bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seedling root growth experiments for two Australian dryland riparian eucalypts provide new insights for environmental watering
Authors: Balcombe Stephen R. , Biggs Andrew , Prior Andrea , Capon Samantha J.
Published: September 2021

In dryland environments where rivers have been modified by water resource developments, the use of environmental water provides a management tool to restore or maintain riparian vegetation conditions. Relevant management actions include watering to promote the recruitment of highly valued woody species. However, for many riparian trees, little is known about the watering regimes needed to achieve successful recruitment. We conducted a glasshouse experiment to investigate the early growth of 5‐week old seedlings of two Australian dryland riparian tree species, coolibah (Eucalyptus coolabah) and river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis), in floodplain soil cores to provide insights into their requirements for successful establishment in dryland habitats. Both species exhibited similar growth patterns for their above‐ground components. E. coolabah root penetration through soil cores was consistent over the 12‐week experiment. In contrast, E. camaldulensis root penetration appeared to be considerably slower during the first 6 weeks, but then became more rapid over the following 6 weeks, with similar rooting depths after 12 weeks observed to those of E. coolabah. These findings suggest that coolibah seedlings are more likely to establish under rapidly drying conditions than river red gum seedlings. Such differences in early growth for these iconic species should be considered when determining the provision of environmental water for their management.
Role of Extracellular Vesicles from Adipose Tissue- and Bone Marrow-Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Endothelial Proliferation and Chondrogenesis
Authors: Gorgun Cansu , Palamà Maria Elisabetta Federica , Reverberi Daniele , Gagliani Maria Cristina , Cortese Katia , Tasso Roberta , Gentili Chiara
Published: September 2021

The secretome of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) derived from different tissue sources is considered an innovative therapeutic tool for regenerative medicine. Although adipose tissue-and bone marrow-derived MSCs (ADSCs and BMSCs, respectively) share many biological features, the different tissue origins can be mirrored by variations in their secretory profile, and in particular in the secreted extracellular vesicles (EVs). In this study, we carried out a detailed and comparative characterization of middle- and small-sized EVs (mEVs and sEVs, respectively) released by either ADSCs or BMSCs. Their involvement in an endochondral ossification setting was investigated using ex vivo metatarsal culture models that allowed to explore both blood vessel sprouting and bone growth plate dynamics. Although EVs separated from both cell sources presented similar characteristics in terms of size, concentration, and marker expression, they exhibited different characteristics in terms of protein content and functional effects. ADSC-EVs overexpressed pro-angiogenic factors in comparison to the BMSC-counterpart, and, consequently, they were able to induce a significant increase in endothelial cord outgrowth. On the other hand, BMSC-EVs contained a higher amount of pro-differentiation and chemotactic proteins, and they were able to prompt growth plate organization. The present study highlights the importance of selecting the appropriate cell source of EVs for targeted therapeutic applications.
The long‐term consequences of entrepreneurship: Earnings trajectories of former entrepreneurs
Authors: Mahieu Jeroen , Melillo Francesca , Thompson Peter
Published: September 2021

Research Summary

Previous literature has documented a large short‐term earnings gap for entrepreneurs that return to the wage sector. Using matched employer–employee data from the Belgian Labor Market & Social Protection Database, we document how this initial gap is remarkably persistent. Former entrepreneurs earn 27% less than propensity‐scored matched controls 5 years after returning to wage work, which is almost unchanged from the short‐term earnings drop. About 60% of this gap results from reductions in hours worked while the remaining 40% is due to reductions in the wage rate. We offer evidence that the decline in hours worked is a choice of former entrepreneurs and therefore reflects a compensating differential, while the decline in the wage rate is a penalty resulting from statistical discrimination by employers.

Managerial Summary

While previous work recognizes that entrepreneurs experience reduced earnings when they return to the wage sector, little evidence exists about the long‐term consequences of a spell of entrepreneurship. Using detailed administrative data from a large sample of Belgian entrepreneurs and wage employees, we document an earnings gap of about 27% compared with observationally equivalent employees 5 years after returning to wage work. About 60% of this earnings gap results from a reduction in hours worked, and this part appears to be the result of individual choices. The remaining 40% of the earnings gap is due to a decline in the wage rate, and this part appears to be imposed on returning entrepreneurs by employers.
Key Factors for Binders to Enhance the Electrochemical Performance of Silicon Anodes through Molecular Design
Authors: Wang Haoli , Wu Baozhu , Wu Xikai , Zhuang Qiangqiang , Liu Tong , Pan Yu , Shi Gejun , Yi Huimin , Xu Pu , Xiong Zhennan , Chou Shu‐Lei , Wang Baofeng
Published: September 2021

Silicon is considered the most promising candidate for anode material in lithium‐ion batteries due to the high theoretical capacity. Unfortunately, the vast volume change and low electric conductivity have limited the application of silicon anodes. In the silicon anode system, the binders are essential for mechanical and conductive integrity. However, there are few reviews to comprehensively introduce binders from the perspective of factors affecting performance and modification methods, which are crucial to the development of binders. In this review, several key factors that have great impact on binders’ performance are summarized, including molecular weight, interfacial bonding, and molecular structure. Moreover, some commonly used modification methods for binders are also provided to control these influencing factors and obtain the binders with better performance. Finally, to overcome the existing problems and challenges about binders, several possible development directions of binders are suggested.
Carrier Free Photodynamic Synergists for Oxidative Damage Amplified Tumor Therapy
Authors: Li Xin‐Yu , Deng Fu‐An , Zheng Rong‐Rong , Liu Ling‐Shan , Liu Yi‐Bin , Kong Ren‐Jiang , Chen A‐Li , Yu Xi‐Yong , Li Shi‐Ying , Cheng Hong
Published: September 2021

