bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Economic impact of using maternal plasma cell‐free DNA testing to guide further workup in recurrent pregnancy loss
Authors: Peng Siyang , Bhatt Sucheta , Borrell Antoni , Yaron Yuval
Published: May 2021

Objective

We have previously demonstrated that maternal‐plasma cell‐free DNA (cfDNA)‐testing can detect chromosomal anomalies in recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) with 81.8% sensitivity and 90.3% specificity. Here we assess whether this is cost effective in guiding further workup in RPLs.

Method

A decision‐analytic model was developed to compare the cost of various RPL management pathways: (1) current American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) RPL workup; (2) microarray or karyotyping analysis of products of conception (POCs) and RPL workup only for euploid cases; and (3) cfDNA testing and RPL workup only for euploid cases. Sample accessibility, failure rates, and sensitivity were specified for each test. Costs of sample collection, genetic tests, and RPL workup were considered. Analysis outcomes included detection rate of chromosomal anomaly and cost per patient tested.

Results

In comparison to existing cytogenetic testing on POCs, cfDNA testing pathway allowed for better sample accessibility with a lower cost per patient. In addition, using cfDNA to guide further workup significantly increases the number of causative fetal chromosome anomalies detected, reducing the number of patients undergoing unnecessary workup resulting in an overall cost savings.

Conclusion

Our study showed that inclusion of cfDNA testing is a cost‐effective approach to guide RPL workup.
Procrastination, perceived maternal psychological control, and structure in math class: The intervening role of academic self‐concept
Authors: Selçuk Şule , Koçak Aylin , Mouratidis Athanasios , Michou Aikaterini , Sayıl Melike
Published: May 2021

Do students procrastinate less when their parents psychologically press them to study? Or do they show procrastination when classroom environment lacks structure? In this study, we aimed to investigate to what extent perceived maternal psychological control and perceived classroom structure in math class relate to adolescents' academic procrastination in math via adolescents’ academic self‐concept in math. Three hundred fifty‐three adolescents (M
age = 16.86 years, SD = 1.35) rated maternal psychological control, structure provided by their math teachers, their own academic self‐concept in math, and academic procrastination in math. Results from structural equation model indicated that procrastination in math was positively predicted by achievement‐oriented psychological control and negatively by perceived provision of structure by means of academic self‐concept in math. Based on the current findings, we provided some suggestions for school counselors and other specialists.
ORS‐Pred: An optimized reduced scheme‐based identifier for antioxidant proteins
Authors: Feng Changli , Wei Haiyan , Yang Deyun , Feng Bin , Ma Zhaogui , Han Shuguang , Zou Quan , Shi Hua
Published: May 2021

Antioxidant proteins can terminate a chain of reactions caused by free radicals and protect cells from damage. To identify antioxidant proteins rapidly, a computational model was proposed based on the optimized recoding scheme, sequence information and machine learning methods. First, over 600 recoding schemes were collected to build a scheme set. Then, the original sequence was recoded as a reduced expression whose g‐gap dipeptides (g = 0, 1, 2) were used as the features of proteins. Furthermore, a random forest method was used to evaluate the classification ability of the obtained dipeptide features. After going through all schemes, the best predictive performance scheme was chosen as the optimized reduction scheme. Finally, for the RF method, a grid search strategy was used to select a better parameter combination to identify antioxidant proteins. In the experiment, the present method correctly recognized 90.13–99.87% of the antioxidant samples. Other experimental results also proved that the present method was efficient to identify antioxidant proteins. Finally, we also developed a web server that was freely accessible to researchers.
Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis of Polymer Nanoparticles in Blood Plasma
Authors: Bannon Mark S. , López Ruiz Aida , Corrotea Reyes Karen , Marquez Miriam , Wallizadeh Zahra , Savarmand Mohammad , LaPres Connor A. , Lahann Joerg , McEnnis Kathleen
Published: May 2021

A successful drug delivery system must overcome complex biological barriers. For particles injected into the blood, one of the first and most critical barriers pertains to blood stability to circulate through the human body. To effectively design drug delivery vehicles, interactions between the particles and blood, as well as the aggregation behavior, must be understood. This work presents a method to analyze particle size and aggregation in blood plasma using a commercially available nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) system. As a model system, fluorescently labeled polystyrene nanoparticles are incubated in goat blood plasma and analyzed using NTA. The particles incubated in plasma are found to have a protein corona that is larger than what has been observed by dynamic light scattering (DLS) in diluted plasma. Particles that are decorated with a PEG layer are also found to have large protein coronas in undiluted plasma. Because NTA is based on a unique visualization method, large multicomponent aggregates could be observed and quantified in a manner not feasible with other techniques. PEGylation of the particles is found to decrease the multicomponent aggregation from 1000 ± 200 particles for unmodified to 200 ± 30 particles for 1K PEGylated per 1 × 105 total particles.
Suitable Top Cell Partners for Copper Indium Gallium Selenide‐Based Tandem Solar Cells to Achieve >30% Efficiency
Authors: Gharibshahian Iman , Orouji Ali A. , Sharbati Samaneh
Published: May 2021

