bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ungewöhnlicher Suizid durch Verbluten aus einer Hautvene
Authors: Bayer R. , Baumann S. , Federbusch M. , Dreßler J.
Published: May 2022

Ein 90-jähriger Mann verstarb durch protrahiertes Verbluten aus einer, mittels Rasierklinge minimal eröffneten, oberflächlichen Beinvene über der Patella und nachfolgender Manipulation. Dabei handelte es sich wahrscheinlich um einen Ast der V. saphena accessoria anterior. Es lag zunächst eine Fehleinschätzung durch den leichenschauhaltenden Arzt vor, der von einer gastrointestinalen Blutung als Todesursache ausging. Diese Einschätzung teilten die Kriminalbeamten aufgrund der Auffindesituation nicht. Begünstigend war eine vorbestehende Varikosis. Die Einnahme von Antikoagulanzien oder eine vorbestehende oder erworbene Gerinnungsstörung konnte nicht nachgewiesen bzw. eruiert werden. Bei Vorlage eines Abschiedsbriefes und Ausschluss fremder Gewalteinwirkungen oder einer Vergiftung kann plausibel von einem ungewöhnlichen suizidalen Ereignis ausgegangen werden. Es wird über die Auffindung sowie die Ergebnisse der Sektion und umfangreicher Zusatzuntersuchungen berichtet.
Comparison of a preoperative MR-based recurrence risk score versus the postoperative score and four clinical staging systems in hepatocellular carcinoma: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Wei Hong , Jiang Hanyu , Qin Yun , Wu Yuanan , Lee Jeong Min , Yuan Fang , Zheng Tianying , Duan Ting , Zhang Zhen , Qu Yali , Chen Jie , Chen Yuntian , Ye Zheng , Yao Shan , Zhang Lin , Yang Ting , Song Bin
Published: May 2022

Objectives

To establish a risk score integrating preoperative gadoxetic acid–enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (EOB-MRI) and clinical parameters to predict recurrence after hepatectomy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to compare its performance with that of a postoperative score and four clinical staging systems.

Methods

Consecutive patients with surgically confirmed HCC who underwent preoperative EOB-MRI between July 2015 and November 2020 were retrospectively included. Two recurrence risk scores, one incorporating only preoperative variables and the other incorporating all preoperative and postoperative variables, were constructed via Cox regression models.

Results

A total of 214 patients (derivation set, n = 150; test set, n = 64) were included. Six preoperative variables, namely tumor number, infiltrative appearance, corona enhancement, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level, and sex, were independently associated with recurrence. After adding postoperative features, microvascular invasion and tumor differentiation were additional significant variables in lieu of corona enhancement and AFP level. Using the above variables, the preoperative score achieved a C-index of 0.741 on the test set, which was comparable with that of the postoperative score (0.729; p = 0.235). The preoperative score yielded a larger time-dependent area under the receiver operating characteristic curve at 1 year (0.844) than three existing systems (0.734–0.742; p < 0.05 for all). Furthermore, the preoperative score stratified patients into two prognostically distinct risk strata with low and high risks of recurrence (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The preoperative score integrating EOB-MRI features, AFP and AST levels, and sex improves recurrence risk estimation in HCC.

Key Points

• The preoperative risk score incorporating three EOB-MRI findings, AFP and AST levels, and sex achieved comparable performance with that of the postoperative score for predicting recurrence after hepatectomy in patients with HCC.

• Two risk strata with low and high risks of recurrence were obtained based on the preoperative score.

• The preoperative score may help tailor pretreatment decision-making and facilitate candidate selection for adjuvant clinical trials.
Jet noise predictions by time marching of single-snapshot tomographic PIV fields
Authors: Ragni Daniele , Fiscaletti Daniele , Baars Woutijn J.
Published: May 2022

This work combines the latest advancements in time marching of 3D vector fields from tomographic particle image velocimetry, with an adapted version of Lighthill’s formulation, for the prediction of far-field jet noise. Three-dimensional velocity vector fields of the jet flow are first reconstructed from a tomographic volume of 4$$\times$$×3$$\times$$×9.5$$D_{j}^3$$Dj3, with$$D_{j}$$Dj= 5 cm being the jet-exit diameter. (The jet-exit Mach number$$M_{j}$$Mjranges from 0.10 to 0.20.) The obtained vector fields are then used as input to a recently developed procedure for the time marching of the vorticity field, which relies upon the vortex-in-cell methodology. This yields time series of each three-dimensional velocity field, from which the far-field pressure is computed via Lilley’s acoustic analogy (through evaluation of the Lighthill’s stress tensor). It is shown that the estimate of the far-field noise spectrum compares well with the spectrum measured directly from a far-field microphone in the anechoic A-tunnel facility of TU Delft, in the Strouhal number range from approximately 1 to 12.

