bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of concomitant antiplatelet therapy on ischemic and hemorrhagic events in patients taking oral anticoagulants for nonvalvular atrial fibrillation in daily clinical practice
Authors: Morimoto Takeshi , Uchida Kazutaka , Sakakibara Fumihiro , Kinjo Norito , Ueda Shinichiro
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Antiplatelet therapy (APT) is challenging in patients taking oral anticoagulants (OACs) for nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) with concomitant atherosclerotic diseases. We scrutinized the generalizability of recent randomized clinical trials showing OAC use alone was superior to OAC plus antiplatelet use in patients with NVAF and coronary artery diseases (CAD).

Methods

We conducted a historical multicenter registry at 71 centers in Japan. The inclusion criterion was taking OACs for NVAF. The exclusion criteria were mechanical heart valves or history of pulmonary thrombosis or deep vein thrombosis. Consecutive patients (N = 7826) were registered in February 2013 and were followed until February 2017. The co‐primary endpoints were ischemic events and major bleedings. Secondary endpoints were ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, and all‐cause mortality.

Results

The mean patient age was 73 years; 67% were men. Antiplatelets were administered in 25% of patients and 27% had history of CAD. Cumulative incidences of ischemic events and major bleedings at 4 years were 5.9% and 9.6% in the APT group and 5.3% and 7.0% in the No‐APT group, respectively. The adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) of the APT group for ischemic events and major bleedings were 1.12 (0.84–1.49) and 1.26 (1.01–1.57), respectively. The adjusted HRs (95% CIs) for ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, and all‐cause mortality were 1.16 (0.86–1.57), and 1.31 (0.70–2.48), and 1.02 (0.82–1.26), respectively.

Conclusions

APT in patients taking OACs for NVAF did not prevent ischemic events but significantly increased major bleedings in the real‐world setting.
Validation of claims‐based algorithms to identify patients with psoriasis
Authors: Lee Hemin , He Mengdong , Cho Soo‐Kyung , Bessette Lily , Tong Angela Y. , Merola Joseph F. , Wegrzyn Lani R. , Kilpatrick Ryan D. , Kim Seoyoung C.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Accurately identifying patients with psoriasis (PsO) is crucial for generating real‐world evidence on PsO disease course and treatment utilization.

Methods

We developed nine claims‐based algorithms for PsO using a combination of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)‐9 codes, specialist visit, and medication dispensing using Medicare linked to electronic health records data (2013–2014) in two healthcare provider networks in Boston, Massachusetts. We calculated positive predictive value (PPV) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for each algorithm using the treating physician's diagnosis of PsO via chart review as the gold standard. Among the confirmed PsO cases, we assessed their PsO disease activity.

Results

The nine claims‐based algorithms identified 990 unique patient records. Of those, 918 (92.7%) with adequate information were reviewed. The PPV of the algorithms ranged from 65.1 to 82.9%. An algorithm defined as ≥1 ICD‐9 diagnosis code for PsO and ≥1 prescription claim for topical vitamin D agents showed the highest PPV (82.9%). The PPV of the algorithm requiring ≥2 ICD‐9 diagnosis codes and ≥1 prescription claim for PsO treatment excluding topical steroids was 81.1% but higher (82.5%) when ≥1 diagnosis was from a dermatologist. Among 411 PsO patients with adequate information on PsO disease activity in EHRs, 1.5–5.8% had no disease activity, 31.3–36.8% mild, and 26.9–35.1% moderate‐to‐severe across the algorithms.

Conclusions

Claims‐based algorithms based on a combination of PsO diagnosis codes and dispensing for PsO‐specific treatments had a moderate‐to‐high PPV. These algorithms can serve as a useful tool to identify patients with PsO in future real‐world data pharmacoepidemiologic studies.
Chronic everolimus treatment of high‐fat diet mice leads to a reduction in obesity but impaired glucose tolerance
Authors: Chang Geng‐Ruei , Hou Po‐Hsun , Wang Chao‐Min , Wu Ching‐Feng , Su Huang‐Kai , Liao Huei‐Jyuan , Chen To‐Pang
Published: March 2021

Everolimus, which inhibits mTOR kinase activity and is clinically used in graft rejection treatment, may have a two‐sided influence on metabolic syndrome; its role in obesity and hyperglycemic in animals and humans, however, has been explored insufficiently. This study further determined how continual everolimus treatment affects glucose homeostasis and body weight control in C57BL6/J mice with obesity. An obesity mouse model was developed by administering a high‐fat diet (HFD) to C57BL6/J mice over 12 weeks. The experimental group, while continuing their HFD consumption, were administered everolimus daily for 8 weeks. Metabolic parameters, glucose tolerance, fatty liver score, endocrine profile, insulin sensitivity index (ISI), insulin resistance (IR) index, and Akt phosphorylation, GLUT4, TNF‐α, and IL‐1 levels were measured in vivo. Compared with the control group, the everolimus group gained less body weight and had smaller adipocytes and lower fat pad weight; triglyceride (serum and hepatic), patatin‐like phospholipase domain‐containing 3, and fatty acid synthase levels; fatty liver scores; and glucose tolerance test values—all despite consuming more food. However, the everolimus group exhibited decreased ISI and muscle Akt phosphorylation and GLUT4 expression as well as impaired glucose tolerance and serum TNF‐α and IL‐1β levels—even when insulin levels were high. In conclusion, continual everolimus treatment may lead to diabetes with glucose intolerance and IR.
Approaches to handling missing or “problematic” pharmacology data: Pharmacokinetics
Authors: Irby Donald J. , Ibrahim Mustafa E. , Dauki Anees M. , Badawi Mohamed A. , Illamola Sílvia M. , Chen Mingqing , Wang Yuhuan , Liu Xiaoxi , Phelps Mitch A. , Mould Diane R.
Published: March 2021

