bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Therapeutic Mechanism of Nucleic Acid Drugs
Authors: Liu Lianxiao , Gao Haixia , Guo Chuanxin , Liu Tao , Li Ning , Qian Qijun
Published: January 2021

Nucleic acid drugs were a class of DNA/RNA molecules and considered able to be applied for protein‐related diseases treatment through regulating target proteins expression. A number of nucleic acid drugs have been approved for treating various disease, caused by genetic defects, viral infections and genetic mutations. Based on different structural characteristics, this review provided a comprehensive overview about the nucleic acid drug's medicinal mechanism, clinical development, application, and also discussed the opportunities and challenges in nucleic acid drugs development.
Effective Heterogeneous Fenton‐Like degradation of Malachite Green Dye Using the Core‐Shell Fe3O4@SiO2Nano‐Catalyst
Authors: Mahmud Nafis , Benamor Abdelbaki , Nasser Mustafa S. , Ba‐Abbad Muneer M. , El‐Naas Muftah H. , Mohammad Abdul Wahab
Published: January 2021

In this study, the application of the core‐shell Fe3O4@SiO2nano‐catalysts for fenton‐like degradation of malachite green dye has been presented. The nano‐catalysts were prepared using a combination of solvothermal and sol‐gel techniques and characterized using XRD, FTIR, SEM/EDX, TEM and VSM techniques. The effects of various reaction parameters on the degradation of malachite green dye using the prepared nano‐catalysts were investigated. The optimal condition for pH, catalyst dosage and H2O2amount were found to be at 6.7, 15 mg and 50 μL, respectively. Under the optimized conditions, a degradation efficiency of 96.18 % for malachite green dye was achieved using the catalyst within 30 minutes at 303 K with a pseudo first order rate constant of 0.1102 min−1. The plausible mechanism for MG degradation was determined to be the combination of adsorption and simultaneous decomposition via formation of hydroxyl radicals. The performance of the nano‐catalyst was compared with other fenton‐like catalysts reported in the literature. Finally, the magnetic properties of the Fe3O4@SiO2catalysts was utilized for its successful recovery and application in multiple degradation cycles.
Stereoselective Approaches for Building the C14‐C21 Fragment of Eribulin
Authors: Kumar Mallurwar Naveen , Khatravath Mahender , Konda Saidulu , Thatikonda Thanusha , Iqbal Javed , Arya Prabhat
Published: January 2021

Herein, we report a practical stereoselective synthesis of C14‐C21 and C15‐C21 tetrahydrofuran‐based fragment of eribulin using two different approaches. The approach utilizes iodoetherification and intra molecular oxa‐Michael additions as key steps in individual approaches using R,R‐tartaric acid and L‐ascorbic acids as cost effective chiral starting materials.
Novel Annulation of Cyanuric Chloride with 2‐Aminobenzamides: A New Approach to 2‐Amino‐3‐substituted Quinazolin‐4(3H)‐ones
Authors: Soda Anil Kumar , Sriramoju Vinodkumar , Chellu Ramesh Kumar , Chilaka Sai Krishna , Kurva Srinivas , Bansod Sudhakar , Madabhushi Sridhar
Published: January 2021

A simple and efficient method for preparation of 2‐amino‐ 3‐substituted quinazolin‐4(3H)‐ones by reaction of cyanuric chloride with 2‐amino N‐substituted benzamides in acetonitrile‐water (2 : 1) using sodium bicarbonate as a mild base is described. Using this metal‐free method, a variety of 2‐amino‐3‐substituted quinazolin‐4(3H)‐ones were obtained in good to excellent yields. Here, both organic and inorganic bases were found to promote this reaction and the best results were observed with sodium bicarbonate. This study is the first observation of cyanuric chloride to act as a source for creation of amine functionality in 2‐amino‐3‐substituted quinazolin‐4(3H)‐ones.
$$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 1 Super-Yang-Mills theory on the lattice with twisted mass fermions
Authors: Steinhauser Marc , Sternbeck André , Wellegehausen Björn , Wipf Andreas
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Super-Yang-Mills theory (SYM) is a central building block for supersymmetric extensions of the Standard Model of particle physics. Whereas the weakly coupled subsector of the latter can be treated within a perturbative setting, the strongly coupled subsector must be dealt with a non-perturbative approach. Such an approach is provided by the lattice formulation. Unfortunately a lattice regularization breaks supersymmetry and consequently the mass degeneracy within a supermultiplet. In this article we investigate the properties of $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 supersymmetric SU(3) Yang-Mills theory with a lattice Wilson Dirac operator with an additional parity mass, similar as in twisted mass lattice QCD. We show that a special 45° twist effectively removes the mass splitting of the chiral partners. Thus, at finite lattice spacing both chiral and supersymmetry are enhanced resulting in an improved continuum extrapolation. Furthermore, we show that for the non-interacting theory at 45° twist discretization errors of order $$ \mathcal{O}(a) $$
O

a

are suppressed, suggesting that the same happens for the interacting theory as well. As an aside, we demonstrate that the DDαAMG multigrid algorithm accelerates the inversion of the Wilson Dirac operator considerably. On a 163× 32 lattice, speed-up factors of up to 20 are reached if commonly used algorithms are replaced by the DDαAMG.
Final state Sommerfeld effect on dark matter relic abundance
Authors: Cui Xiaoyi , Luo Feng
Published: January 2021

