bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Targeted next‐generation sequencing of deaf patients from Southwestern China
Authors: Li Yunlong , Su Jie , Zhang Jingman , Pei Jiahong , Li Dongmei , Zhang Yinhong , Li Jingyu , Chen Menglang , Zhu Baosheng
Published: March 2021

Background

Targeted next‐generation sequencing is an efficient tool to identify pathogenic mutations of hereditary deafness. The molecular pathology of deaf patients in southwestern China is not fully understood.

Methods

In this study, targeted next‐generation sequencing of 127 deafness genes was performed on 84 deaf patients. They were not caused by common mutations of GJB2 gene, including c.35delG, c.109 G>A, c.167delT, c.176_191del16, c.235delC and c.299_300delAT.

Results

In the cohorts of 84 deaf patients, we did not find any candidate pathogenic variants in 14 deaf patients (16.7%, 14/84). In other 70 deaf patients (83.3%, 70/84), candidate pathogenic variants were identified in 34 genes. Of these 70 deaf patients, the percentage of “Solved” and “Unsolved” patients was 51.43% (36/70) and 48.57% (34/70), respectively. The most common causative genes were SLC26A4 (12.9%, 9/70), MT‐RNR1 (11.4%, 8/70), and MYO7A (2.9%, 2/70) in deaf patients. In “Unsolved” patients, possible pathogenic variants were most found in SLC26A4 (8.9%, 3/34), MYO7A (5.9%, 2/34), OTOF (5.9%, 2/34), and PDZD7 (5.9%, 2/34) genes. Interesting, several novel recessive pathogenic variants were identified, like SLC26A4 c.290T>G, SLC26A4 c.599A>G, PDZD7c.490 C>T, etc.

Conclusion

In addition to common deafness genes, like GJB2, SLC26A4, and MT‐RNR1 genes, other deafness genes (MYO7A, OTOF, PDZD7, etc.) were identified in deaf patients from southwestern China. Therefore, the spectrum of deafness genes in this area should be further studied.
Kinematics of spherical shock waves in an interstellar ideal gas clouds with dust particles
Authors: Chauhan Antim , Arora Rajan
Published: March 2021

In this article, a system of partial differential equations governing the one‐dimensional motion of inviscid, self‐gravitating, spherical dusty gas cloud is considered. The evolutionary behavior of spherical shock waves of arbitrary strength in an interstellar dusty gas cloud is examined. By utilizing the method based on the kinematics of the one‐dimensional motion of shock waves, we derived an infinite set of transport equations governing the strength of shock waves and induced discontinuity behind it. By applying the truncation procedure to the infinite set of transport equations, we get an efficient system of finite number ordinary differential equations describing shock propagation, which can be regarded as a good approximation of the infinite hierarchy of the system. The truncated equations describing the shock strength and the induced discontinuity are used to analyze the growth and decay behavior of shock waves of arbitrary strength in the dusty gas medium. We considered the first two truncation approximations and the obtained results for the exponent from the successive approximation and compared our results with Guderley's exact similarity solution and the characteristic rule.
Computational analysis of optically controlled reconfigurable terahertz mesh filters using mesa arrays
Authors: Deng Yijing , Shi Yu , Fay Patrick , Liu Lei
Published: March 2021

We report a novel approach for realizing tunable/reconfigurable terahertz (THz) mesh filters on the basis of micromachined mesa‐array structures. In this approach, different filter patterns are generated virtually using photogenerated free carriers in a semiconducting mesa‐array structure to achieve superior tunability and reconfigurability. Micromachined mesa‐array structures enable the formation of high fidelity, optically generated mesh filter structures for THz frequencies. To evaluate the proposed filter designs, the optically patterned spatial modulation properties of mesa‐array structures were first evaluated. Reconfigurable mesh filter prototypes were then designed and simulated using silicon mesa arrays with 50 × 50 μm2 square mesa unit cells. Simulations show that reconfigurable bandpass filters (BPFs) operating in the frequency range of 108–489 GHz with insertion losses of 0.82–1.13 dB can be achieved. By employing smaller unit cells, the frequency tuning range and filtering performance can be further improved. In addition to BPFs, other filter functionalities can also be realized utilizing the proposed approach. The wide tuning range and reconfigurability of the mesh filters demonstrate that the proposed approach is promising for developing tunable/reconfigurable circuits and components for advanced THz sensing, imaging, and communications.
Can R2’ mapping evaluate hypoxia in renal ischemia reperfusion injury quantitatively? An experimental study
Authors: Zhang Jinggang , Chen Jie , Chen Qin , Chen Jing , Luo Kai , Pan Liang , Zhang Yongcheng , Dou Weiqiang , Xing Wei
Published: March 2021

Purpose

To explore if R2’ mapping can assess renal hypoxia in rabbits with ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI).

Methods

Forty rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups according to the clipping time: the sham group and 45 min, 60 min, and 75 min for the mild, moderate, and severe groups (with n = 10 each group), respectively. Intravenous furosemide (FU) was administered 24 h after IRI. All rabbits were performed 5 times (IRIpre, IRI24h, FU5min, FU12min, and FU24min) with a 3.0 Tesla MR. The R2’ values and the hypoxic scores were then recorded. The repeated measurement analysis of variance and Spearman correlation analysis was used for statistical analysis.

