bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy as a Novel Approach for Monitoring of the Activity of Nano Palladium Catalyst as Compared to Two Well‐known Methods
Authors: Belyani Sahar , Keshavarz Mohammad Hossein , Darbani Seyyed Mohammad Reza , Tehrani Masoud Kavosh
Published: January 2020

Catalyst deactivation is an unavoidable process that occurs in catalytic chemical reactions. Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) is used here as a novel approach to investigate the activity of palladium supported with carbon catalyst (Pd/C) over the hydrogenation of cinnamic acid with tetralin. Their outputs for four catalyst samples are reported for different time intervals of 0, 5, 10, 15 min during the reaction. The results of LIBS analysis are compared to Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP‐MS), which shows a good agreement. Experimental data specify that line intensities of palladium (Pd) are decreased significantly with an increment of the reaction time. Moreover, the Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope with energy dispersive spectroscopy (FESEM‐EDS) of catalysts samples show aggregation of palladium particles for some places in the catalyst surface. The changes of Pd content and sintering of Pd particles in the catalyst during the reaction play substantial roles in catalyst deactivation.
Non-local order parameters and quantum entanglement for fermionic topological field theories
Authors: Inamura Kansei , Kobayashi Ryohei , Ryu Shinsei
Published: January 2020

Abstract

We study quantized non-local order parameters, constructed by using partial time-reversal and partial reflection, for fermionic topological phases of matter in one spatial dimension protected by an orientation reversing symmetry, using topological quantum field theories (TQFTs). By formulating the order parameters in the Hilbert space of state sum TQFT, we establish the connection between the quantized non-local order parameters and the underlying field theory, clarifying the nature of the order parameters as topological invariants. We also formulate several entanglement measures including the entanglement negativity on state sum spin TQFT, and describe the exact correspondence of the entanglement measures to path integrals on a closed surface equipped with a specific spin structure.
Finite volume expectation values in the sine-Gordon model
Authors: Hegedűs Árpád
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Using the fermionic basis discovered in the 6-vertex model, we derive exact formulas for the expectation values of local operators of the sine-Gordon theory in any eigenstate of the Hamiltonian. We tested our formulas in the pure multi-soliton sector of the theory. In the ultraviolet limit, we checked our results against Liouville 3-point functions, while in the infrared limit, we evaluated our formulas in the semi-classical limit and compared them up to 2-particle contributions against the semi-classical limit of the previously conjectured LeClair-Mussardo type formula. Complete agreement was found in both cases.
Viscoelastic hydrodynamics and holography
Authors: Armas Jay , Jain Akash
Published: January 2020

Abstract

We formulate the theory of nonlinear viscoelastic hydrodynamics of anisotropic crystals in terms of dynamical Goldstone scalars of spontaneously broken translational symmetries, under the assumption of homogeneous lattices and absence of plastic deformations. We reformulate classical elasticity effective field theory using surface calculus in which the Goldstone scalars naturally define the position of higher-dimensional crystal cores, covering both elastic and smectic crystal phases. We systematically incorporate all dissipative effects in viscoelastic hydrodynamics at first order in a long-wavelength expansion and study the resulting rheology equations. In the process, we find the necessary conditions for equilibrium states of viscoelastic materials. In the linear regime and for isotropic crystals, the theory includes the description of Kelvin-Voigt materials. Furthermore, we provide an entirely equivalent description of viscoelastic hydrodynamics as a novel theory of higher-form superfluids in arbitrary dimensions where the Goldstone scalars of partially broken generalised global symmetries play an essential role. An exact map between the two formulations of viscoelastic hydrodynamics is given. Finally, we study holographic models dual to both these formulations and map them one-to-one via a careful analysis of boundary conditions. We propose a new simple holographic model of viscoelastic hydrodynamics by adopting an alternative quantisation for the scalar fields.
Brood recognition and discrimination in ants
Authors: Schultner E. , Pulliainen U.
Published: January 2020

In social insect colonies, individuals need to communicate to coordinate cooperative tasks and protect the colony and its resources against intruders. To maintain colony integrity, it can be particularly important to recognize nestmates and discriminate against non-nestmate conspecifics and heterospecific predators and parasites. As typical intruders are either con- or heterospecific adults, the mechanisms underlying recognition and discrimination processes in interactions among adults have been well described. Ant brood (eggs, larvae, and pupae) can also play a key role in social interactions, and brood is of special importance when it comes to the priorities of worker ants. However, whether ants can, or even need to, recognize brood of different origins, is not always clear. In this review, we integrate the results of 100 years of study on brood recognition and discrimination in ants into a general framework. We begin with an overview of the proximate mechanisms involved in brood recognition and discrimination. We then discuss why brood recognition and discrimination should evolve and review the evidence for brood recognition on three organizational levels: within nests, between conspecifics and between species. We conclude by examining the constraints acting on accurate recognition and/or discrimination. With this review, we hope to inspire future research on the fascinating life of ant brood.
A new analytical workflow using HPLC with drift-tube ion-mobility quadrupole time-of-flight/mass spectrometry for the detection of drug-related metabolites in plants
Authors: Mlynek Franz , Himmelsbach Markus , Buchberger Wolfgang , Klampfl Christian W.
Published: January 2020

