bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemical shift–based prospective k‐space anonymization
Authors: Mattern Hendrik , Knoll Martin , Lüsebrink Falk , Speck Oliver
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Publicly available data provision is an essential part of open science. However, open data can conflict with data privacy and data protection regulations. Head scans are particularly vulnerable because the subject’s face can be reconstructed from the acquired images. Although defacing can impede subject identification in reconstructed images, this approach is not applicable to k‐space raw data. To address this challenge and allow defacing of raw data for publication, we present chemical shift–based prospective k‐space anonymization (CHARISMA).

Methods

In spin‐warp imaging, fat shift occurs along the frequency‐encoding direction. By placing an oil‐filled mask onto the subject’s face, the shifted fat signal can overlap with the face to deface k‐space during the acquisition. The CHARISMA approach was tested for gradient‐echo sequences in a single subject wearing the oil‐filled mask at 7 T. Different fat shifts were compared by varying the readout bandwidth. Furthermore, intensity‐based segmentation was used to test whether the images could be unmasked retrospectively.

Results

To impede subject identification after retrospective unmasking, the signal of face and shifted oil should overlap. In this single‐subject study, a shift of 3.3 mm to 4.9 mm resulted in the most efficient masking. Independent of CHARISMA, long TEs induce signal decay and dephasing, which impeded unmasking.

Conclusion

To our best knowledge, CHARISMA is the first prospective k‐space defacing approach. With proper fat‐shift direction and amplitude, this easy‐to‐build, low‐cost solution impaired subject identification in gradient‐echo data considerably. Further sequences will be tested with CHARISMA in the future.
Time Delay of Initiation of some Primary Explosives and Initiating Mixtures when Exposed to Continuous IR Laser Radiation
Authors: Kolesov Vasily I. , Konovalov Alexey N. , Manakhova Ekaterina S. , Ul'yanov Valery A. , Yudin Nikolay V.
Published: August 2020

Laser initiation of energetic materials is a topic of significant interest. An extremely important parameter of initiation for numerous applied tasks is the time delay of initiation from the beginning of laser exposure. Experimental studies of the process of initiation of a number of primary explosives (lead styphnate (LS), lead azide, (LA)) and initiating mixtures (potassium perchlorate and potassium hexacyanoferrate (III) (PP/PH), bismuth oxide and aluminum ‐ nanothermite (NT)) under the exposure of a continuous IR (0.915 μm) laser with a power of up to 10 W were carried out. The time delay of initiation of these explosives was measured. It is shown that nanothermite (NT) has the lowest time delays and minimal initiation thresholds. At a laser power of 1 W and a light spot diameter of 0.5 mm (intensity 0.5 kW / cm2) the time delay of NT initiation was 1.2–1.8 ms. For other explosives with such a laser spot diameter, the initiation threshold was 2–3 W (1–1.5 kW/cm2). It is shown that mixtures of these explosives photosensitized by 0.5 % nanoaluminum have an initiation threshold ten times lower than for pure materials. For such compositions, the initiation time delay was 2–10 ms at the laser radiation intensity of 0.5 kW/cm2. It was found that for the PP/PH material there is a certain limit on the minimum time delay of initiation, which was 0.1–0.15 ms. It is suggested that this effect is associated with the micro‐hotspot nature of laser initiation of EM and the presence of a critical zone of initiation.
Predicting new drug indications for prostate cancer: The integration of an in silico proteochemometric network pharmacology platform with patient‐derived primary prostate cells
Authors: Naeem Aisha , Dakshanamurthy Sivanesan , Walthieu Henry , Parasido Erika , Avantaggiati Maria , Tricoli Lucas , Kumar Deepak , Lee Richard J. , Feldman Adam , Noon Muhammad S. , Byers Stephen , Rodriguez Olga , Albanese Chris
Published: August 2020

Background

Drug repurposing enables the discovery of potential cancer treatments using publically available data from over 4000 published Food and Drug Administration approved and experimental drugs. However, the ability to effectively evaluate the drug's efficacy remains a challenge. Impediments to broad applicability include inaccuracies in many of the computational drug‐target algorithms and a lack of clinically relevant biologic modeling systems to validate the computational data for subsequent translation.

Methods

We have integrated our computational proteochemometric systems network pharmacology platform, DrugGenEx‐Net, with primary, continuous cultures of conditionally reprogrammed (CR) normal and prostate cancer (PCa) cells derived from treatment‐naive patients with primary PCa.

Results

Using the transcriptomic data from two matched pairs of benign and tumor‐derived CR cells, we constructed drug networks to describe the biological perturbation associated with each prostate cell subtype at multiple levels of biological action. We prioritized the drugs by analyzing these networks for statistical coincidence with the drug action networks originating from known and predicted drug‐protein targets. Prioritized drugs shared between the two patients’ PCa cells included carfilzomib (CFZ), bortezomib (BTZ), sulforaphane, and phenethyl isothiocyanate. The effects of these compounds were then tested in the CR cells, in vitro. We observed that the IC50 values of the normal PCa CR cells for CFZ and BTZ were higher than their matched tumor CR cells. Transcriptomic analysis of CFZ‐treated CR cells revealed that genes involved in cell proliferation, proteases, and downstream targets of serine proteases were inhibited while KLK7 and KLK8 were induced in the tumor‐derived CR cells.

