bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and Properties of a New Chitosan‐Based Shape Memory Polymer and its Composites
Authors: Antony Gnanadickam Jerald Maria , Poulose Priya , Aruna Singanahalli ThippaReddy , Shanuja Shailaja Kesavan , Gnanamani Arumugam , Suneetha Yalachigere Kempaiah , Raja Samikkannu
Published: January 2021

In the present study, a new thermo‐responsive shape memory polymer (SMP) based on biopolymers such as chitosan (CH), cellulose acetate (CA), and polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) is fabricated, and the probable structure is elucidated based on proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. CH based biopolymer composites are prepared by incorporating fillers like polyethylene glycol methacrylate grafted hydroxyapatite (g‐HAp) and turmeric (TUR) powders. The morphology of g‐HAp and TUR particles are investigated by scanning electron microscopy. The mechanical properties of SMP composites are evaluated at room temperature and above the glass transition temperature (Tg). The obtained SMP exhibits a Tg of 75 °C and the Tg of the composites did not alter after incorporation of fillers. The developed SMP shows the shape memory effect due to the presence of PVAc. The addition of TUR and g‐HAp fillers enhanced the mechanical properties and biocompatibility of SMP. The Young‘s modulus (max. 27 MPa) obtained for the SMP composite in this study is higher than the reported values of 2–4 MPa for CH composite containing bioactive glass nanoparticles. The developed CH‐SMPs may find application in wound healing and bone implants.
Artificial Cutaneous Sensing of Object Slippage using Soft Robotics with Closed‐Loop Feedback Process
Authors: Sekine Tomohito , Wang Yi-Fei , Hong Jinseo , Takeda Yasunori , Miura Reo , Watanabe Yushi , Abe Mai , Mori Yoshiki , Wang Zhongkui , Kumaki Daisuke , Santos Fabrice Domingues Dos , Miyabo Atsushi , Kawamura Sadao , Tokito Shizuo
Published: January 2021

Tactile sensing is desirable for skillful object handling in soft robotics applications. Real‐time measurement and identification of dynamic shear forces are crucial for slip detection and object interaction. This study proposes a soft sensor with a closed‐loop feedback system for dynamic shear force detection to address object slippage in a soft robotic gripper. The sensor is made of a ferroelectric polymer with nanocarbon materials because of the resulting improved crystallinity and good sensitivity. The sensor shows high performance and high‐speed response for detecting dynamic shear forces when fragile objects (e.g., vegetables) slip from the soft gripper. The artificial cutaneous sensor shows high sensitivity for grasping such objects with the gripper. Furthermore, the feedback system provides a control system for operations and avoids the need for training for various tasks, thus demonstrating the potential of the proposed system for novel soft robotics applications such as biomimetic electronic skin.
Multifunctional Melamine Foam Assisted Lead Halide Perovskites for Highly Efficient and Long‐Term Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction Under Pure Water
Authors: Chen Qiao , Ma Yongchao , Wang Lili , Lan Xuefang , Shi Jinsheng
Published: January 2021

Application of lead halide perovskites in CO2 photoreduction in pure H2O medium is restricted, owing to the inherent instability and high toxicity of lead. Herein, 3D melamine foam (MF) with an interconnected porous structure is selected as a multifunctional assistance to solve these problems. Three‐dimensionality of MF can avoid direct touches of CsPbX3 (X = Br, I) with liquid H2O, preventing damage of H2O. Porosity of MF can accelerate H2O evaporation by its strong adsorption and photothermal effects, which will overcome the drawback of low CO2 solubility in aqueous solution, achieving a quick and sufficient mixture of CO2 with H2O vapor. These functions contribute to realize highly efficient CO2 reduction by CsPbX3 in pure H2O medium. The best products and electron consumption yields of the composite reach 42.08 and 161.84 μmol g−1 h−1, respectively,  which surpass most of the other CsPbX3‐related works in H2O or organic reaction media. MF/CsPbBr3 also presents long‐term stability, with product yields not showing any obvious decrease after continuous reaction for 104 h. Moreover, strong adherence of MF toward perovskites allows a good recoverability of CsPbX3, avoiding pollution of lead leakage to the environment.
Strain‐Induced Martensite Formation and Mechanical Properties of Fe–19Cr–4Ni–3Mn–0.15N–0.15C Austenitic Stainless Steel at Cryogenic Temperature
Authors: Alsultan Saba , Quitzke Caroline , Cheng Zhaoyang , Krüger Lutz , Volkova Olena , Wendler Marco
Published: January 2021

Herein, considerable insight is provided into the evolution of strain‐induced martensite and mechanical properties of Fe–19Cr–4Ni–3Mn–0.15N–0.15C wt% austenitic stainless steel (in short Cr19NC15.15) during deformation at room temperature and cryogenic temperatures. In situ magnetic measurements of the martensite evolution during tensile tests at various temperatures are conducted. The triggering stress required for strain‐induced martensite formation is determined at the minimum in the strain hardening curve. It is found that with reducing deformation temperature in the range from 0 to –20 °C slightly decreases, whereas the triggering stress increases with further reduction of deformation temperature to −70 °C. The relation between the formed α′‐martensite fraction and the strain applied during tensile test is established. The results demonstrate that a reduced deformation temperature from room temperature (RT) to −70 °C significantly enhances the transformation rate and the total volume fraction of strain‐induced α′‐martensite. The yield and tensile strength increase whereas elongation continuously decreases due to an increasing α′‐martensite volume fraction with decreasing tensile test temperature. The α′‐martensite formation kinetic follows Olson and Cohen's model and are in good agreement between the in situ experiment and theoretical calculations.
Unearthing a lectotype for Polytrichum commune Hedw. (Bryophyta, Polytrichaceae)
Authors: Kariyawasam Isuru U. , Price Michelle J. , Bell Neil E. , Long David G. , Mill Robert R. , Hyvönen Jaakko
Published: January 2021

