bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Light sterile neutrinos, left-right symmetry, and 0νββ decay
Authors: de Vries Jordy , Li Gang , Ramsey-Musolf Michael J. , Vasquez Juan Carlos
Published: November 2022

Abstract

We investigate neutrinoless double beta (0νββ) decay rates in minimal left-right symmetric models in presence of relatively light right-handed neutrinos. By use of an effective field theory approach, we systematically include all contributions in the model as well as the dependence of the decay amplitude on the masses of right-handed neutrinos. In type-I and type-II seesaw scenarios, we analyze the impact of right-handed neutrinos heavier than about 10 MeV, showing that this effect can lead to a detection of 0νββ decay in the next-generation experiments even for the normal hierarchy and a relatively large right-handed scale set by the mass of hypothetical right-handed gauge bosons. Finally, we comment on a possible connection between light right-handed neutrinos and the strong CP problem.
Simultaneous optimisation of support structure regions and part topology for additive manufacturing
Authors: Daynes Stephen
Published: November 2022

Support structures are required to enable the build of additively manufactured parts. The supports reinforce overhanging regions on the part and/or counteract the thermally-induced residual stresses generated during printing. However, the optimal design of the part for its intended use case is decoupled from the design of the support structures in a conventional design for additive manufacturing (DfAM) workflow. In this work, a novel methodology is presented that simultaneously optimises the part topology and its support structure regions. A two-model topology optimisation approach is considered. One model describes the combined part and support structure regions subject to a pseudo-gravity load and a second model describes the part subject to its intended application load cases. A novel load-aligned trunk and branch support structure is generated from the topology optimisation results. Generating the fine support features in a post-processing step avoids the computational expense of topology optimising the intricate supports directly. Thermo-mechanical simulations of a selective laser melting process confirms that this new approach to optimising support structures can reduce manufacturing process-induced deformation when benchmarked against a conventional DfAM workflow.
The evolution of owner-entrepreneurs’ taxation: five tax regimes over a 160-year period
Authors: Elert Niklas , Johansson Dan , Stenkula Mikael , Wykman Niklas
Published: November 2022

The institutional literature suggests that long-term tax incentives are crucial for entrepreneurs, but studies on this topic are hampered by problems related to how to define and measure entrepreneurial income. We resolve these problems by drawing on a theoretical definition of the entrepreneur as an owner, which enables us to identify entrepreneurship empirically by means of investments made by active owners of closely held corporations. Using detailed Swedish tax data, we analyze the tax incentives for such owner-entrepreneur investments from 1862 to 2018, thereby highlighting the evolution of a general institutional phenomenon through a long-run, in-depth, country-specific analysis. We calculate the annual marginal effective tax rate (METR) on capital income for investments, distinguishing between average- and top-income entrepreneurs, and between three sources of finance. We identify five tax regimes that indicate substantial differences in institutional quality over time according to the magnitude of the METR and METR differences between average- and top-income entrepreneurs and across sources of finance. Growth-conducive tax incentives shed light on why so many successful entrepreneurial firms were founded in Sweden around 1900, whereas increased taxation helps explain the absence of new large entrepreneurial firms in Sweden after World War II. Improved incentives can be associated with Sweden’s recent entrepreneurial renaissance.
Maximally Twisted Eleven-Dimensional Supergravity
Authors: Eager Richard , Hahner Fabian
Published: November 2022

We perform the maximal twist of eleven-dimensional supergravity. This twist is partially topological and exists on manifolds of$$G_2 \times SU(2)$$G2×SU(2)holonomy. Our derivation starts with an explicit description of the Batalin–Vilkovisky complex associated to the three-form multiplet in the pure spinor superfield formalism. We then determine the$$L_\infty $$L∞module structure of the supersymmetry algebra on the component fields. We twist the theory by modifying the differential of the Batalin–Vilkovisky complex to incorporate the action of a scalar supercharge. We find that the resulting free twisted theory is given by the tensor product of the de Rham and Dolbeault complexes of the respective$$G_2$$G2andSU(2) holonomy manifolds as conjectured by Costello.
Szegő Type Asymptotics for the Reproducing Kernel in Spaces of Full-Plane Weighted Polynomials
Authors: Ameur Yacin , Cronvall Joakim
Published: November 2022

Consider the subspace $${{{\mathscr {W}}}_{n}}$$

W
n

of $$L^2({{\mathbb {C}}},dA)$$

L
2

(
C
,
d
A
)

consisting of all weighted polynomials $$W(z)=P(z)\cdot e^{-\frac{1}{2}nQ(z)},$$

W

(
z
)

=
P

(
z
)

·

e

-

1
2

n
Q

(
z
)

,

where P(z) is a holomorphic polynomial of degree at most $$n-1$$

n
-
1

, $$Q(z)=Q(z,{\bar{z}})$$

Q
(
z
)
=
Q
(
z
,

z

¯

)

is a fixed, real-valued function called the “external potential”, and $$dA=\tfrac{1}{2\pi i}\, d{\bar{z}}\wedge dz$$

d
A
=

1

2
π
i

d

z

¯

∧
d
z

is normalized Lebesgue measure in the complex plane $${{\mathbb {C}}}$$
C
. We study large n asymptotics for the reproducing kernel $$K_n(z,w)$$

