bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new hemizygous missense mutation, c.454T＞C (p.S152P), in AKAP4 gene is associated with asthenozoospermia
Authors: Gu Longjie , Liu Xiaming , Yang Jun , Bai Jian
Published: August 2021

Asthenozoospermia (ASZ) is a condition characterized by reduced forward motility of spermatozoa affecting approximately 19% of infertile men. A kinase anchor protein 4 (AKAP4) is an X‐linked testis‐specific gene and plays a major role in sperm motility and flagella formation. However, few studies have reported its association with ASZ. Here, we sequenced for exonic mutations of human AKAP4 gene by high‐fidelity PCR/Sanger sequencing in peripheral blood samples from 150 ASZ patients and 150 fertile men. We reported the identification of three novel hemizygous mutations unique to four ASZ patients, including one patient carrying missense mutation c.454T>C (p.S152P), two patient carrying synonymous mutation c.1173T>C (p.H391H), and one patient carrying synonymous mutation c.2007 A>G (p.R669R). The p.S152P mutation was located in a precursor pro‐polypeptide domain of AKAP4 protein, which was predicted to be damaging by SIFT and PolyPhen‐2 and could cause the protein accumulation in the cytoplasm of COS‐7 cells. The mature protein of AKAP4 was absent in spermatozoa of ASZ patient harboring AKAP4 p.S152P mutation. Further in vitro cellular assays showed that reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels, and apoptotic cells were increased in GC2‐spd cells by AKAP4 p.S152P mutant protein, whereas superoxide dismutase (SOD) level was decreased. AKAP4 p.H391H and p.R669R mutant proteins were coimmunoprecipitated with ribonuclease T2 (RNASET2) protein in GC2‐spd cells, whereas no interaction between the AKAP4 p.S152P mutant protein and RNASET2 protein was observed. In addition, AKAP4 p.S152P mutant protein could decrease the activity of PKA/PI3K signaling. Overall, our study identifies a novel AKAP4 p.S152P mutation is associated with ASZ probably through affecting oxidative stress and cell apoptosis by regulating the interaction with RNASET2 and the activity of the PKA/PI3K signaling pathway.
In vivo spectral editing of phosphorylethanolamine
Authors: Hui Steve C. N. , Zöllner Helge J. , Oeltzschner Georg , Edden Richard A. E. , Saleh Muhammad G.
Published: August 2021

Purpose

To demonstrate J‐difference editing of phosphorylethanolamine (PE) with chemical shifts at 3.22 (PE3.22) and 3.98 (PE3.98) ppm, and compare the merits of two editing strategies.

Methods

Density‐matrix simulations of MEGA‐PRESS (Mescher‐Garwood PRESS) for PE were performed at TEs ranging from 80 to 200 ms in steps of 2 ms, applying 20‐ms editing pulses (ON/OFF) at (1) 3.98/7.5 ppm to detect PE3.22 and (2) 3.22/7.5 ppm to detect PE3.98. Phantom experiments were performed using a PE phantom to validate simulation results. Ten subjects were scanned using a Philips 3T MRI scanner at TEs of 90 ms and 110 ms to edit PE3.22 and PE3.98. Osprey was used for data processing, modeling, and quantification.

Results

Simulations show substantial TE modulation of the intensity and shape of the edited signals due to coupling evolution. Simulated and phantom integrals suggest that TEs of 110 ms and 90 ms were optimal for the edited detection of PE3.22 and PE3.98, respectively. Phantom results indicated strong agreement with the simulated spectra and integrals. In vivo quantification of the PE3.22/total creatine and PE3.98/total creatine concentration ratio yielded values of 0.26 ± 0.04 (between‐subject coefficient of variation [CV]: 15.4%) and 0.18 ± 0.04 (CV: 22.8%), respectively, at TE = 90 ms, and 0.24 ± 0.02 (CV: 8.2%) and 0.23 ± 0.04 (CV: 18.0%), respectively, at TE = 110 ms.

Conclusion

Simulations and in vivo MEGA‐PRESS of PE demonstrate that both PE3.22 and PE3.98 are potential candidates for editing, but PE3.22 at TE = 110 ms yields lower variation across TEs.

Keywords: Magnetic resonance spectroscopy, MEGA‐PRESS, spectral editing, phosphorylethanolamine
Evaluation of an Artisanal Freshwater Fishery in Guatemala Finds Underfished Conditions
Authors: Quintana Yasmín , Barrientos Christian A. , Allen Micheal
Published: August 2021

The assessment of the stock status of inland artisanal fisheries is extremely difficult due to limited or absent historical data on catch, effort, or recruitment. Most of these fisheries are considered potentially overfished due to their “open-access” nature and poor management. Alternately, fishing below maximum yield could cause a loss in potential yield as well as food supply for local communities. The Giant Cichlid Petenia splendida has been considered to be overexploited in Guatemala. Our objective was to measure fishing mortality using a passive tagging study with reward tags for the Giant Cichlid fishery in Lake Petén Itzá to explore the potential for overfishing. In total, 24% of the tags were returned, and the return rate increased with the value of the reward (~US$6, $12, $18, and $25). We explored two reporting rate scenarios. Exploitation rate was estimated as 0.36 when the reporting rate was 100% and 0.48 when the reporting rate was 75%. A sensitivity analysis for yield-per-recruit and spawning potential ratio models indicated that this fishery was below the maximum sustainable yield without recruitment overfishing risk under both scenarios; thus, more stringent regulations are not required at this time. Moreover, under a conservative scenario, exploitation rates could increase yield by up to 40% for fish over 240 mm, suggesting the potential for increased resource utilization without causing growth or recruitment overfishing, and should not exceed 60% with fish under 220 mm TL. This study provides a preliminary assessment of the size limit and harvest rate that can prevent overfishing of the Giant Cichlid. Similar tag reward methods can be effectively applied to assess artisanal fisheries. The underfished condition in this fishery demonstrates that open-access fisheries are not always overexploited, and there is a need for a better understanding of local regulations’ effectiveness and the role of social and economic factors influencing artisanal fisher behavior.
Topologically optimal design and failure prediction using conditional generative adversarial networks
Authors: Herath Sumudu , Haputhanthri Udith
Published: August 2021

