bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evidence of shape variation in wild Tor Mahseer (Tor tor) from Indian Rivers
Authors: Dwivedi Arvind Kumar
Published: September 2021

It has been hypothesized that geographical isolation between river ecosystems often resulted in phenotypic variation and ultimately change in the population structure of aquatic species. To test the hypothesis, 471 individuals of Tor Mahseer, Tor tor, were collected across its distribution range from 18 locations on 10 Indian Rivers covering the Ganges, Narmada, and Godavari River basins to assess the population‐level inter‐ and intra‐basin shape variation through landmark‐based “geometric morphometrics.” Overall, multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) showed significant differences (F = 3.33, p < .001) in shape across wild populations. The Mahalanobis and Procrustes distances extracted from canonical variate analysis (CVA) were found to be significant (p < .001) between basins and nonsignificant (p > .001) within basin except Banas and Kali Sindh Rivers in the Ganges River basin. The results indicated that Tor Mahseer in Indian Rivers were represented by four heterogeneous phenotypic stocks (1: the Ganges River basin except Banas and Kali Sindh River; 2: the Banas and Kali Sindh River; 3: the Narmada River basin, and 4: the Godavari River basin) based on their shape. The wireframes depicted variation mainly in the head region, body depth, and the caudal peduncle area between four phenotypic stocks. The population‐level shape variation between the basins might be due to geographical isolation between the basins and within the Ganges basin because of river fragmentation due to habitat alteration, which restricts the movement of fishes. This study is useful for resolving the “phenotypic stock” complexity in order to develop a suitable stock management plan with the aim of conserving and restoring populations of Tor Mahseer in Indian Rivers.
α‐Glucosidase, α‐Amylase Inhibition, Kinetics and Docking Studies of Novel (2‐Chloro‐6‐(trifluoromethyl)benzyloxy)arylidene) Based Rhodanine and Rhodanine Acetic Acid Derivatives
Authors: Kumar Vasantha , Ramu Ramith , Shirahatti Prithvi S. , Kumari V. B. Chandana , Sushma P. , Mandal Subhankar P. , Patil Shashank M.
Published: September 2021

In our effort to identify potent fluorinated small molecules as antidiabetic compounds, a novel fluorinated series of 2‐chloro‐6‐(trifluoromethyl)benzyloxy arylidene derived Rhodanine and Rhodanine‐acetic acid derivatives were synthesized and screened for α‐glucosidase and α‐amylase inhibitory activity. Newly synthesized compounds were characterized by 1HNMR, 13C NMR, and LCMS spectral data. Among the tested compounds, (Z)‐5‐(4‐(2‐chloro‐6‐(trifluoromethyl)benzyloxy)benzylidene)‐2‐thioxothiazolidin‐4‐one(5 a) and 2‐((Z)‐5‐(4‐(2‐chloro‐6‐(trifluoromethyl)benzyloxy)benzylidene)‐4‐oxo‐2‐thioxothiazoli‐din‐3‐yl)acetic acid(6 a) emerged as most promising α‐glucosidase inhibitors with IC50 values 4.76±0.64 μM and 4.91±0.45 μM, respectively. Further, the kinetic inhibition experiments against yeast α‐glucosidase for compounds 5 a and 6 a indicated that these are competitive inhibitors with inhibitory constant (Ki) 0.54 μg and 1.15 μg respectively. Molecular docking studies on α‐glucosidase was performed by homology modelingfor the most potent compounds 5 a and 6 a to understand the putative binding mode. The study revealed substantial binding of the compounds to the active site of α‐glucosidase, indicating that the position of the substituent plays a key role in its inhibitory potential.
FeCo Nanoparticles Encapsulated in N‐Doped Carbon Nanotubes Coupled with Layered Double (Co, Fe) Hydroxide as an Efficient Bifunctional Catalyst for Rechargeable Zinc–Air Batteries
Authors: Zhang Tongrui , Bian Juanjuan , Zhu Yuanqin , Sun Chunwen
Published: September 2021

Low‐cost bifunctional nonprecious metal catalysts toward oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) are critical for the commercialization of rechargeable zinc–air batteries (ZABs). However, the preparation of highly active and durable bifunctional catalysts is still challenging. Herein, an efficient catalyst is reported consisting of FeCo nanoparticles embedded in N‐doped carbon nanotubes (FeCo NPs‐N‐CNTs) by an in situ catalytic strategy. Due to the encapsulation and porous structure of N‐doped carbon nanotubes, the catalyst shows high activity toward ORR and excellent durability. Furthermore, to enhance the OER activity, CoFe‐layer double hydroxide (CoFe‐LDH) is coupled with FeCo NPs‐N‐CNTs by in situ reaction approach. As the air electrode for rechargeable ZABs, the cell with CoFe‐LDH@FeCo NPs‐N‐CNTs catalyst exhibits high open‐circuit potential (OCP) of 1.51 V, high power density of 116 mW cm−2, and remarkable durability up to 100 h, demonstrating its great promise for the practical application of the rechargeable ZABs.
Benzophenone‐3 breaches mouse Sertoli cell barrier and alters F‐actin organization without evoking apoptosis
Authors: Zhang Xi‐Yu , Jiao Xiao‐Fei , Wu Di , Chen Fan , Ding Zhi‐Ming , Wang Yong‐Sheng , Meng Fei , Duan Ze‐Qun , Xiong Jia‐Jun , Yang Cai‐Xia , Huo Li‐Jun
Published: September 2021