K
n

(
z
,
w
)

of $${{\mathscr {W}}}_n$$

W
n

; this depends crucially on the position of the points z and w relative to the droplet S, i.e., the support of Frostman’s equilibrium measure in external potential Q. We mainly focus on the case when both z and w are in or near the component U of $$\hat{{{\mathbb {C}}}}\setminus S$$

C
^

\
S

containing $$\infty $$
∞
, leaving aside such cases which are at this point well-understood. For the Ginibre kernel, corresponding to $$Q=|z|^2$$

Q
=

|
z
|

2

, we find an asymptotic formula after examination of classical work due to G.  Szegő. Properly interpreted, the formula turns out to generalize to a large class of potentials Q(z); this is what we call “Szegő type asymptotics”. Our derivation in the general case uses the theory of approximate full-plane orthogonal polynomials instigated by Hedenmalm and Wennman, but with nontrivial additions, notably a technique involving “tail-kernel approximation” and summing by parts. In the off-diagonal case $$z\ne w$$

z
≠
w

when both z and w are on the boundary $${\partial }U$$

∂
U

, we obtain that up to unimportant factors (cocycles) the correlations obey the asymptotic $$\begin{aligned} K_n(z,w)\sim \sqrt{2\pi n}\,\Delta Q(z)^{\frac{1}{4}}\,\Delta Q(w)^{\frac{1}{4}}\,S(z,w) \end{aligned}$$

K
n

(
z
,
w
)

∼

2
π
n

Δ
Q

(
z
)

1
4

Δ
Q

(
w
)

1
4

S

(
z
,
w
)

where S(z, w) is the Szegő kernel, i.e., the reproducing kernel for the Hardy space $$H^2_0(U)$$

H
0
2

(
U
)

of analytic functions on U vanishing at infinity, equipped with the norm of $$L^2({\partial }U,|dz|)$$

L
2

(
∂
U
,
|
d
z
|
)

. Among other things, this gives a rigorous description of the slow decay of correlations at the boundary, which was predicted by Forrester and Jancovici in 1996, in the context of elliptic Ginibre ensembles.
Tapping on a target: dealing with uncertainty about its position and motion
Authors: Brenner Eli , de la Malla Cristina , Smeets Jeroen B. J.
Published: November 2022

Reaching movements are guided by estimates of the target object’s location. Since the precision of instantaneous estimates is limited, one might accumulate visual information over time. However, if the object is not stationary, accumulating information can bias the estimate. How do people deal with this trade-off between improving precision and reducing the bias? To find out, we asked participants to tap on targets. The targets were stationary or moving, with jitter added to their positions. By analysing the response to the jitter, we show that people continuously use the latest available information about the target’s position. When the target is moving, they combine this instantaneous target position with an extrapolation based on the target’s average velocity during the last several hundred milliseconds. This strategy leads to a bias if the target’s velocity changes systematically. Having people tap on accelerating targets showed that the bias that results from ignoring systematic changes in velocity is removed by compensating for endpoint errors if such errors are consistent across trials. We conclude that combining simple continuous updating of visual information with the low-pass filter characteristics of muscles, and adjusting movements to compensate for errors made in previous trials, leads to the precise and accurate human goal-directed movements.
Expansions of tumor-reactive Vdelta1 gamma-delta T cells in newly diagnosed patients with chronic myeloid leukemia
Authors: Knight Andrea , Piskacek Martin , Jurajda Michal , Prochazkova Jirina , Racil Zdenek , Zackova Daniela , Mayer Jiri
Published: November 2022

Recent studies have underscored the importance of gamma-delta (γδ) T cells in mediating potent MHC-unrestricted cytotoxicity in numerous malignancies. Here, we analyzed Vδ1 and Vδ2 γδ T cell subsets in newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients (n = 40) who had initiated tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy including imatinib (n = 22), nilotinib (n = 14) and dasatinib (n = 4). Patient peripheral blood samples were analyzed at diagnosis and monitored prospectively at 3, 6, 12 and 18 months post-TKI. γδ T cells isolated from healthy donors and CML patients were used against K562, LAMA-84 and KYO-1 cell lines and against primary CML cells in cytotoxicity assays. We found large expansions of Vδ1 and Vδ2 T cells in patients at diagnosis compared to age-matched healthy donors (n = 40) (p < 0.0001). The γδ T cell reconstitution in patients on imatinib and also on nilotinib showed significant reductions of Vδ1 T cell and Vδ2 T cell absolute counts at 3 months compared to diagnosis. Importantly, Vδ1 and Vδ2 T absolute cell counts remained at normal levels from 3 months throughout the follow-up. Next, we observed susceptibility to specific lysis of primary CML tumor cells by Vδ1 T cells from healthy donors. Furthermore, we determined inherent cytotoxic reactivity by autologous patients’ Vδ1 T lymphocytes against primary CML tumor cells. Finally, the TCR clonality profiles showed in CML patients mostly polyclonal repertoires regardless of the TKI. Our results provide further evidence into γδ T cell antileukemia immunity in CML that might be beneficial for long-term disease control and treatment outcome.
Digital health information on autoinflammatory diseases: a YouTube quality analysis
Authors: Sasse Mareen , Ohrndorf Sarah , Palmowski Andriko , Wagner Annette D. , Burmester Gerd Rüdiger , Pankow Anne , Krusche Martin
Published: November 2022

