bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Random-Cluster Dynamics on Random Regular Graphs in Tree Uniqueness
Authors: Blanca Antonio , Gheissari Reza
Published: April 2021

We establish rapid mixing of the random-cluster Glauber dynamics on random $$\varDelta $$
Δ
-regular graphs for all $$q\ge 1$$

q
≥
1

and $$p<p_u(q,\varDelta )$$

p
<

p
u

(
q
,
Δ
)

, where the threshold $$p_u(q,\varDelta )$$

p
u

(
q
,
Δ
)

corresponds to a uniqueness/non-uniqueness phase transition for the random-cluster model on the (infinite) $$\varDelta $$
Δ
-regular tree. It is expected that this threshold is sharp, and for $$q>2$$

q
>
2

the Glauber dynamics on random $$\varDelta $$
Δ
-regular graphs undergoes an exponential slowdown at $$p_u(q,\varDelta )$$

p
u

(
q
,
Δ
)

. More precisely, we show that for every $$q\ge 1$$

q
≥
1

, $$\varDelta \ge 3$$

Δ
≥
3

, and $$p<p_u(q,\varDelta )$$

p
<

p
u

(
q
,
Δ
)

, with probability $$1-o(1)$$

1
-
o
(
1
)

over the choice of a random $$\varDelta $$
Δ
-regular graph on n vertices, the Glauber dynamics for the random-cluster model has $$\varTheta (n \log n)$$

Θ
(
n
log
n
)

mixing time. As a corollary, we deduce fast mixing of the Swendsen–Wang dynamics for the Potts model on random $$\varDelta $$
Δ
-regular graphs for every $$q\ge 2$$

q
≥
2

, in the tree uniqueness region. Our proof relies on a sharp bound on the “shattering time”, i.e., the number of steps required to break up any configuration into $$O(\log n)$$

O
(
log
n
)

sized clusters. This is established by analyzing a delicate and novel iterative scheme to simultaneously reveal the underlying random graph with clusters of the Glauber dynamics configuration on it, at a given time.
Conscious awareness modulates processing speed in the redundant signal effect
Authors: Cederblad Anna Matilda Helena , Visokomogilski Aleksandar , Andersen Søren K. , MacLeod Mary-Joan , Sahraie Arash
Published: April 2021

Evidence for the influence of unaware signals on behaviour has been reported in both patient groups and healthy observers using the Redundant Signal Effect (RSE). The RSE refers to faster manual reaction times to the onset of multiple simultaneously presented target than those to a single stimulus. These findings are robust and apply to unimodal and multi-modal sensory inputs. A number of studies on neurologically impaired cases have demonstrated that RSE can be found even in the absence of conscious experience of the redundant signals. Here, we investigated behavioural changes associated with awareness in healthy observers by using Continuous Flash Suppression to render observers unaware of redundant targets. Across three experiments, we found an association between reaction times to the onset of a consciously perceived target and the reported level of visual awareness of the redundant target, with higher awareness being associated with faster reaction times. However, in the absence of any awareness of the redundant target, we found no evidence for speeded reaction times and even weak evidence for an inhibitory effect (slowing down of reaction times) on response to the seen target. These findings reveal marked differences between healthy observers and blindsight patients in how aware and unaware information from different locations is integrated in the RSE.
Correction to: A Multicenter Study to Evaluate Harmonization of Assays for C-Terminal Telopeptides of Type I Collagen (ß-CTX): A Report from the IFCC-IOF Committee for Bone Metabolism (C-BM)
Authors:   on behalf of the IFCC-IOF Committee for Bone Metabolism (C-BM), Cavalier E. , Eastell R. , Jørgensen N. R. , Makris K. , Tournis S. , Vasikaran S. , Kanis J. A. , Cooper C. , Pottel H. , Morris H. A.
Published: April 2021

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00223-021-00839-y
Sound reasoning in tock-CSP
Authors: Baxter James , Ribeiro Pedro , Cavalcanti Ana
Published: April 2021

Specifying budgets and deadlines using a process algebra like CSP requires an explicit notion of time. The tock-CSP encoding embeds a rich and flexible approach for modelling discrete-time behaviours with powerful tool support. It uses an event tock, interpreted to mark passage of time. Analysis, however, has traditionally used the standard semantics of CSP, which is inadequate for reasoning about timed refinement. The most recent version of the model checker FDR provides tailored support for tock-CSP, including specific operators, but the standard semantics remains inadequate. In this paper, we characterise tock-CSP as a language in its own right, rich enough to model budgets and deadlines, and reason about Zeno behaviour. We present the first sound tailored semantic model for tock-CSP that captures timewise refinement. It is fully mechanised in Isabelle/HOL and, to enable use of FDR4 to check refinement in this novel model, we use model shifting, which is a technique that explicitly encodes refusals in traces.
Unravelling the Complexity Myth for Minimally Invasive Right Hepatectomy: Liver Parenchymal Features and their Correlation to Objective Outcomes in Major Anatomical Resections
Authors: Hashmi Salila S. , Jajja Mohammad R. , Nadeem Syed O. , Maxwell Daniel W. , Eckhoff Austin M. , Lin Edward , Sarmiento Juan M.
Published: April 2021

Background

Minimally invasive approaches to major liver resection have been limited by presumed difficulty of the operation. While some concerns arise from mastering the techniques, factors such as tumor size and liver parenchymal features have anecdotally been described as surrogates for operative difficulty. These factors have not been systematically studied for minimally invasive right hepatectomy (MIRH).

