bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of sex-based differences in energy substrate utilization during moderate-intensity aerobic exercise
Authors: Cano Antonella , Ventura Lucia , Martinez Gianluca , Cugusi Lucia , Caria Marcello , Deriu Franca , Manca Andrea
Published: September 2021

Purpose

To explore sex-based differences in energy substrate utilization during moderate-intensity aerobic exercise; to identify the underpinning candidate physiological mechanisms.

Methods

Three databases were searched from inception to August 2020. Pertinent studies quantifying the utilization of substrates during moderate aerobic exercise in healthy men and reproductive-age women were considered. Studies conducted on sedentary/recreationally active and athletic populations were included and analyzed separately.

Results

Thirty-five studies entered the meta-analysis (21 in sedentary/recreationally active, 14 in athletic populations). Compared to women, the respiratory exchange ratio was significantly higher both in sedentary (mean difference, MD: + 0.03; p < 0.00001) and athletic men (MD: + 0.02; p < 0.0001). Greater carbohydrate oxidation was observed both in sedentary (standardized MD, SMD: 0.53; p = 0.006) and athletic men (SMD: 1.24; p < 0.00001). Regarding lipid substrates, sedentary men oxidized less fat than women (SMD:  − 0.77; p = 0.0002), while no sex-based differences in fat oxidation were observed in athletes (SMD: 0.06; p = 0.77). Paucity of data prevented robust meta-analyses for protein sources. Sex hormones and different adrenergic activation were the most cited mechanisms to discuss sex-based differences.

Conclusions

Meta-analyses confirmed that men display greater reliance on carbohydrates while women rely more on lipids to sustain moderate aerobic exercise. The latter finding was not confirmed in athletes, a novel aspect of the present study. Mechanistically driven research is needed to further dissect the physiological underpinnings of sex differences in substrate utilization during aerobic exercise, especially for proteins, which are still less investigated than other substrates.
Effects of corners in surface superconductivity
Authors: Correggi Michele , Giacomelli Emanuela L.
Published: September 2021

We study the Ginzburg–Landau functional describing an extreme type-II superconductor wire with cross section with finitely many corners at the boundary. We derive the ground state energy asymptotics up to o(1) errors in the surface superconductivity regime, i.e., between the second and third critical fields. We show that, compared to the case of smooth domains, each corner provides an additional contribution of order $$ {\mathcal {O}}(1) $$

O
(
1
)

depending on the corner opening angle. The corner energy is in turn obtained from an implicit model problem in an infinite wedge-like domain with fixed magnetic field. We also prove that such an auxiliary problem is well-posed and its ground state energy bounded and, finally, state a conjecture about its explicit dependence on the opening angle of the sector.
Thinning decreased soil respiration differently in two dryland Mediterranean forests with contrasted soil temperature and humidity regimes
Authors: Bautista Inmaculada , Lidón Antonio , Lull Cristina , González-Sanchis María , del Campo Antonio D.
Published: September 2021

The effects of a thinning treatment on soil respiration (Rs) were analysed in two dryland forest types with a Mediterranean climate in east Spain: a dry subhumid holm oak forest (Quercus ilex subsp. ballota) in La Hunde; a semiarid postfire regenerated Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) forest in Sierra Calderona. Two twin plots were established at each site: one was thinned and the other was the control. Rs, soil humidity and temperature were measured regularly in the field at nine points per plot distributed into three blocks along the slope for 3 years at HU and for 2 years at CA after forest treatment. Soil heterotrophic activity was measured in laboratory on soil samples obtained bimonthly from December 2012 to June 2013 at the HU site. Seasonal Rs distribution gave low values in winter, began to increase in spring before lowering as soil dried in summer. This scenario indicates that with a semiarid climate, soil respiration is controlled by both soil humidity and soil temperature. Throughout the study period, the mean Rs value in the HU C plot was 13% higher than at HU T, and was 26% higher at CA C than the corresponding CA T plot value, being the differences significantly higher in control plots during active growing periods. Soil microclimatic variables explain the biggest proportion of variability for Rs: soil temperature explained 24.1% of total variability for Rs in the dry subhumid forest; soil humidity accounted for 24.6% of total variability for Rs in the semiarid forest. As Mediterranean climates are characterised by wide interannual variability, Rs showed considerable variability over the years, which can mask the effect caused by thinning treatment.
Responsible Management-as-Practice: Mobilizing a Posthumanist Approach
Authors: Gherardi Silvia , Laasch Oliver
Published: September 2021

The emerging field of responsible management (RM) studies the integration of sustainability, responsibility, and ethics in managerial practices. Therefore, turning to practice theories for the study of RM appears to hold great promise of conceptual and methodological contribution. We propose a posthumanist practice approach for studying RM-as-practice. Managerial practices are conceived as the agencement of heterogeneous elements (humans, nonhumans, more-than-humans, materials, and discourses) that achieve agency in their being interconnected. Thus, RM is understood as processual, relational, emergent, and sociomaterial. We contribute a framework for the empirical study of RM-as-practice on the basis of three sensitizing concepts: situatedness, sociomateriality, and textures. We further discuss the implications of understanding responsibility as response-ability, an engaged practice for relating to the other and the RM researcher’s role as internal to the practice agencement under study, thus, opening the debate on our own response-ability.
Approaches to teaching in higher education: the perspective of network analysis using the revised approaches to teaching inventory
Authors: Mladenovici Velibor , Ilie Marian D. , Maricuțoiu Laurențiu P. , Iancu Daniel E.
Published: September 2021

