bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Three‐dimensional mapping reveals scale‐dependent dynamics in biogenic reef habitat structure
Authors: Jackson‐Bué Tim , Williams Gareth J. , Walker‐Springett Guy , Rowlands Steven J. , Davies Andrew J.
Published: May 2021

Habitat structure influences a broad range of ecological interactions and ecosystem functions across biomes. To understand and effectively manage dynamic ecosystems, we need detailed information about habitat properties and how they vary across spatial and temporal scales. Measuring and monitoring variation in three‐dimensional (3D) habitat structure has traditionally been challenging, despite recognition of its importance to ecological processes. Modern 3D mapping technologies present opportunities to characterize spatial and temporal variation in habitat structure at a range of ecologically relevant scales. Biogenic reefs are structurally complex and dynamic habitats, in which structure has a pivotal influence on ecosystem biodiversity, function and resilience. For the first time, we characterized spatial and temporal dynamics in the 3D structure of intertidal Sabellaria alveolata biogenic reef across scales. We used drone‐derived structure‐from‐motion photogrammetry and terrestrial laser scanning to characterize reef structural variation at mm‐to‐cm resolutions at a habitat scale (~35 000 m2) over 1 year, and at a plot scale (2500 m2) over 5 years (2014–2019, 6‐month intervals). We found that most of the variation in reef emergence above the substrate, accretion rate and erosion rate was explained by a combination of systematic trends with shore height and positive spatial autocorrelation up to the scale of colonies (1.5 m) or small patches (up to 4 m). We identified previously undocumented temporal patterns in intertidal S. alveolata reef accretion and erosion, specifically groups of rapidly accreting, short‐lived colonies and slow‐accreting, long‐lived colonies. We showed that these highly dynamic colony‐scale structural changes compensate for each other, resulting in seemingly stable reef habitat structure over larger spatial and temporal scales. These patterns could only be detected with the use of modern 3D mapping technologies, demonstrating their potential to enhance our understanding of ecosystem dynamics across scales.
Electrolysis on a Chip with Tunable Thin Film Nanostructured PGM Electrocatalysts Generated from Self‐Assembled Block Copolymer Templates
Authors: Bhattacharya Deepra , Kole Subarna , Kizilkaya Orhan , Strzalka Joseph , Angelopoulou Polyxeni P. , Sakellariou Georgios , Cao Dongmei , Arges Christopher G.
Published: May 2021

Self‐assembled block copolymers are promising templates for fabricating thin film materials with tuned periodic feature sizes and geometry at the nanoscale. Here, a series of nanostructured platinum and iridium oxide electrocatalysts templated from poly(styrene)‐block‐poly(vinyl pyridine) (PSbPVP) block copolymers via an incipient wetness impregnation (IWI) pathway is reported. Both nanowire and nanocylinder electrocatalysts of varying feature sizes are assessed and higher catalyst loadings are achieved by the alkylation of the pyridine moieties in the PVP block prior to IWI. Electrocatalyst evaluations featuring hydrogen pump and water electrolysis demonstrations are carried out on interdigitated electrode (IDE) chips flexible with liquid supporting electrolytes and thin film polymer electrolytes. Notably, the mass activities of the nanostructured electrocatalysts from alkylated block copolymer templates are 35%–94% higher than electrocatalysts from non‐alkylated block copolymer templates. Standing cylinder nanostructures lead to higher mass activities than lamellar variants despite their not having the largest surface area per unit catalyst loading demonstrating that mesostructure architectures have a profound impact on reactivity. Overall, IDE chips with model thin film electrocatalysts prepared from self‐assembled block copolymers offer a high‐throughput experimental method for correlating electrocatalyst nanostructure and composition to electrochemical reactivity.
Exceeding 200 ns Lifetimes in Polycrystalline CdTe Solar Cells
Authors: Ablekim Tursun , Duenow Joel N. , Perkins Craig L. , Moseley John , Zheng Xin , Bidaud Thomas , Frouin Berengere , Collin Stephane , Reese Matthew O. , Amarasinghe Mahisha , Colegrove Eric , Johnston Steve , Metzger Wyatt K.
Published: May 2021

CdTe photovoltaics has achieved one of the lowest levelized costs of electricity among all energy sources. However, for decades, carrier lifetimes have been inferior to those of other prevalent solar cell materials. This quality has inhibited common methods to improve solar cell efficiency such as back‐surface fields, electron reflectors, or bifacial solar cells. In this work, a significant increase in carrier lifetime to values exceeding 200 ns in fully functional CdTe solar cells is demonstrated. The increased lifetime is achieved by large CdSeTe grains at the absorber/emitter interface, intragrain passivation in the absorber layer, and chemical passivation by forming nanoscale oxidized tellurium species at the transparent conducting oxide interface. The carrier lifetime is correlated to the open‐circuit voltage and enables paths for back‐surface manipulation and novel cell architectures to further improve CdTe photovoltaic performance.
Numerical Study on the Influence of the Filling Angle on the Fluid Flow during the Ingot Side Teeming Process
Authors: Yin Jun , Ersson Mikael , Conejo Alberto N. , Andersson Nils , Jönsson Pär G.
Published: May 2021

