bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Challenges in measuring nitrogen isotope signatures in inorganic nitrogen forms: An interlaboratory comparison of three common measurement approaches
Authors: Biasi Christina , Jokinen Simo , Prommer Judith , Ambus Per , Dörsch Peter , Yu Longfei , Granger Steve , Boeckx Pascal , Van Nieuland Katja , Brüggemann Nicolas , Wissel Holger , Voropaev Andrey , Zilberman Tami , Jäntti Helena , Trubnikova Tatiana , Welti Nina , Voigt Carolina , Gebus‐Czupyt Beata , Czupyt Zbigniew , Wanek Wolfgang
Published: July 2022

Rationale

Stable isotope approaches are increasingly applied to better understand the cycling of inorganic nitrogen (Ni) forms, key limiting nutrients in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. A systematic comparison of the accuracy and precision of the most commonly used methods to analyze δ15N in NO3− and NH4+ and interlaboratory comparison tests to evaluate the comparability of isotope results between laboratories are, however, still lacking.

Methods

Here, we conducted an interlaboratory comparison involving 10 European laboratories to compare different methods and laboratory performance to measure δ15N in NO3− and NH4+. The approaches tested were (a) microdiffusion (MD), (b) chemical conversion (CM), which transforms Ni to either N2O (CM‐N2O) or N2 (CM‐N2), and (c) the denitrifier (DN) methods.

Results

The study showed that standards in their single forms were reasonably replicated by the different methods and laboratories, with laboratories applying CM‐N2O performing superior for both NO3− and NH4+, followed by DN. Laboratories using MD significantly underestimated the “true” values due to incomplete recovery and also those using CM‐N2 showed issues with isotope fractionation. Most methods and laboratories underestimated the at%15N of Ni of labeled standards in their single forms, but relative errors were within maximal 6% deviation from the real value and therefore acceptable. The results showed further that MD is strongly biased by nonspecificity. The results of the environmental samples were generally highly variable, with standard deviations (SD) of up to ± 8.4‰ for NO3− and ± 32.9‰ for NH4+; SDs within laboratories were found to be considerably lower (on average 3.1‰). The variability could not be connected to any single factor but next to errors due to blank contamination, isotope normalization, and fractionation, and also matrix effects and analytical errors have to be considered.

Conclusions

The inconsistency among all methods and laboratories raises concern about reported δ15N values particularly from environmental samples.
Differentially private resilient distributed cooperative online estimation over digraphs
Authors: Wang Jimin , Zhang Ji‐Feng , Liu Xiao‐Kang
Published: July 2022

This article investigates resilient distributed online estimation (DOE) in unreliable directed networks with differential privacy requirements. In the network considered, some agents are subject to Byzantine attacks and thus could send arbitrary incorrect messages to their neighbors. The remaining agents aim to collaboratively estimate the value of an unknown vector parameter while protecting their private data. In this article, by adding private noises to mask the estimate, a stochastic approximation‐type resilient differentially private DOE algorithm is proposed to protect the privacy of sensitive information. A time‐varying step size is introduced to attenuate the divergence caused by the private noise, and furthermore, guarantees the convergence of the algorithm. When the directed graph is +1)‐robust, the algorithm is shown to be both mean square and almost sure convergence in the sense of ‐differential privacy. A simulation example is given to verify the effectiveness and superiority of the algorithm.
Self‐triggered predictive control of nonlinear systems using approximation model
Authors: Yang Lixing , Dauchert Samuel A. , Wang Xiaofeng
Published: July 2022

This article studies discrete‐time model predictive control of continuous‐time nonlinear systems with measurement noises and exogenous disturbances. We consider the co‐design of discrete‐time finite horizon optimal control problem (FHOCP) and the associated self‐triggering schemes that schedule the time instants for sampling the state and computing the FHOCP. The state‐dependent nature of the self‐triggered scheduling can not only dynamically adjust the inter‐sampling period according to the system status, but dynamically discretize the model used in the FHOCP as well, in order to reduce the complexity of the FHOCP if designed appropriately. It is shown that the system can be stabilized with uniform ultimate boundedness, as long as the scheduling scheme matches the approximation model such that the one‐step approximation error between the predicted state and the actual state is below a threshold related to the cost function. These results can be applied to most existing model approximation methods with either fixed or time‐varying sampling rates.
Semiparametric analysis of a generalized linear model with multiple covariates subject to detection limits
Authors: Chen Ling‐Wan , Fine Jason P. , Bair Eric , Ritter Victor S. , McElrath Thomas F. , Cantonwine David E. , Meeker John D. , Ferguson Kelly K. , Zhao Shanshan
Published: August 2022

