bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A polygenic biomarker to identify patients with severe hypercholesterolemia of polygenic origin
Authors: Leal Luis G. , Hoggart Clive , Jarvelin Marjo‐Riitta , Herzig Karl‐Heinz , Sternberg Michael J. E. , David Alessia
Published: April 2020

Background

Severe hypercholesterolemia (HC, LDL‐C > 4.9 mmol/L) affects over 30 million people worldwide. In this study, we validated a new polygenic risk score (PRS) for LDL‐C.

Methods

Summary statistics from the Global Lipid Genome Consortium and genotype data from two large populations were used.

Results

A 36‐SNP PRS was generated using data for 2,197 white Americans. In a replication cohort of 4,787 Finns, the PRS was strongly associated with the LDL‐C trait and explained 8% of its variability (p = 10–41). After risk categorization, the risk of having HC was higher in the high‐ versus low‐risk group (RR = 4.17, p < 1 × 10−7). Compared to a 12‐SNP LDL‐C raising score (currently used in the United Kingdom), the PRS explained more LDL‐C variability (8% vs. 6%). Among Finns with severe HC, 53% (66/124) versus 44% (55/124) were classified as high risk by the PRS and LDL‐C raising score, respectively. Moreover, 54% of individuals with severe HC defined as low risk by the LDL‐C raising score were reclassified to intermediate or high risk by the new PRS.

Conclusion

The new PRS has a better predictive role in identifying HC of polygenic origin compared to the currently available method and can better stratify patients into diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms.
Applications of benchtop NMR in the organic chemistry instructional laboratory
Authors: Morrison Richard W. , Zhang Mengqi
Published: April 2020

The instructional organic chemistry laboratory has been substantially improved through the implementation of benchtop NMR analysis. When used in conjunction with unknown reaction components in multi‐outcome experiments, NMR analysis transforms the laboratory exercise into an investigative inquiry wherein students elucidate structures for their products and thereby deduce their unknown reaction components. This analytical approach closely models the research laboratory and is a valuable preparatory tool for undergraduate researchers. Three newly developed multi‐outcome experiments based upon the Diels–Alder cycloaddition, the synthesis of carboxylic amides, and the Friedel‐Crafts alkylation are herein described to illustrate the utility of benchtop NMR analysis in the instructional laboratory.
Management challenges for chronic dysimmune neuropathies during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Rajabally Yusuf A. , Goedee H. Stephan , Attarian Shahram , Hartung Hans‐Peter
Published: April 2020

Since March 2020, the COVID‐19 pandemic has led to the need to re‐think the delivery of services to patients with chronic dysimmune neuropathies. Telephone/video consultations have become widespread but have compounded concerns about objective evaluation. Therapeutic decisions need, more than ever before, to be considered in the best interests of both patients, and society, while not denying function‐preserving/restoring treatment. Immunoglobulin therapy and plasma exchange, for those treated outside of the home, expose patients to the hazards of hospital or outpatient infusion centers. Steroid therapy initiation and continuation pose increased infectious risk. Immunosuppressant therapy similarly becomes highly problematic, with the risks of treatment continuation enhanced by uncertainties regarding duration of the pandemic. The required processes necessitate considerable time and effort especially as resources and staff are re‐deployed to face the pandemic, but are essential for protecting this group of patients and as an integral part of wider public health actions.
Electrospun nanofibers versus drop casting films for designing an electronic tongue: comparison of performance for monitoring geosmin and 2‐methylisoborneol in water samples
Authors: Migliorini Fernanda L. , Teodoro Kelcilene B. R. , dos Santos Danilo M. , Fonseca Fernando J. , Mattoso Luiz H. C. , Correa Daniel S.
Published: April 2020

Geosmin (GSM) and 2‐Methylisoborneol (MIB) are substances commonly found in river water and arise due to eutrophication process. Such contaminants affect the organoleptic properties of water, hampering its consumption, and use in beverage industries. As the human perception threshold for these compounds is low, the devices aimed at their detection must be sensitive enough to detect concentrations as low as a few nanogram per liter in order to guarantee the water quality parameters. Due to the experimental simplicity, fast analysis, portability, and capability for on‐site analysis, the use of electronic tongues and electronic noses employing hybrid and composite materials are potential for GSM and MIB determination. In this work, two distinct electronic tongues were applied in the electrical determination of GSM and MIB in pure and river water. The difference between them consisted in the type of polymer processing used in the fabrication of sensing units. The thin films deposited onto gold IDEs were based on polyamide 6, polypirrole, and polyaniline, but fabricated by drop‐casting and electrospinning. The differences in the electronic tongue performances were correlated to the distinct morphologies of the sensitive layers. Both devices were able to discriminate pure water from solutions tainted with GSM and MIB in concentration as low as 25 ng L−1, with high data correlation and a good reproducibility.
Treatment of generalized infantile myofibromatosis with sorafenib and imatinib: A case report
Authors: Bidadi Behzad , Watson Andrea , Weigel Brenda , Oliveira Andre , Kirkham Justin , Arndt Carola
Published: April 2020

Infantile myofibromatosis (IM) is characterized by solitary musculoskeletal nodules presenting during infancy but can manifest as multiple lesions with visceral involvement. Multicentric IM with visceral involvement carries a high risk of mortality and there is no consensus on treatment. We present a case of a patient with multicentric IM and pulmonary involvement who progressed on several chemotherapeutic regimens and subsequently had a complete response to sorafenib and later imatinib. This report describes the novel use of sorafenib and imatinib to treat generalized IM and the role of continued tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy to maintain remission.
The association between aspirin use and depression: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of observational studies
Authors: Kim Hong‐Bae , Kim Jong‐Sung , Jung Jin‐Gyu
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Many clinical trials and observational studies have been conducted under the premise that the anti‐inflammatory effect of aspirin may prevent depression. These studies, however, showed inconsistent results. To inspect the association between aspirin use and depression, we conducted a meta‐analysis of observational studies.

