bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Anode Material for Lithium‐Ion Batteries Based on Oxygen‐Deficient Perovskite Sr2Fe2O6−δ
Authors: Hona Ram K. , Thapa Arjun K. , Ramezanipour Farshid
Published: May 2020

The application of oxygen‐deficient perovskites as anode for lithium‐ion batteries has been explored through case study of Sr2Fe2O6−δ. The structure of this material was studied through Rietveld refinements with X‐ray diffraction data, while X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and iodometric titration were utilized to determine the oxidation state of the transition metal and the degree of oxygen‐deficiency. As anode, Sr2Fe2O6−δ delivers discharge capacity of 393 mAh g−1 at a current of 25 mA g−1 after 50 cycles. This capacity is higher than the theoretical capacity of graphite anode, 372 mAh g−1. It is also higher than that of the calcium‐analogue reported before. At different current densities from 25–500 mA g−1, the charge‐discharge cycles remain highly reversible, indicating the great potential of Sr2Fe2O6−δ for application as anode for lithium‐ion batteries. The mechanism of lithium intercalation and de‐intercalation has been discussed.
An Overview of Recent Developments in the Synthesis of Substituted Thiazoles
Authors: Narasimhamurthy Kereyagalahally H. , Sajith Ayyiliath M. , Joy Muthipeedika N. , Rangappa Kanchugarakoppal S.
Published: May 2020

Thiazole frame work represents a vital pharmacophore in several areas of chemistry. Consequently, several synthetic protocols to construct and functionalize this core, in an attempt to generate diverse thiazole containing architectures have been developed by various researchers across the globe. These wide range of methodologies developed will allow the access to fully decorated thiazole containing new chemical entities that can find various application in the field of medicinal chemistry, agrochemicals and material science. This review will provide an insight in to the various synthons used in construction and diversification of this core.

Diversely functionalized thiazole analogs are considered as a vital azole framework present in many natural products. This prominent heterocycle also constitutes an important pharmacophore in medicinal chemistry, in agrochemicals and in molecules for material science applications. All these above‐mentioned features of thiazole necessitates the continuous development of efficient methods to access this heterocycle. Accordingly, various researchers across the globe have come up with efficient synthetic protocols in an attempt functionalize different positions of this important scaffold. This review aims at highlighting some of the latest synthetic approaches to di/tri‐substituted thiazole analogs which are known to possess a wide spectrum of biological activities.
Transparent Flexible Heteroepitaxy of NiO Coated AZO Nanorods Arrays on Muscovites for Enhanced Energy Storage Application
Authors: Le Van‐Qui , Le Phuoc‐Anh , Wu Shu‐Chi , Lai Yu‐Hong , Lin Yan‐Gu , Wei Kung‐Hwa , Chu Ying‐Hao , Chueh Yu‐Lun
Published: May 2020

Transparent flexible energy storage devices are considered as important chains in the next‐generation, which are able to store and supply energy for electronic devices. Here, aluminum‐doped zinc oxide (AZO) nanorods (NRs) and nickel oxide (NiO)‐coated AZO NRs on muscovites are fabricated by a radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering deposition method. Interestingly, AZO NRs and AZO/NiO NRs are excellent electrodes for energy storage application with high optical transparency, high conductivity, large surface area, stability under compressive and tensile strain down to a bending radius of 5 mm with 1000 bending cycles. The obtained symmetric solid‐state supercapacitors based on these electrodes exhibit good performance with a large areal specific capacitance of 3.4 mF cm−2, long cycle life 1000 times, robust mechanical properties, and high chemical stability. Furthermore, an AZO/NiO//Zn battery based on these electrodes is demonstrated, yielding a discharge capacity of 195 mAh g−1 at a current rate of 8 A g−1 and a discharge capacity of over 1000 cycles with coulombic efficiency to 92%. These results deliver a concept of opening a new opportunity for future applications in transparent flexible energy storage.
Sensitive and Stable Tin–Lead Hybrid Perovskite Photodetectors Enabled by Double‐Sided Surface Passivation for Infrared Upconversion Detection
Authors: Zhao Yan , Li Chenglong , Jiang Jizhong , Wang Boming , Shen Liang
Published: May 2020

Tin(Sn)‐based perovskite is currently considered one of the most promising materials due to extending the absorption spectrum and reducing the use of lead (Pb). However, Sn2+ is easily oxidized to Sn4+ in atmosphere, causing more defects and degradation of perovskite materials. Herein, double‐sided interface engineering is proposed, that is, Sn‐Pb perovskite films are sandwiched between the phenethylammonium iodide (PEAI) in both the bottom and top sides. The larger organic cations of PEA+ are arranged into a perovskite surface lattice to form a 2D capping layer, which can effectively prevent the water and oxygen to destroy bulk perovskite. Meanwhile, the PEA+ can also passivate defects of iodide anions at the bottom of perovskite films, which is always present but rarely considered previously. Compared to one sided passivation, Sn‐Pb hybrid perovskite photodetectors contribute a significant enhancement of performance and stability, yielding a broadband response of 300–1050 nm, a low dark current density of 1.25 × 10–3 mA cm–2 at –0.1 V, fast response speed of 35 ns, and stability beyond 240 h. Furthermore, the Sn‐Pb broadband photodetectors are integrated in an infrared up‐conversion system, converting near‐infrared light into visible light. It is believed that a double‐sided passivation method can provide new strategies to achieving high‐performance perovskite photodetectors.
Metalation of Catechol‐Functionalized Defective Covalent Organic Frameworks for Lewis Acid Catalysis
Authors: Shi Yanan , Zhang Xiaofei , Liu Haitao , Han Jianyu , Yang Zhongjie , Gu Lin , Tang Zhiyong
Published: May 2020

