bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fenix: Distributed e-Infrastructure Services for EBRAINS
Authors: Alam Sadaf , Bartolome Javier , Bassini Sanzio , Carpene Michele , Cestari Mirko , Combeau Frederic , Girona Sergi , Gorini Stefano , Fiameni Giuseppe , Hagemeier Björn , Herten Andreas , Kiapidou Nikoleta , Klijn Wouter , Krause Dorian , Lafoucriere Jacques-Charles , Leong Cerlane , Leibovici Thomas , Lippert Thomas , McMurtrie Colin , Mezentsev Pavel , Nahm Anne , Orth Boris , Pleiter Dirk , Schulthess Thomas , von St. Vieth Benedikt , Testi Debora , Wiber Gilles
Published: July 2021

The Human Brain Project (HBP) (https://humanbrainproject.eu/) is a large-scale flagship project funded by the European Commission with the goal of establishing a research infrastructure for brain science. This research infrastructure is currently being realised and will be called EBRAINS (https://ebrains.eu/). The wide ranging EBRAINS services for the brain research communities require diverse access, processing and storage capabilities. As a result, it will strongly rely on e-infrastructure services. The HBP led to the creation of Fenix (https://fenix-ri.eu/), a collaboration of five European supercomputing centres, who are providing a set of federated e-infrastructure services to EBRAINS. The Fenix architecture has been designed to uniquely address the need for a wide spectrum of services, from high performance computing (HPC) to on-demand cloud technologies to identity and access federation, for facilitating ease of access and usage of distributed e-infrastructure resources. In this article we describe the underlying concepts for an audience of computational science end-users and developers of domain-specific applications, workflows and platforms services. To exemplify the use of Fenix, we will discuss selected use cases demonstrating how brain researchers can use the offered infrastructure services and describe how access to these resources can be obtained.
An Hybrid Attention-Based System for the Prediction of Facial Attributes
Authors: Khellat-Kihel Souad , Sun Zhenan , Tistarelli Massimo
Published: July 2021

Recent research on face analysis has demonstrated the richness of information embedded in feature vectors extracted from a deep convolutional neural network. Even though deep learning achieved a very high performance on several challenging visual tasks, such as determining the identity, age, gender and race, it still lacks a well grounded theory which allows to properly understand the processes taking place inside the network layers. Therefore, most of the underlying processes are unknown and not easy to control. On the other hand, the human visual system follows a well understood process in analyzing a scene or an object, such as a face. The direction of the eye gaze is repeatedly directed, through purposively planned saccadic movements, towards salient regions to capture several details. In this paper we propose to capitalize on the knowledge of the saccadic human visual processes to design a system to predict facial attributes embedding a biologically-inspired network architecture, the HMAX. The architecture is tailored to predict attributes with different textural information and conveying different semantic meaning, such as attributes related and unrelated to the subject’s identity. Salient points on the face are extracted from the outputs of the S2 layer of the HMAX architecture and fed to a local texture characterization module based on LBP (Local Binary Pattern). The resulting feature vector is used to perform a binary classification on a set of pre-defined visual attributes. The devised system allows to distill a very informative, yet robust, representation of the imaged faces, allowing to obtain high performance but with a much simpler architecture as compared to a deep convolutional neural network. Several experiments performed on publicly available, challenging, large datasets demonstrate the validity of the proposed approach.
Klassifikation
Authors: Kalisch Markus , Meier Lukas
Published: July 2021

In diesem Kapitel geht es darum, die logistische Regression als Klassifikationsmethode zu verwenden. Der Unterschied zwischen Trainings- und Testdaten wird erklärt. Um die Güte des Klassifikators abschätzen zu können, wird zunächst die Fehlerrate und die confusion matrix besprochen. Anschließend wird dieses Thema mit der ROC-Kurve vertieft.
On the dynamics of protected ramond ground states in the D1-D5 CFT
Authors: Lima A. A. , Sotkov G. M. , Stanishkov M.
Published: July 2021

Abstract

We examine the behavior of the Ramond ground states in the D1-D5 CFT after a deformation of the free-orbifold sigma model on target space ($$ {\mathbbm{T}}^4 $$

T
4

)N/SN by a marginal interaction operator. These states are compositions of Ramond ground states of the twisted and untwisted sectors. They are characterized by a conjugacy class of SN and by the set of their “spins”, including both R-charge and “internal” SU(2) charge. We compute the four-point functions of an arbitrary Ramond ground state with its conjugate and two interaction operators, for genus-zero covering surfaces representing the leading orders in the large-N expansion. We examine short distance limits of these four-point functions, shedding light on the dynamics of the interacting theory. We find the OPEs and a collection of structure constants of the ground states with the interaction operators and a set of resulting non-BPS twisted operators. We also calculate the integrals of the four-point functions over the positions of the interaction operators and show that they vanish. This provides an explicit demonstration that the Ramond ground states remain protected against deformations away of the free orbifold point, as expected from algebraic considerations using the spectral flow of the $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= (4, 4) superconformal algebra with central charge c = 6N.
6d/5d exceptional gauge theories from web diagrams
Authors: Hayashi Hirotaka , Kim Hee-Cheol , Ohmori Kantaro
Published: July 2021

