bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sodium (23Na) MRI of the Kidney: Experimental Protocol
Authors: Grist James T. , Hansen Esben Søvsø , Zöllner Frank G. , Laustsen Christoffer
Published: January 2021

Sodium handling is a key physiological hallmark of renal function. Alterations are generally considered a pathophysiologic event associated with kidney injury, with disturbances in the corticomedullary sodium gradient being indicative of a number of conditions. This experimental protocol review describes the individual steps needed to perform 23Na MRI; allowing accurate monitoring of the renal sodium distribution in a step-by-step experimental protocol for rodents.

This chapter is based upon work from the PARENCHIMA COST Action, a community-driven network funded by the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) program of the European Union, which aims to improve the reproducibility and standardization of renal MRI biomarkers. This experimental protocol chapter is complemented by two separate chapters describing the basic concept and data analysis.
Preparation and Monitoring of Small Animals in Renal MRI
Authors: Kaucsar Tamas , Hosszu Adam , Seeliger Erdmann , Reimann Henning M. , Fekete Andrea
Published: January 2021

Renal diseases remain devastating illnesses with unacceptably high rates of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Animal models are essential tools to better understand the pathomechanism of kidney-related illnesses and to develop new, successful therapeutic strategies. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been actively explored in the last decades for assessing renal function, perfusion, tissue oxygenation as well as the degree of fibrosis and inflammation. This chapter aims to provide an overview of the preparation and monitoring of small animals before, during, and after surgical interventions or MR imaging. Standardization of experimental settings such as body temperature or hydration of animals and minimizing pain and distress are essential for diminishing nonexperimental variables as well as for conducting ethical research.

This publication is based upon work from the COST Action PARENCHIMA, a community-driven network funded by the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) program of the European Union, which aims to improve the reproducibility and standardization of renal MRI biomarkers.
Fluorine (19F) MRI to Measure Renal Oxygen Tension and Blood Volume: Experimental Protocol
Authors: Hu Lingzhi , Pan Hua , Wickline Samuel A.
Published: January 2021

Fluorinated compounds feature favorable toxicity profile and can be used as a contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy. Fluorine nucleus from fluorinated compounds exhibit well-known advantages of being a high signal nucleus with a natural abundance of its stable isotope, a convenient gyromagnetic ratio close to that of protons, and a unique spectral signature with no detectable background at clinical field strengths. Perfluorocarbon core nanoparticles (PFC NP) are a class of clinically approved emulsion agents recently applied in vivo for ligand-targeted molecular imaging. The objective of this chapter is to outline a multinuclear 1H/19F MRI protocol for functional kidney imaging in rodents for mapping of renal blood volume and oxygenation (pO2) in renal disease models.

This chapter is based upon work from the COST Action PARENCHIMA, a community-driven network funded by the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) program of the European Union, which aims to improve the reproducibility and standardization of renal MRI biomarkers. This experimental protocol chapter is complemented by a separate chapter describing the basic concept of functional imaging using fluorine (19F) MR methods.
Quantitative Analysis of Renal Perfusion by Arterial Spin Labeling
Authors: Chuang Kai-Hsiang , Kober Frank , Ku Min-Chi
Published: January 2021

The signal intensity differences measured by an arterial-spin-labelling (ASL) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) experiment are proportional to the local perfusion, which can be quantified with kinetic modeling. Here we present a step-by-step tutorial for the data post-processing needed to calculate an ASL perfusion map. The process of developing an analysis software is described with the essential program code, which involves nonlinear fitting a tracer kinetic model to the ASL data. Key parameters for the quantification are the arterial transit time (ATT), which is the time the labeled blood takes to flow from the labeling area to the tissue, and the tissue T1. As ATT varies with vasculature, physiology, anesthesia and pathology, it is recommended to measure it using multiple delay times. The tutorial explains how to analyze ASL data with multiple delay times and a T1 map for quantification.

This chapter is based upon work from the COST Action PARENCHIMA, a community-driven network funded by the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) program of the European Union, which aims to improve the reproducibility and standardization of renal MRI biomarkers. This analysis protocol chapter is complemented by two separate chapters describing the basic concept and experimental procedure.
Analysis Protocol for the Quantification of Renal pH Using Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST) MRI
Authors: Kim Hahnsung , Wu Yin , Villano Daisy , Longo Dario Livio , McMahon Michael T. , Sun Phillip Zhe
Published: January 2021

The kidney plays a major role in maintaining body pH homeostasis. Renal pH, in particular, changes immediately following injuries such as intoxication and ischemia, making pH an early biomarker for kidney injury before the symptom onset and complementary to well-established laboratory tests. Because of this, it is imperative to develop minimally invasive renal pH imaging exams and test pH as a new diagnostic biomarker in animal models of kidney injury before clinical translation. Briefly, iodinated contrast agents approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for computed tomography (CT) have demonstrated promise as novel chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI agents for pH-sensitive imaging. The generalized ratiometric iopamidol CEST MRI analysis enables concentration-independent pH measurement, which simplifies in vivo renal pH mapping. This chapter describes quantitative CEST MRI analysis for preclinical renal pH mapping, and their application in rodents, including normal conditions and acute kidney injury.

