bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Synthesis of Conical Carbon
Authors: Zhang Qianyan , Xie Xiao‐Ming , Wei Shi‐Yao , Zhu Zheng‐Zhong , Zheng Lan‐Sun , Xie Su‐Yuan
Published: January 2021

Conical carbon, specifically multi‐walled carbon nanocones (CNCs) and single‐walled carboncones, is a new class of sp2‐hybridized carbon allotrope, in addition to fullerene, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and graphene. Characterized by a conical and delocalized aromatic configuration, the conical carbon structure is considered the intermediate structure between planar graphene and open‐cage fullerene. CNCs can be stiffer than CNTs and exhibit intriguing physical and chemical properties owing to their unique hollow conical structure, which make these materials promising for application as field emission sources and scanning probes. The research on conical carbon structures is in its nascent stage, mainly because of the limitations in the synthesis and purification of conical carbons. This review summarizes the significant progress in the synthesis of CNCs and carboncones. Particularly, the synthetic methods, which can be divided into traditional physical‐chemical synthesis methods for multi‐walled CNCs and emerging bottom‐up organic synthesis methods for single‐walled carboncones, are comprehensively discussed. In addition, the advantages and disadvantages of the various synthetic methods as well as the possible formation and growth mechanisms of CNCs and carboncones are discussed. Finally, some outlooks on the potential solutions to the synthesis of single‐walled carboncones with uniform apex angles are presented.
Molecular evaluation of Toxocara species in stray cats using loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (lamp) technique as a rapid, sensitive and simple screening assay
Authors: Azimian Hamid , Shokrani Hamidreza , Fallahi Shirzad
Published: January 2021

Toxocara species are parasitic nematodes of dogs and cats with a worldwide distribution. The adult worm lives in the intestine, and horizontal transmission of the infection occurs through eating paratenic host or embryonated eggs. This study aimed to estimate the molecular prevalence of Toxocara species in stray cats using the loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technique. A total of 95 stool samples were randomly collected from stray cats in Khorramabad city in western Iran. Microscopic examination was performed after the separation and extraction of supernatants. The LAMP reaction was performed using the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) gene primers of Toxocara species and the appropriate master mix. The overall prevalence of Toxocara spp. in stray cats was 20% (19/95, CI 95%: 0.2 ± 0.08) by parasitological and molecular assessments. The microscopic examination of stool samples revealed that 19 samples were positive for Toxocara. The same 19 positive samples were also positive by the LAMP technique. Interestingly, based on the results of the LAMP assay, out of 95 studied samples, 18 (18.94%; CI 95%: 0.19 ± 0.08) specimens were Toxocara canis, while only 1 (1.05%; CI 95%: 0.005 ± 0.01) sample was diagnosed as Toxocara cati. The relatively high prevalence of Toxocara species in the studied cats shows the role of this species in spreading the parasite and the role of the cats in transmitting this zoonotic parasite. Preventive measures including the control of stray cat's population by castration and protection of public gardens where children play are recommended. The easy, highly sensitive and specific LAMP method is proposed for the differential detection of Toxocara species in animals and humans.
Introduction
Authors: Marwedel Peter
Published: January 2021

This chapter presents terms used in the context of embedded systems together with their history as well as opportunities, challenges, and common characteristics of embedded and cyber-physical systems. Furthermore, educational aspects, design flows, and the structure of this book are introduced.
Evaluation and Validation
Authors: Marwedel Peter
Published: January 2021

During the design procedure, we have to check repeatedly whether or not the system under design is likely to perform its function and to satisfy all relevant design objectives. This is the purpose of validations and evaluations which must be performed during the design process. This chapter starts with a presentation of techniques for the evaluation of (partial) designs with respect to objectives. In particular, we consider (worst case) execution time, quality of results, thermal behavior, and dependability as objectives. We provide an introduction into fundamental techniques for computing the worst case execution time. Examples of energy models will be presented in order to demonstrate the need for an adjustment of the level of model details to the particular application at hand. Thermal modeling is reduced to the problem of equivalent electrical modeling. With respect to dependability, an introduction to statistical models of reliability as well as an introduction to fault trees are included. As a means for relating results for the different objectives against each other, we introduce the concept of Pareto optimality. This chapter closes with hints regarding validation techniques, including simulation, rapid prototyping, and formal verification.
Application Mapping
Authors: Marwedel Peter
Published: January 2021

Mapping of applications onto available hardware platforms is a key design step. We need to map applications both to processors and to particular execution times. This is feasible with appropriate scheduling techniques. Taking as many scheduling decisions as reasonable at design time enables us to provide timing guarantees.
Optimization
Authors: Marwedel Peter
Published: January 2021

