bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of different levels of bioplex manganese along with probiotics and multi‐enzymes on performance and immune system indices of broilers
Authors: Babaei Mohammad Javad , Fakhraei Jafar , Mansoori Yarahmadi Hossein , Gomarian Masoud
Published: May 2021

To investigate the effect of different levels of bioplex manganese along with probiotics and multi‐enzymes on the performance and immune system of broilers, 640 one‐day‐old male chicks of the Ross 308 strain were reared and the data analysed in a 4 × 2 × 2 factorial experiment with four levels of bioplex manganese (0, 60, 72 and 84 mg per kg of diet), two levels of Parsilact probiotic (0 and 200 mg per kg of diet) and two levels of Combo multi‐enzyme (0 and 1,000 mg per kg of diet) in a completely randomized design with 16 experimental treatments, 4 replicates and 10 chickens per replicate during a period of 42 days. The results showed that the performance of the broiler chickens in the diets containing 72 and 84 mg bioplex manganese along with probiotics and multi‐enzymes had the greatest difference compared to the control (p < .05). Compared to the control with 0 mg/kg manganese; the bursa of Fabricius weight was greater in chickens fed diets containing additional manganese (p < .05). The concentration of antibodies produced against Newcastle disease virus, as well as the concentrations of IgG, IgM and total immunoglobulins produced against SRBC, were highest in the group fed a diet containing 84 mg manganese along with probiotics and multi‐enzymes (p < .05). The results show combining additional manganese with probiotics and multi‐enzymes in chicken diets leads to better performance as well as a stronger immune system of chickens.
Infective mastitis due to bovine‐associated Streptococcus dysgalactiae contributes to clinical persistent presentation in a murine mastitis model
Authors: An Ran , Gao Mingchun , Meng Ye , Tong Xin , Chen Jiaqi , Wang Junwei
Published: May 2021

Background

Mastitis caused by Streptococcus dysgalactiae (GCS) is a major pathology of dairy cows. The mechanisms by which GCS intramammary infection is established and maintained involve not only bacterial adherence and invasion but also modulation of the cytokines and TLR immune response.

Objectives

The study aimed to evaluate characteristics of persistent infection of GCS collected from bovine mastitis milk in a murine mastitis model whose mammary structure is similar to that of dairy cows; dairy cow mastitis can be well simulated by using mice as models. HLJ2019 was tested for its ability to persistently infected mice by intramammary inoculation.

Methods

As antibiotics tested, establish an intramammary infection model in murine, histopathology analyses, relative expression of inflammatory cytokines mRNA and adherence and invasion in mMECs.

Results

It induced a robust inflammatory reaction in the mammary gland, characterized by histopathological changes, increased myeloperoxidase activity and induced expression of inflammatory cytokines (TNF‐α, IL‐6, IFN‐γ, IL‐10, IL‐1α and IL‐1β) and TLR2/4, the exhibited strong LDH release, adhesion and invasive abilities in contact with mMECs.

Conclusion

These results contribute to increase the available information on host‐pathogen interaction and point out the need for further research to expand the knowledge about these interactions for developing new strategies to intervene in the intramammary persistent infection progress.
Climate change impacts on cultural heritage: A literature review
Authors: Sesana Elena , Gagnon Alexandre S. , Ciantelli Chiara , Cassar JoAnn , Hughes John J.
Published: May 2021

Climate change, as revealed by gradual changes in temperature, precipitation, atmospheric moisture, and wind intensity, as well as sea level rise and changes in the occurrence of extreme events, is already affecting cultural heritage sites. Accordingly, there is a rapidly increasing body of research reporting on the impacts of climatic stressors on cultural heritage and on the assessment of climate change impacts on cultural heritage assets. This review synthesizes the international literature on climate change impacts on tangible cultural heritage by developing hazard‐impact diagrams focusing on the impacts of gradual changes in climate on: (1) the cultural heritage exposed to the outside environment, (2) the interiors of historical buildings and their collections, and (3) a third diagram associated with climate change and the impacts due to sudden changes in the natural physical environment (e.g., storm surges, floods and landslides, wildfire) in addition to sea level rise, permafrost thawing, desertification and changes in the properties of the oceans. These diagrams, which depict the relationships between various stressors and their impacts on cultural heritage, will allow other researchers, stakeholders, and potentially decision makers to determine the potential impacts of climate change on a specific cultural heritage asset without a separate examination of the literature. This review thus provides the current state‐of‐the‐art on the impacts of climate change on the tangible, built heritage, that is, monuments, archeological sites, historical buildings, as well as their interiors and the collections they hold, highlights the limitations of previous research, and provides recommendations for further studies.