Over time, the academics’ approaches to teaching (i.e., content- or learning-focused approach) were intensively studied. Traditionally, studies estimated the shared variance between the items that describe a behavioral pattern (i.e., the psychometric approach), defined as a learning- or content-focused approach to teaching. In this study, we used a different perspective (i.e., network analysis) to investigate academics’ approaches to teaching. We aimed to bring in new insights regarding the interactions between the elements that define academics’ approaches to teaching. We used the Revised Approaches to Teaching Inventory to collect responses from 705 academics (63.97% female) from six Romanian universities. The main results indicated that academics’ conceptions about the subject matter are central to their preferences concerning the adoption of a content-focused or a learning-focused approach to teaching. The estimated network is stable across different sub-samples defined by the academic disciplines, class size, academics’ gender, and teaching experience. We highlighted the implications of these findings for research and teaching practice in higher education. Also, several recommendations for developing pedagogical training programs for academics were suggested. In particular, this study brings valuable insights for addressing academics’ conception about the subject matter and suggests that this could be a new topic for pedagogical training programs dedicated to university teachers.
The Protective Effect of Neighbourhood Collective Efficacy On Family Violence and Youth Antisocial Behaviour in Two South Korean Prospective Longitudinal Cohorts
Authors: Bauer Andreas , Hammerton Gemma , Park Jisu , Murray Joseph , Han Yoonsun , Matijasevich Alicia , Halligan Sarah L. , Fairchild Graeme
Published: September 2021

Neighbourhood collective efficacy has been proposed as a protective factor against family violence and youth antisocial behaviour. However, little is known about its impact on parent and child behaviour in non-Western countries. Using data from two population-based prospective cohorts from South Korea, including primary school students aged 10–12 years (N = 2844) and secondary school students aged 15–17 years (N = 3449), we examined the interplay between collective efficacy, family violence, and youth antisocial behaviour, and whether effects vary by SES. In a first series of models, in both samples, higher levels of collective efficacy were associated with lower levels of family violence, whereas higher levels of family violence were associated with higher levels of youth antisocial behaviour. There was no direct effect of collective efficacy on youth antisocial behaviour; however, there was an indirect effect via family violence. Although these effects were more pronounced in low SES children, there was no evidence of moderation by SES. In a second series of models, in primary school students, collective efficacy was not associated with youth antisocial behaviour. However, there was a direct effect of collective efficacy on family violence, even after adjusting for youth antisocial behaviour. Again, there was no evidence of moderation by SES. In secondary school students, the pattern of results was less consistent, however, again, suggesting more pronounced effects of collective efficacy in low SES children. The findings suggest that collective efficacy may influence family violence more directly, whereas youth antisocial behaviour may be affected more indirectly through the family environment.
On believing indirectly for practical reasons
Authors: Schmidt Sebastian
Published: September 2021

It is often argued that there are no practical reasons for belief because we could not believe for such reasons. A recent reply by pragmatists is that we can often believe for practical reasons because we can often cause our beliefs for practical reasons. This paper reveals the limits of this recently popular strategy for defending pragmatism, and thereby reshapes the dialectical options for pragmatism. I argue that the strategy presupposes that reasons for being in non-intentional states are not reducible to reasons to act. Pragmatists who want to preserve a motivational constraint on reasons therefore have exactly two options: either arguing that there are irreducible reasons for being in non-intentional states (new pragmatism); or arguing that we can believe directly for practical reasons (traditional pragmatism). I argue that the prospects for the former option are dim because irreducible reasons to be in states are hard to square with the motivational constraint on reasons. Returning to the more traditional route of arguing for pragmatism by defending a version of doxastic voluntarism therefore seems to be the more promising way for pragmatists to go.
Noncompliance with SEC regulations: evidence from timely loan disclosures
Authors: Caskey Judson , Huang Kanyuan , Saavedra Daniel
Published: September 2021

We use required 8-K filings around major borrowings to shed light on firms’ choices of whether to comply with SEC disclosure rules. Exploiting within-firm variation, we find that firms are more likely to hide loans with high spreads and tight financial covenants. We further find that firms appear to exploit the ambiguity of the definition of materiality, as they are more likely to selectively disclose (hide) “immaterial” loans when interest rates are low (high). Firms are less likely to hide loans when investors anticipate borrowing during asset acquisition, when firms are followed by more equity analysts or receive more investor attention, and when the firms’ stock prices are more volatile. Lastly, we provide evidence that the SEC does not rigorously enforce compliance with 8-K loan disclosures.
The Emirates Mars Mission (EMM) Emirates Mars InfraRed Spectrometer (EMIRS) Instrument
Authors: Edwards Christopher S. , Christensen Philip R. , Mehall Greg L. , Anwar Saadat , Tunaiji Eman Al , Badri Khalid , Bowles Heather , Chase Stillman , Farkas Zoltan , Fisher Tara , Janiczek John , Kubik Ian , Harris-Laurila Kelly , Holmes Andrew , Lazbin Igor , Madril Edgar , McAdam Mark , Miner Mark , O’Donnell William , Ortiz Carlos , Pelham Daniel , Patel Mehul , Powell Kathryn , Shamordola Ken , Tourville Tom , Smith Michael D. , Smith Nathan , Woodward Rob , Weintraub Aaron , Reed Heather , Pilinski Emily B.
Published: September 2021

