bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) Based Synthetic Sampling for Predictive Modeling
Authors: Barigye Stephen J. , García de la Vega José M. , Perez‐Castillo Yunierkis
Published: June 2020

In the present report we evaluate the possible utility of the Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) in mapping the chemical structural space for molecular property profiles, with the goal of subsequently yielding synthetic (artificial) samples for ligand‐based molecular modeling. Two case studies are considered: BACE‐1 (β‐Secretase 1) and DENV (Dengue Virus) inhibitory activities, with the former focused on data populating and the latter on data balancing tasks. We train GANs using subsamples extracted from datasets for each bioactivity endpoint, and apply the trained networks in generating synthetic examples from the respective bioactivity chemical spaces. Original and synthetic samples are pooled together and employed to build BACE‐1 and DENV inhibitory activity classifiers and their performance evaluated over tenfold external validation sets. In both case studies, the obtained classifiers demonstrate satisfactory predictivity with the former yielding accuracy (ACC) and Mathew's correlation coefficient (MCC) values of 0.80 and 0.59, while the latter produces balanced accuracy(BACC) and MCC values of 0.81 and 0.70, respectively. Moreover, the statistics of these classifiers are compared with those of other models in the literature demonstrating comparable to better performance. These results suggest that GANs may be useful in mapping the chemical space for molecular property profiles of interest, and thus allow for the extraction of synthetic examples for computational modeling.
A miniaturized electromagnetically coupled patch antenna design using eroded ground plane
Authors: Sahoo Amiya Bhusana , Mangaraj Biswa Binayak
Published: June 2020

A novel electromagnetically coupled circular patch antenna (CPA) with an eroded ground plane is proposed for the wireless local area network (WLAN) application. First, a simple CPA is designed for 2.4‐GHz WLAN band. At this frequency, the physical size of the CPA is large. Therefore, a CPA is designed at a higher frequency with much lesser dimensions, and some portion of the ground plane is eroded to observe the percentage of resonant frequency reduction. In order to avail the WLAN services at 2.4 GHz, a CPA is optimally designed at 5.76 GHz based on the same proportionality technique with an eroded ground plane. This miniaturized antenna resonates at 2.4 GHz frequency with excellent reflection and radiation characteristics. The simulation software ANSYS high‐frequency structure simulator is considered for the design of the proposed CPA. The CPA is physically fabricated and its characteristics are validated with the simulation result. It is also compared with some of the antennas available in the literature for the WLAN application. The comparative study shows that the proposed CPA is a miniaturized one with attractive performance parameters.
Technical Note: Deep Learning approach for automatic detection and identification of patient positioning devices for radiation therapy
Authors: Thomas David H. , Schubert Leah K. , Vinogradskiy Yevgeniy , Nath Sameer , Kavanagh Brian , Miften Moyed , Jones Bernard
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Automatic detection and identification of setup devices, using a deep convolutional neural network (CNN) for real‐time multiclass object detection, has the potential to reduce errors in the treatment delivery process by avoiding documentation errors.

Methods

A database of the setup device photos from the most recent 1200 patients treated at our institution was downloaded from the record and verify (R&V) system along with the corresponding setup notes. Images were manually labeled with bounding boxes of each device. A real‐time object detection CNN using the “you only look once” (YOLOv2) architecture was trained using transfer learning of a pretrained CNN (ResNet50). The CNN was trained to detect and identify 11 of the most common treatment accessories used at our institution.

Results

Using transfer learning of a CNN for multiclass object detection, we are able to automatically detect and identify setup devices in photographs with an accuracy of 96%.

Conclusions

Automation in radiation oncology has the potential to reduce risk. Automatic detection of setup devices is possible using a CNN and transfer learning. This work shows both the value of incident learning systems (ILS) in practice knowledge dissemination, and shows how automation of clinical processes and less reliance on manual documentation has the potential for risk reduction in radiation oncology treatments.
Graft assessment of the ex vivo perfused porcine kidney using hyperpolarized [1‐13C]pyruvate
Authors: Mariager Christian Østergaard , Hansen Esben Søvsø Szocska , Bech Sabrina Kahina , Munk Anders , Kjærgaard Uffe , Lyhne Mads Dam , Søberg Karsten , Nielsen Peter Fast , Ringgaard Steffen , Laustsen Christoffer
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Normothermic perfusion is an emerging strategy for donor organ preservation and therapy, incited by the high worldwide demand for organs for transplantation. Hyperpolarized MRI and MRS using [1‐13C]pyruvate and other13C‐labeled molecules pose a novel way to acquire highly detailed information about metabolism and function in a noninvasive manner. This study investigates the use of this methodology as a means to study and monitor the state of ex vivo perfused porcine kidneys, in the context of kidney graft preservation research.

Methods

Kidneys from four 40‐kg Danish domestic pigs were perfused ex vivo with whole blood under normothermic conditions, using an MR‐compatible perfusion system. Kidneys were investigated using1H MRI as well as hyperpolarized [1‐13C]pyruvate MRI and MRS. Using the acquired anatomical, functional and metabolic data, the state of the ex vivo perfused porcine kidney could be quantified.

