bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Systematic prediction of EMS‐induced mutations in a sorghum mutant population
Authors: Simons Jared M. , Herbert Tim C. , Kauffman Coleby , Batete Marc Y. , Simpson Andrew T. , Katsuki Yuka , Le Dong , Amundson Danielle , Buescher Elizabeth M. , Weil Clifford , Tuinstra Mitch , Addo‐Quaye Charles
Published: May 2022

The precise detection of causal DNA mutations (deoxyribonucleic acid) is very crucial for forward genetic studies. Several sources of errors contribute to false‐positive detections by current variant‐calling algorithms, which impact associating phenotypes with genotypes. To improve the accuracy of mutation detection, we implemented a binning method for the accurate detection of likely ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS)‐induced mutations in a sequenced mutant population. We also implemented a clustering algorithm for detecting likely false negatives with high accuracy. Sorghum bicolor is a very valuable crop species with tremendous potential for uncovering novel gene functions associated with highly desirable agronomical traits. We demonstrate the precision of the described approach in the detection of likely EMS‐induced mutations from the publicly available low‐cost sequencing of the M3 generation from 600 sorghum BTx623 mutants. The approach detected 3,274,606 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), of which 96% (3,141,908) were G/C to A/T DNA substitutions, as expected by EMS‐mutagenesis mode of action. We demonstrated the general applicability of the described method and showed a high concordance, 94% (3,074,759) SNPs overlap between SAMtools‐based and GATK‐based variant‐calling algorithms. Our clustering algorithm uncovered evidence for an additional 223,048 likely false‐negative shared EMS‐induced mutations. The final 3,497,654 SNPs represent an 87% increase in SNPs detected from the previous analysis of the mutant population, with an average of one SNP per 125 kb in the sorghum genome. Annotation of the final SNPs revealed 10,263 high‐impact and 136,639 moderate‐impact SNPs, including 7217 stop‐gained mutations, which averages 12 stop‐gained mutations per mutant, and four high‐ or medium‐impact SNPs per sorghum gene. We have implemented a public search database for this new genetic resource of 30,285 distinct sorghum genes containing medium‐ or high‐impact EMS‐induced mutations. Seedstock for a select 486 of the 600 described mutants are publicly available in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) database.
Preparation and properties of self‐healable solid‐state polymer electrolytes based on covalent adaptive networks enabled by disulfide bond
Authors: Sun Shiqi , Wu Tongfei
Published: May 2022

Covalent adaptive networks (CANs) have numbers of versatile abilities derived from topological reshuffling with interesting potentials. Here, self‐healable solid‐state polymer electrolytes were developed by integrating epoxy‐resin‐based CANs enabled by disulfide bond with a solid lithium salt (LiTFSI). The disulfide bond was introduced by using a disulfide‐containing aliphatic polyamine as the epoxy‐curing agent. To determine the cure cycle of this epoxy‐resin system, the curing kinetics in the presence of LiTFSI was studied by nonisothermal differential scanning calorimetry. The prepared ion‐conducting (IC) CANs with different LiTFSI content were optically transparent and self‐healable at temperatures above glass transition temperature (Tg). The effect of LiTFSI content on the thermal stability and tensile properties was investigated. The electrical properties of the IC CANs were studied by impedance spectroscopy at various temperatures. Their ionic conductivity was analyzed by the Vogel–Tamman–Fulcher model and equivalent‐circuit fitting. Due to the high mobility of charge carriers, the IC CAN sample (containing15 wt% LiTFSI) exhibited the best ionic conductivity, which reached a value of 3.35 × 10−6 S cm−1 at 80 °C and 8.31 × 10−6 S cm−1 at 100 °C, presenting great attraction for self‐healing iontronics.
Controllable Selenization Transformation from MoO2 to MoSe2 by Gas Pressure‐Mediated Chemical Vapor Deposition
Authors: Shen Chengtao , Tian Feng , Qiu Peng , He Yingfeng , Wei Huiyun , Song Yimeng , Li Ye , Liu Heng , Zhu Xiaoli , Zheng Xinhe , Peng Mingzeng
Published: May 2022

During the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of MoSe2, controlling its selenization reaction and understanding its reaction mechanisms are of great significance to obtain high‐quality 2D transition metal selenide semiconductors. Herein, a variable‐pressure CVD (VPCVD) method is reported to achieve the controllable transformation from MoO2 to MoSe2 monolayer based on gas pressure‐mediated selenization. At the gas pressure lower than 20 KPa, high‐temperature decomposition of MoO3 in the Ar/H2 mixture only produces MoO2 nanosheets without any selenization. When the gas pressure is between 20 and 60 KPa, quadrilateral MoO2 nanosheets are partially selenized. By further increasing the gas pressure from 60 to 100 KPa, they are completely selenized. At the downstream margins of as‐selenized films, 2D MoSe2 monolayers demonstrate a morphological evolution from triangle to hexagon and then to a continuous film. In addition, their Se vacancy concentrations and nucleation sizes depend directly on gas pressure. Therefore, the gas pressure‐mediated selenization provides a feasible way for the in situ synthetic control of chemical composition and vacancy doping of 2D transition metal selenides/oxides.
Versatile tests for window mean survival time
Authors: Paukner Mitchell , Chappell Richard
Published: May 2022