Benzophenone‐3 (BP‐3), one of the most commonly utilized ultraviolet filters in personal care products, has aroused public concern in recent years for its high chances of human exposure. Previous studies have found that BP‐3 can impair testes development and spermatogenesis, but the targets of BP‐3 are still unknown. In this study, primary Sertoli cells from 20‐day‐old mice were treated in vitro with 0–100 μM BP‐3 for 24 h to identify its toxicity on Sertoli cells and Sertoli cell barrier. Results demonstrated that BP‐3 could induce a notable change in cell morphology and impair Sertoli cell viability. The analysis of transepithelial electrical resistance showed that the integrity of the Sertoli cell barrier was destroyed by BP‐3 (100 μM). Some structural proteins of the barrier including ZO‐1, Occludin, and Connexin43 were lower expressed and the localization of basal ectoplasmic specializations protein β‐catenin was altered because of BP‐3 treatment. Further exploration suggested that BP‐3 led to Sertoli cell F‐actin disorganization by affecting the expression of Rictor, a key component of the mTORC2 complex. Moreover, although increased DNA damage marker γH2A.X was observed in the treatment group, the cell apoptosis rate was changeless which was further confirmed by increased BAX and stable Bcl‐2 (two primary apoptosis regulating proteins). In conclusion, this study revealed that BP‐3 had the potential to perturb the Sertoli cell barrier through altered junction proteins and disorganized F‐actin, but it could hardly evoke Sertoli cell apoptosis.
Privacy implications of the new “omic” technologies in law enforcement
Authors: Roffey Paul , Scudder Nathan
Published: September 2021

“Omic” technologies have opened a new revolution in law enforcement and are now solving decades‐old cold cases as well as current investigations. The Golden State Killer case is probably the most notable of the cold case investigations that has been solved by one of the new “omic” technologies, namely forensic genetic genealogy. The resolution of this case epitomizes the power of the “omic” technologies to solve crime while simultaneously unearthing serious legal and ethical concerns around the individuals' privacy in the use of their genetic information. The legislation that is currently used by the state, territory, and Commonwealth jurisdictions in Australia to regulate the use of DNA for criminal investigation is now two decades old and does not address the application of “omic” technologies to criminal investigation. The Australian government is reviewing current privacy laws, and this review could include the use of “omic” technologies. In the absence of specific legislation, law enforcement must continue to develop processes to consider privacy, law, and ethics around the use of “omic” technologies for criminal investigation and the identification of human remains.

This article is categorized under:

Forensic Biology > Ethical and Social Implications

Jurisprudence and Regulatory Oversight > Communication Across Science and Law

Forensic Biology > Forensic DNA Technologies
A review on flood risk assessment using multicriteria decision making technique
Authors: Abdulrahman Shuaibu , Bwambale Joash
Published: September 2021

Flood disaster risk assessment is a crucial and very challenging task because of the uncertainty of flood events that are due to many climatic and physiographic factors of watersheds. The focus of this paper is to review flood risk assessment using multicriteria analysis (MCA) approach by considering risk as a function of flood hazard and vulnerability. The study analyzes the methods and reports of recent works in assessing flood risk based on MCA technique. The review reveals that the analytical hierarchical process (AHP) is the most widely used MCA technique due to its simplicity, less data requirement, and sound and reliable predictions of flood risk zones. The study also reveals that flood risk is a function and product of flood hazard and vulnerability. More so, high flood hazard does not guarantee high flood risk and vice versa. Furthermore, high flood vulnerability does not guarantee high flood risk and vice versa. In conclusion, more efficient state‐of‐art flood models that are based on hydrological processes should be explored for effective flood risk assessment and mapping. Further studies on flood risk should incorporate impact of climate change on flood risk indicators.
Beautiful and charming chromodipole moments
Authors: Haisch Ulrich , Koole Gabriël
Published: September 2021

Abstract

In the context of the Standard Model effective field theory we derive direct and indirect bounds on chromodipole operators involving the bottom and charm quark. We find that the experimental upper limit on the neutron electric dipole moment puts severe constraints on the imaginary parts of the Wilson coefficients of both chromodipole operators. The magnitudes of the Wilson coefficients are instead only weakly constrained by dijet searches and Z-boson production in association with bottom-quark jets. Flavour physics does not provide meaningful bounds.
Resonance structures in kink-antikink collisions in a deformed sine-Gordon model
Authors: Dorey Patrick , Gorina Anastasia , Perapechka Ilya , Romańczukiewicz Tomasz , Shnir Yakov
Published: September 2021

Abstract

We study kink-antikink collisions in a model which interpolates smoothly between the completely integrable sine-Gordon theory, the ϕ4 model, and a ϕ6-like model with three degenerate vacua. We find a rich variety of behaviours, including integrability breaking, resonance windows with increasingly irregular patterns, and new types of windows near the ϕ6-like regime. False vacua, extra kink modes and kink fragmentation play important roles in the explanations of these phenomena. Our numerical studies are backed up by detailed analytical considerations.
Long-COVID: Langzeitsymptome und morphologische/radiologische Korrelate
Authors: Thurnher Majda M. , Reith Wolfgang , Thurnher Alexander P. , Rommer Paulus
Published: September 2021

Hintergrund

Neurologische, pulmonale, kardiale und gastrointestinale Funktionsstörungen können in der postakuten Phase fortbestehen und einLong-COVID-Syndrombilden, das auch alspostakute Folgeerscheinungen der SARS-CoV-2-Infektion(PASC) bezeichnet wird. Einige Patienten entwickeln trotz einer zu Beginn relativ milden Erkrankung anhaltende und schwächende Symptome und werden als „COVID-19 long haulers“ bezeichnet.

