bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pulmonary actinomycosis and polymicrobial empyema in a patient with ABPA and bronchocoele
Authors: Tu Jacky , MacDonald Martin , Mansfield Darren
Published: May 2022

We present a 43‐year‐old woman, with a history of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and a chronic bronchocoele, who was admitted to hospital with an infection of the bronchocoele, progressing to a pulmonary abscess and polymicrobial empyema, following dental extraction and regular Lactobacillus probiotic ingestion. Interval chest imaging following this procedure demonstrated worsening right upper lobe opacities and a right‐sided pleural effusion. Bronchoscopies identified copious mucoid secretions and an infected bronchocoele with a right upper lobe airways impaction. Oral cavity organisms including Actinomyces odontolyticus were cultured on bronchial washings. Streptococcus mitis and Lactobacillus rhamnosus were cultured in pleural fluid. Treatment with endoscopic mucoid secretion suctioning; intercostal catheter insertion and therapeutic drainage; and antibiotic, glucocorticoid and anti‐IgE therapy resulted in clinical and radiological improvement. Our case illustrates the potential pulmonary complications from oral cavity organisms following tooth extraction and probiotic use in patients with chronic lung disease associated with mucoid lesions and airways obstruction.
A novel sliding mode fault‐tolerant control strategy for variable‐mass quadrotor
Authors: Zhao Jing , Ding Xiaoqian , Jiang Bin , Jiang Guoping , Xie Fei
Published: May 2022

In this article, we investigate a fault‐tolerant control (FTC) for a class of quadrotors with variable mass and actuator faults. Firstly, a mathematical model of quadrotors considered variable‐mass factor is established based on Euler Newton's formula. Secondly, an adaptive estimation algorithm based on a fault observer is designed to achieve the estimations of variable mass and actuator fault, respectively. With the aim of obtaining satisfactory trajectory tracking performance, utilizing the variable mass estimation, a nonsingular terminal sliding mode controller is designed to track desired position. Meanwhile, utilizing the information of actuator fault estimation, an integral sliding mode controller is designed to track desired attitude. Finally, by comparison with the existing sliding mode control (SMC) and other FTC algorithm, the results show that the proposed FTC method has better tracking performance in the case of variable mass, fault and disturbance.
Evaluation of hydropower projects in Balkan Rivers based on direct sediment transport measurements; challenges, limits and possible data interpretation – Case study Vjosa River/Albania
Authors: Pessenlehner Sebastian , Liedermann Marcel , Holzapfel Patrick , Skrame Klodian , Habersack Helmut , Hauer Christoph
Published: May 2022

The Vjosa River in Albania represents one of Europe's last free‐flowing wild rivers, comprising a mosaic of various habitats and forming a highly dynamic natural ecosystem for flora and fauna, that has largely disappeared from other European rivers outside of Russia. However, due to economic interests, this sensitive and heterogeneous river system is under pressure from potential future use in hydropower, threatening the good hydromorphological and ecological status of the river with reservoir flushing, hydropeaking, colmation, loss of habitats and loss of connectivity. Beside the ecological impacts, this study aims to point out the boundaries for technical and economic issues related to hydropower. Hence, for the first time, sediment transport in the Vjosa River was measured. The results indicate possible consequences of a disturbed sediment regime and loss of capacity caused by the sedimentation of reservoirs. Moreover, subsequent consequences, such as river bed incision downstream of dams as well as progressive coastal erosion, are discussed. By combining data from direct bedload and suspended sediment measurements with long‐term hydrological data, an attempt is made to describe the sediment characteristics of the Vjosa catchment and evaluate potential hydropower plants and resulting reservoir sedimentation using limited data. Based on the presented study, it is aimed to define sediment monitoring standards for requested environmental impact assessments and to highlight possible negative impacts of hydropower projects across the entire Balkan region.
Broadening a nature of science conceptualization: Using school biology textbooks to differentiate the family resemblance approach
Authors: Reinisch Bianca , Fricke Kristina
Published: May 2022

Previous research about the presence of nature of science (NOS) within science textbooks has been found to be lacking in sufficient coverage. However, given the shift in how scholars conceive of NOS, the shortcomings may not be present in the textbooks but rather in the NOS frameworks used to analyze textbooks. Whereas traditional NOS has taken a more generalized approach to describing scientific practices, the family resemblance approach (FRA) to NOS recognizes variability in the scientific disciplines as reported by practicing scientists as well as philosophers and historians of science. Instead of suggesting that NOS can be applied equally in educational settings to all scientific disciplines, the FRA accounts for cognitive‐epistemic and social‐instructional conceptual elements which more authentically represent science. This study sought to evaluate textbooks using this more recent NOS conceptualization to explore the potential range of NOS aspects. Using the proposed FRA categories, seven German biology textbooks were analyzed with qualitative content analysis. The combination of cognitive‐epistemic and social‐institutional systems of science revealed that the FRA was a suitable mechanism for analyzing textbooks' coverage of NOS. Notably, FRA's distinct attention to modeling (absent from the discipline‐general NOS approach) revealed its presence in textbooks that would have gone unnoticed. Another finding was that the textbooks tended to emphasize the cognitive‐epistemic systems over the social‐institutional. Finally, this study found that even with a broader set of categories and subcategories to the FRA, the application to analyze was reliable.
Corporate governance code and voluntary disclosure of integrated reporting: Evidence from an emerging economy
Authors: Hamad Salaheldin , Lai Fong‐Woon , Shad Muhammad Kashif , Konečná Zdeňka , Goni Feybi Ariani , Chofreh Abdoulmohammad Gholamzadeh , Klemeš Jiří Jaromír
Published: May 2022

