bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Potential therapeutic applications of phytoconstituents as immunomodulators: Pre‐clinical and clinical evidences
Authors: Ali Syed Afroz , Singh Gurpreet , Datusalia Ashok Kumar
Published: March 2021

Autoimmune and infectious diseases are the major public health issues and have gained great attention in the last few years for the search of new agents with therapeutic benefits on the host immune functions. In recent years, natural products (NPs) have been studied broadly for their multi‐targeted activities under pathological conditions. Interestingly, several attempts have been made to outline the immunomodulatory properties of NPs. Research on in‐vitro and in‐vivo models have shown the immunomodulatory activity of NPs, is due to their antiinflammatory property, induction of phagocytosis and immune cells stimulation activity. Moreover, studies on humans have suggested that phytomedicines reduce inflammation and could provide appropriate benefits either in single form or complex combinations with other agents preventing disease progression, subsequently enhancing the efficacy of treatment to combat multiple malignancies. However, the exact mechanism of immunomodulation is far from clear, warranting more detailed investigations on their effectiveness. Nevertheless, the reduction of inflammatory cascades is considered as a prime protective mechanism in a number of inflammation regulated autoimmune diseases. Altogether, this review will discuss the biological activities of plant‐derived secondary metabolites, such as polyphenols, alkaloids, saponins, polysaccharides and so forth, against various diseases and their potential use as an immunomodulatory agent under pathological conditions.
Effects of process parameters and solid particle contaminants on the seal strength of low‐density polyethylene‐based flexible food packaging films
Authors: Ilhan Ilknur , ten Klooster Roland , Gibson Ian
Published: March 2021

Seal strength is a key indicator of heat seal quality in flexible packaging. In this study, the effect of seal bar geometry, material composition and food particle contamination on the seal strength of widely used low‐density polyethylene (LDPE)‐based compound films was examined. Additionally, the maximum level of allowable solid food particle contamination was determined for ground coffee particles and powdered sugar. The results showed that adding metallocene LLDPE compound decreases seal initiation temperature (SIT) and increases overall seal strength. Also, changing seal bar geometry from flat to grooved bar with 0.56‐mm pitch height enhanced the seal strength significantly. Moreover, pressure mapping and T‐peel tests at SIT pointed out that grooved bars alter the pressure distribution and first contact points through the seal surface. Contamination of ground coffee particles at the seal interface as occurs during the packaging process when a powdery product is dropped in a package did not affect the seal strength up to 10 g/m2 at 0.5‐s dwell time. Above that amount, seal strength dropped dramatically. In the case of powdered sugar, threshold contaminant level was 2 g/m2 at 0.5‐s dwell time. Consequently, it has been revealed that knowing the type and the amount of contaminant during the food packaging process is important to maintain the seal quality, to find optimum process values between dosing and filling and to choose the right seal bar design because they can have a critical influence, especially at seal initiation phase.
Identification of new biomarkers for sarcopenia and characterization of cathepsin D biomarker
Authors: L'hôte Corine , Cordier Benoît , Labasse Alain , Boileau Christelle , Costes Bérénice , Henrotin Yves
Published: March 2021

Background

Sarcopenia is the progressive generalized loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength, and function that occurs with aging. This study was undertaken to identify new biomarkers of sarcopenia by proteomics analysis of female sera.

Methods

A case–control study was set up, for which 19 sarcopenic subjects and 20 control subjects, according to the European Working Group on Sarcopenia Older People criteria published in 2010 (EWGSOP1), were enrolled. All the subjects were at least 65 years old and in majority female. Biomarker screening was performed by a comparative mass spectrometry analysis. Protein expression levels between the two groups were compared. One of the identified biomarkers, cathepsin D, was measured by immunoassay on the serum of the full sample set (n = 39). Its diagnostic performance was evaluated with a receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve).

Results

Two biomarkers were identified: fructose‐biphosphate aldolase A (P ≤ 0.05) and cathepsin D (P ≤ 0.05). The levels of all of them were higher in sarcopenic patients. It was confirmed by immunoassay that cathepsin D levels in serum were significantly higher in the sarcopenic group of patients (P = 0.038). An inverse correlation (−0.385) was observed between cathepsin D levels in serum and gait speed. The area under the ROC curve measurement (AUC = 0.696) demonstrated that cathepsin D levels could discriminate between sarcopenic and non‐sarcopenic subjects. A predictive model including cathepsin D, age, and body mass index was established to improve the diagnostic performance (AUC = 0.908).