Abstract

If the annihilation products of dark matter (DM) are non-relativistic and if there is some long-range force between them, there can be Sommerfeld effect for the final state particles. We study this effect on DM relic abundance in the thermal freeze-out scenario. As a proof of concept, we consider the case of a DM pair annihilation into a final state pair, assuming that the mutual interactions between the two final state particles give rise to a Coulomb-like potential, and that the masses of the initial and final state particles are similar, so that both the initial and final state particles are non-relativistic. The size of the final state Sommerfeld (FSS) effect depends on the strength of the potential, as well as on the mass ratio of the final and initial state particles. We find that the impact of the FSS effect on DM relic abundance can be significant, and an electroweak sized long-range interaction is large enough to make a correction well beyond the observational accuracy. Another feature of the FSS effect is that it could be suppressed when its time scale is longer than the lifetime of the final state particles. As a corollary, we also study in the DM coannihilation scenario where the initial state Sommerfeld effect between two coannihilators could be reduced due to their instability, which may need to be taken into account for an accurate calculation of the DM relic abundance.
Non-singular vortices with positive mass in 2+1-dimensional Einstein gravity with AdS3 and Minkowski background
Authors: Edery Ariel
Published: January 2021

Abstract

In previous work, black hole vortex solutions in Einstein gravity with AdS3 background were found where the scalar matter profile had a singularity at the origin r = 0. In this paper, we find numerically static vortex solutions where the scalar and gauge fields have a non-singular profile under Einstein gravity in an AdS3 background. Vortices with different winding numbers n, VEV v and cosmological constant Λ are obtained. These vortices have positive mass and are not BTZ black holes as they have no event horizon. The mass is determined in two ways: by subtracting the numerical values of two separate asymptotic metrics and via an integral that is purely over the matter fields. The mass of the vortex increases as the cosmological constant becomes more negative and this coincides with the core of the vortex becoming smaller (compressed). We then consider the vortex with gravity in asymptotically flat spacetime for different values of the coupling α = 1/(16πG). At the origin, the spacetime has its highest curvature and there is no singularity. It transitions to an asymptotic conical spacetime with angular deficit that increases significantly as α decreases. For comparison, we also consider the vortex without gravity in flat spacetime. For this case, one cannot obtain the mass by the first method (subtracting two metrics) but remarkably, via a limiting procedure, one can obtain an integral mass formula. In the absence of gauge fields, there is a well-known logarithmic divergence in the energy of the vortex. With gravity, we present this divergence in a new light. We show that the metric acquires a logarithmic term which is the 2 + 1 dimensional realization of the Newtonian gravitational potential when General Relativity is supplemented with a scalar field. This opens up novel possibilities which we discuss in the conclusion.
Contribution of third generation quarks to two-loop helicity amplitudes for W boson pair production in gluon fusion
Authors: Brønnum-Hansen Christian , Wang Chen-Yu
Published: January 2021

Abstract

We compute the contribution of third generation quarks (t, b) to the two-loop amplitude for on-shellWboson pair production in gluon fusiongg → WW. We present plots for the amplitude across partonic phase space as well as reference values for two kinematic points. The master integrals are efficiently evaluated by numerically solving a system of ordinary differential equations.
Do Black and Asian individuals wait longer for treatment? A survival analysis investigating the effect of ethnicity on time-to-clinic and time-to-treatment for diabetic eye disease
Authors: Kirthi Varo , Reed Kate I. , Gunawardena Ramith , Alattar Komeil , Bunce Catey , Jackson Timothy L.
Published: January 2021

Aims/hypothesis

This study explored the impact of ethnicity on time-to-clinic, time-to-treatment and rates of vision loss in people referred to hospital with diabetic eye disease.

Methods

A survival analysis was performed on all referrals from an inner-city diabetic eye screening programme to a tertiary hospital eye service between 1 October 2013 and 31 December 2017. Exclusion criteria were failure to attend hospital, distance visual acuity in both eyes too low to quantify with the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letter chart and treatment received prior to referral. Demographic and screening grade data were collected at the point of referral. Small-area statistics and census data were used to calculate indices of multiple deprivation. The main outcome measures were time taken from the date of referral for an individual to achieve the following: (1) attend the first hospital clinic appointment; (2) receive the first macular laser, intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injection or pan-retinal photocoagulation treatment, in either eye; and (3) lose at least ten ETDRS letters of distance visual acuity, in either eye.

Results

Of 2062 referrals, 1676 individuals were included. Mean age (± SD) was 57.6 ± 14.7 years, with 52% male sex and 86% with type 2 diabetes. The ethnicity profile was 52% Black, 30% White, 10% Asian and 9% mixed/other, with similar disease severity at the time of referral. Time-to-clinic was significantly longer for Asian people than for Black people (p = 0.03) or White people (p = 0.001). Time-to-treatment was significantly longer for Black people than for White people (p = 0.02). Social deprivation did not significantly influence time-to-treatment. There were no significant differences in the rates of vision loss between ethnic groups.

Conclusions/interpretation

Black people wait longer for hospital eye treatment compared with their White counterparts. The reasons for this delay in treatment warrant further investigation.

