bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Versatile Calcium Phosphate Nanogenerator for Tumor Microenvironment‐activated Cancer Synergistic Therapy
Authors: Fu Lian‐Hua , Li Chunying , Yin Weimin , Hu Yan‐Ru , Sun Tuanwei , Wan Yilin , Lin Jing , Li Zhiming , Huang Peng
Published: October 2021

Gas therapy is an emerging “green” cancer treatment strategy; however, its outcome often restricted by the complexity, diversity, and heterogeneity of tumor. Herein, a tumor targeting and tumor microenvironment‐activated calcium phosphate nanotheranostic system (denoted as GCAH) is constructed for effective synergistic cancer starvation/gas therapy. GCAH is obtained by a facile biomineralization strategy using glucose oxidase (GOx) as a biotemplate, followed by loading of l‐Arginine (L‐Arg) and modification of hyaluronic acid (HA) to allow special selectivity for glycoprotien CD44 overexpressed cancer cells. This nanotheranostic system not only exhausts the glucose nutrients in tumor region by the GOx‐triggered glucose oxidation, the generated H2O2 can oxidize L‐Arg into NO under acidic tumor microenvironment for enhanced gas therapy. As such, there are significant enhancement effects of starvation therapy and gas therapy through the cascade reactions of GOx and L‐Arg, which yields a remarkable synergistic therapeutic effect for 4T1 tumor‐bearing mice without discernible toxic side effects.
Unraveling Strain Gradient Induced Electromechanical Coupling in Twisted Double Bilayer Graphene Moiré Superlattices
Authors: Li Yuhao , Wang Xiao , Tang Deqi , Wang Xi , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Gamelin Daniel R. , Cobden David H. , Yankowitz Matthew , Xu Xiaodong , Li Jiangyu
Published: October 2021

Moiré superlattices of 2D materials with a small twist angle are thought to exhibit appreciable flexoelectric effect, though unambiguous confirmation of their flexoelectricity is challenging due to artifacts associated with commonly used piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM). For example, unexpectedly small phase contrast (≈8°) between opposite flexoelectric polarizations is reported in twisted bilayer graphene (tBG), though theoretically predicted value is 180°. Here a methodology is developed to extract intrinsic moiré flexoelectricity using twisted double bilayer graphene (tDBG) as a model system, probed by lateral PFM. For small twist angle samples, it is found that a vectorial decomposition is essential to recover the small intrinsic flexoelectric response at domain walls from a large background signal. The obtained threefold symmetry of commensurate domains with significant flexoelectric response at domain walls is fully consistent with the theoretical calculations. Incommensurate domains in tDBG with relatively large twist angles can also be observed by this technique. A general strategy is provided here for unraveling intrinsic flexoelectricity in van der Waals moiré superlattices while providing insights into engineered symmetry breaking in centrosymmetric materials.
Can One Predict a Drop Contact Angle?
Authors: Silvestrini Marion , Tinti Antonio , Giacomello Alberto , Brito Carolina
Published: October 2021

The study of wetting phenomena is of great interest due to the multifaceted technological applications of hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces. The theoretical approaches proposed by Wenzel and later by Cassie and Baxter to describe the behavior of a droplet of water on a rough solid are extensively used and continuously updated to characterize the apparent contact angle of a droplet. However, the equilibrium hypothesis implied in these models means that they are not always predictive of experimental contact angles due to the strong metastabilities typically occurring in the wetting of heterogeneous surfaces. A predictive scheme for contact angles is thus urgently needed both to characterize a surface by contact angle measurements and to design super‐hydrophobic and ‐oleophobic surfaces with the desired properties, for example, contact angle hysteresis. In this work, a combination of Monte Carlo simulation and the string method is employed to calculate the free energy profile of a liquid droplet deposited on a pillared surface. For the analyzed surfaces, it is shown that there is only one minimum of the free energy that corresponds to the superhydrophobic wetting state while the wet state can present multiple minima. Furthermore, when the surface roughness decreases the amount of local minima observed in the free energy profile increases. The presented approach clarifies the origin of contact angle hysteresis providing quantitative tools for understanding and controlling wetting at structured surfaces.
Significant Modulation of Ferroelectric Photovoltaic Behavior by a Giant Macroscopic Flexoelectric Effect Induced by Strain‐Relaxed Epitaxy
Authors: Huang Qicheng , Fan Zhen , Rao Jingjing , Yang Tieying , Zhang Xingmin , Chen Deyang , Qin Minghui , Zeng Min , Lu Xubing , Zhou Guofu , Gao Xingsen , Liu Jun‐Ming
Published: October 2021

