bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relating millimeter‐scale turbulence to meter‐scale subtidal erosion and accretion across the fringe of a coastal mangrove forest
Authors: Norris Benjamin K. , Mullarney Julia C. , Bryan Karin R. , Henderson Stephen M.
Published: December 2020

Within a wave‐exposed mangrove forest, novel field observations are presented, comparing millimeter‐scale turbulent water velocity fluctuations with contemporaneous subtidal bed elevation changes. High‐resolution velocity and bed level measurements were collected from the unvegetated mudflat, at the mangrove forest fringe, and within the forest interior over multiple tidal cycles (flood–ebb) during a 2‐week period. Measurements demonstrated that the spatial variability in vegetation density is a control on sediment transport at sub‐meter scales. Scour around single and dense clusters of pneumatophores was predicted by a standard hydraulic engineering equation for wave‐induced scour around regular cylinders, when the cylinder diameter in the equations was replaced with the representative diameter of the dense pneumatophore clusters. Waves were dissipated as they propagated into the forest, but dissipation at infragravity periods (> 30 s) was observed to be less than dissipation at shorter periods (< 30 s), consistent with the predictions of a simple model. Cross‐wavelet analysis revealed that infragravity‐frequency fluctuations in the bed level were occasionally coherent with velocity, possibly indicating scour upstream of dense pneumatophore patches when infragravity waves reinforced tidal currents. Consequently, infragravity waves were a likely driver of sediment transport within the mangrove forest. Near‐bed turbulent kinetic energy, estimated from the turbulent dissipation rate, was also correlated with bed level changes. Specifically, within the mangrove forest and over the unvegetated mudflat, high‐energy events were associated with erosion or near‐zero bed level change, whereas low‐energy events were associated with accretion. In contrast, no single relationship between bed level changes and mean current velocity was applicable across both vegetated and unvegetated regions. These observations support the theory that sediment mobilization scales with turbulent energy, rather than mean velocity, a distinction that becomes important when vegetation controls the development of turbulence.
Morphodynamic effects of vegetation life stage on experimental meandering channels
Authors: Kyuka Tomoko , Yamaguchi Satomi , Inoue Yusuke , Arnez Ferrel Kattia Rubi , Kon Hideto , Shimizu Yasuyuki
Published: December 2020

Previous studies have demonstrated that riparian vegetation leads to channel transformation from a multi‐bar to a single‐thread channel planform. However, it still remains unclear how the presence of pioneer and mature vegetation affects the morphodynamics of single‐thread meandering rivers. In this study, we therefore investigated the effects of vegetation strength on the morphodynamic evolution of an experimental meandering channel. Three physical laboratory experiments were conducted using alfalfa sprouts in different life stages – no vegetation, immature vegetation, and mature vegetation – to simulate different floodplain vegetation strengths. Our results demonstrate that vegetation plays a key role in mediating bank erosion and point‐bar accretion, and that this is reflected in both the evolution of the channel bed as well as the sediment flux. The presence of mature vegetation maintained a deep, single‐thread channel by reducing bank erosion, thereby limiting both channel widening and sediment storage capacity. Conversely, an unvegetated floodplain led to channel widening and high sediment storage capacity. Channel evolution in the unvegetated scenario showed that the active sediment supply from outer bank erosion led to slightly delayed point‐bar accretion on the inner banks due to helical flow, deflecting the surface flow toward the outer banks and causing further erosion. In contrast, in the immature vegetation scenario, the outer banks were also initially eroded, but point‐bar accretion did not clearly progress. This led to a greater width‐to‐depth ratio, resulting in a transition from a single‐ to a multi‐thread channel with minor flow paths on the floodplain. The experimental results suggest that the eco‐morphodynamic effects of young (low‐strength) and mature (high‐strength) vegetation are different. Notably, low‐strength, early‐stage vegetation increases channel complexity by accelerating both channel widening and branching, and therefore might promote the coexistence of multi‐bars and pioneer vegetation.
Recession probabilities for the Eurozone at the zero lower bound: Challenges to the term spread and rise of alternatives
Authors: Fendel Ralf , Mai Nicola , Mohr Oliver
Published: December 2020

This paper examines the recession probability in the Eurozone within the next 12 months at the zero lower bound (ZLB) and explores two new perspectives: a revised measure of the traditional term spread and a modification to detect unstable dynamics driven by animal spirits. We find that the yield curve largely lost its forecasting ability at the ZLB. To remove the downward rigidity of short‐term rates, we suggest a modified version of the term spread which uses a “shadow policy rate,” rather than the 3‐month rate, as the front leg of the spread. We further show that a bivariate specification including both the current state of an indicator as well as its lagged deviation from its trend augments the predictive capability for most indicators significantly.
The behaviour of U.S. stocks to financial and health risks
Authors: Salisu Afees A. , Raheem Ibrahim D. , Eigbiremolen Godstime O.
Published: December 2020

