bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improved coarse‐grained model for studying sequence dependent phase separation of disordered proteins
Authors: Regy Roshan Mammen , Thompson Jacob , Kim Young C. , Mittal Jeetain
Published: May 2021

We present improvements to the hydropathy scale (HPS) coarse‐grained (CG) model for simulating sequence‐specific behavior of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs), including their liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS). The previous model based on an atomistic hydropathy scale by Kapcha and Rossky (KR scale) is not able to capture some well‐known LLPS trends such as reduced phase separation propensity upon mutations (R‐to‐K and Y‐to‐F). Here, we propose to use the Urry hydropathy scale instead, which was derived from the inverse temperature transitions in a model polypeptide with guest residues X. We introduce two free parameters to shift (Δ) and scale (µ) the overall interaction strengths for the new model (HPS‐Urry) and use the experimental radius of gyration for a diverse group of IDPs to find their optimal values. Interestingly, many possible (Δ, µ) combinations can be used for typical IDPs, but the phase behavior of a low‐complexity (LC) sequence FUS is only well described by one of these models, which highlights the need for a careful validation strategy based on multiple proteins. The CG HPS‐Urry model should enable accurate simulations of protein LLPS and provide a microscopically detailed view of molecular interactions.
Optical Index Matching, Flexible Electrospun Substrates for Seamless Organic Photocapacitive Sensors
Authors: Grothe Timo , Böhm Tobias , Habashy Karim , Abdullaeva Oliya S. , Zablocki Jennifer , Lützen Arne , Dedek Karin , Schiek Manuela , Ehrmann Andrea
Published: May 2021

Recent advances in optoelectronics are often based on thin‐film organic semiconductors. Interesting organic semiconductors are given by squaraines, small molecules that show excitonic coupling with visible light and are thus suitable for applications in solar cells and light sensors. While such squaraine thin films have already been proven to be suitable for stimulation of neuronal model cells, the integration into, e.g., the human eye to support blind people necessitates forming thin layers on seamless substrates. Herein, squaraine films are spin‐coated on electrospun nanofiber mats and nanomembranes, prepared from polyacrylonitrile, and made conductive by spin coating with poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS). The fibrous non‐woven texture of the nanofiber mats and membranes alters the thin film formation of the squaraine compound considerably compared with preparation on planar, nonsoaking substrates such as glass and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) foil demanding further engineering regarding material's choice and processing conditions.
Sensitivity of convective precipitation to model grid spacing and land‐surface resolution in ICON
Authors: Singh Shweta , Kalthoff Norbert , Gantner Leonhard
Published: May 2021

The impact of model grid spacing and land‐surface resolution (LSR) on convective precipitation are investigated for areas with different orographic complexities. ICOsahedral Nonhydrostatic (ICON) model simulations were performed for six days having weak large‐scale forcing using six model grid spacings (in metres): Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) (, ) and Large‐Eddy Simulation (LES) physics simulations (, , , and ) in a nested set‐up. Concerning LSR, we focused on simulations with LSRs of 1,250 and 5,000 m, keeping the model grid spacing at 156 m. The onset of precipitation in is earlier by 0.5–2 hr, while LSR modifications show a similar onset compared with . The relative percentage difference (RPD) of areal mean daily precipitation across LES physics simulations decreases consistently with model grid spacing for most of the cases. The RPD of precipitation in is considerably higher (75th percentile: ≈155%) than that of the LSR runs at resolutions of both 1,250 and 5,000 m, with 75th percentiles of ≈7% and ≈22%, respectively. To investigate the processes causing the differences in precipitation characteristics, like onset time and amount, the heat and moisture budgets of and were compared. The results show that, at the initial stage of cloud formation, a higher number of smaller clouds are formed in compared with . The small clouds in are subject to considerable evaporative cooling at their edges and shell regions, due to entrainment processes. As a result, these clouds often dissolve before they can grow deep. Later on, cloud aggregation in also enables precipitation. The delayed onset of precipitation and reduced areas of aggregated clouds having low precipitation rates are the main reasons for less precipitation in than in .
An unsupervised approach for fault diagnosis of power transformers
Authors: Dias Luis , Ribeiro Miguel , Leitão Armando , Guimarães Luis , Carvalho Leonel , Matos Manuel A. , Bessa Ricardo J.
Published: May 2021

Electrical utilities apply condition monitoring on power transformers (PTs) to prevent unplanned outages and detect incipient faults. This monitoring is often done using dissolved gas analysis (DGA) coupled with engineering methods to interpret the data, however the obtained results lack accuracy and reproducibility. In order to improve accuracy, various advanced analytical methods have been proposed in the literature. Nonetheless, these methods are often hard to interpret by the decision‐maker and require a substantial amount of failure records to be trained. In the context of the PTs, failure data quality is recurrently questionable, and failure records are scarce when compared to nonfailure records. This work tackles these challenges by proposing a novel unsupervised methodology for diagnosing PT condition. Differently from the supervised approaches in the literature, our method does not require the labeling of DGA records and incorporates a visual representation of the results in a 2D scatter plot to assist in interpretation. A modified clustering technique is used to classify the condition of different PTs using historical DGA data. Finally, well‐known engineering methods are applied to interpret each of the obtained clusters. The approach was validated using data from two different real‐world data sets provided by a generation company and a distribution system operator. The results highlight the advantages of the proposed approach and outperformed engineering methods (from IEC and IEEE standards) and companies legacy method. The approach was also validated on the public IEC TC10 database, showing the capability to achieve comparable accuracy with supervised learning methods from the literature. As a result of the methodology performance, both companies are currently using it in their daily DGA diagnosis.
Assessing the Effectiveness of Structured Word Inquiry for Students in Grades 3 and 5 With Reading and Spelling Difficulties: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Colenbrander Danielle , Parsons Liam , Bowers Jeffrey S. , Davis Colin J.
Published: May 2021