Flexoelectricity has become an emerging tool to tailor the material properties. The flexoelectric modulation of ferroelectric photovoltaic (FEPV) properties is of particular interest, because it offers an opportunity to boost the photovoltaic efficiency. In most previous studies, the flexoelectric effect is generated by local pressing or macroscopic bending, which, however, results in a local or weak modulation of the FEPV behavior. Here, a significant modulation of the FEPV effect by the strain‐relaxed epitaxy (SRE)‐induced giant macroscopic flexoelectric effect is demonstrated. Using SRE, giant strain gradients (>107 m−1) are generated and tuned in ferroelectric Pb(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3 epitaxial films. Tuning the giant strain gradient can significantly modify the switchable FEPV properties. Particularly, a photovoltage enhancement as large as ≈0.5 V is achieved. It is suggested that the flexoelectric modulation of FEPV behavior may originate from the flexoelectric polarization‐induced depolarization field. This study highlights the immense application potential of the SRE‐induced flexoelectricity in the engineering of functional thin‐film devices.
Isolated cytokine‐enriched pericardial effusion: A likely key feature for Aymé‐Gripp syndrome
Authors: König Anna‐Lina , Sabir Hemmen , Strizek Brigitte , Gembruch Ulrich , Herberg Ulrike , Bertrand Miriam , Grasshoff Ute , Wiegand Gesa , Wiechers Cornelia , Bernis Eugenia , Reutter Heiko , Müller Andreas
Published: October 2021

Aymé‐Gripp syndrome is a multisystemic disorder caused by a heterozygous variation in the MAF gene (OMIM*177075). Key features are congenital cataracts, sensorineural hearing loss, and a characteristic facial appearance. In a proportion of individuals, pericardial effusion or pericarditis has been reported as part of the phenotypic spectrum. In the present case, a large persistent cytokine‐enriched pericardial effusion was the main pre‐ and postnatal symptom that led to the clinical and later molecular diagnosis of Aymé‐Gripp syndrome. In the postnatal course, the typical Aymé‐Gripp syndrome‐associated features bilateral cataracts and hearing loss were diagnosed. We propose that activating dominant variants in the cytokine‐modulating transcription factor c‐MAF causes cytokine‐enriched pericardial effusions possibly representing a key feature of Aymé‐Gripp syndrome.
Triazine‐Functionalized Silsesquioxane‐Based Hybrid Porous Polymers for Efficient Photocatalytic Degradation of Both Acidic and Basic Dyes under Visible Light
Authors: Du Yajing , Liu Hongzhi
Published: October 2021

Four triazine‐functionalized silsesquioxane‐based hybrid porous polymers (TSHPPs) were synthesized by Heck reaction of octavinylsilsesquioxane (OVS) with brominated phenyl or thiophene substituted triazine monomers. These hybrid polymers offered good thermal stability, high specific surface areas (up to 555 m2 g−1), strong visible light absorption, and adjustable fluorescence properties. The materials showed high photocatalytic activity for the degradation of both acidic and basic dyes without additional oxidation agents or pH adjustments. Exposing to natural light, at a very low concentration of TSHPPs (0.2 mg mL−1), dyes with a concentration of up to 1000 ppm can be completely decolorized. After five consecutive iterations of degradation dyes, TSHPPs still showed good regenerability. This work provides an efficient method for the construction of photo‐responsive porous materials for solar‐to‐chemical energy conversion and demonstrates their potential as green and sustainable environment‐friendly catalysts.
Pharmacokinetics and Metabolism of Ziritaxestat (GLPG1690) in Healthy Male Volunteers Following Intravenous and Oral Administration
Authors: Helmer Eric , Willson Ashley , Brearley Christopher , Westerhof Mark , Delage Stephane , Shaw Iain , Cooke Ray , Sidhu Sharan
Published: October 2021

Ziritaxestat is a novel inhibitor of autotaxin, an enzyme responsible for the production of lysophosphatidic acid, the downstream signaling of which mediates responses to tissue injury and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of fibrotic conditions such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and systemic sclerosis. This study (Clinical Trial Registration: NCT03787186) was designed to assess the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of orally administered 600‐mg ziritaxestat labeled with a carbon‐14 tracer (14C‐ziritaxestat). To understand the absolute bioavailability of ziritaxestat, an intravenous 100‐μg microdose, labeled with a microtracer amount of 14C radiation, was administered in a separate part of the study, following an unlabeled 600‐mg therapeutic oral dose of ziritaxestat. Six healthy male subjects completed each study part. The majority of the labeled oral dose was recovered in feces (77%), with a total mass balance of 84%. The absolute bioavailability of ziritaxestat was 54%. Ziritaxestat was the main (76%) circulating drug‐related product. There were 7 treatment‐emergent adverse events, all of which were considered mild and not considered to be related to the study drug.
Nickel Cobaltite: A Positive Electrode Material for Hybrid Supercapacitors
Authors: Mahadik Shivraj M. , Chodankar Nilesh R. , Han Young‐Kyu , Dubal Deepak P. , Patil Sarita
Published: October 2021