Tumor cells adapt to excessive oxidative stress by actuating reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐defensing system, leading to a resistance to oxidation therapy. In this work, self‐delivery photodynamic synergists (designated as PhotoSyn) are developed for oxidative damage amplified tumor therapy. Specifically, PhotoSyn are fabricated by the self‐assembly of chlorine e6 (Ce6) and TH588 through π–π stacking and hydrophobic interactions. Without additional carriers, nanoscale PhotoSyn possess an extremely high drug loading rate (up to 100%) and they are found to be fairly stable in aqueous phase with a uniform size distribution. Intravenously injected PhotoSyn prefer to accumulate at tumor sites for effective cellular uptake. More importantly, TH588‐mediated MTH1 inhibition could destroy the ROS‐defensing system of tumor cells by preventing the elimination of 8‐oxo‐2′‐deoxyguanosine triphosphate (8‐oxo‐dG), thereby exacerbating the oxidative DNA damage induced by the photodynamic therapy (PDT) of Ce6 under light irradiation. As a consequence, PhotoSyn exhibit enhanced photo toxicity and a significant antitumor effect. This amplified oxidative damage strategy improves the PDT efficiency with a reduced side effect by increasing the lethality of ROS without generating superabundant ROS, which would provide a new insight for developing self‐delivery nanoplatforms in photodynamic tumor therapy in clinic.
Endogenous Stem Cell‐Based In Situ Tissue Regeneration Using Electrostatically Interactive Hydrogel with a Newly Discovered Substance P Analog and VEGF‐Mimicking Peptide
Authors: Park Seung Hun , Ju Hyeon Jin , Ji Yun Bae , Shah Masaud , Min Byoung Hyun , Choi Hak Soo , Choi Sangdun , Kim Moon Suk
Published: September 2021

The use of chemoattractants to promote endogenous stem cell‐based in situ tissue regeneration has recently garnered much attention. This study is the first to assess the endogenous stem cell migration using a newly discovered substance P (SP) analog (SP1) by molecular dynamics simulations as an efficient chemoattractant. Further, a novel strategy based on electrostatic interaction using cationic chitosan (Ch) and anionic hyaluronic acid (HA) to prepare an SP1‐loaded injectable C/H formulation without SP1 loss is developed. The formulation quickly forms an SP1‐loaded C/H hydrogel in situ through in vivo injection. The newly discovered SP1 is found to possess human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) migration‐inducing ability that is approximately two to three times higher than that of the existing SP. The designed VEGF‐mimicking peptide (VP) chemically reacts with the hydrogel (C/H‐VP) to sustain the release of VP, thus inducing vasculogenic differentiation of the hMSCs that migrate toward the C/H‐VP hydrogel. Similarly, in animal experiments, SP1 attracts a large number of hMSCs toward the C/H‐VP hydrogel, after which VP induces vasculogenic differentiation. Collectively, these findings indicate that SP1‐loaded C/H‐VP hydrogels are a promising strategy to facilitate endogenous stem cell‐based in situ tissue regeneration.
The influence from steel bar on concrete fracture behavior under different impact velocities
Authors: Song Min , Wang Zhiyong , Zhang Jie , Ma Gang , Wang Zhihua
Published: September 2021

Three‐point bending tests on notched plain concrete beams and lightly reinforced concrete beams were carried out with a drop‐hammer impact instrument. The shape of the specimen followed the RILEM recommendation, that is, 150 mm × 150 mm in cross section, 800 mm in length, and span was kept constant 600 mm. And only one conventional steel bar was placed in the lightly reinforced concrete beam. The high‐speed camera and digital image correlation (DIC) technology were applied to catch the fracture process under dynamic loads. And the reaction force, mid‐span deflection, crack velocity, the horizontal strain of concrete at the notch root, and the strain of steel bar midpoint were measured over three impact velocities (i.e., 9.89 × 102, 1.71 × 103, and 2.21 × 103 mm/s). The test results showed that the dynamic fracture energy for plain concrete and reinforced concrete increased with the increase of the impact velocity. When the impact velocity reached 2.21 × 103 mm/s, the steel bar reached yielding, which resulted in the influence from reinforcement on fracture energy weakened. Both of the dynamic fracture toughness for plain concrete and lightly reinforced concrete increased linearly as the growth of impact velocity. Furthermore, the crack extended with a decreasing speed for plain concrete and reinforced concrete. And the first‐stage crack velocity in concrete was inhibited effectively by steel bar, but the inhibitory effect declined as the increase of impact velocities.
Axial compression behavior of basalt fiber‐reinforced recycled aggregate concrete‐filled square steel tubular stub column
Authors: Zhang Xianggang , Gao Xiang , Ding Yahong , Xu Ping , Zhou Gaoqiang , Xu Jinjun
Published: September 2021