Studies on the health effects of environmental mixtures face the challenge of limit of detection (LOD) in multiple correlated exposure measurements. Conventional approaches to deal with covariates subject to LOD, including complete‐case analysis, substitution methods, and parametric modeling of covariate distribution, are feasible but may result in efficiency loss or bias. With a single covariate subject to LOD, a flexible semiparametric accelerated failure time (AFT) model to accommodate censored measurements has been proposed. We generalize this approach by considering a multivariate AFT model for the multiple correlated covariates subject to LOD and a generalized linear model for the outcome. A two‐stage procedure based on semiparametric pseudo‐likelihood is proposed for estimating the effects of these covariates on health outcome. Consistency and asymptotic normality of the estimators are derived for an arbitrary fixed dimension of covariates. Simulations studies demonstrate good large sample performance of the proposed methods vs conventional methods in realistic scenarios. We illustrate the practical utility of the proposed method with the LIFECODES birth cohort data, where we compare our approach to existing approaches in an analysis of multiple urinary trace metals in association with oxidative stress in pregnant women.
Design and implementation of the new Italian healthcare digital interoperable registry for implantable medical devices
Authors: Bacocco Duilio Luca , Carrani Eugenio , Ciciani Bruno , Di Sanzo Pierangelo , Leotta Francesco , Torre Marina
Published: July 2022

Nowadays, the role played by registries in monitoring and improving healthcare, including the quality of medical devices, is widely recognized. A well‐designed digital healthcare registry, in particular regarding data collection procedures and tools, can effectively support goals such as monitoring a (large) population subject to a specific condition, describing the natural history of diseases, supporting observational study methods, as well as evaluating the clinical effectiveness or cost effectiveness of healthcare products and services. This article describes the architecture of a new platform implementing a digital interoperable healthcare registry, the Italian Implantable Prostheses Registry (RIPI). One of the main goals of RIPI is to provide reliable and high‐quality data for monitoring surgery outcomes, performing survival analysis, assessing the safety of devices and procedures, and supporting the traceability of patients. The article focuses on the key aspects and choices that guided the design and implementation processes of the new platform. Most of the design choices came from specific requirements to fulfill, in particular concerning data quality, access policy, interoperability, extensibility and modularity. Overall, the article discusses the main challenges and the adopted solutions, proposing a design perspective and describing an experience of interest for computer scientists, engineers and practitioners, in particular in the area of healthcare information systems.
Curative‐intent minimal ostectomy for canine oral osteoma
Authors: Thompson Jamie‐Leigh , Malbon Alexandra , Hall Jon L.
Published: July 2022

Two dogs were referred for the investigation and treatment of incidentally identified oral osteomas. Recurrence following incomplete excision of osteoma is likely, and traditionally, the recommended treatment is surgical excision with 2 cm margins. Both dogs underwent surgical excision with a minimum 1 mm margin using a high‐speed bur. This novel surgical approach allowed complete excision while preserving functionality and normal appearance in both dogs. No complications were reported, and no recurrence was observed in the subsequent 24 months. Marginal ostectomy should be considered as a surgical option for benign osteoma of the mandible and maxilla with the possibility of curative‐intent resection, minimising morbidity, simplifying surgery and preserving cosmesis.
Climate change impacts on rainfed agriculture and mitigation strategies for sustainable agricultural management: A case study of Prince Edward Island, Canada
Authors: Bhatti Ahmad Zeeshan , Farooque Aitazaz Ahsan , Krouglicof Nicholas , Peters Wayne , Li Qing , Acharya Bishnu
Published: July 2022

Rainfed agriculture in Prince Edward Island is affected by climatic changes like warming, seasonal shifts, varying precipitations, and reducing water availabilities, all questioning its sustainability. Projecting future scenarios was critically important; therefore, spatiotemporal variations in potential evapotranspiration (PET), crop water requirements (CWRs), effective rainfall (ER), supplemental irrigation requirements (SIR), and sustainable water availabilities (SWAs) were analyzed. Average annual PET was predicted to insignificantly increase (3% to 6%) under RCP4.5 during the next 30–60 years, with two to four times increase in colder months (January–April) and a significant reduction during August–December. Accordingly, historical CWR of potatoes (currently ~425 mm) would decrease by 5% to 9%, except for the least likely RCP8.5 scenario, which projects ~10% increase in 2051–2080. That, and changes in ER, would cause SIR to decrease to 50–90 mm in normal years, but two to three times higher during dry years, and almost no SIR in wet years. Spatially, SIR increases by ~40 mm from east to west and is expected to be higher in 2021–2050 than 2051–2080. Monthly SIR ranges in normal years would be July: 02–36 mm, August: 31–48 mm, and September 04–20 mm. Existing water policy allows pumping up to 20% of yearly recharges (annual SWA) and up to 35% of summer's streams baseflows (summer SWA). Despite insignificant reductions in annual SWA (3% to 17%) for the next 30–60 years, summer SWA may be reduced 38% to 50% due to temporal redistribution. Even in dry years, the reduced amounts would still be sufficient to fulfill SIR in the eastern forest‐dominated Bear River watershed and SIR in normal years in the central zone; however, they would not be enough to enable the entire cultivated area of western zone. In normal years, SIR would consume: 5% to 6%, 27% to 37%, and 63% to 79% of annual SWA in the eastern, central, and western zones, respectively. Sprinkler irrigation to meet SIR is challenging, more economic evaluations and policy adaptations are needed for sustainable agricultural management.
The reaction of CH3NH2with SnX2, CH3NH3SnX3(X=Cl, Br, I), and BiI3– The first Sn(II)‐Ammine complexes as intermediates
Authors: Krummer Michael , Daub Michael , Hillebrecht Harald
Published: July 2022

