bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A fragment‐based approach to discovery of Receptor for Advanced Glycation End products inhibitors
Authors: Kozlyuk Natalia , Gilston Benjamin A. , Salay Lauren E. , Gogliotti Rocco D. , Christov Plamen P. , Kim Kwangho , Ovee Mohiuddin , Waterson Alex G. , Chazin Walter J.
Published: June 2021

The Receptor for Advanced Glycation End products (RAGE) is a pattern recognition receptor that signals for inflammation via the NF‐κB pathway. RAGE has been pursued as a potential target to suppress symptoms of diabetes and is of interest in a number of other diseases associated with chronic inflammation, such as inflammatory bowel disease and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Screening and optimization have previously produced small molecules that inhibit the activity of RAGE in cell‐based assays, but efforts to develop a therapeutically viable direct‐binding RAGE inhibitor have yet to be successful. Here, we show that a fragment‐based approach can be applied to discover fundamentally new types of RAGE inhibitors that specifically target the ligand‐binding surface. A series of systematic assays of structural stability, solubility, and crystallization were performed to select constructs of the RAGE ligand‐binding domain and optimize conditions for NMR‐based screening and co‐crystallization of RAGE with hit fragments. An NMR‐based screen of a highly curated ~14 000‐member fragment library produced 21 fragment leads. Of these, three were selected for elaboration based on structure‐activity relationships generated through cycles of structural analysis by X‐ray crystallography, structure‐guided design principles, and synthetic chemistry. These results, combined with crystal structures of the first linked fragment compounds, demonstrate the applicability of the fragment‐based approach to the discovery of RAGE inhibitors.
A serpin (CvT‐serpin15) of teratocytes contributes to microbial‐resistance in Plutella xylostella during Cotesia vestalis parasitism
Authors: Gu Qijuan , Wu Zhiwei , Zhou Yuenan , Wang Zhizhi , Huang Jianhua , Shi Min , Chen Xuexin
Published: June 2021

BACKGROUND

Parasitic wasps are an important group of entomophagous insects for pest control. As parasitic wasps often lay eggs on or into their associated hosts, parasitoids evolve to utilize several factors including venom, polydnavirus (PDV) to alter host physiology for successful parasitism. Some taxa of endoparasitoids produce teratocytes, which are a type of cell that is released into host insects when wasp eggs hatch. Teratocytes display multifunction in parasitism such as host nutritional exploration, immune and developmental regulation, by secreting plenty of proteins into host hemocoel.

RESULTS

A serpin (CvT‐serpin15) secreted by teratocytes was characterized. QPCR results showed the expressional level of CvT‐serpin15 was upregulated following bacterial challenges. Enzyme activity experiment indicated the recombinant CvT‐serpin15 protein could interfere with the growth of Gram‐positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. The survival rate assay demonstrated CvT‐serpin15 increased survival rate of Plutella xylostella infected by S. aureus.

CONCLUSION

CvT‐serpin15 secreted by teratocytes would boost the host immune system when pathogens invade host hemocoel during parasitism, and ultimately protect the development of wasp larva from bacterial infection. © 2021 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
The relationship of 4‐vinylcyclohexene diepoxide toxicity with cell death, oxidative stress, and gap junctions in female rat ovaries
Authors: SEN HALICIOGLU Busra , SAADAT Khandakar A. S. M. , TUGLU Mehmet Ibrahim
Published: June 2021

Purpose

It was aimed to investigate the damage caused by VCD toxicity in the ovary, which women working in the industrial field are frequently exposed to, and to show the relationship between gap junction protein, oxidative stress, and apoptosis, which is thought to be effective in the emergence of this damage.

Methods

Rats were divided into three groups as control, sham, and VCD. Histological stainings were performed for histopathological evaluations in ovary. Serum AMH level was measured with the ELISA. Then, iNOS, caspase 3, connexin 43 protein, and mRNA expression levels were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and RT‐qPCR methods.

Results

As a result of the analyses, different amounts of degenerations such as hemorrhage, vacuolization, and fibrosis were observed in the ovary. VCD group AMH level decreased compared to control. In VCD group, iNOS and caspase 3 expressions increased, while connexin 43 expression decreased.

Conclusions

It was shown that VCD caused damage to all ovarian tissue. Also, it was revealed for the first time that VCD triggered apoptosis by increasing oxidative stress in the ovary and suppressed connexin 43 which was also effective in the survival of granulosa cells. The devastating effect of exposure to occupational chemicals such as VCD on fertility was demonstrated in this study.
Compositional constraints to identifying ternary interactions in ion‐exchange equilibria
Authors: Reynolds Jacob G.
Published: June 2021

Cation exchange is one of the most important classes of reactions controlling the soil solution composition for major ions. Modeling ion‐exchange equilibria is complicated by ternary solid‐phase interactions. The present study alleges that spurious ternary‐interactions can be reported when dilution of the exchanging ions by other ions on the solid‐phase is not accounted for in models. Ion‐exchange equilibria data from the NH4+–Ca2+–K+–vermiculite system is used to demonstrate that previous reports of ternary interactions in this system are an artifact of how solid‐phase mole fractions are defined; what mathematicians call “compositional incoherence.” A graphical method to distinguish the effects of dilution from real chemical interactions is presented using mole fractions renormalizing in the ternary system so that they are defined the same way as they are in binary systems. Potassium was shown to not influence NH4+–Ca2+ exchange on vermiculite when these corrections for solid‐phase dilution were used.
Enhanced lubrication performance of triethanolamine functionalized reduced graphene oxide on the cold‐rolled surface of strips
Authors: Wang Chenglong , Sun Jianlin , Ge Chenglin , Wu Ping
Published: June 2021

