bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electronic Structures and Properties of Actinide‐Bimetal Compounds An2O2 (An=Th to Cf) and U2E2 (E=N, F, S)
Authors: Zhang Peng , Zou Wen‐Li , Zhang Ping , Hu Shu‐Xian
Published: August 2021

In this study, we investigated the geometry structure and the chemical bonding of actinide clusters An2O2 by quantum chemistry calculations. Through the geometry searching for An2O2 clusters with the combination of considerable initial structures and spin states, it is found that a novel ground‐state structure of quasi‐linear type for Pa2O2 compares with a rhombic structure for the rest of An2O2 clusters. Due to the more extended 5 f orbitals, the Pa−Pa bond is verified to be a triple bond by the electronic configuration and the bond order analysis, which brings the quasi‐linear structure of Pa2O2 and distinguishes it from the rhombic ones. For both kinds of ground‐state structures, the participation of 5 f orbitals in the An−O bonds stabilizes the structures further. Owing to spin‐orbit coupling, the ground‐state structure of U2O2 changes from the linear one at the SR level to the rhombic one with SO into consideration. Further investigations on clusters U2E2 with different ligands reveal that the quasi‐linear U2F2 has an equivalent quadruple bond. The decline of the bonding electrons of the U−U bond, the foremost causes for the change of the structures and illustrates the decrease of the U−U bond strength. Our investigations on An2O2 and U2E2 compounds provide some insights into the role of 5 f orbital in the chemical bonding of actinide compounds and f‐f bonding in multiple bonding.
Performance and emissions of neat crude palm oil and its emulsions as diesel engine fuel
Authors: Ezzat Chan Arif Fahim , Yahya Wira Jazair , Abd Kadir Hasannuddin , Abdullah Nik Rosli , Ithnin Ahmad Muhsin , Hawari Yahaya , Sugeng Dhani Avianto
Published: August 2021

The depletion of petroleum diesel has prompted the use of biofuels and other alternative sources of energy. The direct use of neat crude palm oil (CPO) has mostly resulted in the increase of oxides of nitrogen (NOx). Emulsification has demonstrated the capability of reducing NOx emissions. An experiment is conducted to investigate the effect of increasing water content in CPO. Water‐in‐CPO emulsions with varying water contents by volume (5%, 10%, and 15%) with 1% SPAN 80 surfactant are labeled as W5CPO, W10CPO, and W15CPO. The fuels were tested on a single‐cylinder diesel generator at 2900 and 3200 rpm with varying electrical load. For all load conditions at 3200 rpm, the smoke opacimeter reading is highest at 35% with W15CPO and the lowest smoke reading is 15% with W5CPO as fuel. The NOx of CPO was higher than ordinary diesel up to 29% at lower load. The NOx emissions of the CPO was reduced when the amount of water was increased. The maximum reduction in NOx of W15CPO was 66% whereas the minimum NOx reduction was 31%. At 3200 rpm and 4 kW, the CO emission of W5CPO was 21% lower in relation to CPO. The W5CPO showed a different trend in the exhaust emissions compared to Water‐in‐CPO emulsions with higher water content. Overall, emulsification has the potential to reduce NOx emissions in relation to neat CPO.
Preparation and Characterization of Pentafluoro‐λ6‐sulfanyldifluoromethane and Pentafluoro‐λ6‐sulfanyl‐1,1,2,2‐tetrafluoroethane
Authors: Belina Steven P. , Qing Si‐Yan , Dudziński Piotr , Matsnev Andrej V. , Mück‐Lichtenfeld Christian , Haufe Günter , Thrasher Joseph S.
Published: August 2021

The pentafluorosulfanyl‐λ6‐perfluoroalkyl halides SF5CF2I, SF5CF2CF2Br, and SF5CF2CF2I were prepared for use in the syntheses of other SF5‐containing compounds. For example, new, convenient syntheses were developed for the hydro compounds SF5CF2H and SF5CF2CF2H from the reduction of these iodides or bromides with either triethylborane or tributyltin hydride. Herein, more thorough spectroscopic analyses of the hydro compounds are presented, including multinuclear NMR and vibrational spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and computational chemistry. Unfortunately, under the conditions tried, little to no evidence was obtained for potential SF5(CF2)n‐ (where n=1 or 2) transfer reagents such as SF5(CF2)nSi(CH3)3 or Cu(CF2)nSF5.
Risk‐stratified strategies in population screening for colorectal cancer
Authors: Lansdorp‐Vogelaar Iris , Meester Reinier , de Jonge Lucie , Buron Andrea , Haug Ulrike , Senore Carlo
Published: August 2021

Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening has been demonstrated to reduce CRC incidence and mortality. However, besides such benefits, CRC screening is also associated with potential harmful effects. In an ideal world, screening would only be directed to the small proportion of the population that might potentially benefit. Risk‐based screening can be seen as a first step towards this ideal world, by redistributing screening resources from low‐risk to high‐risk individuals. In theory, this should result in scarce resources being used in individuals who benefit most, while intensity of screening is reduced in individuals who benefit less, hence improving the benefit‐harm ratio among all invitees. Available strategies that have been proposed for risk‐based CRC screening include using information on age, sex, prior screening history, lifestyle and/or genetic information. Implementation of risk‐based screening requires careful consideration of reliable risk prediction models, participation with screening and informed decision‐making. While it is important to recognise the limitations of current approaches, available evidence suggests that it might be feasible to start planning the introduction of tailored strategies within screening programmes. Implementing risk‐based screening based on age, sex and prior screening history alone would already represent a substantial improvement over current uniform screening approaches. We propose that it is time that screening programmes start there and continue striving towards more comprehensive approaches embedding primary prevention as an effective approach to lower risk for everyone.
Role of stress granules in modulating senescence and promoting cancer progression: Special emphasis on glioma
Authors: Chatterjee Debmita , Chakrabarti Oishee
Published: August 2021

