bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimation of the Effects of Neonicotinoid Insecticides on Wild Raccoon, Procyon lotor, in Hokkaido, Japan: Urinary Concentrations and Hepatic Metabolic Capability of Neonicotinoids
Authors: Shinya So , Sashika Mariko , Minamikawa Miku , Itoh Tetsuji , Yohannes Yared Beyene , Nakayama Shouta M. M. , Ishizuka Mayumi , Nimako Collins , Ikenaka Yoshinori
Published: April 2022

Toxicological effects of neonicotinoid insecticides (NNIs) have been reported for mammals, such as humans, rats, and mice. However, there are limited reports on their toxic effects on wild mammals. To predict NNI-induced toxic effects on wild mammals, it is necessary to determine the exposure levels and metabolic ability of these species. We considered that raccoons could be an animal model for evaluating NNI-induced toxicities on wildlife because they live near agricultural fields and eat crops treated with NNIs. The objective of the present study was to estimate the effects of NNI exposure on wild raccoons. Urinary concentrations of NNI compounds (n = 59) and cytochrome P450-dependent metabolism of NNIs (n = 3) were evaluated in wild raccoons captured in Hokkaido, Japan, in 2020. We detected either one of the six NNIs or one metabolite, including acetamiprid, imidacloprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam, and desmethyl-acetamiprid in 90% of raccoons (53/59); the average cumulative concentration of the seven NNI compounds was 3.1 ng/ml. The urinary concentrations were not much different from those reported previously for humans. Furthermore, we performed an in vitro assessment of the ability of raccoons to metabolize NNIs using hepatic microsomes. The amounts of NNI metabolites were measured using liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry and compared with those in rats. Raccoons showed much lower metabolic ability; the maximum velocity/Michaelis–Menten constant (Vmax/Km) values for raccoons were one-tenth to one-third of those for rats. For the first time, we show that wild raccoons could be frequently exposed to NNIs in the environment, and that the cytochrome P450-dependent metabolism of NNIs in the livers of raccoons might be low. Our results contribute to a better understanding of the effects of NNIs on raccoons, leading to better conservation efforts for wild mammals. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:1865–1874. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
Enantioselectivity and residue analysis of cycloxaprid and its metabolite in the pile and fermentation processing of Puer tea by ultraperformance liquid chromatography–high‐resolution mass spectrometry
Authors: Liu Hongcheng , Tian Hen , Jiang MingMing , Lin Tao , Li Ji , Huang Xiangzhong
Published: April 2022

The residues of cycloxaprid enantiomers and metabolites are investigated by ultraperformance liquid chromatography–high‐resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC‐HRMS) during raw and ripen Puer tea processing. A Chiralpak AG column with chiral stationary phase of amylose tris (3‐chloro‐5‐methylphenylcarbamate) is succeed to separate the 1R, 2S‐cycloxaprid, 1S, 2R‐cycloxaprid, and their metabolite, which is identified as nitrylene‐imidazolidine. It is not conversed 1R, 2S ‐cycloxaprid into 1S,2R‐cycloxaprid during Puer tea processing. The estimated half‐lives of the 1R,2S‐cycloxaprid and 1S,2R‐cycloxaprid are 0.97 and 1.1 h, respectively, and 1R,2S‐cycloxaprid decreases more quickly than the 1S,2R‐cycloxaprid. During raw Puer tea processing, the half‐lives of 1R, 2S‐cycloxaprid and 1S, 2R‐cycloxaprid are 1.68 h and 1.77 h, but the residue is still detected even if it is over 730 day. However, the half‐lives of 1R,2S‐cycloxaprid and 1S,2R‐cycloxaprid are 0.60 day and 0.63 day during ripen tea processing. The amounts of metabolite are more in raw tea than in ripen tea; the terminal residues are still detected until 730 days during raw tea. A significant enantioselectivity of 1R, 2S‐cycloxaprid and 1S, 2R‐cycloxaprid is observed during raw tea or ripen tea processing. The degration result shows the enantioselectivity of cycloxaprid in raw or ripen Puer tea processing.
Squeezed MHD tangent hyperbolic fluid flow across a sensor surface
Authors: Sagheer M. , Atif S. M. , Hussain S. , Rehman H.
Published: April 2022

In the present numerical study, the combined effect of temperature‐dependent thermal conductivity, linear thermal radiation, and magnetic effect on shear‐thinning tangent hyperbolic fluid past a sensor surface has been studied. After converting the modelled partial differential equations into ordinary differential equations by using similarity transformation, the system of equations is tackled with the aid of the shooting method. The influence of important parameters on the fluid motion and energy distribution is displayed graphically and analyzed in detail. The presented simulations depict that a significant rise in fluid velocity is noticed for an enhancement in the magnetic parameter while an opposite trend is observed for the temperature distribution. Moreover, the skin friction coefficient decreases as the squeezed flow index is increased.
Target Values and Daytime Variation of Bone Turnover Markers in Monitoring Osteoporosis Treatment After Fractures
Authors: Borgen Tove T , Solberg Lene B , Lauritzen Trine , Apalset Ellen M , Bjørnerem Åshild , Eriksen Erik F
Published: April 2022