Missing or erroneous information is a common problem in the analysis of pharmacokinetic (PK) data. This may present as missing or inaccurate dose level or dose time, drug concentrations below the analytical limit of quantification, missing sample times, or missing or incorrect covariate information. Several methods to handle problematic data have been evaluated, although no single, broad set of recommendations for commonly occurring errors has been published. In this tutorial, we review the existing literature and present the results of our simulation studies that evaluated common methods to handle known data errors to bridge the remaining gaps and expand on the existing knowledge. This tutorial is intended for any scientist analyzing a PK data set with missing or apparently erroneous data. The approaches described herein may also be useful for the analysis of nonclinical PK data.
High‐resolution climate change projection of northeast monsoon rainfall over peninsular India
Authors: Jayasankar C. B. , Rajendran K. , Sajani Surendran , Ajay Anand K. V.
Published: March 2021

In this study, projected changes in mean northeast monsoon (NEM) rainfall and associated extreme rainfall and temperature events, over peninsular India (PI) and its six subdivisions, are quantified. High‐resolution dynamically downscaled simulations of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) regional climate model driven by the boundary conditions from the Community Climate System Model version 4 (CCSM4) model (WRF‐CCSM4) are compared with statistically downscaled simulations of NASA Earth Exchange Global Daily Downscaled Projections (NEX‐GDDP). Over PI, these downscaled simulations show low bias in mean NEM rainfall (≤ − 0.44 mm·day−1) and high pattern correlation coefficient (≥0.75), giving confidence in their future projections. Under future warming over PI, both downscaled simulations project future significant enhancement in NEM rainfall with WRF‐CCSM4 projecting 1.98 mm·day−1 (83.78% change with respect to the present‐day mean) whereas the multimodel ensemble (MME) of eight NEX‐GDDP models project 0.67 ± 0.58 mm·day−1 (19.78%) by the midddle of the century and 1.42 ± 0.97 mm·day−1 (42.76%) by the end of the century. Analysis of extreme rainfall events shows that WRF‐CCSM4 projects future enhancement (reduction) in extreme rainfall (R95p) days over 91.4% (8.6%) of grid‐points over PI. In future, coastal areas of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh will likely experience increased extreme rainfall occurrence by more than 25 days and 15–20 days respectively. Projected future enhancement in the mean and extreme NEM rainfall is attributed to the increased precipitable water under a warming climate. Future projection of extreme temperature indices shows an increase in minimum and maximum temperatures over PI during the NEM season. Over PI, future winter nights and days are found to be warmer than those in the present day and the temperature change in future winter nights is found to be larger than that in winter days. This climate change information would help decision‐makers in evaluating existing policies and devising revised policies to reduce risk due to climate change.
Emerging optofluidic technologies for biodiagnostic applications
Authors: Wu Jiandong , Dai Bo , Li Zhenqing , Pan Tingrui , Zhang Dawei , Lin Francis
Published: March 2021

The unprecedented global COVID‐19 pandemic strongly argues the critical need for innovative diagnostic tools meeting the requirement of test speed, accuracy, and throughput. Owing to the integration of optics and microfluidics technologies, optofluidic technology enables highly precise flow manipulation and highly sensitive signal detection at the microscale, thus offering the promising potential for developing biodiagnostic applications. Research toward this direction is fast growing into an emerging area. In this paper, we give an overview of emerging optofluidic technologies for biodiagnostic applications with the focus on three common types of biomarkers: nucleic acid, protein, and cell. We conclude by discussing the challenges, opportunities, and future perspectives of this field.
Forgotten accounts of tropical cyclones making landfall in Tanzania
Authors: Msemo Hellen E. , Finney Declan L. , Mbuya Samwel I.
Published: March 2021

Landfalling tropical cyclones are essentially unheard of in Tanzania. It has been suggested that Cyclone Kenneth, which occurred in 2019, was the first tropical cyclone to make landfall in Tanzania. This paper brings to light tropical cyclones that made landfall in Tanzania in 1872 and 1952. We draw on eyewitness accounts and meteorological observations to raise the profile of these seemingly forgotten tropical cyclones, which devastated lives and economic activities. The severe societal impacts, and potential link to climate change, of landfalling tropical cyclones in Tanzania encourages further investigation into the drivers of tropical cyclones in the southwest Indian Ocean.
Start‐up of a trickling photobioreactor for the treatment of domestic wastewater
Authors: Katam Keerthi , Tiwari Yashendra , Shimizu Toshiyuki , Soda Satoshi , Bhattacharyya Debraj
Published: March 2021