Conclusions

Given that the drugs in the database are extremely well‐characterized and that the patient‐derived cells are easily scalable for high throughput drug screening, this combined in vitro and in silico approach may significantly advance personalized PCa treatment and for other cancer applications.
Bayesian fit analysis to full distribution data of $$ \overline{\mathrm{B}}\to {\mathrm{D}}^{\left(\ast \right)}\mathrm{\ell}\overline{\nu }:\left|{\mathrm{V}}_{\mathrm{cb}}\right| $$ determination and new physics constraints
Authors: Iguro Syuhei , Watanabe Ryoutaro
Published: August 2020

Abstract

We investigate the semi-leptonic decays of

$$ B\to {D}^{\left(\ast \right)}\mathrm{\ell}\overline{\nu } $$

B
→

D

∗

ℓ

ν
¯

in terms of the Heavy-Quark-Effective-Theory (HQET) parameterization for the form factors, which is described with the heavy quark expansion up to

$$ \mathcal{O}\left(1/{m}_c^2\right) $$

O

1
/

m
c
2

beyond the simple approximation considered in the original CLN parameterization. An analysis with this setup was first given in the literature, and then we extend it to the comprehensive analyses including (i) simultaneous fit of |V

cb
| and the HQET parameters to available experimental full distribution data and theory constraints, and (ii) New Physics (NP) contributions of the V
2 and T types, such as

$$ \left(\overline{c}{\upgamma}^{\mu }{P}_Rb\right)\left(\overline{\mathrm{\ell}}{\gamma}_{\mu }{P}_L\nu \mathrm{\ell}\right)\kern0.5em \mathrm{and}\kern0.5em \left(\overline{c}{\sigma}^{\mu \nu}{P}_Lb\right)\left(\overline{\mathrm{\ell}}{\sigma}_{\mu \nu}{P}_L{\nu}_{\mathrm{\ell}}\right) $$

c
¯

γ
μ

P
R

b

ℓ
¯

γ
μ

P
L

ν
ℓ

and

c
¯

σ
μν

P
L

b

ℓ
¯

σ
μν

P
L

ν
ℓ

, to the decay distributions and rates. For this purpose, we perform Bayesian fit analyses by using Stan program, a state-of-the-art public platform for statistical computation. Then, we show that our |V

cb
| fit results for the SM scenarios are close to the PDG combined average from the exclusive mode, and indicate significance of the angular distribution data. In turn, for the SM + NP scenarios, our fit analyses find that non-zero NP contribution is favored at the best fit point for both SM + V
2 and SM + T depending on the HQET parameterization model. A key feature is then realized in the

$$ \overline{B}\to {D}^{\left(\ast \right)}\tau \overline{\nu} $$

B
¯

→

D

∗

τ

ν
¯

observables. Our fit result of the HQET parameters in the SM(+T) produces a consistent value for R

D
while smaller for

$$ {R}_{D^{\ast }} $$

R

D
∗

, compared with the previous SM prediction in the HFLAV report. On the other hand, SM + V
2 points to smaller and larger values for R

D
and

$$ {R}_{D^{\ast }} $$

R

D
∗

than the SM predictions. In particular, the

$$ {R}_{D^{\ast }} $$

R

D
∗

deviation from the experimental measurement becomes smaller, which could be interesting for future improvement on measurements at the Belle II experiment.
Künstliche Intelligenz zur Unterstützung der Telemedizin am Beispiel Afrikas
Authors: Greis C. , Maul L. V. , Hsu C. , Djamei V. , Schmid-Grendelmeier P. , Navarini A. A.
Published: August 2020

Telemedizin findet seit Jahrzehnten Anwendung im Alltag von Dermatologen. Insbesondere in afrikanischen Ländern mit begrenzter medizinischer Versorgung, zu überbrückenden geografischen Distanzen und einem zwischenzeitlich relativ gut ausgebauten Telekommunikationssektor liegen die Vorteile auf der Hand. Nationale und internationale Arbeitsgruppen unterstützen den Aufbau von teledermatologischen Projekten und bedienen sich in den letzten Jahren zunehmend KI(künstliche Intelligenz)-gestützter Technologien, um Ärzte vor Ort zu unterstützen. Vor diesem Hintergrund stellen ethnische Variationen eine besondere Herausforderung in der Entwicklung automatisierter Algorithmen dar. Um die Genauigkeit der Systeme weiter zu verbessern und globalisieren zu können, ist es wichtig, die Zahl der verfügbaren klinischen Daten zu erhöhen. Dies kann nur mit der aktiven Beteiligung der lokalen Gesundheitsversorger sowie der dermatologischen Gemeinschaft gelingen und muss stets im Interesse des einzelnen Patienten erfolgen.
Roboterassistierte (RA-)Kinderchirurgie: Nierenbeckenplastiken mit dem Da-Vinci-Roboter
Authors: Ammer E. , Kahl Dr. F.
Published: August 2020

Hintergrund

Im Ausland stellt die roboterassistierte (RA-)Chirurgie und hier besonders die RA-Urologie in der Kinderchirurgie bereits eine wichtige Alternative zu konventionellen Eingriffen (offen, laparoskopisch, laparoskopisch-assistiert) dar. Für Deutschland wurden dazu erst wenige Untersuchungen publiziert.

Ziel der Arbeit (Fragestellung)

Im Sinne einer vergleichenden Serie sollten die ersten Fälle von RA-Nierenbecken-Plastiken der Kinderchirurgie der Universitätsmedizin Göttingen im Vergleich zu konventionell laparoskopisch-assistierten (LAA) vor dem Hintergrund der internationalen Literatur evaluiert werden.