The name Polytrichum commune, validated in Hedwig's Species muscorum frondosorum of 1801, was based on earlier entities that can be traced back to the pre‐Linnaean literature of the early 16th century. More than 200 years after its valid publication it remains to be typified. The single herbarium sheet for P. commune in the Hedwig‐Schwägrichen Herbarium in G contains nine specimens from different continents that represent four different species (P. commune, P. juniperinum, P. perigoniale, P. subpilosum). After careful study of the origins and taxonomic affinities of the specimens on this sheet, a lectotype is designated.
Non‐Covalent Interaction‐Directed Coordination‐Driven Self‐Assembly of Non‐Trivial Supramolecular Topologies
Authors: Singh Jatinder , Kim Hyunuk , Chi Ki‐Whan
Published: January 2021

The design of molecules with non‐trivial topologies is an essential step in the development of methods to mimic biological transformation in artificial systems. However, the generation of supramolecular topologies of increasing complexity, such as [n]catenanes, rotaxanes, knots and links, is relatively rare and challenging. Primarily, selective and quantitative synthesis of supramolecular topologies is a formidable challenge. Template‐free, non‐covalent interaction‐directed coordination‐driven self‐assembly provides an alternative approach for constructing non‐trivial topologies in selective and quantitative manner. This review briefly summarizes and provides a comprehensive insight into non‐trivial topologies obtained via template‐free, coordination and non‐covalent interaction‐driven self‐assembly.
A vet degree is portable and transferable
Authors: French Charlotte
Published: January 2021

Vet Charlotte French spent 25 years working in practice and shelter medicine before moving into vet teaching. She was recently appointed UK country manager and head of curriculum and quality at veterinary training company Improve International.
Risk factor analysis for beef calves requiring assisted vaginal delivery in Great Britain
Authors: Bragg Rachel , Macrae Alastair , Lycett Samantha , Burrough Elizabeth , Russell Geraldine , Corbishley Alexander
Published: January 2021

Background: Dystocia has serious consequences for both mother and offspring. This study therefore aimed to identify risk factors for dystocia in vaginally delivered spring born beef calves in Great Britain (GB).

Methods: Information on calving assistance, calf sex, birthweight, breed, twinning, dam parity and body condition score (BCS) was collected from 1131 calves across 84 GB farms. Variables were modelled against calving assistance as a binary response variable.

Results: Twins (Odds Ratio [OR] = 5.45), Charolais calves (OR = 3.24), calves from primiparous dams (OR = 5.75) and male calves (OR = 1.75) were at significantly increased risk of requiring calving assistance across all models. Calves born to cows classed as thin (BCS < 2.5/5) were identified in the univariate analysis and in one of the multivariate models (OR = 1.92) as having an increased likelihood of dystocia.

Conclusions: Most beef herds have limited scope to manage cows on the basis of fetal gender and number. However, calf breed, dam body condition and management of primiparous dams can be manipulated to reduce the risk of dystocia and improve supervision. Poor body condition is a novel risk factor for dystocia in beef cows and worthy of further investigation.
The importance of positive rewards in dog training
Authors: Gray Arabella
Published: January 2021

Arabella Gray discusses the latest evidence of the negative impact of aversive‐based training methods on companion dog welfare.
A president with a passion for farming life
Authors: Russell James
Published: January 2021

BVA president James Russell tells Josh Loeb about his affinity for farming life, managing to live with dyslexia and the plans for his presidential year
Innovative method for installing soil moisture probes in a large‐scale undisturbed gravel lysimeter
Authors: Stevenson Margaret E. , Kumpan Monika , Feichtinger Franz , Scheidl Andreas , Eder Alexander , Durner Wolfgang , Blaschke Alfred Paul , Strauss Peter
Published: January 2021

Aquifers of coarse gravel are an important source for drinking water; however, coarse sediments are also particularly susceptible to the rapid and long‐range transport of pollutants through the vadose zone. Therefore, understanding the flow and solute transport in unsaturated gravel material is of utmost importance for the protection of drinking water resources. Experimental investigations of flow and transport processes are dependent on suitable sensor technology, but it is a considerable challenge to install soil moisture sensors in gravelly material. In this note, we developed a novel method to install soil moisture sensors with minimal disturbance in a large lysimeter with undisturbed gravelly sedimentary material, based on drilling access cavities in frozen material. We investigated whether it is possible to obtain reliable soil moisture measurements and found that the probes measured the flow dynamics pattern well but could not quantify realistic absolute water content values.
Synthesis and Structure of 5‐Diphenylphosphino‐ acenaphth‐6‐yl Boronic Acid, Related Dialkyl Esters and Boroxine Rings
Authors: Furan Sinas , Hupf Emanuel , Lork Enno , Beckmann Jens
Published: January 2021

