bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developing a decision aid for youth with brachial plexus birth injuries facing treatment decisions for an elbow flexion contracture
Authors: Ho Emily S. , Parsons Janet A. , Davidge Kristen , Clarke Howard M. , Lawson Margaret L. , Wright F. Virginia
Published: July 2021

Background

A common sequela of brachial plexus birth injury (BPBI) is an elbow flexion contracture. Youth with BPBI and their families face rehabilitation or surgical decisions that ideally entail careful deliberation of the risks and benefits of treatment within the context of the child's and family's functional and appearance‐related goals.

Objective

To develop a patient decision aid (PtDA) following International Patient Decision Aid Standards to help these youth and their families make treatment decisions.

Design

Mixed‐methods study.

Setting

Brachial plexus clinic in a pediatric tertiary care center.

Participants

Five young adults (21–24 years), 14 youth (8–19 years) and their parents, 15 families (children 2–16 years), and 19 clinicians from a brachial plexus clinic participated in the PtDA development. Seventeen other youth (8–18 years) facing treatment decisions regarding their elbow contracture field tested the PtDA prototype.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

In‐depth interviews and participant observation to conduct a decisional needs assessment of young adults, youth, parents, and health care professionals involved in these shared decisions. Cognitive interviews to field test the PtDA prototype.

Results

Evidence from previously conducted knowledge synthesis and the youth‐focused decisional needs assessment qualitative data informed the development of new PtDA prototype, which included a questionnaire‐based values clarification method for youth to rate what matters most to them regarding their elbow function, appearance, psychosocial impact, and treatment options. The majority (90%) of youth >11 years who field tested the PtDA prototype understood its content, whereas only 29% of those between 8 and 11 years demonstrated independent comprehension. The majority (69%) responded that they would prefer to use the PtDA on their own either at home or in the clinic waiting room.

Conclusions

This new PtDA can be used to help youth with BPBI and their families to make a personal value‐based informed decision regarding treatment options for their elbow flexion contracture.
Bayesian modeling of a bivariate toxicity outcome for early phase oncology trials evaluating dose regimens
Authors: Gerard Emma , Zohar Sarah , Lorenzato Christelle , Ursino Moreno , Riviere Marie‐Karelle
Published: July 2021

Most phase I trials in oncology aim to find the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) based on the occurrence of dose limiting toxicities (DLT). Evaluating the schedule of administration in addition to the dose may improve drug tolerance. Moreover, for some molecules, a bivariate toxicity endpoint may be more appropriate than a single endpoint. However, standard dose‐finding designs do not account for multiple dose regimens and bivariate toxicity endpoint within the same design. In this context, following a phase I motivating trial, we proposed modeling the first type of DLT, cytokine release syndrome, with the entire dose regimen using pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (PK/PD), whereas the other DLT (DLTo) was modeled with the cumulative dose. We developed three approaches to model the joint distribution of DLT, defining it as a bivariate binary outcome from the two toxicity types, under various assumptions about the correlation between toxicities: an independent model, a copula model and a conditional model. Our Bayesian approaches were developed to be applied at the end of the dose‐allocation stage of the trial, once all data, including PK/PD measurements, were available. The approaches were evaluated through an extensive simulation study that showed that they can improve the performance of selecting the true MTD‐regimen compared to the recommendation of the dose‐allocation method implemented. Our joint approaches can also predict the DLT probabilities of new dose regimens that were not tested in the study and could be investigated in further stages of the trial.
Ligand‐ and Base‐Free Cu‐Catalyzed C−N Coupling of Aminoquinolines with Boronic Acids
Authors: Saranya Salim , Radhika Sankaran , Anilkumar Gopinathan
Published: July 2021

A ligand‐ and base‐free Cu‐catalyzed protocol for the synthesis of N‐arylquinolin‐8‐amine and N‐arylquinolin‐3‐amine derivatives has been developed. A wide range of N‐aryl heterocycles were synthesized in moderate to good yields under the mild condition of 10 mol% Cu(OAc)2 in 3 mL methanol at room temperature in presence of air.
Repurposing Erythrocytes as a “Photoactivatable Bomb”: A General Strategy for Site‐Specific Drug Release in Blood Vessels
Authors: Zhu Ya‐Xuan , Jia Hao‐Ran , Guo Yuxin , Liu Xiaoyang , Zhou Ningxuan , Liu Peidang , Wu Fu‐Gen
Published: July 2021

Tumor vasculature has long been considered as an extremely valuable therapeutic target for cancer therapy, but how to realize controlled and site‐specific drug release in tumor blood vessels remains a huge challenge. Despite the widespread use of nanomaterials in constructing drug delivery systems, they are suboptimal in principle for meeting this demand due to their easy blood cell adsorption/internalization and short lifetime in the systemic circulation. Here, natural red blood cells (RBCs) are repurposed as a remote‐controllable drug vehicle, which retains RBC's morphology and vessel‐specific biodistribution pattern, by installing photoactivatable molecular triggers on the RBC membrane via covalent conjugation with a finely tuned modification density. The molecular triggers can burst the RBC vehicle under short and mild laser irradiation, leading to a complete and site‐specific release of its payloads. This cell‐based vehicle is generalized by loading different therapeutic agents including macromolecular thrombin, a blood clotting‐inducing enzyme, and a small‐molecule hypoxia‐activatable chemodrug, tirapazamine. In vivo results demonstrate that the repurposed “anticancer RBCs” exhibit long‐term stability in systemic circulation but, when tumors receive laser irradiation, precisely releases their cargoes in tumor vessels for thrombosis‐induced starvation therapy and local deoxygenation‐enhanced chemotherapy. This study proposes a general strategy for blood vessel‐specific drug delivery.
Detrimental Impact of Na Upon Rb Postdeposition Treatments of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Absorber Layers
Authors: de Wild Jessica , Birant Gizem , Thiruvallur Eachambadi Raghavendran , Kohl Thierry , Buldu Dilara G. , Brammertz Guy , Manca Jean V. , Meuris Marc , Poortmans Jef , Vermang Bart
Published: July 2021