A four‐terminal tandem structure based on the copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) solar cell is a viable approach to achieve high efficiency. For this purpose, a dual‐junction configuration, consisting of the experimental CIGS cell with a record efficiency of 23.35% as the bottom cell and wide bandgap thin‐film solar absorbers as the top cell, is evaluated by modeling. Herein, the effects of luminescence efficiency, optical absorption, bandgap, thickness, and light trapping of the top cell on the designed tandem performance are investigated. The results show that the optimum bandgap and the thickness of the absorber layer for the top cell are between 1.7 and 2 eV and 0.5 μm, respectively. Light trapping for less than 1 μm‐thick top cell has a strong impact on cell performance. The analytical model for the tandem solar cell is provided to recognize the suitable materials as the partner for the CIGS cell. The analysis shows that the gallium arsenide (GaAs), copper zinc tin sulfide (CZTS), cadmium telluride (CdTe), and copper gallium selenide (CGS) thin‐film solar cells can be considered suitable top cells to achieve a tandem cell with more than 30% efficiency. The Al0.31Ga0.69As/CIGS tandem solar cells with 35.9% efficiency are also proposed.
Deviance residual‐based control charts for monitoring the beta‐distributed processes
Authors: Hwang Wook‐Yeon
Published: May 2021

Beta‐distributed process outputs are common in manufacturing industry because they range from 0 to 1 based on inputs like yield. Under the normality assumption, Shewarts control charts and Hotelling's control charts based on the deviance residual have been applied to monitor the process mean of the beta‐distributed process outputs. The normality assumption can be violated according to the shape of the beta distribution. Therefore, without the normality assumption, we propose antirank control charts, exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) control charts and cumulative sum (CUSUM) control charts. The proposed control charts outperform the existing control charts in the experimental results. The previous research has been focused on monitoring the process mean only. For the first time, in order to monitor the process variance of the beta‐distributed process outputs, we propose the multivariate exponentially weighted mean squared deviation (MEWMS) chart, the first norm distance of the MEWMS deviation from its expected value (MEWMSL1) chart, the chart based on MEWMS deviation with the approximated distribution of trace (MEWMSAT), the multivariate trace sum squared deviation (MTSSD) chart and the multivariate matrix sum squared deviation (MMSSD) chart based on the deviance residual. The proposed control charts are compared and recommended in terms of the experimental results. This research can be a guideline for practitioners who monitor the deviance residual.
Sperm immobilization test and quantitative sperm immobilization test using frozen‐thawed sperm preparation applied with computer‐aided sperm analysis
Authors: Wakimoto Yu , Fukui Atsushi , Kojima Teruhito , Wakimoto Goh , Okamura Naoya , Kamei Hidetake , Sugiyama Yukiko , Kato Toru , Hasegawa Akiko , Shibahara Hiroaki
Published: May 2021

Purpose

In a previous study, a new method was described using the sperm immobilization test (SIT) with computer‐aided sperm analysis (CASA). However, obtaining high‐quality sperm as needed was a known issue. Here, we compared the results of using frozen‐thawed sperm and fresh sperm for the SIT using the CASA method.

Methods

For the frozen‐thawed preparation, 500 μL of condensed semen and 500 μL of Sperm Freeze were mixed in a cryovial and cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen. Density gradient centrifugation was used for the collection of motile sperm in both the fresh and frozen‐thawed sperm preparations. A total of 50 serum samples were prepared for both the fresh and frozen‐thawed sperm with each sample tested containing 10 μL of serum, 1 μL of either fresh or frozen motile sperm suspension, and 2 μL of complement. Sperm motilities were measured using CASA after a 1‐hour incubation period for both fresh and frozen‐thawed sperm.

Results

Both fresh and frozen‐thawed sperm reacted similarly when exposed to serum containing sperm‐immobilizing antibodies asserting the use of frozen‐thawed sperm for the diagnosis of immunological infertility.

Conclusion

These results suggest the possibility of using cryopreserved sperm for the SIT when fresh sperm is unavailable.
Facile Bead-to-Bead Cell-Transfer Method for Serial Subculture and Large-Scale Expansion of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Bioreactors
Authors: Chen Shangwu , Sato Yushi , Tada Yasuhiko , Suzuki Yuma , Takahashi Ryosuke , Okanojo Masahiro , Nakashima Katsuhiko
Published: May 2021

The conventional planar culture of adherent cells is inefficient for large-scale manufacturing of cell and gene therapy products. We developed a facile and efficient bead-to-bead cell-transfer method for serial subculture and large-scale expansion of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) with microcarriers in bioreactors. We first compared culture medium with and without nucleosides and found the former maintained the expression of surface markers of hMSCs during their prolonged culture and enabled faster cell proliferation. Subsequently, we developed our bead-to-bead cell transfer method to subculture hMSCs and found that intermittent agitation after adding fresh microcarriers to cell-populated microcarriers could promote spontaneous cell migration to fresh microcarriers, reduce microcarrier aggregation, and improve cell yield. This method enabled serial subculture of hMSCs in spinner flasks from passage 4 to passage 9 without using proteolytic enzymes, which showed faster cell proliferation than the serial planar cultures undergoing multiple enzyme treatment. Finally, we used the medium containing nucleosides and our bead-to-bead cell transfer method for cell culture scale-up from 4- to 50-L cultures in single-use bioreactors. We achieved a 242-fold increase in the number of cells to 1.45 × 1010 after 27-day culture and found that the cells harvested from the bioreactors maintained proliferation ability, expression of their surface markers, tri-lineage differentiation potential and immunomodulatory property. This study shows the promotive effect of nucleosides on hMSC expansion and the potential of using our bead-to-bead transfer method for larger-scale manufacturing of hMSCs for cell therapy.
Dynamic latent variable models for the analysis of cognitive abilities in the elderly population
Authors: Bianconcini Silvia , Cagnone Silvia
Published: May 2021