Graphical Abstract
Immunpathogenese des systemischen Lupus erythematodes
Authors: Aringer Martin , Finzel Stephanie , Voll Reinhard E.
Published: May 2022

Das Verständnis der Immunpathogenese des systemischen Lupus erythematodes (SLE) hilft, das komplexe Krankheitsgeschehen zu verstehen und neue Therapiestrategien zu entwickeln. Die Krankheitsmanifestationen des SLE sind im Wesentlichen Folge von Autoantikörpern, Immunkomplexen und Zytokinen. Insbesondere die Neigung zu unterschiedlichen Autoantikörpern macht das Wesen der Erkrankung aus; die genauen Spezifitäten der Autoantikörper führen zu ganz unterschiedlichen Organmanifestationen. Diese Übersichtsarbeit stellt den klinisch relevanten Stand des Wissens zur SLE-Pathogenese dar – mit dem Ziel, ein für den klinischen Einsatz nützliches Modell zu etablieren, das auch hilft, die neuen Therapieansätze einzuordnen.
Accelerated atrophy in dopaminergic targets and medial temporo-parietal regions precedes the onset of delusions in patients with Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Manca Riccardo , Valera-Bermejo Jose Manuel , Venneri Annalena ,   for the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: May 2022

People with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and delusions have worse quality of life and prognosis. However, early markers of delusions have not been identified yet. The present study investigated whether there are any detectable differences in grey matter (GM) volume and cognitive changes in the year before symptom onset between patients with AD who did and did not develop delusions. Two matched samples of AD patients, 63 who did (PT-D) and 63 who did not develop delusions (PT-ND) over 1 year, were identified from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative database. The Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) was used to assess the presence of delusions. Sixty-three additional matched healthy controls (HC) were selected. Repeated-measures ANCOVA models were used to investigate group-by-time effects on the volume of selected GM regions of interest and on cognitive performance. No neurocognitive differences were observed between patient groups prior to symptom onset. Greater episodic memory decline and GM loss in bilateral caudate nuclei, medio-temporal and midline cingulo-parietal regions were found in the PT-D compared with the PT-ND group. A pattern of faster GM loss in brain areas typically affected by AD and in cortical and subcortical targets of dopaminergic pathways, paralleled by worsening of episodic memory and behavioural symptoms, may explain the emergence of delusions in patients with AD.
Paradigm shift: new concepts for HCN4 function in cardiac pacemaking
Authors: Hennis Konstantin , Biel Martin , Fenske Stefanie , Wahl-Schott Christian
Published: May 2022

Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide–gated (HCN) channels are the molecular correlate of the If current and are critically involved in controlling neuronal excitability and the autonomous rhythm of the heart. The HCN4 isoform is the main HCN channel subtype expressed in the sinoatrial node (SAN), a tissue composed of specialized pacemaker cells responsible for generating the intrinsic heartbeat. More than 40 years ago, the If current was first discovered in rabbit SAN tissue. Along with this discovery, a theory was proposed that cyclic adenosine monophosphate–dependent modulation of If mediates heart rate regulation by the autonomic nervous system—a process called chronotropic effect. However, up to the present day, this classical theory could not be reliably validated. Recently, new concepts emerged confirming that HCN4 channels indeed play an important role in heart rate regulation. However, the cellular mechanism by which HCN4 controls heart rate turned out to be completely different than originally postulated. Here, we review the latest findings regarding the physiological role of HCN4 in the SAN. We describe a newly discovered mechanism underlying heart rate regulation by HCN4 at the tissue and single cell levels, and we discuss these observations in the context of results from previously studied HCN4 mouse models.
BCR::ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors hamper the therapeutic efficacy of blinatumomab in vitro
Authors: Kauer Joseph , Märklin Melanie , Pflügler Martin , Hörner Sebastian , Hinterleitner Clemens , Tandler Claudia , Jung Gundram , Salih Helmut R. , Heitmann Jonas S.
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Acute B-lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is a malignant disease characterized by accumulation of clonal immature lymphocytes in the bone marrow and peripheral blood. The approval of BCR::ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) such as imatinib, dasatinib, nilotinib and ponatinib marked a milestone in targeted therapy only for a subset of patients carrying the translocation t(9;22)(q34;q11). Immunotherapy with the bispecific antibody (bsAb) blinatumomab targeting CD19xCD3 revolutionized treatment of all B-ALL cases. The combination of both TKI and bsAb, so-called “dual targeting”, is currently under clinical investigation, although TKI might influence T cell effects.

Methods

We here investigated the combination of different TKI and blinatumomab in BCR::ABL1+ and BCR::ABL1− B-ALL cell lines and primary samples regarding T cell proliferation, differentiation, cytokine release and killing of tumor cells.

Results

In vitro analysis revealed profound reduction of T cell proliferation, differentiation, cytokine release and killing of tumor cells upon application of BCR::ABL1 TKI with blinatumomab. Inhibition was more pronounced with dasatinib and ponatinib compared to nilotinib and imatinib. T cell signalling after CD3 stimulation was impaired by TKI mirrored by inhibition of LCK phosphorylation. This known off-target effect might influence the efficacy of bsAb therapy when combined with BCR::ABL1 TKI.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we propose that nilotinib and imatinib might also be suitable substances for combination with blinatumomab and suggest evaluation in clinical trials.
Elliptic methods for solving the linearized field equations of causal variational principles
Authors: Finster Felix , Lottner Magdalena
Published: May 2022

The existence theory is developed for solutions of the inhomogeneous linearized field equations for causal variational principles. These equations are formulated weakly with an integral operator which is shown to be bounded and symmetric on a Hilbert space endowed with a suitably adapted weighted $$L^2$$

