bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Person-environment fit of environmental support provided during medical consultations with older patients
Authors: Poth Aoife , Baumgardt Meret , Tesky Valentina A. , Pantel Johannes , Oswald Frank , Haberstroh Julia
Published: September 2021

As some cognitive functions decline in old age, the ability to decide about important life events such as medical treatment is endangered. Environmental support to improve the comprehension of health-related information is therefore necessary. With a small-scale explorative approach, the present survey study aimed at investigating person-environment fit (PE-fit) of support provided during medical consultations. This fit was calculated by assessing the match between aids provided by five medical practitioners during medical consultations and aids most appreciated by the geriatric patients (N = 88). The results showed that the largest discrepancies of used and appreciated aids could be found concerning the opportunity to discuss decisions with relatives, the possibility to take notes, the use of objects, pictures and a keyword list. Female patients indicated a lower PE-fit. These findings highlight discrepancies between the use of specific aids and the wishes of patients and call for thoughtful use of aids during consultations with geriatric patients.
Differential diagnosis between syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion and cerebral/renal salt wasting syndrome in children over 1 year: proposal for a simple algorithm
Authors: Bardanzellu Flaminia , Marcialis Maria Antonietta , Frassetto Roberta , Melis Alice , Fanos Vassilios
Published: September 2021

Hyponatremia, especially if acute and severe, can be a life-threatening condition. Several conditions can trigger hyponatremia. In this review, we will discuss two conditions that can determine euvolemic hyponatremia: the cerebral/renal salt wasting (CRSW) syndrome and the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH), including the two subtypes: reset osmostat (RO) and nephrogenic syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis (NSIAD) and their differential diagnoses. Despite the passage of over 70 years since its first description, to date, the true etiopathogenesis of CRSW syndrome, a rare cause of hypovolemic/euvolemic hyponatremia, is almost unknown. SIADH, including RO and NSIAD, is sometimes difficult to differentiate from CRSW syndrome; in its differential diagnosis, the clinical approach based on the evaluation of the extracellular volume (ECV) was proven insufficient. We therefore suggest a simple diagnostic algorithm based on the assessment of the degree of hyponatremia, urinary osmolality, and the assessment of the fraction of urate excretion (FEUa) in conditions of hyponatremia and after serum sodium correction, to be applied in children over 1 year of life.
Why Probability isn’t Magic
Authors: Rigat Fabio
Published: September 2021

“What data will show the truth?” is a fundamental question emerging early in any empirical investigation. From a statistical perspective, experimental design is the appropriate tool to address this question by ensuring control of the error rates of planned data analyses and of the ensuing decisions. From an epistemological standpoint, planned data analyses describe in mathematical and algorithmic terms a pre-specified mapping of observations into decisions. The value of exploratory data analyses is often less clear, resulting in confusion about what characteristics of design and analysis are necessary for decision making and what may be useful to inspire new questions. This point is addressed here by illustrating the Popper-Miller theorem in plain terms and using a graphical support. Popper and Miller proved that probability estimates cannot generate hypotheses on behalf of investigators. Consistently with Popper-Miller, we show that probability estimation can only reduce uncertainty about the truth of a merely possible hypothesis. This fact clearly identifies exploratory analysis as one of the tools supporting a dynamic process of hypothesis generation and refinement which cannot be purely analytic. A clear understanding of these facts will enable stakeholders, mathematical modellers and data analysts to better engage on a level playing field when designing experiments and when interpreting the results of planned and exploratory data analyses.
The Ca2+ sensor proteins CML37 and CML42 antagonistically regulate plant stress responses by altering phytohormone signals
Authors: Heyer Monika , Scholz Sandra S. , Reichelt Michael , Kunert Grit , Oelmüller Ralf , Mithöfer Axel
Published: September 2021

Key message

Calmodulin-like-proteins (CML) belong to a family of calcium-sensing proteins that are unique for plants and involved in many different developmental and stress-related reactions. In defense against herbivory, some pathogens and drought, CML37 acts as a positive and CML42 as a negative regulator, respectively. We provide evidence that both CMLs act antagonistically in the regulation of induced defense responses. A double knock-out line, cml37 x cml42, thus shows wild-type phenotypes upon all kind of stresses we used.

A transient increase in the cytosolic calcium concentration is one of the first reactions that can be measured in plant cells upon abiotic as well as biotic stress treatments. These calcium signals are sensed by calcium binding proteins such as calmodulin-like proteins (CMLs), which transduce the sensed information into appropriate stress responses by interacting with downstream target proteins. In previous studies, CML37 has been shown to positively regulate the plants’ defense against both the insect herbivore Spodoptera littoralis and the response to drought stress. In contrast, CML42 is known to negatively regulate those two stress responses. Here, we provide evidence that these two CMLs act antagonistically in the regulation of induced responses directed against drought and herbivory stress as well as in the defense against the necrotrophic pathogen Alternaria brassicicola. Both CMLs shape the plant reactions by altering the phytohormone signaling. Consequently, the phytohormone-regulated production of defensive compounds like glucosinolates is also antagonistically mediated by both CMLs. The finding that CML37 and CML42 have antagonistic roles in diverse stress-related responses suggests that these calcium sensor proteins represent important tools for the plant to balance and fine-tune the signaling and downstream reactions upon environmental stress.
Smartphone-based real-time object recognition architecture for portable and constrained systems
Authors: Martinez-Alpiste Ignacio , Golcarenarenji Gelayol , Wang Qi , Alcaraz-Calero Jose Maria
Published: September 2021

