mg) doses, supporting the hypothesis of involvement of gut transporters on secretion. The model was then used to extrapolate the pharmacokinetics (PKs) to elderly subjects considering their specific physiology. Additionally, the Senescence model was develop starting from a published population PK) model, previously applied for pediatrics, and incorporating declining functions on different physiological systems and changes in body composition with aging. Both models were qualified using observed data in a small group of young elderlies (N = 16, mean age = 68.69 years). The PBPK model was further used to evaluate the dose in older subjects (mean age = 80 years) via simulation. The PBPK model supported the hypothesis that basolateral influx and apical efflux transporters are involved in bilastine PK. Both, PBPK and Senescence models indicated that a 20 mg q.d. dose is safe and effective for geriatrics of any age. This approach provides an alternative to generate supplementary data to inform dosing recommendations in under‐represented groups in clinical trials.
Novel 2D PC5 with a Dirac Cone and Edge‐Size Dependence
Authors: Shang Ling , Liu Peng-Fei , Gao Heng , Wu Wei , Wang Yin , Gao Zhibin , Wang Bao-Tian , Ren Wei
Published: June 2021

2D materials with Dirac cones, which show a linear band character near the Fermi level, exhibit many novel properties. Herein, based on first‐principles calculations, the 2D phosphorus carbide () monolayer is studied systematically. The stability is examined by calculating the formation energy, phonon dispersion, and elastic constants as well as by performing ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations. Due to the similarity of its structure to that of graphene, one Dirac cone is exactly located at the Fermi level, which is very robust against external biaxial and uniaxial strains. Treating the monolayer as graphene with doped P atoms along the armchair direction, a rule is found similar to that of graphene nanoribbons with armchair edges. These physical properties make the monolayer a promising 2D material for emerging electronics applications.
Understanding the Influence of Cation and Anion Migration on Mixed‐Composition Perovskite Solar Cells via Transient Ion Drift
Authors: Li Biao , Kan Chenxia , Hang Pengjie , Fang Yanjun , Zuo Lijian , Song Lihui , Zhang Yiqiang , Yang Deren , Yu Xuegong
Published: June 2021

Ion migration has a significant influence on perovskite solar cells (PSCs), such as inducing hysteresis and long‐term instability problems. Mixed‐composition PSCs demonstrate less hysteresis and better long‐term stability. Nevertheless, the influence of cation and anion migration on reduced hysteresis and better long‐term stability in mixed‐composition PSCs is still poorly understood. Herein, the ion‐migration process in mixed‐composition PSCs is investigated by the transient ion drift (TID) method. Suppressed ion migration for both cations and anions is observed in mixed‐composition PSCs as compared with that of I‐based PSCs. Interestingly, the suppression of anion migration in mixed‐composition PSCs is most notable, that is, ten times smaller than the rate of anion migration in I‐based PSCs. Moreover, the scan‐speed‐dependent hysteresis measurement results are consistent with the migration timescale of the cations. It is inferred that the better long‐term stability of mixed‐composition PSCs predominantly originates from the remarkably suppressed anion migration, whereas the reduced hysteresis originates from the suppressed cation migration. In conclusion, this research provides new insights into the origins of better long‐term stability and reduced hysteresis in mixed‐composition PSCs.
Near‐Room‐Temperature Large Electrocaloric Effect in Barium Titanate Single Crystal Based on the Electric Field–Temperature Phase Diagram
Authors: Li Junjie , Li Zhonghua , He Jingjin , Hou Yuxuan , Su Yanjing , Qiao Lijie , Bai Yang
Published: June 2021

Phase transition plays a key role in the electrocaloric effect, but the first‐order ferroelectric–paraelectric phase transition always occurs far above room temperature, which heavily limits the practical application. Herein, the focus is on the orthorhombic–tetragonal first‐order ferroelectric–ferroelectric phase transition (@288 K) in <011>‐oriented barium titanate single crystal. Ferroelectric properties under a high electric field indicate a reversible field‐induced tetragonal–orthorhombic phase transition, based on which the electric field–temperature phase diagram is established. It is strongly related to the enhanced electrocaloric effect, and a large adiabatic temperature change of 1.33 K is obtained at 288 K under 15 kV cm−1, that is, a high electrocaloric strength of 88.7 mK cm kV−1. The large electrocaloric effect near room temperature makes lead‐free BaTiO3 a promising candidate for next‐generation solid‐state refrigeration.
An approximate quasi‐likelihood approach for error‐prone failure time outcomes and exposures
Authors: Boe Lillian A. , Tinker Lesley F. , Shaw Pamela A.
Published: June 2021