Embedded systems have to be efficient (at least) with respect to the objectives considered in this book. In particular, this applies to resource-constrained mobile systems, including sensor networks embedded in the Internet of Things. In order to achieve this goal, many optimizations have been developed. Only a small subset of those can be mentioned in this book. In this chapter, we will present a selected set of such optimizations. This chapter is structured as follows: first of all, we will present some high-level optimization techniques, which could precede compilation of source code or could be integrated into it. We will then describe concurrency management for tasks. Section 7.3 comprises advanced compilation techniques. The final Sect. 7.4 introduces power and thermal management techniques.
Performance of the International Monitoring System Seismic Network Based on Ambient Seismic Noise Measurements
Authors: Gaebler Peter J. , Ceranna Lars
Published: January 2021

All nuclear explosions are banned by the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. In the context of the treaty a verification regime was put into place to detect, locate, and characterize nuclear explosions at any time, by anyone and everywhere on the Earth. The International Monitoring System, which plays a key role in the verification regime, was set up by the Preparatory Commission of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization. Out of the several different monitoring techniques applied in the International Monitoring System the seismic waveform approach is the most effective and reliable technology for monitoring nuclear explosions underground. This study introduces a deterministic method of threshold monitoring that allows to asses a lower body wave magnitude limit of a potential seismic event in a certain geographical region, that can be detected by those seismic stations being part of the International Monitoring System network. The method is based on measurements of ambient seismic noise levels at the individual seismic stations along with global distance corrections terms for the body wave magnitude. The results suggest that an average global detection capability of approximately body wave magnitude 4.0 can be achieved using only stations from the primary seismic network of the International Monitoring System. The incorporation of seismic stations from the auxiliary seismic network leads to a slight improvement of the detection capability, while the use and analysis of wave arrivals from distances greater than 120$$^\circ$$∘results in a significant improvement of the detection capability. Temporal variations in terms of hourly and monthly changes of the global detection capability can not be observed. Overall, comparisons between detection capability and manually retrieved body wave magnitudes from the Reviewed Event Bulletin suggest, that our method yields a more conservative estimation of the detection capability and that in reality detection thresholds might be even lower than estimated.
Associations of TP53 codon 72 polymorphism with complications and comorbidities in patients with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Słomiński Bartosz , Skrzypkowska Maria , Ryba-Stanisławowska Monika , Myśliwiec Małgorzata , Trzonkowski Piotr
Published: January 2021

Wild-type TP53 plays an important role in the regulation of immune response and systemic inflammation. In type 1 diabetes (T1D), TP53 pathways are upregulated and an increased susceptibility to apoptosis is observed. We hypothesize that TP53 codon 72 polymorphism could be associated with complications and comorbidities in patients with T1D. We have investigated the associations of the TP53 codon 72 polymorphism with the T1D complications and comorbidities (retinopathy, nephropathy, hypertension, dyslipidemia, autoimmune thyroiditis, and celiac disease) in 350 patients. The key results of our approach are as follows: (1) In diabetic subjects, the Pro/Pro genotype is associated with an increased risk of microvascular complications, dyslipidemia, and celiac disease; (2) the Arg/Arg variant is associated with a decreased risk of autoimmune thyroiditis and celiac disease; (3) the Pro allele is associated with an increased risk of dyslipidemia, autoimmune thyroiditis, and celiac disease. Although further studies are required, our results for the first time indicate that the TP53 codon 72 polymorphism could be considered a genetic marker to predict the increased susceptibility to some T1D complications and comorbidities.

Key messages

We analyzed the TP53 codon 72 polymorphism in patients with T1D.

Pro/Pro genotype is associated with an increased risk of microvascular complications, dyslipidemia, and celiac disease.

The Arg/Arg variant is associated with a decreased risk of autoimmune thyroiditis and celiac disease.

The Pro allele is associated with an increased risk of dyslipidemia, autoimmune thyroiditis, and celiac disease.
Chronic senescent human mesenchymal stem cells as possible contributor to the wound healing disorder after exposure to the alkylating agent sulfur mustard
Authors: Rothmiller Simone , Jäger Niklas , Meier Nicole , Meyer Thimo , Neu Adrian , Steinritz Dirk , Thiermann Horst , Scherer Michael , Rummel Christoph , Mangerich Aswin , Bürkle Alexander , Schmidt Annette
Published: January 2021

Wound healing is a complex process, and disturbance of even a single mechanism can result in chronic ulcers developing after exposure to the alkylating agent sulfur mustard (SM). A possible contributor may be SM-induced chronic senescent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), unable to fulfil their regenerative role, by persisting over long time periods and creating a proinflammatory microenvironment. Here we show that senescence induction in human bone marrow derived MSCs was time- and concentration-dependent, and chronic senescence could be verified 3 weeks after exposure to between 10 and 40 µM SM. Morphological changes, reduced clonogenic and migration potential, longer scratch closure times, differences in senescence, motility and DNA damage response associated genes as well as increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines were revealed. Selective removal of these cells by senolytic drugs, in which ABT-263 showed initial potential in vitro, opens the possibility for an innovative treatment strategy for chronic wounds, but also tumors and age-related diseases.
Effect of Temporal and Spatial Smoothing on Speckle–Tracking-Derived Strain in Neonates
Authors: Khan Umael , Omdal Tom R. , Greve Gottfried , Grong Ketil , Matre Knut
Published: January 2021

