bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Statistical product convergence of martingale sequences and its applications to Korovkin‐type approximation theorems
Authors: Srivastava Hari M. , Jena Bidu Bhusan , Paikray Susanta Kumar
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we investigate and study the concepts of statistical product convergence and statistical product summability via deferred Cesàro and deferred weighted product means for martingale sequences of random variables. We then establish an inclusion theorem concerning the relation between these two nice and potentially useful concepts. Also, based upon our proposed concepts, we state and prove a set of new Korovkin‐type approximation theorems for a martingale sequence over a Banach space. Moreover, we demonstrate that our approximation theorems effectively extend and improve most (if not all) of the previously existing results (both in statistical and classical versions). Finally, by using the generalized Bernstein polynomials, we present an illustrative example of a martingale sequence in order to demonstrate that our established theorems are quite stronger than the traditional and statistical versions of different theorems existing in the literature. We also suggest a direction for future researches on this subject, which are based upon the basic (or q‐) calculus, but not upon the trivial and inconsequential variations involving the so‐called (p, q)‐calculus.
Numerical simulation of unstable suction transients in unsaturated soils: the role of wetting collapse
Authors: Chen Yanni , Buscarnera Giuseppe
Published: April 2021

Fluid injection is one of the major triggering factors of instability in unsaturated soils. Robust simulation tools are therefore required to examine hydrologic transients in such a class of inelastic materials. In this paper, the governing equations imposing the balance of mass and momentum in deformable unsaturated porous media are inspected from an analytical perspective. Our main goal is to examine the role of volume collapse on the stability of suction transients. Distinct scenarios are considered in terms of material behavior, distinguishing the case of elastoplastic and viscoplastic materials. It shows that in elastoplastic materials the mathematical ill‐posedness of the partial differential equations leads to a diffusive instability of the pore pressure field, signaled by the loss of stress controllability under water injection. By contrast, the introduction of viscosity restores the mathematical well‐posedness and ensures the positive diffusivity. Numerical implications of these findings have been explored through simulations of water injection with a 1D finite element solver. It shows that an increase of the soil hydraulic sensitivity (i.e., a marked deterioration of the yield stress upon suction removal) can deteriorate the diffusive stability and prevent the computation of suction changes across a collapsible soil layer. While the incorporation of minor amounts of viscosity can restore numerical stability by suppressing the constitutive singularity. Such numerical results have been corroborated by the computation of local stability indicators based on controllability theory, which proved to be robust diagnostic tools to identify the culprit of runaway instability emerging from coupled hydro‐mechanical processes.
Student‐led workshops: Filling skills gaps in computational research for life scientists
Authors: LaTourrette Katherine , Stengel Ashley , Clarke Jennifer
Published: April 2021

Computational skills are increasingly important for conducting research in the agricultural and natural sciences. However, barriers to training availability and accessibility have left many life scientists under‐prepared. To address these challenges, we developed a workshop series led by graduate students to cover topics relevant to research needs among life scientists. Our workshops incorporated guided practice to facilitate a student‐centered learning environment. Further, in response to changes mandated by the COVID‐19 pandemic, the workshop series was converted to a virtual format and extended to life science researchers beyond our home institution. We highlight how to effectively structure workshops to develop computational skills and adapt in‐person activities to the virtual environment. Survey data shows our workshops reached a highly diverse group of scientists, representing more than eight departments, in both in‐person and virtual renditions. Further, we demonstrate an increase in self‐reported confidence in student abilities to apply concepts to their own research following content delivery. This increase was facilitated in both virtual and in‐person environments, showing that adapting content for online delivery is capable of supporting student learning gains. The success of this workshop series shows the importance of hands‐on, guided practice in developing computational skills to fill gaps in training in the agricultural and natural sciences.
Salvage Treatment Using Anti–PD-1/CTLA-4 Immunotherapy After Failure of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Microsatellite Instable Gastroesophageal Carcinoma
Authors: Klein Oliver , Brown Wendy A. , Saxon Sarah , Haydon Andrew
Published: April 2021

Perioperative chemotherapy is standard treatment for patients with early high-risk gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma independent of molecular subtype. Approximately 8% of gastroesophageal cancers have a microsatellite instable phenotype (MSI-H), and retrospective analyses of neoadjuvant/adjuvant chemotherapy trials suggests no survival benefit in this patient population compared with surgery alone. Patients with advanced MSI-H malignancies obtain durable responses with immunotherapy using anti–programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) checkpoint blockade. We describe a case of a patient with an early MSI-H gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma who progressed on neoadjuvant chemotherapy precluding subsequent surgical resection. The patient was subsequently treated with immunotherapy using the anti–PD-1 antibody nivolumab and the anti–cytotoxic T-lymphocyte–associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) antibody ipilimumab leading to a complete remission with biopsies of the residual tumor mass and regional lymph nodes revealing no residual tumor. This case highlights the lack of benefit from neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with MSI-H gastroesophageal cancers and suggests that perioperative anti–PD-1–based immunotherapy should be further investigated in this patient population.

