bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors in randomly perturbed hypergraphs
Authors: Chang Yulin , Han Jie , Kohayakawa Yoshiharu , Morris Patrick , Mota Guilherme Oliveira
Published: July 2021

We determine, up to a multiplicative constant, the optimal number of random edges that need to be added to a k‐graph H with minimum vertex degree  to ensure an F‐factor with high probability, for any F that belongs to a certain class  of k‐graphs, which includes, for example, all k‐partite k‐graphs, and the Fano plane. In particular, taking F to be a single edge, this settles a problem of Krivelevich, Kwan, and Sudakov. We also address the case in which the host graph H is not dense, indicating that starting from certain such H is essentially the same as starting from an empty graph (namely, the purely random model).
Advances in Understanding the Electrocatalytic Reconstruction Chemistry of Coordination Compounds
Authors: Liu Xiong , Guo Ruiting , Huang Wenzhong , Zhu Jiexin , Wen Bo , Mai Liqiang
Published: July 2021

Coordination compounds including mainstream metal‐organic frameworks and Prussian blue analogues receive extensive researches when they directly serve as electrocatalysts. Their reconstruction phenomena, that are closely associated with actual contributions and intrinsic catalytic mechanisms, are expected to be well summarized. Here, the recent advances in understanding reconstruction chemistry of coordination compounds are reviewed, including their main classifications and structural properties, reconstruction phenomena in electrocatalysis (e.g., oxygen/hydrogen evolution reaction, CO2 reduction), influence factors of reconstruction parameters (e.g., reconstruction rate and reconstruction degree), and reconstruction‐performance correlation. It is outlined that the reconstruction processes are influenced by electronic structure of coordination compounds, pH and temperature of testing solution, and applied potentials. The characterization techniques reflecting the evolution information before and after catalysis are also introduced for reconstruction‐related mechanistic study. Finally, some challenges and outlooks on reconstruction investigations of coordination compounds are proposed, and the necessity of studying and understanding of these themes under actual working conditions of devices is highlighted.
Toward Unusual‐High Hole Mobility of p‐Channel Field‐Effect‐Transistors
Authors: Sun Jiamin , Zhuang Xinming , Fan Yibo , Guo Shuai , Cheng Zichao , Liu Dong , Yin Yanxue , Tian Yufeng , Pang Zhiyong , Wei Zhipeng , Song Xiufeng , Liao Lei , Chen Feng , Ho Johnny C. , Yang Zai‐xing
Published: July 2021

The relative low hole mobility of p‐channel building block device challenges the continued miniaturization of modern electronic chips. Metal‐semiconductor junction is always an efficient strategy to control the carrier concentration of channel semiconductor, benefiting the carrier mobility regulation of building block device. In this work, complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS)‐compatible metals are selected to deposit on the surface of the important p‐channel building block of GaSb nanowire field‐effect‐transistors (NWFETs), demonstrating the efficient strategy of hole mobility enhancement by metal‐semiconductor junction. When deposited with lower work function metal of Al, the peak hole mobility of GaSb NWFET can be enhanced to as high as ≈3372 cm2 V−1 s−1, showing three times than the un‐deposited one. The as‐studied metal‐semiconductor junction is also efficient for the hole mobility enhancement of other p‐channel devices, such as GaAs NWFET, GaAs film FET, and WSe2 FET. With the enhanced mobility, the as‐constructed CMOS inverter shows good invert characteristics, showing a relatively high gain of ≈18.1. All results may be regarded as important advances to the next‐generation electronics.
High‐Efficiency Carbon‐Based CsPbIBr2 Solar Cells with Interfacial Energy Loss Suppressed by a Thin Bulk‐Heterojunction Layer
Authors: Wang Deng , Li Wenjing , Li Ruoshui , Sun Weihai , Wu Jihuai , Lan Zhang
Published: July 2021

The CsPbIBr2 perovskite has obvious advantages in balancing the stability and efficiency in inorganic perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Its large bandgap of 2.08 eV, which leads to a narrow spectral absorption (<600 nm), is the key limit to yielding a high power conversion efficiency (PCE). Herein, it is demonstrated that by integrating a thin bulk‐heterojunction (BHJ) layer (19 nm) composed of the typical poly (3‐hexylthiophene‐2,5‐diyl) and [6,6]‐phenyl methyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT:PCBM) with CsPbIBr2 perovskite, a carbon‐based all‐inorganic PSC achieves a much higher champion PCE (11.54%) than the original CsPbIBr2 device (8.87%), and the value is also at the highest PCE level of all‐inorganic CsPbIBr2 PSCs. The integration of a thin BHJ layer brings an expanded light absorption range, better charge transfer dynamics, suppressed interfacial energy loss, and improved long‐term stability. The unencapsulated CsPbIBr2 PSC with an integrated BHJ layer shows excellent long‐term stability in an ambient atmosphere with high relative humidity (RH ≈ 45%, T ≈ 25 °C). Therefore, the BHJ integration is an effective strategy on the road to industrialization of carbon‐based all‐inorganic PSCs with low cost, high efficiency, and excellent long‐term stability.
The application of pangenomics and machine learning in genomic selection in plants
Authors: Bayer Philipp E. , Petereit Jakob , Danilevicz Monica Furaste , Anderson Robyn , Batley Jacqueline , Edwards David
Published: July 2021

