bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modelling the Transformation from Snow to Ice Based on the Underlying Sintering Process
Authors: Schultz Timm , Müller Ralf , Gross Dietmar , Humbert Angelika
Published: January 2021

In cold regions of the earth, like Antarctica, Greenland or mountains at high altitude, the annual amount of deposited snow exceeds the amount of snow melting. Snow, which is more than one year old, is called firn. Over time firn transforms into ice by a sintering process, mainly driven by overburden pressure and temperature. This ultimately leads to the formation of glaciers and ice sheets.

We simulate firn densification based on the processes of sintering. The constitutive law represents grain boundary sliding, dislocation creep and diffusion. These mechanisms sum up to the overall densification which leads to the transformation of snow to ice. The model aims at obtaining a physics driven simulation tool for firn densification which provides data for a wider range of areas. It will contribute to develop better models and better understanding of the cryosphere.
Mean‐field homogenization based constitutive modeling of austenitic TRIP‐steels at the single crystal scale
Authors: Prüger Stefan , Kiefer Björn
Published: January 2021

In order to accurately describe the effective mechanical behavior of single‐crystalline, austenitic TRIP‐steels, a two‐phase mean‐field homogenization scheme is presented in a finite deformation framework, which also includes transformation‐induced eigendeformations. The constitutive behavior of the two phases, namely austenite and martensite, is described by a rate‐independent single‐crystal plasticity model that captures elastic anisotropy as well as anisotropic slip and hardening behavior. The response of the two‐phase model under homogeneous deformation states is investigated and a particle strengthening effect is predicted in the absence of transformation‐induced eigendeformations and a suitable choice of material constants, while upon the inclusion of eigendeformations a gradual stress softening is observed.
Cell enrichment and separation technique using active hydrogel membranes
Authors: Mehling Ramona , Gruner Denise , Ehrenhofer Adrian , Richter Andreas , Wallmersperger Thomas
Published: January 2021

Detection and isolation of target cells from heterogeneous mixtures are highly demanded in medicine, tissue engineering, and cell biology. Likewise requested are measuring techniques for significant biomarkers indicating changes in cellular phenotype like size distribution and deformability of blood cells. A forward‐looking and label‐free cell enrichment concept based on a membrane system made out of a stimulus‐responsive hydrogel is strived for. Therefore, in order to obtain the necessary insight into deformable objects transported within a microfiltration system, the behavior (i) of the flow, (ii) of the membrane, and (iii) of the cells, as well as their interactions, has to be well understood. In the present research both, experimental and numerical investigations are performed.
On the Poisson's ratio of an amorphous 2D network material
Authors: Stratmann Jan , Ebrahem Firaz , Bamer Franz , Markert Bernd
Published: January 2021

Since Poisson's ratio has only been determined for crystalline forms of network materials, we investigate freestanding, amorphous monolayer 2D silica with varying ring size heterogeneity under tensile stress. Compared to the crystalline material, the relation between x‐ and y‐strain is slightly nonlinear. Thus, the Poisson's ratio is not constant, but a strongly oscillating function of the x‐strain. With increasing level of heterogeneity, the Poisson's ratio of the material decreases.
School‐wide positive behavioral interventions and supports in Dutch elementary schools: Exploring effects
Authors: Nelen Monique J. M. , Scholte Ron H. J. , Blonk Anita M. , van der Veld William M. , Nelen Wendy B. L. , Denessen Eddie
Published: January 2021

In 2009, School‐Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS) was introduced in the Netherlands to support schools in creating safe learning environments. In this longitudinal study, we explored effects of SWPBIS on student outcomes in the Netherlands. Fidelity of implementation of SWPBIS has been associated with improved student outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine the relation between changes in fidelity and student outcomes. A total of 66 elementary schools (n = 14,256 students) were followed for 3 years (2015–2018). We collected yearly data on fidelity, social safety (consisting of students' social well‐being, general feeling of safety, harassment, prevalence of unsafe locations in and around schools), behavior incidents, and additional behavioral support. Using repeated measures analysis of variances, we saw an increase in fidelity scores and a decline in the percentage of students stating there were unsafe locations in and around school. Multiple regression analyses showed that changes in fidelity were related to changes in both students' social well‐being and the number of behavior incidents. Limitations were discussed, such as the absence of comparison schools not implementing SWPBIS, and schools at different stages of implementation, and we accounted for missing data.
Modeling multiple phenotypes in wheat using data‐driven genomic exploratory factor analysis and Bayesian network learning
Authors: Momen Mehdi , Bhatta Madhav , Hussain Waseem , Yu Haipeng , Morota Gota
Published: January 2021

