bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Kurz erklärt: Measuring Data Changes in Data Engineering and their Impact on Explainability and Algorithm Fairness
Authors: Klettke Meike , Lutsch Adrian , Störl Uta
Published: October 2021

Data engineering is an integral part of any data science and ML process. It consists of several subtasks that are performed to improve data quality and to transform data into a target format suitable for analysis. The quality and correctness of the data engineering steps is therefore important to ensure the quality of the overall process.

In machine learning processes requirements such as fairness and explainability are essential. The answers to these must also be provided by the data engineering subtasks. In this article, we will show how these can be achieved by logging, monitoring and controlling the data changes in order to evaluate their correctness. However, since data preprocessing algorithms are part of any machine learning pipeline, they must obviously also guarantee that they do not produce data biases.

In this article we will briefly introduce three classes of methods for measuring data changes in data engineering and present which research questions still remain unanswered in this area.
An analytical model to determine the impact force of drone strikes
Authors: Franke Florian , Schwab Michael , Burger Uli , Hühne Christian
Published: October 2021

In addition to the well-known threats of bird and hail strikes, small unmanned aerial vehicles (sUAV) pose a new threat to manned aviation. Determining the severity of collisions between sUAVs and aircraft structures is essential for the safe use and integration of drones in airspace. A generic analytical calculation model needs to be developed to supplement the existing test and simulation data. This paper presents an analytic model for drone collisions with perpendicular and inclined targets. The targets have a rigid or elastic material behavior. The aircraft impact model, which is used for the design of nuclear reactor structures, is transferred and adjusted for sUAV impacts to calculate the impact force. A mass- and a burst load distribution are needed as input parameters. Both distributions are determined for an sUAV design depending on the flight direction. Compared to previous calculations, the new approach is to consider a moving target structure, which produces more realistic results. We compare the calculation results with simulation data from sUAV collisions with a commercial airliner windshield from the literature. The calculations show plausible results and a good agreement with literature data. Subsequently, the influence of the input parameters on the impact force is investigated. We see that spring stiffness, target mass, burst load distribution and damping have minor influence on the overall impact force. The impact velocity, mass distribution and flight orientation on the other hand have a major influence on the impact force. Further tests are needed to validate the impact model.
Optical Characterization of DebriSat Fragments in Support of Orbital Debris Environmental Models
Authors: Cowardin Heather M. , Hostetler John M. , Murray James I. , Reyes Jacqueline A. , Cruz Corbin L.
Published: October 2021

The NASA Orbital Debris Program Office (ODPO) develops, maintains, and updates orbital debris environmental models, such as the NASA Orbital Debris Engineering Model (ORDEM), to support satellite designers and operators by estimating the risk from orbital debris impacts on their vehicles in orbit. Updates to ORDEM utilize the most recent validated datasets from radar, optical, and in situ sources to provide estimates of the debris flux as a function of size, material density, impact speed, and direction along a mission orbit. On-going efforts within the NASA ODPO to update the next version of ORDEM include a new parameter that highly affects the damage risk – shape. Shape can be binned by material density and size to better understand the damage assessments on spacecraft. The in situ and laboratory research activities at the NASA ODPO are focused on cataloging and characterizing fragments from a laboratory hypervelocity-impact test using a high-fidelity, mock-up satellite, DebriSat, in controlled and instrumented laboratory conditions. DebriSat is representative of present-day, low Earth orbit satellites, having been constructed with modern spacecraft materials and techniques. The DebriSat fragment ensemble provides a variety of shapes, bulk densities, and dimensions. Fragments down to 2 mm in size are being characterized by their physical and derived properties. A subset of fragments is being analyzed further in NASA’s Optical Measurement Center (OMC) using broadband, bidirectional reflectance measurements to provide insight into the optical-based NASA Size Estimation Model. Additionally, pre-impact spectral measurements on a subset of DebriSat materials were acquired for baseline material characterization. This paper provides an overview of DebriSat, the status of the project, and ongoing fragment characterization efforts within the OMC.
A generalized TODIM-ELECTRE II method based on linguistic Z-numbers and Dempster–Shafer evidence theory with unknown weight information
Authors: Liu Zhengmin , Bi Yawen , Wang Xinya , Sha Linbin , Liu Peide
Published: October 2021

How to effectively reflect the randomness and reliability of decision information under uncertain circumstances, and thereby improve the accuracy of decision-making in complex decision scenarios, has become a crucial topic in the field of uncertain decision-making. In this article, the loss –aversion behavior of decision-makers and the non-compensation between attributes are considered. Furthermore, a novel generalized TODIM-ELECTRE II method under the linguistic Z-numbers environment is proposed based on Dempster–Shafer evidence theory for multi-criteria group decision-making problems with unknown weight information. Firstly, the evaluation information and its reliability are provided simultaneously by employing linguistic Z-numbers, which have the ability to capture the arbitrariness and vagueness of natural verbal information. Then, the evaluation information is used to derive basic probability assignments in Dempster–Shafer evidence theory, and with the consideration of both inner and outer reliability, this article employed Dempster’s rule to fuse evaluations. Subsequently, a generalized TODIM-ELECTRE II method is conceived under the linguistic Z-numbers environment, which considers both compensatory effects between attributes and the bounded rationality of decision-makers. In addition, criteria weights are obtained by applying Deng entropy which has the ability to deal with uncertainty. Finally, an example of terminal wastewater solidification technology selection is offered to prove this framework’s availability and robustness. The predominance is also verified by a comparative analysis with several existing methods.
Learning-based classification of multispectral images for deterioration mapping of historic structures
Authors: Adamopoulos Efstathios
Published: October 2021