This article is categorized under:

Assessing Impacts of Climate Change > Evaluating Future Impacts of Climate Change
Response to Tides, Barometric Pressure and Seismic Waves
Authors: Wang Chi-Yuen , Manga Michael
Published: May 2021

Groundwater responses to Earth tides and barometric pressure have long been reported and increasingly used in hydrogeology to advance our understanding of groundwater systems. The response of groundwater to seismic waves has also been used in recent years to study the interaction between earthquakes and fluids in the crust. These methods have gained popularity for monitoring groundwater systems because they are both effective and economical. This chapter reviews the response of groundwater system to Earth tides, barometric pressure, and seismic waves as a continuum of poroelastic responses to oscillatory forcing across a broad range of frequency.
Groundwater and Stream Composition
Authors: Wang Chi-Yuen , Manga Michael
Published: May 2021

Changes of groundwater chemistry have long been observed. We review some studies of the earthquake-induced changes of groundwater and streamflow composition. When data are relatively abundant and the hydrogeology is relatively simple, the observed changes may provide valuable insight into earthquake-induced changes of hydrogeological processes. Progress in this aspect, however, has been slow not only because systematic measurements are scare but also because of the distribution of chemical sources and sinks in the crust are often complex and unknown. Most changes are consistent with the model of earthquake-enhanced groundwater transport through basin-wide or local enhanced permeability caused by earthquake-induced breaching of hydrologic barriers such as aquitards, connecting otherwise isolated aquifers or other fluid sources, leading to fluid source switching and/or mixing. Because the interpretation of earthquake-induced groundwater and stream compositions is often under-constrained, multi-disciplinary approaches may be needed to provide a better constrained interpretation of the observed changes.
Algorithms for Energy Conservation in Heterogeneous Data Centers
Authors: Albers Susanne , Quedenfeld Jens
Published: May 2021

Power consumption is the major cost factor in data centers. It can be reduced by dynamically right-sizing the data center according to the currently arriving jobs. If there is a long period with low load, servers can be powered down to save energy. For identical machines, the problem has already been solved optimally by [25] and [1].

In this paper, we study how a data-center with heterogeneous servers can dynamically be right-sized to minimize the energy consumption. There areddifferent server types with various operating and switching costs. We present a deterministic online algorithm that achieves a competitive ratio of 2das well as a randomized version that is 1.58d-competitive. Furthermore, we show that there is no deterministic online algorithm that attains a competitive ratio smaller than 2d. Hence our deterministic algorithm is optimal. In contrast to related problems like convex body chasing and convex function chasing [17, 30], we investigate the discrete setting where the number of active servers must be an integral, so we gain truly feasible solutions.
Multioscillating black holes
Authors: Ishii Takaaki , Murata Keiju , Santos Jorge E. , Way Benson
Published: May 2021

Abstract

We study rotating global AdS solutions in five-dimensional Einstein gravity coupled to a multiplet complex scalar within a cohomogeneity-1 ansatz. The onset of the gravitational and scalar field superradiant instabilities of the Myers-Perry-AdS black hole mark bifurcation points to black resonators and hairy Myers-Perry-AdS black holes, respectively. These solutions are subject to the other (gravitational or scalar) instability, and result in hairy black resonators which contain both gravitational and scalar hair. The hairy black resonators have smooth zero-horizon limits that we call graviboson stars. In the hairy black resonator and graviboson solutions, multiple scalar components with different frequencies are excited, and hence these are multioscillating solutions. The phase structure of the solutions are examined in the microcanonical ensemble, i.e. at fixed energy and angular momenta. It is found that the entropy of the hairy black resonator is never the largest among them. We also find that hairy black holes with higher scalar wavenumbers are entropically dominant and occupy more of phase space than those of lower wavenumbers.
Impact of anti-thymocyte globulin dose for graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation from matched unrelated donors: a multicenter experience
Authors: Butera Sara , Cerrano Marco , Brunello Lucia , Dellacasa Chiara Maria , Faraci Danilo Giuseppe , Vassallo Sara , Mordini Nicola , Sorasio Roberto , Zallio Francesco , Busca Alessandro , Bruno Benedetto , Giaccone Luisa
Published: May 2021

Despite the widespread use of rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) to prevent acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD, cGVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT), convincing evidence about an optimal dose is lacking. We retrospectively evaluated the clinical impact of two different ATG doses (5 vs 6–7.5 mg/kg) in 395 adult patients undergoing HSCT from matched unrelated donors (MUD) at 3 Italian centers. Cumulative incidence of aGVHD and moderate-severe cGVHD did not differ in the 2 groups. We observed a trend toward prolonged overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) with lower ATG dose (5-year OS and DFS 56.6% vs. 46.3%, p=0.052, and 46.8% vs. 38.6%, p=0.051, respectively) and no differences in relapse incidence and non-relapse mortality. However, a significantly increased infection-related mortality (IRM) was observed in patients who received a higher ATG dose (16.7% vs. 8.8% in the lower ATG group, p=0.019). Besides, graft and relapse-free survival (GRFS) was superior in the lower ATG group (5-year GRFS 43.1% vs. 32.4%, p=0.014). The negative impact of higher ATG dose on IRM and GRFS was confirmed by multivariate analysis. Our results suggest that ATG doses higher than 5 mg/kg are not required for MUD allo-HCT and seem associated with worse outcomes.
Evaluation of symmetry behavior of surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion with simulation-driven targeted bone weakening
Authors: Chhatwani S. , Schudlich K. , Möhlhenrich S. C. , Pugachev A. , Bicsak A. , Ludwig B. , Hassfeld S. , Danesh G. , Bonitz L.
Published: May 2021

Objectives

Surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME) is a treatment modality to overcome maxillary constrictions. During the procedure of transverse expansion, unwanted asymmetries can occur. This retrospective study investigates the transverse expansion behavior of the maxilla utilizing a simulation-driven SARME with targeted bone weakening.