Integrated reporting (IR) is the most recent business reporting paradigm that seeks to improve information quality and create sustainable value. This study investigates the impact of the Malaysian Code on Corporate Governance (MCCG) 2017 on the voluntary IR disclosure quality. Data is collected from the top 100 Malaysian public listed companies from 2016 to 2020. The study used content analysis and a developed IR disclosure index on panel data of companies that fully adopt IR. The results show ongoing growth in IR adoption among Malaysian companies; most of them are aware of its benefits. The study provides empirical evidence on the positive influence of MCCG 2017 on the IR disclosure quality using the random effects generalised least squares regression model. The trend analysis confirms that Malaysian companies enhanced their IR disclosure quality, especially after 2017. The results also show that the research sample has reported 70% for each IR content element in 2020. In this regard, the highest reported element is ‘risks and opportunities’. Thus, several companies have established enterprise risk management frameworks and risk committees. This study contributes to the literature by providing an intensive investigation of the IR practices in Malaysia's earliest adoption stages preceding and following the MCCG 2017.
Identifying well‐being profiles and resilience characteristics in ex‐members of fundamentalist Christian faith communities
Authors: Thoma Myriam V. , Rohner Shauna L. , Heim Eva , Hermann Rahel M. , Roos Melanie , Evangelista Keegan W. M. , Nater Urs M. , Höltge Jan
Published: May 2022

There is a lack of empirical research on the heterogeneity in well‐being of individuals who disaffiliated (i.e., left or were expelled) from an exclusionary and demanding faith community. Thus, little quantitative knowledge exists on factors related to resilience in these individuals. Therefore, the study aims were twofold: (1) to identify profiles of well‐being in ex‐members; and (2) to examine the characteristics of the identified profiles. A cross‐sectional online survey assessed ex‐members of various fundamentalist Christian faith communities. Latent profile analysis identified latent heterogeneity within the sample. Well‐being profile indicators included perceived stress, psychopathological symptoms, affect, and satisfaction with life. Profile‐related characteristics included socio‐demographics (i.e., gender, age), membership (i.e., reason for joining, duration, extent of involvement, reasons for exit, social support during exit, and time since the exit), and resilience‐supporting resources (i.e., social support, self‐esteem, sense of coherence, personality, socio‐economic status). In the final sample (N = 622, Mage = 41.34 years; 65.60% female), four distinct profiles were identified: resilient (25.70%), normative (36.40%), vulnerable (27.20%), and adverse (10.70%). The resilient profile was characterised by higher age, lower reporting of abuse or maltreatment as exit reason, and highest levels of resilience‐supporting resources. Ex‐members of fundamentalist Christian faith communities differ substantially in their well‐being. Membership aspects were only weakly related to current well‐being, with the exception of the exit reason of abuse or maltreatment. This study provided novel quantitative insights into the well‐being profiles of individuals who disaffiliated from a fundamentalist Christian faith community in German‐speaking countries.
Micromotor‐in‐Sponge Platform for Multicycle Large‐Volume Degradation of Organic Pollutants
Authors: Vilela Diana , Guix Maria , Parmar Jemish , Blanco‐Blanes Àngel , Sánchez Samuel
Published: May 2022

The presence of organic pollutants in the environment is a global threat to human health and ecosystems due to their bioaccumulation and long‐term persistence. Hereby a micromotor‐in‐sponge concept is presented that aims not only at pollutant removal, but towards an efficient in situ degradation by exploiting the synergy between the sponge hydrophobic nature and the rapid pollutant degradation promoted by the cobalt‐ferrite (CFO) micromotors embedded at the sponge's core. Such a platform allows the use of extremely low fuel concentration (0.13% H2O2), as well as its reusability and easy recovery. Moreover, the authors demonstrate an efficient multicycle pollutant degradation and treatment of large volumes (1 L in 15 min) by using multiple sponges. Such a fast degradation process is due to the CFO bubble‐propulsion motion mechanism, which induces both an enhanced fluid mixing within the sponge and an outward flow that allows a rapid fluid exchange. Also, the magnetic control of the system is demonstrated, guiding the sponge position during the degradation process. The micromotor‐in‐sponge configuration can be extrapolated to other catalytic micromotors, establishing an alternative platform for an easier implementation and recovery of micromotors in real environmental applications.
Ultrasmall Gold Nanoclusters‐Enabled Fabrication of Ultrafine Gold Aerogels as Novel Self‐Supported Nanozymes
Authors: Xu Jie , Sun Fangying , Li Qiang , Yuan Hongxing , Ma Fangyuan , Wen Dan , Shang Li
Published: May 2022

