bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of the summer 3‐D katabatic flow in a semi‐arid zone—The case of the Dead Sea
Authors: Paperman Jenny , Potchter Oded , Alpert Pinhas
Published: August 2021

The katabatic winds have been studied over the slopes surrounding the Dead Sea (DS, in brevity), located at altitude of 433 m below sea level focusing on the summer season when the katabatic winds are most frequent, persistent and pronounced due to the summer stable weather conditions. The study observes the katabatic wind pulses, which are intermittent, via 3‐D innovative measurement tools with high time and space resolution employing Energy Balance Stations, Radiosondes and Lidars. The nocturnal katabatic pulses were investigated employing vertical depth, wind direction/intensity, duration, number of pulses and the time intervals separating them, as well as the begin and termination times during August 2014. The average direction of the pulses depends on the nearby slopes orientations while the intensity depends on the station's elevation and its location relative to the slope. The average katabatic number of pulses, duration, time intervals and their beginning and terminating times were found to strongly depend on the other local flows. The average vertical depth of the katabatic layer from both sides of the DS, in Israel and Jordan, was found to be at 450–950 m above ground level, depending on the measurement time period as well as the tools' sensitivities employing the “KIT cube system”—an advanced integrated atmospheric observation system, which allows 3‐D accurate analysis of the detailed katabatic wind pulses over the DS. The average number of the katabatic pulses was found to be ~2.9–3.5 pulses·night−1. The average duration of each pulse was ~69–94 min and the time interval separating them ~32–44 min depending on the flows which interrupt the pulses. The starting time of first katabatic pulse in local time was 0113 LST (±0119). These findings are of great relevance for the DS evaporation as well as bio‐meteorological and pollution aspects.
Chronology of the Mediterranean sea‐level highstand during the Last Interglacial: a critical review of the U/Th‐dated deposits
Authors: Pasquetti Francesca , Bini Monica , Giaccio Biagio , Ratti Andrea , Vacchi Matteo , Zanchetta Giovanni
Published: August 2021

Relative sea‐level (RSL) evolution during Marine Isotopic Stage (MIS) 5 in the Mediterranean basin is still not fully understood despite a plethora of morphological, stratigraphic and geochronological studies carried out on highstand deposits of this area. In this review we assembled a database of 323 U/Th‐dated samples (e.g. corals, molluscs, speleothems) which were used to chronologically constrain RSL evolution within MIS 5. The application of strict geochemical criteria to the U/Th samples indicates that only ~33% of data available for the Mediterranean Sea can be considered ‘reliable’. Most of these data (~65%) refer to the MIS 5e highstand, while only ~17% could be related to the MIS 5a. No attribution to MIS 5c can be unequivocally supported. Nevertheless, the resulting framework does not allow us to define a satisfactory RSL trend during the MIS 5e highstand and subsequent MIS 5 substages. Overall, the proposed selection of reliable/unreliable data would be useful for detecting areas where MIS 5 substage attributions are not supported by confident U/Th chronological data and thus the related reconstructions need to be revised. In this regard, the resulting framework calls for a reappraisal and re‐examination of the Mediterranean records with advanced geochronological methodologies.
Overexpression of lncRNA‐NEF regulates the miR‐155/PTEN axis to inhibit adipogenesis and promote osteogenesis
Authors: Ming Ying , Liu Zheng‐Peng
Published: August 2021

Osteoporosis is characterized by osteopenia and bone tissue microstructure degradation. Adipose‐derived stem cells (ADSCs) are multipotent adult stem cells that have the ability to yield mesenchymal stem cells and have the potential to undergo osteogenesis and bone regeneration. Therefore, ADSCs have the potential to treat osteoporosis, but the molecular mechanism of these cells in the process of osteogenesis and osteoclasts is still not clear. In the present study, we collected serum samples from 10 clinical osteoporosis patients to detect long noncoding RNA‐neighboring enhancer of FOXA2 (lncRNA‐NEF) and miR‐155 expression levels. Half of these patients were senile and half were postmenopausal women, and nine of them have used steroids for a long time, in which ADSCs were cultured and induced to adipogenic and osteogenic differentiations. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the expression of genes in ADSCs. Overexpression of lncRNA‐NEF in ADSCs were undertaken to verify its regulatory function on cell osteogenic and adipogenic differentiations. A luciferase activity experiment was performed to determine the relationship between miR‐155 and phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN). The level of lncRNA‐NEF was downregulated, and miR‐155 was upregulated, in serum samples from patients with clinical osteoporosis. LncRNA‐NEF showed different expression levels in the induction of osteogenic or adipogenic differentiation, which increased during osteogenic induction and decreased during adipogenic induction. Overexpression of lncRNA‐NEF or downregulation of miR‐155 in ADSCs promoted osteogenic differentiation and inhibited adipogenesis progression. PTEN was the direct target of miR‐155 and was involved in the regulation of osteogenic differentiation. Overexpression of lncRNA‐NEF regulated the miR‐155/PTEN axis to inhibit adipogenesis and promote osteogenesis in ADSCs.
Comparing the effects of palmitate, insulin, and palmitate‐insulin co‐treatment on myotube metabolism and insulin resistance
Authors: Rivera Madison E. , Vaughan Roger A.
Published: August 2021