This study aimed to determine the mechanical properties of the basalt fiber‐reinforced recycled aggregate concrete (BFRRAC)‐filled square steel tubular stub columns under axial compression. The replacement ratio of recycled coarse aggregate, the content of basalt fiber, and the strength grade of the BFRRAC were designed as the variable parameters, seven BFRRAC‐filled square steel tubular stub columns were designed and subjected to axial compression tests. The failure process and morphologies of the specimens were observed, the load–displacement/strain curves were measured, and the influence rule of variable parameters on the axial compression performance indexes, such as peak bearing capacity, energy dissipation capacity, and ductility coefficient, was discussed. Based on the degradation law of combined secant‐stiffness under axial compression, a piecewise mathematical model of stiffness degradation was established. The parametric influence factor was introduced into the design, and the axial compressive stress–strain curve equation was established. Results show that the local bulging failure of all specimens belongs to the category of strength failure. The working process of BFRRAC‐filled square steel tubular stub column under axial compression can be divided into three stages: elastic, elastic–plastic, and plasticity. With the increase in the replacement ratio of recycled coarse aggregate, the peak bearing capacity and ductility of specimens were finally weakened, and the energy dissipation capacity first increased and then decreased. With the increase in BFRRAC strength grade, the peak bearing capacity and energy dissipation capacity of the specimens increased while ductility decreased. The addition of a certain amount of basalt fiber has a little effect on the peak‐bearing capacity of the specimen, but can improve its energy dissipation capacity and ductility.
Strategies for Improved Electrochemical CO2 Reduction to Value‐Added Products by Highly Anticipated Copper‐Based Nanoarchitectures
Authors: Khan Ibrahim
Published: September 2021

Uncontrolled CO2 emission from various industrial and domestic sources is a considerable threat to environmental sustainability. Scientists are trying to develop multiple approaches to not only reduce CO2 emissions but also utilize this potent pollutant to get economically feasible products. The electrochemical reduction of CO2 (ERC) is one way to effectively convert CO2 to more useful products (ranging from C1 to C5). Nevertheless, this process is kinetically hindered and less selective towards a specific product and, consequently, requires an efficient electrocatalyst with characteristics like selectivity, stability, reusability, low cost, and environmentally benign. Owing to specified commercial features, copper (Cu)‐based materials are highly anticipated and widely investigated for the last two decades. However, their non‐modified polycrystalline Cu forms usually lack selectivity and lower overpotential of CO2 reduction. Therefore, extensive research is in progress to induce various alterations ranging from morphological and surface chemistry tuning to structural and optoelectrical characteristics modifications. This review provides an overview of those strategies to improve the CO2 conversion efficiency through Cu‐based ERC into valuable C1, C2, and higher molecular weight hydrocarbons. The thermodynamics and kinetics of CO2 reduction via Cu‐based electrocatalysts are discussed in detail with the support of the first principle DFT‐based models. In the last portion of the review, the reported mechanisms for various products are summarized, with a short overview of the outlook. This review is expected to provide important basics as well as advanced information for experienced as well as new researchers to develop various strategies for Cu and related materials to achieve improved ERC.
Supporting teachers working with English learners: Engagement and impact of a professional development program
Authors: He Ye , Bagwell Dawn
Published: September 2021

Despite the growing number of English learners in the United States, teachers continue to report that they do not feel well prepared to support English learners. It is critical to offer quality professional development accessible for all teachers and to engage teachers in exploring teaching applications involving English learners. In this study, the authors describe a yearlong strengths‐based professional development program with a focus on engaging educators in reflections on their teaching beliefs and practices. Based on both quantitative and qualitative data, the researchers report teachers’ beliefs and practices and highlight the impact of the yearlong professional development. Discussions and recommendations regarding future professional development efforts to support teachers working with English learners are provided.
“Someone Is Watching Me While I Write”: Monolingual Ideologies and Multilingual Writers Behind the Scenes of L2 Writing Tutorials
Authors: Elabdali Rima
Published: September 2021

In the present study, I draw on Canagarajah’s (2019) negotiated‐literacy orientation and the systemic functional linguistic (SFL) approach to discourse analysis (Eggins & Slade, 1997) to demonstrate the varying degrees to which Fatima and Chow, two multilingual doctoral students, were able to question and negotiate normative literacy practices during L2 writing tutorials and how such negotiations may be impacted by the language ideologies internalized by the writers and/or their tutor. The main sources of evidence were interviews with the two doctoral students and excerpts from audio‐recorded writing tutorials, complemented with stimulated‐recall data contrasting tutor and writer interpretations of the same recorded literacy events. The results suggest that the variable degree to which the two multilingual writers are cognizant and resistant of monolingual ideologies impacted their orientation to negotiate literacy in the tutorials. In addition, some of the tutor’s interactional practices were seen to restrict the space for meaning negotiations and hamper the potential to reconcile the diverse literacy dispositions of the tutor and the two multilingual writers. By grounding aspects of negotiated literacy in specific discourse‐semantic moves, the study puts forth implications for a more critical tutoring pedagogy.
Inhibition of NCAPG expression inactivates the Wnt/β‐catenin signal to suppresses endometrial cancer cell growth in vitro
Authors: Liu Cong , Yan Yani , Di Fusheng , Li Weiwei , Yin Xiurong , Dong Lixia
Published: September 2021

