bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Histological technique to detect the physiological age of the malaria vector mosquito Anopheles pharoensis (Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: Yamany Abeer S. , Abdel‐Ghaffar Fathy , Al Quraishy Saleh , Al‐Amri Ohoud , Mehlhorn Heinz , Abdel‐Gaber Rewaida
Published: December 2021

The risk of malaria recurrence increases due to the main vector, Anopheles pharoensis. The physiological age of the mosquito population is needed to expect malaria vector dynamics. The number of completed gonotrophic cycles is of great importance in determining the physiological age of females. A technique has been described that focuses on the number of dilatations remaining in the ovarioles after each oviposition to determine how many blood meals have been taken. At each gonotrophic cycle, the chances of infection of the vectors are repeated. The histological changes that occur immediately in the ovarioles and ovulation itself were studied. Under the influence of the contractions of the ovarian muscles, the eggs begin to move over the distal end of the ovariole into the inner oviduct. The terminal pedicle is markedly dilated near the diameter of the eggs. After the expulsion of the mature eggs, ovariole dilations were found at the point of their development in the terminal pedicle due to the accumulation of nurse cell remnants and follicular epithelium. The results were used to develop epidemiological localization and to evaluate the effectiveness of antimalaria interventions. The ovarian inspection often provides a technique to distinguish nulliparous from parous female anophelines. In addition, this study can provide basic entomological knowledge on the physiological age of mosquitoes by considering the histological changes in the ovaries, which allow the evaluation of vector management strategies in the field.
Realization of digraphs in Abelian groups and its consequences
Authors: Cichacz Sylwia , Tuza Zsolt
Published: December 2021

Let be a directed graph of order with no component of order less than 3, and let be a finite Abelian group such that or if is large enough with respect to an arbitrarily fixed then . We show that there exists an injective mapping from to the group such that for every connected component of , where 0 is the identity element of . Moreover we show some applications of this result to group distance magic labelings.
The variants of SARS‐CoV‐2 and the challenges of vaccines
Authors: Han Xiucui , Ye Qing
Published: December 2021

Since the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), countries all over the world have suffered severe losses. It affects not only human life and health but also the economy. In response to COVID‐19, countries have made tremendous efforts to vaccine development. The newly discovered variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) have brought major challenges to the effectiveness and research of vaccines. This article reviews the existing literature and summarizes the main variants of the SARS‐CoV‐2 and its impact on vaccines, and provides new ideas for the later development of vaccines. An excellent job in developing and applying vaccines will be an important measure for epidemic prevention and control.
A non‐invasive method for diagnosing plantar warts caused by human papillomavirus (HPV)
Authors: García‐Oreja Sara , Álvaro‐Afonso Francisco Javier , Sevillano‐Fernández David , Tardáguila‐García Aroa , López‐Moral Mateo , Lázaro‐Martínez José Luís
Published: December 2021

The methods that are used for the diagnostic confirmation of human papillomavirus (HPV) include excisional biopsy and histopathological studies or polymerase chain reaction (PCR). They are invasive, laborious, and subject to ethical restrictions due to the benign nature of these warts. This study aims to analyse the accuracy of noninvasive swab samples to diagnose plantar warts. Fifty plantar warts were included in the study. Skin swabs and hyperkeratosis skin scales were collected from each wart. Multiplex PCR was performed to detect and type the HPVs. The prevalence of HPV in this study was 90% when the sample was obtained using the wart scraping method and 94% when it was obtained using swabs and the new method. In 45 of the 45 positive samples (sensitivity: 100%), the result between the wart scab and wart swab were almost identical. The genotyping result was identical in all 46 patients who had a positive result using both methods. The swab method appears to be a simple and accurate technique to diagnose plantar warts due to HPV. It is a noninvasive technique that could be performed even by inexperienced professionals and in patients with pain or a fear of needles.
Factors supporting the adoption of soil conservation practices: Evidence from Ecuadorian smallholder farmers
Authors: Singaña Tapia David , Satama Bermeo Maritza
Published: December 2021

The modernization of agricultural practices has been widespread in South America since the 1970s. The main practices implemented included the use of fertilizers and phytosanitary control based on synthetic elements, and agricultural mechanization for plowing. These activities affect soil quality and make soils more dependent on fertilizer imports throughout the continent. At the same time, the intensification of agricultural activity also increased CO2 emissions in South America from less than 150 thousand gigagrams in 1977 to more than 280 thousand gigagrams in 2017, which translates into a greater burden of agriculture on the environment. Ecuador is one of the South American countries that share several social, climatic, and topographic characteristics common in the region; therefore, it is interesting to study the factors that help mitigate soil erosion processes resulting from agricultural activity. For this purpose, this study performs the estimation of a Tobit model with the information of the agricultural units with seasonal crops present in the Continuous Agricultural Surface and Production Survey of 2018. For the model approach, the number of soil conservation practices (SCP) in each farm is considered as the dependent variable. The estimation results show that there is a positive relationship between farms that are managed by women and the number of SCP implemented: the same result was obtained with respect to agricultural investment by local governments. However, it was found that farms with government technical assistance implemented fewer SCPs, which opens the debate on the importance of soil conservation in public policy.
Sublabial bioactive glass implantation for the management of primary atrophic rhinitis and empty nose syndrome: Operative technique
Authors: Hassan Charles‐Henri , Malheiro Emeline , Béquignon Emilie , Coste André , Bartier Sophie
Published: December 2021