Conclusions

Cathepsin D has been identified as a diagnostic biomarker of sarcopenia.
Hydropower‐driven thermal changes, biological responses and mitigating measures in northern river systems
Authors: Heggenes Jan , Stickler Morten , Alfredsen Knut , Brittain John E. , Adeva‐Bustos Ana , Huusko Ari
Published: March 2021

Water temperatures control life histories and diversity of aquatic species. Hydropower regulation, particularly in high head systems, alters natural water temperature regimes, which may have profound and long‐term impacts on aquatic environments. Temperatures in by‐pass sections and reaches affected by residual/environmental minimum flows fluctuate more than in natural flow regimes, driven more by influence of air temperatures. Reaches downstream of power plant outlets tend to become warmer in winter and colder in summer, driven by stratification behind the reservoir dam. In hydro‐peaked systems high‐low temperature effects may thus be aggravated. We review alterations of hydropower to natural thermal regimes, impacts on key organisms in terms of survival, development and behavioral thresholds, and potential mitigation measures, with focus on Atlantic salmon and brown trout in high northern latitude stream systems. Previous syntheses have focused mainly on flow changes and ecological impacts. Temperature effects may not always be correlated with flow changes, although there are some unique challenges with temperature changes in far northern latitudes, for example, related to the seasonal and colder climates. To help knowledge‐based management and identify potential knowledge gaps, we review how hydropower regulation may impact seasonal water temperatures, what impacts changes to stream system temperature regimes may have to key organisms, for example, Atlantic salmon and brown trout, and what adaptations and behavioral variations they may exhibit to respond to changed temperature regimes, and finally what good practices can be recommended for mitigating temperature impacts. This synthesis indicates that there are impacts to the fish and their supporting food webs, in particular related to growth and development, and the potential for negative impacts seems higher, and better studied, than positive impacts in northern river systems. Some of these impacts may be modified by directed hydropower regulation practices, but here effect studies and knowledge are limited.
Hydrogen Evolution and Oxygen Reduction Reactions in Acidic Media Catalyzed by Pd4S Decorated N/S Doped Carbon Derived from Pd Coordination Polymer
Authors: Huang Yuanhui , Seo Kyeong‐Deok , Park Deog‐Su , Park Hyun , Shim Yoon‐Bo
Published: March 2021

The template‐free synthesis and the characterization of an active electrocatalyst are performed for both the hydrogen evolution and oxygen reduction reactions in acidic media. In this work, the unique chelation mode of benzene‐1,4‐dithiocarboxamide (BDCA) is first used to synthesize a novel palladium‐BDCA coordination polymer (PdBDCA) as a precursor of palladium sulfide nanoparticles‐decorated nitrogen and sulfur doped carbon (Pd4S‐SNC). The newly synthesized PdBDCA and Pd4S‐SNC nanoparticles are characterized using chemical, electrochemical, and surface analysis methods. Notably, the nanoparticles obtained at 700 °C exhibit the remarkable catalytic property for the hydrogen evolution reaction in 0.5 m H2SO4, showing the overpotential of 32 mV (vs reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE)) and Tafel slope of 52 mV dec−1, which are comparable to that of Pt/C. The catalyst also shows a high oxygen reduction activity, offering the half‐wave and onset potentials of 0.92 and 0.77 V (vs RHE) in 0.5 m H2SO4, with improved methanol tolerance and long‐term stability compared with Pt/C. The present study gives a way for the design of excellent electrocatalyst for the energy conversion devices in the corrosive acidic environment.
Engineering Nanoscale Metal‐Organic Frameworks for Heterogeneous Catalysis
Authors: Zhang Xiaofei , Han Jianyu , Guo Jun , Tang Zhiyong
Published: March 2021

Metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) are porous crystalline materials composed of metal ions (or clusters) and organic ligands. Targeted preparation of nanoscale MOFs has been successfully achieved through numerous synthetic methods and is beneficial to improve the utilization of catalytic sites. On one hand, the dynamic bonds and rich selection of both metal centers and organic molecules enable broadening the types and functions of MOFs, thus offering the basis for rational design of heterogeneous catalysts at the molecular level. On the other hand, the reversible nature of connections between metal centers and organic ligands brings serious challenges about its stability under harsh reaction conditions. To optimize the catalytic performance of MOFs, considerable efforts have been devoted to tune the chemical environment of active sites by introducing electronic or channel confinement effect as well as controlling their size growth at nanoscale for increasing the surface coordination unsaturated sites. In this review, the state‐of‐the‐art development of nanoscale MOFs is summarized and particular focus is placed on regulation strategies of catalytic sites. The authors also propose the current challenges, the problems awaiting to be solved and opportunities in the future.
Phosphorus Ligands in Hydroformylation and Hydrogenation: A Personal Account
Authors: Tewari Tanuja , Kumar Rohit , Chandanshive Amol C. , Chikkali Samir H.
Published: March 2021

Metal‐catalyzed hydroformylation and hydrogenation heavily rely on ligands, among which phosphorous ligands play a pivotal role. This personal account presents a selection of three distinct classes of phosphorous ligands, namely, monodentate meta‐substituted phosphinites, bis‐phosphites, and P‐chiral supramolecular phosphines, developed in our group. The synthesis of these ligands, isolation, characterization, and their performance in transition metal‐catalyzed hydroformylation, isomerizing hydroformylation, and asymmetric hydrogenation of olefins is summarized. The state of the art development in iron‐catalyzed hydroformylation of alkenes and our contributions to the field is discussed. Use of phosphines enabled iron‐catalyzed hydroformylation of alkenes under mild conditions. Thus, this account demonstrates the central role of phosphorus ligands in industrially relevant transformations such as hydrogenation and hydroformylation. The seemingly matured field of ligand discovery still holds significant potential and will steer the field of homogeneous catalysis.
Nanoporous Gold for Energy Applications
Authors: Kim Sang Hoon
Published: March 2021