Measurement error arises commonly in clinical research settings that rely on data from electronic health records or large observational cohorts. In particular, self‐reported outcomes are typical in cohort studies for chronic diseases such as diabetes in order to avoid the burden of expensive diagnostic tests. Dietary intake, which is also commonly collected by self‐report and subject to measurement error, is a major factor linked to diabetes and other chronic diseases. These errors can bias exposure‐disease associations that ultimately can mislead clinical decision‐making. We have extended an existing semiparametric likelihood‐based method for handling error‐prone, discrete failure time outcomes to also address covariate error. We conduct an extensive numerical study to compare the proposed method to the naive approach that ignores measurement error in terms of bias and efficiency in the estimation of the regression parameter of interest. In all settings considered, the proposed method showed minimal bias and maintained coverage probability, thus outperforming the naive analysis which showed extreme bias and low coverage. This method is applied to data from the Women's Health Initiative to assess the association between energy and protein intake and the risk of incident diabetes mellitus. Our results show that correcting for errors in both the self‐reported outcome and dietary exposures leads to considerably different hazard ratio estimates than those from analyses that ignore measurement error, which demonstrates the importance of correcting for both outcome and covariate error.
Nonlinear mixed‐effects modeling of longitudinal count data: Bayesian inference about median counts based on the marginal zero‐inflated discrete Weibull distribution
Authors: Burger Divan A. , Lesaffre Emmanuel
Published: June 2021

This article proposes a Bayesian regression model for nonlinear zero‐inflated longitudinal count data that models the median count as an alternative to the mean count. The nonlinear model generalizes a recently introduced linear mixed‐effects model based on the zero‐inflated discrete Weibull (ZIDW) distribution. The ZIDW distribution is more robust to severe skewness in the data than conventional zero‐inflated count distributions such as the zero‐inflated negative binomial (ZINB) distribution. Moreover, the ZIDW distribution is attractive because of its convenience to model the median counts given its closed‐form quantile function. The median is a more robust measure of central tendency than the mean when the data, for instance, zero‐inflated counts, are right‐skewed. In an application of the model we consider a biphasic mixed‐effects model consisting of an intercept term and two slope terms. Conventionally, the ZIDW model separately specifies the predictors for the zero‐inflation probability and the counting process's median count. In our application, the two latent class interpretations are not clinically plausible. Therefore, we propose a marginal ZIDW model that directly models the biphasic median counts marginally. We also consider the marginal ZINB model to make inferences about the nonlinear mean counts over time. Our simulation study shows that the models have good properties in terms of accuracy and confidence interval coverage.
Evaluation of Elastin Fibres in Young and Aged Eyelids and Abdominal Skin Using Computational 3D Structural Analysis
Authors: Tohgasaki T. , Kondo S. , Nishizawa S. , Ishiwatari S. , Sakurai T. , Ishikawa S. , Takeda A.
Published: June 2021

Background

Aging-related degeneration of elastic fibres causes skin wrinkles and loss of elasticity. A correlation has been reported between dermal elastic fibre degradation and wrinkles. However, the mechanism of wrinkle formation is complex and unclear. To establish methods for treating wrinkles, it is necessary to understand the aging-related morphological alterations underlying elastin fibre degradation or disappearance.

Objectives

To image and analyse aging-related three-dimensional (3D) morphological alterations of elastic fibres in the eyelid and abdominal skin.

Methods

Excised human eyelid and abdominal skin tissues were examined. The structure of elastic fibres in the skin tissues was examined via nuclear, tropoelastin and fibrillin-1 immunostaining. Then, 3D imaging was performed using a confocal laser microscope and tissue decolourization technology. Images were analysed using a computational method.