Key Points
Impact of Cancer History on Outcomes Among Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19
Authors: Klein Isaac A. , Rosenberg Shoshana M. , Reynolds Kerry L. , Zubiri Leyre , Rosovsky Rachel , Piper-Vallillo Andrew J. , Gao Xin , Boland Genevieve , Bardia Aditya , Gaither Rachel , Freeman Hannah , Kirkner Gregory J. , Rhee Chanu , Klompas Michael , Baker Meghan A. , Wadleigh Martha , Winer Eric P. , Kotton Camille N. , Partridge Ann H.
Published: April 2021

Background

Early reports suggested increased mortality from COVID-19 in patients with cancer but lacked rigorous comparisons to patients without cancer. We investigated whether a current cancer diagnosis or cancer history is an independent risk factor for death in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

Patients and Methods

We identified patients with a history of cancer admitted to two large hospitals between March 13, 2020, and May 10, 2020, with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 and matched them 1:2 to patients without a history of cancer.

Results

Men made up 56.2% of the population, with a median age of 69 years (range, 30–96). The median time since cancer diagnosis was 35.6 months (range, 0.39–435); 80% had a solid tumor, and 20% had a hematologic malignancy. Among patients with cancer, 27.8% died or entered hospice versus 25.6% among patients without cancer. In multivariable analyses, the odds of death/hospice were similar (odds ratio [OR], 1.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.65–1.82). The odds of intubation (OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.28–0.78), shock (OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.32–0.91), and intensive care unit admission (OR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.32–0.81) were lower for patients with a history of cancer versus controls. Patients with active cancer or who had received cancer-directed therapy in the past 6 months had similar odds of death/hospice compared with cancer survivors (univariable OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 0.66–2.60; multivariable OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 0.69–3.16).

Conclusion

Patients with a history of cancer hospitalized for COVID-19 had similar mortality to matched hospitalized patients with COVID-19 without cancer, and a lower risk of complications. In this population, patients with active cancer or recent cancer treatment had a similar risk for adverse outcomes compared with survivors of cancer.

Implications for Practice

This study investigated whether a current cancer diagnosis or cancer history is an independent risk factor for death or hospice admission in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Active cancer, systemic cancer therapy, and a cancer history are not independent risk factors for death from COVID-19 among hospitalized patients, and hospitalized patients without cancer are more likely to have severe COVID-19. These findings provide reassurance to survivors of cancer and patients with cancer as to their relative risk of severe COVID-19, may encourage oncologists to provide standard anticancer therapy in patients at risk of COVID-19, and guide triage in future waves of infection.
A global approach to long‐term follow‐up of targeted and immune‐based therapy in childhood and adolescence
Authors: Kieran Mark W. , Caron Hubert , Winther Jeanette Falck , Henderson Tara O. , Haupt Riccardo , Hjorth Lars , Hudson Melissa M. , Kremer Leontien C.M. , van der Pal Helena J. , Pearson Andrew D.J. , Pereira Leonardo , Reaman Gregory , Skinner Roderick , Vassal Gilles , Weiner Susan L. , Horton Taylor Danielle ,   for the ACCELERATE Long‐Term Follow‐Up Working Group
Published: April 2021

While considerable efforts and progress in our understanding of the long‐term toxicities of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy in children with cancer have been made over the last 5 decades, there continues to be a wide gap in our knowledge of the long‐term health impact of most novel targeted and immunotherapy agents. To address this gap, ACCELERATE, a multi‐stakeholder collaboration of clinical and translational academics, regulators from the EMA and FDA, patient/family advocates and members spanning small biotechnology through to large pharmaceutical companies have initiated the development of an international long‐term follow‐up data registry to collect this important information prospectively. Providing critical safety data on the long‐term use of these approved and investigational therapies in children will support the regulatory requirements and labeling information. It will also provide the necessary insight to help guide physicians and families on the appropriateness of a targeted or immune therapy for their child and inform survivorship planning.
Medicinal plants and bioactive natural products as inhibitors of NLRP3 inflammasome
Authors: Bagherniya Mohammad , Khedmatgozar Hamed , Fakheran Omid , Xu Suowen , Johnston Thomas P. , Sahebkar Amirhossein
Published: April 2021

The NLR family, pyrin domain‐containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a multiprotein complex that induces caspase‐1 activation and the downstream substrates involved with the processing and secretion of the pro‐inflammatory cytokines interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) and IL‐18 and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐ α). The NLRP3 inflammasome is activated by a wide range of danger signals that derive from metabolic dysregulation. Activation of this complex often involves the adaptor ASC and upstream sensors including NLRP1, NLRP3, NLRC4, AIM2, and pyrin, which are activated by different stimuli including infectious agents and changes in cell homeostasis. It has been shown that nutraceuticals and medicinal plants have antiinflammatory properties and could be used as complementary therapy in the treatment of several chronic diseases that are related to inflammation, for example, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus. Herb‐based medicine has demonstrated protective effects against NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Therefore, this review focuses on the effects of nutraceuticals and bioactive compounds derived from medicinal plants on NLRP3 inflammasome activation and the possible mechanisms of action of these natural products. Thus, herb‐based, natural products/compounds can be considered novel, practical, and accessible agents in chronic inflammatory diseases by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation.
Matrix phase fractionation: Investigating the compromise between dynamic range of analyte extraction and spatial resolution in mass spectrometry imaging
Authors: O’Rourke Matthew B. , Viengkhou Barney , Smith Caine C. , Sonderegger Lorenz , Padula Matthew P. , Sutherland Greg T. , Hofer Markus J. , Crossett Ben
Published: April 2021

