bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microbial single-cell omics: the crux of the matter
Authors: Kaster Anne-Kristin , Sobol Morgan S.
Published: August 2020

Single-cell genomics and transcriptomics can provide reliable context for assembled genome fragments and gene expression activity on the level of individual prokaryotic genomes. These methods are rapidly emerging as an essential complement to cultivation-based, metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, and microbial community-focused research approaches by allowing direct access to information from individual microorganisms, even from deep-branching phylogenetic groups that currently lack cultured representatives. Their integration and binning with environmental ‘omics data already provides unprecedented insights into microbial diversity and metabolic potential, enabling us to provide information on individual organisms and the structure and dynamics of natural microbial populations in complex environments. This review highlights the pitfalls and recent advances in the field of single-cell omics and its importance in microbiological and biotechnological studies.

Key points

• Single-cell omics expands the tree of life through the discovery of novel organisms, genes, and metabolic pathways.

• Disadvantages of metagenome-assembled genomes are overcome by single-cell omics.

• Functional analysis of single cells explores the heterogeneity of gene expression.

• Technical challenges still limit this field, thus prompting new method developments.
Evaluation of a screening program for iron overload andHFE mutations in 50,493 blood
donors
Authors: Eckerström Carl , Frändberg Sofia , Lyxe Lena , Pardi Cecilia , Konar Jan
Published: August 2020

Early detection of individuals with hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is
important to manage iron levels and prevent future organ damage. Although theHFE mutations that cause most cases of HH
have been identified, their geographic distribution is highly variable, and their
contribution to iron overload is not fully understood. All new registered blood
donors at the Sahlgrenska University hospital between 1998 and 2015 were included in
the study. Donors with signs of iron overload at baseline and subsequent follow-up
testing were recommended genotyping of the HFE
gene. Of the 50,493 donors that were included in the study, 950 (1.9%) had signs of
iron overload on both test occasions. Of the 840 donors with iron overload that
performed HFE genotyping, 117 were homozygous for
C282Y, and 97 were compound heterozygotes. The prevalence of C282Y homozygosity was
0.23%. Iron overload screening effectively detects individuals at risk of carrying
the C282Y mutation of the HFE gene and enables
early treatment to prevent HH complications.
Kindheitstraumatisierungen bei Patienten mit Borderline-Persönlichkeitsstörung
Authors: Wilfer Tobias , Armbrust Michael , Aalderink Tim , Spitzer Carsten
Published: August 2020

Während Kindheitstraumatisierungen zentrale psychosoziale Risikofaktoren für die Entwicklung einer Borderline-Persönlichkeitsstörung (BPS) darstellen, ist ihre Relevanz für die Symptomschwere der Erkrankung und das Therapieergebnis bisher unzureichend und mit inkonsistenten Ergebnissen untersucht worden. In dieser naturalistischen Studie an 482 stationären Psychotherapiepatienten mit einer BPS wurde daher der differenzielle Einfluss verschiedener Kindheitstraumatisierungen (gemessen mit dem Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, CTQ) auf die selbstberichtete Psychopathologie hinsichtlich Depressivität (Beck-Depressions-Inventar II [BDI-II], Gesundheitsfragebogen für Patienten [PHQ]), Ängstlichkeit und Somatisierung (PHQ), BPS-spezifischer Symptomatik (Borderline-Symptom-Liste, BSL) sowie gesundheitsbezogener Lebensqualität (Kurzform des Fragebogens zum Gesundheitszustand, SF-12) zu Behandlungsbeginn und bei Abschluss einer Dialektisch-Behavioralen Therapie analysiert. Weil sich Frauen und Männer in Symptomschwere und Häufigkeit verschiedener Kindheitstraumatisierungen unterscheiden, erfolgten geschlechtsdifferenzielle Analysen. Bei Patientinnen trugen Kindheitstraumatisierungen bis maximal knapp 7 % zur Varianzaufklärung der Symptombelastung bei Aufnahme bei; lediglich emotionaler Missbrauch hatte einen signifikanten und unabhängigen Einfluss. Bei Männern fanden sich keine relevanten Zusammenhänge zwischen dem CTQ und den Ergebnismaßen. Weder bei Männern noch bei Frauen wirkten sich Kindheitstraumatisierungen auf das symptombezogene Behandlungsergebnis aus. Die Ergebnisse werden im Kontext der bisherigen Befundlage zum Zusammenhang zwischen Kindheitstraumatisierungen, Symptomschwere und Therapieergebnis bei psychischen Störungen im Allgemeinen und der BPS im Besonderen diskutiert.
Impact of interventionalist’s experience and gender on radiation dose and procedural time in CT-guided interventions—a retrospective analysis of 4380 cases over 10 years
Authors: Theilig Dorothea , Mayerhofer Anna , Petschelt David , Elkilany Aboelyazid , Hamm Bernd , Gebauer Bernhard , Geisel Dominik
Published: August 2020

Objectives

To investigate the impact of the interventionalist’s experience and gender on radiation dose and procedural time in CT-guided interventions.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 4380 CT-guided interventions performed at our institution with the same CT scanner from 2009 until 2018, 1287 (29%) by female and 3093 (71%) by male interventionalists. Radiation dose, number of CT fluoroscopy images taken per intervention, total procedural time, type of intervention, and degree of difficulty were derived from the saved dose reports and images. All 16 interventionalists included in this analysis performed their first CT-guided interventions during the study period, and interventions performed by each interventionalist were counted to assess the level of experience for each intervention in terms of the number of prior interventions performed by her or him. The Mann-Whitney U test (MWU test), multivariate regression, and linear mixed model analysis were performed.