Triethanolamine functionalized reduced graphene oxide (rGO‐TEA(s)) nanocomposites have been synthesized by the hydrothermal method. The physical and chemical properties of rGO‐TEA(s) with different degrees of functionalization were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray powder diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and X‐ray photon spectroscopy. The cold rolling lubrication of the rGO‐TEA(s) prepared as nano‐lubricant additives were investigated using a two‐high rolling mill. The microscopic topographies of rolled strips were measured and evaluated by several physical characterizations. The results showed that the increase of functionalization time was favored to the reaction of triethanolamine and C–O–C groups on the GO surface, whereas the defects and disorder in graphene structure were repaired according to the intensity ratio of the D band to G band from 1.154 to 1.130. The cold rolling experiment results demonstrated that rGO‐TEA(s) exhibited excellent lubrication properties, especially the rolled surface lubricated by rGO‐TEA‐10h presented few defects and minimum roughness value. The admirable lubrication performance of rGO‐TEA‐10h was attributed to the formation of absorption film and consecutive carbonaceous protective film.
Macroporous Multichannel Carbon Nanofibers Embedded with Co/Fe‐N Electrocatalyst as the Sulfur Host for Boosting Polysulfides Conversion in Lithium‐Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Zhang Zhiliang , Xu Jie , Ahmed Waqas , Tang Weiqiang , Niu Dongfang , Hu Shuozhen , Zhang Xinsheng
Published: June 2021

Lithium‐sulfur batteries (LSBs) are widely recognized as promising candidates for next‐generation energy storage systems, yet suffering from sluggish redox kinetics and severe shuttle effect. Herein, the macroporous multichannel carbon nanofibers (MCFs) embedded with Co/Fe−N active sites (Co/Fe−N/MCFs) were prepared by electrospinning and functionalized as the sulfur host for LSBs. The opening macropores in MCFs facilitate the storage and uniform distribution of sulfur. Meanwhile, the built‐in Co/Fe−N sites possess double‐end binding sites toward polysulfides (LiPSs), which provides an effective way for immobilization and catalytic conversion of LiPSs. The designed sulfur host with good electrical conductivity and high catalytic activity enables fast kinetics of sulfur redox reaction and reduces cell polarization. As a result, the cell equipped with the Co/Fe−N/MCFs/S cathode shows an initial capacity of 1523 mA h g−1 at 0.2 C and an ultrahigh rate performance of 891 mA h g−1 at 5 C, and a low decay of 0.051 % per cycle over 1000 cycles at 1 C. This work will enlighten the rational design of advanced sulfur host for practical application of LSBs.
I2‐Catalyzed Tandem Annulation of Ketene Dithioacetals with Sulfonyl Hydrazides for the Synthesis of N‐Aminosulfonamides
Authors: Chen Tianpeng , Shen Jing , Wang Mingliang , Xu Xiaoliang , Cheng Dongping
Published: June 2021

An iodine‐catalyzed tandem annulation of ketene dithioacetals with sulfonyl hydrazides is established, which gives the N‐aminosulfonamides with pyrazole side chain in moderate yields. A series of aryl, heteroaryl, and alkyl substituted sulfonyl hydrazides are compatible with this reaction.
Synthesis of High Concentration Stable Water Dispersion of Exfoliated Activated Graphite for Supercapacitor Application
Authors: Khose Rahul V. , Bondarde Mahesh P. , Wadekar Pravin H. , Some Surajit
Published: June 2021

In this report, we investigated softener use for the exfoliation of graphite and activated graphite to yield Exfoliated Graphite (EG) and Exfoliated Activated Graphite (EAG). As synthesized EAG shows potential application in energy storage devices afterwards. First time, the cirrasol NYP softener was used to exfoliate activated graphite to yield EAG in mild sonication. We got a very good stable dispersion of EAG in water in a concentration up to 10 mg/ml for more than 31 days. After exfoliation, the obtained dispersed EAG used as electrode material in three electrode set up to check the maximum specific capacitance. Using the CV technique, the exfoliated graphite shows a maximum specific capacitance of 118 F g−1 at 5 mV s−1 scan rate. Whereas, EAG showed maximum specific capacitance of 174.6 F g−1 at 5 mV s−1 scan rate. It indicates that the EAG is better energy storage material compared to the EG. It can be used in various applications in energy storage devices like supercapacitor.
Ligand‐Free MAPbI3Quantum Dot Solar Cells Based on Nanostructured Insulating Matrices
Authors: Rubino Andrea , Caliò Laura , Calvo Mauricio E. , Míguez Hernán
Published: June 2021

