bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mapping relativistic to ultra/non-relativistic conformal symmetries in 2D and finite $$ \sqrt{T\overline{T}} $$ deformations
Authors: Rodríguez Pablo , Tempo David , Troncoso Ricardo
Published: November 2021

Abstract

The conformal symmetry algebra in 2D (Diff(S1)⊕Diff(S1)) is shown to be related to its ultra/non-relativistic version (BMS3≈GCA2) through a nonlinear map of the generators, without any sort of limiting process. For a generic classical CFT2, the BMS3 generators then emerge as composites built out from the chiral (holomorphic) components of the stress-energy tensor, T and $$ \overline{T} $$

T
¯

, closing in the Poisson brackets at equal time slices. Nevertheless, supertranslation generators do not span Noetherian symmetries. BMS3 becomes a bona fide symmetry once the CFT2 is marginally deformed by the addition of a $$ \sqrt{T\overline{T}} $$

T

T
¯

term to the Hamiltonian. The generic deformed theory is manifestly invariant under diffeomorphisms and local scalings, but it is no longer a CFT2 because its energy and momentum densities fulfill the BMS3 algebra. The deformation can also be described through the original CFT2 on a curved metric whose Beltrami differentials are determined by the variation of the deformed Hamiltonian with respect to T and $$ \overline{T} $$

T
¯

. BMS3 symmetries then arise from deformed conformal Killing equations, corresponding to diffeomorphisms that preserve the deformed metric and stress-energy tensor up to local scalings. As an example, we briefly address the deformation of N free bosons, which coincides with ultra-relativistic limits only for N = 1. Furthermore, Cardy formula and the S-modular transformation of the torus become mapped to their corresponding BMS3 (or flat) versions.
Holographic thermal correlators revisited
Authors: Krishna Hare , Rodriguez-Gomez D.
Published: November 2021

Abstract

We study 2-point correlation functions for scalar operators in position space through holography including bulk cubic couplings as well as higher curvature couplings to the square of the Weyl tensor. We focus on scalar operators with large conformal dimensions. This allows us to use the geodesic approximation for propagators. In addition to the leading order contribution, captured by geodesics anchored at the insertion points of the operators on the boundary and probing the bulk geometry thoroughly studied in the literature, the first correction is given by a Witten diagram involving both the bulk cubic coupling and the higher curvature couplings. As a result, this correction is proportional to the VEV of a neutral operator Ok and thus probes the interior of the black hole exactly as in the case studied by Grinberg and Maldacena [13]. The form of the correction matches the general expectations in CFT and allows to identify the contributions of TnOk (being Tn the general contraction of n energy-momentum tensors) to the 2-point function. This correction is actually the leading term for off-diagonal correlators (i.e. correlators for operators of different conformal dimension), which can then be computed holographically in this way.
Manipulation of phyllosphere bacterial communities reversibly alters the plant microbiome and leaf traits in the field
Authors: Ohler Lisa-Maria , Seeleitner Sarah , Haselberger Stefan , Kraushaar Sabine , Otto Jan-Christoph , Mitter Birgit , Junker Robert R.
Published: November 2021

Bacterial communities in the phyllosphere are shaped by host genotype and phenotype and spatio-temporal variation of the environment. In turn, bacteria have the potential for altering the plant phenotype. Field experiments can help to estimate bacterial effects on plant functional traits under natural conditions. We used a transplantation approach of culturable bacterial communities to explore how manipulation of leaf-associated microbial communities in two different successional stages within a glacier foreland can influence microbial composition and functional plant traits. Our study documents successional stage-specific variations in the composition of foliar bacterial communities and shifts therein throughout a season and between years. We show that cultured bacteria transferred between plant communities can alter diversity and composition of the microbiome on plant community level as well as species-specific functional plant traits of two selected plant species within one growing season. Furthermore, our results demonstrate a strong resilience of plant-associated bacterial communities and of plants in response to bacterial invaders. Our study illustrates that inoculation experiments in the field with naturally occurring microbial communities of wild plants are suited to investigate complex interactions between microbial communities, the environment, and plant traits.
Domain decomposition for entropy regularized optimal transport
Authors: Bonafini Mauro , Schmitzer Bernhard
Published: November 2021

We study Benamou’s domain decomposition algorithm for optimal transport in the entropy regularized setting. The key observation is that the regularized variant converges to the globally optimal solution under very mild assumptions. We prove linear convergence of the algorithm with respect to the Kullback–Leibler divergence and illustrate the (potentially very slow) rates with numerical examples. On problems with sufficient geometric structure (such as Wasserstein distances between images) we expect much faster convergence. We then discuss important aspects of a computationally efficient implementation, such as adaptive sparsity, a coarse-to-fine scheme and parallelization, paving the way to numerically solving large-scale optimal transport problems. We demonstrate efficient numerical performance for computing the Wasserstein-2 distance between 2D images and observe that, even without parallelization, domain decomposition compares favorably to applying a single efficient implementation of the Sinkhorn algorithm in terms of runtime, memory and solution quality.
Pathological findings in bycaught harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) from the coast of Northern Norway
Authors: Ryeng Kathrine A. , Lakemeyer Jan , Roller Marco , Wohlsein Peter , Siebert Ursula
Published: November 2021