Cognitive functioning is a key indicator of overall individual health. Identifying factors related to cognitive status, especially in later life, is of major importance. We concentrate on the analysis of the temporal evolution of cognitive abilities in the elderly population. We propose to model the individual cognitive functioning as a multidimensional latent process that accounts also for the effects of individual‐specific characteristics (gender, age, and years of education). The proposed model is specified within the generalized linear latent variable framework, and its efficient estimation is obtained using a recent approximation technique, called dimensionwise quadrature. It provides a fast and streamlined approximate inference for complex models, with better or no degradation in accuracy compared with standard techniques. The methodology is applied to the cognitive assessment data from the Health and Retirement Study combined with the Asset and Health Dynamic study in the years between 2006 and 2010. We evaluate the temporal relationship between two dimensions of cognitive functioning, that is, episodic memory and general mental status. We find a substantial influence of the former on the evolution of the latter, as well as evidence of severe consequences on both cognitive abilities among less‐educated and older individuals.
Heterogeneous nanocomposites consisting of Pt3Co alloy particles and CoP2 nanorods towards high‐efficiency methanol electro‐oxidation
Authors: Yang Niuwa , Chen Dong , Cui Penglei , Lu Tingyu , Liu Hui , Hu Chaoquan , Xu Lin , Yang Jun
Published: May 2021

Heterogeneous nanocomposites comprising chemically distinct constituents are particularly promising in electrocatalysis. We herein report a synthetic strategy that combines the reduction of Pt and Co ionic precursors at an appropriate ratio with the subsequent phosphating at an elevated temperature for forming heterogeneous nanocomposites consisting of quasi‐spherical Pt3Co alloy domains and rod‐like CoP2 domains for high‐efficiency methanol electro‐oxidation. The strong electronic coupling between Pt3Co and CoP2 domains in the nanocomposites render the electron density around Pt atoms to decrease, which is favorable for reducing the adsorption of poisoning CO‐like intermediates on the catalyst surfaces. Accordingly, the as‐prepared heterogeneous Pt3Co–CoP2 nanocomposites show good performance for methanol electro‐oxidation both in acidic and alkaline media. In specific, at a Pt loading of only 6.4% on a common carbon substrate, the mass‐based activity of Pt3Co–CoP2 nanocomposites in an acidic medium is about 2 and 1.5 times as high as that of commercial Pt/C catalyst (20% mass loading) and home‐made Pt3Co alloy nanoparticles (8.0% mass loading), while in the alkaline medium, these values are 3 and 2, respectively.
MXene‐Based Membranes for Separation Applications
Authors: Huang Lingzhi , Ding Li , Wang Haihui
Published: May 2021

MXenes are a new type of 2D material, featuring numerous favorable properties, such as excellent flexibility, hydrophilicity, abundant functional groups, and high conductivity. Currently, MXene is a hot topic in the field of membrane separation processes. This timely review presents the recent progress in MXene‐based membrane in terms of structural engineering and versatile applications. First, the preparation methods for MXene nanosheets and the fabrication technologies for MXene‐based membranes are categorized. Then, the separation‐based applications of MXene membranes, including gas separation, water treatment, organic solvent purification, nanofluidic ion transport, and osmotic energy conversion, are summarized. Finally, the bottlenecks that limit the application of MXene‐based membranes are outlined, and future research prospects are discussed.
Room‐Temperature‐Processed, Carbon‐Based Fully Printed Mesoscopic Perovskite Solar Cells with 15% Efficiency
Authors: Liu Jian , Wang Dongjie , Zhang Yang , Chen Kun , She Bin , Liu Baichen , Zhang Zheling , Huang Yu , Xiong Jian , Zhang Hailiang , Zhang Jian
Published: May 2021

Methylamine (MA) and methylamine hydrochloride (MACl) are widely used to prepare highly efficient and stable perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, MA, as a gas, is difficult to handle and inevitably leads to a large amount of escape, and it is difficult to quantitatively calculate. Herein, selecting a mixture solvent of methylamine ethanol solution (MA‐EtOH sol) and acetonitrile (ACN) as a solvent, a new strategy for preparing fully printed mesoscopic perovskite solar cells (MPSCs) at room temperature is first proposed. With the introduction of 20 mol% MACl as additive, the fully printed MPSCs are fabricated without any posttreatment at room temperature via a one‐step drop‐coating method. As a consequence, the average power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 14.73 ± 0.3% (0.1 cm2) with almost no hysteresis is achieved. Most importantly, the device also exhibits excellent long‐term stability when it is unencapsulated. Specifically, the unencapsulated device still retains nearly 100% of its original PCE after 64 days and 88% after 81 days of storage in the dark with a humidity of 50 ± 5% in an atmospheric environment. It provides a new idea for constructing fully printed MPSCs at room temperature in the future.
Attitudes of UK veterinary students towards careers in the production animal sector: A mixed methods approach
Authors: Payne Emily , Cobb Kate , Oldham John , Remnant John
Published: May 2021

Background: Within the production animal sector, it has long been forecast that demand for veterinary services could outstrip supply. This study aims to identify factors influencing veterinary undergraduates’ attitudes towards a career in farm animal veterinary practice and how those factors may be influenced by their experiences during their time as an undergraduate.