Metal aerogels represent an emerging type of functional porous materials with promising applications in diverse fields, but the fabrication of metal aerogels with specific structure and property still remains a challenge. Here, the authors report a new approach to fabricate metal aerogels by using ultrasmall metal nanoclusters (NCs) as functional building blocks. By taking D‐penicillamine‐stabilized gold NCs (AuNCs) with a diameter of 1.4 nm as an example, Au aerogels with ultrafine ligament size (3.5 nm) and good enzyme‐mimic properties are synthesized. Detailed characterization shows that the obtained Au aerogels possess typical 3D self‐supported porous network structure with high gold purity and surface area. Time‐lapse spectroscopic and microscopic monitoring of the gelation process reveal that these ultrasmall AuNCs first grow into large nanoparticles before fusion into nanowire networks, during which both pH and the precursor concentration are identified to be the determining factor. Owing to their highly porous structure and abundant metal nodes, these self‐supported Au aerogels display excellent peroxidase‐like properties. This work provides a strategy for fabricating advanced metal aerogels by taking ultrasmall‐sized metal NCs as building blocks, which also opens new avenues for engineering the structure and properties of metal aerogels for further advancing their applications.
Scaling and Confinement in Ultrathin Chalcogenide Films as Exemplified by GeTe
Authors: Kerres Peter , Zhou Yiming , Vaishnav Hetal , Raghuwanshi Mohit , Wang Jiangjing , Häser Maria , Pohlmann Marc , Cheng Yudong , Schön Carl‐Friedrich , Jansen Thomas , Bellin Christophe , Bürgler Daniel E. , Jalil Abdur Rehman , Ringkamp Christoph , Kowalczyk Hugo , Schneider Claus M. , Shukla Abhay , Wuttig Matthias
Published: May 2022

Chalcogenides such as GeTe, PbTe, Sb2Te3, and Bi2Se3 are characterized by an unconventional combination of properties enabling a plethora of applications ranging from thermo‐electrics to phase change materials, topological insulators, and photonic switches. Chalcogenides possess pronounced optical absorption, relatively low effective masses, reasonably high electron mobilities, soft bonds, large bond polarizabilities, and low thermal conductivities. These remarkable characteristics are linked to an unconventional bonding mechanism characterized by a competition between electron delocalization and electron localization. Confinement, that is, the reduction of the sample dimension as realized in thin films should alter this competition and modify chemical bonds and the resulting properties. Here, pronounced changes of optical and vibrational properties are demonstrated for crystalline films of GeTe, while amorphous films of GeTe show no similar thickness dependence. For crystalline films, this thickness dependence persists up to remarkably large thicknesses above 15 nm. X‐ray diffraction and accompanying simulations employing density functional theory relate these changes to thickness dependent structural (Peierls) distortions, due to an increased electron localization between adjacent atoms upon reducing the film thickness. A thickness dependence and hence potential to modify film properties for all chalcogenide films with a similar bonding mechanism is expected.
Single‐Step Solid‐State Scalable Transformation of Ni‐Based Substrates to High‐Oxidation State Nickel Sulfide Nanoplate Arrays as Exceptional Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Overall Water Splitting
Authors: Bahuguna Gaurav , Cohen Adam , Harpak Nimrod , Filanovsky Boris , Patolsky Fernando
Published: May 2022

Hydrogen, undoubtedly the next‐generation fuel for supplying the world's energy demands, needs economically scalable bifunctional electrocatalysts for its sustainable production. Non‐noble transition metal‐based electrocatalysts are considered an economic solution for water splitting applications. A single‐step solid‐state approach for the economically scalable transformation of Ni‐based substrates into single‐crystalline nickel sulfide nanoplate arrays is developed. X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy measurements reveal the influence of the transformation temperature on the crystal growth direction, which in turn can manipulate the chemical state at the catalyst surface. Ni‐based sulfide formed at 450 °C exhibits an enhanced concentration of electrocatalytically‐active Ni3+ at their surface and a reduced electron density around sulfur atoms, optimal for efficient H2 production. The Ni‐based sulfide electrocatalysts display exceptional electrocatalytic performance for both oxygen and hydrogen evolution, with overpotentials of 170 and 90 mV respectively. Remarkably, the two‐electrode cell for overall electrolysis of alkaline water demonstrates an ultra‐low cell potential of 1.46 V at 10 mA cm−2 and 1.69 V at 100 mA cm−2. In addition to the exceptionally low water‐splitting cell voltage, this self‐standing electrocatalyst is of binderfree nature, with the electrode preparation being a low‐cost and single‐step process, easily scalable to industrial scales.
Systematic Study of Perovskite Layers if Doped with Strong Oxidants
Authors: Wang Dan , Cui Rongli , Guo Xihong , Huang Huan , Liu Bing , Wang Dong-Mei , Qi Weiheng , Chen Yu , Zheng Lirong , Zhang Jing , Liu Shuhu , Dong Jinquan , Sun Baoyun
Published: May 2022

Herein, strong oxidants are employed for the first time to stabilize the main frame structure of the perovskite [PbI6]4− by strengthening the interaction between the central Pb atom and coordination I atoms. A systematic study on the microstructure and macrostate of the perovskite is carried out by the synchrotron radiation technique and conventional characterization. According to the valence state and local environment of each chemical element, crystallinity and morphology of the active layer, and photoelectric properties of the solar cell, the strong oxidants, tris[2‐((1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl)‐4‐tert‐butylpyridine)cobalt(III)tris(bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide)] (FK209) and Na2S2O8, can increase the power conversion efficiency and stability of the doped devices. A possible mechanism of doping strong oxidants is explained.
Research on Electromagnetic and Structural Characteristics of Canned Electric‐Actuated Valve Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor under Eccentricity
Authors: Wu Qingsong , Li Wei , Li Jia , Feng Guihong , Zhang Bingyi
Published: May 2022