Methods

Seventy‐five patients who underwent MIRH during 2007–2016 by the senior author were evaluated; these were compared to control group of open right hepatectomy. Demographics, operative, and post‐operative variables were collected. Operative times and estimated blood loss, two objective parameters of operative difficulty were correlated to volume of hepatic resection, parenchymal transection diameter and liver parenchymal features using regression analysis.

Results

Thirty‐eight (50.6%) resections were performed for malignant indications. Average tumor size was 5.7 cm (±3.6), mean operative time was 196 min (±74), and mean EBL was 220 mL (±170). Average transection diameter was 10.1 cm (±1.7). There was no correlation between operative difficulty with parenchymal transection diameter or presence of steatosis. Blood loss was higher with increased right hepatic lobe volume and body mass index.

Conclusions

This analysis of a very defined anatomical resection suggests that the often quoted radiographic and pathologic features indicative of a challenging procedure were not significant in determining operative difficulty.
Long-term outcome after allogeneic stem cell transplantation in multiple myeloma
Authors: Luoma Sini , Silvennoinen Raija , Rauhala Auvo , Niittyvuopio Riitta , Martelin Eeva , Lindström Vesa , Heiskanen Jouni , Volin Liisa , Ruutu Tapani , Nihtinen Anne
Published: April 2021

The role of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) in multiple myeloma is controversial. We analyzed the results of 205 patients transplanted in one center during 2000–2017. Transplantation was performed on 75 patients without a previous autologous SCT (upfront-allo), on 74 as tandem transplant (auto-allo), and on 56 patients after relapse. Median overall survival (OS) was 9.9 years for upfront-allo, 11.2 years for auto-allo, and 3.9 years for the relapse group (p = 0.015). Progression-free survival (PFS) was 2.4, 2.4, and 0.9 years, respectively (p < 0.001). Non-relapse mortality at 5 years was 8% overall, with no significant difference between the groups. Post-relapse survival was 4.1 years for upfront-allo and auto-allo, and 2.6 years for the relapse group (p = 0.066). Survival of high-risk patients was reduced. In multivariate analysis, the auto-allo group had improved OS and chronic graft-versus-host disease was advantageous in terms of PFS, OS, and relapse incidence. Late relapses occurred in all groups. Allo-SCT resulted in long-term survival in a small subgroup of patients. Our results indicate that auto-allo-SCT is feasible and could be considered for younger patients in the upfront setting.
A simple solution to the inadequacy of asymptotic likelihood-based inference for response-adaptive clinical trials
Authors: Baldi Antognini Alessandro , Novelli Marco , Zagoraiou Maroussa
Published: April 2021

The present paper discusses drawbacks and limitations of likelihood-based inference in sequential clinical trials for treatment comparisons managed via Response-Adaptive Randomization. Taking into account the most common statistical models for the primary outcome—namely binary, Poisson, exponential and normal data—we derive the conditions under which (i) the classical confidence intervals degenerate and (ii) the Wald test becomes inconsistent and strongly affected by the nuisance parameters, also displaying a non monotonic power. To overcome these drawbacks, we provide a very simple solution that could preserve the fundamental properties of likelihood-based inference. Several illustrative examples and simulation studies are presented in order to confirm the relevance of our results and provide some practical recommendations.
Systemic sclerosis-associated myositis features minimal inflammation and characteristic capillary pathology
Authors: Siegert Elise , Uruha Akinori , Goebel Hans-Hilmar , Preuße Corinna , Casteleyn Vincent , Kleefeld Felix , Alten Rieke , Burmester Gerd R. , Schneider Udo , Höppner Jakob , Hahn Kathrin , Dittmayer Carsten , Stenzel Werner
Published: April 2021

Systemic sclerosis represents a chronic connective tissue disease featuring fibrosis, vasculopathy and autoimmunity, affecting skin, multiple internal organs, and skeletal muscles. The vasculopathy is considered obliterative, but its pathogenesis is still poorly understood. This may partially be due to limitations of conventional transmission electron microscopy previously being conducted only in single patients. The aim of our study was therefore to precisely characterize immune inflammatory features and capillary morphology of systemic sclerosis patients suffering from muscle weakness. In this study, we identified 18 individuals who underwent muscle biopsy because of muscle weakness and myalgia in a cohort of 367 systemic sclerosis patients. We performed detailed conventional and immunohistochemical analysis and large-scale electron microscopy by digitizing entire sections for in-depth ultrastructural analysis. Muscle biopsies of 12 of these 18 patients (67%) presented minimal features of myositis but clear capillary alteration, which we termed minimal myositis with capillary pathology (MMCP). Our study provides novel findings in systemic sclerosis-associated myositis. First, we identified a characteristic and specific morphological pattern termed MMCP in 67% of the cases, while the other 33% feature alterations characteristic of other overlap syndromes. This is also reflected by a relatively homogeneous clinical picture among MMCP patients. They have milder disease with little muscle weakness and a low prevalence of interstitial lung disease (20%) and diffuse skin involvement (10%) and no cases of either pulmonary arterial hypertension or renal crisis. Second, large-scale electron microscopy, introducing a new level of precision in ultrastructural analysis, revealed a characteristic capillary morphology with basement membrane thickening and reduplications, endothelial activation and pericyte proliferation. We provide open-access pan-and-zoom analysis to our datasets, enabling critical discussion and data mining. We clearly highlight characteristic capillary pathology in skeletal muscles of systemic sclerosis patients.
Gaseous environment modulates volatile emission and viability loss during seed artificial ageing
Authors: Han Biao , Fernandez Vincent , Pritchard Hugh W. , Colville Louise
Published: April 2021