The serum bone turnover markers (BTM) procollagen type 1 N‐terminal propeptide (P1NP) and C‐terminal cross‐linking telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX) are recommended for monitoring adherence and response of antiresorptive drugs (ARD). BTM are elevated about 1 year after fracture and therefore BTM target values are most convenient in ARD treatment follow‐up of fracture patients. In this prospective cohort study, we explored the cut‐off values of P1NP and CTX showing the best discriminating ability with respect to adherence and treatment effects, reflected in bone mineral density (BMD) changes. Furthermore, we explored the ability of BTM to predict subsequent fractures and BTM variation during daytime in patients using ARD or not. After a fragility fracture, 228 consenting patients (82.2% women) were evaluated for ARD indication and followed for a mean of 4.6 years (SD 0.5 years). BMD was measured at baseline and after 2 years. Serum BTM were measured after 1 or 2 years. The largest area under the curve (AUC) for discrimination of patients taking ARD or not was shown for P1NP <30 μg/L and CTX <0.25 μg/L. AUC for discrimination of patients with >2% gain in BMD (lumbar spine and total hip) was largest at cut‐off values for P1NP <30 μg/L and CTX <0.25 μg/L. Higher P1NP was associated with increased fracture risk in patients using ARD (hazard ratio [HR]logP1NP = 15.0; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.7–83.3), p = 0.002. P1NP and CTX were stable during daytime, except in those patients not taking ARD, where CTX decreased by 21% per hour during daytime. In conclusion, P1NP <30 μg/L and CTX <0.25 μg/L yield the best discrimination between patients taking and not taking ARD and the best prediction of BMD gains after 2 years. Furthermore, higher P1NP is associated with increased fracture risk in patients on ARD. BTM can be measured at any time during the day in patients on ARD. © 2022 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Comparison of ultrasound and dorsal tangential view for dorsal cortex screw penetration in volar plating of the distal radius
Authors: Yang Jui‐Ming , Wang Chien‐Kuo , Lin Wei‐Chin , Li Chung‐Yi , Su Fong‐Chin , Jou I‐Ming , Wu Po‐Ting
Published: April 2022

We compared the accuracy of the fluoroscopic dorsal tangential view (DTV) and an ultrasound (US) examination in detecting dorsal screw penetration during volar distal radius plating. In six fresh cadaveric distal radii, seven periarticular locking screws in two rows for each plate were inserted according to the measured length using a depth gauge and then replaced with another that was 1 and 2 mm longer, respectively. The actual protruded length of each screw was determined using computed tomography (CT) images. The accuracy of US and DTV measurements was determined using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), as both measurements were compared with CT measurements. The ICC of US and DTV was 0.96 and 0.75, respectively, for all screws. After excluding the data for proximal‐row screws, the ICC of US remained unchanged at 0.96, and that of DTV improved to 0.86. The ICC of US was significantly higher than that of DTV (p < 0.01). US had a 100% detection rate for screw protrusion of more than 1.0 mm. US examination showed excellent consistency with CT measurements and its accuracy was not affected by screw location. US might thus be a practical tool for detecting dorsal cortex screw penetration during volar distal radius plating.
A Novel Co‐existence of Spinocerebellar Ataxia 1 and Spinocerebellar Ataxia 2 Mutations in Indian Patients
Authors: Sharma Pooja , Sonakar Akhilesh K. , Goel Vinay , Garg Ajay , Srivastava Achal K. , Faruq Mohammed
Published: April 2022

Background

Spinocerebellar ataxia 1 (SCA1) and SCA2 are dominantly inherited ataxias caused due to CAG expansion mutation in ATXN1 (CAG≥39) and ATXN2 (CAG≥32) genes located at 6p22.3 and 12q24.12 loci, respectively, with key manifestations of progressive limb and gait ataxia and with or without brain stem and pyramidal tract involvement. Both SCA1 and SCA2 are quite prevalent subtypes among the SCAs. There are very few reports that describe a combinatorial SCA subtype mutation in a single patient.

Cases

Here, we report a novel co‐occurrence of SCA1 and SCA2 mutations in two unrelated patients. Case‐1 was observed to carry ATXN1‐CAG (30/40) and ATXN2‐CAG (23/45), while case‐2 harbored ATXN1‐CAG (29/42) and ATXN2‐CAG (23/41). Overall, the clinical outcome was complex with probable early onset than expected in Case‐1 and in Case‐2, we observed a significant delayed onset of the disease than expected.