Material und Methoden

Es werden retrospektiv die ersten 13 RA und 14, unter Berücksichtigung des Patientenalters ausgewählte, konventionell LAA Anderson-Hynes-Plastiken hinsichtlich Operationsdauer, Krankenhausverweildauer, Alter der Patienten, Komplikationen und Rezidiven untersucht. Laparoskopisch-assistierte Operationen werden laparoskopisch durchgeführt, lediglich die Anlage der Anastomose erfolgt über einen kleinen Flankenschnitt extrakorporal. Roboterassistierte Eingriffe verlaufen gänzlich laparoskopisch.

Ergebnisse

Für die Operationsdauer ergab sich kein signifikanter Unterschied (111,54 min vs. 117,64 min). Die Liegezeit fiel für RA-Eingriffe signifikant kürzer aus (5,85 Tage vs. 10,0 Tage). Die Altersverteilung ergab für die RA-Kohorte ein Mittel von 52,23 Monaten und für die LAA 30,29 Monate. Die Komplikationsrate betrug 15,38 % (Harntransportstörung, paralytischer Ileus und Dislokation des PDK sowie Omentumprolaps), die Rezidivrate 7,69 % für die RA Eingriffe. Für die LAA operierten Patienten und Patientinnen lagen die Werte bei 7,14 % (Dislokation der Doppel-J-Schiene nach kranial) und 14,28 %.

Diskussion

Die ersten RA-Nierenbecken-Plastiken unserer Klinik wiesen im internationalen Vergleich ähnliche Werte für Operationsdauer, Komplikations- sowie Rezidivrate auf. Es zeigten sich ein ähnliches Outcome für beide Operationsverfahren und keine signifikante Zeitersparnis durch Verwendung des OP-Roboters. Im Gegensatz dazu fiel die Krankenhausverweildauer nach RA-Eingriffen signifikant kürzer aus als nach LAA-Operationen. In der internationalen Literatur finden sich jedoch auch insgesamt kürzere Liegezeiten. Insgesamt stellen RA-Nierenbecken-Plastiken eine wertvolle Alterative zu LAA-Verfahren dar.
Improvements of the coupled WRF-Lake model over Lake Nam Co, Central Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Wu Yang , Huang Anning , Lazhu  , Yang Xianyu , Qiu Bo , Wen Lijuan , Zhang Zhiqi , Fu Zhipeng , Zhu Xueyan , Zhang Xindan , Cai Shuxin , Tang Yong
Published: August 2020

A series of model sensitivity simulations are carried out to calibrate and improve the Weather Research and Forecasting Model coupled with a one-dimensional lake model (WRF-Lake) based on observations over Lake Nam Co. Using the default lake model parameters, the solution of WRF-Lake exhibits significant biases in both the lake thermodynamics and regional climatology, i.e., higher lake surface temperature (LST), earlier onset of summer thermal stratification, and overestimated near-surface air temperature and precipitation induced by the lake’s excessive warming and moistening impacts. The performance of WRF-Lake is improved through adjusting the initial lake temperature profile, the temperature of maximum water density (Tdmax), the surface roughness length, and the light extinction coefficient. Results show that initializing the water temperature with spring observation mitigates the LST overestimation and reduces the timing error of the onset of thermal stratification. By further adjusting Tdmax from 4 °C to the observed value of 3.5 °C, the LST increase from June to mid-July is enhanced and the buildup of thermal stratification is more accurately predicted. Through incorporating the parameterized surface roughness length and decreasing the light extinction coefficient, the model better reproduces the observed daily evolution of LST and vertical lake temperature profile. The calibrated WRF-Lake effectively mitigates the overestimation of over-lake air temperature at 2 m height and precipitation over regions downwind the lake. This suggests that an improved lake scheme within the coupled WRF-Lake is essential for realistically simulating the lake–air interactions and the regional climate over the lake-rich Tibetan Plateau.
How to raise technology acceptance: user experience characteristics as technology-inherent determinants
Authors: Mlekus Lisa , Bentler Dominik , Paruzel Agnieszka , Kato-Beiderwieden Anna-Lena , Maier Günter W.
Published: August 2020

This paper in the journal “Gruppe. Interaktion. Organisation. (GIO)” presents a study that investigated user experience characteristics as determinants of technology acceptance. Organizations planning to implement new technologies are confronted with the challenge to ensure user acceptance. Barely accepted technologies are used less often, result in lower job satisfaction, and ultimately lead to performance losses. The technology acceptance model (Venkatesh and Bala 2008) incorporates determinants of information technology use. The model’s predictors have a strong focus on interindividual user characteristics (such as computer self-efficacy) and the job context (e.g., voluntariness). Yet, what is lacking in the model, are characteristics of the technology itself that can be used as starting points to design better technologies. To bridge this gap, we introduce the User Experience Technology Acceptance Model, and provide a first test of this model. In our online survey (N = 281), we investigated how technological determinants, more specifically user experience characteristics, affected technology acceptance. Except for two paths of our proposed model, all path coefficients were significant with small to large effect sizes (f2 = 0.02–0.66). User experience predictors resulted in 60.6% of explained variance in perceived ease of use, 38.2% of explained variance in perceived usefulness, and 25.8% of explained variance in behavioral intention. Our results provide mostly support for our extension of the technology acceptance model. The technology-inherent characteristics output quality, perspicuity, dependability, and novelty were significant predictors of technology acceptance. We discuss theoretical and practical implications with the focus on technology designers, change managers, and users.
Effect of Ce Addition on the Tribological Behavior of ZK60 Mg-Alloy
Authors: Banijamali S. M. , Palizdar Y. , Najafi S. , Sheikhani A. , Soltan Ali Nezhad M. , Valizadeh Moghaddam P. , Torkamani H.
Published: August 2020