Clinical application of strain in neonates requires an understanding of which image acquisition and processing parameters affect strain values. Previous studies have examined frame rate, transmitting frequency, and vendor heterogeneity. However, there is a lack of human studies on how user-regulated spatial and temporal smoothing affect strain values in 36 neonates. This study examined nine different combinations of spatial and temporal smoothing on peak systolic left ventricular longitudinal strain in 36 healthy neonates. Strain values were acquired from four-chamber echocardiographic images in the software-defined epicardial, midwall, and endocardial layers in the six standard segments and average four-chamber stain. Strain values were compared using repeated measure ANOVAs. Overall, spatial smoothing had a larger impact than temporal smoothing, and segmental strain values were more sensitive to smoothing settings than average four-chamber strain. Apicoseptal strain decreased by approximately 4% with increasing spatial smoothing, corresponding to a 13–19% proportional change (depending on wall layer). Therefore, we recommend clinicians be mindful of smoothing settings when assessing segmental strain values.
Computing nearest neighbour interchange distances between ranked phylogenetic trees
Authors: Collienne Lena , Gavryushkin Alex
Published: January 2021

Many popular algorithms for searching the space of leaf-labelled (phylogenetic) trees are based on tree rearrangement operations. Under any such operation, the problem is reduced to searching a graph where vertices are trees and (undirected) edges are given by pairs of trees connected by one rearrangement operation (sometimes called a move). Most popular are the classical nearest neighbour interchange, subtree prune and regraft, and tree bisection and reconnection moves. The problem of computing distances, however, is$${\mathbf {N}}{\mathbf {P}}$$NP-hard in each of these graphs, making tree inference and comparison algorithms challenging to design in practice. Although ranked phylogenetic trees are one of the central objects of interest in applications such as cancer research, immunology, and epidemiology, the computational complexity of the shortest path problem for these trees remained unsolved for decades. In this paper, we settle this problem for the ranked nearest neighbour interchange operation by establishing that the complexity depends on the weight difference between the two types of tree rearrangements (rank moves and edge moves), and varies from quadratic, which is the lowest possible complexity for this problem, to$${\mathbf {N}}{\mathbf {P}}$$NP-hard, which is the highest. In particular, our result provides the first example of a phylogenetic tree rearrangement operation for which shortest paths, and hence the distance, can be computed efficiently. Specifically, our algorithm scales to trees with tens of thousands of leaves (and likely hundreds of thousands if implemented efficiently).
Chiari I malformation with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome: case report and review of the literature
Authors: Snee Isabel A. , Mazzola Catherine A. , Sikorskyj Tatiana
Published: January 2021

We present a rare case of an 8-year-old male with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS) and a Chiari I malformation (CIM). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to investigate facial asymmetry and speech delay at age two revealed CIM with cerebellar tonsils 1.3 cm below the foramen magnum without syringomyelia. The patient underwent a craniectomy and posterior fossa decompression with C1 laminectomy. While gene sequencing determined the patient was negative for the PIK3CA gene mutation, the patient’s clinical history strongly suggests KTS. He has hemihypertrophy, leg length discrepancy, hemangiomas and pigmentary mosaicism along the upper and lower extremities, heart murmur, chronic low heart rate, recurrent hip pain, and mild scoliosis. Neurodevelopmental concerns include difficulty reading, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, and difficulty running and going downstairs. His most recent MRI shows good decompression at the cervicomedullary junction, global cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow, and less peg-like cerebellar tonsils. Also noted were two intravertebral hemangiomas at T5 and T6. While the patient’s speech has improved, there is still difficulty with the expressive language. He still has mild delays, runs slowly, and does not alternate feet when climbing stairs. The patient is being followed by multiple specialists including neurology, hematology-oncology, genetics, orthopedic surgery, and developmental pediatrics.
Therapeutic strategies for stricturing Crohn’s disease in childhood: a systematic review
Authors: Neville Jonathan J. , Macdonald Alexander , Fell John , Choudhry Muhammad , Haddad Munther
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Childhood stricturing Crohn’s disease (CD) has significant morbidity. Interventions including resection, stricturoplasty and endoscopic balloon dilatation (EBD) are often required. Optimal intervention modality and timing, and use of adjuvant medical therapies, remains unclear. We aim to review the therapies used in paediatric stricturing CD.

Methods

A systematic review in accordance with PRISMA was performed (PROSPERO: CRD42020164464). Demographics, stricture features, interventions and outcomes were extracted.

