bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Parabolic Anderson Model on a Galton–Watson Tree Revisited
Authors: den Hollander F. , Wang D. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractIn den Hollander et al. (The parabolic Anderson model on a Galton-Watson tree, to appear in in and out of equilibrium 3: celebrating Vladas Sidoravicius. Progress in probability, Birkhäuser, Basel, 2021) a detailed analysis was given of the large-time asymptotics of the total mass of the solution to the parabolic Anderson model on a supercritical Galton–Watson random tree with an i.i.d. random potential whose marginal distribution is double-exponential. Under the assumption that the degree distribution has bounded support, two terms in the asymptotic expansion were identified under the quenched law, i.e., conditional on the realisation of the random tree and the random potential. The second term contains a variational formula indicating that the solution concentrates on a subtree with minimal degree according to a computable profile. The present paper extends the analysis to degree distributions with unbounded support. We identify the weakest condition on the tail of the degree distribution under which the arguments in den Hollander et al. (The parabolic Anderson model on a Galton-Watson tree, to appear in in and out of equilibrium 3: celebrating Vladas Sidoravicius. Progress in probability, Birkhäuser, Basel, 2021) can be pushed through. To do so we need to control the occurrence of large degrees uniformly in large subtrees of the Galton–Watson tree.
Supporting Teachers to Customize Curriculum for Self-Directed Learning
Authors: Gerard Libby , Bradford Allison , Linn Marcia C. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractGuiding teachers to customize curriculum has shown to improve science instruction when guided effectively. We explore how teachers use student data to customize a web-based science unit on plate tectonics. We study the implications for teacher learning along with the impact on student self-directed learning. During a professional development workshop, four 7th grade teachers reviewed logs of their students’ explanations and revisions. They used a curriculum visualization tool that revealed the pedagogy behind the unit to plan their customizations. To promote self-directed learning, the teachers decided to customize the guidance for explanation revision by giving students a choice among guidance options. They took advantage of the web-based unit to randomly assign students (N = 479) to either a guidance Choice or a no-choice condition. We analyzed logged student explanation revisions on embedded and pre-test/post-test assessments and teacher and student written reflections and interviews. Students in the guidance Choice condition reported that the guidance was more useful than those in the no-choice condition and made more progress on their revisions. Teachers valued the opportunity to review student work, use the visualization tool to align their customization with the knowledge integration pedagogy, and investigate the choice option empirically. These findings suggest that the teachers’ decision to offer choice among guidance options promoted aspects of self-directed learning.
Positive predictive value of noninvasive prenatal testing for sex chromosome abnormalities
Authors: Guo Nan , Cai Meiying , Lin Min , Xue Huili , Huang Hailong , Xu Liangpu 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background
Early and intermediate serological screening cannot detect sex chromosome abnormalities. Currently, noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is the only procedure available for screening such disorders; however, its use is controversial.

Methods and Results
A total of 47,855 pregnant women underwent NIPT at our referral center from January 2014 to December 2020. Of the 314 patients with a positive NIPT indicating sex chromosome abnormalities, 260 were screened via karyotype analysis and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array after amniotic fluid extraction; 96 cases were confirmed. Karyotype analysis and SNP array were consistent in the diagnosis of 88 out of the 96 fetuses. The positive predictive value (PPV) for sex chromosome abnormalities was found to be 36.9%. The PPV in patients aged 30–34 years was significantly higher than that in patients aged < 30 years. No statistically significant difference was observed on the PPV among patients with or without previous adverse pregnancy outcomes. Moreover, 83 women carrying fetuses were diagnosed with a sex chromosome abnormality terminated their pregnancy.

Conclusions
Improvements in detection and analytical technologies are needed to increase the accuracy of sex chromosome abnormalities detection. Pregnant women with a positive NIPT for these abnormalities may require invasive diagnostic procedures such as karyotype analysis and SNP array for better genetic counseling.