High turbulence at the liquid steel−mold flux interface results in mold flux entrapments, which can generate nonmetallic inclusions during the ingot‐casting process. Those nonmetallic inclusions are detrimental to the final steel quality. The teeming process during ingot casting is typically conducted using the uphill teeming method. The authors propose a novel alternative method using a side teeming process, which decreases turbulence at the free surface. To define the optimum operational conditions, a 3D mathematical model is developed to investigate the effect of the filling angle on the motion of the free surface and the resulting shear stresses during the teeming process. The investigated filling angles are 0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, and 90°. The present findings suggest that using the filling angle of 90° between the mold and the runner is an effective way of reducing the number of inclusions due to mold flux entrapments and refractory wear.
Effect of Na2O on Properties, Structure, and Crystallization of CaO–Al2O3‐Based Mold Fluxes
Authors: Wang Qi , Yang Jian , Zhang Jianqiang , Ostrovski Oleg , Zhang Chen , Cai Dexiang
Published: May 2021

This article investigates the effect of Na2O on melting properties, viscosity, flux structure, crystallization behavior, and heat transfer of CaO–Al2O3‐based mold fluxes with Na2O concentration varied from 3.5 to 12.1 mass pct. With the increase in Na2O content, both melting temperature and viscosity at a given temperature decrease. The Raman spectroscopy indicates that increasing the Na2O content decreases the degree of polymerization, in line with the decrease in viscosity. Flux crystallization is studied using single hot thermocouple technology (SHTT) and double hot thermocouple technology (DHTT). The results show that flux crystallization tendency is enhanced with the increase in Na2O content. This increase is more significant when the Na2O content changes from 9.1 to 12.1 mass pct. X‐ray diffraction analysis of the fluxes heat treated at different temperatures reveals that the crystal precipitates vary with the flux composition and temperature. Heat transfer measurement using the IR emitter technique (IET) shows that the increase in Na2O concentration impedes the heat transfer, in line with the increased crystallinity of the fluxes.
Faecal concentrations of ceftiofur metabolites in finisher pigs administered intramuscularly with ceftiofur
Authors: Gaire Tara N. , Salas Jessica , Dunmire Kara M. , Paulk Chad B. , Tokach Mike D. , Nagaraja Tiruvoor G. , Volkova Victoriya V.
Published: May 2021

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of dietary fibre level and source on faecal ceftiofur metabolites concentrations after intramuscular administration of therapeutic ceftiofur hydrochloride in finisher pigs. Pens of finisher pigs (n = 36), with an equal number of barrows and gilts, were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 dietary treatment groups: basal diet composed of corn grain and soy bean meal with no supplement and formulated to contain 8.7% neutral detergent fibre (NDF), supplemented with 20% distillers dried grains with solubles (a byproduct of the ethanol production from corn grain) formulated to contain 13.6% NDF, primarily insoluble fibre or supplemented with 14.5% sugar beet pulp formulated to contain 13.6% NDF. Faecal samples were collected 6–8 hr after ceftiofur injection from treated and untreated pen‐mate pigs on days 1 and 3 of the 3‐day treatment regimen. Faecal concentrations of ceftiofur metabolites, including the major metabolite, desfuroylceftiofur, were analysed by reverse‐phase high pressure liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. Overall, the faecal concentrations of ceftiofur metabolites did not differ significantly between the dietary treatments. The mean concentrations of metabolites tended to be lower (p = .1) on day 3 compared to day 1 of the 3‐day treatment regimen. Faecal concentrations of metabolites were not affected by the gender of the finisher pigs. The concentrations of ceftiofur metabolites in the faeces are likely reflective of the microbial activity in the hindgut. Our data suggest that the fibre level and source used in the study did not affect the faecal concentrations of ceftiofur metabolites.
Aeration in sludge holding tanks as an economical means for biosolids odor control—A case study
Authors: Luo Hao , Zhang Dian , Taylor Malcolm , Nguyen Caroline , Wang Zhi‐Wu
Published: May 2021

Abnormally high‐odor detection threshold (DT) values were detected for biosolids produced at one of the water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) of Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission. As an inexpensive countermeasure, aeration of thickened sludge holding tanks (SHTs) was tested as a solution for mitigating the subsequent biosolids odor emission. Experimental results indicated that the extremely low‐oxidation reduction potential (ORP) in the SHTs and the fermentation of high‐rate‐activated sludge were primarily contributors to the odor emission from the dewatered cake. Two rounds of bench‐scale experiments on different days confirmed that aerating the sludge in holding tanks reduced peak emission concentrations of sulfurous odorous compounds such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S), methanethiol (MT), and dimethyl sulfide (DMS) from 203, 110, and 20 mg m−3 g−1 dry to 119, 70, and 14 mg m−3 g−1 dry, respectively. Further preliminary full‐scale validation study showed that even a slight ORP improvement from −180 mV to −162 mV reduced the peak H2S concentration from 87 to 48 mg m−3 g−1 dry and decreased the biosolids DT value from 4266 to 1862. It was concluded that lifting ORP in SHTs through aeration can be used by utilities as a simple means for biosolids odor control.

Practitioner points

Anaerobic storage of high‐rate active sludge was the main reason for the excessive biosolids odor.

Aeration of sludge holding tanks can effectively reduce biosolids odor.