Main conclusion

Modulation of the gaseous environment using oxygen absorbers and/or silica gel shows potential for enhancing seed longevity through trapping toxic volatiles emitted by seeds during artificial ageing.

Volatile profiling using non-invasive gas chromatography–mass spectrometry provides insight into the specific processes occurring during seed ageing. Production of alcohols, aldehydes and ketones, derived from processes such as alcoholic fermentation, lipid peroxidation and Maillard reactions, are known to be dependent on storage temperature and relative humidity, but little is known about the potential modulating role of the gaseous environment, which also affects seed lifespan, on volatile production. Seeds of Lolium perenne (Poaceae), Agrostemma githago (Caryophyllaceae) and Pisum sativum (Fabaceae) were aged under normal atmospheric oxygen conditions and in sealed vials containing either oxygen absorbers, oxygen absorbers and silica gel (equilibrated at 60% RH), or silica gel alone. Seeds of A. githago that were aged in the absence of oxygen maintained higher viability and produced fewer volatiles than seeds aged in air. In addition, seeds of A. githago and L. perenne aged in the presence of silica gel were longer lived than those aged without silica, with no effect on seed moisture content or oxygen concentration in the storage containers, but with silica gel acting as a volatile trap. These results indicate that the use of inexpensive oxygen absorbers and silica gel could improve seed longevity in storage for some species and suggests a potential, and previously unidentified, role for silica gel in ultra-dry storage.
Interactions in cancer treatment considering cancer therapy, concomitant medications, food, herbal medicine and other supplements
Authors: Wolf Clemens P. J. G. , Rachow Tobias , Ernst Thomas , Hochhaus Andreas , Zomorodbakhsch Bijan , Foller Susan , Rengsberger Matthias , Hartmann Michael , Hübner Jutta
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The aim of our study was to analyse the frequency and severity of different types of potential interactions in oncological outpatients’ therapy. Therefore, medications, food and substances in terms of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) like dietary supplements, herbs and other processed ingredients were considered.

Methods

We obtained data from questionnaires and from analysing the patient records of 115 cancer outpatients treated at a German university hospital. Drug–drug interactions were identified using a drug interaction checking software. Potential CAM-drug interactions and food–drug interactions were identified based on literature research.

Results

92.2% of all patients were at risk of one or more interaction of any kind and 61.7% of at least one major drug–drug interaction. On average, physicians prescribed 10.4 drugs to each patient and 6.9 interactions were found, 2.5 of which were classified as major. The most prevalent types of drug–drug interactions were a combination of QT prolonging drugs (32.3%) and drugs with a potential for myelotoxicity (13.4%) or hepatotoxicity (10.1%). In 37.2% of all patients using CAM supplements the likelihood of interactions with medications was rated as likely. Food-drug interactions were likely in 28.7% of all patients.

Conclusion

The high amount of interactions could not be found in literature so far. We recommend running interaction checks when prescribing any new drug and capturing CAM supplements in medication lists too. If not advised explicitly in another way drugs should be taken separately from meals and by using nonmineralized water to minimize the risk for food–drug interactions.
A pharmacokinetics study of proposed bevacizumab biosimilar MYL-1402O vs EU-bevacizumab and US-bevacizumab
Authors: Hummel Matthew , Bosje Tjerk , Shaw Andrew , Liu Mark Shiyao , Barve Abhijit , Kothekar Mudgal , Socinski Mark A. , Waller Cornelius F.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Bevacizumab is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody that inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor-specific angiogenesis in some cancers. MYL-1402O is a proposed bevacizumab biosimilar.

Methods

The primary objective of this single-center, randomized, double-blind, three-arm, parallel-group, phase 1 study in healthy male volunteers was to evaluate bioequivalence of MYL-1402O to EU and US-reference bevacizumab, and EU-reference bevacizumab to US-reference bevacizumab. The primary pharmacokinetic parameter was area under the serum concentration–time curve from 0 extrapolated to infinity (AUC0–∞). Pharmacokinetic parameters were analyzed using general linear models of analysis of variance. Secondary endpoints included safety and tolerability.

