bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Averaging over moduli in deformed WZW models
Authors: Dong Junkai , Hartman Thomas , Jiang Yikun 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
WZW models live on a moduli space parameterized by current-current deformations. The moduli space defines an ensemble of conformal field theories, which generically have N abelian conserved currents and central charge c > N. We calculate the average partition function and show that it can be interpreted as a sum over 3-manifolds. This suggests that the ensemble-averaged theory has a holographic dual, generalizing recent results on Narain CFTs. The bulk theory, at the perturbative level, is identified as U(1)2N Chern-Simons theory coupled to additional matter fields. From a mathematical perspective, our principal result is a Siegel-Weil formula for the characters of an affine Lie algebra.
Conformal symmetries for extremal black holes with general asymptotic scalars in STU supergravity
Authors: Cvetič M. , Pope C. N. , Saha A. 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
We present a construction of the most general BPS black holes of STU supergravity ($$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 supersymmetric D = 4 supergravity coupled to three vector super-multiplets) with arbitrary asymptotic values of the scalar fields. These solutions are obtained by acting with a subset of the global symmetry generators on STU BPS black holes with zero values of the asymptotic scalars, both in the U-duality and the heterotic frame. The solutions are parameterized by fourteen parameters: four electric and four magnetic charges, and the asymptotic values of the six scalar fields. We also present BPS black hole solutions of a consistently truncated STU supergravity, which are parameterized by two electric and two magnetic charges and two scalar fields. These latter solutions are significantly simplified, and are very suitable for further explicit studies. We also explore a conformal inversion symmetry of the Couch-Torrence type, which maps any member of the fourteen-parameter family of BPS black holes to another member of the family. Furthermore, these solutions are expected to be valuable in the studies of various swampland conjectures in the moduli space of string compactifications.
FZZT branes in JT gravity and topological gravity
Authors: Okuyama Kazumi , Sakai Kazuhiro 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
We study Fateev-Zamolodchikov-Zamolodchikov-Teschner (FZZT) branes in Witten-Kontsevich topological gravity, which includes Jackiw-Teitelboim (JT) gravity as a special case. Adding FZZT branes to topological gravity corresponds to inserting determinant operators in the dual matrix integral and amounts to a certain shift of the infinitely many couplings of topological gravity. We clarify the perturbative interpretation of adding FZZT branes in the genus expansion of topological gravity in terms of a simple boundary factor and the generalized Weil-Petersson volumes. As a concrete illustration we study JT gravity in the presence of FZZT branes and discuss its relation to the deformations of the dilaton potential that give rise to conical defects. We then construct a non-perturbative formulation of FZZT branes and derive a closed expression for the general correlation function of multiple FZZT branes and multiple macroscopic loops. As an application we study the FZZT-macroscopic loop correlators in the Airy case. We observe numerically a void in the eigenvalue density due to the eigenvalue repulsion induced by FZZT-branes and also the oscillatory behavior of the spectral form factor which is expected from the picture of eigenbranes.
The efficacy and safety of levilimab in severely ill COVID-19 patients not requiring mechanical ventilation: results of a multicenter randomized double-blind placebo-controlled phase III CORONA clinical study
Authors: Lomakin Nikita V. , Bakirov Bulat A. , Protsenko Denis N. , Mazurov Vadim I. , Musaev Gaziyavdibir H. , Moiseeva Olga M. , Pasechnik Elena S. , Popov Vladimir V. , Smolyarchuk Elena A. , Gordeev Ivan G. , Gilyarov Mikhail Yu , Fomina Darya S. , Seleznev Anton I. , Linkova Yulia N. , Dokukina Ekaterina A. , Eremeeva Anna V. , Pukhtinskaia Polina S. , Morozova Maria A. , Zinkina-Orikhan Arina V. , Lutckii Anton A. 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Objective and design
The aim of this double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase III CORONA clinical trial was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of IL-6 receptor inhibitor levilimab (LVL) in subjects with severe COVID-19.

Subjects
The study included 217 patients. The eligible were men and non-pregnant women aged 18 years or older, hospitalized for severe COVID-19 pneumonia.

