bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Generalized Conditional Gradient Method for Dynamic Inverse Problems with Optimal Transport Regularization
Authors: Bredies Kristian , Carioni Marcello , Fanzon Silvio , Romero Francisco 
Published: March 2022

AbstractWe develop a dynamic generalized conditional gradient method (DGCG) for dynamic inverse problems with optimal transport regularization. We consider the framework introduced in Bredies and Fanzon (ESAIM: M2AN 54:2351–2382, 2020), where the objective functional is comprised of a fidelity term, penalizing the pointwise in time discrepancy between the observation and the unknown in time-varying Hilbert spaces, and a regularizer keeping track of the dynamics, given by the Benamou–Brenier energy constrained via the homogeneous continuity equation. Employing the characterization of the extremal points of the Benamou–Brenier energy (Bredies et al. in Bull Lond Math Soc 53(5):1436–1452, 2021), we define theatomsof the problem as measures concentrated on absolutely continuous curves in the domain. We propose a dynamic generalization of a conditional gradient method that consists of iteratively adding suitably chosenatomsto the current sparse iterate, and subsequently optimizing the coefficients in the resulting linear combination. We prove that the method converges with a sublinear rate to a minimizer of the objective functional. Additionally, we propose heuristic strategies and acceleration steps that allow to implement the algorithm efficiently. Finally, we provide numerical examples that demonstrate the effectiveness of our algorithm and model in reconstructing heavily undersampled dynamic data, together with the presence of noise.
Distance Education among Italian Teachers: Differences and Experiences
Authors: Menabò Laura , Skrzypiec Grace , Sansavini Alessandra , Brighi Antonella , Guarini Annalisa 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe successful integration of technology in teaching is a key component of education. Although prior research highlighted factors fostering the use of technology by teachers, few studies focused on whether these factors vary among teachers of different grade levels and subjects. Moreover, no studies have investigated personal experiences related to distance education among a large sample of teachers. To address these gaps, the present mixed-method study sought to examine whether factors promoting distance education varied among Italian teachers of different grade levels and subjects. A further aim was to explore experiences of teachers using distance education. The sample involved 357 Italian teachers and preservice teachers who completed an online questionnaire during the COVID-19 pandemic that also contained open-ended questions. Findings indicated that teaching self-efficacy was greater in pre-service and primary teachers, while facilitating conditions were greater in humanities and science secondary teachers. The perceived ease of use of technology and technology for pedagogy skills were more pronounced among science secondary teachers. Advanced technology skills were lower in humanities secondary teachers while the behavioural intention to use technology was greatest among pre-service teachers. Four themes emerged from the qualitative study of teachers’ insights. These included positive and negative aspects of using technology, the relationship with students, the versatility of distance education, and the quality of lessons. This study underscores the need to address training based on different teachers’ grade levels and subjects, and to focus on the emerging themes to better integrate the use of technology in schools.
Archaeology and Kastom: Island Historicities and Transforming Religious Traditions in Southern Vanuatu
Authors: Flexner James L. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractRecent expansion of alternative frameworks for archaeological interpretation, particularly non-Western ones, provides an opportunity to revisit and challenge orthodox narratives in the discipline. The Melanesian concept ofkastomprovides a framework to understand contradictions arising from the selective nature of colonial-era culture change. One facet of these transitions is the widespread adoption and integration of Christian beliefs and practices within Indigenous communities. From the 1600 s onwards, European missionaries sought to “convert” Pacific Islanders to Christianity. Much of what is written about religious change in the past is coloured by a Western missionary lens, with active proselytisers transforming existing beliefs and practices amongst the converted. This story is not sufficient, as changes to religion include elements of syncretism and creative adaptation of new beliefs while maintaining the old ways. Inkastom, non-linear temporalities and histories experienced in place undermine orthodox accounts of change through time.Kastomprovides a stable reference point for malleable histories, while also offering possibilities to craft different kinds of archaeological narratives.
