bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functional correlates of motor control impairments in multiple sclerosis: A 7 Tesla task functional MRI study
Authors: Strik Myrte , Shanahan Camille J. , van der Walt Anneke , Boonstra Frederique M. C. , Glarin Rebecca , Galea Mary P. , Kilpatrick Trevor J. , Geurts Jeroen J. G. , Cleary Jon O. , Schoonheim Menno M. , Kolbe Scott C.
Published: March 2021

Upper and lower limb impairments are common in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS), yet difficult to clinically identify in early stages of disease progression. Tasks involving complex motor control can potentially reveal more subtle deficits in early stages, and can be performed during functional MRI (fMRI) acquisition, to investigate underlying neural mechanisms, providing markers for early motor progression. We investigated brain activation during visually guided force matching of hand or foot in 28 minimally disabled pwMS (Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) < 4 and pyramidal and cerebellar Kurtzke Functional Systems Scores ≤ 2) and 17 healthy controls (HC) using ultra‐high field 7‐Tesla fMRI, allowing us to visualise sensorimotor network activity in high detail. Task activations and performance (tracking lag and error) were compared between groups, and correlations were performed. PwMS showed delayed (+124 s, p = .002) and more erroneous (+0.15 N, p = .001) lower limb tracking, together with lower cerebellar, occipital and superior parietal cortical activation compared to HC. Lower activity within these regions correlated with worse EDSS (p = .034), lower force error (p = .006) and higher lesion load (p < .05). Despite no differences in upper limb task performance, pwMS displayed lower inferior occipital cortical activation. These results demonstrate that ultra‐high field fMRI during complex hand and foot tracking can identify subtle impairments in lower limb movements and upper and lower limb brain activity, and differentiates upper and lower limb impairments in minimally disabled pwMS.
MHD stagnation point flow of a Maxwell nanofluid over a shrinking sheet (multiple solution)
Authors: Khan Muhammad Naveed , Nadeem Sohail
Published: March 2021

In the current study, a realistic approach is used to investigate the MHD stagnation point flow of a Maxwell nanofluid past a shrinking sheet with a chemical reaction. First, the flow model is made non dimensionalized via an appropriate transformation. The non dimensionalized equations are numerically tackled by adopting the bvp4c technique. It is also analyzed that the dual solutions are obtained for a particular choice of shrinking parameter. A detailed analysis of the impact of several parameters on the velocity field, temperature distribution, and concentration distribution is carried out graphically. The computed result shows that the first solution significantly increases for higher values of the magnetic parameter, whereas the second solution decreases. Furthermore, it is noted that the first and second solutions decreases for the relaxation parameter. The physical quantities are observed graphically. It is exhibited that the Nusselt number shows a decreasing behavior for the both solutions via relaxation parameter.
Analysis of A1‐type and A2‐type β‐casein in Maiwa Yak and Pien‐niu milk by HPLC‐high‐resolution MS and tandem MS
Authors: Chen Yutian , Ren Yiping , Wang Lili , Huang Zhongping
Published: March 2021

In this study, a peptide‐based method employing ultra high performance liquid chromatography electrostatic field orbitrap high‐resolution mass spectrometry and triple quadrupole mass spectrometry was developed for quantification of A1‐type and A2‐type β‐casein in milk from Yak, cows, and their offspring of crosses, Pien‐niu. The specific peptides of A1‐type and A2‐type β‐casein were screened and confirmed by protein software after analysis of high‐resolution mass spectrometry. The multiple reaction monitoring method was established based on the qualitative results, and isotope‐label peptides were used as internal standards. The linear correlation coefficients of this method were >0.99. The relative standard deviations of repeatability test were 0.2‐3.6%. The recovery rate ranged from 93.3 to 114.4% with relative standard deviations <6% at three different spiking levels. The method was applied to analyze 45 milk samples from different species. The results showed that β‐casein in Yak and Pien‐niu milk was about 30% higher than that in cow milk. Furthermore, the β‐casein in the Yak milk only contains A2‐type β‐casein. A1‐type and A2‐type β‐casein coexist in most samples of Pien‐niu and cow milk, a few samples contain only one type of β‐casein. These results provide further understanding in nutritional value of milk from Yak and Pien‐niu.
Diagnostic Performance of an Artificial Intelligence System in Breast Ultrasound
Authors: O'Connell Avice M. , Bartolotta Tommaso V. , Orlando Alessia , Jung Sin‐Ho , Baek Jihye , Parker Kevin J.
Published: March 2021

Objectives

We study the performance of an artificial intelligence (AI) program designed to assist radiologists in the diagnosis of breast cancer, relative to measures obtained from conventional readings by radiologists.

Methods

A total of 10 radiologists read a curated, anonymized group of 299 breast ultrasound images that contained at least one suspicious lesion and for which a final diagnosis was independently determined. Separately, the AI program was initialized by a lead radiologist and the computed results compared against those of the radiologists.

Results

The AI program's diagnoses of breast lesions had concordance with the 10 radiologists' readings across a number of BI‐RADS descriptors. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the AI program's diagnosis of benign versus malignant was above 0.8, in agreement with the highest performing radiologists and commensurate with recent studies.

