bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Flint water crisis
Authors: Pauli Benjamin J.
Published: March 2020

The Flint water crisis is one of the most significant environmental contamination events in recent American history. In April 2014, the city of Flint, Michigan, while under the control of an emergency manager appointed by the governor, switched its drinking water supply from Lake Huron water treated and distributed by the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department to the Flint River. Failure to treat the water properly at the Flint Water Treatment Plant led to a variety of problems with water quality and public health. Low chlorine in parts of the water system fostered bacterial growth and contributed to an historic outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in 2014–2015. High levels of trihalomethanes brought the city into violation of the Safe Drinking Water Act in late 2014. Finally, systemic lead contamination—revealed through a collaborative sampling effort by local activists and engineers in the summer of 2015—resulted from corrosive water eating into lead pipes and other lead‐bearing components of Flint's water infrastructure. In October 2015, after considerable public pressure, the city switched back to Lake Huron water. Efforts by federal, state, and local officials to respond to the crisis have focused on restoring water quality, repairing and replacing dangerous and damaged pipes, and addressing public health needs. At the popular level, residents and activists have continued to fight for accountability, reparations, and restoration. A variety of causal explanations for the crisis have been put forward, some focusing on water treatment, regulation, and infrastructure, others on the political context created by state takeover of the city, and others on historical factors like structural racism, deindustrialization, and depopulation.

This article is categorized under:

Science of Water > Water Quality

Engineering Water > Water, Health, and Sanitation

Human Water > Water Governance
Assessing the state of research data publication in hydrology: A perspective from the Consortium of Universities for the Advancement of Hydrologic Science, Incorporated
Authors: Horsburgh Jeffery S. , Hooper Richard P. , Bales Jerad , Hedstrom Margaret , Imker Heidi J. , Lehnert Kerstin A. , Shanley Lea A. , Stall Shelley
Published: March 2020

Many have argued that datasets resulting from scientific research should be part of the scholarly record as first class research products. Data sharing mandates from funding agencies and scientific journal publishers along with calls from the scientific community to better support transparency and reproducibility of scientific research have increased demand for tools and support for publishing datasets. Hydrology domain‐specific data publication services have been developed alongside more general purpose and even commercial data repositories. Prominent among these are the Hydrologic Information System (HIS) and HydroShare repositories developed by the Consortium of Universities for the Advancement of Hydrologic Science, Inc. (CUAHSI). More broadly, however, multiple organizations have been involved in the practice of data publication in the hydrology domain, each having different roles that have shaped data publication and reuse. Bibliographic and archival approaches to data publication have been advanced, but both have limitations with respect to hydrologic data. Specific recommendations for improving data publication infrastructure, support, and practices to move beyond existing limitations and enable more effective data publication in support of scientific research in the hydrology domain include: improving support for journal article‐based data access and data citation, considering the workflow for data publication, enhancing support for reproducible science, encouraging publication of curated reference data collections, advancing interoperability standards for sharing data and metadata among repositories, developing partnerships with university libraries offering data services, and developing more specific data management plans. While presented in the context of CUAHSI's data repositories and experience, these recommendations are broadly applicable to other domains.

This article is categorized under:

Science of Water > Methods
Unitarity methods in AdS/CFT
Authors: Meltzer David , Perlmutter Eric , Sivaramakrishnan Allic
Published: March 2020

Abstract

We develop a systematic unitarity method for loop-level AdS scattering amplitudes, dual to non-planar CFT correlators, from both bulk and boundary perspectives. We identify cut operators acting on bulk amplitudes that put virtual lines on shell, and show how the conformal partial wave decomposition of the amplitudes may be efficiently computed by gluing lower-loop amplitudes. A central role is played by the double discontinuity of the amplitude, which has a direct relation to these cuts. We then exhibit a precise, intuitive map between the diagrammatic approach in the bulk using cutting and gluing, and the algebraic, holographic unitarity method of [1] that constructs the non-planar correlator from planar CFT data. Our analysis focuses mostly on four-point, one-loop diagrams — we compute cuts of the scalar bubble, triangle and box, as well as some one-particle reducible diagrams — in addition to the five-point tree and four-point double-ladder. Analogies with S-matrix unitarity methods are drawn throughout.
Holographic complexity: stretching the horizon of an evaporating black hole
Authors: Schneiderbauer Lukas , Sybesma Watse , Thorlacius Lárus
Published: March 2020

Abstract

We obtain the holographic complexity of an evaporating black hole in the semi-classical RST model of two-dimensional dilaton gravity, using a volume prescription that takes into account the higher-dimensional origin of the model. For classical black holes, we recover the expected late time behaviour of the complexity, but new features arise at the semi-classical level. By considering the volume inside the stretched horizon of the evolving black hole, we obtain sensible results for the rate of growth of the complexity, with an early onset of order the black hole scrambling time followed by an extended period where the rate of growth tracks the shrinking area of the stretched horizon as the black hole evaporates.
Sterile neutrinos with altered dispersion relations revisited
Authors: Barenboim G. , Martínez-Miravé P. , Ternes C.A. , Tórtola M.
Published: March 2020