Results

The decolourization technology made it possible to image elastin fibres in 3D, and we devised a method for analyzing the elastin fibre structure using computational methods. It was quantitatively shown that the eyelid skin has a more complex fibrous structure than the abdomen, and the fibres became curved, shortened and thickened with age.

Conclusions

We provide a novel 3D analysis method for elastin fibres and report age-related alterations in elastin fibre structure in the human eyelid and abdominal skin. This method contributes to the understanding of elastin fibre degeneration in more detail than conventional methods. Applying this 3D analysis method to skin tissues will contribute to a better understanding of age-related changes in fibres and to the development of novel wrinkle treatments.
Digitalisierung und Verarbeitung von Sensordaten für die Zustandsbewertung von Oberflächenschutzsystemen stählerner Türme von Onshore‐Windenergieanlagen
Authors: Momber Andreas , Nattkemper Tim , Langenkämper Daniel , Möller Torben , Brün Daniel , Schaumann Peter , Shojai Sulaiman
Published: June 2021

Der Beitrag beschreibt das Konzept einer vollständig datenbasierten, weitgehend automatisierten Prozedur für die Zustandsbewertung von Oberflächenschutzsystemen von Stahlbauten am Beispiel der Turmstruktur einer Onshore‐Windenergieanlage. Es werden Akquisition, Bearbeitung und Bewertung der Daten sowie ihre Implementierung in ein mathematisch‐empirisches Zustandsbewertungsmodell beschrieben und diskutiert. Das Zustandsbewertungsmodell beruht auf der Bestimmung eines lokalen Abbaugrads, der für am Bauwerk jeweils eindeutig zugeordnete Referenzbereiche bestimmt wird. Die Erstellung der Referenzbereiche mittels einer In situ Virtual Twin Computation wird vorgestellt und bewertet. Die vorgeschlagene datenbasierte Bewertungsprozedur wird anhand eines Stahlturms einer Onshore‐Windenergieanlage in ländlicher korrosiver Umgebung erläutert. Anwendungen auf Stahlbauwerken mit vergleichbarer Geometrie (Silos, Schornsteine, Pfähle) sowie auf Stahlbauwerken unter Offshore‐Bedingungen sind möglich.
An overview of sample preparation in forensic toxicology
Authors: Jones Sabra , McGowan Courtney , Boyle Sarah , Ke Yiling , Chan Chi Hin Marco , Hwang Hajin
Published: June 2021

Sample preparation is an important step in forensic toxicological analysis. With the technological advancements and the availability of mass spectrometers with increasing sensitivities, the need to remove potential interferences, such as matrix components or non‐relevant analytes to the analysis, is essential to optimizing an analytical method. Forensic toxicological analysis involves diverse analytes with a variety of chemical properties that need to be considered when selecting an appropriate sample preparation technique. The push for broad standards and best practice documents for forensic toxicology demonstrates the need for laboratories to ensure they meet the required capabilities to not only detect specific classes of drugs commonly encountered in forensic case work, but also ensure method validity. The objective of this article is to provide the forensic toxicology community a high‐level overview of biological matrices and their relevant components that should be considered during sample pre‐treatment as well as traditional and non‐traditional sample preparation techniques and present general applications.

This article is categorized under:

Toxicology > Drug Analysis
Biogenesis, characterization, and functions of mirtrons
Authors: Salim Uzma , Kumar Ashish , Kulshreshtha Ritu , Vivekanandan Perumal
Published: June 2021

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are major post‐transcriptional regulators of gene expression. They base pair with the complementary target mRNA at the 3′UTR and modulate cellular processes by repressing the mRNA translation or degrading the mRNA. There are well‐documented mechanisms of biogenesis of miRNA; however, a sizeable number of miRNAs are also produced by non‐canonical pathways. Mirtrons represent a predominant class of non‐canonical miRNAs. Mirtrons originate from intronic regions and are produced in a splicing‐dependent and Drosha‐independent manner. Mirtrons constitute about 15% of all miRNAs produced in a human body and have caught attention of researchers worldwide due to their unconventional origin, sequence characteristics, evolutionary dynamics, ability to regulate variety of cellular processes and their immense potential in disease therapeutics. In this comprehensive review we collate the research done in the past decade including biogenesis, sequence characteristics, regulation, and emerging therapeutic roles of mirtrons.

