bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on the shear concentration in high‐rise buildings with transfer structure and its effects on seismic performance
Authors: Jin Chenhua , Wu Chang , Pan Zuanfeng , Meng Shaoping
Published: April 2022

The architectural complexity and multifunctional requirements for modern high‐rise buildings usually lead to the utilization of combined structural systems, which typically consists of shear walls in higher zones while frames–core walls in lower zones. To fulfill reasonable load transfer between the different structural forms, transfer structures are commonly introduced in high‐rise buildings. However, the abrupt conversion in structural form usually causes shear concentration effect in the exterior walls just above the transfer structure, which is particularly vulnerable to seismic loading. In this paper, finite element models based on several types of practical high‐rise buildings were presented and analyzed to simulate the shear concentration effect in exterior walls. It was verified that the assumption of infinite stiffness in transfer structures will lead to underestimation of the shear concentration effect. The local deformations of transfer structures were demonstrated to be a key factor to scale the shear concentration. A scale factor of the shear concentration in the shear walls (SCSF) which can measure the intensity of shear concentration was defined. Parametric studies were carried out to provide insight on the influence factors of shear concentration. The results indicated that the SCSF only related to the difference between the rotation of external walls and center walls. Based on time‐history analysis, the influence of SCSF on the seismic performance of high‐rise buildings with transfer structures was studied. The results indicated that decreasing of SCSF can control the local damage caused by shear concentration, thereby improving the seismic performance of the structure.
Dowel pinning in phalangeal fractures
Authors: Kornmayer Matthias , Meyer‐Lindenberg Andrea
Published: April 2022

The objective of this case series was to report the outcome of a new technique for the surgical treatment of phalangeal fractures in cats and dogs. Medical records of cats and dogs presented with phalangeal fractures and treated with dowel pinning were retrospectively reviewed. Cases were included when a clinical examination and a radiographic follow‐up evaluation of at least 6 months were available. Complications during the healing period and the final radiographic and functional outcome were analysed. Two cats and six dogs fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Closed fractures of a single phalanx predominated. All fractures were diaphyseal, transverse and displaced. Malunions occurred in two dogs. Complete functional union was achieved in all cases at the final follow‐up. In conclusion, Dowel pinning was found to be an effective treatment for displaced, diaphyseal fractures of the proximal and the middle phalanx and a viable alternative to digit amputation.
Prediction of 5‐day biochemical oxygen demand in the Buriganga River of Bangladesh using novel hybrid machine learning algorithms
Authors: Nafsin Nabila , Li Jin
Published: April 2022

Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) is one of the most important variables indicating stream pollution with a severe condition of organic loading and maintaining aquatic life in ecosystems. Advanced monitoring techniques such as machine learning (ML) methods have been developed for an accurate, reliable, and cost‐effective prediction of BOD. This study investigated the effectiveness of four stand‐alone ML algorithms, namely, artificial neural network (ANN), support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), and gradient boosting machine (GBM), and six novel hybrid algorithms, namely, RF‐SVM, ANN‐SVM, GBM‐SVM, RF‐ANN, GBM‐ANN, and RF‐GBM, in predicting BOD of the Buriganga river system of Bangladesh. The feature importance analysis of RF algorithm indicated that chemical oxygen demand (COD), total dissolved solids (TDS), conductivity, total solids (TS), suspended solids (SS), and turbidity are the most influential parameters for predicting BOD5. The significance of this study is the application of the novel hybrid models that resulted in higher prediction success; RF‐SVM with the highest R2 value (0.908). The employed novel hybrid ML models can be particularly useful for efficient and systematic data management, water pollution control, and prevention in developing countries such as Bangladesh.

Practitioner Points

Investigated the efficiency of four stand‐alone and six novel hybrid ML models for predicting BOD in a river of Bangladesh.

The significance of this study is the application of the six novel hybrid models that resulted in higher prediction success.

The best three prediction models were RF‐SVM, ANN‐SVM, and GBM‐SVM with a prediction success of 91%, 89.6%, and 88.8% respectively.

ML models indicated COD, conductivity, TDS, TS, SS, and turbidity as the most influential variables for predicting BOD.

The novel hybrid models can be useful for developing countries for efficient systematic data management, pollution control, and prevention strategies.
Virtual Populations for Quantitative Systems Pharmacology Models
Authors: Cheng Yougan , Straube Ronny , Alnaif Abed E. , Huang Lu , Leil Tarek A. , Schmidt Brian J.
Published: April 2022

Quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP) places an emphasis on dynamic systems modeling, incorporating considerations from systems biology modeling and pharmacodynamics. The goal of QSP is often to quantitatively predict the effects of clinical therapeutics, their combinations, and their doses on clinical biomarkers and endpoints. In order to achieve this goal, strategies for incorporating clinical data into model calibration are critical. Virtual population (VPop) approaches facilitate model calibration while faced with challenges encountered in QSP model application, including modeling a breadth of clinical therapies, biomarkers, endpoints, utilizing data of varying structure and source, capturing observed clinical variability, and simulating with models that may require more substantial computational time and resources than often found in pharmacometrics applications. VPops are frequently developed in a process that may involve parameterization of isolated pathway models, integration into a larger QSP model, incorporation of clinical data, calibration, and quantitative validation that the model with the accompanying, calibrated VPop is suitable to address the intended question or help with the intended decision. Here, we introduce previous strategies for developing VPops in the context of a variety of therapeutic and safety areas: metabolic disorders, drug-induced liver injury, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. We introduce methodological considerations, prior work for sensitivity analysis and VPop algorithm design, and potential areas for future advancement. Finally, we give a more detailed application example of a VPop calibration algorithm that illustrates recent progress and many of the methodological considerations. In conclusion, although methodologies have varied, VPop strategies have been successfully applied to give valid clinical insights and predictions with the assistance of carefully defined and designed calibration and validation strategies. While a uniform VPop approach for all potential QSP applications may be challenging given the heterogeneity in use considerations, we anticipate continued innovation will help to drive VPop application for more challenging cases of greater scale while developing new rigorous methodologies and metrics.
Methode für Studie 2
Authors: Hettmann Maximilian
Published: April 2022

wurden Unterrichtsstunden von Studierenden der Experimentalgruppe für eine Annäherung an die Unterrichtsrealität videografiert und ausgewertet. Der zentrale Fokus liegt dabei auf Unterstützungssituationen im Rahmen des Förderunterrichts. Es werden Unterstützungsmuster identifiziert und beschrieben, mit denen solche Unterstützungssituationen klassifiziert werden können.
Zusammenfassende Diskussion der Ergebnisse zu Studie 2
Authors: Hettmann Maximilian
Published: April 2022

Das zentrale Anliegen dieser Arbeit ist die Erforschung professioneller Kompetenzen zur Förderung individueller Motivation in Förderkontexten. Die in Abschnitt 3.1 beschriebene Konzeptualisierung von Kompetenz geht davon aus, dass diese neben den im Rahmen der quantitativen Studie beforschten dispositionalen Faktoren das reale Verhalten in Anforderungssituationen umfasst. Um professionelle Kompetenzen auf der Ebene des konkreten Handelns mit dem Ziel zu erfassen, Ansatzpunkte für Lernangebote zu identifizieren, mit denen Lehrkräfte ihre professionellen Kompetenzen zur Motivationsförderung (weiter-)entwickeln können, muss das professionelle Handeln zunächst beschrieben und hinsichtlich Qualitätskriterien bewertet werden.
Professionelle Kompetenzen, motiviertes Lernen zu fördern
Authors: Hettmann Maximilian
Published: April 2022

Ein wichtiger Einflussfaktor im Angebots-Nutzungs-Modell (s. S. 11) von Helmke (2017) sind die Merkmale der Lehrperson mit ihrem Wissen, ihren Überzeugungen und ihrem Engagement. Dieser Faktor wirkt sich, vermittelt über das Unterrichtsangebot, auf die Lernaktivitäten der Schüler*innen und somit auf ihre fachlichen und überfachlichen Leistungen sowie erzieherische Aspekte aus. Diese Merkmale der Lehrperson werden als entscheidende Stelle zur Optimierung von Bildungs- und Lernprozessen im schulischen Kontext gesehen.
Erhebungsinstrumente für Studie 1
Authors: Hettmann Maximilian
Published: April 2022

Die Instrumente zur Untersuchung der Wissens- und Überzeugungsfacetten dienen der Untersuchung der Entwicklungen der KMLF. Sie umfassen Instrumente bzw. Fragen zu drei Aspekten: (1) ein Wissenstest zu motivationsbezogenem pädagogisch-psychologischem Wissen und der entsprechenden Sicherheit dieses Wissens, (2) Skalen zur Erfassung der motivationalen Orientierung und (3) Skalen zur Erfassung der Überzeugungen hinsichtlich des Lehrens und Lernens von Mathematik (vgl. Abschnitt 3.3; vgl. Baumert und Kunter 2006).
BEEsy Mission – das Bienenprojekt der Hochschule Pforzheim
Authors: Bertagnolli Frank , Bludau Simon , Fetzer Lea , Hadamek Lucas , Herrmann Tayla , Treick Amy
Published: April 2022

Die Hochschule Pforzheim ist mit rund 6200 Studierenden eine der größten Hochschulen für Angewandte Wissenschaften Baden-Württembergs. Dabei spielt Nachhaltigkeit und eine entsprechende Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung eine zentrale Rolle, sodass die Hochschule unter anderem die „Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME)“ unterzeichnet hat. Diese Prinzipien treiben maßgeblich die Integration der „17 Sustainable Development Goals“ in der Lehre voran.
Bienen im Kontext der Nachhaltigkeit
Authors: Bertagnolli Frank , Bludau Simon , Fetzer Lea , Hadamek Lucas , Herrmann Tayla , Treick Amy
Published: April 2022

Bienen sind ein unersetzlicher Bestandteil unserer Ökosysteme und unverzichtbar für unser aller Wohlergehen. Hierzulande werden fast 80 % aller Nutz- und Wildpflanzen von Bienen bestäubt, sodass die Biene als drittwichtigstes Nutztier nach Rind und Schwein gilt. Die Bestäubungsleistung der Bienen, die mit einem volkswirtschaftlichen Nutzen in Deutschland von rund 1,6 Mrd. EUR im Jahr beziffert wird, ist von fundamentaler Relevanz für die biologische Vielfalt und ihren Fortbestand.
Black hole attractors and U(1) Fayet-Iliopoulos gaugings: analysis and classification
Authors: Astesiano Davide , Cacciatori Sergio L. , Marrani Alessio
Published: April 2022