Endometrial cancer (EC) ranks as the most prevalent malignancy occurring in the female genital tract. Non‐SMC condensin I complex subunit G (NCAPG), a mitotic associated chromosomal condensing protein, is reported to be frequently abnormally expressed in several tumors and plays a vital role in carcinogenesis. Our study aimed to explore the effect of NCAPG on cell proliferation and apoptosis in EC cells and to determine the underlying mechanism. Expression and survival data of NCAPG in EC tissues were analyzed by bioinformatics methods. Cell proliferation was evaluated by EdU and CCK‐8 assays. Apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry analysis. Expression of NCAPG, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Ki67, Bcl‐2, Bax, active caspase‐3, active β‐catenin, and c‐Myc were determined by western blotting. NCAPG was highly expressed in EC tissues and cells and predicted poor survival for EC patients. NCAPG knockdown inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in EC cells. Additionally, NCAPG knockdown inactivated the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway in EC cells. Mechanistically, β‐catenin overexpression blocked the tumorigenic effects of NCAPG in EC cells. In conclusion, NCAPG silencing inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in EC cells via inhibiting the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway.
Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome with hypoadrenocorticism and diabetes mellitus in a dog: A rare case
Authors: Hwang Seo‐Young , An Ju‐Hyun , Lee Jeong‐Hwa , Park Su‐Min , Kyu Chae Hyung , Kim Kyung‐Bo , Song Woo‐Jin , Youn Hwa‐Young
Published: September 2021

Background

Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome, also called polyglandular autoimmune syndrome, is a rare immune‐mediated disorder that involves various endocrine glands.

Purpose

To report autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome in a dog.

Methods

A 9‐year‐old spayed female miniature poodle diagnosed with insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus emergently visited our clinic for anorexia, severe depression, and vomiting. Hyponatremia, hypochloridemia, and recurrent hypoglycaemia were found. Hypoadrenocorticism was diagnosed based on consistent clinical signs and repeated adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation tests.

Results

After injecting deoxycorticosterone pivalate and increasing the oral prednisolone dose, the patient's systemic condition improved.

Conclusions

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of hypoadrenocorticism concurrent with diabetes mellitus in a dog. Furthermore, we would like to present the probability of an immune‐mediated disorder with multiple organs involved, like type IV autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome in humans.
Phenotypic and genetic parameter estimates for early growth, growth rate and growth efficiency‐related traits of Fogera cattle in Ethiopia
Authors: Kassahun Demelash , Taye Mengistie , Kebede Damitie , Tilahun Mekonen , Tesfa Assemu , Bitew Addisu , Kebede Adebabay , Meseret Mulugeta , Lakew Eyasu , Bimrow Tewodros , Haile Aynalem
Published: September 2021

Background

Understanding the phenotypic and genetic parameter estimates of growth traits is important for an effective livestock genetic improvement programme.

Objectives

In this study, we evaluated the phenotypic performances and estimated genetic parameters for birthweight (BWT), weaning weight (WWT), pre‐weaning average daily gain (PADG), pre‐weaning Kleiber ratio (PKR), pre‐weaning growth efficiency (PGE) and pre‐weaning relative growth rate (PRGR) of Fogera cattle in Ethiopia.

Methods

Growth data collected from 2000 to 2018 in Andassa Livestock Research Center were used for the study. General linear model of SAS 9.1 was used to estimate the least squares mean (LSM) ± standard error (SE) for phenotypic performances, and AI‐REML of Wombat software combined with a series of five single‐trait animal models to estimate phenotypic variance and its direct, maternal and residual components. Calf sex, calf birth season and calf birth year were the fixed effects considered.

Results

The overall LSM ± SE BWT, WWT, PADG, PKR, PGE and PRGR were 21.28 ± 0.05 kg, 97.99 ± 0.67 kg, 320.29 ± 2.79 g, 10.10 ± 0.04, 3.51 ± 0.35 and 1.95 ± 0.00, respectively. All the fixed effects considered significantly (p < 0.001) affected all the traits. The direct heritability estimates for BWT, WWT, PADG, PKR, PGE and PRGR were 0.21 ± 0.07, 0.26 ± 0.01, 0.55 ± 0.19, 0.53 ± 0.18, 0.33 ± 0.00 and 0.50 ± 0.00, respectively. The genetic correlations among the traits ranged from negative (−0.20 ± 0.04; BWT‐PKR) to positive (0.99 ± 0.00; BW‐PGE, BW‐GR, WWT‐PGE, WWT‐PGR, ADG‐PGR, PKR‐PGR, PKR‐PGE and PGE‐PGR). Similarly, the phenotypic correlations ranged from −0.03 ± 0.20 to 0.99 ± 0.01; BWT‐PGE, BWT‐PRGR, WWT‐PGE, WWT‐PRGR, PKR‐PGE, PKR‐PRGR and PGE‐PRGR).

Conclusion

The positive and larger phenotypic and genetic correlations between most of the traits implied that selection based on one trait could improve the other traits. However, the negative phenotypic and genetic correlation between BWT‐PKRA implies that selection of Fogera calves based on either of the traits has an adverse effect on the other. Therefore, caution should be taken when designing the selection criteria for growth improvement.
Attention along the cortical hierarchy: Development matters
Authors: Lynn Andrew , Amso Dima
Published: September 2021

We build on the existing biased competition view to argue that attention is an emergent property of neural computations within and across hierarchically embedded and structurally connected cortical pathways. Critically then, one must ask, what is attention emergent from? Within this framework, developmental changes in the quality of sensory input and feedforward‐feedback information flow shape the emergence and efficiency of attention. Several gradients of developing structural and functional cortical architecture across the caudal‐to‐rostral axis provide the substrate for attention to emerge. Neural activity within visual areas depends on neuronal density, receptive field size, tuning properties of neurons, and the location of and competition between features and objects in the visual field. These visual cortical properties highlight the information processing bottleneck attention needs to resolve. Recurrent feedforward and feedback connections convey sensory information through a series of steps at each level of the cortical hierarchy, integrating sensory information across the entire extent of the cortical hierarchy and linking sensory processing to higher‐order brain regions. Higher‐order regions concurrently provide input conveying behavioral context and goals. Thus, attention reflects the output of a series of complex biased competition neural computations that occur within and across hierarchically embedded cortical regions. Cortical development proceeds along the caudal‐to‐rostral axis, mirroring the flow in sensory information from caudal to rostral regions, and visual processing continues to develop into childhood. Examining both typical and atypical development will offer critical mechanistic insight not otherwise available in the adult stable state.

