bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Isotope partitioning between cow milk and farm water: A tool for verification of milk provenance
Authors: Boito Marta , Iacumin Paola , Rossi Mattia , Ogrinc Nives , Venturelli Giampiero
Published: July 2021

Rationale

The oxygen and hydrogen isotope compositions of the water component of the milk from nine Italian dairy farms were studied together with the farm water for one year. The aim was to verify the importance of farm water and seasonal temperature variation on milk isotope values and propose mathematical relations as new tools to identify the milk origin.

Methods

Milk was centrifuged to separate the solids and then distilled under vacuum to separate water. δ(18O/16O) and δ(2H/1H) analyses of the water molecules were carried out using a water equilibrator online with a mass spectrometer. For oxygen and hydrogen isotope determination, water was equilibrated with pure CO2 for 7.5 h and with pure H2 for 5 h, respectively. The isotope ratio value is indicated with δ (expressed on the VSMOW/SLAP scale) as defined by IUPAC.

Results

The average annual isotope value of milk at the different cattle sheds is mostly related to the farm water suggesting that the drinking water is the most important factor influencing the isotopic values of the milk water. The milk/water fractionation factor correlates with the milking time and, thus, the seasonal temperature is best described by a 4th order polynomial regression line. A two‐level check model was used to verify the milking provenance.

Conclusions

This study shows that it is essential to analyze both milk and farm water to indicate provenance. A two‐step verification tool, based on the difference between the measured and calculated δ(18O/16O)M values, and the difference between the calculated and estimated milk‐water fractionation factors, allowed the source determination of milk. Both conditions must be met if the milk is considered to be from the Parmigiano‐Reggiano production region. Although this approach was developed for this region, it can easily be tested and adapted to other dairy production areas.
Knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) towards Anthrax among livestock farmers in selected rural areas of Bangladesh
Authors: Dutta Pallab Kumar , Biswas Hiranmoy , Ahmed Jahir Uddin , Shakif‐Ul‐Azam Md. , Ahammed Bepari Mohammed Jafar , Dey Anita Rani
Published: July 2021

Background

Bacillus anthracis is a zoonotic bacterium that affects wide numbers of vertebrate animals and man and has life threating potential both in animal s as well as humans.

Methods

A cross sectional study was conducted to assess the knowledge about, attitudes towards, and practices addressing (KAPs) anthrax among community members in selected upazillas’ of Meherpur and Sirajgonj districts for the prevention and control of anthrax using a structured questionnaire.

Results

A total of 424 community members were considered in this study irrespective of their age and sex. Most of the respondents were female (57.54%) and about half were illiterate (47.40%). Most of the respondents (86.32%) were self‐employed with crop and livestock farming. Among the self‐employed farmers, cattle (63.73%) were the highest reared animals. Among the respondents, 37.26% had no knowledge about anthrax. On the other hand, among the existing knowledge level, 46.69% received information of anthrax from neighbour, 74.05% and 56.82% were concerned about the mode of transmission of anthrax from animal to human through eating, handling and soil. Respondents usually collected vaccine from quack (58.25%) and vaccination status was highest in Kamarkhand (52.03%) and lowest in Gangni upazilla (10.82%). Overall 62.74% community members considered that anthrax is a fatal disease for livestock and 82.54% people disposed carcass in buried method.

Conclusion

The study findings indicated that the community members had average knowledge on cause, symptoms, transmission and prevention of anthrax. The supplied vaccine was found negligible with the number of livestock in the studied upazilas. Veterinary and Medical health planners should design and implement interventions for awareness building on anthrax under One Health (OH) approach for educating the community people on anthrax control and prevention.
Shared Physical Custody After Parental Separation: Evidence from Germany
Authors: Walper Sabine , Entleitner-Phleps Christine , Langmeyer Alexandra N.
Published: July 2021

Multilocal, dual residence or shared parenting arrangements after parental separation are increasingly discussed in many countries because they seem best suited to allow for more equally shared parental roles and children’s equal access to both (biological) parents. So far, there is little information about shared physical custody in Germany. The present research uses the second wave from a large German survey “Growing up in Germany” (2013–2015) to investigate the prevalence, preconditions, as well as possible outcomes of shared physical custody after separation. The sample comprises 1042 children (below age 18) with separated parents (maternal report). Measured by children’s overnight stays with each parent, less than 5% of these children lived in a dual residence arrangement (50:50 up to 60:40% of time with either parent). Shared physical custody was more likely if maternal and paternal residence were in close proximity, and if the mother had higher levels of education. As expected, shared physical custody was more likely if the parents had a positive cooperative (co-parenting) relationship while co-parenting problems did not seem to have independent effects. The findings are discussed with respect to other research addressing issues of self-selection into different parenting arrangements and the still limited role of shared physical custody in Germany in facilitating more equal gender roles.
Non-clausal Redundancy Properties
Authors: Barnett Lee A. , Biere Armin
Published: July 2021

State-of-the-art refutation systems for SAT are largely based on the derivation of clauses meeting some redundancy criteria, ensuring their addition to a formula does not alter its satisfiability. However, there are strong propositional reasoning techniques whose inferences are not easily expressed in such systems. This paper extends the redundancy framework beyond clauses to characterize redundancy for Boolean constraints in general. We show this characterization can be instantiated to develop efficiently checkable refutation systems using redundancy properties for Binary Decision Diagrams (BDDs). Using a form of reverse unit propagation over conjunctions of BDDs, these systems capture, for instance, Gaussian elimination reasoning over XOR constraints encoded in a formula, without the need for clausal translations or extension variables. Notably, these systems generalize those based on the strong Propagation Redundancy (PR) property, without an increase in complexity.
Generalized Completeness for SOS Resolution and its Application to a New Notion of Relevance
Authors: Haifani Fajar , Tourret Sophie , Weidenbach Christoph
Published: July 2021

