bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An efficient climate index for reflecting cooling energy consumption: Cooling degree days based on wet bulb temperature
Authors: Cao Jingfu , Li Mingcai , Zhang Ruixue , Wang Min
Published: June 2021

Cooling energy consumption of buildings is not only used for decreasing temperature, but for dehumidification. Therefore, cooling degree day (CDD) based on only temperature is insufficient for estimating the cooling energy consumption in buildings. In the present study, we aim to propose an efficient climate index (i.e., CDD based on wet bulb temperature [WBT], WCDD) based on the combination of cooling energy consumption in a building and joint probability of temperature and humidity. In addition, the adaptation of the new WCDD was verified in 14 cities of different climate zones in China. The results showed that CDD based on dry bulb temperature (DBT) (DCDD) can only explain 17%–60% of cooling energy consumption, whereas WCDD explaining 86%–97% of cooling energy consumption in the different climate zones. The optimal base WBTs are generally 17.74, 19.44, 21.04 and 22.56°C for the four climate zones, respectively. The present study reveals that WCDD by combining effects of temperature and humidity on cooling energy consumption can be much more efficiently used to estimate the cooling energy consumption compared with DCDD. More importantly, the WCDD is suitable for reflecting the cooling energy consumption for different climate zones. The collaborative changes of temperature and humidity under the conditions of climate change should be fully considered to take measures for decreasing the energy consumption for decreasing temperature and dehumidification.
Fast reliability ranking of matchstick minimal networks
Authors: Drǎgoi Vlad‐Florin , Beiu Valeriu
Published: June 2021

In this article, we take a closer look at the reliability of large minimal networks constructed by repeated compositions of the simplest possible networks. For a given number of devices we define the set of all the possible compositions of series and parallel networks of two devices. We then define several partial orders over this set and study their properties. As far as we know the ranking problem has not been addressed before in this context, and this article establishes the first results in this direction. The usual approach when dealing with reliability of two‐terminal networks is to determine existence or nonexistence of uniformly most reliable networks. The problem of ranking two‐terminal networks is thus more complex, but by restricting our study to the set of compositions we manage to determine and demonstrate the existence of at least a graded poset.
Sarcoidosis of the mandibular condyle manifesting as a temporomandibular joint arthrosis: A rare case report
Authors: Hori (Wakao) Sayaka , Tomihara Kei , Sekido Katsuhisa , Tachinami Hidetake , Imaue Shuichi , Fujiwara Kumiko , Noguchi Makoto
Published: June 2021

Bone sarcoidosis is uncommon, and involvement of the temporomandibular joint is exceptionally rare. We report an unusual case of mandibular condyle sarcoidosis in a 51‐year‐old Japanese woman that manifested as a temporomandibular joint arthritis. The patient was referred for a chief complaint of a painful temporomandibular joint and was initially diagnosed with temporomandibular joint arthritis. However, a more detailed examination revealed bone sarcoidosis in the mandibular condyle and the progression of preexisting cardiac sarcoidosis. Oral steroid treatment (tapered from 50 mg/day to 5 mg/day) appears to have been successful over a 1‐year follow‐up.
An anchored chromosome‐scale genome assembly of spinach improves annotation and reveals extensive gene rearrangements in euasterids
Authors: Hulse‐Kemp Amanda M , Bostan Hamed , Chen Shiyu , Ashrafi Hamid , Stoffel Kevin , Sanseverino Walter , Li Linzhou , Cheng Shifeng , Schatz Michael C. , Garvin Tyler , du Toit Lindsey J. , Tseng Elizabeth , Chin Jason , Iorizzo Massimo , Van Deynze Allen
Published: June 2021

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) is a member of the Caryophyllales family, a basal eudicot asterid that consists of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L. subsp. vulgaris), quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.), and amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus L.). With the introduction of baby leaf types, spinach has become a staple food in many homes. Production issues focus on yield, nitrogen‐use efficiency and resistance to downy mildew (Peronospora effusa). Although genomes are available for the above species, a chromosome‐level assembly exists only for quinoa, allowing for proper annotation and structural analyses to enhance crop improvement. We independently assembled and annotated genomes of the cultivar Viroflay using short‐read strategy (Illumina) and long‐read strategies (Pacific Biosciences) to develop a chromosome‐level, genetically anchored assembly for spinach. Scaffold N50 for the Illumina assembly was 389 kb, whereas that for Pacific BioSciences was 4.43 Mb, representing 911 Mb (93% of the genome) in 221 scaffolds, 80% of which are anchored and oriented on a sequence‐based genetic map, also described within this work. The two assemblies were 99.5% collinear. Independent annotation of the two assemblies with the same comprehensive transcriptome dataset show that the quality of the assembly directly affects the annotation with significantly more genes predicted (26,862 vs. 34,877) in the long‐read assembly. Analysis of resistance genes confirms a bias in resistant gene motifs more typical of monocots. Evolutionary analysis indicates that Spinacia is a paleohexaploid with a whole‐genome triplication followed by extensive gene rearrangements identified in this work. Diversity analysis of 75 lines indicate that variation in genes is ample for hypothesis‐driven, genomic‐assisted breeding enabled by this work.
Surgical correction of a persistent right aortic arch in a kitten with concurrent mitral and tricuspid valve insufficiency and long‐term post‐operative management of residual megaoesophagus
Authors: Viljoen Hermien , Boucher Charles , Boustead Keagan , Schoeman Johan P
Published: June 2021