The increased demand of energy due to the recent technological advances in diverse fields such as portable electronics and electric vehicles is often hindered by the poor capability of energy‐storage systems. Although supercapacitors (SCs) exhibit higher power density than state‐of‐the art batteries, their insufficient energy density remains a major challenge. An emerging concept of hybrid supercapacitors (HSCs) with the combination of one capacitive and one battery electrode in a single cell holds a great promise to deliver high energy density without sacrificing power density and cycling stability. This Minireview elaborates the recent advances of use of nickel cobaltite (NiCo2O4) as a potential positive electrode (battery‐like) for HSCs. A brief introduction on the structural benefits and charge storage mechanisms of NiCo2O4 was provided. It further shed a light on composites of NiCo2O4 with different materials like carbon, polymers, metal oxides, and others, which altogether helps in increasing the electrochemical performance of HSCs. Finally, the key scientific challenges and perspectives on building high‐performance HSCs for future‐generation applications were reviewed.
Crystal Faces‐Tailored Oxygen Vacancy in Au/CeO2 Catalysts for Efficient Oxidation of HMF to FDCA
Authors: Wei Yanan , Zhang Yunlei , Chen Yao , Wang Fang , Cao Yu , Guan Wen , Li Xin
Published: October 2021

Developing an efficient catalyst to upgrade 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to high‐value‐added downstream chemicals is of great significance in biomass conversion. Nanorod (110)‐, nanocube (100)‐, and nanooctaheron (111)‐CeO2‐supported Au nanoparticles were prepared to investigate the intrinsic effect of CeO2 crystal faces on the oxidation of HMF to 2,5‐furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA). The experimental results and density functional theory calculation revealed that the concentration of oxygen vacancy (VO) for exposed specific crystal faces was crucial to the oxygen adsorption ability, and Au/nanorod‐CeO2 with the highest VO concentration promoted the formation of more oxygen active species (superoxide radical) on CeO2 (110) crystal face than (100) and (111) crystal faces. Besides, the higher VO concentration could provide a strong adsorption ability of HMF, greatly boosting the activation of HMF. Thus, these results led to a superior catalytic activity for HMF oxidation over Au/nanorod‐CeO2 (FDCA yield of 96.5 %). In‐situ Fourier‐transform (FT)IR spectroscopy uncovered the HMF oxidation pathway, and the possible catalytic mechanism was proposed. The deep insight into the role of regulation for crystal faces provides a basis for the rational design of highly active facets for the oxidation of HMF and related reactions.
Synthesis Methods and Applications of Semiconductor Material ZnWO4 with Multifunctions and Multiconstructions
Authors: He Geping , Mi Yuanmei , Wang Di , Zhang Ben , Zheng Donghao , Bai Yuxiang , Shi Zongmo
Published: October 2021

At present, nanostructures with excellent morphology have become a research hotspot. With the deepening of research and the rapid development of nanotechnology, nanosemiconductors have also made remarkable progress. In recent years, ZnWO4 in metal tungstates has been widely used in many fields, which is mainly due to its high crystal density, short radiation length, excellent optical properties, good radiation damage resistance, and non‐liquefaction. Therefore, herein, the synthesis methods and applications of ZnWO4 semiconductor materials in recent years are reviewed. First, the crystal structure and characteristics of ZnWO4 are described, and then the latest research progress of ZnWO4 semiconductor materials is summarized. The synthesis methods and contributions to photocatalysis, sensors, electronic materials, and luminescent materials are highlighted. The characteristics of ZnWO4 nanoarrays and their applications in supercapacitors are particularly emphasized, which provide a reference for the development of multifunctional nanoarrays. Finally, the challenges and countermeasures of ZnWO4 semiconductor materials are summarized and prospected. In a word, a new idea and strategy to design and assemble new types of ZnWO4 nanomaterials with multiconstructional systems and multifunctional properties for their practical applications is provided.
Assemblages of geomorphic units: A building block approach to analysis and interpretation of river character, behaviour, condition and recovery
Authors: Fryirs Kirstie , Brierley Gary
Published: October 2021

A geomorphic unit is a landform that has been created and reworked by a particular set of earth surface processes. Each geomorphic unit has a particular morphology and sediment properties. Characteristic assemblages and patterns of geomorphic units reflect the use of available energy at any particular location in the landscape. In river systems the mix and balance of erosional and depositional processes creates characteristic, and sometimes distinctive, patterns of geomorphic units at the reach scale. As geomorphic units make up all parts of every valley bottom, the analysis of geomorphic units provides a universal resource with which to undertake systematic geomorphic analysis of river systems. In the first instance, this tool helps to interpret river morphodynamics. Particular process–form associations determine what type of geomorphic unit is found where, how it is formed and/or reworked, and if/how that unit is related to adjacent units in the channel and/or floodplain. From this, particular assemblages of geomorphic units can be used to identify and map reach boundaries along a river course. Each reach has a particular set of process–form relationships that determine (and/or reflect) the range of behaviour and the capacity for adjustment of that section of river. Framed in a catchment context and in relation to evolutionary trajectory, interpretation of geomorphic unit assemblages, and how they change over time, informs analysis of river condition and the potential for geomorphic recovery of each reach. A scaffolding framework to conduct such analyses and interpretations provides an important bridge between expert manual analysis and machine learning analysis using big data, allowing for the identification and interpretation of the distinctive traits of each and every river system.
Major dietary patterns in relation to muscle strength status among middle‐aged people: A cross‐sectional study within the RaNCD cohort
Authors: Samadi Mehnoosh , Khosravy Tina , Azadbakht Leila , Rezaei Mansour , Mosafaghadir Mohammad , Kamari Negin , Bagheri Amir , Pasdar Yahya , Najafi Farid , Hamze Behrouz , Soleimani Davood
Published: October 2021

