bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HnRNP K mislocalisation is a novel protein pathology of frontotemporal lobar degeneration and ageing and leads to cryptic splicing
Authors: Bampton Alexander , Gatt Ariana , Humphrey Jack , Cappelli Sara , Bhattacharya Dipanjan , Foti Sandrine , Brown Anna-Leigh , Asi Yasmine , Low Yi Hua , Foiani Marco , Raj Towfique , Buratti Emanuele , Fratta Pietro , Lashley Tammaryn
Published: July 2021

Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (HnRNPs) are a group of ubiquitously expressed RNA-binding proteins implicated in the regulation of all aspects of nucleic acid metabolism. HnRNP K is a member of this highly versatile hnRNP family. Pathological redistribution of hnRNP K to the cytoplasm has been linked to the pathogenesis of several malignancies but, until now, has been underexplored in the context of neurodegenerative disease. Here we show hnRNP K mislocalisation in pyramidal neurons of the frontal cortex to be a novel neuropathological feature that is associated with both frontotemporal lobar degeneration and ageing. HnRNP K mislocalisation is mutually exclusive to TDP-43 and tau pathological inclusions in neurons and was not observed to colocalise with mitochondrial, autophagosomal or stress granule markers. De-repression of cryptic exons in RNA targets following TDP-43 nuclear depletion is an emerging mechanism of potential neurotoxicity in frontotemporal lobar degeneration and the mechanistically overlapping disorder amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. We silenced hnRNP K in neuronal cells to identify the transcriptomic consequences of hnRNP K nuclear depletion. Intriguingly, by performing RNA-seq analysis we find that depletion of hnRNP K induces 101 novel cryptic exon events. We validated cryptic exon inclusion in an SH-SY5Y hnRNP K knockdown and in FTLD brain exhibiting hnRNP K nuclear depletion. We, therefore, present evidence for hnRNP K mislocalisation to be associated with FTLD and for this to induce widespread changes in splicing.
Epidemiology of complete knee dislocations: an updated classification system
Authors: Mühlenfeld Nils , Berthold Daniel P. , Münch Lukas N. , Störmann Philipp , Hörauf Jason-Alexander , Leiblein Max , Sander Anna Lena , Frank Johannes , Marzi Ingo , Wagner Nils
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Current classifications of complete knee dislocations do not capture the extent of the complex concomitant ligamentous and bony injuries, which may have an impact on future outcomes. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the epidemiology of complete knee dislocations as well as to present an updated classification system based on the author’s experience at a Level-I trauma center.

Materials and methods

Only patients with complete loss of contact of the articulating bones and ≥ 18 years of age who admitted in our level-I trauma center between 2002 and 2019 were included. Patients were identified using a retrospective systematical query in the Hospital Information System (HIS) using the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems Version10 (ICD-10) codes of the German Diagnosis Related Groups (G-DRG).

Results

Final data included 80 patients, with the majority of patients being male (n = 64; 80.0%). Mean age was 34.9 years (range: 18–70 years). External protective fixation was applied in 32 patients (40.0%). Reconstruction of the posterior cruciate ligament and the anterior cruciate ligament were performed in 56.3% (n = 45) and 55.0% (n = 44) of cases, respectively. The lateral collateral ligament complex was surgically addressed in 47.5% (n = 38), while the medial collateral ligament complex was reconstructed in 40% (n = 32). Surgery of the lateral meniscus and the medial meniscus was needed in 31.1% (n = 25) and 30.0% (n = 24). Neurovascular surgery occurred in 13.8% (n = 11). From the characteristic injury-patterns the authors of this study present a new classification system that ranks the injuries from Grade-A to Grade-D according to their severity.

Conclusion

This retrospective study demonstrates that the historically used classification systems for dislocations of the knee are insufficient for these severe injuries. Concomitant ligamentous, neurovascular, bony, and meniscal injuries were frequent, and required several staged procedures. Consequently, an updated classification system is proposed.
Quality of life after transoral CO2 laser posterior cordotomy with or without partial arytenoidectomy for bilateral adductor vocal cord paralysis
Authors: Filauro Marta , Vallin Alberto , Marcenaro Elisa , Missale Francesco , Fragale Marco , Mora Francesco , Marrosu Valeria , Sampieri Claudio , Carta Filippo , Puxeddu Roberto , Peretti Giorgio
Published: July 2021

Objectives

Bilateral adductor vocal cord paralysis (BAVCP) is a rare and challenging condition whose main consequence is reduction of airway patency at the glottic level, often causing respiratory distress, while vocal function tends to remain almost normal. We investigated the effect of transoral glottal widening on quality of life and decannulation rates in patients affected by BAVCP.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated patients affected by BAVCP and treated by transoral CO2 posterior cordotomy with or without medial partial arytenoidectomy (PC ± MPA) at two referral centers. The primary outcome was change in quality of life, evaluated pre- and post-operatively by the ADVS, VHI-30, and EAT-10 questionnaires. Secondary outcomes were the need for retreatments and, for patients with tracheotomy, the time to decannulation.

