bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Politik zur Bewegungsförderung in Deutschland
Authors: Messing Sven , Forberger Sarah , Woods Catherine , Abu-Omar Karim , Gelius Peter
Published: August 2021

Hintergrund

Da Bewegungsmangel eine entscheidende Ursache für nichtübertragbare Erkrankungen ist, wurden sowohl von der Weltgesundheitsorganisation (WHO) als auch von Wissenschaftlerinnen und Wissenschaftlern weltweit verschiedene Tools zum Monitoring und Audit bewegungsfördernder Politik entwickelt. Allerdings wurden diese Tools bisher noch nicht genutzt, um systematisch und umfassend Daten zu bewegungsfördernder Politik in Deutschland zu erheben und zu analysieren.

Ziel der Arbeit

Die Studie hat zum Ziel, die politischen Anstrengungen zur Bewegungsförderung in Deutschland in einem systematischen Überblick darzustellen.

Material und Methoden

Die Erhebung wurde im Rahmen des Projekts „Policy Evaluation Network“ (www.jpi-pen.eu) unter Nutzung des Health-Enhancing Physical Activity (HEPA) Policy Audit Tools (PAT) der WHO durchgeführt. Datenquellen waren Erhebungen der WHO für das European Union Physical Activity Monitoring Framework, eigene Recherchearbeiten sowie eine Expertenbefragung.

Ergebnisse

Die Ergebnisse zeigen das Spektrum der relevanten Akteure und bieten einen Überblick über aktuelle politische Maßnahmen sowie die Bereiche Surveillance, Evaluation und finanzielle Förderung. Darüber hinaus identifizieren sie wichtige Erfolge der aktuellen deutschen Politik sowie bestehende Herausforderungen.

Diskussion

Im internationalen Vergleich fällt auf, dass andere Länder im Gegensatz zu Deutschland messbare nationale Ziele für die Förderung von Bewegung formuliert haben. Hervorzuheben ist, dass Deutschland zu der Minderheit der Staaten mit spezifischen Bewegungsempfehlungen für Menschen mit nichtübertragbaren Erkrankungen zählt. Eine besonders hohe Relevanz hat die Weiterentwicklung von Strukturen für Bewegungsförderung in Deutschland.
Modelling the chemical evolution of the Milky Way
Authors: Matteucci Francesca
Published: August 2021

In this review, I will discuss the comparison between model results and observational data for the Milky Way, the predictive power of such models as well as their limits. Such a comparison, known as Galactic archaeology, allows us to impose constraints on stellar nucleosynthesis and timescales of formation of the various Galactic components (halo, bulge, thick disk and thin disk).
A pointwise differential inequality and second-order regularity for nonlinear elliptic systems
Authors: Balci Anna Kh. , Cianchi Andrea , Diening Lars , Maz’ya Vladimir
Published: August 2021

A sharp pointwise differential inequality for vectorial second-order partial differential operators, with Uhlenbeck structure, is offered. As a consequence, optimal second-order regularity properties of solutions to nonlinear elliptic systems in domains in$${\mathbb R^n}$$Rnare derived. Both local and global estimates are established. Minimal assumptions on the boundary of the domain are required for the latter. In the special case of thep-Laplace system, our conclusions broaden the range of the admissible values of the exponentppreviously known.
Topsy-Turvy Heart with Aortopulmonary Window and Severe Airway Malacia: Prenatal Diagnosis and Review of the Literature
Authors: Hejazi Yahia , Mann Gurdeep , Boudjemline Younes , Udassi Jai P. , Van Leeuwen Grace , Diab Karim A.
Published: August 2021

The topsy-turvy heart is a very rare cardiac malformation that involves a global 90° clockwise rotation of the heart along its long axis. This rotation results in the displacement of the great arteries and severe elongation and stretching of the brachiocephalic arteries and the bronchi. We present an unusual case of topsy-turvy heart diagnosed prenatally with a large aorto-pulmonary window and. This case gives an insight into the morphological details and clinical presentation of this rare malformation and its associated complications. We also present a review of the literature of this rare anomaly showing only 15 live cases that have been published with only three cases diagnosed prenatally.
Highly tunable TetR-dependent target gene expression in the acetic acid bacterium Gluconobacter oxydans
Authors: Fricke Philipp Moritz , Lürkens Martha , Hünnefeld Max , Sonntag Christiane K. , Bott Michael , Davari Mehdi D. , Polen Tino
Published: August 2021

