bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiverse optimizer for structural damage detection: Numerical study and experimental validation
Authors: Ghannadi Parsa , Kourehli Seyed Sina
Published: July 2020

New optimization algorithms have been increasingly developed in the course of the recent years. The accuracy of identified results in optimization‐based damage detection methods depends on the objective function and optimization algorithm. This paper employs multiverse Optimizer (MVO) to solve the optimization‐based damage identification problem. Statistical results obtained by MVO are compared with those of sine cosine algorithm (SCA) and Harris hawks optimization (HHO) in order to perform a comparative study. Two objective functions are used in this optimization problem. The first one is based on the modal assurance criterion (MAC) and the second one on modified total modal assurance criterion (MTMAC). Numerical and experimental examples indicate that the combination of objective function based on MTMAC and MVO algorithm can provide accurate and reliable results in structural damage detection process. MAC is also rejected in competition with MTMAC. While using SCA‐MTMAC, the accuracy of the results is acceptable in some cases. However, HHO‐MTMAC gives weak results in most cases. MVO and SSA are the lowest, and HHO spends significantly more time in terms of computational cost.
Spontaneous Formation of Plasmoid during Early Magnetic Reconnection Phase of Two Merging Tokamaks
Authors: Cao Qinghong , Cai Yunhan , Akimitsu Moe , Xiang Junguang , Ahmadi Tara , Tanaka Haruaki , Tanabe Hiroshi , Ono Yasushi
Published: July 2020

A new type of spontaneous formation of plasmoid is observed in our toroidal plasma merging experiment on TS‐6 using a newly developed high‐resolution magnetic probe array, which has axially gyro‐scale spatial resolution (ΔZ ∼ 1.1 cm). In the axially elongated new machine, the plasmoid is formed near the mid‐plane with a configuration of two X‐points in the early phase of magnetic reconnection when the initial two flux tubes (merging tokamaks) are still in their respective formation region. The plasmoid is then merged with the major upstream plasmas at the two X‐points, which finally triggers the increment of reconnection speed. © 2020 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Acylglycerol kinase promotes the stemness of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells by promoting β‐catenin translocation to the nucleus through activating PI3K/Akt pathway
Authors: Zhao Qi , Sun Peng , Qin Songbing , Liu Jisheng
Published: July 2020

Recent evidences show that acylglycerol kinase (AGK) expression is related to the occurrence and development of various human cancers. However, its roles in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) progression are still unclear. This work aims to explore the roles of AGK in NPC cell stemness. It was shown that AGK expression was higher in NPC tissues compared to the adjacent tissues. Online dataset analysis revealed that AGK expression was negatively correlated with the overall survival of NPC patients. Gain and loss of functional experiments demonstrated that AGK positively regulated the stemness of NPC cells, as evident by the change of the tumor sphere‐formation ability, ALDH1 activity and expression of stemness critical regulators. KEGG analysis were performed to determine the potential pathways of AGK involved in NPC cell stemness and showed that the PI3K/Akt pathway exhibited the most correlation with AGK expression. Further mechanistic studies confirmed that AGK promoted the stemness of NPC cells through activating the PI3K/Akt pathway, and thus enhancing β‐catenin accumulation in nucleus. This study demonstrates a novel AGK/PI3K/Akt/β‐catenin axis involving in NPC cell stemness.
Fatal attraction: The roles of ribosomal proteins in the viral life cycle
Authors: Miller Clare M. , Selvam Sangeetha , Fuchs Gabriele
Published: July 2020

Upon viral infection of a host cell, each virus starts a program to generate many progeny viruses. Although viruses interact with the host cell in numerous ways, one critical step in the virus life cycle is the expression of viral proteins, which are synthesized by the host ribosomes in conjunction with host translation factors. Here we review different mechanisms viruses have evolved to effectively seize host cell ribosomes, the roles of specific ribosomal proteins and their posttranslational modifications on viral RNA translation, or the cellular response to infection. We further highlight ribosomal proteins with extra‐ribosomal function during viral infection and put the knowledge of ribosomal proteins during viral infection into the larger context of ribosome‐related diseases, known as ribosomopathies.

This article is categorized under:

Translation > Translation Mechanisms

Translation > Translation Regulation
Spontaneously broken boosts and the Goldstone continuum
Authors: Alberte Lasma , Nicolis Alberto
Published: July 2020

Abstract

The spontaneous breaking of boost invariance is ubiquitous in nature, yet the associated Goldstone bosons are nowhere to be seen. We discuss why some subtleties are to be expected in the Goldstone phenomenon for spontaneously broken boosts, and derive the corresponding quantum mechanical, non-perturbative Goldstone theorem. Despite similarities with more standard Goldstone theorems, we show by examples that ours can be obeyed by quite unusual spectra of low-energy excitations. In particular, for non- relativistic Fermi liquids, we prove that it is obeyed by the particle-hole continuum. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of a Goldstone theorem obeyed by a continuum rather than by (approximately stable) single-particle Goldstone boson states in an interacting theory at zero temperature.
The Detectable Subspace for the Friedrichs Model: Applications of Toeplitz Operators and the Riesz–Nevanlinna Factorisation Theorem
Authors: Naboko S. , Wood I.
Published: July 2020