Machine learning algorithms based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have recently been explored in a myriad of object detection applications. Nonetheless, many devices with limited computation resources and strict power consumption constraints are not suitable to run such algorithms designed for high-performance computers. Hence, a novel smartphone-based architecture intended for portable and constrained systems is designed and implemented to run CNN-based object recognition in real time and with high efficiency. The system is designed and optimised by leveraging the integration of the best of its kind from the state-of-the-art machine learning platforms including OpenCV, TensorFlow Lite, and Qualcomm Snapdragon informed by empirical testing and evaluation of each candidate framework in a comparable scenario with a high demanding neural network. The final system has been prototyped combining the strengths from these frameworks and led to a new machine learning-based object recognition execution environment embedded in a smartphone with advantageous performance compared with the previous frameworks.
Nachfrage und Auslastung von Fortbildungen für Lehrerinnen und Lehrer: Effekte struktureller und inhaltlicher Angebotsmerkmale
Authors: Johannmeyer Karen , Cramer Colin
Published: September 2021

Fortbildungen kommt in der berufslebenslangen Professionalisierung von Lehrpersonen eine wichtige Funktion zu. Bislang wurde primär zu deren Wirksamkeit oder zu Merkmalen der Teilnehmenden geforscht. Das Angebot an Fortbildungen wurde kaum untersucht und steht im Fokus dieser Studie: Strukturelle sowie inhaltliche Merkmale der Fortbildungen werden beschrieben und empirische Zusammenhänge mit deren Nachfrage und Auslastung hergestellt. Die Datengrundlage bilden Ausschreibungen vonN = 6240 regionalen, schulexternen Fortbildungen, die im Zeitraum eines Jahres unter Verantwortung des Kultusministeriums in Baden-Württemberg angeboten wurden. Ausgehend von inhaltsanalytischen Kodierungen der Angebotsbeschreibungen wird regressionsanalytisch gezeigt, dass eine höhere Nachfrage sowie Auslastung nicht nur durch die Dauer der Fortbildungen, sondern auch durch deren Fachbezug sowie deren Inhalte erklärt werden können. Implikationen für die Fortbildungsplanung und für weitere Forschung werden diskutiert.
Phytosterols and Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Makhmudova Umidakhon , Schulze P. Christian , Lütjohann Dieter , Weingärtner Oliver
Published: September 2021

Purpose of Review

Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Elevated blood cholesterol levels are not only the major but also the best modifiable cardiovascular risk factor. Lifestyle modifications which include a healthy diet are the cornerstone of lipid-lowering therapy. So-called functional foods supplemented with plant sterols lower blood cholesterol levels by about 10–15%.

Recent Findings

In the recent revision of the ESC/EAS dyslipidemia guideline 2019, plant sterols are recommended for the first time as an adjunct to lifestyle modification to lower blood cholesterol levels. However, the German Cardiac Society (DGK) is more critical of food supplementation with plant sterols and calls for randomized controlled trials investigating hard cardiovascular outcomes. An increasing body of evidence suggests that plant sterols per se are atherogenic.

This review discusses this controversy based on findings from in vitro and in vivo studies, clinical trials, and genetic evidence.
RNA Silencing in the Management of Dyslipidemias
Authors: Henney Neil C. , Banach Maciej , Penson Peter E.
Published: September 2021

Purpose of Review

Remarkable reductions in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality have been achieved in recent decades through the widespread use of ‘small-molecule’ hypolipidaemic drugs such as statins and ezetimibe. An alternative approach is to perturb the production of proteins through ribonucleic acid (RNA) silencing, leading to long-lasting knock-down of specific biological molecules. This review describes the scientific basis of RNA silencing, and critically evaluates the evidence relating to inclisiran, a small interfering RNA against proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9 (PCSK9).

Recent Findings

Pooled analysis of three recent ORION trials has demonstrated that twice-yearly administration of inclisiran reduces LDL-C by 50% in a range of patient groups, with only mild adverse effects.

Inclisiran provides safe, effective and long-lasting reductions in PCSK9 and LDL-C. The results of the phase-3 ORION-4 outcomes study are eagerly awaited. Further promising RNA silencing technologies have the potential to improve the management of dyslipidaemia.
Radiomics analysis improves 18FDG PET/CT-based risk stratification of cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules
Authors: Giovanella Luca , Milan Lisa , Piccardo Arnoldo , Bottoni Gianluca , Cuzzocrea Marco , Paone Gaetano , Ceriani Luca
Published: September 2021

Purpose

As ~25% of cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules harbour malignancy, diagnostic lobectomy is still performed in many cases.18FDG PET/CT rules out malignancy in visually negative nodules; however, none of the currently available interpretation criteria differentiates malignant from benign18FDG-avid nodules. We evaluated the ability of PET metrics and radiomics features (RFs) to predict final diagnosis of18FDG-avid cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules.

Methods

Seventy-eight patients were retrospectively included. After volumetric segmentation of each thyroid lesion, 4 PET metrics and 107 RFs were extracted. A logistic regression was performed including thyroid stimulating hormone, PET metrics, and RFs to assess their predictive performance. A linear combination of the resulting parameters generated a radiomics score (RS) that was matched with cytology classes (Bethesda III and IV) and compared with final diagnosis.

