bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nevus/Melanocytoma/Melanoma: An Emerging Paradigm for Classification of Melanocytic Neoplasms?
Authors: Zembowicz Artur , Scolyer Richard A
Published: February 2021

Context.—Until recently, the prevailing paradigm in classification and clinical management of melanocytic proliferations mandated dichotomous classification of all melanocytic lesions as either entirely benign (nevus) or entirely malignant (melanoma). However, some diagnostically challenging lesions cannot be unequivocally classified as nevus or melanoma by histologic evaluation of the primary tumor. Such lesions have been referred to as borderline or melanocytic tumors of uncertain malignant potential.

Objective.—To review and update the problem of diagnostically difficult melanocytic proliferations and recent concepts regarding borderline melanocytic tumors.

Data Sources.—Published literature and personal experience of the authors.

Conclusions.—Preliminary evidence indicates that it may be appropriate to expand the classification scheme of melanocytic neoplasms to include a third diagnostic category of melanocytic lesions of intermediate malignant potential that are capable of metastasis to regional lymph nodes but have limited potential for distant spread. We propose the term melanocytoma for this group of lesions. We believe that a nevus/melanocytoma/melanoma paradigm may provide a useful intellectual framework to understand, research, and clinically manage borderline melanocytic tumors.
Best Practices in Diagnostic Immunohistochemistry: Myoepithelial Markers in Breast Pathology
Authors: Dewar Rajan , Fadare Oluwole , Gilmore Hannah , Gown Allen M
Published: February 2021

Context.—Numerous immunohistochemical stains have been shown to exhibit exclusive or preferential positivity in breast myoepithelial cells relative to their luminal/epithelial counterparts. These myoepithelial markers provide invaluable assistance in accurately classifying breast proliferations, especially in core biopsies. Although numerous myoepithelial markers are available, they differ in their sensitivity, specificity, and ease of interpretation, which may be attributed, to a large extent, to the variable immunoreactivity of these markers in stromal cells including myofibroblasts, vessels, luminal/epithelial cells, and tumor cells.

Objective.—To review commonly used myoepithelial markers in breast pathology and a selection of diagnostic scenarios where they may be useful.

Data Sources.—The information outlined in this review article is based on our experiences with routine cases and a review of English-language articles published between 1987 and 2008.

Conclusions.—To demonstrate the presence or absence of myoepithelial cells, a panel-based approach of 2 or more markers is recommended. Markers that most effectively combine sensitivity, specificity, and ease of interpretation include smooth muscle myosin heavy chains, calponin, p75, p63, P-cadherin, basal cytokeratins, maspin, and CD10. These markers, however, display varying cross-reactivity patterns and variably reduced expression in the myoepithelial cells bordering in situ carcinomas. The choice of a myoepithelial marker should be dependent on a combination of factors, including published evidence on its diagnostic utility, its availability, performance characteristics that have been achieved in a given laboratory, and the specific diagnostic scenario. When its use is deemed necessary, immunohistochemistry for myoepithelial cells in breast pathology is most effective when conceptualized as supplemental, rather than central to routine morphologic interpretation.
Molecular Signatures of Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Hong Seung-Mo , Park Jason Y. , Hruban Ralph H. , Goggins Michael
Published: February 2021

Context.—The introduction of genome- and epigenome-wide screening techniques has dramatically improved our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of pancreatic cancer. There are now 3 recognized histologic precursors of pancreatic cancer: pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm, and mucinous cystic neoplasm. Each of these precursor lesions is associated with specific molecular alterations.

Objective.—To understand the molecular characteristics of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and its precursor lesions.

Data Sources.—PubMed (US National Library of Medicine).

Conclusions.—In this review, we briefly summarize recent research findings on the genetics and epigenetics of pancreatic cancer. In addition, we characterize these molecular alterations in the context of the histologic subtypes of pancreatic cancer.
Molecular Pathology of Breast Cancer: The Journey From Traditional Practice Toward Embracing the Complexity of a Molecular Classification
Authors: Gruver Aaron M. , Portier Bryce P. , Tubbs Raymond R.
Published: February 2021

Context.—Adenocarcinoma of the breast is the most frequent cancer affecting women in both developed and developing regions of the world. From the moment of clinical presentation until the time of pathologic diagnosis, patients affected by this disease will face daunting questions related to prognosis and treatment options. While improvements in targeted therapies have led to increased patient survival, these same advances have created the imperative to accurately stratify patients to achieve maximum therapeutic efficacy while minimizing side effects. In this evolving era of personalized medicine, there is an ever-increasing need to overcome the limitations of traditional diagnostic practice.

Objective.—To summarize the molecular diagnostics traditionally used to guide prognostication and treatment of breast carcinomas, to highlight published data on the molecular classification of these tumors, and to showcase molecular assays that will supplement traditional methods of categorizing the disease.

Data Sources.—A review of the literature covering the molecular diagnostics of breast carcinomas with a focus on the gene expression and array studies used to characterize the molecular signatures of the disease. Special emphasis is placed on summarizing evolving technologies useful in the diagnosis and characterization of breast carcinoma.

