bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship between flexibility and interfacial functional properties of soy protein isolate: succinylation modification
Authors: Lian Ziteng , Yang Sai , Dai Shicheng , Tong Xiaohong , Liao Peilong , Cheng Lin , Qi Weijie , Wang Yijun , Wang Huan , Jiang Lianzhou
Published: May 2022

BACKGROUND

In this paper, the effects of different succinic anhydride (SA) additions on the flexibility of soy protein isolate (SPI) were investigated, and changes in protein conformation and interfacial functional properties were measured. The structure–effect relationship between conformation, flexibility, and interfacial functional properties was established.

RESULTS

SPI was bound to SA through disulfide bonds, and the zeta potential was reduced. The β‐sheet content decreased, the disordered structure increased, and there were changes in tertiary structure and microstructure. The surface hydrophobicity, disulfide bond content, and solution turbidity were reduced to 5063, 1.0967 μmol g−1, and 0.0036 μmol g−1 respectively. The best flexibility of SPI (0.3977) and interfacial functional properties were obtained when the mass ratio of SA/SPI was 15%. Correlation analysis showed a highly significant positive correlation (P < 0.01) between flexibility and emulsification and foaming properties, with correlation coefficients of 0.960 and 0.942 for flexibility with emulsifying activity and emulsion stability respectively, and 0.972 and 0.929 for flexibility with foaming capacity and foaming stability respectively.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that succinylation‐induced conformational changes of SPI improved its interfacial functional properties by changing its flexibility. These results provide theoretical guidelines for the development and application of highly emulsifiable and stable soy protein products utilizing succinylation. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Application of high‐pressure assisted thermal processing (PATP) at pilot scale for replacing conventional maturation and thermal cooking in whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)
Authors: Puértolas Eduardo , Álvarez‐Sabatel Saioa , Montes Paula
Published: May 2022

BACKGROUND

The aim of this work was to examine for the first time the use of high‐pressure assisted thermal processing (PATP) (100, 350, 600 MPa; 100 °C; 3 min) at pilot scale for replacing shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) maturation and cooking, analyzing its impact on peeling yield, color, texture and sensory properties. Shrimps subjected to conventional maturation (ice; 2 days) and thermal cooking (100 °C; boiling water, 3 min) were used as controls.

RESULTS

PATP treatments at 100–350 MPa improved manual peelability over the control (P ≤ 0.05), maintaining similar peeling yield, color (L*, a*, b*), texture (shear force, shear work) and sensory properties (appearance before and after peeling, flavor, firmness; P < 0.05). However, increasing pressure to 600 MPa clearly overprocessed the samples, making it impossible to remove all the meat from the shell and resulting in a softer texture, 4.1% lower peeling yield and worse sensory quality (P ≤ 0.05).

CONCLUSION

PATP (< 350 MPa; 100 °C) could be an alternative to replace conventional maturation and thermal cooking in the production of cooked shrimps, reducing processing time from days to minutes by performing both processes in a single step. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Percutaneous lumbar annular puncture: A rat model to study intervertebral disc degeneration and pain‐related behavior
Authors: Wawrose Richard A. , Couch Brandon K. , Dombrowski Malcom , Chen Stephen R. , Oyekan Anthony , Dong Qing , Wang Dong , Zhou Chaoming , Chen Joseph , Modali Karthik , Johnson Marit , Sedor‐Schiffhauer Zachary , Hitchens T. Kevin , Jin Tao , Bell Kevin M. , Lee Joon Y. , Sowa Gwendolyn A. , Vo Nam V.
Published: May 2022

Background

Previous animal models of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) rely on open surgical approaches, which confound the degenerative response and pain behaviors due to injury to surrounding tissues during the surgical approach. To overcome these challenges, we developed a minimally invasive percutaneous puncture procedure to induce IDD in a rat model.

Methods

Ten Fischer 344 male rats underwent percutaneous annular puncture of lumbar intervertebral discs (IVDs) at L2‐3, L3‐4, and L4‐5. Ten unpunctured rats were used as controls. Magnetic resonance imagings (MRIs), serum biomarkers, and behavioral tests were performed at baseline and 6, 12, and 18 weeks post puncture. Rats were sacrificed at 18 weeks and disc histology, immunohistochemistry, and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) assays were performed.

Results

Punctured IVDs exhibited significant reductions in MRI signal intensity and disc volume. Disc histology, immunohistochemistry, and GAG assay results were consistent with features of IDD. IVD‐punctured rats demonstrated significant changes in pain‐related behaviors, including total distance moved, twitching frequency, and rearing duration.

Conclusions

This is the first reported study of the successful establishment of a reproducible rodent model of a percutaneous lumbar annular puncture resulting in discogenic pain. This model will be useful to test therapeutics and elucidate the basic mechanisms of IDD and discogenic pain.
A novel framework for evaluating the effect of vegetation restoration via grazing exclusion by fencing: A case‐study from the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau
Authors: Yang Wanjing , Zhang Daojun , Luo Gang
Published: May 2022

