bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Myocardial injury detected by T1 and T2 mapping on CMR predicts subsequent cancer therapy–related cardiac dysfunction in patients with breast cancer treated by epirubicin-based chemotherapy or left-sided RT
Authors: Tahir Enver , Azar Manuella , Shihada Sahar , Seiffert Katharina , Goy Yvonne , Beitzen-Heineke Antonia , Molwitz Isabel , Muellerleile Kai , Stehning Christian , Schön Gerhard , Adam Gerhard , Petersen Cordula , Müller Volkmar , Lund Gunnar K.
Published: September 2021

Objectives

Cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) is a relevant clinical problem and needs early prediction. This study aimed to analyze myocardial injury using serial laboratory and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) parameters after epirubicin-based chemotherapy compared with left-sided radiotherapy and to study their value for early prediction of CTRCD.

Methods

Sixty-six consecutive women (53 ± 13 years) including n = 39 with epirubicin-based chemotherapy and n = 27 with left-sided radiotherapy were prospectively studied by 3 T CMR including left ventricular (LV) mass and volumes for ejection fraction (LVEF), as well as feature-tracking with global longitudinal strain (GLS) and T1/T2 mapping. CMR was performed at baseline, at therapy completion (follow-up 1, FU1), and after 13 ± 2 months (FU2). CTRCD was defined as LVEF decline of at least 10% to < 55% or a > 15% GLS change at FU2.

Results

T1 and T2 increased at FU1 after epirubicin-based chemotherapy, but not after left-sided radiotherapy. CTRCD occurred in 20% of patients after epirubicin-based chemotherapy and in 4% after left-sided radiotherapy. T1 at FU1 was the best single parameter to predict CTRCD with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.712 (CI 0.587–0.816, p = 0.005) with excellent sensitivity (100%, 66–100%), but low specificity (44%, 31–58%). Combined use of increased T1 and LVEF ≤ 60% at FU1 improved AUC to 0.810 (0.695–0.896) resulting in good sensitivity (78%, 44–95%) and specificity (84%, 72–92%).

Conclusion

Only epirubicin-based chemotherapy, but not left-sided radiotherapy, resulted in increased T1/T2 myocardial relaxation times as a marker of myocardial injury. Combined use of CMR parameters may allow an early prediction of subsequent CTCRD.

Key Points

• Myocardial T1 and T2 relaxation times increased at FU1 after epirubicin-based chemotherapy, but not after left-sided radiotherapy.

• Cancer therapy–related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) occurred in 20% of patients after epirubicin-based chemotherapy and in 4% after left-sided radiotherapy.

• Combined use of increased T1 and reduced LVEF had an AUC of 0.810 (0.695–0.896) to predict CTRCD with good sensitivity (78%, 44–95%) and specificity (84%, 72–92%).
Importing genetically altered animals: ensuring quality
Authors: Birling M.-C. , Fray M. D. , Kasparek P. , Kopkanova J. , Massimi M. , Matteoni R. , Montoliu L. , Nutter L. M. J. , Raspa M. , Rozman J. , Ryder E. J. , Scavizzi F. , Voikar V. , Wells S. , Pavlovic G. , Teboul L.
Published: September 2021

The reproducibility of research using laboratory animals requires reliable management of their quality, in particular of their genetics, health and environment, all of which contribute to their phenotypes. The point at which these biological materials are transferred between researchers is particularly sensitive, as it may result in a loss of integrity of the animals and/or their documentation. Here, we describe the various aspects of laboratory animal quality that should be confirmed when sharing rodent research models. We also discuss how repositories of biological materials support the scientific community to ensure the continuity of the quality of laboratory animals. Both the concept of quality and the role of repositories themselves extend to all exchanges of biological materials and all networks that support the sharing of these reagents.
Sedimentological evidence for seiching in a swell-dominated headland-bay system: Table Bay, Western Cape, South Africa
Authors: Woodborne Mike , Flemming Burg
Published: September 2021

Table Bay, South Africa, is a typical headland-bay system with a shoreline that can be described by a logarithmic spiral. A peculiarity and unique feature of Table Bay is the juxtaposition of Robben Island opposite its headland. As a consequence, the bathymetry defines an ellipsoidal basin which was postulated to potentially resonate in the form of long-period standing waves (seiches). One aim of this study, therefore, was to investigate whether any evidence for such resonant oscillations could be detected in the geomorphology and sediment distribution patterns. Indeed, the ellipsoidal shape of the basin can be framed by two converging log-spirals with their centres located opposite each other, one off Robben Island and the other on the Cape Town side of the bay. The so-called apex line, which divides the two spirals into equal parts is aligned SW–NE, i.e. more or less parallel to the direction of ocean wave propagation. The distribution patterns of all sedimentary parameters were found to be characterised by a strikingly similar trend to either side of the apex line. This supports the hypothesis that the basin of Table Bay appears to resonate in the form of a mode 1 standing wave, with the node positioned above the apex line in the centre of the bay. The maximum period of such a standing wave was calculated to be around 37 min. The study demonstrates that large-scale sediment distribution patterns can reveal the existence of specific hydrodynamic processes in coastal embayments. It is recommended that this phenomenon be investigated in greater detail aimed at verifying the existence of resonant oscillations in Table Bay and, in the event, at establishing its precise nature and trigger mechanism.
Apocrine lesions of the breast
Authors: Quinn Cecily M. , D’Arcy Clare , Wells Clive
Published: September 2021