Window mean survival time (WMST) evaluates the mean survival between a lower time horizon, , and an upper time horizon, . As a flexible extension of restricted mean survival time, specific clinically relevant windows of time can be assessed for survival difference accompanied by a communicable interpretation of estimates and tests. In its original application, WMST required the pre‐specification of a window through the selection of appropriate window bounds, and . In the instance of severe window misspecification of and , the analysis may suffer from low power and a less meaningful interpretation. In this article, we introduce versatile tests whose procedures are based on the simultaneous use of multiple WMST test statistics that are asymptotically normal under the null hypothesis of no difference between two groups. Simulations are performed to examine the power of the tests in moderate sample sizes when the data are uncensored to heavily censored with a ramp‐up enrollment period. The survival scenarios chosen for simulation are intended to imitate those which are commonly encountered in oncology, especially in trials involving immunotherapies. Implementation of the procedures is discussed in two real data examples for illustration. Functions for performing versatile WMST tests are provided in the survWMST package in R.
Steel fiber reinforced concrete tensile testing with eliminated lateral wall effect
Authors: Look Katharina , Mark Peter
Published: May 2022

A test rig and a novel experimental procedure are introduced and qualified to obtain realistic tensile strength of steel fiber reinforced concrete specimen with supercritical fiber contents from direct tensile tests. To eliminate the wall effect an optimal shape is found employing the method of tension triangles that ensures uniformly distributed stresses throughout. By water jet cutting an initially rectangular casted specimen is tapered at the center. The resulting bone‐shaped specimen replicates the true manufacturing conditions of the component regarding fiber distribution and orientation. Accuracy of load introduction and surface quality are monitored tracking eccentricities and slip. Both are found strictly limited and without impact on the maximum experimental residual tensile strength of 2.87 MPa on average with a low scatter of 15%. Employing flexural bending tests from the same concrete batch, a conversion factor to the direct tensile test of β = 0.38 was found for the first time.
Bootstrability in defect CFT: integrated correlators and sharper bounds
Authors: Cavaglià Andrea , Gromov Nikolay , Julius Julius , Preti Michelangelo
Published: May 2022

Abstract

We continue to develop Bootstrability — a method merging Integrability and Conformal Bootstrap to extract CFT data in integrable conformal gauge theories such as $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 SYM. In this paper, we consider the 1D defect CFT defined on a $$ \frac{1}{2} $$

1
2

-BPS Wilson line in the theory, whose non-perturbative spectrum is governed by the Quantum Spectral Curve (QSC). In addition, we use that the deformed setup of a cusped Wilson line is also controlled by the QSC. In terms of the defect CFT, this translates into two nontrivial relations connecting integrated 4-point correlators to cusp spectral data, such as the Bremsstrahlung and Curvature functions — known analytically from the QSC. Combining these new constraints and the spectrum of the 10 lowest-lying states with the Numerical Conformal Bootstrap, we obtain very sharp rigorous numerical bounds for the structure constant of the first non-protected state, giving this observable with seven digits precision for the ’t Hooft coupling in the intermediate coupling region $$ \frac{\sqrt{\lambda }}{4\pi}\sim 1 $$

λ

4
π

~
1
, with the error decreasing quickly at large ’t Hooft coupling. Furthermore, for the same structure constant we obtain a 4-loop analytic result at weak coupling. We also present results for excited states.
Turbopropellerlappen zur Rekonstruktion eines Ellenbogendefektes in Regionalanästhesie
Authors: Ring Andrej , Bauer Martin , Dellmann Niklas-Chris , Bushart Sebastian Ulrich , Witt Mathias
Published: May 2022

Eine alternative Methode zur plastischen Defektdeckung am Ellenbogen wird vorgestellt. Verwendet wurde ein perforatorbasierter, retrograd gestielter Propellerlappen vom lateralen Oberarm mit additiver mikrovaskulärer „Turbo“-Anastomosierung an die A. und V. radialis. Die Turbolappenplastik wurde in Regionalanästhesie durchgeführt.
MRT-Befundung hirneigener Tumoren
Authors: Huckhagel Torge , Riedel Christian
Published: May 2022

Hintergrund und Ziel

Eine strukturierte MRT-Befundung unter Verwendung konsensbasierter inhaltlicher Kategorien hat das Potenzial, die interdisziplinäre Kommunikation in der Neuroonkologie zu verbessern. Ziel dieser Studie war es daher, mittels einer bundesweiten Befragung von Mitgliedern medizinischer Fachgesellschaften mit neuroonkologischem Bezug die wesentlichen Befundungskategorien der Bildgebung hirneigener Tumoren aus klinischer Perspektive zu ermitteln.

Material und Methoden

Auf der Basis eines interdisziplinär entwickelten Katalogs von MRT-Befundungselementen wurde ein Online-Fragebogen erstellt. Im Anschluss wurden fachärztliche Mitglieder der Deutschen Gesellschaften für Neurochirurgie, Radioonkologie, Hämatologie und Medizinische Onkologie, Neurologie und Neuropathologie dazu eingeladen, die Items hinsichtlich ihrer klinischen Relevanz zu bewerten.