We prove the SOS strategy for first-order resolution to be refutationally complete on a clause setNand set-of-supportSif and only if there exists a clause inSthat occurs in a resolution refutation from$$N\cup S$$N∪S. This strictly generalizes and sharpens the original completeness result requiringNto be satisfiable. The generalized SOS completeness result supports automated reasoning on a new notion of relevance aiming at capturing the support of a clause in the refutation of a clause set. A clauseCisrelevantfor refuting a clause setNifCoccurs in every refutation ofN. The clauseCissemi-relevant, if it occurs in some refutation, i.e., if there exists an SOS refutation with set-of-support$$S = \{C\}$$S={C}from$$N\setminus \{C\}$$N\{C}. A clause that does not occur in any refutation fromNisirrelevant, i.e., it is not semi-relevant. Our new notion of relevance separates clauses in a proof that are ultimately needed from clauses that may be replaced by different clauses. In this way it provides insights towards proof explanation in refutations beyond existing notions such as that of an unsatisfiable core.
Superposition for Full Higher-order Logic
Authors: Bentkamp Alexander , Blanchette Jasmin , Tourret Sophie , Vukmirović Petar
Published: July 2021

We recently designed two calculi as stepping stones towards superposition for full higher-order logic: Boolean-free$$\lambda $$λ-superposition and superposition for first-order logic with interpreted Booleans. Stepping on these stones, we finally reach a sound and refutationally complete calculus for higher-order logic with polymorphism, extensionality, Hilbert choice, and Henkin semantics. In addition to the complexity of combining the calculus’s two predecessors, new challenges arise from the interplay between$$\lambda $$λ-terms and Booleans. Our implementation in Zipperposition outperforms all other higher-order theorem provers and is on a par with an earlier, pragmatic prototype of Booleans in Zipperposition.
Confidences for Commonsense Reasoning
Authors: Tammet Tanel , Draheim Dirk , Järv Priit
Published: July 2021

Commonsense reasoning has long been considered one of the holy grails of artificial intelligence. Our goal is to develop a logic-based component for hybrid – machine learning plus logic – commonsense question answering systems. A critical feature for the component is estimating the confidence in the statements derived from knowledge bases containing uncertain contrary and supporting evidence obtained from different sources. Instead of computing exact probabilities or designing a new calculus we focus on extending the methods and algorithms used by the existing automated reasoners for full classical first-order logic. The paper presents the CONFER framework and implementation for confidence estimation of derived answers.
A Normative Supervisor for Reinforcement Learning Agents
Authors: Neufeld Emery , Bartocci Ezio , Ciabattoni Agata , Governatori Guido
Published: July 2021

We introduce a modular and transparent approach for augmenting the ability of reinforcement learning agents to comply with a given norm base. The normative supervisor module functions as both an event recorder and real-time compliance checker w.r.t. an external norm base. We have implemented this module with a theorem prover for defeasible deontic logic, in a reinforcement learning agent that we task with playing a “vegan” version of the arcade game Pac-Man.
Twee: An Equational Theorem Prover
Authors: Smallbone Nicholas
Published: July 2021

Twee is an automated theorem prover for equational logic. It implements unfailing Knuth-Bendix completion with ground joinability testing and a connectedness-based redundancy criterion. It came second in the UEQ division of CASC-J10, solving some problems that no other system solved. This paper describes Twee’s design and implementation.
The Isabelle/Naproche Natural Language Proof Assistant
Authors: De Lon Adrian , Koepke Peter , Lorenzen Anton , Marti Adrian , Schütz Marcel , Wenzel Makarius
Published: July 2021

"Image missing"
is an emerging natural proof assistant that accepts input in the controlled natural language ForTheL.
"Image missing"
is included in the current version of the Isabelle/PIDE which allows comfortable editing and asynchronous proof-checking of ForTheL texts. The dialect of ForTheL can be typeset by
"Image missing"
into documents that approximate the language and appearance of ordinary mathematical texts.
Learning from Łukasiewicz and Meredith: Investigations into Proof Structures
Authors: Wernhard Christoph , Bibel Wolfgang
Published: July 2021

The material presented in this paper contributes to establishing a basis deemed essential for substantial progress in Automated Deduction. It identifies and studies global features in selected problems and their proofs which offer the potential of guiding proof search in a more direct way. The studied problems are of the wide-spread form of “axiom(s) and rule(s) imply goal(s)”. The features include the well-known concept of lemmas. For their elaboration both human and automated proofs of selected theorems are taken into a close comparative consideration. The study at the same time accounts for a coherent and comprehensive formal reconstruction of historical work by Łukasiewicz, Meredith and others. First experiments resulting from the study indicate novel ways of lemma generation to supplement automated first-order provers of various families, strengthening in particular their ability to find short proofs.
Contact interactions and top-philic scalar dark matter
Authors: Cornell Alan S. , Deandrea Aldo , Flacke Thomas , Fuks Benjamin , Mason Lara
Published: July 2021