We discuss how much information on a Friedrichs model operator (a finite rank perturbation of the operator of multiplication by the independent variable) can be detected from ‘measurements on the boundary’. The framework of boundary triples is used to introduce the generalised Titchmarsh–Weyl M-function and the detectable subspaces which are associated with the part of the operator which is ‘accessible from boundary measurements’. In this paper, we choose functions arising as parameters in the Friedrichs model in certain Hardy classes. This allows us to determine the detectable subspace by using the canonical Riesz–Nevanlinna factorisation of the symbol of a related Toeplitz operator.
Mechanical properties and compositional characteristics of beet (Beta vulgaris L.) varieties and their response to nitrogen application
Authors: Schäfer Judith , Hale Julia , Hoffmann Christa M. , Bunzel Mirko
Published: July 2020

Mechanical properties of sugar beet are important during harvesting and processing. To potentially correlate mechanical properties with structural features of cell wall polymers, four different Beta varieties (Beta vulgaris L.) were characterized for their mechanical properties and cell wall composition. In addition, the influence of nitrogen fertilization was analyzed. Additional nitrogen fertilization only slightly influenced mechanical properties and cell wall composition. Hardly any structural differences of cell wall polysaccharides were observed for all Beta varieties. Slight differences in alcohol insoluble residue and protein contents, in amino acid profiles of proteins, and in esterification degree of pectins were found. The Beta varieties differed in their contents of cell wall bound phenolic components, and particularly in their dry matter contents. Analyses of mechanical properties of the Beta varieties demonstrated differences in tissue firmness and compressive strength. However, no evidence was found that the observed differences of cell wall composition are responsible for the divergent mechanical properties, with the exception of water contents that were higher in samples with less compressive strength.
Spectral Truncations in Noncommutative Geometry and Operator Systems
Authors: Connes Alain , van Suijlekom Walter D.
Published: July 2020

In this paper we extend the traditional framework of noncommutative geometry in order to deal with spectral truncations of geometric spaces (i.e. imposing an ultraviolet cutoff in momentum space) and with tolerance relations which provide a coarse grain approximation of geometric spaces at a finite resolution. In our new approach the traditional role played by$$C^*$$C∗-algebras is taken over by operator systems. As part of the techniques we treat$$C^*$$C∗-envelopes, dual operator systems and stable equivalence. We define a propagation number for operator systems, which we show to be an invariant under stable equivalence and use to compare approximations of the same space. We illustrate our methods for concrete examples obtained by spectral truncations of the circle. These are operator systems of finite-dimensional Toeplitz matrices and their dual operator systems which are given by functions in the group algebra on the integers with support in a fixed interval. It turns out that the cones of positive elements and the pure state spaces for these operator systems possess a very rich structure which we analyze including for the algebraic geometry of the boundary of the positive cone and the metric aspect i.e. the distance on the state space associated to the Dirac operator. The main property of the spectral truncation is that it keeps the isometry group intact. In contrast, if one considers the other finite approximation provided by circulant matrices the isometry group becomes discrete, even though in this case the operator system is a$$C^*$$C∗-algebra. We analyze this in the context of the finite Fourier transform on the cyclic group. The extension of noncommutative geometry to operator systems allows one to deal with metric spaces up to finite resolution by considering the relation$$d(x,y)< \varepsilon $$d(x,y)<εbetween two points, or more generally a tolerance relation which naturally gives rise to an operator system.
Assessing Post‐operative Pain with Self‐reports via the Jerrycan Pain Scale in Rural Kenya
Authors: Mwachiro Michael , Mwachiro Elizabeth , Wachu MaryAnne , Koske Wilter , Thure Linda , Parker Robert K. , White Russell E.
Published: July 2020

Background

Perioperative pain management is an essential component to improving patient outcomes. Measurement and description of pain are challenging and vary in different contexts. The objective of this study was to assess the utility of self‐reporting via visual analogue scales using the Jerrycan visual analogue scale in the assessment of post‐operative pain and to validate the use of this novel scale compared to standard pain scales.

Materials and methods

Two hundred and forty‐one inpatients who underwent surgical procedures were prospectively assessed for post‐operative pain over a 12‐month period from February 2016 to January 2017. Participants included patients who underwent general surgery, orthopedic and obstetrics/gynecology procedures. On post‐operative day one, four scales were assessed: Verbal scale, Hands scale, Faces scale and Jerrycan scale, each ranging from 0–5. Scores for each scale were recorded, and agreements between scales were calculated using kappa values and Spearman's rank coefficients.

Results

The mean age was 34.8 years and more female subjects were evaluated (68%). The majority received spinal anesthesia (61%). The mean pain score was 2.5 for all scales. The Jerrycan (0.50) and Faces scales (0.43) had moderate agreements with the Verbal scale. Participants preferred the Jerrycan Pain Scale.

Conclusion

The Jerrycan pain scale had comparable scores and reasonable agreement with 3 other pain scales among a cohort of post‐operative patients. Patient preference and ease of use of the Jerrycan scale may impact assessment and management of pain in a rural African setting. This scale may be adapted for use in similar resource settings for post‐operative pain management.
Validity and reliability of the Patient Health Questionnaire-8 in Swedish for individuals with systemic sclerosis
Authors: Mattsson Malin , Sandqvist Gunnel , Hesselstrand Roger , Nordin Annica , Boström Carina
Published: July 2020

Background

Depressive symptoms are common in rheumatic diseases and influence patients’ quality of life. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), which assesses symptoms of depression, is valid in English in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). However, the measurement properties of the PHQ-8 (short version of the PHQ-9) have not been evaluated in Swedish patients with SSc.