Abstract

We construct novel web diagrams with a trivalent or quadrivalent gluing for various 6d/5d theories from certain Higgsings of 6d conformal matter theories on a circle. The theories realized on the web diagrams include 5d Kaluza-Klein theories from circle compactifications of the 6d G2 gauge theory with 4 flavors, the 6d F4 gauge theory with 3 flavors, the 6d E6 gauge theory with 4 flavors and the 6d E7 gauge theory with 3 flavors. The Higgsings also give rise to 5d Kaluza-Klein theories from twisted compactifications of 6d theories including the 5d pure SU(3) gauge theory with the Chern-Simons level 9 and the 5d pure SU(4) gauge theory with the Chern-Simons level 8. We also compute the Nekrasov partition functions of the theories by applying the topological vertex formalism to the newly obtained web diagrams.
Bondi-Metzner-Sachs algebra as an extension of the Poincaré symmetry in light-cone gravity
Authors: Ananth Sudarshan , Brink Lars , Majumdar Sucheta
Published: July 2021

Abstract

We analyze possible local extensions of the Poincaré symmetry in light-cone gravity in four dimensions. We use a formalism where we represent the algebra on the two physical degrees of freedom, one with helicity 2 and the other with helicity −2. The representation is non-linearly realized and one of the light-cone momenta is the Hamiltonian, which is hence a non-linear generator of the algebra. We find that this can be locally realized and the Poincaré algebra extended to the BMS symmetry without any reference to asymptotic limits.
“Shelf” Technique Using a Novel Braided Self-Expandable Stent for the Treatment of Wide-Necked Bifurcation Aneurysms
Authors: Maus Volker , Weber Werner , Fischer Sebastian
Published: July 2021

Background

Different endovascular techniques exist for treatment of cerebral wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms (WNBA). We present the “shelf” technique with the novel woven LVIS EVO stent, which enables forming a buttress at the level of the aneurysm neck to prevent coil prolapse and additional stenting.

Methods

Single-center retrospective analysis of patients treated with the “shelf” technique by using LVIS EVO stent in incidental WNBAs between January 2020 and March 2021. Inclusion criteria were saccular aneurysms with neck width ≥4 mm or a dome/neck ratio ≤2. Primary endpoint was a favorable navigation to the target vessel and successful deployment of the LVIS EVO stent with forming a buttress that enables aneurysm occlusion by subsequent coiling. Secondary endpoints were aneurysm occlusion on follow-up, procedure-related complications and clinical outcome.

Results

A total of 15 patients were included. The primary end point was reached in 100% of cases. A complete aneurysm occlusion at the end of the procedure was achieved in 14/15 patients (93%). No intraprocedural complications occurred. All patients except one were discharged with an modified Rankin Scale (mRS) of 0. Procedure-related morbidity was 7%. Median follow-up imaging was 115 days (7–419 days) and available for 11/15 (73%) of the patients. Of those, 10 (91%) individuals had a complete aneurysm occlusion and 1 showed a residual neck. In all patients, the covered branch was patent and no ischemic complications occurred during follow-up.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the “shelf” technique with LVIS EVO stents as a feasible and safe treatment option for WNBAs with very good short-term occlusion rates.
Combined Approach to Stroke Thrombectomy Using a Novel Short Flexible Aspiration Catheter with a Stent Retriever
Authors: Remollo Sebastian , Terceño Mikel , Werner Mariano , Castaño Carlos , Hernández-Pérez María , Blasco Jordi , San Román Luis , Daunis-i-Estadella Pepus , Thió-Henestrosa Santiago , Cuba Víctor , Gimeno Alfredo , Puig Josep
Published: July 2021

Background

Large-bore aspiration catheters enabling greater flow rates and suction force for mechanical thrombectomy might improve outcomes in patients with stroke secondary to large-vessel occlusion. Complete or near-complete reperfusion after a single thrombectomy pass (first-pass effect) is associated with improved clinical outcomes. We assessed the efficacy and safety of novel MIVI Q™ aspiration catheters in combination with stent-retriever devices.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed demographics, procedure characteristics, and clinical data from consecutive patients with acute anterior large-vessel occlusion treated with a combined approach using MIVI Q™ aspiration catheters and stent retrievers. Reperfusion was defined according to the modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (mTICI) score. Clinical outcomes were measured by the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores.

Results

We included 52 patients (median age, 75 y IQR: 64–83); 31 (59.6%) women; 14 (26.9%) with terminal internal carotid artery occlusions, 26 (50%) middle cerebral artery (MCA) segment M1 occlusions, and 12 (23.1%) MCA segment M2 occlusions; median NIHSS score at admission was 19 (IQR: 13–22). After the first pass, 25 (48%) patients had mTICI ≥ 2c. At the end of the procedure, 47 (90.4%) had mTICI ≥ 2b and 35 (67.3%) had mTICI ≥ 2c. No serious device-related adverse events were observed. Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage developed in 1 patient. Mean NIHSS score was 13 at 24 h and 5 at discharge. At 90 days, 24 (46.2%) patients were functionally independent (mRS 0–2).