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have emerged as a fascinating crystalline porous material and are widely used in the field of catalysis. However, developing simple approaches to fabricate conjugated COFs with specific functional groups remains a significant challenge. In this study, the construction of defective COF‐LZU1 with Lewis acid sites embedded into the frameworks is fulfilled by a facile solvent‐assisted ligand exchange method. A monodentate ligand, protocatechualdehyde, is successfully introduced into the skeleton of COF‐LZU1, which endows the defects in the structure of COF‐LZU1 via replacement of the original coordinated benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarbaldehyde ligand. As‐synthesized defective COF‐LZU1 decorated with protocatechualdehyde is rich of free hydroxy groups for chelating with active metal ions. Specifically, after combining with Fe3+, the defective COF‐LZU1 shows excellent activity in catalytic alcoholysis of epoxides under mild conditions. The method reported here will open up the opportunity to incorporate different functional groups into COFs and enrich the strategies for creating new types of porous catalysts.
Professional knowledge affectsaction‐relatedskills: The development ofpreservicephysics teachers' explaining skills during a field experience
Authors: Kulgemeyer Christoph , Borowski Andreas , Buschhüter David , Enkrott Patrick , Kempin Maren , Reinhold Peter , Riese Josef , Schecker Horst , Schröder Jan , Vogelsang Christoph
Published: May 2020

Professional knowledge is an important source of science teachers' actions in the classroom (e.g., personal professional content knowledge [pedagogical content knowledge, PCK] is the source of enacted PCK in the refined consensus model [RCM] for PCK). However, the evidence for this claim is ambiguous at best. This study applied a cross‐lagged panel design to examine the relationship between professional knowledge and actions in one particular instructional situation: explaining physics. Pre‐ and post a field experience (one semester), 47 preservice physics teachers from four different universities were tested for their content knowledge (CK), PCK, pedagogical knowledge (PK), and action‐related skills in explaining physics. The study showed that joint professional knowledge (the weighted sum of CK, PCK, and PK scores) at the beginning of the field experience impacted the development of explaining skills during the field experience (β= .38**). We interpret this as a particular relationship between professional knowledge and science teachers' action‐related skills (enacted PCK): professional knowledge is necessary for the development of explaining skills. That is evidence that personal PCK affects enacted PCK. In addition, field experiences are often supposed to bridge the theory‐practice gap by transforming professional knowledge into instructional practice. Our results suggest that for field experiences to be effective, preservice teachers should start with profound professional knowledge.
Status of IGS Reprocessing Activities at GFZ
Authors: Männel Benjamin , Brandt Andre , Bradke Markus , Sakic Pierre , Brack Andreas , Nischan Thomas
Published: May 2020

Based on a large network of continuously operated GNSS tracking stations the International GNSS Service (IGS) has a valuable contribution for the realization of the International Terrestrial Reference System (ITRS). In order to contribute to its next realization, the IGS is preparing for a new reprocessing of the GNSS data from 1994 to 2020 including GPS, GLONASS, and – for the first time – Galileo. A first test campaign including single- and multi-system solutions for 2017 and 2018 was performed to derive consistent transmitter phase center corrections for all systems. Preliminary results of the test solutions derived at GFZ show well determined orbits with overlaps of 28 mm for GPS, 67 mm for GLONASS, and 40 mm for Galileo and an overall RMS of satellite laser ranging residuals for Galileo of 58 mm. Using multi-GNSS antenna calibrations (including also E5a and E5b calibrations) horizontal coordinate differences are almost zero between a GPS+GLONASS and a Galileo-only solutions. Due to the mixture of estimated (GPS, GLONASS) and measured (Galileo) transmitter phase center offsets a scale difference of 1.16 ± 0.27 ppb is found between both solutions which agrees nicely to results derived by other analysis centers.
Functional circuits and signal processing in the enteric nervous system
Authors: Fung Candice , Vanden Berghe Pieter
Published: May 2020

The enteric nervous system (ENS) is an extensive network comprising millions of neurons and glial cells contained within the wall of the gastrointestinal tract. The major functions of the ENS that have been most studied include the regulation of local gut motility, secretion, and blood flow. Other areas that have been gaining increased attention include its interaction with the immune system, with the gut microbiota and its involvement in the gut–brain axis, and neuro-epithelial interactions. Thus, the enteric circuitry plays a central role in intestinal homeostasis, and this becomes particularly evident when there are faults in its wiring such as in neurodevelopmental or neurodegenerative disorders. In this review, we first focus on the current knowledge on the cellular composition of enteric circuits. We then further discuss how enteric circuits detect and process external information, how these signals may be modulated by physiological and pathophysiological factors, and finally, how outputs are generated for integrated gut function.
Einschätzung der Qualität digitaler Gesundheitsangebote: Wie können informierte Entscheidungen gefördert werden?
Authors: Rebitschek Felix G. , Gigerenzer Gerd
Published: May 2020

Eine wichtige Voraussetzung für das Gelingen der Digitalisierung des Gesundheitswesens ist die digitale Risikokompetenz der Nutzer, also ihre Fähigkeit, Nutzen und Schaden von digitalen Technologien und Informationen zu beurteilen, digitale Angebote kritisch zu nutzen und sich auch mit statistischer Evidenz auseinanderzusetzen. Wie finden Menschen qualitätsgesicherte Gesundheitsinformationen und wie können sie die Qualität von algorithmischen Entscheidungssystemen besser beurteilen? In diesem narrativen Beitrag sollen zwei Ansätze aufgezeigt werden, wie die Fähigkeit zum informierten Entscheiden gefördert werden kann.