Results

Fourteen studies were selected, including 177 patients (183 strictures). Strictures presented at 40.6 months (range 14–108) following CD diagnosis. Medical therapy was used in 142 patients for an average of 20.4 months (2–36), with a complete response in 11 (8%). Interventions were undertaken in 138 patients: 53 (38%) resections, 39 (28%) stricturoplasties, and 17 (12%) EBD. Complications occurred in 11% of resections, versus 15% stricturoplasties, versus 6% EBD (p = 0.223). At a median follow-up of 1.9 years (interquartile range 1.2–2.4) pooled stricture recurrence was 22%. Resection had 9% recurrence, versus 38% stricturoplasty, versus 47% EBD (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Resection is associated with a low incidence of recurrence and complications. There remains a paucity of evidence regarding adjuvant medical therapy and the role of EBD. We propose a minimum reported dataset for interventions in paediatric stricturing CD.
The influence of K-wire transfixation on proximalization of the first metacarpal after resection suspension interposition arthroplasty
Authors: Fritz Niklas M. , Ludolph Ingo , Arkudas Andreas , Horch Raymund E. , Cai Aijia
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Osteoarthritis of the first carpometacarpal joint is a common degenerative disease and surgical treatment includes resection suspension interposition arthroplasty (RSIA) with or without temporary transfixation of the first metacarpal. One major drawback includes proximalization of the first metacarpal during the postoperative course. Specific data comparing different transfixation techniques in this context is sparse.

Materials and methods

In this retrospective study, we measured the trapezial space ratio (TSR) in 53 hands before and after RSIA to determine the proximalization of the first metacarpal depending on the type of Kirschner (K)-wire transfixation. We, therefore, compared transfixation of the first metacarpal to the scaphoid with one K-wire (1K) to transfixation of the first metacarpal with two K-wires (2K), either to the carpus (2Ka), or to the second metacarpal (2Kb), or to both second metacarpal and carpus (2Kc).

Results

While preoperative TSR did not differ between group 1K and 2K (p = 0.507), postoperative TSR was significantly higher in group 2K compared to 1K (p = 0.003). Comparing subgroups, postoperative TSR was significantly higher in group 2Kc than 1K (p = 0.046), while we found no significant difference comparing either group 2Ka or 2Kb to 1K (p = 0.098; p = 0.159). Neither did we find a significant difference within 2K subgroups, comparing group 2Ka and 2Kb (p = 0.834), 2Ka and 2Kc (p = 0.615), or 2Kb and 2Kc (p = 0.555).

Conclusions

The results of our study suggest that transfixation with two K-wires should be preferred to transfixation with one K-wire after RSIA. Specifically, transfixation from first to second metacarpal and from first metacarpal to carpus resulted in least proximalization of the first metacarpal postoperatively.
Protease profile of normal and neoplastic mast cells in the human bone marrow with special emphasis on systemic mastocytosis
Authors: Atiakshin Dmitri , Buchwalow Igor , Horny Peter , Tiemann Markus
Published: January 2021

Mast cells (MC) are immune cells that produce a variety of mediators, such as proteases, that are important in the body’s immune responses. MC proteases have pronounced multifunctionality and in many respects determine the biological characteristics of the organ-specific MC population. Although, increased numbers of MC are one of the objective mastocytosis signs, a detailed assessment of the proteases biogenesis and excretion mechanisms in the bone marrow (BM) has not yet been carried out. Here, we performed an analysis of the expression of proteases in patients with various forms of systemic mastocytosis. We presented data on intracellular protease co-localization in human BM MCs and discussed their implication in secretory pathways of MCs in the development of the disease. Systemic mastocytosis, depending on the course, is featured by the formation of definite profiles of specific proteases in various forms of atypical mast cells. Intragranular accumulation of tryptase, chymase and carboxypeptidases in the hypochromic phenotype of atypical mast cells is characterized. Characterization of MC proteases expression during mastocytosis can be used to refine the MC classification, help in a prognosis, and increase the effectiveness of targeted therapy.
Odor response adaptation in Drosophila—a continuous individualization process
Authors: Jafari Shadi , Alenius Mattias
Published: January 2021

Olfactory perception is very individualized in humans and also inDrosophila. The process that individualize olfaction is adaptation that across multiple time scales and mechanisms shape perception and olfactory-guided behaviors. Olfactory adaptation occurs both in the central nervous system and in the periphery. Central adaptation occurs at the level of the circuits that process olfactory inputs from the periphery where it can integrate inputs from other senses, metabolic states, and stress. We will here focus on the periphery and how the fast, slow, and persistent (lifelong) adaptation mechanisms in the olfactory sensory neurons individualize theDrosophilaolfactory system.
Spine surgery in pregnant women: a multicenter case series and proposition of treatment algorithm
Authors: Butenschoen Vicki M. , Hitscherich Hanna , Eicker Sven O. , Lobmaier Silvia M. , Rösler Judith , Bretschneider Martin , Kirschke Jan S. , Vajkoczy Peter , Kögl Nikolaus , Constanthin Paul , Thome Claudius , Tessitore Enrico , Meyer Bernhard , Wostrack Maria
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Spinal diseases requiring urgent surgical treatment are rare during pregnancy. Evidence is sparse and data are only available in the form of case reports. Our aim is to provide a comprehensive guide for spinal surgery on pregnant patients and highlight diagnostic and therapeutic aspects.

