bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Qubit heating near a hotspot
Authors: Kaplanek G. , Burgess C. P. , Holman R. 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Effective theories describing black hole exteriors contain many open-system features due to the large number of gapless degrees of freedom that lie beyond reach across the horizon. A simple solvable Caldeira-Leggett type model of a quantum field interacting within a small area with many unmeasured thermal degrees of freedom was recently proposed in ref. [23] to provide a toy model of this kind of dynamics against which more complete black hole calculations might be compared. We here compute the response of a simple Unruh-DeWitt detector (or qubit) interacting with a massless quantum field ϕ coupled to such a hotspot. Our treatment differs from traditional treatments of Unruh-DeWitt detectors by using Open-EFT tools to reliably calculate the qubit’s late-time behaviour. We use these tools to determine the efficiency with which the qubit thermalizes as a function of its proximity to the hotspot. We identify a Markovian regime in which thermalization does occur, though only for qubits closer to the hotspot than a characteristic distance scale set by the ϕ-hotspot coupling. We compute the thermalization time, and find that it varies inversely with the ϕ-qubit coupling strength in the standard way.
Species Identity, Life History, and Geographic Distance Influence Gut Bacterial Communities in Lab-Reared and European Field-Collected Culicoides Biting midges
Authors: Möhlmann Tim W. R. , ter Braak Cajo J. F. , te Beest Dennis E. , Hendriks Marc , Nijhuis Els H. , Warris Sven , Drolet Barbara S. , van Overbeek Leo , Koenraadt Constantianus J. M. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBacteria are part of the insect gut system and influence many physiological traits of their host. Gut bacteria may even reduce or block the transmission of arboviruses in several species of arthropod vectors. Culicoides biting midges are important arboviral vectors of several livestock and wildlife diseases, yet limited information is available on their gut bacterial communities. Addressing this gap will help inform how these communities can be manipulated and ultimately used as novel tools to control pathogens. To assess how bacterial communities change during the life stages of lab-reared C. nubeculosus and C. sonorensis, endosymbiotic bacteria were identified using Illumina sequencing of 16S rRNA and taxonomically characterised. Analyses were conducted to determine how gut bacterial communities in adults are influenced by species identity and geographic distance among biting midge populations. Communities of the two lab-reared Culicoides species significantly changed after pupation and with maturation into 6-day-old adults. Pseudomonas, Burkholderiaceae and Leucobacter bacteria were part of a core community that was trans-stadially transmitted and found throughout their life cycle. Among field-collected biting midges, the bacterial communities were unique for almost each species. Cardinium, Rickettsia and Wolbachia were some of the most abundant bacteria in midges collected from wetlands. Only Pseudomonas was present in high relative abundance in all field-collected species. In this study, species identity, as well as geographic distance, influenced the gut bacterial communities and may partly explain known inter- and intra-species variability in vector competence. Additionally, stably associated bacterial species could be candidates for paratransgenic strategies to control vector-borne pathogens.
Improved spatial soliton theory on the example of photorefractive gallium arsenide
Authors: Wichtowski Marek , Ziółkowski Andrzej 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThis article presents a critical look at the standard theory of bright and dark photorefractive screening solitons. We pay attention to the commonly overlooked fact of the inconsistency of the theory in the context of the accordance of soliton solution with the microscopic band transport models. Taking into account the material equations for the semi-insulating semiconductor (SI-GaAs) and including the nonlinear transport of hot electrons, a simple differential equation has been developed to determine the distribution of refractive index changes in the material for a localized optical beam. An amendment to the standard solution of (1 + 1)D solitons has been proposed, which particularly should be used for dark solitons to obtain the plausible self-consistent solutions
The protective effects of hepatocyte growth factor on the intestinal mucosal atrophy induced by total parenteral nutrition in a rat model
Authors: Sugita Koshiro , Kaji Tatsuru , Yano Keisuke , Matsukubo Makoto , Nagano Ayaka , Matsui Mayu , Murakami Masakazu , Harumatsu Toshio , Onishi Shun , Yamada Koji , Yamada Waka , Muto Mitsuru , Kumagai Kotaro , Ido Akio , Ieiri Satoshi 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Purpose
Total parental nutrition (TPN) causes gastrointestinal mucosal atrophy. The present study investigated the effects of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on the intestinal mucosal atrophy induced by TPN.

