bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alterations of Serum Ser312‐Phosphorylated Fetuin‐A from Exercise‐Induced Moderate Body Weight Loss in Individuals with Obesity
Authors: Ren Guang , Bowers Robert L. , Kim Teayoun , Araya‐Ramirez Felipe , Mahurin A. Jack , Dean David M. , Grandjean Peter W. , Mathews Suresh T.
Published: February 2020

Objective

Phosphorylated fetuin‐A (pFet‐A) inhibits insulin action and has been shown to be associated with obesity and insulin resistance. The objective of this cohort study was to assess the effect of incremental body weight loss on alterations in serum pFet‐A and indexes of insulin sensitivity.

Methods

A total of 16 men with obesity attained a targeted weight loss of 8% to 10% of their initial body weight by achieving an energy expenditure/deficit of 2,000 to 2,500 kcal/wk. Anthropometric assessments and blood samples were obtained every 4 weeks. Weight loss was calculated and partitioned as 2% to 4%, 4% to 6%, 6% to 8%, and 8% to 10% compared with initial body weight.

Results

Targeted body weight loss of 8% to 10% decreased serum pFet‐A, pFet‐A:Fet‐A ratio, fasting insulin, log(homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index, adipose insulin resistance, and insulin resistance index significantly. Percent changes in serum pFet‐A were associated with percent changes in indexes of insulin sensitivity. Unlike insulin sensitivity indexes, which were altered starting with 6% to 8% weight loss, serum pFet‐A levels were significantly decreased by 19.6% starting with 2% to 4% weight loss and decreased by 25.6%, 36.8%, and 42.3% with 4% to 6%, 6% to 8%, and 8% to 10% weight loss, respectively.

Conclusions

This study reports for the first time that the insulin‐sensitizing effects of moderate weight loss are associated with a reduction in serum pFet‐A levels.
Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as a plant model system to study mitochondrial complex I dysfunction
Authors: Subrahmanian Nitya , Castonguay Andrew David , Fatnes Thea Aspelund , Hamel Patrice Paul
Published: February 2020

Mitochondrial complex I, a proton‐pumping NADH: ubiquinone oxidoreductase, is required for oxidative phosphorylation. However, the contribution of several human mutations to complex I deficiency is poorly understood. The unicellular alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was utilized to study complex I as, unlike in mammals, mutants with complete loss of the holoenzyme are viable. From a forward genetic screen for complex I‐deficient insertional mutants, six mutants exhibiting complex I deficiency with assembly defects were isolated. Chlamydomonas mutants isolated from our screens, lacking the subunits NDUFV2 and NDUFB10, were used to reconstruct and analyze the effect of two human mutations in these subunit‐encoding genes. The K209R substitution in NDUFV2, reported in Parkinson's disease patients, did not significantly affect the enzyme activity or assembly. The C107S substitution in the NDUFB10 subunit, reported in a case of fatal infantile cardiomyopathy, is part of a conserved C‐(X)11‐C motif. The cysteine substitutions, at either one or both positions, still allowed low levels of holoenzyme formation, indicating that this motif is crucial for complex I function but not strictly essential for assembly. We show that the algal mutants provide a simple and useful platform to delineate the consequences of patient mutations on complex I function.
Label‐Free Quantitative Proteomic Profiling of LAD2 Mast Cell Releasates Reveals the Mechanism of Tween‐80‐Induced Anaphylactoid Reaction
Authors: Mi Yan‐Ni , Yan Ping‐Ping , Di Jia , Cao Lei , Xiao Xue , Liu Dong‐Zheng , Cao Yong‐Xiao
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Tween‐80 is one of the most important causes resulting in anaphylactoid reaction. However, its mechanism remains unclear. Proteomic characterizations of mast cells’ excreta in response to Tween‐80 are assayed to investigate the mechanism of anaphylactoid reaction.

Experimental design

A label‐free LCMS/MS‐based proteomics is used to analyze Tween‐80‐stimulated Laboratory of Allergic Diseases 2 (LAD2) mast cells releasates. The results of proteomic are analyzed by bioinformatics analysis. Western blotting is used to verify the expression of proteins.

Results

Overall, endocytosis, nuclear factor kappa‐light‐chain‐enhancer of activated B cells (NF‐κB), and calcium signaling pathways play important roles in Tween‐80‐induced LAD2 cells activation by bioinformatics analysis. The expressions of relative proteins including actin‐related protein 2/3 complexes, vacuolar protein sorting‐associated protein, phosphorylation of transcription factor of P105 and P65, phosphorylation of inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate receptor (IP3R), phosphoinositide phospholipase Cγ (PLCγ), and protein kinase C (PKC), are significantly increased in Tween‐80 group compared to control. Tween‐80 might be internalized via endocytosis, which induces degranulation by PLCγ/PKC pathways mediated calcium influx, and promotes the generation of inflammatory mediators via NF‐κB pathway resulting in anaphylactoid reaction.
Syngeneic murine model for prostate cancer using RM1 cells transfected with gp100
Authors: Yeon Austin , Wang Yanping , Su Shengchen , Lo Eric M. , Kim Hyung L.
Published: February 2020

Background

Prostate cancer (PC) is the most commonly diagnosed solid tumor in men. A major challenge in PC immunotherapy is the lack of an animal model that resembles human adenocarcinoma and allows for manipulation or monitoring of the immune response. Mouse models are needed for preclinical testing of new immunotherapies, whether used alone or in combination with established drugs, and to develop companion biomarkers that can be validated in clinical trials.