Investigations into the interaction of xenobiotics with plants (and in particular edible plants) have gained substantial interest, as water scarcity due to climate-change-related droughts requires the more frequent use of reclaimed wastewaters for irrigation in agriculture. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are common contaminants found in wastewater treatment plant effluents. For this reason, the interaction of nine edible plants with diclofenac (DCF), a widely used representative of this group of drugs, was investigated. For this purpose, plants were hydroponically grown in a medium containing DCF. For the detection of unknown DCF-related metabolites formed in the plant upon uptake of the parent drug‚ a new workflow based on the use of HPLC coupled to drift-tube ion-mobility quadrupole time-of-flight/mass spectrometry (DTIM QTOF-MS) was developed. Thereby‚ for chromatographic peaks eluting from the HPLC, drift times were recorded, and analytes were subsequently fragmented in the DTIM QTOF-MS to provide significant fragments. All information available (retention times, drift times, fragment spectra, accurate mass) was finally combined‚ allowing the suggestion of molecular formulas for 30 DCF-related metabolites formed in the plant, whereby 23 of them were not yet known from the literature.
Twisting with a Flip (The Art of Pestunization)
Authors: Festuccia Guido , Qiu Jian , Winding Jacob , Zabzine Maxim
Published: January 2020

We construct $$\mathcal{N}=2$$N=2 supersymmetric Yang–Mills theory on 4D manifolds with a Killing vector field with isolated fixed points. It turns out that for every fixed point one can allocate either instanton or anti-instanton contributions to the partition function, and that this is compatible with supersymmetry. The equivariant Donaldson–Witten theory is a special case of our construction. We present a unified treatment of Pestun’s calculation on $$S^4$$S4 and equivariant Donaldson–Witten theory by generalizing the notion of self-duality on manifolds with a vector field. We conjecture the full partition function for a $$\mathcal{N}=2$$N=2 theory on any 4D manifold with a Killing vector. Using this new notion of self-duality to localize a supersymmetric theory is what we call “Pestunization”.
Mental rotation with abstract and embodied objects as stimuli: evidence from event-related potential (ERP)
Authors: Jansen Petra , Render Anna , Scheer Clara , Siebertz Markus
Published: January 2020

This study investigated sex differences in performance and neuronal activity in a mental rotation task with abstract and embodied figures. Fifty-eight participants (26 females and 32 males) completed a chronometric mental rotation task with cube figures, human figures, and body postures. The results are straightforward: depending on angular disparity, participants had a faster reaction time and a higher accuracy rate for embodied stimuli compared to cube figures. The electroencephalogram (EEG) activity pattern showed a higher negative amplitude modulation in the frontal electrodes for females compared to males during the late (400–600 ms) time interval. From 200 to 400 ms after stimulus onset, there was a different activation pattern in the parietal and central electrodes, whereas frontal electrodes did not show differences between embodied and abstract stimuli. From 400 to 600 ms after stimulus onset, there was a different pattern in the central and frontal electrodes but not in the parietal areas for embodied figures in compared to cube figures. Concluding, even though there were no sex differences in the behavioral data, the EEG data did show alterations at the late time interval. Thus, the disparate results regarding sex differences that depend on the type of analysis (behavioral versus neurophysiological) should be more thoroughly investigated. Furthermore, the difference in processing embodied stimuli in an object-based mental rotation task could be confirmed in EEG activity pattern for the first time.
Mild and Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury and Gender‐Based Critical Care Outcomes
Authors: Elkbuli Adel , Smith Zachary , Shaikh Saamia , Hai Shaikh , McKenney Mark , Boneva Dessy
Published: January 2020

Background

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major contributor to death and complications. Previous studies have identified gender disparities among trauma patients. This study aims to examine the association between gender and outcomes in TBI patients.

Study design and methods

Review of our trauma registry: Patients were classified into groups according to their gender. Demographics extracted from the registry included age, injury severity score (ISS), Glasgow Coma Score (GCS), head abbreviated injury score (AIS), and the presence of an epidural hematoma (EDH). The primary outcome was mortality; secondary outcomes included ICU length of stay (ICU‐LOS), craniotomy rate, ventilator‐associated pneumonia (VAP), and readmission rates. Significance was defined as p < 0.05.

Results

Nine hundred and thirty‐five patients with TBI were studied: 62.1% (n = 581) were male and 37.9% (n = 354) were female. There were no differences in GCS, ISS, and head AIS. Males were younger [53 (IQR 30–77) vs. 76 (IQR 49.25–84), p < 0.05] and were more likely to have an EDH (9.6% vs. 4.8%, p = 0.007). Males also had a longer median ICU‐LOS [4 days (IQR 2–8) vs. 3 days (IQR 0–5), p < 0.05] and were significantly more likely to require a craniotomy (44.6% vs. 19.2%, p < 0.001). In addition, males were more likely to develop VAP (4.1% vs. 0.8%, p = 0.004). Predicted survival (79.2% vs. 72.9%) and actual mortality rates (4.5% vs. 4.5%) were similar in both genders (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

In the context of our study, male patients with TBI were significantly younger, were more likely to sustain an EDH, and were also more likely to require a craniotomy, but mortality rates between both genders were similar. The male gender was also associated with a significantly increased ICU‐LOS and VAP.
Transfer learning radiomics based on multimodal ultrasound imaging for staging liver fibrosis
Authors: Xue Li-Yun , Jiang Zhuo-Yun , Fu Tian-Tian , Wang Qing-Min , Zhu Yu-Li , Dai Meng , Wang Wen-Ping , Yu Jin-Hua , Ding Hong
Published: January 2020

Objectives

To propose a transfer learning (TL) radiomics model that efficiently combines the information from gray scale and elastogram ultrasound images for accurate liver fibrosis grading.