In order to understand the “molten salt approach” for CH3NH3PbI3, we have investigated the interaction of gaseous CH3NH2with PbX2(X=Cl, Br, I) and MAPbX3(MA=CH3NH3+;X=Cl, Br, I) and characterised the first ammine complexes of Pb(II). In continuation, we have extended our work to the corresponding Sn(II) halides, i. e. SnX2(X=Cl, Br, I) and MASnX3(X=Cl, Br, I). WithX=iodine we have obtained cubic [Sn(CH3NH2)6]I2, which is isotypic to the lead compounds withX=I and Br showing a close similarity to the K2PtCl6type due to the octahedra [Sn(CH3NH2)6]2+. Release of CH3NH2yields [Sn(CH3NH2)4I]I. Here, Sn2+is fivefold coordinated by 4 CH3NH2ligands and one I−as a square pyramid with the I−in an equatorial position. Charge neutrality is achieved by a second I−anion with a significant longer distance of 4.29 Å, completing the square pyramid to a distorted octahedron. WithX=Br and Cl, only one compound forms, Sn(CH3NH2)5Br2and Sn(CH3NH2)5Cl2, respectively. Both structures are isotypic and crystallize in an orthorhombic structure with square‐pyramidal [Sn(CH3NH2)5]2+units. For all representatives with mixed ligands, the interaction withX−is significantly weaker than with CH3NH2. H‐bridges N−H⋅⋅⋅Xcontribute to the interaction between the Sn(CH3NH2)4X2units. All compounds show high sensitivity to moisture and limited thermal stability. They decompose in air to CH3NH3Xand a white amorphous residue, probably Sn(OH)X. The reaction of CH3NH2with BiI3results in (CH3NH3)4(CH3NH2)BiI7according to traces of moisture.
Correction to: Legal Preconditions for an Environmentally Sustainable European Union
Authors: Langlet David
Published: July 2022

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Udeskole—Regular Teaching Outside the Classroom
Authors: Barfod Karen , Mygind Erik
Published: July 2022

When teaching practise is changed, the working procedures and challenges of the teachers are changed too. In this chapter, we turn the lens on the teachers and the teaching practise inudeskole. It is often the teachers who decide, if the education should take place outside the classroom or not, and their experience is important for the provision ofudeskole. Nearly a fifth of all Danish schools have at least one class practisingudeskole, (Barfod et al., 2021) but howudeskoleis implemented is very much dependent on the individual teacher’s desire, pedagogical approach, competence and motivation. Teachers often feel motivated by mastering or re-conquering their professional identity as teachers by practicingudeskole, but they also often feel isolated among colleagues. It is motivativating for teachers to teach outside the classroom as it is in accordance with their beliefs that pupil’s wellbeing, motivation and learning are improved. They are happy to be able to practise varied teaching, be outdoors and together with pupils in different ways, often creating a ‘common third’ situation. At the same time, teachers express how they are challenged by the time used inventing outdoor teaching activities themselves, and by adapting to practical aspects ofudeskolesuch as weather conditions and clothing. Previous studies have shown how teachers who start teachingudeskolerelate to both potentials and challenges. However, there is limited knowledge of professional attitudes and pedagogical perspectives among teachers who have taughtudeskolefor several years. In this chapter we share our research and knowledge about barriers and challenges among experiencedudeskoleteachers. The results are mainly based on the TEACHOUT research study.
Natural Connections: Learning About Outdoor-Based Learning
Authors: Passy Rowena , Blackwell Ian
Published: July 2022

This chapter reports on the findings of the Natural Connections Demonstration project (2012–2016), the largest outdoor-based learning project in the UK. Pupil feedback showed that children felt ‘happy and healthy’ when they were learning outside and, drawing largely on our case-study research, we explore the imaginative and often innovative curriculum-based approaches and lessons initiated in project schools. We discuss how these approaches highlight both the opportunities and limitations of outdoor-based learning, arguing that teacher continuing professional development is the key to high-quality teaching and learning. We conclude with recommendations to school leaders and teaching staff.
Refueling Students in Flight: Lessons in Nature May Boost Subsequent Classroom Engagement
Authors: Kuo Ming , Browning Matthew H. E. M. , Penner Milbert L.
Published: July 2022