Ergebnisse

An der Umfrage nahmen insgesamt 171 Fachärzte aus dem Bundesgebiet teil (81 Neurochirurgen, 66 Strahlentherapeuten und 24 andere neuroonkologische Experten). Anzahl und anatomische Ausdehnung der Tumoren in einer kontrastmittelverstärkten T1- und 2‑D-T2-Sequenz (98,8 % vs. 97,1 %) sowie neu diagnostizierte Läsionen bei Folgeuntersuchungen (T1 + Kontrast 98,2 %; T2 94,7 %) wurden am häufigsten als essenziell betrachtet. Darüber hinaus beurteilten die Experten insbesondere die Beschreibung einer ependymalen und/oder leptomeningealen Tumordissemination (93,6 %) sowie Zeichen der Raumforderung inklusive Verschlusshydrozephalus und parenchymale Massenverschiebungen (jeweils > 75,0 %) als wesentlich. Eine standardmäßige Erwähnung von intratumoralen Verkalkungen, Hämorrhagien, Tumorgefäßarchitektur oder erweiterter Bildgebungsmethoden wie MR-Perfusion, Diffusion, Traktographie und Protonenspektroskopie bewertete lediglich eine Minderheit der Umfrageteilnehmer als praxisrelevant.

Schlussfolgerung

Ein zuweiserorientierter inhaltlicher Mindeststandard der magnetresonanztomographischen Hirntumordiagnostik sollte als klinisch relevante Kernelemente die exakte anatomische Ausbreitung der Raumforderung(en) inklusive ependymaler und meningealer Beteiligung sowie die einschlägigen Raumforderungszeichen enthalten.
Bayesian nonlinear expectation for time series modelling and its application to Bitcoin
Authors: Siu Tak Kuen
Published: May 2022

This paper proposes a two-stage approach to parametric nonlinear time series modelling in discrete time with the objective of incorporating uncertainty or misspecification in the conditional mean and volatility. At the first stage, a reference or approximating time series model is specified and estimated. At the second stage, Bayesian nonlinear expectations are introduced to incorporate model uncertainty or misspecification in prediction via specifying a family of alternative models. The Bayesian nonlinear expectations for prediction are constructed from closed-form Bayesian credible intervals evaluated using conjugate priors and residuals of the estimated approximating model. Using real Bitcoin data including some periods of Covid 19, applications of the proposed method to forecasting and risk evaluation of Bitcoin are discussed via three major parametric nonlinear time series models, namely the self-exciting threshold autoregressive model, the generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity model and the stochastic volatility model.
The production and biochemical characterization of α-carbonic anhydrase from Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG
Authors: Urbański Linda J. , Bua Silvia , Angeli Andrea , Emameh Reza Zolfaghari , Barker Harlan R. , Kuuslahti Marianne , Hytönen Vesa P. , Parkkila Seppo , Supuran Claudiu T.
Published: May 2022

We report the production and biochemical characterization of an α-carbonic anhydrase (LrhCA) from gram-positive probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. CAs form a family of metalloenzymes that catalyze hydration of CO2/interconversion between CO2 and water to bicarbonate ions and protons. They are divided into eight independent gene families (α, β, γ, δ, ζ, η, θ, and ι). Interestingly, many pathogens have been identified with only β- and/or γ-CAs, which can be targeted with CA-specific inhibitors (CAIs) acting as anti-pathogen drugs. Since it is important to study the potential off-target effects of CAIs for both the human body and its commensal bacteria, we took L. rhamnosus GG as our study subject. To date, only a single α-CA has been identified in L. rhamnosus GG, which was successfully produced and biochemically characterized. LrhCA showed moderate catalytic activity with the following kinetic parameters: kcat of 9.86 × 105 s−1 and kcat/KM of 1.41 × 107 s−1 M−1. Moderate inhibition was established with 11 of the 39 studied sulfonamides. The best inhibitors were 5-((4-aminophenyl)sulfonamido)-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-sulfonamide, 4-(2-hydroxymethyl-4-nitrophenyl-sulfonamidoethyl)-benzenesulfonamide, and benzolamide with Ki values of 319 nM, 378 nM, and 387 nM, respectively. The other compounds showed weaker inhibitory effects. The Ki of acetazolamide, a classical CAI, was 733 nM. In vitro experiments with acetazolamide showed that it had no significant effect on cell growth in L. rhamnosus GG culture. Several sulfonamides, including acetazolamide, are in use as clinical drugs, making their inhibition data highly relevant to avoid any adverse off-target effects towards the human body and its probiotic organisms.

Key points

• The α-carbonic anhydrase from Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LrhCA) is 24.3 kDa.

• LrhCA has significant catalytic activity with a kcat of 9.9 × 105 s-1.

• Acetazolamide resulted in a marginal inhibitory effect on cell growth.
Midterm results of digastric trochanteric flip osteotomy for high acetabular posterior wall fracture
Authors: Li Yuneng , Ge Yufeng , Liu Haonan , Zhu Shiwen , Wu Xinbao
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Kocher-Langenbeck (K-L) approach is widely used in surgery of posterior wall fracture of acetabulum. However, challenges are frequently encountered in fractures involving the superior dome due to its short of view. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of digastric trochanteric flip osteotomy (DTFO) in the K-L approach for high posterior wall acetabular fracture (HPWF).