Grazing exclusion by fencing (GEF) has been implemented to prevent the deterioration of grassland ecosystems in China since the beginning of this century; meanwhile, the effects have attracted widespread attention from the academic community. However, due to the simultaneity of different factors, it is difficult to separate the effect of different policies from natural resource endowments and identify the independent role of each policy. In this study, a novel framework was established based on spatiotemporal statistics. First, an indicator‐denoted vegetation restoration potential achievement degree (VRPAD) was introduced to lessen the impact of resource endowment conditions. Second, a double‐difference model of both space and time was developed to reflect the net improvement of VRPAD brought by GEF. The case study showed that 15 out of the 17 fenced‐off enclosures achieved positive VRPAD growth since the GEF implementation, while only 58.8% showed a much faster improvement or a slower degeneration than their adjacent areas. It was also found GEF effect presented apparent administrative differences in terms of spatial distribution. The number of effective fences accounted for 75% in Mami Town, but it was 0 in Chabu Town. It is concluded that the role of GEF may be overestimated, multi‐pronged approaches are more conducive to vegetation restoration, and strengthening grassroots management and self‐policing of fences is important to improve GEF efficiency. This research provides a novel framework for distinguishing policy effect and is expected to inspire new ideas and methodological support for policy formulation and evaluation.
Assessing soil system changes under climate‐smart agriculture via farmers' observations and conventional soil testing
Authors: Eze Samuel , Dougill Andrew J. , Banwart Steven A. , Sallu Susannah M. , Mgohele Rashid N. , Senkoro Catherine J.
Published: May 2022

Soil degradation remains a challenge in African highlands, where land management lacks a strong context‐specific evidence base. We investigated the impacts of recently implemented soil and water conservation (SWC) practices—farmyard manure addition, incorporation of crop residues in soil andfanya juuterracing under an agroforestry system on soil health indicators in the East Usambara Mountains of Tanzania. Farmers' observations of soil changes were combined with conventional soil testing to assess the initial impacts of SWC practices relative to conventional non‐SWC practice. Majority of farmers (66%–83%) reported that combiningfanya juuterracing with organic amendments led to soil colour change from red to black and an increase in crop yield. Despite the observed darkening of the soil, there was no significant increase in soil organic carbon stock and the contents of N, P, K. There were important changes in soil physical properties, including greater aggregate stability (mean weight diameter of 1.51–1.71 mm) in the SWC plots, a greater volume of transmission pores (>60 μm) and coarse storage pores (10–60 μm) in the surface soil layer (0–15 cm), and greater volume of fine storage pores (0.2–10 μm) and residual pores (0.2 μm) in the sub‐surface layer (15–30 cm) of the SWC plots compared with the conventional plots. These changes indicate that SWC rapidly enhances infiltration and retention of water within the root zone, which are important for increasing crop yields and improving the resilience of the agro‐ecosystem to environmental stress. Combining SWC with effective soil fertility management is needed for sustainable highland agriculture.
Stakeholder engagement infrastructure to support multicenter research networks: Advances from the clinical research networks participating in PCORnet
Authors: Cope Elizabeth L. , McTigue Kathleen M. , Forrest Christopher B. , Carton Thomas W. , Fair Alecia M. , Goytia Crispin , Harrington Joseph M. , Lowe Susan , Merritt J. Greg , Shenkman Elizabeth A. , Stephens William J. , Templeton Anna , Williams Neely A. , Zemon Nadine , Millender Sarah , Angove Rebekah S. M.
Published: May 2022

Background

The evidence based on the inclusion of patients and other stakeholders as partners in the clinical research process has grown substantially. However, little has been reported on how stakeholders are engaged in the governance of large‐scale clinical research networks and the infrastructure used by research networks to support engagement in network‐affiliated activities.

Objectives

The objective was to document engagement activities and practices emerging from Clinical Research Networks (CRNs) participating in PCORnet, the National Patient‐Centered Clinical Research Network, specifically regarding governance and engagement infrastructure.

Methods

We conducted an environmental scan of PCORnet CRN engagement structures, assets, and services, focusing on network oversight structures for policy development and strategic decision‐making. The scan included assets and services for supporting patient/stakeholder engagement. Data were collected by searching web‐based literature and tool repositories, review of CRN Engagement Plans, analysis of previously collected key informant interviews, and CRN‐based iterative review of structured worksheets.

Results

We identified 87 discrete engagement structures, assets, and services across nine CRNs. All CRNs engage patients/stakeholders in their governance, maintain workgroups and/or staff dedicated to overseeing engagement strategies, and offer one or more services to non‐CRN researchers to enhance conducting engaged clinical research.

Conclusions

This work provides an important resource for the research community to explore engagement across peers, reflect on progress, consider opportunities to leverage existing infrastructure, and identify new collaborators. It also serves to highlight PCORnet as a resource for non‐CRN researchers seeking to efficiently conduct engaged clinical research and a venue for advancing the science of engagement.
Role of RNA modifications in carcinogenesis and carcinogen damage response
Authors: Verghese Michelle , Wilkinson Emma , He Yu‐Ying
Published: May 2022

The field of epitranscriptomics encompasses the study of post‐transcriptional RNA modifications and their regulatory enzymes. Among the numerous RNA modifications, N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) has been identified as the most common internal modification of messenger RNA (mRNA). Although m6A modifications were first discovered in the 1970s, advances in technology have revived interest in this field, driving an abundance of research into the role of RNA modifications in various biological processes, including cancer. As analogs to epigenetic modifications, RNA modifications also play an important role in carcinogenesis by regulating gene expression post‐transcriptionally. A growing body of evidence suggests that carcinogens can modulate RNA modifications to alter the expression of oncogenes or tumor suppressors during cellular transformation. Additionally, the expression and activity of the enzymes that regulate RNA modifications can be dysregulated and contribute to carcinogenesis, making these enzymes promising targets of drug discovery. Here we summarize the roles of RNA modifications during carcinogenesis induced by exposure to various environmental carcinogens, with a main focus on the roles of the most widely studied m6A mRNA methylation.
Purinergic receptors modulators: An emerging pharmacological tool for disease management
Authors: Mahmood Abid , Iqbal Jamshed
Published: May 2022