This article is categorized under:

RNA Processing > Processing of Small RNAs

Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Biogenesis of Effector Small RNAs

Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > RNAi: Mechanisms of Action
Zahnmedizinische Versorgung älterer Menschen: Chancen und Herausforderungen
Authors: Nitschke Ina , Hahnel Sebastian
Published: June 2021

Die Mundgesundheit der Bevölkerung in Deutschland konnte in den letzten Jahren verbessert werden; allerdings profitierten ältere und insbesondere gebrechliche sowie pflegebedürftige Menschen nicht adäquat von dieser Entwicklung. Dabei kann eine gute Mundgesundheit relevant dazu beitragen, die Herausforderungen bei Gebrechlichkeit und Pflegebedürftigkeit besser zu bewältigen. Der eingeschränkte Zugang zur zahnmedizinischen Betreuung, die manchmal eingeschränkte Kooperativität sowie die schlechtere Mundpflege in dieser Bevölkerungsgruppe erhöhen das Risiko für Karies, Parodontalerkrankungen, Zahnverlust und Zahnlosigkeit im Vergleich zur Durchschnittsbevölkerung.

Der vorliegende Beitrag gibt eine Übersicht über die zahnmedizinische Situation älterer Menschen anhand bereits publizierter Daten aus der bevölkerungsrepräsentativen Fünften Deutschen Mundgesundheitsstudie (DMS V), die im Jahr 2014 erhoben wurden. Die mittlere Anzahl der fehlenden Zähne betrug bei den 65- bis 74-Jährigen 11,1 Zähne. Bei älteren Seniorinnen und Senioren (75–100 Jahre) mit Pflegebedarf (äSmP) war die Mundgesundheit schlechter als bei denjenigen ohne Pflegebedarf (äSoP). So hatten äSoP durchschnittlich 11,8 Zähne, äSmP dagegen nur 5,7 Zähne. Der Anteil zahnloser 65- bis 74-Jähriger hatte sich seit 1997 halbiert auf 12,4 %. Bei den äS waren 32,8 % zahnlos (äSmP: 53,7 %, äSoP: 26,7 %). Mehr als 75 % der äSmP waren abnehmbar prothetisch versorgt (äSoP: 51,7 %). Vor diesem Hintergrund werden in diesem Beitrag Schnittstellen benannt, an denen eine chancengleiche Anbindung dieser Bevölkerungsgruppen an eine zahnmedizinische Versorgungsstruktur etabliert werden könnte. Diese beinhalten akutgeriatrische Krankenhausstationen und die Entwicklung weitergehender Konzepte in der aufsuchenden Versorgung zur besseren Versorgung der Betroffenen und zur Erleichterung der Pflege.
A study on power-controlled wire-arc additive manufacturing using a data-driven surrogate model
Authors: Israr Rameez , Buhl Johannes , Bambach Markus
Published: June 2021

Wire-arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) provides an alternative for the production of various metal products needed in medium to large batch sizes due to its high deposition rates. However, the cyclic heat input in WAAM may cause local overheating. To avoid adverse effects on the performance of the part, interlayer dwelling and active cooling are used, but these measures increase the process time. Alternatively, the temperature during the WAAM process could be controlled by optimizing the welding power. The present work aims at introducing and implementing a novel temperature management approach by adjusting the weld-bead cross-section along with the welding power to reduce the heat accumulation in the WAAM process. The temperature evolution during welding of weld beads of different cross-sections is investigated and a database of the relation between optimal welding power for beads of various sizes and different pre-heating temperatures was established. The numerical results are validated experimentally with a block-shaped geometry. The results show that by the proposed method, the test shape made was welded with lower energy consumption and process time as compared to conventional constant-power WAAM. The proposed approach efficiently manages the thermal input and reduces the need for pausing the process. Hence, the defects related to heat accumulation might be reduced, and the process efficiency increased.
Designing effective virtual reality environments for pain management in burn-injured patients
Authors: Phelan Ivan , Furness Penny J , Matsangidou Maria , Babiker Nathan T. , Fehily Orla , Thompson Andrew , Carrion-Plaza Alicia , Lindley Shirley A.
Published: June 2021