Results

Thirty-three patients met selection criteria. The etiology was post-surgical in 27 cases (81.8%), idiopathic in 4 (12.1%), a trauma-related in 1 (6.0%), and to other causes in 1 (3.0%). In 22 cases (66.7%), PC was combined with MPA. A significant improvement in responses for the ADVS (p < .0001) and EAT-10 (p < .0001) was observed, whereas the VHI-30 score did not change significantly post-operatively. All nine patients with a tracheostomy were successfully decannulated within 18 months after the surgical procedure.

Conclusions

For patients affected by BAVCP, PC ± MPA by transoral CO2 laser microsurgery is a safe, customizable and minimally invasive treatment that can guarantee an affordable balance between quality of life in terms of phonation and swallowing and acceptable airway patency.
Limits of multiplicative inhomogeneous random graphs and Lévy trees: limit theorems
Authors: Broutin Nicolas , Duquesne Thomas , Wang Minmin
Published: July 2021

We consider a natural model of inhomogeneous random graphs that extends the classical Erdős–Rényi graphs and shares a close connection with the multiplicative coalescence, as pointed out by Aldous (Ann Probab 25:812–854, 1997). In this model, the vertices are assigned weights that govern their tendency to form edges. It is by looking at the asymptotic distributions of the masses (sum of the weights) of the connected components of these graphs that Aldous and Limic (Electron J Probab 3:1–59, 1998) have identified the entrance boundary of the multiplicative coalescence, which is intimately related to the excursion lengths of certain Lévy-type processes. We, instead, look at the metric structure of these components and prove their Gromov–Hausdorff–Prokhorov convergence to a class of (random) compact measured metric spaces that have been introduced in a companion paper (Broutin et al. in Limits of multiplicative inhomogeneous random graphs and Lévy trees: the continuum graphs.arXiv:1804.05871, 2020). Our asymptotic regimes relate directly to the general convergence condition appearing in the work of Aldous and Limic. Our techniques provide a unified approach for this general “critical” regime, and relies upon two key ingredients: an encoding of the graph by some Lévy process as well as an embedding of its connected components into Galton–Watson forests. This embedding transfers asymptotically into an embedding of the limit objects into a forest of Lévy trees, which allows us to give an explicit construction of the limit objects from the excursions of the Lévy-type process. The mains results combined with the ones in the other paper allow us to extend and complement several previous results that had been obtained via model- or regime-specific proofs, for instance: the case of Erdős–Rényi random graphs obtained by Addario-Berry et al. (Probab Theory Relat Fields 152:367–406, 2012), theasymptotic homogeneouscase as studied by Bhamidi et al. (Probab Theory Relat Fields 169:565–641, 2017), or thepower-lawcase as considered by Bhamidi et al. (Probab Theory Relat Fields 170:387–474, 2018).
Developing an engineering tool for Cyber-Physical Production Systems
Authors: Kannengiesser Udo , Frysak Josef , Stary Christian , Krenn Florian , Müller Harald
Published: July 2021

Cyber-Physical Production Systems (CPPS) form the basis of the next industrial revolution. However, many manufacturing companies are reluctant to adopt this disruptive technology due to a lack of know-how and a high project risk. In this paper, we present the development of a design tool that addresses common challenges of CPPS engineering, including the complexity of CPPS and the collaborative, multidisciplinary nature of the engineering process. The tool is based on the combination of existing and emerging reference models, standards and methods from software engineering, production automation and Industry 4.0, embedded in a new model of collaborative engineering for CPPS. The paper describes the foundational concepts of the tool, highlights its innovations, and reports some of the insights gained during its development and its usage in an industrial scenario.
Nerve root sedimentation sign on MRI: A triage screen for leg dominant symptoms?
Authors: Huschi Zachary , Neuburger Laura , Ahmed Syed Uzair , Cheng Yanzhao , Fourney Daryl R.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Surgical indications for lumbar spinal stenosis are controversial, but most agree that leg dominant pain is a better predictor of success after decompression surgery. The objective of this study is to analyze the ability of the Nerve Root Sedimentation Sign (SedSign) on MRI to differentiate leg dominant symptoms from non-specific low back pain.

Methods

This was a retrospective review of 367 consecutive patients presenting with back and/or leg pain. Baseline clinical characteristics included Oswestry disability index (ODI), visual analog pain scores, EuroQol Group 5-Dimension Self-Report (EQ5D) and Saskatchewan Spine Pathway Classification (SSPc). Inter- and intra-rater reliability for SedSign was 73% and 91%, respectively (3 examiners).

Results

SedSign was positive in 111 (30.2%) and negative in 256 (69.8%) patients. On univariate analysis, a positive SedSign was correlated with age, male sex, several ODI components, EQ5D mobility, cross-sectional area (CSA) of stenosis, antero-posterior diameter of stenosis, and SSPc pattern 4 (intermittent leg dominant pain). On multivariate analysis, SedSign was associated with age, male sex, CSA stenosis and ODI walking distance. Patients with a positive SedSign were more likely to be offered surgery after referral (OR 2.65). The sensitivity and specificity for detecting all types of leg dominant pain were 37.4 and 82.8, respectively (ppv 77.5%, npv 43.8%).

