bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cosmology from confinement?
Authors: Van Raamsdonk Mark
Published: March 2022

Abstract

We describe a class of holographic models that may describe the physics of certain four-dimensional big-bang/big-crunch cosmologies. The construction involves a pair of 3D Euclidean holographic CFTs each on a homogeneous and isotropic space M coupled at either end of an interval ℐ to a Euclidean 4D CFT on M × ℐ with many fewer local degrees of freedom. We argue that in some cases, when the size of M is much greater than the length of ℐ, the theory flows to a confining three-dimensional field theory on M in the infrared, and this is reflected in the dual description by the asymptotically AdS spacetimes dual to the two 3D CFTs joining up in the IR to give a Euclidean wormhole. The Euclidean construction can be reinterpreted as generating a state of the Lorentzian 4D CFT on M × time whose dual includes the physics of a big-bang/big-crunch cosmology. When M is ℝ3, we can alternatively analytically continue one of the ℝ3 directions to get an eternally traversable four-dimensional planar wormhole. We suggest explicit microscopic examples where the 4D CFT is $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 SYM theory and the 3D CFTs are superconformal field theories with opposite orientation. In this case, the two geometries dual to the pair of 3D SCFTs can be understood as a geometrical version of a brane-antibrane pair, and the tendency of the geometries to connect up is related to the standard instability of brane-antibrane systems.
Hirntod erleben, ärztliche Sichtweise – ein phänomenologischer Ansatz
Authors: Drexler Sabine , Farin-Glattacker Erik , Kugler Christiane
Published: March 2022

Ziel

Ziel der vorliegenden Studie war die Untersuchung des Erlebens von Ärzten bei der Betreuung von (potenziell) hirntoten Patienten.

Methodik

Durchgeführt wurden episodische Interviews. Die Auswertung fand in Anlehnung an die interpretative Phänomenologie nach Benner statt.

Ergebnisse

Elf Ärzte haben an den Interviews teilgenommen. Folgende Phänomene konnten aus den Daten gewonnen werden: 1) Begegnungen mit den Angehörigen, 2) Angehörigen den Hirntod begreiflich machen, 3) Hirntod ist Tod, 4) Erleben der Pflegenden und 5) Belastungen.

Schlussfolgerung

Die Ergebnisse zeigen die Komplexität, die bei der Betreuung eines (potenziell) hirntoten Patienten aus Sicht der Ärzte wahrgenommen wird. Der Übergang vom Erhalt des Lebens des Patienten zum Organerhalten oder zum Abstellen der Geräte und die dazugehörige Aufklärung der Angehörigen erfordern hohe Kompetenzen der Ärzte. Symptome der Patienten geben den Ärzten klare diagnostische Vorgehensweisen, bestehende Unklarheiten im (Behandlungs‑)Prozess sollten behoben werden.
Seeing the good in the bad: actual clinical outcome of thrombectomy stroke patients with formally unfavorable outcome
Authors: Blum Friederike , Hager Charlotte , Taufik Homan , Wiesmann Martin , Hasan Dimah , Reich Arno , Pinho João , Nikoubashman Omid
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Clinical outcome of stroke patients is usually classified into favorable (modified Rankin scale (mRS) 0–2) and unfavorable (mRS 3–5) outcome according to the modified Rankin scale. We took a closer look at the clinical course of thrombectomy stroke patients with formal unfavorable outcome and assessed whether we could achieve our treatment goals and/or neurological improvement in these patients.

Methods

We studied 107 patients with occlusions in the terminal carotid artery or the M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery, in whom complete recanalization (eTICI 3) could be achieved, and who had an mRS of 3–5 at 90 days. We analyzed whether an individual treatment goal (i.e., preventing aphasia) and neurological improvement (NIHSS) could be achieved. In addition, we examined whether there was clinical improvement on the mRS.

Results

The treatment goal was achieved in 52% (53/103) and neurological improvement in 65% (67/103). mRS 90 days post-stroke was better than mRS upon admission in 36% (38/107) and better than or equal to mRS upon admission in 80% (86/107). Of the 93 patients with known pre-stroke mRS, 18% (17/93) already had an mRS ≥ 3, with 15 of these 17 patients having a worse mRS on admission than before. Of these 17 patients, 18% regained baseline, and 24% improved from admission.

Conclusion

Dichotomizing the mRS into favorable and unfavorable outcome does not do justice to the full spectrum of stroke. Patients with formal unfavorable outcome after mRS can improve neurologically, achieve treatment goals, and even regain their admission or pre-stroke mRS.
Antiarrhythmic Medication in Neonates and Infants with Supraventricular Tachycardia
Authors: Bruder Diana , Weber Roland , Gass Matthias , Balmer Christian , Cavigelli-Brunner Anna
Published: March 2022

Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is the most common arrhythmia in neonates and infants, and pharmacological therapy is recommended to prevent recurrent episodes. This retrospective study aims to describe and analyze the practice patterns, effectiveness, and outcome of drug therapy for SVT in patients within the first year of life. Among the 67 patients analyzed, 48 presented with atrioventricular re-entrant tachycardia, 18 with focal atrial, and one with atrioventricular nodal re-entrant. Fetal tachycardia was reported in 27%. Antiarrhythmic treatment consisted of beta-receptor blocking agents in 42 patients, propafenone in 20, amiodarone in 20, and digoxin in 5. Arrhythmia control was achieved with single drug therapy in 70% of the patients, 21% needed dual therapy, and 6% triple. Propafenone was discontinued in 7 infants due to widening of the QRS complex. After 12 months (6–60), 75% of surviving patients were tachycardia-free and discontinued prophylactic treatment. Patients with fetal tachycardia had a significantly higher risk of persistent tachycardia (p: 0.007). Prophylactic antiarrhythmic medication for SVT in infancy is safe and well tolerated. Arrhythmia control is often achieved with single medication, and after cessation, most patients are free of arrhythmias. Infants with SVT and a history of fetal tachycardia are more prone to suffer from persistent SVT and relapses after cessation of prophylactic antiarrhythmic medication than infants with the first episode of SVT after birth.
Doxorubicin induces cardiotoxicity in a pluripotent stem cell model of aggressive B cell lymphoma cancer patients
Authors: Haupt Luis Peter , Rebs Sabine , Maurer Wiebke , Hübscher Daniela , Tiburcy Malte , Pabel Steffen , Maus Andreas , Köhne Steffen , Tappu Rewati , Haas Jan , Li Yun , Sasse Andre , Santos Celio C. X. , Dressel Ralf , Wojnowski Leszek , Bunt Gertrude , Möbius Wiebke , Shah Ajay M. , Meder Benjamin , Wollnik Bernd , Sossalla Samuel , Hasenfuss Gerd , Streckfuss-Bömeke Katrin
Published: March 2022

Cancer therapies with anthracyclines have been shown to induce cardiovascular complications. The aims of this study were to establish an in vitro induced pluripotent stem cell model (iPSC) of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity (ACT) from patients with an aggressive form of B-cell lymphoma and to examine whether doxorubicin (DOX)-treated ACT-iPSC cardiomyocytes (CM) can recapitulate the clinical features exhibited by patients, and thus help uncover a DOX-dependent pathomechanism. ACT-iPSC CM generated from individuals with CD20+ B-cell lymphoma who had received high doses of DOX and suffered cardiac dysfunction were studied and compared to control-iPSC CM from cancer survivors without cardiac symptoms. In cellular studies, ACT-iPSC CM were persistently more susceptible to DOX toxicity including augmented disorganized myofilament structure, changed mitochondrial shape, and increased apoptotic events. Consistently, ACT-iPSC CM and cardiac fibroblasts isolated from fibrotic human ACT myocardium exhibited higher DOX-dependent reactive oxygen species. In functional studies, Ca2+ transient amplitude of ACT-iPSC CM was reduced compared to control cells, and diastolic sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ leak was DOX-dependently increased. This could be explained by overactive CaMKIIδ in ACT CM. Together with DOX-dependent augmented proarrhythmic cellular triggers and prolonged action potentials in ACT CM, this suggests a cellular link to arrhythmogenic events and contractile dysfunction especially found in ACT engineered human myocardium. CamKIIδ inhibition prevented proarrhythmic triggers in ACT. In contrast, control CM upregulated SERCA2a expression in a DOX-dependent manner, possibly to avoid heart failure conditions. In conclusion, we developed the first human patient-specific stem cell model of DOX-induced cardiac dysfunction from patients with B-cell lymphoma. Our results suggest that DOX-induced stress resulted in arrhythmogenic events associated with contractile dysfunction and finally in heart failure after persistent stress activation in ACT patients.
Different strategies in pointing tasks and their impact on clinical bedside tests of spatial orientation
Authors: Gerb J. , Brandt T. , Dieterich M.
Published: March 2022

Deficits in spatial memory, orientation, and navigation are often early or neglected signs of degenerative and vestibular neurological disorders. A simple and reliable bedside test of these functions would be extremely relevant for diagnostic routine. Pointing at targets in the 3D environment is a basic well-trained common sensorimotor ability that provides a suitable measure. We here describe a smartphone-based pointing device using the built-in inertial sensors for analysis of pointing performance in azimuth and polar spatial coordinates. Interpretation of the vectors measured in this way is not trivial, since the individuals tested may use at least two different strategies: first, they may perform the task in an egocentric eye-based reference system by aligning the fingertip with the target retinotopically or second, by aligning the stretched arm and the index finger with the visual line of sight in allocentric world-based coordinates similar to using a rifle. The two strategies result in considerable differences of target coordinates. A pilot test with a further developed design of the device and an app for a standardized bedside utilization in five healthy volunteers revealed an overall mean deviation of less than 5° between the measured and the true coordinates. Future investigations of neurological patients comparing their performance before and after changes in body position (chair rotation) may allow differentiation of distinct orientational deficits in peripheral (vestibulopathy) or central (hippocampal or cortical) disorders.
Impact of preoperative weight loss achieved by gastric balloon on peri- and postoperative outcomes of bariatric surgery in super-obese patients: a retrospective matched-pair analysis
Authors: Hering Ilona , Dörries Luise , Flemming Sven , Krietenstein Laura , Koschker Ann-Kathrin , Fassnacht Martin , Germer Christoph-Thomas , Hankir Mohammed K. , Seyfried Florian
Published: March 2022

Background

An intragastric balloon is used to cause weight loss in super-obese patients (BMI > 60 kg/m2) prior to bariatric surgery. Whether weight loss from intragastric balloon influences that from bariatric surgery is poorly studied.