Conclusion

These cases highlight the probabilistic interactive outcome of two unrelated genetic events towards a converging phenotype.
Seismic delineation of the gold‐bearing structures in the South Rand goldfield (South Africa): A comparison of pre‐stack time and depth migration approaches on legacy seismic data
Authors: Sihoyiya Mpofana , Manzi Musa S.D. , James Ian , Rapetsoa Moyagabo K. , Westgate Michael , Nwaila Glen , Linzer Lindsay , Durrheim Raymond J. , Staley Philip
Published: April 2022

To better image complex geological structures and explore for the gold‐bearing quartz pebble conglomerate (locally termed Kimberley Reef) near Burnstone mine in the South Rand goldfield (South Africa), we reprocessed legacy 2D reflection seismic data using up‐to‐date seismic processing algorithms. The mining region is dominated by steeply dipping normal and reverse faults, as well as dolerite intrusions that crosscut the tabular gold mineralization and complicate the extraction of the ore. The legacy seismic data were acquired in 1993 in the South Rand goldfield as part of the gold exploration programme by the Gold Division of Anglo‐American Corporation. The pre‐stack data quality was improved by cautiously removing noise and applying static corrections to enhance the continuity of the reflection events. Improved structural imaging was then achieved using pre‐stack time migration and pre‐stack depth migration through careful velocity analysis. In particular, pre‐stack depth migration provided better imaging of near‐surface stratigraphic units and deep‐seated complex structures, relative to older post‐stack migrated images produced in 1993. Other reprocessing improvements included accurate imaging of key seismic reflective interfaces that can be used as proxies to 2D map the gold deposit, its dip variations, and geological structures (faults/dykes) crosscutting it. Synthetic shot gathers data computed using a 2D finite‐difference algorithm provided some insight into the source of seismic reflectivity observed on the reprocessed seismic data. The new structural information from reprocessing is essential for enhancing ore resource evaluation and guiding future exploration projects in the region.
Diagnosis, monitoring, and management of pyruvate kinase deficiency in children
Authors: Johnson Shaniqua , Grace Rachael F. , Despotovic Jenny M.
Published: April 2022

Pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency is a rare, congenital red blood cell disorder caused by a single gene defect. The spectrum of genotypes, variants, and phenotypes are broad, commonly requiring a multimodal approach including enzyme and genetic testing for accurate and reliable diagnosis. Similarly, management of primary and secondary sequelae of PK deficiency varies, mainly including supportive care with transfusions and surgical interventions to improve symptoms and quality of life. Given the risk of acute and long‐term complications of PK deficiency and its treatment, regular monitoring and management of iron burden and organ dysfunction is critical. Therefore, all children and adolescents with PK deficiency should receive regular hematology care with visits at least every 6 months regardless of transfusion status. We continue to learn more about the spectrum of symptoms and complications of PK deficiency and best practice for monitoring and management through registry efforts (NCT03481738). The treatment of PK deficiency has made strides over the last few years with newer disease‐modifying therapies being developed and studied, with the potential to change the course of disease in childhood and beyond.
Self‐healable electromagnetic interference shielding composite films with temperature and strain dual responsiveness
Authors: Yang Wen , Tong Qingdong , Li Yuqing , Li Qianqian , Zheng Qiannan , Hao Wentao
Published: April 2022

Responsive films have attracted much attention in recent years for their great potentials in actuators, smart devices, robots, communication and anti‐counterfeit, and so on. In this work, multifunctional films combining self‐healing, responsiveness, and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding ability are successfully fabricated via incorporating carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene (HTPB), which is dynamically crosslinked by boric acid (BA). The HTPB‐BA substrate shows excellent self‐healing ability at room temperature, which facilitates the autonomous recovery of electric conductivity and mechanical strength of the composite films. Dual responsiveness to temperature and strain are found for these composite films that the electric resistance actively changes in responding to variation of temperature and strain. More encouragingly, the composite films have excellent EMI shielding ability that the effectiveness is beyond 28 dB, satisfying the commercial application. The EMI shielding efficiency is responsive to temperatures too. These responsive, EMI shielding, and self‐healable composite films may offer promising and broad prospects in the field of flexible electronics and protection of sensitive instruments.
Differentiating pulmonary hypertension associated with protein kinase inhibitors
Authors: Jacobs Joshua A. , Jahangir Eiman , Ryan John J.
Published: April 2022

Protein kinase inhibitors (PKIs) have been implicated in pulmonary vascular toxicities including risk factors for at least three of the five World Health Organization groups of pulmonary hypertension (PH). These toxicities include direct drug‐induced pulmonary arterial hypertension, an increase in cardiomyopathies, and an increase in interstitial lung disease. On‐ and off‐target toxicities are common within multitargeted PKIs leading to cardiopulmonary toxicities. This review highlights the incidence, possible mechanisms, and management strategies for each group of possible PKI‐induced PH. Future identification and clarification of protein kinase pathways for both mechanisms of toxicity and pathophysiology for PH could lead to improvements in patient care in oncology and pulmonary vascular diseases.
Pacific subsurface temperature as a long‐range indicator of El Niño, regional precipitation, and fire
Authors: Tsui Enoch Yan Lok , Toumi Ralf
Published: April 2022