Conclusion

The trained AI program can contribute to accuracy of breast cancer diagnoses with ultrasound.
Nasal Discs and the Vital Rates of Lesser Scaup
Authors: DEANE CODY E. , Rotella Jay J. , Warren Jeffrey M. , Garrott Robert A. , Koons David N.
Published: March 2021

Nasal discs have been used to identify ducks in studies of survival and reproduction. To date, there has not been a comprehensive assessment of nasal‐disc effects on the vital rates of wild ducks. We applied nasal discs to 603 juvenile and 784 adult lesser scaup (Aythya affinis) females from a population breeding in southwest Montana, USA, and released 1,399 juvenile and 71 adult females wearing only metal leg bands between June 2005 and September 2016. Using resighting, recapture, and hunter‐recovery data collected from those individuals, we estimated survival and recovery probability with multistate capture‐recapture models in Program MARK. We also assessed if recovery distance from our study site and pre‐breeding and brood‐rearing body condition were diminished for females wearing nasal discs. Model‐averaged survival probabilities were 0.231 ± 0.035 (SE) for juveniles and 0.482 ± 0.019 for adults released with nasal discs. Survival was 1.8–3.4 times higher for females released with metal leg bands when compared to those released with nasal discs; survival of these juveniles was 0.433 ± 0.049 and 0.693 ± 0.039 for adults. We did not find evidence for recovery probability or recovery distance varying between females that wore nasal discs and those that did not. During the pre‐breeding and brood‐rearing seasons, we did not find females wearing nasal discs to be in lower body condition when compared to unmarked females. Our comprehensive assessment of nasal discs on wild lesser scaup suggests that survival probabilities estimated from nasal‐marked study populations should be cautiously interpreted as minimum estimates. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.
Exploring the role of spotlight effect in pay‐what‐you‐want (PWYW) pricing—An anchoring and adjustment perspective
Authors: Roy Rajat , Sharma Piyush , Chan Ricky Y. K. , Potdar Vidyasagar
Published: March 2021

This paper investigates social influences on Pay‐What‐You‐Want (PWYW) pricing decisions by combining a socio‐psychological phenomenon, called “spotlight effect” (defined as an egocentric bias while estimating the salience of one's own behavior and external appearance), with the well‐established “anchoring and adjustment” perspective. We test our hypotheses with one field study and two lab experiments. Findings show that when making a payment in PWYW setting, customers perceive greater attention on self (vs. others) and in the presence of distant (vs. close) others, which makes them initially anchor the price they are willing to pay on their internal reference price. However, this anchoring effect is adjusted downwards (i.e., reduced) in the presence of external reference prices. Our findings would help managers understand the factors influencing customers' PWYW pricing decisions, based on their internal and external reference prices. Managers can further use this knowledge to develop more effective strategies to drive higher PWYW prices.
TSMAA‐TRI: A temporal multi‐criteria sorting approach under uncertainty
Authors: Mouhib Youness , Frini Anissa
Published: March 2021

In recent years, the Quebec government has highlighted the importance of making decisions that are both sustainable and robust under climate change uncertainties. This paper aims to answer the following question: How to sort the alternatives according to their degree of sustainability achievement while evaluations are uncertain and temporal? The general objective of the paper is to propose a first temporal sorting method under stochastic uncertainty. The proposed method, called TSMAA‐Tri, will assign each alternative to a predefined category based on a generalization of SMAA‐Tri to a temporal context (multi‐period evaluation of alternatives) where alternative evaluations are stochastic. The method starts performing Monte Carlo simulations to generate stochastic evaluation values. Each simulation (scenario of uncertainty) will generate a specific value for each criterion using the corresponding probability distribution. Then, aggregation consists in applying SMAA Tri at each period and performing a triple aggregation: (a) uncertainty aggregation; (b) multi‐criteria aggregation; and (c) temporal aggregation. Multi‐criteria aggregation consists in applying the SMAA‐TRI method at each period. Then, two ways of temporal aggregation are proposed, based either on acceptability index or on outranking index of boundary profile. The proposed method is illustrated for sustainable forest management to show its applicability.
High‐resolution flood precipitation and streamflow relationships in two US river basins
Authors: Dougherty Erin , Morrison Ryan , Rasmussen Kristen
Published: March 2021

Relationships between rainfall and river discharge are important for governing flood characteristics and predicting flood impacts. Previous studies have examined these relationships, but they lacked the high‐resolution precipitation data necessary to analyse rainfall–streamflow correlations for individual flood episodes. The present study addresses this limitation by examining rainfall–streamflow relationships in two topographically and climatically different river basins: the Wabash River basin in Indiana and the Willamette River basin in Oregon, using high‐resolution, sub‐basin precipitation and discharge data. Results show that flood rainfall–streamflow relationships are highly spatially variable on a sub‐basin scale. In the Wabash basin, strong positive correlations exist between rainfall and streamflow near urban areas and slight terrain gradients during flash floods, while weaker correlations between rainfall and streamflow are observed in other areas of the basin and for slow‐rise floods. In the Willamette basin, strong positive slow‐rise flood rainfall–streamflow relationships occur in referenced gauges in the eastern, mountainous part of the basin, while strong negative correlations occur in non‐referenced gauges near reservoirs along the main rivers. Results suggest that in addition to high‐resolution rainfall variability, the influence of urbanization, topography and water management on flood rainfall–streamflow relationships needs to be considered in order to forecast local flood impacts better.
Indicator‐based assessment of local and regional progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): An integrated approach from Romania
Authors: Benedek József , Ivan Kinga , Török Ibolya , Temerdek Arnold , Holobâcă Iulian‐Horia
Published: March 2021