A Maine Coon kitten was diagnosed with persistent right aortic arch and concurrent mitral and tricuspid valve insufficiency. Diuretic and positive inotropic treatment were administered before surgical treatment was attempted. Surgical ligation of the ligamentum arteriosum was performed successfully. Regurgitation did not resolve despite efforts to slowly introduce solid food to the diet over a period of two months. The kitten suffered from several incidences of aspiration pneumonia that responded to antibiotic treatment. Follow‐up computed tomography ruled‐out extraluminal constriction of the oesophagus, and oesophagoscopy confirmed a residual megaoesophagus six months post‐operatively. The kitten was euthanised seven months after surgery. The importance of a complete cardiac work‐up and oesophagoscopy in suspected vascular ring anomaly examinations are highlighted in this case study.
Interplay within tumor microenvironment orchestrates neoplastic RNA metabolism and transcriptome diversity
Authors: Natua Subhashis , Dhamdhere Shruti Ganesh , Mutnuru Srinivas Abhishek , Shukla Sanjeev
Published: June 2021

The heterogeneous population of cancer cells within a tumor mass interacts intricately with the multifaceted aspects of the surrounding microenvironment. The reciprocal crosstalk between cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME) shapes the cancer pathophysiome in a way that renders it uniquely suited for immune tolerance, angiogenesis, metastasis, and therapy resistance. This dynamic interaction involves a dramatic reconstruction of the transcriptomic landscape of tumors by altering the synthesis, modifications, stability, and processing of gene readouts. In this review, we categorically evaluate the influence of TME components, encompassing a myriad of resident and infiltrating cells, signaling molecules, extracellular vesicles, extracellular matrix, and blood vessels, in orchestrating the cancer‐specific metabolism and diversity of both mRNA and noncoding RNA, including micro RNA, long noncoding RNA, circular RNA among others. We also highlight the transcriptomic adaptations in response to the physicochemical idiosyncrasies of TME, which include tumor hypoxia, extracellular acidosis, and osmotic stress. Finally, we provide a nuanced analysis of existing and prospective therapeutics targeting TME to ameliorate cancer‐associated RNA metabolism, consequently thwarting the cancer progression.

This article is categorized under:

RNA Processing > Splicing Regulation/Alternative Splicing

RNA Turnover and Surveillance > Regulation of RNA Stability

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease
Tools for computational analysis of moving boundary problems in cellular mechanobiology
Authors: DiNapoli Kathleen T. , Robinson Douglas N. , Iglesias Pablo A.
Published: June 2021

A cell's ability to change shape is one of the most fundamental biological processes and is essential for maintaining healthy organisms. When the ability to control shape goes awry, it often results in a diseased system. As such, it is important to understand the mechanisms that allow a cell to sense and respond to its environment so as to maintain cellular shape homeostasis. Because of the inherent complexity of the system, computational models that are based on sound theoretical understanding of the biochemistry and biomechanics and that use experimentally measured parameters are an essential tool. These models involve an inherent feedback, whereby shape is determined by the action of regulatory signals whose spatial distribution depends on the shape. To carry out computational simulations of these moving boundary problems requires special computational techniques. A variety of alternative approaches, depending on the type and scale of question being asked, have been used to simulate various biological processes, including cell motility, division, mechanosensation, and cell engulfment. In general, these models consider the forces that act on the system (both internally generated, or externally imposed) and the mechanical properties of the cell that resist these forces. Moving forward, making these techniques more accessible to the non‐expert will help improve interdisciplinary research thereby providing new insight into important biological processes that affect human health.

This article is categorized under:

Cancer > Computational Models

Cancer > Molecular and Cellular Physiology
Fourier Interpolation and Time-Frequency Localization
Authors: Kulikov Aleksei
Published: June 2021

We prove that under very mild conditions for any interpolation formula $$f(x) = \sum _{\lambda \in \Lambda } f(\lambda )a_\lambda (x) + \sum _{\mu \in M} {\hat{f}}(\mu )b_{\mu }(x)$$

f

(
x
)

=

∑

λ
∈
Λ

f

(
λ
)

a
λ

(
x
)

+

∑

μ
∈
M

f
^

(
μ
)

b
μ

(
x
)

we have a lower bound for the counting functions $$n_\Lambda (R_1) + n_{M}(R_2) \ge 4R_1R_2 - C\log ^{2}(4R_1R_2)$$

n
Λ

(

R
1

)

+

n
M

(

R
2

)

≥
4

R
1

R
2

-
C

log
2

(
4

R
1

R
2

)

which very closely matches recent interpolation formulas of Radchenko and Viazovska and of Bondarenko, Radchenko and Seip.
Algorithmic abstractions of ‘fashion identity’ and the role of privacy with regard to algorithmic personalisation systems in the fashion domain
Authors: Onitiu Daria
Published: June 2021