Objective

To investigate different aspects of validity and reliability of the PHQ-8 in Swedish (PHQ-8 Swe) for individuals with SSc.

Methods

A total of 101 patients with SSc participated. Content validity was evaluated via interviews of 11 patients and 10 health professionals. Construct validity, internal consistency test–retest reliability, and floor/ceiling effects were evaluated in 90 patients.

Results

Content validity was satisfactory, but some linguistic adjustments were made. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a better fit for a two-factor structure. Moderate-to-strong correlations were found between the PHQ-8 Swe and scleroderma HAQ including VAS (rs = 0.4–0.7); Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue (rs = 0.7); RAND-36 subscales (rs = − 0.5 to − 0.8); and lung disease severity (Medsger scores) (rs = 0.4). There were weak correlations (rs = <0.4) between the PHQ-8 Swe and modified Rodnan skin score; and vascular, heart, and kidney disease severity. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.85, corrected item-to-total correlations were >0.40, and the ICC for the total score was 0.83. No floor/ceiling effects were found.

Conclusion

The PHQ-8 Swe has satisfactory content validity and sufficient reliability in patients with in majority limited SSc. It is more strongly associated with self-reported disability, pain, disease interferences with daily activities, fatigue, and quality of life than with disease severity, except for a moderate association with lung severity.
Thrombocytopenia: is it a prognostic factor for development of post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus in neonates?
Authors: El Damaty Ahmed , Giannoni Luca , Unterberg Andreas , Baechli Heidi
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH) is a rare but serious complication among premature babies in the neonatal intensive care unit. The causes of PHH are still not entirely understood, and its prevention and treatment are controversial. We tried to analyze the risk factors for such complication in our cohort.

Methods

We reviewed our neonatology data bank and included all preterms below 28 weeks who were born in the period between 1999 and 2014 and suffered from an intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). We reviewed gestational age, gender, birth weight, type of birth, IVH degree, comorbidities, therapy, complications, time to event, protein content of cerebrospinal fluid, and clinical follow-up.

Results

We identified 180 patients, divided into two subgroups, “B1” with 37 cases (IVH + PHH) and “B2” with 143 cases (IVH − PHH). In group B1, the presence of IVH grades I, II, III, or IV was in 11%, 19%, and 70% respectively. Nineteen patients were treated with a ventricular access device (VAD) or external ventricular drain (EVD). A total of 20 shunts were implanted, with 11 revisions (55%). One patient suffered from thrombocytopenia. In subgroup B2, 51% showed IVH grade I, whereas severe IVH grades were only present in 22%. 25.9% suffered from thrombocytopenia. Thrombocytopenia was significantly higher in patients who did not develop PHH (p value: 0.002).

Conclusion

According to our results, thrombocytopenia could play a decisive role in avoiding development of PHH as a sequel of IVH. We recommend a randomized controlled trial to assess the possible efficacy of antiplatelet drugs in avoiding PHH in this vulnerable group.
Transfer of an interprofessional emergency caesarean section training program: using questionnaire combined with outcome data of newborn
Authors: Flentje Markus , Eismann Hendrik , Höltje Maike , Hagemann Vera , Brodowski Lars , von Kaisenberg Constantin
Published: July 2020

Puprose

An emergency caesarean section is a potentially life-threatening situation both for the mother and the newborn. Non-technical skills can be improved by simulation training and are necessary to manage this urgent situation successfully. The objective of this study was to investigate, if training of emergency caesarean section can be transferred into daily work to improve the outcome parameters pH an APGAR of the newborn.

Methods

In this pre-post study, 141 professionals took part in a training for emergency caesarean section. Participants received a questionnaire, based on the tools “Training Evaluation Inventory” and “Transfer Climate Questionnaire” 1 year after training. Outcome data of the newborn were collected from the hospitals information system.

Results

Except the scale “extinction”, Cronbach’s alpha was higher than 0.62. All scales were rated lower than 2.02 on a 5-point Likert Scale (1 = fullest approval; 5 = complete rejection). “Negative reinforcement” was rated with 2.87 (SD 0.73). There were no significant differences in outcome data prior. The questionnaire fulfils criteria for application except the scale “extinction”.

Conclusion

The presented training course was perceived as useful by the professionals and attitudes toward training were positive; the content was positively reinforced in practice 1 year after training. Parameters of the newborn did not change. It is conceivable that other outcome parameters (e.g. posttraumatic stress disorder) are addressed by the training. The development of relevant outcome parameters for the quality of emergency sections needs further investigation.
Evaluating hearing outcome, recidivism and complications in cholesteatoma surgery using the ChOLE classification system
Authors: Bächinger David , Rrahmani Adrian , Weiss Nora M. , Mlynski Robert , Huber Alexander , Röösli Christof
Published: July 2020

Purpose

To establish a standardized reporting system of cholesteatoma, the ChOLE classification has recently been introduced. We here aimed to systematically investigate the association between the ChOLE classification and (i) hearing, (ii) recidivism rate, and (iii) postoperative complications. These data may increase the utility of the ChOLE classification in clinical practice and research by stratifying patients according to expected outcomes or risks for complications.