Methods

In August 2019, two authors independently searched PubMed, EMBASE, and PsycINFO to retrieve observational epidemiological studies presenting an association between aspirin use and depression. Case‐control and cohort studies were included, and odds ratios (ORs) or relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the risk of depression were estimated using a random‐effects model. In addition, number needed to harm (NNH) was calculated to measure the rates of depression.

Results

In total, 12 observational studies—five case‐control studies and seven prospective cohort studies—were included in this meta‐analysis. The random‐effects model demonstrated a significant association between aspirin use and depression (OR/RR 1.10; 95% CI: 1.05‐1.16) with insignificant heterogeneity (I2 = 23.3%). The risk estimates of depression from prospective cohort studies were similar (RR 1.11; 95% CI: 1.08‐1.14), and heterogeneity was not observed (I2 = 0.0%). In the subgroup meta‐analysis, a duration of aspirin use ≥5 years and a dosage ≥500 mg daily were also associated with depression. The NNH for depression with aspirin use >5 years was 103 (95% CI 91‐111) indicating that observed event is rare.

Conclusions

Aspirin use was associated with depression in the present meta‐analysis. One of the major limitations is the lack of detail and consistency with respect to exposure verification in the included papers. Another limitation is the lack of randomized controlled studies and prospective cohort studies.
Copper(I)‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition‐assisted polymerization of linear glucose‐derived co/polymers
Authors: Fuchs Pascal , Vana Philipp , Zhang Kai
Published: April 2020

The synthesis of linear and controllable oligomers and polymers using sugar‐derived monomers is still highly challenging. Herein, we present a method allowing the linear polymerization of a bifunctional glucose derivative as monomer, which contained an azide group at C1 and a propargyl group at C4 position of the glucose ring. The reaction conditions were optimized by grafting the monomer onto the surface of silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) and at the end‐modified polyethylene glycol (PEG). For grafting the surface of SiNPs with the monomer, an azide‐bearing chlorosilane linker was synthesized and introduced onto SiNPs surface. The copper(I)‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition using the glucose‐derived monomer led to the growth of linear triazole‐linked oligosaccharide‐mimics on the surface of SiNPs with a degree of polymerization up to 13 and the formation of cyclic trimers and tetramers in the solution. Furthermore, during polymerization of the monomer at end‐modified PEG, various linear diblock‐copolymers pseudo‐cellulose‐block‐PEG and triblock‐copolymers pseudo‐cellulose‐block‐PEG‐block‐pseudo‐cellulose were obtained. The polymerization reactions expired with nearly complete consumption of the monomer and high yields between 88 and 94% were achieved. Obtained block‐copolymers showed amphiphilic properties that helped to fractionate obtained polymers into lower and higher molecular weight fractions with narrow polymer dispersity Đ.
Recent advances in paleoclimatological studies of Arctic wedge‐ and pore‐ice stable‐water isotope records
Authors: Porter Trevor J. , Opel Thomas
Published: April 2020

Late Pleistocene and Holocene ground ice are common throughout the Arctic. Some forms of relict ground ice preserve local meteoric water, and their stable oxygen‐ and hydrogen‐isotope ratios can be used to reconstruct past air temperatures. In this paper, we review the formation and sampling of two forms of relict ground ice—wedge ice and pore ice—and recent (2010–2019) advances in paleoclimatological studies of ground‐ice stable isotope records in the Arctic. Recent advances are attributed to better chronological constraints and refined understandings of the systematics and seasonality of relict wedge ice and pore ice. A rich network of ice‐wedge records has emerged, primarily from the Siberian Arctic, whereas pore‐ice records are less common. The ice‐wedge network depicts a robust pattern of late Pleistocene cooling, and remarkably similar temperature depressions during Marine Isotope Stages 3 and 2. Very high‐resolution wedge‐ and pore‐ice stable isotope chronologies have been established recently and used to reconstruct winter and summer climate histories and to assess seasonal dependencies in insolation‐forced climate. Reports of ancient (>125 ka BP) ground ice demonstrate its long‐term persistence, and its potential to expand our knowledge of Quaternary climate dynamics in the terrestrial Arctic.
Mechanism of Influence of High‐Speed Self‐Spin on Ignition Transients for a Solid Rocket Motor: a Numerical Simulation
Authors: Guan Dian , Li Shipeng , Sui Xin , Wang Ningfei
Published: April 2020