Methods

Totally 466 patients undergoing partial hepatectomy were enrolled, including 401 with chronic hepatitis B and 65 without fibrosis pathologically. All patients received elastography and got liver stiffness measurement (LSM) 2–3 days before surgery. We proposed a deep convolutional neural network by TL to analyze images of gray scale modality (GM) and elastogram modality (EM). The TL process was used for liver fibrosis classification by Inception-V3 network which pretrained on ImageNet. The diagnostic performance of TL and non-TL was compared. The value of single modalities, including GM and EM alone, and multimodalities, including GM + LSM and GM + EM, was evaluated and compared with that of LSM and serological indexes. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to calculate the optimal area under the curve (AUC) for classifying fibrosis of S4, ≥ S3, and ≥ S2.

Results

TL in GM and EM demonstrated higher diagnostic accuracy than non-TL, with significantly higher AUCs (all p < .01). Single-modal GM and EM both performed better than LSM and serum indexes (all p < .001). Multimodal GM + EM was the most accurate prediction model (AUCs are 0.950, 0.932, and 0.930 for classifying S4, ≥ S3, and ≥ S2, respectively) compared with GM + LSM, GM and EM alone, LSM, and biomarkers (all p < .05).

Conclusions

Liver fibrosis can be staged by a transfer learning modal based on the combination of gray scale and elastogram ultrasound images, with excellent performance.

Key Points

• Transfer learning consists in applying to a specific deep learning algorithm that pretrained on another relevant problem, expected to reduce the risk of overfitting due to insufficient medical images.

• Liver fibrosis can be staged by transfer learning radiomics with excellent performance.

• The most accurate prediction model of transfer learning by Inception-V3 network is the combination of gray scale and elastogram ultrasound images.
FishCam & FishNet – fischökologisches Monitoring 4.0
Authors: Mader Helmut , Sabine Käfer
Published: January 2020

Die Entwicklung eines fischökologischen Monitorings 4.0 mittels FishCam und FishNet hatte zum Ziel, automatisierbare Aufgaben, wie die präzise, ausdauernde und rund um die Uhr einsetzbare Erfassung von Felddaten und die Vorauswertung derselben mit den finalen Expertisen einer Artbestimmung und Bewertung durch Fachkräfte zu verknüpfen. Mit dem neu entwickelten System zur Felddatenerfassung mittels LAN-Kamera in einem Reinwassergehäuse und einem Erfassungstunnel wird die Fischmigration automatisch ohne hydraulischen Einfluss, ohne Hälterung der Fische in Reusen und ohne Kontakt und Stress für die Fische erfasst. Die Bildklassifizierung in Fish- und NoFish-Objekte erfolgt auf Basis eines trainierten Deep Convolutional Neural Network und erreicht eine Genauigkeit einer Differenzierung von ca. 97 %. Neben der Standardanwendung einer Funktionskontrolle für Organismenwanderanlagen wurden Sonderanwendungen wie die Überwachung von Rechenanlagen, Reusenkehlen, Fang- und Transportkörben, Schwemmleitungen und Abstiegs-Bypässen sowie die Überwachung bei extremer Laubdrift erfolgreich durchgeführt. Basierend auf der sekundengenauen Erfassung der Wanderzeiten der Einzelindividuen erfolgten über Sonderauswertungen die Analyse eines Blockadeeffekts bei der Annäherungen der Fische zu intermittierend arbeitenden Organismenwanderanlagen sowie die Analyse der Auffindbarkeit, der Tages- und Jahresgänge der Fischwanderung und die Auswertung von Massenwanderungen.
Osteoimmunology in rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis: potential effects of tofacitinib on bone involvement
Authors: Orsolini Giovanni , Bertoldi Ilaria , Rossini Maurizio
Published: January 2020

Chronic inflammation, such as that present in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), leads to aberrations in bone remodeling, which is mediated by several signaling pathways, including the Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) pathway. In this light, pro-inflammatory cytokines are now clearly implicated in these processes as they can perturb normal bone remodeling through their action on osteoclasts and osteoblasts at both intra- and extra-articular skeletal sites. As a selective inhibitor of JAK1 and JAK3, tofacitinib has the potential to play a role in the management of rheumatic diseases such as RA and PsA. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that tofacitinib can inhibit disturbed osteoclastogenesis in RA, which suggests that targeting the JAK-STAT pathway may help limit bone erosion. Evidence from clinical trials with tofacitinib in RA and PsA is encouraging, as tofacitinib treatment has been shown to decrease articular bone erosion. In this review, the authors summarize current knowledge on the relationship between the immune system and the skeleton before examining the involvement of JAK-STAT signaling in bone homeostasis as well as the available preclinical and clinical evidence on the benefits of tofacitinib on prevention of bone involvement in RA and PsA.Key Points• Chronic inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) leads to disturbances in bone remodeling• Bone remodeling is mediated by several signaling pathways, including the JAK-STAT pathway• Tofacitinib, a selective inhibitor of JAK1 and JAK3, is active in RA and PsA and may help limit systemic bone loss through inhibiting disturbed osteoclastogenesis• Clinical trials show that tofacitinib reduces articular bone erosion
Gains v. losses, or context dependence generated by confusion?
Authors: Houston Alasdair I. , Wiesner Karoline
Published: January 2020