Methods
Rats underwent jugular vein catheterization and were divided into four groups: oral feeding (OF), TPN alone (TPN), TPN plus low-dose HGF (0.3 mg/kg/day; TPNLH), and TPN plus high-dose HGF (1.0 mg/kg/day; TPNHH). On day 7, rats were euthanized, and the small intestine was harvested and evaluated histologically. The expression of c-MET, a receptor of HGF, and nutrition transporter protein were evaluated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Results
The jejunal villus height (VH) and absorptive mucosal surface area in the TPNHH group were significantly higher than in the TPN group (p < 0.05). The VH in the ileum showed the same trend only in the TPNHH group, albeit without statistical significance. The crypt cell proliferation rate (CCPR) of the jejunum in both HGF-treated groups was significantly higher than in the TPN group (p < 0.01). The expression of c-MET and transporter protein in all TPN-treated groups was decreased compared with that in the OF group.

Conclusion
HGF attenuated TPN-associated intestinal mucosal atrophy by increasing the villus height, which was associated with an increase in CCPR.
Laparoscopic treatment of deep endometriosis with a diode laser: our experience
Authors: Angioni Stefano , Nappi Luigi , Sorrentino Felice , Peiretti Michele , Daniilidis Angelos , Pontis Alessandro , Tinelli Raffaele , D’Alterio Maurizio Nicola 
Published: August 2021

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate whether laparoscopic treatment with a diode laser is feasible, safe, and effective in symptomatic patients affected by deep endometriosis (DE).MethodsThis retrospective study was performed using medical record data. The surgical reports, chronic pain scores, and quality of life (QoL) data were evaluated for 50 patients who had undergone laparoscopic surgery between November 2017 and March 2019 at two university hospitals (Monserrato (CA) and Foggia, Italy). Indications for surgery were chronic pelvic pain and/or infertility in patients who wished to conceive spontaneously. Endometriosis lesions/nodules were excised using a diode laser (Leonardo®, Biolitec® DUAL 45) that can combine 980 and 1470 nm wavelengths transmitted through a 1000 µm conical optical fibre.ResultsThe median patient age was 32 years (range 21–44), with a body mass index (BMI) mean of 21.7  ±  2.9 kg/m2. The mean operation time was 147 min (range 106–190). No intraoperative or early complications (< 30 days) were reported. All patients left the hospital, on average, within 3 days (range 2–9 days) after surgery. A significant improvement in pain was observed at the 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up (p < 0.01) in all patients. Moreover, patients reported a significant QoL improvement at the 12-month follow-up.ConclusionThe diode laser confirmed its feasibility and safety for treating endometriosis. During the shaving surgical procedure, the diode laser system ensures a safe and effective laparoscopic dissection of deep endometriotic lesions. Further comprehensive randomized trials are necessary to confirm these preliminary data in terms of efficacy, recurrence rates, and pregnancy outcomes.
NGS and phenotypic ontology-based approaches increase the diagnostic yield in syndromic retinal diseases
Authors: Perea-Romero I. , Blanco-Kelly F. , Sanchez-Navarro I. , Lorda-Sanchez I. , Tahsin-Swafiri S. , Avila-Fernandez A. , Martin-Merida I. , Trujillo-Tiebas M. J. , Lopez-Rodriguez R. , Rodriguez de Alba M. , Iancu I. F. , Romero R. , Quinodoz M. , Hakonarson H. , Garcia-Sandova Blanca , Minguez P. , Corton M. , Rivolta C. , Ayuso C. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractSyndromic retinal diseases (SRDs) are a group of complex inherited systemic disorders, with challenging molecular underpinnings and clinical management. Our main goal is to improve clinical and molecular SRDs diagnosis, by applying a structured phenotypic ontology and next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based pipelines. A prospective and retrospective cohort study was performed on 100 probands with an a priori diagnosis of non-Usher SRDs, using available clinical data, including Human Phenotype Ontology annotation, and further classification into seven clinical categories (ciliopathies, specific syndromes and five others). Retrospective molecular diagnosis was assessed using different molecular and bioinformatic methods depending on availability. Subsequently, uncharacterized probands were prospectively screened using other NGS approaches to extend the number of analyzed genes. After phenotypic classification, ciliopathies were the most common SRD (35%). A global characterization rate of 52% was obtained, with six cases incompletely characterized for a gene that partially explained the phenotype. An improved characterization rate was achieved addressing prospective cases (83%) and well-recognizable syndrome (62%) subgroups. The 27% of the fully characterized cases were reclassified into a different clinical category after identification of the disease-causing gene. Clinical-exome sequencing is the most appropriate first-tier approach for prospective cases, whereas whole-exome sequencing and bioinformatic reanalysis increases the diagnosis of uncharacterized retrospective cases to 45%, mostly those with unspecific symptoms. Our study describes a comprehensive approach to SRDs in daily clinical practice and the importance of thorough clinical assessment and selection of the most appropriate molecular test to be used to solve these complex cases and elucidate novel associations.
RDFFrames: knowledge graph access for machine learning tools
Authors: Mohamed Aisha , Abuoda Ghadeer , Ghanem Abdurrahman , Kaoudi Zoi , Aboulnaga Ashraf 
Published: August 2021