Getting access to specialists for autoinflammatory diseases (AID) can be challenging. Therefore, an increasing number of patients and healthcare professionals are seeking information on AID via the Internet, using the video platform YouTube, for example. However, the quality of such videos has not yet been evaluated. A YouTube search was conducted to assess videos about AID to evaluate the quality and usefulness from both the patient’s and healthcare professional´s perspectives. Video duration, number of views, likes, dislikes, comments, and uploading source on various AID were extracted. Video quality was evaluated by the modified global quality scale (GQS). The reliability was assessed by the modified five-point DISCERN score. In total, 140 videos were screened of which 105 videos met the inclusion criteria for further analysis. Based on the GQS, the overall quality of videos for patients was found to be low in 64.8%, intermediate in 27.6%, and high in 7.6% of videos. The quality of videos for professionals was similar (54.3% low, 23.8% intermediate, and 21.9% of high quality). Videos were more often targeting medical professionals (65.7%) and less often patients (34.3%). This analysis demonstrates that the majority of videos regarding AIDs are of limited quality. Available videos more often address users with a professional medical background. Only a small proportion of existing videos provide understandable and useful information for AID patients. Thus, there is a strong need to develop high-quality and audience-oriented videos in the context of educational campaigns for these rare disease groups.
Elongational viscosity of poly(propylene carbonate) melts: tube-based modelling and primitive chain network simulations
Authors: Wagner Manfred H. , Narimissa Esmaeil , Masubuchi Yuichi
Published: November 2022

In fast elongational flows, linear polymer melts exhibit a monotonic decrease of the viscosity with increasing strain rate, even beyond the contraction rate of the polymer defined by the Rouse time. We consider two possible explanations of this phenomenon: (a) the reduction of monomeric friction and (b) the reduction of the tube diameter with increasing deformation leading to an Enhanced Relaxation of Stretch (ERS) on smaller length scales. (Masubuchi et al. (2022) reported Primitive Chain Network (PCN) simulations using an empirical friction reduction model depending on segmental orientation and could reproduce the elongational viscosity data of three poly(propylene carbonate) melts and a polystyrene melt. Here, we show that the mesoscopic tube-based ESR model (Wagner and Narimissa 2021) provides quantitative agreement with the same data set based exclusively on the linear-viscoelastic characterization and the Rouse time. From the ERS model, a parameter-free universal relation of monomeric friction reduction as a function of segmental stretch can be derived. PCN simulations using this friction reduction relation are shown to reproduce quantitatively the experimental data even without any fitting parameter. The comparison with results of the earlier PCN simulation results with friction depending on segmental orientation demonstrates that the two friction relations examined work equally well which implies that the physical mechanisms of friction reduction are still open for discussion.
Hypothalamic volume in pedophilia with or without child sexual offense
Authors: Storch Melanie , Kanthack Maria , Amelung Till , Beier Klaus M. , Krueger Tillmann H. C. , Sinke Christopher , Walter Henrik , Walter Martin , Schiffer Boris , Schindler Stephanie , Schoenknecht Peter
Published: November 2022

The hypothalamus regulates sexual behavior and is simultaneously associated with aggression and violence. Consequently, this brain region is relevant in research of pedophilia and child sexual offenses (CSO). The distinction between these two phenomena is of great importance and was the object of consideration of this study. We analyzed exclusively men, including 73 pedophilic offenders who committed CSO, an equal number of people with pedophilia but without such offenses, and 133 non-pedophilic, non-offending subjects who formed the control group. All data were collected in a multicenter in vivo study and analyzed using a semi-automated segmentation algorithm for 3-Tesla magnetic resonance images. Men with pedophilia who committed CSO on average had a 47 mm3smaller hypothalamus per side than people without committed CSO. This effect was driven by both the group of non-offending people with pedophilia and the control group. By contrast, the exploratory comparison of pedophilic persons without CSO with the control group showed no significant difference. The present study demonstrates a deviant hypothalamic structure as a neurobiological correlate of CSO in pedophiles, but not in people with pedophilia who have not committed CSO. Thus, it strengthens the argument to distinguish between sexual offending and paraphilic sexual preferences.
VisuMax Flap 2.0: a flap plus technique to reduce incidence of an opaque bubble layer in femtosecond laser–assisted LASIK
Authors: Wang Zichen , Cheng Xinliang , Lou Xueying , Chen Hongliang , Lu Zhifeng , Chen Hui , Yu Ying
Published: November 2022

Purpose

To evaluate the incidence of an opaque bubble layer (OBL) in femtosecond laser–assisted in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) flaps created with VisuMax Flap 2.0 as a result of a modification in the parameters of the flap programming.