In order to measure progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, 169 targets have been approved globally. Even though interest in implementing these goals is high, many states have not yet established a set of subnational indicators to measure the implementation of the SDGs and have not completed their own assessment of progress in achieving these global goals. This study aims to measure the progress toward achieving the SDG at local and regional level in Romania by calculating the SDG Index. For the calculation of the SDG Index at subnational level, we propose an integrated approach based on 90 indicators, stored and processed in a PostgreSQL object‐relational database. The results show the concentration of the highest performances of sustainable development in some specific geographical areas. The rural areas and the extended peripheral regions in the eastern and southern part of the country are the poorest performers.
Functionalized Carbon Materials in Syngas Conversion
Authors: Chen Kuo , Li Yubing , Wang Mengheng , Wang Yuhao , Cheng Kang , Zhang Qinghong , Kang Jincan , Wang Ye
Published: March 2021

Functionalized carbon materials are widely used in heterogeneous catalysis due to their unique properties such as adjustable surface properties, excellent thermal conductivity, high surface areas, tunable porosity, and moderate interactions with guest metals. The transformation of syngas into hydrocarbons (known as the Fischer–Tropsch synthesis) or oxygenates is an exothermic reaction and is typically catalyzed by transition metals dispersed on functionalized supports. Various carbon materials have been employed in syngas conversions not only for improving the performance or decreasing the dosage of expensive active metals but also for building model catalysts for fundamental research. This article provides a critical review on recent advances in the utilization of carbon materials, in particular the recently developed functionalized nanocarbon materials, for syngas conversions to either hydrocarbons or oxygenates. The unique features of carbon materials in dispersing metal nanoparticles, heteroatom doping, surface modification, and building special nanoarchitectures are highlighted. The key factors that control the reaction course and the reaction mechanism are discussed to gain insights for the rational design of efficient carbon‐supported catalysts for syngas conversions. The challenges and future opportunities in developing functionalized carbon materials for syngas conversions are briefly analyzed.
Using Science Texts to Foster Informational Reading Comprehension
Authors: Detillion Ron
Published: March 2021

In this article, I showcase an informational text reading comprehension unit that centers on text features commonly found in science textbooks. I taught this unit to a sixth‐grade class and highlighted the work samples of three focal students here. The overarching question that guided this work was as follows: How can I focus my instruction on three common text structures in informational texts: compare and contrast, cause and effect, and description? Moreover, I show how students’ interaction with informational texts, such as engaging activities, note‐taking, and vocabulary, aided in comprehension.
Diets of Staging Phalaropes at Great Salt Lake, Utah
Authors: Frank Maureen G. , Conover Michael R.
Published: March 2021

Great Salt Lake, Utah, USA, is a critical staging area for Wilson's (Phalaropus tricolor) and red‐necked (Phalaropus lobatus) phalaropes. Both phalarope species depend upon abundant invertebrate prey in Great Salt Lake to fuel fall migrations, but the lake currently faces the threat of becoming increasingly saline due to water diversions and climate change. The lake changes may decrease the ability of Great Salt Lake to support the large populations of phalaropes that currently depend upon it. Assessing how a smaller and more saline Great Salt Lake will affect phalaropes is difficult without knowing what phalaropes are consuming during staging. We collected phalaropes from 4 different Great Salt Lake bays from 2012 through 2015 and identified prey items in their upper digestive tracts. We measured wet weights of different food items and examined total mass of food consumed by weighing gizzard contents. Phalarope diets differed across time and bays, and between phalarope species. Red‐necked phalaropes primarily consumed corixids (Corixidae) and brine fly (Ephydra hians, Ephydra cinerea) larva, pupa, and adults, whereas Wilson's phalaropes consumed brine flies, chironomids (Chironomidae) and Daphnia (Daphnia magna). Despite the abundance of brine shrimp (Artemia franciscana) in Great Salt Lake, both phalarope species rarely consumed them. Our results documented that phalaropes of Great Salt Lake are dependent for food in the less‐saline Farmington Bay and on brine flies produced in the hypersaline bays. Such information is critical for wildlife managers who are tasked with ensuring that Great Salt Lake will continue to support the large phalarope populations that depend on the lake's resources. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.
Human Resource Management im Wandel der Digitalisierung
Authors: Zurbriggen Immanuel , Schellinger Jochen
Published: March 2021

In Zeiten der Digitalisierung sind die Unternehmen gezwungen, sich mit der Thematik übergreifend und funktionsbezogen auseinanderzusetzen. Große Unternehmen gelten durch ihre starke Ressourcenbasis als Vorreiter der Digitalisierung, während KMU hier tendenziell einen weniger weiten Entwicklungsstand haben. Auch das Human Resource Management (HRM) wird stark durch die Digitalisierung und die mit ihr verbundenen digitalen Transformation geprägt und muss seine Rolle im Unternehmen neu definieren. Die administrativen HR-Prozesse, die heute häufig noch von HR-Mitarbeitenden durchgeführt werden, werden zukünftig voraussichtlich durch die Mitarbeitenden selber oder durch voll automatisierte intelligenzbasierte und vernetzte HR-Systeme und Roboter abgewickelt. Auf Grundlage einer theoretischen Analyse wird ein für kleine und mittlere Unternehmen (KMU) einsetzbares mehrwertgenerierendes Modell für cloudbasierte HR Shared Services entwickelt, das im Rahmen einer qualitativen empirischen Untersuchung bei 13 Schweizer KMU und Großunternehmen gestaltungsbezogen validiert und optimiert wird.
Schlüsselfaktoren im Marketingkonzept von Schweizer Gig-Workern
Authors: Burri Tobias , Rumo Etienne J.
Published: March 2021