Grip strength in midlife can predict physical disability in senior years. Recent evidence shows the critical role of nutritional status on muscle function. We aimed to elucidate whether adherence to a particular dietary pattern would be associated with abnormal muscle strength among middle‐aged people. In this cross‐sectional study, a semiquantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire was used to assess the dietary intake of 2781 participants in the Ravansar Non‐Communicable Chronic Disease (RaNCD) cohort. Major dietary patterns from 28 main food groups were extracted using principal component analysis. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the association between the tertiles of the major dietary patterns and muscle strength status. Two major dietary patterns were identified: the “mixed dietary pattern” that heavily loaded with fruits, vegetables, nuts, dairies, sweets, legumes, dried fruits, fish, red meat, butter, whole grains, natural juices, poultry, pickles, olive, industrial juice, egg, processed meat, and snacks and “unhealthy dietary pattern” that heavily loaded by fats, sugar, refined grains, soft drink, salt, organ meat, tea, and coffee. Adherence to the mixed dietary pattern (OR = 1.03, 95% CI = 0.8–1.33, P for trend = 0.77) and the unhealthy dietary pattern (OR = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.79–0.13, P for trend = 0.89) did not associate with abnormal muscle strength. This study suggests that the dietary pattern involving the consumption of healthy and unhealthy food does not have an effect on muscle strength in middle‐aged adults.
Toward mechanistic understanding the effect of aspect ratio of carbon nanotubes upon different properties of polyurethane/carbon nanotube nanocomposite foam
Authors: Hasani Baferani Abolfazl , Ohadi Abdolreza , Katbab Ali A.
Published: October 2021

This study investigated the carbon nanotube's aspect ratio's influence on the nanocomposite foams' cellular structure and mechanical, acoustic absorption characteristics. The free‐rising foaming process has been used for producing different flexible polyurethane (PU) foams embedded with other multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT's). Dynamic mechanical and thermal analysis, flow resistivity, and compressive mechanical measurements were achieved on the prepared samples. The acoustic absorption coefficient in a wide range of frequencies was estimated for the prepared PU/CNT foamed nanocomposite samples. Results indicated that by increasing the aspect ratio of MWCNT, the absorption coefficient's peak shifts toward the lower frequencies and improved sound absorption characteristics of PU foam in the low‐frequency region. Moreover, the Young modulus of nanocomposite samples increases by increasing the aspect ratio of MWCNT's, whereas the stored strain energy or area under the stress–strain curve increases. Based on the obtained results, it is observed that the acoustic absorption coefficient of produced nanocomposite foams at the frequency of 800 Hz has been reported to have a 70% improvement in 2 cm samples and a 40% improvement in 3 cm samples compared to obtained results from pure PU foam.
The impact of uncertainty shocks in South Africa: The role of financial regimes
Authors: Balcilar Mehmet , Gupta Rangan , Kisten Theshne
Published: October 2021

This article examines the connection between economic uncertainty and financial market conditions in South Africa, documenting that the macroeconomic implications of an uncertainty shock differ across financial regimes. A non‐linear VAR is estimated where uncertainty is captured by the average volatility of structural shocks in the economy, and the transmission mechanism is characterized by two distinct financial regimes (i.e., financially stressful vs. normal periods). We find that while the deterioration of output following an uncertainty shock is much more prominent during normal periods than during stressful periods, it is much more persistent during stressful financial times. The share of output variance explained by the volatility shocks in normal financial times is more than double the share in stressful times. Uncertainty shocks are found to be inflationary in both regimes, with the impact being larger in the stress regime. While our estimates reveal that financial frictions do not amplify the impact of uncertainty on real output, it does increase the impact on prices.
Lifting 1/4-BPS states in AdS3× S3 × T4
Authors: Benjamin Nathan , Keller Christoph A. , Zadeh Ida G.
Published: October 2021

Abstract

We establish a framework for doing second order conformal perturbation theory for the symmetric orbifold SymN(T4) to all orders in N. This allows us to compute how 1/4-BPS states of the D1-D5 system on AdS3 × S3 × T4 are lifted as we move away from the orbifold point. As an application we confirm a previous observation that in the large N limit not all 1/4-BPS states that can be lifted do get lifted. This provides evidence that the supersymmetric index actually undercounts the number of 1/4-BPS states at a generic point in the moduli space.
Studienprotokoll: Register zur Prognose akut-symptomatischer Anfälle (PROSA-Register) – eine prospektive multizentrische Beobachtungsstudie
Authors: Herzig-Nichtweiß Julia , Salih Farid , Berning Sascha , Malter Michael , Pelz Johann , Lochner Piergiorgio , Wittstock Matthias , Günther Albrecht , Alonso Angelika , Fuhrer Hannah , Schönenberger Silvia , Petersen Martina , Kohle Felix , Müller Annekatrin , Gawlitza Alexander , Gubarev Waldemar , Holtkamp Martin , Vorderwülbecke Bernd ,   das IGNITE!-Forschungsnetzwerk der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Neurointensiv- und -notfallmedizin
Published: October 2021

Hintergrund

Akut-symptomatische epileptische Anfälle treten in engem zeitlichem Zusammenhang mit einer akuten Störung der Hirnfunktion auf. Sie sind mit einem niedrigen Risiko späterer unprovozierter Anfallsrezidive assoziiert. Daher empfehlen aktuelle Leitlinien keine längerfristige medikamentöse Anfallsprophylaxe. Dennoch werden im klinischen Alltag oft langfristige sekundärprophylaktische Therapien begonnen. Die Anfallsprognose nach leitliniengerecht nicht oder nur kurzzeitig behandelten akut-symptomatischen Anfällen ist bisher unbekannt.

