bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving the accuracy of energy yield calculations of tandem solar cell‐based CPV‐modules
Authors: Steiner Marc , Mathur Paresh , Sarkar Subrata , Siefer Gerald
Published: September 2021

Energy yield calculations for CPV modules that use tandem solar cell technology have been performed and analysed in this work. Two BSQ D280 CPV modules were used as specimen: one located in Freiburg, Germany, and one in Greater Noida, India. The current–voltage curves of both modules were measured for several months together with the prevailing ambient conditions. The energy yield in the respective measurement periods were calculated using the software PVsyst. It has been found that the energy yield modelled with PVsyst has a good agreement with the one measured in Freiburg, but deviates by 10% from the one measured in Greater Noida. The reason is most likely the high aerosol content in Greater Noida and thus the non‐appropriate consideration of spectral irradiance impact by PVsyst, which uses air mass and DNI as the only atmospherical parameters. The accuracy of the PVsyst calculation has been strongly improved in this work by using SMR corrected DNI values as input for the PVsyst calculation. In this manner, the impact of spectral irradiance variation on (C)PV module power output can be considered in energy yield calculations by PVsyst. The deviation of the calculated and measured energy yield could be reduced to below 1%.
Interstitial lung disease in children with Rubinstein‐Taybi syndrome
Authors: Bradford Lauren , Ross Mindy K. , Minso Jagila , Cernelc‐Kohan Mateja , Shayan Katayoon , Wong Simon S. , Li Xiaoping , Rivier Lauraine , Jegga Anil G. , Deutsch Gail H. , Vece Timothy J. , Loughlin Ceila E. , Gower William A. , Hurley Caitlin , Furman Wayne , Stokes Dennis , Hagood James S.
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Rubinstein‐Taybi syndrome (RSTS) is a rare genetic syndrome caused primarily by a mutation in the CREBBP gene found on chromosome 16. Patients with RSTS are at greater risk for a variety of medical problems, including upper airway obstruction and aspiration. Childhood interstitial lung disease (ILD) thus far has not been definitively linked to RSTS. Here we present three patients with RSTS who developed ILD and discuss possible mechanisms by which a mutation in CREBBP may be involved in the development of ILD.

Methods

Routine hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed on lung biopsy tissue for histological analysis. Immunofluorescent staining was performed on lung biopsy tissue for markers of fibrosis, surfactant deficiency and histone acetylation. Cases 1 and 2 had standard clinical microarray analysis. Case 3 had whole exome sequencing. Bioinformatics analyses were performed to identify possible causative genes using ToppGene.

Results

Computed tomography images in all cases showed consolidated densities overlying ground glass opacities. Lung histopathology revealed accumulation of proteinaceous material within alveolar spaces, evidence of fibrosis, and increased alveolar macrophages. Immunofluorescent staining showed increase in surfactant protein C staining, patchy areas of increased anti‐smooth muscle antibody staining, and increased staining for acetylated histone 2 and histone 3 lysine 9.

Discussion

Clinical characteristics, radiographic imaging, lung histopathology, and immunofluorescent staining results shared by all cases demonstrated findings consistent with ILD. Immunofluorescent staining suggests two possible mechanisms for the development of ILD: abnormal surfactant metabolism and/or persistent activation of myofibroblasts. These two pathways could be related to dysfunctional CREBBP protein.
The effect of nursing intervention guided by rehabilitation needs on the quality of postoperative self‐care agency and social relationships in esophageal cancer patients
Authors: Zhang Ping , Zhao Yun , Yang Bo , Wu Bing , Gu Lei
Published: September 2021

To explore the effect of rehabilitation‐oriented nursing intervention on self‐care ability and social relationship quality of patients with esophageal cancer after operation. 124 esophageal cancer patients from February 2019 to January 2020 were selected and divided into study group and control group. The control group was given routine nursing, and the study group was given rehabilitation‐oriented nursing intervention on the basis of the control group. The self‐care ability score (ESCA), social relationship quality score (SQRS), mood state score, hope level score (HHI), and nursing job satisfaction were statistically analyzed. Before intervention, there was no significant difference between two groups. After intervention, the scores of health knowledge, self‐concept, self‐responsibility, and self‐care skills were higher in the study group. The scores of friend relationship, family commitment, and family intimacy were significantly higher in the study group, also the SAS (Self‐Rating Anxiety Scale) and SDS (Self‐Rating Depression Scale) scores in the study group were lower than those in the control group, and the scores of attitudes to maintain close relationship with others, attitude to take positive action and attitude towards reality and future in the study group were higher than those in the control group. In addition, the satisfaction of nursing work in the study group was higher than that in the control group. The rehabilitation needs oriented nursing intervention for esophageal cancer patients can effectively regulate patients' depression and anxiety, improve their self‐care ability and hope level, improve the quality of social relations, and patients have high recognition of nursing work.
The herbivore‐induced plant volatile tetradecane enhances plant resistance to Holotrichia parallela larvae in maize roots
Authors: Pan Yu , Wang Zhun , Zhao Shi‐Wen , Wang Xiao , Li Yun‐Shuo , Liu Jia‐Nan , Wang Shang , Xi Jing‐Hui
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND

Many herbivore‐induced volatiles have been proven to act as signaling compounds to regulate nearby plant defense responses. However, the precise roles of key volatiles produced by maize roots after Holotrichia parallela larva feeding remain largely unknown.