For the acetic acid bacterium (AAB) Gluconobacter oxydans only recently the first tight system for regulatable target gene expression became available based on the heterologous repressor-activator protein AraC from Escherichia coli and the target promoter ParaBAD. In this study, we tested pure repressor-based TetR- and LacI-dependent target gene expression in G. oxydans by applying the same plasmid backbone and construction principles that we have used successfully for the araC-ParaBAD system. When using a pBBR1MCS-5-based plasmid, the non-induced basal expression of the Tn10-based TetR-dependent expression system was extremely low. This allowed calculated induction ratios of up to more than 3500-fold with the fluorescence reporter protein mNeonGreen (mNG). The induction was highly homogeneous and tunable by varying the anhydrotetracycline concentration from 10 to 200 ng/mL. The already strong reporter gene expression could be doubled by inserting the ribosome binding site AGGAGA into the 3’ region of the Ptet sequence upstream from mNG. Alternative plasmid constructs used as controls revealed a strong influence of transcription terminators and antibiotics resistance gene of the plasmid backbone on the resulting expression performance. In contrast to the TetR-Ptet-system, pBBR1MCS-5-based LacI-dependent expression from PlacUV5 always exhibited some non-induced basal reporter expression and was therefore tunable only up to 40-fold induction by IPTG. The leakiness of PlacUV5 when not induced was independent of potential read-through from the lacI promoter. Protein-DNA binding simulations for pH 7, 6, 5, and 4 by computational modeling of LacI, TetR, and AraC with DNA suggested a decreased DNA binding of LacI when pH is below 6, the latter possibly causing the leakiness of LacI-dependent systems hitherto tested in AAB. In summary, the expression performance of the pBBR1MCS-5-based TetR-Ptet system makes this system highly suitable for applications in G. oxydans and possibly in other AAB.

Key Points

• A pBBR1MCS-5-based TetR-Ptet system was tunable up to more than 3500-fold induction.

• A pBBR1MCS-5-based LacI-PlacUV5 system was leaky and tunable only up to 40-fold.

• Modeling of protein-DNA binding suggested decreased DNA binding of LacI at pH < 6.
CT hepatic arterial perfusion index does not allow stratification of the degree of esophageal varices and bleeding risk in cirrhotic patients in Child–Pugh classes A and B
Authors: Peisen Felix , Ekert Kaspar , Bitzer Michael , Bösmüller Hans , Fritz Jan , Horger Marius
Published: August 2021

Purpose

To evaluate if the hepatic arterial perfusion index (HPI) in liver parenchyma of cirrhotic patients can serve as a surrogate parameter for stratifying the degree of esophageal varices and related bleeding risks.

Methods

CT image data of sixty-six patients (59 men; mean age 68 years ± 10 years) with liver cirrhosis (Child–Pugh class A (35/66, 53%), B (25/66, 38%), and C (6/66, 9%) who underwent perfusion CT (PCT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) screening between April 2010 and January 2019 were retrospectively identified. HPI, a parameter calculated by a commercially available CT liver perfusion analysis software that is based on the double maximum slope model, using time attenuation curve to determine perfusion, was correlated with the degree of esophageal varices diagnosed at endoscopy and the number of bleeding events.

Results

Eta correlation coefficient for HPI/presence of esophageal varices was very weak (0.083). Spearman-Rho for HPI/grading of esophageal varices was very weak (0.037 (p = 0.804)). Kendall-Tau-b for HPI/grading of esophageal varices was very weak (0.027 (p = 0.807)). ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc-tests showed no significant difference of HPI between different grades of esophageal varices (F (3, 62) = 1.676, p = 0.186). Eta correlation coefficient for HPI/bleeding event was very weak (0.126).

Conclusion

The stratification of the degree of esophageal varices and the related bleeding risk by correlation with the HPI as a surrogate parameter for portal venous hypertension was not possible for patients with liver cirrhosis in Child–Pugh class A and B.

Graphic abstract
Das FH-defiziente Nierenzellkarzinom erweitert das Spektrum der papillären Tumoren in der Niere
Authors: Rupp N. , Moch H.
Published: August 2021

Das Fumarat-Hydratase(FH)-defiziente Nierenzellkarzinom (NZK) ist eine distinkte Entität, welche eine biallelische Inaktivierung des FH-Gens zeigt, die konsekutiv mit einem Expressions- bzw. Funktionsverlust des FH-Proteins einhergeht. Diese Alteration führt zu einer Akkumulation des Onkometaboliten Fumarat im Citratzyklus und vielfältigen Störungen des Zellhaushaltes und der DNA-Prozessierung. Das FH-defiziente NZK zeigt häufig ein morphologisch überlappendes Spektrum mit papillären NZK (Typ 2), wobei typischerweise ein Wechsel verschiedener Wachstumsmuster inkl. tubulozystischer, kribriformer und/oder solider Differenzierung zu beobachten ist. Eine typische, jedoch nicht spezifische morphologische Eigenschaft sind die prominenten eosinophilen, Viruseinschlußkörperchen-artigen Nukleolen mit perinukleolärem Halo. Der immunhistochemische Verlust der FH-Expression untermauert die Diagnose, kann in seltenen Fällen jedoch erhalten sein. Zumeist zeigen FH-defiziente NZK ein sehr aggressives biologisches Verhalten mit oftmalig primärer Metastasierung bei Diagnosestellung. Die initiale Beschreibung erfolgte als NZK in Assoziation mit dem Hereditären-Leiomyomatose-und-Nierenzellkarzinom(HLRCC)-Syndrom, welches zusätzlich kutane und uterine Leiomyome umfasst. Aktuelle Daten zeigen jedoch auch einen steigenden Anteil an sporadischen Fällen, sodass eine Unterscheidung (hereditär vs. sporadisch) angemessen erscheint. Bisher sind wenige, aber vielversprechende Daten bezüglich wirksamer systemischer therapeutischer Optionen beschrieben. Zusammenfassend ist eine korrekte Diagnose aufgrund des typischerweise biologisch aggressiven Verhaltens, gegebenenfalls vom Standard abweichender therapeutischer Optionen und möglichem Indikator einer hereditären Erkrankung von großer Bedeutung.
Multiple genome viewer (MGV): a new tool for visualization and comparison of multiple annotated genomes
Authors: Richardson Joel E. , Baldarelli Richard M. , Bult Carol J.
Published: August 2021