Conclusions

Patients with a positive SedSign were more likely to be offered surgery, in particular non-instrumented decompression. The SedSign has high specificity for leg dominant pain, but the sensitivity is poor. As such, its use in triaging appropriate surgical referrals is limited.
Dopamine adjusts the circadian gene expression of Per2 and Per3 in human dermal fibroblasts from ADHD patients
Authors: Faltraco Frank , Palm Denise , Uzoni Adriana , Borchert Lena , Simon Frederick , Tucha Oliver , Thome Johannes
Published: July 2021

A link between dopamine levels, circadian gene expression, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has already been demonstrated. The aim of this study was to investigate the extent of these relationships by measuring circadian gene expression in primary human-derived dermal fibroblast cultures (HDF) after dopamine exposure. We analyzed circadian preference, behavioral circadian and sleep parameters as well as the circadian gene expression in a cohort of healthy controls and participants with ADHD. Circadian preference was evaluated with German Morningness-Eveningness-Questionnaire (D-MEQ) and rhythms of sleep/wake behavior were assessed via actigraphy. After ex vivo exposure to different dopamine concentrations in human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cultures, the rhythmicity of circadian gene expression (Clock, Bmal1, Per1-3, Cry1) was analyzed via qRT-PCR. We found no statistical significant effect in the actigraphy of both groups (healthy controls, ADHD group) for mid-sleep on weekend days, mid-sleep on weekdays, social jetlag, wake after sleep onset, and total number of wake bouts. D-MEQ scores indicated that healthy controls had no evening preference, whereas subjects with ADHD displayed both definitive and moderate evening preferences. Dopamine has no effect on Per3 expression in healthy controls, but produces a significant difference in the ADHD group at ZT24 and ZT28. In the ADHD group, incubation with dopamine, either 1 µM or 10 µM, resulted in an adjustment of Per3 expression to control levels. A similar effect also was found in the expression of Per2. Statistical significant differences in the expression of Per2 (ZT4) in the control group compared to the ADHD group were found, following incubation with dopamine. The present study illustrates that dopamine impacts on circadian function. The results lead to the suggestion that dopamine may improve the sleep quality as well as ADHD symptoms by adjustment of the circadian gene expression, especially for Per2 and Per3.
Norepinephrine influences the circadian clock in human dermal fibroblasts from study participants with a diagnosis of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Palm Denise , Uzoni Adriana , Simon Frederick , Tucha Oliver , Thome Johannes , Faltraco Frank
Published: July 2021

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by changes to the circadian process. Many medications used to treat the condition, influence norepinephrine levels. Several studies have, in addition, reported that norepinephrine itself has an effect on circadian function. The aim of this study was to investigate the circadian gene expression in primary human-derived dermal fibroblast cultures (HDF) after norepinephrine exposure. We analyzed circadian preference, behavioral circadian and sleep parameters as well as the circadian gene expression in a cohort of healthy controls and participants with an ADHD diagnosis. Circadian preference was evaluated with German Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire (D-MEQ) and rhythms of sleep/wake behavior were assessed via actigraphy. After ex vivo exposure to different norepinephrine concentrations in HDF cultures, the rhythmicity of circadian gene expression was analyzed via qRT-PCR. The exposure of 1 µM norepinephrine to confluent cultures of human dermal fibroblasts from participants with a diagnosis of ADHD, was shown to dampen Per1 rhythmicity. The expression of Bmal1, Per1 and Per3 in control subjects was also influenced by incubation with 1 µM norepinephrine. Cultures from the ADHD group revealed no statistically significant overall differences in circadian gene expression, between cultures with and without norepinephrine incubation. Per3 expression showed a significant ZT × group interaction via mixed ANOVA. Per3 expression at ZT4 was significant higher in the group of control samples incubated with 1 µM norepinephrine, compared to the control group without norepinephrine. This effect was also shown in the control samples incubated with 1 µM norepinephrine and cultures from subjects with ADHD without norepinephrine incubation. Per3 expression differed between the healthy control group and the ADHD group without norepinephrine incubation at ZT28. The results of the present study illustrate that norepinephrine impacts on circadian function. In both groups, control group and cultures taken from subjects with ADHD, the expression of the periodic genes (Per1–3) was significantly influenced by incubation with norepinephrine.
Environment-driven control of fungi in subterranean ecosystems: the case of La Garma Cave (northern Spain)
Authors: Sanchez-Moral Sergio , Jurado Valme , Fernandez-Cortes Angel , Cuezva Soledad , Martin-Pozas Tamara , Gonzalez-Pimentel Jose Luis , Ontañon Roberto , Saiz-Jimenez Cesareo
Published: July 2021