Results

Four kidneys were successfully perfused for 120 minutes and verified using a DCE perfusion experiment. Renal metabolism was examined using hyperpolarized [1‐13C]pyruvate MRI and MRS, and displayed an apparent reduction in pyruvate turnover compared with the usual case in vivo. Perfusion and blood gas parameters were in the normal ex vivo range.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the ability to monitor ex vivo graft metabolism and function in a large animal model, resembling human renal physiology. The ability of hyperpolarized MRI and MRS to directly compare the metabolic state of an organ in vivo and ex vivo, in combination with the simple MR implementation of normothermic perfusion, renders this methodology a powerful future tool for graft preservation research.
Effects of Dietary Xanthophyll Supplementation on Growth Performance, Body Color, Carotenoids, and Blood Chemistry Indices of Chinese Soft-Shelled Turtle Pelodiscus sinensis
Authors: Wang Pei , Li Xiao , Wang Xiaoqing , Peng Na , Luo Zhijia
Published: June 2020

A 12-week experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of diets containing 0 (CD), 40 (X1), 80 (X2), and 120 mg/kg (X3) xanthophyll on the growth, body color, and blood chemistry of the Chinese soft-shelled turtle Pelodiscus sinensis. Four hundred and eighty turtles with initial weight of 37.90 ± 0.26 g were randomly stocked equally in 12 cement ponds (4.0 × 5.0 × 0.8 m) to form four groups in triplicate. The turtles were fed one of the four diets (crude protein 48%, crude lipid 6%) twice daily, with the feed amount set at 3% of their total body weight. The results indicated that the supplement of 80 mg/kg xanthophyll in the diet had the most significant effect on growth, feed conversion ratio, and amino acid content in muscle tissue. The yellowness of the carapace and the plastron skin increased with higher xanthophyll levels. Moreover, the final yellowness in the plastron skin was higher than the initial yellowness. The carotenoid content in the liver and carapace was significantly enhanced with increasing xanthophyll levels and showed a significant linear correlation with the dietary xanthophyll supplement levels. The liver carotenoid content in the X2 and X3 groups and carapace skin carotenoid content in the X3 group were markedly higher than were those in turtles that were fed the control diet (P < 0.05). Compared with the control diet, adding xanthophyll significantly increased acid phosphatase activity in serum while obviously lowering the alanine aminotransferase activity. The triglyceride and total cholesterol content decreased with increases in xanthophyll. There were no significant differences in the serum superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity in animals that received the xanthophyll-supplemented and control diets. The current study results suggest that the growth performance and skin coloration of Chinese soft-shelled turtle can be improved by including 80–120 mg/kg xanthophyll in the diet.
Has the use of preoperative urodynamics for stress urinary incontinence surgery changed following the VALUE study?
Authors: Clements Matthew B. , Zillioux Jacqueline M. , William Pike Conner , Rapp David E.
Published: June 2020

Aims

To assess whether routine urodynamic testing (UDT) in women undergoing slings for uncomplicated stress urinary incontinence (SUI) has decreased following publication of the landmark VALUE study, which recommended against routine UDT in uncomplicated SUI.

Methods

We identified women in the Virginia All Payers Claims Database diagnosed with SUI between 2011 and 2016 using International Classification of Disease (ICD) codes (N39.3, 625.6). Appropriate ICD/CPT (current procedural terminology) codes were used to exclude non‐index patients (prior anti‐incontinence/prolapse surgery, urge incontinence, neurogenic bladder). Beta regression was used to assess for changes in the monthly proportion of urethral slings with preoperative UDT. Interventional ARIMA modeling was used to assess for a relationship between the date of VALUE (The Value of Urodynamic Evaluation) publication and the incidence of slings with preoperative UDT.

Results

Analysis identified 6740 women with SUI undergoing sling placement, with 343 non‐index patients excluded. Of 6397 remaining women, 4026 (62.9%) underwent preoperative UDT. The annual number of slings with preoperative UDT declined from 748 to 402 between 2011 and 2016. Beta regression analysis demonstrated a decrease in the proportion of slings with preoperative UDT over the study (68%, 2011; 58%, 2016), with a statistically significant decrease in the proportion of slings with UDT after May 2012 (β coefficient, −.0093; P < .001). Interventional ARIMA models showed a trend toward decreasing slings with preoperative UDT after the VALUE trial (P = .057).