Results

Assessment of the impact of gender with the MWU test revealed that female interventionalists took a significantly smaller number of images (p < 0.0001) and achieved a lower dose-length product per intervention (p < 0.0001) while taking more time per intervention (p = 0.0001). This finding was confirmed for most types of interventions when additionally accounting for other possible impact factors in multivariate regression analysis. In linear mixed model analysis, we found that radiation dose, number of images taken per intervention, and procedural time decreased statistically significantly with interventionalist’s experience.

Conclusions

Radiation doses of CT-guided interventions are reduced by interventionalist’s experience and, for most types of interventions, when performed by female interventionalists.

Key Points

• Radiation doses in CT-guided interventions are lower when performed by female interventionalists.

• Procedural times of CT-guided interventions are longer when performed by female interventionalists.

• Radiation doses of CT-guided interventions decrease with the interventionalist’s experience.
k-Means, Ward and Probabilistic Distance-Based Clustering Methods with Contiguity Constraint
Authors: Młodak Andrzej
Published: August 2020

We analyze some possibilities of using contiguity (neighbourhood) matrix as a constraint in the clustering made by thek-means and Ward methods as well as by an approach based on distances and probabilistic assignments aimed at obtaining a solution of the multi-facility location problem (MFLP). That is, some special two-stage algorithms being the kinds of clustering with relational constraint are proposed. They optimize division of set of objects into clusters respecting the requirement that neighbours have to belong to the same cluster. In the case of the probabilisticd-clustering, relevant modification of its target function is suggested and studied. Versatile simulation study and empirical analysis verify the practical efficiency of these methods. The quality of clustering is assessed on the basis of indices of homogeneity, heterogeneity and correctness of clusters as well as the silhouette index. Using these tools and similarity indices (Rand, Peirce and Sokal and Sneath), it was shown that the probabilisticd-clustering can produce better results than Ward’s algorithm. In comparison with thek-means approach, the probabilisticd-clustering—although gives rather similar results—is more robust to creation of trivial (of which empty) clusters and produces less diversified (in replications, in terms of correctness) results thank-means approach, i.e. is more predictable from the point of view of the clustering quality.
Multi-model assessment of the late-winter extra-tropical response to El Niño and La Niña
Authors: Mezzina Bianca , García-Serrano Javier , Bladé Ileana , Palmeiro Froila M. , Batté Lauriane , Ardilouze Constantin , Benassi Marianna , Gualdi Silvio
Published: August 2020

El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is known to affect the Northern Hemisphere tropospheric circulation in late-winter (January–March), but whether El Niño and La Niña lead to symmetric impacts and with the same underlying dynamics remains unclear, particularly in the North Atlantic. Three state-of-the-art atmospheric models forced by symmetric anomalous sea surface temperature (SST) patterns, mimicking strong ENSO events, are used to robustly diagnose symmetries and asymmetries in the extra-tropical ENSO response. Asymmetries arise in the sea-level pressure (SLP) response over the North Pacific and North Atlantic, as the response to La Niña tends to be weaker and shifted westward with respect to that of El Niño. The difference in amplitude can be traced back to the distinct energy available for the two ENSO phases associated with the non-linear diabatic heating response to the total SST field. The longitudinal shift is embedded into the large-scale Rossby wave train triggered from the tropical Pacific, as its anomalies in the upper troposphere show a similar westward displacement in La Niña compared to El Niño. To fully explain this shift, the response in tropical convection and the related anomalous upper-level divergence have to be considered together with the climatological vorticity gradient of the subtropical jet, i.e. diagnosing the tropical Rossby wave source. In the North Atlantic, the ENSO-forced SLP signal is a well-known dipole between middle and high latitudes, different from the North Atlantic Oscillation, whose asymmetry is not indicative of distinct mechanisms driving the teleconnection for El Niño and La Niña.
ProZES: the methodology and software tool for assessment of assigned share of radiation in probability of cancer occurrence
Authors: Ulanowski Alexander , Shemiakina Elena , Güthlin Denise , Becker Janine , Preston Dale , Apostoaei A. Iulian , Hoffman F. Owen , Jacob Peter , Kaiser Jan Christian , Eidemüller Markus
Published: August 2020