Methods

This retrospective study was comprised of 1400 eyes of 715 patients who received FS-LASIK surgery. OBLs were measured and reported as a percentage of the flap area to identify the incidence and extent. Flap creation, which is a modification technique, was performed with 8.1-mm flap diameters plus 0.3-mm enlarged interlamellar photodisruption (group Flap 2.0). The same flap diameters without extra photodisruption as the previous standard setting were also implemented (group Flap 1.0). The preoperative measurements, including sphere, cylinder, keratometry, and intraoperative characteristics such as flap size and thickness, were documented. Possible risk factors for the occurrence of OBLs were investigated in this study.

Results

The incidence of an OBL was reduced when using the Flap 2.0 program (31.4%) compared to the Flap 1.0 program (63.7%). The area of hard and soft OBLs created by the Flap 2.0 program is smaller than those created by the Flap 1.0 program (P = 0.007 and P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression indicated that a thinner flap (P = 0.038) and a higher sphere (P = 0.001) affected the chance of hard OBLs occurring.

Conclusion

The VisuMax Flap 2.0 program promotes gas venting by enlarging the interlamellar photodisruption size. The incidence and extent of OBLs appear to be reduced significantly when the Flap 2.0 program is applied.
Prediction of therapeutic response of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma to hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy based on pretherapeutic MRI radiomics and Albumin-Bilirubin score
Authors: Zhao Yang , Huang Fang , Liu Siye , Jian Lian , Xia Xibin , Lin Huashan , Liu Jun
Published: November 2022

Purpose

To construct and validate a combined nomogram model based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radiomics and Albumin-Bilirubin (ALBI) score to predict therapeutic response in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients treated with hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC).

Methods

The retrospective study was conducted on 112 unresectable HCC patients who underwent pretherapeutic MRI examinations. Patients were randomly divided into training (n = 79) and validation cohorts (n = 33). A total of 396 radiomics features were extracted from the volume of interest of the primary lesion by the Artificial Kit software. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression was applied to identify optimal radiomic features. After feature selection, three models, including the clinical, radiomics, and combined models, were developed to predict the non-response of unresectable HCC to HAIC treatment. The performance of these models was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic curve. According to the most efficient model, a nomogram was established, and the performance of which was also assessed by calibration curve and decision curve analysis. Kaplan–Meier curve and log-rank test were performed to evaluate the Progression-free survival (PFS).

Results

Using the LASSO regression, we ultimately selected three radiomics features from T2-weighted images to construct the radiomics score (Radscore). Only the ALBI score was an independent factor associated with non-response in the clinical model (P = 0.033). The combined model, which included the ALBI score and Radscore, achieved better performance in the prediction of non-response, with an AUC of 0.79 (95% CI 0.68–0.90) and 0.75 (95% CI 0.58–0.92) in the training and validation cohorts, respectively. The nomogram based on the combined model also had good discrimination and calibration (P = 0.519 for the training cohort and P = 0.389 for the validation cohort). The Kaplan–Meier analysis also demonstrate that the high-score patients had significantly shorter PFS than the low-score patients (P = 0.031) in the combined model, with median PFS 6.0 vs 9.0 months.

Conclusion

The nomogram based on the combined model consisting of MRI radiomics and ALBI score could be used as a biomarker to predict the therapeutic response of unresectable HCC after HAIC.
Survival influence of gender on 42,345 patients with gastric cardia adenocarcinoma
Authors: Xu Rui Hua , Zhao Xue Ke , Song Xin , Lei Ling Ling , Zhong Kan , Han Wen Li , Wang Ran , De Bao Qi , Hu Jing Feng , Wei Meng Xia , Ji Jia Jia , Li Liu Yu , Fan Zong Min , Han Xue Na , Li Bei , Yang Yuan Ze , Sun Lin , Li Jia , Yang Miao Miao , Li Xing Song , You Duo , Bai He Lin , Qiao Jia Xin , Xie Ye Zhen , Zhou Fu You , Li Xue Min , Li Ai Li , Wang Li Dong
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Some studies indicated that gender is associated with prognostic of cancer, However, currently the prognostic value of gender for gastric cardia adenocarcinoma (GCA) survival is unclear. The aim of our study is to reveal the influence of gender on the prognosis of patients with GCA.

Patients and methods

A total of 42,345 cases Chinese GCA patients were enrolled from our previously established GCA and esophageal cancer databases. The clinicopathological characteristics were retrieved from medical records in hospital. The follow-up was performed through letter, telephone or home interview. Among GCA patients, there were 32,544 (76.9%) male patients with the median age 62 years (range 17–97) and 9,801 (23.1%) female patients with the median age 61 years (range 17–95 years). The Chi-square test and Kaplan–Meier method were used to compare the continuous variables and survival. Cox proportional hazards model was used for competing risk analyses, hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were evaluated.

Results

Men had shorter GCA-specific survival than women by multivariate analysis (HR 1.114; 95% CI 1.061 to 1.169; P < 0.001). Whether premenopausal, perimenopausal or postmenopausal, the survival of women was better than that of men (premenopausal vs. male, P < 0.001; perimenopausal vs. male, P < 0.001; postmenopausal vs. male, P = 0.035). It was worth noting that in patients with stages I, II, III, and IV, female patients survive longer than male patients (P = 0.049; P = 0.011; P < 0.001; P = 0.044, respectively).