Gig-Worker sind Arbeitskräfte, die ihre Dienstleistungen auf Internetplattformen anbieten und dadurch für verschiedene Aufraggeber tätig sein können. Jeder Auftrag wird als „Gig“ bezeichnet. Diese wachsende Form der Beschäftigungsart hat dazu geführt, dass Gig-Worker ähnlich einem Einzelunternehmen selbstständig agieren. Dementsprechend ist auch unternehmerisches Denken und Handeln erforderlich. Marketingaktivitäten, wie z. B. die Erstellung und Ausführung eines Marketingkonzeptes, sind ein wichtiger Bestandteil davon. Dieses Kapitel soll Gig-Workern nützliches Grundwissen anbieten und gleichzeitig eine Vorlage für zukünftige Marketingkonzepte sein. Zu Beginn werden das Thema „Gig-Work“, dessen wachsende Verbreitung und die Problemstellung dieser Arbeit vorgestellt. Später werden klassische und aktuelle Theorien zum Marketing und dessen Konzepte erklärt und anschließend der Bezug zu Gig-Workern in der Schweiz hergestellt.
Social Influencer
Authors: Kernen Livia , Adriaensen Benjamin , Tokarski Kim Oliver
Published: March 2021

Die vorliegende Analyse erfolgreicher Social Influencer auf Instagram zeigt, dass die Glaubwürdigkeit/Authentizität das „höchste Gut“ der Social Influencer ist und die persönliche Beziehung sowie die Interaktion mit der Community weitere wichtige Aspekte darstellen. Die Social Influencer posten meistens Beiträge zu den Zeiten, in denen sie durchschnittlich am meisten Likes und Kommentare generieren können, sie verwenden viele Bildunterschriften, jedoch wenige Hashtags, die Interaktionsrate hängt stark davon ab, wie lukrativ ihre Beiträge für ihre Community sind. Beiträge mit freizügigen sowie nichtkinderfreundlichen Inhalten generieren durchschnittlich am meisten Likes und Kommentare. Die Analysen zeigen, dass Bilder der Social Influencer selbst oder Beiträge mit speziellen Ereignissen aus ihrem Leben tendenziell am meisten Likes von den Usern erhalten. Zudem posten die Social Influencer fast keine Beiträge, die gewalttätige, betrügerische oder medizinische Inhalte aufweisen.
Datenbasierte Weiterentwicklung des Kundenerlebnisses in der Möbelbranche
Authors: Aemmer David , Bigler Jonas , Harder Deane
Published: March 2021

Das Konsumentenverhalten beim Kauf von Möbeln ist komplex. Konsequente Kundenorientierung entlang des Kaufentscheidungsprozesses findet nur statt, wenn kaufrelevante Informationen kundenzentriert bereitgestellt werden. Die vorliegende Studie untersucht entsprechende Erfolgsfaktoren im Schweizer Möbelhandel. Im Kaufprozess lag der Fokus auf den Schritten Informationssuche und Bewertung von Alternativen. Mit qualitativen Interviews wurde untersucht, wie Kunden vorgehen, welche Kanäle sie dabei nutzen und welchen Herausforderungen sie dabei begegnen (Customer Journey). Der 1. Schritt ist oft, dass sich Kunden zuerst online zu einem Möbelstück informieren, danach jedoch aufgrund fehlender, kaufrelevanter Information den stationären Handel besuchen. Es gilt ein Fällen des Kaufentscheides online zu erleichtern, Kanalwechsel motivierender zu gestalten und den Anschluss an Onlinerecherchen nahtlos zu gewährleisten. Im Zuge der voranschreitenden Digitalisierung, vor allem in den Bereichen Virtual Reality und Maschinenlernen, wird die Bedeutung dieser Faktoren weiter zunehmen.
Integration von Kryptowährungen in das Angebot von Regionalbanken
Authors: Mathys Michael , Gimeno Raul
Published: March 2021

Der vorliegende Beitrag untersucht die Einführung von Kryptowährungen bei Regionalbanken. Im Fokus liegt die Einführung der Kryptowährungen, wobei mit der zugrunde liegenden Blockchain-Technologie weitere Anwendungsmöglichkeiten denkbar sind, welche hier nicht berücksichtigt werden. Die folgenden Dienstleistungen wurden identifiziert, welche auf Basis von Kryptowährungen angeboten werden können: (1) Kryptowährung als Asset: Die verschiedenen Kryptowährungen können zur Wertanlage dienen; (2) Kryptowährung als Zahlungsmittel: Der originäre Zweck der Kryptowährung, digitaler Austausch zum Bezug von Waren und Dienstleistungen; (3) Begleitung von Initial Coin Offering (ICO): Kapitalbeschaffung für kleine und mittelgroße Unternehmen; (4) Kredite in Kryptowährungen: Finanzierungen in digitalen Währungen für Kunden mit Erträgen in Kryptowährungen. Bis auf die Begleitung von ICO bedingen sämtliche Umsetzungen technische Anpassungen an der aktuell eingesetzten Software unserer Modellbank. Neben den Anpassungen der Modellbank bietet sich bei allen möglichen Dienstleistungsangeboten eine Zusammenarbeit mit auf Kryptowährungen spezialisierten Unternehmen an. Neben der schnelleren Implementierung aufgrund eines Einkaufs in bestehende Lösungen kann so auch das Entwicklungsrisiko reduziert werden und es muss intern weniger Know-how aufgebaut werden.
Design, synthesis, and antibacterial activity of novel myricetin derivatives containing sulfonate
Authors: Su Shijun , Zhou Qing , Tang Xuemei , Peng Feng , Liu Tingting , Liu Liwei , Xie Chengwei , He Ming , Xue Wei
Published: March 2021