A stand‐alone trickling photobioreactor (TPBR) was seeded with activated sludge and microalgae to treat domestic wastewater. The TPBR was started‐up at 12‐h hydraulic retention time at room temperature with 12:12 h light:dark cycle. The light was provided by blue LED strips. The reactor has a total volume of 30 L and is divided into six segments. Each segment is 30 cm long and has a diameter of 15 cm. Each segment was packed with polyurethane foam sponge cubes (2.5 × 2.5 × 2.5 cm3) with 40% occupancy. The chemical oxygen demand (COD), total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), and phosphorus (P) of domestic wastewater varied in the range of 164–256 mg/L, 84.4–133.8 mg/L, 34.2–55.6 mg/L, and 24.7–39.3 mg/L, respectively, during this period. The COD, TOC, TN, and P concentrations in the effluent after 45 days of operation were 30.24 ± 3.36 mg/L, 7.69 ± 0.09 mg/L, 16.67 ± 0.39 mg/L, and 17.48 ± 0.5 mg/L, respectively. The chlorophyll‐to‐biofilm biomass ratio increased during the experimental period. The above results indicate that the algal–bacterial symbiotic relationship is beneficial for carbon and nutrient removal from domestic wastewater.

Practitioner points

Trickling photobioreactor works on natural ventilation and has low power requirements and a small footprint.

The porous sponge media helped in immobilizing and subsequent harvesting of biomass.

The reactor conditions favored the growth of diatoms (brown algae) over green algae.
Simulating contaminant transport in unsaturated and saturated groundwater zones
Authors: Sarma Riki , Singh Santosh Kumar
Published: March 2021

The demand for clean and adequate water is rising rapidly with increasing population. This growing demand for water necessitates the measurement of the quantity and quality of water. Simulation modeling has become increasingly popular in the last two decades largely because of their predictive ability. This paper reviews the approaches for simulation modeling in groundwater resources management, focusing on models that have been used to simulate contaminant transport through the aquifer system. Recent research papers that have integrated the models for unsaturated and saturated zones have also been studied and described. Integrated models require assessment of the complex interactions between the groundwater zones and the movement of water and solute through them. Due to this, integrated models provide a more accurate modeling approach than models that have been independently developed for saturated and unsaturated zones. Application of such models is encouraged at the regional level to arrive at the best groundwater management decisions.

Practitioner points

In the past few decades, modeling of contaminant transport in groundwater systems has seen tremendous applications.

A number of models exist that independently simulate flow and solute transport in unsaturated and saturated zones.

Recently, focus has been given on developing advanced coupled modeling approaches that require less inputs and run times.
Adolescent depression, early psychiatric comorbidities, and adulthood welfare burden: a 25-year longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Alaie Iman , Ssegonja Richard , Philipson Anna , von Knorring Anne-Liis , Möller Margareta , von Knorring Lars , Ramklint Mia , Bohman Hannes , Feldman Inna , Hagberg Lars , Jonsson Ulf
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Depression at all ages is recognized as a global public health concern, but less is known about the welfare burden following early-life depression. This study aimed to (1) estimate the magnitude of associations between depression in adolescence and social transfer payments in adulthood; and (2) address the impact of major comorbid psychopathology on these associations.

Methods

This is a longitudinal cohort study of 539 participants assessed at age 16–17 using structured diagnostic interviews. An ongoing 25-year follow-up linked the cohort (n = 321 depressed; n = 218 nondepressed) to nationwide population-based registries. Outcomes included consecutive annual data on social transfer payments due to unemployment, work disability, and public assistance, spanning from age 18 to 40. Parameter estimations used the generalized estimating equations approach.

Results

Adolescent depression was associated with all forms of social transfer payments. The estimated overall payment per person and year was 938 USD (95% CI 551–1326) over and above the amount received by nondepressed controls. Persistent depressive disorder was associated with higher recipiency across all outcomes, whereas the pattern of findings was less clear for subthreshold and episodic major depression. Moreover, depressed adolescents presenting with comorbid anxiety and disruptive behavior disorders evidenced particularly high recipiency, exceeding the nondepressed controls with an estimated 1753 USD (95% CI 887–2620).

Conclusion

Adolescent depression is associated with considerable public expenditures across early-to-middle adulthood, especially for those exposed to chronic/persistent depression and psychiatric comorbidities. This finding suggests that the clinical heterogeneity of early-life depression needs to be considered from a longer-term societal perspective.
Physiologically based kinetic modelling based prediction of in vivo rat and human acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition upon exposure to diazinon
Authors: Zhao Shensheng , Wesseling Sebastiaan , Spenkelink Bert , Rietjens Ivonne M. C. M.
Published: March 2021