The high‐temperature canned electric‐actuated valve permanent magnet synchronous motor (CEAV‐PMSM) directly drives the valve load, which is prone to eccentricity operation, causing greater system vibration and shortening the valve operating life. In order to analyze the electromagnetic and structural characteristics of CEAV‐PMSM under different eccentricity faults, this paper uses analytical methods to derive the magnetic field distribution of the motor under normal and eccentricity conditions. Then, the Maxwell Stress Tensor method is used to derive the expression of the radial electromagnetic force under normal and eccentricity conditions, and the order of space–time harmonics that have a greater impact on CEAV‐PMSM are summarized. After that, the electromagnetic performance comparison of the three pole‐slot combinations under different eccentricity conditions, and the harmonic orders during eccentricity is analyzed by Fourier transform to obtain the optimal pole‐slot combination, which verified the correctness of the analytical calculations. In addition, the influence of different eccentricity conditions on the radial force density and unbalanced magnetic pull are studied. On this basis, the vibration response of the motor under eccentricity is analyzed, and the influence of the canned sleeve on the vibration performance of the motor is discussed. Finally, the modal analysis of CEAV‐PMSM is carried out to prevent the occurrence of resonance under eccentricity, which provides some references for reducing the vibration and noise of the canned electric‐actuated valve. © 2022 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
The risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhosis differs by etiology, age and sex: A Swedish nationwide population‐based cohort study
Authors: Bengtsson Bonnie , Widman Linnea , Wahlin Staffan , Stål Per , Björkström Niklas K. , Hagström Hannes
Published: May 2022

Background

Current risk estimates for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in individuals with cirrhosis vary between studies. The risk has mostly been evaluated for single etiologies separately.

Objectives

We examined the risk of HCC in Swedish outpatients with a new diagnosis of cirrhosis, aiming to identify subgroups with a particularly high risk for incident HCC.

Methods

All patients with a first diagnosis of cirrhosis in the National Outpatient Register for whom the etiology of cirrhosis could be estimated were identified. Incident cases of HCC were ascertained until the end of 2016 using record linkage to national registers. The cumulative incidence of HCC across etiologies of cirrhosis, sex and age was calculated considering non‐HCC death as a competing risk.

Results

We identified 15,215 individuals with cirrhosis. The incidence rate for HCC in cirrhosis was 23/1000 person‐years (95%CI = 22–24). Stratified on gender, it was 29/1000 person‐years (95%CI = 27–31) in men versus 14/1000 person‐years (95%CI = 13–16) in women. The cumulative incidence of HCC in cirrhosis was 8.3% (95%CI = 7.8–8.8) at 5 years and 12.2% (95%CI = 11.6–13.0) at 10 years. At 10 years, the lowest cumulative incidence was seen in women with alcohol‐related liver disease (4.3%) and the highest in men with viral hepatitis (26.6%). These figures also varied by age.

Conclusions

The risk of HCC differs extensively across subgroups of etiologies of cirrhosis, age and sex, suggesting that initiation of HCC surveillance could be individually tailored.
Congenital beta cell defects are not associated with markers of islet autoimmunity, even in the context of high genetic risk for type 1 diabetes
Authors: Wyatt Rebecca C. , Hagopian William A. , Roep Bart O. , Patel Kashyap A. , Resnick Brittany , Dobbs Rebecca , Hudson Michelle ,   EXE-T1D Consortium, De Franco Elisa , Ellard Sian , Flanagan Sarah E. , Hattersley Andrew T. , Oram Richard A. , Johnson Matthew B.
Published: May 2022

Aims/hypothesis

A key unanswered question in type 1 diabetes is whether beta cells initiate their own destruction or are victims of an aberrant immune response (beta cell suicide or homicide?). To investigate this, we assessed islet autoantibodies in individuals with congenital beta cell defects causing neonatal diabetes mellitus (NDM).

Methods

We measured autoantibodies to GAD (GADA), islet antigen-2 (IA-2A) and zinc transporter 8 (ZnT8A) in 242 individuals with NDM (median age diagnosed 1.8 months [IQR 0.39–2.9 months]; median age collected 4.6 months [IQR 1.8–27.6 months]; median diabetes duration 2 months [IQR 0.6–23 months]), including 75 whose NDM resulted from severe beta cell endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. As a control cohort we also tested samples from 69 diabetes-free individuals (median age collected 9.9 months [IQR 9.0–48.6 months]) for autoantibodies.

Results

We found low prevalence of islet autoantibodies in individuals with monogenic NDM; 13/242 (5.4% [95% CI 2.9, 9.0%]) had detectable GADA, IA-2A and/or ZnT8A. This was similar to the proportion in the control participants who did not have diabetes (1/69 positive [1.4%, 95% CI 0.03, 7.8%], p=0.3). Importantly, monogenic individuals with beta cell ER stress had a similar rate of GADA/IA-2A/ZnT8A positivity to non-ER stress aetiologies (2.7% [95% CI 0.3, 9.3%] vs 6.6% [95% CI 3.3, 11.5%] p=0.4). We observed no association between islet autoimmunity and genetic risk, age at testing (including 30 individuals >10 years at testing) or diabetes duration (p>0.4 for all).

Conclusions/interpretation

Our data support the hypothesis that beta cell stress/dysfunction alone does not lead to the production of islet autoantibodies, even in the context of high-risk HLA types. This suggests that additional factors are required to trigger an autoimmune response towards beta cells.