Evidenzbasierte und verlässliche Gesundheitsinformationen existieren im Internet, müssen aber von einer Vielzahl unzuverlässiger Informationen unterschieden werden. Verschiedene Institutionen im deutschen Sprachraum haben deshalb Anleitungen bereitgestellt, um Laien eine informierte Entscheidung zu erleichtern. Beispielsweise hat das Harding-Zentrum für Risikokompetenz in Potsdam für diese Zwecke einen Entscheidungsbaum („fast-and-frugal tree“) entwickelt. Im Umgang mit Algorithmen können natürliche Häufigkeitsbäume (NFTs) helfen, die Güte und Fairness eines algorithmischen Entscheidungssystems zu beurteilen.

Neben zuverlässigen und verständlichen digitalen Angeboten sollten weitere Werkzeuge für Laien zur Beurteilung von Informationen und Algorithmen entwickelt und bereitgestellt werden. Diese können auch in Schulungsprogramme zur digitalen Kompetenzförderung aufgenommen werden. Damit wäre ein wichtiger Schritt zum Gelingen der Digitalisierung in der Prävention und Gesundheitsförderung getan.
Opposite regulation of piRNAs, rRNAs and miRNAs in the blood after subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Morga Rafal , Borczyk Malgorzata , Korostynski Michal , Piechota Marcin , Hoinkis Dzesika , Golda Slawomir , Dziedzic Tomasz , Slowik Agnieszka , Moskala Marek , Pera Joanna
Published: May 2020

Multiple classes of small RNAs (sRNAs) are expressed in the blood and are involved in the regulation of pivotal cellular processes. We aimed to elucidate the expression patterns and functional roles of sRNAs in the systemic response to intracranial aneurysm (IA) rupture. We used next-generation sequencing to analyze the expression of sRNAs in patients in the acute phase of IA rupture (first 72 h), in the chronic phase (3–15 months), and controls. The patterns of alterations in sRNA expression were analyzed in the context of clinically relevant information regarding the biological consequences of IA rupture. We identified 542 differentially expressed sRNAs (108 piRNAs, 99 rRNAs, 90 miRNAs, 43 scRNAs, 36 tRNAs, and 32 snoRNAs) among the studied groups with notable differences in upregulated and downregulated sRNAs between the groups and sRNAs categories. piRNAs and rRNAs showed a substantial decrease in RNA abundance that was sustained after IA rupture, whereas miRNAs were largely upregulated. Downregulated sRNA genes included piR-31080, piR-57947, 5S rRNA, LSU-rRNA, and SSU-rRNA s. Remarkable enrichment in the representation of transcription factor binding sites was revealed in genomic locations of the regulated sRNA. We found strong overrepresentation of glucocorticoid receptor, retinoid x receptor alpha, and estrogen receptor alpha binding sites at the locations of downregulated piRNAs, tRNAs, and rRNAs. This report, although preliminary and largely proof-of-concept, is the first to describe alterations in sRNAs abundance levels in response to IA rupture in humans. The obtained results indicate novel mechanisms that may constitute another level of control of the inflammatory response.

Key messages

A total of 542 sRNAs were differentially expressed after aneurysmal SAH comparing with controls

piRNAs and rRNAs were upregulated and miRNAs were downregulated after IA rupture

The regulated sRNA showed an enrichment in the representation of some transcription factor binding sites

piRNAs, tRNAs, and rRNAs showed an overrepresentation for GR, RXRA, and ERALPHA binding sites
Estimating the number of clusters via a corrected clustering instability
Authors: Haslbeck Jonas M. B. , Wulff Dirk U.
Published: May 2020

We improve instability-based methods for the selection of the number of clusters k in cluster analysis by developing a corrected clustering distance that corrects for the unwanted influence of the distribution of cluster sizes on cluster instability. We show that our corrected instability measure outperforms current instability-based measures across the whole sequence of possible k, overcoming limitations of current insability-based methods for large k. We also compare, for the first time, model-based and model-free approaches to determining cluster-instability and find their performance to be comparable. We make our method available in the R-package .
Differentiation of high-grade from low-grade diffuse gliomas using diffusion-weighted imaging: a comparative study of mono-, bi-, and stretched-exponential diffusion models
Authors: Kusunoki Masaoki , Kikuchi Kazufumi , Togao Osamu , Yamashita Koji , Momosaka Daichi , Kikuchi Yoshitomo , Kuga Daisuke , Hata Nobuhiro , Mizoguchi Masahiro , Iihara Koji , Suzuki Satoshi O. , Iwaki Toru , Akamine Yuta , Hiwatashi Akio
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) plays an important role in the preoperative assessment of gliomas; however, the diagnostic performance of histogram-derived parameters from mono-, bi-, and stretched-exponential DWI models in the grading of gliomas has not been fully investigated. Therefore, we compared these models’ ability to differentiate between high-grade and low-grade gliomas.

Methods

This retrospective study included 22 patients with diffuse gliomas (age, 23–74 years; 12 males; 11 high-grade and 11 low-grade gliomas) who underwent preoperative 3 T-magnetic resonance imaging from October 2014 to August 2019. The apparent diffusion coefficient was calculated from the mono-exponential model. Using 13 b-values, the true-diffusion coefficient, pseudo-diffusion coefficient, and perfusion fraction were obtained from the bi-exponential model, and the distributed-diffusion coefficient and heterogeneity index were obtained from the stretched-exponential model. Region-of-interests were drawn on each imaging parameter map for subsequent histogram analyses.

