bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Uniform chain decompositions and applications
Authors: Sudakov Benny , Tomon István , Wagner Adam Zsolt
Published: July 2021

The Boolean lattice is the family of all subsets of ordered by inclusion, and a chain is a family of pairwise comparable elements of . Let , which is the average size of a chain in a minimal chain decomposition of . We prove that can be partitioned into chains such that all but at most proportion of the chains have size . This asymptotically proves a conjecture of Füredi from 1985. Our proof is based on probabilistic arguments. To analyze our random partition we develop a weighted variant of the graph container method. Using this result, we also answer a Kalai‐type question raised recently by Das, Lamaison, and Tran. What is the minimum number of forbidden comparable pairs forcing that the largest subfamily of not containing any of them has size at most ? We show that the answer is . Finally, we discuss how these uniform chain decompositions can be used to optimize and simplify various results in extremal set theory.
Soil mineralogical attributes estimated by color as accessed by proximal sensors and machine learning
Authors: Baldo Danilo , Marques José , Fernandes Kathleen , de Almeida Gabriela Mourão , Siqueira Diego Silva
Published: July 2021

Detailed mapping is essential for land use and management planning. The mappings require a robust database. Costs and time associated with obtaining the database are high and, therefore, it is not always possbile to obtain it. Soil color is a pedoindicator attribute that can be easily characterized. This study aimed to use soil color, based on the RGB (red–green–blue) system and obtained by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and mobile proximal sensor (MPS) to estimate mineralogical attributes using machine learning techniques for the Western Plateau of São Paulo. A total of 600 samples were collected throughout the study area. The samples were analyzed by DRS and then photographed. The color data were obtained by the RGB system after analysis in a computer program. The samples were subjected to laboratory analysis to quantify the contents of crystalline and noncrystalline Fe, hematite, goethite, kaolinite, and gibbsite. The database was subjected to the random forest machine learning algorithm and geostatistics. The use of random forest allowed estimating soil mineralogical attributes based on the RGB system by DRS and MPS. Detailed maps of mineralogical attributes could be constructed using the RGB system by the DRS and MPS techniques. The MPS technique can be used to characterize soil color, reducing the costs associated with analysis and the time required for data collection.
Summary of ISO/TC 201 Technical Report 23173—Surface chemical analysis—Electron spectroscopies—Measurement of the thickness and composition of nanoparticle coatings
Authors: Cant David J. H. , Müller Anja , Clifford Charles A. , Unger Wolfgang E. S. , Shard Alexander G.
Published: July 2021

ISO Technical Report 23173 describes methods by which electron spectroscopies, including X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and synchrotron techniques, can be employed to calculate the coating thicknesses and compositions of nanoparticles. The document has been developed to review and outline the current state‐of‐the‐art for such measurements. Such analyses of core–shell nanoparticles are common within the literature, however the methods employed are varied; the relative advantages and disadvantages of these methods, and the optimal usage of each may not be clear to the general analyst. ISO Technical Report 23173 aims to clarify the methods that are available, describe them in clear terms, exhibit examples of their use, and highlight potential issues users may face. The information provided should allow analysts of electron spectroscopy data to make clear choices regarding the appropriate analysis of electron spectroscopy data from coated nanoparticle systems and provide a basis for understanding and comparing results from different methods and systems.
HDAC4 Inhibitors with Cyclic Linker and Non‐hydroxamate Zinc Binding Group: Design, Synthesis, HDAC Screening and in vitro Cytotoxicity evaluation.
Authors: Tilekar Kalpana , Hess Jessica D. , Upadhyay Neha , Schweipert Markus , Flath Felix , Gutierrez Denisse A. , Loiodice Fulvio , Lavecchia Antonio , Meyer‐Almes Franz‐Josef , Aguilera Renato J. , Ramaa C. S.
Published: July 2021

Recent evidences highlight the usefulness of small molecule (Histone deacetylase 4) HDAC4 inhibitors in the several preclinical paradigms. Major toxicity and mutagenicity issues associated with hydroxamate HDAC inhibitors, stimulated us to develop potent non‐hydroxamate inhibitors. In the present work a novel series of thiazolidinedione (TZD) derivatives with pyridine as cyclic linker and TZD ring as zinc binding group was designed and screened in a panel of isoenzymes of HDACs, wherein the most potent compounds exhibiting HDAC4 IC50‐values<5 μM were 5 v, 5 w, 5 y and 5 z (IC50=4.2±1 μM, 0.75±0.03 μM, 4.9±0.5 and 2.3±0.5 μM, respectively). The docking studies displayed the unique binding mode of this series of compound at active site of HDAC4, wherein TZD ring was indicated as zinc binding group. Further, 5 w and 5 y were found as the most potent antiproliferative agent in lymphoblastic leukemia (CCRF‐CEM) and breast cancer MDA‐MB‐231 cells. Compound 5 y was found to induce the apoptosis and DNA fragmentation of CEM cells. The western blotting analysis of 5 y also showed the presence of cleaved caspases supporting their apoptotic nature. Further, Class IIa (HDAC4) selectivity of 5 y was also supported by western blotting observations, wherein 5 y caused the accumulation of acetylated H3 but not of acetylated Tubulin. Thus, our findings endorse the further investigation of this series of compounds for their potential as targeted cancer therapeutic agents.
Influence of Interlayer Forced Air Cooling on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Wire Arc Additively Manufactured 304L Austenitic Stainless Steel
Authors: Tonelli Lavinia , Sola Ramona , Laghi Vittoria , Palermo Michele , Trombetti Tomaso , Ceschini Lorella
Published: July 2021