Materials and methods

Cone beam computer tomographies of 21 patients before (T1) and 4 months after treatment (T2) with simulation-driven SARME combined with a transpalatal distractor (TPD) and targeted bone weakening were superimposed. The movements of the left, right, and frontal segments were evaluated at the modified WALA ridge, mid root level, and at the root tip of all upper teeth. Linear and angular measurements were performed to detect dentoalveolar changes.

Results

Dentoalveolar changes were unavoidable, and buccal tipping of the premolars (6.1° ± 5.0°) was significant (p < 0.05). Transverse expansion in premolar region was higher (6.13 ± 4.63mm) than that in the molar region (4.20 ± 4.64mm). Expansion of left and right segments did not differ significantly (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Simulation-driven SARME with targeted bone weakening is effective to achieve symmetrical expansion in the transverse plane.

Clinical relevance

Simulation-driven targeted bone weakening is a novel method for SARME to achieve symmetric expansion. Dental side effects cannot be prohibited.
Correction to: Impact on granular bed: validation of discrete element modeling results by means of two-dimensional finite element analysis
Authors: Marzulli Valentina , Cisneros Luis Armando Torres , di Lernia Annamaria , Windows‑Yule Christopher Robert Kit , Cafaro Francesco , Pöschel Thorsten
Published: May 2021

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10035-021-01117-2
Recognition of overlapping elliptical objects in a binary image
Authors: Zou Tong , Pan Tianyu , Taylor Michael , Stern Hal
Published: May 2021

Recognition of overlapping objects is required in many applications in the field of computer vision. Examples include cell segmentation, bubble detection and bloodstain pattern analysis. This paper presents a method to identify overlapping objects by approximating them with ellipses. The method is intended to be applied to complex-shaped regions which are believed to be composed of one or more overlapping objects. The method has two primary steps. First, a pool of candidate ellipses are generated by applying the Euclidean distance transform on a compressed image and the pool is filtered by an overlaying method. Second, the concave points on the contour of the region of interest are extracted by polygon approximation to divide the contour into segments. Then, the optimal ellipses are selected from among the candidates by choosing a minimal subset that best fits the identified segments. We propose the use of the adjusted Rand index, commonly applied in clustering, to compare the fitting result with ground truth. Through a set of computational and optimization efficiencies, we are able to apply our approach in complex images comprised of a number of overlapped regions. Experimental results on a synthetic data set, two types of cell images and bloodstain patterns show superior accuracy and flexibility of our method in ellipse recognition, relative to other methods.
Retraction Note: Musical practice and BDNF plasma levels as a potential marker of synaptic plasticity: an instrument of rehabilitative processes
Authors: Minutillo Alessandro , Panza Gabriele , Mauri Massimo Carlo
Published: May 2021

A Retraction Note to this paper has been published: 10.1007/s10072-021-05283-2
A linked geomorphological and geophysical modelling methodology applied to an active landslide
Authors: Boyd Jimmy , Chambers Jonathan , Wilkinson Paul , Peppa Maria , Watlet Arnaud , Kirkham Matt , Jones Lee , Swift Russel , Meldrum Phil , Uhlemann Sebastian , Binley Andrew
Published: May 2021

Moisture-induced landslides are a global geohazard; mitigating the risk posed by landslides requires an understanding of the hydrological and geological conditions present within a given slope. Recently, numerous geophysical studies have been attempted to characterise slow-moving landslides, with an emphasis on developing geoelectrical methods as a hydrological monitoring tool. However, landslides pose specific challenges for processing geoelectrical data in long-term monitoring contexts as the sensor arrays can move with slope movements. Here we present an approach for processing long-term (over 8 years) geoelectrical monitoring data from an active slow-moving landslide, Hollin Hill, situated in Lias rocks in the southern Howardian Hills, UK. These slope movements distorted the initial setup of the monitoring array and need to be incorporated into a time-lapse resistivity processing workflow to avoid imaging artefacts. We retrospectively sourced seven digital terrain models to inform the topography of our imaging volumes, which were acquired by either Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-based photogrammetry or terrestrial laser ranging systems. An irregular grid of wooden pegs was periodically surveyed with a global position system, from which distortions to the terrain model and electrode positions can be modelled with thin plate splines. In order to effectively model the time-series electrical resistivity images, a baseline constraint is applied within the inversion scheme; the result of the study is a time-lapse series of resistivity volumes which also incorporate slope movements. The workflow presented here should be adaptable for other studies focussed on geophysical/geotechnical monitoring of unstable slopes.
Optimal replacement policy under cumulative damage model and strength degradation with applications
Authors: Nanda Phalguni , Bhuyan Prajamitra , Dewanji Anup
Published: May 2021

