bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficient Adsorption of Heavy Metal Ions by A Novel AO‐PAN‐g‐Chitosan/Fe3O4 Composite
Authors: Li Hua , Zhou Fei‐Xiang , He Bin‐Hong , Wang Guo‐Xiang , Xie Wan‐Yun , Liang Enxiang
Published: July 2020

In this study, a novel amidoxime‐based magnetic adsorbent (AO‐PAN‐g‐Chitosan/Fe3O4) was prepared by grafting acrylonitrile onto the surface of chitosan (CS) and magnetic Fe3O4 composite, followed by amidoximation. The magnetic adsorbents were characterized by infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The adsorption properties of the magnetic adsorbents for heavy metal ions in aqueous solutions were investigated under different conditions, including pH, contact time, and initial concentration of heavy metal ions. Under optimum conditions, the maximum Cu(II) and Ni(II) ion adsorption efficiencies were determined to be 38.39 mg/g and 32.68 mg/g by AO‐PAN‐g‐Chitosan/Fe3O4, respectively. Significantly, the Fe3O4/AO‐PAN‐g‐CS can be reproduced in a simple way and reused after five adsorption‐desorption cycles without any significant loss in the adsorption capacity.
Clocking the Clock: Programmable Acid Autocatalysis in the Chlorite‐Tetrathionate Reaction
Authors: Panzarasa Guido
Published: July 2020

Acid‐autocatalyzed clock reactions are chemical systems able to suddenly lower pH after a certain time. They would be useful to program self‐assembly of pH‐responsive building blocks if factors such as the starting pH, the magnitude and time of pH decrease could be flexibly tailored. Here, we show how to control these parameters in the chlorite‐tetrathionate (CT) clock reaction using cyclic esters, such as δ‐gluconolactone (GL) and 1,3‐propanesultone (PrS), as in situ slow acid generators.
Ontogeny of the trilobite Elrathia kingii (Meek) and comparison of growth rates between Elrathia kingii and Aulacopleura koninckii (Barrande)
Authors: Hopkins Melanie J.
Published: July 2020

Trilobites offer almost unparalleled insight into the growth and development of fossil ecdysozoans. Here I use newly collected material of Elrathia kingii (Meek) to estimate growth rates and describe shape change over the ontogeny of E. kingii. Well‐preserved, articulated specimens from all post‐embryonic stages were collected from a 1.5 m interval of the upper Wheeler Formation (Miaolingian Series, Cambrian) in western Utah (USA), and size and landmark‐based shape data were digitized from photographs. Growth rates were estimated and compared with previously published data on the Silurian trilobite, Aulacopleura koninckii (Barrande). Like A. koninckii, the cephalic growth rate in E. kingii was constant and of similar magnitude to the minimum growth rate along the trunk, and growth rates in the trunk were lower during the holaspid (‘adult’) period than during the meraspid (‘juvenile’) period. However, body length at the onset of meraspis was smaller, the growth gradient along the trunk during meraspis was shallower, and the terminal number of thoracic tergites was smaller in E. kingii than in A. koninckii. Despite these differences, these two species had similar maximum body lengths, because higher overall growth rates in E. kingii compensated for other differences. The rate of cephalic shape change in E. kingii decreased at the transition from meraspis to holaspis, while the pygidium became more morphologically distinct from the thorax during holaspis. I also provide an emended diagnosis for E. kingii, descriptions of the ontogeny and ventral morphology, and evidence that E. kingii holaspids had an invariant number of tergites.
Systems thinking and the biopsychosocial approach: A multilevel framework for patient‐centred care
Authors: Tramonti Francesco , Giorgi Franco , Fanali Annibale
Published: July 2020

Patient‐centred care is an approach intended to include service‐users' needs and perspectives as crucial aspects of clinical treatment, superseding any attempt to paternalistic and unilateral attitude in the therapeutic relationship. It is a call to think about persons and not simply of their diseases and implies the adoption of a biopsychosocial perspective and shared decision making. Nonetheless, thinking about persons inevitably means taking the context into due consideration, as individuals are not isolated and any kind of illness experience cannot be thought as a simple matter of inner thoughts and feelings. This perspective article builds on the core tenets of systems thinking and the biopsychosocial approach, with the aim of developing a multilevel approach to patient‐centred care. Within this framework, a literature review has been conducted to gather relevant research findings concerning each level of analysis and the interrelations of such levels.

Systems thinking is an ideal framework for capturing the multilayered aspects of illness, from the biological processes that lead to a given disease to the social context where people live. From this angle, we can argue that systems‐centred care is the framework we actually need to truly accomplish patient‐centred goals. This means seeing people as complex dynamical systems and always bearing in mind the ecology of their lives. This also means gearing research and clinical practice towards this direction because complex phenomena like health require adequate methods of inquiry and treatment plans. A multilevel approach is the main road to effective and enduring outcomes. On the contrary, fragmentation of knowledge and excessive specialization without integration can pave the way to short‐term solutions and weak or vanishing improvements in the long run, with obvious costs for persons, families and the community.
Experimental investigation on reinforced concrete slabs strengthened with carbon textiles under repeated impact loads
Authors: Batarlar Baturay , Hering Marcus , Bracklow Franz , Kühn Tino , Beckmann Birgit , Curbach Manfred
Published: July 2020