Due to little prior knowledge, the present study aims to investigate the health status of bycaught harbour porpoises from the northernmost Arctic Norwegian coastline. Gross, histopathological and parasitological investigations were conducted on 61 harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena phocoena) accidentally captured in fishing gear from February to April 2017 along the coast of Northern Norway. Most animals displayed a good nutritional status, none were emaciated. Pulmonary nematodiasis (Pseudalius inflexus, Halocercus invaginatus and Torynurus convolutus) was found in 77% and associated with severe bronchopneumonia in 33% of the animals. The majority (92%) had parasites in the stomach and intestine (Anisakis simplex sensu stricto (s. s.), Pholeter gastrophilus, Diphyllobothrium stemmacephalum, Hysterothylacium aduncum and Pseudoterranova decipiens s. s.). The prevalence of gastric nematodiasis was 69%. In the 1st stomach compartment A. simplex s. s. was found in 30% of the animals, causing severe chronic ulcerative gastritis in 23%. Campula oblonga infected the liver and pancreas of 90% and 10% of the animals, respectively, causing severe cholangitis/pericholangitis/hepatitis in 67% and moderate pancreatitis in 10% of the animals. Mesenteric and pulmonary lymphadenitis was detected in 82% and 7% of the animals, respectively. In conclusion, the major pathological findings in the investigated Arctic porpoises were parasitoses in multiple organs with associated severe lesions, particularly in the lung, liver and stomach. The animals were generally well nourished and most showed freshly ingested prey in their stomachs. The present study indicates that the harbour porpoises were able to tolerate the detected parasitic burden and associated lesions without significant health problems.
Feasibility of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in evaluation of early therapeutic response after CT-guided microwave ablation of inoperable lung neoplasms
Authors: Vogl Thomas J. , Emara Emad H. , Elhawash Elsayed , Naguib Nagy N. N. , Aboelezz Mona O. , Abdelrahman Hossam M. , Saber Sameh , Nour-Eldin Nour-Eldin A.
Published: November 2021

Objective

To determine the early treatment response after microwave ablation (MWA) of inoperable lung neoplasms using the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value calculated 24 h after the ablation.

Materials and methods

This retrospective study included 47 patients with 68 lung lesions, who underwent percutaneous MWA from January 2008 to December 2017. Evaluation of the lesions was done using MRI including DWI sequence with ADC value calculation pre-ablation and 24 h post-ablation. DWI-MR was performed with b values (50, 400, 800 mm2/s). The post-ablation follow-up was performed using chest CT and/or MRI within 24 h following the procedure; after 3, 6, 9, and 12 months; and every 6 months onwards to determine the local tumor response. The post-ablation ADC value changes were compared to the end response of the lesions.

Results

Forty-seven patients (mean age: 63.8 ± 14.2 years, 25 women) with 68 lesions having a mean tumor size of 1.5 ± 0.9 cm (range: 0.7–5 cm) were evaluated. Sixty-one lesions (89.7%) showed a complete treatment response, and the remaining 7 lesions (10.3%) showed a local progression (residual activity). There was a statistically significant difference regarding the ADC value measured 24 h after the ablation between the responding (1.7 ± 0.3 × 10−3 mm2/s) and non-responding groups (1.4 ± 0.3 × 10−3 mm2/s) with significantly higher values in the responding group (p = 0.001). A suggested ADC cut-off value of 1.42 could be used as a reference point for the post-ablation response prediction (sensitivity: 66.67%, specificity: 84.21%, PPV: 66.7%, and NPV: 84.2%). No significant difference was reported regarding the ADC value performed before the ablation as a factor for the prognosis of treatment response (p = 0.86).

Conclusion

ADC value assessment following ablation may allow the early prediction of treatment efficacy after MWA of inoperable lung neoplasms.

Key Points

• ADC value calculated 24 h post-treatment may allow the early prediction of MWA efficacy as a treatment of pulmonary tumors and can be used in the early immediate post-ablation imaging follow-up.

• The pre-treatment ADC value of lung neoplasms is not different between the responding and non-responding tumors.
Telemedizin in der mobilen geriatrischen Rehabilitation
Authors: Burdinski Sandra , Smeaton Susan , Lutz Stefan Z. , Partheymüller Anja , Geyik Ugur , Eschweiler Gerhard W. , Metzger Florian G.
Published: November 2021

Hintergrund

Um das Prinzip „Reha vor Pflege“ umzusetzen, bedarf es adaptiver Konzepte für geriatrische Patienten. Patienten mit Sehbehinderungen, eingeschränkter Kommunikationsfähigkeit, psychischen Erkrankungen oder kognitiven Defiziten sind in einer Rehabilitationsklinik oft nicht oder nur unzureichend behandelbar. Die mobile geriatrische Rehabilitation (MoGeRe) schließt diese Lücke im Versorgungssystem, ist aber in ihrer Reichweite begrenzt. Über die 22 Standorte in Deutschland ist es bislang nicht ansatzweise möglich, eine flächendeckende MoGeRe zu ermöglichen. Hier bietet die Telemedizin Lösungsmöglichkeiten.

Fragestellung

Telemedizinische Ergänzungen der MoGeRe in Form von Videovisite und Videoaufnahme wurden hinsichtlich ihrer Machbarkeit und Akzeptanz in einer hochaltrigen Zielgruppe untersucht.