A slight oxidation reduction potential improvement substantially reduced biosolids odor.
Modeling the anaerobic digestion of wastewater sludge under sulfate‐rich conditions
Authors: Piccolo Nicholas , Goel Rajeev , Snowling Spencer , Kim Younggy
Published: May 2021

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a biological treatment process to stabilize organic solids and produce biogas. If present, sulfate is reduced to sulfide by anaerobic sulfate‐reducing bacteria and the sulfide can be toxic to anaerobic microorganisms. Here, the effect of high initial sulfate concentration on AD of wastewater sludge was investigated using lab‐scale batch experiments. Additionally, a systematic mathematical modeling approach was applied for insight into the experimental results. Cumulative biogas and methane production decreased with increasing initial sulfate doses (0–3.300 mg S L−1). The correlation between the sulfate dose and methane production was consistent with theoretical predictions and model results, indicating no toxic effect of sulfide on methane production. The carbon dioxide content in the biogas decreased linearly with the increasing sulfate dose, which is consistent with the model‐predicted behavior of the bicarbonate and hydrogen sulfide buffering system. The examined high sulfate concentrations resulted in no clear negative effects on the COD removal or VSS destruction of the wastewater sludge, indicating negligible inhibition by sulfide toxicity. Even considering the possibility of ferrous sulfide precipitation and the low model estimates of residual sulfide concentration the residual sulfide concentration was higher than reported concentrations that trigger process inhibition.

Practitioner points

The effect of sulfate loading on anaerobic digestion of waste activated sludge was characterized.

The stoichiometry of sulfate reduction allows accurate prediction of CH4 loss.

High sulfate levels (up to 3300 mg/L as S) did not affect COD/VSS removal.

Sulfide formation increases effluent COD; often misinterpreted as sulfide toxicity.

Correcting COD for sulfide's contributions is crucial for results interpretation.
Mineralogy (XRD)
Authors: Al-Dousari Ali , Bahbahani Muntha
Published: May 2021

The two main particle size components of the dust samples were subjected to mineralogical analysis to identify the mineral constituents and determine their frequency percentage in each textural class; the fine sand (particle size between 0.125 and 0.063 mm) and Mud (less than 0.063 mm).

The average percentage of minerals was mapped out for each season i.e. March, June, September and December 2010 showing the high and low mineral concentration in areas in Kuwait covering the mineral concentrations of Calcite, Carbonate, clay minerals, dolomite, feldspars, and quartz.
Pollen in Dust
Authors: Ibrahim Mohamed Ismail , Al-Dousari Ali , Al-Saleh Abeer Hassan
Published: May 2021

Twenty-eight pairs of pollen and aeolian dust traps covering the State of Kuwait were used to obtain seasonal pollen counts of the most eight dominant families during 2009–2011 i.e. Chenopodiaceae, Poaceae (Gramineae), Cyperaceae, Leguminosae (Fabaceae), Cyperaceae, Brassicaceae, Malvaceae, Compositae, and Plantaginaceae.

The sampling site locations were chosen to cover all the geomorphological sectors and native vegetation areas in Kuwait.

Generally, pollen counts show us a remarkable distinction between the year 2009–2010 and 2010–2011, It is also evident that pollen counts (concentration) vary from season to season. Pollen counts over four seasons for two years (October 2009–August 2011) reveal the presence of two peaks in spring (April–May) and autumn (October–November).

Map distribution of pollens in each of the dominant plant families in Kuwait is generated according to seasons showing higher and lower concentrations of dust pollen counts.
Other Properties (BET Surface Area, Conductivity, Organic Matter, and pH)
Authors: Ahmed Modi , Beg Khaliq
Published: May 2021

Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET) test were applied to dust samples in which samples (BET) surface area is highly related to the roundness of dust particles. The higher angularity and low roundness of the dust particles show a higher (BET) surface area. The roundness is also related to the particlesize distribution and mineralogical composition.

The electrical conductivity test relates very well with the chemical and physical properties of dust samples in the transmission of an electrical current.

The organic matter content was measured using the ignition method and the pH of the samples was recorded.

Maps of the distribution of high and low BET concentrations, electrical conductivity EC, organic matter content, pH.
Heterotic line bundle models on generalized complete intersection Calabi Yau manifolds
Authors: Larfors Magdalena , Passaro Davide , Schneider Robin
Published: May 2021

Abstract

The systematic program of heterotic line bundle model building has resulted in a wealth of standard-like models (SLM) for particle physics. In this paper, we continue this work in the setting of generalised Complete Intersection Calabi Yau (gCICY) manifolds. Using the gCICYs constructed in ref. [1], we identify two geometries that, when combined with line bundle sums, are directly suitable for heterotic GUT models. We then show that these gCICYs admit freely acting ℤ2 symmetry groups, and are thus amenable to Wilson line breaking of the GUT gauge group to that of the standard model. We proceed to a systematic scan over line bundle sums over these geometries, that result in 99 and 33 SLMs, respectively. For the first class of models, our results may be compared to line bundle models on homotopically equivalent Complete Intersection Calabi Yau manifolds. This shows that the number of realistic configurations is of the same order of magnitude.
Next-to-leading power threshold corrections for finite order and resummed colour-singlet cross sections
Authors: van Beekveld Melissa , Laenen Eric , Damsté Jort Sinninghe , Vernazza Leonardo
Published: May 2021