AbstractKnowledge graphs represented as RDF datasets are integral to many machine learning applications. RDF is supported by a rich ecosystem of data management systems and tools, most notably RDF database systems that provide a SPARQL query interface. Surprisingly, machine learning tools for knowledge graphs do not use SPARQL, despite the obvious advantages of using a database system. This is due to the mismatch between SPARQL and machine learning tools in terms of data model and programming style. Machine learning tools work on data in tabular format and process it using an imperative programming style, while SPARQL is declarative and has as its basic operation matching graph patterns to RDF triples. We posit that a good interface to knowledge graphs from a machine learning software stack should use an imperative, navigational programming paradigm based on graph traversal rather than the SPARQL query paradigm based on graph patterns. In this paper, we present RDFFrames, a framework that provides such an interface. RDFFrames provides an imperative Python API that gets internally translated to SPARQL, and it is integrated with the PyData machine learning software stack. RDFFrames enables the user to make a sequence of Python calls to define the data to be extracted from a knowledge graph stored in an RDF database system, and it translates these calls into a compact SPQARL query, executes it on the database system, and returns the results in a standard tabular format. Thus, RDFFrames is a useful tool for data preparation that combines the usability of PyData with the flexibility and performance of RDF database systems.
Clinical efficacy and safety of combination therapy of tocilizumab and steroid pulse therapy for critical COVID-19 in HD patients
Authors: Toda Masataro , Fujii Kentaro , Yoshifuji Ayumi , Kondo Yasushi , Itoh Kazuto , Sekine Kazuhiko , Kikuchi Takahide , Ryuzaki Munekazu 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background
Critical coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has a high fatality rate, especially in hemodialysis (HD) patients, with this poor prognosis being caused by systemic hyperinflammation; cytokine storms. Steroid pulse therapy or tocilizumab (TCZ) have insufficient inhibitory effects against cytokine storms in critical cases. This study evaluated the clinical effects and safety of combining steroid pulse therapy and TCZ.

Methods
From September 2020 to May 2021, 201 patients with COVID-19 were admitted to our hospital. Before February 2021, patients with an oxygen demand exceeding 8 L/min were intubated and treated with standard therapy (dexamethasone and antiviral therapy). After February 2021, patients underwent high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy and were treated with TCZ (8 mg/kg) and methylprednisolone (mPSL) (500 mg/day [≤ 75 kg], 1000 mg/day [> 75 kg]) for 3 days. We compared background characteristics, laboratory findings, and prognosis between non-HD and HD patients and between patients who received and did not receive TCZ and mPSL pulse therapy.