Methods

To develop a syngeneic prostate adenocarcinoma model with a well‐defined tumor antigen, murine RM1 PC cells were transfected with the endogenous mouse melanoma protein, gp100 (RM1‐gp100). Gp100 was attractive because it is a self‐protein and it instantly allowed us to use the large trove of immune research tools developed for melanoma research. A dendritic cell (DC) vaccine was used as model immunotherapy to demonstrate that adoptive immunotherapy against gp100 decreases the growth of RM1‐gp100 but not RM1.

Results

Expressing gp100 did not change the growth of RM1 cell in vitro or in vivo. The DCs pulsed with RM1‐gp100 could be used to stimulate Pmel‐1 lymphocyte proliferation and activation. Pmel‐1 lymphocytes could be adoptively transferred into C57Bl/6 mice that were treated with DCs pulsed with RM1‐gp100. The resulting Pmel‐1 lymphocytes were monitored to assess the primary cellular immune response and memory response.

Conclusion

We describe a murine model for prostate adenocarcinoma with a well‐characterized antigen that can be used in an immunologically intact mice to monitor the temporal CD8+ lymphocyte‐mediated antitumor immunity.
Retracted: Icariin inhibits proliferation, migration, and invasion of medulloblastoma DAOY cells by regulation of SPARC
Authors: Yang Yan , Li Guifang
Published: February 2020

Icariin (ICA) is obtained from Epimedium brevicornu maxim and exploited to remedy miscellaneous cancers. But the role of ICA in medulloblastoma remains hazy. The research delved into the antitumor activity of ICA in medulloblastoma DAOY cells. ICA with diverse concentrations was utilized to stimulate DAOY cells, and the biological functions of ICA in medulloblastoma DAOY cells were examined. Then, the relative SPARC expression was determined in ICA‐managed DAOY cells, and the pc‐SPARC vector was transfected into DAOY cells to further probe the influence of SPARC and JAK1/STAT3 and PI3K/AKT pathways in ICA‐managed DAOY cells. A xenograft model was established to investigate the function of ICA in vivo. ICA restrained cell viability, expedited apoptosis, prohibited cell migration and invasion, and meanwhile affected the associative factors expression in DAOY cells. Additionally, SPARC expression was declined in ICA‐stimulated DAOY cells. Overexpressed SPARC reversed the functions of ICA in above‐involved cell behaviors of DAYO cells and the correlative protein levels. Besides, ICA notably frustrated JAK1/STAT3 and PI3K/AKT activations in DAOY cells. Beyond that, ICA prohibited tumor formation in vivo. The results concluded that ICA exhibited the antitumor activity in DAOY cells via decreasing SPARC and inactivating JAK1/STAT3 and PI3K/AKT pathways.
Advances in generating liver cells from pluripotent stem cells as a tool for modeling liver diseases
Authors: Maepa Setjie W. , Ndlovu Hlumani
Published: February 2020

Developing robust in vitro models of the liver is essential for studying the pathogenesis of liver diseases, hepatotoxicity testing, and regenerative medicine. Earlier studies were conducted using cell lines derived from hepatomas. Due to the inherent limitations of cell lines, researchers used primary human hepatocytes (PHHs), which are considered a gold standard for in vitro modeling of the liver. However, due to the high cost of PHHs and lack of donors, researchers have sought an alternative source for functional liver cells. Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) emerged as a viable alternative due to their plasticity and high proliferative capacity. This review gives an overview of the major advances that have been achieved to develop protocols to generate liver cells such as hepatocytes, cholangiocytes, and Küpffer cells from PSCs. We also discuss their application in modeling the pathogenesis of liver diseases such as drug-induced liver injury, acute liver failure, and hepatic steatosis.
Forensic entomology for the investigator
Authors: Byrd Jason , Sutton Lerah
Published: February 2020

Forensic entomology is a discipline deeply rooted in history that is still evolving with regards to its utility in both the modern scientific community and medicolegal death investigations. While there are many applications of forensic entomology with the forensic sciences, the most common application is that of the estimation of time since death, also often known as a minimum postmortem interval, which in some instances can be equal to the time of colonization. This time estimation is based on the period of insect activity on a body, and the age of the insects collected from the remains can aid in determining a portion of the postmortem interval. For this estimation, temperature is a key element of entomological evidence collection, along with the insects themselves. Proper documentation of the scene conditions in which the body is discovered is essential for use in an entomological postmortem interval estimation. Likewise, proper documentation and collection of the insects from the body and the death scene—including a representative sample of all areas of colonization and species present—better allows the entomologist to provide a more accurate and useful estimation of time since death.