Methods

The study included a cohort of consecutive pregnant patients who underwent spinal surgery at five high-volume neurosurgical centers between 2010 and 2017. Perioperative and perinatal clinical data were derived from medical records.

Results

Twenty-four pregnant patients were included. Three underwent a preoperative cesarean section. Twenty-one patients underwent surgery during pregnancy. Median maternal age was 33 years, and median gestational age was 13 completed weeks. Indications were: lumbar disk prolapse (n = 14; including cauda equina, severe motor deficits or acute pain), unstable spine injuries (n = 4); intramedullary tumor with paraparesis (n = 1), infection (n = 1) and Schwann cell nerve root tumor presenting with high-grade paresis (n = 1). Two patients suffered transient gestational diabetes and 1 patient presented with vaginal bleeding without any signs of fetal complications. No miscarriages, stillbirths, or severe obstetric complications occurred until delivery. All patients improved neurologically after the surgery.

Conclusion

Spinal surgical procedures during pregnancy seem to be safe. The indication for surgery has to be very strict and surgical procedures during pregnancy should be reserved for emergency cases. For pregnant patients, the surgical strategy should be individually tailored to the mother and the fetus.
Impact of acetylsalicylic acid in patients undergoing cerebral aneurysm surgery – should the neurosurgeon really worry about it?
Authors: Rashidi Ali , Lilla Nadine , Skalej Martin , Sandalcioglu I. Erol , Luchtmann Michael
Published: January 2021

There has been an increase in the use of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA, Aspirin®) among patients with stroke and heart disease as well as in aging populations as a means of primary prevention. The potentially life-threatening consequences of a postoperative hemorrhagic complication after neurosurgical operative procedures are well known. In the present study, we evaluate the risk of continued ASA use as it relates to postoperative hemorrhage and cardiopulmonary complications in patients undergoing cerebral aneurysm surgery. We retrospectively analyzed 200 consecutive clipping procedures performed between 2008 and 2018. Two different statistical models were applied. The first model consisted of two groups: (1) group with No ASA impact - patients who either did not use ASA at all as well as those who had stopped their use of the ASA medication in time (> = 7 days prior to operation); (2) group with ASA impact - all patients whose ASA use was not stopped in time. The second model consisted of three groups: (1) No ASA use; (2) Stopped ASA use (> = 7 days prior to operation); (3) Continued ASA use (did not stop or did not stop in time, <7 days prior to operation). Data collection included demographic information, surgical parameters, aneurysm characteristics, and all hemorrhagic/thromboembolic complications. A postoperative hemorrhage was defined as relevant if a consecutive operation for hematoma removal was necessary. An ASA effect has been assumed in 32 out of 200 performed operations. A postoperative hemorrhage occurred in one out these 32 patients (3.1%). A postoperative hemorrhage in patients without ASA impact was detected and treated in 5 out of 168 patients (3.0%). The difference was statistically not significant in either model (ASA impact group vs. No ASA impact group: OR = 1.0516 [0.1187; 9.3132], p = 1.000; RR = 1.0015 [0.9360; 1.0716]). Cardiopulmonary complications were significantly more frequent in the group with ASA impact than in the group without ASA impact (p = 0.030). In this study continued ASA use was not associated with an increased risk of a postoperative hemorrhage. However, cardiopulmonary complications were significantly more frequent in the ASA impact group than in the No ASA impact group. Thus, ASA might relatively safely be continued in patients with increased cardiovascular risk and cases of emergency cerebrovascular surgery.
Plant defense responses triggered by phytoseiid predatory mites (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) are species-specific, depend on plant genotype and may not be related to direct plant feeding
Authors: Cruz-Miralles Joaquín , Cabedo-López Marc , Guzzo Michela , Pérez-Hedo Meritxell , Flors Víctor , Jaques Josep A.
Published: January 2021