Genomic selection approaches have increased the speed of plant breeding, leading to growing crop yields over the last decade. However, climate change is impacting current and future yields, resulting in the need to further accelerate breeding efforts to cope with these changing conditions. Here we present approaches to accelerate plant breeding and incorporate nonadditive effects in genomic selection by applying state‐of‐the‐art machine learning approaches. These approaches are made more powerful by the inclusion of pangenomes, which represent the entire genome content of a species. Understanding the strengths and limitations of machine learning methods, compared with more traditional genomic selection efforts, is paramount to the successful application of these methods in crop breeding. We describe examples of genomic selection and pangenome‐based approaches in crop breeding, discuss machine learning‐specific challenges, and highlight the potential for the application of machine learning in genomic selection. We believe that careful implementation of machine learning approaches will support crop improvement to help counter the adverse outcomes of climate change on crop production.
A systems‐biology clinical trial of a personalized multimodal lifestyle intervention for early Alzheimer's disease
Authors: McEwen Sarah C. , Merrill David A. , Bramen Jennifer , Porter Verna , Panos Stella , Kaiser Scott , Hodes John , Ganapathi Aarthi , Bell Lesley , Bookheimer Tess , Glatt Ryan , Rapozo Molly , Ross Mary Kay , Price Nathan D. , Kelly Daniel , Funk Cory C. , Hood Leroy , Roach Jared C.
Published: July 2021

Introduction

There is an urgent need to develop effective interventional treatments for people with Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD results from a complex multi‐decade interplay of multiple interacting dysfunctional biological systems that have not yet been fully elucidated. Epidemiological studies have linked several modifiable lifestyle factors with increased incidence for AD. Because monotherapies have failed to prevent or ameliorate AD, interventional studies should deploy multiple, targeted interventions that address the dysfunctional systems that give rise to AD.

Methods

This randomized controlled trial (RCT) will examine the efficacy of a 12‐month personalized, multimodal, lifestyle intervention in 60 mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early stage AD patients (aged 50+, amyloid positivity). Both groups receive data‐driven, lifestyle recommendations designed to target multiple systemic pathways implicated in AD. One group receives these personalized recommendations without coaching. The other group receives personalized recommendations with health coaching, dietary counseling, exercise training, cognitive stimulation, and nutritional supplements. We collect clinical, proteomic, metabolomic, neuroimaging, and genetic data to fuel systems‐biology analyses. We will examine effects on cognition and hippocampal volume. The overarching goal of the study is to longitudinally track biological systems implicated in AD to reveal the dynamics between these systems during the intervention to understand differences in treatment response.

Results

We have developed and implemented a protocol for a personalized, multimodal intervention program for early AD patients. We began enrollment in September 2019; we have enrolled a third of our target (20 of 60) with a 95% retention and 86% compliance rate.

Discussion

This study presents a paradigm shift in designing multimodal, lifestyle interventions to reduce cognitive decline, and how to elucidate the biological systems being targeted. Analytical efforts to explain mechanistic or causal underpinnings of individual trajectories and the interplay between multi‐omic variables will inform the design of future hypotheses and development of effective precision medicine trials.
Effects of climate change on depression‐focused groundwater recharge in the Canadian Prairies
Authors: Negm Amro , Abdrakhimova Polina , Hayashi Masaki , Rasouli Kabir
Published: July 2021

Small topographic depressions are ubiquitous in the glaciated terrain of the Northern Prairies characterized by a cold semiarid climate. Groundwater recharge in this region is focused in topographic depressions, which receive lateral inputs of snowmelt runoff in addition to vertical inputs of precipitation. The response of depression‐focused recharge to climate change is largely unknown due to the difficulty of representing the complex interaction between depressions and surrounding uplands in hydrological models. This study evaluates climate change effects on recharge using a process‐based hydrological model and the pseudo‐global warming (PGW) approach representing a climate of 2092–2100, which has a higher mean annual temperature (+4.9 °C) and precipitation (+135 mm or +27%) compared with the present climate. The recharge model is conditioned using field data from an instrumented grassland site in the Canadian Prairies. Under the present climate, snowmelt runoff occurred in March–April over frozen soil, which accounted for the majority of water transfer from the upland to the depression. Under the PGW scenario, the amount of snowmelt runoff in March–April decreased due to lower snow accumulation and shorter periods of frozen soil. Instead, runoff occurred in midwinter and also in summer months due to increased intensity and duration of summer storms. Despite the increased precipitation, mean annual recharge rates decreased from 10.2 to 3.2 mm yr–1, indicating the importance of considering the complex effects of warmer and wetter climate on hydrological processes in cold semiarid regions.
Providing Outdoor Experiences for Infants and Toddlers: Pedagogical Possibilities and Challenges from a Brazilian Early Childhood Education Centre Case Study
Authors: da Costa Natália Meireles Santos , Rossetti-Ferreira Maria Clotilde , de Araujo Mello Ana Maria
Published: July 2021