The assembled and annotated genomes for 16 inbred mouse strains (Lilue et al., Nat Genet 50:1574–1583, 2018) and two wild-derived strains (CAROLI/EiJ and PAHARI/EiJ) (Thybert et al., Genome Res 28:448–459, 2018) are valuable resources for mouse genetics and comparative genomics. We developed the multiple genome viewer (MGV; http://www.informatics.jax.org/mgv) to support visualization, exploration, and comparison of genome annotations within and across these genomes. MGV displays chromosomal regions of user-selected genomes as horizontal tracks. Equivalent features across the genome tracks are highlighted using vertical ‘swim lane’ connectors. Navigation across the genomes is synchronized as a researcher uses the scroll and zoom functions. Researchers can generate custom sets of genes and other genome features to be displayed in MGV by entering genome coordinates, function, phenotype, disease, and/or pathway terms. MGV was developed to be genome agnostic and can be used to display homologous features across genomes of different organisms.
Comprehensive characterization of endometriosis patients and disease patterns in a large clinical cohort
Authors: Blum Simon , Fasching Peter A. , Hildebrandt Thomas , Lermann Johannes , Heindl Felix , Born Tilman , Lubrich Hannah , Antoniadis Sophia , Becker Karina , Fahlbusch Christine , Heusinger Katharina , Burghaus Stefanie , Beckmann Matthias W. , Hein Alexander
Published: August 2021

Purpose

In many diseases, it is possible to classify a heterogeneous group into subgroups relative to tumor biology, genetic variations, or clinical and pathological features. No such classification is available for endometriosis. In our retrospective case–case analysis we defined subgroups of endometriosis patients relative to the type and location of the endometriosis lesion and relative to basic patient characteristics.

Methods

From June 2013 to July 2017, a total of 1576 patients with endometriosis diagnosed at surgery were included in this study. The patients’ history and clinical data were documented using a web-based remote data entry system. To build subgroups, all possible combinations of endometriosis locations/types (peritoneal; ovarian endometriosis; deeply infiltrating endometriosis; adenomyosis) were used. Due to the variation in group sizes, they were combined into five substantial larger groups.

Results

Age, pregnancy rate, and live birth rate were identified as characteristics that significantly differed between the five patient groups that were defined. No significant differences were noted in relation to body mass index, length of menstrual cycle, age at menarche, reason for presentation, or educational level.

Conclusion

This study describes basic patient characteristics in relation to common clinical subgroups in a large clinical cohort of endometriosis patients. Epidemiological information about different clinical groups may be helpful in identifying groups with specific clinical courses, potentially suggesting novel approaches to early detection and to surgical and systemic treatment.
Use of Thiols in the Treatment of COVID-19: Current Evidence
Authors: Cazzola Mario , Rogliani Paola , Salvi Sundeep Santosh , Ora Josuel , Matera Maria Gabriella
Published: August 2021

There is a possible role for oxidative stress, a state characterized by an altered balance between the production of free radicals or reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant defences, in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the genesis of which is quite complex. Excessive oxidative stress could be responsible for the alveolar damage, thrombosis, and red blood cell dysregulation observed in COVID-19. Apparently, deficiency of glutathione (GSH), a low-molecular-weight thiol that is the most important non-enzymatic antioxidant molecule and has the potential to keep the cytokine storm in check, is a plausible explanation for the severe manifestations and death in COVID-19 patients. Thiol drugs, which are considered mucolytic, also possess potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. They exhibit antibacterial activity against a variety of medically important bacteria and may be an effective strategy against influenza virus infection. The importance of oxidative stress during COVID-19 and the various pharmacological characteristics of thiol-based drugs suggest a possible role of thiols in the treatment of COVID-19. Oral and intravenous GSH, as well as GSH precursors such as N-acetylcysteine (NAC), or drugs containing the thiol moiety (erdosteine) may represent a novel therapeutic approach to block NF-kB and address the cytokine storm syndrome and respiratory distress observed in COVID-19 pneumonia patients
Surgical management of Encapsulating Peritoneal Sclerosis (EPS) in children: international case series and literature review
Authors: Sharma Videha , Moinuddin Zia , Summers Angela , Shenoy Mohan , Plant Nicholas , Vranic Semir , Prytula Agnieszka , Zvizdic Zlatan , Karava Vasiliki , Printza Nikoleta , Vlot John , van Dellen David , Augustine Titus
Published: August 2021

Background

Encapsulating Peritoneal Sclerosis (EPS) is a rare phenomenon in paediatric patients with kidney failure treated with peritoneal dialysis (PD). This study highlights clinical challenges in the management of EPS, with particular emphasis on peri-operative considerations and surgical technique.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of all paediatric patients with EPS treated at the Manchester Centre for Transplantation.

