bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SMEs Formal Funding, a Lubricant for Economic Performance: The Nigerian Experience
Authors: Ogunbiyi S. Sunday, , Onita O. Chinyere,
Published: February 2020

This study examined the relationship between Small and medium scale enterprises formal sources of funding and economic performance of Nigeria, for the period 1992 to 2018. We adopted secondary data that were sourced from the central bank of Nigeria statistical bulletin. We conducted unit root test, Bound co-integration test and auto regressive distributive lag tests. The tests revealed that, in the long run, Microfinance Banks credit is statistically significant in promoting economic performance of Nigeria. While, Bank of Agriculture credit and bank of industry credit were found not to be statistically significant in promoting Nigeria’s economic performance. However, jointly, credits from the banks studied have a positive relationship with the performance of Nigeria’s economy as represented by the GDP. The study therefore recommends that, access to microfinance credit by SMEs should be sustained, while the relevant agencies should work to improve the relationship between credits by Banks of Agriculture and Industry to Small and Medium Enterprises.
Using ARIMA Models to Forecasting of Economic Variables of Wheat Crop in Afghanistan
Authors: Karim Ahmadzai M. , Eliw Moataz
Published: February 2020

Wheat is considered the main food crops in Afghanistan, whether to use it for majority of the population consumption or to use it in some industries and others.

Problem: Afghanistan suffers from a large gap between production and consumption, so the current research investigates the problem arising from a shortage of wheat production to meet self-sufficiency of the population.

Methods: The time series analysis can provide short-run forecast for sufficiently large amount of data on the concerned variables very precisely. In univariate time series analysis, the ARIMA models are flexible and widely used. The ARIMA model is the combination of three processes: (i) Autoregressive (AR) process, (ii) Differencing process and (iii) Moving-Average (MA) process. These processes are known in statistical literature as main univariate time series models and are commonly used in many applications. Where, Estimation of future wheat requirement is one of the essential tools that may help decision-makers to determine wheat needs and then developing plans that help reduce the gap between production and consumption. A solid strategy that widely applying of improved seeds and fertilizers, an effective research and extension system for better crop management is necessary to eliminate this gap for self-sufficiency in wheat production, besides providing the necessary financial sums for that. Where most prediction methods are valid for one-year prediction. However, moving prediction methods have been found to measure and predict the future movement of the dependent variable.

Aims: The current research aims to prediction for Area, Productivity, Production, Consumption and Population over the period (2002-2017), to estimate the values of these variables in the period of (2018-2030).

Results: The results showed that through the drawing of the historical data for Planted area, Productivity, Production, Consumption and Population of wheat crop it was evident that the series data is not static due to an increasing or a decreasing of general trend, which means the instability of the average, by using Auto-correlation function (ACF) and Partial Correlation Function to detect the stability of the time series, The results showed also, the significance of Autocorrelation coefficient and partial correlation coefficient values, which indicates that the time series is not static.
Medical Choices for a Wealthy Nation - A Multinomial Logistic Model
Authors: Ugwuanyim Geoffrey U. , O. Osuchukwu Confidence , C. Bartholomew Desmond , P. Obite Chukwudi
Published: February 2020

This study investigated the Effect of Levels of Education on the Choice of Medical Treatment Options for three illnesses (Malaria, Mental Disorder and HIV/AIDS) in Nigeria. The study was carried out in ten randomly selected Local Government Areas (L. G. As) in Imo State using a stratified random sample of 500 individuals selected from a population of 194,932 and the data was collected using questionnaires. The Multinomial Logistic Regression Model was adopted in the analysis of the data. The result of the analysis showed that there was a significant association between Educational Level and choice of treatment of Malaria, Mental Disorder and HIV/AIDS. It was further discovered that it is only the “WAEC/GCE” level of education that is significant in the Choice of Treatment of Mental Disorder. It is therefore recommended that government should beam its searchlight on this educational level to find out the cause(s) of their Mental Disorder.
Effect of Missing Observations on Buys-Ballot Estimates of Time Series Components
Authors: N. Dozie Kelechukwu C. , C. Nwogu Eleazar , A. Ijomah Maxwell
Published: February 2020

This study discusses the effects of missing observations on Buys-Ballot estimate when trend-cycle component of time series is linear. The method adopted in this study is Decomposing Without the Missing Value (DWMV) which is used to estimate missing observations in time series decomposition when data are arranged in a Buys-Ballot table. The model structure used is multiplicative. Results show that the trend parameters with and without missing observations have insignificant effect while there are significant differences in the seasonal indices only at the season points where missing observations occurred in the Buys-Ballot table.
Proximate, Phytochemicals and Reducing Power of Leaf Extracts of Colocasia esculenta and Ipomoea batatas
Authors: Eleojo Achadu Abraham , Charles Umeh Chisom , Nimat Mohammed
Published: February 2020

Background: Reports has shown that edible leaves of vegetable plants serve both nutritional and medicinal purposes, yet are poorly utilized due to inadequate enlightenment of the major populace on their compositions.

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the proximate, phytochemicals and reducing power of leaf extracts of Colocasia esculenta and Ipomoea batatas.

Methodology: Washed and air dried leaf samples were milled and subjected to proximate and phytochemical analysis. Determination of calcium, iron and sodium content was by Atomic absorption spectroscopy. Reducing power was determined by the Potassium ferricyanide reducing power method.