Apocrine change is recognised in benign, atypical and malignant lesions of the breast. Apocrine metaplasia, a frequent finding in the breast of women over the age of 25 years, is most commonly seen in benign cysts with a simple or papillary configuration. Apocrine change is also recognised in other benign lesions including sclerosing adenosis, now known as apocrine adenosis. Apocrine atypia usually refers to cytological atypia in which there is at least threefold variation in nuclear size but architectural atypia may also occur. The distinction between atypical apocrine hyperplasia and non-high-grade apocrine ductal carcinoma in situ may be difficult due to the relative rarity of these entities and the lack of validated diagnostic criteria. Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) with apocrine change is considered to be a variant of pleomorphic LCIS. An apocrine variant of encapsulated papillary carcinoma is also recognised. Apocrine change is described in invasive carcinoma, including no special type, lobular, micropapillary and mucinous variants. The recent WHO 2019 update recognises ‘carcinoma with apocrine differentiation’ as a special type breast carcinoma based on the presence of apocrine morphology in at least 90% of the tumour. Tumours with apocrine morphology are usually but not always hormone receptor negative. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) status is variable. Molecular studies have identified breast tumours with apocrine features and high expression of androgen receptor mRNA including ‘luminal androgen receptor tumours’ and ‘molecular apocrine tumours’. The term ‘pure apocrine carcinoma’ has been proposed to describe an invasive carcinoma with apocrine morphology that is oestrogen and progesterone receptor negative and androgen receptor positive. HER-2 status may be positive or negative. This article reviews the pathology of benign, atypical and malignant apocrine lesions of the breast, with emphasis on diagnostic criteria including an approach to evaluation of apocrine lesions on needle core biopsy, and recent advances in our understanding of invasive apocrine carcinoma.
Detailed clinical features and genotype–phenotype correlation in an OTOF-related hearing loss cohort in Japan
Authors: Iwasa Yoh-ichiro , Nishio Shin-ya , Yoshimura Hidekane , Sugaya Akiko , Kataoka Yuko , Maeda Yukihide , Kanda Yukihiko , Nagai Kyoko , Naito Yasushi , Yamazaki Hiroshi , Ikezono Tetsuo , Matsuda Han , Nakai Masako , Tona Risa , Sakurai Yuika , Motegi Remi , Takeda Hidehiko , Kobayashi Marina , Kihara Chiharu , Ishino Takashi , Morita Shin-ya , Iwasaki Satoshi , Takahashi Masahiro , Furutate Sakiko , Oka Shin-ichiro , Kubota Toshinori , Arai Yasuhiro , Kobayashi Yumiko , Kikuchi Daisuke , Shintani Tomoko , Ogasawara Noriko , Honkura Yohei , Izumi Shuji , Hyogo Misako , Ninoyu Yuzuru , Suematsu Mayumi , Nakayama Jun , Tsuchihashi Nana , Okami Mayuri , Sakata Hideaki , Yoshihashi Hiroshi , Kobayashi Taisuke , Kumakawa Kozo , Yoshida Tadao , Esaki Tomoko , Usami Shin-ichi
Published: September 2021

Mutations in the OTOF gene are a common cause of hereditary hearing loss and the main cause of auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD). Although it is reported that most of the patients with OTOF mutations have stable, congenital or prelingual onset severe-to-profound hearing loss, some patients show atypical clinical phenotypes, and the genotype–phenotype correlation in patients with OTOF mutations is not yet fully understood. In this study, we aimed to reveal detailed clinical characteristics of OTOF-related hearing loss patients and the genotype–phenotype correlation. Detailed clinical information was available for 64 patients in our database who were diagnosed with OTOF-related hearing loss. As reported previously, most of the patients (90.6%) showed a “typical” phenotype; prelingual and severe-to-profound hearing loss. Forty-seven patients (73.4%) underwent cochlear implantation surgery and showed successful outcomes; approximately 85–90% of the patients showed a hearing level of 20–39 dB with cochlear implant and a Categories of Auditory Performance (CAP) scale level 6 or better. Although truncating mutations and p.Arg1939Gln were clearly related to severe phenotype, almost half of the patients with one or more non-truncating mutations showed mild-to-moderate hearing loss. Notably, patients with p.His513Arg, p.Ile1573Thr and p.Glu1910Lys showed “true” auditory neuropathy-like clinical characteristics. In this study, we have clarified genotype–phenotype correlation and efficacy of cochlear implantation for OTOF-related hearing loss patients in the biggest cohort studied to date. We believe that the clinical characteristics and genotype–phenotype correlation found in this study will support preoperative counseling and appropriate intervention for OTOF-related hearing loss patients.
Classification of NF1 microdeletions and its importance for establishing genotype/phenotype correlations in patients with NF1 microdeletions
Authors: Kehrer-Sawatzki Hildegard , Cooper David N.
Published: September 2021