Methods

In this retrospective, single-center study, the effects of intragastric balloon in 26 patients (BMI 69.26 ± 6.81) on weight loss after bariatric surgery (primary endpoint), postoperative complications within 30 days, hospital readmission, operation time, and MTL30 (secondary endpoints) were evaluated. Fifty-two matched-pair patients without intragastric balloon prior to bariatric surgery were used as controls.

Results

Intragastric balloon resulted in a weight loss of 17.3 ± 14.1 kg (BMI 5.75 ± 4.66 kg/m2) with a nadir after 5 months. Surgical and postoperative outcomes including complications were comparable between both groups. Total weight loss was similar in both groups (29.0% vs. 32.2%, p = 0.362). Direct postoperative weight loss was more pronounced in the control group compared to the gastric balloon group (29.16 ± 7.53% vs 23.78 ± 9.89% after 1 year, p < 0.05 and 32.13 ± 10.5% vs 22.21 ± 10.9% after 2 years, p < 0.05), who experienced an earlier nadir and started to regain weight during the follow-up.

Conclusion

A multi-stage therapeutic approach with gastric balloon prior to bariatric surgery in super-obese patients may be effective to facilitate safe surgery. However, with the gastric balloon, pre-treated patients experienced an attenuated postoperative weight loss with an earlier nadir and earlier body weight regain. This should be considered when choosing the appropriate therapeutic regime and managing patients’ expectations.
National differences in implementation of minimally invasive surgery for colorectal cancer and the influence on short-term outcomes
Authors: Warps A. K. , Saraste D. , Westerterp M. , Detering R. , Sjövall A. , Martling A. , Dekker J. W. T. , Tollenaar R. A. E. M. , Matthiessen P. , Tanis P. J. ,   The Dutch ColoRectal Audit and Swedish Colorectal Cancer Registry
Published: March 2022

Background

The timing and degree of implementation of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for colorectal cancer vary among countries. Insights in national differences regarding implementation of new surgical techniques and the effect on postoperative outcomes are important for quality assurance, can show potential areas for country-specific improvement, and might be illustrative and supportive for similar implementation programs in other countries. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate differences in patient selection, applied techniques, and results of minimal invasive surgery for colorectal cancer between the Netherlands and Sweden.

Methods

Patients who underwent elective minimally invasive surgery for T1-3 colon or rectal cancer (2012–2018) registered in the Dutch ColoRectal Audit or Swedish ColoRectal Cancer Registry were included. Time trends in the application of MIS were determined. Outcomes were compared for time periods with a similar level of MIS implementation (Netherlands 2012–2013 versus Sweden 2017–2018). Multilevel analyses were performed to identify factors associated with adverse short-term outcomes.

Results

A total of 46,095 Dutch and 8,819 Swedish patients undergoing MIS for colorectal cancer were included. In Sweden, MIS implementation was approximately 5 years later than in the Netherlands, with more robotic surgery and lower volumes per hospital. Although conversion rates were higher in Sweden, oncological and surgical outcomes were comparable. MIS in the Netherlands for the years 2012–2013 resulted in a higher reoperation rate for colon cancer and a higher readmission rate but lower non-surgical complication rates for rectal cancer if compared with MIS in Sweden during 2017–2018.

Conclusion

This study showed that the implementation of MIS for colorectal cancer occurred later in Sweden than the Netherlands, with comparable outcomes despite lower volumes. Our study demonstrates that new surgical techniques can be implemented at a national level in a controlled and safe way, with thorough quality assurance.
A Machian Reformulation of Quantum Mechanics
Authors: Glampedakis Kostas
Published: March 2022

The widely known but also somewhat esoteric Mach principle envisages a fully relational formulation of physical theories without any reference to a concept of ‘absolute space’. When applied to classical mechanics, under the guise of an extended symmetry group, this procedure is known to lead to an equation of motion with inertial-like forces that are sourced by the mass distribution of the system itself. In this paper we follow a similar procedure and reformulate the Schrödinger equation of non-relativistic quantum mechanics in a fully Machian way. Just like its classical counterpart, the resulting quantum theory is fully relational in the positions and momenta of the bodies comprising a given physical system, leaving no room for the notion of absolute space.
Genetically based adaptive trait shifts at an expanding mangrove range margin
Authors: Kennedy John Paul , Johnson Giles N. , Preziosi Richard F. , Rowntree Jennifer K.
Published: March 2022