Wire‐and‐arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) is an innovative technology that involves deposition of subsequent layers of molten materials. Due to the high deposition rates, this technology is suitable for the production of large‐scale complex structures. Further enhancement in the productivity can be achieved by an interlayer cooling strategy that reduces idle time between depositions. However, the effect of the interlayer cooling on microstructure and mechanical properties has to be addressed. In this view, the present work compares microstructural features and mechanical properties of WAAM‐produced plates of austenitic AISI 304 L, focusing on the effect of both active interlayer air cooling and possible anisotropy induced by the additive process. Microstructural and mechanical characterization was conducted on samples extracted along the longitudinal, transverse, and diagonal directions to the deposition layers of WAAM plates, processed with and without interlayer active cooling. Results showed no remarkable influence of cooling conditions on the microstructure and mechanical properties of WAAM plates, which are indeed affected by the anisotropy induced by the additive process. The observed anisotropy in the elastic modulus, independent from different cooling conditions, was related to the crystallographic texture consequent to the highly oriented microstructure typically induced by the process.
Numerical simulation and simplified analytical model for the longitudinal joint bending stiffness of a tunnel considering axial force
Authors: Yuan Qiang , Liang Fayun , Fang Yanqi
Published: July 2021

As a discontinuous ring structure, segmental longitudinal joints are a weakness of shield tunnels and play an important role in the determination of tunnel deformation caused by ground pressure. A longitudinal joint bending test is first carried out by employing a detailed 3D numerical model for the Shanghai Metro tunnel. This reveals that the joint stiffness varies nonlinearly with the axial force and bending moment. Based on numerical results, an analytical model for determining the joint rotational stiffness is provided, which takes the influence of the mechanical behavior of the concrete and steel bolts, the geometrical dimensions of the joint cross section and the subjected loads into account. Then, a simplified fitting equation is proposed, which has been verified by the experimental test results. This reveals that the results obtained from the proposed fitting equation are in good agreement with the experimental results before the joint reaches the limit state. Therefore, this proposed equation can be preliminarily adopted for the simulation of joint bending behavior and the determination of tunnel deformation in the tunnel design stage.
Failure Prediction Based on Operational Data of Hydraulic Excavator with Machine Learning
Authors: Oguma Shota , Omatsu Shigeru , Ohno Shuichi , Iwasaki Kazuhiro , Shishido Yoshiaki
Published: July 2021

In ‘Society5.0’, realization of super smart society will be possible by analyzing big data in the cyber space (virtual space) and by feeding back useful information to the physical space (real space). In the construction industry, since unexpected machine failures are huge losses for users who have to proceed with construction according to their construction plans, machine breakdowns must be avoided. In this letter, we predict failures of lower traveling bodies of hydraulic excavators using machine learning methods. Numerical examples are provided to show the effectiveness of the proposed methods. © 2021 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Registrar applies legal eye to DEI promotion
Authors: Enos Gary A.
Published: July 2021

Philip Hunt, J.D., always has held a fascination for the intricacies of legal compliance in higher education, but having direct access to students and faculty has motivated many of his career moves. As Registrar at North Dakota State University since June 2020, Hunt has been energized by being at the forefront of challenging campus conversations around social justice — dialogues that are largely new to the university.
Consideration for the scale‐up manufacture of nanotherapeutics—A critical step for technology transfer
Authors: Liu Xiangsheng , Meng Huan
Published: July 2021

While nano‐enabled biotechnology is offering great promise, in certain areas providing fundamental paradigm shift for disease management, we are rapidly moving into a new era of nanotechnology developmental stage, in which chemistry, manufacturing, and controls of nanotherapeutics (nano‐CMC) become a critical step for translational nanomedicine. This is not a trivial task, in fact, nano‐CMC requires a long list of considerations. Minimally, it includes raw materials, scale‐up synthesis routes, batch sizes, stability check, analytical methods, and documentation. The growing items on the list could collectively ensure the reproducible production of nanotherapeutics that are safe and efficacious and meet new drug application (NDA) specifications. This article begins from the lesson learned from liposome, such as Doxil® and other FDA‐approved liposomes, then continues to provide a literature summary on the scale‐up synthesis of nanoparticles that were designed for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes. We outlined the key challenges during the scale‐up activities, followed by the case studies to illustrate the impact of emerging strategies that may improve the reproducible synthesis of large‐batch nanoparticles. The availability of quality‐controlled large‐batch size opens the possibility to conduct robust preclinical studies and clinical trials. This includes the recent advances of using microfluidics system, implementation of multiparameters iterative CMC optimization, and use of computer software, allowing the successful preparation of different organic and inorganic nanoparticles at desired batch sizes. The authors also share personal insights with respect to how nano‐CMC research would facilitate “personalized and just‐in‐time” nanomedicine.
New O‐centered titanium chalcohalide: synthesis and structure of Ti4O(Se2)4Br6
Authors: Poltarak Pavel , Komarov Vladyslav , Gayfulin Yakov , Artemkina Sofya , Fedorov Vladimir
Published: July 2021