Conclusion

Gender is an independent prognostic factor for patients with GCA. In comparison with men, women have a significantly better outcome. Smoking and drinking may be protective factors for male GCA patients.
SCIP: software for efficient clinical interpretation of copy number variants detected by whole-genome sequencing
Authors: Ding Qiliang , Somerville Cherith , Manshaei Roozbeh , Trost Brett , Reuter Miriam S. , Kalbfleisch Kelsey , Stanley Kaitlin , Okello John B. A. , Hosseini S. Mohsen , Liston Eriskay , Curtis Meredith , Zarrei Mehdi , Higginbotham Edward J. , Chan Ada J. S. , Engchuan Worrawat , Thiruvahindrapuram Bhooma , Scherer Stephen W. , Kim Raymond H. , Jobling Rebekah K.
Published: November 2022

Copy number variants (CNVs) represent major etiologic factors in rare genetic diseases. Current clinical CNV interpretation workflows require extensive back-and-forth with multiple tools and databases. This increases complexity and time burden, potentially resulting in missed genetic diagnoses. We present the Suite for CNV Interpretation and Prioritization (SCIP), a software package for the clinical interpretation of CNVs detected by whole-genome sequencing (WGS). The SCIP Visualization Module near-instantaneously displays all information necessary for CNV interpretation (variant quality, population frequency, inheritance pattern, and clinical relevance) on a single page—supported by modules providing variant filtration and prioritization. SCIP was comprehensively evaluated using WGS data from 1027 families with congenital cardiac disease and/or autism spectrum disorder, containing 187 pathogenic or likely pathogenic (P/LP) CNVs identified in previous curations. SCIP was efficient in filtration and prioritization: a median of just two CNVs per case were selected for review, yet it captured all P/LP findings (92.5% of which ranked 1st). SCIP was also able to identify one pathogenic CNV previously missed. SCIP was benchmarked against AnnotSV and a spreadsheet-based manual workflow and performed superiorly than both. In conclusion, SCIP is a novel software package for efficient clinical CNV interpretation, substantially faster and more accurate than previous tools (available at https://github.com/qd29/SCIP, a video tutorial series is available at https://bit.ly/SCIPVideos).
A monolithic optimal control method for displacement tracking of Cosserat rod with application to reconstruction of C. elegans locomotion
Authors: Wang Yongxing , Ranner Thomas , Ilett Thomas P. , Xia Yan , Cohen Netta
Published: November 2022

This article considers an inverse problem for a Cosserat rod where we are given only the position of the centreline of the rod and must solve for external forces and torques as well as the orientation of the cross sections of the centreline. We formulate the inverse problem as an optimal control problem using the position of the centreline as an objective function with the external force and torque as control variables, with meaningful regularisation of the orientations. A monolithic, implicit numerical scheme is proposed in the sense that primal and adjoint equations are solved in a fully-coupled manner and all the nonlinear coefficients of the governing partial differential equations are updated to the current state variables. The forward formulation, determining rod configuration from external forces and torques, is first validated by a numerical benchmark; the solvability and stability of the inverse problem are then tested using data from forward simulations. The proposed optimal control method is motivated by reconstruction of the orientations of a rod’s cross sections, with its centreline being captured through imaging protocols. As a case study, we take the locomotion of the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans. In this study we take laboratory data for its centreline and infer its cross-section orientation (muscle locations) with the control force and torque being interpreted as the reaction force, activated by C. elegans’ muscles, from the surrounding fluids. This method thus combines the mathematical modelling and laboratory data to study the locomotion of C. elegans, which gives us insights into the potential anatomical orientation of the worm beyond what can be observed through the laboratory data. The paper is completed with several additional remarks explaining the theoretical and technical details of the model.
h-Adaptive radial basis function finite difference method for linear elasticity problems
Authors: Tóth Balázs , Düster Alexander
Published: November 2022

In this research work, the radial basis function finite difference method (RBF-FD) is further developed to solve one- and two-dimensional boundary value problems in linear elasticity. The related differentiation weights are generated by using the extended version of the RBF utilizing a polynomial basis. The type of the RBF is restricted to polyharmonic splines (PHS), i.e., a combination of the odd m-order PHS $$\phi (r)=r^m$$

ϕ

(
r
)

=

r
m

with additional polynomials up to degree p will serve as the basis. Furthermore, a new residual-based adaptive point-cloud refinement algorithm will be presented and its numerical performance will be demonstrated. The computational efficiency of the PHS RBF-FD approach is tested by means of the relative errors measured in $$\ell _2$$

ℓ
2

-norm on several representative benchmark problems with smooth and non-smooth solutions, using h-adaptive, uniform, and quasi-uniform point-cloud refinement.
Microservice compositions based on the choreography of BPMN fragments: facing evolution issues
Authors: Ortiz Jesus , Torres Victoria , Valderas Pedro
Published: November 2022