Methods

From January 2014 to December 2016, 39 patients who suffered high posterior wall fracture (HPWF) were included in this retrospective study. All the patients were divided into two groups according to surgery type (17 standard K-L approach (control group), 22 with DTFO (DTFO group)). The Matta criterion was used to evaluate the accuracy of reduction according to post-operative CT image, while modified Harris hip score and 12-item short-form health survey (SF-12) were applied to measure the clinical outcomes.

Results

The median follow-up period was 55 (45 to 62.5) months. Blood loss and operation time were similar between the two groups. DTFO group achieved much more anatomical reduction than the control group (54.6% vs. 35.3%; OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 0.6 ~ 8.08). Significantly better functional outcomes were found in the DTFO group (10% higher points than the control group, p < 0.05). All the patients receiving good-to-anatomical reduction ended with good or excellent outcomes. The total incidence of complications in the DTFO group was much lower than in the control group (40.9% vs. 70.6%, p = 0.07).

Conclusions

Compared with the traditional K-L approach, the intraoperative DTFO technique enabled better quality of reduction in patients with HPWF, thus ensuring superior clinical outcomes.
Retinal vascular occlusion and SARS-CoV-2 vaccination
Authors: Vujosevic Stela , Limoli Celeste , Romano Simona , Vitale Lucia , Villani Edoardo , Nucci Paolo
Published: May 2022

Purpose

To assess the clinical and retinal imaging features of patients in whom retinal vascular occlusion (VO) had developed in temporal associations with COVID-19 vaccination.

Methods

In this retrospective case series, all consecutive adult patients with new onset VO within 6 weeks of vaccination against COVID-19 were included in the study between May 1 and October 31, 2021. All patients had a systemic medical health assessment, full ophthalmic evaluation, and complete fundus imaging.

Results

Fifteen eyes of VO (14 patients) after COVID-19 vaccinations were identified. The median time between vaccination and symptoms onset was 14 days (range 7–42 days). The mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/55 with a range of 20/20 to 20/200. Eleven of 15 eyes (73.3%) had visual acuity improvement after intravitreal treatment at 60–90 days (range, 45–105 days) from the presentation. Four of 5 cases without systemic risk factors for VO had a mean BCVA > 20/32 at presentation and > 20/25 at the latest evaluation.

Between May 1 and October 31, 2021, a temporal association was found between the 15 reported cases and COVID-19 vaccination out of a total of 29 VO (p = 0.05). The incidence of VO was higher in the considered period compared to the equivalent 6-month period in 2019 (1.17% vs 0.52%, respectively;p = 0.0134).

Conclusions

Retinal vascular occlusion with different grades of severity are reported in temporal association with COVID-19 vaccination. The exact pathogenic mechanism needs to be further studied. No certain causal relationship can be established from this case series.
A quality control procedure for long-term series of daily precipitation data in a semiarid environment
Authors: Estévez Javier , Llabrés-Brustenga Alba , Casas-Castillo M. Carmen , García-Marín Amanda Penélope , Kirchner Ricard , Rodríguez-Solà Raül
Published: May 2022

The availability of quality precipitation records in the current climate situation is of great importance in the scientific-technical field but also for the public institutions that manage the meteorological networks. This work has implemented a comprehensive spatial quality control procedure in the semiarid region of Andalusia (Southern Spain), using precipitation time series from 1947 stations from three meteorological networks: Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET), Agroclimatic Information Network of Andalusia (RIA), and Phytosanitary Information Alert Network (RAIF). The method consists of three consecutive steps: basic, absolute, and relative quality control processes. The latter step compares data from neighboring stations taking into account their proximity, height difference, and correlation, leading to a complete evaluation of each daily value. Finally, the quality of each year at each station can be declared as acceptable, good, or excellent. The automatic weather station networks RIA and RAIF gave absolute quality index $$Q$$
Q
above 85% for almost 87% of their stations, while only 57% of AEMET network reached this percentage. However, one of the longest AEMET datasets, San Fernando-Cádiz, obtained, except for 1 year, $$Q$$
Q
values over 90% in all available years for more than a century of measurements, since 1870 until 2000. From a total of more than 15 million daily records, almost 82% was flagged as correct. Despite the limitations of Andalusia region (low density of stations and its structural water deficit), the complete quality control procedure has been satisfactorily applied. Finally, related to the number of outliers, no temporal trend was found across the region.

Graphical abstract
Actomyosin contractility and buckling of microtubules in nucleation, growth and disassembling of focal adhesions
Authors: Palumbo S. , Benvenuti E. , Fraldi M.
Published: May 2022

Building up and maintenance of cytoskeletal structure in living cells are force-dependent processes involving a dynamic chain of polymerization and depolymerization events, which are also at the basis of cells’ remodelling and locomotion. All these phenomena develop by establishing cell–matrix interfaces made of protein complexes, known as focal adhesions, which govern mechanosensing and mechanotransduction mechanisms mediated by stress transmission between cell interior and external environment. Within this framework, by starting from a work by Cao et al. (Biophys J 109:1807–1817, 2015), we here investigate the role played by actomyosin contractility of stress fibres in nucleation, growth and disassembling of focal adhesions. In particular, we propose a tensegrity model of an adherent cell incorporating nonlinear elasticity and unstable behaviours, which provides a new kinematical interpretation of cellular contractile forces and describes how stress fibres, microtubules and adhesion plaques interact mechanobiologically. The results confirm some experimental evidences and suggest how the actomyosin contraction level could be exploited by cells to actively control their adhesion, eventually triggering cytoskeleton reconfigurations and migration processes observed in both physiological conditions and diseases.
Chronic spontaneous urticaria: a low-grade disseminated intravascular coagulation only partially reversed by Omalizumab
Authors: Di Pino Marina , Ruberto Maria Filomena , Costanzo Giulia , Firinu Davide , Piras Maria Sebastiana , Mura Mario Nicola , Del Giacco Stefano , Coghe Ferdinando , Marongiu Francesco , Barcellona Doris
Published: May 2022