Inferring trait networks from a large volume of genetically correlated diverse phenotypes such as yield, architecture, and disease resistance can provide information on the manner in which complex phenotypes are interrelated. However, studies on statistical methods tailored to multidimensional phenotypes are limited, whereas numerous methods are available for evaluating the massive number of genetic markers. Factor analysis operates at the level of latent variables predicted to generate observed responses. The objectives of this study were to illustrate the manner in which data‐driven exploratory factor analysis can map observed phenotypes into a smaller number of latent variables and infer a genomic latent factor network using 45 agro‐morphological, disease, and grain mineral phenotypes measured in synthetic hexaploid wheat lines (Triticum aestivum L.). In total, eight latent factors including grain yield, architecture, flag leaf‐related traits, grain minerals, yellow rust, two types of stem rust, and leaf rust were identified as common sources of the observed phenotypes. The genetic component of the factor scores for each latent variable was fed into a Bayesian network to obtain a trait structure reflecting the genetic interdependency among traits. Three directed paths were consistently identified by two Bayesian network algorithms. Flag leaf‐related traits influenced leaf rust, and yellow rust and stem rust influenced grain yield. Additional paths that were identified included flag leaf‐related traits to minerals and minerals to architecture. This study shows that data‐driven exploratory factor analysis can reveal smaller dimensional common latent phenotypes that are likely to give rise to numerous observed field phenotypes without relying on prior biological knowledge. The inferred genomic latent factor structure from the Bayesian network provides insights for plant breeding to simultaneously improve multiple traits, as an intervention on one trait will affect the values of focal phenotypes in an interrelated complex trait system.
Randomized, Placebo‐Controlled Analysis of the Knee Synovial Environment Following Platelet‐Rich Plasma Treatment for Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Tucker Jason D. , Goetz Lance L. , Duncan Michael B. , Gilman Jared B. , Elmore Lynne W. , Sell Scott A. , McClure Michael J. , Quagliano Peter V. , Martin Caroline C.
Published: January 2021

Background

Platelet‐rich‐plasma (PRP) is used to treat knee osteoarthritis; however, mechanistic evidence of PRP effectiveness for pain relief is limited.

Objective

To assess molecular biomarkers and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in synovial fluid during PRP treatment of the osteoarthritic knee joint.

Design

Single blinded, randomized, placebo controlled pilot study.

Setting

Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Participants

Seventeen participants with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis were randomized in a 2:1 placebo‐controlled ratio, receiving PRP or saline (placebo) intra‐articular injection into the knee joint.

Methods

Knee synovial fluid was analyzed before the respective injections and again 10 days following injection. Participants were followed up to 12 months completing visual analog scale (VAS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaires at intervals over that period.

Main Outcome Measures

The effects of PRP on synovial protein and MSC gene expression levels were measured by multiplex enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Results

Novel biomarkers including levels of interleukin (IL)‐5, IL‐6, IL‐10, and tumor necrosis factor‐α were measured in synovial fluid 10 days after PRP treatment. Altered gene expression profiles in MSCs from patients treated with PRP were observed for matrix metalloproteinases and inflammatory markers (IL‐6, IL‐8, CCL2, TNF‐α). A2M protease was significantly increased following PRP treatment (P = .005). WOMAC scores declined for up to 3 months from baseline levels and remained low at 6 and 12 months in the PRP group. In contrast, WOMAC scores for patients receiving the saline injection were relatively unchanged for up to 12 months.

Conclusions

We report significant changes for the biomarker A2M (P = .005) as well as differences in expression of cellular markers and postulate that PRP modulates the local knee synovial environment by altering the inflammatory milieu, matrix degradation, and angiogenic growth factors. The PRP treatment group had less pain and stiffness and improved function scores.
Branched polymers through redox emulsion polymerization using peroxide monomer as the branching agent
Authors: Jiang Qilin , Zhang Yuanliang , Jiang Qimin , Du Yongzhuang , Jiang Li , Huang Wenyan , Xue Xiaoqiang , Yang Hongjun , Jiang Bibiao
Published: January 2021

Redox emulsion polymerization to branched vinyl polymers in the presence of 2‐(tert‐butylperoxy)ethyl methacrylate (BPEMA), ferrous sulfate, and sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate (SFS) is reported in this paper. The peroxide monomer BPEMA containing alkyl peroxide was designed for high stability during preparation and storage. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), Raman, and triple‐detection size‐exclusion chromatography (TD‐SEC) measurements were used to reveal the polymerization procedure and provide evidence of branching structure. In the case of polymerization at St100‐BPEMA1.0‐FeSO4 0.5‐SFS0.2, the molecular weight increased and decreased with conversion below and above 75% monomer conversion, respectively. The decreasing of molecular weight with monomer conversion came from the increased viscosity of the micelle, which makes it difficult for the formed macromolecules containing vinyl group to participate into polymerization. Finally, the molecular weight reached a value of Mn. SEC = 439,200 g/mol at 92.2% conversion. In addition, the Zimm branching factor, g', also decreased and increased with conversion below and above 60% conversion, respectively, and then the g' finally attends a value of 0.41, showing high degree of branching. Branched poly(methyl methacrylate) was also prepared through this strategy, showing a versatile approach to branched vinyl polymers.
The reverse halo sign and spontaneous pneumothorax due to pulmonary mucormycosis
Authors: Khawar Muhammad Umair , Tiwana Maida , Sengupta Ruchira , Wang Jiang , Indihar Veronica
Published: January 2021