New O‐centered tetranuclear titanium complex Ti4O(Se2)4Br6 has been prepared from TiSe1.73, Se, SeO2 and Br2 at moderate temperature by ampule synthesis. Its X‐ray crystal structure (monoclinic space group P21/c, a=9.4850(2), b=11.4667(2), c=19.1413(5)Å, β=92.0080(10)°, Z=4, V=2080.56(8)Å3) includes molecular complex Ti4O(Se2)4Br6 based on fragment {Ti4(μ4‐O)} coordinated by diselenide (Se2)2− and bromide bridging ligands. Ti4O(Se2)4Br6 is a new member of family of O‐centered tetranuclear complexes with the fragment {M4(μ4‐O)(Q2)4} (M=Ti, Nb, Ta; Q=S, Se, Te); here we discuss its synthetic features, crystal and electronic structure.
Lidstone–Euler Second-Type Boundary Value Problems: Theoretical and Computational Tools
Authors: Costabile Francesco Aldo , Gualtieri Maria Italia , Napoli Anna
Published: July 2021

General nonlinear high odd-order differential equations with Lidstone–Euler boundary conditions of second type are treated both theoretically and computationally. First, the associated interpolation problem is considered. Then, a theorem of existence and uniqueness of the solution to the Lidstone–Euler second-type boundary value problem is given. Finally, for a numerical solution, two different approaches are illustrated and some numerical examples are included to demonstrate the validity and applicability of the proposed algorithms.
Rätselhafte B-Symptomatik bei einem 61-Jährigen unter Therapie einer rheumatoiden Arthritis
Authors: Wüstenberg R. , Christner M. , Schmiedel S. , Tariparast A. , Wichmann D. , Lennartz M. , Klose H. , Kluge S.
Published: July 2021

Ein Patient mit rheumatoider Arthritis sowie B‑Symptomatik, Polyneuropathie und einschmelzenden Lungenveränderungen unter Immunsuppression entwickelte nach zunächst subakutem Verlauf rasch progrediente zentrale neurologische Symptome und ein letales Multiorganversagen. Als ursächlich erwies sich eine disseminierte Infektion mitHistoplasma capsulatumunter Beteiligung des zentralen Nervensystems. Die Erstinfektion hatte sich fünf Jahre zuvor bei einem Karibikurlaub ereignet. Die Kombination aus Reiseaktivität und Immunsuppression erfordert die Berücksichtigung sonst in Deutschland sehr seltener infektiologischer Diagnosen.
Market fragmentation and the rise of sub-national regulation
Authors: Llano-Verduras Carlos , Pérez-Balsalobre Santiago , Rincón-Aznar Ana
Published: July 2021

The evaluation of the Single European Market requires a better knowledge of the level of integration both between and within the EU countries. While some institutions are pushing for greater integration between EU countries, others may be introducing—purposely or collaterally—additional barriers to interaction. Several reports have reported the high levels of market fragmentation prevailing within Spain. This paper aims to determine whether regional borders influenced the patterns of intra- and interregional trade between the 18 regions of Spain (Nuts 2) over a long period of time (1995–2017). While trade is more intense within regions than between them, our results suggest the presence of spatial and temporal heterogeneity in the estimated home bias. We also investigate empirically the effect that the quantity and quality of national, regional and local regulations have on the economic performance of firms, in both the industrial and the service sectors. We use different non-spatial and spatial-gravity models, which yield robust results.
Optimal Control of a Nonlinear PDE Governed by Fractional Laplacian
Authors: Kamocki Rafał
Published: July 2021

We consider an optimal control problem containing a control system described by a partial nonlinear differential equation with the fractional Dirichlet–Laplacian, associated to an integral cost. We investigate the existence of optimal solutions for such a problem. In our study we use Filippov’s approach combined with a lower closure theorem for orientor fields.
Prognostic value of hepatorenal function following transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair
Authors: Tanaka Tetsu , Kavsur Refik , Spieker Maximilian , Iliadis Christos , Metze Clemens , Horn Patrick , Sugiura Atsushi , Baldus Stephan , Kelm Malte , Nickenig Georg , Pfister Roman , Westenfeld Ralf , Becher Marc Ulrich
Published: July 2021

Background

Hepatorenal dysfunction is a strong prognostic predictor in patients with heart failure. However, the prognostic impact of the hepatorenal dysfunction in patients undergoing transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) has not been well studied.

Methods

In consecutive patients who underwent edge-to-edge TMVR at three German centers, the model for end-stage liver disease excluding international normalized ratio (MELD-XI) score was calculated as 5.11 × ln [serum total bilirubin (mg/dl)] + 11.76 × ln [serum creatinine (mg/dl)] + 9.44. Patients were stratified into high (> 11) or low (≤ 11) MELD-XI score of which an incidence of the composite outcome, consisting of all-cause mortality and heart failure hospitalization, within 2 years after TMVR was assessed.

