bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interleaved Parallel High Step‐upDC‐DCConverter withCross‐CoupledInductors for Low Current/Voltage Ripple andAuto‐CurrentSharing
Authors: He Liangzong , Zeng Tao
Published: April 2021

An interleaved parallel high step‐up DC‐DC converter with cross‐coupled inductors for low current/voltage ripple and auto‐current sharing was proposed in this paper. This converter applies interleaved parallel input which decreases the input current ripple significantly. Due to the interleaved coupling effect of three coils of the cross‐coupled inductors, this converter can realize automatic current sharing under asymmetric distribution of duty ratio of switch control signal or coupled inductors. By using the leakage inductance of coupled inductors, the proposed DC‐DC converter has high voltage gains and small voltage stress of the main switches and output diodes. Moreover, the proposed converter solves the reverse recovery problem of the output diodes at the minimum loss. In addition, its power switches realize zero‐current turn on. In this paper, working principle is analyzed thoroughly and performance of this topological circuit is verified through a prototype with 1 kW output. © 2021 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Prospective evaluation of first‐trimester screening strategy for preterm pre‐eclampsia and its clinical applicability in China
Authors: Hu J. , Gao J. , Liu J. , Meng H. , Hao N. , Song Y. , Ma L. , Luo W. , Sun J. , Gao W. , Meng W. , Sun Y.
Published: April 2021

Objectives

To evaluate, in a Chinese population, the performance of a screening strategy for preterm pre‐eclampsia (PE) using The Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF)'s competing‐risks model and to explore its clinical applicability in mainland China.

Methods

This was a prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study including 10 899 women with singleton pregnancy who sought prenatal care at one of 13 hospitals, located in seven cities in mainland China, between 1 December 2017 and 30 December 2019. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), uterine artery pulsatility index (UtA‐PI) and maternal serum levels of placental growth factor (PlGF) and pregnancy‐associated plasma protein‐A (PAPP‐A) at 11 + 0 to 13 + 6 weeks’ gestation were measured and converted into multiples of the median using Chinese reference ranges. Individualized risk for preterm PE was calculated using the FMF algorithm. Prior risk was calculated based on maternal demographic characteristics and obstetric history. We evaluated the efficiency of the screening strategy using various combinations of biomarkers and analyzed its predictive performance for a composite of placenta‐associated adverse pregnancy outcomes, including PE, placental abruption, small‐for‐gestational age (SGA) and preterm birth, at fixed false‐positive rates for preterm PE.

Results

We identified 312 pregnancies that developed PE, of which 117 cases were diagnosed as preterm PE (< 37 weeks' gestation). There were 386 pregnancies complicated by severe composite placenta‐associated adverse outcome, including preterm PE, 146 cases of severe SGA (birth weight < 3rd percentile) neonate, 61 cases with placental abruption and 109 cases of early preterm birth < 34 gestational weeks. The triple‐marker model containing biomarkers MAP, UtA‐PI and PAPP‐A achieved, at fixed false‐positive rates of 10%, 15% and 20%, detection rates for preterm PE of 65.0%, 72.7% and 76.1%, respectively, and detection rates for severe composite placenta‐associated adverse outcome of 34.7%, 41.7% and 46.4%, respectively. Replacing PAPP‐A with PlGF or adding PlGF to the model did not improve the performance. Of women screening positive for preterm PE at a fixed 5% false‐positive rate, an estimated 30% developed at least one placenta‐associated adverse pregnancy outcome, including PE, placental abruption, SGA (birth weight < 10th percentile) and preterm birth < 37 weeks.

Conclusions

The FMF competing‐risks model for preterm PE was found to be effective in screening a mainland Chinese population. Women who screened positive for preterm PE had increased risk for other placenta‐associated pregnancy complications. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Prevalence and distribution of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in ticks collected from dogs in the United Kingdom
Authors: Keyte Sophie , Abdullah Swaid , James Kate , Newbury Hannah , Helps Chris , Tasker Séverine , Wall Richard
Published: April 2021

Background: Anaplasma phagocytophilum is the etiological agent of canine granulocytic anaplasmosis in dogs and causes human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA). Tick‐borne anaplasmosis has been recognised as an emerging zoonotic health concern worldwide. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of A. phagocytophilum in ticks collected from dogs in the UK and map its distribution. Routine surveillance of tick‐borne disease is essential as part of a “One Health” approach to infectious disease management.

Methods: Tick DNA samples collected in 2015 as part of a large‐scale tick surveillance programme were analysed using a previously validated diagnostic quantitative PCR for A. phagocytophilum.

Results: PCR analysis indicated that 138 out of 2994 tick DNA samples analysed were positive for A. phagocytophilum, a prevalence of 4.6% (95% CI: 3.89–5.42). Among these 138 tick DNA samples, 131 were from Ixodes ricinus, six were from Ixodes hexagonus and one was from Ixodes canisuga. Three of the I. ricinus tick DNA samples positive for A. phagocytophilum DNA were also positive for Borrelia spp. DNA and one was positive for Babesia spp. DNA, indicating co‐infection. The ticks positive for the pathogen DNA were found widely distributed throughout the UK.