Abstract

We investigate the phenomenology of a scalar top-philic dark matter candidate when adding a dimension-five contact interaction term, as motivated by possible underlying extensions of the Standard Model such as composite Higgs models. We show that the presence of contact interactions can have a major impact on the dark matter relic density as well as on its direct and indirect detection prospects, while the collider phenomenology of the model is unaffected. This underlines the complementarity of collider and cosmological constraints on dark matter models.
Biomechanical cues as master regulators of hematopoietic stem cell fate
Authors: Li Honghu , Luo Qian , Shan Wei , Cai Shuyang , Tie Ruxiu , Xu Yulin , Lin Yu , Qian Pengxu , Huang He
Published: July 2021

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) perceive both soluble signals and biomechanical inputs from their microenvironment and cells themselves. Emerging as critical regulators of the blood program, biomechanical cues such as extracellular matrix stiffness, fluid mechanical stress, confined adhesiveness, and cell-intrinsic forces modulate multiple capacities of HSCs through mechanotransduction. In recent years, research has furthered the scientific community’s perception of mechano-based signaling networks in the regulation of several cellular processes. However, the underlying molecular details of the biomechanical regulatory paradigm in HSCs remain poorly elucidated and researchers are still lacking in the ability to produce bona fide HSCs ex vivo for clinical use. This review presents an overview of the mechanical control of both embryonic and adult HSCs, discusses some recent insights into the mechanisms of mechanosensing and mechanotransduction, and highlights the application of mechanical cues aiming at HSC expansion or differentiation.
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation improves long-term outcome for relapsed AML patients across all ages: results from two East German Study Group Hematology and Oncology (OSHO) trials
Authors: Heinicke Thomas , Krahl Rainer , Kahl Christoph , Cross Michael , Scholl Sebastian , Wolf Hans-Heinrich , Hähling Detlev , Hegenbart Ute , Peter Norma , Schulze Antje , Florschütz Axel , Schmidt Volker , Reifenrath Kolja , Zojer Niklas , Junghanss Christian , Sayer Herbert G. , Maschmeyer Georg , Späth Christian , Hochhaus Andreas , Fischer Thomas , Al-Ali Haifa Kathrin , Niederwieser Dietger
Published: July 2021

Relapse of acute leukemia is a frequent complication with uncertain outcome and poorly defined risk factors. From 1621 patients entered into two prospective clinical trials (AML02; n = 740 and AML04; n = 881), 74.2% reached complete remission (CR) 1 after induction(s) and 59 patients after additional induction ± hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Of the non-refractory patients, 48.4% with a median age of 63 (range 17–85) years relapsed. Relapses occurred within 6 months after CR in 46.5%, between 7 and 18 months in 38.7%, and after 18 months in 14.8% of patients. Relapse treatment resulted in CR2 in 39% of patients depending upon age (54.5% of ≤ 60 and 28.6% of > 60 years), duration of CR1, and treatment of relapse. Overall survival (OS) was 10.9 (7.4–16.2) %, but OS after HCT ± intensive chemotherapy (ICT) was 39.3% (31.8–48.6) at 5 years and not different in younger and older patients. Donor lymphocyte infusion ± chemotherapy and ICT alone resulted only in OS of 15.4% and of 5%, respectively. Independent favorable factors for OS were long CR1 duration, and HCT, while non-monosomal disease was beneficial for OS in elderly patients. Leukemia-free survival [LFS; 24.9 (19.5–31.7) % at 10 years] was affected by similar risk factors. In a competing risk model, the relapse incidence at 5 years was 53.5 ± 3.5% and the non-relapse mortality rate 21.7 ± 2.9%. Lower relapse incidence was observed in patents with HCT, long CR1 duration, and female gender. Risk factors for non-relapse mortality were HCT in younger and type of AML in elderly patients. In conclusion, allogeneic HCT ± IC improved the results in relapsed AML in younger and elderly patients. Increasing CR2 rates and HCT frequency will be the challenge for the next years. Relapse of the disease remains the major problem.
The Action of the Weyl Group on the $$E_8$$ Root System
Authors: Winter Rosa , van Luijk Ronald
Published: July 2021

Let $$\varGamma $$
Γ
be the graph on the roots of the $$E_8$$

E
8

root system, where any two distinct vertices e and f are connected by an edge with color equal to the inner product of e and f. For any set c of colors, let $$\varGamma _c$$

Γ
c

be the subgraph of $$\varGamma $$
Γ
consisting of all the 240 vertices, and all the edges whose color lies in c. We consider cliques, i.e., complete subgraphs, of $$\varGamma $$
Γ
that are either monochromatic, or of size at most 3, or a maximal clique in $$\varGamma _c$$

Γ
c

for some color set c, or whose vertices are the vertices of a face of the $$E_8$$

E
8

root polytope. We prove that, apart from two exceptions, two such cliques are conjugate under the automorphism group of $$\varGamma $$
Γ
if and only if they are isomorphic as colored graphs. Moreover, for an isomorphism f from one such clique K to another, we give necessary and sufficient conditions for f to extend to an automorphism of $$\varGamma $$
Γ
, in terms of the restrictions of f to certain special subgraphs of K of size at most 7.
Ataxia and mobility in children following surgical resection of posterior fossa tumour: A longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Hartley H , Lane S , Pizer B , Bunn L , Carter B , Cassidy E , Mallucci C , Kumar R
Published: July 2021

Purpose

To report the course of ataxia in children up to 2 years post-operatively, following surgical resection of a posterior fossa tumour (PFT).

