bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surjectivity of certain adjoint operators and applications
Authors: Cherifi Hadjiat Amina , Lansari Azzeddine
Published: September 2020

This paper is an extension and generalization of some previous works, such as the study of M. Benalili and A. Lansari. Indeed, these authors, in their work about the finite co-dimension ideals of Lie algebras of vector fields, restricted their study to fields $$X_0$$

X
0

of the form $$X_0=\sum _{i=1}^{n}( \alpha _i \cdot x_i+\beta _i\cdot x_i^{1+m_i}) \frac{\partial }{\partial x_i}$$

X
0

=

∑

i
=
1

n

(

α
i

·

x
i

+

β
i

·

x
i

1
+

m
i

)

∂

∂

x
i

, where $$\alpha _i, \beta _i $$

α
i

,

β
i

are positive and $$m_i$$

m
i

are even natural integers. We will first study the sub-algebra U of the Lie-Fréchet space E, containing vector fields of the form $$Y_0 = X_0^+ + X_0^- + Z_0$$

Y
0

=

X
0
+

+

X
0
-

+

Z
0

, such as $$ X_0\left( x,y\right) =A\left( x,y\right) =\left( A^{-}\left( x \right) ,A^{+}\left( y\right) \right) $$

X
0

x
,
y

=
A

x
,
y

=

A
-

x

,

A
+

y

, with $$A^-$$

A
-

(respectively, $$ A^+ $$

A
+

) a symmetric matrix having eigenvalues $$ \lambda < 0$$

λ
<
0

(respectively, $$\lambda >0 $$

λ
>
0

) and $$Z_0$$

Z
0

are germs infinitely flat at the origin. This sub-algebra admits a hyperbolic structure for the diffeomorphism $$\psi _{t*}=(exp\cdot tY_0)_*$$

ψ

t

∗

=

(
e
x
p
·
t

Y
0

)

∗

. In a second step, we will show that the infinitesimal generator $$ad_{-X}$$

a

d

-
X

is an epimorphism of this admissible Lie sub-algebra U. We then deduce, by our fundamental lemma, that $$U=E$$

U
=
E

.
Gender bias in the Erasmus network of universities
Authors: Benedictis Luca De , Leoni Silvia
Published: September 2020

The Erasmus Program (EuRopean community Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students), the most important student exchange program in the world, financed by the European Union and started in 1987, is characterized by a strong gender bias. Female students participate to the program more than male students. This work quantifies the gender bias in the Erasmus program between 2008 and 2013, using novel data at the university level. It describes the structure of the program in great detail, carrying out the analysis across fields of study, and identifies key universities as senders and receivers. In addition, it tests the difference in the degree distribution of the Erasmus network along time and between genders, giving evidence of a greater density in the female Erasmus network with respect to the one of the male Erasmus network.
Complexity, Power Laws and a Humean Argument in Risk Management: The Fundamental Inadequacy of Probability Theory as a Foundation for Modeling Complex Risk in Banking
Authors: Hoffmann Christian Hugo , Djordjevic Charles
Published: September 2020

Whenever risk managers are confronted with deep uncertainty and organized complexity, probabilistic inference methods are used. These seem able to allow for crisp inputs and precise results. However, as has been noted by several thinkers (e.g., von Hayek in Studies in philosophy, politics and economics, Routledge, London, 1967; Weaver in American Scientist, 36: 536–544, 1948), such methods cannot be used effectively in such situations. This might basically sound like old wine in a new bottle and, in fact, objections to, and limitations of conventional, i.e., probabilistic risk modeling are anything but unheard of in the literature of banking and finance. However, this paper introduces for the first time an argument, inspired by reflections on the old riddle of induction, from which those shortcomings of the limited suitability of probability can be derived. It demonstrates that any choice of a particular probability distribution for a given risk management purpose is necessarily arbitrary, i.e., it is not grounded in the data but in the choices of the statistician or risk manager, and cannot be justified by appealing to something more objective. Thereby, this paper unmasks the illusion that financial data and extreme losses are well-described by non-standard probability functions such as power laws that have been embraced at the expense

of bell curves in the aftermath of the global financial crisis of 2008. Moreover, although we do not propose a positive solution, we believe that articulating the real, and as yet unnoticed, source of the problem is a key step towards developing a principle and tractable response.
Effect of estradiol on enzymes of vascular extracellular nucleotide metabolism
Authors: Hebanowska Areta , Mierzejewska Paulina , Braczko Alicja
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Estrogens have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system, promoting vasodilation, endothelial cells growth, relaxation, and regulation of blood pressure. Some of these effects could be associated with the purinergic system known for the control of vasodilation, inflammation, and platelet function. The aim of our study was the evaluation of ATP, AMP, and adenosine extracellular catabolism, catalyzed by ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase-1 (CD39), ecto-5′-nucleotidase (CD73), and ecto-adenosine deaminase (eADA) in mouse aortas.