An estimated 5–11% of patients with neurofibromatosis type-1 (NF1) harbour large deletions encompassing the NF1 gene and flanking regions. These NF1 microdeletions are subclassified into type 1, 2, 3 and atypical deletions which are distinguishable from each other by their extent and by the number of genes included within the deletion regions as well as the frequency of mosaicism with normal cells. Most common are type-1 NF1 deletions which encompass 1.4-Mb and 14 protein-coding genes. Type-1 deletions are frequently associated with overgrowth, global developmental delay, cognitive disability and dysmorphic facial features which are uncommon in patients with intragenic pathogenic NF1 gene variants. Further, patients with type-1 NF1 deletions frequently exhibit high numbers of neurofibromas and have an increased risk of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours. Genes located within the type-1 NF1 microdeletion interval and co-deleted with NF1 are likely to act as modifiers responsible for the severe disease phenotype in patients with NF1 microdeletions, thereby causing the NF1 microdeletion syndrome. Genotype/phenotype correlations in patients with NF1 microdeletions of different lengths are important to identify such modifier genes. However, these correlations are critically dependent upon the accurate characterization of the deletions in terms of their extent. In this review, we outline the utility as well as the shortcomings of multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) to classify the different types of NF1 microdeletion and indicate the importance of high-resolution microarray analysis for correct classification, a necessary precondition to identify those genes responsible for the NF1 microdeletion syndrome.
Bacterial colonisation during regular daily use of a power-driven water flosser and risk for cross-contamination. Can it be prevented?
Authors: Bertl Kristina , Geissberger Chiarra , Zinndorf David , Johansson Pia Edlund , Al-Shammari Hatem , Eick Sigrun , Stavropoulos Andreas
Published: September 2021

Objective

To assess whether bacterial colonisation in a power-driven water flosser can be prevented.

Materials and methods

Twenty-four patients undergoing supportive periodontal treatment used 2 power-driven water flossers [Sonicare AirFloss (SAF), AirFloss Ultra (SAFU)] for 12 weeks each as follows: (a) with bottled water (BW); (b) with BW and cleaning the device extra-orally twice per week with chlorhexidine gluconate or (c) essential-oil-based (EO) mouth-rinse; (d) with EO only. Water-jet samples were taken after 6 and 12 weeks with the used nozzle and after exchanging to a brand-new nozzle. After 12 weeks, all devices underwent an intensive cleaning procedure. Samples were analysed by PCR-based method for cariogenic and periodontal pathogens and culture for staphylococci, aerobe gram-negative bacteria, and Candida sp.

Results

Contamination of SAF/SAFU with Streptococcus mutans was found in > 95% of the samples; periodontal pathogens and aerobe gram-negative bacteria were detected in 19–56% of the samples, while Staphylococcus aureus and Candida sp. were identified only in few samples. Contamination rate was basically unaffected by time-point, device, or way of use. Further, exchanging the nozzle did not prevent transmission of a contaminated water-jet, but the intensive cleaning reduced most of the pathogens significantly, except of S. mutans.

Conclusion

Neither a specific way of use nor exchanging the nozzle prevented bacterial colonisation and transmission of biofilm components via the water-jet of SAF/SAFU.

Clinical relevance

Bacterial colonisation in a power-driven water flosser seems impossible to prevent; to restrict the risk of cross-contamination within a household, one device per person should be recommended.
Hybrid operation technique for incisional hernia repair: a systematic review and meta-analysis of intra- and postoperative complications
Authors: Van den Dop L. Matthijs , De Smet Gijs H. J. , Kleinrensink Gert-Jan , Hueting Willem E. , Lange Johan F.
Published: September 2021

Background

Incisional hernia (IH) occurs approximately in 15% of patients after midline surgery. Surgical treatment for IHs include a solely open or solely laparoscopic approach with mesh placement. Recently, hybrid (combined laparoscopic and open) approaches have been introduced. This systematic review evaluates perioperative complications of hybrid incisional hernia repair (HIHR).

Methods

EMBASE, Medline via OvidSP, Web of Science, Cochrane and Google Scholar databases were searched. Studies providing data on intra- and postoperative complications in patients who underwent HIHR were included. Data on intra- and postoperative complications were extracted and meta-analyses were performed. Study quality was assessed with the Newcastle Ottowa Scale, ROBINS-I tool, and Cochrane risk of bias. PROSPERO registration: CRD42020175053.

Results

Eleven studies (n = 1681 patients) were included. Five studies compared intra-operative complications between HIHR and laparoscopic incisional hernia repair (LIHR) with a pooled incidence of 1.8% in HIHR group and 2.8% in LIHR group (p = 0.13). Comparison of postoperative prevalence of surgical site occurrences (SSOs) (23% versus 26%,p = 0.02) and surgical site occurrences requiring interventions (SSOPIs) (1.5% versus 4.1%,p < 0.01) were in favour of the HIHR group. Overall postoperative complications seemed to occur less frequent in the HIHR group, though no hard statements could be made due to the vast heterogeneity in reporting between studies.