Neotropical black mangrove (Avicennia germinans) is expanding poleward into temperate salt marsh along Atlantic Florida, USA, with field evidence of trait shifts consistent with greater cold tolerance within range margin populations. However, whether these shifts have a genetic basis remains unanswered. To address this gap, we measured multiple phenotypic traits of twentyA. germinansmaternal cohorts from areas in both the Atlantic Florida range core and margin in a 2-year greenhouse common garden with annual temperatures analogous to range margin conditions. Compared to those from the range core, range margin cohorts survived in greater numbers, established (i.e., produced first true leaves) more quickly, and were less stressed under winter temperatures. Range margin cohorts were not taller, but invested more into lateral growth and biomass accumulation that presumably reflects adaptation to their colder and open-canopy environment. Range margin cohorts also exhibited leaf traits consistent with greater resource acquisition that may compensate for a shorter growing season and reduced light quality at higher latitude. Our results suggest that genetically based phenotypic differences better enable these range margin mangroves to thrive within their stressful environment and may facilitate further poleward expansion. An improved understanding of adaptive trait variation within ecologically important mangrove foundation species should also help inform coastal restoration initiatives.
Bias Versus Non-Convexity in Compressed Sensing
Authors: Gerosa Daniele , Carlsson Marcus , Olsson Carl
Published: March 2022

Cardinality and rank functions are ideal ways of regularizing under-determined linear systems, but optimization of the resulting formulations is made difficult since both these penalties are non-convex and discontinuous. The most common remedy is to instead use the $$\ell ^1$$

ℓ
1

- and nuclear norms. While these are convex and can therefore be reliably optimized, they suffer from a shrinking bias that degrades the solution quality in the presence of noise. This well-known drawback has given rise to a fauna of non-convex alternatives, which usually features better global minima at the price of maybe getting stuck in undesired local minima. We focus in particular penalties based on the quadratic envelope, which have been shown to have global minima which even coincide with the “oracle solution,” i.e., there is no bias at all. So, which one do we choose, convex with a definite bias, or non-convex with no bias but less predictability? In this article, we develop a framework which allows us to interpolate between these alternatives; that is, we construct sparsity inducing penalties where the degree of non-convexity/bias can be chosen according to the specifics of the particular problem.
Effects of Si and Sr elements on solidification microstructure and thermal conductivity of Al–Si-based alloys
Authors: Zhang Xun , Zhou Yuli , Zhong Gu , Zhang Junchao , Chen Yunan , Jie Wanqi , Schumacher Peter , Li Jiehua
Published: March 2022

Effects of Si and Sr on solidification microstructure and thermal conductivity of Al–Si binary alloys and Al–9Si–Sr ternary were investigated, respectively, with a special focus on the relationship between solidification microstructure and thermal conductivity. It was found that (i) in Al–Si binary alloys, with increasing Si content, α-Al grain size increases and then decreases when Si content is over 7 wt%, while the percentage of eutectic Si continuously increases, which significantly decreases the thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity, and (ii) in Al–9Si–Sr ternary alloys, the presence of Sr has no significant effect on α-Al grain, but effectively modifies eutectic Si and significantly improves the thermal and electrical conductivity. On this basis, two theoretical calculation models [the Maxwell model and the Hashin–Shtrikman (H–S) model] were used to elucidate the relationship between solidification microstructure and thermal conductivity. Compared with the Maxwell model, the H–S model fits better with the measured values. The obtained results are very helpful to the precise composition control during alloy design and recycling of Al–Si-based alloys with the aim to further improve the thermal conductivity of Al–Si-based alloys.

Graphical abstract
Vocalisation Repertoire at the End of the First Year of Life: An Exploratory Comparison of Rett Syndrome and Typical Development
Authors: Bartl-Pokorny Katrin D. , Pokorny Florian B. , Garrido Dunia , Schuller Björn W. , Zhang Dajie , Marschik Peter B.
Published: March 2022

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a rare, late detected developmental disorder associated with severe deficits in the speech-language domain. Despite a few reports about atypicalities in the speech-language development of infants and toddlers with RTT, a detailed analysis of the pre-linguistic vocalisation repertoire of infants with RTT is yet missing. Based on home video recordings, we analysed the vocalisations between 9 and 11 months of age of three female infants with typical RTT and compared them to three age-matched typically developing (TD) female controls. The video material of the infants had a total duration of 424 min with 1655 infant vocalisations. For each month, we (1) calculated the infants’ canonical babbling ratios with CBRUTTER, i.e., the ratio of number of utterances containing canonical syllables to total number of utterances, and (2) classified their pre-linguistic vocalisations in three non-canonical and four canonical vocalisation subtypes. All infants achieved the milestone of canonical babbling at 9 months of age according to their canonical babbling ratios, i.e. CBRUTTER ≥ 0.15. We revealed overall lower CBRsUTTER and a lower proportion of canonical pre-linguistic vocalisations consisting of well-formed sounds that could serve as parts of target-language words for the RTT group compared to the TD group. Further studies with more data from individuals with RTT are needed to study the atypicalities in the pre-linguistic vocalisation repertoire which may portend the later deficits in spoken language that are characteristic features of RTT.
Chemical Attraction of Gall Midge Pollinators (Cecidomyiidae: Cecidomyiinae) to Anthurium acutangulum (Araceae)
Authors: Etl Florian , Francke Wittko , Schönenberger Jürg , Dötterl Stefan
Published: March 2022

