bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How wildfires increase sensitivity of Amazon forests to droughts
Authors: Le Roux Renan , Wagner Fabien , Blanc Lilian , Betbeder Julie , Gond Valery , Dessard Hélène , Funatzu Beatriz , Bourgoin Clément , Cornu Guillaume , Herault Bruno , Montfort Frédérique , Sist Plinio , Begue Agnes , Dubreuil Vincent , Laurent François , Messner François , Fadhil Hasan Ali , Arvor Damien
Published: March 2022

The phenology of tropical forests is tightly related to climate conditions. In the Amazon, the seasonal greening of forests is conditioned by solar radiation and rainfall. Yet, increasing anthropogenic pressures (e.g. logging and wildfires), raise concerns about the impacts of forest degradation on the functioning of forest ecosystems, especially in a climate change context. In this study, we relied on remote sensing data to assess the contribution of solar radiation and precipitation to forest greening in mature and fire degraded forests, with a focus on the 2015 drought event. Our results showed that forest greening is more dependent on water resources in degraded forests than in mature forests. As a consequence, the expected increase in drought episodes and associated fire occurrences under climate change could lead to a long-term drying of tropical forests.
Ultra-high sensitivity terahertz sensor based on a five-band absorber
Authors: Xiao Wenfeng , Ou Yanghong , Wang Shiyu , Wang Shuai , Meng Yanzi , Zhai Xiang , Xia Shengxuan , Wang Lingling
Published: March 2022

Terahertz sensing is one of the most promising methods for label-free and noninvasive detection of refractive index changes. However, the figure of merit (FOM) of terahertz sensors in practical applications has been low. In this paper, a metamaterial sensor based on simple stacking of gold and silicon dioxide is proposed, through whose structure not only narrow-band absorption with five absorption peaks is realized, but FOM is also improved to 1792. The excellent sensing performance and the mature manufacturing technology of this kind of structure provide a platform for the design of multi-band photodetectors and high-sensitivity sensors.
Generation of stable temporal doublet by a single-mode silicon core optical fiber
Authors: Ghosh Binoy Krishna , Ghosh Dipankar , Basu Mousumi
Published: March 2022

A highly nonlinear single mode anomalous dispersion silicon-core fiber is designed and optimized at the operating wavelength of 2.2 µm for the purpose of generating stable temporal pulse doublets. To designate the output pulse pair as a perfect Gaussian doublet, two new parameters, dissimilarity factor (

ρ
g

) and co-similarity index (μ
cs) are introduced. Different input pulse parameters such as power, pulse width and chirp are optimized to obtain Gaussian temporal doublets at the shortest optimum length (∼few cm) which is sufficiently smaller in comparison to silica fibers reported earlier. The output pulse pairs remain as a doublet for quite a good stability length. In view of serving practical purposes, the possibilities of fluctuations of input power and pulse width are included to investigate the changes in stability length and effective repetition rate (ERR). The change in ERR along the fiber length produces a remarkable change in free carrier concentration in core, which has also been taken into account for the first time as per our knowledge to obtain the temporal pulse doublet in the so designed Si-core fiber.
Automated scripting of the dosimetric evaluation of adaptive versus non-adaptive radiotherapy
Authors: Samant Pratik , George Ben , Whyntie Tom , Robinson Maxwell
Published: March 2022

Objective. To quantify the benefit of adaptive radiotherapy over non-adaptive radiotherapy it is useful to extract and compare dosimetric features of patient treatments in both scenarios. This requires Image-Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT) matching of baseline planning to adaptive fraction imaging, followed by extraction of relevant dose metrics. This can be impractical to retrospectively perform manually for multiple patients. Approach. Here we present an algorithm for automatic IGRT matching of baseline planning with fraction imaging and performing automated dosimetric feature extraction from adaptive and non-adaptive treatment plans, thereby allowing comparison of the two scenarios. This workflow can be done in an entirely automated way via scripting solutions given structure and dose Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) files from baseline and adaptive fractions. We validate this algorithm against the results of manual IGRT matching. We also demonstrate automated dosimetric feature extraction. Lastly, we combine these two scripting solutions to extract daily adaptive and non-adaptive radiotherapy dosimetric features from an initial cohort of patients treated on an MRI guided linear accelerator (MR-LINAC). Results. Our results demonstrate that automated feature extraction and IGRT matching was successful and comparable to results performed by a manual operator. We have therefore demonstrated a method for easy analysis of patients treated on an adaptive radiotherapy platform. Significance. We believe that this scripting solution can be used for quantifying the benefits of adaptive therapy and for comparing adaptive therapy against various non-adaptive IGRT scenarios (e.g. 6 degree of freedom couch rotation).
Neutronic analysis of Indian helium-cooled solid breeder tritium breeding module for testing in ITER
Authors: SWAMI H L , SHARMA Deepak , DANANI C , CHAUDHARI P , SRINIVASAN R , KUMAR Rajesh
Published: March 2022

