bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Universal Gaps for XOR Games from Estimates on Tensor Norm Ratios
Authors: Aubrun Guillaume , Lami Ludovico , Palazuelos Carlos , Szarek Stanisław J. , Winter Andreas
Published: March 2020

We define and study XOR games in the framework of general probabilistic theories, which encompasses all physical models whose predictive power obeys minimal requirements. The bias of an XOR game under local or global strategies is shown to be given by a certain injective or projective tensor norm, respectively. The intrinsic (i.e. model-independent) advantage of global over local strategies is thus connected to a universal functionr(n, m) called ‘projective–injective ratio’. This is defined as the minimal constant$$\rho $$ρsuch that$$\Vert \cdot \Vert _{X\otimes _\pi Y}\leqslant \rho \,\Vert \cdot \Vert _{X\otimes _\varepsilon Y}$$‖·‖X⊗πY⩽ρ‖·‖X⊗εYholds for all Banach spaces of dimensions$$\dim X=n$$dimX=nand$$\dim Y=m$$dimY=m, where$$X\otimes _\pi Y$$X⊗πYand$$X \otimes _\varepsilon Y$$X⊗εYare the projective and injective tensor products. By requiring that$$X=Y$$X=Y, one obtains a symmetrised version of the above ratio, denoted by$$r_s(n)$$rs(n). We prove that$$r(n,m)\geqslant 19/18$$r(n,m)⩾19/18for all$$n,m\geqslant 2$$n,m⩾2, implying that injective and projective tensor products are never isometric. We then study the asymptotic behaviour ofr(n, m) and$$r_s(n)$$rs(n), showing that, up to log factors:$$r_s(n)$$rs(n)is of the order$$\sqrt{n}$$n(which is sharp);r(n, n) is at least of the order$$n^{1/6}$$n1/6; andr(n, m) grows at least as$$\min \{n,m\}^{1/8}$$min{n,m}1/8. These results constitute our main contribution to the theory of tensor norms. In our proof, a crucial role is played by an ‘$$\ell _1/\ell _2/\ell _{\infty }$$ℓ1/ℓ2/ℓ∞trichotomy theorem’ based on ideas by Pisier, Rudelson, Szarek, and Tomczak-Jaegermann. The main operational consequence we draw is that there is a universal gap between local and global strategies in general XOR games, and that this grows as a power of the minimal local dimension. In the quantum case, we are able to determine this gap up to universal constants. As a corollary, we obtain an improved bound on the scaling of the maximal quantum data hiding efficiency against local measurements.
A C*-algebraic Approach to Interacting Quantum Field Theories
Authors: Buchholz Detlev , Fredenhagen Klaus
Published: March 2020

A novel C*-algebraic framework is presented for relativistic quantum field theories, fixed by a Lagrangean. It combines the postulates of local quantum physics, encoded in the Haag–Kastler axioms, with insights gained in the perturbative approach to quantum field theory. Key ingredients are an appropriate version of Bogolubov’s relative S-operators and a reformulation of the Schwinger–Dyson equations. These are used to define for any classical relativistic Lagrangean of a scalar field a non-trivial local net of C*-algebras, encoding the resulting interactions at the quantum level. The construction works in any number of space-time dimensions. It reduces the longstanding existence problem of interacting quantum field theories in physical spacetime to the question of whether the C*-algebras so constructed admit suitable states, such as stable ground and equilibrium states. The method is illustrated on the example of a non-interacting field and it is shown how to pass from it within the algebra to interacting theories by relying on a rigorous local version of the interaction picture.
Cytoplasmic Autoinhibition in HCN Channels is Regulated by the Transmembrane Region
Authors: Page Dana A. , Magee Kaylee E. A. , Li Jessica , Jung Matthew , Young Edgar C.
Published: March 2020

Hyperpolarization-activated cation-nonselective (HCN) channels regulate electrical activity in the brain and heart in a cAMP-dependent manner. The voltage-gating of these channels is mediated by a transmembrane (TM) region but is additionally regulated by direct binding of cAMP to a cyclic nucleotide-binding (CNB) fold in the cytoplasmic C-terminal region. Cyclic AMP potentiation has been explained by an autoinhibition model which views the unliganded CNB fold as an inhibitory module whose influence is disrupted by cAMP binding. However, the HCN2 subtype uses two other CNB fold-mediated mechanisms called open-state trapping and Quick-Activation to respectively slow the deactivation kinetics and speed the activation kinetics, against predictions of an autoinhibition model. To test how these multiple mechanisms are influenced by the TM region, we replaced the TM region of HCN2 with that of HCN4. This HCN4 TM-replacement preserved cAMP potentiation but augmented the magnitude of autoinhibition by the unliganded CNB fold; it moreover disrupted open-state trapping and Quick-Activation so that autoinhibition became the dominant mechanism contributed by the C-terminal region to determine kinetics. Truncation within the CNB fold partially relieved this augmented autoinhibition. This argues against the C-terminal region acting like a portable module with consistent effects on TM regions of different subtypes. Our findings provide evidence that functional interactions between the HCN2 TM region and C-terminal region govern multiple CNB fold-mediated mechanisms, implying that the molecular mechanisms of autoinhibition, open-state trapping, and Quick-Activation include participation of TM region structures.
Flow Dynamics of Bilateral Superior Cavopulomonary Shunts Influence Outcomes After Fontan Completion
Authors: Ono Masamichi , Burri Melchior , Mayr Benedikt , Anderl Lisa , Cleuziou Julie , Strbad Martina , Hager Alfred , Hörer Jürgen , Lange Rüdiger
Published: March 2020

