bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cotranslational folding of alkaline phosphatase in the periplasm of Escherichia coli
Authors: Elfageih Rageia , Karyolaimos Alexandros , Kemp Grant , de Gier Jan‐Willem , von Heijne Gunnar , Kudva Renuka
Published: August 2020

Cotranslational protein folding studies using Force Profile Analysis, a method where the SecM translational arrest peptide is used to detect folding‐induced forces acting on the nascent polypeptide, have so far been limited mainly to small domains of cytosolic proteins that fold in close proximity to the translating ribosome. In this study, we investigate the cotranslational folding of the periplasmic, disulfide bond‐containing Escherichia coli protein alkaline phosphatase (PhoA) in a wild‐type strain background and a strain background devoid of the periplasmic thiol: disulfide interchange protein DsbA. We find that folding‐induced forces can be transmitted via the nascent chain from the periplasm to the polypeptide transferase center in the ribosome, a distance of ~160 Å, and that PhoA appears to fold cotranslationally via at least two disulfide‐stabilized folding intermediates. Thus, Force Profile Analysis can be used to study cotranslational folding of proteins in an extra‐cytosolic compartment, like the periplasm.
Hyperglucosylated adhesin‐derived peptides as antigenic probes in multiple sclerosis: Structure optimization and immunological evaluation
Authors: Mazzoleni Antonio , Real‐Fernandez Feliciana , Larregola Maud , Nuti Francesca , Lequin Olivier , Papini Anna Maria , Mallet Jean‐Maurice , Rovero Paolo
Published: August 2020

Peptides mimicking antigenic epitopes targeted by antibodies can be powerful tools to be used as antigen surrogates for the specific diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune diseases. Obtaining structural insights about the nature of peptide–antibody interaction in complex mixtures such as sera is a critical goal. In multiple sclerosis (MS), we previously demonstrated that the N‐linked β‐d‐glucopyranosyl moieties (N‐Glc) containing epitopes in nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae adhesin C‐terminal portion HMW1(1205–1526) were essential for high‐affinity antibody binding in a subpopulation of MS patients. With the aim of developing peptide probes and assessing their binding properties to antibodies from sera of representative patients, we performed the systematic analysis of synthetic peptides based on HMW1(1347–1354) fragment bearing one or two N‐Glc respectively on Asn‐1349 and/or Asn‐1352. The N‐glucosylated nonapeptides efficiently bind to IgG antibodies, displaying IC50 in the range 10−8–10−10 M by competitive indirect enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in three representative MS patient sera. We selected the di‐N‐glucosylated adhesin peptide Ac‐KAN (Glc)VTLN (Glc)TT‐NH2 as the shortest sequence able to inhibit high‐avidity interaction with N‐Glc targeting IgM antibodies. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)‐ and circular dichroism (CD)‐based characterization showed that the binding properties of these antigens could not be ascribed to structural differences induced by the presence of up to two N‐glucosyl moieties. Therefore, the antibody binding is not easily correlated to the position of the sugar or to a determined conformation in water.
Beyond neighbouring: Migrants' place attachment to their host cities in China
Authors: Lin Sainan , Wu Fulong , Li Zhigang
Published: August 2020

The existing literature on migrants' social integration tends to focus on neighbourhood. Few studies have explored migrants' place attachment to their host cities, which might be a better scale for social integration. Drawing on the 2014 China Migrants Dynamic Survey, this paper examines migrants' place attachment and explores how it is influenced by individual status and the factors of social and physical environment. It is found that migrants who live in commodity housing are more likely to feel attached to their cities in contrast with those who live in urban and rural villages. Although substantial evidence has shown that urban villages serve as an important venue for migrants' entry into the city and demonstrate strong neighbourly interactions, living in these neighbourhoods does not enhance migrants' place attachment to their cities. This claim is further supported by another finding that migrants who live in local resident‐dominated neighbourhoods tend to feel more attached to the city.
Rural residence and mortality in later life: Exploring the role of social integration and social support from a longitudinal perspective
Authors: Yang Tse‐Chuan , Sun Feinuo , Choi Seung‐won Emily
Published: August 2020

Though prior research has attempted to understand the impact of rural residence in early life on later mortality, the role of social integration and social support in explaining the residential mortality gap remains unclear. We first use the inverse probability treatment weighting method to address the potential selection bias in the data and then apply the complementary log–log modelling to a unique person‐wave data drawn from the Americans' Changing Lives study. The results indicate that (a) respondents living in small‐towns (i.e., rural areas) after childhood have a lower risk of death than those living in either suburban areas or central cities, (b) including social integration and social support in the analysis further widens the gaps between small‐town respondents and central city participants, and (c) social integration and social support have opposite effects on mortality. Social integration and social support are important in shaping health, but they cannot explain the rural mortality advantage.
Investigation of structural and magnetoelectronic properties of new half‐metallic Heusler alloys Ru2VGexSb1−x (x = 0, 0.5 and 1): A density functional theory study
Authors: Bouras Farida , Bentouaf Ali
Published: August 2020