Research syntheses have demonstrated that morphological instruction can improve the literacy skills of poor readers and spellers. However, studies have used a wide variety of training methods. Questions remain about what type of morphological instruction is most effective and under which circumstances. In this study, we conducted a randomized controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of Structured Word Inquiry for poor readers and spellers. Structured Word Inquiry teaches students the logic of the English spelling system via instruction in morphology and etymology. Students in grades 3 and 5 with poor reading and spelling skills were randomly assigned to receive either Structured Word Inquiry instruction or a comparison instruction method involving robust vocabulary instruction and reciprocal teaching. Instruction was delivered by teaching assistants over the course of a full school year. After training, there were few differences between the groups in terms of literacy or vocabulary skills. However, teaching assistants found Structured Word Inquiry instruction challenging to deliver, which is likely to have impacted the results. Our findings have implications for the nature and content of morphological instruction for poor readers and spellers, and for future attempts to scale up the delivery of morphological interventions.
Metabolic Syndrome-Related SNPs in HLA and TNF7L2 May be Risk Factors for Generalized Pustular Psoriasis in Chinese Han Population
Authors: Liu Y. , Cui Z.-Y. , Bao J. , Zhang X.-L. , Guo Y. , Su M.-J. , Han J.-W.
Published: May 2021

Background

Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is a rare and severe type of psoriasis. Previous studies have reported that metabolic syndrome and its components have been associated with psoriasis.

Objective

To investigate the association of metabolic syndrome-related single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and GPP in Chinese Han population.

Materials and Methods

One hundred and thirty-six (136) GPP patients and 965 healthy controls were recruited in the study. Approximately, 4 ml peripheral venous blood was collected from each participant. After collection, second-generation sequencing was used to detect genetic polymorphism of 15 SNPs. The plink 1.07 software package was used for statistical analysis.

Results

Rs805303 (p = 0.01, OR = 0.70) and rs3177928 (p = 3.18E−07, OR = 2.66) in HLA were significantly different between the two groups. Moreover, rs4506565 (p = 1.41E−03, OR = 2.72) and rs7901695 (p = 9.39E−04, OR = 2.82) in TCF7L2 were significantly associated with GPP in patients without a previous history of PsV. Genotype analysis of rs4506565 and rs7901695 showed that under the recessive model, genotype frequencies of rs4506565 (p = 0.00, OR = 18.52) and rs7901695 (p = 0.00, OR = 18.44) were significantly different between GPP patients and healthy controls.

Conclusion

Rs805303 and rs3177928 in HLA may increase the risk of GPP in the Chinese Han population. TCF7L2 may be a risk factor for GPP in patients without a previous history of PsV.
An Efficient and Short Total Synthesis of (−)‐Heliannuol A by Intramolecular Ullmann C−O Coupling for the Construction of an Eight‐Membered Ether Ring
Authors: Tsubogo Tetsu , Okamura Fumiya , Omori Akiho , Uchiro Hiromi
Published: May 2021

Herein, we report a method for the synthesis of eight‐membered cyclic ethers by a direct C−O bond connection using an intramolecular Ullmann coupling reaction based on our previously published methodology. We found that allelopathically active heliannuol A could be rapidly synthesised using this method. The use of a strongly coordinating 4‐pyrrolidinopyridine ligand accelerates the reaction rate and leads to the C−O coupling reaction of a typically inaccessible sterically bulky tertiary alcohol. Furthermore, this method circumvents the protection and deprotection steps, presenting a new strategy for the syntheses of benzannulated eight‐membered ring structures.
IO‐TiO2/PCN‐222 Heterostructure with a Tightly Connected Interface and Its Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Yang Kai , Ye Jin , Zhao Yi , Ge Kai , Cao Jiayu , Wang Shuang , Zhang Zhiheng , Zhang Yue , Yang Yongfang
Published: May 2021

IO‐TiO2/PCN‐222 heterostructure is built by combining the narrow band gap metalloporphyrin metal‐organic framework (PCN‐222) with the wide gap inverse opal TiO2 (IO‐TiO2). PCN‐222 was grown in situ on the surface of the IO‐TiO2 pore wall under hydrothermal conditions, which formed a tightly connected interface and allowed the rapid separation and transfer of electrons and holes. The IO‐TiO2/PCN‐222 possessed a high photodegradation efficiency of doxycycline hydrochloride (DH) and the degradation rate constant of IO‐TiO2/PCN‐222 is 0.02456 min−1, which is about 7.24, 3.95 and 5.27 times that of P25, IO‐TiO2 and PCN‐222, respectively. The high photocatalytic activity of IO‐TiO2/PCN‐222 is attributed to the high adsorption capacity of DH, strong absorption of visible light, and the fast separation and transfer ability of electrons and holes in the tightly connected heterointerface.
Qualitative and Quantitative Study of Intermolecular Interactions in Imidazo[2,1‐b] [1,3,4] Thiadiazoles
Authors: Sowmya Ammankallu , Kumar Gudibande N. Anil , Kumar Sujeet , Karki Subhas S.
Published: May 2021