Results
Among non-HD patients, the TCZ + mPSL pulse group had significantly higher survival rates and lower secondary infection rates (p < 0.05), than the standard therapy group. All HD patients in the standard therapy group with oxygen demand exceeding 8 L/min died. Contrastingly, all patients in the TCZ + mPSL pulse group survived, with their oxygen demand decreasing to 0–1 L/min within 3 weeks post-administration.

Conclusion
TCZ combined with mPSL pulse therapy improved the survival rate without significant adverse events in critical HD and non-HD patients with COVID-19 by strongly suppressing systemic hyperinflammation.
Modelling and verification of reconfigurable multi-agent systems
Authors: Abd Alrahman Yehia , Piterman Nir 
Published: August 2021

AbstractWe propose a formalism to model and reason about reconfigurable multi-agent systems. In our formalism, agents interact and communicate in different modes so that they can pursue joint tasks; agents may dynamically synchronize, exchange data, adapt their behaviour, and reconfigure their communication interfaces. Inspired by existing multi-robot systems, we represent a system as a set of agents (each with local state), executing independently and only influence each other by means of message exchange. Agents are able to sense their local states and partially their surroundings. We extendltlto be able to reason explicitly about the intentions of agents in the interaction and their communication protocols. We also study the complexity of satisfiability and model-checking of this extension.
MADAM: a parallel exact solver for max-cut based on semidefinite programming and ADMM
Authors: Hrga Timotej , Povh Janez 
Published: August 2021

AbstractWe present , a parallel semidefinite-based exact solver for Max-Cut, a problem of finding the cut with the maximum weight in a given graph. The algorithm uses the branch and bound paradigm that applies the alternating direction method of multipliers as the bounding routine to solve the basic semidefinite relaxation strengthened by a subset of hypermetric inequalities. The benefit of the new approach is a less computationally expensive update rule for the dual variable with respect to the inequality constraints. We provide a theoretical convergence of the algorithm as well as extensive computational experiments with this method, to show that our algorithm outperforms state-of-the-art approaches. Furthermore, by combining algorithmic ingredients from the serial algorithm, we develop an efficient distributed parallel solver based on MPI.
Determinants of Electric Vehicle Diffusion in China
Authors: Kalthaus Martin , Sun Jiatang 
Published: August 2021

AbstractWe analyze the effect of four determinants of electric vehicle diffusion in China for a panel of 31 regions for the period 2010–2016. We analyze diffusion of four different electric vehicle types, namely battery electric cars and buses as well as plug-in hybrid electric cars and buses. System GMM panel estimation results show that total monetary subsidies have a positive effect only on the diffusion of battery electric cars. A closer look reveals that subsidies provided by regional governments are decisive for all types of vehicles but the subsidy provided by the central government and its degression over time dilute the overall effect of subsidies and is partly detrimental. Non-monetary ownership policies, such as license-plate lotteries, show a positive effect only for battery electric cars. Availability of public charging infrastructure increases diffusion of all vehicle types. Charging points are relevant for cars, while charging stations are especially decisive for the diffusion of electric buses. Using local environmental conditions as a novel determinant for the diffusion of electric vehicles reveals that the local air pollution influences the diffusion of buses, but not of cars.
Hybrid sol-gel materials for realization of radiation protective coatings—a review with emphasis on UV protective materials
Authors: Mahltig Boris , Leisegang Tilmann , Jakubik Melanie , Haufe Helfried 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThis review reports on hybrid sol-gel coatings used for radiation protective purposes. The different types of electromagnetic radiation are usually distinguished by their wavelength, frequency or photon energy. There is a broad range of types of radiation that humans, materials or electric devices are exposed to, starting from radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, UV light, X-ray and gamma-ray radiation. Gamma-ray radiation is thus at the end of the electromagnetic spectrum with smallest wavelengths, highest frequencies and highest photon energies. Protection against radiation make sense, as it can pose health risks or interfere with technical and electronic equipment for example. Radiation protection can be realized by materials that are able to absorb or reflect the radiation, which leads to a considerable reduction in radiation transmission. These radiation protection materials are specific to different types of radiation or spectral widths, e.g., a material with excellent protective properties against UV light is not automatically suitable for protection against infrared light. The main aim of this review article is to report, what types of hybrid sol-gel materials can be used to provide ideal protection against a specific category of radiation. Additional to the broad view on all types of radiations, focusing in particular on materials exhibiting UV protective properties.
Operationalizing public value in higher education: the use of narratives as an alternative for performance indicators
Authors: Salemans Luc , Budding Tjerk 
Published: August 2021