Among the various structural optimization tools, topology optimization is the widely used technique in obtaining the initial design of structural components. The resulting topologically optimal initial design will be the input for subsequent structural optimizations such as shape, size and layout optimizations. However, iterative solvers used in conventional topology optimization schemes are known to be computationally expensive, thus act as a bottleneck in the manufacturing process. In this paper, a novel deep learning‐based accelerated topology optimization technique with the ability to predict ductile material failure is presented. A Conditional Generative Adversarial Network (cGAN) coupled with a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) is used to predict the optimal topology of a given structure subject to a set of input variables. Subsequently, the same cGAN is trained to predict the Von‐Mises stress contours on the optimal structure by means of color transformed image‐to‐image translations. The ductile failure criterion is evaluated by comparing the cGAN predicted maximum Von‐Mises stress with the yield strength of the material. The proposed novel numerical method is proven to arrive at the topologically optimal design, accompanying the material failure decision within a negligible amount of time but also maintaining a higher prediction accuracy.
The barriers and facilitators of foot care practices in diabetic patients in Indonesia: A qualitative study
Authors: Sari Yunita , Yusuf Saldy , Haryanto Haryanto , Sumeru Annas , Saryono Saryono
Published: August 2021

Aim

To investigate the barriers and facilitators of foot care practice in diabetic patients in Indonesia.

Design

A qualitative content analysis with an inductive approach.

Method

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted on 34 type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients, health providers and family members in Purwokerto, Indonesia, between July 2020 and December 2020. The interview transcripts were coded using NVivo 12.

Results

Four themes emerged from data analysis, including personal barriers (low susceptibility of developing foot ulcer, limited knowledge about foot care, fatalistic practices, financial problems, glucose control taking priority over foot care, lack of motivation, lack of confidence, fear of being labelled), environmental barriers (lack of knowledge and time of health providers, lack of family support and climate conditions), perceived foot health benefits (intention to feel better and desire to stay socially active) and religious practices (foot washing as part of religious practice and intention to feel clean before praying).
Knowledge About Risks, Benefits, and Curative Potential of Immunotherapy Among Patients with Advanced Cancer
Authors: Petrillo Laura A. , Zhou Ashley Z. , Sullivan Ryan , Volandes Angelo , Greer Joseph A. , Temel Jennifer S. , El-Jawahri Areej
Published: August 2021

Background

Immunotherapy is the first-line treatment for melanoma and lung cancer and brings new risks of immune-related adverse events. We aimed to describe patients’ knowledge about risks, benefits, and goals of immunotherapy.

Materials and Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients with advanced melanoma or non-small cell lung cancer that used a 9-item knowledge survey and questions from the Prognosis and Treatment Perceptions Questionnaire.

Results

We surveyed 105 participants (57 with melanoma, 48 with lung cancer) with median age 69 years (range 36–89). Participants’ responses revealed knowledge deficits about immunotherapy mechanism of action and lack of awareness about the timing and severity of side effects. One third (34%; 36/105) of participants reported that the primary goal of their treatment is to cure their cancer.

Conclusion

Given the widespread use of immunotherapy, patients would benefit from educational tools so that they know what to expect regarding side effects and prognosis.
Influences of purification and surface treatment of sugarcane bagasse ash on mechanical properties of natural rubber composites
Authors: Boopasiri Supparoek , Suwantrakrit Noottiyaporn , Sae‐Oui Pongdhorn , Siriwong Chomsri
Published: August 2021

Attempts to use bagasse ash (BA) as a filler in natural rubber (NR) have been made. Acidolysis/alkaline extraction method was used to purify BA. The purified BA (PBA) was subsequently characterized by various techniques such as X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and so forth. After the purification, PBA had a lower particle size and a higher specific surface area. XRD results showed that silica was the main composition of PBA while FTIR results revealed the existence of hydroxyl groups on the PBA surface. The reinforcement magnitude of PBA in NR was subsequently evaluated both without and with the addition of surface modifying agents, namely,bis‐3‐triethoxysilylpropyl tetrasulfide (TESPT) and epoxidized natural rubber (ENR). Due to its large particle size, PBA acted as a semi‐reinforcing filler for NR, that is, the small increases of hardness, modulus and tensile strength were observed in the presence of PBA. As TESPT and ENR could improve the extent of rubber‐filler interaction, mechanical properties of the NR vulcanizates filled with PBA‐TESPT and PBA‐ENR were slightly higher than those of the PBA‐filled NR vulcanizate. For instance, tensile strength exhibited approximately 22% increase after the surface treatment. In this study, both PBA‐TESPT and PBA‐ENR showed comparable degree of reinforcement.
Temperature‐/Frequency‐dependent complex viscosity and tensile modulus of polymer nanocomposites from the glassy state to the melting point
Authors: Sharifzadeh Esmail , Mohammadi Reza
Published: August 2021