Passivation of the Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS)/Mo back contact using AlO
x
is studied to reduce the recombination at this interface. Herein, RbF postdeposition treatment (RbF‐PDT), a well‐established method to improve absorber and front interface properties is used on back‐passivated solar cells. It is found that this combination deteriorates the performance due to formation of an injection barrier at the front and reduced acceptor concentration. Photoluminescence yield and decay times show no indication of increased defect recombination, as both are improved. With time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy, in‐depth and lateral alkali profiles are measured. It is shown that the Na concentration is higher at the AlO
x
/Mo back contact and that Rb accumulates at the CdS/CIGS interface. It is hypothesized that Na at the back is released during the RbF‐PDT and inhibits Rb diffusion into the CIGS layer. Rb remains at the front and acceptor concentration is reduced. Modeling of dark and light current–voltage characteristics shows that the injection barrier and low doping are responsible for the reduced V
oc and fill factor (FF). It is suggested that the commonly observed FF losses upon heavier alkali PDT can be eliminated by adapting the initial Na amount.
Mathematical Modelling
Authors: Wess Raphael , Klock Heiner , Siller Hans-Stefan , Greefrath Gilbert
Published: July 2021

The integration of applications and mathematical modelling into mathematics education plays an important role in many national curricula (Kaiser, 2020; Niss et al., 2007), and thus an increasing role in teacher training.
Professional Competence for Teaching Mathematical Modelling
Authors: Wess Raphael , Klock Heiner , Siller Hans-Stefan , Greefrath Gilbert
Published: July 2021

Professional competence is a widely discussed topic (see, e.g. Cochran-Smith & Fries, 2001; Darling-Hammond & Bransford, 2005) and was measured globally in various large-scale studies (see, e.g. Blömeke et al., 2014; Kunter et al., 2013). The dimensions for the subject of mathematics range from knowledge to mathematical content to pedagogical and didactic knowledge of teachers with the aim of bringing them together.
Holst-MacDowell-Mansouri action for (extended) supergravity with boundaries and super Chern-Simons theory
Authors: Eder K. , Sahlmann H.
Published: July 2021

Abstract

In this article, the Cartan geometric approach toward (extended) supergravity in the presence of boundaries will be discussed. In particular, based on new developments in this field, we will derive the Holst variant of the MacDowell-Mansouri action for$$ \mathcal{N} $$N= 1 and$$ \mathcal{N} $$N= 2 pure AdS supergravity inD= 4 for arbitrary Barbero-Immirzi parameters. This action turns out to play a crucial role in context of boundaries in the framework of supergravity if one imposes supersymmetry invariance at the boundary. For the$$ \mathcal{N} $$N= 2 case, it follows that this amounts to the introduction of aθ-topological term to the Yang-Mills sector which explicitly depends on the Barbero-Immirzi parameter. This shows the close connection between this parameter and theθ-ambiguity of gauge theory.

We will also discuss the chiral limit of the theory, which turns out to possess some very special properties such as the manifest invariance of the resulting action under an enlarged gauge symmetry. Moreover, we will show that demanding supersymmetry invariance at the boundary yields a unique boundary term corresponding to a super Chern-Simons theory with OSp($$ \mathcal{N} $$N|2) gauge group. In this context, we will also derive boundary conditions that couple boundary and bulk degrees of freedom and show equivalence to the results found in the D’Auria-Fré approach in context of the non-chiral theory. These results provide a step towards of quantum description of supersymmetric black holes in the framework of loop quantum gravity.
Supersymmetric interpretation of the muon g – 2 anomaly
Authors: Endo Motoi , Hamaguchi Koichi , Iwamoto Sho , Kitahara Teppei
Published: July 2021

Abstract

The Fermilab Muong−2 collaboration recently announced the first result of measurement of the muon anomalous magnetic moment (g−2), which confirmed the previous result at the Brookhaven National Laboratory and thus the discrepancy with its Standard Model prediction. We revisit low-scale supersymmetric models that are naturally capable to solve the muong−2 anomaly, focusing on two distinct scenarios: chargino-contribution dominated and pure-bino-contribution dominated scenarios. It is shown that the slepton pair-production searches have excluded broad parameter spaces for both two scenarios, but they are not closed yet. For the chargino-dominated scenario, the models with$$ {m}_{{\tilde{\mu}}_{\mathrm{L}}}\gtrsim {m}_{{\tilde{\chi}}_1^{\pm }} $$mμ˜L≳mχ˜1±are still widely allowed. For the bino-dominated scenario, we find that, although slightly non-trivial, the region with low tanβwith heavy higgsinos is preferred. In the case of universal slepton masses, the low mass regions with$$ {m}_{\tilde{\mu}} $$mμ˜≲ 230 GeV can explain theg−2 anomaly while satisfying the LHC constraints. Furthermore, we checked that the stau-bino coannihilation works properly to realize the bino thermal relic dark matter. We also investigate heavy staus case for the bino-dominated scenario, where the parameter region that can explain the muong−2 anomaly is stretched to$$ {m}_{\tilde{\mu}} $$mμ˜≲ 1.3 TeV.
Jet angularities in Z+jet production at the LHC
Authors: Caletti Simone , Fedkevych Oleh , Marzani Simone , Reichelt Daniel , Schumann Steffen , Soyez Gregory , Theeuwes Vincent
Published: July 2021