This study presents the performance of carbon textile reinforcement used as strengthening layers for reinforced concrete (RC) slabs under repeated impact loads. In order to reveal the contribution of carbon textile reinforcement to the behavior of RC slabs under impacts, five identical RC slabs with the dimensions of 1.5 m × 1.5 m × 0.20 m were manufactured and tested at the Technische Universität Dresden. To understand failure mechanisms of RC slabs under impact loadings, two specimens were kept unstrengthened and tested under different impact velocities. The rest of the specimens was strengthened with three different carbon textile reinforcements embedded in an additional 2 cm fine‐grained concrete layer and subjected to impact loads with the same striker velocity. The results observed from the tests revealed that the carbon textile reinforcement is very effective at increasing the impact capacities of the specimens. Additionally, displacement–time histories and crack profiles are highly affected due to the carbon textile reinforcement types and ratios during the impact loadings.
Shared mechanisms for cognitive impairment and physical frailty: A model for complex systems
Authors: Sargent Lana , Nalls Mike , Amella Elaine J. , Slattum Patricia W. , Mueller Martina , Bandinelli Stefania , Tian Qu , Swift‐Scanlan Theresa , Lageman Sarah K. , Singleton Andrew
Published: July 2020

Introduction

We describe findings from a large study that provide empirical support for the emerging construct of cognitive frailty and put forth a theoretical framework that may advance the future study of complex aging conditions. While cognitive impairment and physical frailty have long been studied as separate constructs, recent studies suggest they share common etiologies. We aimed to create a population predictive model to gain an understanding of the underlying biological mechanisms for the relationship between physical frailty and cognitive impairment.

Methods

Data were obtained from the longitudinal “Invecchaiare in Chianti” (Aging in Chianti, InCHIANTI Study) with a representative sample (n = 1453) of older adults from two small towns in Tuscany, Italy. Our previous work informed the candidate 132 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 155 protein biomarkers we tested in association with clinical outcomes using a tree boosting, machine learning (ML) technique for supervised learning analysis.

Results

We developed two highly accurate predictive models, with a Model I area under the curve (AUC) of 0.88 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.83‐0.90) and a Model II AUC of 0.86 (95% CI 0.80‐0.90). These models indicate cognitive frailty is driven by dysregulation across multiple cellular processes including genetic alterations, nutrient and lipid metabolism, and elevated levels of circulating pro‐inflammatory proteins.

Discussion

While our results establish a foundation for understanding the underlying biological mechanisms for the relationship between cognitive decline and physical frailty, further examination of the molecular pathways associated with our predictive biomarkers is warranted. Our framework is in alignment with other proposed biological underpinnings of Alzheimer's disease such as genetic alterations, immune system dysfunction, and neuroinflammation.
Black holes in string theory with duality twists
Authors: Hull Chris , Marcus Eric , Stemerdink Koen , Vandoren Stefan
Published: July 2020

Abstract

We consider 5D supersymmetric black holes in string theory compactifications that partially break supersymmetry. We compactify type IIB on T4 and then further compactify on a circle with a duality twist to give Minkowski vacua preserving partial supersymmetry ($$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 6, 4, 2, 0) in five dimensions. The effective supergravity theory is given by a Scherk-Schwarz reduction with a Scherk-Schwarz supergravity potential on the moduli space, and the lift of this to string theory imposes a quantization condition on the mass parameters. In this theory, we study black holes with three charges that descend from various ten-dimensional brane configurations. For each black hole we choose the duality twist to be a transformation that preserves the solution, so that it remains a supersymmetric solution of the twisted theory with partially broken supersymmetry. We discuss the quantum corrections arising from the twist to the pure gauge and mixed gauge-gravitational Chern-Simons terms in the action and the resulting corrections to the black hole entropy.
Self-Reverse Elements and Lines in an Algebra for 3D Space
Authors: Cripps Robert J. , Cross Ben , Mullineux Glen
Published: July 2020

A geometric algebra provides a single environment in which geometric entities can be represented and manipulated and in which transforms can be applied to these entities. A number of versions of geometric algebra have been proposed and the aim of the paper is to investigate one of these as it has a number of advantageous features. Points, lines and planes are presented naturally by element of grades 1, 2, and 3 respectively. The self-reverse elements in the algebra form a field. This allows an equivalence relation between elements of grade 2 to be defined so that, although not every grade 2 element corresponds to a line, each equivalence class does, and vice versa. Examples are given to illustrate the ease in which geometric objects are represented and manipulated.
Third generation autologous chondrocyte implantation is a good treatment option for athletic persons
Authors: Niethammer Thomas Richard , Altmann Daniel , Holzgruber Martin , Goller Sophia , Fischer Andreas , Müller Peter Ernst
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Autologous chondrocyte implantation is an established method for the treatment of joint cartilage damage. However, to date it has not been established that autologous chondrocyte implantation is an appropriate procedure for cartilage defects therapy in athletic persons. The aim of this study is to analyze if third-generation autologous chondrocyte implantation is an appropriate treatment for athletic persons with full cartilage defect of the knee joints.