Rationale

Matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionisation with mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) has seen rapid development in recent years and as such is becoming an important technique for the mapping of biomolecules from the surface of tissues. One key area of development is the optimisation of analyte extraction by using modified matrices or mixes of common ones.

Methods

A series of serial sections were prepared for lipid MSI by either dry coating (sublimation) or by wet spray application of several matrices. These samples were then evaluated for analyte extraction, delocalisation and dynamic range.

Results

We have shown that the spraying and sublimation methods of matrix application can be used complementarily. This creates large datasets, with each preparation method applied narrowly and then interpreted as a ‘fraction’ of the whole. Once combined, the dynamic range is significantly increased. We have dubbed this technique ‘matrix phase fractionation’.

Conclusions

We have found that, by utilising matrix phase fractionation for the detection of lipids in brain tissue, it is possible to create a significantly more comprehensive dataset than would otherwise be possible with traditional ‘single‐run’ workflows.
Market exit and the potential for resource redeployment: Evidence from the global retail sector
Authors: Sohl Timo , Folta Timothy B.
Published: April 2021

Research Summary

This study develops a framework providing guidance in examining when exit decisions might be driven by resource redeployment versus divestment. Exploratory analyses of the global retail sector show patterns largely consistent with conventional explanations of exit through divestment. We also provide the first large‐scale empirical evidence consistent with redeployment motives of exit. In particular, by focusing on the potential for redeployment of fixed assets (i.e., physical stores) across portfolio businesses, results show that market exit is more likely when there are combinations of lower resource adjustment costs, higher external transaction costs, and positive inducements. Under the same conditions, we also document a strong correlation between the number of fixed assets of an exiting business and the growth in fixed assets of its surviving siblings.

Managerial Summary

It is increasingly recognized that multibusiness firms have flexibility advantages over single‐business rivals, because they have the option to redeploy resources across businesses. This flexibility is purported to inspire quicker exit from markets, even if empirical evidence is lacking. We test this conjecture on 3,082 retail chains across 106 countries and find evidence consistent with this view—each additional related sibling in a country raises the hazard of country exit by 11% relative to retail chains without siblings. Since it is difficult to distinguish whether exit occurs through resource redeployment or divestment, we identify a set of unique determinants for each exit mode. Our theoretical framework and empirical findings help managers reconcile when to exit using internal resource markets versus external markets.
Defect Control for High‐Efficiency Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 Solar Cells by Atomic Layer Deposition of Al2O3 on Precursor Film
Authors: Sun Yali , Qiu Pengfei , Wang Siyu , Guo Hongling , Meng Rutao , Zhou Xiaowei , Wu Li , Yu Wei , Ao Jianping , Zhang Yi
Published: April 2021

Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 are emerging as promising photovoltaic materials due to their outstanding photoelectrical performances, benign grain boundaries, and Earth‐abundant constituent elements. However, there are largely distributed cation‐disordering defects and defect clusters, which lead to an increase in recombination and a large open‐circuit voltage deficit and thus deteriorate device performance. Herein, defect control for a high‐efficiency Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 solar cell by atomic layer deposition of aluminum oxide (ALD‐Al2O3) on the precursor film is reporter. CuZn defects and Sn‐related deep defects are largely suppressed because of the decrease in Sn2+ and the increase in Sn4+ in the film by ALD‐Al2O3 on the precursor are found, and the crystallinity of absorber layer is improved from a double‐layer structure to a completely single‐layer structure. Furthermore, the carrier lifetime and recombination in the bulk and interface are significantly improved for devices with ultrathin Al2O3. Using this approach, the conversion efficiency increases from 8.8% to 11.0% and the open‐circuit voltage deficit decreases from 0.621 to 0.577 V. Herein, a deep understanding of the relationship between Al2O3 incorporation and high‐efficiency Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 devices and a new direction for controlling defects to further improve the performance of kesterite solar cells are provided.
Modification of Silk Yarn with β‐Cyclodextrin Nanoparticles: Preparation, Characterization, and Natural Dyeing Properties
Authors: Salimpour Abkenar Samera , Mohammad Ali Malek Reza
Published: April 2021