Methods

In this prospective multicentric study, we included adult patients undergoing tympanomastoid surgery due to cholesteatoma. Main outcome measures included the association of the ChOLE classification system with (i) audiometric data including air conduction (AC) and bone conduction (BC) pure-tone average (PTA), and the air–bone gap (ABG), (ii) recidivism and complication.

Results

A total of 160 patients suffering from cholesteatoma were included. ChOLE stage distribution was stage I in 23 (14%), stage II in 128 (80%), and stage III in 9 (6%) patients. The ChOLE stage was associated with the postoperative AC PTA (p = 0.05) and the postoperative BC PTA (p = 0.02). Further, the status of the ossicular chain after surgery (ChOLE subdivision “O”) was associated with both the postoperative ABG (p = 0.0001) and the postoperative AC PTA (p = 0.003). Moreover, we found an association between complications (ChOLE subdivision “L) and both the postoperative BC PTA (p = 0.04) and the postoperative ABG (p = 0.04). No association between the ChOLE stage was found to both cholesteatoma recidivism and surgical complications.

Conclusion

The ChOLE classification is a new system to classify cholesteatomas. We provide evidence that hearing outcomes vary among different ChOLE stages. In particular, hearing outcomes are associated with the ChOLE subdivision “O” and “L”. Thus, the ChOLE classification system has a predictive value regarding hearing outcomes.
Combined antisaccade task and transcranial direct current stimulation to increase response inhibition in binge eating disorder
Authors: Max Sebastian M. , Plewnia Christian , Zipfel Stephan , Giel Katrin E. , Schag Kathrin
Published: July 2020

Binge eating disorder (BED) is associated with deficient response inhibition. Malfunctioning response inhibition is linked to hypoactivation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), where excitability could be increased by anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Response inhibition can be assessed using an antisaccade task which requires supressing a dominant response (i.e. saccade) towards a newly appearing picture in the visual field. We performed a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled proof-of-concept-study in which we combined a food-modified antisaccade task with tDCS in people with BED. We expected task learning and modulatory tDCS effects. Sixteen people were allocated to a 1 mA condition, 15 people to a 2 mA condition. Each participant underwent the food-modified antisaccade task at three measurement points: baseline without stimulation, anodal verum and sham stimulation at the right dlPFC in a crossover design. The error rate and the latencies of correct antisaccades decreased over time. No tDCS effect on the error rate could be observed. Compared to sham stimulation, 2 mA tDCS decreased the latencies of correct antisaccades, whereas 1 mA tDCS increased it. Self-reported binge eating episodes were reduced in the 2 mA condition, while there was no change in the 1 mA condition. Participants demonstrated increased response inhibition capacities by a task learning effect concerning the error rate and latencies of correct antisaccades over time as well as a nonlinear tDCS effect represented by ameliorated latencies in the 2 mA and impaired latencies in the 1 mA condition. The reduction of binge eating episodes might indicate a transfer effect to everyday life. Given that the reduction in binge eating was observed before tDCS administration, this effect could not be the result of neuromodulation. Randomized clinical trials are needed to fully understand this reduction, and to explore the efficacy of a combined antisaccade and tDCS training for BED.
Sharp force trauma with two katana swords: identifying the murder weapon by comparing tool marks on the skull bone
Authors: Weber Matthias , Banaschak Sibylle , Rothschild Markus Alexander
Published: July 2020

This paper describes the variety of information that a tool mark analysis on human tissue can provide based on a case of multiple sharp violence. The perpetrator attacked the victim with a sharp-edged weapon against the head, leaving several deep wounds on the back of the skull bone. Three of those marks on the skull bone could be used for a forensic tool mark examination. Silicone casts of the marks were compared by light microscopy with casts of test marks of Japanese katana swords found at the crime scene. One of the swords could be identified as the one responsible for the marks. In addition, the marks and the test marks were scanned in 3D and examined in a visual on-screen comparison confirming the results from the light microscopic examination. Furthermore, a mathematical approach in which the signatures of the marks from the skull bone and the test marks from the sword were compared by cross correlation confirms those findings. In addition, the aforementioned results were used to determine the orientation of the sword in relation to the cranial bone at the time of the respective impact.
The DizzyQuest: to have or not to have… a vertigo attack?
Authors: de Joode L. E. G. H. , Martin E. C. , Stultiens J. J. A. , Leue C. , Delespaul P. , Peeters F. , Erdkamp A. , van de Weijer S. , Blom H. , Bruintjes T. , Zwergal A. , Grill E. , Guinand N. , Perez-Fornos A. , van de Berg M. R. , Widdershoven J. , Kingma H. , van de Berg R.
Published: July 2020

Background

The DizzyQuest, an app-based vestibular diary, provides the opportunity to capture the number and nature of vertigo attacks in daily life. To accomplish this, the DizzyQuest provides different strategies: event sampling using an attack questionnaire, and time sampling using an evening questionnaire. Objective of this study was to investigate whether the number and nature of reported vertigo attacks was comparable between the two questionnaires.

Methods

Fifty-seven patients, who reported vertigo attacks, used the DizzyQuest for on average 24 days. The number and nature (including symptoms, triggers and duration) of vertigo attacks were compared between the attack and the evening questionnaire.