This article examines the hedging effectiveness of U.S. stocks against uncertainties due to equity market (financial risk) and pandemics (health risk), including Covid‐19 pandemic. Consequently, we consider two categories of U.S. stocks—defensive and non‐defensive stocks drawn from 10 different sectors and distinctly analysed over two data samples—pre‐ and post‐Covid periods. We construct a predictive panel data model that simultaneously accounts for both heterogeneity and common correlated effects and also complementarily determine the predictive power of accounting for uncertainties in the valuation of U.S. stocks. We find that hedging effectiveness is driven by the types of stocks and measures of uncertainty. Defensive stocks provide a good hedge for pandemic‐induced uncertainty, and the hedging effectiveness is higher during calm market conditions as compared to turbulent conditions, while both categories lack hedging capability in the face of equity‐induced uncertainty. Finally, we find that the inclusion of uncertainty in the predictive model of U.S. stock returns improves its forecasts and this conclusion is robust to alternative measures of uncertainty and multiple forecast horizons.
The Gut Microbiome Is Altered in Postmenopausal Women With Osteoporosis and Osteopenia
Authors: Rettedal Elizabeth A , Ilesanmi‐Oyelere Bolaji L , Roy Nicole C , Coad Jane , Kruger Marlena C
Published: December 2020

Osteoporosis and its precursor osteopenia are common metabolic bone diseases in postmenopausal women. A growing body of evidence suggests that the gut microbiota is involved in the regulation of bone metabolism; however, there are few studies examining how gut microbiomes in osteoporosis and osteopenia may differ from those in healthy individuals. The aim of this study was to characterize the diversity, composition, and functional gene potential of the gut microbiota of healthy, osteopenic, and osteoporotic women. Body composition, bone density, and fecal metagenomes were analyzed in 86 postmenopausal women. The women were classified as healthy, osteopenic, or osteoporotic based on T‐scores. The taxonomic and functional gene compositions of the microbiome were analyzed using shotgun metagenomic sequencing. Both osteoporotic and osteopenic taxonomic compositions were found to be significantly different from healthy participants. Linear discriminant‐analysis effect‐size analyses identified that healthy participants had more unclassified Clostridia and methanogenic archaea (Methanobacteriaceae) than in both osteoporotic and osteopenic participants. Bacteroides was found to be more abundant in osteoporosis and osteopenia groups. Some KEGG pathways, including carbohydrate metabolism, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, and cyanoamino acid metabolism, were found to be more abundant in both osteoporosis and osteopenia. These results show that osteoporosis and osteopenia alter the gut microbiome of postmenopausal women and identify potential microbial taxonomic and functional pathways that may be involved in this disease. © 2020 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Outcome of desensitization in human leukocyte antigen and ABO incompatible living donor kidney transplantation: Single center experience of first 200 incompatible transplants
Authors: Pandey Prashant , Setya Divya , Sinha Vijay Kumar , Devra Amit K. , Bhatt Anil Prasad , Pande Amit , Kumar Praveen , Singh Mukesh Kumar , Ranjan Shweta
Published: December 2020

Background and aims

Although desensitization is well established, concerns about graft outcome, patient survival and rejection still exist. The present study aims at comparing outcomes of renal transplant recipients across simultaneous ABO and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) incompatibility barriers to those with ABO or HLA incompatibility alone.

Materials and methods

This was a retrospective study conducted from October 2015 to December 2018. All patients with a clinical diagnosis of chronic kidney disease, who were prospective HLA incompatible (HLAi) and/or ABO incompatible (ABOi) renal transplant recipients were included. A total of 400 cases including 36 ABOi transplants, 154 HLAi transplants, 10 simultaneously ABO and HLA incompatible transplants, and 200 ABO (ABOc) and HLA (HLAc) compatible kidney transplants from living donors were included.

Results

There were significantly more number of blood transfusions, previous transplants and pregnancies in HLAi transplant recipients relative to the ABOi or the control group. Mean number of therapeutic plasma exchange procedures per patient and mean plasma volume processed per procedure were slightly higher in the ABOi + HLAi category. The incidence of graft dysfunction due to suspected antibody‐mediated rejection during first year was highest in the ABOi + HLAi group, followed by ABOc + HLAi and ABOi + HLAc, lowest in the ABOc + HLAc category. Mean time to first episode of graft dysfunction was significantly shorter with incompatible transplants. There were no kidney transplant recipient deaths in the study.

Conclusion

Patient outcome and graft outcomes observed with incompatible transplants were not worse than those observed with compatible transplants.
CATKINAS: A large‐scale catalytic microkinetic analysis software for mechanism auto‐analysis and catalyst screening
Authors: Chen Jianfu , Jia Menglei , Hu Peijun , Wang Haifeng
Published: December 2020

As an effective method to analyze complex catalytic reaction networks, microkinetic modeling is gaining increasing popularity in the catalytic activity evaluation and rational design of heterogeneous catalysts. An automated simulator with stable and reliable performance is especially useful and in great request. Here we introduce the CATKINAS package developed for large‐scale microkinetic modeling and analysis. Featuring with a multilevel solver and a multifunctional analyzer, CATKINAS can provide both accurate solutions and various quantitative and automatic analysis for a wide range of catalytic systems. The structure and the basic workflow are overviewed with the multilevel solver particularly illustrated. Also, we take the CO methanation reaction as an example to illustrate the application and efficiency of the CATKINAS package.
Quantum‐chemical investigation of the phosphine ligand effects on the structure and electronic properties of a rhenabenzyne complex
Authors: Parsa Parisa , Ghiasi Reza , Marjani Azam
Published: December 2020