Teachers wishing to offer lessons in nature may hold back for fear of leaving students keyed up and unable to concentrate in subsequent, indoor lessons. This study tested the hypothesis that lessons in nature have positive—not negative—aftereffects on subsequent classroom engagement. Using carefully matched pairs of lessons (one in a relatively natural outdoor setting and one indoors), we observed subsequent classroom engagement during an indoor instructional period, replicating these comparisons over 10 different topics and weeks in the school year, in each of two third grade classrooms. Pairs were roughly balanced in how often the outdoor lesson preceded or followed the classroom lesson. Classroom engagement was significantly better after lessons in nature than after their matched counterparts for four of the five measures developed for this study. This nature advantage held for teacher ratings; third-party tallies of ‘redirects’ (the number of times the teacher stopped instruction to direct student attention back to the task at hand); independent, photo-based ratings made blind to condition; and a composite index of classroom engagement, but not for student ratings. The nature advantage held across different teachers and held equally over the initial and final five weeks of lessons. The nature advantage was large: after a lesson in nature, ‘redirects’ were roughly half as frequent, allowing teachers to teach for longer periods uninterrupted. In 48 out of 100 paired comparisons, the nature lesson was a full standard deviation better than its classroom counterpart; in 20 of the 48, the nature lesson was over two standard deviations better. Because the pairs of lessons were matched on teacher, class (students and classroom), topic, teaching style, week of the semester, and time of day, the advantage of the nature-based lessons could not be attributed to any of these factors. It appears that, far from leaving students too keyed up to concentrate afterward, lessons in nature may leave students more able to engage in the next lesson. Such “refueling in flight” argues for including more lessons in nature in formal education.
How to Raise the Standards of Outdoor Learning and Its Research
Authors: Jucker Rolf
Published: July 2022

The review summarised here found that there is no comprehensive or regular (repeated) survey of the scale of outdoor learning in the UK. There are some studies of specific outdoor learning activities (e.g., of particular types, or in particular parts of the UK). In these, some authors express concern about barriers to delivering outdoor learning and a reduction in outdoor learning. With respect to the current research base, the review revealed that the quality of research methodology and design is overall rather limited. The studies analysed for the review provide extensive evidence of the effects of outdoor learning. However, the effect sizes of outdoor learning are mostly small to moderate. Most robust effects found are non-educational outcomes such as attitudes, skills and relationship to nature. Educational attainment is seriously under-researched, so there is a mismatch between research topics and the pressure for schools to reach educational outcomes. Longer programmes seem more effective and strong benefits are associated with well-designed preparatory and follow-up work. Practitioners mostly lack a mental model or theory of change for their educational intervention, which severely limits what can be reasonably said about its impact. Recommendations therefore include for practitioners to develop theories of change, for researchers to create a system to regularly capture high quality baseline data and for all actors concerned to prioritise important research topics and develop an open access culture.
Simple powerful robust tests based on sign depth
Authors: Leckey Kevin , Malcherczyk Dennis , Horn Melanie , Müller Christine H.
Published: July 2022

Up to now, powerful outlier robust tests for linear models are based on M-estimators and are quite complicated. On the other hand, the simple robust classical sign test usually provides very bad power for certain alternatives. We present a generalization of the sign test which is similarly easy to comprehend but much more powerful. It is based on K-sign depth, shortly denoted by K-depth. These so-called K-depth tests are motivated by simplicial regression depth, but are not restricted to regression problems. They can be applied as soon as the true model leads to independent residuals with median equal to zero. Moreover, general hypotheses on the unknown parameter vector can be tested. While the 2-depth test, i.e. the K-depth test for $$K = 2$$

K
=
2

, is equivalent to the classical sign test, K-depth test with $$K\ge 3$$

K
≥
3

turn out to be much more powerful in many applications. A drawback of the K-depth test is its fairly high computational effort when implemented naively. However, we show how this inherent computational complexity can be reduced. In order to see why K-depth tests with $$K\ge 3$$

K
≥
3

are more powerful than the classical sign test, we discuss the asymptotic behavior of its test statistic for residual vectors with only few sign changes, which is in particular the case for some alternatives the classical sign test cannot reject. In contrast, we also consider residual vectors with alternating signs, representing models that fit the data very well. Finally, we demonstrate the good power of the K-depth tests for some examples including high-dimensional multiple regression.
Video connecting families and social robots: from ideas to practices putting technology to work
Authors: Schwaninger Isabel , Carros Felix , Weiss Astrid , Wulf Volker , Fitzpatrick Geraldine
Published: July 2022

Technology use is a socially embedded process, especially when it comes to older adults and care. However, the restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic have limited social contact to protect vulnerable groups in care homes, and even if technology use has increased in other areas, there is little known about the potential uptake of communication technology and changes in social interaction in the care context during a lasting crisis. This paper explores changes in communication technology use triggered by the pandemic at two care homes, using a qualitative diary study, online interviews and observations, and in-situ interviews within the care home with residents and workers. Our findings point to increasing use of tablets and video conference software triggered by COVID-related experiences, with implications for living and working in care homes. We also characterise the isolation experience of the residents, the workers’ concerns about the residents and changes in social interaction. We observed new areas of technology usage, associated changing work practices, technical affinity issues and context-specific attitudes towards future technologies. While the pandemic has triggered the use of communication technology in care homes on a small scale, this has also caused increasing workload and in particular articulation work, which requires support structures and the re-definition of work roles.
Coupling solid and fluid stresses with brain tumour growth and white matter tract deformations in a neuroimaging-informed model
Authors: Lucci Giulio , Agosti Abramo , Ciarletta Pasquale , Giverso Chiara
Published: July 2022