Treatment
206 subjects were randomized (1:1) to receive single subcutaneous administration of LVL 324 mg or placebo, both in combination with standard of care (SOC). 204 patients received allocated therapy. After the LVL/placebo administration in case of deterioration of symptoms, the investigator could perform a single open-label LVL 324 mg administration as the rescue therapy.

Methods
The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of patients with sustained clinical improvement on the 7-category ordinal scale on Day 14. All efficacy data obtained after rescue therapy administration were considered missing. For primary efficacy analysis, all subjects with missing data were considered non-responders.

Results
63.1% and 42.7% of patients in the LVL and in the placebo groups, respectively, achieved sustained clinical improvement on Day 14 (P = .0017). The frequency of adverse drug reactions was comparable between the groups.

Conclusion
In patients with radiologically confirmed SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia, requiring or not oxygen therapy (but not ventilation) with no signs of other active infection administration of LVL + SOC results in an increase of sustained clinical improvement rate.

Trail registration
The trial is registered at the US National Institutes of Health (ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT04397562).
Transperineal ultrasound to estimate the appropriate ring pessary size for women with pelvic organ prolapse
Authors: Manzini Claudia , Withagen Mariëlla I. J. , van den Noort Frieda , Grob Anique T. M. , van der Vaart Carl H 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Introduction and hypothesis
The objective was to predict the successful ring pessary size based on the levator hiatal area (HA).

Methods
This is a prospective case–control study. Women with symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse (POP) choosing pessary treatment were included. All women underwent an interview, clinical examination, and 3D/4D transperineal ultrasound (TPUS). The ring pessary size used in each trial and the reason for unsuccessful trials were recorded. In addition, levator hiatal area divided by ring pessary size (HARP ratio) was measured at rest, maximum contraction, and maximum Valsalva. The HARP ratios of successful and unsuccessful trials were compared, receiver operating characteristic curves in the prediction of successful trials were constructed, and the cut-off optimizing sensitivity and specificity was identified.

Results
A total of 162 women were assessed and 106 were included with 77 successful trials, 49 unsuccessful trials owing to dislodgment or failure to relieve POP symptoms, and 20 unsuccessful trials owing to pain/discomfort. Rest HARP ratio and Valsalva HARP ratio were significantly smaller in the successful trials versus dislodgment/failure to relieve POP symptoms trials (mean rest HARP ratio [SD]: 2.93 [0.59] vs 3.24 [0.67], p = 0.021; median Valsalva HARP ratio (IQR): 4.65 (1.56) vs 5.32 (2.08), p = 0.004). No significant difference was observed between pain/discomfort trials and successful trials. The best cut-off for the prediction of successful trials was Valsalva HARP ratio ≤ 5.00.

Conclusions
Unsuccessful fitting trials due to dislodgment/failure to relieve POP symptoms are associated with a small ring pessary with respect to the levator HA. A ring pessary that produces a Valsalva HARP ratio > 5.00 has a higher risk of dislodgment/failure to relieve POP symptoms.
Pulse consumption improves indices of glycemic control in adults with and without type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of acute and long-term randomized controlled trials
Authors: Hafiz Maryam S. , Campbell Matthew D. , O’Mahoney Lauren L. , Holmes Melvin , Orfila Caroline , Boesch Christine 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Purpose
Findings from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effect of pulse intake on glycemic control are inconsistent and conclusive evidence is lacking. The aim of this study was to systematically review the impact of pulse consumption on post-prandial and long-term glycemic control in adults with and without type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods
Databases were searched for RCTs, reporting outcomes of post-prandial and long-term interventions with different pulse types on parameters of glycemic control in normoglycemic and T2D adults. Effect size (ES) was calculated using random effect model and meta-regression was conducted to assess the impact of various moderator variables such as pulse type, form, dose, and study duration on ES.

Results
From 3334 RCTs identified, 65 studies were eligible for inclusion involving 2102 individuals. In acute RCTs, pulse intake significantly reduced peak post-prandial glucose concentration in participants with T2D (ES  – 2.90; 95%CI  – 4.60,  – 1.21; p ≤ 0.001; I2 = 93%) and without T2D (ES  – 1.38; 95%CI  – 1.78,  – 0.99; p ≤ 0.001; I2 = 86%). Incorporating pulse consumption into long-term eating patterns significantly attenuated fasting glucose in normoglycemic adults (ES  – 0.06; 95%CI  – 0.12, 0.00; p ≤ 0.05; I2 = 30%). Whereas, in T2D participants, pulse intake significantly lowered fasting glucose (ES  – 0.54; 95%CI  – 0.83,  – 0.24; p ≤ 0.001; I2 = 78%), glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (ES  – 0.17; 95%CI  – 0.33, 0.00; p ≤ 0.05; I2 = 78) and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (ES  – 0.47; 95%CI  – 1.25,  – 0.31; p ≤ 0.05; I2 = 79%).

