bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Poly(p-phenylene vinylene) incorporated into carbon nanostructures
Authors: Bobrowska Diana M. , Gdula Katarzyna , Breczko Joanna , Basa Anna , Markiewicz Karolina H. , Winkler Krzysztof
Published: November 2022

Composites of poly(p-phenylene vinylene) (PPV) and different carbon nanostructures, such as fullerene C60, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), graphene oxide (GO), and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPLs), were produced by Wittig’s soluble precursor procedure in solutions containing dispersed particles of carbon nanomaterials. These composites were investigated using infrared and Raman spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetry analysis, adsorption/desorption of N2 measurement, and electrochemistry. Composites are produced in the form of nanostructural porous materials. A significant increase in the BET (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller) surface is observed for composites in comparison to unmodified PPV. The highest BET surface area of 125 m2·g−1 was obtained for the PPV/SWCNT composite. Compared to pristine PPV, composites also exhibit higher thermal stability. The effect of the content of composite components on their electrochemical properties was also investigated. The electronic interaction between components of composite significantly affects their electrochemical properties, particularly in the case of oxidation processes. PPV incorporated into network of carbon nanostructures exhibit two well separated oxidation steps. The carbon component is responsible for the shift of the PPV reduction and oxidation processes toward less negative and less positive potentials, respectively, significantly lowering the energy of the band gap.

Graphical abstract
Vulnerability and Entitlements
Authors: Turner Bryan S.
Published: November 2022

The article examines the merits of both human rights and citizenship as systems to protect vulnerable individuals. The idea of vulnerability is presented as a more reliable concept than the dignity of the individual in comparative research. The body is basic to vulnerability.
Science as a moral system
Authors: Blancke Stefaan
Published: November 2022

Science is a collaborative effort to produce knowledge. Scientists thus must assess what information is trustworthy and who is a competent and honest source and partner. Facing the problem of trust, we can expect scientists to be vigilant. In response to their peers’ vigilance scientists will provide reasons, not only to convince their colleagues to adopt their practices or beliefs, but also to demonstrate that their beliefs and practices are justified. By justifying their beliefs and practices, scientists also justify themselves. Reasons in science thus do not only function as tools of persuasion but also to manage reputation. This analysis strongly suggests that science constitutes a moral system, which has implications for the study and philosophy of science.
Copper Catalysts Supported on Barium Deficient Perovskites for CO Oxidation Reaction
Authors: Díaz-Verde A. , Torregrosa-Rivero V. , Illán-Gómez M. J.
Published: November 2022

Mixed oxides with perovskite-type structure (ABO3) present interesting physico-chemical properties to be used as catalyst for atmospheric pollution control. In this work, a series of CuX/Ba0.7MnO3 catalysts (being x: 0, 4, 8 and 12 wt%) has been synthesized, characterized and tested for CO oxidation reaction. All the catalysts were active for CO oxidation in the two reactant mixtures tested: low CO mixture (0.1% CO and 1% O2 in He) and near stoichiometric mixture (1% CO and 1% O2 in He). Copper-free perovskite is the most active catalyst in the less demanding conditions (0.1% CO and 1% O2), as it presents the highest amount of oxygen vacancies working as active sites. However, at higher CO concentrations (1% CO in near stoichiometric mixture), copper-containing catalysts were more active than the perovskite support because, due to the saturation of the oxygen vacancies of perovskites, CuO seems to participate as active site for CO and O2 activation. Cu4/Ba0.7MnO3 and Cu12/Ba0.7MnO3 are more active than Cu8/Ba0.7MnO3 catalyst, since they present a larger amount of active sites on surface. These two copper-containing catalysts present a high stability and recyclability during the reaction at 300 °C in an ideal near stoichiometric mixture (1% CO and 1% O2).
Een veerkrachtige publieke gezondheid in 2030: #hoedan?
Authors: Hagenaars Luc , Waterlander Wilma , den Hertog Karen , Stronks Karien
Published: November 2022

Samenvatting

Bij gamechangers in public health wordt vaak automatisch gedacht aan specifieke interventies of uitvindingen. Vroeger was dat het riool, later werden het vaccinaties en tegenwoordig gelden overspannen verwachtingen van leefstijlinterventies en (opnieuw) vaccinaties. Dit denken in termen van silver bullets heeft ons veel gebracht, maar loopt vast in de complexiteit van de huidige uitdagingen van de publieke gezondheid. In dit essay schetsen we het erkennen van en handelen vanuit die complexiteit als gamechanger. We beschrijven wat het denken in termen van complexiteit betekent voor de volksgezondheid, en wat dit vraagt van de publieke gezondheidszorg.
Social Work Research Map – ein niederschwelliger Zugang zu internationalen Publikationen der Sozialen Arbeit
Authors: Ghanem Christian , Kirchheim Konstantin , Eckl Markus
Published: November 2022