Abstract

We study next-to-leading-power (NLP) threshold corrections in colour-singlet production processes, with particular emphasis on Drell-Yan (DY) and single-Higgs production. We assess the quality of the partonic and hadronic threshold expansions for each process up to NNLO. We determine numerically the NLP leading-logarithmic (LL) resummed contribution in addition to the leading-power next-to-next-to-leading logarithmic (LP NNLL) resummed DY and Higgs cross sections, matched to NNLO. We find that the inclusion of NLP logarithms is numerically more relevant than increasing the precision to N3LL at LP for these processes. We also perform an analytical and numerical comparison of LP NNLL + NLP LL resummation in soft-collinear effective theory and direct QCD, where we achieve excellent analytical and numerical agreement once the NLP LL terms are included in both formalisms. Our results underline the phenomenological importance of understanding the NLP structure of QCD cross sections.
Cardy limits of 6d superconformal theories
Authors: Lee Kimyeong , Nahmgoong June
Published: May 2021

Abstract

We explore the supersymmetric partition functions of 6d SCFTs on ℝ4 × T2 with non-vanishing charges for compatible global symmetries. We utilize the elliptic genera for self-dual strings and compute the free energy of 6d SCFTs in the Cardy limit. For a 6d (2,0) theory on N M5-brane, we obtain the free energy proportional to N3. We find that the origin of N3 comes from the condensation of the self-dual strings, whose total number is proportional to $$ \frac{N^3-N}{6} $$

N
3

−
N

6

. We further extend our analysis to the general E-string theory and obtain its Cardy free energy.
The singly-charged scalar singlet as the origin of neutrino masses
Authors: Felkl Tobias , Herrero-García Juan , Schmidt Michael A.
Published: May 2021

Abstract

We consider the generation of neutrino masses via a singly-charged scalar singlet. Under general assumptions we identify two distinct structures for the neutrino mass matrix. This yields a constraint for the antisymmetric Yukawa coupling of the singly-charged scalar singlet to two left-handed lepton doublets, irrespective of how the breaking of lepton-number conservation is achieved. The constraint disfavours large hierarchies among the Yukawa couplings. We study the implications for the phenomenology of lepton-flavour universality, measurements of the W-boson mass, flavour violation in the charged-lepton sector and decays of the singly-charged scalar singlet. We also discuss the parameter space that can address the Cabibbo Angle Anomaly.
Towards holographic flat bands
Authors: Grandi Nicolás , Juričić Vladimir , Landea Ignacio Salazar , Soto-Garrido Rodrigo
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Motivated by the phenomenology in the condensed-matter flat-band Dirac systems, we here construct a holographic model that imprints the symmetry breaking pattern of a rather simple Dirac fermion model at zero chemical potential. In the bulk we explicitly include the backreaction to the corresponding Lifshitz geometry and compute the dynamical critical exponent. Most importantly, we find that such a geometry is unstable towards a nematic phase, exhibiting an anomalous Hall effect and featuring a Drude-like shift of its spectral weight. Our findings should motivate further studies of the quantum phases emerging from such holographic models.
Topping-up multilepton plus b-jets anomalies at the LHC with a Z′ boson
Authors: Alvarez Ezequiel , Juste Aurelio , Szewc Manuel , Schroeder Tamara Vazquez
Published: May 2021

Abstract

During the last years ATLAS and CMS have reported a number of slight to mild discrepancies in signatures of multileptons plus b-jets in analyses such as $$ t\overline{t}H $$
t

t
¯

H
, $$ t\overline{t}{W}^{\pm } $$
t

t
¯

W
±

, $$ t\overline{t}Z $$
t

t
¯

Z
and $$ t\overline{t}t\overline{t} $$
t

t
¯

t

t
¯

. Among them, a recent ATLAS result on $$ t\overline{t}H $$
t

t
¯

H
production has also reported an excess in the charge asymmetry in the same-sign dilepton channel with two or more b-tagged jets. Motivated by these tantalizing discrepancies, we study a phenomenological New Physics model consisting of a Z′ boson that couples to up-type quarks via right-handed currents: $$ {t}_R{\gamma}^{\mu }{\overline{t}}_R $$

t
R

γ
μ

t
¯

R

, $$ {t}_R{\gamma}^{\mu }{\overline{c}}_R $$

t
R

γ
μ

c
¯

R

, and $$ {t}_R{\gamma}^{\mu }{\overline{u}}_R $$

t
R

γ
μ

u
¯

R

. The latter vertex allows to translate the charge asymmetry at the LHC initial state protons to a final state with top quarks which, decaying to a positive lepton and a b-jet, provides a crucial contribution to some of the observed discrepancies. Through an analysis at a detector level, we select the region in parameter space of our model that best reproduces the data in the aforementioned $$ t\overline{t}H $$
t