Results

Four patients were included with a median duration of 78 months on PD. All patients had recurrent peritonitis (> 3 episodes), and all had symptoms within three months of a change of dialysis modality from PD to haemodialysis or transplant. In Manchester, care was delivered by a multi-disciplinary team, including surgeons delivering the adult EPS surgical service with a particular focus on nutritional optimisation, sepsis control, and wound management. The surgery involved laparotomy, lavage, and enterolysis of the small bowel + / − stoma formation, depending on intra-abdominal contamination. Two patients had a formal stoma, which were reversed at three and six months, respectively. Two patients underwent primary closure of the abdomen, whereas two patients had re-look procedures at 48 h with secondary closure. One patient had a post-operative wound infection, which was managed medically. One patient’s stoma became detached, leading to an intra-abdominal collection requiring re-laparotomy. The median length of stay was 25 days, and patients were discharged once enteral feeding was established. All patients remained free of recurrence with normal gut function and currently two out of four have functioning transplants.

Conclusions

This series demonstrates 100% survival and parenteral feed independence following EPS surgery. Post-operative morbidity was common; however, with individualised experience-based decision-making and relevant additional interventions, patients made full recoveries. Health and development post-surgery continued, allowing the potential for transplantation.

Graphical abstract

A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information
On center of mass and foliations by constant spacetime mean curvature surfaces for isolated systems in General Relativity
Authors: Cederbaum Carla , Sakovich Anna
Published: August 2021

We propose a new foliation of asymptotically Euclidean initial data sets by 2-spheres of constant spacetime mean curvature (STCMC). The leaves of the foliation have the STCMC-property regardless of the initial data set in which the foliation is constructed which asserts that there is a plethora of STCMC 2-spheres in a neighborhood of spatial infinity of any asymptotically flat spacetime. The STCMC-foliation can be understood as a equivariant relativistic generalization of the CMC-foliation suggested by Huisken and Yau (Invent Math 124:281–311, 1996). We show that a unique STCMC-foliation exists near infinity of any asymptotically Euclidean initial data set with non-vanishing energy which allows for the definition of a new notion of total center of mass for isolated systems. This STCMC-center of mass transforms equivariantly under the asymptotic Poincaré group of the ambient spacetime and in particular evolves under the Einstein evolution equations like a point particle in Special Relativity. The new definition also remedies subtle deficiencies in the CMC-approach to defining the total center of mass suggested by Huisken and Yau (Invent Math 124:281–311, 1996) which were described by Cederbaum and Nerz (Ann Henri Poincaré 16:1609–1631, 2015).
Revisiting Kalundu Mound, Zambia: Implications for the Timing of Social and Subsistence Transitions in Iron Age Southern Africa
Authors: Goldstein S. T. , Crowther A. , Henry E. R. , Janzen A. , Katongo M. , Brown S. , Farr J. , Le Moyne C. , Picin A. , Richter K. K. , Boivin N.
Published: August 2021

Novel trajectories of food production, urbanism, and inter-regional trade fueled the emergence of numerous complex Iron Age polities in central and southern Africa. Renewed research and re-dating efforts in Botswana, Zimbabwe, and along the Swahili Coast are transforming models for how inter-regional interaction spheres contributed to these patterns. While societies in present-day Zambia played an important role in the trade of copper, ivory, gold, and other resources between central and southern Africa, little is known about lifeways during the rise of social complexity in this region. This paper reports the results of re-excavation at Kalundu Mound on the Batoka Plateau of southern Zambia, one of the iconic mound sites of the Iron Age “Kalomo Culture.” New radiocarbon dates were combined with the original dates in a series of Bayesian models, indicating that previous chronologies for the site are not reliable and that the mound site likely developed rapidly from AD 1190 to 1410. Archaeobotanical, zooarchaeological, and paleo-proteomic analyses of excavated materials suggests a broad subsistence base combining wild and domesticated species, including the first reported evidence for finger millet (Eleusine coracana) in the region. Considering these findings, it is necessary to re-evaluate the temporal context of the Kalomo site-group, and to also systematically reinvestigate the systems of exchange and subsistence that supported Later Iron Age complexity.
Probability elicitation using geostatistics in hydrocarbon exploration
Authors: Morosov André Luís , Bratvold Reidar Brumer
Published: August 2021

The exploratory phase of a hydrocarbon field is a period when decision-supporting information is scarce while the drilling stakes are high. Each new prospect drilled brings more knowledge about the area and might reveal reserves, hence choosing such prospect is essential for value creation. Drilling decisions must be made under uncertainty as the available geological information is limited and probability elicitation from geoscience experts is key in this process. This work proposes a novel use of geostatistics to help experts elicit geological probabilities more objectively, especially useful during the exploratory phase. The approach is simpler, more consistent with geologic knowledge, more comfortable for geoscientists to use and, more comprehensive for decision-makers to follow when compared to traditional methods. It is also flexible by working with any amount and type of information available. The workflow takes as input conceptual models describing the geology and uses geostatistics to generate spatial variability of geological properties in the vicinity of potential drilling prospects. The output is stochastic realizations which are processed into a joint probability distribution (JPD) containing all conditional probabilities of the process. Input models are interactively changed until the JPD satisfactory represents the expert’s beliefs. A 2D, yet realistic, implementation of the workflow is used as a proof of concept, demonstrating that even simple modeling might suffice for decision-making support. Derivative versions of the JPD are created and their effect on the decision process of selecting the drilling sequence is assessed. The findings from the method application suggest ways to define the input parameters by observing how they affect the JPD and the decision process.
Evaluation of water structures in cotton cloth by fractal analysis with broadband dielectric spectroscopy
Authors: Yagihara Shin , Saito Hironobu , Sugimoto Hironori , Kawaguchi Tsubasa , Fukuzaki Minoru , Igarashi Takako , Hoshi Masato , Nakamura Koichi
Published: August 2021