L
2

-scalar product. Guided by the procedure in the theory of linear elliptic partial differential equations, we use the spectral calculus to define Sobolev-type Hilbert spaces and invert the linearized field operator as an operator between such function spaces. The uniqueness of the resulting weak solutions is analyzed. Our constructions are illustrated in simple explicit examples. The connection to the causal action principle for static causal fermion systems is explained.
Evaluation of periodontal indices among non-smokers, tobacco, and e-cigarette smokers: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Pesce Paolo , Menini Maria , Ugo Giovanni , Bagnasco Francesco , Dioguardi Mario , Troiano Giuseppe
Published: May 2022

Objectives

The detrimental effect of tobacco smoking on periodontal health is well known, while the effect of electronic cigarette on periodontal parameters has been less investigated. The aim of the present systematic review was to compare periodontal indices in three categories of patients: traditional cigarette smokers (TS), e-cigarette smokers (ES), and non-smokers (NS).

Materials and methods

An electronic search was conducted for studies published until December 2021 on MEDLINE (PubMed), ISI Web of Science, and Scopus. A hand search was additionally conducted. Clinical observational and cross-sectional trials investigating periodontal indices among tobacco smokers (TS), electronic cigarette smokers (ES) and non-smokers (NS) were included and selected by 2 independent reviewers. Data on probing depth (PD), plaque index (PI), and bleeding on probing (BOP) were collected. The risk of bias was evaluated according to the NIH quality assessment tool and a network meta-analysis (NMA) was undertaken.

Results

Five relevant studies, from 707 identified, were included. Overall, 512 patients were included, of them 170 were NS, 176 were TS, and 166 were ES. A significant difference in the comparison among TS vs NS: effect size (ES) = 3.297 (95%CI: [2.142–4.454], p = 0.001) and TS and ES ES = 2.507 (95%CI: [1.351–3.663], p = 0.001) was identified for PD. A significant difference in the comparison among TS and NS, ES = 21.34 (95%CI: [13.41–29.27], p = 0.001) and between TS and ES ES = 15.67 (95%CI: [7.73–23.62], p = 0.001) was identified for PI. The analysis of BOP values shows a significant difference in the comparison among ES and NS: ES = − 16.22 (95%CI: [− 22.85 to − 9.59], p < 0.001) and between TS and NS: ES = − 14.47 (95%CI: [− 21.103 to − 7.848], p < 0.001). Based on the SUCRA ranking, NS showed the most favorable outcome for PD and PI, followed by ES. Tobacco smokers were clearly in the last position. Dealing with BoP ES showed the most favorable outcome, followed by TS. NS were in the last position.

Conclusions

Periodontal parameters were similar among NS and ES, while TS presented the worst indices. BoP was reduced both in ES and in TS.

Clinical relevance

Results of the present review suggest a reduced effect on periodontal tissue of e-cig smoking compared to traditional cigarettes, despite recent studies proved that e-cig smoking increases oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, change in pulmonary cellular behavior, and stimulates DNA injury.
The Longitudinal Interplay Between Attention Bias and Interpretation Bias in Social Anxiety in Adolescents
Authors: Henricks Lisan A. , Lange Wolf-Gero , Luijten Maartje , van den Berg Yvonne H. M. , Stoltz Sabine E. M. J. , Cillessen Antonius H. N. , Becker Eni S.
Published: May 2022

Background

Cognitive biases are found to play a role in the onset and maintenance of social anxiety. However, particularly in adolescence, the link between different biases and their role in predicting social anxiety is far from clear. This study therefore investigated the interplay between attention bias and interpretation bias in relation to social anxiety in adolescence across three years.

Methods

816 adolescents in grade 7 to 9 participated at three yearly waves (52.8% boys, Mage grade7 = 12.60). Social anxiety was measured with a self-report questionnaire. Attention bias was measured with a visual search task with emotional faces. Textual vignettes assessed interpretation bias.

Results

Cross-lagged models showed that negative interpretation bias at grade 7 predicted an increase in social anxiety at grade 8. This effect was not found from grade 8 to 9. Attention bias did not predict social anxiety. Attention bias and interpretation bias were not longitudinally related to each other, nor did they interact with each other in predicting social anxiety.

Conclusions

Thus, no evidence was found for the Combined Cognitive Bias Hypothesis in social anxiety in adolescents. Instead, our results suggest that interpretation bias rather than attention bias contributes to the increase of social anxiety over time.
Doctors as Resource Stewards? Translating High-Value, Cost-Conscious Care to the Consulting Room
Authors: Moleman Marjolein , Zuiderent-Jerak Teun , Lageweg Marianne , van den Braak Gianni L. , Schuitmaker-Warnaar Tjerk Jan
Published: May 2022