Graphical abstract
Dose–response relationship between genetically proxied average blood glucose levels and incident coronary heart disease in individuals without diabetes mellitus
Authors: Burgess Stephen , Malik Rainer , Liu Bowen , Mason Amy M. , Georgakis Marios K. , Dichgans Martin , Gill Dipender
Published: January 2021

Aims/hypothesis

Our aim was to investigate the relationship between average blood glucose levels and incident CHD in individuals without diabetes mellitus.

Methods

To investigate average blood glucose levels, we studied HbA1c as predicted by 40 variants previously shown to be associated with both type 2 diabetes and HbA1c. Linear and non-linear Mendelian randomisation analyses were performed to investigate associations with incident CHD risk in 324,830 European ancestry individuals from the UK Biobank without diabetes mellitus.

Results

Every one mmol/mol increase in genetically proxied HbA1c was associated with an 11% higher CHD risk (HR 1.11, 95% CI 1.05, 1.18). The dose–response curve increased at all levels of HbA1c, and there was no evidence favouring a non-linear relationship over a linear one.

Conclusions/interpretations

In individuals without diabetes mellitus, lowering average blood glucose levels may reduce CHD risk in a dose-dependent way.

Graphical abstract
Hypoxia and hypoxia-inducible factors in diabetes and its complications
Authors: Catrina Sergiu-Bogdan , Zheng Xiaowei
Published: January 2021

Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are the key regulators of oxygen homeostasis in response to hypoxia. In diabetes, multiple tissues are hypoxic but adaptive responses to hypoxia are impaired due to insufficient activation of HIF signalling, which results from inhibition of HIF-1α stability and function due to hyperglycaemia and elevated fatty acid levels. In this review, we will summarise and discuss current findings about the regulation of HIF signalling in diabetes and the pathogenic roles of hypoxia and dysregulated HIF signalling in the development of diabetes and its complications. The therapeutic potential of targeting HIF signalling for the prevention and treatment of diabetes and related complications is also discussed.

Graphical abstract
Psychotomimetic symptoms after a moderate dose of a synthetic cannabinoid (JWH-018): implications for psychosis
Authors: Theunissen Eef L. , Reckweg Johannes T. , Hutten Nadia R. P. W. , Kuypers Kim P. C. , Toennes Stefan W. , Neukamm Merja A. , Halter Sebastian , Ramaekers Johannes G.
Published: January 2021

Background

Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) are the largest class of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) and are associated with an increased risk of overdosing and adverse events such as psychosis. JWH-018 is one of the earliest SCs and still widely available in large parts of the world. Controlled studies to assess the safety and behavioural profiles of SCs are extremely scarce.

Aim

The current study was designed to assess the psychotomimetic effects of a moderate dose of JWH-018.

Methods

Twenty-four healthy participants (10 males, 14 females) entered a placebo-controlled, double blind, within-subjects trial and inhaled vapour of placebo or 75μg/kg bodyweight JWH-018. To ascertain a minimum level of intoxication, a booster dose of JWH-018 was administered on an as-needed basis. The average dose of JWH-018 administered was 5.52 mg. Subjective high, dissociative states (CADSS), psychedelic symptoms (Bowdle), mood (POMS) and cannabis reinforcement (SCRQ) were assessed within a 4.5-h time window after drug administration.

Results

JWH-018 caused psychedelic effects, such as altered internal and external perception, and dissociative effects, such as amnesia, derealisation and depersonalisation and induced feelings of confusion.

Conclusion

Overall, these findings suggest that a moderate dose of JWH-018 induces pronounced psychotomimetic symptoms in healthy participants with no history of mental illness, which confirms that SCs pose a serious risk for public health.
Sex-specific signalling of individual personality by a mutual plumage ornament in a passerine
Authors: Fülöp Attila , Lukács Dóra , Fábián Péter Imre , Kocsis Bianka , Kőmüves Gabriella , Bereczki Judit , Barta Zoltán
Published: January 2021

The significance of colour signals in species with strong sexual dimorphism and/or elaborated visual ornaments is rather well-understood. Less attention has, however, been devoted to study colour signals in species with weak or no apparent sexual dimorphism. In such species, an interesting possibility arises as both sexes can bear the same colour ornament(s) (i.e. sexes are mutually ornamented), but their signalling value might differ in males and females. We aimed to explore this possibility by investigating the phenotypic correlates of the black bib, a melanin-based plumage ornament, in the Eurasian tree sparrow (Passer montanus). More specifically, we studied the sex-dependent relationships between bib size and three aspects of individuals’ phenotype: body condition (i.e. size-corrected body mass), physiology (i.e. cellular innate immunity/inflammation status, expressed through total leucocyte counts, and chronic physiological stress, expressed through the ratio of heterophils to lymphocytes) and individual personality (i.e. activity in a novel environment). We found that bib size was not associated with body condition and cellular innate immunity/inflammation status, but was positively related to physiological stress levels independent of sex. Furthermore, bib size was negatively associated with activity in males but positively in females. Our findings bring important correlative evidence that mutual ornamental traits may have sex-specific signalling value.