RESULTS

We investigated changes in phytohormones and volatiles in maize roots after H. parallela larval infestation. Marked increases in the phytohormone jasmonic acid (JA) and the volatiles jasmone and tetradecane were induced by herbivores, whereas the salicylic acid content decreased. In addition, pre‐exposure to tetradecane markedly increased the levels of the stress hormone JA, its precursors and derivatives, and related gene expression. In addition, pre‐exposure altered the production of defensive benzoxazinoid secondary metabolites, resulting in increased plant resistance to H. parallela larvae. Plants pre‐exposed to jasmone did not differ from control plants. In addition, bioassays showed that H. parallela larval growth was suppressed by feeding maize roots after pre‐exposure to tetradecane.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrate that tetradecane may function as a potent defense induction signal that prepares neighboring plants for incoming attacks. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Energy Diagrams of Lanthanide Energy Levels in Perovskite‐Type Calcium‐Based Double Oxides Examined by X‐Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy
Authors: Ueda Kazushige , Yamamoto Ryo , Shimizu Yuhei
Published: September 2021

The energy levels of 4f ground states for trivalent lanthanide ions (Ln3+) in CaMO3 (M=Ti, Sn, Zr, Hf) are examined using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Some Ln3+ 4f energy levels referred to the valence band maximum (VBM), especially for Tb3+, are evaluated from the Ln3+ 4f states extracted by the difference XPS spectra between nondoped and Ln3+‐doped materials. The energy position of the zigzag curves for the Ln3+ 4f energy levels are referred to the Tb3+ 4f energy levels obtained from the XPS measurements. Energy gaps and Ln2+ 4f energy levels are also estimated from the absorption and photoluminescence excitation spectra of nondoped and Eu3+‐doped materials. On the basis of the experimental values, the energy diagrams aligned at the VBM are illustrated and compared to understand the Ln 4f energy levels in the electronic structures of the perovskite‐type calcium‐based double oxides.
Review of the Advancements on Polymer/Metal Oxide Hybrid Nanocomposite‐Based Adsorption Assisted Photocatalytic Materials for Dye Removal
Authors: Bassie Gelaw Tadesse , Kunhana Sarojini Balladka , Krishna Kodoth Arun
Published: September 2021

The use of dyes increases with increasing dye processing industries, especially with textile industries. The persistent nature, environmental toxicity, and carcinogenicity of dyes become the current issue of managing their impact on the ecosystem. Hence various methods of discharging have been reported. Most of the technologies were not effective in the removal process and generate secondary pollutants. However, adsorption supported photocatalytic process becomes a feasible, eco‐friendly, and appropriate technique. Based on these directions, developing such photocatalytic material for dye removal becomes the trend in current research. Thus, this review deals with dye removal through an adsorptive‐assisted photocatalytic process by various hybrid nanocomposite photocatalysts. Particular emphasis on photocatalytic dye degradation progresses by polymer/metal oxide hybrid nanocomposite photocatalysts (metal oxide nanoparticles with conductive, nonconductive, and both conductive & non‐conductive polymers composites) synthesis and dye degradation mechanisms. Besides, the kinetics, efficiency of degradation, and related factors were also assessed. Conversion of dyes to water, carbon dioxide, and other mineralized non‐toxic pollutants makes this technique the most preferred.
Nonlinearity in Memristors for Neuromorphic Dynamic Systems
Authors: Yang Ke , Joshua Yang J. , Huang Ru , Yang Yuchao
Published: September 2021

As semiconductor technology enters the more than Moore era, there exists an apparent contradiction between the rapidly growing demands for data processing and the visible inefficiency rooted in traditional computing architecture. Neuromorphic systems hold great prospects in enabling a new generation of computing paradigm that can address this issue, which demands device components with rich dynamics and nonlinearity. Herein, the nonlinearity in memristive devices and their application in building neuromorphic dynamic systems are reviewed. The internal mechanisms that endow memristive devices with nonlinearity and rich dynamics are reviewed and subsequently the nonlinear spiking neurons that are implemented utilizing the physical processes in memristors are shown. Typical examples on neuromorphic dynamic systems based on nonlinear memristors are summarized, including memristive reservoir, memristive oscillatory neural network, and memristive chaotic computing. Finally, an outlook in the development of neuromorphic dynamic systems is given.
Ultrasound of dialysis fistulae: Factors influencing Australian practice
Authors: Oomens Donna , Thomas Samantha , Clarke Jillian
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Due to the increasing prevalence of kidney failure in Australia, more sonographers are being expected to perform ultrasound examinations of arteriovenous fistulae (AVF), even when they may receive little support to do so.

Methods

We surveyed respondents through the Australasian Sonographers Association (ASA), regarding their demographics, workplace, and experience in relation to AVF ultrasound examinations.

Results

Fifty sonographers participated from metropolitan and regional areas. Sonographers in metropolitan areas had approximately three times more access to support compared to those in rural/remote areas, in performing AVF ultrasound examinations. Self‐reported competency levels of AVF ultrasound examinations were novice/advanced beginner 28.6%, competent 30%, proficient/expert 40%. Less than a fifth of sonographers always performed a physical assessment, while almost half never physically assessed an AVF.