Internationalisierung ist ein Politikum in der deutschen Hochschulpolitik. Auch in der Lehre, Forschung und Praxis Sozialer Arbeit wird eine größere Orientierung an internationalen Diskursen gefordert. Aufgrund rasant anwachsender Forschungsergebnisse wird es zunehmend schwerer, sich einen systematischen Überblick über disziplinäre Wissensbestände zu verschaffen. In diesem Beitrag wird die Entwicklung der interaktiven Webseite SWORM („Social Work Research Map“, www.sworm.org) beschrieben, die den Zugang zu wissenschaftlichen Publikationen der Sozialen Arbeit erleichtern soll. Hierfür wurde eine Datenbank von knapp 25.000 Zeitschriftenbeiträgen aus 23 einschlägigen Fachzeitschriften erstellt. Mithilfe automatisierter Analysemethoden (quantitative Textanalyse/Topic-Modeling), wurden die Abstracts untersucht und in 40 thematische Cluster strukturiert. Unterschiedliche Visualisierungstechniken und Filterfunktionen ermöglichen den Nutzer*innen ein eigenständiges Durchsuchen der Datenbank anhand des individuellen Erkenntnisinteresses. Einzelne Suchergebnisse können dabei gesichert werden, wobei ein auf künstlicher Intelligenz basierendes Empfehlungssystem ähnliche Publikationen vorschlägt. Die Entwicklung von SWORM ist ein Beispiel für den Einsatz computerwissenschaftlicher Methoden in der Sozialen Arbeit und verdeutlicht das Potenzial, große Textmengen zu strukturieren und für den Menschen zugänglich zu machen. Gleichzeitig wird deutlich, dass die Anwendung entsprechender Methoden für Sozialwissenschaftler*innen sehr hochschwellig ist und mit dem Einsatz von künstlicher Intelligenz ethische Probleme aufgeworfen werden.
Establishment, characterization and functional testing of two novel ex vivo extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma (EMC) cell models
Authors: Bangerter Jana Lucia , Harnisch Kim Jannis , Chen Yanjiang , Hagedorn Catherine , Planas-Paz Lara , Pauli Chantal
Published: November 2022

Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma (EMC) is a malignant mesenchymal neoplasm of uncertain differentiation as classified by the WHO Classification of Tumours 2020. Although often associated with pronlonged survival, EMC has high rates of distant recurrences and disease-associated death. EMCs are translocation sarcomas and harbor in > 90% of the cases an NR4A3 rearrangement. The molecular consequences of the NR4A3 gene fusions are not yet fully elucidated as well-characterized ex vivo cell models for EMC are lacking. Patient-derived ex vivo models are important and essential tools for investigating disease mechanisms associated with diseases that are rare, that exhibit poor prognosis and for the identification of potential novel treatment options. We established two novel EMC ex vivo models (USZ20-EMC1 and USZ22-EMC2) for functional testing and research purposes. USZ20-EMC1 and USZ22-EMC2 were established and maintained as sarco-sphere cell models for several months in culture. The cells were molecularly characterized using DNA sequencing and methylation profiling. Both cell models represent their native tumor tissue as confirmed by histomorphology and their molecular profiles, suggesting that native tumor cell function can be recapitulated in the ex vivo models. Using a functional screening approach, novel anti-cancer drug sensitivities including potential synergistic combinations were identified. In conclusion, two novel EMC ex vivo cell models (USZ20-EMC1 and USZ22-EMC2) were successfully established and characterized from native tumor tissues. Both cell models will be useful tools for further investigating disease mechanisms and for answering basic and translational research questions.
Humble with God? How Education and Race Shape the Association between God-Mediated Control and Humility in Later Life
Authors: Upenieks Laura , Ellison Christopher G. , Krause Neal M.
Published: November 2022

Background

In contrast to the vibrant interdisciplinary literature on other virtues, such as forgiveness and gratitude, the study of humility has developed more slowly. Over the 2 decades, there has been a proliferation of research on humility. In this study, we assess the interrelationship between a core feature of religious life, God-mediated control, and humility.

Purpose

We assess the interrelationship between God-mediated control (the belief that God is a collaborative partner working together with humans) and humility. We also assess how the relationship between God-mediated control and humility may be conditional on two sociodemographic characteristics among middle-aged and older adults, education and race.

Methods

Data for this study come from Wave 5 of the Religion, Aging, and Health Study (2013), a nationwide survey of Whites and African Americans (N = 1152). We test our hypotheses with a series of OLS regression models.

Results

We find that stronger perceptions of God-mediated control were associated with greater humility among older adults. Results from our moderation analyses also show that the relationship between God-mediated control and greater humility was stronger for low status groups, namely, the less educated and Black older adults.

Conclusion and Implications

The cognitive belief that God can be trusted as an intimate collaborator in the chaos of human life appears to predict humility among older adults, perhaps by acknowledging one's dependence on a superior being and appreciating the limits of human finitude and acknowledging God's greatness outside one's self. Devoid of secular resources, the less educated and Black Americans might find greater meaning and significance in their association with God and may feel no need to establish their own worth through the attainment of worldly accomplishments or knowledge. Given the centrality of humility to religious/spiritual life, we suggest how future interdisciplinary research can build on the findings of our study.
Simultaneous detection and differentiation of four viruses in passion fruit plants by a multiplex RT-PCR
Authors: Huang Aijun , Gu Peipei , Wang Ying , Li Jiali , Yang Zhixun , Yi Long
Published: November 2022

A multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (multiplex RT-PCR) assay was developed to enable the simultaneous detection and differentiation of four viruses that infect passion fruit, citrus-associated rhabdovirus (CiaRV), East Asian Passiflora virus (EAPV), Passiflora latent virus (PLV), and Telosma mosaic virus (TeMV). The optimized parameters included the primer concentration, annealing temperature, extension time, and number of cycles. The established multiplex RT-PCR assay produced the corresponding products with sizes of 597 bp, 529 bp, 320 bp, and 235 bp, which were specific for CiaRV, EAPV, PLV, and TeMV, respectively. The fragments could be distinguished clearly by agarose gel electrophoresis. The detection limit of the assay was 100 pg of total RNA for CiaRV and EAPV, 10 pg of total RNA for PLV, and 1.0 ng of total RNA for TeMV. The multiplex RT-PCR assay was also tested using field samples, and the results showed that the developed assay could detect the viruses in single or multiple infections of passion fruit. The multiplex RT-PCR established here will be quite helpful for the diagnosis of passion fruit infected with various combinations of the four viruses in the field.
Moult, sex and food are the most important factors regulated the timing of migration of north Asian Passerines
Authors: Bozó László , Anisimov Yury , Csörgő Tibor
Published: November 2022