Flowering plants often use chemical signals to attract their pollinators, and compounds that elicit attraction are known for several groups of pollinators. For other pollinators such as gall midges, however, compounds responsible for their attraction to flowers are largely unknown. Here, we describe the pollination biology of Anthurium acutangulum, a Neotropical aroid species found to be attractive to gall midges. We collected and analyzed its floral scent by dynamic headspace collections and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, and identified compounds responsible for pollinator attraction. The inflorescences were almost exclusively visited by gall midges (females; Cecidomyiidae: Cecidomyiinae) and released a strong scent reminiscent of freshly cut cucumber, mainly (5S,7S)-trans-conophthorin, (E2,Z6)-2,6-nonadienal, and cis-conophthorin. Behavioral assays with the two most abundant compounds identified (E2,Z6)-2,6-nonadienal as being highly attractive to the female gall midge pollinators, whereas (5S,7S)-trans-conophthorin was not attractive. Overall, we introduce a new specialized gall midge pollination system and identify the chemical mediating communication between the pollinators and their host plants.
Suppressing chaos in damped driven systems by non-harmonic excitations: experimental robustness against potential’s mismatches
Authors: Palmero Faustino , Chacón Ricardo
Published: March 2022

The robustness of a chaos-suppressing scenario against potential mismatches is experimentally studied through the universal model of a damped, harmonically driven two-well Duffing oscillator subject to non-harmonic chaos-suppressing excitations. We consider a second order analogous electrical circuit having an extremely simple two-well potential that differs from that of the standard two-well Duffing model, and compare the main theoretical predictions regarding the chaos-suppressing scenario from the latter with experimental results from the former. Our experimental results prove the high robustness of the chaos-suppressing scenario against potential mismatches regardless of the (constant) values of the remaining parameters. Specifically, the predictions of an inverse dependence of the regularization area in the control parameter plane on the impulse of the chaos-suppressing excitation as well as of a minimal effective amplitude of the chaos-suppressing excitation when the impulse transmitted is maximum were experimentally confirmed.
Mapping design activities and methods of public sector innovation units through the policy cycle model
Authors: Villa Alvarez Diana Pamela , Auricchio Valentina , Mortati Marzia
Published: March 2022

Over the last two decades, the design practice has been expanding to the public sphere to generate solutions for public challenges. In particular, the reflections on the design practice of public sector innovation (PSI) units, working in or with governments, are increasingly contributing to a growing body of literature attempting to characterise the practice in policy making. Although scholars conclude that design’s significant contribution in policy refers to the implementation of public services and programs, there is also an urgent advocacy for a deeper study of the nature of design practices within earlier stages of policy processes addressing more specifically policy proposals and reforms. As part of a broader investigation, this paper seeks to shed light to this matter by identifying design-led activities and methods of PSI units in the policy making process and positioning them in the stages of the policy cycle. This research examines academic, grey literature and web content to uncover and position design activities of 46 PSI units from different continents in a policy cycle model based on Howlett, Ramesh and Perl (2009). Our work confirms that most design activities develop in the implementation stage rather than in early stages of the policy process. While design interventions are growing within policy formulation and agenda-setting stages, few of them were identified in the stage of policy evaluation. Decision-making stage remains purely political. This research may serve to a further understanding of the design practice and its potential contribution to policy making in the future.
The Extension of the LeiCNS-PK3.0 Model in Combination with the “Handshake” Approach to Understand Brain Tumor Pathophysiology
Authors: Hirasawa Makoto , Saleh Mohammed A. A. , de Lange Elizabeth C. M.
Published: March 2022

Micrometastatic brain tumor cells, which cause recurrence of malignant brain tumors, are often protected by the intact blood–brain barrier (BBB). Therefore, it is essential to deliver effective drugs across not only the disrupted blood-tumor barrier (BTB) but also the intact BBB to effectively treat malignant brain tumors. Our aim is to predict pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles in brain tumor regions with the disrupted BTB and the intact BBB to support the successful drug development for malignant brain tumors. LeiCNS-PK3.0, a comprehensive central nervous system (CNS) physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model, was extended to incorporate brain tumor compartments. Most pathophysiological parameters of brain tumors were obtained from literature and two missing parameters of the BTB, paracellular pore size and expression level of active transporters, were estimated by fitting existing data, like a “handshake”. Simultaneous predictions were made for PK profiles in extracellular fluids (ECF) of brain tumors and normal-appearing brain and validated on existing data for six small molecule anticancer drugs. The LeiCNS-tumor model predicted ECF PK profiles in brain tumor as well as normal-appearing brain in rat brain tumor models and high-grade glioma patients within twofold error for most data points, in combination with estimated paracellular pore size of the BTB and active efflux clearance at the BTB. Our model demonstrated a potential to predict PK profiles of small molecule drugs in brain tumors, for which quantitative information on pathophysiological alterations is available, and contribute to the efficient and successful drug development for malignant brain tumors.
Speaking Truth to Power and Power to Truth: Reflections from the Pandemic
Authors: Donadelli Flavia , Gregory Robert
Published: March 2022

The complex relationship between science and politics has been a perennial issue in public administration. In this debate it is important to distinguish between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ politics, and between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ science. The Covid-19 pandemic has valorised the importance of science in shaping governmental responses, and has tended to contrast politics negatively with science. However, technocratic approaches to policymaking downplay the importance of politics in policymaking. Two case studies, of countries where there have been markedly different pandemic outcomes are used to illustrate the relationship between science and politics during this public health crisis – New Zealand and Brazil. In New Zealand there has been a positive and effective, if technocratic, relationship between science and politics, while in Brazil the relationship between the two domains has been fraught.
EU Citizens’ Access to Welfare Rights: How (not) to Think About Unreasonable Burdens?
Authors: Efthymiou Dimitrios E.
Published: March 2022