Conclusions

Our analysis demonstrated a decrease in the proportion of women undergoing preoperative UDT in uncomplicated SUI patients following the VALUE study. Further research is needed to examine factors underlying UDT utilization trends and promote value‐driven care.
An efficient and robust method for parameterized nonintrusive reduced‐order modeling
Authors: Kostorz Wawrzyniec J. , Muggeridge Ann H. , Jackson Matthew D.
Published: June 2020

A method of constructing parameterized nonintrusive reduced‐order models (NIROMs) is given. The approach relies on a geometrical interpretation of NIROM, requires only a single layer of interpolation to be applied for both system state and parametric dependence of the model and is applicable to systems characterized by any number of parameters spanning arbitrary orders of magnitude. The method is applied to three representative test problems and evaluated in terms of accuracy and speed, showing good performance.
Comprehensive characterization of a novel natural Bauhinia Vahlii stem fiber
Authors: Ray Rashmi , Das Sankar N. , Mohapatra Abhipreet , Das Harish C.
Published: June 2020

The present work aims to analyze the influence of chemical treatment on thermal, morphological, mechanical, and water absorption characteristics of a new natural Bauhinia Vahlii (BV) stem fiber. In this research study, the BV fiber surface was modified through different chemical treatments such as alkalization, bleaching, and benzoylation. The effect of these chemical treatments on the fiber are visualized through the scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs. SEM ensures the presence of voids and rough surfaces with the removal of deleterious substances from the fiber. The results obtained from Fourier transform infrared ensure the presence of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin compounds in the case of untreated and treated BV fiber. Also, X‐ray diffraction analysis gives a higher crystallinity index for treated BV fiber. Thermogravimetric analysis confirms there is an increase in the thermal stability of the fiber after chemical treatment. The increase in tensile strength and young's modulus confirms improvement in the mechanical properties of the BV fiber after chemical treatment. The water absorptivity test ensures there is a reduction in the hydrophilic nature of the BV fiber after chemical treatment, which promotes better adhesion between fiber and matrix.
Temperature‐dependent tensile properties of hybrid carbon/glass thermoplastic composite rods
Authors: Naito Kimiyoshi , Oguma Hiroyuki , Nagai Chiemi
Published: June 2020

Hybrid carbon/glass composite rods consisting of unidirectional polyacrylonitrile (PAN)‐based carbon fiber (T700SC), braided E‐glass fibers, and thermoplastic epoxy matrix were fabricated with differing carbon/glass ratios (24K1P, 24K2P, and 24K3P). The cross‐sectional morphologies of the hybrid rods were observed using a digital microscope. Tensile properties and fracture behavior of the hybrid rods were investigated over a range of temperatures: −50°C, 0°C, 23°C (RT), 50°C, and 80°C. The tensile modulus and strength increased with increasing carbon fiber volume fraction, but decreased with increasing temperature. The Weibull statistical distribution of tensile strength for the hybrid rods was examined. The Weibull modulus increased with increasing tensile strength and decreasing void volume fraction of the hybrid rods. A Curtin‐type global load‐sharing model was applied to the hybrid rods to predict mechanical properties at different temperatures.
Recent advances in polymeric facilitated transport membranes for carbon dioxide separation and hydrogen purification
Authors: Han Yang , Ho W. S. Winston
Published: June 2020

Membrane and membrane process have been widely considered as one of the best candidates for mitigating CO2 emissions from the combustion or utilization of fossil fuels. Various amine‐containing polymers constitute an important class of membranes, where the highly selective CO2 transport is achieved by the facilitated transport mechanism. In this review, the amine–CO2 chemistry is discussed in conjunction with the mechanism of the reaction‐mediated CO2 transport. A wide variety of amine‐containing polymers are discussed based on two synthesis motifs: (a) polyamines with amino groups covalently bound to the polymer backbone and (b) small molecule amines embedded in a polymer matrix. This review concludes with the remarks on the facilitated transport membranes for post‐combustion carbon capture (CO2/N2) and hydrogen purification (CO2/H2).
Cryo‐electron microscopy structure of CLHM1 ion channel from Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Yang Weixin , Wang Youwang , Guo Jianli , He Lingli , Zhou Ye , Zheng Hui , Liu Zhenfeng , Zhu Ping , Zhang Xuejun C.
Published: June 2020

Calcium homeostasis modulators (CALHMs/CLHMs) comprise a family of pore‐forming protein complexes assembling into voltage‐gated, Ca2+‐sensitive, nonselective channels. These complexes contain an ion‐conduction pore sufficiently wide to permit the passing of ATP molecules serving as neurotransmitters. While their function and structure information is accumulating, the precise mechanisms of these channel complexes remain to be full understood. Here, we present the structure of the Caenorhabditis elegans CLHM1 channel in its open state solved through single‐particle cryo‐electron microscopy at 3.7‐Å resolution. The transmembrane region of the channel structure of the dominant class shows an assembly of 10‐fold rotational symmetry in one layer, and its cytoplasmic region is involved in additional twofold symmetrical packing in a tail‐to‐tail manner. Furthermore, we identified a series of amino acid residues critical for the regulation of CeCLHM1 channel using functional assays, electrophysiological analyses as well as structural‐based analysis. Our structure and function analyses provide new insights into the mechanisms of CALHM channels.
Observation and simulation of mountain wave turbulence above Iceland: Turbulence intensification due to wave interference
Authors: Wilms Henrike , Bramberger Martina , Dörnbrack Andreas
Published: June 2020