Purinergic signaling is mediated through extracellular nucleotides (adenosine 5′‐triphosphate, uridine‐5'‐triphosphate, adenosine diphosphate, uridine‐5'‐diphosphate, and adenosine) that serve as signaling molecules. In the early 1990s, purines and pyrimidine receptors were cloned and characterized drawing the attention of scientists toward this aspect of cellular signaling. This signaling pathway is comprised of four subtypes of adenosine receptors (P1), eight subtypes of G‐coupled protein receptors (P2YRs), and seven subtypes of ligand‐gated ionotropic receptors (P2XRs). In current studies, the pathophysiology and therapeutic potentials of these receptors have been focused on. Various ligands, modulating the functions of purinergic receptors, are in current clinical practices for the treatment of various neurodegenerative disorders and cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, several purinergic receptors ligands are in advanced phases of clinical trials as a remedy for depression, epilepsy, autism, osteoporosis, atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, and cancers. In the present study, agonists and antagonists of purinergic receptors have been summarized that may serve as pharmacological tools for drug design and development.
Qualitative uncertainty principles for the windowed Opdam–Cherednik transform on weighted modulation spaces
Authors: Mondal Shyam Swarup , Poria Anirudha
Published: May 2022

The aim of this paper is to establish a few qualitative uncertainty principles for the windowed Opdam–Cherednik transform on weighted modulation spaces associated with this transform. In particular, we obtain Cowling–Price's, Hardy's and Morgan's uncertainty principles for this transform on weighted modulation spaces. The proofs of the results are based on versions of the Phragmén–Lindlöf type result for several complex variables on weighted modulation spaces and the properties of the Gaussian kernel associated with the Jacobi–Cherednik operator.
Bio‐based epoxy‐anhydride thermosets from multi‐armed cardanol‐derived epoxy oligomers
Authors: Liu Xia , Fan Weifeng , Yang Xiaoniu
Published: May 2022

Three bio‐based multi‐armed epoxy oligomers were synthesized via a ring‐opening reaction of cardanyl glycidyl ether with lignin‐derived polyphenols, followed by the epoxidation of the double bonds in the side chains of the cardanol segments. These oligomers were then used to prepare epoxy‐anhydride thermosets with 4‐methyl hexahydrophthalic anhydride (MHHPA) and 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene as the hardener and catalyst, respectively. The combination of differential scanning calorimetry and gel content results showed that the extent of cure was >90% when the formulations were heated at 110°C for 48 h. The cardanol‐derived thermosets exhibited markedly higher alpha transition temperatures (Tα), tensile strength, and modulus relative to thermosets based on epoxidized soybean oil. The improved thermal and mechanical properties of these thermosets were attributed to the increased chain rigidity imparted by the aromatic moieties in the cardanol and creosol residues, as well as the hydrogen bonding interactions between the hydroxyl groups. Furthermore, the Tα values of these thermosets increased with the anhydride equivalents and the functionality of the epoxides, which led to higher crosslinking densities and more rigid MHHPA contents.
A numerical study on the predicted fiber orientation of large area extrusion deposition additive manufactured composites
Authors: Wang Zhaogui
Published: May 2022

The recent‐emerging Large Area extrusion deposition Additive Manufacturing (LAAM) provides a low‐cost and high‐efficient alternative manufacturing approach for industries like automotive and aerospace. Fiber orientation information significantly determines the material performances of LAAM‐produced short fiber reinforced composites. Numerical studies have been performed to better understand the microstructural formation of the fiber orientation in deposited beads. The fully coupled flow/orientation analysis approach has been applied for LAAM deposition flow modeling. In contrast, the orientation analysis is still limited to the classic Folgar‐Tucker Isotropic Rotary Diffusion (IRD) model. This paper employs the advanced principle Anisotropic Rotary Diffusion Reduced Strain Closure (pARD‐RSC) orientation evaluation model to estimate the fiber alignment of the LAAM flows, which is firstly used in the simulations of extrusion deposition flows with free surface boundaries. The effects of constant parameters of the pARD‐RSC model are investigated. It is found that predicted fiber orientation results in the flow end are primarily sensitive to the value of the strain slip factor. The initial fiber orientation condition of the flow inlet is also studied. By comparing the computed results with experimentally reported data, it is found that the initial fiber orientation state of the flow inlet significantly impacts the fiber alignment patterns in the deposited beads.
Considerations for observational study design: Comparing the evidence of opioid use between electronic health records and insurance claims
Authors: Young Jessica C. , Dasgupta Nabarun , Stürmer Til , Pate Virginia , Jonsson Funk Michele
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Pharmacoepidemiology studies often use insurance claims and/or electronic health records (EHR) to capture information about medication exposure. The choice between these data sources has important implications.

Methods

We linked EHR from a large academic health system (2015–2017) to Medicare insurance claims for patients undergoing surgery. Drug utilization was characterized based on medication order dates in the EHR, and prescription fill dates in Medicare claims. We compared opioid use documented in EHR orders to prescription claims in four time periods: 1) Baseline (182 days before surgery); 2) Perioperative period; 3) Discharge date; 4) Follow‐up (90 days after surgery).