In this study, the temperature‐/frequency‐dependent viscosity and tensile modulus of polymer nanocomposites were evaluated using the combination of developed Arrhenius's equation and percolation theory. To involve the drastic effects of the polymer/particles interphase region and the aggregation/agglomeration of nanoparticles in the model, the Nielsen–Lewis model was developed and used to interpret the related parameters from heat conduction test results. The value of different state‐to‐state conversion degrees was calculated using the developed percolation theory whose validity was evaluated via comparative studies with theoretical results obtained from developed Arrhenius's equations. The simultaneous effects of the nanoparticles content and temperature/frequency on the viscosity and tensile modulus were also studied, which defined the role of some important phenomena such as the breakdown of the nanoparticle clusters, the increased cluster stability by polar surface modifiers, the increased thermal conductivity of the nanocomposite due to the presence of nanoparticles, etc. Different PA nanocomposites samples, containing 1–4 vol% of spherical silica nanoparticles, were prepared and subject to dynamical mechanical analysis, by temperature ramps and frequency sweep, and the results were used to evaluate the accuracy of the model. The surface of the nanoparticles was chemically modified with (3‐aminopropyl)triethoxysilane to ensure their perfect compatibility with PA phase.
Diet‐tissue discrimination and turnover of δ13C and δ15N in muscle tissue of a penaeid prawn
Authors: Hewitt Daniel E. , Taylor Matthew D. , Raoult Vincent , Smith Timothy M. , Gaston Troy F.
Published: August 2021

Rationale

Stable isotopes are used to study trophic and movement ecology in aquatic systems, as they provide spatially distinct, time‐integrated signatures of diet. Stable isotope ecology has been used to quantify species‐habitat relationships in many important fisheries species (e.g., penaeid prawns), with approaches that typically assume constant values for diet‐tissue discrimination and diet‐tissue steady state, but these can be highly variable. Here we provide the first report of these processes in Metapenaeus macleayi (eastern school prawn).

Methods

Here we explicitly measure and model carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) diet‐tissue discrimination and turnover in eastern school prawn muscle tissue as a function of experimental time following a change in diet to an isotopically distinct food source.

Results

Diet‐tissue discrimination factors were 5 and 0.6‰ for δ13C and δ15N, respectively. Prawn muscle tissue reached an approximate steady state after approximately 50 and 30 days for δ13C and δ15N. Half‐lives indicated faster turnover of δ15N (~8 days) than δ13C (~14 days).

Conclusions

Our diet‐tissue discrimination factors deviate from ‘typical’ values with larger values for carbon than nitrogen isotopes, but are generally similar to those measured in other crustaceans. Similarly, our estimates of isotopic turnover align with those in other penaeid species. These findings confirm muscle tissue as a reliable indicator of long‐term diet and movement patterns in eastern school prawn.
Asthma caused by durvalumab after chemoradiotherapy in two patients with non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Uemura Takehiro , Fukumitsu Kensuke , Maeno Ken , Fukuda Satoshi , Onuki Tomohiro , Kanemitsu Yoshihiro , Oguri Tetsuya , Niimi Akio , Hida Toyoaki
Published: August 2021

Durvalumab, an anti‐programmed cell death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) antibody, is currently used in the maintenance therapy for patients with stage III non‐small cell lung cancer after platinum‐based chemoradiotherapy. A 69‐year‐old male with lung adenocarcinoma, clinical stage IIIA, was treated with chemoradiotherapy. As the treatments progressed, his dry cough gradually subsided. After chemoradiotherapy had been completed, we started durvalumab administration. One month later, his dry cough relapsed and persisted. Based on the changes of his blood eosinophil counts, we clinically diagnosed him with asthma. A 71‐year‐old male with lung adenocarcinoma, clinical stage IIIB, was treated with chemoradiotherapy. After completing chemoradiotherapy, we initiated durvalumab administration. After 6 months, his dry cough was noticed to involve wheezing. Based on his spirometric values and the fraction of exhaled nitric oxide, a clinical diagnosis of asthma was established. Asthma should be considered as one of the possible side effects when immune checkpoint inhibitors are used in cancer treatment.
Complete type Lyapunov functionals for integral delay systems with multiple delays
Authors: Melchor‐Aguilar Daniel , Arismendi‐Valle Hector
Published: August 2021

We present complete type Lyapunov functional for integral delay systems with constant kernels and multiple delays. We introduce the Lyapunov matrix concept for this class of systems and present some of its properties. The constructed functionals are applied to derive exponential estimates for the solutions.
Opportunities and limits of moderate source routing in delay‐/disruption‐tolerant networking space networks
Authors: Birrane Edward J. , Caini Carlo , De Cola Gian Marco , Marchetti Federico , Mazzuca Laura , Persampieri Lorenzo
Published: August 2021

This paper aims to investigate the potential advantages and also the limits of source routing when applied to delay‐/disruption‐tolerant networking (DTN) space networks. To this end, it uses a variant of contact graph routing (CGR) called moderate source routing (MSR), recently proposed by the authors and fully compatible with interplanetary overlay network (ION), the DTN suite developed by NASA‐JPL. MSR differs from standard CGR as the route to destination is not recalculated from scratch at each node, but possibly reused, if still valid, by next nodes. For this purpose, the route is saved in a dedicated extension block of the forwarded bundle (the data unit of the bundle protocol, used in DTN). Performance of MSR versus CGR is assessed by considering a simple but very challenging space layout. Numerical results, obtained on a GNU/Linux testbed, show that MSR is effective at reducing the chances of loops, in particular when the source has full knowledge of the state of the network; otherwise, network instabilities are still possible. In this case, they can be neutralized by means of the combined use of source routing and anti‐loop tools, as shown in the paper. A further advantage of MSR is that it is compatible with standard CGR, which would facilitate a gradual or partial deployment.
Tuning Sugar‐Based Chiral and Flower‐Like Microparticles
Authors: Yao Yawen , Tang Qiyun , Rosenfeldt Sabine , Krüsmann Marcel , Karg Matthias , Zhang Kai
Published: August 2021

