bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ethnogeographic and inter-individual variability of human ABC transporters
Authors: Xiao Qingyang , Zhou Yitian , Lauschke Volker M. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters constitute a superfamily of 48 structurally similar membrane transporters that mediate the ATP-dependent cellular export of a plethora of endogenous and xenobiotic substances. Importantly, genetic variants in ABC genes that affect gene function have clinically important effects on drug disposition and can be predictors of the risk of adverse drug reactions and efficacy of chemotherapeutics, calcium channel blockers, and protease inhibitors. Furthermore, loss-of-function of ABC transporters is associated with a variety of congenital disorders. Despite their clinical importance, information about the frequencies and global distribution of functionally relevant ABC variants is limited and little is known about the overall genetic complexity of this important gene family. Here, we systematically mapped the genetic landscape of the entire human ABC superfamily using Next-Generation Sequencing data from 138,632 individuals across seven major populations. Overall, we identified 62,793 exonic variants, 98.5% of which were rare. By integrating five computational prediction algorithms with structural mapping approaches using experimentally determined crystal structures, we found that the functional ABC variability is extensive and highly population-specific. Every individual harbored between 9.3 and 13.9 deleterious ABC variants, 76% of which were found only in a single population. Carrier rates of pathogenic variants in ABC transporter genes associated with autosomal recessive congenital diseases, such as cystic fibrosis or pseudoxanthoma elasticum, closely mirrored the corresponding population-specific disease prevalence, thus providing a novel resource for rare disease epidemiology. Combined, we provide the most comprehensive, systematic, and consolidated overview of ethnogeographic ABC transporter variability with important implications for personalized medicine, clinical genetics, and precision public health.
Signal de-noising in gear pitting fault identification by an improved singular value decomposition method
Authors: Zhou Xintao , Cui Yahui , Li Longlong , Wang Lihua , Liu Xiayi , Zhang Baofeng 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIn this research a new method of improved singular value decomposition (ISVD) is proposed for the vibration signal de-noising of gear pitting fault identification. In this method, the delay time τ and embedding dimension m of the Hankel matrix for SVD are optimized by autocorrelation function and Cao’s algorithm respectively. Simulation and experiments are conducted to demonstrate the method. In the simulation, the ISVD method is employed to de-noise the artificial vibration signal in a mathematical model of gear pitting fault, the result demonstrates the signal-noise ratio (SNR) value is SNR = 31.3 dB, and the root-mean-square error (RMSE) value is RMSE = 0.34. In the experiment, the ISVD method is adopted to de-noising the vibration signal of gear pitting fault identification, the results demonstrate SNR is SNR >45 dB, and the RMSE value is RMSE <0.4 of the fault characteristic signals at each measuring point position. The results of simulation and experiment show, the ISVD method is efficient to de-noise the vibration signal of gear pitting fault.
Simple particle shapes for DEM simulations of railway ballast: influence of shape descriptors on packing behaviour
Authors: Suhr Bettina , Six Klaus 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
In any DEM simulation, the chosen particle shape will greatly influence the simulated material behaviour. For a specific material, e.g. railway ballast, it remains an open question how to model the particle shape, such that DEM simulations are computationally efficient and simulation results are in good accordance with measurements. While DEM shape modelling for railway ballast is well addressed in the literature, approaches mainly aim at approximating the stones’ actual shape, resulting in rather complex and thus inefficient particle shapes. In contrast, very simple DEM shapes will be constructed, clumps of three spheres, which aim to approximate shape descriptors of the considered ballast material. In DEM simulations of the packing behaviour, a set of clump shapes is identified, which can pack at porosities observed at track sites, as well as in lab tests. The relation between particle shape (descriptors) and obtained packing (characteristic) is investigated in a correlation analysis. The simulated packing’s porosity is strongly correlated to four shape descriptors, which are also strongly correlated among each other. Thus, to derive simple shape models of a given particle shape, matching one of these shape descriptors, might be a good first step to bring simulated porosities closer to measured ones. The conducted correlation analysis also shows that packing’s coordination number and isotropic fabric are correlated to more shape descriptors, making it more difficult to estimate the effect of particle shape on these quantities.