We performed an ab initio study using a method named linearized augmented plane wave with a full potential (FP‐LAPW) based on the density functional theory. We predicted the physical properties of Ru2VGexSb1−x (x = 0, 0.5 and 1) Heusler alloys in L21 structure. We computed the magnetic and structural properties using the general gradient approximation. The modified Becke‐Johnson scheme was used to study the electronic structure of these compounds. The obtained results show that the lattice constants and the spin magnetic moments are in favorable agreement compared with theoretical values and experimental data. The computed densities of state (DOSs) of these compounds indicate a half‐metallic behavior with a real gap for the ternary materials, which gives perfect spin polarization, while for the quaternary one, the DOS indicate a nearly half‐metallic character with a pseudogap in the minority spin close to the Fermi level EF.
Robust centralized and integrated covariance intersection fusion Kalman estimators for networked mixed‐uncertain systems
Authors: Ran Chenjian , Deng Zili
Published: August 2020

For networked mixed uncertain time‐varying systems with uncertain noise variances, random one‐step measurement delay, state‐dependent and noise‐dependent multiplicative noises, and linearly dependent additive white noises, the robust local, centralized, and distributed fusion estimation problems are addressed. Three new approaches are presented, which include a new augmented state approach with fictitious white noises, an extended Lyapunov equation approach with two Lyapunov equations, and a universal integrated covariance intersection (ICI) fusion approach of integrating the minimax robust local Kalman estimators and their conservative cross‐covariances. They constitute a new important methodology of solving robust fusion estimation problems. Applying them, the local, centralized, and distributed ICI fusion time‐varying and steady‐state robust Kalman estimators (predictor, filter, and smoother) are presented in the sense that for all admissible uncertainties, their actual estimation error variances are guaranteed to have the corresponding minimal upper bounds. Their robustness, convergence, and accuracy relations are proved. Specially, the proposed ICI fusers improve the robust accuracies of the original covariance intersection fusers, and overcome their drawbacks, such that the local estimators and their conservative variances are assumed to be known, and the conservative cross‐variances are ignored. A simulation example with application to a vehicle suspension system shows the effectiveness of the proposed approaches and results.
Flow and sediment behaviours and morpho‐dynamics of a diffluence−Confluence unit
Authors: Xie Qiancheng , Yang James , Lundström T. Staffan
Published: August 2020

A diffluence‐confluence unit is an elementary component within a river system and presents a complex yet linked pattern of both flow and sediment transport in between. This study deals, by means of field investigations and numerical modelling, with morpho‐dynamics of such a unit on the lower Yangtze River reaches. The unit comprises, looking downstream, a secondary (left) course and a main (right) course. Field surveys are performed for measurements of flow discharge, sediment loads at selected locations and river bathymetry at certain intervals. The field data show that the reach is mainly composed of suspended load, whose amount exhibits a declining trend with the elapse of time. Simulations in 3D are made to complement the field data and clarify the basic features of the unit, especially the partitioning of flow and suspended sediment in the diffluence and their subsequent reciprocal adjustment in the confluence. The results indicate that approach flow variations have a bearing on the diffluence flow partition. To augment flow discharge in the left branch, a training wall is devised in the diffluence to modify the intake flow. Secondary flow structures are found to be more influenced by the thalweg curvature than the flow division. The “inlet step” or differential topography contributes to the unequal flow division. In the confluence, a two‐cell flow structure coexists, which may diminish along with the dynamical adjustment of the two waters. The classical bed discordance is also observed. With the typical flow and sediment features, the main course is prone to slight erosion, while the secondary branch faces up with gradual siltation. These findings contribute to the understanding of the alluvial behaviours of such units, and provide reference for studies in similar situations and river management.
Semiparametric mixture cure model analysis with competing risks data: Application to vascular access thrombosis data
Authors: Chen Chyong‐Mei , Shen Pao‐sheng , Lin Chih‐Ching , Wu Chih‐Cheng
Published: August 2020

The article is motivated by a nephrology study in Taiwan, which enrolled hemodialysis patients who suffered from vascular access thrombosis. After treatment, some patients were cured of thrombosis, while some may experience recurrence of either type (acute or nonacute) of vascular access thrombosis. Our major interest is to estimate the cumulative incidence probability of time to the first recurrence of acute thrombosis after therapy. Since the occurrence of one type of vascular access thrombosis precludes occurrence of the other type, patients are subject to competing risks. To account for the presence of competing risks and cured patients, we develop a mixture model approach to the regression analysis of competing‐risks data with a cure fraction. We make inference about the effects of factors on both the cure rate and cumulative incidence function (CIF) for a failure of interest, which are separately specified in the logistic regression model and semiparametric regression model with time‐varying and time‐invariant effects. Based on two‐stage method, we develop novel estimation equations using the inverse probability censoring weight techniques. The asymptotic properties of the estimators are rigorously studied and the plug‐in variance estimators can be obtained for constructing interval estimators. We also propose a lack‐of‐fit test for assessing the adequacy of the proposed model and several tests for time‐varying effects. The simulation studies and vascular access thrombosis data analysis are conducted to illustrate the proposed method.
Metrics in automotive software development: A systematic literature review
Authors: Vogel Martin , Knapik Peter , Cohrs Moritz , Szyperrek Bernd , Pueschel Winfried , Etzel Haiko , Fiebig Daniel , Rausch Andreas , Kuhrmann Marco
Published: August 2020