Abstract

In this paper we investigate neutrino oscillations with altered dispersion relations in the presence of sterile neutrinos. Modified dispersion relations represent an agnostic way to parameterize new physics. Models of this type have been suggested to explain global neutrino oscillation data, including deviations from the standard three-neutrino paradigm as observed by a few experiments. We show that, unfortunately, in this type of models new tensions arise turning them incompatible with global data.
Measurement of the weak mixing angle at a Super Charm-Tau factory with data-driven monitoring of the average electron beam polarization
Authors: Bondar A. , Grabovsky A. , Reznichenko A. , Rudenko A. , Vorobyev V.
Published: March 2020

Abstract

A method for measuring the average longitudinal polarization of the electron beam at an electron-positron collider operating near the J/ψ resonance is proposed. The method utilizes the differential cross-section of $$ J/\psi \to \left[\Lambda \to p{\pi}^{-}\right]\left[\Lambda \to \overline{p}{\pi}^{+}\right] $$
J
/
ψ
→

Λ
→
p

π
−

Λ
→

p
¯

π
+

decay. It can be used to measure the average longitudinal polarization of electrons with the statistical precision better than 10−3 at a Super Charm-Tau factory operating at the luminosity of 1035 cm−2s−1. The method is discussed in the context of the weak mixing angle measurement in the same experiment.
From little string free energies towards modular graph functions
Authors: Hohenegger Stefan
Published: March 2020

Abstract

We study the structure of the non-perturbative free energy of a one-parameter class of little string theories (LSTs) of A-type in the so-called unrefined limit. These theories are engineered by N M5-branes probing a transverse flat space. By analysing a number of examples, we observe a pattern which suggests to write the free energy in a fashion that resembles a decomposition into higher-point functions which can be presented in a graphical way reminiscent of sums of (effective) Feynman diagrams: to leading order in the instanton parameter of the LST, the N external states are given either by the fundamental building blocks of the theory with N = 1, or the function that governs the counting of BPS states of a single M5-brane coupling to one M2-brane on either side. These states are connected via an effective coupling function which encodes the details of the gauge algebra of the LST and which in its simplest (non-trivial) form is captured by the scalar Greens function on the torus. More complicated incarnations of this function show certain similarities with so-called modular graph functions, which have appeared in the study of Feynman amplitudes in string- and field theory. Finally, similar structures continue to exist at higher instanton orders, which, however, also contain contributions that can be understood as the action of (Hecke) operators on the leading instanton result.
Postcardiac injury syndrome after cardiac implantable electronic device implantation
Authors: Filbey Kevin , Sedaghat-Hamedani Farbod , Kayvanpour Elham , Xynogalos Panagiotis , Scherer Daniel , Meder Benjamin , Katus Hugo A. , Zitron Edgar
Published: March 2020

Background

Postcardiac injury syndrome (PCIS) is an inflammatory complication that derives from injury to the epicardium, myocardium, or endocardium. It occurs after trauma, myocardial infarction, percutaneous coronary intervention, cardiac surgery, intracardiac ablation, and implantation of cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED). In this study we assessed the incidence of PCIS after CIED implantation and its possible risk factors.

Material and methods

All patients who received CIED implantation at Heidelberg University Hospital between 2000 and 2014 were evaluated (n = 4989 patients). Clinical data including age, sex, underlying cardiac disease, type of implanted CIED, location of electrode implantation, clinical symptoms, time of symptom onset of PCIS, therapy, and outcome were extracted and analyzed.

Results

We identified 19 cases of PCIS in 4989 patients, yielding an incidence of 0.38%. The age of patients with PCIS ranged from 39 to 86 years. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) as underlying cardiac disease and right atrial (RA) lead implantation had a significant association with occurrence of PCIS (p = 0.045 in DCM and p < 0.001 in RA lead implantation). Dyspnea, chest pain, dry cough, and fever were the most frequently reported symptoms in patients with PCIS. Pericardial and pleura effusion as well as elevated C‑reactive protein (CRP), increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and leukocytosis were the most common findings.

Conclusion

To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest cohort evaluating the incidence of PCIS after CIED implantation. The data show that PCIS is a rare complication after CIED implantation and occurs more frequently in patients with DCM and those with RA lead implantation. Although rare and mostly benign, PCIS can lead to potentially lethal complications and physicians must be aware of its symptoms.
Treatment strategies to prevent and reduce gynecomastia and/or breast pain caused by antiandrogen therapy for prostate cancer
Authors:   Prostate Cancer Expert Panel of the German Society of Radiation Oncology (DEGRO) and The Working Party Radiation Oncology of the German Cancer Society (DKG-ARO), Ghadjar Pirus , Aebersold Daniel M. , Albrecht Clemens , Böhmer Dirk , Flentje Michael , Ganswindt Ute , Höcht Stefan , Hölscher Tobias , Müller Arndt-Christian , Niehoff Peter , Pinkawa Michael , Sedlmayer Felix , Zips Daniel , Wiegel Thomas
Published: March 2020

Aim

To provide an overview on the available treatments to prevent and reduce gynecomastia and/or breast pain caused by antiandrogen therapy for prostate cancer.

Methods

The German Society of Radiation Oncology (DEGRO) expert panel summarized available evidence published and assessed the validity of the information on efficacy and treatment-related toxicity.