This paper delves into the nuances of ‘fashion’ in recommender systems and social media analytics, which shape and define an individual’s perception and self-relationality. Its aim is twofold: first, it supports a different perspective on privacy that focuses on the individual’s process of identity construction considering the social and personal aspects of ‘fashion’. Second, it underlines the limitations of computational models in capturing the diverse meaning of ‘fashion’, whereby the algorithmic prediction of user preferences is based on individual conscious and unconscious associations with fashion identity. I test both of these claims in the context of current concerns over the impact of algorithmic personalisation systems on individual autonomy and privacy: creating ‘filter bubbles’, nudging the user beyond their conscious awareness, as well as the inherent bias in algorithmic decision-making. We need an understanding of privacy that sustains the inherent reduction of fashion identity to literal attributes and protects individual autonomy in shaping algorithmic approximations of the self.
Crizotinib acts as ABL1 inhibitor combining ATP-binding with allosteric inhibition and is active against native BCR-ABL1 and its resistance and compound mutants BCR-ABL1T315I and BCR-ABL1T315I-E255K
Authors: Mian Afsar Ali , Haberbosch Isabella , Khamaisie Hazem , Agbarya Abed , Pietsch Larissa , Eshel Elizabeh , Najib Dally , Chiriches Claudia , Ottmann Oliver Gerhard , Hantschel Oliver , Biondi Ricardo M. , Ruthardt Martin , Mahajna Jamal
Published: June 2021

Resistance remains the major clinical challenge for the therapy of Philadelphia chromosome–positive (Ph+) leukemia. With the exception of ponatinib, all approved tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are unable to inhibit the common “gatekeeper” mutation T315I. Here we investigated the therapeutic potential of crizotinib, a TKI approved for targeting ALK and ROS1 in non-small cell lung cancer patients, which inhibited also the ABL1 kinase in cell-free systems, for the treatment of advanced and therapy-resistant Ph+ leukemia. By inhibiting the BCR-ABL1 kinase, crizotinib efficiently suppressed growth of Ph+ cells without affecting growth of Ph− cells. It was also active in Ph+ patient-derived long-term cultures (PD-LTCs) independently of the responsiveness/resistance to other TKIs. The efficacy of crizotinib was confirmed in vivo in syngeneic mouse models of BCR-ABL1- or BCR-ABL1T315I-driven chronic myeloid leukemia–like disease and in BCR-ABL1-driven acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Although crizotinib binds to the ATP-binding site, it also allosterically affected the myristol binding pocket, the binding site of GNF2 and asciminib (former ABL001). Therefore, crizotinib has a seemingly unique double mechanism of action, on the ATP-binding site and on the myristoylation binding pocket. These findings strongly suggest the clinical evaluation of crizotinib for the treatment of advanced and therapy-resistant Ph+ leukemia.
Magnitude effect in intertemporal allocation tasks
Authors: Sun Chen , Potters Jan
Published: June 2021

Intertemporal choices are affected by both discount rate and utility curvature. We investigate how the two aspects of time preference are affected by the size of the total budget using an intertemporal allocation task. At the aggregate level as well as at the individual level, we find magnitude effects both on the discount rate and on intertemporal substitutability (i.e., utility curvature). Individuals are more patient when dealing with larger budgets and also regard larger budgets to be more fungible. The latter effect suggests that the degree of asset integration is increasing in the stake.
Machine learning models for classification tasks related to drug safety
Authors: Rácz Anita , Bajusz Dávid , Miranda-Quintana Ramón Alain , Héberger Károly
Published: June 2021

In this review, we outline the current trends in the field of machine learning-driven classification studies related to ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion) and toxicity endpoints from the past six years (2015–2021). The study focuses only on classification models with large datasets (i.e. more than a thousand compounds). A comprehensive literature search and meta-analysis was carried out for nine different targets: hERG-mediated cardiotoxicity, blood–brain barrier penetration, permeability glycoprotein (P-gp) substrate/inhibitor, cytochrome P450 enzyme family, acute oral toxicity, mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, respiratory toxicity and irritation/corrosion. The comparison of the best classification models was targeted to reveal the differences between machine learning algorithms and modeling types, endpoint-specific performances, dataset sizes and the different validation protocols. Based on the evaluation of the data, we can say that tree-based algorithms are (still) dominating the field, with consensus modeling being an increasing trend in drug safety predictions. Although one can already find classification models with great performances to hERG-mediated cardiotoxicity and the isoenzymes of the cytochrome P450 enzyme family, these targets are still central to ADMET-related research efforts.

Graphical abstract
Survey on general practitioners’ and pharmacists’ opinions regarding patient-initiated treatment of recurring urinary tract infections
Authors: van der Zande Rian Lelie- , Koster Ellen S. , Teichert Martina , Bouvy Marcel L.
Published: June 2021