This study examined the effects of phosphine ligand on the structure and electronic properties of (C5H4)Re(PX3)3Cl rhenabenzyne complexes (X = H, F, Cl, Me) using the hybrid density functional MPW1PW91. Variations in the structure, dipole moment, electronic spatial extent (ESE), and aromaticity of the title complex were studied. In addition, adiabatic and vertical ionization potential and electron affinity values of these complexes were calculated. Correlations between the calculated parameters and Tolman cone angles (θ), Tolman's Electronic Parameter (TEP), as well as the Crabtree's DFT Electronic Parameter (CEP) of the phosphine ligands were illustrated. The para‐delocalization index (PDI) was used to investigate aromaticity in these systems. Natural bond orbital analysis (NBO) was employed for a comprehensive insight into the nature of the bonds in these complexes.
Reduction of gender‐associated M2‐like tumor‐associated macrophages in the tumor microenvironment of patients with pancreatic cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Matsuki Hiroki , Hiroshima Yukihiko , Miyake Kentaro , Murakami Takashi , Homma Yuki , Matsuyama Ryusei , Morioka Daisuke , Kurotaki Daisuke , Tamura Tomohiko , Endo Itaru
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate gender‐dependent antitumor immune response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients.

Methods

This study enrolled 58 patients (25 females and 33 males) with borderline resectable PDAC who underwent R0 surgical resection after NACRT. The resected tumor specimens were analyzed for tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs); tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (CD8+ and CD4+ T cells); regulatory T cells; and IRF‐5‐expressing cells using immunohistochemical staining for CD163, CD204, CD8, CD4, Foxp3, and IRF‐5 antigen. The relationship between clinicopathological features and clinical outcomes was evaluated using multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis.

Results

Females had longer overall survival (P = .044) and relapse‐free survival (P = .044) than males. The CD204+ TAM number was significantly lower in females than in males (P = .009). No significant difference occurred between female and male patients in other tumor‐infiltrating immune cells. IRF‐5+ cell number was significantly higher in female patients (P = .002). Negative correlation occurred between CD204+ cells and IRF‐5‐positive cells (P = .003, r = −.385).

Conclusions

Female gender was an independent prognostic factor possibly due to the greater reduction in CD204+ TAM infiltration in tumors after NACRT. The beneficial effects of NACRT on TAMs' infiltration might be associated with gender‐dependent IRF‐5 expression.
Current status of pediatric deceased donor liver transplantation: Lessons learned from a high‐volume center in Japan where living donation remains predominant
Authors: Sakamoto Seisuke , Uchida Hajime , Shimizu Seiichi , Yanagi Yusuke , Takeda Masahiro , Kubota Tomomi , Nakazato Yayoi , Fukuda Akinari , Kasahara Mureo
Published: December 2020

Background

In Japan, a recent gradual increase in deceased donor donation has expanded opportunities for pediatric patients to obtain deceased grafts.

Methods

Forty‐three children underwent deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) at our institute before February 2020. Twenty‐five patients received a split or reduced graft and 18 patients received a whole graft. The clinical outcomes of DDLT were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

The main organ resource was split/reduced grafts retrieved from adult donors; however, the number of whole grafts retrieved from pediatric donors has increased. The rates of major complications were similar in the two groups. The 5‐year graft survival rate of patients who received a split/reduced graft (78.0%) was lower than that of patients who received a whole graft (88.9%; P = .40). The 3‐year graft survival rates of patients who recently received a split/reduced graft and a whole graft improved to 92.3% and 91.7%, respectively.

Conclusions

The recent amendment of the organ allocation system, especially the introduction of pediatric prioritization, can effectively increase the chance to obtain deceased donor grafts for pediatric DDLT in Japan. The recent refinements in donor and recipient selection and in the surgical technique of split DDLT can improve the outcomes of pediatric DDLT in Japan.
MALDI‐TOF analysis of a novel extremophile peptide purified from Halarchaeum acidiphilum ASDL78 with antiarchaeal and antibacterial activities
Authors: Abbasi Soheila , Emtiazi Giti
Published: December 2020

In hypersaline environments, halophilic archaea synthesize antimicrobial substances called halocins. There is a promise to make new drugs for antibiotic‐resistant strains. Here, we report the antibacterial activity of a new haloarchaea selected from Lut Desert, Iran. A total of 38 isolated halophilic bacteria and archaea were screened for the antagonistic activity test of each strain against other bacterial and archaeal strains. Finally, a strain, recognized as Halarchaeum acidiphilum, with a fast grown strain and high antagonistic potential against different strains was identified by morphological, physiological, and molecular characteristics. The halocin was produced in a semisolid submerge medium and partially purified by heat treatments and molecular weight ultrafiltration cutoff (3, 50, and 10 kDa). It was a cell‐free, heat‐resistant (85°C for 2 h) protein with a molecular mass near to 20 kDa produced at the endpoint of logarithmic growth. The molecular weight of halocin was 17 kDa, and indicated no apparent homology with known halocins, suggesting that this might be a new halocin. Therefore, a new strain belonging to Halarchaeum genus was isolated and characterized here that produced an antimicrobial and anti‐haloarchaea halocin.
Production and characterization of a bioactive extracellular homopolysaccharide produced by Haloferax sp. BKW301
Authors: Biswas Jhuma , Saha Pradipta , Ganguly Jhuma , Paul Amal K.
Published: December 2020