Previous studies have shown various metabolic stressors such as saturated fatty acids (SFA) and excess insulin promote insulin resistance in metabolically meaningful cell types (such as skeletal muscle). Additionally, these stressors have been linked with suppressed mitochondrial metabolism, which is also a common characteristic of skeletal muscle of diabetics. This study characterized the individual and combined effects of excess lipid and excess insulin on myotube metabolism and related metabolic gene and protein expression. C2C12 myotubes were treated with either 500 μM palmitate (PAM), 100 nM insulin (IR), or both (PAM‐IR). qRT‐PCR and western blot were used to measure metabolic gene and protein expression, respectively. Oxygen consumption was used to measure mitochondrial metabolism. Glycolytic metabolism and insulin‐mediated glucose uptake were measured via extracellular acidification rate. Cellular lipid and mitochondrial content were measured using Nile Red and NAO staining, respectively. IR and PAM‐IR treatments led to reductions in p‐Akt expression. IR treatment reduced insulin mediated glucose metabolism while PAM and PAM‐IR treatment showed increases with concurrent reductions in mitochondrial metabolism. All three treatments showed suppression in mitochondrial metabolism. PAM and PAM‐IR also showed increases in glycolytic metabolism. While PAM and PAM‐IR significantly increased lipid content, expression of inflammatory and lipogenic proteins were unaltered. Lastly, PAM‐IR reduced BCAT2 protein expression, a regulator of BCAA metabolism. Both stressors independently reduced insulin signaling, mitochondrial function, and cell metabolism, however, only PAM‐IR co‐treatment significantly reduced the expression of regulators of metabolism not seen with individual stressors, suggesting an additive effect of stressors on metabolic programming.
Information effects of managerial turnover on effort and performance: Evidence from the German Bundesliga
Authors: Kleinknecht Janina , Würtenberger Daniel
Published: August 2021

Managerial turnover induces an information loss regarding managers' knowledge about subordinates' abilities that might increase subordinates' incentives to exhibit effort to impress the new manager. To identify how this affects short‐term performance, we analyze within‐season coach turnovers in the German Bundesliga and consider low and high information loss by differentiating between insider and outsider successors. We use a generalized version of the synthetic control method to construct an accurate counterfactual scenario ensuring that results are not simply due to regression‐to‐the‐mean. We find performance improvements for insider and outsider successors, but only outsider successors induce players to exhibit higher effort.
New soliton solutions of the time fractional Drinfeld–Sokolov–Satsuma–Hirota system in dispersive water waves
Authors: Saha Ray Santanu , Giri Subodha
Published: August 2021

In this paper, the conformable Laplace homotopy perturbation method is used for solving time fractional coupled Drinfeld–Sokolov–Satsuma–Hirota equations. Adomian polynomial is utilized to handle nonlinear terms easily. The obtained analytical solutions of the above mentioned considered equations have been compared with that obtained by tanh method and extended tanh method numerically. An excellent agreement of results has been observed. The obtained results well establish that conformable Laplace homotopy perturbation method is reliable, efficient, and easily applicable to solve the aforesaid considered system.
Evaluating longitudinal therapy effects via the North Star Ambulatory Assessment
Authors: McDonald Craig M. , Wei Lee‐Jen , Flanigan Kevin M. , Elfring Gary , Trifillis Panayiota , Muntoni Francesco ,   the ACT DMD Clinical Evaluator Training Group,   the ACT DMD Study Group
Published: August 2021

Introduction/Aims

In comparative studies, treatment effects are typically evaluated at a specific time point. When data are collected periodically, an alternative, clinically meaningful approach could be used to assess the totality of treatment effects. We applied a well‐developed analytical procedure for evaluating longitudinal treatment effects using North Star Ambulatory Assessment (NSAA) data for illustration.

Methods

The NSAA comprises 17 scorable items/outcomes that measure changes in motor function. Using NSAA data from the published ataluren phase 3, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial (NCT01826487), cumulative counts of failures to perform each item (transition from 2/1 [able/impaired] to 0 [unable]) were collected at specified time points for each patient over 48 wk. Treatment group‐wise mean cumulative item failure count curves were constructed, comparing ataluren versus placebo and deflazacort versus prednisone/prednisolone among placebo‐treated patients. The steeper the curve, the worse the outcome. A clinically meaningful summary of the between‐group difference was provided for each comparison.

Results

The curve was uniformly steeper for placebo than ataluren after 16 wk and for prednisone/prednisolone than deflazacort after 8 wk. The two curves in each comparison continued to diverge thereafter, indicating sustained treatment benefits over time. Using a unique analytical approach, cumulative failure rates were reduced, on average, by 27% for ataluren versus placebo (rate ratio, 0.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.55–0.97; p = .027) and 28% for deflazacort versus prednisone/prednisolone (rate ratio, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.53–0.96; p = .028).