Software is an integrated part of new features within the automotive sector, car manufacturers, the Hersteller Initiative Software (HIS) consortium defined metrics to determine software quality. Yet, problems with assigning metrics to quality attributes often occur in practice. The specified boundary values lead to discussions between contractors and clients as different standards and metric sets are used. This paper studies metrics used in the automotive sector and the quality attributes they address. The HIS, ISO/IEC 25010:2011, and ISO/IEC 26262:2018 are utilized to draw a big picture illustrating (i) which metrics and boundary values are reported in literature, (ii) how the metrics match the standards, (iii) which quality attributes are addressed, and (iv) how the metrics are supported by tools. Our findings from analyzing 38 papers include a catalog of 112 metrics of which 17 define boundary values and 48 are supported by tools. Most of the metrics are concerned with source code, are generic, and not specifically designed for automotive software development. We conclude that many metrics exist, but a clear definition of the metrics' context, notably regarding the construction of flexible and efficient measurement suites, is missing.
Compositional Engineering of Chloride Ion‐Doped CsPbBr3 Halides for Highly Efficient and Stable All‐Inorganic Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Li Xueke , He Benlin , Gong Zekun , Zhu Jingwei , Zhang Wenyu , Chen Haiyan , Duan Yanyan , Tang Qunwei
Published: August 2020

Carbon‐based CsPbBr3 perovskite solar cells (PSCs) without hole‐transporting layers (HTLs) have aroused extensive attention due to their low manufacturing cost and prominent ambient stability. However, the defects of perovskite film and the poor charge extraction within PSCs result in severe charge recombination, which restricts the further enhancement of device efficiency. In view of this critical point, a compositional engineering of CsPbBr3 perovskite via doping with Cl− ions is presented herein to decrease the trap states and enhance the charge extraction. It is revealed that the doping of Cl− ions not only enlarges the grain size and thereby reduces the trap‐state density, but also optimizes the energy‐level alignment and improves the hole mobility of the perovskite film, leading to an evidently suppressed charge recombination and improved charge extraction and transportation. As a result, a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 9.73% is achieved for carbon‐based HTL‐free CsPbBr2.98Cl0.02 PSC, yielding a marked enhancement in comparison with 6.69% efficiency for the control. Meanwhile, the thermal and moisture stabilities of unencapsulated CsPbBr2.98Cl0.02 PSC are improved, maintaining 93% and 95% of the initial PCE after expose to air atmosphere with 80% relative humidity (RH) and at 80 °C over 60 days, respectively.
Data dimensionality reduction techniques for Industry 4.0: Research results, challenges, and future research directions
Authors: Chhikara Prateek , Jain Nikhil , Tekchandani Rajkumar , Kumar Neeraj
Published: August 2020

From the last few years, we have witnessed the fourth generation industrial revolution (Industry 4.0), impact of which will be seen in the years to come in various disciplines such as healthcare, transportation, IoT, smart grid, autonomous vehicles, and image processing. These applications in Industry 4.0 may have data in the form of images, speech signals, videos having high dimensions containing multiple dimensions to represent data along different axis. So, the complexity of data processing increases with an increase in the dimensions of the dataset. Complexity can be viewed in terms of detecting and exploiting the relationships among different features of the dataset. These complexities among different attributes can be reduced with the help of dimensionality reduction techniques. These techniques reduce the dimensions from the original input dataset to a lower dimensional dataset. Dimensionality reduction methods are broadly categorized into two types asfeature extraction and feature selection. In feature selection method, out of the original set, a subset of features are identified to get a smaller subset which can be used to build the model whereas, the feature extraction method reduces the dataset of high dimensions to a lower dimension space, that is, a space with a less number of features having different values in comparison to the original dataset. Keeping focus on these points, in this article, we have compared and analyzed different data dimensionality reduction techniques which reduce the dimensions of a large and complex dataset during data processing. In addition, we have discussed various data dimensionality reduction techniques and compared these techniques with respect to various parameters. The comparison among various techniques provides insights to the readers about the applicability of a specific technique to the stand‐alone or a group of applications.
Drilling down the viable system theories in business, management and accounting: A bibliometric review
Authors: Iandolo Francesca , Vito Pietro , Loia Francesca , Fulco Irene , Calabrese Mario
Published: August 2020

The aim of this paper is to trace the scientific landscape (authors, scientific papers, topics most frequently dealt with, relationships between them) of the studies concerning the viable system model (VSM) and the viable system approach (vSa), carried out in the period 1990–2018 within the scientific framework of systems thinking by scholars in business, management and accounting (BMA). The methodology adopted herein is based on a scientometric approach, bibliographic mapping and clustering. The analysis was carried out following a three‐step procedure: bibliographic coupling of scientific contributions (153 articles recorded in Scopus in the considered period), co‐occurrence of the main author keywords and analysis of co‐citations. This paper examines for the first time the entire scientific body of knowledge about viable system theories (VSTs) in BMA areas using recent joint mapping and clustering tools.
The application research of solid‐phase extraction and headspace gas chromatography in the detection of methanol in transformer oil
Authors: Chen Chen , Li Shengli , Hu Kangli
Published: August 2020