Defenders of current restrictions on EU immigrants’ access to welfare rights in host member states often invoke a principle of reciprocity among member states to justify these policies. The argument is that membership of a system of social cooperation triggers duties of reciprocity characteristic of welfare rights. Newly arriving EU immigrants who look for work do not meet the relevant criteria of membership, the argument goes, because they have not yet contributed enough to qualify as members on the grounds of reciprocity. Therefore, current restrictions on their access to welfare rights are justified. In this article, I challenge this argument by showing how restrictions on EU immigrants’ access to welfare rights are inconsistent with duties of international reciprocity. There are different variations of this challenge, but my focus here will be on one that uses a veil of ignorance device to support this claim. What matters from a perspective concerned with international reciprocity, I will argue, is what kind of welfare policy EU member states would choose were they not to know whether those receiving EU migrants were net contributors or net beneficiaries to the relevant scheme of international cooperation made possible by the four freedoms, and freedom of movement in particular. I argue that framing the requirement of reciprocity in this way provides a more comprehensive understanding of what should count as an ‘unreasonable burden’ on the welfare systems of host member states. The paper also examines alternative accounts of ‘unreasonable burdens’. It shows when and how the current institutional structure of the EU could take steps to deal with such burdens by preventing member states from gaming a comprehensive system of welfare rights protections across member states and by recognising the achievements of those member states that best serve them.
Swimming performance of sharks and rays under climate change
Authors: Vilmar Matilda , Di Santo Valentina
Published: March 2022

Climate change stressors (e.g., warming and ocean acidification) are an imminent challenge to the physiological performance of marine organisms. Several studies spanning the last decade have reported widespread effects of warming and acidification on marine fishes, especially teleosts, but more work is needed to elucidate the responses in marine elasmobranchs, i.e., sharks and rays. Dispersal capacity, as a result of locomotor performance, is a crucial trait that will determine which group of elasmobranchs will be more or less vulnerable to changes in the environment. In fact, efficient and high locomotor performance may determine the capacity for elasmobranchs to relocate to a more favorable area. In this review we integrate findings from work on locomotion of marine sharks and rays to identify characteristics that outline potential vulnerabilities and strength of sharks and rays under climate change. Traits such as intraspecific variability in response to climatic stressors, wide geographic range, thermotaxis, fast swimming or low energetic costs of locomotion are likely to enhance the capacity to disperse. Future studies may focus on understanding the interacting effect of climatic stressors on morphology, biomechanics and energetics of steady and unsteady swimming, across ontogeny and species.
The Psyche Topography and Geomorphology Investigation
Authors: Jaumann Ralf , Bell James F. , Polanskey Carol A. , Raymond Carol A. , Aspaugh Erik , Bercovici David , Bills Bruce R. , Binzel Richard , Bottke William , Christoph John M. , Marchi Simone , Neesemann Alicia , Otto Katharina , Park Ryan S. , Preusker Frank , Roatsch Thomas , Williams David A. , Wieczorek Mark A. , Zuber Maria T.
Published: March 2022

Detailed mapping of topography is crucial for the understanding of processes shaping the surfaces of planetary bodies. In particular, stereoscopic imagery makes a major contribution to topographic mapping and especially supports the geologic characterization of planetary surfaces. Image data provide the basis for extensive studies of the surface structure and morphology on local, regional and global scales using photogeologic information from images, the topographic information from stereo-derived digital terrain models and co-registered spectral terrain information from color images. The objective of the Psyche topography and geomorphology investigation is to derive the detailed shape of (16) Psyche to generate orthorectified image mosaics, which are needed to study the asteroids’ landforms, interior structure, and the processes that have modified the surface over geologic time. In this paper we describe our approaches for producing shape models, and our plans for acquiring requested image data to quantify the expected accuracy of the results. Multi-angle images obtained by Psyche’s camera will be used to create topographic models with about 15 m/pixel horizontal resolution and better than 10 m height accuracy on a global scale. This is slightly better as global imaging obtained during the Dawn mission, however, both missions yield resolutions of a few m/pixel locally. Two different techniques, stereophotogrammetry and stereophotoclinometry, are used to model the shape; these models will be merged with the gravity fields obtained by the Psyche spacecraft to produce geodetically controlled topographic models. The resulting digital topography models, together with the gravity data, will reveal the tectonic, volcanic, impact, and gradational history of Psyche, and enable co-registration of data sets to determine Psyche’s geologic history.
Criteria for naturalness in conceptual spaces
Authors: Strößner Corina
Published: March 2022