Results

Two RFs (shape_Sphericity and glcm_Autocorrelation) differentiated malignant from benign lesions. A predictive model integrating RS and cytology classes effectively stratified the risk of malignancy. The prevalence of thyroid cancer increased from 5 to 37% and 79% in accordance with the number (score 0, 1 or 2, respectively) of positive biomarkers.

Conclusions

Our multiparametric model may be useful for reducing the number of diagnostic lobectomies with advantages in terms of costs and quality of life for patients.
San Antonio 2020 update—the top 3 surgical abstracts
Authors: Kacerovsky-Strobl Stephanie
Published: September 2021

The San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium is one of the largest meetings addressing the treatment of breast cancer patients; therefore, the meeting is of high interest for breast cancer specialists from around the world.

From the meeting in 2020, which was held virtually, I have picked the top three surgical abstracts to show new developments in the surgical treatment of breast cancer patients.

The first abstract addresses the question of whether an axillary dissection is necessary or not, in a selected patient cohort. The results, even after a short follow-up time, could confirm the findings of the ACOZOG Z 0011 trial.

The second abstract refers to the question of whether sentinel node biopsy is always mandatory in older patients with hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer.

Finally, the third abstract focuses on a trial dedicated to the sentinel lymph node after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

These three abstracts show the importance of the surgical management of the axilla, under special circumstances.
Antithrombotic therapy in high-risk patients after percutaneous coronary intervention; study design, cohort profile and incidence of adverse events
Authors: Olie R. H. , van der Meijden P. E. J. , Vries M. J. A. , Veenstra L. , van ‘t Hof A. W. J. , ten Berg J. M. , Henskens Y. M. C. , ten Cate H.
Published: September 2021

Background

Patients with multiple clinical risk factors are a complex group in whom both bleeding and recurrent ischaemic events often occur during treatment with dual/triple antithrombotic therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention. Decisions on optimal antithrombotic treatment in these patients are challenging and not supported by clear guideline recommendations. A prospective observational cohort study was set up to evaluate patient-related factors, platelet reactivity, genetics, and a broad spectrum of biomarkers in predicting adverse events in these high-risk patients. Aim of the current paper is to present the study design, with a detailed description of the cohort as a whole, and evaluation of bleeding and ischaemic outcomes during follow-up, thereby facilitating future research questions focusing on specific data provided by the cohort.

Methods

We included patients with ≥ 3 predefined risk factors who were treated with dual/triple antithrombotic therapy following PCI. We performed a wide range of haemostatic tests and collected all ischaemic and bleeding events during 6–12 months follow-up.

Results

We included 524 high-risk patients who underwent PCI within the previous 1–2 months. All patients used a P2Y12 inhibitor (clopidogrel n = 388, prasugrel n = 61, ticagrelor n = 75) in combination with aspirin (n = 397) and/or anticoagulants (n = 160). Bleeding events were reported by 254 patients (48.5%), necessitating intervention or hospital admission in 92 patients (17.5%). Major adverse cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction, stroke, death) occurred in 69 patients (13.2%).

Conclusion

The high risk for both bleeding and ischaemic events in this cohort of patients with multiple clinical risk factors illustrates the challenges that the cardiologist faces to make a balanced decision on the optimal treatment strategy. This cohort will serve to answer several future research questions about the optimal management of these patients on dual/triple antithrombotic therapy, and the possible value of a wide range of laboratory tests to guide these decisions.
Stochastic-based liquid apparent permeability model of shale oil reservoir considering geological control
Authors: Xu Jilong , Wang Wendong , Ma Bing , Su Yuliang , Wang Han , Zhan Shiyuan
Published: September 2021

Shale is a complex porous medium composed of organic matter (OM) and inorganic minerals (iOM). Because of its widespread nanopores, using Darcy’s law is challenging. In this work, a two-fluid system model is established to calculate the oil flow rate in a single nanopore. Then, a spatial distribution model of shale components is constructed with a modified quartet structure generation set algorithm. The stochastic apparent permeability (AP) model of shale oil is finally established by combining the two models. The proposed model can consider the effects of various geological controls: the content and grain size distribution of shale components, pore size distribution, pore types and nanoconfined effects (slip length and spatially varying viscosity). The results show that slip length in OM nanopores is far greater than that in iOM. However, when the total organic content is less than 0.3 ~ 0.4, the effect of the OM slip on AP increases first and then decreases with the decrease in mean pore size, resulting in that the flow enhancement in shale is much smaller than that in a single nanopore. The porosity distribution and grain size distribution are also key factors affecting AP. If we ignore the difference of porosity between shale components, the error of permeability estimation is more than 200%. Similarly, the relative error can reach 20% if the effect of grain size distribution is ignored. Our model can help understand oil transport in shale strata and provide parameter characterization for numerical simulation.
Thoughts that breathe, and words that burn: poetic inquiry within health professions education
Authors: Brown Megan E. L. , Kelly Martina , Finn Gabrielle M.
Published: September 2021