Methanol in transformer oil has been recently proposed as new marker of the aging of solid insulation in power transformers. Because the concentration of methanol in transformer oil is usually less than 500 µg/l and even less than 50 µg/l that cannot be detected by common methods. This paper combined static headspace sampling and solid‐phase extraction (SPE) as pretreatment, used SPE to adsorb and concentrate sample, headspace sampling to desorb and inject methanol in to the gas chromatography. The experiments show that it will achieve the optimal performance when headspace conditions were the equilibrium temperature of 90°C and the equilibrium time of 25 min. The linear relation between the concentration of methanol and the peak area was satisfying in the concentration range from 10 to 600 µg/l with goodness of fit of 0.997. In addition, this method can be applied in practical work. © 2020 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Characterization and optimization of mechanical properties of bamboo/nanoclay/polyvinyl alcohol/styrene nanocomposites using response surface methodology
Authors: Adamu Muhammad , Rahman Md Rezaur , Bakri Muhammad Khusairy Bin , Md Yusof Fahmi Asyadi Bin , Khan Afrasyab
Published: August 2020

This study demonstrates the effects of impregnation of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), styrene, and nanoclay on the compositional, mechanical, morphological, and thermal properties of bamboo and its nanocomposites (NCs). Design Expert software was used to optimize the materials and modulus of elasticity as well as the modulus of rupture of the composites. Models were obtained with R2 of 0.9999 and 0.998 for the modulus of elasticity (MOE) and the modulus of rupture (MOR), respectively. The MOE and MOR were found to increase significantly after the formation of NC that indicated improvement of mechanical properties of the bamboo NCs. The polymerization of PVA‐co‐styrene and dispersion of nanoclay were confirmed by the compositional analysis. The X‐ray diffraction analysis showed that the degree of crystallinity was slightly improved upon impregnation with PVA‐co‐styrene, while reduction in the hydroxyl groups was observed using the Fourier transform infrared. The scanning electron microscopy observation showed tightly filled cell cavities of the bamboo matrix. The thermal stability of the formed NCs were found to be slightly less stable than the raw bamboo (RB) with the differential scanning calorimetry showing low glass transition temperature and the thermogravimetric analysis showed lower decomposition temperatures for the NCs compared to RB as a result of plastic property of the styrene.
Research priorities for supporting subnational climate policies
Authors: Klemun Magdalena M. , Edwards Morgan R. , Trancik Jessika E.
Published: August 2020

Growing momentum for decentralized climate policy and the falling costs of low‐carbon technologies are creating new climate change mitigation opportunities for subnational actors. Here we discuss how research can best support these subnational efforts to allow limited resources to stretch further. To stimulate this discussion, we identify four research priorities. (1) Innovation mechanisms examines local policy opportunities for technology improvement to achieve high returns on investments. (2) Co‐benefits analyzes the non‐climate benefits of emissions reductions to highlight how local policies can affect communities directly. (3) Emissions monitoring develops rapid, low‐cost, local measurement strategies to allow communities to assess and weigh in on the emissions impacts of local energy systems. (4) Decision levers reframes large‐scale analyses into more targeted and actionable metrics for local policy decisions. This piece was informed and inspired by a set of interviews we conducted with representatives in business, government, NGOs, and educational institutions actively engaged in local climate action, and by our own research.

This article is categorized under:

The Carbon Economy and Climate Mitigation > Policies, Instruments, Lifestyles, Behavior

Policy and Governance > Private Governance of Climate Change
Nest Predators of Ducks in the Boreal Forest
Authors: Dyson Matthew E. , Slattery Stuart M. , Fedy Bradley C.
Published: August 2020

Nest predation is often the primary cause of nest failure for ducks throughout North America. Tremendous efforts have been made to identify predators responsible for nest predation to benefit the conservation and management of ducks. However, we are unaware of empirical evidence that identifies predators of duck nests in the boreal forest, which is an important breeding area. We used camera traps on real (n = 53) and artificial nests (n = 164) from 2016 to 2018 to identify predators of boreal duck nests near Utikuma Lake, Alberta, Canada. We identified 8 species of duck nest predators that ate or removed eggs from nests: American black bear (Ursus americanus), short‐tailed or least weasel (Mustelaspp.), Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis), coyote (Canis latrans), American marten (Martes americana), red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), common raven (Corvus corax), and red‐tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis). Despite a long history of duck‐nest predator research, our study confirmed previously undocumented nest predators of ducks from the boreal forest. The suite of nest predators was different from common prairie nest predators and we did not observe common prairie nest predators at our study area. Climate change and industrial development are altering predator–prey interactions, causing changes to wildlife communities in this region and our data provide an initial step in improving our understanding of boreal ducks. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.
The impact of in‐person and video‐recorded animal experiences on zoo visitors' cognition, affect, empathic concern, and conservation intent
Authors: Miller Lance J. , Luebke Jerry F. , Matiasek Jennifer , Granger Douglas A. , Razal Catherine , Brooks Heather J. B. , Maas Kate
Published: August 2020