High‐speed self‐spin is one of extreme working conditions that alters ignition internal ballistic performance and can induce ignition abnormalities. To demonstrate the studies on mechanism of interior ballistics as the results of acceleration loads imposed on spinning SRM, the modes of swirl dynamical flow and acceleration‐induced combustion phenomena for igniter and propellant are developed and first taken into account in a new ignition model by user‐defined sources (UDS). To verify the model, the heat transfer, added‐mass and build‐up pressure modes of this ignition model are verified by comparison with static ignition experimental data, second, the swirl flow field mode is validated through comparison between models and by analogy with experimental phenomena, then the numerical model is proved by grid‐independent verification. Dimensionless analysis eliminates diversity in time scales at different periods. The influences of swirl flow, igniter, and propulsion acceleration‐induced combustion on various stages of ignition are studied. It was found that: (1) Time scale in the ignition process of spinning SRM is mainly affected by the igniter‘s sensitivity to rotational acceleration (Aig), whose change is approximately described as an empirical equation based on rotational overload (α) and ignition sensitivity coefficient limit Aig,max; (2) The acceleration effect on propellant combustion is mainly manifested in the pressure peak and the pressure rate, however, it has little effect on the ignition delay; (3) Swirl flow factors are not the main factors affecting the ignition process for small SRMs with small‐contraction nozzles.
Pool fire suppression performance by twin‐fluid water mist under low pressures in an altitude chamber
Authors: Ma Qiuju , Wan Mengsai , Shao Juncheng , Zhang Hui
Published: April 2020

Fire suppression tests using low pressure twin‐fluid water mist under low pressure environments were carried out to exam the performance of water mist systems at low pressure environments. The experiment results show that the suppression time gets shorter for lower chamber pressure, and relevant total weight of water and nitrogen used decreases as the chamber pressure gets lower. For the case of 30‐cm diameter pool fire, the suppression times are 20.19, 7.5, and 2.24 under the chamber pressure of 60, 38, and 24 kPa, respectively. In case of a cargo compartments fire, it is suggested to open the ventilation valve of the cargo compartment at a high cruising altitude to relieve pressure, so as to achieve rapid fire suppression. When a fire happens at the position off the center below the water mist nozzle, the water mist suppression effects will be weakened. The fire size has little effects on the fire extinguishing process under pressure of 24 kPa. Under the critical atomization condition with the pressure differential between the inlet and outlet of the nozzle for water as 0.05 MPa (5.04 L/min), and the pressure differential for nitrogen as 0.10 MPa (10.97 L/min), the suppression time is the shortest as 18.66 seconds.
Computational insights of two‐dimensional infrared spectroscopy under electric fields in phosphorylcholine
Authors: Ren Hai Chao , Yuan Jiao Nan , Chen Tu Nan , Selvaraj Gurudeeban , Kaliamurthi Satyavani , Zhang Xiu Qing , Wei Dong‐Qing , Ji Guang Fu , Zhang Zeng Ming
Published: April 2020

Influence of static electric field in biological cells causes electroporation, which results in the increase of permeability of the cells and phospholipid bilayer. However, the precise mode of action of electric fields on phospholipid bilayer and their quantum mechanics are still unclear. Therefore, to understand the quantum‐based biological effect, we aimed to study two‐dimensional infrared (2D‐IR) spectra‐adopted quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) simulations under the influence of static electric fields on Phosphorylcholine, an important component in phospholipid membrane. Initially, QM/MM studies were performed under the influence of electric field, ranging from −1.543 to 1.028 V/nm. A multilayer ONIOM model (in combination with DFT/B3LYP/6‐31G [d, p] and DREIDING force fields) was used to obtain 2D‐IR simulated spectra to calculate electrostatic interaction in the biological system. The results demonstrated that the phosphate group played an important role on α‐rotation in LUMO and the chlorine atom had a major contribution in HOMO. In addition, decreased number of hydrogen bonds demonstrated that uncoupling reaction of the P‐O stretching vibrations while the electric field was −1.542 V/nm. Moreover, we observed that the electric field is −1.028 V/nm, there is no rotational isomerization in phosphorylcholine. We concluded that the static electric fields significantly affect the anharmonic frequencies, vibration coupling and the structure of the phosphorylcholine.
Reagent addition sequence and equivalent in N‐heterocyclic carbene‐catalyzed nonpolar inversion enable conversion from aldimine to benzoxazole
Authors: Li Xiaoyan , Liu Jiabin , Zhang Qiao‐Chu , Zhang Wenjing , Lan Yu
Published: April 2020

The umpolung reaction catalyzed by N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) has been widely studied and well recognized, but their role in the nonpolar inversion reaction under oxidative condition has been rarely reported. In this paper, the mechanism of the oxidative nonpolar inversion reaction catalyzed by NHCs to produce benzoxazole is investigated in detail. The reaction occurs through five processes. For oxidation in the second process, two successive tautomerizations followed by oxidation are energetically more favorable than the other two pathways. The rate‐determining step is the oxidation by 3,3′‐5,5′‐tetra‐tert‐butyl‐4,4′‐diphenoquinone. Mechanism calculations of the uncatalyzed reaction reveal that the very highly exothermic nature of the initial step is the main reason for the extremely high energy barrier in the following step. With the participation of NHC, this unfavorable transformation can be deftly prevented according to the specific sequence and equivalent of reagent addition, enabling the reaction to occur under mild conditions.
Limitations of deuterium‐labeled internal standards for quantitative electrospray ionization mass spectrometry analysis of fatty acid metabolites
Authors: Tokuoka Suzumi M. , Yasumoto Atsushi , Kita Yoshihiro , Shimizu Takao , Yatomi Yutaka , Oda Yoshiya
Published: April 2020

Rationale

The electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS) methodology often shows poor ionization reproducibility in the analysis of biological samples. Therefore, normalization of the measured peak intensities is essential. It is believed that quantitative data with high reproducibility can be obtained by adding a constant amount of an internal standard (IS) material labeled with stable isotopes to each sample, thus allowing the correction of the quantitative value of the target compound by that of the IS. We investigated whether the presence or absence of a labeled IS improves the accuracy of these quantitative values.

