bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Superhydrophobic 3D‐Assembled Metallic Nanoparticles for Trace Chemical Enrichment in SERS Sensing
Authors: Liu Youhai , Zhang Nan , Tua Dylan , Zhu Yingkun , Rada Jacob , Yang Wenhong , Song Haomin , Thompson Alexis C. , Collins R. Lorraine , Gan Qiaoqiang
Published: October 2022

The performance of surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is determined by the interaction between highly diluted analytes and boosted localized electromagnetic fields in nanovolumes. Although superhydrophobic surfaces are developed for analyte enrichment, i.e., to concentrate and transfer analytes toward a specific position, it is still challenging to realize reproducible, uniform, and sensitive superhydrophobic SERS substrates over large scales, representing a major barrier for practical sensing applications. To overcome this challenge, a superhydrophobic SERS chip that combines 3D‐assembled gold nanoparticles on nanoporous substrates is proposed, for a strong localized field, with superhydrophobic surface treatment for analyte enrichment. Intriguingly, by concentrating droplets in the volume of 40 µL, the sensitivity of 1 nm is demonstrated using 1,2‐bis(4‐pyridyl)‐ethylene molecules. In addition, this unique chip demonstrates a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 2.2% in chip‐to‐chip reproducibility for detection of fentanyl at 1 µg mL–1 concentration, revealing its potential for quantitative sensing of chemicals and drugs. Furthermore, the trace analysis of fentanyl and fentanyl‐heroin mixture in human saliva is realized after a simple pretreatment process. This superhydrophobic chip paves the way toward on‐site and real‐time drug sensing to tackle many societal issues like drug abuse and the opioid crisis.
Transformer‐based code search for software Q&A sites
Authors: Peng Yaohui , Xie Jing , Hu Gang , Yuan Mengting
Published: October 2022

In software Q&A sites, there are many code‐solving examples of individual program problems, and these codes with explanatory natural language descriptions are easy to understand and reuse. Code search in software Q&A sites increases the productivity of developers. However, previous approaches to code search fail to capture structural code information and the interactivity between source codes and natural queries. In other words, most of them focus on specific code structures only. This paper proposes TCS (Transformer‐based code search), a novel neural network, to catch structural information for searching valid source codes from the query, which is vital for code search. The multi‐head attention mechanism in Transformer helps TCS learn enough information about the underlying semantic vector representation of codes and queries. An aligned attention matrix is also employed to catch relationships between codes and queries. Experimental results show that the proposed TCS can learn more structural information and has better performance than existing models.
New Views on Carrier Diffusion and Recombination by Combining Small Perturbation Techniques: Application to BiVO4 Photoelectrodes
Authors: Alvarez Agustin O. , García-Tecedor Miguel , Montañés Laura , Mas-Marzá Elena , Giménez Sixto , Fabregat-Santiago Francisco
Published: October 2022

Impedance spectroscopy (IS), intensity‐modulated photocurrent spectroscopy (IMPS), and intensity‐modulated photovoltage spectroscopy (IMVS) are well‐established powerful modulated techniques to characterize optoelectronic devices. Their combined use has proven to provide an understanding of the behavior and performance of these systems, far beyond the output obtained from their independent analysis. However, this combination is shown to be challenging when applied to complex systems. Herein, IS, IMPS, and IMVS are cooperatively used, for the first time, to study the distributed photogeneration, diffusion, and recombination processes in a photoanode of zircon‐doped bismuth vanadate. The use of this methodology reveals that the carriers that determine the response of the device are the electrons when the device is illuminated from the hole‐collector side (electrolyte) and the holes when the illumination reaches the device from the electron‐collector side. Detailed quantitative information is obtained for each carrier, including recombination lifetime, diffusion coefficient and collectrion and separation efficiencies, identifying the latter as the main limitation of this device. This methodology is a powerful tool that can be used for the characterization and understanding of the operating processes of other photoconversion devices.
Predicting resident satisfaction with public schools in small town Iowa
Authors: Batista Ricardo , Zhu Zhengyuan , Peters David , Zarecor Kimberly
Published: October 2022

Estimates of resident satisfaction with public education have great utility in public administration, especially among decision makers in shrinking small communities. But such estimates are typically obtained via surveys, which are costly and often unreliable at high spatial resolutions given low response rates. Our study found that satisfaction with public schools among residents of small communities can be reasonably estimated at the community level using public data. Several models generalized adequately to unseen data—these models typically included the following covariates: state student assessment scores, school reorganizations, net open enrollment, and the cost of educational outcomes relative to neighboring districts. Our findings thus amount to a cost‐effective survey alternative for gauging satisfaction with public schools in small Iowa communities.
Concurrent extra‐adrenal paraganglioma and uterine leiomyosarcoma in a degu (Octodon degus)
Authors: Payne Imogen Louise , Munns Clive , Urresti Sonia Tome , Rich Andrew Frederick
Published: October 2022

