bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The immune landscape of IgA induction in the gut
Authors: Seikrit Claudia , Pabst Oliver 
Published: August 2021

AbstractAntibodies are key elements of protective immunity. In the mucosal immune system in particular, secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA), the most abundantly produced antibody isotype, protects against infections, shields the mucosal surface from toxins and environmental factors, and regulates immune homeostasis and a peaceful coexistence with our microbiota. However, the dark side of IgA biology promotes the formation of immune complexes and provokes pathologies, e.g., IgA nephropathy (IgAN). The precise mechanisms of how IgA responses become deregulated and pathogenic in IgAN remain unresolved. Yet, as the field of microbiota research moved into the limelight, our basic understanding of IgA biology has been taking a leap forward. Here, we discuss the structure of IgA, the anatomical and cellular foundation of mucosal antibody responses, and current concepts of how we envision the interaction of SIgA and the microbiota. We center on key concepts in the field while taking account of both historic findings and exciting new observations to provide a comprehensive groundwork for the understanding of IgA biology from the perspective of a mucosal immunologist.
Advanced loading constraints for 3D vehicle routing problems
Authors: Krebs Corinna , Ehmke Jan Fabian , Koch Henriette 
Published: August 2021

AbstractGiven automated order systems, detailed characteristics of items and vehicles enable the detailed planning of deliveries including more efficient and safer loading of distribution vehicles. Many vehicle routing approaches ignore complex loading constraints. This paper focuses on the comprehensive evaluation of loading constraints in the context of combined Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem and 3D Loading (3L-CVRP) and its extension with time windows (3L-VRPTW). To the best of our knowledge, this paper considers the currently largest number of loading constraints meeting real-world requirements and reducing unnecessary loading efforts for both problem variants. We introduce an approach for the load bearing strength of items ensuring a realistic load distribution between items. Moreover, we provide a new variant for the robust stability constraint enabling better performance and higher stability. In addition, we consider axle weights of vehicles to prevent overloaded axles for the first time for the 3L-VRPTW. Additionally, the reachability of items, balanced loading and manual unloading of items are taken into account. All loading constraints are implemented in a deepest-bottom-left-fill algorithm, which is embedded in an outer adaptive large neighbourhood search tackling the Vehicle Routing Problem. A new set of 600 instances is created, published and used to evaluate all loading constraints in terms of solution quality and performance. The efficiency of the hybrid algorithm is evaluated by three well-known instance sets. We outperform the benchmarks for most instance sets from the literature. Detailed results and the implementation of loading constraints are published online.
Role of the nigrosome 1 absence as a biomarker in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Moreno-Gambín María Isabel , Tembl José I. , Mazón Miguel , Cañada-Martínez Antonio José , Martí-Bonmatí Luis , Sevilla Teresa , Vázquez-Costa Juan F. 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Introduction
The absence of nigrosome 1 on brain MRI and the hyperechogenicity of substantia nigra (SNh) by transcranial sonography are two useful biomarkers in the diagnosis of parkinsonisms. We aimed to evaluate the absence of nigrosome 1 in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and to address its meaning.

Methods
136 ALS patients were recruited, including 16 progressive muscular atrophy (PMA) and 22 primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) patients. The SNh area was measured planimetrically by standard protocols. The nigrosome 1 status was qualitatively assessed by two blind evaluators in susceptibility weight images of 3T MRI. Demographic and clinical data were collected and the C9ORF72 expansion was tested in all patients.

Results
Nigrosome 1 was absent in 30% of ALS patients (36% of PLS, 29% of classical ALS and 19% of PMA patients). There was no relationship between radiological and clinical laterality, nor between nigrosome 1 and SNh area. Male sex (OR = 3.63 [1.51, 9.38], p = 0.005) and a higher upper motor neuron (UMN) score (OR = 1.10 [1.02, 1.2], p = 0.022) were independently associated to nigrosome 1 absence, which also was an independent marker of poor survival (HR = 1.79 [1.3, 2.8], p = 0.013).