Pulmonary mucormycosis (PM) is a rare opportunistic fungal infection that commonly affects immunocompromised patients. Early diagnosis and initiation of appropriate anti‐fungal therapy are crucial, as delay in diagnosis leads to increased mortality. However, the diagnosis is often challenging because of the lack of utility of serum markers and low culture sensitivity. Definitive diagnosis often requires invasive tissue sampling, which may delay treatment. Therefore, chest imaging findings play an important role in the diagnosis of suspected cases. This case highlights the importance of classic reverse halo sign and presence of necrotizing cystic changes resulting in spontaneous pneumothorax in a patient who was later found to have invasive PM.
23Na‐NMR Data Based Donor Number and Their Correlation with Solvatochromic Parameters in Binary Solvent Mixtures
Authors: Harifi‐Mood Ali Reza , Sharifi Fereshteh , Bijanzadeh Hamid Reza
Published: January 2021

Donor numbers (DNs) of binary mixtures of acetonitrile with methanol, ethanol, ethylene glycol, 1‐butanol, and tert‐butanol were calculated in the whole range of mole fractions based on 23Na‐NMR chemical shift of sodium perchlorate dissolved in solvent. Data showed positive deviation from hypothetical linear ideal behavior. Solvatochromic parameters including empirical polarity, dipolar/polarizability, hydrogen bond donor, and hydrogen bond acceptor of the solvent mixtures were spectrophotometrically measured in order to investigate the correlations among parameters. The trend of data showed the preferential solvation along with synergistic behavior in some of mixtures. Applying preferential solvation model confirmed the solvent‐solvent interactions in the studied binary mixtures. Although no reasonable correlation was observed between DN with solvatochromic parameters, dual‐parameters regressions showed that some of solvatochromic parameters have linear relationships with DN. The presence of solvent‐solvent interactions in the media caused that the solvent mixtures didn't follow the known correlations as reported before.
Biodegradable Self‐Assembled Ultrasmall Nanodots as Reactive Oxygen/Nitrogen Species Scavengers for Theranostic Application in Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Zhang Dong‐Yang , Liu Hengke , He Ting , Younis Muhammad Rizwan , Tu Tianhui , Yang Chen , Zhang Jing , Lin Jing , Qu Junle , Huang Peng
Published: January 2021

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is frequently triggered by abundant reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (RONS) and leads to high morbidity and mortality in clinic. Unfortunately, the current clinical treatment options are only limited to supportive care, and hence, the development of nano‐antioxidants with high kidney enrichment is an attractive novel strategy for AKI management. Herein, self‐assembled ultrasmall nanodots are reported that consist of iron ion, gallic acid, and polyvinylpyrrolidone (denoted as FGP nanodots) as broad‐spectrum RONS scavengers to alleviate both glycerinum‐ and cis‐platinum‐ induced AKI in mice. Ultrasmall FGP nanodots (≈3.5 nm) offer efficient protection in vitro and reduce cellular apoptosis after H2O2 stimulation by eliminating various RONS including hydroxyl radical (·OH), superoxide anion (·O2−), nitric oxide (NO), and peroxynitrite (ONOO−), etc. In vivo duplex magnetic resonance/fluorescence imaging demonstrates preferential accumulation of FGP nanodots in the kidneys with rapid renal clearance through urine. Importantly, FGP nanodots exhibit remarkable RONS consumption in vivo with enhanced biocompatibility and biodegradability, resulting in superior therapeutic effect than small molecule drug (Amifostine) in two AKI mouse models. This study presents the promising potential of ultrasmall self‐assembled FGP nanodots as imaging contrast agent and broad‐spectrum antioxidant nanomedicine for AKI theranotics.
Self‐Assembly of Precision Noble Metal Nanoclusters: Hierarchical Structural Complexity, Colloidal Superstructures, and Applications
Authors: Rival Jose V. , Mymoona Paloli , Lakshmi Kavalloor Murali , Nonappa  , Pradeep Thalappil , Shibu Edakkattuparambil Sidharth
Published: January 2021

Ligand protected noble metal nanoparticles are excellent building blocks for colloidal self‐assembly. Metal nanoparticle self‐assembly offers routes for a wide range of multifunctional nanomaterials with enhanced optoelectronic properties. The emergence of atomically precise monolayer thiol‐protected noble metal nanoclusters has overcome numerous challenges such as uncontrolled aggregation, polydispersity, and directionalities faced in plasmonic nanoparticle self‐assemblies. Because of their well‐defined molecular compositions, enhanced stability, and diverse surface functionalities, nanoclusters offer an excellent platform for developing colloidal superstructures via the self‐assembly driven by surface ligands and metal cores. More importantly, recent reports have also revealed the hierarchical structural complexity of several nanoclusters. In this review, the formulation and periodic self‐assembly of different noble metal nanoclusters are focused upon. Further, self‐assembly induced amplification of physicochemical properties, and their potential applications in molecular recognition, sensing, gas storage, device fabrication, bioimaging, therapeutics, and catalysis are discussed. The topics covered in this review are extensively associated with state‐of‐the‐art achievements in the field of precision noble metal nanoclusters.
A New Approach for Quantitative Surface‐Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy through the Kinetics of Chemisorption
Authors: Wen Bao‐Ying , Wang An , Lin Jia‐Sheng , Guan Peng‐Cheng , Radjenovic Petar M. , Zhang Yue‐Jiao , Tian Zhong‐Qun , Li Jian‐Feng
Published: January 2021

Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a non‐destructive, highly sensitive, and rapid analytical tool, which has been widely used in different fields, especially for trace quantities of analyte. However, using SERS for reliable quantitative sample analysis is still a great challenge. Herein, a new approach to quantitative SERS analysis at nanostructured substrates that does not require an internal standard or well‐ordered nanostructured SERS substrates is developed. This method is based on the kinetics of chemisorption, that is, on a homogeneous surface, the time taken for adsorption of an adsorbate (adenine or melamine) to reach equilibrium negatively correlates with the concentration of the adsorbate. Quantitative analysis is achieved by using in situ SERS to acquire the adsorption profile of the adsorbate and enabling the adsorption equilibrium time to be calculated. There is excellent correlation between the adenine and melamine SERS response over adsorption equilibrium time with concentration, and the correlation coefficients are 0.9906 and 0.9682, respectively. Moreover, milk sample spiked with the melamine is also studied, and the standard recovery rate is 106%. This work demonstrates a novel, non‐destructive, and cost‐effective quantitative SERS detection technique, which can broaden applications across multiple fields.
Co‐Delivery of Paclitaxel and shMCL‐1 by Folic Acid‐Modified Nonviral Vector to Overcome Cancer Chemotherapy Resistance
Authors: Nie Wen , Wang Bilan , Mi Xue , Chen Jing , Yu Ting , Miao Junming , Lin Yunzhu , Yang Tingting , Ran Mengni , Hong Zehuo , Liu Xiaoxiao , Liang Xiao , Qian Zhiyong , Gao Xiang
Published: January 2021

Acquired chemoresistance presents a major clinical impediment, which is an urgent problem to be solved. Interestingly, myeloma cell leukemia‐1 (MCL‐1) and folate receptor expression levels are higher in chemotherapy‐resistant patients than in pretreatment patients. In this study, a multifunctional folic acid (FA)‐targeting core–shell structure is presented for simultaneous delivery of shMCL‐1 and paclitaxel (PTX). The transfection efficiency of shMCL‐1 with the FA‐targeting delivery system is higher than with a nontargeting delivery system in Skov3 and A2780T cells. The FA‐targeting system significantly inhibits cell growth, blocks cell cycles, and promotes apoptosis of cancer cells in vitro. The mechanisms involved in inhibiting growth are related to Bcl‐2/Bax and cdc2/Cyclin B1 pathways. An analysis of RNA sequencing suggests that shMCL‐1 reverses chemoresistance through regulating genes such as regulator of chromosome condensation 2 (RCC2). The synergetic effect of shMCL‐1 and PTX effectively inhibits tumor growth in both PTX‐resistant and normal cancer models by inducing tumor apoptosis, inhibiting proliferation, and limiting tumor angiogenesis. The study results indicate that a FA‐targeting delivery system combining shMCL‐1 with PTX can simultaneously target tumor sites and restore the sensitivity of chemotherapy‐resistant cancer to PTX. These findings have important implications for patients with normal or PTX‐resistant cancer.
Activation of estrogen receptor beta signaling reduces stemness of glioma stem cells
Authors: Sareddy Gangadhara R. , Pratap Uday P. , Venkata Prabhakar Pitta , Zhou Mei , Alejo Salvador , Viswanadhapalli Suryavathi , Tekmal Rajeshwar R. , Brenner Andrew J. , Vadlamudi Ratna K.
Published: January 2021

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and deadliest tumor of the central nervous system. GBM has poor prognosis and glioma stem cells (GSCs) are implicated in tumor initiation and therapy resistance. Estrogen receptor β (ERβ) is expressed in GBM and exhibit tumor suppressive function. However, the role of ERβ in GSCs and the therapeutic potential of ERβ agonists on GSCs remain largely unknown. Here, we examined whether ERβ modulates GSCs stemness and tested the utility of two ERβ selective agonists (LY500307 and Liquiritigenin) to reduce the stemness of GSCs. The efficacy of ERβ agonists was examined on GSCs isolated from established and patient derived GBMs. Our results suggested that knockout of ERβ increased the proportion of CD133+ and SSEA+ positive GSCs and overexpression of ERβ reduced the proportion of GSCs in GBM cells. Overexpression of ERβ or treatment with ERβ agonists significantly inhibited the GSCs cell viability, neurosphere formation, self-renewal ability, induced the apoptosis and reduced expression of stemness markers in GSCs. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that ERβ agonist modulate pathways related to stemness, differentiation and apoptosis. Mechanistic studies showed that ERβ overexpression or agonist treatment reduced glutamate receptor signaling pathway and induced apoptotic pathways. In orthotopic models, ERβ overexpression or ERβ agonists treatment significantly reduced the GSCs mediated tumor growth and improved the mice overall survival. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated that ERβ overexpression decreased SOX2 and GRM3 expression and increased expression of GFAP in tumors. These results suggest that ERβ activation could be a promising therapeutic strategy to eradicate GSCs.
Detection of Target and Suppression of Sea and Weather Clutter in Stormy Weather by Weibull/CFAR
Authors: Sayama Shuji
Published: January 2021