Results

Of 111 enrolled subjects, 110 were included in the pharmacokinetic analysis (MYL-1402O, n = 37; EU-reference bevacizumab, n = 36; US-reference bevacizumab, n = 37). Bioequivalence was demonstrated between MYL-1402O and EU-reference bevacizumab, MYL-1402O and US-reference bevacizumab, and between EU- and US-reference bevacizumab where least squares mean ratios of AUC0–∞ were close to 1, and 90% CIs were within the equivalence range (0.80–1.25). Secondary pharmacokinetic parameters (AUC from 0 to time of last quantifiable concentration [AUC0–t], peak serum concentration [Cmax], time to Cmax, elimination rate constant, and elimination half-life) were also comparable, with 90% CIs for ratios of AUC0–t and Cmax within 80–125%. Treatment-emergent adverse events were similar across all three treatment groups and were consistent with clinical data for bevacizumab.

Conclusion

MYL-1402O was well tolerated and demonstrated pharmacokinetic and safety profiles similar to EU-reference bevacizumab and US-reference bevacizumab in healthy male volunteers. No new significant safety issues emerged (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02469987; ClinicalTrialsRegister.eu EudraCT, 2014-005621-12; June 12, 2015).
Three species of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato infect camels on the Arabian Peninsula
Authors: Al-Hizab Fahad A. , Mohamed Nouh S. , Wassermann Marion , Hamouda Mahmoud A. , Ibrahim Abdelazim M. , El-Ghareeb Waleed R. , Abdel-Raheem Sherief M. , Romig Thomas , Omer Rihab A.
Published: April 2021

We report on the genetic identity of 36 Echinococcus cysts that were collected during a recent slaughterhouse survey of 810 locally bred camels (dromedaries) in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Analysis of a partial nad1 gene sequence showed that the majority (n = 29) belonged to E. granulosus sensu stricto, four to E. canadensis G6/7, and three to E. ortleppi. Eight of the 29 E. granulosus s.s. cysts contained protoscoleces; all other cysts were calcified and non-viable. This is the first report of the presence E. ortleppi from the Arabian Peninsula, a parasite that is typically transmitted via cattle. The results indicate widespread infection of camels with CE in eastern Saudi Arabia and an active role of camels in the lifecycles of at least E. granulosus s.s.. Complete cox1 haplotype analysis of 21 E. granulosus s.s. isolates shows that the majority of variants circulating in eastern Saudi Arabia is distinct from but closely related to haplotypes from neighboring countries in the Middle East, which indicates the presence of this parasite in KSA for a longer period of time. All isolates of E. granulosus s.s. in this study belonged to the G1 cluster, although the G3 genotype has previously also been reported from the Middle East.
Proteolysis and inflammation of the kidney glomerulus
Authors: Demir Fatih , Troldborg Anne , Thiel Steffen , Lassé Moritz , Huesgen Pitter F. , Tomas Nicola M. , Wiech Thorsten , Rinschen Markus M.
Published: April 2021

Proteases play a central role in regulating renal pathophysiology and are increasingly evaluated as actionable drug targets. Here, we review the role of proteolytic systems in inflammatory kidney disease. Inflammatory kidney diseases are associated with broad dysregulations of extracellular and intracellular proteolysis. As an example of a proteolytic system, the complement system plays a significant role in glomerular inflammatory kidney disease and is currently under clinical investigation. Based on two glomerular kidney diseases, lupus nephritis, and membranous nephropathy, we portrait two proteolytic pathomechanisms and the role of the complement system. We discuss how profiling proteolytic activity in patient samples could be used to stratify patients for more targeted interventions in inflammatory kidney diseases. We also describe novel comprehensive, quantitative tools to investigate the entirety of proteolytic processes in a tissue sample. Emphasis is placed on mass spectrometric approaches that enable the comprehensive analysis of the complement system, as well as protease activities and regulation in general.
The effectiveness of a virtual reality attention task to predict depression and anxiety in comparison with current clinical measures
Authors: Voinescu Alexandra , Petrini Karin , Stanton Fraser Danaë , Lazarovicz Radu-Adrian , Papavă Ion , Fodor Liviu Andrei , David Daniel
Published: April 2021

Previous studies have revealed that attention and inhibition are impaired in individuals with elevated symptoms of depression and anxiety. Virtual reality (VR)-based neuropsychological assessment may be a valid instrument for assessing attention and inhibition given its higher ecological validity when compared to classical tests. However, it is still unclear as to whether a VR assessment can predict depression and anxiety with the same or higher level of effectiveness and adherence as classical neuropsychological measures. The current study examined the effectiveness of a new VR test, Nesplora Aquarium, by testing participants with low (N = 41) and elevated (N = 41) symptoms of depression and anxiety. Participants completed a continuous performance test where they had to respond to stimuli (species of fish) in a virtual aquarium, as well as paper-and-pencil and computerised tests. Participants’ performance in Nesplora Aquarium was positively associated with classic measures of attention and inhibition, and effectively predicted symptoms of depression and anxiety above and beyond traditional cognitive measures such as psychomotor speed and executive functioning, spatial working memory span. Hence, VR is a safe, enjoyable, effective and more ecological alternative for the assessment of attention and inhibition among individuals with elevated anxiety and depression symptoms.
Body mass index and leptin levels in serum and cerebrospinal fluid in relation to delayed cerebral ischemia and outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Veldeman Michael , Weiss Miriam , Simon Tim Philipp , Hoellig Anke , Clusmann Hans , Albanna Walid
Published: April 2021