The conservation of historic structures requires detailed knowledge of their state of preservation. Documentation of deterioration makes it possible to identify risk factors and interpret weathering mechanisms. It is usually performed using non-destructive methods such as mapping of surface features. The automated mapping of deterioration is a direction not often explored, especially when the investigated architectural surfaces present a multitude of deterioration forms and consist of heterogeneous materials, which significantly complicates the generation of thematic decay maps. This work combines reflectance imaging and supervised segmentation, based on machine learning methods, to automatically segment deterioration patterns on multispectral image composites, using a weathered historic fortification as a case study. Several spectral band combinations and image classification techniques (regression, decision tree, and ensemble learning algorithmic implementations) are evaluated to propose an accurate approach. The automated thematic mapping facilitates the spatial and semantic description of the deterioration patterns. Furthermore, the utilization of low-cost photographic equipment and easily operable digital image processing software adds to the practicality and agility of the presented methodology.
Das Zusammenspiel individuellen und organisationalen Lernens – Ein Review der neueren Literatur
Authors: Mynarek Felix , Steckel Jennifer , Grandpierre Axel , Häring Karin
Published: October 2021

Die Bedeutung des Lernens in und von Organisationen verdeutlicht sich in der hohen Anzahl wissenschaftlicher Publikationen und ist ebenso in den Bemühungen von Organisationen, organisationales Lernen in den Fokus zu nehmen, erkennbar. Organisationales Lernen soll dazu beitragen, sich nachhaltig verbessern zu können, agiler und resilienter zu werden. Das Literatur-Review zielt darauf ab, die Bedeutung des Lernens im Zeitraum 2016–2021 mithilfe der Datenbanken ScienceDirect, Sage Journals und Wiley von einer individuellen bis hin zu einer organisationalen Ebene zu untersuchen und hier insbesondere Faktoren zu identifizieren, die das Zusammenspiel der drei Akteursebenen (Individuum, Gruppe, Organisation) beeinflussen und damit organisationales Lernen bedingen. Das Literatur-Review zeigt auf, dass Lernen in Organisationen zum einen auf dem Zusammenspiel der genannten Ebenen gedacht werden muss und zum anderen sowohl individuelle, gruppenbasierte als auch organisationale Faktoren einen Einfluss auf das Lernen haben. Die Ergebnisse lassen insbesondere den Schluss zu, dass die Interaktion in der Organisation und dabei der Wissensaustausch bzw. das Teilen von Wissen zu den relevanten Einflussfaktoren organisationalen Lernens gehören.

Praktische Relevanz: Organisationen sehen sich mit einem dynamischen Umfeld und komplexen Fragestellungen konfrontiert. Gesellschaftliche, wirtschaftliche und technologische Neuerungen mit teils disruptivem Charakter erfordern von ihnen, ihre Fähigkeit zur Resilienz zu verstärken und organisationales Lernen strategisch zu nutzen.
Colour Calibration of a Head Mounted Display for Colour Vision Research Using Virtual Reality
Authors: Gil Rodríguez Raquel , Bayer Florian , Toscani Matteo , Guarnera Dar’ya , Guarnera Giuseppe Claudio , Gegenfurtner Karl R.
Published: October 2021

Virtual reality (VR) technology offers vision researchers the opportunity to conduct immersive studies in simulated real-world scenes. However, an accurate colour calibration of the VR head mounted display (HMD), both in terms of luminance and chromaticity, is required to precisely control the presented stimuli. Such a calibration presents significant new challenges, for example, due to the large field of view of the HMD, or the software implementation used for scene rendering, which might alter the colour appearance of objects. Here, we propose a framework for calibrating an HMD using an imaging colorimeter, the I29 (Radiant Vision Systems, Redmond, WA, USA). We examine two scenarios, both with and without using a rendering software for visualisation. In addition, we present a colour constancy experiment design for VR through a gaming engine software, Unreal Engine 4. The colours of the objects of study are chosen according to the previously defined calibration. Results show a high-colour constancy performance among participants, in agreement with recent studies performed on real-world scenarios. Our studies show that our methodology allows us to control and measure the colours presented in the HMD, effectively enabling the use of VR technology for colour vision research.
Inventory and Comparison of Performance Indicators in Circular Economy Roadmaps of the European Countries
Authors: Smol Marzena
Published: October 2021