Methods

A total of 84 patients were treated with third-generation autologous chondrocyte implantation (NOVOCART®3D). The mean follow-up time was 8 years (5–14). Sports activity was measured via UCLA Activity Score and Tegner Activity Scale before the onset of knee pain and postoperatively in an annual clinical evaluation. 41 athletic persons and 43 non-athletic persons (UCLA-Cut-off: 7; Tegner Activity Scale-Cut-off: 4) were analyzed. Patient reported outcomes were captured using IKDC subjective, KOOS, Lysholm score and VAS score on movement.

Results

Patient reported outcomes (IKDC, VAS at rest, VAS on movement) showed significant improvement (p < 0.001) postoperatively. Athletic persons demonstrated significantly better results than non-athletic persons in the analyzed outcome scores (IKDC:p < 0.01, KOOS:p < 0.01, Lysholm score:p < 0.01). 96.4% of the patients were able to return to sport and over 50% returned or surpassed their preinjury sports level. The remaining patients were downgraded by a median of two points on the UCLA- and 2.5 on the Tegner Activity Scale. A shift from high-impact sports to active events and moderate or mild activities was found. Furthermore, it was shown that preoperative UCLA score and Tegner Activity Scale correlated significantly with the patient reported outcome postoperatively.

Conclusion

Autologous chondrocyte implantation is a suitable treatment option for athletic persons with full-thickness cartilage defects in the knee. The return to sports activity is possible, but includes a shift from high-impact sports to less strenuous activities.
Dirichlet process mixtures under affine transformations of the data
Authors: Arbel Julyan , Corradin Riccardo , Nipoti Bernardo
Published: July 2020

Location-scale Dirichlet process mixtures of Gaussians (DPM-G) have proved extremely useful in dealing with density estimation and clustering problems in a wide range of domains. Motivated by an astronomical application, in this work we address the robustness of DPM-G models to affine transformations of the data, a natural requirement for any sensible statistical method for density estimation and clustering. First, we devise a coherent prior specification of the model which makes posterior inference invariant with respect to affine transformations of the data. Second, we formalise the notion of asymptotic robustness under data transformation and show that mild assumptions on the true data generating process are sufficient to ensure that DPM-G models feature such a property. Our investigation is supported by an extensive simulation study and illustrated by the analysis of an astronomical dataset consisting of physical measurements of stars in the field of the globular cluster NGC 2419.
Mixed norm Strichartz-type estimates for hypersurfaces in three dimensions
Authors: Palle Ljudevit
Published: July 2020

In their work Ikromov and Müller (Fourier Restriction for Hypersurfaces in Three Dimensions and Newton Polyhedra. Princeton University Press, Princeton, 2016) proved the full range $$L^p-L^2$$

L
p

-

L
2

Fourier restriction estimates for a very general class of hypersurfaces in $${\mathbb {R}}^3$$

R

3

which includes the class of real analytic hypersurfaces. In this article we partly extend their results to the mixed norm case where the coordinates are split in two directions, one tangential and the other normal to the surface at a fixed given point. In particular, we resolve completely the adapted case and partly the non-adapted case. In the non-adapted case the case when the linear height $$h_\text {lin}(\phi )$$

h
lin

(
ϕ
)

is below two is settled completely.
Whole-Exome Sequencing Identifies Novel Compound Heterozygous ZNF469 Mutations in Two Siblings with Mild Brittle Cornea Syndrome
Authors: Rolvien Tim , Kornak Uwe , Linke Stephan J. , Amling Michael , Oheim Ralf
Published: July 2020

Connective tissue diseases, including osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), exhibit a high degree of clinical and genetic heterogeneity. We report two sisters with blue sclerae, joint hypermobility and hearing loss. Whole-exome sequencing identified two compound heterozygous ZNF469 loss-of-function mutations due to a frameshift. Since these findings indicate the presence of brittle cornea syndrome (BCS), we performed ocular optical coherence tomography (OCT) and pachymetry, which revealed a moderate decrease in corneal thickness. While only one traumatic fracture was observed in each of the patients, a detailed skeletal assessment indicated no specific patterns of bone mass and microstructure reduction as well as normal bone turnover markers. Taken together, our findings point to a mild form of brittle cornea syndrome with a phenotype compatible with the extraskeletal features of OI but also with EDS.
Soft and hard computation methods for estimation of the effective thermal conductivity of sands
Authors: Rizvi Zarghaam Haider , Zaidi Husain Haider , Akhtar Syed Jawad , Sattari Amir Shorian , Wuttke Frank
Published: July 2020

Thermal properties of sand are of importance in numerous engineering and scientific applications ranging from energy storage and transportation infrastructures to underground construction. All these applications require knowledge of the effective thermal parameters for proper operation. The traditional approaches for determination of the effective thermal property, such as the thermal conductivity are based on very costly, tedious and time-consuming experiments. The recent developments in computer science have allowed the use of soft and hard computational methods to compute the effective thermal conductivity (ETC). Here, two computation methods are presented based on soft and hard computing approaches, namely, the deep neural network (DNN) and the thermal lattice element method (TLEM), respectively, to compute the ETC of sands with varying porosity and moisture content values. The developed models are verified and validated with a small data set reported in the literature. The computation results are compared with the experiments, and the numerical results are found to be within reasonable error bounds. The deep learning method offers fast and robust implementation and computation, even with a small data set due to its superior backpropagation algorithm. However, the TLEM based on micro and meso physical laws outperforms it at accuracy.
MRI in acute muscle tears in athletes: can quantitative T2 and DTI predict return to play better than visual assessment?
Authors: Biglands J. D. , Grainger A. J. , Robinson P. , Tanner S. F. , Tan A. L. , Feiweier T. , Evans R. , Emery P. , O’Connor P.
Published: July 2020

Objectives

To assess the ability of quantitative T2, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and radiologist’s scores to detect muscle changes following acute muscle tear in soccer and rugby players. To assess the ability of these parameters to predict return to play times.