Hypothese

Nach einem akut-symptomatischen Erstanfall struktureller Ätiologie ist das 1‑Jahres-Risiko für unprovozierte Rezidivanfälle nicht höher als 25 %, auch wenn keine oder nur eine kurzfristige medikamentöse Anfallsprophylaxe eingesetzt wird.

Methoden

Das PROSA-Register ist eine einarmige, offene, prospektive, multizentrische Beobachtungsstudie. Eingeschlossen werden 115 volljährige Personen mit strukturell bedingtem akut-symptomatischem, epileptischem Erstanfall, sofern dieser kein Status epilepticus war. Der intrahospitale Verlauf wird der Krankenakte entnommen. Nach 3, 6 und 12 Monaten finden telefonische Nachbefragungen statt.

Diskussion

Das PROSA-Register wird als Beobachtungsstudie die derzeitige Behandlungspraxis nach akut-symptomatischem Anfall und die tatsächliche Anfallsprognose innerhalb eines Jahres beleuchten. Die Ergebnisse sollen die vorhandene Evidenz unterstreichen, dass eine medikamentöse Anfallsprophylaxe über die akute Phase der zugrunde liegenden Erkrankung hinaus nicht notwendig ist.

Registrierung

Die Studie wurde prospektiv im Deutschen Register Klinischer Studien unter der ID DRKS00017811 registriert.
Sexual Risk Behavior in HIV-Uninfected Pregnant Women in Western Uganda
Authors: Theuring Stefanie , Rubagumya Kenyonyozi , Schumann Hannah , Harms Gundel , Rubaihayo John , Wanyenze Rhoda
Published: October 2021

Our aim was to identify sexual risk behavior among HIV-negative pregnant women in Kabarole District, Uganda, by conducting a cross-sectional study among 1610 women within three healthcare settings. One in six women engaged in HIV-specific risk behaviors including multiple sexual partners or alcohol abuse; 80% of the pregnant women reported to generally abstain from using condoms. In multivariate analysis, predictors of sexual risk behavior included being a client of the public health facilities as compared to the private facility (AOR 3.6 and 4.8, p < 0.001), being single, widowed or divorced or not cohabiting with the partner (AOR 4.7 and 2.3, p < 0.001), as well as higher household wealth (AOR 1.8, p < 0.001) and lack of partner status knowledge (AOR 1.6, p = 0.008). Self-estimated risk perception was linked with engagement in HIV-related risk behaviors except for alcohol abuse. Our findings indicate that reducing risky behaviors in pregnancy in order to prevent HIV should be a high-priority public health concern.
A Fitted L-Multi-Point Flux Approximation Method for Pricing Options
Authors: Koffi Rock Stephane , Tambue Antoine
Published: October 2021

In this paper, we introduce a special kind of finite volume method called Multi-Point Flux Approximation method (MPFA) to price European and American options in two dimensional domain. We focus on the L-MPFA method for space discretization of the diffusion term of Black–Scholes operator. The degeneracy of the Black-Scholes operator is tackled using the fitted finite volume method. This combination of fitted finite volume method and L-MPFA method coupled to upwind methods gives us a novel scheme, called the fitted L-MPFA method. Numerical experiments show the accuracy of the novel fitted L-MPFA method comparing to well known schemes for pricing options.
An Application of the IFM Method for the Risk Assessment of Financial Instruments
Authors: Pons Adrià , Cristobal-Fransi Eduard , Vintrò Carla , Rius Josep , Querol Oriol , Vilaplana Jordi
Published: October 2021

External influences or behavioral biases can affect the way risk is perceived. This paper studies the prediction of VaR (Value at Risk) as a measure of the risk of loss for investments on financial products. Our aim is to predict the percentage of loss that a financial product would have in the future to assess the risks and determine the potential loss of a security in the stock market, thus reducing reasoning influenced by feelings for bank and financial firms seeking to deploy AI and advanced automation. We used the IFM (inference function for margins) method in different market scenarios, with particular emphasis on the strengths and weaknesses of it. The study is assessed on single product level with the skewed studen-t GARCH(1,1) model and portfolio level with t-copulas for the inter-dependencies. It has been shown that under normal market conditions the risk is predicted properly for both levels. However, when an unexpected market event occurs, the prediction fails. To address this limitation, a combined model with sentiment analysis and regression is proposed for further investigation as a future work.
Analytical Comparison of Clustering Techniques for the Recognition of Communication Patterns
Authors: Kaya Muhammed-Fatih , Schoop Mareike
Published: October 2021