Abstract

We present a phenomenological study of angularities measured on the highest transverse-momentum jet in LHC events that feature the associate production of a Z boson and one or more jets. In particular, we study angularity distributions that are measured on jets with and without the SoftDrop grooming procedure. We begin our analysis exploiting state-of-the-art Monte Carlo parton shower simulations and we quantitatively assess the impact of next-to-leading order (NLO) matching and merging procedures. We then move to analytic resummation and arrive at an all-order expression that features the resummation of large logarithms at next-to-leading logarithmic accuracy (NLL) and is matched to the exact NLO result. Our predictions include the effect of soft emissions at large angles, treated as a power expansion in the jet radius, and non-global logarithms. Furthermore, matching to fixed-order is performed in such a way to ensure what is usually referred to as NLL′ accuracy. Our results account for realistic experimental cuts and can be easily compared to upcoming measurements of jet angularities from the LHC collaborations.
Strong CP problem and axion dark matter with small instantons
Authors: Kitano Ryuichiro , Yin Wen
Published: July 2021

Abstract

The axion mass receives a large correction from small instantons if the QCD gets strongly coupled at high energies. We discuss the size of the new CP violating phases caused by the fact that the small instantons are sensitive to the UV physics. We also discuss the effects of the mass correction on the axion abundance of the Universe. Taking the small-instanton contributions into account, we propose a natural scenario of axion dark matter where the axion decay constant is as large as 1015-16 GeV. The scenario works in the high-scale inflation models.
BPS Skyrme submodels of the five-dimensional Skyrme model
Authors: Fadhilla Emir Syahreza , Gunara Bobby Eka , Atmaja Ardian Nata
Published: July 2021

Abstract

In this paper, we search for the BPS skyrmions in some BPS submodels of the generalized Skyrme model in five-dimensional spacetime using the BPS Lagrangian method. We focus on the static solutions of the Bogomolny’s equations and their corresponding energies with topological charge B > 0 is an integer. We consider two main cases based on the symmetry of the effective Lagrangian of the BPS submodels, i.e. the spherically symmetric and non-spherically symmetric cases. For the spherically symmetric case, we find two BPS submodels. The first BPS submodels consist of a potential term and a term proportional to the square of the topological current. The second BPS submodels consist of only the Skyrme term. The second BPS submodel has BPS skyrmions with the same topological charge B > 1, but with different energies, that we shall call “topological degenerate” BPS skyrmions. It also has the usual BPS skyrmions with equal energies, if the topological charge is a prime number. Another interesting feature of the BPS skyrmions, with B > 1, in this BPS submodel, is that these BPS skyrmions have non-zero pressures in the angular direction. For the non-spherically symmetric case, there is only one BPS submodel, which is similar to the first BPS submodel in the spherically symmetric case. We find that the BPS skyrmions depend on a constant k and for a particular value of k we obtain the BPS skyrmions of the first BPS submodel in the spherically symmetric case. The total static energy and the topological charge of these BPS skyrmions also depend on this constant. We also show that all the results found in this paper satisfy the full field equations of motions of the corresponding BPS submodels.
Global Radioxenon Emission Inventory from Nuclear Research Reactors
Authors: Kalinowski Martin B. , Tayyebi Pouneh , Lechermann Michael , Tatlisu Halit
Published: July 2021

To monitor compliance with the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), the International Monitoring System (IMS) is being established which will include 40 sensor systems for atmospheric xenon radioactivity. Radioactive isotopes of the noble gas xenon provide the most likely observable radioactive signatures of underground nuclear explosions. These isotopes are frequently detected by IMS noble gas systems as a result of normal operational releases from different types of nuclear facilities including nuclear power plants (NPPs), medical isotope production facilities (MIPFs), and nuclear research reactors (NRRs). Improved knowledge of the contribution of different emission sources on IMS observations strengthens the screening of radioxenon measurements to exclude observations not relevant to emissions from a nuclear explosion. The contribution of NPPs and MIPFs to the global radioxenon emission inventory is fairly well understood. NRRs have yet to be systematically assessed. This paper is the first attempt to assess the total emission inventory of NRRs expressed as annual total discharges. The results can enhance understanding of those sources most likely to impact IMS background observations and to guide future studies on contributions to IMS station background.
Chirurgie periampullärer Pankreaskarzinome
Authors: Hank Thomas , Klaiber Ulla , Sahora Klaus , Schindl Martin , Strobel Oliver
Published: July 2021