An adult, female degu (Octodon degus) presented with a single, firm, nodular, 8 × 8 × 10 mm, fast‐growing mass located between the cranial thoracic vertebrae and the cranial aspect of the right scapula. Cytology, histopathology and immunohistochemistry confirmed an extra‐adrenal paraganglioma (chromogranin A, neuron‐specific enolase and S100 positive, and cytokeratin AE1/3 negative) within the deep adipose tissue underlying the panniculus muscle. Complete surgical excision was achieved; however, within 1 month after surgery, a novel fast‐growing intra‐abdominal mass was detected. The animal was subsequently euthanased. Postmortem examination only revealed a single, well‐demarcated, spherical, firm, 40 × 40 × 42 mm tumour arising from within the left uterine horn. Histology and immunohistochemistry confirmed a uterine leiomyosarcoma (smooth muscle actin positive). This case report represents the first case of an extra‐adrenal paraganglioma and the second case of a uterine‐specific leiomyosarcoma in this species.
Three‐port transoral robotic thyroidectomy without axillary incision: A preliminary report of 20 cases in China
Authors: Zhang Bin , Rai Bikash , Fei Kuang‐yu , Han Zong‐hui , Savu Michelle
Published: October 2022

Objective

Transoral scarless thyroid surgery has proven to be a popular alternative to traditional approaches. Transoral robotic thyroidectomy (TORT) has been reported using ports on the lower lip and axilla. Avoiding axillary incision can further reduce scars on the armpit. Here, we present our preliminary data from the initial 20 consecutive patients to explore the feasibility of three‐port TORT without axillary incision.

Methods

From September 2017 to June 2019, we performed TORT at Beijing United Family Hospital using three intraoral ports without axillary incision via the da Vinci Si system with three robotic arms. The outcomes of the procedure were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

Among 20 patients (mean age 30 ± 7 years; mean tumor size 1.64 ± 0.96 cm), 16 patients underwent unilateral thyroid lobectomy and four had total thyroidectomy with or without central neck dissection. Eighteen patients had papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC), one had a follicular thyroid carcinoma, and one had a thyroid adenoma. The mean surgical time was 221 ± 68 min. The mean number of retrieved central lymph nodes in the PTC patients was 5.6 ± 5. There was no permanent vocal cord palsy or hypocalcemia postoperatively. One patient had transient vocal cord palsy, which resolved within 1 week. Paresthesia of the lower lip and the chin was observed in nine patients, and one patient had a first‐degree burn of the skin flap due to the lens.

Conclusion

Three‐port TORT without axillary incision is feasible for selected patients and would be a potential alternative for remote‐access thyroid surgery to avoid leaving scars on the neck or the armpit.
Intergenerational Processes of Disadvantage in the Lives of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Australians: From Relationships with Parents to Parenting Expectations
Authors: Campbell Alice , Perales Francisco
Published: October 2022

Australia remains a heteronormative society, with many of our social, legal, and moral structures still assuming and reinforcing heterosexuality as the default norm. The impacts of heteronormativity on the family lives of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) Australians can be profound. In this chapter, we draw from the lifecourse principles of linked lives, trajectories and turning points to examine how family dynamics produce disadvantage in the lives of LGB Australians. We begin by documenting trajectories of satisfaction, closeness, and support in relationships between LGB children and their parents. We then test associations between the quality of the parent-child relationship and LGB people’s mental health and emotional wellbeing across the life course. Next, we turn our attention to LGB people’s desires and expectations to have children of their own, and test whether relationships with parents play a role in shaping these. Overall, we find evidence that family dynamics continue to be a source of disadvantage in the lives of some LGB Australians. On average, LGB people are less likely to report a positive relationship with their parents than heterosexual people, and negative relationships with parents appear to suppress desires for having children of one’s own. Further, gay men who desire to have children are significantly less likely to expect to fulfill those desires the more dissatisfied they are with their relationships with their parents. Our findings demonstrate how social structures have the power to shape our most important, personal relationships and, through these, our mental health and wellbeing.
Influencing Social Policy on Families through Research in Australia
Authors: Reddel Tim , Hand Kelly , Lata Lutfun Nahar
Published: October 2022