Bird migration is a highly complex, regulated process, of which timing is an essential element. The timing of migration is influenced by moult, age, sex and food of the birds, as well as the distance between the breeding and wintering sites. In this study, we used data from a ringing station on the shores of Lake Baikal to investigate factors influencing migration timing for species with different migration and moulting strategies, wintering sites and feeding habits. In general, we found that the migration of Passerine across Lake Baikal is influenced by similar factors to those of other migratory species in other migratory flyways. For most species, adult birds migrated through the area earlier in both spring and autumn. In spring, protandrous migration was detected for most of the species, while in autumn, differences in migration timing were less common. Migratory birds migrate later in spring and earlier in autumn, the longer the distance between nesting and wintering sites. It is important to highlight, however, that in both seasons only moulting, sex and food type had an equal influence on the timing of migration, while migration distance and age regulated migration in only one season or the other. In both spring and autumn, we observed differences in the timing of the migration of different species. Studies on the migration of north Asian Passerines are important in the future as the populations of several once common species have declined dramatically in recent times.
Heat Extremes Driven by Amplification of Phase‐Locked Circumglobal Waves Forced by Topography in an Idealized Atmospheric Model
Authors: Jiménez‐Esteve B. , Kornhuber K. , Domeisen D. I. V.
Published: November 2022

Heatwaves are persistent temperature extremes associated with devastating impacts on human societies and ecosystems. In the midlatitudes, amplified quasi‐stationary Rossby waves have been identified as a key mechanism for heatwave occurrence. Amplified waves with preferred longitudinal locations lead to concurrent extremes in specific locations. It is therefore important to identify the essential components in the climate system that contribute to phase‐locking of wave patterns. Here, we investigate the role of dry atmospheric dynamics and topography in causing concurrent heatwaves by using an idealized general circulation model. Topography is included in the model experiments as a Gaussian mountain. Our results show that amplified Rossby waves exhibit clear phase‐locking behavior and a decrease in the zonal phase speed when a large‐scale localized topographic forcing is imposed, leading to concurrent heat extremes at preferred locations.
The Association Between Rainfall, Temperature, and Reported Drinking Water Source: A Multi‐Country Analysis
Authors: Buchwald Andrea G. , Thomas Evan , Karnauskas Kristopher B. , Grover Elise , Kotloff Karen , Carlton Elizabeth J.
Published: November 2022

Climate change may alter access to safe drinking water, with important implications for health. We assessed the relationship between temperature and rainfall and utilization of basic drinking water (BDW) in The Gambia, Mozambique, Pakistan, and Kenya. The outcomes of interest were (a) whether the reported drinking water source used in the past 2 weeks met the World Health Organization definition of BDW and (b) use of a BDW source that was always available. Temperature and precipitation data were compiled from weather stations and satellite data and summarized to account for long‐ and short‐term weather patterns and lags. We utilized random forests and logistic regression to identify key weather variables that predicted outcomes by site and the association between important weather variables and BDW use. Higher temperatures were associated with decreased BDW use at three of four sites and decreased use of BDW that is always available at all four sites. Increasing rainfall, both in the long‐ and short‐term, was associated with increased BDW use in three sites. We found evidence for interactions between household wealth and weather variables at two sites, suggesting lower wealth populations may be more sensitive to weather‐driven changes in water access. Changes in temperature and precipitation can alter safe water use in low‐resource settings—investigating drivers for these relationships can inform efforts to build climate resilience.
Paleogeographic Reconstruction of the Paleozoic Lhasa Terrane Through Detrital Zircon Mixing Modeling
Authors: Xu Wang , Hughes Nigel C. , Liu Lishuang , Zhang Wen , Liu Pinghua
Published: November 2022

A late Mesoproterozoic detrital zircon (DZ) age population, which was previously considered diagnostic of a link between the Lhasa terrane and northwest Australia, occurs in other Gondwanan components, thus obscuring the paleogeographic position of the Lhasa terrane in Gondwana. Here we compiled large‐n (n ≥ 300) DZ U‐Pb data from the Lhasa terrane and potential source regions in various proposed reconstructions, and attempted to synthesize the Lhasa DZ age spectra through DZ mixing modeling. Our modeling results support the Permo‐Carboniferous Lhasa terrane having received sediment from NW Australia (mainly the Perth basin) rather than India or Africa. This, in combination with stratigraphic and paleontological evidence from the northern margin of eastern Gondwana positions the Paleozoic Lhasa terrane adjacent to the boundary between Australia and India. This study suggests that the DZ mixing modeling method based on large‐n DZ data can be used effectively for constraining paleogeographic reconstruction of continents.
In Situ Observations of Lower Hybrid Drift Waves at the Inner Edge of the Ring Current by the Van Allen Probe‐A
Authors: Ouyang Zhihai , Li Haimeng , Yuan Zhigang , Yu Xiongdong , Tang Rongxin , Deng Xiaohua
Published: November 2022