Currently there are mixed results regarding the ability for media or more specifically video to increase a person's interest in conservation. However, there is a growing amount of evidence that in‐person experiences at a zoo or aquarium can increase a person's interest in conservation. The goal of the current study was to examine the difference between an in‐person experience viewing a polar bear training session and watching a video of the same experience on cognition, emotion, empathic concern, and conservation intent. A total of 124 Brookfield Zoo members were randomly assigned to one of three conditions. Condition 1 was an in‐person 10 min (Live Animal) experience viewing a training session with a polar bear. Condition 2 participants (Video Animal) watched a video of the same experience from Condition 1 and Condition 3 (Control) listened to the audio from Condition 1 but only viewed an image of one of our animal care specialists. Results suggest that the live condition is associated with higher probability of answering questions correctly, having a positive emotional experience, having greater empathic concern for wild bears, and wanting to get involved in conservation when compared to the control. These impacts were not observed for the video condition suggesting that for this study, watching a video of a training session was not an effective tool for getting people involved in conservation. Future research is needed to better understand this important topic, but we now have further evidence of the importance of in‐person zoo experiences.
Dark-matter-spin effects at future e+e− colliders
Authors: Grzadkowski Bohdan , Iglicki Michal , Mekala Krzysztof , Zarnecki Aleksander Filip
Published: August 2020

Abstract

We discuss the possibility to detect spin 0, 1 and

$$ \raisebox{1ex}{$1$}\!\left/ \!\raisebox{-1ex}{$2$}\right. $$

1
2

dark matter (DM) at future e
+
e

−
colliders. The models considered here are simple, consistent and renormalizable field theories that provide correct DM abundance and satisfy direct detection, indirect detection and collider constraints. The intention of this paper was to verify to what extent it might be possible to disentangle models of different DM spins by the measurement of the cross section for e
+
e

−

→ Z + ⋯ at future e
+
e

−
colliders. We specialize to the case of the ILC operating at

$$ \sqrt{s} $$

s

= 250 GeV, however our results apply as well for the FCC-ee and the CEPC colliders. For each model the cross section maximized with respect to parameters was calculated and compared to the expected 95% CL cross-section limits estimated for the ILC. It turned out that near the 2m
DM ≃ m
1,2 resonances, where m
1 and m
2 are the SM Higgs boson and a non-standard Higgs boson masses, respectively, there exist substantial regions where the models are testable. A special attention has been payed to calculation of the cross section in the region where m
1 ≃ m
2.
Solving Nonlinear p-Adic Pseudo-differential Equations: Combining the Wavelet Basis with the Schauder Fixed Point Theorem
Authors: Pourhadi Ehsan , Khrennikov Andrei Yu. , Oleschko Klaudia , de Jesús Correa Lopez María
Published: August 2020

Recently theory ofp-adic wavelets started to be actively used to study of the Cauchy problem for nonlinear pseudo-differential equations for functions depending on the real time andp-adic spatial variable. These mathematical studies were motivated by applications to problems of geophysics (fluids flows through capillary networks in porous disordered media) and the turbulence theory. In this article, using this wavelet technique in combination with the Schauder fixed point theorem, we study the solvability of nonlinear equations with mixed derivatives,p-adic (fractional) spatial and real time derivatives. Furthermore, in the linear case we find the exact solution for the Cauchy problem. Some examples are provided to illustrate the main results.
Gesundheitsberichterstattung des Bundes am Robert Koch-Institut – Status quo und aktuelle Entwicklungen
Authors: Ziese Thomas , Prütz Franziska , Rommel Alexander , Reitzle Lukas , Saß Anke‑Christine
Published: August 2020

Gesundheitsberichterstattung (GBE) als integrales Element von Public Health spielt eine wichtige Rolle bei der Entwicklung von Strategien und Konzepten, die das Ziel haben, die Gesundheit jeder Alters- und Bevölkerungsgruppe zu verbessern. Der Artikel gibt eine Übersicht zu Definition und Aufgaben der Gesundheitsberichterstattung des Bundes und beschreibt wichtige GBE-Komponenten in ihrer aktuellen Form. So wird das Publikationsformat des Journal of Health Monitoring vorgestellt, das als vielseitiges Format für die unterschiedlichen Nutzergruppen der Gesundheitsberichterstattung entwickelt wurde. Weiter werden Beispiele für die Nutzung und Wirkungen der Gesundheitsberichterstattung exemplarisch dargestellt. Gesundheitsberichterstattung ist dabei als flexibles System angelegt: So werden Veränderungen bei Datengrundlagen und Kommunikationsformen bei der Weiterentwicklung der Gesundheitsberichterstattung berücksichtigt.