Results

Compared to the baseline, the medullary R2’ values increased significantly 24 h after the IRI (baseline 19.31 ± 1.21 s‐1, mild group 20.05 ± 1.26 s−1, moderate group 25.38 ± 1.38 s−1, and severe group 25.79 ± 1.10 s−1; each P < .001). FU led to a significant decrease in the medullary R2’ value (sham group 11.17 ± 4.33 s−1, mild group 7.80 ± 0.74 s−1, moderate group 3.92 ± 0.28 s−1, and severe group 3.82 ± 0.23 s−1; each P < .05). Quantitative hypoxic scores revealed significant differences among the 4 groups in the outer medulla (P < .001 each). The medullary R2’ differences (before and after intravenous FU) were significantly correlated with the hypoxic scores, respectively (P < .001).

Conclusion

R2’ mapping can evaluate the renal hypoxia in the procession of IRI in rabbits and might serve as a quantitative biomarker for IRI.
Analysis of deep complex‐valued convolutional neural networks for MRI reconstruction and phase‐focused applications
Authors: Cole Elizabeth , Cheng Joseph , Pauly John , Vasanawala Shreyas
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Deep learning has had success with MRI reconstruction, but previously published works use real‐valued networks. The few works which have tried complex‐valued networks have not fully assessed their impact on phase. Therefore, the purpose of this work is to fully investigate end‐to‐end complex‐valued convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for accelerated MRI reconstruction and in several phase‐based applications in comparison to 2‐channel real‐valued networks.

Methods

Several complex‐valued activation functions for MRI reconstruction were implemented, and their performance was compared. Complex‐valued convolution was implemented and tested on an unrolled network architecture and a U‐Net–based architecture over a wide range of network widths and depths with knee, body, and phase‐contrast datasets.

Results

Quantitative and qualitative results demonstrated that complex‐valued CNNs with complex‐valued convolutions provided superior reconstructions compared to real‐valued convolutions with the same number of trainable parameters for both an unrolled network architecture and a U‐Net–based architecture, and for 3 different datasets. Complex‐valued CNNs consistently had superior normalized RMS error, structural similarity index, and peak SNR compared to real‐valued CNNs.

Conclusion

Complex‐valued CNNs can enable superior accelerated MRI reconstruction and phase‐based applications such as fat–water separation, and flow quantification compared to real‐valued convolutional neural networks.
Double‐layered SnO2/NH4Cl‐SnO2 for efficient planar perovskite solar cells with improved operational stability
Authors: Song Peiquan , Shen Lina , Zheng Lingfang , Liu Kaikai , Tian Wanjia , Chen Jingfu , Luo Yujie , Tian Chengbo , Xie Liqiang , Wei Zhanhua
Published: March 2021

Tin oxide (SnO2) is widely used as an electron transport layer (ETL) to fabricate planar perovskite solar cells (PSCs) due to their easy and low‐temperature processed fabrication. Enhancing carrier extraction and energy level alignment at the perovskite/SnO2 interface is vital to improve the device performance further. Here, we demonstrate a double‐layered SnO2/ NH4Cl‐SnO2 as an efficient ETL. The top NH4Cl‐SnO2 shows a better energy level alignment with the perovskite and reduced alkalinity to avoid perovskite degradation, resulting in enhanced electron extraction efficiency and interfacial stability. Furthermore, the bottom SnO2 retains the capability of efficient carrier transport to avoid charge accumulation. As a result, we achieve a champion device with a power conversion efficiency of 21.01% and negligible hysteresis. Moreover, the corresponding PSCs show much improved operational stability, retaining 80% of the initial efficiency after 1090 hours of operation at the maximum power point under 1‐sun illumination. While the pristine SnO2 based PSCs only insist on 278 hours before losing 20% of the initial efficiency.
High thermal stability and low flammability for Ethylene‐Vinyl acetate Monomer/Ethylene‐Propylene‐Diene Monomer by incorporating macromolecular charring agent
Authors: Ma He , He Jiyu , Li Xiangmei , Yang Rongjie
Published: March 2021

The intumescent flame retardant (IFR) compounded with triazine charcoal‐forming agent (CFA) and ammonium polyphosphate (APP) was applied to the flame‐retardant modification of EVM/EPDM. The effect of APP‐CFA on the flame‐retardant performance of the composite was studied. The results showed that APP‐CFA effectively enhanced the flame‐retardant performance of EVM/EPDM. Compared with the control sample, when the APP–CFA ratio was 4:1, the limit oxygen index of EVM/EPDM with APP–CFA was up to 27.1%, which was increased by about 40%, and the average heat release rate was 110.1 kW/m2, which was reduced by about 29%. Moreover, it passed the UL‐94 V‐0 test. TGA results showed that after the addition of APP/CFA, the amount of residue significantly increased. SEM test showed that the char layer formed by the composite containing APP/CFA during combustion was denser and more uniform. In addition, compared with the traditional intumescent flame‐retardant ammonium polyphosphate–dipentaerythritol–melamine (APP‐DPER‐MN), the new flame‐retardant APP–CFA has better flame‐retardant and comprehensive performances.
Investigation of anxiety and depressive disorders and psychiatric medication use before and after cancer diagnosis
Authors: Lee Min‐Jing , Huang Chien‐Wei , Lee Chuan‐Pin , Kuo Ting‐Yu , Fang Yu‐Hung , Chin‐Hung Chen Vincent , Yang Yao‐Hsu
Published: March 2021

Objective

Data regarding the prevalence of depression and anxiety among cancer patients, especially before cancer diagnosis, remains scarce. This study investigated the prevalence of these conditions and associated drug use among cancer patients pre‐ and post‐diagnosis.

Methods

This population‐based cohort study using data from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database recruited patients with a registered cancer diagnosis and matched control between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2011. We compared the prevalence of anxiety and depressive disorders between cancer patients and non‐cancer participants during a 2‐year period both pre‐ and post‐diagnosis by Pearson's chi‐square test. Psychiatric medication use was also examined for the associated mental condition.