Methods

In this prospective, longitudinal study, 13 male athletes (age 19 to 34 years; mean 25 years) underwent MRI within 1 week of suffering acute muscle tear. Imaging included measurements of T2 and DTI parameters. Images were also assessed using modified Peetrons and British athletics muscle injury classification (BAMIC) scores. Participants returned for a second scan within 1 week of being determined fit to return to play. MRI measurements were compared between visits. Pearson’s correlation between visit 1 measurements and return to play times was assessed.

Results

There were significant differences between visits in BAMIC scores (Z = − 2.088; p = 0.037), modified Peetrons (Z = − 2.530; p = 0.011) and quantitative MRI measurements; T2, 13.12 ms (95% CI, 4.82 ms, 21.42 ms; p = 0.01); mean diffusivity (0.22 (0.04, 0.39); p = 0.02) and fractional anisotropy (0.07 (0.01, 0.14); p = 0.03). BAMIC scores showed a significant correlation with return to play time (Rs = 0.64; p = 0.02), but modified Peetrons scores and quantitative parameters did not.

Conclusions

T2 and DTI measurements in muscle can detect changes due to healing following muscle tear. Although BAMIC scores correlated well with return to play times, in this small study, quantitative MRI values did not, suggesting that T2 and DTI measurements are inferior predictors of return to play time compared with visual scoring.

Key Points

• Muscle changes following acute muscle tear can be measured using T2 and diffusion measurements on MRI.

• Measurements of T2 and diffusion using MRI are not as good as a radiologist’s visual report at predicting return to play time after acute muscle tear.
The importance of North Atlantic Ocean transports for seasonal forecasts
Authors: Tietsche Steffen , Balmaseda Magdalena , Zuo Hao , Roberts Christopher , Mayer Michael , Ferranti Laura
Published: July 2020

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is a main driver for predictability at decadal time scales, but has been largely ignored in the context of seasonal forecasts. Here, we show compelling evidence that AMOC initialization can have a direct and strong impact on seasonal forecasts. Winter reforecasts with SEAS5, the current operational seasonal forecasting system by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, exhibit errors of sea-surface temperature (SST) in the western part of the North Atlantic Subpolar Gyre that are strongly correlated with decadal variations in the AMOC initial conditions. In the early reforecast period 1981–1996, too warm SST coincide with an overly strong AMOC transporting excessive heat into the region. In the ocean reanalyses providing the forecast initial conditions, excessive heat transport is balanced by additional surface cooling from relaxing towards observed SST, and therefore the fit to observations is acceptable. However, the additional surface cooling contributes to enhanced deep convection and strengthens the AMOC, thereby establishing a feedback loop. In the forecasts, where the SST relaxation is absent, the balance is disrupted, and fast growth of SST errors ensues. The warm SST bias has a strong local impact on surface air temperature, mean sea-level pressure, and precipitation patterns, but remote impact is small. In the late reforecast period 2001–2016, neither the SST in the western North Atlantic nor the AMOC show large biases. The non-stationarity of the bias prevents an effective forecast calibration and causes an apparent loss of skill in the affected region. The case presented here demonstrates the importance of correctly initializing slowly varying aspects of the Earth System such as the AMOC in order to improve forecasts on seasonal and shorter time scales.
The identification of differentially expressed genes in male and female gametophytes of simple thalloid liverwort Pellia endiviifolia sp. B using an RNA-seq approach
Authors: Sierocka Izabela , Alaba Sylwia , Jarmolowski Artur , Karlowski Wojciech M. , Szweykowska-Kulinska Zofia
Published: July 2020

Main conclusion

This study shows differences in gene expression between male and female gametophytes of the simple thalloid liverwort with a distinction between the vegetative and reproductive phases of growth.

Pellia endiviifoliais a simple thalloid liverwort that, together with hornworts and mosses, represents the oldest living land plants. The limited taxon sampling for genomic and functional studies hampers our understanding of processes governing evolution of these plants. RNA sequencing represents an attractive way to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of non-model species development. In the present study, RNA-seq was used to profile the differences in gene expression betweenP. endiviifoliamale and female gametophytes, with a distinction between the vegetative and reproductive phases of growth. By comparison of the gene expression profiles from individuals producing sex organs with the remaining thalli types, we have determined a set of genes whose expression might be important for the development ofP. endiviifoliareproductive organs. The selected differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were categorized into five main pathways: metabolism, genetic information processing, environmental information processing, cellular processes, and organismal systems. A comparison of the obtained data with theMarchantia polymorphatranscriptome resulted in the identification of genes exhibiting a similar expression pattern during the reproductive phase of growth between members of the two distinct liverwort classes. The common expression profile of  87 selected genes suggests a common mechanism governing sex organ development in both liverwort species. The obtained RNA-seq results were confirmed by RT-qPCR for the DEGs with the highest differences in expression level. FivePellia-female-specific and twoPellia-male-specific DEGs showed enriched expression in archegonia and antheridia, respectively. The identified genes are promising candidates for functional studies of their involvement in liverwort sexual reproduction.
Assessment of an isogeometric approach with Catmull–Clark subdivision surfaces using the Laplace–Beltrami problems
Authors: Liu Zhaowei , McBride Andrew , Saxena Prashant , Steinmann Paul
Published: July 2020