Graphic abstract
Altered ratio of circulating follicular regulatory T cells and follicular helper T cells during primary EBV infection
Authors: Qian Jiang , Yu Qinhua , Chen Guoqing , Wang Mingxia , Zhao Zhao , Zhang Yueyue , Qiu Liannv 
Published: March 2020

AbstractFollicular help T cells (Tfh) play an important role in the activation and differentiation of B cells, while follicular regulatory T cells (Tfr) control Tfh and resulting humoral immune responses. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that the dysregulation of Tfr contributed to the pathogenesis of infectious diseases. However, the role of Tfr in Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection remains lacking. Fifty-five EBV-infected infectious mononucleosis (IM) patients and 21 healthy individuals (HIs) were recruited in the study. We investigated the number of Tfr (FoxP3+CXCR5+PD-1+CD4+) and Tfh (FoxP3−CXCR5+PD-1+CD4+) of peripheral blood in IM patients at diagnosis (D0) and day 15 after diagnosis (D15) via multicolor flow cytometry. Results revealed that circulating Tfh (cTfh) and Tfr (cTfr) of IM at D0 were both increased compared to HIs, and cTfr began to decline and return to normal at D15, while cTfh was still higher than those of HIs. More interestingly, the cTfr/cTfh ratio of IM at D0 and D15 was lower than that of HIs, suggesting that the balance between cTfh and cTfr was disturbed during primary EBV infection. Correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between cTfr with CD19+IgD+CD27−naive B cells, CD19+IgD−CD27hiplasmablasts or CD19+CD24hiCD27hiB cells. Moreover, both cTfr and the cTfr/cTfh ratio of IM at D0 were negatively correlated with EBV DNA virus load. These results indicate that an imbalance of cTfr and cTfh cells may be involved in the immunopathogenesis of EBV-infected IM patients and may provide novel strategies for controlling EBV-related disease.
Zwanzig Jahre Makroökonomischer Dialog der EU
Authors: Koll Willi 
Published: March 2020

ZusammenfassungDer Makroökonomische Dialog der EU besteht nunmehr seit zwanzig Jahren. Verlief im ersten Jahrzehnt seines Bestehens die gesamtwirtschaftliche Entwicklung über den gesamten Euroraum gesehen durchaus befriedigend, so zeigten die zwischenzeitlich aufgelaufenen massiven gesamtwirtschaftlichen Divergenzen zwischen den Mitgliedstaaten und die dadurch verursachte Krise, dass es einer vertieften Institutionalisierung der makroökonomischen Koordinierung bedarf. Sie muss insbesondere einer stärkeren Abstimmung zwischen Euroraum und Mitgliedstaaten Rechnung tragen. Hierzu wird die Einrichtung eines Makroökonomischen Dialogs sowohl für den Euroraum als auch auf nationaler Ebene und deren Umsetzung unter deutscher Präsidentschaft im zweiten Halbjahr 2020 im Rahmen der umfassenden Economic Governance Review der EU-Kommission vorgeschlagen.
Vorfälligkeitsentschädigung: Pragmatischer Interessenausgleich ist möglich
Authors: Best Stefan 
Published: March 2020

ZusammenfassungStreitfragen bezüglich der Vorfälligkeitsentschädigung beschäftigen seit vielen Jahren deutsche Gerichte, weil die Bundesregierung die Berechnung bislang nicht rechtsverbindlich geregelt hat. Eine von zwei Bundesministerien eingesetzte Arbeitsgruppe legte Ende 2018 ihren Abschlussbericht vor. Ein Konsens zur Schadensberechnung und Verbesserung der Transparenz konnte jedoch nicht erzielt werden. Ob und wie der Gesetzgeber nun reagieren wird, ist unklar. Daher werden hier Beispielrechnungen dargestellt, die wichtigsten Streitpunkte untersucht und einige pragmatische Vorschläge diskutiert.
Neurofeedback and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity-Disorder (ADHD) in Children: Rating the Evidence and Proposed Guidelines
Authors: Arns Martijn , Clark C. Richard , Trullinger Mark , deBeus Roger , Mack Martha , Aniftos Michelle 
Published: March 2020