Tversky and Kahneman introduced the term framing for the finding that people give different answers to the same question depending on the way it is posed. One form of framing involves presenting the same outcome as either a gain or a loss. An experiment on starlings by Marsh and Kacelnik suggests that this form of framing occurs in non-humans. We argue that the experimental result demonstrates framing in the general sense of context dependence but does not provide compelling evidence of framing in terms of gains and losses. A version of scalar utility theory which is extended to include the possibility of memory errors accounts for the data and suggests future lines of research.
Bone-to-Bone and Implant-to-Bone Impingement: A Novel Graphical Representation for Hip Replacement Planning
Authors: Palit Arnab , King Richard , Hart Zoe , Gu Yolanda , Pierrepont James , Elliott Mark T. , Williams Mark A.
Published: January 2020

Bone-to-bone impingement (BTBI) and implant-to-bone impingement (ITBI) risk assessment is generally performed intra-operatively by surgeons, which is entirely subjective and qualitative, and therefore, lead to sub-optimal results and recurrent dislocation in some cases. Therefore, a method was developed for identifying subject-specific BTBI and ITBI, and subsequently, visualising the impingement area on native bone anatomy to highlight where prominent bone should be resected. Activity definitions and subject-specific bone geometries, with planned implants were used as inputs for the method. The ITBI and BTBI boundary and area were automatically identified using ray intersection and region growing algorithm respectively to retain the same ‘conical clearance angle’ obtained to avoid prosthetic impingement (PI). The ITBI and BTBI area was then presented with different colours to highlight the risk of impingement, and importance of resection. A clinical study with five patients after 2 years of THA was performed to validate the method. The results supported the study hypothesis, in that the predicted highest risk area (red coloured zone) was completely/majorly resected during the surgery. Therefore, this method could potentially be used to examine the effect of different pre-operative plans and hip motions on BTBI, ITBI, and PI, and to guide bony resection during THA surgery.
High-Speed Forming of Continuous Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastics
Authors: Mattner Tobias , Popp Julian , Kleffel Tobias , Gröschel Christian , Drummer Dietmar
Published: January 2020

Forming processes of continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic materials are oftentimes limited to high volume production due to the high costs for tooling and processing machines. This study suggests the combined use of a cold and simple tool and high forming speeds to reduce tooling and processing costs and enable the usage of common stamping machines. Half sphere samples are produced from single and two-layer polypropylene and glass fiber organo-sheets in a custom built drop tower and analyzed for their geometry, degree of re-consolidation, surface quality and potential fiber damage using a variety of microscopy techniques. While only mediocre degrees of re-consolidation and limited surface qualities can be achieved with the combination of a cold tooling and state-of-the-art forming speeds of 0–0.5 ms−1, the usage of a higher forming speed of 3 ms−1, vastly improves surface qualities and the degree of re-consolidation without any detectable fiber damage. This effect is more pronounced in the dual layer material. Extensive knowledge on the forming behavior of continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastics at high cooling rates and high speeds of deformation is required for sufficient process control and future studies need to further elaborate and quantify the influencing factors and limits of high-speed forming of continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastics.
Carbon and nitrogen accumulation within four black walnut alley cropping sites across Missouri and Arkansas, USA
Authors: Thomas Andrew L. , Kallenbach Robert , Sauer Thomas J. , Brauer David K. , Burner David M. , Coggeshall Mark V. , Dold Christian , Rogers Wendi , Bardhan Sougata , Jose Shibu
Published: January 2020

Agroforestry systems that integrate useful long-lived trees have been recognized for their potential in mitigating the accumulation of atmospheric fossil fuel-derived carbon (C). Black walnut (Juglans nigra) is frequently planted and cultivated in North America for its valuable lumber and edible nuts, and is highly amenable to the integration of understory crops or livestock in agroforestry systems. However, little is known about C content in black walnut trees, including the amounts of C assimilated into lignocellulosic tissues within different tree compartments. Therefore, allometric equations for above- and below-ground compartments of 10-year-old black walnut trees across diverse locations were developed. Ten grafted black walnut trees from each of four sites across the midwestern USA were destructively harvested for above- and below-ground biomass, and dry biomass weight (DWw), C (Cw) and nitrogen (N; Nw) stocks were quantified. Soils surrounding the harvested trees were sampled and analyzed for soil organic C (SOC) and total N (TN). Total DWwranged from 27 to 54 kg tree−1, with woody tissues containing an average of 467 g kg−1C and 3.5 g kg−1N. Woody tissues differed in Cwand Nwacross location, and above-ground sections contained more C and less N compared with most root tissues. The slopes of the allometric equations did not differ significantly among locations, while intercepts did, indicating that trees only differed in initial size across locations. SOC and TN did not vary in distance from the trees, likely because the trees were not yet old enough to have impacted the surrounding soils. Our results establish a foundation for quantifying C and N stocks in newly established black walnut alley cropping systems across diverse environments.
Predictors of Undergoing Colonoscopy, Does Time Horizon Matter?
Authors: Olchowska-Kotala Agnieszka , Bajcar Beata
Published: January 2020