β‐cyclodextrin is successfully grafted onto silk yarn using succinic acid and sodium hypophosphite. The effect of various experimental parameters (including initial concentrations, curing time, and temperature) on graft yield is also evaluated. In addition, the grafted silk is characterized by different analyses (Fourier transform infrared [FTIR], attenuated total reflectance‐FTIR, field emission scanning electron microscope, dynamic light scattering, X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermo gravimetric analysis). Afterward, the grafted silk samples are dyed with the natural dyes. Results show that the color strength of grafted samples is markedly enhanced compared with control samples (treated with tannic acid [TA] and copper salt). This can relate to different interactions between the grafted silk and the applied dyes (such as H‐bonding, inclusion complex, and acid–base interactions). Finally, the physical properties and color fastness of the silk samples are studied and compared.
How Blackness Matters in White Lives
Authors: Hughey Matthew W.
Published: April 2021

Since the birth of “Black Lives Matter” in 2013 there has emerged a broad spectrum of public discourse about, and scholarship examining, the movement. Within this diverse conversation, some have concentrated on the supposed growth of White support for racial equality in general and Black Lives Matter in specific. Yet, within this scholarly corpus, there is no examination of White engagement with Black Lives Matter from a symbolic interactionist lens. Moreover, while there is focus on a seemingly mounting chorus of White voices who loudly proclaim support for the movement, few have examined how varied White expectations, silences, and actions speak louder than these words. Based on ethnographic observation, in‐depth interviews, and content analysis data collected over 2014–2020 from two different all‐White groups in the New England region of the United States, the relationship between White identity formation and White interpretations of the Black Lives Matter movement is analyzed.
Influence of Impurities on the Productivity in Homogeneous Catalytic Reactions: Trimerization of 1,4‐Dimethoxy‐but‐2‐yne and Tetramerization of Propargyl Alcohol
Authors: Rosenthal Uwe
Published: April 2021

The productivity of homogeneous catalytic reactions is often described by the yield. This is misleading, and also the TON (turnover number) as well as the TOF (turnover frequency) which better describe it, give no objective informations. These data strongly depend on the substrate to catalyst ratio and also on impurities in the substrate which poison the effective catalyst and reduce the described yield as well as the turnover numbers and the turnover frequencies. In this concept a model is presented, how by changing the amounts of catalyst and the substrate it is possible with several restrictions to calculate the possible maximum for the TON. For the example of trimerization of 1,4‐dimethoxy‐but‐2‐yne to hexakis‐methoxymethyl‐benzene and for tetramerization of propargyl alcohol to 1,3,5,7‐ and 1,3,6,8‐hydroxymethyl‐1,3,5,7‐cyclooctatetraene by previous purification of the substrate or by certain additives as scavengers the access to these compounds is described in detail. By using both methods, extremely high turnover numbers a million were realized.
Holographic entanglement entropy of the Coulomb branch
Authors: Chalabi Adam , Kumar S. Prem , O’Bannon Andy , Pribytok Anton , Rodgers Ronnie , Sisti Jacopo
Published: April 2021

Abstract

We compute entanglement entropy (EE) of a spherical region in (3 + 1)-dimensional $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 supersymmetric SU(N) Yang-Mills theory in states described holographically by probe D3-branes in AdS5 × S5. We do so by generalising methods for computing EE from a probe brane action without having to determine the probe’s backreaction. On the Coulomb branch with SU(N) broken to SU(N − 1) × U(1), we find the EE monotonically decreases as the sphere’s radius increases, consistent with the a-theorem. The EE of a symmetric-representation Wilson line screened in SU(N − 1) also monotonically decreases, although no known physical principle requires this. A spherical soliton separating SU(N) inside from SU(N − 1) × U(1) outside had been proposed to model an extremal black hole. However, we find the EE of a sphere at the soliton’s radius does not scale with the surface area. For both the screened Wilson line and soliton, the EE at large radius is described by a position-dependent W-boson mass as a short-distance cutoff. Our holographic results for EE and one-point functions of the Lagrangian and stress-energy tensor show that at large distance the soliton looks like a Wilson line in a direct product of fundamental representations.
Determinants of cross-border co-patents: empirical evidence from 45 European regions
Authors: Basche Henrik
Published: April 2021

Innovation processes are often interactive because the actors involved require complementary knowledge assets. Given the potentially lower institutional proximity (in terms of language, culture and formal regulations) when compared to domestic counterparts, cross-border interactive innovation processes between actors are less likely to occur. However, these processes are important for firms and (cross-border) regions to ensure economic growth and competitiveness in the long term. In addition, cross-border interactive innovation processes provide opportunities to enhance creative potentials through the combination of knowledge generated in different (national) innovation systems.

By simultaneously exploring the effects of institutional proximity, technological proximity, spatial distance and European integration, this paper further enriches the literature. Negative binomial gravity models give insight into the reasons for differences in the number of generated co-patents in 45 European cross-border regions. As expected, spatial and technological distance have negative impacts on co-patent activities in all models. Sharing a common official language (i.e., institutional proximity) significantly increases the number of cross-border co-patents ceteris paribus by a factor of 1.83 to 2.49. Further (qualitative) research is, however, necessary to concretely determine the underlying language effects and to isolate these from cultural factors.