The present work aims to study the tribological behavior of an extruded ZK60 alloy in the presence of Ce; in a previous study, among ZK60 alloys with different Ce addition rates, an alloy with 3 wt% of Ce was found to exhibit the most promising mechanical (e.g., hardness and strengths) properties, while its wear behavior remained unknown. The results of microstructural examinations by optical and electron microscopes show that Ce addition reduces the grain size from 6.1 to 2.0 μm. Besides, in addition to the precipitates already distributed in the base alloy (Mg7Zn3), Ce could promote the formation of a new precipitate (MgZn2Ce), increasing the total fraction of the precipitates. These microstructural evolutions enhance the strengths of the studied ZK60 alloy, as the yield and tensile strengths increase from 212 to 308 MPa and from 297 to 354 MPa, respectively. A pin on disc tribometer was employed to study the wear behavior of the developed alloy under different normal loads (5, 20, 40, and 60 N). The results show that the base and Ce-added alloys exhibit almost a similar frictional behavior, while the wear resistance of the Ce-added alloy is higher within the load ranges applied: (i) in low load conditions (5 and 20 N), where the abrasive wear is the active mechanism, the precipitates in the Ce-added alloy could enhance the wear resistance. (ii) Under the load of 40 N, oxidative wear is also an operative wear mechanism, leading to a sharp increase in the wear rate of the alloys. In this condition, Ce could provide a protective oxide layer, which could improve the wear resistance of the alloy. (iii) At a load of 60 N, both studied alloys exhibit a similar wear rate due to a severe oxidation condition. Therefore, beyond this loading condition, the microstructural evolutions (e.g., change in precipitation behavior) caused by Ce addition can no longer contribute to the enhancement of wear resistance.

Graphic Abstract
Effectiveness of participatory monitoring and evaluation on achievement of community-based water projects in Tanzania
Authors: Mgoba S. A. , Kabote S. J.
Published: August 2020

The Government of Tanzania is struggling to implement water projects throughout the country to ensure that 90% of the population has access to clean and safe drinking water by 2025. While most of the community-based water projects fail to deliver as expected, participatory monitoring and evaluation (PM&E), critical for projects’ achievement, is at an infancy stage. This article determines effectiveness of PM&E on achievement of community-based water projects’ objectives. The article adopted sequential exploratory research design to collect quantitative and qualitative data. A random sample of 120 water users in the government and NGOs funded projects was involved whereby 53.3% were women. Focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews were used to collect qualitative data. SPSS was used to summarize descriptive statistics. Kruskal–Wallis H test was used to compare median differences between the projects, while qualitative data were subjected to content analysis. Overall, 51.7% of the respondents reported that community-based water projects’ objectives were achieved except capacity building. The projects funded by NGOs recorded high achievement relative to the government funded projects. In addition, PM&E was effective in achieving water projects’ objectives. There was a statistically significant difference in responses between low, medium and high effectiveness of PM&E (P ≤ 0.05). Majority reported high effectiveness, more so for NGOs-funded water projects. The article concludes that PM&E was effective in achieving projects’ objectives except capacity building. Therefore, it recommends strengthening of capacity building for the local communities to manage community-based water projects effectively. This is a policy issue that needs serious efforts at all levels of the government.
Integrating brain imaging endophenotypes with GWAS for Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Knutson Katherine A. , Pan Wei
Published: August 2020

Background

Genome wide association studies (GWAS) have identified many genetic variants associated with increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). These susceptibility loci may effect AD indirectly through a combination of physiological brain changes. Many of these neuropathologic features are detectable via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods

In this study, we examine the effects of such brain imaging derived phenotypes (IDPs) with genetic etiology on AD, using and comparing the following methods: two‐sample Mendelian randomization (2SMR), generalized summary statistics based Mendelian randomization (GSMR), transcriptome wide association studies (TWAS) and the adaptive sum of powered score (aSPU) test. These methods do not require individual‐level genotypic and phenotypic data but instead can rely only on an external reference panel and GWAS summary statistics.

Results

Using publicly available GWAS datasets from the International Genomics of Alzheimer’s Project (IGAP) and UK Biobank’s (UKBB) brain imaging initiatives, we identify 35 IDPs possibly associated with AD, many of which have well established or biologically plausible links to the characteristic cognitive impairments of this neurodegenerative disease.

Conclusions

Our results highlight the increased power for detecting genetic associations achieved by multiple correlated SNP‐based methods, i.e., aSPU, GSMR and TWAS, over MR methods based on independent SNPs (as instrumental variables).

Availability

Example code is available at https://github.com/kathalexknuts/ADIDP.
The Impact of Co-occurring Anxiety and Alcohol Use Disorders on Video Telehealth Utilization Among Rural Veterans
Authors: Ecker Anthony H. , Amspoker Amber B. , Hogan Julianna B. , Lindsay Jan A.
Published: August 2020