There is an emerging academic and public policy discourse about better research engagement, impact and policy translation. In this chapter we examine the place of research in making ‘real world’ impact on the social policies and practices affecting Australian families, especially the transmission of (dis)advantage over the life course and across generations. We begin by briefly reflecting on the influence of ‘policy research’ in shaping Australia’s early social development through the 1907 Basic Wage Case by Justice Higgins (The Harvester judgement), which placed the intersection of work and family life at the centre of economic and social policy debates. While historical, these reforms laid the foundations for what can be seen as tentative life course social policy frameworks engaged in the dynamics of family life from birth to death, changing family structures, and increasing economic and gender inequality. We then examine selected historical and contemporary social policy episodes consistent with the book’s central themes where research from academia, the public sector and civil society has been impactful in key national and state-based policy systems such as social security, balancing work and family, child care, addressing gender inequality and support for vulnerable and complex families.
Families, Life Courses and the Intergenerational Transmission of Social Disadvantage in Australia
Authors: Lee Rennie , Lam Jack , Baxter Janeen , Povey Jenny , Zubrick Stephen R.
Published: October 2022

In this chapter, we describe the life course approach and explain key concepts and principles. We also review variations in life course theory across disciplines including differences in terminology and understanding of core elements of life course theory. We outline why the life course approach is useful for examining intergenerational transmission of inequality and why a focus on family background is important. We review research on intergenerational inequality, family dynamics and variations across social groups and conclude by briefly outlining new directions in life course theory toward a more integrated theoretical framework.
Early Years and Disadvantage: Matching Developmental Circumstances in Populations to Prevention and Intervention Opportunities
Authors: Zubrick Stephen R. , Taylor Catherine , Christensen Daniel , Hancock Kirsten
Published: October 2022

In this chapter we use rich longitudinal data to examine the typical growth of vocabulary in children as they age from 4 years onwards. Vocabulary is a robust indicator of language development and of early cognitive growth. The data demonstrate the surprising variability among children of similar ages in their early cognitive growth. This variability leads to difficulties in predicting early vulnerability and in subsequently selecting children for targeted interventions. By examining the developmental circumstances that accelerate or retard changes in the growth of this aspect of language development we assess the implications of the findings for the subsequent population reach and actual participation of children in programs designed to reach those who are variously vulnerable.
Differences in Higher Education Access, Participation and Outcomes by Socioeconomic Background: A Life Course Perspective
Authors: Tomaszewski Wojtek , Perales Francisco , Xiang Ning , Kubler Matthias
Published: October 2022

The intergenerational transmission of socio-economic status is driven to a significant extent through parents with higher socio-economic status providing advantages to their children as they move through the education system. At the same time, attainment of higher education credentials constitutes an important pathway for upwards social mobility among individuals from low socio-economic family backgrounds. Given the critical importance of higher education for socio-economic outcomes of children, this chapter focuses on young people’s journeys into and out of university. Drawing on the life course approach and opportunity pluralism theory, we present a conceptual model of the university student life cycle that splits individuals’ higher education trajectories into three distinct stages: access, participation and post-participation. Using this model as a guiding framework, we present a body of recent Australian evidence on differences in pathways through the higher education system among individuals from low and high socio-economic status (SES) backgrounds. In doing so, we pay attention to factors such as family material circumstances, students’ school experiences and post-school plans, and parental education and expectations—all of which constitute important barriers to access, participation and successful transitions out of higher education for low SES students. Overall, our results indicate that socio-economic background plays a significant role in shaping outcomes at various points of individual’s educational trajectories. This is manifested by lower chances amongst low-SES individuals to access and participate in higher education, and to find satisfying and secure employment post-graduation. Our findings bear important implications for educational and social policy.
Emerging Adulthood in Australia: How is this Stage Lived?
Authors: Ribar David C. , Wong Clement
Published: October 2022

The period during which young people are financially and residentially dependent on their parents is lengthening and extending into adulthood. This has created an in-between period of “emerging adulthood” where young people are legal adults but without the full responsibilities and autonomy of independent adults. There is considerable debate over whether emerging adulthood represents a new developmental phase in which young people invest in schooling, work experiences, and life skills to increase their later lifetime chances of success or a reflection of poor economic opportunities and high living costs that constrain young people into dependence. In this chapter we examine the incidence of emerging adulthood and the characteristics and behaviours of emerging adults, investigating data from the Household, Income, and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey. We find that a majority of young Australians who are 22 years old or younger are residentially and financial dependent on their parents and thus, emerging adults. We also find that a substantial minority of 23- to 25-year-olds meet this definition and that the proportion of young people who are emerging adults has grown over time. Emerging adults have autonomy in some spheres of their lives but not others. Most emerging adults are enrolled in school. Although most also work, they often do so through casual jobs and with low earnings. Young people with high-income parents receive co-residential and financial support longer than young people with low-income parents. Similarly, non-Indigenous young people and young people from two-parent families receive support for longer than Indigenous Australians or young people from single-parent backgrounds. The evidence strongly supports distinguishing emerging adulthood from other stages in the life course.
Moduli spaces for PT-regularized solitons
Authors: Correa Francisco , Fring Andreas , Taira Takano
Published: October 2022