Methods: An online survey was distributed to all vet schools in the UK and Ireland. Thematic analysis and descriptive data analysis were performed on the 1146 responses received.

Results: Seven themes were identified: relationships, preferences and interest, fit, direct experience, fear, ethics and values and lifestyle. When considering first job choice, extra mural studies (EMS) and personal interest (60% and 75% of respondents respectively) were very influential. Factors that appeal or put off respondents from a career in farm animal varied dependent on anticipated first job (p < 0.001), but working hours and out of hours were consistently identified as barriers.

Conclusion: The results highlight the importance of EMS being more transparent about the profession and using the opportunity to discuss undergraduate concerns regarding farm animal practice.
Pharmacokinetics of zonisamide after oral single dosing and multiple‐dose escalation administration in domestic chickens (Gallus gallus)
Authors: de Matos Ricardo , Noonan Brendan P. , Schaefer Deanna M.W. , Morrisey James , Dewey Curtis , Buckles Elizabeth L. , Boothe Dawn
Published: May 2021

Background

There are few effective drugs for treatment of seizures in avian species.

Objectives

To investigate the pharmacokinetics and safety of zonisamide in chickens.

Methods

Phase 1: chickens (n = 4) received a single oral dose of zonisamide at 20 mg/kg. Blood samples were collected intermittently for 36 hr after dosing. Phase 2: chickens (n = 8) received zonisamide in a dose escalation protocol (20, 30, 60 and 80 mg/kg orally every 12 hr). The dose was increased weekly, and peak and trough blood samples were collected on Days 1, 3, and 7 each week. Two birds were randomly euthanized at the end of each week. Plasma zonisamide concentrations were analysed using a commercial immunoassay. Drug concentration vs. time data were subjected to non‐compartmental pharmacokinetic analysis.

Results

For Phase 1, peak plasma zonisamide (Cmax) was 15 ± 3 µg/ml at 2 ± 1 hr (Tmax). The disappearance half‐life was 6.5 ± 1 hr. Mean plasma concentrations remained within the (human) therapeutic range (10–40 µg/ml) for 6 hr. For Phase 2 of the study, plasma concentrations of zonisamide remained within or close to the recommended mammalian therapeutic range for birds in the 20 and 30 mg/kg dose. Area under the curve (AUC) and Cmax were dose dependent. Two birds developed immune‐mediated haemolytic anaemia.

Conclusions

Zonisamide appears to be a viable drug for use in chickens at a dose of 20 mg/kg orally every 12 hr.
Dispersion state and hyperelastic behavior of tire tread compounds reinforced with nanoclay: Uniaxial tensile and compression studies
Authors: Shokoohi Shirin , Naderi Ghasem
Published: May 2021

Tire‐tread compounds based on natural rubber, butadiene rubber, and styrene‐butadiene rubber (65/20/15) were reinforced with Cloisite 15A. Clay state‐of‐dispersion in the ternary matrix (clay aspect ratio and clay/matrix interface yield strength) was estimated using Halpin–Tsai, Guth, and Leidner–Woodhams–Pukanszky micro‐mechanical models. The aspect ratio suggested by Halpin–Tsai (9.7) and Guth (16) models both propounded partially intercalated microstructure. Transmission electron microscopy micrographs indicated higher reliability of Halpin–Tsai theory. Wetting parameter values indicated the affinity of Cloisite 15A to disperse in butadiene rubber. However, it seems that clay particles were not provided with proper compounding conditions to further stabilize their thermodynamic state. The poor matrix/clay adhesion was responsible for the decrease in matrix/clay interface strength and thickness upon increasing clay content according to Leidner–Woodhams–Pukanszky. Hyperelastic modeling was conducted using Abaqus software (five strain energy potential forms) on the basis of large deformation uniaxial tension/compression measurements. Effect of nanoclay on the crosslink‐density of samples was justified by C10(Mooney–Rivlin) and locking‐stretch (Van der Waals) values. The sample containing 1 phr nanoclay presented the best fit to the hyperelastic models among the rest conforming to its small value of global interaction parameter “a”(Van der Waals model) calculated explaining minimum deviations. Overall, Marlow and Ogden provided the best consistency with the experimental stress–strain results.
Einleitung
Authors: Marwedel Peter
Published: May 2021

In diesem Kapitel werden wir einige grundlegende Begriffe, die im Zusammenhang mit eingebetteten Systemen benutzt werden, zusammen mit der geschichtlichen Entwicklung
vorstellen, sowie auf Möglichkeiten, Herausforderungen und gemeinsame Eigenschaften von eingebetteten und cyber-physikalischen Systemen eingehen. Außerdem werden Aspekte der Ausbildung, Entwurfsabläufe und die Struktur dieses Buches vorgestellt werden.
Spezifikation und Modellierung
Authors: Marwedel Peter
Published: May 2021