Objectives

Atrophic rhinitis (AR) and empty nose syndrome (ENS) are chronic diseases characterized by a paradoxical nasal obstruction. These rare syndromes tend to occur after nasal surgery of the inferior turbinates in ENS and can be idiopathic in AR. Medical treatments alone are often insufficient. Surgical options are challenging and numerous resorbable and nonresorbable implants have been described in small series, with as many surgical techniques described. Whereas current surgical procedures are for risk of extrusions, graft rejections or poor lasting results, the use of GlassBONE™ (Sodimed®, Avignon, France), a bioactive glass, for a vestibular approach in AR and ENS has never been reported for this indication.

Methods

We described an original technique of nasal submucoperiosteal bilateral ceramic glass implantation in two patients with AR and ENS.

Results

The two cases presented a postoperative satisfying endoscopic and sinus CT‐scan results with filling of the nasal cavities, with less crusts and a complete wound healing. They had no short‐term complications.

Conclusion

This innovative approach is easily feasible and could be an option considered for the surgical management of AR and ENS.

Level of evidence: 4.
Amphiphilic Thermoresponsive Poly(Hydroxyaminoethers) as Effective Emulsifiers for Preparation of Waterborne Epoxy Resins
Authors: Huang Ying‐Chi , Wang Li‐Ting , Hsu Shu‐Wei , Lin Tai‐Fu , Liao Ying‐Chih , Chiu Wen‐Ying , Lin Hsin‐Wei , Wu Chien‐Hsin , Jeng Ru‐Jong , Tung Shih‐Huang
Published: December 2021

Amphiphilic poly(hydroxyaminoethers) (PHAEs) with thermoresponsive solubility in aqueous solutions are developed in this study. Through the control of stoichiometric ratios of functional groups and the reaction temperature, a series of PHAEs with different hydrophilic segments is synthesized, as evidenced by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H‐NMR) and Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy. These PHAEs could be dissolved in aqueous solutions and exhibit the thermal phase transitions with lower critical solution temperatures (LCSTs) due to the hydrogen bonding between the hydrophilic segments and water, as confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In addition, the hydrophilic‐lipophilic balance (HLB) values suggest that the PHAEs are more hydrophilic amphiphiles and suitable for use as oil‐in‐water emulsifiers. Consequently, commercially available epoxy resins can be successfully stabilized by the PHAEs in water to form stable emulsions. These crosslinkable waterborne epoxy resins show good thermal and resistance properties, and the feasibility in anticorrosion coating applications for steel surfaces is demonstrated.
Color darkness and hierarchy perceptions: How consumers associate darker colors with higher hierarchy
Authors: Chung Myungjin , Saini Ritesh
Published: December 2021

This study demonstrates that perceived hierarchy (high vs. low) from bundled products depend on the darkness of their color (darker vs. lighter). Results from 11 experiments show that consumers infer a darker‐colored product as a higher hierarchical product (HHP), relative to the otherwise identical lighter‐colored product of the same hue and saturation. We further establish that perceived dominance mediates this association: dark colors signal dominance. This study also demonstrates several downstream outcomes of the effect of darkness on hierarchy perceptions: consumers prefer product bundles where an HHP is colored darker than a lower hierarchical product. Furthermore, in the final study, we establish that this effect extends to three‐product bundles and is moderated by presentation mode.
Stationary distribution and density function analysis of stochastic susceptible‐vaccinated‐infected‐recovered (SVIR) epidemic model with vaccination of newborns
Authors: Dai Yucong , Zhou Baoquan , Jiang Daqing , Hayat Tasawar
Published: December 2021

Birth vaccinations are becoming more common in society. In this paper, we describe the developed stochastic susceptible‐vaccinated‐infected‐recovered (SVIR) epidemic model with vaccination of newborns that enable us to concern the stationary distribution and further density function. By constructing a series suitable Lyapunov function, we derive the sufficient conditions of the existence and uniqueness of an ergodic stationary distribution. More importantly, under the same conditions, we creatively find further the density function which is based on solving corresponding Fokker–Planck equation. The results of numerical simulation, which is supported by pertussis disease data, show that our conclusion accords with reality. The density function throws light on the property of an epidemic after being stationary and furnishes more information about the disease.
DblurDoseNet: A deep residual learning network for voxel radionuclide dosimetry compensating for single‐photon emission computerized tomography imaging resolution
Authors: Li Zongyu , Fessler Jeffrey A. , Mikell Justin K. , Wilderman Scott J. , Dewaraja Yuni K.
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Current methods for patient‐specific voxel‐level dosimetry in radionuclide therapy suffer from a trade‐off between accuracy and computational efficiency. Monte Carlo (MC) radiation transport algorithms are considered the gold standard for voxel‐level dosimetry but can be computationally expensive, whereas faster dose voxel kernel (DVK) convolution can be suboptimal in the presence of tissue heterogeneities. Furthermore, the accuracies of both these methods are limited by the spatial resolution of the reconstructed emission image. To overcome these limitations, this paper considers a single deep convolutional neural network (CNN) with residual learning (named DblurDoseNet) that learns to produce dose‐rate maps while compensating for the limited resolution of SPECT images.