Conclusion

Rural and remote sonographers have the least access to ongoing resources and support. The knowledge of the supporting role that non‐ultrasound methods of AVF surveillance can play in improving the quality of ultrasound assessments, varied mainly by perception of competency. Sonographer competency, education, and support in AVF assessment is vital to avoid clinical uncertainty. Australian sonographers would benefit from further education and support to improve competency, confidence and patient outcomes.
Antibacterial Activity of Dodecylamine Dialdehyde Starch Schiff Base Derivatives
Authors: Li Zhenbiao , Wang Xiaojuan , Miao Jincheng , Xing Lei , Zhang Shufen
Published: September 2021

Dodecylamine dialdehyde starch (DASDA) is synthesized with corn starch, sodium periodate, and dodecylamine, and its structure, particle morphology, crystal structure, and thermal properties are characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis. Antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus suggests that minimum inhibitory concentrations of DASDA against E. coli and S. aureus are 0.31 and 0.63 mg mL−1, and the antibacterial effect against E. coli is better than that against S. aureus. The antibacterial activity is effectively improved with the increase of amino content of DASDA.
Abundance Trends for Adult Pacific Lamprey in Western Oregon (USA): Historic Declines, Recent Increases, and Relative Contributions from Coastal Rivers
Authors: Clemens Benjamin J. , Weeber Matthew A. , Lewis Mark , Jones Michelle
Published: September 2021

The anadromous Pacific Lamprey Entosphenus tridentatus is native to the northern Pacific Ocean and its drainages, returning each spring to spawn in streams along the West Coast of North America. We analyzed abundance trends of adult Pacific Lamprey from dam counts and redd surveys in western Oregon, USA. We compared a series of generalized additive models (GAMs) to describe lamprey abundance trends. Lamprey counts varied considerably among dams but showed steep declines over 70+ years (1949–2019) at Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River, over 50+ years (1965–2019) at Winchester Dam on the North Umpqua River, and over 17 years (1993–2009) at Gold Ray Dam on the Rogue River. By contrast, redd surveys displayed synchronous abundance trends of different magnitudes among geographic management areas on the Oregon coast, with an overall increasing abundance over 13 years (2007–2019). This corroborates pre‐existing notions that Pacific Lamprey spawning in Oregon coast rivers are from a single mixed population. The most supported GAM included a fixed effect for location and allowed abundance to vary over years as a function of location. These results suggest that abundance trends among dam counts are more variable than coastal redd surveys and that dam counts and redd surveys across this large region are not useful proxies for each other. Furthermore, counts across dams may be more variable because they record prespawning lamprey and thus may be recording a mixture of cohorts. Redd surveys, by contrast, provide a metric of a single cohort of spawning lamprey.
Graphhopper: Multi-hop Scene Graph Reasoning for Visual Question Answering
Authors: Koner Rajat , Li Hang , Hildebrandt Marcel , Das Deepan , Tresp Volker , Günnemann Stephan
Published: September 2021

Visual Question Answering (VQA) is concerned with answering free-form questions about an image. Since it requires a deep semantic and linguistic understanding of the question and the ability to associate it with various objects that are present in the image, it is an ambitious task and requires multi-modal reasoning from both computer vision and natural language processing. We propose Graphhopper, a novel method that approaches the task by integrating knowledge graph reasoning, computer vision, and natural language processing techniques. Concretely, our method is based on performing context-driven, sequential reasoning based on the scene entities and their semantic and spatial relationships. As a first step, we derive a scene graph that describes the objects in the image, as well as their attributes and their mutual relationships. Subsequently, a reinforcement learning agent is trained to autonomously navigate in a multi-hop manner over the extracted scene graph to generate reasoning paths, which are the basis for deriving answers. We conduct an experimental study on the challenging dataset GQA, based on both manually curated and automatically generated scene graphs. Our results show that we keep up with human performance on manually curated scene graphs. Moreover, we find that Graphhopper outperforms another state-of-the-art scene graph reasoning model on both manually curated and automatically generated scene graphs by a significant margin.
Locating Discourses and Narratives for Intervention
Authors: Kelly Ashley Scott , Lu Xiaoxuan
Published: September 2021

This chapter,Locating discourses and narratives for intervention, argues that planners and designers engaging in “critical” landscape planning need a proactive, rigorous and reflective approach to assembling the discourses in their projects. Drawing from a selection of articles on the recent political economy and ecology of Laos from post-development theory, cultural anthropology, sociology, political science, political geography, and political ecology, we survey four areas that function as conceptual drivers of the strategic planning proposals featured inPart Twoof this book. These areas are (1) The politics of land-use planning and its deployment in the state’s territorial strategies; (2) A brief recounting of origins, since the 1980s, of the paradigm of sustainable development as it was imposed on regulatory institutions of the Global South; (3) The ways large-scale resource extraction is reproduced at capitalism’s frontiers via complex and overlapping patchworks of relations between large-scale infrastructures, state land concessions, and their administration at various scales; and (4) Discourse on “infrastructure” as a concept and our capacity to plan and assess it. These sections are held together by their constructivist and critical theory approaches, focus on the means and ends of neoliberalism, and undercurrents of authority, expertise and the politics of intervention.
A note on commutation relation in conformal field theory
Authors: Nagano Lento , Terashima Seiji
Published: September 2021