Conclusions.—Available and emerging molecular resources will allow pathologists to provide superior diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive information about individual breast carcinomas. These advances should translate into earlier identification and tailored therapy and should ultimately improve outcome for patients affected by this disease.
Laboratory electro-pneumatic motion control setup
Authors: Vujičić Vojislav , Dragićević Snežana , Marjanović Milan , Ocokoljić Dragana , Popović Marko , Milićević Ivan
Published: February 2021

Studying the dynamic behaviour of objects or systems in response to conditions cannot always be easily or safely applied in real life. Computer simulations in engineering are very important as it solves real-world problems safely and efficiently. It provides an important method of analysis which is easily verified, communicated, and understood. Across industries and disciplines, simulation modelling provides valuable solutions by giving clear insights into complex systems. A system presented in this paper is a pneumatic sheet metal bending laboratory setup. An electro-pneumatic motion control of this system is modelled and simulated in FluidSim software. This system is also physically built using main pneumatic and electrical components with PLC. Described laboratory setup in this paper was used in the education of students and significant enchantment in the understanding of how similar systems work was noticed.
Acceptability of a physiotherapeutic pain school treatment in trauma-affected populations in the Middle Eastern & Northern African region
Authors: Karrer Anne-Mette , Viller Hansen Ane Kirstine , Nordin Linda , Oestergaard Marie-Louise Drivsholm
Published: February 2021

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the acceptability of a physiotherapeutic pain treatment (Pain School), focusing on patient education, physical exercises and self-reliance, and a capacity building program developed for MENA based physiotherapists working with pain and trauma-affected populations.Method: The perceived benefits and challenges of the physiotherapy Pain School treatment were evaluated through qualitative interviews with seven physiotherapists participating in the Pain School training program. The acceptability and feasibility of the treatment manual and training program of the physiotherapists was evaluated. The preliminary results of the Pain School treatment were also analyzed with a paired-sample t-test pre- and post-treatment in 38 patients suffering from persistent pain and trauma-related stress in the MENA region.

Results: The qualitative analysis showed good feasibility and high acceptance among the participating physiotherapists of this physiotherapeutic treatment and training program. The pre- to post-treatment evaluation of Pain School, also gave an indication of positive treatment effects. Monitoring and evaluation of treatment was found useful, but indications of mental health status were evaluated to be missing. Due to other limitations, such as author biases (authors carrying out training, interviews and analyzing qualitative results) and no control group, the results from this study do not provide a final conclusion on the training program nor treatment effects. Nevertheless, this study is an important first step to offer evidence-based standardized treatment for pain and trauma-affected populations in the MENA region.
Precise base editing for the in vivo study of developmental signaling and human pathologies in zebrafish
Authors: Rosello Marion , Vougny Juliette , Czarny François , Mione Marina C , Concordet Jean-Paul , Albadri Shahad , Del Bene Filippo
Published: February 2021

While zebrafish is emerging as a new model system to study human diseases, an efficient methodology to generate precise point mutations at high efficiency is still lacking. Here we show that base editors can generate C-to-T point mutations with high efficiencies without other unwanted on-target mutations. In addition, we established a new editor variant recognizing an NAA protospacer adjacent motif, expanding the base editing possibilities in zebrafish. Using these approaches, we first generated a base change in the ctnnb1 gene, mimicking oncogenic an mutation of the human gene known to result in constitutive activation of endogenous Wnt signaling. Additionally, we precisely targeted several cancer-associated genes including cbl. With this last target, we created a new zebrafish dwarfism model. Together our findings expand the potential of zebrafish as a model system allowing new approaches for the endogenous modulation of cell signaling pathways and the generation of precise models of human genetic disease-associated mutations.
Deciding when to exit
Authors: Meserve Joy H , Duronio Robert J
Published: February 2021

A new imaging approach can distinguish between cells destined to stop proliferating and those committed to re-entering the cell cycle in live animals.
Type II Proximal Focal Femoral Deficiency in a Three-Year-Old Female: A Case Report
Authors: Sule Muhammad Baba , Gele Ibrahim Haruna , Shirama Yakubu Bababa , Abacha Muhammad
Published: February 2021

Proximal Focal Femoral Deficiency (PFFD) is a term used to describe a condition where the femur is short and associated with an apparent loss of continuity between the shaft and neck. PFFD is reported as an uncommon but complex clinical condition. This was commonly grouped with other disorders like coxa vara and short bowel tumours. This has a female to male ratio of 2:1 and an incidence of 1 case per 50,000 population to 1 case per 200,000 population. This is a case report of a three-year-old female that was referred for plain radiograph of the lower limbs on account of limb-length discrepancy and abnormal gait. The plain pelvic and lower limb radiograph showed a markedly shortened femur with non-demonstration of the femoral head and neck. There was a vertically oriented acetabula fossa with altered acetabula and iliac angles. The patient is currently managed conservatively mainly by reassurance and use of crutches.
Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) on Lung Function among Covid-19 Patients- A Review Study
Authors: Aggarwal Nikhil , Ved Nidhi
Published: February 2021

Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) is a highly contagious disease mainly affecting the respiratory system, the virus is transmitted from person-to-person through large droplets from coughing, sneezing or rhinorrhea, it remains viable for at least 24 hours on a hard surface and up to eight hours on a soft surface. If it enters into the human respiratory system, it attacks the lungs and induces serous fluid, fibrin exudates, and leads to hyaline membrane formation in the alveoli which highly affects the respiratory system. The aim of this review is to collect the present evidence on effect of Acupuncture-Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (Acu-TENS) on pulmonary function which can help the clinicians to do further clinical trials and recommend the usage of Modality TENS which can significantly improve lung function among COVID-19 patients. Till now, it is found that few breathing techniques improve lung function among hospitalised COVID-19 patients but yet no study has been found which shows the effect of modality like TENS on lung function among COVID-19 patients. TENS is a non-invasive and inexpensive peripheral stimulation technique that markedly improves lung function after a single session of 30-45 minutes. Hence, usage of TENS can be recommended for COVID-19 patient treatment.
An Adrift Community in Mainstream Bangladesh: Case of Tea Workers
Authors: Fatema Kanij , Sarker Dipta , Ahmed Jasim Uddin , Majumder Kausar Ahmed , Kabir Md. Faizul
Published: February 2021

This research was conducted to analyze the status of tea workers of selected areas of Bangladesh. Primary data were collected through direct interview and secondary data were also collected from different sources. A total of 100 tea workers were randomly selected from Ootterbhag and Indanugger tea estate of Moulvibazar. Descriptive statistics and functional analyses were employed to achieve the objectives of the research. Risk facing index, food security index, food consumption score were calculated and binary logistic regression were carried out to identify the factors affecting food security status. The study revealed that the life of tea workers in selected areas are vulnerable. Wages are not adequate to meet basic needs and the wage raises are not keeping pace with the cost of living. Considering 4.51 average family member the respondent family household is far below the international poverty line (1.90 US$). It was observed from the analysis that 52% sample respondents were illiterate. However, the maximum respondents also agreed that they faced various psychological, mechanical and biological hazards. Household calorie availability or consumption behavior was revealed by food consumption score, which exemplified that 49% respondents are in borderline food consumption pattern while 5% and 46% are in poor and acceptable level respectively. The overall average daily per capita calorie intake by tea workers was observed to be 2076.3996 kilo calorie, which is lower than the national average of Bangladesh. Only 35% household were food secure based on calorie intake.  Household was food insecure if number of dependent persons in family increases; food secure with increase in household monthly income; and household food security decreases with increase in household size.
Skill Improvement Efforts in Ensemble Learning by Using Snake’s Singer in Taruna Nusantara Senior High School
Authors: Lakusa Nicholas Ferdeta , Astuti Kun Setyaning
Published: February 2021

Aims: The objective of this research was to investigate and analyze a programme model called Snake’s Singer to improve the ensemble skills of 10th grade matriculation-class students of SMA Taruna Nusantara.

Study Design:  The design of this research is classroom action research.

Place and Duration of Study: This research was conducted at Taruna Nusantara Senior High School, Magelang, Indonesia on November 16 - December 5, 2020. This research was conducted at Taruna Nusantara Senior High School. The implementation of activities is 60 minutes in 6 meetings on November - December 2020.

Methodology: This type of classroom action research is carried out in two cycles; each cycle consists of 4 stages (planning, implementing the action, observing and reflecting). The data collection technique used the performance test by assessing the TIPPS (Tone, Intonation, Phrasing, Precision, and Style) aspects. Descriptive statistics is used to analyze the data.

Results: The result shows that there is an improvement in students' musical instrument playing skills. This is proven by the increase of the average score achieved by students as followed 64.3 for pre-cycle, 73.8 for cycle I, and 81.1 for cycle II.
Yield Attributing Characters and Yield of Mungbean Crop as Affected by Phosphorus, PSB, and Vermicompost
Authors: Shamsurahman . , Singh S. B. , Singh Amit Kumar , Tiwari J. K. , Singh Virendra Kumar
Published: February 2021