Periampulläre Neoplasien sind eine heterogene Gruppe verschiedener Tumorentitäten der periampullären Region, von denen das Pankreasadenokarzinom mit 60–70 % am häufigsten ist. Wie typisch für Pankreaskarzinome zeichnen sich periampulläre Pankreaskarzinome durch ein aggressives Wachstum und eine frühe systemische Progression aus. Aufgrund ihrer besonderen Lage in unmittelbarer Nähe zur Papilla Vateri treten Symptome in eher früherem Tumorstadium auf, sodass die Therapiemöglichkeiten und Prognose insgesamt günstiger sind als bei Pankreaskarzinomen anderer Lokalisation. Trotzdem unterscheiden sich die Therapieprinzipien bei periampullären Pankreaskarzinomen nicht wesentlich von den Standards bei Pankreaskarzinomen anderer Lokalisation. Ein potenziell kurativer Therapieansatz beim nichtmetastasierten periampullären Pankreaskarzinom ist multimodal und besteht aus der Durchführung einer partiellen Duodenopankreatektomie als radikale onkologische Resektion in Kombination mit einer systemischen, meist adjuvant verabreichten Chemotherapie. Bei Patienten mit günstigen prognostischen Faktoren kann hierdurch ein Langzeitüberleben erzielt werden. Zudem wurden mit der Weiterentwicklung der Chirurgie und Systemtherapie auch potenziell kurative Therapiekonzepte für fortgeschrittene, früher irresektable Tumoren etabliert, welche nun nach Durchführung einer neoadjuvanten Therapie oft einer Resektion zugeführt werden können. In diesem Beitrag werden die aktuellen chirurgischen Prinzipien der radikalen onkologischen Resektion periampullärer Pankreaskarzinome im Kontext der multimodalen Therapie dargestellt und ein Ausblick auf mögliche künftige Entwicklungen der Therapie gegeben.
Correction to: Dielectric and surface properties of wood modified with NaCl aqueous solutions and treated with FE-DBD atmospheric plasma
Authors: Žigon Jure , Petrič Marko , Dahle Sebastian
Published: July 2021

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-021-01724-z
Covid and social distancing with a heterogenous population
Authors: Makris Miltiadis
Published: July 2021

Motivated by the Covid-19 epidemic, we build a SIR model with private decisions on social distancing and population heterogeneity in terms of infection-induced fatality rates, and calibrate it to UK data to understand the quantitative importance of these assumptions. Compared to our model, the calibrated benchmark version with constant mean contact rate significantly over-predicts the mean contact rate, the death toll, herd immunity and prevalence peak. Instead, the calibrated counterfactual version with endogenous social distancing but no heterogeneity massively under-predicts these statistics. We use our calibrated model to understand how the impact of mitigating policies on the epidemic may depend on the responses these policies induce across the various population segments. We find that policies that shut down some of the essential sectors have a stronger impact on the death toll than on infections and herd immunity compared to policies that shut down non-essential sectors. Furthermore, there might not be an after-wave after policies that shut down some of the essential sectors are lifted. Restrictions on social distancing can generate welfare gains relative to the case of no intervention. Milder but longer restrictions on less essential activities might be better in terms of these welfare gains than stricter but shorter restrictions, whereas the opposite might be the case for restrictions on more essential activities. Finally, shutting down some of the more essential sectors might generate larger welfare gains than shutting down the less essential sectors.
The Vulcan salute sign: a non-sensitive but specific sign for Morton’s neuroma on radiographs
Authors: Galley Julien , Sutter Reto , Germann Christoph , Pfirrmann Christian W. A.
Published: July 2021

Objectives

To assess the value of the divergence of toes on conventional radiographs of the foot for diagnosing Morton’s neuroma.

Methods

This retrospective case–control study was approved by the local ethics committee. In 100 patients with MRI-proven Morton’s neuroma 2/3 or 3/4 (study group) and 100 patients without (control group), conventional weight-bearing dorso-plantar view radiographs were evaluated for the subjective presence of interphalangeal divergence, called the Vulcan salute sign or V-sign, by two blinded, independent musculoskeletal radiologists. Interphalangeal angles (2/3 and 3/4) and intermetatarsal angle I/V were measured. The t test and chi-squared test were used to compare the groups. Diagnostic performance was calculated. Interobserver reliability was assessed using κ statistics and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

Results

The difference between the groups was significant (P < 0.05) regarding the presence of the V-sign, which was found in 30 of 100 patients with Morton neuroma and in 3 of 100 control patients, with a sensitivity of 30% and a specificity of 97%. The differences between interphalangeal angles were significant (P < 0.05) between the groups. The interphalangeal angle 2/3 mean values were 7.9° (± 4.8) for the study group vs 5.4° (± 2.6) for the controls; the 3/4 angle values were 6.5° (± 3.8) and 3.4° (± 2.5), respectively. There was no significant difference between the groups in the intermetatarsal angle I/V. Interobserver agreement was substantial for the V-sign, with a κ value of 0.78. The ICC was excellent concerning angle measurements, with all values ≥ 0.94.

Conclusion

The Vulcan salute sign on conventional radiographs is specific for Morton’s neuroma.
BRAF testing in metastatic colorectal carcinoma and novel, chemotherapy-free therapeutic options
Authors: Hummel Michael , Hegewisch-Becker Susanna , Neumann Jens H. L. , Vogel Arndt
Published: July 2021

In the past 25 years, treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) has undergone profound changes. The approval of newer chemotherapeutics such as irinotecan and oxaliplatin was followed in 2005 by the first targeted therapies, for example, monoclonal antibodies directed against the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), as cetuximab and panitumumab, or the angiogenesis inhibitors bevacizumab, ramucirumab, and aflibercept. With the rapidly progressing molecular characterization of mCRC in the last 10 years and the classification of the disease in four consensus subtypes, further changes are emerging, which will promote, among other things, the introduction of protein-kinase inhibitors developed for specific molecular aberrations as well as immune checkpoint inhibitors into the treatment algorithm.