The production of extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) by haloarchaeal members, with novel and unusual physicochemical properties, is of special importance and has the potential for extensive biotechnological exploitation. An extremely halophilic archaeon, Haloferax sp. BKW301 (GenBank Accession No. KT240044) isolated from a solar saltern of Baksal, West Bengal, India has been optimized for the production of EPS under batch culture. It produced a considerable amount (5.95 g/L) of EPS in the medium for halophiles with 15% NaCl, 3% glucose, 0.5% yeast extract, and 6% inoculum under shake flask culture at 120 rpm. The purified EPS, a homopolymer of galactose as revealed by chromatographic methods and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, is noncrystalline (CIxrd, 0.82), amorphous, and could emulsify hydrocarbons like kerosene, petrol, xylene, and so forth. Moreover, the polymer is highly thermostable (up to 420°C) and displayed pseudoplastic rheology. Biologically, the EPS was able to scavenge DPPH (2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl) radical efficiently and inhibit the proliferation of the Huh‐7 cell line at an IC50 value of 6.25 µg/ml with a Hill coefficient of 0.844. Large‐scale production of this thermostable, pseudoplastic homopolysaccharide, therefore, could find suitable applications in industry and biotechnology.
FvmnSOD is involved in oxidative stress defence, mitochondrial stability and apoptosis prevention in Fusarium verticillioides
Authors: Szabó Zsuzsa , Pákozdi Klaudia , Murvai Katalin , Kecskeméti Ádám , Oláh Viktor , Logrieco Antonio F. , Madar Anett , Dienes Beatrix , Csernoch László , Emri Tamás , Hornok László , Pócsi István , Leiter Éva
Published: December 2020

Superoxide dismutases are key enzymes in elimination of the superoxide anion radical (O2•−) generated intracellularly or by exogenous oxidative stress eliciting agents, like menadione. In this study, we investigated the physiological role of the manganese superoxide dismutase‐encoding gene in Fusarium verticillioides via the construction of a gene deletion mutant, ΔFvmnSOD and comparing its phenotype with that of the wild‐type parental strain and a ΔFvmnSOD′ C strain, complemented with the functional manganese superoxide dismutase gene. Deletion of FvmnSOD had no effect on the relative intracellular superoxide ratio but increased the sensitivity of the fungus to menadione sodium bisulphite on Czapek‐Dox stress agar plates. The lack of FvmnSOD caused changes in mitochondrial morphology and physiology: The volumetric ratio of these cell organelles in the second hyphal segment, as well as the total, the KCN‐sensitive cytochrome c‐dependent and the KCN+SHAM (salicylhidroxamic acid)‐resistant residual respiration rates, were higher in the mutant as compared to the wild‐type and the complemented strains. Nevertheless, changes in the respiration rates were attributable to the higher volumetric ratio of mitochondria found in the gene deletion mutant. Changes in the mitochondrial functions also brought about higher sensitivity to apoptotic cell death elicited by the Penicillium chrysogenum antifungal protein. The gene deletion mutant developed significantly thinner hyphae in comparison to the wild‐type strain. Deletion of FvmnSOD had no effect on fumonisin B1 and B2 production of the fungus grown in Myro medium as a static culture.
Impact of Inclusive Leadership on Innovative Work Behavior: The Role of Creative Self‐Efficacy
Authors: Javed Basharat , Fatima Tasneem , Khan Abdul Karim , Bashir Sajid
Published: December 2020

This study examines the relationship between the relational mode of leadership (i.e., inclusive leadership) and innovative work behavior with the mediating role of creative self‐efficacy. Data were collected from employees of small and medium textile enterprises in Pakistan. Results show that there is a positive relationship between inclusive leadership and innovative work behavior. While aligned with previous research, the results of this study confirm the mediating role of creative self‐efficacy in inclusive leadership–innovative work behavior relationships. Based on its findings, this study recommends that human resource (HR) managers prioritize the hiring of leaders possessing inclusive attributes such as openness, availability, and accessibility. Additionally, the results of this study indicate that, in order to successfully implement new changes, it is important that HR managers hire employees evidencing innovative work behavior in a work setting.
What is not hidden about knowledge hiding: Deciphering the future research directions through a morphological analysis
Authors: Issac Abraham Cyril , Baral Rupashree , Bednall Timothy Colin
Published: December 2020

Knowledge hiding is an intentional attempt by an individual to withhold knowledge. Though knowledge hiding as a research area has gained popularity only in recent years, the withholding of information has been a concern for business organizations for a long time, having significant implications for knowledge management. Accordingly, knowledge hiding as a construct has received enough deliberations from the practitioners. However, academic researchers have called for more systematic research on knowledge hiding, giving us enough motivation to carry out a research study on the same. First, this article attempts to decipher the term “knowledge hiding” by defining it and differentiating it from several synonymous terms. Second, some of the existing knowledge hiding frameworks are analyzed. Finally, a morphological analysis of the selected literature, including a qualitative rating, estimating the extent of the work is undertaken, which throws light into the areas that have already been studied and underscores the pertinent 184 research gaps worthy of further investigation. In addition to the identification of these distinct research gaps, the analysis categorically establishes two outcomes. The findings suggest that around half of the total research literature on knowledge hiding evolved in the last 2 years, which makes it a salient area of research. The extent of work done in knowledge hiding, captured by an average qualitative rating score of 2.55 out of 5 underscores that this novel construct bears large research potential. Therefore, a morphological analysis, as carried out in this article, strengthens the current understanding on knowledge hiding and provides the impetus for further research in the area.
Journal self‐citation trends in 1975–2017 and the effect on journal impact and article citations
Authors: Gazni Ali , Didegah Fereshteh
Published: December 2020