Airborne microorganisms can cause important conservation problems in caves with Paleolithic art and therefore the knowledge of cave aerodynamic is essential. La Garma Cave (Cantabria, Spain), an exceptional archaeological site with several levels of galleries interconnected and two entrances, presents a complex atmospheric dynamics. An approach including aerobiological sampling together with microclimate monitoring was applied to assess the factors controlling the origin of airborne fungi. Here we show that winter ventilation is critical for the increasing ofBasidiomycotaspores in the cave air and the highest concentrations were found in the most ventilated areas. On the contrary,Ascomycotaspores prevailed in absence of ventilation. Besides, mostAscomycotawere linked to insects and bats that visit or inhabit the cave. The combination of aerobiological and microclimate data constitutes a good approach to evaluate the influence of external climatic conditions and design the most suitable strategies for the conservation of cultural heritage in the cave environment.
Attract, reward and disrupt: responses of pests and natural enemies to combinations of habitat manipulation and semiochemicals in organic apple
Authors: Pålsson Joakim , Porcel Mario , Dekker Teun , Tasin Marco
Published: July 2021

The widespread use of pesticides along with the simplification of the landscape has had undesirable effects on agroecosystems, such as the loss of biodiversity and the associated ecosystem service biological control. How current production systems can be remodelled to allow for a re-establishment of biological pest control, while preserving productivity, is a major challenge. Here, we tested whether a combination of tools could augment or synergize biological control of insect pests in apple (Malus domestica), comprised of a tortricid pest complex, a geometrid pest complex and the rosy apple aphid. The tools aimed at disrupting mating behaviour of multiple pest species (multispecies mating disruption, “Disrupt”, MMD), attracting natural enemies (a blend of herbivory-induced volatiles, “Attract”, A), or providing refuge and rewards for a diverse insect community (perennial flower strip, “Reward”, R) over a 3-year period. Suction samples were consistently richer in generalist predators but not in parasitoids when multiple tools including MMD + A + R or MMD + A were employed. In addition, lepidopteran pest levels were significantly lower in these plots than in MMD or MMD + R at the end of the 3-year experiment. This was, however, not reflected in survival of artificially established aphid colonies. Our data indicates that multiple, complementary tools can greatly enhance natural enemy level, but also that long-term implementation is needed to fully realize the augmentatory or synergistic potential of complementary components and restore biological control as an ecosystem service of practical relevance.
The agroecological transition in Senegal: transnational links and uneven empowerment
Authors: Boillat Sébastien , Belmin Raphaël , Bottazzi Patrick
Published: July 2021

Senegal is among the few African countries that counts with an important agroecological movement. This movement is strongly backed up by a network of transnational partnerships and has recently matured into an advocacy coalition that promotes an agroecological transition at national scale. In this article, we investigate the role of transnational links on the empowerment potential of agroecology. Combining the multi-level perspective of socio-technical transitions and Bourdieu’s theory of practices, we conceptualize the agroecological network as a niche shaped by the circulation of different types of capital. Using social network analysis, we investigate the existing flows of resources and knowledge, as well as membership and advocacy links to critically address within-niche empowerment processes. We show that transnational ties play a key role in building the niche protective space, showing a financial dependency of the agroecological niche on NGOs and international cooperation programmes based in Europe and North America. This configuration tends to favor the empowerment of NGOs instead of farmer unions, which only play a peripheral role in the network. However, the multiple innovations focus of agroecology may open up prospects for more gradual but potentially radical change. Based on our findings, we suggest to include more explicitly core-periphery dynamics in transition studies involving North–South relations, including circulation of capital, ideas and norms.
The nexus between black and digital gold: evidence from US markets
Authors: Huynh Toan Luu Duc , Ahmed Rizwan , Nasir Muhammad Ali , Shahbaz Muhammad , Huynh Ngoc Quang Anh
Published: July 2021

In the context of the debate on cryptocurrencies as the ‘digital gold’, this study explores the nexus between the Bitcoin and US oil returns by employing a rich set of parametric and non-parametric approaches. We examine the dependence structure of the US oil market and Bitcoin through Clayton copulas, normal copulas, and Gumbel copulas. Copulas help us to test the volatility of these dependence structures through left-tailed, right-tailed or normal distributions. We collected daily data from 5 February 2014 to 24 January 2019 on Bitcoin prices and oil prices. The data on bitcoin prices were extracted from coinmarketcap.com. The US oil prices were collected from the Federal Reserve Economic Data source. Maximum pseudo-likelihood estimation was applied to the dataset and showed that the US oil returns and Bitcoin are highly vulnerable to tail risks. The multiplier bootstrap-based goodness-of-fit test as well as Kendal plots also suggest left-tail dependence, and this adds to the robustness of the results. The stationary bootstrap test for the partial cross-quantilogram indicates which quantile in the left tail has a statistically significant relationship between Bitcoin and US oil returns. The study has crucial implications in terms of portfolio diversification using cryptocurrencies and oil-based hedging instruments.
Industry practices and challenges for the evolvability assurance of microservices
Authors: Bogner Justus , Fritzsch Jonas , Wagner Stefan , Zimmermann Alfred
Published: July 2021

Context

Microservices as a lightweight and decentralized architectural style with fine-grained services promise several beneficial characteristics for sustainable long-term software evolution. Success stories from early adopters like Netflix, Amazon, or Spotify have demonstrated that it is possible to achieve a high degree of flexibility and evolvability with these systems. However, the described advantageous characteristics offer no concrete guidance and little is known about evolvability assurance processes for microservices in industry as well as challenges in this area. Insights into the current state of practice are a very important prerequisite for relevant research in this field.