Wie können wir das System, welches wir entwerfen wollen, beschreiben und wie können wir partielle Entwürfe darstellen? Eine Antwort auf diese Fragen gibt dieses Kapitel, in dem wir Modelle und Beschreibungstechniken vorstellen, mit denen sowohl die Spezifikation wie auch Zwischenschritte dargestellt werden können.
Optimierung
Authors: Marwedel Peter
Published: May 2021

Eingebettete Systeme müssen hinsichtlich der in diesem Buch betrachteten Bewertungskriterien effizient sein.
Hyperbolic Wavelet Analysis of Classical Isotropic and Anisotropic Besov–Sobolev Spaces
Authors: Schäfer Martin , Ullrich Tino , Vedel Béatrice
Published: May 2021

In this paper we introduce new function spaces which we call anisotropic hyperbolic Besov and Triebel-Lizorkin spaces. Their definition is based on a hyperbolic Littlewood-Paley analysis involving an anisotropy vector only occurring in the smoothness weights. Such spaces provide a general and natural setting in order to understand what kind of anisotropic smoothness can be described using hyperbolic wavelets (in the literature also sometimes called tensor-product wavelets), a wavelet class which hitherto has been mainly used to characterize spaces of dominating mixed smoothness. A centerpiece of our present work are characterizations of these new spaces based on the hyperbolic wavelet transform. Hereby we treat both, the standard approach using wavelet systems equipped with sufficient smoothness, decay, and vanishing moments, but also the very simple and basic hyperbolic Haar system. The second major question we pursue is the relationship between the novel hyperbolic spaces and the classical anisotropic Besov–Lizorkin-Triebel scales. As our results show, in general, both approaches to resolve an anisotropy do not coincide. However, in the Sobolev range this is the case, providing a link to apply the newly obtained hyperbolic wavelet characterizations to the classical setting. In particular, this allows for detecting classical anisotropies via the coefficients of a universal hyperbolic wavelet basis, without the need of adaption of the basis or a-priori knowledge on the anisotropy.
The genetic background of the associations between sense of coherence and mental health, self-esteem and personality
Authors: Silventoinen Karri , Vuoksimaa Eero , Volanen Salla-Maarit , Palviainen Teemu , Rose Richard J. , Suominen Sakari , Kaprio Jaakko
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Sense of coherence (SOC) represents coping and can be considered an essential component of mental health. SOC correlates with mental health and personality, but the background of these associations is poorly understood. We analyzed the role of genetic factors behind the associations of SOC with mental health, self-esteem and personality using genetic twin modeling and polygenic scores (PGS).

Methods

Information on SOC (13-item Orientation of Life Questionnaire), four mental health indicators, self-esteem and personality (NEO Five Factor Inventory Questionnaire) was collected from 1295 Finnish twins at 20–27 years of age.

Results

In men and women, SOC correlated negatively with depression, alexithymia, schizotypal personality and overall mental health problems and positively with self-esteem. For personality factors, neuroticism was associated with weaker SOC and extraversion, agreeableness and conscientiousness with stronger SOC. All these psychological traits were influenced by genetic factors with heritability estimates ranging from 19 to 66%. Genetic and environmental factors explained these associations, but the genetic correlations were generally stronger. The PGS of major depressive disorder was associated with weaker, and the PGS of general risk tolerance with stronger SOC in men, whereas in women the PGS of subjective well-being was associated with stronger SOC and the PGSs of depression and neuroticism with weaker SOC.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that a substantial proportion of genetic variation in SOC is shared with mental health, self-esteem and personality indicators. This suggests that the correlations between these traits reflect a common neurobiological background rather than merely the influence of external stressors.
Culture and mental health resilience in times of COVID-19
Authors: Tubadji Annie
Published: May 2021

This paper aims to clarify the role of culture as a public good that serves to preserve mental health. It tests the evolutionary hypothesis that cultural consumption triggers a microeconomic mechanism for the self-defense of mental health from uncertainty. The COVID-19 pandemic offers a natural experiment of cultural consumption under increased uncertainty. Using primary data from a pilot survey conducted online during the pandemic and applying Probit and Heckman selection models, the study analyzes levels of happiness and propensity to help others. The results suggest that past consumption of culture is associated with higher happiness levels during crises. Moreover, spontaneous cultural practices (such as group singing) during times of uncertainty are associated with an increase in the pro-social propensity to help others. These findings highlight culture as a tool for promoting mental health at the micro level and social capital resilience at the aggregate level.
A study of micromanufacturing process fingerprints in micro-injection moulding for machine learning and Industry 4.0 applications
Authors: Gülçür Mert , Whiteside Ben
Published: May 2021

This paper discusses micromanufacturing process quality proxies called “process fingerprints” in micro-injection moulding for establishing in-line quality assurance and machine learning models for Industry 4.0 applications. Process fingerprints that we present in this study are purely physical proxies of the product quality and need tangible rationale regarding their selection criteria such as sensitivity, cost-effectiveness, and robustness. Proposed methods and selection reasons for process fingerprints are also justified by analysing the temporally collected data with respect to the microreplication efficiency. Extracted process fingerprints were also used in a multiple linear regression scenario where they bring actionable insights for creating traceable and cost-effective supervised machine learning models in challenging micro-injection moulding environments. Multiple linear regression model demonstrated %84 accuracy in predicting the quality of the process, which is significant as far as the extreme process conditions and product features are concerned.
Hessian matrices, automorphisms of p-groups, and torsion points of elliptic curves
Authors: Stanojkovski Mima , Voll Christopher
Published: May 2021