The systematic processing of unstructured communication data as well as the milestone of pattern recognition in order to determine communication groups in negotiations bears many challenges in Machine Learning. In particular, the so-called curse of dimensionality makes the pattern recognition process demanding and requires further research in the negotiation environment. In this paper, various selected renowned clustering approaches are evaluated with regard to their pattern recognition potential based on high-dimensional negotiation communication data. A research approach is presented to evaluate the application potential of selected methods via a holistic framework including three main evaluation milestones: the determination of optimal number of clusters, the main clustering application, and the performance evaluation. Hence, quantified Term Document Matrices are initially pre-processed and afterwards used as underlying databases to investigate the pattern recognition potential of clustering techniques by considering the information regarding the optimal number of clusters and by measuring the respective internal as well as external performances. The overall research results show that certain cluster separations are recommended by internal and external performance measures by means of a holistic evaluation approach, whereas three of the clustering separations are eliminated based on the evaluation results.
Inequality measurement and tax/transfer policy
Authors: Apps Patricia , Rees Ray
Published: October 2021

We provide a critique of the standard methodology for inequality measurement, which makes welfare comparisons between households by deflating household income and consumption with an equivalence scale. We argue that this leads to support for tax/transfer policies that significantly disadvantage low to middle income households and second earners—predominantly women. Its main limitations are that it takes an overly-simplistic approach to household production, bases its welfare measurements on joint household income, and has no theory of the family household. We point the way to an alternative procedure by presenting a theoretical model of the family household that derives duality-based welfare measures. In the light of current data limitations we propose, as a second best, primary earner income as a superior base to joint income for across-household welfare comparisons in policy formulation. We also emphasise the importance of taking the family life cycle into account when making such comparisons. We use the Australian income tax system and Australian income and tax data for a detailed comparison of the standard approach with our proposed alternative.
High-temperature-tolerable superconducting Nb-alloy and its application to Pb- and Cd-free superconducting joints between NbTi and Nb3Sn wires
Authors: Banno Nobuya , Kobayashi Kensuke , Uchida Akira , Kitaguchi Hitoshi
Published: October 2021

For more than 30 years, Pb–Bi alloy and Wood's metal (50% Bi, 26.7% Pb, 13.3% Sn, and 10% Cd) have been used as representative superconducting solder intermedia to establish superconducting joints between NbTi and Nb3Sn wires in high-field nuclear magnetic resonance magnet systems. However, the use of Pb and Cd has been severely restricted by environmental regulations, such as the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive. Herein, a novel method of forming a superconducting joint between NbTi and Nb3Sn wires without Pb and Cd has been proposed. This approach is based on metallurgical bonding processes using a superconducting Nb-alloy intermedium, whose fine microstructure is maintained even after exposure to temperatures higher than 650 °C. Further, fine crystal defects become sources of magnetic flux pinning centers. Among transition elements close to Nb, Hf is considered the most suitable additive for realizing high-temperature-tolerable (HTT) superconducting Nb-alloy intermedia. Utilizing the HTT characteristic of Nb–Hf, a superconducting joint between Nb3Sn filaments and one end of the Nb–Hf alloy core was created by forming a superconducting Nb3Sn layer at the interface through a chemical reaction. The other end of the Nb–Hf alloy core was cold-pressed with NbTi filaments, to connect their active new surfaces to each other in order to create a superconducting joint. Ultimately, a superconducting joint between NbTi and Nb3Sn wires was realized with a high critical magnetic field (Bc2) of more than 1 T. The formation of the superconducting joint was confirmed by current decay measurements. This method of forming a superconducting joint is promising for application in environmentally friendly nuclear magnetic resonance magnet systems.

Graphical abstract
The Manhattan and Lorentz Mirror Models: A Result on the Cylinder with Low Density of Mirrors
Authors: Ryan Kieran
Published: October 2021

We study the Manhattan and Lorentz mirror models on an infinite cylinder of finite even width n, with the mirror probability p satisfying $$p<Cn^{-1}$$

p
<
C

n

-
1

, C a constant. We show that the maximum height along the cylinder reached by a walker is order $$p^{-2}$$

p

-
2

. We observe an algebraic structure, which helps organise our argument. The models on the cylinder can be thought of as Markov chains on the Brauer (in the Mirror case) or Walled Brauer (in the Manhattan case) algebra, with the transfer matrix given by multiplication by an element of the algebra.
Influence of various factors on the value of thoron emanation coefficient
Authors: Danyłec Karolina , Mazur Jadwiga , Kozak Krzysztof , Grządziel Dominik , Mroczek Mariusz
Published: October 2021

The “powder sandwich” method was adapted to the measuring equipment at the Laboratory of Radiometric Expertise, IFJ PAN (Kraków, Poland). The versatility of the method has been confirmed. The values of thoron emanation coefficients (f) for 16 materials have been determined. It has been found that the value of thoron emanation coefficient is not directly dependent on the concentration of 224Ra, other factors are also important, e.g. the size of the grains, the inter-grain space and the distribution of radium atoms in the grain. The influence of the grain size on the value of thoron emanation coefficient was investigated.
Tumor BRCA testing in ovarian cancer and EQA scheme: our experience of a critical evaluation
Authors: De Paolis Elisa , Concolino Paola , Onori Maria Elisabetta , Santonocito Concetta , Marchetti Claudia , Fagotti Anna , Scambia Giovanni , Urbani Andrea , Minucci Angelo
Published: October 2021