ProZES is a software tool for estimating the probability that a given cancer was caused by preceding exposure to ionising radiation. ProZES calculates this probability, the assigned share, for solid cancers and hematopoietic malignant diseases, in cases of exposures to low-LET radiation, and for lung cancer in cases of exposure to radon. User-specified inputs include birth year, sex, type of diagnosed cancer, age at diagnosis, radiation exposure history and characteristics, and smoking behaviour for lung cancer. Cancer risk models are an essential part of ProZES. Linking disease and exposure to radiation involves several methodological aspects, and assessment of uncertainties received particular attention. ProZES systematically uses the principle of multi-model inference. Models of radiation risk were either newly developed or critically re-evaluated for ProZES, including dedicated models for frequent types of cancer and, for less common diseases, models for groups of functionally similar cancer sites. The low-LET models originate mostly from the study of atomic bomb survivors in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Risks predicted by these models are adjusted to be applicable to the population of Germany and to different time periods. Adjustment factors for low dose rates and for a reduced risk during the minimum latency time between exposure and cancer are also applied. The development of the methodology and software was initiated and supported by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) taking up advice by the German Commission on Radiological Protection (SSK, Strahlenschutzkommission). These provide the scientific basis to support decision making on compensation claims regarding malignancies following occupational exposure to radiation in Germany.
Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK): clinical results of precut versus surgeon-cut grafts
Authors: Koechel Doreen , Hofmann Nicola , Unterlauft Jan D. , Wiedemann Peter , Girbardt Christian
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This study aims to investigate possible differences in clinical outcomes between precut and surgeon-cut grafts for Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK).

Methods

142 consecutive patients who underwent DMEK were included in the study. 44 patients received precut tissues, and 98 patients received surgeon-cut tissues. Precut grafts were allocated to the patient by the German Society for Tissue Transplantation if available. We compared the outcomes of both groups for changes in visual acuity, central corneal thickness, endothelial cell density, re-bubbling rate, and graft failure rate.

Results

Patients who received precut tissues experienced similar increase in visual acuity (median change 0.4 logMAR) and decrease of corneal swelling (median change 132 μm) compared with those who received surgeon-cut tissues (median VA change 0.3 logMAR, p = 0.55, CCT change 118 μm, p = 0.63). There was no statistical difference in endothelial cell density (1436 vs. 1569 cells/mm2, p = 0.37), re-bubbling (32% vs. 35%, p = 0.85), and graft failure rate (5% vs. 1%, p = 0.23). No primary graft failure occurred in the group of precut grafts.

Conclusion

Both methods lead to comparable results for visual acuity, corneal deswelling, endothelial cell density, and re-bubbling rate. A previously described higher graft failure rate for precut tissues could not be confirmed in our study. Thus, we do not see medical reasons against the use of precut tissues. There are several advantages of precut DMEK tissues over surgeon-cut tissues, especially the prevention of graft loss during preparation in the operating theater.
Diagnostic accuracy of the gastric cancer T-category with respect to tumor localization
Authors: Nanishi Kenji , Shoda Katsutoshi , Kubota Takeshi , Kosuga Toshiyuki , Konishi Hirotaka , Shiozaki Atsushi , Fujiwara Hitoshi , Okamoto Kazuma , Otsuji Eigo
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Diagnosing early gastric cancer (EGC) or advanced gastric cancer (AGC) according to T-category is important for optimal GC treatment; however, the clinical and pathological diagnosis of tumor depths can sometimes vary. This study investigated the accuracy of clinical diagnosis of the tumor depth from the viewpoint of tumor localization and prognosis of patients with GC with discordance between clinical and pathological findings.

Methods

This study enrolled 741 patients with primary GC who underwent curative gastrectomy. Based on the clinical and pathological diagnosis of T-category, the patients were classified into four groups: Early-look EGC, Early-look AGC, Advanced-look EGC, and Advanced-look AGC. Tumor localization was classified longitudinally (the upper [U], middle [M], and lower [L] parts and cross-sectionally (the anterior [Ant] and posterior [Post] walls, and the lesser [Less] and greater [Gre] curvatures).

Results

Of the 462 clinical EGC cases, 52 were Early-look AGC cases that exhibited a significant association of tumor localization with the Post and Less in the U and M locations (UM-PL; p = 0.037). An Advanced-look EGC (p = 0.031) and Advanced-look AGC (p = 0.025) were independent prognostic factors for relapse-free survival each in pathological EGC and AGC, respectively.

Conclusions

Patients with clinically diagnosed EGC but with pathologically diagnosed AGC more frequently presented tumor in the UM-PL than in any other location. Selection of therapeutic strategy according to the clinical diagnosis might be critical; however, it should be also considered that the accuracy of preoperative assessments varies with tumor localization.
Plant glucose transporter structure and function
Authors: Geiger Dietmar
Published: August 2020

The carbohydrate D-glucose is the main source of energy in living organisms. In contrast to animals, as well as most fungi, bacteria, and archaea, plants are capable to synthesize a surplus of sugars characterizing them as autothrophic organisms. Thus, plants are de facto the source of all food on earth, either directly or indirectly via feed to livestock. Glucose is stored as polymeric glucan, in animals as glycogen and in plants as starch. Despite serving a general source for metabolic energy and energy storage, glucose is the main building block for cellulose synthesis and represents the metabolic starting point of carboxylate- and amino acid synthesis. Finally yet importantly, glucose functions as signalling molecule conveying the plant metabolic status for adjustment of growth, development, and survival. Therefore, cell-to-cell and long-distance transport of photoassimilates/sugars throughout the plant body require the fine-tuned activity of sugar transporters facilitating the transport across membranes. The functional plant counterparts of the animal sodium/glucose transporters (SGLTs) are represented by the proton-coupled sugar transport proteins (STPs) of the plant monosaccharide transporter(-like) family (MST). In the framework of this special issue on “Glucose Transporters in Health and Disease,” this review gives an overview of the function and structure of plant STPs in comparison to the respective knowledge obtained with the animal Na+-coupled glucose transporters (SGLTs).
The Ski Climate Index (SCI): fuzzification and a regional climate modeling application for Turkey
Authors: Demiroglu Osman Cenk , Turp Mustafa Tufan , Kurnaz Mehmet Levent , Abegg Bruno
Published: August 2020