Brain tumours are among the deadliest types of cancer, since they display a strong ability to invade the surrounding tissues and an extensive resistance to common therapeutic treatments. It is therefore important to reproduce the heterogeneity of brain microstructure through mathematical and computational models, that can provide powerful instruments to investigate cancer progression. However, only a few models include a proper mechanical and constitutive description of brain tissue, which instead may be relevant to predict the progression of the pathology and to analyse the reorganization of healthy tissues occurring during tumour growth and, possibly, after surgical resection. Motivated by the need to enrich the description of brain cancer growth through mechanics, in this paper we present a mathematical multiphase model that explicitly includes brain hyperelasticity. We find that our mechanical description allows to evaluate the impact of the growing tumour mass on the surrounding healthy tissue, quantifying the displacements, deformations, and stresses induced by its proliferation. At the same time, the knowledge of the mechanical variables may be used to model the stress-induced inhibition of growth, as well as to properly modify the preferential directions of white matter tracts as a consequence of deformations caused by the tumour. Finally, the simulations of our model are implemented in a personalized framework, which allows to incorporate the realistic brain geometry, the patient-specific diffusion and permeability tensors reconstructed from imaging data and to modify them as a consequence of the mechanical deformation due to cancer growth.
A geography-based decision support tool to quantify the circular bioeconomy and financial performance in the forest-based sector (r.forcircular)
Authors: Sacchelli S. , Geri F. , Becagli C. , Bianchetto E. , Casagli A. , De Meo I. , Paletto A.
Published: July 2022

This study focuses on the development, implementation and application of a spatial-based decision support tool—named r.forcircular—aimed at quantifying both the level of the circular bioeconomy and the financial performance in the forest-based sector. The methodology merges a set of indicators based on the 4R framework (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover) of circular economy in a multicriteria approach. Outputs are computed for different scenarios and are calibrated based on variations in the selling price of raw materials and on higher mechanisation of production process phases (felling, processing, extraction and chipping of wood residues). The increase in wood assortment value leads to an improvement in the sustainability of the forest-wood supply chain in circular bioeconomy and financial terms. The application of a higher level of mechanisation seems to have conflicting results compared to those of other scenarios. The r.forcircular model was tested in an Italian case study (in the Municipality Union of Valdarno and Valdisieve in the Tuscany region, Italy) with the aim of understanding its applicability and replicability in other contexts. The results of the test showed that, in the study area, superior outcomes were observed for high forests than for coppices due to the low value of wood products obtainable from coppices.
Gender Moderates Results of a Randomized Clinical Trial for the Khanya Intervention for Substance Use and ART Adherence in HIV Care in South Africa
Authors: Belus Jennifer M. , Joska John A. , Bronsteyn Yosef , Rose Alexandra L. , Andersen Lena S. , Regenauer Kristen S. , Myers Bronwyn , Hahn Judith A. , Orrell Catherine , Safren Steve A. , Magidson Jessica F.
Published: July 2022

Little is known about gender effects of alcohol and drug use (AOD) among people living with HIV (PLWH) in resource-limited settings. Using multilevel models, we tested whether gender moderated the effect of Khanya, a cognitive-behavioral therapy-based intervention addressing antiretroviral (ART) adherence and AOD reduction. We enrolled 61 participants from HIV care and examined outcomes at 3- and 6-months compared to enhanced treatment as usual (ETAU). Gender significantly moderated the effect of Khanya on ART adherence (measured using electronically-monitored and biomarker-confirmed adherence), such that women in Khanya had significantly lower ART adherence compared to men in Khanya; no gender differences were found for AOD outcomes. Exploratory trajectory analyses showed men in Khanya and both genders in ETAU had significant reductions in at least one AOD outcome; women in Khanya did not. More research is needed to understand whether a gender lens can support behavioral interventions for PLWH with AOD.

Trial registry ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03529409. Trial registered on May 18, 2018.
Relations between recurrence risk perceptions and fear of cancer recurrence in breast cancer survivors
Authors: Ankersmid J. W. , Lansink Rotgerink F. K. , Strobbe L. J. A. , van Uden-Kraan C.F. , Siesling S. , Drossaert C. H. C.
Published: July 2022

Purpose

This study aimed to: (1) determine the accuracy of Dutch breast cancer survivors’ estimations of the locoregional recurrence risk (LRR); (2) examine which variables influence (the accuracy of) risk estimations, and risk appraisals; and (3) investigate the influence of the objective LRR risk (estimated using the INFLUENCE-nomogram), risk estimations and risk appraisals on fear of cancer recurrence (FCR). Findings of this study will inform clinicians on risk communication and can improve communication about FCR.

