bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and mechanochemical properties of biobased ABCBA‐type pentablock copolymers comprising poly‐d‐lactide (A), poly‐l‐lactide (B) and poly(1,2‐propylene succinate) (C)
Authors: Nishiwaki Yasumasa , Masutani Kazunari , Kimura Yoshiharu , Lee Chan‐Woo
Published: March 2022

The ABCBA pentablock copolymers (p‐d‐l‐PPS) comprising poly(d‐lactide) (PDLA: A), poly(l‐lactide) (PLLA: B) and poly(propylene succinate) (PPS: C) were successfully synthesized by two‐step ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of d‐ and l‐lactide using a dihydroxy‐terminated PPS as a macro‐initiator. The pentablock copolymers revealed the high stereocomplex (sc) crystallinity, thermal stability and elastomeric property in their solution‐cast films. It was found that the Tg was found to be proportional to the PPS content, whereas the Tm was proportional to their average block length. The thermal resistivity of the copolymer films was found to be as high as 202°C owing to their sc formation. The copolymers also showed improved stereocomplexibility compared to the enantiomeric mixtures of triblock copolymers (PLLA‐PPS‐PLLA and PDLA‐PPS‐PDLA) having similar PLLA and PDLA chain lengths. These pentablock copolymers can afford thermoplastic elastomers or flexible plastic materials having a 100% bio‐based content, showing high heat‐resistive property.
Characterization of the Internal Pores of LLM‐105 with Different Particle Sizes Using Contrast Variation Small Angle X‐Ray Scattering
Authors: Xing Jiangtao , Wang Weili , Dong Jun , Yao Tianle , Miao Run , Du Maohua , Wang Zhiqiang
Published: March 2022

To study the effect of particle size on the internal pore structure of micro/nano energetic materials, three kinds of micro/nano explosives 2,6‐diamino‐3,5‐dinitropyrazine‐1‐oxide (LLM‐105) with different particle sizes were selected as the research objects. The internal pore structure information, including porosity, pore volume distribution and fractal characteristics of micro/nano LLM‐105 were characterized by contrast variation small‐angle X‐ray scattering (CV‐SAXS). The scattering results show that the power‐law index of three samples with different particle sizes is between 3 and 4 in the measured q range (the surface fractal dimension Ds of 200 nm LLM‐105 is 2.16, Ds of 500 nm LLM‐105 is 2.20, and Ds of 3 μm LLM‐105 is 2.76). With the decrease of particle size, the interface between the internal pores and matrix becomes smooth. The pore volume per unit mass of LLM‐105 increases with the decrease of the particle size. The increase of pore volume per unit mass when the particle size decreases from 3 μm to 500 nm is much larger than that when the particle size decreases from 500 nm to 200 nm. The number of 2.5 nm–40 nm internal pores in LLM‐105 increases with the decrease of particle size. Especially for the pores of 11 nm, the number of pores increases most obviously with the decrease of particle size.
PLK4 is upregulated in prostate cancer and its inhibition reduces centrosome amplification and causes senescence
Authors: Singh Chandra K. , Denu Ryan A. , Nihal Minakshi , Shabbir Maria , Garvey Debra R. , Huang Wei , Iczkowski Kenneth A. , Ahmad Nihal
Published: March 2022

Background

Identification of novel molecular target(s) is important for designing newer mechanistically driven approaches for the treatment of prostate cancer (PCa), which is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in men. In this study, we determined the role of polo‐like kinase 4 (PLK4), which regulates centriole duplication and centrosome amplification (CA), in PCa.

Materials and Methods

Employing human PCa tissue microarrays, we assessed the prevalence of CA, correlated with Gleason score, and estimated major causes of CA in PCa (cell doubling vs. centriole overduplication) by staining for mother/mature centrioles. We also assessed PLK4 expression and correlated it with CA in human PCa tissues and cell lines. Further, we determined the effects of PLK4 inhibition in human PCa cells.

Results

Compared to benign prostate, human PCa demonstrated significantly higher CA, which was also positively correlated with the Gleason score. Further, most cases of CA were found to arise by centriole overduplication rather than cell doubling events (e.g., cytokinesis failure) in PCa. In addition, PLK4 was overexpressed in human PCa cell lines and tumors. Moreover, PLK4 inhibitors CFI‐400945 and centrinone‐B inhibited cell growth, viability, and colony formation of both androgen‐responsive and androgen‐independent PCa cell lines. PLK4 inhibition also induced cell cycle arrest and senescence in human PCa cells.