Conclusion

Although the majority of studies were retrospective and included a small number of patients, HIHR seemingly led to less SSOs and SSOPIs. This systematic review forms a strong invitation for more randomized controlled trials to confirm the benefits of this approach.
Stratigraphic and structural controls on groundwater salinity variations in the Poso Creek Oil Field, Kern County, California, USA
Authors: Stephens Michael J. , Shimabukuro David H. , Chang Will , Gillespie Janice M. , Levinson Zack
Published: September 2021

Groundwater total dissolved solids (TDS) distribution was mapped with a three-dimensional (3D) model, and it was found that TDS variability is largely controlled by stratigraphy and geologic structure. General TDS patterns in the San Joaquin Valley of California (USA) are attributed to predominantly connate water composition and large-scale recharge from the adjacent Sierra Nevada. However, in smaller areas, stratigraphy and faulting play an important role in controlling TDS. Here, the relationship of stratigraphy and structure to TDS concentration was examined at Poso Creek Oil Field, Kern County, California. The TDS model was constructed using produced water TDS samples and borehole geophysics. The model was used to predict TDS concentration at discrete locations in 3D space and used a Gaussian process to interpolate TDS over a volume. In the overlying aquifer, TDS is typically <1,000 mg/L and increases with depth to ~1,200–3,500 mg/L in the hydrocarbon zone below the Macoma claystone—a regionally extensive, fine-grained unit—and reaches ~7,000 mg/L in isolated places. The Macoma claystone creates a vertical TDS gradient in the west where it is thickest, but control decreases to the east where it pinches out and allows freshwater recharge. Previously mapped normal faults were found to exhibit inconsistent control on TDS. In one case, high-density faulting appears to prevent recharge from flushing higher-TDS connate water. Elsewhere, the high-throw segments of a normal fault exhibit variable behavior, in places blocking lower-TDS recharge and in other cases allowing flushing. Importantly, faults apparently have differential control on oil and groundwater.
Clinical features of autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease in the Japanese population and analysis of splicing in PKHD1 gene for determination of phenotypes
Authors: Ishiko Shinya , Morisada Naoya , Kondo Atsushi , Nagai Sadayuki , Aoto Yuya , Okada Eri , Rossanti Rini , Sakakibara Nana , Nagano China , Horinouchi Tomoko , Yamamura Tomohiko , Ninchoji Takeshi , Kaito Hiroshi , Hamada Riku , Shima Yuko , Nakanishi Koichi , Matsuo Masafumi , Iijima Kazumoto , Nozu Kandai
Published: September 2021

Background

Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD) is caused by mutations in the PKHD1 gene. The clinical spectrum is often more variable than previously considered. We aimed to analyze the clinical features of genetically diagnosed ARPKD in the Japanese population.

Methods

We conducted a genetic analysis of patients with clinically diagnosed or suspected ARPKD in Japan. Moreover, we performed a minigene assay to elucidate the mechanisms that could affect phenotypes.

Results

PKHD1 pathogenic variants were identified in 32 patients (0–46 years). Approximately one-third of the patients showed prenatal anomalies, and five patients died within one year after birth. Other manifestations were detected as follows: chronic kidney disease stages 1–2 in 15/26 (57.7%), Caroli disease in 9/32 (28.1%), hepatic fibrosis in 7/32 (21.9%), systemic hypertension in 13/27 (48.1%), and congenital hypothyroidism in 3 patients. There have been reported that truncating mutations in both alleles led to severe phenotypes with perinatal demise. However, one patient without a missense mutation survived the neonatal period. In the minigene assay, c.2713C > T (p.Gln905Ter) and c.6808 + 1G > A expressed a transcript that skipped exon 25 (123 bp) and exon 41 (126 bp), resulting in an in-frame mutation, which might have contributed to the milder phenotype. Missense mutations in cases of neonatal demise did not show splicing abnormalities.

Conclusion

Clinical manifestations ranged from cases of neonatal demise to those diagnosed in adulthood. The minigene assay results indicate the importance of functional analysis, and call into question the fundamental belief that at least one non-truncating mutation is necessary for perinatal survival.
Continuous assessment of landslides by measuring their basal temperature
Authors: Seguí Carolina , Veveakis Manolis
Published: September 2021

In this study, we suggest a temperature-based assessment and mitigation approach for deep-seated landslides that allows to forecast the behavior of the slide and assess its stability. The suggested approach is validated through combined field monitoring and experimental testing of the El Forn landslide (Andorra), whose shear band material is Silurian shales. Thermal and rate controlled triaxial tests have shown that this material is thermal- and rate-sensitive, and in combination with the field data, they validate the theoretical assumption that by measuring the basal temperature of an active landslide, we can quantify and reduce the uncertainty of the model’s parameters, and adequately monitor and forecast the response of the selected deep-seated landslide. The data and results of this letter show that the presented model can give threshold values that can be used as an early-warning assessment and mitigation tool.
Hypothesis-driven science in large-scale studies: the case of GWAS
Authors: Read James , Sharma Sumana
Published: September 2021