Unique supermolecular structures as chiral and flower‐like microparticles and the precise tuning of the morphologies hold immense promise for a variety of applications. Examples of such structures deriving from monosaccharides are still rare, and a general understanding is also lacking. Herein, it is shown that chiral, flower‐like, or solid microparticles can be tuned by only using monosaccharide esters without external stimuli. Chiral “left‐handed” (counterclockwise) and “right‐handed” (clockwise) morphologies can be induced by d‐ and l‐glucose stearoyl esters. In comparison, other monosaccharides, i.e., galactose, mannose, and xylose, cannot formed chiral particles and generated diverse other morphologies of the supermolecular microparticles based on their distinct molecular configurations. Due to the numbers of side chains and the bond orientations, microparticles with solid and porous flower‐like morphologies can be obtained. While glucose and xylose esters only lead to solid microparticles, mannose and galactose generate porous flower‐like particles. These findings suggest a general method to design and control the superstructures by using monosaccharide backbones with diverse molecular configurations.
Robust and Flexible Random Lasers Using Perovskite Quantum Dots Coated Nickel Foam for Speckle‐Free Laser Imaging
Authors: Gao Wei , Wang Ting , Xu Jiangtao , Zeng Ping , Zhang Wenfei , Yao Yunduo , Chen Changsheng , Li Mingjie , Yu Siu Fung
Published: August 2021

The advantage of using flexible metallic structures as the substrate of flexible lasers over plastic materials is its strong mechanical strength and high thermal conductivity. Here, it is proposed to deposit CsPbBr3 perovskite quantum dots onto Ni porous foam for the realization of flexible lasers. Under two‐photon 800 nm excitation at room temperature, incoherent random lasing emission is observed at ≈537 nm. By external deformation of the Ni porous foam, incoherent random lasing can be tuned to amplified spontaneous emission as well as the corresponding lasing threshold be controlled. More importantly, it is demonstrated that the laser is robust to intensive bending (>1000 bending cycles) with minimum effect on the lasing intensity. This flexible laser is also shown to be an ideal light source to produce a “speckle” free micro‐image.
Automated Optical Tweezers Manipulation to Transfer Mitochondria from Fetal to Adult MSCs to Improve Antiaging Gene Expressions
Authors: Shakoor Adnan , Wang Bin , Fan Lei , Kong Lingchi , Gao Wendi , Sun Jiayu , Man Kwan , Li Gang , Sun Dong
Published: August 2021

Mitochondrial dysfunction is considered to be an important factor that leads to aging and premature aging diseases. Transferring mitochondria to cells is an emerging and promising technique for the therapy of mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid (mtDNA)‐related diseases. This paper presents a unique method of controlling the quality and quantity of mitochondria transferred to single cells using an automated optical tweezer‐based micromanipulation system. The proposed method can automatically, accurately, and efficiently collect and transport healthy mitochondria to cells, and the recipient cells then take up the mitochondria through endocytosis. The results of the study reveal the possibility of using mitochondria from fetal mesenchymal stem cells (fMSCs) as a potential source to reverse the aging‐related phenotype and improve metabolic activities in adult mesenchymal stem cells (aMSCs). The results of the quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis show that the transfer of isolated mitochondria from fMSCs to a single aMSC can significantly increase the antiaging and metabolic gene expression in the aMSC. The proposed mitochondrial transfer method can greatly promote precision medicine for cell therapy of mtDNA‐related diseases.
New and revised small shelly fossil record from the lower Cambrian of northern Iran
Authors: Devaere Léa , Korn Dieter , Ghaderi Abbas , Struck Ulrich , Bavandpur Alireza K.
Published: August 2021

Small shelly fossils (SSFs) are highly informative of the ‘Cambrian explosion’. Their palaeobiodiversity has been documented from lower Cambrian deposits worldwide but it remains elusive in areas such as Iran, despite this region occupying a critical position on the north‐western Gondwana margin during the early Cambrian. This new study of the SSFs of the lower Cambrian of northern Iran provides a large new dataset from this understudied area. We revise the micropalaeontological signal of the Soltanieh Formation of the Alborz Mountains and introduce novel data from the Soltanieh and overlying Barut Formations of the Soltanieh Mountains. The new, solid taxonomic and stratigraphic SSF data enable us to distinguish two successive microfaunal assemblages. The first occurs in the Soltanieh Formation of the Soltanieh and Alborz Mountains and is dominated by anabaritids (Anabarites trisulcatus,A. ex gr. trisulcatus,A. tristichus,A. dalirensesp. nov.,Cambrotubulus decurvatus) along with protoconodonts (Protohertzina anabaricaandP. unguliformis), maikhanellids (Maikhanella multa,Purella squamulosaandPurellasp.),Aetholicopalla adnata, indeterminate cones and irregular tubes. The second assemblage, from the Barut Formation, is dominated by a diverse assemblage of molluscs (Oelandiella korobkoviand cap‐shaped morphotypes). Siphogonuchitid sclerites also occur in both assemblages. The two SSF assemblages are characteristic of the Terreneuvian. Our dataset enables us to assess the sequence of faunal change of the Ediacaran–Cambrian transition; in contrast to the tube–sclerite–brachiopod succession presented in the literature, the Iranian fauna changes from one dominated by tubes and sclerites, to one dominated by molluscs and sclerites.
Early socialisation in group lactation system reduces post‐weaning aggression in piglets
Authors: Fels Michaela , Schrey Lilith , Rauterberg Sally , Kemper Nicole
Published: August 2021

Background

Pre‐weaning group housing for sows and their litters is expected to enhance animal welfare. However, knowledge of potential benefits of pre‐weaning socialisation for piglets after weaning is still lacking.