Conclusion

This preliminary study found good efficacy and safety for MIVI Q™ aspiration catheters used in combination with stent-retriever devices.
Medizinstudierende als Helfende in der Pandemie
Authors: Vogt Lina , Schmidt Michelle , Klasen Martin , Bickenbach Johannes , Marx Gernot , Sopka Saša
Published: July 2021

Hintergrund

Die COVID-19-Pandemie hat das deutsche Gesundheitssystem vor enorme Herausforderungen gestellt und den Bedarf an Strategien zu Rekrutierung, Schulung und Einsatzplanung von medizinischem Personal verdeutlicht. Bislang existierte kein ganzheitliches Konzept, welches Medizinstudierende als Unterstützung der Fachkräfte auf Intensivstationen (ICU) einsetzt, um Personalengpässe in der medizinischen Versorgung zu vermeiden.

Methode

In einem groß angelegten Pilotprojekt wurden 265 Medizinstudierende für den Einsatz auf ICU trainiert. Begleitet wurde das innovative Schulungsmodul mit einem Prä-post-Fragebogen zur Selbsteinschätzung über die erlernten Fertigkeiten. 22 Wochen nach dem Schulungsmodul und noch während des Pandemieeinsatzes wurden mit einem weiteren Fragebogen Erfahrungen im Einsatz und Effizienz des Trainingsmoduls in Bezug auf die Vorbereitung für den ICU-Einsatz evaluiert.

Ergebnisse

Die Analyse ergab signifikante Mittelwertdifferenzen für alle COVID-19-spezifischen Variablen (Sicherheitsdimension) zugunsten des Schulungsmoduls (n = 168). Die Einsatzevaluation zeigte für n = 69 von insgesamt 89 eingesetzten Studierenden eine uneinheitliche Bewertung des Schulungskonzeptes als Vorbereitung auf den Arbeitseinsatz (53 % Zustimmung/47 % Ablehnung).

Schlussfolgerung

Die Ergebnisse zeigen eine gute Realisierbarkeit des innovativen Trainingskonzeptes für Medizinstudierende in Bezug auf einen Pandemieeinsatz als Helfende auf Intensivstationen. Das Konzept ist geeignet, um zusätzliche Hilfskräfte während einer Pandemie auf den Intensivstationen zur Verfügung zu stellen. Die uneinheitliche Bewertung deutet jedoch auf Anpassungsbedarf des Konzeptes hin.
Considerations on the Demography of BIA-ALCL in European Countries Based on an E(A)SAPS Survey
Authors: Stark Birgit , Magnéli Martin , van Heijningen Ivar , Parreira Carlos , Bösch Urs , Rouif Michel , Halle Martin
Published: July 2021

Background

A growing body of evidence indicates that breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is associated with the use of certain breast implants. Regional variations have been reported, and a genetic susceptibility has also been suggested. However, large variations in the ability to correctly diagnose BIA-ALCL and to further report and register cases exist between countries and may in part explain variations in the demography.

Material and Methods

A survey was conducted by The European Association of Societies of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery E(A)SAPS and sent to 48 European countries. The primary aim was to identify the total number of confirmed cases of and deaths from BIA-ALCL in each country during four consecutive measurements over a two-year period.

Results

An increase in BIA-ALCL cases during four repeated measurements from a total of 305 in April 2019 to 434 in November 2020 was reported by 23 of the 33 responding countries. A nearly 100-fold variation in the number of cases per million inhabitants was noted, where Netherlands had the highest rate (4.12) followed by Finland (1.99). Countries with the lowest reported rates were Austria (0.078), Romania (0.052) and Turkey (0.048).

Conclusion

The current study displays a notable variation ßin the number of confirmed BIA-ALCL cases across Europe, even for countries with established breast implant registers. Variations in diagnosis and reporting systems may explain the differences, but the influence of genetic variations and the prevalence of high-risk implants cannot be excluded. Incomplete sales data along with medical tourism preclude an absolute risk assessment.

Level of Evidence IV

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.
Prostatic Artery Embolization Versus Transurethral Resection of the Prostate: A Post Hoc Cost Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Capdevila Ferran , Insausti Iñigo , Galbete Arkaitz , Sanchez-Iriso Eduardo , Montesino Manuel
Published: July 2021

Purpose

To perform a post hoc analysis of patient-incurred costs in a randomized controlled clinical trial comparing prostatic artery embolization (PAE) and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).

Materials and Methods

Patients older than 60 years with indication of TURP were randomized to PAE or TURP procedure. After intervention and hospital discharge, patients were follow-up during 12 months The associated patient costs were categorized according to the study period: pre-intervention, intervention, hospitalization, and follow-up. Several items for both groups were analyzed within each study period.

Results

The mean total costs per patient were lower for PAE (€ 3,192.87) than for TURP (€ 3,974.57), with this difference of € 781.70 being significant (p = 0.026). For most evaluated items, the mean costs were significantly higher for TURP. No significant differences were observed in the mean costs of PAE (€ 1,468.00) and TURP (€ 1,684.25) procedures (p = 0.061). However, the histopathology analysis, recovery room stay, and intraoperative laboratory analysis increased the interventional costs for TURP (€ 1,999.70) compared with PAE (€ 1,468.00) (p < 0.001). No cost differences were observed between PAE (€ 725.26) and TURP (€ 556.22) during the 12 months of follow-up (p = 0.605). None of patients required a repeat intervention during the study period.

Conclusions

Considering the short-term follow-up, PAE was associated with significantly lower costs compared with TURP. Future investigations in the context of routine clinical practice should be aimed at comparing the long-term effectiveness of both procedures and determining their cost-effectiveness.