The stability, either chemical or thermal, and performance of colloidal quantum dot (CQD) devices are typically limited by the presence of surface‐bonded organic ligands required to stabilize the nanocrystals. In addition, optimization of charge transport implies lengthy ligand exchange processing. Herein, evidence of efficient charge transport through a network of ligand‐free perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) embedded in an insulating porous matrix made of monodisperse SiO2nanoparticles is shown. Methylammonium lead iodide (CH3NH3PbI3or MAPbI3) QDs are prepared in situ by infiltration of precursors within the matrix pores, which act both as nanoreactors for the synthetic reaction and as supporting scaffolds, hence reducing the number of synthetic and postprocessing steps usually required in CQD solar cells. Above a certain nanocrystal load, charge percolation is reached and dot‐to‐dot transport achieved without compromising quantum confinement effects. Solar cells based on MAPbI3QDs prepared in this way present a 9.3% efficiency, the highest reported for a scaffold‐supported PQD solar cell, and significantly improved stability under solar illumination with respect to their bulk counterparts. Therefore, adequately designed networks of ligand‐free PQDs can be used as both light harvesters and photocarrier conductors, in an alternative configuration to that used in previously developed QD solar cells.
Inclination Effect on Mixing Time in a Gas–Stirred Side–Blown Converter
Authors: Chanouian Serg , Ahlin Björn , Tilliander Anders , Ersson Mikael
Published: June 2021

Small‐scale physical models are commonly used to investigate gas‐stirred processes in steelmaking practice. The argon oxygen decarburization (AOD) converter is among various processes widely used in the metallurgy field and utilizes side blowing of oxygen and inert gas for mixing in the bath. Herein, the effect of the converter inclination on mixing time and jet‐penetration length with a side‐blown physical model is investigated. Scaling with the modified Froude number is applied on data from a real industrial AOD converter to achieve a system with reasonable gas flow rates. During the experiments, water is used to simulate liquid steel and air is blown through side‐mounted nozzles for stirring. A NaCl tracer is added and subsequent conductivity measurements are used to measure mixing time. Overall, the penetration length is shown to be independent of inclination angle. The mixing time is found to be influenced by the change of bath height to diameter ratio, change of geometry in the bath volume, gas flow rate, and the intensified wave motion at the interface caused by the inclination of the vessel. The mixing time increase with 14% when 14° angle is applied.
Longitudinal Crack Detection Approach Based on Principal Component Analysis and Support Vector Machine for Slab Continuous Casting
Authors: Duan Haiyang , Wei Jingjing , Qi Lin , Wang Xudong , Liu Yu , Yao Man
Published: June 2021

Longitudinal cracks are the typical surface defects of continuous casting slabs, resulting in additional processing or even casting interruption. Monitoring longitudinal crack defects is of great significance in stabilizing and improving the slab quality. Herein, a monitoring model is developed to recognize the longitudinal crack defect of continuous casting slabs using principal component analysis (PCA) and support vector machine (SVM). First, the typical characteristics of the temperature patterns corresponding to the longitudinal crack defect are extracted, including the normal casting temperature with small and large fluctuations, as well as the longitudinal crack temperature. Then, PCA is used to reduce the dimension of these characteristics for removing the redundancy and reducing the computational burden. Subsequently, an SVM is applied to identify normal and longitudinal crack temperature patterns for training the monitoring model PCA–SVM. The monitoring performance is verified by the test data, in which the training accuracy and test accuracy are 100% and 96%, respectively. It is worth mentioning that the model can successfully predict all the real longitudinal crack defects, showing excellent detection performance. The established model is expected to provide a theoretical basis and a reliable way for online monitoring of slab surface cracks.
Negative bending tests on precast prestressed concrete beams made continuous
Authors: Kytölä Ulla , Asp Olli , Laaksonen Anssi
Published: June 2021

The objective of the current study is to investigate and evaluate the flexural behavior of the continuity connection of precast prestressed concrete beams in negative bending when the tendons are located at the compression side. The experimental program included four T‐shaped composite cantilever beams which were loaded up to failure. The main variable of the tests was the amount of prestress force of the connected precast beams. The reinforcement ratio of continuity connection was high. The ultimate flexural capacities and moment‐curvature relations were calculated theoretically. A comparison was then carried out between both the experimental and theoretical results. These experiments revealed that prestress force did not influence the ultimate hogging moment capacity of the continuity connection, but it had an effect on its soffit's compression cracking and spalling of the concrete cover before failure. This study also indicated that confinement of the concrete had a massive influence on the connection's behavior, and it increased both its negative moment capacity and ductility.
Historic narratives, myths and human behavior in times of climate change: A review from northern Europe's coastlands
Authors: Holzhausen Jessica , Grecksch Kevin
Published: June 2021

Decision‐making about climate change is not only shaped by rational considerations, but also influenced by how communities define themselves, by historic or fictional narratives and collective memories. We add a historical perspective to this discussion and ask how regional collective identities and knowledge shape the perception of climate change. We look at coastal communities in northern Europe, which have lived with the threat from the sea for generations. “Deus mare, Frisia litora fecit.”—God created the sea, the Frisians created the coast, a famous quote in Eastern Frisia, shows how important the landscape and the battle against the sea are for a collective identity. We argue that these perceptions can influence the adaptive capacity to climate change positively, if values and collective identities of people are taken into account, or negatively, if people see their values and collective identities not taken into consideration or even threatened.