Conclusions

CA is prevalent in PCa and arises predominantly by centriole overduplication as opposed to cell doubling events. Loss of centrioles is cellular stress that can promote senescence and suggests that PLK4 inhibition may be a viable therapeutic strategy in PCa.
Parametrizing the mesoscale enhancement of oceanic surface turbulent fluxes: A physical–statistical approach
Authors: Blein Sébastien , Roehrig Romain , Voldoire Aurore
Published: March 2022

The mesoscale enhancement of surface turbulent fluxes at the air–sea interface is driven by the mesoscale surface wind‐speed variability, especially the gustiness velocity and the mesoscale wind‐speed standard variation. This study proposes a parametrization of these two variables. A large dataset based on the operational 2.5‐km AROME convection‐permitting model is used in a coarse‐graining framework, to quantify various quantities that are subgrid at the scale of a 100‐km resolution global circulation model grid cell. This provides a learning dataset to help build the parametrization. The analysis of two case studies of intense wind‐speed mesoscale variability, combined with a literature review, provides a physically based set of 12 potential predictors, accounting for the convection activity and the large‐scale dynamics. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator then frames a penalized multivariate linear regression approach to identify the most relevant predictors objectively. Five predictors are selected for predicting the gustiness velocity: the updraft mass flux at the lifting condensation level, the density‐current spreading velocity, the large‐scale horizontal shear and divergence, and the large‐scale wind speed. The parametrization of the mesoscale wind‐speed standard deviation requires an additional predictor, namely the cold‐pool object aggregation index. The proposed parametrization performs significantly better than the previously published parametrizations and is able to capture 80, 99, and 93 of the mesoscale enhancement of the momentum, sensible heat, and latent heat fluxes, respectively. From the perspective of a global circulation model implementation, in which some predictors may be unavailable, simpler versions of the parametrization, that is, involving fewer predictors, are also discussed.
Consensus control of cooperation‐competition multi‐agent systems with round‐robin protocols: A set‐membership approach
Authors: Sun Lei , Tian Xin , Ding Derui , Wei Guoliang
Published: March 2022

This paper is concerned with the set‐membership consensus of cooperation‐competition multi‐agent systems (CCMASs) with the round‐robin (RR) protocol. First, the relationship between cooperative and competitive agents is featured by the graph theory. Second, the RR protocol is used to relieve the burden of data transmission among agents due to the limited network bandwidth. Third, a novel concept of set‐membership consensus for CCMASs is presented to disclose the bound of consensus errors. In the framework of set‐membership filtering, a novel co‐design framework of set‐membership estimation and set‐membership consensus is provided to realize the desired cooperation‐competition consensus, where an ellipsoid is obtained to estimate the agent state. The controller and observer gains as well as the ellipsoid parameters are obtained by a recursive convex optimization algorithm. Finally, an illustrated example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Head start teachers act their way into new ways of thinking: Science and engineering practices in preschool classrooms
Authors: McWayne Christine M. , Zan Betty , Ochoa Wendy , Greenfield Daryl , Mistry Jayanthi
Published: March 2022

How teachers' changes in their science teaching practices unfold over time remains unclear. We need greater understanding of the processes at work in professional development (PD) and how to sustain those processes that are effective over time. Effective PD processes are seen as those that recognize teacher change is multidimensional—taking an integrated view of the affective, cognitive, and behavioral aspects of teacher change. In this article, we report on what we learned about the teacher change process during a 2‐year preschool PD intervention effort with Head Start teachers that was focused on a science, technology, and engineering curriculum. The present study sought to further address gaps in our understanding of teacher change, by examining in more detail the multidimensional relations among Head Start teachers' beliefs and attitudes toward science teaching and learning (representing the cognitive domain of change) and their science and engineering practices (representing the behavioral domain). Forty‐eight teachers (n = 30 Intervention, n = 18 Control) from a large urban Head Start program in the northeastern US participated in this study. Results revealed that teachers' initial attitudes and beliefs had little effect on their science and engineering practices, whereas their science and engineering practices throughout the time of the project had a significant effect on their later attitudes and beliefs. In addition, teachers' science and engineering teaching practices were related to their ratings of children's overall engagement, though their attitudes toward and beliefs about teaching science were not.
Upgrading Fast Pyrolysis Oil through Decarboxylation by Using Red Mud as Neutralizing Agent for Ketones Production and Iron Recovery
Authors: Wang Yongshuai , Cui Hongyou , Song Feng , Tan Hongzi , Yi Weiming , Zhang Yuan
Published: March 2022

In this work, Red Mud, an alkaline solid waste from alumina production, was used as neutralizing agent to convert carboxylic acids in bio‐oil into ketones. The total acidity of the bio‐oil decreased significantly from 152.60 to 0.63 mg KOH/g, while the high heat value boosted from 17.25 to 29.57 MJ/kg. Meanwhile, the leachable alkalinity of Red Mud declined from 65.34 to 3.02 mg HCl/g, mitigating the harmfulness and perniciousness to the environment. Furthermore, characterizations of XRD, XPS and 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy indicated that the weak magnetic iron species in Red Mud was completely transformed into stronger magnetic Fe3O4. With magnetic separation the iron recovery reached up to 91.96 % with iron grade of 65.83 %, which is up to the standard of steelmaking raw material. The findings in this research not only open avenue for valorization of bio‐oil but also help explore the resourceful utilization of Red Mud.
Within‐ and between‐person relationships between spontaneous self‐affirmations, coping style, and wellbeing
Authors: Sharouni Taylor‐Jane , McClymont Rachel G. , Alcorn Christopher , Rebar Amanda L. , Law Kwok Hong , Jackson Ben , Caltabiano Nerina , Dimmock James A.
Published: March 2022