Objective

We therefore wanted to explore how practitioners structure the evolvability assurance processes for microservices, what tools, metrics, and patterns they use, and what challenges they perceive for the evolvability of their systems.

Method

We first conducted 17 semi-structured interviews and discussed 14 different microservice-based systems and their assurance processes with software professionals from 10 companies. Afterwards, we performed a systematic grey literature review (GLR) and used the created interview coding system to analyze 295 practitioner online resources.

Results

The combined analysis revealed the importance of finding a sensible balance between decentralization and standardization. Guidelines like architectural principles were seen as valuable to ensure a base consistency for evolvability and specialized test automation was a prevalent theme. Source code quality was the primary target for the usage of tools and metrics for our interview participants, while testing tools and productivity metrics were the focus of our GLR resources. In both studies, practitioners did not mention architectural or service-oriented tools and metrics, even though the most crucial challenges like Service Cutting or Microservices Integration were of an architectural nature.

Conclusions

Practitioners relied on guidelines, standardization, or patterns like Event-Driven Messaging to partially address some reported evolvability challenges. However, specialized techniques, tools, and metrics are needed to support industry with the continuous evaluation of service granularity and dependencies. Future microservices research in the areas of maintenance, evolution, and technical debt should take our findings and the reported industry sentiments into account.
Bifurcations of drops and bubbles propagating in variable-depth Hele-Shaw channels
Authors: Thompson Alice B.
Published: July 2021

The steady propagation of air bubbles through a Hele-Shaw channel with either a rectangular or partially occluded cross section is known to exhibit solution multiplicity for steadily propagating bubbles, along with complicated transient behaviour where the bubble may visit several edge states or even change topology several times, before typically reaching its final propagation mode. Many of these phenomena can be observed both in experimental realisations and in numerical simulations based on simple Darcy models of flow and bubble propagation in a Hele-Shaw cell. In this paper, we investigate the corresponding problem for the propagation of a viscous drop (with viscosity $$\nu $$
ν
relative to the surrounding fluid) using a Darcy model. We explore the effect of drop viscosity on the steady solution structure for drops in rectangular channels or with imposed height variations. Under the Darcy model in a uniform channel, steady solutions for bubbles map directly on to those for drops with any internal viscosity $$\nu \ne 1$$

ν
≠
1

. Hence, the solution multiplicity predicted for bubbles also occurs for drops, although for $$\nu >1$$

ν
>
1

, the interface shape is reversed with inflection points appearing at the rear rather than the front of the drop. The equivalence between bubbles and drops breaks down for transient behaviour, at the introduction of any height variation, for multiple bodies of different viscosity ratios and for more detailed models which produce a more complicated flow in the interior of the drop. We show that the introduction of topography variations affects bubbles and drops differently, with very viscous drops preferentially moving towards more constricted regions of the channel. Both bubbles and drops can undergo transient behaviour which involves breakup into two almost equal bodies, which then symmetry break before either recombining or separating indefinitely.
Does kindness towards robots lead to virtue? A reply to Sparrow’s asymmetry argument
Authors: Coeckelbergh Mark
Published: July 2021

Does cruel behavior towards robots lead to vice, whereas kind behavior does not lead to virtue? This paper presents a critical response to Sparrow’s argument that there is an asymmetry in the way we (should) think about virtue and robots. It discusses how much we should praise virtue as opposed to vice, how virtue relates to practical knowledge and wisdom, how much illusion is needed for it to be a barrier to virtue, the relation between virtue and consequences, the moral relevance of the reality requirement and the different ways one can deal with it, the risk of anthropocentric bias in this discussion, and the underlying epistemological assumptions and political questions. This response is not only relevant to Sparrow’s argument or to robot ethics but also touches upon central issues in virtue ethics.
Chronos: A NIR spectroscopic galaxy survey to probe the most fundamental stages of galaxy evolution
Authors: Ferreras I. , Cropper M. , Sharples R. , Bland-Hawthorn J. , Bruzual G. , Charlot S. , Conselice C. J. , Driver S. , Dunlop J. , Hopkins A. M. , Kaviraj S. , Kitching T. , Barbera F. La , Lahav O. , Pasquali A. , Serjeant S. , Silk J. , Windhorst R.
Published: July 2021