Background The Dutch general practitioners (GP) guideline for urinary tract infections (UTI) recommends patient-initiated treatment for women with recurring UTI. In countries other than the Netherlands, community pharmacists play a role in dispensing antibiotics for recurring UTI without preceding GP consultation. Objective To study GP and pharmacist opinions regarding the desirability of patient-initiated treatment, including potential pharmacist support for, and consequences of, facilitated access to antibiotics. Setting Dutch community pharmacies that cooperate with at least two GPs in their regional primary care network. Method Pharmacists in a postgraduate education program invited their residency pharmacist and 2–3 GPs to anonymously complete an online questionnaire. Questions related to diagnosis, treatment and potential role of the pharmacist. Answers were formulated as multiple-choice or ratings on a 5-point Likert scale. Data were analysed per professional group using descriptive statistics. Answers of pharmacists and GP to corresponding questions were analysed using a Chi-square test (p < 0.05). Main outcome measure Desirability of patient-initiated treatment and supporting role of the pharmacist. Results A total of 170 GPs and 76 pharmacists completed the questionnaires. Of the GPs, 35.1% supported patient-initiated treatment. Of the pharmacists, 69.7% were willing to dispense an antibiotic to a patient without preceding GP consultation after performing a probability check. In total, 65.7% of GPs and 44.7% of pharmacists thought that facilitated access to antibiotics would increase use of antibiotics (p < 0.05). Conclusion Support of GPs for facilitated access to antibiotic treatment by patient-initiated UTI treatment was limited, even with pharmacist support. The majority of pharmacists were willing to dispense an antibiotic after a probability check of an episode of recurring UTI, but both pharmacists and GPs were concerned about overuse of antibiotics.
Beyond Microsatellite Instability: Evolving Strategies Integrating Immunotherapy for Microsatellite Stable Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Pecci Federica , Cantini Luca , Bittoni Alessandro , Lenci Edoardo , Lupi Alessio , Crocetti Sonia , Giglio Enrica , Giampieri Riccardo , Berardi Rossana
Published: June 2021

Opinion statement

Advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) is a heterogeneous disease, characterized by several subtypes with distinctive genetic and epigenetic patterns. During the last years, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revamped the standard of care of several tumors such as non-small cell lung cancer and melanoma, highlighting the role of immune cells in tumor microenvironment (TME) and their impact on cancer progression and treatment efficacy. An “immunoscore,” based on the percentage of two lymphocyte populations both at tumor core and invasive margin, has been shown to improve prediction of treatment outcome when added to UICC-TNM classification. To date, pembrolizumab, an anti-programmed death protein 1 (PD1) inhibitor, has gained approval as first-line therapy for mismatch-repair-deficient (dMMR) and microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) advanced CRC. On the other hand, no reports of efficacy have been presented in mismatch-repair-proficient (pMMR) and microsatellite instability-low (MSI-L) or microsatellite stable (MSS) CRC. This group includes roughly 95% of all advanced CRC, and standard chemotherapy, in addition to anti-EGFR or anti-angiogenesis drugs, still represents first treatment choice. Hopefully, deeper understanding of CRC immune landscape and of the impact of specific genetic and epigenetic alterations on tumor immunogenicity might lead to the development of new drug combination strategies to overcome ICIs resistance in pMMR CRC, thus paving the way for immunotherapy even in this subgroup.
Oculomotor control in children with Special Educational Needs (SEN): the development and piloting of a novel app-based therapeutic intervention
Authors: Clark Rosie , Williams Cathy , Gilchrist Iain D.
Published: June 2021

Children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) often have impaired eye movement control which can impact on a wide range of everyday activities including in the classroom, socialising, participation in sport or crossing a road. Although some health practitioners offer eye movement therapies these tend not to have been systematically developed or evaluated. We have developed a new app to deliver eye movement training, based on detailed scientific understanding of eye movement control and extensive clinical experience with this patient group. We first investigated the acceptability of the app within several schools and made modifications based on detailed feedback from the children. Next, we conducted a pilot study to test the feasibility of using the app with 12 children (5–17 years old) who had SEN. The children successfully undertook app-based training for 10 min per day for 4–5 weeks. There was a high level of attendance and no attrition. We found some variation across participants in their ability to play on the app and the level of engagement. This indicates that pre-assessing children for ability and engagement may be important. This encouraging proof of concept study justifies the development of a full study. Given the time and money spent on existing commercially-offered or internet-based non-validated therapies, this would have substantial patient benefit regardless of the outcome: evidence of no effect could reassure parents that this kind of treatment was not needed, whilst evidence of effect suggests this as a useful treatment for children with poor oculomotor control.
The Distinct Wrong of Deepfakes
Authors: de Ruiter Adrienne
Published: June 2021

Deepfake technology presents significant ethical challenges. The ability to produce realistic looking and sounding video or audio files of people doing or saying things they did not do or say brings with it unprecedented opportunities for deception. The literature that addresses the ethical implications of deepfakes raises concerns about their potential use for blackmail, intimidation, and sabotage, ideological influencing, and incitement to violence as well as broader implications for trust and accountability. While this literature importantly identifies and signals the potentially far-reaching consequences, less attention is paid to the moral dimensions of deepfake technology and deepfakes themselves. This article will help fill this gap by analysing whether deepfake technology and deepfakes are intrinsically morally wrong, and if so, why. The main argument is that deepfake technology and deepfakes are morally suspect, but not inherently morally wrong. Three factors are central to determining whether a deepfake is morally problematic: (i) whether the deepfaked person(s) would object to the way in which they are represented; (ii) whether the deepfake deceives viewers; and (iii) the intent with which the deepfake was created. The most distinctive aspect that renders deepfakes morally wrong is when they use digital data representing the image and/or voice of persons to portray them in ways in which they would be unwilling to be portrayed. Since our image and voice are closely linked to our identity, protection against the manipulation of hyper-realistic digital representations of our image and voice should be considered a fundamental moral right in the age of deepfakes.
Reducing unscheduled hospital care for adults with diabetes following a hypoglycaemic event: which community-based interventions are most effective? A systematic review
Authors: Watson Aoife , McConnell Donna , Coates Vivien
Published: June 2021

Aim

To determine which community-based interventions are most effective at reducing unscheduled hospital care for hypoglycaemic events in adults with diabetes.