Zoophytophagous arthropods can elicit plant defense responses affecting potential prey beyond predation. Phytophagy prevails as the main trigger for these responses, as in the case of Euseius stipulatus (Athias-Henriot) (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae), a predator occurring in citrus. Because other triggers cannot be excluded, our aim was to examine whether other phytoseiids co-occurring with E. stipulatus but not engaged in plant feeding [Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) and Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot] could induce similar responses (in terms of herbivore induced plant volatiles, HIPVs, and main defensive pathways), and how these affected the behavior of conspecifics and the shared prey, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Prostigmata: Tetranychidae). N. californicus triggered plant genotype-specific defense responses, including the production of different HIPVs compared to clean plants. However, we could not observe these effects for P. persimilis. T. urticae avoided better protected plants, because of stronger direct or indirect defense. As plants with weaker direct defense levels should offer higher prey densities, and those harboring conspecific predators represent higher risk of cannibalism, predators were expected to behave similarly. However, they did not. Our results demonstrate that plant defense triggered by phytoseiids is species-specific, depend on plant genotype and can be triggered by non-feeding activities. As N. californicus is a highly efficient predator used worldwide, further studies with this species are needed. Likewise, cineol, one of the volatiles identified in the blends triggered by this phytoseiid, could be used to manipulate the prey. These studies could pave the way for a more efficient use of phytoseiids in agroecosystems.
Learning tractable probabilistic models for moral responsibility and blame
Authors: Hammond Lewis , Belle Vaishak
Published: January 2021

Moral responsibility is a major concern in autonomous systems, with applications ranging from self-driving cars to kidney exchanges. Although there have been recent attempts to formalise responsibility and blame, among similar notions, the problem of learning within these formalisms has been unaddressed. From the viewpoint of such systems, the urgent questions are: (a) How can models of moral scenarios and blameworthiness be extracted and learnt automatically from data? (b) How can judgements be computed effectively and efficiently, given the split-second decision points faced by some systems? By building on constrained tractable probabilistic learning, we propose and implement a hybrid (between data-driven and rule-based methods) learning framework for inducing models of such scenarios automatically from data and reasoning tractably from them. We report on experiments that compare our system with human judgement in three illustrative domains: lung cancer staging, teamwork management, and trolley problems.
Physical activity and risk of atrial fibrillation in the general population: meta-analysis of 23 cohort studies involving about 2 million participants
Authors: Kunutsor Setor K. , Seidu Samuel , Mäkikallio Timo H. , Dey Richard S. , Laukkanen Jari A.
Published: January 2021

Regular physical activity is well established to be associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease outcomes. Whether physical activity is associated with the future risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) remains a controversy. Using a systematic review and meta-analysis of published observational cohort studies in general populations with at least one-year of follow-up, we aimed to evaluate the association between regular physical activity and the risk of AF. Relevant studies were sought from inception until October 2020 in MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and manual search of relevant articles. Extracted relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the maximum versus the minimal amount of physical activity groups were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis. Quality of the evidence was assessed by GRADE. A total of 23 unique observational cohort studies comprising of 1,930,725 participants and 45,839 AF cases were eligible. The pooled multivariable-adjusted RR (95% CI) for AF comparing the most physically active versus the least physically active groups was 0.99 (0.93–1.05). This association was modified by sex: an increased risk was observed in men: 1.20 (1.02–1.42), with a decreased risk in women: 0.91 (0.84–0.99). The quality of the evidence ranged from low to moderate. Pooled observational cohort studies suggest that the absence of associations reported between regular physical activity and AF risk in previous general population studies and their aggregate analyses could be driven by a sex-specific difference in the associations – an increased risk in men and a decreased risk in women.

Systematic review registration:PROSPERO 2020: CRD42020172814
The transplant cohort of the German center for infection research (DZIF Tx-Cohort): study design and baseline characteristics
Authors:   for the Transplant Cohort of the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF Transplant Cohort) Consortium, Karch André , Schindler Daniela , Kühn-Steven Andrea , Blaser Rainer , Kuhn Klaus A. , Sandmann Lisa , Sommerer Claudia , Guba Markus , Heemann Uwe , Strohäker Jens , Glöckner Stephan , Mikolajczyk Rafael , Busch Dirk H. , Schulz Thomas F.
Published: January 2021

Infectious complications are the major cause of morbidity and mortality after solid organ and stem cell transplantation. To better understand host and environmental factors associated with an increased risk of infection as well as the effect of infections on function and survival of transplanted organs, we established the DZIF Transplant Cohort, a multicentre prospective cohort study within the organizational structure of the German Center for Infection Research. At time of transplantation, heart-, kidney-, lung-, liver-, pancreas- and hematopoetic stem cell- transplanted patients are enrolled into the study. Follow-up visits are scheduled at 3, 6, 9, 12 months after transplantation, and annually thereafter; extracurricular visits are conducted in case of infectious complications. Comprehensive standard operating procedures, web-based data collection and monitoring tools as well as a state of the art biobanking concept for blood, purified PBMCs, urine, and faeces samples ensure high quality of data and biosample collection. By collecting detailed information on immunosuppressive medication, infectious complications, type of infectious agent and therapy, as well as by providing corresponding biosamples, the cohort will establish the foundation for a broad spectrum of studies in the field of infectious diseases and transplant medicine. By January 2020, baseline data and biosamples of about 1400 patients have been collected. We plan to recruit 3500 patients by 2023, and continue follow-up visits and the documentation of infectious events at least until 2025. Information about the DZIF Transplant Cohort is available at https://www.dzif.de/en/working-group/transplant-cohort.
Review on advances in microcrystalline, nanocrystalline and ultrananocrystalline diamond films-based micro/nano-electromechanical systems technologies
Authors: Auciello Orlando , Aslam Dean M.
Published: January 2021