Conclusions: These data provide important information on the prevalence and wide distribution of A. phagocytophilum in ticks infesting dogs within the UK.
Hafnia alvei: The unreported pathogen responsible for a sub‐capsular renal abscess in a 1‐year‐old, presumed immunocompetent crossbreed dog with no co‐morbidities
Authors: Petchell William H. R. , Noble P‐J. M. , Burrow Rachel , Humphreys William J. E. , Bautista Díaz‐Delgado Oscar
Published: April 2021

A 12‐month‐old, male neutered Rottweiler cross, weighing 34.0 kg with a 6‐month history of episodes of pyrexia, hyporexia, pollakiuria and left flank pain is described. Ultrasonographic and computed tomography findings combined with clinical signs were consistent with a left renal abscess which was treated 2 days later with a left ureteronephrectomy. Septic peritonitis was assumed intraoperatively upon the discovery of a moderate amount of turbid, straw‐coloured free abdominal fluid and the appearance of the abdominal organs and peritoneum. Histopathology of the kidney confirmed a focally extensive subcapsular renal abscess with concurrent suppurative and lymphoplasmacellular nephritis. Culture of the intra‐capsular fluid and of the renal tissue resulted in heavy growths of Hafnia alvei. The dog spent 8 days in the hospital and made a full recovery; resolution of the presenting signs has been achieved to date. A good prognosis is given cautiously owing to the undetermined aetiology of disease.
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2‐like syndrome in a crossbred dog
Authors: Cervone Mario , Blondel Margaux , Moissonnier Pierre , Chabanne Luc
Published: April 2021

A 9‐year‐old spayed female crossbred dog was referred with a 6‐month history of polyuria/polydipsia associated with systemic arterial hypertension and hypokalaemia according to clinical and biochemical evaluations, respectively. Pheochromocytoma with concomitant unilateral nonsecreting thyroid carcinoma and ipsilateral nonsecreting parathyroid hyperplasia were diagnosed by ultrasonography, computed tomography, cytology and histopathology. Surgical treatment allowed for the complete resolution of clinical and biochemical abnormalities, and no recurrence was found during the one‐year clinical follow‐up. To the best of the author's knowledge, this is the third report describing multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2‐like syndrome in dogs, and it further characterizes this rare condition.
Gastro‐oesophageal resection and anastomosis for an oesophageal leiomyoma in a dog
Authors: Chen Carolyn , Cook Matthew , Lumbrezer‐Johnson Sarah , Hostnik Eric , Selmic Laura E.
Published: April 2021

An 11‐year‐old female spayed golden retriever was presented for a second opinion regarding a recently diagnosed distal oesophageal mass. The dog had a history of chronic post‐prandial regurgitation. Physical examination and laboratory work yielded no significant findings. Thoracic radiographs revealed no significant findings other than equivocal cardiomegaly. A fluoroscopic barium swallow study and computed tomography scans of the chest and abdomen were performed, revealing an approximately 2.5 cm mass at the level of the lower oesophageal sphincter. A gastro‐oesophageal resection and anastomosis was performed and histopathology of the mass was consistent with leiomyoma, excised with complete margins. The dog recovered uneventfully and was discharged from the hospital 3 days after surgery. The dog was doing well 5 months after surgery, with an acceptable quality of life and mild, intermittent regurgitation episodes.
Sparsifying to optimize over multiple information sources: an augmented Gaussian process based algorithm
Authors: Candelieri Antonio , Archetti Francesco
Published: April 2021

Optimizing a black-box, expensive, and multi-extremal function, given multiple approximations, is a challenging task known as multi-information source optimization (MISO), where each source has a different cost and the level of approximation (akafidelity) of each source can change over the search space. While most of the current approachesfusethe Gaussian processes (GPs) modelling each source, we propose to use GPsparsificationto select only “reliable” function evaluations performed over all the sources. These selected evaluations are used to create an augmented Gaussian process (AGP), whose name is implied by the fact that the evaluations on the most expensive source areaugmentedwith the reliable evaluations over less expensive sources. A new acquisition function, based on confidence bound, is also proposed, including both cost of the next source to query and the location-dependent approximation of that source. This approximation is estimated through amodel discrepancymeasure and the prediction uncertainty of the GPs. MISO-AGP and the MISO-fused GP counterpart are compared on two test problems and hyperparameter optimization of a machine learning classifier on a large dataset.
Detecting Hospital Outliers in Post‐Pancreatectomy Care Using Funnel Plots from 2009–2018 Based on Nationwide Medico‐Administrative Data
Authors: Bernard Alain , Cottenet Jonathan , Aho Serge , Doussot Alexandre , Mariet Anne‐Sophie , Facy Olivier , Quantin Catherine
Published: April 2021

Objectives

Our objective was to identify hospitals with unusual mortality rates for major pancreatectomies over a period of ten years using 30‐day mortality data from the French national database.

Methods

Data for all patients who underwent pancreatectomy were extracted from the national medico‐economic database (Programme de Médicalisation des Systèmes d'Information). To identify quality outliers for each hospital, the observed‐to‐expected 30‐day mortality rates were used as a quality indicator.