The crystal structures of three Imidazo [2, 1‐b] [1, 3, 4] thiadiazole derivatives were determined by single crystal x‐ray diffraction method. All compounds are crystallized under monoclinic crystal system, P21 space group. In solid‐state, the crystal structures are primarily stabilized by C−H…O hydrogen bonds. The chloro and bromo substituted structures exhibits sigma hole involved S…O and S…N non‐bonding interactions. A detailed analysis of crystal packing with the evaluation of interaction energies of molecular pairs extracted from both PIXEL and quantum chemical methods were presented in detail. In addition, Hirshfeld 2D fingerprint plots are used to estimate intermoleular interactions quantitatively. The iso‐structurality present in the crystal packing was investigated using XPAC analysis. The molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) was mapped to identify the reaction sites of the molecules. Further nonlinear optical properties are calculated using Density functional theory.
Anion Recognition Employing ‐NH Linked Organic Moieties
Authors: Billing Beant Kaur , Verma Meenakshi
Published: May 2021

This review mainly focuses on the design of organic receptors employing amide linkage. Review also highlights the sensing mechanism of different anions detected by amide based organic receptors in different medium. All the data collected in this review is from last two decades.
Revisiting Zuckerman's (1999) categorical imperative: An application of epistemic maps for replication
Authors: Goldfarb Brent , Yan Liyue
Published: May 2021

Research Summary

We revisit Zuckerman's (1999) “The Categorical Imperative: Securities Analysts and the Illegitimacy Discount,” which theorizes that when organizations are recognized as legitimate players in a category, they perform better. A replication exercise fails to reproduce two of three sets of results. Assisted by data shared by the original author, we find evidence that the inconsistency is due to a coding error in the original and differences between analyst data sets. We illustrate the use of epistemic maps and evaluate the theory's predictive power across a broad set of plausible empirical assumptions and also for a subsequent time period. The results are not robust. We conclude that these data provide little evidence to support strategic recommendations. Challenges and remedies for replication are discussed.

Managerial Summary

This paper replicates a 1999 study “The Categorical Imperative: Securities Analysts and the Illegitimacy Discount” (Zuckerman, 1999). A key implication of the 1999 study is that firms should actively seek to be covered by analysts who specialize in their industries, and that a failure to be covered by analysts who are industry specialists will lead to lower capital market valuations. Our replication exercise indicates that there is insufficient evidence to recommend actively managing coverage along this dimension.
Carbonaceous Oxygen Evolution Reaction Catalysts: From Defect and Doping‐Induced Activity over Hybrid Compounds to Ordered Framework Structures
Authors: Zoller Florian , Häringer Sebastian , Böhm Daniel , Luxa Jan , Sofer Zdeněk , Fattakhova‐Rohlfing Dina
Published: May 2021

Oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is expected to be of great importance for the future energy conversion and storage in form of hydrogen by water electrolysis. Besides the traditional noble‐metal or transition metal oxide‐based catalysts, carbonaceous electrocatalysts are of great interest due to their huge structural and compositional variety and unrestricted abundance. This review provides a summary of recent advances in the field of carbon‐based OER catalysts ranging from “pure” or unintentionally doped carbon allotropes over heteroatom‐doped carbonaceous materials and carbon/transition metal compounds to metal oxide composites where the role of carbon is mainly assigned to be a conductive support. Furthermore, the review discusses the recent developments in the field of ordered carbon framework structures (metal organic framework and covalent organic framework structures) that potentially allow a rational design of heteroatom‐doped 3D porous structures with defined composition and spatial arrangement of doping atoms to deepen the understanding on the OER mechanism on carbonaceous structures in the future. Besides introducing the structural and compositional origin of electrochemical activity, the review discusses the mechanism of the catalytic activity of carbonaceous materials, their stability under OER conditions, and potential synergistic effects in combination with metal (or metal oxide) co‐catalysts.
Two‐dimensional magnetic transition metal chalcogenides
Authors: Huang Yu Li , Chen Wei , Wee Andrew T. S.
Published: May 2021

The field of two‐dimensional (2D) magnets has expanded rapidly during the past several years since the first demonstration of intrinsic 2D magnetism in atomically thin CrI3 and Cr2Ge2Te6 in 2017. 2D transition metal chalcogenides (TMCs), a class of strongly correlated materials, have exhibited a wide variety of novel electronic and optical properties, and more recently magnetism. Here, we review recent experimental progress achieved in the growth of 2D magnetic TMC materials using chemical vapor deposition and molecular beam epitaxy methods. Outstanding examples include the demonstration of room temperature intrinsic and extrinsic ferromagnetism in monolayer VSe2, MnSe2, Cr3Te4, V‐doped WSe2, and so on. A brief discussion on the origin of the exotic magnetic properties and emergent phenomena is also presented. Finally, we summarize the remaining challenges and future perspective on the development of 2D magnetic materials for next‐generation spintronic devices.
Sex and APOE genotype differences related to statin use in the aging population
Authors: Dagliati Arianna , Peek Niels , Brinton Roberta Diaz , Geifman Nophar
Published: May 2021

Background

Significant evidence suggests that the cholesterol‐lowering statins can affect cognitive function and reduce the risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia. These potential effects may be constrained by specific combinations of an individual's sex and apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype.