Thorough molecular pathologic testing is indispensable today for guideline-compliant treatment of mCRC patients. In addition to RAS testing as a precondition for the therapy decision with regard to cetuximab and panitumumab, BRAF testing is of considerable relevance to allow decision making with regard to the newly approved chemotherapy-free combination of the BRAF inhibitor encorafenib and cetuximab in cases where a BRAF-V600E mutation is detected. Additional diagnostic tests should also include genome instability (microsatellite instability). Overall, more and more molecular alterations need to be investigated simultaneously, so that the use of focused next-generation sequencing is increasingly recommended.

This overview describes the prognostic relevance of BRAF testing in the context of molecular pathologic diagnostics of mCRC, presents new treatment options for BRAF-mutated mCRC patients, and explains which modern DNA analytical and immunohistochemical methods are available to detect BRAF mutations in mCRC patients.
Prognostic impact of molecular muscle-invasive bladder cancer subtyping approaches and correlations with variant histology in a population-based mono-institutional cystectomy cohort
Authors: Weyerer Veronika , Stoehr Robert , Bertz Simone , Lange Fabienne , Geppert Carol I. , Wach Sven , Taubert Helge , Sikic Danijel , Wullich Bernd , Hartmann Arndt , Eckstein Markus
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Recently discovered molecular classifications for urothelial bladder cancer appeared to be promising prognostic and predictive biomarkers. The present study was conducted to evaluate the prognostic impact of molecular subtypes assessed by two different methodologies (gene and protein expression), to compare these two approaches and to correlate molecular with histological subtypes in a consecutively collected, mono-institutional muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) cohort.

Methods

193 MIBC were pathologically re-evaluated and molecular subtypes were assessed on mRNA (NanoString technology, modified 21-gene-containing MDACC approach) and protein levels (immuno-histochemical [IHC] analysis of CK5, CK14, CD44, CK20, GATA3 and FOXA1). Descriptive statistical methods and uni-/multi-variable survival models were employed to analyze derived data.

Results

Neither gene expression nor protein-based subtyping showed significant associations with disease-specific (DSS) or recurrence-free survival (RFS). Agreement between mRNA (reference) and protein-based subtyping amounted 68.6% for basal, 76.1% for luminal and 50.0% for double-negative tumors. Histological subtypes associated with RFS in uni-variable (P = 0.03), but not in multivariable survival analyses. Tumors with variant histology predominantly showed luminal subtypes (gene expression subtyping: 36/55 cases, 65.5%; protein subtyping: 44/55 cases, 80.0%). Squamous differentiation significantly associated with basal subtypes (gene expression subtyping: 44/45 squamous cases, 97.8%; protein subtyping: 36/45 cases, 80.0%).

Conclusion

In our consecutive cystectomy cohort, neither gene, protein expression-based subtyping, nor histological subtypes associated with DSS or RFS in multi-variably adjusted survival analyses. Application of a limited IHC subtyping marker panel showed high concordance of 83.9% with gene expression-based subtyping, thus underlining the utility for subtyping in pathological routine diagnostics. In addition, histological MIBC subtypes are strong indicators for intrinsic subtypes.
Searching for improvements in predicting human eye colour from DNA
Authors: Kukla-Bartoszek Magdalena , Teisseyre Paweł , Pośpiech Ewelina , Karłowska-Pik Joanna , Zieliński Piotr , Woźniak Anna , Boroń Michał , Dąbrowski Michał , Zubańska Magdalena , Jarosz Agata , Płoski Rafał , Grzybowski Tomasz , Spólnicka Magdalena , Mielniczuk Jan , Branicki Wojciech
Published: July 2021

Increasing understanding of human genome variability allows for better use of the predictive potential of DNA. An obvious direct application is the prediction of the physical phenotypes. Significant success has been achieved, especially in predicting pigmentation characteristics, but the inference of some phenotypes is still challenging. In search of further improvements in predicting human eye colour, we conducted whole-exome (enriched in regulome) sequencing of 150 Polish samples to discover new markers. For this, we adopted quantitative characterization of eye colour phenotypes using high-resolution photographic images of the iris in combination with DIAT software analysis. An independent set of 849 samples was used for subsequent predictive modelling. Newly identified candidates and 114 additional literature-based selected SNPs, previously associated with pigmentation, and advanced machine learning algorithms were used. Whole-exome sequencing analysis found 27 previously unreported candidate SNP markers for eye colour. The highest overall prediction accuracies were achieved with LASSO-regularized and BIC-based selected regression models. A new candidate variant, rs2253104, located in theARFIP2gene and identified with the HyperLasso method, revealed predictive potential and was included in the best-performing regression models. Advanced machine learning approaches showed a significant increase in sensitivity of intermediate eye colour prediction (up to 39%) compared to 0% obtained for the original IrisPlex model. We identified a new potential predictor of eye colour and evaluated several widely used advanced machine learning algorithms in predictive analysis of this trait. Our results provide useful hints for developing future predictive models for eye colour in forensic and anthropological studies.
Evolution of the Lower Permian Rochlitz volcanic system, Eastern Germany: reconstruction of an intra-continental supereruption
Authors: Hübner Marcel , Breitkreuz Christoph , Repstock Alexander , Schulz Bernhard , Pietranik Anna , Lapp Manuel , Heuer Franziska
Published: July 2021