Development and Application of Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) Assays for Rapid Diagnosis of the Bat White-Nose Disease Fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans
Authors: Niessen Ludwig , Fritze Marcus , Wibbelt Gudrun , Puechmaille Sebastien J. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractPseudogymnoascus destructans (= Geomyces destructans) is a psychrophilic filamentous fungus that causes White-Nose Disease (WND; the disease associated with White-Nose Syndrome, WNS) in hibernating bats. The disease has caused considerable reductions in bat populations in the USA and Canada since 2006. Identification and detection of the pathogen in pure cultures and environmental samples is routinely based on qPCR or PCR after DNA isolation and purification. Rapid and specific direct detection of the fungus in the field would strongly improve prompt surveillance, and support control measures. Based on the genes coding for ATP citrate lyase1 (acl1) and the 28S-18S ribosomal RNA intergenic spacer (IGS) in P. destructans, two independent LAMP assays were developed for the rapid and sensitive diagnosis of the fungus. Both assays could discriminate P. destructans from 159 tested species of filamentous fungi and yeasts. Sensitivity of the assays was 2.1 picogram per reaction (pg/rxn) and 21 femtogram per reaction (fg/rxn) for the acl1 and IGS based assays, respectively. Moreover, both assays also work with spores and mycelia of P. destructans that are directly added to the master mix without prior DNA extraction. For field-diagnostics, we developed and tested a field-applicable version of the IGS-based LAMP assay. Lastly, we also developed a protocol for preparation of fungal spores and mycelia from swabs and tape liftings of contaminated surfaces or infected bats. This protocol in combination with the highly sensitive IGS-based LAMP-assay enabled sensitive detection of P. destructans from various sources.
An upwind DG scheme preserving the maximum principle for the convective Cahn-Hilliard model
Authors: Acosta-Soba Daniel , Guillén-González Francisco , Rodríguez-Galván J. Rafael 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe design of numerical approximations of the Cahn-Hilliard model preserving the maximum principle is a challenging problem, even more if considering additional transport terms. In this work, we present a new upwind discontinuous Galerkin scheme for the convective Cahn-Hilliard model with degenerate mobility which preserves the maximum principle and prevents non-physical spurious oscillations. Furthermore, we show some numerical experiments in agreement with the previous theoretical results. Finally, numerical comparisons with other schemes found in the literature are also carried out.
Public peers, accounting comparability, and value relevance of private firms’ financial reporting
Authors: Bourveau Thomas , Chen Jason V. , Elfers Ferdinand , Pierk Jochen 
Published: August 2022

AbstractWe examine whether higher accounting comparability between public and private firms leads to higher value relevance of private firms’ reported financial information. To help develop our hypotheses, we conduct a series of interviews with M&A valuation experts. The experts indicate that comparable accounting between public and private firms allows them to apply public firms’ valuation multiples directly to private firms, which facilitates the use of private firms’ financial reporting in their valuations. Using a large sample of M&A transactions with private target firms in the European Union around the mandatory adoption of IFRS by public firms, we find that private firms’ reported financial information has higher value relevance when it has higher accounting comparability to that of public firms. Furthermore, we find that the impact of accounting comparability is stronger when public peer information is more precise. Our findings are consistent with higher accounting comparability facilitating a spillover of valuation information from public to private markets, which leads to greater value relevance of private firms’ reported financial information.
Temperature Distribution Measurement and Internal Flow Visualization in the Lubrication Film of Non-contacting Mechanical Seals
Authors: Sato Yuki , Ochiai Masayuki 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe surface textures of non-contacting mechanical seals form a few micrometers thick lubrication film that aids in achieving high performance of the seal. Improved texture design can control internal fluid flow, improving the sealing performance and lubrication characteristics. However, film thickness is sensitive to thermal deformation, making seals vulnerable to heat. Excessive temperature increases and deviations in temperature distribution can cause performance degradation or damage to seals. Previous studies have suggested that heat transfer impacting these thermal issues may be influenced by the internal flow, however, experimental studies examining flow fields have not been conducted yet. This study presents the design of experimental equipment, measurement of temperature distributions and observation of flow fields in lubrication films with three different textures—non-textured, Rayleigh step, and spiral groove. Furthermore, the results were compared with those of numerical analysis. Temperature was found to be higher at the downstream end of the flow. In particular, the Rayleigh step seal exhibited a nonuniform temperature distribution that alternated between low and high-temperature areas. This was caused by cooling related to radial grooves that had a pumping effect. In contrast, a uniform temperature distribution was confirmed in the case of the spiral groove seal, which was formed by mixing outer and inner side fluids. The results indicate that the temperature distribution in lubrication films can be controlled via flow field by the surface texture shape or depth to protect against thermal degradation and to achieve high reliability of non-contacting mechanical seals.