This article is categorized under:

Psychology > Attention
Correction to: Digital and Social Media Regulation
Authors: Matei Sorin Adam , Rebillard Franck , Rochelandet Fabrice
Published: September 2021

∎∎∎
Accurate Graphic Symbol Detection in Ancient Document Digital Reproductions
Authors: Ziran Zahra , Bernasconi Eleonora , Ghignoli Antonella , Leotta Francesco , Mecella Massimo
Published: September 2021

Digital reproductions of historical documents from Late Antiquity to early medieval Europe contain annotations in handwritten graphic symbols or signs. The study of such symbols may potentially reveal essential insights into the social and historical context. However, finding such symbols in handwritten documents is not an easy task, requiring the knowledge and skills of expert users, i.e., paleographers. An AI-based system can be designed, highlighting potential symbols to be validated and enriched by the experts, whose decisions are used to improve the detection performance. This paper shows how this task can benefit from feature auto-encoding, showing how detection performance improves with respect to trivial template matching.
Wormholes and black hole microstates in AdS/CFT
Authors: Cotler Jordan , Jensen Kristan
Published: September 2021

Abstract

It has long been known that the coarse-grained approximation to the black hole density of states can be computed using classical Euclidean gravity. In this work we argue for another entry in the dictionary between Euclidean gravity and black hole physics, namely that Euclidean wormholes describe a coarse-grained approximation to the energy level statistics of black hole microstates. To do so we use the method of constrained instantons to obtain an integral representation of wormhole amplitudes in Einstein gravity and in full-fledged AdS/CFT. These amplitudes are non-perturbative corrections to the two-boundary problem in AdS quantum gravity. The full amplitude is likely UV sensitive, dominated by small wormholes, but we show it admits an integral transformation with a macroscopic, weakly curved saddle-point approximation. The saddle is the “double cone” geometry of Saad, Shenker, and Stanford, with fixed moduli. In the boundary description this saddle appears to dominate a smeared version of the connected two-point function of the black hole density of states, and suggests level repulsion in the microstate spectrum. Using these methods we further study Euclidean wormholes in pure Einstein gravity and in IIB supergravity on Euclidean AdS5× S5. We address the perturbative stability of these backgrounds and study brane nucleation instabilities in 10d supergravity. In particular, brane nucleation instabilities of the Euclidean wormholes are lifted by the analytic continuation required to obtain the Lorentzian spectral form factor from gravity. Our results indicate a factorization paradox in AdS/CFT.
Revisiting the multi-monopole point of SU(N) $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 2 gauge theory in four dimensions
Authors: D’Hoker Eric , Dumitrescu Thomas T. , Gerchkovitz Efrat , Nardoni Emily
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Motivated by applications to soft supersymmetry breaking, we revisit the expansion of the Seiberg-Witten solution around the multi-monopole point on the Coulomb branch of pure SU(N) $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 gauge theory in four dimensions. At this point N − 1 mutually local magnetic monopoles become massless simultaneously, and in a suitable duality frame the gauge couplings logarithmically run to zero. We explicitly calculate the leading threshold corrections to this logarithmic running from the Seiberg-Witten solution by adapting a method previously introduced by D’Hoker and Phong. We compare our computation to existing results in the literature; this includes results specific to SU(2) and SU(3) gauge theories, the large-N results of Douglas and Shenker, as well as results obtained by appealing to integrable systems or topological strings. We find broad agreement, while also clarifying some lingering inconsistencies. Finally, we explicitly extend the results of Douglas and Shenker to finite N , finding exact agreement with our first calculation.
Unitarisation dependence of diffractive scattering in light of high-energy collider data
Authors: Vanthieghem Arno , Bhattacharya Atri , Oueslati Rami , Cudell Jean-René
Published: September 2021

Abstract

We study the consequences of high-energy collider data on the best fits to total, elastic, inelastic, and single-diffractive cross sections for pp and $$ p\overline{p} $$
p

p
¯

scattering using different unitarisation schemes. We find that the data are well fitted both by eikonal and U-matrix schemes, but that diffractive data prefer the U-matrix. Both schemes may be generalised by means of an additional parameter; however, this yields only marginal improvements to the fits. We provide estimates for ρ, the ratio of the real part to the imaginary part of the elastic amplitude, for the different fits. We comment on the effect of the different schemes on present and future cosmic ray data.
Hexagon bootstrap in the double scaling limit
Authors: Chestnov Vsevolod , Papathanasiou Georgios
Published: September 2021