Abstract

In this note, we explicitly compute the vacuum expectation value of the commutator of scalar fields in a d-dimensional conformal field theory on the cylinder. We find from explicit calculations that we need smearing not only in space but also in time to have finite commutators except for those of free scalar operators. Thus the equal time commutators of the scalar fields are not well-defined for a non-free conformal field theory, even if which is defined from the Lagrangian. We also have the commutator for a conformal field theory on Minkowski space, instead of the cylinder, by taking the small distance limit. For the conformal field theory on Minkowski space, the above statements are also applied.
Partial Fundoplication is Effective Treatment for Female Patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux and Scleroderma: A Multicenter Comparative Cohort Study
Authors: Hii Amanda , Liu David S. , Kholmurodova Feruza , Irvine Tanya , Bright Tim , Watson David I. , Thompson Sarah K.
Published: September 2021

Background

Patients with scleroderma often suffer from dysphagia and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Partial fundoplication is a validated anti‐reflux procedure for GERD but may worsen dysphagia in scleroderma patients. Its utility in these patients is unknown. Here, we evaluate the efficacy and acceptability of partial fundoplication for the treatment of medically refractory GERD in patients with scleroderma.

Methods

Analysis of a prospectively maintained database of patients who underwent fundoplication across 14 hospitals between 1991 and 2019. Perioperative outcomes, reintervention rates, heartburn, dysphagia, and patient satisfaction were assessed at 3 months, 1‐ and 3‐years post‐surgery.

Results

A total of 17 patients with scleroderma were propensity score matched to 526 non‐scleroderma controls. All underwent a partial fundoplication. Perioperative outcomes including complication rate, length of stay, and need for reoperation were similar between the two groups. Compared to baseline, both groups reported significantly improved heartburn at 3 months, 1‐ and 3‐years following partial fundoplication. Surgery was equally effective at controlling heartburn across all follow‐up timepoints in patients with or without scleroderma. Dysphagia to solids was more common in patients with scleroderma than controls at 3‐months post‐surgery, but was not significantly different to controls at 1‐ and 3‐year follow‐up. Satisfaction scores were high and comparable between both groups across all postoperative timepoints, with 100% of patients with scleroderma reporting that their initial choice to undergo surgery was correct.

Conclusions

Partial fundoplication controls reflux and is associated with a transient period of dysphagia to solids in patients with scleroderma. This approach is safe, effective and acceptable for patients with scleroderma and medically refractory GERD.
A Diaphragmic Traction Suture Increases Pleural Cavity Volume and Surgical Field Overview During Video‐Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery
Authors: Dittberner Finn A. , Ladegaard Lars , Licht Peter B.
Published: September 2021

Objectives

An elevated hemidiaphragm may impair surgical field overview during video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and may consequently jeopardize a safe surgical procedure or prolong the duration of surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate if tension applied to a diaphragmatic suture improves the surgical field overview.

Methods

Following informed consent and at the surgeon's discretion during elective VATS procedures, a single stitch was placed at the posterior tendinous border of the diaphragm and retracted through the camera port. The surgical field overview was evaluated using a numeric rating scale (1–10) by the surgeon before and after applying tension during the procedure, and later by 9 VATS surgeons (> 10 years’ experience) using video recordings.

Results

During a 4‐month period, 43 patients scheduled for elective VATS by two surgeons gave informed consent to participate. The hemidiaphragm was elevated to such an extent in 27 patients that the surgeon placed a diaphragmatic stitch suture. When tension was applied to the suture, surgical field overview improved significantly (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

A diaphragmatic traction suture improves surgical field overview in selected patients with elevation of the hemidiaphragm. This simple procedure may facilitate VATS in patients with impaired surgical field overview and consequently improve safety during VATS.

Clinical Trial Number

http://ClinicalTrials.gov (No. NCT04837950).
Prädiktoren für die Nutzungsintensität von Tagespflegen bei Menschen mit kognitiven Einschränkungen
Authors: Wasić Catharina , Gräßel Elmar , Luttenberger Katharina , Donath Carolin
Published: September 2021

Hintergrund

Tagespflegen sind etablierte Versorgungsangebote für Personen mit kognitiven Beeinträchtigungen. Die Nutzungsintensität ist mit durchschnittlich 3 h/Woche jedoch gering. Bisherige Studien konnten Prädiktoren für eine Nutzung/Nichtnutzung aufzeigen. Es ist jedoch bisher unklar, inwieweit diese Faktoren auch mit der Nutzungsintensität zusammenhängen.

Ziel der Arbeit

Identifikation von Prädiktoren für die Intensität der Tagespflegenutzung bei Menschen mit kognitiven Beeinträchtigungen, basierend auf dem Modell der Versorgungsinanspruchnahme nach Andersen.

Material und Methoden

Grundlage sind Daten der Studie Demenz in der Tagespflege bei psychosozialer MAKS-Intervention (DeTaMAKS). Prädiktoren für die Nutzungsintensität der Tagespflege wurden mit logistischer Regression analysiert.