Methode

Mit 25 Patienten wurden 101 Videovisiten und 26 diagnostische Videoaufnahmen durchgeführt. Interviews von Patienten und Teammitgliedern wurden mithilfe einer qualitativen Inhaltsanalyse ausgewertet.

Ergebnisse und Diskussion

Insbesondere die Akzeptanz der Videovisite war bei allen Beteiligten hoch. Ihr Potenzial liegt in der Anpassung der individuellen Behandlung, Motivation, ärztlichen Lenkung sowie Supervision des Teams. Die Videoaufnahme kann die Chance bieten, den interdisziplinären Austausch zu bereichern und das therapeutische Prozedere zu evaluieren und anzupassen. Spezifische Strategien wie Begleitung von Angehörigen, Erklären des Prozedere und günstiges Timing sind bei kognitiv beeinträchtigten Patienten notwendig. Unsere Ergebnisse sind ein weiterer Beleg dafür, dass auch ältere Menschen als Nutzer digitaler Medien zu berücksichtigen sind.
Facial nerve paresis in the course of masked mastoiditis as a revelator of GPA
Authors: Marszał Joanna , Bartochowska Anna , Yu Randy , Wierzbicka Małgorzata
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The aim of this study was to present a series of 6 patients with facial nerve palsy and masked mastoiditis which constituted as revelators of localized granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and to evaluate the utility of the ACR/EULAR 2017 provisional classification criteria for GPA in such cases.

Methods

Study group included 58 patients with GPA. Cases with facial nerve palsy and masked mastoiditis were thoroughly analyzed.

Results

The mean age of patients was 37 years. All manifested unilateral facial nerve palsy and hearing loss, while only 2 reported aural complaints suggesting inflammatory cause of the disease. All cases were qualified for surgical intervention. Intraoperative findings were similar: granulation tissue in tympanic cavity and/or pneumatic spaces of the mastoid process. Only 50% of histopathological results suggested vasculitis. In all cases, elevated levels of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) against peroxidase 3 (PR3-ANCA) were determined. Two patients presented rapid progression of the disease and died within 1 week and 2 months, respectively. Four other patients manifested gradual improvement of hearing and facial nerve function after treatment.

Conclusion

GPA should be included into differential diagnosis in all cases of persistent facial nerve palsy especially when otological symptoms coexist. Even localized GPA could be very aggressive, revelating generalized form of the disease. Rapid systemic treatment of GPA can protect hearing and facial nerve from permanent severe dysfunction. The ACR/EULAR 2017 provisional classification criteria for GPA seem to be valuable tool in diagnosing ENT patients with localized otological form of the disease.
Timescales and thermal evolution of large silicic magma reservoirs during an ignimbrite flare-up: perspectives from zircon
Authors: Curry Adam , Gaynor Sean P. , Davies J. H. F. L. , Ovtcharova Maria , Simpson Guy , Caricchi Luca
Published: November 2021

Four voluminous ignimbrites (150–500 km3) erupted in rapid succession at 27 Ma in the central San Juan caldera cluster, Colorado. To reconstruct the timescales and thermal evolution of these magma reservoirs, we used zircon ID-TIMS U–Pb geochronology, zircon LA-ICP-MS geochemistry, thermal modeling, and zircon age and crystallization modeling. Zircon geochronology reveals dispersed zircon age spectra in all ignimbrites, with decreasing age dispersion through time that we term a ‘chimney sweeping’ event. Zircon whole-grain age modeling suggests that 2σ zircon age spans represent approximately one-quarter of total zircon crystallization timescales due to the averaging effect of whole-grain, individual zircon ages, resulting in zircon crystallization timescales of 0.8–2.7 m.y. Thermal and zircon crystallization modeling combined with Ti-in-zircon temperatures indicates that magma reservoirs were built over millions of years at relatively low magmatic vertical accretion rates (VARs) of 2–5 × 10–3 m y−1(2–5 × 10–6km3y−1 km−2), and we suggest that such low VARs were characteristic of the assembly of the greater San Juan magmatic body. Though we cannot unequivocally discern between dispersed zircon age spectra caused by inheritance (xenocrystic or antecrystic) versus prolonged crystallization from the same magma reservoir (autocrystic), our findings suggest that long-term magma input at relatively low VARs produced thermally mature upper crustal magma reservoirs resulting in protracted zircon crystallization timescales. Compiling all U–Pb ID-TIMS zircon ages of large ignimbrites, we interpret the longer timescales of subduction-related ignimbrites as a result of longer term, lower flux magmatism, and the shorter timescales of Snake River Plain ignimbrites as a result of shorter term, higher flux magmatism.
Comparative lipid profiling of murine and human atherosclerotic plaques using high-resolution MALDI MSI
Authors: Khamehgir-Silz Pegah , Gerbig Stefanie , Volk Nadine , Schulz Sabine , Spengler Bernhard , Hecker Markus , Wagner Andreas H.
Published: November 2021