A series of myricetin derivatives containing sulfonate groups were designed and synthesized. Preliminary antibacterial activity showed that most of the target compounds exhibited significant biological activities against Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. Citri (Xac), Ralstonia solanacearum (Rs), and Xanthomonas oryzae pv. Oryzae (Xoo). In particular, the EC50 value of compound 3e was 13.76 μg/cm3 against Xac, which was better than commercial reagents bismerthiazol (50.32 µg/cm3) and thiodiazole copper. (83.27 µg/cm3), and the EC50 value of compound 3j was 11.92 μg/cm3 against Xoo in vitro, The result was better than that of bismerthiazol (72.08 µg/cm3) and thiodiazole copper (99.26 µg/cm3). Compound 3j displayed the better in vivo activity against rice bacterial leaf blight than bismerthiazol and thiodiazole copper. Meanwhile, the antibacterial mechanism of compounds 3e and 3j was studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM). These results suggested that myricetin derivatives containing sulfonate can be considered as a new antibacterial reagents.

Graphic abstract
Energy-efficient routing in the proximity of a complicated hole in wireless sensor networks
Authors: Nguyen Khanh-Van , Nguyen Chi-Hieu , Le Nguyen Phi , Van Do Tien , Chlamtac Imrich
Published: March 2021

A quest for geographic routing schemes of wireless sensor networks when sensor nodes are deployed in areas with obstacles has resulted in numerous ingenious proposals and techniques. However, there is a lack of solutions for complicated cases wherein the source or the sink nodes are located close to a specific hole, especially in cavern-like regions of large complex-shaped holes. In this paper, we propose a geographic routing scheme to deal with the existence of complicated-shape holes in an effective manner. Our proposed routing scheme achieves routes around holes with the (1+$$\epsilon$$
ϵ
)-stretch. Experimental results show that our routing scheme yields the highest load balancing and the most extended network lifetime compared to other well-known routing algorithms as well.
Small-scale on-site treatment of fecal matter: comparison of treatments for resource recovery and sanitization
Authors: Kelova Mariya E. , Ali Aasim M. , Eich-Greatorex Susanne , Dörsch Peter , Kallenborn Roland , Jenssen Petter D.
Published: March 2021

On-site small-scale sanitation is common in rural areas and areas without infrastructure, but the treatment of the collected fecal matter can be inefficient and is seldom directed to resource recovery. The aim of this study was to compare low-technology solutions such as composting and lactic acid fermentation (LAF) followed by vermicomposting in terms of treatment efficiency, potential human and environmental risks, and stabilization of the material for reuse in agriculture. A specific and novel focus of the study was the fate of native pharmaceutical compounds in the fecal matter. Composting, with and without the addition of biochar, was monitored by temperature and CO2production and compared with LAF. All treatments were run at three different ambient temperatures (7, 20, and 38°C) and followed by vermicomposting at room temperature. Materials resulting from composting and LAF were analyzed for fecal indicators, physicochemical characteristics, and residues of ten commonly used pharmaceuticals and compared to the initial substrate. Vermicomposting was used as secondary treatment and assessed by enumeration ofEscherichia coli, worm density, and physicochemical characteristics. Composting at 38°C induced the highest microbial activity and resulted in better stability of the treated material, higher N content, lower numbers of fecal indicators, and less pharmaceutical compounds as compared to LAF. Even though analysis of pH after LAF suggested incomplete fermentation,E. colicell numbers were significantly lower in all LAF treatments compared to composting at 7°C, and some of the anionic pharmaceutical compounds were detected in lower concentrations. The addition of approximately 5 vol % biochar to the composting did not yield significant differences in measured parameters. Vermicomposting further stabilized the material, and the treatments previously composted at 7°C and 20°C had the highest worm density. These results suggest that in small-scale decentralized sanitary facilities, the ambient temperatures can significantly influence the treatment and the options for safe reuse of the material.
A hyperelastic model for soils with stress-induced and inherent anisotropy
Authors: Cudny Marcin , Staszewska Katarzyna
Published: March 2021

In this paper, modelling of the superposition of stress-induced and inherent anisotropy of soil small strain stiffness is presented in the framework of hyperelasticity. A simple hyperelastic model, capable of reproducing variable stress-induced anisotropy of stiffness, is extended by replacement of the stress invariant with mixed stress–microstructure invariant to introduce constant inherent cross-anisotropic component. A convenient feature of the new model is low number of material constants directly related to the parameters commonly used in the literature. The proposed description can be incorporated as a small strain elastic core in the development of some more sophisticated hyperelastic-plastic models of overconsolidated soils. It can also be used as an independent model in analyses involving small strain problems, such as dynamic simulations of the elastic wave propagation. Various options and features of the proposed anisotropic hyperelastic model are investigated. The directional model response is compared with experimental data available in the literature.
Long-Term Improvement of Chronic Low-Grade Inflammation After Bariatric Surgery
Authors: Lautenbach Anne , Stoll Fabian , Mann Oliver , Busch Philipp , Huber Tobias B. , Kielstein Heike , Bähr Ina , Aberle Jens
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Bariatric surgery (BS) was shown to improve inflammatory markers in previous short-term follow-up studies. The aim of the present study was to assess the long-term effects of BS on chronic low-grade inflammation markers related to severe obesity. Moreover, the meaning of the type of BS procedure as well as the remission of type 2 diabetes (T2D) for inflammatory status up to 4 years after BS was analyzed.