Results

The attack questionnaire was used 192 times. In contrast, at least 749 new vertigo attacks were reported in 446 evening questionnaires. A vertigo attack was not always reported in both questionnaires during the same day. Vertigo attacks that were most likely captured by both questionnaires were not always reported the same in both questionnaires regarding triggers and duration.

Conclusion

Event sampling using an attack questionnaire has low recall bias and, therefore, reliably captures the nature of the attack, but induces a risk of under-sampling. Time sampling using an evening questionnaire suffers from recall bias, but seems more likely to capture less discrete vertigo attacks and it facilitates registration of the absence of vertigo attacks. Depending on the clinical or research question, the right strategy should be applied and participants should be clearly instructed about the definition of a vertigo attack.
Added value of 3D-vision during robotic pancreatoduodenectomy anastomoses in biotissue (LAEBOT 3D2D): a randomized controlled cross-over trial
Authors: Zwart Maurice J. W. , Jones Leia R. , Balduzzi Alberto , Takagi Kosei , Vanlander Aude , van den Boezem Peter B. , Daams Freek , Rosman Camiel , Lips Daan J. , Moser Arthur J. , Hogg Melissa E. , Busch Olivier R. C. , Stommel Martijn W. J. , Besselink Marc G. ,   For the Dutch Pancreatic Cancer Group
Published: July 2020

Background

We tested the added value of 3D-vision on procedure time and surgical performance during robotic pancreatoduodenectomy anastomoses in biotissue. Robotic surgery has the advantage of articulating instruments and 3D-vision. Consensus is lacking on the added value of 3D-vision during laparoscopic surgery. Given the improved dexterity with robotic surgery, the added value of 3D-vision may be even less with robotic surgery.

Methods

In this experimental randomized controlled cross-over trial, 20 surgeons and surgical residents from 5 countries performed robotic pancreaticojejunostomy and hepaticojejunostomy anastomoses in a biotissue organ model using the da Vinci® system and were randomized to start with either 3D- or 2D-vision. Primary endpoint was the time required to complete both anastomoses. Secondary endpoint was the objective structured assessment of technical skill (OSATS; range 12–60) rating; scored by two observers blinded to 3D/2D.

Results

Robotic 3D-vision reduced the combined operative time from 78.1 to 57.3 min (24.6% reduction, p < 0.001; 20.8 min reduction, 95% confidence intervals 12.8–28.8 min). This reduction was consistent for both anastomoses and between surgeons and residents, p < 0.001. Robotic 3D-vision improved OSATS performance by 6.1 points (20.8% improvement, p = 0.003) compared to 2D (39.4 to 45.1 points, ± 5.5).

Conclusion

3D-vision has a considerable added value during robotic pancreatoduodenectomy anastomoses in biotissue in both time reduction and improved surgical performance as compared to 2D-vision.
Noise modeling of offshore platform using progressive normalized distance from worst-case error for optimal neuron numbers in deep belief network
Authors: Chin Cheng Siong , Zhang Ronghui
Published: July 2020

Noise prediction is important for crew comfort in an offshore platform such as oil drilling rig. A deep neural network learning on the oil drilling rig is not widely studied. In this paper, a deep belief network (DBN) with the last layer initialized with trained DBN (named DBN-DNN) is used to model the sound pressure level (SPL) in the compartments of the oil drilling rig. The method finds an optimal number of the hidden neurons in restricted Boltzmann machine by using a normalized Euclidean distance from the worst possible error for each hidden layer progressively. The dataset used for experimental results is obtained via vibroacoustics simulation software such as VA-One and actual site measurements. The results show that output parameters such as spatial SPL, average spatial SPL, structure-borne SPL and airborne SPL improve the testing root mean square error to around 20% as compared to randomly assigning the number of neurons for each hidden layer. The testing RMSE in the output parameters has improved when compared with a multi-layer perceptron, sparse autoencoder, Softmax, self-taught learning and extreme learning machine.
Die Bedeutung und Effizienz interdisziplinärer Frühförderung für Kinder mit Beeinträchtigung oder drohender Behinderung – eine Literaturrecherche
Authors: Resch Bernhard , Hasenbacher Vanessa , Kurz Ronald
Published: July 2020

Hintergrund

Interdisziplinäre Frühförderung (IFF) basiert auf 4 Grundprinzipien: der Ganzheitlichkeit, der Familienorientierung, der Interdisziplinarität und der Vernetzung. Es gibt eine Vielzahl an Methoden und sehr verschiedene Risikogruppen, sodass eine Beurteilung oder eine allgemeingültige Aussage zur Effektivität von IFF schwierig erscheint und Untergruppen je nach Risikogruppe indiziert sind.

Methodik

Wir führten eine Literaturrecherche zum Thema Effizienz der IFF via PubMed, MedLine, Embase und CINAHL durch. Der Suchzeitraum für die verwendete Literatur reichte von 1. Januar 1990 bis zum 30. April 2019. Berücksichtigt wurde Literatur in englischer und deutscher Sprache und Suchbegriffe waren „early childhood intervention“ kombiniert mit „effects, development, disability, prematurity“ etc.