Climatology has increasingly become an important discipline for understanding tourism and recreation, especially in the era of contemporary climate change. Climate indices, in this respect, have been useful tools to yield the climatic attractiveness of tourism destinations as well as in understanding their altering suitability to various tourism types along with the changing climates. In this study, a major gap for a comprehensive climate index tailored for ski tourism is aimed to be fulfilled. For this purpose, initially the Ski Climate Index (SCI) is specified, based on fuzzy logic and as informed by literature and through extensive co-creation with the ski tourism industry experts, and applied to an emerging destination, Turkey, based on regional climate modeling projections. The index is designed as a combination of snow reliability and aesthetics and comfort facets, the latter of which includes sunshine, wind, and thermal comfort conditions. Results show that the Eastern Anatolia region is climatically the most suitable area for future development, taking account of the overriding effects of natural and technical snow reliability. Future research suggestions include the incorporation of more components into the index as well as technical recommendations to improve its application and validation.
Periodic points in random substitution subshifts
Authors: Rust Dan
Published: August 2020

We study various aspects of periodic points for random substitution subshifts. In order to do so, we introduce a new property for random substitutions called the disjoint images condition. We provide a procedure for determining the property for compatible random substitutions—random substitutions for which a well-defined abelianisation exists. We find some simple necessary criteria for primitive, compatible random substitutions to admit periodic points in their subshifts. In the case that the random substitution further has disjoint images and is of constant length, we provide a stronger criterion. A method is outlined for enumerating periodic points of any specified length in a random substitution subshift.
How to measure and report the capacity of electrochemical double layers, supercapacitors, and their electrode materials
Authors: Ge Yuru , Xie Xuan , Roscher Jessica , Holze Rudolf , Qu Qunting
Published: August 2020

Relevant fundamentals of the electrochemical double layer and supercapacitors utilizing the interfacial capacitance as well as superficial redox processes at the electrode/solution interface are briefly reviewed. Experimental methods for the determination of the capacity of electrochemical double layers, of charge storage electrode materials for supercapacitors, and of supercapacitors are discussed and compared. Intrinsic limitations and pitfalls are indicated; popular errors, misconceptions, and mistakes are evaluated. The suitability of available methods is discussed, and practical recommendations are provided.
Co-eye: a multi-resolution ensemble classifier for symbolically approximated time series
Authors: Abdallah Zahraa S. , Gaber Mohamed Medhat
Published: August 2020

Time series classification (TSC) is a challenging task that attracted many researchers in the last few years. One main challenge in TSC is the diversity of domains where time series data come from. Thus, there is no “one model that fits all” in TSC. Some algorithms are very accurate in classifying a specific type of time series when the whole series is considered, while some only target the existence/non-existence of specific patterns/shapelets. Yet other techniques focus on the frequency of occurrences of discriminating patterns/features. This paper presents a new classification technique that addresses the inherent diversity problem in TSC using a nature-inspired method. The technique is stimulated by how flies look at the world through “compound eyes” that are made up of thousands of lenses, called ommatidia. Each ommatidium is an eye with its own lens, and thousands of them together create a broad field of vision. The developed technique similarly uses different lenses and representations to look at the time series, and then combines them for broader visibility. These lenses have been created through hyper-parameterisation of symbolic representations (Piecewise Aggregate and Fourier approximations). The algorithm builds a random forest for each lens, then performs soft dynamic voting for classifying new instances using the most confident eyes, i.e., forests. We evaluate the new technique, coined Co-eye, using the recently released extended version of UCR archive, containing more than 100 datasets across a wide range of domains. The results show the benefits of bringing together different perspectives reflecting on the accuracy and robustness of Co-eye in comparison to other state-of-the-art techniques.
Evaluating recycling fertilizers for tomato cultivation in hydroponics, and their impact on greenhouse gas emissions
Authors: Halbert-Howard Aladdin , Häfner Franziska , Karlowsky Stefan , Schwarz Dietmar , Krause Ariane
Published: August 2020