Methods

Here we examine data from 252,327 UK Biobank participants, aged 55 or over, and compare the effects of statin use in males and females. We assessed difference in statin treatments taking a matched cohort approach, and identified key stratifiers using regression models and conditional inference trees. Using statistical modeling, we further evaluated the effect of statins on survival, cognitive decline over time, and on AD prevalence.

Results

We identified that in the selected population, males were older, had a higher level of education, better cognitive scores, higher incidence of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, and a higher rate of statin use. We observed that males and those participants with anAPOEε4–positive genotype had higher probabilities of being treated with statins; while participants with an AD diagnosis had slightly lower probabilities. We found that use of statins was not significantly associated with overall higher rates of survival. However, when considering the interaction of statin use with sex, the results suggest higher survival rates in males treated with statins. Finally, examination of cognitive function indicates a potential beneficial effect of statins that is selective forAPOEε4–positive genotypes.

Discussion

Our evaluation of the aging population in a large cohort from the UK Biobank confirms sex andAPOEgenotype as fundamental risk stratifiers for AD and cognitive function, furthermore it extends them to the specific area of statin use, clarifying their specific interactions with treatments.
Recombinant human interferon‐α14 for the treatment of canine allergic pruritic disease in eight dogs
Authors: Beirão Breno C. B. , Taraciuk Aline C. , Trentin Carolina , Ingberman Max , Caron Luiz F. , McKenzie Chris , Stimson William H.
Published: May 2021

Background

Allergic pruritic diseases are increasingly common in dogs. This group of conditions hampers life quality as pruritus progressively interferes with normal behaviours. Therefore, new treatment modalities for canine allergic pruritic diseases are necessary. While novel drugs have recently reached the market, there is still the need for other therapeutic approaches. Some dogs are refractory even to the newer compounds, and cost is also an important issue for these. Older therapeutic modalities are only moderately successful or have considerable secondary effects, as is the case with glucocorticoids.

Objectives

Report on the use of recombinant human interferon‐α14 (rhIFN‐α14) for the treatment of canine allergic pruritus. Following the experience with a similar compound in the Japanese market, it was expected that rhIFN‐α14 could alter the Th1/Th2 disbalance that drives these diseases.

Methods

Here, we present an uncontrolled trial in which eight dogs with clinical diagnosis of allergic pruritus were treated with rhIFN‐α14, either orally or via subcutaneous injections. Skin condition, microbiota and anti‐interferon antibody levels were assessed.

Results

The parenteral use of interferon induced hypersensitivity in two of the three dogs in which it was used. The oral administration was consistently safe and could reduce signs of the allergic condition in three of the five treated animals. Treatment also altered the skin microbiota, as verified by next‐generation sequencing.

Conclusion

The present results indicate that rhIFN‐α14 is a viable candidate for the treatment of canine allergic pruritus. Future controlled studies are needed, and the oral route is indicated for further trials.
Hydrologic Precursors
Authors: Wang Chi-Yuen , Manga Michael
Published: May 2021

Predicting earthquakes is a long-desired goal. The main challenge is to identify precursory signals that reliably predict the impending earthquake. Since hydrological and hydrogeochemical properties and processes can be very sensitive to minute strains, the hope is that measurements from hydrological systems might record precursory rock deformation that would  otherwise be undetectable. Of the many hundreds of studies, we review a subset to illustrate how signals can be challenging to interpret and highlight questions raised by observations—examples come from China, Japan, Taiwan, India, the USA, Russia, France, Italy and Iceland. All are retrospective studies. Some signals seem to have no other explanation than being precursory, however, rarely is enough data available to undertake a thorough analysis. Some hydrological precursors might be recording deformation events that are slower than traditional earthquakes (and hence usually harder to detect). Long times series of data are critical for both identifying putative precursors and assessing their origin and reliability.
Epilogue
Authors: Wang Chi-Yuen , Manga Michael
Published: May 2021

We identify some common threads and trends in the observations of hydrological responses to earthquakes. We suggest that seismic energy density is a useful metric for interpreting observations and relating different types of responses. We conclude with a summary of outstanding questions and new opportunities.
Groundwater Temperature
Authors: Wang Chi-Yuen , Manga Michael
Published: May 2021

Changes of temperature in response to earthquakes have long been documented and, in the case where systematic patterns of change can be discerned, may reveal important hydrogeologic processes. Progress in our understanding of these processes, however, has been slow, largely because systematic measurements are relatively scarce. In this chapter we review some cases where earthquake-induced changes of groundwater temperature were documented and interpreted. More importantly, we show that most interpretations are under-constrained and accurate explanation of the measured changes is often difficult. In order to better constrain the interpretation, co-located measurement of groundwater flow from conductive fractures or formations intersecting the wells is needed to interpret temperature measurements. An often neglected mechanism is turbulent mixing of water in wells, which may occur frequently during earthquakes because the water column in a well at thermal equilibrium with the local geotherm is usually in a state of mechanical disequilibrium.
Local G2-manifolds, Higgs bundles and a colored quantum mechanics
Authors: Hübner Max
Published: May 2021