AbstractMore than 25 years after Moore’s first introduction of the public value concept in 1995, the concept is now widely used, but its operationalization is still considered difficult. This paper presents the empirical results of a study analyzing the application of the public value concept in Higher Education Institutions, thereby focusing on how to account for public value. The paper shows how Dutch universities of applied sciences operationalize the concept ‘public value’, and how they report on the outcome achievements. The official strategy plans and annual reports for FY2016 through FY2018 of the ten largest institutions were used. While we find that all the institutions selected aim to deliver public value, they still use performance indicators that have a more narrow orientation, and are primarily focused on processes, outputs, and service delivery quality. However, we also observe that they use narratives to show the public value they created. In this way this paper contributes to the literature on public value accounting.
A Mid-to-Long Term Comprehensive Evaluation of Psychological Distress and Erectile Function in COVID-19 Recovered Patients
Authors: Hu Bintao , Ruan Yajun , Liu Kang , Wei Xian , Wu Yue , Feng Huan , Deng Zhiyao , Liu Jihong , Wang Tao 
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe psychological and sexual health of different populations are negatively affected during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. However, little is known about psychological distress and erectile function of male recovered patients with COVID-19 in the long term.AimWe aimed to evaluate psychological distress and erectile function of male recovered patients with COVID-19 in the mid-to-long terms.MethodsWe recruited 67 eligible male recovered patients with COVID-19 and followed them up twice within approximately 6 months of recovery time. The psychological distress and erectile function were assessed by validated Chinese version of paper questionnaires.OutcomesThe primary outcomes were Symptom Checklist 90 questionnaire for psychological distress and International Index of Erectile Function-5 for erectile function.RESULTSIn the first visit, COVID-19 patients with a median recovery time of 80 days mainly presented the following positive symptoms: Obsessive-Compulsive, additional items (ADD), Hostility, Interpersonal Sensitivity, Depression, and Somatization; while the dimension scores in Somatization, Anxiety, ADD, and Phobia were higher than Chinese male norms. Besides, the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in the first-visit patients was significantly higher than Chinese controls. In the second visit, the primary psychological symptoms of COVID-19 patients with a median recovery time of 174 days were Obsessive-Compulsive, ADD, Interpersonal Sensitivity, and Hostility, while all dimensions scores of Symptom Checklist 90 were lower than Chinese male norms. Moreover, second-visit patients had no significant difference with Chinese controls in ED prevalence. In addition, it suggested that GSI was the independent risk factor for ED in the regression analysis for the first-visit patients.Clinical ImplicationsThe study showed the changes of psychological symptoms and erectile function in COVID-19 recovered patients, and provided reference on whether psychological and sexual supports are needed after a period of recovery.Strengths and LimitationsTo our knowledge, it is the first study to comprehensively evaluate the psychological distress and erectile function of COVID-19 recovered patients in the mid-to-long terms. The main limitations were the low number of analyzed participants, and the psychological distress and erectile function of healthy Chinese men over the same period were not evaluated, and the psychological and sexual related data of participants prior to COVID-19 were not available. Additionally, there was a selection bias in comparing COVID-19 patients with healthy controls.CONCLUSIONWith less impact of COVID-19 event, the impaired erectile function and psychological distress improved in COVID-19 recovered patients with a recovery time of nearly half a year.