Methods

Weaner pigs were mixed in groups of 10, using littermates (LM) from pre‐weaning group housing (Gr) and from farrowing pens with crates (Co). Groups were formed as follows: Gr/Gr (5 LM from Gr + 5 LM from Gr), Gr/Co (5 LM from Gr + 5 LM from Co), Co/Co (5 LM from Co + 5 LM from Co).

Results

During 24 h after mixing, piglets in Co/Co fought more than in Gr/Co and Gr/Gr. Piglets in Co/Co had more unclear fighting results than in Gr/Co and Gr/Gr. Four days after mixing, piglets in Co/Co were more injured than in Gr/Co and Gr/Gr.

Conclusion

Early socialised piglets may have better social skills when meeting familiar and unfamiliar conspecifics after weaning.
Humanitarian forensic action: A new forensic discipline helping to implement international law and construct peace
Authors: Tidball‐Binz Morris V. , Cordner Stephen
Published: August 2021

Asbtract

Humanitarian forensic action, a novel field of application of forensic science, has evolved to assist the humanitarian response to armed conflicts, other situations of violence and catastrophic events. It is discipline framed by International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law and it was shaped up by the early experience of the Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team and that of the Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo in Argentina during the 80s and 90s and later developed by international organizations, including the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross. Having demonstrated its worth, including for peace‐building, and evolving rapidly, this new field of application of forensic medicine and science needs further development, integration, and research to meet growing needs at global scale.

This article is categorized under:

Forensic Medicine > Mass Casualty Management

Forensic Anthropology > Anthropology in Mass Disaster & War Crime Contexts

Forensic Biology > Ethical and Social Implications
Einleitung: Video-on-Demand – Quell der Innovation?
Authors: Kelsch Jakob
Published: August 2021

In der Einleitung der Untersuchung werden Forschungsfrage und Methodik dargelegt. Zudem werden grundlegende Charakteristika des audiovisuellen Erzählens skizziert und das Analysekorpus vorgestellt. In Zeiten ubiquitärer Digitalisierung verdrängen Streaming-Dienste den traditionellen Film- und Fernsehkonsum. Video-on-Demand-Serien weichen auf Produktions-, Distributions- und Rezeptionsebene von konventionellen TV-Serien ab. Dementsprechend liegt es nahe, ein allgemeinen Wandel des Formats „Serie“ anzunehmen, auch da der Innovationscharakter der Video-on-Demand-Serien von journalistischer Seite häufig betont wurde. Anhand eines prominent medial verhandelten Aspekts des gesellschaftlichen Lebens, nähere ich mich diesem potenziellen Wandel auf inhaltlicher Ebene an: Familie als Keimzelle des Privaten. Die Forschungsfrage lautet: Welche Modelle und Ideale von Familie dominieren in der Video-on-Demand-Serie und welche gesellschaftlichen und kulturellen Paradigmen werden als zentral gesetzt?
Resümee und Ausblick: Serien der Zukunft – Familien der Zukunft
Authors: Kelsch Jakob
Published: August 2021

Im abschließenden fünften Kapitel wird einen Ausblick auf die mögliche Anschlussfähigkeit der Studie gegeben. Zudem wird die Frage gestellt, inwieweit die Ergebnisse auf gesellschaftlicher Ebene aussagekräftig sind. In Zeiten einer zunehmenden Globalisierung und Digitalisierung erscheint der geschlossene Raum der Kernfamilie als überschaubarer und begreifbarer Ausgleich zu einer zunehmend als unübersichtlich und chaotisch wahrgenommenen Welt. Trotz Konflikten mir der Realität wird sich dieses tief im populärkulturellen Bewusstsein verankerte Idealbild nicht ohne weiteres auflösen. Wenn also eine Entwicklung stattfindet, so geschieht dies langsam und sukzessive. Kann die Video-on-Demand Serie auch als impulsgebend in der aktuellen Serienlandschaft gelten, so wäre es doch vorschnell und naiv hinter jedem neuen Medium zugleich auch eine inhaltliche Revolution zu erwarten. Was die Zukunft der Video-on-Demand-Serie bringt und welchen Einfluss Streaming Dienste auf die Medienproduktion haben ist zum aktuellen Zeitpunkt nur vage zu erahnen. Hier bestehen zahlreiche Anknüpfungspunkte für weitere Forschung.
Capital Share Risk in International Asset Pricing
Authors: Müller Birgit Charlotte
Published: August 2021

In a seminal study, Lettau et al. (2019) demonstrate that a single macroeconomic factor can explain a wide range of equity and nonequity portfolio returns within the U.S. market. This factor, which is based on the growth in the capital share of aggregate income, is able to outperform, yet even subsume information in well-established factor models as for instance the Fama-French three factor model. The aim of this paper is to study whether the explanatory power of this factor maintains across international equity markets.
The Pricing of European Non-Performing Real Estate Loan Portfolios
Authors: Müller Birgit Charlotte
Published: August 2021

