bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nanowire Based Guidance of the Morphology and Cytotoxic Activity of Natural Killer Cells
Authors: Bhingardive Viraj , Le Saux Guillaume , Edri Avishay , Porgador Angel , Schvartzman Mark
Published: March 2021

The cytotoxic activity of natural killer (NK) cells is regulated by many chemical and physical cues, whose integration mechanism is still obscure. Here, a multifunctional platform is engineered for NK cell stimulation, to study the effect of the signal integration and spatial heterogeneity on NK cell function. The platform is based on nanowires, whose mechanical compliance and site‐selective tip functionalization with antigens produce the physical and chemical stimuli, respectively. The nanowires are confined to micron‐sized islands, which induce a splitting of the NK cells into two subpopulations with distinct morphologies and immune responses: NK cells atop the nanowire islands display symmetrical spreading and enhanced activation, whereas cells lying in the straits between the islands develop elongated profiles and show lower activation levels. The demonstrated tunability of NK cell cytotoxicity provides an important insight into the mechanism of their immune function and introduces a novel technological route for the ex vivo shaping of cytotoxic lymphocytes in immunotherapy.
Design and Testing of Efficient Mucus‐Penetrating Nanogels—Pitfalls of Preclinical Testing and Lessons Learned
Authors: Charbaji Rawan , Kar Mrityunjoy , Theune Loryn E. , Bergueiro Julián , Eichhorst Anne , Navarro Lucila , Graff Patrick , Stumpff Friederike , Calderón Marcelo , Hedtrich Sarah
Published: March 2021

Mucosal surfaces pose a challenging environment for efficient drug delivery. Various delivery strategies such as nanoparticles have been employed so far; yet, still yielding limited success. To address the need of efficient transmucosal drug delivery, this report presents the synthesis of novel disulfide‐containing dendritic polyglycerol (dPG)‐based nanogels and their preclinical testing. A bifunctional disulfide‐containing linker is coupled to dPG to act as a macromolecular crosslinker for poly‐N‐isopropylacrylamide (PNIPAM) and poly‐N‐isopropylmethacrylamide (PNIPMAM) in a precipitation polymerization process. A systematic analysis of the polymerization reveals the importance of a careful polymer choice to yield mucus‐degradable nanogels with diameters between 100 and 200 nm, low polydispersity, and intact disulfide linkers. Absorption studies in porcine intestinal tissue and human bronchial epithelial models demonstrate that disulfide‐containing nanogels are highly efficient in overcoming mucosal barriers. The nanogels efficiently degrade and deliver the anti‐inflammatory biomacromolecule etanercept into epithelial tissues yielding local anti‐inflammatory effects. Over the course of this work, several problems are encountered due to a limited availability of valid test systems for mucosal drug‐delivery systems. Hence, this study also emphasizes how critical a combined and multifaceted approach is for the preclinical testing of mucosal drug‐delivery systems, discusses potential pitfalls, and provides suggestions for solutions.
Maternal exposure to tributyltin during early gestation increases adverse pregnancy outcomes by impairing placental development
Authors: Liu Hui , Jiang Wenyu , Ye Yafen , Yang Bei , Shen Xin , Lu Siying , Zhu Jun , Liu Mengling , Yang Chuanzhen , Kuang Haibin
Published: March 2021

Tributyltin (TBT) is a persistent organotin pollutant widely used as agricultural and wood biocides, exhibiting well‐documented toxicity to reproductive functions in aquatic organisms. However, the effect of TBT on early pregnancy and placental development has been rarely studied in mice. Pregnant mice were fed with 0, 0.2, and 2 mg/kg/day TBT from gravid day 1 to day 8 or 13. TBT exposure led to an increase in the number of resorbed embryo and a reduction in the weight of fetus at gestational days 13. Further study showed that TBT significantly decreased placental weight and area, lowered laminin immunoreactivity and the expressions of placental development‐related molecules including Fra1, Eomes, Hand1, and Ascl2. Moreover, TBT treatment markedly inhibited the placental proliferation and induced up‐regulation of p53 and cleaved caspase‐3 proteins, and down‐regulation of Bcl‐2 protein. In addition, TBT administration increased levels of malondialdehyde and H2O2 and decreased activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase. Collectively, these results suggested TBT‐induced adverse pregnancy outcomes during early pregnancy might be involved in developmental disorders of the placenta via dysregulation of key molecules, proliferation, apoptosis, and oxidative stress.
Identification and expression analysis of heat‐shock proteins in wheat infected with powdery mildew and stripe rust
Authors: Guo Huan , Zhang Hong , Wang Guanghao , Wang Changyou , Wang Yajuan , Liu Xinlun , Ji Wanquan
Published: March 2021