An isogeometric approach for solving the Laplace–Beltrami equation on a two-dimensional manifold embedded in three-dimensional space using a Galerkin method based on Catmull–Clark subdivision surfaces is presented and assessed. The scalar-valued Laplace–Beltrami equation requires only$$C^0$$C0continuity and is adopted to elucidate key features and properties of the isogeometric method using Catmull–Clark subdivision surfaces. Catmull–Clark subdivision bases are used to discretise both the geometry and the physical field. A fitting method generates control meshes to approximate any given geometry with Catmull–Clark subdivision surfaces. The performance of the Catmull–Clark subdivision method is compared to the conventional finite element method. Subdivision surfaces without extraordinary vertices show the optimal convergence rate. However, extraordinary vertices introduce error, which decreases the convergence rate. A comparative study shows the effect of the number and valences of the extraordinary vertices on accuracy and convergence. An adaptive quadrature scheme is shown to reduce the error.
A novel method for assessing climate change impacts in ecotron experiments
Authors: Vanderkelen Inne , Zscheischler Jakob , Gudmundsson Lukas , Keuler Klaus , Rineau Francois , Beenaerts Natalie , Vangronsveld Jaco , Vicca Sara , Thiery Wim
Published: July 2020

Ecotron facilities allow accurate control of many environmental variables coupled with extensive monitoring of ecosystem processes. They therefore require multivariate perturbation of climate variables, close to what is observed in the field and projections for the future. Here, we present a new method for creating realistic climate forcing for manipulation experiments and apply it to the UHasselt Ecotron experiment. The new methodology uses data derived from the best available regional climate model projection and consists of generating climate forcing along a gradient representative of increasingly high global mean air temperature anomalies. We first identified the best-performing regional climate model simulation for the ecotron site from the Coordinated Regional Downscaling Experiment in the European domain (EURO-CORDEX) ensemble based on two criteria: (i) highest skill compared to observations from a nearby weather station and (ii) representativeness of the multi-model mean in future projections. The time window is subsequently selected from the model projection for each ecotron unit based on the global mean air temperature of the driving global climate model. The ecotron units are forced with 3-hourly output from the projections of the 5-year period in which the global mean air temperature crosses the predefined values. With the new approach, Ecotron facilities become able to assess ecosystem responses on changing climatic conditions, while accounting for the co-variation between climatic variables and their projection in variability, well representing possible compound events. The presented methodology can also be applied to other manipulation experiments, aiming at investigating ecosystem responses to realistic future climate change.
A hybrid evolutionary algorithm for the offline Bin Packing Problem
Authors: Borgulya Istvan
Published: July 2020

In this paper we present an evolutionary heuristic for the offline one-dimensional Bin Packing Problem. In this problem we have to pack a set of items into bins of the same capacity, and the objective is to minimize the number of bins used. Our algorithm is a hybrid evolutionary algorithm where an individual is a feasible solution, and it contains the description of the bins. The algorithm works without recombination; it uses two new mutation operators and improves the quality of the solutions with local search procedures. The mutation operators’ work is based on a relative pair frequency matrix, and, based on this matrix, we know the frequency of every pair of items i.e. how often they are included in the same bin in the best solutions. The frequency matrix helps to pack items into subsets of items; these subsets are the bins in our problem. The algorithm was tested on well-known benchmark instances from the literature and was compared with both evolutionary and state-of-the-art algorithms. Our algorithm achieved a valuable result with the difficult hard28 test set, and in most of the test problems it reached the optimum.
The Poisson equation on Riemannian manifolds with weighted Poincaré inequality at infinity
Authors: Catino Giovanni , Monticelli Dario D. , Punzo Fabio
Published: July 2020

We prove an existence result for the Poisson equation on non-compact Riemannian manifolds satisfying weighted Poincaré inequalities outside compact sets. Our result applies to a large class of manifolds including, for instance, all non-parabolic manifolds with minimal positive Green’s function vanishing at infinity. On the source function, we assume a sharp pointwise decay depending on the weight appearing in the Poincaré inequality and on the behavior of the Ricci curvature at infinity. We do not require any curvature or spectral assumptions on the manifold. In comparison with previous works, we can deal with a more general setting on the curvature bounds and without any spectral assumption.
Psychological contract breach and organizational cynicism and commitment among self-initiated expatriates vs. host country nationals in the Chinese and Malaysian transnational education sector
Authors: Lapointe Émilie , Vandenberghe Christian , Fan Shea X.
Published: July 2020