In stormy weather due to typhoon approaching the Izu Islands, I have observed sea and weather clutter containing a target (ship) using an S‐band radar with a frequency of 3.05 GHz, a beamwidth of 1.8°, a pulsewidth of 0.5 μs, and a pulse‐repetition frequency of 1600 Hz. To analyze such clutter amplitude statistics, I have used partial Q–Q plot, which is more rigorous fit of the distribution to the data than conventional Q–Q plot. It has been found that the sea and weather clutter amplitudes obey the Weibull distribution with the shape parameters of c = 6.23 for entire data and c = 5.83 to 8.78 for small data within the beamwidth of an antenna. I have applied Weibull/CFAR (constant false alarm rate) circuit configured by modifying cell‐averaging (CA) LOG/CFAR circuit to the observed data. It has been found that ship is detected, and sea and weather clutter is suppressed with improvement of 33.61 dB by Weibull/CFAR. © 2021 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Pathological lesions of lambs infected in utero with bovine viral diarrhoea virus type 1c (BVDV‐1c)
Authors: Evans Caitlin A. , Woolford Lucy , Hemmatzadeh Farhid , Reichel Michael P. , Cockcroft Peter D.
Published: January 2021

Background: Acute bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) infections in sheep are largely sub‐clinical although infections of pregnant ewes have shown to result in significant fetal losses and persistently infected lambs. However, the extent and severity of abnormalities in lambs infected with BVDV in utero is still largely unknown.

Methods: Twenty‐two ewes were experimentally infected with BVDV‐1c between 59 and 69 days of gestation. Fifteen lambs were submitted for pathological examination and the abnormalities observed in lambs and fetuses characterised.

Results: Six lambs were identified as BVDV negative, and nine were identified as BVDV positive. Anasarca and cholestatic hepatopathy was observed in four BVDV positive lambs and associated with ewes with early seroconversion. One BVDV positive lamb was born with muscular tremors and a hairy coat associated with primary follicular dysplasia, a developmental abnormality normally associated with border disease infected lambs.

Conclusion: If similar lambing outcomes are identified in a commercial setting then BVDV should be considered, particularly in areas where sheep regularly come in to contact with cattle. In addition, as far as the authors are aware, this is the first reported case of a ‘hairy shaker’ lamb born as a result of an infection with BVDV‐1c in Australia.
Revision rate of THA in patients younger than 40 years depends on primary diagnosis – a retrospective analysis with a minimum follow-up of 10 years
Authors: Rahm Stefan , Hoch Armando , Tondelli Timo , Fuchs Johannes , Zingg Patrick O.
Published: January 2021

Background

Treating osteoarthritis in elderly patients with THA is very successful. However, surgeons hesitate to recommend THA in younger patients. The spectrum of etiologies for end stage hip disease in the younger population is diverse and therefore different courses may be assumed. Our objective was to evaluate THA revision rate within a minimum follow-up period of 10 years in young patients and to analyze the difference between different primary diagnoses.

Methods

We included 144 consecutive hips in 127 patients younger than 40 years, who received a primary THA from 01/1996 to 12/2007. Operative reports, clinical and radiographic documentation were reviewed to determine primary diagnosis, prior hip surgery, component specifications and revision surgery. 111 hips in 97 patients were available for outcome analysis with a minimum follow-up of 10 years.

Results

The mean age was 33 years (range 15–40 years) at the time of the index THA, 68 patients were female and 59 were male. Ten years revision rate on the prosthetic components was 13%. The most common primary diagnosis was DDH. DDH was associated with a risk of 17% for requiring a reoperation on the prosthetic components because of mechanical fatigue and therefore, significantly higher than for any other primary diagnosis (p = 0.005).

Conclusion

THA in young patients is associated with a high revision rate of 13% in 10 years. 17% of patients with DDH required revision surgery for mechanical fatigue within 10 years, which was significantly higher than for any other primary diagnosis (1.2%, OR 16.8).
Multi-Frequency and Single-Crystal EPR on V4+ in W-Doped β-Vanadyl(V) Phosphate: Hyperfine Coupling- and g-Tensor Values and Orientation
Authors: NejatyJahromy Yaser , Roy Subrata Chandra , Glaum Robert , Schiemann Olav
Published: January 2021

Different structure types of vanadyl(V) orthophosphate [i.e. (VV ≡O)3+ orthophosphate] have been subjects of research due to their catalytic activity in the oxidation of n-butane to maleic anhydride. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy can be exploited to elucidate the electronic structure of such compounds. When tuning the oxidation state of vanadium in (V1-xWx)OPO4, X-band EPR spectra have confirmed the presence of paramagnetic V4+ ions. However, some of the features in these spectra could not be explained. Here, powder samples of β-(VIV0.01VV.98WVI.01)OPO4 are investigated at S-, X- and Q- band, along with X-band EPR measurements on single crystals. Thereby, the discrepancies between the spectra and their simulations could be resolved. In particular, it could be shown that the g and A tensors are not coaxial. The resulting consistent EPR picture and the refined paramagnetic parameters are reported. The work underlines the indispensability of a multi-frequency approach in EPR for unequivocal conclusions.
Using Interleaved Stimulation to Measure the Size and Selectivity of the Sustained Phase-Locked Neural Response to Cochlear Implant Stimulation
Authors: Carlyon Robert P. , Guérit François , Deeks John M. , Harland Andrew , Gransier Robin , Wouters Jan , de Rijk Simone R. , Bance Manohar
Published: January 2021