AbstractStimulant medication and behaviour therapy are the most often applied and accepted treatments for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity-Disorder (ADHD). Here we explore where the non-pharmacological clinical intervention known as neurofeedback (NFB), fits on the continuum of empirically supported treatments, using standard protocols. In this quantitative review we utilized an updated and stricter version of the APA guidelines for rating ‘well-established’ treatments and focused on efficacy and effectiveness using effect-sizes (ES) and remission, with a focus on long-term effects. Efficacy and effectiveness are compared to medication and behaviour therapy using benchmark studies. Only recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses as well as multi-centre randomized controlled trials (RCT’s) will be included. Two meta-analyses confirmed significant efficacy of standard neurofeedback protocols for parent and teacher rated symptoms with a medium effect size, and sustained effects after 6–12 months. Four multicenter RCT’s demonstrated significant superiority to semi-active control groups, with medium-large effect sizes end of treatment or follow-up and remission rates of 32–47%. Effectiveness in open-label studies was confirmed, no signs of publication bias were found and no significant neurofeedback-specific side effects have been reported. Standard neurofeedback protocols in the treatment of ADHD can be concluded to be a well-established treatment with medium to large effect sizes and 32–47% remission rates and sustained effects as assessed after 6–12 months.
Richard E. Wagner (Ed.): James M. Buchanan—A theorist of political economy and social philosophy
Authors: Horn Karen 
Published: March 2020

AbstractRichard E. Wagner has published a multidisciplinary collection of fifty essays written by different scholars in the areas of James M. Buchanan’s wide-ranging work. This volume is so broad in scope, so rich in fascinating reflections, so instructive that anybody should benefit from it who has a genuine, if critical, interest in Buchanan’s work.
An account of EFL learners’ self-efficacy and gender in the Flipped Classroom Model
Authors: Namaziandost Ehsan , Çakmak Fidel 
Published: March 2020