Methods

We trained our CNN using MC‐generated dose‐rate maps that directly corresponded to the true activity maps in virtual patient phantoms. Residual learning was applied such that our CNN learned only the difference between the true dose‐rate map and DVK dose‐rate map with density scaling. Our CNN consists of a 3D depth feature extractor followed by a 2D U‐Net, where the input was 11 slices (3.3 cm) of a given Lu‐177 SPECT/CT image and density map, and the output was the dose‐rate map corresponding to the center slice. The CNN was trained with nine virtual patient phantoms and tested on five different phantoms plus 42 SPECT/CT scans of patients who underwent Lu‐177 DOTATATE therapy.

Results

When testing on virtual patient phantoms, the lesion/organ mean dose‐rate error and the normalized root mean square error (NRMSE) relative to the ground truth of the CNN method was consistently lower than DVK and MC, when applied to SPECT images. Compared to DVK/MC, the average improvement for the CNN in mean dose‐rate error was 55%/53% and 66%/56%; and in NRMSE was 18%/17% and 10%/11% for lesion and kidney regions, respectively. Line profiles and dose–volume histograms demonstrated compensation for SPECT resolution effects in the CNN‐generated dose‐rate maps. The ensemble noise standard deviation, determined from multiple Poisson realizations, was improved by 21%/27% compared to DVK/MC. In patients, potential improvements from CNN dose‐rate maps compared to DVK/MC were illustrated qualitatively, due to the absence of ground truth. The trained residual CNN took about 30 s on a single GPU (Tesla V100) to generate a 512512130 dose‐rate map for a patient.

Conclusion

The proposed residual CNN, trained using phantoms generated from patient images, has potential for real‐time patient‐specific dosimetry in clinical treatment planning due to its demonstrated improvement in accuracy, resolution, noise, and speed over the DVK/MC approaches.
Fast iterative solver for the optimal control of time‐dependent PDEs with Crank–Nicolson discretization in time
Authors: Leveque Santolo , Pearson John W.
Published: December 2021

In this article, we derive a new, fast, and robust preconditioned iterative solution strategy for the all‐at‐once solution of optimal control problems with time‐dependent PDEs as constraints, including the heat equation and the non‐steady convection–diffusion equation. After applying an optimize‐then‐discretize approach, one is faced with continuous first‐order optimality conditions consisting of a coupled system of PDEs. As opposed to most work in preconditioning the resulting discretized systems, where a (first‐order accurate) backward Euler method is used for the discretization of the time derivative, we employ a (second‐order accurate) Crank–Nicolson method in time. We apply a carefully tailored invertible transformation for symmetrizing the matrix, and then derive an optimal preconditioner for the saddle‐point system obtained. The key components of this preconditioner are an accurate mass matrix approximation, a good approximation of the Schur complement, and an appropriate multigrid process to apply this latter approximation—these are constructed using our work in transforming the matrix system. We prove the optimality of the approximation of the Schur complement through bounds on the eigenvalues, and test our solver against a widely‐used preconditioner for the linear system arising from a backward Euler discretization. These demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of our solver with respect to mesh‐sizes, regularization parameter, and diffusion coefficient.
Searching for biomarkers in schizophrenia and psychosis: Case‐control study using capillary electrophoresis and liquid chromatography time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry and systematic review for biofluid metabolites
Authors: Kim Saehyeon , Okazaki Satoshi , Otsuka Ikuo , Shinko Yutaka , Horai Tadasu , Shimmyo Naofumi , Hirata Takashi , Yamaki Naruhisa , Tanifuji Takaki , Boku Shuken , Sora Ichiro , Hishimoto Akitoyo
Published: December 2021

Metabolomics has been attracting attention in recent years as an objective method for diagnosing schizophrenia. In this study, we analyzed 378 metabolites in the serum of schizophrenia patients using capillary electrophoresis‐ and liquid chromatography‐time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. Using multivariate analysis with the orthogonal partial least squares method, we observed significantly higher levels of alanine, glutamate, lactic acid, ornithine, and serine and significantly lower levels of urea, in patients with chronic schizophrenia compared to healthy controls. Additionally, levels of fatty acids (15:0), (17:0), and (19:1), cis‐11‐eicosenoic acid, and thyroxine were significantly higher in patients with acute psychosis than in those in remission. Moreover, we conducted a systematic review of comprehensive metabolomics studies on schizophrenia over the last 20 years and observed consistent trends of increase in some metabolites such as glutamate and glucose, and decrease in citrate in schizophrenia patients across several studies. Hence, we provide substantial evidence for metabolic biomarkers in schizophrenia patients through our metabolomics study.
Latest News: Reactions of Group 4 Bis(trimethylsilyl)acetylene Metallocene Complexes and Applications of the Obtained Products
Authors: Rosenthal Uwe
Published: December 2021