Die Weiterentwicklung der Gesundheitsberichterstattung setzt eine enge interdisziplinäre Zusammenarbeit unterschiedlicher Akteure voraus, um sowohl aktuelle Forschungsergebnisse verschiedener Wissenschaftsdisziplinen in die Prozesse der Gesundheitsberichterstattung zu integrieren als auch die Reichweite sowie den Impact der Gesundheitsberichterstattung weiter auszubauen. Neben der Weiterentwicklung der Gesundheitsberichterstattung auf der wissenschaftlichen Ebene stellen auch der Ausbau von partizipativen Elementen sowie eine stärkere Internationalisierung wichtige künftige Aufgaben dar.
Hans Asperger, Leben und Wirken 1931 bis 1946
Authors: Maleczek Werner , Malina Peter , Tatzer Ernst , Waldhauser Franz
Published: August 2020

Dieser Beitrag handelt von Hans Asperger, seiner Prägung durch den katholisch-jugendbewegten „Bund Neuland“, seinem beruflichen Werdegang ab 1931 und seiner Tätigkeit an der „Heilpädagogischen Abteilung“ der Univ.-Kinderklinik Wien bis zu seiner Einberufung zum Militär im Frühjahr 1943. Besonderes Augenmerk wird auf seine Ablehnung der NS-Ideologie gerichtet, was u. a. aus seiner Mitgliedschaft im Vorstand der „St.-Lukas-Gilde“ katholischer Ärzte und deren strikter Ablehnung der Zwangssterilisation hervorgeht. Er war weder Anwärter noch Mitglied der NSDAP. Die Untersuchung seiner Schriften nach 1938 und einiger Dokumente, die aus dem NS-Überwachungsapparat stammen, macht deutlich, dass er nach außen zu Kompromissen gezwungen war. Der geäußerte Verdacht, er sei durch seine Gutachten über manche seiner PatientInnen oder seine Tätigkeit als fachärztlicher Gutachter im Referat „Schulkinderfürsorge“ des Hauptgesundheitsamtes an den „Euthanasie“-Morden „Am Spiegelgrund“ beteiligt gewesen, wird im Detail untersucht und widerlegt. Die strikte Anwendung geschichtswissenschaftlicher Methoden bei der Interpretation der vorliegenden, auch zahlreicher bisher unbekannter Dokumente ergibt mit größtmöglicher Wahrscheinlichkeit, dass Asperger weder wissentlich noch willentlich an den Untaten beteiligt war. Bei der deutschen Wehrmacht hatte er v. a. vom Herbst 1943 bis zum Kriegsende als Truppenarzt in Kroatien zu dienen. Ab August 1945 arbeitete er wieder bei seiner alten Dienststelle an der Univ.-Kinderklinik und, da er als „unbelastet“ galt, wurde er zwischen 1946 und 1949 zu deren provisorischem Leiter bestellt.
Sensitivity of simulated temperature, precipitation, and global radiation to different WRF configurations over the Carpathian Basin for regional climate applications
Authors: Varga Ákos János , Breuer Hajnalka
Published: August 2020

In this study, the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model is used to produce short-term regional climate simulations with several configurations for the Carpathian Basin region. The goal is to evaluate the performance of the model and analyze its sensitivity to different physical and dynamical settings, and input data. Fifteen experiments were conducted with WRF at 10 km resolution for the year 2013. The simulations differ in terms of configuration options such as the parameterization schemes, the hydrostatic and non-hydrostatic dynamical cores, the initial and boundary conditions (ERA5 and ERA-Interim reanalyses), the number of vertical levels, and the length of the spin-up period. E-OBS dataset 2 m temperature, total precipitation, and global radiation are used for validation. Temperature underestimation reaches 4–7 °C for some experiments and can be reduced by certain physics scheme combinations. The cold bias in winter and spring is mainly caused by excessive snowfall and too persistent snow cover, as revealed by comparison with satellite-based observations and a test simulation without snow on the surface. Annual precipitation is overestimated by 0.6–3.8 mm day−1, with biases mainly accumulating in the period driven by large-scale weather processes. Downward shortwave radiation is underestimated all year except in the months dominated by locally forced phenomena (May to August) when a positive bias prevails. The incorporation of downward shortwave radiation to the validation variables increased the understanding of underlying problems with the parameterization schemes and highlighted false model error compensations.
Young, healthy males and females present cardiometabolic protection against the detrimental effects of a 7-day high-fat high-calorie diet
Authors: Whytock Katie L. , Shepherd Sam O. , Cocks Matt , Wagenmakers Anton J. M. , Strauss Juliette A.
Published: August 2020

Purpose

High-fat, high-calorie (HFHC) diets have been used as a model to investigate lipid-induced insulin resistance. Short-term HFHC diets reduce insulin sensitivity in young healthy males, but to date, no study has directly compared males and females to elucidate sex-specific differences in the effects of a HFHC diet on functional metabolic and cardiovascular outcomes.

Methods

Eleven males (24 ± 4 years; BMI 23 ± 2 kg.m−2; V̇O2 peak 62.3 ± 8.7 ml.min−1.kg−1FFM) were matched to 10 females (25 ± 4 years; BMI 23 ± 2 kg.m−2; V̇O2 peak 58.2 ± 8.2 ml.min−1.kg−1FFM). Insulin sensitivity, measured via oral glucose tolerance test, metabolic flexibility, arterial stiffness, body composition and blood lipids and liver enzymes were measured before and after 7 days of a high-fat (65% energy) high-calorie (+ 50% kcal) diet.