Co-occurring anxiety and alcohol use disorders lead to poorer treatment outcomes for both disorders. Compounding risk for poor outcomes related to these disorders, individuals living in rural areas face barriers receiving evidence-based mental health treatment. Video to home telehealth (VTH) has been implemented broadly within the Veterans Health Administration to improve access to care for rural veterans. However, VTH may not be utilized equally across disorders and comorbidities, including co-occurring anxiety and alcohol use disorders, potentially contributing to gaps in care that are not available in person. A cohort of veterans who received at least one VTH mental health visit between fiscal years 2016–2019 was compiled from VA administrative data. Multilevel linear growth curve models were used to examine growth in VTH use over time among veterans with anxiety only, alcohol use disorder only, and co-occurring disorders. Fixed effects were significant for both time and diagnosis group and a significant interaction between time and group. For each subsequent fiscal year, the percentage of total MH visits that were VTH increased for all groups but less so for those with co-occurring anxiety and alcohol use diagnoses. Despite VTH being an important tool to reach underserved rural veterans, rural veterans with AUD and co-occurring anxiety and AUD are at risk for not receiving care using this modality. Findings suggest that veterans with co-occurring anxiety and AUD are especially at risk for being underserved, given that a major goal of VTH is to increase access to mental health services.
Die digitalisierte Demokratie. Ein Überblick
Authors: Borucki Isabelle , Michels Dennis , Marschall Stefan
Published: August 2020

Digitalisierung und Demokratie stehen in einem spezifischen Wechselverhältnis zueinander. Der Beitrag beleuchtet die Entwicklung der theoretischen Perspektiven, die den Zusammenhang von Digitalisierung und Demokratie in der Formationsphase der digitalisierten Demokratie begleiten. Neben einer „netzrealistischen Perspektive“ sticht dabei vor allem die Betrachtung von Digitalisierung und Demokratie als ko-evolutionärer Prozess auf dem Weg zu einer neuen Ordnung hervor. Zudem werden die zwei weiteren im Heft adressierten Bereiche der digitalen Öffentlichkeiten und digitalen Partizipation vorgestellt und ein Überblick über die Beiträge des Heftes gegeben.
Die Rolle der PSMA-PET-CT in der Diagnostik und Therapie des Prostatakarzinoms
Authors: Wetterauer C. , Seifert Helge , Chirindel A. , Nicolas G.
Published: August 2020

Die PSMA-PET-CT (Prostataspezifisches-Membranantigen-Positronenemissionstomographie-Computertomographie) ist eine nuklearmedizinische Hybridbildgebung aus Schnittbilddiagnostik mittels CT (Computertomographie) und radioaktiv markiertem Tracer (68Gallium- oder 18Fluor-markiertem PSMA-Liganden). Die simultane Bildgebung kombiniert die Vorteile der molekularen und morphologischen Bildgebung und ist dadurch die derzeit sensitivste und spezifischste Methode zum Nachweis von Prostatakarzinomrezidiven. Die PSMA-PET-CT zeigt auch in der Primärdiagnostik und beim Staging für Karzinome mit mittlerem und hohem Risikoprofil eine höhere diagnostische Genauigkeit als die bisher verwendete konventionelle Bildgebung (CT und Knochenszintigraphie). Die PSMA-PET-CT ist auch ein obligatorisches bildgebendes Verfahren für die Selektion von Patienten, für welche die PSMA-gerichtete Radionuklidtherapie (mit 177Lutetium-markierten PSMA-Liganden) in Frage kommt. Diese neue zielgerichtete Therapie stellt eine vielversprechende Therapieoption in der Zweit- oder Drittlinientherapie bei Patienten mit metastasiertem und kastrationsrefraktärem Prostatakarzinom dar.
Mapping Ensembles of Trees to Sparse, Interpretable Multilayer Perceptron Networks
Authors: Rodríguez-Salas Dalia , Mürschberger Nina , Ravikumar Nishant , Seuret Mathias , Maier Andreas
Published: August 2020

Tree-based classifiers provide easy-to-understand outputs. Artificial neural networks (ANN) commonly outperform tree-based classifiers; nevertheless, understanding their outputs requires specialized knowledge in most cases. The highly redundant architecture of ANN is typically designed through an expensive trial-and-error scheme. We aim at (1) investigating whether using ensembles of decision trees to design the architecture of low-redundant, sparse ANN provides better-performing networks, and (2) evaluating whether such trees can be used to provide human-understandable explanations for their outputs. Information about the hierarchy of the features, and how good they are at separating subsets of samples among the classes, is gathered from each branch in an ensemble of trees. This information is used to design the architecture of a sparse multilayer perceptron network. Networks built using our method are calledForestNet. Tree branches corresponding to highly activated neurons are used to provide explanations of the networks’ outputs.ForestNetsare able to handle low- and high-dimensional data, as we show on an evaluation using four datasets. Our networks consistently outperformed their respective ensemble of trees and had similar performance to their fully connected counterparts with a significant reduction of connections. Furthermore, our interpretation method seems to provide support for theForestNetoutputs. WhileForestNet’sarchitectures do not allow them yet to capture well the intrinsic variability of visual data, they exhibit very promising results by reducing more than 98% of connections for such visual tasks. Structure similarities between ForestNets and their respective tree ensemble provide means to interpret their outputs.
The heritability of coronal and sagittal phenotype in idiopathic scoliosis: a report of 12 monozygotic twin pairs
Authors: Schlösser Tom P. C. , Simony Ane , Gerdhem Paul , Andersen Mikkel Ø. , Castelein René M. , Kempen Diederik H. R.
Published: August 2020

Purpose

One of the pathways through which genetics may act in the causation of idiopathic scoliosis is inheritance of a specific sagittal profile that predisposes for its development. In this study, coronal and sagittal parameters were compared in an international collection of monozygotic twins with idiopathic scoliosis.

Methods

Twelve monozygotic twin pairs who underwent biplanar radiography for idiopathic scoliosis were systematically identified in existing scoliosis databases in The Netherlands, Sweden, and Denmark. On the first available radiographs, the coronal and sagittal curve parameters (Roussouly and Abelin types, thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis and length of the posteriorly inclined segment) were determined.