Burn patients engage in repetitive painful therapeutic treatments, such as wound debridement, dressing changes, and other medical processes high in procedural pain. Pharmacological analgesics have been used for managing pain, but with ineffective results and negative side effects. Studies on pain management for burn patients suggested that Virtual Reality can treat procedural pain. This paper describes the process of designing, testing, and deploying a Virtual Reality system into a hospital setting. Firstly, a workshop was conducted to identify the most suitable types of Virtual Reality contents for the needs of burn-injured patients. Then, an experimental study, with 15 healthy adults, explored the analgesic impact of the Virtual Reality contents. The pain was induced through a cold pressor. Finally, we deployed the Virtual Reality system into the hospital to examine its efficiency on burn-injured inpatients. This study presents factors for the effective design and deployment of Virtual Reality for burn-injured patients residing in a hospital. Those factors refer to the use of cartoonish features and a choice of content based on each patient’s interests to increase the positive emotions and the use of interactive features, portable equipment to reduce pain and increase the feasibility of the technology in clinical settings. Finally, our results indicated that the extension of the VR use after the therapeutic session could support more effective pain treatment.

Trial registration number Protocol ID: AA8434.
Souveränität und Verantwortung im Mehrebenensystem: Subsidiarität als Leitmotiv?
Authors: Hüther Michael , Vogel Markus
Published: June 2021

Der Subsidiaritätsgedanke sollte von den politischen Entscheidungstragenden sowie von im europäischen Mehrebenensystem mitwirkenden Akteur:innen beachtet werden. Dazu gehört die Beachtung bei der legislativen Planung, dass die Einhaltung des Subsidiaritätsprinzips bedingungslose Voraussetzung ist. Zudem sollten alle an der europapolitischen Willensbildung Beteiligten für die Wahrung des Subsidiaritätsprinzips eintreten, wenn hieran Zweifel bestehen. Die Debatte um Anspruch und Wirklichkeit des europäischen Subsidiaritätsgedankens begleitet uns seit vielen Jahren, ist aber aktueller denn je.
Digital- und Medienpolitik in Parteiprogrammen zur Bundestagswahl 2021
Authors: Gerpott Torsten J.
Published: June 2021

Vier Parteien — Die Linke, SPD, Bündnis 90/Die Grünen und FDP — haben bis Ende April 2021 den Entwurf ihres Programms zur Bundestagswahl am 26. September veröffentlicht. Wie klar und überzeugend vermitteln Bundestagsparteien ihre Vorstellungen? Die digital- und medienpolitischen Aussagen der Entwürfe werden kritisch analysiert.
Abbau der kalten Progression seit 2016 — eine Zwischenbilanz
Authors: Warneke Matthias
Published: June 2021

Seit 2016 findet ein Abbau der kalten Progression statt. Der Autor zeigt beispielhaft, inwiefern die Steuerzahler:innen durch diese Reform in den vergangenen fünf Jahren entlastet wurden und wertet dies als Zwischenerfolg für den Bund der Steuerzahler. Dieser Fortschritt sollte jedoch durch weitere Reformen abgesichert werden.
Host preference of Thrips hawaiiensis for different ornamental plants
Authors: Cao Yu , Reitz Stuart R. , Germinara Giacinto Salvatore , Wang Chun , Wang Lijuan , Yang Siyu , Gao Yulin , Zhang Wenqing , Li Can
Published: June 2021