This paper investigates journal self‐citation trends between 1975 and 2017. The research sought to answer whether articles that include journal self‐citations are more highly cited, if they affect the journal impact factor, and whether such articles are more relevant to their journals' content than others. We analysed approximately 24,000 active journals indexed in the Web of Science from 1975 to 2018 and found that, over time, whilst overall citations have increased dramatically, the percentage of journal self‐citations has reduced. Although self‐citations to recently published articles has increased since 2004, self‐citations also seem to have a decreasing effect on impact factor. High‐impact journals self‐cite recent publications more than lower‐impact journals but also cite recently published content more frequently than lower‐impact journals. There is a positive citation effect on articles that include journal self‐citations, and these appear more related to the current content of that journal based on the relatedness of references. Journal self‐citation can therefore be seen as a useful indicator to determine whether an article is a good fit for a journal and of interest to its readers. It may also contribute to higher visibility and impact of an article.
A cyclic peptide retards the proliferation of DU145 prostate cancer cells in vitro and in vivo through inhibition of FGFR2
Authors: Zhang Yibo , Ouyang Man , Wang Hailong , Zhang Bihui , Guang Wenhua , Liu Ruiwu , Li Xiaocen , Shih Tsung‐Chieh , Li Zhixin , Cao Jieqiong , Meng Qiling , Su Zijian , Ye Jinshao , Liu Feng , Hong An , Chen Xiaojia
Published: December 2020

In malignancies, fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) signaling is reinforced through overexpression of fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) or their receptors. FGFR2 has been proposed as a target for cancer therapy, because both the expression and activation of FGFR2 are boosted in various malignant carcinomas. Although several chemicals have been designed against FGFR2, they did not exhibit enough specificity and might bring potential accumulated toxicity. In this study, we developed an epitope peptide (P5) and its cyclic derivative (DcP5) based on the structure of FGF2 to limit the activation of FGFR2. The anticancer activities of P5 and DcP5 were examined in vitro and in vivo. Our results demonstrated that P5 significantly inhibited the cell proliferation in FGFR2‐dependent manner in DU145 cells and retarded tumor growth in DU145 xenograft model with negligible toxicity toward normal organs. Further investigations found that the Gln4 and Glu6 residues of P5 bind to FGFR2 to abolish its activation. Moreover, we developed the P5 cyclic derivative, DcP5, which achieved reinforced stability and anticancer activity in vivo. Our findings suggest P5 and its cyclic derivative DcP5 as potential candidates for anticancer therapy.
Efficient computation of the magnetic polarizabiltiy tensor spectral signature using proper orthogonal decomposition
Authors: Wilson Ben A. , Ledger Paul D.
Published: December 2020

The identification of hidden conducting permeable objects from measurements of the perturbed magnetic field taken over a range of low frequencies is important in metal detection. Applications include identifying threat items in security screening at transport hubs, location of unexploded ordnance, and antipersonnel landmines in areas of former conflict, searching for items of archeological significance and recycling of valuable metals. The solution of the inverse problem, or more generally locating and classifying objects, has attracted considerable attention recently using polarizability tensors. The magnetic polarizability tensor (MPT) provides a characterization of a conducting permeable object using a small number of coefficients, has an explicit formula for the calculation of their coefficients, and a well understood frequency behavior, which we call its spectral signature. However, to compute such signatures, and build a library of them for object classification, requires the repeated solution of a transmission problem, which is typically accomplished approximately using a finite element discretization. To reduce the computational cost, we propose an efficient reduced order model (ROM) that further reduces the problem using a proper orthogonal decomposition for the rapid computation of MPT spectral signatures. Our ROM benefits from a posteriori error estimates of the accuracy of the predicted MPT coefficients with respect to those obtained with finite element solutions. These estimates can be computed cheaply during the online stage of the ROM allowing the ROM prediction to be certified. To further increase the efficiency of the computation of the MPT spectral signature, we provide scaling results, which enable an immediate calculation of the signature under changes in the object size or conductivity. We illustrate our approach by application to a range of homogenous and inhomogeneous conducting permeable objects.
Preparation of poly‐d,l‐lactide based nanocomposites with polymer‐grafted silica by melt blending: Study of molecular, morphological, and mechanical properties
Authors: Régibeau Nicolas , Tilkin Rémi G. , Grandfils Christian , Heinrichs Benoît
Published: December 2020