Business Processes (BPs) are commonly used by organizations to describe their goals. However, the existent decentralization found in many organizations forces them to build such BPs by coordinating distributed and fragmented BPs. Within this context, microservices arise as a very interesting and convenient way to address the implementation of such processes due to their low coupling characteristic. In this case, the coordination of such fragmented BPs is usually achieved by means of event-based choreographies. One of the main challenges to be faced by choreographies is their evolution due to the complexity that introduces the need of integrating changes among autonomous and independent partners. We face the challenge of evolving a microservice composition that is globally defined in a BPMN model but executed through a choreography of BPMN fragments. We introduce a protocol to manage the propagation of a change done by one microservice to be integrated into both the BPMN fragments of the rest of the microservices and the global BPMN model. This protocol also supports the negotiation among participants and the automatic suggestion of model adaptations to maintain the functional integrity of the composition. These suggestions are supported by a catalogue of adaptation rules that precisely characterize every possible change and propose actions to be considered by the affected microservices. All the evolution process is done at the modelling level, without managing hard-coded implementations. We have developed specific tools to facilitate the practical adoption of this protocol, and we have validated our work in an experiment with users. We can conclude that the proposed approach is effective to evolve microservice compositions implemented as event-based choreography of BPMN fragments from the local perspective of one partner.
Natural occurrence and controls of arsenic in groundwater in a semiarid basin in the Mexican Altiplano
Authors: Cauich-Kau Dario , Rüde Thomas R. , Cardona-Benavides Antonio , Castro-Larragoitia Javier
Published: November 2022

The sources, mobility, and controlling processes of arsenic (As) in an aquifer system in the Cerritos-Guadalcazar area of Central Mexico were investigated. High As concentrations (up to 128 μg/L) in groundwater were found to be associated with both primary sources (rocks and tailings) and secondary sources (soil and sediments). The high As concentrations in the otherwise pristine Cerritos shallow granular aquifer are the result of a distant source of As-rich sediments eroded from a mineralized area in the recharge zone of a karstic aquifer. An intermediate groundwater flow system delivers the As load from the karstic to the granular aquifer. In addition, identification of a Na–Cl water type in the shallow granular aquifer indicates a regional flow; however, additional information is needed to corroborate this assumption. Local flows in the karstic aquifer are Ca–HCO3water type with low (<1 μg/L) dissolved As concentrations. Principle axis factor analysis shows distinct groupings associated with different aquifer characteristics. The sulfate factor dominates in the southern area of the granular aquifer, which explains 30% of the total variance. The arsenic-uranium factor is expressed in samples from deep and dug wells tapping the basin sediments. A conceptual model was developed where the path of the As is shown. Three groups of samples showed negative correlation among deuterium excess and As concentrations. Evaporation modeling to simulate the As enrichment showed that evaporation processes play an important role in As behavior. This research can provide a tool for further studies in the Sierra Madre Oriental.
Inflammation and vascular remodeling in COVID-19 hearts
Authors: Werlein Christopher , Ackermann Maximilian , Stark Helge , Shah Harshit R. , Tzankov Alexandar , Haslbauer Jasmin Dinonne , von Stillfried Saskia , Bülow Roman David , El-Armouche Ali , Kuenzel Stephan , Robertus Jan Lukas , Reichardt Marius , Haverich Axel , Höfer Anne , Neubert Lavinia , Plucinski Edith , Braubach Peter , Verleden Stijn , Salditt Tim , Marx Nikolaus , Welte Tobias , Bauersachs Johann , Kreipe Hans-Heinrich , Mentzer Steven J. , Boor Peter , Black Stephen M. , Länger Florian , Kuehnel Mark , Jonigk Danny
Published: November 2022

A wide range of cardiac symptoms have been observed in COVID-19 patients, often significantly influencing the clinical outcome. While the pathophysiology of pulmonary COVID-19 manifestation has been substantially unraveled, the underlying pathomechanisms of cardiac involvement in COVID-19 are largely unknown. In this multicentre study, we performed a comprehensive analysis of heart samples from 24 autopsies with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and compared them to samples of age-matched Influenza H1N1 A (n = 16), lymphocytic non-influenza myocarditis cases (n = 8), and non-inflamed heart tissue (n = 9). We employed conventional histopathology, multiplexed immunohistochemistry (MPX), microvascular corrosion casting, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray phase-contrast tomography using synchrotron radiation, and direct multiplexed measurements of gene expression, to assess morphological and molecular changes holistically. Based on histopathology, none of the COVID-19 samples fulfilled the established diagnostic criteria of viral myocarditis. However, quantification via MPX showed a significant increase in perivascular CD11b/TIE2 + —macrophages in COVID-19 over time, which was not observed in influenza or non-SARS-CoV-2 viral myocarditis patients. Ultrastructurally, a significant increase in intussusceptive angiogenesis as well as multifocal thrombi, inapparent in conventional morphological analysis, could be demonstrated. In line with this, on a molecular level, COVID-19 hearts displayed a distinct expression pattern of genes primarily coding for factors involved in angiogenesis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), changes not seen in any of the other patient groups. We conclude that cardiac involvement in COVID-19 is an angiocentric macrophage-driven inflammatory process, distinct from classical anti-viral inflammatory responses, and substantially underappreciated by conventional histopathologic analysis. For the first time, we have observed intussusceptive angiogenesis in cardiac tissue, which we previously identified as the linchpin of vascular remodeling in COVID-19 pneumonia, as a pathognomic sign in affected hearts. Moreover, we identified CD11b + /TIE2 + macrophages as the drivers of intussusceptive angiogenesis and set forward a putative model for the molecular regulation of vascular alterations.
Analyzing non-technical skills in the sharp end of facilities/utilities operations in onshore and offshore O&G process plants
Authors: França Josué , Oliveira Antônio , Silva Luciana , Karlsson Pär
Published: November 2022