Results

Eight randomized controlled trials and one meta-analysis were identified. Two randomized trials demonstrated that prophylactic radiation therapy (RT) using 1 × 10 Gy or 2 × 6 Gy significantly reduced the rate of gynecomastia but not breast pain, as compared to observation. A randomized dose-finding trial identified the daily dose of 20 mg tamoxifen (TMX) as the most effective prophylactic dose and another randomized trial described that daily TMX use was superior to weekly use. Another randomized trial showed that prophylactic daily TMX is more effective than TMX given at the onset of gynecomastia. Two other randomized trials described that TMX was clearly superior to anastrozole in reducing the risk for gynecomastia and/or breast pain. One comparative randomized trial between prophylactic RT using 1 × 12 Gy and TMX concluded that prophylactic TMX is more effective compared to prophylactic RT and furthermore that TMX appears to be more effective to treat gynecomastia and/or breast pain when symptoms are already present. A meta-analysis confirmed that both prophylactic RT and TMX can reduce the risk of gynecomastia and/or breast pain with TMX being more effective; however, the rate of side effects after TMX including dizziness and hot flushes might be higher than after RT and must be taken into account. Less is known regarding the comparative effectiveness of different radiation fractionation schedules and more modern RT techniques.

Conclusions

Prophylactic RT as well as daily TMX can significantly reduce the incidence of gynecomastia and/or breast pain. TMX appears to be an effective alternative to RT also as a therapeutic treatment in the presence of gynecomastia but its side effects and off-label use must be considered.
Passspurenuntersuchungen – Fallbeispiele zur Untersuchung aus dem Körper Geschädigter präparierter Fragmente nach stumpfer und scharfer Gewalt
Authors: Weber M. , Rothschild M. A.
Published: March 2020

Passspurenuntersuchungen verfolgen i. d. R. das Ziel, die ehemalige Einheit von Fragmenten zu belegen. Jede Bruchstruktur ist individuell und damit unterscheidbar gestaltet und entsteht durch eine zufällige Abfolge von Richtungswechseln des Trennverlaufes, welche von einer Vielzahl nichtreproduzierbarer Faktoren beeinflusst wird. Die Untersuchung der Bruchflächen erfolgt unter gegenläufiger Lichtführung mit dem Vergleichslichtmikroskop. Alternativ werden in der Kriminaltechnik immer häufiger 3D-Oberflächenscanner und Vergleichssoftware verwendet. In dieser Arbeit werden 3 Kasuistiken präsentiert, in denen Fragmente, die nach Angriffen durch scharfe oder stumpfe Gewalt im Körper der Geschädigten verblieben sind, in Passspurenuntersuchungen mit dem verwendeten Tatwerkzeug verglichen wurden. Es werden zudem Empfehlungen zu fotografischer Dokumentation und spurenschonender Sicherung solcher Fragmente gegeben. In 2 der präsentierten Fallbeispiele wurde das Opfer jeweils mit Messern attackiert, und Fragmente der Messerklingen verblieben in den Körpern der Geschädigten. Im 3. Fall verwendeten die Täter einen hölzernen Baseballschläger, von welchem ein Splitter in einer Kopfwunde des Opfers verblieb. In allen 3 Fällen konnten die Fragmente anhand der Bruchstrukturen den Tatwerkzeugen zugeordnet werden.
Extracorporeal treatment of metforminassociated lactic acidosis in clinical practice: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: van Berlo-van de Laar Inge R.F. , Vermeij Cornelis G. , van den Elsen-Hutten Marjo , de Meijer Arthur , Taxis Katja , Jansman Frank G.A.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

To assess whether extracorporeal treatment (ECTR) improves outcome of patients with metformin-associated lactic acidosis (MALA) and to evaluate the clinical applicability of the Extracorporeal Treatments in Poisoning Workgroup (EXTRIP) criteria for starting ECTR in metformin poisoning.

Methods

Patients with metformin serum concentrations above 2 mg/l who were admitted in the Deventer Teaching Hospital between January 2000 and July 2019 and complied with the definition of MALA (pH < 7.35 and lactate concentration > 5 mmol/l) were included. Mortality and clinical parameters of patients treated with ECTR or not were compared. In addition, treatment of MALA in clinical practice was verified against the criteria of EXTRIP.

Results

Forty-two patients were included. Lactate (13.8 versus 10.5 mmol/l, p = 0.01), creatinine (575 versus 254 umol/l, p < 0.01)), metformin (29.4 versus 8.6 mg/l, p < 0.01) concentrations, and vasopressor requirement (72% versus 23%, p < 0.01) were significantly higher in the ECTR-group. Blood pH (7.05 versus 7.19, p = 0.03) and bicarbonate (6 versus 11 mmol/l, p < 0.01) were significantly lower. Mortality, length of hospital stay, and mechanical ventilation requirement were not statistically different. In 83% of patients, treatment of MALA was in accordance with the EXTRIP criteria.

Conclusions

Although there was no statistical benefit in mortality shown from ECTR, ECTR might be lifesaving in MALA, considering the ECTR-group was significantly sicker than the non-ECTR-group.