India has proposed the helium-cooled solid breeder blanket concept as a tritium breeding module to be tested in ITER. The module has lithium titanate for tritium breeding and beryllium for neutron multiplication. Beryllium also enhances tritium breeding. A design for the module is prepared for detailed analysis. Neutronic analysis is performed to assess the tritium breeding rate, neutron distribution, and heat distribution in the module. The tritium production distribution in submodules is evaluated to support the tritium transport analysis. The tritium breeding density in the radial direction of the module is also assessed for further optimization of the design. The heat deposition profile of the entire module is generated to support the heat removal circuit design. The estimated neutron spectrum in the radial direction also provides a more in-depth picture of the nuclear interactions inside the material zones. The total tritium produced in the HCSB module is around 13.87 mg per full day of operation of ITER, considering the 400 s ON time and 1400 s dwell time. The estimated nuclear heat load on the entire module is around 474 kW, which will be removed by the high-pressure helium cooling circuit. The heat deposition in the test blanket model (TBM) is huge (around 9 GJ) for an entire day of operation of ITER, which demonstrates the scale of power that can be produced through a fusion reactor blanket. As per the Brayton cycle, it is equivalent to 3.6 GJ of electrical energy. In terms of power production, this would be around 1655 MWh annually. The evaluation is carried out using the MCNP5 Monte Carlo radiation transport code and FEDNL 2.1 nuclear cross section data. The HCSB TBM neutronic performance demonstrates the tritium production capability and high heat deposition.
Effects of adaptive acceleration response of birds on collective behaviors
Authors: Jung Narina , Weon Byung Mook , Kim Pilwon
Published: March 2022

Collective dynamics of many interacting particles have been widely studied because of a wealth of their behavioral patterns quite different from the individual traits. A selective way of birds that reacts to their neighbors is one of the main factors characterizing the collective behaviors. Individual birds can react differently depending on their local environment during the collective decision-making process, and these variable reactions can be a source of complex spatiotemporal flocking dynamics. Here, we extend the deterministic Cucker–Smale model by including the individual’s reaction to neighbors’ acceleration where the reaction time depends on the local state of polarity. Simulation results show that the adaptive reaction of individuals induces the collective response of the flock. Birds are not frozen in a complete synchronization but remain sensitive to perturbations coming from environments. We confirm that the adaptivity of the reaction also generates natural fluctuations of orientation and speed, both of which are indeed scale-free as experimentally reported. This work may provide essential insight in designing resilient systems of many active agents working in complex, unpredictable environments.
Tunneling estimates and approximate controllability for hypoelliptic equations
Authors: Laurent Camille , Léautaud Matthieu
Published: March 2022

This memoir is concerned with quantitative unique continuation estimates for equations involving a “sum of squares” operator

L

\mathcal {L}

on a compact manifold

M

\mathcal {M}

assuming:

(
i
)

(i)

the Chow-Rashevski-Hörmander condition ensuring the hypoellipticity of

L

\mathcal {L}

, and

(
i
i
)

(ii)

the analyticity of

M

\mathcal {M}

and the coefficients of

L

\mathcal {L}

.

The first result is the tunneling estimate

‖
φ

‖

L
2

(
ω
)

≥
C

e

−
c

λ

k
2

\|\varphi \|_{L^2(\omega )} \geq Ce^{- c\lambda ^{\frac {k}{2}}}

for normalized eigenfunctions

φ
\varphi

of

L

\mathcal {L}

from a nonempty open set

ω
⊂

M

\omega \subset \mathcal {M}

, where

k
k

is the hypoellipticity index of

L

\mathcal {L}

and

λ
\lambda

the eigenvalue.

The main result is a stability estimate for solutions to the hypoelliptic wave equation

(

∂
t
2

+

L

)
u
=
0

(\partial _t^2+\mathcal {L})u=0

: for

T
>
2

sup

x
∈

M

(
d
i
s
t
(
x
,
ω
)
)

T>2 \sup _{x \in \mathcal {M}}(dist(x,\omega ))

(here,

d
i
s
t

dist

is the sub-Riemannian distance), the observation of the solution on

(
0
,
T
)
×
ω

(0,T)\times \omega

determines the data. The constant involved in the estimate is

C

e

c

Λ
k

Ce^{c\Lambda ^k}

where

Λ
\Lambda

is the typical frequency of the data.

We then prove the approximate controllability of the hypoelliptic heat equation

(

∂
t

+

L

)
v
=

1

ω

f

(\partial _t+\mathcal {L})v=\mathbb {1}_\omega f

in any time, with appropriate (exponential) cost, depending on

k
k

. In case

k
=
2

k=2

(Grushin, Heisenberg...), we further show approximate controllability to trajectories with polynomial cost in large time.

We also explain how the analyticity assumption can be relaxed, and a boundary

∂

M

\partial \mathcal {M}

can be added in some situations.

Most results turn out to be optimal on a family of Grushin-type operators.