Next generation sequencing (NGS) is a widespread molecular biology method integrated into clinical practice to detect genetic variants, for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. The scheduled external quality assessments (EQA) is integral part of clinical molecular laboratory quality assurance. The EQA provides an efficient system to compare analytic test performances among different laboratories, which is essential to evaluate consistency of molecular test. EQA failures demands targeted corrective action plans. In this context, the complexity of the NGS techniques requires careful and continuous quality control procedures. We report a tumor BRCA1/2 (tBRCA) testing benchmark discrepancy provided by the European Molecular Genetics Quality Network in our laboratory during a round of EQA for somatic mutation testing of BRCA genes in relation to ovarian cancer. The critical analysis emerging from the tBRCA EQA is presented. We underline that harmonization processes are still required for the EQA in the molecular biology field, especially if applied to the evaluation of methods characterized by high complexity.
The Effect of Single Nucleotide Variations in the Transmembrane Domain of OATP1B1 on in vitro Functionality
Authors: Kiander Wilma , Vellonen Kati-Sisko , Malinen Melina M. , Gynther Mikko , Hagström Marja , Bhattacharya Madhushree , Auriola Seppo , Koenderink Jan B. , Kidron Heidi
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptide 1B1 (OATP1B1) mediates hepatic influx and clearance of many drugs, including statins. The SLCO1B1 gene is highly polymorphic and its function-impairing variants can predispose patients to adverse effects. The effects of rare genetic variants of SLCO1B1 are mainly unexplored. We examined the impact of eight naturally occurring rare variants and the well-known SLCO1B1 c.521C > T (V174A) variant on in vitro transport activity, cellular localization and abundance.

Methods

Transport of rosuvastatin and 2,7-dichlorofluorescein (DCF) in OATP1B1 expressing HEK293 cells was measured to assess changes in activity of the variants. Immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy determined the cellular localization of OATP1B1 and LC–MS/MS based quantitative targeted absolute proteomics analysis quantified the amount of OATP1B1 in crude membrane fractions.

Results

All studied variants, with the exception of P336R, reduced protein abundance to varying degree. V174A reduced protein abundance the most, over 90% compared to wild type. Transport function was lost in G76E, V174A, L193R and R580Q variants. R181C decreased activity significantly, while T345M and L543W retained most of wild type OATP1B1 activity. P336R showed increased activity and H575L decreased the transport of DCF significantly, but not of rosuvastatin. Decreased activity was interrelated with lower absolute protein abundance in the studied variants.

Conclusions

Transmembrane helices 2, 4 and 11 appear to be crucial for proper membrane localization and function of OATP1B1. Four of the studied variants were identified as loss-of-function variants and as such could make the individual harboring these variants susceptible to altered pharmacokinetics and adverse effects of substrate drugs.
Population niche breadth and individual trophic specialisation of fish along a climate-productivity gradient
Authors: Sánchez-Hernández Javier , Hayden Brian , Harrod Chris , Kahilainen Kimmo K.
Published: October 2021

A mechanistic understanding of how environmental change affects trophic ecology of fish at the individual and population level remains elusive. To address this, we conducted a space-for-time approach incorporating environmental gradients (temperature, precipitation and nutrients), lake morphometry (visibility, depth and area), fish communities (richness, competition and predation), prey availability (richness and density) and feeding (population niche breadth and individual trophic specialisation) for 15 native fish taxa belonging to different thermal guilds from 35 subarctic lakes along a marked climate-productivity gradient corresponding to future climate change predictions. We revealed significant and contrasting responses from two generalist species that are abundant and widely distributed in the region. The cold-water adapted European whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) reduced individual specialisation in warmer and more productive lakes. Conversely, the cool-water adapted Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis) showed increased levels of individual specialism along climate-productivity gradient. Although whitefish and perch differed in the way they consumed prey along the climate-productivity gradient, they both switched from consumption of zooplankton in cooler, less productive lakes, to macrozoobenthos in warmer, more productive lakes. Species with specialist benthic or pelagic feeding did not show significant changes in trophic ecology along the gradient. We conclude that generalist consumers, such as warmer adapted perch, have clear advantages over colder and clear-water specialised species or morphs through their capacity to undergo reciprocal benthic–pelagic switches in feeding associated with environmental change. The capacity to show trophic flexibility in warmer and more productive lakes is likely a key trait for species dominance in future communities of high latitudes under climate change.
Financial performance of hidden champions: Evidence from German manufacturing firms
Authors: Johann Matthias S. , Block Jörn H. , Benz Lena
Published: October 2021