After many policy attempts to tackle the persistent rise in the costs of health care, physicians are increasingly seen as potentially effective resource stewards. Frameworks including the quadruple aim, value-based health care and choosing wisely underline the importance of positive engagement of the health care workforce in reinventing the system–paving the way to real affordability by defining the right care. Current programmes focus on educating future doctors to provide ‘high-value, cost-conscious care’ (HVCCC), which proponents believe is the future of sustainable medical practice. Such programmes, which aim to extend population-level allocation concerns to interactions between an individual doctor and patient, have generated lively debates about the ethics of expanding doctors’ professional accountability. To empirically ground this discussion, we conducted a qualitative interview study to examine what happens when resource stewardship responsibilities are extended to the consulting room. Attempts to deliver HVCCC were found to involve inevitable trade-offs between benefits to the individual patient and (social) costs, medical uncertainty and efficiency, and between resource stewardship and trust. Physicians reconcile this by justifying good-value care in terms of what is in the best interest of individual patients–redefining the currency of value from monetary costs to a patient’s quality of life, and cost-conscious care as reflective medical practice. Micro-level resource stewardship thus becomes a matter of working reflexively and reducing wasteful forms of care, rather than of making difficult choices about resource allocation.
Ulva spp. performance and biomitigation potential under high nutrient concentrations: implications for recirculating IMTA systems
Authors: Nederlof Marit A. J. , Neori Amir , Verdegem Marc C. J. , Smaal Aad C. , Jansen Henrice M.
Published: May 2022

The growth, tissue content and nutrient removal rates of Ulva spp., when exposed to moderate to high nitrogen (0.5–5 mmol L−1) and phosphorus (0.01–0.9 mmol L−1) concentrations, were examined to get a better understanding of recirculating IMTA (Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture) systems with fish and seaweed. It was hypothesized that fish waste effluents might lead to unfavorable nutrient stoichiometry and/or toxic conditions, which might harm seaweeds and, specifically for the present study, reduce Ulva spp. performance. Results demonstrate that: (I) the unfavorable N:P stoichiometry (N:P ≠ Atkinson atomic ratio of 30:1) did not restrict Ulva spp. growth nor tissue content; this indicates that supply of both nutrients exceeded the minimum requirements; (II) a high orthophosphate concentration (0.9 mmol L−1) was toxic to Ulva spp., whereas (III) a high nitrate concentration (5 mmol L−1) did not inhibit phosphorus uptake; (IV) Ulva’s growth was not enhanced when nitrate was exchanged for similarly high ammonium concentrations. However, tissue nitrogen content was 1.4 times higher when exposed to ammonium than nitrate, suggesting that the former N-form was stored faster in the seaweed’s tissue. Therefore, other factors must have limited growth with the high ammonium concentrations. This study also highlights the importance of relatively long acclimatization periods (one week) when maintenance uptake (Vm) is evaluated, as surge uptake (Vs) may result in considerably different and more variable rates. Results of this study contribute to a better understanding of the application of Ulva spp. as extractive component in closed IMTA systems, thus advancing sustainable and circular production techniques.
The relationship between structural characteristics and gambling behaviour: An online gambling player tracking study
Authors: Auer Michael , Griffiths Mark D.
Published: May 2022

Structural characteristics of games have been regarded as important aspects in the possible development of problematic gambling. The most important factors along with individual susceptibility and risk factors of the individual gambler are the structural characteristics such as the speed and frequency of the game (and more specifically event frequency, bet frequency, event duration, and payout interval). To date, the association between structural characteristics and behavior has not been studied in an online gambling environment. The present study investigated the association between structural characteristics and online gambling behavior in an ecologically valid setting using data from actual gamblers. The authors were given access to data from a large European online gambling operator with players from Germany, Austria, UK, Poland, and Slovenia. The sample comprised 763,490 sessions between November 27, 2020 and April 15, 2021 utilizing data from 43,731 players. A machine learning tree-based algorithm with structural characteristics and session metrics explained 26% of the variance of the number of games played in a session. The results also showed that only 7.7% of the variance in the number of bets placed in a session was explained by the game’s structural characteristics alone. The most important structural characteristic with respect to the number of games played in a session was the event frequency of the game followed by the maximum amount won on a single bet in a session.
The Maximum Clique Problem for Permutation Hamming Graphs
Authors: Barta János , Montemanni Roberto
Published: May 2022

This paper explores a new approach to reduce the maximum clique problem associated with permutation Hamming graphs to smaller clique problems. The vertices of a permutation Hamming graph are permutations of n integers and the edges connect pairs of vertices at a Hamming distance greater than or equal to a threshold d. The maximum clique problem for permutation Hamming graphs is a challenging task due to the size, density and regularity of the graphs. However, symmetry properties, which are still partly unexplored, can help to reduce the problems’ size and hardness. A property of edge transitivity with respect to automorphisms is proven and leads to a classification for cycle-equivalent edges. This property enables to reduce the full-size clique problem to a set of significantly smaller (and easier to solve) clique problems. The number of reduced problems can be expressed by means of the partition function of integer numbers. Computational experiments confirm that additional knowledge on the automorphism group leads to a more targeted and efficient solving method for the maximum clique problem associated with permutation Hamming graphs.
Bacterial communities in peat swamps reflect changes associated with catchment urbanisation
Authors: Christiansen Nicole A. , Green Timothy J. , Fryirs Kirstie A. , Hose Grant C.
Published: May 2022