Heat‐shock proteins (HSPs), which are encoded by conserved gene families in plants, are crucial for development and responses to diverse stresses. However, the wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) HSPs have not been systematically classified, especially those involved in protecting plants from disease. Here, we classified 119 DnaJ (Hsp40) proteins (TaDnaJs; encoded by 313 genes) and 41 Hsp70 proteins (TaHsp70s; encoded by 95 genes) into six and four groups, respectively, via a phylogenetic analysis. An examination of protein sequence alignment revealed diversity in the TaDnaJ structural organization, but a highly conserved J‐domain, which was usually characterized by an HPD motif followed by DRD or DED motifs. The expression profiles of HSP‐encoding homologous genes varied in response to Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici (Bgt) and Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst) stress. A quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) analysis indicated a lack of similarity in the expression of DnaJ70b, Hsp70‐30b, and Hsp90‐4b in Bgt‐infected resistant and susceptible wheat. Furthermore, a direct interaction between DnaJ70 and TaHsp70‐30 was not detected in a yeast two‐hybrid (Y2H) assay, but screening cDNA library and Y2H evidence supported that TaHsp70‐30 not only interacts directly with heat‐shock transcription factor (HSF) A9‐like protein but also interacts with TaHsp90‐4 by HSP organizing protein. This study revealed the structure and expression profiles of the HSP‐encoding genes in wheat, which may be useful for future functional elucidation of wheat HSPs responses to fungal infections.
Wake steering of multirotor wind turbines
Authors: Speakman Gustav A. , Abkar Mahdi , Martínez‐Tossas Luis A. , Bastankhah Majid
Published: March 2021

In this paper, wake steering is applied to multirotor turbines to determine whether it has the potential to reduce wind plant wake losses. Through application of rotor yaw to multirotor turbines, a new degree of freedom is introduced to wind farm control such that wakes can be expanded, channelled or redirected to improve inflow conditions for downstream turbines. Five different yaw configurations are investigated (including a baseline case) by employing large‐eddy simulations (LES) to generate a detailed representation of the velocity field downwind of a multirotor wind turbine. Two lower‐fidelity models from single‐rotor yaw studies (curled‐wake model and analytical Gaussian wake model) are extended to the multirotor case, and their results are compared with the LES data. For each model, the wake is analysed primarily by examining wake cross‐sections at different downwind distances. Further quantitative analysis is carried out through characterisations of wake centroids and widths over a range of streamwise locations and through a brief analysis of power production. Most significantly, it is shown that rotor yaw can have a considerable impact on both the distribution and magnitude of the wake velocity deficit, leading to power gains for downstream turbines. The lower‐fidelity models show small deviation from the LES results for specific configurations; however, both are able to reasonably capture the wake trends over a large streamwise range.
Upgrading sequencing batch reactor using attached biofilm
Authors: Abdelaziz Hossam A. , Fouad Moharram , Mossad Mohamed
Published: March 2021

A conventional sequencing batch reactor (SBR) was upgraded using fixed biofilm carriers with a specific surface area around 18 m2 m−3. The upgraded SBR was investigated to remove phenol from high strength wastewater operated under various operational conditions. The operational conditions used were variable volume exchange ratio (VER) up to 75%, hydraulic retention time (HRT) from (10.7–21.3 hr), aeration time (from 2 to 8 hr), and initial phenol concentration up to 600 mg L−1. It was found that the upgraded SBR increased the removal efficiencies of biological oxygen demand (BOD5), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and total suspended solids (TSS) by about 10% using high strength wastewater without phenol compared to SBR. Furthermore, the removal rate of phenol for the upgraded SBR was higher than conventional SBR by about 18% at 600 mg L− of initial phenol concentration under the same operational conditions. Compared to the conventional SBR, the upgraded version reduced the aeration step by 25% and achieved higher removal efficiency of phenol. Moreover, it reduced the excess sludge by about 23% and enhanced its properties by lowering the sludge volume index (SVI) by about 33%.

Practitioner points

Upgrading conventional SBR by adding biofilm carriers is necessary for wastewater treatment with high strength wastewater.

The upgraded SBR has a higher resistance toward phenol compound due to the presence of the attached biofilm.

The upgraded SBR enhances sludge settling properties, decreases the amount of excess sludge, and also reduces the start‐up period.

The number of cycles per day by upgraded SBR was more than the conventional SBR by 15%.

The upgraded SBR is an effective system and has good operational stability.
Climate Change and Public Health in India: The 2018 Kerala Floods
Authors: Varughese Anil , Purushothaman Chithra
Published: March 2021

Kerala is one of India's most vulnerable states in India when it comes to climate‐induced disasters. Kerala's public health department grappled with a flood of unprecedented magnitude in August 2018. Situating the flood in the context of Kerala's state and society, this paper addresses three questions: What was the level of flood‐prevention preparedness? What were the public health effects and how were they managed? Finally, what policy lessons were learned? Drawing from reports of relevant national and state agencies responsible for disaster management as well as first‐hand accounts of nongovernmental organizations and media coverage, this paper argues that while Kerala's flood‐prevention preparedness was far from ideal, its postflood response in mounting a rapid and effective rescue and relief operation as well as in preventing a public health crisis was commendable. The paper also shows that impressive achievements in climate‐disaster health management can be achieved through a decentralized and participatory public health system in which coordinated public action is managed by a capacious state with the active collaboration of civil society.
Creative Composition Problem: A Knowledge Graph Logical-Based AI Construction and Optimization Solution
Authors: Galindo Mauricio Javier Osorio , Moreno Luis Angel Montiel
Published: March 2021