The reaction of 5‐Ph2P‐Ace‐6‐Li (prepared in situ from 6‐Ph2P‐Ace‐5‐Br and n‐BuLi in the presence of TMEDA) with B(OMe)3 and B(Oi‐Pr)3, respectively, provided the boronic esters 5‐Ph2P‐Ace‐6‐B(OR)2 (1 a, R=Me; 1 b, R=i‐Pr; Ace=acenaphthyl). Hydrolysis of the crude reaction mixture of 1 a, afforded the boronic acid 5‐Ph2P‐Ace‐6‐B(OH)2 (2), which crystallizes as hydrogen bonded complex 2 ⋅ 
TMEDA ⋅ CHCl3. Condensation of 2 yielded the related boroxine [5‐Ph2P‐Ace‐6‐BO]3 (3), which oxidized by air exclusively at one phosphorus atom to give the related boroxine [5‐Ph2P(O)‐Ace‐6‐BO(5‐Ph2P‐Ace‐6‐BO)2] (4). The new compounds have been analyzed by multinuclear NMR‐ and IR spectroscopy as well as X‐ray crystallography.
Family Company Governance Case
Authors: Hilb Martin
Published: January 2021

Max Meier (61), a “humane” entrepreneur, succeeded his father as a baker in Appenzell, Switzerland, in 1987, and has over the last 33 years developed the family business an internationally successful group of companies renowned for its chocolate specialties.

Six months ago, he suffered a heart attack and asks you how he should confront the issues of board composition and management appointment.
Board–Management Collaboration Case
Authors: Korine Harry
Published: January 2021

The case describes challenges that commonly arise between board and management in not for profits (NPFs), specifically, (a) questions of strategy related to changes in funding; (b) questions of culture related to the informality of relations among board members, management, and staff; and (c) questions of authority related to the disparity in involvement between volunteer board and professional management. Based on a description of how these challenges played out in an international NGO, an analysis of what was needed to address them, and a presentation of recommendations that were successfully applied, the case provides boards and managements of NPFs a blueprint for how to build stronger collaboration and offers students of NPFs a model for study.
A Case of Responsible Restructuring as Good Governance
Authors: Maier Victoria
Published: January 2021

Company expansion shapes people’s lives by offering new opportunities in which to grow, contribute, and flourish; but company downsizing can have a lasting impact on their lives as well. How a tenure of employment ends is just as important as how it begins. Outplacement is the process of transferring talent and expertise from one company to another as a result of downsizing. When rapid strategic change requires companies to downsize quickly and at short notice, the dilemma arises of how to do so responsibly. At Swiss consumer health and beauty company NCI, Rene Renz was given less than 48 hours to develop and complete a downsizing process that would reduce headcount by more than half. His solution shows how responsible outplacement goes beyond tangible, numbers-related aspects by addressing intangible aspects, such as handling employee distress, and ultimately helping employees to embrace their future.
IPO Governance Case
Authors: Jeannet Jean-Pierre
Published: January 2021

Orthotec was a successful medtech company that had passed from the original founders to a new generation of owner-managers. In order to buy out the founders, the new owners were looking for a way to raise new capital for expansion as well. From among several options to select, the new owner-managers chose the private equity route. Conflicts soon arose with the new private equity investors joining the board resulting in a conflict that could not be resolved. Eventually, Orthotec was sold to a larger international company who closed the operation, thus leaving the initial aspirations of the company unfulfilled. Investors, management and employees all turned out losers in this conflict.
Erratum to: Complete one-loop matching for a singlet scalar in the Standard Model EFT
Authors: Jiang Minyuan , Craig Nathaniel , Li Ying-Ying , Sutherland Dave
Published: January 2021

There are terms missing from the one-loop matching calculation of [1].
On the structure of non-planar strong coupling corrections to correlators of BPS Wilson loops and chiral primary operators
Authors: Beccaria M. , Tseytlin A. A.
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Starting with some known localization (matrix model) representations for correlators involving 1/2 BPS circular Wilson loop $$ \mathcal{W} $$
W
in $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 SYM theory we work out their 1/N expansions in the limit of large ’t Hooft coupling λ. Motivated by a possibility of eventual matching to higher genus corrections in dual string theory we follow arXiv:2007.08512 and express the result in terms of the string coupling $$ {g}_{\mathrm{s}}\sim {g}_{\mathrm{YM}}^2\sim \lambda /N $$

g
s

∼

g
YM
2

∼
λ
/
N
and string tension $$ T\sim \sqrt{\lambda } $$
T
∼

λ

. Keeping only the leading in 1/T term at each order in gs we observe that while the expansion of $$ \left\langle \mathcal{W}\right\rangle $$

W

is a series in $$ {g}_{\mathrm{s}}^2/T $$

g
s
2

/
T
, the correlator of the Wilson loop with chiral primary operators $$ {\mathcal{O}}_J $$

O
J

has expansion in powers of $$ {g}_{\mathrm{s}}^2/{T}^2 $$

g
s
2

/

T
2

. Like in the case of $$ \left\langle \mathcal{W}\right\rangle $$

W

where these leading terms are known to resum into an exponential of a “one-handle” contribution $$ \sim {g}_{\mathrm{s}}^2/T $$
∼

g
s
2

/
T
, the leading strong coupling terms in $$ \left\langle {\mathcal{WO}}_J\right\rangle $$