In the magnetosphere of the Earth, lower hybrid drift (LHD) waves effectively cause plasma diffusion and couple well to both electrons and ions. LHD waves have the characteristics of linear polarization and highly oblique propagation with frequencies near the lower hybrid resonance frequency, which is similar to the characteristics of high‐frequency magnetosonic (MS) waves. The existence of diamagnetic drift at the inner edge of the ring current provides free energy for the excitation of LHD waves, while the free energy to generate MS waves are provided by proton ring distribution. Here, we report on a typical case of LHD waves which was excited by LHD instability. Different from the global distribution of high‐frequency MS waves, statistical results indicate that most LHD waves have a uniform distribution over all MLTs except the noon sector inside the plasmapause. Besides, the occurrence of LHD waves reaches a maximum in the dusk sector outside the plasmapause.
How Clay Mineral Assemblages Affect Instability on the Upper Slope of the Hikurangi Subduction Zone, New Zealand
Authors: Underwood Michael B. , Dugan Brandon , Cardona Sebastian
Published: November 2022

The International Ocean Discovery Program cored Sites U1517 (Tuaheni landslide) and U1519 (Tuaheni Basin) on the Hikurangi slope, North Island, New Zealand. We employed X‐ray diffraction to document clay mineral assemblages within the muddy sediments, with the aim of testing their potential influences on slope stability. Detrital smectite dominates the clays, with average proportions of 52 wt% at Site U1517 and 53 wt% at Site U1519. Bulk sediment from Site U1517 contains up to ∼29 wt% smectite (average = 21 wt%), high enough to reduce the angle of internal friction (on average) to ∼6°. Stratigraphic sections at both sites are homogeneous; compositional excursions are not evident along inferred slip surfaces or weak layers. Smectite decreases in the “downstream” direction of the East Cape Current, and that spatial trend correlates with lower densities of slide scars. The uniformity of compositional preconditioning, however, points to other factors as determinants of slip nucleation.
Near‐Magnetic‐Field‐Aligned Energetic Electrons Above Saturn's Dark Polar Regions
Authors: Masters A. , Sergis N. , Sulaiman A. H. , Palmaerts B. , Hunt G. J.
Published: November 2022

Saturn's main auroral emissions define two oval‐shaped regions, one encircling each magnetic pole. The regions at higher latitudes are generally “dark” (i.e., devoid of auroras), and are magnetically connected to the distant planetary magnetosphere where there is a much‐debated interaction with the solar wind. Electric currents flow into the atmosphere along the magnetic field within these polar regions. Establishing whether polar magnetic flux is “open” or “closed” is key for diagnosing how the solar wind interaction works. Because energetic electrons moving almost parallel or anti‐parallel to the magnetic field shed light on the field topology, we survey Cassini energetic particle data for rare instances when the spacecraft was able to measure these parts of the distribution in the polar field environment close to the planet. Over the entire mission we find 16 intervals when measurements at ∼0 and ∼180 pitch angles were made simultaneously without sunlight contamination. Across all the events, above‐background field‐aligned fluxes were measured intermittently by the >15 keV electron channels, extending up to ∼300 keV when present. Uni‐directional anti‐planetward fluxes were observed during 10 of the events, and bi‐directional fluxes were observed during 6 of the events. We suggest the uni‐directional anti‐planetward fluxes indicate the presence of field‐aligned beams, and that the bi‐directional fluxes indicate regions of locally closed magnetic field. These results either mean the solar wind interaction is predominantly via global magnetic reconnection but is more complex than initially proposed, or that the interaction is instead predominantly “viscous‐like” at Saturn.
Impacts of the Desiccation of the Aral Sea on the Central Asian Dust Life‐Cycle
Authors: Banks Jamie R. , Heinold Bernd , Schepanski Kerstin
Published: November 2022

The formation of the Aralkum (Aral Desert), following the severe desiccation of the former Aral Sea since the 1960s, has created what may be regarded as one of the world's most significant anthropogenic dust sources. In this paper, focusing on dust emission and transport patterns from the Aralkum, the dust life‐cycle has been simulated over Central Asia using the aerosol transport model COSMO‐MUSCAT (COnsortium for Small‐scale MOdelling‐MUltiScale Chemistry Aerosol Transport Model), making use of the Global Surface Water data set to take into account the sensitivity to changes in surface water coverage over the region between the 1980s (the “past”) and the 2010s (the “present”). Over a case study 1‐year period, the simulated dust emissions from the Aralkum region increased from 14.3 to 27.1 Tg year−1 between the past and present, an increase driven solely by the changes in the surface water environment. Of these simulated modern emissions, 14.5 Tg are driven by westerly winds, indicating that regions downwind to the east may be worst affected by Aralkum dust. However a high degree of interannual variability in the prevailing surface wind patterns ensures that these transport patterns of Aralkum dust do not occur every year. Frequent cloud cover poses substantial challenges for observations of Central Asian dust: in the Aralkum, over two‐thirds of the yearly emissions are emitted under overcast skies, dust which may be impossible to observe using traditional satellite or ground‐based passive remote sensing techniques. Furthermore, it is apparent that the pattern of dust transport from the Aralkum under clear‐sky conditions is not representative of the pattern under all‐sky conditions.
Long‐Term Trends of Northern Hemispheric Winter Cyclones in the Extended ERA5 Reanalysis
Authors: Karwat Alexia , Franzke Christian L. E. , Blender Richard
Published: November 2022