This article is categorized under:

Climate, History, Society, Culture > Ideas and Knowledge
Compositional biases in RNA viruses: Causes, consequences and applications
Authors: Gaunt Eleanor R. , Digard Paul
Published: June 2021

If each of the four nucleotides were represented equally in the genomes of viruses and the hosts they infect, each base would occur at a frequency of 25%. However, this is not observed in nature. Similarly, the order of nucleotides is not random (e.g., in the human genome, guanine follows cytosine at a frequency of ~0.0125, or a quarter the number of times predicted by random representation). Codon usage and codon order are also nonrandom. Furthermore, nucleotide and codon biases vary between species. Such biases have various drivers, including cellular proteins that recognize specific patterns in nucleic acids, that once triggered, induce mutations or invoke intrinsic or innate immune responses. In this review we examine the types of compositional biases identified in viral genomes and current understanding of the evolutionary mechanisms underpinning these trends. Finally, we consider the potential for large scale synonymous recoding strategies to engineer RNA virus vaccines, including those with pandemic potential, such as influenza A virus and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Virus 2.

This article is categorized under:

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease

RNA Evolution and Genomics > Computational Analyses of RNA

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein‐RNA Recognition
Route Planning: B
Authors: Walrand Jean
Published: June 2021

There is a class of control problems that admit a particularly elegant solution: the linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG) problems. In these problems, the state dynamics and observations are linear, the cost is quadratic, and the noise is Gaussian. Section 14.1 explains the theory of LQG problems when one observes the state. Section 14.2 discusses the situation when the observations are noisy and shows the remarkable certainty equivalence property of the solution. Section 14.3 explains how noisy observations affect Markov decision problems.
Multiplexing: B
Authors: Walrand Jean
Published: June 2021

Chapter3used the Central Limit Theorem to determine the number of users that can safely share a common cable or link. We saw that this result is also fundamental to calculate confidence intervals. In this section, we prove this theorem. A key tool is the characteristic function that provides a simple way to study sums of independent random variables.

Section 4.1 introduces the characteristic function and calculates it for a Gaussian random variable. Section 4.2 uses that function to prove the Central Limit Theorem. Section 4.3 uses the characteristic function to calculate the moments of a Gaussian random variable. The sum of squares of Gaussian random variables is a common model of noise in communication links. Section 4.4 proves a remarkable property of such a sum. Section 4.5 shows how to use characteristic functions to approximate binomial and geometric random variables. The error function arises in the calculation of the probability of errors in transmission systems and also in decisions based on random observations. Section 4.6 derives useful approximations of that function. Section 4.7 concludes the chapter with a discussion of an adaptive multiple access protocol similar to one used in WiFi networks.
Hunting wino and higgsino dark matter at the muon collider with disappearing tracks
Authors: Capdevilla Rodolfo , Meloni Federico , Simoniello Rosa , Zurita Jose
Published: June 2021

Abstract

We study the capabilities of a muon collider experiment to detect disappearing tracks originating when a heavy and electrically charged long-lived particle decays via X+→ Y+Z0, where X+ and Z0 are two almost mass degenerate new states and Y+ is a charged Standard Model particle. The backgrounds induced by the in-flight decays of the muon beams (BIB) can create detector hit combinations that mimic long-lived particle signatures, making the search a daunting task. We design a simple strategy to tame the BIB, based on a detector-hit-level selection exploiting timing information and hit-to-hit correlations, followed by simple requirements on the quality of reconstructed tracks. Our strategy allows us to reduce the number of tracks from BIB to an average of 0.08 per event, hence being able to design a cut-and-count analysis that shows that it is possible to cover weak doublets and triplets with masses close to $$ \sqrt{s}/2 $$

s

/
2
in the 0.1–10 ns range. In particular, this implies that a 10 TeV muon collider is able to probe thermal MSSM higgsinos and thermal MSSM winos, thus rivaling the FCC-hh in that respect, and further enlarging the physics program of the muon collider into the territory of WIMP dark matter and long-lived signatures. We also provide parton-to-reconstructed level efficiency maps, allowing an estimation of the coverage of disappearing tracks at muon colliders for arbitrary models.
Dynamische Analyse der Gelenkbelastung bei Beinachsendeformitäten in der Frontalebene
Authors: Stief Felix , Holder Jana , Böhm Harald , Meurer Andrea
Published: June 2021

Hintergrund

Die instrumentelle 3‑D-Ganganalyse (IGA) hat sich zur funktionellen Beurteilung orthopädischer Krankheitsbilder etabliert. Sie kann wertvolle Zusatzinformationen zur konventionellen statischen Röntgendiagnostik liefern und trägt so zur Behandlungsentscheidung und dem Operationserfolg bei. Zur Beurteilung von Achsfehlstellungen kommt ihr bisher nur in wenigen spezialisierten Zentren Bedeutung zu.