Qualitative inquiry is increasingly popular in health professions education, and there has been a move to solidify processes of analysis to demystify the practice and increase rigour. Whilst important, being bound too heavily by methodological processes potentially represses the imaginative creativity of qualitative expression and interpretation—traditional cornerstones of the approach. Rigid adherence to analytic steps risks leaving no time or space for moments of ‘wonder’ or emotional responses which facilitate rich engagement. Poetic inquiry, defined as research which uses poetry ‘as, in, [or] for inquiry’, offers ways to encourage creativity and deep engagement with qualitative data within health professions education. Poetic inquiry attends carefully to participant language, can deepen researcher reflexivity, may increase the emotive impact of research, and promotes an efficiency of qualitative expression through the use of ‘razor sharp’ language. This A Qualitative Space paper introduces the approach by outlining how it may be applied to inquiry within health professions education. Approaches to engaging with poetic inquiry are discussed and illustrated using examples from the field’s scholarship. Finally, recommendations for interested researchers on how to engage with poetic inquiry are made, including suggestions as to how to poetize existing qualitative research practices.
„NGOisierung“ der Interessenvermittlung und Pluralisierung der Politikgestaltung
Authors: Thierse Stefan , Schiffers Maximilian
Published: September 2021

Der einführende Beitrag dieses Special Issue widmet sich dem wechselseitigen Verhältnis von Veränderungsprozessen der Interessenvermittlung und dem Funktionswandel von Nichtregierungsorganisationen (NGOs). Unter Bezugnahme auf das Konzept der NGOisierung werden organisationale und strategische Anpassungen umrissen, die den veränderten institutionellen Rahmenbedingungen von Interessenvermittlung und Politikgestaltung Rechnung tragen und die nicht allein auf NGOs begrenzt sind. Der Wandel einzelner NGOs und des Systems der NGOs als Ganzem lässt sich entlang von zwei Funktionen untersuchen: die öffentlichkeitswirksame, kritische Anwaltschaft für Anliegen strukturell schwacher Interessen einerseits und die Mitwirkungen an der Aushandlung, Implementation und Überwachung regulativer Standards andererseits. Diese beiden Funktionen und die damit verbundenen Zielkonflikt bilden den analytischen Rahmen für die nachfolgenden Beiträge, die kurz und bündig vorgestellt werden. Außerdem werden über die in dem Special Issue vereinten Beiträge hinausweisende Forschungsdesiderate skizziert.
Improvements in Sleep Quality and Duration Following a Meditation Retreat: an Open-Trial Pilot Study
Authors: Kanchibhotla Divya , Parekh Sheel Galada , Harsora Prateek , Kulkarni Shashank
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Disturbed sleep and other sleep-related problems have a negative impact on the human mind and body. Meditation practices are reported to improve physiological functions and might also have a positive impact on regulating sleep. This research investigates the efficacy of an advanced mind–body medicine intervention, called Hollow and Empty Meditation (HEM), on improving sleep quality.

Methods

The study was a single-arm open-trial pilot study which assessed 413 adults who underwent a 4-day meditation retreat offered by the Art of Living, called the Advanced Meditation Program (AMP), and experienced a novel meditation—HEM. Results were measured using a self-report questionnaire, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), which was administered to the participants thrice: on the first day of the program (pre-intervention), immediately after program (post-intervention/Day 4), and on Day 40 (D40) after the program.

Results

There was a significant difference in pre–post and pre–D40 scores in the population. Both sleep quality and sleep duration showed an improvement immediately after the AMP (post), and the residual impact was still experienced at D40, especially with the group with age > 36 years.

Conclusions

The use of HEM resulted in improvement in sleep quality not just immediately after the program, but had longer-term effects that extended over several weeks, helping remediate sleep problems among younger adults as well as older ones. It resulted in improvement in sleep quality as well as reduction in sleep-related daytime impairment, which have substantial constructive implications for well-being, everyday functioning and quality of life.
Traumatic Neck Injury: An Accidental Impalement by a Needlefish
Authors: Ali Aishath Azna , Gurung Rajan , Hayati Firdaus , Zakaria Andee Dzulkarnaen , Mohamad Irfan , Ching Fui Fui
Published: September 2021

Encounters between marine animals and humans can result in critical injury and fatal complications. We highlight a 20-y-old male who sustained a penetrating injury to the neck as a result of impalement by needlefish ( Tylosurus sp) while snorkeling. He sustained a penetrating injury in the posterior triangle of the neck. On presentation, he was stabilized and received empirical antibiotics, analgesia, and antitetanus toxoid injection before being transferred to a tertiary center. On presentation to the tertiary hospital, the patient was hemodynamically stable with no clinical evidence of injury to surrounding neck structures, and this was confirmed using computed tomography. The patient underwent local wound exploration and retrieval of the needlefish beak under general anesthesia. The wound was left open to heal by secondary intention. The patient was discharged with oral antibiotics and went on to make a complete recovery.
A New Study of the Decorated Cists in Kilmartin Glen, Argyll, Scotland
Authors: Watson Aaron , Bradley Richard
Published: September 2021

Decorated cists have been identified at three burial cairns in Kilmartin Glen, Mid Argyll. The paper provides a new analysis of the cover slab at Nether Largie North, which features a series of pecked axeheads. Previous studies suggested that they replaced an array of cup marks, but the evidence of photogrammetry suggests a longer sequence and a more complex scheme. The same approach was taken to the decorated cists beneath the Nether Largie Mid cairn and a comparable structure at Ri Cruin. Additional depictions were identified. The carvings within all three cists are organised in similar ways. They date from a period in the Early Bronze Age when metal was imported from Ireland. At the same time, the reuse of older structures suggests a new concern with the past.
De-centering the Revolution: Class Composition in the Making and Defeat of the Bavarian Council Republic
Authors: Schaupp Simon
Published: September 2021