Abstract

We classify the critical points of the effective black hole potential which governs the attractor mechanism taking place at the horizon of static dyonic extremal black holes in $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2, D = 4 Maxwell-Einstein supergravity with U(1) Fayet-Iliopoulos gaugings. We use a manifestly symplectic covariant formalism, and we consider both spherical and hyperbolic horizons, recognizing the relevant sub-classes to which some representative examples belong. We also exploit projective special Kähler geometry of vector multiplets scalar manifolds, the U-duality-invariant quartic structure (and 2-polarizations thereof) in order to retrieve and generalize various expressions of the entropy of asymptotically AdS4 BPS black holes, in the cases in which the scalar manifolds are symmetric spaces. Finally, we present a novel static extremal black hole solution to the STU model, in which the dilaton interpolates between an hyperbolic near-horizon geometry and AdS4 at infinity.
The Cauchy problem for 3-evolution equations with data in Gelfand–Shilov spaces
Authors: Arias Junior Alexandre , Ascanelli Alessia , Cappiello Marco
Published: April 2022

We consider the Cauchy problem for a third-order evolution operator P with (t, x)-depending coefficients and complex-valued lower-order terms. We assume the initial data to be Gevrey regular with an exponential decay at infinity, that is, the data belong to some Gelfand–Shilov space of type $${\mathscr {S}}$$
S
. Under suitable assumptions on the decay at infinity of the imaginary parts of the coefficients of P we prove the existence of a solution with the same Gevrey regularity of the data and we describe its behavior for $$|x| \rightarrow \infty $$

|
x
|
→
∞

.
Strict Positive Definiteness of Convolutional and Axially Symmetric Kernels on d-Dimensional Spheres
Authors: Buhmann Martin , Jäger Janin
Published: April 2022

The paper introduces new sufficient conditions of strict positive definiteness for kernels on d-dimensional spheres which are not radially symmetric but possess specific coefficient structures. The results use the series expansion of the kernel in spherical harmonics. The kernels either have a convolutional form or are axially symmetric with respect to one axis. The given results on convolutional kernels generalise the result derived by Chen et al. (Proc Am Math Soc 131:2733–2740, 2003) for radial kernels.
Cannabidiol but not cannabidiolic acid reduces behavioural sensitisation to methamphetamine in rats, at pharmacologically effective doses
Authors: Umpierrez Laísa S. , Costa Priscila A. , Michelutti Eden A. , Baracz Sarah J. , Sauer Melanie , Turner Anita J. , Everett Nicholas A. , Arnold Jonathon C. , McGregor Iain S. , Cornish Jennifer L.
Published: April 2022

Rationale

Cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) are non-psychoactive components of the cannabis plant. CBD has been well characterised to have anxiolytic and anticonvulsant activity, whereas the behavioural effects of CBDA are less clear. Preclinical and clinical data suggests that CBD has antipsychotic properties and reduces methamphetamine self-administration in rats. An animal model that is commonly used to mimic the neurochemical changes underlying psychosis and drug dependence is methamphetamine (METH) sensitisation, where repeated administration of the psychostimulant progressively increases the locomotor effects of METH.

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine whether CBD or CBDA attenuate METH-induced sensitisation of locomotor hyperactivity in rats.

Methods

Eighty-six male Sprague Dawley rats underwent METH sensitisation protocol where they were subjected to daily METH (1 mg/kg on days 2 and 8, 5 mg/kg on days 3–7; i.p.) injections for 7 days. After 21 days of withdrawal, rats were given a prior injection of CBD (0, 40 and 80 mg/kg; i.p.) or CBDA (0, 0.1, 10 and 1000 µg/kg; i.p.) and challenged with acute METH (1 mg/kg; i.p.). Locomotor activity was then measured for 60 min.

Results

Rats displayed robust METH sensitisation as evidenced by increased locomotor activity to METH challenge in METH-pretreated versus SAL-pretreated rats. CBD (40 and 80 mg/kg) reduced METH-induced sensitisation. There was no effect of any CBDA doses on METH sensitisation or acute METH-induced hyperactivity.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate that CBD, but not CBDA, reduces METH sensitisation of locomotor activity in rats at pharmacologically effective doses, thus reinforcing evidence that CBD has anti-addiction and antipsychotic properties.
Infiltrative growth pattern of prostate cancer is associated with lower uptake on PSMA PET and reduced diffusion restriction on mpMRI
Authors: Laudicella Riccardo , Rüschoff Jan H. , Ferraro Daniela A. , Brada Muriel D. , Hausmann Daniel , Mebert Iliana , Maurer Alexander , Hermanns Thomas , Eberli Daniel , Rupp Niels J. , Burger Irene A.
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Recently, a significant association was shown between novel growth patterns on histopathology of prostate cancer (PCa) and prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) uptake on [68Ga]PSMA-PET. It is the aim of this study to evaluate the association between these growth patterns and ADC (mm2/1000 s) values in comparison to [68Ga]PSMA uptake on PET/MRI.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated patients who underwent [68Ga]PSMA PET/MRI for staging or biopsy guidance, followed by radical prostatectomy at our institution between 07/2016 and 01/2020. The dominant lesion per patient was selected based on histopathology and correlated to PET/MRI in a multidisciplinary meeting, and quantified using SUVmax for PSMA uptake and ADCmean for diffusion restriction. PCa growth pattern was classified as expansive (EXP) or infiltrative (INF) according to its properties of forming a tumoral mass or infiltrating diffusely between benign glands by two independent pathologists. Furthermore, the corresponding WHO2016 ISUP tumor grade was evaluated. The t test was used to compare means, Pearson’s test for categorical correlation, Cohen’s kappa test for interrater agreement, and ROC curve to determine the best cutoff.