Bilateral superior vena cava (SVC), which occurs following bilateral bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt (BCPS), is an anomaly marked by unique hemodynamics. This study aimed to determine its effects on outcomes after Fontan completion. Among 405 patients who underwent BCPS and total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) between 1997 and 2017, 40 required a bilateral-BCPS. The dominant SVC prior to TCPC was identified according to the direction of blood flow in the central pulmonary artery, and its relationship to the inferior vena cava (IVC) was classified as a concordant or discordant relationship. Preoperative factors were analyzed to identify the risk factors for specific adverse outcomes. The length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay after TCPC was longer in the 40 patients who underwent bilateral-BCPS than in those who underwent unilateral BCPS (p = 0.024), and the survival rate was lower in the former group than in the latter group (p = 0.004). In the patients who underwent bilateral-BCPS, the dominant SVC was concordant with the IVC in 30 patients and discordant in 10 patients. With regard to whether certain morphological, hemodynamic, and flow dynamics-related variables were risk factors for adverse outcomes following TCPC, a discordant relationship between dominant SVC and IVC was identified as an independent risk factor for both a longer ICU stay (p = 0.037, HR 2.370) and worse survival (p = 0.019, HR 13.880). Therefore, in patients with a bilateral SVC who have previously undergone bilateral-BCPS, a discordant relationship between dominant SVC and IVC might contribute to worse outcomes following TCPC.
Adenosine-producing regulatory B cells in head and neck cancer
Authors: Jeske Sandra S. , Brand Matthias , Ziebart Andreas , Laban Simon , Doescher Johannes , Greve Jens , Jackson Edwin K. , Hoffmann Thomas K. , Brunner Cornelia , Schuler Patrick J.
Published: March 2020

Background

Multiple mechanisms of immunosuppression have been identified in the tumor microenvironment including regulatory B cells (Breg). Recently, we have shown that Breg suppress T cell function by production of adenosine (ADO). However, the autocrine effect of ADO on B cells and the role of Breg in head and neck cancer remains unclear.

Methods

Blood (n = 42) and tumor tissue (n = 39) of head and neck cancer patients and healthy donors (n = 60) were analyzed by FACS. The effect of ADO on phenotype, intracellular signaling pathways, Ca2+ influx and ADO production was analyzed in Breg and effector B cells (Beff) by FACS, luminescence and mass spectrometry. The blockage of the ADO receptor A2A was analyzed in a murine head and neck cancer model.

Results

ADO-producing Breg were found in tumor tissue and peripheral blood. ADO inhibited the intracellular Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) and Ca2+ influx only in Beff. The inhibition of BTK by ibrutinib mimicked the effect of ADO, and ibrutinib reduced the production of ADO by downregulation of CD39 in vitro. The inhibition of ADO receptor A2A significantly reduced tumor mass and increased B cell infiltration, in vivo.

Conclusion

Our data demonstrate the presence of a novel ADO-producing Breg population within the tumor microenvironment in mice and humans. A new model is proposed on how ADO-producing Breg can influence the function of Beff cells in healthy donors and cancer patients. Thus, the modulation of the ADO pathway in B cells may serve as a therapeutic approach for cancer patients.
Applicability of shear wave elastography for the evaluation of skin strain in systemic sclerosis
Authors: Sobolewski Piotr , Maślińska Maria , Zakrzewski Jakub , Paluch Łukasz , Szymańska Elżbieta , Walecka Irena
Published: March 2020

The assessment of skin fibrosis is vital for the diagnosis and monitoring of treatment in the systemic sclerosis (SSc)—a severe autoimmune disease. The elastography is a technique of skin fibrosis assessment through the evaluation of skin strain. We compared the efficacy of the shear wave elastography (SWE) and commonly used modified Rodnan skin score (RSS) in skin fibrosis assessment in SSc. The study included 40 SSc patients and 28 healthy individuals, with the exclusion of individuals with other skin/autoimmune diseases. Skin thickness using RSS and skin strain using SWE were assessed in the same 20 body localizations. Subjects’ informed consent and the bioethics committee approval were obtained. Elastographic skin strain correlated positively with both partial and overall RSS values, with strong positive correlation (r ≥ 0.75) for hands and fingers localizations in particular. In SSc patients with normal RSS values, the elastographic strain was significantly higher than in healthy controls. Elastographic strain of fingers’ skin evaluated in SWE is highly accurate for distinguishing SSc patients (sensitivity 0.897–0.923, specificity 0.929–0.964, positive predictive value 0.946–0.973, negative predictive value 0.867–0.900). ESW results are substantially more reproducible than those of RSS examination (intraclass correlation coefficients: 0.987 vs. 0.941). The shear wave elastography is more reproducible and has higher sensitivity than RSS in the evaluation of skin condition in SSc, especially in case of changes non-detectable on physical evaluation, indicating it might become a useful tool in SSc diagnosis.
Forests and foragers: exploitation of wood resources by Mesolithic and para-Neolithic societies in north-eastern Poland
Authors: Wacnik Agnieszka , Gumiński Witold , Cywa Katarzyna , Bugajska Karolina
Published: March 2020