The majority of patients were treated in line with the EXTRIP criteria. Severity of lactic acidosis and renal impairment were the main indications for initiating ECTR.
T-cell Receptor Excision Circles in Newborns with Heart Defects
Authors: Gul Kiran A. , Strand Janne , Pettersen Rolf D. , Brun Henrik , Abrahamsen Tore G.
Published: March 2020

In the fetus, the cardiac neural crest gives rise to both the thymus and the conotruncus of the heart. In newborn screening for severe T-cell lymphopenia neonates with congenital heart defects may be detected. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of T-cell lymphopenia in neonates with or without 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (del) suffering from heart defects. This retrospective cohort study included 125 patients with heart defects. T-cell receptor excision circles (TRECs), a measure for T-cell lymphopenia, were quantified by RT-PCR using stored newborn screening blood spots. Three patient groups were compared: non-conotruncal defects (n = 57), conotruncal defects (n = 42), and 22q11.2 del with conotruncal defects (n = 26). Significantly lower TREC values were detected in patients with 22q11.2 del and conotruncal heart defects compared to those with non-syndromic conotruncal (p < 0.001) and non-conotruncal (p < 0.001) defects. In contrast, no significant difference was found between patients with non-syndromic conotruncal and non-conotruncal heart defects (p = 0.152). Low TREC levels were obtained in neonates treated with heart surgery/intervention within 2 weeks after birth and in those with a fatal outcome (p = 0.02) independent of patient group. A correlation was found between low TREC numbers and oxygen saturation, SpO2 below 95% (p = 0.017). The SpO2 was significantly lower in the non-syndromic conotruncal group compared to non-conotruncal (p < 0.001) and 22q11.2 del group (p = 0.015). No correlation was found between low neonatal TRECs and infections needing hospitalization later in life (p = 0.135). Patients with 22q11.2 del and conotruncal defects have significantly lower TREC levels compared to patients with heart defects without this syndrome.
Deep convolutional neural network-based detection of meniscus tears: comparison with radiologists and surgery as standard of reference
Authors: Fritz Benjamin , Marbach Giuseppe , Civardi Francesco , Fucentese Sandro F. , Pfirrmann Christian W.A.
Published: March 2020

Objective

To clinically validate a fully automated deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) for detection of surgically proven meniscus tears.

Materials and methods

One hundred consecutive patients were retrospectively included, who underwent knee MRI and knee arthroscopy in our institution. All MRI were evaluated for medial and lateral meniscus tears by two musculoskeletal radiologists independently and by DCNN. Included patients were not part of the training set of the DCNN. Surgical reports served as the standard of reference. Statistics included sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, ROC curve analysis, and kappa statistics.

Results

Fifty-seven percent (57/100) of patients had a tear of the medial and 24% (24/100) of the lateral meniscus, including 12% (12/100) with a tear of both menisci. For medial meniscus tear detection, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were for reader 1: 93%, 91%, and 92%, for reader 2: 96%, 86%, and 92%, and for the DCNN: 84%, 88%, and 86%. For lateral meniscus tear detection, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were for reader 1: 71%, 95%, and 89%, for reader 2: 67%, 99%, and 91%, and for the DCNN: 58%, 92%, and 84%. Sensitivity for medial meniscus tears was significantly different between reader 2 and the DCNN (p = 0.039), and no significant differences existed for all other comparisons (all p ≥ 0.092). The AUC-ROC of the DCNN was 0.882, 0.781, and 0.961 for detection of medial, lateral, and overall meniscus tear. Inter-reader agreement was very good for the medial (kappa = 0.876) and good for the lateral meniscus (kappa = 0.741).

Conclusion

DCNN-based meniscus tear detection can be performed in a fully automated manner with a similar specificity but a lower sensitivity in comparison with musculoskeletal radiologists.
Chemical effects during the formation of various types of femtosecond laser-generated surface structures on titanium alloy
Authors: Florian C. , Wonneberger R. , Undisz A. , Kirner S. V. , Wasmuth K. , Spaltmann D. , Krüger J. , Bonse J.
Published: March 2020

In this contribution, chemical, structural, and mechanical alterations in various types of femtosecond laser-generated surface structures, i.e., laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS, ripples), Grooves, and Spikes on titanium alloy, are characterized by various surface analytical techniques, including X-ray diffraction and glow-discharge optical emission spectroscopy. The formation of oxide layers of the different laser-based structures inherently influences the friction and wear performance as demonstrated in oil-lubricated reciprocating sliding tribological tests (RSTTs) along with subsequent elemental mapping by energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. It is revealed that the fs-laser scan processing (790 nm, 30 fs, 1 kHz) of near-wavelength-sized LIPSS leads to the formation of a graded oxide layer extending a few hundreds of nanometers into depth, consisting mainly of amorphous oxides. Other superficial fs-laser-generated structures such as periodic Grooves and irregular Spikes produced at higher fluences and effective number of pulses per unit area present even thicker graded oxide layers that are also suitable for friction reduction and wear resistance. Ultimately, these femtosecond laser-induced nanostructured surface layers efficiently prevent a direct metal-to-metal contact in the RSTT and may act as an anchor layer for specific wear-reducing additives contained in the used engine oil.
Patient-specific heart simulation can identify non-responders to cardiac resynchronization therapy
Authors: Isotani Akihiro , Yoneda Kazunori , Iwamura Takashi , Watanabe Masahiro , Okada Jun-ichi , Washio Takumi , Sugiura Seiryo , Hisada Toshiaki , Ando Kenji
Published: March 2020