Thrips hawaiiensisis a common thrips pest that damages the flowers of various plants. The differing population sizes ofT. hawaiiensisamong host plants suggest its preference and performance vary among host plants. In this study, the host fitness ofT. hawaiiensisfor different flowers was assessed through field investigation. The behavioral responses ofT. hawaiiensisto the color and volatiles of flowers eliciting different apparent fitness levels and their development and survival on the plants were also studied. Adults and larvae ofT. hawaiiensiswere found in the flowers of 21 species, which were classified into four fitness levels for this thrips species.T. hawaiiensisshowed significantly different visual responses to the color and olfactory responses to the volatiles of four tested flowers (each representing one of the four fitness levels), with the rankings of visual preferences forDianthus caryophyllus > Tulipa gesneriana > Hydrangea macrophylla > Rosa rugosa, and olfactory preferences forH. macrophylla ≥ T. gesneriana > D. caryophyllus > R. rugosa. Plant species had significant influences on the development and survival ofT. hawaiiensis, with developmental times from egg to adult of 9.58 d, 9.92 d, 10.35 d and 10.75 d onH. macrophylla,T. gesneriana,D. caryophyllusandR. rugosa, respectively, and corresponding survival rates of 76.33%, 71.33%, 64.00% and 59.00%. In summary, this study shows that olfactory preferences were consistent with the field performance ofT. hawaiiensison the four flower plants tested. Further, fitness levels of host plant flowers are correlated with development rate and survivorship ofT. hawaiiensis. Our study adds to the understanding of the mechanism of host selection by thrips and provides basic information to underpin the management ofT. hawaiiensison horticultural plants.
Standardization of sperm management for laboratory assessment of sperm quality and in vitro fertilization in Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis)
Authors: Bokor Z. , Żarski D. , Palińska-Żarska K. , Krejszeff S. , Król J. , Radóczi J. Ifj. , Horváth Á. , Várkonyi L. , Urbányi B. , Bernáth G.
Published: June 2021

Sperm handling procedures and its usage for in vitro fertilization are crucial for standardized experimental operations on evaluation of reproductive performance, gamete quality, and optimization of fertilization protocols. In our study, the changes in perch sperm motility parameters within 6-h chilled storage and using 4 different activating solutions were compared. Eight different sperm-to-egg ratio was also compared during fertilization. Sperm activated with modified activating solution for cyprinids (78±11%), common perch activating solution (68±16%), modified Lahnsteiner activating solution (75±16%), and Woynárovich solution (76±13%) showed similar progressive motility at 10 s after activation. At 30 s after activation, progressive motility decreased below 5%, regardless the activating solution used. Progressive motility decreased significantly already after 2 h of storage (51±19%) in comparison with 0 h (78±5%). The highest average fertilization rate (using common perch activating solution) was observed with a sperm-to-egg ratio 2.5×105:1 (80±9%), where the smallest variability in the values was also recorded (coefficient of variation: 11%). However, no significant difference was detected among the 8 sperm-to-egg ratio groups. According to our findings, undiluted fresh perch sperm is recommended to use in 1 h post-stripping. Modified Lahnsteiner’s activating solution can be applied efficiently for quality assessment where common perch activating solution is applicable for fertilization in Eurasian perch. A sperm-to-egg ratio 2.5×105:1 already allows to achieve a high fertilization rate; however, the finding is needed to be tested also at hatchery level (higher number of eggs).
Challenging career models in higher education: the influence of internal career scripts and the rise of the “concertina” career
Authors: Whitchurch Celia , Locke William , Marini Giulio
Published: June 2021

The paper develops the metaphorical concept of the “concertina” career to describe ways in which academic staff, across a diversifying workforce, modulate their interactions with institutional career frameworks, which tend to be unilinear and to be characterised by detailed progression criteria and milestones. In doing this, they are guided by Internal career scripts, providing an additional dimension to the dichotomy of boundaried and boundaryless careers found in the literature. Drawing on a longitudinal study between 2017 and 2020, of forty-nine mid-career academic staff across eight UK universities, consideration is given to individuals’ spatial movements, for instance, between academic activities, and professional and personal commitments; and the manipulation of timescales to accelerate or decelerate career progress in relation to opportunities and constraints. The study shows ways in which the spatial parameters of a career are being stretched in order to accommodate new forms of academic work supplementing disciplinary activity, such as online learning, employability initiatives and public engagement, as well as work-life considerations. In addition, individuals are adapting timescales to accommodate professional activities such as health practice or community outreach, as well as personal commitments such as caring responsibilities. Thus, in the concertina career, individuals expand and contract activity, as well as extending and compressing timescales. As a result, it is concluded that institutional career models do not entirely reflect the reality of career-making by individuals, which is likely to involve detours (therefore a spatial dimension) and a disruption of assumed timelines (therefore a temporal dimension).
Prevention the formation of biofilm on orthopedic implants by melittin thin layer on chitosan/bioactive glass/vancomycin coatings
Authors: Zarghami Vahid , Ghorbani Mohammad , Bagheri Kamran Pooshang , Shokrgozar Mohammad Ali
Published: June 2021