Research activities using nanoporous gold (NPG) were reviewed in the field of energy applications in three categories: fuel cells, supercapacitors, and batteries. First, applications to fuel cells are reviewed with the subsections of proof‐of‐concept studies, studies on fuel oxidations at anode, and studies on oxygen reduction reactions at cathode. Second, applications to supercapacitors are reviewed from research activities on active materials/NPG composites to demonstrations of all‐solid‐state flexible supercapacitors using NPG electrodes. Third, research activities using NPG for battery applications are reviewed, mainly about fundamental studies on Li‐air and Na‐air batteries and some model studies on improving Li ion battery anodes. Although NPG based studies are the main subject of this review, some of meaningful studies using nanoporous metals are also discussed where relevant. Finally, summary and future outlook are given based on the survey on the research activities.
CircKDM4C upregulates P53 by sponging hsa‐let‐7b‐5p to induce ferroptosis in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Dong Li‐hua , Huang Jing‐jing , Zu Peng , Liu Jing , Gao Xue , Du Jian‐wei , Li Yu‐fu
Published: March 2021

To investigate the role of circKDM4C in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the expression of circKDM4C, hsa‐let‐7b‐5p, and P53 was measured by qRT‐RCR. AML cell lines(K‐562 and HL‐60) were transfected correspondingly and investigated for cell proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities by CCK‐8, colony formation, transwell, and wound healing assays, respectively. The levels of P53, ACSL4, PTGS2, GPX4, and FTH1 in the K‐562, and HL‐60 cells were measured by western blotting. Also, circKDM4C mediated regulation of ferroptosis was studied. The Phen Green SK probe and confocal laser scanning microscope were used to assess the cellular iron levels. The reactive oxygen species levels were analyzed by fluorescence‐activated cell sorting using the C11‐BODIPY probe. Bioinformatics analysis predicted the putative binding sites among circKDM4C, hsa‐let‐7b‐5p, and P53. These were verified using the dual‐luciferase reporter assay, RNA pull‐down, and RNA immunoprecipitation assays. Finally, in vitro findings were also verified in vivo using the nude mice. CircKDM4C was significantly down‐regulated in AML patients. The overexpression of circKDM4C in AML cell lines inhibited the cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and promoted ferroptosis. We found that circKDM4C acts as a sponge of hsa‐let‐7b‐5p and thereby regulates p53 which is a target gene of hsa‐let‐7b‐5p. Also, the expression of circKDM4C and hsa‐let‐7b‐5p are negatively correlated, while circKDM4C and p53 are positively correlated to AML patients. Moreover, we found that circKDM4C induces ferroptosis by sponging hsa‐let‐7b‐5p which upregulates the expression of P53. This work emphasizes the role of circKDM4C in AML patients, which could be explored for the therapeutic role.
Gator: A Python‐driven program for spectroscopy simulations using correlated wave functions
Authors: Rehn Dirk R. , Rinkevicius Zilvinas , Herbst Michael F. , Li Xin , Scheurer Maximilian , Brand Manuel , Dempwolff Adrian L. , Brumboiu Iulia E. , Fransson Thomas , Dreuw Andreas , Norman Patrick
Published: March 2021

The Gator program has been developed for computational spectroscopy and calculations of molecular properties using real and complex propagators at the correlated level of wave function theory. Currently, the focus lies on methods based on the algebraic diagrammatic construction (ADC) scheme up to the third order of perturbation theory. An auxiliary Fock matrix‐driven implementation of the second‐order ADC method for excitation energies has been realized with an underlying hybrid MPI/OpenMP parallelization scheme suitable for execution in high‐performance computing cluster environments. With a modular and object‐oriented program structure written in a Python/C++ layered fashion, Gator additionally enables time‐efficient prototyping of novel scientific approaches, as well as interactive notebook‐driven training of students in quantum chemistry.

This article is categorized under:

Computer and Information Science > Computer Algorithms and Programming

Electronic Structure Theory > Ab Initio Electronic Structure Methods

Software > Quantum Chemistry
Enumerating White‐Tailed Deer Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Authors: Preston Todd M. , Wildhaber Mark L. , Green Nicholas S. , Albers Janice L. , Debenedetto Geoffrey P.
Published: March 2021

The white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is an ecologically important species in forests of North America. Effective management of forests requires accurate, precise estimates of deer population abundance to plan and justify management actions. Spotlight surveys in combination with distance sampling are a common method of estimating deer population abundance; however, spotlight surveys are known to have serious drawbacks such as high costs and sampling biases. Therefore, we tested the effectiveness of enumerating deer from unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flights, conducted 1 and 6 March 2018, to develop population and density estimates in 2 United States National Parks: Harpers Ferry National Historic Park (HAFE) and Monocacy National Battlefield (MONO). Concurrent spotlight surveys at MONO enabled us to compare estimates obtained by the 2 methods. Deer density estimates by 4 observers of UAV‐obtained thermal imagery from HAFE were 94.5 ± 3.9 deer/km2. Concurrent UAV and spotlight surveys at MONO found 19.7 ± 0.5 deer/km2and 6.4 ± 4.9 deer/km2, respectively; suggesting that spotlight surveys may significantly underestimate deer densities. Despite the logistical challenges to UAV operation, our findings demonstrate that UAVs will become an invaluable tool for wildlife management as technology improves. © 2021 The Wildlife Society. This article has been contributed to by US Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.
Spatially Explicit Habitat Models for Prairie Grouse: Implications for Improved Population Monitoring and Targeted Conservation
Authors: Runia Travis J. , Solem Alex J. , Niemuth Neal D. , Barnes Kevin W.
Published: March 2021