Discussion

Unlike fixed‐time analyses, this analytical approach enabled demonstration of cumulative, longitudinal treatment effects over time using repeatedly measured NSAA observations.
What is the significance of gender difference in myasthenia gravis?
Authors: Gable Karissa L. , Hobson‐Webb Lisa D.
Published: August 2021

See article on pages 538–544 in this issue
Posturography as a biomarker of intravenous immunoglobulin efficacy in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy
Authors: Silsby Matthew , Yiannikas Con , Ng Karl , Kiernan Matthew C. , Fung Victor S. C. , Vucic Steve
Published: August 2021

Introduction/Aims

Imbalance is a common feature of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP). Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) exerts clinical benefit in CIDP, including improving balance, although objective markers of efficacy are lacking. Posturography is an established objective marker of balance; therefore, this study aimed to determine the utility of posturography as an objective marker of treatment efficacy in CIDP.

Methods

Posturography was performed on 18 CIDP patients, established on IVIg infusions, and results were compared to age‐matched healthy controls. CIDP patients were assessed just prior to IVIg infusion and at the mid‐point of the cycle. Center of pressure (CoP) was measured and the total path traveled by CoP (Sway Path, SP) was calculated for five different conditions: feet placed in parallel 16 cm apart at the medial border with eyes open (16cmEO) and eyes closed (16cmEC); medial borders of the feet touching with eyes open (0cmEO) and eyes closed (0cmEC); and tandem stance.

Results

The sway path (SP) was significantly increased in CIDP patients (mean SP 1191 ± 104 mm) when compared to healthy controls (mean SP 724 ± 26 mm, P < .001). The increase was most prominent during eyes closed and tandem stance conditions. Treatment with IVIg significantly reduced SP when assessing 0cmEC (1759 ± 324 mm vs. 1081 ± 134 mm, P = .019) and tandem stance (1775 ± 290 mm vs. 1152 ± 113 mm, P = .027).

Discussion

Posturography detected significant improvements in balance following IVIg in CIDP patients established on maintenance therapy. As such, posturography may be considered an objective marker of treatment response in clinical management and therapeutic trials.
Muscle architecture is associated with muscle fat replacement in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies
Authors: Veeger Thom T. J. , van Zwet Erik W. , al Mohamad Diaa , Naarding Karin J. , van de Velde Nienke M. , Hooijmans Melissa T. , Webb Andrew G. , Niks Erik H. , de Groot Jurriaan H. , Kan Hermien E.
Published: August 2021

Introduction/Aims

Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies (DMD and BMD, respectively) are characterized by fat replacement of different skeletal muscles in a specific temporal order. Given the structural role of dystrophin in skeletal muscle mechanics, muscle architecture could be important in the progressive pathophysiology of muscle degeneration. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the role of muscle architecture in the progression of fat replacement in DMD and BMD.

Methods

We assessed the association between literature‐based leg muscle architectural characteristics and muscle fat fraction from 22 DMD and 24 BMD patients. Dixon‐based magnetic resonance imaging estimates of fat fractions at baseline and 12 (only DMD) and 24 months were related to fiber length and physiological cross‐sectional area (PCSA) using age‐controlled linear mixed modeling.

Results

DMD and BMD muscles with long fibers and BMD muscles with large PCSAs were associated with increased fat fraction. The effect of fiber length was stronger in muscles with larger PCSA.

Discussion

Muscle architecture may explain the pathophysiology of muscle degeneration in dystrophinopathies, in which proximal muscles with a larger mass (fiber length × PCSA) are more susceptible, confirming the clinical observation of a temporal proximal‐to‐distal progression. These results give more insight into the mechanical role in the pathophysiology of muscular dystrophies. Ultimately, this new information can be used to help support the selection of current and the development of future therapies.
Inter‐subject stability and regional concentration estimates of 3D‐FID‐MRSI in the human brain at 7 T
Authors: Hangel Gilbert , Spurny‐Dworak Benjamin , Lazen Philipp , Cadrien Cornelius , Sharma Sukrit , Hingerl Lukas , Hečková Eva , Strasser Bernhard , Motyka Stanislav , Lipka Alexandra , Gruber Stephan , Brandner Christoph , Lanzenberger Rupert , Rössler Karl , Trattnig Siegfried , Bogner Wolfgang
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Recently, a 3D‐concentric ring trajectory (CRT)‐based free induction decay (FID)‐MRSI sequence was introduced for fast high‐resolution metabolic imaging at 7 T. This technique provides metabolic ratio maps of almost the entire brain within clinically feasible scan times, but its robustness has not yet been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, we have assessed quantitative concentration estimates and their variability in healthy volunteers using this approach.

Methods

We acquired whole‐brain 3D‐CRT‐FID‐MRSI at 7 T in 15 min with 3.4 mm nominal isometric resolution in 24 volunteers (12 male, 12 female, mean age 27 ± 6 years). Concentration estimate maps were calculated for 15 metabolites using internal water referencing and evaluated in 55 different regions of interest (ROIs) in the brain. Data quality, mean metabolite concentrations, and their inter‐subject coefficients of variation (CVs) were compared for all ROIs.

Results

Of 24 datasets, one was excluded due to motion artifacts. The concentrations of total choline, total creatine, glutamate, myo‐inositol, andN‐acetylaspartate in 44 regions were estimated within quality thresholds. Inter‐subject CVs (mean over 44 ROIs/minimum/maximum) were 9%/5%/19% for total choline, 10%/6%/20% for total creatine, 11%/7%/24% for glutamate, 10%/6%/19% for myo‐inositol, and 9%/6%/19% forN‐acetylaspartate.