Self‐affirmations—responding to self‐threatening information by reflecting on positive values or strengths—help to realign working self‐concept and may support adaptive coping and wellbeing. Little research has been undertaken on spontaneous self‐affirmations in response to everyday threats, and less has been undertaken on the relationships between spontaneous self‐affirmations, coping, and wellbeing. This study aimed to test both within‐ and between‐person relationships between spontaneous self‐affirmations, coping, and wellbeing, controlling for threat intensity and other outcomes. A repeated survey assessment design was adopted to achieve these aims. Outcome measures included approach coping, avoidance coping, positive affect, negative affect, and eudaimonic wellbeing. It was found that spontaneous self‐affirmations positively predicted approach coping and positive affect at both within‐ and between‐person levels, and eudaimonic wellbeing at the between‐person level. Overall, spontaneous self‐affirmations were positively associated with approach coping and aspects of wellbeing.
Toward a New Era of Sustainable Energy: Advanced Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Harvesting High Entropy Energy
Authors: Chen Baodong , Wang Zhong Lin
Published: March 2022

Widely distributed across the environment, irregular micro‐nano mechanical high entropy energy (HEE) is a new promising recoverable energy, in which the development of matched harvesting technology is imperative to fit in with the requirements of booming sustainable energy in the new era. The triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is a very efficient technology for harvesting micro‐nano HEE, especially when converting irregular, low‐frequency, weak mechanical energy into electricity. Here, the latest advancements are comprehensively reviewed in using TENGs for sustainable energy, sensing, and other applications. The fundamental theory and overwhelming superiority of TENG is systematically analyzed as a sustainable energy with four representative domains: micro‐nano distributed power sources, self‐powered sensing systems, direct high‐voltage power sources, and large‐scale blue energy. The review is concluded with a discussion of the challenges of leveraging TENGs for sustainable energy engineering. The striving directions of TENG technologies are proposed with a concentration on basic research and commercialization for the new ear of 5G and Internet of Things.
Audit in ultrasound: An introduction and overview
Authors: Moore Stephen , Reeve Ruth
Published: March 2022

This article highlights the importance of clinical audits within ultrasound and provides an overview of how audits can guide high‐quality clinical care and lead advanced practice within Ultrasound. We outline the who, what when and where of audit and how it can be used in contemporary medicine. Utilising the frameworks within the United Kingdom from the British Medical Ultrasound Society and others as well as drawing from personal experience the authors demonstrate practical examples of audits that have improved the quality of care within the United Kingdom and lead the way for Advanced Practitioner roles where individuals undertake interventional procedures such as Fine Needle Aspirations. The aim of this articles is to demonstrate how Sonographers can take their audits forward and implement the clinical environment.
Study of Artificial Line for Short‐Line Fault Interruption Test
Authors: Akahoshi Takao , Miyamoto Yuya , Kimura Ryo , Tokoyoda Sho , Minagawa Tadao
Published: March 2022

We developed a novel artificial line circuit that compensates for the time delay of the transient recovery voltage (TRV) for a short‐line fault (SLF) interruption test and an analysis system that automatically extracts each parameter on the SLF line characteristics from the measured waveform with high precision. This new circuit and system can drastically improve the time efficiency for the adjustment and calculation of the prospective line‐side TRV condition, which is carried out before the main test, as compared to conventional methods. We also investigated the effect of the injection current and current transformer (CT) characteristics on the SLF line characteristics. © 2022 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Theoretischer Hintergrund: Politische Teilhabe
Authors: Lütters Stefanie
Published: March 2022

Den Ausgangspunkt der nachfolgenden theoretischen Eingrenzung bildet der zentrale Gegenstand dieser Untersuchung – die politische Partizipation. Nach einer definitorischen Präzisierung werden Strukturierungsmerkmale politischer Beteiligung dargelegt, die Verbreitung verschiedener Partizipationsformen in der Bundesrepublik skizziert und mögliche Probleme einer sozial verzerrten Teilhabe identifiziert. Im zweiten Teil werden die zentralen Erklärungsansätze politischer Beteiligung erörtert und deren Vorzüge sowie Schwierigkeiten diskutiert.
Quality Assurance of Open Educational Resources
Authors: Zawacki-Richter Olaf , Müskens Wolfgang , Marín Victoria I.
Published: March 2022

The lack of transparency of the quality of Open Educational Resources (OER) is often seen as a barrier to the wider adoption, use, sharing, and further development of OER in the practice of teaching and learning in ODDE. Following the UNESCO Recommendation on OER, this chapter starts providing an overview of quality assurance systems from an international perspective, and the perceptions of faculty members on OER quality. Then, based on an empirical study, a quality framework and validated instrument for the evaluation and quality assessment of OER is presented – the Instrument for Quality Assurance of OER (IQOER). The second part of the chapter looks at how such an instrument can be integrated into a quality assurance process that takes into account the different goals, roles, and functions of the stakeholders involved. It becomes clear that a cultural change toward Open Educational Practice (OEP) is also needed to reach a wider acceptance of OER.
Neutrinoless double beta decay via light neutralinos in R-parity violating supersymmetry
Authors: Bolton Patrick D. , Deppisch Frank F. , Dev P. S. Bhupal
Published: March 2022