Level of evidence: Level 1 (a-c)
Relationship between retinal fluid and visual acuity in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration treated with intravitreal aflibercept using a treat-and-extend regimen: subgroup and post-hoc analyses from the ALTAIR study
Authors: Ohji Masahito , Okada Annabelle A. , Sasaki Koji , Moon SungChul Charles , Machewitz Tobias , Takahashi Kanji ,   the ALTAIR Investigators
Published: July 2021

Purpose

To explore the relationship between retinal fluid status and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in patients treated with intravitreal aflibercept (IVT-AFL) treat-and-extend (T&E) in the ALTAIR study.

Methods

Outcomes were investigated according to overall fluid status at week 16 (predefined) and the relationship between any fluid, intraretinal fluid (IRF), subretinal fluid (SRF), or pigment epithelial detachment with BCVA at baseline, and weeks 16, 52, and 96 (post-hoc). The analyses involved treatment-naïve patients (N = 246) with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD), aged ≥ 50 years with BCVA of 73–25 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters, who participated in the ALTAIR study.

Results

The mean (standard deviation) change in BCVA from baseline to week 52 was + 10.6 (10.9) and + 6.5 (16.0) letters in patients without and with fluid at week 16, respectively; and to week 96 was + 9.1 (14.3) and + 4.3 (16.1) letters in patients without and with fluid at week 16, respectively. The last injection interval was 16 weeks in 33.6% and 2.0% (week 52), and 62.9% and 17.6% (week 96) of patients without or with fluid at week 16, respectively. At baseline, 35.7% of patients had IRF and 85.2% of patients had SRF, which decreased to 11.8% (IRF) and 31.7% (SRF) of patients, 8.5% (IRF) and 18.7% (SRF), and 6.5% (IRF) and 20.7% (SRF) at weeks 16, 52, and 96, respectively. Presence of IRF at all timepoints was associated with poorer BCVA than if IRF was absent, while the presence of SRF was not associated with poorer BCVA compared with the absence of SRF.

Conclusion

IVT-AFL T&E dosing was effective at clearing fluid regardless of fluid type in ~ 80% of patients with exudative AMD. Patients without fluid at week 16 had numerically better BCVA than those with fluid at week 16. Over 60% of patients without fluid at week 16 achieved the maximum treatment interval of 16 weeks by study end, compared with < 20% of patients with fluid at week 16. IRF (weeks 16, 52, 96), although evident in a small number of patients, was associated with poorer BCVA, whereas SRF was not.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02305238
Evolution of superficial spreading melanoma to resemble desmoplastic melanoma: case report
Authors: Cook Martin G. , Powell Barry W. E. M. , Grant Megan E. , Green Adele C.
Published: July 2021

Desmoplastic melanoma commonly occurs on the head and neck in a pure form, but occasionally, it occurs in a mixed tumor with another type, usually superficial spreading melanoma (SSM), and rarely as a metastasis from a primary SSM. We report here a primary SSM on the leg of a 32-year-old male which metastasised to lymph nodes, and 10 years later recurred at the primary site initially with mixed features but evolving to resemble a uniformly desmoplastic, deeply invasive melanoma. This unusual case has implications for clinical management and is additionally notable for its reversal in behavior, from metastatic to local infiltrative type, correlating with the change in morphology.
Colonization with multidrug-resistant organisms impairs survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Himmelsbach Vera , Knabe Mate , Ferstl Phillip G. , Peiffer Kai-Henrik , Stratmann Jan A. , Wichelhaus Thomas A. , Hogardt Michael , Kempf Volkhard A. J. , Zeuzem Stefan , Waidmann Oliver , Finkelmeier Fabian , Ballo Olivier
Published: July 2021

Introduction

MDRO-colonization has been shown to impair survival in patients with hematological malignancies and solid tumors as well as in patients with liver disease. Despite the increasing spread of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO), its impact on patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been studied. We conducted this retrospective study to analyze the impact of MDRO-colonization on overall prognosis in HCC patients.

Materials and methods

All patients with confirmed HCC diagnosed between January 2008 and December 2017 at the University Hospital Frankfurt were included in this study. HCC patients with a positive MDRO screening before or within the first 90 days after diagnosis of HCC were defined as colonized HCC patients, HCC patients with a negative MDRO screening were defined as noncolonized HCC patients.

Results

59 (6%) colonized and 895 (94%) noncolonized HCC patients were included. Enterobacterales with extended-spectrum β-lactamase-like phenotype with or without resistance to fluoroquinolones (ESBL/ ± FQ) were the most frequently found MDRO with 59%, followed by vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium with 37%. Colonized HCC patients had more severe cirrhosis and more advanced HCC stage compared to noncolonized HCC patients. Colonized HCC patients showed an impaired survival with a median OS of 189 days (6.3 months) compared to a median OS of 1001 days (33.4 months) in noncolonized HCC patients. MDRO-colonization was identified as an independent risk factor associated with survival in multivariate analysis.