The High‐Altitude LOng Range research aircraft (HALO) encountered strong turbulence above Iceland at 13.8 km altitude on 13 October 2016. The generation of turbulence along the flight path is studied through numerical simulations in combination with the aircraft insitu observations. From the insitu observations, maximum energy dissipation rate values (cube root of the energy dissipation rate) of 0.39 m2/3 ·s−1 are obtained, which correspond to moderate to severe turbulence for a medium‐weight aircraft such as HALO. The turbulent region is characterized by observed large‐amplitude vertical wind fluctuations which coincide locally with a stagnation of the horizontal flow. The strong turbulence occurred downstream of and between the two Icelandic mountains Hofsjökull and Langjökull. High‐resolution numerical simulations, with realistic and idealized topography, show that the flow above these two nearby mountains is responsible for the observed turbulence. Vertically propagating hydrostatic mountain waves disperse horizontally in the region downstream and between Hofsjökull and Langjökull. There, both waves interfere and their superposition leads to enhanced amplitudes and, eventually, to convective instabilities. By comparing simulations with only one of the mountains to the simulation with both mountains, we infer that the wave interference can locally amplify the turbulence intensity by a factor of five and double the vertical extent of the turbulent region.
Pathway attenuation of fatty acid beta‐oxidation in the skeletal muscle of a type 2 diabetic mouse model
Authors: Zhou Yang , Tan Yifan , Hou Guixue , Ren Yan , Deng Yamei , Yan Keqiang , Zhang Yue , Lin Liang , Lou Xiaomin , Liu Siqi
Published: June 2020

Rationale

Whether catabolic abnormalities of fatty acids exist in the skeletal muscle of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has not been determined. In this study, we postulated that a systematic evaluation of the protein abundance and metabolic activity related to fatty acids in the skeletal muscle tissues of a T2DM mouse model was feasible to address this question.

Methods

Mitochondria were extracted from wild‐type (WT) and db/db mice followed by quantitative analysis of the proteins involved in mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation (mFAO). The pathway activity of mFAO in skeletal muscle tissues was monitored in vitro using mass spectrometry, and tissue lipidomic analysis was conducted in profiling and target mode to distinguish the levels of long‐chain acylcarnitines between WT and db/db mice.

Results

Two proteins related to the mFAO pathway were significantly downregulated in the skeletal muscle mitochondria of db/db mice. The measurement of mFAO pathway activity in vitro revealed that the abundance of long‐chain acylcarnitines (C14 to C18) in db/db mice was lower than that in WT mice, and the determination of acylcarnitines in skeletal muscle tissues in vivo revealed that most long‐chain acylcarnitines were decreased in db/db mice.

Conclusions

The findings of lower abundance of ACAD9 and CPT1B, reduced activity of the mFAO pathway in vitro and decreased acylcarnitines in vivo firmly support that the mFAO pathway in the skeletal muscle of diabetic mice is attenuated, possibly resulting in cell/tissue dysfunction in diabetes.
Toward a sustainable development indicators system for small municipalities
Authors: Frare Matheus B. , Clauberg Ana P. C. , Sehnem Simone , Campos Lucila M. S. , Spuldaro Juliano
Published: June 2020

This study proposes a system of sustainability indicators to support the management of small municipalities. We rely on the Sustainable Cities Program indicators, but we argue that these measures must be appropriate for these types of municipalities to help them be more sustainable. Thus, we carried out a selection of indicators using a four‐stage methodology. First, the Delphi technique was applied in two rounds of validation with specialists. Then, in the second phase, 64 indicators were evaluated by 19 mayors of cities in southern Brazil. The subset of sustainability indicators generated is called Sustainability Indicators for Small Municipalities. It has six guiding axes, namely: nature and social well‐being, sustainable public management, historical and cultural management, sustainability education, new savings for sustainability, and urban planning and accessibility. Third, we use the fuzzy expert system to determine a decision tree and, consequently, create a general index for a pilot municipality. The generated index corresponds to 7.19, which demonstrates that the pilot municipality falls into an intermediate level of sustainability; this application in an example that the sample was the last (fourth) step. Therefore, this study generates insights to: (a) promote sustainability by contemplating its multidimensionality; (b) promotion of local development and quality of life for the population based on sustainability indicators; (c) development of a management method to measure sustainability performance, considering the specificities of small municipalities; and (d) sustainability parameters that are measured and allow the establishment of indicators to improve the performance of public management, aiming at local sustainable development.
Parallel computation of bivariate point data depths and display of intrinsic depth segments
Authors: DeBlois Jane Holly
Published: June 2020

This paper presents a new way to compute simplicial and Tukey data depths using Open Multi‐Processing parallelization, which makes it practical to compute point depths for tens of thousands of points. The definition of point depth is the order statistic depth of a single point, here in two dimensions. Using the point depths, the regional depth characteristics of the dataset as a whole can be explored. Using this new methodology, fast parallel computation of both simplicial depth and Tukey depth for a dataset of n points has time complexity O(n2logn) with O(n) space, which is practical for n up to 100,000. Obtaining depths for a large number of points in a faster manner by parallel computation supports identifying the central region quickly, because the points of maximum depth are known. The point depth computation identifies the depths of selected spoke segments around each origin point. These spoke depths are used to create new visualizations of depth characteristics and contour depths without adding virtual points.
A new taxonomic backbone for the infrageneric classification of the species‐rich genus Silene (Caryophyllaceae)
Authors: Jafari Farzaneh , Zarre Shahin , Gholipour Abbas , Eggens Frida , Rabeler Richard K. , Oxelman Bengt
Published: June 2020