Results: Ipomoea batatas leaves was found to be higher in moisture (14.05%) and carbohydrate (29.33%) while Colocasia esculenta leaves was higher in ash (10.00%), Crude fiber (16.27%), Fat (10.17%) and protein (29.41%). A better antioxidant activity and higher levels of all phytochemicals and minerals were observed in leaves of Colocasia esculenta compared to leaves of Ipomoea batatas.

Conclusion: This study suggests that both leaves are of importance to human nutrition considering the observed levels of nutrients, phytochemicals and antioxidant activity. While C. esculenta leaves should be preferred for its nutrient and antioxidant advantages, both leaves can contribute immensely to the daily nutrient requirements.
Laser DAF Cut Augmentation for Thin Wafers
Authors: Christian Bacquian Bryan , Ray Gomez Frederick
Published: February 2020

The semiconductor industry is becoming more inclined to thinner integrated circuit (IC) packages. Thinner packages with thin wafer or die prefer the die attach film (DAF) technology as the die adhesive material solution. As the wafer goes thinner, it becomes more of a challenge in process development, especially during its assembly preparatory stages. As the dies become smaller and thinner, wafer sawing process should have minimum effect on the mechanical integrity of the silicon so as not to alter its quality.

New technologies were developed and introduced in the industry and one of this is the laser die attach film (DAF) cutting. The method was developed together with dies before grinding (DBG) as a cutting medium to address potential processability problems that may occur on the conventional mechanical blade saw. This paper discusses the laser DAF cut development covering the design of experiments (DOE) to understand the different characteristics of laser DAF solution. Validations are made through actual simulation and wafer processing. The paper also covers the interaction of different DAF thicknesses and parameters in order to define the critical characteristics in achieving optimal DAF cutting process responses.
A Clinical Trial of Multi Herbal Preparation (EZCol) Syrup for Constipation in Pakistani Population
Authors: Mehmood Yasir , Yousaf Hammad , Farooq Umar , Mahmood Rana Khalid , Gondal Mahpara , Riaz Humayun , Umar Hafiz , Sadiqa Hafiza Aisha , Mohsin Mueen
Published: February 2020

Background: Constipation is one of the symptoms of intestinal syndrome which would be happened along with some other disease in patients. There are several treatment available to cure the constipation but use of stimulant laxative in chronic and acute constipation is more safe and useful of any age patients. In this cross sectional study we clinically observed the efficacy of multi herbal extract (Cassia senna, Rheum palmatum and Cuscuta reflexa) in constipation. We have used local company syrup (EZCol syrup). This syrup contains multi herbs and senna leaves extract is main ingredient of this syrup. The active constituents of enna leaves are Sennosides which considered as an effective treatment for constipation. Sennosides increase the transfer rate of materials from the large intestine. We aimed to assure the effect of senna leaves extract along with other herbal extract (Rheum palmatum and Cuscuta reflexa) for the treatment of constipation.

Materials and Methods: In this study, 35 patients were observed after taking the syrup (dose 15 mL 2 time/daily for 3 days). A questionnaire (ROUTE2-003) was developed and distributed to the patients after prescription of EZCol syrup. The study was approved form ethical committee of Rashid Lateef Medical College and Arif Memorial Teaching Hospital, Lahore Pakistan.

Results: Treatment was continued for 3 days and data was compiled and result shown significant cure in constipation. Maximum patients felt relief from constipation just within 3 days. Some patients felt diarrhea at third day. Moreover no further significant complications were found in patients.

Conclusion: Senna is an FDA-approved over-the-counter (OTC) laxative. Senna leaves extract is a safe, effective and well-tolerated herbal supplement for the treatment of constipation having no significant adverse effect.
Study on Serum Calcium, Phosphorus and Iron Level of Selected Elderly
Authors: Zanvar Varsha , Revanwar Madhuri
Published: February 2020

For present study total 600 elderly were randomly selected from urban (200), rural (200), and tribal (200) areas from Nanded district of Maharashtra state of India. Information of socio economic status of elderly population was collected with the help of interview schedule and discussion. While biochemical estimations like serum calcium, phosphorus and haemoglobin content of blood was carried out for 10 percent rural (20) and urban (20) elderly with standard procedures. Result stated that, 75 percent elderly were belonging to age group of 60 to 70 years and 25 percent were above 70 years. Among selected elderly, 53.5 percent were female and 46.5 percent were male. Serum calcium of selected elderly subjects, ranged from 8.6±00 to 9.45±0.83. The range of serum phosphorus was 2.78±0.39 to 3.70±0.90. While haemoglobin content of blood of selected elderly ranged from 7.9±00 to 9.73±2.52.
Blockchains and Internet of Things for the Pooling of Warehouse Resources
Authors: Liu S. , Roy D. , Hennequin S.
Published: February 2020

Aims: The purpose of this research paper is the study of the applicability of Blockchain technology and Smart Contracts to manage, control and secure an industrial Internet of Things network (IoT) for pooled warehouses with multiple actors and activities (not only restricted to transport and storage as currently developed in enterprises).

Problem: IoT technology enables things to connect and exchange data, resulting in efficiency improvements, economic benefits, reduced human intervention and enabled interactions (information exchange and analysis) between human/machine to machine. However, the main difficulties lie in the definition of a robust global mechanism to secure the IoT, the awareness of resources diversity (heterogeneity of devices), and physical management of IoT. This article will attempt to answer these questionings.