WO
J

sum up to a simple square root function of $$ {g}_{\mathrm{s}}^2/{T}^2 $$

g
s
2

/

T
2

. Analogous expansions in powers of $$ {g}_{\mathrm{s}}^2/T $$

g
s
2

/
T
are found for correlators of several coincident Wilson loops and they again have a simple resummed form. We also find similar expansions for correlators of coincident 1/2 BPS Wilson loops in the ABJM theory.
An exact construction of codimension two holography
Authors: Miao Rong-Xin
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Recently, a codimension two holography called wedge holography is proposed as a generalization of AdS/CFT. It is conjectured that a gravitational theory in d + 1 dimensional wedge spacetime is dual to a d − 1 dimensional CFT on the corner of the wedge. In this paper, we give an exact construction of the gravitational solutions for wedge holography from the ones in AdS/CFT. By applying this construction, we prove the equivalence between wedge holography and AdS/CFT for vacuum Einstein gravity, by showing that the classical gravitational action and thus the CFT partition function in large N limit are the same for the two theories. The equivalence to AdS/CFT can be regarded as a “proof” of wedge holography in a certain sense. As an application of this powerful equivalence, we derive easily the holographic Weyl anomaly, holographic Entanglement/Rényi entropy and correlation functions for wedge holography. Besides, we discuss the general solutions of wedge holography and argue that they correspond to the AdS/CFT with suitable matter fields. Interestingly, we notice that the intrinsic Ricci scalar on the brane is always a constant, which depends on the tension. Finally, we generalize the discussions to dS/CFT and flat space holography. Remarkably, we find that AdS/CFT, dS/CFT and flat space holography can be unified in the framework of codimension two holography in asymptotically AdS. Different dualities are distinguished by different types of spacetimes on the brane.
Displaced vertex signatures of a pseudo-Goldstone sterile neutrino
Authors: Lavignac Stéphane , Medina Anibal D.
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Low-scale models of neutrino mass generation often feature sterile neutrinos with masses in the GeV-TeV range, which can be produced at colliders through their mixing with the Standard Model neutrinos. We consider an alternative scenario in which the sterile neutrino is produced in the decay of a heavier particle, such that its production cross section does not depend on the active-sterile neutrino mixing angles. The mixing angles can be accessed through the decays of the sterile neutrino, provided that they lead to observable displaced vertices. We present an explicit realization of this scenario in which the sterile neutrino is the supersymmetric partner of a pseudo-Nambu-Goldstone boson, and is produced in the decays of higgsino-like neutralinos and charginos. The model predicts the active-sterile neutrino mixing angles in terms of a small number of parameters. We show that a sterile neutrino with a mass between a few 10 GeV and 200 GeV can lead to observable displaced vertices at the LHC, and outline a strategy for reconstructing experimentally its mixing angles.
Tag N’ Train: a technique to train improved classifiers on unlabeled data
Authors: Amram Oz , Suarez Cristina Mantilla
Published: January 2021

Abstract

There has been substantial progress in applying machine learning techniques to classification problems in collider and jet physics. But as these techniques grow in sophistication, they are becoming more sensitive to subtle features of jets that may not be well modeled in simulation. Therefore, relying on simulations for training will lead to sub-optimal performance in data, but the lack of true class labels makes it difficult to train on real data. To address this challenge we introduce a new approach, called Tag N’ Train (TNT), that can be applied to unlabeled data that has two distinct sub-objects. The technique uses a weak classifier for one of the objects to tag signal-rich and background-rich samples. These samples are then used to train a stronger classifier for the other object. We demonstrate the power of this method by applying it to a dijet resonance search. By starting with autoencoders trained directly on data as the weak classifiers, we use TNT to train substantially improved classifiers. We show that Tag N’ Train can be a powerful tool in model-agnostic searches and discuss other potential applications.
SVM-Based Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Detection
Authors: Rau Alexander , Kim Suam , Yang Shan , Reisert Marco , Kellner Elias , Duman Ikram Eda , Stieltjes Bram , Hohenhaus Marc , Beck Jürgen , Urbach Horst , Egger Karl
Published: January 2021

Background and Purpose

As magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signs of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) may precede clinical symptoms we sought to evaluate an algorithm that automatically detects this pattern.

Methods

A support vector machine (SVM) was trained in 30 NPH patients treated with ventriculoperitoneal shunts and 30 healthy controls. For comparison, four neuroradiologists visually assessed sagittal MPRAGE images and graded them as no NPH pattern, possible NPH pattern, or definite NPH pattern.

Results

Human accuracy to visually detect a NPH was between 0.85 and 0.97. Interobserver agreement was substantial (κ = 0.656). Accuracy of the SVM algorithm was 0.93 and AUROC 0.99. Among 272 prespecified regions, gray matter and CSF volumes of both caudate, the right parietal operculum, the left basal forebrain, and the 4th ventricle showed the highest discriminative power to separate a NPH and a no NPH pattern.

Conclusion

A NPH pattern can be reliably detected using a support vector machine (SVM). Its role in the work-up of asymptomatic patients or neurodegenerative disease has to be evaluated.
Stationäre und intensivmedizinische Versorgungsstrukturen von COVID-19-Patienten bis Juli 2020
Authors: Hentschker C. , Mostert C. , Klauber J. , Malzahn J. , Scheller-Kreinsen D. , Schillinger G. , Karagiannidis C. , Busse R.
Published: January 2021

Hintergrund

Hospitalisierte COVID-19-Patienten weisen eine hohe Morbidität und Mortalität auf und sind häufig auf eine intensivstationäre Behandlung und hier vor allem auf eine Beatmungstherapie angewiesen. Bisher ist wenig über die Patientenallokation bekannt.