Abstract

We construct and analyse the moduli space (collective coordinates) for a classical field theory in 1 + 1 dimensions that possesses complex stable multi-soliton solutions with real energies when PT-regularized. For the integrable Bullough-Dodd model we show, by comparing with the exact solutions, that a one-dimensional moduli space captures well the main feature of the centre of mass motion of the one and two-soliton solutions. We demonstrate that even the time-delay and spatial displacements occurring for the one-soliton constituents in a multi-soliton scattering process can be extracted from a moduli space analysis. We propose a two dimensional moduli space to describe the newly found triple bouncing scattering amongst the constituents of a dark two double peakon scattering.
Heterotic global anomalies and torsion Witten index
Authors: Yonekura Kazuya
Published: October 2022

Abstract

We study the structure of anomalies in general heterotic string theories by considering general 2-dimensional $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= (0, 1) supersymmetric quantum field theories (SQFTs), without assuming conformal invariance nor the correct central charges. First we generalize the precise notion of the B-field introduced by Witten. Then we express the target space anomalies by invariants of SQFTs. Perturbative anomalies correspond to the Witten index of some class of SQFTs, while global anomalies correspond to a torsion version of the Witten index. The torsion index gives some of the invariants of SQFTs suggested by topological modular forms, and is expected to be zero for the cases that are relevant to actual heterotic string theories.
Cascades of high-energy SM particles in the primordial thermal plasma
Authors: Mukaida Kyohei , Yamada Masaki
Published: October 2022

Abstract

High-energy standard model (SM) particles in the early Universe are generated by the decay of heavy long-lived particles. The subsequent thermalization occurs through the splitting of high-energy primary particles into lower-energy daughters in primordial thermal plasma. The principal example of such processes is reheating after inflation caused by the decay of inflatons into SM particles. Understanding of the thermalization at reheating is extremely important as it reveals the origin of the hot Universe, and could open up new mechanisms for generating dark matter and/or baryon asymmetry. In this paper, we investigate the thermalization of high-energy SM particles in thermal plasma, taking into account the Landau-Pomeranchuk-Migdal effect in the leading-log approximation. The whole SM particle content and all the relevant SM interactions are included for the first time, i.e., the full gauge interactions of SU(3)c×SU(2)L×U(1)Y and the top Yukawa interaction. The distribution function of each SM species is computed both numerically and analytically. We have analytically obtained the distribution function of each SM species after the first few splittings. Furthermore, we demonstrate that, after a sufficient number of splittings, the particle distributions are asymptotic to certain values at low momentum, independent of the high-energy particles injected by inflaton decay. The results are useful to calculate the DM abundance produced during the pre-thermal phase. An example is provided to illustrate a way to calculate the DM abundance from the scattering between the thermal plasma and high-energy particles in the cascade.
Sampling Trajectories for the Short-Time Fourier Transform
Authors: Speckbacher Michael
Published: October 2022

We study the problem of stable reconstruction of the short-time Fourier transform from samples taken from trajectories in $${\mathbb {R}}^2$$

R

2

. We first investigate the interplay between relative density of the trajectory and the reconstruction property. Later, we consider spiraling curves, a special class of trajectories, and connect sampling and uniqueness properties of these sets. Moreover, we show that for window functions given by a linear combination of Hermite functions, it is indeed possible to stably reconstruct from samples on some particular natural choices of spiraling curves.
Out-of-pocket expenses of patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a comparison of patient-reported outcomes across 12 European countries
Authors: Holko Przemysław , Kawalec Paweł , Sajak-Szczerba Magdalena , Avedano Luisa , Mossakowska Małgorzata
Published: October 2022

Background

There is a high variability of out-of-packet patient costs of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), but the issue is not widely recognised. Therefore, we compared patient costs of IBDs between 12 European countries.

Methods

A questionnaire-based study was conducted among adult patients with IBD. Data on patient characteristics and out-of-pocket expenses were anonymously collected. Ordered logit regression models were used to analyse the responses provided by patients. The results were adjusted for confounders and multiplicity.

Results

The questionnaires obtained from 3687 patients were analysed. Patients with comorbidities and active disease indicated higher out-of-pocket expenses than those without comorbidities and with disease in remission, respectively. Compared with other IBD, patients with ulcerative colitis indicated higher expenses on medications prescribed or recommended by physicians [odds ratio (OR) 1.99, 95% CI 1.48–2.67]. Expenses on dietary supplements, special diet or equipment, ostomy pouches, and transportation to a medical facility differed slightly between patients at different ages and were lower among men than among women (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.54–0.93). The expenses differed significantly between countries. An adjusted mean patient cost per month varied from €77 (patient with Crohn disease in remission from Denmark) to €376 (patient with active ulcerative colitis from Romania). Compared with active disease, patients with IBD in remission had a lower out-of-pocket cost by 29–62% (€10–€22 monthly; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The study revealed a high relevance of the out-of-pocket cost of IBD in the context of economic evaluation and a high variability of the cost between countries.
Evaluation of the analytical performance of three chemiluminescence serological assays for detecting anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies
Authors: Lo Sasso Bruna , Agnello Luisa , Giglio Rosaria Vincenza , Scazzone Concetta , Massa Davide , Ciaccio Anna Maria , Gambino Caterina Maria , Vidali Matteo , Ciaccio Marcello
Published: October 2022