Abstract

We perform a study of neutrinoless double beta (0νββ) decay mediated by the lightest neutralino of arbitrary mass in the minimal supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) under the presence of R-parity violating trilinear interactions. In this scenario, the exchange of the lightest neutralino can result in 0νββ decay of either long-range or short-range behaviour, depending on the neutralino mass. Using nuclear matrix elements calculated in the interacting boson model, we use an interpolation between the long- and short-range behaviours with an approximate formula. The non-observation of 0νββ decay is then used to place constraints on the supersymmetry parameter space, compatible with constraints from collider experiments. We compare these constraints to bounds from pion decays, CKM unitarity and big bang nucleosynthesis.
Bubble wall dynamics at the electroweak phase transition
Authors: De Curtis Stefania , Rose Luigi Delle , Guiggiani Andrea , Muyor Ángel Gil , Panico Giuliano
Published: March 2022

Abstract

First order phase transitions could play a major role in the early universe, providing important phenomenological consequences, such as the production of gravitational waves and the generation of baryon asymmetry. An important aspect that determines the properties of the phase transition is the dynamics of the true-vacuum bubbles, which is controlled by the density perturbations in the hot plasma. We study this aspect presenting, for the first time, the full solution of the linearized Boltzmann equation for the top quark species coupled to the Higgs field during a first-order electroweak phase transition. Our approach, differently from the traditional one based on the fluid approximation, does not rely on any ansatz and can fully capture the density perturbations in the plasma. We find that our results significantly differ from the ones obtained in the fluid approximation (including its extensions and modifications), both at the qualitative and quantitative level. In particular sizable differences are found for the friction acting on the bubble wall.
Inflammation and neutrophil extracellular traps in cerebral cavernous malformation
Authors: Yau Anthony C. Y. , Globisch Maria Ascencion , Onyeogaziri Favour Chinyere , Conze Lei L. , Smith Ross , Jauhiainen Suvi , Corada Monica , Orsenigo Fabrizio , Huang Hua , Herre Melanie , Olsson Anna-Karin , Malinverno Matteo , Sundell Veronica , Rezai Jahromi Behnam , Niemelä Mika , Laakso Aki , Garlanda Cecilia , Mantovani Alberto , Lampugnani Maria Grazia , Dejana Elisabetta , Magnusson Peetra U.
Published: March 2022

Cerebral Cavernous Malformation (CCM) is a brain vascular disease with various neurological symptoms. In this study, we describe the inflammatory profile in CCM and show for the first time the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in rodents and humans with CCM. Through RNA-seq analysis of cerebellum endothelial cells from wild-type mice and mice with an endothelial cell-specific ablation of the Ccm3 gene (Ccm3iECKO), we show that endothelial cells from Ccm3iECKO mice have an increased expression of inflammation-related genes. These genes encode proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, as well as adhesion molecules, which promote recruitment of inflammatory and immune cells. Similarly, immunoassays showed elevated levels of these cytokines and chemokines in the cerebellum of the Ccm3iECKO mice. Consistently, both flow cytometry and immunofluorescence analysis showed infiltration of different subsets of leukocytes into the CCM lesions. Neutrophils, which are known to fight against infection through different strategies, including the formation of NETs, represented the leukocyte subset within the most pronounced increase in CCM. Here, we detected elevated levels of NETs in the blood and the deposition of NETs in the cerebral cavernomas of Ccm3iECKO mice. Degradation of NETs by DNase I treatment improved the vascular barrier. The deposition of NETs in the cavernomas  of patients with CCM confirms the clinical relevance of NETs in CCM.
Heterogeneous b-value Distributions Measured Over an Extensive Region from the Northern Okinawa Trough to Southern Kyushu Island, Japan
Authors: Chiba Keita
Published: March 2022

Spatiotemporal b-value maps are presented for an extensive region from the northern Okinawa trough to off southern Kyushu Island, Japan. This region shows high seismic activity associated with a tectonic setting characterized by seafloor spreading caused by the opening of a back-arc basin in the Ryukyu arc–trench system and the presence of a left-lateral shear zone on southern Kyushu Island. The obtained spatial and temporal distributions of b-value for the analyzed period are highly heterogeneous, reflecting the influence of the tectonic features and processes of the region. A comparison of the results with other geophysical observations suggests deep fluids associated with mantle upwelling below the seismogenic layer are the dominant control on the observed b-value variations. In addition, the hypocentral area of the largest earthquake (M7.1), which occurred in 2015, corresponds approximately to a region with low b-values (b = 0.5–0.7). Another region with low b-values (b = 0.5–0.7) occurs in the west of the analyzed region off southern Kyushu Island, where the occurrence of large-magnitude events is not clearly recognized. During the analysis period, there were few moderate to large earthquakes in the analyzed region. Furthermore, some active faults that have the potential to generate large earthquakes of ~ M7 are located in those parts of the analyzed region with low b-values. These findings suggest a high likelihood of nucleation of large earthquakes in the focal region.
Pipkin fractures: epidemiology and outcome
Authors: Enocson Anders , Wolf Olof
Published: March 2022

Purpose

To describe the epidemiology of Pipkin fractures including detailed fracture classification and outcome for joint preservation and death.