The Emirates Mars Mission Emirates Mars Infrared Spectrometer (EMIRS) will provide remote measurements of the martian surface and lower atmosphere in order to better characterize the geographic and diurnal variability of key constituents (water ice, water vapor, and dust) along with temperature profiles on sub-seasonal timescales. EMIRS is a FTIR spectrometer covering the range from 6.0-100+ μm (1666-100 cm−1) with a spectral sampling as high as 5 cm−1 and a 5.4-mrad IFOV and a 32.5×32.5 mrad FOV. The EMIRS optical path includes a flat 45° pointing mirror to enable one degree of freedom and has a +/- 60° clear aperture around the nadir position which is fed to a 17.78-cm diameter Cassegrain telescope. The collected light is then fed to a flat-plate based Michelson moving mirror mounted on a dual linear voice-coil motor assembly. An array of deuterated L-alanine doped triglycine sulfate (DLaTGS) pyroelectric detectors are used to sample the interferogram every 2 or 4 seconds (depending on the spectral sampling selected). A single 0.846 μm laser diode is used in a metrology interferometer to provide interferometer positional control, sampled at 40 kHz (controlled at 5 kHz) and infrared signal sampled at 625 Hz. The EMIRS beamsplitter is a 60-mm diameter, 1-mm thick 1-arcsecond wedged chemical vapor deposited diamond with an antireflection microstructure to minimize first surface reflection. EMIRS relies on an instrumented internal v-groove blackbody target for a full-aperture radiometric calibration. The radiometric precision of a single spectrum (in 5 cm−1 mode) is <3.0×10−8 W cm−2 sr−1/cm−1 between 300 and 1350 cm−1 over instrument operational temperatures (<∼0.5 K NE$\Delta $
Δ
T @ 250 K). The absolute integrated radiance error is < 2% for scene temperatures ranging from 200-340 K. The overall EMIRS envelope size is 52.9×37.5×34.6 cm and the mass is 14.72 kg including the interface adapter plate. The average operational power consumption is 22.2 W, and the standby power consumption is 18.6 W with a 5.7 W thermostatically limited, always-on operational heater. EMIRS was developed by Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University in collaboration with the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre with Arizona Space Technologies developing the electronics. EMIRS was integrated, tested and radiometrically calibrated at Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ.
The Microstructure and Properties of Carbon Thin Films on Nanobainitic Steel
Authors: Skołek Emilia , Meredyk Monika , Tarnowski Michał , Borowski Tomasz , Kulikowski Krzysztof , Chodun Rafał , Marciniak Szymon , Sobiecki Jerzy Robert , Świątnicki Wiesław
Published: September 2021

The aim of this study was to assess whether it is possible to produce a high adhesive carbon coating by applying low-temperature RFCVD and glow discharge methods on nanobainitic X37CrMoV5-1 steel with and without nitrided sublayer. For this purpose, several methods of investigation were used: observations of coating morphology by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), analysis of bonds found in coatings (Raman spectroscopy), microhardness tests and adhesion of coatings (Scratch tests). Our research has shown that low-temperature RFCVD and glow discharge processes of nanobainitic X37CrMoV5-1 steel allow producing carbon coatings that can be described as hardened carbon coatings with very high hardness—> 2000 HV 0.25 in case of RFCVD processes and > 3300 HV 0.025 for glow discharge process and low friction coefficient—near 0.12 at 5 N load. However, the adhesion of produced coatings to the steel substrate strongly depends on the appropriate selection of the process parameters and on the proper preparation of the substrate before the deposition regarding the thermal stability of nanobainite.
Comparison of the Variability of Small Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Human Liver Cancer Tissues and Cultured from the Tissue Explants Based on a Simple Enrichment Method
Authors: Chen Jie , Jiao Zhigang , Mo Jianwen , Huang Defa , Li Zhengzhe , Zhang Wenjuan , Yang Tong , Zhao Minghong , Xie Fangfang , Hu Die , Wang Xiaoxing , Yi Xiaomei , Jiang Yu , Zhong Tianyu
Published: September 2021

A potential use of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes has recently generated a great interest. sEVs, when purified directly from various tissues with proper procedures, can reflect the physiological and pathological state of the organism. However, the quality of sEV is affected by many factors during isolation, including separation of sEV from cell and tissues debris, the use of enzymes for tissue digestion, and the storage state of tissues. In the present study, we established an assay for the isolation and purification of liver cancer tissues-derived sEVs (tdsEVs) and cultured explants-derived sEVs (cedsEVs) by comparing the quality of sEVs derived from different concentration of digestion enzyme and incubation time. The nano-flow cytometry (NanoFCM) showed that the isolated tdsEVs by our method are purer than those obtained from differential ultracentrifugation. Our study thus establishes a simple and effective approach for isolation of high-quality sEVs that can be used for analysis of their constituents.