Results

We examined participants diagnosed with liver (N = 17,154), colorectal (N = 30,391), breast (N = 40,036), gynecological (N = 23,218), and lung (N = 15,671) cancer. Before the cancer diagnosis, the prevalence of depression was higher in non‐cancer participants than in gynecological cancer patients (p = 0.018) but anxiety is higher in liver, colorectal, and lung cancer patients when compared to non‐cancer participants (p < 0.05). After the cancer diagnosis, the prevalence of anxiety and depression became significantly higher in all enrolled cancer patients than non‐cancer participants (p < 0.05). Similar results were observed in psychiatric medication use trends.

Conclusions

This study proposed that patients with liver, colorectal, and lung cancer had an increased risk of developing anxiety, which might be a sentinel diagnosis. The participants had a significantly higher level of anxiety and depressive disorder post‐diagnosis, which highlights the importance of the care for both mental and physical conditions in cancer management.
Phenyl imidazolidin‐2‐ones antagonize a β‐adrenergic‐like octopamine receptor in diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella)
Authors: Deng Xi‐le , Guo Lei , Ma Hai‐hao , Hu Xue‐ping , Zhou Xiao‐mao
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND

The diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) is one of the most destructive lepidopteran pests on cruciferous vegetables. However, resistance has emerged to current chemical and biological insecticides used for P. xylostella control, indicating the necessity of screening new targets on P. xylostella, and finding new insecticides against P. xylostella. In particular, octopamine receptors are representative G protein‐coupled receptors found only in invertebrates and are potential targets for identifying novel insecticides.

RESULTS

A β‐adrenergic‐like octopamine receptor gene (PxOA2B1) was cloned, and its pharmacological characteristics in P. xylostella were studied. The results demonstrated that octopamine could activate the PxOA2B1 receptor, with a half‐maximal effective concentration (EC50) of 49.5 nm. Amitraz, an insecticide and acaricide, and its metabolite (N‐2,4‐dimethylphenyl‐N′‐methylformamidine; DPMF) were also found to act as PxOAB1R agonists. We synthesized phenyl imidazolidin‐2‐one derivatives 3a–h using DPMF as the lead compound, and compounds 3a–h showed similar antagonist activities as phentolamine, mianserin and chlorpromazine. In particular, 3d, with an EC50 of 25.2 nm, showed very similar antagonist activity to mianserin.

CONCLUSION

This research found that PxOAB1R might be a potential target for P. xylostella control. Phenyl imidazolidin‐2‐ones could be novel potential antagonists targeted at octopamine receptors and would be useful tools for the design and development of novel insecticides. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry
Scale and zonation effects on internal migration indicators in the United Kingdom
Authors: Chatagnier Stephane , Stillwell John
Published: March 2021

Consistent data from the last two population censuses in the United Kingdom are utilised in this paper to compare migration intensity and impact between two 1‐year periods and to identify the scale and zonation effects on the selected migration indicators. The picture of change that emerges is one of declining migration intensities and a diminution in the distribution of migrants from urban to rural areas, with the exception of students and young workers whose net migration losses from rural areas are increasing and whose migration effectiveness is increasing. Scale effects are more apparent for migration intensity than effectiveness, the two components of the aggregate net migration rate, whereas zonation effects are relatively unimportant across scale for intensity but become more significant as zones become larger for effectiveness.
Energy states, oscillator strengths and polarizabilities of many electron atoms confined by an impenetrable spherical cavity
Authors: Yakar Yusuf , Çakır Bekir , Demir Celalettin , Özmen Ayhan
Published: March 2021

We have calculated the ground and excited state energies and the orbital energies of three‐electron atoms inside impenetrable spherical cavity. Energy eigenvalues and wavefunctions are calculated from the variational approximation method which is a combination of quantum genetic algorithm procedure and Hartree–Fock Roothaan method. In addition, the important parameters such as static and dynamic polarizability, oscillator strength and pressure have been investigated as perturbative. The results reveal that cavity radius and impurity charge have played an important role on the polarizability, the oscillator strength and pressure of the system. In addition, it is seen that when cavity radius is extremely large, all energies and the other physical parameters approach the values of a free space atom. As the dot radius decreases, the polarizability of system decreases due to the strong spatial confinement, but the pressure exerting on the system as the cavity radius R is shrunk increases. In addition, as the impurity charge increases, the oscillator strength decreases.
Cooperative fencing control of multiple second‐order vehicles for a moving target with and without velocity measurements
Authors: Kou Liwei , Huang Yi , Chen Zhiyong , He Shiming , Xiang Ji
Published: March 2021

This article studies the moving‐target‐fencing problem of multiple second‐order vehicles, where the target moves with an unknown constant velocity. Without a predefined stand‐off distance or formation, two classes of local cooperative controllers are proposed with and without velocity measurements. Specifically, the first controller uses the relative position information from the target and vehicle's neighbors, as well as the vehicle's velocity measurement, while the second controller relaxes the common requirement of velocity measurement of the vehicles. It is proved that both controllers simultaneously assure target fencing, collision avoidance, and velocity convergence. Finally, numerical simulations are provided to verify the efficacy of the proposed controllers.
Allogeneic Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Mitigate Acute Radiation Syndrome by the Rescue of Damaged Bone Marrow Cells from Apoptosis
Authors: Chinnapaka Somaiah , Yang Katherine S. , Samadi Yasamin , Epperly Michael W. , Hou Wen , Greenberger Joel S. , Ejaz Asim , Rubin J. Peter
Published: March 2021