The main proof relies on the general strategy to produce quantitative unique continuation estimates, developed by the authors in Laurent-Léautaud (2019).
Connecting Extramural English with ELT: Teacher Reports from Austria, Finland, France, and Sweden
Authors: Schurz Alexandra , Sundqvist Pia
Published: March 2022

Today, we globally observe a sharp increase in learners’ engagement in extramural (out-of-class) English (EE; Sundqvist 2009). This undoubtedly affords new opportunities for, but also challenges to, English language teaching (ELT) and learning. To our knowledge, this study is the first to explore this topic from a cross-national perspective. Upper secondary English teachers (N = 534) from Austria, France (‘dubbing countries’), Finland, and Sweden (‘subtitling countries’) answered a web-based survey on their students’ EE practices and the estimated impact on teaching and learning. Results showed that overall EE use appears lower in the dubbing countries, especially France (p < 0.001). The teachers’ estimated effect of EE on different areas of learning overall was also the weakest in France (p ≤ .01). Further, teachers in subtitling countries agreed more strongly with statements about adapting instruction to what is (not) learned extramurally (p < 0.001). As EE use is growing, individual learner needs within a class, such as emerging gaps in learner motivation and/or language knowledge and skills, will increasingly have to be catered to in ELT.
Functional and structural brain network correlates of visual hallucinations in Lewy body dementia
Authors: Mehraram Ramtin , Peraza Luis R , Murphy Nicholas R E , Cromarty Ruth A , Graziadio Sara , O’Brien John T , Killen Alison , Colloby Sean J , Firbank Michael , Su Li , Collerton Daniel , Taylor John Paul , Kaiser Marcus
Published: March 2022

Visual hallucinations are a common feature of Lewy body dementia. Previous studies have shown that visual hallucinations are highly specific in differentiating Lewy body dementia from Alzheimer’s disease dementia and Alzheimer–Lewy body mixed pathology cases. Computational models propose that impairment of visual and attentional networks is aetiologically key to the manifestation of visual hallucinations symptomatology. However, there is still a lack of experimental evidence on functional and structural brain network abnormalities associated with visual hallucinations in Lewy body dementia.

We used EEG source localization and network based statistics to assess differential topographical patterns in Lewy body dementia between 25 participants with visual hallucinations and 17 participants without hallucinations. Diffusion tensor imaging was used to assess structural connectivity between thalamus, basal forebrain and cortical regions belonging to the functionally affected network component in the hallucinating group, as assessed with network based statistics. The number of white matter streamlines within the cortex and between subcortical and cortical regions was compared between hallucinating and not hallucinating groups and correlated with average EEG source connectivity of the affected subnetwork. Moreover, modular organization of the EEG source network was obtained, compared between groups and tested for correlation with structural connectivity.

Network analysis showed that compared to non-hallucinating patients, those with hallucinations feature consistent weakened connectivity within the visual ventral network, and between this network and default mode and ventral attentional networks, but not between or within attentional networks. The occipital lobe was the most functionally disconnected region. Structural analysis yielded significantly affected white matter streamlines connecting the cortical regions to the nucleus basalis of Meynert and the thalamus in hallucinating compared to not hallucinating patients. The number of streamlines in the tract between the basal forebrain and the cortex correlated with cortical functional connectivity in non-hallucinating patients, while a correlation emerged for the white matter streamlines connecting the functionally affected cortical regions in the hallucinating group.

This study proposes, for the first time, differential functional networks between hallucinating and not hallucinating Lewy body dementia patients, and provides empirical evidence for existing models of visual hallucinations. Specifically, the outcome of the present study shows that the hallucinating condition is associated with functional network segregation in Lewy body dementia and supports the involvement of the cholinergic system as proposed in the current literature.
MDSCs and T cells in solid tumors and non-Hodgkin lymphomas: an immunosuppressive speech
Authors: Cioccarelli Chiara , Molon Barbara
Published: March 2022

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogeneous subset of cells expanded during multiple pathological settings, including cancers. In tumors, MDSCs are dominant drivers of T-cell immunosuppression. To accomplish their job, they exploit multiple mechanisms ultimately leading to the paralysis of anti-tumor immunity. Among the variety of MDSC-ways of working within the tumor microenvironment, the generation of reactive species and the metabolic reprogramming have emerged as pivotal determinants of their immunosuppressive power. In this review we will overview integral mechanisms of MDSC-mediated immunosuppression in solid tumors, with a particular focus on Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Percutaneous coil embolization and stent implantation for multiple coronary-to-pulmonary artery fistulas with giant coronary aneurysms: a case report
Authors: Nakano Yasuhiro , Matoba Tetsuya , Nagatomo Yusaku , Tsutsui Hiroyuki
Published: March 2022

Background

Multiple coronary-to-pulmonary artery fistulas (CPAFs) with giant coronary aneurysms (CAs) are extremely rare. The appropriate therapeutic indication and strategy for CPAFs have not been established.

Case summary

Herein, we report the case of an asymptomatic 74-year-old woman with multiple CPAFs associated with giant CAs that had gradually developed over a 4-year period. After heart team discussion, we were successfully treated by minimally invasive intervention using transcatheter coil embolization and coronary stent implantation to prevent ruptures.

Discussion

Coronary-to-pulmonary artery fistulas required evaluation of the appropriate timing of therapy initiation with reference to the presence of symptoms and fistula and aneurysm sizes, and determination of the optimal therapeutic approach with reference to the anatomy of the fistula with aneurysm and patient background characteristics.
The impact of non-extraction orthodontic treatment on oral health-related quality of life: clear aligners versus fixed appliances—a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Alfawal Alaa M H , Burhan Ahmad S , Mahmoud Ghiath , Ajaj Mowaffak A , Nawaya Fehmieh R , Hanafi Ibrahem
Published: March 2022

Objective

To assess the impact of clear aligner treatment on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) compared to fixed appliance treatment.