Pulses cover a vast area of the Bundelkhand (UP) and Mungbean is prominent among the pulse crops and it is grown on a larger scale using local varieties entirely in dryland conditions and on residual soil moisture and fertility. In Bundelkhand, farmers grow the crops traditionally and without considering the scientific recommendations. Inorganic fertilizers (synthetic) are an important source of plant nutrients but their continuous and injudicious use posing health and environmental complications. Minimum use of inorganic sources of nutrients and rely on integrated nutrient management is the way to tackle the health and environmental issues due to imbalance and excessive use of inorganic nutrients. Phosphorus, PSB and vermicompost are found to play very important role in boosting the yield of legume crops. This research is, therefore, taken into account to evaluate the response of Mungbean crop to phosphorus, PSB, and vermicompost. The leguminous crops require more phosphorus as it is required for energy transformation in nodules. Phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) is assumed to have greater significance because it helps to convert insoluble organic phosphates into simple and soluble forms. Vermicompost is a better and rich source of N, P, K, and micronutrients. Besides, containing a good proportion of exchangeable Ca, Mg, Na, etc., vermicompost enhances organic carbon to the soil and meagerly helps to release of nutrients and in turn uptake is improved. A field experiment was performed during Kharif season, 2019 at Agriculture Farm of Banda University of Agriculture and Technology Banda, Uttar Pradesh, India. Results of the study reveals that the basal applications of 75 kg DAP, 5 t Vermicompost (VC) ha-1 and seed treated by Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) led to a significant increase in yield attributing characters and yield and gave by 22.57% more yield advantage than the farmer’s practice. However, the application of higher doses of DAP with VC and PSB gave luxuriant growth to the crop rather than increased yield.
Quality Status of Irrigation Water of Kaleshwaram Project Command Area of Nizamabad District in Telangana State
Authors: Prasad V. , Anjaiah T. , Pavanchandrareddy K. , Laxminarayana P. , Neelima T. L.
Published: February 2021

The present study represents the quality of ground water from Kaleshwaram project command area of Nizamabad district of Telangana state, India during year 2019-2020. Total 72 ground water samples from bore wells were collected randomly from Nizamabad periodically in two seasons i.e. pre-monsoon season (May, 2019) and post-monsoon-season (January, 2020). The ground water samples were analyzed for quality parameters viz., pH, EC, cations, anions, boron. The Sodium Adsorption Ratio and Residual Sodium Carbonate were also calculated for these ground water samples. The results found that all ground water samples from Nizamabad district were neutral to alkaline in reaction and having pH 7.02 during pre-monsoon and 7.48 during post-monsoon season respectively. EC of these water were 1.23dSm-1 and 1.53dS m-1 during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons respectively. Among 72 water samples as per salinity classification 2.8, 23.61, 69.44 and 4.17 per cent water samples during pre-monsoon and 0, 1.4, 90.30 and 8.33 per cent water samples during post-monsoon  were categorized in class C1, C2, C3 and C4, respectively. Among all the cations in ground water Calcium was dominant. Whereas anions CO3-2 + HCO3- are dominant. The boron concentration of ground water was ranged from 0.48 to 0.67 ppm during pre and post-monsoon, respectively. According to sodicity classes, i.e. SAR and RSC of ground waters were 100 and 47.22 per cent during pre-monsoon, 100 and 26.40 per cent during post-monsoon are suitable for irrigation. The positive significant correlation was observed between EC, cations of ground water.
Protein folding and surface interaction phase diagrams in vitro and in cells
Authors: Gruebele Martin
Published: February 2021

Protein stability is subject to environmental perturbations such as pressure and crowding, as well as sticking to other macromolecules and quinary structure. Thus, the environment inside and outside the cell plays a key role in how proteins fold, interact, and function on the scale from a few molecules to macroscopic ensembles. This review discusses three aspects of protein phase diagrams: first, the relevance of phase diagrams to protein folding and function in vitro and in cells; next, how the evolution of protein surfaces impacts on interaction phase diagrams; and finally, how phase separation plays a role on much larger length‐scales than individual proteins or oligomers, when liquid phase‐separated regions form to assist protein function and cell homeostasis.
Polyradical PROXYL/TEMPO Conjugates Connected by Ester/Amide Bridges: Synthesis, Physicochemical Studies, and DFT Calculations
Authors: Gurská Mária , Brezová Vlasta , Šalitroš Ivan , Švorc Ľubomír , Špánik Ivan , Moncoľ Ján , Pavlik Ján , Szolcsányi Peter
Published: February 2021

Abstract: A series of di‐/trinitroxide esters and amides featuring PROXYL and/or TEMPO radicals connected with alicyclic bridges were prepared in 61–92 % yields and their properties were analysed by using multiple experimental techniques. The examination of EPR spectra of radicals in organic solvents augmented with DFT calculations brought valuable information on the conformational dynamics and spin exchange mechanisms. Cyclic voltammetry investigations revealed (quasi)reversible electrochemical behaviour of studied nitroxides with their half‐wave potentials ranging from −51 to −17 mV. SQUID measurements of selected radicals revealed that the magnetism of di‐ and trinitroxides is significantly different, since antiferromagnetic coupling in biradicals is notably larger than in triradicals. The single‐crystal X‐ray analysis of selected biradicals revealed the existence of 3D supramolecular networks of molecules linked through hydrogen‐bonding interactions. These polynitroxide radicals can serve as promising bridging or chelating ligands in the synthesis of transition‐metal‐based molecular magnets.
Particle filters for data assimilation based on reduced‐order data models
Authors: Maclean John , Van Vleck Erik S.
Published: February 2021