AbstractEmerging technologies and mobile devices have enabled improved quality of learning outcomes in the field of language learning. With the opportunities provided by innovative, emerging tools, traditional ways of learning have been enhanced. The flipped classroom is one of the innovative learning models that have appeared in language learning in the last decade. The current study was carried out to investigate the difference that the flipped classroom made on students’ self-efficacy and gender. 58 participants with an intermediate proficiency level in English were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: experimental (flipped classroom) and control (traditional) group. The participants employed the Self-Efficacy Survey before and after the intervention of flipped classroom. The results demonstrated a significant increase in self-efficacy scores of the experimental group. When gender was analyzed separately, the females in the experimental group were found to have greater improvements in self-efficacy than their male colleagues in the experimental group when utilizing the flipped classroom practice. In the light of the results, students, especially female students can increase their individual confidence in producing specific or requested performance in language learning while engaged in the flipped classroom.
Simulating Movement Devices Used in Hospital Evacuation
Authors: Hunt Aoife L. E. , Galea Edwin R. , Lawrence Peter J. , Frost Ian R. , Gwynne Steven M. V. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIn hospitals, the evacuation of those with severe movement impairments can be highly problematic for the patients, for the staff and for other evacuees. It is critical to understand the performance of horizontal and vertical evacuation procedures, including the means by which people with reduced mobility can be assisted during stair descent. Microsimulation modelling provides a useful tool to assess evacuation strategies, given the challenges of preparing and transporting patients in need of on-going care and the unfeasibility of real evacuation drills. However, current simulation models typically focus on the movement of individual agents, not the staff-patient interactions and sizable equipment required to carry out assisted evacuation. To address this, the buildingEXODUS evacuation model has been enhanced to represent moving objects in addition to moving individual agents. This paper describes the modelling theory behind this development, where dedicated data has been applied to enable the explicit specification of evacuation devices, operated by agents (for instance, representing the vertical travel speeds achieved—with averages ranging between 0.6 m/s and 0.84 m/s—when employing different movement devices). Algorithms are presented that calculate the movement of devices along corridors, through doorways and in stairway descent, including a method of geometric decomposition of the available hospital evacuation routes. This new functionality addresses the key evacuation components of repeated patient collection and has numerous applications, both in simulating hospital evacuation and in representing evacuation of other premises that include people with reduced mobility. Examination of the performance of this functionality found it predicated performance within 6% of expectation. Once further testing is completed, the resultant tool can be used to significantly enhance planning and diagnostic capabilities related to the evacuation of hospital and other healthcare facilities.
High-performance GPU computations in nonlinear dynamics: an efficient tool for new discoveries
Authors: Hegedűs Ferenc , Krähling Péter , Lauterborn Werner , Mettin Robert , Parlitz Ulrich 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe main aim of this paper is to demonstrate the benefit of the application of high-performance computing techniques in the field of non-linear science through two kinds of dynamical systems as test models. It is shown that high-resolution, multi-dimensional parameter scans (in the order of millions of parameter combinations) via an initial value problem solver are an efficient tool to discover new features of dynamical systems that are hard to find by other means. The employed initial value problem solver is an in-house code written in C++ and CUDA C software environments, which can exploit the high processing power of professional graphics cards (GPUs). The first test model is the Keller–Miksis equation, a non-linear oscillator describing the dynamics of a driven single spherical gas bubble placed in an infinite domain of liquid. This equation is important in the field of cavitation and sonochemistry. Here, the high-resolution parameter scans gave us the opportunity to lay down the basis of a non-feedback technique to control multi-stability in which direct selection of the desired attractor is possible. The second test model is related to a pressure relief valve that can exhibit a special kind of impact dynamics called grazing impact. A fine scan of the initial conditions revealed a second focal point of the grazing lines in the initial-condition space that was hidden in previous studies.
Peer Feedback Improves Students’ Academic Self-Concept in Higher Education
Authors: Simonsmeier Bianca A. , Peiffer Henrike , Flaig Maja , Schneider Michael 
Published: March 2020

AbstractPeer feedback has been shown to be an effective strategy to improve academic achievement. However, little evidence is available about the effects of peer feedback on academic outcomes other than achievement, such as academic self-concept (ASC). ASC and achievement are reciprocally related and thus mutual reinforce themselves. The present study focuses on the effect of a four week long structured web-based peer feedback intervention on ASC in the domain of academic writing as a part of a seminar assignment in a sample of undergraduate psychology students. The study investigated the effectiveness with 49 students in a randomized-controlled trial with a pre-and post-test. Each student acted as an author and a reviewer. Results indicated significant improvements in ASC for the domain of academic writing over time as compared to a control group. Furthermore, the causal effect of peer feedback compared to no feedback on ASC for academic writing was strong with d = 0.72. The effect was domain specific, as the ASCs for the sub-domains statistics and language remained unchanged by the intervention. Overall, the results revealed that participation in a peer feedback system is an effective method to enhance ASC in the context of higher education.
A Triple Pore Network Model (T-PNM) for Gas Flow Simulation in Fractured, Micro-porous and Meso-porous Media
Authors: Rabbani Arash , Babaei Masoud , Javadpour Farzam 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIn this study, a novel triple pore network model (T-PNM) is introduced which is composed of a single pore network model (PNM) coupled to fractures and micro-porosities. We use two stages of the watershed segmentation algorithm to extract the required data from semi-real micro-tomography images of porous material and build a structural network composed of three conductive elements: meso-pores, micro-pores, and fractures. Gas and liquid flow are simulated on the extracted networks and the calculated permeabilities are compared with dual pore network models (D-PNM) as well as the analytical solutions. It is found that the processes which are more sensitive to the surface features of material, should be simulated using a T-PNM that considers the effect of micro-porosities on overall process of flow in tight pores. We found that, for gas flow in tight pores where the close contact of gas with the surface of solid walls makes Knudsen diffusion and gas slippage significant, T-PNM provides more accurate solution compared to D-PNM. Within the tested range of operational conditions, we recorded between 10 and 50% relative error in gas permeabilities of carbonate porous rocks if micro-porosities are dismissed in the presence of fractures.
A population-based resource for intergenerational metabolomics analyses in pregnant women and their children: the Generation R Study
Authors: Voerman Ellis , Jaddoe Vincent W. V. , Uhl Olaf , Shokry Engy , Horak Jeannie , Felix Janine F. , Koletzko Berthold , Gaillard Romy 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Introduction
Adverse exposures in early life may predispose children to cardio-metabolic disease in later life. Metabolomics may serve as a valuable tool to disentangle the metabolic adaptations and mechanisms that potentially underlie these associations.