Ergebnisse

Wir analysierten schließlich 50 Publikationen aufgeteilt in 5 Risikogruppen: Frühgeborene, körperliche Behinderung, Autismus-Spektrum-Störung inklusive Sprachentwicklungsverzögerungen, Verhaltensauffälligkeiten und psychosoziale Risiken. In insgesamt 39 der 50 analysierten Publikationen (78 %) einschließlich 4 Reviews bzw. Metaanalysen sowie 2 Cochrane-Reviews ließen sich positive Effekte der IFF nachweisen. Diese wurden in Studien mit kleinen Stichprobengrößen sowie in Publikationen mit großen Probandenzahlen beobachtet.

IFF kann Kindern mit Beeinträchtigungen oder diesbezüglichen Gefährdungen und deren Eltern helfen und vermag, eine Entwicklungsstörung zu verhindern oder abzuschwächen. Aufgrund der Heterogenität der möglichen Interventionsarten und deren Intensitäten ist eine generelle Aussage zur Effizienz trotz der positiven Literaturrecherche schwierig zu treffen, denn es müssen alle Frühfördermaßnahmen individuell an jedes Kind angepasst werden.
[FeFe]-hydrogenase maturation: H-cluster assembly intermediates tracked by electron paramagnetic resonance, infrared, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy
Authors: Németh Brigitta , Senger Moritz , Redman Holly J. , Ceccaldi Pierre , Broderick Joan , Magnuson Ann , Stripp Sven T. , Haumann Michael , Berggren Gustav
Published: July 2020

[FeFe]-hydrogenase enzymes employ a unique organometallic cofactor for efficient and reversible hydrogen conversion. This so-called H-cluster consists of a [4Fe–4S] cubane cysteine linked to a diiron complex coordinated by carbon monoxide and cyanide ligands and an azadithiolate ligand (adt = NH(CH2S)2)·[FeFe]-hydrogenase apo-protein binding only the [4Fe–4S] sub-complex can be fully activated in vitro by the addition of a synthetic diiron site precursor complex ([2Fe]adt). Elucidation of the mechanism of cofactor assembly will aid in the design of improved hydrogen processing synthetic catalysts. We combined electron paramagnetic resonance, Fourier-transform infrared, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy to characterize intermediates of H-cluster assembly as initiated by mixing of the apo-protein (HydA1) from the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii with [2Fe]adt. The three methods consistently show rapid formation of a complete H-cluster in the oxidized, CO-inhibited state (Hox-CO) already within seconds after the mixing. Moreover, FTIR spectroscopy support a model in which Hox-CO formation is preceded by a short-lived Hred′-CO-like intermediate. Accumulation of Hox-CO was followed by CO release resulting in the slower conversion to the catalytically active state (Hox) as well as formation of reduced states of the H-cluster.

Graphic abstract
Machine learning for research on climate change adaptation policy integration: an exploratory UK case study
Authors: Biesbroek Robbert , Badloe Shashi , Athanasiadis Ioannis N.
Published: July 2020

Understanding how climate change adaptation is integrated into existing policy sectors and organizations is critical to ensure timely and effective climate actions across multiple levels and scales. Studying climate change adaptation policy has become increasingly difficult, particularly given the increasing volume of potentially relevant data available, the validity of existing methods handling large volumes of data, and comprehensiveness of assessing processes of integration across all sectors and public sector organizations over time. This article explores the use of machine learning to assist researchers when conducting adaptation policy research using text as data. We briefly introduce machine learning for text analysis, present the steps of training and testing a neural network model to classify policy texts using data from the UK, and demonstrate its usefulness with quantitative and qualitative illustrations. We conclude the article by reflecting on the merits and pitfalls of using machine learning in our case study and in general for researching climate change adaptation policy.
The effect of long-term care public benefits and insurance on informal care from outside the household: empirical evidence from Italy and Spain
Authors: Courbage Christophe , Montoliu-Montes Guillem , Wagner Joël
Published: July 2020

This article uses cross-sectional data from the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) database to test the effect of both long-term care (LTC) public benefits and insurance on the receipt of informal care provided by family members living outside the household in Italy and Spain. The choice of Italy and Spain comes from the fact that informal care is rather similar in these two countries while their respective public LTC financing systems are different. Our results support the hypothesis of LTC public support decreasing the receipt of informal care for Spain while reject it for Italy. They tend to confirm that the effect of public benefits on informal care depends on the typology of public coverage for LTC whereby access to proportional benefits negatively influences informal care receipt while access to cash benefits exerts a positive effect. Our results also suggest that private LTC insurance complements the public LTC financing system in place.
High aspect ratio cellulose nanofibrils from macroalgae Laminaria hyperborea cellulose extract via a zero-waste low energy process
Authors: Onyianta Amaka J. , O’Rourke Dominic , Sun Dongyang , Popescu Carmen-Mihaela , Dorris Mark
Published: July 2020

Homogeneous high aspect ratio cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) were prepared from Laminaria hyperborea (LH) seaweed cellulose without any initial mechanical, biological or chemical pre-treatments. Fourier-transform infrared spectrophotometry revealed that LH cellulose was of the cellulose Iα allomorph, typical of algal cellulose. Compared with wood derived CNF, significant enhancements in crystallinity, viscoelastic properties, water retention values (WRV) and morphological characteristics were identified with a single pass at 1 wt. % cellulose content through a high-pressure homogeniser. Further mechanical fibrillation did not lead to appreciable improvements in material properties that would justify the added energy consumption, which at a single pass is at least a factor of 10 lower than with wood cellulose processing. Good quality CNFs with little compromise in material properties were also obtainable at 2–3 wt. % cellulose contents as identified from viscoelastic analysis, WRV and morphological analysis. LHCNFs also showed good thermal stability, which in summary presents a multifunctional high value cellulose nanomaterial that can find application in various fields.