Results

The skewness of the apparent diffusion, true-diffusion, and distributed-diffusion coefficients was significantly higher in high-grade than in low-grade gliomas (0.67 ± 0.67 vs. − 0.18 ± 0.63, 0.68 ± 0.74 vs. − 0.08 ± 0.66, 0.63 ± 0.72 vs. − 0.15 ± 0.73; P = 0.0066, 0.0192, and 0.0128, respectively). The 10th percentile of the heterogeneity index was significantly lower (0.77 ± 0.08 vs. 0.88 ± 0.04; P = 0.0004), and the 90th percentile of the perfusion fraction was significantly higher (12.64 ± 3.44 vs. 7.14 ± 1.70%: P < 0.0001), in high-grade than in low-grade gliomas. The combination of the 10th percentile of the true-diffusion coefficient and 90th percentile of the perfusion fraction showed the best area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.96).

Conclusion

The bi-exponential model exhibited the best diagnostic performance for differentiating high-grade from low-grade gliomas.
De novo mutations in FBRSL1 cause a novel recognizable malformation and intellectual disability syndrome
Authors: Ufartes Roser , Berger Hanna , Till Katharina , Salinas Gabriela , Sturm Marc , Altmüller Janine , Nürnberg Peter , Thiele Holger , Funke Rudolf , Apeshiotis Neophytos , Langen Hendrik , Wollnik Bernd , Borchers Annette , Pauli Silke
Published: May 2020

We report truncating de novo variants in specific exons of FBRSL1 in three unrelated children with an overlapping syndromic phenotype with respiratory insufficiency, postnatal growth restriction, microcephaly, global developmental delay and other malformations. The function of FBRSL1 is largely unknown. Interestingly, mutations in the FBRSL1 paralogue AUTS2 lead to an intellectual disability syndrome (AUTS2 syndrome). We determined human FBRSL1 transcripts and describe protein-coding forms by Western blot analysis as well as the cellular localization by immunocytochemistry stainings. All detected mutations affect the two short N-terminal isoforms, which show a ubiquitous expression in fetal tissues. Next, we performed a Fbrsl1 knockdown in Xenopus laevis embryos to explore the role of Fbrsl1 during development and detected craniofacial abnormalities and a disturbance in neurite outgrowth. The aberrant phenotype in Xenopus laevis embryos could be rescued with a human N-terminal isoform, while the long isoform and the N-terminal isoform containing the mutation p.Gln163* isolated from a patient could not rescue the craniofacial defects caused by Fbrsl1 depletion. Based on these data, we propose that the disruption of the validated N-terminal isoforms of FBRSL1 at critical timepoints during embryogenesis leads to a hitherto undescribed complex neurodevelopmental syndrome.
A modelling framework for coupled hydrogen diffusion and mechanical behaviour of engineering components
Authors: Elmukashfi Elsiddig , Tarleton Edmund , Cocks Alan C. F.
Published: May 2020

In this paper, we propose a finite element formulation for solving coupled mechanical/diffusion problems. In particular, we study hydrogen diffusion in metals and its impact on their mechanical behaviour (i.e. hydrogen embrittlement). The formulation can be used to model hydrogen diffusion through a material and its accumulation within different microstructural features of the material (dislocations, precipitates, interfaces, etc.). Further, the effect of hydrogen on the plastic response and cohesive strength of different interfaces can be incorporated. The formulation adopts a standard Galerkin method in the discretisation of both the diffusion and mechanical equilibrium equations. Thus, a displacement-based finite element formulation with chemical potential as an additional degree of freedom, rather than the concentration, is employed. Consequently, the diffusion equation can be expressed fundamentally in terms of the gradient in chemical potential, which reduces the continuity requirements on the shape functions to zero degree, $${\mathcal {C}}_{0}$$

C
0

, i.e. linear functions, compared to the $${\mathcal {C}}_{1}$$

C
1

continuity condition required when concentration is adopted. Additionally, a consistent interface element formulation can be achieved due to the continuity of the chemical potential across the interface—concentration can be discontinuous at an interface which can lead to numerical problems. As a result, the coding of the FE equations is more straightforward. The details of the physical problem, the finite element formulation and constitutive models are initially discussed. Numerical results for various example problems are then presented, in which the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed formulation are explored and a comparison with the concentration-based formulations is presented.
Correction to: Fundamental principles of an effective diabetic retinopathy screening program
Authors:   on behalf of the Vision Academy, Lanzetta Paolo , Sarao Valentina , Scanlon Peter H. , Barratt Jane , Porta Massimo , Bandello Francesco , Loewenstein Anat
Published: May 2020

Authors would like to correct few errors in their publication which are listed below.
Association of the bleeding time test with aspects of traumatic brain injury in patients with alcohol use disorder
Authors: Tsitsopoulos P. P. , Marklund N. , Rostami E. , Enblad P. , Hillered L.
Published: May 2020

Background—aim

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) can occur concomitantly and be associated with coagulopathy that influences TBI outcome. The use of bleeding time tests in TBI management is controversial. We hypothesized that in TBI patients with AUD, a prolonged bleeding time is associated with more severe injury and poor outcome.