Results

Sixty-two patients were included (mean PSA 11.7 ± 12.5). The interrater agreement between both pathologists was almost perfect with κ = 0.81. While 25 lesions had an EXP-growth with an ADCmean of 0.777 ± 0.109, 37 showed an INF-growth with a significantly higher ADCmean of 1.079 ± 0.262 (p < 0.001). We also observed a significant difference regarding PSMA SUVmax for the EXP-growth (19.2 ± 10.9) versus the INF-growth (9.4 ± 6.2, p < 0.001). Within the lesions encompassing the EXP- or the INF-growth, no significant correlation between the ISUP groups and ADCmean could be observed (p = 0.982 and p = 0.861, respectively).

Conclusion

PCa with INF-growth showed significantly lower SUVmax and higher ADCmean values compared to PCa with EXP-growth. Within the growth groups, ADCmean values were independent from ISUP grading.
Hospital frailty risk score predicts adverse events in spine surgery
Authors: Pulido Loreto C. , Meyer Matthias , Reinhard Jan , Kappenschneider Tobias , Grifka Joachim , Weber Markus
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The Hospital Frailty Risk Score (HFRS) is derived from routinely collected data and validated as a geriatric risk stratification tool. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of the HFRS as a predictor for postoperative adverse events in spine surgery.

Methods

In this retrospective analysis of 2042 patients undergoing spine surgery at a university spine center between 2011 and 2019, HFRS was calculated for each patient. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between the HFRS and postoperative adverse events. Adverse events were compared between patients with high or low frailty risk.

Results

Patients with intermediate or high frailty risk showed a higher rate of reoperation (19.7% vs. 12.2%, p < 0.01), surgical site infection (3.4% vs. 0.4%, p < 0.001), internal complications (4.1% vs. 1.1%, p < 0.01), Clavien–Dindo IV complications (8.8% vs. 3.4%, p < 0.001) and transfusion (10.9% vs. 1.5%, p < 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed a high HFRS as independent risk factor for reoperation [odds ratio (OR) = 1.1; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0–1.2], transfusion (OR = 1.3; 95% CI 1.2–1.4), internal complications (OR = 1.2; 95% CI 1.1–1.3), surgical site infections (OR = 1.3; 95% CI 1.2–1.5) and other complications (OR = 1.3; 95% CI 1.2–1.4).

Conclusion

The HFRS can predict adverse events and is an easy instrument, fed from routine hospital data. By identifying risk patients at an early stage, the individual patient risk could be minimized, which leads to less complications and lower costs.

Level of evidence

Level III – retrospective cohort study

Trial registration

The study was approved by the local ethics committee (20-1821-104) of the University of Regensburg in February 2020.
A nutraceutical formulation combined with sclerofoam-assisted laser treatment ameliorates chronic venous insufficiency
Authors: Palmieri Beniamino , Vadalà Maria , Urso Simone Ugo , Baldini Laura Ornella , Fanelli Caterina , Morales-Medina Julio Cesar , Iannitti Tommaso
Published: April 2022

Chronic venous insufficiency has a high impact on the healthcare system due to its high incidence worldwide. We performed a study in 30 women with thigh and leg varices due to major saphenous vein valve incontinence with saphenous trunk reflux causing phlebo-lymphoedema to assess the efficacy of sclerofoam-assisted laser treatment combined with nutraceutical administration. The patients underwent endovascular combination sealing of the saphenous trunk with sclerofoam-assisted laser treatment technique into the major saphenous veins under low-volume tumescent anesthesia followed by intraoperative phlebectomies. Post-operatively, the patients received capsules containing Aesculus Hippocastanum, chondroitin sulphate, proanthocyanidins from Pinus pinaster Aiton, proanthocyanidins from Vitis vinifera L., hydrolysed marine collagen and carcinine dihydrochloride for 3 weeks. We evaluated the extracellular fluid volume of the lower limbs using bioimpedance spectroscopy pre- (T0) and post-surgery (T2) (impedance is a vector which is composed of two components, resistance [RES] and reactance [REA)]). In addition, we evaluated the following parameters pre- and post-surgery: pain, heaviness, paresthesia, itching, swelling, daily urine volume output and leg volume. Limb volume was significantly decreased at T2 compared to T0 (p < 0.01). RES and REA were significantly increased at T2 compared to T0 (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.01, respectively). A significant improvement in heaviness, paresthesia, pain, swelling and itch was also observed (all p < 0.0001) while no changes in terms of diuresis occurred. No adverse effects were observed. The present study shows a promising approach to the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency that warrants further clinical studies in larger cohorts of patients.
How do tax compliance labels impact sharing platform consumers? An empirical study on the interplay of trust, moral, and intention to book
Authors: Dann David , Müller Raphael , Werner Ann-Catherin , Teubner Timm , Mädche Alexander , Spengel Christoph
Published: April 2022