Results: To respond to these questions, we propose a hybrid architecture based on blockchains and multi-agents system to secure an industrial IoT corresponding to a pooled warehouse system. The proposed hybrid architecture completely represents our system, with all actors and connected objects in the pooled warehouse strategy. It is composed by two parts: a centralized part based on the multi-agents system to represent dynamic evolutions of actors’ behavior and a decentralized part, which corresponds to our block chain and smart contracts network to dynamically connect actors’ agents to pooled resources. The multi-agent system is coupled with game theory (cooperative game) to have a good systemic representation of our pooled warehouse management problem.
Chemie oder Physik statt Fußball
Authors: Waitschat Steve , Rösner Peter , Suhr Dierk
Published: February 2020

Ein Verein hat sich zum Ziel gesetzt, naturwissenschaftlich begabten Kindern an Internaten besondere Klassen anzubieten. Inzwischen gibt es das entsprechende Förderprogramm an fünf Schulen.
Neue Materialien vorhersagen: Maschinelles Lernen als Werkzeug
Authors: George Janine , Suta Markus
Published: February 2020

Der Großteil der heute genutzten Materialien wurde mit chemischem Verständnis oder durch Zufall gefunden. Diese Prozesse sind nicht nur zeitintensiv, sie erfordern zudem oft Jahre an Verbesserungsarbeit. Dabei ist der Bedarf an Materialien für spezielle Anwendungen vielleicht so groß wie noch nie. Mögliche Alternativen zum Standardvorgehen sind Data‐Mining und maschinelles Lernen.
Trendbericht Festkörperchemie
Authors: Hartenbach Ingo , Kunkel Nathalie , Benndorf Christopher , Terraschke Huayna
Published: February 2020

Außergewöhnliche Anionen, große Gerüste, leitendes Lithium, Nützliches in Nano; das alles und noch vieles mehr macht die Faszination Festkörper aus – zusammengestellt von Ingo Hartenbach, Nathalie Kunkel, Christopher Benndorf und Huayna Terraschke.
In Rostock: 55. Symposium für Theoretische Chemie
Authors: Kühn Oliver , Bokarev Sergey , Ludwig Ralf
Published: February 2020

Ende September trafen sich zirka 300 Wissenschaftler aus 18 Ländern zum 55. Symposium für Theoretische Chemie (STC). In den 13 eingeladenen Vorträgen, 26 Kurzvorträgen und 200 Posterbeiträgen lag der Fokus auf Spektroskopie und lichtinduzierter Dynamik. Die vorgestellten Anwendungen reichten von Prozessen in kleinen Molekülen in der Gasphase bis hin zu biologischen oder materialwissenschaftlichen Fragestellungen. Organisiert hatten die fünftägige Veranstaltung, die anlässlich des 600‐jährigen Bestehens der Universität in Rostock stattfand, Oliver Kühn und Sergey Bokarev vom Institut für Physik sowie Ralf Ludwig vom Institut für Chemie.
Cracken oder Einschmelzen
Authors: Osterath Brigitte
Published: February 2020

Chemisches Recycling überführt Kunststoffabfälle in Rohöl. Es scheint die perfekte Lösung, um Plastikmüll stofflich zu nutzen, und seine Entwicklung erhält millionenschwere Unterstützung. Dagegen geht das umweltfreundlichere mechanische Recycling bei Investitionen oft leer aus.
Life‐Science statt Chemie
Authors: Zbikowski Frauke
Published: February 2020

Wie sich der Schwerpunkt beim Nobelpreis verschoben hat.
Weniger Transaktionen
Authors: Bulmahn Maren
Published: February 2020

Unternehmen sorgen sich um die Konjunktur und setzen auf regionale Expansion statt auf weltweite Größe.
Immer wieder auf dem Papier
Authors: Leusmann Eliza
Published: February 2020

16 Chemiker in Deutschland gehören zu den meistzitierten Forschern weltweit.
Hunting for ALPs with lepton flavor violation
Authors: Cornella Claudia , Paradisi Paride , Sumensari Olcyr
Published: February 2020

Abstract

We examine the low-energy signatures of axion-like particles (ALPs) in lep- ton flavor violating (LFV) processes. By using a dimension-5 effective Lagrangian, we compute the most general ALP contributions to LFV decays of leptons and mesons. The provided expressions are valid for any choice of ALP mass and couplings. We explore the complementarity of different processes, identifying specific patterns to be experimentally tested. Constraints on LFV couplings are derived from existing data and prospects for forthcoming experiments are also discussed. As a by-product, we revisit the possibility of a simultaneous explanation of the observed discrepancies in the muon and electron g − 2 through ALP interactions.
Higgs decay into massive b-quarks at NNLO QCD in the nested soft-collinear subtraction scheme
Authors: Behring Arnd , Bizoń Wojciech
Published: February 2020

Abstract

We present a fully differential description of a decay of a scalar Higgs boson into massive b-quarks valid at next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) in perturbative quan- tum chromodynamics (QCD). We work within the nested soft-collinear subtraction scheme extended to accommodate massive partons. We include the loop-induced contribution in- volving a Higgs coupling to a top quark. We test our calculation against results existing in the literature, comparing the predictions for the total decay width and jet rates.
Endosymbiosis before eukaryotes: mitochondrial establishment in protoeukaryotes
Authors: Zachar István , Boza Gergely
Published: February 2020