Discussion

We defined the performance of 3D‐CRT‐based FID‐MRSI for metabolite concentration estimate mapping, showing which metabolites could be robustly quantified in which ROIs with which inter‐subject CVs expected. However, the basal brain regions and lesser‐signal metabolites in particular remain as a challenge due susceptibility effects from the proximity to nasal and auditory cavities. Further improvement in quantification and the mitigation ofB0/B1‐field inhomogeneities will be necessary to achieve reliable whole‐brain coverage.
Evaluation of adverse events and health‐related quality of life in patients with colorectal cancer receiving ambulatory home‐based chemotherapy in Thailand
Authors: Sirilerttrakul Suwannee , Wannakansophon Noppakan , Utthiya Pinyo , Ckumdee Sineenuch , Tangteerakoon Patamaporn , Chansriwong Phichai
Published: August 2021

Aims

To compare adverse events and health‐related quality of life in ambulatory home‐based chemotherapy with those in inpatient.

Design

Prospective non‐randomized observational study.

Methods

Participants were divided into two groups according to patients’ preference receiving chemotherapy.

Results

Sixty‐four participants were enrolled in the inpatient, and 111 were in an ambulatory home‐based chemotherapy. The frequency of anaemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia was significantly higher in inpatient group than in ambulatory home‐based chemotherapy group (p < .001, <.001 and .002, respectively). Nausea, mucositis, and fatigue were more common in ambulatory home‐based chemotherapy group than in inpatient group (p < .001, .022, and .005, respectively). Patients in the ambulatory home‐based chemotherapy group showed higher social well‐being (SWB) scores than inpatient group (coefficient 1.92, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.65 to 3.19, p .003).
Assessing the environmental impacts of wildlife television programmes
Authors: Aitchison John , Aitchison Rowan , Devas Fredi
Published: August 2021

Wildlife TV programmes reach very large global audiences, but it is hard to measure their benefits for the natural world.

The commercial need to entertain as well as inform means that many films omit the presence and impacts of people, giving the false impression that we do not affect the natural world.

Many wildlife film‐makers want to address the linked climate and biodiversity emergencies, but the obligation to be impartial has made some broadcasters reluctant to commission and show films that seek to change people's behaviour. Internet video streaming services are less constrained, but commercial considerations do apply.

Privately funded programmes need not be commercially successful or editorially impartial. They can be distributed over the internet, independently of broadcasters. Increasingly, impact producers are being employed as key components in wider campaigns, to maximise their effect. Mainstream TV companies are starting to follow.

Making international wildlife programmes entails a large carbon footprint, much of it due to travel. Many broadcasters and production companies are committing to become carbon‐neutral.

Programme‐makers would welcome research that helps them maximise the real‐world impacts of their films and quantifies positive changes for nature.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Phase 1 study of sorafenib and irinotecan in pediatric patients with relapsed or refractory solid tumors
Authors: Meany Holly J. , Widemann Brigitte C. , Hinds Pamela S. , Bagatell Rochelle , Shusterman Suzanne , Stern Emily , Jayaprakash Nalini , Peer Cody J. , Figg William D. , Hall O. Morgan , Sissung Tristan M. , Kim Aerang , Fox Elizabeth , London Wendy B. , Rodriguez‐Galindo Carlos , Minturn Jane E. , Dome Jeffrey S.
Published: August 2021

Background

Sorafenib,an orally bioavailable, multitarget tyrosine kinase inhibitor, and irinotecan, a topoisomerase I inhibitor, have demonstrated activity in pediatric and adult malignancies. We evaluated the toxicity, pharmacokinetic (PK), and pharmacogenomic (PGX) profile of sorafenib with irinotecan in children with relapsed or refractory solid tumors and assessed the feasibility of incorporating patient‐reported outcome (PRO) measures as an adjunct to traditional endpoints.

Methods

Sorafenib, continuous oral twice daily dosing, was administered with irinotecan, orally, once daily days 1‐5, repeated every 21 days (NCT01518413). Based on tolerability, escalation of sorafenib followed by escalation of irinotecan was planned. Three patients were initially enrolled at each dose level. Sorafenib and irinotecan PK analyses were performed during cycle 1. PRO measurements were collected during cycles 1 and 2.

Results

Fifteen patients were evaluable. Two of three patients at dose level 2 experienced dose‐limiting toxicity (DLT), grade 3 diarrhea, and grade 3 hyponatremia. Therefore, dose level 1 was expanded to 12 patients and two patients had DLT, grade 4 thrombocytopenia, grade 3 elevated lipase. Nine of 15 (60%) patients had a best response of stable disease with four patients receiving ≥6 cycles.