The platform economy has generated various new and highly successful business models. However, certain models facilitate tax evasion for service providers on their income earned on these platforms. While tax evasion contradicts the pro-social claim of many sharing platforms, it is unclear whether a provider’s tax honesty constitutes a value for consumers at all. This study investigates the role of tax compliance for platform users by employing an online experiment ($$n=286$$n=286). The results indicate that consumers perceive providers’ tax compliance and consider it as a trust-enhancing signal. In further analysis, we find that consumers’ moral norms moderate both the signal’s trust-building effect as well as the relation between trust and transaction intention. In light of recent policy debates around taxing the platform economy, this study provides valuable practical insights for tax legislators.
T2* assessment of the three coronary artery territories of the left ventricular wall by different monoexponential truncation methods
Authors: Triadyaksa Pandji , Overbosch Jelle , Oudkerk Matthijs , Sijens Paul Eduard
Published: April 2022

Objectives

This study aimed at evaluating left ventricular myocardial pixel-wise T2* using two truncation methods for different iron deposition T2* ranges and comparison of segmental T2* in different coronary artery territories.

Material and methods

Bright blood multi-gradient echo data of 30 patients were quantified by pixel-wise monoexponential T2* fitting with its R2 and SNR truncation. T2* was analyzed at different iron classifications. At low iron classification, T2* values were also analyzed by coronary artery territories.

Results

The right coronary artery has a significantly higher T2* value than the other coronary artery territories. No significant difference was found in classifying severe iron by the two truncation methods in any myocardial region, whereas in moderate iron, it is only apparent at septal segments. The R2 truncation produces a significantly higher T2* value than the SNR method when low iron is indicated.

Conclusion

Clear T2* differentiation between the three coronary territories by the two truncation methods is demonstrated. The two truncation methods can be used interchangeably in classifying severe and moderate iron deposition at the recommended septal region. However, in patients with low iron indication, different results by the two truncation methods can mislead the investigation of early iron level progression.
Breast cancer microenvironment and obesity: challenges for therapy
Authors: Hillers-Ziemer Lauren E. , Kuziel Genevra , Williams Abbey E. , Moore Brittney N. , Arendt Lisa M.
Published: April 2022

Women with obesity who develop breast cancer have a worsened prognosis with diminished survival rates and increased rates of metastasis. Obesity is also associated with decreased breast cancer response to endocrine and chemotherapeutic treatments. Studies utilizing multiple in vivo models of obesity as well as human breast tumors have enhanced our understanding of how obesity alters the breast tumor microenvironment. Changes in the complement and function of adipocytes, adipose-derived stromal cells, immune cells, and endothelial cells and remodeling of the extracellular matrix all contribute to the rapid growth of breast tumors in the context of obesity. Interactions of these cells enhance secretion of cytokines and adipokines as well as local levels of estrogen within the breast tumor microenvironment that promote resistance to multiple therapies. In this review, we will discuss our current understanding of the impact of obesity on the breast tumor microenvironment, how obesity-induced changes in cellular interactions promote resistance to breast cancer treatments, and areas for development of treatment interventions for breast cancer patients with obesity.
The Ground Truth program: simulations as test beds for social science research methods
Authors: Naugle Asmeret , Russell Adam , Lakkaraju Kiran , Swiler Laura , Verzi Stephen , Romero Vicente
Published: April 2022

Social systems are uniquely complex and difficult to study, but understanding them is vital to solving the world’s problems. The Ground Truth program developed a new way of testing the research methods that attempt to understand and leverage the Human Domain and its associated complexities. The program developed simulations of social systems as virtual world test beds. Not only were these simulations able to produce data on future states of the system under various circumstances and scenarios, but their causal ground truth was also explicitly known. Research teams studied these virtual worlds, facilitating deep validation of causal inference, prediction, and prescription methods. The Ground Truth program model provides a way to test and validate research methods to an extent previously impossible, and to study the intricacies and interactions of different components of research.
Missing the wealthy in the HFCS: micro problems with macro implications
Authors: Waltl Sofie R. , Chakraborty Robin
Published: April 2022

Wealth aggregates implied by the Household Finance and Consumption Survey (HFCS) usually yield much lower amounts than macroeconomic statistics reported in the National Accounts. An important source of this gap may be the under-representation of the wealthiest households in the HFCS. This article therefore combines a semi-parametric Pareto model estimated from top survey data and observations from rich lists with a non-parametric stratification approach to quantify the impact of the missing wealthy households on component-specific micro-macro gaps. We find that unadjusted micro data substantially underestimates wealth inequality. The largest effects are documented for equity. For other components, the missing wealthy explain less than ten percentage points of the micro-macro gap. We find that differences in oversampling strategies limit the cross-country comparability of unadjusted survey-implied wealth distributions and that our top tail adjustment leads to measures that are internationally better comparable.
‘But You Could Have Hurt Me!’: Risk and Harm
Authors: Bowen Joseph
Published: April 2022