Methods

We extracted data on all Pipkin fractures in the Swedish Fracture Register from 2013 to 2020 in patients ≥ 18 years. The cohort was cross-matched with the Swedish Hip Arthroplasty Register to obtain data on primary or secondary treatment with arthroplasty. We analysed data on age, sex, injury mechanism, fracture classification, treatment including secondary operative treatment with arthroplasty and mortality. Primary outcome was joint preservation.

Results

In total 47 Pipkin fractures with a median age of 48 years were included. 74% of the fractures were in males. The median follow-up time was 3.5 years. The most common primary treatment was internal fixation (45%), followed by primary arthroplasty (28%), and excision of fragment (15%). Three of the 34 patients with primary non arthroplasty treatment received secondary treatment with arthroplasty. Two patients died within 30 days, and no further deaths occurred up to 1 year after injury.

Conclusion

Three of four fractures occurred in males and more than half of the fractures were due to high energetic injuries. Half of the patients received internal fixation (predominantly younger patients) and 28% were treated with primary arthroplasty (predominantly older patients). The revision rate was low, and after secondary treatment with arthroplasty two thirds of the patients still had a preserved joint.
Patient-specific risk factors for adverse outcomes following geriatric proximal femur fractures
Authors: Becker Nils , Hafner Tobias , Pishnamaz Miguel , Hildebrand Frank , Kobbe Philipp
Published: March 2022

Background

Proximal femur fractures (PFFs) occur frequently among geriatric patients due to diverse risk factors, such as a lower bone mineral density and the increased risk of falls.

Methods

In this review, we focus on recent literature of patient-specific risk factors and their impact on common complications and outcome parameters in patients with PFF.

Results

Patient- and treatment related factors have a significant impact on outcome and are associated with an increased risk of mortality, impairments in functional rehabilitation and complicative courses.

Conclusion

Geriatric patients at high risk for complications are nursing home inhabitants suffering from severe osteoporosis, dementia and sarcopenia. The early and ongoing assessment for these individual risk factors is crucial. Strategies including interdisciplinary approaches, addressing comorbidities and facilitating an optimal risk factor evaluation result in a beneficial outcome. The ongoing ambulant assessment and therapy of complicating factors (e.g., malnutrition, sarcopenia, frailty or osteoporosis) have to be improved.
Controlling the familywise error rate when performing multiple comparisons in a linear latent variable model
Authors: Ozenne Brice , Budtz-Jørgensen Esben , Ebert Sebastian Elgaard
Published: March 2022

In latent variable models (LVMs) it is possible to analyze multiple outcomes and to relate them to several explanatory variables. In this context many parameters are estimated and it is common to perform multiple tests, e.g. to investigate outcome-specific effects using Wald tests or to check the correct specification of the modeled mean and variance using a forward stepwise selection (FSS) procedure based on Score tests. Controlling the family-wise error rate (FWER) at its nominal level involves adjustment of the p-values for multiple testing. Because of the correlation between test statistics, the Bonferroni procedure is often too conservative. In this article, we extend the max-test procedure to the LVM framework for Wald and Score tests. Depending on the correlation between the test statistics, the max-test procedure is equivalent or more powerful than the Bonferroni procedure while also providing, asymptotically, a strong control of the FWER for non-iterative procedures. Using simulation studies, we assess the finite sample behavior of the max-test procedure for Wald and Score tests in LVMs. We apply our procedure to quantify the neuroinflammatory response to mild traumatic brain injury in nine brain regions.
A dictionary learning add-on for spherical downward continuation
Authors: Schneider N. , Michel V.
Published: March 2022

We propose a novel dictionary learning add-on for the Inverse Problem Matching Pursuit (IPMP) algorithms for approximating spherical inverse problems such as the downward continuation of the gravitational potential. With the add-on, we aim to automatize the choice of dictionary and simultaneously reduce the computational costs. The IPMP algorithms iteratively minimize the Tikhonov–Phillips functional in order to construct a weighted linear combination of so-called dictionary elements as a regularized approximation. A dictionary is an intentionally redundant set of trial functions such as spherical harmonics (SHs), Slepian functions (SLs) as well as radial basis functions (RBFs) and wavelets (RBWs). In previous works, this dictionary was chosen manually which resulted in high runtimes and storage demand. Moreover, a possible bias could also not be ruled out. The additional learning technique we present here allows us to work with infinitely many trial functions while reducing the computational costs. This approach may enable a quantification of a possible bias in future research. We explain the general mechanism and provide numerical results that prove its applicability and efficiency.
Theory, strict formula derivation and algorithm development for the computation of a geodesic polygon area
Authors: Nowak Edward , Nowak Da Costa Joanna
Published: March 2022