Results

The HFHC diet did not change measures of insulin sensitivity, metabolic flexibility or arterial stiffness in either sex. There was a trend towards increased total body fat mass (kg) after the HFHC diet (+ 1.8% and + 2.3% for males and females, respectively; P = 0.056). In contrast to females, males had a significant increase in trunk to leg fat mass ratio (+ 5.1%; P = 0.005).

Conclusion

Lean, healthy young males and females appear to be protected from the negative cardio-metabolic effects of a 7-day HFHC diet. Future research should use a prolonged positive energy balance achieved via increased energy intake and reduced energy expenditure to exacerbate negative metabolic and cardiovascular functional outcomes to determine whether sex-specific differences exist under more metabolically challenging conditions.
Glucose transporters in brain in health and disease
Authors: Koepsell Hermann
Published: August 2020

Energy demand of neurons in brain that is covered by glucose supply from the blood is ensured by glucose transporters in capillaries and brain cells. In brain, the facilitative diffusion glucose transporters GLUT1-6 and GLUT8, and the Na+-d-glucose cotransporters SGLT1 are expressed. The glucose transporters mediate uptake ofd-glucose across the blood-brain barrier and delivery ofd-glucose to astrocytes and neurons. They are critically involved in regulatory adaptations to varying energy demands in response to differing neuronal activities and glucose supply. In this review, a comprehensive overview about verified and proposed roles of cerebral glucose transporters during health and diseases is presented. Our current knowledge is mainly based on experiments performed in rodents. First, the functional properties of human glucose transporters expressed in brain and their cerebral locations are described. Thereafter, proposed physiological functions of GLUT1, GLUT2, GLUT3, GLUT4, and SGLT1 for energy supply to neurons, glucose sensing, central regulation of glucohomeostasis, and feeding behavior are compiled, and their roles in learning and memory formation are discussed. In addition, diseases are described in which functional changes of cerebral glucose transporters are relevant. These are GLUT1 deficiency syndrome (GLUT1-SD), diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), stroke, and traumatic brain injury (TBI). GLUT1-SD is caused by defect mutations in GLUT1. Diabetes and AD are associated with changed expression of glucose transporters in brain, and transporter-related energy deficiency of neurons may contribute to pathogenesis of AD. Stroke and TBI are associated with changes of glucose transporter expression that influence clinical outcome.
OCT evaluation of orthodontic surface sealants: a 12-month follow-up randomized clinical trial
Authors: Şen Sinan , Erber Ralf , Orhan Gül , Zingler Sebastian , Lux Christopher J.
Published: August 2020

Objectives

The aim of this single-center randomized controlled trial (NCT03753256) was to assess orthodontic surface sealant layer thickness and integrity in vivo during a 12-month follow-up by optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Materials and methods

Using a split-mouth design, quadrants of 20 patients treated with fixed orthodontic appliances were included. Quadrants were randomly assigned to the sealants Pro Seal® (PS) or Opal® Seal™ (OS). OCT scans were performed immediately after the application of the sealants and after 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Sealant layer thicknesses and their integrity were determined at 5 regions of interest (ROIs) known for high risks of demineralization. Sealant integrity loss was determined using a self-developed scale.

Results

A total of 16 patients successfully completed the study. The studied sealants showed significant differences in initial layer thickness. Mean layer thickness was significantly lower for PS (67.8 μm, (95% CI, 56.1–79.5)) than for OS (110.7 μm, (95% CI, 97.3–124.1)). Layer thickness loss was significant after 3 months for PS and after 6 months for OS. Sealant integrity was compromised in more than 50% of the ROIs already after 3 months for both sealants.

Conclusions

Patients treated with fixed orthodontic surface sealants lost the integrity of the protective layer in more than 50% of cases after 3 months, and the layer thickness of the sealants was significantly reduced after 3–6 months.

Clinical relevance

The protective effect against demineralization lesions of orthodontic sealants in patients treated with fixed appliances appears to be limited in time. Further preventive measures should be investigated.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT 03753256)
Accidental and Ambiguous Situations Reveal Specific Social Information Processing Biases and Deficits in Adolescents with Low Intellectual Level and Clinical Levels of Externalizing Behavior
Authors: Van Rest M. M. , Van Nieuwenhuijzen M. , Kupersmidt J. B. , Vriens A. , Schuengel C. , Matthys W.
Published: August 2020