In many real-life scenarios, system failure depends on dynamic stress-strength interference, where strength degrades and stress accumulates concurrently over time. In this paper, we consider the problem of finding an optimal replacement strategy that balances the cost of replacement with the cost of failure and results in the minimum expected cost per unit time under cumulative damage model with strength degradation. In the most general setting, we propose to find optimal choices of three thresholds on operation time, number of arriving shocks and amount of cumulative damage such that replacement of the system due to failure or reaching any of the three thresholds, whichever occurs first, results in the minimum expected cost per unit time. The existing recommendations are applicable only under the assumption of Exponential damage distribution including Poisson arrival of shocks and/or with fixed strength. As theoretical evaluation of the expected cost per unit time turns out to be very complicated, a simulation-based algorithm is proposed to evaluate the expected cost rate and find the optimal replacement strategy. The proposed method is easy to implement having wider domain of application including non-Poisson arrival of shocks and non-Exponential damage distributions. For illustration, the proposed method is applied to real case studies on mailbox and cell-phone battery experiments.
Mulching with pruned fronds promotes the internal soil N cycling and soil fertility in a large-scale oil palm plantation
Authors: Formaglio Greta , Veldkamp Edzo , Damris Muhammad , Tjoa Aiyen , Corre Marife D.
Published: May 2021

Intensive management practices in large-scale oil palm plantations can slow down nutrient cycling and alter other soil functions. Thus, there is a need to reduce management intensity without sacrificing productivity. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of management practices on gross rates of soil N cycling and soil fertility. In Jambi province, Indonesia, we established a management experiment in a large-scale oil palm plantation to compare conventional practices (i.e. high fertilization rates and herbicide weeding) with reduced management intensity (i.e. reduced fertilization rates and mechanical weeding). Also, we compared the typical management zones characterizing large-scale plantations: palm circle, inter-row and frond-stacked area. After 1.5 years of this experiment, reduced and conventional management showed comparable gross soil N cycling rates; however, there were stark differences among management zones. The frond-stacked area had higher soil N cycling rates and soil fertility (high microbial biomass, extractable C, soil organic C, extractable organic N, total N and low bulk density) than inter-row and palm circle (all p ≤ 0.05). Microbial biomass was the main driver of the soil N cycle, attested by its high correlation with gross N-cycling rates (r = 0.93–0.95, p < 0.01). The correlations of microbial N with extractable C, extractable organic N, soil organic C and total N (r = 0.76–0.89, p < 0.01) suggest that microbial biomass was mainly regulated by the availability of organic matter. Mulching with senesced fronds enhanced soil microbial biomass, which promoted nutrient recycling and thereby can decrease dependency on chemical fertilizers.
If you could read my mind–an experimental beauty-contest game with children
Authors: Hermes Henning , Schunk Daniel
Published: May 2021

We develop a new design for the experimental beauty-contest game (BCG) that is suitable for children in school age and test it with 114 schoolchildren aged 9–11 years as well as with adults. In addition, we collect a measure for cognitive skills to link these abilities with successful performance in the game. Results demonstrate that children can successfully understand and play a BCG. Choices start at a slightly higher level than those of adults but learning over time and depth of reasoning are largely comparable with the results of studies run with adults. Cognitive skills, measured as fluid IQ, are predictive only of whether children choose weakly dominated strategies but are neither associated with lower choices in the first round nor with successful performance in the BCG. In the implementation of our new design of the BCG with adults we find results largely in line with behavior in the classical BCG. Our new design for the experimental BCG allows to study the development of strategic interaction skills starting already in school age.
An Intravital Microscopy Toolbox to Study Mammary Gland Dynamics from Cellular Level to Organ Scale
Authors: Messal Hendrik A. , van Rheenen Jacco , Scheele Colinda L. G. J.
Published: May 2021

The architecture of the mouse mammary gland is highly dynamic and constantly remodeled during pubertal development and estrous cycle-driven sprouting and regression of alveolar side branches. During each of these developmental stages, turnover is driven by distinct subsets of mammary epithelial cells. Extensive previous research has shed light on the unique morphological and cell biological characteristics of each stage. However, technological shortcomings failed to capture the dynamics and single-cell contributions to mammary remodeling. Here, we developed in vivo imaging strategies to follow the same mammary ducts over time and quantify the dynamics of mammary gland growth and remodeling from single-cell level to organ scale. Using a combination of intravital microscopy and genetic reporter systems we show how proliferative heterogeneity drives ductal morphogenesis during different developmental stages. To visualize pubertal growth at the cellular level, we performed long-term time-lapse imaging of extending terminal end buds through a mammary imaging window. We show that single-cells within the terminal end buds are extremely motile and continuously exchange position whilst the duct is elongating. To visualize short-term remodeling in the adult mammary gland at the single cell level, we performed multi-day intravital imaging in photoconvertible Kikume Green–Red mice and fluorescent ubiquitination-based cell cycle indicator mice. We demonstrate that the contribution of single-cells to estrous-driven remodeling is highly variable between cells in the same micro-environment. To assess the effects of this dynamic proliferative contribution on the long-term stability of tissue architecture, we developed a repeated skin flap method to assess mammary gland morphology by intravital microscopy over extended time spans for up to six months. Interestingly, in contrast to the short-term dynamic remodeling, the long-term morphology of the mammary gland remains remarkably stable. Together, our tool box of imaging strategies allows to identify and map transient and continuing dynamics of single cells to the architecture of the mammary gland.
Toward optimal probabilistic active learning using a Bayesian approach
Authors: Kottke Daniel , Herde Marek , Sandrock Christoph , Huseljic Denis , Krempl Georg , Sick Bernhard
Published: May 2021