Conceptual spaces are a frequently applied framework for representing concepts. One of its central aims is to find criteria for what makes a concept natural. A prominent demand is that natural concepts cover convex regions in conceptual spaces. The first aim of this paper is to analyse the convexity thesis and the arguments that have been advanced in its favour or against it. Based on this, I argue that most supporting arguments focus on single-domain concepts (e.g., colours, smells, shapes). Unfortunately, these concepts are not the primary examples of natural concepts. Building on this observation, the second aim of the paper is to develop criteria for natural multi-domain concepts. The representation of such concepts has two main aspects: features that are associated with the concept and the probabilistic correlation pattern which the concept captures. Conceptual spaces, together with probabilistic considerations, provide a helpful framework to approach these aspects. With respect to feature representation, the existence of characteristic features (i.e., that apples have a specific taste) is essential. Moreover, natural concepts capture peaks of a probabilistic distribution over complex spaces. They carve up nature at its joints, that is, at areas with no or low probabilistic density. This last aspect is shown to be closely related to the convexity demand.
Chemical Quality of Waters of the Atoyac-Verde River As It Passes Through Forest Ecosystems of Oaxaca, Mexico
Authors: Sánchez-Bernal Edgar Iván , Ortega-Escobar Héctor Manuel , Can-Chulim Álvaro , Ortega-Baranda Verónica , Camacho-Escobar Marco Antonio , Mancilla-Villa Oscar Raúl
Published: March 2022

In granitic regions, water salinity typically ranges from 30 to 40 mg L−1at the surface and from 300 to 500 mg L−1for groundwater. Technogenic activity in Oaxaca has altered the concentration and chemical composition, which explains the occurrence of salinization processes and contamination of natural waters. To determine the physical–chemical composition of the Atoyac-Verde river, fifty-two water samples were collected from tributaries and semi-deep wells in the basin. The pH, electrical conductivity (EC), major cations and anions, total dissolved solids (TDS), residual sodium carbonate (RSC), and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) were identified. Likewise, osmotic potential (Ψπ) was evaluated, and the effective salinity (ES) and potential salinity (PS) indexes. Results indicate that the water of the basin is bicarbonate-magnesium-calcium. Of the 52 samples analyzed, only 2 identified in the high relief points presented high levels of alkalinity and salinity with a pH of 8.1, EC of 2320 µS cm−1, Ψπ of − 0.08 MPa, SAR of 3.74 (mmolcL−1)1/2, RSC of 0.53, ES of 9.88, and PS of 7.79 mmolcL−1, indicating restriction for its use in agricultural and domestic activities. In the meso relief, the water did not present restrictive levels for anthropic use, while in the low relief, only two points presented high salinity levels and restriction of anthropic use. In conclusion, the greatest chemical alteration of the water was detected in areas close to the city of Oaxaca and to a lesser extent in areas adjacent to riverside populations of more than 2500 inhabitants.
An Appraisal of the Role of the Neocerebellum for Spatial Navigation in Healthy Aging
Authors: Ramanoël Stephen , Durteste Marion , Perot Victor , Habas Christophe , Arleo Angelo
Published: March 2022

Spatial navigation is an intricate ability, requiring multisensory and motor integration, that is particularly impacted in aging. The age-related decline in navigational capabilities is known to be associated with changes in brain regions such as the frontal, temporal, and cerebellar cortices. Age-related cerebellar differences in spatial navigation have generally been ascribed to motor impairments, omitting the central role of this structure in several cognitive processes. In the present voxel-based morphometric study, we investigated gray matter volume loss in older adults across cognitive and motor subregions of the cerebellum. Specifically, we hypothesized that age-related gray matter differences would occur mainly in cerebellar regions involved in cognitive processing. Our results showed a significant age-related atrophy in the left neocerebellum of healthy older adults that includes Crus I and lobule VI. The latter are important nodes in the network that subtends cognitive abilities such as object recognition and spatial cognition. This exploratory work sets the ground for future research to investigate the extent of the neocerebellum’s contribution to spatial navigation deficits in aging.
Fetal malformations associated with exposure to mycophenolic acid during the first trimester
Authors: Khan Faisal , Syed Faaezuddin , AbdulMuthalib Hamna , Dammas Nada , Al Alaiyan Saleh , Al Hazzani Fahad , Kattan AbdelHakeem , Jabr Mohammed Bin , Manea AbdelAziz Bin , Almidani Eyad
Published: March 2022

Mycophenolic acid [MPA] is a powerful inhibitor of lymphocyte proliferation. Although this drug has been used across the globe for various maternal comorbidities, multiple concerns have been raised regarding its teratogenic effects. The Food and Drug Administration has changed its category to drug category D (evidence of fetal risk) in 2007. A wide range of congenital malformations in infants born to a mother using this medication have been described in the literature, but there is no specific set pattern of these malformations. We report a case of a female infant who had exposure to mycophenolate by maternal use during the initial phase of 1st trimester of her pregnancy and ended up having multiple congenital malformations. She was managed with multidisciplinary approach and was finally discharged home on respiratory support, after two months of hospital stay. The fact that our patient shared a pattern of congenital malformations with other reported cases who were exposed to mycophenolate in utero strongly suggests that mycophenolate had a causal role and that there might be an emerging fetal mycophenolate mofetil syndrome (FMMS).
God and Prayer
Authors: Davison Scott A.
Published: March 2022

Are there good reasons for offering petitionary prayers to God, if God exists? Could such prayers make a difference in the world? Could we ever have good reason to think that such prayers had been answered? In this Element, the author will carefully explore these questions with special attention to recent philosophical discussions.
What’s Bad about Friendship with Bad People?
Authors: Mason Cathy
Published: March 2022