Conclusion
Pulse consumption significantly reduced acute post-prandial glucose concentration > 1 mmol/L in normoglycemic adults and > 2.5 mmol/L in those with T2D, and improved a range of long-term glycemic control parameters in adults with and without T2D.

PROSPERO registry number
(CRD42019162322).
„Selektive“ Fortpflanzung durch pränatale Diagnostik?
Authors: Rehmann-Sutter Christoph 
Published: September 2021

ZusammenfassungDie breite Einführung nicht-invasiver pränataler Tests (NIPT) sowie die Ausweitung der Testziele über Trisomien hinaus machen es notwendig, Sinn und Ziel der pränatalen Diagnostik (PND) als emergente soziale Praxis grundsätzlich zu diskutieren. Wenn, wie angenommen wird, PND nicht zu eugenischen Zwecken, sondern zur Stärkung der Autonomie dienen soll, muss gefragt werden, welche Bedeutung die Entscheidungen haben, ein bestimmtes zukünftiges Kind (nicht) zu gebären. Stephen Wilkinson hat vorgeschlagen, PND als eine Form „selektiver Reproduktion“ zu verstehen. In diesem Paper wird geprüft, ob die Charakterisierung der Entscheidung nach PND als „Selektion“ zutrifft und welche moralischen Vorannahmen ihr zugrunde liegen.Es zeigt sich, dass das Konzept der „selektiven Reproduktion“ die Handlungen der PND inakkurat repräsentiert. Es beinhaltet zudem sowohl eine Abstrahierung als auch eine Distanzierung. Es nimmt an, dass Frauen und Paare entweder falls nötig mehrere Schwangerschaften planen, um ein gesundes Kind zu erzeugen, oder sich als Ausführende einer selektiven Strategie auf der Populationsebene verstehen. Die Einschränkung der ethischen Diskussion auf das Problem der Selektion verdeckt zwei wichtige Problemfelder, die die konflikthaltige Situation der PND aus der Perspektive der Frau oder des Paares charakterisieren: die Schwangerschaft als persönliche Beziehung und den Akt des Abbruchs der Schwangerschaft. Aufgrund seiner impliziten Normativität wird „selektive Fortpflanzung“ als sinnvolle Bezeichnung für die Praxis der PND zurückgewiesen.
PARPACT – Paramedic Palliative Care Test
Authors: Chwallek D. , Schweda A. , Neukirchen M. , Hense J. , Schwartz J. , Mallmann B. , Teufel M. , Schuler M. , Tewes Mitra 
Published: September 2021