Ziel der Arbeit

Die Darstellung der Strukturen der Krankenhausversorgung der COVID-19-Patienten zwischen dem 26. Februar bis zum 31. Juli 2020

Daten und Methoden

Für die Analyse der Versorgungsstrukturen wurden die Abrechnungsdaten der Allgemeinen Ortskrankenkassen (AOK) ausgewertet. Es wurden ausschließlich abgeschlossene somatische COVID-19-Fälle ausgewertet, bei denen das Virus durch einen Labortest nachgewiesen wurde. Die Stichprobe umfasst 17.094 COVID-19-Fälle, deren Behandlung in 1082 Krankenhäusern erfolgte.

Ergebnisse

An der Versorgung der COVID-19-Fälle waren 77 % aller Krankenhäuser beteiligt, an der intensivmedizinischen Behandlung 48 % aller Krankenhäuser. Von den Krankenhäusern, die COVID-19-Fälle behandelt haben, versorgte eine Hälfte 88 % aller Fälle. Das deutet zwar auf einen Zentrierungseffekt der COVID-19-Fälle auf bestimmte Krankenhäuser hin, jedoch verteilten sich die übrigen 12 % der Fälle auf viele Krankenhäuser mit oftmals sehr kleinen Fallzahlen. Des Weiteren wurde knapp ein Viertel der beatmeten COVID-19-Fälle in Krankenhäusern behandelt, die eine unterdurchschnittliche Beatmungserfahrung aufweisen.

Diskussion

Im Rahmen steigender Infektionszahlen ist es sowohl notwendig die Versorgungsstrukturen von COVID-19-Fällen durch klar definierte und zentral gesteuerte Stufenkonzepte zu verbessern als auch die Versorgung der Patienten ohne COVID-19 weiterhin aufrechtzuerhalten. Ein umfassendes Stufenkonzept mit stärkerer Konzentration erscheint für die Versorgung dieser komplex erkrankten Patienten sinnvoll.
Relationship between amyloid and tau levels and its impact on tau spreading
Authors: Doré Vincent , Krishnadas Natasha , Bourgeat Pierrick , Huang Kun , Li Shenpeng , Burnham Samantha , Masters Colin L. , Fripp Jurgen , Villemagne Victor L. , Rowe Christopher C.
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Previous studies have shown that Aβ-amyloid (Aβ) likely promotes tau to spread beyond the medial temporal lobe. However, the Aβ levels necessary for tau to spread in the neocortex is still unclear.

Methods

Four hundred sixty-six participants underwent tau imaging with [18F]MK6420 and Aβ imaging with [18F]NAV4694. Aβ scans were quantified on the Centiloid (CL) scale with a cut-off of 25 CL for abnormal levels of Aβ (A+). Tau scans were quantified in three regions of interest (ROI) (mesial temporal (Me); temporoparietal neocortex (Te); and rest of neocortex (R)) and four mesial temporal region (entorhinal cortex, amygdala, hippocampus, and parahippocampus). Regional tau thresholds were established as the 95%ile of the cognitively unimpaired A- subjects. The prevalence of abnormal tau levels (T+) along the Centiloid continuum was determined.

Results

The plots of prevalence of T+ show earlier and greater increase along the Centiloid continuum in the medial temporal area compared to neocortex. Prevalence of T+ was low but associated with Aβ level between 10 and 40 CL reaching 23% in Me, 15% in Te, and 11% in R. Between 40 and 70 CL, the prevalence of T+ subjects per CL increased fourfold faster and at 70 CL was 64% in Me, 51% in Te, and 37% in R. In cognitively unimpaired, there were no T+ in R below 50 CL. The highest prevalence of T+ were found in the entorhinal cortex, reaching 40% at 40 CL and 80% at 60 CL.

Conclusion

Outside the entorhinal cortex, abnormal levels of cortical tau on PET are rarely found with Aβ below 40 CL. Above 40 CL prevalence of T+ accelerates in all areas. Moderate Aβ levels are required before abnormal neocortical tau becomes detectable.
IgA immunoglobulin isotype of rheumatoid factor in primary Sjögren’s syndrome
Authors: Maślińska Maria , Mańczak Małgorzata , Kwiatkowska Brygida , Ramsperger Vince , Shen Long , Suresh Lakshmanan
Published: January 2021

Primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) is an autoimmune disease with autoantibodies overproduction, including rheumatoid factors (RF). RF-IgA, IgG immunoglobulin classes are suggested as potential biomarkers of pSS. We studied 76 patients with pSS (ACR/Eular 2017); laboratory tests included ESR, C-reactive protein, concentrations of gamma globulins, RF, Anti-SS-A/Ro, and anti-SS-B/La. Eye dryness and keratoconjunctivitis sicca were confirmed with Schirmer’s test, the ocular staining score (OSS) using lissamine green, fluorescein staining and biopsy of minor salivary gland with the histopathological evaluation. Differences between groups were analyzed with U Mann–Whitney test. Correlations between quantitative variables were assessed with the Spearman correlation coefficient.. The best diagnostic values of immunoglobulin concentration for discriminating pSS patients and healthy individuals are for RF-IgA. With cut-off of 21.5 EU/mL, the sensitivity is 72% and specificity is 100%. Very high specificity (100%) is also obtained for RF-IgM concentration of 74.1 EU/mL. Sensitivity is, however, smaller than that for RF-IgA and amounted to 61%. The RF-IgG is the poorest indicator of pSS with 51% of sensitivity and 95% of specificity. To summarize RF-IgA strongly associate with anti-SS-A and anti-SS-B autoantibodies. Both RF-IgA and RF-IgM may be used as diagnostic tools for pSS. Conclusions: among the three studied rheumatoid factor subtypes, RF-IgA showed the best diagnostic accuracy for pSS. RF-IgA correlated with anti-SS-A/Ro and anti-SS-B antibodies even more closely than RF-IgM. The assessment of the RF-IgA serum concentration may be helpful in the process of establishing pSS diagnosis.
Photodynamic studies reveal rapid formation and appreciable turnover of tau inclusions
Authors: Croft Cara L. , Goodwin Marshall S. , Ryu Daniel H. , Lessard Christian B. , Tejeda Giancarlo , Marrero Marc , Vause Ava R. , Paterno Giavanna , Cruz Pedro E. , Lewis Jada , Giasson Benoit I. , Golde Todd E.
Published: January 2021