Results

Of the 881 patients, the mean MELD-XI score was 11.0 ± 5.9, and 415 patients (47.1%) had high MELD-XI score. The MELD-XI score was correlated with male, effective regurgitant orifice area, and tricuspid regurgitation severity and inversely related to left ventricular ejection fraction. Patients with high MELD-XI score had a higher incidence of the composite outcome than those with low MELD-XI score (47.7% vs. 29.8%; p < 0.0001), and in multivariable analysis, the high MELD-XI score was an independent predictor of the composite outcome [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.34; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02–1.77; p = 0.04). Additionally, the MELD-XI score as a continuous variable was also an independent predictor (adjusted HR 1.02; 95% CI 1.00–1.05; p = 0.048).

Conclusions

The MELD-XI score was associated with clinical outcomes within 2 years after TMVR and can be a useful risk-stratification tool in patients undergoing TMVR.
Ausbildung als Schlüssel für eine adäquate Behandlung von Elektroaltgeräten in Lateinamerika
Authors: Salhofer Stefan , Schmied Elisabeth , Jandric Aleksander
Published: July 2021

Wie in anderen Teilen der Welt wächst auch in Lateinamerika die Ausstattung der Haushalte mit elektrischen und elektronischen Geräten. Die daraus resultierenden Elektroaltgeräte treffen auf wenig entwickelte abfallwirtschaftliche Strukturen. In den meisten Ländern Lateinamerikas ist die getrennte Sammlung von Abfällen kaum entwickelt, Anlagen für eine spezifische Behandlung von Abfällen wie Elektroaltgeräte fehlen weitgehend. Sammlung und Behandlung werden hauptsächlich durch den informellen Sektor durchgeführt.

In diesem Beitrag werden beispielhaft zwei Länder näher betrachtet.

Nicaragua, als eines der am wenigsten entwickelten Länder, und Brasilien, ein großes und teilweise industrialisiertes Land, das allerdings keine entwickelten Strukturen zur Sammlung und Behandlung von Abfällen aufweist. In Nicaragua gibt es derzeit keine spezifischen gesetzlichen Regelungen für den Umgang mit Elektroaltgeräten und nur einzelne, kleinere Initiativen zur Sammlung sowie einen Behandlungsbetrieb in Managua.

In Brasilien dominiert der informelle Sektor die Sammlung und Behandlung von Elektroaltgeräten. Gesetzliche Regelungen werden seit vielen Jahren diskutiert. Eine Branchenregelung soll Herstellerverantwortung einführen, allerdings sind die Rollen und Verpflichtungen der Stakeholder nicht geklärt. Im bestehenden Entsorgungssystem spielen Kooperativen eine wichtige Rolle.

Für die Planung, Umsetzung und das Monitoring abfallwirtschaftlicher Systeme ist ExpertInnenwissen unerlässlich. Zurzeit bestehen in beiden Ländern kaum Möglichkeiten für eine fachliche Ausbildung in diesem Bereich. Um den zukünftig zu erwartenden Bedarf abzudecken wurde das Projekt LaWEEEda (im Erasmus+Programm gefördert) ins Leben gerufen. An den vier beteiligten Universitäten wurde ein akademisches Programm für Abfallwirtschaft und Behandlung von Elektroaltgeräten sowie ein berufsbegleitendes Ausbildungsprogramm für PraktikerInnen in diesem Bereich etabliert.
Synergism of rMV-Hu191 with cisplatin to treat gastric cancer by acid sphingomyelinase-mediated apoptosis requiring integrity of lipid raft microdomains
Authors: Lv Yao , Zhang Chu-di , Wang Yi-long , Zhou Dong-ming , Zhu Meng-ying , Hao Xiao-qiang , Wang Jin-hu , Gu Wei-zhong , Shen Hong-qiang , Lou Jin-gan , Wu Ben-qing , Chen Pei-chun , Zhao Zheng-yan
Published: July 2021

Background

DDP-based chemotherapy is one of the first-line treatment in GC. However, the therapeutic efficacy of DDP is limited due to side effects. Therefore, it is of great significance to develop novel adjuvants to synergize with DDP. We had demonstrated previously that rMV-Hu191 had antitumor activity in GC. Here we examined the synergism of rMV-Hu191 with DDP in vitro and in vivo.

Methods

Cellular proliferation, the synergistic effect and cell apoptosis were evaluated by CCK-8 assay, ZIP analysis and flow cytometry, respectively. The protein levels and location of ASMase were monitored by western blot and immunofluorescence assay. shRNA and imipramine were used to regulate the expression and activity of ASMase. MβCD was administrated to disrupt lipid rafts. Mice bearing GC xenografts were used to confirm the synergism in vivo.

Results

From our data, combinational therapy demonstrated synergistic cytotoxicity both in resistant GC cell lines from a Chinese patient and drug-nonresistant GC cell lines, and increased cell apoptosis, instead of viral replication. Integrity of lipid rafts and ASMase were required for rMV-Hu191- and combination-induced apoptosis. The ASMase was delivered to the lipid raft microdomains at the initial stage of rMV-Hu191 treatment. In vivo GC mice xenografts confirmed the synergism of combinational treatment, together with increased apoptosis and trivial side-effects.