Anwendung

Der vorliegende Beitrag stellt die Messmethoden der IGA dar und zeigt deren Nutzen bei der Behandlung von Achsfehlstellungen des Knies in der Frontalebene. Insbesondere die Berechnung der dynamischen Gelenkbelastungen liefert wichtige Erkenntnisse im Hinblick auf die Entwicklung degenerativer Gelenkveränderungen im Knie und ergänzt somit die statische Beurteilung der Beinachse. Es wird ein neuer Behandlungsalgorithmus für die kniegelenknahe Wachstumslenkung im Kindesalter mittels temporärer Hemiepiphysiodese vorgestellt. Die IGA kann dabei insbesondere bei Grenzfällen für die klinische Entscheidungsfindung sehr nützlich sein. Bei einer Diskrepanz zwischen statischer Beinachse und dynamischer Kniegelenkbelastung kann die IGA potenzielle Kompensationsmechanismen beim Gehen aufdecken.
Reaction-diffusion systems with supercritical nonlinearities revisited
Authors: Kostianko Anna , Sun Chunyou , Zelik Sergey
Published: June 2021

We give a comprehensive study of the analytic properties and long-time behavior of solutions of a reaction-diffusion system in a bounded domain in the case where the nonlinearity satisfies the standard monotonicity assumption. We pay the main attention to the supercritical case, where the nonlinearity is not subordinated to the linear part of the equation trying to put as small as possible amount of extra restrictions on this nonlinearity. The properties of such systems in the supercritical case may be very different in comparison with the standard case of subordinated nonlinearities. We examine the global existence and uniqueness of weak and strong solutions, various types of smoothing properties, asymptotic compactness and the existence of global and exponential attractors.
Correction to: Forensic age estimation in living adolescents with CT imaging of the clavicula—impact of low-dose scanning on readers’ confidence
Authors: Gassenmaier Sebastian , Schaefer Juergen F. , Nikolaou Konstantin , Esser Michael , Tsiflikas Ilias
Published: June 2021

A Correction to this paper has been published: 10.1007/s00330-021-08111-5
Correction to: Incidence of concomitant chondral/osteochondral lesions in acute ankle fractures and their effect on clinical outcome: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Darwich Ali , Adam Julia , Dally Franz-Joseph , Hetjens Svetlana , Jawhar Ahmed
Published: June 2021

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-021-03985-y
Correction to: Results after arthroscopic treatment of iliopsoas impingement after total hip arthroplasty
Authors: Zimmerer A. , Hauschild M. , Nietschke R. , Schneider M. M. , Wassilew G. , Sobau C. , Miehlke W.
Published: June 2021

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-021-03986-x
Patient-reported outcome measures obtained via E-Health tools ease the assessment burden and encourage patient participation in cancer care (PaCC Study)
Authors: Erickson Nicole , Schinkoethe T. , Eckhardt C. , Storck L. , Joos A. , Liu L. , Ballmer P. E. , Mumm F. , Fey T. , Heinemann V.
Published: June 2021

Patient-reported outcome measures obtained via E-Health tools ease the assessment burden and encourage patient participation in cancer care (PaCC Study)

Background

E-health based patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) have the potential to automate early identification of both nutrition status and distress status in cancer patients while facilitating treatment and encouraging patient participation. This cross-sectional study assessed the acceptability, accuracy, and clinical utility of PROMs collected via E-Health tools among patients undergoing treatment for stomach, colorectal, and pancreatic tumors.

Results

Eight-nine percent mostly, or completely, agreed that PROMs via tablets should be integrated in routine clinical care. Men were significantly more likely to require help completing the questionnaires than women (inv.OR= 0.51, 95% CI=(0.27, 0.95), p = 0.035). The level of help needed increased by 3% with each 1-year increase in age (inv. OR=1.03, 95% CI=(1.01, 1.06), p = 0.013). On average, a patient tended to declare weight which was 0.84 kg inferior to their true weight (Bland and Altman 95 % CI=(-3.9, 5.6); SD: 2.41) and a height which was 0.95 cm superior to their true height (Bland and Altman 95 % CI=(−5, 3.1); SD 2.08). Patient-reported nutrition status was significantly associated with the professionally generated assessment (95% CI=(2.27, 4.15), p < 0.001). As nutrition status declined, the distress score increased (95%CI=(0.88, 1.68), p < 0.001). Of the patients, 48.8% who were both distressed and malnourished requested supportive care to address their problems.

Conclusion

Patient-reported assessments utilizing E-health tools are an accurate and efficient method to encourage patient participation in cancer care while simultaneously ensuring that regular assessment of psycho-social and nutritional aspects of care are efficiently integrated in the daily clinical routine.
Maternal deaths by suicide in Queensland, Australia, 2004–2017: an analysis of maternal demographic, psychosocial and clinical characteristics
Authors: Modini Caitlin , Leske Stuart , Roberts Susan , Whelan Nikki , Chitakis Andrea , Crompton David , Ellwood David
Published: June 2021

To characterise the demographic and clinical characteristics of women who died by suicide in the perinatal period to inform and improve suicide prevention strategies. Retrospective analysis of maternal suicides during and within 1 year after the end of pregnancy in Queensland between January 2004 and December 2017. Outcomes measured included timing of death in relation to pregnancy, sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and health service use prior to death. There were 65 deaths by suicide in the study period; six occurred during pregnancy, 30 occurred after a live birth, 22 occurred after a termination of pregnancy and seven followed a miscarriage or stillbirth. Most suicides were late maternal deaths. Women were younger, and more likely to identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, when compared to all women giving birth for the same time period. Most women had a prior mental health diagnosis, most commonly depression. Over half of women had recent relationship separation or conflict prior to death. Perinatal women had higher rates of death by violent means than all women in Queensland who died by suicide during the same time period. The demographic, psychosocial and clinical characteristics of a group of women who died by suicide have been described, and this shows a high proportion of women with a prior mental health diagnosis. To reduce maternal mortality, psychosocial screening must be implemented broadly and continued until the end of the first year postpartum. Similar screening attention is needed for women who had a termination of pregnancy, miscarriage or stillbirth.
First international competition on software testing
Authors: Beyer Dirk
Published: June 2021