Graphical abstract
How do mindfulness-based programmes improve anxiety, depression and psychological distress? A systematic review
Authors: Maddock Alan , Blair Carolyn
Published: September 2021

This study aimed to systematically review studies which conducted a controlled mediation analysis in order to examine the potential mechanisms which underlie mindfulness-based programme’s (MBPs) effects on anxiety, depression and psychological distress in any health or mental health population. Searches of six databases (Medline (Ovid), PsycINFO, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, Cinahal Plus and Cochrane Reviews) were undertaken in September 2020. After removing duplicates, 2052 records were screened, of these 1822 were excluded based on the abstract and 230 were further assessed for eligibility against the full study inclusion criteria. Full texts were acquired for the 11 studies which met the inclusion criteria. The quality of the methodologies of each of these 11 studies were assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool (Higgins et al., 2011). The quality of the findings from each study relating to the hypothesised mechanisms of action of the MBP reviewed were evaluated using Alsubaie et al. (2017)’s framework for abstracting and interpreting mechanistic study quality, derived from recommendations made by Kazdin (2007, 2009). We found preliminary evidence that MBCT/MBSR treatment effects on anxiety and depression may be mediated by hypothesised mechanisms, such as mindfulness, rumination, worry, self-compassion, cognitive reactivity, aversion, attention regulation skills and positive affect. An overall lack of methodological rigour does preclude us from making any definitive conclusions on causality. The results from this study do however provide some insights into what the potential causal pathways connecting MBPs with improved anxiety and depression might be.
Motivation of UK graduate students in education: self-compassion moderates pathway from extrinsic motivation to intrinsic motivation
Authors: Kotera Yasuhiro , Taylor Elaina , Fido Dean , Williams Dan , Tsuda-McCaie Freya
Published: September 2021

Academic motivation is recognised as a key factor for academic success and wellbeing. Highly motivated students actively engage with academic activities and maintain good wellbeing. Despite the importance of motivation in education, its relationship with engagement and wellbeing remains to be evaluated. Accordingly, this study explored the relationships between motivation, engagement, self-criticism and self-compassion among UK education postgraduate students. Of 120 postgraduate students approached, 109 completed three self-report scales regarding those constructs. Correlation, regression and moderation analyses were performed. Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation were positively associated with engagement, whereas amotivation was negatively associated with it. Engagement positively predicted intrinsic motivation. Self-criticism and self-compassion moderated the pathway from extrinsic motivation to intrinsic motivation: higher self-criticism weakened the pathway, while higher self-compassion strengthened it. Findings suggest the importance of engagement in relation to cultivating intrinsic motivation of education students. Moreover, enhancing self-compassion and reducing self-criticism can help transfer extrinsic to intrinsic motivation.
A parametric data handling evaluation framework for autonomous lunar networks
Authors: Rimani Jasmine , Mascolo Luigi , Fraire Juan A.
Published: September 2021

Different and exciting exploration opportunities toward the Moon are opening in this decade. In particular, the major space agencies are putting a considerable effort in designing and studying a broad spectrum of missions that will bring back the humans on the Moon. During the evaluation of Lunar mission concepts, having a tool that can quickly assess the best communication and data-handling architecture given a set of satellites and a site of interest is mandatory. In this work, a novel parametric framework is presented and applied to the study of the expected connectivity of Lunar networks. The framework comprises bent-pipe, store-and-forward and store-carry-and-forward networking approaches, covering most common data management options. The methodology is designed to determine the best communication architecture given an arbitrary set of available satellites, ground stations, point of interest, and data volume. The proposed algorithm has been applied in a motivating case study of a networked mission devoted to observing lava tubes sites on the Moon surface. Results validate the approach which can identify the inflection points where different data handling techniques outperform each other.
Physical simulation of residual oil displacement production in offshore strong bottom water reservoir
Authors: Tan Jie , Cai Hui , Li Yan-lai , Liu Chun-yan , Miao Fei-fei , Liu Chun-zhi
Published: September 2021

The C oilfield is located in the Bohai Bay Basin, a typical strong bottom water reservoir. Oilfield reservoir and oil–water distribution are complex. At present, the C oilfield has entered the high water cut development stage, and it is challenging to stabilize oil and control water. The reservoir with an imperfect well pattern has dominant bottom water ridge channels, uneven oil–water interface uplift, limited water drive sweep range, and low inter-well reservoir production degree. The oil layer between the horizontal section of the production well and the top of the reservoir cannot be effectively developed, and the remaining oil is enriched. Therefore, it is urgent to explore new energy supplement methods to improve inter-well and vertical remaining oil production in the C oilfield. In this study, the displacement medium is optimized through indoor experimental simulation. From the experimental results, the remaining oil between the sand bodies can be used in heavy oil reservoirs, and the residual oil between wells can be significantly utilized in the alternate displacement of gas and foam, and the recovery degree of the reservoir is increased by 12.44%. The remaining oil at the top of the reservoir can be used in the upper reservoir to increase the remaining oil in the top of the reservoir by injecting gas and foam alternately in the new reservoir. The final recovery of the reservoir is increased by 6.00%. This experimental study guides tapping the potential of the remaining oil in the offshore strong bottom water reservoir.
Welke tumoren worden gemist wanneer systematische biopten achterwege gelaten worden bij patiënten met de verdenking op prostaatcarcinoom? (‘DROPP-IT’)
Authors: van den Bergh Roderick C. N. , Reesink Daan J. , Wever Lieke , Soeterik Timo F. W. , van Selm Sandrine , Stijns Pascal E. F. , van der Hoeven Erik J. R. J. , de Bruin Peter C. , van Melick Harm H. E.
Published: September 2021