Fragestellung

Vorstellung von Symptomen, Anzeichen und Biomarkern bei Patienten, die zuvor an COVID-19 erkrankt waren und Erörterung der möglichen zugrunde liegenden Mechanismen und Folgen.

Methoden

Bestehende Literatur und berichtete Fälle sowie Expertenmeinungen werden analysiert und diskutiert.

Ergebnisse

Das Long-COVID-Syndrom betrifft Überlebende von COVID-19 in allen Schweregraden der Erkrankung, selbst in leichten bis mittelschweren Fällen und bei jüngeren Erwachsenen, die keine Beatmungsunterstützung oder Krankenhaus- bzw. Intensivpflege benötigten. Problematisch ist, dass bei vielen Langzeitüberlebenden nie ein Labornachweis für COVID-19 erbracht wurde, was die Skepsis weckt, dass ihre anhaltenden Symptome eine physiologische Grundlage haben. Andererseits können einige Symptome, die bei einer postakuten COVID-19-Erkrankung auftreten, Folge einer kritischen Erkrankung oder eine Nebenwirkung von Behandlungen sein.

Schlussfolgerung

Da es sich bei COVID-19 um eine neue Krankheit handelt, lässt sich nicht feststellen, wie lange diese Auswirkungen anhalten werden. Eine langfristige Überwachung der postakuten COVID-19-Symptome und ein Screening auf häufige Komorbiditäten sind unerlässlich.
A bilevel optimization approach to decide the feasibility of bookings in the European gas market
Authors: Plein Fränk , Thürauf Johannes , Labbé Martine , Schmidt Martin
Published: September 2021

The European gas market is organized as a so-called entry-exit system with the main goal to decouple transport and trading. To this end, gas traders and the transmission system operator (TSO) sign so-called booking contracts that grant capacity rights to traders to inject or withdraw gas at certain nodes up to this capacity. On a day-ahead basis, traders then nominate the actual amount of gas within the previously booked capacities. By signing a booking contract, the TSO guarantees that all nominations within the booking bounds can be transported through the network. This results in a highly challenging mathematical problem. Using potential-based flows to model stationary gas physics, feasible bookings on passive networks, i.e., networks without controllable elements, have been characterized in the recent literature. In this paper, we consider networks with linearly modeled active elements such as compressors or control valves. Since these active elements allow the TSO to control the gas flow, the single-level approaches for passive networks from the literature are no longer applicable. We thus present a bilevel model to decide the feasibility of bookings in networks with active elements. While this model is well-defined for general active networks, we focus on the class of networks for which active elements do not lie on cycles. This assumption allows us to reformulate the original bilevel model such that the lower-level problem is linear for every given upper-level decision. Consequently, we derive several single-level reformulations for this case. Besides the classic Karush–Kuhn–Tucker reformulation, we obtain three problem-specific optimal-value-function reformulations. The latter also lead to novel characterizations of feasible bookings in networks with active elements that do not lie on cycles. We compare the performance of our methods by a case study based on data from the .
On asymptotic joint distributions of cherries and pitchforks for random phylogenetic trees
Authors: Choi Kwok Pui , Kaur Gursharn , Wu Taoyang
Published: September 2021

Tree shape statistics provide valuable quantitative insights into evolutionary mechanisms underpinning phylogenetic trees, a commonly used graph representation of evolutionary relationships among taxonomic units ranging from viruses to species. We study two subtree counting statistics, the number of cherries and the number of pitchforks, for random phylogenetic trees generated by two widely used null tree models: the proportional to distinguishable arrangements (PDA) and the Yule-Harding-Kingman (YHK) models. By developing limit theorems for a version of extended Pólya urn models in which negative entries are permitted for their replacement matrices, we deduce the strong laws of large numbers and the central limit theorems for the joint distributions of these two counting statistics for the PDA and the YHK models. Our results indicate that the limiting behaviour of these two statistics, when appropriately scaled using the number of leaves in the underlying trees, is independent of the initial tree used in the tree generating process.
Implant-based immediate reconstruction in prophylactic mastectomy: is the caudal dermis flap a reliable alternative to synthetic mesh or acellular dermal matrix?
Authors: Heine N. , Hoesl V. , Seitz S. , Prantl L. , Brebant V.
Published: September 2021

Introduction

The demand for prophylactic mastectomy has increased significantly over the last 10 years. This can be explained by a substantial gain of knowledge about the clinical risk and outcome of patients with high risk mutations such as BRCA1 and 2, the improved diagnostic possibilities for detecting the genetic predisposition for the development of breast cancer and the awareness for those mutations by health care professionals as well as patients. In addition to expander-to-implant reconstruction and microsurgical flap surgery, definitive immediate reconstruction with subpectoral insertion of breast implants is often preferred. The prosthesis is covered at its inferior pole by a synthetic mesh or acellular dermal matrix. In these cases, in addition to the silicone prosthesis, a further foreign body must be implanted. This can be exposed in the event of wound healing disorder or necrosis of the usually thin soft tissue covering after subcutaneous mastectomy, thus calling into question the reconstructive result. In this study, the coverage of the lower pole by a caudal deepithelialized dermis flap, which allows the implant to be completely covered with well vascularized tissue, is compared to coverage by a synthetic mesh or acellular dermal matrix.