Accumulation of the tau protein in fibrillar intracellular aggregates is a defining feature of multiple neurodegenerative diseases collectively referred to as tauopathies. Despite intensive study of tau, there is limited information on the formation and clearance dynamics of tau inclusions. Using rAAV vectors to mediate expression of Dendra2-tagged human wild-type, P301L and pro-aggregant P301L/S320F tau proteins, with and without the addition of exogenous tau fibrillar seeds, we evaluated tau inclusion dynamics in organotypic brain slice culture (BSC) models using long-term optical pulse labeling methodology. Our studies reveal that tau inclusions typically form in 12–96 h in tauopathy BSC models. Unexpectedly, we demonstrate appreciable turnover of tau within inclusions with an average half-life of ~ 1 week when inclusions are newly formed. When BSCs with inclusions are aged in culture for extended periods, tau inclusions continue to turnover, but their half-lives increase to ~ 2 weeks and ~ 3 weeks after 1 and 2 months in culture, respectively. Individual tau inclusions can be long-lived structures that can persist for months in these BSC models and for even longer in the human brain. However, our data indicate that tau inclusions, are not ‘tombstones’, but dynamic structures with appreciable turnover. Understanding the cellular processes mediating this inclusion turnover may lead to new therapeutic strategies that could reverse pathological tau inclusion formation.
Stimulus-driven updating of long-term context memories in visual search
Authors: Conci Markus , Zellin Martina
Published: January 2021

Visual search for a target is faster when the spatial layout of nontarget items is repeatedly encountered, illustrating that learned contextual invariances can improve attentional selection (contextual cueing). This type of contextual learning is usually relatively efficient, but relocating the target to an unexpected location (within otherwise unchanged layouts) typically abolishes contextual cueing. Here, we explored whether bottom-up attentional guidance can mediate the efficient contextual adaptation after the change. Two experiments presented an initial learning phase, followed by a subsequent relocation phase that introduced target location changes. This location change was accompanied by transient attention-guiding signals that either up-modulated the changed target location (Experiment 1), or which provided an inhibitory tag to down-modulate the initial target location (Experiment 2). The results from these two experiments showed reliable contextual cueing both before and after the target location change. By contrast, an additional control experiment (Experiment 3) that did not present any attention-guiding signals together with the changed target showed no reliable cueing in the relocation phase, thus replicating previous findings. This pattern of results suggests that attentional guidance (by transient stimulus-driven facilitatory and inhibitory signals) enhances the flexibility of long-term contextual learning.
A biallelic variant in CLRN2 causes non-syndromic hearing loss in humans
Authors: Vona Barbara , Mazaheri Neda , Lin Sheng-Jia , Dunbar Lucy A. , Maroofian Reza , Azaiez Hela , Booth Kevin T. , Vitry Sandrine , Rad Aboulfazl , Rüschendorf Franz , Varshney Pratishtha , Fowler Ben , Beetz Christian , Alagramam Kumar N. , Murphy David , Shariati Gholamreza , Sedaghat Alireza , Houlden Henry , Petree Cassidy , VijayKumar Shruthi , Smith Richard J. H. , Haaf Thomas , El-Amraoui Aziz , Bowl Michael R. , Varshney Gaurav K. , Galehdari Hamid
Published: January 2021

Deafness, the most frequent sensory deficit in humans, is extremely heterogeneous with hundreds of genes involved. Clinical and genetic analyses of an extended consanguineous family with pre-lingual, moderate-to-profound autosomal recessive sensorineural hearing loss, allowed us to identify CLRN2, encoding a tetraspan protein, as a new deafness gene. Homozygosity mapping followed by exome sequencing identified a 14.96 Mb locus on chromosome 4p15.32p15.1 containing a likely pathogenic missense variant in CLRN2 (c.494C > A, NM_001079827.2) segregating with the disease. Using in vitro RNA splicing analysis, we show that the CLRN2 c.494C > A variant leads to two events: (1) the substitution of a highly conserved threonine (uncharged amino acid) to lysine (charged amino acid) at position 165, p.(Thr165Lys), and (2) aberrant splicing, with the retention of intron 2 resulting in a stop codon after 26 additional amino acids, p.(Gly146Lysfs*26). Expression studies and phenotyping of newly produced zebrafish and mouse models deficient for clarin 2 further confirm that clarin 2, expressed in the inner ear hair cells, is essential for normal organization and maintenance of the auditory hair bundles, and for hearing function. Together, our findings identify CLRN2 as a new deafness gene, which will impact future diagnosis and treatment for deaf patients.
Immune regulation in renal inflammation
Authors: Neumann Katrin , Tiegs Gisa
Published: January 2021