Contribution of this work is to Define the Creative Composition Problem (CCP) for Human Well-being Optimization by Construction of Knowledge Graph using Knowledge Representation and logic-based Artificial Intelligence reasoning-planning where the computation of the Optimal Solution is achieved by Dynamic Programming or Logic Programming. The Creative Composition Problem is embedded within Cecilia: an architecture of a digital companion artificial intelligence agent system composer of dialogue scripts for Well-being and Mental Health. Where Cecilia Framework is instantiated in Well-being and Mental Health domain for optimal well-being development of first year university students. We define the ‘The Problem of Creating a Dialogue Composition (PCDC)’ and we propose a feasible and optimal solution of it. CCP is instantiated in this applied domain to solve PCDC optimizing the Mental Health and Well-being of the student. CCP as PCDC is applied to optimize maximizing the mental health of the student but also maximizing the smoothness, coherence, enjoyment and engagement each time the dialogue session is composed. Cecilia helps students to manage stress/anxiety to attempt the prevention of depression. Students can interact through the digital companion making questions and answers. While the system “learns” from the user it allows the user to learn from herself. Once the student discovers elements that were unnoticed by her, she will find a better way to improve when discovering her points of improvement.
Set Visualisations with Euler and Hasse Diagrams
Authors: Priss Uta
Published: March 2021

This paper discusses set visualisations with concept lattices in the sense of Formal Concept Analysis (FCA) in contrast to visualisations with Euler diagrams. Both types of visualisations have advantages and disadvantages. Because of the connection between both fields and the body of knowledge that exists in both fields it is of interest to investigate whether results from either field can contribute to the other.
Collaborative Design and Manufacture: Information Structures for Team Formation and Coordination
Authors: Stalker Iain Duncan , Kazantsev Nikolai
Published: March 2021

Our interest here lies in supporting important, but routine and time-consuming activities that underpin success in highly distributed, collaborative design and manufacturing environments; and how information structuring can facilitate this. To that end, we present a simple, yet powerful approach to team formation, partner selection, scheduling and communication that employs a different approach to the task of matching candidates to opportunities or partners to requirements (matchmaking): traditionally, this is approached using either an idea of ‘nearness’ or ‘best fit’ (metric-based paradigms); or by finding a subtree within a tree (data structure) (tree traversal). Instead, we prefer concept lattices to establish notions of ‘inclusion’ or ‘membership’: essentially, a topological paradigm. While our approach is substantive, it can be used alongside traditional approaches and in this way one could harness the strengths of multiple paradigms.
Approximate Knowledge Graph Query Answering: From Ranking to Binary Classification
Authors: van Bakel Ruud , Aleksiev Teodor , Daza Daniel , Alivanistos Dimitrios , Cochez Michael
Published: March 2021

Large, heterogeneous datasets are characterized by missing or even erroneous information. This is more evident when they are the product of community effort or automatic fact extraction methods from external sources, such as text. A special case of the aforementioned phenomenon can be seen in knowledge graphs, where this mostly appears in the form of missing or incorrect edges and nodes.

Structured querying on such incomplete graphs will result in incomplete sets of answers, even if the correct entities exist in the graph, since one or more edges needed to match the pattern are missing. To overcome this problem, several algorithms for approximate structured query answering have been proposed. Inspired by modern Information Retrieval metrics, these algorithms produce a ranking of all entities in the graph, and their performance is further evaluated based on how high in this ranking the correct answers appear.

In this work we take a critical look at this way of evaluation. We argue that performing a ranking-based evaluation is not sufficient to assess methods for complex query answering. To solve this, we introduce Message Passing Query Boxes (MPQB), which takes binary classification metrics back into use and shows the effect this has on the recently proposed query embedding method MPQE.
Galois Connections for Patterns: An Algebra of Labelled Graphs
Authors: Cohen David A. , Cooper Martin C. , Jeavons Peter G. , Živný Stanislav
Published: March 2021

A pattern is a generic instance of a binary constraint satisfaction problem (CSP) in which the compatibility of certain pairs of variable-value assignments may be unspecified. The notion of forbidden pattern has led to the discovery of several novel tractable classes for the CSP. However, for this field to come of age it is time for a theoretical study of the algebra of patterns. We present a Galois connection between lattices composed of sets of forbidden patterns and sets of generic instances, and investigate its consequences. We then extend patterns to augmented patterns and exhibit a similar Galois connection. Augmented patterns are a more powerful language than flat (i.e. non-augmented) patterns, as we demonstrate by showing that, for any $$k \ge 1$$

k
≥
1

, instances with tree-width bounded by k cannot be specified by forbidding a finite set of flat patterns but can be specified by a finite set of augmented patterns. A single finite set of augmented patterns can also describe the class of instances such that each instance has a weak near-unanimity polymorphism of arity k (thus covering all tractable language classes).We investigate the power of forbidding augmented patterns and discuss their potential for describing new tractable classes.
Geometrizing $$ T\overline{T} $$
Authors: Caputa Pawel , Datta Shouvik , Jiang Yunfeng , Kraus Per
Published: March 2021