Addressing aggression in youth requires understanding of the range of social problem situations that may lead to biased social information processing (SIP). The present study investigated situation-specificity of SIP and analyzed whether SIP deficits and biases are found in ambiguous as well as clearly accidental situations in adolescents with clinical levels of externalizing behavior or with low intellectual level, congruent with mild intellectual disability. Adolescents (N = 220, Mage = 15.21) completed a SIP test on a mobile app with six videos with ambiguous, hostile, and accidental social problems. Caretakers, teachers, and adolescents themselves reported on youth externalizing behavior problems. In accidental situations specifically, adolescents with low IQ scores more often attributed purposeful intent to perpetrators than peers with borderline or average IQ scores. In accidental situations, adolescents with clinical levels of externalizing behavior generated and selected more aggressive responses than nonclinical adolescents, regardless of their cognitive level. In line with previous literature, the ambiguous situations also brought out SIP differences between IQ groups. These results suggest that not only ambiguous situations should be considered informative for understanding SIP biases, but situations in which adolescents are clearly accidentally disadvantaged bring out SIP biases as well, that may lead to conflicts with others.
Selected Fatty Acids Esters as Potential PHB-V Bioplasticizers: Effect on Mechanical Properties of the Polymer
Authors: Nosal Hanna , Moser Kevin , Warzała Marek , Holzer Andrei , Stańczyk Dorota , Sabura Ewa
Published: August 2020

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHB-V) has not been used for demanding technical applications yet due to its limited mechanical properties, particularly its high brittleness. An appropriate route to overcome these limitations is the implementation of plasticizers in the PHB-V matrix via compounding. In this paper the use of different types of fatty acids esters as PHB-V plasticizers were investigated. The study describes how the difference in the fatty acid esters structure (mainly fatty acid hydrocarbon chain length) affects their plasticizing effect and thus the PHB-V ductility performance. The best impact properties of PHB-V compounds were obtained for oleic acid methyl ester, palmitic acid methyl ester or lauric acid ethylene glycol monoester. The increase of notched impact strength from 1.4 (for neat polymer) to 4.0–4.1 kJ/m2 was observed. At the same time stiffness and strength of the polymer decreased but remain on a level sufficient for technical applications. Additional drawback of PHB-V materials is increasing the brittleness over time. Moreover this study shows that the use of oleic acid ethylene glycol monoester or stearic acid ethylene glycol monoester as plasticizers significantly reduces the increase of the brittleness of PHB-V over time. It is relevant that this drawback of PHB-V materials can be significantly improved by plasticizer addition.
Logical Predictivism
Authors: Martin Ben , Hjortland Ole
Published: August 2020

Motivated by weaknesses with traditional accounts of logical epistemology, considerable attention has been paid recently to the view, known as anti-exceptionalism about logic (AEL), that the subject matter and epistemology of logic may not be so different from that of the recognised sciences. One of the most prevalent claims made by advocates of AEL is that theory choice within logic is significantly similar to that within the sciences. This connection with scientific methodology highlights a considerable challenge for the anti-exceptionalist, as two uncontentious claims about scientific theories are that they attempt toexplaina target phenomenon and (at least partially) prove their worth through successfulpredictions. Thus, if this methodological AEL is to be viable, the anti-exceptionalist will need a reasonable account of what phenomena logics are attempting to explain, how they can explain, and in what sense they can be said to issue predictions. This paper makes sense of the anti-exceptionalist proposal with a new account of logical theory choice,logical predictivism, according to which logics are engaged in both a process of prediction and explanation.
Perturbed Markov Chains with Damping Component
Authors: Silvestrov Dmitrii , Silvestrov Sergei , Abola Benard , Biganda Pitos Seleka , Engström Christopher , Mango John Magero , Kakuba Godwin
Published: August 2020

The paper is devoted to studies of regularly and singularly perturbed Markov chains with damping component. In such models, a matrix of transition probabilities is regularised by adding a special damping matrix multiplied by a small damping (perturbation) parameterε. We perform a detailed perturbation analysis for such Markov chains, particularly, give effective upper bounds for the rate of approximation for stationary distributions of unperturbed Markov chains by stationary distributions of perturbed Markov chains with regularised matrices of transition probabilities, asymptotic expansions for approximating stationary distributions with respect to damping parameter, explicit coupling type upper bounds for the rate of convergence in ergodic theorems forn-step transition probabilities, as well as ergodic theorems in triangular array mode.
Association between extreme heat and hospital admissions for cataract patients in Hefei, China
Authors: Xie Jingui , Zhu Yongjian , Fan Yiming , Xie Linbo , Xie Ruijin , Huang Fengming , Cao Liqing
Published: August 2020

Cataract is the first cause of blindness and the major cause of visual impairment worldwide. Under conditions of global warming, researchers have begun to give attention to the influence of increasing temperature on cataract patients. Our paper aimed to investigate the association between extreme heat and hospital admissions for cataract in Hefei, China. Based on data from the New Rural Cooperative Medical System and National Meteorological Information Center, we used a generalized additive model and a distributed lag nonlinear model to examine the relationship between extreme heat and hospitalizations for cataract, with consideration of cumulative and lagged effects. When current mean temperature was above 28 °C, each 1 °C rise was associated with a 4% decrease in the number of cataract admissions (RR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.94–0.98). The cumulative relative risk over 11 days of lag was the lowest, which indicated that every 1 °C increase in mean temperature above 28 °C was associated with a 19% decrease in the number of hospital admissions for cataract (RR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.75–0.88). In subgroup analyses, the negative association between extreme heat and hospital admissions for cataract was stronger among patients who were not admitted to provincial-level hospitals. In conclusion, this paper found that extreme heat was negatively associated with cataract hospitalizations in Hefei, providing useful information for hospitals and policymakers.