Conclusion
In ALS patients, the absence of nigrosome 1 is associated with male sex, UMN impairment and shorter survival. This suggests that constitutional factors and the degree of pyramidal involvement are related to the substantia nigra involvement in ALS. Thus, nigrosome 1 could be a marker of a multisystem degeneration, which in turn associates to poor prognosis.
Flexible prediction of opponent motion with internal representation in interception behavior
Authors: Tsutsui Kazushi , Fujii Keisuke , Kudo Kazutoshi , Takeda Kazuya 
Published: August 2021

AbstractSkilled interception behavior often relies on accurate predictions of external objects because of a large delay in our sensorimotor systems. To deal with the sensorimotor delay, the brain predicts future states of the target based on the current state available, but it is still debated whether internal representations acquired from prior experience are used as well. Here we estimated the predictive manner by analyzing the response behavior of a pursuer to a sudden directional change of the evasive target, providing strong evidence that prediction of target motion by the pursuer was incompatible with a linear extrapolation based solely on the current state of the target. Moreover, using neural network models, we validated that nonlinear extrapolation as estimated was computationally feasible and useful even against unknown opponents. These results support the use of internal representations in predicting target motion, suggesting the usefulness and versatility of predicting external object motion through internal representations.
Clinical manifestations, prognosis, and treat-to-target assessment of pediatric lupus nephritis
Authors: Qiu Shiyuan , Zhang Hengci , Yu Sijie , Yang Qin , Zhang Gaofu , Yang Haiping , Li Qiu , Wang Mo 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background
Pediatric lupus nephritis (pLN) is one of the most refractory secondary kidney diseases in childhood. The treat-to-target (T2T) strategy has become the standard treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study reviewed clinical features, overall remission status, and factors affecting prognosis, to guide pLN management according to T2T strategy.

Methods
This single-center retrospective study studied 220 children diagnosed with LN from January 2012 to December 2018, with > 6-month follow-up data on 173 and complete data on 137 patients. Primary outcome was treatment failure (deterioration or no response) at the latest follow-up.

Results
The most common pLN manifestation was proteinuria (81.36%). Females presented more often with rash (P<0.001) and alopecia (P=0.026) than males. Class IV LN (33.33%) was the most common grade on kidney biopsy. Median follow-up was 27.20 months (IQR, 15.78–44.45 months). One-, 3-, and 5-year cumulative overall survival rates were 93.5%, 87.8%, and 86.5%, respectively. The 5-year cumulative kidney survival rate was 97.1%. Regarding initial therapy, efficacy of corticosteroids combined with immunosuppressive agents was significantly better than corticosteroids alone (P=0.010). Factors with P<0.05 in univariate analysis, including hypoalbuminemia, higher SCr at diagnosis, lower eGFR at diagnosis, anti-dsDNA positivity, heavy proteinuria, hypertension, nervous-system involvement, treatment non-compliance, and SLEDAI-2K score, were used for logistic regression analysis. Logistic regression analysis showed hypertension (OR=0.845, P=0.011), nervous-system involvement (OR=4.240, P=0.005), treatment non-compliance (OR=6.433, P=0.001), and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate at diagnosis (OR=1.020, P=0.021) affected prognosis. At end of follow-up, 34.31% achieved varying levels of remission, and 8.76% were in low disease activity state (LDAS).

Conclusions
pLN usually presented with proteinuria, and class IV LN was the dominant pathology. Hypertension, nervous-system involvement, treatment non-compliance, and lower eGFR at diagnosis were independent risk factors for poor prognosis of kidney outcomes. Compared with renal remission rate and cumulative overall survival rate, the proportion of targets achieved was not ideal, suggesting T2T strategy should be used to guide pLN management.

Graphical abstract
Ansätze zur Beherrschung der Variabilität in Software-intensiven Cyber-Physischen Produktionssystemen
Authors: Gutierrez Antonio , Sonnleithner Lisa , Zoitl Alois , Rabiser Rick 
Published: August 2021