We introduce a framework for data assimilation (DA) in which the data is split into multiple sets corresponding to low‐rank projections of the state space. Algorithms are developed that assimilate some or all of the projected data, including an algorithm compatible with any generic DA method. The major application explored here is PROJ‐PF, a projected particle filter. The PROJ‐PF implementation assimilates highly informative but low‐dimensional observations. The implementation considered here is based on using projections corresponding to assimilation in the unstable subspace (AUS). In the context of particle filtering, the projected approach mitigates the collapse of particle ensembles in high‐dimensional DA problems, while preserving as much relevant information as possible, as the unstable and neutral modes correspond to the most uncertain model predictions. In particular, we formulate and implement numerically a projected optimal proposal particle filter (PROJ‐OP‐PF) and compare this with the standard optimal proposal and the ensemble transform Kalman filter.
Applying AI on the Battlefield: The Ethical Debates
Authors: Reichberg Gregory M. , Syse Henrik
Published: February 2021

Because lethal autonomous weapon systems (LAWS) are designed to make targeting decisions without the direct intervention of human agents (who are “out of the killing loop”), considerable debate has arisen on whether this mode of autonomous targeting should be deemed morally permissible. Surveying the contours of this debate, the authors first present a prominent ethical argument that has been advanced in favor of LAWS, namely, that AI-directed robotic combatants have an advantage over their human counterparts, insofar as the former operate solely on the basis of rational assessment, while the latter are often swayed by emotions that conduce to poor judgment. Several counter arguments are then presented, inter alia, (1) that emotions have a positive influence on moral judgment and are indispensable to it; (2) that it is a violation of human dignity to be killed by a machine, as opposed to being killed by a human being; and (3) that the honor of the military profession hinges on maintaining an equality of risk between combatants, an equality that would be removed if one side delegates its fighting to robots. The chapter concludes with a reflection on the moral challenges posed by human-AI teaming in battlefield settings, and how virtue ethics provides a valuable framework for addressing these challenges.
The AI and Robot Entity
Authors: Sánchez Sorondo Marcelo
Published: February 2021

Robots are instruments of the human being who is intelligent and free. Aristotle defines being free as the one that is cause of himself or exists on his own and for himself (causa sui or causa sui ipsius). By contrast, the instrument is not a cause of itself and does not work by the power of its entity, but only by the motion imparted by the principal agent, so that the effect is not likened to the instrument but to the principal agent. From the Christian perspective, for a being to be free and a cause of himself, it is necessary that he/she be a person endowed with a spiritual and incorruptible soul, on which his or her cognitive and free activity is based. An artificially intelligent robotic entity does not meet this standard. As an artefact and not a natural reality, the AI/robotic entity is invented by human beings to fulfil a purpose imposed by human beings. It can become a perfect entity that performs operations in quantity and quality more precisely than a human being, but it cannot choose for itself a different purpose from what it was programmed for by a human being. As such, the artificially intelligent robot is a means at the service of humans.
Friendship Between Human Beings and AI Robots?
Authors: Archer Margaret S.
Published: February 2021

In this chapter the case for potential Robophilia is based upon the positive properties and powers deriving from humans and AI co-working together in synergy. Hence, Archer asks ‘Can Human Beings and AI Robots be Friends?’ The need to foreground social change for structure culture and agency is being stressed. Human enhancement speeded up with medical advances with artificial insertions in the body, transplants, and genetic modification. In consequence, the definition of ‘being human’ is carried further away from naturalism and human essentialism. With the growing capacities of AI robots the tables are turned and implicitly pose the question, ‘so are they not persons too?’ Robophobia dominates Robophilia, in popular imagination and academia. With AI capacities now including ‘error-detection’, ‘self-elaboration of their pre-programming’ and ‘adaptation to their environment’, they have the potential for active collaboration with humankind, in research, therapy and care. This would entail synergy or co-working between humans and AI beings.
AI/Robotics and the Poor
Authors: von Braun Joachim , Baumüller Heike
Published: February 2021

Artificial intelligence and robotics (AI/R) have the potential to greatly change livelihoods. Information on how AI/R may affect the poor is scarce. This chapter aims to address this gap in research. A framework is established that depicts poverty and marginality conditions of health, education, public services, work, small businesses, including farming, as well as the voice and empowerment of the poor. This framework identifies points of entry of AI/R, and is complemented by a more detailed discussion of the way in which changes through AI/R in these areas may relate positively or negatively to the livelihood of the poor. Context will play an important role determining the AI/R consequences for the diverse populations in poverty and marginalized populations at risk. This chapter calls for empirical scenarios and modelling analyses to better understand the different components in the emerging technological and institutional AI/R innovations and to identify how they will shape the livelihoods of poor households and communities.
Flavor-dependent radiative corrections in coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering
Authors: Tomalak Oleksandr , Machado Pedro , Pandey Vishvas , Plestid Ryan
Published: February 2021