Like many peat wetlands around the world, Temperate Highland Peat Swamps on Sandstone (THPSS), located in the Sydney Basin, Australia, have been impacted by urban development. In this paper, we used Illumina 16S rRNA DNA amplicon sequencing to characterise and compare the bacterial communities of surface (top 0–2 cm) and deep (50 cm) sediments in peat swamps that occur in both urbanised and non-urbanised catchments. Proteobacteria (32.2% of reads), Acidobacteria (23.6%) and Chloroflexi (10.7%) were the most common phyla of the dataset. There were significant differences in the bacterial community structure between catchment types and depths apparent at the phyla level. Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria and Verrucomicrobia made up a greater proportion of the reads in the surface sediments than the deeper sediments, while Chloroflexi and Nitrospirae were relatively more common in the deeper than the surface sediment. By catchment type, Acidobacteria were more common in swamps occurring in non-urbanised catchments, while Nitrospirae, Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria were more common in those in urbanised catchments. Microbial community structure was significantly correlated with sediment pH, as was the relative abundance of several phyla, including Acidobacteria (negative correlation) and Bacteroidetes (positive correlation).As an indicator of trophic shift from oligotrophic to copiotrophic conditions associated with urbanised catchment, we found significant differences ratios of β-Proteobacteria to Acidobacteria and Bacteriodetes to Acidobacteria between the catchment types. Based on SIMPER results we suggest the relative abundance of Nitrosomonadaceae family as a potential indicator of urban degradation. As the first study to analyse the bacterial community structure of THPSS using sequencing of 16S rDNA, we reveal the utility of such analyses and show that urbanisation in the Blue Mountains is impacting the microbial ecology of these important peatland ecosystems.
Analysis of the relationship between condylar changes and anterior disc displacement with reduction: a preliminary study
Authors: Mohamed Hadeer Nasser , Ashmawy Mostafa S. , Ekladious Mena El-Erian Youssef , Farid Mary Medhat
Published: May 2022

Objectives

To predict temporomandibular joint (TMJ) anterior disc displacement with reduction (ADDWR) from condylar shape, position, and dimensions obtained from CBCT images.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was performed on 17 patients suffering from temporomandibular disorders diagnosed by history taking according to the chart of the American Association of orthodontists, clinical examination according to the Helkimo index and MRI. CBCT and MRI examinations were performed within one-week interval. Disc position, diagnosed by MRI was used as the gold standard. TMJs with posterior disc displacement or anterior disc displacement without reduction were excluded. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed on CBCT images to find the correlation between condylar variables and ADDWR. A logistic regression model was created to estimate ADDWR from condylar dimensions (height, width and depth).

Results

Condylar shape and condylar position in the glenoid fossa were significantly correlated with ADDWR (P < 0.05). Condylar width, height and depth were significantly smaller in condyles with ADDWR compared to condylar dimensions in normal disc position. Logistic regression analysis could be used to predict the probability of anterior disc displacement with reduction from condylar dimensions.

Conclusion

Condylar shape, position, and dimensions assessed by CBCT are significantly correlated with ADDWR of the TMJ. Substituting the values of condylar width, height and depth in the equation suggests the probability of ADDWR.
Vitamin D supplementation is associated with slower epigenetic aging
Authors: Vetter Valentin Max , Sommerer Yasmine , Kalies Christian Humberto , Spira Dominik , Bertram Lars , Demuth Ilja
Published: May 2022

Adverse effects of low vitamin D level on mortality and morbidity are controversially discussed. Especially older people are at risk for vitamin D deficiency and therefore exposed to its potentially harmful consequences. A way of measuring differences in the biological age is through DNA methylation age (DNAm age) and its deviation from chronological age, DNAm age acceleration (DNAmAA). We previously reported on an association between vitamin D deficiency and higher 7-CpG DNAmAA in participants of the Berlin Aging Study II (BASE-II). In this study, we employ a quasi-interventional study design to assess the relationship between DNAmAA of five epigenetic clocks and vitamin D supplementation. Longitudinal data were available for 1,036 participants of BASE-II that were reexamined on average 7.4 years later in the GendAge study (mean age at follow-up: 75.6 years, SD = 3.8 years, age range: 64.9–94.1 years, 51.9% female). DNAmAA was estimated with the 7-CpG clock, Horvath’s clock, Hannum’s clock, PhenoAge, and GrimAge. Methylation data were obtained through methylation-sensitive single nucleotide primer extension (MS-SNuPE) or Illumina’s Infinium “MethylationEPIC” array. Vitamin D–deficient participants who chose to start vitamin D supplementation after baseline examination showed a 2.6-year lower 7-CpG DNAmAA (p = 0.011) and 1.3-year lower Horvath DNAmAA (p = 0.042) compared to untreated and vitamin D–deficient participants. DNAmAA did not statistically differ between participants with successfully treated vitamin D deficiency and healthy controls (p > 0.16). Therefore, we conclude that intake of vitamin D supplement is associated with lower DNAmAA in participants with vitamin D deficiency.
Testing and Isolation Efficacy: Insights from a Simple Epidemic Model
Authors: Gharouni Ali , Abdelmalek Fred M. , Earn David J. D. , Dushoff Jonathan , Bolker Benjamin M.
Published: May 2022