Acute radiation syndrome (ARS) is the radiation toxicity that can affect the hematopoietic, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems upon accidental radiation exposure within a short time. Currently, there are no effective and safe approaches to treat mass population exposure to ARS. Our study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of allogeneic adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) for total body irradiation (TBI)-induced ARS and understand the underlying mitigation mechanism. We employed 9.25 Gy TBI dose to C57BL/6 mice and studied the effect of allogeneic ASCs on mice survival and regeneration of the hematopoietic system. Our results indicate that intraperitoneal-injected ASCs migrated to the bone marrow, rescued hematopoiesis, and improved the survival of irradiated mice. Our transwell coculture results confirmed the migration of ASCs to irradiated bone marrow and rescue hematopoietic activity. Furthermore, contact coculture of ASCs improved the survival and hematopoiesis of irradiated bone marrow in vitro. Irradiation results in DNA damage, upregulation of inflammatory signals, and apoptosis in bone marrow cells, while coculture with ASCs reduces apoptosis via activation of DNA repair and the antioxidation system. Upon exposure to irradiated bone marrow cells, ASCs secrete prosurvival and hematopoietic factors, such as GM-CSF, MIP1α, MIP1β, LIX, KC, 1P-10, Rantes, IL-17, MCSF, TNFα, Eotaxin, and IP-10, which reduces oxidative stress and rescues damaged bone marrow cells from apoptosis. Our findings suggest that allogeneic ASCs therapy is effective in mitigating TBI-induced ARS in mice and may be beneficial for clinical adaptation to treat TBI-induced toxicities. Further studies will help to advocate the scale-up and adaptation of allogeneic ASCs as the radiation countermeasure.
Behavioral dynamics of COVID‐19: estimating underreporting, multiple waves, and adherence fatigue across 92 nations
Authors: Rahmandad Hazhir , Lim Tse Yang , Sterman John
Published: March 2021

Effective responses to the COVID‐19 pandemic require integrating behavioral factors such as risk‐driven contact reduction, improved treatment, and adherence fatigue with asymptomatic transmission, disease acuity, and hospital capacity. We build one such model and estimate it for all 92 nations with reliable testing data. Cumulative cases and deaths through 22 December 2020 are estimated to be 7.03 and 1.44 times official reports, yielding an infection fatality rate (IFR) of 0.51 percent, which has been declining over time. Absent adherence fatigue, cumulative cases would have been 47 percent lower. Scenarios through June 2021 show that modest improvement in responsiveness could reduce cases and deaths by about 14 percent, more than the impact of vaccinating half of the population by that date. Variations in responsiveness to risk explain two orders of magnitude difference in per‐capita deaths despite reproduction numbers fluctuating around one across nations. A public online simulator facilitates scenario analysis over the coming months. © 2021 System Dynamics Society.
On the design and the analysis of stratified biomarker trials in the presence of measurement error
Authors: Halabi Susan , Lin Chen‐Yen , Liu Aiyi
Published: March 2021

A major emphasis in precision medicine is to optimally treat subgroups of patients who may benefit from certain therapeutic agents. And as such, enormous resources and innovative clinical trials designs in oncology are devoted to identifying predictive biomarkers. Predictive biomarkers are ones that will identify patients that are more likely to respond to specific therapies and they are usually discovered through retrospective analysis from large randomized phase II or phase III trials. One important design to consider is the stratified biomarker design, where patients will have their specimens obtained at baseline and the biomarker status will be assessed prior to random assignment. Regardless of their biomarker status, patients will be randomized to either an experimental arm or the standard of care arm. The stratified biomarker design can be used to test for a treatment‐biomarker interaction in predicting a time‐to event outcome. Many biomarkers, however, are derived from tissues from patients, and their levels may be heterogeneous. As a result, biomarker levels may be measured with error and this would have an adverse impact on the power of a stratified biomarker clinical trial. We present a trial design and an analysis framework for the stratified biomarker design. We show that the naïve test is biased and provide bias‐corrected estimators for computing the sample size and the 95% confidence interval when testing for a treatment‐biomarker interaction in predicting a time to event outcome. We propose a sample size formula that adjusts for misclassification and apply it in the design of a phase III clinical trial in renal cancer.
Security and provenance for Internet of Health Things: A systematic literature review
Authors: Bai Baogang , Nazir Shah , Bai Yuhe , Anees Amir
Published: March 2021

Internet of Health Things (IoHT) is an extension of the Internet of Things (IoT), which plays an important role in the observation, consultation, monitoring, and treatment process of remote exchange data processes in healthcare. The integration, computation, and interoperability are facilitated through various sensors, controllers, and actuators. Security is considered as one of the important factors for the communication of these devices to smoothly run the activities of healthcare. The current literature associated to the security of IoHT cover diverse aspects, though there is dire need of the knowledge, which can thoroughly show the review of current state‐of‐the‐art work in a systematic way. To overcome this limitation, the planned study offerings a systematic literature review (SLR) for the IoHT security and provenance. This review will support researchers to take benefit from the present literature and devise novel solutions considering the current study as evidence in IoHT. This paper focused on the security analysis and provenance for the IoHT and answering the defined questions in the current study.
Multiple scattering of flexural waves on Mindlin plates with circular scatterers
Authors: Kinoshita Yohei , Biwa Shiro , Wang Zuowei
Published: March 2021