Methods

Triple quadrupole MS coupled with liquid chromatography was used to analyze fatty acid metabolites in biological samples as target compounds. Two independent systems were used to provide a measure of reproducibility in two different laboratories.

Results

Data having poor reproducibility in the raw peak areas were efficiently normalized using the IS, but, crucially, the IS method using stable isotopes was not always necessary. In some cases, the reproducibility was relatively good even without using the IS. In a contaminant matrix, the MS response behavior of the target compound and its stable isotope‐labeled material was complicated. Since ion suppression by matrix contaminants was dependent on the concentration of the target compound, the added amounts of the ISs were also important, Furthermore, an equivalent normalization effect was obtained by using a pooled quality control sample as an external standard, thus obviating the need for labeled IS samples, which are often expensive and sometimes not commercially available.

Conclusions

Our results raise the question as to whether the quantitative method using stable‐isotope‐labeled ISs is always necessary and beneficial. However, the results obtained in this study cannot be generalized because only fatty acid metabolites were examined using ESI‐MS and only a highly substituted deuterium‐labeled IS was used.
Estimating animal density in three dimensions using capture‐frequency data from remote detectors
Authors: Vargas Soto Juan S. , Castañeda Rowshyra A. , Mandrak Nicholas E. , Molnár Péter K.
Published: April 2020

Remote detectors are being used increasingly often to study aquatic and aerial species, which move significantly differently from terrestrial species. Camera‐trapping studies have used frameworks based on animal movement patterns to show that a species’ detection frequency, along with movement speed and detector specifications, can be used to estimate absolute population density. This approach, however, has not yet been adapted to cases where movement is three‐dimensional. Here we adapt one such framework to three‐dimensional movement, to characterize the relationship between population density, animal speed, characteristics of a remote sensor's detection zone and detection frequency. The derivation involves defining the detection zone mathematically and calculating the mean area of the profile it presents to approaching individuals. We developed two variants of the model—one assuming random movement of all individuals, and one allowing for different probabilities for each approach direction (e.g. that animals more often swim/fly horizontally than vertically). We used computer simulations to evaluate model performance for a wide range of animal and detector densities. Simulations show that in ideal conditions the method approximates true density well, and that estimates become increasingly accurate using more detectors, or sampling for longer. Moreover the method is robust to violations of assumptions, accuracy is decreased only in extreme cases where all detectors are facing the same way. We provide equations for estimating population density from detection frequency and outline how to estimate the necessary parameters. We discuss how environmental variables and species‐specific characteristics affect parameter estimates and how to account for these differences in density estimations. Our method can be applied to common remote detection methods (cameras and acoustic detectors), which are currently being used to study a diversity of species and environments. Therefore, our work may significantly expand the number and diversity of species for which density can be estimated.
Minimizing information loss in shared data: Hiding frequent patterns with multiple sensitive support thresholds
Authors: Ergenç Bostanoǧlu Belgin , Öztürk Ahmet Cumhur
Published: April 2020

Privacy preserving data mining (PPDM) is the process of protecting sensitive knowledge from being discovered by data mining techniques in case of data sharing. Privacy preserving frequent itemset mining (PPFIM) is a subtask and NP‐hard problem of PPDM. Its objective is to modify a given database in such a way that none of the sensitive itemsets of the database owner can be obtained by any frequent itemset mining technique from the modified database. The main challenge of PPFIM is to minimize the distortion given to the data and nonsensitive knowledge while sanitizing all given sensitive itemsets. Distortion‐based sensitive itemset hiding algorithms decrease the support of each sensitive itemset under a predefined sensitive threshold through sanitization. Most of the distortion‐based itemset hiding algorithms allow database owner to define a single sensitive threshold for each sensitive itemset. However, this is a limitation to the database owner since the importance of each sensitive itemset varies. In this paper we propose a distortion‐based itemset hiding algorithm that allows database owner to assign multiple sensitive thresholds, namely itemset oriented pseudo graph based sanitization (IPGBS) algorithm. The purpose of IPGBS algorithm is to give minimum distortion to the nonsensitive knowledge and data while hiding all sensitive itemsets. For this reason, the IPGBS algorithm modifies least amount of transaction and transaction content. The performance evaluation of the IPGBS algorithm is conducted by using two different counterparts on four different databases. The results show that the IPGBS algorithm is more efficient in terms of nonsensitive frequent itemset loss on both dense and sparse databases. It has considerable good results in terms of number of transactions modified, number of items deleted, execution time and total memory allocation as
well.
On‐Chip Electrical Monitoring of Real‐Time “Soft” and “Hard” Protein Corona Formation on Carbon Nanoparticles
Authors: Srivastava Indrajit , Khan Muhammad S. , Dighe Ketan , Alafeef Maha , Wang Zhen , Banerjee Tuseeta , Ghonge Tanmay , Grove Lauren M. , Bashir Rashid , Pan Dipanjan
Published: April 2020