Results

We identified 11 128 patients undergoing surgery. During baseline, 34.4% (EHR) versus 44.1% (claims) had evidence of opioid use, and 56.9% of all baseline use was reflected only in one data source. During the perioperative period, 78.8% (EHR) versus 47.6% (claims) had evidence of use. On the day of discharge, 59.6% (EHR) versus 45.5% (claims) had evidence of use, and 51.8% of all discharge use was reflected only in one data source. During follow‐up, 4.3% (EHR) versus 10.4% (claims) were identified with prolonged opioid use following surgery with 81.4% of all prolonged use reflected only in one data source.

Conclusions

When characterizing opioid exposure, we found substantial discrepancies between EHR medication orders and prescription claims data. In all time periods assessed, most patients' use was reflected only in the EHR, or only in the claims, not both. The potential for misclassification of drug utilization must be evaluated carefully, and choice of data source may have large impacts on key study design elements.
The poly(A) polymerase PAPS1 mediates pollen maturation by regulating sperm cell differentiation in plants
Authors: Ali Iftikhar , Sher Hassan , Ullah Zahid , Ali Ahmad , Iqbal Javed , Yang Wei‐Cai
Published: May 2022

In flowering plants, a haploid microspore undergoes an asymmetric division to produce the male germline that encounters a mitotic division to produce two germ cells. The resulting germ cells undergo a series of specialization events to produce the two sperm cells required for double fertilization. These events include to upregulate male germline‐specific while downregulating male germline‐nonspecific regulon, but how these specializations events are regulated, are still unresolved. To know how plant sperm cell is specialized, we mutagenized Arabidopsis double homozygous transgenic line (MGH3p‐MGH3::eGFP and ACTIN11p‐H2B::mRFP) by an ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) treatment and isolated a mutant with sperms identity loss, resulting in a completely male defective plant. Second‐generation sequencing identified a point mutation G/A causing premature stop codon TGG/TGA in the poly(A) polymerase PAPS1 that is linked with phenotype. Further, we found that paps1 mutant fails to upregulate male germline‐specific regulon and to downregulate male germline‐nonspecific factors required for sperm cell differentiation and attaining pollen maturation. Previously, polyadenylation of pre‐mRNAs by PAPS1 has been found crucial for both RNA‐based silencing processes and the processing of pre‐mRNAs into mature mRNAs ready for translation. This study concludes that PAPS1 mediates sperm cell differentiation through upregulating specific while silencing the nonspecific factors of male germlines.
Multilayer Self‐Assemblies for Fabricating Graphene‐Supported Single‐Atomic Metal via Microwave‐Assisted Emulsion Micelle
Authors: Zhang Mengyuan , Li Xiaohui , Yang Yihui , Li Tiejun , Luo Huili , Wen Luhong , Qin Lei
Published: May 2022

Inspired by molecular self‐assemblies in nature, this article reports a versatile strategy for confined encapsulation of single‐atomic metal into high‐quality rGO nanosheets by the microwave‐assisted emulsion micelle method. Multilayer self‐assembly of organometallics–surfactants micelles into the interlayer of nanosheets can not only promote microwave exfoliation and reduction of GO but also precisely control loading and distribution of single‐metal atoms. With this synthetic strategy, the simultaneous trinity of exfoliation, reduction, and composition are achieved for 1 min. Experimental results and density functional theory calculations demonstrate that graphene‐supported FeN4O2 sites exhibit optimal binding energy toward superior selective adsorption (adsorption amount of 1975.6 mg g−1 with separation efficiency of 97.6%) and electrocatalytic oxidation (TOFs as high as 1.31 min−1). This work provides a simple and efficient avenue for the large‐scale preparation of single‐atomic metal composites in environmental and energy fields.
DNA Kirigami Driven by Polymerase‐Triggered Strand Displacement
Authors: Chen Kuiting , Xu Fei , Hu Yingxin , Yan Hao , Pan Linqiang
Published: May 2022

The precursors of functional biomolecules in living cells are synthesized in a bottom‐up manner and subsequently activated by modification into a delicate structure with near‐atomic precision. DNA origami technology provides a promising way to mimic the synthesis of precursors, although mimicking the modification process is a challenge. Herein, a DNA paper‐cutting (DNA kirigami) method to trim origami into designer nanostructures is proposed, where the modification is implemented by a polymerase‐triggered DNA strand displacement reaction. Six geometric shapes are created by cutting rectangular DNA origami. Gel electrophoresis and atomic force microscopy results demonstrate the feasibility and capability of the DNA paper‐cutting method. The proposed DNA paper‐cutting strategy can enrich the toolbox for dynamically transforming DNA origami and has potential applications in biomimetics.
Evolution of Eutectic Carbide during M7C3/M23C6 in situ Transformation in Martensitic Stainless Steel
Authors: Zhang Jie , Li Jing , Shi Chengbin , Li Jihui
Published: May 2022