European Union (EU) is in the process of transformation toward a circular economy (CE), which is a regenerative growth model that gives back to the planet more than it takes. Member States are key players in this process; therefore, next to the EU Action Plan, they developed national strategies (roadmaps) toward the CE. The paper presents an inventory of performance indicators, which have been indicated in the selected CE national strategies. The EU countries strongly underline the necessity to access the transformation progress with the use of CE indicators at different levels (macro, meso, or/and micro) or for different actions or objectives. There is a lack of one universal indicator which measures a level of the CE transformation at the national level due to the complexity of this issue and the diversity of key sectors and economic actors in the individual countries. There are some proposed indicators that could be used in other countries, to shape national monitoring frameworks by policy-makers. However, to access the transformation process on the European level showing the comparison between different countries, it is recommended to use the CE monitoring framework because it contains the set of CE indicators that provide uniform data and holistic view of all countries in Europe.
Themes in data strategy: thematic analysis of ‘A European Strategy for Data’ (EC)
Authors: Carvalho Graca , Kazim Emre
Published: October 2021

In March 2021, the European Commission announced Europe's Digital Decade (Europe’s Digital Decade: Commission sets the course towards a digitally empowered Europe by 2030. European Commission Press Release. Access on https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_21_983). Here the Commission sets the course towards a digitally empowered Europe by 2030. In February 2020, the European Commission published ‘A European Strategy for Data’ (European data strategy: Making the EU a role model for a society empowered by data. European Commission, February 2020. Access on: https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019–2024/europe-fit-digital-age/european-data-strategy_en (2020)) as part of a wider drive concerning digital transformation and policy. In this article, we analyse the publication as it touches on broader themes ranging from digital literacy, to cloud infrastructure and artificial intelligence. Within this context, in this article, we use the EC publication as a point of departure to explore themes central to national and international digital transformation and policy writ large. As such, this article is to be read as a thematic analysis rather than a close reading of the EC’s publication. The article is divided into three parts: an executive findings and recommendations section (where our main findings are articled); Themes and Key Takeaways (where we thematically flesh out the document); and, EU Data Strategy document summary (where we provide an overview summary the document itself).
Statistical Inferences Using Effect Sizes in Human Endothelial Function Research
Authors: Cherubini Joshua M. , MacDonald Maureen J.
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Magnitudes of change in endothelial function research can be articulated using effect size statistics. Effect sizes are commonly used in reference to Cohen’s seminal guidelines of small (d = 0.2), medium (d = 0.5), and large (d = 0.8). Quantitative analyses of effect size distributions across various research disciplines have revealed values differing from Cohen’s original recommendations. Here we examine effect size distributions in human endothelial function research, and the magnitude of small, medium, and large effects for macro and microvascular endothelial function.

Methods

Effect sizes reported as standardized mean differences were extracted from meta research available for endothelial function. A frequency distribution was constructed to sort effect sizes. The 25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles were used to derive small, medium, and large effects. Group sample sizes and publication year from primary studies were also extracted to observe any potential trends, related to these factors, in effect size reporting in endothelial function research.

Results

Seven hundred fifty-two effect sizes were extracted from eligible meta-analyses. We determined small (d = 0.28), medium (d = 0.69), and large (d = 1.21) effects for endothelial function that corresponded to the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile of the data distribution.

Conclusion

Our data indicate that direct application of Cohen’s guidelines would underestimate the magnitude of effects in human endothelial function research. This investigation facilitates future a priori power analyses, provides a practical guiding benchmark for the contextualization of an effect when no other information is available, and further encourages the reporting of effect sizes in endothelial function research.
Royal jelly for genitourinary syndrome of menopause: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Mehrnoush Vahid , Darsareh Fatemeh
Published: October 2021

Objective

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause is a progressive condition characterized by a decrease in estrogen, which causes bothersome genital symptoms. The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of royal jelly on the genitourinary syndrome of menopause.

Materials and methods

A randomized controlled trial was carried out from November 2018 to June 2019 in Bandar Abbas, Iran. The trial was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (1RCT20181107041585N1) with the main objective of determining if royal jelly could reduce the genitourinary syndrome of menopausal women. Eligible women were randomly assigned to receive either daily 1g of oral royal jelly or placebo for 8 weeks. The urogenital subscale of the Menopausal Rating Scale was used to determine genitourinary syndrome. Independent samplest-test was used for inter-group comparisons and paired samplest-test for pre-and post-treatment comparisons.

Results

There were no differences in the severity of sexual problems, bladder complications, or vaginal dryness between groups before intervention. Although the intervention group's bladder complications improved slightly after eight weeks of royal jelly treatment compared to the control group (p ​= ​0.04), there were no significant changes in vaginal dryness, sexual problems, or total urogenital score. The within-group changes (before and after treatment) also showed no differences in urogenital symptoms.

Conclusions

A daily dose of 1g royal jelly taken orally for 8 weeks did not alleviate menopausal genitourinary syndrome. No serious side effects were observed. To make more reliable decisions about the use and safety of royal jelly in the future, different doses of royal jelly and longer trials are required.
Indaziflam controls nonnative Alyssum spp. but negatively affects native forbs in sagebrush steppe
Authors: Meyer-Morey Jordan , Lavin Matthew , Mangold Jane , Zabinski Catherine , Rew Lisa J.
Published: October 2021