Conclusions

This is the first study to demonstrate that rMV-Hu191 combined with DDP could be used as a potential therapeutic strategy in GC treatment and the ASMase and the integrity of lipid rafts are required for the synergistic effects.
Influence of growing up in the city or near an airport on the physiological stress of tree sparrow nestlings (Passer montanus)
Authors: Redondo Iraida , Muriel Jaime , de Castro Díaz Cristina , Aguirre José I. , Gil Diego , Pérez-Rodríguez Lorenzo
Published: July 2021

Urbanization constitutes one of the major transformations of natural habitats, creating new areas characterized by multiple potential wildlife stressors. Birds that live in highly anthropized zones are confronted with physiological and behavioural challenges caused by these stressors. Here, we investigated if several health parameters differed between three subpopulations of tree sparrow nestlings subjected to different levels of anthropogenic pollution, and particularly noise pollution: a quiet rural area, a noisy rural area adjacent to an airport and a heavily urbanized area. We compared body condition, oxidative stress markers and baseline corticosterone levels, expecting urban nestlings to be in overall worse condition as compared to rural (rural and rural airport) birds. In addition, we expected nestlings exposed to aircraft noise to show intermediate stress levels. We found that rural-airport nestlings had the highest levels of antioxidant capacity of plasma and did not differ from rural counterparts in the rest of the parameters. By contrast, urban nestlings were in slightly worse body condition and had lower antioxidant capacity than rural and rural-airport individuals. Our results suggest that aircraft noise does not constitute a significant stressor for nestlings. In contrast, urban conditions constitute a more challenging situation, negatively impacting different physiological systems. Although nestlings seem able to buffer these challenges in the short-term, further research should explore the long-term potential consequences of early exposure to these conditions.
How healthcare structures and communication delivery influence trust: a parallel-group randomized controlled trial
Authors: Cantarutti Stephen , Pothos Emmanuel M.
Published: July 2021

Background

According to recent polling, public trust in the healthcare sector remains low relative to other industries globally. The implications of low healthcare trust permeate throughout the industry in a number of ways, most visibly by discouraging therapy compliance.

Methods

This study investigated four putative determinants of trust in healthcare-related scenarios: individuals vs. collective groups as communicators of healthcare advice; expert vs. laypeople as providers of healthcare communication; public vs. private healthcare sector; and positive vs. negative information. Two hundred seventy-four participants were recruited via Prolific Academic and were presented with four statements in random order, related to a positive reflection of the public healthcare sector, a negative reflection of the public healthcare sector, a positive reflection of the private healthcare sector and a negative reflection of the private healthcare sector. According to these reflection, participants were repeatedly asked to rate the system on its trustworthiness. Trust outcomes were constructed using a four-dimension framework, consisting of benevolence, reliability, competence and predictability.

Results

Claims relating to the public sector had a significantly stronger impact on benevolence and reliability than claims relating to the private sector; claims from individuals had a significantly stronger impact on all trust variables than claims from collectives; and claims from laypeople had a significantly greater impact on reliability and competence ratings than claims from experts.

Conclusions

The findings in this study offer insight into the patterns with which trust decisions are made in healthcare contexts. More importantly, this research offers a novel perspective of how different factors interact to affect the various facets of trust. These results provide a foundation for future study in this evolving area, and offer insights into designing effective communication strategies that cultivate greater levels of individual trust in the healthcare sector.
What is Causal Specificity About, and What is it Good for in Philosophy of Biology?
Authors: Ferreira Ruiz María
Published: July 2021

The concept of causal specificity is drawing considerable attention from philosophers of biology. It became the rationale for rejecting (and occasionally, accepting) a thesis of causal parity of developmental factors. This literature assumes that attributing specificity to causal relations is at least in principle a straightforward (if not systematic) task. However, the parity debate in philosophy of biology seems to be stuck at a point where it is not the biological details that will help move forward. In this paper, I take a step back to reexamine the very idea of causal specificity and its intended role in the parity dispute in philosophy of biology. I contend that the idea of causal specificity across variations as currently discussed in the literature is irreducibly twofold in nature: it is about two independent components that are not mutually entailed. I show this to be the source of prior complications with the notion of specificity itself that ultimately affect the purposes for which it is often invoked, notably to settle the parity dispute.
A scoping review of clinical reasoning research with Asian healthcare professionals
Authors: Lee Ching-Yi , Jenq Chang-Chyi , Chandratilake Madawa , Chen Julie , Chen Mi-Mi , Nishigori Hiroshi , Wajid Gohar , Yang Pai-Hsuang , Yusoff Muhamad Saiful Bahri , Monrouxe Lynn
Published: July 2021