Conclusions

The recommended dose for pediatric patients was sorafenib 150 mg/m2/dose twice daily with irinotecan 70 mg/m2/dose daily × 5 days every 21 days. This oral outpatient regimen was well tolerated and resulted in prolonged disease stabilization. There were no significant alterations in the PK profile of either agent when administered in combination. Patients were willing and able to report their subjective experiences with this regimen.
Manipulating hydrophobicity of polyester nanofiber mats with egg albumin to enhance cell interactions
Authors: Patel Pratikshkumar R. , Pandey Komal , Killi Naresh , Gundloori Rathna Venkata Naga
Published: August 2021

A hybrid of poly‐l‐lactic acid (PLA) and poly‐ε‐caprolactone (PCL) system was designed using hydrophilic generally regarded as safe (GRAS) protein, egg albumin (EA), and fabricated as nanofiber mats (NM) to facilitate improved cell interactions and functionality. Our studies include, preparation and analysis of physicochemical properties of NM. Surface morphology of NM was smooth with the diameter ranging from 250 to 400 nm. The contact angle of NM decreased from 80 to 45° with the increase in EA concentration. The rate and extent of swelling was increased 3‐folds with the addition of EA. Release studies of NM showed maximum amount of MTz was released with the increase in MTz concentration (>85%). The MTz interaction with EA and structure stability of EA was confirmed from fluorescence and circular dichroism studies. NM showed increase in inhibition of bacterial growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli with the increase in MTz concentration. Cell viability of the NM was >80% and also, the cell proliferation increased as EA content increased. NM hemolytic activity was less than 5% suggesting compatibility. Hence, results concluded that EA had regulated hydrophobicity, promoted cell interactions, and proliferation and therefore, NM is considered safe for tissue regeneration.
Children who changed schools due to their parents' relocation for employment: Where do we go now?
Authors: Canpolat Murat , Atli Abdullah
Published: August 2021

Approximately 300,000 people change provinces in Turkey every year due to relocation for employment. Among them are school‐age children who need to change schools due to the relocation of their parents. This qualitative research aims to understand what students, who have to change schools due to the relocation of their parents to another city, experience in the process of school adaptation. All participants had to change schools at least once due to relocation for the employment of their parents. As a result of the thematic analysis of the qualitative interviews with 25 participants between the ages of 11 and 18, the following five main themes were identified: “Receiving news of the employment relocation,” “Effects on academic success,” “Influences on friendships,” “Sources of support,” and “Suggestions to novices.” Within the framework of the findings obtained, practical recommendations are presented to professionals who provide psychological assistance services on this subject.
Protein inter‐residue contact and distance prediction by coupling complementary coevolution features with deep residual networks in CASP14
Authors: Li Yang , Zhang Chengxin , Zheng Wei , Zhou Xiaogen , Bell Eric W. , Yu Dong‐Jun , Zhang Yang
Published: August 2021

This article reports and analyzes the results of protein contact and distance prediction by our methods in the 14th Critical Assessment of techniques for protein Structure Prediction (CASP14). A new deep learning‐based contact/distance predictor was employed based on the ensemble of two complementary coevolution features coupling with deep residual networks. We also improved our multiple sequence alignment (MSA) generation protocol with wholesale meta‐genome sequence databases. On 22 CASP14 free modeling (FM) targets, the proposed model achieved a top‐L/5 long‐range precision of 63.8% and a mean distance bin error of 1.494. Based on the predicted distance potentials, 11 out of 22 FM targets and all of the 14 FM/template‐based modeling (TBM) targets have correctly predicted folds (TM‐score >0.5), suggesting that our approach can provide reliable distance potentials for ab initio protein folding.
Influence of bridge‐state energy on the electron transfer relaxation and dephasing rate in a donor‐bridge‐acceptor system
Authors: Chu Xiumei , Zhu Wenjuan , Wang Wenji
Published: August 2021

The influence of the bridge‐state energy on the relaxation and dephasing rate of electron transfer in a donor‐bridge‐acceptor system coupling with an open dissipative environment is thoroughly discussed through the QAPUI (quasi‐adiabatic propagator path integral) method in this paper. By calculating the decay rates of the system from the population difference with time between the donor and acceptor with different bridge‐state energy, it is found that the relaxation rate of the system increases with the decreasing of the bridge energy, while the dephasing rate declines in the meantime, when the system‐bath coupling and environment temperature are kept unchanged. The variation trend of both relaxation rate and dephasing rate is consistent with the calculated results of the effective two‐state system, indicating that small reduction in energies of the bridge‐state does not affect the superexchange mechanism of the multiple bridged system. When the energies of the bridge‐state are reduced to cause the bridge population up to 20%, the superexchange mechanism still works quite well in our considered scenarios.
Associations of childhood and adult adversity with daily experiences in adulthood
Authors: Nayman Sibel , Jones Emily J. , Smyth Joshua M. , Schreier Hannah M. C.
Published: August 2021

Data from 213 adults were analysed to test the stress accumulation and stress sensitization models as they relate to daily mood, health behaviours and social interactions. Adults reported on childhood adversity, past year adversity, and daily experiences on 14 evenings. Results largely supported the stress accumulation and not stress sensitization model such that childhood and past year adversity had independent but not synergistic effects on daily experiences. Both adversity measures were independently associated with greater daily negative affect and negative affect variability. Childhood adversity independently associated with greater mean variability in daily positive affect. Past year adversity was associated with more daily social activities, greater odds of reporting interpersonal tension at least once, and daily tension. Although childhood adversity was associated with greater odds of sharing about one's day at least once, past year adversity was associated with more daily sharing and childhood adversity with less. Both measures were unrelated to daily health behaviours except childhood adversity was associated with lower odds of being a current drinker. The only support for the stress sensitization model was number of daily cigarettes among smokers. Our findings suggest childhood and recent adversity independently relate to adults' daily experiences and should be considered jointly.
Enhanced Thermal Stability of the Low‐Carbon Ultrafine Grain Steel with Nanoprecipitates
Authors: Zhang Qingxiao , Yuan Qing , Wang Zhoutou , Qiao Wenwei , Xu Guang
Published: August 2021