The serology surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies represents a useful tool for monitoring protective immunity in the population. We compared the performance of three SARS-CoV-2 antibody serological immunoassays in 600 vaccinated subjects after the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. All serum samples were evaluated by three different immunoassays for detecting anti-SARS-COV-2 antibodies. All SARS-CoV-2 antibody serological immunoassays could detect, when present, a post-vaccine humoral immune response. Median (interquartile range, IQR) anti-S-RBD IgG, Access SARS-CoV-2 IgG (1st IS) and Access SARS-CoV-2 IgG II levels of the subjects investigated were, respectively, 687 BAU/mL (131–2325), 419 IU/mL (58–1091) and 104 AU/mL (14–274). By studying a cohort of unvaccinated subjects, without previous COVID-19 infection, we found a high specificity for all methods. A high correlation was found between IgG titres. Considering the kinetics of subjects with multiple doses, we observed that percentage decreasing gradients were comparable across methods. Our results suggest that all the SARS-CoV-2 antibody serological immunoassays evaluated in this study are suitable for monitoring IgG titers over time. This study contributes to a better understanding of antibody response in vaccinated subjects using some currently available assays.
Preclinical Alzheimer’s dementia: a useful concept or another dead end?
Authors: Mark Ruth E. , Brehmer Yvonne
Published: October 2022

The term, preclinical dementia, was introduced in 2011 when new guidelines for the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s dementia (AD) were published. In the intervening 11 years, many studies have appeared in the literature focusing on this early stage. A search conducted in English on Google Scholar on 06.23.2022 using the term “preclinical (Alzheimer’s) dementia” produced 121, 000 results. However, the label is arguably more relevant for research purposes, and it is possible that the knowledge gained may lead to a cure for AD. The term has not been widely adopted by clinical practitioners. Furthermore, it is still not possible to predict who, after a diagnosis of preclinical dementia, will go on to develop AD, and if so, what the risk factors (modifiable and non-modifiable) might be. This Review/Theoretical article will focus on preclinical Alzheimer’s dementia (hereafter called preclinical AD). We outline how preclinical AD is currently defined, explain how it is diagnosed and explore why this is problematic at a number of different levels. We also ask the question: Is the concept ‘preclinical AD’ useful in clinical practice or is it just another dead end in the Holy Grail to find a treatment for AD? Specific recommendations for research and clinical practice are provided.
Implementation and Validation of an Algebraic Wall Model for LES in Nek5000
Authors: Gillyns Emmanuel , Buckingham Sophia , Winckelmans Grégoire
Published: October 2022

Turbulent flows are most often wall-bounded, rendering the treatment of the wall essential. In this work, the near-wall layer is modelled in large eddy simulations which enables simulating high Reynolds number flows. An algebraic wall model has been implemented in the spectral element code Nek5000. It consists of an approximate boundary condition that relates the wall shear stress to the velocity measured close to the wall, on the upper edge of the first spectral element. The wall shear stress model approximates the law of the wall for hydraulically smooth cases. The model is applied to channel flow cases at $$Re_{\tau }=1000$$

R

e
τ

=
1000

and at $$Re_{\tau }=5200$$

R

e
τ

=
5200

. The wmLES results obtained with the present implementation are seen to compare very well with those of reference direct numerical simulations in the resolved region. They also remain remarkably close to the reference results for a large part of the under-resolved region; which is not necessarily the case when using low order implementations and even other types of high order discretizations, as found in the literature. Various parameters are studied such as the time averaging, the height of the near wall under-resolved element, and the mesh requirements. The obtained results indicate that accurate results can be obtained with Nek5000 at a reduced cost thanks to this newly implemented wmLES model. This work provides the necessary guidelines for simple flows, and it will serve as a first basis for simulating more complex flows at high Reynolds numbers.
Consistency of Eye Coloration Across Different Relationship Partners
Authors: Newman Amy V. , Pollet Thomas V. , McCarty Kristofor , Neave Nick , Saxton Tamsin K.
Published: October 2022