Surprisingly, the results also reveal that, ceteris paribus, length of EU membership exerts a significant negative effect on co-patenting, whereas belonging to ‘Central and Eastern European Countries’ has a significant positive effect on co-patenting. Consequently, cross-border regions of the founding EU member states are relatively and ceteris paribus less involved in cross-border co-patenting activities than their Eastern European counterparts.
Rich but not poor conditions determine sex‐specific differences in growth rate of juvenile dioecious plants
Authors: Nowak Kinga , Giertych Marian J. , Pers-Kamczyc Emilia , Thomas Peter A. , Iszkuło Grzegorz
Published: April 2021

Causes of secondary sexual dimorphism (SSD) in dioecious plants are very poorly understood, especially in woody plants. SSD is shown mainly in mature plants, but little is known about whether secondary sexual dimorphism can occur in juveniles. It is also assumed that stress conditions intensify differences between the sexes due to the uneven reproductive effort. Therefore, the following research hypotheses were tested: (1) secondary sexual dimorphism will be visible in juveniles; (2) unfavourable soil conditions are the cause of more pronounced differences between the sexes. Rooted shoots of the common yew (Taxus baccata L.) and common juniper (Juniperus communis L.), previously harvested from parental individuals of known sex were used in the study. During two growing seasons vegetation periods and four times a year, comprehensive morphological features of whole plants were measured. Some SSD traits were visible in the analysed juveniles. Contrary to expectations, differences were more pronounced in the fertilized treatment. Both species reacted to fertilization in different ways. Female yew had a clearly higher total plant mass, root mass, and mean root area when fertilized, whereas male juniper had a higher root mass when fertilized. Differences between the sexes independent of the fertilization treatment were seen, which can be interpreted as sexual adaptations to a continued reproduction. Female yews and male junipers made better use of fertile habitats. Our study showed that SSD may be innate, and sexual compensatory mechanisms could generate uneven growth and development of both sexes. Because the SSD pattern was rather different in both species, it was confirmed that SSD is connected with the specific life histories of specific species rather than a universal strategy of dioecious species.
Modelling natural regeneration of European beech in Saxony, Germany: identifying factors influencing the occurrence and density of regeneration
Authors: Axer Maximilian , Martens Sven , Schlicht Robert , Wagner Sven
Published: April 2021

The potential utilisation of natural regeneration of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) for forest conversion has received little attention to date. Ecological knowledge is necessary to understand and predict successful natural regeneration of beech. The objective of this study was to improve understanding of what drives the occurrence of beech regeneration and, once regeneration is present, what drives its density. In the study, we utilised a forest inventory dataset provided by Sachsenforst, the state forestry service of Saxony, Germany. The dataset was derived from 8725 permanent plots. Zero-altered negative binomial models (ZANB) with spatial random effects were used to analyse factors influencing occurrence and density simultaneously. The results provided by the spatial ZANB models revealed that the probability of the occurrence of beech regeneration is highly dependent on seed availability, i.e. dependent on source trees in close proximity to a plot. The probability of beech regeneration rises with the increasing diameter of a potential seed tree and decreases with increasing distance to the nearest potential seed source. The occurrence of regeneration is affected by overstorey composition and competition exerted by spruce regeneration. Where sites are affected by groundwater or temporary waterlogging, the impact on the occurrence of regeneration is negative. Although distance to the nearest potential seed source has an influence on occurrence, this variable exerts no influence on density. A high regeneration density arises in conjunction with a high beech basal area in the overstorey. Beech regeneration density, but not occurrence, is negatively affected by browsing intensity. These variables can be used to predict the occurrence and density of beech regeneration in space to a high level of precision. The established statistical tool can be used for decision-making when planning forest conversion using natural regeneration.
Unusually high birch (Betula spp.) pollen concentrations in Poland in 2016 related to long-range transport (LRT) and the regional pollen occurrence
Authors: Myszkowska Dorota , Piotrowicz Katarzyna , Ziemianin Monika , Bastl Maximilian , Berger Uwe , Dahl Åslög , Dąbrowska-Zapart Katarzyna , Górecki Artur , Lafférsová Janka , Majkowska-Wojciechowska Barbara , Malkiewicz Małgorzata , Nowak Małgorzata , Puc Małgorzata , Rybnicek Ondrej , Saarto Annika , Šaulienė Ingrida , Ščevková Jana , Kofol Seliger Andreja , Šikoparija Branko , Piotrowska-Weryszko Krystyna , Czarnobilska Ewa
Published: April 2021