We describe the automorphism groups of finite p-groups arising naturally via Hessian determinantal representations of elliptic curves defined over number fields. Moreover, we derive explicit formulas for the orders of these automorphism groups for elliptic curves of j-invariant 1728 given in Weierstrass form. We interpret these orders in terms of the numbers of 3-torsion points (or flex points) of the relevant curves over finite fields. Our work greatly generalizes and conceptualizes previous examples given by du Sautoy and Vaughan-Lee. It explains, in particular, why the orders arising in these examples are polynomial on Frobenius sets and vary with the primes in a nonquasipolynomial manner.
Einbindung von vielen Teilnehmenden in den softwaregestützten Ideenfindungsprozess
Authors: Brandt Marcel , Bader Philipp , Tavanapour Navid
Published: May 2021

In diesem Artikel werden die Entwicklung und Evaluierung eines Ideenfindungsprozesses, der über eine hohe Anzahl von Teilnehmenden skaliert werden kann, vorgestellt. Ziel dieser Untersuchung ist, viele Personen effizient in diesen Prozess einzubinden. Das zentrale Problem bei der Erhöhung der Anzahl der Teilnehmenden liegt darin, dass nicht ohne Weiteres große Personengruppen in einen herkömmlichen Ideenfindungsprozess einbezogen werden können, weil sie sich nicht effizient beteiligen können. Es wird hierbei untersucht, wie gleichzeitig und am gleichen räumlichen Ort Ideen digital gesammelt, kategorisiert, priorisiert und vorgestellt werden können. Dafür wurde ein Prozess auf der Grundlage der 1‑2-4-All-Methode und eine Softwarelösung mit dem Konzept der Evolution-Methode konzipiert, prototypisch umgesetzt und evaluiert.
Associations between urinary hydration markers and metabolic dysfunction: a cross-sectional analysis of NHANES data, 2008–2010
Authors: Vanhaecke Tiphaine , Dolci Alberto , Fulgoni Victor L. , Lieberman Harris R.
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Growing evidence suggests hydration plays a role in metabolic dysfunction, however data in humans are scarce. This study examined the cross-sectional association between hydration and metabolic dysfunction in a representative sample of the US population.

Methods

Data from 3961 adult NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) participants (49.8% female; age 46.3 ± 0.5 years) were grouped by quartile of urine specific gravity (USG, 2007–2008 cohort) or urine osmolality (UOsm, 2009–2010 cohort) as measures of hydration. Metabolic dysfunction was assessed by glycemic and insulinemic endpoints and by components of the metabolic syndrome. Multivariate-adjusted linear and logistic regression models were used.

Results

Increasing quartiles of USG but not UOsm was associated with higher fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycated hemoglobin (all P < 0.01), HOMA-IR and elevated insulin (all P < 0.05). Compared with the lowest quartile, those with the highest USG but not UOsm had greater risk of metabolic syndrome (Q4 vs. Q1, OR (99% CI): 1.6 (1.0, 2.7), P = 0.01) and diabetes (Q4 vs. Q1, OR: 1.8 (1.0, 3.4), P < 0.05). Additionally, those with USG > 1.013 or UOsm > 500 mOsm/kg, common cut-off values for optimal hydration based on retrospective analyses of existing data, had less favorable metabolic markers. In a subset of participants free from diabetes mellitus, impaired kidney function, hypertension and diuretic medication, USG remained positively associated with FPG (P < 0.01) and elevated FPG (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

These analyses provide population-based evidence that USG as a proxy for hydration is associated with glucose homeostasis in NHANES 2007–2008. The same association was not significant when UOsm was used as a proxy for hydration in the 2009–2010 wave.

Clinical trial registry

Not applicable, as this was a reanalysis of existing NHANES data.
Inhibition of nuclear export restores nuclear localization and residual tumor suppressor function of truncated SMARCB1/INI1 protein in a molecular subset of atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors
Authors: Pathak Rajiv , Zin Francesca , Thomas Christian , Bens Susanne , Gayden Tenzin , Karamchandani Jason , Dudley Roy W. , Nemes Karolina , Johann Pascal D. , Oyen Florian , Kordes Uwe , Jabado Nada , Siebert Reiner , Paulus Werner , Kool Marcel , Frühwald Michael C. , Albrecht Steffen , Kalpana Ganjam V. , Hasselblatt Martin
Published: May 2021