Significance statement

The signalling role of elaborated colourful ornaments, that are usually possessed only by males in sexually dimorphic species, is well-established. The function of various colour traits which are borne by both sexes (i.e. mutual ornaments), however, is less obvious. Do they have a signalling value in both sexes? If yes, do they signal the same information in males and females? Or, most intriguingly, can they convey different information in the two sexes? To test these alternatives, we studied the signalling value of the black bib, a melanin-based mutual plumage ornament, in Eurasian tree sparrows (Passer montanus). Apart from being correlated with chronic stress in both sexes, bib size was positively related to activity in females but negatively in males. Our results suggest that the information content of the same colour trait in males and females can be different in mutually ornamented species.
Feasibility study of assessing the Preclinical Alzheimer Cognitive Composite (PACC) score via videoconferencing
Authors: Seghezzo Giulia , Van Hoecke Yvonne , James Laura , Davoren Donna , Williamson Elizabeth , Pearce Neil , McElvenny Damien , Gallo Valentina
Published: January 2021

Background

The Preclinical Alzheimer Cognitive Composite (PACC) is a composite score which can detect the first signs of cognitive impairment, which can be of importance for research and clinical practice. It is designed to be administered in person; however, in-person assessments are costly, and are difficult during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective

To assess the feasibility of performing the PACC assessment with videoconferencing, and to compare the validity of this remote PACC with the in-person PACC obtained previously.

Methods

Participants from the HEalth and Ageing Data IN the Game of football (HEADING) Study who had already undergone an in-person assessment were re-contacted and re-assessed remotely. The correlation between the two PACC scores was estimated. The difference between the two PACC scores was calculated and used in multiple linear regression to assess which variables were associated with a difference in PACC scores.

Findings

Of the 43 participants who were invited to this external study, 28 were re-assessed. The median duration in days between the in-person and the remote assessments was 236.5 days (7.9 months) (IQR 62.5). There was a strong positive correlation between the two assessments for the PACC score, with a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0·82 (95% CI 0·66, 0·98). The multiple linear regression found that the only predictor of the PACC difference was the time between assessments.

Interpretation

This study provides evidence on the feasibility of performing cognitive tests online, with the PACC tests being successfully administered through videoconferencing. This is relevant, especially during times when face-to-face assessments cannot be performed.
Comorbidities and healthcare costs and resource use of patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in the Japan medical data vision database
Authors: Terai Shuji , Buchanan-Hughes Amy , Ng Alvin , Lee I-Heng , Hasegawa Ken
Published: January 2021

Background

This study examined demographics, comorbidities and healthcare resource use (HCRU) and costs among Japanese patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Methods

We conducted a repeated cross-sectional analysis of the Medical Data Vision (MDV) claims database, from January 2011 to March 2018. Demographics were described at index date and by calendar year; a “NASH” subpopulation included patients with ≥ 1 claim for NASH at any time. Prevalence of pre-specified comorbidities of interest and data-emergent top comorbidities were estimated. All-cause HCRU and costs were quantified by calendar year. Outcomes were compared between 2011 and 2017 using partially overlappingttests.

Results

58,958 patients (mean age 61.6 years; 55.5% male) were included. 1139 patients (2%) were in the NASH subpopulation. At baseline, comorbid cardiovascular disease (69.4%), diabetes (62.1%) and hyperlipidaemia (54.4%) were most prevalent; comorbidity prevalence increased with age. Mean outpatient visits decreased from 9.36 per patient in 2011 to 7.80 in 2017; mean inpatient admissions increased (bothp < 0.001 for 2011 vs 2017). Mean total all-cause healthcare costs ranged from ¥322,206 to ¥340,399 per patient per year between 2011 and 2017. Although total all-cause healthcare costs did not change significantly (p = 0.552), cost burden shifted from the outpatient to inpatient setting between 2011 and 2017. All-cause healthcare resource use/costs were generally higher for the NASH subgroup compared with the overall population.

Conclusions

There is a high burden of disease among Japanese NAFLD/NASH patients, including a high prevalence of comorbidities which generally increase with age. Accordingly, substantial all-cause HCRU and costs were incurred.
Lack of awareness of liver organ damage in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Ciardullo Stefano , Monti Tommaso , Perseghin Gianluca
Published: January 2021

Aims

Liver steatosis, a typical finding in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), can lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The aim of the present study is to estimate the awareness of liver disease among patients with T2D and whether it differs according to the degree of liver fibrosis estimated by transient elastography (TE).

Methods

This is a population-based cross-sectional study. We included all patients with T2D that participated in the 2017–2018 cycle of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and underwent a TE examination. Presence of liver steatosis and fibrosis was assessed by the median values of controlled attenuation parameter and liver stiffness measurement, respectively.

Results

Among the 825 patients included in the analysis, 8.1% (95% CI 5.1%-12.7%) of patients with steatosis were aware of having a liver condition. Even if awareness increased proportionally with increasing severity of organ damage, it remained limited even among patients with advanced fibrosis (17.9%, 95% CI 8.8%-33.3%).