Intense urbanization process in Brazil and Latin America has increasingly limited young children, since birth, to access outdoor spaces, especially green areas. Moreover, as conceptions of babies in domestic care support confinement practices, apprehending infants’ constitutive specificities as being intertwined with broader socio-cultural contexts requires further investigation. Notwithstanding the challenges, Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) institutions can be promising places to provide babies with daily contacts and appropriation of external areas amid an expanded collective experience. This chapter tackles the process of insertion and appropriation of outdoor spaces for infants and toddlers. We bring a case study from a Brazilian daycare centre with planned multiple outdoor environments, diversified spatial arrangements and natural elements. The empirical material, referring to the transition year of a group of under-twos, includes monthly recordings of everyday routine, interviews, field notes, institutional documents. We describe and analyze various outdoor spaces and socio-spatial practices of the daycare centre based on the cultural-historical perspective of the Network of Meanings. In the first semester, environments organized in semi-open areas connected to closed spaces were more frequently used. Whereas mainly in the second semester, given walking onset and greater motor resourcefulness, the going and appropriation of green areas unfolded as a gradual process not short of struggles. Substantial planning, projects and educational situations put forward by multiple social actors within a multidisciplinary approach modulated alternation of spaces and facilitated exchanges with peers, older children and adults – including family members.
Children’s Play and Social Relations in Nature and Kindergarten Playgrounds: Examples from Norway
Authors: Sørensen Hanne Værum
Published: July 2021

In kindergarten, outdoor playtime is usually a break from more structured activities. It is leisure time and an opportunity for children to engage in free play with friends. Previous research indicates that time spent outdoors facilitates playful physical activity and that playing in nature inspires children’s creativity, imaginations and play across age and gender. In short, play and social relations are crucial for young children’s development and cultural formation. This study investigated children’s play activities duringoutdoor playtimein nature and on kindergarten playgrounds. Its empirical materials consisted of video observations of 12 four-year-old’s activities in nature and on a kindergarten playground and interviews with two kindergarten teachers. One child, Benjamin was the primary focus, and five more were also included. Two examples of one child’s social play in nature and on the playground were analysed to illuminate the different conditions and challenges he encountered. The findings indicate that children’s play in nature tends to be more creative and inclusive than that on kindergarten playgrounds, that kindergarten teachers participate more in children’s play in nature than on playgrounds and that children are sensitive to and try to engage in what they view as a correct form of discourse with their teachers. The author argues for further research on the subject to learn more about children’s social relations, creativity and cultural formation during outdoor playtime in nature.
Time Regulation as Institutional Condition for Children’s Outdoor Play and Cultural Formation in Kindergarten
Authors: Birkeland Åsta , Sørensen Hanne Værum
Published: July 2021

Time regulation is an important aspect of the everyday life in any kindergarten and has an impact on which activities are given priority. In this case study, the outdoor playtime in one kindergarten in China and one in Norway is compared based on the understanding that children’s cultural formation develops in a dialectical relationship between children’s interests and motives and societal, institutional, and weather conditions. The aim of the article is to identify how time regulations provide conditions for children’s play and cultural formation during outdoor playtime. The research question is: How does institutional time regulation interplay with the pedagogical practice and children’s activities in the outdoor playtime? Employing a cultural-historical approach, drawing on Hedegaard’s concepts of development and cultural formation as an individual, institutional and societal process, the dialectical interplay between institutional time regulation and children’s engagement in outdoor activities is the unit of analysis in this study. Our findings indicate that the kindergarten teachers in the Chinese kindergarten as well as the Norwegian kindergarten aim to adjust the pedagogical content and time schedule to the traditions, values, and conditions in both countries. This chapter contributes to knowledge about the interplay between institutional conditions and children’s activities and cultural formation in outdoor play.
Exploring the Taken-for-Granted Advantage of Outdoor Play in Norwegian Early Childhood Education
Authors: Grindheim Liv Torunn
Published: July 2021

It is claimed that nature is given temporal and cultural dimensions in Norway, in a transgression of the distinction between nature and culture. The overall emphasis on nature in the Nordic countries may represent an unconscious taken-for-granted understanding of nature as the best place for children’s play, learning and cultural formation. Understandings of a strong Norwegian cultural connection to nature, and thereby outdoor life, as an important arena for children’s cultural formation may be challenged by changes in Early Childhood Education (ECE) institutions and the contemporary society. Such changes can force conflicts that help in depicting what is taken for granted. This chapter is therefore structured around the research question: What conflicts can be found between ECE teachers’ values and motives for outdoor play versus contextual conditions and demands in personal, institutional and cultural perspectives and in the perception of nature? By exploring conflicts between contextual conditions and demands and ECE teachers’ values and motives, the aim is to get a broader insight into perspectives and conditions for children’s cultural formation. The analysis draws on 15 interviews with ECE teachers, political documents and earlier research. The analysis reveals that nature as a valued arena for cultural formation, through play, may not be as apparent as expected in Norwegian ECE.
Usage and Scaling of an Open-Source Spiking Multi-Area Model of Monkey Cortex
Authors: van Albada Sacha J. , Pronold Jari , van Meegen Alexander , Diesmann Markus
Published: July 2021