Results

In all 12 monozygotic twin pairs, both twins were affected by AIS. Four (33%) twin pairs had similar coronal and sagittal spinal phenotype, whereas two (17%) had different coronal phenotype and similar sagittal profiles, and six (50%) pairs had different coronal as well as sagittal phenotype.

Conclusions

Analysis of biplanar curve characteristics in monozygotic twins showed that all twin pairs were affected by idiopathic scoliosis. However, only 33% of the pairs had similar coronal and sagittal spinal phenotypes. Based on this limited dataset, the hypothesis can be formulated that besides genetic pre-disposition, the individual (inherited) sagittal profile plays a role in the development of different coronal curve type.
Physical Intimacy Is an Important Part of Sexual Activities: Korean Older Adults Study
Authors: Chung Ho Seok , Kim Gyeong Hun , Shin Min-Ho , Park Kwangsung
Published: August 2020

Introduction

Sexual activity can be broadly defined to include not only sexual intercourse but also physical intimacy. However, most studies of sexual activity in older adults have a limited focus on sexual intercourse only.

Aim

The aim was to investigate sexual activities including sexual intercourse and physical intimacy in community-dwelling older Korean adults.

Methods

This study was based on cross-sectional data to measure sexual activities (sexual intercourse and physical intimacy) in 209 participants (100 men and 109 women) aged 65 years or older. Sexual intercourse and physical intimacy were defined as vaginal penetration and as any sexual behavior with sexual arousing (eg, kissing, caressing), respectively. Erectile dysfunction was evaluated by the use of the International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire, and female sexual dysfunction was evaluated by Female Sexual Function Index scores.

Main Outcome Measure

Trained interviewers collected the survey information on sexual activities in the last 6 months at the senior welfare center.

Results

The participants’ mean age was 73.4 ± 4.8 years (men, 74.2 ± 5.0 years; women, 71.6 ± 5.3 years). The prevalence of erectile dysfunction was 91.0% (91/100), and the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction was 96.3% (105/109). In the previous 6 months, 122 participants (58.4%) reported sexual activities, and men reported more sexual activities than women (P = .001). A total of 69.6% of men and 41.9% of women engaged in sexual activity with intercourse, whereas 30.4% of men and 58.1% of women engaged in physical intimacy only. The physical intimacy–only group was more likely to have erectile dysfunction or female sexual dysfunction than the sexual intercourse group (P = .035 and P = .012, respectively).

Conclusions

Although sexual intercourse is an important part of sexual activity, our study results suggest that physical intimacy is also a considerable component of sexual activity that should not be neglected in older adults, especially in women. Our findings imply that health-care professionals need to consider physical intimacy as part of sexual activity in the assessment of geriatric patients with sexual dysfunction.

Chung HS, Kim GH, Shin M-H, et al. Physical Intimacy Is an Important Part of Sexual Activities: Korean Older Adults Study. Sex Med 2020;8:643–649.
J. Casey Moore (1945–2020)
Authors: Rowe Christie , Byrne Tim
Published: August 2020

This polymath Earth scientist pioneered multidisciplinary studies of subduction zones on land and at sea.
Intensification of Near‐Surface Currents and Shear in the Eastern Arctic Ocean
Authors: Polyakov Igor V. , Rippeth Tom P. , Fer Ilker , Baumann Till M. , Carmack Eddy C. , Ivanov Vladimir V. , Janout Markus , Padman Laurie , Pnyushkov Andrey V. , Rember Robert
Published: August 2020

A 15‐year (2004–2018) record of mooring observations from the upper 50 m of the ocean in the eastern Eurasian Basin reveals increased current speeds and vertical shear, associated with an increasing coupling between wind, ice, and the upper ocean over 2004–2018, particularly in summer. Substantial increases in current speeds and shears in the upper 50 m are dominated by a two times amplification of currents in the semidiurnal band, which includes tides and wind‐forced near‐inertial oscillations. For the first time the strengthened upper ocean currents and shear are observed to coincide with weakening stratification. This coupling links the Atlantic Water heat to the sea ice, a consequence of which would be reducing regional sea ice volume. These results point to a new positive feedback mechanism in which reduced sea ice extent facilitates more energetic inertial oscillations and associated upper‐ocean shear, thus leading to enhanced ventilation of the Atlantic Water.
Scalable neutral H2O2 electrosynthesis by platinum diphosphide nanocrystals by regulating oxygen reduction reaction pathways
Authors: Li Hui , Wen Peng , Itanze Dominique S. , Hood Zachary D. , Adhikari Shiba , Lu Chang , Ma Xiao , Dun Chaochao , Jiang Lin , Carroll David L. , Qiu Yejun , Geyer Scott M.
Published: August 2020

Despite progress in small scale electrocatalytic production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) using a rotating ring-disk electrode, further work is needed to develop a non-toxic, selective, and stable O2-to-H2O2 electrocatalyst for realizing continuous on-site production of neutral hydrogen peroxide. We report ultrasmall and monodisperse colloidal PtP2 nanocrystals that achieve H2O2 production at near zero-overpotential with near unity H2O2 selectivity at 0.27 V vs. RHE. Density functional theory calculations indicate that P promotes hydrogenation of OOH* to H2O2 by weakening the Pt-OOH* bond and suppressing the dissociative OOH* to O* pathway. Atomic layer deposition of Al2O3 prevents NC aggregation and enables application in a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) with a maximum r(H2O2) of 2.26 mmol h−1 cm−2 and a current efficiency of 78.8% even at a high current density of 150 mA cm−2. Catalyst stability enables an accumulated neutral H2O2 concentration in 600 mL of 3.0 wt% (pH = 6.6).
Morphogenesis and cytopathic effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection in human airway epithelial cells
Authors: Zhu Na , Wang Wenling , Liu Zhidong , Liang Chaoyang , Wang Wen , Ye Fei , Huang Baoying , Zhao Li , Wang Huijuan , Zhou Weimin , Deng Yao , Mao Longfei , Su Chongyu , Qiang Guangliang , Jiang Taijiao , Zhao Jincun , Wu Guizhen , Song Jingdong , Tan Wenjie
Published: August 2020