Conclusions

Despite increasing evidence of a frequent hepatic involvement associated with poor prognosis, awareness of suffering of advanced liver disease in patients with T2D is remarkably low, likely reflecting little recognition also among the team of health care professionals.
Taming the Chinese Dragon: A Promising Cornerstone for Transatlantic Trade Cooperation?
Authors: Evenett Simon J.
Published: January 2021

The desire of many policymakers to tame the Chinese Dragon is apparent. But what is particularly disappointing is the little, if any, reflection on how to induce the government in Beijing to change course, whether with respect to domestic policy or foreign economic policy.
Mathematical modeling of tech-related real-world problems for secondary school-level mathematics
Authors: Kohen Zehavit , Orenstein Doron
Published: January 2021

The use of authentic real-world problems that reflect the applied nature of mathematics is not prevalent in formal secondary school settings. In this study, we explore the interface between workplace mathematics, particularly tech-related real-world (TRW) problems, and school mathematics, through the explication of mathematical modeling. The research questions are (1) in which tech domains can real-world problems be identified that can be addressed using mathematical modeling for the secondary school level? (2) Which methods do engineers use to simplify tech-related problems for non-experts in their field? (3) In which areas in the secondary mathematics curriculum can TRW problems be mapped? We present a three-phase model which yielded the creation of a pool of 169 TRW problems. The first two phases of the model included extracting authentic problems from the work of tech engineers and simplifying them to be meaningful or perceivable to students. These were explored by conducting task-oriented interviews with senior tech engineers and scientists from leading companies and universities. The third phase was accomplished by interviewing mathematics education experts, and included verifying the compatibility of the problems with the formal, secondary-level mathematics curriculum. The study has methodological, theoretical, and practical contributions. These include methodology that enables identifying TRW problems that are compliant with the secondary mathematics curriculum; adding to the literature about mathematical modeling by demonstrating the interface between workplace mathematics and school mathematics; and creating a large pool of TRW problems that can be used in secondary school math lessons.
Microbiological and Biochemical Activity in Soil Contaminated with Pyrene Subjected to Bioaugmentation
Authors: Lipińska Aneta , Wyszkowska Jadwiga , Kucharski Jan
Published: January 2021

The aim of the study was to determine the efficacy of bioaugmentation in pyrene-contaminated soil based on microbial counts, colony development index (CD), ecophysiological diversity index (EP), soil enzyme activity, and an assay of residual pyrene levels in the soil. The soil samples were contaminated with pyrene doses of 100 and 1000 mg kg−1 DM soil. Two bacterial consortia were used in the study: P1 (Bacillus frigoritolerans Z2B-19, Bacillus simplex 2–134, and Bacillus thuringiensis ex4) and P2 (Bacillus pumilus Bp-11, Bacillus safensis L22, and Bacillus aerophilus KUDC1741). The following parameters were determined: counts of organotrophic bacteria, actinobacteria, and fungi; CD; EP; and the activity of soil enzymes. The pyrene degradation efficacy of the bioaugmentation was also established. Microbiological activity was influenced by the level of soil contamination with pyrene, the test time, and the type of consortium. Pyrene had a stimulatory effect on the microbial counts and was a diversifier of CD values, EP values, and enzyme activity levels in the soil. Bioaugmentation initially promoted the growth of microorganisms, but ultimately diminished the ecophysiological diversity and the activity of soil enzymes. The microorganisms used for bioaugmentation accelerated pyrene removal from the soil, by 24.6% and 16.4% in the case of P1 and P2 consortium, respectively. The use of bioaugmentation provides favorable conditions for the effective elimination of pyrene from soil. As the microbiological and biochemical properties of the soil were improved in the initial phase of the study, this method can be recommended for the bioremediation of pyrene-contaminated soils.
Effect of Shortening the Scan Duration on Quantitative Accuracy of [18F]Flortaucipir Studies
Authors: Tuncel Hayel , Visser Denise , Yaqub Maqsood , Timmers Tessa , Wolters Emma E. , Ossenkoppele Rik , van der Flier Wiesje M. , van Berckel Bart N. M. , Boellaard Ronald , Golla Sandeep S. V.
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Dynamic positron emission tomography (PET) protocols allow for accurate quantification of [18F]flortaucipir-specific binding. However, dynamic acquisitions can be challenging given the long required scan duration of 130 min. The current study assessed the effect of shorter scan protocols for [18F]flortaucipir on its quantitative accuracy.

Procedures

Two study cohorts with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients and healthy controls (HC) were included. All subjects underwent a 130-min dynamic [18F]flortaucipir PET scan consisting of two parts (0–60/80–130 min) post-injection. Arterial sampling was acquired during scanning of the first cohort only. For the second cohort, a second PET scan was acquired within 1–4 weeks of the first PET scan to assess test-retest repeatability (TRT). Three alternative time intervals were explored for the second part of the scan: 80–120, 80–110 and 80–100 min. Furthermore, the first part of the scan was also varied: 0–50, 0–40 and 0–30 min time intervals were assessed. The gap in the reference TACs was interpolated using four different interpolation methods: population-based input function 2T4k_VB (POP-IP_2T4k_VB), cubic, linear and exponential. Regional binding potential (BPND) and relative tracer delivery (R1) values estimated using simplified reference tissue model (SRTM) and/or receptor parametric mapping (RPM). The different scan protocols were compared to the respective values estimated using the original scan acquisition. In addition, TRT of the RPM BPND and R1 values estimated using the optimal shortest scan duration was also assessed.