Trial design

Two-arm parallel group single-centre randomized controlled trial.

Methods

Forty-four adult patients (8 males, 36 females) were randomly and equally assigned to either the fixed appliances group (FA) or the clear aligners group (CA). Randomization with an allocation ratio of 1:1 was performed by a researcher who is not involved in the study using a random sample table. Non-extraction cases were included in this study. Outcome measures were the OHRQoL of patients and the duration of orthodontic treatment. The OHRQoL of patients was assessed by the short-form Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) at the following assessment times: before the start of treatment (T0), 1 week (T1), 1 month (T2), 3 months (T3), and 6 months (T4) after the start of orthodontic treatment and post-treatment (T5). The assessor was blinded during outcomes assessment and statistical analysis.

Results

Two hundred and eighteen patients were evaluated for eligibility, 44 of them fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were randomly allocated to treatment groups. None of the patients was lost to follow-up. Accordingly, the results of 44 patients were statically analysed. The total OHIP-14 score was not statistically different between the FA and the CA groups at T0 (P = 0.91) and T5 (P = 0.16), whereas it was significantly lower in the CA group as compared to the FA group at T1 (mean difference [MD] = 11.04, 95% CI 8.7 to 13.42, P < 0.001), T2 (MD = 6.00, 95% CI: 4.3 to 7.7, P < 0.001), T3 (MD = 3.37, 95% CI: 1.5 to 5, P < 0.01), and T4 (MD = 3.32, 95% CI: 1.7 to 4.9, P < 0.001). Treatment duration in the CA group was significantly shorter than in the FA group (MD = 4.18, 95% CI: 2.8 to 5.5, P < 0.001). No harms were observed.

Limitations

The results were limited to the non-extraction treatment of mild to moderate crowding cases.

Conclusions

Patients treated with clear aligners reported higher OHRQoL and shorter treatment duration as compared to those treated with fixed appliances.

Trial registration

Retrospectively registered (DRKS-ID: DRKS00023977).
From language to function: developing self- and peer-assessment tools
Authors: deBoer Mark , Leontjev Dmitri , Friederich Lee
Published: March 2022

The action-oriented approach (AoA) is a powerful basis to inform teaching, learning, and assessment in the classroom that identifies learners as social agents and focuses on language learning through language use. This paper answers the call for developments that help teachers teach and learners learn in an AoA-informed way. We argue that cognitive discourse functions (CDFs) align with AoA, helping to develop learner thinking by focusing on the learners’ use of language. We complement our conceptual discussion referring to the process of developing a self- and peer-assessment tool informed by AoA and CDFs and the initial application of this tool in an advanced academic writing course in a Japanese university with B1 and B2 level students. We discuss how this tool can guide learners’ understanding of their writing process and fosters learners’ responsibility for deciding how they mobilize their linguistic resources to express particular language functions.
Joint associations of physical activity and sedentary time with adiposity during adolescence: ALSPAC
Authors: Kwon Soyang , Ekelund Ulf , Kandula Namratha R , Janz Kathleen F
Published: March 2022

Background

In developing evidence-based physical activity (PA) guidelines for youth, a knowledge gap exists regarding the health effects of sedentary time (SED). The aim of this study was to determine the joint associations of moderate- and vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA) and SED with adiposity during adolescence.

Methods

The study sample was 2619 non-obese participants (56.7% female) from the UK Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. Accelerometer-measured MVPA and SED at age 11, 13, 15 years and self-reported TV viewing at age 13 and 16 years were used to create two exposure variables: six MVPA&SED combinations based on two MVPA patterns [≥60 (active) and <60 min/day (inactive)] and three SED patterns [≈25 (low), ≈30 (middle) and ≈35 min/h (high)] and six MVPA&TV combinations based on two MVPA patterns and three TV viewing patterns [<1–2 (low), 1–2 (middle) and >1–2 h/day (high)]. Adiposity was evaluated using fat mass index (FMI) at age 17 years.

Results

SED was not significantly associated with FMI in either active or inactive adolescents. However, higher TV viewing was associated with higher FMI in both active [adjusted FMI = 4.53 vs. 5.09 (95% CI = 4.87, 5.33) for low TV vs. high TV] and inactive adolescents [adjusted FMI = 4.91 vs. 5.21 (95% CI = 5.02, 5.39) for low TV vs. high TV].

Conclusions

Higher TV viewing time, but not total SED, was prospectively associated with higher adiposity among both active and inactive adolescents, suggesting a specific sedentary behavior target for public health.
The impact of frequently neglected model violations on bacterial recombination rate estimation: a case study inMycobacterium canettiiandMycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Sabin Susanna , Morales-Arce Ana Y , Pfeifer Susanne P , Jensen Jeffrey D
Published: March 2022