Stress granules (SGs) contain mRNAs and proteins stalled in translation during stress; these are increasingly being implicated in diseases, including neurological disorders and cancer. The dysregulated assembly, persistence, disassembly and clearance of SGs contribute to the process of senescence. Senescence has long been a mysterious player in cellular physiology and associated diseases. The systemic process of aging has been pivotal in the development of various neurological disorders like age‐related neuropathy, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Glioma is a cancer of neurological origin with a very poor prognosis and high rate of recurrence, SGs have only recently been implicated in its pathogenesis. Senescence has long been established to play an antitumorigenic role, however, relatively less studied is its protumorigenic importance. Here, we have evaluated the existing literature to assess the crosstalk of the two biological phenomena of senescence and SG formation in the context of tumorigenesis. In this review, we have attempted to analyze the contribution of senescence in regulating diverse cellular processes, like, senescence associated secretory phenotype (SASP), microtubular reorganization, telomeric alteration, autophagic clearance and how intricately these phenomena are tied with the formation of SGs. Finally, we propose that interplay between senescence, its contributing factors and the genesis of SGs can drive tumorigenicity of gliomas, which can potentially be utilized for therapeutic intervention.
Elements of Th1/Th2 response and disease severity in COVID‐19 patients: A short report
Authors: Akinosoglou Karolina , Delastic Anne‐Lise , Dimakopoulou Vasilina , Marangos Markos , Gogos Charalambos
Published: August 2021

The presence of a complex immune dysregulation syndrome has been established in COVID‐19 patients. We aimed to assess Th1/Th2 response in COVID‐19 patients and its association with disease severity by performing a prospective cohort study in a tertiary hospital COVID‐19 referral center. We report no difference between Th1/Th2 responses between patients with severe and mild disease, except for levels of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and IL‐10. Future larger studies should examine lung‐specific versus systemic inflammatory responses, as well as, diverse immunotypes driving poor clinical outcomes.
An appraisal of seasonal precipitation dynamics over the North‐West Himalayan region under future warming scenarios
Authors: Banerjee Debangshu , Singh Charu
Published: August 2021

In the context of widely reported climate change over the mountainous region, the present work addresses the notable changes in the seasonal precipitation dynamics over the NWH region under two different future warming scenarios [socioeconomic pathway 245 (SSP245) and socio economic pathway 585 (SSP585)]. Using three coupled climate models which participated in the Climate Model Inter‐comparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6), we focus on the alterations of the spatio‐temporal pattern of solid and liquid precipitation in respective seasons under future warming (2066–2100) scenarios with respect to the historical time period (1981–2014). Intercomparative validation of the CMIP6 data sets has been carried out against the GPCP and ERA‐5 reanalysis datasets where the multimodel mean (MMM) product has performed well (r value = 0.63) compared with the individual model outputs in the historical scenario for last 35 years (1981–2014). Therefore, MMM has been used for analysis. Statistically robust K–S test suggests a remarkable variation in the cumulative distribution of the precipitation across the NWH region at 95% confidence level in both of the future warming scenarios as compared with the historical time period. Furthermore, significant increase in the JJAS rainfall (~25–30%) and decrease in the DJF snowfall (~20–25%) has been observed for ssp585 scenario whereas no significant results are noted under ssp245 scenario. Remarkable variations in the surface temperature distribution, large scale wind circulation pattern and mesoscale hydrometeorological balance under the warmest scenario (SSP585) elucidate the reason behind the noteworthy changes in the precipitation dynamics reflected from the normalized precipitation index (NPI) and changes in annual cycle and therefore illustrates the possibility of more extreme precipitation years in future. The overall investigation reflects the possible effect of climate change over the NWH region pertaining to the dynamics of the South West Monsoon and Western Disturbances.
Imidazole‐modified C6‐chitosan derivatives used to extract β‐sitosterol from edible oil samples with a microwave‐assisted solid phase extraction method
Authors: Dai Yunliang , Row Kyung Ho
Published: August 2021

β‐Sitosterol is a major bioactive constituent in plants with potent anticancer effects against many human cancer cells, but its bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy are limited by its poor solubility in water. In this study, C6‐imidazole chitosan, C6‐1‐methylimidazole chitosan, C6‐1‐ethylimidazole chitosan, C6‐1‐vinylimidazole chitosan, C6‐1‐allylimidazole chitosan, and C6‐1‐butylimidazole chitosan were prepared to extract β‐sitosterol from edible oil samples via ultrasonic‐assisted solid liquid extraction. The structures and properties of the newly synthesized products were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and elemental analysis. The extraction abilities of the derivatives were tested in the experiment with high‐performance liquid chromatography (limit of detection 0.21 μg/g and limit of quantification 0.67 μg/g), and the % relative standard deviation (<3.25%) and recovery values of the prepared chitosan derivatives toward β‐sitosterol (average: 100.20%) were acceptable. The spiked interday and intraday recoveries of β‐sitosterol were 102.60 ± 2.78 and 103.90 ± 3.04%, respectively. The actual amounts of β‐sitosterol extracted from three real samples using C6‐imidazole chitosan according to the solid phase extraction method were 3302.40, 901.70, and 2045.60 mg/kg for corn oil, olive oil, and pea oil, respectively.
Global stability in a three‐species Lotka–Volterra cooperation model with seasonal succession
Authors: Xie Xizhuang , Niu Lin
Published: August 2021