Endosymbiosis and organellogenesis are virtually unknown among prokaryotes. The single presumed example is the endosymbiogenetic origin of mitochondria, which is hidden behind the event horizon of the last eukaryotic common ancestor. While eukaryotes are monophyletic, it is unlikely that during billions of years, there were no other prokaryote–prokaryote endosymbioses as symbiosis is extremely common among prokaryotes, e.g., in biofilms. Therefore, it is even more precarious to draw conclusions about potentially existing (or once existing) prokaryotic endosymbioses based on a single example. It is yet unknown if the bacterial endosymbiont was captured by a prokaryote or by a (proto-)eukaryote, and if the process of internalization was parasitic infection, slow engulfment, or phagocytosis. In this review, we accordingly explore multiple mechanisms and processes that could drive the evolution of unicellular microbial symbioses with a special attention to prokaryote–prokaryote interactions and to the mitochondrion, possibly the single prokaryotic endosymbiosis that turned out to be a major evolutionary transition. We investigate the ecology and evolutionary stability of inter-species microbial interactions based on dependence, physical proximity, cost–benefit budget, and the types of benefits, investments, and controls. We identify challenges that had to be conquered for the mitochondrial host to establish a stable eukaryotic lineage. Any assumption about the initial interaction of the mitochondrial ancestor and its contemporary host based solely on their modern relationship is rather perilous. As a result, we warn against assuming an initial mutually beneficial interaction based on modern mitochondria–host cooperation. This assumption is twice fallacious: (i) endosymbioses are known to evolve from exploitative interactions and (ii) cooperativity does not necessarily lead to stable mutualism. We point out that the lack of evidence so far on the evolution of endosymbiosis from mutual syntrophy supports the idea that mitochondria emerged from an exploitative (parasitic or phagotrophic) interaction rather than from syntrophy.
Thalidomide targets EGFL6 to inhibit EGFL6/PAX6 axis-driven angiogenesis in small bowel vascular malformation
Authors: Tang Chao-Tao , Zhang Qing-Wei , Wu Shan , Tang Ming-Yu , Liang Qian , Lin Xiao-Lu , Gao Yun-Jie , Ge Zhi-Zheng
Published: February 2020

Background

Small bowel vascular malformation disease (SBVM) is the most common cause of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB). Several studies suggested that EGFL6 was able to promote the growth of tumor endothelial cells by forming tumor vessels. To date, it remains unclear how EGFL6 promotes pathological angiogenesis in SBVM and whether EGFL6 is a target of thalidomide.

Methods

We took advantage of SBVM plasma and tissue samples and compared the expression of EGFL6 between SBVM patients and healthy people via ELISA and Immunohistochemistry. We elucidated the underlying function of EGFL6 in SBVM in vitro and by generating a zebrafish model that overexpresses EGFL6, The cycloheximide (CHX)-chase experiment and CoIP assays were conducted to demonstrate that thalidomide can promote the degradation of EGFL6 by targeting CRBN.

Results

The analysis of SBVM plasma and tissue samples revealed that EGFL6 was overexpressed in the patients compared to healthy people. Using in vitro and in vivo assays, we demonstrated that an EMT pathway triggered by the EGFL6/PAX6 axis is involved in the pathogenesis of SBVM. Furthermore, through in vitro and in vivo assays, we elucidated that thalidomide can function as anti-angiogenesis medicine through the regulation of EGFL6 in a proteasome-dependent manner. Finally, we found that CRBN can mediate the effect of thalidomide on EGFL6 expression and that the CRBN protein interacts with EGFL6 via a Lon N-terminal peptide.

Conclusion

Our findings revealed a key role for EGFL6 in SBVM pathogenesis and provided a mechanism explaining why thalidomide can cure small bowel bleeding resulting from SBVM.
Persist or perish: critical life stages determine the sensitivity of invertebrates to disturbances
Authors: van der Lee Gea H. , Kraak Michiel H. S. , Verdonschot Ralf C. M. , Verdonschot Piet F. M.
Published: February 2020

A large proportion of studies assessing the impact of disturbances on the invertebrate community composition focus on a single life stage, assuming that those are an adequate indicator of environmental conditions. The effect of a specific disturbance may, however, depend on the life stage of the exposed organism. Therefore, we focused on the effect of spates on the caddisflyAgapetus fuscipesCURTIS (Trichoptera: Glossosomatidae) during different larval stages. A 2 year field study was performed in which we measured the discharge dynamics and population development ofA. fuscipesin four lowland streams in The Netherlands. A stage-structured population model (i.e. StagePop) was used to test the impact of peak discharge on the different life stages, as larval instars 1–4 were not effectively sampled in the field. Four different mortality rates in response to spates were simulated, including a constant low, a constant high, a decreasing and an increasing impact per larval stage. This way, we were able to show a potential association between spates and population declines, where the stage-population model including decreasing impact by spates with increasing larval life stage most accurately described the population development of the larval instars 5–8. Focusing only on late instars could thus potentially result in underestimation of the effects of spates on this species. In conclusion, determination of responses of critical life stages to specific disturbances may help to identify the causes of the presence and absence of species, and thereby aid more effective management and restoration of degraded aquatic systems.
Altered molecular signatures during kidney development after intrauterine growth restriction of different origins
Authors: Nüsken Eva , Fink Gregor , Lechner Felix , Voggel Jenny , Wohlfarth Maria , Sprenger Lisa , Mehdiani Nava , Weber Lutz T. , Liebau Max Christoph , Brachvogel Bent , Dötsch Jörg , Nüsken Kai-Dietrich
Published: February 2020