When nanoparticles encounter a biological fluid, proteins, lipids, and other biomolecules adsorb on the nanoscale surface consequently leading to the evolution of a protein shell or “corona.” The corona formed is dynamic in nature and depends on the “synthetic identity” of the NPs, ultimately affecting their biological response. In this paper, an integrated microfluidic platform coupled with an electrical resistance measurement setup is developed to monitor and investigate the real‐time formation of a biomolecular corona of carbon nanoparticles. “Soft” and “hard” corona formation stages are effectively discriminated based on their nanoscale surface chemistries when combined with a time‐frequency tool known as wavelet transform and machine‐learning techniques. Additionally, the corona and its composition are studied using different techniques such as dynamic light scattering, nanoparticle tracking analysis, zeta potential, excitation–emission profiles, 1D sodium dodecyl polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and subsequently, liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry analysis. The dynamic setup can eventually be used as a valuable tool for screening of any nanoparticles formulations with distinct surface chemistries for the purpose of reduced protein adsorption/weaker protein corona formation and consequently enhance the success of targeted drug delivery.
Measuring Reading Motivation: A Cautionary Tale
Authors: Jones Sara
Published: April 2020

Measuring students’ reading motivation is a common practice in literacy classrooms, and results often inform instruction. This mixed‐methods study problematizes this practice, raising tensions between how reading motivation is measured and its enactment in a reading class. Key tensions include reading motivation as competition versus a collective endeavor, reading motivation emphasizing teacher‐directed learning versus student‐led learning, and reading motivation valuing texts as windows versus mirrors. The author suggests that teachers should take a critical lens to reading motivation measurement tools before using them.
Study on the Use of Rare Earth Stabilizer as Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Stabilizer
Authors: Liu Zhaogang , Fan Junwei , Feng Jiameng , Li Mei , Hu Yanhong , Hao Wei , Feng Fushan
Published: April 2020

Lanthanum aminobenzoate (LAB), cerium aminobenzoate (CAB), and lanthanum and cerium aminobenzoate (LCAB) were synthesized with p‐aminobenzoic acid, lanthanum nitrate, or cerium nitrate as raw materials to study the influence of different rare earth elements on the stability of rare earth stabilizers. The thermal stability of by CAB, LCAB, and LAB toward poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) was studied. The results of Congo red test and thermal aging test showed when three rare earth stabilizers acted independently, the advantages and disadvantages of thermal stability are as follows: LAB > CAB > LCAB. However, in compound experiments, the thermal stability of composite stabilizers compounded by CAB or LCAB with zinc stearate, calcium stearate, or pentaerythritol (PE) was slightly better than that of composite stabilizers compounded by LAB. Among of them, when the compounding scheme was LCAB:zinc stearate:PE = 1:1:3, the thermal stability time reached 60 minutes; CAB:zinc stearate:PE = 1:1:3, the thermal stability time reached 50 minutes, compared with the rare earth stabilizer alone, the composite thermal stabilizer gave PVC samples better antidiscoloration performance and longer thermal stability time.
Evaluation of different methods for gap filling of long‐term actual evapotranspiration time series measured by lysimeters
Authors: Huang Yafei , Hendricks Franssen Harrie‐Jan , Herbst Michael , Hirschi Martin , Michel Dominik , Seneviratne Sonia I. , Teuling Adriaan J. , Vogt Roland , Detlef Schumacher , Pütz Thomas , Vereecken Harry
Published: April 2020

Terrestrial evapotranspiration (ET) is the second largest water flux in the global water cycle. It can be measured with different techniques; weighable lysimeters can provide very accurate measurements, and some very long‐term time series exist. However, these lysimeter time series are affected by data gaps that must be filled to estimate actual ET totals and long‐term trends. In this paper, we explore four different gap‐filling methods: the potential ET‐method, the ratio method, the FAO‐based water balance method, and HYDRUS modeling. These gap‐filling methods were evaluated for three time series of actual ET measured by lysimeters and meteorological data of three European sites. Separate evaluations were made for the five driest and five wettest April–October periods to investigate whether the performance of the gap‐filling methods was affected by hydrological conditions. Series of random gaps were artificially created for the three time series, including gaps of four different lengths. Actual ET was estimated for these gaps with the gap‐filling methods, which were evaluated based on RMSE and mean bias error. The results show that the ratio method outperformed other methods for gap filling of lysimeter data for Basel (Switzerland), whereas the HYDRUS method outperformed other methods for Rheindahlen (Germany). For Rietholzbach (Switzerland), the different methods performed very similarly, except that the FAO method gives slightly larger RMSEs. The gap‐filling methods do not perform very differently for dry and wet conditions. The ratio method is recommended for filling smaller gaps, and the HYDRUS method is recommended for longer gaps of 30 d.
Thermoelectric Properties and Stability of Nanocomposites Type I Clathrate Ba‐Cu‐Si with SiC
Authors: Yan Xinlin , Bauer Ernst , Rogl Peter , Bernardi Johannes , Prokofiev Andrey , Paschen Silke
Published: April 2020

Thermoelectric (TE) materials attract interest for the capability of converting waste heat into electricity. Nanostructuring is considered as an effective approach to improve the conversion efficiency by reducing the lattice thermal conductivity. Nanostructured materials are metastable due to the high interface energy of grain boundaries, therefore they lose easily the nanostructure features during the thermal cycling at high temperatures, i.e., showing instabilities in TE properties. Here we show the structural/microstructural stability of type I clathrate nanocomposites in the Ba‐Cu‐Si system with SiC as the secondary phase. SiC has no influence on the crystal structure of the type I clathrate and very limited contributions to the grain size reduction and size‐growth prevention during the ball milling and hot pressing processes, but stabilizes the TE properties during thermal cycling. A high bulk density and as low as possible contamination in nanocomposites are essential for high TE performance and high stability in nanostructured materials.
Thickness‐controlled Growth of Silicalite Membranes on Cerium Oxide Supports
Authors: Krumeich Frank , Abegg Sebastian , Güntner Andreas T.
Published: April 2020