Exploring the Existence of Distinct Subclasses of Intimate Partner Violence Experience and Associations with Mental Health
Authors: Lagdon Susan , Ross Jana , Waterhouse-Bradley Bethany , Armour Cherie 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIntimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a worldwide societal concern. Adversities such as IPV are known to impinge upon mental health and socio-economic development. However, much of the existing literature addresses single or dual constructs of IPV abuse rather than capturing the more common polyvictimisation experience and how they impact on mental health. Using a Northern Irish university student sample (n = 753), latent class analysis was employed to examine distinct patterns of IPV experience stratified by gender (n = 184 males (24.44%);n = 569 females (75.56%)). Regressions were then employed to assess whether there were differential associations between the latent classes of IPV and a range of mental health outcomes. While a greater number of females reported experiencing IPV, patterns of IPV victimisation across gender were found to be similar. Results indicated that three latent classes were optimal across both genders; one characterised by Low or no IPV (males: 48.37%; females: 56.24%), another characterised by predominantly physical and emotional denigration (males: 34.24%; females: 27.42%), and a third characterised by multiple endorsements of different types of IPV (males: 17.39%; females: 16.34%). Differences in mental health outcomes across gender are noted. Classes characterised by multiple forms of abuse report an increased risk of mental health outcomes including posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression but not alcohol use. The study extends the existing literature which highlights the importance of acknowledging psychological and emotional abuse (PEA) as a significant abuse type in the IPV experience. The study also reaffirms the need for definitional clarity and development of standardised measurement tools of PEA within the research context and beyond.
Interactions Between High Load of a Bio-based and Biodegradable Plastic and Nitrogen Fertilizer Affect Plant Biomass and Health: A Case Study with Fusarium solani and Mung Bean (Vigna radiata L.)
Authors: Scheid Sarah-Maria , Juncheed Kantida , Tanunchai Benjawan , Wahdan Sara Fareed Mohamed , Buscot François , Noll Matthias , Purahong Witoon 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBio-based and biodegradable plastics such as mulching films are widely used in agricultural field sites. However, there are limited studies of their impact on plant development and health even though an important soil-borne plant pathogen F. solani has been reported to associate with various types of bio-based and biodegradable plastics, especially polybutylene succinate-co-adipate (PBSA). To evaluate the influence of PBSA amendment in soils on plant development and health, F. solani and mung bean (V. radiata) were used as models in a modified petri-dish test using soil suspensions. Mung bean seeds were incubated in suspensions with two dilutions (high vs. low dilution with low vs. high PBSA amendment) of soils pre-incubated 1 year with PBSA under different treatments (combinations of N fertilizer (ammonium sulfate) and PBSA load) in the modified petri dish test. Plant development and disease incidence were recorded with both microscopic and molecular techniques (specific PCR and Illumina amplicon sequencing). Treatment with PBSA and N fertilizer in non-sterile soil suspensions strongly increased the disease caused by F. solani on V. radiata at both low and high soil dilution. At high soil dilution, the F. solani disease incident was 67.5% while at the low dilution the disease incidence reached 92.5%. In contrast, in treatments PBSA but without N fertilizer, non F. solani disease was observed. Apart from F. solani infection, other soil fungi can also infect the mung bean seedlings, especially at low soil dilution levels. Nevertheless, based on this short-term study, we found no evidence that PBSA alone can significantly increase the overall disease incidence.
On Indefinite Quadratic Optimization over the Intersection of Balls and Linear Constraints
Authors: Almaadeed Temadher A. , Ansary Karbasy Saeid , Salahi Maziar , Hamdi Abdelouahed 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIn this paper, we study the minimization of an indefinite quadratic function over the intersection of balls and linear inequality constraints (QOBL). Using the hyperplanes induced by the intersection of each pair of balls, we show that the optimal solution of QOBL can be found by solving several extended trust-region subproblems (e-TRS). To solve e-TRS, we use the alternating direction method of multipliers approach and a branch and bound algorithm. Numerical experiments show the efficiency of the proposed approach compared to the CVX and the extended adaptive ellipsoid-based algorithm.