This study was performed to identify transcriptional alterations in male intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) rats during and at the end of nephrogenesis in order to generate hypotheses which molecular mechanisms contribute to adverse kidney programming. IUGR was induced by low protein (LP) diet throughout pregnancy, bilateral uterine vessel ligation (LIG), or intrauterine stress (IUS) by sham operation. Offspring of unimpaired dams served as controls. Significant acute kidney damage was ruled out by negative results for proteins indicative of ER-stress, autophagy, apoptosis, or infiltration with macrophages. Renal gene expression was examined by transcriptome microarrays, demonstrating 53 (LP, n = 12; LIG, n = 32; IUS, n = 9) and 134 (LP, n = 10; LIG, n = 41; IUS, n = 83) differentially expressed transcripts on postnatal days (PND) 1 and 7, respectively. Reduced Pilra (all IUGR groups, PND 7), Nupr1 (LP and LIG, PND 7), and Kap (LIG, PND 1) as well as increased Ccl20, S100a8/a9 (LIG, PND 1), Ifna4, and Ltb4r2 (IUS, PND 7) indicated that inflammation-related molecular dysregulation could be a “common” feature after IUGR of different origins. Network analyses of transcripts and predicted upstream regulators hinted at proinflammatory adaptions mainly in LIG (arachidonic acid-binding, neutrophil aggregation, toll-like-receptor, NF-kappa B, and TNF signaling) and dysregulation of AMPK and PPAR signaling in LP pups. The latter may increase susceptibility towards obesity-associated kidney damage. Western blots of the most prominent predicted upstream regulators confirmed significant dysregulation of RICTOR in LP (PND 7) and LIG pups (PND 1), suggesting that mTOR-related processes could further modulate kidney programming in these groups of IUGR pups.

Key messages

Inflammation-related transcripts are dysregulated in neonatal IUGR rat kidneys.

Upstream analyses indicate renal metabolic dysregulation after low protein diet.

RICTOR is dysregulated after low protein diet and uterine vessel ligation.
Concordance as evidence in the Watson for Oncology decision-support system
Authors: Tupasela Aaro , Di Nucci Ezio
Published: February 2020

Machine learning platforms have emerged as a new promissory technology that some argue will revolutionize work practices across a broad range of professions, including medical care. During the past few years, IBM has been testing its Watson for Oncology platform at several oncology departments around the world. Published reports, news stories, as well as our own empirical research show that in some cases, the levels of concordance over recommended treatment protocols between the platform and human oncologists have been quite low. Other studies supported by IBM claim concordance rates as high as 96%. We use the Watson for Oncology case to examine the practice of using concordance levels between tumor boards and a machine learning decision-support system as a form of evidence. We address a challenge related to the epistemic authority between oncologists on tumor boards and the Watson Oncology platform by arguing that the use of concordance levels as a form of evidence of quality or trustworthiness is problematic. Although the platform provides links to the literature from which it draws its conclusion, it obfuscates the scoring criteria that it uses to value some studies over others. In other words, the platform “black boxes” the values that are coded into its scoring system.
Pyramid Ricci flow in higher dimensions
Authors: McLeod Andrew D. , Topping Peter M.
Published: February 2020

In this paper, we construct a pyramid Ricci flow starting with a complete Riemannian manifold $$(M^n,g_0)$$

(

M
n

,

g
0

)

that is PIC1, or more generally satisfies a lower curvature bound $${\mathrm {K_{IC_1}}}\ge -\alpha _0$$

K

IC
1

≥
-

α
0

. That is, instead of constructing a flow on $$M\times [0,T]$$

M
×
[
0
,
T
]

, we construct it on a subset of space-time that is a union of parabolic cylinders $${{\mathbb {B}}}_{g_0}(x_0,k)\times [0,T_k]$$

B

g
0

(

x
0

,
k
)

×

[
0
,

T
k

]

for each $$k\in {{\mathbb {N}}}$$

k
∈
N

, where $$T_k\downarrow 0$$

T
k

↓
0

, and prove estimates on the curvature and Riemannian distance. More generally, we construct a pyramid Ricci flow starting with any noncollapsed $$\mathrm {IC_1}$$

IC
1

-limit space, and use it to establish that such limit spaces are globally homeomorphic to smooth manifolds via homeomorphisms that are locally bi-Hölder.
Investigating surrogate cerebrospinal fluid matrix compositions for use in quantitative LC-MS analysis of therapeutic antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid
Authors: Fogh Jens Rose , Jacobsen Anne-Marie , Nguyen Tam T. T. N. , Rand Kasper D. , Olsen Line Rørbæk
Published: February 2020