We are entering an age of ‘big’ computational neuroscience, in which neural network models are increasing in size and in numbers of underlying data sets. Consolidating the zoo of models into large-scale models simultaneously consistent with a wide range of data is only possible through the effort of large teams, which can be spread across multiple research institutions. To ensure that computational neuroscientists can build on each other’s work, it is important to make models publicly available as well-documented code. This chapter describes such an open-source model, which relates the connectivity structure of all vision-related cortical areas of the macaque monkey with their resting-state dynamics. We give a brief overview of how to use the executable model specification, which employs NEST as simulation engine, and show its runtime scaling. The solutions found serve as an example for organizing the workflow of future models from the raw experimental data to the visualization of the results, expose the challenges, and give guidance for the construction of an ICT infrastructure for neuroscience.
Aspekte des Wahrscheinlichkeitsbegriffs
Authors: Kalisch Markus , Meier Lukas
Published: July 2021

Ausgehend von dem Begriff der Wahrscheinlichkeit werden die Begriffe der Odds (Chance) und Log-Odds eingeführt und anhand von einem Beispiel illustriert. Beide Größen werden später bei der Interpretation des logistischen Regressionsmodells eine zentrale Rolle spielen. Neben exakten Definitionen wird Wert auf ein intuitives Verständnis der Zusammenhänge gelegt. Die Begriffe Risk-Ratio und Odds-Ratio erlauben es, Wahrscheinlichkeiten bzw. Odds für ein Ereignis in zwei verschiedenen Situationen zu vergleichen.
Logistische Regression in R
Authors: Kalisch Markus , Meier Lukas
Published: July 2021

In diesem Kapitel wird illustriert, wie die bis jetzt gelernten Konzepte mit der Statistiksoftware R umgesetzt werden können. Anhand eines Beispiels wird gezeigt, wie ein Modell ausgehend von Daten geschätzt werden kann. Anschließend wird die Effektstärke inkl. Vertrauensintervall auf der Skala der Log-Odds und der Odds bestimmt. Es folgen Vorhersagen auf der Skala der Log-Odds, der Odds und der Wahrscheinlichkeit. Den Abschluss bildet die effiziente Bearbeitung von gruppierten Daten.
Expanding on the Cardy-like limit of the SCI of 4d $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 1 ABCD SCFTs
Authors: Amariti Antonio , Fazzi Marco , Segati Alessia
Published: July 2021

Abstract

We study the Cardy-like limit of the superconformal index of generic $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 SCFTs with ABCD gauge algebra, providing strong evidence for a universal formula that captures the behavior of the index at finite order in the rank and in the fugacities associated to angular momenta. The formula extends previous results valid at lowest order, and generalizes them to generic SCFTs. We corroborate the validity of our proposal by studying several examples, beyond the well-understood toric class. We compute the index also for models without a weakly-coupled gravity dual, whose gravitational anomaly is not of order one.
The canonical formulation of E6(6) exceptional field theory
Authors: Kreutzer Lars T.
Published: July 2021

Abstract

We investigate the canonical formulation of the (bosonic) E6(6) exceptional field theory. The explicit non-integral (not manifestly gauge invariant) topological term of E6(6) exceptional field theory is constructed and we consider the canonical formulation of a model theory based on the topological two-form kinetic term. Furthermore we construct the canonical momenta and the canonical Hamiltonian of the full bosonic E6(6) exceptional field theory. Most of the canonical gauge transformations and some parts of the canonical constraint algebra are calculated. Moreover we discuss how to translate the results canonically into the generalised vielbein formulation. We comment on the possible existence of generalised Ashtekar variables.
se-atlas.de – Versorgungsatlas für Menschen mit Seltenen Erkrankungen
Authors: Neff Michaela , Schaaf Jannik , Tegtbauer Niels , Schäfer Johanna , Till Manuela , Wagner Thomas O. F. , Graeßner Holm , Mundlos Christine , Storf Holger
Published: July 2021

Eine Erkrankung zählt in der Europäischen Union zu den Seltenen Erkrankungen (SE), wenn diese nicht mehr als 5 von 10.000 Menschen betrifft. Derzeit existiert mit mehr als 6000 SE eine sowohl große als auch heterogene Menge an unterschiedlichen Krankheitsbilder, die in ihrer Symptomatik komplex, vielschichtig und damit im medizinischen Alltag schwierig einzuordnen sind. Dies erschwert Diagnosefindung und Behandlung sowie das Auffinden eines passenden Ansprechpartners, da es nur wenige Experten für jede einzelne SE gibt. Der medizinische Versorgungsatlas für Seltene Erkrankungen www.se-atlas.de ermöglicht anhand von Erkrankungsnamen die Suche nach Versorgungseinrichtungen und Selbsthilfeorganisationen zu bestimmten SE und stellt die Suchergebnisse geografisch dar. Ebenso gibt er einen Überblick über alle deutschen Zentren für SE, die eine Anlaufstelle für betroffene Personen mit unklarer Diagnose darstellen. Der se-atlas dient als Kompass durch die heterogene Menge an Informationen über Versorgungseinrichtungen für SE und stellt niederschwellig Informationen für eine breite Nutzergruppe von Betroffenen bis hin zu Mitgliedern des medizinischen Versorgungsteams bereit.
Unraveling the genetics of tomato fruit weight during crop domestication and diversification
Authors: Pereira Lara , Zhang Lei , Sapkota Manoj , Ramos Alexis , Razifard Hamid , Caicedo Ana L. , van der Knaap Esther
Published: July 2021