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a disorder characterized by wheals and/or angioedema. The coagulation cascade and inflammation pathways are closely linked together. The aim of our study was first to investigate the dynamics of clot formation in plasma (Clot Waveform Analysis, CWA) in a group of 47 patients with CSU along with other coagulative parameters dedicated to the study of hypercoagulability, such as D-Dimer, F 1 + 2 peptide, Fibrinogen, Platelet count and Mean Platelet Volume (MPV). Secondly, 23 out of 47 patients were treated with Omalizumab at four administration intervals from T0 to T4. A statistically significant increase in Activated Partial Thromboplastin (aPTT) ratio, D-Dimer, F1 + 2, Platelet count and MPV was found when compared with 53 healthy controls (HC). In contrast, the 2nd Derivative of aPTT showed lower values than those of the HC. No differences were found between 1st derivative of aPTT and Fibrinogen. D-Dimer only showed a significant difference between T0 and T3. An activation of both coagulation and fibrinolysis along with a weaker clot acceleration may be in agreement with a low-grade DIC. The accelerated turnover of platelets expressed by both an increase in platelet count and MPV further supports this pathway in CSU. Omalizumab does not affect the relationship between the immune and the hemostatic systems.
Youth-identified Considerations for Programming to Support Newcomers’ Healthy Development: A Group Concept Mapping Study
Authors: Smith Alexandra C. G. , Crooks Claire V.
Published: May 2022

Background

There is a well-documented need for more responsive promotion and prevention programming for young immigrants and refugees in the context of mental health and healthy development. Incorporating the voice of newcomers in the development of promotion and prevention efforts could assist in producing culturally-relevant materials and improve program outcomes.

Objective

Our goal was to utilize youth voice to identify considerations for developing programming to support newcomer youths’ healthy development.

Methods

We employed mixed methods and analyzed data using concept mapping. A total of 37 newcomers between the ages of 14 and 22 participated in focus groups to share their ideas for creating programming that would focus on relationships and well-being. Relevant responses were collated, cleaned, and generated into unique statements, and then sorted individually by 26 youth into thematically similar categories. We used multidimensional scaling and hierarchal cluster analysis to produce a concept map.

Results

Six concepts, in rank order of importance, emerged as follows: create a space for sharing; discuss relational issues; teach strategies for adjusting to a new country; teach wellness skills; have feel-good activities; and plan for diversity.

Conclusions

Participants’ lived experience and their own attendance in programming at newcomer organizations assisted them in brainstorming what types of activities, topics, and skills would be helpful for other newcomer youth, as well as considerations for facilitators implementing such programming. Promotion and prevention efforts intended for newcomer youth may benefit by incorporating ideas from the concept map.
Driftfusion: an open source code for simulating ordered semiconductor devices with mixed ionic-electronic conducting materials in one dimension
Authors: Calado Philip , Gelmetti Ilario , Hilton Benjamin , Azzouzi Mohammed , Nelson Jenny , Barnes Piers R. F.
Published: May 2022

The recent emergence of lead-halide perovskites as active layer materials for thin film semiconductor devices including solar cells, light emitting diodes, and memristors has motivated the development of several new drift-diffusion models that include the effects of both electronic and mobile ionic charge carriers. In this work we introduce , a versatile simulation tool built for modelling one-dimensional ordered semiconductor devices with mixed ionic-electronic conducting layers. enables users to model devices with multiple, distinct, material layers using up to four charge carrier species: electrons and holes plus up to two ionic species. The time-dependent carrier continuity equations are coupled to Poisson’s equation enabling transient optoelectronic device measurement protocols to be simulated. In addition to material and device-wide properties, users have direct access to adapt the physical models for carrier transport, generation and recombination. Furthermore, a discrete interlayer interface approach circumvents the requirement for boundary conditions at material interfaces and enables interface-specific properties to be introduced.
Nanoarchitectonics of Copper Tungsten-Mesoporous Silica with a New Template for Photo Oxidative-Desulfurization of Dibenzothiophene
Authors: Salem Heba M. , Mohmed Dina , Zaki E. G.
Published: May 2022

A novel CuWO4/SiO2 heterojunction catalyst was successfully synthesized using a new sulfonamide derivative. The physical characteristics of the prepared samples were investigated by TGA, XRD, FTIR, SEM, UV, PL, and XPS. The prepared catalysts were applied as a nano photocatalyst for photooxidative desulfurization of dibenzothiophene under visible light using hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant. The photocatalytic oxidative desulfurization performances of the prepared samples were investigated. Various factors as the reaction time, dibenzothiophene concentration, catalyst dose, and the oxidizing agent dose were also studied. The prepared photocatalyst has high desulfurization activity in the removal of DBT under mild conditions. Results showed that the CuWO4/SiO2 exhibited considerably higher activity than neat support SiO2. Such improved photocatalytic activity is mainly attributed to the efficient separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs on CuWO4/SiO2 heterojunction. Moreover, the synergistic effects of this photocatalytic oxidation and the green oxidant hydrogen peroxide played an essential role in desulfurization. The reaction is pseudo-first-order and can reach 98.6% removal of dibenzothiophene after 70 min and 97.2% after four cycles.