Material and methods

Moderate and severe TBI patients with evidence of AUD were examined with bleeding time according to IVY bleeding time on admission during neurointensive care. Baseline clinical and radiological characteristics were recorded. A standardized IVY bleeding time test was determined by staff trained in the procedure. Bleeding time test results were divided into normal (≤ 600 s), prolonged (> 600 s), and markedly prolonged (≥ 900 s). Normal platelet count (PLT) was defined as > 150,000/μL. This cohort was compared with another group of TBI patients without evidence of AUD.

Results

Fifty-two patients with TBI and AUD were identified, and 121 TBI patients without any history of AUD were used as controls. PLT was low in 44.2% and bleeding time was prolonged in 69.2% of patients. Bleeding time values negatively correlated with PLT (p < 0.05). TBI patients with markedly prolonged values (≥ 900 s) had significantly increased hematoma size, and more frequently required intracranial pressure measurement and mechanical ventilation compared with those with bleeding times < 900 s (p < 0.05). Most patients (88%) with low platelet count had prolonged bleeding time. No difference in 6-month outcome between the bleeding time groups was observed (p > 0.05). Subjects with TBI and no evidence for AUD had lower bleeding time values and higher platelet count compared with those with TBI and history of AUD (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Although differences in the bleeding time values between TBI cohorts exist and prolonged values may be seen even in patients with normal platelet count, the bleeding test is a marker of primary hemostasis and platelet function with low specificity. However, it may provide an additional assessment in the interpretation of the overall status of TBI patients with AUD. Therefore, the bleeding time test should only be used in combination with the patient’s bleeding history and careful assessment of other hematologic parameters.
A Neural Network-Based Policy Iteration Algorithm with Global $$H^2$$-Superlinear Convergence for Stochastic Games on Domains
Authors: Ito Kazufumi , Reisinger Christoph , Zhang Yufei
Published: May 2020

In this work, we propose a class of numerical schemes for solving semilinear Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman–Isaacs (HJBI) boundary value problems which arise naturally from exit time problems of diffusion processes with controlled drift. We exploit policy iteration to reduce the semilinear problem into a sequence of linear Dirichlet problems, which are subsequently approximated by a multilayer feedforward neural network ansatz. We establish that the numerical solutions converge globally in the $$H^2$$

H
2

-norm and further demonstrate that this convergence is superlinear, by interpreting the algorithm as an inexact Newton iteration for the HJBI equation. Moreover, we construct the optimal feedback controls from the numerical value functions and deduce convergence. The numerical schemes and convergence results are then extended to oblique derivative boundary conditions. Numerical experiments on the stochastic Zermelo navigation problem are presented to illustrate the theoretical results and to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method.
Functional Outcomes of Children Identified Early in the Developmental Period as at Risk for ASD Utilizing the The Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa)
Authors: Stenberg Nina , Schjølberg Synnve , Shic Frederick , Volkmar Fred , Øyen Anne-Siri , Bresnahan Michaeline , Svendsen Britt Kveim , von Tetzchner Stephen , Thronæs Nina Torheim , Macari Suzanne , Cicchetti Domenic V. , Chawarska Katarzyna , Suren Pål , Øien Roald A.
Published: May 2020

Early identification of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is regarded as crucial for swift access to early intervention and, subsequently, better outcomes later in life. However, current instruments miss large proportions of children who later go on to be diagnosed with ASD, raising a question of what these instruments measure. The present study utilized data from the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort Study and the Autism Birth Cohort study to explore the subsequent developmental and diagnostic characteristics of children raising developmental concern on the six-critical discriminative item criterion of the M-CHAT (DFA6) at 18 months of age (N = 834). The DFA6 identified 28.8% of children diagnosed with ASD (N = 163), but 4.4% with language disorder (N = 188) and 81.3% with intellectual disability (N = 32) without ASD. Scoring in the «at-risk» range was associated with lower IQ, impaired functional language, and greater severity of autism symptoms whether children had ASD or not.
Facing the threat: common yellowjacket wasps as indicators of heavy metal pollution
Authors: Skaldina Oksana , Ciszek Robert , Peräniemi Sirpa , Kolehmainen Mikko , Sorvari Jouni
Published: May 2020

We investigated the common wasp, Vespula vulgaris as a bioindicator and biomonitor of metals in the industrial area. Using traps, we collected 257 yellowjackets along a pollution gradient in the Harjavalta Cu-Ni smelter in Southwest Finland. Our method detected metal elements such as arsenic (As), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and mercury (Hg) in wasps. The data analyses revealed V. vulgaris can be a proper indicator for As, Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, and Pb, rather than for Fe and Zn contamination. Body burdens of As, Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, and Pb decreased with an increase in distance from smelter. Enrichment factor (EF) followed the pattern Pb ˃ Cd ˃ As ˃ Co ˃ Cu ˃ Ni. The highest bioaccumulation (BAF) values were revealed for Cd (5.9) and the lowest for Pb (0.1). Specially designed software (WaspFacer) allowed revealing body burdens of As, Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, and Pb to be associated with rather smaller than more asymmetric facial colour markings in yellowjackets. These results add to the body of literature on how heavy metal contaminants can have tangible phenotypic effects on insects and open future opportunities for using wasps as indicators of metal pollution.
An alternative approach to match field production data from unconventional gas-bearing systems
Authors: Zhang Zhi-Gang , Liu Yan-Bao , Sun Hai-Tao , Xiong Wei , Shen Kai , Ba Quan-Bin
Published: May 2020