Methods

Extracellular hydrolysis of ATP, AMP, and adenosine was estimated on the aortic surface of 3-month-old female and male C57BL/6 J wild-type (WT) mice, in female WT mouse aortas incubated for 48 h in the presence or absence of 100 nM estradiol, and in WT female mouse and ApoE-/-LDL-R-/- aortas. The conversion of substrates to products was analyzed by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Results

We demonstrated significantly higher adenosine deamination rate in WT male vs. female mice (p = 0.041). We also noted the lower adenosine hydrolysis in aortas exposed to estradiol, as compared with the samples incubated in estradiol-free medium (p = 0.043). Finally, we observed that adenosine conversion to inosine was significantly higher on the surface of ApoE-/-LDL-R-/- aortas compared with WT mice (p = 0.001). No such effects were noted in ATP and AMP extracellular hydrolysis.

Conclusion

We conclude that estradiol inhibits the extracellular degradation of adenosine to inosine, which may be an element of its vascular protective effect, as it will lead to an increase in extracellular adenosine concentration. We can also assume that during the development of the atherosclerotic process, the protective role of estradiol in the regulation of adenosine degradation may be obscured by other pathogenic factors.
The Hawaiian Koʻa Card: coral health and bleaching assessment color reference card for Hawaiian corals
Authors: Bahr Keisha D. , Severino Sarah J. L. , Tsang Anita O. , Han Justin J. , Richards Dona Angela , Stender Yuko O. , Weible Rebecca M. , Graham Andrew , McGowan Ashley E. , Rodgers Kuʻulei S.
Published: September 2020

Coral reefs are the foundation to our social, cultural, and economic life; however, reefs around the world are currently being threatened by many local and global impacts. Ongoing increases in seawater temperature pose significant threats to the integrity of these valuable ecosystems through extensive coral bleaching events. Therefore, we developed a coral health reference card, the Hawaiian Koʻa (coral) Card, to assess and quantify coral bleaching and to educate the community about its impacts in Hawai‘i. To accurately quantify the change in coral color during bleaching, controlled laboratory studies followed by field validations and surveys were conducted. Colors presented on the Hawaiian Koʻa Card have been linked to physiological state and health (e.g., symbiont density, chlorophyll levels, photosynthetic performance) of common coral species in Hawaiʻi due to bleaching. The Hawaiian Koʻa Card provides a technical solution to inform and improve management of our nearshore resources through collaborative monitoring efforts by community members, educators, researchers, and managers on a state-wide scale, which will assist in determining management efficacy, identifying regions and species of resilience, establishing baselines and focus areas, and developing and executing rapid response plans.
An Atlas for Large-Area Electronic Skins
Authors: Yang Weidong , Hon Matthew , Yao Haicheng , Tee Benjamin C. K.
Published: September 2020

Electronic skins are critical for many applications in human-machine-environment interactions. Tactile sensitivity over large areas can be especially applied to prosthetics. Moreover, the potential for wearables, interactive surfaces, and human robotics have propelled research in this area. In this Element, we provide an account and directional atlas of the progress in materials and devices for electronic skins, in the context of sensing principles and skin-like features. Additionally, we give an overview of essential electronic circuits and systems used in large-area tactile sensor arrays. Finally, we present the challenges and provide perspectives on future developments.
Navigating hospitals safely through the COVID-19 epidemic tide: Predicting case load for adjusting bed capacity
Authors: Donker Tjibbe , Bürkin Fabian M. , Wolkewitz Martin , Haverkamp Christian , Christoffel Dominic , Kappert Oliver , Hammer Thorsten , Busch Hans-Jörg , Biever Paul , Kalbhenn Johannes , Bürkle Hartmut , Kern Winfried V. , Wenz Frederik , Grundmann Hajo
Published: September 2020

Background:

The pressures exerted by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic pose an unprecedented demand on healthcare services. Hospitals become rapidly overwhelmed when patients requiring life-saving support outpace available capacities.

Objective:

We describe methods used by a university hospital to forecast case loads and time to peak incidence.

Methods:

We developed a set of models to forecast incidence among the hospital catchment population and to describe the COVID-19 patient hospital-care pathway. The first forecast utilized data from antecedent allopatric epidemics and parameterized the care-pathway model according to expert opinion (ie, the static model). Once sufficient local data were available, trends for the time-dependent effective reproduction number were fitted, and the care pathway was reparameterized using hazards for real patient admission, referrals, and discharge (ie, the dynamic model).

Results:

The static model, deployed before the epidemic, exaggerated the bed occupancy for general wards (116 forecasted vs 66 observed), ICUs (47 forecasted vs 34 observed), and predicted the peak too late: general ward forecast April 9 and observed April 8 and ICU forecast April 19 and observed April 8. After April 5, the dynamic model could be run daily, and its precision improved with increasing availability of empirical local data.

Conclusions:

The models provided data-based guidance for the preparation and allocation of critical resources of a university hospital well in advance of the epidemic surge, despite overestimating the service demand. Overestimates should resolve when the population contact pattern before and during restrictions can be taken into account, but for now they may provide an acceptable safety margin for preparing during times of uncertainty.
The potential and barriers in the expansion and utilization of a text message-based tobacco cessation service among tobacco users in India
Authors: Basu Saurav
Published: September 2020

Background

There is growing recognition of the role of the mCessation service (MCS) in promoting tobacco cessation in India.

Objective

To examine the potential for expanding the utilization of the MCS for tobacco cessation in India after assessing the dimensions related to literacy, mobile phone access, intention to quit, and advice to quit from the second round of the Global Adult Tobacco Survey.

Methods

A cross-sectional analysis of the data collected during the second round of the nationally-representative Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) (2016–17) was conducted.