Testing individuals for pathogens can affect the spread of epidemics. Understanding how individual-level processes of sampling and reporting test results can affect community- or population-level spread is a dynamical modeling question. The effect of testing processes on epidemic dynamics depends on factors underlying implementation, particularly testing intensity and on whom testing is focused. Here, we use a simple model to explore how the individual-level effects of testing might directly impact population-level spread. Our model development was motivated by the COVID-19 epidemic, but has generic epidemiological and testing structures. To the classic SIR framework we have added aper capitatesting intensity, and compartment-specific testing weights, which can be adjusted to reflect different testing emphases—surveillance, diagnosis, or control. We derive an analytic expression for the relative reduction in the basic reproductive number due to testing, test-reporting and related isolation behaviours. Intensive testing and fast test reporting are expected to be beneficial at the community level because they can provide a rapid assessment of the situation, identify hot spots, and may enable rapid contact-tracing. Direct effects of fast testing at the individual level are less clear, and may depend on how individuals’ behaviour is affected by testing information. Our simple model shows that under some circumstances both increased testing intensity and faster test reporting canreducethe effectiveness of control, and allows us to explore the conditions under which this occurs. Conversely, we find that focusing testing on infected individuals always acts to increase effectiveness of control.
Topology identification and dynamical pattern recognition for Hindmarsh–Rose neuron model via deterministic learning
Authors: Chen Danfeng , Li Junsheng , Zeng Wei , He Jun
Published: May 2022

Studies have shown that Parkinson’s, epilepsy and other brain deficits are closely related to the ability of neurons to synchronize with their neighbors. Therefore, the neurobiological mechanism and synchronization behavior of neurons has attracted much attention in recent years. In this contribution, it is numerically investigated the complex nonlinear behaviour of the Hindmarsh–Rose neuron system through the time responses, system bifurcation diagram and Lyapunov exponent under different system parameters. The system presents different and complex dynamic behaviors with the variation of parameter. Then, the identification of the nonlinear dynamics and topologies of the Hindmarsh–Rose neural networks under unknown dynamical environment is discussed. By using the deterministic learning algorithm, the unknown dynamics and topologies of the Hindmarsh–Rose system are locally accurately identified. Additionally, the identified system dynamics can be stored and represented in the form of constant neural networks due to the convergence of system parameters. Finally, based on the time-invariant representation of system dynamics, a fast dynamical pattern recognition method via system synchronization is constructed. The achievements of this work will provide more incentives and possibilities for biological experiments and medical treatment as well as other related clinical researches, such as the quantifying and explaining of neurobiological mechanism, early diagnosis, classification and control (treatment) of neurologic diseases, such as Parkinson’s and epilepsy. Simulations are included to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Wachstumsverläufe der intrinsischen Wertüberzeugungen in Mathematik und Französisch: Zusammenhänge mit Berufsorientierungen
Authors: Costache Oana , Edelsbrunner Peter A. , Becker Eva S. , Sticca Fabio , Staub Fritz C. , Götz Thomas
Published: May 2022

In dieser Längsschnittstudie wurden unterschiedliche Verläufe in der Entwicklung der intrinsischen Wertüberzeugungen in den Unterrichtsfächern Mathematik und Französisch in den Schuljahren 9 bis 11 und deren Zusammenhänge mit Berufsaspirationen untersucht. Bei 850 Schüler*innen von Deutschschweizer Gymnasien (54 % weiblich, Alter T1: 15,6 Jahre) wurden in einem bivariaten Wachstumsmodell fünf Wachstumsklassen identifiziert. Zwei dieser Klassen zeigten eine klare Differenzierung in den Wertüberzeugungen zwischen den beiden Fächern und eine stabile Entwicklung im bevorzugten Fach. Die anderen drei Klassen waren durch Mittelwertunterschiede (hohe, mittlere, niedrige intrinsische Wertüberzeugungen) gekennzeichnet und zeigten moderate Abnahmen über die Zeit in beiden Fächern. Die fünf Wachstumsklassen gingen mit unterschiedlichen Berufsorientierungen am Ende des 11. Schuljahres einher, wobei Berufsorientierungen bezüglich eines Fachs besonders hoch ausgeprägt waren, wenn die Wertüberzeugung bezüglich des anderen Faches niedrig war. Geschlechterunterschiede in den Berufsorientierungen konnten vollständig über die Zugehörigkeit der Geschlechter zu den fünf Wachstumsklassen erklärt werden.
Liquid biopsy for the assessment of adrenal cancer heterogeneity: where do we stand?
Authors: Perge Pál , Nyirő Gábor , Vékony Bálint , Igaz Peter
Published: May 2022