Renal inflammation, induced by autoantigen recognition or toxic drugs, leads to renal tissue injury and decline in kidney function. Recent studies have demonstrated the crucial role for regulatory T cells in suppressing pathogenic adaptive but also innate immune responses in the inflamed kidney. However, there is also evidence for other immune cell populations with immunosuppressive function in renal inflammation. This review summarizes mechanisms of immune cell regulation in immune-mediated glomerulonephritis and acute and chronic nephrotoxicity.
Olfaction across the water–air interface in anuran amphibians
Authors: Weiss Lukas , Manzini Ivan , Hassenklöver Thomas
Published: January 2021

Extant anuran amphibians originate from an evolutionary intersection eventually leading to fully terrestrial tetrapods. In many ways, they have to deal with exposure to both terrestrial and aquatic environments: (i) phylogenetically, as derivatives of the first tetrapod group that conquered the terrestrial environment in evolution; (ii) ontogenetically, with a development that includes aquatic and terrestrial stages connected via metamorphic remodeling; and (iii) individually, with common changes in habitat during the life cycle. Our knowledge about the structural organization and function of the amphibian olfactory system and its relevance still lags behind findings on mammals. It is a formidable challenge to reveal underlying general principles of circuity-related, cellular, and molecular properties that are beneficial for an optimized sense of smell in water and air. Recent findings in structural organization coupled with behavioral observations could help to understand the importance of the sense of smell in this evolutionarily important animal group. We describe the structure of the peripheral olfactory organ, the olfactory bulb, and higher olfactory centers on a tissue, cellular, and molecular levels. Differences and similarities between the olfactory systems of anurans and other vertebrates are reviewed. Special emphasis lies on adaptations that are connected to the distinct demands of olfaction in water and air environment. These particular adaptations are discussed in light of evolutionary trends, ontogenetic development, and ecological demands.
Public transit infrastructure and heat perceptions in hot and dry climates
Authors: Dzyuban Yuliya , Hondula David M. , Coseo Paul J. , Redman Charles L.
Published: January 2021

Many cities aim to progress toward their sustainability and public health goals by increasing use of their public transit systems. However, without adequate protective infrastructure that provides thermally comfortable conditions for public transit riders, it can be challenging to reach these goals in hot climates. We took micrometeorological measurements and surveyed riders about their perceptions of heat and heat-coping behaviors at bus stops with a variety of design attributes in Phoenix, AZ, USA, during the summer of 2018. We identified the design attributes and coping behaviors that made riders feel cooler. We observed that current infrastructure standards and material choices for bus stops in Phoenix are insufficient to provide thermal comfort, and can even expose riders to health risks. Almost half of the study participants felt hot or very hot at the time they were surveyed, and more than half reported feeling thermally uncomfortable. On average, shade reduced the physiological equivalent temperature (PET) by 19 °C. Moreover, we found significant diurnal differences in PET reductions from the shade provided by various design attributes. For instance, all design attributes were effective in reducing PET in the morning; however, a vegetated awning did not provide statistically significant shade reductions in the afternoon. Temperatures of sun-exposed surfaces of man-made materials exceeded skin burn thresholds in the afternoon, but shade was effective in bringing the same surfaces to safe levels. Aesthetically pleasing stops were rated as cooler than stops rated as less beautiful. We conclude that cities striving to increase public transit use should prioritize thermal comfort when designing public transit stops in hot climates.
Biden’s Security Policy: Democratic Security or Democratic Exceptionalism?
Authors: Soare Simona R.
Published: January 2021

By emphasising the internal-external security nexus inherent in democratic security, the US could aspire again to lead through the example of its democracy’s resilience and ability to self-correct.
COVID-19: Lockdowns, Fatality Rates and GDP Growth
Authors: König Michael , Winkler Adalbert
Published: January 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered an unprecedented economic crisis. This article analyses the impact of mandatory social distancing imposed by lockdown policies and voluntary social distancing triggered by COVID-19 fatality rates on GDP growth in the first three quarters of 2020 for a sample of 42 countries. OLS and IV results indicate an important role for the fatality rate, while panel regressions show that lockdown stringency is the more important driver of growth. When including lagged variables, more restrictive measures lead to lower GDP growth in the same quarter but are associated with a positive, catching-up effect in the following quarter.
Women bear a burden: gender differences in health of older migrants from Turkey
Authors: Krobisch Verena , Gebert Pimrapat , Gül Kübra , Schenk Liane
Published: January 2021

Studies show that older migrants have poorer health than native populations in Western Europe. To date, little systematic research has explored the differences between men and women within older populations with migration backgrounds. This article examines gender-specific aspects and mediating mechanisms of self-reported health among older migrants from Turkey. Using a mixed method approach, data and results from a quantitative survey and a qualitative study conducted in Berlin, Germany, are analysed and integrated at the interpretive level. Standardised face-to-face interviews were carried out with the help of a network approach with 194 older migrants from Turkey (93 women, 101 men, mean age: 68). Potential mediators showing significant gender differences are included in a parallel multiple mediation analysis. The documentary method is used to analyse 11 semi-structured narrative interviews with first-generation labour migrants from Turkey. Women reported significantly worse subjective health than men (c = 0.443, bCI [0.165–0.736]), conveyed through greater functional limitations (ab = 0.183, bCI [0.056–0.321]) and emotional loneliness (ab = 0.057, bCI [0.008–0.128]). Respondents to the qualitative study perceived that women age earlier and have poorer health due to the burden of performing a greater variety of social roles. Higher levels of emotional loneliness among women could be caused by their experiences of negatively assessed partnerships. Our results show that as a group, older female migrants have an elevated health vulnerability. A broader scientific foundation regarding gender differences in the health of older migrants and their causes is needed to promote gender-sensitive prevention and care for this group.
The effect of ageing on bonding performance of plasma treated beech wood with urea-formaldehyde adhesive
Authors: Žigon Jure , Saražin Jaša , Šernek Milan , Kovač Janez , Dahle Sebastian
Published: January 2021