Results

Current tobacco smokers, smokeless tobacco, and dual users compromised 10.7%, 21.4%, and 3.4% of the survey participants, respectively. Quit attempts were reported by 36.3% of the existing tobacco smokers, of whom nearly 72% tried to quit without any assistance, while only 0.3% used the MCS. However, the potential expansion of the MCS was likely among 11.2% tobacco users with an existing intention to quit, being literate, Hindi-speakers and having cell-phone access.

Conclusions

The utilization of the MCS can be considerably expanded among tobacco users in India by enabling multilingual usage and incorporation as standard care practice to allow the opportunistic promotion of tobacco cessation by healthcare providers at their health clinics.
Non-monotone waves of a stage-structured SLIRM epidemic model with latent period
Authors: Huang Wenzhang , Wu Chufen
Published: September 2020

We propose and investigate a stage-structured SLIRM epidemic model with latent period in a spatially continuous habitat. We first show the existence of semi-travelling waves that connect the unstable disease-free equilibrium as the wave coordinate goes to − ∞, provided that the basic reproduction number$\mathcal {R}_0 > 1$and$c > c_*$for some positive number$c_*$. We then use a combination of asymptotic estimates, Laplace transform and Cauchy's integral theorem to show the persistence of semi-travelling waves. Based on the persistent property, we construct a Lyapunov functional to prove the convergence of the semi-travelling wave to an endemic (positive) equilibrium as the wave coordinate goes to + ∞. In addition, by the Laplace transform technique, the non-existence of bounded semi-travelling wave is also proved when$\mathcal {R}_0 > 1$and$0 < c < c_*$. This indicates that$c_*$is indeed the minimum wave speed. Finally simulations are given to illustrate the evolution of profiles.
The Evolution and Implications of Perceptions of Barack Obama's Ideological Positioning
Authors: Jacobsmeier Matthew L.
Published: September 2020

I examine perceptions of Barack Obama's ideological positioning from 2006 to 2016. White Americans perceived Barack Obama to be significantly more liberal than respondents from other racial groups, and whites scoring higher on measures of racial resentment saw Obama as more liberal than those scoring lower. Perceptions of Barack Obama's ideological positioning shifted leftward early in his presidency but shifted rightward after 2010. This rightward shift notwithstanding, Obama was perceived to be quite liberal from the start of his presidency, and perceptions of his ideological positioning were racialized from the beginning. There is some evidence that citizens' perceptions of Barack Obama's ideological positioning became more racialized between 2012 and 2014. Placements of Hillary Clinton were racialized in 2016, suggesting that the Obama presidency may have lasting effects on the ideological stereotyping of Democratic candidates. I discuss these findings in light of recent research on social sorting, affective polarization, and negative partisanship.
Why Do States Intervene in the Elections of Others? The Role of Incumbent–Opposition Divisions
Authors: Bubeck Johannes , Jäger Kai , Marinov Nikolay , Nanni Federico
Published: September 2020

Why do states intervene in elections abroad? This article argues that outsiders intervene when the main domestic contenders for office adopt policy positions that differ from the point of view of the outside power. It refers to the split between the government's and opposition's positions as policy polarization. Polarization between domestic political forces, rather than the degree of unfriendliness of the government in office, attracts two types of interventions: process (for or against democracy) and candidate (for or against the government) interventions. The study uses a novel, original data set to track local contenders’ policy positions. It shows that the new policy polarization measurement outperforms a number of available alternatives when it comes to explaining process and candidate interventions. The authors use this measurement to explain the behavior of the United States as an intervener in elections from 1945 to 2012. The United States is more likely to support the opposition, and the democratic process abroad, if a pro-US opposition is facing an anti-US government. It is more likely to support the government, and undermine the democratic process abroad, if a pro-US government is facing an anti-US opposition. The article also presents the results for all interveners, confirming the results from the US case.
Expressive Freedom on Campus and the Conceptual Elasticity of Harm
Authors: D'Orazio Dax
Published: September 2020

High-profile controversies have created an impression that expressive freedom is imperilled on university campuses in North America. Analyses of this alleged campus crisis typically focus either on the negative psychosocial characteristics of those who oppose potentially harmful expression or on the cynical ways that expressive freedom can be invoked to normalize harmful expression. Conversely, I argue that theories of harm are key to understanding the contemporary discourse and politics of expressive freedom on campus. To shift the frame of analysis, I critically analyze three interrelated theoretical concepts that feature elastic conceptualizations of harm and are consequential for expressive limits in an academic environment: epistemic injustice, argumentational injustice and epistemic exploitation. I argue that all three concepts require a distinction between testimony and argumentation in order to better balance protection from harm, on the one hand, and expressive freedom and open inquiry, on the other.
Olfactory disorders in coronavirus disease 2019 patients: a systematic literature review
Authors: Fuccillo E , Saibene A M , Canevini M P , Felisati G
Published: September 2020

Objective

Recent scientific literature has widely described a possible major role of smell dysfunction as a specific symptom of coronavirus disease 2019. This systematic review may provide a more holistic approach to current knowledge of the disease.

Methods

A systematic review was completed using Embase, PubMed and Web of Science databases that considered original articles focused on olfactory evaluation in coronavirus disease 2019 patients, published between March and May 2020, in English language.