Broadband dielectric spectroscopy measurements were performed on naturally dried cotton cloth, and a recently developed analytical technique for fractal analysis of water structures was applied to obtain existential states and locations of water molecules in the material. Three relaxation processes observed in GHz, MHz, and kHz frequency regions were attributed to dynamic behaviors of hydrogen bonding networks (HBNs) of water and interacting molecules, polymer chains with interacting ion and water molecules, and ions restricted on the interfaces of larger structures, respectively. Water molecules were heterogeneously distributed in the cotton cloth, and the HBNs remained as a broad GHz frequency process. Fractal analysis suggested that water molecules distributed in the material were characterized by a small value (0.55) of the Cole–Cole relaxation time distribution parameter, indicating spatial distribution of HBN fragments with various sizes in cotton cloth. This result was also supported by the T2 relaxation time obtained from nuclear magnetic resonance for naturally dried cotton yarn. Comparing previous results of dielectric relaxation measurements and fractal analysis with the τ–β diagram for various aqueous systems, the results determined that water molecules cannot exist inside cellulose microfibrils. The fractal analysis employed in this work can be applied to dynamic water structures in any material. The presented analytical technique with a universal τ–β diagram is expected to be an effective tool to clarify water structure detail even for heterogeneous hydrations of the low water content substances.

Graphical abstract
HM-EIICT: Fairness-aware link prediction in complex networks using community information
Authors: Saxena Akrati , Fletcher George , Pechenizkiy Mykola
Published: August 2021

The evolution of online social networks is highly dependent on the recommended links. Most of the existing works focus on predicting intra-community links efficiently. However, it is equally important to predict inter-community links with high accuracy for diversifying a network. In this work, we propose a link prediction method, called HM-EIICT, that considers both the similarity of nodes and their community information to predict both kinds of links, intra-community links as well as inter-community links, with higher accuracy. The proposed framework is built on the concept that the connection likelihood between two given nodes differs for inter-community and intra-community node-pairs. The performance of the proposed methods is evaluated using link prediction accuracy and network modularity reduction. The results are studied on real-world networks and show the effectiveness of the proposed method as compared to the baselines. The experiments suggest that the inter-community links can be predicted with a higher accuracy using community information extracted from the network topology, and the proposed framework outperforms several measures especially proposed for community-based link prediction. The paper is concluded with open research directions.
Characterising the linear viscoelastic behaviour of an injection moulding grade polypropylene polymer
Authors: Gebrehiwot Silas Z. , Espinosa-Leal Leonardo
Published: August 2021

The linear viscoelastic behaviour of an injection moulding grade polypropylene is studied using theoretical and computational methods. Polypropylene has a variety of engineering applications as a component. However, it commonly exhibits viscoelastic deformations. This paper analyses the creep and recovery responses of the BJ368MO polypropylene copolymer using the Burgers and generalised Maxwell models. Within the linear viscoelastic regime, an experimental creep strain at $20\ \text{MPa}$
20

MPa
is used to determine the rheological constants of the models. These constants (springs and dashpots) are determined using a nonlinear least-squares curve fitting of the experimental creep. Then they are used to predict the creep and recovery responses of the polymer at three different stresses, $10\ \text{MPa}$
10

MPa
, $12.5\ \text{MPa}$
12.5

MPa
and $15\ \text{MPa}$
15

MPa
. The experiments are made using tensile specimens designed according to the ASTM D638-14standard. The theoretical evaluations are made using the creep and recovery equations derived from their constitutive. Whereas COMSOL Multiphysics software is used during the finite element (FE) analyses. The results of the theoretical and FE calculations are verified using creep and recovery experiments. Based on the validation analyses, both viscoelastic models showed lower deviations from the experimental results when a computational approach is used. In addition, the viscoelastic models are compared by evaluating the residuals of the creep and recovery strain predictions. The theoretical analyses showed better predictions at $12.5\ \text{MPa}$
12.5

MPa
and $15\ \text{MPa}$
15

MPa
stresses when the generalised Maxwell model is used. However, the improvements are attributed to the recovery predictions. When FE is used, the Burgers model showed lower mean absolute percentage errors (MAPEs) in all creep and recovery predictions. The model has a minimum of 6.37% error at the $10\ \text{MPa}$
10

MPa
stress and a maximum of 8.23% error at the $15\ \text{MPa}$
15

MPa
. By comparison, the generalised Maxwell model showed a minimum of 9.24% error at $12.5\ \text{MPa}$
12.5

MPa
and a maximum of 12.8% error at $15\ \text{MPa}$
15

MPa
stresses. The novelty of this paper is on predicting the creep and recovery behaviour of the polymer using the FE and theoretical approaches in the linear viscoelastic regime. The findings suggest that the FE analyses using the Burgers viscoelastic material model provide better predictions, with all calculated errors falling below 10%.
Only the brave: improving self-rationing efficiency among discouraged Swiss SMEs
Authors: Wernli Reto , Dietrich Andreas
Published: August 2021