To identify non-responders to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), various biomarkers have been proposed, but these attempts have not been successful to date. We tested the clinical applicability of computer simulation of CRT for the identification of non-responders. We used the multi-scale heart simulator “UT-Heart,” which can reproduce the electrophysiology and mechanics of the heart based on a molecular model of the excitation–contraction mechanism. Patient-specific heart models were created for eight heart failure patients who were treated with CRT, based on the clinical data recorded before treatment. Using these heart models, bi-ventricular pacing simulations were performed at multiple pacing sites adopted in clinical practice. Improvement in pumping function measured by the relative change of maximum positive derivative of left ventricular pressure (%ΔdP/dtmax) was compared with the clinical outcome. The operators of the simulation were blinded to the clinical outcome. In six patients, the relative reduction in end-systolic volume exceeded 15% in the follow-up echocardiogram at 3 months (responders) and the remaining two patients were judged as non-responders. The simulated %ΔdP/dtmax at the best lead position could identify responders and non-responders successfully. With further refinement of the model, patient-specific simulation could be a useful tool for identifying non-responders to CRT.
PLCG2 protective variant p.P522R modulates tau pathology and disease progression in patients with mild cognitive impairment
Authors:   Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI), Kleineidam Luca , Chouraki Vincent , Próchnicki Tomasz , van der Lee Sven J. , Madrid-Márquez Laura , Wagner-Thelen Holger , Karaca Ilker , Weinhold Leonie , Wolfsgruber Steffen , Boland Anne , Martino Adami Pamela V. , Lewczuk Piotr , Popp Julius , Brosseron Frederic , Jansen Iris E. , Hulsman Marc , Kornhuber Johannes , Peters Oliver , Berr Claudine , Heun Reinhard , Frölich Lutz , Tzourio Christophe , Dartigues Jean-François , Hüll Michael , Espinosa Ana , Hernández Isabel , de Rojas Itziar , Orellana Adelina , Valero Sergi , Stringa Najada , van Schoor Natasja M. , Huisman Martijn , Scheltens Philip , Rüther Eckart , Deleuze Jean-Francois , Wiltfang Jens , Tarraga Lluis , Schmid Matthias , Scherer Martin , Riedel-Heller Steffi , Heneka Michael T. , Amouyel Philippe , Jessen Frank , Boada Merce , Maier Wolfgang , Schneider Anja , González-Pérez Antonio , van der Flier Wiesje M. , Wagner Michael , Lambert Jean-Charles , Holstege Henne , Sáez Mª Eugenia , Latz Eicke , Ruiz Agustin , Ramirez Alfredo
Published: March 2020

A rare coding variant (rs72824905, p.P522R) conferring protection against Alzheimer’s disease (AD) was identified in the gene encoding the enzyme phospholipase-C-γ2 (PLCG2) that is highly expressed in microglia. To explore the protective nature of this variant, we employed latent process linear mixed models to examine the association of p.P522R with longitudinal cognitive decline in 3595 MCI patients, and in 10,097 individuals from population-based studies. Furthermore, association with CSF levels of pTau181, total tau, and Aβ1-42 was assessed in 1261 MCI patients. We found that MCI patients who carried the p.P522R variant showed a slower rate of cognitive decline compared to non-carriers and that this effect was mediated by lower pTau181 levels in CSF. The effect size of the association of p.P522R with the cognitive decline and pTau181 was similar to that of APOE-ε4, the strongest genetic risk factor for AD. Interestingly, the protective effect of p.P522R was more pronounced in MCI patients with low Aβ1-42 levels suggesting a role of PLCG2 in the response to amyloid pathology. In line with this hypothesis, we observed no protective effect of the PLCG2 variant on the cognitive decline in population-based studies probably due to the lower prevalence of amyloid positivity in these samples compared to MCI patients. Concerning the potential biological underpinnings, we identified a network of co-expressed proteins connecting PLCG2 to APOE and TREM2 using unsupervised co-regulatory network analysis. The network was highly enriched for the complement cascade and genes differentially expressed in disease-associated microglia. Our data show that p.P522R in PLCG2 reduces AD disease progression by mitigating tau pathology in the presence of amyloid pathology and, as a consequence, maintains cognitive function. Targeting the enzyme PLCG2 might provide a new therapeutic approach for treating AD.
Application-oriented fundamental research on concrete and reinforced concrete structures: selected findings from an Austro-Chinese research project
Authors: Binder Eva , Wang Hui , Zhang Jiao-Long , Schlappal Thomas , Yuan Yong , Mang Herbert A. , Pichler Bernhard L. A.
Published: March 2020