The present study predicts in vivo human and rat red blood cell (RBC) acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition upon diazinon (DZN) exposure using physiological based kinetic (PBK) modelling-facilitated reverse dosimetry. Due to the fact that both DZN and its oxon metabolite diazoxon (DZO) can inhibit AChE, a toxic equivalency factor (TEF) was included in the PBK model to combine the effect of DZN and DZO when predicting in vivo AChE inhibition. The PBK models were defined based on kinetic constants derived from in vitro incubations with liver fractions or plasma of rat and human, and were used to translate in vitro concentration–response curves for AChE inhibition obtained in the current study to predicted in vivo dose–response curves. The predicted dose–response curves for rat matched available in vivo data on AChE inhibition, and the benchmark dose lower confidence limits for 10% inhibition (BMDL10 values) were in line with the reported BMDL10 values. Humans were predicted to be 6-fold more sensitive than rats in terms of AChE inhibition, mainly because of inter-species differences in toxicokinetics. It is concluded that the TEF-coded DZN PBK model combined with quantitative in vitro to in vivo extrapolation (QIVIVE) provides an adequate approach to predict RBC AChE inhibition upon acute oral DZN exposure, and can provide an alternative testing strategy for derivation of a point of departure (POD) in risk assessment.
Non-analyticity of the Correlation Length in Systems with Exponentially Decaying Interactions
Authors: Aoun Yacine , Ioffe Dmitry , Ott Sébastien , Velenik Yvan
Published: March 2021

We consider a variety of lattice spin systems (including Ising, Potts and XY models) on $$\mathbb {Z}^d$$

Z

d

with long-range interactions of the form $$J_x = \psi (x) e^{-|x|}$$

J
x

=
ψ

(
x
)

e

-
|
x
|

, where $$\psi (x) = e^{{\mathsf o}(|x|)}$$

ψ

(
x
)

=

e

o
(
|
x
|
)

and $$|\cdot |$$

|
·
|

is an arbitrary norm. We characterize explicitly the prefactors $$\psi $$
ψ
that give rise to a correlation length that is not analytic in the relevant external parameter(s) (inverse temperature $$\beta $$
β
, magnetic field $$h$$
h
, etc). Our results apply in any dimension. As an interesting particular case, we prove that, in one-dimensional systems, the correlation length is non-analytic whenever $$\psi $$
ψ
is summable, in sharp contrast to the well-known analytic behavior of all standard thermodynamic quantities. We also point out that this non-analyticity, when present, also manifests itself in a qualitative change of behavior of the 2-point function. In particular, we relate the lack of analyticity of the correlation length to the failure of the mass gap condition in the Ornstein–Zernike theory of correlations.
Distribution of rorquals and Atlantic cod in relation to their prey in the Norwegian high Arctic
Authors: Solvang Hiroko K. , Haug Tore , Knutsen Tor , Gjøsæter Harald , Bogstad Bjarte , Hartvedt Siri , Øien Nils , Lindstrøm Ulf
Published: March 2021

Recent warming in the Barents Sea has led to changes in the spatial distribution of both zooplankton and fish, with boreal communities expanding northwards. A similar northward expansion has been observed in several rorqual species that migrate into northern waters to take advantage of high summer productivity, hence feeding opportunities. Based on ecosystem surveys conducted during August–September in 2014–2017, we investigated the spatial associations among the three rorqual species of blue, fin, and common minke whales, the predatory fish Atlantic cod, and their main prey groups (zooplankton, 0-group fish, Atlantic cod, and capelin) in Arctic Ocean waters to the west and north of Svalbard. During the surveys, whale sightings were recorded by dedicated whale observers on the bridge of the vessel, whereas the distribution and abundance of cod and prey species were assessed using trawling and acoustic methods. Based on existing knowledge on the dive habits of these rorquals, we divided our analyses into two depth regions: the upper 200 m of the water column and waters below 200 m. Since humpback whales were absent in the area in 2016 and 2017, they were not included in the subsequent analyses of spatial association. No association or spatial overlap between fin and blue whales and any of the prey species investigated was found, while associations and overlaps were found between minke whales and zooplankton/0-group fish in the upper 200 m and between minke whales and Atlantic cod at depths below 200 m. A prey detection range of more than 10 km was suggested for minke whales in the upper water layers.
Comparison of clinical outcomes and left ventricular remodeling after ST-elevation myocardial infarction between patients with and without diabetes mellitus
Authors: Akashi Naoyuki , Tsukui Takunori , Yamamoto Kei , Seguchi Masaru , Taniguchi Yousuke , Sakakura Kenichi , Wada Hiroshi , Momomura Shin-ichi , Fujita Hideo
Published: March 2021

Left ventricular remodeling (LVR) after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is generally thought to be an adaptive but compromising phenomenon particularly in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). However, whether the extent of LVR is associated with poor prognostic outcome with or without DM after STEMI in the modern era of reperfusion therapy has not been elucidated. This was a single-center retrospective observational study. Altogether, 243 patients who were diagnosed as having STEMI between January 2016 and March 2019, and examined with echocardiography at baseline (at the time of index admission) and mid-term (from 6 to 11 months after index admission) follow-up were included and divided into the DM (n = 98) and non-DM groups (n = 145). The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) defined as the composite of all-cause death, heart failure (HF) hospitalization, and non-fatal myocardial infarction. The median follow-up duration was 621 days (interquartile range: 304–963 days). The DM group was significantly increased the rate of MACEs (P = 0.020) and HF hospitalization (P = 0.037) compared with the non-DM group, despite of less LVR. Multivariate Cox regression analyses revealed that the patients with DM after STEMI were significantly associated with MACEs (Hazard ratio [HR] 2.79, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.20–6.47,P = 0.017) and HF hospitalization (HR 3.62, 95% CI 1.19–11.02,P = 0.023) after controlling known clinical risk factors. LVR were also significantly associated with MACEs (HR 2.44, 95% CI 1.03–5.78,P = 0.044) and HF hospitalization (HR 3.76, 95% CI 1.15–12.32,P = 0.029). The patients with both DM and LVR had worse clinical outcomes including MACEs and HF hospitalization, suggesting that it is particularly critical to minimize LVR after STEMI in patients with DM.
A Safe Way to Administer Drugs Through a Nutrition Tube—The Simple Suspension Method
Authors: Kunieda Kenjiro , Kurata Naomi , Yoshimatsu Yuki , Ohno Tomohisa , Shigematsu Takashi , Fujishima Ichiro
Published: March 2021