Abstract

The $$ T\overline{T} $$
T

T
¯

deformation can be formulated as a dynamical change of coordinates. We establish and generalize this relation to curved spaces by coupling the undeformed theory to 2d gravity. For curved space the dynamical change of coordinates is supplemented by a dynamical Weyl transformation. We also sharpen the holographic correspondence to cutoff AdS3 in multiple ways. First, we show that the action of the annular region between the cutoff surface and the boundary of AdS3 is given precisely by the $$ T\overline{T} $$
T

T
¯

operator integrated over either the cutoff surface or the asymptotic boundary. Then we derive dynamical coordinate and Weyl transformations directly from the bulk. Finally, we reproduce the flow equation for the deformed stress tensor from the cutoff geometry.
Collision in the interior of wormhole
Authors: Zhao Ying
Published: March 2021

Abstract

The Schwarzschild wormhole has been interpreted as an entangled state. If Alice and Bob fall into each of the black hole, they can meet in the interior. We interpret this meeting in terms of the quantum circuit that prepares the entangled state. Alice and Bob create growing perturbations in the circuit, and we argue that the overlap of these perturbations represents their meeting. We compare the gravity picture with circuit analysis, and identify the post-collision region as the region storing the gates that are not affected by any of the perturbations.
The quasi-particle picture and its breakdown after local quenches: mutual information, negativity, and reflected entropy
Authors: Kudler-Flam Jonah , Kusuki Yuya , Ryu Shinsei
Published: March 2021

Abstract

We study the dynamics of (Rényi) mutual information, logarithmic negativity, and (Rényi) reflected entropy after exciting the ground state by a local operator. Together with recent results from ref. [1], we are able to conjecture a close-knit structure between the three quantities that emerges in states excited above the vacuum, including both local and global quantum quenches. This structure intimately depends on the chaoticity of the theory i.e. there exist distinct sets of equivalences for integrable and chaotic theories. For rational conformal field theories (RCFT), we find all quantities to compute the quantum dimension of the primary operator inserted. In contrast, we find the correlation measures to grow (logarithmically) without bound in all c > 1 conformal field theories with a finite twist gap. In comparing the calculations in the two classes of theories, we are able to identify the dynamical mechanism for the breakdown of the quasi-particle picture in 2D conformal field theories. Intriguingly, we also find preliminary evidence that our general lessons apply to quantum systems considerably distinct from conformal field theories, such as integrable and chaotic spin chains, suggesting a universality of entanglement dynamics in non-equilibrium systems.
Multi-fixed point numerical conformal bootstrap: a case study with structured global symmetry
Authors: Dowens Matthew T. , Hooley Chris A.
Published: March 2021

Abstract

In large part, the future utility of modern numerical conformal bootstrap depends on its ability to accurately predict the existence of hitherto unknown non-trivial conformal field theories (CFTs). Here we investigate the extent to which this is possible in the case where the global symmetry group has a product structure. We do this by testing for signatures of fixed points using a mixed-correlator bootstrap calculation with a minimal set of input assumptions. This ‘semi-blind’ approach contrasts with other approaches for probing more complicated groups, which ‘target’ known theories with additional spectral assumptions or use the saturation of the single-correlator bootstrap bound as a starting point. As a case study, we select the space of CFTs with product-group symmetry O(15) ⊗ O(3) in d = 3 dimensions. On the assumption that there is only one relevant scalar (ℓ = 0) singlet operator in the theory, we find a single ‘allowed’ region in our chosen space of scaling dimensions. The scaling dimensions corresponding to two known large-N critical theories, the Heisenberg and the chiral ones, lie on or very near the boundary of this region. The large-N antichiral point lies well outside the ‘allowed’ region, which is consistent with the expectation that the antichiral theory is unstable, and thus has an additional relevant scalar singlet operator. We also find a sharp kink in the boundary of the ‘allowed’ region at values of the scaling dimensions that do not correspond to the (N, M ) = (3, 15) instance of any large-N -predicted O(N ) ⊗ O(M ) critical theory.
Lorentz spaces in action on pressureless systems arising from models of collective behavior
Authors: Danchin Raphaël , Bogusław Mucha Piotr , Tolksdorf Patrick
Published: March 2021

We are concerned with global-in-time existence and uniqueness results for models of pressureless gases that come up in the description of phenomena in astrophysics or collective behavior. The initial data are rough: in particular, the density is only bounded. Our results are based on interpolation and parabolic maximal regularity, where Lorentz spaces play a key role. We establish a novel maximal regularity estimate for parabolic systems in $$L_{q,r}(0,T;L_p(\Omega ))$$

L

q
,
r

(
0
,
T
;

L
p

(
Ω
)

)

spaces.
Kalòs kai agathòs? government quality and cultural heritage in the regions of Europe
Authors: Bertacchini Enrico , Revelli Federico
Published: March 2021