Extensional tectonics in the Late Paleozoic Central Europe was accompanied by rift magmatism that triggered voluminous intracontinental caldera-forming eruptions. Among these, the Lower Permian Rochlitz Volcanic System (RVS) in the North Saxon Volcanic Complex (Eastern Germany, Saxony) represents a supereruption (VEI 8, estimated volume of 1056 km3) of monotonous rhyolites followed by monotonous intermediates. Mapping, petrography, whole-rock geochemistry along with mineral chemistry and oxygen isotopes in zircon display its complex eruption history and magma evolution. Crystal-rich (> 35 vol%), rhyolitic Rochlitz-α Ignimbrite with strong to moderate welding compaction erupted in the climactic stage after reheating of the magma by basaltic injections. Due to magma mixing, low-volume trachydacitic-to-rhyolitic Rochlitz-β Ignimbrite succeeded, characterized by high Ti and Zr-values and zircon with mantle δ18O. Randomly oriented, sub-horizontally bedded fiamme, and NW–SE striking subvolcanic bodies and faults suggest pyroclastic fountaining along NW–SE-oriented fissures as the dominant eruption style. Intrusion of the Leisnig and the Grimma Laccoliths caused resurgence of the Rochlitz caldera forming several peripheral subbasins. In the post-climactic stage, these were filled with lava complexes, ignimbrites and alluvial to lacustrine sediments. Significant Nb and Ta anomalies and high Nb/Ta ratios (11.8–17.9) display a high degree of crustal contamination for the melts of the RVS. Based on homogenous petrographic and geochemical composition along with a narrow range of δ18O in zircon Rochlitz-α Ignimbrite were classified as monotonous rhyolites. For the Rochlitz-β Ignimbrites, underplating and mixing with basic melts are indicated by Mg-rich annite–siderophyllite and δ18O < 6.0 in zircon. The wide spectrum of δ18O on zircon suggests an incomplete mixing process during the formation of monotonous intermediates in the RVS.
Preoperative risk factors associated with new focal neurological deficit and other major adverse events in first-time intracranial meningioma neurosurgery
Authors: Jenkins Freya Sophie , Vasella Flavio , Padevit Luis , Mutschler Valentino , Akeret Kevin , Velz Julia , Regli Luca , Sarnthein Johannes , Neidert Marian Christoph
Published: July 2021

Background

Neurosurgical resection is the mainstay of meningioma treatment. Adverse event (AE) rates of meningioma resections are significant, but preoperative risk factors for major AEs in patients undergoing first-time meningioma surgery are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to explore major AEs and identify preoperative risk factors in patients undergoing first-time meningioma surgery.

Methods

Data on all meningioma resections performed at the University Hospital Zurich from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2018 were collected in a prospective registry. All AEs that occurred within 3 months of surgery were documented in detail and classified as “minor” or “major.” Statistical analysis included initial individual bivariate analyses of all preoperative factors and the occurrence of major AEs. Statistically significant variables were then included in a logistic regression model to identify predictors.

Results

Three hundred forty-five patients were included in the study. Mean age was 58.1 years, and 77.1% of patients were female. The overall major AE rate was 20.6%; the most common of which was a new focal neurological deficit (12.8% of patients). Six preoperative factors showed a significant association with the occurrence of major AEs in bivariate analysis. All variables included in the logistic regression model showed increased odds of occurrence of major AE, but only tumor complexity as measured by the Milan Complexity Scale was a statistically significant predictor, with a score of 4 or more having twice the odds of major AEs (OR: 2.00, 95% CI: 1.15–3.48).

Conclusion

High tumor complexity is an independent predictor of the occurrence of major AEs following meningioma resection. Preoperative assessment of tumor complexity using the Milan Complexity Scale is warranted and can aid communication with patients about AE rates and surgical decision-making.
Effects of head trauma and sport participation in young-onset Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Schirinzi Tommaso , Grillo Piergiorgio , Di Lazzaro Giulia , Zenuni Henri , Salimei Chiara , Dams-O’Connor Kristen , Sancesario Giulia Maria , Mercuri Nicola Biagio , Pisani Antonio
Published: July 2021

Head trauma (HT) is emerging as an event anticipating onset of neurodegenerative disorders. However, the potential contribution of HT in young-onset cases (YOPD, age at onset < 50) of Parkinson’s disease (PD) has not been examined yet. Here, we systematically assessed HT history in PD patients to estimate the risk associated, especially in terms of age of onset, and define the correlations with the clinical-biochemical profile. The Brain Injury Screening Questionnaire (BISQ) was administered to 94 PD patients (31 with YOPD, known monogenic forms excluded) and 70 controls. HT history was correlated with motor and non-motor scores in all patients, and to CSF biomarkers of neurodegeneration (α-synuclein, amyloid-β42, total and phosporiled-181 tau, lactate, CSF/serum albumin) into a subgroup. HT increased the risk for both PD and YOPD. In PD patients, but not in those with YOPD, the number of HTs directly correlated with CSF total-tau levels. No other correlations resulted between HT and clinical parameters. Sport-related HT was a specific risk factor for YOPD; conversely, the prolonged sporting life represented a protective factor. HTs can favor PD onset, even as YOPD. Sport-related HT resulted a risk factor for YOPD, although the longer sporting practice delayed PD onset, protecting from YOPD. Tauopathy may underlie the overall association between HT and PD. Additional mechanisms could be instead implicated in HT contribution to YOPD onset.
Einfluss von prozessinduzierten Eigenspannungen auf die Zahnfußtragfähigkeit schergeschnittener Zahnräder
Authors: Müller Daniel , Stahl Jens , Nürnberger Anian , Golle Roland , Tobie Thomas , Volk Wolfram , Stahl Karsten
Published: July 2021