Studies have indicated that people are attracted to partners who resemble themselves or their parents, in terms of physical traits including eye color. We might anticipate this inclination to be relatively stable, giving rise to a sequential selection of similar partners who then represent an individual’s “type”. We tested this idea by examining whether people’s sequential partners resembled each other at the level of eye color. We gathered details of the eye colors of the partners of participants (N = 579) across their adult romantic history (N = 3250 relationships), in three samples, comprising two samples which made use of self-reports from predominantly UK-based participants, and one which made use of publicly available information about celebrity relationship histories. Recorded partner eye colors comprised black (N = 39 partners), dark brown (N = 884), light brown (N = 393), hazel (N = 224), blue (N = 936), blue green (N = 245), grey (N = 34), and green (N = 229). We calculated the proportion of identical eye colors within each participant’s relationship history, and compared that to 100,000 random permutations of our dataset, using t-tests to investigate if the eye color of partners across an individual’s relationship history was biased relative to chance (i.e., if there was greater consistency, represented by higher calculated proportions of identical eye colors, in the original dataset than in the permutations). To account for possible eye color reporting errors and ethnic group matching, we ran the analyses restricted to White participants and to high-confidence eye color data; we then ran the analyses again in relation to the complete dataset. We found some limited evidence for some consistency of eye color across people’s relationship histories in some of the samples only when using the complete dataset. We discuss the issues of small effect sizes, partner-report bias, and ethnic group matching in investigating partner consistency across time.
Disentangling the Long-term Effects of Divorce Circumstances on Father–Child Closeness in Adulthood: A Mediation Analysis
Authors: Spaan Juul , van Gaalen Ruben , Kalmijn Matthijs
Published: October 2022

Many studies have shown that the relationship between nonresidential fathers and their children in youth has a lasting influence on their relationship in adulthood. Comparatively less is known about the process through which divorce affects father–child relationships. We assess if and how the divorce circumstances of interparental conflict, the presence of new partners, and geographical distance between parents affect nonresidential father–child closeness in adulthood. Using a path model, we test whether father–adult child closeness is mediated by fathers’ involvement after divorce. The results of this study demonstrate that the level of interparental conflict and the presence of a fathers’ new partner after the divorce negatively affect the closeness between fathers and children in adulthood. Our mediation analysis demonstrates that both the effects of interparental conflict and new partnerships on closeness are partially mediated by father involvement and contact frequency during childhood. In other words, it is partly through the negative effect that interparental conflict and new partners have on fathers’ involvement that fathers and children become less close later in life. Our study highlights the importance of disentangling the effects of different factors associated with divorce when examining nonresidential father–child relationships.
Genetic and genomic approaches for breeding rust resistance in wheat
Authors: Baranwal Deepak
Published: October 2022

Wheat rusts are considered major biotic stresses due to immense yield losses incurred by the rust pathogens. Continuous incursions and evolution among populations of rust pathogen have challenged several resistance genes deployed in wheat mega-varieties. A substantial amount of wheat production is being saved by rust resistance wheat varieties. Breeding for rust resistance aimed to transfer potential genes in wheat elite lines and discover novel alleles to diversify resistance gene stock for future wheat breeding. This class of research was initiated worldwide after the discovery of mendelian genetics. Over a century, several genetic and genomic approaches were discovered and subsequently applied in wheat research to better understand the nature of rust pathogens and accordingly deployed major and minor rust resistant genes in combination in wheat varieties. Over 240 rust resistance genes have been catalogued and several alleles/QTL have been reported. Various statistical tools and consensus maps have been designed to precisely allocate novel alleles, as well as known genes on the wheat physical map. With the advancement in genomics and next generation sequencing (NGS) technology, more than 20 rust resistance genes have been cloned in the last two decades. The mutational genomics approach was found competitive and parallel to modern NGS technology in isolating rust resistance loci. In this review, evolutionary trends of rust pathogens, source of rust resistance genes, methodology used in genetic and association mapping studies and available cutting-edge techniques to isolate disease resistance genes have been summarised and discussed.
On the Implementation of an Adaptive Multirate Framework for Coupled Transport and Flow
Authors: Bruchhäuser Marius Paul , Köcher Uwe , Bause Markus
Published: October 2022

This paper presents a multirate in time approach for coupled flow and transport problems combined with goal-oriented error control based on the Dual Weighted Residual (DWR) method. The focus is on the implementation of the multirate concept regarding different time scales for the underlying subproblems. Key ingredients are an arbitrary degree discontinuous Galerkin time discretization, an a posteriori error representation for the transport problem coupled with flow and the concept of space-time slabs based on tensor-product spaces. From the latter, a space-time mesh adaptation with highly economical grids is developed. The performance of the approach is studied carefully by numerical convergence examples as well as an example of physical interest for convection-dominated transport.
Infrared Thermal Imaging-Based Turbine Blade Crack Classification Using Deep Learning
Authors: Jaeger Benedict E. , Schmid Simon , Grosse Christian U. , Gögelein Anian , Elischberger Frederik
Published: October 2022