Methods

In a cross-sectional survey among 258 breast cancer survivors, women’s recurrence risk estimations (in odds) and risk appraisals (in high/low), FCR, demographics and illness perceptions, about one year after surgery were measured and compared to the objective risk for LRRs estimated using the INFLUENCE-nomogram.

Results

Half of the women (54%) accurately estimated their LRR risk, 34% underestimated and 13% overestimated their risk. Risk estimations and risk appraisals were only moderately positively correlated (r = 0.58). Higher risk appraisals were associated with radiotherapy (r = 0.18) and having weaker cure beliefs (r = − 0.19). Younger age was associated with overestimation of risk (r = − 0.23). Recurrence risk estimations and risk appraisals were associated with more FCR (r = 0.29, r = 0.39). In regression, only risk appraisal contributed significantly to FCR.

Conclusion

Although women were fairly accurate in recurrence risk estimations, it remains difficult to predict over- or underestimation. Recurrence risk estimations and risk appraisal are two different concepts which are both associated with FCR and should therefore be addressed in patient-provider communication.
Evaluation of Fire Models by Using Local and Global Metrics and Experimental Uncertainty Estimates: Application to OECD/NEA Prisme Door Tests
Authors: Riese O. , Meyer M. , Leucht A.
Published: July 2022

The use of numerical methods in fire safety investigations for civil buildings and nuclear facilities has received enormous attention in recent years. To evaluate quantities—such as gas temperatures—in fire models, local metrics using single points (e.g. comparing maximum or minimum peak value of two time series) are well-established. Experimental (measurement and model input) uncertainty estimates can be used to quantify the model uncertainty. Although the peak value is a relevant and well-defined quantity, global metrics comparing the entire course of two time series can often provide additional information for the validation of fire models. A comparative methodology COMET for evaluating the predictive power of fire models is developed and presented in this paper. In the methodology, both local and global metrics are combined to incorporate the explanatory power of both quantities in the validation process. While uncertainty analysis is well established for peak values, to the best of our knowledge, there are no analytic results on quantifying the uncertainty of the global metric in the literature. We address the latter based on experimental measurements and derive confidence regions for both metrics. Finally, this paper summarizes the results using COMET to validate the Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) version 6 for a room fire scenario. Validation examples are tests 3, 4 and 5 of the DOOR series of the international OECD/NEA PRISME project, in which the transport of heat and flue gases through a door between two rooms was examined. Using COMET, we can easily identify sensors with high level of agreement between model and experimental results with respect to the local and/or the global metric.
CFD Simulations of Fire Propagation in Horizontal Cable Trays Using a Pyrolysis Model with Stochastically Determined Geometry
Authors: Viitanen Alexandra , Hostikka Simo , Vaari Jukka
Published: July 2022

In this paper, a pyrolysis model for a PVC cable is constructed using results from thermogravimetric analysis, microscale combustion calorimeter and cone calorimeter experiments. The pyrolysis model is used to simulate fire propagation in horizontal cable trays. The simulated arrangement corresponds to a cable tray fire experiment from OECD PRISME 2 project. As laying the cables loosely along the horizontal trays is a random process, a novel stochastic method is developed for making the simplified cable tray geometries for the computational fluid dynamics model. In addition, as the simplified cable tray geometry has significantly smaller surface area than a real tray full of cables, the surface area was parametrically adjusted. In contrast to most of the earlier published numerical approaches for simulating cable tray fires, the presented approach does not use empirical correlations for predicting fire propagation and does not require any results from full-scale experiments for calibrating the model. The simulation results are compared to experimental results in terms of heat release rate, mass loss, tray ignition times and lateral flame spread rates. The maximum heat release rate was overpredicted by 8% on average.
Compositionality, Metaphor, and the Evolution of Language
Authors: Ellison T. Mark , Reinöhl Uta
Published: July 2022

One of the great unknowns in language evolution is the transition from unstructured sign combination to grammatical structure. This paper investigates the central — while hitherto overlooked — role of functor–argument metaphor. This type of metaphor pervades modern language, but is absent in animal communication. It arises from the semantic clash between the default meanings of terms. Functor–argument metaphor became logically possible in protolanguage once sufficient vocabulary and basic compositionality arose, allowing for novel combinations of terms. For example, the verb to hide, a functor, could be combined not only with a concrete, spatial entity like food as its argument, but also with an abstract, non-spatial one like anger. Through this clash, to hide is reinterpreted as a metaphorical action. Functor–argument metaphor requires the possibility of term combinability and the existence of compositionality. At the same time, it transcends compositionality, forcing a non-literal interpretation. We argue that functor–argument metaphor led the development of protolanguage into fully-fledged language in multiple ways. Not only did it expand expressiveness, but it drove the development of syntax including the conventionalization and fixation of word order, and the development of demonstratives. Thus, functor–argument metaphor fills in multiple gaps in the trajectory from a protolanguage, with only some terms and simple term combinations, to the elaborate grammatical structures of fully-fledged human languages.
Impact of open-irrigated radiofrequency catheter with contact force measurement on the efficacy and safety of atrial fibrillation ablation: a single-center direct comparison
Authors: Schlögl Simon , Schlögl Klaudia Stella , Bengel Philipp , Bergau Leonard , Haarmann Helge , Rasenack Eva , Hasenfuss Gerd , Zabel Markus
Published: July 2022