Abstract

We study the six-particle amplitude in planar $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 super Yang-Mills theory in the double scaling (DS) limit, the only nontrivial codimension-one boundary of its positive kinematic region. We construct the relevant function space, which is significantly constrained due to the extended Steinmann relations, up to weight 13 in coproduct form, and up to weight 12 as an explicit polylogarithmic representation. Expanding the latter in the collinear boundary of the DS limit, and using the Pentagon Operator Product Expansion, we compute the non-divergent coefficient of a certain component of the Next-to-Maximally-Helicity-Violating amplitude through weight 12 and eight loops. We also specialize our results to the overlapping origin limit, observing a general pattern for its leading divergences.
Intersection numbers on $$ {\overline{M}}_{g,n} $$ and BKP hierarchy
Authors: Alexandrov Alexander
Published: September 2021

Abstract

In their recent inspiring paper, Mironov and Morozov claim a surprisingly simple expansion formula for the Kontsevich-Witten tau-function in terms of the Schur Q-functions. Here we provide a similar description for the Brézin-Gross-Witten tau-function. Moreover, we identify both tau-functions of the KdV hierarchy, which describe intersection numbers on the moduli spaces of punctured Riemann surfaces, with the hypergeometric solutions of the BKP hierarchy.
Topological pseudo entropy
Authors: Nishioka Tatsuma , Takayanagi Tadashi , Taki Yusuke
Published: September 2021

Abstract

We introduce a pseudo entropy extension of topological entanglement entropy called topological pseudo entropy. Various examples of the topological pseudo entropies are examined in three-dimensional Chern-Simons gauge theory with Wilson loop insertions. Partition functions with knotted Wilson loops are directly related to topological pseudo (Rényi) entropies. We also show that the pseudo entropy in a certain setup is equivalent to the interface entropy in two-dimensional conformal field theories (CFTs), and leverage the equivalence to calculate the pseudo entropies in particular examples. Furthermore, we define a pseudo entropy extension of the left-right entanglement entropy in two-dimensional boundary CFTs and derive a universal formula for a pair of arbitrary boundary states. As a byproduct, we find that the topological interface entropy for rational CFTs has a contribution identical to the topological entanglement entropy on a torus.
Anomalous symmetries end at the boundary
Authors: Thorngren Ryan , Wang Yifan
Published: September 2021

Abstract

A global symmetry of a quantum field theory is said to have an ’t Hooft anomaly if it cannot be promoted to a local symmetry of a gauged theory. In this paper, we show that the anomaly is also an obstruction to defining symmetric boundary conditions. This applies to Lorentz symmetries with gravitational anomalies as well. For theories with perturbative anomalies, we demonstrate the obstruction by analyzing the Wess-Zumino consistency conditions and current Ward identities in the presence of a boundary. We then recast the problem in terms of symmetry defects and find the same conclusions for anomalies of discrete and orientation-reversing global symmetries, up to the conjecture that global gravitational anomalies, which may not be associated with any diffeomorphism symmetry, also forbid the existence of boundary conditions. This conjecture holds for known gravitational anomalies in D ≤ 3 which allows us to conclude the obstruction result for D ≤ 4.
Reheating in holographic cosmology and connecting to Λ-MSSM constructions for particle physics
Authors: Nastase Horatiu
Published: September 2021

Abstract

In this paper we model the transition from the non-geometric holographic cosmology regime, to the usual radiation dominated (RD) cosmology, known as reheating in the case of (perturbative) inflation. We find that we can easily transition into any MSSM construction of intersecting D6-branes, viaα′ corrections in the 3 dimensional field theory as well as in cosmology, followed by cosmological reheating via S-NS5-branes. Moreover, we can naturally obtain the (true) cosmological constant Λ of the observed order of magnitude. The resulting supersymmetry breaking is just outside the currently observed energies. The model is consistent with large (TeV scale) extra dimensions, but it prefers smaller ones, and the string scale is generically low.
Triharmonic Curves in 3-Dimensional Homogeneous Spaces
Authors: Montaldo S. , Pámpano A.
Published: September 2021

We first prove that, unlike the biharmonic case, there exist triharmonic curves with nonconstant curvature in a suitable Riemannian manifold of arbitrary dimension. We then give the complete classification of triharmonic curves in surfaces with constant Gaussian curvature. Next, restricting to curves in a 3-dimensional Riemannian manifold, we study the family of triharmonic curves with constant curvature, showing that they are Frenet helices. In the last part, we give the full classification of triharmonic Frenet helices in space forms and in Bianchi–Cartan–Vranceanu spaces.
Ruled Surfaces of Generalized Self-Similar Solutions of the Mean Curvature Flow
Authors: López Rafael
Published: September 2021

In Euclidean space, we investigate surfaces whose mean curvature H satisfies the equation $$H=\alpha \langle N,{\mathbf {x}}\rangle +\lambda $$

H
=
α
⟨
N
,
x
⟩
+
λ

, where N is the Gauss map, $${\mathbf {x}}$$
x
is the position vector, and $$\alpha $$
α
and $$\lambda $$
λ
are two constants. There surfaces generalize self-shrinkers and self-expanders of the mean curvature flow. We classify the ruled surfaces and the translation surfaces, proving that they are cylindrical surfaces.
Existence of Steady States of the Massless Einstein–Vlasov System Surrounding a Schwarzschild Black Hole
Authors: Andréasson Håkan
Published: September 2021

We show that there exist steady states of the spherically symmetric massless Einstein–Vlasov system which surround a Schwarzschild black hole. The steady states are (thick) shells with finite mass and compact support. Furthermore we prove that an arbitrary number of shells, necessarily well separated, can surround the black hole. To our knowledge this is the first result of static self-gravitating solutions to any massless Einstein-matter system which surround a black hole. We also include a numerical investigation about the properties of the shells.
Trends in radiotherapy inpatient admissions in Germany: a population-based study over a 10-year period
Authors: Medenwald Daniel , Fietkau Rainer , Klautke Gunther , Langer Susan , Würschmidt Florian , Vordermark Dirk
Published: September 2021

Objective

With the increasing complexity of oncological therapy, the number of inpatient admissions to radiotherapy and non-radiotherapy departments might have changed. In this study, we aim to quantify the number of inpatient cases and the number of radiotherapy fractions delivered under inpatient conditions in radiotherapy and non-radiotherapy departments.