We propose a dedicated, ultra-deep spectroscopic survey in the near infrared (NIR), that will target a mass-limited sample of galaxies during two of the most fundamental epochs of cosmic evolution: the formation of the first galaxies (at z $\gtrsim $
≳
6; cosmic dawn), and at the peak of galaxy formation activity (at redshift z$\sim $
∼
1–3; cosmic noon). By way of NIR observations (λ= 0.8–2μ m), it is possible to study the UV Lyman-α region in the former, and the optical rest-frame in the latter, allowing us to extract fundamental observables such as gas and stellar kinematics, chemical abundances, and ages, providing a unique legacy database covering these two crucial stages of cosmic evolution. The need to work in the NIR at extremely low flux levels makes a ground-based approach unfeasible due to atmospheric emission and absorption. Only with the largest facilities of the future (e.g. ELT) will be possible to observe a reduced set of targets, comprising at most of order thousands of galaxies. Likewise, from space, the small field of view of JWST and its use as a general purpose facility will yield a rather small set of high quality NIR spectra of distant galaxies (in the thousands, at best). Our project (codename ) aims to produce $\sim $
∼
1 million high quality spectra, with a high S/N in the continuum, where information about the underlying stellar populations is encoded. The main science drivers are:

The connection between the star formation history and the mass assembly history.

The role of AGN and supernova feedback in shaping the formation histories of galaxies, with a quantitative estimate of quenching timescales.

The formation of the first galaxies.

The source of reionization.

Evolution of the metallicity-mass relation, including [α/Fe] and individual abundances.

Precision cosmology through detailed studies of the “baryon physics” of galaxy formation, probing the power spectrum over scales k$\sim $
∼
1 Mpc− 1.
Effect of precursor particle size and morphology on lithiation of Ni0.6Mn0.2Co0.2(OH)2
Authors: Hietaniemi Marianna , Hu Tao , Välikangas Juho , Niittykoski Janne , Lassi Ulla
Published: July 2021

In this paper, Ni0.6Mn0.2Co0.2(OH)2 precursors with several different morphologies and particle sizes are mixed with Li2CO3 and heat treated for 5, 7.5 and 10 h. The effects of the precursor properties on the degree of lithiation, electrochemical properties and volumetric capacities of lithiated product are compared. Based on the characterization results, a small (3 μm), narrow span precursor can be lithiated in a short period of time (5 h) and has good initial discharge capacity (185 mA h g− 1) and capacity retention (93% for 55 cycles). In contrast, a large wide-span precursor requires over 10 h for full lithiation. A highly porous precursor can be lithiated faster than traditional large wide-span materials, and has low cation mixing and good crystallinity. However, the volumetric energy density of porous material is low after lithiation compared to the other tested materials. Capacity retention after washing correlated with crystallographic properties of the sample.

Graphic abstract
Eating Problems in Autistic Females and Males: A Co-twin Control Study
Authors: Lundin Remnélius Karl , Neufeld Janina , Isaksson Johan , Bölte Sven
Published: July 2021

This study investigated the association between autism and self-reported eating problems and the influence of gender on the association, in a sample of adolescent and adult twins (N = 192). Autistic traits and autism diagnosis were associated with both total and specific eating problems, including selective eating and sensory sensitivity during mealtimes. Interaction effects indicated a stronger association between autistic traits and total eating problems in females, as well as more difficulties with eating in social contexts among autistic females. In within-pair analyses, where unmeasured confounders including genes and shared environment are implicitly controlled for, the association was lost within monozygotic pairs, which might further indicate a genetic influence on the relationship between autism and eating problems.
Quantifying the Tetrad Effect, Shape Components, and Ce–Eu–Gd Anomalies in Rare Earth Element Patterns
Authors: Anenburg Michael , Williams Morgan J.
Published: July 2021

Plots of chondrite-normalised rare earth element (REE) patterns often appear as smooth curves. These curves can be decomposed into orthogonal polynomial functions (shape components), each of which captures a feature of the total pattern. The coefficients of these components (known as the lambda coefficients—$$\lambda $$
λ
) can be derived using least-squares fitting, allowing quantitative description of REE patterns and dimension reduction of parameters required for this. The tetrad effect is similarly quantified using least-squares fitting of shape components to data, resulting in the tetrad coefficients ($$\tau $$
τ
). Our method allows fitting of all four tetrad coefficients together with tetrad-independent $$\lambda $$
λ
curvature. We describe the mathematical derivation of the method and two tools to apply the method: the online interactive application BLambdaR, and the Python package pyrolite. We show several case studies that explore aspects of the method, its treatment of redox-anomalous REE, and possible pitfalls and considerations in its use.
Nonlinear dynamic response of an isolation system with superelastic hysteresis and negative stiffness
Authors: Salvatore Andrea , Carboni Biagio , Lacarbonara Walter
Published: July 2021