ZusammenfassungSoftware-intensive Cyber-Physische Produktionssysteme (SiCPPS) sind hochkomplexe vernetzte Systeme, die autonom miteinander und mit ihrer Umgebung interagieren, um flexibel eine Vielzahl an Produkten zu produzieren. Solche Systeme haben typischerweise eine lange Lebensdauer, über die eine Vielzahl von Varianten entwickelt und gewartet werden muss. Diese Systeme bestehen aus vielen heterogenen Hard- und Softwarekomponenten, welche auf verschiedene Arten konfiguriert und kombiniert werden können. Variabilität betrifft dabei nicht nur diese Komponenten, sondern auch Entwicklungsprozesse, Anwendungsdomänen sowie Methoden und Werkzeuge. In der Industrie hängt der Umgang mit Variabilität jedoch aktuell stark von Expertenwissen als auch von selbst entwickelten Werkzeugen ab. Diese funktionieren oft nur mit ganz bestimmten Artefakten bzw. Hard- und Softwareplattformen. Existierende Forschungsansätze aus dem Gebiet der SiCPPS beschäftigen sich nicht explizit mit der Beherrschung dieser Variabilität. In diesem Beitrag definieren wir eine Forschungsagenda zur Beherrschung der Variabilität in SiCPPS. Wir konzentrieren uns dabei auf die Entwicklung von Techniken (i) zur Erhebung und Modellierung von Variabilität und (ii) zur Automatisierung sowohl der Generierung von Artefakten in SiCPPS als auch der Generierung und Wartung von Modellen auf Basis bestehender Artefakte.
Mathematical energy minimization model for joining boron nitride fullerene with several BN nanostructures
Authors: Alshammari Nawa A. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractNanoscale materials have gained considerable interest because of their special properties and wide range of applications. Many types of boron nitride at the nanoscale have been realized, including nanotubes, nanocones, fullerenes, tori, and graphene sheets. The connection of these structures at the nanoscale leads to merged structures that have enhanced features and applications. Modeling the joining between nanostructures has been adopted by different methods. Namely, carbon nanostructures have been joined by minimizing the elastic energy in symmetric configurations. In other words, the only considerable curvature in the elastic energy is the axial curvature. Accordingly, because it has nanoscale structures similar to those in carbon, BN can also be joined and connected by using this method. On the other hand, different methods have been proposed to consider the rotational curvature because it has a similar size. Based on that argument, the Willmore energy, which depends on both curvatures, has been minimized to join carbon nanostructures. This energy is used to identify the joining region, especially for a three-dimensional structure. In this paper, we expand the use of Willmore energy to cover the joining of boron nitride nanostructures. Therefore, because catenoids are absolute minimizers of this energy, pieces of catenoids can be used to connect nanostructures. In particular, we joined boron nitride fullerene to three other BN nanostructures: nanotube, fullerene, and torus. For now, there are no experimental or simulation data for comparison with the theoretical connecting structures predicted by this study, which is some justification for the suggested simple model shown in this research. Ultimately, various nanoscale BN structures might be connected by considering the same method, which may be considered in future work.
Tree-Related Microhabitats Follow Similar Patterns but are More Diverse in Primary Compared to Managed Temperate Mountain Forests
Authors: Asbeck Thomas , Kozák Daniel , Spînu Andreea P. , Mikoláš Martin , Zemlerová Veronika , Svoboda Miroslav 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe impact of forest management on biodiversity is difficult to scrutinize along gradients of management. A step towards analyzing the impact of forest management on biodiversity is comparisons between managed and primary forests. The standardized typology of tree-related microhabitats (TreMs) is a multi-taxon indicator used to quantify forest biodiversity. We aim to analyze the influence of environmental factors on the occurrence of groups of TreMs by comparing primary and managed forests. We collected data for the managed forests in the Black Forest (Germany) and for the primary forests in the Western (Slovakia) and Southern Carpathians (Romania). To model the richness and the different groups of TreMs per tree, we used generalized linear mixed models with diameter at breast height (DBH), altitude, slope and aspect as predictors for European beech (Fagus sylvatica (L.)), Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.)) and silver fir (Abies alba (Mill.)) in primary and managed temperate mountain forests. We found congruent results for overall richness and the vast majority of TreM groups. Trees in primary forests hosted a greater richness of all and specific types of TreMs than individuals in managed forests. The main drivers of TreMs are DBH and altitude, while slope and aspect play a minor role. We recommend forest and nature conservation managers to focus: 1) on the conservation of remaining primary forests and 2) approaches of biodiversity-oriented forest management on the selection of high-quality habitat trees that already provide a high number of TreMs in managed forests based on the comparison with primary forests.
Bour’s theorem and helicoidal surfaces with constant mean curvature in the Bianchi–Cartan–Vranceanu spaces
Authors: Caddeo Renzo , Onnis Irene I. , Piu Paola 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIn this paper, we generalize a classical result of Bour concerning helicoidal surfaces in the three-dimensional Euclidean space $${\mathbb {R}}^3$$