Methods

The analysis is founded on data of all hospitalized cases in Germany based on Diagnosis-Related Group Statistics (G-DRG Statistics, delivered by the Research Data Centers of the Federal Statistical Office). The dataset includes information on the main diagnosis of cases (rather than patients) and the performed procedures during hospitalization based on claims of reimbursement. We used linear regression models to analyze temporal trends. The considered data encompass the period from 2008 to 2017.

Results

Overall, the number of patients treated with radiotherapy as inpatients remained constant between 2008 (N = 90,952) and 2017 (N = 88,998). Starting in January 2008, 48.9% of 4000 monthly cases received their treatment solely in a radiation oncology department. This figure decreased to 43.7% of 2971 monthly cases in October 2017. We found a stepwise decrease between December 2011 and January 2012 amounting to 4.3%. Fractions received in radiotherapy departments decreased slightly by 29.3 (95% CI: 14.0–44.5) fractions per month. The number of days hospitalized in radiotherapy departments decreased by 83.4 (95% CI: 59.7, 107.0) days per month, starting from a total of 64,842 days in January 2008 to 41,254 days in 2017. Days per case decreased from 16.2 in January 2008 to 13.9 days in October 2017.

Conclusion

Our data give evidence to the notion that radiotherapy remains a discipline with an important inpatient component. Respecting reimbursement measures and despite older patients with more comorbidities, radiotherapy institutions could sustain a constant number of cases with limited temporal shifts.
Greater radial tuberosity size is associated with distal biceps tendon rupture: a quantitative 3-D CT case–control study
Authors: Hilgersom Nick F. J. , Nagel Myrthe , Janssen Stein J. , Kodde Izaäk F. , The Bertram , Eygendaal Denise
Published: September 2021

Purpose

During pronation, the distal biceps tendon and radial tuberosity internally rotate into the radioulnar space, reducing the linear distance between the radius and ulna by approximately 50%. This leaves a small space for the distal biceps tendon to move in and could possibly cause mechanical impingement or rubbing of the distal biceps tendon. Hypertrophy of the radial tuberosity potentially increases the risk of mechanical impingement of the distal biceps tendon. The purpose of our study was to determine if radial tuberosity size is associated with rupturing of the distal biceps tendon.

Methods

Nine patients with a distal biceps tendon rupture who underwent CT were matched 1:2 to controls without distal biceps pathology. A quantitative 3-dimensional CT technique was used to calculate the following radial tuberosity characteristics: 1) volume in mm3, 2) surface area in mm2, 3) maximum height in mm and 4) location (distance in mm from the articular surface of the radial head).

Results

Analysis of the 3-dimensional radial tuberosity CT-models showed larger radial tuberosity volume and maximum height in the distal biceps tendon rupture group compared to the control group. Mean radial tuberosity volume in the rupture-group was 705 mm3(SD: 222 mm3) compared to 541 mm3(SD: 184 mm3) in the control group (p = 0.033). Mean radial tuberosity maximum height in the rupture-group was 4.6 mm (SD: 0.9 mm) compared to 3.7 mm (SD: 1.1 mm) in the control group, respectively (p = 0.011). There was no statistically significant difference in radial tuberosity surface area (ns) and radial tuberosity location (ns).

Conclusion

Radial tuberosity volume and maximum height were significantly greater in patients with distal biceps tendon ruptures compared to matched controls without distal biceps tendon pathology. This supports the theory that hypertrophy of the radial tuberosity plays a role in developing distal biceps tendon pathology.

Level of evidence

Level III.
Logarithmic Connections, WZNW Action, and Moduli of Parabolic Bundles on the Sphere
Authors: Meneses Claudio , Takhtajan Leon A.
Published: September 2021

Moduli spaces of stable parabolic bundles of parabolic degree 0 over the Riemann sphere are stratified according to the Harder–Narasimhan filtration of underlying vector bundles. Over a Zariski open subset $$\mathscr {N}_{0}$$

N
0

of the open stratum depending explicitly on a choice of parabolic weights, a real-valued function $$\mathscr {S}$$
S
is defined as the regularized critical value of the non-compact Wess–Zumino–Novikov–Witten action functional. The definition of $$\mathscr {S}$$
S
depends on a suitable notion of parabolic bundle ‘uniformization map’ following from the Mehta–Seshadri and Birkhoff–Grothendieck theorems. It is shown that $$-\mathscr {S}$$

-
S

is a primitive for a (1,0)-form $$\vartheta $$
ϑ
on $$\mathscr {N}_{0}$$

N
0

associated with the uniformization data of each intrinsic irreducible unitary logarithmic connection. Moreover, it is proved that $$-\mathscr {S}$$