Abstract

M-theory on localG2-manifolds engineers 4d minimally supersymmetric gauge theories. We consider ALE-fiberedG2-manifolds and study the 4d physics from the view point of a partially twisted 7d supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory and its Higgs bundle. Euclidean M2-brane instantons descend to non-perturbative effects of the 7d supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory, which are found to be in one to one correspondence with the instantons of a colored supersymmetric quantum mechanics. We compute the contributions of M2-brane instantons to the 4d superpotential in the effective 7d description via localization in the colored quantum mechanics. Further we consider non-split Higgs bundles and analyze their 4d spectrum.
Global fits in the Aligned Two-Higgs-Doublet model
Authors: Eberhardt Otto , Martínez Ana Peñuelas , Pich Antonio
Published: May 2021

Abstract

We present the results of a global fit to the Aligned Two-Higgs Doublet Model, assuming that there are no new sources of CP violation beyond the quark mixing matrix. We use the most constraining flavour observables, electroweak precision measurements and the available data on Higgs signal strengths and collider searches for heavy scalars, together with the theoretical requirements of perturbativity and positivity of the scalar potential. The combination of all these constraints restricts the values of the scalar masses, the couplings of the scalar potential and the flavour-alignment parameters. The numerical fits have been performed using the open-source HEPfit package.
Maternal smoking during pregnancy and offspring psychiatric disorder: a longitudinal birth cohort study
Authors: Brannigan Ross , Tanskanen Antti , Huttunen Matti O. , Cannon Mary , Leacy Finbarr P. , Clarke Mary C.
Published: May 2021

Background

There is evidence that prenatal stress and smoking during pregnancy both independently increase the risk of offspring psychopathology. Here we examine whether increased levels of self-reported stress is associated with increased smoking in a population of pregnant women, and whether prenatal smoking is associated with offspring psychiatric diagnoses independent of prenatal stress exposure.

Method

Using a longitudinal birth cohort, we used ordered logistic regressions to examine associations between maternal stress and smoking during pregnancy. We then used logistic regression analyses to examine associations between prenatal smoking and later offspring psychiatric disorders.

Results

A dose–response relationship was found between maternally reported stress and smoking during pregnancy. Pregnant women reporting severe stress were more likely to smoke compared to both the moderate stress and no stress groups, and those reporting moderate stress were significantly more likely to smoke compared to the no stress group. Smoking more than 5 cigarettes daily during pregnancy increased the risk of offspring personality disorder (OR 3.08, 95% CI 1.60–5.94) as well as developing any Axis 1 psychiatric disorder, inclusive of mood, anxiety and psychotic disorders (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.04–2.04). After adjusting for parental psychiatric history and maternal self-reported stress during pregnancy, associations between smoking more than 5 cigarettes daily when pregnancy and offspring personality (OR 2.58 95% CI 1.32–5.06) disorder remained.

Conclusion

Exposure to cigarette smoking during gestation could impact a child’s mental health. Smoking during pregnancy is a prime target for preventative interventions as unlike most other environmental risk factors, it is very amenable to change.
Limit lamination theorem for H-disks
Authors: Meeks William H. , Tinaglia Giuseppe
Published: May 2021

We describe the lamination limits of sequences of compact disks $$M_n$$

M
n

embedded in $${\mathbb {R}}^3$$

R

3

with constant mean curvature $$H_n$$

H
n

, when the boundaries of these disks tend to infinity. This theorem generalizes to the non-zero constant mean curvature case Theorem 0.1 by Colding and Minicozzi (Ann Math 160:573–615, 2004) for minimal disks. We apply this theorem to prove the existence of a chord arc result for compact disks embedded in $${\mathbb {R}}^3$$

R

3

with constant mean curvature; this chord arc result generalizes Theorem 0.5 by Colding and Minicozzi (Ann Math 167:211–243, 2008) for minimal disks.
An Integrative, Multiparametric Approach for the Comprehensive Assessment of Microbial Quality and Pollution in Aquaculture Systems
Authors: Stabili Loredana , Di Salvo Marco , Alifano Pietro , Talà Adelfia
Published: May 2021

As the aquaculture sector significantly expanded worldwide in the past decades, the concept of sustainable aquaculture has developed with the challenge of not only maximizing benefits but also minimizing the negative impacts on the environment assuring, at the same time, food security. In this framework, monitoring and improving the microbiological water quality and animal health are a central topic. In the present study, we evaluated the seawater microbiological quality in a mariculture system located in a Mediterranean coastal area (Northern Ionian Sea, Italy). We furnished, for the first time, a microbial inventory based on conventional culture-based methods, integrated with the 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding approach for vibrios identification and diversity analyses, and further implemented with microbial metabolic profiling data obtained from the Biolog EcoPlate system. Microbiological pollution indicators, vibrios diversity, and microbial metabolism were determined in two different times of the year (July and December). All microbial parameters measured in July were markedly increased compared to those measured in December. The presence of potentially pathogenic vibrios is discussed concerning the risk of fish disease and human infections. Thus, the microbial inventory here proposed might represent a new multiparametric approach for the suitable surveillance of the microbial quality in a mariculture system. Consequently, it could be useful for ensuring the safety of both the reared species and the consumers in the light of sustainable, eco-friendly aquaculture management.
Impact of artificial intelligence support on accuracy and reading time in breast tomosynthesis image interpretation: a multi-reader multi-case study
Authors: van Winkel Suzanne L. , Rodríguez-Ruiz Alejandro , Appelman Linda , Gubern-Mérida Albert , Karssemeijer Nico , Teuwen Jonas , Wanders Alexander J. T. , Sechopoulos Ioannis , Mann Ritse M.
Published: May 2021

Objectives

Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) increases sensitivity of mammography and is increasingly implemented in breast cancer screening. However, the large volume of images increases the risk of reading errors and reading time. This study aims to investigate whether the accuracy of breast radiologists reading wide-angle DBT increases with the aid of an artificial intelligence (AI) support system. Also, the impact on reading time was assessed and the stand-alone performance of the AI system in the detection of malignancies was compared to the average radiologist.