Graphical Abstract
Patient safety incidents in dentomaxillofacial imaging: reported adverse events from Hospital District Helsinki and Uusimaa and the City of Helsinki during 2012–2017
Authors: Suuronen Marianne , Autti Taina , Lehtonen Lasse
Published: May 2022

Objectives

Our study aimed to reveal the frequency of patient safety incidents (PSI) in dentomaxillofacial radiology (DMFR), including their mitigating and contributing factors, to help recognize and thus better prevent these adverse events (AE) in the future.

Methods

Hospital District Helsinki and Uusimaa (HUS) and the City of Helsinki (HKI) use HaiPro, an anonymous web-based tool, for healthcare professionals to report PSI. Dentistry-related PSIs were evaluated individually to find any DMFR-related reports. Additionally, we searched the HaiPro-data using multiple dentistry- and DMFR-related keywords. We compartmentalized all DMFR-related PSI by their type and assessed their contributing factors, as well as their risk classification, severity, outcome, and possible corrective actions.

Results

In HUS and HKI, 43 of the 195,589 HaiPro-reports filed during 2012–2017 were DMFR-related. The most prevalent event type of DMFR-related PSIs was laboratory-, medical imaging-, or other patient examination-related events (33%). The second most common event type was defined as being related to flow or control of information (26%). For both of these event types, the most common contributing factors were shortcomings of communication and flow of information. Risk classification showed only one AE to be of moderate risk, and all others were perceived as irrelevant or minor.

Conclusions

PSI in DMFR are only rarely reported, and mostly, they are perceived of causing little or no harm. We detected a great difference in reporting activity between primary and secondary healthcare workers, but the underlaying causes remain unclear.
High glucose induces an early and transient cytoprotective autophagy in retinal Müller cells
Authors: Mecchia A. , Palumbo C. , De Luca A. , Sbardella D. , Boccaccini A. , Rossi L. , Parravano M. , Varano M. , Caccuri A. M.
Published: May 2022

Purpose

We investigated the autophagic response of rat Müller rMC-1 cells during a short-term high glucose challenge.

Methods

rMC-1 cells were maintained in 5 mM glucose (LG) or exposed to 25 mM glucose (HG). Western blot analysis was used to evaluate the expression levels of markers of autophagy (LC3-II, p62) and glial activation (AQP4), as well as the activation of TRAF2/JNK, ERK and AKT pathways. Autophagic flux assessment was performed using the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine. ROS levels were measured by flow cytometry using dichlorofluorescein diacetate. ERK involvement in autophagy induction was addressed using the ERK inhibitor FR180204. The effect of autophagy inhibition on cell viability was evaluated by SRB assay.

Results

Activation of autophagy was observed in the first 2–6 h of HG exposure. This early autophagic response was transient, not accompanied by an increase in AQP4 or in the phospho-activation of JNK, a key mediator of cellular response to oxidative stress, and required ERK activity. Cells exposed to HG had a lower viability upon autophagy inhibition by chloroquine, as compared to those maintained in LG.

Conclusion

A short-term HG challenge triggers in rMC-1 cells a process improving the ability to cope with stressful conditions, which involves ERK and an early and transient autophagy activation.
Global aero-structural design optimization of composite wings with active manoeuvre load alleviation
Authors: Wunderlich T. F. , Dähne S. , Reimer L. , Schuster A.
Published: May 2022

In the scope of the DLR project VicToria (Virtual Aircraft Technology Integration Platform), an integrated process for aero-structural wing optimization based on high fidelity simulation methods is continuously developed and applied. Based upon a parametric geometry, flight performance under transonic flight conditions and manoeuvre loads are computed by solving the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations. Structural mass and elastic characteristics of the wing are determined from structural sizing of the composite wing box for essential manoeuvre load cases using computational structural mechanics. Static aeroelastic effects are considered in all flight conditions and active manoeuvre load alleviation is integrated in the process. Global aero-structural wing optimizations are successfully performed for wings with and without active manoeuvre load alleviation. The active manoeuvre load alleviation is introduced with a simplified modelling of control surface deflections using a mesh deformation technique. The minimization of the fuel consumption for three typical flight missions represents the objective function. Wing optimizations are performed for variable and constant wing planform parameters as well as for wings with conventional composite wing box structure and for more flexible wings. The latter is accomplished by introducing modifications of the structural concept and the strain allowable. A significant mass reduction of the optimized wing box is obtained for wings with active manoeuvre load alleviation, resulting in a drop in fuel consumption of about 3%. For wing optimizations with the more flexible wing concept, the active manoeuvre load alleviation shows an additional reduction of the fuel consumption in the order of 2%. The wings with active manoeuvre load alleviation results in optimized wing geometries with increased aspect ratio and reduced taper ratio.
Teenagers learn through play too: communicating high expectations through a playful learning approach
Authors: Johnston Olivia , Wildy Helen , Shand Jennifer
Published: May 2022