Results

A total of 19 494 patients underwent a major pancreatectomy in France between January 2009 and December 2018. The overall 30‐day mortality rate was 4.8% (n = 944). For the 2009–2014 period, the funnel plot showed that 10 of the 176 hospitals lie outside the central 95% region and 7 lie outside the central 99.8% region. For the 2015–2018 period, out of 176 hospitals, 6 lie outside the central 95% region and 2 lie outside the central 99.8% region. The change in standardized mortality ratios between 2009–2014 and 2015–2018 testing for differences from the overall change, they were there 4 hospitals lie outside the central 95% region and 0 lie outside the central 99.8% region.

Conclusion

Over time, the improvement in hospital quality was weak. This study suggests that there is a pressing need to reorganize the supply of care for pancreatic surgery in France.
Misleading terminology in pathology: lack of definitions hampers communication
Authors: Chow Zi Long , Indave Blanca Iciar , Lokuhetty Menaka Dilani Samarawickrema , Ochiai Atsushi , Cree Ian A. , White Valerie A.
Published: April 2021

Accurate terminology is the basis for clear communication among specialists and relies upon precise definitions, indispensable for the WHO Classification of Tumours. We identified a number of potentially misleading terms in use in the recently published WHO Classification of Tumours, 5th edition. From a list of common sources that might be consulted by specialists in the pathology field, we searched for definitions of the terms. Where at least two sources provided definitions for a term, we assessed their level of agreement using an ad hoc developed scale. We identified 26 potentially misleading terms from the 5th edition Digestive System and Breast Tumour Books, and 16 sources. The number of definitions provided by the sources ranged from no definition (for four terms) to ten (for two terms). No source had definitions for all terms. We found only 111 (27%) of a possible 416 definitions. Where two or more definitions were present for a term, the level of agreement between them was judged to be high. There was a paucity of definitions for potentially misleading terms in the sources consulted, but there was a good agreement when two or more definitions were present. In a globalized world where healthcare workers and learners in many fields may access these sources to learn about terminology with which they are unfamiliar, the lack of definitions is a hindrance to a precise understanding of classification in the speciality of pathology and to clear communication between specialist groups.
Provocation and prediction of visual peripersonal neglect-like symptoms in preoperative planning and during awake brain surgery
Authors: Tamás Viktória , Sebestyén Gabriella , Nagy Szilvia Anett , Horváth Péter Zsolt , Mérei Ákos , Tomaiuolo Francesco , Raffa Giovanni , Germanó Antonino Francesco , Büki András
Published: April 2021

Neglect is a severe neuropsychological/neurological deficit that usually develops due to lesions of the posterior inferior parietal area of the right hemisphere and is characterized by a lack of attention to the left side. Our case is a proven right-handed, 30-year-old female patient with a low-grade glioma, which was located in the temporo-opercular region and also in the superior temporal gyrus of the right hemisphere. Upon presurgical planning, the motor, language, and visuospatial functions were mapped. In order to achieve this, the protocol for routine magnetic resonance imaging and navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation has been expanded, accordingly.
Exosomes secreted from sonic hedgehog-modified bone mesenchymal stem cells facilitate the repair of rat spinal cord injuries
Authors: Jia Yijia , Lu Tingsheng , Chen Qiling , Pu Xingwei , Ji Linsong , Yang Jianwen , Luo Chunshan
Published: April 2021

Background

Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) can cause a loss of neurons and associated sensory and motor functionality below the injured site. No approaches to treating SCIs in humans have been developed to date. Exosomes are extracellular vesicles that hold promise as a potential therapeutic modality when treating such injuries. The present study was thus designed to determine whether sonic hedgehog (Shh)-overexpressing bone mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC)-derived exosomes were protective in the context of SCIs.

Methods

Exosomes were extracted from control or Shh lentivirus-transduced BMSCs, yielding respective BMSC-Exo and BMSC-Shh-Exo preparations which were intravenously injected into SCI model rats. Shh expression in spinal cord tissues in these animals was then assessed via immunohistochemical staining, while Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) scores were utilized to measure high limb motor function. Neuronal damage and regeneration within the spinal cord were additionally evaluated via terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), Nissl, hematoxylin and eosin, and immunofluorescent staining.

Results

Both BMSC-Exo and BMSC-Shh-Exo preparations significantly increased Shh expression in the spinal cord of SCI model rats and improved BBB scores in these treated animals, while also increasing the frequencies of Nissl- and NeuN-positive neurons are reducing the numbers of apoptotic and GFAP-positive neurons. While both treatments yielded some degree of benefit to treated animals relative to untreated controls, BMSC-Shh-Exos were more beneficial than were control BMSC-Exos.

Conclusions

Shh-overexpressing BMSC-derived exosomes represent an effective treatment that can facilitate SCI repair in rats.
Two novel missense variants in SPTBN2 likely associated with spinocerebellar ataxia type 5
Authors: Bian Xianli , Wang Shang , Jin Suqin , Xu Shunliang , Zhang Hong , Wang Dewei , Shang Wei , Wang Ping
Published: April 2021

Introduction

Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are a heterozygous group of neurodegenerative disorders. Spinocerebellar ataxia type 5 (SCA5) is a rare autosomal-dominant ataxia with pure cerebellum involvement. The clinical characteristics are limb and gait ataxia, trunk ataxia, sensory deficits, abnormal eye movement, dysarthria, and hyperactive tendon reflexes. Spectrin beta nonerythrocytic 2 gene (SPTBN2), coding β-III spectrin protein, was identified to be associated with SCA5. To date, more than 19 variants of SPTBN2 have been reported.