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is associated with a high mortality rate and may leave surviving patients severely disabled. After the initial hemorrhage, clinical outcome is further compromised by the occurrence of delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI). Overweight and obesity have previously been associated with protective effects in the post-bleeding phase. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a patient’s body mass index (BMI) and leptin levels on the occurrence of DCI, DCI-related cerebral infarction, and clinical outcome. In total, 263 SAH patients were included of which leptin levels were assessed in 24 cases. BMI was recorded along disease severity documented by the Hunt and Hess and modified Fisher scales. The occurrence of clinical or functional DCI (neuromonitoring, CT Perfusion) was assessed. Long-term clinical outcome was documented after 12 months (extended Glasgow outcome scale). A total of 136 (51.7%) patients developed DCI of which 72 (27.4%) developed DCI-related cerebral infarctions. No association between BMI and DCI occurrence (P = .410) or better clinical outcome (P = .643) was identified. Early leptin concentration in serum (P = .258) and CSF (P = .159) showed no predictive value in identifying patients at risk of unfavorable outcomes. However, a significant increase of leptin levels in CSF occurred from 326.0 pg/ml IQR 171.9 prior to DCI development to 579.2 pg/ml IQR 211.9 during ongoing DCI (P = .049). In our data, no association between obesity and clinical outcome was detected. After DCI development, leptin levels in CSF increased either by an upsurge of active transport or disruption of the blood-CSF barrier. This trial has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02142166) as part of a larger-scale prospective data collection. BioSAB: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02142166
Browser-in-the-Middle (BitM) attack
Authors: Tommasi Franco , Catalano Christian , Taurino Ivan
Published: April 2021

Man-in-the-Middle (MitM), one of the best known attacks in the world of computer security, is among the greatest concerns for professionals in the field. Main goal of MitM is to compromise confidentiality, integrity and availability of data flowing between source and destination. However, most of its many variants involve difficulties that make it not always possible. The present paper aims at modelling and describing a new method of attack, named Browser-in-the-Middle (BitM) which, despite the similarities with MitM in the way it controls the data flow between a client and the service it accesses, bypasses some of MitM’s typical shortcomings. It could be started by phishing techniques and in some cases coupled to the well-known Man-in-the-Browser (MitB) attack. It will be seen how BitM expands the range of the possible attacker’s actions, at the same time making them easier to implement. Among its features, the absence of the need to install malware of any kind on the victim’s machine and the total control it allows the attacker are to be emphasized.
Improving Baltic Sea wave forecasts using modelled surface currents
Authors: Kanarik Hedi , Tuomi Laura , Björkqvist Jan-Victor , Kärnä Tuomas
Published: April 2021

Currents in the Baltic Sea are generally weak, but during strong winds they can grow high enough to affect the surface wave propagation and evolution. To evaluate the significance of wave-current interactions in the Baltic Sea, we conducted a study using the wave model WAM, comparing a run without surface currents to one with current forcing from a NEMO hydrodynamical model simulation. The overall changes to the wave field caused by currents were quite small. Changes of over 10 cm in significant wave height (SWH) or 1 s in the peak period (Tp) occurred only in some areas and typically less than 3% of the time. Current refraction changed the SWH annual mean by up to 2 cm, but changes up to 60 cm were seen in the maximum values. Tp had occasionally large changes due to shifts in the peak energy in two-peaked swell and wind-sea spectra. Including currents typically led to a stronger changes in swell energy compared to the changes in wind sea energy. A comparison with a wave buoy in the Gulf of Finland showed that this change in the swell energy improved the accuracy of the simulation in this narrow gulf. Current-induced refraction was most prominent near the coastal areas, where current speed occasionally exceeded 0.3 m/s. In general, SWH decreased in the coastal areas with strong currents and slightly increased in adjacent open sea areas. The current effects were most frequent in the Gulf of Finland, the Western Gotland Basin and the Åland Sea.
Corona-Impfstoffe im Überfluss — was dann?
Authors: Cassel Dieter , Ulrich Volker
Published: April 2021

Seit Beginn der Corona-Impfkampagne in Deutschland am 27. Dezember 2020 waren knapp drei Monate später 10,5 Mio. Dosen verimpft. Das waren durchschnittlich 126.000 Dosen pro Tag mit steigender Tendenz: Am 15. März 2021 waren es schon mehr als 250.000 täglich. Damit konnten aber erst 3,2 Mio. Personen vollständig immunisiert werden. Um Herdenimmunität zu erreichen, die wegen der hoch infektiösen Mutanten eine Immunisierungsquote der Bevölkerung von etwa 80 % erfordern dürfte, müssten aber gut 65 Mio. Personen mit 130 Mio. Dosen geimpft sein. Beim jetzigen Impftempo würde es noch bis in den Sommer 2022 dauern, um das Immunitätsziel zu erreichen. Kommt es nach dem Impfstoffmangel bald zu einer Knappheit der Impfkapazitäten? Könnte die Herdenimmunität an mangelnder Impfbereitschaft scheitern?
Der verdrängte Keynes
Authors: Horn Gustav A.
Published: April 2021