The systematization of species in plant taxonomy based on the phylogenetic relationships among them are of utmost importance and also very challenging in large genera. In those, phylogenetic results often may suggest substantially different relationships than previous classifications, and call for large‐scale taxonomic revisions. Delimitation of the genus Silene has been and is still somewhat controversial, and recent molecular phylogenetic studies have settled several monophyletic groups that differ substantially from previous taxonomies. The infrageneric taxonomy of Silene s.str. has not been updated as a whole taking the phylogenetic information into account. In this study, we review previous phylogenetic results based on multiple loci, and conducted comprehensive gene tree analyses based on the nrDNA ITS and cpDNA rps16 regions for 1586 and 944 samples representing 415 and 397 species, respectively, including Silene and its allies, as well as a species tree analysis including 262 samples representing 243 species. We sampled representatives from all 44 sections recognized in the most recent global revision of the genus. The results support the recognition of three subgenera, i.e., S. subg. Behenantha, S. subg. Lychnis and S. subg. Silene, which is partly in agreement with previous molecular phylogenetic findings and contradicts all previous traditional classifications. Silene sect. Atocion, with a few annual species showing a narrow distribution range in the eastern Mediterranean, is treated as incertae sedis because of its uncertain phylogenetic position, possibly due to exceptionally high substitution rates. Silene subg. Lychnis, weakly supported as sister to the other subgenera, splits into three main clades and includes four sections. Silene subg. Behenantha, which forms a possible sister group in relation to S. subg. Silene, is poorly resolved basally and includes a large number of mostly small clades recognized as 18 sections. In S. subg. Silene, 11 sections are recognized, among which four are broadly circumscribed: S. sect. Auriculatae, S. sect. Sclerocalycinae, S. sect. Silene and S. sect. Siphonomorpha. Silene sect. Acutifoliae and S. sect. Portenses are described here as new taxa, whereas new status or new combinations are proposed for S. sect. Anotites, S. sect. Muscipula, S. sect. Petrocoma, S. sect. Pulvinatae, S. sect. Sclerophyllae and S. sect. Uebelinia. Five new combinations and two new names are proposed for taxa in Silene formerly assigned to Lychnis and Uebelinia. The correct infrageneric nomenclature compatible with the new infrageneric system is provided along with synonymy and type citations. Shortcomings of this study, such as the lack of a morphological diagnostic key and sparse sampling of some large sections, are listed and discussed.
Exploring the knowledge spillovers of a technology in an entrepreneurial ecosystem—The case of artificial intelligence in Sydney
Authors: Cetindamar Dilek , Lammers Thorsten , Zhang Yi
Published: June 2020

New knowledge presents opportunities for commercial value and can hence be a critical asset for entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs). In particular, general purpose technologies are major drivers of entrepreneurship. Thus, a nuanced understanding on technological knowledge and its spillovers among actors within an EE is warranted. Using knowledge‐spillover‐based strategic entrepreneurship theory, we propose to observe knowledge spillovers through the assessment of the knowledge bases of a technology in an EE. To do so, this article proposes to use three key sources of knowledge: publications reflecting the emerging knowledge base, patents representing the realized knowledge base, and startups showing the experimental knowledge base. This article uses secondary data sources such as Web of Science and applies the method of bibliometrics to illustrate how an assessment is carried out in practice by evaluating the artificial intelligence (AI) knowledge bases in Sydney from 2000 to 2018. The findings are summarized with an illustration of the evolution of the key actors and their activities over time in order to indicate the key strengths and weaknesses in Sydney's AI knowledge among the different bases. Contrary to expectations from the high potential of knowledge spillovers from a general purpose digital technology such as AI, the article shows that apparent knowledge spillovers are yet highly limited in Sydney. Even though Sydney has a strong emerging knowledge base, the realized knowledge base seems weak and the experimental knowledge base is slowly improving. That observation itself verifies the need to take strategic actions to facilitate knowledge spillovers within EEs. After the implications for theory and policy makers are discussed, suggestions for further studies are proposed.
Seedlings of alpine species do not have better frost-tolerance than their lowland counterparts
Authors: Rosbakh Sergey , Margreiter Vera , Jelcic Bernardica
Published: June 2020