Methods

A family and an apparently sporadic patient with ataxia and cerebellar atrophy were recruited from Shandong Province (China). To discover the disease-causing variants, capillary electrophoresis and targeted next-generation sequencing were performed in the proband of the family and the sporadic patient. The candidate variants were verified by Sanger sequencing and analyzed by bioinformatics software.

Results

In our study, we verified two novel heterozygous variants in SPTBN2 in a SCA pedigree and a sporadic patient. The proband of the pedigree and her mother presented with walking instability and progressively getting worse. The sporadic patient suffered from slurred speech, walking instability, and drinking water choking cough. MRI examination of the proband and sporadic patient both displayed moderate cerebellar atrophy. The variants identified were traditionally conserved and predicted probably damaging and disease-causing by bioinformatics analysis.

Conclusion

We identified two novel heterozygous variants of SPTBN2 resulting in severe ataxia which further delineated the correlation between the genotype and phenotype of SCA5, and pathogenesis of variants in SPTBN2 should be further researched.
Developmental stochasticity and variation in floral phyllotaxis
Authors: Kitazawa Miho S.
Published: April 2021

Floral phyllotaxis is a relatively robust phenotype; trimerous and pentamerous arrangements are widely observed in monocots and core eudicots. Conversely, it also shows variability in some angiosperm clades such as ‘ANA’ grade (Amborellales, Nymphaeales, and Austrobaileyales), magnoliids, and Ranunculales. Regardless of the phylogenetic relationship, however, phyllotactic pattern formation appears to be a common process. What are the causes of the variability in floral phyllotaxis and how has the variation of floral phyllotaxis contributed to floral diversity? In this review, I summarize recent progress in studies on two related fields to develop answers to these questions. First, it is known that molecular and cellular stochasticity are inevitably found in biological systems, including plant development. Organisms deal with molecular stochasticity in several ways, such as dampening noise through gene networks or maintaining function through cellular redundancy. Recent studies on molecular and cellular stochasticity suggest that stochasticity is not always detrimental to plants and that it is also essential in development. Second, studies on vegetative and inflorescence phyllotaxis have shown that plants often exhibit variability and flexibility in phenotypes. Three types of phyllotaxis variations are observed, namely, fluctuation around the mean, transition between regular patterns, and a transient irregular organ arrangement called permutation. Computer models have demonstrated that stochasticity in the phyllotactic pattern formation plays a role in pattern transitions and irregularities. Variations are also found in the number and positioning of floral organs, although it is not known whether such variations provide any functional advantages. Two ways of diversification may be involved in angiosperm floral evolution: precise regulation of organ position and identity that leads to further specialization of organs and organ redundancy that leads to flexibility in floral phyllotaxis.
30 Jahre nach der Wiedervereinigung hat das Bruttoinlandsprodukt als Indikator ausgedient
Authors: Holtemöller Oliver
Published: April 2021

Der Vergleich der Lebensverhältnisse in Ost- und Westdeutschland orientiert sich häufig am Bruttoinlandsprodukt je Einwohner:in. Dieses Maß ist jedoch für sich genommen kein guter Wohlfahrtsindikator. Es ist davon auszugehen, dass gemessen am Bruttoinlandsprodukt je Einwohner:in in absehbarer Zukunft keine wesentliche weitere Angleichung der Wirtschaftskraft in Ost- und Westdeutschland mehr stattfinden wird. Denn die Altersstruktur Ostdeutschlands, d. h. das Verhältnis von Erwerbstätigenzahl zu Einwohnerzahl, ist ungünstiger als im Westen. Betrachtet man hingegen wichtige Wohlfahrtsindikatoren wie Konsummöglichkeiten, Lebenserwartung, Freizeit und Einkommensungleichheit, so sind die Lebensverhältnisse in Ost- und Westdeutschland ähnlicher als das Bruttoinlandsprodukt je Einwohner:in suggeriert. In den Debatten über den Aufholprozess Ostdeutschlands sollte daher stärker auf die Arbeitsproduktivität als Maß für die Wirtschaftskraft und auf andere Wohlfahrtsindikatoren als Maß für die Angleichung der Lebensverhältnisse abgestellt werden.
Ostdeutschland gestern und morgen
Authors: Marin Dalia
Published: April 2021

Im November 2019 feierte Deutschland 30 Jahre Fall der Berliner Mauer. Die Stimmung ist düster. Heute betrachten sich zwei Drittel der Ostdeutschen als Bürger:innen zweiter Klasse wie aus einer Umfrage des Allensbach Institut für Demoskopie hervorgeht. Der Konvergenzprozess zwischen östlichem und westlichem Deutschland ist zum Stillstand gekommen und scheint sich umzukehren. Ostdeutsche wählen heute anders, denken anders und fühlen anders. Deutschland ist ein Land mit zwei Seelen.
Aufbau Ost: Lief da etwas falsch?
Authors: Pohl Rüdiger
Published: April 2021