Clinical reasoning is the thought process that guides practice. Although a plethora of clinical reasoning studies in healthcare professionals exists, the majority appear to originate from Western cultures. A scoping review was undertaken to examine clinical reasoning related research across Asian cultures. PubMed, SciVerse Scopus, Web of Science and Airiti Library databases were searched. Inclusion criteria included full-text articles published in Asian countries (2007 to 2019). Search terms included clinical reasoning, thinking process, differential diagnosis, decision making, problem-based learning, critical thinking, healthcare profession, institution, medical students and nursing students. After applying exclusion criteria, n = 240 were included in the review. The number of publications increased in 2012 (from 5%, n = 13 in 2011 to 9%, n = 22) with a steady increase onwards to 12% (n = 29) in 2016. South Korea published the most articles (19%, n = 46) followed by Iran (17%, n = 41). Nurse Education Today published 11% of the articles (n = 26), followed by BMC Medical Education (5%, n = 13). Nursing and Medical students account for the largest population groups studied. Analysis of the articles resulted in seven themes: Evaluation of existing courses (30%, n = 73) being the most frequently identified theme. Only seven comparative articles showed cultural implications, but none provided direct evidence of the impact of culture on clinical reasoning. We illuminate the potential necessity of further research in clinical reasoning, specifically with a focus on how clinical reasoning is affected by national culture. A better understanding of current clinical reasoning research in Asian cultures may assist curricula developers in establishing a culturally appropriate learning environment.
Evaluating longitudinal dispersion of scalars in rural channels of agro-urban environments
Authors: Peruzzi Cosimo , Galli Andrea , Chiaradia Enrico A. , Masseroni Daniele
Published: July 2021

In agro-urban environments, the water resource conveyed by rural channels is susceptible to a gradual impoverishment due to the continuous combined sewer overflow release, constituting a pending and urgent issue for water management companies and the entire community. Reliable one-dimensional longitudinal dispersion coefficients D are required to model and study the hydrodynamics and water quality patterns at the scale of rural channel networks. Empirical formulas are usually adopted to estimate D but the accuracy in the prediction could be questionable. In order to identify which are the most suitable formulas to determine D in rural channels, field tracer measurements were carried out in three rural channels with typical geometry and configuration. The obtained D values were then compared with the most commonly used predicting formulas that the literature provides. The accuracy of the predictors was further checked by simulating different flow rates inside the tested channels by using a one-dimensional hydraulic model. Starting from the obtained results, indications and guidelines to choose the most suitable formulas to predict D in rural channels were provided. These indications should be followed when developing realistic quality models in the agro-urban environments, especially in those cases where direct measurements of the longitudinal dispersion coefficient D are not available.
Modelling the Diffusion Coefficients of Dilute Gaseous Solutes in Hydrocarbon Liquids
Authors: Aljeshi Yasser A. , Taib Malyanah Binti Mohd , Trusler J. P. Martin
Published: July 2021

In this work, we present a model, based on rough hard-sphere theory, for the tracer diffusion coefficients of gaseous solutes in non-polar liquids. This work extends an earlier model developed specifically for carbon dioxide in hydrocarbon liquids and establishes a general correlation for gaseous solutes in non-polar liquids. The solutes considered were light hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and argon, while the solvents were all hydrocarbon liquids. Application of the model requires knowledge of the temperature-dependent molar core volumes of the solute and solvent, which can be determined from pure-component viscosity data, and a temperature-independent roughness factor which can be determined from a single diffusion coefficient measurement in the system of interest. The new model was found to correlate the experimental data with an average absolute relative deviation of 2.7 %. The model also successfully represents computer-simulation data for tracer diffusion coefficients of hard-sphere mixtures and reduces to the expected form for self-diffusion when the solute and solvent become identical.
Variances of Surface Area Estimators Based on Pixel Configuration Counts
Authors: Kampf Jürgen
Published: July 2021

The surface area of a set which is only observed as a binary pixel image is often estimated by a weighted sum of pixel configurations counts. In this paper we examine these estimators in a design based setting—we assume that the observed set is shifted uniformly randomly. Bounds for the difference between the essential supremum and the essential infimum of such an estimator are derived, which imply that the variance is in $$O(t^2)$$

O
(

t
2

)

as the lattice distance t tends to zero. In particular, it is asymptotically neglectable compared to the bias. A simulation study shows that the theoretically derived convergence order is optimal in general, but further improvements are possible in special cases.
Gaussian processes with skewed Laplace spectral mixture kernels for long-term forecasting
Authors: Chen Kai , van Laarhoven Twan , Marchiori Elena
Published: July 2021

Long-term forecasting involves predicting a horizon that is far ahead of the last observation. It is a problem of high practical relevance, for instance for companies in order to decide upon expensive long-term investments. Despite the recent progress and success of Gaussian processes (GPs) based on spectral mixture kernels, long-term forecasting remains a challenging problem for these kernels because they decay exponentially at large horizons. This is mainly due to their use of a mixture of Gaussians to model spectral densities. Characteristics of the signal important for long-term forecasting can be unravelled by investigating the distribution of the Fourier coefficients of (the training part of) the signal, which is non-smooth, heavy-tailed, sparse, and skewed. The heavy tail and skewness characteristics of such distributions in the spectral domain allow to capture long-range covariance of the signal in the time domain. Motivated by these observations, we propose to model spectral densities using a skewed Laplace spectral mixture (SLSM) due to the skewness of its peaks, sparsity, non-smoothness, and heavy tail characteristics. By applying the inverse Fourier Transform to this spectral density we obtain a new GP kernel for long-term forecasting. In addition, we adapt the lottery ticket method, originally developed to prune weights of a neural network, to GPs in order to automatically select the number of kernel components. Results of extensive experiments, including a multivariate time series, show the beneficial effect of the proposed SLSM kernel for long-term extrapolation and robustness to the choice of the number of mixture components.
Floods in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and lessons for French flood risk governance
Authors: Kougkoulos Ioannis , Merad Myriam , Cook Simon J. , Andredakis Ioannis
Published: July 2021