Non-destructive testing is widely applied for the detection and identification of defects in turbine blades of modern aircraft engines. Cracks in turbine blades can affect the turbine performance and pose a risk to safety and service life. For Original Equipment Manufacturers it is, therefore, essential to be able to identify all defects. Heat flow thermography offers, compared to the often used penetrant testing, the potential to improve the detection of defects in turbine blades and is contact-free, reproducible, quick to apply, and can be automated. With induction (heat flow) thermography, it is even possible to detect cracks that lie below the surface and therefore are not externally visible. However, manual inspection of thermography images is very time-consuming. By automating the image classification procedure with a deep learning technique, the speed and accuracy of the classification can be improved over a manually performed classification. The development objective of this AI application is expected to support and assist the highly skilled and experienced inspection specialists in the medium term. Our solution is based on convolutional neural networks. Several challenges of the AI training process, including data imbalance, a small dataset, and extremely small cracks in large images are addressed.
A system pharmacology Boolean network model for the TLR4-mediated inflammatory response in early sepsis
Authors: Liu Feiyan , Aulin Linda B. S. , Kossen Sebastiaan S. A. , Cathalina Julius , Bremmer Marlotte , Foks Amanda C. , van der Graaf Piet H. , Moerland Matthijs , van Hasselt Johan G. C.
Published: October 2022

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition driven by the dysregulation of the host immune response to an infection. The complex and interacting mechanisms underlying sepsis remain not fully understood. By integrating prior knowledge from literature using mathematical modelling techniques, we aimed to obtain a deeper mechanistic insight into sepsis pathogenesis and to evaluate promising novel therapeutic targets, with a focus on Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-mediated pathways. A Boolean network of regulatory relationships was developed for key immune components associated with sepsis pathogenesis after TLR4 activation. Perturbation analyses were conducted to identify therapeutic targets associated with organ dysfunction or antibacterial activity. The developed model consisted of 42 nodes and 183 interactions. Perturbation analyses suggest that over-expression of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) or inhibition of soluble receptor sTNF-R, tissue factor, and inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-12) may lead to a reduced activation of organ dysfunction related endpoints. Over-expression of complement factor C3b and C5b led to an increase in the bacterial clearance related endpoint. We identified that combinatory blockade of IFN-γ and IL-10 may reduce the risk of organ dysfunction. Finally, we found that combining antibiotic treatment with IL-1β targeted therapy may have the potential to decrease thrombosis. In summary, we demonstrate how existing biological knowledge can be effectively integrated using Boolean network analysis for hypothesis generation of potential treatment strategies and characterization of biomarker responses associated with the early inflammatory response in sepsis.
Enantiopure β-isocyano-boronic esters: synthesis and exploitation in isocyanide-based multicomponent reactions
Authors: Manenti Marco , Gusmini Simone , Lo Presti Leonardo , Molteni Giorgio , Silvani Alessandra
Published: October 2022

Various boron-containing isocyanides have been efficiently synthesized from the corresponding enantiopure β-substituted β-amino boronic acid pinacol esters, without need for protecting group interconversion, through a two-step, purification-free procedure. They were employed in a variety of isocyanide-based multicomponent reactions, proving to be reliable components for all of them and allowing the efficient synthesis of unprecedented, boron-containing peptidomimetics and heteroatom-rich small molecules, including biologically relevant cyclic boronates. Jointing together the β-amido boronic acid moiety, deriving from the isocyanide component, with prominent pharmacophoric rings emerging from the multicomponent process, a successful application of the molecular hybridization concept could be realized.

Graphical abstract
Tissue P systems with evolutional communication rules with two objects in the left-hand side
Authors: Orellana-Martín David , Valencia-Cabrera Luis , Song Bosheng , Pan Linqiang , Pérez-Jiménez Mario J.
Published: October 2022

In the framework of Membrane Computing, several efficient solutions to computationally hard problems have been given. To find new borderlines between families of P systems that can solve them and the ones that cannot is an important task to tackle the P versus NP problem. Adding syntactic and/or semantic ingredients can mean passing from non-efficiency to presumed efficiency. Here, we try to get narrow frontiers, setting the stage to adapt efficient solutions from a family of P systems to another one. In order to do that, a solution to the problem is given by means of a family of tissue P systems with evolutional symport/antiport rules and cell separation with the restriction that both the left-hand side and the right-hand side of the rules have at most two objects; that is, with recognizer P systems from $${\mathcal {TSEC}}(2, 2)$$

TSEC
(
2
,
2
)

. This result improves a previous one, when 3 objects could be used in the left-hand side of the evolutional communication rules
In Silico Dosimetry Study of Tc99m-Tetrofosmin in Children Using a Novel PBPK Model in Humans Built from SPECT Imaging Data
Authors: Kaikousidis Christos , Dokoumetzidis Aristides
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The aim of this work is to develop a Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic model (PBPK) for the radiopharmaceutical Tc99m-Tetrofosmin in humans, from literature SPECT imaging data, to carry out in-silico dosimetry studies in children and extrapolate dosing.