Methods

Thirty-five children, (median age 9 years, range 4–15) having resection of PFT, were assessed using the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA), Brief Ataxia Rating Scale (BARS) and the mobility domain of the Paediatric Evaluation of Disability Index (PEDI-m) at initial post-operative period (baseline), 3 months, 1 year and 2 years post-operatively.

Results

Baseline median scores of the SARA and BARS were 8.5 (range 0–35.5), and 7 (0–25) respectively. Ataxia improved at 3 months (median SARA and BARS reduction 3.5 and 4, respectively). Additional gradual improvements in SARA were recorded at 1 (median reduction 2) and 2 years post-operatively (median reduction 0.5). Median baseline PEDI-m was 54.75 (range 15.2–100) with improvement at 3 months (median increase 36.95) and small improvement at 1 year (median increase 2.5) and 2 years (median increase 5.8). Children with medulloblastoma and midline tumours (median baseline SARA 10 and 11, respectively) demonstrated more severe ataxia than children with low-grade gliomas and unilateral tumours (median baseline SARA 7.5 and 6.5, respectively).

Conclusion

The largest improvement in ataxia scores and functional mobility scores is demonstrated within the first 3 months post-operatively, but ongoing gradual improvement is observed at 2 years. Children with medulloblastoma and midline tumour demonstrated higher ataxia scores long term.
Total and whole grain intake in Latin America: findings from the multicenter cross-sectional Latin American Study of Health and Nutrition (ELANS)
Authors: Fisberg Regina Mara , Fontanelli Mariane Mello , Kowalskys Irina , Gómez Georgina , Rigotti Attilio , Cortés Lilia Yadira , García Martha Yépez , Pareja Rossina G. , Herrera-Cuenca Marianella , Fisberg Mauro ,   ELANS Study Group, Fisberg Mauro , Kovalskys Irina , Salas Georgina Gómez , Rigotti Attilio , Sanabria Lilia Yadira Cortés , García Martha Cecilia Yépez , Torres Rossina Gabriella Pareja , Herrera-Cuenca Marianella , Koletzko Berthold , Moreno Luis A. , Pratt Michael , Fisberg Regina Mara , Previdelli Agatha Nogueira , Guajardo Viviana , Zimberg Ioná Zalcman , Guajardo Viviana , Amigo María Paz , Janezic Ximena , Cardini Fernando , Echeverry Myriam , de França Natasha Aparecida Grande , Echeverría Guadalupe , Landaeta Leslie , Castillo Óscar , Vargas Luz Nayibe , Castillo Luisa Fernanda Tobar Yuri Milena , Rojas Rafael Monge , Cáceres Mónica Villar , Ocampo María Belén , Liria María Reyna , Meza Krysty , Abad Mellisa , Cuenca Marianella Herrera- , Landaeta-Jiménez Maritza , Méndez Betty , Vásquez Maura , Ramírez Guillermo , Hernández Pablo , Meza Carmen , Rivas Omaira , Morales Vanessa , Gonçalves Priscila Bezerra , Alberico Claudia , de Moraes Ferrari Gerson Luis
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Understanding whole-grain intake and its associated factors is essential to tackle the double burden of malnutrition faced by Latin American countries. This study aimed to characterize total and whole grain intake in Latin American countries and to investigate foods contributing to these intake in the region.

Methods

Data were obtained from the multicenter cross-sectional survey Latin American Study of Nutrition and Health (ELANS), including 9128 participants residing in urban areas of eight Latin American countries. Data collection was performed via two household visits using a standardized questionnaire and two 24 h dietary recalls. Usual dietary intake of total grain foods and foods containing whole grains was estimated. The association between the intake of grain food groups and sociodemographic variables was investigated using multiple linear regression models with random intercepts.

Results

Mean intake of total grain foods and foods containing whole grains was 318.6 g/d and 14.7 g/d, respectively. Total grain foods were less consumed by participants at older ages (−9.8 g/d), and females (−9.9 g/d), and more consumed by those in the lowest socioeconomic category (24.8 g/d). Foods containing whole grains were more consumed by participants at older ages (3.3 g/d), and females (4.0 g/d), while those in the lowest socioeconomic category consumed 2.9 g/d less. Major contributors to energy provided from foods containing whole grains were oatmeal, masa harina, whole-wheat bread, corn chips, and wheat crackers.

Conclusion

The intake of grain foods represented a substantial part of the Latin American population’s diet, but the intake of foods containing whole grains was extremely low in all assessed countries.
Hepatoblastoma: glutamine depletion hinders cell viability in the embryonal subtype but high GLUL expression is associated with better overall survival
Authors: Schmidt Andreas , Armento Angela , Bussolati Ovidio , Chiu Martina , Ellerkamp Verena , Scharpf Marcus O. , Sander Philip , Schmid Evi , Warmann Steven W. , Fuchs Jörg
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Glutamine plays an important role in cell viability and growth of various tumors. For the fetal subtype of hepatoblastoma, growth inhibition through glutamine depletion was shown. We studied glutamine depletion in embryonal cell lines of hepatoblastoma carrying different mutations. Since asparagine synthetase was identified as a prognostic factor and potential therapeutic target in adult hepatocellular carcinoma, we investigated the expression of its gene ASNS and of the gene GLUL, encoding for glutamine synthetase, in hepatoblastoma specimens and cell lines and investigated the correlation with overall survival.