This publication is based upon work from the COST Action PARENCHIMA, a community-driven network funded by the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) program of the European Union, which aims to improve the reproducibility and standardization of renal MRI biomarkers. This analysis protocol chapter is complemented by two separate chapters describing the basic concepts and experimental procedure.
Ultrasound and Photoacoustic Imaging of the Kidney: Basic Concepts and Protocols
Authors: Meyer Sandra , Fuchs Dieter , Meier Martin
Published: January 2021

Noninvasive, robust, and reproducible methods to image kidneys are provided by different imaging modalities. A combination of modalities (multimodality) can give better insight into structure and function and to understand the physiology of the kidney. Magnetic resonance imaging can be complemented by a multimodal imaging approach to obtain additional information or include interventional procedures. In the clinic, renal ultrasound has been essential for the diagnosis and management of kidney disease and for the guidance of invasive procedures for a long time. Adapting ultrasound to preclinical requirements and for translational research, the combination with photoacoustic imaging expands the capabilities to obtain anatomical, functional, and molecular information from animal models. This chapter describes the basic concepts of how to image kidneys using different and most appropriate modalities.

This chapter is based upon work from the COST Action PARENCHIMA, a community-driven network funded by the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) program of the European Union, which aims to improve the reproducibility and standardization of renal MRI biomarkers. This introduction chapter is complemented by two separate chapters describing the experimental procedure and data analysis.
Ethik und Moral
Authors: Werner Micha H.
Published: January 2021

Ethische Grundfragen:Ethik ist die wichtigste aller Wissenschaften. Freilich, Wissenschaftler/innen neigen stets dazu, ihre eigene Disziplin für die allerwichtigste zu halten. Für die Ethik spricht jedoch zumindest ihre Fragestellung: Was könnte wichtiger sein als zu wissen, woran wir unser Handeln in letzter Hinsicht orientieren sollen? Welche Einsicht ist bedeutsamer als die Einsicht, worin ein gutes und gelingendes Leben besteht und wie wir ein solches Leben führen können? Was tut mehr Not als die Erkenntnis dessen, was wir unbedingt tun und unterlassen müssen, wie wir uns also überhaupt verhalten dürfen? Kaum jemand wird bestreiten, dass dies Fragen von größter Bedeutung sind.
Ethik im Kontext normativer Subsysteme
Authors: Werner Micha H.
Published: January 2021

Normativität sozialer Institutionen: Der Pluralismus normativ-ethischer Theorien ist nicht der einzig mögliche Grund für Unzufriedenheit mit der Moralphilosophie. Man mag auch befürchten, dass die Antworten auf moralische Gegenwartsfragen, die sich aus moralphilosophischen Theorien ableiten lassen, letztlich trivial oder unterkomplex sind. Die Befürchtung liegt nahe, wenn man (wie bislang in diesem Lehrbuch) nur Ansätze der allgemeinen Ethik und nicht auch der bereichsspezifischen Ethik in den Blick nimmt.
Ist Moral nur kluger Egoismus? Ansätze des Kontraktualismus
Authors: Werner Micha H.
Published: January 2021

Klassischer Naturalismus: Die systematischen Überlegungen des vorangehenden Kapitels haben sich mit dem inhaltlichen Ertrag der antiken Tugendethik beschäftigt (siehe Kap. 10.1007/978-3-476-05293-3_2). Hinterfragen lässt sich jedoch auch deren Begründungsbasis: Was ist der Maßstab, an dem sich unsere Urteile über das gute Leben und das gerechte Zusammenleben in letzter Hinsicht orientieren sollen, und wie wird dieser Maßstab begründet? Hinsichtlich dieser Frage erscheinen die Differenzen zwischen den dominierenden Strömungen antiker und scholastischer Tugendethik und Naturrechtslehre aus heutiger Sicht weniger gravierend als die Gemeinsamkeiten. Dass das naturgemäße Leben auch das gute und richtige Leben sei, ist zwischen den philosophischen Schulen der Antike nicht strittig.
Orientierung im pluralistischen Ethikdiskurs
Authors: Werner Micha H.
Published: January 2021

Ernüchternde Ethik?Zu Beginn des 20. Jahrhunderts macht Harold A. Prichard eine Beobachtung, die sich auch heute bestätigen lässt. Das Studium der Moralphilosophie hinterlässt oft ein vages Gefühl der Unzufriedenheit.
New magnetic symmetries in (d + 2)-dimensional QED
Authors: He Temple , Mitra Prahar
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Previous analyses of asymptotic symmetries in QED have shown that the subleading soft photon theorem implies a Ward identity corresponding to a charge generating divergent large gauge transformations on the asymptotic states at null infinity. In this work, we demonstrate that the subleading soft photon theorem is equivalent to a more general Ward identity. The charge corresponding to this Ward identity can be decomposed into an electric piece and a magnetic piece. The electric piece generates the Ward identity that was previously studied, but the magnetic piece is novel, and implies the existence of an additional asymptotic “magnetic” symmetry in QED.
Development of an integrated game theory-optimization subground stratification model using cone penetration test (CPT) measurements
Authors: Farhadi Mohammad Sadegh , Länsivaara Tim
Published: January 2021