Nonnative plant invasions can have devastating effects on native plant communities; conversely, management efforts can have nontarget and deleterious impacts on desirable plants. In the arid sagebrush steppe rangelands of the western United States, nonnative winter annual species affect forage production and biodiversity. One method proposed to control these species is to suppress the soil seedbank using the preemergent herbicide indaziflam. Our goal was to evaluate the efficacy of indaziflam to control nonnative annual mustards (Alyssum spp.) and to understand potential nontarget effects of management on the diverse mountain sagebrush steppe plant communities within Yellowstone National Park. Six sites were established along an elevation gradient (1,615 to 2,437 m), each with high and low Alyssum spp. infestations. We applied 63g ai ha−1 of indaziflam in late summer of 2018 and evaluated plant community cover in situ for 2 yr after treatment and emergence of forb species from the soil seedbank ex situ. Indaziflam was highly effective at controlling emergence of Alyssum spp. for 2 yr. Richness and Shannon’s diversity of the nontarget plant community were significantly lower in sprayed plots than in the control, and both decreased along the elevation gradient. These reductions were due to a decrease in perennial forbs and native annual forbs in the sprayed plots; perennial graminoids were not affected. Overall, the aboveground and seedbank community composition was negatively impacted by indaziflam, and these effects were strongest for the native annual forbs that rely on annual regeneration from the seedbank. The effects of this herbicide to the nontarget community should be evaluated beyond the length of our study time; however, we conclude that indaziflam should likely be reserved for use in areas that are severely invaded and have seedbanks that are composed of nondesirable species rather than diverse, native mountain sagebrush communities.
Numerical study of the effect of blockage ratio in forced convection confined flows of shear-thinning fluids
Authors: Ruz O. , Castillo E. , Cruchaga M.
Published: October 2021

In this work, the fluid dynamics and heat transfer of time-dependent flows with shear-thinning behaviour over two confined square cylinders in tandem arrangement are studied numerically. The case studies include two- and three-dimensional flows under a wide range of power-law indices,

$0.25\leq n \leq 1.0$

, and blockage ratios,

$\beta =0.50$

, 0.66 and 0.80, for a fixed Reynolds number of

$Re=100$

and Prandtl number of

$Pr=10$

. The fluid dynamic analysis includes detailed qualitative and quantitative comparisons between the different fluids and blockage ratios, where streamlines, viscosity fields, and lift and drag coefficients are presented. Moreover, a detailed study of the route from laminar time-dependent to chaotic flows is included. It was determined that the flow exhibits a transition from laminar to chaotic by decreasing the power-law index (

$n$

) and increasing the blockage ratio (

$\beta$

). With respect to the thermal analysis, isotherms and Nusselt numbers are compared between the different case studies. This analysis demonstrates that the average Nusselt numbers increased in chaotic flows. The three-dimensional cases confirmed the results proposed for the two-dimensional case.
Reconstruction of climate and ecology of Skagit Valley, Washington, from 27.7 to 19.8 ka based on plant and beetle macrofossils
Authors: Riedel Jon L. , Telka Alice , Bunn Andy , Clague John J.
Published: October 2021

Glacial lake sediments exposed at two sites in Skagit Valley, Washington, encase abundant macrofossils dating from 27.7 to 19.8 cal ka BP. At the last glacial maximum (LGM) most of the valley floor was part of a regionally extensive arid boreal (subalpine) forest that periodically included montane and temperate trees and open boreal species such as dwarf birch, northern spikemoss, and heath. We used the modern distribution and climate of 14 species in 12 macrofossil assemblages and a probability density function approach to reconstruct the LGM climate. Median annual precipitation (MAP) at glacial Lake Concrete (GLC) was ~50% lower than today. In comparison, MAP at glacial Lake Skymo (GLS) was only ~10% lower, which eliminated the steep climate gradient observed today. Median January air temperature at GLC was up to 10.8°C lower than today at 23.5 cal ka BP and 8.7°C lower at GLS at 25.1 cal ka BP. Median July air temperature declines were smaller at GLC (3.4°C–5.0°C) and GLS (4.2°C–6.3°C). Warmer winters (+2°C to +4°C) and increases in MAP (+200 mm) occurred at 27.7, 25.9, 24.4, and 21.2–20.7 cal ka BP. These changes accord with other regional proxies and Dansgaard–Oeschger interstades in the North Atlantic.
Total annulus excision tympanoplasty – a solution to recurrent myringitis: double blind randomised trial
Authors: Verma N , Singhal P , Prabhu K P Surendra , Sehra R , Yadav R , Aeron B Singh , Munjal S , Hussain A , Agarwal S , Sharma M Prakash
Published: October 2021

Objective

In spite of continuous refinements in tympanoplasty techniques, results are variable, and it is not uncommon to see a discharging eardrum even after a good graft uptake. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of total annulus excision tympanoplasty in comparison with conventional underlay tympanoplasty.

Method

This was a double blinded, randomised, controlled trial performed at a tertiary care centre. After inclusion and exclusion criteria were met, 56 patients were enrolled and randomised, and 28 patients were allocated to each group (group A (conventional tympanoplasty) and group B (total annulus excision)). Patients and evaluators were blind to the procedure performed.

Results

Patients in group B (total annulus excision) showed better graft uptake and no discharge with better gains in air conduction thresholds (p < 0.05) when compared with group A (conventional tympanoplasty).