SARS-CoV-2, a β-coronavirus, has rapidly spread across the world, highlighting its high transmissibility, but the underlying morphogenesis and pathogenesis remain poorly understood. Here, we characterize the replication dynamics, cell tropism and morphogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 in organotypic human airway epithelial (HAE) cultures. SARS-CoV-2 replicates efficiently and infects both ciliated and secretory cells in HAE cultures. In comparison, HCoV-NL63 replicates to lower titers and is only detected in ciliated cells. SARS-CoV-2 shows a similar morphogenetic process as other coronaviruses but causes plaque-like cytopathic effects in HAE cultures. Cell fusion, apoptosis, destruction of epithelium integrity, cilium shrinking and beaded changes are observed in the plaque regions. Taken together, our results provide important insights into SARS-CoV-2 cell tropism, replication and morphogenesis.
Combined subsampling and analytical integration for efficient large-scale GW calculations for 2D systems
Authors: Xia Weiyi , Gao Weiwei , Lopez-Candales Gabriel , Wu Yabei , Ren Wei , Zhang Wenqing , Zhang Peihong
Published: August 2020

Accurate and efficient predictions of the quasiparticle properties of complex materials remain a major challenge due to the convergence issue and the unfavorable scaling of the computational cost with respect to the system size. Quasiparticle GW calculations for two-dimensional (2D) materials are especially difficult. The unusual analytical behaviors of the dielectric screening and the electron self-energy of 2D materials make the conventional Brillouin zone (BZ) integration approach rather inefficient and require an extremely dense k-grid to properly converge the calculated quasiparticle energies. In this work, we present a combined nonuniform subsampling and analytical integration method that can drastically improve the efficiency of the BZ integration in 2D GW calculations. Our work is distinguished from previous work in that, instead of focusing on the intricate dielectric matrix or the screened Coulomb interaction matrix, we exploit the analytical behavior of various terms of the convolved self-energy Σ(q) in the small q limit. This method, when combined with another accelerated GW method that we developed recently, can drastically speed up (by over three orders of magnitude) GW calculations for 2D materials. Our method allows fully converged GW calculations for complex 2D systems at a fraction of computational cost, facilitating future high throughput screening of the quasiparticle properties of 2D semiconductors for various applications. To demonstrate the capability and performance of our new method, we have carried out fully converged GW calculations for monolayer C2N, a recently discovered 2D material with a large unit cell, and investigate its quasiparticle band structure in detail.
Larger surface area can reduce nitinol corrosion resistance
Authors: Sena Grazziela M. , Sivan Shiril , Weaver Jason D. , Di Prima Matthew
Published: August 2020

Surface area has long been thought to influence the corrosion behavior of medical devices although this phenomenon has not been systematically investigated. Because many nitinol implants are offered in a range of sizes, understanding the influence of device surface area on corrosion susceptibility is key to ensuring nitinol devices are safe. This study evaluates the corrosion susceptibility of amber oxide, mechanically polished and chemically etched nitinol wires with surface areas ranging from 0.05 to 10.0 cm2 using a standard test method, ASTM F2129. The corrosion testing shows that as the surface area increased the breakdown potential decreased. Results from the amber oxide and chemically etched samples show a plateauing of breakdown potential at larger surface areas, which suggests that there may be a minimum surface area threshold that could predict the performance of larger devices. Additional testing on electropolished wire and modified laser-cut stents shows a similar decrease in breakdown potential with increased surface area thus corroborating the trend observed with nitinol wires. Overall, surface area was found to affect corrosion susceptibility as measured per ASTM F2129 for a range of nitinol samples.
Scalable quantum computer with superconducting circuits in the ultrastrong coupling regime
Authors: Stassi Roberto , Cirio Mauro , Nori Franco
Published: August 2020

So far, superconducting quantum computers have certain constraints on qubit connectivity, such as nearest-neighbor couplings. To overcome this limitation, we propose a scalable architecture to simultaneously connect several pairs of distant qubits via a dispersively coupled quantum bus. The building block of the bus is composed of orthogonal coplanar waveguide resonators connected through ancillary flux qubits working in the ultrastrong coupling regime. This regime activates virtual processes that boost the effective qubit–qubit interaction, which results in quantum gates on the nanosecond timescale. The interaction is switchable and preserves the coherence of the qubits.
Characterization of rhizome transcriptome and identification of a rhizomatous ER body in the clonal plant Cardamine leucantha
Authors: Araki Kiwako S. , Nagano Atsushi J. , Nakano Ryohei Thomas , Kitazume Tatsuya , Yamaguchi Katsushi , Hara-Nishimura Ikuko , Shigenobu Shuji , Kudoh Hiroshi
Published: August 2020