ZusammenfassungHintergrundAngesichts der Vielzahl von Palliativpatienten, die vom Rettungsdienst versorgt werden, spielen Aus- und Weiterbildung in palliativmedizinischen Themen eine immer größere Rolle. Zur Verbesserung der Entscheidungsfindung in Rettungssituationen wurde in vielen Städten ein Palliativ- bzw. Notfallausweis eingeführt.Ziel der ArbeitUm den Erfolg von Bildungsmaßnahmen und den Effekt des Palliativ- bzw. Notfallausweises zu überprüfen, wurde ein Fragebogen zur Ermittlung von palliativem Wissen und palliativer Selbstwirksamkeitserwartung im Rettungsdienst entwickelt und validiert.Material und MethodenDie Entwicklung und Inhaltsvalidierung erfolgte mithilfe eines Delphi-Prozesses. Zur Konstruktvalidierung wurde die Faktorenanalyse genutzt. Die Kriteriumsvalidität wurde anhand von 22 speziell in Palliative Care geschulten Pflegekräften überprüft. Die Reliabilität wurde mittels Cronbachs α als Maß der internen Konsistenz ermittelt.Ergebnisse291 von 750 Rettungsdienstmitarbeitern nahmen an der freiwilligen Befragung teil. Nach Abschluss des Delphi-Prozesses bestand Konsens, dass die wichtigen Themen Schmerz, Dyspnoe, Sedierung, Sterbebegleitung, Sterbehilfe und rechtliche Aspekte im Fragebogen abgedeckt sind. Das Ergebnis der Faktorenanalyse sprach für eine 6‑Faktoren-Lösung. Bei der Kriteriumsvalidierung zeigte sich ein signifikanter Unterschied im palliativen Wissen zwischen den Palliative-Care-Pflegekräften (MRang289,73) und den Rettungsdienstmitarbeitern (MRang146,97, U = 281.000, r = 0,40,p < 0,001). Cronbachs α lag für die Wissensfragen bei 0,70 und für die Subskala der palliativen Selbstwirksamkeitserwartung bei 0,82.DiskussionMit dem Paramedic Palliative Care Test (PARPACT) liegt ein validiertes Messinstrument zur Überprüfung von Bildungsmaßnahmen im Rettungsdienst vor.
Complex relationship between amino acids, fitness and food intake in Bombus terrestris
Authors: Archer C. Ruth , Fähnle Johannes , Pretzner Maximilian , Üstüner Cansu , Weber Nina , Sutter Andreas , Doublet Vincent , Wilfert Lena 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe ratio of amino acids to carbohydrates (AA:C) that bumble bees consume has been reported to affect their survival. However, it is unknown how dietary AA:C ratio affects other bumble bee fitness traits (e.g., fecundity, condition) and possible trade-offs between them. Moreover, while individual AAs affect phenotype in many species, the effects of AA blend on bumble bee fitness and food intake are unclear. We test how the AA:C ratio that bumble bees (Bombus terrestris) consume affects their condition (abdomen lipid and dry mass), survival following food removal, and ovarian activation. We then compare ovarian activation and food intake in bees fed identical AA:C ratios, but where the blend of AAs in diets differ, i.e., diets contained the same 10 AAs in an equimolar ratio or in the same ratio as in bee collected pollen. We found that AA:C ratio did not significantly affect survival following food removal or ovarian activation; however, high AA intake increased body mass, which is positively correlated with multiple fitness traits in bumble bees. AA blend (i.e., equimolar versus pollen) did not significantly affect overall ovarian activation or consumption of each experimental diet. However, there was an interaction between AA mix and dietary AA:C ratio affecting survival during the feeding experiment, and signs that there may have been weak, interactive effects of AA mix and AA:C ratio on food consumption. These results suggest that the effect of total AA intake on bumble bee phenotype may depend on the blend of individual AAs in experimental diets. We suggest that research exploring how AA blend affects bumble bee performance and dietary intake is warranted, and highlight that comparing research on bee nutrition is complicated by even subtle variation in experimental diet composition.
Algebraic aggregation of random forests: towards explainability and rapid evaluation
Authors: Gossen Frederik , Steffen Bernhard 
Published: September 2021

AbstractRandom Forests are one of the most popular classifiers in machine learning. The larger they are, the more precise the outcome of their predictions. However, this comes at a cost: it is increasingly difficult to understand why a Random Forest made a specific choice, and its running time for classification grows linearly with the size (number of trees). In this paper, we propose a method to aggregate large Random Forests into a single, semantically equivalent decision diagram which has the following two effects: (1) minimal, sufficient explanations for Random Forest-based classifications can be obtained by means of a simple three step reduction, and (2) the running time is radically improved. In fact, our experiments on various popular datasets show speed-ups of several orders of magnitude, while, at the same time, also significantly reducing the size of the required data structure.
Natural Advance Regeneration of Native Tree Species in Pinus radiata Plantations of South-Central Chile Suggests Potential for a Passive Restoration Approach
Authors: Kremer Klaus , Promis Álvaro , Bauhus Jürgen 
Published: September 2021