We measured the sustained neural response to electrical stimulation by a cochlear implant (CI). To do so, we interleaved two stimuli with frequencies F1 and F2 Hz and recorded a neural distortion response (NDR) at F2-F1 Hz. We show that, because any one time point contains only the F1 or F2 stimulus, the instantaneous nonlinearities typical of electrical artefact should not produce distortion at this frequency. However, if the stimulus is smoothed, such as by charge integration at the nerve membrane, subsequent (neural) nonlinearities can produce a component at F2-F1 Hz. We stimulated a single CI electrode with interleaved sinusoids or interleaved amplitude-modulated pulse trains such that F2 = 1.5F1, and found no evidence for an NDR when F2-F1 was between 90 and 120 Hz. However, interleaved amplitude-modulated pulse trains with F2-F1~40 Hz revealed a substantial NDR with a group delay of about 45 ms, consistent with a thalamic and/or cortical response. The NDR could be measured even from recording electrodes adjacent to the implant and at the highest pulse rates (> 4000 pps) used clinically. We then measured the selectivity of this sustained response by presenting F1 and F2 to different electrodes and at different between-electrode distances. This revealed a broad tuning that, we argue, reflects the overlap between the excitation elicited by the two electrodes. Our results also provide a glimpse of the neural nonlinearity in the auditory system, unaffected by the biomechanical cochlear nonlinearities that accompany acoustic stimulation. Several potential clinical applications of our findings are discussed.
Enabling scalable and fault-tolerant multi-agent systems by utilizing cloud-native computing
Authors: Dähling Stefan , Razik Lukas , Monti Antonello
Published: January 2021

Multi-agent systems (MAS) represent a distributed computing paradigm well suited to tackle today’s challenges in the field of the Internet of Things (IoT). Both share many similarities such as the interconnection of distributed devices and their cooperation. The combination of MAS and IoT would allow the transfer of the experience gained in MAS research to the broader range of IoT applications. The key enabler for utilizing MAS in the IoT is the ability to build large-scale and fault-tolerant MASs since IoT concepts comprise possibly thousands or even millions of devices. However, well known multi-agent platforms (MAP), e. g., Java Agent DE-velopment Framework (JADE), are not able to deal with these challenges. To this aim, we present a cloud-native Multi-Agent Platform (cloneMAP) as a modern MAP based on cloud-computing techniques to enable scalability and fault-tolerance. A microservice architecture is used to implement it in a distributed way utilizing the open-source container orchestration system Kubernetes. Thereby, bottlenecks and single-points of failure are conceptually avoided. A comparison with JADE via relevant performance metrics indicates the massively improved scalability. Furthermore, the implementation of a large-scale use case verifies cloneMAP’s suitability for IoT applications. This leads to the conclusion that cloneMAP extends the range of possible MAS applications and enables the integration with IoT concepts.
Exploring the role of lexis and grammar for the stable identification of register in an unrestricted corpus of web documents
Authors: Laippala Veronika , Egbert Jesse , Biber Douglas , Kyröläinen Aki-Juhani
Published: January 2021

The Internet offers great possibilities for many scientific disciplines that utilize text data. However, the potential of online data can be limited by the lack of information on the genre or register of the documents, as register—whether a text is, e.g., a news article or a recipe—is arguably the most important predictor of linguistic variation (see Biber in Corpus Linguist Linguist Theory 8:9–37, 2012). Despite having received significant attention in recent years, the modeling of online registers has faced a number of challenges, and previous studies have presented contradictory results. In particular, these have concerned (1) the extent to which registers can be automatically identified in a large, unrestricted corpus of web documents and (2) the stability of the models, specifically the kinds of linguistic features that achieve the best performance while reflecting the registers instead of corpus idiosyncrasies. Furthermore, although the linguistic properties of registers vary importantly in a number of ways that may affect their modeling, this variation is often bypassed. In this article, we tackle these issues. We model online registers in the largest available corpus of online registers, the Corpus of Online Registers of English (CORE). Additionally, we evaluate the stability of the models towards corpus idiosyncrasies, analyze the role of different linguistic features in them, and examine how individual registers differ in these two aspects. We show that (1) competitive classification performance on a large-scale, unrestricted corpus can be achieved through a combination of lexico-grammatical features, (2) the inclusion of grammatical information improves the stability of the model, whereas many of the previously best-performing feature sets are less stable, and that (3) registers can be placed in a continuum based on the discriminative importance of lexis and grammar. These register-specific characteristics can explain the variation observed in previous studies concerning the automatic identification of online registers and the importance of different linguistic features for them. Thus, our results offer explanations for the jungle-likeness of online data and provide essential information on online registers for all studies using online data.
Finding multi-objective supported efficient spanning trees
Authors: Correia Pedro , Paquete Luís , Figueira José Rui
Published: January 2021

This article introduces a new algorithm for computing the set of supported non-dominated points in the objective space and all the corresponding efficient solutions in the decision space for the multi-objective spanning tree (MOST) problem. This algorithm is based on the connectedness property of the set of efficient supported solutions and uses a decomposition of the weight set in the weighting space defined for a parametric version of the MOST problem. This decomposition is performed through a space reduction approach until an indifference region for each supported non-dominated point is obtained. An adjacency relation defined in the decision space is used to compute all the supported efficient spanning trees associated to the same non-dominated supported point as well as to define the indifference region of the next points. An in-depth computational analysis of this approach for different types of networks with three objectives is also presented.
ISCEV standard for clinical multifocal electroretinography (mfERG) (2021 update)
Authors: Hoffmann Michael B. , Bach Michael , Kondo Mineo , Li Shiying , Walker Sinead , Holopigian Karen , Viswanathan Suresh , Robson Anthony G.
Published: January 2021

The multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) is an electrophysiological test that allows the function of multiple discrete areas of the retina to be tested simultaneously. This document, from the International Society for Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision (ISCEV), presents an updated and revised ISCEV standard for clinical mfERG and defines minimum protocols for basic clinical mfERG recording and reporting so that responses can be recognized and compared from different laboratories worldwide. The major changes compared with the previous mfERG standard relate to the minimum length of m-sequences used for recording, reporting of results and a change in document format, to be more consistent with other ISCEV standards.
A novel ligand of the translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) identified by virtual drug screening for cancer differentiation therapy
Authors: Fischer Nicolas , Seo Ean-Jeong , Abdelfatah Sara , Fleischer Edmond , Klinger Anette , Efferth Thomas
Published: January 2021

Introduction Differentiation therapy is a promising strategy for cancer treatment. The translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) is an encouraging target in this context. By now, this field of research is still at its infancy, which motivated us to perform a large-scale screening for the identification of novel ligands of TCTP. We studied the binding mode and the effect of TCTP blockade on the cell cycle in different cancer cell lines. Methods Based on the ZINC-database, we performed virtual screening of 2,556,750 compounds to analyze the binding of small molecules to TCTP. The in silico results were confirmed by microscale thermophoresis. The effect of the new ligand molecules was investigated on cancer cell survival, flow cytometric cell cycle analysis and protein expression by Western blotting and co-immunoprecipitation in MOLT-4, MDA-MB-231, SK-OV-3 and MCF-7 cells. Results Large-scale virtual screening by PyRx combined with molecular docking by AutoDock4 revealed five candidate compounds. By microscale thermophoresis, ZINC10157406 (6-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-[(8-methoxy-4-methyl-2-quinazolinyl)amino]-4(3H)-pyrimidinone) was identified as TCTP ligand with a KD of 0.87 ± 0.38. ZINC10157406 revealed growth inhibitory effects and caused G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in MOLT-4, SK-OV-3 and MCF-7 cells. ZINC10157406 (2 × IC50) downregulated TCTP expression by 86.70 ± 0.44% and upregulated p53 expression by 177.60 ± 12.46%. We validated ZINC10157406 binding to the p53 interaction site of TCTP and replacing p53 by co-immunoprecipitation. Discussion ZINC10157406 was identified as potent ligand of TCTP by in silico and in vitro methods. The compound bound to TCTP with a considerably higher affinity compared to artesunate as known TCTP inhibitor. We were able to demonstrate the effect of TCTP blockade at the p53 binding site, i.e. expression of TCTP decreased, whereas p53 expression increased. This effect was accompanied by a dose-dependent decrease of CDK2, CDK4, CDK, cyclin D1 and cyclin D3 causing a G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in MOLT-4, SK-OV-3 and MCF-7 cells. Our findings are supposed to stimulate further research on TCTP-specific small molecules for differentiation therapy in oncology.
Commentary on a special issue: Davydov’s approach in the XXI century
Authors: Coles Alf
Published: January 2021

The articles in this special issue, collectively, provide overwhelming evidence that a curriculum which has as its primary basis the counting of discrete objects (and hence which introduces numbers as discrete) is not an effective or rational organisation. In this commentary, I discuss the contribution of each article to an understanding of Davydov’s ontology and epistemology, issues around the transposition of a pedagogy or curriculum from one country to another, early algebra and proportional or multiplicative reasoning. From Davydov’s own research and the writing in these articles, we know children are able to understand abstract structures from an early age. The thinking in this special issue provides tools to investigate and question any context in which such understanding is not routinely taking hold.
A PITX2 splice-site mutation in a family with Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome leads to decreased expression of nuclear PITX2 protein
Authors: Zhang Feng , Zhang Lusi , He Li , Cao Mengdan , Yang Yuting , Duan Xuanchu , Shi Jingming , Liu Ke
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome (ARS) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by ocular anterior segment abnormalities. In the current study, we describe clinical and genetic findings in a Chinese ARS pedigree.

Methods

An ARS pedigree was recruited and patients were given comprehensive ophthalmic examinations and general physical examinations. DNA from the proband II:2 was used for exome sequencing. Sanger sequencing was utilized to identify and validate PITX2 variations. qPCR and western blotting were performed to detect PITX2 expression in immortalized peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Results

All affected family members showed typical ocular abnormalities, including iris atrophy, corectopia, shallow anterior chamber, complete or partial angle closure, and advanced glaucoma. They also exhibited systemic anomalies, such as microdontia, hypodontia, and redundant periumbilical skin. A heterozygous splice-site variation c.390 + 1G > A in PITX2, which might lead to a truncated PITX2 protein (p.Val131IlefsX127), was found in the proband. Sanger sequencing validated that the variation completely co-segregated with the ARS phenotype within this family and was absent in 100 unrelated controls. Western blotting revealed that the nuclear PITX2 protein was significantly decreased in patients compared with controls. Nonetheless, there was no significant difference in the total PITX2 protein level, consistent with qPCR results showing no alteration in PITX2 mRNA levels in the patient group.