Conclusion

MDRO-colonization is an independent risk factor for survival in patients with HCC highlighting the importance of regular MDRO screening, isolation measures as well as interdisciplinary antibiotic steward-ship programs to guide responsible use of antibiotic agents.
Linking gas and particle ejection dynamics to boundary conditions in scaled shock-tube experiments
Authors: Cigala Valeria , Kueppers Ulrich , Fernández Juan José Peña , Dingwell Donald B.
Published: July 2021

Predicting the onset, style and duration of explosive volcanic eruptions remains a great challenge. While the fundamental underlying processes are thought to be known, a clear correlation between eruptive features observable above Earth’s surface and conditions and properties in the immediate subsurface is far from complete. Furthermore, the highly dynamic nature and inaccessibility of explosive events means that progress in the field investigation of such events remains slow. Scaled experimental investigations represent an opportunity to study individual volcanic processes separately and, despite their highly dynamic nature, to quantify them systematically. Here, impulsively generated vertical gas-particle jets were generated using rapid decompression shock-tube experiments. The angular deviation from the vertical, defined as the “spreading angle”, has been quantified for gas and particles on both sides of the jets at different time steps using high-speed video analysis. The experimental variables investigated are 1) vent geometry, 2) tube length, 3) particle load, 4) particle size, and 5) temperature. Immediately prior to the first above-vent observations, gas expansion accommodates the initial gas overpressure. All experimental jets inevitably start with a particle-free gas phase (gas-only), which is typically clearly visible due to expansion-induced cooling and condensation. We record that the gas spreading angle is directly influenced by 1) vent geometry and 2) the duration of the initial gas-only phase. After some delay, whose length depends on the experimental conditions, the jet incorporates particles becoming a gas-particle jet. Below we quantify how our experimental conditions affect the temporal evolution of these two phases (gas-only and gas-particle) of each jet. As expected, the gas spreading angle is always at least as large as the particle spreading angle. The latter is positively correlated with particle load and negatively correlated with particle size. Such empirical experimentally derived relationships between the observable features of the gas-particle jets and known initial conditions can serve as input for the parameterisation of equivalent observations at active volcanoes, alleviating the circumstances where an a priori knowledge of magma textures and ascent rate, temperature and gas overpressure and/or the geometry of the shallow plumbing system is typically chronically lacking. The generation of experimental parameterisations raises the possibility that detailed field investigations on gas-particle jets at frequently erupting volcanoes might be used for elucidating subsurface parameters and their temporal variability, with all the implications that may have for better defining hazard assessment.
Possible role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and associated bacteria in the recruitment of endophytic bacterial communities by plant roots
Authors: Ujvári Gergely , Turrini Alessandra , Avio Luciano , Agnolucci Monica
Published: July 2021

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) represent an important group of root symbionts, given the key role they play in the enhancement of plant nutrition, health, and product quality. The services provided by AMF often are facilitated by large and diverse beneficial bacterial communities, closely associated with spores, sporocarps, and extraradical mycelium, showing different functional activities, such as N2 fixation, nutrient mobilization, and plant hormone, antibiotic, and siderophore production and also mycorrhizal establishment promotion, leading to the enhancement of host plant performance. The potential functional complementarity of AMF and associated microbiota poses a key question as to whether members of AMF-associated bacterial communities can colonize the root system after establishment of mycorrhizas, thereby becoming endophytic. Root endophytic bacterial communities are currently studied for the benefits provided to host plants in the form of growth promotion, stress reduction, inhibition of plant pathogens, and plant hormone release. Their quantitative and qualitative composition is influenced by many factors, such as geographical location, soil type, host genotype, and cultivation practices. Recent data suggest that an additional factor affecting bacterial endophyte recruitment could be AMF and their associated bacteria, even though the mechanisms allowing members of AMF-associated bacterial communities to actually establish in the root system, becoming endophytic, remain to be determined. Given the diverse plant growth–promoting properties shown by AMF-associated bacteria, further studies are needed to understand whether AMF may represent suitable tools to introduce beneficial root endophytes in sustainable and organic agriculture where the functioning of such multipartite association may be crucial for crop production.
Effect of locally delivered adjunctive antibiotics during surgical periodontal therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yusri Sarah , Elfana Ahmed , Elbattawy Weam , Fawzy El-Sayed Karim M
Published: July 2021

Aim

The present study aimed to systematically assess current evidence on effects of locally delivered antibiotics during periodontal surgery compared to periodontal surgery alone on clinical attachment level (CAL) gain, probing pocket depth (PPD) reduction, recession depth (RD) changes, gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP), and plaque index (PI).

Methodology

MEDLINE-PubMed, Cochrane-CENTRAL and Scopus databases were searched up to April 2021 for randomized clinical trials (RCT), evaluating effects of locally delivered antibiotics during periodontal surgery. CAL gain served as primary, while PPD reduction, RD changes, GI and PI as secondary outcomes. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool was used to assess possible bias. Data were extracted, and meta-analysis was performed where appropriate.

Result

Screening of 2314 papers resulted in nine eligible studies. No adverse events were reported. Data on outcome variables were pooled and analyzed using generic inverse variance model and presented as weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Statistically significant improvements in favor of antibiotics’ delivery were observed in studies with follow-up of ≤6 months for CAL gain (WMD = 0.61 mm (95% CI [0.07, 1.14]; p = 0.03), PPD reduction (WMD = 0.41 mm (95% CI [0.02, 0.80]; p = 0.04)) and BOP (WMD = −28.47% (95% CI [−33.00, −23.94]); p < 0.001), while for GI improvements were notable for >6 to 12 months (WMD = −0.27 (95% CI [−0.49, −0.06]; p = 0.01)).