Samenvatting

De MRI-scan van de prostaat heeft de bioptstrategie sterk beïnvloed. Toch kunnen bij een normale MRI biopten geïndiceerd blijven: zowel gerichte als systematische. In deze studie werd geanalyseerd welke prostaattumoren gemist zouden worden in de hypothetische situatie dat er geen systematische biopten genomen waren in ons cohort, en dat de MRI volledig leidend zou zijn geweest in het diagnostisch pad. Als referentie dienden de uitkomsten van het standaardprotocol, waarin alle verwezen patiënten (n = 496) een MRI krijgen, er bij een verhoogde kans op prostaatkanker volgens de ERSPC-prostaatwijzer óf afwijkende MRI biopten worden genomen, en er altijd systematische, plusgerichte biopten worden verricht, indien mogelijk. Uit de analyse bleek dat 16 % van de tumoren met een ISUP-graad ≥2 (≥3 + 4 = 7) gemist zou zijn, maar ook dat slechts 66 % van de patiënten gebiopteerd zou hoeven worden, met 50–75 % minder cores, en dat 52 % van de ISUP-gr 1 (3 + 3 = 6)-tumoren ongedetecteerd zouden blijven.
From hardware store to hospital: a COVID-19-inspired, cost-effective, open-source, in vivo-validated ventilator for use in resource-scarce regions
Authors: Park Matthew H. , Zhu Yuanjia , Wang Hanjay , Tran Nicholas A. , Jung Jinsuh , Paulsen Michael J. , Imbrie-Moore Annabel M. , Baker Samuel , Wilkerson Robert , Marin-Cuartas Mateo , Mullis Danielle M. , Woo Y. Joseph
Published: September 2021

Resource-scarce regions with serious COVID-19 outbreaks do not have enough ventilators to support critically ill patients, and these shortages are especially devastating in developing countries. To help alleviate this strain, we have designed and tested the accessible low-barrier in vivo-validated economical ventilator (ALIVE Vent), a COVID-19-inspired, cost-effective, open-source, in vivo-validated solution made from commercially available components. The ALIVE Vent operates using compressed oxygen and air to drive inspiration, while two solenoid valves ensure one-way flow and precise cycle timing. The device was functionally tested and profiled using a variable resistance and compliance artificial lung and validated in anesthetized large animals. Our functional test results revealed its effective operation under a wide variety of ventilation conditions defined by the American Association of Respiratory Care guidelines for ventilator stockpiling. The large animal test showed that our ventilator performed similarly if not better than a standard ventilator in maintaining optimal ventilation status. The FiO2, respiratory rate, inspiratory to expiratory time ratio, positive-end expiratory pressure, and peak inspiratory pressure were successfully maintained within normal, clinically validated ranges, and the animals were recovered without any complications. In regions with limited access to ventilators, the ALIVE Vent can help alleviate shortages, and we have ensured that all used materials are publicly available. While this pandemic has elucidated enormous global inequalities in healthcare, innovative, cost-effective solutions aimed at reducing socio-economic barriers, such as the ALIVE Vent, can help enable access to prompt healthcare and life saving technology on a global scale and beyond COVID-19.
Artificial intelligence in human factors and ergonomics: an overview of the current state of research
Authors: Petrat Deborah
Published: September 2021

The development of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies continues to advance. To fully exploit the potential, it is important to deal with the topics of human factors and ergonomics, so that a smooth implementation of AI applications can be realized. In order to map the current state of research in this area, three systematic literature reviews with different focuses were conducted. The seven observation levels of work processes according to Luczak and Volpert (1987) served as a basis. Overall n = 237 sources were found and analyzed. It can be seen that the research critically deals with human-centered, effective as well as efficient work in relation to AI. Research gaps, for example in the areas of corporate education concepts and participation and voice, identify further needs in research. The author postulates not to miss the transition between forecasts and verifiable facts.
Diabetes and conversational agents: the AIDA project case study
Authors: Alloatti Francesca , Bosca Alessio , Di Caro Luigi , Pieraccini Fabrizio
Published: September 2021