Niobium (Nb), a microalloy element, is purposefully added to improve the thermal stability of ferrite grains in a low‐carbon ultrafine grain (UFG) steel. Results manifest the excellent thermal stability in the Nb‐UFG steel with 0.028 wt% Nb addition by providing favorable kinetics and thermodynamic stabilization effects. The almost unchanged grain size and mechanical properties of Nb‐UFG steels annealed for 45 and 180 min at 500 °C are simultaneously obtained by the heterogeneous ferrite grains, NbC precipitates, and geometrically necessary dislocations (GNDs) mainly formed during tensile tests. The imperceptible change in size and volume fraction of NbC particles of the two Nb‐UFG steels annealed at different time are attributed to the inherent thermal stability of NbC and main precipitation pattern of NbC particles from the α phase.
“Refugees from practice”? Exploring why some vets move from the clinic to the laboratory
Authors: Anderson Alistair , Hobson‐West Pru
Published: August 2021

Background

Named veterinary surgeons (NVSs) are a mandated presence in licensed animal research establishments in the UK. Some NVSs come into their laboratory roles having left general veterinary practice, which is currently facing significant recruitment and retention challenges. Understanding the factors that motivate veterinary professionals to move from practice to laboratory roles provides insight into the issues underlying recruitment and retention challenges in veterinary practice.

Methods

Qualitative semi‐structured interviews with 33 NVSs were conducted in‐person or over the telephone. The interviews were transcribed, anonymised and analysed using an inductive approach.

Results

Participants’ accounts of their career trajectories generally emphasised push factors motivating them to leave practice, rather than pull factors to move into a laboratory role: Indeed, many participants recalled originally having little knowledge of the NVS role upon discovering it. The push factors recounted by interviewees strongly reflect the factors identified in recent research into recruitment and retention in the veterinary profession, such as business concerns and poor work‐life balance.

Conclusion

This study shows that laboratory animal work is often considered by NVSs as more manageable or fulfilling than practice work. To improve retention, the push factors identified by NVSs should be addressed in practice management and veterinary pedagogy.
Naturally occurring halloysite nanotubes for enhanced durability of natural rubber/ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber vulcanizate
Authors: Ghaderzadeh Saman , Esmizadeh Elnaz , Vahidifar Ali , Naderi Ghasem , Ghoreishy Mir Hamid Reza , Mekonnen Tizazu H.
Published: August 2021

A facile approach of using halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) was proposed to address the durability performance demands of natural rubber (NR)/ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM) blends and to protect them from the deleterious effects of the service environment including ozone, chemicals, abrasion, and cyclic loading. The introduction of HNTs substantially improved the stability of NR/EPDM when exposed to ozone (over fourfold enhancement with the addition of 5 phr HNTs). Moreover, the HNT‐filled NR/EPDM vulcanizates offered approximately 66% reduction in the solvent‐mediated swelling in comparison to the unfilled sample. Fatigue life studies showed that the HNT‐reinforced NR/EPDM composite could withstand 30% more cycles to failure than the un‐reinforced NR/EPDM blend. The effect of various HNT loading on the morphological, mechanical, physical, and rheological properties of nanocomposite vulcanizates based on NR/EPDM was also investigated. The morphological investigations revealed that the introduction of HNT into the NR/EPDM rubber matrix caused a rough morphology in fracture surface and a well‐dispersed structure was obtained with the addition of up to 5 phr of HNTs. These findings were further supported by rheological, mechanical, and thermodynamical results.
A review of Forensic Entomology literature in the southwestern United States
Authors: Weidner Lauren M. , Meeds Andrew W. , Noblesse Andrew P. , Hans Krystal R.
Published: August 2021

An extensive literature search pertaining to forensic entomology research was conducted for the southwestern portion of the United States (Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas), encompassing literature from 1879 through June 2020. While the majority of states (Arizona, Texas, and Oklahoma) had high numbers of topic specific papers (screwworm, development, and American burying beetle, respectively), the main paper topics for this region were arrival/decomposition studies, biodiversity, and myiasis. With 106 papers, Texas's forensic entomology literature output was higher than the three remaining states combined. This review supports the need for developmental studies of forensically relevant insects.

This article is categorized under:

Forensic Anthropology > Time Since Death Estimation

Crime Scene Investigation > Crime Scene Examination

Forensic Biology > Forensic Entomology
A review of the Forensic Entomology literature in the midwestern United States
Authors: Hans Krystal R. , Yoho Kelie , Robbins Hannah , Weidner Lauren M.
Published: August 2021

A review of literature pertaining to forensic entomology in the midwestern region of the United States was conducted, searching for the earliest articles up through publications from early 2020. Eight states are included in this region, containing a total of 161 publications. There were a large number of publications regarding biodiversity, insect arrival and colonization of carrion. While Illinois had the greatest number of publications with more than 40, Minnesota produced the fewest publications, with only five. This review highlights the need for further investigations in forensic entomology in this region of the United States.