Objectives
To describe the acquisition, processing and structure of the metabolomics data available in a population-based prospective cohort from early pregnancy onwards and to examine the relationships between metabolite profiles of pregnant women and their children at birth and in childhood.

Methods
In a subset of 994 mothers-child pairs from a prospective population-based cohort study among pregnant women and their children from Rotterdam, the Netherlands, we used LC–MS/MS to determine concentrations of amino acids, non-esterified fatty acids, phospholipids and carnitines in blood serum collected in early pregnancy, at birth (cord blood), and at child’s age 10 years.

Results
Concentrations of diacyl-phosphatidylcholines, acyl-alkyl-phosphatidylcholines, alkyl-lysophosphatidylcholines and sphingomyelines were the highest in early pregnancy, concentrations of amino acids and non-esterified fatty acids were the highest at birth and concentrations of alkyl-lysophosphatidylcholines, free carnitine and acyl-carnitines were the highest at age 10 years. Correlations of individual metabolites between pregnant women and their children at birth and at the age of 10 years were low (range between r = − 0.10 and r = 0.35).

Conclusion
Our results suggest that unique metabolic profiles are present among pregnant women, newborns and school aged children, with limited intergenerational correlations between metabolite profiles. These data will form a valuable resource to address the early metabolic origins of cardio-metabolic disease.
A service evaluation of e-triage in the osteoporosis outpatient clinic—an effective tool to improve patient access?
Authors: Lindsay John R. , Lawrenson G. , English S. 
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Summary

We introduced an electronic triage system into our osteoporosis service to actively manage referral demand in a busy outpatient service. Our study demonstrated the effectiveness of e-triage in supporting alternative management pathways, through use of virtual advice and direct to investigation services, to improve patient access.

Purpose
Osteoporosis referrals are increasing with awareness of the potential for prevention of fragility fracture and with complex decision making around management with long-term bisphosphonate therapy. We examined whether active triage of referrals might improve referral management processes and patient access to osteoporosis services.

Methods
We implemented electronic triage (e-triage) of referrals to our osteoporosis service using the Northern Ireland electronic health care record. This included the option of ‘advice only’, direct to investigation with DXA or face-to-face appointments at the consultant-led complex osteoporosis service. We anticipated that there was scope to manage patient flow direct to investigation, or to provide referring clinicians with clinical advice without the need for a face-to-face assessment, at the consultant-led specialist service.

Results
We reviewed e-triage outcomes of 809 referrals (692 F; 117 M) to osteoporosis specialist services (mean age 65 ± 16.5 years) over a 12-month period. There was a high degree of agreement for the triage category between the referring clinician and specialist services (741/809). 73.3% attended a face-to-face appointment at the consultant-led clinic, while active triage enabled direct to investigation (18.4%) or discharge (8.3%) in the remainder. The mean time between receipt of an electronic referral and e-triage was 3 days over the 12-month period as compared with 2.1 days (median 1.1 days) when annual leave periods were excluded.

Conclusion
E-triage supports effective referral management in a busy osteoporosis service. Efficiency is limited by reliance on a sole clinician and 5 day working at present. There is scope to further improve systems access through multidisciplinary team working, virtual clinics and future information technology developments.