In November 1918, the labor movement of Bavaria, Germany, overthrew the monarchist government and, in April 1919, proclaimed a Bavarian Council Republic (BCR). This article analyzes the revolution and its defeat through the lens of class composition theory, thereby suggesting some revisions to the latter. The technical composition of the Bavarian working class fostered the concept of self-management, which lay at the heart of the councils as the organizational form of the revolution. However, it also nurtured authoritarian potentials, which were more in line with-counter revolutionary positions. The article suggests that class composition theory must be expanded by the notion of social composition, taking into account struggles over reproduction and consumption: Inflation, unemployment, food shortages, and disease led to a crisis in material reproduction, which in turn led large parts of the unemployed and of the women's movement to become radical revolutionaries. The article argues to conceptualize technical and social class composition to be in a dialectical relationship with political composition. It thus emphasizes the role of ideologies of anti-Semitism and anti-feminism, both within the counter-revolution and the revolution itself. While the combination of different struggles for emancipation contributed to the early successes of the revolution, their ideological division was as an important factor in its defeat.
Le ne de négation dans Marius de Marcel Pagnol : pièce de théâtre (1929), film (1931) et remake (2013)
Authors: Courdès-Murphy Léa , Jansen Luise
Published: September 2021

Différentes études suggèrent que le ne de négation se perd de plus en plus en français parlé (cf. Ashby, 2001 ; Armstrong et Smith, 2002 ; Hansen et Malderez, 2004). Notre travail pose la question de savoir si un tel développement peut également être observé dans l’oral mis en scène. Nous analysons pour ce faire le changement du langage mis en scène au fil du temps ainsi que le changement médial entre le drame écrit et son adaptation. Notre corpus se compose du drame Marius (1929) de Marcel Pagnol, du film Marius (1931) d’Alexander Korda et du remake Marius de Daniel Auteuil (2013). Nous avons analysé ce corpus selon l’approche classique de la sociolinguistique, en considérant le ne de négation comme variable sociolinguistique (cf. Labov, 1972). Nos résultats montrent que l’oral mis en scène dans le drame se distingue nettement de la façon dont parlent les personnages dans les films, puisque le ne y figure bien plus souvent. Par ailleurs, le nombre bien plus élevé de ne dans le remake de 2013 que dans la version de 1931 pourrait être une stratégie mise en place pour représenter de l’oral ancien.
L’oralité mise en scène: syntaxe et phonologie – introduction
Authors: Pustka Elissa , Dufter Andreas , Hornsby David
Published: September 2021

La linguistique prétend s’intéresser en priorité à l’oral – or, elle a pendant longtemps en majorité étudié de l’écrit. Cela s’explique tout d’abord par des contraintes techniques: avant l’invention du phonographe en 1877, nous n’avons aucun accès direct à l’oral. Même de nos jours, le recueil d’enregistrements oraux reste encore trop rare; la construction et analyse de grands corpus sont coûteuses. Dans une perspective historique, il est bien évidemment très difficile de reconstruire l’oral à partir de l’écrit. Se pose cependant la question du statut de ces données: à quel point s’agit-il d’un oral « imité », « imaginé » ou même « manipulé » ?
Alternating Fixpoint Operator for Hybrid MKNF Knowledge Bases as an Approximator of AFT
Authors: LIU FANGFANG , YOU JIA-HUAI
Published: September 2021

Approximation fixpoint theory (AFT) provides an algebraic framework for the study of fixpoints of operators on bilattices and has found its applications in characterizing semantics for various classes of logic programs and nonmonotonic languages. In this paper, we show one more application of this kind: the alternating fixpoint operator by Knorr et al. for the study of the well-founded semantics for hybrid minimal knowledge and negation as failure (MKNF) knowledge bases is in fact an approximator of AFT in disguise, which, thanks to the abstraction power of AFT, characterizes not only the well-founded semantics but also two-valued as well as three-valued semantics for hybrid MKNF knowledge bases. Furthermore, we show an improved approximator for these knowledge bases, of which the least stable fixpoint is information richer than the one formulated from Knorr et al.’s construction. This leads to an improved computation for the well-founded semantics. This work is built on an extension of AFT that supports consistent as well as inconsistent pairs in the induced product bilattice, to deal with inconsistencies that arise in the context of hybrid MKNF knowledge bases. This part of the work can be considered generalizing the original AFT from symmetric approximators to arbitrary approximators.
From Bushfires to Misfires: Climate-related Financial Risk after McVeigh v. Retail Employees Superannuation Trust
Authors: Colombo Esmeralda
Published: September 2021

The year 2020 proved to be a clarion call for global society. There is no longer doubt that increasingly we are experiencing unpredictable events, known as ‘black swans’, ranging from pandemics to financial meltdowns. One of the ’climate black swans’ against which experts have cautioned is the financial crisis caused by climate change. In this context, the Australian case of McVeigh v. Retail Employees Superannuation Trust for the first time tested climate risk and the fiduciary duties of retail pension funds. Settled in November 2020, the case has already raised the bar for climate risk practice in pension funds. In particular, McVeigh suggests that courts, as well as out-of-court settlements, may articulate a duty, rather than grant permission, for pension funds to consider climate-related financial risk in their investment decisions.