Gathering labeled data to train well-performing machine learning models is one of the critical challenges in many applications. Active learning aims at reducing the labeling costs by an efficient and effective allocation of costly labeling resources. In this article, we propose a decision-theoretic selection strategy that (1) directly optimizes the gain in misclassification error, and (2) uses a Bayesian approach by introducing a conjugate prior distribution to determine the class posterior to deal with uncertainties. By reformulating existing selection strategies within our proposed model, we can explain which aspects are not covered in current state-of-the-art and why this leads to the superior performance of our approach. Extensive experiments on a large variety of datasets and different kernels validate our claims.
Impact of intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging on gross total resection, extent of resection, and residual tumor volume in pituitary surgery: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Staartjes Victor E. , Togni-Pogliorini Alex , Stumpo Vittorio , Serra Carlo , Regli Luca
Published: May 2021

Background

Residual tumor tissue after pituitary adenoma surgery, is linked with additional morbidity and mortality. Intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (ioMRI) could improve resection. We aim to assess the improvement in gross total resection (GTR), extent of resection (EOR), and residual tumor volume (RV) achieved using ioMRI.

Methods

A systematic review was carried out on PubMed/MEDLINE to identify any studies reporting intra- and postoperative (1) GTR, (2) EOR, or (3) RV in patients who underwent resection of pituitary adenomas with ioMRI. Random effects meta-analysis of the rate of improvement after ioMRI for these three surgical outcomes was intended.

Results

Among 34 included studies (2130 patients), the proportion of patients with conversion to GTR (∆GTR) after ioMRI was 0.19 (95% CI 0.15–0.23). Mean ∆EOR was + 9.07% after ioMRI. Mean ∆RV was 0.784 cm3. For endoscopically treated patients, ∆GTR was 0.17 (95% CI 0.09–0.25), while microscopic ∆GTR was 0.19 (95% CI 0.15–0.23). Low-field ioMRI studies demonstrated a ∆GTR of 0.19 (95% CI 0.11–0.28), while high-field and ultra-high-field ioMRI demonstrated a ∆GTR of 0.19 (95% CI 0.15–0.24) and 0.20 (95% CI 0.13–0.28), respectively.

Conclusions

Our meta-analysis demonstrates that around one fifth of patients undergoing pituitary adenoma resection convert from non-GTR to GTR after the use of ioMRI. EOR and RV can also be improved to a certain extent using ioMRI. Endoscopic versus microscopic technique or field strength does not appear to alter the impact of ioMRI. Statistical heterogeneity was high, indicating that the improvement in surgical results due to ioMRI varies considerably by center.
In search of an ideal drug for safer treatment of obesity: The false promise of pseudoephedrine
Authors: Munafò Antonio , Frara Stefano , Perico Norberto , Di Mauro Rosaria , Cortinovis Monica , Burgaletto Chiara , Cantarella Giuseppina , Remuzzi Giuseppe , Giustina Andrea , Bernardini Renato
Published: May 2021

Obesity is a major public health problem worldwide. Only relatively few treatment options are, at present, available for the management of obese patients. Furthermore, treatment of obesity is affected by the widespread misuse of drugs and food supplements.Ephedra sinicais an old medicinal herb, commonly used in the treatment of respiratory tract diseases.Ephedraspecies contain several alkaloids, including pseudoephedrine, notably endowed with indirect sympathomimetic pharmacodynamic properties. The anorexigenic effect of pseudoephedrine is attributable primarily to the inhibition of neurons located in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), mediating satiety stimuli. Pseudoephedrine influences lipolysis and thermogenesis through interaction with β3 adrenergic receptors and reduces fat accumulation through down-regulation of transcription factors related to lipogenesis. However, its use is associated with adverse events that involve to a large extent the cardiovascular and the central nervous system. Adverse events of pseudoephedrine also affect the eye, the intestine, and the skin, and, of relevance, sudden cardiovascular death related to dietary supplements containingEphedraalkaloids has also been reported. In light of the limited availability of clinical data on pseudoephedrine in obesity, along with its significantly unbalanced risk/benefit profile, as well as of the psychophysical susceptibility of obese patients, it appears reasonable to preclude the prescription of pseudoephedrine in obese patients of any order and degree.
Mapping higher-level causal efficacy
Authors: Tarnovanu Horia
Published: May 2021