Patients and methods

From January 2014 to June 2020, 74 patients (106 breasts) underwent breast reconstruction following uni or bilateral prophylactic mastectomy. Reconstruction was performed with autologous tissue (15 breasts), with tissue expander or implant without implant support (15 breasts), with implant and use of an acellular dermal matrix or synthetic mesh (39 breasts) and with implant and caudal dermis flap (37 breasts).

In this study, we compared the patients with implant and dermal matrix/mesh to the group reconstructed with implant and dermal flap.

Results

In the group with the caudal dermis flap, 4 patients developed skin necrosis, which all healed conservatively due to the sufficient blood supply through the dermis flap. In the group with the use of a synthetic mesh or acellular dermal matrix, skin necrosis was found in three cases. In one of these patients the implant was exposed and had to be removed.

Discussion

For patients with excess skin or macromastia, the caudal dermis flap is a reliable and less expensive option for complete coverage of an implant after prophylactic mastectomy. In particular, the vascularized dermis flap can protect the implant from the consequences of skin necrosis after prophylactic mastectomy.
Characteristics of peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer atrophy in glaucoma, optic nerve sheath meningioma, and sphenoid wing meningioma
Authors: Tonagel Felix , Wilhelm Helmut , Kelbsch Carina , Richter Paul
Published: September 2021

Background/objectives

The correct classification of a slowly progressing optic atrophy can be challenging. The aim of this work was to find out if the characteristics of peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness loss differ between open angle glaucoma (POAG), optic nerve sheath meningioma (ONSM), and sphenoid wing meningioma (SWM).

Methods

A total of 45 patients with POAG, ONSM, and SWM were included in the retrospective study. The peripapillary RNFL thickness measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography was analyzed using the Heidelberg Engineering glaucoma module©.

Results

Each group consisted of 15 patients. The temporal sector of the RNFL thickness showed a median decrease of − 17 µm in glaucoma patients (range + 6/–34 µm), − 43 µm in ONSM (range − 19/ − 52 µm), and − 44 µm in SWM patients (range − 25/ − 52 µm). The RNFL thickness of the temporal sector of glaucoma patients differed significantly from the other groups (p < 0.001). All other sectors showed no significant difference between the 3 groups.

Conclusion

The peripapillary RNFL thickness of the temporal sector of patients with beginning to moderate POAG is usually inside normal limits or borderline. In contrast, patients with ONSM and SWM are much more likely to show a considerable reduction in RNFL thickness of the temporal sector. RNFL thickness of the temporal sector marked outside normal limits occurred exclusively in meningioma patients. Considering the presence of this condition as a predictor for meningioma, sensitivity and specificity were 0.8 and 1.0, respectively. In patients with significant reduction in RNFL thickness of the temporal sector, magnetic resonance imaging of the head should be considered to rule out compression of the optic nerves.
Risk of venous thromboembolism associated with Janus kinase inhibitors for rheumatoid arthritis: case presentation and literature review
Authors: Mori Shunsuke , Ogata Fumihiko , Tsunoda Ryusuke
Published: September 2021

Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors have been developed as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Despite the positive therapeutic impacts of JAK inhibitors, concerns have been raised regarding the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). A recent post hoc safety analysis of placebo-controlled trials of JAK inhibitors in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) reported an imbalance in the incidence of VTE for a 4-mg daily dose of baricitinib versus placebo. In a recent postmarketing surveillance trial for RA, a significantly higher incidence of PE was reported in treatment with tofacitinib (10 mg twice daily) compared with tofacitinib 5 mg or tumor necrosis factor inhibitors. We also experienced a case of massive PE occurring 3 months after starting baricitinib (4 mg once daily) for multiple biologic-resistant RA. Nevertheless, the evidence to support the role of JAK inhibitors in VTE risk remains insufficient. There are a number of predisposing conditions and risk factors for VTE. In addition to the known risk factors that can provoke VTE, advanced age, obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and smoking can also contribute to its development. Greater VTE risk is noted in patients with chronic inflammatory conditions, particularly RA patients with uncontrolled disease activity and any comorbidity. Prior to the initiation of JAK inhibitors, clinicians should consider both the number and strength of VTE risk factors for each patient. In addition, clinicians should advise patients to seek prompt medical help if they develop clinical signs and symptoms that suggest VTE/PE.Key Points• Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), especially those with uncontrolled, high disease activity and those with comorbidities.• In addition to the well-known risk factors that provoke VTE events, advanced age and cardiovascular risk factors, such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and smoking, should be considered risk factors for VTE.• Although a signal of VTE/pulmonary embolism (PE) risk with JAK inhibitors has been noted in RA patients who are already at high risk, the evidence is currently insufficient to support the increased risk of VTE during RA treatment with JAK inhibitors.• If there are no suitable alternatives, clinicians should prescribe JAK inhibitors with caution, considering both the strength of individual risk factors and the cumulative weight of all risk factors for each patient.
Analysis of the pan-Asian subgroup of patients in the NALA Trial: a randomized phase III NALA Trial comparing neratinib+capecitabine (N+C) vs lapatinib+capecitabine (L+C) in patients with HER2+metastatic breast cancer (mBC) previously treated with two or more HER2-directed regimens
Authors: Dai Ming Shen , Feng Yin Hsun , Chen Shang Wen , Masuda Norikazu , Yau Thomas , Chen Shou Tung , Lu Yen Shen , Yap Yoon Sim , Ang Peter C. S. , Chu Sung Chao , Kwong Ava , Lee Keun Seok , Ow Samuel , Kim Sung Bae , Lin Johnson , Chung Hyun Cheol , Ngan Roger , Kok Victor C. , Rau Kun Ming , Sangai Takafumi , Ng Ting Ying , Tseng Ling Ming , Bryce Richard , Bebchuk Judith , Chen Mei Chieh , Hou Ming Feng
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Neratinib, an irreversible pan-HER tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has demonstrated systemic efficacy and intracranial activity in various stages of HER2+breast cancer. NALA was a phase III randomized trial that assessed the efficacy and safety of neratinib+capecitabine (N+C) against lapatinib+capecitabine (L+C) in HER2+ metastatic breast cancer (mBC) patients who had received ≥ 2 HER2-directed regimens. Descriptive analysis results of the Asian subgroup in the NALA study are reported herein.