In today’s global economy, self-initiated expatriates (SIEs) and host country nationals (HCNs) both represent critical human resources for organizations operating globally. Yet, because these two groups of employees have been studied separately, little is known about how SIEs’ and HCNs’ perceptions of, and attitudes towards the organization compare and diverge (vs. converge) in terms of implications for human resource management. This study aims to contribute to fill this gap by examining psychological contract breach, organizational cynicism, and organizational commitment components (i.e., affective, normative, and continuance) among a sample of 156 SIEs and HCNs working in the Chinese and Malaysian transnational education sector. Using a one-year time-lagged study, we found that compared to HCNs, SIEs experienced more organizational cynicism and less affective, normative, and continuance commitment. Moreover, the breach-organizational cynicism relationship was stronger (i.e., more positive) among SIEs than HCNs. The indirect relationships between breach and affective and continuance commitment, as mediated by organizational cynicism, were also stronger (i.e., more negative) among SIEs than HCNs. Implications for human resource management are discussed under the lens of Conservation of Resources theory.
Accuracy of fully coupled and sequential approaches for modeling hydro- and geomechanical processes
Authors: Beck M. , Rinaldi A. P. , Flemisch B. , Class H.
Published: July 2020

Subsurface flow and geomechanics are often modeled with sequential approaches. This can be computationally beneficial compared with fully coupled schemes, while it requires usually compromises in numerical accuracy, at least when the sequential scheme is non-iterative. We discuss the influence of the choice of scheme on the numerical accuracy and the expected computational effort based on a comparison of a fully coupled scheme, a scheme employing a one-way coupling, and an iterative scheme using a fixed-stress split for two subsurface injection scenarios. All these schemes were implemented in the numerical simulator DuMux. This study identifies conditions of problem settings where differences due to the choice of the model approach are as important as differences in geologic features. It is shown that in particular transient and multiphase flow, effects can be causing significant deviations between non-iterative and iterative sequential schemes, which might be in the same order of magnitude as geologic uncertainty. An iterated fixed-stress split has the same numerical accuracy as a fully coupled scheme but only for a certain number of iterations which might use up the computational advantage of solving two smaller systems of equations rather than a big monolithical one.
Linking Human Destruction of Nature to COVID-19 Increases Support for Wildlife Conservation Policies
Authors: Shreedhar Ganga , Mourato Susana
Published: July 2020

This paper investigates if narratives varying the cause of the COVID-19 pandemic affects pro-wildlife conservation outcomes. In a pre-registered online experiment (N = 1081), we randomly allocated subjects to either a control group or to one of three narrative treatment groups, each presenting a different likely cause of the COVID-19 outbreak: an animal cause; an animal and human cause (AHC); and an animal, human or lab cause. We found that the AHC narrative elicited significantly greater pro-conservation policy support, especially for bans in the commercial trade of wildlife, when compared to the control group. Possible mechanisms driving this effect are that AHC narratives were less familiar, elicited higher mental and emotional engagement, and induced feelings that firms and governments are responsible for mitigating wildlife extinction.
Effects of two kinds of fishery drugs on the expressions of GAD and GABA-T mRNA in crucian carp (Carassius auratus gibelio)
Authors: Zhang Fan , Hu Kun , Huang Jianzhen , Tan Zhi , Ruan Jiming
Published: July 2020

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of difloxacin (DIF) and avermectin (AVM) on glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) and GABA-transaminase (GABA-T) in different tissues of crucian carp (Carassius auratus gibelio). After the treatments of DIF and AVM, the mRNA expressions of GAD and GABA-T in different tissues were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). The results showed that the mRNA expressions of GAD65, GAD67, and GABA-T in the telencephalon (Tel), mesencephalon (Mes), cerebella (Cer), and medulla oblongata (Med) were downregulated significantly with the safe dose (SD, 20 mg/kg) of DIF (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). While the expressions of GAD65 and GAD67 in the kidney at 12 h had strikingly upregulated to 13.81 ± 1.06** and 150.67 ± 12.85** times. Treated with the lethal dose of 50% (LD50, 2840 mg/kg b. W.) of DIF, the mRNA expressions of GAD65, GAD67, and GABA-T in all tissues were increased significantly (P < 0.01). The results of AVM group showed that the mRNA expressions of GAD65, GAD67, and GABA-T both in the central and peripheral tissues were all remarkably downregulated at the safe concentration (SC, 0.0039 mg/L) and the lethal concentration of 50% (LC50, 0.039 mg/L), except for the mRNA inhibitions of GAD65, GAD67, and GABA-T in the muscle at 2 h which sharply downregulated to 0.20 ± 0.02ΔΔ × 10−2, 0.57 ± 0.06ΔΔ × 10−1 and 0.44 ± 0.02ΔΔ × 10−1, respectively (P < 0.01).
Airborne reactive oxygen species (ROS) is associated with nano TiO2 concentrations in aerosolized cement particles during simulated work activities
Authors: Batsungnoen Kiattisak , Riediker Michael , Hopf Nancy B. , Suárez Guillaume
Published: July 2020