Graphical Abstract
The effect of varying levels of purified condensed tannins on performance, blood profile, meat quality and methane emission in male Bapedi sheep fed grass hay and pellet-based diet
Authors: Ngámbi J. W. , Selapa M. J. , Brown D. , Manyelo T. G. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
This study determined the effect of purified condensed tannin inclusion levels in a diet on production, haematological indices, blood biochemical components, meat quality and methane emission by yearling indigenous male Bapedi sheep on a grass hay and sheep pellet-based diet in a 28-day trial. The diets contained similar (P > 0.05) nutrients but with different (P < 0.05) purified condensed tannin supplementation levels. A complete randomized design was used. Twenty-four yearling male Bapedi sheep were assigned to four dietary treatments having different purified condensed tannin levels of 0 (GH80P20PCT0), 30 (GH80P20PCT30), 40 (GH80P20PCT40) and 50 (GH80P20PCT50) g/kg DM. A quadratic type of equation was also used to determine condensed tannin supplementation levels for optimal performance and methane emission reduction by sheep. Supplementing diets with purified condensed tannins did not affect (P > 0.05) diet intake, digestibility and live weight gain of male Bapedi sheep. Supplementing diets with purified condensed tannins did not affect (P > 0.05) blood components of male Bapedi sheep. Inclusion of condensed tannins in the diets did not affect (P > 0.05) Bapedi sheep meat pH and sensory attributes. However, supplementing diets with purified condensed tannins decreased (P < 0.05) methane emission by 51 to 60%. A 49.08 g supplementation level with purified condensed tannins per kg DM diet was calculated, with the use of quadratic equations, to result in the lowest methane emission by male Bapedi sheep. The meat of male Bapedi rams on diets containing 30, 40 or 50 g of purified condensed tannins per kg DM contained higher (P < 0.05) antioxidant activities than those from rams fed a diet without purified condensed tannins. These results indicate that purified condensed tannin supplementation levels of 0, 30, 40 or 50 g/kg DM diet had no adverse effects on growth performance, blood profiles and meat sensory attributes of male Bapedi sheep. However, supplementation levels of 30, 40 or 50 g of purified condensed tannins per kg DM diet reduced methane emission by 51 to 60%, and increased sheep meat antioxidant activity values. Supplementing diets with purified condensed tannins has the potential to reduce methane production and emission by sheep. However, long-term studies are recommended to ascertain the present findings.
Shoot herbivory by grasshoppers has stronger effects on root morphology than clipping
Authors: Heinze Johannes , Krumpholz Laura , Blaum Niels , Hoefgen Rainer , Ogden Michael 
Published: August 2022

AbstractStudies investigating the effect of aboveground herbivory on plants often use clipping to simulate the effects of herbivores, for practical reasons. However, herbivore movements and transfer of oral secretions during herbivory may cause a different response in plant physiology and morphology compared to clipping. While studies have compared effects of real herbivory vs. clipping on biomass production, plant physiology, and shoot morphology, no study has compared such effects on root morphology. Therefore, we investigated the effect of herbivory by grasshoppers, herbivory simulated by clipping, and no herbivory on root morphological traits of ten grassland plant species. Root morphological traits were differently affected by the two herbivory treatments. Grasshopper herbivory significantly changed root morphology toward thinner roots with increased specific root length and root area, and decreased root tissue density compared to untreated control plants. Clipping had mostly similar, but weaker effects on root morphology than grasshopper herbivory. On the species level, grasshopper herbivory led to strongest changes in root morphology in almost all cases. In contrast, depending on the species, clipping resulted in varying root morphological trait values similar to grasshopper-damaged plants, or in some cases, more closely aligned with control plants. Though clipping was partly able to mimic the effects of herbivory by grasshoppers, results also indicate that, depending on the species, grasshopper herbivory had different but mostly stronger effects. We, therefore, recommend that future studies apply herbivory with real herbivores to better reflect natural responses in plants and related processes that root morphological traits mediate.