The continuous cone penetration test (CPT) measurements provide an advantageous liable rapid tool for stratification and soil behavior classification that can be employed in the sustainable design of the infrastructures. However, the CPT measurements are often interpreted by geotechnical experts because of the involved complexities and uncertainties. In this study, a novel stratification and soil type behavior (SBT) classification model is developed to identify the transition and thicker layers by integrating the geotechnical knowledge with the three submodels of (a) locally estimated scatterplot smoothing (LOESS), (b) a game theory model known as Nash–Harsanyi (N–H) bargaining, and (c) grey wolf optimizer (GWO). The LOESS and integrated N–H bargaining-GWO models are, respectively, used to approximate the outliers in CPT measurements and identify the SBT and layer changes. Attractively, in the proposed model, the engineer has the opportunity to judge on the precision of the stratification profile regarding their own preferences in a project. Solving simple algebraic equations, high speed, identifying thick and the interlayer transition layers, and small required training data are the other advantages of the developed model. Finally, the applicability of the proposed model has been assessed in an example. The compared estimated and two other models’ stratification profiles highlighted the potential of the proposed model to identify thin transition layers.
Discontinuation and dose reduction of rituximab in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis
Authors: Boremalm Malin , Sundström Peter , Salzer Jonatan
Published: January 2021

Background

Rituximab is safe and effective for treating relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) according to phase II and observational studies. There are limited data on disease activity after discontinuation and dose reduction. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects on inflammatory disease activity after discontinuation or dose reduction of rituximab in patients with RRMS or clinically isolated syndrome (CIS).

Methods

In this retrospective observational study, we included all RRMS and CIS patients ever treated with rituximab at the University Hospital of Umeå who had either; (1) discontinued treatment at any time or (2) reduced the dose to a mean of < 1000 mg yearly. The patients served as their own controls by contributing patient years on full dose, reduced dose, and off treatment.

Results

A total of 225 patients treated with mean (SD) 6256 (2456) mg rituximab during mean (SD) 6.5 (2.0) years were included. There were no differences regarding the annualized relapse rates during full dose versus reduced dose or off treatment (0.02 versus < 0.01 and 0.02, p = 0.09), neither regarding proportion MRI scans with new or enlarged T2 lesions (0.03 versus 0.01 and 0.03, p = 0.37) or contrast-enhancing lesions (< 0.01 versus 0 and 0.02, p = 0.22).

Conclusions

This study indicates that rituximab has long-term effects on inflammatory disease activity and that disease reactivation is rare in MS patients who discontinued treatment for any reason. It also suggests that treatment with low-dose rituximab (< 1000 mg yearly) is sufficient to maintain suppression of inflammatory disease activity in patients with stable disease.
Using GPS tracking and stable multi-isotopes for estimating habitat use and winter range in Palearctic ospreys
Authors: Monti Flavio , Robert Aloїs , Dominici Jean-Marie , Sforzi Andrea , Bagur Rafel Triay , Navarro Antoni Muñoz , Guillou Gaël , Duriez Olivier , Bentaleb Ilham
Published: January 2021

We used both satellite tracking and carbon, nitrogen and sulphur stable isotopic analysis (SIA) to infer wintering ecology and habitat use of the Corsican ospreyPandion haliaetuspopulation. A control sample of feathers from 75 individuals was collected within the osprey’s northern hemisphere breeding range, to assess the SIA variability across habitat types. An experimental set of SIA on feathers of 18 Corsican adults was examined to infer wintering ground locations and habitat types used during the non-breeding period. We calibrated the SIA using GPS/GSM tracks of 12 Mediterranean adults’ movements as wintering site references. We found 50% of individuals were resident and the other half migrated. Ospreys spent the winter at temperate latitudes and showed a high plasticity in habitat selection spread over the Mediterranean basin (marine bays, coastal lagoons/marshland, inland freshwater sites). Complementary to GPS tracking, SIA is, at a broad geographical scale, a reliable method to determine whether ospreys overwinter in a habitat different from that of their breeding area. This study proved that the integration of SIA and GPS/GSM tracking techniques was effective at overcoming the intrinsic limits of each method and achieving greater information for basic ecological studies of migratory birds in aquatic environments.
Long-term changes in hazardous heat and cold stress in humans: multi-city study in Poland
Authors: Kuchcik Magdalena , Błażejczyk Krzysztof , Halaś Agnieszka
Published: January 2021