Materials and Methods

In a retrospective cohort study including 163 patients at baseline, inflammatory and metabolic parameters were assessed at 4 time points: before surgery (baseline), 6 months after surgery (visit 1), 2 years after surgery (visit 2), and 4 years after surgery (visit 3). Univariate regression analysis was used to identify variables that were thought to determine change in inflammatory parameters.

Results

CRP, hs-CRP, leucocytes, and ferritin significantly declined in the mid- and long-term according to the U-shaped curve of weight loss (p<0.001). Change in body mass index (BMI) at long-time follow-up showed a significant linear effect on change in leucocytes (B=0.082; p<0.001) and change in hs-CRP (B=0.03; p<0.05). There was a strong, positive correlation between T2D and hs-CRP at visit 2 (rs=0.195; p<0.05) and visit 3 (rs=0.36; p=0.001). With regard to type of surgery and gender, there were no significant differences in inflammatory parameters.

Conclusion

BS is able to reduce obesity-related chronic low-grade inflammation up to 4 years after surgical intervention. The improvement in metaflammation is related to the change in BMI and remission of T2D in the long-term.

Graphical abstract
Identification of Neuronal Polarity by Node-Based Machine Learning
Authors: Su Chen-Zhi , Chou Kuan-Ting , Huang Hsuan-Pei , Li Chiau-Jou , Charng Ching-Che , Lo Chung-Chuan , Wang Daw-Wei
Published: March 2021

Identifying the direction of signal flows in neural networks is important for understanding the intricate information dynamics of a living brain. Using a dataset of 213 projection neurons distributed in more than 15 neuropils of a Drosophila brain, we develop a powerful machine learning algorithm: node-based polarity identifier of neurons (NPIN). The proposed model is trained only by information specific to nodes, the branch points on the skeleton, and includes both Soma Features (which contain spatial information from a given node to a soma) and Local Features (which contain morphological information of a given node). After including the spatial correlations between nodal polarities, our NPIN provided extremely high accuracy (>96.0%) for the classification of neuronal polarity, even for complex neurons with more than two dendrite/axon clusters. Finally, we further apply NPIN to classify the neuronal polarity of neurons in other species (Blowfly and Moth), which have much less neuronal data available. Our results demonstrate the potential of NPIN as a powerful tool to identify the neuronal polarity of insects and to map out the signal flows in the brain’s neural networks if more training data become available in the future.
Orbital Abscess—Two Case Reports with Review
Authors: Zawadzki Tomasz , Komisarek Oskar , Pawłowski Jacek , Wojtera Bartosz , Bilska-Stokłosa Joanna , Osmola Krzysztof
Published: March 2021

Periorbital infections lead to severe condition of the orbital abscess, and eventually to sight loss, and even death. Current study aims in reviewing the literature regarding orbital abscess in adult patients and presenting 2 original cases. A surgical intervention to drain the abscess and a revision of the orbital was required. A review of literature is also reported focusing on aetiology and treatment options dealing with an orbital abscess.
Correction to: Development and modelling of realistic retrofitted Nature-based Solution scenarios to reduce flood occurrence at the catchment scale
Authors: Chen Valerie , Bonilla Brenes Jose Ricardo , Chapa Fernando , Hack Jochen
Published: March 2021

In the original publication, the affiliation of all the authors were mixed up and processed incorrectly. It has been updated in this correction.
Die Nutzung gestufter Lernhilfen zur Unterstützung des Experimentierprozesses im Biologieunterricht – eine qualitative Studie
Authors: Kleinert Svea Isabel , Isaak Ricarda Corinna , Textor Annette , Wilde Matthias
Published: March 2021

Experimentieren im Biologieunterricht gilt als komplexer Problemlöseprozess. Die Nutzung gestufter Lernhilfen als Form von Binnendifferenzierung könnte dies unterstützen. In der vorliegenden qualitativen Studie wurde die Verwendung gestufter Lernhilfen beim Experimentieren im Biologieunterricht untersucht. Hierzu wurden Daten von 35 Schüler*innen (M = 12,5 Jahre; SD = 0,83; 42,9 % weiblich) der 6.–8. Jahrgangsstufe einer Gesamtschule und einer Realschule erhoben. Die Nutzung der gestuften Lernhilfen wurde mithilfe des Lauten Denkens während des Experimentierprozesses und eines anschließenden leitfadengestützten Interviews erfasst. Eine qualitative Inhaltsanalyse ergab ein Kategoriensystem mit insgesamt 5 Ober- und 8 Unterkategorien. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Schüler*innen die gestuften Lernhilfen nutzen, wenn Schwierigkeiten während des Experimentierprozesses auftraten. Die Nutzung gestufter Lernhilfen scheint die metakognitive Handlungsplanung, reflektierendes Verhalten und die Aktivierung von Vorwissen positiv zu beeinflussen. Mögliche Implikationen für die Gestaltung gestufter Lernhilfen werden diskutiert.
Virtual Reality Representations of Nature to Improve Well-Being amongst Older Adults: a Rapid Review
Authors: Van Houwelingen-Snippe Josca , Ben Allouch Somaya , Van Rompay Thomas J. L.
Published: March 2021