Understanding how historical extratropical cyclone tracks respond to global warming is crucial for predicting future storm activity. Thus, long reanalysis data sets are needed to investigate long‐term changes in storm features and their impacts. By using a systematic change‐point analysis, we provide evidence that the presatellite ERA5 data of the Backward Extension (covering 1950–1978) is highly compatible with the standard ERA5 (1979–2021) data set. The joint ERA5 data from 1950 to 2021 is consistent in all storm‐related quantities, consequently allowing long‐term studies. Our trend analysis suggests that the intensity of extratropical cyclones has increased significantly during 1950–2021. The number of North Pacific storms has increased, and while they have longer life cycles and travel larger distances, they grow more slowly. For 1979–2021, we find notable increases in wind gusts for North Atlantic storms and in precipitation extremes for North Pacific storms. Our results also indicate an increase in Northern Hemispheric storminess based on an index of an extreme percentile of the central geopotential. Finally, we show potential impact locations using the findings of our trend analysis.
Cancer-associated fibroblasts promote the stemness and progression of renal cell carcinoma via exosomal miR-181d-5p
Authors: Ding Meng , Zhao Xiaozhi , Chen Xiaoqing , Diao Wenli , Kan Yansheng , Cao Wenmin , Chen Wei , Jiang Bo , Qin Haixiang , Gao Jie , Zhuang Junlong , Zhang Qing , Guo Hongqian
Published: November 2022

The mechanisms underlying the effects of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) on cancer stemness and tumor progression in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) have not been elucidated yet. In the present study, we found that the enrichment of CAFs was positively associated with tumor progression and cancer stemness in RCC. Further investigation revealed that CAFs could enhance cancer stemness through delivering exosomes to RCC cells, and miR-181d-5p was identified as the critical exosomal miRNA in CAF-secreted exosomes by small RNA sequencing and subsequent screening assays. Mechanistically, exosomal miR-181d-5p transferred from CAFs to RCC cells directly suppressed the expression of ring finger protein 43 (RNF43) and activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, thus promoted cancer stemness and tumor progression. Overexpression of RNF43 strongly suppressed stemness properties and the effects could be reverted by miR-181d-5p. Overall, our findings revealed a crucial mechanism by which CAF-secreted exosomal miRNAs to enhance cancer stemness and thus promote RCC progression, suggesting a new avenue based on CAF-secreted miRNAs for more effective targeted therapies.
Scope of professional roles for genetic counsellors and clinical geneticists in the United Kingdom
Authors: Middleton Anna , Taverner Nicola , Houghton Catherine , Smithson Sarah , Balasubramanian Meena , Elmslie Frances
Published: November 2022

This document is written on behalf of the two professional bodies in the United Kingdom that represent genetic counsellors (the Association of Genetic Nurses and Counsellors) and clinical geneticists (the Clinical Genetics Society) and aims to support multidisciplinary working of these professional groups highlighting within a quick-reference format, areas of shared practice and the distinctions between role profiles for a Consultant Clinical Geneticist, Principal/Consultant Genetic Counsellor and the new support role that we have termed ‘Genomic Associate’, see AGNC career structure [1]. This builds on published documents that articulate the scope of practice of the clinical genetics workforce [2] and specifically the genetic counsellor [3] and clinical geneticist [4] roles.
Morphometric imaging biomarker identifies Alzheimer’s disease even among mixed dementia patients
Authors: Chirila Florin V. , Xu Guang , Fontaine Dan , Kern Grant , Khan Tapan K. , Brandt Jason , Konishi Yoshihiro , Nebe-von-Caron Gerhard , White Charles L. , Alkon Daniel L.
Published: November 2022

A definitive diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), even in the presence of co-morbid neuropathology (occurring in > 50% of AD cases), is a significant unmet medical need that has obstructed the discovery of effective AD therapeutics. An AD-biomarker, the Morphometric Imaging (MI) assay on cultured skin fibroblasts, was used in a double-blind, allcomers (ages 55–90) trial of 3 patient cohorts: AD dementia patients, N = 25, all autopsy confirmed, non-AD dementia patients, N = 21—all autopsy or genetically confirmed; and non-demented control (AHC) patients N = 27. Fibroblasts cells isolated from 3-mm skin punch biopsies were cultured on a 3-D Matrigel matrix with movement dynamics quantified by image analysis. From counts of all aggregates (N) in a pre-defined field image and measures of the average area (A) of aggregates per image, the number-to-area ratios in a natural logarithmic form Ln(A/N) were determined for all patient samples. AD cell lines formed fewer large aggregates (cells clustered together) than non-AD or AHC cell lines. The cut-off value of Ln(A/N) = 6.98 was determined from the biomarker values of non-demented apparently healthy control (AHC) cases. Unequivocal validation by autopsy, genetics, and/or dementia criteria was possible for all 73 patient samples. The samples were collected from multiple centers—four US centers and one center in Japan. The study found no effect of center-to-center variation in fibroblast isolation, cell growth, or cell aggregation values (Ln(A/N)). The autopsy-confirmed MI Biomarker distinguished AD from non-AD dementia (non-ADD) patients and correctly diagnosed AD even in the presence of other co-morbid pathologies at autopsy (True Positive = 25, False Negative = 0, False Positive = 0, True Negative = 21, and Accuracy = 100%. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated as 100% (95% CI = 84 to 100.00%). From these findings, the MI assay appears to detect AD with great accuracy—even with abundant co-morbidity.
Measuring changes in blood volume fraction during induced gingivitis of healthy and unhealthy populations using hyperspectral spatial frequency domain imaging: a clinical study
Authors: Urban Ben E. , Subhash Hrebesh M. , Kilpatrick-Liverman LaTonya
Published: November 2022