The simple suspension method (SSM), developed by Kurata in 1997, is a way to suspend tablets and capsules in warm water for decay and suspension prior to their administration. This method is safe and has various advantages such as the avoidance of tube clogging and the loss of the drug. This study aimed to investigate whether a higher percentage of commonly used drugs could pass through nutrition tubes effectively using SSM, relative to that using the conventional crushing method. A tablet or capsule was inserted into a 20 mL syringe with warm water (at 55 °C). After 10 min, it was shaken in the syringe. The suspension liquid was injected into tubes of the following sizes: 8 Fr, 10 Fr, 12 Fr, 14 Fr, 16 Fr, and 18 Fr. A total of 3686 tablets and 432 capsules that are frequently used in Japan were tested. Using SSM, 3377 (91.6%) tablets and 359 (83.1%) capsules disintegrated within 10 min and passed through the tube without clogging it in the tube passage test. With the conventional crushing method, 2117 tablets (57.4%) and 272 capsules (63.0%) could be crushed. SSM reduced the risk of tube clogging and drug loss with more drugs than that with the conventional crushing method. The number of drugs indicated for administration by SSM is greater than that indicated by the conventional crushing method. Further studies are needed to consider its utility compared to conventional methods for dysphagia patients in clinical settings.
A behavior-based framework for safe deployment of humanoid robots
Authors: Scianca Nicola , Ferrari Paolo , De Simone Daniele , Lanari Leonardo , Oriolo Giuseppe
Published: March 2021

We present a complete framework for the safe deployment of humanoid robots in environments containing humans. Proceeding from some general guidelines, we propose several safety behaviors, classified in three categories, i.e., override, temporary override, and proactive. Activation and deactivation of these behaviors is triggered by information coming from the robot sensors and is handled by a state machine. The implementation of our safety framework is discussed with respect to a reference control architecture. In particular, it is shown that an MPC-based gait generator is ideal for realizing all behaviors related to locomotion. Simulation and experimental results on the HRP-4 and NAO humanoids, respectively, are presented to confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Scientific Realism and Further Underdetermination Challenges
Authors: Alai Mario
Published: March 2021

In an earlier article on this journal I argued that the problem of empirical underdetermination can for the largest part be solved by theoretical virtues, and for the remaining part it can be tolerated. Here I confront two further challenges to scientific realism based on underdetermination. First, there are four classes of theories which may seem to be underdetermined even by theoretical virtues. Concerning them I argue that (i) theories produced by trivial permutations and (ii) “equivalent descriptions” are compatible with the truth of standard theories; instead (iii) “as if” versions of standard theories are much worse from the point of view of theoretical virtues; finally (iv) mathematically intertranslatable theories either may become empirically decidable in the future, or can be discriminated by theoretical virtues, or realists may simply plead ignorance about their claims. Secondly, I consider Stanford’s underdetermination with respect unconceived alternatives, arguing that it essentially relies on the pessimistic meta-induction from the falsity of all past theories. Therefore, it can be resisted by (a) considering the radical advancement of present with respect to past science, and (b) arguing with selective realism that past successful theories, even if false, always included some true components.
Low CO2 evasion rate from the mangrove-surrounding waters of the Sundarbans
Authors: Akhand Anirban , Chanda Abhra , Watanabe Kenta , Das Sourav , Tokoro Tatsuki , Chakraborty Kunal , Hazra Sugata , Kuwae Tomohiro
Published: March 2021

Globally, water bodies adjacent to mangroves are considered significant sources of atmospheric CO2. We directly measured the partial pressure of CO2 in water [pCO2(water)] and related biogeochemical parameters with high temporal resolution, covering both diel and tidal cycles, in the mangrove-surrounding waters around the northern Bay of Bengal during the post-monsoon season. Mean pCO2(water) was marginally oversaturated in two creeks (470 ± 162 µatm, mean ± SD) and undersaturated in the adjoining estuarine stations (387 ± 58 µatm) compared to atmospheric pCO2, and was considerably lower than the global average. We further estimated the pCO2(water) and buffering capacity of all possible sources of the mangrove-surrounding waters and concluded that their character as a CO2 sink or weak source is due to the predominance of marine water from the Bay of Bengal with low pCO2 and high buffering capacity. Marine water with high buffering capacity suppresses the effect of pCO2 increase within the mangrove system and lowers the CO2 evasion even in creek stations. The δ13C of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in the mangrove-surrounding waters indicated that the DIC sources were a mixture of mangrove plants, pore-water, and groundwater, in addition to marine water. Finally, we showed that the CO2 evasion rate from the estuaries of the Sundarbans is much lower than the recently estimated world average. Our results demonstrate that mangrove areas having such low emissions should be considered when up-scaling the global mangrove carbon budget from regional observations.
On the objectivity of the nonlinear along-fibre shear stress–strain relationship for unidirectionally fibre-reinforced composites
Authors: Li Shuguang , Xu Mingming , Yan Shibo , Sitnikova Elena
Published: March 2021