This article is categorized under:

Forensic Biology > Interpretation of Biological Evidence

Forensic Anthropology > Time Since Death Estimation

Forensic Science in Action/Crime Scene Investigation > Crime Scene Examination
Bias in data‐driven artificial intelligence systems—An introductory survey
Authors: Ntoutsi Eirini , Fafalios Pavlos , Gadiraju Ujwal , Iosifidis Vasileios , Nejdl Wolfgang , Vidal Maria‐Esther , Ruggieri Salvatore , Turini Franco , Papadopoulos Symeon , Krasanakis Emmanouil , Kompatsiaris Ioannis , Kinder‐Kurlanda Katharina , Wagner Claudia , Karimi Fariba , Fernandez Miriam , Alani Harith , Berendt Bettina , Kruegel Tina , Heinze Christian , Broelemann Klaus , Kasneci Gjergji , Tiropanis Thanassis , Staab Steffen
Published: February 2020

Artificial Intelligence (AI)‐based systems are widely employed nowadays to make decisions that have far‐reaching impact on individuals and society. Their decisions might affect everyone, everywhere, and anytime, entailing concerns about potential human rights issues. Therefore, it is necessary to move beyond traditional AI algorithms optimized for predictive performance and embed ethical and legal principles in their design, training, and deployment to ensure social good while still benefiting from the huge potential of the AI technology. The goal of this survey is to provide a broad multidisciplinary overview of the area of bias in AI systems, focusing on technical challenges and solutions as well as to suggest new research directions towards approaches well‐grounded in a legal frame. In this survey, we focus on data‐driven AI, as a large part of AI is powered nowadays by (big) data and powerful machine learning algorithms. If otherwise not specified, we use the general term bias to describe problems related to the gathering or processing of data that might result in prejudiced decisions on the bases of demographic features such as race, sex, and so forth.

This article is categorized under:

Commercial, Legal, and Ethical Issues > Fairness in Data Mining

Commercial, Legal, and Ethical Issues > Ethical Considerations

Commercial, Legal, and Ethical Issues > Legal Issues
Facile One‐step Synthesis of Zn1–xMnxSiN2 Nitride Semiconductor Solid Solutions via Solid‐state Metathesis Reaction
Authors: Zeman Otto E. O. , von Rohr Fabian O. , Neudert Lukas , Schnick Wolfgang
Published: February 2020

We report on the synthesis of the II‐IV‐N2 semiconductors ZnSiN2, MnSiN2, and the Zn1–xMnxSiN2 solid solutions by a one‐step solid‐state metathesis reaction. The successful syntheses were carried out by reacting the corresponding metal halides with stoichiometric amounts of silicon nitride and lithium azide in sealed tantalum ampoules. After washing out the reaction byproduct LiCl, powder X‐ray diffraction patterns were indexed with orthorhombic space group Pna21. Single phase products were obtained without applying external pressure and at a moderate reaction temperature of 700 °C. The resulting ZnSiN2 was found to consist of nano‐sized grains and needle‐shaped nano‐crystals. With increasing manganese content in the Zn1–xMnxSiN2 solid solution, we found the reaction product to be increasingly crystalline. Both the cell parameters and the bandgap values across the different compositions of the solid solutions change linearly. The sample Zn0.95Mn0.05SiN2 synthesized by means of solid‐state metathesis reaction is an intense red emitter with a broad emission maximum at λmax ≈ 619 nm when excited with ultraviolet light after annealing the sample at a pressure of 6 GPa and a temperature of 1200 °C.
Knotting the Safety Net. A Multi-Actor Family Network Approach in Divorce Research
Authors: de Bel Vera , Van Gasse Dries
Published: February 2020

Drawing on three theories in sociology, this chapter presents a theoretical framework for studying the consequences of parental divorce for the structure of relationships within the nuclear family and between nuclear and extended family members. First, interdependence as defined in family systems theory (FST) is explained. Second, the configurational approach (CA) is introduced. CA stresses the individual perspective in defining the family network and the non-static influence of configurations on the individual. Empirically, CA requires the collection of ego (personal) network data about family members and their relationships, the so-called Family Network Method (FNM). Third, the concept of a sharing group (SG) is introduced. SGs are characterized by the joint production of a common good by groups of individuals, subject to three types of interdependence: functional, structural and cognitive. Building on insights from FST and CA, the Multi-Actor Family Network Approach (MAFNA) is introduced, which conceives of families as SGs. Next, methods for the empirical implementation of MAFNA, requiring the collection of information about all family members and their relationships, are sketched, as well as social network analysis techniques for such data. Finally, the chapter discusses what kind of answers and questions in divorce research may be addressed using MAFNA.
Public Attitudes Toward Shared Custody: The Czech Republic
Authors: Fučík Petr
Published: February 2020

In the beginning of the existence of divorce as a social institution, parenthood was not as deeply problematized as the moral aspects of the partnership. In contrast, current public and scientific debates are most frequently involved in the questions of the impact of divorce on the children. Shared custody can be understood as a result of this cultural shift. The knowledge about public attitudes toward this topic and its social differentiation is limited. This study presents a unique source of data on shared custody attitudes from EVS (European Values Study) and CHPS (Czech Household Panel Survey) surveys conducted recently in the Czech Republic. The results show there is a substantive distinction between the attitudes of men and women and that the acceptance of shared custody is higher in younger age groups. No differences according to the social and economic status of respondents and their family backgrounds were found. Concerning the broader attitudinal contingency, we found no relationship between egalitarian gender attitudes and the acceptance of shared custody, but conservative attitudes toward divorce consequences increase the acceptance of shared custody.
Divorce Trends in Seven Countries Over the Long Transition from State Socialism: 1981–2004
Authors: Härkönen Juho , Billingsley Sunnee , Hornung Maria
Published: February 2020