When talking to patients about undergoing diagnostic colonoscopy, their doctors can present the risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC) in different time horizons. Studies on time horizons suggest that people have different psychological associations for the near and distant future, which potentially influence their judgments and actions. The aim of this study was to examine what factors predict patients’ intentions to undergo diagnostic colonoscopy. We particularly focused on examining the role of the time horizon in which the probability of developing malignant CRC was presented, when taking into account the following factors: the perception of risk (perceived susceptibility to and perceived severity of CRC), expected discomfort related to the procedure, a previous colonoscopy, and subjective numeracy. Using the Health Belief Model, we sought to determine whether the intention to undergo a preventive colonoscopy is affected by the time horizon. We hypothesized that the risk of developing CRC in a proximal time horizon would be more threatening to an individual than a distal one and would consequently increase an individual’s behavioral intention to undergo a colonoscopy. We examined the effects of two different time horizons: the risk of developing a disease in the next few years and total lifetime risk. A total of 144 respondents (77 women and 67 men) aged 50–59 years participated in the study. We found that risk perception and expected discomfort significantly affected participants’ intention to undergo a colonoscopy. No empirical evidence was found to confirm that presenting a person with the risk of developing malignant CRC in the coming years, as compared to their lifetime risk, increases the behavioral intention to undergo a diagnostic colonoscopy.
Close Encounters of the Cell Kind: The Impact of Contact Inhibition on Tumour Growth and Cancer Models
Authors: Grimes David Robert , Fletcher Alexander G.
Published: January 2020

Cancer is a complex phenomenon, and the sheer variation in behaviour across different types renders it difficult to ascertain underlying biological mechanisms. Experimental approaches frequently yield conflicting results for myriad reasons, and mathematical modelling of cancer is a vital tool to explore what we cannot readily measure, and ultimately improve treatment and prognosis. Like experiments, models are underpinned by certain biological assumptions, variation of which can lead to divergent predictions. An outstanding and important question concerns contact inhibition of proliferation (CIP), the observation that proliferation ceases when cells are spatially confined by their neighbours. CIP is a characteristic of many healthy adult tissues, but it remains unclear to which extent it holds in solid tumours, which exhibit regions of hyper-proliferation, and apparent breakdown of CIP. What precisely occurs in tumour tissue remains an open question, which mathematical modelling can help shed light on. In this perspective piece, we explore the implications of different hypotheses and available experimental evidence to elucidate the implications of these scenarios. We also outline how erroneous conclusions about the nature of tumour growth may be arrived at by looking selectively at biological data in isolation, and how this might be circumvented.
Mathematical Modelling of Auxin Transport in Plant Tissues: Flux Meets Signalling and Growth
Authors: Allen Henry R. , Ptashnyk Mariya
Published: January 2020

Plant hormone auxin has critical roles in plant growth, dependent on its heterogeneous distribution in plant tissues. Exactly how auxin transport and developmental processes such as growth coordinate to achieve the precise patterns of auxin observed experimentally is not well understood. Here we use mathematical modelling to examine the interplay between auxin dynamics and growth and their contribution to formation of patterns in auxin distribution in plant tissues. Mathematical models describing the auxin-related signalling pathway, PIN and AUX1 dynamics, auxin transport, and cell growth in plant tissues are derived. A key assumption of our models is the regulation of PIN proteins by the auxin-responsive ARF-Aux/IAA signalling pathway, with upregulation of PIN biosynthesis by ARFs. Models are analysed and solved numerically to examine the long-time behaviour and auxin distribution. Changes in auxin-related signalling processes are shown to be able to trigger transition between passage- and spot-type patterns in auxin distribution. The model was also shown to be able to generate isolated cells with oscillatory dynamics in levels of components of the auxin signalling pathway which could explain oscillations in levels of ARF targets that have been observed experimentally. Cell growth was shown to have influence on PIN polarisation and determination of auxin distribution patterns. Numerical simulation results indicate that auxin-related signalling processes can explain the different patterns in auxin distributions observed in plant tissues, whereas the interplay between auxin transport and growth can explain the ‘reverse-fountain’ pattern in auxin distribution observed at plant root tips.
Immobilization of β-Galactosidase From Aspergillus oryzae on Electrospun Gelatin Nanofiber Mats for the Production of Galactooligosaccharides
Authors: Sass Ann-Cathérine , Jördening Hans-Joachim
Published: January 2020