Hidden champions are market leaders in niche markets and are an important part of the German Mittelstand. Although the hidden champion phenomenon has received considerable interest in practice, few academic studies on this issue exist. We especially lack evidence on the financial performance of hidden champions. Our study addresses this gap and investigates the profitability of hidden champions. In analyzing a panel dataset of 4677 German manufacturing firms, of which 617 are hidden champions, we find that hidden champions have significantly higher profitability with regard to return on assets but less so regarding return on equity. The hidden champion performance effect on return on assets is valued at 1.7 percentage points. Furthermore, the hidden champion performance effect decreases with firm size. Our paper contributes to the literature on the effect of firm strategy on firm profitability and adds to a better understanding of the hidden champion phenomenon.
Time series-based bibliometric analysis of a systematic review of multidisciplinary care for opioid dose reduction: exploring the origins of the North American opioid crisis
Authors: Sud Abhimanyu , Cheng Darren K. , Moineddin Rahim , Zlahtic Erin , Upshur Ross
Published: October 2021

Bibliometric analyses of systematic reviews offer unique opportunities to explore the character of specific scientific fields. In this time series-based analysis, dynamics of multidisciplinary care for chronic pain and opioid prescribing are analyzed over a forty-four year time span. Three distinct periods are identified, each defined by distinct research areas, as well as priorities regarding the use of opioids and the appropriate management of chronic pain. These scientometrically defined periods align with timelines identified previously by narrative historical accounts. Through cross-correlation with a mortality time series, a significant two-year lag between opioid overdose mortality and citation dynamics is identified between 2004 and 2019. This analysis demonstrates a bidirectional relationship between the scientific literature and the North American opioid overdose crisis, suggesting that the scientific literature is both reflective and generative of an important health and social phenomenon. A scientometric phenomenon of memory lapse, namely an overt and prolonged failure to cite older relevant literature, is identified using a metric of mean time to citation. It is proposed that this metric can be used to analyze changes in emerging literature and thus predict the nature of clinical and policy responses to the opioid crisis, and thus potentially to other health and social phenomena.
Identifying and characterizing social media communities: a socio-semantic network approach to altmetrics
Authors: Arroyo-Machado Wenceslao , Torres-Salinas Daniel , Robinson-Garcia Nicolas
Published: October 2021

Altmetric indicators allow exploring and profiling individuals who discuss and share scientific literature in social media. But it is still a challenge to identify and characterize communities based on the research topics in which they are interested as social and geographic proximity also influence interactions. This paper proposes a new method which profiles social media users based on their interest on research topics using altmetric data. Social media users are clustered based on the topics related to the research publications they share in social media. This allows removing linkages which respond to social or personal proximity and identifying disconnected users who may have similar research interests. We test this method for users tweeting publications from the fields of Information Science & Library Science, and Microbiology. We conclude by discussing the potential application of this method and how it can assist information professionals, policy managers and academics to understand and identify the main actors discussing research literature in social media.
In vivo Imaging of Cannabinoid Type 2 Receptors: Functional and Structural Alterations in Mouse Model of Cerebral Ischemia by PET and MRI
Authors: Ni Ruiqing , Müller Herde Adrienne , Haider Achi , Keller Claudia , Louloudis Georgios , Vaas Markus , Schibli Roger , Ametamey Simon M. , Klohs Jan , Mu Linjing
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Stroke is one of the most prevalent vascular diseases. Non-invasive molecular imaging methods have the potential to provide critical insights into the temporal dynamics and follow alterations of receptor expression and metabolism in ischemic stroke. The aim of this study was to assess the cannabinoid type 2 receptor (CB2R) levels in transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) mouse models at subacute stage using positron emission tomography (PET) with our novel tracer [18F]RoSMA-18-d6 and structural imaging by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Procedures

Our recently developed CB2R PET tracer [18F]RoSMA-18-d6 was used for imaging neuroinflammation at 24 h after reperfusion in tMCAO mice. The RNA expression levels of CB2R and other inflammatory markers were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction using brain tissues from tMCAO (1 h occlusion) and sham-operated mice. [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) was included for evaluation of the cerebral metabolic rate of glucose (CMRglc). In addition, diffusion-weighted imaging and T2-weighted imaging were performed for anatomical reference and delineating the lesion in tMCAO mice.

Results

mRNA expressions of inflammatory markers TNF-α, Iba1, MMP9 and GFAP, CNR2 were increased to 1.3–2.5 fold at 24 h after reperfusion in the ipsilateral compared to contralateral hemisphere of tMCAO mice, while mRNA expression of the neuronal marker MAP-2 was markedly reduced to ca. 50 %. Reduced [18F]FDG uptake was observed in the ischemic striatum of tMCAO mouse brain at 24 h after reperfusion. Although higher activity of [18F]RoSMA-18-d6 in ex vivo biodistribution studies and higher standard uptake value ratio (SUVR) were detected in the ischemic ipsilateral compared to contralateral striatum in tMCAO mice, the in vivo specificity of [18F]RoSMA-18-d6 was confirmed only in the CB2R-rich spleen.

Conclusions

This study revealed an increased [18F]RoSMA-18-d6 measure of CB2R and a reduced [18F]FDG measure of CMRglc in the ischemic striatum of tMCAO mice at subacute stage. [18F]RoSMA-18-d6 might be a promising PET tracer for detecting CB2R alterations in animal models of neuroinflammation without neuronal loss.