Polylactide was first designed for the pharmaceutical and medical fields. Unfortunately, polylactide, especially poly‐d,l‐lactide (PDLLA), presents too low mechanical properties for a wide range of applications. The addition of silica nanoparticles should reinforce the mechanical strength of PDLLA. In order to improve silica/polymer interactions, this study focused on the preparation of polymer chain grafted silica using two grafting methods. The first strategy relied upon the ring opening polymerization ofd,l‐lactide on initiating silica surface (ie, “grafting from”). The second approach considered a sol‐gel synthesis process in presence of Si‐OR terminated polylactide chains to promote grafting of these chains on new silica particles (ie, “grafting to” method). Only “grafting from” silica successfully led to a nanoscale dispersion into the polyester matrix for silica content up to 5 wt%. A 3 wt% content of this silica allowed improving Young modulus of 106.0% and ultimate tensile stress of 63.7% compared to the PDLLA control.
Two‐part models for repeatedly measured ordinal data with “don't know” category
Authors: Gueorguieva Ralitza , Buta Eugenia , Morean Meghan , Krishnan‐Sarin Suchitra
Published: December 2020

Ordinal data (eg, “low,” “medium,” “high”; graded response on a Likert scale) with an additional “don't know” category are frequently encountered in the medical, social, and behavioral science literature. The handling of a “don't know” option presents unique challenges as it often “destroys” the ordinal nature of the data. Commonly, nominal models are employed which ignore the partial ordering and have a complicated interpretation, especially in situations with repeatedly measured outcomes. We propose two‐part models that easily accommodate longitudinal partially ordered (semiordinal) data. The most easily interpretable formulation consists of a random effect logistic submodel for “don't know” vs all the other categories combined, and a random effect ordinal submodel for the ordered categories. Correlated random effects account for statistical dependence within individual. An extension allowing for nonproportionality of odds for the predictor effects in the ordinal submodel is also considered. Maximum likelihood estimation is performed using adaptive Gaussian quadrature in SAS PROC NLMIXED. A simulation study is performed to evaluate the performance of the estimation algorithm in terms of bias and efficiency, and to compare the results of joint and separate models of the two parts, and of proportional and nonproportional model formulations. The methods are motivated and illustrated on a dataset from a study of adolescents' perceptions of nicotine strength of JUUL e‐cigarettes. Using the proposed approach we show that adolescents perceive 5% nicotine content as relatively low, a misconception more pronounced among past month nonusers than among past month users of JUUL e‐cigarettes.
Social cognition and cortisol in the general population: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Ji Dongying , Flouri Eirini , Papachristou Efstathios
Published: December 2020

This systematic review examines the evidence on the association between social cognition and cortisol in the general population. Literature was searched in six databases. Of the 401 studies identified, meta‐analyses were conducted on 46 effect sizes (Pearson's correlation coefficients) from 19 studies, supplemented by a narrative review. Pooled estimates suggest that better emotion control is associated with increased cortisol concentrations [r = 0.083, 95% CI (0.033, 0.132)]. Emotion recognition or empathy were not significantly associated with cortisol concentrations [r = 0.072, 95% CI (−0.020, 0.165) and r = 0.004, 95% CI (−0.061, 0.068) respectively]. Subgroup analyses showed that the association between emotion control and cortisol concentrations is significant in males, for morning cortisol, when the cortisol data are transformed to correct for skewed distributions, or when participants are instructed to avoid food and drink intake for at least one hour before sample collection. There was no evidence for an association between social cognition with diurnal cortisol slope or cortisol awakening response. More validation work with greater standardization of methodological procedures is required.
Association between symptoms of psychological distress and cognitive functioning among adults with coronary artery disease
Authors: Moazzami Kasra , Garcia Mariana , Young An , Almuwaqqat Zakaria , Lima Bruno B. , Martini Afif , Alkhalaf Mhmtjamil , Shah Amit J. , Goldstein Felicia C. , Hajjar Ihab , Levey Allan I. , Bremner J. Douglas , Quyyumi Arshed A. , Vaccarino Viola
Published: December 2020

Greater psychological distress is associated with cognitive impairment in healthy adults. Whether such associations also exist in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) is uncertain. We assessed cognitive function in 496 individuals with CAD using the verbal and visual memory subtests of the Wechsler Memory Scale and executive functioning measured by the Trail Making Test Parts A and B. We used a composite score of psychological distress derived through summation of Z‐transformed psychological distress symptom scales (depression, posttraumatic stress, anxiety, anger, hostility and perceived stress) and scores for each individual psychological scale. Multivariable linear regression models were used to determine the association between memory scores (as outcomes) and the psychological distress scores (both composite score and individual scales). After adjusting for demographic and cardiovascular risk factors, a higher psychological distress score was independently associated with worse memory and executive functioning. Each standard deviation increase in psychological distress score was associated with 3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1%–5%) to 5% (95% CI, 3–7%) worse cognitive performance (higher Trail A and Trail B, and lower verbal and visual memory scores). Among individuals with CAD, a higher level of psychological distress is independently associated with worse cognitive performance. These findings suggest that psychological risk factors play a role in cognitive trajectories of persons with CAD.
Infants' performance in the indirect false belief tasks: A second‐person interpretation
Authors: Barone Pamela , Gomila Antoni
Published: December 2020

Research in the last 15 years has challenged the idea that false belief attribution develops at 4 years of age. Studies with indirect false belief tasks contend to provide evidence of false belief attribution in the second year of life. We review the literature on indirect false belief tasks carried out in infants using looking and active helping paradigms. Although the results are heterogeneous and not conclusive, such tasks appear to capture a real effect. However, it is misleading to call them “false belief” tasks, as it is possible to pass them without making any false belief attribution. Infants need to keep track of the object's and agent's positions, trajectories, and focus of attention, given an intentional understanding of the agent, to pass these new tasks. We, therefore, argue that the evidence can be better explained in terms of second‐person attributions, which are transparent, extensional, nonpropositional, reciprocally contingent, and implicit. Second‐person attributions can also account for primates' mentalizing abilities, as revealed by similar indirect tasks.