In this paper, we focus on a three‐species Lotka–Volterra cooperation model with seasonal succession. The Floquet multipliers of all nonnegative periodic solutions of such a time‐periodic system are estimated via the stability analysis of equilibria. By Brouwer fixed point theorem and the connecting orbits theorem, it is proved that there admits a unique positive periodic solution under appropriate conditions. Furthermore, sharp global asymptotical stability criteria for extinction and coexistence are established. Compared to the classical three‐species Lotka–Volterra cooperation model, the introduction of seasonal succession may lead to species' extinction. Finally, some numerical examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of our theoretical results.
Accurate and robust sparse‐view angle CT image reconstruction using deep learning and prior image constrained compressed sensing (DL‐PICCS)
Authors: Zhang Chengzhu , Li Yinsheng , Chen Guang‐Hong
Published: August 2021

Background: Sparse‐view CT image reconstruction problems encountered in dynamic CT acquisitions are technically challenging. Recently, many deep learning strategies have been proposed to reconstruct CT images from sparse‐view angle acquisitions showing promising results. However, two fundamental problems with these deep learning reconstruction methods remain to be addressed: (1) limited reconstruction accuracy for individual patients and (2) limited generalizability for patient statistical cohorts.

Purpose: The purpose of this work is to address the previously mentioned challenges in current deep learning methods.

Methods: A method that combines a deep learning strategy with prior image constrained compressed sensing (PICCS) was developed to address these two problems. In this method, the sparse‐view CT data were reconstructed by the conventional filtered backprojection (FBP) method first, and then processed by the trained deep neural network to eliminate streaking artifacts. The outputs of the deep learning architecture were then used as the needed prior image in PICCS to reconstruct the image. If the noise level from the PICCS reconstruction is not satisfactory, another light duty deep neural network can then be used to reduce noise level. Both extensive numerical simulation data and human subject data have been used to quantitatively and qualitatively assess the performance of the proposed DL‐PICCS method in terms of reconstruction accuracy and generalizability.

Results: Extensive evaluation studies have demonstrated that: (1) quantitative reconstruction accuracy of DL‐PICCS for individual patient is improved when it is compared with the deep learning methods and CS‐based methods; (2) the false‐positive lesion‐like structures and false negative missing anatomical structures in the deep learning approaches can be effectively eliminated in the DL‐PICCS reconstructed images; and (3) DL‐PICCS enables a deep learning scheme to relax its working conditions to enhance its generalizability.

Conclusions: DL‐PICCS offers a promising opportunity to achieve personalized reconstruction with improved reconstruction accuracy and enhanced generalizability.
Weakly supervised pneumonia localization in chest X‐rays using generative adversarial networks
Authors: Keshavamurthy Krishna Nand , Eickhoff Carsten , Juluru Krishna
Published: August 2021

Purpose: Automatic localization of pneumonia on chest X‐rays (CXRs) is highly desirable both as an interpretive aid to the radiologist and for timely diagnosis of the disease. However, pneumonia's amorphous appearance on CXRs and complexity of normal anatomy in the chest present key challenges that hinder accurate localization. Existing studies in this area are either not optimized to preserve spatial information of abnormality or depend on expensive expert‐annotated bounding boxes. We present a novel generative adversarial network (GAN)‐based machine learning approach for this problem, which is weakly supervised (does not require any location annotations), was trained to retain spatial information, and can produce pixel‐wise abnormality maps highlighting regions of abnormality (as opposed to bounding boxes around abnormality).

Methods: Our method is based on the Wasserstein GAN framework and, to the best of our knowledge, the first application of GANs to this problem. Specifically, from an abnormal CXR as input, we generated the corresponding pseudo normal CXR image as output. The pseudo normal CXR is the “hypothetical” normal, if the same abnormal CXR were not to have any abnormalities. We surmise that the difference between the pseudo normal and the abnormal CXR highlights the pixels suspected to have pneumonia and hence is our output abnormality map. We trained our algorithm on an “unpaired” data set of abnormal and normal CXRs and did not require any location annotations such as bounding boxes/segmentations of abnormal regions. Furthermore, we incorporated additional prior knowledge/constraints into the model and showed that they help improve localization performance. We validated the model on a data set consisting of 14 184 CXRs from the Radiological Society of North America pneumonia detection challenge.

Results: We evaluated our methods by comparing the generated abnormality maps with radiologist annotated bounding boxes using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, image similarity metrics such as normalized cross‐correlation/mutual information, and abnormality detection rate.We also present visual examples of the abnormality maps, covering various scenarios of abnormality occurrence. Results demonstrate the ability to highlight regions of abnormality with the best method achieving an ROC area under the curve (AUC) of 0.77 and a detection rate of 85%.The GAN tended to perform better as prior knowledge/constraints were incorporated into the model.