Abstract

We calculate coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering cross sections on spin-0 nuclei (e.g. 40Ar and 28Si) at energies below 100 MeV within the Standard Model and account for all effects of permille size. We provide a complete error budget including uncertainties at nuclear, nucleon, hadronic, and quark levels separately as well as perturbative error. Our calculation starts from the four-fermion effective field theory to explicitly separate heavy-particle mediated corrections (which are absorbed by Wilson coefficients) from light-particle contributions. Electrons and muons running in loops introduce a non- trivial dependence on the momentum transfer due to their relatively light masses. These same loops, and those mediated by tau leptons, break the flavor universality because of mass-dependent electromagnetic radiative corrections. Nuclear physics uncertainties significantly cancel in flavor asymmetries resulting in subpercent relative errors. We find that for low neutrino energies, the cross section can be predicted with a relative precision that is competitive with neutrino-electron scattering. We highlight potentially useful applications of such a precise cross section prediction ranging from precision tests of the Standard Model, to searches for new physics and to the monitoring of nuclear reactors.
An Ethical Framework for Hacking Operations
Authors: Bellaby Ross W.
Published: February 2021

In recent years the power and reach of prominent hacker groups such as Anonymous and LulzSec has been clearly demonstrated. However, in a world where hackers are able to wield significant online power, can they do so ethically as legitimate agents? To answer this question this paper will develop an ethical framework based on the premise that hackers have exhibited instances where they have acted to protect people from harm at a time when there was no one else to do so. At its core this paper will argue that political hacking can be justified when it is done to protect the vital interests of oneself or others. Moreover, it will also argue that just because hackers are outside the state does not automatically discount them as ethical actors and that when the state fails to protect people – whether it is due to a lack of ability, political will or because the state is the source of the threat – hackers can fill the void. In order to achieve this, first it is necessary to highlight the space for hackers to operate; second, guide hacker activity by creating an ethical framework detailing what actions are justified towards what end; third, to offer mechanisms that can aid in reaching these ethically justified decisions; and as a result, inform further ethical debates on how to react to these political hackers. This means that the framework can be used to both justify and condemn hacking depending on the circumstances, allowing those on the outside to distil and evaluate a political hack, both past and present, while guiding hacker collectives by providing clearer ethical tools for determining the appropriate agendas and methods.
A chemically etched corrugated feedhorn array for D-band CMB observations
Authors: Mandelli S. , Manzan E. , Mennella A. , Cavaliere F. , Viganò D. , Franceschet C. , de Bernardis P. , Bersanelli M. , Castellano M. G. , Coppolecchia A. , Cruciani A. , Gervasi M. , Lamagna L. , Limonta A. , Masi S. , Paiella A. , Passerini A. , Pettinari G. , Piacentini F. , Tommasi E. , Volpe A. , Zannoni M.
Published: February 2021

We present the design, manufacturing, and testing of a 37-element array of corrugated feedhorns for Cosmic Microwave Background CMB) measurements between 140 and 170 GHz. The array was designed to be coupled to Kinetic Inductance Detector arrays, either directly (for total power measurements) or through an orthomode transducer (for polarization measurements). We manufactured the array in platelets by chemically etching aluminum plates of 0.3 mm and 0.4 mm thickness. The process is fast, low-cost, scalable, and yields high-performance antennas compared to other techniques in the same frequency range. Room temperature electromagnetic measurements show excellent repeatability with an average cross polarization level about − 20 dB, return loss about − 25 dB, first sidelobes below − 25 dB and far sidelobes below − 35 dB. Our results qualify this process as a valid candidate for state-of-the-art CMB experiments, where large detector arrays with high sensitivity and polarization purity are of paramount importance in the quest for the discovery of CMB polarizationB-modes.
First passage times for Slepian process with linear and piecewise linear barriers
Authors: Zhigljavsky Anatoly , Noonan Jack
Published: February 2021

In this paper, we derive explicit formulas for the first-passage probabilities of the processS(t) =W(t) −W(t+ 1), whereW(t) is the Brownian motion, for linear and piece-wise linear barriers on arbitrary intervals [0,T]. Previously, explicit formulas for the first-passage probabilities of this process were known only for the cases of a constant barrier orT≤ 1. The first-passage probabilities results are used to derive explicit formulas for the power of a familiar test for change-point detection in the Wiener process.
What Does it Mean to be a Targeted Parent? Parents’ Experiences in the Context of Parental Alienation
Authors: Tavares Ana , Crespo Carla , Ribeiro Maria Teresa
Published: February 2021