The negative stiffness exhibited by bi-stable mechanisms together with the tunable superelasticity offered by shape memory alloy (SMA) wires can enhance the dynamic resilience of a structure in the context of vibration isolation. The effects of negative stiffness and superelastic damping in base-isolated structures are here explored by carrying out an extensive study of the nonlinear dynamic response via pathfollowing, bifurcation analysis, and time integration. The frequency-response curves of the isolated structure, with and without the negative stiffness contribution, are numerically obtained for different excitation amplitudes to construct the acceleration and displacement transmissibility curves. The advantages of negative stiffness, such as damping augmentation and reduced acceleration/displacement transmissibility, as well as the existence of rich bifurcation scenarios toward quasi-periodicity and chaos, are discussed.
Managing pasireotide-associated hyperglycemia: a randomized, open-label, Phase IV study
Authors: Samson Susan L. , Gu Feng , Feldt-Rasmussen Ulla , Zhang Shaoling , Yu Yerong , Witek Przemysław , Kalra Pramila , Pedroncelli Alberto M. , Pultar Philippe , Jabbour Nadine , Paul Michaela , Bolanowski Marek
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Pasireotide is an effective treatment for acromegaly and Cushing’s disease, although treatment-emergent hyperglycemia can occur. The objective of this study was to assess incretin-based therapy versus insulin for managing pasireotide-associated hyperglycemia uncontrolled by metformin/other permitted oral antidiabetic drugs.

Methods

Multicenter, randomized, open-label, Phase IV study comprising a core phase (≤ 16-week pre-randomization period followed by 16-week randomized treatment period) and optional extension (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02060383). Adults with acromegaly (n = 190) or Cushing’s disease (n = 59) received long-acting (starting 40 mg IM/28 days) or subcutaneous pasireotide (starting 600 µg bid), respectively. Patients with increased fasting plasma glucose (≥ 126 mg/dL on three consecutive days) during the 16-week pre-randomization period despite metformin/other oral antidiabetic drugs were randomized 1:1 to open-label incretin-based therapy (sitagliptin followed by liraglutide) or insulin for another 16 weeks. The primary objective was to evaluate the difference in mean change in HbA1c from randomization to end of core phase between incretin-based therapy and insulin treatment arms.

Results

Eighty-one (32.5%) patients were randomized to incretin-based therapy (n = 38 received sitagliptin, n = 28 subsequently switched to liraglutide; n = 12 received insulin as rescue therapy) or insulin (n = 43). Adjusted mean change in HbA1c between treatment arms was – 0.28% (95% CI – 0.63, 0.08) in favor of incretin-based therapy. The most common AE other than hyperglycemia was diarrhea (incretin-based therapy, 28.9%; insulin, 30.2%). Forty-six (18.5%) patients were managed on metformin (n = 43)/other OAD (n = 3), 103 (41.4%) patients did not require any oral antidiabetic drugs and 19 patients (7.6%) were receiving insulin at baseline and were not randomized.

Conclusion

Many patients receiving pasireotide do not develop hyperglycemia requiring oral antidiabetic drugs. Metformin is an effective initial treatment, followed by incretin-based therapy if needed.

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02060383.
Emergencies: on the misuse of government powers
Authors: Bjørnskov Christian , Voigt Stefan
Published: July 2021

Nine out of 10 constitutions contain explicit emergency provisions, intended to help governments cope with extraordinary events that endanger many people or the existence of the state. We ask two questions: (1) does the constitutionalization of emergency provisions help governments to cope with disasters and other extraordinary events? (2) What particular parts of emergency constitutions fare best? We find that the more advantages emergency constitutions confer to the executive, the higher the number of people killed as a consequence of a natural disaster, controlling for its severity. As this is an unexpected result, we discuss a number of potential explanations, the most plausible being that governments use natural disasters as a pretext to enhance their power. Furthermore, the easier it is to call a state of emergency, the larger the negative effects on basic human rights. Interestingly, presidential democracies are better able to cope with natural disasters than parliamentary ones in terms of lives saved, whereas autocracies do significantly worse in the sense that empowerment rights seriously suffer in the aftermath of a disaster.
Quality of life in urologic cancer patients: importance of and satisfaction with specific quality of life domains
Authors: Leuteritz Katja , Richter Diana , Mehnert-Theuerkauf Anja , Stolzenburg Jens-Uwe , Hinz Andreas
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Quality of life (QoL) has been the subject of increasing interest in oncology. Most examinations of QoL have focused on health-related QoL, while other factors often remain unconsidered. Moreover, QoL questionnaires implicitly assume that the subjective importance of the various QoL domains is identical from one patient to the next. The aim of this study was to analyze QoL in a broader sense, considering the subjective importance of the QoL components.

Methods

A sample of 173 male urologic patients was surveyed twice: once while hospitalized (t1) and once again 3 months later (t2). Patients completed the Questions on Life Satisfaction questionnaire (FLZ-M), which includes satisfaction and importance ratings for eight dimensions of QoL. A control group was taken from the general population (n = 477).

Results

Health was the most important QoL dimension for both the patient and the general population groups. While satisfaction with health was low in the patient group, the satisfaction ratings of the other seven domains were higher in the patient group than in the general population. The satisfaction with the domain partnership/sexuality showed a significant decline from t1 to t2. Multiple regression analyses showed that the domains health and income contributed most strongly to the global QoL score at t2 in the patient group.