Methods

621 centrally assessed HER2+ mBC patients were enrolled, 202 of whom were Asian. Those with stable, asymptomatic brain metastases (BM) were eligible for study entry. Patients were randomized 1:1 to N (240 mg qd) + C (750 mg/m2 bid, day 1–14) with loperamide prophylaxis or to L (1250 mg qd) + C (1000 mg/m2 bid, day 1–14) in 21-day cycles. Co-primary endpoints were centrally assessed progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Secondary endpoints included time to intervention for central nervous system (CNS) disease, objective response rate, duration of response (DoR), clinical benefit rate, and safety.

Results

104 and 98 Asian patients were randomly assigned to receive N+C or L+C, respectively. Median PFS of N+C and L+C was 7.0 and 5.4 months (P = 0.0011), respectively. Overall cumulative incidence of intervention for CNS disease was lower with N+C (27.9 versus 33.8%; P = 0.039). Both median OS (23.8 versus 18.7 months; P = 0.185) and DoR (11.1 versus 4.2 months; P < 0.0001) were extended with N+C, compared to L+C. The incidences of grade 3/4 treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and TEAEs leading to treatment discontinuation were mostly comparable between the two arms. Diarrhea and palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia were the most frequent TEAEs in both arms, similar to the overall population in incidence and severity.

Conclusion

Consistent with the efficacy profile observed in the overall study population, Asian patients with HER2+ mBC, who had received ≥ 2 HER2-directed regimens, may also benefit from N+C. No new safety signals were noted.

Clinical trial registration

NCT01808573
Low temperature super ductility and threshold stress of an ultrafine-grained Al–Zn–Mg–Zr alloy processed by equal-channel angular pressing
Authors: Boldizsár Bálint , Jenei Péter , Ahmed Anwar Q. , Murashkin Maxim Yu. , Valiev Ruslan Z. , Chinh Nguyen Q.
Published: September 2021

Low temperature tensile and impression creep tests were carried out on an ultrafine-grained 7xxx series Al–4.8Zn–1.2 Mg–0.14Zr (wt%) alloy, which can be deformed for maximum elongation of about 200% at 150 °C. The characteristics of the deformation process, such as the strain rate sensitivity (SRS) and activation energy (Q) were determined by considering also the effect of threshold stress. Relatively high SRS of$$\sim$$∼0.35 and low activation energy of$$\sim$$∼92 kJ/mole were obtained, confirming the super ductility of the investigated ultrafine-grained alloy in the low temperature region between 140 and 160 °C.

Graphical abstract
Integration of Cognitive and Emotional Processing Predicts Poor and Good Outcomes of Psychotherapy
Authors: de Felice Giulio , Giuliani Alessandro , Andreassi Silvia , Orsucci Franco , Schöller Helmut , Aichhorn Wolfgang , Kratzer Leonhard , Schiepek Günter
Published: September 2021

With the aim of investigating analogies and differences between psychotherapeutic processes, ten good-outcome and ten poor-outcome cases were selected from a sample of patients treated at the University Hospital of Psychiatry, Salzburg, Austria, and the Department of Psycho-Traumatology of the Clinic St. Irmingard, Prien am Chiemsee, Germany. They were monitored daily using the Therapy Process Questionnaire (TPQ), and their evolution over time was analyzed by means of Principal Components Analysis and Linear Discriminant Analysis. The results highlight that poor-outcome patients show a separation between cognitive processes (Principal Component 1) and relational-emotional processes (Principal Component 2) (r = − 0.25; p = n.s.), while in the good-outcome patients these aspects are well integrated (r = 0.70; p = 0.02). These results corroborate the validity of the daily monitoring procedure and also indicate the need for greater attention to the relational and emotional aspects of the patients rather than merely to their cognitive functioning and well-being.