Conclusions: We presented a novel GAN based approach for localizing pneumonia on CXRs that (1) does not require expensive hand annotated location ground truth; and (2) was trained to produce abnormality maps at the pixel level as opposed to bounding boxes. We demonstrated the efficacy of our methods via quantitative and qualitative results.
Effects of Frozen Storage on Fish Wet Weight, Percent Dry Weight, and Length Revisited
Authors: Baltasar Regan Q. , Burge Erin J. , Crane Derek P.
Published: August 2021

Frozen storage can affect the physical characteristics of biological samples, and the effects can vary based on the frozen storage method that is used. We compared four frozen storage treatments: (1) flash frozen in liquid nitrogen (LN2) and stored at −20°C, (2) flash frozen in LN2 and stored at −65°C, (3) frozen in a saline solution (0.9% NaCl) and stored at −20°C, and (4) glazed with deionized (DI) water and stored at −20°C, to investigate the effects of frozen storage on wet weight, percent dry weight, and length of Mummichogs Fundulus heteroclitus. Mummichog wet weights differed from Prestorage wet weights for all treatments. Postthaw wet weight increased from the Prestorage wet weight for Mummichogs that were frozen in a saline solution (3–5% for 4–12 g fish). Conversely, Postthaw wet weight decreased from Prestorage wet weight (1–4% for 4–12 g fish) for Mummichogs that were frozen with LN2 and stored at −20°C or −65°C and Mummichogs that were glazed with deionized water and stored at −20°C. Subsequently, percent dry weight was underestimated by 0.77% for the Mummichogs that were frozen in a saline solution and overestimated for those that were frozen with LN2 and stored at −20°C (0.94%) or −65°C (0.60%) and those that were glazed with deionized water and stored at −20°C (0.71%). Fish total length decreased 2–3% after the samples had been frozen, and they did not differ among the four treatments. When possible, fish that are stored frozen should be measured and weighed alive or immediately after being euthanized, and if this is not possible, we suggest glazing the fish with water and developing correction factors for water loss and shrinkage.
Investigation on the thermal decomposition of the elastomer containing fluoroolefin segment by DSC‐TG‐MS‐FTIR
Authors: Tang Weiqiang , Zeng Tao , Hu Jinghui , Li Jianmin , Yang Rongjie
Published: August 2021

Based on the cross‐linking reaction of bisphenol A epoxy resin and liquid carboxy‐terminated poly(tetrafluoroethylene‐hexafluoropropylene‐vinylidene fluoride) copolymer (CTTHV), the elastomer containing fluoroolefin segment was prepared. The bis(2,2‐dinitropropyl)‐acetal/formal (BDNPA/F) was used as an energetic plasticizer for this fluoroolefin segment‐containing elastomer (FO elastomer). The compatibility of CTTHV and BDNPA/F was evaluated by the combination of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and derivative thermogravimetry (DTG) methods. Thermal decomposition of the FO elastomers was investigated by TG‐DSC. The kinetic parameters of the FO elastomers were calculated by Kissinger‐Akahira‐Sunose method. DSC‐TG‐MS‐Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis was used to detect the thermal decomposition products. The thermal decomposition mechanisms of the FO and FO/BDNPA/F elastomers were discussed. The results show that CTTHV has a good compatibility with BDNPA/F, and the prepared FO/BDNPA/F elastomers have good thermal stability. BDNPA/F can promote the thermal decomposition of the FO elastomer and bring more heat for the binder system according to the thermal decomposition behaviors and kinetic calculation results of FO/BDNPA/F elastomers. The FO elastomer preferentially undergoes depolymerization, HF elimination with the formation of polyene sequences, and subsequent main‐chain cleavage, polyaromatization. The H ion fragments of the decomposition of BDNPA/F can be an important factor in the improvement of HF concentration at the initial thermal decomposition of FO elastomer. An abundant HF released during all decomposition of FO/BDNPA/F elastomers may be beneficial to the ignition and combustion of aluminum particles in future applications.
Accounting for not‐at‐random missingness through imputation stacking
Authors: Beesley Lauren J. , Taylor Jeremy M. G.
Published: August 2021

Not‐at‐random missingness presents a challenge in addressing missing data in many health research applications. In this article, we propose a new approach to account for not‐at‐random missingnessafter multiple imputationthrough weighted analysis of stacked multiple imputations. The weights are easily calculated as a function of the imputed data and assumptions about the not‐at‐random missingness. We demonstrate through simulation that the proposed method has excellent performance when the missingness model is correctly specified. In practice, the missingness mechanism will not be known. We show how we can use our approach in a sensitivity analysis framework to evaluate the robustness of model inference to different assumptions about the missingness mechanism, and we provide R packageStackImputeto facilitate implementation as part of routine sensitivity analyses. We apply the proposed method to account for not‐at‐random missingness in human papillomavirus test results in a study of survival for patients diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer.
Socioeconomic status and psychological stress: Examining intersection with race, sex and US geographic region in the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke study
Authors: Cundiff Jenny M. , Bennett Aleena , Carson April P. , Judd Suzanne E. , Howard Virginia J.
Published: August 2021