The M7C3/M23C6 in situ transformation in high‐carbon martensitic stainless steel is investigated. Eutectic Cr‐rich M7C3 carbide is generated during solidification; it is metastable and can almost completely transform into other phases when the temperature is <1000 °C. The eutectic M7C3 carbide transforms into an M7C3–M23C6 core–shell structure after heat treatment at 1000 °C for 1 h and then completely transforms into M23C6 carbides after heat treatment at 1000 °C for 7 h. The eutectic M7C3 carbide with the same orientation in the as‐cast state transforms into dozens of M23C6 carbide grains with varying orientations during in situ transformation, and the transformed M23C6 carbides have no constant orientation relationship with the adjacent matrix and eutectic M7C3 carbide core. The formation of the M23C6 shell is the result of not only the in situ transformation but also the coarsening of M23C6 carbides. The diffusion of carbon atoms in the M23C6 shell is the restrictive factor of M7C3/M23C6 in situ transformation and maintains transformation. The diffusion of chromium atoms in the matrix is the restrictive factor in the coarsening of the M23C6 shell, which continues coarsening and results in a significant increase in the final area fraction of carbides.
Physicochemical Properties of Wheat Starch under Different Sowing Dates
Authors: Zang Yong , Yao Huihui , Ran Liping , Zhang Rong , Duan Yuren , Yu Xurun , Xiong Fei
Published: May 2022

Different sowing dates mainly influence the growth of wheat by changing the insolation duration and accumulated temperature. But the underlying mechanism of the accumulation of the wheat starch from different sowing dates is still unclear. This field study is conducted to determine the relationship between the physicochemical properties of wheat starch and the sowing date. Results show that the accumulation of amyloplasts is greatly affected by sowing date. With the postponement of sowing time, the content of A‐type granules in grains significantly increases and C‐type granules decreases. Delaying the sowing date significantly decreases the content of amylose. The swelling power and solubility show a downward trend, but no significant difference among groups. The long‐chain content of amylopectin increases with the postponement of sowing date. The crystal structure and resistant starch increase as well. However, those increasing effects are not infinite, they will gradually weaken and disappear when the sowing date is continued to be postponed.
The Many Chemists Who Could Have Proposed the Woodward‐Hoffmann Rules (Including Roald Hoffmann) But Didn't: The Theoretical and Physical Chemists†**
Authors: Seeman Jeffrey I.
Published: May 2022

It is a reasonable question to ask, why, as of 1965 when the five Woodward‐Hoffmann communication appeared, did no other physical chemist or chemical physicist or theoretical chemist discover the orbital symmetry rules for all pericyclic reactions? Two theoretical chemists – Luitzen Oosterhoff (in 1961) and Kenichi Fukui (in 1964) had discovered portions of the orbital symmetry rules; their stories appear in the papers immediately preceding this paper which is Paper 5 in a 27‐paper series on the history of Woodward‐Hoffmann rules. Concise yet telling stories of 19 other chemists who could have, might have, perhaps even should have discovered the Woodward‐Hoffmann rules are presented with explanations as to why they did not do so. Social, political, and scientific explanations will summarize the analyses.
A review of pooled‐sample strategy: Does complexity lead to better performance?
Authors: Song Yu , Wang XueLiang , Xiao YanQun , Wang Hualiang
Published: May 2022

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19, caused by SARS‐Cov‐2) is a big challenge for global health systems and the economy. Rapid and accurate tests are crucial at early stages of this pandemic. Reverse transcription‐quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction is the current gold standard method for detection of SARS‐Cov‐2. It is impractical and costly to test individuals in large‐scale population screens, especially in low‐ and middle‐income countries due to their shortage of nucleic acid testing reagents and skilled staff. Accordingly, sample pooling, such as for blood screening for syphilis, is now widely applied to COVID‐19. In this paper, we survey and review several different pooled‐sample testing strategies, based on their group size, prevalence, testing number, and sensitivity, and we discuss their efficiency in terms of reducing cost and saving time while ensuring sensitivity.
Projection‐based techniques for high‐dimensional optimal transport problems
Authors: Zhang Jingyi , Ma Ping , Zhong Wenxuan , Meng Cheng
Published: May 2022

Optimal transport (OT) methods seek a transformation map (or plan) between two probability measures, such that the transformation has the minimum transportation cost. Such a minimum transport cost, with a certain power transform, is called the Wasserstein distance. Recently, OT methods have drawn great attention in statistics, machine learning, and computer science, especially in deep generative neural networks. Despite its broad applications, the estimation of high‐dimensional Wasserstein distances is a well‐known challenging problem owing to the curse‐of‐dimensionality. There are some cutting‐edge projection‐based techniques that tackle high‐dimensional OT problems. Three major approaches of such techniques are introduced, respectively, the slicing approach, the iterative projection approach, and the projection robust OT approach. Open challenges are discussed at the end of the review.

This article is categorized under:

Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Dimension Reduction

Statistical Learning and Exploratory Methods of the Data Sciences > Manifold Learning
Classical System Identification
Authors: Pillonetto Gianluigi , Chen Tianshi , Chiuso Alessandro , De Nicolao Giuseppe , Ljung Lennart
Published: May 2022

System identification as a field has been around since the 1950s with roots from statistical theory. A substantial body of concepts, theory, algorithms and experience has been developed since then. Indeed, there is a very extensive literature on the subject, with many text books, like [5, 8, 12]. Some main points of this “classical” field are summarized in this chapter, just pointing to the basic structure of the problem area. The problem centres around four main pillars: (1) the observed data from the system, (2) a parametrized set of candidate models, “the Model structure”, (3) an estimation method that fits the model parameters to the observed data and (4) a validation process that helps taking decisions about the choice of model structure. The crucial choice is that of the model structure. The archetypical choice for linear models is the ARX model, a linear difference equation between the system’s input and output signals. This is a universal approximator for linear systems—for sufficiently high orders of the equations, arbitrarily good descriptions of the system are obtained. For a “good” model, proper choices of structural parameters, like the equation orders, are required. An essential part of the classical theory deals with asymptotic quality measures, bias and variance, that aim at giving the best mean square error between the model and the true system. Some of this theory is reviewed in this chapter for estimation methods of the maximum likelihood character.
Koproduzieren – eine lebenswerte Stadt gemeinschaftlich entwickeln, umsetzen und bewahren
Authors: Abt Jan
Published: May 2022