Methicillin-resistant and Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (MRSA and VRSA, respectively) can seriously jeopardizes bone implants. This research aimed to examine the potential synergistic effects of Melittin and vancomycin in preventing MRSA and VRSA associated bone implant infections. Chitosan/bioactive glass nanoparticles/vancomycin composites were coated on hydrothermally etched titanium substrates by casting method. The composite coatings were coated by Melittin through drop casting technique. Melittin raised the proliferation of MC3T3 cells, making it an appropriate option as osteoinductive and antibacterial substance in coatings of orthopedic implants. Composite coatings having combined vancomycin and Melittin eliminated both planktonic and adherent MRSA and VRSA bacteria, whereas coatings containing one of them failed to kill the whole VRSA bacteria. Therefore, chitosan/bioactive glass/vancomycin/Melittin coating can be used as a bone implant coating because of its anti-infective properties.
Face Mask Use Among Commercial Drivers During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Accra, Ghana
Authors: Agyemang Ernest , Agyei-Mensah Samuel , Kyere-Gyeabour Elvis
Published: June 2021

The paper contributes to unravelling the perceptions of urban commercial drivers regarding their vulnerability to catching the SARS-CoV-2 virus while at work. It further examines how the perception of vulnerability influences personal use of face masks by drivers, as well as on their insistence on appropriate masking behaviour by other persons on-board public transport. Overcrowding and unsanitary conditions in informal public transport in Africa could facilitate the spread of the corona virus. However, the use of face masks, among other enhanced mitigation measures significantly contain and minimize the spread of the virus. Primary data, obtained through surveys at five major public transport terminals in Accra, was analysed and interpreted using the Health Belief Model as an explanatory framework. Results indicate that most drivers have a high vulnerability perception to Covid-19. It further emerged that older drivers, in particular, consistently wore face masks and insisted on other persons in their commercial vehicles to follow suit. Socio-demographic factors, and the need to ensure one’s personal safety and those of loved ones were critical determinants of face mask use among surveyed drivers. The study thus recommends that public awareness campaigns should strategically focus attention on the younger generation of drivers (i.e. 18–39 years) who perceived themselves to be immune to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Also, the collaborative efforts of state and non-state actors, like the transport operator unions, must be further strengthened if the gains made so far against Covid-19 is to be sustained.
On the Zakharov–Mikhailov action: $$4\hbox {d}$$ Chern–Simons origin and covariant Poisson algebra of the Lax connection
Authors: Caudrelier Vincent , Stoppato Matteo , Vicedo Benoît
Published: June 2021

We derive the$$2\hbox {d}$$2dZakharov–Mikhailov action from$$4\hbox {d}$$4dChern–Simons theory. This$$2\hbox {d}$$2daction is known to produce as equations of motion the flatness condition of a large class of Lax connections of Zakharov–Shabat type, which includes an ultralocal variant of the principal chiral model as a special case. At the$$2\hbox {d}$$2dlevel, we determine for the first time the covariant Poisson bracketr-matrix structure of the Zakharov–Shabat Lax connection, which is of rational type. The flatness condition is then derived as a covariant Hamilton equation. We obtain a remarkable formula for the covariant Hamiltonian in terms of the Lax connection which is the covariant analogue of the well-known formula “$$H={{\,\mathrm{Tr}\,}}L^2$$H=TrL2”.
Response shift after coronary revascularization
Authors: Oreel Tom H. , Nieuwkerk Pythia T. , Hartog Iris D. , Netjes Justine E. , Vonk Alexander B. A. , Lemkes Jorrit , van Laarhoven Hanneke W. M. , Scherer-Rath Michael , Henriques José P. S. , Oort Frans J. , Sprangers Mirjam A. G. , Verdam Mathilde G. E.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The aims of this study were to investigate (1) the extent to which response shift occurs among patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) after coronary revascularization, (2) whether the assessment of changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL), controlled for response shift, yield more valid estimates of changes in HRQoL, as indicated by stronger associations with criterion measures of change, than without controlling for response shift, and (3) if occurrences of response shift are related to patient characteristics.