France experiences catastrophic floods on a yearly basis, with significant societal impacts. In this study, we use multiple sources (insurance datasets, scientific articles, satellite data, and grey literature) to (1) analyze modern flood disasters in the PACA Region; (2) discuss the efficiency of French public policy instruments; (3) perform a SWOT analysis of French flood risk governance (FRG); and (4) suggest improvements to the FRG framework. Despite persistent government efforts, the impacts of flood events in the region have not lessened over time. Identical losses in the same locations are observed after repeated catastrophic events. Relative exposure to flooding has increased in France, apparently due to intense urbanization of flood-prone land. We suggest that the French FRG could benefit from the following improvements: (1) regular updates of risk prevention plans and tools; (2) the adoption of a build back better logic; (3) taking undeclared damages into account in flood risk models; (4) better communication between the actors at the different steps of each cycle (preparation, control, organization, etc.); (5) better communication between those responsible for risk prevention, emergency management, and disaster recovery; (6) an approach that extends the risk analysis outside the borders of the drainage basin; and (7) increased participation in FRG from local populations.
Marxism as Spinozism? One episode in the history of Soviet philosophy
Authors: Soboleva Maja
Published: July 2021

This paper seeks to reconstruct philosopher Aleksandr Bogdanov’s approach to the philosophy of Spinoza in the context of the debate against Plekhanov. I demonstrate that the Soviet interest in Spinoza’s theory has never been purely historical, but rather, it served an important function in developing the theoretical foundations for Marxist philosophy. However, Bogdanov was one of only a very few who objected strongly to Plekhanov’s attempt to relate Spinoza’s philosophy to Marxism in a direct way. Two principles underlie Bogdanov’s critique: one being methodological, the other—systematic. The methodological principle has a hermeneutical character, since it demands that we treat historical concepts by taking into account their context and their changes during the time. According to Bogdanov, failing to fulfil this principle results in the dogmatization and instrumentalization of philosophy, and transforms it into political doctrine. The systematic principle concerns Bogdanov’s radical rethinking of the relationship between extension and thought. I argue that by rethinking Spinoza’s concepts in the framework of “ideo-empirical parallelism”, Bogdanov develops his own theory of cognition, which he called “empiriomonism”. When considered in historical context, I argue that these debates can serve as a window into the foundational role the Spinoza’s philosophy has played in the formation of different versions of Russian Marxism, as well as in the development of Russian Marxism in general.
The effects of inflow of agricultural biogas digestate on bivalves’ behavior
Authors: Mbah Jasper Tembeck , Chmist-Sikorska Joanna , Szoszkiewicz Krzysztof , Czekała Wojciech
Published: July 2021

This study focused on the reaction of bivalve molluscs to biogas digestate, which is a waste product of an increasingly developing biogas production in rural areas worldwide. The effects of biogas digestate on aquatic organisms are not fully known, and neither this substance nor any types of manure were tested in the monitoring based on valvometry, which is a biomonitoring method based on bivalve behavior. The change in bivalves functioning in biogas digestate inflow was studied using three different diluted digestate concentrations. Exposure to the highest concentration of digestate induced a decline of mean shell opening and activity time of Unio tumidus species. A significant difference in behavioral patterns was recorded during the first 10 min after exposure to the digestate. A Gradual decreasing tendency of shell opening levels was apparent under the highest concentration reaching 55% compared to the pretreatment value. Also, a decreasing tendency was observed under the medium concentration (82.4% of initial level) after 2 h, while an increase in shell opening levels was recorded in the most diluted digestate. This research work proved that the inflow of biogas digestate has significant impact on bivalves’ behavior. Unio tumidus is a sensitive indicator of biogas digestate inflow in the aquatic environment. Moreover, it proved that the opening and closing activities over time depend on the concentration of the digestate. Therefore, the mollusk bivalves might be utilized in early warning systems to detect organic pollutants in water.
Three-dimensional deep learning with spatial erasing for unsupervised anomaly segmentation in brain MRI
Authors: Bengs Marcel , Behrendt Finn , Krüger Julia , Opfer Roland , Schlaefer Alexander
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Brain Magnetic Resonance Images (MRIs) are essential for the diagnosis of neurological diseases. Recently, deep learning methods for unsupervised anomaly detection (UAD) have been proposed for the analysis of brain MRI. These methods rely on healthy brain MRIs and eliminate the requirement of pixel-wise annotated data compared to supervised deep learning. While a wide range of methods for UAD have been proposed, these methods are mostly 2D and only learn from MRI slices, disregarding that brain lesions are inherently 3D and the spatial context of MRI volumes remains unexploited.

Methods

We investigate whether using increased spatial context by using MRI volumes combined with spatial erasing leads to improved unsupervised anomaly segmentation performance compared to learning from slices. We evaluate and compare 2D variational autoencoder (VAE) to their 3D counterpart, propose 3D input erasing, and systemically study the impact of the data set size on the performance.