Die Beteiligung von Bürger*innen ist in deutschen Kommunen schon lange erprobt, ehrenamtliches Engagement trägt seit langem zur Funktionsfähigkeit von Kommunen und zur Lebensqualität in den Quartieren bei. Neu in der Diskussion stehen jedoch weitergehende Kooperationsformen, die unter dem Begriff „Koproduktion“ zusammengefasst werden. Verbunden ist mit Koproduktion die Erwartung an eine Zusammenarbeit mit neuen Akteuren, die Aufgaben übernehmen, die die Kommune nur noch schwer alleine erfüllen kann. Doch was „Koproduktion“ genau bedeutet und was sie unterscheidet von der bisherigen Mitwirkung von und der Zusammenarbeit mit Bürger*innen – das ist vor Ort meist unklar. Das Konzept der Koproduktion beleuchtet dieser einleitende Beitrag, der durch die nachfolgenden Reflexionen experimenteller Koproduktionen in der Stadt- und Regionalentwicklung vertieft wird.
Gemeingut Boden – Erbbaurechte zur Stärkung des Gemeinwohls in der kooperativen Stadt
Authors: Darr Christian , Luft Jörn
Published: May 2022

Hohe Bodenpreise und Bodenspekulation erschweren es gemeinwohlorientierten Projektmacher*innen, ihre Ideen einer kooperativen Stadt umzusetzen. Gleichzeitig haben Kommunen wenig Einfluss auf die Nutzung verkaufter Grundstücke. Die Anwendung des Erbbaurechts u. a. durch gemeinwohlorientierte Akteure ermöglicht die Entwicklung „Dritter Orte“ und deren langfristige Absicherung. Erläutert werden die Geschichte und die Vorteile des Erbbaurechts, und mit dem Bürgerfonds wird ein weiteres Instrument vorgestellt. Dies wird anhand von Beispielen illustriert.
Planspiele als Methode der gemeinsamen Zielfindung und Instrumentenentwicklung
Authors: Gödecke Dario
Published: May 2022

Bedingt durch den demografischen Wandel stehen kommunale Akteure ländlicher Räume verstärkt unter dem Druck, die Vitalität von Kommunen aufrechtzuerhalten. Hierfür ist zunehmend ein kollektives und abgestimmtes Handeln notwendig. Planspiele können hierbei unter bestimmten Voraussetzungen eine effektive Methode darstellen, um eine gemeinsame Zielfindung und Instrumentenentwicklung zu erreichen. Der Beitrag stellt ein Planspiel vor, bei dem kommunale Akteure ein innovatives Instrument zur Stärkung der Innenentwicklung erarbeitet und anschließend in die kommunale Praxis überführt haben. Dabei wird aufgezeigt, welches Potenzial Planspiele für Koproduktionen bieten können.
Beteiligen – einen Grundstein für gemeinschaftliche Aufgaben in der Stadt- und Regionalentwicklung legen
Authors: Blecken Lutke , Diringer Julia
Published: May 2022

Eine gemeinschaftlich organisierte Entwicklung von Städten, Gemeinden und Regionen entsteht nicht von selbst. Neue Partnerschaften müssen erst entwickelt, gelebt und als belastbar empfunden werden, um darauf weiter aufbauen zu können. Eine kommunale Verfahrenskultur, die auf Kooperation und Beteiligung ausgerichtet ist, kann so zur Basis für weitreichendere Formen des gemeinsamen Umsetzens werden. Hier setzten die geförderten Verbundprojekte der Fördermaßnahme „Kommunen innovativ“ an. Sie entwickelten und erprobten informelle Beteiligungsformate, bei denen Bürger*innen, zivilgesellschaftliche Akteure, Verwaltung und kommunale Entscheidungsträger*innen frühzeitig zusammenkamen und Möglichkeiten zur Beteiligung ausloteten. Dieser Text ordnet die Beiträge in Teil I „Beteiligung“ in den Diskurs um Beteiligung in der Stadt- und Regionalentwicklung ein.
Die Konstellationsanalyse als Instrument zur Strategieentwicklung für eine gemeinschaftliche Daseinsvorsorge
Authors: Wolf Mario , Londong Jörg
Published: May 2022

Die Einführung koproduktiver Organisationsformen in der Daseinsvorsorge bedarf integrierter Handlungsstrategien. Ein Instrument zur Strategieentwicklung stellt die Konstellationsanalyse dar, mit der komplexe Problemlagen systematisch analysiert und Handlungsansätze identifiziert werden können. Zentrale Elemente des Beitrags sind die Darstellung der Konstellationsanalyse, die anwendungsbezogene Erläuterung anhand eines Fallbeispiels aus der ressourcenorientierten Abwasserbewirtschaftung sowie zusammenfassende Handlungsempfehlungen, die Akteure aus Wissenschaft und Praxis bei der Anwendung der strategieorientierten Konstellationsanalyse unterstützen sollen.
Open Budget – Öffnung des Haushaltswesens
Authors: von Lucke Jörn , Gollasch Katja
Published: May 2022