In diesen Tagen jährt sich der Tod von John Maynard Keynes zum 75. Mal. Er war einer der bedeutendsten Ökonomen des 20. Jahrhunderts, wenn nicht gar der bedeutendste überhaupt. Dabei waren seine Lehren und seine Ratschläge schon zu seinen Lebzeiten teilweise heftigst umstritten. Das galt erst recht für die Zeit nach seinem Tod. Zwar dominierte keynesianisches Gedankengut die Wirtschaftspolitik der Nachkriegszeit. Doch spätestens seit den 1970er Jahren begann deren intellektuelle Anziehungskraft angesichts gleichzeitig steigender Arbeitslosigkeit, Staatsverschuldung und Inflation merklich zu schwinden. In jüngster Zeit ist allerdings eine Trendwende erkennbar, die mit Fehlern der Wirtschaftspolitik, aber auch mit neuen Herausforderungen im Zusammenhang steht.
Does corruption matter for FDI flows in the OECD? A gravity analysis
Authors: Zander Tobias
Published: April 2021

In this paper, the effect of corruption on foreign direct investment (FDI) flows is analyzed. The literature is thus far divided regarding the effects of corruption: One hypothesis argues that corruption greases the wheels of government and is therefore beneficial while the other hypothesis argues that it sands the wheels of government leading to suboptimal results in an economy. For the empirical analysis, a dataset consisting of bilateral FDI data from the OECD and the control of corruption measure from the World Governance Indicators of the World Bank is compiled. To further analyze the effects of corruption the Panama Papers revelation is used as a corruption increasing event and the implementation into law of the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention is used as a corruption decreasing event. Finally, the difference between corruption levels in the target and the origin country, will be examined. Then, a gravity model with dyadic and time-fixed effects is employed to analyze the data. Findings are ambiguous in that corruption is positively correlated with FDI inflows in the target country and negatively correlated with FDI inflows in the origin country. The Panama Papers variable shows strong evidence, that the release of the Panama Papers resulted in a drop in FDI flows. Therefore, it seems that corruption has complex country specific effects and that target and source countries have to adopt varying policies with regards to corruption. The general effect of corruption harms FDI flows, as shown by the Panama Papers revelation.
Seventy Years of Pottery Studies in the Archaeology of Mesolithic and Neolithic Sudan
Authors: D’Ercole Giulia
Published: April 2021

This review article examines seventy years of research and methodological approaches to the analysis of Mesolithic and Neolithic pottery in Sudan. It begins with the studies done by A. J. Arkell at the end of the 1940s, leading to the definition of the Khartoum Mesolithic and Khartoum Neolithic ceramic traditions. The article then discusses the application of the concepts of ware, fabric, decorative technique, andchaîne opératoireto the analysis of pottery and the use of new classification tools and archaeometric methodologies. The implication of the concepts of cultural encounter and the communicative role of material culture for ceramic studies and the insights that ceramics can provide for understanding the interrelationships between humans and the landscape are also discussed.
Classifier-based constraint acquisition
Authors: Prestwich S. D. , Freuder E. C. , O’Sullivan B. , Browne D.
Published: April 2021

Modeling a combinatorial problem is a hard and error-prone task requiring significant expertise. Constraint acquisition methods attempt to automate this process by learning constraints from examples of solutions and (usually) non-solutions. Active methods query an oracle while passive methods do not. We propose a known but not widely-used application of machine learning to constraint acquisition: training a classifier to discriminate between solutions and non-solutions, then deriving a constraint model from the trained classifier. We discuss a wide range of possible new acquisition methods with useful properties inherited from classifiers. We also show the potential of this approach using a Naive Bayes classifier, obtaining a new passive acquisition algorithm that is considerably faster than existing methods, scalable to large constraint sets, and robust under errors.
Correction to: Assessing the belt and road initiative as a narrative: Implications for institutional change and international firm strategy
Authors: Casas-Klett Tomas , Li Jiatao
Published: April 2021

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10490-021-09766-w
The emergency (crisis) e-learning as a challenge for teachers in Poland
Authors: Tomczyk Łukasz , Walker Christopher
Published: April 2021

The article was written as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland, which had an impact not only on public health, but also on the functioning of the educational sector. The text is an attempt to summarize the challenges of crisis e-learning from the perspective of the challenges faced by teachers in Poland in the period of March-December 2020. The article reveals a number of new phenomena not present in the literature in the context of e-learning implemented in an intuitive, non-linear way, without methodological support, and thus referred to as crisis e-learning. The aim of the research was to explore the characteristics of crisis e-learning in Poland from the perspective of teachers' experiences. Due to epidemiological limitations, the research area was narrowed down to cyberspace. This text presents the results of research relating to statements made by teachers posting in the largest Polish discussion group on education. The group currently consists of over four thousand people. The study uses an analysis of several thousand posts and then identifies and categorizes statements related to crisis e-learning along with a phenomenological interpretation. The analyses made it possible to identify seven categories of challenges attributed to crisis e-learning, such as: technical problems, use of non-standard solutions, the search for solutions to increase the effectiveness of e-learning, the transfer of proven applications and programmes, problems with students, problems with parents, and the modernisation of workstations. The data presented show teacher micro-worlds in the time of the pandemic in Poland. The article is a response to the need to understand the processes occurring in the Polish educational system under the influence of crisis events related to the pandemic. The text may prove valuable for educating future generations of teachers in the field of e-learning and increasing the effectiveness of training activities aimed at strengthening the digital competence of current teachers.
Group Analytic Hierarchy Process Sorting II Method: An Application to Evaluate the Economic Value of a Wine Region Landscape
Authors: Assumma Vanessa , Bottero Marta , Ishizaka Alessio , Tasiou Menelaos
Published: April 2021