The collapse of communism was a defining geopolitical event of late-twentieth century Europe, with well-documented economic, social, and political implications. Yet there is a striking absence of research on how it influenced divorce. The objective of this study is to provide an exploratory analysis of trends in divorce over the long transition from communism—starting from the decline of the communist economy in the 1980s and ending with economic revival—in seven countries: Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Russia. We discuss how the transition could be expected to either increase or decrease divorce risks. We analyze retrospective micro-level data on first marriages from the Changing Life Course Regimes in Eastern Europe (CLiCR) dataset. Based on our event-history analyses, we find that divorce rates increased in each country at some stage during the long transition and these increases cannot be explained by compositional change of the marriages. However, no uniform pattern emerged in the timing and duration of the increase in divorce risk. This striking variation leads us to conclude that even the effect of major societal ruptures is contextually contingent.
A model for neutrino anomalies and IceCube data
Authors: Ahn Y.H. , Kang Sin Kyu
Published: February 2020

Abstract

We interpret the neutrino anomalies in neutrino oscillation experiments and the high energy neutrino events at IceCube in terms of neutrino oscillations in an extension of the standard model where three sterile neutrinos are introduced so as to make two light neutrinos to be Pseudo-Dirac particles and a light neutrino to be a Majorana particle. Our model is different from the so-called 3 + n model with n sterile neutrinos suggested to interpret short baseline anomalies in terms of neutrino oscillations. While the Pontecorvo-Maki-Nakagawa-Sakata (PMNS) matrix in 3 + n model is simply extended to n × n unitary matrix, the neutrino mixing matrix in our model is parameterized so as to keep the 3 × 3 PMNS mixing matrix for three active neutrinos unitary. There are also no flavor changing neutral current interactions leading to the conversion of active neutrinos to sterile ones or vice versa. We derive new forms of neutrino oscillation probabilities containing the new interference between the active and sterile neutrinos which are characterized by additional new parameters ∆m
2 and θ. Based on the new formulae derived, we show how the short baseline neutrino anomalies can be explained in terms of oscillations, and study the implication of the high energy neutrino events detected at IceCube on the probe of pseudo-Dirac neutrinos. New phenomenological effects attributed to the existence of the sterile neutrinos are discussed.
Superficial Femoral Artery Calcification Is a Novel Risk Factor of Microvascular Complications in T2DM Patients
Authors: Tian Jing , He Wanbing , Gao Jingwei , Yan Li , Liang Ming , Zhang Wenyue , Xu Xiaolin , Luo Baoming
Published: February 2020

Microvascular complications are prevalent in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), resulting in increased risk of cardiovascular mortality. However, it is unclear whether above-knee artery calcification relates to microvascular complications. This study was aimed to investigate the role of calcification in superficial femoral arteries (SFA), the major above-knee artery, compared with anterior tibial arteries (ATA) and posterior tibial arteries (PTA), in T2DM-related microvascular complications and explore its risk factors. A single-center and observational study involving 359 T2DM patients was conducted. Clinical and laboratory data were collected. SFA calcification was evaluated by ultrasonography. Compared with ATA and PTA calcification, operating characteristics curve analysis showed that SFA calcification was the strongest predictor (63.1% sensitivity and 69.2% specificity) for T2DM-related microvascular complications (diabetic neuropathy, diabetic nephropathy and diabetic retinopathy). With the severity of SFA calcification increased, age, duration of T2DM, and SBP were significantly elevated, but triglyceride and glucose index and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were significantly reduced (allP < 0.05). Multivariate logistic analysis showed that eGFR (OR 0.953; 95% CI 0.931–0.976;P < 0.001) was an independent risk factor of SFA calcification, especially in young patients with HbA1c > 7.0. We identified SFA calcification as a good predictor of microvascular complications in T2DM patients. Reduced eGFR was significantly associated with increased SFA calcification prevalence, especially in young T2DM patients with bad controlled hyperglycemia.
Meta‐analysis of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Protocols in Emergency Abdominal Surgery
Authors: Hajibandeh Shahab , Hajibandeh Shahin , Bill Victor , Satyadas Thomas
Published: February 2020

Objectives

To evaluate enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols in emergency abdominal surgery.

Methods

The electronic data sources were explored to capture all studies that evaluated the impact of ERAS protocols in patients who underwent emergency abdominal surgery. The quality of randomised and non‐randomised studies was evaluated by the Cochrane tool and the Newcastle–Ottawa scale, respectively. Random or fixed effects modelling were utilised as indicated.