t
¯

H
study, and in a recent ATLAS $$ t\overline{t}t\overline{t} $$
t

t
¯

t

t
¯

search. We find that our model provides a better fit to the experimental data than the Standard Model for a New Physics scale of approximately ∼500 GeV, and with a hierarchical coupling of the Z′ boson that favours the top quark and the presence of FCNC currents. In order to estimate the LHC sensitivity to this signal, we design a broadband search featuring many kinematic regions with different signal-to-background ratio, and perform a global analysis. We also define signal-enhanced regions and study observables that could further distinguish signal from background. We find that the region in parameter space of our model that best fits the analysed data could be probed with a significance exceeding 3 standard deviations with just the full Run-2 dataset.
Hints of gravitational ergodicity: Berry’s ensemble and the universality of the semi-classical Page curve
Authors: Krishnan Chethan , Mohan Vyshnav
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Recent developments on black holes have shown that a unitarity-compatible Page curve can be obtained from an ensemble-averaged semi-classical approximation. In this paper, we emphasize (1) that this peculiar manifestation of unitarity is not specific to black holes, and (2) that it can emerge from a single realization of an underlying unitary theory. To make things explicit, we consider a hard sphere gas leaking slowly from a small box into a bigger box. This is a quantum chaotic system in which we expect to see the Page curve in the full unitary description, while semi-classically, eigenstates are expected to behave as though they live in Berry’s ensemble. We reproduce the unitarity-compatible Page curve of this system, semi-classically. The computation has structural parallels to replica wormholes, relies crucially on ensemble averaging at each epoch, and reveals the interplay between the multiple time-scales in the problem. Working with the ensemble averaged state rather than the entanglement entropy, we can also engineer an information “paradox”. Our system provides a concrete example in which the ensemble underlying the semi-classical Page curve is an ergodic proxy for a time average, and not an explicit average over many theories. The questions we address here are logically independent of the existence of horizons, so we expect that semi-classical gravity should also be viewed in a similar light.
Greater daily glucose variability and lower time in range assessed with continuous glucose monitoring are associated with greater aortic stiffness: The Maastricht Study
Authors: Foreman Yuri D. , van Doorn William P. T. M. , Schaper Nicolaas C. , van Greevenbroek Marleen M. J. , van der Kallen Carla J. H. , Henry Ronald M. A. , Koster Annemarie , Eussen Simone J. P. M. , Wesselius Anke , Reesink Koen D. , Schram Miranda T. , Dagnelie Pieter C. , Kroon Abraham A. , Brouwers Martijn C. G. J. , Stehouwer Coen D. A.
Published: May 2021

Aims

CVD is the main cause of morbidity and mortality in individuals with diabetes. It is currently unclear whether daily glucose variability contributes to CVD. Therefore, we investigated whether glucose variability is associated with arterial measures that are considered important in CVD pathogenesis.

Methods

We included participants of The Maastricht Study, an observational population-based cohort, who underwent at least 48 h of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) (n = 853; age: 59.9 ± 8.6 years; 49% women, 23% type 2 diabetes). We studied the cross-sectional associations of two glucose variability indices (CGM-assessed SD [SDCGM] and CGM-assessed CV [CVCGM]) and time in range (TIRCGM) with carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV), carotid distensibility coefficient, carotid intima–media thickness, ankle–brachial index and circumferential wall stress via multiple linear regression.

Results

Higher SDCGM was associated with higher cf-PWV after adjusting for demographics, cardiovascular risk factors and lifestyle factors (regression coefficient [B] per 1 mmol/l SDCGM [and corresponding 95% CI]: 0.413 m/s [0.147, 0.679], p = 0.002). In the model additionally adjusted for CGM-assessed mean sensor glucose (MSGCGM), SDCGM and MSGCGM contributed similarly to cf-PWV (respective standardised regression coefficients [st.βs] and 95% CIs of 0.065 [−0.018, 0.167], p = 0.160; and 0.059 [−0.043, 0.164], p = 0.272). In the fully adjusted models, both higher CVCGM (B [95% CI] per 10% CVCGM: 0.303 m/s [0.046, 0.559], p = 0.021) and lower TIRCGM (B [95% CI] per 10% TIRCGM: −0.145 m/s [−0.252, −0.038] p = 0.008) were statistically significantly associated with higher cf-PWV. Such consistent associations were not observed for the other arterial measures.

Conclusions

Our findings show that greater daily glucose variability and lower TIRCGM are associated with greater aortic stiffness (cf-PWV) but not with other arterial measures. If corroborated in prospective studies, these results support the development of therapeutic agents that target both daily glucose variability and TIRCGM to prevent CVD.

Graphical abstract
Status, issues, and future of computer-aided part orientation for additive manufacturing
Authors: Qin Yuchu , Qi Qunfen , Shi Peizhi , Scott Paul J. , Jiang Xiangqian
Published: May 2021

Part orientation is a critical task in the process of additive manufacturing product realisation. Recently, various computer-aided methods for this task have been presented in the literature. The coexistence of different methods generates a series of questions: What are the common characteristics of these methods? What are the specific characteristics of each method? What are the main issues in computer-aided part orientation for additive manufacturing currently? What are the potential research directions in this field in the future? To approach these questions, a review of the existing computer-aided part orientation methods for additive manufacturing is presented in this paper. This review starts with a clarification of a part orientation problem and a classification of the existing methods into two categories according to their process of solving the problem. An overview of the representative methods in each category is then carried out from the aspects of approaches for orientation search, generation, or selection, estimation of build orientation factors, determination of weights of factors, establishment of overall objective function, and demonstration of effectiveness. After that, a discussion about the main issues in computer-aided part orientation for additive manufacturing is documented based on the overview. Finally, a suggestion of some future research directions in this field is reported.
Investigations on digitalization for sustainable machine tools and forming technologies
Authors: Klimant Philipp , Koriath Hans-Joachim , Schumann Marco , Winkler Sven
Published: May 2021