It is on the sharp end of the O&G operations where the real work happens, but also where the highest risks and system demands are placed. Understanding the skills—technical and non-technical—necessary to perform efficiently and safely is not only needed to maintain the business and assets, but also to ensure the safety of lives and the environment. Accidents such as Piper Alpha (1988), P-36 (2001) and Deepwater Horizon (2010) highlight the importance of understanding the real role of the human element in these events, from the highest hierarchical levels to the sharp end, where the work as done takes place. This article presents a non-technical skills analysis focused on the sharp end of O&G operations, specifically in the facilities/utilities operations, onshore (refineries) and offshore (production platforms). The findings show the importance and presence of certain non-technical skills, as well as the need for improvement of others in the daily routine and in emergencies.
Pathogenic Interleukin-10 Receptor Alpha Variants in Humans — Balancing Natural Selection and Clinical Implications
Authors: Aschenbrenner Dominik , Ye Ziqing , Zhou Ying , Hu Wenhui , Brooks Isabel , Williams Isabelle , Capitani Melania , Gartner Lisa , Kotlarz Daniel , Snapper Scott B. , Klein Christoph , Muise Aleixo M. , Marsden Brian D. , Huang Ying , Uhlig Holm H.
Published: November 2022

Balancing natural selection is a process by which genetic variants arise in populations that are beneficial to heterozygous carriers, but pathogenic when homozygous. We systematically investigated the prevalence, structural, and functional consequences of pathogenic IL10RA variants that are associated with monogenic inflammatory bowel disease. We identify 36 non-synonymous and non-sense variants in the IL10RA gene. Since the majority of these IL10RA variants have not been functionally characterized, we performed a systematic screening of their impact on STAT3 phosphorylation upon IL-10 stimulation. Based on the geographic accumulation of confirmed pathogenic IL10RA variants in East Asia and in Northeast China, the distribution of infectious disorders worldwide, and the functional evidence of IL-10 signaling in the pathogenesis, we identify Schistosoma japonicum infection as plausible selection pressure driving variation in IL10RA. Consistent with this is a partially augmented IL-10 response in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from heterozygous variant carriers. A parasite-driven heterozygote advantage through reduced IL-10 signaling has implications for health care utilization in regions with high allele frequencies and potentially indicates pathogen eradication strategies that target IL-10 signaling.

Graphical abstract
Examining the Prospective Bidirectional Associations between Subjective and Objective Attractiveness and Adolescent Internalizing Symptoms and Life Satisfaction
Authors: Magson Natasha R. , Oar Ella L. , Fardouly Jasmine , Rapee Ronald M. , Freeman Justin Y. A. , Richardson Cele E. , Johnco Carly J.
Published: November 2022

Research has consistently shown that more physically attractive individuals are perceived by others to be happier and better psychologically adjusted than those perceived as less attractive. However, due to the lack of longitudinal research in adolescents, it is still unclear whether poor mental health predicts or is predicted by either objective or subjective attractiveness during this critical developmental period. The purpose of the current study was to examine prospective bidirectional associations between both subjective and objective ratings of attractiveness, life satisfaction and symptoms of social anxiety, depression and eating disorders (i.e., internalizing symptoms) from early to mid-adolescence. Participants (T1: N = 528, 49.9% girls; Mage = 11.19; SD = 0.55) were followed annually over four time points. The cross-lagged panel model results revealed evidence of prospective associations between both forms of attractiveness and life satisfaction and internalizing symptoms, which were driven more by changes in the mental health outcomes than by changes in the subjective and objective attractiveness ratings. The results also indicated that the pattern, strength, and direction of the associations tested were robust across boys and girls, and white and non-white ethnic groups. Overall, the findings suggest that it is important to find effective ways of educating adolescents who are unhappy with their appearance that making changes to improve their mental health, rather than focusing on their physical appearance, will have benefits not only for how they perceive themselves but also for how they are perceived by others.
The downstream PPARγ target LRRC1 participates in early stage adipocytic differentiation
Authors: Wang Xinping , Liu Jianyun , Wang Ting , Ma Baicheng , Wu Ping , Xu Xiaoyuan , Xiong Jianjun
Published: November 2022

LRRC1 is a regulator of cellular polarity that is expressed at high levels in a range of tumor tissue types. Here, we conducted an analysis of the previously unexplored role of LRRC1 as a component of the adipogenic differentiation network. During the early stage (days 3–7) adipocytic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), LRRC1 was found to be upregulated at both the mRNA and protein levels. Moreover, the expression of LRRC1 was found to be controlled by PPARγ, which is a key transcriptional regulator of adipogenesis. Inhibiting LRRC1 expression reduced the adipogenic potential of hMSCs, with a concomitant reduction in the expression of three adipogenesis-associated proteins (SCD, LIPE, FASN). Together, these data offer new insight into the functional importance of LRRC1 both in general and in the context of adipocytic differentiation.
The prognostic role of C-KIT, TET1 and TET2 gene expression in Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Nabil Reem , Hassan Naglaa M. , Abdellateif Mona S. , Gawdat Rania M. , Elshazly Samar Sami
Published: November 2022

Aim

was to assess the role of C-KIT, TET1 and TET2 expression in the diagnosis and prognosis of acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML).