Poor well-being amongst older adults poses a serious health concern. Simultaneously, research shows that contact with nature can improve various facets of well-being, including physical, social, and mental well-being. However, nature is not always accessible for older adults due to mobility restrictions and related care needs that come with age. A promising strategy aims at bringing nature inside through pervasive technologies. However, so far, there is little academic understanding of essential nature characteristics, psychological processes involved, and means for implementation in practice. The current study used a three-folded rapid review to assess current understanding and strategies used for improving well-being for older adults through virtual reality representations of nature. Searches were performed across three databases, followed-up by content-based evaluation of abstracts. In total, a set of 25 relevant articles was identified. Only three studies specifically focus on digital nature as an intervention strategy for improving well-being amongst older adults. Although these studies provide useful starting points for the design and (technological) development of such environments, they do not generate understanding of how specific characteristics of virtual nature representations impact social well-being measures in particular, and of the underlying psychological processes involved. We conclude that follow-up research is warranted to close the gap between insights and findings from nature research, gerontology, health research, and human-technology interaction.
PPARγregulatesfabp4expression to increase DHA content in golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus) hepatocytes
Authors: Lei Caixia , Fan Bin , Tian Jingjing , Li Mengmeng , Li Yuanyou
Published: March 2021

N-3 long-chain (≥C20) PUFA (LC-PUFA) are vital fatty acids for fish and humans. As a main source ofn-3 LC-PUFA for human consumers, then-3 LC-PUFA content of farmed fish is important. Previously, we identified fatty acid-binding protein(fabp)-4as a candidate gene for regulating then-3 LC-PUFA content. Herein, we further assessed the role offabp4in this process. First, a 2059 bp promoter sequence offabp4inTrachinotus ovatuswas cloned and, using progressive deletion, determined −2006 bp to −1521 bp to be the core promoter sequence. ThePPAR-γbinding sites were predicted to occur in this region. A luciferase reporter assay showed that the promoter activity offabp4decreased following mutation of thePPARγbinding site and thatPPARγincreased thefabp4promoter activity in a dose-dependent manner, implying thatT. ovatus fabp4is a target ofPPARγ.The overexpression offabp4 or PPARγincreased the DHA content in hepatocytes, whereas suppression of their expression diminished this effect, suggesting that bothfabp4andPPARγplay an active role in regulating DHA content. Moreover, the inhibition offabp4attenuated the increase inPPARγ-mediated DHA content, and the overexpression offabp4alleviated this effect. Collectively, our findings indicated thatfabp4, which is controlled byPPARγ, plays an important role in DHA content regulation. The new regulation axis can be considered a promising novel target for increasing then-3 LC-PUFA content inT. ovatus.
Body Representation Alterations in Patients with Unilateral Brain Damage
Authors: Raimo Simona , Boccia Maddalena , Di Vita Antonella , Iona Teresa , Cropano Maria , Ammendolia Antonio , Colao Roberto , Angelillo Valentina , Maiorino Antonio , Guariglia Cecilia , Grossi Dario , Palermo Liana
Published: March 2021

Objective:

Systematic studies about the impact of unilateral brain damage on the different body representations (body schema, body structural representation, and body semantics) are still rare. Aim of this study was to evaluate body representation deficits in a relatively large sample of patients with unilateral brain damage and to investigate the impact of right or left brain damage on body representations (BRs), independently from deficits in other cognitive processes.

Method:

Sixty-four patients with unilateral stroke (22 with left brain damage, LBD; 31 with right brain damage without neglect, RBD-N; 11 with right brain damage with neglect, RBD+N) and 41 healthy individuals underwent a specific battery including BR as well as control tasks.

Results:

In more than a third of the sample, selective (37.5%) and pure (31%) deficits of BR were presented and equally distributed among the different BRs (˜10% for each representation), with selective (27.2%) and pure (22.7%) body schema deficit mainly presented after left brain damage. As a group, patients with unilateral brain damage, independently of the side of lesion (LBD, RBD-N, RBD+N), had significantly worse performance on body structural representation with respect to healthy individuals, whereas LBD had numerically worse performance on body schema with respect to healthy individuals and RBD-N. No significant differences among groups were found on body semantics.

Conclusion:

BR deficits are not a rare consequence of unilateral brain damage and are independent of a more general cognitive dysfunction. Accordingly, the need for an accurate assessment and specific neuropsychological training in clinical settings is discussed.
Eating patterns in a nationwide sample of Japanese aged 1–79 years from MINNADE study: eating frequency, clock time for eating, time spent on eating and variability of eating patterns
Authors: Murakami Kentaro , Livingstone M Barbara E , Masayasu Shizuko , Sasaki Satoshi
Published: March 2021

Objective:

Although there is growing evidence suggesting that eating patterns are important determinants of health status, comprehensive information on patterning of eating behaviours is almost lacking. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to describe eating patterns in Japan.

Design:

Information on actual eating behaviours was collected using 2-d dietary record in each season over a year (total 8 d). Eating occasions were defined as any discrete intake occasion (with a discrete start clock time and name) except for eating occasions consisting of water only, which were excluded.

Setting:

Japan.

Participants:

A nationwide sample of 4032 Japanese aged 1–79 years.