Soilless culture systems offer an environmentally friendly and resource-efficient alternative to traditional cultivation systems fitting within the scheme of a circular economy. The objective of this research was to examine the sustainable integration of recycling fertilizers in hydroponic cultivation—creating a nutrient cycling concept for horticultural cultivation. Using the nutrient film technique (NFT), three recycling-based fertilizer variants were tested against standard synthetic mineral fertilization as the control, with 11 tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Pannovy) per replicate (n = 4) and treatment: two nitrified urine-based fertilizers differing in ammonium/nitrate ratio (NH4+:NO3−), namely (1) “Aurin” (AUR) and (2) “Crop” (CRO); as well as (3) an organo-mineral mixture of struvite and vinasse (S+V); and (4) a control (NPK). The closed chamber method was adapted for gas fluxes (N2O, CH4, and CO2) from the root zone. There was no indication in differences of the total shoot biomass fresh matter and uptake of N, P and K between recycling fertilizers and the control. Marketable fruit yield was comparable between NPK, CRO and S+V, whereas lower yields occurred in AUR. The higher NH4+:NO3− of AUR was associated with an increased susceptibility of blossom-end-rot, likely due to reduced uptake and translocation of Ca. Highest sugar concentration was found in S+V, which may have been influenced by the presence of organic acids in vinasse. N2O emissions were highest in S+V, which corresponded to our hypothesis that N2O emissions positively correlate with organic-C input by the fertilizer amendments. Remaining treatments showed barely detectable GHG emissions. A nitrified urine with a low NH4+:NO3– (e.g., CRO) has a high potential as recycling fertilizer in NFT systems for tomato cultivation, and S+V proved to supply sufficient P and K for adequate growth and yield. Alternative cultivation strategies may complement the composition of AUR.
Ventilatory Response at Rest and During Maximal Exercise Testing in Patients with Severe Obesity Before and After Sleeve Gastrectomy
Authors: Borasio Nicola , Neunhaeuserer Daniel , Gasperetti Andrea , Favero Claudia , Baioccato Veronica , Bergamin Marco , Busetto Luca , Foletto Mirto , Vettor Roberto , Ermolao Andrea
Published: August 2020

Introduction

Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has become a widespread treatment option in patients affected by severe obesity. However, studies investigating the impact of the subsequent weight loss on the ventilatory response at rest and during physical exercise are lacking.

Methods

This is an observational study on 46 patients with severe obesity (76% females), comparing parameters of ventilatory function 1 month before and 6 months after SG. Patients were first evaluated by resting spirometry and subsequently with an incremental, maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) on treadmill.

Results

The important weight loss of 26.35 ± 6.17% of body weight (BMI from 43.59 ± 5.30 to 32.27 ± 4.84 kg/m2) after SG was associated with a significant improvement in lung volumes and flows during forced expiration at rest, while resting ventilation and tidal volume were reduced (all p ≤ 0.001). CPET revealed decreased ventilation during incremental exercise (p < 0.001), with a less shallow ventilatory pattern shown by a lower increase of breathing frequency (∆BFrest to ATp = 0.028) and a larger response of tidal volume (∆TVAT to Peakp < 0.001). Furthermore, a concomitant improvement of the calculated dead space ventilation, VE/VCO2 slope and peripheral oxygen saturation was shown (all p ≤ 0.002). Additionally, the increased breathing reserve at peak exercise was associated with a lower absolute oxygen consumption but improved exercise capacity and tolerance (all p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The weight loss induced by SG led to less burdensome restrictive limitations of the respiratory system and to a reduction of ventilation at rest and during exercise, possibly explained by an increased ventilatory efficiency and a decrease in oxygen demands.
Shale gas reservoir modeling and production evaluation considering complex gas transport mechanisms and dispersed distribution of kerogen
Authors: Zeng Jie , Liu Jishan , Li Wai , Leong Yee-Kwong , Elsworth Derek , Guo Jianchun
Published: August 2020

Stimulated shale reservoirs consist of kerogen, inorganic matter, secondary and hydraulic fractures. The dispersed distribution of kerogen within matrices and complex gas flow mechanisms make production evaluation challenging. Here we establish an analytical method that addresses kerogen-inorganic matter gas transfer, dispersed kerogen distribution, and complex gas flow mechanisms to facilitate evaluating gas production. The matrix element is defined as a kerogen core with an exterior inorganic sphere. Unlike most previous models, we merely use boundary conditions to describe kerogen-inorganic matter gas transfer without the instantaneous kerogen gas source term. It is closer to real inter-porosity flow conditions between kerogen and inorganic matter. Knudsen diffusion, surface diffusion, adsorption/desorption, and slip corrected flow are involved in matrix gas flow. Matrix-fracture coupling is realized by using a seven-region linear flow model. The model is verified against a published model and field data. Results reveal that inorganic matrices serve as a major gas source especially at early times. Kerogen provides limited contributions to production even under a pseudo-steady state. Kerogen properties’ influence starts from the late matrix-fracture inter-porosity flow regime, while inorganic matter properties control almost all flow regimes except the early-mid time fracture linear flow regime. The contribution of different linear flow regions is also documented.
Intra-household decision-making, production diversity, and dietary quality: a panel data analysis of Ethiopian rural households
Authors: Sariyev Orkhan , Loos Tim K. , Khor Ling Yee
Published: August 2020