We collaboratively designed and implemented a pilot study to evaluate improved methods for estimating the distribution and abundance of prairie grouse in South Dakota and North Dakota. Current prairie grouse population monitoring in both states relies on annual surveys of male birds on leks within designated survey blocks. Although the survey results may give insight into local populations, they have limited utility in estimating statewide abundances or trends because survey blocks are often non‐random, biased toward high quality habitat, and lack adequate spatial coverage. To improve upon current methods, we surveyed male prairie grouse on 865 randomly selected Public Land Survey Sections from 2010–2016, then developed habitat‐based spatially explicit occurrence and density models, which we then applied to the universe of environmental predictors to create spatial maps. Our results were consistent with prairie grouse biology, showing strong selection for grasslands and avoidance of developed areas. We demonstrate how our approach provides several avenues to estimate relative abundance of males with confidence limits, along with suggestions to improve estimates. In addition to providing insight into broad‐scale habitat selection, spatially explicit habitat models can be valuable tools for identifying and prioritizing areas for conservation treatments such as protection, restoration, or enhancement of habitat. We provide recommendations for future data collection and application of conservation treatments to improve prairie grouse population monitoring and conservation delivery across large landscapes. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.
Symmetries of $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = (1, 0) supergravity backgrounds in six dimensions
Authors: Kuzenko Sergei M. , Lindström Ulf , Raptakis Emmanouil S. N. , Tartaglino-Mazzucchelli Gabriele
Published: March 2021

Abstract

General $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= (1, 0) supergravity-matter systems in six dimensions may be described using one of the two fully fledged superspace formulations for conformal supergravity: (i) SU(2) superspace; and (ii) conformal superspace. With motivation to develop rigid supersymmetric field theories in curved space, this paper is devoted to the study of the geometric symmetries of supergravity backgrounds. In particular, we introduce the notion of a conformal Killing spinor superfield ϵα, which proves to generate extended superconformal transformations. Among its cousins are the conformal Killing vector ξa and tensor ζa(n) superfields. The former parametrise conformal isometries of supergravity backgrounds, which in turn yield symmetries of every superconformal field theory. Meanwhile, the conformal Killing tensors of a given background are associated with higher symmetries of the hypermultiplet. By studying the higher symmetries of a non-conformal vector multiplet we introduce the concept of a Killing tensor superfield. We also analyse the problem of computing higher symmetries for the conformal d’Alembertian in curved space and demonstrate that, beyond the first-order case, these operators are defined only on a limited class of backgrounds, including all conformally flat ones.
Direct detection of atomic dark matter in white dwarfs
Authors: Curtin David , Setford Jack
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Dark matter could have a dissipative asymmetric subcomponent in the form of atomic dark matter (aDM). This arises in many scenarios of dark complexity, and is a prediction of neutral naturalness, such as the Mirror Twin Higgs model. We show for the first time how White Dwarf cooling provides strong bounds on aDM. In the presence of a small kinetic mixing between the dark and SM photon, stars are expected to accumulate atomic dark matter in their cores, which then radiates away energy in the form of dark photons. In the case of white dwarfs, this energy loss can have a detectable impact on their cooling rate. We use measurements of the white dwarf luminosity function to tightly constrain the kinetic mixing parameter between the dark and visible photons, for DM masses in the range 10−5–105 GeV, down to values of ϵ ∼ 10−12. Using this method we can constrain scenarios in which aDM constitutes fractions as small as 10−3 of the total dark matter density. Our methods are highly complementary to other methods of probing aDM, especially in scenarios where the aDM is arranged in a dark disk, which can make direct detection extremely difficult but actually slightly enhances our cooling constraints.
Tackling G × E × M interactions to close on-farm yield-gaps: creating novel pathways for crop improvement by predicting contributions of genetics and management to crop productivity
Authors: Cooper Mark , Voss-Fels Kai P. , Messina Carlos D. , Tang Tom , Hammer Graeme L.
Published: March 2021

Key message

Climate change and Genotype-by-Environment-by-Management interactions together challenge our strategies for crop improvement. Research to advance prediction methods for breeding and agronomy is opening new opportunities to tackle these challenges and overcome on-farm crop productivity yield-gaps through design of responsive crop improvement strategies.