The paper presents a coherent, original theory and an effective algorithm to calculate the surface area of a geodesic polygon, i.e. the area on an ellipsoid of revolution limited by geodesics, connecting pairs of subsequent vertices of known geographical coordinates. Using the cylindrical coordinate system and introducing an equatorial geodesic triangle, the novel strict recursive formulas were derived for the longitude on the ellipsoid and the distance along the geodesic and the area of a geodesic polygon. The area is determined by constant coefficients, not the values of finite series. The orthodromic properties of geodesics, which led to the detection of bifurcation lines composed of the double solutions of the inverse geodetic problem were analysed. The novel algorithm presented, integrating the problem with geodesic polygon area calculation, is based on the newly proposed parameterisation with two alternative working unknowns and a new formula to obtain the initial value of the geodesic C parameter. It allows solutions for all cases, including near-antipodal or near-vertices, and offers two solutions if bifurcation occurs. The algorithm presented was tested and verified using numerical examples from known publications. The numerical tests proved the accuracy of 1m2 of the computed geodesic area using standard IEEE 754 Double Floating Point PC arithmetic, for geodesic lengths up to ten thousand km.
Toxicology and pharmacology of botulinum and tetanus neurotoxins: an update
Authors: Pirazzini Marco , Montecucco Cesare , Rossetto Ornella
Published: March 2022

Tetanus and botulinum neurotoxins cause the neuroparalytic syndromes of tetanus and botulism, respectively, by delivering inside different types of neurons, metalloproteases specifically cleaving the SNARE proteins that are essential for the release of neurotransmitters. Research on their mechanism of action is intensively carried out in order to devise improved therapies based on antibodies and chemical drugs. Recently, major results have been obtained with human monoclonal antibodies and with single chain antibodies that have allowed one to neutralize the metalloprotease activity of botulinum neurotoxin type A1 inside neurons. In addition, a method has been devised to induce a rapid molecular evolution of the metalloprotease domain of botulinum neurotoxin followed by selection driven to re-target the metalloprotease activity versus novel targets with respect to the SNARE proteins. At the same time, an intense and wide spectrum clinical research on novel therapeutics based on botulinum neurotoxins is carried out, which are also reviewed here.
Radiation modelling of arbitrary two-dimensional surfaces using the surface-to-surface approach extended with a blocking algorithm
Authors: Büschgens Dominik , Schubert Christian , Pfeifer Herbert
Published: March 2022

Calculating the radiation exchange between arbitrary surfaces using view factors is a common practice in the fields of industrial furnaces, climate modelling, solar power, thermal building design and so on. Here, a new model was developed to calculate the view factors of arbitrary two-dimensional geometries. This model is based on Hottel’s crossed strings method paired with an optimized algorithm to efficiently detect shadowing effects between the surfaces. The model’s accuracy and discretization dependency was tested against an analytical view factor calculation method using an example of two concentric, infinitely extended cylinders. The model can be applied to arbitrary linear discretized two-dimensional geometries. In particular, it guarantees the highest possible accuracy within the chosen discretization. The need for developing customized view factor equations of different two-dimensional geometries is therefore no longer necessary, since the convergence of the model with decreasing mesh size on analytical results can be demonstrated. Additionally, the performance and validity of the newly developed shadowing algorithm was tested against a common brute force approach and significant speedups were achieved. Furthermore, the additional application of the net radiation method for the calculation of the heat fluxes exchanged by radiation within those geometries is shown.
Evolutionary Adjustment of tRNA Identity Rules in Bacillariophyta for Recognition by an Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetase Adds a Facet to the Origin of Diatoms
Authors: Igloi Gabor L.
Published: March 2022

Error-free protein synthesis relies on the precise recognition by the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases of their cognate tRNAs in order to attach the corresponding amino acid. A concept of universal tRNA identity elements requires the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases provided by the genome of an organism to match the identity elements found in the cognate tRNAs in an evolution-independent manner. Identity elements tend to cluster in the tRNA anticodon and acceptor stem regions. However, in the arginine system, in addition to the anticodon, the importance of nucleotide A20 in the tRNA D-loop for cognate enzyme recognition has been a sustained feature for arginyl-tRNA synthetase in archaea, bacteria and in the nuclear-encoded cytosolic form in mammals and plants. However, nuclear-encoded mitochondrial arginyl-tRNA synthetase, which can be distinguished from its cytosolic form by the presence or absence of signature motifs, dispenses with the A20 requirement. An examination of several hundred non-metazoan organisms and their corresponding tRNAArg substrates has confirmed this general concept to a large extent and over numerous phyla. However, some Stramenopiles, and in particular, Diatoms (Bacillariophyta) present a notable exception. Unusually for non-fungal organisms, the nuclear genome encodes tRNAArg isoacceptors with C or U at position 20. In this case one of two nuclear-encoded cytosolic arginyl-tRNA synthetases has evolved to become insensitive to the nature of the D-loop identity element. The other, with a binding pocket that is compatible with tRNAArg-A20 recognition, is targeted to organelles that encode solely such tRNAs.
Risk-related short-term clinical outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation and their impact on early mortality: an analysis of claims-based data from Germany
Authors: Schofer Niklas , Jeschke Elke , Kröger Janine , Baberg Henning , Falk Volkmar , Gummert Jan F. , Hamm Christian W. , Möckel Martin , Goßling Alina , Malzahn Jürgen , Günster Christian , Blankenberg Stefan
Published: March 2022

Objectives

We aimed to define and assess risk-specific adverse outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in an all-comers patient population based on German administrative claims data.