In this paper, the significance of application-oriented fundamental research on concrete and reinforced concrete structures for progress regarding practical applications to structural design is addressed based on four examples. They were treated in a joint research project of Vienna University of Technology and Tongji University. The first topic refers to sudden heating or cooling of concrete structures, the second one to high-dynamic strength of specimens made of cementitious materials, the third one to structural analysis of segmental tunnel rings used in mechanized tunneling, and the fourth one to serviceability and ultimate limit states of concrete hinges used in integral bridge construction. The first two topics deal with exceptional load cases. Results from the fundamental research call for improvements of state-of-the-art simulation approaches used in civil engineering design. The last two topics refer to reinforced concrete hinges used in mechanized tunneling and integral bridge construction, respectively. Integrative research has led to progress regarding the verification of serviceability and ultimate limit states. In all four examples, results from fundamental research are used to scrutinize state-of-the-art approaches used in practical structural design of civil engineering structures. This allows for identifying interesting directions for the future development of design guidelines and standards.
Predicting the risk of depression among adolescents in Nepal using a model developed in Brazil: the IDEA Project
Authors: Brathwaite Rachel , Rocha Thiago Botter-Maio , Kieling Christian , Gautam Kamal , Koirala Suraj , Mondelli Valeria , Kohrt Brandon , Fisher Helen L.
Published: March 2020

The burden of adolescent depression is high in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), yet research into prevention is lacking. Development and validation of models to predict individualized risk of depression among adolescents in LMICs is rare but crucial to ensure appropriate targeting of preventive interventions. We assessed the ability of a model developed in Brazil, a middle-income country, to predict depression in an existing culturally different adolescent cohort from Nepal, a low-income country with a large youth population with high rates of depression. Data were utilized from the longitudinal study of 258 former child soldiers matched with 258 war-affected civilian adolescents in Nepal. Prediction modelling techniques were employed to predict individualized risk of depression at age 18 or older in the Nepali cohort using a penalized logistic regression model. Following a priori exclusions for prior depression and age, 55 child soldiers and 71 war-affected civilians were included in the final analysis. The model was well calibrated, had good overall performance, and achieved good discrimination between depressed and non-depressed individuals with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.73 (bootstrap-corrected 95% confidence interval 0.62–0.83). The Brazilian model comprising seven matching sociodemographic predictors, was able to stratify individualized risk of depression in a Nepali adolescent cohort. Further testing of the model’s performance in larger socio-culturally diverse samples in other geographical regions should be attempted to test the model’s wider generalizability.
Public network leadership and the ties that lead
Authors: Cristofoli Daniela , Trivellato Benedetta , Sancino Alessandro , Maccio’ Laura , Markovic Josip
Published: March 2020

This study explores how certain characteristics of the network structure, such as autonomization and connectivity, differently combine with individual leadership in order to produce high network performance. Data gathered through a survey of 265 networks for homecare assistance shed light on three different paths simultaneously leading to network success. First, the presence of autonomy from government (autonomization) appears to be able to ensure network success, irrespective of the other conditions. Secondly, the presence (or absence) of an individual network leader combines differently with the network’s connectivity. Sparsely connected networks seem to require a network leader, forging agreements and leading partners towards a common objective. On the contrary, in highly connected networks, it is the intensity of network ties that appears to lead the network (the network leader seems to be not important). These networks seem to be leaderless, but not necessarily leadershipless.
Temporal experience as a core quality in mental disorders
Authors: Moskalewicz Marcin , Schwartz Michael A.
Published: March 2020

The goal of this paper is to introduce Phenomenology and the Cognitive Sciences’ thematic issue on disordered temporalities. The authors begin by discussing the main reason for the neglect of temporal experience in present-day psychiatric nosologies, mainly, its reduction to clock time. Methodological challenges facing research on temporal experience include addressing the felt sense of time, its structure, and its pre-reflective aspects in the life-world setting. In the second part, the paper covers the contributions to the thematic issue concerning temporal experience in anxiety, depression, mania, addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder, autism, and in recovery from psychosis. The authors argue in favor of integrative and cross-disciplinary approaches. In conclusion, they present time as a significant aspect of human suffering.
Evil and the god of indifference
Authors: Bernáth László , Kodaj Daniel
Published: March 2020

The evidential problem of evil involves a rarely discussed challenge, namely the challenge of defending theism against the hypothesis of a morally indifferent creator. Our argument uses a Bayesian framework and it starts by showing that if the only alternative to classical theism is naturalistic atheism, then fine-tuning can render theism virtually certain, even in the face of evil. But if the alternatives include the hypothesis of a morally indifferent creator, theism is defeated even if the fine-tuning premise is accepted. The resulting version of the evidential problem is unsolvable using the tools that are currently deployed by theists against evil.
On the boundedness of the Weyl transform for homogeneous distributions on $${\mathbb {R}}^2$$
Authors: Wagner Peter
Published: March 2020

Starting from earlier work by M.W. Wong, we give necessary and sufficient criteria, respectively, for the boundedness of the Weyl transform $$W_\sigma $$Wσ as an operator on $$L^2({\mathbb {R}})$$L2(R) if $$\sigma $$σ is a homogeneous distribution on $${\mathbb {R}}^2$$R2.
Hypertension and Reproduction
Authors: Nilsson Peter M. , Viigimaa Margus , Giwercman Aleksander , Cifkova Renata
Published: March 2020

Purpose of Review

Many aspects of reproduction have been associated with increased blood pressure and impaired glucose metabolism that reveals a subsequent increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this review is to assess reproductive life factors associated with an increased risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease, e.g., early life programming, sexual, and reproductive health in men and women.