Almost 10 years have passed since the first attempts of liquid biopsy aimed at the characterisation of tumor cells present in the bloodstream from a regular sample of peripheral blood were performed. Liquid biopsy has been used to characterise tumor heterogeneity in various types of solid tumors including adrenocortical carcinoma. The development of molecular biology, genetics, and methodological advances such as digital PCR and next-generation sequencing allowed us to use besides circulating tumor cells a variety of circulating cell-free nucleic acids, DNAs, RNAs and microRNAs secreted by tumors into blood and other body fluids as specific molecular markers. These markers are used for diagnosis, to check tumor development, selecting efficient therapies, therapy monitoring and even possess prognostic power. In adrenocortical carcinoma, there are some studies reporting analysis of circulating tumor cells, circulating cell free DNA and microRNAs for assessing tumor heterogeneity. Among microRNAs, hsa-miR-483-5p seems to be the most important player. Combined with other microRNAs like hsa-miR-195, their expression correlates with recurrence-free survival. Most studies support the applicability of liquid biopsy for assessing temporal tumor heterogeneity (i.e. tumor progression) in adrenocortical cancer. In this mini-review, the available findings of liquid biopsy for assessing tumor heterogeneity in adrenocortical cancer are presented.
Substantiating microCT for diagnosing bioerosion in archaeological bone using a new Virtual Histological Index (VHI)
Authors: Mandl Kirsten , Carlson Kellie Sara Duffett , Brönnimann David , McCall Ashley , Grassberger Martin , Teschler-Nicola Maria , Weiss-Krejci Estella , Metscher Brian
Published: May 2022

Recent technological advances have broadened the application of palaeoradiology for non-destructive investigation of ancient remains. X-ray microtomography (microCT) in particular is increasingly used as an alternative to histological bone sections for interpreting pathological alterations, trauma, microstructure, and, more recently, bioerosion with direct or ancillary use of histological indices. However, no systematic attempt has been made to confirm the reliability of microCT for histotaphonomic analysis of archaeological bone. The objective of this study is therefore to compare thin sections of human femora rated with the Oxford Histological Index to microCT sections using the newly developed Virtual Histological Index in order to provide an accessible methodology for the evaluation of bioerosion in archaeological bone. We provide detailed descriptions of virtual sections and assess the efficacy of the method on cranial and postcranial elements, cremated long bones, and faunal samples. The traditional histological and virtual methods showed a strong correlation, providing the first systematic data substantiating lab-based microCT as a suitable alternative tool for reconstructing post-mortem history in the archaeological record, and for the reliable, non-destructive screening of samples for further analyses.
Effect of pitching motion on production in a OFWT
Authors: Cottura Lorenzo , Caradonna Riccardo , Novo Riccardo , Ghigo Alberto , Bracco Giovanni , Mattiazzo Giuliana
Published: May 2022

The performance of offshore floating wind turbines (OFWTs) is affected by the movement along the 6 Degrees of Freedom (DOFs), which is caused by the combined influence of wind and waves. Particularly, interesting is the pitching motion, which can lead to significant changes in aerodynamic and net generated power. This paper analyzes the influence of pitching motion on the net generated power, considering for the first time in literature the OFWT control systems (blade pitch and generator controller). An in-house model based on the Blade Element Momentum (BEM) theory is used, in which sinusoidal pitch movements characterized by different values of amplitude, frequency and offset are imposed. In this way, it is possible to evaluate the influence of these three parameters on the extracted power at different values of wind speed. Results identify in the pitch amplitude and frequency the most significant variables for variations in OFWT power output, and that the influence of pitch oscillation on the average extracted power considerably varies at different wind conditions.
Mobile power generation system based on biomass gasification
Authors: Ding Lu , Yang Mingming , Dong Kai , Vo Dai-Viet N. , Hungwe Douglas , Ye Jiahan , Ryzhkov Alexander , Yoshikawa Kunio
Published: May 2022

Disaster-hit and/or un-electrified remote areas usually have electricity accessibility issues and an abundance of plant-derived debris and wood from destroyed wooden structures; this can be potentially addressed by employing a decentralized ultra-small biomass-fed gasification power generating system. This paper presents an assessment of the technical viability of an ultra-small gasification system that utilizes densified carbonized wood pellets/briquettes. The setup was run continuously for 100 h. A variety of biomass was densified and carbonized by harnessing fugitive heat sources before charging into the reactor. Carbonized briquettes and furnished blends exhibited inferior gasification performance compared to the carbonized pellets. In the absence of tar blockage problems, steady-state conditions were achieved when pre-treated feedstock was used. Under steady-state conditions for carbonized pellets gasification operated at an equivalence ratio of 0.32, cold gas efficiency and carbon conversion achieved 49.2% and 70.5%, respectively. Overall efficiency and maximum power output of 20.3% and 21 kW were realised, respectively. It was found that the system could keep stable while the low heating valve of syngas was over 4 MJ/m3 on condition that avoiding tar blocking issues. The results indicate that the proposed compact ultra-small power generation system is a technically feasible approach to remedy power shortage challenge. In addition, process simulation considering carbonized wood gasification combined power generation was formulated to produce syngas and electricity. Woody pellets with the flow rate of 20 kg/h could generate a 15.18 kW power at the air flow rate of 40 Nm3/h, which is in a good agreement with 15 kW in the 100 h operation. It is indicated that the gasification combined power generation cycle simulated by Aspen simulator could achieve reliable data to assist the complicated experiment operation.
Dynamic analysis of rolling ball bearing-rotor based on a new improved model
Authors: Nan Guofang , Jiang Shan , Yu Dengliang
Published: May 2022