It is now well-appreciated by philosophers that contemporary large-scale ‘-omics’ studies in biology stand in non-trivial relationships to more orthodox hypothesis-driven approaches. These relationships have been clarified by Ratti (2015); however, there remains much more to be said regarding how an important field of genomics cited in that work—‘genome-wide association studies’ (GWAS)—fits into this framework. In the present article, we propose a revision to Ratti’s framework more suited to studies such as GWAS. In the process of doing so, we introduce to the philosophical literature novel exploratory experiments in (phospho)proteomics, and demonstrate how these experiments interplay with the above considerations.
Prospective analysis of myocardial strain through the evolution of Chagas disease in the hamster animal model
Authors: Ribeiro Fernando Fonseca França , Moreira Henrique Turin , de Barros-Filho Antônio Carlos Leite , Tanaka Denise M. , Fabricio Camila G. , Oliveira Luciano F. L. , Prado Cibele M. , Simões Marcus V. , Schmidt André , Maciel Benedito C. , Marin-Neto José A. , Romano Minna Moreira Dias
Published: September 2021

Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) enables early diagnosis of myocardial damage by evaluating myocardial strain. We aimed to study sequential changes in structural and ventricular functional parameters during Chagas disease (CD) natural history in an animal model. 37 Syrian hamsters were inoculated intraperitoneally with Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas) and 20 with saline (Control). Echocardiography was performed before the infection (baseline), at 1 month (acute phase), 4, 6, and 8 months (chronic phase) using Vevo 2100 (Fujifilm Inc.) ultrasound system. Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, Left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD), Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), Global longitudinal (GLS), circumferential (GCS) and radial (GRS) strain were evaluated. Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) was used to assess right ventricular function. At 8 months, animals were euthanized and LV myocardial samples were analyzed for quantitation of inflammation and fibrosis. LVEF decreased over time in Chagas group and a difference from Control was detected at 6 months (p-value of groups#time interaction = 0.005). There was a pronounced decrease in GLS, GCS and TAPSE in Chagas group (p-value of groups#time interaction = 0.003 for GLS, < 0.001 for GCS and < 0.009 for TAPSE vs Control) since the first month. LVESD, LVEF and GLS were significantly correlated to the number of inflammatory cells (r = 0.41, p = 0.046; r = − 0.42, p = 0.042; r = 0.41, p = 0.047) but not to fibrosis. In the Syrian hamster model of CD STE parameters (GLS and GCS) showed an early decrease. Changes in LVEF, LVESD, and GLS were correlated to myocardial inflammation but not to fibrosis.
The Electronic Corpus of 17th- and 18th-century Polish Texts
Authors: Gruszczyński Włodzimierz , Adamiec Dorota , Bronikowska Renata , Kieraś Witold , Modrzejewski Emanuel , Wieczorek Aleksandra , Woliński Marcin
Published: September 2021

The paper describes the process of building the electronic corpus of 17th- and 18th-century Polish texts, a relatively large, balanced, structurally and morphologically annotated resource of the Middle Polish language, available for searching at https://www.korba.edu.pl. The corpus consists of samples extracted from over seven hundred texts written and published between 1601 and 1772, summing up to a total size of 13.5 million tokens which makes it one of the largest historical corpora for a Slavic language.
Unpacking future climate extremes and their sectoral implications in western Nepal
Authors: Chapagain Dipesh , Dhaubanjar Sanita , Bharati Luna
Published: September 2021

Existing climate projections and impact assessments in Nepal only consider a limited number of generic climate indices such as means. Few studies have explored climate extremes and their sectoral implications. This study evaluates future scenarios of extreme climate indices from the list of the Expert Team on Sector-specific Climate Indices (ET-SCI) and their sectoral implications in the Karnali Basin in western Nepal. First, future projections of 26 climate indices relevant to six climate-sensitive sectors in Karnali are made for the near (2021–2045), mid (2046–2070), and far (2071–2095) future for low- and high-emission scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5, respectively) using bias-corrected ensembles of 19 regional climate models from the COordinated Regional Downscaling EXperiment for South Asia (CORDEX-SA). Second, a qualitative analysis based on expert interviews and a literature review on the impact of the projected climate extremes on the climate-sensitive sectors is undertaken. Both the temperature and precipitation patterns are projected to deviate significantly from the historical reference already from the near future with increased occurrences of extreme events. Winter in the highlands is expected to become warmer and dryer. The hot and wet tropical summer in the lowlands will become hotter with longer warm spells and fewer cold days. Low-intensity precipitation events will decline, but the magnitude and frequency of extreme precipitation events will increase. The compounding effects of the increase in extreme temperature and precipitation events will have largely negative implications for the six climate-sensitive sectors considered here.
Does the Dome Defeat the Material Theory of Induction?
Authors: Peden William
Published: September 2021

According to John D. Norton's Material Theory of Induction, all inductive inferences are justified by local facts, rather than their formal features or some grand principles of nature's uniformity. Recently, Richard Dawid (Found Phys 45(9):1101–1109, 2015) has offered a challenge to this theory: in an adaptation of Norton's own celebrated "Dome" thought experiment, it seems that there are certain inductions that are intuitively reasonable, but which do not have any local facts that could serve to justify them in accordance with Norton's requirements. Dawid's suggestion is that “raw induction” might have a limited but important role for such inferences. I argue that the Material Theory can accommodate such inductions, because there are local facts concerning the combinatoric features of the induction’s target populations that can licence the inferences in an analogous way to existing examples of material induction. Since my arguments are largely independent of the details of the Dome, Norton's theory emerges as surprisingly robust against criticisms of excessive narrowness.
Assertion: The Constitutive Rule Account and the Engagement Condition Objection
Authors: Bräuer Felix
Published: September 2021