Mycobacterium canettii is a causative agent of tuberculosis in humans, along with the members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. Frequently used as an outgroup to the M. tuberculosis complex in phylogenetic analyses, M. canettii is thought to offer the best proxy for the progenitor species that gave rise to the complex. Here, we leverage whole-genome sequencing data and biologically relevant population genomic models to compare the evolutionary dynamics driving variation in the recombining M. canettii with that in the nonrecombining M. tuberculosis complex, and discuss differences in observed genomic diversity in the light of expected levels of Hill–Robertson interference. In doing so, we highlight the methodological challenges of estimating recombination rates through traditional population genetic approaches using sequences called from populations of microorganisms and evaluate the likely mis-inference that arises owing to a neglect of common model violations including purifying selection, background selection, progeny skew, and population size change. In addition, we compare performance when full within-host polymorphism data are utilized, versus the more common approach of basing analyses on within-host consensus sequences.
Adherence to Mediterranean Diet and Depressive Symptomatology Among Boston Area Puerto Ricans
Authors: Sahasrabudhe Neha , Soo Lee Jong , Zhang Xiyuan , Scott Tammy , Punnett Laura , Tucker Katherine L , Palacios Natalia
Published: March 2022

Background

Higher Mediterranean diet (MeD) adherence has been linked with lower depressive symptomatology, but research examining this association is limited, especially among Latinos, including mainland U.S. Puerto Ricans. Hence, we examined cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between MeD adherence and self-reported depressive symptomatology in Boston area Puerto Rican adults.

Methods

The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) was used to evaluate depressive symptoms. Adherence to MeD was assessed at all 3 visits. We used multivariable linear regression for baseline cross-sectional analysis, and linear mixed effects modeling over 3 waves of follow-up for longitudinal analysis. We also assessed whether baseline MeD adherence affected 5y CES-D trajectory. We conducted sensitivity analyses among participants without diabetes, and among participants with complete MeD and CES-D measures at all visits.

Results

MeD adherence was significantly associated with CES-D score at baseline (β = −2.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] −4.0, −0.04 for highest vs lowest tertile, p trend = .04) and across 3 waves (β = −1.9, 95% CI = −3.0, −0.8 for highest vs lowest tertile, p trend = .0005). Results were similar in analyses restricted to participants without diabetes, as well as among participants with complete CES-D and MeD scores at all visits.

Conclusions

While CES-D score was consistently lower in those with higher MeD adherence over 5 years of follow up, no relationship between baseline MeD adherence and 5y CES-D trajectory was observed.
Researching Compassionate Communities From an Interdisciplinary Perspective: The Case of the Compassionate Communities Center of Expertise
Authors: Vanderstichelen Steven , Dury Sarah , De Gieter Sara , Van Droogenbroeck Filip , De Moortel Deborah , Van Hove Lisa , Rodeyns Julie , Aernouts Nele , Bakelants Hanne , Cohen Joachim , Chambaere Kenneth , Spruyt Bram , Zohar Gabriel , Deliens Luc , De Donder Liesbeth
Published: March 2022

Compassionate Communities are places and environments in which people, networks, and institutions actively work together and are empowered to improve the circumstances, health, and well-being of those facing serious illness, death, dying, and loss. The study of their development, implementation, and evaluation requires an interdisciplinary research approach that has hitherto been lacking. In 2020, 8 research groups from 4 faculties at Vrije Universiteit Brussel united in the interdisciplinary Compassionate Communities Center of Expertise (COCO) to investigate Compassionate Communities. This article describes the first results of COCO: (a) an interdisciplinary mode of collaboration, (b) a shared conceptual understanding and definition of Compassionate Communities, and (c) a shared research agenda on Compassionate Communities.
The Nencki-Symfonia electroencephalography/event-related potential dataset: Multiple cognitive tasks and resting-state data collected in a sample of healthy adults
Authors: Dzianok Patrycja , Antonova Ingrida , Wojciechowski Jakub , Dreszer Joanna , Kublik Ewa
Published: March 2022

Background

One of the goals of neuropsychology is to understand the brain mechanisms underlying aspects of attention and cognitive control. Several tasks have been developed as a part of this body of research, however their results are not always consistent. A reliable comparison of the data and a synthesis of study conclusions has been precluded by multiple methodological differences. Here, we describe a publicly available, high-density electroencephalography (EEG) dataset obtained from 42 healthy young adults while they performed 3 cognitive tasks: (i) an extended multi-source interference task; (ii) a 3-stimuli oddball task; (iii) a control, simple reaction task; and (iv) a resting-state protocol. Demographic and psychometric information are included within the dataset.

Dataset Validation

First, data validation confirmed acceptable quality of the obtained EEG signals. Typical event-related potential (ERP) waveforms were obtained, as expected for attention and cognitive control tasks (i.e., N200, P300, N450). Behavioral results showed the expected progression of reaction times and error rates, which confirmed the effectiveness of the applied paradigms.

Conclusions

This dataset is well suited for neuropsychological research regarding common and distinct mechanisms involved in different cognitive tasks. Using this dataset, researchers can compare a wide range of classical EEG/ERP features across tasks for any selected subset of electrodes. At the same time, 128-channel EEG recording allows for source localization and detailed connectivity studies. Neurophysiological measures can be correlated with additional psychometric data obtained from the same participants. This dataset can also be used to develop and verify novel analytical and classification approaches that can advance the field of deep/machine learning algorithms, recognition of single-trial ERP responses to different task conditions, and detection of EEG/ERP features for use in brain-computer interface applications.
X-ray microtomography imaging of craniofacial hard tissues in selected reptile species with different types of dentition
Authors: Kavková Michaela , Šulcová Marie , Zikmund Tomáš , Pyszko Martin , Kaiser Jozef , Buchtová Marcela
Published: March 2022

Background

Reptiles exhibit a large heterogeneity in teeth morphology. The main variability comprises the different tooth shape, the type of tooth attachment to the underlying bone, or the ability to replace the teeth.