The article builds on McVeigh to ask two questions. Firstly, what is the role of climate change litigation in promoting climate regulation by pension funds? Secondly, what is the relative importance of pension funds for the risk management of climate-related financial risk via due diligence compared with risk assessment via disclosure? Fundamentally, the article explains climate-related financial risk as a cultural phenomenon and argues that a discussion on pension fund fiduciary duties must consider disclosure in addition to due diligence. It argues that McVeigh articulated the need for a normative approach to pension fund disclosure duties and an extension of the field of climate-related risk disclosure to embrace climate-related risk due diligence.
CME: Selbstbestimmung am Lebensende: die Herausforderung medizinischer End-of-Life-Entscheidungen CME-Fragen
Authors: Kunz Roland , Rüegger Heinz
Published: September 2021

Zusammenfassung. Durch medizinische Interventionen kann das Sterben heute immer mehr hinausgezögert werden. Dadurch stellen sich im Sterbeprozess eine Vielzahl von Lebensende-Entscheidungen. Diese Entscheidungen sind nicht Sache der Ärzteschaft, sondern stehen im Zeichen der Patientenautonomie. Das ist ein Zugewinn an Freiheit, kann aber auch zu Überforderung führen. Es ist Aufgabe der Ärztinnen und Ärzte, Menschen so zu begleiten, dass sie entscheidungsfähig werden und ihr Lebensende selbstbestimmt gestalten können. Dabei spielen auch moderne Instrumente wie Patientenverfügungen oder Advance Care Planning eine Rolle. Bei urteilsunfähigen Patientinnen und Patienten legt das Gesetz fest, wer autorisiert ist, stellvertretend medizinische Entscheidungen zu fällen.
The Structure of the Martian Quasi‐Perpendicular Supercritical Shock as Seen by MAVEN
Authors: Burne S. , Bertucci C. , Mazelle C. , Morales L. F. , Meziane K. , Halekas J. , Fowler C. M. , Espley J. , Mitchell D. , Penou E.
Published: September 2021

The Martian bow shock is a rich example of a supercritical, mass‐loaded collisionless shock that coexists with ultra‐low frequency upstream waves that are generated by the pick‐up of exospheric ions. The small size of the bow shock stand‐off distance (comparable with the solar wind ion convective gyroradius) raises questions about the nature of the particle acceleration and energy dissipation mechanism at work. The study of the Martian shock structure is crucial to understand its microphysics and is of special interest to understand the solar wind—planet interaction with a virtually unmagnetized body. We report on a complete identification and first characterization of the supercritical substructures of the Martian quasi‐perpendicular shock, under the assumption of a moving shock layer, using MAVEN magnetic field and solar wind plasma observations for two examples of shock crossings. We obtained substructures length‐scales comparable to those of the Terrestrial shock, with a narrow shock ramp of the order of a few electron inertial lengths. We also observed a well defined foot (smaller than the proton convected gyroradius) and overshoot that confirm the importance of ion dynamics for dissipative effects.
Anticipating Climate Impacts of Major Volcanic Eruptions
Authors: Carn Simon , Newman Paul , Aquila Valentina , Gonnermann Helge , Dufek Josef
Published: September 2021

NASA’s rapid response plan for gathering atmospheric data amid major volcanic eruptions, paired with efforts to improve eruption simulations, will offer better views of these events’ global effects.
Detecting Climate Teleconnections With Granger Causality
Authors: Silva Filipi N. , Vega‐Oliveros Didier A. , Yan Xiaoran , Flammini Alessandro , Menczer Filippo , Radicchi Filippo , Kravitz Ben , Fortunato Santo
Published: September 2021

Climate system teleconnections are crucial for improving climate predictability, but difficult to quantify. Standard approaches to identify teleconnections are often based on correlations between time series. Here we present a novel method leveraging Granger causality, which can infer/detect relationships between any two fields. We compare teleconnections identified by correlation and Granger causality at different timescales. We find that both Granger causality and correlation consistently recover known seasonal precipitation responses to the sea surface temperature pattern associated with the El Niño Southern Oscillation. Such findings are robust across multiple time resolutions. In addition, we identify candidates for unexplored teleconnection responses.
Observational Evidence of Transient Lobe Reconnection Triggered by Sudden Northern Enhancement of IMF Bz
Authors: Wang Zhiwei , Hu Hongqiao , Lu Jianyong , Han Desheng , Liu Jianjun , Wu Yewen , Hu Zejun
Published: September 2021

In general, lobe reconnection occurs under northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) Bz. However, what process can trigger lobe reconnection has not been fully understood. Using observations from SuperDARN radar and Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) spacecraft, we found that (a) short‐term sunward ionospheric flow bursts observed by SuperDARN poleward of the cusp showed one‐to‐one correspondent with the sudden increase of the IMF Bz, (b) the sunward flow bursts observed by SurperDARN were associated with sunward ion drifts identified from the DMSP satellite, and (c) a cusp auroral spot, together with an inverse ion energy dispersion, was observed in association with one of the flow bursts. We suggest that these observations provide evidence that the lobe reconnections can be triggered by a sudden increase of the IMF Bz component. What’s more, we found that the reconnection signatures disappeared quickly after the IMF Bz enhancement being over, which indicates that the lobe reconnection triggered by the sudden increase of the IMF Bz is a transient process.
Aquatic‐Terrestrial Linkages Control Metabolism and Carbon Dynamics in a Mid‐Sized, Urban Stream Influenced by Snowmelt
Authors: Reed A. P. , Stets E. G. , Murphy S. F. , Mullins E. A.
Published: September 2021