Key Message

In poor-outcome cases, burdensome emotions and interpersonal experiences on the one hand and cognitive/well-being aspects of the mental processing on the other, stay unrelated. Successful therapeutic processing, as in good-outcome cases, requires an integration of cognitive and affective components.
Deep state-space Gaussian processes
Authors: Zhao Zheng , Emzir Muhammad , Särkkä Simo
Published: September 2021

This paper is concerned with a state-space approach to deep Gaussian process (DGP) regression. We construct the DGP by hierarchically putting transformed Gaussian process (GP) priors on the length scales and magnitudes of the next level of Gaussian processes in the hierarchy. The idea of the state-space approach is to represent the DGP as a non-linear hierarchical system of linear stochastic differential equations (SDEs), where each SDE corresponds to a conditional GP. The DGP regression problem then becomes a state estimation problem, and we can estimate the state efficiently with sequential methods by using the Markov property of the state-space DGP. The computational complexity scales linearly with respect to the number of measurements. Based on this, we formulate state-space MAP as well as Bayesian filtering and smoothing solutions to the DGP regression problem. We demonstrate the performance of the proposed models and methods on synthetic non-stationary signals and apply the state-space DGP to detection of the gravitational waves from LIGO measurements.
Either with us or against us: experimental evidence on partial cartels
Authors: Clemens Georg , Rau Holger A.
Published: September 2021

This paper analyzes the coordination challenge a partial cartel faces when payoff asymmetries between potential cartel insiders and potential cartel outsiders are large. We introduce two experimental treatments: a standard treatment where a complete cartel can be supported in a Nash equilibrium and a modified treatment where a complete cartel and a partial cartel can both be supported in a Nash equilibrium. To assess the role of communication both treatments are additionally run with a “chat option,” yielding four treatments in total. Our results show that subjects frequently reject the formation of partial cartels in the modified treatments. In all treatments with communication subjects are more likely to form complete cartels than partial cartels. The implications of these results are important for antitrust: payoff asymmetries between cartel members and outsiders may jeopardize the formation of partial cartels. Yet complete cartels may be formed instead, if institutional mechanisms with frequent communication are used to form cartels.
First-Class but not for Long: Heterogeneous Infrastructure and Water Bricolage in Accra’s Kiosk Compounds
Authors: Alba Rossella , Bruns Antje
Published: September 2021

This paper explores the micro-geographies of water access in the context of a first-class residential neighborhood of Accra served by the city’s networked infrastructure. We focus our analyses on how water is accessed and supplied to six kiosk compounds—privately owned, walled plots of land provisionally inhabited by urban dwellers living in kiosk-like structures with the (tacit) knowledge of the plot-owners. We document how kiosk inhabitants access pipe-born water, despite not being directly connected to the city’s network, through diverse configurations of actors, practices, and material set ups. Our findings suggest more attention should be paid to the micro-geographies of water distribution in networked neighborhoods as this contributes to more nuanced understandings of the uneven and diverse ways through which water is distributed in the context of Accra’s incremental urbanization. To analyze this diversity, we suggest combining the heuristic of heterogenous infrastructure configurations with the concept of water bricolage and using the plot as a unit of analysis.
Migration and cultural integration in the early medieval cemetery of Finglesham, Kent, through stable isotopes
Authors: Leggett Sam
Published: September 2021

Debate over migrations to Britain during the fifth and sixth centuries AD is still rampant in archaeological discourse. Stable carbon, nitrogen and oxygen isotope values from multiple tissues in individuals buried at Finglesham in Kent during the first millennium AD demonstrate not only migration of individuals to the region but also highlight community integration through foodways and refute previous models of ‘invasion’ and replacement. This case study community suggests gendered differences in mobility into early medieval England, with males more likely to be migrants from cooler regions than women. It also challenges traditional narratives of social status in these furnished cemeteries being linked to diet or migrant status with no clear correlations found between funerary treatment and isotopic signatures. This multi-tissue and multi-isotope study tracks dietary changes in this multi-origin community throughout their lives and shows that they may have even changed their diets to adapt to Christianising influences in the region.
Decision Making for Managing Community Flood Risks: Perspectives of United States Floodplain Managers
Authors: Tyler Jenna , Sadiq Abdul-Akeem , Noonan Douglas S. , Entress Rebecca M.
Published: September 2021

To reduce flood losses, floodplain managers make decisions on how to effectively manage their community’s flood risks. While there is a growing body of research that examines how individuals and households make decisions to manage their flood risks, far less attention has been directed at understanding the decision-making processes for flood management at the community level. This study aimed to narrow this research gap by examining floodplain managers’ perceptions of the quality of their community’s flood management decision-making processes. Data gathered from interviews with 200 floodplain managers in the United States indicate that most floodplain managers perceive their community’s flood management decision-making processes to be good. The results also indicate that communities participating in the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Community Rating System, as well as communities with a higher level of concern for flooding and a lower poverty rate, are significantly more likely to report better flood management decision-making processes.
Angeborene Adipositasformen und Therapien
Authors: Beghini Marianna , Scherer Thomas
Published: September 2021