Non-performing loans (NPL), commonly referred to as loans in arrears for at least 90 days, have continuously been characterized as the top priority of the European Central Bank (ECB) and continue to attract central attention (ECB, 2018a,b). With the outbreak of the European debt crisis, the quality of banks’ assets had deteriorated in a manner that, despite robust economic recovery and a variety of regulatory efforts, NPL still today pose a threat to bank and thrift institutions. Against this backdrop, the European regulator requires banks to develop effective strategies for reducing NPL, to set up clear governance and to operate powerful work-out structures (ECB, 2017).
Actions for self-dual Higher Spin Gravities
Authors: Krasnov Kirill , Skvortsov Evgeny , Tran Tung
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Higher Spin Gravities are scarce, but covariant actions for them are even scarcer. We construct covariant actions for contractions of Chiral Higher Spin Gravity that represent higher spin extensions of self-dual Yang-Mills and self-dual Gravity theories. The actions give examples of complete higher spin theories both in flat and (anti)-de Sitter spaces that feature gauge and gravitational interactions. The actions are based on a new description of higher spin fields, whose origin can be traced to early works on twistor theory. The new description simplifies the structure of interactions. In particular, we find a covariant form of the minimal gravitational interaction for higher spin fields both in flat and anti-de Sitter space, which resolves some of the puzzles in the literature.
Variation of the modulus of elasticity of aligner foil sheet materials due to thermoforming
Authors: Golkhani Bijan , Weber Anna , Keilig Ludger , Reimann Susanne , Bourauel Christoph
Published: August 2021

Objective

Investigate and compare the mechanical properties of different aligner materials before and after deep drawing and determine differences in the mechanical properties after thermoforming.

Materials and methods

Four aligner film sheets from three manufacturers (Duran Plus® [Scheu Dental, Iserlohn, Germany]; Zendura® [ClearCorrect, Bay Materials LLC, Fremont, CA, USA]; Essix ACE® and Essix® PLUS™ [Dentsply Sirona Deutschland, Bensheim, Germany]) were tested in 3‑point bending with support distances of 8, 16, and 24 mm. Dimension of the specimens was 10 × 50 mm2. Two groups each were tested: (1) 10 specimens were investigated in the as-received state (before thermoforming), (2) 10 specimens were deep drawn on a master plate with cuboids of the dimension 10 × 10 × 50 mm3. Then, specimens were cut out of the upper side and lateral walls and were measured in 3‑point bending. Forces and reduction in thickness were measured and corrected theoretical forces of drawn sheets after thickness reduction as well as Young’s modulus were calculated.

Results

At a support distance of 8 mm and a displacement of 0.25 mm Essix® PLUS™, having the highest thickness in untreated state, showed highest forces of 28.2 N, followed by Duran Plus® (27.3 N), Essix ACE® (21.0 N) and Zendura® (19.7 N). Similar results were registered for the other distances (16, 24 mm). Thermoforming drastically reduced thickness and forces in the bending tests. Forces decreased to around 10% or less for specimens cut from the lateral walls. Young’s modulus decreased significantly for deep drawn foil sheets, especially for Essix® PLUS™.

Conclusions

Three-point bending is an appropriate method to compare different foil sheet materials. Young’s modulus is significantly affected by thermoforming.
Vinorelbine in bladder-preserving multimodality treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer—a valid option for cisplatin-unfit patients?
Authors: Arnold C. R. , Lindner A. K. , Schachtner G. , Tulchiner G. , Tulchiner N. , Mangesius J. , Maffei M. , Horninger W. , Kouvaiou O. , Lukas P. , Ganswindt U. , Pichler R. , Skvortsov S.
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Treatment of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) remains challenging, especially for elderly and/or comorbid patients. Patients who are unfit for or refuse surgery should receive bladder-preserving multimodality treatment (BPMT), consisting of transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TURB) followed by combined chemoradiotherapy (CRT). We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of vinorelbine, a chemotherapeutic agent not routinely used for MIBC, in patients referred to CRT who are unfit for standard chemotherapy and would thus rely solely on radiotherapy (RT).

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 52 consecutive patients with MIBC who received standard CRT with cisplatin (n = 14), CRT with vinorelbine (n = 26), or RT alone (n = 12). Primary endpoints were median overall survival (OS) and median cancer-specific survival (CSS). Secondary endpoints were median local control (LC), median distant control (DC), and OS, CSS, LC, and DC after 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively.

Results

Median OS and CSS were significantly higher for patients who received vinorelbine as compared to RT alone (OS 8 vs. 22 months, p = 0.003; CSS 11 months vs. not reached, p = 0.001). Median LC and DC did not differ significantly between groups. Vinorelbine was well tolerated with no reported side effects >grade II.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that CRT with vinorelbine is well tolerated and superior to RT alone in terms of OS and CSS. Therefore, this treatment regime might constitute a new treatment option for patients with MIBC who are unfit for or refuse surgery or standard chemotherapy. This study encourages a randomized controlled trial to compare this new regime to current standard therapies.
The local-to-global property for Morse quasi-geodesics
Authors: Russell Jacob , Spriano Davide , Tran Hung Cong
Published: August 2021