This paper uses panel data on over 200 regions of Europe during the years 2010–2015 to study the relationship between the quality of institutions and the capacity of local authorities and stakeholders to effectively protect and support cultural heritage, using new designations in the UNESCO World Heritage List as a proxy. Besides analyzing the spatial distribution of World Heritage sites across European regions, we test whether the location of a region matters for the chances of obtaining a new UNESCO designation by controlling for the stock of World Heritage in the surrounding regions, and whether low regional government quality is an obstacle to inclusion of sites into the List. While we can detect no significant spill-overs from the stock of World Heritage in surrounding regions, we find evidence that local government quality matters for the chances of a region gaining a UNESCO site designation.
Maximum Torque Per Watt (MTPW) field-oriented control of induction motor
Authors: Attaianese Ciro , Monaco Mauro Di , Tomasso Giuseppe
Published: March 2021

A new field-oriented control strategy for induction motor is proposed in the paper. It is called Maximum Torque Per Watt (MTPW) and allows obtaining the minimum value of the sum of the stator and rotor losses due to joule effect, and of the iron losses, for a given value of the reference torque and of the motor speed. Iron losses have been modeled according to Steinmetz equation, separating hysteresis and eddy currents and taking into account the dependence both on the frequency and on the peak value of the flux density. Numerical and experimental results are presented to confirm the validity of the proposed approach, which allows achieving significant improvements in the efficiency of induction motor drive.
Nonlocal-Interaction Equation on Graphs: Gradient Flow Structure and Continuum Limit
Authors: Esposito Antonio , Patacchini Francesco S. , Schlichting André , Slepčev Dejan
Published: March 2021

We consider dynamics driven by interaction energies on graphs. We introduce graph analogues of the continuum nonlocal-interaction equation and interpret them as gradient flows with respect to a graph Wasserstein distance. The particular Wasserstein distance we consider arises from the graph analogue of the Benamou–Brenier formulation where the graph continuity equation uses an upwind interpolation to define the density along the edges. While this approach has both theoretical and computational advantages, the resulting distance is only a quasi-metric. We investigate this quasi-metric both on graphs and on more general structures where the set of “vertices” is an arbitrary positive measure. We call the resulting gradient flow of the nonlocal-interaction energy the nonlocal nonlocal-interaction equation (NL$$^2$$

2

IE). We develop the existence theory for the solutions of the NL$$^2$$

2

IE as curves of maximal slope with respect to the upwind Wasserstein quasi-metric. Furthermore, we show that the solutions of the NL$$^2$$

2

IE on graphs converge as the empirical measures of the set of vertices converge weakly, which establishes a valuable discrete-to-continuum convergence result.
Profile of Heavy Metals and Antioxidant Defense in the Muscle Tissues of Pigeons (Columba livia f. urbana) from Anthropogenically Transformed Areas in the Pomeranian Region (Northern Poland)
Authors: Kurhaluk Natalia , Tkachenko Halyna , Hetmański Tomasz , Włodarkiewicz Agnieszka , Tomin Vladimir
Published: March 2021

Pigeons can be successfully used as bioindicators of a contaminated environment. We studied the relationship between the functioning of the pro/antioxidant balance in muscle tissues (skeletal muscle and cardiac tissues) of pigeons (Columba liviaf.urbana) living in areas with different levels of pollution (Pomeranian Voivodeship, Northern Poland). The current study demonstrated the impact of the environment with preferential high Pb contamination in soil and feathers of pigeons on the formation of adaptive redox mechanisms in muscle tissues. An increase in the intensity of lipid peroxidation (estimated by the TBARS level) accompanied by enhancement of the oxidative modification of proteins (aldehydic and ketonic derivatives) and an important decrease in the activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and GR) in pigeon muscle tissue was observed. These changes in enzyme activities were dependent on the type of muscle tissue (skeletal muscle and cardiac tissues). Our results confirm the concept of the recalculation of the De Ritis ratio (AsAT/AlAT) in both types of muscles indicating the tendency to cardio- and hepatocellular damage and toxicity caused by heavy metals from the polluted environment.
Clinical validity of increased cortical binding of tau ligands of the THK family and PBB3 on PET as biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease in the context of a structured 5-phase development framework
Authors: Chiotis Konstantinos , Dodich Alessandra , Boccardi Marina , Festari Cristina , Drzezga Alexander , Hansson Oskar , Ossenkoppele Rik , Frisoni Giovanni , Garibotto Valentina , Nordberg Agneta
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The research community has focused on defining reliable biomarkers for the early detection of the pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In 2017, the Geneva AD Biomarker Roadmap initiative adapted the framework for the systematic validation of oncological biomarkers to AD, with the aim to accelerate their development and implementation in clinical practice. The aim of this work was to assess the validation status of tau PET ligands of the THK family and PBB3 as imaging biomarkers for AD, based on the Biomarker Roadmap methodology.

Methods

A panel of experts in AD biomarkers convened in November 2019 at a 2-day workshop in Geneva. The level of clinical validity of tau PET ligands of the THK family and PBB3 was assessed based on the 5-phase development framework before the meeting and discussed during the workshop.

Results

PET radioligands of the THK family discriminate well between healthy controls and patients with AD dementia (phase 2; partly achieved) and recent evidence suggests an accurate diagnostic accuracy at the mild cognitive impairment (MCI) stage of the disease (phase 3; partly achieved). The phases 2 and 3 were considered not achieved for PBB3 since no evidence exists about the ligand’s diagnostic accuracy. Preliminary evidence exists about the secondary aims of each phase for all ligands.