Results

From the 483 research papers initially identified, 32 original studies were selected, comprising a total of 17 306 subjects with a laboratory confirmed diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019. Individual study sample sizes ranged from 6 to 6452 patients. This comprehensive analysis confirmed that olfactory disorders represent an important clinical feature in coronavirus disease 2019, with a prevalence of 11–100 per cent in included patients, although there was heterogeneity in terms of assessment tools and population selection criteria.

Conclusion

The results indicate that an accurate clinical evaluation should be carried out using structured questionnaires and tests with olfactory substances.
Early behavioral profiles elucidating vulnerability and resiliency to later ASD outcomes
Authors: Landa Rebecca J. , Reetzke Rachel , Tahseen Madiha , Hess Christine Reiner
Published: September 2020

Infant siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit greater heterogeneity in behavioral presentation and outcomes relative to infants at low familial risk (LR), yet there is limited understanding of the diverse developmental profiles that characterize these infants. We applied a hierarchical agglomerative cluster analysis approach to parse developmental heterogeneity in 420 toddlers with heightened (HR) and low (LR) familial risk for ASD using measures of four dimensions of development: language, social, play, and restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRB). Results revealed a two-cluster solution. Comparisons of clusters revealed significantly lower language, social, and play performance, and higher levels of restricted and repetitive behaviors in Cluster 1 relative to Cluster 2. In Cluster 1, 25% of children were later diagnosed with ASD compared to 8% in Cluster 2. Comparisons within Cluster 1 between subgroups of toddlers having ASD+ versus ASD− 36-month outcomes revealed significantly lower functioning in the ASD+ subgroup across cognitive, motor, social, language, symbolic, and speech dimensions. Findings suggest profiles of early development associated with resiliency and vulnerability to later ASD diagnosis, with multidimensional developmental lags signaling vulnerability to ASD diagnosis.
Developing New Information Sheets for Evacuees and Evacuation Centers to be Used During All Natural Disaster Phases
Authors: Kitano Hiroyuki , Kako Mayumi , Tsuga Kazuhiro , Nikawa Hiroki , Mikami Yukio , Yamashita Hidehisa , Mori Minako , Ohge Hiroki
Published: September 2020

Introduction:

Evacuees’ quality of life can be improved by investigating both their health problems and the conditions of evacuation centers during natural disasters.

Study Objective:

This study aims to develop new evacuee and evacuation center information sheets that focus on infection control, oral health and dentures, mental health, and rehabilitation during natural disasters.

Methods:

The analysis was conducted with the Delphi method by questioning doctors from various fields (infectious disease, psychiatry, rehabilitation, and dentistry) about the information that may be needed for evacuees and in the evacuation center environment.

Results:

Two information sheets were created in this study. One is an evacuation center environmental health assessment sheet that includes information about the overview of evacuees’ health and the evacuation center environment. The other is an evacuee registration sheet that would be completed by the evacuees themselves.

Conclusion:

The information sheets developed in this study will be useful in times of disaster because they have the potential to improve evacuee health conditions, as well as evacuation center environments.
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging during Visual Perception Tasks in Adolescents Born Prematurely
Authors: Lind Annika , Haataja Leena , Laasonen Marja , Saunavaara Virva , Railo Henry , Lehtonen Tuomo , Vorobyev Victor , Uusitalo Karoliina , Lahti Katri , Parkkola Riitta
Published: September 2020

Objectives:

Impairments in visual perception are among the most common developmental difficulties related to being born prematurely, and they are often accompanied by problems in other developmental domains. Neural activation in participants born prematurely and full-term during tasks that assess several areas of visual perception has not been studied. To better understand the neural substrates of the visual perceptual impairments, we compared behavioral performance and brain activations during visual perception tasks in adolescents born very preterm (birth weight ≤1500 g or gestational age <32 weeks) and full-term.

Methods:

Tasks assessing visual closure, discrimination of a deviating figure, and discrimination of figure and ground from the Motor-Free Visual Perception Test, Third Edition were performed by participants born very preterm (n= 37) and full-term (n= 34) at 12 years of age during functional magnetic resonance imaging.

Results:

Behavioral performance in the visual perception tasks did not differ between the groups. However, during the visual closure task, brain activation was significantly stronger in the group born very preterm in a number of areas including the frontal, anterior cingulate, temporal, and posterior medial parietal/cingulate cortices, as well as in parts of the cerebellum, thalamus, and caudate nucleus.

Conclusions:

Differing activations during the visual closure task potentially reflect a compensatory neural process related to premature birth or lesser neural efficiency or may be a result of the use of compensatory behavioral strategies in the study group born very preterm.
Co-production between long-term care units and voluntary organisations in Norwegian municipalities: a theoretical discussion and empirical analysis
Authors: Andfossen Nina Beate
Published: September 2020

Background:

In Norway, due to demographic challenges with an ageing population and lower fertility rates, current government policies have encouraged municipalities and volunteers to collaborate. Moreover, present policies recommend an increase in volunteer activities within care services. Co-production is advocated as a functional and innovative method of activating resources when citizens and public employees interact in the care sector.

Method:

This study has scrutinised ongoing volunteer activities in nursing homes and home care facilities by utilising the results from a survey targeting employees in public care services.