The multiple scattering of flexural waves on an elastic plate with circular scatterers is analyzed in the frequency domain based on the Mindlin plate theory accounting for the rotary inertia and shear deformation of the plate. To this purpose, a semi‐analytical numerical method is formulated as an extension of the previous study based on the Kirchhoff plate theory. It consists of expressing the flexural wave field in terms of the superposition of the wave function expansion, and determining the expansion coefficients by a collocation technique. As demonstrative examples, the transmission of a plane flexural wave across a square array of circular through‐thickness holes or thin‐plate inclusions is analyzed using the proposed method. The comparison between the results based on the Mindlin and Kirchhoff theories is shown for the case of multiple holes. The analysis shows that the transmission amplitude of the flexural wave is reduced at certain frequencies due to the Bragg reflection by the inclusions. In the case of thin‐plate inclusions, the resonance of the inclusions also brings about a sharp decrease of the transmission amplitude.
Captive breeding challenges posed by Malaysian and Bornean Peacock‐pheasants (Polyplectron malacense and P. schleiermacheri)
Authors: Corder John , Davison Geoffrey
Published: March 2021

We describe unique reproductive features of two threatened Galliformes species, the Malaysian peacock‐pheasant (Polyplectron malacense) and Bornean peacock‐pheasant (P. schleiermacheri). These features pose challenges to successful captive breeding to build up sustainable populations for conservation purposes. Single egg clutches in both species mean that reproductive rates are low and population increase is slow. The very rounded eggs of Bornean Peacock‐pheasant cause difficulties for egg orientation in incubators. Single chicks with special requirements are poorly suited to rearing by broody bantams and successful husbandry requires increased human time, commitment, and skills.
Kaluza-Klein fermion mass matrices from exceptional field theory and $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 1 spectra
Authors: Cesàro Mattia , Varela Oscar
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Using Exceptional Field Theory, we determine the infinite-dimensional mass matrices for the gravitino and spin-1/2 Kaluza-Klein perturbations above a class of anti-de Sitter solutions of M-theory and massive type IIA string theory with topologically-spherical internal spaces. We then use these mass matrices to compute the spectrum of Kaluza-Klein fermions about some solutions in this class with internal symmetry groups containing SU(3). Combining these results with previously known bosonic sectors of the spectra, we give the complete spectrum about some $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 and some non-supersymmetric solutions in this class. The complete spectra are shown to enjoy certain generic features.
Implementierung und Evaluation einer Telefonhotline zur professionellen Ersthilfe bei psychischen Belastungen durch die COVID-19-Pandemie in Baden-Württemberg
Authors: Vonderlin Ruben , Biermann Miriam , Konrad Michael , Klett Martin , Kleindienst Nikolaus , Bailer Josef , Lis Stefanie , Bohus Martin
Published: March 2021

Hintergrund

Die COVID-19-Pandemie stellt für viele Menschen eine deutliche psychische Belastung dar, für deren Bewältigung gerade während der ersten Welle der Pandemie sofort verfügbare professionelle Ansprechpartner fehlten.

Ziel der Arbeit

In Baden-Württemberg wurde unter Federführung des Ministeriums für Soziales und Integration im April 2020 eine Telefonhotline zur psychologischen Ersthilfe bei Corona-assoziierten Problemen implementiert, für die gesamte Bevölkerung geöffnet und evaluiert.

Material und Methoden

Im Zeitraum vom 22.04. bis zum 24.07.2020 nahmen 753 ehrenamtliche, psychotherapeutisch ausgebildete Berater*innen unterschiedlicher Berufsgruppen insgesamt 8096 Anrufe entgegen.

Ergebnisse

Es wurden vor allem Depressions- (36 %), Angst- (18 %) und psychotische Symptome (19 %) berichtet. Dabei stand jeder zweite Anruf im Zusammenhang mit einer vorbestehenden psychischen Erkrankung. In den durchschnittlich 25-minütigen Beratungsgesprächen wurde eine Vielzahl psychologischer Akutinterventionen durchgeführt. Beim Vorliegen einer unklaren Symptomatik, psychotischer Symptomatik oder Symptomen schwerer Persönlichkeitsstörungen konnten die Berater*innen aus deren subjektiver Sicht signifikant weniger helfen als bei den restlichen Telefonaten, in denen klar umschriebene andere Symptome vorlagen.

Diskussion

Die Ergebnisse weisen sowohl auf den Nutzen als auch die Grenzen von Hotlineangeboten hin. Der Nutzen besteht vor allem in der schnellen Verfügbarkeit sowie einer effektiven professionellen Hilfe bei klar charakterisierter Symptomatik. Bei unklarer oder komplexer Symptomatik scheint eine unmittelbare telefonische Hilfe zwar nur eingeschränkt möglich zu sein, sie kann den Zugang zu weiteren Hilfsangeboten jedoch einleiten. Insgesamt geben die Ergebnisse dieser Studie einen ersten Hinweis darauf, dass Hotlineangebote eine praktikable Möglichkeit zur psychologischen Ersthilfe unter Pandemiebedingungen darstellen.
Tissue effects of a newly developed diode pumped pulsed Thulium:YAG laser compared to continuous wave Thulium:YAG and pulsed Holmium:YAG laser
Authors: Huusmann Stephan , Lafos Marcel , Meyenburg Ingo , Muschter Rolf , Teichmann Heinrich-Otto , Herrmann Thomas
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The objective of this study is to evaluate the laser-tissue effects of laser radiation emitted by a newly developed high frequency pulsed Tm:YAG laser in comparison to the continuous wave Tm:YAG laser and the pulsed Ho:YAG laser.