One of the key aspects in the process of caring for people with diabetes is Therapeutic Education (TE). TE is a teaching process for training patients so that they can self-manage their care plan. Alongside traditional methods of providing educational content, there are now alternative forms of delivery thanks to the implementation of advanced Information Technologies systems such as conversational agents (CAs). In this context, we present the AIDA project: an ensemble of two different CAs intended to provide a TE tool for people with diabetes. The Artificial Intelligence Diabetes Assistant (AIDA) consists of a text-based chatbot and a speech-based dialog system. Their content has been created and validated by a scientific board. AIDA Chatbot—the text-based agent—provides a broad spectrum of information about diabetes, while AIDA Cookbot—the voice-based agent—presents recipes compliant with a diabetic patient’s diet. We provide a thorough description of the development process for both agents, the technology employed and their usage by the general public. AIDA Chatbot and AIDA Cookbot are freely available and they represent the first example of conversational agents in Italian to support diabetes patients, clinicians and caregivers.
Coverage of National Priority List sites by the print media during the implementation of Superfund: the role of race and income
Authors: Mohr Robert D. , Cunningham Cindy , Saha Shrawantee , Vincenzi Marco
Published: September 2021

We review 1982–1984 articles identifying Superfund sites in three national newspapers. Articles almost never identify the race of nearby residents. Based on sites receiving disproportionate coverage, readers might conclude that Superfund generally affected white, working-class families, but results do not support this narrative. In a pooled sample, neither race nor income predicts the number of times a site gets mentioned. When the sample is partitioned by newspaper or by each newspaper's coverage of nearby sites, a positive relationship emerges between the proportion of Hispanic or nonwhite residents and the number of articles about a site. We discuss this apparent contradiction.
Defrag and reboot? Consolidating information and communication technology research in I-O psychology
Authors: Hu Xinyu (Judy) , Barber Larissa K. , Park YoungAh , Day Arla
Published: September 2021

Several decades of research have addressed the role of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in industrial-organizational (I-O) psychology. However, segmented research streams with myriad terminologies run the risk of construct proliferation and lack an integrated theoretical justification of the contributions of ICT concepts. Therefore, by identifying important trends and reflecting on key constructs, findings, and theories, our review seeks to determine whether a compelling case can be made for the uniqueness of ICT-related concepts in studying employee and performance in I-O psychology. Two major themes emerge from our review of the ICT literature: (a) a technology behavior perspective and (b) a technology experience perspective. The technology behavior perspective with three subcategories (the “where” of work design, the “when” of work extension, and the “what” of work inattention) explores how individual technology use can be informative for predicting employee well-being and performance. The technology experience perspective theme with two subcategories (the “how” of ICT appraisals and “why” of motives) emphasizes unique psychological (as opposed to behavioral) experiences arising from the technological work context. Based on this review, we outline key challenges of current ICT research perspectives and opportunities for further enhancing our understanding of technological implications for individual workers and organizations.
Forms of ethical dilemmas in industrial-organizational psychology
Authors: Lefkowitz Joel
Published: September 2021

Professional ethics has not been a major focus in industrial-organizational (I-O) psychology—in comparison with our study of unethical behavior in organizations. Consequently, we know very little about ethical situations actually faced by I-O psychologists. This article presents and tests a structural perspective on understanding the nature of ethical dilemmas that can facilitate such study. A taxonomy of five paradigmatic forms of ethical dilemmas is defined and placed in a theoretical context. Narrative descriptions of 292 ethical situations were obtained from a sample of 228 professional members of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) in the United States and were used to empirically test the taxonomy. The narratives were content analyzed for form of dilemma, work domain of occurrence, relevance to human resource administration concerns, and favorability of the situation’s resolution. The work domains that were most problematic were academic research/publication activities, individual assessment/assessment centers, consulting issues regarding the client, and academic supervising/mentoring. There were no significant differences as a function of respondents’ sex, seniority, or professional membership status (member/fellow). This relatively “content free” structural aspect of ethical dilemmas enables comparisons across different domains (of professions, organizations, demographic groups, age cohorts, etc.) in which the overt idiosyncratic ethical problems experienced are not commensurable. Similarly, it can yield interpretable longitudinal comparisons despite changes in the manifestations of ethical problems encountered over time.
ON THE BOUNDARY BEHAVIOUR OF FRIDMAN INVARIANTS
Authors: YANG SHICHAO
Published: September 2021

We prove that the Fridman invariant defined using the Carathéodory pseudodistance does not always go to 1 near strongly Levi pseudoconvex boundary points and it always goes to 0 near nonpseudoconvex boundary points. We also discuss whether Fridman invariants can be extended continuously to some boundary points of domains constructed by deleting compact subsets from other domains.
A MISPRINT IN THE OXFORD CLASSICAL TEXT OF PLATO'S PHAEDO
Authors: Falbo Roberto
Published: September 2021

This article reports a notable misprint in J.C.G. Strachan's Oxford Classical Text of Plato's Phaedo (1995).
Transformation – Overcoming the Limits of Liberal Peace and Transitional Justice in Deeply Divided Societies: Reconciliation in Liberal Peace Theory
Authors: Avi-Guy Or
Published: September 2021