Etwa 5 % der Fälle schwerer Adipositas sind auf eine Mutation in einem einzigen Gen zurückzuführen. Diese genetischen Adipositasformen werden in monogene und syndromische Adipositas eingeteilt. Monogene Adipositas wird häufig durch Mutationen im Leptin-Melanocortin-Signalweg, der den Appetit reguliert, verursacht und ist durch frühkindlich auftretendes schweres Übergewicht gekennzeichnet. Bei syndromischer Adipositas (z. B. Prader-Willi‑, Bardet-Biedl- und Alström-Syndrom) liegen neben dem Übergewicht häufig auch Entwicklungsstörungen, dysmorphe Merkmale und Organanomalien vor. Die richtige Diagnose ist von Bedeutung, da es bereits medikamentöse Therapiemöglichkeiten gibt und eine Indikation zur bariatrischen Chirurgie nur mit großer Vorsicht getroffen werden sollte. Demzufolge sollte man in ausgewählten Fällen ein genetisches Screening anfordern. Warnsignale für eine genetische Ursache sind frühkindliche, ausgeprägte Adipositas, schwere Hyperphagie, normaler BMI der Eltern und Angehörigkeit zu Ethnien mit höherer Prävalenz von Konsanguinität (z. B. Pakistan, Türkei). Das genetische Screening sollte in erfahrenen Zentren mittels Gen-Panel erfolgen. Akkreditierte medizinisch-genetische Labore werden in den Datenbanken von Orphanet und Genetic Testing Registry (GTR) aufgelistet. In der EU liegt die klinische Zulassung für das Medikament Metreleptin bei LEP-Mutationen, so wie für das MC4R-Agonisten Setmelanotid bei LEPR-, POMC- und PCSK1-Mutationen vor. Bei MC4R-Mutationen, der häufigsten Ursache monogener Adipositas, scheint Liraglutid wirksam zu sein. Verschiedenste Medikamente für Prader-Willi‑, Bardet-Biedl- und Alström-Syndrom werden gerade in klinischen Studien untersucht.
Ten-Year Outcomes of Children and Adolescents Who Underwent Sleeve Gastrectomy: Weight Loss, Comorbidity Resolution, Adverse Events, and Growth Velocity
Authors: Alqahtani Aayed R. , Elahmedi Mohamed , Abdurabu Hanan Y. , Alqahtani Sultan
Published: September 2021

Background

To date, there are insufficient data on long-term outcomes of weight loss surgery in children and adolescents with obesity beyond 5 years of follow-up. This study aimed to analyze durability of weight loss and comorbidity resolution, growth velocity, and adverse events associated with laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) in children and adolescents with severe obesity.

Study Design

In this prospective cohort study, 2,504 children and adolescents with class II/III obesity who were enrolled in a multidisciplinary, family-based pediatric obesity management program underwent LSG between 2008 and 2021. Weight loss, growth, comorbidity resolution, and adverse event data during the first 10 years after LSG were analyzed.

Results

The cohort age was 5 to 21 years at the time of operation, and 55% were female. Mean ± SD percentage of excess weight lost during short- (1 to 3 years; n = 2,051), medium- (4 to 6 years; n = 1,268), and long-term (7 to 10 years; n = 632) follow-up was 82.3% ± 20.5%, 76.3% ± 29.1%, and 71.1% ± 26.9%, respectively. Complete comorbidity remission at long-term follow-up was observed in 74%, 59%, and 64% of type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hypertension cases, respectively. Mean ± SD height z-score change at short-, medium-, and long-term follow-up was 0.1 ± 0.5, 0.1 ± 1.2, and 0.0 ± 0.8, respectively, representing no significant change in growth velocity. There were 27 adverse events (1%) with no procedure-related mortality.

Conclusions

Long-term follow-up after LSG in children and adolescents demonstrates durable weight loss, maintained comorbidity resolution, and unaltered growth.

Visual Abstract
Energy expenditure and nutrient intake after spinal cord injury: a comprehensive review and practical recommendations
Authors: Farkas Gary J. , Sneij Alicia , McMillan David W. , Tiozzo Eduard , Nash Mark S. , Gater David R.
Published: September 2021

Many persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) have one or more preventable chronic diseases related to excessive energetic intake and poor eating patterns. Appropriate nutrient consumption relative to need becomes a concern despite authoritative dietary recommendations from around the world. These recommendations were developed for the non-disabled population and do not account for the injury-induced changes in body composition, hypometabolic rate, hormonal dysregulation and nutrition status after SCI. Because evidence-based dietary reference intake values for SCI do not exist, ensuring appropriate consumption of macronutrient and micronutrients for their energy requirements becomes a challenge. In this compressive review, we briefly evaluate aspects of energy balance and appetite control relative to SCI. We report on the evidence regarding energy expenditure, nutrient intake and their relationship after SCI. We compare these data with several established nutritional guidelines from American Heart Association, Australian Dietary Guidelines, Dietary Guidelines for Americans, Institute of Medicine Dietary Reference Intake, Public Health England Government Dietary Recommendations, WHO Healthy Diet and the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) Clinical Practice Guidelines. We also provide practical assessment and nutritional recommendations to facilitate a healthy dietary pattern after SCI. Because of a lack of strong SCI research, there are currently limited dietary recommendations outside of the PVA guidelines that capture the unique nutrient needs after SCI. Future multicentre clinical trials are needed to develop comprehensive, evidence-based dietary reference values specific for persons with SCI across the care continuum that rely on accurate, individual assessment of energy need.
Are Populists Sore Losers? Explaining Populist Citizens' Preferences for and Reactions to Referendums
Authors: Werner Hannah , Jacobs Kristof
Published: September 2021

Can referendums help increase perceived legitimacy among citizens with populist attitudes? Indeed, public opinion surveys show that populist citizens are especially in favour of referendums. However, we do not know whether this support reflects a principled desire for different decision-making procedures or an instrumental one (that is, because they expect referendums to yield favourable outcomes). We study this question on a real-life case: the Dutch 2018 referendum on the Intelligence and Security Services Act 2017. Using high-quality survey data from both before and after the referendum, we find that, counter to conventional wisdom and our hypotheses, populists' support for referendums is less driven by instrumental motives compared to that of non-populists, and that populists are more likely than non-populists to accept the outcome of a referendum, even when this outcome is unfavourable.
Impaired self-awareness of cognitive deficits in Parkinson's disease relates to cingulate cortex dysfunction
Authors: Maier Franziska , Greuel Andrea , Hoock Marius , Kaur Rajbir , Tahmasian Masoud , Schwartz Frank , Csoti Ilona , Jessen Frank , Drzezga Alexander , van Eimeren Thilo , Timmermann Lars , Eggers Carsten
Published: September 2021

Background

Impaired self-awareness of cognitive deficits (ISAcog) has rarely been investigated in Parkinson's disease (PD). ISAcog is associated with poorer long-term outcome in other diseases. This study examines ISAcog in PD with and without mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI), compared to healthy controls, and its clinical-behavioral and neuroimaging correlates.