Methods

The expression levels of C-KIT, TET1 and TET2 were assessed in the bone marrow (BM) aspirate of 152 AML patients compared to 20 healthy control using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Data were correlated with the clinico-pathological features of the patients, response to treatment, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) rates.

Results

C-KIT, TET1 and TET2 were significantly upregulated in AML patients [0.25 (0–11.6), 0.0113 (0–3.301), and 0.07 (0–4); respectively], compared to the control group [0.013 (0.005–0.250), P < 0.001, 0.001 (0–0.006), P < 0.001, and 0.02 (0.008–0.055), P = 0.019; respectively]. The sensitivity, specificity, and area under curve of of C-KIT were (48.7%, 100%, 0.855; respectively, P = 0.001), and that of TET1 were (63.4%, 100%, 0.897; respectively, P = 0.001), while that of TET2 were (56.8%, 100%, 0.766; respectively, P = 0.019). When combining the three markers, the sensitivity was 77.5%, however it reached the highest sensitivity (78.6%) and specificity (100%) when combining both c-KIT + TET1 together for the diagnosis of AML. C-KIT overexpression associated with shorter DFS (P = 0.05) and increased incidence of relapse (P = 0.019). Lymph nodes involvement [HR = 2.200, P = 0.005] is an independent risk factor for shorter OS rate of AML patients. Increased BM blast % [HR = 7.768, P = 0.002], and FLT3-ITD mutation [HR = 2.989, P = 0.032] are independent risk factors for shorter DSF rate of the patients.

Conclusion

C-KIT, TET1, and TET2 could be used as possible useful biomarkers for the diagnosis of AML.
Propagation characteristics of an elastic bar coupled with a discrete snap-through element
Authors: Bhattacharyya Aneesh , Adhikari Sondipon
Published: November 2022

Wave propagation characteristics of an elastic bar coupled at one end with a single degree of freedom, bi-stable, essentially nonlinear snap-through element are considered. The free end of the bar is subjected to sinusoidal excitations. A novel approach based on multiple time scales and harmonic balance method has been proposed to analytically investigate the reflected wave from the nonlinear interface and the dynamic response of the snap-through element. A unified approach to the non-dimensional representation of the governing equations of motion, boundary conditions and system parameters, which is consistent across all the externally applied excitation frequencies and excitation amplitudes, has been developed. Through Taylor series expansion of the non-autonomous forcing functions arising in the governing differential equations and natural boundary condition about an initial stable configuration of the system and the proposed asymptotic method, approximate closed-form analytical solutions have been derived for sufficiently small amplitudes of the excitation pulse. Numerical results obtained through a finite difference algorithm validate the asymptotic model for the same small amplitudes of the excitation pulse. A stability analysis has been subsequently performed for the discrete snap-through element by using the extended Floquet theory for sufficiently large amplitudes of the excitation pulse by approximating the displacement at the nonlinear interface as a sinusoidal function of time, and the Mathieu plot of the excitation frequency vs the excitation amplitude showing the stable and unstable regions for the motion of the snap-through element has been generated. The expressions derived here give the most comprehensive and consistent description of the wave propagation characteristics and the motion of the snap-through element, which can be directly used in finite difference analysis over a wide range of parameter values of the excitation pulse.
Development of a multi-technology, template-based quantum circuits compilation toolchain
Authors: Avitabile Manfredi , Cirillo Giovanni Amedeo , Simoni Mario , Turvani Giovanna , Graziano Mariagrazia
Published: November 2022

With noisy intermediate scale quantum computers (NISQ) becoming larger in scale and more reliable, quantum circuits are growing in size and complexity. In order to face the challenge of achieving optimal circuits, design automation approaches for improving and mapping quantum circuits on different architectures have been proposed, each one characterized by a specific optimization strategy. In this article, the use of a template-based approach for quantum circuits optimization purposes is explored, and the proposal of a modular compilation toolchain, which supports three quantum technologies (nuclear magnetic resonance, trapped ions and superconducting qubits), is presented. The toolchain tackles the task of implementing logic synthesis for single-qubit and multi-qubit gates in the compilation process and it is structured with multiple steps and modular libraries. The toolchain was tested through a benchmarking procedure, and the results for a subset of complex quantum circuits as inputs are here reported, alongside a comparison with those provided by the compilers of IBM’s Qiskit and Cambridge Quantum Computing’s$$ \mathrm{\left. {t|ket} \right\rangle } $$t|ket. The current toolchain prototype was crafted to be an easily expandable and reliable core for future developments, which could lead it to support even more quantum technologies and a fully fledged layout synthesis. Nonetheless, the obtained results are quite encouraging, and they prove that in certain conditions the Toolchain can be competitive in quantum circuits optimization, especially when dealing with single-qubit gates.