This investigation aimed to quantitatively measure the changes in inflammation of subjects with healthy and unhealthy gums during a period of induced gingivitis. A total of 30 subjects (15 healthy, 15 with gum inflammation) were enlisted and given oral exams by a dental hygienist. Baseline measurements were acquired before a 3-week period of oral hygiene abstinence. The lobene modified gingival index scoring was used for inflammation scoring and hyperspectral spatial frequency domain imaging was used to quantitatively measure oxy- and deoxygenated blood volume fraction at two time points: at Baseline and after 3 weeks of oral hygiene abstinence. We found that abstaining from oral hygiene causes a near proportional increase in oxygenated and deoxygenated blood volume fraction for healthy individuals. For individuals who started the study with mild to moderate gingivitis, increases in blood volume were mainly due to deoxygenated blood.
Association between waist circumference change and incident chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among Chinese adults: a 10-year cohort study
Authors: Ma Yun-Lei , Zhao Han-Jun , Su Ying-Hao
Published: November 2022

The aim of our study was to investigate waist circumference (WC) change and the risk of incident chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among Chinese adults. A total of 8164 participants aged > 18 years who attended health examinations with repeat measurements of WC and lung function [forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)] from 2010 to 2019 were recruited. WC change was categorized as ≤  − 2.5%, − 2.5 to 2.5%, 2.5% to 5% and > 5% according to sex. Modified Poisson regression models were used to assess the association of WC gain and the risk of COPD. During the 10-year follow-up, a total of 917 COPD cases were identified. From baseline to follow-up, the mean FEV1 decreased from 3.20 to 2.79L among male participants and 2.28–1.95L among female participants. Compared with participants who did not have abdominal obesity, at either, baseline or follow-up, participants with abdominal obesity of both sexes after the follow-up were associated with a greater risk of COPD regardless of abdominal obesity at baseline. The risk of incident COPD increased 19% among male participants (RR = 1.19, 95%CI = 1.04–1.48) and 14% among female participants (RR = 1.14, 95%CI = 1.01–1.40) when WC gain increased > 5% during the 10-year follow-up. The COPD risk decreased 18% among male participants with a WC change ≤  − 2.5% (RR = 0.82, 95%CI = 0.67–0.99). The risk of incident COPD was positively associated with increasing WC among Chinese adults of both sexes.
Analytical investigation of an incompressible viscous laminar Casson fluid flow past a stretching/shrinking sheet
Authors: Mahabaleshwar Ulavathi Shettar , Maranna Thippaiah , Sofos Filippos
Published: November 2022

This paper presents an analytical approach on capturing the effect of incompressible, non-Newtonian, viscous, Casson nanofluid flow past a stretching/shrinking surface, under the influence of heat radiation and mass transfer parameter. The governing nonlinear partial differential equations are first transformed into a series of associated nonlinear ordinary differential equations with aid of predictable transformation, while numerical computations follow. The implied nanofluid here is aluminum oxide ($$Al_{2} O_{3}$$

A

l
2

O
3

). The analytical solution is exploited to reveal the accompanying non-dimensional boundary value problem and output results are employed to verify the method's reliability, where it is shown that they agree with current findings in the field. An incomplete gamma function is used to solve temperature equation analytically. We present various instances of the solution, depicting effects of the essential flow factor, the stretching/shrinking parameter, the mass transfer parameter, radiation parameter, and Prandtl number.
Wheat trade tends to happen between countries with contrasting extreme weather stress and synchronous yield variation
Authors: Vishwakarma Srishti , Zhang Xin , Lyubchich Vyacheslav
Published: November 2022

Extreme weather poses a major challenge to global food security by causing sharp drops in crop yield and supply. International crop trade can potentially alleviate such challenge by reallocating crop commodities. However, the influence of extreme weather stress and synchronous crop yield anomalies on trade linkages among countries remains unexplored. Here we use the international wheat trade network, develop two network-based covariates (i.e., difference in extreme weather stress and short-term synchrony of yield fluctuations between countries), and test specialized statistical and machine-learning methods. We find that countries with larger differences in extreme weather stress and synchronous yield variations tend to be trade partners and with higher trade volumes, even after controlling for factors conventionally implemented in international trade models (e.g., production level and trade agreement). These findings highlight the need to improve the current international trade network by considering the patterns of extreme weather stress and yield synchrony among countries.
Validation of E1L3N antibody for PD-L1 detection and prediction of pembrolizumab response in non-small-cell lung cancer
Authors: Song Lianxi , Zeng Liang , Yan Huan , Xu Qinqin , Xia Qing , Lei Jian , Chen Xiaoyan , Hu Xiaoping , Wang Zhan , Liu Hong , Yang Nong , Zhang Yongchang
Published: November 2022

Background

The programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) 22C3 assay is one of the approved companion diagnostic assays for receiving anti-programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) therapy. Our study evaluated the performance of E1L3N and 22C3 antibodies in estimating PD-L1 expression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

Our retrospective study included 46 patients diagnosed with unresectable EGFR/ALK/ROS1-negative NSCLC who received first-line pembrolizumab therapy between 2018 and 2021. PD-L1 immunohistochemistry of baseline tissue biopsy samples was performed using PDL1-E1L3N and PDL1-22C3 antibodies. The concordance between the PD-L1 assays and the treatment outcomes was assessed.

Results

Using a tumor proportion score (TPS) cutoff of ≥1%, 67.4% of patients are evaluated to be positive using PDL1-E1L3N and 73.9% using PDL1-22C3. Using a TPS of ≥50% as the cutoff, 26.1% of patients are positive using PDL1-E1L3N and 30.4% using PDL1-22C3. The PDL1-22C3 and PDL1-E1L3N assays are highly concordant and reveal a correlation coefficient of 0.925 (p < 0.0001). Patients with PDL1-E1L3N TPS > 50% have a significantly higher objective response rate than patients with PDL1-E1L3N TPS < 1% (p = 0.047), with a similar trend observed for PDL1-22C3 (p = 0.051). Consistent with PDL1-22C3, patients with higher PDL1-E1L3N expression (≥50%, 1–49%) have longer progression-free survival than those with PDL1-E1L3N TPS < 1%.