Findings

Here, we provide full datasets of microtomography scans and 3D models of reptilian dentitions and skulls. We selected representative species for each of 9 reptilian families on the basis of their characteristic dental features. Because there are ≥4 different types of tooth-bone attachments, ranging from the mammalian-like thecodont attachment found in crocodilians to the simple acrodont implantation observed in some lizards, we aimed to evaluate species with different types of tooth-bone attachments. Moreover, another interesting feature varying in reptilian species is the complexity of tooth shape or the number of tooth generations, which can be associated with the type of tooth attachment to the jawbone. Therefore, selected model species also include animals with distinct tooth morphology along the jaw or different number of tooth generations. The development of tooth attachment and relationship of the tooth to the jaw can be further analysed in detail on a large collection of pre-hatching stages of chameleon. Next, we introduce different possibilities for how these datasets can be further used to study tooth-bone relationships or tooth morphology in 3D space. Moreover, these datasets can be valuable for additional morphological and morphometric analyses of reptilian skulls or their individually segmented skeletal elements.

Conclusions

Our collection of microcomputed tomography scans can bring new insight into dental or skeletal research. The broad selection of reptilian species, together with their unique dental features and high quality of these scans including complete series of developmental stages of our model species and provide large opportunities for their reuse. Scans can be further used for virtual reality, 3D printing, or in education.
Transient poroelastic response to megathrust earthquakes: a look at the 2015Mw 8.3 Illapel, Chile, event
Authors: Yang Haozhe , Guo Rumeng , Zhou Jiangcun , Yang Hongfeng , Sun Heping
Published: March 2022

Large earthquakes can alter regional groundwater pressure, resulting in fluid flow, and the process of restoring hydrostatic equilibrium would in turn lead to observable surface deformation, termed poroelastic rebound, which is one of the most important post-seismic mechanisms for stress transfer and triggering. To constrain the poroelastic contributions to the early post-seismic deformation, we model the hydrologic response within 1.5 months following the 2015 Mw 8.3 Illapel earthquake and remove its effects from the observed geodetic signals. Results demonstrate the post-seismic fluid-flow patterns from the co-seismic high-slip region to the north and south sides, and the northern poroelastic effects are remarkably stronger than those on the south side, verified by northern liquefaction phenomena. Therefore, previous pure afterslip models overestimate the asperities on both flanks of the co-seismic rupture zone and underestimate the middle region, with local errors of more than 50 per cent. It highlights the importance of considering the poroelastic effects, when modelling the transient post-seismic deformation.
Integrative review of singing and music interventions for family carers of people living with dementia
Authors: Lee Sophie , Allison Theresa , O’Neill Desmond , Punch Pattie , Helitzer Elizabeth , Moss Hilary
Published: March 2022

The majority of people living with dementia are cared for by their families. Family carers play a vital role in upholding the formal care system. Caring for a family member with dementia can be fulfilling. However, this role can have a considerable negative impact on family carers’ mental and physical health and quality of life. Several empirical research studies have recently been conducted that explore the potential benefits of music interventions for family carers of people living with dementia. Singing has been the primary musical medium employed. This article presents the first review of this literature to date. It investigates the impact of music interventions on the health and well-being of family carers of people living with dementia, and how they experience and perceive these interventions. Whittemore and Knafl’s five-stage integrative review framework was utilized: (i) problem identification; (ii) literature search; (iii) data evaluation; (iv) data analysis and synthesis; and (v) presentation of the findings. A total of 33 studies met the inclusion criteria. Analysis and synthesis resulted in three overarching themes: impact on family carers, carer perceptions of music interventions and null quantitative findings in small studies. The review found that singing and music interventions may improve family carers’ social and emotional well-being, enhance their ability to cope and care and ameliorate the caring relationship, contributing to experiences of flourishing. However, it highlighted that this area is under-researched and pointed to the need for larger, more rigorous studies.
Contesting liberal peace: Russia's emerging model of conflict management
Authors: Lewis David
Published: March 2022

Russia has begun to promote itself internationally as a mediator of conflict and as a ‘peacemaker’. Russian officials cite its extensive experience in managing numerous post-Soviet conflicts and its more recent experience of intervention in civil wars in Syria, Libya, the Central African Republic (CAR) and Nagorno-Karabakh. Russia considers all these activities forms of ‘peacemaking’, but its approach differs radically from the model of liberal peacebuilding that has dominated international practice in the post-Cold War era. It prioritizes authoritarian stability over justice, human rights and democracy and advocates short-term goals of conflict management over long-term goals of conflict resolution. In this article I explain why Russia's norms of peacemaking and conflict management diverged so markedly from liberal peacebuilding norms. I argue that Russia is no longer simply contesting western norms, but developing its own distinct model of conflict management. This model accepts the use of force as an integral element in peacemaking, engages in ‘coercive’ mediation by authoritative actors, and views the West as a geopolitical and normative opponent. This debate over Russia's approach to peace and conflict also offers wider insights into how Russia challenges the norms and practices that underpin the liberal international order.
Shi'a principles and Iran's strategic culture towards ballistic missile deployment
Authors: Eslami Mohammad , Vysotskaya Guedes Vieira Alena
Published: March 2022