The SubNiño4 index based on the subsurface potential temperature around the thermocline beneath the west Pacific warm pool, the Niño 4 region, is examined as a long‐range indicator of the surface El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and ENSO‐driven atmospheric response. The SubNiño4 index captures the evolution of subsurface ocean heat content between the El Niño and La Niña phases of the ENSO cycle, allowing it to serve as a long‐range indicator of surface ENSO and hence also many ENSO‐driven atmospheric anomalies. The SubNiño4 index has more temporally stable correlations with Niño 3.4 than the widely used western equatorial Pacific warm‐water volume indicator. For a lead time of the order of 12 months, Niño 3.4 correlations afforded by the lead observed SubNiño4 index become similar to and can exceed those produced by typical dynamical ENSO predictions. The value and viability of the SubNiño4 index as a simple statistical long‐range indicator of ENSO‐driven atmospheric response is shown for regional precipitation anomalies throughout the Tropics and fires in Continental and Maritime Southeast Asia.
Advanced atypical lung carcinoid tumour successfully treated with carboplatin, etoposide and atezolizumab: A case report
Authors: Yamamoto Yoshihiro , Ijichi Kayo , Koike Ai , Nakamura Satoshi , Takahata Yuriko , Okamatsu Yuki , Fujita Akitaka , Kawakami Satoru , Harada Taishi
Published: April 2022

Atypical carcinoid tumours are relatively rare among lung cancers. Surgery is regarded as standard treatment for localized cases, but there is little established evidence on treatment strategies for advanced cases. Moreover, the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors for advanced carcinoid tumours is unclear. Here, we report a case of a patient with an atypical carcinoid tumour in whom successful disease control was achieved with the use of combined cytotoxic chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
Racial trauma: Implications for student development
Authors: Hernández Ebelia , Harris Dana Michelle
Published: April 2022

In this article, we discuss the developmental aspects of students’ experiencing and making meaning of racism and propose that such processes parallel how trauma has been shown to impact development. More specifically, we name racism as a form of trauma with developmental consequences.
Fatigue behaviour of composite girders with composite dowels assuming randomly distributed input parameters
Authors: Wolters Kevin , Nonn Jonas , Rittich Nils
Published: April 2022

Nominated for Eurosteel 2021 Best Paper Award

The fatigue design of shear connectors for composite girders is based on fatigue strength curves (with 95% survival probability) derived from tests with one or just a few connectors. According to the Eurocodes, the lifetime of a girder can then be limited by failure of the shear connector with the highest fatigue utilization. The failure probability of a component is thus determined by the failure probability of one shear stud or composite dowel, although a composite girder is an internally highly statically indeterminate system with the capability of redistributing forces in the composite joint. This paper outlines how considering crack propagation, the residual capacity of shear connectors with cracks and the redistribution of forces towards less stressed and damaged connectors can have positive effects on the lifetime of a girder. The failure probability of a girder is determined by several Monte Carlo simulations using a simplified FE lamella model with incremental calculation of the degradation of the connectors. The input parameters with the greatest influence on the fatigue behaviour of the girder are evaluated. Furthermore, the results show the economic potential of a future global safety concept for composite girders, especially those with composite dowels.
Additive manufacturing of a bridge in situ
Authors: Feucht Thilo , Waldschmitt Benedikt , Lange Jörg , Erven Maren
Published: April 2022

Nominated for Eurosteel 2021 Best Paper Award

Additive manufacturing (AM) is playing an increasing role in the production of complex steel structures. Robot‐ or machine‐guided gas‐shielded metal arc welding (GMAW), known as wire and arc additive manufacturing (WAAM), is suitable for this purpose. A small footbridge was designed in shell form at TU Darmstadt. It was completely additively manufactured over a stream on site using a welding robot. The work called for cantilevered manufacturing without support structures, which poses special challenges in manufacturing. This paper describes selected aspects of this project: the preliminary strength studies, the manufacturing strategy to ensure homogeneous manufacturing and the findings from on‐site manufacturing. In addition, investigations were carried out which led to a notable increase in the deposition rate with the right choice of gas and wire.
High pressure torsion, a large‐scale manufacturing tool for high ZT skutterudite thermoelectrics
Authors: Rogl Gerda , Rogl Peter F.
Published: April 2022

For mass production of thermoelectric generators, a cheap/sustainable method is required to fabricate leg material with a high figure of merit, ZT. Severe plastic deformation, SPD, increases the defect density, and in parallel decreases the grains to nano‐size. SPD via high‐pressure torsion, HPT, was used to process hot pressed discs, whereby the Seebeck coefficient remained unchanged and the enhanced electrical resistivity was overcompensated by a low thermal conductivity, resulting in a raise of ZT. Secondly, cold pressed commercial p‐ and n‐type skutterudite‐powder was deformed via HPT, exhibiting higher ZT values than the hot‐pressed reference samples. This method was upscaled to samples of 30 mm diameter (heights: 1 mm, 8 mm). These large samples, enabled to study the influence of shear strain with all its impact on micro‐structural, physical and mechanical properties, revealing for the thin samples record high ZTs. Both thick samples showed homogeneous properties and ZTs∼1.3.
The alkali metal copper(II) oxidotellurates(IV) Li2Cu2Te3O9, Li2Cu3Te4O12, Rb2Cu3Te6O16 and Cs2Cu3Te6O16 – four new structure types
Authors: Eder Felix , Weil Matthias
Published: April 2022