In 2016, the highest birch (Betula spp.) pollen concentrations were recorded in Kraków (Poland) since the beginning of pollen observations in 1991. The aim of this study was to ascertain the reason for this phenomenon, taking the local sources of pollen in Poland and long-range transport (LRT) episodes associated with the pollen influx from other European countries into account. Three periods of higher pollen concentrations in Kraków in 2016 were investigated with the use of pollen data, phenological data, meteorological data and the HYSPLIT numerical model to calculate trajectories up to 4 days back (96 h) at the selected Polish sites. From 5 to 8 April, the birch pollen concentrations increased in Kraków up to 4000 Pollen/m3, although no full flowering of birch trees in the city was observed. The synoptic situation with air masses advection from the South as well as backward trajectories and the general birch pollen occurrence in Europe confirm that pollen was transported mainly from Serbia, Hungary, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, into Poland. The second analyzed period (13–14 April) was related largely to the local flowering of birches, while the third one in May (6–7 May) mostly resulted from the birch pollen transport from Fennoscandia and the Baltic countries. Unusual high pollen concentrations at the beginning of the pollen season can augment the symptomatic burden of birch pollen allergy sufferers and should be considered during therapy. Such incidents also affect the estimation of pollen seasons timing and severity.

Graphical Abstract
A low-cost chopping system and uncooled microbolometer array for ground-based astronomy
Authors: Rashman M. F. , Steele I. A. , Bates S. D. , Knapen J. H.
Published: April 2021

Mid-Infrared imaging is vital for the study of a wide variety of astronomical phenomena, including evolved stars, exoplanets, and dust enshrouded processes such as star formation in galaxies. However, infrared detectors have traditionally been expensive and it is difficult to achieve the sensitivity needed to see beyond the overwhelming mid-infrared background. Here we describe the upgrade and commissioning of a simple prototype, low-cost 10 μ m imaging instrument. The system was built using commercially available components including an uncooled microbolometer focal plane array and chopping system. The system was deployed for a week on the 1.52 m Carlos Sanchez Telescope and used to observe several very bright mid-infrared sources with catalogue fluxes down to $\sim 600$
∼
600
Jy. We report a sensitivity improvement of $\sim 4$
∼
4
mag over our previous unchopped observations, in line with our earlier predictions.
Threshold selection in univariate extreme value analysis
Authors: Schneider Laura Fee , Krajina Andrea , Krivobokova Tatyana
Published: April 2021

Threshold selection plays a key role in various aspects of statistical inference of rare events. In this work, two new threshold selection methods are introduced. The first approach measures the fit of the exponential approximation above a threshold and achieves good performance in small samples. The second method smoothly estimates the asymptotic mean squared error of the Hill estimator and performs consistently well over a wide range of processes. Both methods are analyzed theoretically, compared to existing procedures in an extensive simulation study and applied to a dataset of financial losses, where the underlying extreme value index is assumed to vary over time.
Current recommendations for cancer surveillance in Gorlin syndrome: a report from the SIOPE host genome working group (SIOPE HGWG)
Authors: Guerrini-Rousseau L. , Smith M. J. , Kratz C. P. , Doergeloh B. , Hirsch S. , Hopman S. M. J. , Jorgensen M. , Kuhlen M. , Michaeli O. , Milde T. , Ridola V. , Russo A. , Salvador H. , Waespe N. , Claret B. , Brugieres L. , Evans D. G.
Published: April 2021

Gorlin syndrome (MIM 109,400), a cancer predisposition syndrome related to a constitutional pathogenic variation (PV) of a gene in the Sonic Hedgehog pathway (PTCH1 or SUFU), is associated with a broad spectrum of benign and malignant tumors. Basal cell carcinomas (BCC), odontogenic keratocysts and medulloblastomas are the main tumor types encountered, but meningiomas, ovarian or cardiac fibromas and sarcomas have also been described. The clinical features and tumor risks are different depending on the causative gene. Due to the rarity of this condition, there is little data on phenotype-genotype correlations. This report summarizes genotype-based recommendations for screening patients with PTCH1 and SUFU-related Gorlin syndrome, discussed during a workshop of the Host Genome Working Group of the European branch of the International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOPE HGWG) held in January 2020. In order to allow early detection of BCC, dermatologic examination should start at age 10 in PTCH1, and at age 20 in SUFU PV carriers. Odontogenic keratocyst screening, based on odontologic examination, should begin at age 2 with annual orthopantogram beginning around age 8 for PTCH1 PV carriers only. For medulloblastomas, repeated brain MRI from birth to 5 years should be proposed for SUFU PV carriers only. Brain MRI for meningiomas and pelvic ultrasound for ovarian fibromas should be offered to both PTCH1 and SUFU PV carriers. Follow-up of patients treated with radiotherapy should be prolonged and thorough because of the risk of secondary malignancies. Prospective evaluation of evidence of the effectiveness of these surveillance recommendations is required.
Basin-Scale 3D Sedimentary Modelling: An Approach to Subdivide Baltic Sea Onshore Sediments for Land use and Construction
Authors: Ojala Antti E. K. , Virtasalo Joonas J. , Lindsberg Elina , Markovaara-Koivisto Mira
Published: April 2021