In the ongoing context of climate change, there is an increasing need to support decision-making processes in the domain of landscape planning and management. Suitable evaluation techniques are needed to take into account the interests of actors and stakeholders in shared policy decisions. An important methodological contribution to the field is given by the Multicriteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), due to its ability to combine multiple aspects of a decision problem with the values and opinions expressed by different Decision Makers. The present paper develops the “Group Analytic Hierarchy Process Sorting II method” (GAHPSort II), which aims to sort a group of municipalities included in the UNESCO site “Vineyard Landscape of Piedmont: Langhe-Roero, and Monferrato” (Italy) according to the economic attractiveness of the landscape. Extending the previous versions AHPSort I, AHPSort II and GAHPSort, the GAHPSort II optimizes multi-stakeholder evaluations on large databases by reducing the number of comparisons. Moreover, the GAHPSort II method is proposed as a novel spatial decision support system because it combines a set of economic indicators for landscape and GIS methods for aiding the Decision Makers to better understand the case study and to support the definition and localization of policies and strategies of landscape planning and management.
Distinctively Political Normativity in Political Realism: Unattractive or Redundant
Authors: Erman Eva , Möller Niklas
Published: April 2021

Political realists’ rejection of the so-called ‘ethics first’ approach of political moralists (mainstream liberals), has raised concerns about their own source of normativity. Some realists have responded to such concerns by theorizing a distinctively political normativity. According to this view, politics is seen as an autonomous, independent domain with its own evaluative standards. Therefore, it is in this source, rather than in some moral values ‘outside’ of this domain, that normative justification should be sought when theorizing justice, democracy, political legitimacy, and the like. For realists the question about a distinctively political normativity is important, because they take the fact that politics is a distinct affair to have severe consequences for both how to approach the subject matter as such and for which principles and values can be justified. Still, realists have had a hard time clarifying what this distinctively political normativity consists of and why, more precisely, it matters. The aim of this paper is to take some further steps in answering these questions. We argue that realists have the choice of committing themselves to one of two coherent notions of distinctively political normativity: one that is independent of moral values, where political normativity is taken to be a kind of instrumental normativity; another where the distinctness still retains a justificatory dependence on moral values. We argue that the former notion is unattractive since the costs of commitment will be too high (first claim), and that the latter notion is sound but redundant since no moralist would ever reject it (second claim). Furthermore, we end the paper by discussing what we see as the most fruitful way of approaching political and moral normativity in political theory.
Using Satellite Data for CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) Threat Detection, Monitoring, and Modelling
Authors: Sutlieff Gary , Berthoud Lucy , Stinchcombe Mark
Published: April 2021

CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) threats are becoming more prevalent, as more entities gain access to modern weapons and industrial technologies and chemicals. This has produced a need for improvements to modelling, detection, and monitoring of these events. While there are currently no dedicated satellites for CBRN purposes, there are a wide range of possibilities for satellite data to contribute to this field, from atmospheric composition and chemical detection to cloud cover, land mapping, and surface property measurements. This study looks at currently available satellite data, including meteorological data such as wind and cloud profiles, surface properties like temperature and humidity, chemical detection, and sounding. Results of this survey revealed several gaps in the available data, particularly concerning biological and radiological detection. The results also suggest that publicly available satellite data largely does not meet the requirements of spatial resolution, coverage, and latency that CBRN detection requires, outside of providing terrain use and building height data for constructing models. Lastly, the study evaluates upcoming instruments, platforms, and satellite technologies to gauge the impact these developments will have in the near future. Improvements in spatial and temporal resolution as well as latency are already becoming possible, and new instruments will fill in the gaps in detection by imaging a wider range of chemicals and other agents and by collecting new data types. This study shows that with developments coming within the next decade, satellites should begin to provide valuable augmentations to CBRN event detection and monitoring.

Article Highlights

There is a wide range of existing satellite data in fields that are of interest to CBRN detection and monitoring.

The data is mostly of insufficient quality (resolution or latency) for the demanding requirements of CBRN modelling for incident control.