Four new MI/CuII/TeIV/O phases were obtained under hydrothermal conditions or with water as a mineralizer, and their crystal structures determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Li2Cu2Te3O9 comprises trigonal‐pyramidal [TeO3], distorted tetrahedral [LiO4] and distorted square‐pyramidal [CuO5] units, forming a framework penetrated by channels into which the electron lone pairs of the TeIV atoms are directed. Li2Cu3Te4O12 contains isolated trigonal‐pyramidal [TeO3] units, tetrahedral [LiO4] groups forming [Li2O6] dimers by sharing an edge, as well as square‐planar [CuO4] and square‐pyramidal [CuO5] units, forming
[Cu3O10] chains oriented parallel to [100]. These units also form a framework structure with channels where the electron lone pairs reside. Rb2Cu3Te6O16 and Cs2Cu3Te6O16 have isopointal crystal structures containing isolated [TeO3] groups and
[Te4O10] chains oriented parallel to [010]. While in Rb2Cu3Te6O16 both Cu sites are 4‐coordinate in form of nearly square‐planar [CuO4] units, in Cs2Cu3Te6O16 one Cu site has a fifth oxygen contact resulting in a distorted square‐pyramidal [CuO5] polyhedron. Both crystal structures are made up from two alternating layer types stacked along [100]. The differences between Rb2Cu3Te6O16 and Cs2Cu3Te6O16 originate almost exclusively from the layer type consisting of the 5‐coordinate Cu site in Cs2Cu3Te6O16, while the other layer type shows almost no difference. A quantitative comparison between the two crystal structures is given.
Introduction
Authors: Evensen Geir , Vossepoel Femke C. , van Leeuwen Peter Jan
Published: April 2022

Data assimilation combines prior information from numerical model simulations with observed data to obtain the best possible description of a dynamical system and its uncertainty.
A Kalman Filter with the Roessler Model
Authors: Evensen Geir , Vossepoel Femke C. , van Leeuwen Peter Jan
Published: April 2022

In this chapter, we discuss an application of the Kalman filter on simple systems to study its behavior in linear and nonlinear situations. We will use the Roessler model, which we can configure both as a linear and nonlinear system. We start with the linear system, for which the Kalman filter provides an exact and optimal solution, and then study the extended Kalman filter’s performance in the nonlinear system.
Representer Method with an Ekman-Flow Model
Authors: Evensen Geir , Vossepoel Femke C. , van Leeuwen Peter Jan
Published: April 2022

Eknes and Evensen
(1997) solved the weak-constraint variational problem for a linear Ekman-flow model using the representer method. They computed the weak constraint solution for a long time series of velocity measurements. Additionally, they considered a parameter-estimation problem which rendered the problem nonlinear.
Self-dual U(1) lattice field theory with a θ-term
Authors: Anosova Mariia , Gattringer Christof , Sulejmanpasic Tin
Published: April 2022

Abstract

We study U(1) gauge theories with a modified Villain action. Such theories can naturally be coupled to electric and magnetic matter, and display exact electric-magnetic duality. In their simplest formulation without a θ-term, such theories are ultra-local. We extend the discussion to U(1) gauge theories with θ-terms, such that θ periodicity is exact for a free theory, and show that imposing electric-magnetic duality results in a local, but not ultra-local lattice action, which is reminiscent of the Lüscher construction of axial- symmetry preserving fermions in 4d. We discuss the coupling to electric and magnetic matter as well as to dyons. For dyonic matter the electric-magnetic duality and shifts of the θ-angle by 2π together generate an SL(2, ℤ) duality group of transformations, just like in the continuum. We finally illustrate how the SL(2, ℤ) duality may be used to explore theories at finite θ without a sign problem.
Light-cone cuts and hole-ography: explicit reconstruction of bulk metrics
Authors: Takeda Daichi
Published: April 2022

Abstract

In this paper, the two reconstruction methods, light-cone cuts method and hole-ography, are combined to provide complete bulk metrics of locally AdS3 static spacetimes. As examples, our method is applied to the geometries of pure AdS3, AdS3 soliton, and BTZ black hole, and we see them successfully reconstructed. The light-cone cuts method is known to have difficulty in obtaining conformal factors, while the hole-ography in describing temporal components. Combining the two methods, we overcome the disadvantages and give complete metrics for a class of holographic theories such that entanglement wedge and causal wedge coincide. Light-cone cuts are identified by entanglement entropy in our method. We expect our study to lead to the discovery of a universal relation between the two methods, by which the combination would be applied to more generic cases.
ON ALPERIN’S LOWER BOUND FOR THE NUMBER OF BRAUER CHARACTERS
Authors: MALLE GUNTER , NAVARRO GABRIEL , TIEP PHAM HUU
Published: April 2022

We prove that the number of conjugacy classes of a finite group G consisting of elements of odd order, is larger than or equal to that number for the normaliser of a Sylow 2-subgroup of G. This is predicted by the Alperin Weight Conjecture.
Brain volumes and white matter microstructure in 8- to 10-year-old children born with fetal growth restriction
Authors: Korkalainen Noora , Ilvesmäki Tero , Parkkola Riitta , Perhomaa Marja , Mäkikallio Kaarin
Published: April 2022

Background

Fetal growth restriction caused by placental insufficiency is associated with increased risk of poor neurodevelopment, even in the absence of specific perinatal brain injury. Placental insufficiency leads to chronic hypoxaemia that may alter cerebral tissue organisation and maturation.

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess the effects fetal growth restriction and fetal haemodynamic abnormalities have on brain volumes and white matter microstructure at early school age.