Understanding the local stratigraphy and geometry of sediment units is necessary for successful 3D modelling and the prediction of ground behaviour and engineering-geological properties for urban land use and construction. A detailed 3D model of the main sediment units for the Rastaala basin in southern coastal Finland was constructed, combining a conceptual geological model and information from local drill-hole logs and geotechnical drilling. The 3D modelling was based on a cross-section approach, where sediment units were defined on the basis of lithological boundaries that are of major geotechnical importance for land use and construction. The conceptual geological model was based on a sequence of events that characterize the late- and postglacial evolution of the Rastaala basin. The present study combines the allostratigraphy and lithostratigraphy of unconsolidated glacial, late-and postglacial sediment units in southern coastal Finland. It also investigates the appearance and distribution of sediment units in the Rastaala basin and compares modelling and visualization results for unit surfaces and solids using two independent modelling software packages. Finally, information on the geotechnical properties of different sediment units in the Rastaala basin is provided so that they can be applied to other onshore regions with similar geological settings in the coastal Baltic Sea Basin.
Review of Relationships Between Solar Wind and Ground-Level Atmospheric Electricity: Case Studies from Hornsund, Spitsbergen, and Swider, Poland
Authors: Michnowski S. , Odzimek A. , Kleimenova N. G. , Kozyreva O. V. , Kubicki M. , Klos Z. , Israelsson S. , Nikiforova N. N.
Published: April 2021

This paper reviews individual cases of the relationships between variations of solar wind parameters and variations of the DC vertical atmospheric electric field, $$E_z$$

E
z

, and current density, $$J_z$$

J
z

, measured at ground level in the Arctic, at the S. Siedlecki Polish Polar Station Hornsund, Spitsbergen (Svalbard, Norway), and at the mid-latitude S. Kalinowski Geophysical Observatory in Swider (Poland). A considerable number of events from Hornsund confirmed previous observations of regularity of effects related to the station’s position against the location of the potential bays of ionospheric convection and polar electrojets, observed in other polar locations, as well as effects of other polar cap current systems. This allowed us to conclude that the physical dependence of ground-level $$E_z$$

E
z

and $$J_z$$

J
z

on solar wind changes produce measurable effects which do not require statistical analysis to be observed. We can also expect that the dependence does exist, especially in strongly disturbed circumstances, e.g., following solar flares and Earth-directed coronal mass ejections, at middle latitudes. However, further investigations of these physical relationships by this approach are practically almost impossible since a very large number of variable parameters simultaneously affect the recorded lower atmospheric variables. In addition, results of quantitative analysis of predicted and observed effects are not satisfactory. Future research studies require more efficient ways of investigation by theoretical treatment and modelling work using existing and novel observational data besides taking advantage of scientific progress in magnetospheric physics.
Correction to: Gaṅgeśa on Epistemic Luck
Authors: Das Nilanjan
Published: April 2021

In the original publication of the article, on page 20, the section heading should be “Gaṅgeśa on Testimony and Epistemic Luck” instead of “Testimony and Epistemic Luck”.
Effect of carbon backbone on luminescence properties of Eu-organic hybrid thin films prepared by ALD/MLD
Authors: Safdar Muhammad , Ghazy Amr , Tuomisto Minnea , Lastusaari Mika , Karppinen Maarit
Published: April 2021

Here we show that the backbone of the organic ligand has a profound impact on the luminescence characteristics of lanthanide-organic materials. We employ the emerging atomic/molecular layer deposition (ALD/MLD) technique to deposit europium-based thin films where the organic ligands vary in terms of the number of aromatic rings in their backbone (benzene, naphthalene and anthracene). Enlarging the backbone shifts the excitation towards visible wavelengths, but it simultaneously decreases the emission intensity. Moreover, for the Eu-terephthalate films with the single benzene ring as the organic backbone, we investigate the effects of diluting the Eu3+ concentration with Y3+ to reveal that the emission intensity is optimized around 12% Eu3+ concentration. Interestingly, such a dependence of luminescence intensity on the concentration of emitting species suggests that our (Eu,Y)-organic thin films behave more like ionic phosphors than discrete metal–ligand molecules.

Graphical abstract
Genetic Mosaicism as a Cause of Inborn Errors of Immunity
Authors: Aluri Jahnavi , Cooper Megan A.
Published: April 2021

Inborn errors of immunity (IEIs) are a heterogeneous group of disorders due to genetic defects in the immune response that have a broad clinical spectrum. Diagnosis of the precise genetic cause of IEI has led to improved care and treatment of patients; however, genetic diagnosis using standard approaches is only successful in ~40% of patients and is particularly challenging in “sporadic” cases without a family history. Standard genetic testing for IEI evaluates for germline changes in genes encoding proteins important for the immune response. It is now clear that IEI can also arise from de novo mutations leading to genetic variants present in germ cells and/or somatic cells. In particular, somatic mosaicism, i.e., post-zygotic genetic changes in DNA sequence, is emerging as a significant contributor to IEI. Testing for somatic mosaicism can be challenging, and both older sequencing techniques such as Sanger sequencing and newer next-generation sequencing may not be sensitive enough to detect variants depending on the platform and analysis tools used. Investigation of multiple tissue samples and specifically targeting sequence technologies to detect low frequency variants is important for detection of variants. This review examines the role and functional consequences of genetic mosaicism in IEI. We emphasize the need to refine the current exome and genome analysis pipeline to efficiently identify mosaic variants and recommend considering somatic mosaicism in disease discovery and in the first-tier of genetic analysis.
Limited Impact of 6-Mercaptopurine on Inflammation-Induced Chemokines Expression Profile in Primary Cultures of Enteric Nervous System
Authors: Kneusels Jan , Kaehler Meike , Cascorbi Ingolf , Wedel Thilo , Neunlist Michel , Lucius Ralph , Cossais François
Published: April 2021