We conduct a survey among 1922 Swiss SMEs to analyze their access to bank loans. Credit-constrained SMEs are six times more likely to be discouraged than rejected. The most dominant reasons for being discouraged are too high collateral requirements, cumbersome application procedure, and the expectation of being turned down. Through a unique feature in the Swiss banking market, we also find new evidence for the importance of a strong firm–bank relationship. We challenge the assumption that discouraged borrowers are very similar to rejected borrowers. Our results indicate that the group of discouraged borrowers is more similar to the denied borrowers than to the group of approved borrowers, but only with respect to firm characteristics. For variables describing business development and firm–bank relationship, discouraged SMEs have less in common with credit-constrained firms than with their unconstrained counterparts. Even with a conservative prediction, about 60% of the discouraged firms would have obtained a bank loan if they had applied for one. The self-rationing mechanism observed is thus rather inefficient, and banks and policy makers should think about how to foster SMEs’ courage to apply for the bank loans they need.
Stramenopile microalgae as “green biofactories” for recombinant protein production
Authors: de Grahl Imke , Reumann Sigrun
Published: August 2021

Photoautotrophic microalgae have become intriguing hosts for recombinant protein production because they offer important advantages of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic expression systems. Advanced molecular tools have recently been established for the biotechnologically relevant group of stramenopile microalgae, particularly for several Nannochloropsis species and diatoms. Strategies for the selection of powerful genetic elements and for optimization of protein production have been reported. Much needed high-throughput techniques required for straight-forward identification and selection of the best expression constructs and transformants have become available and are discussed. The first recombinant proteins have already been produced successfully in stramenopile microalgae and include not only several subunit vaccines but also one antimicrobial peptide, a fish growth hormone, and an antibody. These research results offer interesting future applications in aquaculture and as biopharmaceuticals. In this review we highlight recent progress in genetic technology development for recombinant protein production in the most relevant Nannochloropsis species and diatoms. Diverse realistic biotechnological applications of these proteins are emphasized that have the potential to establish stramenopile algae as sustainable green factories for an economically competitive production of high-value biomolecules.
The Landscape of Immunotherapy in Advanced NSCLC: Driving Beyond PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitors (CTLA-4, LAG3, IDO, OX40, TIGIT, Vaccines)
Authors: De Giglio Andrea , Di Federico Alessandro , Nuvola Giacomo , Deiana Chiara , Gelsomino Francesco
Published: August 2021

Purpose of Review

In this review, we analyzed the current landscape of non-PD-(L)1 targeting immunotherapy.

Recent Findings

The advent of immunotherapy has completely changed the standard approach toward advanced NSCLC. Inhibitors of the PD-1/PD-L1 axis have quickly taken place as first-line treatment for NSCLC patients without targetable “driver” mutations. However, a non-negligible portion of patients derive modest benefit from immune-checkpoint inhibitors, and valid second-line alternatives are lacking, pushing researchers to analyze other molecules and pathways as potentially viable targets in the struggle against NSCLC.

Starting from the better characterized CTLA-4 inhibitors, we then critically collected the actual knowledge on NSCLC vaccines as well as on other emerging molecules, many of them in their early phase of testing, to provide to the reader a comprehensive overview of the state of the art of immunotherapy in NSCLC beyond PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors.
Identification of New Transcription Factors that Can Promote Pluripotent Reprogramming
Authors: Huang Ping , Zhu Jieying , Liu Yu , Liu Guihuan , Zhang Ran , Li Dongwei , Pei Duanqing , Zhu Ping
Published: August 2021

Background

Four transcription factors, Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc (the Yamanka factors), can reprogram somatic cells to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Many studies have provided a number of alternative combinations to the non-Yamanaka factors. However, it is clear that many additional transcription factors that can generate iPSCs remain to be discovered.

Methods

The chromatin accessibility and transcriptional level of human embryonic stem cells and human urine cells were compared by Assay for Transposase-Accessible Chromatin with high-throughput sequencing (ATAC-seq) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to identify potential reprogramming factors. Selected transcription factors were employed to reprogram urine cells, and the reprogramming efficiency was measured. Urine-derived iPSCs were detected for pluripotency by Immunofluorescence, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, RNA sequencing and teratoma formation test. Finally, we assessed the differentiation potential of the new iPSCs to cardiomyocytes in vitro.

Results

ATAC-seq and RNA-seq datasets predicted TEAD2, TEAD4 and ZIC3 as potential factors involved in urine cell reprogramming. Transfection of TEAD2, TEAD4 and ZIC3 (in the presence of Yamanaka factors) significantly improved the reprogramming efficiency of urine cells. We confirmed that the newly generated iPSCs possessed pluripotency characteristics similar to normal H1 embryonic stem cells. We also confirmed that the new iPSCs could differentiate to functional cardiomyocytes.

Conclusions

In conclusion, TEAD2, TEAD4 and ZIC3 can increase the efficiency of reprogramming human urine cells into iPSCs, and provides a new stem cell sources for the clinical application and modeling of cardiovascular disease.