Methods

A whole body PBPK model was developed from literature data from humans of Tc99m-Tetrofosmin tissue distribution. A data driven approach to estimate partition coeffects, permeability parameters and clearances was carried out, while some parameters were determined using a standard in silico PBPK method. Paediatric PK data for all tissues were simulated by changing the physiological parameters from the adult to paediatric values. Absorbed and effective doses for children of all ages were calculated using S-values from literature of Tc99m that have been computed from anthropomorphic phantoms.

Results

Using the results from each tissue, satisfactory goodness-of-fit was achieved, assessed by visual inspection and a coefficient of determination of R2 = 0.965 while all estimated parameters had good standard errors. Paediatric simulations of Tetrofosmin distribution showed that paediatric profiles are not very different to the those of adults. The effective doses per unit of administered activity for 15 yo, 10 yo, 5 yo and 1 yo children were calculated to be 1.2, 1.7, 2.6 and 4.8 times higher, respectively than the adult value. Based on these calculations maximum administered activity scale more than proportionately to body weight.

Conclusions

A PBPK model of tetrofosmin in adults has been developed from SPECT imaging data and was extrapolated to conduct in-silico dosimetry studies in children of all ages.
Affine-mapping based variational ensemble Kalman filter
Authors: Wen Linjie , Li Jinglai
Published: October 2022

We propose an affine-mapping based variational ensemble Kalman filter for sequential Bayesian filtering problems with generic observation models. Specifically, the proposed method is formulated as to construct an affine mapping from the prior ensemble to the posterior one, and the affine mapping is computed via a variational Bayesian formulation, i.e., by minimizing the Kullback–Leibler divergence between the transformed distribution through the affine mapping and the actual posterior. Some theoretical properties of resulting optimization problem are studied and a gradient descent scheme is proposed to solve the resulting optimization problem. With numerical examples we demonstrate that the method has competitive performance against existing methods.
On the Suitability of NOx-Storage-Catalysts for Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engines and a Radio Frequency-Based NOx Loading Monitoring
Authors: Walter S. , Hagen G. , Koch D. , Geißelmann A. , Moos R.
Published: October 2022

Hydrogen combustion engines can contribute to CO2-free mobility. However, they produce NOx emissions, albeit only to an extremely small extent when operated very leanly. One approach to reduce these emissions even further is to use exhaust gas aftertreatment systems like NOx storage catalysts (NSC). So far, they have mainly been used in diesel or gasoline applications. This contribution shows that under conditions such as those prevailing in hydrogen engines, the NSC can achieve not only a higher storage capacity for nitrogen oxides (NOx) but also a higher conversion. To ensure permanently high conversion rates, the amount of stored NOx has to be monitored permanently to prevent NOx breakthroughs. Conventional NOx sensors may not be accurate enough due to the very low NOx emissions. The functionality of the radio frequency (RF) sensor, which enables a direct determination of the NOx loading, is demonstrated for operation under hydrogen conditions. Furthermore, the influence of rich exhaust gas on the RF signal, which is relevant for a correct NOx loading determination during regeneration, is analyzed.
Data-driven health deficit assessment improves a frailty index’s prediction of current cognitive status and future conversion to dementia: results from ADNI
Authors: Engvig Andreas , Maglanoc Luigi A. , Doan Nhat Trung , Westlye Lars T. ,   Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: October 2022

Frailty is a dementia risk factor commonly measured by a frailty index (FI). The standard procedure for creating an FI requires manually selecting health deficit items and lacks criteria for selection optimization. We hypothesized that refining the item selection using data-driven assessment improves sensitivity to cognitive status and future dementia conversion, and compared the predictive value of three FIs: a standard 93-item FI was created after selecting health deficit items according to standard criteria (FIs) from the ADNI database. A refined FI (FIr) was calculated by using a subset of items, identified using factor analysis of mixed data (FAMD)-based cluster analysis. We developed both FIs for the ADNI1 cohort (n = 819). We also calculated another standard FI (FIc) developed by Canevelli and coworkers. Results were validated in an external sample by pooling ADNI2 and ADNI-GO cohorts (n = 815). Cluster analysis yielded two clusters of subjects, which significantly (pFDR < .05) differed on 26 health items, which were used to compute FIr. The data-driven subset of items included in FIr covered a range of systems and included well-known frailty components, e.g., gait alterations and low energy. In prediction analyses, FIr outperformed FIs and FIc in terms of baseline cognition and future dementia conversion in the training and validation cohorts. In conclusion, the data show that data-driven health deficit assessment improves an FI's prediction of current cognitive status and future dementia, and suggest that the standard FI procedure needs to be refined when used for dementia risk assessment purposes.