Methods

Medline Ovid, CINAHL Plus and ProQuest Health and Medical Collection were searched using both key search terms and medical subject heading terms (MeSH) to identify potentially relevant studies. Eligible studies were those that involved a community-based intervention to reduce unscheduled admissions in adults with diabetes. Papers were initially screened by the primary researcher and then a secondary reviewer. Relevant data were then extracted from papers that met the inclusion criteria.

Results

The search produced 2226 results, with 1360 duplicates. Of the remaining 866 papers, 198 were deemed appropriate based on titles, 90 were excluded following abstract review. A total of 108 full papers were screened with 19 full papers included in the review. The sample size of the 19 papers ranged from n = 25 to n = 104,000. The average ages within the studies ranged from 41 to 74 years with females comprising 57% of the participants. The following community-based interventions were identified that explored reducing unscheduled hospital care in people with diabetes; telemedicine, education, integrated care pathways, enhanced primary care and care management teams.

Conclusions

This systematic review shows that a range of community-based interventions, requiring different levels of infrastructure, are effective in reducing unscheduled hospital care for hypoglycaemia in people with diabetes. Investment in effective community-based interventions such as integrated care and patient education must be a priority to shift the balance of care from secondary to primary care, thereby reducing hospital admissions.
Use of online and paper-and-pencil questionnaires to assess the distribution of orthorexia nervosa, muscle dysmorphia and eating disorders among university students: can different approaches lead to different results?
Authors: Gorrasi Ilaria Silvia Rossella , Ferraris Cinzia , Degan Raffaella , Daga Giovanni Abbate , Bo Simona , Tagliabue Anna , Guglielmetti Monica , Roppolo Mattia , Gilli Giorgio , Maran Daniela Acquadro , Carraro Elisabetta
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Administration of questionnaires to assess the diffusion of disordered eating behaviours via the web is becoming common today. The aim of this study is to assess whether two different approaches of administering a test to assess traits of eating disorders (EDs), orthorexia nervosa (ON) and muscle dysmorphia (MD) by email recruitment and online completion (web-based survey—WBS) and by in person recruitment and paper-and-pencil completion (paper-based survey—PBS), gives different results.

Methods

During 2 consecutive academic years, a self-reported questionnaire consisting of questions about personal characteristics and three tests for the evaluation of ON (ORTO-15), MD (MDDI-ITA), and EDs (EAT-26) were administered to two groups of undergraduates, respectively, as a WBS and a PBS.

Results

The WBS response rate was 6.7% (N = 137), and the PBS response rate was 86.5% (N = 372). The WBS group showed a statistically significant higher prevalence of students with eating disordered behaviours (21.2% vs 5.4%) and registered a higher mean score on the EAT-26 test (13.5 ± 11.1 vs 6.0 ± 8.0); no differences between the two groups emerged for ON and MD prevalence and test scores. Moreover, in the WBS group, the number of students with one or more tests with test scores above the cut-off values was significantly higher (46.0% vs 32.3%).

Conclusion

The choice of the approach to administer a questionnaire to assess the diffusion of EDs and related issues must take into account all the factors that can result in selection bias and that can affect the reliability of the results.

Level of evidence

Level V, descriptive cross-sectional survey.
Kidney injury molecule-1: potential biomarker of acute kidney injury and disease severity in patients with COVID-19
Authors: Vogel Manuel J. , Mustroph Julian , Staudner Stephan T. , Leininger Simon B. , Hubauer Ute , Wallner Stefan , Meindl Christine , Hanses Frank , Zimmermann Markus , Maier Lars S. , Jungbauer Carsten G. , Hupf Julian
Published: June 2021

Aims

The aim of the current study was to evaluate whether tubular markers kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) and N-acetyl-ß-glucosaminidase (NAG) are related to acute kidney injury (AKI) and severe disease in patients with COVID-19.

Methods and results

In this prospective observational clinical trial we examined a cohort of 80 patients with proof of acute respiratory infection and divided them into a COVID-19 cohort (n = 54) and a control cohort (n = 26). KIM-1 and NAG were measured from urine samples collected in the emergency department. We assessed the development of AKI, admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) and intrahospital death as clinical endpoints. Urinary KIM-1 and NAG were not significantly different between patients with SARS-CoV-2 and those with other respiratory infections (each p = n.s.). Eight patients from the COVID-19 cohort and five of the non-COVID-19-patients suffered from acute kidney injury during their stay. Nine COVID-19 patients and two non-COVID-19 patients were admitted to the ICU. KIM-1 was significantly elevated in COVID-19 patients with, compared to those without AKI (p = 0.005), as opposed to NAG and creatinine (each p = n.s.). Furthermore, KIM-1 was significantly elevated in the patients with COVID-19 that had to be transferred to the ICU (p = 0.015), in contrast to NAG and creatinine (each p = n.s.).

Conclusion

Assessing KIM-1 in patients with COVID-19 might provide additional value in recognizing AKI at an early stage of disease. Further, KIM-1 might indicate higher risk for clinical deterioration as displayed by admission to the ICU.