Freshwater streams can exchange nutrients and carbon with the surrounding terrestrial environment through various mechanisms including physical erosion, flooding, leaf drop, and snowmelt. These aquatic‐terrestrial interactions are crucial in carbon mobilization, transformation, ecosystem productivity, and have important implications for the role of freshwater ecosystems in the global carbon budget. We utilized high‐frequency oxygen, temperature, and carbon dioxide (CO2) data to infer watershed connectivity in Boulder Creek, a mid‐sized (1160 km2) watershed located in Colorado, USA. Daily modeled gross primary production (GPP), ecosystem respiration (ER), net ecosystem production (NEP), and reaeration coefficients (K600) were paired with high‐frequency, in‐situ dissolved CO2 data to characterize changes in metabolic regime and carbon flux on a stream influenced by seasonal snowmelt. GPP and ER were correlated (ρ = −0.72, p ≪ 0.001) during the non‐snowmelt period and NEP was frequently negative. Mean FCO2 during the non‐snowmelt period was approximately 302 (±171) mmol C m−2 d−1 and was primarily supported by watershed CO2 inputs. During snowmelt, GPP and ER were not significantly correlated (ρ = −0.22, p = 0.05), and mean NEP was significantly more negative than during non‐snowmelt. Watershed connectivity was higher during snowmelt, as evidenced by significantly higher FCO2 (843 ± 338 mmol C m−2 d−1) and greater allochthonous CO2 inputs than during non‐snowmelt periods, emphasizing the effects of seasonal differences in aquatic‐terrestrial linkages in this stream. We suggest that our understanding of watershed carbon budgets is subject to temporal dynamics which control the degree of connectivity between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
Metabolomic changes in animal models of depression: a systematic analysis
Authors: Pu Juncai , Liu Yiyun , Gui Siwen , Tian Lu , Yu Yue , Song Xuemian , Zhong Xiaogang , Chen Xiaopeng , Chen Weiyi , Zheng Peng , Zhang Hanping , Gong Xue , Liu Lanxiang , Wu Jing , Wang Haiyang , Xie Peng
Published: September 2021

Extensive research has been carried out on the metabolomic changes in animal models of depression; however, there is no general agreement about which metabolites exhibit constant changes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify consistently altered metabolites in large-scale metabolomics studies of depression models. We performed vote counting analyses to identify consistently upregulated or downregulated metabolites in the brain, blood, and urine of animal models of depression based on 3743 differential metabolites from 241 animal metabolomics studies. We found that serotonin, dopamine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, norepinephrine, N-acetyl-L-aspartic acid, anandamide, and tryptophan were downregulated in the brain, while kynurenine, myo-inositol, hydroxykynurenine, and the kynurenine to tryptophan ratio were upregulated. Regarding blood metabolites, tryptophan, leucine, tyrosine, valine, trimethylamine N-oxide, proline, oleamide, pyruvic acid, and serotonin were downregulated, while N-acetyl glycoprotein, corticosterone, and glutamine were upregulated. Moreover, citric acid, oxoglutaric acid, proline, tryptophan, creatine, betaine, L-dopa, palmitic acid, and pimelic acid were downregulated, and hippuric acid was upregulated in urine. We also identified consistently altered metabolites in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, serum, and plasma. These findings suggested that metabolomic changes in depression models are characterized by decreased neurotransmitter and increased kynurenine metabolite levels in the brain, decreased amino acid and increased corticosterone levels in blood, and imbalanced energy metabolism and microbial metabolites in urine. This study contributes to existing knowledge of metabolomic changes in depression and revealed that the reproducibility of candidate metabolites was inadequate in previous studies.
Pro-inflammatory microenvironment and systemic accumulation of CXCR3+ cell exacerbate lung pathology of old rhesus macaques infected with SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Zheng Hong-Yi , He Xiao-Yan , Li Wei , Song Tian-Zhang , Han Jian-Bao , Yang Xiang , Liu Feng-Liang , Luo Rong-Hua , Tian Ren-Rong , Feng Xiao-Li , Ma Yu-Hua , Liu Chao , Li Ming-Hua , Zheng Yong-Tang
Published: September 2021

Understanding the pathological features of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in an animal model is crucial for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Here, we compared immunopathological changes in young and old rhesus macaques (RMs) before and after SARS-CoV-2 infection at the tissue level. Quantitative analysis of multiplex immunofluorescence staining images of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) sections showed that SARS-CoV-2 infection specifically induced elevated levels of apoptosis, autophagy, and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) activation of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)+ cells, and increased interferon α (IFN-α)- and interleukin 6 (IL-6)-secreting cells and C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3)+ cells in lung tissue of old RMs. This pathological pattern, which may be related to the age-related pro-inflammatory microenvironment in both lungs and spleens, was significantly correlated with the systemic accumulation of CXCR3+ cells in lungs, spleens, and peripheral blood. Furthermore, the ratio of CXCR3+ to T-box protein expression in T cell (T-bet)+ (CXCR3+/T-bet+ ratio) in CD8+ cells may be used as a predictor of severe COVID-19. These findings uncovered the impact of aging on the immunopathology of early SARS-CoV-2 infection and demonstrated the potential application of CXCR3+ cells in predicting severe COVID-19.
Safety and tolerability of lenalidomide maintenance in post-transplant acute myeloid leukemia and high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome
Authors: Pham Brian , Hoeg Rasmus , Krishnan Rajeev , Richman Carol , Tuscano Joseph , Abedi Mehrdad
Published: September 2021