Methods

We correlated GLUL and ASNS expression with overall survival using publicly available microarray and clinical data. We examined GLUL and ASNS expression by RT-qPCR and by Western blot analysis in the embryonal cell lines Huh-6 and HepT1, and in five hepatoblastoma specimens. In the same cell lines, we investigated the effects of glutamine depletion. Hepatoblastoma biopsies were examined for histology and CTNNB1 mutations.

Results

High GLUL expression was associated with a higher median survival time. Independent of mutations and histology, hepatoblastoma samples showed strong GLUL expression and glutamine synthesis. Glutamine depletion resulted in the inhibition of proliferation and of cell viability in both embryonal hepatoblastoma cell lines. ASNS expression did not correlate with overall survival.

Conclusion

Growth inhibition resulting from glutamine depletion, as described for the hepatoblastoma fetal subtype, is also detected in established embryonal hepatoblastoma cell lines carrying different mutations. At variance with adult hepatocellular carcinoma, in hepatoblastoma asparagine synthetase has no prognostic significance.
Invasive lizard has fewer parasites than native congener
Authors: Tomé Beatriz , Harris D. James , Perera Ana , Damas-Moreira Isabel
Published: July 2021

Invasive species can carry parasites to introduced locations, which may be key to understand the success or failure of species establishment and the invasive potential of introduced species. We compared the prevalence and infection levels of haemogregarine blood parasites between two sympatric congeneric species in Lisbon, Portugal: the invasive Italian wall lizard (Podarcis siculus) and the native green Iberian wall lizard (Podarcis virescens). The two species had significant differences in their infection levels: while P. virescens had high prevalence of infection (69.0%), only one individual of P. siculus was infected (3.7%), and while P. virescens exhibited an average intensity of 1.36%, the infected P. siculus individual had an infection rate of only 0.04%. Genetic analyses of 18S rRNA identified two different haemogregarine haplotypes in P. virescens. Due to the low levels of infection, we were not able to amplify parasite DNA from the infected P. siculus individual, although it was morphologically similar to those found in P. virescens. Since other studies also reported low levels of parasites in P. siculus, we hypothesize that this general lack of parasites could be one of the factors contributing to its competitive advantage over native lizard species and introduction success.
High temperatures during microsporogenesis fatally shorten pollen lifespan
Authors: Iovane Maurizio , Aronne Giovanna
Published: July 2021

Many crop species are cultivated to produce seeds and/or fruits and therefore need reproductive success to occur. Previous studies proved that high temperature on mature pollen at anther dehiscence reduce viability and germinability therefore decreasing crop productivity. We hypothesized that high temperature might affect pollen functionality even if the heat treatment is exerted only during the microsporogenesis. Experimental data on Solanum lycopersicum ‘Micro-Tom’ confirmed our hypothesis. Microsporogenesis successfully occurred at both high (30 °C) and optimal (22 °C) temperature. After the anthesis, viability and germinability of the pollen developed at optimal temperature gradually decreased and the reduction was slightly higher when pollen was incubated at 30 °C. Conversely, temperature effect was eagerly enhanced in pollen developed at high temperature. In this case, a drastic reduction of viability and a drop-off to zero of germinability occurred not only when pollen was incubated at 30 °C but also at 22 °C. Further ontogenetic analyses disclosed that high temperature significantly speeded-up the microsporogenesis and the early microgametogenesis (from vacuolated stage to bi-cellular pollen); therefore, gametophytes result already senescent at flower anthesis. Our work contributes to unravel the effects of heat stress on pollen revealing that high temperature conditions during microsporogenesis prime a fatal shortening of the male gametophyte lifespan.
Reduced dose folinic acid rescue after rapid high-dose methotrexate clearance is not associated with increased toxicity in a pediatric cohort
Authors: Niinimäki Riitta , Aarnivala Henri , Banerjee Joanna , Pokka Tytti , Vepsäläinen Kaisa , Harila-Saari Arja
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Low doses of folinic acid (FA) rescue after high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) have been associated with increased toxicity, whereas high doses may be related to a decreased antileukemic effect. The optimal dosage and duration of FA rescue remain controversial. This study was designed to investigate, whether a shorter duration of FA rescue in the setting of rapid HD-MTX clearance is associated with increased toxicity.

Methods

We reviewed the files of 44 children receiving a total of 350 HD-MTX courses during treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia according to the NOPHO ALL-2000 protocol. Following a 5 g/m2 HD-MTX infusion, pharmacokinetically guided FA rescue commenced at hour 42. As per local guidelines, the patients received only one or two 15 mg/m2 doses of FA in the case of rapid MTX clearance (serum MTX ≤ 0.2 μmol/L at hour 42 or hour 48, respectively). Data on MTX clearance, FA dosing, inpatient time, and toxicities were collected.

Results

Rapid MTX clearance was observed in 181 courses (51.7%). There was no difference in the steady-state MTX concentration, nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, neutropenic fever, or neurotoxicity between courses followed by rapid MTX clearance and those without. One or two doses of FA after rapid MTX clearance resulted in a 7.8-h shorter inpatient time than if a minimum of three doses of FA would have been given.