Results

RPM BPND and R1 obtained using 0–30/80–100 min scan and POP-IP_2T4k_VB reference region interpolation had an excellent correlation with the respective parametric values estimated using the original scan duration (r2 > 0.95). The TRT of RPM BPND and R1 using the shortest scan duration was − 1 ± 5 % and − 1 ± 6 % respectively.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that [18F]flortaucipir PET scan can be acquired with sufficient quantitative accuracy using only 50 min of dual-time-window scanning time.
Psychische Belastungen bei Müllwerkern – Konsequenzen für die Beratungstätigkeit
Authors: Dehe Kerstin
Published: January 2021

Um die psychischen Belastungen von Müllwerkern zu erheben, wurde eine Bestandsaufnahme mit der Berufsgruppe vorgenommen, die Erkenntnisse für die spätere Beratungstätigkeit lieferte. Die Erhebung der Belastungen in Gruppendiskussionen wurde durch eine teilnehmende Beobachtung ergänzt, was einen psychodynamischen Blick auf die Besonderheiten der Organisation rund um den Müllwagen und die Charakteristika der Müllwerker erlaubte. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass ein Zusammenhang zwischen den Belastungen und dem beruflichen Selbstverständnis besteht. Dieses Wissen war für die weitere Beratung der Organisation hilfreich.
Impact of perceived social support on fear of missing out (FoMO): A moderated mediation model
Authors: Dou Fen , Li Qiaoling , Li Xiaoan , Li Qianfeng , Wang Minghui
Published: January 2021

Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) is a pervasive phenomenon among college students that may negatively affect the physical and mental health of individuals. Perceived social support, as one of the effective protective factors, can mitigate the harmful effects of FoMO, but few studies to date have examined the potential mechanisms underlying this relationship. The present study conducted an investigation involving 806 college students in China and used scales measuring perceived social support, basic psychological needs, perceived stress and FoMO to explore the relationship between perceived social support and FoMO. Findings indicated that 1) perceived social support was negatively associated with college students’ FoMO; 2) basic psychological needs partially mediated the relationship between perceived social support and FoMO; 3) the mediating role of basic psychological needs is moderated by perceived stress. Further, the study provides some theoretical and practical implications for the prevention of FoMO.
To BAN or Not to BAN: Bayesian Attention Networks for Reliable Hate Speech Detection
Authors: Miok Kristian , Škrlj Blaž , Zaharie Daniela , Robnik-Šikonja Marko
Published: January 2021

Hate speech is an important problem in the management of user-generated content. To remove offensive content or ban misbehaving users, content moderators need reliable hate speech detectors. Recently, deep neural networks based on the transformer architecture, such as the (multilingual) BERT model, have achieved superior performance in many natural language classification tasks, including hate speech detection. So far, these methods have not been able to quantify their output in terms of reliability. We propose a Bayesian method using Monte Carlo dropout within the attention layers of the transformer models to provide well-calibrated reliability estimates. We evaluate and visualize the results of the proposed approach on hate speech detection problems in several languages. Additionally, we test whether affective dimensions can enhance the information extracted by the BERT model in hate speech classification. Our experiments show that Monte Carlo dropout provides a viable mechanism for reliability estimation in transformer networks. Used within the BERT model, it offers state-of-the-art classification performance and can detect less trusted predictions.
A comparison of ground-based count methods for quantifying seed production in temperate broadleaved tree species
Authors: Tattoni Clara , Chianucci Francesco , Ciolli Marco , Ferrara Carlotta , Marchino Luca , Zanni Michele , Zatelli Paolo , Cutini Andrea
Published: January 2021

• Key message

Litter trap is considered the most effective method to quantify seed production, but it is expensive and time-consuming. Counting fallen seeds using a quadrat placed on the ground yields comparable estimates to the litter traps. Ground quadrat estimates derived from either visual counting in the field or image counting from quadrat photographs are comparable, with the latter being also robust in terms of user sensitivity.

• Context

Accurate estimates of forest seed production are central for a wide range of ecological studies. As reference methods such as litter traps (LT) are cost- and time-consuming, there is a need of fast, reliable, and low-cost tools to quantify this variable in the field.

• Aims

To test two indirect methods, which consist of counting the seeds fallen in quadrats.

• Methods

The trial was performed in three broadleaved (beech, chestnut, and Turkey oak) tree species. Seeds are either manually counted in quadrats placed at the ground (GQ) or from images acquired in the same quadrats (IQ) and then compared against LT measurements.

• Results

GQ and IQ provide fast and reliable estimates of seeds in both oak and chestnut. In particular, IQ is robust in terms of user sensitivity and potentially enables automation in the process of seed monitoring. A null-mast year in beech hindered validation of quadrats in beech.