AbstractRestoration of natural forests previously replaced by plantations is a widespread challenge for forestry in Chile and elsewhere. However, there is little documented evidence for successful restoration, either through active or passive approaches. In this study, we aimed at (1) determining the potential for passive restoration in first-rotationPinus radiataplantations through natural regeneration of native tree species and (2) identifying drivers of this advance regeneration. Across different regions in south-central Chile, we established nearly 260 plots to assess regeneration and environmental conditions along 26 transects running from plantations into adjacent natural forests. The regeneration was exclusively composed by native species, except for 7 individuals ofP. radiata. Mean density and diversity of seedlings were significantly higher in natural forests than in plantations, but this was not the case for sapling density, and no differences in sapling diversity were supported. Additionally, significant differences in regeneration composition between plantations and natural forests were found only at two of the eight study sites. Compared to climatic and soil chemical variables, which varied mostly at regional scales, local environmental conditions showed little influence on regeneration, possibly due to the structural homogeneity of plantations. Yet, the significantly higher basal area, litter thickness and gap fraction of plantations compared to natural forests suggest that these factors may explain differences at the seedling stage. Our study indicates that the use of appropriate harvesting methods that maintain advance regeneration may facilitate the transition from plantations to native forests through passive restoration. The use this approach should be further investigated through analyzing regeneration’s response to different forms of plantation harvesting.
Unusual catchment runoff in a high alpine karst environment influenced by a complex geological setting (Northern Calcareous Alps, Tyrol, Austria)
Authors: Krainer Karl , Winkler Gerfried , Pernreiter Sabine , Wagner Thomas 
Published: September 2021

AbstractGarber Schlag (Q-GS) is one of the major springs of the Karwendel Mountains, Tyrol, Austria. This spring has a unique runoff pattern that is mainly controlled by the tectonic setting. The main aquifer is a moderately karstified and jointed limestone of the Wetterstein Formation that is underlain by nonkarstified limestone of the Reifling Formation, which acts as an aquitard. The aquifer and aquitard of the catchment of spring Q-GS form a large anticline that is bound by a major fault (aquitard) to the north. Discharge of this spring shows strong seasonal variations with three recharge origins, based on δ18O and electrical conductivity values. A clear seasonal trend is observed, caused by the continuously changing portions of water derived from snowmelt, rainfall and groundwater. At the onset of the snowmelt period in May, the discharge is composed mainly of groundwater. During the maximum snowmelt period, the water is dominantly composed of water derived from snowmelt and subordinately from rainfall. During July and August, water derived from snowmelt continuously decreases and water derived from rainfall increases. During September and October, the water released at the spring is mainly derived from groundwater and subordinately from rainfall. The distinct discharge plateau from August to December and the following recession until March is likely related to the large regional groundwater body in the fissured and moderately karstified aquifer of the Wetterstein Formation and the tectonic structures (anticline, major fault). Only a small portion of the water released at spring Q-GS is derived from permafrost.
Mixed precision path tracking for polynomial homotopy continuation
Authors: Timme Sascha 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThis article develops a new predictor-corrector algorithm for numerical path tracking in the context of polynomial homotopy continuation. In the corrector step, it uses a newly developed Newton corrector algorithm which rejects an initial guess if it is not an approximate zero. The algorithm also uses an adaptive step size control that builds on a local understanding of the region of convergence of Newton’s method and the distance to the closest singularity following Telen, Van Barel, and Verschelde. To handle numerically challenging situations, the algorithm uses mixed precision arithmetic. The efficiency and robustness are demonstrated in several numerical examples.
Development and use of a convolutional neural network for hierarchical appearance-based localization
Authors: Cebollada S. , Payá L. , Jiang X. , Reinoso O. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThis paper reports and evaluates the adaption and re-training of a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) with the aim of tackling the visual localization of a mobile robot by means of a hierarchical approach. The proposed method addresses the localization problem from the information captured by a catadioptric vision sensor mounted on the mobile robot. A CNN is adapted and evaluated with a twofold purpose. First, to perform a rough localization step (room retrieval) by means of the output layer. Second, to refine this localization in the retrieved room (fine localization step) by means of holistic descriptors obtained from intermediate layers of the same CNN. The robot estimates its position within the selected room/s through a nearest neighbour search by comparing the obtained holistic descriptor with the visual model of the retrieved room/s. Additionally, this method takes advantage of the likelihood information provided by the output layer of the CNN. This likelihood is helpful to determine which rooms should be considered in the fine localization process. This novel hierarchical localization method constitutes an efficient and robust solution, as shown in the experimental section even in presence of severe changes of the lighting conditions.