Tool competitions are a special form of comparative evaluation, where each tool has a team of developers or supporters associated that makes sure the tool is properly configured to show its best possible performance. In several research areas, tool competitions have been a driving force for the development of mature tools that represent the state of the art in their field. This paper describes and reports the results of the 1$$^{\text {st}}$$

st

International Competition on Software Testing (Test-Comp 2019), a comparative evaluation of automatic tools for software test generation. Test-Comp 2019 was presented as part of TOOLympics 2019, a satellite event of the conference TACAS. Nine test generators were evaluated on 2 356 test-generation tasks. There were two test specifications, one for generating a test that covers a particular function call and one for generating a test suite that tries to cover the branches of the program.
Disentangling the Legacies of Climate and Management on Tree Growth
Authors: Marqués Laura , Peltier Drew M. P. , Camarero J. Julio , Zavala Miguel A. , Madrigal-González Jaime , Sangüesa-Barreda Gabriel , Ogle Kiona
Published: June 2021

Legacies of past climate conditions and historical management govern forest productivity and tree growth. Understanding how these processes interact and the timescales over which they influence tree growth is critical to assess forest vulnerability to climate change. Yet, few studies address this issue, likely because integrated long-term records of both growth and forest management are uncommon. We applied the stochastic antecedent modelling (SAM) framework to annual tree-ring widths from mixed forests to recover the ecological memory of tree growth. We quantified the effects of antecedent temperature and precipitation up to 4 years preceding the year of ring formation and integrated management effects with records of harvesting intensity from historical forest management archives. The SAM approach uncovered important time periods most influential to growth, typically the warmer and drier months or seasons, but variation among species and sites emerged. Silver fir responded primarily to past climate conditions (25–50 months prior to the year of ring formation), while European beech and Scots pine responded mostly to climate conditions during the year of ring formation and the previous year, although these responses varied among sites. Past management and climate interacted in such a way that harvesting promoted growth in young silver fir under wet and warm conditions and in old European beech under drier and cooler conditions. Our study shows that the ecological memory associated with climate legacies and historical forest management is species-specific and context-dependent, suggesting that both aspects are needed to properly evaluate forest functioning under climate change.
Repeated greater occipital nerve injections with corticosteroids in medically intractable chronic cluster headache: a retrospective study
Authors: Brandt Roemer B. , Doesborg Patty G. G. , Meilof Roy , de Coo Ilse F. , Bartels Eveline , Ferrari Michel D. , Fronczek Rolf
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Current prophylactic drugs for cluster headache are associated with limited efficacy, serious side effects and poor tolerability. Greater occipital nerve injection (GON-injection) has been proven effective and safe as a single, one-time injection in episodic (ECH), and to a lesser extent, chronic cluster headache (CCH). We aim to analyse the effectiveness and safety of repeated GON-injections in medically intractable chronic cluster headache (MICCH).

Methods

Clinical data of all cluster headache patients who had received at least one GON-injection between 2014 and 2018 in our tertiary headache centre were retrieved from patients’ medical records. Clinical history was taken as part of routine care shortly before and 6 weeks after GON-injection.

Results

We identified 47 MICCH patients (79 injections), and compared results with 22 non-MI CCH patients (30 injections) and 50 ECH patients (63 injections). Nineteen MICCH patients received repeated injections (32 in total, range 2–8). Rates of clinical relevant improvement to a first injection were similar in all groups (MICCH: 60%, non-MICCH 73%, ECH 76%; attack freedom: MICCH: 30%, non-MICCH 32%, ECH 43%). Furthermore, no difference in response to the first and second injection was shown between groups (all p > 0.29). Median effect duration in MICCH was 6 weeks (IQR 2.8–12 weeks). Side effects were only mild and local.

Conclusion

In this retrospective analysis, first and repeated GON-injections were well-tolerated and equally effective in MICCH as in non-MICCH, and ECH.
The impact of translation modality on user experience: an eye-tracking study of the Microsoft Word user interface
Authors: Guerberof Arenas Ana , Moorkens Joss , O’Brien Sharon
Published: June 2021

This paper presents results of the effect of different translation modalities on users when working with the Microsoft Word user interface. An experimental study was set up with 84 Japanese, German, Spanish, and English native speakers working with Microsoft Word in three modalities: the published translated version, a machine translated (MT) version (with unedited MT strings incorporated into the MS Word interface) and the published English version. An eye-tracker measured the cognitive load and usability according to the ISO/TR 16982 guidelines: i.e., effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction followed by retrospective think-aloud protocol. The results show that the users’ effectiveness (number of tasks completed) does not significantly differ due to the translation modality. However, their efficiency (time for task completion) and self-reported satisfaction are significantly higher when working with the released product as opposed to the unedited MT version, especially when participants are less experienced. The eye-tracking results show that users experience a higher cognitive load when working with MT and with the human-translated versions as opposed to the English original. The results suggest that language and translation modality play a significant role in the usability of software products whether users complete the given tasks or not and even if they are unaware that MT was used to translate the interface.
Social Presence: Conceptualization and Measurement
Authors: Kreijns Karel , Xu Kate , Weidlich Joshua
Published: June 2021