Results

Six comparative studies, enrolling 1334 patients, were eligible. ERAS protocols resulted in shorter post‐operative time to first flatus (mean difference: −1.40, P < 0.00001), time to first defecation (mean difference: −1.21, P = 0.02), time to first oral liquid diet (mean difference: −2.30, P < 0.00001), time to first oral solid diet (mean difference: −2.40, P < 0.00001) and length of hospital stay (mean difference: −3.09, −2.80, P < 0.00001). ERAS protocols also resulted in lower risks of total complications (odds ratio: 0.50, P < 0.00001), major complications (odds ratio: 0.60, P = 0.0008), pulmonary complications (odds ratio: 0.38, P = 0.0003), paralytic ileus (odds ratio: 0.53, 0.88, P = 0.01) and surgical site infection (odds ratio: 0.39, P = 0.0001). Both ERAS and non‐ERAS protocols resulted in similar risk of 30‐day mortality (risk difference: −0.00, P = 0.94), need for re‐admission (risk difference: −0.01, P = 0.50) and need for re‐operation (odds ratio: 0.83, P = 0.50).

Conclusions

Although ERAS protocols are commonly used in elective settings, they are associated with favourable outcomes in emergency settings as indicated by reduced post‐operative complications, accelerated recovery of bowel function and shorter post‐operative hospital stay without increasing need for re‐admission or re‐operation. There should be an effort to incorporate ERAS protocols into emergency abdominal surgery settings.
Snoring: is a reliable assessment possible?
Authors: Fischer René , Kuehnel Thomas S. , Vielsmeier Veronika , Haubner Frank , Mueller Steffen , Rohrmeier Christian
Published: February 2020

Purpose

It is not easy to assess how severe and annoying a patient’s snoring is. Solid parameters are lacking; snorers cannot deliver a reliable self-assessment and it is uncertain whether bed partners’ statements can be relied upon. The purpose of the present study was therefore to investigate whether and how well snoring assessment based on acoustic parameters and bed partners’ reporting agree.

Methods

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study on snoring treatment, several acoustic parameters [snoring index (SI), percentage snoring time (ST), sound pressure level, sound energy, loudness, psychoacoustic annoyance and psychoacoustic snore score (PSS)] were measured in 18 subjects during 24 polysomnographies. Bed partners also assessed snoring annoyance and loudness as well as treatment outcome.

Results

No correlation was found between the subjective annoyance caused by snoring and the acoustic parameters. Regarding perceived loudness, there was a moderate, significant correlation with loudness (N5) and PSS over the hour with the highest SI. SI, ST, LAeq and maximum sound pressure level dB(A)max showed no significant correlation. After the intervention only mean sound energy LAeq over the entire night showed a significant correlation (rs = 0.782; p = 0.022) with bed partners’ assessments. However, this result was not confirmed in the second control night.

Conclusions

The non-existent or only weak correlation between bed partners’ ratings and objective parameters indicate that snoring severity should be evaluated with caution. Neither acoustic parameters, at least for one measurement over just one night, nor bed partners’ ratings should be used as the sole basis for snoring assessment.
Indications and outcome in surgically treated asymptomatic meningiomas: a single-center case-control study
Authors: Näslund Olivia , Skoglund Thomas , Farahmand Dan , Bontell Thomas O. , Jakola Asgeir S.
Published: February 2020

Background

Many meningiomas are detected incidentally and remain asymptomatic until intervention. The goal of this study was to describe the management and outcome in this group of surgically treated asymptomatic meningiomas.

Methods

From 2004 to 2017, 45 patients with asymptomatic meningioma were surgically treated at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, and their medical records and imaging data were analyzed. The asymptomatic cases were matched with symptomatic ones with respect to age at diagnosis, location, WHO (World Health Organization) grade, and Simpson grade.

Results

Time from diagnosis to surgery differed between the asymptomatic and symptomatic patients (8.6 vs. 1.3 months; p < 0.001). Of symptomatic patients, 32.6% still used anti-epileptic drugs > 1 year after surgery, compared with 7.7% of the asymptomatic (p = 0.003). Thirty-day complication rate was significantly higher among the asymptomatic cases (35.6% vs. 24.4%; 0.001), as well as the proportion of older asymptomatic individuals (> 70 years) experiencing postoperative complication compared with symptomatic patients of the same age group.

Conclusion

As expected, asymptomatic cases had smaller tumors and waited longer for surgery. Surprisingly, complication rate was significantly higher among asymptomatic cases compared with their symptomatic control. Taken into account that many asymptomatic tumors are removed surgically due to patient’s wish, one might suggest a more restrictive approach, especially in the elderly.
Development and validation of a simulation workload measure: the simulation task load index (SIM-TLX)
Authors: Harris David , Wilson Mark , Vine Samuel
Published: February 2020