Das Konzept Open Budget beschäftigt sich mit der Frage, wie eine Öffnung des Haushaltswesens in Bund, Ländern und Kommunen vollzogen werden kann. Dieses Kapitel gibt zunächst eine Einführung in die Grundlagen eines öffentlichen Finanz- und Haushaltswesens. Anschließend wird das Leitbild eines offenen Haushalts für die Bereiche Haushaltsaufstellung, Haushaltsbewirtschaftung sowie der Rechenschaftslegung skizziert und auf wesentliche Akteure in diesem Bereich eingegangen. Ebenso wird veranschaulicht, wie Ansätze für offene Haushaltsdaten in diesen drei Themenfeldern aussehen können. Ergänzt wird dies um Stärken und Chancen, aber auch Schwächen und Risiken. Erste Versuche für die Visualisierung von Haushaltsdaten und die darin liegenden Mehrwerte werden aufgezeigt sowie ein Ausblick auf die weiterführenden Themen Beteiligungs- und Bürgerhaushalte, offene Vergabe und Beteiligungsberichte gegeben.
Holographic models of composite Higgs in the Veneziano limit. Part II. Fermionic sector
Authors: Elander Daniel , Frigerio Michele , Knecht Marc , Kneur Jean-Loïc
Published: May 2022

Abstract

We continue our study of strongly-coupled, approximately scale-invariant gauge theories with a large number of flavours, which provide a suitable ultraviolet completion of the composite-Higgs scenario. We identify the requisite operators to realise partial compositeness of the Standard-Model fermions. In order to compute the spectrum of composite fermionic states, we extend the bottom-up holographic models, which we previously introduced to capture the main features of the non-perturbative dynamics in the Veneziano limit, by adding fermion fields in the bulk. We identify regions in parameter space where some fermionic bound states become light, depending in particular on the number of flavours, the operator scaling dimensions, and the bulk Yukawa couplings. We also observe a dense spectrum of states, when multi-scale dynamics is induced by a large backreaction of bulk scalars on the geometry. Adapting the formalism of the holographic Wilsonian renormalisation group, we study the linear coupling between the composite and elementary fermions, as a function of energy scale. We find that, in some circumstances, the associated operators are dangerously irrelevant: the renormalisation-group flow gives rise to a large linear coupling in the infrared, even when it is irrelevant from the point of view of the ultraviolet fixed point. We finally compute the partially composite spectrum, correlate it with the analysis of the flow, and assess the potential phenomenological implications, e.g. for the top-quark partners.
3d dualities with decoupled sectors and brane transitions
Authors: Kubo Naotaka
Published: May 2022

Abstract

We find exact relations among the sphere partition functions of three-dimensional $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 superconformal Chern-Simons theories with circular quiver diagrams. These relations suggest new dualities in gauge theories which are the products of circular quiver gauge theories and decoupled linear quiver gauge theories. The dualities can be interpreted as simple brane transitions in the Hanany-Witten brane construction in type IIB string theory. Interestingly, the brane transitions cannot be generated by the Hanany-Witten transition or the SL (2, ℤ) transformation. Our results can be regarded as generalization and clarification of dualities implied from Weyl group symmetries of quantum curves. To obtain the exact results, we employ the supersymmetric localization technique and the Fermi gas approach.
Spin-Ruijsenaars, q-Deformed Haldane–Shastry and Macdonald Polynomials
Authors: Lamers Jules , Pasquier Vincent , Serban Didina
Published: May 2022

We study the -analogue of the Haldane–Shastry model, a partially isotropic (xxz-like) long-range spin chain that by construction enjoys quantum-affine (really: quantum-loop) symmetries at finite system size. We derive the pairwise form of the Hamiltonian, found by one of us building on work of D. Uglov, via ‘freezing’ from the affine Hecke algebra. To this end we first obtain explicit expressions for the spin-Macdonald operators of the (trigonometric) spin-Ruijsenaars model. Through freezing these give rise to the higher Hamiltonians of the spin chain, including another Hamiltonian of the opposite ‘chirality’. The sum of the two chiral Hamiltonians has a real spectrum also when$$|\mathsf {q}|=1$$|q|=1, so in particular when is a root of unity. For generic$$\mathsf {q}$$qthe eigenspaces are known to be labelled by ‘motifs’. We clarify the relation between these patterns and the corresponding degeneracies (multiplicities) in the crystal limit$$\textsf {q}\rightarrow \infty $$q→∞. For each motif we obtain an explicit expression for the exact eigenvector, valid for generic , that has (‘pseudo’ or ‘l-’) highest weight in the sense that, in terms of the operators from the monodromy matrix, it is an eigenvector ofAand Dand annihilated byC. It has a simple component featuring the ‘symmetric square’ of the -Vandermonde polynomial times a Macdonald polynomial—or more precisely its quantum spherical zonal special case. All other components of the eigenvector are obtained from this through the action of the Hecke algebra, followed by ‘evaluation’ of the variables to roots of unity. We prove that our vectors have highest weight upon evaluation. Our description of the exact spectrum is complete. The entire model, including the quantum-loop action, can be reformulated in terms of polynomials. Our main tools are theY-operators from the affine Hecke algebra. From a more mathematical perspective the key step in our diagonalisation is as follows. We show that on a subspace of suitable polynomials the first M‘classical’ (i.e. no difference part)Y-operators inNvariables reduce, upon evaluation as above, toY-operators inMvariables with parameters at the quantum zonal spherical point.
Prevalence of occult nodal metastases in squamous cell carcinoma of the temporal bone: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Borsetto Daniele , Vijendren Ananth , Franchin Giovanni , Donnelly Neil , Axon Patrick , Smith Matthew , Masterson Liam , Bance Manohar , Saratziotis Athanasios , Polesel Jerry , Boscolo-Rizzo Paolo , Tysome James
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Primary: To determine the rate of occult cervical metastases in primary temporal bone squamous cell carcinomas (TBSSC). Secondary: to perform a subgroup meta-analysis of the risk of occult metastases based on the clinical stage of the tumour and its risk based on corresponding levels of the neck.