The term parental alienation refers to the negative influence of one parent over a child’s perception of the other parent (targeted parent). The aim of this research was to gain further understanding of targeted parents’ experience of parental alienation from their own perspectives. For this qualitative study, a thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with eight participants aged between 33 and 51 years was conducted. The data from individual semi-structured interviews enabled the identification of four main themes: perception of personal impact, coping strategies, family relationships and support network. Parents identified a serious impairment of their physical and emotional well-being and mainly identified emotion-focused coping strategies to deal with this adverse ongoing situation. Furthermore, they reported changes in key relationships, with emphasis on difficulties in family and social contexts. The contribution of the findings to research and interventions with parents and families experiencing parental alienation are discussed.
Adaptive threshold-based alarm strategies for continuous vital signs monitoring
Authors: van Rossum Mathilde C. , Vlaskamp Lyan B. , Posthuma Linda M. , Visscher Maarten J. , Breteler Martine J. M. , Hermens Hermie J. , Kalkman Cor J. , Preckel Benedikt
Published: February 2021

Continuous vital signs monitoring in post-surgical ward patients may support early detection of clinical deterioration, but novel alarm approaches are required to ensure timely notification of abnormalities and prevent alarm-fatigue. The current study explored the performance of classical and various adaptive threshold-based alarm strategies to warn for vital sign abnormalities observed during development of an adverse event. A classical threshold-based alarm strategy used for continuous vital signs monitoring in surgical ward patients was evaluated retrospectively. Next, (combinations of) six methods to adapt alarm thresholds to personal or situational factors were simulated in the same dataset. Alarm performance was assessed using the overall alarm rate and sensitivity to detect adverse events. Using a wireless patch-based monitoring system, 3999 h of vital signs data was obtained in 39 patients. The clinically used classical alarm system produced 0.49 alarms/patient/day, and alarms were generated for 11 out of 18 observed adverse events. Each of the tested adaptive strategies either increased sensitivity to detect adverse events or reduced overall alarm rate. Combining specific strategies improved overall performance most and resulted in earlier presentation of alarms in case of adverse events. Strategies that adapt vital sign alarm thresholds to personal or situational factors may improve early detection of adverse events or reduce alarm rates as compared to classical alarm strategies. Accordingly, further investigation of the potential of adaptive alarms for continuous vital signs monitoring in ward patients is warranted.
High tolerance to simulated root herbivory in hydroponically grown cuttings of Salix phylicifolia
Authors: Kozlov Mikhail V. , Zvereva Elena L.
Published: February 2021

The shortage of information regarding the effects of root damage on forest plants, especially trees and shrubs, is the most critical gap in our knowledge of belowground insect herbivory. This study examines how the tea-leaved willow, Salix phylicifolia, responds to simulated root herbivory and how nutrient availability affects these responses. Hydroponically grown cuttings were used to precisely apply the desired levels of root damage. Root: shoot ratios increased proportionally to the intensity of root damage, whereas specific leaf area, leaf water content and chlorophyll fluorescence were not affected. The removal of 2–64% of roots once in early summer and the removal of 25% of roots three times during the summer did not change biomass production by cuttings. The repeated removal of 50 and 75% of roots decreased shoot biomass and, to a lesser extent, total root production. The tolerance of tea-leaved willow to root damage was greater in low nutrient treatment than in high nutrient treatment, thus supporting the Growth Rate Model. According to this model, in low resource conditions plants do not attain their maximum growth rate and therefore have a higher capacity for regrowth after damage. We conclude that, in the absence of water limitations, tea-leaved willow shows high tolerance to root losses and is unlikely to be affected by realistic levels of root herbivory.
Automatically Building Financial Sentiment Lexicons While Accounting for Negation
Authors: Bos Thomas , Frasincar Flavius
Published: February 2021

Financial investors make trades based on available information. Previous research has proved that microblogs are a useful source for supporting stock market decisions. However, the financial domain lacks specific sentiment lexicons that could be utilized to extract the sentiment from these microblogs. In this research, we investigate automatic approaches that can be used to build financial sentiment lexicons. We introduce weighted versions of the Pointwise Mutual Information approaches to build sentiment lexicons automatically. Furthermore, existing sentiment lexicons often neglect negation while building the sentiment lexicons. In this research, we also propose two methods (Negated Word and Flip Sentiment) to extend the sentiment building approaches to take into account negation when constructing a sentiment lexicon. We build the financial sentiment lexicons by leveraging 200,000 messages from StockTwits. We evaluate the constructed financial sentiment lexicons in two different sentiment classification tasks (unsupervised and supervised). In addition, the created financial sentiment lexicons are compared with each other and with other existing sentiment lexicons. The best performing financial sentiment lexicon is built by combining our Weighted Normalized Pointwise Mutual Information approach with the Negated Word approach. It outperforms all the other sentiment lexicons in the two sentiment classification tasks. In the unsupervised sentiment classification task, it has, on average, a balanced accuracy of 69.4%, and in the supervised setting, a balanced accuracy of 75.1%. Moreover, the various sentiment classification tasks confirm that the sentiment lexicons could be improved by taking into account negation while building the sentiment lexicons. The improvement could be made by using one of the proposed methods to incorporate negation in the sentiment lexicon construction process.
The influence of changes in flow regime caused by dam closure on channel planform evolution: insights from flume experiments
Authors: Słowik Marcin , Kiss Kinga , Czigány Szabolcs , Gradwohl-Valkay Alexandra , Dezső József , Halmai Ákos , Marciniak Adam , Tritt Remigiusz , Pirkhoffer Ervin
Published: February 2021