Relapse after allogeneic stem cell transplant in unfavorable-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) portends a poor prognosis. We conducted a single-center phase I dose-escalation study with lenalidomide maintenance in high-risk MDS and AML patients after allogeneic transplantation. Sixteen patients enrolled in a “3 + 3” study design starting at lenalidomide 5 mg daily, increasing in increments of 5 mg up to 15 mg. Lenalidomide was given for 21 days of a 28-day cycle for a total of six cycles. Most common dose-limiting toxicities were lymphopenia, diarrhea, nausea, and neutropenia. Two patients had acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and five patients developed chronic GVHD. The maximum tolerated dose was 10 mg, after dose-limiting toxicities were seen in the 15 mg group. Two dose-limiting toxicities were seen from development of acute GVHD and grade III diarrhea. Limitations of the study include time to initiation at 6 months post transplant, as many high-risk patients will have relapsed within this time frame before starting maintenance lenalidomide. Overall, lenalidomide was well tolerated with minimal GVHD and low rates of relapse rates, warranting further study.
Chromosome-scale assembly of the Dendrobium chrysotoxum genome enhances the understanding of orchid evolution
Authors: Zhang Yongxia , Zhang Guo-Qiang , Zhang Diyang , Liu Xue-Die , Xu Xin-Yu , Sun Wei-Hong , Yu Xia , Zhu Xiaoen , Wang Zhi-Wen , Zhao Xiang , Zhong Wen-Ying , Chen Hongfeng , Yin Wei-Lun , Huang Tengbo , Niu Shan-Ce , Liu Zhong-Jian
Published: September 2021

As one of the largest families of angiosperms, the Orchidaceae family is diverse. Dendrobium represents the second largest genus of the Orchidaceae. However, an assembled high-quality genome of species in this genus is lacking. Here, we report a chromosome-scale reference genome of Dendrobium chrysotoxum, an important ornamental and medicinal orchid species. The assembled genome size of D. chrysotoxum was 1.37 Gb, with a contig N50 value of 1.54 Mb. Of the sequences, 95.75% were anchored to 19 pseudochromosomes. There were 30,044 genes predicted in the D. chrysotoxum genome. Two whole-genome polyploidization events occurred in D. chrysotoxum. In terms of the second event, whole-genome duplication (WGD) was also found to have occurred in other Orchidaceae members, which diverged mainly via gene loss immediately after the WGD event occurred; the first duplication was found to have occurred in most monocots (tau event). We identified sugar transporter (SWEET) gene family expansion, which might be related to the abundant medicinal compounds and fleshy stems of D. chrysotoxum. MADS-box genes were identified in D. chrysotoxum, as well as members of TPS and Hsp90 gene families, which are associated with resistance, which may contribute to the adaptive evolution of orchids. We also investigated the interplay among carotenoid, ABA, and ethylene biosynthesis in D. chrysotoxum to elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of the short flowering period of orchids with yellow flowers. The reference D. chrysotoxum genome will provide important insights for further research on medicinal active ingredients and breeding and enhances the understanding of orchid evolution.
High-quality genome assembly of 'Cuiguan' pear (Pyrus pyrifolia) as a reference genome for identifying regulatory genes and epigenetic modifications responsible for bud dormancy
Authors: Gao Yuhao , Yang Qinsong , Yan Xinhui , Wu Xinyue , Yang Feng , Li Jianzhao , Wei Jia , Ni Junbei , Ahmad Mudassar , Bai Songling , Teng Yuanwen
Published: September 2021

Dormancy-associated MADS-box(DAM) genes serve as crucial regulators of the endodormancy cycle in rosaceous plants. Although pearDAMgenes have been identified previously, the lack of a high-quality reference genome and techniques to study gene function have prevented accurate genome-wide analysis and functional verification of such genes. Additionally, the contribution of other genes to the regulation of endodormancy release remains poorly understood. In this study, a high-quality genome assembly for 'Cuiguan' pear (Pyrus pyrifolia), which is a leading cultivar with a low chilling requirement cultivated in China, was constructed using PacBio and Hi-C technologies. Using this genome sequence, we revealed that pearDAMgenes were tandemly clustered on Chr8 and Chr15 and were differentially expressed in the buds between 'Cuiguan' and the high-chilling-requirement cultivar 'Suli' during the dormancy cycle. Using a virus-induced gene silencing system, we determined the repressive effects ofDAMgenes on bud break. Several novel genes potentially involved in the regulation of endodormancy release were identified by RNA sequencing and H3K4me3 chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing analyses of 'Suli' buds during artificial chilling using the new reference genome. Our findings enrich the knowledge of the regulatory mechanism underlying endodormancy release and chilling requirements and provide a foundation for the practical regulation of dormancy release in fruit trees as an adaptation to climate change.