Dynamic analysis for a bearing-rotor system with the imbalance and the asymmetric gap is conducted in this paper. A new improved analytical model overall considering the gap, the varying compliance vibration and the time-dependent unbalanced force is established, especially the new model is more accurate and closer to reality by abandoning the assumption of the traditional model that the three center points of the inner ring, the outer ring and the rolling ball are collinear. More general vibration characteristics are described and the calculation results based on the new model are more universal than those based on the traditional model. The comparison of the calculation result between the improved model and the traditional model shows that the phase difference for the two results is obviously different from each other, the dominant frequency has no obvious difference between the two models and the amplitudes have somewhat difference. The parametric excitation vibration induced by the varying compliance force of the rolling ball on the inner ring-rotor is analyzed and then the influences of the rotating speed, the gap, the eccentricity and the mass of the rotor on the nonlinear responses are studied and some important conclusions are drawn. As the speed increases, the VC frequency gradually loses its domination of the frequency spectrum, and the rotational speed frequency and its combined frequency with the VC frequency dominate the vibration. The bearing-rotor system is susceptible to the variations of the rotational speed, the gap, the eccentricity and the mass of the rotor in certain ranges; the parameters can make the system in a relatively stable, stable and unstable state; the system shows the complex dynamic behaviors such as the periodical vibration, the quasi-periodic vibration, the chaotic motion and the jumping phenomenon, the bifurcation, sudden change. The research is significant for the quantitative calculation of the dynamic response for parameter designation and the fault diagnosis of the system.
Wood waste utilization and associated product development from under-utilized low-quality wood and its prospects in Nepal
Authors: Pandey Sudip
Published: May 2022

Wood waste has the potential to be used in making a variety of goods, including engineered wood products, energy generation (heat and electricity), mulching, and animal bedding. These inexpensive and underutilized feedstocks have the potential to increase the added value of wood wastes. This paper aims to review the different possibilities on wood waste utilization and their prospects in Nepal. This information helps to find the proper way for future development of wood waste to deliver the best outcomes for the environment and economy. The review is based on an in-depth examination of credible literature and official statistical data. The study showed Nepal has not utilized wood waste except for firewood and a few engineered wood products. The problem with wood waste is the lack of adaptation of advanced technologies and the lack of institutions concerned with the benefits of utilization of those waste. This review concludes that wood waste can be a potential source for the production of different materials but the government should develop effective waste management rules to maximize the value of wood waste resources.

Graphical abstract
Forecasting Causes of Death in Northern Iraq Using Neural Network
Authors: Salih Shahla O. , Bezenchek Antonia , Moramarco Stefania , De Iuliis Manuel , Stanev Denis , Fanti Iuri , Corsini Dario , Basa Faiq B. , Gialloreti Leonardo Emberti
Published: May 2022

The availability of models for predicting future events is essential for enhancing the efficiency of systems. This paper attempts to predict demographic variation by employing multi-layer perceptron network. Here we present the implementation of a system for predicting the number and causes of deaths, for a future 2-year period. The system was built using predictive models and data that is as accurate as possible under the current conditions of the northern Region of Iraq (the Autonomous Region of Kurdistan). Our predictive model is based on quarterly periods, with the intention of providing predictions on the number of deaths, classified by gender, cause of death, age at death, administrative district (governorate), and hospital where the death occurred. The data was collected from birth and death registry bureaus and forensic medicine departments for the years 2009–2020. The python programming language was used to test the designed multi-layer perceptron network with backpropagation training algorithm. With learning rate 0.01 and 500 epochs we were able to obtain good results, as the neural network was able to represent the string, and predict future values well, with a mean squared error of 0.43, and we found that number of deaths is quite stable, with a slight increase.
Scheduled intravenous acetaminophen versus continuous intravenous fentanyl in postoperative analgesia following McKeown esophagectomy with thoracotomy and laparotomy: A pilot study
Authors: Hoshino Akihiro , Nakajima Yasuaki , Kume Yuichiro , Saito Katsumasa , Fujiwara Naoto , Sato Yuya , Okada Takuya , Tokairin Yutaka , Kawada Kenro , Tokunaga Masanori , Kinugasa Yusuke
Published: May 2022

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

To determine whether the study protocol was appropriate for comparing the analgesic and adverse effects of postoperative fentanyl and acetaminophen transfusion following McKeown esophagectomy.

Methods:

In this prospective pilot study, patients who underwent McKeown esophagectomy with right thoracotomy and laparotomy between October 2015 and August 2017 received either continuous intravenous fentanyl (group A) or intravenous acetaminophen (group B) every 6 h. We evaluated pain intensity, number of daily rescue doses, nausea, vigilance, postoperative clinical course, and adverse events postoperatively.

Results:

Four patients in group A dropped out owing to severe drowsiness. Pain intensity and number of rescue doses did not differ significantly, and the intensity of nausea was low in both groups. During postoperative days 1–3, vigilance was significantly better in group B (p = 0.004). The median duration for ambulation postoperatively was 2.0 days in both groups (p = 0.296). Postoperative complications ≥ Grade III Clavien-Dindo classification did not differ significantly between the groups.

Conclusion:

Although this study protocol was not feasible because 40% of the patients in the fentanyl group dropped out owing to severe drowsiness, our results show that acetaminophen significantly improved vigilance in the early postoperative period, and its analgesic effect was not significantly different from that of fentanyl.

Highlights