Ergebnisse

Eine signifikant höhere Intensität der Tagespflegenutzung lag vor bei: alleinlebenden Tagespflegegästen, höher gebildeten pflegenden Angehörigen, ab Pflegestufe 2, bei längerer bisheriger Nutzungsdauer der Tagespflege, bei vermehrten psychischen und Verhaltenssymptomen des Tagespflegegasts. Die Sensitivitätsanalyse zeigte bei zusammenlebenden Dyaden zusätzlich eine höhere Nutzungsintensität bei jüngeren pflegenden Angehörigen und kürzerer Entfernung zwischen Wohnort und Tagespflege, jedoch nicht in Bezug auf den Bildungsstand des pflegenden Angehörigen und die psychischen und Verhaltenssymptome des Tagespflegegasts.

Diskussion

Die Ergebnisse zeigen bestehenden Bedarf an Tagespflegeeinrichtungen, der sich durch Berufstätigkeit und das Leben ohne Partner erhöht. Neben einer guten Erreichbarkeit der Tagespflege könnten auch flexible Angebote die Intensität der Nutzung erhöhen.
Evaluating the estimation of genetic correlation and heritability using summary statistics
Authors: Zhang Ju , Schumacher Fredrick R.
Published: September 2021

While novel statistical methods quantifying the shared heritability of traits and diseases between ancestral distinct populations have been recently proposed, a thorough evaluation of these approaches under differing circumstances remain elusive. Brown et al.2016 proposed the method Popcorn to estimate the shared heritability, i.e. genetic correlation, using only summary statistics. Here, we evaluate Popcorn under several parameters and circumstances: sample size, number of SNPs, sample size of external reference panel, various population pairs, inappropriate external reference panel, and admixed population involved. Our results determined the minimum sample size of the external reference panel, summary statistics, and number of SNPs required to accurately estimate both the genetic correlation and heritability. Moreover, the number of individuals and SNPs required to produce accurate and stable estimates was directly proportional with heritability in Popcorn. Misrepresentation of the reference panel overestimated the genetic correlation by 20% and heritability by 60%. Lastly, applying Popcorn to homogeneous (EUR) and admixed (ASW) populations underestimated the genetic correlation by 15%. Although statistical approaches estimating the shared heritability between ancestral populations will provide novel etiologic insight, caution is required ensuring results are based on the appropriate sample size, number of SNPs, and the generalizability of the reference panel to the discovery populations.
Compartment-specific metabolome labeling enables the identification of subcellular fluxes that may serve as promising metabolic engineering targets in CHO cells
Authors: Wijaya Andy Wiranata , Ulmer Andreas , Hundsdorfer Lara , Verhagen Natascha , Teleki Attila , Takors Ralf
Published: September 2021

13C labeling data are used to calculate quantitative intracellular flux patterns reflecting in vivo conditions. Given that approaches for compartment-specific metabolomics exist, the benefits they offer compared to conventional non-compartmented 13C flux studies remain to be determined. Using compartment-specific labeling information of IgG1-producing Chinese hamster ovary cells, this study investigated differences of flux patterns exploiting and ignoring metabolic labeling data of cytosol and mitochondria. Although cellular analysis provided good estimates for the majority of intracellular fluxes, half of the mitochondrial transporters, and NADH and ATP balances, severe differences were found for some reactions. Accurate flux estimations of almost all iso-enzymes heavily depended on the sub-cellular labeling information. Furthermore, key discrepancies were found for the mitochondrial carriers vAGC1 (Aspartate/Glutamate antiporter), vDIC (Malate/H+ symporter), and vOGC (α-ketoglutarate/malate antiporter). Special emphasis is given to the flux of cytosolic malic enzyme (vME): it could not be estimated without the compartment-specific malate labeling information. Interesting enough, cytosolic malic enzyme is an important metabolic engineering target for improving cell-specific IgG1 productivity. Hence, compartment-specific 13C labeling analysis serves as prerequisite for related metabolic engineering studies.
ABSTAT-HD: a scalable tool for profiling very large knowledge graphs
Authors: Alva Principe Renzo Arturo , Maurino Andrea , Palmonari Matteo , Ciavotta Michele , Spahiu Blerina
Published: September 2021

Processing large-scale and highly interconnected Knowledge Graphs (KG) is becoming crucial for many applications such as recommender systems, question answering, etc. Profiling approaches have been proposed to summarize large KGs with the aim to produce concise and meaningful representation so that they can be easily managed. However, constructing profiles and calculating several statistics such as cardinality descriptors or inferences are resource expensive. In this paper, we present ABSTAT-HD, a highly distributed profiling tool that supports users in profiling and understanding big and complex knowledge graphs. We demonstrate the impact of the new architecture of ABSTAT-HD by presenting a set of experiments that show its scalability with respect to three dimensions of the data to be processed: size, complexity and workload. The experimentation shows that our profiling framework provides informative and concise profiles, and can process and manage very large KGs.
Fieberkrämpfe – Diagnostik und Behandlung
Authors: Feucht Martha , Glatter Sarah , Pimpel Birgit
Published: September 2021