Graphical abstract
Succinct Non-Interactive Arguments via Linear Interactive Proofs
Authors: Bitansky Nir , Chiesa Alessandro , Ishai Yuval , Ostrovsky Rafail , Paneth Omer
Published: May 2022

Succinct non-interactive arguments(SNARGs) enable verifying NP statements with lower complexity than required for classical NP verification. Traditionally, the focus has been on minimizing the length of such arguments; nowadays, researchers have focused also on minimizing verification time, by drawing motivation from the problem of delegating computation. A common relaxation is apreprocessingSNARG, which allows the verifier to conduct an expensive offline phase that is independent of the statement to be proven later. Recent constructions of preprocessing SNARGs have achieved attractive features: they are publicly-verifiable, proofs consist of onlyO(1) encrypted (or encoded) field elements, and verification is via arithmetic circuits of size linear in the NP statement. Additionally, these constructions seem to have “escaped the hegemony” of probabilistically-checkable proofs (PCPs) as a basic building block of succinct arguments. We present a general methodology for the construction of preprocessing$$\text{ SNARG } $$SNARGs, as well as resulting new efficiency features. Our contribution is threefold:(1)

We introduce and study a natural extension of the interactive proof model that considersalgebraically-boundedprovers; this new setting is analogous to the common study of algebraically-bounded “adversaries” in other fields, such as pseudorandomness and randomness extraction. More concretely, in this work we focus on linear (or affine) provers, and provide several constructions of (succinct two-message)linear interactive proofs(LIPs) for NP. Our constructions are based on general transformations applied to bothlinearPCPs (LPCPs) and traditional “unstructured” PCPs.

(2)

We give conceptually simple cryptographic transformations from LIPs to preprocessing SNARGs, whose security can be based on different forms oflinear targeted malleability(implied by previous knowledge assumptions). Our transformations convert arbitrary (two-message) LIPs into designated-verifier SNARGs, and LIPs with degree-bounded verifiers into publicly-verifiable SNARGs. We also extend our methodology to obtainzero-knowledgeLIPs and SNARGs. Our techniques yield SNARGsof knowledgeand thus can benefit from known recursive composition and bootstrapping techniques.

(3)

Following this methodology, we exhibit several constructions achieving new efficiency features, such as “single-ciphertext preprocessing SNARGs.” We also offer a new perspective on existing constructions of preprocessing SNARGs, revealing a direct connection of these to LPCPs and LIPs.
RLWE and PLWE over cyclotomic fields are not equivalent
Authors: Di Scala Antonio J. , Sanna Carlo , Signorini Edoardo
Published: May 2022

We prove that the Ring Learning With Errors (RLWE) and the Polynomial Learning With Errors (PLWE) problems over the cyclotomic field $${\mathbb {Q}}(\zeta _n)$$

Q
(

ζ
n

)

are not equivalent. Precisely, we show that reducing one problem to the other increases the noise by a factor that is more than polynomial in n. We do so by providing a lower bound, holding for infinitely many positive integers n, for the condition number of the Vandermonde matrix of the nth cyclotomic polynomial.
Genomic assessment of an endemic Hawaiian surgeonfish, Acanthurus triostegus sandvicensis, reveals high levels of connectivity and fine-scale population structure
Authors: Coleman Richard R. , Bowen Brian W.
Published: May 2022

The Hawaiian Archipelago has served as a natural laboratory to assess genetic connectivity patterns across a broad spectrum of taxonomic and ecological diversity. Almost all these studies were based on a few targeted loci, but technologies now allow us to assess population structure with genomic coverage and greater resolution. Here, we provide a SNP-based analysis for an endemic surgeonfish, Acanthurus triostegus sandvicensis (manini) across the Hawaiian Archipelago and adjacent Johnston Atoll (N = 461). Based on 3649 SNPs, manini showed population structure in the main Hawaiian Islands, but genetic homogeneity across most of the northwestern extent of the archipelago (overall FST = 0.033, P < 0.001). Net migration occurred from Johnston Atoll into Hawai‘i, providing further support for Johnston Atoll being a pathway for dispersal (or colonization) into Hawai′i. These results highlight the higher efficacy of genomic sequencing to characterize fine-scale patterns of connectivity relative to a targeted loci approach and, moving forward, may invoke a reassessment of past connectivity studies in a genomics framework.
Increased cytosolic calcium buffering contributes to a cellular arrhythmogenic substrate in iPSC-cardiomyocytes from patients with dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Jung Philipp , Seibertz Fitzwilliam , Fakuade Funsho E. , Ignatyeva Nadezda , Sampathkumar Shrivatsan , Ritter Melanie , Li Housen , Mason Fleur E. , Ebert Antje , Voigt Niels
Published: May 2022

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a major risk factor for heart failure and is associated with the development of life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. Using a patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte (iPSC-CM) model harbouring a mutation in cardiac troponin T (R173W), we aim to examine the cellular basis of arrhythmogenesis in DCM patients with this mutation. iPSC from control (Ctrl) and DCM-TnT-R173W donors from the same family were differentiated into iPSC-CM and analysed through optical action potential (AP) recordings, simultaneous measurement of cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and membrane currents and separately assayed using field stimulation to detect the threshold for AP- and [Ca2+]i-alternans development. AP duration was unaltered in TnT-R173W iPSC-CM. Nevertheless, TnT-R173W iPSC-CM showed a strikingly low stimulation threshold for AP- and [Ca2+]i-alternans. Myofilaments are known to play a role as intracellular Ca2+ buffers and here we show increased Ca2+ affinity of intracellular buffers in TnT-R173W cells, indicating increased myofilament sensitivity to Ca2+. Similarly, EMD57033, a myofilament Ca2+ sensitiser, replicated the abnormal [Ca2+]i dynamics observed in TnT-R173W samples and lowered the threshold for alternans development. In contrast, application of a Ca2+ desensitiser (blebbistatin) to TnT-R173W iPSC-CM was able to phenotypically rescue Ca2+ dynamics, normalising Ca2+ transient profile and minimising the occurrence of Ca2+ alternans at physiological frequencies. This finding suggests that increased Ca2+ buffering likely plays a major arrhythmogenic role in patients with DCM, specifically in those with mutations in cardiac troponin T. In addition, we propose that modulation of myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity could be an effective anti-arrhythmic target for pharmacological management of this disease.
Kompetenzorientierte Ethik-Lehre im Medizinstudium
Authors: Kühlmeyer Katja , Wolkenstein Andreas , Schütz Mathias , Wild Verina , Marckmann Georg
Published: May 2022