Das sozialistische Wirtschaftssystem der DDR brach 1990 zusammen. Nach der Wiedervereinigung war es das Kernziel des Aufbaus Ost, einen Wirtschaftssektor in Ostdeutschland (der ehemaligen DDR) zu schaffen, der im internationalen Wettbewerb bestehen kann. Die ehemaligen sozialistischen Betriebe wurden privatisiert oder geschlossen. Der Staat hat Investitionen durch Subventionen massiv gefördert. Ostdeutschland hat heute eine Wirtschaftsleistung, die mit der von großen Teilen Westdeutschlands vergleichbar ist. Besonders bemerkenswert ist, dass die allgemeinen Lebensbedingungen in Ostdeutschland heute denen im Westen ähnlich sind. Der Aufbau Ost hat erreicht, was erreicht werden konnte.
Role of Bempedoic Acid in Clinical Practice
Authors: Ballantyne Christie M. , Bays Harold , Catapano Alberico L. , Goldberg Anne , Ray Kausik K. , Saseen Joseph J.
Published: April 2021

Many patients do not achieve optimal low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels with statins alone; others are unable to tolerate statin therapy. Additional non-statin treatment options including ezetimibe, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors, and bile acid sequestrants are often necessary to further reduce the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. This review provides practical guidance as to the use of bempedoic acid to lower LDL-C and includes direction as to which patients may benefit and advice for safety monitoring during treatment. Bempedoic acid, a new class of agent, is a prodrug converted to bempedoyl-CoA by very long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 1, an enzyme with high expression in the liver but that is undetectable in the skeletal muscle. Bempedoic acid inhibits the enzyme adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-citrate lyase, which lies two steps upstream from β-hydroxy β-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase in the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway. In clinical trials conducted in patients with or at risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or familial heterozygous hypercholesterolemia, bempedoic acid in combination with statins and/or ezetimibe significantly reduced LDL-C, apolipoprotein B, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein compared with placebo. Bempedoic acid is generally well tolerated with no clinically meaningful increase in muscle-related symptoms relative to placebo, even in patients taking maximally tolerated statins. A small increase in serum uric acid (mean increase 0.8 mg/dL) is the most noteworthy adverse effect. Bempedoic acid provides an effective and generally well-tolerated medication to further reduce LDL-C in patients taking maximally tolerated statins or manage LDL-C levels in those who are unable to take statins. The potential for a reduced incidence of major cardiovascular events with bempedoic acid is being investigated in the CLEAR Outcomes trial, with results expected in 2023.
Astroglial Knockout of Glucocorticoid Receptor Attenuates Morphine Withdrawal Symptoms, but Not Antinociception and Tolerance in Mice
Authors: Tertil Magdalena , Skupio Urszula , Kudla Lucja , Wiktorowska Lucja , Przewlocki Ryszard
Published: April 2021

The development of tolerance and drug dependence limit the clinical application of opioids for the treatment of severe pain. Glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) are among molecular substrates involved in these processes. Most studies focus on the role of neuronal GR, while the involvement of GR on glial cells is not fully understood. To address this issue, we used a transgenic model of conditional GR knockout mice, targeted to connexin 30-expressing astrocytes, treated with repeated doses of morphine. We observed no difference between control mice and astrocytic GR knockouts in the development of antinociceptive tolerance. Nevertheless, when animals were subjected to precipitated withdrawal, knockouts presented some attenuated symptoms, including jumping. Taken together, our data suggest that hippocampal and spinal astrocytic GRs appear to be involved in opioid withdrawal, and drugs targeting the GR may relieve some symptoms of morphine withdrawal without influencing its antinociceptive properties.
Distributed arrays: an algebra for generic distributed query processing
Authors: Güting Ralf Hartmut , Behr Thomas , Nidzwetzki Jan Kristof
Published: April 2021

We propose a simple model for distributed query processing based on the concept of a distributed array. Such an array has fields of some data type whose values can be stored on different machines. It offers operations to manipulate all fields in parallel within the distributed algebra. The arrays considered are one-dimensional and just serve to model a partitioned and distributed data set. Distributed arrays rest on a given set of data types and operations called the basic algebra implemented by some piece of software called the basic engine. It provides a complete environment for query processing on a single machine. We assume this environment is extensible by types and operations. Operations on distributed arrays are implemented by one basic engine called the master which controls a set of basic engines called the workers. It maps operations on distributed arrays to the respective operations on their fields executed by workers. The distributed algebra is completely generic: any type or operation added in the extensible basic engine will be immediately available for distributed query processing. To demonstrate the use of the distributed algebra as a language for distributed query processing, we describe a fairly complex algorithm for distributed density-based similarity clustering. The algorithm is a novel contribution by itself. Its complete implementation is shown in terms of the distributed algebra and the basic algebra. As a basic engine the Secondo system is used, a rich environment for extensible query processing, providing useful tools such as main memory M-trees, graphs, or a DBScan implementation.
Fore reef location influences spawning success and egg predation in lek-like mating territories of the bird wrasse, Gomphosus varius
Authors: Gill A. M. , Franklin E. C. , Donaldson T. J.
Published: April 2021