In the process of wood bonding, the usage of aged and inactivated wooden elements can cause a reduction in mechanical properties of products containing wood-adhesive joints. Treating wood with an atmospheric air plasma represents a sophisticated technique for surface activation. With this regard, to enhance the bondability of normal beech wood (Fagus sylvaticaL.) with urea-formaldehyde (UF) adhesive, a dielectric barrier discharge plasma in floating electrode configuration was implemented. In this study, fresh and aged wood specimen both, untreated and plasma treated, were investigated. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed promotion of carbon-rich species with ageing, but generation of a new functional oxygen-containing functional groups after plasma treatment. Microscopic observations with scanning electron microscope showed no obvious changes in the wood structure after plasma treatment. Surface oxidation consequently improved the wettability of the wood surface with water and UF adhesive. However, this enhanced wettability slightly diminished over time. As shown with dynamic mechanical analysis, the rheological properties of the UF adhesive in wood-adhesive joints were not affected by aging nor by plasma treatment. The positive influence of plasma treatment and negative impact of substrate ageing to the shear strengths of wood lap-joints were determined using an automated bonding evaluation system. Similarly, the negative effect of wood ageing and the positive effect of plasma pre-treatment were reflected in the bending strengths of the produced laminated veneer lumbers. Results showed that plasma treatment of beech wood improves the bonding performance of both fresh and aged wood.

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Modelling the Effects of Boundary Walls on the Fire Dynamics of Informal Settlement Dwellings
Authors: Beshir M. , Mohamed M. , Welch S. , Rush D.
Published: January 2021

Characterising the risk of the fire spread in informal settlements relies on the ability to understand compartment fires with boundary conditions that are significantly different to normal residential compartments. Informal settlement dwellings frequently have thermally thin and leaky boundaries. Due to the unique design of these compartments, detailed experimental studies were conducted to understand their fire dynamics. This paper presents the ability of FDS to model these under-ventilated steel sheeted fire tests. Four compartment fire tests were modelled with different wall boundary conditions, namely sealed walls (no leakage), non-sealed walls (leaky), leaky walls with cardboard lining, and highly insulated walls; with wood cribs as fuel and ISO-9705 room dimensions. FDS managed to capture the main fire dynamics and trends both qualitatively and quantitatively. However, using a cell size of 6 cm, the ability of FDS to accurately model the combustion at locations with high turbulent flows (using the infinitely fast chemistry mixing controlled combustion model), and the effect of leakage, was relatively poor and both factors should be further studied with finer LES filter width. Using the validated FDS models, new flashover criteria for thermally thin compartments were defined as a combination of critical hot gas layer and wall temperatures. Additionally, a parametric study was conducted to propose an empirical correlation to estimate the onset Heat Release Rate required for flashover, as current knowledge fails to account properly for large scale compartments with thermally thin boundaries. The empirical correlation is demonstrated to have an accuracy of ≈ ± 10% compared with the FDS models.
Understanding biosecurity: knowledge, attitudes and practices of seaweed farmers in the Philippines
Authors: Mateo Jonalyn P. , Campbell Iona , Cottier-Cook Elizabeth J. , Luhan Maria Rovilla J. , Ferriols Victor Marco Emmanuel N. , Hurtado Anicia Q.
Published: January 2021

Farmers are one of the most important components of any plant-based cultivation industry. The Philippines is one of the world’s major producers of red carrageenophyte algae and has tens of thousands of farmers involved in this industry. The production of algae such as Kappaphycus and Eucheuma increased significantly from the early 1970s, when the industry was established, before declining from the mid-2000s, due to a number of reasons, including disease and epiphyte outbreaks. The introduction of biosecurity measures has been one approach used to tackle this decline. Biosecurity-related knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of the seaweed farmers were assessed in the four highest seaweed producing regions in the Philippines: (1) Tawi-Tawi, (2) Palawan, (3) Zamboanga and (4) Bohol. Analyses showed that seaweed farmers from Tawi-Tawi had relatively higher KAP mean scores than the other three sites. Palawan and Bohol farmers, however, scored lower on their knowledge, higher on their attitude and highest on their practices compared with the other areas. Farmers from Zamboanga scored the lowest in both their attitude and practice mean scores, although their knowledge score was one of the highest. This is the first KAP assessment applied to the seaweed farming industry globally and the results, in which the farmers’ biosecurity-related knowledge and practices, which scored “Fair” (50–75%) across all the regions, and their attitudes, which scored predominantly “Good” (> 75%) suggest that there is potential to raise the score for biosecurity practices. This assessment highlights how biosecurity challenges are currently addressed by seaweed farmers in the Philippines and suggests how the KAP survey could be used as a tool by policymakers and scientists to address gaps in biosecurity management practices.