Significant changes in climate variables in the last decades resulted in changes of perceived climate conditions. However, there are only few studies discussing long-lasting changes in bioclimatic conditions. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to present the temporal and spatial distribution of hazardous heat and cold stress conditions in different regions of Poland. Its focus is on long-lasting changes in such conditions in the period 1951–2018. To assess changes in hazardous thermal stress conditions, the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) was used. UTCI values at 12 UTC hour (respectively 1 pm winter time, 2 pm summer time) were calculated daily based on air temperature, relative humidity, total cloud cover and wind speed at 24 stations representing the whole area of Poland. We found that the greatest changes were observed in minimum (1.33 °C/10 years) and average (0.52 °C/10 years) UTCI values as well as in cold stress frequency (− 4.00 days per 10 years). The changes vary seasonally and regionally. The greatest increase in UTCImin and decrease in cold stress days were noted from November to March and had the highest values in north-east and east Poland, and also in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. The trends in maximum UTCI are much smaller and not always positive. The spatially averaged trend in UTCImax for Poland as a whole was 0.35 °C/10 years and the increase in heat stress days was 0.80 days/10 years. The highest increases in UTCImax and heat stress days were noted in eastern and south-eastern Poland.
Real-Time Tracer Dispersion Simulations in Oklahoma City Using the Locally Mesh-Refined Lattice Boltzmann Method
Authors: Onodera Naoyuki , Idomura Yasuhiro , Hasegawa Yuta , Nakayama Hiromasa , Shimokawabe Takashi , Aoki Takayuki
Published: January 2021

We present ensemble-based large-eddy simulations based on a lattice Boltzmann method for a realistic urban area. A plume-dispersion model enables a real-time simulation over several kilometres by applying a local mesh-refinement method. We assess plume-dispersion problems in the complex urban environment of Oklahoma City on 16 July using realistic mesoscale velocity boundary conditions produced by the Weather Research and Forecasting model, as well as building structures and a plant-canopy model introduced into the plume-dispersion model. Ensemble calculations are performed to reduce uncertainties in the macroscale boundary conditions due to turbulence, which cannot be determined by the mesoscale model. The statistics of the plume-dispersion field, as well as mean and maximum concentrations, show that ensemble calculations improve the accuracy of the simulations. Factor-of-2 agreement is found between the ensemble-averaged concentrations based on the simulations over a 4.2 × 4.2 × 2.5 km2 area with 2-m resolution with the plume-dispersion model and the observations.
Meta-analysis and cost-effectiveness of ductoscopy, duct excision surgery and MRI for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with pathological nipple discharge
Authors: Filipe M. D. , Patuleia S. I. S. , Vriens M. R. , van Diest P. J. , Witkamp A. J.
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Pathological nipple discharge (PND) is a common breast-related complaint for referral to a surgical breast clinic because of its association with breast cancer. The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare the diagnostic efficacy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ductoscopy in patients with PND. Additionally, we determined the most cost-efficient strategy for the treatment of PND and the detection of breast cancer in PND patient without radiological suspicion for malignancy.

Materials and methods

PubMed and EMBASE were searched to collect the relevant literature from the inception of both diagnostic methods until January 27th 2020. The search yielded 815 original citations, of which 10 studies with 894 patients were finally included for analysis. Costs of ductoscopy, MRI and duct excision surgery were obtained from the UMC Utrecht as established in the year 2019. These costs included: medical personnel, overhead costs, material costs and sterilisation costs.

Results

The meta-analysis showed no significant difference in sensitivity between ductoscopy (44%) and MRI (76%) for the detection of malignancy in patients with PND. However, ductoscopy (98%) had a statistically significantly higher specificity than MRI (84%). Individual costs were €1401.33, €822.13 and €6494.27 for ductoscopy, MRI and duct excision surgery, respectively. Full diagnostic strategy involving ductoscopy was on average €1670.97, while with MRI it was €2070.27.

Conclusion

Patients undergoing MRI are more often (false) positive which more often leads to duct excision surgery referrals compared to ductoscopy. This makes ductoscopy significantly more cost-effective compared MRI in patients with PND without radiological suspicion for malignancy.
Rheological behavior of high consistency enzymatically fibrillated cellulose suspensions
Authors: Jaiswal Aayush Kumar , Kumar Vinay , Khakalo Alexey , Lahtinen Panu , Solin Katariina , Pere Jaakko , Toivakka Martti
Published: January 2021

High-consistency processing of fibrillated cellulose materials is attractive for commercial applications due to potential for lowered production costs, energy savings and easier logistics. The current work investigated structure–property relationships of fibrillated cellulose suspensions produced at 20% consistency using VTT HefCel (High-consistency enzymatic fibrillation of cellulose) technology. Morphological examination of the fibrillated materials revealed that enzymatic action on the cellulose substrates was not a direct function of enzyme dosage but rather was dependent on the raw material composition. Furthermore, shear viscosity of the HefCel suspensions was found to decrease with increasing enzyme dosage while the water retention increased. The shear viscosity followed power law relationship with the power law index varying in the range 0.11–0.73. The shear-thinning behavior decreased with increasing consistency. Moreover, suspension viscosity ($$\upmu$$μ) was found to be highly dependent on the consistency ($$\mathrm{c})$$c)as$$\upmu \sim {\mathrm{c}}^{\mathrm{m}}$$μ∼cm, with$$\mathrm{m}$$mranging from 2.75 to 4.31 for different samples. Yield stress (τy) of the HefCel suspensions was measured at 7 and 10% consistencies. The performance of the fibrillated cellulose grades in a typical application was demonstrated by casting films, which were characterized for their mechanical properties.