Recently published reactions of group 4 metallocene bis(trimethylsilyl)acetylene (btmsa) complexes from the last two years are reviewed. Complexes like Cp’2Ti(η2‐Me3SiC2SiMe3) and Cp2Zr(py)(η2‐Me3SiC2SiMe3) with Cp’ as Cp (cyclopentadienyl) and Cp* (pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) have been considered (py=pyridine). These complexes can liberate a reactive low‐valent titanium or zirconium center by dissociation of the ligands and act as ‘‘masked’’ MII complexes (M=Ti, Zr). They represent excellent sources for the clean generation of the reactive coordinatively and electronically unsaturated complex fragments [Cp’2M]. This is the reason why they were used for many synthetic and catalytic reactions during the last years. As an update to several review articles on this topic, this contribution provides an update with recent examples of preparative organometallic and organic chemistry of these complexes, acting as reagents for a wide range of coordinating and coupling reactions. In addition, applications and investigations concerning reaction products derived from this chemistry are mentioned, too.
Characterization of protein–ligand binding interactions of enoyl‐ACP reductase (FabI) by native MS reveals allosteric effects of coenzymes and the inhibitor triclosan
Authors: Joyner P. Matthew , Tran Denise P. , Zenaidee Muhammad A. , Loo Joseph A.
Published: December 2021

The enzyme enoyl‐ACP reductase (also called FabI in bacteria) is an essential member of the fatty acid synthase II pathway in plants and bacteria. This enzyme is the target of the antibacterial drug triclosan and has been the subject of extensive studies for the past 20 years. Despite the large number of reports describing the biochemistry of this enzyme, there have been no studies that provided direct observation of the protein and its various ligands. Here we describe the use of native MS to characterize the protein–ligand interactions of FabI with its coenzymes NAD+ and NADH and with the inhibitor triclosan. Measurements of the gas‐phase affinities of the enzyme for these ligands yielded values that are in close agreement with solution‐phase affinity measurements. Additionally, FabI is a homotetramer and we were able to measure the affinity of each subunit for each coenzyme, which revealed that both coenzymes exhibit a positive homotropic allosteric effect. An allosteric effect was also observed in association with the inhibitor triclosan. These observations provide new insights into this well‐studied enzyme and suggest that there may still be gaps in the existing mechanistic models that explain FabI inhibition.
An integrated health risk assessment with control banding for nanomaterials exposure
Authors: Halil Norsuzieanah , Rusli Risza , Zainal Abidin Mardhati , Jamen Shahrulnizam , Khan Faisal
Published: December 2021

Nanomaterials are known to cause biological effects to humans through various routes of exposure such as injection, intravenous, oral, and inhalation. The risk analyses through conventional qualitative or semi‐quantitative approaches, such as control banding tools with limited safety data, and information on the risks posed by nanomaterials, have created uncertainties in decision‐making by various stakeholders. Therefore, an integrated Nanomaterial Risk (NanoRisk) framework that incorporates the Bayesian Network (BN) model, control banding, and process parameters focusing on humidity, the mass of nanomaterials, and operating temperatures was developed to assess the hazards of nanomaterials and their potential biological effects to human health as a result of exposure. The proposed risk assessment was applied to nanomaterials used in the paint and coating industry (nano‐silica, nano‐titanium, and nano‐silver), and the nodes of the BN model were constructed from physiochemical properties, biological effects, routes of exposure, and types of studies extracted from published data. The flexible analytic approach of the BN model allows for a valuable prediction of hazard exposure towards nanomaterials, thus facilitating decision‐making. Furthermore, the integrated framework proposes suitable control measures to reduce the hazard exposure according to the hazard level at different modes of operation. The distinctive feature of NanoRisk demonstrates comprehensive analysis and results that are comparable with previously developed methods.
Magnetoresistance of Antiphase Boundaries in Sr2FeMoO6−δ
Authors: Suchaneck Gunnar , Artiukh Evgenii
Published: December 2021

Antiphase boundaries (APB) in strontium ferromolybdate induce antiferromagnetically coupled spins of the Fe ions at the boundary affecting both the magnetic properties and the electron transport across the boundary. Herein, first, 3D presentation of the APB in strontium ferromolybdate is presented. For the first time, the weighted antiferromagnetic (AF) modulus, the bulk ferrimagnetic exchange stiffness constant, and the AF exchange stiffness constant across the APB of strontium ferromolybdate are estimated. This is done by analyzing carefully selected experimental data of the magnetoresistance (MR). The boundary width and boundary energy are calculated by means of Kittel's theory of the structure of ferromagnetic domains in films and small particles. The evaluation of these parameters deepens the understanding of MR in strontium ferromolybdate ceramic and thin‐film samples possessing a high density of APBs.
Study of the Annealing Effects of Sputtered Bi2Te3Thin Films with Full Thermoelectric Figure of Merit Characterization
Authors: Naumochkin Maksim , Park Gyu-Hyeon , Nielsch Kornelius , Reith Heiko
Published: December 2021