• Conclusion

Quadrat counting is a powerful tool to estimate forest seed production. We recommend using quadrats and LT to cross-calibrate the two methods in case of estimating seed biomass. Quadrats could then be used more routinely on account of their faster and simpler procedure to obtain measurements at more spatially extensive scales.
Numerical analysis and application of electric field grading device for metal-enclosed switchgear
Authors: Arslan Serdal , Bicen Yunus , Binarbasi Ömür
Published: January 2021

Electric field grading devices have great importance for both the electric power transmission and distribution systems. This paper presents an improved electric field grading device used in the medium voltage metal-enclosed switchgear. The solutions have been carried out by using Ansys Maxwell 3D software. The structure of two electrodes designed as cylindrical and elliptical have been compared to determine the electric field grading device to be used in practice. The transient and steady-state analyses have been performed in both designs. The field grading device manufactured for the metal-enclosed switchgear has been tested according to IEC standards in a high voltage laboratory environment. This study revealed that the newly designed field-grading device can be used in the metal-enclosed switchgear more safely. It also encourages researchers to optimize the electric field distribution using different geometric structures and to create running conditions in smaller indoor environments.
Modelling Global Nickel Mining, Supply, Recycling, Stocks-in-Use and Price Under Different Resources and Demand Assumptions for 1850–2200
Authors: Olafsdottir Anna Hulda , Sverdrup Harald Ulrik
Published: January 2021

The long-term supply of nickel to society was assessed with the WORLD7 model for the global nickel cycle, using new estimates of nickel reserves and resources, indicating that the best estimate of the ultimately recoverable resources for nickel is in the range of 650–720 million ton. This is significantly larger than earlier estimates. The extractable amounts were stratified by extraction cost and ore grade in the model, making them extractable only after price increases and cost reductions. The model simulated extraction, supply, ore grades, and market prices. The assessment predicts future scarcity and supply problems after 2100 for nickel. The model reconstructs observed extraction, supply and market prices for the period 1850–2020, and is used to simulate development for the period 2020–2200. The quality of nickel ore has decreased significantly from 1850 to 2020 and will continue to do so in the future according to the simulated predictions from the WORLD7 model. For nickel, extraction rates are suggested to reach their maximum value in 2050, and that most primary nickel resources will have been exhausted by 2130. After 2100, the supply per capita for nickel will decline towards exhaustion if business-as-usual is continuing. This will be manifested as reduced supply and increased prices. The peak year can be delayed by a maximum of 100 years if recycling rates are improved significantly and long before scarcity is visible.
The Update on Instruments Used for Evaluation of Comorbidities in Total Hip Arthroplasty
Authors: Pulik Łukasz , Podgajny Michał , Kaczyński Wiktor , Sarzyńska Sylwia , Łęgosz Paweł
Published: January 2021

Introduction

It is a well-established fact that concomitant diseases can affect the outcome of total hip arthroplasty (THA). Therefore, careful preoperative assessment of a patient's comorbidity burden is a necessity, and it should be a part of routine screening as THA is associated with a significant number of complications. To measure the multimorbidity, dedicated clinical tools are used.

Methods

The article is a systematic review of instruments used to evaluate comorbidities in THA studies. To create a list of available instruments for assessing patient's comorbidities, the search of medical databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase) for indices with proven impact on revision risk, adverse events, mortality, or patient's physical functioning was performed by two independent researchers.

Results

The initial search led to identifying 564 articles from which 26 were included in this review. The measurement tools used were: The Charlson Comorbidity Index (18/26), Society of Anesthesiology classification (10/26), Elixhauser Comorbidity Method (6/26), and modified Frailty Index (5/26). The following outcomes were measured: quality of life and physical function (8/26), complications (10/26), mortality (8/26), length of stay (6/26), readmission (5/26), reoperation (2/26), satisfaction (2/26), blood transfusion (2/26), surgery delay or cancelation (1/26), cost of care (1/26), risk of falls (1/26), and use of painkillers (1/26). Further research resulted in a comprehensive list of eleven indices suitable for use in THA outcomes studies.

Conclusion

The comorbidity assessment tools used in THA studies present a high heterogeneity level, and there is no particular system that has been uniformly adopted. This review can serve as a help and an essential guide for researchers in the field.
Social Histories of Iran
Authors: Cronin Stephanie
Published: January 2021

Histories of Iran, as of the wider Middle East, have been dominated by the twin narratives of top-down modernization and methodological nationalism. In this book, Stephanie Cronin problematizes both of these narratives. Its attention is firmly fixed on subaltern social groups: the 'dangerous classes' and their constructed contrast with the new and avowedly modern bourgeois elite created by the infant Pahlavi state; the hungry poor pitted against the deregulation and globalization of the late nineteenth century Iranian economy; rural criminals of every variety, bandits, smugglers and pirates, and the profoundly ambiguous attitudes towards them of the communities from which they came. In foregrounding these groups, the book also seeks to move beyond a narrow national context, demonstrating, through a series of case-studies, the explanatory power of global, transnational and comparative approaches to the study of the social history of the Middle East.
Hedonic Pricing of Rice Attributes, Market Sorting, and Gains from Quality Improvement in the Beninese Market
Authors: Ndindeng Sali Atanga , Twine Edgar E. , Mujawamariya Gaudiose , Fiamohe Rose , Futakuchi Koichi
Published: January 2021

Latent class analysis is applied to a hedonic price model to examine the presence of heterogeneity in consumer valuation of quality attributes in the Beninese rice market. Three classes of consumers are found in proportions of 5, 56, and 39 percent. We employ a partial equilibrium model and find modest gains in consumer surplus from an increase in head rice and reduction in chalkiness. The results provide evidence of market sorting, which should be taken into consideration in upgrading rice value chains. Also, it is important to assess potential gains from quality improvement to determine priorities for research and development.
Artificial Benchmark for Community Detection (ABCD)—Fast random graph model with community structure
Authors: Kamiński Bogumił , Prałat Paweł , Théberge François
Published: January 2021