Social presence is an important construct in online group learning. It influences the way how social interaction unfolds online and affects learning and social outcomes. However, what precisely social presence is has been under debate, as presently a plethora of different definitions and measures exist preventing the development of a coherent research field regarding social presence and its defining role in online group learning. To solve the issue, we went back to the original social presence theory as devised by the communication researchers Short et al. (1976) to show that although they had a clear idea of social presence—namely “realness” of other persons in the interaction—their definition is ambiguous, not operationalizable, and the measurement of it questionable. We, therefore, disentangled their social presence theory and (1) reformulated the social presence definition to enable an operationalization in line with the previous conceptualization of social presence; (2) departed from the technological determinism of social presence; and (3) identified two other constructs closely linked to social presence, namely, sociability (as a medium attribute) and social space (as a group attribute). By reformulating the definition of social presence and by linking it to social space and sociability, we hope to contribute to a more coherent line of social presence research and to better understand interpersonal communication, group learning, and group dynamics when learning and working together in an online setting.
Spacetimes with continuous linear isotropies II: boosts
Authors: MacCallum M. A. H.
Published: June 2021

Conditions are found which ensure that local boost invariance (LBI), invariance under a linear boost isotropy, implies local boost symmetry (LBS), i.e. the existence of a local group of motions such that for every point P in a neighbourhood there is a boost leaving P fixed. It is shown that for Petrov type D spacetimes this requires LBI of the Riemann tensor and its first derivative. That is also true for most conformally flat spacetimes, but those with Ricci tensors of Segre type [1(11,1)] may require LBI of the first three derivatives of curvature to ensure LBS.
Long-term reverse remodeling and clinical improvement by MultiPoint Pacing in a randomized, international, Middle Eastern heart failure study
Authors: Almusaad Abdulmohsen , Sweidan Raed , Alanazi Haitham , Jamiel Abdelrahman , Bokhari Fayez , Al Hebaishi Yahya , Al Fagih Ahmed , Alrawahi Najib , Al-Mandalawi Amjad , Hashim Mohamed , Al Ghamdi Bandar , Amin Mohammad , Elmaghawry Mohamed , Al Shoaibi Naeem , Sorgente Antonio , Loricchio Maria , AlMohani Ghaliah , Al Abri Ismail , Benjamin Edmon , Sudan Nazar , Chami Alexandre , Badie Nima , Sayed Mohammed , Hersi Ahmad
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) with multipoint left ventricular (LV) pacing (MultiPoint™ Pacing, MPP) has been shown to improve CRT response, although MPP response using automated pacing vector programming has not been demonstrated in the Middle East. The purpose of this study was to compare the impact of MPP to conventional biventricular pacing (BiV) using echocardiographic and clinical changes at 6-month post-implant.

Methods

This prospective, randomized study was conducted at 13 Middle Eastern centers. After de novo CRT-D implant (Abbott Unify Quadra MP™ or Quadra Assura MP™) with quadripolar LV lead (Abbott Quartet™), patients were randomized to either BiV or MPP therapy. In BiV patients, the LV pacing vector was selected per standard practice; in MPP patients, the two LV pacing vectors were selected automatically using VectSelect. CRT response was defined at 6-month post-implant by a reduction in LV end-systolic volume (ESV) ≥ 15%.

Results

One hundred and forty-two patients (61 years old, 68% male, NYHA class II/III/IV 19%/75%/6%, 33% ischemic, 57% hypertension, 52% diabetes, 158 ms QRS, 25.8% ejection fraction [EF]) were randomized to either BiV (N = 69) or MPP (N = 73). After 6 months, MPP vs. BiV patients experienced greater ESV reduction (25.0% vs. 15.3%, P = 0.08), greater EF improvement (11.9% vs. 8.6%, P = 0.36), significantly greater ESV response rate (68.5% vs. 50.7%, P = 0.04), and significantly greater NYHA class improvement rate (80.8% vs. 60.3%, P = 0.01).

Conclusions

With MPP and automatic LV vector selection, more CRT patients in the Middle East experienced reverse remodeling and clinical improvement relative to conventional BiV pacing.
Inverse single-site Fe1(OH)X/Pt(111) model catalyst for preferential oxidation of CO in H2
Authors: Wang Chunlei , Tissot Heloise , Soldemo Markus , Lu Junling , Weissenrieder Jonas
Published: June 2021

Inverse oxide/metal model systems are frequently used to investigate catalytic structure-function relationships at an atomic level. By means of a novel atomic layer deposition process, growth of single-site Fe1Ox on a Pt(111) single crystal surface was achieved, as confirmed by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The redox properties of the catalyst were characterized by synchrotron radiation based ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (AP-XPS). After calcination treatment at 373 K in 1 mbar O2 the chemical state of the catalyst was determined as Fe3+. Reduction in 1 mbar H2 at 373 K demonstrates a facile reduction to Fe2+ and complete hydroxylation at significantly lower temperatures than what has been reported for iron oxide nanoparticles. At reaction conditions relevant for preferential oxidation of CO in H2 (PROX), the catalyst exhibits a Fe3+ state (ferric hydroxide) at 298 K while re-oxidation of iron oxide clusters does not occur under the same condition. CO oxidation proceeds on the single-site Fe1(OH)3 through a mechanism including the loss of hydroxyl groups in the temperature range of 373 to 473 K, but no reaction is observed on iron oxide clusters. The results highlight the high flexibility of the single iron atom catalyst in switching oxidation states, not observed for iron oxide nanoparticles under similar reaction conditions, which may indicate a higher intrinsic activity of such single interfacial sites than the conventional metal-oxide interfaces. In summary, our findings of the redox properties on inverse single-site iron oxide model catalyst may provide new insights into applied Fe-Pt catalysis.
The social life of sediment
Authors: Parrinello Giacomo , Kondolf G. Mathias
Published: June 2021