Aim:

The aim has been to identify the extent to which long-term care units (LTC units) in Norwegian municipalities and voluntary organisations collaborate in the coordination of volunteer activities at the local level by answering the following research questions: when LTC units and voluntary organisations collaborate in coordinating voluntary activities within caring services: are they sharing tasks, dividing the tasks between them or both?

Findings:

The results show that LTC units often coordinate volunteer activities that correspond to statutory public care services. Additionally, LTC units also contribute considerably in coordinating other volunteer activities, either alone or to a small extent in collaboration with voluntary organisations. This limited task sharing when coordinating volunteer activities in municipal care services can be seen as a suboptimal way of using the resources. Hence, a large part of this paper concerns a discussion of the theory of co-production in public care services, drawing on the findings of the survey.
Bandwidth enhancement of compact patch antennas by loading inverted “L” and “T” strips
Authors: Boukarkar Abdelheq , Satouh Rachdi
Published: September 2020

We propose simple designs of compact patch antennas with bandwidth enhancement. Firstly, an inverted “L” strip is loaded onto the corner of one radiating patch edge to create an additional resonant mode which can be combined with that one of the conventional patch to enhance the operating bandwidth. Secondly, the “L” strip is replaced by inverted “T” strip to improve further the bandwidth by creating two adjustable resonant modes. The two proposed patch antennas have the particularity of enhancing the bandwidth significantly without increasing their profile and their overall sizes. Two antenna prototypes are fabricated and tested. Measurements reveal that the patch antenna loaded with “L” strip has stable radiation characteristics with 5.2 times enhancement in the relative bandwidth compared with a conventional patch antenna. The antenna loaded with inverted “T” strip has wider bandwidth (6.25 times wider than the conventional patch) and covers the operating band 5.07–5.89 GHz (15%) with measured peak gain and peak efficiency of 6.25 dBi and 78%, respectively. The proposed antennas are easy to fabricate, have a low-profile, and exhibit good performances which make them good candidates to use in real wireless applications.
Neuroanatomie und Pathophysiologie des Schmerzes
Authors: Kamber Nicole
Published: September 2020

Zusammenfassung. Die Wahrnehmung von Schmerz entspricht der wahrscheinlich komplexesten sensorischen Funktion unseres Nervensystems. Im Kern entspricht die Nozizeption einer evolutionsbiologisch hochrelevanten Warnfunktion, die den Körper vor potentiell schädlichen Reizen schützen soll. Um dies zu gewährleisten, sind auf allen Stufen des Prozesses – sowohl auf molekularer, als auch auf struktureller Ebene und sowohl in der Peripherie als auch im zentralen Nervensystem – rasche und teilweise ausgeprägte Veränderungen möglich und notwendig, um die Anpassung an unterschiedliche Situationen zu ermöglichen. Diese strukturelle und funktionelle Plastizität soll die Information des potentiell schädlichen Einflusses innerhalb kürzester Zeit potenzieren, damit rasch und zielgerichtet reagiert und der Schaden möglichst gering gehalten werden kann. In manchen Fällen führt diese sogenannte periphere und zentrale Sensibilisierung aber zur Ausbildung chronischer Schmerzen und wird damit schliesslich zur eigenständigen Erkrankung. Die neuroanatomischen und (patho-)physiologischen Grundlagen sowie das Ausmass dieser biologischen «Gratwanderung» wie auch einige medizinische und therapeutische Implikationen sollen im Folgenden illustriert werden.
Pathophysiologie und Diagnostik des Komplexen Regionalen Schmerzsyndroms
Authors: Brunner Florian
Published: September 2020

Zusammenfassung. Mit dem Begriff des CRPS werden verschiedene schmerzhafte Zustände zusammengefasst, welche typischerweise nach einem auslösenden Ereignis distal an einer Extremität auftreten. Charakteristischerweise übersteigen die Dauer und die Intensität der Beschwerden den normalerweise zu erwartenden Verlauf. Die Erkrankung tritt am häufigsten bei Frauen zwischen 61 und 70 Jahren und an der oberen Extremität auf. Klinisch manifestiert sich das CRPS als bunter Symptomenkomplex bestehend aus sensiblen, vasomotorischen, sudomotorischen, motorischen und trophischen Störungen. Die Art und Intensität dieser Veränderungen treten individuell verschieden auf und ändern sich typischerweise im Verlauf der Erkrankung. Beim CRPS handelt es sich grundsätzlich um eine klinische Diagnose unter Berücksichtigung der modifizierten Budapest-Kriterien. Charakteristischerweise ist die Frühphase von einer übermässigen schmerzhaften Schwellung der betroffenen Extremität geprägt. Benigne Verläufe sind bekannt, viele Patienten entwickeln jedoch chronische Verläufe mit persistierenden Beschwerden auch nach einem Jahr. Aufgrund der vielfältigen Beschwerden und dem individuell unterschiedlichen Krankheitsverlauf stellt die Behandlung des CRPS eine besondere Herausforderung dar. Die Therapie basiert auf medikamentösen, interventionellen, physio- bzw. ergotherapeutischen und psychiatrischen Behandlungsoptionen. Die Therapie richtet sich nach der sich präsentierenden Klinik und basiert auf zugrunde liegenden pathophysiologischen Prozessen. Eine allgemeingültige oder kausale Therapie ist nicht möglich.
The River’s Lizard Tail: Braiding Indigenous Knowledges with Geomorphology
Authors: Evans Kate
Published: September 2020