The nonlinear along-fibre shear stress–strain relationship for unidirectionally fibre-reinforced composites has been investigated in this paper aiming at its applications in general 3D stress conditions in a consistent manner. So far, such relationship has only been addressed in plane stress conditions. In this paper, it has been shown that its straightforward generalisation to 3D stress states lacks objectivity, which is a basic requirement for all theoretical studies of physical problems. A new formulation is proposed based on the stress invariants and the complementary strain energy guided by the rational theoretical framework of nonlinear elasticity. A consistent and objective stress–strain relationship has been obtained and verified through an example of application to a torsion problem.
State-of-the art review: Noncompaction cardiomyopathy in pediatric patients
Authors: Rohde Sofie , Muslem Rahatullah , Kaya Emrah , Dalinghaus Michel , van Waning Jaap I. , Majoor-Krakauer Danielle , Towbin Jeffery , Caliskan Kadir
Published: March 2021

Noncompaction cardiomyopathy (NCCM) is a disease characterized by hypertrabeculation, commonly hypothesized due to an arrest in compaction during fetal development. In 2006, NCCM was classified as a distinct form of cardiomyopathy (CMP) by the American Heart Association. NCCM in childhood is more frequently familial than when diagnosed in adulthood and is associated with other congenital heart diseases (CHDs), other genetic CMPs, and neuromuscular diseases (NMDs). It is yet a rare cardiac diseased with an estimated incidence of 0.12 per 100.000 in children up to 10 years of age. Diagnosing NCCM can be challenging due to non-uniform diagnostic criteria, unawareness, presumed other CMPs, and presence of CHD. Therefore, the incidence of NCCM in children might be an underestimation. Nonetheless, NCCM is the third most common cardiomyopathy in childhood and is associated with heart failure, arrhythmias, and/or thromboembolic events. This state-of-the-art review provides an overview on pediatric NCCM. In addition, we discuss the natural history, epidemiology, genetics, clinical presentation, outcome, and therapeutic options of NCCM in pediatric patients, including fetuses, neonates, infants, and children. Furthermore, we provide a simple classification of different forms of the disease. Finally, the differences between the pediatric population and the adult population are described.
On Decoupling in Banach Spaces
Authors: Cox Sonja , Geiss Stefan
Published: March 2021

We consider decoupling inequalities for random variables taking values in a Banach space X. We restrict the class of distributions that appear as conditional distributions while decoupling and show that each adapted process can be approximated by a Haar-type expansion in which only the pre-specified conditional distributions appear. Moreover, we show that in our framework a progressive enlargement of the underlying filtration does not affect the decoupling properties (in particular, it does not affect the constants involved). As a special case, we deal with one-sided moment inequalities for decoupled dyadic (i.e., Paley–Walsh) martingales and show that Burkholder–Davis–Gundy-type inequalities for stochastic integrals of X-valued processes can be obtained from decoupling inequalities for X-valued dyadic martingales.
Nonlinear phenomena of contact in multibody systems dynamics: a review
Authors: Corral Eduardo , Moreno Raúl Gismeros , García M. J. Gómez , Castejón Cristina
Published: March 2021

In the present work, an introduction to the contact phenomena in multibody systems is made. The different existing approaches are described, together with their most distinctive features. Then, the term of coefficient of restitution is emphasized as a tool to characterize impact events and the algorithm for calculating the relative indentation between two convex-shaped bodies is developed. Subsequently, the main penalty contact models developed in the last decades are presented and developed, analysing their advantages and drawbacks, as well as their respective applications. Furthermore, some models with specific peculiarities that could be useful to the reader are included. The aim of this work is to provide a resource to the novice researcher in the field to facilitate the choice of the appropriate contact model for their work.
Complex wall modeling for hemodynamic simulations of intracranial aneurysms based on histologic images
Authors: Niemann Annika , Voß Samuel , Tulamo Riikka , Weigand Simon , Preim Bernhard , Berg Philipp , Saalfeld Sylvia
Published: March 2021

Purpose

For the evaluation and rupture risk assessment of intracranial aneurysms, clinical, morphological and hemodynamic parameters are analyzed. The reliability of intracranial hemodynamic simulations strongly depends on the underlying models. Due to the missing information about the intracranial vessel wall, the patient-specific wall thickness is often neglected as well as the specific physiological and pathological properties of the vessel wall.

Methods

In this work, we present a model for structural simulations with patient-specific wall thickness including different tissue types based on postmortem histologic image data. Images of histologic 2D slices from intracranial aneurysms were manually segmented in nine tissue classes. After virtual inflation, they were combined into 3D models. This approach yields multiple 3D models of the inner and outer wall and different tissue parts as a prerequisite for subsequent simulations.