Considering that rural poor are mostly subsistence farmers, it seems plausible that production diversity could lead to better nutrition for these farmers. The association between production and dietary diversity is complex, and this complexity demands rigorous empirical analyses and more attention to gendered aspects of intra-household decision-making. We employ panel data analyses of 363 Ethiopian smallholders surveyed in 2014 and 2016 to test for this phenomenon, and to explore the association of women’s participation in decision-making with both production and consumption diversity. Results show that, diversification can be a strategy to improve the diets, but only of rural poor who have limited non-farm income, who are distant to the markets and mostly subsistence oriented. Moreover, female participation in decision-making associates with higher diversity both in terms of production and consumption, but it does not modify the magnitude of the association between production and dietary diversity. Our analyses contribute to the enriching literature on the linkage between production diversification and dietary diversity. We study this complex relationship in-depth and show that the gendered aspect of intra-household decision-making is an important covariate for both production diversity and dietary quality.
The Interpersonal Mindfulness Program for Health Care Professionals: a Feasibility Study
Authors: Bartels-Velthuis Agna A. , van den Brink Erik , Koster Frits , Hoenders H. J. Rogier
Published: August 2020

Objectives

There are a number of mindfulness-based programs (MBPs) that have demonstrated effectiveness for patients and health care professionals. The Interpersonal Mindfulness Program (IMP) is a relatively new MBP, developed to teach those with prior mindfulness training to deepen their mindful presence, empathy and compassion in the interpersonal domain. The aim of the present study was to examine the feasibility of using the IMP with mental health care workers and assessing its effects on levels of mindfulness, self-compassion, empathy, stress and professional quality of life when compared with the control group participants.

Methods

The IMP training consisted of nine weekly 2.5-h sessions and daily home practice (45–60 min). Twenty-five participants (mean age, 51.4 years) with mindfulness experience participated in the training. Twenty-two individuals in the control group (mean age, 47.5 years) were recruited from those who had followed a mindfulness training before. Feasibility of the IMP was assessed in the training participants in six domains. All study participants completed self-report questionnaires before and after the training.

Results

The IMP training was considered highly acceptable and very useful. The training had a significant positive effect on self-compassion, empathy and compassion fatigue, but no effect on mindfulness, stress and compassion satisfaction. Five participants reported some mild adverse reactions.

Conclusions

The IMP training appears feasible for health care professionals and seems to induce some positive effects. A few mild adverse effects were reported. Further research on the effectiveness and possible mechanisms of change of the IMP training in larger samples is needed.
Multigene phylogeny of the family Cordycipitaceae (Hypocreales): new taxa and the new systematic position of the Chinese cordycipitoid fungus Paecilomyces hepiali
Authors: Wang Yuan-Bing , Wang Yao , Fan Qi , Duan Dong-E , Zhang Guo-Dong , Dai Ru-Qin , Dai Yong-Dong , Zeng Wen-Bo , Chen Zi-Hong , Li Dan-Dan , Tang De-Xiang , Xu Zhi-Hong , Sun Tao , Nguyen Thi-Tra , Tran Ngoc-Lan , Dao Van-Minh , Zhang Can-Ming , Huang Luo-Dong , Liu Yong-Jun , Zhang Xiao-Mei , Yang Da-Rong , Sanjuan Tatiana , Liu Xing-Zhong , Yang Zhu L. , Yu Hong
Published: August 2020

The phylogeny and systematics of cordycipitoid fungi have been extensively studied in the last two decades. However, systematic positions of some taxa in the family Cordycipitaceae have not yet been thoroughly resolved. In this study, a new phylogenetic framework of Cordycipitaceae is reconstructed using multigene (nrSSU, nrLSU, tef-1α, rpb1 and rpb2) sequence data with large-scale taxon sampling. In addition, ITS sequence data of species belonging to the Lecanicillium lineage in the family Cordycipitaceae are used to further determine their phylogenetic placements. Based on molecular phylogenetic data together with morphological evidence, two new genera (Flavocillium and Liangia), 16 new species and four new combinations are introduced. In the new genus Flavocillium, one new species F. bifurcatum and three new combinations previously described as Lecanicillium, namely F. acerosium, F. primulinium and F. subprimulinium, are proposed. The genus Liangia is built by the new species Lia. sinensis with Lecanicillium-like asexual morph, isolated from an entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria yunnanensis. Due to the absence of Paecilomyces hepiali, an economically and medically significant fungus, in the earlier phylogenetic analyses, its systematic position has been puzzling in both business and academic communities for a long time. Here, P. hepiali is recharacterized using the holotype material along with seven additional samples. It is assigned to the genus Samsoniella (Cordycipitaceae, Hypocreales) possessing Cordyceps-like sexual morph and Isaria-like asexual morph, and thus a new combination, namely S. hepiali is proposed. An additional nine new species in Samsoniella are described: S. alpina, S. antleroides, S. cardinalis, S. cristata, S. lanmaoa, S. kunmingensis, S. ramosa, S. tortricidae and S. yunnanensis. Four new species in Cordyceps are described: C. chaetoclavata, C. cocoonihabita, C. shuifuensis and C. subtenuipes. Simplicillium yunnanense, isolated from synnemata of Akanthomyces waltergamsii, is described as a new species.
Unintentional Trolling: How Subjects Express Their Prejudices Through Made-up Stories
Authors: Baston René , Kenyah-Damptey Benedict
Published: August 2020