A comprehensive review is presented on the advances achieved in past years on fundamental and applied materials science of diamond films and engineering to integrate them into new generations of microelectromechanical system (MEMS) and nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS). Specifically, the review focuses on describing the fundamental science performed to develop thin film synthesis processes and the characterization of chemical, mechanical, tribological and electronic properties of microcrystalline diamond, nanocrystalline diamond and ultrananocrystalline diamond films technologies, and the research and development focused on the integration of the diamond films with other film-based materials. The review includes both theoretical and experimental work focused on optimizing the films synthesis and the resulting properties to achieve the best possible MEMS/NEMS devices performance to produce new generation of MEMS/NEMS external environmental sensors and energy generation devices, human body implantable biosensors and energy generation devices, electron field emission devices and many more MEMS/NEMS devices, to produce transformational positive impact on the way and quality of life of people worldwide.
On the use of 3J-coupling NMR data to derive structural information on proteins
Authors: Smith Lorna J. , van Gunsteren Wilfred F. , Stankiewicz Bartosz , Hansen Niels
Published: January 2021

Values of 3J-couplings as obtained from NMR experiments on proteins cannot easily be used to determine protein structure due to the difficulty of accounting for the high sensitivity of intermediate 3J-coupling values (4–8 Hz) to the averaging period that must cover the conformational variability of the torsional angle related to the 3J-coupling, and due to the difficulty of handling the multiple-valued character of the inverse Karplus relation between torsional angle and 3J-coupling. Both problems can be solved by using 3J-coupling time-averaging local-elevation restraining MD simulation. Application to the protein hen egg white lysozyme using 213 backbone and side-chain 3J-coupling restraints shows that a conformational ensemble compatible with the experimental data can be obtained using this technique, and that accounting for averaging and the ability of the algorithm to escape from local minima for the torsional angle induced by the Karplus relation, are essential for a comprehensive use of 3J-coupling data in protein structure determination.
The Association Between Problem Gambling and Suicidal Ideations and Attempts: A Case Control Study in the General Swedish Population
Authors: Sundqvist Kristina , Wennberg Peter
Published: January 2021

The association between problem gambling and suicidal behaviours is well established in treatment seeking populations, but less explored among sub-clinical problem gamblers in the general population. The aim of this study was to examine the association between problem gambling (including moderate risk gambling) and suicidal ideations/suicide attempts, in the general Swedish population. Another aim was to compare problem gamblers with and without suicide ideation/attempts. A case-control study nested in the Swelogs cohort was used. Both ideations and attempts were about twice as frequent among the cases compared to the controls. After controlling for socio-economic status and life-time mental health problems, suicidal ideation, but not attempts, remained significantly higher among the cases compared to the controls. The largest difference between attempters and non-attempters were on payment defaults and illicit drug abuse, whereas depression yielded the largest difference between ideators and non-ideators. Problem gambling severity (PGSI 8+) resulted in the smallest difference, compared to the other variables, between attempters and non-attempters. Even though no conclusion regarding the casual relationship can be drawn in this type of study, it seems like sub-clinical levels of problem gambling might have an impact on suicidal ideations whereas for suicide attempts to occur, other factors need to be present. In addition to mental health issues, financial difficulties may be such factors.
Numerical Study of the Thermodynamic Uncertainty Relation for the KPZ-Equation
Authors: Niggemann Oliver , Seifert Udo
Published: January 2021

A general framework for the field-theoretic thermodynamic uncertainty relation was recently proposed and illustrated with the $$(1+1)$$

(
1
+
1
)

dimensional Kardar–Parisi–Zhang equation. In the present paper, the analytical results obtained there in the weak coupling limit are tested via a direct numerical simulation of the KPZ equation with good agreement. The accuracy of the numerical results varies with the respective choice of discretization of the KPZ non-linearity. Whereas the numerical simulations strongly support the analytical predictions, an inherent limitation to the accuracy of the approximation to the total entropy production is found. In an analytical treatment of a generalized discretization of the KPZ non-linearity, the origin of this limitation is explained and shown to be an intrinsic property of the employed discretization scheme.
Non-cooperative queueing games on a network of single server queues
Authors: Laan Corine M. , Timmer Judith , Boucherie Richard J.
Published: January 2021