Graphical abstract
Towards a balancing safety against performance approach in human–robot co-manipulation for door-closing emergencies
Authors: Liu Chuande , Yu Chuang , Gao Bingtuan , Ali Shah Syed Awais , Tapus Adriana
Published: June 2021

Telemanipulation in power stations commonly require robots first to open doors and then gain access to a new workspace. However, the opened doors can easily close by disturbances, interrupt the operations, and potentially lead to collision damages. Although existing telemanipulation is a highly efficient master–slave work pattern due to human-in-the-loop control, it is not trivial for a user to specify the optimal measures to guarantee safety. This paper investigates the safety-critical motion planning and control problem to balance robotic safety against manipulation performance during work emergencies. Based on a dynamic workspace released by door-closing, the interactions between the workspace and robot are analyzed using a partially observable Markov decision process, thereby making the balance mechanism executed as belief tree planning. To act the planning, apart from telemanipulation actions, we clarify other three safety-guaranteed actions: on guard, defense and escape for self-protection by estimating collision risk levels to trigger them. Besides, our experiments show that the proposed method is capable of determining multiple solutions for balancing robotic safety and work efficiency during telemanipulation tasks.
The Role of Fourier Series in Mathematics and in Signal Theory
Authors: Rønning Frode
Published: June 2021

This paper presents a praxeological analysis, based on ATD (Anthropological Theory of the Didactic), of the topic of Fourier series, as this topic is introduced and used in mathematics and in electrical engineering, more precisely in signal theory. The analysis is based mainly on one widely used textbook in mathematics for engineers, and a textbook and video lectures in signal theory. The aim of the analysis is to investigate possible differences in the motivation for introducing Fourier series in mathematics and in signal theory, as well as differences in the techniques used, and the justifications behind the techniques. This research is inspired by previous research showing lack of connection between mathematics courses and engineering courses applying mathematics. To get a wider perspective, the exposition in the textbook in mathematics for engineers is also compared to the exposition in more advanced books in mathematics. To add to the perspective, the historical origin of Fourier series is also discussed. The findings show that there are differences in the motivation for the topic both between mathematics and signal theory, but also between basic and more advanced mathematics. Within mathematics there are also differences in the underlying theories.
Automatic textual description of interactions between two objects in surveillance videos
Authors: Youssef Wael F. , Haidar Siba , Joly Philippe
Published: June 2021

The purpose of our work is to automatically generate textual video description schemas from surveillance video scenes compatible with police incidents reports. Our proposed approach is based on a generic and flexible context-free ontology. The general schema is of the form [actuator] [action] [over/with] [actuated object] [+ descriptors: distance, speed, etc.]. We focus on scenes containing exactly two objects. Through elaborated steps, we generate a formatted textual description. We try to identify the existence of an interaction between the two objects, including remote interaction which does not involve physical contact and we point out when aggressivity took place in these cases. We use supervised deep learning to classify scenes into interaction or no-interaction classes and then into subclasses. The chosen descriptors used to represent subclasses are keys in surveillance systems that help generate live alerts and facilitate offline investigation.
Shakespeare and the Experimental Psychologist
Authors: Moghaddam Fathali M.
Published: June 2021

Gain a better understanding of human behavior by exploring thought experiments in Shakespearean plays and the historical roots of experimental psychology within early modern literature. This book combines scientific psychology with English literature to discuss thought experiments in selected Shakespeare plays and examine the central role of thought experiments in the natural sciences. Thought experiments are essential for progress in scientific research. Indeed, Albert Einstein and a number of other leading scientists relied almost exclusively on thought experiments. Thought experiments also play a pivotal role in English literature, particularly in Shakespeare plays. By focussing on thought experiments and experimental psychology's place within early modern English literature, the volume establishes a more wholistic approach to understanding human behavior.
The Social Account of Humour
Authors: Abrahams Daniel
Published: June 2021

Philosophical accounts of humour standardly account for humour in terms of what happens within a person. On these internalist accounts, humour is to be understood in terms of cognition, perception, and sensation. These accounts, while valuable, are poorly situated to engage the social functions of humour. They have difficulty engaging why we value humour, why we use it define ourselves and our friendships, and why it may be essential to our self-esteem. In opposition to these internal accounts, I offer a social account of humour. This account approaches humour as a social practice. It foregrounds laughter and participation, and thereby gives an account of humour that helps to understand why we value humour, why we use it as we do, and why we use it to define our relationship to the world.
ORDINAL ANALYSIS OF PARTIAL COMBINATORY ALGEBRAS
Authors: SHAFER PAUL , TERWIJN SEBASTIAAN A.
Published: June 2021

For every partial combinatory algebra (pca), we define a hierarchy of extensionality relations using ordinals. We investigate the closure ordinals of pca’s, i.e., the smallest ordinals where these relations become equal. We show that the closure ordinal of Kleene’s first model is
${\omega _1^{\textit {CK}}}$
and that the closure ordinal of Kleene’s second model is
$\omega _1$
. We calculate the exact complexities of the extensionality relations in Kleene’s first model, showing that they exhaust the hyperarithmetical hierarchy. We also discuss embeddings of pca’s.
HERMITIANS IN MATRIX ALGEBRAS WITH OPERATOR NORM – II
Authors: DUNCAN JOHN , McGREGOR COLIN M.
Published: June 2021

We continue our investigation of the real space H of Hermitian matrices in $${M_n}(\mathbb{C})$$ with respect to norms on $${\mathbb{C}^n}$$. We complete the commutative case by showing that any proper real subspace of the real diagonal matrices on $${\mathbb{C}^n}$$ can appear as H. For the non-commutative case, we give a complete solution when n=3 and we provide various illustrative examples for n ≥ 4. We end with a short list of problems.
Artificial Agents in Natural Moral Communities: A Brief Clarification
Authors: Tigard Daniel W.
Published: June 2021