This article is categorized under:

Forensic Anthropology > Time Since Death Estimation

Crime Scene Investigation > Crime Scene Examination

Forensic Biology > Forensic Entomology
Student Feedback as a Source for Reflection in Practical Phases of Teacher Education
Authors: Göbel Kerstin , Wyss Corinne , Neuber Katharina , Raaflaub Meike
Published: August 2021

The chapter focuses on the use of student feedback on teaching during practical phases in teacher education. After a brief introduction into the general relevance and validity of students’ perceptions on teaching, and on the use of student feedback for teaching development, core findings from two comparable quasi-experimental studies from Germany and Switzerland are presented in detail. The studies focus on the change of attitudes towards student feedback and towards reflection on teaching. The chapter concludes with a discussion of challenges and opportunities for the use of student feedback as an instrument for reflection on teaching and professional development for pre-service teachers.
Using deep learning to assist readers during the arbitration process: a lesion-based retrospective evaluation of breast cancer screening performance
Authors: Kerschke Laura , Weigel Stefanie , Rodriguez-Ruiz Alejandro , Karssemeijer Nico , Heindel Walter
Published: August 2021

Objectives

To evaluate if artificial intelligence (AI) can discriminate recalled benign from recalled malignant mammographic screening abnormalities to improve screening performance.

Methods

A total of 2257 full-field digital mammography screening examinations, obtained 2011–2013, of women aged 50–69 years which were recalled for further assessment of 295 malignant out of 305 truly malignant lesions and 2289 benign lesions after independent double-reading with arbitration, were included in this retrospective study. A deep learning AI system was used to obtain a score (0–95) for each recalled lesion, representing the likelihood of breast cancer. The sensitivity on the lesion level and the proportion of women without false-positive ratings (non-FPR) resulting under AI were estimated as a function of the classification cutoff and compared to that of human readers.

Results

Using a cutoff of 1, AI decreased the proportion of women with false-positives from 89.9 to 62.0%, non-FPR 11.1% vs. 38.0% (difference 26.9%, 95% confidence interval 25.1–28.8%; p < .001), preventing 30.1% of reader-induced false-positive recalls, while reducing sensitivity from 96.7 to 91.1% (5.6%, 3.1–8.0%) as compared to human reading. The positive predictive value of recall (PPV-1) increased from 12.8 to 16.5% (3.7%, 3.5–4.0%). In women with mass-related lesions (n = 900), the non-FPR was 14.2% for humans vs. 36.7% for AI (22.4%, 19.8–25.3%) at a sensitivity of 98.5% vs. 97.1% (1.5%, 0–3.5%).

Conclusion

The application of AI during consensus conference might especially help readers to reduce false-positive recalls of masses at the expense of a small sensitivity reduction. Prospective studies are needed to further evaluate the screening benefit of AI in practice.

Key Points

• Integrating the use of artificial intelligence in the arbitration process reduces benign recalls and increases the positive predictive value of recall at the expense of some sensitivity loss.

• Application of the artificial intelligence system to aid the decision to recall a woman seems particularly beneficial for masses, where the system reaches comparable sensitivity to that of the readers, but with considerably reduced false-positives.

• About one-fourth of all recalled malignant lesions are not automatically marked by the system such that their evaluation (AI score) must be retrieved manually by the reader. A thorough reading of screening mammograms by readers to identify suspicious lesions therefore remains mandatory.
Simplified Seismic Modelling of Fractured Rock: How Effective is the Localised Effective Medium Compared to Explicit Representation of Individual Fractures
Authors: Parastatidis Emmanouil , Hildyard Mark W. , Nowacki Andy
Published: August 2021

Seismic waves can be an effective probe to retrieve fracture properties particularly when measurements are coupled with forward and inverse modelling. These seismic models then need an appropriate representation of the fracturing. The fractures can be modelled either explicitly, considering zero thickness frictional slip surfaces, or by considering an effective medium which incorporates the effect of the fractures into the properties of the medium, creating anisotropy in the wave velocities. In this work, we use a third approach which is a hybrid of the previous two. The area surrounding the predefined fracture is treated as an effective medium and the rest of the medium is made homogeneous and isotropic, creating a Localised Effective Medium (LEM). LEM can be as accurate as the explicit but more efficient in run-time. We have shown that the LEM model can closely match an explicit model in reproducing waveforms recorded in a laboratory experiment, for wave propagating parallel and perpendicular to the fractures. The LEM model performs close to the explicit model when the wavelength is much larger than the element size and larger than the fracture spacing. By the definition of the LEM model, we expect that as the LEM layer becomes coarser the model will start approaching the effective medium result. However, what are the limitations of the LEM and is there a balance between the stiffness, the frequency and the thickness, where the LEM performs close to an explicit model or approaches the effective medium model? To define the limits of the LEM we experiment varying fracture stiffness and source frequency. We then compare for each frequency and stiffness the explicit and effective medium with five models of LEM with different thickness. Finally, we conclude that the thick LEM layers with lower resolution perform the same as the thinner and finer resolution LEM layers for lower frequencies and higher fracture stiffness.
Biomineralization potential and biological properties of a new tantalum oxide (Ta2O5)–containing calcium silicate cement
Authors: Rodríguez-Lozano F. J. , Lozano A. , López-García S. , García-Bernal D. , Sanz J. L. , Guerrero-Gironés J. , Llena C. , Forner L. , Melo M.
Published: August 2021