Methods

Ex-vivo experiments were performed on freshly slaughtered porcine kidneys in a physiological saline solution. Experiments were performed using two different laser devices in different settings: A Tm:YAG laser was operated in a pulsed mode up to 300 Hz and in a continuous wave (CW) mode. Results were compared with a 100 W standard pulsed Ho:YAG laser system. Comparative tissue experiments were performed at 5 W, 40 W and 80 W. The incision depth and the laser damage zone were measured under a microscope using a calibrated ocular scale.

Results

Increased laser power resulted in increased incision depth and increased laser damage zone for all investigated lasers in this set-up. The Ho:YAG created the largest combined tissue effect at the 5 W power setting and seems to be the least controllable laser at low power for soft tissue incisions. The CW Tm:YAG did not incise at all at 5 W, but created the largest laser damage zone. For the new pulsed Tm:YAG laser the tissue effect grew evenly with increasing power.

Conclusion

Among the investigated laser systems in this setting the pulsed Tm:YAG laser shows the most controllable behavior, insofar as both the incision depth and the laser damage zone increase evenly with increasing laser power.
Ethnic distribution, effective power and conflict
Authors: Kovacic Matija , Zoli Claudio
Published: March 2021

This paper highlights the fact that different distributional aspects of ethnicity matter for conflict. We axiomatically derive a parametric class of indices of conflict potential obtained as the sum of each ethnic group’s relative power weighted by the probability of across group interactions. The power component of an extreme element of this class of indices is given by the Penrose–Banzhaf measure of relative power. This index combines in a non-linear way fractionalization, polarization and dominance. The empirical analysis verifies that it outperforms the existing indices of ethnic diversity in explaining ethnic conflict onset.
Computing the Rooted Triplet Distance Between Phylogenetic Networks
Authors: Jansson Jesper , Mampentzidis Konstantinos , Rajaby Ramesh , Sung Wing-Kin
Published: March 2021

The rooted triplet distance measures the structural dissimilarity of two phylogenetic trees or phylogenetic networks by counting the number of rooted phylogenetic trees with exactly three leaf labels (called rooted triplets, or triplets for short) that occur as embedded subtrees in one, but not both, of them. Suppose that $$N_1 = (V_1, E_1)$$

N
1

=

(

V
1

,

E
1

)

and $$N_2 = (V_2, E_2)$$

N
2

=

(

V
2

,

E
2

)

are phylogenetic networks over a common leaf label set of size n, that $$N_i$$

N
i

has level $$k_i$$

k
i

and maximum in-degree $$d_i$$

d
i

for $$i \in \{1,2\}$$

i
∈
{
1
,
2
}

, and that the networks’ out-degrees are unbounded. Write $$N = \max (|V_1|, |V_2|)$$

N
=
max
(
|

V
1

|
,
|

V
2

|
)

, $$M = \max (|E_1|, |E_2|)$$

M
=
max
(
|

E
1

|
,
|

E
2

|
)

, $$k = \max (k_1, k_2)$$

k
=
max
(

k
1

,

k
2

)

, and $$d = \max (d_1, d_2)$$

d
=
max
(

d
1

,

d
2

)

. Previous work has shown how to compute the rooted triplet distance between $$N_1$$

N
1

and $$N_2$$

N
2

in $$\mathrm {O}(n \log n)$$

O
(
n
log
n
)

time in the special case $$k \le 1$$

k
≤
1

. For $$k > 1$$

k
>
1

, no efficient algorithms are known; applying a classic method from 1980 by Fortune et al. in a direct way leads to a running time of $${\Omega }(N^{6} n^{3})$$

Ω
(

N
6

n
3

)

and the only existing non-trivial algorithm imposes restrictions on the networks’ in- and out-degrees (in particular, it does not work when non-binary vertices are allowed). In this article, we develop two new algorithms with no such restrictions. Their running times are $$\mathrm {O}(N^{2} M + n^{3})$$

O
(

N
2

M
+

n
3

)

and $$\mathrm {O}(M + N k^{2} d^{2} + n^{3})$$

O
(
M
+
N

k
2

d
2

+

n
3

)

, respectively. We also provide implementations of our algorithms, evaluate their performance on simulated and real datasets, and make some observations on the limitations of the current definition of the rooted triplet distance in practice. Our prototype implementations have been packaged into the first publicly available software for computing the rooted triplet distance between unrestricted networks of arbitrary levels.
Assessment of the diversity of comfrey (Symphytum officinale L. and S. × uplandicum Nyman)
Authors: Ruzicka Joana , Berger-Büter Karin , Esslinger Nils , Novak Johannes
Published: March 2021

Comfrey Symphytum officinale L. (true comfrey) and S. × uplandicum Nyman (a hybrid between S. asperum Lepech × S. officinale L., Russian comfrey) are used externally for the treatment of pain, inflammation and swelling of muscles and joints in degenerative arthritis, in acute myalgia, sprains, contusions and strains after accidents. Besides plant secondary compounds associated with beneficial activities (e.g. rosmarinic acid and allantoin) comfrey forms also toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA). To improve further breeding and study the genetic relationships of a comfrey collection, a sample set of 219 S. officinale and 5 hybrid plants of S. × uplandicum were analysed with 34 SNP markers by KASP (Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR), developed from a next generation sequencing approach of three different individuals of S. officinale. In parallel, the plants were analysed for the polyphenol rosmarinic acid, the purine derivative allantoin, and the toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Besides the two beneficial compounds, further 13 polyphenols and 10 purine derivatives were determined. The plants were grouped into six distinct genetic clusters. Rosmarinic acid was not linked to any of the clusters, while one cluster was distinctively different for some compounds, amongst them allantoin and globoidnan A. Also linked to a certain genetic cluster was a low content of PA, which could become a valuable gene pool for minimizing PA content by breeding. A subset of the samples was analysed in a second year again where rosmarinic acid and allantoin showed a medium stability, while globoidnan A was completely unstable.
Working at a remove: continuous, collective, and configurative approaches to qualitative secondary analysis
Authors: Hughes Kahryn , Hughes Jason , Tarrant Anna
Published: March 2021