Newly acquired palaeobotanical data, including pollen, charred and uncharred wood, provided an exhaustive overview of the temporal changes in woodlands, which changes are due to the cumulative effect of natural processes and the long-term impact of pre-agrarian societies. We used the unique advantage of the peat bog archaeological site at Szczepanki located on an island in the former Lake Staświn (Masurian Lake District) to get an overview of wood exploitation throughout the Stone Age. Special attention was paid to the period of the most intense settlement, the period of the para-Neolithic Zedmar culture. This culture is interesting due to its economy having not been fully recognized so far, especially with respect to the use of plant resources. The evidence from Szczepanki confirmed the use of 16 arboreal taxa, accessible in local woodlands, as a source of timber by foragers. The majority of both unworked wood and fragments bearing traces of processing has been discovered in layers corresponding to the Zedmar period. An important role in the economy was played by wood with medium or low mechanical properties that was however fissile and amenable to woodworking. In addition, other useful properties such as flexibility, lightness, water resistance, strength and ease of splitting were favoured in the selection. The temporal distribution of wood remains in cultural layers at Szczepanki was convergent with a pollen record documenting the course of postglacial migration and local growth of particular taxa, as well as with the archaeologically documented changes in the intensity and time frame of the settlement.
A low-cost, practical acquisition and rendering pipeline for real-time free-viewpoint video communication
Authors: Rasmuson Sverker , Sintorn Erik , Assarsson Ulf
Published: March 2020

We present a semiautomatic real-time pipeline for capturing and rendering free-viewpoint video using passive stereo matching. The pipeline is simple and achieves agreeable quality in real time on a system of commodity web cameras and a single desktop computer. We suggest an automatic algorithm to compute a constrained search space for an efficient and robust hierarchical stereo reconstruction algorithm. Due to our fast reconstruction times, we can eliminate the need for an expensive global surface reconstruction with a combination of high coverage and aggressive filtering. Finally, we employ a novel color weighting scheme that generates credible new viewpoints without noticeable seams, while keeping the computational complexity low. The simplicity and low cost of the system make it an accessible and more practical alternative for many applications compared to previous methods.
Radial flow velocity profiles of a yield stress fluid between smooth parallel disks
Authors: Shamu Tafadzwa John , Zou Liangchao , Kotzé Reinhardt , Wiklund Johan , Håkansson Ulf
Published: March 2020

In rock grouting, idealized 2D-radial laminar flow of yield stress fluids (YSF) is a fundamental flow configuration that is used for cement grout spread estimation. A limited amount of works have presented analytical and numerical solutions on the radial velocity profiles between parallel disks. However, to the best of our knowledge, there has been no experimental work that has presented measured velocity profiles for this geometry. In this paper, we present velocity profiles of Carbopol (a simple YSF), measured by pulsed ultrasound velocimetry within a radial flow model. We describe the design of the physical model and then present the measured velocity profiles while highlighting the plug-flow region and slip effects observed for three different apertures and volumetric flow rates. Although the measured velocity profiles exhibited wall slip, there was a reasonably good agreement with the analytical solution. We then discuss the major implications of our work on radial flow.
Diagnostic power of scleral spur length in primary open-angle glaucoma
Authors: Li Mu , Luo Zhaoxia , Yan Xiaoqin , Zhang Hong
Published: March 2020

Purpose

To investigate the diagnostic capability of scleral spur length in discriminating eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) from healthy eyes.

Methods

Seventy-eight eyes of 78 patients with POAG and 93 eyes of 93 age-, sex- and axial length-matched healthy subjects were included. The scleral spur length was measured using swept-source optical coherence tomography. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were derived based on the measurements.

Results

The scleral spur length was significantly shorter in POAG eyes compared with healthy eyes (Method I, 164.91 ± 23.36 vs. 197.60 ± 25.32 μm; Method II, 145.15 ± 16.59 vs. 166.95 ± 19.31 μm; Method III, 162.33 ± 22.83 vs. 185.12 ± 23.58 μm, respectively; all p < 0.001). The areas under ROC curves were 0.841 (Method I), 0.810 (Method II), and 0.753 (Method III) for the scleral spur length. Moreover, Schlemm’s canal area was significantly associated with the scleral spur length (Method I) in both POAG (β = 0.027; p < 0.001) and healthy (β = 0.016; p = 0.009) groups.

Conclusions

The scleral spur length had a good discriminating capability between POAG and healthy eyes, and it could be a novel biomarker for POAG evaluation clinically.
Albrecht von Graefe in the present, the past, and the future
Authors: Rohrbach Jens Martin
Published: March 2020

Albrecht von Graefe (1828–1870) is the founder of this archive (1854) and the founder of modern ophthalmology. In 2020, the anniversary of his death will be observed for the 150th time. The “German Ophthalmological Society” (DOG), also a Graefe foundation (1857), has therefore proclaimed a “Graefe year.” In Berlin, his hometown, several Graefe-monuments exist. Ophthalmology owes Albrecht von Graefe numerous first discoveries such as excavation of the optic disc in glaucoma (1855), iridectomy in glaucoma (1857), or central artery occlusion (1859). But his after-effects are not only based on his clinical and scientific merits but also on his extraordinary, fascinating personality, which can be characterized by his spirit of internationality, friendship, self-criticism, love of truth, and modesty. Graefe became a myth not only because of his early death but also because he had apart from great successes, to accept human misfortunes at the same time. Albrecht von Graefe can be regarded as the conscience of ophthalmology in Germany.
Does basic information concerning nutrition improve the information needs of breast cancer patients? An evaluation
Authors: Groß Sophie E. , Weidner Doreen , Cecon Natalia , Pfaff Holger , Strauch Carmen , Scholten Nadine
Published: March 2020

Purpose

International and national studies have shown unmet information needs regarding nutrition in breast cancer patients. An intervention study has examined the question of the extent to which a fact sheet on the topic of nutrition is suitable to cover the need for information of breast cancer patients.