Socioeconomic status (SES) is a well‐established determinant of health. Disparities in stress are thought to partially account for SES‐health disparities. We tested whether multiple indicators of SES show similar associations with psychological stress and whether race, sex, and geographic region moderate associations. Participants (n = 26,451) are from a well‐characterized national cohort of Black and White US adults aged 45 years or older. Psychological stress was measured using the 4‐item perceived stress scale. Income was assessed as annual household income and education as highest level of education completed. Occupation was assessed during a structured interview and subsequently coded hierarchically. For all sex‐race‐region groups, the largest SES‐stress associations were for income and the smallest were for occupation. Race moderated SES‐stress associations, such that income and education were more closely associated with stress in Black adults than White adults. Additionally, education was more strongly associated with stress in individuals living in the stroke belt region. Black Americans with lower income and education reported greater psychological stress and may be at higher risk for disease through stress‐related pathways. Thus, which SES indicator is examined and for whom may alter the magnitude of the association between SES and psychological stress.
Silencing of miR‐497‐5p inhibits cell apoptosis and promotes autophagy in Parkinson's disease by upregulation of FGF2
Authors: Zhu Wenjie , Zhang Hui , Gao Jun , Xu Yun
Published: August 2021

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with increasing prevalence in elderly individuals globally. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been confirmed to participate in the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative diseases, including PD. MiR‐497‐5p is previously reported to be upregulated in PD. The present study was designed to further explore the function of miR‐497‐5p in PD. MiR‐497‐5p was significantly upregulated in 1‐methyl‐4‐phenylpyridinium (MPP+)‐treated SH‐SY5Y cells. Inhibition of miR‐497‐5p suppressed the cell apoptosis and triggered autophagy of MPP+‐treated SH‐SY5Y cells. Further, miR‐497‐5p targeted fibroblast growth factor‐2 (FGF2) in MPP+‐treated SH‐SY5Y cells. Subsequently, rescue assays revealed that miR‐497‐5p regulated apoptosis and autophagy of MPP+‐treated SH‐SY5Y cells by mediation on FGF2. In addition, 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) induced PD mice models were established. The results exhibited that silencing of miR‐497‐5p improved mice bradykinesia, reduced cell apoptosis and induced autophagy in PD mice by FGF2. In conclusion, silencing of miR‐497‐5p alleviates PD by suppressing cell apoptosis and promoting autophagy in a FGF2 dependent manner, which will provide a novel target for Parkinson's disease management.
Quantum K-theory of quiver varieties and many-body systems
Authors: Koroteev Peter , Pushkar Petr P. , Smirnov Andrey V. , Zeitlin Anton M.
Published: August 2021

We define quantum equivariant K-theory of Nakajima quiver varieties. We discuss type A in detail as well as its connections with quantum XXZ spin chains and trigonometric Ruijsenaars-Schneider models. Finally we study a limit which produces a K-theoretic version of results of Givental and Kim, connecting quantum geometry of flag varieties and Toda lattice.
Maximal characterisation of local Hardy spaces on locally doubling manifolds
Authors: Martini Alessio , Meda Stefano , Vallarino Maria
Published: August 2021

We prove a radial maximal function characterisation of the local atomic Hardy space $${{\mathfrak {h}}}^1(M)$$

h

1

(
M
)

on a Riemannian manifold M with positive injectivity radius and Ricci curvature bounded from below. As a consequence, we show that an integrable function belongs to $${{\mathfrak {h}}}^1(M)$$

h

1

(
M
)

if and only if either its local heat maximal function or its local Poisson maximal function is integrable. A key ingredient is a decomposition of Hölder cut-offs in terms of an appropriate class of approximations of the identity, which we obtain on arbitrary Ahlfors-regular metric measure spaces and generalises a previous result of A. Uchiyama.
Anti-inflammatory HDL effects are impaired in atrial fibrillation
Authors: Holzwirth Erik , Fischer-Schaepmann Tina , Obradovic Danilo , von Lucadou Mirjam , Schwedhelm Edzard , Daum Günter , Hindricks Gerhard , Marsche Gunther , Trieb Markus , Thiele Holger , Kornej Jelena , Büttner Petra
Published: August 2021

High-density lipoprotein (HDL), best known for cholesterol transport, also has anti-inflammatory effects. Previous studies suggest involvement of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in modification of HDL. HDL bound Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) has been implied to be an essential protein regarding beneficial HDL effects. In this study, we analyzed anti-inflammatory HDL properties in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), a disease involving atrial inflammation, compared to non-AF controls and whether anti-inflammatory properties improve upon catheter ablation. Additionally, association with serum concentrations of MPO and S1P were assessed. We isolated HDL from 25 AF patients, 13 non-AF individuals and 14 AF patients at follow-up (FU) after catheter ablation. S1P was measured in a cohort of 141 AF and 21 FU patients. Following preincubation with HDL from either group, bovine aortic endothelial cells were stimulated using tumor necrosis factor α and expression of pro-inflammatory genes intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM1), E-selectin (SELE) and P-selectin (SELP) was assessed using qPCR. Concentrations of circulating protein of these genes as well as MPO and S1P were measured in serum samples. Compared to non-AF individuals HDL from AF patients suppressed gene expression of the pro-inflammatory adhesion molecules ICAM1, VCAM1, SELE and SELP 27%, 18%, 21% and 57% less, respectively (p < 0.05 for all except SELE p = 0.06). In FU patients, the anti-inflammatory HDL activity was improved (suppression of ICAM1 + 22%, VCAM1 + 10%, SELE + 38% and SELP + 75%, p < 0.05 for all except VCAM1 p = 0.08). AF patients using angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers had better anti-inflammatory HDL properties than non-users (gene expression suppression at least 28% more, p < 0.05 for all except ICAM1 p = 0.051). Circulating protein concentrations were not correlated with in vitro gene-expression, but circulating P-selectin was generally elevated in AF and FU patients compared to non-AF patients. MPO plasma concentration was positively associated with gene-expression of ICAM1, VCAM1 and SELP (r2 > 0.4, p < 0.05). Serum concentrations of S1P were increased in FU patients {1.201 µM [1.077–1.543]} compared to AF patients {0.953 µM [0.807–1.135], p < 0.01} but not correlated with ICAM1, VCAM1 and SELP gene expression. We conclude that the anti-inflammatory activity of HDL is impaired in AF patients, which might promote AF progression and AF-associated complications.
Coffee break has no impact on laparoscopic skills: a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled parallel-group trial
Authors: Gerdes Christoph , Berghäuser Anna Maria , Hipp Julian , Bäumlein Martin , Hinrichs Svenja , Thomassen Jan-Christoph , Hoffmann Sebastian , Gerdes Berthold
Published: August 2021