The distribution of atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta and its branches of ApoE knockout (ApoE−/−) mice is like that of patients with atherosclerosis. By using high-resolution MALDI mass spectrometry imaging (MSI), we aimed at characterizing universally applicable physiological biomarkers by comparing the murine lipid marker profile with that of human atherosclerotic arteries. Therefore, the aorta or carotid artery of male ApoE−/− mice at different ages, human arteries with documented atherosclerotic changes originated from amputated limbs, and corresponding controls were analysed. Obtained data were subjected to multivariate statistical analysis to identify potential biomarkers. Thirty-one m/z values corresponding to individual lipid species of cholesterol esters, lysophosphatidylcholines, lysophosphatidylethanolamines, and cholesterol derivatives were found to be specific in aortic atherosclerotic plaques of old ApoE−/− mice. The lipid composition at related vessel positions of young ApoE−/− mice was more comparable with wild-type mice. Twenty-six m/z values of the murine lipid markers were found in human atherosclerotic peripheral arteries but also control vessels and showed a more patient-dependent diverse distribution. Extensive data analysis without marker preselection based on mouse data revealed lysophosphatidylcholine and glucosylated cholesterol species, the latter not being detected in the murine atherosclerotic tissue, as specific potential novel human atherosclerotic vessel markers. Despite the heterogeneous lipid profile of atherosclerotic peripheral arteries derived from human patients, we identified lipids specifically colocalized to atherosclerotic human tissue and plaques in ApoE−/− mice. These data highlight species-dependent differences in lipid profiles between peripheral artery disease and aortic atherosclerosis.
Safety and efficacy of ICI plus anlotinib vs. anlotinib alone as third-line treatment in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer: a retrospective study
Authors: Chen Qing , Li Yan , Zhang Wenjie , Wang Chen , Yang Shengjie , Guo Qisen
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) plus anlotinib as third-line treatment in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC).

Methods

A total of 120 patients with ES-SCLC who were admitted to Shandong Cancer Hospital between January 2019 and December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into the observation group (n = 62) and the control group (n = 58) according to their different treatment plans. The observation group was given ICI plus anlotinib, while the control group was given anlotinib alone. The primary endpoint of the study was progression-free survival (PFS), and the secondary endpoints were the objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR). An efficacy evaluation was carried out every 6 weeks. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the prognostic factors. The main treatment-related adverse events were evaluated according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0.

Results

In the observation group and the control group, the DCRs were 87.1% and 72.4% (p = 0.044), and the ORRs were 19.4% and 6.9% (p = 0.045), respectively. The median PFS was longer in the observation group (7.5 months) than in the control group (4.6 months) (p = 0.0033). In Cox regression analysis, the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score, brain metastases and metastatic sites were prognostic factors of ICI plus anlotinib. Compared with the control group, grade 1–2 immune-related pneumonia and hypothyroidism of patients in the observation group were significantly increased (p < 0.05), but grade 3–4 treatment-related adverse reactions were not significantly increased (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

ICI plus anlotinib showed promising efficacy and manageable toxicity in third-line treatment of ES-SCLC.
Level-Planar Drawings with Few Slopes
Authors: Brückner Guido , Krisam Nadine , Mchedlidze Tamara
Published: November 2021

We introduce and study level-planar straight-line drawings with a fixed number $$\lambda $$
λ
of slopes. For proper level graphs (all edges connect vertices of adjacent levels), we give an $$O(n \log ^2 n / \log \log n)$$

O
(
n

log
2

n
/
log
log
n
)

-time algorithm that either finds such a drawing or determines that no such drawing exists. Moreover, we consider the partial drawing extension problem, where we seek to extend an immutable drawing of a subgraph to a drawing of the whole graph, and the simultaneous drawing problem, which asks about the existence of drawings of two graphs whose restrictions to their shared subgraph coincide. We present $$O(n^{4/3} \log n)$$

O
(

n

4
/
3

log
n
)

-time and $$O(\lambda n^{10/3} \log n)$$

O
(
λ

n

10
/
3

log
n
)

-time algorithms for these respective problems on proper level-planar graphs. We complement these positive results by showing that testing whether non-proper level graphs admit level-planar drawings with $$\lambda $$
λ
slopes is -hard even in restricted cases.
Spinopelvic alignment and lumbar vertebral shape in children: associations with structural spinal abnormalities and body composition in the generation R study
Authors: van den Heuvel Marleen M. , Griffioen Nathalie E. , Achterberg Hakim C. , Oei Edwin H. G. , Renkens Jeroen J. M. , Bierma-Zeinstra Sita M. A. , van Middelkoop Marienke
Published: November 2021

Purpose

To investigate the spinopelvic alignment and vertebral shape in children, and associations with body composition and structural spinal abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional study embedded in the Generation R Study, a prospective population-based birth cohort. Pelvic incidence and vertebral concavity ratios for each lumbar level were determined on sagittal MRI images in 9-year-old children, and structural spinal abnormalities were scored semi-quantitatively. The BMI-SD score was calculated, and body composition was assessed using DXA scans. Associations of pelvic incidence and vertebral concavity ratios with structural abnormalities and body composition measures were assessed using (multilevel) regression analyses.

Results

This study included 522 participants (47.7% boys), aged 9.9 years (IQR 9.7–10.0). The mean pelvic incidence was 36.6° (SD 8.0). Vertebral concavity ratios ranged from 0.87 to 0.90, with significantly lower ratios for boys compared to girls. Associations were found for a larger pelvic incidence with decreased disc height [OR 1.03 (95% CI 1.02–1.05)], and a pelvic incidence in the lowest tertile with less disc bulging [OR 0.73 (95% CI 0.56–0.95)]. Increased vertebral concavity ratio was associated with decreased disc height [OR 14.16 (95% CI 1.28–157.13)]. Finally, increased fat-free mass index was associated with a smaller pelvic incidence [adjusted OR 0.85 (95% CI 0.07–1.63)].