This paper answers two questions. First, on the assumption that risk of harm is of moral significance, does risk’s moral significance lay in its being harmful? Second, is risk of harm itself harmful? I argue that either risk is not harmful or that risk is harmful only in a small range of cases. If risk is not harmful, and yet risk is of moral significance, risk’s moral significance cannot lie in its being harmful. And if risk is harmful only in a small range of the cases in which risk is of moral significance, risk’s moral significance cannot lie in its being harmful.
Algorithm selection on a meta level
Authors: Tornede Alexander , Gehring Lukas , Tornede Tanja , Wever Marcel , Hüllermeier Eyke
Published: April 2022

The problem of selecting an algorithm that appears most suitable for a specific instance of an algorithmic problem class, such as the Boolean satisfiability problem, is called instance-specific algorithm selection. Over the past decade, the problem has received considerable attention, resulting in a number of different methods for algorithm selection. Although most of these methods are based on machine learning, surprisingly little work has been done on meta learning, that is, on taking advantage of the complementarity of existing algorithm selection methods in order to combine them into a single superior algorithm selector. In this paper, we introduce the problem of meta algorithm selection, which essentially asks for the best way to combine a given set of algorithm selectors. We present a general methodological framework for meta algorithm selection as well as several concrete learning methods as instantiations of this framework, essentially combining ideas of meta learning and ensemble learning. In an extensive experimental evaluation, we demonstrate that ensembles of algorithm selectors can significantly outperform single algorithm selectors and have the potential to form the new state of the art in algorithm selection.
Constructivist Facts as the Bridge Between Is and Ought
Authors: Hage Jaap
Published: April 2022

This article describes how the facts in social reality take an intermediate position between objective facts and purely subjective ‘facts’. In turn, these social facts can be subdivided into constructivist and non-constructivist facts. The defining difference is that non-constructivist facts are completely determined by an approximate consensus between the members of a social group, while constructivist facts are founded in such a consensus but can nevertheless be questioned. Ought fact are such constructivist facts. Because they are founded in social reality, a naturalistic theory of ought facts is attractive. Because constructivist facts are always open to questioning, we can explain why the facts in social reality may found ought facts but are nevertheless not the final word about them.
Effects of micronized bamboo powder on growth performance, serum biochemical indexes, cecal chyme microflora and metabolism of broilers aged 1–22 days
Authors: Dai Fawen , Lin Tao , Cheng Lumin , Wang Jian , Zuo Jianjun , Feng Dingyuan
Published: April 2022

Adding insoluble fiber to diet of broilers has been reported to improve intestinal health and promote growth performance. Bamboo powder is a cheap raw material with rich insoluble fiber. This study aims to explore the effects of feeding micronized bamboo powder (MBP) on growth performance, serum biochemical indexes, intestinal microflora, and metabolism of broilers. A total of 1440 1-day-old slow-growing Ephedra chickens were randomly divided into three groups considering gender and body weight: (1) Group D: feeding with basal diet without antibiotics; (2) Group E: feeding with basal diet supplemented with 5% rice bran (RB); (3) Group F: feeding with basal diet supplemented with 1% MBP. Each group involved 8 replicates feeding for 22 days, with 60 chickens per replicate. Various indexes were detected. For the growth performance, the weight gain and feed consumption ratio (G: F) of Group F supplemented with MBP is 0.57 ± 0.04, which is significantly higher than that of E group supplemented with RB (0.52 ± 0.01, P < 0.05). For the serum biochemical indexes, the glutathione peroxidase activity in Group F is significantly higher than that of Group D, while the malondialdehyde content is significantly lower than that of Group D and Group E (P < 0.05 for all). The fresh cecal chyme is taken for determination. In Group F, the α diversity index Faith_pd is significantly lower in Group F than that of Group D. The microorganism species in cecal chyme of Group F and Group E are also different. The metabolic pathways of Group F, mainly in fatty acid metabolism, amino acid metabolism and intestinal immune IgA production, were different from those of Group D and Group E. Adding 1% MBP to broiler diet can enhance the anti-oxidant capacity, improve chyme microflora, regulate the metabolism pathways responsible for intestinal fatty acids, amino acids, and immunity.
An efficient hybrid method for 3D to 2D medical image registration
Authors: Saadat Shabnam , Perriman Diana , Scarvell Jennie M. , Smith Paul N. , Galvin Catherine R. , Lynch Joseph , Pickering Mark R.
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a method for registration of 3D computed tomography to 2D single-plane fluoroscopy knee images to provide 3D motion information for knee joints. This 3D kinematic information has unique utility for examining joint kinematics in conditions such as ligament injury, osteoarthritis and after joint replacement.

Methods

We proposed a non-invasive rigid body image registration method which is based on two different multimodal similarity measures. This hybrid registration method helps to achieve a trade-off among different challenges including, time complexity and accuracy.

Results

We performed a number of experiments to evaluate the performance of the proposed method. The experimental results show that the proposed method is as accurate as one of the most recent registration methods while it is several times faster than that method.