Constructions of dams influence river courses by cutting off sediment delivery and altering flow regime. We conducted flume experiments to study how sediment starvation, flow deficit and occurrence of series of floods with sediment load influence the evolution of channel planform. Results indicated that reduced flow caused a transition from a braided to incised single-thread planform with remains of inactive channels. The planform resembled rivers suffering from flow reduction caused by dams and constructions of irrigation canals (e.g., Central Platte River, USA). Simulation of series of floods with no sediment delivery caused the formation of an anabranching planform with incised main channel, alluvial islands, and side channels active at high flows. This evolution corresponds to river courses altered by sediment starvation and series of floods (e.g., the lower Drava River, Hungary). Floods with delivery of fines created a single-thread, incised channel with terraces along banks. Such channels are formed by rivers closed by dams, and compensating sediment deficit by sediment load from tributaries and/or floodplains (e.g., the Green River, USA). The flume tests demonstrated how flow and sediment deficit influence river channels and that the potential for restoration strongly depends on possibilities for the activation of sediment supply. However, restoration of pre-dam conditions is often impossible owing to other hydro technical works and land use changes. The highest restoration potential refers to the rivers compensating sediment delivery blocked by dams with tributary and floodplain resources.
Advancing the Field of Disaster Response Management: Toward a Design Science Approach
Authors: Frykmer Tove , Tehler Henrik , Uhr Christian , Wester Misse
Published: February 2021

Multiorganizational response to emergencies and disasters requires collaboration. How to improve the collective response is therefore an essential question, but not easy to answer. In disaster research, normative research with a focus on providing evidence for how to improve professional practice has traditionally received less attention than explanatory ones. The aim of this article, using insights from design science where normative research is more common, is to suggest a complementary approach to response management research. Our approach, which combines experimental and explanatory research, is applied to a study of goal alignment. Goal alignment among response actors is often recommended despite literature’s contradictory evidence regarding its effect. We conducted an experiment with 111 participants, who, in groups of three, played a computer game under one of two conditions (goal alignment or not). Our results show that aligning goals did not improve the outcome in the game. Although this may serve as a counterargument to implementing goal alignment interventions, there are concerns with such conclusions. These reservations include, but are not limited to, the lack of validated models to use in experiments. Nevertheless, our suggested research approach and the goal alignment experiment highlight the importance of testing interventions and their effectiveness before implementation.
Maximization of the capillary pump efficiency in microfluidics
Authors: Hua Wei , Zhou Weidong , Wang Wei , Wang Zhenfeng , Wu Ruige , Zhu Liang
Published: February 2021

This paper studies the efficiency of capillary pump analytically in circular, square and rectangular channels with results verified by experiment. The effect of liquid momentum is analyzed with respect to channel size and equations are developed to enable most efficient fluid pumping. It is found that the momentum term is negligible at channel cross-cut area < 0.1 mm2 while it has a significant contribution at > 0.3 mm2 region. The optimized equations show that the most efficient pumping and thereby the quickest liquid filling is accomplished in square shaped channel when compared with rectangular and circular channels. Generally, the longer the filling distance, or the longer the filling time, the larger the channel size is required after optimization, and vice versa. For the rectangular channel with channel height fixed, the channel width requirement to maximize the ability of capillary pump is obtained and discussed. Experimental verifications are conducted based on the measurement of filling distance versus time, and the simulation results are well correlated with the testing results. The equations developed in the paper provide a reference for the microfluidic channel design, such that the channel filling speed can be maximized.
Assessment of land degradation ‘on the ground’ and from ‘above’
Authors: Kirui Oliver K. , Mirzabaev Alisher , von Braun Joachim
Published: February 2021

Assessments of land degradation vary in methodology and outcome. The objective of this study is to identify the state, extent and patterns of land degradation in Eastern Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi and Tanzania). More recently (2000s), satellite-based imagery and remote sensing have been utilized to identify the magnitude and processes of land degradation at global, regional and national levels. This involves the use of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) derived from Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer data and the use of high-quality satellite data from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer. This study is the first in Eastern Africa to complement remote sensing with ground-level assessments in evaluating the extent of land degradation at national and regional scales. The results based on NDVI measures show that land degradation occurred in about 51%, 41%, 23% and 22% of the terrestrial areas in Tanzania, Malawi, Ethiopia and Kenya, respectively, between the 1982 and 2016 periods. Some of the key hot spot areas include west and southern regions of Ethiopia, western part of Kenya, southern parts of Tanzania and eastern parts of Malawi. To evaluate the accuracy of the NDVI observations, ground-truthing was carried out in Tanzania and Ethiopia through focus group discussions (FGDs). The FGDs indicate an agreement with remotely sensed information on land degradation in seven sites out of eight in Tanzania and five sites out of six in Ethiopia. Given the significant magnitude of land degradation, appropriate action is needed to address it.