Micro‐thermoelectric (TE) devices have a great potential for future applications in the field of energy harvesting to power autonomous sensors. Bi2Te3sputtered at elevated substrate temperatures exhibits a high figure of merit (ZT) suitable for the fabrication of micro‐TE devices. However, a lift‐off process that does not allow higher substrate temperatures is often used, and although Bi2Te3is a well‐studied TE material, it lacks fullZTcharacterization of thin films. Herein, the full TE characterization of sputtered Bi2Te3thin films is presented, including the charge carrier concentration and mobility, which are deposited at room temperature and postannealed between 150 and 300 °C. The influence of the annealing time and temperature is investigated on a 90 nm‐thick Bi2Te3film. A maximumZTof 0.20 is found, which results from the increasing crystallinity and reduction of point defects. To investigate the thickness dependency, Bi2Te3films with thicknesses of 90, 170, 350, and 470 nm are annealed at 250 °C. A maximumZTvalue of 0.26 is observed for the 350 nm Bi2Te3film. Furthermore, it can be shown that with increasing film thickness, the annealing time has to be increased to maximizeZT.
Improved Cycling Stability of LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 Cathode Material via Variable Temperature Atomic Surface Reduction with Diethyl Zinc
Authors: Saha Arka , Taragin Sarah , Rosy  , Maiti Sandipan , Kravchuk Tatyana , Leifer Nicole , Tkachev Maria , Noked Malachi
Published: December 2021

High‐Ni‐rich layered oxides [e.g., LiNixCoyMnzO2; x > 0.5, x + y + z = 1] are considered one of the most promising cathodes for high‐energy‐density lithium‐ion batteries (LIB). However, extreme electrode–electrolyte reactions, several interfacial issues, and structural instability restrict their practical applicability. Here, a shortened unconventional atomic surface reduction (ASR) technique is demonstrated on the cathode surface as a derivative of the conventional atomic layer deposition (ALD) process, which brings superior cell performances. The atomic surface reaction (reduction process) between diethyl‐zinc (as a single precursor) and Ni‐rich NMC cathode [LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2; NCM811] material is carried out using the ALD reactor at different temperatures. The temperature dependency of the process through advanced spectroscopy and microscopy studies is demonstrated and it is shown that thin surface film is formed at 100 °C, whereas at 200 °C a gradual atomic diffusion of Zn ions from the surface to the near‐surface regions is taking place. This unique near‐surface penetration of Zn ions significantly improves the electrochemical performance of the NCM811 cathode. This approach paves the way for utilizing vapor phase deposition processes to achieve both surface coatings and near‐surface doping in a single reactor to stabilize high‐energy cathode materials.
A Cascaded Droplet Microfluidic Platform Enables High‐Throughput Single Cell Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing at Scale
Authors: Zhang Pengfei , Kaushik Aniruddha M. , Hsieh Kuangwen , Li Sixuan , Lewis Shawna , Mach Kathleen E. , Liao Joseph C. , Carroll Karen C. , Wang Tza‐Huei
Published: December 2021

The global threat of antibiotic resistance underscores critical but unmet needs for rapid antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) technologies. To this end, droplet microfluidic‐based single‐cell AST offers promise by achieving unprecedented rapidity, but its potential for clinical use is marred by the capacity of testing one to few antibiotic conditions per device, which falls short from the required scale in clinically relevant scenarios. To lift the scalability constraint in rapid single‐cell AST technologies, a new cascaded droplet microfluidic platform that can streamline bacteria/antibiotic mixing, single‐cell encapsulation within picoliter droplets, incubation, and detection in a continuous, assembly‐line‐like workflow is developed. The scalability of the platform is demonstrated by generating 32 groups of ≈10 000 droplets with custom antibiotic conditions within a single device, from which a new statistics‐based method is used to analyze the single cell data and produce clinically useful antibiograms with minimum inhibitory concentrations in ≈90 min for the first antibiotic, plus 2 min for each subsequent antibiotic condition. Potential clinical utility of this platform is demonstrated by testing three clinical isolates and eight urine specimens against four frequently used antibiotics, and 100% and 93.8% categorical agreements are achieved compared to laboratory‐based results that became available after 48 h.
Association of Ovar‐DRB1 alleles with innate immune responses in sheep
Authors: Esmailnejad Atefeh , Ganjiani Vahid , Hosseini‐Nasab Elhamsadat , Nazifi Saeed
Published: December 2021

Background

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is the best characterised genetic region associated with adaptive immune responses, including humoral and cell‐mediated immunities.

Objectives

In this study, the association of MHC class II alleles with inflammatory cytokines and acute‐phase proteins was evaluated in sheep population.

Methods

Allelic diversity of second exon of ovine DRB1 locus (Ovar‐DRB1.2) was determined in 100 indigenous Iranian Lori‐Bakhtiari fat‐tailed sheep using restriction fragment length polymorphism and direct sequencing methods. The association of DRB1.2 alleles with inflammatory cytokines (interleukin‐1β, IL‐1β; IL‐6 and tumour necrosis factor‐α) and acute‐phase proteins (serum amyloid A, alpha‐1‐acid glycoprotein and haptoglobin) was examined using generalised linear model and multivariate regression analysis.

Results

Seven distinct RsaI restriction patterns and fourteen alleles were identified in this population. Allele DRB1*2101 showed a negative influence on the IL‐6 response and was associated with lower serum level of IL‐6. DRB1.2 heterozygous individuals also showed higher haptoglobin concentration than homozygotes.