Loss of nuclear SMARCB1 (INI1/hSNF5/BAF47) protein expression due to biallelic mutations of the SMARCB1 tumor suppressor gene is a hallmark of atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (ATRT), but the presence of cytoplasmic SMARCB1 protein in these tumors has not yet been described. In a series of 102 primary ATRT, distinct cytoplasmic SMARCB1 staining on immunohistochemistry was encountered in 19 cases (19%) and was highly over-represented in cases showing pathogenic sequence variants leading to truncation or mutation of the C-terminal part of SMARCB1 (15/19 vs. 4/83; Chi-square: 56.04, p = 1.0E−10) and, related to this, in tumors of the molecular subgroup ATRT-TYR (16/36 vs. 3/66; Chi-square: 24.47, p = 7.6E−7). Previous reports have indicated that while SMARCB1 lacks a bona fide nuclear localization signal, it harbors a masked nuclear export signal (NES) and that truncation of the C-terminal region results in unmasking of this NES leading to cytoplasmic localization. To determine if cytoplasmic localization found in ATRT is due to unmasking of NES, we generated GFP fusions of one of the SMARCB1 truncating mutations (p.Q318X) found in the tumors along with a p.L266A mutation, which was shown to disrupt the interaction of SMARCB1-NES with exportin-1. We found that while the GFP-SMARCB1(Q318X) mutant localized to the cytoplasm, the double mutant GFP-SMARCB1(Q318X;L266A) localized to the nucleus, confirming NES requirement for cytoplasmic localization. Furthermore, cytoplasmic SMARCB1(Q318X) was unable to cause senescence as determined by morphological observations and by senescence-associated β-galactosidase assay, while nuclear SMARCB1(Q318X;L266A) mutant regained this function. Selinexor, a selective exportin-1 inhibitor, was effective in inhibiting the nuclear export of SMARCB1(Q318X) and caused rapid cell death in rhabdoid tumor cells. In conclusion, inhibition of nuclear export restores nuclear localization and residual tumor suppressor function of truncated SMARCB1. Therapies aimed at preventing nuclear export of mutant SMARCB1 protein may represent a promising targeted therapy in ATRT harboring truncating C-terminal SMARCB1 mutations.
Noninvasive Measurement of Pulmonary Function in Experimental Mouse Models of Airway Disease
Authors: Glaab Thomas , Braun Armin
Published: May 2021

Mouse models have become an indispensable tool in translational research of human airway disease and have provided much of our understanding of the pathogenesis of airway disease such as asthma. In these models the ability to assess pulmonary function and particularly airway responsiveness is critically important. Existing methods for testing pulmonary function in mice in vivo include noninvasive and invasive technologies. Noninvasive head-out body plethysmography is a well-established and widely accepted technique which has been proven as a reliable method to measure lung function on repeated occasions in intact, conscious mice. We have performed several validation studies in allergic mice to compare the parameter midexpiratory flow (EF50) as a noninvasive marker of airflow limitation with invasively measured gold standard parameters of lung mechanics. The results of these studies showed a good agreement of EF50 with the invasive assessment of lung resistance and dynamic compliance with a somewhat lower sensitivity of EF50. The measurement of EF50 together with basic respiratory parameters is particularly appropriate for simple and repeatable screening of pulmonary function in large numbers of mice or if noninvasive measurement without use of anesthesia is required. Beyond known applications, head-out body plethysmography also provides a much-needed high-throughput screening tool to gain insights into the impact and kinetics of respiratory infections such as SARS-COV-2 on lung physiology in laboratory mice.
Different disc characteristics between young elite skiers with diverse training histories revealed with a novel quantitative magnetic resonance imaging method
Authors: Lagerstrand K. , Baranto A. , Hebelka H.
Published: May 2021

Purpose

To evaluate if there are differences in thoraco-lumbar disc characteristics between elite skiers and non-athletic controls as well as between different types of elite skiers, with diverse training histories, using a novel quantitative MRI method.

Methods

The thoraco-lumbar spine of 58 elite skiers (age = 18.2 ± 1.1 years, 30 males) and 26 normally active controls (age = 16.4 ± 0.6 years, 9 males) was examined using T2w-MRI. Disc characteristics were compared quantitatively between groups using histogram and regional image analyses to determine delta peak and T2-values in five sub-regions.

Results

A statistical difference in the delta peak value was found between skiers and controls (p <0.001), reflecting higher degree of disc degeneration. The histogram analysis also revealed that the type of training determines where and to what extent the changes occur. Alpine skiers displayed lumbar changes, while mogul skiers displayed changes also in the thoracic spine. Alpine skiers with diverse training dose differed in delta peak value (p = 0.005), where skiers with highest training dose displayed less changes. Regional T2-value differences were found in skiers with divergent training histories (p <0.05), reflecting differences in disc degeneration patterns, foremost within the dorsal annulus.

Conclusion

Differences in quantitative disc characteristics were found not only between elite skiers and non-athletic controls but also between subgroups of elite skiers with diverse training histories. The differences in the disc measures, reflecting tissue degradation, are likely related to type and intensity of the physical training. Future studies are encouraged to explore the relation between disc functionality, training history and pain to establish adequate prevention and rehabilitation programs.
The C-BIG Repository: an Institution-Level Open Science Platform
Authors: Das Samir , Abou-Haidar Rida , Rabalais Henri , Sun Sonia Denise Lai Wing , Rosli Zaliqa , Chatpar Krishna , Boivin Marie-Noëlle , Tabatabaei Mahdieh , Rogers Christine , Legault Melanie , Lo Derek , Degroot Clotilde , Dagher Alain , Dyke Stephanie O. M. , Durcan Thomas M. , Seyller Annabel , Doyon Julien , Poupon Viviane , Fon Edward A. , Genge Angela , Rouleau Guy A. , Karamchandani Jason , Evans Alan C.
Published: May 2021