A central argument for non-reductive accounts of group agency is that complex social entities (states, companies, churches, political parties) are capable of exerting causal influence independently of and superseding the causal efficacy of the individuals constituting them. A prominent counter is that non-reductionists run into an insuperable dilemma between identity and redundancy – with identity undermining independent higher-level efficacy and redundancy leading to overdetermination or exclusion. This paper argues that critics of non-reductionism can manage with a simpler and more persuasive reductio strategy calledmapping: allow that group agents are causally efficacious in their own right and chart (a) how their causal efficacy is carried out; (b) how it relates to the causal efficacy of individual determiners; (c) how it connects to the causal relevance of background structural factors. The focus exclusively on whether groupsareorare notcausally efficacious black-boxes implementation, while close attention to how causation is wired increases the visibility of individualist arguments and countenances structure-oriented explanations.
A (Dual) Network Model for Heat Transfer in Porous Media
Authors: Koch Timo , Weishaupt Kilian , Müller Johannes , Weigand Bernhard , Helmig Rainer
Published: May 2021

We present a dual network model to simulate coupled single-phase flow and energy transport in porous media including conditions under which local thermal equilibrium cannot be assumed. The models target applications such as the simulation of catalytic reactors, micro-fluidic experiments, or micro-cooling devices. The new technique is based on a recently developed algorithm that extracts both the pore space and the solid grain matrix of a porous medium from CT images into an interconnected network representation. We simulate coupled heat and mass transfer in these networks simultaneously, allowing naturally to model scenarios with heterogeneous temperature distributions in both void space and solid matrix. The model is compared with 3D conjugate heat transfer simulations for both conduction- and convection-dominated scenarios. It is shown to reproduce effective thermal conductivities over a wide range of fluid to solid thermal conductivity ratios with a single parameter set. Morevoer, it captures local thermal nonequilibrium effects in a micro-cooling device scenario.
Reclaimed water driven lettuce cultivation in a hydroponic system: the need of micropollutant removal by advanced wastewater treatment
Authors: Kreuzig Robert , Haller-Jans Jaqueline , Bischoff Cornelia , Leppin Johannes , Germer Jörn , Mohr Marius , Bliedung Alexa , Dockhorn Thomas
Published: May 2021

For a novel approach of resource-efficient water reuse, a municipal wastewater treatment plant was extended at pilot scale for advanced wastewater treatment, i.e., ozonation and biological activated carbon filtration, and a hydroponic system for reclaimed water driven lettuce cultivation. The treatment specific wastewater lines with the corresponding lettuce plants, differentiated into roots and shoots, were monitored for priority wastewater micropollutants, i.e., acesulfame (sweetener), caffeine (stimulant), carbamazepine, diclofenac, ibuprofen, sulfamethoxazole with acetyl-sulfamethoxazole (human pharmaceuticals), 1H-benzotriazole, and 4/5-methylbenzotriazole (industrial chemicals). As clearly demonstrated, conventional tertiary treatment could not efficiently clean up wastewater. Removal efficiencies ranged from 3% for carbamazepine to 100% for ibuprofen. The resulting pollution of the hydroponic water lines led to the accumulation of acesulfame, carbamazepine, and diclofenac in lettuce root systems at 32.0, 69.5, and 135 μg kg−1 and in the uptake of acesulfame and carbamazepine into lettuce shoots at 23.4 and 120 μg kg−1 dry weight, respectively. In contrast, both advanced treatment technologies when operating under optimized conditions achieved removal efficiencies of > 90% also for persistent micropollutants. Minimizing the pollution of reclaimed water thus met one relevant need for hydroponic lettuce cultivation.

Graphical abstract
Konzeptualisierung und Diagnostik von Präsentationskompetenz
Authors: Herbein Evelin , Ruth Fabian , Lipphardt Carmen , Ringeisen Tobias
Published: May 2021

Dieser Beitrag in der Zeitschrift „Gruppe. Interaktion. Organisation (GIO)“ stellt einen konzeptionellen Rahmen der Präsentationskompetenz vor, auf dessen Basis ein Überblick zu validierten deutschsprachigen Instrumenten zur Erfassung von Präsentationskompetenz gegeben wird. Dieser umfasst sowohl Fremd- als auch Selbsteinschätzungsverfahren. Trotz der Bedeutsamkeit des Präsentierens sowohl im beruflichen als auch im (hoch)schulischen Kontext liegt bisher keine einheitliche Konzeptualisierung von Präsentationskompetenz vor. Zudem mangelt es an Ansätzen, die die Perspektiven unterschiedlicher Disziplinen, wie der Psychologie oder der Rhetorik, berücksichtigen. Basierend auf existierender Forschung wird mit Hilfe der beiden Disziplinen ein übergeordneter konzeptioneller Rahmen abgeleitet, der einen disziplinübergreifenden und differenzierten Zugriff auf die Präsentationskompetenz ermöglicht und sich auf den gesamten Arbeits- und Organisationskontext übertragen lässt. Den Abschluss des Beitrags bilden Implikationen zur spezifischen Erfassung und bedarfsorientierten Förderungen von Präsentationskompetenz.
Prospektive Kompetenzanalyse (ProKA) – Ein Verfahren zur Einschätzung von zukünftigen Kompetenzveränderungen
Authors: Kato-Beiderwieden Anna-Lena , Schlicher Katharina D. , Ötting Sonja K. , Heppner Holger , Maier Günter W.
Published: May 2021