Methods

Administrative claims data of patients undergoing transvascular TAVI between 2017 and 2019 derived from the largest provider of statutory health-care insurance in Germany were used. Patients’ risk profile was assessed using the established Hospital Frailty Risk (HFR) score and 30-day adverse events were evaluated. Multivariable logistic regression models were applied to investigate the relation of patients’ risk factors to clinical outcomes and, subsequently, of clinical outcomes to mortality.

Results

A total of 21,430 patients were included in the analysis. Of those, 51% were categorized as low-, 37% as intermediate-, and 12% as high-risk TAVI patients according to HFR score. Whereas low-risk TAVI patients showed low rates of periprocedural adverse events, TAVI patients at intermediate or high risk suffered from worse outcomes. An increase in HFR score was associated with an increased risk for all adverse outcome measures. The strongest association of patients’ risk profile and outcome was present for cerebrovascular events and acute renal failure after TAVI. Independent of patients’ risk, the latter showed the strongest relation with early mortality after TAVI.

Conclusions

Differentiated outcomes after TAVI can be assessed using claims-based data and are highly dependent on patients’ risk profile. The present study might be of use to define risk-adjusted outcome margins for TAVI patients in Germany on the basis of health-insurance data.

Graphical abstract
Clusters of anatomical disease-burden patterns in ALS: a data-driven approach confirms radiological subtypes
Authors: Bede Peter , Murad Aizuri , Lope Jasmin , Hardiman Orla , Chang Kai Ming
Published: March 2022

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is associated with considerable clinical heterogeneity spanning from diverse disability profiles, differences in UMN/LMN involvement, divergent progression rates, to variability in frontotemporal dysfunction. A multitude of classification frameworks and staging systems have been proposed based on clinical and neuropsychological characteristics, but disease subtypes are seldom defined based on anatomical patterns of disease burden without a prior clinical stratification. A prospective research study was conducted with a uniform imaging protocol to ascertain disease subtypes based on preferential cerebral involvement. Fifteen brain regions were systematically evaluated in each participant based on a comprehensive panel of cortical, subcortical and white matter integrity metrics. Using min–max scaled composite regional integrity scores, a two-step cluster analysis was conducted. Two radiological clusters were identified; 35.5% of patients belonging to ‘Cluster 1’ and 64.5% of patients segregating to ‘Cluster 2’. Subjects in Cluster 1 exhibited marked frontotemporal change. Predictor ranking revealed the following hierarchy of anatomical regions in decreasing importance: superior lateral temporal, inferior frontal, superior frontal, parietal, limbic, mesial inferior temporal, peri-Sylvian, subcortical, long association fibres, commissural, occipital, ‘sensory’, ‘motor’, cerebellum, and brainstem. While the majority of imaging studies first stratify patients based on clinical criteria or genetic profiles to describe phenotype- and genotype-associated imaging signatures, a data-driven approach may identify distinct disease subtypes without a priori patient categorisation. Our study illustrates that large radiology datasets may be potentially utilised to uncover disease subtypes associated with unique genetic, clinical or prognostic profiles.
From open Ivor Lewis esophagectomy to a hybrid robotic-assisted thoracoscopic approach: a single-center experience over two decades
Authors: Angehrn Fiorenzo V. , Neuschütz Kerstin J. , Fourie Lana , Wilhelm Alexander , Däster Silvio , Ackermann Christoph , von Flüe Markus , Steinemann Daniel C. , Bolli Martin
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Robotic-assisted procedures are increasingly used in esophageal cancer surgery. We compared postoperative complications and early oncological outcomes following hybrid robotic-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy (Rob-E) and open Ivor Lewis esophagectomy (Open-E), performed in a single mid-volume center, in the context of evolving preoperative patient and tumor characteristics over two decades.

Methods

We evaluated prospectively collected data from a single center from 1999 to 2020 including 321 patients that underwent Ivor Lewis esophagectomy, 76 underwent Rob-E, and 245 Open-E. To compare perioperative outcomes, a 1:1 case-matched analysis was performed. Endpoints included postoperative morbidity and 30-day mortality.

Results

Preoperative characteristics revealed increased rates of adenocarcinomas and wider use of neoadjuvant treatment over time. A larger number of patients with higher ASA grades were operated with Rob-E. In case-matched cohorts, there were no differences in the overall morbidity (69.7% in Rob-E, 60.5% in Open-E, p value 0.307), highest Clavien-Dindo grade per patient (43.4% vs. 38.2% grade I or II, p value 0.321), comprehensive complication index (median 20.9 in both groups, p value 0.401), and 30-day mortality (2.6% in Rob-E, 3.9% in Open-E, p value 1.000). Similar median numbers of lymph nodes were harvested (24.5 in Rob-E, 23 in Open-E, p value 0.204), and comparable rates of R0-status (96.1% vs. 93.4%, p value 0.463) and distribution of postoperative UICC stages (overall p value 0.616) were observed.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates similar postoperative complications and early oncological outcomes after Rob-E and Open-E. However, the selection criteria for Rob-E appeared to be less restrictive than those of Open-E surgery.
Long-term outcomes of children with neonatal transfer: the Japan Environment and Children’s Study
Authors: Hirata Katsuya , Ueda Kimiko , Wada Kazuko , Ikehara Satoyo , Tanigawa Kanami , Kimura Tadashi , Ozono Keiichi , Iso Hiroyasu ,   the Japan Environment and Children’s Study Group, Kamijima Michihiro , Yamazaki Shin , Ohya Yukihiro , Kishi Reiko , Yaegashi Nobuo , Hashimoto Koichi , Mori Chisato , Ito Shuichi , Yamagata Zentaro , Inadera Hidekuni , Nakayama Takeo , Iso Hiroyasu , Shima Masayuki , Nakamura Hiroshige , Suganuma Narufumi , Kusuhara Koichi , Katoh Takahiko
Published: March 2022