Virtual reality (VR) simulation offers significant potential for human factors training as it provides a novel approach which enables training in environments that are otherwise dangerous, impractical or expensive to simulate. While VR training has been adopted in many environments, such as heavy industry, surgery and aviation, there remains an inadequate understanding of how virtual simulations impact cognitive factors. One such factor, which needs careful consideration during the design of VR simulations, is the degree of mental or cognitive load experienced during training. This study aimed to validate a newly developed measure of workload, based on existing instruments (e.g. the NASA-TLX), but tailored to the specific demands placed on users of simulated environments. While participants completed a VR puzzle game, a series of experimental manipulations of workload were used to assess the sensitivity of the new instrument. The manipulations affected the questionnaire subscales (mental demands; physical demands; temporal demands; frustration; task complexity; situational stress; distraction; perceptual strain; task control; presence) as predicted in all cases (ps < .05), except for presence, which displayed little relationship with other aspects of task load. The scale was also found to have good convergent validity with an alternate index of task load. The findings support the sensitivity of the new instrument for assessing task load in virtual reality. Overall, this study contributes to the understanding of mental workload in simulated environments and provides a practical tool for use in both future research and applications in the field.
A global analysis of heat-related labour productivity losses under climate change—implications for Germany’s foreign trade
Authors: Knittel Nina , Jury Martin W. , Bednar-Friedl Birgit , Bachner Gabriel , Steiner Andrea K.
Published: February 2020

We investigate climate change impacts transferred via foreign trade to Germany, a country that is heavily engaged in international trade. Specifically, we look at temperature changes and the associated labour productivity losses at a global scale until 2050. We assess the effects on Germany’s imports and exports by means of a global computable general equilibrium (CGE) model. To address uncertainty, we account for three Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP1, SSP2 and SSP3) and two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) using projections from five global climate models. We find that average annual labour productivity for high intensity work declines by up to 31% for RCP4.5 (and up to 38% for RCP8.5) in Southeast Asia and the Middle East by 2050, all relative to a 2050 baseline without climate change. As a consequence, for RCP8.5, Germany’s imports from regions outside Europe are lower by up to 2.46%, while imports from within Europe partly compensate this reduction. Also, Germany’s exports to regions outside Europe are lower, but total exports increase by up to 0.16% due to higher exports to EU regions. Germany’s GDP and welfare, however, are negatively affected with a loss of up to − 0.41% and − 0.46%, respectively. The results highlight that overall positive trade effects for Germany constitute a comparative improvement rather than an absolute gain with climate change.
Climate change and winter road maintenance
Authors: Lorentzen Torbjørn
Published: February 2020

The objective of the article is to analyse the impact of short- and long-term climate variations on the costs of removing snow and ice from the roads in Bergen—the second most populous city in Norway. The analysis applies simple mathematics, Monte Carlo simulations and multivariate regression methodology. The municipality of Bergen manages about 630 km of roads and 100 km of foot and bicycle paths, and the municipal administration spends NOK 37 million (or about USD 4.5 million) annually on removing snow and ice during the winter period. The analysis shows that a 1 °C increase in the mean temperature reduces the winter maintenance costs by NOK 14 million, and it is likely that there will be no need for winter snow-clearing operations if the long-term mean atmospheric temperature increases by approximately 2.5 °C or more relative to the historical mean temperature level. The analysis shows that the variance and trend of the temperature have a strong effect on the likelihood of a snow- and ice-free winter and that a long-term reduction in the variance reduces the likelihood of rare events even though the mean temperature increases. The analysis provides the municipality of Bergen with information about the relationship between climate and winter road maintenance costs, and the statistical models can help to quantify the amount of economic and material resources needed for this purpose. The analysis is a contribution in the field of economic impact analysis of climate change on the transport sector.
Size matters—in vitro behaviour of human fibroblasts on textured silicone surfaces with different pore sizes
Authors: Tolksdorf Julia , Horch Raymund E. , Grüner Jasmin S. , Schmid Rafael , Kengelbach-Weigand Annika , Schubert Dirk W. , Werner Siegfried , Schneidereit Dominik , Friedrich Oliver , Ludolph Ingo
Published: February 2020

Capsular contracture remains a challenge in plastic surgery and represents one of the most common postoperative complications following alloplastic breast reconstruction. The impact of the surface structure of silicone implants on the foreign body reaction and the behaviour of connective tissue-producing cells has already been discussed. The aim of this study was to investigate different pore sizes of silicone surfaces and their influence on human fibroblasts in an in vitro model. Four different textures (no, fine, medium and coarse texture) produced with the salt-loss technique, have been assessed in an in vitro model. Human fibroblasts were seeded onto silicone sheets and evaluated after 1, 4 and 7 days microscopically, with viability assay and gene expression analysis. Comparing the growth behaviour and adhesion of the fibroblasts on the four different textures, a dense cell layer, good adhesion and bridge-building ability of the cells could be observed for the fine and medium texture. Cell number and viability of the cells were increasing during the time course of experiments on every texture.TGFß1was lowest expressed on the fine and medium texture indicating a trend for decreased fibrotic activity. For silicone surfaces produced with the salt-loss technique, we were able to show an antifibrotic effect of smaller sized pores. These findings underline the hypothesis of a key role of the implant surface and the pore size and pore structure in preventing capsular contracture.
Slow ring flips in aromatic cluster of GB1 studied by aromatic 13C relaxation dispersion methods
Authors: Dreydoppel Matthias , Raum Heiner N. , Weininger Ulrich
Published: February 2020