Humanoid and android robots in the imaginary of adolescents, young adults and seniors
Authors: Esposito Anna , Cuciniello Marialucia , Amorese Terry , Vinciarelli Alessandro , Cordasco Gennaro 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThis paper investigates effects of participants’ gender and age (adolescents, young adults, and seniors), robots’ gender (male and female robots) and appearance (humanoid vs android) on robots’ acceptance dimensions. The study involved 6 differently aged groups of participants (two adolescents, two young adults and two seniors’ groups, for a total of 240 participants) requested to express their willingness to interact and their perception of robots’ usefulness, pleasantness, appeal, and engagement for two different sets of females (Pepper, Erica, and Sophia) and male (Romeo, Albert, and Yuri) humanoid and android robots. Participants were also requested to express their preferred and attributed age ranges and occupations they entrusted to robots among healthcare, housework, protection and security and front office. Results show that neither the age nor participants and robots’ gender, nor robots’ human likeness univocally affected robots’ acceptance by these differently aged users. Robots’ acceptance appeared to be a nonlinear combination of all these factors.
Synergistic effects of length of stay and prior MDRO carriage on the colonization and co-colonization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus, and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales across healthcare settings
Authors: Htun Htet Lin , Hon Pei-Yun , Tan Rei , Ang Brenda , Chow Angela 
Published: March 2022

AbstractObjective:To characterize the epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) co-colonization and to compare risk factors between healthcare facility types.Design, setting, and participants:We conducted a 3-year cross-sectional study among patients admitted to an acute-care hospital (ACH) and its 6 closely affiliated intermediate- and long-term care facilities (ILTCFs) in Singapore in June and July of 2014–2016.Methods:Specimens were concurrently collected from nares, axillae, and groins for MRSA detection, and from rectum or stool for VRE and CPE detection. Co-colonization was defined as having >1 positive culture of MRSA/VRE/CPE. Multinomial logistic regression was performed to determine predictors of co-colonization.Results:Of 5,456 patients recruited, 176 (3.2%) were co-colonized, with higher prevalence among patients in ITCFs (53 of 1,255, 4.2%) and the ACH (120 of 3,044, 3.9%) than LTCFs (3 of 1,157, 0.3%). MRSA/VRE was the most common type of co-colonization (162 of 5,456, 3.0%). Independent risk factors for co-colonization included male sex (odds ratio [OR], 1.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.37–2.80), prior antibiotic therapy of 1–3 days (OR, 10.39; 95% CI, 2.08–51.96), 4–7 days (OR, 4.89; 95% CI, 1.01–23.68), >7 days (OR, 11.72; 95% CI, 2.81–48.85), and having an open wound (OR, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.66–3.29). Additionally, we detected the synergistic interaction of length of stay >14 days and prior multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) carriage on co-colonization. Having an emergency surgery was a significant predictor of co-colonization in ACH patients, and we detected a dose–response association between duration of antibiotic therapy and co-colonization in ILTCF patients.Conclusions:We observed common and differential risk factors for MDRO co-colonization across healthcare settings. This study has identified at-risk groups that merit intensive interventions, particularly patients with prior MDRO carriage and longer length of stay.
Xenophobic Mob Violence against Free Labour Migrants in the Age of the Nation State: How Can the Atlantic Experience Help to Find Global Patterns?
Authors: Lucassen Leo 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThis article asks under what historical conditions people who consider themselves as belonging to the ingroup resort to collective violence against free labour migrants. Based on cases in the North Atlantic, and largely limited to the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, it offers a starting point for a more global approach. By using the concept of boundary work, I conclude that once ethnic boundaries are in place they need maintenance, through discourse, legislation, and surveillance. Migrants defined as outsiders, who did not accept their inferior role and thus became direct competitors for such key resources as jobs and houses, were bound to evoke irritation, protest, and, in extreme cases, mob violence. The latter occurred a number of times in early modern England, but such incidents occurred especially in the period 1860–1880 (US and Australia), 1880–1900 (Western Europe), and on both sides of the Atlantic around World War I. In all these cases, boundary-making (through heightened nationalism, imperialism, and embedded racial hierarchies) was prominent, while, at the same time, the state was unable or unwilling to protect its citizens against competition on the labour market and to provide a welfare safety net. This lack of actual boundary maintenance could lead to mob violence, especially when authorities were unwilling or unable to intervene. Moreover, it is striking that violence was directed especially against outsiders who were considered racially or culturally inferior. These included the Chinese and African-American internal migrants in the United States and colonial migrants in the United Kingdom.