Nowadays, the unconventional gas-bearing system plays an increasingly important role in energy market. The performances of the current history-matching techniques are not satisfied when applied to such systems. To overcome this shortfall, an alternative approach was developed and applied to investigate production data from an unconventional gas-bearing system. In this approach, the fluid flow curve obtained from the field is the superposition of a series of Gaussian functions. An automatic computing program was developed in the MATLAB, and both gas and water field data collected from a vertical well in the Linxing Block, Ordos Basin, were used to present the data processing technique. In the reservoir study, the automatic computing program was applied to match the production data from a single coal seam, multiple coal seams and multiple vertically stacked reservoirs with favourable fitting results. Compared with previous approaches, the proposed approach yields better results for both gas and water production data and can calculate the contributions from different reservoirs. The start time of the extraction for each gas-containing unit can also be determined. The new approach can be applied to the field data prediction and designation for the well locations and patterns at the reservoir scale.
Leaving No One Behind: Multidimensional Child Poverty in Botswana
Authors: Lekobane Khaufelo Raymond , Roelen Keetie
Published: May 2020

Child poverty measurement is vital for informing policies and for improving children’s lives. Nevertheless, efforts to measure (child) poverty remain dominated mainly by monetary approaches, and many countries fail to monitor multidimensional child poverty. Using the 2015/2016 Botswana multi-topic household survey, this study developed a child-centred, individual-level and composite measure that offers nationally relevant and context-specific insights into the magnitude and depth of multidimensional child poverty in Botswana. In particular, it did so through the lens of Leave No One Behind (LNOB) by zooming in on demographic, economic and geographical characteristics that may be associated with greater vulnerability or marginalisation using both descriptive and regression analysis. Results point towards a relatively high incidence and depth of multidimensional child poverty in Botswana. Results show that disabled children, orphans, children living in larger families, families headed by unmarried couples and living in rural areas are more likely to be multidimensionally poor.
Soft Sediment Deformation Structures in Quaternary Sediments from Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Western India
Authors: Kumar Naveen , Mohan Kapil , Dumka Rakesh K , Chopra Sumer
Published: May 2020

Quaternary sediments are preserved in disconnected patches along the middle and lower reaches of major river valleys like Damanganga, Par, Ratakhadi and Dongarkhadi in the Dadra and Nagar Haveli region of Konkan coastal belt, Western India. These deposits mainly consist of stratified sand, silt, clay and gravel beds. The study area has been earlier affected by moderate earthquakes. The identified soft-sediment deformation structures (SSDS) are mainly developed in the sand silt, sand gravel and clay beds; and includes intrusive sedimentary bodies (dykes and sills), slump structures, suspended clast blocks and convolute structures. The nature, shape and dimension of SSDS suggest that the trigger mechanism and driving forces for the origin of these structures were seismic shock waves. Sediment loading and storm events as a trigger for the SSDS are less likely the reason and the proximity of these structures to the faults support the inference that it may be of seismic origin. Deformation in the Quaternary sediments of Dadra and Nagar Haveli imply the presence of neotectonic activity and points to an earthquake of magnitude >5.5 that struck the study area after sediment deposition.
Rare Metal (RM) and Rare Earth Element (REE) Resources: World Scenario with Special Reference to India
Authors: Krishnamurthy P.
Published: May 2020

The RM (Li, Be, Ti, Zr, Nb, Ta, Th and U) and REE (Light Rare Earths and Heavy Rare Earths including Yttrium) are strategic and critical for sustaining a variety of industries such as nuclear, defence, information technology (IT) and green energy options (wind, solar, electric vehicles and others). The 2010 ‘Rare Earth’ crisis of the world, following China’s monopoly with over 80% share and export restrictions in the REE market, led to an exploration boom for REE all over the world including India. This led to a substantial increase in REE mineral resources (98 Mt of contained REO in 2015) outside China located in Canada (38 Mt), Greenland (39 Mt) and Africa (10.3 Mt) that represents a five-fold increase in resources (c.f. Paulick and Machacek, 2017). As per the 2019, USGS commodity survey, the world reserves of REE have been estimated at 120 Mt in countries such as China (44Mt), Brazil (22Mt), Vietnam (22 Mt), Russia (12 Mt), India (6.9 Mt) and others (13 Mt).

At present world resources of RM and REE are adequate to cater the demands of the different industries. The constraints, however, appear to be not technical but mainly environmental and social issues.
An Integrated Study to Delineate the Groundwater Potential Zones Using Geospatial Approach of Sidhi Area, Madhya Pradesh
Authors: Tiwari Rabindra N. , Kushwaha Vikash K.
Published: May 2020

The surface and groundwater resources are depleting over time, therefore, it becomes essential to monitor and preserve these resources and also to protect their quality. Remote sensing and GIS has become an important tool of hydrological studies in recent times which helps in assessing and mapping of ground-water resources. The remote sensing and GIS approach are well known and widely used techniques to integrate contributing hydrogeological factors namely, geology, geomorphology, lineaments density, drainage density, soil type, slope and land use/ land cover. A study was conducted to delineate the groundwater potential zones in a part of Sidhi area, Madhya Pradesh using remote sensing and GIS techniques. Landsat 8 satellite data and Aster DEM is integrated with toposheets for systematic mapping. All thematic layers were integrated, overlaid and analysed using GIS software. Groundwater potential zone is delineated and to interpret thematic layer, appropriate weights assigned to topographical features for assessing the potential zone. The zones are divided into high, moderate and low groundwater potential zones. The study reveals that 21.36% of the area has high potential, 48.12% moderate and 30.51% low potential zone for groundwater occurrence. The result of this study suggests that the favourable potential zones would prove to be very helpful for better planning and management of groundwater resources in the study area.
Nature-based agriculture for an adequate human microbiome
Authors: Erisman Jan Willem
Published: May 2020