In this paper, we define and operationalise three modes of research engagement using qualitative secondary analysis (QSA). We characterise these forms of engagement ascontinuous,collectiveandconfigurative. ContinuousQSA involves modes of engagement that centre on asking new questions of existing datasets to (re)apprehend empirical evidence, and develop continuous (or contiguous) samples in ways that principally leverage epistemic distance.CollectiveQSA characteristically involves generating dialogue between members of different research teams to establish comparisons and linkages across studies, and formulate new analytic directions harnessing relational distance.ConfigurativeQSA refers to how existing data are brought into conversation with broader sources of theory and evidence, typically in ways which exploit greater temporal distance. In relation to each mode of engagement we discuss how processes of both (re)contextualisationand (re)connectionoffer opportunities for new analytical engagement through different combinations and degrees of proximity to, and distance from, the formative contexts of data production.
Correction to: Identifying Efficient Transport Pathways in Early‑Wood Timber: Insights from 3D X‑ray CT Imaging of Softwood in the Presence of Flow
Authors: Burridge H. C. , Pini R. , Shah S. M. K. , Reynolds T. P. S. , Wu G. , Shah D. U. , Scherman O. A. , Ramage M. H. , Linden P. F.
Published: March 2021

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11242-021-01569-3
Assimiliert – Abitur, separiert – Hauptschulabschluss? Zum Zusammenhang zwischen Akkulturation und angestrebtem Schulabschluss
Authors: Lilla Nanine , Thürer Sebastian , Nieuwenboom Wim , Schüpbach Marianne
Published: March 2021

Diese Studie geht der Frage nach, inwiefern ein Zusammenhang zwischen der Akkulturation von Schülerinnen und Schülern mit Migrationshintergrund und dem in der Sekundarstufe angestrebten Schulabschluss besteht. Auf Grundlage der Daten des Nationalen Bildungspanels (NEPS) wurden unterschiedliche Aspekte von Akkulturation herangezogen und mittels Latenter Profilanalyse vier Akkulturationsprofile ermittelt: ein assimiliertes, ein moderat assimiliertes, ein integriertes und ein separiertes Akkulturationsprofil. In Abhängigkeit der identifizierten Akkulturationsprofile wurde in logistischen Regressionsanalysen die Chance ein Abitur beziehungsweise einen Hauptschulabschluss anzustreben geschätzt. Vor Berücksichtigung der Deutschkompetenz zeigen die Ergebnisse, dass das separierte Akkulturationsprofil den angestrebten Schulabschluss vorhersagt. Unter Kontrolle der Deutschkompetenz ist für kein Akkulturationsprofil mehr ein Effekt nachweisbar. Darüber hinausgehende Effekte der Herkunftsgruppe können lediglich für die Vorhersage der Chance ein Abitur anzustreben gezeigt werden. Die Befunde reihen sich in den Forschungsstand ein, der auf Nachteile der Separation im deutschen Schulkontext hindeutet und verweisen auf die Bedeutsamkeit der deutschsprachlichen Kompetenzen für schulischen Erfolg.
Potential urinary function benefits of initial robotic surgery for rectal cancer in the introductory phase
Authors: Oshio Hiroshi , Oshima Yukiko , Yunome Gen , Yano Mitsuyasu , Okazaki Shinji , Ashitomi Yuya , Musha Hiroaki , Kamio Yukinori , Motoi Fuyuhiko
Published: March 2021

We aimed to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of initial robotic surgery for rectal cancer in the introduction phase. This study retrospectively evaluated patients who underwent initial robotic surgery (n = 36) vs. patients who underwent conventional laparoscopic surgery (n = 95) for rectal cancer. We compared the clinical and pathological characteristics of patients using a propensity score analysis and clarified short-term outcomes, urinary function, and sexual function at the time of robotic surgery introduction. The mean surgical duration was longer in the robot-assisted laparoscopy group compared with the conventional laparoscopy group (288.4 vs. 245.2 min, respectively; p = 0.051). With lateral pelvic lymph node dissection, no significant difference was observed in surgical duration (508.0 min for robot-assisted laparoscopy vs. 480.4 min for conventional laparoscopy; p = 0.595). The length of postoperative hospital stay was significantly shorter in the robot-assisted laparoscopy group compared with the conventional laparoscopy group (15 days vs. 13.0 days, respectively; p = 0.026). Conversion to open surgery was not necessary in either group. The International Prostate Symptom Score was significantly lower in the robot-assisted laparoscopy group compared with the conventional laparoscopy group. Moderate-to-severe symptoms were more frequently observed in the conventional laparoscopy group compared with the robot-assisted laparoscopy group (p = 0.051). Robotic surgery is safe and could improve functional disorder after rectal cancer surgery in the introduction phase. This may depend on the surgeon’s experience in performing robotic surgery and strictly confined criteria in Japan.
Screening for Barrett’s Oesophagus: Are We Ready for it?
Authors: Yusuf Aisha , Fitzgerald Rebecca C.
Published: March 2021

Purpose of review

The targeted approach adopted for Barrett’s oesophagus (BO) screening is sub-optimal considering the large proportion of BO cases that are currently missed. We reviewed the literature highlighting recent technological advancements in efforts to counteract this challenge. We also provided insights into strategies that can improve the outcomes from current BO screening practises.