Methods

We examined 63 PD patients and 30 age- and education-matched healthy controls. Cognitive state was examined following the Movement Disorder Society Level II criteria. ISAcog was determined by subtracting z-scores (based on controls' scores) of objective tests and subjective questionnaires. Neural correlates were assessed by structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 2-[fluorine-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in 47 patients (43 with MRI) and 11 controls. We analyzed whole-brain glucose metabolism and cortical thickness in regions where FDG-uptake correlated with ISAcog.

Results

PD-MCI patients (N = 23) showed significantly more ISAcog than controls and patients without MCI (N = 40). When all patients who underwent FDG-PET were examined, metabolism in the bilateral superior medial frontal gyrus, anterior and midcingulate cortex negatively correlated with ISAcog (FWE-corrected p < 0.001). In PD-MCI, ISAcog was related to decreased metabolism in the right superior temporal lobe and insula (N = 13; FWE-corrected p = 0.023) as well as the midcingulate cortex (FWE-corrected p = 0.002). Cortical thickness was not associated with ISAcog in these regions. No significant correlations were found between ISAcog and glucose metabolism in controls and patients without MCI.

Conclusions

Similar to Alzheimer's disease, the cingulate cortex seems to be relevant in ISAcog in PD. In PD-MCI patients, ISAcog might result from a disrupted network that regulates awareness of cognition and error processes.
Independent contribution of polygenic risk for schizophrenia and cannabis use in predicting psychotic-like experiences in young adulthood: testing gene × environment moderation and mediation
Authors: Elkrief Laurent , Lin Bochao , Marchi Mattia , Afzali Mohammad H , Banaschewski Tobias , Bokde Arun L. W. , Quinlan Erin Burke , Desrivières Sylvane , Flor Herta , Garavan Hugh , Gowland Penny , Heinz Andreas , Ittermann Bernd , Martinot Jean-Luc , Martinot Marie-Laure Paillère , Nees Frauke , Orfanos Dimitri Papadopoulos , Paus Tomáš , Poustka Luise , Hohmann Sarah , Fröhner Juliane H. , Smolka Michael N. , Walter Henrik , Whelan Robert , Schumann Gunter , Luykx Jurjen , Boks Marco P. , Conrod Patricia J. ,   the IMAGEN consortium
Published: September 2021

Background

It has not yet been determined if the commonly reported cannabis–psychosis association is limited to individuals with pre-existing genetic risk for psychotic disorders.

Methods

We examined whether the relationship between polygenic risk score for schizophrenia (PRS-Sz) and psychotic-like experiences (PLEs), as measured by the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences-42 (CAPE-42) questionnaire, is mediated or moderated by lifetime cannabis use at 16 years of age in 1740 of the individuals of the European IMAGEN cohort. Secondary analysis examined the relationships between lifetime cannabis use, PRS-Sz and the various sub-scales of the CAPE-42. Sensitivity analyses including covariates, including a PRS for cannabis use, were conducted and results were replicated using data from 1223 individuals in the Dutch Utrecht cannabis cohort.

Results

PRS-Sz significantly predicted cannabis use (p = 0.027) and PLE (p = 0.004) in the IMAGEN cohort. In the full model, considering PRS-Sz and covariates, cannabis use was also significantly associated with PLE in IMAGEN (p = 0.007). Results remained consistent in the Utrecht cohort and through sensitivity analyses. Nevertheless, there was no evidence of a mediation or moderation effects.

Conclusions

These results suggest that cannabis use remains a risk factor for PLEs, over and above genetic vulnerability for schizophrenia. This research does not support the notion that the cannabis–psychosis link is limited to individuals who are genetically predisposed to psychosis and suggests a need for research focusing on cannabis-related processes in psychosis that cannot be explained by genetic vulnerability.
Necessities Laid Bare: An Examination of Possible Justifications for Peter Townsend’s Purely Relative Definition of Poverty
Authors: DUNN ANDREW
Published: September 2021

The EU and OECD’s use of poverty lines set at a percentage of national average income is testimony to the widespread acceptance of Peter Townsend’s purely relative poverty definition. It has often been defended, including by Townsend, as a development of Adam Smith’s reference to ‘necessaries’ differing across social contexts. This article contends that Townsend’s definition is clearly inconsistent with Smith’s work but entirely consistent with a passage by Wilhelm Schulz which established the term ‘relative poverty’ and asserted that people’s material needs are proportionate to their nation’s economic output per head; Karl Marx quoted that passage in a short piece that criticised Smith. A recent defence of Townsend’s definition is its supposed international public endorsement in empirical studies of socially perceived necessities. A review of this evidence finds that publics, like Smith and British poverty researchers before Townsend – most notably Seebohm Rowntree – see the extent of material need as affected by social context but not proportionate to national average income. Publishing purely relative and absolute purchasing power poverty statistics together offers a way of portraying hardship levels that is balanced to reflect publics’ more narrowly relative understanding of material needs.