Dieser Beitrag in der Zeitschrift Gruppe. Interaktion. Organisation. (GIO) stellt die Prospektive Kompetenzanalyse (ProKA) vor. Ziel der Methode ist es, zukünftig erforderliche Kompetenzen für die erfolgreiche Ausführung einer beruflichen Tätigkeit prospektiv zu erfassen, um die Auswirkungen anstehender organisationaler Veränderungen proaktiv in die Personalentwicklung einbeziehen zu können. Dazu wurden validierte Methoden der Kompetenzermittlung kombiniert und um einen prospektiven Ansatz erweitert. So entstand eine umfassende Methode, die ein evidenzbasiertes, theoriegeleitetes Vorgehen gewährleistet. Bei der Prospektiven Kompetenzanalyse werden in drei Phasen zunächst die derzeit benötigten Kompetenzen erfasst und in ihrer Wichtigkeit bewertet, um eine Vergleichsbasis zu erhalten. Anschließend wird mit verschiedenen Techniken eine Vision der zukünftigen Arbeitssituation in einer Vignette beschrieben, um zu bewerten, welche Kompetenzen zukünftig wichtig werden. Abschließend wird die Wichtigkeit derzeitiger und zukünftiger Kompetenzen verglichen, um anforderungsgerechte Maßnahmen für die Qualifizierung der Beschäftigten abzuleiten. Die Prospektive Kompetenzanalyse wurde in mehreren Praxisprojekten validiert und erprobt. In diesem Beitrag werden neben den theoretischen Grundlagen und den Gütekriterien der Prospektiven Kompetenzanalyse, deren Ablauf sowie praktische Einsatz- bzw. Nutzungsmöglichkeiten dargestellt.
Sleep Disorders in Mitochondrial Diseases
Authors: Brunetti Valerio , Della Marca Giacomo , Servidei Serenella , Primiano Guido
Published: May 2021

Purpose of Review

We aim to summarize the sleep disorders reported in patients affected by primary mitochondrial dysfunctions and describe the association with their clinical and molecular characteristics.

Recent Findings

Sleep complaints are prevalent in mitochondrial disorders. Sleep-disordered breathing is the main sleep disorder reported in mitochondrial diseases. OSA and CSA are, respectively, more frequently associated with patients characterized by the prevalent involvement of the skeletal muscle and the predominant involvement of the central nervous system. Other sleep disorders, such as restless legs syndrome, have been rarely described.

Sleep disorders are frequently associated with primary mitochondrial disorders, and the clinical phenotypes affect the type of sleep disturbance associated with the mitochondrial dysfunction. A polysomnographic study should be performed in every subject with this neurogenetic disorder both at diagnosis and during follow-up for the numerous adverse clinical outcomes associated with sleep disorders and the frailty of mitochondrial patients.
Targeted radioimmunotherapy with the iodine-131-labeled caerin 1.1 peptide for human anaplastic thyroid cancer in nude mice
Authors: Lin Ruoting , Ma Bowei , Liu Na , Zhang Lu , He Tiantian , Liu Xiongying , Chen Tongsheng , Liu Wenjuan , Liang Yongnan , Wang Tianfang , Ni Guoying , Liu Xiaosong , Yang Ning , Zhang Jinhe , Yuan Jianwei
Published: May 2021

Objective

The combination of two or more drugs with different mechanisms is a promising strategy for cancer treatment, and radioimmunotherapy (RIT) is a trending antitumor strategy. Radiotherapy (RT) can promote and activate antitumor immune effects, and immunotherapy can strengthen the effects of selective internal radiotherapy (SIRT); the RIT combination is synergistic and can overcome the adverse side effects of monotherapy. In this study, we developed a radioimmunoconjugate (RIC)—the iodine-131 (131I)-labeled caerin 1.1 peptide—to treat human anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC).

Methods

Antitumor activity of caerin 1.1 peptide was determined by MTT assay, plate colony formation and cell wound scratch assays, and the mechanism of the inhibition of carein 1.1 peptide on the growth of CAL-62 cells was identified by cell cycle and western blot. Then, we investigated the efficacy of the caerin 1.1 peptide as a single drug and the 131I-labeled caerin 1.1 peptide for ATC. H&E and TUNEL staining was performed to detect dead cells in the tumor tissue sections.

Results

We found that caerin 1.1 arrested cells in the S phase to induce apoptosis and inhibited tumor growth to inhibit phosphorylation of Akt. In vivo, the iodine-131 (131I)-labeled caerin 1.1 peptide achieved better antitumor efficacy than radiotherapy alone and showed a good biosafety profile.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates for the first time that the iodine-131 (131I)-labeled caerin 1.1 peptide can inhibit CAL-62 tumor growth and migration. The iodine-131 (131I)-labeled caerin 1.1 peptide, which represents a radioimmunotherapy strategy based on the combination of SIRT with a peptide–drug conjugate, could provide a treatment means for the radical cure of ATC.
An Intronic Variant of CHD7 Identified in Autism Patients Interferes with Neuronal Differentiation and Development
Authors: Zhang Ran , He Hui , Yuan Bo , Wu Ziyan , Wang Xiuzhen , Du Yasong , Chen Yuejun , Qiu Zilong
Published: May 2021