In January 2016, the Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital (The Neuro) declared itself an Open Science organization. This vision extends beyond efforts by individual scientists seeking to release individual datasets, software tools, or building platforms that provide for the free dissemination of such information. It involves multiple stakeholders and an infrastructure that considers governance, ethics, computational resourcing, physical design, workflows, training, education, and intra-institutional reporting structures. The C-BIG repository was built in response as The Neuro’s institutional biospecimen and clinical data repository, and collects biospecimens as well as clinical, imaging, and genetic data from patients with neurological disease and healthy controls. It is aimed at helping scientific investigators, in both academia and industry, advance our understanding of neurological diseases and accelerate the development of treatments. As many neurological diseases are quite rare, they present several challenges to researchers due to their small patient populations. Overcoming these challenges required the aggregation of datasets from various projects and locations. The C-BIG repository achieves this goal and stands as a scalable working model for institutions to collect, track, curate, archive, and disseminate multimodal data from patients. In November 2020, a Registered Access layer was made available to the wider research community at https://cbigr-open.loris.ca, and in May 2021 fully open data will be released to complement the Registered Access data. This article outlines many of the aspects of The Neuro’s transition to Open Science by describing the data to be released, C-BIG’s full capabilities, and the design aspects that were implemented for effective data sharing.
INSM1 Expression in Breast Neoplasms with Neuroedocrine Features
Authors: Metovic Jasna , Castellano Isabella , Marinelli Eleonora , Osella-Abate Simona , Sapino Anna , Cassoni Paola , Papotti Mauro
Published: May 2021

According to the 2019 WHO classification of breast tumors, neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are classified into well-differentiated NE tumors (NET) and poorly differentiated NE carcinomas (NEC), while other breast cancers (BCs) of special and no special type with neuroendocrine (NE) features are not incorporated in this scheme anymore. We aimed to assess whether INSM1, a novel NE marker, could have a role in breast NEN subtyping. We selected 63 BCs operated from 2003 to 2018, classified as BCs with NE features, with available clinico-pathological data. Following 2019 WHO criteria, this cohort was reclassified into 37 NETs/NECs, the remaining 26 tumors representing solid-papillary (7), mucinous (7), and mixed type (12) carcinomas with NE differentiation. Chromogranin A (CGA) and synaptophysin (SYN) immunostains were reviewed, and INSM1 was tested by immunohistochemistry. Thirty CGA- and SYN-negative no special type BCs served as negative control. INSM1 was expressed in 52/63 cases of the whole cohort (82.54%). INSM1 positive and negative cases had no significantly different clinico-pathological characteristics. INSM1 expression was not significantly different between the newly reclassified NET/NEC group and other BCs with NE features. No immunoexpression was observed in control BCs. The sensitivity and specificity of INSM1 for the NE phenotype was 82.5% and 100%, respectively, compared to 61.9% and 100% for CGA, and 95.2 and 100% for SYN. In conclusion, INSM1 is as accurate as traditional NE biomarkers to identify NE differentiation in BC. In analogy to standard NE markers, INSM1 could not distinguish NET and NEC from the other BC histotypes with NE differentiation.
Effects of Proactive Behavior on Within-Day Changes in Occupational Well-Being: the Role of Organizational Tenure and Emotion Regulation Skills
Authors: Bohlmann Clarissa , Rudolph Cort W. , Zacher Hannes
Published: May 2021

Research has recently started to examine relationships between proactive behavior and employee well-being. Investigating these relationships is important to understand the effects of proactive behavior at work, and whether proactive behavior leads to an increase or a decrease in well-being. In this daily-diary study, we investigated effects of proactive behavior on within-day changes in four indicators of occupational well-being (i.e., activated positive and negative affect, emotional work engagement and fatigue). Moreover, based on the meta-concept of wise proactivity, which suggests that proactive behavior may lead to either favorable or unfavorable consequences depending on certain boundary conditions, we examined organizational tenure and emotion regulation skills as moderators of these effects. In total,N = 71 employees participated in a daily-diary study with two measurements per day for ten consecutive working days. Results showed that emotion regulation skills interacted with proactive behavior to predict within-day changes in emotional work fatigue, such that the effect of proactive behavior on emotional work fatigue was only positive for employees with low (vs. high) emotion regulation skills. Supplementary analyses examining reverse effects of occupational well-being on proactive behavior showed that organizational tenure interacted with activated positive and negative affect in predicting within-day changes in proactive behavior. For employees with lower (vs. higher) organizational tenure, both activated positive and negative affect were negatively associated with proactive behavior. Overall, our findings contribute to the growing body of research on proactive behavior and well-being by demonstrating reciprocal and conditional day-level relationships among these variables.
Survey paper: achievements and perspectives of community resilience approaches to societal systems
Authors: Toyoda Yusuke
Published: May 2021

The term resilience has become a buzzword with a multitude of definitions, and several studies have exerted efforts in conceptualizing it. For further academic progress, discussions on community resilience need to shift from conceptualization to operationalization. In this context, I aim to synthesize academic contributions and provide future perspectives of studies on community resilience approaches, focusing on societal systems. First, I demonstrate the general trend of community resilience research, which leads to a general analytical framework for these studies. Next, I present the results of a survey of influential studies based on this framework and discuss recent achievements in community resilience in relation to the following six elements: social, information, competence, economic, spatial, and natural. From the survey results, I suggest two perspectives: (1) the harmonization of gears for resilience and community resilience sub-elements, including equitable resilience, and (2) inactive resident pursuits of roles in community resilience. Finally, I show the potential contributions of regional science to this topic highlighting its strengths in interdisciplinary approaches based on spatial and temporal scales.