Graphic abstract
Correction to: Leber hereditary optic neuropathy following head trauma and ocular trauma on contralateral eye: a case report
Authors: Kim Hoon Dong
Published: January 2021

The original version of the article contained inaccuracies in the Ethics declarations.
Comparing double-step and penalty-based semirecursive formulations for hydraulically actuated multibody systems in a monolithic approach
Authors: Jaiswal Suraj , Rahikainen Jarkko , Khadim Qasim , Sopanen Jussi , Mikkola Aki
Published: January 2021

The simulation of mechanical systems often requires modeling of systems of other physical nature, such as hydraulics. In such systems, the numerical stiffness introduced by the hydraulics can become a significant aspect to consider in the modeling, as it can negatively effect to the computational efficiency. The hydraulic system can be described by using the lumped fluid theory. In this approach, a pressure can be integrated from a differential equation in which effective bulk modulus is divided by a volume size. This representation can lead to numerical stiffness as a consequence of which time integration of a hydraulically driven system becomes cumbersome. In this regard, the used multibody formulation plays an important role, as there are many different procedures for the constraint enforcement and different sets of coordinates to choose from. This paper introduces the double-step semirecursive approach and compares it with a penalty-based semirecursive approach in case of coupled multibody and hydraulic dynamics within the monolithic framework. To this end, hydraulically actuated four-bar and quick-return mechanisms are analyzed as case studies. The two approaches are compared in terms of the work cycle, energy balance, constraint violation, and numerical efficiency of the mechanisms. It is concluded that the penalty-based semirecursive approach has a number of advantages compared with the double-step semirecursive approach, which is in accordance with the literature.
Early tracking and different types of inequalities in achievement: difference-in-differences evidence from 20 years of large-scale assessments
Authors: Strello Andrés , Strietholt Rolf , Steinmann Isa , Siepmann Charlotte
Published: January 2021

Research to date on the effects of between-school tracking on inequalities in achievement and on performance has been inconclusive. A possible explanation is that different studies used different data, focused on different domains, and employed different measures of inequality. To address this issue, we used all accumulated data collected in the three largest international assessments—PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment), PIRLS (Progress in International Reading Literacy Study), and TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study)—in the past 20 years in 75 countries and regions. Following the seminal paper by Hanushek and Wößmann (2006), we combined data from a total of 21 cycles of primary and secondary school assessments to estimate difference-in-differences models for different outcome measures. We synthesized the effects using a meta-analytical approach and found strong evidence that tracking increased social achievement gaps, that it had smaller but still significant effects on dispersion inequalities, and that it had rather weak effects on educational inadequacies. In contrast, we did not find evidence that tracking increased performance levels. Besides these substantive findings, our study illustrated that the effect estimates varied considerably across the datasets used because the low number of countries as the units of analysis was a natural limitation. This finding casts doubt on the reproducibility of findings based on single international datasets and suggests that researchers should use different data sources to replicate analyses.
Convergence rates for optimised adaptive importance samplers
Authors: Akyildiz Ömer Deniz , Míguez Joaquín
Published: January 2021

Adaptive importance samplers are adaptive Monte Carlo algorithms to estimate expectations with respect to some target distribution which adapt themselves to obtain better estimators over a sequence of iterations. Although it is straightforward to show that they have the same $$\mathcal {O}(1/\sqrt{N})$$

O
(
1
/

N

)

convergence rate as standard importance samplers, where N is the number of Monte Carlo samples, the behaviour of adaptive importance samplers over the number of iterations has been left relatively unexplored. In this work, we investigate an adaptation strategy based on convex optimisation which leads to a class of adaptive importance samplers termed optimised adaptive importance samplers (OAIS). These samplers rely on the iterative minimisation of the $$\chi ^2$$

χ
2

-divergence between an exponential family proposal and the target. The analysed algorithms are closely related to the class of adaptive importance samplers which minimise the variance of the weight function. We first prove non-asymptotic error bounds for the mean squared errors (MSEs) of these algorithms, which explicitly depend on the number of iterations and the number of samples together. The non-asymptotic bounds derived in this paper imply that when the target belongs to the exponential family, the $$L_2$$

L
2

errors of the optimised samplers converge to the optimal rate of $$\mathcal {O}(1/\sqrt{N})$$

O
(
1
/

N

)

and the rate of convergence in the number of iterations are explicitly provided. When the target does not belong to the exponential family, the rate of convergence is the same but the asymptotic $$L_2$$

L
2

error increases by a factor $$\sqrt{\rho ^\star } > 1$$

ρ
⋆

>
1

, where $$\rho ^\star - 1$$

ρ
⋆

-
1

is the minimum $$\chi ^2$$

χ
2

-divergence between the target and an exponential family proposal.
Onset of Convection in Two-Dimensional Porous Cavities with Open and Conducting Boundaries
Authors: Tyvand Peder A. , Nøland Jonas Kristiansen
Published: January 2021