Many fish spawn in aggregations, but little is understood about the dynamics governing the success of spawning interactions. Here, we evaluate the influence that location of lek-like mating territories has on spawning interactions of Gomphosus varius. We used direct observations of spawning and egg predation events as well as local population counts to compare the rates of spawning, spawning interruptions, and predation on the eggs of G. varius at Finger Reef, Apra Harbor, Guam. We hypothesized that spawning rates would be highest among seaward locations that facilitate transport of pelagic larvae from reefs and that those territories would subsequently experience higher densities of egg predators, egg predation rates, and spawning interruptions. Male spawning success was highly skewed by mating territory location, with holders of the outer, seaward mating territories being more successful than those males holding territories in the middle and inner areas of the aggregation site. Within the outer territories, male mating success was also skewed by location. Egg predation was observed occasionally and increased linearly with bird wrasse spawning frequency. The population densities of egg predators were distributed equally across the study area. Spawning interruptions occurred most frequently within the inner zone of the spawning aggregation due to greater male-male aggression in intraspecific competition for females and territories. This study provides evidence that reef location influences the spawning success, egg predation rates, and spawning interruption rates of fishes that reproduce using lek-like mating territories.
Improving surface quality in selective laser melting based tool making
Authors: Simoni Filippo , Huxol Andrea , Villmer Franz-Josef
Published: April 2021

In the last years, Additive Manufacturing, thanks to its capability of continuous improvements in performance and cost-efficiency, was able to partly replace and redefine well-established manufacturing processes. This research is based on the idea to achieve great cost and operational benefits especially in the field of tool making for injection molding by combining traditional and additive manufacturing in one process chain. Special attention is given to the surface quality in terms of surface roughness and its optimization directly in the Selective Laser Melting process. This article presents the possibility for a remelting process of the SLM parts as a way to optimize the surfaces of the produced parts. The influence of laser remelting on the surface roughness of the parts is analyzed while varying machine parameters like laser power and scan settings. Laser remelting with optimized parameter settings considerably improves the surface quality of SLM parts and is a great starting point for further post-processing techniques, which require a low initial value of surface roughness.
How Many Wells? Exploring the Scope of Shale Gas Production for Achieving Gas Self-Sufficiency in Poland
Authors: Wachtmeister Henrik , Kuchler Magdalena , Höök Mikael
Published: April 2021

Poland has been estimated to possess large volumes of technically recoverable shale gas resources, which has raised national hopes for increasing energy security and building export capacity. In this paper, we aim to examine political claims and hopes that Poland could achieve natural gas self-sufficiency and even become a gas exporter by harnessing domestic shale potential. We do so by relying on well-by-well production experience from the Barnett Shale in the USA to explore what scope of shale gas extraction, in terms of the number of wells, would likely be required to achieve such national expectations. With average well productivity equal to the Barnett Shale, at least 420 wells per year would be necessary to meet the domestic demand of 20 Bcm in 2030. Adding Poland’s potential export capacity of five Bcm of gas per year would necessitate at least 540 wells per year. Such a significant amount of drilling and hydraulic fracturing would require reconsideration and verification of national energy security plans and expectations surrounding shale gas production. A more informed public debate on technical aspects of extraction would be required, as extensive fracking operations could potentially have implications in terms of environmental risks and local land-use conflicts.
Laparoscopic augmented reality registration for oncological resection site repair
Authors: Joeres Fabian , Mielke Tonia , Hansen Christian
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Resection site repair during laparoscopic oncological surgery (e.g. laparoscopic partial nephrectomy) poses some unique challenges and opportunities for augmented reality (AR) navigation support. This work introduces an AR registration workflow that addresses the time pressure that is present during resection site repair.

Methods

We propose a two-step registration process: the AR content is registered as accurately as possible prior to the tumour resection (the primary registration). This accurate registration is used to apply artificial fiducials to the physical organ and the virtual model. After the resection, these fiducials can be used for rapid re-registration (the secondary registration). We tested this pipeline in a simulated-use study with $$N=18$$

N
=
18

participants. We compared the registration accuracy and speed for our method and for landmark-based registration as a reference.

Results

Acquisition of and, thereby, registration with the artificial fiducials were significantly faster than the initial use of anatomical landmarks. Our method also had a trend to be more accurate in cases in which the primary registration was successful. The accuracy loss between the elaborate primary registration and the rapid secondary registration could be quantified with a mean target registration error increase of 2.35 mm.