Conclusion

A pharmacokinetically guided FA rescue of one or two 15 mg/m2 doses of FA following HD-MTX courses with rapid MTX clearance results in a shorter hospitalization without an increase in toxic effects.
COVID-19 and the Demand for Online Grocery Shopping: Empirical Evidence from the Netherlands
Authors: Baarsma Barbara , Groenewegen Jesse
Published: July 2021

There has been a pronounced increase in online shopping since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. We study the effect of the pandemic on demand for online grocery shopping specifically, using municipality-level data from a Dutch online supermarket. We find that an additional hospital admission increased app traffic by 7.3 percent and sales per order by 0.31 percent. Local hospital admissions do not correlate with the variety of groceries ordered, but online search behavior does, suggesting that hoarding behavior is driven by the general perception and impact of the virus rather than local conditions. Local COVID-19 conditions also have different effects in urban versus non-urban municipalities, with local hospital admissions increasing app traffic in urban areas but lowering sales per order as compared to non-urban areas. It remains to be seen whether the demand for online grocery shopping will permanently increase as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Comparative analysis of the morphological and biomechanical properties of normal cornea and keratoconus at different stages
Authors: Wu Ying , Guo Li-Li , Tian Lei , Xu Ze-Quan , Li Qian , Hu Jian , Huang Yi-Fei , Wang Li-Qiang
Published: July 2021

Purpose

To compare the morphological and biomechanical properties of normal cornea and keratoconus at different stages.

Methods

A total of 408 patients (517 eyes) with keratoconus were included in this study. According to the Topographic Keratoconus (TKC) grading method, keratoconus was divided into stage I (TKC = 1, 130 eyes), stage II (TKC = 1–2, 2, 164 eyes), stage III (TKC = 2–3, 3, 125 eyes) and stage IV (TKC = 3–4, 4, 98 eyes). A total of 158 normal subjects (158 eyes) were recruited as the normal group. The corneal morphological parameters and biomechanical parameters were obtained with Scheimpflug tomography (Pentacam) and corneal visualization Scheimpflug technology (Corvis ST), and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were drawn.

Results

Each corneal morphological and most biomechanical parameters of the keratoconic eyes were significantly different from those of the normal eyes in this study (p < 0.001). ROC curve demonstrated that most parameters in this study showed high efficiency in diagnosing keratoconus (the area under the ROC (AUC) was > 0.9), with the Belin-Ambrósio deviation (BAD-D) and Tomographic and Biomechanical Index (TBI) showing higher efficiency. The efficiency of BAD-D and TBI was high in differentiating keratoconus at different stages (AUC > 0.963). The comparison of ROC curves of keratoconus at different stages did not reveal statistically significant differences for TBI.

Conclusion

BAD-D and TBI can effectively diagnose stage I keratoconus. Moreover, the efficiency of TBI is the same in diagnosing keratoconus at all stages, while the diagnostic efficiency of other parameters increases with the increase in keratoconus stages.
Differences in Adolescents’ Alcohol Use and Smoking Behavior between Educational Tracks: Do Popularity Norms Matter?
Authors: Peeters M. , Laninga-Wijnen L. , Veenstra R.
Published: July 2021

Explanations about differences in drinking and smoking rates between educational tracks have so far mainly focused on factors outside the classroom. The extent to which these behaviors are rewarded with popularity within a classroom—so called popularity norms—and their interaction with individual characteristics could explain the observed differences in risk behavior. 1860 adolescents (Mage = 13.04; 50% girls) from 81 different classrooms reported three times during one academic year about their own and their classmates behavior. Overall, in vocational tracks popularity norms for alcohol and smoking were more positive and predicted classroom differences in alcohol and smoking. Knowledge about classroom processes can advance the field in unraveling the functional aspects of risk behavior in adolescence. Preregistration: The hypotheses and the analytical plan of this study were preregistered under number #39136 (https://aspredicted.org/blind.php?x=gx77p6).
Air Learning: a deep reinforcement learning gym for autonomous aerial robot visual navigation
Authors: Krishnan Srivatsan , Boroujerdian Behzad , Fu William , Faust Aleksandra , Reddi Vijay Janapa
Published: July 2021

We introduce Air Learning, an open-source simulator, and a gym environment for deep reinforcement learning research on resource-constrained aerial robots. Equipped with domain randomization, Air Learning exposes a UAV agent to a diverse set of challenging scenarios. We seed the toolset with point-to-point obstacle avoidance tasks in three different environments and Deep Q Networks (DQN) and Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO) trainers. Air Learning assesses the policies’ performance under various quality-of-flight (QoF) metrics, such as the energy consumed, endurance, and the average trajectory length, on resource-constrained embedded platforms like a Raspberry Pi. We find that the trajectories on an embedded Ras-Pi are vastly different from those predicted on a high-end desktop system, resulting in up to$$40\%$$40%longer trajectories in one of the environments. To understand the source of such discrepancies, we use Air Learning to artificially degrade high-end desktop performance to mimic what happens on a low-end embedded system. We then propose a mitigation technique that uses the hardware-in-the-loop to determine the latency distribution of running the policy on the target platform (onboard compute on aerial robot). A randomly sampled latency from the latency distribution is then added as an artificial delay within the training loop. Training the policy with artificial delays allows us to minimize the hardware gap (discrepancy in the flight time metric reduced from 37.73% to 0.5%). Thus, Air Learning with hardware-in-the-loop characterizes those differences and exposes how the onboard compute’s choice affects the aerial robot’s performance. We also conduct reliability studies to assess the effect of sensor failures on the learned policies. All put together, Air Learning enables a broad class of deep RL research on UAVs. The source code is available at: https://github.com/harvard-edge/AirLearning.
An infinite family of higher-order difference operators that commute with Ruijsenaars operators of type A
Authors: Noumi Masatoshi , Sano Ayako
Published: July 2021