Two simple and easily reproducible methods for the immobilization of β-galactosidase (β-gal) from Aspergillus oryzae on electrospun gelatin nanofiber mats (GFM) were developed. The process was optimized regarding the electrospinning solvent system and the subsequent cross-linking of GFM in order to increase their stability in water. β-Gal was covalently immobilized on activated gelatin nanofiber mats with hexamethylenediamine (HMDA) as a bifunctional linker and secondly via entrapment into the gelatin nanofibers during the electrospinning process (suspension electrospinning). Optimal immobilization parameters for covalent immobilization were determined to be at pH 7.5, 40 °C, β-gal concentration of 1 mg/mL and immobilization time of 24.5 h. For suspension electrospinning, the optimal immobilization parameters were identified at pH 4.5 and β-gal concentration of 0.027 wt.% in the electrospinning solution. The pH and temperature optima of immobilized β-gal shifted from 30 °C, pH 4.5 (free enzyme) to pH 3.5, 50 °C (covalent immobilization) and pH 3.5, 40 °C (suspension electrospinning). Striking differences in the Michaelis constant (KM) of immobilized β-gal compared with free enzyme were observed with a reduction of KM up to 50% for immobilized enzyme. The maximum velocity (vmax) of immobilization by suspension electrospinning was almost 20 times higher than that of covalent immobilization. The maximum GOS yield for free β-gal was found to be 27.7% and 31% for immobilized β-gal.
CAR T-cell therapy in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Authors: Hopfinger Georg , Worel Nina
Published: January 2020

Diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma (DLBCL) comprises 30–40% of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Clinical factors such as a high International Prognostic Index (IPI) or molecular factors as cell of origin (COO) have an influence on the clinical outcome after conventional immunochemotherapy. Patients with resistant or relapsed (r/r) DLBCL have a poor prognosis with a median overall survival of 6,3 months and low complete response rates (CR 7%) to salvage chemoimmunotherapy. Currently, therapy with autologous chimeric antigen receptor T‑cells (CAR T‑cells) provide encouraging complete responses (CR) of up to 50%. However, high costs for approved products and elaborate logistics have to be encountered.
Ion Beam Processing for Sample Preparation of Hybrid Materials with Strongly Differing Mechanical Properties
Authors: Barienti Khemais , Kahra Christoph , Herbst Sebastian , Nürnberger Florian , Maier Hans Jürgen
Published: January 2020

For studies of the interface zone of metallic composites with significantly differing mechanical properties across the interface, high-quality sample preparation is paramount. In particular, the analysis of the composition or geometric characteristics of intermetallic phases close to the interface requires a preparation specifically adapted to the actual sample. In the present study, the combination of ion beam processing and a conventional metallographic preparation routine is investigated. It is shown that by utilizing a suitable combination of metallographic and ion beam processing routines, the interface zone of metallic composites can be prepared specifically targeted to a given analytical task. Especially for material combinations with largely differing mechanical properties of the base materials, ion beam processing can greatly improve the sample preparation quality.
Relationship between Invasive and Echocardiographic Transvalvular Gradients after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
Authors: Aalaei-Andabili Seyed Hossein , Park Ki E. , Choi Calvin Y. , Manning Eddie W. , Stinson Wade W. , Van Woerkom Ryan , Pilgrim Thomas , Kumbhani Dharam J. , Bavry Anthony A.
Published: January 2020

Introduction

Lower transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) pressure gradients have been reported after implantation of self-expanding valves compared with balloon-expandable valves; however, there is a paucity of data on the relationship between invasively measured transvalvular pressure gradients and Doppler-derived measurements.

Methods

From September 2013 to September 2018, patients with native aortic valve stenosis who had both intraoperative invasive and postoperative echocardiography transvalvular pressure gradients were included for analysis. We used parametric and nonparametric statistics to compare aortic gradients within and between groups.

Results

Of 171 patients, 152 (88.9%) patients had TAVR with a balloon-expandable valve and 19 (11.1%) with a self-expanding valve. Among all patients, the invasive aortic gradient was 7.8 ± 3.2 mmHg and the Doppler-derived aortic gradient was 11.0 ± 4.5 mmHg (p < 0.001). Among those who received a balloon-expandable valve, the invasive aortic gradient was 7.5 ± 3 mmHg and the Doppler aortic gradient was 11.4 ± 4.5 mmHg (p < 0.001). In contrast, among patients who received a self-expanding valve, the invasive aortic gradient was 10.3 ± 3.4 mmHg and the Doppler aortic gradient was 8.5 ± 4.6 mmHg (p = 0.18).

Conclusions

Balloon-expandable valves were associated with lower invasive measurements versus post-TAVR Doppler gradients, while results were inconclusive regarding self-expanding valves.
Mortalität von Patientinnen und Patienten auf einer Abteilung für Alterspsychiatrie in Graz, Österreich – Eine retrospektive Fall-Kontroll-Studie
Authors: Rásky Éva , Stolz Erwin , Jagsch Christian
Published: January 2020

Grundlagen

Trotz der demografischen Entwicklung und der steigenden Zahl der psychiatrischen Erkrankungen älterer Menschen gibt es nur wenige wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zu den Merkmalen von Patientinnen und Patienten in der Alterspsychiatrie und zu deren Sterblichkeit. In dieser retrospektiven Fall-Kontroll-Studie werden Patientendaten untersucht, um festzustellen, in welchen Merkmalen sich die dort verstorbenen von den entlassenen Patientinnen und Patienten unterscheiden.

Methodik

Insgesamt wurden 284 Patientenakten der Abteilung für Alterspsychiatrie und Alterspsychotherapie des Landeskrankenhaus Graz II ausgewertet. Zwischen 01.01.2015–31.12.2017 verstarben 51 Frauen und 91 Männer (= Fälle) im Krankenhaus. Diese wurden mit 142 nach Geschlecht gematchten und im selben Zeitraum entlassenen Patientinnen und Patienten (= Kontrollgruppe) verglichen. Die Auswertung erfolgte mittels logistischer Regressionsmodelle.