Method

The fact sheet with basic information on nutrition was distributed in 21 intervention breast care centres in 2017. The use of the fact sheets was evaluated in a quasi-experimental design as part of the annual breast cancer patients’ survey of the University of Cologne. The breast cancer patients considered were being treated with primary breast carcinoma in a hospital in North Rhine-Westphalia. A multilevel analysis was carried out in order to quantify the effect of the intervention.

Results

Unmet information needs are experienced more by younger and non-native German-speaking patients. With regard to education, patients without a graduation and a high grade of education express more unmet information needs. The multilevel analysis showed that patients who were treated at an intervention site and therefore possibly received the fact sheet have a significantly higher chance of their information needs being met (OR = 1.45; p ≤ 0.05).

Conclusion

The intervention study showed that a fact sheet with basic information on nutrition is a possible instrument to satisfy the information needs of breast cancer patients and therefore reduce unmet information needs regarding nutrition. This intervention study is a pragmatic example on how to reduce unmet information needs among breast cancer patients in Germany.
Long-term excess mortality after chronic subdural hematoma
Authors: Rauhala Minna , Helén Pauli , Seppä Karri , Huhtala Heini , Iverson Grant L. , Niskakangas Tero , Öhman Juha , Luoto Teemu M.
Published: March 2020

Objective

To assess possible long-term excess mortality and causes of death of patients with chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH).

Methods

A retrospective study (1990–2015) of adult patients (n = 1133, median age = 76 years old, men = 65%) with CSDH identified by ICD-codes and verified by medical records. All patients were followed until death or the end of 2017. Cumulative relative survival ratios and relative excess risks of death (RER) were estimated by comparing patients’ mortality with that in the entire regional matched population. The causes of death were compared with a separate reference group formed by randomly choosing sex, age, and calendar time matched controls (4 controls per each CSDH patient).

Results

The median follow-up time was 4.8 years (range = 0–27 years), and 710 (63%) of the patients died (median age at death = 84 years old). The cumulative excess mortality was 1 year = 9%, 5 years = 18%, 10 years = 27%, 15 years = 37%, and 20 years = 48%. A subgroup of CSDH patients (n = 206) with no comorbidity had no excess mortality. Excess mortality was related to poor modified Rankin score at admission (RER = 4.93) and at discharge (RER = 8.31), alcohol abuse (RER = 4.47), warfarin (RER = 2.94), age ≥ 80 years old (RER = 1.83), non-operative treatment (RER = 1.56), and non-traumatic etiology (RER = 1.69). Hematoma characteristics or recurrence were unrelated to excess mortality. Dementia was the most common cause of death among the CSDH patients (21%) and the third most common cause in the reference group (15%, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Patients with CSDH have continuous excess mortality up to 20 years after diagnosis. Patient-related characteristics have a strong association with excess mortality, whereas specific CSDH-related findings do not. CSDH patients have an increased risk for dementia-related mortality.
The decreased expression of IKBKE in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Zhu Tingting , Hong Jiaqi , Shuai Zongwen , Xu Shengqian , Qian Danfeng , Hong Xiaojie , Liu Yaoguang , Chen Min , Meng Ziyuan , Zheng Lijun , Zheng Danlin , Zhang Xuejun , Liu Lu
Published: March 2020

Objective

The IKBKE has been proven to be associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a genome-wide association study (GWAS) conducted by our group. The objective of the recent study is to investigate the contribution of IKBKE functional variants (rs2297550) to SLE.

Methods

We detected the regulatory effect of rs2297550 on IKBKE expression by expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) study. Then, we investigated the differences of IKBKE mRNA expression levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) between 135 SLE patients and 130 healthy controls using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). We further analyzed the association of SLE clinical characteristics with IKBKE mRNA expression and rs2297550 polymorphisms.

Results

The results of eQTL indicated the genotype “GG” of single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs2297550 was associated with lower expression levels of IKBKE (P = 0.022) in normal controls. Compared with the healthy control group, the expression levels of IKBKE mRNA in patients with SLE were significantly decreased (P = 2.32 × 10−12). In clinical characteristics, we found that IKBKE mRNA expression levels were associated with vasculitis (P = 0.015) and increased C-reactive protein (CRP) (P = 0.021) in SLE patients.

Conclusion

In this study, we not only detected that the variant rs2297550 of IKBKE may be closely related to SLE, but also proposed functional hypotheses for the association signals.