Conclusion

This work introduces a registration pipeline for AR navigation support during laparoscopic resection site repair and provides a successful proof-of-concept evaluation thereof. Our results indicate that the concept is better suited than landmark-based registration during this phase, but further work is required to demonstrate clinical suitability and applicability.
Thirty years of climate mitigation: lessons from the 1989 options appraisal for the UK
Authors: Lees Eoin , Eyre Nick
Published: April 2021

In April 1989, the UK Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, convened a full cabinet meeting on climate change addressed by leading scientists. The presentation on mitigation of carbon dioxide emissions was made by the Head of the Energy Technology Support Unit (ETSU), Ken Currie, and identified the key potential options for mitigation by 2020. In this paper, we compare the mitigation potential identified for each proposed option with the 2019 outturn. The largest mitigation options identified were improved end use energy efficiency across the economy and the generation and use of low carbon electricity. Our analysis finds that these have been the key options adopted. Reductions in primary energy use, resulting from improvements in energy efficiency were concentrated in the period 2005–2012 which in 1989 were widely considered to be ambitious. Decarbonisation of electricity has been achieved by the displacement of coal, initially by gas and more recently by renewable electricity. Renewable electricity has exceeded 1989 expectations in the last 5 years and is now the biggest source of CO2reductions from electricity generation. The contribution envisaged by nuclear electricity has not occurred, largely due its failure to compete in liberalised generation markets. In all cases, the policy environment has been important. We draw lessons for mitigation options to achieve the goal of net zero emissions in the next 30 years. The contribution of demand side and other modular options will remain crucial, as mass-produced technologies tend to improve more quickly than those requiring large construction projects. Environmental, social and political factors will be important, so analysis should not be a purely techno-economic assessment.
Correction to: The development of the Norwegian wrasse fishery and the use of wrasses as cleaner fish in the salmon aquaculture industry
Authors: Gonzalez Enrique Blanco , de Boer Femke
Published: April 2021

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12562-021-01502-z
Synthesis of a sulfated-group-riched carbonaceous catalyst and its application in the esterification of succinic acid and fructose dehydration to form HMF
Authors: Liu Huihui , Peng Qian , Ren Jiawen , Shi Bianfang , Wang Yanqin
Published: April 2021

A novel sulfated-group-riched sulfonated carbonaceous catalyst with high acidic strength and adjustable ratio of acidic groups was designed in the paper, where glucose and benzyl chloride were hydrothermally carbonized first followed by sulfonation treatment. Various physicochemical techniques were used to characterize the catalyst such as IR, 13C MAS NMR and XPS spectra, NH3-TPD, XRD patterns and TG curve. Then, it was applied in the esterification of succinic acid and fructose dehydration to form HMF. Compared to commercial Amberlyst-15 catalyst, such carbonaceous solid acid exhibited excellent catalytic activity and thermal stability, which was attributed to its higher amount of sulfonic acid group.
Consumer Taxes on Alcohol: Is the Wine Sector a Niche Within the Alcoholic Beverages?
Authors: Corsinovi Paola
Published: April 2021

As alcoholic beverages play a significant role in social and economic contexts, the taxation of alcohol and its policy regulations are an inevitably complex matter. This note pays a small tribute to the great contribution made by Anderson (J Wine Econ 15(1):42–70, 2020), with a specific focus on the EU wine sector. This text is far from exhaustive but provides a starting block for a more in-depth analysis into this complex issue. Is wine a niche category within the alcoholic beverages sector? The question is provocative. This may be difficult and complex to answer, but this note provides some "food for thought".
Fully Fabric-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerators as Self-Powered Human–Machine Interactive Keyboards
Authors: Yi Jia , Dong Kai , Shen Shen , Jiang Yang , Peng Xiao , Ye Cuiying , Wang Zhong Lin
Published: April 2021

Combination flexible and stretchable textiles with self-powered sensors bring a novel insight into wearable functional electronics and cyber security in the era of Internet of Things. This work presents a highly flexible and self-powered fully fabric-based triboelectric nanogenerator (F-TENG) with sandwiched structure for biomechanical energy harvesting and real-time biometric authentication. The prepared F-TENG can power a digital watch by low-frequency motion and respond to the pressure change by the fall of leaves. A self-powered wearable keyboard (SPWK) is also fabricated by integrating large-area F-TENG sensor arrays, which not only can trace and record electrophysiological signals, but also can identify individuals' typing characteristics by means of the Haar wavelet. Based on these merits, the SPWK has promising applications in the realm of wearable electronics, self-powered sensors, cyber security, and artificial intelligences.
Pancake-Like MOF Solid-State Electrolytes with Fast Ion Migration for High-Performance Sodium Battery
Authors: Zhang Gang , Shu Jun , Xu Lin , Cai Xinyin , Zou Wenyuan , Du Lulu , Hu Song , Mai Liqiang
Published: April 2021

Solid-state electrolyte (SSE) of the sodium-ion battery have attracted tremendous attention in the next generation energy storage materials on account of their wide electrochemical window and thermal stability. However, the high interfacial impedance, low ion transference number and complex preparation process restrict the application of SSE. Herein, inspired by the excellent sieving function and high specific surface area of red blood cells, we obtained a solid-like electrolyte (SLE) based on the combination of the pancake-like metal–organic framework (MOF) with liquid electrolyte, possessing a high ionic conductivity of 6.60 × 10–4 S cm−1, and excellent sodium metal compatibility. In addition, we investigated the ion restriction effect of MOF’s apertures size and special functional groups, and the ion transference number increased from 0.16 to 0.33. Finally, the assembled Na0.44MnO2//SLE//Na full batteries showed no obvious capacity decrease after 160 cycles. This material design of SLE in our work is an important key to obtain fast ion migration SLE for high-performance sodium-ion batteries."Image missing"
Reciprocal longitudinal relations between peer victimization and mobile phone addiction: The explanatory mechanism of adolescent depression
Authors: Chen Yuanyuan , Zhu Jianjun , Zhang Wei
Published: April 2021

Introduction

Being victimized by peers has been shown to be associated with a range of adolescent problems, including mobile phone addiction (MPA). Although being victimized is assumed to lead to problem behavior, the reverse could also occur. In this longitudinal study we tested the reciprocal effects of victimization and MPA, taking into account the role of adolescent depression in these effects.