Conclusion

Our study provides clinical evidence on the concordance of PD-L1 TPS scores between clones E1L3N and 22C3. Moreover, the treatment responses to pembrolizumab are also comparable between the PDL1-E1L3N and PDL1-22C3. These findings indicate that E1L3N is a reliable and cost-effective assay and may serve as an alternative to 22C3.
Porous perovskite CaMnO3/rGO hybrid as an efficient electrocatalyst in lithium–oxygen batteries
Authors: Biniazi Shaghayegh , Asgharzadeh Hamed , Ahadzadeh Iraj , Aydın Özkan , Farsak Murat
Published: November 2022

In this work, we demonstrate a facile route for synthesizing a novel CaMnO3/reduced graphene oxide (CaMnO3/rGO) nanohybrid as a cathode catalyst in Li–O2 batteries.
Hierarchical Ni–Mo–P nanoarrays toward efficient urea oxidation reaction
Authors: Li Jing , Hu Feng , Hei Jinpei , Liu Guoan , Wei Hui , Wang Nannan , Wei Hehe
Published: November 2022

Ni2P–MoP2 heterostructure with hierarchical structure grown on carbon paper (Ni–Mo–P/CP) exhibits robust activity for electrocatalytic urea oxidation compared to the oxide evolution reaction.
The mystery of Ph3PS revealed in magic-size Ag–S cluster nucleation
Authors: Wu Wei-Hong , Gao Yu-Quan , Lin Yu-Fei , Yuan Yun-Yue , Zhan Cai-Hong , Jiang Zhan-Guo
Published: November 2022

PPh3S was employed to direct the regulation of {Ag32S3} cluster by slowing down the kinetic process of nucleation. The process that Agn(CCBut)m and traces of water induces breakage of PS from [Ag2(Ph3PS)4]2+ to generate {Ag32S3} was established.
Multi-frame blind deconvolution and phase diversity with statistical inclusion of uncorrected high-order modes
Authors: Löfdahl Mats G. , Hillberg Tomas
Published: November 2022

Context. Images collected with ground-based telescopes suffer blurring and distortions from turbulence in the Earth’s atmosphere. Adaptive optics (AO) can only partially compensate for these effects. Neither multi-frame blind deconvolution (MFBD) methods nor speckle techniques perfectly restore AO-compensated images to the correct power spectrum and contrast. MFBD methods can only estimate and compensate for a finite number of low-order aberrations, leaving a tail of uncorrected high-order modes. Restoration of AO-corrected data with speckle interferometry depends on calibrations of the AO corrections together with assumptions regarding the height distribution of atmospheric turbulence.

Aims. We seek to develop an improvement to MFBD image restoration that combines the use of turbulence statistics to account for high-order modes in speckle interferometry with the ability of MFBD methods to sense low-order modes that can be partially corrected by AO and/or include fixed or slowly changing instrumental aberrations.

Methods. We modify the MFBD image-formation model by supplementing the fitted low-order wavefront aberrations with tails of random high-order aberrations. These tails follow Kolmogorov statistics scaled to estimated or measured values of Fried’s parameter, r0, that characterize the strength of the seeing at the moment of data collection. We refer to this as statistical diversity (SD). We test the implementation of MFBD with SD with noise-free synthetic data, simulating many different values of r0 and numbers of modes corrected with AO.

Results. Statistical diversity improves the contrasts and power spectra of restored images, both in accuracy and in consistency with varying r0, without penalty in processing time. Together with focus diversity (FD, or traditional phase diversity), the results are almost perfect. SD also reduces errors in the fitted wavefront parameters. MFBD with SD and FD seems to be resistant to errors of several percentage in the assumed r0 values.

Conclusions. The addition of SD to MFBD methods shows great promise for improving contrasts and power spectra in restored images. Further studies with real data are merited.
Unisolvent and minimal physical degrees of freedom for the second family of polynomial differential forms
Authors: Bruno Ludovico Bruni , Zampa Enrico
Published: November 2022

The principal aim of this work is to provide a family of unisolvent and minimal physical degrees of freedom, called weights, for Nédélec second family of finite elements. Such elements are thought of as differential formsPrΛk(T) whose coefficients are polynomials of degreer. In this paper we confine ourselves in the two dimensional case ℝ2, as in this framework the Five Lemma offers a neat and elegant treatment avoiding computations on the middle space. The majority of definitions and constructions are meaningful forn > 2 as well and, when possible, they are thus given in such a generality, although more complicated techniques shall be invoked to replace the graceful role of the Five Lemma. In particular, we use techniques of homological algebra to obtain degrees of freedom for the whole diagram

$$ {\mathcal{P}}_r{\mathrm{\Lambda }}^0(T)\to {\mathcal{P}}_{r-1}{\mathrm{\Lambda }}^1(T)\to {\mathcal{P}}_{r-2}{\mathrm{\Lambda }}^2(T), $$

beingTa 2-simplex of ℝ2. This work pairs its companions recently appeared for Nédélec first family of finite elements.
Impact of human–human virus transmission in an air-conditioned room with proper ventilation system
Authors: Manas Chalumuru , Narasimha Raju Pusapati Laxmi , Bharat Kumar Kethavarapu Naga , Rajan Harish
Published: November 2022