A Short Scale for Measuring Political Secularism
Authors: Arzheimer Kai 
Published: March 2022

AbstractAs religiousness is declining across democracies, scientific interest in secular orientations and their political implications is growing. One specific and particularly important aspect of secular attitudes is political secularism. Political secularism is not merely the absence of religiousness, but rather a world view which holds that religious beliefs should play no role in politics. While there are hundreds of survey instruments that measure the strength and content of religiousness, there is no comparable measure that taps into political secularism. In this research note, I briefly review the concept of political secularism and present a cluster of items which target it. Utilizing data from four large population representative samples taken from the eastern and western states of Germany, I use confirmatory factor analysis to show that these items form a short but internally consistent scale. This scale also displays convergent and discriminant validity. It may be readily used in future surveys.
Peak Water Level Response to Channel Deepening Depends on Interaction Between Tides and the River Flow
Authors: Bao Shiyu , Zhang Wei , Qin Jie , Zheng Jinhai , Lv Hui , Feng Xi , Xu Yanwen , Hoitink A. J. F. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe Pearl River Delta represents a tide‐influenced lowland delta where sand mining has deepened the distributary channels. This study sets out to investigate the impacts of channel deepening on peak water levels across the delta. Based on collected hydrological data before and after sediment mining and hydrodynamic modeling, three regions are identified where sand mining‐induced changes in peak water levels have a different underlying cause. In the river‐dominated regions, peak water levels have significantly decreased because of the sand excavation, and thus the associated flood risk was reduced. In a transition region, the sand mining practice has increased peak water levels. In the tide‐dominated coastal region, the changes in peak water levels follow the rise in sea level and respond to human activities such as land reclamation. To understand the underlying mechanisms, the changes of subtidal friction governing tidal dynamics before and during sand mining are explored, and a simple linear regression model is used to predict subtidal water levels governing peak flood levels. Results from the hydrodynamic model and the linear regression models quantify exactly how the direct effect of channel bed lowering, river‐tide interaction, tidal amplification, and sea level rise have contributed to peak water level change, which offers a new analysis framework that can be applied in other systems.
Sequelae associated with systemic hypertension in infants with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Authors: Sehgal Arvind , Elsayed Kristy , Nugent Matilda , Varma Suraj 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Objectives
To ascertain correlation between systemic hypertension and respiratory sequelae amongst infants with BPD.

Study design
Retrospective evaluation of six-year data compared infants with severe BPD to infants with no BPD. 7-day morning blood pressure (BP) (360−366 week) was compared with 95th centile cut-offs.

Results
57 infants with BPD were compared with 114 infants with no BPD. Gestation and birthweight were comparable (median [interquartile range], (27 [25, 28] vs. 26.5 weeks [25, 28], p = 0.7 and 706 g [611, 884] vs. 730 [630, 895]), p = 0.1. Number of infants having BP ≥ 95th centile was significantly higher in BPD cohort (systolic BP, 23/57 [40.3%] vs. 3/114 [2.6%], p < 0.001 & mean arterial BP, 26/57 [46%] vs. 3/114 [2.6%], p < 0.001). Amongst BPD infants, higher BP was associated with longer duration of respiratory support (median [range], 109 days [81–138] vs. 87 [58–109], p < 0.001).

Conclusions
Infants with severe BPD had higher BP compared to those without BPD.