Key Points• The rs2297550 is located in a region with transcriptional regulatory function and may regulate the expression of IKBKE via these regulatory elements.• The genotype “GG” of SNP rs2297550 was associated with lower expression levels of IKBKE.• The expression of IKBKE mRNA was decreased in SLE patients compared with healthy controls.• IKBKE contributes to the clinical characteristics of SLE.
Incidence of remission and relapse of proteinuria, end-stage kidney disease, mortality, and major outcomes in primary nephrotic syndrome: the Japan Nephrotic Syndrome Cohort Study (JNSCS)
Authors: Yamamoto Ryohei , Imai Enyu , Maruyama Shoichi , Yokoyama Hitoshi , Sugiyama Hitoshi , Nitta Kosaku , Tsukamoto Tatsuo , Uchida Shunya , Takeda Asami , Sato Toshinobu , Wada Takashi , Hayashi Hiroki , Akai Yasuhiro , Fukunaga Megumu , Tsuruya Kazuhiko , Masutani Kosuke , Konta Tsuneo , Shoji Tatsuya , Hiramatsu Takeyuki , Goto Shunsuke , Tamai Hirofumi , Nishio Saori , Shirasaki Arimasa , Nagai Kojiro , Yamagata Kunihiro , Hasegawa Hajime , Yasuda Hideo , Ichida Shizunori , Naruse Tomohiko , Nishino Tomoya , Sobajima Hiroshi , Tanaka Satoshi , Akahori Toshiyuki , Ito Takafumi , Terada Yoshio , Katafuchi Ritsuko , Fujimoto Shouichi , Okada Hirokazu , Ishimura Eiji , Kazama Junichiro J. , Hiromura Keiju , Mimura Tetsushi , Suzuki Satoshi , Saka Yosuke , Sofue Tadashi , Suzuki Yusuke , Shibagaki Yugo , Kitagawa Kiyoki , Morozumi Kunio , Fujita Yoshiro , Mizutani Makoto , Shigematsu Takashi , Kashihara Naoki , Sato Hiroshi , Matsuo Seiichi , Narita Ichiei , Isaka Yoshitaka
Published: March 2020

Background

Despite recent advances in immunosuppressive therapy for patients with primary nephrotic syndrome, its effectiveness and safety have not been fully studied in recent nationwide real-world clinical data in Japan.

Methods

A 5-year cohort study, the Japan Nephrotic Syndrome Cohort Study, enrolled 374 patients with primary nephrotic syndrome in 55 hospitals in Japan, including 155, 148, 38, and 33 patients with minimal change disease (MCD), membranous nephropathy (MN), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), and other glomerulonephritides, respectively. The incidence rates of remission and relapse of proteinuria, 50% and 100% increases in serum creatinine, end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), all-cause mortality, and other major adverse outcomes were compared among glomerulonephritides using the Log-rank test. Incidence of hospitalization for infection, the most common cause of mortality, was compared using a multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazard model.

Results

Immunosuppressive therapy was administered in 339 (90.6%) patients. The cumulative probabilities of complete remission within 3 years of the baseline visit was ≥ 0.75 in patients with MCD, MN, and FSGS (0.95, 0.77, and 0.79, respectively). Diabetes was the most common adverse events associated with immunosuppressive therapy (incidence rate, 71.0 per 1000 person-years). All-cause mortality (15.6 per 1000 person-years), mainly infection-related mortality (47.8%), was more common than ESKD (8.9 per 1000 person-years), especially in patients with MCD and MN. MCD was significantly associated with hospitalization for infection than MN.

Conclusions

Patients with MCD and MN had a higher mortality, especially infection-related mortality, than ESKD. Nephrologists should pay more attention to infections in patients with primary nephrotic syndrome.
Disability digital divide: the use of the internet, smartphones, computers and tablets among people with disabilities in Sweden
Authors: Johansson Stefan , Gulliksen Jan , Gustavsson Catharina
Published: March 2020

Although Sweden is one of the most digitalized countries and the Swedish population’s use of the internet is among the most studied in the world, little is known about how Swedes with disabilities use internet. The purpose of this study is to describe use of and perceived difficulties in use of the internet among people with disabilities and to explore digital divides in-between and within disability groups, and in comparison with the general population. This is a cross-sectional survey targeting the same issues as other nationwide surveys but adapted for people with cognitive disabilities. Participants were recruited from May to October 2017 by adaptive snowball sampling. The survey comprised questions on access to and use of devices, and use of and perceived difficulties in use of internet. A total of 771 people responded to the survey, representing 35 diagnoses/impairments. Larger proportions of people with autism, ADHD and bipolar disorder reported using internet than other disability groups. Women with autism used the internet more than any other disability group, and women with aphasia used the internet the least. People with disabilities related to language and understanding reported more difficulties using internet than other disability groups. Larger proportions of participants than the general Swedish population reported not feeling digitally included. In many but not all disability groups, larger proportions of men than women reported not feeling digitally included. Our findings show that there are differences in digital inclusion between sub-groups of diagnoses/impairments. Thus, disability digital divides are preferably investigated by sub-grouping disabilities, rather than studied as one homogeneous group.
Aiming for the top: non-cell autonomous control of shoot stem cells in Arabidopsis
Authors: Fuchs Michael , Lohmann Jan U.
Published: March 2020