Conclusion

Much work remains for completing the aims of phases 2 and 3 and replicating the available evidence. However, it is unlikely that the validation process for these tracers will be completed, given the presence of off-target binding and the development of second-generation tracers with improved binding and pharmacokinetic properties.
Evolution of boldness and exploratory behavior in giant mice from Gough Island
Authors: Stratton Jered A. , Nolte Mark J. , Payseur Bret A.
Published: March 2021

Island populations are hallmarks of extreme phenotypic evolution. Radical changes in resource availability and predation risk accompanying island colonization drive changes in behavior, which Darwin likened to tameness in domesticated animals. Although many examples of animal boldness are found on islands, the heritability of observed behaviors, a requirement for evolution, remains largely unknown. To fill this gap, we profiled anxiety and exploration in island and mainland inbred strains of house mice raised in a common laboratory environment. The island strain was descended from mice on Gough Island, the largest wild house mice on record. Experiments utilizing open environments across two ages showed that Gough Island mice are bolder and more exploratory, even when a shelter is provided. Concurrently, Gough Island mice retain an avoidance response to predator urine. F1 offspring from crosses between these two strains behave more similarly to the mainland strain for most traits, suggesting recessive mutations contributed to behavioral evolution on the island. Our results provide a rare example of novel, inherited behaviors in an island population and demonstrate that behavioral evolution can be specific to different forms of perceived danger. Our discoveries pave the way for a genetic understanding of how island populations evolve unusual behaviors.

Significance

Organisms on islands are known to behave differently from mainland organisms. An absence of predators and a different set of natural resources are expected to make island organisms less anxious and more exploratory. We raised two groups of house mice, one from Gough Island in the South Atlantic and one from the mainland Eastern USA, in the same laboratory environment to see if behavioral differences between the two groups are heritable. Mice from both groups were placed in novel enclosures that are known to cause anxiety in rodents. We found that mice from the island are bolder and more exploratory in these enclosures but avoid predator odors in the same way as mainland mice. Our results show that boldness and exploration can evolve after island colonization.
Out of the Loop: The Value of a Preoperative Loopogram for Colostomy Reversal in Trauma
Authors: Morare Nolitha Makapi Tisetso , Motha Meshack Nkosinaye , Moeng Maeyane Stephens
Published: March 2021

Background

Stoma is occasionally fashioned during trauma surgery. A loopogram is routinely conducted in the surgical planning for stoma reversal. This is associated with medical and cost implications. A study was undertaken to evaluate the influence of loopograms on the management of trauma patients at a Johannesburg hospital.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of records in the stoma database (January 2013 to December 2018) was conducted. The patient demographics, method of injury, stoma‐type, loopogram findings and post‐operative courses were analysed.

Results

112 records were obtained. 9 (8%) patients were excluded for pending investigations or surgery. 13 (11.6%) patients were excluded for incomplete data. The remaining 90 (80.3%) patients, with a mean age of 32.9 had non‐contributory loopograms and underwent a reversal procedure. 43 (47.8%) had a loop colostomy while 47 (52.2%) had undergone a Hartmann's procedure. Mechanism of injury was stab wounds (81.4%L; 61.7%H); gunshot wounds (13.9%L; 29.7%H) and blunt trauma (L5% and 9%H). The post‐operative complication rate was 30% for the loop group (2.3% ≥ Clavien‐Dindo 3) and 25.5% for the Hartmann's group (4% ≥ Clavien‐Dindo 3). The average timing to reversal was 38 weeks (range 12–60) in the Hartmann's group and 22 weeks (range 12–32) the loop colostomy group.

Conclusion

Significant findings are infrequent on loopogram for trauma patients. When these findings are detected, the effect on management is questionable. They are not without complications and have cost and time implications. Loopograms are helpful in selective cases rather than as a routine investigation, particularly in resource‐limited settings.
Reduced biomechanical models for precision-cut lung-slice stretching experiments
Authors: Pybus Hannah J. , Tatler Amanda L. , Edgar Lowell T. , O’Dea Reuben D. , Brook Bindi S.
Published: March 2021

Precision-cut lung-slices (PCLS), in which viable airways embedded within lung parenchyma are stretched or induced to contract, are a widely used ex vivo assay to investigate bronchoconstriction and, more recently, mechanical activation of pro-remodelling cytokines in asthmatic airways. We develop a nonlinear fibre-reinforced biomechanical model accounting for smooth muscle contraction and extracellular matrix strain-stiffening. Through numerical simulation, we describe the stresses and contractile responses of an airway within a PCLS of finite thickness, exposing the importance of smooth muscle contraction on the local stress state within the airway. We then consider two simplifying limits of the model (a membrane representation and an asymptotic reduction in the thin-PCLS-limit), that permit analytical progress. Comparison against numerical solution of the full problem shows that the asymptotic reduction successfully captures the key elements of the full model behaviour. The more tractable reduced model that we develop is suitable to be employed in investigations to elucidate the time-dependent feedback mechanisms linking airway mechanics and cytokine activation in asthma.
A non-parametric method for determining epidemiological reproduction numbers
Authors: Pijpers Frank P.
Published: March 2021