Recent Findings

Impaired fetal growth, with low birth weight adjusted for gestational age, has been found associated with hypertension in adulthood. Erectile dysfunction, currently considered an early diagnostic marker of cardiovascular disease preceding the manifestation of coronary artery disease by several years, frequently coexisting with hypertension, could also be exacerbated by some antihypertensive drugs. Male hypogonadism or subfertility are associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy including preeclampsia represent a major cause of maternal, fetal and neonatal morbidity, and mortality. The risk of developing preeclampsia can be substantially reduced in women at its high or moderate risk with a low dose of acetylsalicylic acid initiated from 12 weeks of gestation. An increased risk of hypertension in women following invasive-assisted reproductive technologies has been newly observed. Blood pressure elevation has been noticed following contraceptive pill use, around the menopause and in postmenopausal age. Furthermore, drug treatment of hypertension has to be considered as a factor with a potential impact on reproduction (e.g., due to teratogenic drug effects).

In summary, a deeper understanding of reproductive life effects on hypertension and metabolic abnormalities may improve prediction of future cardiovascular disease.
Complexities in Genetics of Psoriatic Arthritis
Authors: Rahmati Sara , Tsoi Lam , O’Rielly Darren , Chandran Vinod , Rahman Proton
Published: March 2020

Purpose of the Review

To provide a general overview and current challenges regarding the genetics of psoriatic disease. With the use of integrative medicine, multiple candidate loci identified to date in psoriatic disease will be annotated, summarized, and visualized. Recent studies reporting differences in genetic architecture between psoriatic arthritis and cutaneous-only psoriasis will be highlighted.

Recent Findings

Focusing on functional pathways that connect previously identified genetic variants can increase our understanding of psoriatic diseases. The genetic architecture differs between psoriatic arthritis and cutaneous-only psoriasis with arthritis-specific signals in linkage disequilibrium independent of the published psoriasis signals.

Integrative medicine is helpful in understanding cellular mechanisms of psoriatic diseases. Careful selection of the psoriatic disease cohort has translated into mechanistic differences among psoriatic arthritis and cutaneous psoriasis.
CAS9 is a genome mutator by directly disrupting DNA-PK dependent DNA repair pathway
Authors: Xu Shuxiang , Kim Jinchul , Tang Qingshuang , Chen Qu , Liu Jingfeng , Xu Yang , Fu Xuemei
Published: March 2020

With its high efficiency for site-specific genome editing and easy manipulation, the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/ CRISPR associated protein 9 (CAS9) system has become the most widely used gene editing technology in biomedical research. In addition, significant progress has been made for the clinical development of CRISPR/CAS9 based gene therapies of human diseases, several of which are entering clinical trials. Here we report that CAS9 protein can function as a genome mutator independent of any exogenous guide RNA (gRNA) in human cells, promoting genomic DNA double-stranded break (DSB) damage and genomic instability. CAS9 interacts with the KU86 subunit of the DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) complex and disrupts the interaction between KU86 and its kinase subunit, leading to defective DNA-PK-dependent repair of DNA DSB damage via non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) pathway. XCAS9 is a CAS9 variant with potentially higher fidelity and broader compatibility, and dCAS9 is a CAS9 variant without nuclease activity. We show that XCAS9 and dCAS9 also interact with KU86 and disrupt DNA DSB repair. Considering the critical roles of DNA-PK in maintaining genomic stability and the pleiotropic impact of DNA DSB damage responses on cellular proliferation and survival, our findings caution the interpretation of data involving CRISPR/CAS9-based gene editing and raise serious safety concerns of CRISPR/CAS9 system in clinical application.
Influence of welding stresses on relief cracking during heat treatment of a creep-resistant 13CrMoV steel Part II: mechanisms of stress relief cracking during post weld heat treatment
Authors: Kromm A. , Lausch T. , Schroepfer D. , Rhode M. , Kannengiesser T.
Published: March 2020

Welding of 13CrMoV9-10 vanadium steel requires care due to an increased susceptibility to stress relief cracking during post weld heat treatment. Previous research into the crack formation in creep-resistant steels has focused on thermal and metallurgical factors; however, little knowledge has been gathered regarding the crack formation during post weld heat treatment considering real-life restraint conditions. This work is subdivided in two parts. Part I showed that an increasing heat input during submerged arc welding under restraint led to an increasing stress level in the joint prior to the post weld heat treatment. The magnitude of stress relief cracking observed in the heat-affected zone after the post weld heat treatment is affected by the heat input. In Part II of this work, the cracks and the associated microstructure which occurred under restraint were studied. The application of a special acoustic emission analysis indicated that the cracks formed in a temperature range between 300 and 500 °C during the post weld heat treatment. The toughness in the heat-affected zone of the restrained welds was affected by the welding heat input. Microstructural analyses of all specimens revealed accelerated aging due to precipitation of carbides during post weld heat treatment under restraint.
Potential of MXenes in Water Desalination: Current Status and Perspectives
Authors: Ihsanullah Ihsanullah
Published: March 2020