Recent findings

The standard method for BO detection, endoscopy, is invasive and expensive and therefore inappropriate for mass screening. On the other hand, endoscopy is more cost-effective for screening a high-risk population. A consensus has however not been reached on who should be screened. Risk prediction algorithms have been tested as an enrichment pre-screening tool reporting modest AUC’s but require more prospective evaluation studies. Less invasive endoscopy methods like trans-nasal endoscopy, oesophageal capsule endsocopy and non-endoscopic cell collection devices like the Cytosponge coupled with biomarker analysis have shown promise in BO detection with randomised clinical trial evidence.

A three-tier precision cancer programme whereby risk prediction algorithms and non-endoscopic minimally invasive cell collection devices are used to triage test a wider pool of individuals may improve the detection rate of current screening practises with minimal cost implications.
Molecular Dambusters: What Is Behind Hyperpermeability in Bradykinin-Mediated Angioedema?
Authors: Debreczeni Márta L. , Németh Zsuzsanna , Kajdácsi Erika , Farkas Henriette , Cervenak László
Published: March 2021

In the last few decades, a substantial body of evidence underlined the pivotal role of bradykinin in certain types of angioedema. The formation and breakdown of bradykinin has been studied thoroughly; however, numerous questions remained open regarding the triggering, course, and termination of angioedema attacks. Recently, it became clear that vascular endothelial cells have an integrative role in the regulation of vessel permeability. Apart from bradykinin, a great number of factors of different origin, structure, and mechanism of action are capable of modifying the integrity of vascular endothelium, and thus, may participate in the regulation of angioedema formation. Our aim in this review is to describe the most important permeability factors and the molecular mechanisms how they act on endothelial cells. Based on endothelial cell function, we also attempt to explain some of the challenging findings regarding bradykinin-mediated angioedema, where the function of bradykinin itself cannot account for the pathophysiology. By deciphering the complex scenario of vascular permeability regulation and edema formation, we may gain better scientific tools to be able to predict and treat not only bradykinin-mediated but other types of angioedema as well.
We Need to Improve Prenatal Screening Practices in Primary Obstetric Care: A Representative Data from a Fetal Medicine Unit in Coastal Karnataka
Authors: Poojari Vidyashree Ganesh , Paladugu Sanghamitra , Vasudeva Akhila , Mundkur Anjali , Pai Muralidhar V. , Kumar Pratap
Published: March 2021

Background

The present observational data from the fetal medicine unit aim to identify gaps in prenatal screening modalities employed in the primary obstetric care population in coastal Karnataka.

Methods

A retrospective observational study of all referrals to Fetal Medicine unit is over 2 years. For each fetal abnormality, we reviewed the literature to note the range of gestational age at which the abnormality should almost always be diagnosed. Taking this as standard, the gestational age at which each of these problems was diagnosed and referred was noted down. They were compared and analysed to understand the efficiency of prenatal screening practices in the referral population. The final perinatal outcome was also noted down in order to assess the impact on perinatal mortality/morbidity.

Results

A total of 277 cases were referred to fetal medicine unit. Two hundred twenty-eight cases (82.31%) were low risk pregnancies. Among 277 cases, 200 (72.2%) had structural abnormalities, 7 (2.5%) chromosomal/ genetic abnormalities, 61 (22.02%) isolated soft markers, and 9 (3.2%) twin-related problems. Detection rate of structural abnormalities was 33% at 14 weeks and 52.22% at 20 weeks, considering those anomalies usually diagnosed by these gestational age windows. The primary reason for delayed diagnosis was non-performance of ultrasound “on time”, rather than missed diagnosis. Fifty-three per cent (106 out of 200) of all the fetal structural abnormalities were diagnosed beyond 20 weeks. Average gestational age at mid-trimester anomaly scan in this group was between 20 and 24 weeks. Sixty-one patients were referred due to isolated soft markers, 30 beyond 20 weeks. Eighty per cent of them did not have any aneuploidy screening in pregnancy.

Conclusion

Practice of fetal medicine hugely depends upon appropriate prenatal screening practices in the referral population. There is an urgent need to bring in standard protocols for Prenatal Screening across all the primary obstetric care providers, both in the public and private sectors. Considering the huge burden of delayed prenatal diagnosis in our country, the proposed revision of MTP bill is a welcome change in fast-growing field of fetal diagnosis and therapy.
Realization of a fractional-order RLC circuit via constant phase element
Authors: Caponetto Riccardo , Graziani Salvatore , Murgano Emanuele
Published: March 2021

In the paper, a fractional-order RLC circuit is presented. The circuit is realized by using a fractional-order capacitor. This is realized by using carbon black dispersed in a polymeric matrix. Simulation results are compared with the experimental data, confirming the suitability of applying this new device in the circuital implementation of fractional-order systems.
A Keynesian reformulation of the WS-PS model: Keynesian unemployment and Classical unemployment
Authors: Piluso Nicolas , Colletis Gabriel
Published: March 2021

The orthodox theory of wage negotiations considers that the trade union monopoly causes a rigidity of real wages which is, itself, the cause of unemployment. The model of this negotiation ("Nash bargaining") only considers situations where negotiations between union and firm succeed. In this article, we attempt to read the WS-PS model from a Keynesian point of view. Our model reflects the fact that successful negotiation is only one case among other situations, including failure where the union expresses a claim that is not necessarily satisfied. Although, in situations close to full employment, there is a bargaining mechanism by which unions and firms reach an agreement, this is not the case in times of massive unemployment. In the latter situation, employment is unilaterally determined by firms, on the basis of previous demand.