Conclusion

The mean pelvic incidence of 9-year-old children is 36.6° on supine MRI images, and a slightly concave shape of the lumbar vertebrae is seen. Spinopelvic alignment is associated with structural spinal abnormalities, and might itself be influenced by the children’s body composition.
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Kowalski Karol , Mulak Agata
Published: November 2021

The results of animal studies and clinical data support the gut microbiota contribution to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the prevalence of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and fecal markers of intestinal inflammation and permeability in AD patients. The study was conducted in 45 AD patients and 27 controls. Data on comorbidities, pharmacotherapy, and gastrointestinal symptoms were acquired from medical records and a questionnaire. SIBO was evaluated using lactulose hydrogen breath test. Fecal calprotectin and zonulin levels were assessed by ELISA assays. The positive result of SIBO breath test was found in 49% of the AD patients and 22% of the controls (p = 0.025). The comparative analysis between SIBO-positive and SIBO-negative AD patients with respect to the degree of cognitive impairment, comorbidities and used medications did not reveal any statistically significant difference, except for less common heartburn in SIBO-positive AD patients than in SIBO-negative ones (9 vs 35%, p = 0.038). The median fecal calprotectin and zonulin levels in the AD group compared to the control group amounted to 43.1 vs 64.2 µg/g (p = 0.846) and 73.5 vs 49.0 ng/ml (p = 0.177), respectively. In the AD patients there was no association between the presence of SIBO and fecal calprotectin level. Patients with AD are characterized by higher prevalence of SIBO not associated with increased fecal calprotectin level that may be related to anti-inflammatory effect of cholinergic drugs used in the treatment of AD.
Decomposition of carbon adsorbed on iron (III)-treated clays and their effect on the stability of soil organic carbon and external carbon inputs
Authors: You Mengyang , Zhu-Barker Xia , Doane Timothy A. , Horwath William R.
Published: November 2021

The interaction of organic carbon (OC) with clay and metals stabilizes soil carbon (C), but the influence of specific clay-metal-OC assemblages (flocs) needs further evaluation. This study aimed to investigate the stability of flocs in soil as affected by external C inputs. Flocs representing OC-mineral soil fractions were synthesized using dissolved organic C (DOC) combined with kaolinite (1:1 layer structure) or montmorillonite (2:1 layer structure) clays in the absence or presence of two levels of Fe (III) (named low or high Fe). Flocs were mixed with soil (classified as Luvisol) and incubated with or without 13C labelled plant residue (i.e., ryegrass) for 30 days. The CO2 emissions and DOC concentrations as well as their 13C signatures from all treatments were examined. Total C mineralization from flocs was approximately 70% lower than non-flocced DOC. The flocs made with montmorillonite had 16–43% lower C mineralization rate than those made with kaolinite with no Fe or low Fe. However, when flocs were made with high Fe, clay mineralogy did not significantly affect total C mineralization. A positive priming effect (PE) of flocs on native soil OC was observed in all treatments, with a stronger PE found in lower Fe treatments. The high-Fe clay flocs inhibited ryegrass decomposition, while the flocs made without clay had no impact on it. Interestingly, flocs significantly decreased the PE of ryegrass on native soil OC decomposition. These results indicate that the adsorption of DOC onto clay minerals in the presence of Fe (III) stabilizes it against decomposition processes and its stability increases as Fe in flocs increases. Flocs also protect soil OC from the PE of external degradable plant C input. This study showed that Fe level and clay mineralogy play an important role in controlling soil C stability.
Characterisation of pH variations along the Ba River in Fiji utilising the GEF R2R framework during the 2019 sugarcane season
Authors: Metherall Nicholas , Holland Elisabeth , Beavis Sara , Vinaka Adi Mere Dralolo
Published: November 2021

Within Pacific Small Island Developing States (Pacific SIDS), the ridge-to-reef (R2R) approach has emerged as a framework for monitoring river connectivity between terrestrial and marine ecosystems. The study measured water quality, including pH, over 88.40 km of the Ba River in Fiji. The sampling design focused on measuring spatio-temporal variability in pH throughout the sugarcane season with three rapid sampling periods (RSP1, 2 & 3) along the Ba River, together with continuous measurement of temperature and pH using stationary data loggers at two locations upstream and downstream of the sugar mill. Spatial variability in pH and water quality was characterised before (RSP1 and RSP2) and during (RSP3) the sugarcane season. Mean pH measured before the sugarcane crushing season for RSP1 and RSP2 were 8.16 (± 0.49) and 8.20 (± 0.61) respectively. During the sugarcane crushing season (RSP3), mean pH declined by 3.06 units to 6.94 within 42 m downstream of the sugar mill (P ≤ 0.001). The 3.06 unit decline in pH for RSP3 exceeded both the mean diurnal variation in pH of 0.39 and mean seasonal variation in pH of 2.01. This decline in pH could be a potential source of acidification to downstream coastal ecosystems with implications for coral reefs, biodiversity and fishery livelihoods.
On cosmological expansion and local physics
Authors: Pons J. M. , Talavera P.
Published: November 2021