Extraction optimization for the antioxidants from Nigella sativa seeds using response surface methodology
Authors: Muzolf-Panek Małgorzata , Gliszczyńska-Świgło Anna 
Published: August 2022

AbstractAlthough many studies have explored the bioactive compound content ofNigella sativa(black seed – BS) essential oil, data on the phenolic compound content in the extracts ofNigella sativaseeds gives inconclusive results [1–3]. In this study, response surface methodology (RSM) with a central composite plan (CCP) was used for the experimental design and identification of the optimal conditions for maximizing the phenolic content and the antioxidant activity of BS extract. The independent variables were as followed: temperature (22.9–67.1ºC), time (31.7–208.2 min), and methanol concentration in water (5.9–94.1% v/v). Different response variables (total polyphenols – TPC, total flavonoids – TFC and the antioxidant activity – DPPH and TEAC) required different optimal conditions to maximize them. The multi-response optimization was performed to determine the extraction conditions, which would simultaneously ensure the highest phenolic content and the antioxidant activity. The optimal conditions derived from the multi-response desirability function were as followed: 120 min, 56 °C and 50% methanol, giving the TPC = 7.05 mg/g, TFC = 3.05 mg/g, DPPH = 9.04 µmol/g and TEAC = 33.24 µmol/g (with desirability function coefficient = 0.83). Solvent concentration was established as a crucial parameter for the extraction of antioxidants from BS. A quercetin derivative and two derivatives of kaempferol were determined by HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography) analysis of the BS extract at the optimal conditions. The accuracy of the models for all response variables was confirmed by a high correlation coefficient (r = 0.99) between the experimental values and those predicted under optimal conditions.
Intimate partner violence and the spatial pattern of maternal healthcare services utilization among parous married women in northern Nigeria
Authors: Adewoyin Yemi , Odimegwu Clifford O. , Alabi Olatunji , Akinyemi Joshua O. , Omisakin Olusola A. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe low uptake of maternal healthcare services (MHS) in Nigeria is implicated in the country’s poor maternal health outcomes. In northern Nigeria where these outcomes are poorest, not much is known about the contribution of violence within unions on married women’s uptake of MHS. Using data on antenatal care (ANC) utilisation and place of delivery, and their sociodemographic confounders from the Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey, this study investigates this relationship. Results of univariate, bivariate and multivariate analyses show that 46.4% and 22.1% of the women had at least four ANC sessions and had health facility delivery respectively. At the subregional level however, the North-Central zone had the highest utilisation rates while the North-West zone had the lowest. The prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) ranged from 8.2% (sexual violence) to 16.7% (physical violence) and 35.8% (emotional violence). Subregional analysis of IPV shows that the North-West zone had the lowest prevalence rates. Contrary to some literature evidence, women who experienced IPV in the study area had higher odds of utilising MHS (P < 0.001). When the sociodemographic characteristics of the women were adjusted for, the relationship became statistically insignificant however. The association between the women’s socioeconomic characteristics and their MHS uptake suggests that attention be paid to the wealth and educational status of the population because of their propensity for sustaining the higher uptake recorded. The role of religion in the outcomes further suggests that it be used as a tool to promote the uptake of MHS in the region.
On some effects of dependencies on an insurer’s risk exposure, probability of ruin, and optimal premium loading
Authors: Gudmundarson R. L. , Guerra M. , Moura A. B. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractWe study how the presence of dependencies between risks in a population of prospective insurance customers translates into risk exposure for an insurance company, depending on the company’s market share on the various risks. It turns out that the dependency structure in the insurer’s portfolio may differ significantly from the dependency structure of those risks in the general population, even when policyholders for different risks are selected independently. We obtain an upper bound for the difference between the ruin probability and its estimate based on the company’s portfolio marginal distributions. Under certain conditions, dependencies between risks in the portfolio of a company with small market shares are mild. We characterize the optimal loadings and market shares, assuming generic demand functions for the different risks.