Many philosophers, following Williamson (The Philosophical Review 105(4): 489–523, 1996), Williamson (Knowledge and its Limits, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2000), subscribe to the constitutive rule account of assertion (CRAA). They hold that the activity of asserting is constituted by a single constitutive rule of assertion. However, in recent work, Maitra (in: Brown & Cappelen (ed). Assertion: new philosophical essays, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2011), Johnson (Acta Analytica 33(1): 51–67, 2018), and Kelp and Simion (Synthese 197(1): 125–137, 2020a), Kelp and Simion (in: Goldberg (ed) The Oxford Handbook of Assertion, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2020b) aim to show that, for all the most popular versions of the constitutive rule of assertion proposed in the literature, asserting is not an activity constituted by a single constitutive rule and that therefore CRAA is very likely false. To reach this conclusion, they all present a version of what can be dubbed the engagement condition objection. That is, they each propose a necessary condition on engaging in rule-constituted activities. Then they argue that, for all the most popular versions of the constitutive rule of assertion proposed in the literature, one can make assertions without satisfying this condition. In response, I present a counterexample that shows that the proposed engagement conditions lead to counterintuitive results, and I propose an alternative that better captures our intuitions. Then I argue that this alternative engagement condition is compatible with all the most popular versions of the constitutive rule of assertion.
A Virtue Reliabilist Error-Theory of Defeat
Authors: Hirvelä Jaakko
Published: September 2021

Knowledge defeat occurs when a subject knows that p, gains a defeater for her belief, and thereby loses her knowledge without necessarily losing her belief. It’s far from obvious that externalists can accommodate putative cases of knowledge defeat since a belief that satisfies the externalist conditions for knowledge can satisfy those conditions even if the subject later gains a defeater for her belief. I’ll argue that virtue reliabilists can accommodate defeat intuitions via a new kind of error theory. I argue that in cases where the subject holds dogmatically onto her belief in the face of an apparent defeater, her belief never qualified as knowledge, since the belief was not gained via an exercise of her epistemic virtues. In cases where the subject suspends her judgment upon receiving the putative defeater her original belief might have qualified as knowledge, but crucially, in such cases knowledge is lost due to loss of belief, rather than due to the epistemic force of the defeater. Therefore, knowledge defeat isn’t a genuine phenomenon even though there are no cases where a subject knows what she originally believed after receiving the putative defeater.
Computer-Mediated Communication and Child/Adolescent Friendship Quality after Residential Relocation
Authors: Wendt Ruth , Langmeyer Alexandra N.
Published: September 2021

The experience of residential relocation can affect children and adolescents in various ways. It often affects their close social relationships, and this is especially true when these individuals are no longer in close proximity to their family members and friends. Although face-to-face communication may be limited after relocation, computer-mediated communication can assist in maintaining and developing existing relationships. It may even help individuals initiate new social relationships. In the present study, we investigated the role of communication behavior with friends for perceived friendship quality among children and adolescents who recently experienced residential relocation. Based on a representative survey study of families in Germany, we selected parents having moved with their child (8 to 14 years) to another village or town within the last 24 months. In total, 57 parents who had recently moved – majority of whom were mothers – allowed their child to participate in the phone interview. These participants were, on average, 11 years of age, and 58% of them were male. The children answered questions about their communication behavior and the friendships they had with their three current best friends. Using multilevel analysis, we found that children and adolescents who more often communicated face-to-face with their friends also more intensively used computer-mediated technologies to stay in touch. However, the findings further revealed that computer-mediated communication has the potential to remove limitations in existing friendships in the event of relocation. In the following discussion, implications are examined regarding the role of new communication technologies for families with enhanced mobility requirements.
Prosocial Behavior Is a Relative Strength in Siblings of Children with Physical Disabilities or Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Orm Stian , Haukeland Yngvild , Vatne Torun , Silverman Wendy K. , Fjermestad Krister
Published: September 2021

Research on siblings of children with developmental and physical disabilities has emphasized negative influences on siblings’ mental health. Yet, such siblings may be more prosocial compared with siblings of children without disabilities, due to care responsibilities and their experiences with their brother’s or sister’s disability. We compared prosocial behavior between siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD; n = 47), physical disabilities (n = 42), and siblings of children without disabilities (n = 44) using a multi-informant approach (i.e., child-, mother-, and father-report). Prosocial behavior was measured with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Drawing on the theoretical and empirical sibling literature, we also examined whether siblings’ internalizing and externalizing difficulties, adjustment to the sibling situation, and communication with parents correlated with siblings’ prosocial behavior. Child-reported internalizing difficulties and mother–child communication significantly correlated with mother-reported prosocial behavior. Child-reported internalizing and externalizing difficulties significantly correlated with father-reported prosocial behavior. No significant correlates with child-reported prosocial behavior was identified. When adjusting for siblings’ internalizing and externalizing difficulties and mother–child communication, siblings of children with physical disabilities scored significantly higher than siblings of children without disabilities on mother- and father-reported prosocial behavior. Siblings of children with ASD scored significantly higher on mother-reported prosocial behavior. We conclude that prosocial behavior may be a relative strength in siblings of children with developmental and physical disabilities, and that siblings’ prosocial behavior may be influenced by type of disability, mental health, and family communication. Interventions targeting siblings’ mental health and family communication may be helpful in promoting siblings’ prosocial behavior.
Standardisation of 241Am activity for a key comparison
Authors: Pommé S. , Altzitzoglou T. , Van Ammel R. , Sibbens G.
Published: September 2021