This article is categorized under:

Cognitive Biology > Cognitive Development

Philosophy > Foundations of Cognitive Science

Cognitive Biology > Evolutionary Roots of Cognition
Zero‐inflatedmodeling part I: Traditionalzero‐inflatedcount regression models, their applications, and computational tools
Authors: Young Derek S. , Roemmele Eric S. , Yeh Peng
Published: December 2020

Count regression models maintain a steadfast presence in modern applied statistics as highlighted by their usage in diverse areas like biometry, ecology, and insurance. However, a common practical problem with observed count data is the presence of excess zeros relative to the assumed count distribution. The seminal work of Lambert (1992) was one of the first articles to thoroughly treat the problem of zero‐inflated count data in the presence of covariates. Since then, a vast literature has emerged regarding zero‐inflated count regression models. In this first of two review articles, we survey some of the classic and contemporary literature on parametric zero‐inflated count regression models, with emphasis on the utility of different univariate discrete distributions. We highlight some of the primary computational tools available for estimating and assessing the adequacy of these models. We concurrently emphasize the diverse data problems to which these models have been applied.

This article is categorized under:

Statistical Models > Generalized Linear Models

Software for Computational Statistics > Software/Statistical Software

Algorithms and Computational Methods > Maximum Likelihood Methods
Hyperasymptotic approximation to the plaquette and determination of the gluon condensate
Authors: Ayala Cesar , Lobregat Xabier , Pineda Antonio
Published: December 2020

Abstract

We give the hyperasymptotic expansion of the plaquette with a precision that includes the terminant associated to the leading renormalon. Subleading effects are also considered. The perturbative series is regulated using the principal value prescription for its Borel integral. We use this analysis to give a determination of the gluon condensate in SU(3) pure gluodynamics that is independent of the scale and renormalization scheme used for the coupling constant: $$ {\left\langle {G}^2\right\rangle}_{\mathrm{PV}}\left({n}_f=0\right)=3.15(18){r}_0^{-4} $$

G
2

PV

n
f

=
0

=
3.15

18

r
0

−
4

.
Revisiting the Melvin-Morton-Rozansky expansion, or there and back again
Authors: Banerjee Sibasish , Jankowski Jakub , Sułkowski Piotr
Published: December 2020

Abstract

Alexander polynomial arises in the leading term of a semi-classical Melvin-Morton-Rozansky expansion of colored knot polynomials. In this work, following the opposite direction, we propose how to reconstruct colored HOMFLY-PT polynomials, superpolynomials, and newly introduced $$ \hat{Z} $$

Z
̂

invariants for some knot complements, from an appropriate rewriting, quantization and deformation of Alexander polynomial. Along this route we rederive conjectural expressions for the above mentioned invariants for various knots obtained recently, thereby proving their consistency with the Melvin-Morton-Rozansky theorem, and derive new formulae for colored superpolynomials unknown before. For a given knot, depending on certain choices, our reconstruction leads to equivalent expressions, which are either cyclotomic, or encode certain features of HOMFLY-PT homology and the knots-quivers correspondence.
Correction to: Managing patient flows in radiation oncology during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Akuamoa-Boateng Dennis , Wegen Simone , Ferdinandus Justin , Marksteder Regina , Baues Christian , Marnitz Simone
Published: December 2020

A Correction to this paper has been published: 10.1007/s00066-020-01698-6
Aktuelle Normwerte der Organgewichte und -indizes für die rechtsmedizinische Praxis, Teil 2
Authors: Holländer C. , Ackermann H. , Parzeller M.
Published: December 2020

Einleitung

Die Obduktion nimmt einen wichtigen Stellenwert in der Medizin ein, da sie nicht nur der Klärung der Todesart und -ursache eines Verstorbenen dient, sondern auch zum Verständnis der Pathophysiologie von Erkrankungen beiträgt. In diesem zweiten Teil der Studie wurden aktuelle Normwerte für das Gewicht für die folgenden adulten Organe entwickelt: Leber, Lunge, Milz, Nieren. Zudem wurden Zusammenhänge zwischen Organgewichten und der Todesart untersucht.

Material und Methoden

Die im Dreijahreszeitraum von 2011 bis 2013 im Institut für Rechtsmedizin in Frankfurt am Main durchgeführten Obduktionen wurden retrospektiv ausgewertet. Die statistischen Berechnungen erfolgten mithilfe des Programmes „BiAS. für Windows“ (epsilon-Verlag GbR, Hochheim-Darmstadt, Deutschland).