Methods

A multi-reader multi-case study was performed with 240 bilateral DBT exams (71 breasts with cancer lesions, 70 breasts with benign findings, 339 normal breasts). Exams were interpreted by 18 radiologists, with and without AI support, providing cancer suspicion scores per breast. Using AI support, radiologists were shown examination-based and region-based cancer likelihood scores. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and reading time per exam were compared between reading conditions using mixed-models analysis of variance.

Results

On average, the AUC was higher using AI support (0.863 vs 0.833; p = 0.0025). Using AI support, reading time per DBT exam was reduced (p < 0.001) from 41 (95% CI = 39–42 s) to 36 s (95% CI = 35– 37 s). The AUC of the stand-alone AI system was non-inferior to the AUC of the average radiologist (+0.007, p = 0.8115).

Conclusions

Radiologists improved their cancer detection and reduced reading time when evaluating DBT examinations using an AI reading support system.

Key Points

• Radiologists improved their cancer detection accuracy in digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) when using an AI system for support, while simultaneously reducing reading time.

• The stand-alone breast cancer detection performance of an AI system is non-inferior to the average performance of radiologists for reading digital breast tomosynthesis exams.

• The use of an AI support system could make advanced and more reliable imaging techniques more accessible and could allow for more cost-effective breast screening programs with DBT.
Recent weakening in the winter ENSO teleconnection over the North Atlantic-European region
Authors: Ivasić Sara , Herceg-Bulić Ivana , King Martin P.
Published: May 2021

New observational evidence for variability of the atmospheric response to wintertime El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is found. Using different approaches and datasets, a weakening in the recent ENSO teleconnection over the North Atlantic-European (NAE) region is demonstrated. Changes in both pattern and strength of the teleconnection indicate a turning point in the 1970s with a shift from a response resembling the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) to an anomaly pattern orthogonal to NAO with very weak or statistically non-significant values; and to nearly non-existent teleconnection in the most recent decades. Results shows the importance of the background sea surface temperature (SST) state and sea-ice climatology having opposite effects in modulating the ENSO-NAE teleconnection. As indicated with targeted simulations, the recent change in the SST climatology in the Atlantic and Arctic has contributed to the weakening of the ENSO effect. The findings of this study can have implications on our understanding of modulations of ENSO teleconnections and ENSO as a source of predictability in the NAE sector.
Cancer is associated with inferior outcome in patients with ischemic stroke
Authors: Seystahl Katharina , Hug Alessia , Weber Sung Ju , Kapitza Sandra , Gramatzki Dorothee , Wanner Miriam , Katan Mira , Luft Andreas R. , Rohrmann Sabine , Wegener Susanne , Weller Michael
Published: May 2021

Background

Whether patients with stroke and cancer exhibit specific characteristics has remained controversial.

Methods

Medical records of patients with ischemic stroke in 2014 or 2015 registered in the Swiss Stroke Registry of Zurich were retrospectively analyzed and integrated with regional cancer registry data. Associations of clinical and outcome parameters with cancer diagnosed up to 5 years prior to stroke were tested.

Results

Of 753 patients with ischemic stroke, 59 patients with cancer were identified. History of venous thromboembolism (p < 0.001) was associated with cancer while age and cardiovascular risk factors were not. Higher levels of D-dimers (p = 0.001), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p = 0.003), C-reactive protein (CRP) (p < 0.001), and lower levels of hemoglobin (p = 0.003) were associated with cancer. For platelets, pathologically low (p = 0.034) or high levels (p < 0.001) were linked to cancer. Modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores ≥ 4 on admission and at follow-up were more frequent in cancer patients (p = 0.038 and p = 0.001). Poor post-stroke survival was associated with cancer (HR 2.2, p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis identified venous thromboembolism (OR 5.1), pathologic platelet count (OR = 2.9), low hemoglobin (OR 2.5) and elevated CRP (OR 1.8) as independently associated with cancer. In multivariable Cox regression, risk for death was associated with cancer (HR 1.7), low hemoglobin (HR 2.6), mRS on admission ≥ 4 (HR 1.9), pathologic platelet count (HR 1.6), female sex (HR 1.7), and elevated CRP (HR 1.4).