-
S

is a Kähler potential for $$(\Omega -\Omega _{\mathrm {T}})|_{\mathscr {N}_{0}}$$

(
Ω
-

Ω
T

)

|

N
0

, where $$\Omega $$
Ω
is the Narasimhan–Atiyah–Bott Kähler form in $$\mathscr {N}$$
N
and $$\Omega _{\mathrm {T}}$$

Ω
T

is a certain linear combination of tautological (1, 1)-forms associated with the marked points. These results provide an explicit relation between the cohomology class $$[\Omega ]$$

[
Ω
]

and tautological classes, which holds globally over certain open chambers of parabolic weights where $$\mathscr {N}_{0} = \mathscr {N}$$

N
0

=
N

.
Pulmonary Recruitment Maneuver Reduces Shoulder Pain and Nausea After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Kihlstedt Pasquier E. , Andersson E.
Published: September 2021

Background

Pain and nausea are common after laparoscopic surgery. This prospective, randomized, controlled trial aimed to investigate postoperative pain and as a secondary endpoint nausea, when performing a ventilator‐piloted Pulmonary Recruitment Maneuvre (PRM) at the end of laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Method

Patients having elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized to either ordinary exsufflation or ventilator‐piloted PRM, to evacuate intra‐abdominal carbon dioxide (CO2) before abdominal closure. A questionnaire with numeric rating scales (NRS) was utilized to evaluate pain and nausea at five occasions during 48 h following surgery. Analgesic and antiemetic treatment was also analyzed.

Results

147 patients were analyzed, 76 receiving PRM and 71 controls. Overall pain was well controlled, with no significant difference between the groups regarding incidence (P=0.149) nor intensity (P=0.739). Incidence of shoulder pain was lower in the PRM group during the 48 postoperative hours, 44.7% versus 63.4% (P=0.023). The number needed to treat (NNT) to reduce shoulder pain was 6 (95% Confidence Interval, CI, 2.9–35.5) for the 48‐h period. Incidence of nausea was lower in the PRM group during the 48‐h period, 51.3% versus 70.4% (P=0.018). NNT was 6 (95% CI 2.9–27.4) for the 48‐h period. Nausea intensity was lower in the PRM group during the 48 h (P=0.025). Fewer in the PRM population required antiemetics, 25.0% versus 42.3% (P=0.027).

Conclusion

A ventilator‐piloted PRM at the end of laparoscopic cholecystectomy reduced incidence of shoulder pain, and incidence and intensity of nausea.Clinical trial registrationwww.clinicaltrials.gov. Identifier: NCT03026543.
(Neo)adjuvant Chemoradiotherapy is Beneficial to the Long‐term Survival of Locally Advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Network Meta‐analysis
Authors: Jin Zixian , Chen Dong , Chen Meng , Wang Chunguo , Zhang Bo , Zhang Jian , Zhu Chengchu , Shen Jianfei
Published: September 2021

Purpose

To determine the most effective and safest treatment mode for locally advanced resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma through a network meta‐analysis.

Method

A Bayesian model was used for a network meta‐analysis comparing the efficacy and safety of surgery alone, neoadjuvant therapy, and adjuvant therapy.

Results

Thirty clinical studies, including thirty‐one articles, 4866 patients, were analyzed. Overall survival rate: Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy and neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy were significantly advantageous over surgery alone [hazard ratio (HR) 0.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.57–0.93; HR 0.75, 95%CI 0.65–0.86]. There was no statistically significant difference between adjuvant chemoradiotherapy and neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy [HR 0.97, 95%CI 0.75–1.28]. Disease‐free survival rate: Compared with surgery alone, neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy had significant benefits [HR 0.65, 95%CI 0.53–0.78]; adjuvant chemoradiotherapy had similar, but not significant benefits [HR 0.7, 0.95%CI 0.45–1.06]. The difference between neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy was also not statistically significant [HR 0.94, 0.95%CI 0.61–1.43]. Surgery after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy: The R0 resection rate was significantly improved [relative risk (RR) 0.25, 95%CI 0.07–0.86], but the overall postoperative morbidity rate and 30‐day postoperative mortality rate tended to increase [RR 1.27, 95%CI 0.8–2.01; RR 1.59, 95%CI 0.7–3.22]. Neither neoadjuvant chemotherapy nor neoadjuvant radiotherapy significantly altered the surgical safety or R0 resection rate.

Conclusion

Both neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy appear to be the best supplements to surgery for locally advanced resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
Die Enkel von Locard
Authors: Povalej Roman , Rittelmeier Heiko , Fähndrich Johannes , Berner Silvio , Honekamp Wilfried , Labudde Dirk
Published: September 2021

Die seit Jahrhunderten verwendeten Methoden in der Forensik basieren auf der Annahme eines Austausches von Materie und Mustern. Durch die Digitalisierung sind diese Annahmen nur noch eingeschränkt gültig und werden hier erweitert und diskutiert. In dem Zusammenhang ist es erforderlich, den Spurenbegriff grundlegend zu überdenken. Gleichzeitig werfen der ständige technische Fortschritt und die immer größer werdende Flut von auszuwertenden Daten die Ermittlungsbehörden immer wieder zurück. Dieser Entwicklung ist nur durch Automatisierung Herr zu werden. Verfahren der Künstlichen Intelligenz können und werden die Ermittlungsbehörden zukünftig dabei zunehmend unterstützen.