Conclusion

The proposed method is a non-invasive, fast and accurate registration method, which can provide 3D information for knee joint kinematic measurements. This information can be very helpful in improving the accuracy of diagnosis and providing targeted treatment.
Workforce planning in production with flexible or budgeted employee training and volatile demand
Authors: Heuser Patricia , Letmathe Peter , Schinner Matthias
Published: April 2022

Companies have to adapt their product portfolio to rapidly changing markets and high demand volatility. As a result, they need to invest in workforce learning and training measures to gain flexibility. Especially during ramp-up phases employees have to adjust their skill set to new production requirements. While traditional employee training models focus on a condensed period of training at the beginning of a production ramp-up, we aim to shed light on the effectiveness of more flexible concepts of training with a general availability of training measures during a product’s life cycle. We budget training in two dimensions, (1) training capacity per period and (2) periods that do not allow training. To analyze the impact of different training scenarios, a multi-period workforce scheduling problem with workers who learn through learning-by-doing and training is considered. The model further incorporates forgetting. We distinguish a flexible and a budgeted training environment. In the budgeted setting, training measures are only available in the first periods of a production ramp-up to a limited extent. Data from a computational study with 600 scenarios and near-optimal solutions are analyzed statistically to derive insights into an employee’s skill development. Overall, we investigate different training strategies under demand volatility and capacity scenarios and analyze the specific outcomes in order to provide managerial implications. Our results indicate that traditional budgeting of training measures has a negative effect on employee learning. The negative impact of budgeting is stronger when production capacity is scarce and demand cannot be fully satisfied.
Plant taxonomic species and their role in the workflow of integrative species delimitation
Authors: Mayo Simon Joseph
Published: April 2022

The species of classical taxonomy are examined with a view to their future role in integrative taxonomy. Taxonomic species are presented as the products of a cyclic workflow between taxonomists and biologists in general, and as the essential means to express the results of evolutionary biological research in a cognitive form which can be widely understood outside the systematics research community. In the first part, the procedures underlying the formation and structure of classical species taxon concepts are analysed and discussed, and this involves some passing reference to mental concepts as understood by cognitive psychologists. The second part considers the need for methodological advances in classical taxonomy in the form of computational modelling. It is argued that in order to accomplish this, species taxon concepts will need to be expressed as computable matrices in parallel to their conventional form, expanding their role in integrative taxonomy, facilitating the feedback from evolutionary biological research and potentially accelerating the update and modification of their delimitation as knowledge increases. The third part treats another, more immediate methodological issue: some kinds of data already produced by taxonomic revisions could be provided as standard online outputs but are not yet part of the canonical published format. The final part consists of a discussion of the gradually emerging global online framework of taxonomic species and its importance as a general reference system. A glossary of terms is provided.
Existence of solutions for singular double phase problems via the Nehari manifold method
Authors: Liu Wulong , Dai Guowei , Papageorgiou Nikolaos S. , Winkert Patrick
Published: April 2022

In this paper we study quasilinear elliptic equations driven by the double phase operator and a right-hand side which has the combined effect of a singular and of a parametric term. Based on the fibering method by using the Nehari manifold we are going to prove the existence of at least two weak solutions for such problems when the parameter is sufficiently small.
Electroanalytical determination of Al(III) ion in petroleum water samples using symmetric 1,3-diamine-based Schiff base as a carrier
Authors: Ali Tamer Awad , El-Henawy Samy B. , Mohamed Gehad G.
Published: April 2022

The capacity of a synthetic (N1E,N3E)-N1,N3-bis(quinolin-2-ylmethylene)benzene-1,3-diamine Schiff base ligand to operate as a cation carrier in a poly(vinylchloride) (PVC) membrane (electrode I) and screen-printed ion-selective electrode (SPE) (electrode II) was investigated. The screen-printed and the fabricated poly(vinylchloride) membrane (PVC) electrodes displayed outstanding response properties for Al(III) ions. The electrodes had linear potential response with a slope of 17.95 ± 0.14 and 19.80 ± 0.46 mV decade−1in the concentration range of 1.0 × 10−5–1.0 × 10−1and 1.0 × 10−7–1.0 × 10−1 mol L−1for electrode I and electrode II, respectively. The detection limit of the proposed sensors is 2.1 × 10−6and 6.3 × 10−8 mol L−1, and it can be used over a period of 35 and 190 days for electrode I and electrode II, respectively. The suggested sensors showed strong selectivity against a wide range of other cations, including alkali, alkaline earth, heavy, and transition metals, and could be employed in pH ranges of 3.0–6.0 and 2.5–6.5 for electrode I and electrode II, respectively. The effect of several plasticizers has been studied. These electrodes had been successfully used to determine Al(III) in aqueous solution and various real water samples. They used as an indicator electrodes in aluminum ion potentiometric titration against standard EDTA solution. The devised approach was used to determine the concentration of Al(III) in several real water samples with high percentage recoveries and low standard and relative standard deviation values. The results were in good agreement with those obtained using atomic absorption spectrometry as indicated from the calculatedt- andF-test values.
Local finiteness and automorphism groups of low complexity subshifts
Authors: PAVLOV RONNIE , SCHMIEDING SCOTT
Published: April 2022