Background

Coffee is a widely consumed beverage. Surgeons often drink coffee before performing surgery. Caffeine intake leads to tremor which might have a negative effect on surgeons’ fine motor skills.

Methods

A double-blinded parallel-group trial was conducted in order to investigate if caffeinated coffee intake has a negative effect on laparoscopic skills and increases tremor, regardless of previous coffee consumption. 118 participants were selected during a congress of the German Society of Surgery. Exclusion criteria were immaturity and no given consent. Participants and investigators were blinded. Participants were randomized with a 1:1 allocation into interventional group receiving caffeinated coffee or placebo group receiving decaffeinated coffee. The motor skills were tested with two validated laparoscopic exercises at a laparoscopy simulator (LapSim®) before and 30 min after coffee intake. Data on influencing factors were recorded in a standardized questionnaire and tested for equal distribution in both groups. In both exercises four parameters were recorded: left and right hand path length and angular path. Their differences and the resulting effect scores were calculated for both groups as primary outcome to test which group showed greater improvement on the second round of exercises. Registration number DRKS00023608, registered retrospectively.

Results

Fifty nine subjects were assigned to each the interventional (54 analyzed) and placebo group (53 analyzed) with 11 drop outs. There was no significant difference between the placebo and interventional group in the two exercises in effect score 30 min after coffee intake [mean (SD); 38.58 (10.66) vs. 41.73 (7.40) and 113.09 (28.94) vs. 116.59 (25.63)]. A significant improvement from first to second measurement in the first exercise could be observed for both groups, demonstrating the training effect.

Conclusion

In our study, we verified that additional caffeinated coffee intake, e.g., during a coffee break, does not lead to deterioration of laparoscopic fine motor skills.
Corporate Social Responsibility in Liquid Times: The Case of Romania
Authors: Grigore Georgiana , Molesworth Mike , Vontea Andreea , Basnawi Abdullah Hasan , Celep Ogeday , Jesudoss Sylvian Patrick
Published: August 2021

Existing scholarly work on corporate social responsibility (CSR) frequently emphasizes either normative/ethical claims about social progress or instrumental/strategic claims about corporate effectiveness, yet less often acknowledges the moral conditions of those undertaking CSR within a specific cultural context. In this paper, we draw attention to the social conditions in which CSR takes place and the related ethics of the subjects that must enact it. Our approach is to document the lived experiences of practitioners in Romania, a post-communist society. Drawing from fifty-three depth interviews with both corporate responsibility practitioners, and managers in non-profit organizations who together work on CSR projects, we describe their experiences of the social and organizational environment, the CSR practices that are undertaken in this context, and the intended and unintended consequences of such work. Using Bauman’s theorization of ethics, including adiaphora and moral distancing, and Borţun’s interpretation of Romanianness, we then theorize liquid CSR as an ambivalence between adiaphoric practice (instrumental morality, careerism and self-interest) and the moral impulse to do good, resulting in both intended (short-term promotion and competitive victimhood) and unintended consequences (a potential for corruption and collateral beneficiaries).
Determinants of exercise intolerance symptoms considered non-specific for heart failure in patients with stage A and B: role of the left atrium in the transition phase to overt heart failure
Authors: Maffeis Caterina , Inciardi Riccardo M. , Khan Muhammad Shahzeb , Tafciu Elvin , Bergamini Corinna , Benfari Giovanni , Setti Martina , Ribichini Flavio L. , Cicoira Mariantonietta , Butler Javed , Rossi Andrea
Published: August 2021