Ergebnisse

Die auf der alterspsychiatrischen Station verstorbenen Patientinnen und Patienten waren deutlich älter und bei deutlich schlechterer physischer Gesundheit als die entlassenen Patientinnen und Patienten. Die Verstorbenen hatten gegenüber den Entlassenen eine 2,7-fach erhöhte Chance für eine ischämische Herzkrankheit, eine 2,5- bzw. 3‑fach erhöhte Chance aus einem Pflegeheim bzw. aus einem Krankenhaus überwiesen worden zu sein sowie eine 3‑fach erhöhte Chance für einen geringen funktionellen Status. Die Verstorbenen hatten zudem eine 4‑fach erhöhte Chance hoher CRP-Werte und einer Delir Diagnose gegenüber den Entlassenen.

Schlussfolgerungen

Die verstorbenen Patientinnen und Patienten hatten einen erheblich schlechteren Gesundheitszustand und waren eher delirant verglichen mit den entlassenen Patientinnen und Patienten. Strukturell müssten gesundheitspolitische Vorkehrungen getroffen werden, damit nicht unnötige Transfers in alterspsychiatrische Abteilungen notwendig werden.
Feeling your neighbour: an experimental approach to the polysemy oftundma‘to feel’ in Estonian
Authors: PROOS MARIANN
Published: January 2020

This paper offers an experimental approach to the polysemy of the Estonian perception verbtundma‘to feel’ from the perspective of theperception➔cognitionmetaphor. First, a sorting task is used to map how native speakers perceive the different senses oftundma‘to feel’. The results show that cognition-related senses oftundmaform the most distinct and coherent group. This set was researched further by means of a second experiment, a conceptual feature rating task. The aim of this task was to assess if the cognition-related meanings oftundmadiffer from other cognition verbs of Estonian (teadma‘to know’,aru saama‘to understand’) in that they are metaphorically linked to physical perception. It was predicted that native speakers use characteristics tied to the physical perception in the conceptualisation of the type of knowledge expressed bytundma. However, native speakers did not rate sentences withtundmaas more physical than sentences with abstract cognition verbs. This result is indicative of the nature of the semantics oftundmabeing more varied than was first thought. It is argued that the semantics oftundmarefer to it being a verb of general proximal perception.
Games of Belonging: Football, Boundaries and Politics between Germany and Turkey
Authors: Metzger Stefan , Özvatan Özgür
Published: January 2020

International football is a field for national identity performances in which narratives of national belonging are articulated. Games of belonging capture discourses on and debates over national belonging. Up-and-coming national football team diversity, and its public promotion, was expected to facilitate boundary blurring in the politics of belonging; however, it caused highly contentious debates revolving around the question of who belongs to Germany and Turkey and who does not. For this reason, we ask how (ethnoculturally) diverse national football teams challenge established narratives of national belonging and, thereby, trigger debates over national belonging across time and space. We compared the media discourse on national team diversity in Germany and Turkey with a special focus on players who disrupt conceptions of ethnic and cultural homogeneity, namely Mesut Özil and Nuri Şahin. Our study illustrates that upcoming international football events constitute games of belonging. Actors from the media, football associations, and politics largely demanded unilateral national belonging from the disrupters, Özil and Şahin. Both players’ reactions, however, draw on conceptions of (trans-)national belonging which challenge and conflict with established narratives of (ethno-)national belonging.
Lactational changes of fatty acids and fat-soluble antioxidants in human milk from healthy Chinese mothers
Authors: Wu Ke , Zhu Jie , Zhou Lili , Shen Liwei , Mao Yingyi , Zhao Yanrong , Gao Runying , Lou Zeru , Cai Meiqin , Wang Bei
Published: January 2020

Human milk fat is specially tailored to supply the developing infant with adequate and balanced nutrients. The present study aimed to quantify the composition of fatty acids, tocopherols and carotenoids in human milk, with special emphasis on the lactational changes. Colostrum, transitional and mature milk samples were collected longitudinally from the same forty-two healthy, well-nourished Chinese mothers. Fatty acids were quantified by GC with carotenoids (carotenes and xanthophylls) and tocopherols (α-, γ-tocopherol) determined by HPLC. Total fatty acid (TFA) content increased from 15·09 g/l in colostrum to 32·57 g/l in mature milk with the percentages of DHA and arachidonic acid (ARA) decreased. The ratio of n-6:n-3 PUFA and ARA:DHA remained constant during lactation at about 11:1 and 1·3:1, respectively. Both α-tocopherol and γ-tocopherol decreased over lactation with the ratio of α-:γ-tocopherol declined significantly from 7·21:1 to 4·21:1 (P < 0·001). Carotenoids all dropped from colostrum to mature milk as the less polar carotenes dropped by 88·67 %, while xanthophylls only dropped by 35·92 %. Lutein was predominated in both transitional and mature milk carotenoids (51·64–52·49 %), while colostrum carotenoids were mainly composed of lycopene (32·83 %) and β-carotene (30·78 %). The concentrations of tocopherols and xanthophylls but not carotenes were positively associated with TFA content in milk. These results suggested that colostrum and mature milk contained divergent lipid profiles and selective transfer mechanisms related to polarity might be involved. The present outcomes provide new insights for future breast-feeding studies, which also add in scientific evidences for the design of both initial and follow-on infant formulas.
Effects of a fish weir on the structure of the macrobenthic community of a tropical sandy beach on the Amazon coast
Authors: dos Santos Thuareag Monteiro Trindade , Aviz Daiane
Published: January 2020