MXenes, novel 2D transition metal carbides, have emerged as wonderful nanomaterials and a superlative contestant for a host of applications. The tremendous characteristics of MXenes, i.e., high surface area, high metallic conductivity, ease of functionalization, biocompatibility, activated metallic hydroxide sites, and hydrophilicity, make them the best aspirant for applications in energy storage, catalysis, sensors, electronics, and environmental remediation. Due to their exceptional physicochemical properties and multifarious chemical compositions, MXenes have gained considerable attention for applications in water treatment and desalination in recent times. It is vital to understand the current status of MXene applications in desalination in order to define the roadmap for the development of MXene-based materials and endorse their practical applications in the future. This paper critically reviews the recent advancement in the synthesis of MXenes and MXene-based composites for applications in desalination. The desalination potential of MXenes is portrayed in detail with a focus on ion-sieving membranes, capacitive deionization, and solar desalination. The ion removal mechanism and regeneration ability of MXenes are also summarized to get insight into the process. The key challenges and issues associated with the synthesis and applications of MXenes and MXene-based composites in desalination are highlighted. Lastly, research directions are provided to guarantee the synthesis and applications of MXenes in a more effective way. This review may provide an insight into the applications of MXenes for water desalination in the future.
Diagnosing dehydration in the nursing home: international consensus based on a modified Delphi study
Authors: Paulis Simone J. C. , Everink Irma H. J. , Halfens Ruud J. G. , Lohrmann Christa , Wirnsberger Regina Roller , Gordon Adam L. , Schols Jos M. G. A.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Even though dehydration is a big problem among nursing home residents, a universally agreed method to diagnose dehydration among nursing home residents is missing. Therefore, this study aimed to establish consensus on a method to diagnose dehydration in this population.

Methods

Using an international Delphi study, 53 experts (physicians and advanced nurse practitioners) were asked to judge various methods to diagnose dehydration on relevance and feasibility in the nursing home. Based on the methods that gained consensus in the first and second round (≥ 75% consensus), a step-by-step diagnostic strategy was developed which was presented to, and judged by, the experts in round three.

Results

After the first and second round, consensus was reached on nine anamnestic items, eight physical symptoms and three blood tests. In the third round, 24 experts agreed with the developed step-by-step diagnostic strategy as a standard to diagnose dehydration in nursing home residents.

Conclusion

This is the first study reaching international consensus on a strategy to diagnose dehydration in the nursing home. This strategy comprehends a presumption phase, where anamnestic items and physical symptoms are examined, followed by a confirmation phase with blood tests to confirm the diagnosis of dehydration. Using this strategy, it is important to take the individual characteristics (e.g. co-morbidity) of the resident and its care environment (e.g. ambient temperature) into account.
Decoding surface code with a distributed neural network–based decoder
Authors: Varsamopoulos Savvas , Bertels Koen , Almudever Carmen G.
Published: March 2020

There has been a rise in decoding quantum error correction codes with neural network–based decoders, due to the good decoding performance achieved and adaptability to any noise model. However, the main challenge is scalability to larger code distances due to an exponential increase of the error syndrome space. Note that successfully decoding the surface code under realistic noise assumptions will limit the size of the code to less than 100 qubits with current neural network–based decoders. Such a problem can be tackled by a distributed way of decoding, similar to the renormalization group (RG) decoders. In this paper, we introduce a decoding algorithm that combines the concept of RG decoding and neural network–based decoders. We tested the decoding performance under depolarizing noise with noiseless error syndrome measurements for the rotated surface code and compared against the blossom algorithm and a neural network–based decoder. We show that a similar level of decoding performance can be achieved between all tested decoders while providing a solution to the scalability issues of neural network–based decoders.
Finite element model and test results for punching shear failure of RC slabs
Authors: Lewiński Paweł M. , Więch Przemysław P.
Published: March 2020

The nonlinear finite element analysis of pin-supported reinforced concrete slabs of moderate thickness is the main subject of this paper. This is an important issue of the mechanics of concrete structures. Thus, a nonlinear FE analysis of RC slab models subjected to punching shear was initiated and the comparison of the numerical and test results was made. The prediction engine of the crack pattern due to bending and extension is incorporated in the Mindlin-type (moderately thick) slab model together with other nonlinear features. This is in order to formulate an alternative model of RC slab in relation to the layered models or fully three-dimensional models. New formulas were applied for 3D constitutive relationships for concrete and for tension stiffening effect. Prediction of punching shear was facilitated by Podgórski’s failure criterion for concrete. On the one hand, a considerable advantage of the proposed approach is a relatively low numerical effort in comparison with the existing models, while on the other hand the applied model clearly describes the physical behaviour of a real slab. A supporting test programme for validation was run. Three RC slabs with a system of double-headed studs as the reinforcement against punching were tested by the authors in ITB Strength Tests Laboratory. The results for the units constructed as square slabs with a central short column subjected to full-scale tests were initially compared with assessments based on standard provisions and technical approvals. As a result of this approach, the overall prediction of the nonlinear behaviour of the test model, including the model of shear failure, is in accordance with the experimental data.