The onset of thermal convection in two-dimensional porous cavities heated from below is studied theoretically. An open (constant-pressure) boundary is assumed, with zero perturbation temperature (thermally conducting). The resulting eigenvalue problem is a full fourth-order problem without degeneracies. Numerical results are presented for rectangular and elliptical cavities, with the circle as a special case. The analytical solution for an upright rectangle confirms the numerical results. Streamlines penetrating the open cavities are plotted, together with the isotherms for the associated closed thermal cells. Isobars forming pressure cells are depicted for the perturbation pressure. The critical Rayleigh number is calculated as a function of geometric parameters, including the tilt angle of the rectangle and ellipse. An improved physical scaling of the Darcy–Bénard problem is suggested. Its significance is indicated by the ratio of maximal vertical velocity to maximal temperature perturbation.
Implementing a real-time, AI-based, people detection and social distancing measuring system for Covid-19
Authors: Saponara Sergio , Elhanashi Abdussalam , Gagliardi Alessio
Published: January 2021

COVID-19 is a disease caused by a severe respiratory syndrome coronavirus. It was identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. It has resulted in an ongoing pandemic that caused infected cases including many deaths. Coronavirus is primarily spread between people during close contact. Motivating to this notion, this research proposes an artificial intelligence system for social distancing classification of persons using thermal images. By exploiting YOLOv2 (you look at once) approach, a novel deep learning detection technique is developed for detecting and tracking people in indoor and outdoor scenarios. An algorithm is also implemented for measuring and classifying the distance between persons and to automatically check if social distancing rules are respected or not. Hence, this work aims at minimizing the spread of the COVID-19 virus by evaluating if and how persons comply with social distancing rules. The proposed approach is applied to images acquired through thermal cameras, to establish a complete AI system for people tracking, social distancing classification, and body temperature monitoring. The training phase is done with two datasets captured from different thermal cameras. Ground Truth Labeler app is used for labeling the persons in the images. The proposed technique has been deployed in a low-cost embedded system (Jetson Nano) which is composed of a fixed camera. The proposed approach is implemented in a distributed surveillance video system to visualize people from several cameras in one centralized monitoring system. The achieved results show that the proposed method is suitable to set up a surveillance system in smart cities for people detection, social distancing classification, and body temperature analysis.
Comparison of treatments for the prevention of fetal growth restriction in obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Urban Maria Letizia , Bettiol Alessandra , Mattioli Irene , Emmi Giacomo , Di Scala Gerardo , Avagliano Laura , Lombardi Niccolò , Crescioli Giada , Virgili Gianni , Serena Caterina , Mecacci Federico , Ravaldi Claudia , Vannacci Alfredo , Silvestri Elena , Prisco Domenico
Published: January 2021

Women with criteria and non-criteria obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) carry an increased risk of pregnancy complications, including fetal growth restriction (FGR). The management of obstetric APS traditionally involves clinicians, obstetricians and gynaecologists; however, the most appropriate prophylactic treatment strategy for FGR prevention in APS is still debated. We performed a systematic review and network meta-analysis (NetMA) to summarize current evidence on pharmacological treatments for the prevention of FGR in APS. We searched PubMed and Embase from inception until July 2020, for randomized controlled trials and prospective studies on pregnant women with criteria or non-criteria obstetric APS. NetMA using a frequentist framework were conducted for the primary outcome (FGR) and for secondary outcomes (fetal or neonatal death and preterm birth). Adverse events were narratively summarised. Out of 1124 citations, we included eight studies on 395 pregnant patients with obstetric APS treated with low-dose aspirin (LDA) + unfractionated heparin (UFH) (n = 132 patients), LDA (n = 115), LDA + low molecular weight heparin (n = 100), LDA + corticosteroids (n = 29), LDA + UFH + intravenous immunoglobulin (n = 7), or untreated (n = 12). No difference among treatments emerged in terms of FGR prevention, but estimates were largely imprecise, and most studies were at high/unclear risk of bias. An increased risk of fetal or neonatal death was found for LDA monotherapy as compared to LDA + heparin, and for no treatment as compared to LDA + corticosteroids. The risk of preterm birth was higher for LDA + UFH + IVIg as compared to LDA or LDA + heparin, and for LDA + corticosteroids as compared to LDA or LDA + LMWH. No treatment was associated with an increased risk of bleeding, thrombocytopenia or osteopenia.
Timely diagnosis of multiple endocrine neoplasia 2B by identification of intestinal ganglioneuromatosis: a case series
Authors: van den Broek Medard F. M. , Rijks Ester B. G. , Nikkels Peter G. J. , Wolters Victorien M. , van Es Robert J. J. , van Santen Hanneke M. , van Nesselrooij Bernadette P. M. , Vriens Menno R. , van Leeuwaarde Rachel S. , Valk Gerlof D. , Verrijn Stuart Annemarie A.
Published: January 2021

Background

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in childhood is rare and has an unfavorable prognosis. To improve outcome, early diagnosis is essential. In patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B (MEN2B), MTC can occur already before the age of 1 year. Recognition of non-endocrine features of MEN2B may lead to timely diagnosis.

Purpose

To describe how early recognition of non-endocrine features can lead to a timely diagnosis of MEN2B as well as the effect of recognition of premonitory symptoms on prognosis.