Conclusions

Considering cancer as a cofactor for post-stroke outcome may impact clinical decision making.
Molecular characterization of Leishmania species from stray dogs and human patients in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alanazi Abdullah D. , Alouffi Abdulazi S. , Alyousif Mohamed S. , Rahi Abdulsadah A. , Ali Magda A. , Abdullah Hend H. A. M. , Brayner Fabio A. , Mendoza-Roldan Jairo Alfonso , Bezerra-Santos Marcos Antonio , Otranto Domenico
Published: May 2021

Leishmania major and Leishmania tropica cause cutaneous leishmaniasis in humans and dogs in several parts of the world, with a large number of cases recorded in the Middle East. However, when they occur in sympatry, the role of each species of Leishmania in the epidemiology of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is not clear. To assess the frequency and to identify the species of Leishmania that infect humans and stray dogs in Riyadh and Al-Qaseem (Saudi Arabia), 311 stray dogs and 27 human patients who were suspected for Leishmania infection were examined for CL by a nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR). Seven (25.9%) out of 27 human patients scored positive for Leishmania spp. (i.e., L. major in five patients from Riyadh and L. tropica in two patients from Al-Qaseem). Out of 311 dogs, five (1.6%) were infected by L. tropica. Data herein presented demonstrate the occurrence of L. tropica in dogs and humans in Saudi Arabia, as well as the occurrence of L. major in humans.
Missense and truncating variants in CHD5 in a dominant neurodevelopmental disorder with intellectual disability, behavioral disturbances, and epilepsy
Authors: Parenti Ilaria , Lehalle Daphné , Nava Caroline , Torti Erin , Leitão Elsa , Person Richard , Mizuguchi Takeshi , Matsumoto Naomichi , Kato Mitsuhiro , Nakamura Kazuyuki , de Man Stella A. , Cope Heidi , Shashi Vandana ,   Undiagnosed Diseases Network, Friedman Jennifer , Joset Pascal , Steindl Katharina , Rauch Anita , Muffels Irena , van Hasselt Peter M. , Petit Florence , Smol Thomas , Le Guyader Gwenaël , Bilan Frédéric , Sorlin Arthur , Vitobello Antonio , Philippe Christophe , van de Laar Ingrid M. B. H. , van Slegtenhorst Marjon A. , Campeau Philippe M. , Au Ping Yee Billie , Nakashima Mitsuko , Saitsu Hirotomo , Yamamoto Tatsuya , Nomura Yumiko , Louie Raymond J. , Lyons Michael J. , Dobson Amy , Plomp Astrid S. , Motazacker M. Mahdi , Kaiser Frank J. , Timberlake Andrew T. , Fuchs Sabine A. , Depienne Christel , Mignot Cyril
Published: May 2021

Located in the critical 1p36 microdeletion region, the chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein 5 (CHD5) gene encodes a subunit of the nucleosome remodeling and deacetylation (NuRD) complex required for neuronal development. Pathogenic variants in six of nine chromodomain (CHD) genes cause autosomal dominant neurodevelopmental disorders, while CHD5-related disorders are still unknown. Thanks to GeneMatcher and international collaborations, we assembled a cohort of 16 unrelated individuals harboring heterozygous CHD5 variants, all identified by exome sequencing. Twelve patients had de novo CHD5 variants, including ten missense and two splice site variants. Three familial cases had nonsense or missense variants segregating with speech delay, learning disabilities, and/or craniosynostosis. One patient carried a frameshift variant of unknown inheritance due to unavailability of the father. The most common clinical features included language deficits (81%), behavioral symptoms (69%), intellectual disability (64%), epilepsy (62%), and motor delay (56%). Epilepsy types were variable, with West syndrome observed in three patients, generalized tonic–clonic seizures in two, and other subtypes observed in one individual each. Our findings suggest that, in line with other CHD-related disorders, heterozygous CHD5 variants are associated with a variable neurodevelopmental syndrome that includes intellectual disability with speech delay, epilepsy, and behavioral problems as main features.
Submerged Rootless Macrophytes Sustain a Stable State Against Free-Floating Plants
Authors: Szabó Sándor , Koleszár Gergő , Braun Mihály , Nagy Zoltán , Vicei Tibor T. , Peeters Edwin T. H. M.
Published: May 2021

Both non-rooted submerged vegetation dominated by coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum) and non-rooted floating duckweed vegetation (Lemna gibba) can maintain their stable dominance in small ponds and channels. We examined the competitive interactions between them and how Ceratophyllum can sustain its stable state against floating plants in a range of nutrient concentrations. Coontail and duckweed were co-cultured in static and semi-static microcosm experiments, and their impact on the nutrients (N, P, Fe, Mn) in the water column was analysed. Coontail strongly reduced the growth of duckweed under a low nitrogen level (0.2–2 mg N L−1). This reduction seems to be due to the low availability of nutrients in the water as derived from the lower nutrient concentrations in duckweed tissue or high pH in water. High nitrogen levels in semi-static media (5–10 mg N L−1) resulted in an increasingly higher chance to overgrow C. demersum by L. gibba. Field observations revealed that C. demersum dominated over L. gibba in water bodies with total N below 3 mg L−1, while L. gibba dominance over C. demersum occurred above 5 mg L−1 total N. Ceratophyllum occurrence correlated negatively with total N in the water, while Lemna showed a positive correlation. Furthermore, the occurrence of L. gibba was negatively correlated with the frequency of C. demersum. All findings together support the theory that under a certain nutrient range, rootless submerged macrophytes have a strong potential to inhibit the dominance of floating plants in ponds, ditches and channels, and thus, they stabilize the submerged vegetation state.
Pilot-scale development of pressurized fixed-bed gasification for synthesis gas production from biomass residues
Authors: Kurkela Esa , Kurkela Minna , Hiltunen Ilkka
Published: May 2021