Die anstehenden Reformen des Medizinstudiums nach den Vorgaben des Masterplans 2020 sehen eine kompetenzorientierte Neustrukturierung des Medizinstudiums vor. Dieser Artikel zielt darauf ab, Perspektiven aufzuzeigen, wie der Ethik-Unterricht im Medizinstudium noch stärker kompetenzorientiert ausgerichtet werden kann. Er verfolgt damit das Ziel, den Kompetenzbegriff für die Medizinethik greifbarer und für die Gestaltung der Medizinethik-Lehre nutzbar zu machen. Kompetenzen verstehen wir als Handlungsdispositionen, die zur Problemlösung befähigen. Durch Übertragung des Konzepts der moralischen Intelligenz auf das moralische Handeln von Ärzt:innen in der Patient:innenversorgung spezifizieren wir fünfethisch-moralischeKompetenzen, die für moralisch angemessenes, ethisch reflektiertes professionelles Handeln angehender Ärzt:innen angelegt sein müssen: 1.) die Fähigkeit zur Ausgestaltung eines professionellen moralischen Kompasses, 2.) die Ausrichtungsbereitschaft an professionsethischen Normen und Werten, 3.) die Fähigkeit zur Wahrnehmung moralischer Dimensionen ärztlichen Handelns, 4.) die Fähigkeit zum moralischen Urteilen anhand ethischer Überlegungen über das richtige Handeln und 5.) die Realisierungsbereitschaft ethisch begründeten Handelns. Wir illustrieren ihre Bedeutung für die Medizinethik-Lehre am Beispiel des Unterrichts zur Ethik der Patient:innenversorgung (u. a. Klinische Ethik) im Medizinstudium. Unsere Konzeptualisierung ethisch-moralischer Kompetenzen kann dazu verwendet werden, konkrete Lehrangebote kompetenzorientiert auszugestalten. Unser Vorgehen kann analog auf andere Bereiche der Lehre von Ethik im Gesundheitswesen übertragen werden.
Real-Time Measurement of Mechanical Behavior of Granite During Heating–Cooling Cycle: A Mineralogical Perspective
Authors: Mo Chengkang , Zhao Junliang , Zhang Dongxiao
Published: May 2022

Changes in mechanical properties of rocks at high temperatures are significant to various scientific and engineering problems, such as efficient exploration in enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) and rock mass stability in radioactive waste disposal. However, a comprehensive understanding of changes in rock mechanical behaviors at high temperatures and corresponding mechanisms, especially granites, remains unclear, which calls for the examination of micromechanical properties of the constituent minerals. This work investigates four representative minerals in granites, including quartz, plagioclase, amphibole, and biotite. The micromechanical properties of these minerals in the heating–cooling cycle were characterized in real time by using the nanoindentation technique. The morphology of samples was observed not only under real-time cyclic heating–cooling conditions, but also after thermal treatment. Subsequently, changes in structure of the minerals at elevated temperatures based on X-ray diffraction (XRD) were studied. Thermogravimetric analysis coupled with Fourier’s transform infrared spectroscopy (TG-FTIR) was performed to examine physio-chemical alterations of minerals at high temperatures. The experimental results revealed that the reduced modulus and hardness of quartz decreased during heating and subsequently increased during cooling. During the heating–cooling cycle, the hardness of plagioclase varied similarly to that of quartz, but its reduced modulus increased up to approximately $$300\,^{\circ }\hbox {C}$$

300

∘

C

followed by a decrease during heating. Unlike the net decrease of modulus of quartz after exposure to the heating–cooling cycle, feldspar showed a net increase of modulus. The micromechanical properties of biotite were found to rise significantly during heating, followed by a decrease during cooling. XRD results suggested the alteration of mineral structure, including spacing of lattice planes, crystallinity, and phase transitions, which controlled the above changes in mechanical behaviors of quartz, amphibole, and plagioclase. However, the aperture of open cracks along the cleavage in biotite determined its micromechanical properties during heating and cooling. Thermally-induced microcracks were observed during heating; whereas, closure of pre-existing cracks and initiation of microcracks were found during cooling. The real-time measured micromechanical properties of minerals could relate to the macromechanical behaviors of rocks under heating–cooling conditions based on thermally-induced microcracks.
Sensory testing and topical capsaicin can characterize patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Anders Bjoern , Anders Malte , Kreuzer Matthias , Zinn Sebastian , Fricker Lukas , Maier Christoph , Wolters Miriam , Köhm Michaela , Behrens Frank , Walter Carmen
Published: May 2022

Background and objectives

Our study aimed at examining the long-time inflammatory effects of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as chronic immune-mediated disease on pain sensation and neuropathy development compared to healthy subjects (HS).

Methods

We used the quantitative sensory testing (QST) protocol of the German Research Network on Neuropathic Pain and Electroencephalography (EEG)–based contact heat evoked potentials (CHEPs) before and after topical capsaicin application. We recruited 16 RA patients in remission or low disease activity state (mean age: 59.38 years [± 10.18]) and 16 healthy subjects (mean age: 56.69 years [± 8.92]).