Conclusion

In view of the advantages it offers, total annulus excision tympanoplasty may be preferred over the conventional techniques in patients with central perforations.
Hamiltonian kinetic-Hall magnetohydrodynamics with fluid and kinetic ions in the current and pressure coupling schemes
Authors: Kaltsas D.A. , Throumoulopoulos G.N. , Morrison P.J.
Published: October 2021

We present two generalized hybrid kinetic-Hall magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) models describing the interaction of a two-fluid bulk plasma, which consists of thermal ions and electrons, with energetic, suprathermal ion populations described by Vlasov dynamics. The dynamics of the thermal components are governed by standard fluid equations in the Hall MHD limit with the electron momentum equation providing an Ohm's law with Hall and electron pressure terms involving a gyrotropic electron pressure tensor. The coupling of the bulk, low-energy plasma with the energetic particle dynamics is accomplished through the current density (current coupling scheme; CCS) and the ion pressure tensor appearing in the momentum equation (pressure coupling scheme; PCS) in the first and the second model, respectively. The CCS is a generalization of two well-known models, because in the limit of vanishing energetic and thermal ion densities, we recover the standard Hall MHD and the hybrid kinetic-ions/fluid-electron model, respectively. This provides us with the capability to study in a continuous manner, the global impact of the energetic particles in a regime extending from vanishing to dominant energetic particle densities. The noncanonical Hamiltonian structures of the CCS and PCS, which can be exploited to study equilibrium and stability properties through the energy-Casimir variational principle, are identified. As a first application here, we derive a generalized Hall MHD Grad–Shafranov–Bernoulli system for translationally symmetric equilibria with anisotropic electron pressure and kinetic effects owing to the presence of energetic particles using the PCS.
Plant-based diets and long-term health: findings from the EPIC-Oxford study
Authors: Key Timothy J. , Papier Keren , Tong Tammy Y. N.
Published: October 2021

The concept of plant-based diets has become popular due to the purported benefits for both human health and environmental impact. Although ‘plant-based’ is sometimes used to indicate omnivorous diets with a relatively small component of animal foods, here we take it to mean either vegetarian (plant-based plus dairy products and/or eggs) or vegan (100% plant-based). Important characteristics of plant-based diets which would be expected to be beneficial for long-term health are low intakes of saturated fat and high intakes of dietary fibre, whereas potentially deleterious characteristics are the risk of low intakes of some micronutrients such as vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium and iodine, particularly in vegans. Vegetarians and vegans typically have lower BMI, serum LDL cholesterol and blood pressure than comparable regular meat-eaters, as well as lower bone mineral density. Vegetarians in the EPIC-Oxford study have a relatively low risk of IHD, diabetes, diverticular disease, kidney stones, cataracts and possibly some cancers, but a relatively high risk of stroke (principally haemorrhagic stroke) and bone fractures, in comparison with meat-eaters. Vegans in EPIC-Oxford have a lower risk of diabetes, diverticular disease and cataracts and a higher risk of fractures, but there are insufficient data for other conditions to draw conclusions. Overall, the health of people following plant-based diets appears to be generally good, with advantages but also some risks, and the extent to which the risks may be mitigated by optimal food choices, fortification and supplementation is not yet known.
Leitsymptome bei proktologischen Erkrankungen und allgemeine Massnahmen
Authors: Essig Manfred
Published: October 2021

Zusammenfassung. Neben einer allgemeinen Anamnese gibt es bei proktologischen Erkrankungen fünf gezielt zu erfragende Leitsymptome, welche das diagnostische Prozedere bestimmen. Neben Allgemeinmassnahmen wie Lifestyle und Basistherapien kommen einfach anzuwendende Hinweise mit nicht relevanten Nebenwirkungen zur Anwendung.
Chirurgische Proktologie – was häufig ist, ist häufig
Authors: Muggli Beat , Lechleiter Antje
Published: October 2021

Zusammenfassung. Proktologische Erkrankungen sind ausgesprochen häufig und werden von den Patienten oft verdrängt oder aus Scham verschwiegen und von den Chirurgen leider auch meist vernachlässigt. Dies mag damit zusammenhängen, dass die Genese dieser Krankheitsbilder völlig unterschiedlich sein kann und von neurologischen Störungen über embryonale Fehlentwicklungen bis zu traumatisch bedingten Defekten reichen kann. Wohl aus diesem Grund wurde in der Vergangenheit die Proktologie von unterschiedlichen Disziplinen mit uneinheitlichen Therapieansätzen und nicht standardisierten Methoden angegangen. Die Interdisziplinarität ist in diesem Bereich der Medizin aber von äusserster Wichtigkeit. Denn nur durch ein gutes Zusammenspiel der verschiedenen Disziplinen in der Diagnostik und Therapie kann das bestmögliche Ergebnis für unsere Patienten erzielt werden. Das höchste Gut für das Leben der Betroffenen und einer der wichtigsten Faktoren in der Therapie ist der Erhalt der Kontinenz. Im Folgenden wollen wir hier auf die häufigsten Krankheitsbilder und deren chirurgische Therapieansätze eingehen.
Physiotherapie bei anorektalen Erkrankungen
Authors: de Jong Jacqueline , Fox Mark
Published: October 2021