We find an exact convergence in the local dynamics described by two supposedly antagonistic approaches applied at the local, solar system scale: one starting from an expanding universe perspective such as FLRW, the other based on a local model ignoring any notion of expansion, such as static Schwarzschild dS. Both models are in complete agreement when the local effects of the expansion are circumscribed to the presence of the cosmological constant. We elaborate on the relevant role of static backgrounds like the Schwarzschild-dS metric in standard form as the most proper coordinatizations to describe physics at the local scale. We also elaborate on the popular expanding 3-space picture—to be distinguished from that of the expanding universe—and point out the confusion of scales which is typically associated with it. Finally, making use of an old and too often forgotten relativistic kinematical invariant, we address some remaining misunderstandings on space expansion, cosmological and gravitational redshifts. As a byproduct we propose a unique and unambiguous prescription to match the local and cosmological expression of a specific observable.
Social Media and Cyber-Bullying in Autistic Adults
Authors: Triantafyllopoulou Paraskevi , Clark-Hughes Charlotte , Langdon Peter E.
Published: November 2021

Social media can lead to rejection, cyber-bullying victimisation, and cyber-aggression, and these experiences are not fully understood as experienced by autistic adults. To investigate this, 78 autistic adults completed self-report measures of social media use, cyber-bullying victimisation, cyber-aggression, and self-esteem. High levels of social media use were found to be associated with an increased risk of cyber-victimisation; whereas self-esteem was positively correlated with feelings of belonging to an online community and negatively correlated with feelings of being ignored on social network sites and chat rooms. Future studies are needed to further investigate the experience of cyber-bullying victimisation of autistic adults.
Study of the protective effects of cosmetic ingredients on the skin barrier, based on the expression of barrier-related genes and cytokines
Authors: Ding Wenyu , Fan Linna , Tian Yan , He Congfen
Published: November 2021

Background

Sensitive skin is the result of a complex process that is closely linked to the damage of the skin barrier. There are no recognized methods for evaluating the efficacy of anti-allergy products.

Methods

In this study, a model of skin barrier damage was created by treating HaCaT cells with 60 μg/ml of sodium dodecyl sulfate for 48 h. The protective effects of nine cosmetic ingredients, including oat extract (S1), on the skin barrier were investigated based on the gene expression levels of aquaporin3 (AQP3), filaggrin (FLG), caspase-14 (CASP14), and human tissue kallikrein7 (KLK7), as well as those of various interleukins (IL) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

Results

Among the nine ingredients, S1 had a good protective effect on the function of the skin barrier. It promoted the expression of AQP3, FLG, and CASP14, while inhibiting the expression of KLK7 in HaCaT cells, at a concentration of 0.06%. It also maintained IL-6, IL-8, and VEGF at appropriate levels while promoting the proliferation and differentiation of HaCaT cells.

Conclusions

The above indicators allow for the preliminary establishment of a method to evaluate the efficacy of the barrier protection ability of sensitive skin.
Medical care provision at the venue of the weightlifting event of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
Authors: Ashikaga Kohei , Yoneyama Kihei , Hirayama Kuniaki , Suzuki Tatsuhiro , Muroi Ryota , Inoue Rumiko , Ishibashi Yuki , Nakase Junsuke , Takeda Hideaki , Fujiya Hiroto
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the medical care provided at the venue of the weightlifting event of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated athletes who availed of medical services at the venue during the weightlifting event of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. In total, 194 athletes participated in the weightlifting competition.

Injuries and illnesses were classified into cases handled without physician or cases requiring medical examination by a physician. These were tabulated for each examination location (athlete medical station, field of play [FOP], first-aid station of training floor or warm-up area).

Results

Throughout the event, a cumulative total of 132 people used the venue medical services. Nine athletes required medical attention at the athlete medical stations. Of these nine cases, six occurred on the training floor. In the FOP, nine athletes were examined. Two experienced light-headedness, two had knee pain, and the rest had other symptoms. No athletes wanted to undergo medical examination at the athlete medical station. 89 medical procedures were performed in the first-aid station on the training floor, including 52 tapings and 37 ice compressions, and the most frequent body part which needed treatment was the knee, followed by the fingers. At the first-aid station on the match floor, 25 medical procedures were performed, including 17 ice compressions, 5 haemostasis, and 4 tapings. The body parts that most frequently needed treatment were the fingers, knees, and lower legs.

Conclusion

Several athletes needed treatment; however, only a few required medical care from a physician.
Root-associated microbiota drive phytoremediation strategies to lead of Sonchus Asper (L.) Hill as revealed by intercropping-induced modifications of the rhizosphere microbiome
Authors: Mei Xinyue , Wang Ying , Li Zuran , Larousse Marie , Pere Arthur , da Rocha Martine , Zhan Fangdong , He Yongmei , Pu Linlong , Panabières Franck , Zu Yanqun
Published: November 2021