Methods

A retrospective case series from the University Medical Center Utrecht/Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, a Dutch national expertise center for MEN patients. All eight MEN2B patients in follow-up between 1976 and 2020 were included and medical records reviewed.

Results

Intestinal ganglioneuromatosis (IGN) as the cause of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms was detected in seven patients. In three of them within months after birth. This led to early diagnosis of MEN2B, which allowed subsequent curative thyroid surgery. On the contrary, a MEN2B diagnosis later in childhood—in three patients (also) triggered by oral neuromas/neurofibromas—led to recurrent, persistent, and/or progressive MTC in five patients.

Conclusions

Neonatal GI manifestations offer the most important window of opportunity for early detection of MEN2B. By accurate evaluation of rectal biopsies in patients with early onset severe constipation, IGN can be timely detected, while ruling out Hirschsprung’s disease. MEN2B gene analysis should follow detection of IGN and—when confirmed—should prompt possibly still curative thyroid surgery.
Farmers’ Willingness to Adopt Short Rotation Plantations on Marginal Lands: Qualitative Study About Incentives and Barriers in Slovakia
Authors: Ranacher Lea , Pollakova Barbora , Schwarzbauer Peter , Liebal Sandra , Weber Norbert , Hesser Franziska
Published: January 2021

Short rotation plantations (SRP), also called short rotation coppice, can contribute to bioeconomy by satisfying the rising demand for wood raw material while strengthening the rural economy. However, farmers all over Europe show limited adoption of SRP. Marginal lands are considered a promising option for producing SRP biomass and avoiding conflicts with food production. This study focuses on the Malacky region in Western Slovakia because of suitable land quality and a board production site close by providing a significant local market for the produced biomass. Qualitative interviews in 2018 explored personal and situational factors that influenced local farmers’ (N = 19) willingness to adopt SRP. Slovakia’s land fragmentation in combination with the required landowner’s consent, competition with food production, and lack of identification with SRP were identified as prominent barriers. The economic benefit from using low quality lands and environmental benefits from SRP were identified incentives. Moreover, the study found agricultural cooperatives more open to SRP than agricultural business companies, as they are more interested in the economic benefits and prefer agricultural activity over fallow land. Because the study identified conflicting views about the possible impacts of SRP on the environment and the rural community, it is considered crucial to provide farmers with science-based facts on these issues. This aspect should also be acknowledged to increase acceptance of stakeholders, such as land owners, governmental actors, and the general public, which is needed to develop measures to encourage SRP.
Comparing mind perception in strategic exchanges: human-agent negotiation, dictator and ultimatum games
Authors: Lee Minha , Lucas Gale , Gratch Jonathan
Published: January 2021

Recent research shows that how we respond to other social actors depends on what sort of mind we ascribe to them. In a comparative manner, we observed how perceived minds of agents shape people’s behavior in the dictator game, ultimatum game, and negotiation against artificial agents. To do so, we varied agents’ minds on two dimensions of the mind perception theory:agency(cognitive aptitude) andpatiency(affective aptitude) via descriptions and dialogs. In our first study, agents with emotional capacity garnered more allocations in the dictator game, but in the ultimatum game, agents’ described agency and affective capacity, both led to greater offers. In the second study on negotiation, agents ascribed with low-agency traits earned more points than those with high-agency traits, though the negotiation tactic was the same for all agents. Although patiency did not impact game points, participants sent more happy and surprise emojis and emotionally valenced messages to agents that demonstrated emotional capacity during negotiations. Further, our exploratory analyses indicate that people related only to agents with perceived affective aptitude across all games. Both perceived agency and affective capacity contributed to moral standing after dictator and ultimatum games. But after negotiations, only agents with perceived affective capacity were granted moral standing. Manipulating mind dimensions of machines has differing effects on how people react to them in dictator and ultimatum games, compared to a more complex economic exchange like negotiation. We discuss these results, which show that agents are perceived not only as social actors, but as intentional actors through negotiations, in contrast with simple economic games.
Cuprizone-Dependent De/Remyelination Responses and Functional Correlates in Mouse Strains Adopted to Model Relapsing, Chronic and Progressive Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Authors: Buonvicino Daniela , Ranieri Giuseppe , Chiarugi Alberto
Published: January 2021

NOD mice represent a unique strain that recapitulates some aspects of progressive MS when subjected to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). It is unknown, however, whether a proneness to demyelination and/or defect in remyelination contribute to disease progression in NOD mice. Answering to this question might help deciphering the molecular and cellular events underpinning disease evolution in progressive MS. Here, we compared the cuprizone-dependent demyelination and remyelination responses, as well as their functional correlates, in NOD, C57BL/6, and SJL mice typically adopted to model progressive, chronic or relapsing EAE. We report that demyelination occurred to a similar extent in the three mice strains, and that in none of them there was evidence of axonal degeneration during prolonged demyelination. Moreover, immunostaining for GFAP+ astrocytes, Iba1+ microglia, and NG2+ oligodendrocyte precursor cells similarly increased in the 3 mouse strains after cuprizone exposure. The mice underwent concomitant and complete remyelination 2 weeks after cuprizone withdrawal. On a functional level, NOD mice showed the earliest reduction of spontaneous motility and full recovery, but no impairment of motor skill. Conversely, C57BL/6 animals showed phasic reduction of both spontaneous motility and motor skill. Lastly, SJL mice presented the most severe neurological impairment with long-lasting reduction of spontaneous motility and motor skill. Overall, data suggest that the unique feature of EAE progression in NOD mice is not due to proneness to demyelination or intrinsic defects in myelin formation. Findings also unravel important functional differences in the response of the three mouse stains to cuprizone that can be harnessed to design and interpret future experiments.
Thermomechanical modeling of the metallic rivet in friction riveting of amorphous thermoplastics
Authors: Cipriano Gonçalo Pina , de Carvalho Willian S. , Vilaça Pedro , Amancio-Filho Sergio T.
Published: January 2021