Obwohl nicht unmittelbar den Epilepsien zuzuordnen, gehören Fieberkrämpfe (FK) zu den häufigsten Anfallserkrankungen des Kindesalters (Lebenszeitprävalenz: 2–5 %). Entsprechend Definitionsvorschlag der Internationalen Liga gegen Epilepsie (ILAE) sind FK epileptische Anfälle, die im Rahmen fieberhafter Infekte (Temperatur > 38 °C) bei neurologisch gesunden Kindern zwischen 6 und 60 Monaten auftreten. Drei Subkategorien sind beschrieben: einfacher FK (70–90 % aller FK), komplizierter FK (10–35 % aller FK) und febriler Status epilepticus (FSE). Die Pathophysiologie von FK ist unklar, aktuell wird eine multifaktorielle – (poly)genetische und durch Umweltfaktoren bedingte – Genese favorisiert. Die Langzeitprognose ist günstig (Spontanremission in 95 %). Rezente Studien berichten jedoch über gehäuft auftretende neuropsychiatrische Störungen. Das Risiko, nach FK eine Epilepsie zu entwickeln, variiert je nach FK-Typ, ist aber generell nicht wesentlich höher als jenes in der Allgemeinbevölkerung. Folgende, mit FK assoziierte Syndrome weisen ein erhöhtes Risiko für eine nachfolgende Epilepsie bzw. irreversible neurologische Folgeschäden auf: die fieberinduzierte refraktäre epileptische Enzephalopathie von Schulkindern (FIRES), das Hemikonvulsions-Hemiplegie-Epilepsie(HHE)-Syndrom und die genetische/generalisierte Epilepsie mit Fieberkrämpfen plus (GEFS+). Die kausale Rolle komplizierter FK oder FSE für nachfolgende Ammonshornsklerose (AHS) und pharmakoresistente mesiale Temporallappenepilepsie (mTLE) ist aktuellen experimentellen und klinischen Daten zufolge nicht bewiesen, eine primäre Vorschädigung des Hippocampus als wahrscheinlicher anzunehmen. Das folgende Update beinhaltet – basierend auf aktueller Evidenz – Empfehlungen für (Differenzial‑)Diagnostik und Management von FK.
Myrmecovory in Neotropical primates
Authors: Ferreira Nadja I. Risch , Verhaagh Manfred , Heymann Eckhard W.
Published: September 2021

Ants are the dominant group of animals in many habitats, particularly in tropical rainforests. High abundance and formation of large colonies convert them into a potential food source for a broad spectrum of animals. In this paper we review myrmecovory (consumption of ants) in Neotropical primates. Myrmecovory has been reported from 57 taxa (species + subspecies) out of 217 species of Neotropical primates, representing 18 out of 22 genera. The proportion of ants in the animal portion of the diet is highest amongst members of the genera Cebus, Sapajus, Cheracebus and Plecturocebus, but generally low in callitrichids, large pitheciids (Cacajao, Chiropotes) and atelids. Ants from seven subfamilies of Formicidae (out of 13 subfamilies found in the Neotropics) are consumed, including taxa with and without functional sting and with varying other defences. Foraging technics employed in myrmecovory range from picking ants from open substrates to extractive foraging involving the destruction of ant nests or shelters, but tool use has not been reported. We conclude that myrmecovory is widespread amongst Neotropical primates but on average contributes only a minor proportion of the diet. The diversity of foraging technics employed and lack of tool use in Neotropical primate myrmecovory, even for ants with functional stings and aggressive biting, suggests that tool use for myrmecovory in hominids has not evolved in response to ant defences but is a consequence of enhanced cognitive skills that evolved under other selection pressures.
Numerical solution to the Falkner-Skan equation: a novel numerical approach through the new rational a-polynomials
Authors: Abbasbandy S. , Hajishafieiha J.
Published: September 2021

The new rational a-polynomials are used to solve the Falkner-Skan equation. These polynomials are equipped with an auxiliary parameter. The approximated solution to the Falkner-Skan equation is obtained by the new rational a-polynomials with unknown coefficients. To find the unknown coefficients and the auxiliary parameter contained in the polynomials, the collocation method with Chebyshev-Gauss points is used. The numerical examples show the efficiency of this method.
Unrestricted gene flow between two subspecies of translocated brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) in Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: Pattabiraman Nimeshika , Morgan-Richards Mary , Powlesland Ralph , Trewick Steven A.
Published: September 2021

Two lineages of brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) were historically introduced to Aotearoa New Zealand, and these two subspecies have different phenotypic forms. Despite over 100 years of potential interbreeding, they appear to retain morphological differences, which may indicate reproductive isolation. We examined this using population samples from a confined landscape and scored each specimen for phenotype using a number of fur colour traits. This resulted in a bimodal trait distribution expected for segregated grey and black lineages. We also sought evidence for genetic partitioning based on spatial and temporal effects. Genetic structure and rates of genetic mixing were determined using seven neutral, species-specific nuclear microsatellite markers and mitochondrial DNA control region sequence. Genotype analyses indicated high levels of variation and mtDNA sequences formed two major haplogroups. Pairwise tests for population differentiation of these markers found no evidence of subdivision, indicating that these brushtail possums behave as a single randomly mating unit. Despite maintenance of two main colour phenotypes with relatively few intermediates, previous inference of assortative mating and anecdotes of distinct races, our data indicate that New Zealand brushtail possums can freely interbreed, and that in some locations they have formed completely mixed populations where neutral genetic markers are unrelated to phenotype. This has implications for effective pest management towards eradication.
Consistency of thresholds for eutrophication assessments, examples and recommendations
Authors: Topcu D. , Brockmann U.
Published: September 2021