Iran's January 2020 missile attacks on US military bases in Iraq following the assassination of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps General Qasem Soleimani correspond to a stark change of Iran's approach. Iran has namely abstained from using its ballistic missile program (BMP), which was only used twice after the 1980–88 Iran–Iraq War: in 2017 and 2018, in both instances in retaliation against ISIS attacks. The article explores the change in Iran's employment of its BMP from a strategic culture perspective while paying special attention to the principles of Shi'a Islam, which form a particular discursive habitat in which Iran's strategic actions are framed and rationalized. Iran's approach to the BMP is thus inseparable from qisas (retaliation), while obeying the overarching principle of maslahat; but also characterized by the varying importance of the the principles zarare aghall, ezterar and nafye sabil. We conclude that a perspective focusing on religious principles can contribute to our understanding of strategic cultural change, in what concerns its possible orientation, range and limits.
Usability, performance and safety of a new device for degenerative mitral regurgitation: in vivo chronic evaluation
Authors: Zeitani Jacob , Chiariello Giovanni Alfonso , Shofti Rona , Bruno Piergiorgio , Massetti Massimo , Alfieri Ottavio
Published: March 2022

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate the usability, performance and safety of an innovative mitral valve device in the chronic setting characterized by an intraventricular bridge, which enables artificial chordae anchoring and/or direct posterior leaflet fixation.

METHODS

Ten female sheep were employed and underwent device implantation. Any interference of the device with leaflet motion, ease of device use, correct chordae length estimation and implantation were evaluated. Post-procedural valve competence and device performance were verified by periodic postoperative echocardiograms and laboratory examinations. Following euthanasia, gross anatomy and histology evaluation of the hearts and valves were performed to detect tissue abnormalities and inflammation reaction related to the device.

RESULTS

The procedure was successfully completed in all 10 sheep. Lengths of the 2 chordae implanted were 23 (21.5–24) mm and 23 (22.5–24) mm. The time required to suture both pairs of the artificial chordae was 2.7 ± 0.7 min. At the 3-month follow-up, left ventricular function was normal. The transvalvular peak pressure gradient was 9 (7.5–10) and the mean gradient was 4 (3.5–4) mmHg. Upon necropsy and histological evaluation, no damage to left ventricle wall, valve leaflets, chordae and papillary muscles and absence of thrombus formation and inflammatory reaction were observed. Radiological images showed neither fracture of the device nor calcifications. Laboratory tests showed no signs of haemolysis.

CONCLUSIONS

In vivo late tests confirmed the ease of correct chordal length estimation prior to implantation, short operative time and usability in flailed anterior leaflet repair. The absence of negative impact of the device on mitral leaflets motion, function and structure and successful repair might suggest that the device would be useful in complex degenerative mitral disease.
The Popular Appeal of Human Rights Activism: Reimagining Transitional Justice as a Political Struggle
Authors: Georgi Frank Richard
Published: March 2022

How do human rights activists imagine transitional justice amid sociopolitical conflicts that surface after peace agreements? Since its inception in the 2016 peace accords, Colombia's renewed endeavor to come to terms with its violent past has been overshadowed by massive protests and political polarization. In this article, I argue that populism, defined as a grid of intelligibility to make sense of frustrated demands and engage in politics, can help us understand the protest discourses of human rights defenders on transitional justice as they emerge from experiences with political marginalization and broken state promises. Based on interviews during six months of fieldwork in different conflict-affected regions, I contend that human rights defenders imagine transitional justice in terms of a larger political struggle that exceeds justice for past atrocities and can be described through three tropes that both resound with and challenge populism debates: truth as the frontier of political confrontation with right-wing elites, the “rights-defending victim” as a form of popular subjectivity and political underdog, and liberal overhaul of corrupted democratic institutions. Conceptually, my reconstruction of activist discourses serves a two-fold purpose: it bridges debates on transitional justice and contentious politics, and constructively challenges the ostensible incompatibility of human rights and populism.
Effect of genotypic richness, drought and mycorrhizal associations on productivity and functional traits of a dominant C4 grass
Authors: Pehim Limbu Smriti , Avolio Meghan L
Published: March 2022

While the relationship between genetic diversity and plant productivity has been established for many species, it is unclear whether environmental conditions and biotic associations alter the nature of the relationship. To address this, we investigated the interactive effects of genotypic diversity, drought and mycorrhizal association on plant productivity and plant traits. Our mesocosm study was set up at the Konza Prairie Biological Research Station, located in the south of Manhattan, Kansas. Andropogon gerardii, the focal species for our study, was planted in two levels of genotypic richness treatment: monoculture or three-genotype polyculture. A rainout shelter was constructed over half of the experimental area to impose a drought and Thiophanate-methyl fungicide was used to suppress arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in selected pots within each genotypic richness and drought treatment. Genotypic richness and mycorrhizal association did not affect above-ground biomass of A. gerardii. Drought differentially affected the above-ground biomass, the number of flowers and bolts of A. gerardii genotypes, and the biomass and the functional traits also differed for monoculture versus polyculture. Our results suggest that drought and genotypic richness can have variable outcomes for different genotypes of a plant species.
Psychometric Considerations in Developing PROMIS® Measures for Early Childhood
Authors: Lai Jin-Shei , Kallen Michael A , Blackwell Courtney K , Wakschlag Lauren S , Cella David
Published: March 2022