This article explores the tension between the theoretical conceptualisations of liberal peace, transitional justice and reconciliation by focusing on power sharing as a liberal peace institution-building mechanism. Power sharing is based on the premise that identities in conflict in deeply divided societies are difficult, if not impossible, to change. The article outlines the limitations of liberal peace by demonstrating how the implementation of power-sharing arrangements creates a political reality in which conflict patterns are further entrenched, thus hindering the prospects of conflict transformation. In order to address the limitations of liberal peace, the article draws on models of transformative justice to highlight the growing need for a new conceptualisation of reconciliation as a political and transformative concept, in which both justice and reconciliation are recognised as intrinsic goals for post-conflict societies. Thus, the re-establishment of political structures and institutional reforms is envisaged not only as a tool to promote political stability, but as a means of facilitating transformation in conflict patterns in the political and social spheres.
Clinical Policies and Procedures for Critical Care Transport during a Respiratory Pandemic
Authors: Leisten David C. , Wheeler Jennifer , Boomhower James , Frakes Michael A. , Denison Todd , Cohen Jason E. , Wilcox Susan R.
Published: September 2021

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus disease-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic of 2020-2021 created unprecedented challenges for clinicians in critical care transport (CCT). These CCT services had to rapidly adjust their clinical approaches to evolving patient demographics, a preponderance of respiratory failure, and transport utilization stratagem. Organizations had to develop and implement new protocols and guidelines in rapid succession, often without the education and training that would have been involved pre-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). These changes were complicated by the need to protect crew members as well as to optimize patient care. Clinical initiatives included developing an awake proning transport protocol and a protocol to transport intubated proned patients. One service developed a protocol for helmet ventilation to minimize aerosolization risks for patients on noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV). While these clinical protocols were developed specifically for COVID-19, the growth in practice will enhance the care of patients with other causes of respiratory failure. Additionally, these processes will apply to future respiratory epidemics and pandemics.
Abrufeffekte im Gedächtnis: Ein Überblick zur aktuellen Grundlagenforschung
Authors: Tempel Tobias , Pastötter Bernhard
Published: September 2021

Zusammenfassung. Der Frage, wie Erinnern das Gedächtnis formt, wurde in der Kognitiven Psychologie in letzter Zeit große Aufmerksamkeit gewidmet. Testungseffekte, die in einer durch Gedächtnisabruf in der Folge verbesserten Zugänglichkeit von Gedächtniseinträgen bestehen, wurden in diesem Zusammenhang insbesondere auch hinsichtlich ihres pädagogischen Potentials diskutiert. Neben erleichterter Zugänglichkeit kann Gedächtnisabruf allerdings auch Vergessen nicht abgerufener Information verursachen. Der aktuelle Stand der Grundlagenforschung zu Abrufeffekten wird in diesem Überblicksartikel dargestellt und eine integrative Betrachtung unterschiedlicher Arten von Abrufeffekten unter Berücksichtigung wichtiger Moderatorvariablen versucht.
N2O Production and Consumption Processes in a Salinity‐Impacted Hyporheic Zone
Authors: Jiang Qihao , Jin Guangqiu , Tang Hongwu , Xu Junzeng , Chen Yilin
Published: September 2021

Hyporheic zone plays a key role in the release of greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O) to the stream water, and the variable‐density flow induced by salinity from stream water can increase the hyporheic exchange flux. However, the nitrogen dynamics in a salinity‐impacted hyporheic zone under different saltwater concentrations still remain unclear. In this study, a numerical model coupling the hyporheic flow, salt transport and nitrogen transformations is proposed to investigate how density gradients affect the N2O production and consumption processes in the streambed. The results show that density gradients between infiltrating saltwater and ambient groundwater create gravitational instabilities that significantly accelerate the downward flow of pore water. Such density gradients enhance the species (e.g., dissolved organic carbon and NO3−) mixing efficiency and increase the reaction area, leading to the formation of N2O fingers and promoting the N2O production‐consumption rate. The variable‐density flow also drags more reactants infiltrating deeper area with longer residence times and increase the frequency of the Damköhler number Da > 1 in the streambed, facilitating the conversion of NO3− to the final product N2 through stepwise denitrification processes. Therefore, the NO3− removal efficiency and N2O yield are increased by 24% and reduced by 3% at low‐density gradients (Δρ/ρf = 7 × 10−4), respectively. The possible implications and applications about the effects of hydrodynamic changes due to the density effect are also presented. However, further biogeochemical experiments and river restoration strategies are needed to validate the results of this study.
Exploring the Model Space of Airborne Electromagnetic Data to Delineate Large‐Scale Structure and Heterogeneity Within an Aquifer System
Authors: Kang S. , Knight R. , Greene T. , Buck C. , Fogg G.
Published: September 2021

Airborne electromagnetic (AEM) data can be inverted to recover models of the electrical resistivity of the subsurface; these, in turn, can be transformed to obtain models of sediment type. AEM data were acquired in Butte and Glenn Counties, California, USA to improve the understanding of the aquifer system. Around 800 line‐kilometers of high‐quality data were acquired, imaging to a depth of ∼300 m. We developed a workflow designed to obtain, from the AEM data, information about the large‐scale structure and heterogeneity of the aquifer system to better understand the vertical connectivity. Using six different inversions incorporating various forms of available information and posterior sampling of the recovered resistivity models, we produced 6,006 resistivity models. These models were transformed to models of sediment type and estimates of percentage of sand/gravel. Exploring the model space, containing the resistivity models and the derived models, allowed us to delineate the large‐scale structure of the aquifer system in a way that captures and communicates the uncertainty in the identified sediment type. The uncertainty increased, as expected, with depth, but also served to indicate, as areas of high uncertainty in sediment type, the location of both large‐scale and small‐scale interfaces between sediment types. A plan view map of the integrated percentage of sand/gravel, when compared to existing hydrographs, revealed the extent of lateral changes in vertical connectivity within the aquifer system throughout the study area.
Micro-scale opto-thermo-mechanical actuation in the dry adhesive regime
Authors: Tang Weiwei , Lyu Wei , Lu Jinsheng , Liu Fengjiang , Wang Jiyong , Yan Wei , Qiu Min
Published: September 2021