Result

We presented a pipeline to generate 3D models of aneurysms with respect to the different tissue textures occurring in the wall. First experiments show that including the variance of the tissue in the structural simulation affect the simulation result. Especially at the interfaces between neighboring tissue classes, the larger influence of stiffer components on the stability equilibrium became obvious.

Conclusion

The presented approach enables the creation of a geometric model with differentiated wall tissue. This information can be used for different applications, like hemodynamic simulations, to increase the modeling accuracy.
A leverage points perspective on institutions for food security in a smallholder-dominated landscape in southwestern Ethiopia
Authors: Jiren Tolera Senbeto , Riechers Maraja , Bergsten Arvid , Fischer Joern
Published: March 2021

Despite concerted efforts, achieving the goal of universal food security remains challenging. Food security interventions occur at different levels of systemic depth. Some interventions target visible supply-side gaps, while others focus on deeper systemic problems in the food system. Here, we used a leverage points perspective to ask how multiple types of more superficial (shallow) and more fundamental (deep) interventions in the food system interact. Focusing on a case study in southwestern Ethiopia, we examined (1) recent changes in formal and informal institutions related to food security; (2) the effects of formal and informal institutions on the food system at different levels of systemic depth (i.e., on parameters, feedbacks, design, and intent); and (3) issues of institutional interplay between formal and informal institutions. We surveyed 150 rural households and analyzed key policy documents. Both formal and informal institutions were perceived to improve food security. However, at the intent level, formal institutions primarily aimed to enhance food supply, while informal institutions additionally sought to build trust among farmers. At the design level, formal interventions targeted information flow through a newly created agricultural extension system, while informal institutions facilitated labor sharing and communication. In terms of institutional interplay, new formal institutions had partly undermined pre-existing informal institutions. We conclude that both visible supply-side gaps and deeper drivers of food insecurity should be targeted through food security interventions. Interventions need to be cognizant of potentially unexpected ways of institutional interplay, especially between formal and informal institutions.
Development and evaluation of risk treatment paths within energy-oriented production planning and control
Authors: Roth Stefan , Kalchschmid Vincent , Reinhart Gunther
Published: March 2021

Production planning and control pursues high delivery reliability and short delivery time of the production system at the lowest possible costs. Especially in energy-intensive industries, energy cost account for a significant amount of manufacturing costs. The consideration of variable electricity market prices using energy-flexibility measures facilitates reduced costs by adapting the load profile of production to an electricity price forecast. However, it also increases the production planning and control system’s complexity by additional input variables and possible risks due to the influence of flexibility measures on the production system. In the case of unexpected events, such as failure of machines or faulty materials, it is difficult to adapt the complex production system to the new situation quickly. There is a risk of high additional costs by various causes, such as delays in deadlines or load peaks. Therefore, this paper presents an approach for developing and evaluating risk treatment paths, which include possible combinations of risks and measures for the mitigation of risk effects. The advantage of these paths compared to a situational reaction is that all effects and possible further interactions can be considered and thus overall cost-efficient solutions can be found. The approach is based on the determination of interactions through interpretive structural modelling and the calculation of conditional probabilities using Bayesian Networks. The approach was implemented in MATLAB® and applied using real order and energy data from a foundry. The results show that the presented approach enables structured and data-based comparison of risk treatment paths.
Universal consistency of twin support vector machines
Authors: Xu Weixia , Huang Dingjiang , Zhou Shuigeng
Published: March 2021

A classification problem aims at constructing a best classifier with the smallest risk. When the sample size approaches infinity, the learning algorithms for a classification problem are characterized by an asymptotical property, i.e., universal consistency. It plays a crucial role in measuring the construction of classification rules. A universal consistent algorithm ensures that the larger the sample size of the algorithm is, the more accurately the distribution of the samples could be reconstructed. Support vector machines (SVMs) are regarded as one of the most important models in binary classification problems. How to effectively extend SVMs to twin support vector machines (TWSVMs) so as to improve performance of classification has gained increasing interest in many research areas recently. Many variants for TWSVMs have been proposed and used in practice. Thus in this paper, we focus on the universal consistency of TWSVMs in a binary classification setting. We first give a general framework for TWSVM classifiers that unifies most of the variants of TWSVMs for binary classification problems. Based on it, we then investigate the universal consistency of TWSVMs. To do this, we give some useful definitions of risk, Bayes risk and universal consistency for TWSVMs. Theoretical results indicate that universal consistency is valid for various TWSVM classifiers under some certain conditions, including covering number, localized covering number and stability. For applications of our general framework, several variants of TWSVMs are considered.
Structuring and advancing solution-oriented research for sustainability
Authors: Lang Daniel J. , Wiek Arnim
Published: March 2021

The sustainability challenges the world faces today call for concerted and immediate action. Complementing problem-oriented, descriptive-analytical research with solution-oriented research could strengthen sustainability science’s contribution to address these challenges. We introduce different types of solution-oriented sustainability research to structure the discourse, outline opportunities to advance this research trajectory, and close with recommendations on how to support particularly students and early career researchers in getting involved with solution-oriented sustainability research.
Jatrophane Diterpenoids from the Seeds of Euphorbia peplus with Potential Bioactivities in Lysosomal-Autophagy Pathway
Authors: Chen Yan-Ni , Ding Xiao , Li Dong-Mei , Lu Qing-Yun , Liu Shuai , Li Ying-Yao , Di Ying-Tong , Fang Xin , Hao Xiao-Jiang
Published: March 2021

Euphopepluanones F − K (1 − 4), four new jatrophane type diterpenoids were isolated from the seeds of Euphorbia peplus, along with eight known diterpenoids (5 − 12). Their structures were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis and X-ray crystallographic experiments. The new compounds 1 − 4 were assessed for their activities to induce lysosomal biogenesis through LysoTracker Red staining. Compound 2 significantly induced lysosomal biogenesis. In addition, compound 2 could increase the number of LC3 dots, indicating that it could activate the lysosomal-autophagy pathway.