The present work aims for an initial computational simulation with finite element analysis of the friction riveting process. Knowledge and experimental data from friction riveting of AA2024-T351 and polyetherimide supported the computational simulation. Friction riveting is a friction-based joining technology capable of connecting multiple dissimilar overlapping materials in a fast and simple manner. In this paper, the plastic deformation of the metallic rivet, process heat input, and temperature distribution were modeled and simulated. The plastic deformation of the metallic rivet is of key importance in creating the mechanical interlocking and main joining mechanism between the parts, being this the focus of this work. The influence of the polymeric material was considered a dynamic boundary condition via heat input and pressure profiles applied to the rivet. The heat input, mainly generated by viscous dissipation within the molten polymer, was analytically estimated. Three experimental conditions were simulated. The heat flux values applied in modeling of the different conditions were determined (8.2, 9.1, and 10.2 W/mm2). These yielded distinct plastic deformations characterized by a diameter of the rivet tip, from the initial 5 mm to 6.2, 7.0, and 9.3 mm. The maximum temperatures were 365, 395, and 438 °C, respectively.
Assessment of soil micronutrient level for vineyard production in southern Syria
Authors: Mohammed Safwan , Alsafadi Karam , Enaruvbe Glory O. , Harsányi Endre
Published: January 2021

Availability of micronutrients is one of the important factors for the successful and economic cultivation of vineyards. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the spatial distribution of soil micronutrients (Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, B) and their suitability for vineyard cultivation in Jabal Al Arab of Syria. To achieve the research objectives, soil samples were collected randomly from vineyard farms which cover the study area. Following this, soil analyses were conducted to determine the concentration of soil micronutrients. Results showed that soil micronutrient concentrations did not reach the minimum threshold for vineyard cultivation with 1.1, 12.06, 11.2, 2.6 and 0.3 ppm for Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn and B, respectively. Furthermore, spatial distribution showed that 63%, 39%, 34%, 76% and 74% of the study area was affected by severe deficiency of Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, B respectively.
Identifying Heteroatomic and Defective Sites in Carbon with Dual-Ion Adsorption Capability for High Energy and Power Zinc Ion Capacitor
Authors: Fan Wenjie , Ding Jia , Ding Jingnan , Zheng Yulong , Song Wanqing , Lin Jiangfeng , Xiao Caixia , Zhong Cheng , Wang Huanlei , Hu Wenbin
Published: January 2021

Aqueous zinc-based batteries (AZBs) attract tremendous attention due to the abundant and rechargeable zinc anode. Nonetheless, the requirement of high energy and power densities raises great challenge for the cathode development. Herein we construct an aqueous zinc ion capacitor possessing an unrivaled combination of high energy and power characteristics by employing a unique dual-ion adsorption mechanism in the cathode side. Through a templating/activating co-assisted carbonization procedure, a routine protein-rich biomass transforms into defect-rich carbon with immense surface area of 3657.5 m2 g−1 and electrochemically active heteroatom content of 8.0 at%. Comprehensive characterization and DFT calculations reveal that the obtained carbon cathode exhibits capacitive charge adsorptions toward both the cations and anions, which regularly occur at the specific sites of heteroatom moieties and lattice defects upon different depths of discharge/charge. The dual-ion adsorption mechanism endows the assembled cells with maximum capacity of 257 mAh g−1 and retention of 72 mAh g−1 at ultrahigh current density of 100 A g−1 (400 C), corresponding to the outstanding energy and power of 168 Wh kg−1 and 61,700 W kg−1. Furthermore, practical battery configurations of solid-state pouch and cable-type cells display excellent reliability in electrochemistry as flexible and knittable power sources.
The impact of artificial intelligence on labor productivity
Authors: Damioli Giacomo , Van Roy Vincent , Vertesy Daniel
Published: January 2021

Recent evidence indicates an upsurge in artificial intelligence and robotics (AI) patenting activities in the latest years, suggesting that solutions based on AI technologies might have started to exert an effect on the economy. We test this hypothesis using a worldwide sample of 5257 companies having filed at least a patent related to the field of AI between 2000 and 2016. Our analysis shows that, once controlling for other patenting activities, AI patent applications generate an extra-positive effect on companies’ labor productivity. The effect concentrates on SMEs and services industries, suggesting that the ability to quickly readjust and introduce AI-based applications in the production process is an important determinant of the impact of AI observed to date.