What exactly is it that makes one morally responsible? Is it a set of facts which can be objectively discerned, or is it something more subjective, a reaction to the agent or context-sensitive interaction? This debate gets raised anew when we encounter newfound examples of potentially marginal agency. Accordingly, the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and the idea of “novel beings” represent exciting opportunities to revisit inquiries into the nature of moral responsibility. This paper expands upon my article “Artificial Moral Responsibility: How We Can and Cannot Hold Machines Responsible” and clarifies my reliance upon two competing views of responsibility. Although AI and novel beings are not close enough to us in kind to be considered candidates for the same sorts of responsibility we ascribe to our fellow human beings, contemporary theories show us the priority and adaptability of our moral attitudes and practices. This allows us to take seriously the social ontology of relationships that tie us together. In other words, moral responsibility is to be found primarily in the natural moral community, even if we admit that those communities now contain artificial agents.
The Moral Status of Cognitively Enhanced Monkeys and Other Novel Beings
Authors: Arnason Gardar
Published: June 2021

The discussion about the moral status of novel beings tends to focus on artificial intelligence, robots, and other man-made systems. We should, however, also consider a likelier kind of novel beings: animals that are genetically modified to develop human-like cognitive capabilities. This paper focuses on the possibility of conferring human characteristics on nonhuman primates (NHPs) in the context of neuroscientific research. It first discusses the use of NHPs for neuroscientific research and then, second, describes recent developments that promise to revolutionize the field and how that may lead to NHPs attaining human-like cognitive capabilities. Third, an account of moral status is developed to ground the central claim, that making the NHP brain more human-like is unproblematic as long as the NHPs do not become persons. In conclusion, this paper discusses the implications for the moral status of cognitively enhanced NHPs, as well as the implications for other novel beings.
From computational indicators to law into technologies: the Internet of Things, data analytics and encoding in COVID-19 contact-tracing apps
Authors: Restrepo Amariles David
Published: June 2021

This paper investigates the data life-cycle of contact-tracing apps (CTAs) in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights the socio-legal implications resulting from the design and technology choices that software developers inevitably make. These choices are often neglected by policy-makers due to the inherent technical complexity of algorithmic decision systems and to certain naive belief in technological solutionism. In particular, this paper shows, first, that technology-harvested data do not reflect an objective representation of reality, and therefore require a context within which to be understood and interpreted for policy and legal purposes; and, second, that the use of data analytics to extract insights from these data enables the production of computational indicators. By looking at how CTAs are used to implement pandemic-mitigation restrictions such as lockdowns, quarantines, social distancing and testing, the paper ultimately brings forth the ways in which technologies – and thus their bias and ways of framing social reality – become embedded in the law.
Inter- und intraprofessionelle Zusammenarbeit in Krisensituationen auf der Intensivstation am Beispiel von COVID-19
Authors: Fröhlich Martin R. , Rettke Horst , Conca Antoinette , Boden Karsten
Published: June 2021

Zusammenfassung. Hintergrund: Interprofessionelle Zusammenarbeit ist ein elementarer Bestandteil auf der Intensivstation, ein Erfolgsfaktor in schwierigen Patientensituationen und bei der Umsetzung von komplexen Therapien. Die COVID-19-Pandemie stellte neu zusammengesetzte Behandlungsteams vor Herausforderungen, Erfahrungen fehlten. Fragestellung und Ziel: Wir analysierten persönliche Erfahrungen und Sichtweisen zur inter- / intraprofessionellen Zusammenarbeit auf der Intensivstation während der COVID-19-Pandemie und identifizierten beeinflussende Faktoren. Methode: Wir nutzten ein qualitatives, retrospektives Studiendesign, erhoben Daten bei Ärzt_innen, Intensiv-, Anästhesie- und OP-Pflegefachpersonen und Physiotherapeut_innen in Gruppendiskussionen mittels Story- / Dialogue-Methode und analysierten die Daten mit Mayrings Qualitativer Inhaltsanalyse. Ergebnisse: Wir identifizierten zwei Hauptkategorien mit je drei Subkategorien: 1. Eine Ausnahmesituation aktiv meistern (Ein gemeinsames Ziel erkennen; Solidarisch handeln; Sich in der inter- / intraprofessionellen Zusammenarbeit kennenlernen), 2. Die Ausnahmesituation rückblickend überstanden haben (Persönliche Kontakte erhalten; Neues Wissen und neue Perspektiven gewonnen haben; Gelerntes mit in die Zukunft nehmen). Die Teilnehmenden bewerteten die inter- / intraprofessionelle Zusammenarbeit gut bis sehr gut. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Zusammenarbeit fördernde Faktoren und positive Erfahrungen sollen in den Arbeitsalltag übernommen werden. Das intraprofessionelle Kaderteam definiert dabei gemeinsame Ziele und Werte für eine bestmögliche Patientenversorgung.
CME/Antworten: Neuartige Kopfschmerzen bei Erwachsenen: evidenzbasiertes Vorgehen für die Praxis
Authors: Pohl Heiko , Wegener Susanne
Published: June 2021