Conclusions

These results provide additional support for the association between Ovar‐DRB1 alleles and regulation of immune responses in sheep population. Description of MHC polymorphism and its role in the controlling of immune responses will increase our understanding of host–pathogen interactions, and ultimately facilitate the selection of disease‐resistant flocks in genetic breeding programs.
Narrativity in Complex Systems
Authors: Fuchs Hans U. , Corni Federico , Dumont Elisabeth
Published: December 2021

Humans use narrative for making sense of their environment. In this chapter we ask if, and if so how and to what extent, our narrative mind can help us deal scientifically with complexity. In order to answer this question, and to show what this means for education, we discuss fundamental aspects of narrative understanding of dynamical systems by working on a concrete story. These aspects involve perception of complex systems, experientiality of narrative, decomposition of systems into mechanisms, perception of forces of nature in mechanisms, and the relation of story-worlds to modelling-worlds, particularly in so-called ephemeral mechanisms. In parallel to describing fundamental issues, we develop a practical heuristic strategy for dealing with complex systems in five steps. (1) Systems thinking: Identify phenomena and foreground a system associated with these phenomena. (2) Mechanisms: Find and describe mechanisms responsible for these phenomena. (3) Forces of nature: Learn to perceive forces of nature as agents acting in these mechanisms. (4) Story-worlds and models: Learn how to use stories of forces (of nature) to construct story-worlds; translate the story-worlds into dynamical-model-worlds. (5) Ephemeral mechanisms for one-time, short-lived, unpredictable, and historical (natural) events: Learn how to create and accept ephemeral story-worlds and models. Ephemeral mechanisms and ephemeral story-worlds are a means for dealing with unpredictability inherent in complex dynamical systems. We argue that unpredictability does not fundamentally deny storytelling, modelling, explanation, and understanding of natural complex systems.
Open Science, Replicability, and Transparency in Modelling
Authors: Prike Toby
Published: December 2021

Recent years have seen large changes to research practices within psychology and a variety of other empirical fields in response to the discovery (or rediscovery) of the pervasiveness and potential impact of questionable research practices, coupled with well-publicised failures to replicate published findings. In response to this, and as part of a broader open science movement, a variety of changes to research practice have started to be implemented, such as publicly sharing data, analysis code, and study materials, as well as the preregistration of research questions, study designs, and analysis plans. This chapter outlines the relevance and applicability of these issues to computational modelling, highlighting the importance of good research practices for modelling endeavours, as well as the potential of provenance modelling standards, such as PROV, to help discover and minimise the extent to which modelling is impacted by unreliable research findings from other disciplines.
Bayesian Model-Based Approach: Impact on Science and Policy
Authors: Bijak Jakub , Hinsch Martin , Nurse Sarah , Prike Toby , Reinhardt Oliver
Published: December 2021

In this chapter, we summarise the scientific and policy implications of the Bayesian model-based approach, starting from an evaluation of its possible advantages, limitations, and potential to influence further scientific developments, policy and practice. We focus here specifically on the role of limits of knowledge and reducible (epistemic), as well as irreducible (aleatory) uncertainty. To that end, we also reflect on the scientific risk-benefit trade-offs of applying the proposed approaches. We discuss the usefulness of proposed methods for policy, exploring a variety of uses, from scenario analysis, to foresight studies, stress testing and early warnings, as well as contingency planning, illustrated with examples generated by the Risk and Rumours models presented earlier in this book. We conclude the chapter by providing several practical recommendations for the potential users of our approach, including a blueprint for producing and assessing the impact of policy interventions in various parts of the social system being modelled.
Aerospace Flight Modeling and Experimental Testing
Authors: Chazot Olivier
Published: December 2021

Validation processes for aerospace flight modeling require to articulate uncertainty quantification methods with the experimental approach. On this note, the specific strategies for the reproduction of re-entry flow conditions in ground-based facilities are reviewed. It shows how it combines high-speed flow physics with the hypersonic wind tunnel capabilities.
Konzepte für eine sprachbewusste Hochschullehre
Authors: Schacht Florian , Guckelsberger Susanne
Published: December 2021

In Kapitel 2 werden die Leitideen und hochschuldidaktischen Design-Prinzipien aus Kap. 1 aufgegriffen und anhand von Beispielen für eine sprachbewusste und forschungsbezogene Lehre in der Lehramtsausbildung Mathematik konkretisiert. In Abschn. 2.1 wird zunächst eine Spielsituation vorgestellt, in der die Studierenden

den Kontext „Sprache im Fach Mathematik“ bewusst erleben können. Ein für den Mathematikunterricht – und damit für die Lehramtsausbildung Mathematik – zentraler Aspekt ist die Arbeit mit und die Variation von Aufgaben. In Abschn. 2.2 steht daher die Frage im Mittelpunkt, wie Studierende bei der sprachbewussten Aufgabenplanung bzw. -variation systematisch unterstützt werden können. Abschn. 2.3 vertieft das Thema mit einem Schwerpunkt auf Darstellungsvernetzung.