The present study investigated the effects of a fish weir, a fixed trap used by artisanal fisheries, on the intertidal macrobenthic infauna of a macrotidal sandy beach on the Amazon coast. Biological and sediment samples were collected from within the weir and at five points of increasing distance (10 cm, 50 cm, 1 m, 2 m, 5 m and 50 m) from the external portion of the trap. The sediments from the weir and at 10 cm were dominated by mud, with a gradual decline in fine grains, water content and organic matter with increasing distance from the weir to 50 m (control). Taxon abundance and richness were significantly higher in the weir and at 10 cm than at the other sampling points. There was a trend of decreasing density and richness of the infauna from the weir to 1 m (which was a point of transition between the muddy and sandy sediments), after which the biological descriptors tended to increase once again. A shift was also observed in the dominant trophic groups, with a decrease in the abundance of the deposit feeders with increasing distance from the weir. By contrast, predators were more abundant at the points further from the weir. Our results indicate that fish weirs alter the associated sedimentary habitats, due to the increased protection from the action of waves and currents, with a micro-scale (from a few centimetres to 1–2 m) influence on the local macrofauna.
Conservation planning for Africa's Albertine Rift: conserving a biodiverse region in the face of multiple threats
Authors: Plumptre Andrew J. , Ayebare Sam , Kujirakwinja Deo , Segan Dan
Published: January 2020

The Albertine Rift is one of Africa's most biodiverse regions, but is threatened by habitat loss as a result of agricultural expansion and human development. Previous studies estimated that 30% of the region has been lost to agricultural conversion and we estimate here that 33% is allocated for mining concessions. For conservation planning, we used niche models for species endemic to the Albertine Rift and those that are globally threatened. We assessed where to conserve these species using three scenarios: (1) a baseline assuming equal conservation costs across all grid cells in the study area, (2) a scenario locking in existing protected areas (i.e. always selecting them by default) and assessing which unprotected areas require conservation, and (3) a scenario considering mining planned across the region.Marxananalyses produced similar results for the three scenarios, highlighting the importance of existing protected areas and the value of several community-managed or provincial protected areas in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The current protected area network covers 134,246 km2and an additional 64,586 km2would be required to ensure the conservation of all threatened and endemic species outside the parks and wildlife reserves. However, if trying to avoid mining concessions this increases to 145,704 km2, an area larger than the existing protected areas. Some mining concessions harbour species with a restricted range and would thus need to be protected to ensure the persistence of threatened and endemic fauna and flora. These mining concessions should be challenged by the conservation community.
Legitimacy in Antarctic governance: The stewardship model
Authors: Vanstappen Nils
Published: January 2020

The international community’s interest in the governance of Antarctica has long been recognised. Consideration of this interest has even been one of the pillars of the Antarctic Treaty System’s legitimacy. The Antarctic Treaty, for example, famously claims to serve “the interest of all mankind.” Yet, exactly how the international community is given a voice in Antarctic deliberations remains unclear. This contribution argues that – with the idea of direct United Nations involvement having been squarely rejected – stewardship could best describe the existing governance model as well as offer a normative framework to assess the system’s legitimacy.
The relationship between antihypertensive medications and mood disorders: analysis of linked healthcare data for 1.8 million patients
Authors: Shaw Richard J. , Mackay Daniel , Pell Jill P. , Padmanabhan Sandosh , Bailey David S. , Smith Daniel J.
Published: January 2020

Background

Recent work suggests that antihypertensive medications may be useful as repurposed treatments for mood disorders. Using large-scale linked healthcare data we investigated whether certain classes of antihypertensive, such as angiotensin antagonists (AAs) and calcium channel blockers, were associated with reduced risk of new-onset major depressive disorder (MDD) or bipolar disorder (BD).

Method

Two cohorts of patients treated with antihypertensives were identified from Scottish prescribing (2009–2016) and hospital admission (1981–2016) records. Eligibility for cohort membership was determined by a receipt of a minimum of four prescriptions for antihypertensives within a 12-month window. One treatment cohort (n = 538 730) included patients with no previous history of mood disorder, whereas the other (n = 262 278) included those who did. Both cohorts were matched by age, sex and area deprivation to untreated comparators. Associations between antihypertensive treatment and new-onset MDD or bipolar episodes were investigated using Cox regression.

Results

For patients without a history of mood disorder, antihypertensives were associated with increased risk of new-onset MDD. For AA monotherapy, the hazard ratio (HR) for new-onset MDD was 1.17 (95% CI 1.04–1.31). Beta blockers' association was stronger (HR 2.68; 95% CI 2.45–2.92), possibly indicating pre-existing anxiety. Some classes of antihypertensive were associated with protection against BD, particularly AAs (HR 0.46; 95% CI 0.30–0.70). For patients with a past history of mood disorders, all classes of antihypertensives were associated with increased risk of future episodes of MDD.

Conclusions

There was no evidence that antihypertensive medications prevented new episodes of MDD but AAs may represent a novel treatment avenue for BD.