The JRC applied six measurement techniques to standardise the activity of an 241Am solution in the frame of the 2003 key comparison CCRI(II)-K2.Am-241. The methods used were alpha-particle counting at a defined small solid angle, high-efficiency particle and photon counting with a windowless 4π CsI(Tl) sandwich spectrometer, 4π alpha counting with a pressurised proportional counter, alpha-gamma coincidence counting and sum counting with a small pressurised proportional counter and a NaI(Tl) well detector, and 4π counting with a liquid scintillation counter. All results were consistent and an unusually low measurement uncertainty of 0.054% was achieved. An overview is presented of the outcome of the key comparison exercise, which demonstrates international equivalence.
Ion-imprinted resin for use in an automated solid phase extraction system for determining 90Sr in environmental and human samples
Authors: Froidevaux Pascal , Pittet Pierre-André , Bühlmann Damien , Bochud François , Straub Marietta
Published: September 2021

In 90Sr analysis, determining its daughter 90Y improves the sensitivity of the radiometric methods. We found that to imprint a cavity made of [Y(6-(4-Vinylphenylcarbamoyl)pyridine-2-carboxylate)3] into a polystyrene skeleton yields a solid phase extraction resin with high selectivity for Y and Ln(III) over transition metals, alkaline, and alkaline-earth cations. We used this resin in an automated chromatography system to extract 90Y from milk, grass, vegetables, soil, sediments, water, human bones, and milk teeth samples. We found that the ion-imprinted resin could be used to separate light Ln(III) using a pH gradient, favoring the targeting of molecules used in nuclear medicine.
Amorphous alloys and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)
Authors: Janovszky Dora , Sveda Maria , Sycheva Anna , Kristaly Ferenc , Zámborszky Ferenc , Koziel Tomasz , Bala Piotr , Czel Gyorgy , Kaptay George
Published: September 2021

A remarkable number of scientific papers are available in the literature about the bulk amorphous alloys and metallic glasses. Today, DSC is an essential tool for amorphous alloys research and development, and of course for quality assurance. In many cases, users seek to examine the determination of only one or two properties, although much more information can be obtained from the measurements. The research involved structural relaxation, Curie temperature, glass temperature, crystallization, phase separation, nanocrystalline volume fraction, melting point and liquidus temperature determination subjects and kinetics of microstructural transformations induced by thermal treatment. We collected and present the information that can be obtained with this technique and draws the reader’s attention to some potential problems related to data interpretation.
Do exist gender differences in skin temperature of lower limbs following exercise test in male and female cross-country skiers?
Authors: Binek M. , Drzazga Z. , Socha T. , Pokora I.
Published: September 2021

The aim of study was to assess the skin temperature changes over selected muscles zones of the lower limbs following an exercise performed at similar relative external workload in 10 male and 6 female high-trained cross-country skiers. The first stage of experiment involved preliminary exercise to determine individual oxygen uptake VO2max and anaerobic threshold. The second stage experimental exercise consisted of 60 min running on treadmill with 80% of determined VO2max Thermographic imaging of lower limbs was performed, before, immediately after exercise and during recovery. Physiological parameters: VO2, MET—metabolic energy equivalent, heart rate and internal temperature were assessed at rest and at the end of exercise, respectively. Infrared thermography showed that at rest the skin temperature over lower limb muscles was significantly higher in men than in women. In response to exercise an increase in skin temperature over the studied muscles was significantly higher in women than men. Since was no significant difference in skin temperature in men and women after exercise. Before the test, no physiological parameter was significantly different in women and men. Exercise test reveled significant differences between men and women in some physiological parameters such as VO2 and MET. Our study showed that there are significant differences in lower limbs skin temperature between male and female at rest but not at the end of exercise test. Women in comparison with men had a greater increase in skin temperature in response to exercise and a persistence of elevated temperature over muscles of lower limbs after exercise.
Heat flow, heat capacity and thermal resistance of localized surfaces of the human body using a new calorimetric sensor
Authors: Rodríguez de Rivera Pedro Jesús , Rodríguez de Rivera Miriam , Socorro Fabiola , Callicó Gustavo Marrero , Calbet Jose A. L. , Rodríguez de Rivera Manuel
Published: September 2021