Genotype-by-Environment-by-Management (G × E × M) interactions underpin many aspects of crop productivity. An important question for crop improvement is “How can breeders and agronomists effectively explore the diverse opportunities within the high dimensionality of the complex G × E × M factorial to achieve sustainable improvements in crop productivity?” Whenever G × E × M interactions make important contributions to attainment of crop productivity, we should consider how to design crop improvement strategies that can explore the potential space of G × E × M possibilities, reveal the interesting Genotype–Management (G–M) technology opportunities for the Target Population of Environments (TPE), and enable the practical exploitation of the associated improved levels of crop productivity under on-farm conditions. Climate change adds additional layers of complexity and uncertainty to this challenge, by introducing directional changes in the environmental dimension of the G × E × M factorial. These directional changes have the potential to create further conditional changes in the contributions of the genetic and management dimensions to future crop productivity. Therefore, in the presence of G × E × M interactions and climate change, the challenge for both breeders and agronomists is to co-design new G–M technologies for a non-stationary TPE. Understanding these conditional changes in crop productivity through the relevant sciences for each dimension, Genotype, Environment, and Management, creates opportunities to predict novel G–M technology combinations suitable to achieve sustainable crop productivity and global food security targets for the likely climate change scenarios. Here we consider critical foundations required for any prediction framework that aims to move us from the current unprepared state of describing G × E × M outcomes to a future responsive state equipped to predict the crop productivity consequences of G–M technology combinations for the range of environmental conditions expected for a complex, non-stationary TPE under the influences of climate change.
Development and implementation processes of digitalization in engineer-to-order manufacturing: enablers and barriers
Authors: Thun Sylvi , Bakås Ottar , Storholmen Tore Christian Bjørsvik
Published: March 2021

This study seeks to gain knowledge about key conditions in the process of digitalization using a socio-technical systems design as a theoretical framework and a case-study approach. Semi-structured interviews with 15 relevant stakeholders are conducted to learn about barriers to and enablers of the development and implementation process in a manufacturing company. After conducting a thematic analysis, eight higher-ranked themes relevant to the digitalization process are identified. These are grouped to describe the overarching phenomena, resulting in four enablers (shared trust, shared visual understanding, shared user perspective, and shared learning) and four barriers (trusting the system, understanding benefits, perspective of economics, and learning to manage scope). The study takes a holistic view of digitalization in its investigation of the development and subsequent implementation processes. The findings contribute to the literature via three key takeaways for stakeholders of a digitalization process in manufacturing. First, it is vital to understand and strengthen the role of the key enablers identified in this paper. Second, managers should observe and identify barriers in their own organizations, related both to technical and social aspects. Third, some of the enablers described in this paper can serve managers as helpful tools to approach the expected barriers to digitalization. This paper also challenges the research literature by arguing that research conducted on digitalization that sets new standards and premises for the working life in industry needs to use up-to-date socio-technical design concepts and theories.
Onset of the wave turbulence description of the longtime behavior of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation
Authors: Buckmaster T. , Germain P. , Hani Z. , Shatah J.
Published: March 2021

Consider the cubic nonlinear Schrödinger equation set on a d-dimensional torus, with data whose Fourier coefficients have phases which are uniformly distributed and independent. We show that, on average, the evolution of the moduli of the Fourier coefficients is governed by the so-called wave kinetic equation, predicted in wave turbulence theory, on a nontrivial timescale.
The Added Value of Technetium‐99 m Sestamibi Scan in Patients with Primary Hyperparathyroidism and Positive Ultrasound
Authors: Yalon T. , Neymark M. , Rottenberg A. , Appelbaum L. , Assaf D. , Kluger Y. , Mazeh H. , Mekel M.
Published: March 2021

Background

Neck ultrasound (US) and Technetium‐99 m Sestamibi (MIBI) scan are the most commonly used imaging studies for preoperative localization of parathyroid adenomas. The aim of this study was to determine the added value of MIBI scan and its effect on the operative plan via a hypothetical model where a stepwise approach is conducted and MIBI is considered only after the ultrasound is evaluated.

Methods

Patients who underwent parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) between 2012 and 2019 at two tertiary centers were included. Data collected included demographic data, preoperative workup, operative findings and follow‐up. The added value of MIBI scans was determined for patients with positive ultrasound.

Results

A total of 513 patients with positive US result and a MIBI scan were included. If a stepwise approach was conducted then MIBI scan would not change the operative plan in 492 (95.9%). Among the remaining 21 patients, MIBI scan would correctly change the ultrasound‐based operative plan in only 12 (2.3%) patients, while incorrectly change the plan in 9 (1.8%), resulting in unnecessary exploration of the contralateral side. In patients with sonographic appearance of a parathyroid gland larger than 1.2 cm, MIBI scan would correctly change the operative plan in only 1 of the 287 (0.35%) patients.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that the routine use of MIBI scans may have limited added value in patients with PHPT and a positive neck ultrasound, especially in those with adenoma size larger than 1.2 cm. Positive ultrasound alone may be sufficient for the preoperative localization of parathyroid disease.
16S rRNA gene and 18S rRNA gene diversity in microbial mat communities in meltwater ponds on the McMurdo Ice Shelf, Antarctica
Authors: Jackson Eleanor E. , Hawes Ian , Jungblut Anne D.
Published: March 2021