Progress in applied research for sustainable machine tools and forming technologies bases upon industrial and environmental requirements for resource efficiency. Relevant technical trends base upon impact studies and applied research projects on the lifecycle resource consumption for manufacturing processes and systems. This paper gives an overview about a unified methodological approach of the evaluation of resource efficiency of machine tools. It answers the scientific question on sustainability: which technological parameters and machine tool characteristics lead to their lowest resource consumption/losses and part manufacturing costs. Therefore, the method allows to consider them as an energy-information model, in which the transformation of any forms and types of energy, material, and information takes place. It is shown that innovative hollow shaft forming technologies become sustainable alternatives to cutting technologies. A smart factory uses digitalization, manufacturing data management, and self-learning methods for resource efficiency. Sustainable production requires robust and error-free machining processes. Therefore, a collision prevention system protects machining centers and work pieces from collisions in real time will be presented. The gathered information about the product and its properties as well as manufacturing data builds a digital twin and enables a prediction of the resource consumption in smart factories.
The motivic Satake equivalence
Authors: Richarz Timo , Scholbach Jakob
Published: May 2021

We refine the geometric Satake equivalence due to Ginzburg, Beilinson–Drinfeld, and Mirković–Vilonen to an equivalence between mixed Tate motives on the double quotient$$L^+ G {\backslash }LG / L^+ G$$L+G\LG/L+Gand representations of Deligne’s modification of the Langlands dual group$${\widehat{G}}$$G^.
Serotonin and beyond—a tribute to Manfred Göthert (1939-2019)
Authors: Bönisch H. , Fink K. B. , Malinowska B. , Molderings G. J. , Schlicker E.
Published: May 2021

Manfred Göthert, who had served Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Arch Pharmacol as Managing Editor from 1998 to 2005, deceased in June 2019. His scientific oeuvre encompasses more than 20 types of presynaptic receptors, mostly on serotoninergic and noradrenergic neurones. He was the first to identify presynaptic receptors for somatostatin and ACTH and described many presynaptic receptors, known from animal preparations, also in human tissue. In particular, he elucidated the pharmacology of presynaptic 5-HT receptors. A second field of interest included ligand-gated and voltage-dependent channels. The negative allosteric effect of anesthetics at peripheral nACh receptors is relevant for the peripheral clinical effects of these drugs and modified the Meyer-Overton hypothesis. The negative allosteric effect of ethanol at NMDA receptors in human brain tissue occurred at concentrations found in the range of clinical ethanol intoxication. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of gabapentinoids on P/Q Ca2+ channels and the subsequent decrease in AMPA-induced noradrenaline release may contribute to their clinical effect. Another ligand-gated ion channel, the 5-HT3 receptor, attracted the interest of Manfred Göthert from the whole animal via isolated preparations down to the cellular level. He contributed to that molecular study in which 5-HT3 receptor subtypes were disclosed. Finally, he found altered pharmacological properties of 5-HT receptor variants like the Arg219Leu 5-HT1A receptor (which was also shown to be associated with major depression) and the Phe124Cys 5-HT1B receptor (which may be related to sumatriptan-induced vasospasm). Manfred Göthert was a brilliant scientist and his papers have a major impact on today’s pharmacology.
Speciation analysis of organoarsenic species in marine samples: method optimization using fractional factorial design and method validation
Authors: Tibon Jojo , Silva Marta , Sloth Jens J. , Amlund Heidi , Sele Veronika
Published: May 2021

Organoarsenic species in marine matrices have been studied for many years but knowledge gaps still exist. Most literature focuses on monitoring of arsenic (As) species using previously published methods based on anion- and cation-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS). These studies are often limited to few As species and/or only specific method performance characteristics are described. Most marine certified reference materials (CRMs) are only certified for arsenobetaine (AB) and dimethylarsinate (DMA), making it difficult to evaluate the accuracy of analytical methods for other organoarsenic species. To address these gaps, the main objective of this work was to develop and validate a method for speciation analysis of a broad range of organoarsenic species in marine matrices. Optimum extraction conditions were identified through a 27–3 fractional factorial design using blue mussel as test sample. The effects of sample weight, type and volume of extraction solution, addition of H2O2 to the extraction solution, extraction time and temperature, and use of ultrasonication were investigated. The highest As recoveries were obtained by using 0.2 g as sample weight, 5 mL of aqueous methanol (MeOH:H2O, 50% v/v) as extractant, extraction carried out at 90 °C for 30 min, and without ultrasonication. Anion- and cation-exchange HPLC-ICP-MS settings were subsequently optimized. The method detected a total of 33 known and unknown As species within a run time of 23 and 20 min for cation-exchange and anion-exchange, respectively. A single-laboratory validation was conducted using several marine CRMs: BCR 627 (tuna fish tissue), ERM-CE278k (mussel tissue), DORM-4 (fish protein), DOLT-5 (dogfish liver), SQID-1 (cuttlefish), TORT-3 (lobster hepatopancreas), and CRM 7405-b (hijiki seaweed). Method performance characteristics were evaluated based on selectivity, limits of detection and quantification, linearity, trueness, precision, and measurement uncertainty. This work proposes an extraction procedure which allowed satisfactory quantification of As species with low solvent and energy consumption, supporting “Green Chemistry” principles. The study also presents a new set of As speciation data, including methylated arsenic species and arsenosugars, in recently issued marine CRMs, which will be valuable for future speciation studies on As. This work is the first to report a total of 33 different As species in marine CRMs.