Graphical abstract
The origin of end flare in roll formed profiles
Authors: Moneke M. , Groche P.
Published: August 2021

Roll forming is a continuous manufacturing process designed for large batch sizes. In order to economically produce roll formed parts with smaller batch sizes, the process setup times have to be reduced. During the setup, profile defects and especially the deformation caused by the release of the process-inherent residual stresses, also known as end flare, have to be counteracted. However, the knowledge regarding the creation of residual stresses is limited and the ability to reduce end flare usually depends on the experience of the process designer and the machine operator, which makes the setup time-consuming and cost-intensive. Therefore, in this paper the creation of end flare during the roll forming process is investigated in depth. As a result of this study explanation models for U-, C- and Hat-profiles, which link the creation of residual stresses to the local deformation during the forming process, are developed. Knowing how changes in the forming curve affect the creation of end flare allows to use a knowledge-based approach during the design and setup process, thereby reducing time and costs.
Bullying and Cyberbullying in Spain and Poland, and Their Relation to Social, Emotional and Moral Competencies
Authors: Llorent Vicente J. , Diaz-Chaves Adriana , Zych Izabela , Twardowska-Staszek Estera , Marín-López Inmaculada
Published: August 2021

Bullying and cyberbullying have been intensively studied in many countries, and research on the topic has been fruitful. Nevertheless, it is still necessary to advance knowledge on bullying and cyberbullying in many geographical areas and to discover their risk and protective factors. The objective of this study was to describe and compare the involvement in different bullying and cyberbullying roles in Spain and Poland, identifying risk and protective factors such as moral disengagement, social and emotional competencies, moral emotions and empathy. This study was carried out with a sample of 2535 primary and secondary school students from Spain and Poland. More bullying and cyberbullying involvement were found in Poland in comparison with Spain. Different moral disengagement mechanisms were found to be risk factors for involvement in bullying and cyberbullying in both countries. Low moral emotions were a risk factor for bullying and cyberbullying perpetration in Spain and Poland. Different social and emotional competencies were protective against bullying and cyberbullying in both countries. These results suggest the need to design and implement more programs to promote social, emotional and moral competencies in Spain and Poland to protect children against bullying and cyberbullying.
A Comparison of Deep Learning Techniques for Arterial Blood Pressure Prediction
Authors: Paviglianiti Annunziata , Randazzo Vincenzo , Villata Stefano , Cirrincione Giansalvo , Pasero Eros
Published: August 2021

Continuous vital signal monitoring is becoming more relevant in preventing diseases that afflict a large part of the world’s population; for this reason, healthcare equipment should be easy to wear and simple to use. Non-intrusive and non-invasive detection methods are a basic requirement for wearable medical devices, especially when these are used in sports applications or by the elderly for self-monitoring. Arterial blood pressure (ABP) is an essential physiological parameter for health monitoring. Most blood pressure measurement devices determine the systolic and diastolic arterial blood pressure through the inflation and the deflation of a cuff. This technique is uncomfortable for the user and may result in anxiety, and consequently affect the blood pressure and its measurement. The purpose of this paper is the continuous measurement of the ABP through a cuffless, non-intrusive approach. The approach of this paper is based on deep learning techniques where several neural networks are used to infer ABP, starting from photoplethysmogram (PPG) and electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. The ABP was predicted first by utilizing only PPG and then by using both PPG and ECG. Convolutional neural networks (ResNet and WaveNet) and recurrent neural networks (LSTM) were compared and analyzed for the regression task. Results show that the use of the ECG has resulted in improved performance for every proposed configuration. The best performing configuration was obtained with a ResNet followed by three LSTM layers: this led to a mean absolute error (MAE) of 4.118 mmHg on and 2.228 mmHg on systolic and diastolic blood pressures, respectively. The results comply with the American National Standards of the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation. ECG, PPG, and ABP measurements were extracted from the MIMIC database, which contains clinical signal data reflecting real measurements. The results were validated on a custom dataset created at Neuronica Lab, Politecnico di Torino.
Short-term exercise affects cardiac function ex vivo partially via changes in calcium channel levels, without influencing hypoxia sensitivity
Authors: Uurasmaa Tytti-Maria , Streng Tomi , Alkio Milla , Heinonen Ilkka , Anttila Katja
Published: August 2021

Exercise is known to improve cardiac recovery following coronary occlusion. However, whether short-term exercise can improve cardiac function and hypoxia tolerance ex vivo independent of reperfusion injury and the possible role of calcium channels in improved hypoxia tolerance remains unknown. Therefore, in the current study, heart function was measured ex vivo using the Langendorff method at different oxygen levels after a 4-week voluntary wheel-running regimen in trained and untrained male mice (C57Bl/6NCrl). The levels of cardiac Ca2+-channels: L-type Ca2+-channel (CACNA1C), ryanodine receptor (RyR-2), sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA2), and sodium-calcium exchanger were measured using western blot. Trained mice displayed lower cardiac afterload pressure generation capacity (rate and amplitude), but unaltered hypoxia tolerance when compared to untrained mice with similar heart rates. The level of CACNA1C positively correlated with the pressure generation rate and amplitude. Furthermore, the CACNA1C-RYR-2 ratio also positively correlated with the pressure generation rate. While the 4-week training period was not enough to alter the intrinsic cardiac hypoxia tolerance, interestingly it decreased pressure generation capacity and slowed pressure decreasing capacity in the mouse hearts ex vivo. This reduction in pressure generation rate could be linked to the level of channel proteins in sarcolemmal Ca2+-cycling in trained mice. However, the Ca2+-channel levels did not differ significantly between the groups, and thus, the level of calcium channels cannot fully explain all the functional alterations, despite the detected correlations. Therefore, additional studies are warranted to reveal further mechanisms that contribute to the reduced intrinsic capacity for pressure production in trained mouse hearts.
Application of market–basket analysis on healthcare
Authors: Rao Abishek B. , Kiran Jammula Surya , G Poornalatha
Published: August 2021