Graphic Abstract
Translation and Validation of the Greek Version of the Antipsychotics and Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (ASFQ)
Authors: Angelaki Maria , Galanis Petros , Igoumenou Artemis , Alexiou Eirini , Alevizopoulos Giorgos
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Sexual dysfunction in patients with psychoses may be associated with the psychiatric illness itself (negative symptoms, such as apathy, and avolition), comorbid somatic health, psychosocial factors (stigmatization, discrimination), and the use of psychotropic drugs. In Greece, research into the study of antipsychotic-induced sexual dysfunction is not sufficient.

Aim

This study was conducted to translate and validate the Greek version of the Antipsychotics and Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (ASFQ) in a sample of patients receiving antipsychotic treatment.

Methods

A “forward-backward translation” method was applied. A pilot study was conducted with 15 outpatients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder under antipsychotics treatment. Patients also completed the “Subjects’ Response to Antipsychotics (SRA)” questionnaire in order to assess the validity of the ASFQ. The ASFQ and the SRA questionnaire were completed twice within 2 weeks.

Main Outcome Measures

Reliability (internal consistency and test-retest) and validity were assessed.

Results

The Greek translation of ASFQ was reliable, with excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's a = 0.90 for men and 0.95 for women in both measurements). In addition, the Spearman correlation coefficient was 1 (P< .001) in all Likert-type questions in both assessments. Finally, Spearman correlation coefficients between ASFQ and SRA were moderately positive to strongly positive (between 0.25 and 1) in both assessments, demonstrating moderate to high validity.

Conclusions

The Greek version of the ASFQ has proved to be a reliable and valid clinical instrument, hence it can be used in further studies in the Greek population.
Trajectory Simulation and Prediction of COVID‐19 via Compound Natural Factor (CNF) Model in EDBF Algorithm
Authors: Zuo Zhengkang , Ullah Sana , Yan Lei , Sun Yiyuan , Peng Fei , Jiang Kaiwen , Zhao Hongying
Published: March 2021

Natural and non‐natural factors have combined effects on the trajectory of COVID‐19 pandemic, but it is difficult to make them separate. To address this problem, a two‐stepped methodology is proposed. First, a compound natural factor (CNF) model is developed via assigning weight to each of seven investigated natural factors, that is temperature, humidity, visibility, wind speed, barometric pressure, aerosol, and vegetation in order to show their coupling relationship with the COVID‐19 trajectory. Onward, the empirical distribution based framework (EDBF) is employed to iteratively optimize the coupling relationship between trajectory and CNF to express the real interaction. In addition, the collected data is considered from the backdate, that is about 23 days—which contains 14‐days incubation period and 9‐days invalid human response time—due to the nonavailability of prior information about the natural spreading of virus without any human intervention(s), and also lag effects of the weather change and social interventions on the observed trajectory due to the COVID‐19 incubation period; Second, the optimized CNF‐plus‐polynomial model is used to predict the future trajectory of COVID‐19. Results revealed that aerosol and visibility show the higher contribution to transmission, wind speed to death, and humidity followed by barometric pressure dominate the recovery rates, respectively. Consequently, the average effect of environmental change to COVID‐19 trajectory in China is minor in all variables, that is about −0.3%, +0.3%, and +0.1%, respectively. In this research, the response analysis of COVID‐19 trajectory to the compound natural interactions presents a new prospect on the part of global pandemic trajectory to environmental changes.
The Role of Fluid Pressure‐Induced Aseismic Slip in Earthquake Cycle Modulation
Authors: Lui S. K. Y. , Huang Y. , Young R. P.
Published: March 2021

The evolving state of fault stress during and after the perturbation of fluid pressure gives rise to an intriguing interplay of seismic and aseismic slip on the fault. A better understanding of the possible role of fluids in the triggering mechanism of seismicity is pivotal to effective seismic hazard mitigation, particularly in the context of induced seismicity. Through numerical modeling, we investigate the effect of pore pressure perturbations on the spatio‐temporal evolution of fault slip and the modulation of earthquake cycles. Pressure perturbations are imposed at different magnitudes and different times during a selected interseismic period. Results show a wide range of aseismic responses which can lead to both time advancement and delay of subsequent earthquakes. Specifically, even pressure perturbation <5% of the average event stress drop can trigger aseismic slip that leads to considerable time delay in the next earthquake even when perturbation occurs late in the interseismic period. We find that earthquakes that are delayed in time are associated with large aseismic moment release. Our study highlights the importance of close monitoring of aseismic fault slip in regions prone to the influence of pore fluids and provides physical insights into identifying critical aseismic responses associated with certain triggering outcomes.