Ergebnisse

Folgende Normwerte bzw. -bereiche wurden an der Studienpopulation erhoben: Leber 1047,0–2740,0 g (♂,n = 191) bzw. 749,0–2182,0 g (♀,n = 115), linke Lunge 230,0–840,0 g (♂,n = 119) bzw. 186,8–891,3 g (♀,n = 97), rechte Lunge 249,3–1005,8 g (♂,n = 116) bzw. 215,3–907,5 g (♀,n = 100), Milz 55,0–373,2 g (♂,n = 306) bzw. 50,0–355,0 g (♀,n = 204), linke Niere 110,0–255,0 g (♂,n = 258) bzw. 71,8–215,0 g (♀,n = 137), rechte Niere 100,0–270,0 g (♂,n = 266) bzw. 75,0–212,1 g (♀,n = 140). Für die am stärksten mit Organgewichten korrelierenden Körpermaße, nämlich Body-Mass-Index (BMI), Körperoberfläche („body surface area“, BSA) und Körpergewicht, wurden nach Subgruppen getrennte Normwerte ermittelt. Ein signifikanter Unterschied des Organgewichtes je nach Todesart lag bei Männern bei der Milz und bei den Nieren vor. Bei Frauen war bei keinem der Organe ein von der Todesart abhängiger signifikanter Gewichtsunterschied feststellbar. Außerdem wurden Organindizes entwickelt, mittels derer der Anwender berechnen kann, ob ein Organgewicht, Körpermaßen bzw. Alter entsprechend, im Normbereich liegt.

Diskussion

Organgewichte unterliegen wie Körpermaße einem säkularen Trend, welcher jedoch nicht linear und für jedes Organ individuell verläuft. Für die Auswertung von Organgewichten im Rahmen der Obduktion werden deshalb aktuelle, an einer vergleichbaren Population erhobene Normtabellen benötigt. Bei deren Erstellung können sowohl Fälle mit natürlichem als auch mit nichtnatürlichem Tod unter weitestgehendem Ausschluss pathologisch veränderter Organe herangezogen werden.
Questioning the radiation limits of life: Ignicoccus hospitalis between replication and VBNC
Authors: Koschnitzki Dagmar , Moeller Ralf , Leuko Stefan , Przybyla Bartos , Beblo-Vranesevic Kristina , Wirth Reinhard , Huber Harald , Rachel Reinhard , Rettberg Petra
Published: December 2020

Radiation of ionizing or non-ionizing nature has harmful effects on cellular components like DNA as radiation can compromise its proper integrity. To cope with damages caused by external stimuli including radiation, within living cells, several fast and efficient repair mechanisms have evolved. Previous studies addressing organismic radiation tolerance have shown that radiotolerance is a predominant property among extremophilic microorganisms including (hyper-) thermophilic archaea. The analysis of the ionizing radiation tolerance of the chemolithoautotrophic, obligate anaerobic, hyperthermophilic Crenarchaeon Ignicoccus hospitalis showed a D10-value of 4.7 kGy, fourfold exceeding the doses previously determined for other extremophilic archaea. The genome integrity of I. hospitalis after γ-ray exposure in relation to its survival was visualized by RAPD and qPCR. Furthermore, the discrimination between reproduction, and ongoing metabolic activity was possible for the first time indicating that a potential viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state may also account for I. hospitalis.
Epileptic seizures in multiple sclerosis: prevalence, competing causes and diagnostic accuracy
Authors: Neuß Friederike , von Podewils Felix , Wang Zhong Irene , Süße Marie , Zettl Uwe Klaus , Grothe Matthias
Published: December 2020

Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is accompanied by an increased risk of epileptic seizures, but data with a detailed description of the competing causes are lacking.

Methods

We aimed to describe a cohort of patients with both MS and epileptic seizures in a retrospective, population-based study.

Results

We included 59 out of 2285 MS patients who had at least one epileptic seizure. Out of them, 22 had seizures before the diagnosis of MS, whereas epileptic seizures occurred after MS diagnosis in 37 patients, resulting in a total prevalence of epileptic seizures in MS of 2.6%. Competing causes could be found in 50.8% (30/59) of all patients, with 40.9% (9/22) compared to 56.8% (21/37) of the MS patients with seizures before vs after MS diagnosis. The main alternative causes were traumatic brain injury and cerebral ischemia accounting for more than 30% of the patients, with no difference between the subgroups. 33.3% and 55.6% of MS patients with seizures before/after MS diagnosis had documented pathological EEG alterations.

Conclusion

A remarkable percentage of MS patients with epileptic seizures do have alternative competing causes at the time of the first seizure. A detailed diagnostic setup including patient history, EEG and MRI is recommended in the evaluation and choice for the best treatment.
A Computational Treatment of Anaphora and Its Algorithmic Implementation
Authors: Bernardy Jean-Philippe , Chatzikyriakidis Stergios , Maskharashvili Aleksandre
Published: December 2020

In this paper, we propose a framework capable of dealing with anaphora and ellipsis which is both general and algorithmic. This generality is ensured by the compination of two general ideas. First, we use a dynamic semantics which reperent effects using a monad structure. Second we treat scopes flexibly, extending them as needed. We additionally implement this framework as an algorithm which translates abstract syntax to logical formulas. We argue that this framework can provide a unified account of a large number of anaphoric phenomena. Specifically, we show its effectiveness in dealing with pronominal and VP-anaphora, strict and lazy pronouns, lazy identity, bound variable anaphora, e-type pronouns, and cataphora. This means that in particular we can handle complex cases like Bach–Peters sentences, which require an account dealing simultaneously with several phenomena. We use Haskell as a meta-language to present the theory, which also consitutes an implementation of all the phenomena discussed in the paper. To demonstrate coverage, we propose a test suite that can be used to evaluate computational approaches to anaphora.