In multicellular organisms, not all cells are created equal. Instead, organismal complexity is achieved by specialisation and division of labour between distinct cell types. Therefore, the organism depends on the presence, correct proportion and function of all cell types. It follows that early development is geared towards setting up the basic body plan and to specify cell lineages. Since plants employ a post-embryonic mode of development, the continuous growth and addition of new organs require a source of new cells, as well as a strict regulation of cellular composition throughout the entire life-cycle. To meet these demands, evolution has brought about complex regulatory systems to maintain and control continuously active stem cell systems. Here, we review recent work on the mechanisms of non cell-autonomous control of shoot stem cells in the model plantArabidopsis thalianawith a strong focus on the cell-to-cell mobility and function of the WUSCHEL homeodomain transcription factor.
Quality assessment of experimental IGS multi-GNSS combined orbits
Authors: Sośnica Krzysztof , Zajdel Radosław , Bury Grzegorz , Bosy Jarosław , Moore Michael , Masoumi Salim
Published: March 2020

The International GNSS Service (IGS) Analysis Center Coordinator initiated in 2019 an experimental multi-GNSS orbit combination service by adapting the current combination software that has been used for many years for IGS GPS and GLONASS combinations. The multi-GNSS orbits are based on individual products generated by IGS and multi-GNSS Pilot Project analysis centers. However, the combinations are not yet considered to be the final products at this time. The goal of this research is to provide a quality assessment of the very first IGS experimental multi-GNSS combined orbits based on Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) observations and the mean position errors from the orbit combinations. The errors available in the combined orbit files provide information about the consistency between orbits from different analysis centers, whereas SLR provides independent orbit validation results even for those satellites which are considered only by one analysis center, and thus, the quality of the combination is not provided in the orbit files. We found that the BeiDou-3 satellites manufactured by China Academy of Space Technology and Shanghai Engineering Center for Microsatellites are characterized by opposite SLR residual dependencies with respect to the position of the sun which means that the orbit models for BeiDou-3 need further improvement. Smallest SLR residuals are obtained for Galileo, GLONASS-K1, and GLONASS-M+ . However, the latter is characterized by a bias of + 29 mm. The mean standard deviations of SLR residuals are 23, 29, 87, 51, 40, and 72 mm for Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou GEO, BeiDou IGSO, BeiDou MEO, and QZSS, respectively. The mean orbit combination errors in the radial direction are three times lower than those from SLR residuals in the case of MEO satellites and vary between 8 and 14 mm, whereas the orbit errors are four times lower than SLR residuals in the case of GEO and IGSO and equal to 11–21 mm.
Seq’ing identity and function in a repeat-derived noncoding RNA world
Authors: O’Neill Rachel J.
Published: March 2020

Innovations in high-throughout sequencing approaches are being marshaled to both reveal the composition of the abundant and heterogeneous noncoding RNAs that populate cell nuclei and lend insight to the mechanisms by which noncoding RNAs influence chromosome biology and gene expression. This review focuses on some of the recent technological developments that have enabled the isolation of nascent transcripts and chromatin-associated and DNA-interacting RNAs. Coupled with emerging genome assembly and analytical approaches, the field is poised to achieve a comprehensive catalog of nuclear noncoding RNAs, including those derived from repetitive regions within eukaryotic genomes. Herein, particular attention is paid to the challenges and advances in the sequence analyses of repeat and transposable element–derived noncoding RNAs and in ascribing specific function(s) to such RNAs.
Phase I study of metformin in combination with carboplatin/paclitaxel chemotherapy in patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer
Authors: Broekman K. Esther , Hof Marieke A. J. , Touw Daan J. , Gietema Jourik A. , Nijman Hans W. , Lefrandt Joop D. , Reyners An K. L. , Jalving Mathilde
Published: March 2020

Background Metformin use is associated with reduced cancer risk in epidemiological studies and has preclinical anti-cancer activity in ovarian cancer models. The primary objective of this phase I study was to determine the recommended phase II dose (RP2D) of metformin in combination with carboplatin/paclitaxel in patients with ovarian cancer. Secondary objectives were to describe safety and pharmacokinetics. Methods In this single-center trial the RP2D of metformin in combination with carboplatin area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) 6 and paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 every 3 weeks (q3w) in patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer was determined using a 3 + 3 escalation rule at three fixed dose levels: 500 mg three times daily (tds), 850 mg tds and 1000 mg tds. Metformin was commenced on day 3 of cycle 1 and continued until 3 weeks after the last chemotherapy administration. The RP2D was defined as the dose level at which 0 of 3 or ≤ 1 of 6 evaluable subjects experienced a metformin-related dose-limiting toxicity (DLT). Safety was assessed according to CTCAE v4.0. Plasma and serum samples for pharmacokinetic (PK) analyses were collected during treatment cycles 1 and 2. Results Fifteen patients with epithelial ovarian cancer and an indication for neo-adjuvant (n = 5) or palliative (n = 10) treatment were included. No DLTs were observed. Three patients discontinued study treatment during cycle 1 for other reasons than DLT. Six patients were treated at the RP2D of metformin 1000 mg tds. The most frequent low-grade toxicities were anemia, hypomagnesemia and diarrhea. Grade 3 adverse events (AEs) occurred in ten patients, most common were leucopenia (n = 4), thrombocytopenia (n = 3) and increased GGT (n = 3). There were no grade 4 AEs. Metformin increased the platinum (Pt) AUC (Δ22%, p = 0.013) and decreased the Pt clearance (Δ-28%, p = 0.013). Metformin plasma levels were all within the therapeutic range for diabetic patients (0.1–4 mg/L). Conclusion The RP2D of metformin in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel in advanced ovarian cancer is 1000 mg tds. This is higher than the RP2D reported for combination with targeted agents. A potential PK interaction of metformin with carboplatin was identified.
Energy Minimising Configurations of Pre-strained Multilayers
Authors: de Benito Delgado Miguel , Schmidt Bernd
Published: March 2020