Intercropping or assistant endophytes promote phytoremediation capacities of hyperaccumulators and enhance their tolerance to heavy metal (HM) stress. Findings from a previous study showed that intercropping the hyperaccumulator Sonchus asper (L.) Hill grown in HM-contaminated soils with maize improved the remediating properties and indicated an excluder-to-hyperaccumulator switched mode of action towards lead. In the current study, RNA-Seq analysis was conducted on Sonchus roots grown under intercropping or monoculture systems to explore the molecular events underlying this shift in lead sequestering strategy. The findings showed that intercropping only slightly affects S. asper transcriptome but significantly affects expression of root-associated microbial genomes. Further, intercropping triggers significant reshaping of endophytic communities associated with a ‘root-to-shoot’ transition of lead sequestration and improved phytoremediation capacities of S. asper. These findings indicate that accumulator activities of a weed are partially attributed to the root-associated microbiota, and a complex network of plant–microbe-plant interactions shapes the phytoremediation potential of S. asper. Analysis showed that intercropping may significantly change the structure of root-associated communities resulting in novel remediation properties, thus providing a basis for improving phytoremediation practices to restore contaminated soils.
Long-Term Effects of Integrated Strategies of Community Health Promotion on Diabetes Mellitus Mortality: a Natural Policy Experiment Based on Aggregated Longitudinal Secondary Data
Authors: Röding Dominik , Walter Ulla , Dreier Maren
Published: November 2021

Integrated strategies of community health promotion (ISCHP) are based on intersectoral collaborations using the Health in All Policies approach to address determinants of health. While effects on health determinants have been shown, evidence on the effectiveness of ISCHP on health outcomes is scarce. The aim of this study is to assess the long-term effects of ISCHP on diabetes mellitus mortality (DMM) in German communities. A nonrandomized evaluation based on secondary county-level official data (1998–2016) was performed. In April 2019, 149 communities in Germany with ISCHP out of 401 were identified. Communities with < 5 measurements of DMM, starting before 1999 or after 2015, were excluded. Analyses included 65 communities with ISCHP (IG) and 124 without ISCHP (CG). ISCHP ran for a mean of 5.6 years. Fixed effects (FE) models were used to estimate effects of ISCHP and duration on DMM taking into account the time-varying average age. The FE estimator for DMM is b =  − 2.48 (95% CI − 3.45 to − 1.51) for IG vs. CG and b =  − 0.30 (95% CI − 0.46 to − 0.14) for ISCHP duration (0–16 years). In the first year of an ISCHP, a reduction of the annual DMM of 0.3 per 100,000 population (1%), and in the 16th year of 4.8 (14%) was achieved. This study provides preliminary evidence of the effectiveness of ISCHP in Germany. Limitations include inaccuracies to classify IG and CG and possible selection bias. Longitudinal county-level data may be an efficient data source to evaluate complex interventions, thereby contributing to further strengthen evidence-based integrated health promotion.
Fully automated deep learning-based localization and segmentation of the locus coeruleus in aging and Parkinson’s disease using neuromelanin-sensitive MRI
Authors: Dünnwald Max , Ernst Philipp , Düzel Emrah , Tönnies Klaus , Betts Matthew J. , Oeltze-Jafra Steffen
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Development and performance measurement of a fully automated pipeline that localizes and segments the locus coeruleus in so-called neuromelanin-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging data for the derivation of quantitative biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

Methods

We propose a pipeline composed of several 3D-Unet-based convolutional neural networks for iterative multi-scale localization and multi-rater segmentation and non-deep learning-based components for automated biomarker extraction. We trained on the healthy aging cohort and did not carry out any adaption or fine-tuning prior to the application to Parkinson’s disease subjects.

Results

The localization and segmentation pipeline demonstrated sufficient performance as measured by Euclidean distance (on average around 1.3mm on healthy aging subjects and 2.2mm in Parkinson’s disease subjects) and Dice similarity coefficient (overall around $$71\%$$

71
%

on healthy aging subjects and $$60\%$$

60
%

for subjects with Parkinson’s disease) as well as promising agreement with respect to contrast ratios in terms of intraclass correlation coefficient of $$\ge 0.80$$

≥
0.80

for healthy aging subjects compared to a manual segmentation procedure. Lower values ($$\ge 0.48$$

≥
0.48

) for Parkinson’s disease subjects indicate the need for further investigation and tests before the application to clinical samples.

Conclusion

These promising results suggest the usability of the proposed algorithm for data of healthy aging subjects and pave the way for further investigations using this approach on different clinical datasets to validate its practical usability more conclusively.
Emil Julius Gumbel
Authors: Rendtel Ulrich , Wasmuht Ulrike C. , Wilrich Peter-Theodor
Published: November 2021

Emil J. Gumbel ist der Namensgeber der jährlichen Gumbel-Vorlesung auf der Statistischen Woche. Leider ist der Namensgeber dieser Vorlesung nur noch wenigen Teilnehmern und Vortragenden bekannt. Dieser Artikel möchten diesem Defizit abhelfen. Denn Gumbel war nicht nur der Namensgeber irgendeiner statistischen Verteilung.

Der Aufsatz beschreibt den Lebensweg Gumbels vom Weltkriegsteilnehmer zu einem weithin bekannten Pazifisten, der die politischen Morde in der frühen Weimarer Republik mit statistischen Schlußweisen analysierte. Seine Zahlenwerke legten die Defizite der Rechtssprechung in der Weimarer Republik offen. Die Richter kompromittierten sich mit ihren Urteilen. Seine Statistik-Professur an der Universität Heidelberg verlor er nach Angriffen der NS-Studenten und einer deutsch-nationalistischen Universitätsleitung noch vor Beginn der NS-Herrschaft. Wir schildern Gumbels Emigration erst nach Frankreich und von da in die USA und seine vergeblichen Versuche, wieder an deutschen Universitäten aufgenommen zu werden.