We show the mapping class group,$${{\,\mathrm{CAT}\,}}(0)$$CAT(0)groups, the fundamental groups of closed 3-manifolds, and certain relatively hyperbolic groups have a local-to-global property for Morse quasi-geodesics. This allows us to generalize combination theorems of Gitik for quasiconvex subgroups of hyperbolic groups to the stable subgroups of these groups. In the case of the mapping class group, this gives combination theorems for convex cocompact subgroups. We show a number of additional consequences of this local-to-global property, including a Cartan–Hadamard type theorem for detecting hyperbolicity locally and discreteness of translation length of conjugacy classes of Morse elements with a fixed gauge. To prove the relatively hyperbolic case, we develop a theory of deep points for local quasi-geodesics in relatively hyperbolic spaces, extending work of Hruska.
Systemic mesalazine treatment prevents spontaneous skin fibrosis in PLK2-deficient mice
Authors: Newe Manja , Kant Theresa A. , Hoffmann Maximilian , Rausch Johanna S. E. , Winter Luise , Künzel Karolina , Klapproth Erik , Günther Claudia , Künzel Stephan R.
Published: August 2021

Skin fibrosis is a complex biological remodeling process occurring in disease like systemic sclerosis, morphea, or eosinophilic fasciitis. Since the knowledge about the underlying pathomechanisms is still incomplete, there is currently no therapy, which prevents or reverses skin fibrosis sufficiently. The present study investigates the role of polo-like kinase 2 (PLK2) and the pro-fibrotic cytokine osteopontin (OPN) in the pathogenesis of cutaneous fibrosis and demonstrates the antifibrotic effects of systemic mesalazine treatment in vivo. Isolated primary dermal fibroblasts of PLK2 wild-type (WT) and knockout (KO) mice were characterized invitro. Skin thickness and histoarchitecture were studied in paraffin-embedded skin sections. The effects of mesalazine treatment were examined in isolated fibroblasts and PLK2 KO mice, which were fed 100 µg/g mesalazine for 6 months via the drinking water. Compared to WT, PLK2 KO fibroblasts displayed higher spontaneous myofibroblast differentiation, reduced proliferation rates, and overexpression of the fibrotic cytokine OPN. Invitro, 72 h of treatment with 10 mmol/L mesalazine induced phenotype conversion in PLK2 KO fibroblasts and attenuated OPN expression by inhibiting ERK1/2. In vivo, dermal myofibroblast differentiation, collagen accumulation, and skin thickening were prevented by mesalazine in PLK2 KO. Plasma creatinine levels indicated good tolerability of systemic long-term mesalazine treatment. The current study reveals a spontaneous fibrotic skin phenotype and ERK1/2-dependent OPN overexpression in PLK2 KO mice. We provide experimental evidence for the antifibrotic effectiveness of systemic mesalazine treatment to prevent fibrosis of the skin, suggesting further investigation in experimental and clinical settings.
Worst-case Recovery Guarantees for Least Squares Approximation Using Random Samples
Authors: Kämmerer Lutz , Ullrich Tino , Volkmer Toni
Published: August 2021

We construct a least squares approximation method for the recovery of complex-valued functions from a reproducing kernel Hilbert space on $$D \subset \mathbb {R}^d$$

D
⊂

R

d

. The nodes are drawn at random for the whole class of functions, and the error is measured in $$L_2(D,\varrho _{D})$$

L
2

(
D
,

ϱ
D

)

. We prove worst-case recovery guarantees by explicitly controlling all the involved constants. This leads to new preasymptotic recovery bounds with high probability for the error of hyperbolic Fourier regression on multivariate data. In addition, we further investigate its counterpart hyperbolic wavelet regression also based on least squares to recover non-periodic functions from random samples. Finally, we reconsider the analysis of a cubature method based on plain random points with optimal weights and reveal near-optimal worst-case error bounds with high probability. It turns out that this simple method can compete with the quasi-Monte Carlo methods in the literature which are based on lattices and digital nets.
Modularisierung von Steuerungssoftware
Authors: Melik Merkumians Martin , Gsellmann Peter , Schitter Georg
Published: August 2021

Modularisierung und Verteilung der Aufgaben einer Automationsanlage sind die Kernelemente zur Steigerung der Wiederverwendbarkeit von Automationshard- und software. Hierfür werden ein neuer Hierarchisierungsansatz für Automationssysteme, der die Ablaufsteuerung weitestgehend von der Hardwaresteuerung entkoppelt, und eine nahtlose Integration von zyklusbasierten IEC-61131-Systemen in die Entwicklungsmodelle der eventgesteuerten IEC 61499 präsentiert. Beide Ansätze legen hierbei besonderes Augenmerk auf die Wiederverwendbarkeit von Software.
„Die Puppe hat Luftnot“ – Simulation zum interprofessionellen Lernen im Team: aber sinnvoll!
Authors: Grande B. , Breckwoldt J. , Kolbe M.
Published: August 2021

Ausbildungskonzepte, die eine Simulation von Fällen und Szenarien aller Art nutzen, haben breiten Eingang in Curricula und Praxis gefunden. Ein Vertrauen in technische Simulationsmethoden ohne qualifizierte Ausbildung in der Methode kann schaden. Deswegen sollte nach der Auswahl der korrekten Simulationsmethode großer Wert auf die Durchführung der Simulation gelegt werden. Neben einem strukturierten Design der simulierten Szenarien und der korrekten technischen Durchführung ist für den Lernerfolg vor allem das Debriefing, die Nachbesprechung, entscheidend. Prüfungen mit Simulation als Methode sind nur zu empfehlen, wenn sie von Trainings getrennt durchgeführt werden und die Bewertung nach transparenten, validierten Kriterien erfolgt.
Long-term effectiveness and drug survival of golimumab in patients affected by psoriatic arthritis with cutaneous involvement
Authors: Chimenti Maria Sole , Conigliaro Paola , Caso Francesco , Costa Luisa , Ortolan Augusta , Triggianese Paola , Tasso Marco , Fonti Giulia Lavinia , Lorenzin Maria Grazia , Perricone Roberto , Ramonda Roberta
Published: August 2021

Objectives

To determine the effectiveness of golimumab (GLM) in improving joint, periarticular structures and cutaneous manifestations in patients with moderate to severe psoriatic arthritis (PsA) with cutaneous psoriasis in different real-life clinical settings and 48-month drug survival.