The rhizome is a plant organ that develops from a shoot apical meristem but penetrates into belowground environments. To characterize the gene expression profile of rhizomes, we compared the rhizome transcriptome with those of the leaves, shoots and roots of a rhizomatous Brassicaceae plant, Cardamine leucantha. Overall, rhizome transcriptomes were characterized by the absence of genes that show rhizome-specific expression and expression profiles intermediate between those of shoots and roots. Our results suggest that both endogenous developmental factors and external environmental factors are important for controlling the rhizome transcriptome. Genes that showed relatively high expression in the rhizome compared to shoots and roots included those related to belowground defense, control of reactive oxygen species and cell elongation under dark conditions. A comparison of transcriptomes further allowed us to identify the presence of an ER body, a defense-related belowground organelle, in epidermal cells of the C. leucantha rhizome, which is the first report of ER bodies in rhizome tissue.
Association between admission criteria and body composition among young children with moderate acute malnutrition, a cross-sectional study from Burkina Faso
Authors: Fabiansen Christian , Cichon Bernardette , Yaméogo Charles W. , Iuel-Brockdorf Ann-Sophie , Phelan Kevin P. Q. , Wells Jonathan C. , Ritz Christian , Filteau Suzanne , Briend André , Christensen Vibeke B. , Ashorn Per , Michaelsen Kim F. , Shepherd Susan , Friis Henrik
Published: August 2020

Children with moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) are treated based on low weight-for-length z-score (WLZ), low mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) or both. This study aimed to assess associations of admission criteria and body composition (BC), to improve treatment of MAM. We undertook a cross-sectional study among 6–23 months old Burkinabe children with MAM. Fat-free (FFM) and fat mass (FM) were determined by deuterium dilution and expressed as FFM (FFMI) and FM index (FMI). Of 1,489 children, 439 (29.5%) were recruited by low MUAC only (MUAC-O), 734 (49.3%) by low WLZ and low MUAC (WLZ-MUAC) and 316 (21.2%) by low WLZ only (WLZ-O). Thus, 1,173 (78.8%) were recruited by low MUAC, with or without low WLZ (ALL-MUAC). After adjustments, WLZ-O had 89 g (95% confidence interval (CI) 5; 172) lower FFM compared to MUAC-O. Similarly, WLZ-O had 0.89 kg/m2 (95% CI 0.77; 1.01) lower FFMI compared to MUAC-O, whereas there was no difference for FMI. However, boys included by WLZ-O compared to MUAC-O had 0.21 kg/m2 (95% CI 0.05; 0.38) higher FMI. In contrast, girls included by WLZ-O had 0.17 (95% CI 0.01; 0.33) kg/m2 lower FMI compared to MUAC-O (interaction, p = 0.002). We found that different criteria for admission into MAM treatment programmes select children with differences in BC, especially FFMI.

Trial registration: ISRCTN42569496.
Anodes for Li-ion batteries prepared from microcrystalline silicon and enabled by binder’s chemistry and pseudo-self-healing
Authors: Foss Carl Erik Lie , Müssig Stephan , Svensson Ann Mari , Vie Preben J. S. , Ulvestad Asbjørn , Mæhlen Jan Petter , Koposov Alexey Y.
Published: August 2020

Silicon, while suffering from major degradation issues, has been recognized as a next promising material to replace currently used graphite in the anodes of Li-ion batteries. Several pathways to mitigate the capacity fading of silicon has been proposed, including optimization of the electrode composition. Within the present work we evaluated different binder formulations to improve the long-term performance of the Li-ion batteries’ anodes based on industrial grade silicon (Si) which is typically characterized by a particle sizes ranging from 100 nm to 5.5 microns. The decrease of pH in a binder formulation was found to detrimental for the cycling performance of Si due to enhanced formation of an ester-type bonding between the carboxylic group of the binder and hydroxyl group on the Si surface as well as cross-linking. Furthermore, the present work was focused on the use of the industrial grade Si with very high loading of Si material (up to 80% by weight) to better highlight the effects of the surface chemistry of Si and its influence on the performance of Si-based anodes in Li-ion batteries. The tested system allowed to establish a pseudo self-healing effect that manifests itself through the restoration of the anode capacity by approximately 25% and initiates after approximately 20 cycles. The stabilization of the capacity is attributed to self-limiting lithiation process. Such effect is closely related to SEI formation and transport properties of an electrode prepared from silicon of industrial grade.
An idealised approach of geometry and topology to the diffusion of cations in honeycomb layered oxide frameworks
Authors: Kanyolo Godwill Mbiti , Masese Titus
Published: August 2020

Honeycomb layered oxides are a novel class of nanostructured materials comprising alkali or coinage metal atoms intercalated into transition metal slabs. The intricate honeycomb architecture and layered framework endows this family of oxides with a tessellation of features such as exquisite electrochemistry, unique topology and fascinating electromagnetic phenomena. Despite having innumerable functionalities, these materials remain highly underutilised as their underlying atomistic mechanisms are vastly unexplored. Therefore, in a bid to provide a more in-depth perspective, we propose an idealised diffusion model of the charged alkali cations (such as lithium, sodium or potassium) in the two-dimensional (2D) honeycomb layers within the multi-layered crystal of honeycomb layered oxide frameworks. This model not only explains the correlation between the excitation of cationic vacancies (by applied electromagnetic fields) and the Gaussian curvature deformation of the 2D surface, but also takes into consideration, the quantum properties of the cations and their inter-layer mixing through quantum tunnelling. Through this work, we offer a novel theoretical framework for the study of multi-layered materials with 2D cationic diffusion currents, as well as providing pedagogical insights into the role of topological phase transitions in these materials in relation to Brownian motion and quantum geometry.