Key Message

Six novel fruit weight QTLs were identified in tomato using multiple bi-parental populations developed from ancestral accessions. Beneficial alleles at these loci arose in semi-domesticated subpopulations and were likely left behind. This study paves the way to introgress these alleles into breeding programs.

The size and weight of edible organs have been strongly selected during crop domestication. Concurrently, human have also focused on nutritional and cultural characteristics of fruits and vegetables, at times countering selective pressures on beneficial size and weight alleles. Therefore, it is likely that novel improvement alleles for organ weight still segregate in ancestral germplasm. To date, five domestication and diversification genes affecting tomato fruit weight have been identified, yet the genetic basis for increases in weight has not been fully accounted for. We found that fruit weight increased gradually during domestication and diversification, and semi-domesticated subpopulations featured high phenotypic and nucleotide diversity. Columella and septum fruit tissues were proportionally increased, suggesting targeted selection. We developed twenty-one F2 populations with parents fixed for the known fruit weight genes, corresponding to putative key transitions from wild to fully domesticated tomatoes. These parents also showed differences in fruit weight attributes as well as the developmental timing of size increase. A subset of populations was targeted for QTL-seq, leading to the identification of six uncloned fruit weight QTLs. Three QTLs, located on chromosomes 1, 2 and 3, were subsequently validated by progeny testing. By exploring the segregation of the known fruit weight genes and the identified QTLs, we estimated that most beneficial alleles in the newly identified loci arose in semi-domesticated subpopulations from South America and were not likely transmitted to fully domesticated landraces. Therefore, these alleles could be incorporated into breeding programs using the germplasm and genetic resources identified in this study.
Genetic diversity, distribution and domestication history of the neglected GGAtAt genepool of wheat
Authors: Badaeva Ekaterina D. , Konovalov Fedor A. , Knüpffer Helmut , Fricano Agostino , Ruban Alevtina S. , Kehel Zakaria , Zoshchuk Svyatoslav A. , Surzhikov Sergei A. , Neumann Kerstin , Graner Andreas , Hammer Karl , Filatenko Anna , Bogaard Amy , Jones Glynis , Özkan Hakan , Kilian Benjamin
Published: July 2021

Key message

We present a comprehensive survey of cytogenetic and genomic diversity of the GGAtAt genepool of wheat, thereby unlocking these plant genetic resources for wheat improvement.

Wheat yields are stagnating around the world and new sources of genes for resistance or tolerances to abiotic traits are required. In this context, the tetraploid wheat wild relatives are among the key candidates for wheat improvement. Despite its potential huge value for wheat breeding, the tetraploid GGAtAt genepool is largely neglected. Understanding the population structure, native distribution range, intraspecific variation of the entire tetraploid GGAtAt genepool and its domestication history would further its use for wheat improvement. The paper provides the first comprehensive survey of genomic and cytogenetic diversity sampling the full breadth and depth of the tetraploid GGAtAt genepool. According to the results obtained, the extant GGAtAt genepool consists of three distinct lineages. We provide detailed insights into the cytogenetic composition of GGAtAt wheats, revealed group- and population-specific markers and show that chromosomal rearrangements play an important role in intraspecific diversity of T. araraticum. The origin and domestication history of the GGAtAt lineages is discussed in the context of state-of-the-art archaeobotanical finds. We shed new light on the complex evolutionary history of the GGAtAt wheat genepool and provide the basis for an increased use of the GGAtAt wheat genepool for wheat improvement. The findings have implications for our understanding of the origins of agriculture in southwest Asia.
Correction to: In vitro prediction of organ toxicity: the challenges of scaling and secondary mechanisms of toxicity
Authors: Hengstler Jan G. , Sjögren Anna-Karin , Zink Daniele , Hornberg Jorrit J.
Published: July 2021

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00204-021-03090-4
Deep learning to automate the labelling of head MRI datasets for computer vision applications
Authors: Wood David A. , Kafiabadi Sina , Al Busaidi Aisha , Guilhem Emily L. , Lynch Jeremy , Townend Matthew K. , Montvila Antanas , Kiik Martin , Siddiqui Juveria , Gadapa Naveen , Benger Matthew D. , Mazumder Asif , Barker Gareth , Ourselin Sebastian , Cole James H. , Booth Thomas C.
Published: July 2021

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to build a deep learning model to derive labels from neuroradiology reports and assign these to the corresponding examinations, overcoming a bottleneck to computer vision model development.