Is there something bad about being friends with seriously bad people? Intuitively, it seems so, but it is hard to see why this should be. This is especially the case since some other kinds of loving relationship with bad people look morally acceptable or even good. In this paper, I argue that friendship inherently involves taking one’s friends seriously, which involves openness to their beliefs, concerns, and subjective interests. Deeply immoral views and attitudes ought not to be taken seriously or considered as options, and I argue that this explains why being friends with bad people is itself morally problematic. I go on to contrast this with Jessica Isserow’s (2018) explanation of what’s bad about friendship with bad people, and I suggest that my account is better placed to explain why friendships with bad people are morally problematic but some other loving relationships with bad people are not.
Integrative pluralism and security studies: The implications for International Relations theory
Authors: Banta Benjamin , Kaufman Stuart J.
Published: March 2022

The idea of integrative pluralism offers a promising path for the development of theory in international security and international relations. Instead of either trying to shoehorn all theorising into a single, limited paradigm or giving up entirely on theoretical progress, the integrative pluralist approach calls for bringing diverse approaches together. More precisely, integrative pluralism involves explaining specific phenomena by linking causal processes across multiple layers of reality, and then using the findings to inform broader theoretical constructs such as IR theory paradigms. Elements of the integrative pluralism approach are already visible in the work of mainstream scholars such as Snyder and Katzenstein, as well as of critical scholars such as Sjoberg and Hansen, but the field has tended to overlook these scholars’ efforts at theoretical integration. To more explicitly develop integrative pluralism for our field, this article first draws on critical realist philosophy and social theory. It then illustrates how further steps in this direction might be taken, in particular by highlighting the integrative pluralist aspects of Kaufman's applications of symbolic politics theory to explaining ethnic conflict and war more generally.
Biogeography of northeastern Atlantic Neogene chitons (Mollusca, Polyplacophora): New data from the Pliocene of Portugal
Authors: Dell'Angelo Bruno , Landau Bernard M. , Silva Carlos Marques da , Sosso Maurizio
Published: March 2022

Based on extensive new material, 2088 valves resulting from search sampling of ~500 kg of sediment, the Pliocene chiton biodiversity of the Mondego Basin (Portugal) is reassessed. Twelve species were identified, assigned to seven genera. Eight species are new for the Pliocene of Portugal, as well as two of the genera:Hanleya, Acanthochitona. Two taxa are described as new:Ischnochiton loureiroin. sp. andLepidochitona rochaen. sp. Until now, the polyplacophoran European Neogene record was too poorly known to be of help in generating a clear picture of the Miocene to present-day biogeography of the group. This new wealth of data from western Iberia, in conjunction with recent data from the Loire Basin Upper Miocene assemblages (France), allows clarification the Late Miocene to Recent eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean biogeography of the Polyplacophora. The northern range of warm-water northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean Polyplacophora experienced a sharp contraction since, at least, Late Miocene to Early Pliocene times. Warm-water chiton species represented in the Upper Miocene of the Loire Basin of NE France (European-West African Province) and the Pliocene of the Mondego Basin of central-west Portugal (Pliocene French-Iberian Province) are today confined to the southern Mediterranean-Moroccan Molluscan Province.

UUID:http://zoobank.org/a2a550c0-caed-449a-aa45-9492c45f882e
Soviet Ghosts: The Former Theater of the Soviet Army in Lviv and Post-Socialism as a Crisis of Infrastructure
Authors: Fowler Mayhill C.
Published: March 2022

The author argues that one of the central crises of post-socialist culture is that of infrastructure: specifically, the categories of state and public, and how those are understood in relation to funding and managing the arts. War in Donbas has created a situation of scarcity and opportunity, creating small openings for changes in theatrical policy at the government level and changes in management at the local level. The article offers several examples of theaters resulting from or responding to changes in theatrical infrastructure, and uses the case study of Teatr Lesi, the former Soviet Army theater in Lviv, to demonstrate the fundamental transformation of theatrical infrastructure in Ukraine since 2014.
Determination of the mature weight of intact male hair sheep
Authors: Mendes M. S. , Lôbo R. N. B. , Herbster C. J. L. , Souza J. G. , Rodrigues J. P. P. , Marcondes M. I. , Pereira E. S.
Published: March 2022

The objective of this study is to provide approaches to determine the mature weight of intact male hair sheep using body composition data. To estimate empty body weight (EBW) at maturity, we used information from eight independent studies comprising a total of 250 intact males in growing and finishing phases. The quantitative data used for each animal were body weight (BW), EBW, water-free EBW protein content, water-free EBW fat content, water-free EBW ash content and EBW water content. The water, protein, fat and ash contents in the EBW and water-free EBW were predicted by non-linear regressions. The best model was chosen considering the achievement of convergence and capacity for biological explanation. The standard deviation of the asymptotic EBW was computed using a simulation method based on a Monte Carlo approach. Among the non-linear evaluations, only the allometric function converged with the parameters within the expected biological limits. To estimate mature EBW, only protein and fat were suitable to predict estimates with the capacity to biological explanation. The water and protein contents in the EBW were closely associated. Animal maturity can be estimated mathematically using body composition. Maturity was reached at an EBW of 47.3 and 57.5 kg when protein and fat were used as a predictor, respectively. We conclude that protein is a good predictor of maturity for intact male hair sheep.