We investigate energetically optimal configurations of thin structures with a pre-strain. Depending on the strength of the pre-strain we consider a whole hierarchy of effective plate theories with a spontaneous curvature term, ranging from linearised Kirchhoff to von Kármán to linearised von Kármán theories. While explicit formulae are available in the linearised regimes, the von Kármán theory turns out to be critical and a phase transition from cylindrical (as in linearised Kirchhoff) to spherical or saddle-shaped (as in linearised von Kármán) configurations is observed there. We analyse this behaviour with the help of a whole family $(\mathcal{I}^{\theta }_{\mathrm{vK}})_{\theta \in (0,\infty )}$

(

I
vK
θ

)

θ
∈
(
0
,
∞
)

of effective von Kármán functionals which interpolates between the two linearised regimes. We rigorously show convergence to the respective explicit minimisers in the asymptotic regimes $\theta \to 0$
θ
→
0
and $\theta \to \infty $
θ
→
∞
. Numerical experiments are performed for general $\theta \in (0,\infty )$
θ
∈
(
0
,
∞
)
which indicate a stark transition in a critical region of parameters $\theta $
θ
.
Ammonia: an approach for deriving project-specific bug patterns
Authors: Higo Yoshiki , Hayashi Shinpei , Hata Hideaki , Nagappan Meiyappan
Published: March 2020

Finding and fixing buggy code is an important and cost-intensive maintenance task, and static analysis (SA) is one of the methods developers use to perform it. SA tools warn developers about potential bugs by scanning their source code for commonly occurring bug patterns, thus giving those developers opportunities to fix the warnings (potential bugs) before they release the software. Typically, SA tools scan for general bug patterns that are common to any software project (such as null pointer dereference), and not for project specific patterns. However, past research has pointed to this lack of customizability as a severe limiting issue in SA. Accordingly, in this paper, we propose an approach called , which is based on statically analyzing changes across the development history of a project, as a means to identify project-specific bug patterns. Furthermore, the bug patterns identified by our tool do not relate to just one developer or one specific commit, they reflect the project as a whole and compliment the warnings from other SA tools that identify general bug patterns. Herein, we report on the application of our implemented tool and approach to four Java projects: , , , and . The results obtained show that our tool could detect 19 project specific bug patterns across those four projects. Next, through manual analysis, we determined that six of those change patterns were actual bugs and submitted pull requests based on those bug patterns. As a result, five of the pull requests were merged.
The Real Myth of Coherence
Authors: Lee Wooram
Published: March 2020

In this paper, I offer a novel view of the coherence (or structural) requirements on belief and intention, according to which they are not norms, but rather principles describing how your belief and intention operate. I first argue, on the basis of the unintelligibility of some relevant attitudes-reports, that there are conditions under which you simply do not count as believing or intending unless your beliefs and intentions satisfy the requirements: the conditions under which all of your relevant attitudes are occurrent or activated. I then argue that you are subject to a coherence requirement only if your relevant attitudes are all activated, for you are not necessarily subject to the charge of irrationality in violating a coherence requirement when your attitudes are not all activated. If so, however, you satisfy the coherence requirements whenever you are subject to them, which makes it plausible that the “requirements” should be seen as descriptive principles about belief and intention.
CircMTO1 Attenuated Acute Kidney Injury Through Regulating miR-337
Authors: Shi Chuan-chuan , Pan Lu-yan , Peng Zhi-yong , Li Jian-guo
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is an independent risk factor for the increased risk of death in patients with sepsis. In the current study, we first investigated the expression of circMTO1 in sepsis-induced AKI, and the underlying mechanism was further elucidated. The results showed that circMTO1 expression level was significantly decreased in serums and kidney tissues of US rats and RMCs treated with LPS. Besides, circMTO1 overexpression promoted cell viability, suppressed cell apoptosis and cytokines production of LPS-treated RMCs. Bioinformatics analysis showed that circMTO1 served as a sponge for miR-337. Furthermore, circMTO1 could inhibit the expression of KLF6. Altogether, our study first reported that circMTO1 expression was decreased in sepsis-induced AKI rat models and RMCs treated with LPS. CircMTO1 overexpression could attenuate AKI development by sponging miR-337 and regulating KLF6 expression, which may provide new ideas for evaluation the pathogenesis and the treatment of sepsis-induced AKI.
Sulawesi Crested Macaque (Macaca nigra) Grooming Networks Are Robust to Perturbation While Individual Associations Are More Labile
Authors: Cowl Veronica B. , Jensen Keith , Lea Jessica M. D. , Walker Susan L. , Shultz Susanne
Published: March 2020