Graphic abstract
Long-term strategies to control COVID-19 in low and middle-income countries: an options overview of community-based, non-pharmacological interventions
Authors: Chowdhury Rajiv , Luhar Shammi , Khan Nusrat , Choudhury Sohel Reza , Matin Imran , Franco Oscar H.
Published: July 2020

In low and middle-income countries (LMICs), strict social distancing measures (e.g., nationwide lockdown) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are unsustainable in the long-term due to knock-on socioeconomic and psychological effects. However, an optimal epidemiology-focused strategy for ‘safe-reopening’ (i.e., balancing between the economic and health consequences) remain unclear, particularly given the suboptimal disease surveillance and diagnostic infrastructure in these settings. As the lockdown is now being relaxed in many LMICs, in this paper, we have (1) conducted an epidemiology-based “options appraisal” of various available non-pharmacological intervention options that can be employed to safely lift the lockdowns (namely, sustained mitigation, zonal lockdown and rolling lockdown strategies), and (2) propose suitable application, pre-requisites, and inherent limitations for each measure. Among these, a sustained mitigation-only approach (adopted in many high-income countries) may not be feasible in most LMIC settings given the absence of nationwide population surveillance, generalised testing, contact tracing and critical care infrastructure needed to tackle the likely resurgence of infections. By contrast, zonal or local lockdowns may be suitable for some countries where systematic identification of new outbreak clusters in real-time would be feasible. This requires a generalised testing and surveillance structure, and a well-thought out (and executed) zone management plan. Finally, an intermittent, rolling lockdown strategy has recently been suggested by the World Health Organization as a potential strategy to get the epidemic under control in some LMI settings, where generalised mitigation and zonal containment is unfeasible. This strategy, however, needs to be carefully considered for economic costs and necessary supply chain reforms. In conclusion, while we propose three community-based, non-pharmacological options for LMICs, a suitable measure should be context-specific and based on: (1) epidemiological considerations, (2) social and economic costs, (3) existing health systems capabilities and (4) future-proof plans to implement and sustain the strategy.
Scalable design and algorithm for science DMZ by considering the nature of research traffic
Authors: Lee Chankyun , Jang Minseok , Noh Minki , Seok Woojin
Published: July 2020

This paper explores the nature of scientific research traffic on the Korea research environment open network. Based on these investigations, we propose a scalable design and algorithm for the science demilitarization zone (DMZ). The proposed design allows users to share a data-transfer node (DTN), which is essential but costly equipment in the Science DMZ. The proposed iterative greedy algorithm attempts to minimize the peak traffic of the shared DTNs. By considering state-of-the-art DTN and practical research traffic, the proposed design and algorithm achieve up to 79% capital expenditure (CAPEX) reduction from that of a reference design of the Science DMZ where a DTN is allocated per user. The proposed algorithm achieves a 5-order-of-magnitude reduction in computation time at the cost of acceptable CAPEX overheads compared to those of the minimum-CAPEX solutions.
Decentralized master production and recycling scheduling of lithium-ion batteries: a techno-economic optimization model
Authors: Scheller Christian , Schmidt Kerstin , Spengler Thomas Stefan
Published: July 2020

Due to the rapid growth of e-mobility, increasing amounts of lithium-ion batteries are produced and returned after their lifetime. However, these returns will lead to new challenges for manufacturers and recyclers, considering the end-of-life. Especially the increasing interaction between forward and reverse supply chain and the related decision on the end-of-life options (e.g., recycling, remanufacturing, and reuse) need to be planned and executed in a sophisticated way. Therefore, we focus on the interactions between recycler and manufacturer as two of the major actors of each supply chain. We formulate optimization models for the master recycling scheduling and the master production scheduling. To analyze current decentralized decisions of the recycler and remanufacturer, we further formulate an integrated master production and recycling scheduling model. In the following, we describe the production and recycling of lithium-ion batteries in a case study. Here, we examine five different scenarios. We find that for all scenarios, manufacturer and recycler achieve positive contribution margins. However, inefficiencies always occur due to opportunistic behavior. As a result, reuse is performed only in case of centralized planning. Hence, coordination is needed between the forward and reverse supply chain to achieve the maximal contribution margin.
Maternal Hypertension, Advanced Doppler Haemodynamics and Therapeutic Precision: Principles and Illustrative Cases
Authors: Phillips Rob A. , Ma Z. , Kong B. , Gao L.
Published: July 2020

Purpose of Review

Maternal hypertension is a common and serious condition associated with increased maternal and foetal morbidity and mortality, with early detection and management improving outcomes.