Materials and methods

This study examined 32 children born with fetal growth restriction at 24 to 40 gestational weeks, and 27 gestational age-matched children, who were appropriate for gestational age. All children underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the age of 8–10 years. Cerebral volumes were analysed, and tract-based spatial statistics and atlas-based analysis of white matter were performed on 17 children born with fetal growth restriction and 14 children with birth weight appropriate for gestational age.

Results

Children born with fetal growth restriction demonstrated smaller total intracranial volumes compared to children with normal fetal growth, whereas no significant differences in grey or white matter volumes were detected. On atlas-based analysis of white matter, children born with fetal growth restriction demonstrated higher mean and radial diffusivity values in large white matter tracts when compared to children with normal fetal growth.

Conclusion

Children ages 8–10 years old born with fetal growth restriction demonstrated significant changes in white matter microstructure compared to children who were appropriate for gestational age, even though no differences in grey and white matter volumes were detected. Poor fetal growth may impact white matter maturation and lead to neurodevelopmental impairment later in life.
Comparison of cisplatin and mitomycin C/5-FU as radiosensitisers in the treatment of locally advanced vulvar cancer: results of a retrospective, observational, single-institutional cohort study
Authors: Linz Valerie Catherine , Schwanbeck Carina , Krajnak Slavomir , Anic Katharina , Jäkel Jörg , Schwab Roxana , Schmidt Marcus , Schmidberger Heinz , Hasenburg Annette , Battista Marco Johannes
Published: April 2022

Purpose

We retrospectively investigated the widely used radiosensitisers cisplatin and mitomycin C/5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in patients with locally advanced vulvar cancer for outcome and toxicity.

Methods

We screened the archive for patients treated with chemoradiation for vulvar cancer diagnosed between 01/2010 and 08/2021 at our institution. The impact of both radiosensitisers on prognosis was compared using Kaplan–Meier method and Cox-regression analysis.

Results

One hundred and forty-three patients with vulvar cancer were screened. Twenty-nine patients received chemoradiation (mitomycin C/5-FU n = 14; cisplatin n = 12; others n = 3) as a primary, neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment. Median follow-up was 15.5 months. Patients in the cisplatin group were older (mean age 54.4 vs. 70.7; p = 0.004). However, the mitomycin C/5-FU group had more advanced tumour stages. The 2-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) was comparable (44.5% vs. 33.3%; p = 0.932). The 2-year overall survival (OS) showed a numerical but not statistically significant difference in favour of the mitomycin C/5-FU group (59.7% vs. 31.7%; p = 0.37). 64.3% (9 out of 14) patients, who received mitomycin C/5-FU achieved clinical complete response (cCR) compared to 41.7% (5 out of 12) who received cisplatin (p = 0.505). Radiodermatitis was the most common adverse event in both groups (81%) and more severe in the mitomycin C/5-FU cohort. Myelotoxicity was frequently observed in both groups. Eighteen patients received an additional radiation boost with 10.0 (9–16) Gy and showed a significantly prolonged RFS (p = 0.027) and OS (p = 0.003).

Conclusion

Mitomycin C/5-FU may be considered in the treatment of young and healthy patients with locally advanced vulvar cancer.
Monitoring of ticks and their pathogens from companion animals obtained by the “tekenscanner” application in The Netherlands
Authors: Kooyman F. N. J. , Zweerus H. , Nijsse E. R. , Jongejan F. , Wagenaar J. A. , Broens E. M.
Published: April 2022

Ticks are vectors for many pathogens of veterinary and medical interest. In order to monitor ticks and tick-borne pathogens, the “Tekenscanner” (Dutch for Tick scanner), a citizen science project, was launched in The Netherlands. It is a smartphone application for pet-owners to get ticks from their dog or cat, identified and checked for pathogens for free. At the same time, information about the pet and the geographic location of tick infestation becomes available for research. The application was launched in 2018, and the results of the first 6 months after launch of the app were reported. Ticks were identified based on morphology, and DNA was extracted and amplified by a panel of tick-borne pathogen-specific primers. Next, the amplicons were subjected to reverse line blot with specific probes for important pathogens to determine their presence or absence. The present paper describes the results of 2019 and 2020. There were 2260 ticks collected from 871 dogs and 255 cats (26 ticks were from an unknown host) and all pet owners were informed about the results. Four species of ticks were collected: Ixodes ricinus (90.0%), Ixodes hexagonus (7.3%), Dermacentor reticulatus (2.8%) and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (0.1%). Ixodes ricinus was the tick with the most divergent pathogens: Anaplasma sp. (1.3%), Babesia sp. (0.8%), Borrelia spp. (4.8%), Neoehrlichia sp. (3.7%) and Rickettsia helvetica (12.6%). In I. hexagonus, R. helvetica (1.8%) and Babesia sp. (0.6%) were detected and Rickettsia raoultii in D. reticulatus (16.2%). One of the two nymphs of R. sanguineus was co-infected with Borrelia and R. helvetica and the other one was uninfected. The high numbers of different pathogens found in this study suggest that companion animals, by definition synanthropic animals, and their ticks can serve as sentinels for emerging tick-borne pathogens.
A genetic programming-based convolutional neural network for image quality evaluations
Authors: Chan Kit Yan , Lam Hak-Keung , Jiang Huimin
Published: April 2022