Results

The application of capsaicin cream on the thigh provoked a stronger effect in HS for both mechanical and heat pain thresholds (MPT and HPT, resp.), according to the area under the receiver operation characteristic (AUROC) (HS: HPT: 0.8965, MPT: 0.7402; RA: HPT: 0.7012, MPT: 0.6113). We observed contrary effects regarding changes in CHEPs (HS: g*max =  − 0.65; RA patients: g*max = 0.72).

Conclusion

As the overall effect of topical capsaicin application was higher in HS for QST, we suggest the existence of a sensitization of TRPV1 channels in RA patients caused by long-time chronical inflammation, despite a lack of clinical signs of inflammation due to adequate treatment. The effect in CHEPs probably uncovers neuropathic symptoms. The effect of topical capsaicin on HPTs and CHEPs can act as a marker for the extent of sensitization and the development of neuropathic symptoms. Further studies are needed to prove if our proposed method can act as a marker for the success of anti-inflammatory treatment.

Key Points• The effect of topical capsaicin may represent the extent of TRPV1 sensitization in rheumatoid arthritis.• The effect of topical capsaicin on the amplitude level of CHEPs can unmask neuropathic symptoms.• The effect of topical capsaicin on CHEPs and HPTs can show the long-term consequences and the treatment success of RA patients in remission.
High rates of blood transfusion associated with Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Shahrestani Shane , Gendreau Julian , Tafreshi Ali R. , Brown Nolan J. , Dashtipour Khashayar
Published: May 2022

Background

As evidence continues to accumulate regarding the multi-organ dysfunction associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD), it is still unclear as to whether PD increases the risk of hematological pathology. In this study, the authors investigate the association between PD and hematological pathology risk factors.

Methods

This retrospective cohort analysis was conducted using 8 years of the National Readmission Database. All individuals diagnosed with PD were queried at the time of primary admission. Readmissions, complications, and risk factors were analyzed at 30-, 90-, 180-, and 300-day intervals. Statistical analysis included multivariate Gaussian-fitted modeling using age, sex, comorbidities, and discharge weights as covariates. Coefficients of model variables were exponentiated and interpreted as odds ratios.

Results

The database query yielded 1,765,800 PD patients (mean age: 76.3 ± 10.4; 44.1% female). Rates of percutaneous blood transfusion in readmitted patients at 30, 90, 180, and 300 days were found to be 8.7%, 8.6%, 8.3%, and 8.3% respectively. Those with anti-parkinsonism medication side effects at the primary admission had increased rates of gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage (OR: 1.02; 95%CI: 1.01–1.03, p < 0.0001) and blood transfusion (OR: 1.06; 95%CI: 1.05–1.08, p < 0.0001) at all timepoints after readmission. PD patients who experienced GI hemorrhage of any etiology, including as a side effect of anti-parkinsonism medication, were found to have significantly higher rates of blood transfusion at all timepoints (OR: 1.14; 95%CI: 1.13–1.16, p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Blood transfusions were found to be significantly associated with anti-parkinsonism drug side effects and GI hemorrhage of any etiology.
Impact of COVID-19 vaccine on epilepsy in adult subjects: an Italian multicentric experience
Authors: Romozzi Marina , Rollo Eleonora , Quintieri Paolo , Dono Fedele , Evangelista Giacomo , Consoli Stefano , Veleno Luigi , Anzellotti Francesca , Calvello Carmen , Costa Cinzia , Servidei Serenella , Calabresi Paolo , Vollono Catello
Published: May 2022

Objectives

To investigate the safety and tolerability of COVID-19 vaccines in people with epilepsy (PwE).

Methods

In this multicentric observational cohort study, we recruited adult patients (age > 18 years old) with epilepsy who attended the Outpatient Epilepsy Clinic from 1st July to 30th October 2021. We administered to the patients a structured questionnaire and interview on demographic and epilepsy characteristics, current treatment, previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, vaccine characteristics, post-vaccine seizure relapse, other side effect, variation of sleep habits, caffeine, or alcohol intake. Seizure frequency worsening was defined as a ratio between mean monthly frequency post-vaccination and mean monthly frequency pre-vaccination superior to 1. Patients were categorized in two groups: patients with seizure frequency worsening (WORSE) and patients with seizure stability (STABLE).

Results

A total of 358 people participated with a mean age of 47.46 ± 19.04. Focal seizure (79.1%), generalized epilepsy (20.4%), and unknown types of epilepsy (0.5%) were detected among participants. In total, 31 (8.7%) people expressed that they were not willing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine; 302 patients (92.35%) did not experience an increase in the seizure frequency (STABLE-group) whereas 25 patients (7.65%) had a seizure worsening (WORSE-group). Post-vaccine seizures occurred mainly in the 7 days following the administration of the vaccine. Patients in the WORSE-group were treated with a mean higher number of anti-seizure medication (ASMs) (p = 0.003) and had a higher pre-vaccine seizure frequency (p = 0.009) compared with patients in the STABLE-group. Drug-resistant epilepsy was also associated with seizure worsening (p = 0.01). One-year pre-vaccination seizure frequency pattern demonstrated that patients in the WORSE-group had a higher frequency pattern (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis of the vaccinated group showed that only the seizure frequency pattern (confidence interval [CI] = 1.257–2.028; p < 0.001) was significantly associated with seizure worsening.