The undulating ice of the McMurdo Ice Shelf, Southern Victoria Land, supports one of the largest networks of ice-based, multiyear meltwater pond habitats in Antarctica, where microbial mats are abundant and contribute most of the biomass and biodiversity. We used 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing to compare variance of the community structure in microbial mats within and between ponds with different salinities and pH. Proteobacteria and Cyanobacteria were the most abundant phyla, and composition at OTU level was highly specific for the meltwater ponds with strong community sorting along the salinity gradient. Our study provides the first detailed evaluation of eukaryote communities for the McMurdo Ice Shelf using the 18S rRNA gene. They were dominated by Ochrophyta, Chlorophyta and Ciliophora, consistent with previous microscopic analyses, but many OTUs belonging to less well-described heterotrophic protists from Antarctic ice shelves were also identified including Amoebozoa, Rhizaria and Labyrinthulea. Comparison of 16S and 18S rRNA gene communities showed that the Eukaryotes had lower richness and greater similarity between ponds in comparison with Bacteria and Archaea communities on the McMurdo Ice shelf. While there was a weak correlation between community dissimilarity and geographic distance, the congruity of microbial assemblages within ponds, especially for Bacteria and Archaea, implies strong habitat filtering in ice shelf meltwater pond ecosystems, especially due to salinity. These findings help to understand processes that are important in sustaining biodiversity and the impact of climate change on ice-based aquatic habitats in Antarctica.
Tropical cyclone contribution to extreme rainfall over southwest Pacific Island nations
Authors: Deo Anil , Chand Savin S. , Ramsay Hamish , Holbrook Neil J. , McGree Simon , Magee Andrew , Bell Samuel , Titimaea Mulipola , Haruhiru Alick , Malsale Philip , Mulitalo Silipa , Daphne Arieta , Prakash Bipen , Vainikolo Vaiola , Koshiba Shirley
Published: March 2021

Southwest Pacific nations are among some of the worst impacted and most vulnerable globally in terms of tropical cyclone (TC)-induced flooding and accompanying risks. This study objectively quantifies the fractional contribution of TCs to extreme rainfall (hereafter, TC contributions) in the context of climate variability and change. We show that TC contributions to extreme rainfall are substantially enhanced during active phases of the Madden–Julian Oscillation and by El Niño conditions (particularly over the eastern southwest Pacific region); this enhancement is primarily attributed to increased TC activity during these event periods. There are also indications of increasing intensities of TC-induced extreme rainfall events over the past few decades. A key part of this work involves development of sophisticated Bayesian regression models for individual island nations in order to better understand the synergistic relationships between TC-induced extreme rainfall and combinations of various climatic drivers that modulate the relationship. Such models are found to be very useful for not only assessing probabilities of TC- and non-TC induced extreme rainfall events but also evaluating probabilities of extreme rainfall for cases with different underlying climatic conditions. For example, TC-induced extreme rainfall probability over Samoa can vary from ~ 95 to ~ 75% during a La Niña period, if it coincides with an active or inactive phase of the MJO, and can be reduced to ~ 30% during a combination of El Niño period and inactive phase of the MJO. Several other such cases have been assessed for different island nations, providing information that have potentially important implications for planning and preparing for TC risks in vulnerable Pacific Island nations.
A potential feedback loop underlying glacial-interglacial cycles
Authors: Weinans Els , Omta Anne Willem , van Voorn George A. K. , van Nes Egbert H.
Published: March 2021

The sawtooth-patterned glacial-interglacial cycles in the Earth’s atmospheric temperature are a well-known, though poorly understood phenomenon. Pinpointing the relevant mechanisms behind these cycles will not only provide insights into past climate dynamics, but also help predict possible future responses of the Earth system to changing CO$$_2$$

2

levels. Previous work on this phenomenon suggests that the most important underlying mechanisms are interactions between marine biological production, ocean circulation, temperature and dust. So far, interaction directions (i.e., what causes what) have remained elusive. In this paper, we apply Convergent Cross-Mapping (CCM) to analyze paleoclimatic and paleoceanographic records to elucidate which mechanisms proposed in the literature play an important role in glacial-interglacial cycles, and to test the directionality of interactions. We find causal links between ocean ventilation, biological productivity, benthic $$\delta ^{18}$$

δ
18

O and dust, consistent with some but not all of the mechanisms proposed in the literature. Most importantly, we find evidence for a potential feedback loop from ocean ventilation to biological productivity to climate back to ocean ventilation. Here, we propose the hypothesis that this feedback loop of connected mechanisms could be the main driver for the glacial-interglacial cycles.
Ein Case-Management-Fragebogen für Angehörige geriatrischer Patienten
Authors: Schmitt Julian , Warkentin Nicole , Wilfling Denise , Steinhäuser Jost , Götz Katja
Published: March 2021

Hintergrund

Versorgungskonzepte, die zu einer Entlastung der pflegenden Angehörige beitragen, werden dringend benötigt. „Regional ununterbrochen betreut im Netz“ (RubiN), welches mit einem Care-und-Case-Management in Ärztenetzen die Versorgung von geriatrischen Patienten unterstützen soll, zielt auch darauf ab, Angehörige zu entlasten. Ziele waren daher die Entwicklung und psychometrische Überprüfung eines Fragebogens, der die Zufriedenheit und Akzeptanz mit der Versorgung durch ein Case Management (CM) aus Perspektive der Angehörigen erfasst.