Methods

Reference-standard labels were generated by a team of neuroradiologists for model training and evaluation. Three thousand examinations were labelled for the presence or absence of any abnormality by manually scrutinising the corresponding radiology reports (‘reference-standard report labels’); a subset of these examinations (n= 250) were assigned ‘reference-standard image labels’ by interrogating the actual images. Separately, 2000 reports were labelled for the presence or absence of 7 specialised categories of abnormality (acute stroke, mass, atrophy, vascular abnormality, small vessel disease, white matter inflammation, encephalomalacia), with a subset of these examinations (n =700) also assigned reference-standard image labels. A deep learning model was trained using labelled reports and validated in two ways: comparing predicted labels to (i) reference-standard report labels and (ii) reference-standard image labels. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC) was used to quantify model performance. Accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and F1 score were also calculated.

Results

Accurate classification (AUC-ROC > 0.95) was achieved for all categories when tested against reference-standard report labels. A drop in performance (ΔAUC-ROC > 0.02) was seen for three categories (atrophy, encephalomalacia, vascular) when tested against reference-standard image labels, highlighting discrepancies in the original reports. Once trained, the model assigned labels to 121,556 examinations in under 30 min.

Conclusions

Our model accurately classifies head MRI examinations, enabling automated dataset labelling for downstream computer vision applications.

Key Points

•Deep learning is poised to revolutionise image recognition tasks in radiology; however, a barrier to clinical adoption is the difficulty of obtaining large labelled datasets for model training.

•We demonstrate a deep learning model which can derive labels from neuroradiology reports and assign these to the corresponding examinations at scale, facilitating the development of downstream computer vision models.

•We rigorously tested our model by comparing labels predicted on the basis of neuroradiology reports with two sets of reference-standard labels: (1) labels derived by manually scrutinising each radiology report and (2) labels derived by interrogating the actual images.
Guided tour of hidden tracts in the pelvis: exploring pelvic fistulas
Authors: Chen Iris E , Ferraro Regan , Chow Lucy , Bahrami Simin
Published: July 2021

Background

Fistulas are an abnormal connection between two or more epithelial surfaces. When fistulization between adjacent structures occurs in the pelvis, there is almost invariably significant associated morbidity and impact on a patient’s quality of life. Imaging may aid in the diagnosis of pelvic fistulas and is essential to identify any associated pathology, define the course of the fistula, and aid in pre-surgical planning.

Purpose

This article aims to review the wide array of clinical and imaging presentations of fistulas in the pelvis, with a focus on the radiologists’ role in managing this challenging entity.

Methods

This article will review each classification type of fistula.

Results

Pelvic fistula is a devastating condition that causes significant morbidity and evaluation can be challenging.

Conclusions

Imaging, and particularly MRI, plays a vital role in the diagnosis, characterizing the course of a fistula and demonstrating associated complications, which are essential to guide treatment decisions.
Patient’s point of view on the use of telemedicine in multiple sclerosis: a web-based survey
Authors: Landi Doriana , Ponzano Marta , Nicoletti Carolina Gabri , Cola Gaia , Cecchi Gianluca , Grimaldi Alfonso , Mataluni Giorgia , Mercuri Nicola Biagio , Sormani Maria Pia , Pacileo Guglielmo , Marfia Girolama Alessandra
Published: July 2021

Restrictions in the access to healthcare facilities during COVID-19 pandemic have raised the need for remote monitoring of chronic medical conditions, including multiple sclerosis (MS). In order to enable the continuity of care in these circumstances, many telemedicine applications are currently tested. While physicians’ preferences are commonly investigated, data regarding the patients’ point of view are still lacking. We built a 37 items web-based survey exploring patients’ propensity, awareness, and opinions on telemedicine with the aim to evaluate the sustainability of this approach in MS. Analysing 613 questionnaires out of 1093 that were sent to persons with MS followed at the Multiple Sclerosis Center of Tor Vergata University, Rome, we found that more than half of respondents (54%) were open to having a televisit. Propensity toward telemedicine significantly depended on having a higher income (p = 0.037), living farther from the center (p = 0.038), using computer and tablet (p = 0.010) and using the Internet for other remote activities (p < 0.001), conversely it was not influenced by any specific disease characteristics (i.e. degree of disability). The main advantages and disadvantages of televisit reported by participants were respectively saving time (70%) and impossibility to measure physical parameters (71%). Although the majority of respondents are in favour of televisit, so far this approach is restricted to those displaying better socioeconomic conditions and higher familiarity with technology. Implications of the study are that telemedicine platforms should be better tailored to patients’ demands in order to spread the use of telemedicine, to enhance usability and to increase patients’ adherence.
Shareholder Engagement on Environmental, Social, and Governance Performance
Authors: Barko Tamas , Cremers Martijn , Renneboog Luc
Published: July 2021