Genetic composition plays critical roles in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Especially, inherited and de novo intronic variants are often seen in patients with ASD. However, the biological significance of intronic variants is difficult to address. Here, among a Chinese ASD cohort, we identified a recurrent inherited intronic variant in the CHD7 gene, which is specifically enriched in East Asian populations. CHD7 has been implicated in numerous developmental disorders including CHARGE syndrome and ASD. To investigate whether the ASD-associated CHD7 intronic variant affects neural development, we established human embryonic stem cells carrying this variant using CRISPR/Cas9 methods and found that the level of CHD7 mRNA significantly decreased compared to control. Upon differentiation towards the forebrain neuronal lineage, we found that neural cells carrying the CHD7 intronic variant exhibited developmental delay and maturity defects. Importantly, we found that TBR1, a gene also implicated in ASD, was significantly increased in neurons carrying the CHD7 intronic variant, suggesting the intrinsic relevance among ASD genes. Furthermore, the morphological defects found in neurons carrying CHD7 intronic mutations were rescued by knocking down TBR1, indicating that TBR1 may be responsible for the defects in CHD7-related disorders. Finally, the CHD7 intronic variant generated three abnormal forms of transcripts through alternative splicing, which all exhibited loss-of-function in functional assays. Our study provides crucial evidence supporting the notion that the intronic variant of CHD7 is potentially an autism susceptibility site, shedding new light on identifying the functions of intronic variants in genetic studies of autism.
Visual analysis of droplet dynamics in large-scale multiphase spray simulations
Authors: Heinemann Moritz , Frey Steffen , Tkachev Gleb , Straub Alexander , Sadlo Filip , Ertl Thomas
Published: May 2021

We present a data-driven visual analysis approach for the in-depth exploration of large numbers of droplets. Understanding droplet dynamics in sprays is of interest across many scientific fields for both simulation scientists and engineers. In this paper, we analyze large-scale direct numerical simulation datasets of the two-phase flow of non-Newtonian jets. Our interactive visual analysis approach comprises various dedicated exploration modalities that are supplemented by directly linking to ParaView. This hybrid setup supports a detailed investigation of droplets, both in the spatial domain and in terms of physical quantities . Considering a large variety of extracted physical quantities for each droplet enables investigating different aspects of interest in our data. To get an overview of different types of characteristic behaviors, we cluster massive numbers of droplets to analyze different types of occurring behaviors via domain-specific pre-aggregation, as well as different methods and parameters. Extraordinary temporal patterns are of high interest, especially to investigate edge cases and detect potential simulation issues. For this, we use a neural network-based approach to predict the development of these physical quantities and identify irregularly advected droplets.

Graphic Abstract
Incompatibility and the pessimistic induction: a challenge for selective realism
Authors: Boge Florian J.
Published: May 2021

Two powerful arguments have famously dominated the realism debate in philosophy of science: The No Miracles Argument (NMA) and the Pessimistic Meta-Induction (PMI). A standard response to the PMI is selective scientific realism (SSR), wherein only the working posits of a theory are considered worthy of doxastic commitment. Building on the recent debate over the NMA and the connections between the NMA and the PMI, I here consider a stronger inductive argument that poses a direct challenge for SSR: Because it is sometimes exactly the working posits which contradict each other, i.e., that which is directly responsible for empirical success, SSR cannot deliver a general explanation of scientific success.
On the calculation of prospective and retrospective reserves in non-Markov models
Authors: Christiansen Marcus C.
Published: May 2021

Almost all life and health insurance models in the actuarial literature use either a Markov assumption or a semi-Markov assumption. This paper shows that non-Markov modelling is also feasible and presents suitable numerical and statistical tools for the calculation of prospective and retrospective reserves. A central idea is to base the calculation of reserves on forward and backward transition rates. Feasible estimators for the forward transition rates have been recently suggested in the medical statistics literature. This paper slightly extends them according to insurance needs and newly introduces symmetric estimators for backward transition rates. Only few adjustments are actually needed in the classical insurance formulas when switching from Markov modelling to as-if-Markov evaluations in order to avoid model risk.
The plasticity of ageing and the rediscovery of ground-state prevention
Authors: Blasimme Alessandro
Published: May 2021

In this paper, I present an emerging explanatory framework about ageing and care. In particular, I focus on how, in contrast to most classical accounts of ageing, biomedicine today construes the ageing process as a modifiable trajectory. This framing turns ageing from a stage of inexorable decline into the focus of preventive strategies, harnessing the functional plasticity of the ageing organism. I illustrate this shift by focusing on studies of the demographic dynamics in human population, observations of ageing as an intraspecifically heterogenous phenotype, and the experimental manipulation of longevity, in both model organisms and humans. I suggest that such an explanatory framework about ageing creates the epistemological conditions for the rise of a peculiar form of prevention that does not aim to address a specific condition. Rather it seeks to stall the age-related accumulation of molecular damage and functional deficits, boosting individual resilience against age-related decline. I call this preventive paradigm “ground-state prevention.” While new, ground-state prevention bears conceptual resemblance to forms of medical wisdom prominent in classic Galenic medicine, as well as in the Renaissance period.