Indigenous Knowledges can be accurate, rigorous, and precise, say researchers in New Zealand, and they can help geomorphologists see landscapes in a new, richer way.
EZH2 reduction is an essential mechanoresponse for the maintenance of super-enhancer polarization against compressive stress in human periodontal ligament stem cells
Authors: Li Qian , Sun Xiwen , Tang Yunyi , Qu Yanan , Zhou Yanheng , Zhang Yu
Published: September 2020

Despite the ubiquitous mechanical cues at both spatial and temporal dimensions, cell identities and functions are largely immune to the everchanging mechanical stimuli. To understand the molecular basis of this epigenetic stability, we interrogated compressive force-elicited transcriptomic changes in mesenchymal stem cells purified from human periodontal ligament (PDLSCs), and identified H3K27me3 and E2F signatures populated within upregulated and weakly downregulated genes, respectively. Consistently, expressions of several E2F family transcription factors and EZH2, as core methyltransferase for H3K27me3, decreased in response to mechanical stress, which were attributed to force-induced redistribution of RB from nucleoplasm to lamina. Importantly, although epigenomic analysis on H3K27me3 landscape only demonstrated correlating changes at one group of mechanoresponsive genes, we observed a genome-wide destabilization of super-enhancers along with aberrant EZH2 retention. These super-enhancers were tightly bounded by H3K27me3 domain on one side and exhibited attenuating H3K27ac deposition and flattening H3K27ac peaks along with compensated EZH2 expression after force exposure, analogous to increased H3K27ac entropy or decreased H3K27ac polarization. Interference of force-induced EZH2 reduction could drive actin filaments dependent spatial overlap between EZH2 and super-enhancers and functionally compromise the multipotency of PDLSC following mechanical stress. These findings together unveil a specific contribution of EZH2 reduction for the maintenance of super-enhancer stability and cell identity in mechanoresponse.
Meltwater sediment transport as the dominating process in mid-latitude trough mouth fan formation
Authors: Bellwald Benjamin , Planke Sverre , Becker Lukas W. M. , Myklebust Reidun
Published: September 2020

Trough mouth fans comprise the largest sediment deposits along glaciated margins, and record Pleistocene climate changes on a multi-decadal time scale. Here we present a model for the formation of the North Sea Fan derived from detailed horizon and attribute interpretations of high-resolution processed 3D seismic reflection data. The interpretation shows that stacked channel-levee systems form up to 400 m thick sedimentary sequences. The channels are elongated and can be traced from the shelf edge towards the deep basin for distances of >150 km, and document long-distance sediment transport in completely disintegrated water-rich turbidite flows. Downslope sediment transport was a continuous process during shelf-edge glaciations, reaching accumulation rates of 100 m/kyr. Our data highlight that exceptionally large volumes of meltwater may discharge to the slopes of trough mouth fans and trigger erosive turbidite flows. We conclude that freshwater supply is likely an underestimated factor for sedimentary processes during glacial cycles.
Livestock enclosures in drylands of Sub-Saharan Africa are overlooked hotspots of N2O emissions
Authors: Butterbach-Bahl Klaus , Gettel Gretchen , Kiese Ralf , Fuchs Kathrin , Werner Christian , Rahimi Jaber , Barthel Matti , Merbold Lutz
Published: September 2020

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is home to approximately ¼ of the global livestock population, which in the last 60 years has increased by factors of 2.5–4 times for cattle, goats and sheep. An important resource for pastoralists, most livestock live in semi-arid and arid environments, where they roam during the day and are kept in enclosures (or bomas) during the night. Manure, although rich in nitrogen, is rarely used, and therefore accumulates in bomas over time. Here we present in-situ measurements of N2O fluxes from 46 bomas in Kenya and show that even after 40 years following abandonment, fluxes are still ~one magnitude higher than those from adjacent savanna sites. Using maps of livestock distribution, we scaled our finding to SSA and found that abandoned bomas are significant hotspots for atmospheric N2O at the continental scale, contributing ~5% of the current estimate of total anthropogenic N2O emissions for all of Africa.
Phenotypic profiling with a living biobank of primary rhabdomyosarcoma unravels disease heterogeneity and AKT sensitivity
Authors: Manzella Gabriele , Schreck Leonie D. , Breunis Willemijn B. , Molenaar Jan , Merks Hans , Barr Frederic G. , Sun Wenyue , Römmele Michaela , Zhang Luduo , Tchinda Joelle , Ngo Quy A. , Bode Peter , Delattre Olivier , Surdez Didier , Rekhi Bharat , Niggli Felix K. , Schäfer Beat W. , Wachtel Marco
Published: September 2020