Photocatalytic cement is self-cleaning due to the addition of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles, which react with sunlight (UV) and produce reactive oxygen species (ROS). Construction workers using photocatalytic cement are exposed not only to cement particles that are irritants but also to nano TiO2 and UV, both carcinogens, as well as the generated ROS. Quantifying ROS generated from added nano TiO2 in photocatalytic cement is necessary to efficiently assess combined health risks. We designed and built an experimental setup to generate, under controlled environmental conditions (i.e., temperature, relative humidity, UV irradiance), both regular and photocatalytic cement aerosols. In addition, cement working activities—namely bag emptying and concrete cutting—were simulated in an exposure chamber while continuously measuring particle size distribution/concentration with a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS). ROS production was measured with a newly developed photonic sensing system based on a colorimetric assay. ROS production generated from the photocatalytic cement aerosol exposed to UV (3.3∙10−9 nmol/pt) was significantly higher than for regular cement aerosol, either UV-exposed (0.5∙10−9 nmol/pt) or not (1.1∙10−9 nmol/pt). Quantitatively, the level of photocatalytic activity measured for nano TiO2-containing cement aerosol was in good agreement with the one obtained with only nano TiO2 aerosol at similar experimental conditions of temperature and relative humidity (around 60%). As a consequence, we recommend that exposure reduction strategies, in addition to cement particle exposures, also consider nano TiO2 and in situ–generated ROS, in particular if the work is done in sunny environments.
Ist Bewegung eine Frage des Geldes? Eine Analyse des Kostengeschehens kommunaler Prävention für Kinder aus Nutzerperspektive
Authors: Weyers S. , Dintsios C. M. , Lisak-Wahl S. , Götz S. , Nguyen T. , Kreffter K.
Published: July 2020

Hintergrund

Kinder mit niedrigem Sozialstatus haben häufiger motorische Defizite, gleichzeitig nehmen sie Angebote zur Bewegungsförderung seltener wahr. Die Gründe dafür sind unklar. Im Zusammenhang mit finanziellen Barrieren ist das objektive Kostengeschehen aus Nutzerperspektive bisher kaum erforscht, insbesondere nicht im Hinblick auf soziale Ungleichheit.

Ziel der Arbeit

Die Studie soll zwei Fragen beantworten: Welche Kosten müssen Eltern für die Bewegungsangebote ihrer Kinder erbringen? Wie erschwinglich sind diese Angebote für sozioökonomisch benachteiligte Familien?

Material und Methoden

Zunächst wurden 36 Angebote freigemeinnütziger Träger in Düsseldorf für Kinder bis 6 Jahre identifiziert. Zu diesen Angeboten wurde jeweils der Preis pro Kurseinheit, pro Zeitstunde und pro Monat berechnet. Für die Bestimmung der Erschwinglichkeit wurden das günstigste und das teuerste Angebot nach Ermäßigung in Relation zum frei verfügbaren Einkommen einer alleinerziehenden Familie mit Arbeitslosengeld(ALG)-II-Bezug gesetzt.

Ergebnisse

Preise für Eltern-Baby-Kurse rangieren zwischen 20,00 und 48,00 € pro Monat, für Eltern-Kind-Kurse zwischen 4,00 und 44,00 € und für Wasser- und Schwimmangebote zwischen 18,00 und 28,86 €. Ermäßigte Kurspreise können zwischen 4,10 und 21,60 % des frei zur Verfügung stehenden Einkommens einer alleinerziehenden Familie mit ALG-II-Bezug ausmachen.

Diskussion

Kommunale Bewegungsangebote werden an die finanziellen Bedürfnisse von Familien angepasst. Für sozioökonomisch benachteiligte Familien sind sie jedoch nicht immer erschwinglich. Weitere Ermäßigungen bei ausgewählten Angeboten könnten die Inanspruchnahme von Kindern mit niedrigem Sozialstatus an Bewegungsangeboten erhöhen.
Trade Shows and SME Internationalisation: Networking for Performance
Authors: Gerschewski Stephan , Evers Natasha , Nguyen Anh Tuan , Froese Fabian Jintae
Published: July 2020

Trade shows are a key vehicle where SMEs often develop networks, through which valuable resources for internationalisation can be acquired. However, there tends to be a scarcity of research on the performance outcomes of network development of international SMEs (ISMEs), particularly, in trade show forums. Adopting a network-based view, we investigate the influence of trade shows on the performance of ISMEs. Results from a survey of 229 Australian and New Zealand SMEs indicate that proactiveness is positively associated with the development of networks through trade shows, which, in turn, increases the firms’ operational performance, but not financial performance. In addition, the effect of trade shows is generally more beneficial for ISMEs in the service industry, compared to other industries.
Selective Peroxisome Proliferator–Activated Receptor Alpha Modulators (SPPARMα): New Opportunities to Reduce Residual Cardiovascular Risk in Chronic Kidney Disease?
Authors: Fruchart Jean-Charles , Hermans Michel P. , Fruchart-Najib Jamila
Published: July 2020

Purpose of Review

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) poses a major global challenge, which is exacerbated by aging populations and the pandemic of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Much of the escalating burden of CKD is due to cardiovascular complications. Current treatment guidelines for dyslipidemia in CKD prioritize low-density lipoprotein cholesterol management, but still leave a high residual cardiovascular risk. Targeting elevated triglycerides and low plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, a common feature of CKD, could offer additional benefit. There are, however, safety issues with current fibrates (peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor alpha [PPARα] agonists), notably the propensity for elevation in serum creatinine, indicating the need for new approaches.