Ring flips of phenylalanine and tyrosine are a hallmark of protein dynamics. They report on transient breathing motions of proteins. In addition, flip rates also depend on stabilizing interactions in the ground state, like aromatic stacking or cation–π interaction. So far, experimental studies of ring flips have almost exclusively been performed on aromatic rings without stabilizing interactions. Here we investigate ring flip dynamics of Phe and Tyr in the aromatic cluster in GB1. We found that all four residues of the cluster, Y3, F30, Y45 and F52, display slow ring flips. Interestingly, F52, the central residue of the cluster, which makes aromatic contacts with all three others, is flipping significantly faster, while the other rings are flipping with the same rates within margin of error. Determined activation enthalpies and activation volumes of these processes are in the same range of other reported ring flips of single aromatic rings. There is no correlation of the number of aromatic stacking interactions to the activation enthalpy, and no correlation of the ring’s extent of burying to the activation volume. Because of these findings, we speculate that F52 is undergoing concerted ring flips with each of the other rings.
Mathematical programming formulations for piecewise polynomial functions
Authors: Grimstad Bjarne , Knudsen Brage R.
Published: February 2020

This paper studies mathematical programming formulations for solving optimization problems with piecewise polynomial (PWP) constraints. We elaborate on suitable polynomial bases as a means of efficiently representing PWPs in mathematical programs, comparing and drawing connections between the monomial basis, the Bernstein basis, and B-splines. The theory is presented for both continuous and semi-continuous PWPs. Using a disjunctive formulation, we then exploit the characteristic of common polynomial basis functions to significantly reduce the number of nonlinearities, and to suggest a bound-tightening technique for PWP constraints. We derive several extensions using Bernstein cuts, an expanded Bernstein basis, and an expanded monomial basis, which upon a standard big-M reformulation yield a set of new MINLP models. The formulations are compared by globally solving six test sets of MINLPs and a realistic petroleum production optimization problem. The proposed framework shows promising numerical performance and facilitates the solution of PWP-constrained optimization problems using standard MINLP software.
Distributive Justice for Aggressors
Authors: Tomlin Patrick
Published: February 2020

The individualist nature of much contemporary just war theory means that we often discuss cases with single attackers. But even if war is best understood in this individualist way, in war combatants often have to make decisions about how to distribute harms among a plurality of aggressors: they must decide whom and how many to harm, and how much to harm them. In this paper, I look at simultaneous multiple aggressor cases in which more than one distribution of harm among aggressors is available. I show how such cases pose deep questions concerning the nature, role, and scope of the necessity principle, and its relationship to both liability and narrow proportionality. I argue that a hitherto unrecognised measure – ‘narrow proportionality shortfall’ – and its distribution is relevant in choosing how to distribute harms across aggressors. I then extend this analysis to show how this may help us with a puzzle concerning sequential attacks.
Profile and Content of Residual Alkaloids in Ten Ecotypes of Lupinus mutabilis Sweet after Aqueous Debittering Process
Authors: Cortés-Avendaño Paola , Tarvainen Marko , Suomela Jukka-Pekka , Glorio-Paulet Patricia , Yang Baoru , Repo-Carrasco-Valencia Ritva
Published: February 2020

The evaluation of the level of alkaloids in edible Lupinus species is crucial from a food safety point of view. Debittering of lupin seeds has a long history; however, the control of the level of alkaloids after processing the seeds is typically only evaluated by changes in the bitter taste. The aim of this study was to evaluate the profile and residual levels of quinolizidine alkaloids (QA) in (Lupinus mutabilis Sweet) after aqueous debittering process. Samples from 10 ecotypes from different areas of Peru were analyzed before and after the process. Based on results obtained by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, from eight alkaloids identified before the debittering process, only small amounts of lupanine (avg. 0.0012 g/100 g DM) and sparteine (avg. 0.0014 g/100 g DM) remained in the seeds after the debittering process, and no other alkaloids were identified. The aqueous debittering process reduced the content of alkaloids to levels far below the maximal level allowed by international regulations (≤ 0.2 g/kg DM).
Consumers Beware: Online Personalized Pricing in Action! How the Framing of a Mandated Discriminatory Pricing Disclosure Influences Intention to Purchase
Authors: van Boom Willem H. , van der Rest Jean-Pierre I. , van den Bos Kees , Dechesne Mark
Published: February 2020

Online businesses collect a wealth of data on customers, often without properly informing them. Increasingly, these data can be used for behavioral price discrimination. In this two-study article, we explore how consumers would respond if businesses were compelled to disclose their use of discriminatory behavioral pricing techniques. Using different disclosure frames, we examine the effects of disclosure on purchase intention and purchase probability. The findings indicate that specific disclosure frames affect purchase intentions. Furthermore, we find that a disclosure frame that is more in line with a consumer’s self-interest increases purchase intention. Specifically, the frame indirectly influences intention to purchase through its effect on the perception that the use of behavioral pricing information serves self-interest. In this way, our study draws attention to a potentially unanticipated effect of regulatory intervention. Implications for future research and legal policy are discussed, focused on the need to design and empirically test the effectiveness of disclosures online.
The Mathematics of Ethylene Oligomerisation and Polymerisation
Authors: Young Craig T. , von Goetze Richard , Tomov Atanas K. , Zaccaria Francesco , Britovsek George J. P.
Published: February 2020