Advanced transportation biofuels have been the focus of intensive development since the early 2000s, and gasification in combination with synthesis technologies represents a flexible production pathway to deliver fuels for heavy-duty transport sectors that are difficult to electrify. This article is related to the pilot-scale development of a process concept aiming to smaller-scale production plants than are feasible with fluidized-bed gasifiers. Five test weeks with a total gasification time of 347 h were realized at a pilot plant that consisted of the pressurized staged fixed-bed gasifier, raw gas cooling to 500–600 °C, filtration with robust metal filters, and catalytic reforming of tars and methane. The gasifier combined an updraft primary stage and a catalytically enhanced secondary stage where most of the updraft tars were decomposed. The tar content of the product gas, 2–12 g/m3, was of the same order of magnitude as determined previously for fluidized-bed gasifiers. Consequently, similar filtration and reforming methods could be successfully applied. After the reformer, the contents of C2-hydrocarbon gases and high-molecular-weight tars were negligible.
Die Sichtweise von Schülerinnen und Schülern auf eine primärpräventive Maßnahme eines ehemaligen Rechtsextremen: Befunde einer Evaluationsstudie und Empfehlungen für Bildungsakteure
Authors: Gansewig Antje , Walsh Maria
Published: May 2021

Schulische Veranstaltungen von und mit ehemaligen extrem Rechten finden in Deutschland mittlerweile seit zwei Jahrzehnten statt. Hiermit wird vorrangig die Zielsetzung verfolgt, Radikalisierung und Extremismus vorzubeugen. Das gelinge, so die Grundannahme, durch den biografischen Erfahrungshintergrund der Aussteiger/innen effektiver im Vergleich zu anderen Interventionen. Bemerkenswerterweise ist dieses spezifische Format der schulischen Präventions- und Bildungsarbeit bislang nur marginal wissenschaftlich untersucht worden. Bisher existierten kaum empirisch fundierte Erkenntnisse über die (nicht-)intendierten Effekte derartiger Maßnahmen auf die Schüler/innen sowie deren Sichtweise. Vor diesem Hintergrund erachteten die Autorinnen die Durchführung eines umfassenden Forschungsprojekts zum schulischen Einsatz von früheren Extremist/innen, bei dem das Hauptaugenmerk auf den Schüler/innen liegt, als Erfordernis. Neben einer Bestandserhebung zu entsprechenden Tätigkeiten wurde eine exemplarische primärpräventive Schulmaßnahme eines ehemaligen Rechtsextremen im Rahmen einer Wirkungs- und Prozessevaluation mit randomisiertem Kontrollgruppendesign an 13 öffentlichen Gemeinschaftsschulen in 50 Klassen untersucht. Der vorliegende Beitrag stellt relevante Teilergebnisse dieser Evaluationsstudie vor und diskutiert sie. Im Fokus stehen hierbei die schriftlichen Schüler/innenbefragungen der Prozessevaluation zur Intervention und zum Referenten. Die Ergebnisse der direkt nach der Maßnahme (n = 490) und durchschnittlich fünfeinhalb Monate danach (n = 448) erhobenen Daten, weisen auf eine heterogene Schüler/innenperspektive und Besonderheiten hin. So wurden neben den mehrheitlichen Positivbewertungen – die sich insbesondere auf die Person des Aussteigers und weniger auf die Maßnahmeninhalte bezogen – auch kritische Aspekte identifiziert. Einige Schüler/innen fühlten sich etwa aufgrund detaillierter Gewaltdarlegungen unwohl. Zudem wurden mitunter Geschlechterspezifika festgestellt. Resümierend verdeutlichen die Evaluationsresultate einen grundsätzlichen Modifizierungs- und Forschungsbedarf der Anwendungspraxis. Abschließend führen die Autorinnen Empfehlungen für Bildungsakteure und perspektivische Überlegungen an.
Der Subjektstatus des Schülers/der Schülerin
Authors: Rucker Thomas , Anhalt Elmar , Ammann Kira
Published: May 2021

Eine Bildungsforschung, die beansprucht, Schüler/innen als Subjekte aufzufassen, setzt notwendigerweise einen Begriff von deren Subjektstatus voraus. In diesem Beitrag wird diese Voraussetzung thematisiert sowie aus pädagogischer Warte ein Vorschlag entwickelt, der deutlich macht, was es bedeuten könnte, einer Schülerin und einem Schüler einen Subjektstatus zuzusprechen sowie schulische Erziehung von ihm her zu beschreiben und zu begründen. Zunächst wird gezeigt, dass es heute keinesfalls als selbstverständlich angesehen werden kann, Schüler/innen einen Subjektstatus zuzusprechen. Es wird argumentiert, dass der Begriff der Bildsamkeit eine aussichtsreiche Möglichkeit bietet, schulische Erziehung von einem Subjektstatus des Schülers/der Schülerin her zu begreifen. Danach wird erläutert, wie eine entsprechende Erziehung theoretisch konzipiert werden kann. Die Theorie fasst drei Grundformen von Erziehung zusammen und erklärt, wie der Anspruch, Schüler/innen als Subjekte zu adressieren, im Kontext von Regierung, Unterricht und Beratung auf jeweils unterschiedliche Art und Weise Gestalt gewinnt. Abschließend wird mithilfe dieser Theorie die im Fach zu wenig beachtete rechtliche Dimension von Erziehung in den Fokus gerückt und gezeigt, dass deren Klärung gerade unter Berücksichtigung aktueller Kinderrechtsdebatten unverzichtbar ist.