Zusammenfassung. Anorektale Funktionsstörungen führen je nach Schweregrad zu massiven Einschränkungen der Lebensqualität. Die invasiven Eingriffe haben klare Indikationen – Erfolge und Risiken. Bei den Funktionsstörungen sind die therapeutischen Möglichkeiten für den Arzt eingeschränkt. Die Physiotherapie hat hier einen wesentlichen Beitrag zur Verbesserung der Lebensqualität.
Sex differences in methylphenidate-induced dopamine increases in ventral striatum
Authors: Manza Peter , Shokri-Kojori Ehsan , Wiers Corinde E. , Kroll Danielle , Feldman Dana , McPherson Katherine , Biesecker Erin , Dennis Evan , Johnson Allison , Kelleher Andrew , Qu Song , Tomasi Dardo , Wang Gene-Jack , Volkow Nora D.
Published: October 2021

Sex differences in the prevalence of dopamine-related neuropsychiatric diseases and in the sensitivity to dopamine-boosting drugs such as stimulants is well recognized. Here we assessed whether there are sex differences in the brain dopamine system in humans that could contribute to these effects. We analyzed data from two independent [11C]raclopride PET brain imaging studies that measured methylphenidate-induced dopamine increases in the striatum using different routes of administration (Cohort A = oral 60 mg; Cohort B = intravenous 0.5 mg/kg; total n = 95; 65 male, 30 female), in blinded placebo-controlled designs. Females when compared to males reported stronger feeling of “drug effects” and showed significantly greater dopamine release in the ventral striatum (where nucleus accumbens is located) to both oral and intravenous methylphenidate. In contrast, there were no significant differences in methylphenidate-induced increases in dorsal striatum for either oral or intravenous administration nor were there differences in levels of methylphenidate in plasma. The greater dopamine increases with methylphenidate in ventral but not dorsal striatum in females compared to males suggests an enhanced sensitivity specific to the dopamine reward system that might underlie sex differences in the vulnerability to substance use disorders and to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Myeloid cells in COVID-19 microenvironment
Authors: Qin Guohui , Liu Shasha , Yang Li , Yu Weina , Zhang Yi
Published: October 2021

Varying differentiation of myeloid cells is common in tumors, inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and metabolic diseases. The release of cytokines from myeloid cells is an important driving factor that leads to severe COVID-19 cases and subsequent death. This review briefly summarizes the results of single-cell sequencing of peripheral blood, lung tissue, and cerebrospinal fluid of COVID-19 patients and describes the differentiation trajectory of myeloid cells in patients. Moreover, we describe the function and mechanism of abnormal differentiation of myeloid cells to promote disease progression. Targeting myeloid cell-derived cytokines or checkpoints is essential in developing a combined therapeutic strategy for patients with severe COVID-19.
Sub-optimal modulation of gain by the cognitive control system in young adults with early psychosis
Authors: Burgher Bjorn , Whybird Genevieve , Koussis Nikitas , Scott James G. , Cocchi Luca , Breakspear Michael
Published: October 2021

Executive dysfunctions in early psychosis (EP) are subtle but persistent, hindering recovery. We asked whether changes in the cognitive control system (CCS) disrupt the response to increased cognitive load in persons with EP. In all, 30 EP and 30 control participants undertook multimodal MRI. Computational models of structural and effective connectivity amongst regions in the CCS were informed by cortical responses to the multi-source interference task, a paradigm that selectively introduces stimulus conflict. EP participants showed greater activation of CCS regions, including the superior parietal cortex, and were disproportionately slower at resolving stimulus conflict in the task. Computational models of the effective connectivity underlying this behavioral response suggest that the normative (control) group resolved stimulus conflict through an efficient and direct modulation of gain between the visual cortex and the anterior insula (AI). In contrast, the EP group utilized an indirect path, with parallel and multi-region hops to resolve stimulus conflict at the AI. Individual differences in task performance were dependent on initial linear gain modulations in the EP group versus a single nonlinear modulation in the control group. Effective connectivity in the EP group was associated with reduced structural integration amongst those connections critical for task execution. CCS engagement during stimulus conflict is hampered in EP owing to inefficient use of higher-order network interactions, with high tonic gain impeding task-relevant (phasic) signal amplification.
Venetoclax imparts distinct cell death sensitivity and adaptivity patterns in T cells
Authors: Ludwig Lindsey M. , Hawley Katrina M. , Banks David B. , Thomas-Toth Anika T. , Blazar Bruce R. , McNerney Megan E. , Leverson Joel D. , LaBelle James L.
Published: October 2021