Background

In atrial fibrillation (AF) patients, catheter ablation of pulmonary veins (PVI) is the most effective therapeutic option to maintain sinus rhythm. To improve successful PVI, contact force–sensing (CF) catheters became routinely available. Previous studies did not clearly show superior clinical efficacy in comparison with non-CF catheters.

Methods

We investigated consecutive patients, who underwent index PVI for AF at our hospital between 2012 and 2018. Three hundred and fifty-four patients were ablated without CF. After availability of CF catheters in 2016, 317 patients were ablated using CF. In case of crossover between the groups, follow-up was censored. The primary endpoint was any documented atrial tachycardia (AT) or atrial fibrillation > 30 s after a 3-month blanking period. Secondary endpoints were procedural characteristics and periprocedural complications.

Results

There was no significant difference between the groups at baseline except hyperlipidemia. After 365 days of follow-up, 67% of patients in the CF group remained free from AF/AT recurrence compared to 59% in non-CF group (P = 0.038). In multivariable Cox regression analysis, non-CF ablation was an independent risk factor for AF recurrence besides age and persistent AF. Total fluoroscopy time (15 ± 7.6 vs. 28 ± 15.9 min) and total procedure time (114 ± 29.6 vs. 136 ± 38.5 min) were significantly lower for CF-guided PVI (P < 0.001). Complication rates did not differ between groups (P = 0.661).

Conclusions

In our study, the AT/AF recurrence rate and pulmonary vein reconnection rate is lower after CF PVI with a similar complication rate but lower total procedure time and total fluoroscopy time compared to non-CF PVI.
Preliminary validation of the self-report measure assessing experiences of negative independent and dependent event frequency in Japanese university students
Authors: Hasegawa Akira , Oura Shin-ichi , Yamamoto Tetsuya , Kunisato Yoshihiko , Fukui Yoshikazu
Published: July 2022

Background

In the past, different stress generation studies have used self-report measures comprising different items to assess each category of negative events. Moreover, the validity of these scales has not been adequately investigated. Therefore, we developed a self-report measure dedicated to assessing experiences of negative interpersonal dependent events, negative non-interpersonal dependent events, and negative independent events in university students, which was named the Negative Independent/Dependent Events Scale.

Methods

Japanese undergraduate students (N = 247; mean age = 19.18 years, SD = 3.08) responded to the Negative Independent/Dependent Events Scale, which had items selected for adequate content validity. They also responded to self-report measures of depressive symptoms, reassurance-seeking behaviors, inattention, and lack of perseverance.

Results

All the negative events subscales had moderate positive correlations with depressive symptoms. In addition, the negative interpersonal dependent events subscale showed a moderate positive correlation with reassurance-seeking behaviors, and the negative non-interpersonal dependent events subscale showed a strong positive correlation with inattention. Furthermore, the negative non-interpersonal dependent events subscale was more strongly correlated with inattention than the other two negative events subscales. In contrast, the negative interpersonal dependent events subscale was more strongly correlated with reassurance-seeking behaviors than with the negative independent events subscale but not more strongly than with the negative non-interpersonal dependent events subscale.

Conclusions

These findings indicated the acceptable construct validity of the Negative Independent/Dependent Events Scale. However, further research is necessary to establish the discriminant validity of the negative interpersonal dependent events subscale and the negative non-interpersonal dependent events subscale.
Contract Negotiations and the Common Law: A Move to Good Faith in Commercial Contracting?
Authors: Giliker Paula
Published: July 2022

Classically a duty to negotiate commercial contracts in good faith has been seen as part of the civil, not the common, law world. Common law commercial lawyers have long resisted the lure of “good faith” as a contractual concept, despite engagement with civil law principles in harmonisation projects, by virtue of membership of the European Union and their use in international conventions such as the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG). This paper will examine whether this situation is changing, focusing on two common law jurisdictions—England and Wales and Canada. In England and Wales and the common law of Canada, case-law in the last 10 years has indicated a movement towards acceptance of express and implied duties of good faith in relation to contractual performance, see e.g.Yam Seng Pte Limited v International Trade Corporation Limited[2013] EWHC 111 (QB) and, most recently,Essex CC v UBB Waste (Essex) Ltd (No. 2) [2020] EWHC 1581 (TCC) in England and Wales;Bhasin v Hrynew2014 SCC 71 andCallow v Zollinger2020 SCC 45 in Canada. This paper will examine the extent to which these cases may open the way more generally for a duty tonegotiatecommercial contracts in good faith. It will examine the reception of these cases and whether they indicate (i) greater acceptance of “good faith” as part of contract law thinking and (ii) a possible extension of good faith into the pre-contractual period.
A Systematic Review on Common and Distinct Neural Correlates of Risk-taking in Substance-related and Non-substance Related Addictions
Authors: Hüpen Philippa , Habel Ute , Votinov Mikhail , Kable Joseph W. , Wagels Lisa
Published: July 2022