Data analysis plays a vital role in the present era as it helps us to understand the patterns by exploring it in meaningful ways. Market—basket is one of the main methods used to find frequently occurring items in a transactional database and many researchers use the Apriori algorithm for this purpose. This paper presents the application of Market Basket Analysis to the healthcare section. The present work tries to find frequent diseases that occur together in an area by using the Apriori algorithm. This could help the residents of an area to be more cautious about the frequently occurring diseases and take all possible precautionary measures to safeguard their health. In addition, it could also help the doctors so that, they are ready with required medications to treat the patients.
Research progress and prospect of Ordovician carbonate rocks in Tahe oilfield: karst feature
Authors: Xu Xinyu , Chen Qinghua , Zhang Yinguo , Wang Jing , Li Yang , Kang Zhijiang , Wei Hehua , Quan Lianshun , Zhang Yun
Published: August 2021

Inspired by structural geology, karstology, geomorphology, as well as petroleum geology, coupling excellent documented research works and the field investigation, the status and prospect for the studies on karst feature of Tahe oilfield are discussed comprehensively. Results indicate: (a) the majority of research works have appeared since 2000 and can be classified as three categories and 12 subclasses, in which caves, fracture cave systems and fault-karst reservoirs are considered as the main research topics, (b) existed studies can be divided into four stages, and fault-karst reservoir analysis is a hot spot recently, focusing on the scale of the formed reservoir. It is the common sense that faults control both fractures and caves. Originally, there exist close relationships among karst phenomena whether they're on the ground or underground. Revealing these relationships mentioned above is the important direction for the studies of Tahe oilfield in the future. As for the areas where faults are widely distributed in karst, there exist hierarchical properties in karstology: (1) fault controls topography and landform, (2) fault, topography and landform control the water system and (3) fault, topography, landform and water system control karst. These hierarchical properties are the basic connotation of the laws for karst evolution, and the vital goals of the karst study of Tahe oilfield as well. Applications of methods and techniques and field-karst investigation are the solid guarantees to achieve these goals.
Cycle Length Evaluation in Persistent Atrial Fibrillation Using Kernel Density Estimation to Identify Transient and Stable Rapid Atrial Activity
Authors: Nagy Szabolcs Z. , Kasi Patrick , Afonso Valtino X. , Bird Nathaniel , Pederson Brian , Mann Ian E. , Kim Steven , Linton Nicholas W. F. , Lefroy David C. , Whinnett Zachary I. , Ng Fu Siong , Koa-Wing Michael , Kanagaratnam Prapa , Peters Nicholas S. , Qureshi Norman A. , Lim Phang Boon
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Left atrial (LA) rapid AF activity has been shown to co-localise with areas of successful atrial fibrillation termination by catheter ablation. We describe a technique that identifies rapid and regular activity.

Methods

Eight-second AF electrograms were recorded from LA regions during ablation for psAF. Local activation was annotated manually on bipolar signals and where these were of poor quality, we inspected unipolar signals. Dominant cycle length (DCL) was calculated from annotation pairs representing a single activation interval, using a probability density function (PDF) with kernel density estimation. Cumulative annotation duration compared to total segment length defined electrogram quality. DCL results were compared to dominant frequency (DF) and averaging.

Results

In total 507 8 s AF segments were analysed from 7 patients. Spearman’s correlation coefficient was 0.758 between independent annotators (P < 0.001), 0.837–0.94 between 8 s and ≥ 4 s segments (P < 0.001), 0.541 between DCL and DF (P < 0.001), and 0.79 between DCL and averaging (P < 0.001). Poorer segment organization gave greater errors between DCL and DF.

Conclusion

DCL identifies rapid atrial activity that may represent psAF drivers. This study uses DCL as a tool to evaluate the dynamic, patient specific properties of psAF by identifying rapid and regular activity. If automated, this technique could rapidly identify areas for ablation in psAF.
Philosophical Potencies of Postphenomenology
Authors: Ritter Martin
Published: August 2021

As a distinctive voice in the current philosophy of technology, postphenomenology elucidates various ways of how technologies “shape” both the world (or objectivity) and humans (or subjectivity) in it. Distancing itself from more speculative approaches, postphenomenology advocates the so-called empirical turn in philosophy of technology: It focuses on diverse effects of particular technologies instead of speculating on the essence of technology and its general impact. Critics of postphenomenology argue that by turning to particularities and emphasizing that technologies are always open to different uses and interpretations, postphenomenology becomes unable to realize how profoundly technology determines our being in the world. Seeking to evaluate the postphenomenological (in)ability to radically reflect on the human being conditioned by technology, I discuss the two most pertinent criticisms of postphenomenology: an “existential” one by Robert C. Scharff and an “ontological” one by Jochem Zwier, Vincent Blok, and Pieter Lemmens. Assessing the ontological alternative, I point to incapacity of Heidegger’s concept of Enframing to do justice to material technologies. Simultaneously, I acknowledge the necessity of speculating on (the concept of) technology as transcending concrete technologies. Such speculating would be instrumental in reviving Ihde’s idea of non-neutrality of technology in its full philosophical potency.