R

3

to the case of helicoidal surfaces in the Bianchi–Cartan–Vranceanu (BCV) spaces, i.e., in the Riemannian 3-manifolds whose metrics have groups of isometries of dimension 4 or 6, except the hyperbolic one. In particular, we prove that in a BCV-space there exists a two-parameter family of helicoidal surfaces isometric to a given helicoidal surface; then, by making use of this two-parameter representation, we characterize helicoidal surfaces which have constant mean curvature, including the minimal ones.
Screening Adults for HIV Testing in the Outpatient Department: An Assessment of Tool Performance in Malawi
Authors: Moucheraud Corrina , Hoffman Risa M. , Balakasi Kelvin , Wong Vincent , Sanena Maria , Gupta Sundeep , Dovel Kathryn 
Published: August 2021

AbstractLittle is known about screening tools for adults in high HIV burden contexts. We use exit survey data collected at outpatient departments in Malawi (n = 1038) to estimate the sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values of screening tools that include questions about sexual behavior and use of health services. We compare a full tool (seven relevant questions) to a reduced tool (five questions, excluding sexual behavior measures) and to standard of care (two questions, never tested for HIV or tested > 12 months ago, or seeking care for suspected STI). Suspect STI and ≥ 3 sexual partners were associated with HIV positivity, but had weak sensitivity and specificity. The full tool (using the optimal cutoff score of ≥ 3) would achieve 55.6% sensitivity and 84.9% specificity for HIV positivity; the reduced tool (optimal cutoff score ≥ 2) would achieve 59.3% sensitivity and 68.5% specificity; and standard of care 77.8% sensitivity and 47.8% specificity. Screening tools for HIV testing in outpatient departments do not offer clear advantages over standard of care.
How is Clinical Trial Reimbursement Money Spent? South African Trial Participants’ Reported Reimbursement Spending Patterns and Perceptions of Appropriate Reimbursement Amounts
Authors: Milford Cecilia , Cavanagh Tammany , Ralfe Yolandie , Maphumulo Virginia , Beksinska Mags , Smit Jennifer 
Published: August 2021

AbstractReimbursement of participants in clinical trials is extensively debated. Guidance recommends that compensation should reflect time, inconvenience and reimbursement of expenses. This study describes how participants spend their reimbursement and perceptions of appropriate reimbursement amounts. This was a sub-study of the evidence for contraceptive options and HIV outcomes (ECHO) trial. Participants were from two sites in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. A mixed methods approach was used. 500 participants completed a questionnaire, and 32 participated in one of four focus group discussions (FGD). The majority (81%) used reimbursement for transport to the research site, followed by toiletry purchases (64%). Many described how reimbursement supplemented income, used to cover basic living costs. Some used money to buy luxury items and takeaway foods. The ideal reimbursement amount per visit ranged: ZAR150-ZAR340 (US$10–24). Reimbursement spending and perceptions are in line with local guidance. Reimbursement should consider risk minimization together with ensuring informed, voluntary decision making.
Environmental agreement under the non-interference principle: the case of ASEAN agreement on transboundary haze pollution
Authors: Muhammad Fikri 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIt is widely understood that the environmental problem is getting borderless and challenging, requiring concerted efforts of many states and increasing the need for international agreements. However, only for the agreement to exist may not be sufficient—the agreement needs to be credible: obliging the signatories with actions associated with the goal, displaying clear and unambiguous rules, and involving third parties in the dispute settlement. Unfortunately, in the presence of the non-interference principle, the creation of a credible agreement may be implausible as, conceptually, the principle is innately antipodal to hard obligations and third-party involvement in the dispute settlement. This case study seeks to understand how the legalization of the ASEAN Agreement of Transboundary Haze Pollution conformed to the non-interference principle and influenced Indonesia, the main laggard, in dealing with the predicament accordingly. Diverging with the common understanding, the agreement seems to carry strong obligation and precision, as shown in the main agreement and its protocols. However, the apparent downside lies in the lack of delegation dimension, as the current dispute resolution is made through diplomatic efforts that led to fruitless outcomes. This study counters the simplistic view of the association between the non-interference principle and the lack of obligations. Overall, this study points out the importance of the delegation dimension in regionalization and encourages the interventionist approach concerning global environmental protection.
On Smooth Mesoscopic Linear Statistics of the Eigenvalues of Random Permutation Matrices
Authors: Bahier Valentin , Najnudel Joseph 
Published: August 2021