It is often assumed that trolling is an intentional action. The aim of the paper is to argue for a form of unintentional trolling. Firstly, we outline minimal conditions for intentional actions. Secondly, an unintentional trolling example is introduced. Thirdly, we will show that in some cases, an utterance can be expressive, while it is perceived as descriptive. On the basis of the justification-suppression model, we argue that the introduced trolling example is such a case. In order to bypass social sanctions for expressing prejudices, agents unintentionally express their prejudices through stories that appear to be descriptive. Thereby, the characterized behavior does not fulfill the minimal conditions for intentional action. Fourthly, we give criteria that can be used to identify unintentional trolls. Finally, after unintentional trolling is analyzed, the trolls’ behavioral goals are considered. In conclusion, an analysis of unintentional trolling is given, which has explanatory benefits in contrast to the classic intentional trolling concepts.
Transcriptomic profile of semitendinosus muscle of bulls of different breed and performance
Authors: Ciecierska Anna , Motyl Tomasz , Sadkowski Tomasz
Published: August 2020

The aim of the study was to compare the transcriptomic profiles of fully differentiated skeletal muscle derived from bulls belonging to different breeds of varying performance. Microarray analyses were performed to determine the differences in the expression profiles of genes between semitendinosus muscles of 15-month-old beef-breed bulls (Limousin—LIM and Hereford—HER) and dairy-breed bulls (Holstein Friesian—HF). These analyses allowed for the identification of those genes the expression of which is similar and characteristic of fully differentiated muscle in beef breeds, but differs in skeletal muscle of a typical dairy breed. The analysis revealed 463 transcripts showing similar expression in the semitendinosus muscle of beef breeds (LIM/HER), in comparison with the dairy breed (HF). Among the identified genes, 227 were upregulated and 236 were downregulated in beef breeds. The ontological analyses revealed that the largest group of genes similarly expressed in LIM and HER was involved in the processes of protein metabolism and development of muscle organ. In beef breeds, some genes involved in protein synthesis and proteolysis showed an upregulation, including ctsd, ctsf, fhl2, fhl3, fst, sirt1, and trim63, whereas some were downregulated, including bmpr1a, bmpr2, mstn, smad2, hspa8, gsk3β, and tgfβ2. The expression of the chosen genes was confirmed by RT-qPCR technique. Thus, it can be assumed that the identified genes involved in the regulation of growth and development of muscle tissue and the processes of protein metabolism in the examined cattle breeds may be responsible for the greater gain of muscle mass in beef-breed bulls.
Lutetium-177-PSMA therapy for prostate cancer patients—a brief overview of the literature
Authors: van Kalmthout Ludwike W. M. , van der Sar Esmée C. A. , Braat Arthur J. A. T. , de Keizer Bart , Lam Marnix G. E. H.
Published: August 2020

Radioligand therapy with lutetium-177 prostate specific membrane antigen ([177Lu]Lu-PSMA) represents a promising treatment for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients. In this paper, we aim to summarize the current knowledge derived from the literature as well as the authors’ experiences on [177Lu]Lu-PSMA therapy. Various systematic reviews, mostly including small retrospective studies, summarized efficacy and oncological outcomes of [177Lu]Lu-PSMA therapy. Any therapy-related prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response was reported in the majority of the patients (68–75%); >50% PSA decline was demonstrated in 34.5–51% of the patients. Incidence of side effects was low and in most patients, hematological toxicity remained limited to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) grade 1–2. Also, favorable efficacy was shown with regard to tumor response on imaging, pain symptoms and quality of life. In the near future, results of the awaited pivotal prospective studies (NCT03511664, NCT03392428) will define efficacy of [177Lu]Lu-PSMA therapy and its oncological value for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients.
Grease film evolution in rolling elastohydrodynamic lubrication contacts
Authors: Li Xinming , Guo Feng , Poll Gerhard , Fei Yang , Yang Ping
Published: August 2020

Although most rolling element bearings are grease lubricated, the underlying mechanisms of grease lubrication has not been fully explored. This study investigates grease film evolution with glass disc revolutions in rolling elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) contacts. The evolution patterns of the grease films were highly related to the speed ranges and grease structures. The transference of thickener lumps, film thickness decay induced by starvation, and residual layer were recognized. The formation of an equilibrium film determined by the balance of lubricant loss and replenishment was analyzed. The primary mechanisms that dominate grease film formation in different lubricated contacts were clarified.
A synergetic strategy based on laser surface texturing and lubricating grease for improving the tribological and electrical properties of Ag coating under current-carrying friction
Authors: Cao Zhengfeng , Xia Yanqiu , Chen Chuan , Zheng Kai , Zhang Yi
Published: August 2020

Herein, a series of Ag coatings with different micro-dimples were fabricated on copper surfaces by laser surface texturing (LST) and magnetron sputtering. Multilayer graphene lubricating grease (MGLG) was prepared using multilayer graphene as an additive. The textured Ag coatings and MGLG were characterized. Moreover, the tribological and electrical performances of the textured Ag coatings under MGLG lubrication were investigated in detail. Results demonstrated that the textured Ag coating with an appropriate dimple diameter could exhibit improved tribological and electrical properties when compared to the non-textured Ag coating under MGLG lubrication. The characterization and analysis of the worn surfaces suggest that the synergetic effect of LST and MGLG contributes to these excellent tribological and electrical properties.
Recent Developments in Small-Scale Shape Memory Oxides
Authors: Wang Xiao , Ludwig Alfred
Published: August 2020