In contrast to adult plants, little is known about the frost-tolerance of seedlings of alpine species, despite the fact that frost has been considered as one of the main factors limiting plant recruitment in high elevation. Here we report the results of a comparative study on seedling frost-tolerance of nine congeneric species pairs with lowland (0–900 m a.s.l.) and alpine (1800–2700 m a.s.l.) distribution. Similarly to adult alpine plants, we expected seedlings of alpine species to be more frost-tolerant than their lowland counterparts. Frost-tolerance was estimated under laboratory conditions by exposing seedlings to frost events from − 1 to − 9 °C, calculated as the temperature at which 50% of the seedlings were lethally damaged by frost (LT50). The LT50 values varied between − 1.95 and − 6.11 °C suggesting that seedling of all tested species could potentially survive mild and/or short frosts, but might be lethally damaged by severe and/or continuous frost events. The LT50 values for lowland and alpine species did not differ statistically and were on average − 3.96 ± 0.18 °C and − 4.16 ± 0.43 °C, respectively. These findings did not confirm our hypothesis that seedlings of alpine species have higher frost-tolerance than seedlings of lowland species. Four possible reasons could explain this pattern. They include (1) comparable levels of negative-stress in both lowland and alpine habitats, (2) opportunistic seed germination strategy in alpine plants, (3) peculiarities of our experimental set up and (4) potentially stronger effects of drought on alpine seedling survival than frost.
Fracture characteristics of acetylated young Scots pine
Authors: Forsman Karin , Serrano Erik , Danielsson Henrik , Engqvist Jonas
Published: June 2020

A study on the fracture characteristics of unmodified and chemically modified Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) is presented. The investigated material consisted of small-dimension sawn timber originating from young logs (thinnings), aged 30–40 years. The modified samples were acetylated with acetic anhydride in an industrial scale process without the use of any catalyst, reaching an acetyl content of approximately 20%. Clear wood specimens, consisting of either heartwood or sapwood, were extracted and conditioned to equilibrium at a relative humidity of 60% and a temperature of 20 °C. The fracture energy for mode I loading in tension perpendicular to the grain was determined using single edge notched beam (SENB) specimens, subjected to three-point bending. Additionally, the modulus of elasticity along the grain and the tensile strength perpendicular to the grain were determined for sapwood specimens. The findings demonstrated a significant decrease (between 36 and 50%) in the fracture energy for the acetylated specimens, compared to the unmodified specimens. No significant effect of the acetylation process on the modulus of elasticity, nor on the tensile strength could be concluded. This study indicates that the acetylation process used results in an increased brittleness for Scots pine. Further studies are needed to analyse why the fracture energy is impaired, and to examine whether and how current timber engineering design provisions can or should be revised to account for the increased brittleness of acetylated Scots pine.
Female-female aggression and male responses to the two colour morphs of female common cuckoos
Authors: Moskát Csaba , Hauber Márk E. , Růžičková Jana , Marton Attila , Bán Miklós , Elek Zoltán
Published: June 2020

Female-only colour polymorphism is rare in birds, but occurs in brood parasitic cuckoos (Cuculidae). Obligate brood parasites leave incubation and parental care to other species (hosts), so female-female interactions can play a role in how parasites guard critical resources (host nests) within their laying areas. The plumage of adult female common cuckoos (Cuculus canorus) is either rufous (typically rare) or grey (common), whereas adult male conspecifics are monochromatic (grey). In previous studies, hosts and conspecific males responded with less intensity toward the rare female morph in support of a negative frequency-dependent benefit of female plumage polychromatism. Here, we assessed responses of both conspecific females and males to vocal playbacks of female calls, coupled with one of two 3D models of the different morphs of female cuckoos. At our study population, the rufous female morph was as common as the grey morph; therefore, we predicted similarly high rates of conspecific responses in both treatments. Both female and male cuckoos responded to playbacks acoustically, which demonstrated the primary role of acoustic communication in social interactions amongst cuckoos. Following this, some cuckoos flew closer to the models to inspect them visually. As predicted, no significant differences were detected between the live cuckoos’ responses toward the two colour morphs in this population. We conclude that dichromatism in female cuckoos evolved to serve one or more functions other than conspecific signalling.
Things that help out: designing smart wearables as partners in stress management
Authors: Li Xueliang , Rozendaal Marco C. , Jansen Kaspar , Jonker Catholijn , Vermetten Eric
Published: June 2020

We propose an approach to designing smart wearables that act as partners to help people cope with stress in daily life. Our approach contributes to the developing field of smart wearables by addressing how technological capabilities can be designed to establish partnerships that consider the person, the situation, and the appropriate type of support. As such, this study also contributes to healthcare by opening up novel technology-supported routes to stress treatment and care. We present the results of a phenomenological study conducted with three war veterans who suffer from chronic posttraumatic stress disorder. We describe how their experiences of dealing with their stress informed our design approach, and discuss the implications of these results on smart wearables and stress management in general. We conclude by reflecting on the limitations of this study and directions for future work.
Scaling for steady and traveling shock wave/turbulent boundary layer interactions
Authors: Touré P. S. R. , Schülein E.
Published: June 2020

Shock-wave/boundary-layer interactions (SW–BLIs) play an important role in a wide range of transonic, supersonic and hypersonic applications. Fundamental studies on stationary interactions have been conducted extensively during the last 60 years. However, unsteady SWBLIs with traveling shock fronts have been little studied on canonical geometries. In the present experimental investigation, the influence of a uniformly moving impinging shock on the separated SWBLI flow is analyzed, with a freestream Mach number of 3 and a traveling Mach number in upstream direction of 0.5. To evaluate this effect, stationary reference SWBLIs have been investigated in a wide ranging study. A scaling method from the literature has been enhanced to drastically reduce the data scattering using a new approach accounting for the Reynolds number influence. The results gathered from the traveling interactions were within the spread of reference data, considering the true shock-wave Mach number of 3.5. The validity of the modified scaling approach to describe the interaction length in cases with steady and traveling shock-wave/turbulent-boundary-layer interactions is discussed.