Monitoring the perceptual quality of digital images is fundamentally important since digital image transmissions through the Internet continue to increase exponentially. Many automatic image quality evaluation (IQE) metrics have been developed based on image features correlated to image distortions; however, those metrics are only effective on particular image distortion types. In recent years, convolutional neural network (CNNs) have been developed for IQEs. These CNNs first capture image features from distorted images; image qualities are predicted based on the captured image features. Since the CNN weights are randomly initialized and are updated with respect to a loss function, image features which are strongly correlated to image quality are not guaranteed to be captured. In this paper, a hybrid deep neural network (DNN) is proposed by integrating image quality metrics to capture image features which are correlated to image quality; the approach guarantees that significant image features are included to predict image quality. Also, a tree-based classifier namely geometric semantic genetic programming is proposed to perform the overall predictions by incorporating CNN predictions and image features; the approach is simpler than the fully connected network but is able to model the nonlinear image qualities. The performance of the proposed hybrid DNN is evaluated by an image quality database with 3000 distorted images. The mean correlation achieved by the proposed hybrid DNN is 0.57 which is higher than the other tested methods. Experimental results with thet- test,F-test and Tueky’s range tests show that the proposed hybrid DNN achieves more accurate image predictions with a 99.9% confidence level, compared to the state-of-the-art IQE metics and the most recently developed CNN for IQEs.
Real-world evidence for cladribine tablets in multiple sclerosis: further insights into efficacy and safety
Authors: Moser Tobias , Ziemssen Tjalf , Sellner Johann
Published: April 2022

Cladribine (CLAD) is a purine nucleoside analog approved in tablet form to treat highly active multiple sclerosis (MS). CLAD tablets are the first oral therapy with an infrequent dosing schedule, administered in two annual treatment courses, each divided into two treatment cycles comprising 4–5 days of treatment. The efficacy and safety of CLAD tablets have been verified in randomized controlled clinical trials. Clinical observational studies are performed in more representative populations and over more extended periods, and thus provide valuable complementary insights. Here, we summarize the available evidence for CLAD tablets from post-marketing trials, including two observational, four long-term extensions, and two comparative studies. The patients in the post-marketing setting differed from the cohort recruited in the pivotal phase III trials regarding demographics and MS-related disability. The limited number of studies with small cohorts corroborate the disease-modifying capacity of oral CLAD and report on a durable benefit after active treatment periods. Skin-related adverse events were common in the studies focusing on safety aspects. In addition, single cases of CLAD-associated autoimmune events have been reported. Lastly, CLAD tablets appear safe regarding COVID-19 concerns, and patients mount a robust humoral immune response to SARS-CoV‑2 vaccination. We conclude that the current real-world evidence for CLAD tablets as immune reconstitution therapy for treatment of MS is based on a small number of studies and a population distinct from the cohorts randomized in the pivotal phase III trials. Further research should advance the understanding of long-term disease control after active treatment periods and the mitigation of adverse events.
Evaluation of geometric similarity metrics for structural clusters generated using topology optimization
Authors: Dommaraju Nivesh , Bujny Mariusz , Menzel Stefan , Olhofer Markus , Duddeck Fabian
Published: April 2022

In the early stages of engineering design, multitudes of feasible designs can be generated using structural optimization methods by varying the design requirements or user preferences for different performance objectives. Data mining such potentially large datasets is a challenging task. An unsupervised data-centric approach for exploring designs is to find clusters of similar designs and recommend only the cluster representatives for review. Design similarity can be defined not only on a purely functional level but also based on geometric properties, such as size, shape, and topology. While metrics such as chamfer distance measure the geometrical differences intuitively, it is more useful for design exploration to use metrics based on geometric features, which are extracted from high-dimensional 3D geometric data using dimensionality reduction techniques. If the Euclidean distance in the geometric features is meaningful, the features can be combined with performance attributes resulting in an aggregate feature vector that can potentially be useful in design exploration based on both geometry and performance. We propose a novel approach to evaluate such derived metrics by measuring their similarity with the metrics commonly used in 3D object classification. Furthermore, we measure clustering accuracy, which is a state-of-the-art unsupervised approach to evaluate metrics. For this purpose, we use a labeled, synthetic dataset with topologically complex designs. From our results, we conclude that Pointcloud Autoencoder is promising in encoding geometric features and developing a comprehensive design exploration method.
Benefits of Taking a Virtual Field Trip in Immersive Virtual Reality: Evidence for the Immersion Principle in Multimedia Learning
Authors: Makransky Guido , Mayer Richard E.
Published: April 2022