Most of the current complex networks that are of interest to practitioners possess a certain community structure that plays an important role in understanding the properties of these networks. For instance, a closely connected social communities exhibit faster rate of transmission of information in comparison to loosely connected communities. Moreover, many machine learning algorithms and tools that are developed for complex networks try to take advantage of the existence of communities to improve their performance or speed. As a result, there are many competing algorithms for detecting communities in large networks. Unfortunately, these algorithms are often quite sensitive and so they cannot be fine-tuned for a given, but a constantly changing, real-world network at hand. It is therefore important to test these algorithms for various scenarios that can only be done using synthetic graphs that have built-in community structure, power law degree distribution, and other typical properties observed in complex networks. The standard and extensively used method for generating artificial networks is the LFR graph generator. Unfortunately, this model has some scalability limitations and it is challenging to analyze it theoretically. Finally, the mixing parameter μ, the main parameter of the model guiding the strength of the communities, has a non-obvious interpretation and so can lead to unnaturally defined networks. In this paper, we provide an alternative random graph model with community structure and power law distribution for both degrees and community sizes, the Artificial Benchmark for Community Detection (ABCD graph). The model generates graphs with similar properties as the LFR one, and its main parameter ξ can be tuned to mimic its counterpart in the LFR model, the mixing parameter μ. We show that the new model solves the three issues identified above and more. In particular, we test the speed of our algorithm and do a number of experiments comparing basic properties of both ABCD and LFR. The conclusion is that these models produce graphs with comparable properties but ABCD is fast, simple, and can be easily tuned to allow the user to make a smooth transition between the two extremes: pure (independent) communities and random graph with no community structure.
Associations between newborn thyroid-stimulating hormone concentration and neurodevelopment and growth of children at 18 months
Authors: Wassie Molla Mesele , Smithers Lisa Gaye , Yelland Lisa Nicole , Makrides Maria , Zhou Shao Jia
Published: January 2021

The study aimed to assess the associations between newborn thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentration, a marker of iodine nutrition in early life, and childhood neurodevelopment and growth using data collected from two pregnancy studies, one in a borderline iodine-deficient setting (DHA to Optimize Mother Infant Outcome (DOMInO) Study) and one in an iodine-sufficient setting (Pregnancy Iodine and Neurodevelopment in Kids (PINK) Study). TSH data were obtained from routine newborn screening. Neurodevelopment was assessed at 18 months using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, third edition (Bayley-III). Weight, height and head circumference were measured at 18 months. In total, 1467 children were included in the analysis. Comparing the highest with the lowest TSH quartile, the mean differences (MD) in the Bayley-III scores ranged from −2·0 (95 % CI −4·7, 0·7) to −2·2 (95 % CI −5·8, 1·3) points in DOMInO and 1·0 (95 % CI −1·6, 3·6) to 2·0 (95 % CI −0·4, 4·4) points in PINK in the cognitive, language and motor scales; the MD in the anthropometric z scores ranged from −0·01 (95 % CI −0·5, 0·5) to −0·5 (95 % CI −0·9, −0·1) in both studies. A 1 mIU/l increase in TSH was associated with −0·3 (95 % CI −0·9, 0·2) point and 0·2 (95 % CI −0·3, 0·7) point changes in the mean cognitive score in the DOMInO and PINK, respectively. A null association between TSH and growth was also observed in both studies. Longitudinal studies that utilise newborn TSH data and examine neurodevelopmental outcomes at later ages are warranted, as neurodevelopmental assessments in older children are more predictive of later achievement.
Folic acid supplementation and risk for fetal abdominal wall defects in China: results from a large population-based intervention cohort study
Authors: Liu Jufen , Li Zhiwen , Ye Rongwei , Ren Aiguo , Liu Jianmeng
Published: January 2021

Folic acid (FA) can reduce the risk for selected birth defects other than neural tube defects. We examined whether FA has preventive effects against fetal abdominal wall defects (AWD) in a unique intervention cohort in China. Birth outcomes of 247 831 singleton births from a population-based cohort study with detailed pre-conceptional FA intake information were collected in China in 1993–1996. Information on births at 20 complete gestational weeks, including live births, stillbirths and pregnancy terminations, and all structural birth defects regardless of gestational week were recorded. The birth prevalence of omphalocele, gastroschisis and total fetal AWD was classified by maternal FA supplementation. The prevalence of total AWD was 4·30 per 10 000 births among women who took FA compared with 13·46 per 10 000 births among those who did not take FA in northern China and 6·28 and 5·18 per 10 000 births, respectively, in southern China. The prevalence of omphalocele was 0·54 per 10 000 births among women who took FA compared with 3·74 per 10 000 births among those who did not take FA in northern China and 1·79 and 1·44 per 10 000 births, respectively, in southern China. FA supplementation significantly prevented total AWD in multivariate analysis (relative risk 0·26, 95 % CI 0·11, 0·61) in northern China, although no preventive effect of FA on AWD was observed in southern China. FA supplementation successfully reduced the prevalence of AWD in northern China.