Conclusion

Within the current review’s limitations, locally delivered antibiotics during surgical periodontal therapy results in post-surgical improvements for CAL, PPD, and BOP (≤6 months) with a longer-lasting GI improvement. Further randomized controlled trials are needed with true periodontal end-points to assess the ideal antibiotic agent, dosage, and delivery methods.

Clinical relevance

Local delivery of antibiotics during periodontal surgery improved clinical parameters for up to 6-month follow-up, with beneficial longer effects on gingival inflammation. Within the current study’s limitation, the presented evidence could support the elective usage of locally delivered antibiotics during surgical periodontal therapy.
MoS2-based nanocomposites: synthesis, structure, and applications in water remediation and energy storage: a review
Authors: Abdel Maksoud M. I. A. , Bedir Ahmed G. , Bekhit Mohamad , Abouelela Marwa Mohamed , Fahim Ramy Amer , Awed A. S. , Attia Sayed Y. , Kassem Said M. , Elkodous M. Abd , El-Sayyad Gharieb S. , Mohamed Saad G. , Osman Ahmed I. , Al-Muhtaseb Ala’a H. , Rooney David W.
Published: July 2021

The world is currently facing critical water and energy issues due to the growing population and industrialization, calling for methods to obtain potable water, e.g., by photocatalysis, and to convert solar energy into fuels such as chemical or electrical energy, then storing this energy. Energy storage has been recently improved by using electrochemical capacitors and ion batteries. Research is actually focusing on the synthesis of materials and hybrids displaying improved electronic, physiochemical, electrical, and optical properties. Here, we review molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) materials and hybrids with focus on synthesis, electronic structure and properties, calculations of state, bandgap and charge density profiles, and applications in energy storage and water remediation.
Grid independent convergence using multilevel circulant preconditioning: Poisson’s equation
Authors: Brandén Henrik
Published: July 2021

We consider the iterative solution of the discrete Poisson’s equation with Dirichlet boundary conditions. The discrete domain is embedded into an extended domain and the resulting system of linear equations is solved using a fixed point iteration combined with a multilevel circulant preconditioner. Our numerical results show that the rate of convergence is independent of the grid’s step sizes and of the number of spatial dimensions, despite the fact that the iteration operator is not bounded as the grid is refined. The embedding technique and the preconditioner is derived with inspiration from theory of boundary integral equations. The same theory is used to explain the behaviour of the preconditioned iterative method.
Correction to: Communicating future climate projections of precipitation change
Authors: Daron Joseph , Lorenz Susanne , Taylor Andrea , Dessai Suraje
Published: July 2021

A Correction to this paper has been published: 10.1007/s10584-021-03166-1
An Assessment of Mental Health Outcomes During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Magalhaes Edward , Stoner Alexis , Palmer Joshua , Schranze Robert , Grandy Savannah , Amin Shilpa , Cheng Ning
Published: July 2021

In late 2019, the first case of COVID-19 was reported in Wuhan, China. Soon after, cases began to spread globally. This study aimed to examine the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the adult population in the United States. We conducted an exploratory cross-sectional study using an anonymous online survey methodology distributed to participants across 13 states. The data collected included demographical information and outcomes from validated mental health screeners (GAD-7, PHQ-9, and IES-R) to assess levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. A total of 1356 participants completed the survey. GAD-7, PHQ-9, and IES-R levels differed significantly (p < 0.05) according to age, gender, and educational level. There was also significant difference between GAD-7 level as well as IES-R level between healthcare and non-healthcare workers (p = 0.02 and p = 0.028). Overall, this study has helped to garner a better understanding of COVID-19’s impact on mental health outcomes.
A phenomenologically grounded empirical approach to experiences of adolescent depression
Authors: Sánchez Guerrero H. Andrés
Published: July 2021

Extant literature suggests a correlation between the thematic core of an adolescent’s personal account of depression and the trajectory of her personality development. This possible correlation has not been explored in a way that includes detailed qualitative analyses of reported experiences of adolescent depression. By discussing a single case design, this contribution illustrates and justifies an interpretative procedure that has been implemented to assist such an exploration. The paper focuses on the suitability of this approach for the investigation of all-encompassing alterations of the experiential field in psychopathological conditions. I argue that this suitability is grounded in a phenomenological understanding of the explicative task in terms of a disclosure of the intentional constitution of the life-world of adolescent depression. The discussion begins with a contextualization of the single case design within a multilayered and methodologically mixed study. Against this background, I illustrate the steps of a ‘systematic of interpretation’ aimed at exposing meaning horizons. Touching on issues concerning the empirical validity of the approach, these meaning horizons are construed as objectively plausible frames of intelligibility of a subjectively particular form of experience. Drawing on a characterization of transcendental arguments, I discuss the relationship between the illustrated procedure and the investigational attitude that, according to Husserl, defines phenomenology as a properly philosophical endeavor. In this context, I eventually characterize the illustrated procedure as a crossover approach to human experiential life aligned with the tradition of phenomenological psychopathology.
Correction to: Assessing potential aquatic toxicity of airport runoff using physicochemical parameters and Lemna gibba and Aliivibrio fischeri bioassays
Authors: Calvo Olga C. , Quaglia Gisela , Mohiley Anubhav , Cesarini Maria , Fangmeier Andreas
Published: July 2021