Sediment is an essential component of water and river systems. The anthropogenic alteration of sediment fluxes in the world’s rivers is one of the principal markers of the Anthropocene, the new geological epoch characterized by human influence at the planetary scale. In spite of its environmental and historical importance, water and river histories have surprisingly neglected sediment until recently. This introduction to the special issue “The Social Life of Sediment” argues for putting sediment at the center of social and historical inquiry and discusses the potential and value of such an approach. To do so, we introduce the concept of the “social life of sediment,” that is, the idea that the existence and movement of sediment is entwined with social needs, values, and activities, and needs to be appraised in his historical dimension. We review recent literature in fluvial geomorphology, social sciences, and history to assess to what extent the social and historical life of sediment has been taken into account. After this interdisciplinary review, we present the seven papers of the special issue and highlight their major insights to the study of social and historical lives of sediment. We conclude by outlining avenues for further research and by summarizing what we all can gain from putting sediment at the center of historical inquiries.
Assessment of soil erosion, flood risk and groundwater potential of Dhanari watershed using remote sensing and geographic information system, district Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, India
Authors: Rawat Ashish , Bisht M. P. S. , Sundriyal Y. P. , Banerjee S. , Singh Vidushi
Published: June 2021

Quantitative morphometric analysis of Dhanari watershed has been done using remote sensing and Geographical Information System (GIS). The impact of climate, lithology, tectonics, structural antecedents, vegetation cover and land use on hydrological processes is assessed by quantifying geomorphic parameters. The Dhanari River (a tributary of the Bhagirathi River) and its tributaries Dhanpati Gad and Kali Gad forms Dhanari watershed covering 91.8  Km2 area. Several geomorphic aspects viz. linear, areal, relief were computed to comprehend potentials of soil erosion, groundwater, flood vulnerability and the geomorphic response of watershed. LISS-III image is used to generate the Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) map and assess the watershed dynamics. Values of computed hypsometric integral and morphometric parameters viz. drainage density ($$D_{{\text{d}}}$$

D
d

), stream frequency ($$F_{{\text{s}}}$$

F
s

), stream length ratio ($$L_{{{\text{ur}}}}$$

L
ur

), bifurcation ratio ($$R_{{\text{b}}}$$

R
b

), rho coefficient (ρ), drainage texture ($$D_{{\text{t}}}$$

D
t

), circularity ratio ($$R_{{\text{c}}}$$

R
c

), relief ratio ($$R_{{{\text{hl}}}}$$

R
hl

), elongation ratio ($$R_{{\text{e}}}$$

R
e

), form factor ($$F_{{\text{f}}}$$

F
f

), basin shape ($$B_{{\text{s}}}$$

B
s

), drainage intensity ($$D_{{\text{i}}}$$

D
i

), compactness coefficient ($$C_{{\text{c}}}$$

C
c

) and infiltration number ($$I_{{\text{f}}}$$

I
f

) have shown a moderate and steady erosion rate, with low groundwater potential and low to moderate flood vulnerability in the watershed. Hypsometry presents a dependable geomorphic parameter to understand the erosion and geomorphic response of a watershed to hydrological processes. Hypsometric integral value (0.51) of Dhanari watershed suggests a mature topography with steady erosion in the watershed.
Valorization of SiMn Sludge for Production of Low-Phosphorus Ferroalloys
Authors: Wallin M. , Bugten A. Voll , Tranell G. , Ekstroem K. E.
Published: June 2021

The sludge generated by wet scrubbing the off-gas from a silicomanganese plant in Norway represents a significant loss in silicon and manganese values. This work seeks to extract these values in the production of ferroalloys and slags that can be utilized by alternative industries. Carbothermic smelting the sludge together with iron or iron scraps at 1600 °C produced FeSiMn alloys consisting of 57–64 wt.% Mn, 16–22 wt.% Si and 18–25 wt.% Fe. The low level of phosphorus in the sludge allowed for beneficial phosphorus concentrations as low as 500 ppmw in the metal alloys. The addition of lime to the material mix resulted in increased evaporation of alkalis, capture of sulfur in the slags as calcium sulfides and slag compositions similar to conventional steel-making slags that can be recycled accordingly.

Graphical Abstract
Correction to: The role of childhood adversities, FKBP5, BDNF, NRN1, and generalized self-efficacy in suicide attempts in alcohol-dependent patients
Authors: Berent Dominika , Szymańska Bożena , Kulczycka-Wojdala Dominika , Macander Marian , Pawłowska Zofia , Wojnar Marcin
Published: June 2021

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43440-021-00277-5