International harmonisation of management goals for eutrophication processes in coastal waters, requiring reduction of discharges and depositions of nutrients and organic matter, needs coordinated assessments and measures. This is especially necessary in open areas, connected by currents and mixing processes with trans-boundary exchanges. Management goals, defined nationally as local thresholds for nutrients and chlorophyll-a, had been applied recently (2006–2014) within international eutrophication assessments in the North Sea (OSPAR) and Baltic Sea (HELCOM). Consistency of thresholds for nitrogen nutrients and chlorophyll-a concentrations is tested by mixing diagrams and correlations between nitrogen nutrients (total and inorganic nitrogen) and chlorophyll-a. Results indicate mean consistent relations, but single deviations as in the continental coastal water of the North Sea surpassed means by a factor up to 5 for chlorophyll-a in relation to inorganic nitrogen. Thresholds differed across national borders significantly. Correlations of thresholds and assed data reflect the degree of regional deviations by comparison. Consistency of regionally applied thresholds can be achieved stepwise, by application of regionally correlated means, by adaptation to mixing and parameter relations, and finally by relations of thresholds to natural background concentrations. By this, consistency of international assessments can be improved generally, allowing coordinated management of open coastal waters.
How are project-specific forums utilized? A study of participation, content, and sentiment in the Eclipse ecosystem
Authors: Nugroho Yusuf Sulistyo , Islam Syful , Nakasai Keitaro , Rehman Ifraz , Hata Hideaki , Kula Raula Gaikovina , Nagappan Meiyappan , Matsumoto Kenichi
Published: September 2021

Although many software development projects have moved their developer discussion forums to generic platforms such as Stack Overflow, Eclipse has been steadfast in hosting their self-supported community forums. While recent studies show forums share similarities to generic communication channels, it is unknown how project-specific forums are utilized. In this paper, we analyze 832,058 forum threads and their linkages to four systems with 2,170 connected contributors to understand the participation, content and sentiment. Results show that Seniors are the most active participants to respond bug and non-bug-related threads in the forums (i.e., 66.1% and 45.5%), and sentiment among developers are inconsistent while knowledge sharing within Eclipse. We recommend the users to identify appropriate topics and ask in a positive procedural way when joining forums. For developers, preparing project-specific forums could be an option to bridge the communication between members. Irrespective of the popularity of Stack Overflow, we argue the benefits of using project-specific forum initiatives, such as GitHub Discussions, are needed to cultivate a community and its ecosystem.
A systemic approach to tackling ocean plastic debris
Authors: De Matteis Alessandro , Turkmen Ceylan Fethiye Burcu , Daoud Mona , Kahuthu Anne
Published: September 2021

Growing evidence of the prevalence of plastics in the oceanic environment is causing increasing concern. In this study we consider the possible impact of major changes to the supply and consumption of plastics. While we recognize that tackling the problem of plastic debris in the ocean calls for integrated solutions, our analysis contributes to filling the gap in knowledge about the effectiveness of intervention strategies. Our results find that strategies addressing plastics demand have a greater impact than those focussing on plastics supply. However, only measures aimed at plastics supply are effective in the short run. These considerations can help to inspire the prioritization of intervention strategies and to contribute to the design of integrated interventions aimed at tackling the problem of marine plastic debris through a systemic approach.
Engaging Transformation: Using Seasonal Rounds to Anticipate Climate Change
Authors: Kassam Karim-Aly , Ruelle Morgan , Haag Isabell , Bulbulshoev Umed , Kaziev Daler , Louis Leo , Ullmann Anna , Edwards Iriel , Khan Aziz Ali , Trabucco Antonio , Samimi Cyrus
Published: September 2021

Seasonal rounds are deliberative articulations of a community’s sociocultural relations with their ecological system. The process of visualizing seasonal rounds informs transdisciplinary research. We present a methodological approach forcommunities of enquiryto engagecommunities of practicethrough context-specific sociocultural and ecological relations driven by seasonal change. We first discuss historical précis of the concept of seasonal rounds that we apply to assess the spatial and temporal communal migrations and then describe current international research among Indigenous and rural communities in North America and Central Asia by the creation of a common vocabulary through mutual respect for multiple ways of knowing, validation of co-generated knowledge, and insights into seasonal change. By investigating the relationship between specific biophysical indicators and livelihoods of local communities, we demonstrate that seasonal rounds are an inclusive and participatory methodology that brings together diverse Indigenous and rural voices to anticipate anthropogenic climate change.
Mean-field theory of the interaction of the magnesium ion with biopolymers: the case of lysozyme
Authors: Odijk Theo
Published: September 2021