Cancer therapy is currently shifting from broadly used cytotoxic drugs to patient-specific precision therapies. Druggable driver oncogenes, identified by molecular analyses, are present in only a subset of patients. Functional profiling of primary tumor cells could circumvent these limitations, but suitable platforms are unavailable for most cancer entities. Here, we describe an in vitro drug profiling platform for rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), using a living biobank composed of twenty RMS patient-derived xenografts (PDX) for high-throughput drug testing. Optimized in vitro conditions preserve phenotypic and molecular characteristics of primary PDX cells and are compatible with propagation of cells directly isolated from patient tumors. Besides a heterogeneous spectrum of responses of largely patient-specific vulnerabilities, profiling with a large drug library reveals a strong sensitivity towards AKT inhibitors in a subgroup of RMS. Overall, our study highlights the feasibility of in vitro drug profiling of primary RMS for patient-specific treatment selection in a co-clinical setting.
Orientation dependent molecular electrostatics drives efficient charge generation in homojunction organic solar cells
Authors: Dong Yifan , Nikolis Vasileios C. , Talnack Felix , Chin Yi-Chun , Benduhn Johannes , Londi Giacomo , Kublitski Jonas , Zheng Xijia , Mannsfeld Stefan C. B. , Spoltore Donato , Muccioli Luca , Li Jing , Blase Xavier , Beljonne David , Kim Ji-Seon , Bakulin Artem A. , D’Avino Gabriele , Durrant James R. , Vandewal Koen
Published: September 2020

Organic solar cells usually utilise a heterojunction between electron-donating (D) and electron-accepting (A) materials to split excitons into charges. However, the use of D-A blends intrinsically limits the photovoltage and introduces morphological instability. Here, we demonstrate that polycrystalline films of chemically identical molecules offer a promising alternative and show that photoexcitation of α-sexithiophene (α-6T) films results in efficient charge generation. This leads to α-6T based homojunction organic solar cells with an external quantum efficiency reaching up to 44% and an open-circuit voltage of 1.61 V. Morphological, photoemission, and modelling studies show that boundaries between α-6T crystalline domains with different orientations generate an electrostatic landscape with an interfacial energy offset of 0.4 eV, which promotes the formation of hybridised exciton/charge-transfer states at the interface, dissociating efficiently into free charges. Our findings open new avenues for organic solar cell design where material energetics are tuned through molecular electrostatic engineering and mesoscale structural control.
Benchmarking materials property prediction methods: the Matbench test set and Automatminer reference algorithm
Authors: Dunn Alexander , Wang Qi , Ganose Alex , Dopp Daniel , Jain Anubhav
Published: September 2020

We present a benchmark test suite and an automated machine learning procedure for evaluating supervised machine learning (ML) models for predicting properties of inorganic bulk materials. The test suite, Matbench, is a set of 13 ML tasks that range in size from 312 to 132k samples and contain data from 10 density functional theory-derived and experimental sources. Tasks include predicting optical, thermal, electronic, thermodynamic, tensile, and elastic properties given a material’s composition and/or crystal structure. The reference algorithm, Automatminer, is a highly-extensible, fully automated ML pipeline for predicting materials properties from materials primitives (such as composition and crystal structure) without user intervention or hyperparameter tuning. We test Automatminer on the Matbench test suite and compare its predictive power with state-of-the-art crystal graph neural networks and a traditional descriptor-based Random Forest model. We find Automatminer achieves the best performance on 8 of 13 tasks in the benchmark. We also show our test suite is capable of exposing predictive advantages of each algorithm—namely, that crystal graph methods appear to outperform traditional machine learning methods given ~104or greater data points. We encourage evaluating materials ML algorithms on the Matbench benchmark and comparing them against the latest version of Automatminer.
Ultrasensitive electrolyte-assisted temperature sensor
Authors: Shiran Chaharsoughi Mina , Edberg Jesper , Andersson Ersman Peter , Crispin Xavier , Zhao Dan , Jonsson Magnus P.
Published: September 2020

Heat sensors form an important class of devices that are used across multiple fields and sectors. For applications such as electronic skin and health monitoring, it is particularly advantageous if the output electronic signals are not only high, stable, and reproducible, but also self-generated to minimize power consumption. Here, we present an ultrasensitive heat sensing concept that fulfills these criteria while also being compatible with scalable low-cost manufacturing on flexible substrates. The concept resembles a traditional thermocouple, but with separated electrodes bridged by a gel-like electrolyte and with orders of magnitudes higher signals (around 11 mV K−1). The sensor pixels provide stable and reproducible signals upon heating, which, for example, could be used for heat mapping. Further modification to plasmonic nanohole metasurface electrodes made the sensors capable of also detecting light-induced heating. Finally, we present devices on flexible substrates and show that they can be used to detect human touch.
Passive immunisation of convalescent human anti-Zika plasma protects against challenge with New World Zika virus in cynomolgus macaques
Authors: Berry Neil , Kempster Sarah , Ham Claire , Jenkins Adrian , Hall Jo , Page Mark , Mattiuzzo Giada , Adedeji Yemisi , Hewson Roger , Giles Elaine , Ferguson Debbie , Almond Neil
Published: September 2020

Zika virus (ZIKV) causes neurological complications in susceptible individuals, highlighted in the recent South American epidemic. Natural ZIKV infection elicits host responses capable of preventing subsequent re-infection, raising expectations for effective vaccination. Defining protective immune correlates will inform viral intervention strategies, particularly vaccine development. Non-human primate (NHP) species are susceptible to ZIKV and represent models for vaccine development. The protective efficacy of a human anti-ZIKV convalescent plasma pool (16/320-14) developed as a candidate reference material for a WHO International Standard was evaluated in macaques. Convalescent plasma administered to four cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis) intra-peritoneally 24 hrs prior to sub-cutaneous challenge with 103 pfu ZIKVPRVABC59 protected against detectable infection, with absence of detectable ZIKV RNA in blood and lymphoid tissues. Passively immunised anti-ZIKV immunoglobulin administered prior to time of challenge remained present only at very low levels 42 days post-challenge. Absence of de novo antibody responses in passively immunised macaques indicate sterilising immunity compared with naïve challenge controls that exhibited active ZIKV-specific IgM and IgG responses post-challenge. Demonstration that the presence of convalescent anti-ZIKV at levels of 400 IU/mL neutralising antibody protects against virus challenge provides a scientific framework for development of anti-ZIKV vaccines and facilitates regulatory approval.
A high-resolution in vivo magnetic resonance imaging atlas of the human hypothalamic region
Authors: Neudorfer Clemens , Germann Jürgen , Elias Gavin J. B. , Gramer Robert , Boutet Alexandre , Lozano Andres M.
Published: September 2020