Im zweiten Teil skizzieren wir Gumbels wissenschaftliches Werk im Bereich der Statistik der Extremwerte. Gumbel schrieb nicht nur den Klassiker dieses Statistik-Bereichs. Er baute auch vielen Ingenieuren einen fachlichen Zugang mit leicht berechenbaren und gut interpretierbaren Diagrammen.

Schließlich schildert einer der Autoren, der Gumbel noch persönlich kannte, seine Erinnerungen an den freundlichen und interessierten Gastprofessor aus den USA.
Collateral Supply in Preclinical Cerebral Stroke Models
Authors: Bonnin Philippe , Kubis Nathalie , Charriaut-Marlangue Christiane
Published: November 2021

Enhancing the collateral blood supply during the acute phase of cerebral ischemia may limit both the extension of the core infarct, by rescuing the penumbra area, and the degree of disability. Many imaging techniques have been applied to rodents in preclinical studies, to evaluate the magnitude of collateral blood flow and the time course of responses during the early phase of ischemic stroke. The collateral supply follows several different routes at the base of the brain (the circle of Willis) and its surface (leptomeningeal or pial arteries), corresponding to the proximal and distal collateral pathways, respectively. In this review, we describe and illustrate the cerebral collateral systems and their modifications following pre-Willis or post-Willis occlusion in rodents. We also review the potential pharmaceutical agents for stimulating the collateral blood supply tested to date. The time taken to establish a collateral blood flow supply through the leptomeningeal anastomoses differs between young and adult animals and between different species and genetic backgrounds. Caution is required when transposing preclinical findings to humans, and clinical trials must be performed to check the added value of pharmacological agents for stimulating the collateral blood supply at appropriate time points. However, collateral recruitment appears to be a rapid, beneficial, endogenous mechanism that can be stimulated shortly after artery occlusion. It should be considered a treatment target for use in addition to recanalization strategies.
Tissue-specific DNA damage response in Mouse Whole-body irradiation
Authors: Lee Seon-Gyeong , Kim Namwoo , Park In Bae , Park Jun Hong , Myung Kyungjae
Published: November 2021

Background

Genomic instability is a hallmark of various cancers, and DNA repair is an essential process for maintaining genomic integrity. Mammalian cells have developed various DNA repair mechanisms in response to DNA damage. Compared to the cellular response to DNA damage, the in vivo DNA damage response (DDR) of specific tissues has not been studied extensively.

Objective

In this study, mice were exposed to whole-body gamma (γ)-irradiation to evaluate the specific DDR of various tissues. We treated male C57BL6/J mice with γ-irradiation at different doses, and the DDR protein levels in different tissues were analyzed.

Results

The level of gamma-H2A histone family member X (γH2AX) increased in most organs after exposure to γ-irradiation. In particular, the liver, lung, and kidney tissues showed higher γH2AX induction upon DNA damage, compared to that in the brain, muscle, and testis tissues. RAD51 was highly expressed in the testis, irrespective of irradiation. The levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and ubiquitinated PCNA increased in lung tissues upon irradiation, suggesting that the post-replication repair may mainly operate in the lungs in response to γ-irradiation.

Conclusion

These results suggest that each tissue has a preferable repair mechanism in response to γ-irradiation. Therefore, the understanding and application of tissue-specific DNA damage responses could improve the clinical approach of radiotherapy for treating specific cancers.
What We Measure Matters: The Case of the Missing Development Data in Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction Monitoring
Authors: Chmutina Ksenia , von Meding Jason , Sandoval Vicente , Boyland Michael , Forino Giuseppe , Cheek Wesley , Williams Darien Alexander , Gonzalez-Muzzio Claudia , Tomassi Isabella , Páez Holmes , Marchezini Victor
Published: November 2021

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015−2030’s (SFDRR) framing moved away from disaster risk as a natural phenomenon to the examination of the inequality and injustice at the root of human vulnerability to hazards and disasters. Yet, its achievements have not seriously challenged the long-established capitalist systems of oppression that hinder the development leading to disaster risk creation. This article is an exploratory mapping exercise of and a collective reflection on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and SFDRR indicators—and their use in measuring progress towards disaster risk reduction (DRR). We highlight that despite the rhetoric of vulnerability, the measurement of progress towards DRR remains event/hazard-centric. We argue that the measurement of disaster risk could be greatly enhanced by the integration of development data in future iterations of global DRR frameworks for action.
Coagulation and Aging: Implications for the Anesthesiologist
Authors: Tschan Sarina L. , Bolliger Daniel
Published: November 2021

Purpose of Review

This narrative review focuses on aging-related modifications in coagulation resulting in increased thromboembolic and hemorrhagic risk of the elderly. We further discuss the current evidence and emerging data relating the perioperative treatment of elderly patients with antithrombotic therapy.

Recent Findings

Relevant changes in all elements of the Virchow’s triad can be found with aging. Increased blood stasis due to immobility, progressive endothelial dysfunction with altered microcirculation, elevated concentrations of several coagulation factors, and increased platelet reactivity all lead to a procoagulant state. Elderly people are, therefore, commonly treated with oral anticoagulation and antiplatelet drugs. This antithrombotic therapy might be essentially causative for their increased bleeding risk.

Elderly patients are at increased risk for thromboembolism due to changes in the hemostatic system in combination with frailty and multimorbidity. Both the thromboembolic due to aging and bleeding risk due to antithrombotic therapy need special attention in the elderly surgical patients.