Graphic abstract
Role of high-resolution ultrasound in detection and monitoring of peripheral nerve tumor burden in neurofibromatosis in children
Authors: Winter Natalie , Dohrn Maike F. , Wittlinger Julia , Loizides Alexander , Gruber Hannes , Grimm Alexander
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Peripheral nerve sheath tumors are hallmark findings in neurofibromatosis types 1 and 2. With increasing size, they typically lead to neurological symptoms, and NF1 patients have a lifetime risk of 8–13% for developing malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Medical imaging is therefore highly needed for early detection and exact localization of symptomatic or potentially malignant tumors. This review will give an overview of the ultrasound characteristics of peripheral nerve sheath tumors and findings in patients with neurofibromatosis types 1 and 2.

Methods

A systematic search of electronic databases, reference lists, and unpublished literature was conducted including the keywords “schwannoma,” “neurofibroma,” “neurofibromatosis,” “benign and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor.”

Results

The high-resolution allows a clear analysis of tumor echotexture, definition of margins, and the relation to the parent nerve. The use of color duplex/Doppler and contrast agent adds valuable information for the differentiation of benign and malignant tumors.

Conclusion

High-resolution ultrasound is a well-established, non-invasive, and easily repeatable first-line tool in diagnostic procedures of soft tissue tumors.
Significance of myeloperoxidase plasma levels as a predictor for cardiac resynchronization therapy response
Authors: Sultan A. , Wörmann J. , Lüker J. , v. d. Bruck J. -H. , Plenge T. , Rudolph V. , Klinke A. , Heijman J. , Mollenhauer M. , Ravekes T. , Baldus S. , Steven D.
Published: June 2020

Objectives

This study aimed to determine if changes in myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels correlate with response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and the potential role of MPO as a predictor of response to CRT.

Background

CRT is a well-established treatment option in chronic heart failure (CHF) with 50–80% of patients benefiting. Inflammation and oxidative stress play a key role in CHF pathophysiology. Previous studies have demonstrated increased levels of MPO in CHF patients, but the correlation with CRT response remains incompletely understood.

Methods

Fifty-three patients underwent CRT implantation. During follow-up, patients were divided into two groups, responders and non-responders to CRT, based on improved physical capacity and NYHA classification. Levels of MPO and NT-pro-brain-natriuretic-peptide (NT-proBNP) were determined prior to implantation, 30 and 90 days after. Physical capacity, including a 6-min walking-test, NYHA class, and LVEF were evaluated at baseline and during follow-up.

Results

Thirty-four patients (64%) responded to CRT, showing improved physical capacity and LVEF. All responders revealed a significant decrease of MPO levels (503.8 ng/ml vs. 188.4 ng/ml; p < 0.001). Non-responding patients did not show any significant changes in clinical parameters or MPO levels (119.6 ng/ml vs. 134.3 ng/ml; p = 0.672) during follow-up. At baseline, physical capacity and NYHA class, as well as MPO levels differed significantly between both groups (p < 0.001). A ROC analysis identified an MPO cut-off value for response to CRT of 242 ng/ml with a sensitivity of 93.5% and specificity of 71.4%. There was a strong correlation between MPO and improvement of LVEF (Spearman’s rho: − 0.453; p = 0.005) and physical capacity (Spearman’s rho: − 0.335; p = 0.042).

Conclusions

Response to CRT and course of MPO levels correlate significantly. MPO levels differ between responders and non-responders prior to CRT, which may indicate an additional value of MPO as a predictor for CRT response. Further randomized studies are required to confirm our data in larger patient cohorts.
Chemosaturation with percutaneous hepatic perfusion is effective in patients with ocular melanoma and cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Schönfeld Leon , Hinrichs Jan B. , Marquardt Steffen , Voigtländer Torsten , Dewald Cornelia , Koppert Wolfgang , Manns Michael P. , Wacker Frank , Vogel Arndt , Kirstein Martha M.
Published: June 2020

Background

Chemosaturation with percutaneous hepatic perfusion (CS-PHP; Hepatic CHEMOSAT® Delivery System; Delcath Systems Inc, USA) is a novel interventional procedure, which delivers high doses of melphalan directly to the liver in patients with liver tumors while limiting systemic toxicity through hemofiltration of the hepatic venous blood. We have previously shown promising efficacy for patients with ocular melanoma (OM) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) within our single-center and multi-center experiences. The aim of this study was to analyze the safety and efficacy of CS-PHP after 141 treatments at Hannover Medical School, Germany.

Methods

Overall response rates (ORR) were assessed according to Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST1.1). Median Overall survival (mOS), median progression-free survival (mPFS), and median hepatic PFS (mhPFS) were analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier estimation.