Layers of silicalite crystals with controlled thicknesses were deposited on cerium oxide porous disks by hydrothermal synthesis. The morphology and structure of the ceramic composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD) and (scanning) transmission electron microscopy ((S)TEM) and compared to zeolite layers on aluminum oxide supports. The elemental distribution, as visualized in elemental mappings by energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDXS), confirm the formation of the zeolite layer and reveal the incorporation of zeolite crystals inside the pores of the supporting oxide. Zeolite layer integrity was assessed by gas permeation tests. These composites can be utilized as gas separators and can increase the selectivity of gas sensors or applied in catalysis.
Keto‐stabilized Arsenic Ylides and their Coordination to Gold(I)
Authors: Ehlers Ferdinand , Strumberger Jana M. , Mohr Fabian
Published: April 2020

Three different arsonium salts were prepared by a solvent‐free method from Ph3As and the respective 2‐bromoacetophenones. These salts were deprotonated by NaOH to form keto‐stabilized arsenic ylides. The ylids react with [AuCl(tht)] affording gold(I) complexes containing the C‐bound ylide. The compounds were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction.
Fortbildung von Allgemein- und Viszeralchirurgen in der lebensrettenden Notfallchirurgie
Authors:   Chirurgische Arbeitsgemeinschaft Militär- und Notfallchirurgie (CAMIN) der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Allgemein- und Viszeralchirurgie (DGAV), Güsgen C. , Anger F. , Hauer T. , Willms A. , Buhr H. J. , Germer C.-T. , Schwab R. , Lock J. F.
Published: April 2020

Hintergrund

Die geringe Anzahl operativ zu versorgender Körperhöhlenverletzungen erfordert ein Umdenken in der chirurgischen Aus- und Weiterbildung. Ein entsprechendes Kursformat wird seit 2014 über die DGAV angeboten. Um Berechtigung, Bedarf, Nutzen und Erfolg eines solchen Kursformates zu erheben, erfolgte eine Evaluation durch die bisherigen Kursteilnehmer.

Material und Methoden

Kursevaluation und zusätzliche Onlinebefragung der bisherigen Kursteilnehmer hinsichtlich Alter, Geschlecht, Ausbildungsstand, Fachrichtung, Versorgungsstufe des Krankenhauses, notfallchirurgischer Erfahrungen, der Häufigkeit chirurgischer Notfallversorgungen, Teilnahme an anderen Kursformaten, Erfahrungen nach der Kursteilnahme, Einschätzung der aktuellen Fort- und Weiterbildungssituation und Finanzierung solcher Kurse.

Ergebnisse

Insgesamt 142 Kursteilnehmer evaluierten ihre Kursteilnahme, zusätzlich beantworteten 83 den Onlinefragebogen. Über 90 % berichteten von einem nachhaltigen positiven Einfluss des Kurses auf ihr notfallchirurgisches Handeln. Mehr als die Hälfte konnte von konkreten Notfallsituationen berichten, die sie aufgrund der Kursteilnahme besser bewältigen konnten. In der Notfallversorgung erfahrene Chirurgen bewerteten den eigenen Lernerfolg durch die Kursteilnahme signifikant häufiger positiv als ihre weniger erfahrenen Kollegen. Keinen Einfluss auf den Lernerfolg hatten eine Ober- oder Chefarztposition, die Versorgungsstufe des Krankenhauses, das Alter oder Geschlecht der Teilnehmer. Die Mehrheit der antwortenden Chirurgen befürwortet die Integration eines solchen Kursformates in die chirurgische Weiterbildung und fordert hierzu eine finanzielle Unterstützung.

Schlussfolgerung

Kursformate, in denen notfallchirurgische Strategien und Fähigkeiten vermittelt werden, sind etabliert und werden sehr positiv evaluiert. Die Fort- und Weiterbildung in notfallchirurgischen Fähigkeiten und Kenntnissen liegt im gesellschaftlichen Interesse und zumindest anteilig auch in ihrer Verantwortung.
Achilles tendon ruptures during summer show the lowest incidence, but exhibit an increased risk of re-rupture
Authors: Saarensilta I. A. , Edman G. , Ackermann P. W.
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) is a common injury. The knowledge of seasonal factors´ impact is incomplete, but may provide means for preventive approaches for Achilles tendon related morbidity. The aim of this study was to investigate seasonal variations in ATR incidence in relation to injury mechanism, adverse events including risk of re-rupture, and patient-reported outcome in adults in Stockholm, Sweden.

Methods

In total, 349 patients with unilateral acute Achilles tendon rupture, prospectively treated with standardized surgical techniques, were retrospectively assessed. Date of injury was assigned to one of the four internationally defined meteorological seasons in the northern hemisphere. Injury mechanism and the rate of adverse events; deep venous thrombosis, infection and re-rupture in relation to per-operative complications. Patient-reported outcome at 1 year was assessed with the validated Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score.

Results

ATR incidence was significantly highest during winter and spring, and lowest during summer (p < 0.05). The most common sporting activities associated with ATR were badminton, floorball and soccer (> 50%). The rate of soccer-related ATR was highest during summer (p < 0.05). Patients sustaining an ATR during summer, compared to other seasons, exhibited more per-operative complications (p < 0.05), a significantly higher risk of re-rupture (p < 0.05) and a lower rate of good outcome (n.s.). The risk of other adverse events after ATR did not differ between the seasons.