We study behind-the-scenes investor activism promoting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) improvements by means of a proprietary dataset of a large international, socially responsible activist fund. We examine the activist’s target selection, forms of engagement, impact on ESG performance, drivers of success, and effects on the targets’ operations and value creation. Target firms are typically large and visible, perform well, and have high liquidity (stock turnover) and low ESG performance. Engagement induces ESG rating adjustments: firms with poor ex ante ESG ratings experience a ratings increase after complying with the activist’s demands, whereas firms with high ex ante ESG ratings experience a ratings decrease following the revelation of their ESG problems. Activism that is focused on environmental and social issues is more likely to succeed if targets are ESG-sensitive (i.e., they have a strong ex ante ESG profile). Successful engagements boost targets’ sales. Risk-adjusted excess stock returns (with four-factor adjustment and relative to a matched sample of non-engaged firms) of successful engagements outperform those of unsuccessful engagements by 2.7%. Results are especially strong for firms with low ex ante ESG scores. Specifically, targeted firms in the lowest ex ante ESG quartile outperform matched peers by 7.5% in the year after the end of the engagement. Our results thus suggest that the activism regarding corporate social responsibility generally improves ESG practices and corporate sales and is profitable to the activist. Taken together, we provide direct evidence that ethical investing and strong financial performance, both from the activist’s and the targeted firm’s perspective, can go hand-in-hand together.
Influence of Magnetic Moment on Single Atom Catalytic Activation Energy Barriers
Authors: Groome Chloe , Ngo Huong , Li Jie , Wang Chen Santillan , Wu Ruqian , Ragan Regina
Published: July 2021

Design of the molecular environment of single atom catalysts (SAC) is promising for achieving high catalytic activity without expensive and scarce platinum-group metals (PGM). We utilize a first principles approach to examine how the spin state of the SAC and reactants can affect catalytic energy barriers of V, Fe, Mo, and Ta on two different graphene defects with differing magnetic moments. Spin polarized projected density of states and climbing image nudged elastic band calculations demonstrate relatively lower activation energy barriers for systems with higher spin state asymmetry near the Fermi energy; CO oxidation on Ta and V SAC have decreases in activation barrier energies of 27% and 44%, respectively.

Graphic Abstract
On heterosis, inbreeding depression and general combining ability in annual caraway (Carum carvi)
Authors: von Maydell Daniel , Stache Anne-Marie , El Menuawy Ahmed , Gemmer Mathias Ruben , Hähnel Urs , Junghanns Wolfram , Marthe Frank
Published: July 2021

Caraway (Carum carvi) is a medicinal and aromatic plant of the Apiaceae family with a long history of cultivation. To this day, improvements in yield and essential oil content are desirable. In the past, line breeding was used to increase essential oil content with the final intention of combining inbred lines to a synthetic variety by outcrossing. Outcrossing should overcome inbreeding depression and exploit heterosis vice versa. In this study, we wanted to detect whether and to what extent heterosis can be exploited in caraway. In a randomized complete block design with two years of growing and four repetitions per year and genotype, we compared 18 inbred lines with 18 corresponding F1 populations produced in a polycross. In addition to yield, we estimated the beginning of flowering, the end of flowering, maturity, height, thousand-grain weight, stalk attachment rate, shattering rate and essential oil content. Linear mixed models were used to compute variance components, heritability and best linear unbiased estimates. As major result, we detected the existence of better parent heterosis in caraway. To summarize, outcrossing led to a significant increase in yield, thousand-grain weight and height and to an earlier beginning of flowering, end of flowering and maturity. In two-year data, no effect of outcrossing on the essential oil content was observed, but single year data revealed slight effects. We found strong negative correlations between developmental traits and yield. Hence, selection of early developing genotypes seems highly recommendable. Results make us confident that improved annual varieties can be introduced soon.
Macrophyte meadows mediate the response of the sediment microbial community to ultraviolet radiation
Authors: Puche Eric , Rojo Carmen , Segura Matilde , Rodrigo María A.
Published: July 2021

The decrease of the water level in Mediterranean wetlands due to global warming allows UVR to reach the sediment microbial community. Macrophyte meadows, through their structure and compounds contribution, exert influence on this community. Our goal was to establish how the sediment microbial community of a wetland is harmed by UVR, and how the macrophytes mitigate such effects. We performed a field factorial experiment (UVR and macrophytes as factors) in a Mediterranean wetland. The abundance and composition of the sediment microbial community (bacteria, Archaea, microalgae and cyanobacteria) and sediment stoichiometry in superficial and sub-superficial layers were analysed. The microbial community was altered even by the small doses of UVR of the Mediterranean coastal wetlands by decreasing the periphyton abundance, including bacteria involved in C and N metabolism. Submerged macrophytes favoured the periphytic biofilm and increased sub-superficial carbon and nitrogen amounts, by promoting bacteria involved in their cycles. The shade exerted by the meadows minimized the UVR effects, driving to a community similar to that of the UVR-filtered environment. Therefore, macrophytes, through different mechanisms, can mitigate the harmful effects of UVR in sediment communities. Thus, the conservation of macrophyte meadows in highly vulnerable wetlands becomes crucial in a global change context.
Effects of controlled ovarian stimulation on vascular barrier and endothelial glycocalyx: a pilot study
Authors: Hulde Nikolai , Rogenhofer N. , Brettner F. , Eckert N. C. , Fetz I. , Buchheim J-I. , Kammerer T. , Dendorfer A. , Choukèr A. , Hofmann-Kiefer K. F. , Rehm M. , Thaler C.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Controlled ovarian stimulation significantly amplifies the number of maturing and ovulated follicles as well as ovarian steroid production. The ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) increases capillary permeability and fluid extravasation. Vascular integrity intensely is regulated by an endothelial glycocalyx (EGX) and we have shown that ovulatory cycles are associated with shedding of EGX components. This study investigates if controlled ovarian stimulation impacts on the integrity of the endothelial glycocalyx as this might explain key pathomechanisms of the OHSS.