This review presents an overview of the developments in small-scale shape memory materials: from alloys to oxides and ceramics. Shape memory oxides such as zirconia, different ferroelectric perovskites and VO2-based materials have favorable characteristics of high strength, high operating temperature and chemical resistance, which make this class of shape memory materials interesting for special applications, e.g., in harsh environments or at the nanoscale. Because of the constraint and mismatch stress from neighboring grains in polycrystalline/bulk oxides, the transformation strain of shape memory oxides is relatively small, and micro-cracks can appear after some cycles. However, recent progress in shape memory oxide research related to small-scale approaches such as decreasing the amounts of grain boundaries, strain-engineering, and application in the form of nanoscale thin films shows that some oxides are capable to exhibit excellent shape memory effects and superelasticity at nano/micro-scales. The materials systems ZrO2, BiFO3, and VO2 are discussed with respect to their shape memory performance in bulk and small-scale.
Identifying and exploiting homogeneous communities in labeled networks
Authors: Citraro Salvatore , Rossetti Giulio
Published: August 2020

Attribute-aware community discovery aims to find well-connected communities that are also homogeneous w.r.t. the labels carried by the nodes. In this work, we address such a challenging task presenting Eva, an algorithmic approach designed to maximize a quality function tailoring both structural and homophilic clustering criteria. We evaluate Eva on several real-world labeled networks carrying both nominal and ordinal information, and we compare our approach to other classic and attribute-aware algorithms. Our results suggest that Eva is the only method, among the compared ones, able to discover homogeneous clusters without considerably degrading partition modularity.We also investigate two well-defined applicative scenarios to characterize better Eva: i) the clustering of a mental lexicon, i.e., a linguistic network modeling human semantic memory, and (ii) the node label prediction task, namely the problem of inferring the missing label of a node.
Rheumatoid Arthritis, Depression, and the Role of Celecoxib
Authors: Al-Baz Nadeen , Karim Mustafa Abdul
Published: August 2020

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease, causing joint destruction and associated physical, mental, and financial distress. Depression is not uncommonly found in patients with RA as both disorders share sociodemographic, functional, and biologic factors. There is growing evidence on the role of anti-inflammatory agents in managing depression, particularly celecoxib, which has been shown to significantly alleviate depressive symptoms as an augmenting agent. Compared with traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (tNSAIDs), however, celecoxib offers modest improvement in clinical symptoms, with uncertain results for pain management, physical function, and adverse effects in patients with RA. Further research is needed to assess the effectiveness of celecoxib in the management of RA, particularly in patients suffering from comorbid depression.
Pater Wilhelm Schmidt und Sigmund Freud: Gesellschaftliche Kontexte einer religionsethnologischen Kontroverse in der Zwischenkriegszeit
Authors: Rohrbacher Peter
Published: August 2020

Diese Studie beschäftigt sich mit den konträren Thesen zur Religionsentstehung, die Pater Wilhelm Schmidt und Sigmund Freud 1912/1913 in Wien vorlegten. Eine Auseinandersetzung fand viele Jahre nicht statt, bis Schmidt Ende Oktober 1928 Freud mit einem öffentlichen Vortrag herausforderte, den Freud nicht erwiderte. Freud bezeichnete Schmidt allerdings in den 1930er-Jahren in privaten Briefen als den Hauptfeind der Psychoanalyse in Wien und vermutete, dass Schmidt aufgrund seiner guten Kontakte zum Papst ein Verbot der Psychoanalyse im Vatikan initiierte. Ziel der Untersuchung ist die Herausarbeitung der gesellschaftlichen Kontexte dieser seit Langem bekannten Freud-Narrative. Die ersten Abschnitte erörtern die Gründe, weshalb Schmidts Kritik darauf abzielte, auf Freud das Feindbild des Bolschewismus zu übertragen. Dabei wird folgende Hypothese verfolgt: Schmidts Angriff auf Freud steht in Zusammenhang mit der Gründungsinitiative einer psychoanalytischen Privatlehranstalt in Wien, die im Januar 1929 unter dem christlich-sozialen Bildungsminister Richard Schmitz abgelehnt wurde. Der letzte Teil untersucht Dokumente aus dem „Heiligen Offizium“, das 1933/34 ein Buchverbotsverfahren gegen Freuds Schüler Edoardo Weiss führte. Die Studie basiert auf Schmidts Veröffentlichungen in Bezug auf Freud, ausgewählter Literatur von und über Freud, Zeitungsberichten aus Österreich sowie Archivmaterial aus dem Vatikan.
Challenge of COVID-19 crisis managed by emergency department of a big tertiary centre in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Qureshi Muhammad Nauman , AlRajhi Abdulaziz
Published: August 2020

Background:

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic wave. King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh dealt with the crisis in a proactive way with the emergency department (ED) playing a pivotal role.

Patients and methods:

We searched the international literature to review the processes adopted by healthcare institutions and also used our experience of managing a previous epidemic to devise safe processes for our ED patients.

Results:

The interventions done by ED, led to safer patient care, avoidance of unnecessary admissions, reduced risk of cross infection and enhanced staff safety.

Conclusions:

Integrated ED processes helped streamline Covid-19 patients.