Conclusion

Winter and spring are the high risk seasons for sports-related ATR and the risk sports are badminton, soccer and floorball. The reason for the higher risk of re-rupture after ATR repair during summer should be further investigated.

Level of evidence

III.
On the Difference Between Realistic and Fantastic Imagining
Authors: Gauker Christopher
Published: April 2020

When we imaginatively picture what might happen, we may take what we imagine to be either realistic or fantastic. A wine glass falling to the floor and shattering is realistic. A wine glass falling and morphing into a bird and flying away is fantastic. What does the distinction consist in? Two important necessary conditions are here defined. The first is a condition on the realistic representation of spatial configuration, grounded in an account of the imagistic representation of spatial configuration. The second is a condition on the manner in which realistic courses of mental imagery may be grounded in remembered perceptions. This is defined in terms of an account of the representation of comparative similarity.
Quantum learning Boolean linear functions w.r.t. product distributions
Authors: Caro Matthias C.
Published: April 2020

The problem of learning Boolean linear functions from quantum examples w.r.t. the uniform distribution can be solved on a quantum computer using the Bernstein–Vazirani algorithm (Bernstein and Vazirani, in: Kosaraju (ed) Proceedings of the twenty-fifth annual ACM symposium on theory of computing, ACM, New York, 1993. 10.1145/167088.167097). A similar strategy can be applied in the case of noisy quantum training data, as was observed in Grilo et al. (Learning with errors is easy with quantum samples, 2017). However, extensions of these learning algorithms beyond the uniform distribution have not yet been studied. We employ the biased quantum Fourier transform introduced in Kanade et al. (Learning dnfs under product distributions via $$\mu $$μ-biased quantum Fourier sampling, 2018) to develop efficient quantum algorithms for learning Boolean linear functions on n bits from quantum examples w.r.t. a biased product distribution. Our first procedure is applicable to any (except full) bias and requires $$\mathcal {O}(\ln (n))$$O(ln(n)) quantum examples. The number of quantum examples used by our second algorithm is independent of n, but the strategy is applicable only for small bias. Moreover, we show that the second procedure is stable w.r.t. noisy training data and w.r.t. faulty quantum gates. This also enables us to solve a version of the learning problem in which the underlying distribution is not known in advance. Finally, we prove lower bounds on the classical and quantum sample complexities of the learning problem. Whereas classically, $$\varOmega (n)$$Ω(n) examples are necessary independently of the bias, we are able to establish a quantum sample complexity lower bound of $$\varOmega (\ln (n))$$Ω(ln(n)) only under an assumption of large bias. Nevertheless, this allows for a discussion of the performance of our suggested learning algorithms w.r.t. sample complexity. With our analysis, we contribute to a more quantitative understanding of the power and limitations of quantum training data for learning classical functions.
A Survey of Computational Tools in Solar Physics
Authors: Bobra Monica G. , Mumford Stuart J. , Hewett Russell J. , Christe Steven D. , Reardon Kevin , Savage Sabrina , Ireland Jack , Pereira Tiago M. D. , Chen Bin , Pérez-Suárez David
Published: April 2020

The SunPy Project developed a 13-question survey to understand the software and hardware usage of the solar-physics community. Of the solar-physics community, 364 members across 35 countries responded to our survey. We found that $99\pm 0.5$99±0.5% of respondents use software in their research and 66% use the Python scientific-software stack. Students are twice as likely as faculty, staff scientists, and researchers to use Python rather than Interactive Data Language (IDL). In this respect, the astrophysics and solar-physics communities differ widely: 78% of solar-physics faculty, staff scientists, and researchers in our sample uses IDL, compared with 44% of astrophysics faculty and scientists sampled by Momcheva and Tollerud (2015). $63\pm 4$63±4% of respondents have not taken any computer-science courses at an undergraduate or graduate level. We also found that most respondents use consumer hardware to run software for solar-physics research. Although 82% of respondents work with data from space-based or ground-based missions, some of which (e.g. the Solar Dynamics Observatory and Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope) produce terabytes of data a day, 14% use a regional or national cluster, 5% use a commercial cloud provider, and 29% use exclusively a laptop or desktop. Finally, we found that $73\pm 4$73±4% of respondents cite scientific software in their research, although only $42\pm 3$42±3% do so routinely.
The pricing of European non-performing real estate loan portfolios: evidence on stock market evaluation of complex asset sales
Authors: Manz Florian , Müller Birgit , Schiereck Dirk
Published: April 2020

Recent empirical evidence raises doubt about the ability of financial market participants to generate information efficient valuations for capital market instruments whose cash flows are related to residual claims and dependent on real estate income. We contribute to this literature with the examination of value implications of non-performing loan (NPL) divestitures in the banking industry during the period 2012–2018. In a first step, we provide descriptive statistics of the European NPL market, which lacks transparency and publicly available basic information on portfolio size and components. We then analyze wealth effects of distressed loan sale announcements for a uniquely large transaction database with 317 NPL deals, which is largely driven by real estate collateral. Our results show positive stock market reactions for vendor banks following NPL divestitures that tend to be driven by real estate collateral and a size effect.
Aktivierende Erwerbsminderungsrente? Zur Rückkehr auf den Arbeitsmarkt nach Erwerbsminderung
Authors: Brussig Martin , Drescher Susanne Eva , Kalina Thorsten
Published: April 2020