Graphical abstract
Bacillus subtilis High Cell Density Fermentation Using a Sporulation-Deficient Strain for the Production of Surfactin
Authors: Klausmann Peter , Hennemann Katja , Hoffmann Mareen , Treinen Chantal , Aschern Moritz , Lilge Lars , Morabbi Heravi Kambiz , Henkel Marius , Hausmann Rudolf
Published: May 2021

Bacillus subtilis 3NA is a strain capable of reaching high cell densities. A surfactin producing sfp+ variant of this strain, named JABs32, was utilized in fed-batch cultivation processes. Both a glucose and an ammonia solution were fed to set a steady growth rate μ of 0.1 h-1. In this process, a cell dry weight of up to 88 g L-1 was reached after 38 h of cultivation, and surfactin titers of up to 26.5 g L-1 were detected in this high cell density fermentation process, achieving a YP/X value of 0.23 g g-1 as well as a qP/X of 0.007 g g-1 h-1. In sum, a 21-fold increase in surfactin titer was obtained compared with cultivations in shake flasks. In contrast to fed-batch operations using Bacillus subtilis JABs24, an sfp+ variant derived from B. subtilis 168, JABs32, reached an up to fourfold increase in surfactin titers using the same fed-batch protocol. Additionally, a two-stage feed process was established utilizing strain JABs32. Using an optimized mineral salt medium in this high cell density fermentation approach, after 31 h of cultivation, surfactin titers of 23.7 g L-1 were reached with a biomass concentration of 41.3 g L-1, thus achieving an enhanced YP/X value of 0.57 g g-1 as well as a qP/X of 0.018 g g-1 h-1. The mutation of spo0A locus and an elongation of AbrB in the strain utilized in combination with a high cell density fed-batch process represents a promising new route for future enhancements on surfactin production.

Key points

• Utilization of a sporulation deficient strain for fed-batch operations

• High cell density process with Bacillus subtilis for lipopeptide production was established

• High titer surfactin production capabilities confirm highly promising future platform strain
The splenial angle: a novel radiological index for idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus
Authors: Chan Ling Ling , Chen Robert , Li Huihua , Lee Amanda J. Y. , Go Wei Ying , Lee Weiling , Lock Christine , Kumar Sumeet , Ng Adeline S. L. , Kandiah Nagaendran , Tan Louis C. S. , Tan Eng King , Keong Nicole C. H.
Published: May 2021

Objectives

To evaluate the utility of the splenial angle (SA), an axial angular index of lateral ventriculomegaly measured on diffusion tensor MRI color fractional anisotropy maps, in differentiating NPH from Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and healthy controls (HC), and post-shunt changes in NPH, compared to Evans’ index and callosal angle.

Methods

Evans’ index, callosal angle, and SA were measured on brain MRI of 76 subjects comprising equal numbers of age- and sex-matched subjects from each cohort of NPH, AD, PD, and HC by two raters. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) and multivariable analysis were used to assess the screening performance of each measure in differentiating and predicting NPH from non-NPH groups respectively. Temporal changes in the measures on 1-year follow-up MRI in 11 NPH patients (with or without ventriculoperitoneal shunting) were also assessed.

Results

Inter-rater and intra-rater reliability were excellent for all measurements (intraclass correlation coefficients > 0.9). Pairwise comparison showed that SA was statistically different between NPH and AD/PD/HC subjects (p < 0.0001). SA performed the best in predicting NPH, with an area under the ROC curve of > 0.98, and was the only measure left in the final model of the multivariable analysis. Significant (p < 0.01) change in SA was seen at follow-up MRI of NPH patients who were shunted compared to those who were not.

Conclusions

The SA is readily measured on axial DTI color FA maps compared to the callosal angle and shows superior performance differentiating NPH from neurodegenerative disorders and sensitivity to ventricular changes in NPH after surgical intervention.

Key Points

• The splenial angle is a novel simple angular radiological index proposed for idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus, measured in the ubiquitous axial plane on DTI color fractional anisotropy maps.

• The splenial angle quantitates the compression and stretching of the posterior callosal commissural fibers alongside the distended lateral ventricles in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) using tools readily accessible in clinical practice and shows excellent test-retest reliability.

• Splenial angle outperforms Evans’ index and callosal angle in predicting NPH from healthy, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease subjects on ROC analysis with an area under the curve of > 0.98 and is sensitive to morphological ventricular changes in NPH patients after ventricular shunting.
ESUR/ESUI position paper: developing artificial intelligence for precision diagnosis of prostate cancer using magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Penzkofer Tobias , Padhani Anwar R. , Turkbey Baris , Haider Masoom A. , Huisman Henkjan , Walz Jochen , Salomon Georg , Schoots Ivo G. , Richenberg Jonathan , Villeirs Geert , Panebianco Valeria , Rouviere Olivier , Logager Vibeke Berg , Barentsz Jelle
Published: May 2021

Artificial intelligence developments are essential to the successful deployment of community-wide, MRI-driven prostate cancer diagnosis. AI systems should ensure that the main benefits of biopsy avoidance are delivered while maintaining consistent high specificities, at a range of disease prevalences. Since all current artificial intelligence / computer-aided detection systems for prostate cancer detection are experimental, multiple developmental efforts are still needed to bring the vision to fruition. Initial work needs to focus on developing systems as diagnostic supporting aids so their results can be integrated into the radiologists’ workflow including gland and target outlining tasks for fusion biopsies. Developing AI systems as clinical decision-making tools will require greater efforts. The latter encompass larger multicentric, multivendor datasets where the different needs of patients stratified by diagnostic settings, disease prevalence, patient preference, and clinical setting are considered. AI-based, robust, standard operating procedures will increase the confidence of patients and payers, thus enabling the wider adoption of the MRI-directed approach for prostate cancer diagnosis.