In the discussion about food and the environment, most focus is on climate and nutrients. Food in relation to human health is an issue that gets much less attention. But what is healthy food and how can we couple food, health, and the environment more strongly to reach a more integral approach from a system perspective? Here I will discuss the potential of a nature-based food system in relation to health and wellbeing. It is hypothesized that for a healthy diet, both nutritious food and nature-based foods are essential. Nature-based foods contribute to maintaining a healthy human microbiome and are therefore an essential part of diets containing landless and ultra-processed foods. Furthermore, maintaining the essential microbiology has consequences for how and where we produce our foods. Therefore, a conceptual framework is proposed for nature-based food production.
Design studies and multi-disciplinary assessment of agile and highly swept flying wing configurations
Authors: Liersch Carsten M. , Schütte Andreas , Siggel Martin , Dornwald Jochen
Published: May 2020

This article belongs to a series of publications on the design and assessment of the MULDICON UCAV configuration. MULDICON is a 53° swept flying wing combat aircraft concept, investigated in a common effort between the DLR research project Mephisto and the NATO STO Research Task Group AVT-251. This article focuses on the development of the overall concept starting from its predecessor, the SACCON configuration, and the requirements which had been defined for the MULDICON design task. A second focus is placed on the investigation of the vortex-dominated flow topology arising around such a configuration and its sensitivity to specific geometric changes. Furthermore, the article briefly introduces the DLR conceptual aircraft design system and the extensions which have been developed for improving its capabilities for UCAV assessment. Finally, an industrial view on the MULDICON design task is provided, as well as a conclusion of the Mephisto results and an outlook upon further work.
A linear approximation for solutions of Abel–Volterra integral equations
Authors: Nadir Mostefa
Published: May 2020

In this work, we present a modified linear approximation for solving the first and the second kind Abel–Volterra integral equations.
This approximation was used by the author to approximate a weakly singular integral on the curve.
Noting that this new technique gives a good approximation of these solutions compared with several methods in several numerical examples.
Religion als Treiber oder Bremse für Bedrohungsgefühle?
Authors: Hillenbrand Carolin
Published: May 2020

Wachsende migrationsbezogene Bedrohungsgefühle in Deutschland äußern sich in rassistischer Gewalt und gefährden den gesellschaftlichen Zusammenhalt. Vor diesem Hintergrund liefert der vorliegende Artikel einen Beitrag dazu, wie es derzeit um verschiedene Arten migrationsbezogener Bedrohungswahrnehmungen in der Bundesrepublik bestellt ist und welche Aspekte damit zusammenhängen. Im Spezifischen wird die „Religion“ untersucht, deren paradoxe und sich verändernde Rolle in der Vorurteilsforschung ein Rätsel bleibt. In einer theoriegeleiteten empirischen Analyse wird der Forschungsfrage nachgegangen, welche Rolle die Religion für migrationsbezogene Bedrohungsgefühle in Deutschland spielt.

Hierzu wird ein theoretischer Analyserahmen entwickelt. „Realistische Bedrohungsgefühle“ (mit den Kategorien: Wirtschaft, Wohlfahrtsstaat und Sicherheit) werden von „symbolischen Bedrohungsgefühlen“ (mit den Kategorien: allgemeines, kulturelles und religiöses Leben) differenziert. „Religion“ wird anhand der Dimensionen „belonging“ (Religionszugehörigkeit), „believing“ (Stärke der Religiosität) und „behaving“ (Gottesdienstbesuch und privates Gebet) spezifiziert. Darauf aufbauend werden Hypothesen bzgl. der Wirkungszusammenhänge zwischen den Variablen hergeleitet und auf Basis des „Immigrations-Moduls“ des „European Social Survey“ (2014) im Rahmen einer multivariaten Regressionsanalyse empirisch getestet. Die Ergebnisse zeigen für Deutschland, dass Religionszugehörige (Katholik*innen, Protestant*innen, Anhänger*innen anderer christlicher Konfessionen, Muslime) nicht generell höhere migrationsbezogene Bedrohungsgefühle im Vergleich zu Konfessionslosen aufweisen. Auch der Gottesdienstbesuch und die private Gebetspraxis einer Person scheinen kaum einen Unterschied für deren Bedrohungswahrnehmungen zu machen. Vielmehr fühlen sich Menschen, die sich als religiös einschätzen, weniger durch Migration bedroht, vor allem was die Sicherheit, das allgemeine sowie religiöse Leben betrifft. Dieser Effekt ist robust – auch unter Kontrolle weiterer relevanter Einflussfaktoren wie: Intergruppen-Kontakt, Zufriedenheit mit deutscher Wirtschaft, Autoritarismus, politische Links-Rechts-Einstufung, sozialer Status, empfundener Ausländeranteil, Wohnort (Ost‑/Westdeutschland) sowie Alter und Geschlecht.
Effects of lidocaine versus fentanyl on attenuation of hemodynamic responses to extubation after ear, nose and throat surgery in a resource limited setting: A prospective observational study
Authors: Lemma Diriba Teshome , Alemnew Efrem Fenta , Gemeda Leulayehu Akalu , Goshu Eyayalem Melese
Published: May 2020

ABSTRACT

Background:

Tracheal extubation, the purposeful removal of the endotracheal tube from the trachea, can be associated with detrimental hemodynamic and airway responses. Lidocaine and fentanyl are known to suppress hemodynamic responses to extubation during Ear, nose, and throat surgeries. Smooth tracheal extubation is important after Ear, nose, and throat surgeries.