In the spreading of infectious diseases, an important number to determine is how many other people will be infected on average by anyone who has become infected themselves. This is known as the reproduction number. This paper describes a non-parametric inverse method for extracting the full transfer function of infection, of which the reproduction number is the integral. The method is demonstrated by applying it to the timeline of hospitalisation admissions for covid-19 in the Netherlands up to May 20 2020, which is publicly available from the site of the Dutch National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (rivm.nl).
An objective, markerless videosystem for staging facial palsy
Authors: Monini S. , Ripoli S. , Filippi C. , Fatuzzo I. , Salerno G. , Covelli E. , Bini F. , Marinozzi F. , Marchelletta S. , Manni G. , Barbara M.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

To propose a new objective, video recording method for the classification of unilateral peripheral facial palsy (UPFP) that relies on mathematical algorithms allowing the software to recognize numerical points on the two sides of the face surface that would be indicative of facial nerve impairment without positioning of markers on the face.

Methods

Patients with UPFP of different House–Brackmann (HB) degrees ranging from II to V were evaluated after video recording during two selected facial movements (forehead frowning and smiling) using a software trained to recognize the face points as numbers. Numerical parameters in millimeters were obtained as indicative values of the shifting of the face points, of the shift differences of the two face sides and the shifting ratio between the healthy (denominator) and the affected side (numerator), i.e., the asymmetry index for the two movements.

Results

For each HB grade, specific asymmetry index ranges were identified with a positive correlation for shift differences and negative correlation for asymmetry indexes.

Conclusions

The use of the present objective system enabled the identification of numerical ranges of asymmetry between the healthy and the affected side that were consistent with the outcome from the subjective methods currently in use.
Interacting diffusions on positive definite matrices
Authors: O’Connell Neil
Published: March 2021

We consider systems of Brownian particles in the space of positive definite matrices, which evolve independently apart from some simple interactions. We give examples of such processes which have an integrable structure. These are related to K-Bessel functions of matrix argument and multivariate generalisations of these functions. The latter are eigenfunctions of a particular quantisation of the non-Abelian Toda lattice.
Modellierung pluvialer Sturzfluten – Anforderungen und Sensitivitäten der 2D-hydraulischen Modellierung
Authors: Huber Andreas , Lumassegger Simon , Kohl Bernhard , Spira Yvonne , Weingraber Felix , Achleitner Stefan
Published: March 2021

Lokale Starkregen und der daraus resultierende Oberflächenwasserabfluss führten in den letzten Jahren vermehrt zu pluvialen Sturzfluten (Hangwässern) verbunden mit Überflutungen und Schäden. Auch in Österreich kam es vermehrt zu derartigen Ereignissen bei denen nicht nur urban geprägte Gebiete, sondern auch vielfach ländliche Gebiete mit überwiegend landwirtschaftlicher Nutzung betroffen waren. Überflutungsmodellierungen sowie daraus abgeleitete Risikoabschätzungen und Maßnahmenplanungen stellen wichtige Werkzeuge dar, um zukünftig Schäden abzuwenden bzw. zu minimieren. In den Projekten RAINMAN, AQUACLEW und SAFFER-CC kamen an mehreren Fallbeispielen unterschiedliche 2D-hydrodynamische, numerische (2D-HN) Oberflächenabflussmodelle zur Anwendung, um Überflutungsflächen, Wasserstände und Fließgeschwindigkeiten abzuschätzen. Neben dem Vergleich unterschiedlicher Modelle wurde die Sensitivität von Modellparametern bei unterschiedlichen Bemessungsszenarien erfasst. Hinsichtlich der Abflussbildung wurde die Auswirkung geänderter Abflussbeiwerte (Landnutzungsänderung, Unsicherheiten etc.) auf die Überflutungsbilder erhoben. Analog wurden Modellsensitivitäten bei den Prozessen der Abflusskonzentration betrachtet. Der Einfluss von Modellauflösung, Parametrisierung der Rauheit, Implementierung hydraulisch relevanter Strukturen (Gebäude, Mauern und Durchlässe) wurden mit unterschiedlichen hydraulischen Modellen getestet. Zur Anwendung kamen dabei rasterbasierte Modelle und Ansätze mit freien/unstrukturierten Netzen.
Shear Response of Wet Weak Carbonate Rock/Grout Interfaces Under Cyclic Loading
Authors: Stavropoulou Eleni , Dano Christophe , Boulon Marc
Published: March 2021