To assess to what extent left atrial (LA) structure and function are associated with non-specific heart failure symptoms, so that patients were classified as HF stage A and B. Mechanisms underlying the transition to overt HF in patients with stage A and B HF are unclear. Consecutive outpatients undergoing echocardiography and clinical evaluation and classified as HF stage A and B with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were included. The association between LA measures [volume (LAVi), peak longitudinal-(PALS), contraction-(PACS) and conduit-strain] and non-specific HF symptoms was assessed using adjusted logistic regression analyses. The incremental value of atrial myopathy in symptoms prediction on top of clinical or echocardiographic confounders was assessed through ROC curves analyses. The cohort comprehended 185 patients (63 ± 16 years, 47% women) of whom 133 (72%) were asymptomatic, and 52 (28%) reported non-specific HF symptoms. After adjustment for clinical and echocardiographic confounders for HF symptoms, LAVi, PALS and PACS were associated with symptoms (p < 0.05). Among echocardiographic variables, only LA parameters were significantly associated with symptoms on top of clinical confounders (for LAVi OR [95% CI] 1.56 [1.21–2.00], p < 0.0001; for PALS 1.45 (1.10–1.91), p = 0.0009; for PACS 2.10 [1.33–3.30], p = 0.002). After adjustment for age, hypertension and COPD or E/E′, LV mass-i and mitral ERO, atrial myopathy added predictive value for symptoms presence compared to the clinical variables or echocardiographic parameters described (AUC increase 0.80 to 0.88, p = 0.004, and 0.79 to 0.84, p = 0.06, respectively). In patients with HF stages A–B and preserved LVEF, measures of LA structure and function were associated with non-specific HF symptoms. A comprehensive LA remodeling evaluation may help clinicians in the appropriate identification of overt HF.
A Critical Assessment of the Need for Harmonization of the Legal Framework Concerning Abusive Informal Debt Collection Practices in the European Union
Authors: Stănescu C.-G.
Published: August 2021

The loss of jobs and the decline in real incomes caused by the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic have affected consumers’ ability to repay their debts. These have led to high ratios of non-performing loans (NPLs), which affect the stability of the financial industry and undermine economic recovery. The result has been a need for faster debt enforcement and a drastic increase in abusive informal debt collection practices (IDCPs). In the EU, the need to regulate and harmonize abusive IDCPs surfaced in 2018 in connection to the Proposal for a Directive on Credit Servicers, Credit Purchasers and the Recovery of Collateral (CSDP). The directive would enable banks to outsource the servicing of NPLs to a specialized debt collector, but it contained no protection rules against abusive IDCPs. In this article, the researcher critically assesses the need for harmonization of the legal framework concerning abusive IDCPs in the EU, mainly from the standpoint of the initial and current text of the CSDP. Where necessary, the researcher will refer to both historical and comparative law perspectives. The researcher focuses on the legal character of informal debt collection, its relation to financial services, and its potential sui generis character. After that, the researcher will address the arguments for and against establishing pan-EU sector-specific legislation dedicated to IDCPs. Next, the researcher discusses the constitutional authority of the EU to regulate abusive IDCPs. Finally, the researcher will examine the interaction of the CSDP with other consumer (financial) protection instruments to identify the best solution for harmonizing abusive IDCPs at the EU level. The researcher will juxtapose several dichotomies: general versus sector-specific, procedural versus substantive, minimum versus maximum harmonization, and hard versus soft regulation. In the conclusion, the researcher shall synthesize the core problems and suggest an approach.
Kink Oscillations of Coronal Loops
Authors: Nakariakov V. M. , Anfinogentov S. A. , Antolin P. , Jain R. , Kolotkov D. Y. , Kupriyanova E. G. , Li D. , Magyar N. , Nisticò G. , Pascoe D. J. , Srivastava A. K. , Terradas J. , Vasheghani Farahani S. , Verth G. , Yuan D. , Zimovets I. V.
Published: August 2021

Kink oscillations of coronal loops, i.e., standing kink waves, is one of the most studied dynamic phenomena in the solar corona. The oscillations are excited by impulsive energy releases, such as low coronal eruptions. Typical periods of the oscillations are from a few to several minutes, and are found to increase linearly with the increase in the major radius of the oscillating loops. It clearly demonstrates that kink oscillations are natural modes of the loops, and can be described as standing fast magnetoacoustic waves with the wavelength determined by the length of the loop. Kink oscillations are observed in two different regimes. In the rapidly decaying regime, the apparent displacement amplitude reaches several minor radii of the loop. The damping time which is about several oscillation periods decreases with the increase in the oscillation amplitude, suggesting a nonlinear nature of the damping. In the decayless regime, the amplitudes are smaller than a minor radius, and the driver is still debated. The review summarises major findings obtained during the last decade, and covers both observational and theoretical results. Observational results include creation and analysis of comprehensive catalogues of the oscillation events, and detection of kink oscillations with imaging and spectral instruments in the EUV and microwave bands. Theoretical results include various approaches to modelling in terms of the magnetohydrodynamic wave theory. Properties of kink oscillations are found to depend on parameters of the oscillating loop, such as the magnetic twist, stratification, steady flows, temperature variations and so on, which make kink oscillations a natural probe of these parameters by the method of magnetohydrodynamic seismology.
What affects the arrogant, proud or ashamed pre-service teacher in mathematics? Effects of social comparison, gender and self-concept on self-conscious emotions
Authors: Jenßen Lars
Published: August 2021