Realizing optical manipulation of microscopic objects is crucial in the research fields of life science, condensed matter physics, and physical chemistry. In non-liquid environments, this task is commonly regarded as difficult due to strong adhesive surface force (~µN) attached to solid interfaces that makes tiny optical driven force (~pN) insignificant. Here, by recognizing the microscopic interaction mechanism between friction force—the parallel component of surface force on a contact surface—and thermoelastic waves induced by pulsed optical absorption, we establish a general principle enabling the actuation of micro-objects on dry frictional surfaces based on the opto-thermo-mechanical effects. Theoretically, we predict that nanosecond pulsed optical absorption with mW-scale peak power is sufficient to tame µN-scale friction force. Experimentally, we demonstrate the two-dimensional spiral motion of gold plates on micro-fibers driven by nanosecond laser pulses, and reveal the rules of motion control. Our results pave the way for the future development of micro-scale actuators in non-liquid environments.
Fecal filtrate transplantation protects against necrotizing enterocolitis
Authors: Brunse Anders , Deng Ling , Pan Xiaoyu , Hui Yan , Castro-Mejía Josué L , Kot Witold , Nguyen Duc Ninh , Secher Jan Bojsen-Møller , Nielsen Dennis Sandris , Thymann Thomas
Published: September 2021

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a life-threatening gastrointestinal disorder afflicting preterm infants, which is currently unpreventable. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a promising preventive therapy, but the transfer of pathogenic microbes or toxic compounds raise concern. Removal of bacteria from donor feces by micropore filtering may reduce this risk of bacterial infection, while residual bacteriophages could maintain the NEC-preventive effects. We aimed to assess preclinical efficacy and safety of fecal filtrate transplantation (FFT). Using fecal material from healthy suckling piglets, we compared rectal FMT administration (FMT, n = 16) with cognate FFT by either rectal (FFTr, n = 14) or oro-gastric administration (FFTo, n = 13) and saline (CON, n = 16) in preterm, cesarean-delivered piglets as models for preterm infants. We assessed gut pathology and analyzed mucosal and luminal bacterial and viral composition using 16S rRNA gene amplicon and meta-virome sequencing. Finally, we used isolated ileal mucosa, coupled with RNA-Seq, to gauge the host response to the different treatments. Oro-gastric FFT completely prevented NEC, which was confirmed by microscopy, whereas FMT did not perform better than control. Oro-gastric FFT increased viral diversity and reduced Proteobacteria relative abundance in the ileal mucosa relative to control. An induction of mucosal immunity was observed in response to FMT but not FFT. As preterm infants are extremely vulnerable to infections, rational NEC-preventive strategies need incontestable safety profiles. We show in a clinically relevant animal model that FFT, as opposed to FMT, efficiently prevents NEC without any recognizable side effects.
Prevalence and correlates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in preadolescent children: A US population-based study
Authors: Lawrence Hannah R. , Burke Taylor A. , Sheehan Ana E. , Pastro Brianna , Levin Rachel Y. , Walsh Rachel F. L. , Bettis Alexandra H. , Liu Richard T.
Published: September 2021

The present study evaluated sociodemographic and diagnostic predictors of suicidal ideation and attempts in a nationally representative sample of preadolescent youth enrolled in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study. Rates and predictors of psychiatric treatment utilization among suicidal youth also were examined. Eleven thousand eight hundred and seventy-five 9- and 10-year-old children residing in the United States were assessed. Children and their parents/guardians provided reports of children’s lifetime history of suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and psychiatric disorders. Parents also reported on sociodemographic characteristics and mental health service utilization. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to evaluate sociodemographic and diagnostic correlates of suicidal ideation, suicide attempts among youth with suicidal ideation, and treatment utilization among youth with suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Lifetime prevalence rates were 14.33% for suicidal ideation and 1.26% for suicide attempts. Youth who identified as male, a sexual minority, or multiracial had greater odds of suicidal ideation, and sexual minority youth and youth with a low family income had greater odds of suicide attempts. Comorbid psychopathology was associated with higher odds of both suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. In youth, 34.59% who have suicidal ideation and 54.82% who had attempted suicide received psychiatric treatment. Treatment utilization among suicidal youth was lower among those who identified as female, Black, and Hispanic. Suicidal ideation and attempts among preadolescent children are concerningly high and targeted assessment and preventative efforts are needed, especially for males, racial, ethnic, and sexual minority youth, and those youth experiencing comorbidity.