The development and construction of offshore wind farms requires the correct estimation of the friction that can be mobilised at the rock/grout interface. In conventional studies, the shear behaviour of a joint is usually investigated with laboratory tests under constant normal load/stress (CNL), however, in engineering practice, direct shear testing under constant normal stiffness (CNS) has been proved to be more realistic in the assessment of the development of the side shear resistance in rock grouted pile design. In this work, an extensive experimental campaign on the shear response of a weak carbonate rock (limestone) interface with grout is presented, in the frame of offshore wind turbines. First, basic mechanical testing is performed on the two interface materials in order to evaluate their mechanical properties. The output of these tests reveals not only the contrasting properties of the two interacting materials, but also the decreased response of the limestone in the presence of water. A series of monotonic shear tests (both under CNL and CNS conditions) on wet rough limestone/grout interfaces reveal the high impact of adhesion between the two materials to the mechanical response. Based on the monotonic results, a number of CNS shear tests under cyclic loading takes place, where different failure modes are observed dilatant and contractant response. The variability of the failure mode is strongly related not only to the adhesion created with the cast grout, but also to the limestone’s micro-structural heterogeneity that manifests already after consolidation. The post-shear morphological state of the interface is analysed, while the variability of the failure surface and the presence of water gouge creation do not allow a clear correlation of the morphologfy to the mechanical response. Overall, the response of this type of weak rock interface where the properties of the grout are significantly higher, is governed by the behaviour of the rock.
Evaluation of a structured skills training group for adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Meyer Jenny , Ramklint Mia , Hallerbäck Maria Unenge , Lööf Måns , Isaksson Johan
Published: March 2021

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adolescence is associated with behavioural, emotional and interpersonal problems, and non-pharmacological treatments targeting these difficulties have been requested. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and acceptance of an age-adapted structured skills training group (SSTG) for adolescents with ADHD. Adolescents (n = 184, ages 15–18 years) with a diagnosis of ADHD were randomly assigned to either the SSTG, which is based on dialectical behavioural therapy, or an active control group based on psychoeducation. Symptoms of ADHD, behavioural and emotional problems, functional impairment, and health-related outcomes were assessed with self-ratings and parental ratings two weeks before, two weeks after, and six months after treatment. All participants who completed the pre-treatment measurements (n = 164) were included in the main analyses, which were conducted using a linear mixed model. Our results demonstrated no significant group differences in favour of the SSTG for any of the study outcomes. A majority of the participants in both groups reported that they had increased their knowledge about ADHD, improved their ability to manage problems related to the diagnosis, and would recommend the treatment to others. We conclude that the SSTG seems to be acceptable for adolescents with ADHD in a clinical context. However, the treatment was not proved to be more effective or more acceptable than the psychoeducational control intervention.

Trial registration: http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN17366720,11/05/2016, retrospectively registered.
Two-dimensional reward evaluation in mice
Authors: Nachev Vladislav , Rivalan Marion , Winter York
Published: March 2021

When choosing among multi-attribute options, integrating the full information may be computationally costly and time-consuming. So-called non-compensatory decision rules only rely on partial information, for example when a difference on a single attribute overrides all others. Such rules may be ecologically more advantageous, despite being economically suboptimal. Here, we present a study that investigates to what extent animals rely on integrative rules (using the full information) versus non-compensatory rules when choosing where to forage. Groups of mice were trained to obtain water from dispensers varying along two reward dimensions: volume and probability. The mice’s choices over the course of the experiment suggested an initial reliance on integrative rules, later displaced by a sequential rule, in which volume was evaluated before probability. Our results also demonstrate that while the evaluation of probability differences may depend on the reward volumes, the evaluation of volume differences is seemingly unaffected by the reward probabilities.
Studying the relationship between anxiety and school achievement: evidence from PISA data
Authors: D’Agostino Antonella , Schirripa Spagnolo Francesco , Salvati Nicola
Published: March 2021

Using the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2015 data for Italy, this paper offers a complete overview of the relationship between test anxiety and school performance by studying how anxiety affects the performance of students along the overall conditional distribution of mathematics, literature and science scores. We aim to indirectly measure whether higher goals increase test anxiety, starting from the hypothesis that high-skilled students generally set themselves high goals. We use an M-quantile regression approach that allows us to take into account the hierarchical structure and sampling weights of the PISA data. There is evidence of a negative and statistically significant relationship between test anxiety and school performance. The size of the estimated association is greater at the upper tail of the distribution of each score than at the lower tail. Therefore, our results suggest that high-performing students are more affected than low-performing students by emotional reactions to tests and school-work anxiety.
Viable and not viable spore concentrations in National Gallery of Umbria (Italy)
Authors: Ruga Luigia , Orlandi Fabio , Fornaciari Marco
Published: March 2021

The conservation actions towards artworks holding a common patrimony for the community are of primary importance, but also those related to their "container" as museums, libraries or archives are to consider. Fungal spores and bacteria carried by air flows to the artwork surface can colonize it causing biodeterioration through physical and/or chemical alterations of the materials with the irreversible loss of their value. The quality control of the indoor air surrounding the historic building is essential, as well as for the protection and conservation of the artwork, also for the protection of the health of operators and visitors. The aim of this study was to monitor airborne fungal particles, through volumetric spore traps, for improving the knowledge about the conservation and protection of artworks in the museum environment analysing the principal relationships between indoor environmental conditions and potentially biodeteriogen fungal spore growth. The evidence of no significant relationships between spore concentrations and environmental conditions recorded inside the different expositive rooms testified the regular and correct maintenance of the air conditioning system inside the considered building (National Gallery of Umbria, central Italy). Moreover, in a specific museum room a significant spore concentration decreasing trend was recorded mainly due to a structural modification in the same building.