Future technologies and platforms will improve resolution and latency, making satellite data more viable in the CBRN management field
Autism Spectrum Disorder and Mental Health Problems: Patterns of Difficulties and Longitudinal Trajectories in a Population-Based Twin Sample
Authors: Colvert Emma , Simonoff Emily , Capp Simone J. , Ronald Angelica , Bolton Patrick , Happé Francesca
Published: April 2021

There is increasing concern regarding additional psychiatric problems that co-occur with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), as reflected in recent changes to diagnostic schemes. However, there remains little research with population-based samples across childhood. We report on additional problems, as measured by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, in a population-based sample of 135 twins with ASD, 55 non-ASD co-twins, and 144 comparison twins low in ASD traits. Frequencies, associated demographic factors, and changes in mental health difficulties from age 4 to 13 years are presented. Our data confirm the high rates of additional difficulties reported in previous studies, and suggest that the profile, associated risk factors and longitudinal course of additional difficulties in ASD may differ from those in typically-developing populations.
How Do Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder Participate in the Labor Market? A German Multi-center Survey
Authors: Maslahati Tolou , Bachmann Christian J. , Höfer Juliana , Küpper Charlotte , Stroth Sanna , Wolff Nicole , Poustka Luise , Roessner Veit , Kamp-Becker Inge , Hoffmann Falk , Roepke Stefan
Published: April 2021

International studies show disadvantages for adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the labor market. Data about their participation in the German labor market are scarce. The aim of this study was to examine the integration of adults with ASD in the German labor market in terms of education, employment and type of occupation by means of a cross-sectional-study, using a postal questionnaire. Findings show above average levels of education for adults with ASD compared to the general population of Germany and simultaneously, below average rates of employment and high rates of financial dependency. That indicates a poor integration of adults with ASD in the German labor market and emphasizes the need for vocational support policies for adults with ASD.
Difficulties in Recognising Dynamic but not Static Emotional Body Movements in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Mazzoni Noemi , Ricciardelli Paola , Actis-Grosso Rossana , Venuti Paola
Published: April 2021

In this study, we investigated whether the difficulties in body motion (BM) perception may led to deficit in emotion recognition in Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To this aim, individuals with high-functioning ASD were asked to recognise fearful, happy, and neutral BM depicted as static images or dynamic point-light and full-light displays. Results showed slower response times in participants with ASD only in recognising dynamic stimuli, but no group differences in accuracy. This suggests that i) a deficit in action chaining mechanism in ASD may prevent the recognition of dynamic BM automatically and rapidly, ii) individuals with ASD and high cognitive resources can develop alternative—but equally successful—strategies to recognise emotional body expressions. Implications for treatment are discussed
Defining and Characterising Clusters in Palaeolithic Sites: a Review of Methods and Constraints
Authors: Sánchez-Romero Laura , Benito-Calvo Alfonso , Rios-Garaizar Joseba
Published: April 2021

Spatial analysis studies in Palaeolithic archaeology arise as indispensable research tools for understanding archaeopalaeontological sites. In general terms, spatial studies have been specialised in the description of the distribution of materials and in the definition of accumulation areas, with the aim of distinguishing intentional activities or studying postdepositional processes. In recent decades, the development of GIS tools has enabled huge strides forward in the field of spatial archaeology research, such as spatial inferential statistics. These tools are particularly useful in the identification and location of clustering from statistical criteria, facilitating the subsequent analysis of accumulations through other archaeological, taphonomic and spatial techniques, such as fabric analysis or directional distribution. The cluster analysis, and its contextualisation considering all the archaeological and stratigraphical variables, allows the inference of some of the processes and factors that could have taken part in the accumulation of materials, as well as assessing how this affected the composition and preservation of the archaeological assemblage. The present article reviews the more traditional and innovative methods for studying horizontal distribution patterns and the objective definition of clusters, highlighting the parameters, uses and limitations of these techniques. We present an application of these methods to different Palaeolithic sites, going through different scenarios, such as location (open-air vs. cave), context, scale (large vs. small area), excavation methodology and spatial record methods.
The Role of Aggressive Peer Norms in Elementary School Children’s Perceptions of Classroom Peer Climate and School Adjustment
Authors: Laninga-Wijnen Lydia , van den Berg Yvonne H. M. , Mainhard Tim , Cillessen Antonius H. N.
Published: April 2021

Although prior research has indicated that peer norms for aggression enhance the spread of aggression in classrooms, it is unclear to date how these norms relate to students’ classroom climate perceptions and school adjustment. Aggressive descriptive norms reflect the average aggression of all students in classrooms, whereas aggressive popularity norms represent the extent to which aggressive behavior relates to popularity among peers. This study examined the role of aggressive descriptive and popularity norms in the classroom climate perceptions (cooperation, conflict, cohesion, isolation) and school adjustment (feelings of belonging; social, academic, and general self-esteem) of popular, well-liked, and victimized children. Self-reported and peer-nominated data were obtained from 1511 children (Mage = 10.60 years, SD = 0.50; 47.2% girls) from 58 fifth-grade classrooms. The results indicated that aggressive descriptive and popularity norms both matter in elementary school, but in diverging ways. Specifically, aggressive descriptive norms—rather than popularity norms—contributed to negative classroom climate perceptions irrespective of students’ social position. In addition, whereas descriptive norms contributed to between-classroom variations in some aspects of school adjustment, aggressive popularity norms related to increased school maladjustment for popular and victimized children specifically. Thus, aggressive descriptive norms and popularity norms matter in complementary ways for children’s classroom climate perceptions and adjustment in elementary education.