Objective

The early expression of lifespan health and disease states can often be detected in early childhood. Currently, the Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS®) includes over 300 measures of health for individuals ages 5 years and older. We extended PROMIS to early childhood by creating developmentally appropriate, lifespan coherent parent-report measures for 1–5-year-olds. This paper describes the psychometric approaches used for these efforts;

Methods

2 waves of data from parents of children ages 1–5 were collected via 2 internet panel companies. Wave 1 data (n = 1,400) were used to evaluate item pool unidimensionality, model fit, and initial item parameters. Combined data from wave 1 and wave 2 (reference sample; n = 1,057) were used to estimate final item parameters. Using item response theory methods, we developed and tested 12 item pools: Global Health, Physical Activity, Sleep Disturbance, Sleep-related Impairment, Anger/Irritability, Anxiety, Depressive Symptoms, Positive Affect, Self-Regulation, Engagement, Family Relationships, and Peer Relationships;

Results

Wave 1 analyses supported the unidimensionality of Physical Activity, Positive Affect, Anger/Irritability, Anxiety, Depressive Symptoms, and Global Health. Family Relationships and Peer Relationships were combined to form “Social Relationships”; Sleep Disturbance and Sleep-related Impairment were combined to form “Sleep Problems.” Self-Regulation was divided into “Flexibility” and “Frustration Tolerance”; Engagement was divided into “Curiosity” and “Persistence.” Short forms were developed for item banks with more than 10 items; and

Conclusions

Using rigorous mixed-methods, we successfully extended PROMIS to early childhood (1–5-year-olds). Measures are now publicly available in English and Spanish (www.healthmeasures.net).
Similarities behind the high- and low-α disc: small intrinsic abundance scatter and migrating stars
Authors: Lu Yuxi (Lucy) , Ness Melissa K , Buck Tobias , Zinn Joel C , Johnston Kathryn V
Published: March 2022

The detailed age-chemical abundance relations of stars measure time-dependent chemical evolution. These trends offer strong empirical constraints on nucleosynthetic processes, as well as the homogeneity of star-forming gas. Characterizing chemical abundances of stars across the Milky Way over time has been made possible very recently, thanks to surveys like Gaia, APOGEE, and Kepler. Studies of the low-α disc have shown that individual elements have unique age–abundance trends and the intrinsic dispersion around these relations is small. In this study, we examine and compare the age distribution of stars across both the high and low-α disc and quantify the intrinsic dispersion of 16 elements around their age–abundance relations at [Fe/H] = 0 using APOGEE DR16. We examine the age–metallicity relation and visualize the temporal and spatial distribution of disc stars in small chemical cells. We find: (1) the high-α disc has shallower age–abundance relations compared to the low-α disc, but similar median intrinsic dispersions of ∼0.03 dex; (2) turnover points in the age-[Fe/H] relations across radius for both the high- and low-α disc. The former constrains the mechanisms that set similar intrinsic dispersions, regardless of differences in the enrichment history, for stars in both disc, and the latter indicates the presence of radial migration in both disc. Our study is accompanied by an age catalogue for 64 317 stars in APOGEE derived using the cannon with a median uncertainty of 1.5 Gyr (26 per cent; APO-CAN stars), and a red clump catalogue of 22 031 stars with a contamination rate of 2.7 per cent.
The XXL Survey – XLVIII. X-ray follow-up of distant XXL clusters: masses, scaling relations, and AGN contamination
Authors: Duffy R T , Logan C H A , Maughan B J , Eckert D , Birkinshaw M , Clerc N , Ettori S , Gastaldello F , Koulouridis E , Pierre M , Ricci M , Sereno M , Valtchanov I , Willis J P
Published: March 2022

We use deep follow-up XMM–Newton observations of six clusters discovered in the XXL Survey at z > 1 to gain robust measurements of their X-ray properties and to investigate the extent to which scaling relations at low redshift are valid at z > 1. This sample is unique as it has been investigated for active galactic nucleus (AGN) contamination, which ensures measurements are not undermined by systematic uncertainties, and pushes to lower mass at higher redshift than is usually possible, for example with Sunyaev–Zel’dovich (SZ) selected clusters. We determine the flux contribution of point sources to the XXL cluster flux in order to test for the presence of AGN in other high-redshift cluster candidates, and find 3XLSS J231626.8−533822 to be a point source misclassified as a cluster and 3XLSS J232737.3−541618 to be a genuine cluster. We present the first attempt to measure the hydrostatic masses in a bright subsample of z > 1 X-ray selected galaxy clusters with a known selection function. Periods of high particle background significantly reduced the effective exposure times of observations (losing >50 per cent in some cases) limiting the power of this study. When combined with complementary SZ selected cluster samples at higher masses, the data appear broadly consistent with the self-similar evolution of the low redshift scaling relations between intracluster medium properties and cluster mass, suggesting that properties such as the X-ray temperature, gas mass, and SZ signal remain reliable mass proxies even at high redshift.