Irisin protects against vascular calcification by activating autophagy and inhibiting NLRP3-mediated vascular smooth muscle cell pyroptosis in chronic kidney disease
Authors: Pang Qi , Wang Peiwen , Pan Yajing , Dong Xingtong , Zhou Ting , Song Xinyu , Zhang Aihua 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIrisin protects the cardiovascular system against vascular diseases. However, its role in chronic kidney disease (CKD) -associated vascular calcification (VC) and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, we investigated the potential link among Irisin, pyroptosis, and VC under CKD conditions. During mouse vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) calcification induced by β-glycerophosphate (β-GP), the pyroptosis level was increased, as evidenced by the upregulated expression of pyroptosis-related proteins (cleaved CASP1, GSDMD-N, and IL1B) and pyroptotic cell death (increased numbers of PI-positive cells and LDH release). Reducing the pyroptosis levels by a CASP1 inhibitor remarkably decreased calcium deposition in β-GP-treated VSMCs. Further experiments revealed that the pyroptosis pathway was activated by excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and subsequent NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation in calcified VSMCs. Importantly, Irisin effectively inhibited β-GP-induced calcium deposition in VSMCs in vitro and in mice aortic rings ex vivo. Overexpression of Nlrp3 attenuated the suppressive effect of Irisin on VSMC calcification. In addition, Irisin could induce autophagy and restore autophagic flux in calcified VSMCs. Adding the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine or chloroquine attenuated the inhibitory effect of Irisin on β-GP-induced ROS production, NLRP3 inflammasome activation, pyroptosis, and calcification in VSMCs. Finally, our in vivo study showed that Irisin treatment promoted autophagy, downregulated ROS level and thereby suppressed pyroptosis and medial calcification in aortic tissues of adenine-induced CKD mice. Together, our findings for the first time demonstrated that Irisin protected against VC via inducing autophagy and inhibiting VSMC pyroptosis in CKD, and Irisin might serve as an effective therapeutic agent for CKD-associated VC.
Genome-wide screening in the haploid system reveals Slc25a43 as a target gene of oxidative toxicity
Authors: Zhang Jinxin , Zhao Yiding , Tian Yaru , Geng Mengyang , Liu Yan , Zhang Wenhao , Shuai Ling 
Published: March 2022

AbstractReactive oxygen species (ROS) are extensively assessed in physiological and pathological studies; however, the genes and mechanisms involved in antioxidant reactions are elusive. To address this knowledge gap, we used a forward genetic approach with mouse haploid embryonic stem cells (haESCs) to generate high-throughput mutant libraries, from which numerous oxidative stress-targeting genes were screened out. We performed proof-of-concept experiments to validate the potential inserted genes. Slc25a43 (one of the candidates) knockout (KO) ESCs presented reduced damage caused by ROS and higher cell viability when exposed to H2O2. Subsequently, ROS production and mitochondrial function analysis also confirmed that Slc25a43 was a main target gene of oxidative toxicity. In addition, we identified that KO of Slc25a43 activated mitochondria-related genes including Nlrx1 to protect ESCs from oxidative damage. Overall, our findings facilitated revealing target genes of oxidative stress and shed lights on the mechanism underlying oxidative death.
Mosaic theory revised: inflammation and salt play central roles in arterial hypertension
Authors: Hengel Felicitas E. , Benitah Jean-Pierre , Wenzel Ulrich O. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe mosaic theory of hypertension was advocated by Irvine Page ~80 years ago and suggested that hypertension resulted from the close interactions of different causes. Increasing evidence indicates that hypertension and hypertensive end-organ damage are not only mediated by the proposed mechanisms that result in hemodynamic injury. Inflammation plays an important role in the pathophysiology and contributes to the deleterious consequences of arterial hypertension. Sodium intake is indispensable for normal body function but can be detrimental when it exceeds dietary requirements. Recent data show that sodium levels also modulate the function of monocytes/macrophages, dendritic cells, and different T-cell subsets. Some of these effects are mediated by changes in the microbiome and metabolome due to high-salt intake. The purpose of this review is to propose a revised and extended version of the mosaic theory by summarizing and integrating recent advances in salt, immunity, and hypertension research. Salt and inflammation are placed in the middle of the mosaic because both factors influence each of the remaining pieces.