We prove that for any transitive subshift X with word complexity function
$c_n(X)$
, if
$\liminf ({\log (c_n(X)/n)}/({\log \log \log n})) = 0$
, then the quotient group
${{\mathrm {Aut}(X,\sigma )}/{\langle \sigma \rangle }}$
of the automorphism group of X by the subgroup generated by the shift
$\sigma $
is locally finite. We prove that significantly weaker upper bounds on
$c_n(X)$
imply the same conclusion if the gap conjecture from geometric group theory is true. Our proofs rely on a general upper bound for the number of automorphisms of X of range n in terms of word complexity, which may be of independent interest. As an application, we are also able to prove that for any subshift X, if
${c_n(X)}/{n^2 (\log n)^{-1}} \rightarrow 0$
, then
$\mathrm {Aut}(X,\sigma )$
is amenable, improving a result of Cyr and Kra. In the opposite direction, we show that for any countable infinite locally finite group G and any unbounded increasing
$f: \mathbb {N} \rightarrow \mathbb {N}$
, there exists a minimal subshift X with
${{\mathrm {Aut}(X,\sigma )}/{\langle \sigma \rangle }}$
isomorphic to G and
${c_n(X)}/{nf(n)} \rightarrow 0$
.
The Jaén Stone Bowl Tradition and Ceja de Selva Contributions to Early Andean Exchange Networks
Authors: Clasby Ryan
Published: April 2022

Pedro Rojas's 1961 excavation of numerous stone vessels at the Huayurco site has led scholars to suspect that the Jaén region of the northeastern Peruvian Andes was an important center of early ceremonial stone bowl production. This discovery not only provided clear evidence of an independent craft technology within theceja de selva, or eastern Andean tropical montane forest, but the similarity of these stone vessels to examples found at coastal and highland Andean sites also suggested that the Jaén region produced these vessels as a means of participating within early interregional exchange networks. Because empirical evidence of tropical forest exchange items within coastal and highland sites is difficult to obtain because of these items’ suspected perishable nature, the stone vessels represented an alternative means for understanding early Andean–Amazonian relations. Despite the importance of this discovery, little follow-up investigation has been conducted. In this article, I define the Jaén stone vessel tradition on the basis of form, design, and technology. I then review the archaeological literature on early Andean stone vessels to show how these vessels help articulate Jaén's participation within Andean interaction spheres between 2500 and 800 BC.
PROFILE ECOCRITICISM AND ANCIENT ENVIRONMENTS
Authors: Schliephake Christopher
Published: April 2022

As an academic movement, ecocriticism first appeared on the scene of literary and cultural studies in the later twentieth century. Since then, it has become one of the fastest-growing areas of study and interdisciplinary research in the humanities. Once defined as ‘the study of the relationship between literature and the physical environment’ (C. Glotfelty, The Ecocriticism Reader [1996], p. xix), ecocriticism is a form of literary and cultural criticism that pays special attention to environmental issues and ecological relations in texts and discourses. It studies the way in which diverse historical traditions have rendered the myriad interrelationships between human societies and their respective surroundings.
Influence of breed and parasite challenge on the immune response to naturally acquired intestinal nematode infection in sheep
Authors: Albuquerque A.C.A. , Almeida F.A. , Bassetto C.C. , Lins J.G.G. , Amarante A.F.T.
Published: April 2022

Natural infection by intestinal nematodes was assessed in Santa Ines and Ile de France sheep breeds, over a five-month grazing period, with emphasis on the development of the immune response in lambs under two anthelmintic treatment regimens. Nineteen Santa Ines and 19 Ile de France male lambs were allocated into two treatment groups: animals under suppressive treatment with anthelmintics; and animals under targeted selective treatment (TST). The nematodes Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Strongyloides papillosus showed the highest infection intensity in the TST animals in both breeds. Parasite-specific immunoglobulin G levels were significantly higher and more rapidly induced in Santa Ines lambs. Additionally, these lambs had higher levels of parasite-specific immunoglobulin A in intestinal mucus. Animals under TST had higher means of mast cells and globule leukocytes in the intestinal mucosa due to longer and greater parasite challenge in comparison with the suppressive group. A breed effect (P < 0.05) was recorded for mast cells, with Santa Ines lambs presenting the highest counts. Although Santa Ines lambs had lower intestinal nematode counts than Ile de France lambs, they had shown a large variation in T. colubriformis burden, with most of them presenting a marked worm burden, despite showing an earlier and more intense immune response to intestinal nematode infection.
LEAD FIGURINES FROM THE SANCTUARY OF ARTEMIS ORTHIA AT SPARTA IN THE ART GALLERY OF GREATER VICTORIA (CANADA): PROBLEMS OF TYPOLOGY AND COLLECTIONS HISTORY
Authors: Braun Graham C. , Engstrom Jacob M.
Published: April 2022

This paper presents the collections history and typological characteristics of a small collection of Laconian lead figurines from the sanctuary of Artemis Orthia currently held in the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The collection, which first belonged to Ramsay Traquair, serves as a case study for the applicability of the traditional lead figurine typology to decontextualised artefacts, demonstrating its limitations for assigning precise and accurate dates based on style without the benefit of stratigraphic and contextual evidence. The paper further attests to the value of comprehensively analysing small museum and gallery collections in order to gain more individualised understandings of the figurines within the large Laconian corpus than could be afforded upon excavation. Thus, this study helps to elucidate some of the limitations to the means by which we interpret Laconian material culture as well as to nuance our understanding of Laconian lead figurines by demonstrating the varied capability of the typology and published comparanda in dating and stylistic description.