As we are probably aware of certain infectious diseases that transmit from body to body because of perspiration or respiration of air from a human being containing strains of the infection, the goal of this investigation is to see how the infection is getting spread from a human residing in a closed area provided with air conditioner and with an appropriate ventilation framework that need to be involved to diminish infection dissemination in this enclosed area. Considering the present COVID-19 situation, it is important to discover the effect of infection spread to an individual contagion source. An appropriate CFD-model giving analysis of infection transmission from individual to individual in an air-conditioned room would give results to understand such situations. Likewise, this examination would help in determining the velocity, temperature, and particle contours in a characterized walled area. Besides, we have displayed various nooks utilizing different ventilation frameworks to discover which framework would give better outcomes to decrease infection transmission. Our investigation would provide how varying flow rates in a room at an outlet could be effective in reducing virus dissemination, as this model could be applied to cafes, cinemas, inns, and above all emergency clinics where individuals remain in an enclosed air-conditioned room.
Saisonale Influenza – Aktuelles zu Epidemiologie, Prävention und Therapie
Authors: Brehm Thomas Theo , Hennigs Annette
Published: November 2022

Was ist neu?

Epidemiologie und Klinik Die im Rahmen der COVID-19-Pandemie ergriffenen Infektionsschutzmaßnahmen und Reisebeschränkungen haben auch die Übertragung saisonaler Influenzaviren stark eingeschränkt. Es muss jedoch davon ausgegangen werden, dass das Infektionsgeschehen in der kommenden Influenzasaison nach dem Wegfall dieser Maßnahmen wieder zunehmen wird. Koinfektionen von saisonalen Influenzaviren und SARS-CoV-2 sind möglich und gehen gegebenenfalls mit einem erhöhten Risiko für schwere Krankheitsverläufe einher.

Influenza-Impfung Die STIKO empfiehlt seit 2021 ab einem Alter von 60 Jahren den Einsatz tetravalenter Hochdosis-Impfstoffe. Diese enthalten im Vergleich zu standarddosierten Impfstoffen die 4-fache Antigenmenge. Impfstoffe, die auf der mRNA-Technologie beruhen, sowie universelle Influenza-Impfstoffe befinden sich in klinischer Prüfung. Es besteht nun auch für Apotheker*innen die Möglichkeit, Grippeimpfungen unter bestimmten Auflagen durchzuführen.

Therapie Für Patient*innen mit erhöhtem Risiko für einen schweren Verlauf wird weiterhin eine frühzeitige antivirale Therapie mit dem Neuraminidase-Inhibitor Oseltamivir empfohlen. Der Gemeinsame Bundesausschuss (G-BA) sieht für Baloxavir marboxil dagegen keinen Zusatznutzen hinsichtlich der Therapie der Influenzavirus-Infektion. Die aktuelle S3-Leitlinie „Behandlung von erwachsenen Patienten mit ambulant erworbener Pneumonie“ gibt eine moderate Empfehlung zur antibakteriellen Behandlung hospitalisierter Patient*innen mit Influenza-Nachweis und nachgewiesenen pulmonalen Infiltraten. Der Grund dafür ist, dass eine bakterielle Superinfektion auch bei fehlendem mikrobiologischem Nachweis nicht ausgeschlossen werden kann und diese mit erhöhter Letalität einher geht.
Multimorbidität im Versorgungsalltag – Definitionen, Strategien und Grenzen
Authors: Kumlehn Barbara , Ragazzoni Letizia , Denkinger Michael
Published: November 2022

Was ist neu?

Epidemiologie Multimorbidität steigt exponentiell ab etwa dem 40. Lebensjahr an und erreicht mit dem 80. Lebensjahr ein Plateau. Die Prävalenz wird aufgrund des demografischen Wandels und des medizinischen Fortschritts v. a. in den höheren Altersgruppen weiter steigen. Die resultierenden Kosten für das Gesundheitswesen sind dramatisch.

Definition Viele der aktuellen Definitionen von Multimorbidität sind unscharf. Eine Hierarchisierung der einzelnen Erkrankungen erscheint essenziell. Erkrankungen gruppieren sich häufig in Krankheitsclustern.

Grenzen evidenzbasierter Medizin bei Multimorbidität Die komplexen Bedürfnisse multimorbider Patienten werden mit dem vorherrschenden Ein-Erkrankungsansatz nicht ausreichend adressiert. Entscheidungsdilemmata aufgrund widersprüchlicher Behandlungsstrategien von Leitlinien gehören zu den alltäglichen Herausforderungen von Ärzten.

Aktuelle und zukünftige Lösungsansätze Eine gute Behandlung von multimorbiden Patienten erfordert Zeit, Kommunikation und eine auf die Bedürfnisse und Präferenzen der Patienten angepasste Entscheidungsfindung. Zusätzlich ist eine Koordinierung der Behandlung interdisziplinär und sektorenübergreifend zwingend erforderlich. Klinische Studien und Leitlinien müssen so konzipiert werden, dass ältere Menschen mit für sie relevanten Outcomes abgebildet werden. Ohne eine Stratifizierung nach Risiko und anschließend gezielter und strukturierter Erhebung mithilfe eines geriatrischen Assessments kann dieser integrative Ansatz nicht gelingen. Ziel muss sein, operationelle Hilfen und Integration der vorhandenen Leitlinien zu schaffen. Mit dem Forschungsgebiet der „Geroscience“ ergeben sich zukünftig neue Behandlungsansätze der Multimorbidität.