A statistical theory is presented of the magnesium ion interacting with lysozyme under conditions where the latter is positively charged. Temporarily assuming magnesium is not noncovalently bound to the protein, I solve the nonlinear Poisson–Boltzmann equation accurately and uniformly in a perturbative fashion. The resulting expression for the effective charge, which is larger than nominal owing to overshooting, is subtle and cannot be asymptotically expanded at high ionic strengths that are practical. An adhesive potential taken from earlier work together with the assumption of possibly bound magnesium is then fitted to be in accord with measurements of the second virial coefficient by Tessier et al. The resulting numbers of bound magnesium ions as a function of MgBr$$_2$$

2

concentration are entirely reasonable compared with densitometry measurements.
Relative educational poverty: conceptual and empirical issues
Authors: Glaesser Judith
Published: September 2021

This paper’s goal is to discuss implications for the empirical study of low educational status arising from the use of the concept of educational poverty in research. It has two related conceptual foci: (1) the relationship of educational poverty with material poverty and to what extent useful parallels exist, and (2) the distinction of absolute and relative (educational) poverty and whether the notion of absolute (educational) poverty is a sensible one. For the concept of educational poverty to be analytically fruitful, clear conceptualisation and operationalisation of the relevant issues are required. The paper contributes to the aim of providing these by building on existing work on educational poverty and by drawing on relevant work on material poverty as well as discussing some conceptual challenges and some of the challenges arising from the operationalisation of the concepts. Some of these challenges are illustrated using examples based on data from the German National Educational Panel Study (NEPS). In a further step, factors which may lead to a greater risk of being in relative educational poverty are analysed, employing the method multi-value Qualitative Comparative Analysis. The empirical findings highlight the relative nature of educational qualifications: the usefulness of a basic school leaving qualification has changed over time, and it has not been the same for different groups. Thus, a conceptualisation of low educational status as educational poverty has been shown to be useful, and it has been demonstrated that the relative nature of educational poverty ought to be taken into account by researchers.
Detecting and Characterising Small-Scale Brightenings in Solar Imaging Data
Authors: Humphries Llŷr Dafydd , Morgan Huw , Kuridze David
Published: September 2021

Observations of small-scale brightenings in the low solar atmosphere can provide valuable constraints on possible heating and heat transport mechanisms. We present a method for the detection and analysis of brightenings, and demonstrate its application to time-series imagery of the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) in the extreme ultraviolet (EUV). The method is based on spatio-temporal band-pass filtering, adaptive thresholding and centroid tracking, and records an event’s spatial position, duration, total brightness and maximum brightness. Spatial area, brightness, and position are also recorded as functions of time throughout the event’s lifetime. Detected brightenings can fragment, or merge, over time – thus the number of distinct regions constituting a brightening event is recorded over time, and the maximum number of regions recorded as $N_{\mathit{frag}}$

N
frag

, which is a simple measure of an event’s coherence or spatial complexity. A test is made on a synthetic datacube composed of a static background based on IRIS data, Poisson noise and $\approx 10^{4}$
≈

10

4

randomly-distributed, moving, small-scale Gaussian brightenings. Maximum brightness, total brightness, area, and duration follow power-law distributions, and the results show the range over which the method can successfully extract information. The test shows that the recorded maximum brightness of an event is a reliable measure for the brightest and most accurately detected events, with an error of 6%. Event area, duration and speed are generally underestimated by around 15% and have an uncertainty of 20–30%. The total brightness is underestimated by 30%, and has an uncertainty of 30%. Applying this detection method to real IRIS quiet-sun data spanning 19 minutes over a $54.40''\times 55.23''$

54.40
″

×

55.23
″

field of view (FOV) yields 2997 detections, 1340 of these detections either remain un-fragmented or fragment to two distinct regions at least once during their lifetime ($N_{\mathit{frag}}\le 2$

N
frag

≤
2
), equating to an event density of $3.96\times 10^{-4}$
3.96
×

10

−
4

arcsec−2 s−1. The method will be used for a future large-scale statistical analysis of several quiet-sun (QS) data sets from IRIS, other EUV imagers, and other types of data including H$\alpha $
α
and visible photospheric imagery.
Parents’ Attachment Styles and Adolescents’ Regulatory Emotional Self-efficacy: The Mediating Role of Adolescents’ Attachment to Parents in China
Authors: Pan Yangu , Zhang Qiongwen , Liu Guangzeng , Li Bingbing , Liu Chuanxing
Published: September 2021

Guided by attachment theory, this longitudinal study examined the mediating role of parent-adolescent attachment on the relation between parents’ attachment styles and adolescents’ regulatory emotional self-efficacy (RESE, including managing negative affect and expressing positive affect). Five hundred seventy-three Chinese junior high school students (46% male; aged 11–14 years, M = 12.76 years, SD = 0.74) completed measures of RESE at T1, parent-adolescent attachment at T2 (six months later), and RESE at T3 (another six months later), while 573 students’ parents (one student only has a parent, 241 fathers and 332 mothers) completed measures of adult attachment styles (anxiety and avoidance) at T1. Results from structural equation modeling indicated that father-adolescent attachment mediated the association between fathers’ attachment anxiety and adolescents’ self-efficacy beliefs in managing negative affect, while mother-adolescent attachment marginally mediated the relation between mothers’ attachment anxiety and adolescents’ self-efficacy beliefs in managing negative affect and expressing positive affect. These findings suggest that parents’ attachment anxiety could predict their children’s attachment to parents, in turn, impacting their children’s regulatory emotional self-efficacy.