Increasing evidences indicate that the enteric nervous system (ENS) and enteric glial cells (EGC) play important regulatory roles in intestinal inflammation. Mercaptopurine (6-MP) is a cytostatic compound clinically used for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. However, potential impacts of 6-MP on ENS response to inflammation have not been evaluated yet. In this study, we aimed to gain deeper insights into the profile of inflammatory mediators expressed by the ENS and on the potential anti-inflammatory impact of 6-MP in this context. Genome-wide expression analyses were performed on ENS primary cultures exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and 6-MP alone or in combination. Differential expression of main hits was validated by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) using a cell line for EGC. ENS cells expressed a broad spectrum of cytokines and chemokines of the C-X-C motif ligand (CXCL) family under inflammatory stress. Induction of Cxcl5 and Cxcl10 by inflammatory stimuli was confirmed in EGC. Inflammation-induced protein secretion of TNF-α and Cxcl5 was partly inhibited by 6-MP in ENS primary cultures but not in EGC. Further work is required to identify the cellular mechanisms involved in this regulation. These findings extend our knowledge of the anti-inflammatory properties of 6-MP related to the ENS and in particular of the EGC-response to inflammatory stimuli.
Correcting the Underestimation of Capital Incomes in Inequality Indicators: with an Application to the UK, 1997–2016
Authors: Ooms Tahnee Christelle
Published: April 2021

This paper proposes a methodological framework to better incorporate non-labour income into existing top adjusted indicators of economic inequality. Surveys are known to miss the rich, receiving disproportionate amounts of capital income. There has been a surge in top harmonisation methodologies, which complement survey-based estimates of inequality with information from the rich reported in tax administrative sources. These harmonisation methods are found to have a significant upward effect on inequality indicators. This analysis uses the Family Resources Survey (household survey) and the Survey of Personal Incomes (tax data) to explore the extent to which existing UK harmonisation methodology corrects for capital income. First, this analysis finds that the FRS has experienced a significant decline in capital income measurement over the past 20 years (1997–2016), taking reported levels of capital income in the SPI as benchmark. Second, the top harmonisation methodology is found to only partially correct for this decline. Third, in response, the paper proposes a multi-step capital income correction to allocate the remaining capital income missing from top adjusted inequality indicators. The adjustment accounts for both under-coverage and under-estimation error of capital income across the income distribution. Poor measurement of capital incomes in household surveys has long been acknowledged but attempts to correct for this have remained few. This paper highlights the need for decomposable top adjusted indicators of inequality to give a better picture of the role of capital incomes in driving inequality. Surveys are traditionally used to produce inequality indicators used by governments, statistical offices and policy makers. The policy implication is that income missing from indicators structurally falls out of inequality debates, which has arguably been the case for capital incomes.
Mass spectrometric analysis of digesta does not improve the allergenicity assessment of GM crops
Authors: Herman Rod A. , Bauman Patricia A. , Goodwin Laurie , Islamovic Emir , Ma Eric H. , Serrano Hector , Silvanovich Andre , Simmons Abigail R. , Song Ping , Tetteh Afua O. , Wang Rong
Published: April 2021

An investigation of the potential allergenicity of newly expressed proteins in genetically modified (GM) crops comprises part of the assessment of GM crop safety. However, allergenicity is not completely predictable from a definitive assay result or set of protein characteristics, and scientific opinions regarding the data that should be used to assess allergenicity are continuously evolving. Early studies supported a correlation between the stability of a protein exposed to digestive enzymes such as pepsin and the protein’s status as a potential allergen, but over time the conclusions of these earlier studies were not confirmed. Nonetheless, many regulatory authorities, including the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), continue to require digestibility analyses as a component of GM crop risk assessments. Moreover, EFSA has recently investigated the use of mass spectrometry (MS), to make digestion assays more predictive of allergy risk, because it can detect and identify small undigested peptides. However, the utility of MS is questionable in this context, since known allergenic peptides are unlikely to exist in protein candidates intended for commercial development. These protein candidates are pre-screened by the same bioinformatics processes that are normally used to identify MS targets. Therefore, MS is not a standalone allergen identification method and also cannot be used to predict previously unknown allergenic epitopes. Thus, the suggested application of MS for analysis of digesta does not improve the poor predictive power of digestion assays in identifying allergenic risk.