Both substance-related as well as non-substance-related addictions may include recurrent engagement in risky actions despite adverse outcomes. We here apply a unified approach and review task-based neuroimaging studies on substance-related (SRAs) and non-substance related addictions (NSRAs) to examine commonalities and differences in neural correlates of risk-taking in these two addiction types. To this end, we conducted a systematic review adhering to the PRISMA guidelines. Two databases were searched with predefined search terms to identify neuroimaging studies on risk-taking tasks in individuals with addiction disorders. In total, 19 studies on SRAs (comprising a total of 648 individuals with SRAs) and 10 studies on NSRAs (comprising a total of 187 individuals with NSRAs) were included. Risk-related brain activation in SRAs and NSRAs was summarized individually and subsequently compared to each other. Results suggest convergent altered risk-related neural processes, including hyperactivity in the OFC and the striatum. As characteristic for both addiction types, these brain regions may represent an underlying mechanism of suboptimal decision-making. In contrast, decreased DLPFC activity may be specific to SRAs and decreased IFG activity could only be identified for NSRAs. The precuneus and posterior cingulate show elevated activity in SRAs, while findings regarding these areas were mixed in NSRAs. Additional scarce evidence suggests decreased ventral ACC activity and increased dorsal ACC activity in both addiction types. Associations between identified activation patterns with drug use severity underpin the clinical relevance of these findings. However, this exploratory evidence should be interpreted with caution and should be regarded as preliminary. Future research is needed to evaluate the findings gathered by this review.
3DPointCaps++: Learning 3D Representations with Capsule Networks
Authors: Zhao Yongheng , Fang Guangchi , Guo Yulan , Guibas Leonidas , Tombari Federico , Birdal Tolga
Published: July 2022

We present 3DPointCaps++ for learning robust, flexible and generalizable 3D object representations without requiring heavy annotation efforts or supervision. Unlike conventional 3D generative models, our algorithm aims for building a structured latent space where certain factors of shape variations, such as object parts, can be disentangled into independent sub-spaces. Our novel decoder then acts on these individual latent sub-spaces (i.e. capsules) using deconvolution operators to reconstruct 3D points in a self-supervised manner. We further introduce a cluster loss ensuring that the points reconstructed by a single capsule remain local and do not spread across the object uncontrollably. These contributions allow our network to tackle the challenging tasks of part segmentation, part interpolation/replacement as well as correspondence estimation across rigid / non-rigid shape, and across / within category. Our extensive evaluations on ShapeNet objects and human scans demonstrate that our network can learn generic representations that are robust and useful in many applications.
Low arousal threshold: a common pathophysiological trait in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and asthma
Authors: Antonaglia Caterina , Passuti Giovanna , Giudici Fabiola , Salton Francesco , Ruaro Barbara , Radovanovic Dejan , Confalonieri Marco
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and asthma are two diseases with a high epidemiological impact that may often coexist. Both diseases have underlying pathogenic mechanisms (chronic inflammation, genetic predisposition, etc.); it is still unclear whether or not their coexistence is due to a specific pathophysiological factor. In the literature, the pathogenesis of OSAS has four pathophysiological traits: one or more anatomical predisposing factors, a low arousal threshold (low AT), high loop gain, and poor muscle responsiveness. In this study, we hypothesized that a low AT is a common pathophysiological factor in OSAS and asthma.

Methods

A retrospective study of patients attending the Pulmonology Unit of the University Hospital of Trieste was carried out. Low AT was predicted on the bases of the following polysomnography features, as previously shown by Edwards et al.: an AHI of < 30 events/h, a nadir SpO2 of > 82.5%, and a hypopnea fraction of total respiratory events of > 58.3%.

Results

Thirty-five patients with asthma and OSAS and 36 with OSAS alone were included in the study. Low AT was present in 71% of patients affected by asthma and OSAS (25 patients out of 35) versus 31% (11 patients out of 36) of patients affected by OSAS alone with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.002) between the two groups. Stratifying for BMI and OSAS severity, the difference between groups remained statistically significant.

Conclusions

This is the first study to describe specific polysomnographic characteristics of patients affected by asthma and OSAS. A low AT may well be the pathophysiological factor common to the two diseases. If confirmed by other studies, this finding could lead to the presence of asthma and OSAS in the same individual being considered a syndrome with a common pathophysiological factor.