Empirische Daten aus dem Unterricht bieten für eine sprachbewusste Lehramtsausbildung einen interessanten Lerngegenstand: Sie lassen Einblicke in unterschiedliche Formen der fachlichen Kommunikation zu, ermöglichen eine Rekonstruktion von Lernprozessen und können wertvolle fach- und sprachdiagnostische

Auskünfte geben. In Abschn. 2.4 wird daher der Fokus auf Lernerdaten als Analyse- und Lerngegenstand gelegt. Abschn. 2.5 widmet sich dem aus hochschuldidaktischer Sicht zentralen Paradigma des forschenden Lernens. Abschn. 2.6 knüpft daran an und vertieft das für viele Studierende besonders herausfordernde Thema der Entwicklung von Forschungsfragen.
Targeted Hsp70 fluorescence molecular endoscopy detects dysplasia in Barrett’s esophagus
Authors: Fang Hsin-Yu , Stangl Stefan , Marcazzan Sabrina , Carvalho Marcos J. Braz , Baumeister Theresa , Anand Akanksha , Strangmann Julia , Huspenina Julia Slotta , Wang Timothy C. , Schmid Roland M. , Feith Marcus , Friess Helmut , Ntziachristos Vasilis , Multhoff Gabriele , Gorpas Dimitris , Quante Michael
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) has been increasing for decades without significant improvements in treatment. Barrett’s esophagus (BE) is best established risk factor for EAC, but current surveillance with random biopsies cannot predict progression to cancer in most BE patients due to the low sensitivity and specificity of high-definition white light endoscopy.

Methods

Here, we evaluated the membrane-bound highly specific Hsp70-specific contrast agent Tumor-Penetrating Peptide (Hsp70-TPP) in guided fluorescence molecular endoscopy biopsy.

Results

Hsp70 was significantly overexpressed as determined by IHC in dysplasia and EAC compared with non-dysplastic BE in patient samples (n = 12) and in high-grade dysplastic lesions in a transgenic (L2-IL1b) mouse model of BE. In time-lapse microscopy, Hsp70-TPP was rapidly taken up and internalized  by human BE dysplastic patient–derived organoids. Flexible fluorescence endoscopy of the BE mouse model allowed a specific detection of Hsp70-TPP-Cy5.5 that corresponded closely with the degree of dysplasia but not BE. Ex vivo application of Hsp70-TPP-Cy5.5 to freshly resected whole human EAC specimens revealed a high (> 4) tumor-to-background ratio and a specific detection of previously undetected tumor infiltrations.

Conclusion

In summary, these findings suggest that Hsp70-targeted imaging using fluorescently labeled TPP peptide may improve tumor surveillance in BE patients.
EANM procedure guidelines for brain PET imaging using [18F]FDG, version 3
Authors: Guedj Eric , Varrone Andrea , Boellaard Ronald , Albert Nathalie L. , Barthel Henryk , van Berckel Bart , Brendel Matthias , Cecchin Diego , Ekmekcioglu Ozgul , Garibotto Valentina , Lammertsma Adriaan A. , Law Ian , Peñuelas Iván , Semah Franck , Traub-Weidinger Tatjana , van de Giessen Elsmarieke , Van Weehaeghe Donatienne , Morbelli Silvia
Published: December 2021

The present procedural guidelines summarize the current views of the EANM Neuro-Imaging Committee (NIC). The purpose of these guidelines is to assist nuclear medicine practitioners in making recommendations, performing, interpreting, and reporting results of [18F]FDG-PET imaging of the brain. The aim is to help achieve a high-quality standard of [18F]FDG brain imaging and to further increase the diagnostic impact of this technique in neurological, neurosurgical, and psychiatric practice. The present document replaces a former version of the guidelines that have been published in 2009. These new guidelines include an update in the light of advances in PET technology such as the introduction of digital PET and hybrid PET/MR systems, advances in individual PET semiquantitative analysis, and current broadening clinical indications (e.g., for encephalitis and brain lymphoma). Further insight has also become available about hyperglycemia effects in patients who undergo brain [18F]FDG-PET. Accordingly, the patient preparation procedure has been updated. Finally, most typical brain patterns of metabolic changes are summarized for neurodegenerative diseases. The present guidelines are specifically intended to present information related to the European practice. The information provided should be taken in the context of local conditions and regulations.
NF-кB c-Rel modulates pre-fibrotic changes in human fibroblasts
Authors: Micus Lara Carolina , Trautschold-Krause Franziska Susanne , Jelit Anna Lena , Schön Michael Peter , Lorenz Verena Natalie
Published: December 2021

Skin fibrosis is one central hallmark of the heterogeneous autoimmune disease systemic sclerosis. So far, there are hardly any standardized and effective treatment options. Pathogenic mechanisms underlying fibrosis comprise excessive and uncontrolled myofibroblast differentiation, increased extracellular matrix protein (ECM) synthesis and an intensification of the forces exerted by the cytoskeleton. A deeper understanding of fibroblast transformation could help to prevent or reverse fibrosis by specifically interfering with abnormally regulated signaling pathways. The transcription factor NF-κB has been implicated in the progression of fibrotic processes. However, the cellular processes regulated by NF-κB in fibrosis as well as the NF-κB isoforms preferentially involved are still completely unknown. In an in vitro model of fibrosis, we consistently observed the induction of the c-Rel subunit of NF-κB. Functional abrogation of c-Rel by siRNA resulted in diminished cell contractility of dermal fibroblasts in relaxed, but not in stressed 3D collagen matrices. Furthermore, directed migration was reduced after c-Rel silencing and total N-cadherin expression level was diminished, possibly mediating the observed cellular defects. Therefore, NF-кB c-Rel impacts central cellular adhesion markers and processes which negatively regulate fibrotic progression in SSc pathophysiology.
Recent changes in the climate-growth response of European larch (Larix decidua Mill.) in the Polish Sudetes
Authors: Danek Małgorzata , Danek Tomasz
Published: December 2021

Key message

Recently observed temporal changes in the climate-growth relationship of larch in the Polish Sudetes suggest growth limitations in the future.