Methods

Serum levels of endothelial glycocalyx components of infertility patients (n=18) undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation were compared to a control group of healthy women with regular ovulatory cycles (n=17).

Results

Patients during luteal phases of controlled ovarian stimulation cycles as compared to normal ovulatory cycles showed significantly increased Syndecan-1 serum concentrations (12.6 ng/ml 6.1125th–19.1375thto 13.9 ng/ml 9.625th–28.975th; p=0.026), indicating shedding and degradation of the EGX.

Conclusion

A shedding of EGX components during ovarian stimulation has not yet been described. Our study suggests that ovarian stimulation may affect the integrity of the endothelial surface layer and increasing vascular permeability. This could explain key features of the OHSS and provide new ways of prevention of this serious condition of assisted reproduction.
Developing organizational knowledge in schools: The role of theory and theorizing in collective capacity building
Authors: Ertsås Turid I. , Irgens Eirik J.
Published: July 2021

Developing knowledge in education systems is essential in capacity building. When the intention is to build collective capacity and sustain the capacity in schools, we claim there is a need to understand how organizational knowledge is developed and what form this knowledge may take in the school as an organization. However, theory seems to have put little weight on the development of organizational knowledge. In this article, we draw on two cases to discuss why there is a need for theoretical perspectives that may help conceptualize and aid knowledge development in capacity building. Our contribution is a theoretical model that builds on a graded theory concept, in which theory and practice are understood as entangled in process rather than as dichotomous and static categories. We hope to contribute to an understanding of capacity building that avoids the tyranny of theory and the tyranny of practice, and where teachers’ and school leaders’ professional theorizing is seen as essential for success.
Pro- and anti-inflammatory macrophages express a sub-type specific purinergic receptor profile
Authors: Merz J. , Nettesheim A. , von Garlen S. , Albrecht P. , Saller B. S. , Engelmann J. , Hertle L. , Schäfer I. , Dimanski D. , König S. , Karnbrock L. , Bulatova K. , Peikert A. , Hoppe N. , Hilgendorf I. , von zur Mühlen C. , Wolf D. , Groß O. , Bode C. , Zirlik A. , Stachon P.
Published: July 2021

Extracellular nucleotides act as danger signals that orchestrate inflammation by purinergic receptor activation. The expression pattern of different purinergic receptors may correlate with a pro- or anti-inflammatory phenotype. Macrophages function as pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages (M1) or anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages (M2). The present study found that murine bone marrow-derived macrophages express a unique purinergic receptor profile during in vitro polarization. As assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Gαs-coupled P1 receptors A2A and A2B are upregulated in M1 and M2 compared to M0, but A2A 15 times higher in M1. The ionotropic P2 receptor P2X5 is selectively upregulated in M1- and M2-polarized macrophages. P2X7 is temporarily expressed in M1 macrophages. Metabotropic P2Y receptors showed a distinct expression profile in M1 and M2-polarized macrophages: Gαq coupled P2Y1 and P2Y6 are exclusively upregulated in M2, whereas Gαi P2Y13 and P2Y14 are overexpressed in M1. This consequently leads to functional differences between M1 and M2 in response to adenosine di-phosphate stimulation (ADP): In contrast to M1, M2 showed increased cytoplasmatic calcium after ADP stimulation. In the present study we show that bone marrow-derived macrophages express a unique repertoire of purinergic receptors. We show for the first time that the repertoire of purinergic receptors is highly flexible and quickly adapts upon pro- and anti-inflammatory macrophage differentiation with functional consequences to nucleotide stimulation.
Eat like an athlete: insights of sports nutrition science to support active aging in healthy older adults
Authors: Oikawa Sara Y. , Brisbois Tristin D. , van Loon Luc J. C. , Rollo Ian
Published: July 2021

Skeletal muscle mass losses with age are associated with negative health consequences, including an increased risk of developing metabolic disease and the loss of independence. Athletes adopt numerous nutritional strategies to maximize the benefits of exercise training and enhance recovery in pursuit of improving skeletal muscle quality, mass, or function. Importantly, many of the principles applied to enhance skeletal muscle health in athletes may be applicable to support active aging and prevent sarcopenia in the healthy (non-clinical) aging population. Here, we discuss the anabolic properties of protein supplementation in addition to ingredients that may enhance the anabolic effects of protein (e.g. omega 3 s, creatine, inorganic nitrate) in older persons. We conclude that nutritional strategies used in pursuit of performance enhancement in athletes are often applicable to improve skeletal muscle health in the healthy older population when implemented as part of a healthy active lifestyle. Further research is required to elucidate the mechanisms by which these nutrients may induce favourable changes in skeletal muscle and to determine the appropriate dosing and timing of nutrient intakes to support active aging.