Linear α-olefins or LAOs are produced by the catalytic oligomerisation of ethylene on a multimillion ton scale annually. A range of LAOs is typically obtained with varying chain lengths which follow a distribution. Depending on the catalyst, various types of distributions have been identified, such as Schulz–Flory, Poisson, alternating and selective oligomerisations such as ethylene trimerisation to 1-hexene and tetramerisation to 1-octene. A comprehensive mathematical analysis for all oligomer distributions is presented, showing the relations between the various distributions and with ethylene polymerisation, as well as providing mechanistic insight into the underlying chemical processes.
Preparation and characterization of site-specific dechlorinating microbial inocula capable of complete dechlorination enriched in anaerobic microcosms amended with clay mineral
Authors: Nagymáté Zsuzsanna , Jurecska Laura , Romsics Csaba , Tóth Fanni , Bódai Viktória , Mészáros Éva , Szabó Attila , Erdélyi Balázs , Márialigeti Károly
Published: February 2020

Short-chain halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons (e.g. perchloroethene, trichloroethene) are among the most toxic environmental pollutants. Perchloroethene and trichloroethene can be dechlorinated to non-toxic ethene through reductive dechlorination by Dehalococcoides sp. Bioaugmentation, applying cultures containing organohalide-respiring microorganisms, is a possible technique to remediate sites contaminated with chlorinated ethenes. Application of site specific inocula is an efficient alternative solution. Our aim was to develop site specific dechlorinating microbial inocula by enriching microbial consortia from groundwater contaminated with trichloroethene using microcosm experiments containing clay mineral as solid phase. Our main goal was to develop fast and reliable method to produce large amount (100 L) of bioactive agent with anaerobic fermentation technology. Polyphasic approach has been applied to monitor the effectiveness of dechlorination during the transfer process from bench-scale (500 mL) to industrial-scale (100 L). Gas chromatography measurement and T-RFLP (Terminal Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) revealed that the serial subculture of the enrichments shortened the time-course of the complete dechlorination of trichloroethene to ethene and altered the composition of bacterial communities. Complete dechlorination was observed in enrichments with significant abundance of Dehalococcoides sp. cultivated at 8 °C. Consortia incubated in fermenters at 18 °C accelerated the conversion of TCE to ethene by 7–14 days. Members of the enrichments belong to the phyla Bacteroidetes, Chloroflexi, Proteobacteria and Firmicutes. According to the operational taxonomic units, main differences between the composition of the enrichment incubated at 8 °C and 18 °C occurred with relative abundance of acetogenic and fermentative species. In addition to the temperature, the site-specific origin of the microbial communities and the solid phase applied during the fermentation technique contributed to the development of a unique microbial composition.

Graphic abstract
Knowledge and Truth in Virtuous Deliberation
Authors: Carr David
Published: February 2020

The overall aim of this paper is to explore the role of knowledge and truth in the practical deliberation of candidate virtuous agents. To this end, the paper considers three criticisms of Julia Driver’s recent defence of the prospect of ‘virtues of ignorance’ or virtues for which knowledge may be considered unnecessary or untoward. While the present essay agrees with the general drift of Driver’s critics that we should reject such virtues construed as traits that deliberately embrace ignorance, it is more sympathetic to the suggestion that virtue and virtues may need to accommodate some absence or deficit of knowledge and proceeds to further scrutiny of this possibility. More radically, however, the paper concludes by arguing that while knowledge is an overall desideratum of virtue and virtuous conduct, there are circumstances in which even complete knowledge may be insufficient to identify or determine the precise course and direction of such conduct.
The effect of rotational degree and routine activity on the risk of collapse in transtrochanteric rotational osteotomy for osteonecrosis of the femoral head—a finite element analysis
Authors: Xie Pusheng , Deng Yuping , Tan Jinchuan , Wang Mian , Yang Yang , Ouyang Hanbin , Huang Wenhua
Published: February 2020

To explore the mechanical mechanism and provide preoperative planning basis for transtrochanteric rotational osteotomy (TRO) procedure, a joint-preserving procedure for osteonecrosis of the femoral head. Eleven TRO finite element femurs with the most common types of necrosis were analyzed under multi-loading conditions. Thereafter, we made a comprehensive evaluation by considering the anatomy characters, daily activities, and risk indicators contain necrosis expansion trend, necrotic blood supply pressure, and the risk of fracture. The risk of fracture (ROF) is the lowest when standing on feet and increases gradually during normal walking and walking upstairs and downstairs. Compared with posterior rotation, rotating forward keeps more elements at low risk. Additionally, the correlation analysis shows it has a strong negative correlation (R2 = 0.834) with the average modulus of the roof. TRO finally decreased the stress and energy effectively. However, the stress and strain energy arise when rotated posteriorly less than 120°. The comprehensive evaluation observed that rotating forward 90°could reduce the total risks to 64%. TRO is an effective technique to prevent collapse. For the anterior and superior large necrosis, we recommend to rotate forward 60° to 90° (more efficient) or backward 180°. The methodology followed in this study could provide accurate and personalize preoperative planning.