Diese Arbeit verfolgt das Ziel die Zahnfußtragfähigkeit schergeschnittener Verzahnungen zu untersuchen und diese durch Nutzung der beim Fertigungsprozess induzierten Eigenspannungen zu verbessern. Dazu wird eine ausgewählte Zahnradgeometrie durch das Near-Net-Shape-Blanking Verfahren „Feinschneiden“ hergestellt. Dabei wird der Einfluss des Prozessparameters „Matrizenschneidkantenradius“ auf Schnittflächenkenngrößen und Eigenspannungen untersucht. Die Zahnfußtragfähigkeit der feingeschnittenen Zahnradvarianten wird ermittelt und in bestehende Zahnradnormen eingeordnet. Zusätzlich werden Stichversuche mit einer Zahnradvariante, hergestellt durch Feinschneiden mit geringer Gegenhalterkraft und einer feingeschnittenen und anschließend spannungsarmgeglühten Variante durchgeführt. Die einzelnen Prüfvarianten werden hinsichtlich der ermittelten Zahnfußtragfähigkeit und des vorliegenden Eigenspannungszustands verglichen.

Für die Varianten mit Matrizenschneidkantenradius von $$r_{\text{M}}=50,100,150$$

r
M

=
50
,
100
,
150

und $$200\,{\mu}\text{m}$$

200

μ
m

ergeben sich vergleichbare Schnittflächenkenngrößen und Konturen. Für größere Matrizenschneidkantenradien werden höhere Druckeigenspannungen gemessen und höhere Zahnfußtragfähigkeiten ermittelt.

Die ermittelten Zahnfußdauerfestigkeiten der feingeschnittenen Zahnräder liegen insgesamt auf einem ähnlichen Niveau, das deutlich höher liegt als für diesen Grundwerkstoff in der ISO 6336‑5 angegeben wird. Mit $$\sigma_{F\text{ lim}}=317{\ldots}327\,{\text{N/mm}^{2}}$$

σ

F
 lim

=
317

…

327

N/mm

2

liegen die feingeschnittenen Zahnräder auf dem unteren Niveau von ungestrahlten einsatzgehärteten Zahnrädern.

Für die weiteren Prüfvarianten zeigt sich im Vergleich zu den feingeschnittenen Zahnrädern eine deutliche Abnahme der ertragbaren Lastwechsel bei kleineren Lasten. Die verminderte Zahnfußtragfähigkeit lässt sich auf geringere vorliegende Druckeigenspannungen zurückführen. Somit lassen sich die Eigenspannungen über die Aktivelementkantenpräparation und die Gegenhalterkraft so einstellen, dass eine möglichst hohe Tragfähigkeit erzielt wird.
A comparative multicentre study evaluating gluteal turnover flap for wound closure after abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer
Authors: Sharabiany S. , van Dam J. J. W. , Sparenberg S. , Blok R. D. , Singh B. , Chaudhri S. , Runau F. , van Geloven A. A. W. , van de Ven A. W. H. , Lapid O. , Hompes R. , Tanis P. J. , Musters G. D.
Published: July 2021

Background

The aim of this study was to compare perineal wound healing between gluteal turnover flap and primary closure in patients undergoing abdominoperineal resection (APR) for rectal cancer.

Methods

Patients who underwent APR for primary or recurrent rectal cancer with gluteal turnover flap in two university hospitals (2016–2021) were compared to a multicentre cohort of primary closure (2000–2017). The primary endpoint was uncomplicated perineal wound healing within 30 days. Secondary endpoints were long-term wound healing, related re-interventions, and perineal herniation. The perineal hernia rate was assessed using Kaplan Meier analysis.

Results

Twenty–five patients had a gluteal turnover flap and 194 had primary closure. The uncomplicated perineal wound-healing rate within 30 days was 68% (17/25) after gluteal turnover flap versus 64% (124/194) after primary closure, OR 2.246; 95% CI 0.734–6.876; p = 0.156 in multivariable analysis. No major wound complications requiring surgical re-intervention occurred after flap closure. Eighteen patients with gluteal turnover flap completed 12-month follow-up, and none of them had chronic perineal sinus, compared to 6% (11/173) after primary closure (p = 0.604). The symptomatic 18-month perineal hernia rate after flap closure was 0%, compared to 9% after primary closure (p = 0.184).

Conclusions

The uncomplicated perineal wound-healing rate after the gluteal turnover flap and primary closure after APR is similar, and no chronic perineal sinus or perineal hernia occurred after flap closure. Future studies have to confirm potential benefits of the gluteal turnover flap.
The influence of heavy metals on the shape and asymmetry of wings of female Polistes nimpha (Hymenoptera, Vespidae) living on contaminated sites
Authors: Mielczarek Anna , Mielczarek Łukasz , Wojciechowicz-Żytko Elżbieta
Published: July 2021