Emotions are essential for the development of professional competence and identity of pre-service teachers. Thus, they can also be seen as an inherent part of teachers’ professional competence and identity. They also influence teachers’ later emotional experience when teaching at school. Mathematics, especially, triggers activating emotions in pre-service primary school teachers. Pride and shame can be understood as relevant achievement emotions, which are also closely linked to the self-concept of a person. Nevertheless, they have been insufficiently studied among pre-service mathematics teachers so far. The present study examines authentic and hubristic pride and shame amongn = 310 German prospective primary school teachers in relation to self-concept (ability vs. effort), gender and social comparison with fellow students regarding their own achievement. On the one hand, the results point to the difference between authentic and hubristic pride, and on the other hand, the study provides evidence for the dynamic closeness of shame and hubristic pride. Practical implications, especially for teacher education, are discussed against the background of the limitations of the study.
A Systematic Review on Exercise Addiction and the Disordered Eating-Eating Disorders Continuum in the Competitive Sport Context
Authors: Godoy-Izquierdo Débora , Ramírez María J. , Díaz Isabel , López-Mora Clara
Published: August 2021

Exercise addiction (EA) affects a considerable number of individuals who regularly perform exercise-sport activities. The co-occurrence of EA manifestations and the continuum of disordered eating-eating disorders (EDs) is so common in sports that a deeper understanding of them as comorbidities is warranted. The aim of this review is to provide an up-to-date overview and synthesis of the research on the relationship between maladaptive exercise and dysfunctional eating in the sport context. A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. A total of 22 empirical studies (23 articles) with young and adult female and male athletes from several sports and competition levels was included. EA in conjunction with eating disturbances is frequent among athletes, yet the prevalence rates are inconsistent. Existing evidence suggests that EA is a relevant outcome of ED pathology among athletes, supporting the classical secondary type of EA. However, research also reveals that excessive exercising plays a central role in the psychopathology of disordered eating. There is a need for further quantitative research addressing the features and correlates of the EA-EDs dyad, qualitative research on the subjective experiences of athletes with disordered exercise and eating, longitudinal and experimental research to establish possible causal paths and attempts to develop comprehensive conceptual models of EA and its co-occurrence with EDs, in order to improve the identification, prevention, and management of this dyadic condition in the sport context.
Soziale Verantwortung statt Resignation
Authors: Steinigeweg Julia
Published: August 2021

Konstruktiver Journalismus ist eine relativ neue Form des Journalismus mit dem Ziel, die aktuell überwiegend negativ orientierte Medienberichterstattung durch lösungsorientierte Elemente zu ergänzen. Mithilfe von Techniken der positiven Psychologie sollen dem Publikum gesellschaftlich relevante Informationen vermittelt werden, um zu einer mündigen Bevölkerung beizutragen. Dabei nimmt die Stärkung prosozialer Verhaltensintentionen eine zentrale Rolle ein.

Die vorliegende Studie untersucht, inwieweit der konstruktive Journalismus dem eigenen Anspruch einer Förderung proaktiver Verhaltensweisen gerecht wird. In einer experimentellen Befragung wurden prosoziale Selbstwirksamkeitserwartungen, motivationale Faktoren und direkte Verhaltensintentionen untersucht. Die Ergebnisse legen nahe, dass prosoziale Verhaltensintentionen durch die Rezeption konstruktiver Nachrichten gestärkt werden. Ein signifikanter Zusammenhang zwischen der Rezeption konstruktiver Nachrichten und einer gesteigerten Selbstwirksamkeitserwartung ließ sich nicht erkennen.
Speeding up Additive Manufacturing by Means of Forming for Sheet Components with Core Structures
Authors: Rosenthal Stephan , Hahn Marlon , Tekkaya A. Erman , Platt Sebastian , Kleszczynski Stefan , Witt Gerd
Published: August 2021

A new process combination route consisting of additive manufacturing (AM) with a subsequent forming operation is proposed. The process route has the opportunity to increase the efficiency of the AM process route up to 360%. Stainless steel 316L sheets with different core structures (similar to sandwich sheets) are produced by AM, characterized, and formed in a die bending operation. The bending characteristics of this novel semi-finished product can be accurately predicted in a numerical simulation. The new process route is discussed in detail and compared to conventional AM parts in terms of the production efficiency.
Luft als Element
Authors: Horn Eva
Published: August 2021

Das aktuelle Interesse an Phänomenen der Atmosphäre wie Wetter und Klima hat sich bislang vor allem auf die literarische Auseinandersetzung mit der frühen Meteorologie gerichtet. Der vorliegende Aufsatz schlägt eine wissenshistorische und ästhetische Erweiterung der Perspektive vor: ein Blick auf die sehr viel ältere, aber höchst wirkmächtige Tradition, Luft als Element zu verstehen. Von der antiken Medizin bis ins späte 19. Jahrhundert ist Luft – als Witterungsphänomen, lokales Klima oder Medium schädlicher Dünste – eine spürbare und intensiv wirksame Dimension von Umwelt, die auf Körper, Seelen und Gesellschaften einwirkt. Diese Tradition wird in der Moderne langsam verdrängt, überdauert aber in der Literatur. Während die Wissenschaften von der Atmosphäre die Luft entsinnlichen, bewahren literarische Texte ein Sensorium für ihre Qualitäten und Wirkmacht, das es neu zu entziffern gilt. Als Beispiel einer solchen meteorologischen Lektüre liest der Aufsatz Thomas Manns Novelle Der Tod in Venedig (1912) als einen Text, der sich exakt am Übergang von der alten Theorie der Luft als Element zu einem modernen Verständnis von Atmosphäre und Ansteckung situiert. In den Stimmungen und Witterungen, die der Text entfaltet, zeigt sich Luft als Resonanzraum und maßgeblicher Schrittmacher für Aschenbachs Untergang.