Methodik

Es wurde ein „Mixed-methods“-Design zur Konzeptualisierung des Fragebogens gewählt. Neben der Entwicklung des Fragebogens anhand qualitativer Interviews sowie eigener Projekt- und Studienerfahrungen erfolgten die Pilotierung und anschließende psychometrische Überprüfung des Fragebogens in den 5 teilnehmenden RubiN-Ärztenetzen. Von Mai bis August 2020 fand die Befragung in den Ärztenetzen statt. Jedes der 5 beteiligten Ärztenetze erhielt ein Set mit je 50 Fragebogen für Angehörige. Das Fragebogenkonstrukt wurde psychometrisch überprüft.

Ergebnisse

Der konzipierte Fragebogen bestand aus 11 Items. Insgesamt nahmen 137 Angehörige an der Befragung teil (Rücklaufquote 55 %). Die Angehörigen waren mit der angebotenen Versorgung sehr zufrieden (78,1 %). Des Weiteren zeigten die Daten sehr geringe fehlende Werte auf. Die 11 Items des Fragebogens luden auf 2 Faktoren. Faktor 1 „Auswirkungen durch die Koordination“ wies eine interne Konsistenz von 0,843 und Faktor 2 „Erreichbarkeit“ eine interne Konsistenz von 0,683 auf.

Diskussion

Der Fragenbogen umfasst die Akzeptanz und Zufriedenheit der angebotenen Versorgungselemente für Angehörige mit einem geriatrischen CM und zeichnet sich mit 11 Items durch seine Kürze aus.
Human-driven genetic differentiation in a managed red deer population
Authors: Reiner Gerald , Klein C. , Lang M. , Willems H.
Published: March 2021

Nineteen red deer areas in a densely populated region with a huge network of fenced motorways and the division into administrative management units (AMUs) with restricted ecological connectivity were investigated. In the season 2018/2019, a total of 1291 red deer samples (on average 68 per area) were collected and genotyped using 16 microsatellite markers. The results show a clear genetic differentiation between most of the AMUs. Fourteen AMUs may be combined into four regions with a considerable internal genetic exchange. Five areas were largely isolated or showed only a limited gene flow with neighbouring areas. Ten of the 19 AMUs had an effective population size below 100. Effective population sizes greater than 500–1000, required to maintain the evolutionary potential and a long-term adaptation potential, were not achieved by any of the studied AMUs, even when AMUs with an appreciable genetic exchange were aggregated. Substantial genetic differentiation between areas can be associated with the presence of landscape barriers hindering gene flow, but also with the maintenance of ‘red deer–free’ areas. Efforts to sustainably preserve the genetic diversity of the entire region should therefore focus on measures ensuring genetic connectivity. Opportunities for this goal arise from the establishment of game bridges over motorways and from the protection of young male stags migrating through the statutory ‘red deer–free’ areas.
Spectral symmetry in conference matrices
Authors: Haemers Willem H. , Parsaei Majd Leila
Published: March 2021

A conference matrix of order n is an $$n\times n$$

n
×
n

matrix C with diagonal entries 0 and off-diagonal entries $$\pm 1$$

±
1

satisfying $$CC^\top =(n-1)I$$

C

C
⊤

=

(
n
-
1
)

I

. If C is symmetric, then C has a symmetric spectrum $$\Sigma $$
Σ
(that is, $$\Sigma =-\Sigma $$

Σ
=
-
Σ

) and eigenvalues $$\pm \sqrt{n-1}$$

±

n
-
1

. We show that many principal submatrices of C also have symmetric spectrum, which leads to examples of Seidel matrices of graphs (or, equivalently, adjacency matrices of complete signed graphs) with a symmetric spectrum. In addition, we show that some Seidel matrices with symmetric spectrum can be characterized by this construction.
The development of low-temperature heat-treatable high-pressure die-cast Al–Mg–Fe–Mn alloys with Zn
Authors: Zhu Xiangzhen , Liu Fuchu , Wang Shihao , Ji Shouxun
Published: March 2021

In the present work, a novel low-temperature heat-treatable recycled die-cast Al–Mg alloy was developed by adding Zn into non-heat-treatable Al–5Mg–1.5Fe–0.5Mn alloy. The results showed that Zn additions resulted in the formation of equilibrium phase T-Mg32(Al, Zn)49 under as-cast condition, which can be dissolved into the α-Al matrix at a relatively low solution temperature (430 °C) and thus set the base for the low-temperature heat treatment. The mechanical test results indicated that Zn additions had a smooth liner improvement in the strength of all as-cast alloys and T6-state alloys with 1% and 2% Zn as its concentration increased but resulted in a sharp improvement on the strength of T6-state alloy when Zn concentration increased from 2 to 3%. TEM analysis revealed that the precipitate in T6-state Al–5Mg–1.5Fe–0.5Mn–3Zn alloy is η′ phase, rather than the widely reported T″ or T′ phase in other Al–Mg–Zn alloys with approximately same Mg and Zn concentrations. After the optimized low-temperature T6 heat treatment (solution at 430 °C for 60 min and ageing at 120 °C for 16 h), the Al–5Mg–1.5Fe–0.5Mn–3Zn alloy exhibits the yield strength of 321 MPa, ultimate tensile strength of 445 MPa and elongation of 6.2%.
Presentation of a new mutation in FMF and evaluating the frequency of distribution of the MEFV gene mutation in our region with clinical findings
Authors: Arpacı Abdullah , Doğan Serdar , Erdoğan Hazal Fatma , El Çiğdem , Cura Sibel Elmacıoğlu
Published: March 2021

Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF), which is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by recurrent self-limiting fever, peritonitis, pleuritis, arthritis and erysipelas-like erythemas, has been common among ethnic groups such as Turkish, Armenian, Arabic and Jewish. The clinical presentation is caused by mutations in the MEFV gene encoding the Pyrin protein. In this study, we aimed to present a new mutation that has not been previously defined from the mutations in the MEFV gene which is responsible for the genetic pathology of familial Mediterranean fever and to evaluate the frequency of distribution of the MEFV gene mutation among different ethnic groups living in our region. In present retrospective study, a total of 2639 clinically suspected FMF patients who were referred to Hatay Mustafa Kemal University Hospital between 2010 and 2017 were recorded. MEFV gene mutations were observed using DNA sequence analysis. MEFV mutations were found in 2079 of the 2639 patients (78.7%) Among these patients 184 (6.97%) were homozygous, while 1365 (51.72%) were heterozygous. The most frequently observed mutation was R202Q (1319, 19.55%) followed by E148Q (n = 476, 7.05%), M694V (n = 439, 6.51%), V726A (n = 146, 2.16%) and M680I (n = 135, 2%). In a case clinically diagnosed as FMF, a new mutation called S145G (p. Ser145Gly, c.433A > G) was identified in exon 2 of the MEFV gene. Besides, addition of a new pathogenic MEFV variant to the literature, the relationship between the FMF clinic and homozygous form of R202Q, which was previously considered as a polymorphism, was highlighted.
Visual exploration of visual parser execution
Authors: Costagliola Gennaro , De Rosa Mattia , Fuccella Vittorio , Minas Mark
Published: March 2021

In this paper, we present ParVis, an interactive visual system for the animated visualization of logged parser trace executions. The system allows a parser implementer to create a visualizer for generated parsers by simply defining a JavaScript module that maps each logged parser instruction into a set of events driving the visual system interface. The result is a set of interacting graphical/text windows that allows users to explore logged parser executions and helps them to have a complete understanding of how the parser behaves during its execution on a given input. We used our system to visualize the behavior of textual as well as visual parsers and describe here two of these uses. Moreover, in order to validate the efficacy of our system, we ran a user experiment where students analyzed a CUP-generated parser both with ParVis, instantiated to LALR parsers, and the standard CUP debug facilities. The results show that students can indeed analyze parser behavior and find mistakes in parser specifications more easily and quickly using ParVis. In particular, in some parser design tasks, using ParVis participants achieved a higher success rate of 50% in 42% less time with respect to the baseline system.
Design space exploration for flexibility assessment and decision making support in integrated industrial building design
Authors: Reisinger Julia , Knoll Maximilian , Kovacic Iva
Published: March 2021

Industrial buildings play a major role in sustainable development, producing and expending a significant amount of resources, energy and waste. Due to product individualization and accelerating technological advances in manufacturing, industrial buildings strive for highly flexible building structures to accommodate constantly evolving production processes. However, common sustainability assessment tools do not respect flexibility metrics and manufacturing and building design processes run sequentially, neglecting discipline-specific interaction, leading to inflexible solutions. In integrated industrial building design (IIBD), incorporating manufacturing and building disciplines simultaneously, design teams are faced with the choice of multiple conflicting criteria and complex design decisions, opening up a huge design space. To address these issues, this paper presents a parametric design process for efficient design space exploration in IIBD. A state-of-the-art survey and multiple case study are conducted to define four novel flexibility metrics and to develop a unified design space, respecting both building and manufacturing requirements. Based on these results, a parametric design process for automated structural optimization and quantitative flexibility assessment is developed, guiding the decision-making process towards increased sustainability. The proposed framework is tested on a pilot-project of a food and hygiene production, evaluating the design space representation and validating the flexibility metrics. Results confirmed the efficiency of the process that an evolutionary multi-objective optimization algorithm can be implemented in future research to enable multidisciplinary design optimization for flexible industrial building solutions.
Temperature, climate change, and birth weight: evidence from Hungary
Authors: Hajdu Tamás , Hajdu Gábor
Published: March 2021

We analyze the impact of in utero temperature exposure on the birth weight and an indicator for low birth weight using administrative data on singleton live births conceived between 2000 and 2016 in Hungary. We find that exposure to high temperatures during pregnancy decreases birth weight, but its impact on the probability of low birth weight is weaker. Exposure to one additional hot day (mean temperature > 25 °C) during the gestation period reduces birth weight by 0.46 g, relative to a 15–20 °C day. The second and third trimesters appear to be slightly more sensitive to temperature exposure than the first trimester. We project that climate change will decrease birth weight and increase the prevalence of low birth weight by the mid-twenty-first century. The projected impacts are the strongest for newborns conceived during the winter and spring months.