This paper introduces non-cooperative games on a network of single server queues with fixed routes. A player has a set of routes available and has to decide which route(s) to use for its customers. Each player’s goal is to minimize the expected sojourn time of its customers. We consider two cases: a continuous strategy space, where each player is allowed to divide its customers over multiple routes, and a discrete strategy space, where each player selects a single route for all its customers. For the continuous strategy space, we show that a unique pure-strategy Nash equilibrium exists that can be found using a best-response algorithm. For the discrete strategy space, we show that the game has a Nash equilibrium in mixed strategies, but need not have a pure-strategy Nash equilibrium. We show the existence of pure-strategy Nash equilibria for four subclasses: (i) N-player games with equal arrival rates for the players, (ii) 2-player games with identical service rates for all nodes, (iii) 2-player games on a $$2\times 2$$

2
×
2

-grid, and (iv) 2-player games on an $$A\times B$$

A
×
B

-grid with small differences in the service rates.
Review of claudin proteins as potential biomarkers for necrotizing enterocolitis
Authors: Griffiths Victoria , Al Assaf Niazy , Khan Rizwan
Published: January 2021

Background

Claudin proteins are a component of tight junctions found in cell-cell adhesion complexes. A central feature of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is intestinal permeability, with changes to claudin proteins potentially contributing to intestinal instability, inflammation, and the progression of NEC. A current area of interest is the development of a novel, noninvasive biomarker for the detection of NEC in neonates at risk of developing this disease, in order to reduce morbidity and mortality through earlier intervention.

Aims

This review aims to explore the relevance of claudin proteins in the pathophysiology of NEC and their potential usefulness as a biomarker.

Methods

This review was conducted using the search terms “claudin” + “necrotizing enterocolitis”, with 27 papers selected for review.

Results

Claudin proteins appear to have a role in the stability of the gut epithelium through the regulation of intestinal permeability, maturity, and inflammation. Formula feeding has been shown to promote inflammation and result in changes to claudin proteins, while breastfeeding and certain nutritional supplements lead to reduced inflammation and improved intestinal stability as demonstrated through changes to claudin protein expression. Preliminary studies in human neonates suggest that urinary claudin measurements may be used to predict the development of NEC.

Conclusions

Alterations to claudin proteins may reflect changes seen to intestinal permeability and inflammation in the context of NEC. Further research is necessary to understand the relevance of claudin proteins in the pathophysiology of NEC and their use as a biomarker.
The Supportive Care Needs of Cancer Patients: a Systematic Review
Authors: Evans Webb Madeleine , Murray Elizabeth , Younger Zane William , Goodfellow Henry , Ross Jamie
Published: January 2021

Cancer, and the complex nature of treatment, has a profound impact on lives of patients and their families. Subsequently, cancer patients have a wide range of needs. This study aims to identify and synthesise cancer patients’ views about areas where they need support throughout their care. A systematic  search of the literature from PsycInfo, Embase and Medline databases was conducted, and a narrative. Synthesis of results was carried out using the Corbin & Strauss “3 lines of work” framework. For each line of work, a group of key common needs were identified. For illness-work, the key needs idenitified were; understanding their illness and treatment options, knowing what to expect, communication with healthcare professionals, and staying well. In regards to everyday work, patients wanted to maintain a sense of normalcy and look after their loved ones. For biographical work, patients commonly struggled with the emotion impact of illness and a lack of control over their lives. Spiritual, sexual and financial problems were less universal. For some types of support, demographic factors influenced the level of need reported. While all patients are unique, there are a clear set of issues that are common to a majority of cancer journeys. To improve care, these needs should be prioritised by healthcare practitioners.
Coping with COVID-19: medical students as strong and responsible stewards of their education
Authors: Kercheval Jacquelyn B. , Khamees Deena , Keilin Charles A. , Markovitz Netana H. , Losman Eve D.
Published: January 2021

Background Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, clinical rotations at the University of Michigan Medical School (UMMS) were suspended on March 17, 2020, per the Association of American Medical Colleges’ recommendations. No alternative curriculum existed to fill the educational void for clinical students. The traditional approach to curriculum development was not feasible during the pandemic as faculty were redeployed to clinical care, and the immediate need for continued learning necessitated a new model. Approach One student developed an outline for an online course on pandemics based on peer-to-peer conversations regarding learners’ interests and needs, and she proposed that students author the content given the immediate need for a curriculum. Fifteen student volunteers developed content to fill knowledge gaps, and expert faculty reviewers confirmed that the student authors had successfully curated a comprehensive curriculum. Evaluation The crowdsourced student content coalesced into a 40-hour curriculum required for all 371 clinical-level students at UMMS. This student-driven effort took just 17 days from outline to implementation, and the final product is a full course comprising five modules, multiple choice questions, discussion boards, and assignments. Learners were surveyed to gauge success, and 93% rated this content as relevant to all medical students. Reflection The successful implementation of this model for curriculum development, grounded in the Master Adaptive Learner framework, suggests that medical students can be entrusted as stewards of their own education. As we return to a post-pandemic “normal,” this approach could be applied to the maintenance and de novo development of future curricula.