Play-based learning is an approach used in early childhood education that is well supported by research on its varieties and effectiveness for young children’s learning. Play-based learning meets the developmental needs of young children, but new research presented in this paper suggests that teenagers learn through play too. The experience of 25 Year 10 students in three Western Australian government schools was drawn upon to generate grounded theory about how students experience their teachers’ expectations of them, which included findings that playful learning approaches communicated high teacher expectations. The students were shadow-studied in their classrooms and interviewed at the end of each day. Teachers were appraised as having high expectations when they included a playful learning approach, characterised as creative, exploratory, hands-on, fun and non-didactic. The students reflected that this led to increased motivation and academic success. A foundation for conceptualising play in teenagers’ education is provided, suggesting how secondary school educators can harness play and communicate high expectations for learning through their pedagogical approach.
The quest for harmonisation in anti-doping: an Indian perspective
Authors: Star Shaun
Published: May 2022

The World Anti-Doping Agency aims to promote clean sport through the introduction and implementation of harmonised rules under the World Anti-Doping Code, 2021 (the Code). Since WADA relies heavily on National Anti-Doping Organisations to implement the Code, the experience of anti-doping differs across countries. Some scholars argue that the current framework disproportionately impacts athletes from developing countries. This paper contributes to this debate by analysing systemic issues in the implementation of the Code in one such country—India. The legitimacy of anti-doping in India has been questioned as a result of the recent suspension of the National Dope-Testing Laboratory, a series of false positive tests, accusations of significant procedural and substantive errors by domestic tribunals, and access to justice challenges. Given the prevalence of doping in India, alongside the accumulation of recent controversies and push for reform, a deeper analysis of anti-doping in the country is warranted. The lack of compliance in India with certain requirements set out in the Code, as well as the failure to meet “best practice” standards set by other jurisdictions, is evidence that there is a lack of harmonisation in implementing anti-doping rules and procedures across countries. This paper contributes to the debate on the impact that a lack of harmonisation in the implementation of the Code can have on the legitimacy of the anti-doping framework. From a policy perspective, the proposed research agenda and recommendations can be applied to promote reform in India and other jurisdictions, especially in developing and emerging countries.
Veräußerlichte Zeit, verinnerlichter Raum
Authors: Kellermann Franziska
Published: May 2022

Vor dem Hintergrund des Problems der räumlichen Abgeschiedenheit der Visionärin Gertrud untersucht der Beitrag die reziproken Bezüge von kollektivem Chorgebet und individueller Kontemplation in Buch IV des Legatus. Ausgehend von liturgischen Texten werden im Visionstext insbesondere Innen- und Außenräume entworfen, deren Verschränkung und Überschreitung auf Präsenz- und Bewegungseffekte abzielen. Der Offenbarungstext geht auf diese Weise über eine fortlaufende Arbeit an der Liturgie hinaus und macht sie produktiv für eine Verhandlung des heiligmäßigen Lebens der Visionärin im monastischen Kollektiv.
Bringing the Entrepreneurial Mindset into Mining Engineering Education
Authors: Sörensen Aarti , Mitra Rudrajit , Hulthén Erik , Hartmann Tobias , Clausen Elisabeth
Published: May 2022

There has been an ongoing debate on how to transform engineering education to better prepare students for today`s professional world that is characterized by increasingly complex problems and challenges that engineers are tasked with upon entering the industry. Within the conceive–design–implement–operate (CDIO) framework, entrepreneurship education presents a valuable pedagogical approach to foster the necessary skills of the students through integrated, hands-on, active learning experiences. While numerous publications have addressed possibilities of how experiential, problem-based, project-based and active learning can be integrated into engineering curriculum, there has been hardly any attention on mining engineering with respect to adopting this approach. This paper will address the possibilities of integrating entrepreneurship education into mining engineering programs in particular. This paper will enhance and foster discussion among academics from mining engineering on how to integrate elements of entrepreneurship education on a course, program and departmental level to infuse value creation experiences across the curriculum.
Issues in defining and placing consumer brand engagement
Authors: Cantone Luigi , Testa Pierpaolo , Marrone Teresa
Published: May 2022

The paper aims to identify the current positioning of consumer brand engagement (CBE) in marketing literature, thus filling a gap and contributing to a richer overview of the concept. Numerous research topics currently overlap in the marketing literature as brand theory has not been systemised precisely, especially with regard to consumer feeling towards brands and consumers’ active role in creating brand equity. The methodology adopted for this empirical research is qualitative, and the research question is the following:what is the current positioning of CBE in marketing theory?To find the answer, three empirical studies were performed. The first, Study 1, involved eight scholars—the key informants—specialising in the topic. In Study 2, 64 academic articles focusing on CBE were analysed. By comparing the two, it was possible to identify some counterintuitive problems and pitfalls impeding the definitive affirmation of CBE in marketing literature. Lastly, in Study 3, six Italian CBE practitioners (marketing managers and digital marketing consultants) were questioned to gather further information and shed light on some grey areas highlighted by the academic community regarding management issues. The principal expected outcome was to ascertain whether CBE has specific and well-defined conceptual dimensions that may be applied to other similar topics in marketing literature. The study’s originality lies in a rationalisation of the theory underpinning the topic and proposing a possible systematisation.
Extracellular vesicles: from bench to bedside
Authors: Chen Yang , Yu Li
Published: May 2022