BH3 mimetics are increasingly used as anti-cancer therapeutics either alone or in conjunction with other chemotherapies. However, mounting evidence has also demonstrated that BH3 mimetics modulate varied amounts of apoptotic signaling in healthy immune populations. In order to maximize their clinical potential, it will be essential to understand how BH3 mimetics affect discrete immune populations and to determine how BH3 mimetic pressure causes immune system adaptation. Here we focus on the BCL-2 specific inhibitor venetoclax (ABT-199) and its effects following short-term and long-term BCL-2 blockade on T cell subsets. Seven day “short-term” ex vivo and in vivo BCL-2 inhibition led to divergent cell death sensitivity patterns in CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, and Tregs resulting in shifting of global T cell populations towards a more memory T cell state with increased expression of BCL-2, BCL-XL, and MCL-1. However, twenty-eight day “long-term” BCL-2 blockade following T cell-depleted bone marrow transplantation did not lead to changes in the global T cell landscape. Despite the lack of changes in T cell proportions, animals treated with venetoclax developed CD8+ and CD4+ T cells with high levels of BCL-2 and were more resistant to apoptotic stimuli following expansion post-transplant. Further, we demonstrate through RNA profiling that T cells adapt while under BCL-2 blockade post-transplant and develop a more activated genotype. Taken together, these data emphasize the importance of evaluating how BH3 mimetics affect the immune system in different treatment modalities and disease contexts and suggest that venetoclax should be further explored as an immunomodulatory compound.
RCAN1.4 attenuates renal fibrosis through inhibiting calcineurin-mediated nuclear translocation of NFAT2
Authors: Zhang Jianjian , Chen Hui , Weng Xiaodong , Liu Hao , Chen Zhiyuan , Huang Qin , Wang Lei , Liu Xiuheng
Published: October 2021

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is thus deemed to a global health problem. Renal fibrosis, characterized by accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components in the kidney, is considered a common pathway leading to CKD. Regulator of calcineurin1 (RCAN1), identified as a competitive endogenous inhibitor of the phosphatase calcineurin, participates in ECM deposition in various organs. However, the role of RCAN1 in renal fibrosis remains unclear. Here, unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO), a well-known model to induce renal fibrosis in vivo, was performed on mice for a week. To overexpress RCAN1.4 in vivo, recombinant adeno-associated virus 9-packed RCAN1.4 over-expression plasm was employed in mice kidney. Lentivirus-packed RCAN1.4 over-expression plasm was employed to transfer into HK-2 and NRK-49F cells in vitro. The results indicated that RCAN1.4 expression was impaired both in UUO-induced renal fibrosis in vivo and TGF-β1-induced renal fibrosis in vitro. However, knocking in of RCAN1.4 suppressed the production of extracellular matrix (ECM) both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, in vitro, the apoptosis-related proteins, including the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 and cleaved-caspase3, were elevated in cells transfected with RCAN1.4 overexpression plasmid. In addition, we found that RCAN1.4 could rugulated NFAT2 nuclear distribution by inhibiting calcineurin pathway. So overexpression of RCAN1.4 could reverse renal fibrosis, attenuate ECM related protein accumulation, promote apoptosis of myofibroblast via inhibiting Calcineurin/NFAT2 signaling pathway. Taken together, our study demonstrated that targeting RCAN1.4 may be therapeutic efficacy in renal fibrosis.
Controlled beat-wave Brillouin scattering in the ionosphere
Authors: Eliasson B. , Senior A. , Rietveld M. , Phelps A. D. R. , Cairns R. A. , Ronald K. , Speirs D. C. , Trines R. M. G. M. , McCrea I. , Bamford R. , Mendonça J. T. , Bingham R.
Published: October 2021

Stimulated Brillouin scattering experiments in the ionospheric plasma using a single electromagnetic pump wave have previously been observed to generate an electromagnetic sideband wave, emitted by the plasma, together with an ion- acoustic wave. Here we report results of a controlled, pump and probe beat-wave driven Brillouin scattering experiment, in which an ion-acoustic wave generated by the beating of electromagnetic pump and probe waves, results in electromagnetic sideband waves that are recorded on the ground. The experiment used the EISCAT facility in northern Norway, which has several high power electromagnetic wave transmitters and receivers in the radio frequency range. An electromagnetic pump consisting of large amplitude radio waves with ordinary (O) or extraordinary (X) mode polarization was injected into the overhead ionosphere, along with a less powerful probe wave, and radio sideband emissions observed on the ground clearly show stimulated Brillouin emissions at frequencies agreeing with, and changing with, the pump and probe frequencies. The experiment was simulated using a numerical full-scale model which clearly supports the interpretation of the experimental results. Such controlled beat-wave experiments demonstrate a way of remotely investigating the ionospheric plasma parameters.
Lung mesenchymal stromal cells influenced by Th2 cytokines mobilize neutrophils and facilitate metastasis by producing complement C3
Authors: Zheng Zhiyuan , Li Ya-nan , Jia Shanfen , Zhu Mengting , Cao Lijuan , Tao Min , Jiang Jingting , Zhan Shenghua , Chen Yongjing , Gao Ping-Jin , Hu Weiguo , Wang Ying , Shao Changshun , Shi Yufang
Published: October 2021

Pre-metastatic niche formation is critical for the colonization of disseminated cancer cells in distant organs. Here we find that lung mesenchymal stromal cells (LMSCs) at pre-metastatic stage possess potent metastasis-promoting activity. RNA-seq reveals an upregulation of complement 3 (C3) in those LMSCs. C3 is found to promote neutrophil recruitment and the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), which facilitate cancer cell metastasis to the lungs. C3 expression in LMSCs is induced and sustained by Th2 cytokines in a STAT6-dependent manner. LMSCs-driven lung metastasis is abolished in Th1-skewing Stat6-deficient mice. Blockade of IL-4 by antibody also attenuates LMSCs-driven cancer metastasis to the lungs. Consistently, metastasis is greatly enhanced in Th2-skewing T-bet-deficient mice or in nude mice adoptively transferred with T-bet-deficient T cells. Increased C3 levels are also detected in breast cancer patients. Our results suggest that targeting the Th2-STAT6-C3-NETs cascade may reduce breast cancer metastasis to the lungs.
Tuning two-dimensional electron and hole gases at LaInO3/BaSnO3 interfaces by polar distortions, termination, and thickness
Authors: Aggoune Wahib , Draxl Claudia
Published: October 2021