We introduce a new infinite family of higher-order difference operators that commute with the elliptic Ruijsenaars difference operators of typeA. These operators are related to Ruijsenaars’ operators through a formula of Wronski type.
Rectangular surface code under biased noise
Authors: Lee Jonghyun , Park Jooyoun , Heo Jun
Published: July 2021

To date, the surface code has become a promising candidate for quantum error correcting codes because it achieves a high threshold and is composed of only the nearest gate operations and low-weight stabilizers. Here, we have exhibited that the logical failure rate can be enhanced by manipulating the lattice size of surface codes that they can show an enormous improvement in the number of physical qubits for a noise model where dephasing errors dominate over relaxation errors. We estimated the logical error rate in terms of the lattice size and physical error rate. When the physical error rate was high, the parameter estimation method was applied, and when it was low, the most frequently occurring logical error cases were considered. By using the minimum weight perfect matching decoding algorithm, we obtained the optimal lattice size by minimizing the number of qubits to achieve the required failure rates when physical error rates and bias are provided .
Comparison of LPWAN Technologies: Cost Structure and Scalability
Authors: Hossain Mohammad Istiak , Markendahl Jan I.
Published: July 2021

Small-scale commercial rollouts of Cellular-IoT (C-IoT) networks have started globally since last year. However, among the plethora of low power wide area network (LPWAN) technologies, the cost-effectiveness of C-IoT is not certain for IoT service providers, small and greenfield operators. Today, there is no known public framework for the feasibility analysis of IoT communication technologies. Hence, this paper first presents a generic framework to assess the cost structure of cellular and non-cellular LPWAN technologies. Then, we applied the framework in eight deployment scenarios to analyze the prospect of LPWAN technologies like Sigfox, LoRaWAN, NB-IoT, LTE-M, and EC-GSM. We consider the inter-technology interference impact on LoRaWAN and Sigfox scalability. Our results validate that a large rollout with a single technology is not cost-efficient. Also, our analysis suggests the rollout possibility of an IoT communication Technology may not be linear to cost-efficiency.
SARS-CoV-2 anti-nucleocapsid assay performance in healthcare workers at baseline and 6 months
Authors: Kerr Colm , Allen Niamh , Hughes Gerry , Kelly Martina , O’Rourke Fiona , Lynagh Yvonne , Dunne Jean , Crowley Brendan , Conlon Niall , Bergin Colm
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Serological SARS-CoV-2 assays have an important role in guiding the pandemic response. This research aimed to compare the performance of 2 antinucleocapsid assays.

Methods

Serum from 49 HCWs was analysed at baseline and 6 months using the Abbott diagnostics SARS-CoV-2 IgG assay and the Roche Diagnostics Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 total antibody assay.

Results

At baseline, 14/49 participants (29%) demonstrated antibody reactivity using the Abbott assay. At 6 months, 4/14 participants (29%) continued to demonstrate reactivity. A total of 14/49 (29%) participants had detectable antibodies at baseline using the Roche assay. In total, 13/14 (93%) of participants demonstrated antibody reactivity at 6 months. The Abbott assay showed a statistically significant difference in the signal-to-threshold values of baseline reactive samples when repeated at 6 months (p = 0.001). This was not seen with the Roche assay (p = 0.51).

Conclusion

In this small study, the Roche Diagnostics Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 total antibody assay appears superior in performance to the Abbott diagnostics SARS-CoV-2 IgG assay in accurately detecting participants with a history of confirmed COVID-19 disease at 6 months follow-up. This finding should be born in mind in the planning of future seroprevalence studies, especially when considering the use of anti-nucleocapsid assays.
Morphometric characteristics of the sphenoid sinus and potential influencing factors: a retrospective assessment using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT)
Authors: Singh Pradeep , Hung Kuofeng , Ajmera Deepal Haresh , Yeung Andy Wai Kan , von Arx Thomas , Bornstein Michael M.
Published: July 2021

The present study aimed to evaluate the morphological characteristics of the sphenoid sinus (SS), and the impact of potential influencing factors on the morphometric features using CBCT imaging. CBCT scans of 148 patients, aged between 15 and 85 (32.88 ± 15.33) years were retrospectively evaluated. DICOM files from the CBCT scans were imported into semi-automatic software and the SS of each patient was assessed for the morphological characteristics including configuration, symmetry, extension, shape, septation, volume, and maximum diameter. Furthermore, potential influencing factors such as age, gender, side, and sinus condition were analysed. A significant association was observed between sinus extension and age. Septation was also found to be significantly associated with age, gender and sinus condition. Besides, sinus volume was significantly associated with gender and sinus condition. No significant influence of shape and side on the morphometric features was noticed. The average volume and diameter of the SS were 6576.92 ± 3748.12 mm3 and 30.48 ± 9.28 mm, respectively. In conclusion, the present findings indicate that age, gender and sinus condition have a significant impact on the morphometric characteristics of the SS. Mature sinuses exhibit a post-sellar extension pattern until middle age. In addition, males, and sinuses with healthy sinus condition have larger volumes compared to females and pathological sinuses.
Multi-Objective Optimization of WEDM of Aluminum Hybrid Composites Using AHP and Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Kumar Amresh , Grover Neelkanth , Manna Alakesh , Kumar Raman , Chohan Jasgurpreet Singh , Singh Sandeep , Singh Sunpreet , Pruncu Catalin Iulian
Published: July 2021