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-derived membrane-bound vesicles with heterogenous contents, including genetic materials, proteins, lipids and small metabolites. The classic EVs are exosomes, which originate from endosomal systems, and microvesicles, which are shed from the plasma membrane. Newly discovered organelle migrasome, once released from cells, adds another player to the EV realm. EVs are present in biological fluids and are important in multiple physiological and pathological processes, including immune regulation and cancer metastasis. Knowledge of EV biology is essential to promote the clinical application of EVs as potential candidates for non-invasive liquid biopsy and drug delivery vehicles. This is a fast-expanding field, but more attention should be paid to the fundamental biology of EVs in order to keep up with the explosive growth of translational needs.
The Predictive Turn in Neuroscience
Authors: Weiskopf Daniel A.
Published: May 2022

Neuroscientists have in recent years turned to building models that aim to generate predictions rather than explanations. This “predictive turn” has swept across domains including law, marketing, and neuropsychiatry. Yet the norms of prediction remain undertheorized relative to those of explanation. I examine two styles of predictive modeling and show how they exemplify the normative dynamics at work in prediction. I propose an account of how predictive models, conceived of as technological devices for aiding decision-making, can come to be adequate for purposes that are defined by both their guiding research questions and their larger social context of application.
Discovering Control Mechanisms: The Controllers of Dynein
Authors: Bechtel William
Published: May 2022

Most accounts of mechanism discovery have focused on mechanisms that perform the work required to produce a phenomenon. These mechanisms are often subject to regulation by control mechanisms. Using the example of the molecular motor dynein, this paper examines one process by which such control mechanisms are discovered—the process by which researchers, after identifying additional components required to produce the phenomenon but not directly involved in the work of producing that phenomenon, investigate both how these components act on the original mechanism and how they do so in response to measurements of conditions relevant to the operation of the controlled mechanism.
What Is at Stake in the Formalization of a Chronostratigraphic Unit? A Case Study on the Anthropocene
Authors: Bobadilla Hernán
Published: May 2022

The prospective formalization of the Anthropocene as a chronostratigraphic unit by the International Commission on Stratigraphy has been intensely debated. This paper explores and assesses the stakes of this process from a philosophical perspective. I distinguish two senses of formalization—the descriptive and the evaluative—and argue that: 1) there are descriptive and evaluative formalizations of the Anthropocene beyond the confines of the ICS; 2) incoherencies between Anthropocene proposals and the ICS’s current tenets are not a decisive reason for deferring descriptive formalization; and 3) the prospective evaluative formalization of the Anthropocene by the ICS would be impactful.
Long-term associations between early-life family functioning and preadolescent white matter microstructure
Authors: Delaney Scott W. , Xerxa Yllza , Muetzel Ryan L. , White Tonya , Haneuse Sebastien , Ressler Kerry J. , Tiemeier Henning , Kubzansky Laura D.
Published: May 2022

Background

Causes of childhood behavior problems remain poorly understood. Enriched family environments and corresponding brain development may reduce the risk of their onset, but research investigating white matter neurodevelopmental pathways explaining associations between the family environment and behavior remains limited. We hypothesized that more positive prenatal and mid-childhood family functioning – a measure of a family's problem solving and supportive capacity – would be associated with two markers of preadolescent white matter neurodevelopment related to reduced behavior problems: higher global fractional anisotropy (FA) and lower global mean diffusivity (MD).

Methods

Data are from 2727 families in the Generation R Study, the Netherlands. Mothers reported family functioning (McMaster Family Assessment Device, range 1–4, higher scores indicate healthier functioning) prenatally and in mid-childhood (mean age 6.1 years). In preadolescence (mean age 10.1), the study collected diffusion-weighted scans. We computed standardized global MD and FA values by averaging metrics from 27 white matter tracts, and we fit linear models adjusting for possible confounders to examine global and tract-specific outcomes.

Results

Prenatal and mid-childhood family functioning scores were moderately correlated, r = 0.38. However, only prenatal family functioning – and not mid-childhood functioning – was associated with higher global FA and lower global MD in preadolescence in fully adjusted models: βglobal FA = 0.11 (95% CI 0.00, 0.21) and βglobal MD = −0.15 (95% CI −0.28, −0.03) per one-unit increase in functioning score. Sensitivity and tract-specific analyses supported these global findings.

Conclusions

These results suggest high-functioning prenatal or perinatal family environments may confer lasting white matter neurodevelopmental benefits into preadolescence.
Paranoia and the law: Martin Luther and critical theory in hermeneutical dialogue
Authors: Torrance Jonathan Donald
Published: May 2022

Critical theory represents the dominant theoretical framework currently deployed in the humanities, yet it is a framework that many theologians have been slow to engage. The recent ‘postcritical’ turn in critical theory, however, has striking affinities with several key concerns of Christian theology, as is becoming increasingly recognised. This article suggests that dialogue between critical theory and theology can be mutually beneficial, particularly in relation to hamartiology. It argues that there is a strong parallel between Martin Luther's theology of the law and Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick's account of critical theory's ‘paranoid’ hermeneutics. It then draws on this parallel to diagnose a weakness in Sedgwick's ‘postcritical’ response to such paranoia, and suggests that this weakness can be repaired by a specifically theological approach to hermeneutics.