Two-dimensional electron gases (2DEG), arising due to quantum confinement at interfaces between transparent conducting oxides, have received tremendous attention in view of electronic applications. Here, we explore the potential of interfaces formed by two lattice-matched wide-gap oxides of emerging interest, i.e., the polar, orthorhombic perovskite LaInO3 and the nonpolar, cubic perovskite BaSnO3, employing first-principles approaches. We find that the polar discontinuity at the interface is mainly compensated by electronic relaxation through charge transfer from the LaInO3 to the BaSnO3 side. This leads to the formation of a 2DEG hosted by the highly dispersive Sn-s-derived conduction band and a 2D hole gas of O-p character, strongly localized inside LaInO3. We rationalize how polar distortions, termination, thickness, and dimensionality of the system (periodic or non-periodic) can be exploited in view of tailoring the 2DEG characteristics, and why this material is superior to the most studied prototype LaAlO3/SrTiO3.
Gate-free state preparation for fast variational quantum eigensolver simulations
Authors: Meitei Oinam Romesh , Gard Bryan T. , Barron George S. , Pappas David P. , Economou Sophia E. , Barnes Edwin , Mayhall Nicholas J.
Published: October 2021

The variational quantum eigensolver is currently the flagship algorithm for solving electronic structure problems on near-term quantum computers. The algorithm involves implementing a sequence of parameterized gates on quantum hardware to generate a target quantum state, and then measuring the molecular energy. Due to finite coherence times and gate errors, the number of gates that can be implemented remains limited. In this work, we propose an alternative algorithm where device-level pulse shapes are variationally optimized for the state preparation rather than using an abstract-level quantum circuit. In doing so, the coherence time required for the state preparation is drastically reduced. We numerically demonstrate this by directly optimizing pulse shapes which accurately model the dissociation of H2 and HeH+, and we compute the ground state energy for LiH with four transmons where we see reductions in state preparation times of roughly three orders of magnitude compared to gate-based strategies.
Global potential for harvesting drinking water from air using solar energy
Authors: Lord Jackson , Thomas Ashley , Treat Neil , Forkin Matthew , Bain Robert , Dulac Pierre , Behroozi Cyrus H. , Mamutov Tilek , Fongheiser Jillia , Kobilansky Nicole , Washburn Shane , Truesdell Claudia , Lee Clare , Schmaelzle Philipp H.
Published: October 2021

Access to safely managed drinking water (SMDW) remains a global challenge, and affects 2.2 billion people1,2. Solar-driven atmospheric water harvesting (AWH) devices with continuous cycling may accelerate progress by enabling decentralized extraction of water from air3–6, but low specific yields (SY) and low daytime relative humidity (RH) have raised questions about their performance (in litres of water output per day)7–11. However, to our knowledge, no analysis has mapped the global potential of AWH12 despite favourable conditions in tropical regions, where two-thirds of people without SMDW live2. Here we show that AWH could provide SMDW for a billion people. Our assessment—using Google Earth Engine13—introduces a hypothetical 1-metre-square device with a SY profile of 0.2 to 2.5 litres per kilowatt-hour (0.1 to 1.25 litres per kilowatt-hour for a 2-metre-square device) at 30% to 90% RH, respectively. Such a device could meet a target average daily drinking water requirement of 5 litres per day per person14. We plot the impact potential of existing devices and new sorbent classes, which suggests that these targets could be met with continued technological development, and well within thermodynamic limits. Indeed, these performance targets have been achieved experimentally in demonstrations of sorbent materials15–17. Our tools can inform design trade-offs for atmospheric water harvesting devices that maximize global impact, alongside ongoing efforts to meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with existing technologies.
Nanofiber template-induced preparation of ZnO nanocrystal and its application in photocatalysis
Authors: Chen Mingyi , Liu Peng , He Ji-Huan , Wang Hsing-Lin , Zhang Haonan , Wang Xin , Chen Rouxi
Published: October 2021

Traditional preparation of ZnO nanocrystal requires heating zinc acetate to a temperature over 350 °C, whereas in this work, zinc acetate was first electrospun with PVDF to form a nanofiber, followed by thermal treatment at only 140 °C to give nanocrystalline ZnO. The much lower temperature required in thermal treatment is attributed to the high reactivity of zinc acetate at nano dimension. The as-prepared ZnO-doped PVDF nanofiber mat shows excellent effect in the photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B, comparable to ZnO particle thermally treated at 600 °C. Highly-oriented ZnO nanorods were obtained by further hydrothermal synthesis of the electrospun nanofiber mat, giving nanostructured ZnO of different morphologies well-aligned on the surface of organic nanofiber. Notably, the hydrothermal synthesis of the successful preparation of these nanostructured ZnO requires a processing temperature below 100 °C at atmospheric pressure, showing great potential to be scaled up for vast manufacturing.