Zusammenfassung. Viele Menschen leiden an Kopfschmerzen. Die häufigsten primären (idiopathischen) Kopfschmerzen, wie Migräne oder der Kopfschmerz vom Spannungstyp, führen zwar oft zu Einschränkungen im beruflichen und privaten Leben, sind aber nicht gefährlich. Dem gegenüber stehen die sekundären (symptomatischen) Kopfschmerzen, die Symptome einer unter Umständen lebensbedrohlichen Erkrankung sein können. Hier kann neben der hausärztlich organisierten erweiterten Diagnostik (Bildgebung, Blutentnahme, Lumbalpunktion) auch eine notfallmässige Krankenhauseinweisung erforderlich sein. In diesem Artikel fassen wir die empfohlenen Schritte zur Abklärung neuartiger Kopfschmerzen in der hausärztlichen Praxis zusammen.
CME-Dermatologie 23/Antworten: Hidradenitis suppurativa
Authors: Dahmen Robert A. , Lautenschlager Stephan
Published: June 2021

Zusammenfassung. Hidradenitis suppurativa (Acne inversa) ist eine chronische Hauterkrankung, die durch wiederkehrende entzündliche Knötchen, Abszesse und Narben in den intertriginösen Bereichen gekennzeichnet ist. Die Prävalenz der Erkrankung wird weltweit auf 0,05 bis 4,1 % geschätzt, wobei Frauen häufiger betroffen sind. Die genaue Pathogenese bleibt unklar, aber der Verschluss und die Entzündung der Haarfollikel scheinen die auslösenden Ereignisse zu sein. Es wurden verschiedene epidemiologische Korrelationen mit Rauchen und Fettleibigkeit sowie Mutationen in Gamma-Sekretase-Genen beschrieben. Die Therapie hängt von der Ausdehnung der Krankheit ab und sollte die aktuellen Richtlinien einhalten. Topisches Clindamycin ist für milde Formen der Krankheit geeignet, während mittelschwere bis schwere Krankheiten eine systemische entzündungshemmende Behandlung erfordern. Ein chirurgischer Eingriff ist derzeit die einzige endgültige Behandlung für Hidradenitis suppurativa.
Climate‐Based Emulator of Distant Swell Trains and Local Seas Approaching a Pacific Atoll
Authors: Cagigal Laura , Rueda Ana , Ricondo Alba , Pérez Jorge , Ripoll Nicolás , Coco Giovanni , Méndez Fernando J.
Published: June 2021

Wave‐induced flooding is a major coastal hazard for the low‐lying atolls of the Pacific. These flooding events are expected to increase over time, which may cause significant coastal damage in some locations. Coastal flooding analysis (forensic or forecasted) is particularly challenging in these small islands due to the co‐occurrence of several swells and local seas propagating in a complex configuration of archipelagos. Therefore, assessing the contribution of swells and wind seas on the flooding hazards that threaten the atoll islands requires the spectral characterization of the wave climate, since integrated wave parameters do not accurately represent the wave conditions in these environments. On the other hand, the relative short records of wave conditions, represent only a small fraction of the possible range of combinations that could produce a wave‐induced flooding event. For these reasons, we propose the analysis of all the spectral energy arriving toward a study site, by isolating and parameterizing each swell train. Then, taking into account the link with large‐scale climatic patterns (i.e., El Niño Southern Oscillation), we present a new multi‐modal seas emulator capable of generating infinitely long time series of synthetic individual swell trains and seas. This new climate‐based emulator allows a better understanding of swell behavior in the Pacific, and the generation of multimodal wave conditions to populate the historical records as a key point to perform robust coastal flood risk assessments considering climate variability.
A novel PTRH2 missense mutation causing IMNEPD: a case report
Authors: Khamirani Hossein Jafari , Zoghi Sina , Dianatpour Mehdi , Jankhah Aria , Tabei Seyed Sajjad , Mohammadi Sanaz , Dastgheib Seyed Alireza
Published: June 2021

PTRH2 deficiency is associated with an extremely rare disease, infantile-onset multisystem neurologic, endocrine, and pancreatic disease (IMNEPD). We report the first Iranian patient with IMNEPD. We detected a pathogenic variant in the PTRH2 gene (NM_016077.5: c.68T > C, p.V23A). The proband has myopia, spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, urolithiasis, and a history of seizures.
Rapid detection of identity-by-descent tracts for mega-scale datasets
Authors: Shemirani Ruhollah , Belbin Gillian M. , Avery Christy L. , Kenny Eimear E. , Gignoux Christopher R. , Ambite José Luis
Published: June 2021

The ability to identify segments of genomes identical-by-descent (IBD) is a part of standard workflows in both statistical and population genetics. However, traditional methods for finding local IBD across all pairs of individuals scale poorly leading to a lack of adoption in very large-scale datasets. Here, we present iLASH, an algorithm based on similarity detection techniques that shows equal or improved accuracy in simulations compared to current leading methods and speeds up analysis by several orders of magnitude on genomic datasets, making IBD estimation tractable for millions of individuals. We apply iLASH to the PAGE dataset of ~52,000 multi-ethnic participants, including several founder populations with elevated IBD sharing, identifying IBD segments in ~3 minutes per chromosome compared to over 6 days for a state-of-the-art algorithm. iLASH enables efficient analysis of very large-scale datasets, as we demonstrate by computing IBD across the UK Biobank (~500,000 individuals), detecting 12.9 billion pairwise connections.