Social and environmental disturbance occurs naturally, and species in bonded social groups should be resilient to it. Empirical evidence of social responses to disturbance in primates, however, remains limited. We constructed social networks using group-level scan samples (N = 299) to test the robustness of grooming networks in a captive group of 20 Sulawesi crested macaques (Macaca nigra) to two management interventions involving environmental and social disturbance. During the first, the institution removed six castrated males and one female, contracepted six of the nine remaining females, and moved the group to a new enclosure. The second involved the introduction of a novel, reproductive male five weeks later. Networks remained stable following the first intervention. However, after introduction of the male, the number of grooming partners and the frequency of grooming with non-maternal kin increased in female-only networks. We observed less marked increases in the grooming frequency and number of grooming partners in whole group networks. Ten weeks later, network structure was more similar to that of pre-intervention networks than post-intervention networks. Our results suggest that reproductive males play a more important role in structuring Sulawesi crested macaque social networks than castrated males, as networks expanded and relationships between non-maternal kin occurred more frequently after introduction of the reproductive male. However, network responses to interventions appeared to be temporary as networks following a period of acclimation more closely resembled pre-intervention networks than post-intervention networks. Our study demonstrates the utility of social network analysis for understanding the impact of disturbance on stable social groups.
Implementation of a Perceptual Controller for an Inverted Pendulum Robot
Authors: Johnson Thomas , Zhou Siteng , Cheah Wei , Mansell Warren , Young Rupert , Watson Simon
Published: March 2020

Perceptual Control Theory (PCT) theorizes that a creature’s behaviour is varied so that their perception can reach and maintain certain fixed limits, despite external disturbances. The distinguishing characteristic of PCT is that the controlled variables are the inputs (perceptions, as opposed to the system outputs). This paper presents the first direct comparison of a PCT controller for a mobile robot (a two-wheeled ‘inverted pendulum’ balancing robot) with a classical control method, LQR. Simulations and experimental validation results show that the performance of the PCT controller is comparable to the LQR controller and better at disturbance rejection.
Superconductor-Ferromagnet Tunnel Junction Thermoelectric Bolometer and Calorimeter with a SQUID Readout
Authors: Geng Z. , Helenius A. P. , Heikkilä T. T. , Maasilta I. J.
Published: March 2020

The superconductor-ferromagnet thermoelectric detector (SFTED) is a novel ultrasensitive radiation detector based on the giant thermoelectric effect in superconductor-ferromagnet tunnel junctions. This type of detector can be operated without the need of additional bias lines and is predicted to provide a performance rivaling transition-edge sensors and kinetic inductance detectors. Here, we report our numerical studies on the SFTED noise equivalent power, energy resolution and time constant, and the feasibility of a SQUID readout in both bolometric and calorimetric regimes, with the goal to provide practical design parameters for the detector fabrication and the readout circuitry implementation.
Normative Data for Novel Nominal Metaphors, Novel Similes, Literal, and Anomalous Utterances in Polish and English
Authors: Jankowiak Katarzyna
Published: March 2020

The two studies reported in the article provide normative measures for 120 novel nominal metaphors, 120 novel similes, 120 literal sentences, and 120 anomalous utterances in Polish (Study 1) and in English (Study 2). The presented set is ideally suited to addressing methodological requirements in research on metaphor processing. The critical (sentence-final) words of each utterance were controlled for in terms of their frequency per million, number of letters and syllables. For each condition in each language, the following variables are reported: cloze probability, meaningfulness, metaphoricity, and familiarity, whose results confirm that the sentences are well-matched. Consequently, the present paper provides materials that can be employed in order to test the new as well as existing theories of metaphor comprehension. The results obtained from the series of normative tests showed the same pattern in both studies, where the comparison structure present in similes (i.e., A is like B) facilitated novel metaphor comprehension, as compared to categorical statements (i.e., A is B). It therefore indicates that comparison mechanisms might be engaged in novel meaning construction irrespectively of language-specific syntactic rules.
Neonatology in Austria: ethics to improve practice
Authors: Stanak Michal
Published: March 2020

In the world of Austrian neonatal intensive care units, the role of ethics is recognized only partially. The normatively tense cases that are at the backdrop of this essay concern the situations around the limit of viability (weeks 22 + 0 days to 25 + 6 days of gestation), which is the point in the development of an extremely preterm infant at which there are chances of extra-uterine survival. This essay first outlines the key explicit ethical challenges that are mainly concerned with notions of uncertainty and best interest. Then, it attempts to elucidate the less explicit ethical challenges related to the notion of nudging in the neonatal practice and argue that the role of ethics needs to be recognized more—with the focus on the role of virtue ethics—in order to improve the practice of neonatal medicine.
What is a Simulation Model?
Authors: Durán Juan M.
Published: March 2020

Many philosophical accounts of scientific models fail to distinguish between a simulation model and other forms of models. This failure is unfortunate because there are important differences pertaining to their methodology and epistemology that favor their philosophical understanding. The core claim presented here is that simulation models are rich and complex units of analysis in their own right, that they depart from known forms of scientific models in significant ways, and that a proper understanding of the type of model simulations are fundamental for their philosophical assessment. I argue that simulation models can be distinguished from other forms of models by the many algorithmic structures, representation relations, and new semantic connections involved in their architecture. In this article, I reconstruct a general architecture for a simulation model, one that faithfully captures the complexities involved in most scientific research with computer simulations. Furthermore, I submit that a new methodology capable of conforming such architecture into a fully functional, computationally tractable computer simulation must be in place. I discuss this methodology—what I call recasting—and argue for its philosophical novelty. If these efforts are heading towards the right interpretation of simulation models, then one can show that computer simulations shed new light on the philosophy of science. To illustrate the potential of my interpretation of simulation models, I briefly discuss simulation-based explanations as a novel approach to questions about scientific explanation.