The aim of the present study was to determine the fluctuating asymmetry of the first pair of wings in females Polistes nimpha (Christ, 1791) living in an environment contaminated with heavy metals. The average concentration of Zn, Cd and Pb in the bodies of the insects varied depending on the distance from the source of contamination, reaching the highest values on the site closest to the source of contamination and the lowest at the most distant site. As a result of the morphometric analyses, significant differences were found in the asymmetry values of the first pair of wings depending on the level of Zn, Cd, Pb accumulated by the wasps. In the case of shape asymmetry, differences were found for all the effects studied (year of capture and site). Significant differences were also found in the size of wings between individuals captured on Sites 1 and 2 and those caught on Site 3. Specimens caught on site characterized by the lowest concentration of heavy metals in the topsoil, proved to be significantly larger than the insects collected on the other sites. There were no differences in the size of individuals between the different years of capture. Based on the results obtained by us, it can be assumed that the wings of P. nimpha females may become a useful object in studying the impact of environmental stress of Zn, Cd and Pb pollution on the symmetry of their wings.
Sequential group recommendations based on satisfaction and disagreement scores
Authors: Stratigi Maria , Pitoura Evaggelia , Nummenmaa Jyrki , Stefanidis Kostas
Published: July 2021

Recently, group recommendations have gained much attention. Nevertheless, most approaches consider only one round of recommendations. However, in a real-life scenario, it is expected that the history of previous recommendations is exploited to tailor the recommendations towards meeting the needs of the group members. Such history should include not only which items the system suggested, but also the reaction of the members to these items. This work introduces the problem of sequential group recommendations, by exploiting the concept of satisfaction and disagreement. Satisfaction describes how well the group received the suggested items. Disagreement describes the satisfaction bias among the group members. We utilize these concepts in three new aggregation methods, SDAA, SIAA and Average+, designed to address the specific challenges introduced by sequential group recommendations. We experimentally show the effectiveness of our methods using big real datasets for both stable and ephemeral groups.
Travelling Waves for Adaptive Grid Discretizations of Reaction Diffusion Systems I: Well-Posedness
Authors: Hupkes H. J. , Van Vleck E. S.
Published: July 2021

In this paper we consider a spatial discretization scheme with an adaptive grid for the Nagumo PDE. In particular, we consider a commonly used time dependent moving mesh method that aims to equidistribute the arclength of the solution under consideration. We assume that the discrete analogue of this equidistribution is strictly enforced, which allows us to reduce the effective dynamics to a scalar non-local problem with infinite range interactions. We show that this reduced problem is well-posed and obtain useful estimates on the resulting nonlinearities. In the sequel papers (Hupkes and Van Vleck in Travelling waves for adaptive grid discretizations of reaction diffusion systems II: linear theory; Travelling waves for adaptive grid discretizations of reaction diffusion systems III: nonlinear theory) we use these estimates to show that travelling waves persist under these adaptive spatial discretizations.
A Truly Spatial Random Forests Algorithm for Geoscience Data Analysis and Modelling
Authors: Talebi Hassan , Peeters Luk J. M. , Otto Alex , Tolosana-Delgado Raimon
Published: July 2021

Spatial data mining helps to find hidden but potentially informative patterns from large and high-dimensional geoscience data. Non-spatial learners generally look at the observations based on their relationships in the feature space, which means that they cannot consider spatial relationships between regionalised variables. This study introduces a novel spatial random forests technique based on higher-order spatial statistics for analysis and modelling of spatial data. Unlike the classical random forests algorithm that uses pixelwise spectral information as predictors, the proposed spatial random forests algorithm uses the local spatial-spectral information (i.e., vectorised spatial patterns) to learn intrinsic heterogeneity, spatial dependencies, and complex spatial patterns. Algorithms for supervised (i.e., regression and classification) and unsupervised (i.e., dimension reduction and clustering) learning are presented. Approaches to deal with big data, multi-resolution data, and missing values are discussed. The superior performance and usefulness of the proposed algorithm over the classical random forests method are illustrated via synthetic and real cases, where the remotely sensed geophysical covariates in North West Minerals Province of Queensland, Australia, are used as input spatial data for geology mapping, geochemical prediction, and process discovery analysis.
Some aspects of quantum sufficiency for finite and full von Neumann algebras
Authors: Łuczak Andrzej
Published: July 2021

Some features of the notion of sufficiency in quantum statistics are investigated. Three kinds of this notion are considered: plain sufficiency (called simply: sufficiency), strong sufficiency and Umegaki’s sufficiency. It is shown that for a finite von Neumann algebra with a faithful family of normal states the minimal sufficient von Neumann subalgebra is sufficient in Umegaki’s sense. Moreover, a proper version of the factorization theorem of Jenčová and Petz is obtained. The structure of the minimal sufficient subalgebra is described in the case of pure states on the full algebra of all bounded linear operators on a Hilbert space.
Teaching as Altered Knowledge: Rethinking the Teaching Practice with Michel De Certeau
Authors: Rovea Federico
Published: July 2021

Michel De Certeau’s scholars have rarely explored the pedagogical potential of the French thinker’s thought. This paper aims at reconstructing the question of the teaching practice in De Certeau’s works and, building on such reconstruction, it proposes a possible ‘heterological’ comprehension of teaching. Moving from an early writing dealing specifically with the teacher’s identity, the paper shows how the famous dyad of strategies and tactics exposed inThe practice of everyday lifecan be usefully applied to teaching and studying and helps further elaborate the question of teaching. From this analysis, the teacher will emerge as the owner of a strategic knowledge that, if he wants to teach, needs to be altered by the uncanny and tactical presence of the student. Teaching will finally be shown as the practice of alteration of knowledge operated by the other of such knowledge, namely, the student. In such alteration of knowledge lies the potential of a heterological comprehension of teaching.