Recent Findings

Blood pressure (BP) changes of pre-eclampsia are defined after 20 gestational weeks, while haemodynamic changes can be detected at 5–11 weeks using a specialised non-invasive Doppler stroke volume (SV) monitor. Thus, advanced haemodynamic monitoring allows for physiologically precise identification of circulatory abnormalities, and implementation of appropriate therapy within the first trimester. We measured the oscillometric BP and advanced haemodynamics (USCOM 1A) of 3 unselected women with singleton pregnancies, consecutively listed for therapeutic induction for maternal hypertension at 32–41 weeks gestational age. While the BP’s of the patients varied, it was the haemodynamics, particularly SV, cardiac output, systemic vascular resistance, Smith Madigan Inotropy Index, and oxygen deliver, that identified differing patterns of circulatory dysfunction, therapeutic objectives, and predicted post-partum complications of the mother and child.

First trimester screening of maternal haemodynamics may allow for earlier detection of circulatory derangements, selection of patient precise interventions, and improved maternal-foetal outcomes.
Effect of Gemcitabine based chemotherapy on the immunogenicity of pancreatic tumour cells and T-cells
Authors: Smith P. L. , Yogaratnam Y. , Samad M. , Kasow S. , Dalgleish A. G.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Chemotherapy for advanced pancreatic cancer has limited efficacy due to the difficultly of treating established tumours and the evolution of tumour resistance. Chemotherapies for pancreatic cancer are typically studied for their cytotoxic properties rather than for their ability to increase the immunogenicity of pancreatic tumour cells. In this study Gemcitabine in combination with immune modulatory chemotherapies Oxaliplatin, zoledronic acid and pomalidomide was studied to determine how combination therapy alters the immunogenicity of pancreatic tumour cell lines and subsequent T-cell responses.

Methods

Pancreatic tumour cell lines were stimulated with the chemotherapeutic agents and markers of immune recognition were assessed. The effect of chemotherapeutic agents on DC function was measured using uptake of CFSE-stained PANC-1 cells, changes in markers of maturation and their ability to activate CD8+ T-cells. The effect of chemotherapeutic agents on T-cell priming prior to activation using anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibodies was determined by measuring IFN-γ expression and Annexin V staining using flow cytometry.

Results

These agents demonstrate both additive and inhibitory properties on a range of markers of immunogenicity. Gemcitabine was notable for its ability to induce the upregulation of human leukocyte antigen and checkpoints on pancreatic tumour cell lines whilst inhibiting T-cell activation. Pomalidomide demonstrated immune modulatory properties on dendritic cells and T-cells, even in the presence of gemcitabine.

Discussion

These data highlight the complex interactions of different agents in the modulation of tumour immunogenicity and immune cell activation and emphasise the complexity in rationally designing chemo immunogenic combinations for use with immunotherapy.
Correction to: 1H, 13C, 15N backbone and IVL methyl group resonance assignment of the fungal β-glucosidase from Trichoderma reesei
Authors: Makraki Eleni , Carneiro Marta G. , Heyam Alex , AB Eiso , Siegal Gregg , Hubbard Roderick E.
Published: July 2020

In the original publication of the article, the name of one of the authors is incorrect. The author's name is Eiso AB, but was modified to A. B. Eiso. The correct name is given in this Correction.
Controlling human platelet activation with calcium-binding nanoparticles
Authors: Cabrera David , Walker Karen , Moise Sandhya , Telling Neil D. , Harper Alan G. S.
Published: July 2020

Human platelets aggregate at sites of blood vessel damage in response to a rise in their cytosolic calcium concentration. Controlling these cytosolic calcium rises would provide a method to inhibit platelet activation and prevent the unwanted blood clots that causes heart attack and strokes. Previously we have predicted that calcium accumulation within the lumen of an infolded portion of the platelet plasma membrane called the open canalicular system (OCS) is essential for maintaining this cytosolic calcium rise. Due to its nanometer dimensions of the OCS, it has been difficult to measure or interfere with the predicted luminal calcium accumulation. Here we utilise iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles coated with the known calcium chelator, citrate, to create calcium-binding nanoparticles. These were used to assess whether an OCS calcium store plays a role in controlling the dynamics of human platelet activation and aggregation. We demonstrate that citrate-coated nanoparticles are rapidly and selectively uptaken into the OCS of activated human platelets, where they act to buffer the accumulation of calcium there. Treatment with these calcium-binding nanoparticles reduced thrombin-evoked cytosolic calcium rises, and slowed platelet aggregation and clot retraction in human platelets. In contrast, nanoparticles that cannot bind calcium have no effect. This study demonstrates that the OCS acts as a key source of calcium for maintaining cytosolic calcium rises and accelerating platelet aggregation, and that calcium-binding nanoparticles targeted to the OCS could provide an anti-platelet therapy to treat patients at risk of suffering heart attacks or strokes.
A basic review of fuzzy logic applications in hydrology and water resources
Authors: Kambalimath Shruti , Deka Paresh Chandra
Published: July 2020

In recent years, fuzzy logic has emerged as a powerful technique in the analysis of hydrologic components and decision making in water resources. Problems related to hydrology often deal with imprecision and vagueness, which can be very well handled by fuzzy logic-based models. This paper reviews a variety of applications of fuzzy logic in the domain of hydrology and water resources in brief. So far in the literature, fuzzy logic-based hybrid models have been significantly applied in hydrologic studies. Furthermore, in this paper, the literature is reviewed on the basis of applications using pure fuzzy logic models and applications using hybrid-fuzzy modeling approach. This review suggests that hybrid-fuzzy modeling approach works well in many applications of hydrology when compared with pure fuzzy logic modeling.