Results

Using two publicly available segmentation data sets for evaluation, 3D VAEs outperform their 2D counterpart, highlighting the advantage of volumetric context. Also, our 3D erasing methods allow for further performance improvements. Our best performing 3D VAE with input erasing leads to an average DICE score of 31.40% compared to 25.76% for the 2D VAE.

Conclusions

We propose 3D deep learning methods for UAD in brain MRI combined with 3D erasing and demonstrate that 3D methods clearly outperform their 2D counterpart for anomaly segmentation. Also, our spatial erasing method allows for further performance improvements and reduces the requirement for large data sets.
The inhibitory potency of isoxazole-curcumin analogue for the management of breast cancer: A comparative in vitro and molecular modeling investigation
Authors: Rodrigues Fiona C. , Kumar N. V. Anil , Hari Gangadhar , Pai K. S. R. , Thakur Goutam
Published: July 2021

Curcumin, a potent phytochemical derived from the spice element turmeric, has been identified as a herbal remedy decades ago and has displayed promise in the field of medicinal chemistry. However, multiple traits associated with curcumin, such as poor bioavailability and instability, limit its effectiveness to be accepted as a lead drug-like entity. Different reactive sites in its chemical structure have been identified to incorporate modifications as attempts to improving its efficacy. The diketo group present in the center of the structural scaffold has been touted as the group responsible for the instability of curcumin, and substituting it with a heterocyclic ring contributes to improved stability. In this study, four heterocyclic curcumin analogues, representing some broad groups of heterocyclic curcuminoids (isoxazole-, pyrazole-, N-phenyl pyrazole- and N-amido-pyrazole-based), have been synthesized by a simple one-pot synthesis and have been characterized by FTIR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, DSC and LC–MS. To predict its potential anticancer efficacy, the compounds have been analyzed by computational studies via molecular docking for their regulatory role against three key proteins, namely GSK-3β—of which abnormal regulation and expression is associated with cancer; Bcl-2—an apoptosis regulator; and PR which is a key nuclear receptor involved in breast cancer development. One of the compounds, isoxazole-curcumin, has consistently indicated a better docking score than the other tested compounds as well as curcumin. Apart from docking, the compounds have also been profiled for their ADME properties as well as free energy binding calculations. Further, the in vitro cytotoxic evaluation of the analogues was carried out by SRB assay in breast cancer cell line (MCF7), out of which isoxazole-curcumin (IC50–3.97 µM) has displayed a sevenfold superior activity than curcumin (IC50–21.89 µM). In the collation of results, it can be suggested that isoxazole-curcumin behaves as a potential lead owing to its ability to be involved in a regulatory role with multiple significant cancer proteins and hence deserves further investigations in the development of small molecule-based anti-breast cancer agents.

Graphic abstract
PL-4 (CIP596131.4): an Improved Potato Haploid Inducer
Authors: Ordoñez Benny , Santayana Monica , Aponte Mariela , Henry Isabelle M. , Comai Luca , Eyzaguirre Raúl , Lindqvist-Kreuze Hannele , Bonierbale Merideth
Published: July 2021

Dihaploid production from elite tetraploid cultivars is key to both traditional and novel breeding approaches that seek to simplify potato genetics. For this purpose, efficient and widely compatible haploid inducers (HIs) are needed. We compared PL-4, a new HI developed at the International Potato Center, to known HIs IvP101 and IvP35. By pollination of elite tetraploid breeding lines, we showed that PL-4 performed significantly better and had a homogeneous response regardless of the genetic background of the pistillate parents, on the most important efficiency traits—number of dihaploids per 100 fruits and haploid induction rate. Moreover, PL-4 exhibited a reduced proportion of hybrid seeds, a convenient trait for efficient screening. In this context, we recommend PL-4 as an enhanced HI for the potato breeding community.
Trunk perimeter correlates with genetic bottleneck intensity and the level of genetic diversity in populations of Taxus baccata L
Authors: Stefanowska Sara , Meyza Katarzyna , Iszkuło Grzegorz , Chybicki Igor J.
Published: July 2021

Key message

Taxus baccata remnants established recently tend to contribute less to the species’ overall genetic variation than historical populations because they are subjected to a greater impact of the founder effect and genetic isolation. As tree trunk perimeter is a rough indicator of genetic variation in a population, this measure should be considered in conservation programs.

Context

Genetic variation within Taxus baccata (L.) populations is not associated with the current census size but correlates well with the effective size, suggesting that genetic drift intensity reflects variation in demographic histories.

Aims

We hypothesize that recently established populations are subjected to greater bottleneck than old remnants. Using the mean trunk perimeter as a surrogate of tree age, we test whether the demographic history and genetic variation are associated with the mean tree age.

Methods

Using 18 microsatellite markers, we analyze the genetic diversity and demographic history of 11 yew populations in Poland to assess the relationship between the mean trunk perimeter and the inferred genetic parameters.

Results

Populations reveal significant differences in levels of genetic variation and in the intensity and time of genetic bottleneck. After excluding an apparent outlier, the genetic variation is significantly greater while the bottleneck intensity lower in populations with a greater perimeter.

Conclusion

Due to continuous species decline and increasing fragmentation, the non-uniform contribution of yew remnants to the overall genetic variation tends to decrease together with the mean tree age. Germplasm collections for the species should take into account tree perimeter as a rough indicator of the genetic variation of a population.