Conclusion

In our cohort of vaccinated PwE, only a little percentage had a transient short-term increase of seizure frequency. The present study demonstrates that COVID-19 vaccines have a good safety and tolerability profile in the short term in PwE.
Multiple solutions for coupled gradient-type quasilinear elliptic systems with supercritical growth
Authors: Candela Anna Maria , Sportelli Caterina
Published: May 2022

In this paper, we consider the following coupled gradient-type quasilinear elliptic system $$\begin{aligned} \left\{ \begin{array}{*{20}l} - {\text{div}} ( a(x, u, \nabla u) ) + A_t (x, u, \nabla u) = G_u(x, u, v) &{}{\hbox { in }}\Omega ,\\ - {\text{div}} ( b(x, v, \nabla v) ) + B_t(x, v, \nabla v) = G_v\left( x, u, v\right) &{}{\hbox { in }}\Omega ,\\ u = v = 0 &{}{\hbox { on }}\partial \Omega , \end{array} \right. \end{aligned}$$

-
div

(
a

(
x
,
u
,
∇
u
)

)

+

A
t

(
x
,
u
,
∇
u
)

=

G
u

(
x
,
u
,
v
)

in

Ω
,

-
div

(
b

(
x
,
v
,
∇
v
)

)

+

B
t

(
x
,
v
,
∇
v
)

=

G
v

x
,
u
,
v

in

Ω
,

u
=
v
=
0

on

∂
Ω
,

where $$\Omega$$
Ω
is an open bounded domain in $${\mathbb {R}}^N$$

R

N

, $$N\ge 2$$

N
≥
2

. We suppose that some $$\mathcal {C}^{1}$$

C

1

–Carathéodory functions $$A, B:\Omega \times {\mathbb {R}}\times {\mathbb {R}}^N\rightarrow {\mathbb {R}}$$

A
,
B
:
Ω
×
R
×

R

N

→
R

exist such that $$a(x,t,\xi ) = \nabla _{\xi } A(x,t,\xi )$$

a

(
x
,
t
,
ξ
)

=

∇
ξ

A

(
x
,
t
,
ξ
)

, $$A_t(x,t,\xi ) = \frac{\partial A}{\partial t} (x,t,\xi )$$

A
t

(
x
,
t
,
ξ
)

=

∂
A

∂
t

(
x
,
t
,
ξ
)

, $$b(x,t,\xi ) = \nabla _{\xi } B(x,t,\xi )$$

b

(
x
,
t
,
ξ
)

=

∇
ξ

B

(
x
,
t
,
ξ
)

, $$B_t(x,t,\xi ) =\frac{\partial B}{\partial t}(x,t,\xi )$$

B
t

(
x
,
t
,
ξ
)

=

∂
B

∂
t

(
x
,
t
,
ξ
)

, and that $$G_u(x, u, v)$$

G
u

(
x
,
u
,
v
)

, $$G_v(x, u, v)$$

G
v

(
x
,
u
,
v
)

are the partial derivatives of a $$\mathcal {C}^{1}$$

C

1

–Carathéodory nonlinearity $$G:\Omega \times {\mathbb {R}}\times {\mathbb {R}}\rightarrow {\mathbb {R}}$$

G
:
Ω
×
R
×
R
→
R

. Roughly speaking, we assume that $$A(x,t,\xi )$$

A
(
x
,
t
,
ξ
)

grows at least as $$(1+|t|^{s_1p_1})|\xi |^{p_1}$$

(
1
+
|
t
|

s
1

p
1

)
|
ξ
|

p
1

, $$p_1 > 1$$

p
1

>
1

, $$s_1 \ge 0$$

s
1

≥
0

, while $$B(x,t,\xi )$$

B
(
x
,
t
,
ξ
)

grows as $$(1+|t|^{s_2p_2})|\xi |^{p_2}$$

(
1
+
|
t
|

s
2

p
2

)
|
ξ
|

p
2

, $$p_2 > 1$$

p
2

>
1

, $$s_2 \ge 0$$

s
2

≥
0

, and that G(x, u, v) can also have a supercritical growth related to $$s_1$$

s
1

and $$s_2$$

s
2

. Since the coefficients depend on the solution and its gradient themselves, the study of the interaction of two different norms in a suitable Banach space is needed. In spite of these difficulties, a variational approach is used to show that the system admits a nontrivial weak bounded solution and, under hypotheses of symmetry, infinitely many ones.
UAV applications to assess short-term dynamics of slow-moving landslides under dense forest cover
Authors: Ilinca Viorel , Șandric Ionuț , Chițu Zenaida , Irimia Radu , Gheuca Ion
Published: May 2022

The paper presents a methodology to rapidly assess and map the landslide kinematics in areas with dense vegetation cover. The method uses aerial imagery collected with UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) and their derived products obtained from the structure from motion technique. The landslide analysed in the current paper occurred in the spring of 2021 and is located in Livadea village from Curvature Subcarpathians, Romania. This landslide affected the houses in the vicinity, and people were relocated because of the risk of landslide reactivation. To mitigate the landslide consequences, a preliminary investigation based on UAV imagery and geological-geomorphological field surveys was carried out to map the active parts of the landslide and establish evacuation measures. Three UAV flights were performed between 6 May and 10 June using DJI Phantom 4 and Phantom 4 RTK UAVs (Real-Time Kinematic Unmanned Aerial Vehicles). Because it is a densely forested area, semi-automated analyses of the landslide kinematics and change detection analysis were not possible. Instead, the landslide displacement rates and the changes in terrain morphology were assessed by manually interpolating the landmarks, mostly tilted trees, collected from all three UAV flights. The results showed an average displacement of approximately 20 m across the landslides, with maximum values reaching 45 m in the transport area and minimum values below 1 m in the toe area. This approach proved quick and efficient for rapid landslide investigations in a densely forested area when fast response and measures are necessary to reduce the landslide consequences.