Die Sicherung gegen Erwerbsminderung gehört zu den klassischen Aufgaben des Sozialstaates. Im deutschen Rentenrecht sind Erwerbsminderungsrenten grundsätzlich zu befristen. Darin drückt sich die Annahme aus, dass eine Erwerbsminderung im Regelfall nur vorübergehend währen würde. Durch die Reform des Erwerbsminderungsrechts 2001 wurde das Ziel der Rückkehr in Beschäftigung gestärkt. Der Beitrag untersucht, wie oft vor Vollendung des 60. Lebensjahres nach einer Erwerbsminderungsrente der Übergang in Beschäftigung gelingt und wem sie gelingt. Die Untersuchungsergebnisse auf Basis der Versichertenkontenstichprobe 2015 zeigen, dass 12,6 % der ehemaligen Erwerbsminderungsrentner_innen zwölf Monate nach dem Auslaufen der Rente wieder in Beschäftigung sind; weitere 8,7 % sind arbeitslos. Der überwiegende Anteil scheidet mit Vollendung des 60. Lebensjahres aus der Beobachtung aus; hier ist letztlich ein dauerhafter Rentenbezug sehr wahrscheinlich. Vor allem Jüngeren gelingt der Übergang in einen erwerbsnahen Zustand (beschäftigt oder arbeitslos). Auch nach dem Ende einer Erwerbsminderungsrente sind die Erwerbsverläufe oft instabil. Eine Wirkung aufgrund der Reform von 2001 ist nicht zu erkennen.
The Effect of Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass Surgery on Insulin Resistance and Glycosylated Hemoglobin A1c: a 2-Year Follow-up Study
Authors: Stenberg Erik , Rask Eva , Szabo Eva , Näslund Ingmar , Ottosson Johan
Published: April 2020

Background

Bariatric surgery improves insulin sensitivity and secretion in patients with type 2 diabetes, but the effect on patients with prediabetes or even normal glucose tolerance deserves further consideration.

Methods

Cohort study including patients operated with laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (LRYGB) between November 2012 and June 2017 at the Örebro University Hospital (n = 813) with follow-up of 742 patients 2 years after surgery. Fasting insulin, glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were analyzed at baseline and 2 years after surgery for patients with overt type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, or non-diabetes.

Results

Fasting insulin levels improved for all groups (diabetics baseline 25.5 mIU/L, IQR 17.5–38.0, 2 years 7.6 mIU/L, IQR 5.4–11.1, p < 0.001; prediabetics baseline 25.0 mIU/L, IQR 17.5–35.0, 2 years 6.7mIU/L, IQR 5.3–8.8, p < 0.001; non-diabetics baseline 20.0 mIU/L, IQR 14.0–30.0, 2 years 6.4 mIU/L, IQR 5.0–8.5, p < 0.001). HbA1c improved in all groups (diabetics baseline 56 mmol/mol, IQR 49–74 [7.3%, IQP 6.6–8.9], 2 years 38 mmol/mol, IQR 36–47 [5.6%, IQR 5.4–6.4], p < 0.001; prediabetics baseline 40 mmol/mol, IQR 39–42 [5.8%, IQR5.7–6.0], 2 years 36 mmol/mol, IQR 34–38 [5.5%, IQR 5.3–5.6], p < 0.001; non-diabetics baseline 35 mmol/mol, IQR 33–37 [5.4%, IQR 5.2–5.5]; 2 years 34 mmol/mol, IQR 31–36 [5.3%, IQR 5.0–5.4], p < 0.001). HOMA-IR improved in all groups (diabetics baseline 9.3 mmol/mol, IQR 5.4–12.9, 2 years 1.9 mmol/mol, IQR 1.4–2.7, p < 0.001; prediabetics baseline 7.0 mmol/mol, IQR 4.3–9.9, 2 years 1.6 mmol/mol, IQR 1.2–2.1, p < 0.001; non-diabetics 4.9 mmol/mol, IQR 3.4–7.3, 2 years 1.4 mmol/mol, IQR 1.1–1.9, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Insulin homeostasis and glucometabolic control improve in all patients after LRYGB, not only in diabetics but also in prediabetics and non-diabetic obese patients, and this improvement is sustained 2 years after surgery.
Ricci de Turck Flow on Singular Manifolds
Authors: Vertman Boris
Published: April 2020

In this paper, we prove local existence of a Ricci de Turck flow starting at a space with incomplete edge singularities and flowing for a short time within a class of incomplete edge manifolds. We derive regularity properties for the corresponding family of Riemannian metrics and discuss boundedness of the Ricci curvature along the flow. For Riemannian metrics that are sufficiently close to a flat incomplete edge metric, we prove long-time existence of the Ricci de Turck flow. Under certain conditions, our results yield existence of Ricci flow on spaces with incomplete edge singularities. The proof works by a careful analysis of the Lichnerowicz Laplacian and the Ricci de Turck flow equation.
Antifungal Activity of Several Vegetable Origin Household Waste Extracts Against Wood-Decaying Fungi In Vitro
Authors: Barbero-López Aitor
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to identify if vegetable origin household wastes (VHWs) can be used in wood preservative formulations.

Method

An antifungal activity test of the VHW hot water extracts against wood-decaying fungi in vitro was performed.

Results

Out of the 17 studied VHW extracts 14 showed some antifungal activity against at least one fungi. Extracts from banana, tangerine and watermelon peels and discarded onion peels inhibited fungal growth the most.

Conclusions

The results demonstrate that VHWs are a source of antifungal chemicals, which can be considered as an alternative or additive to present wood preservatives formulations.

Graphic Abstract