Methods

A systematic review and meta-analysis of papers searched through Medline, Cochrane, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science up to November 2021 to determine the pooled rate of occult lymph node/parotid metastases. Quality assessment of the included studies was assessed through the Newcastle–Ottawa scale.

Results

Overall, 13 out of 3301 screened studies met the inclusion criteria, for a total of 1120 patients of which 550 had TBSCC. Out of the 267 patients who underwent a neck dissection, 33 had positive lymph nodes giving a pooled rate of occult metastases of 14% (95% CI 10–19%). Occult metastases rate varied according to Modified Pittsburg staging system, being 0% (0–16%) among 12 pT1, 7% (2–20%) among 43 pT2 cases, 21% (11–38%) among 45 pT3, and 18% (11–27%) among 102 pT4 cases. Data available showed that most of the positive nodes were in Level II.

Conclusion

The rate of occult cervical metastases in TBSCC increases with pathological T category with majority of nodal disease found in level II of the neck.
Stochastic quantization associated with the $$\exp (\Phi )_2$$-quantum field model driven by space-time white noise on the torus in the full $$L^1$$-regime
Authors: Hoshino Masato , Kawabi Hiroshi , Kusuoka Seiichiro
Published: May 2022

The present paper is a continuation of our previous work (Hoshino et al., J Evol Equ 21:339–375, 2021) on the stochastic quantization of the $$\exp (\Phi )_2$$

exp

(
Φ
)

2

-quantum field model on the two-dimensional torus. Making use of key properties of Gaussian multiplicative chaos and refining the method for singular SPDEs introduced in the previous work, we construct a unique time-global solution to the corresponding parabolic stochastic quantization equation in the full “$$L^{1}$$

L
1

-regime” $$\vert \alpha \vert <\sqrt{8\pi }$$

|
α
|
<

8
π

of the charge parameter $$\alpha $$
α
. We also identify the solution with an infinite-dimensional diffusion process constructed by the Dirichlet form approach.
A scaling calculus for the design and initialization of ReLU networks
Authors: Defazio Aaron , Bottou Léon
Published: May 2022

We propose a system for calculating a “scaling constant” for layers and weights of neural networks. We relate this scaling constant to two important quantities that relate to the optimizability of neural networks, and argue that a network that is “preconditioned” via scaling, in the sense that all weights have the same scaling constant, will be easier to train. This scaling calculus results in a number of consequences, among them the fact that the geometric mean of the fan-in and fan-out, rather than the fan-in, fan-out, or arithmetic mean, should be used for the initialization of the variance of weights in a neural network. Our system allows for the off-line design & engineering of ReLU (Rectified Linear Unit) neural networks, potentially replacing blind experimentation. We verify the effectiveness of our approach on a set of benchmark problems.
$$\displaystyle L^{\infty }$$-truncation of closed differential forms
Authors: Schiffer Stefan
Published: May 2022

In this paper, we prove that for each closed differential form $$\displaystyle u \in L^1(\mathbb {R}^N;(\mathbb {R}^N)^{*} \wedge ... \wedge (\mathbb {R}^N)^{*})$$

u
∈

L
1

(

R

N

;

(

R

N

)

∗

∧
.
.
.
∧

(

R

N

)

∗

)

, which is almost in $$\displaystyle L^{\infty }$$

L
∞

in the sense that $$\begin{aligned} \int _{\{y \in \mathbb {R}^N :\vert u(y) \vert \ge L \}} \vert u(y) \vert dy< \varepsilon \end{aligned}$$

∫

{
y
∈

R

N

:
|
u

(
y
)

|
≥
L
}

|
u

(
y
)

|

d
y
<
ε

for some $$\displaystyle L>0$$

L
>
0

and a small $$\displaystyle \varepsilon >0$$

ε
>
0

, we may find a closed differential form v, such that $$\displaystyle \Vert u - v \Vert _{L^1}$$

‖
u
-
v
‖

L
1

is again small, and v is, in addition, in $$\displaystyle L^{\infty }$$

L
∞

with a bound on its $$\displaystyle L^{\infty }$$

L
∞

norm depending only on N and L. In particular, the set $$\displaystyle \{ v \ne u\}$$

{
v
≠
u
}

has measure at most $$\displaystyle CL^{-1} \varepsilon .$$

C

L

-
1

ε
.

As an application of this theorem, we are able to prove that the $$\displaystyle \mathcal {A}$$

A

-p-quasiconvex hull of a set does not depend on p. Furthermore, we can prove a classification theorem for $$\displaystyle \mathcal {A}$$

A

-$$\displaystyle \infty $$

∞

-Young measures.