The study of the hypothalamus and its topological changes provides valuable insights into underlying physiological and pathological processes. Owing to technological limitations, however, in vivo atlases detailing hypothalamic anatomy are currently lacking in the literature. In this work we aim to overcome this shortcoming by generating a high-resolution in vivo anatomical atlas of the human hypothalamic region. A minimum deformation averaging (MDA) pipeline was employed to produce a normalized, high-resolution template from multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) datasets. This template was used to delineate hypothalamic (n = 13) and extrahypothalamic (n = 12) gray and white matter structures. The reliability of the atlas was evaluated as a measure for voxel-wise volume overlap among raters. Clinical application was demonstrated by superimposing the atlas into datasets of patients diagnosed with a hypothalamic lesion (n = 1) or undergoing hypothalamic (n = 1) and forniceal (n = 1) deep brain stimulation (DBS). The present template serves as a substrate for segmentation of brain structures, specifically those featuring low contrast. Conversely, the segmented hypothalamic atlas may inform DBS programming procedures and may be employed in volumetric studies.
Highly sampled measurements in a controlled atmosphere at the Biosphere 2 Landscape Evolution Observatory
Authors: Arevalo Jorge , Zeng Xubin , Durcik Matej , Sibayan Michael , Pangle Luke , Abramson Nate , Bugaj Aaron , Ng Wei-Ren , Kim Minseok , Barron-Gafford Greg , van Haren Joost , Niu Guo-Yue , Adams John , Ruiz Joaquin , Troch Peter A.
Published: September 2020

Land-atmosphere interactions at different temporal and spatial scales are important for our understanding of the Earth system and its modeling. The Landscape Evolution Observatory (LEO) at Biosphere 2, managed by the University of Arizona, hosts three nearly identical artificial bare-soil hillslopes with dimensions of 11 × 30 m2 (1 m depth) in a controlled and highly monitored environment within three large greenhouses. These facilities provide a unique opportunity to explore these interactions. The dataset presented here is a subset of the measurements in each LEO’s hillslopes, from 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2019 every 15 minutes, consisting of temperature, water content and heat flux of the soil (at 5 cm depth) for 12 co-located points; temperature, relative humidity and wind speed above ground at 5 locations and 5 different heights ranging from 0.25 m to 9–10 m; 3D wind at 1 location; the four components of radiation at 2 locations; spatially aggregated precipitation rates, total subsurface discharge, and relative water storage; and the measurements from a weather station outside the greenhouses.
Mapping twenty years of corn and soybean across the US Midwest using the Landsat archive
Authors: Wang Sherrie , Di Tommaso Stefania , Deines Jillian M. , Lobell David B.
Published: September 2020

Field-level monitoring of crop types in the United States via the Cropland Data Layer (CDL) has played an important role in improving production forecasts and enabling large-scale study of agricultural inputs and outcomes. Although CDL offers crop type maps across the conterminous US from 2008 onward, such maps are missing in many Midwestern states or are uneven in quality before 2008. To fill these data gaps, we used the now-public Landsat archive and cloud computing services to map corn and soybean at 30 m resolution across the US Midwest from 1999–2018. Our training data were CDL from 2008–2018, and we validated the predictions on CDL 1999–2007 where available, county-level crop acreage statistics, and state-level crop rotation statistics. The corn-soybean maps, which we call the Corn-Soy Data Layer (CSDL), are publicly hosted on Google Earth Engine and also available for download online.
Reversal of freshening trend of Antarctic Bottom Water in the Australian-Antarctic Basin during 2010s
Authors: Aoki S. , Yamazaki K. , Hirano D. , Katsumata K. , Shimada K. , Kitade Y. , Sasaki H. , Murase H.
Published: September 2020

The Antarctic continental margin supplies the densest bottom water to the global abyss. From the late twentieth century, an acceleration in the long-term freshening of Antarctic Bottom Waters (AABW) has been detected in the Australian-Antarctic Basin. Our latest hydrographic observations reveal that, in the late 2010s, the freshening trend has reversed broadly over the continental slope. Near-bottom salinities in 2018–2019 were higher than during 2011–2015. Along 170° E, the salinity increase between 2011 and 2018 was greater than that observed in the west. The layer thickness of the densest AABW increased during the 2010s, suggesting that the Ross Sea Bottom Water intensification was a major source of the salinity increase. Freshwater content on the continental slope decreased at a rate of 58 ± 37 Gt/a in the near-bottom layer. The decadal change is very likely due to changes in Ross Sea shelf water attributable to a decrease in meltwater from West Antarctic ice shelves for the corresponding period.