Results:

The mean value of eating frequency of meals (i.e. breakfast, lunch and dinner), snacks and total eating occasions was 2·94, 1·74 and 4·68 times/d, respectively. The mean clock time for the start of breakfast, lunch and dinner was 07.24, 12.29 and 19.15 h, respectively. The mean time spent consuming breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks was 19, 25, 34 and 27 min/d, respectively. On average, variability (i.e. average of absolute difference from mean) of meal frequency was small compared with that of snack frequency and total eating frequency. Both mean variability of clock time for the start of eating (<1 h) and mean variability of time spent on meals (<10 min/d) were also small. Conversely, mean variability of time spent on snacks was large (>18 min/d).

Conclusion:

The present findings serve as both a reference and an indication for future research on patterning of eating behaviours.
Diagnostic Simulations of the Lunar Sodium Tail and Bright Spot
Authors: Lee Dong‐Wook , Kim Sang‐Joon
Published: March 2021

Numerical simulations of the lunar sodium tail and its bright sodium spot are presented. As an attempt to do reverse engineering to understand the lunar sodium exosphere, we simulated velocity distributions of the sodium tail and its bright spot that emerges in the night sky around new Moon phases. In this work, three physical sodium sources (i.e., photon‐stimulated desorption [PSD], solar‐wind ion sputtering [SIS], meteor impact vaporization [MIV]), the dust anisotropy effect reported by Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE), three gravitational sources (i.e., the Moon, the Earth, and the Sun), and variable solar radiation pressure effects are considered. We simulated velocity distributions of the lunar bright spot considering different source contribution ratios and their temperatures in order to find the best initial parameters which can account for the important observed recessional velocity of 12.4 km/s by Mierkiewicz et al. (2006, https://doi.org/10.1029/2006GL027650). We found that the upper limits of Maxwellian temperatures of 1,800 K for the PSD and 2,500 K for the MIV and that the best contribution ratio of the three major sodium sources (i.e., PSD: SIS: MIV) is found at the case of 2: 1: 3 (i.e., MIV dominant). Based on the previous brightness observations of the bright spot, the total production rate of the lunar sodium is estimated to usually vary between 0.4 and 1.3 × 1022/s. We introduce an interesting event in the lunar sodium tail, the Sodium Ring phenomena, which can occur transiently during the total solar eclipse due to the umbra and penumbra effects of the Earth.
RNF8 ubiquitinates RecQL4 and promotes its dissociation from DNA double strand breaks
Authors: Tan Qunsong , Niu Kaifeng , Zhu Yuqi , Chen Zixiang , Li Yueyang , Li Mengge , Wei Di , Balajee Adayabalam S. , Fang Hongbo , Zhao Yongliang
Published: March 2021

Ubiquitination-dependent DNA damage response (DDR) signals play a critical role in the cellular choice of DNA damage repair pathways. Human DNA helicase RecQL4 participates in DNA replication and repair, and loss of RecQL4 is associated with autosomal recessive genetic disorders characterized by genomic instability features. In an earlier study, RecQL4 was isolated as a stable complex that contained two ubiquitin ligases of the N-end rule (UBR1 and UBR2). However, it is unknown whether or not RecQL4 ubiquitination status is critical for its DNA repair function. Here, we report that RecQL4 directly interacts with RNF8 (a RING finger ubiquitin E3 ligase), and both co-localize at DNA double-strand break (DSB) sites. Our findings indicate that RNF8 ubiquitinates RecQL4 protein mainly at the lysine sites of 876, 1048, and 1101, thereby facilitating the dissociation of RecQL4 from DSB sites. RecQL4 mutant at ubiquitination sites had a significantly prolonged retention at DSBs, which hinders the recruitment of its direct downstream DSB repair proteins (CtIP & Ku80). Interestingly, reduced DSB repair capacity observed in RecQL4 depleted cells was restored only by the reconstitution of wild-type RecQL4, but not the ubiquitination mutant. Additionally, RecQL4 directly interacts with WRAP53β that is known to recruit RNF8 to DSBs and WRAP53β enhances the association of RecQL4 with RNF8. WRAP53β silencing resulted in a nearly diminished recruitment of RNF8 to DSBs and in a greatly attenuated dissociation of RecQL4 from the DSB sites. Collectively, our study demonstrates that the ubiquitination event mediated by RNF8 constitutes an essential component for RecQL4’s function in DSB repair.
Prognostic significance of interleukin-17A-producing colorectal tumour antigen-specific T cells
Authors: Thomson Amanda , Bento Diana F. Costa , Scurr Martin J. , Smart Kathryn , Somerville Michelle S. , Keita Åsa V. , Gallimore Awen , Godkin Andrew
Published: March 2021

Background

The T cell cytokine profile is a key prognostic indicator of post-surgical outcome for colorectal cancer (CRC). Whilst TH1 (IFN-γ+) cell-mediated responses generated in CRC are well documented and are associated with improved survival, antigen-specific TH17 (IL-17A+) responses have not been similarly measured.

Methods

We sought to determine the cytokine profile of circulating tumour antigen-(5T4/CEA) specific T cells of 34 CRC patients to address whether antigen-specific IL-17A responses were detectable and whether these were distinct to IFN-γ responses.

Results

As with IFN-γ-producing T cells, anti-5T4/CEA TH17 responses were detectable predominantly in early stage (TNM I/II) CRC patients. Moreover, whilst IL-17A was always produced in association with IFN-γ, this release was mainly from two distinct T cell populations rather than by ‘dual producing’ T cells. Patients mounting both tumour-specific TH1+/TH17+ responses exhibited prolonged relapse-free survival.

Conclusions

Tumour antigen-specific TH17 responses play a beneficial role in preventing post-operative colorectal tumour recurrence.