Conclusions

PITX2 c.390 + 1G > A (p.Val131IlefsX127) was a novel genetic etiology of the ARS pedigree. The mutation leads to decreased nuclear PITX2, indicating lower transcriptional activity.
Two-step synthesis of niobium doped Na–Ca–(Mg)–P–Si–O glasses
Authors: Wójcik N. A. , Ali S. , Mielewczyk-Gryń A. , Jonson B.
Published: January 2021

Niobium doped biosolubility glasses in the Na–Ca–(Mg)–P–Si–O system were prepared by using an untypical two-step synthesis route. The parent glass was melted in air atmosphere at 1350 °C followed by re-melting the glass in Nb crucible with the addition of metallic Mg/Ca powder in the nitrogen atmosphere. The second melting step was carried out at 1450–1650 °C, using an induction furnace. The topography and structure of the obtained glasses were characterized by confocal microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction and infrared spectroscopic techniques. The chemical compositions were examined by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The glasses were found to be of grayish color, X-ray amorphous and having network connectivity between ~ 2.5 and 2.7. The network connectivity of re-melted glasses was lower than the one of the parent glass. The glass structure consists of a highly disrupted silicate network of predominantly Q2 groups as well as isolated orthophosphate tetrahedra. The parent glass contains nanocrystallites consisted of apatitic PO43− groups. The re-melted glasses contain non-apatitic or amorphous calcium phosphates. The obtained glass transition temperatures range from 530 to 568 °C and exhibit higher values for glassed doped with Ca metal. These glasses have improved thermal stability as compared to reference bioglasses. The biosolubility test in phosphate buffered saline solution (PBS) confirms that the glasses have biosolubility properties and HAp formation on the surfaces was observed.
Preservice teachers’ expressed awarenesses: emerging threads of retro-spection of learning and pro-spection of teaching
Authors: Voutsina Chronoula , Alderton Julie , Wilson Kirsty , Ineson Gwen , Donaldson Gina , Rowland Tim
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we report an enquiry into elementary preservice teachers’ learning, as they engage in doing mathematics for themselves. As a group of researchers working in elementary Initial Teacher Education in English universities, we co-planned and taught sessions on growing pattern generalisation. Following the sessions, interviews of fifteen preservice teachers at two universities focused on their expressed awareness of their approach to the mathematical activity. Preservice teachers’ prospective planning and post-teaching evaluations of similar activities in their classrooms were also examined. We draw on aspects of enactivism and the notion of reflective “spection” in the context of teacher learning, tracing threads between preservice teachers’ retro-spection of learning and pro-spection of teaching. Our analysis indicates that increasing sensitivity to their own embodied processes of generalisation offers opportunities for novice teachers to respond deliberately, rather than to react impulsively, to different pedagogical possibilities. The paper contributes a new dimension to the discussion about the focus of novice elementary school teachers’ retrospective reflection by examining how deliberate retrospective analysis of doing mathematics, and not only of teaching actions, can develop awarenesses that underlie the growth of expertise in mathematics teaching. We argue that engaging preservice teachers in mathematics to support deliberate retrospective analysis of their mathematics learning and prospective consideration of the implications for teaching can enable more critical pedagogical choices.
Disease and demographic development: the legacy of the plague
Authors: Siuda Fabian , Sunde Uwe
Published: January 2021

This paper provides an empirical investigation of the hypothesis that population shocks such as the repeated outbreaks of the plague affected the timing of the demographic transition. The empirical analysis uses disaggregate data from Germany and exploits geographic variation in the exposure to medieval plague shocks. The findings document that areas with greater exposure to plague outbreaks exhibited an earlier onset of the demographic transition. The results are consistent with the predictions of the unified growth literature and provide novel insights into the largely unexplored empirical determinants of the timing of the transition from stagnation to growth.
Combined Mean-Field and Semiclassical Limits of Large Fermionic Systems
Authors: Chen Li , Lee Jinyeop , Liew Matthew
Published: January 2021

We study the time dependent Schrödinger equation for large spinless fermions with the semiclassical scale $$\hbar = N^{-1/3}$$

ħ
=

N

-
1
/
3

in three dimensions. By using the Husimi measure defined by coherent states, we rewrite the Schrödinger equation into a BBGKY type of hierarchy for the k particle Husimi measure. Further estimates are derived to obtain the weak compactness of the Husimi measure, and in addition uniform estimates for the remainder terms in the hierarchy are derived in order to show that in the semiclassical regime the weak limit of the Husimi measure is exactly the solution of the Vlasov equation.
A construal-level approach to hedonic and utilitarian shopping orientation
Authors: Scarpi Daniele
Published: January 2021

Several studies in consumer behavior have focused on consumers’ shopping orientation in terms of hedonic and utilitarian shopping. The present research advances a different perspective examining hedonic and utilitarian shopping orientations with the theoretical lenses of construal-level theory. Results from two studies indicate that hedonism relates to higher and utilitarianism to lower construal levels (Study 1). Consequently, individuals tend to prefer desirability-related options when shopping hedonically, and feasibility-related options when shopping in a utilitarian way (Study 2). The findings further show a moderating effect of construal level on the relationship between shopping orientation and choice, consistent with construal-level theory.