Recent Findings

Interactions between the ligand and PPARα receptor influence the specificity and potency of receptor binding, and downstream gene and physiological effects. The peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor alpha modulator (SPPARMα) concept aims to modulate the ligand structure so as to enhance binding at the PPARα receptor, thereby improving the ligand’s selectivity, potency, and safety profile. This concept has led to the development of pemafibrate, a novel SPPARMα agent. This review discusses evidence that differentiates pemafibrate from current fibrates, especially the lack of evidence for elevation in serum creatinine or worsening of renal function in high-risk patients, including those with CKD.

Differentiation of pemafibrate from current fibrates aims to address unmet clinical needs in CKD. The ongoing PROMINENT study will provide critical information regarding the long-term efficacy and safety of pemafibrate in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, including those with CKD, and whether the favorable lipid-modifying profile translates to reduction in residual cardiovascular risk.
Long-Term Prognostic Role of Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography for Stable Angina
Authors: Meah Mohammed N. , Williams Michelle C.
Published: July 2020

Purpose of review

Chest pain is a common presentation, and there are a wide variety of ways in which it can be investigated and treated. There is growing interest in whether the way we reach a diagnosis of angina can affect the long-term prognosis. In addition to its unparalleled negative predictive value, computed tomography coronary angiography (CCTA) gives anatomical information on the extent and severity of coronary artery disease. This article discusses recent research into the ability of CCTA to predict and improve long-term prognosis for patients with stable angina.

Recent findings

Results from retrospective studies, randomised controlled trials and meta-analyses all suggest that initial investigation with computed tomography coronary angiography confers a prognostic benefit. In addition, the most recent studies have shown that the assessment of plaque burden and plaque constituents is predictive of long-term outcomes.

Management of stable chest pain should be guided by a CCTA-based approach. Future research should focus on whether incorporating plaque analysis strategies into clinical practice confers additional benefit.
Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS), Behavioral Activation System (BAS), and grandiose facets of narcissism
Authors: Subramanian Łukasz , Sękowski Michał , Żemojtel-Piotrowska Magdalena
Published: July 2020

The current study examines the temperamental basis of three forms of grandiose narcissism (i.e., agentic, communal, and antagonistic), employing the Behavioral Inhibition System model and three aspects of Behavioral Activation System (i.e., drive, pleasure-seeking, and sensitivity to reward). Using a self-report study conducted on a general Polish sample (N = 657), we found that all forms of narcissism were positively associated with all three aspects of BAS, while BIS was negatively associated with agentic and antagonistic forms. Communal and antagonistic narcissism did not differ in comparison of their correlations with drive and sensitivity to reward, while agentic narcissism indicated the strongest relations to temperament. A multiple regression indicated that each of the three forms of narcissism has its own specific relationship with BIS and of the aspects of BAS. We discuss our findings as useful in explaining how the three forms of narcissism are related to BIS and BAS with the distinction of the latter into its three aspects, indicating substantial differences between agentic and communal narcissism, and specificity of antagonistic narcissism.
SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19: a primer for cardiologists
Authors: de Vries A. A. F.
Published: July 2020

In the late autumn of 2019, a new potentially lethal human coronavirus designated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in Wuhan, China. The pandemic spread of this zoonotic virus has created a global health emergency and an unprecedented socioeconomic crisis. The severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the illness caused by SARS-CoV‑2, is highly variable. Most patients (~85%) develop no or mild symptoms, while others become seriously ill, some succumbing to disease-related complications. In this review, the SARS-CoV‑2 life cycle, its transmission and the clinical and immunological features of COVID-19 are described. In addition, an overview is presented of the virological assays for detecting ongoing SARS-CoV‑2 infections and the serological tests for SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody detection. Also discussed are the different approaches to developing a COVID-19 vaccine and the perspectives of treating COVID-19 with antiviral drugs, immunomodulatory agents and anticoagulants/antithrombotics. Finally, the cardiovascular manifestations of COVID-19 are briefly touched upon. While there is still much to learn about SARS-CoV‑2, the tremendous recent advances in biomedical technology and knowledge and the huge amount of research into COVID-19 raise the hope that a remedy for this disease will soon be found. COVID-19 will nonetheless have a lasting impact on human society.
Insights into epigenetic patterns in mammalian early embryos
Authors: Xu Ruimin , Li Chong , Liu Xiaoyu , Gao Shaorong
Published: July 2020

Mammalian fertilization begins with the fusion of two specialized gametes, followed by major epigenetic remodeling leading to the formation of a totipotent embryo. During the development of the pre-implantation embryo, precise reprogramming progress is a prerequisite for avoiding developmental defects or embryonic lethality, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. For the past few years, unprecedented breakthroughs have been made in mapping the regulatory network of dynamic epigenomes during mammalian early embryo development, taking advantage of multiple advances and innovations in low-input genome-wide chromatin analysis technologies. The aim of this review is to highlight the most recent progress in understanding the mechanisms of epigenetic remodeling during early embryogenesis in mammals, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, chromatin accessibility and 3D chromatin organization.