Methods

Clinical and laboratory records were collected from PsA patients treated with GLM at baseline (T0) and after 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 months of treatment. Comparisons were performed using a paired t-test or Wilcoxon test. Drug survival rates were analyzed using Kaplan–Meier estimates. p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Data from 105 patients were collected. PsO occurred in 80% of patients and enthesitis in 78%, peripheral and axial arthritis in 63.8% and 35.3%, respectively, while erosions in 36.2%. The main comorbidities were cardiovascular diseases (31.4%) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) (19%). A statistically significant improvement in articular and cutaneous psoriasis was registered at T48 of GLM-therapy in clinical (DAPSA p < 0.0001; PASI p < 0.01; BASDAI p < 0.0001) and laboratory (CRP < 0.05) indexes. Gender (p = 0.652), BMI (p = 0.655), smoking habit (p = 0.466), and line of treatment (p = 0.208) did not affect treatment efficacy nor persistence. At T48, 42% of patients discontinued GLM: the most frequent reason was an insufficient response or loss of efficacy (28.6%).

Conclusion

A 48-month GLM high drug persistence of PsA patients was observed in real-life, in patients presenting high disease activity, elevated prevalence of comorbidities, and more than one line of treatment at baseline. Patients’ characteristics as gender, smoke, BMI, different lines of treatment, and concomitant methotrexate treatment affected treatment persistence, making GLM effective and safe in moderate-severe PsA in a long-term real-life setting.

Key Points• Golimumab was effective in psoriatic arthritis, including both musculoskeletal and cutaneous manifestations. • Golimumab effectiveness and drug survival were not affected by comorbidities and patient-related characteristics. • The 4-year drug survival curves confirm the efficacy and safety of golimumab in psoriatic arthritis patients in a real-life setting.
Active landslides in the Rogun Catchment, Tajikistan, and their river damming hazard potential
Authors: Jones Nina , Manconi Andrea , Strom Alexander
Published: August 2021

The region of Tajikistan where the Rogun Hydropower Project is currently under construction has experienced large and catastrophic slope failures in the past, often triggered by earthquakes. Co-seismic slope failures are thus common and pose a high hazard potential; however, to date, no specific analysis of slope activity in this area has been presented in international journals. Here, we present an inventory of active landslides identified through satellite imagery analysis and in particular by exploiting space-borne differential radar interferometry. Surface displacements provide the basis for the detection of active slope instabilities, which are then further classified by using geomorphological indicators visible in optical satellite imagery. Additionally, the proximity of active landslides to tectonic lineaments, as well as regional seismicity, is analysed to investigate potential relationships and to provide an integrated river damming hazard potential. The results show that approximately 31% of all detected landslides would have a high damming hazard potential upon catastrophic failure, highlighting the importance of such phenomena for efficient long-term land use planning and management of hydropower plants.
Discovering optimal strategy in tactical combat scenarios through the evolution of behaviour trees
Authors: Masek Martin , Lam Chiou Peng , Kelly Luke , Wong Martin
Published: August 2021

In this paper we address the problem of automatically discovering optimal tactics in a combat scenario in which two opposing sides control a number of fighting units. Our approach is based on the evolution of behaviour trees, combined with simulation-based evaluation of solutions to drive the evolution. Our behaviour trees use a small set of possible actions that can be assigned to a combat unit, along with standard behaviour tree constructs and a novel approach for selecting which action from the tree is performed. A set of test scenarios was designed for which an optimal strategy is known from the literature. These scenarios were used to explore and evaluate our approach. The results indicate that it is possible, from the small set of possible unit actions, for a complex strategy to emerge through evolution. Combat units with different capabilities were observed exhibiting coordinated team work and exploiting aspects of the environment.
Inward FDI spillovers and emerging multinationals’ outward FDI in two directions
Authors: Gao Renfei
Published: August 2021

Inward foreign direct investment (IFDI) carries critical implications for emerging market multinational enterprises’ (EMNEs’) outward foreign direct investment (OFDI). While extant research provides evidence for the positive linkage between IFDI and EMNEs’ OFDI, less is known about the directionality of such OFDI—where to go. This study aims to extend the IFDI-OFDI linkage by differentiating EMNEs’ upward and downward OFDI (i.e., OFDI projects in more and less advanced host countries than their home markets). Using panel data on 1334 Chinese multinationals, I find that IFDI promotes EMNEs’ upward OFDI, but this effect is weakened by state ownership and industry competition. Moreover, my findings show that although IFDI is not related to EMNEs’ downward OFDI in general, their linkage becomes positive in the conditions of higher state ownership or weaker industry competition. This study advances our understanding of the directionality (i.e.,where to go) of EMNEs’ OFDI in the face of IFDI spillovers.