Conclusion

Health is not the only relevant category when assessing QoL in cancer patients; social relationships and finances are pertinent as well. Importance ratings contribute to a better understanding of the relevance of the QoL dimensions for the patients.
Brain drain and brain gain in Russia: Analyzing international migration of researchers by discipline using Scopus bibliometric data 1996–2020
Authors: Subbotin Alexander , Aref Samin
Published: July 2021

We study international mobility in academia, with a focus on the migration of published researchers to and from Russia. Using an exhaustive set of over 2.4 million Scopus publications, we analyze all researchers who have published with a Russian affiliation address in Scopus-indexed sources in 1996–2020. The migration of researchers is observed through the changes in their affiliation addresses, which altered their mode countries of affiliation across different years. While only 5.2% of these researchers were internationally mobile, they accounted for a substantial proportion of citations. Our estimates of net migration rates indicate that while Russia was a donor country in the late 1990s and early 2000s, it has experienced a relatively balanced circulation of researchers in more recent years. These findings suggest that the current trends in scholarly migration in Russia could be better framed as brain circulation, rather than as brain drain. Overall, researchers emigrating from Russia outnumbered and outperformed researchers immigrating to Russia. Our analysis on the subject categories of publication venues shows that in the past 25 years, Russia has, overall, suffered a net loss in most disciplines, and most notably in the five disciplines of neuroscience, decision sciences, mathematics, biochemistry, and pharmacology. We demonstrate the robustness of our main findings under random exclusion of data and changes in numeric parameters. Our substantive results shed light on new aspects of international mobility in academia, and on the impact of this mobility on a national science system, which have direct implications for policy development. Methodologically, our novel approach to handling big data can be adopted as a framework of analysis for studying scholarly migration in other countries.
“Never Again the Everyday”: On Cinema, Colportage and the Pedagogical Possibilities of Escapism
Authors: Hållander Marie
Published: July 2021

This article is a philosophical analysis of escapism as a pedagogical possibility, with a particular focus on TV series. Taking my own, as well as students, experience of escapism into TV series as a starting point, that is, their ability take us somewhere far away, something which has become more acute during the pandemic time since we remain more or less self-isolated because of the corona virus Covid-19, the article discusses escapism in relation to distraction and attention in life as well as within teaching, but also in relation to colportage, hope and social justice. According to Ernst Bloch, social justice cannot materialize without regarding things differently. Something that is often dismissed as mere escapism might be a seed for a new and more humane social order, as it can be seen as an “immature, but honest substitute for revolution” (Bloch 1986, p. 368). Drawing on Bloch’s understanding of colportage and hope, as well as Walter Benjamin’s understanding of mass culture and cinema, the article treats escapism and TV series not as something simple, but rather as possible seeds for a new social order and thus as having pedagogical possibilities (Hållander, 2020).
Social constructivism in mathematics? The promise and shortcomings of Julian Cole’s institutional account
Authors: Rytilä Jenni
Published: July 2021

The core idea of social constructivism in mathematics is that mathematical entities are social constructs that exist in virtue of social practices, similar to more familiar social entities like institutions and money. Julian C. Cole has presented an institutional version of social constructivism about mathematics based on John Searle’s theory of the construction of the social reality. In this paper, I consider what merits social constructivism has and examine how well Cole’s institutional account meets the challenge of accounting for the characteristic features of mathematics, especially objectivity and applicability. I propose that in general social constructivism shows promise as an ontology of mathematics, because the view can agree with mathematical practice and it offers a way of understanding how mathematical entities can be real without conflicting with a scientific picture of reality. However, I argue that Cole’s specific theory does not provide an adequate social constructivist account of mathematics. His institutional account fails to sufficiently explain the objectivity and applicability of mathematics, because the explanations are weakened and limited by the three-level theoretical model underlying Cole’s account of the construction of mathematical reality and by the use of the Searlean institutional framework. The shortcomings of Cole’s theory give reason to suspect that the Searlean framework is not an optimal way to defend the view that mathematical reality is socially constructed.
The B-type natriuretic peptide of the Congo and Timneh grey parrot
Authors: Hennig Anja , Mohr L. , Fehr M. , Legler M.
Published: July 2021

In captivity, cardiovascular diseases are common in grey parrots. The diagnosis of these diseases in living birds is difficult, and new diagnostic possibilities would be desirable. The heart is an important endocrine organ in which cardiomyocytes synthetise B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and release it into the bloodstream. This hormone has a significant role in cardiovascular and body fluid regulation. The blood concentration of BNP is used in human medicine and small animal medicine as a diagnostic tool in the identification of heart diseases and as a prognostic marker for the risk of mortality. The nucleotide and amino acid sequence of BNP was described in Congo (n = 4) and Timneh (n = 3) grey parrots by PCR after RNA isolation from the atria and ventricles. The results showed a high similarity between the nucleotide sequences of the grey parrots’ BNP and the already known sequence of this hormone in chickens. The amino acid sequence of the mature peptide region is consistent in these three species. BNP plasma concentration could be a possible blood parameter for identifying clinically manifest cardiovascular diseases in grey parrots as it is in other species.