Key Points

• AI systems need to ensure that the benefits of biopsy avoidance are delivered with consistent high specificities, at a range of disease prevalence.

• Initial work has focused on developing systems as diagnostic supporting aids for outlining tasks, so they can be integrated into the radiologists’ workflow to support MRI-directed biopsies.

• Decision support tools require a larger body of work including multicentric, multivendor studies where the clinical needs, disease prevalence, patient preferences, and clinical setting are additionally defined.
Intraventricular haemorrhage and posthaemorrhagic ventricular dilatation: moving beyond CSF diversion
Authors: Chari Aswin , Mallucci Conor , Whitelaw Andrew , Aquilina Kristian
Published: May 2021

Advances in medical care have led to more premature babies surviving the neonatal period. In these babies, germinal matrix haemorrhage (GMH), intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) and posthaemorrhagic ventricular dilatation (PHVD) are the most important determinants of long-term cognitive and developmental outcomes. In this review, we discuss current neurosurgical management of IVH and PHVD, including the importance of early diagnosis of PHVD, thresholds for intervention, options for early management through the use of temporising measures and subsequent definitive CSF diversion. We also discuss treatment options for the evolving paradigm to manage intraventricular blood and its breakdown products. We review the evidence for techniques such as drainage, irrigation, fibrinolytic therapy (DRIFT) and neuroendoscopic lavage in the context of optimising cognitive, neurodevelopmental and quality of life outcomes in these premature infants.
The significance of synovial biopsy in the diagnostic workup of the low-grade periprosthetic joint infection of shoulder arthroplasty
Authors: Mederake Moritz , Hofmann Ulf Krister , Fink Bernd
Published: May 2021

Introduction

A common reason for painful shoulder arthroplasties and revision surgery is a low-grade periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). Diagnosing a low-grade infection is, however, a major diagnostic challenge. This applies even more to the shoulder, which differs from other large joints in terms of clinical features and microbiological spectrum. Aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of the synovial biopsy in the diagnostic workup of low-grade PJI of the shoulder.

Materials and methods

A retrospective evaluation was conducted on 56 patients receiving revision surgery on their shoulder arthroplasty. A standardized preoperative workup was performed comprising CRP value, leukocyte blood count, synovial fluid microbiological analyses and leukocyte count from joint aspiration, and five synovial biopsy samples for bacteriologic and histologic analysis obtained through an arthroscopic approach. During revision surgery, five samples of periprosthetic tissue were harvested for bacteriologic and histologic analyses. The MSIS-Criteria 2014 were used to evaluate the diagnostic results.

Results

In total, 15 of 56 revised prostheses turned out as PJI (27%). When applying our diagnostic workup, we obtained a sensitivity of 67% with a specificity of 95%. When performing a subgroup analysis on those patients that had received diagnostic biopsy, a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 83% could be achieved. With a sensitivity and specificity of 90% and 83%, respectively, the biopsy is the single method with the highest diagnostic value.

Conclusions

The sensitivity of only 67% of our standard workup emphasizes the difficulty to adequately diagnose low-grade infections after shoulder arthroplasty. The excellent specificity of 95% ensures, however, that non-infected prostheses are not incorrectly explanted. This study highlights that synovial biopsy has a high diagnostic value and should be done prior to complex revision surgeries to raise sensitivity in diagnosing a PJI.
Correction to: Vaginal treatment with lactic acid gel delays relapses in recurrent urinary tract infections: results from an open, multicentre observational study
Authors: Diebold Ruth , Schopf Bettina , Stammer Holger , Mendling Werner
Published: May 2021

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-021-06093-9
HIV-Dementia Scale as a screening tool for the detection of subcortical cognitive deficits: validation of the Italian version
Authors: Montanucci C. , Chipi E. , Salvadori N. , Rinaldi R. , Eusebi P. , Parnetti L.
Published: May 2021

Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) lacks of sensitivity in detecting cognitive deficits associated with subcortical damage. The HIV-Dementia Scale (HDS), a screening tool originally created for detecting cognitive impairment due to subcortical damage in HIV + patients, has proved to be useful in other neurological diseases. Until now, an Italian version of the HDS is not available. We aimed at: (1) validating the HDS Italian version (HDS-IT) in a cohort of cognitively healthy subjects (CN); (2) exploring the suitability of HDS-IT in detecting cognitive impairment due to subcortical damage (scCI). The psychometric properties of the HDS-IT were assessed in 180 CN (mean age 67.6 ± 8.3, range 41–84) with regard to item-total correlation, test–retest reliability and convergent validity with MMSE. Item-total correlations ranged 0.44–0.72. Test–retest reliability was 0.70 (p < 0.001). The HDS-IT scores were positively associated with MMSE score (rS = 0.49, p < 0.001). Then, both the HDS-IT and the MMSE were administered to 44 scCI subjects (mean age 64.9 ± 10.6, range 41–84). Mean HDS-IT total score was close to the original version and significantly lower in the scCI group compared to CN (8.6 ± 3.6 vs. 12.6 ± 2.5, p < 0.001). ROC analysis yielded an optimal cutoff value of 11, with sensitivity of 0.70 and specificity of 0.82. Patients showed poorer scores on HDS-IT compared to CN (12.6 ± 2.5 vs. 8.6 ± 3.6, p < 0.001). Our results support the use of HDS-IT as a screening tool suitable for detecting cognitive deficits with prevalent subcortical pattern, being complementary to MMSE in clinical practice.