AbstractWe study the limiting behavior of smooth linear statistics of the spectrum of random permutation matrices in the mesoscopic regime, when the permutation follows one of the Ewens measures on the symmetric group. If we apply a smooth enough test function f to all the determinations of the eigenangles of the permutations, we get a convergence in distribution when the order of the permutation tends to infinity. Two distinct kinds of limit appear: if $$f(0)\ne 0$$

f
(
0
)
≠
0

, we have a central limit theorem with a logarithmic variance; and if $$f(0) = 0$$

f
(
0
)
=
0

, the convergence holds without normalization and the limit involves a scale-invariant Poisson point process.
Targeting Complement C3a Receptor to Improve Outcome After Ischemic Brain Injury
Authors: Pekna Marcela , Stokowska Anna , Pekny Milos 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIschemic stroke is a major cause of disability. No efficient therapy is currently available, except for the removal of the occluding blood clot during the first hours after symptom onset. Loss of function after stroke is due to cell death in the infarcted tissue, cell dysfunction in the peri-infarct region, as well as dysfunction and neurodegeneration in remote brain areas. Plasticity responses in spared brain regions are a major contributor to functional recovery, while secondary neurodegeneration in remote regions is associated with depression and impedes the long-term outcome after stroke. Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy due to birth asphyxia is the leading cause of neurological disability resulting from birth complications. Despite major progress in neonatal care, approximately 50% of survivors develop complications such as mental retardation, cerebral palsy or epilepsy. The C3a receptor (C3aR) is expressed by many cell types including neurons and glia. While there is a body of evidence for its deleterious effects in the acute phase after ischemic injury to the adult brain, C3aR signaling contributes to better outcome in the post-acute and chronic phase after ischemic stroke in adults and in the ischemic immature brain. Here we discuss recent insights into the novel roles of C3aR signaling in the ischemic brain with focus on the therapeutic opportunities of modulating C3aR activity to improve the outcome after ischemic stroke and birth asphyxia.
Vaccine alliance building blocks: a conjoint experiment on popular support for international COVID-19 cooperation formats
Authors: Vanhuysse Pieter , Jankowski Michael , Tepe Markus 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe design principles of institutions that visibly and significantly affect citizens’ lives are likely to be politically salient. Popular support for these principles is in turn crucial for institutional viability and effectiveness. Transboundary pandemics are a case in point. Understanding citizens’ preferences regarding the design of international alliances set up to mass-produce and distribute vaccines is likely to determine citizens’ subsequent cooperation with vaccination campaigns. This study explores Germans’ preferences for international COVID-19 vaccine alliance design principles. We conducted a conjoint experiment at a recurring cognitive moment in many pandemics’ cycles, between the initial outbreak and a more devastating but still-unknown second wave, when infection rates were very low, yet no policy solutions had been developed. We analyzed preferences regarding four building blocks: (1) alliance composition (size; EU-centrism), (2) alliance distribution rules (joining cost; vaccine allocation), (3) vaccine nationalism (cost per German household; coverage in Germany) and (4) vaccine producer confidence (origin; type). Distribution rules, political ideology and personal perceptions of pandemic threat matter little. But a larger alliance size and dominant EU-country composition increase alliance support. And vaccine nationalism is key: support increases with both lower costs and larger coverage for own-nation citizens. Moreover, support goes down for Chinese and American producers and increases for Swiss and especially own-nation producers. In sum, a realist and technocratic outlook is warranted at the cognitive stage in pandemic cycles when no solutions have been found, yet the worst already seems to be over, as national self-interest reigns supreme in popular attitudes.