As quantitative analysis of biotherapeutics in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with LC-MS becomes increasingly widespread, there is a need for method developments towards higher sensitivity. By using artificial CSF (aCSF) in the development phase, the consumption of costly and sparsely available CSF can be limited. The aCSF compositions tested here were made from various dilutions of bovine serum albumin (BSA) or rat plasma to mimic the total protein concentration found in CSF. Focusing on monoclonal antibodies, the aCSF was spiked with human immunoglobulin (hIgG) and prepared with the bottom-up analysis technique using LC-MS. Assuming that the composition of the aCSF would affect the digest, the response from aCSF matrices was compared with CSF from rat, monkey, and dog in terms of estimated sample concentration and matrix effects. The samples were spiked with hIgG in the range of 10 to 1000 ng/mL and volumes of 10 μL were transferred to sample preparation. The results indicate that BSA dilutions from 300 to 2000 μg/mL and rat plasma dilutions of 0.5–2% provide the most accurate concentration estimates when compared with rat CSF. 1000 μg/mL BSA did not produce significantly different concentration estimates for 500 ng/mL samples when compared with CSF from rat, monkey, and dog, and can therefore be used as aCSF for several different species.
Sonicated extracts from the Quorn fermentation co-product as oil-lowering emulsifiers and foaming agents
Authors: Lonchamp J. , Akintoye M. , Clegg P. S. , Euston S. R.
Published: February 2020

This study assessed the impact of sonication on the structure and properties of a functional extract (retentate 100 or R100) from the Quorn fermentation co-product (centrate). In a previous study, we reported that the R100 fraction displayed good foaming, emulsifying and rheological properties. Sonication of a R100 solution led to the breakdown of the large hyphal structures characteristic of this extract into smaller fragments. Foams prepared with sonicated R100 displayed a higher foaming ability than with untreated R100 and a high foam stability but lower than untreated R100 ones. Oil-in-water emulsions prepared with sonicated R100 displayed smaller oil droplet size distributions than with untreated R100. Confocal micrographs suggested that small fungal fragments contributed to the stabilisation of oil droplets. 50% oil-reduced R100 emulsions were prepared by mixing R100 emulsions (untreated or sonicated) with a sonicated R100 solution at a 1:1 ratio. Smaller oil droplet size distributions were reported for the oil-reduced emulsions. These results showed that the addition of small hyphal fragments or surface-active molecules and molecular aggregates released during sonication contributed to the formation and stabilisation of smaller oil droplets. This study highlighted the potential to modulate the structure, emulsifying and foaming properties of functional extracts from the Quorn fermentation co-product by sonication and the potential of these extracts as oil-lowering agents in emulsion-based products through the reduction of oil droplet size and their stabilisation.

Graphical abstract
Severity of Fontan-Associated Liver Disease Correlates with Fontan Hemodynamics
Authors: Schleiger Anastasia , Salzmann Madeleine , Kramer Peter , Danne Friederike , Schubert Stephan , Bassir Christian , Müller Tobias , Müller Hans-Peter , Berger Felix , Ovroutski Stanislav
Published: February 2020

Fontan-palliated patients are at risk for the development of Fontan-associated liver disease (FALD). In this study, we performed a detailed hemodynamic and hepatic assessment to analyze the incidence and spectrum of FALD and its association with patients' hemodynamics. From 2017 to 2019, 145 patients underwent a detailed, age-adjusted hepatic examination including laboratory analysis (FibroTest®, n = 101), liver ultrasound (n = 117) and transient elastography (FibroScan®, n = 61). The median patient age was 16.0 years [IQR 14.2], and the median duration of the Fontan circulation was 10.3 years [IQR 14.7]. Hemodynamic assessment was performed using echocardiography, cardiopulmonary exercise capacity testing and cardiac catheterization. Liver ultrasound revealed hepatic parenchymal changes in 83 patients (70.9%). Severe liver cirrhosis was detectable in 20 patients (17.1%). Median liver stiffness measured by FibroScan® was 27.7 kPa [IQR 14.5], and the median Fibrotest® score was 0.5 [IQR 0.3], corresponding to fibrosis stage ≥ 2. Liver stiffness values and Fibrotest® scores correlated significantly with Fontan duration (P1 = 0.013, P2 = 0.012). Exercise performance was significantly impaired in patients with severe liver cirrhosis (P = 0.003). Pulmonary artery pressure and end-diastolic pressure were highly elevated in cirrhotic patients (P1 = 0.008, P2 = 0.003). Multivariable risk factor analysis revealed Fontan duration to be a major risk factor for the development of FALD (P < 0.001, OR 0.77, CI 0.68–0.87). In the majority of patients, hepatic abnormalities suggestive of FALD were detectable by liver ultrasound, transient elastography and laboratory analysis. The severity of FALD correlated significantly with Fontan duration and impaired Fontan hemodynamics. A detailed hepatic assessment is indispensable for long-term surveillance of Fontan patients.
Cannings models, population size changes and multiple-merger coalescents
Authors: Freund Fabian
Published: February 2020