Objective

The present study evaluated the biological effects and biomineralization potential of a new tantalum oxide (Ta2O5)–containing material designed for vital pulp therapy or perforation repair (NeoMTA 2), compared to NeoMTA Plus and Bio-C Repair.

Material and methods

Human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) were exposed to different eluates from NeoMTA Plus, NeoMTA 2, and Bio-C Repair. Ion release from each material was determined using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-MS). The biological experiments performed were MTT assays, apoptosis/necrosis assays, adhesion assays, migration assays, morphology evaluation, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production analysis. Biomineralization was assessed by Alizarin red S staining. Finally, osteo/odontogenic gene expression was determined by real-time quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparison test.

Results

NeoMTA 2 displayed a significantly higher calcium release compared to the other materials (p < 0.05). When hDPSCs were cultured in presence of the different material eluates, all groups exhibited similar hDPSC viability and migration rates when compared to untreated cells. Substantial cell attachment and spreading were observed in all materials’ surfaces, without significant differences. hDPSCs treated with NeoMTA 2 displayed an upregulation of ALP, Col1A1, RUNX2 (p < 0.001), ON, and DSPP genes (p < 0.05), and showed the highest mineralization potential compared to other groups (p < 0.001). Finally, the more concentrated eluates from these materials, specially NeoMTA Plus and NeoMTA 2, promoted higher ROS production in hDPSCs compared to Bio-C Repair and control cells (p < 0.001), although these ROS levels did not result in increased cell death.

Conclusions

The new tantalum oxide (Ta2O5)–containing material shows an adequate cytocompatibility and the ability to promote biomineralization without using chemical osteogenic inducers, showing great potential as a new material for vital pulp therapy.

Clinical relevance

NeoMTA 2 seems to be a promising material for vital pulp therapy. Further studies considering its biocompatibility and biomineralization potential are necessary.
Scenario assessment of neodymium recycling in Japan based on substance flow analysis and future demand forecast
Authors: Morimoto Shinichirou , Kuroki Hiroshi , Narita Hirokazu , Ishigaki Aya
Published: August 2021

With the increasing demand for energy-saving technologies, neodymium-iron-boron magnets have been widely utilized in high-efficiency motors. However, the reserves of neodymium, which is a rare earth element (REE), are limited; thus, a strategy for scaling up the REE supply is highly required. In this study, a scenario assessment was conducted to evaluate the effect of material recycling of neodymium from final product waste. Domestic substance flow analysis of neodymium was conducted by focusing on the waste flow of the final product. Moreover, the demand and waste of neodymium until 2050 were forecasted using various multivariate analysis methods. The results showed that the domestic waste of neodymium was forecasted to be 3866–4217 tons/year by 2050. However, material recycling of neodymium from final product waste may cause an additional increase in production by “circular economy rebound”. Considering that CO2 reduction has also been a global challenge to prevent global warming, the rebound effect was calculated. Therefore, a scenario assessment was conducted to evaluate the influence of this rebound effect by estimating the CO2 reduction. The results of this study are expected to make a significant contribution to the establishment of a new strategy for neodymium recycling.
Correction to: Ranking local climate policy: assessing the mitigation and adaptation activities of 104 German cities
Authors: Otto Antje , Kern Kristine , Haupt Wolfgang , Eckersley Peter , Thieken Annegret H.
Published: August 2021

A Correction to this paper has been published: 10.1007/s10584-021-03184-z
A hybrid approach for high precision prediction of gas flows
Authors: Petkovic Milena , Chen Ying , Gamrath Inken , Gotzes Uwe , Hadjidimitrou Natalia Selini , Zittel Janina , Xu Xiaofei , Koch Thorsten
Published: August 2021

About 23% of the German energy demand is supplied by natural gas. Additionally, for about the same amount Germany serves as a transit country. Thereby, the German network represents a central hub in the European natural gas transport network. The transport infrastructure is operated by transmissions system operators (TSOs). The number one priority of the TSOs is to ensure the security of supply. However, the TSOs have only very limited knowledge about the intentions and planned actions of the shippers (traders). Open Grid Europe (OGE), one of Germany’s largest TSO, operates a high-pressure transport network of about 12,000 km length. With the introduction of peak-load gas power stations, it is of great importance to predict in- and out-flow of the network to ensure the necessary flexibility and security of supply for the German Energy Transition (“Energiewende”). In this paper, we introduce a novel hybrid forecast method applied to gas flows at the boundary nodes of a transport network. This method employs an optimized feature selection and minimization. We use a combination of a FAR, LSTM and mathematical programming to achieve robust high-quality forecasts on real-world data for different types of network nodes.