This study describes and investigates the immersion principle in multimedia learning. A sample of 102 middle school students took a virtual field trip to Greenland via a head mounted display (HMD) or a 2D video as an introductory lesson within a 6-lesson inquiry-based climate change intervention. The HMD group scored significantly higher than the video group on presence (d = 1.43), enjoyment (d = 1.10), interest (d = .57), and retention in an immediate (d = .61) and delayed posttest (d = .70). A structural equation model indicated that enjoyment mediated the pathway from instructional media to immediate posttest, and interest mediated the pathway from instructional media to delayed posttest score, indicating that these factors may play different roles in the learning process with immersive media. This work contributes to the cognitive affective model of immersive learning, and suggests that immersive lessons can have positive longitudinal effects for learning.
Identifying high-risk areas for introduction of new alien species: the case of the invasive round goby, a door-knocker for Norway
Authors: Forsgren Elisabet , Hanssen Frank
Published: April 2022

Identifying new areas of colonisation by alien species is important for early detection and management. Door-knocker species pose problems for traditional predictive models because of lacking presence–absence data, but habitat suitability modelling might overcome this. We here identify the most likely areas for introduction and first establishment of the invasive round goby Neogobius melanostomus to Norway, where it has not yet been registered. We implemented knowledge on dispersal pathways and the species’ biology in a simplified suitability model based on spatial data representing the most relevant environmental variables: distance to international harbours in Norway, distance to the closest population in neighbouring country, salinity, wave exposure, depth and water temperature. The results suggest that there are many potential localities for introduction and first establishment and reveal several hotspots of such areas, especially in less-exposed coastal brackish areas of southern Norway. Especially the region around the Oslo Fjord stands out as being associated with higher risk. Our results could guide future monitoring programmes and increase the chance of early detection of this potential new invader. The study illustrates how spatial analyses can be used to identify the most likely areas for future invasion by an aquatic door-knocker species despite lacking presence–absence data.
Systemically oriented leadership: Leading multi-school organisations in England
Authors: Constantinides Michalis
Published: April 2022

This paper takes ecological systems theory as a conceptual basis for defining and examining the main aspects of ‘system leadership’ in a large-sized multi-school group, such as a multi-academy trust (MAT) in the context of England. The theory provides a sound framework for understanding the processes and interactions involved in this notion of leadership which is framed within an educational ecosystem as a complex set of interconnected elements. Such an approach focuses on MAT leadership strategies able to create and guide a holistic conception of educational change in the market-oriented and decentralised educational system of England. Data were drawn from interviews with eight MAT leaders and analysed alongside documentary evidence. The findings provide specific insight into the daily work of executive leaders acting assystem leadersseeking to create and sustain achievement-centred and practice-focused systems MAT-wide. They demonstrate the social and developing as well as the organisational aspects of system leadership in MATs and the ways in which different elements of the environment influence executive leaders in thinking and acting systemically. This paper adds value to existing knowledge on MATs and the ways in which they are led by system players. It broadens the frame of reference of leadership beyond the individual school to consider features of the broader system and environment. Complexity and ecological perspectives provide essential tools to understand more deeply educational change and have the potential to analyse notions of leadership across multi-school groups.
Crosscap States in Integrable Field Theories and Spin Chains
Authors: Caetano João , Komatsu Shota
Published: April 2022

We study crosscap states in integrable field theories and spin chains in $$1+1$$

1
+
1

dimensions. We derive an exact formula for overlaps between the crosscap state and any excited state in integrable field theories with diagonal scattering. We then compute the crosscap entropy, i.e. the overlap for the ground state, in some examples. In the examples we analyzed, the result turns out to decrease monotonically along the renormalization group flow except in cases where the discrete symmetry is spontaneously broken in the infrared. We next introduce crosscap states in integrable spin chains, and obtain determinant expressions for the overlaps with energy eigenstates. These states are long-range entangled and their entanglement entropy grows linearly until the size of the subregion reaches half the system size. This property is reminiscent of pure-state black holes in holography and makes them interesting for use as initial conditions of quantum quench. As side results, we propose a generalization of Zamolodchikov’s staircase model to flows between D-series minimal models, and discuss the relation to fermionic minimal models and the GSO projection.
Tight Convex Relaxations for the Expansion Planning Problem
Authors: Lenz Ralf , Serrano Felipe
Published: April 2022

Secure energy transport is considered as highly relevant for the basic infrastructure of nowadays society and economy. To satisfy increasing demands and to handle more diverse transport situations, operators of energy networks regularly expand the capacity of their network by building new network elements, known as theexpansion planning problem. A key constraint function in expansion planning problems is a nonlinear and nonconvex potential loss function. In order to improve the algorithmic performance of state-of-the-art MINLP solvers, this paper presents an algebraic description for the convex envelope of this function. Through a thorough computational study, we show that this tighter relaxation tremendously improves the performance of the MINLP solver SCIP on a large test set of practically relevant instances for the expansion planning problem. In particular, the results show that our achievements lead to an improvement of the solver performance for a development version by up to 58%.
A Note on the Optimal Convergence Rate of Descent Methods with Fixed Step Sizes for Smooth Strongly Convex Functions
Authors: Uschmajew André , Vandereycken Bart
Published: April 2022

Based on a result by Taylor et al. (J Optim Theory Appl 178(2):455–476, 2018) on the attainable convergence rate of gradient descent for smooth and strongly convex functions in terms of function values, an elementary convergence analysis for general descent methods with fixed step sizes is presented. It covers general variable metric methods, gradient-related search directions under angle and scaling conditions, as well as inexact gradient methods. In all cases, optimal rates are obtained.