Multiple-merger coalescents, e.g. $$\varLambda $$Λ-n-coalescents, have been proposed as models of the genealogy of n sampled individuals for a range of populations whose genealogical structures are not captured well by Kingman’s n-coalescent. $$\varLambda $$Λ-n-coalescents can be seen as the limit process of the discrete genealogies of Cannings models with fixed population size, when time is rescaled and population size $$N\rightarrow \infty $$N→∞. As established for Kingman’s n-coalescent, moderate population size fluctuations in the discrete population model should be reflected by a time-change of the limit coalescent. For $$\varLambda $$Λ-n-coalescents, this has been explicitly shown for only a limited subclass of $$\varLambda $$Λ-n-coalescents and exponentially growing populations. This article gives a more general construction of time-changed $$\varLambda $$Λ-n-coalescents as limits of specific Cannings models with rather arbitrary time changes.
Prevalence and clinical presentation of lymphoproliferative disorder in patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome
Authors: Sebastian Agata , Madej Marta , Sebastian Maciej , Butrym Aleksandra , Woytala Patryk , Hałoń Agnieszka , Wiland Piotr
Published: February 2020

Lymphomas are one of the serious complications of the primary Sjörgen’s Syndrome (pSS). The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency of lymphoma in pSS. The singe-center retrospective study included 198 Caucasian patients, who met diagnostic criteria for pSS. The type of lymphoproliferative disorder was classified according to the WHO 2016 classification. The mean time of observation, after pSS diagnosis, was 48 weeks. Focus score (FS) ≥ 1 was present in 85% of the patients, and anti-SSA antibodies were detected in 84%. Rheumatoid factor was detected in 130 (65%) patients. Mean disease activity index, according to EULAR Sjörgen’s Syndrome disease activity index (ESSDAI), was 8.3 points at the moment of pSS diagnosis. Complement C3 was decreased in 14% of the patients, while 10% showed reduced complement C4. Four patients (2%) were diagnosed with a lymphoma. Most of the patients were diagnosed with mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma (MALT), in whom the tumour was located in the parotid gland, and in one patient the stomach was involved. Finally, one patient was diagnosed with a rare B-cell small lymphocytic lymphoma located in the lungs. In this article, we present detailed characteristics of each case. In analysed population the frequency of lymphoma in the course of pSS in patients with pSS is 2%. The variety of lymphoma types in pSS patients imposes individual monitoring in each patient at every check-up visit for disease activity.
Impact of different earthworm ecotypes on water stable aggregates and soil water holding capacity
Authors: Hallam Jamal , Hodson Mark E.
Published: February 2020

We carried out mesocosm experiments using either the anecic earthwormLumbricus terrestrisor the endogeic earthwormAllolobophora chloroticaand loam, silt loam and sandy loam soils to investigate the differing impact of these earthworm of different ecotypes on aggregate formation (percentage water stable aggregates, %WSA) and soil water holding capacity (WHC), two soil properties that underpin many of the ecosystem services provided by soils. Earthworms significantly increased %WSA (by 16–56% and 19–63% relative to earthworm-free controls forL. terrestrisandA. chlorotica, respectively). ForL. terrestris, this increase was significantly greater in the upper 6.5 cm of the soil where their casts were more obviously present.Allobophora chloroticatreatments significantly increased WHC by 7–16%.L. terrestrisonly caused a significant increase in WHC (of 11%) in the upper 6.5 cm of the sandy loam soil. Linear regression indicated a consistent relationship between increases in %WSA and WHC for both earthworm species. However, for a given %WSA, WHC was higher forA. chloroticathanL. terrestrislikely due to the known differences in their burrow structure. Overall, earthworms increased soil %WSA and WHC but the significant species/ecotype differences need to be considered in discussions of the beneficial impacts of earthworms to soil properties.
Quantitative serological antibody testing for suspected neuroborreliosis
Authors: Schneider Christian , Gielen Jörg , Röth Philip , Albrecht Philipp , Schroeter Michael , Fink Gereon R. , Wunderlich Gilbert , Lehmann Helmar C.
Published: February 2020

Objective

To assess the importance of serum IgG/IgM antibody titers for the differentiation of Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) from its mimics.

Method

This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study conducted at two German neurological centers. Serological parameters (ELISA or CLIA analysis) and clinical presentation of 28 patients with definite LNB were compared to those of 36 patients with neurological symptoms mimicking LNB (mimics). Analysis was performed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and binary logistic regression.

Results

Elevated IgG-titers had a high sensitivity for neuroborreliosis in both centers (0.95 and 1.0). The optimal cutoff-values were set to 26.35 in center A (ELISA), and 64.0 in center B (CLIA). Diagnostic specificity was 0.41 and 0.89 in this constellation. Elevated IgM-titers showed a high diagnostic specificity for a cutoff at 68.10 (A) and 47.95 (B) (0.93 and 0.89). Sensitivity was 0.45 and 0.5. Overall diagnostic accuracy was low in both centers (A: IgG AUC = 0.665, IgM AUC = 0.629; B: IgG AUC = 0.917, IgM AUC = 0.556). In logistic regression of antibody titers and clinical measures, prediction of LNB was significantly better than the “null hypothesis”. Clinical measures showed the highest odds ratio.