A Correction to this paper has been published: 10.1007/s11356-021-14861-y
Ethical Review of Animal Research and the Standards of Procedural Justice: A European Perspective
Authors: Pietrzykowski Tomasz
Published: July 2021

Committees established for the ethical review of research involving animals have become a widespread legal standard around the world. Despite many differences in their composition, powers, and institutional settings, they share many common problems related to the well-established standards of procedural justice in administrative practice. The paper adapts the general theory of procedural justice to the specific context of ethical review committees. From this perspective, the main concerns over the procedural aspects of the ethical evaluation of research projects are identified and examined. They include in particular the standards of the committees’ composition, impartiality, fair hearing, appeal, transparency, and benevolence. Their proper reflection in the regulatory regimes of animal ethics committees is necessary to secure the standards of fairness of the ethical review itself. This, in turn, is a condition of the moral and social legitimacy of all administrative and quasi-administrative procedures, including the committees’ operations (irrespective of whether they are legally entrusted with the task of authorizing or only evaluating research projects).
Forensische Modelle zur Gewaltprävention an der Schnittstelle zur Allgemeinpsychiatrie: der forensisch-psychiatrische Konsildienst
Authors: Schmidt Catharina , Nitschke Joachim , Habermeyer Elmar
Published: July 2021

Obwohl bei einer Untergruppe psychisch kranker Menschen ein erhöhtes Gewaltrisiko verortet werden kann und Patienten der Maßregelvollzugskliniken in der Regel eine allgemeinpsychiatrische Vorgeschichte haben, existieren bislang nur vereinzelt präventiv ausgerichtete Behandlungsmodelle an der Schnittstelle zwischen forensischer und allgemeiner Psychiatrie. Im vorliegenden Artikel werden unterschiedliche Ansätze einer interdisziplinären Zusammenarbeit vorgestellt und das Angebot des forensisch-psychiatrischen Konsildiensts der Fachstelle Forensic Assessment & Risk Management (FFA) der Klinik für Forensische Psychiatrie (KFP) der Psychiatrischen Universitätsklinik Zürich (PUK) beschrieben.
Isoflurane in (Super-) Refractory Status Epilepticus: A Multicenter Evaluation
Authors: Stetefeld Henning R. , Schaal Alexander , Scheibe Franziska , Nichtweiß Julia , Lehmann Felix , Müller Marcus , Gerner Stefan T. , Huttner Hagen B. , Luger Sebastian , Fuhrer Hannah , Bösel Julian , Schönenberger Silvia , Dimitriadis Konstantinos , Neumann Bernhard , Fuchs Kornelius , Fink Gereon R. , Malter Michael P. ,   the IGNITE Study Group, with support from the German Neurocritical Care Society (DGNI)
Published: July 2021

Background

We aimed to determine the association between seizure termination and side effects of isoflurane for the treatment of refractory status epilepticus (RSE) and super-refractory status epilepticus (SRSE) in neurointensive care units (neuro-ICUs).

Methods

This was a multicenter retrospective study of patients with RSE/SRSE treated with isoflurane for status epilepticus termination admitted to the neuro-ICUs of nine German university centers during 2011–2018.

Results

We identified 45 patients who received isoflurane for the treatment of RSE/SRSE. During isoflurane treatment, electroencephalograms showed no epileptiform discharges in 33 of 41 (80%) patients, and burst suppression pattern was achieved in 29 of 41 patients (71%). RSE/SRSE was finally terminated after treatment with isoflurane in 23 of 45 patients (51%) for the entire group and in 13 of 45 patients (29%) without additional therapy. Lengths of stay in the hospital and in the neuro-ICU were significantly extended in cases of ongoing status epilepticus under isoflurane treatment (p = 0.01 for length of stay in the hospital,p = 0.049 for length in the neuro-ICU). During isoflurane treatment, side effects were reported in 40 of 45 patients (89%) and mainly included hypotension (n = 40, 89%) and/or infection (n = 20, 44%). Whether side effects occurred did not affect the outcome at discharge. Of 22 patients with follow-up magnetic resonance imaging, 2 patients (9%) showed progressive magnetic resonance imaging alterations that were considered to be potentially associated with RSE/SRSE itself or with isoflurane therapy.

Conclusions

Isoflurane was associated with a good effect in stopping RSE/SRSE. Nevertheless, establishing remission remained difficult. Side effects were common but without effect on the outcome at discharge.
A Semiotic Modern Synthesis: Conducting Quantitative Studies in Zoosemiotics and Interpreting Existing Ethological Studies through a Semiotic Framework
Authors: Lewis Amelia
Published: July 2021