Methods

Patients with CAD completed the SF-36 and the Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ7) at baseline and 3 months after coronary revascularization. Sociodemographic, clinical and psychosocial variables were measured with the patient version of the New York Heart Association-class, Subjective Significance Questionnaire, Reconstruction of Life Events Questionnaire (RE-LIFE), and HEXACO personality inventory. Oort’s Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) approach was used to investigate response shift.

Results

191 patient completed questionnaires at baseline and at 3 months after treatment. The SF-36 showed recalibration and reprioritization response shift and the SAQ7 reconceptualization response shift. Controlling for these response shift effects did not result in more valid estimates of change. One significant association was found between reprioritization response shift and complete integration of having CAD into their life story, as indicated by the RE-LIFE.

Conclusion

Results indicate response shift in HRQoL following coronary revascularization. While we did not find an impact of response shift on the estimates of change, the SEM approach provides a more comprehensive insight into the different types of change in HRQoL following coronary revascularization.
Tracking by Deblatting
Authors: Rozumnyi Denys , Kotera Jan , Šroubek Filip , Matas Jiří
Published: June 2021

Objects moving at high speed along complex trajectories often appear in videos, especially videos of sports. Such objects travel a considerable distance during exposure time of a single frame, and therefore, their position in the frame is not well defined. They appear as semi-transparent streaks due to the motion blur and cannot be reliably tracked by general trackers. We propose a novel approach called Tracking by Deblatting based on the observation that motion blur is directly related to the intra-frame trajectory of an object. Blur is estimated by solving two intertwined inverse problems, blind deblurring and image matting, which we call deblatting. By postprocessing, non-causal Tracking by Deblatting estimates continuous, complete, and accurate object trajectories for the whole sequence. Tracked objects are precisely localized with higher temporal resolution than by conventional trackers. Energy minimization by dynamic programming is used to detect abrupt changes of motion, called bounces. High-order polynomials are then fitted to smooth trajectory segments between bounces. The output is a continuous trajectory function that assigns location for every real-valued time stamp from zero to the number of frames. The proposed algorithm was evaluated on a newly created dataset of videos from a high-speed camera using a novel Trajectory-IoU metric that generalizes the traditional Intersection over Union and measures the accuracy of the intra-frame trajectory. The proposed method outperforms the baselines both in recall and trajectory accuracy. Additionally, we show that from the trajectory function precise physical calculations are possible, such as radius, gravity, and sub-frame object velocity. Velocity estimation is compared to the high-speed camera measurements and radars. Results show high performance of the proposed method in terms of Trajectory-IoU, recall, and velocity estimation.
Hallmarks of the Political in Community Organizing: An Arendtian Perspective
Authors: Bunyan Paul
Published: June 2021

Drawing upon Hannah Arendt’s adherence to existential phenomenology, the article advances a political understanding and interpretation of community organizing. Arendt, it is maintained, offers valuable insight into political phenomena which are constitutive of community organizing. Four aspects, in particular, are highlighted—what I refer to as the four “A”s of association, action, appearance and authenticity—understood in existentialist, phenomenological, ontological and ultimately political terms, as primary ways of being-together-politically. The first part of the article examines Arendt’s existential phenomenological approach in shaping her understanding of the political. This provides the theoretical basis for examining in the second part of the article, phenomena which are constitutive of community organizing, highlighting how association, action, appearance and authenticity form distinctive political characteristics of community organizing as an approach. At different points, brief reference is made to the work of London Citizens, the largest broad-based organization in the UK, in order to illustrate the connections between Arendtian thought and community-based organizing.