Methods

The sample included 1987 adolescents from middle schools in Guangdong and Shandong Provinces, China (56.10% male; Mageat Wave 1 = 12.32). Three waves of questionnaire data were collected at half‐year intervals during the transition from 7th to 8th grade. Cross‐lagged models were adopted for data analysis.

Results

Peer victimization at W1/W2 predicted MPA at W2/W3, and the inverse relation was also significant: MPA at W1/W2 positively predicted peer victimization at W2/W3. Furthermore, the bidirectional association between peer victimization and MPA was mediated by adolescent depression.

Conclusions

This is the first longitudinal study on the relation between MPA and associated problems. Victimization by peers and MPA appear to have mutual influences over time that are explained in part by adolescent depression. The results have potential applied value for promoting adolescent adjustment.
Teaching Disciplinary Literacy through Historical Inquiry: Training Teachers in Disciplinary Literacy and Historical Inquiry Instructional Practices
Authors: Cinnamon Serina A. , Rivera Mabel O. , Dial Sellers Heather Kimberly
Published: April 2021

This study reports on the findings of a qualitative research case study designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a professional development program on teaching disciplinary literacy through historical inquiry. Thirteen secondary social studies and English teachers participated throughout one academic school year. Participants were evaluated for their implementation of historical inquiries using primary sources and engaging students in disciplinary literacy practices using observations of classroom instruction and self-reporting surveys. The results indicated a positive relationship between teacher participation in the professional development and improvement in inquiry-based instructional approaches, incorporation of disciplinary literacy practices, and increases in their use of primary sources in the classroom. Social validation indicated that teachers found the program beneficial. This study contributes to the body of knowledge focused on disciplinary literacy and historical inquiry.
Quantitative Analysis of Ecological Networks
Authors: Dale Mark R. T. , Fortin Marie-Josée
Published: April 2021

Network thinking and network analysis are rapidly expanding features of ecological research. Network analysis of ecological systems include representations and modelling of the interactions in an ecosystem, in which species or factors are joined by pairwise connections. This book provides an overview of ecological network analysis including generating processes, the relationship between structure and dynamic function, and statistics and models for these networks. Starting with a general introduction to the composition of networks and their characteristics, it includes details on such topics as measures of network complexity, applications of spectral graph theory, how best to include indirect species interactions, and multilayer, multiplex and multilevel networks. Graduate students and researchers who want to develop and understand ecological networks in their research will find this volume inspiring and helpful. Detailed guidance to those already working in network ecology but looking for advice is also included.
Scientific Progress and Collective Attitudes
Authors: Harris Keith Raymond
Published: April 2021

Psychological-epistemic accounts take scientific progress to consist in the development of some psychological-epistemic attitude. Disagreements over what the relevant attitude is – true belief, knowledge, or understanding – divide proponents of thesemantic,epistemic,andnoeticaccounts of scientific progress, respectively. Proponents of all such accounts face a common challenge. On the face of it, only individuals have psychological attitudes. However, as I argue in what follows, increases in individual true belief, knowledge, and understanding are neither necessary nor sufficient for scientific progress. Rather than being fatal to the semantic, epistemic, and noetic accounts, this objection shows that these accounts are most plausible when they take the psychological states relevant to scientific progress to be states of communities, rather than individuals. I draw on recent work in social epistemology to develop two ways in which communities can be the bearers of irreducible psychological-epistemic states. Each way yields a strategy by which proponents of one of the psychological-epistemic accounts might attempt to account for the social dimensions of scientific progress. While I present serious reasons for concern about the first strategy, I argue that the second strategy, at least, offers a promising path forward for a psychological-epistemic account of scientific progress.
Comparing family property disputes in English and Singapore law: ‘context is everything’
Authors: Yip Man
Published: April 2021

This paper examines why Singapore law has not followed English law in the area of beneficial ownership of family property. It points out that the landmark cases in the two jurisdictions are underpinned by different family paradigms.The English landmark cases are based on the unmarried cohabitants paradigm and the legal rules that have emerged from these cases are aimed at, whether successfully or not, ensuring a fair division of the family home upon the breakdown of these relationships. In contrast, the Singapore seminal judgments are underlaid by contests between children over their parents’ property which raised questions as to the parties’ true intentions and the legal techniques to determine that. In the main, this paper argues that the legal rules that emerge in a society are shaped by the conditions of that society: these rules are purpose-built to resolve the specific types of disputes that come through the judicial system, which are in turn moulded by the distinctive conditions of that society. The discussion also shows that whilst the courts in the two jurisdictions differ in the legal techniques which they apply to determine these disputes, they do not appear to differ greatly in their understanding of human interactions and complex family relationships.