In this paper, I present an argument that quantitative behavioural analysis can be used in zoosemiotic studies to advance the field of biosemiotics. The premise is that signs and signals form patterns in space and time, which can be measured and analysed mathematically. Whole organism sign processing is an important component of the semiosphere, with individual organisms in their Umwelten deriving signs from, and contributing to, the semiosphere, and vice versa. Moreover, there is a wealth of data available in the traditional ethology literature which can be reinterpreted semiotically and drawn together to make a cohesive biosemiotic whole. For example, isolated signals, such as structural elements of birdsong, are attributed meaning by an interpreter, thus generating new ideas and hypotheses in both biology and semiotics. Furthermore, animal behaviour science has developed numerous test paradigms that with careful adaptation, could be suitable for use within a Peircean tripartite model, and thus give valuable insights into Umwelten of other species. In my conclusion, I suggest that by bringing together traditional ethology and biosemiotics, it is possible to use the Modern Synthesis to provide context to biosemiosis, thus pragmatic meaning to animal signals. On this basis, I propose updating the Modern Synthesis to a Semiotic Modern Synthesis, which focuses on whole-organism signals and their contexts, the latter being derived from neo-Darwinian theory and the ‘Umwelt’. Thus, there need be no dichotomy; the Modern Synthesis can successfully be integrated with biosemiotics.
Taphonomy of an excavated striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) den in Arabia: implications for paleoecology and prehistory
Authors: Stewart Mathew , Andrieux Eric , Clark-Wilson Richard , Vanwezer Nils , Blinkhorn James , Armitage Simon J. , al Omari Abdulaziz , Zahrani Badr , Alqahtani Mesfer , Al-Shanti Mahmoud , Zalmout Iyad , Al-Mufarreh Yahya S. A. , Alsharekh Abdullah M. , Boivin Nicole , Petraglia Michael D. , Groucutt Huw S.
Published: July 2021

Studies of modern carnivore accumulations of bone (i.e., neo-taphonomy) are crucial for interpreting fossil accumulations in the archaeological and paleontological records. Yet, studies in arid regions have been limited in both number and detailed taphonomic data, prohibiting our understanding of carnivore bone-accumulating and -modifying behavior in dry regions. Here, we present a taphonomic analysis of an impressive carnivore-accumulated bone assemblage from the Umm Jirsan lava tube in the Harrat Khaybar region, Saudi Arabia. The size and composition of the bone accumulation, as well as the presence of hyena skeletal remains and coprolites, suggest that the assemblage was primarily accumulated by striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena). Our findings (1) identify potentially useful criteria for distinguishing between accumulations generated by different species of hyenas; (2) emphasize the need for neo-taphonomic studies for capturing the full variation in carnivore bone-accumulating and modifying behavior; (3) suggest that under the right settings, striped hyena accumulations can serve as good proxies for (paleo)ecology and livestock practices; and (4) highlight the potential for future research at Umm Jirsan, as well as at the numerous nearby lava tube systems. We encourage continued neo-taphonomic efforts in regions important in human prehistory, particularly in arid zones, which have received little research attention.
An Update on Medication Use in Older Adults: a Narrative Review
Authors: Barry Heather E. , Hughes Carmel M.
Published: July 2021

Purpose of Review

The global phenomenon of population aging is impacting the health and care needs of society. The use of medications by older adults is acknowledged to be the most common form of medical intervention for many acute and chronic conditions and prescribing in this population continues to increase. In this narrative review, we summarise the age-related factors that should be considered when prescribing for older adults, address some of the perennial challenges related to medicine use in older people, and highlight important emerging research in this area.

Recent Findings

A range of age-related factors should be considered when prescribing for older adults. However, the evidence base still lacks data pertaining to older adults due to their continued under-representation in clinical trials. Multimorbidity, polypharmacy, and inappropriate prescribing continue to remain prevalent among older adults, although recent research has been focused on the development and evaluation of complex interventions to address these challenges.

Further high-quality studies of interventions to improve and support medication use in older adults are needed, ensuring that older adults are well represented in such trials and consideration is given to the measurement of patient- and provider-focused outcomes.
Well-posedness result for the Kuramoto–Velarde equation
Authors: Coclite Giuseppe Maria , di Ruvo Lorenzo
Published: July 2021

The Kuramoto–Velarde equation describes slow space-time variations of disturbances at interfaces, diffusion–reaction fronts and plasma instability fronts. It also describes Benard–Marangoni cells that occur when there is large surface tension on the interface in a microgravity environment. Under appropriate assumption on the initial data, of the timeT, and the coefficients of such equation, we prove the well-posedness of the classical solutions for the Cauchy problem, associated with this equation.
Sexual identity or religious freedom: could conversion therapy ever be morally permissible in limited urgent situations?
Authors: Bradfield Owen M.
Published: July 2021

Conversion therapy refers to a range of unscientific, discredited and harmful heterosexist practices that attempt to re-align an individual’s sexual orientation, usually from non-heterosexual to heterosexual. In Australia, the state of Victoria recently joined Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory in criminalising conversion therapy. Although many other jurisdictions have also introduced legislation banning conversion therapy, it persists in over 60 countries. Children are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of conversion therapy, which can include coercion, rejection, isolation and blame. However, if new biotechnologies create safe and effective conversion therapies, the question posed here is whether it would ever be morally permissible to use them. In addressing this question, we need to closely examine the individual’s circumstances and the prevailing social context in which conversion therapy is employed. I argue that, even in a sexually unjust world, conversion therapy may be morally permissible if it were the only safe and effective means of relieving intense anguish and dysphoria for the individual. The person providing the conversion therapy must be qualified, sufficiently independent from any religious organisation and must provide conversion therapy in a way that is positively affirming of the individual and their existing sexuality.