This study aimed to evaluate the association of neonatal transfer with the risk of neurodevelopmental outcomes at 3 years of age. Data were obtained from the Japan Environment and Children’s Study. A general population of 103,060 pregnancies with 104,062 fetuses was enrolled in the study in 15 Regional Centers between January 2011 and March 2014. Live-born singletons at various gestational ages, including term infants, without congenital anomalies who were followed up until 3 years were included. Neurodevelopmental impairment was assessed using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, third edition (ASQ-3) at 3 years of age. Logistic regression was used to estimate the adjusted risk and 95% confidence interval (CI) for newborns with neonatal transfer. Socioeconomic and perinatal factors were included as potential confounders in the analysis. Among 83,855 live-born singletons without congenital anomalies, 65,710 children were studied. Among them, 2780 (4.2%) were transferred in the neonatal period. After adjustment for potential confounders, the incidence of neurodevelopmental impairment (scores below the cut-off value of all 5 domains in the ASQ-3) was higher in children with neonatal transfer compared with those without neonatal transfer (communication: 6.5% vs 3.5%, OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.19–1.70; gross motor: 7.6% vs 4.0%, OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.07–1.49; fine motor: 11.3% vs 7.1%, OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.03–1.36; problem solving: 10.8% vs 6.8%, OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.12–1.48; and personal-social: 6.2% vs 2.9%, OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.26–1.83).

   Conclusion: Neonatal transfer was associated with a higher risk of neurodevelopmental impairment at 3 years of age.

What is Known:• Neonatal transfer after birth in preterm infants is associated with adverse short-term outcomes.• Long-term outcomes of outborn infants with neonatal transfer in the general population remain unclear.

What is New:• This study suggests that neonatal transfer at birth is associated with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental impairment.• Efforts for referring high-risk pregnant women to higher level centers may reduce the incidence of neonatal transfer, leading to improved neurological outcomes in the general population.
Na,K-ATPase α1 and β-subunits show distinct localizations in the nervous tissue of the large milkweed bug
Authors: Herbertz Marlena , Harder Sönke , Schlüter Hartmut , Lohr Christian , Dobler Susanne
Published: March 2022

The Na,K-ATPase (NKA) is an essential ion transporter and signaling molecule in all animal tissues and believed to consist at least one α and one ß-subunit to form a functional enzyme. In the large milkweed bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus, adaptation to dietary cardiac glycosides (CGs), which can fatally block the NKA, has resulted in gene duplications leading to four α1-subunits. These differ in sensitivity to CGs, but resistance trades off against ion pumping activity, thus influencing the α1-subunits’ suitability for specific tissues. Besides, O. fasciatus possesses four different ß-subunits that can alter the NKA's kinetics and should play an essential role in the formation of cellular junctions.

Proteomic analyses revealed the distribution and composition of α1/ß-complexes in the nervous tissue of O. fasciatus. The highly CG-resistant, but less active α1B and the highly active, but less resistant α1C predominated in the nervous tissue and co-occurred with ß2 and ß3, partly forming larger complexes than just heterodimers. Immunohistochemical analyses provided a fine scale resolution of the subunits’ distribution in different morphological structures of the nervous tissue. This may suggest that α1 as well as ß-subunits occur in isolation without the other subunit, which contradicts the present understanding that the two types of subunits have to associate to form functional complexes. An isolated occurrence was especially prominent for ß3 and βx, the enigmatic fourth and N-terminally largely truncated ß-subunit. We hypothesize that dimerization of these ß-subunits plays a role in cell–cell contacts.
Data news dissemination strategy for decision making using new media platform
Authors: Li Lu
Published: March 2022

In big data era, data has become an important part of human lives and work. At the same time, data plays an important role in information acquisition and dissemination. At present, the influence of data journalism is gradually increasing. However, unlike other countries, China data journalism started late. To study the problems of data journalism and the trend of future development, we use the method of combining data and news to explore the status quo and dig out the existing problems. This article first summarizes the research status, research methods, and theoretical basis of data journalism's propagation path. Next, it uses Lasswell's 5W model: a new model to analyze data news from five aspects, namely, disseminator, disseminating channel, dissemination content, audience, and dissemination effect. Finally, based on content analysis, searching, and data mining, an indicator system is constructed for the current new media’s news dissemination effect evaluation, and the Delphi method is used to assign weights to various indicators and make decisions based on them. By analyzing the results, this paper identify the problems in the process of combining data journalism and new media platforms, and provide help for the future communication strategy of data journalism.