Results

Overall, 60 patients were treated with CS-PHP in the salvage setting from October 2014 until January 2019 at Hannover Medical School with a total of 141 procedures. Half of the patients were patients with hepatic metastases of ocular melanoma (OM) (n = 30), 14 patients had CCA (23.3%), 6 patients had hepatocellular carcinoma (10%), and 10 patients were treated for other secondary liver malignancies (16.7%). In total, ORR and disease stabilization rate were 33.3% and 70.3% (n = 25), respectively. ORR was highest for patients with OM (42.3%), followed by patients with CCA (30.8%). Independent response-associated factors were normal levels of lactate dehydrogenase (odds ratio (OR) 13.7; p = 0.015) and diagnosis with OM (OR 9.3; p = 0.028). Overall, mOS was 9 months, mPFS was 4 months, and mhPFS was 5 months. Patients with OM had the longest mOS, mPFS, and mhPFS with 12, 6, and 6 months, respectively. Adverse events included most frequently significant, but transient, hematologic toxicities (80% of grade 3/4 thrombopenia), less frequently hepatic injury up to liver failure (3.3%) and cardiovascular events including two cases of ischemic insults (5%).

Conclusion

Salvage treatment with CS-PHP is safe and effective particularly in patients OM and CCA. Careful attention should be paid to possible, serious hepatic, and cardiovascular complications.
On the ability of virtual agents to decrease cognitive load: an experimental study
Authors: Brachten Florian , Brünker Felix , Frick Nicholas R. J. , Ross Björn , Stieglitz Stefan
Published: June 2020

When attempting to solve a problem, humans call upon cognitive resources. These resources are limited, and the degree of their utilisation is described as cognitive load. While the number of parameters to be taken into account and to be processed by modern-day knowledge workers increases, their cognitive resources do not. Research shows that too high a load can increase stress and failure rates and decrease the work satisfaction and performance of employees. It is thus in the interest of organisations to reduce the cognitive load of their employees and keep it at a moderate level. One way to achieve this may be the application of virtual assistants (VAs), software programs, that can be addressed via voice or text commands and respond to the users’ input. This study uses a laboratory experiment with N = 91 participants comparing two groups in their ability to solve a task. One group was able to make use of a VA while the other could not. Besides task performance, the cognitive load of the participants was measured. Results show that (a) cognitive load is negatively related to task performance, (b) the group using the VA performed better at the task and (c) the group using the VA had a lower cognitive load. These findings show that VAs are a viable way to support employees and can increase their performance. It adds to the growing field of IS research on VAs by expanding the field for the concept of cognitive load.
The long-term impact of trade with firm heterogeneity
Authors: Ourens Guzmán
Published: June 2020

This paper explores the welfare effects of openness in a setting with firm heterogeneity and country asymmetry and presents results in terms of the well-known formula from Arkolakis et al. (Am Econ Rev 102(1):94–130, 2012). By allowing agents to save and the economy to grow, new channels for the welfare effects of openness appear, since firm selection affects the value of accumulated savings and the average efficiency of the economy, and therefore its future growth rate. Country asymmetry yields differentiated, and in some cases opposite, results between countries. In line with the empirical literature, net welfare effects in each region depend on countries’ specific conditions and losses may occur. A numerical exercise fits the model to the UK and EU economies to show the magnitude and direction that each effect can take if trade barriers increase between them. It is shown that welfare losses for UK consumers can be greatly underestimated if asymmetries and dynamics are removed from the analysis.
An automated and high-throughput-screening compatible pluripotent stem cell-based test platform for developmental and reproductive toxicity assessment of small molecule compounds
Authors: Witt Gesa , Keminer Oliver , Leu Jennifer , Tandon Rashmi , Meiser Ina , Willing Anne , Winschel Ingo , Abt Jana-Christin , Brändl Björn , Sébastien Isabelle , Friese Manuel A. , Müller Franz-Josef , Neubauer Julia C. , Claussen Carsten , Zimmermann Heiko , Gribbon Philip , Pless Ole
Published: June 2020

The embryonic stem cell test (EST) represents the only validated and accepted in vitro system for the detection and classification of compounds according to their developmental and reproductive teratogenic potency. The widespread implementation of the EST, however, in particular for routine application in pharmaceutical development, has not been achieved so far. Several drawbacks still limit the high-throughput screening of potential drug candidates in this format: The long assay period, the use of non-homogeneous viability assays, the low throughput analysis of marker protein expression and the compatibility of the assay procedures to automation. We have therefore introduced several advancements into the EST workflow: A reduction of the assay period, an introduction of homogeneous viability assays, and a straightforward analysis of marker proteins by flow cytometry and high content imaging to assess the impact of small molecules on differentiation capacity. Most importantly, essential parts of the assay procedure have been adapted to lab automation in 96-well format, thus enabling the interrogation of several compounds in parallel. In addition, extensive investigations were performed to explore the predictive capacity of this next-generation EST, by testing a set of well-known embryotoxicants that encompasses the full range of chemical-inherent embryotoxic potencies possible. Due to these significant improvements, the augmented workflow provides a basis for a sensitive, more rapid, and reproducible high throughput screening compatible platform to predict in vivo developmental toxicity from in vitro data which paves the road towards application in an industrial setting.