Aluminum hybrid composites have the potential to satisfy emerging demands of lightweight materials with enhanced mechanical properties and lower manufacturing costs. There is an inclusion of reinforcing materials with variable concentrations for the preparation of hybrid metal matrix composites to attain customized properties. Hence, it is obligatory to investigate the impact of different machining conditions for the selection of optimum parameter settings for aluminum-based hybrid metal matrix composite material. The present study aims to identify the optimum machining parameters during wire electrical discharge machining of samples prepared with graphite, ferrous oxide, and silicon carbide. In the present research work, five different process parameters and three response parameters such as material removal rate, surface roughness, and spark Gap are considered for process optimization. Energy-dispersive spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy analysis reported the manifestation of the recast layer. Analytical hierarchy process and genetic algorithm have been successfully implemented to identify the best machining conditions for hybrid composites.
Coronavirus-related health literacy and perceived restrictiveness of protective measures among community-dwelling older persons in Finland
Authors: Eronen Johanna , Paakkari Leena , Portegijs Erja , Rantanen Taina
Published: July 2021

Background

Older people with limited health literacy may encounter difficulties in finding relevant information on COVID-19, understanding its relevance, and complying with recommended protective measures. Complying with such recommendations has required older as well as younger persons to change their daily lives in ways that have reduced their opportunities for engaging in many activities meaningful to them.

Aims

To find out from what sources older people have obtained information on protective measures, the level of their coronavirus-related health literacy (CHL), and whether CHL is associated with their perceptions of the restrictiveness of coronavirus-related protective measures.

Methods

696 Finnish men and women aged over 77 answered a mailed questionnaire on their CHL, sources of information and perceptions of the restrictiveness of the recommended protective measures. The association of CHL with perceived restrictiveness was studied using multinomial logistic regression analysis.

Results

Television and newspapers were the most frequently reported sources of information. Reporting high confidence in the ability to assess how one’s behavior influences coronavirus infection risk was associated with higher odds of perceiving the protective measures to be highly restrictive, when controlling for age, gender, and difficulty in using digital devices (OR 3.21, 95% CI 1.09, 9.46).

Discussion

Participants who reported being highly confident about their ability to appraise the influence of their behavior on their susceptibility to coronavirus infection were more likely to perceive that the recommended protective measures had restricted their daily lives.

Conclusions

Health literacy plays a role in complying with recommended restrictions.
The Main Progress of Perovskite Solar Cells in 2020–2021
Authors: Wu Tianhao , Qin Zhenzhen , Wang Yanbo , Wu Yongzhen , Chen Wei , Zhang Shufang , Cai Molang , Dai Songyuan , Zhang Jing , Liu Jian , Zhou Zhongmin , Liu Xiao , Segawa Hiroshi , Tan Hairen , Tang Qunwei , Fang Junfeng , Li Yaowen , Ding Liming , Ning Zhijun , Qi Yabing , Zhang Yiqiang , Han Liyuan
Published: July 2021

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) emerging as a promising photovoltaic technology with high efficiency and low manufacturing cost have attracted the attention from all over the world. Both the efficiency and stability of PSCs have increased steadily in recent years, and the research on reducing lead leakage and developing eco-friendly lead-free perovskites pushes forward the commercialization of PSCs step by step. This review summarizes the main progress of PSCs in 2020 and 2021 from the aspects of efficiency, stability, perovskite-based tandem devices, and lead-free PSCs. Moreover, a brief discussion on the development of PSC modules and its challenges toward practical application is provided.
Some remarks on blueprints and $${\pmb {{\mathbb {F}}}_1}$$-schemes
Authors: Bartocci Claudio , Gentili Andrea , Szczeciniarz Jean-Jacques
Published: July 2021

Over the past two decades several different approaches to defining a geometry over$${{\mathbb F}_1}$$F1have been proposed. In this paper, relying on Toën and Vaquié’s formalism (J.K-Theory 3: 437–500, 2009), we investigate a new category$${\mathsf {Sch}}_{\widetilde{{\mathsf B}}}$$SchB~of schemes admitting a Zariski cover by affine schemes relative to the category of blueprints introduced by Lorscheid (Adv. Math. 229: 1804–1846, 2012). A blueprint, which may be thought of as a pair consisting of a monoidMand a relation on the semiring$$M\otimes _{{{\mathbb F}_1}} {\mathbb N}$$M⊗F1N, is a monoid object in a certain symmetric monoidal category$${\mathsf B}$$B, which is shown to be complete, cocomplete, and closed. We prove that every$${\widetilde{{\mathsf B}}}$$B~-scheme$$\Sigma $$Σcan be associated, through adjunctions, with both a classical scheme$$\Sigma _{\mathbb Z}$$ΣZand a scheme$$\underline{\Sigma }$$Σ̲over$${{\mathbb F}_1}$$F1in the sense of Deitmar (in van der Geer G., Moonen B., Schoof R. (eds.) Progress in mathematics 239, Birkhäuser, Boston, 87–100, 2005), together with a natural transformation$$\Lambda :\Sigma _{\mathbb Z}\rightarrow \underline{\Sigma }\otimes _{{{\mathbb F}_1}}{\mathbb Z}$$Λ:ΣZ→Σ̲⊗F1Z. Furthermore, as an application, we show that the category of “$${{\mathbb F}_1}$$F1-schemes” defined by Connes and Consani in (Compos. Math. 146: 1383–1415, 2010) can be naturally merged with that of$${\widetilde{{\mathsf B}}}$$B~-schemes to obtain a larger category, whose objects we call “$${{\mathbb F}_1}$$F1-schemes with relations”.