A non-invasive sensor equipped with a programmable thermostat has been developed to assess in vivo the heat flow transmitted by conduction from human skin to the sensor thermostat. This device enables the assessment of the thermal properties of a 2 × 2 cm2 skin surface with a thermal penetration depth of 3–4 mm. In this work, we report the thermal magnitudes recorded with this sensor in 6 different areas (temple, hand, abdomen, thigh, wrist and heel) of 6 healthy subjects of different genders and ages, which were measured under resting conditions. Heat flow and equivalent thermal resistance are proportionally related to each other and are highly variable in magnitude and different for each zone. The heat capacity is also different for each zone. The heat flow values varied from 362 ± 17 mW at the temple to 36 ± 12 mW at the heel for the same subject, when the sensor thermostat was set at 26 °C. The equivalent thermal resistance ranged from 23 ± 2 K W−1 in the volar area of the wrist to 52 ± 4 KW−1 in the inner thigh area. The heat capacity varies from 4.8 ± 0.4 J K−1 in the heel to 6.4 ± 0.2 J K−1 in the abdomen. These magnitudes were also assessed over a 2 × 1 cm2 second-degree burn scar in the volar area of the wrist. The scar area had 27.6 and 11.6% lower heat capacity and equivalent thermal resistance, respectively, allowing an increased heat flow in the injured area. This work is a preliminary study of the measurement capacity of this new instrument.
YOLO with adaptive frame control for real-time object detection applications
Authors: Lee Jeonghun , Hwang Kwang-il
Published: September 2021

You only look once (YOLO) is being used as the most popular object detection software in many intelligent video applications due to its ease of use and high object detection precision. In addition, in recent years, various intelligent vision systems based on high-performance embedded systems are being developed. Nevertheless, the YOLO still requires high-end hardware for successful real-time object detection. In this paper, we first discuss real-time object detection service of the YOLO on AI embedded systems with resource constraints. In particular, we point out the problems related to real-time processing in YOLO object detection associated with network cameras, and then propose a novel YOLO architecture with adaptive frame control (AFC) that can efficiently cope with these problems. Through various experiments, we show that the proposed AFC can maintain the high precision and convenience of YOLO, and provide real-time object detection service by minimizing total service delay, which remains a limitation of the pure YOLO.
The effects of gift vouchers and environmental certificates on the demand for a collective DRT system
Authors: Minnich Aljoscha , Rau Holger A. , Schlüter Jan Christian
Published: September 2021

This paper analyzes in a large-scale field experiment (N = 1425) whether gift vouchers stimulate the use of a demand responsive transportation (DRT) system. This scenario is compared to a situation where customers receive environmental certificates, which report the saved carbon dioxide as a consequence of the bus ride. In our two treatments, the gift vouchers and the environmental certificates could be gained by reaching to a certain threshold of rides with the DRT service (EcoBus). We find that the demand went up more by gift vouchers (83%) compared to certificates (65%). The data show that vouchers especially outperform the certificates at the end of the treatment phase.
Using UAV-based hyperspectral imaging and functional regression to assist in predicting grain yield and related traits in wheat under heat-related stress environments for the purpose of stable yielding genotypes
Authors: Costa Lucas , McBreen Jordan , Ampatzidis Yiannis , Guo Jia , Gahrooei Mostafa Reisi , Babar Md Ali
Published: September 2021

Quantifying certain physiological traits under heat-stress is crucial for maximizing genetic gain for wheat yield and yield-related components. In-season estimation of different physiological traits related to heat stress tolerance can ensure the finding of germplasm, which could help in making effective genetic gains in yield. However, estimation of those complex traits is time- and labor-intensive. Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) based hyperspectral imaging could be a powerful tool to estimate indirectly in-season genetic variation for different complex physiological traits in plant breeding that could improve genetic gains for different important economic traits, like grain yield. This study aims to predict in-season genetic variations for cellular membrane thermostability (CMT), yield and yield related traits based on spectral data collected from UAVs; particularly, in cases where there is a small sample size to collect data from and a large range of features collected per sample. In these cases, traditional methods of yield-prediction modeling become less robust. To handle this, a functional regression approach was employed that addresses limitations of previous techniques to create a model for predicting CMT, grain yield and other traits in wheat under heat stress environmental conditions and when data availability is constrained. The results preliminarily indicate that the overall models of each trait studied presented a good accuracy compared to their data’s standard deviation. The yield prediction model presented an average error of 13.42%, showing the function-on-function algorithm chosen for the model as reliable for small datasets with high dimensionality.
Christian physicalism and the biblical argument for dualism
Authors: Weir Ralph Stefan
Published: September 2021

This paper examines whether biblical descriptions of the intermediate state imply dualism of the sort that rules out physicalism. Certain passages in the Bible seem to describe persons or souls existing without their bodies in an intermediate state between death and resurrection. For this reason, these passages appear to imply a form of dualism. Some Christian physicalists have countered that the passages in question are in fact compatible with physicalism. For it is compatible with physicalism that, although we are necessarily constituted by physical bodies, we can continue to exist without our current bodies in the intermediate state by being constituted by replacement bodies. I argue that broadly Gricean considerations significantly weaken this response. In its place, I propose a new, linguistic objection to the biblical argument for dualism. The linguistic objection says that biblical descriptions of an intermediate state cannot imply dualism in the sense that contradicts physicalism because physicalism is defined by a concept of the physical derived from modern physics, and no term in the biblical languages expresses that concept. I argue that the linguistic objection is less vulnerable to Gricean considerations than the constitution objection. On the other hand the linguistic objection also makes concessions to dualism that some Christian physicalists will find unacceptable. And it may be possible to reinforce the biblical argument for dualism by appeal to recent research on ‘common-sense dualism’. The upshot for Christian physicalists who wish to remain open to the biblical case for an intermediate state is therefore partly good, partly bad. The prospects for a Biblical argument for dualism in the sense that contradicts physicalism are limited but remain open.