Conclusion

Data show that in addition to the clinical presentation of patients with symptoms suggesting central or peripheral nervous system manifestation, serum IgG- and IgM-titers help to identify LNB-patients. The results should guide physicians counseling patients with suspected LNB about further diagnostic steps and treatment.
Parasitic infections represent a significant health threat among recent immigrants in Chicago
Authors: Herrick Jesica A. , Nordstrom Monica , Maloney Patrick , Rodriguez Miguel , Naceanceno Kevin , Gallo Gloria , Mejia Rojelio , Hershow Ron
Published: February 2020

Parasitic infections are likely under-recognized among immigrant populations in the USA. We conducted a cross-sectional study to evaluate if such infections have health impacts among recent immigrants in Chicago and to identify predictive factors for parasitic infections. A total of 133 recent immigrants were enrolled, filling out a standardized medical questionnaire and providing blood and stool samples. Appriximately 12% of subjects (15/125) who provided a blood or stool sample for testing were found to have evidence of current or prior infection with a pathogenic parasite, of whichToxocaraspp.(8 subjects, 6.4%) andStrongyloides stercoralis(5 subjects, 4%) were most commonly identified. Parasitic infection was more likely among subjects who had immigrated within the previous 2 years and those with a self-reported history of worms in the stool. The most useful surrogate markers identified for parasitic infections were an elevated immunoglobulin E level (seen in 46.7% (7/15) of subjects with parasitic infections and 20% (22/110) of uninfected individuals,p = 0.04) and the presence ofBlastocystis hominiscysts on Ova & Parasite exam (detected in 38.5% (5/13) of subjects with parasitic infections who provided a stool sample and 5.1% (5/98) of uninfected subjects,p = 0.002). Our study found that parasitic infections may be common in recent US immigrants, which highlights an important health disparity among a vulnerable population that merits further study. Additionally, clinical risk factors, symptoms, and laboratory findings traditionally thought to be associated with parasites were commonly found but not predictive of infection in this study population.
Age and sex differences in numerical responses, dietary shifts, and total responses of a generalist predator to population dynamics of main prey
Authors: Masoero Giulia , Laaksonen Toni , Morosinotto Chiara , Korpimäki Erkki
Published: February 2020

Fluctuations in the abundance of main prey species might shape animal communities, by inducing numerical responses and dietary shifts in predators. Whether numerical responses and dietary shifts differ among individuals of different age and sex has so far gained little attention. These differences could affect how much predators consume main and alternative prey, thus causing variation in predation pressure on main and alternative prey species. We studied the effect of fluctuating main prey abundance (voles) in autumn on the age and sex composition of a food-hoarding population of Eurasian pygmy owls Glaucidium passerinum (327 individuals), and on the species composition of their food stores in western Finland during 2003–2017 (629 food stores). Numbers of yearlings (< 1-year old) of both sexes and adult (+ 1-year old) females increased with increasing vole abundance. During low vole abundance, adult owls stored more small birds and less small mammals than yearlings. Females stored more small mammals than males and showed a tendency to store less birds. The amount of consumed birds (the most important alternative prey), and in particular of crested, willow, great, and blue tits, increased with low vole densities. Our results show that numerical, functional, and total responses of pygmy owls, and probably also other vertebrate predators, to the availability of the main prey in winter are shaped by the age and sex composition of the predator population, which both show large spatio-temporal variation in boreal forests.
Embedding Small Digraphs and Permutations in Binary Trees and Split Trees
Authors: Albert Michael , Holmgren Cecilia , Johansson Tony , Skerman Fiona
Published: February 2020

We investigate the number of permutations that occur in random labellings of trees. This is a generalisation of the number of subpermutations occurring in a random permutation. It also generalises some recent results on the number of inversions in randomly labelled trees (Cai et al. in Combin Probab Comput 28(3):335–364, 2019). We consider complete binary trees as well as random split trees a large class of random trees of logarithmic height introduced by Devroye (SIAM J Comput 28(2):409–432, 1998.10.1137/s0097539795283954). Split trees consist of nodes (bags) which can contain balls and are generated by a random trickle down process of balls through the nodes. For complete binary trees we show that asymptotically the cumulants of the number of occurrences of a fixed permutation in the random node labelling have explicit formulas. Our other main theorem is to show that for a random split tree, with probability tending to one as the number of balls increases, the cumulants of the number of occurrences are asymptotically an explicit parameter of the split tree. For the proof of the second theorem we show some results on the number of embeddings of digraphs into split trees which may be of independent interest.
Subgraph Complementation
Authors: Fomin Fedor V. , Golovach Petr A. , Strømme Torstein J. F. , Thilikos Dimitrios M.
Published: February 2020

A subgraph complement of the graph G is a graph obtained from G by complementing all the edges in one of its induced subgraphs. We study the following algorithmic question: for a given graph G and graph class $${\mathscr {G}}$$G, is there a subgraph complement of G which is in $${\mathscr {G}}$$G? We show that this problem can be solved in polynomial time for various choices of the graphs class $${\mathscr {G}}$$G, such as bipartite, d-degenerate, or cographs. We complement these results by proving that the problem is $${{\mathrm{NP}}}$$NP-complete when $${\mathscr {G}}$$G is the class of regular graphs.
Placing Labels in Road Maps: Algorithms and Complexity
Authors: Gemsa Andreas , Niedermann Benjamin , Nöllenburg Martin
Published: February 2020

A road map can be interpreted as a graph embedded in the plane, in which each vertex corresponds to a road junction and each edge to a particular road section. In this paper, we consider the computational cartographic problem to place non-overlapping road labels along the edges so that as many road sections as possible are identified by their name, i.e., covered by a label. We show that this is -hard in general, but the problem can be solved in $$O(n^3)$$O(n3) time if the road map is an embedded tree with n vertices and constant maximum degree. This special case is not only of theoretical interest, but our algorithm in fact provides a very useful subroutine in exact or heuristic algorithms for labeling general road maps.