Objective:

To compare the effects of lidocaine versus fentanyl on attenuation of hemodynamic responses to extubation after ear, nose and throat surgery in a resource limited setting from January 01, 2018 to March 30, 2018.

Methods:

This is a prospective cohort study recruits 74 American Society of Anesthesiologist class I and II, age between 18 and 60 patients who underwent Ear, Nose, and Throat surgeries. Unpaired T test was used to compare the mean heart rate and arterial blood pressure between lidocaine and fentanyl groups. Mann Whitney U Test was used for distribution free data. Association of categorical independent variables between two groups was analyzed using Chi Square or fisher exact test. P-values < 0.05 were considered as statistically significant with a power of 80%.

Results:

The demographic and clinical characteristics were comparable between groups. The pulse rate and mean arterial blood pressure were statistically significantly lower in fentanyl group at 1, 5, and 10 min after extubation with p values < 0.05. There was no statistically significant difference between two groups in decreasing the incidence of coughing in the Peri-extubation period with a p value of 0.857.

Conclusion:

The findings of our study demonstrate that fentanyl 1 μg/kg IV, administered 10 min before end of operation might be effective in attenuating hemodynamic response to tracheal extubation compared with lidocaine 1.5 mg/kg IV in patients underwent ENT surgeries.

Highlights:
Delayed Thrombectomy Center Arrival is Associated with Decreased Treatment Probability
Authors: Gao Meah M. , Wang Jeffrey Z. , Liao Jane , Reiter Stephanie D. , Vyas Manav V. , Linkewich Elizabeth , Swartz Richard H. , da Costa Leodante , Kassardjian Charles D. , Yu Amy Y. X.
Published: May 2020

Background:

Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is effective in reducing disability in selected patients with stroke and large vessel occlusion (LVO), but access to this treatment is suboptimal.

Aim:

We examined the proportion of patients with LVO who did not receive EVT, the reasons for non-treatment, and the association between time from onset and probability of treatment.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients with acute stroke and LVO presenting between January 2017 and June 2018. We used multivariable log-binomial models to determine the association between time and probability of treatment with and without adjustment for age, sex, dementia, active cancer, baseline disability, stroke severity, and evidence of ischemia on computerized tomography.

Results:

We identified 256 patients (51% female, median age 74 [interquartile range, IQR 63.5, 82.5]), of whom 59% did not receive EVT. The main reasons for not treating with EVT were related to occlusion characteristics or infarct size. The median time from onset to EVT center arrival was longer among non-treated patients (218 minutes [142, 302]) than those who were treated (180 minutes [104, 265], p = 0.03). Among patients presenting within 6 hours of onset, the relative risk (RR) of receiving EVT decreased by 3% with every 10-minute delay in arrival to EVT center (adjusted RR 0.97 CI95 [0.95, 0.99]). This association was not found in the overall cohort.

Conclusions:

The proportion of patients with acute stroke and confirmed LVO who do not undergo EVT is substantial. Minimizing delays in arrival to EVT center may optimize the delivery of this treatment.
II. Modernization of the Papacy and Catholicism in the Postmodern: Legacy and Challenges to Vatican I
Authors: Faggioli Massimo
Published: May 2020

In the ongoing aggiornamento of the aggiornamento of Vatican II by Pope Francis, it would be easy to forget or dismiss the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of Vatican I (1869–1870). The council planned (since at least the Syllabus of Errors of 1864), shaped, and influenced by Pius IX was the most important ecclesial event in the lives of those who made Vatican II: almost a thousand of the council fathers of Vatican II were born between 1871 and 1900. Vatican I was in itself also a kind of ultramontanist “modernization” of the Roman Catholic Church, which paved the way for the aggiornamento of Vatican II and still shapes the post–Vatican II church especially for what concerns the Petrine ministry.
The economic burden ofClostridioides difficileinfection in patients with hematological malignancies in the United States: A case-control study
Authors: Duhalde Lola , Lurienne Lise , Wingen-Heimann Sebastian M. , Guillou Lucien , Buffet Renaud , Bandinelli Pierre-Alain
Published: May 2020

Objective:

The primary study aim was to describe all direct healthcare costs associated withClostridioides difficileinfection (CDI), both in and out of the hospital, in patients with hematologic malignancies in the United States.

Design:

A retrospective analysis was conducted utilizing data from US databases of Truven Health Analytics.

Patients:

We analyzed health insurance claims between January 2014 and December 2017 of patients diagnosed with hematological cancer: acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL).

Methods:

Patients with CDI after cancer diagnosis (CDI+, cases) were matched with patients without CDI reported (CDI−, controls). Matched cases and controls were compared to identify the CDI-associated costs in the 90 days following the onset of CDI.

Results:

We matched 622 CDI+ patients with 11,111 CDI− patients. NHL (41.7%) and AML (30.9%) were the predominant underlying diseases in the CDI+ groups. During study period, the average time in-hospital of CDI+ patients was 23.1 days longer than for CDI− patients (P< 2×10−16). Overall, CDI onset increased costs of care by an average of US$57,159 per patient (P= 6×10−12), mainly driven by hospital costs.

Conclusions:

This study confirms the significant economic burden associated with CDI in the United States, especially in patients with hematological malignancies. These findings highlight the need for prevention of CDI in this specific patient population.