Larches in the Sudetes are very sensitive to the currently changing climatic factors, and an extreme negative response to drought is observed. In this study, temporal changes in the climate-growth relationship of European larch were analyzed using moving-window correlation. Change-point detection analysis was performed to determine whether there is a temporal connection between tree-ring growth responses and changes in climatic factors trends. The Random Forest predictor importance determination method was used to establish the set of climatic factors that influence larch tree-ring growth the most and to show how this set changes over time. Additionally, cluster analysis was applied to find spatial growth patterns and to generalize the growth response of larch. The results indicate that the main clustering factor is altitude. Nevertheless, an increasing unification of the larch’s response to dominant climatic factors is observable throughout the whole study area. This unification is expressed in the increasingly positive and recently dominant effect of May temperature. A progressively negative influence of the temperature in the summer and late autumn of the year preceding growth was observed, as was an increasing influence of water availability in the summer months. The study indicates that there is a connection between the observed changes and the recent rapid rise in temperature, which has consequently had a negative influence on water availability. The growth of this tree species in the Sudetes is expected to be very limited in the future due to its sensitivity to drought, the predicted increase in temperatures and thermal extremes, and the decrease of the share of summer precipitation in the annual total.
Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) movies, universal ROC (UROC) curves, and coefficient of predictive ability (CPA)
Authors: Gneiting Tilmann , Walz Eva-Maria
Published: December 2021

Throughout science and technology, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and associated area under the curve ($$\mathrm{AUC}$$AUC) measures constitute powerful tools for assessing the predictive abilities of features, markers and tests in binary classification problems. Despite its immense popularity, ROC analysis has been subject to a fundamental restriction, in that it applies to dichotomous (yes or no) outcomes only. Here we introduce ROC movies and universal ROC (UROC) curves that apply to just any linearly ordered outcome, along with an associated coefficient of predictive ability ($${\mathrm{CPA}}$$CPA) measure.$${\mathrm{CPA}}$$CPAequals the area under the UROC curve, and admits appealing interpretations in terms of probabilities and rank based covariances. For binary outcomes$${\mathrm{CPA}}$$CPAequals$$\mathrm{AUC}$$AUC, and for pairwise distinct outcomes$${\mathrm{CPA}}$$CPArelates linearly to Spearman’s coefficient, in the same way that the C index relates linearly to Kendall’s coefficient. ROC movies, UROC curves, and$${\mathrm{CPA}}$$CPAnest and generalize the tools of classical ROC analysis, and are bound to supersede them in a wealth of applications. Their usage is illustrated in data examples from biomedicine and meteorology, where rank based measures yield new insights in the WeatherBench comparison of the predictive performance of convolutional neural networks and physical-numerical models for weather prediction.
Initial carbonate weathering is linked with vegetation development along a 127-year glacial retreat chronosequence in the subtropical high mountainous Hailuogou region (SW China)
Authors: Basdediós Nuria , Zhong Zhilin , Wu Yanhong , Wilcke Wolfgang
Published: December 2021

Aims

The retreat of glaciers is exposing new terrains to primary plant succession around the globe. To improve the understanding of vegetation development along a glacier retreat chronosequence, we (i) evaluated a possible link between base metal (Ca, Mg, K, Na) supply and vegetation establishment, (ii) determined the rates of the establishment of soil and plant base metal stocks, and (iii) estimated the size of the main base metal fluxes.

Methods

We determined base metal stocks in the soil organic layer, the mineral topsoil (0–10 cm), and in leaves/needles, trunk, bark, branches and roots of the dominating shrub and tree species and estimated fluxes of atmospheric deposition, plant uptake and leaching losses along the 127-yr Hailuogou chronosequence.

Results

Total ecosystem Ca and Mg stocks decreased along the chronosequence, while those of K and Na were unrelated with ecosystem age. Fortyfour and 30% of the initial stocks of Ca and Mg, respectively, were leached during the first 47 years, at rates of 130 ± 10.6 g m−2 year−1 Ca and 35 ± 3.1 g m−2 year−1 Mg. The organic layer accumulated at a mean rate of 288 g m−2 year−1 providing a bioavailable base metal stock, which was especially important for K cycling.

Conclusions

We suggest that the initial high Ca bioavailability because of a moderately alkaline soil pH and carbonate depletion in 47 years, together with the dissolution of easily-weatherable silicates providing enough Mg and K to the pioneer vegetation, contributed to the establishment of the mature forest in ca. 80 years.
East Slavic indefinite pronouns: a corpus-based approach
Authors: Penkova Yana , Rabus Achim
Published: December 2021

The paper focuses on the development and functional distribution of indefinite pronouns in Old East Slavic, taking into account different sources, genres and registers. All the examples in the collected dataset were taken from the historical modules of the Russian National Corpus. They were tagged for type of indefinite marker, source (including originality and date), type of reference of the indefinite marker, semantics, type of discourse, and the degree of formality (formal or informal) present in the context. We then applied both descriptive and inferential statistical methods such as Random Forest analysis as well as multinomial logistic regression. Our analysis enabled us to identify the primary and secondary predictors of the choice of a particular indefinite marker and to trace the functional distribution of indefinite markers according to these factors.