Monkeypox in-patients with severe anal pain
Authors: Pfäfflin Frieder , Wendisch Daniel , Scherer Roland , Jürgens Linda , Godzick-Njomgang Gisèle , Tranter Eva , Tober-Lau Pinkus , Stegemann Miriam Songa , Corman Victor Max , Kurth Florian , Schürmann Dirk 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBerlin is amongst the cities most affected by the current monkeypox outbreak. Here, we report clinical characteristics of the first patients with confirmed monkeypox admitted to our center. We analyzed anamnestic, clinical, and laboratory data. Within a period of 2 weeks, six patients were hospitalized in our unit. All were MSM and had practiced condomless receptive anal intercourse in the weeks preceding admission. The chief complaint in all patients but one was severe anal pain unprecedented in severity. Investigations revealed proctitis, as well as anal and rectal ulcers with detection of monkeypox virus. Our findings support the hypothesis that sexual transmission plays a role in the current outbreak.
Zunahme von Bildungsungerechtigkeit durch die COVID-19-Pandemie beim Übergang in die Sekundarstufe II: Leistungsschwache und wenig motivierte Schüler*innen als besonders vulnerable Gruppe
Authors: Schreiner Claudia , Kraler Christian , Berger Fred , Hagleitner Wolfgang , Jesacher-Rößler Livia , Roßnagl Susanne 
Published: August 2022

ZusammenfassungDas Distanzlernen stellt an die Lernenden im Vergleich zum gewöhnlichen Schulalltag wesentlich höhere Anforderungen an deren Selbstregulationsfähigkeit. Zur erfolgreichen Bewältigung des Distanzlernens ist ein hohes Ausmaß an Selbstmanagement, Selbstmotivation und Selbstorganisation erforderlich. Hierbei können – entsprechend dem Ressourcenmodell der Lebensbewältigung (Fend et al. 2009) – familiäre, schulische und personale Ressourcen unterstützen. Basierend auf diesem theoretischen Zugang wurden 593 Schüler*innen, welche im Herbst 2021 in die weiterführenden Schulen und Ausbildungen der Sekundarstufe II gewechselt waren, zum Distanzlernen sowie dafür relevanten Ressourcen befragt. Diese hatten etwa einen Monat nach dem Wechsel eine viermonatige Distanzlernphase zu bewältigen. Im Rahmen der Datenanalyse wurden vier Regressionsmodelle berechnet, in die schrittweise die Merkmale einzelner im Beitrag beschriebener Ressourcenblöcke aufgenommen wurden. Die Analyse bestätigt insbesondere die große Bedeutung personaler Ressourcen (schulisches Leistungsniveau, Lernmotivation, allgemeine Selbstwirksamkeitsüberzeugung) für die Bewältigung der Anforderungen des Distanzunterrichts. Leistungsschwache und wenig motivierte Schüler*innen erweisen sich daher als besondere Risikogruppe im Kontext des Distanzunterrichts. Demnach benötigt diese vulnerable Gruppe sowohl in zukünftigen Phasen von Distanzunterricht als auch im Nachgang der Pandemie besondere Aufmerksamkeit und Unterstützung.
Sindrome poliendocrina autoimmune (SPA) o sindrome autoimmune multipla (SAM): una panoramica
Authors: Betterle Corrado , Sabbadin Chiara , Scaroni Carla , Presotto Fabio 
Published: August 2022

SommarioOltre 100 malattie sono oggi definite “autoimmuni” e si stima che esse colpiscano circa il 7% della popolazione generale. Tali patologie tendono ad aggregarsi in un individuo o in una famiglia, definendo una sindrome poliendocrina autoimmune (SPA), chiamata anche sindrome autoimmune multipla (SAM). In questa Rassegna si descrivono i diversi tipi di SPA/SAM, valutandone le loro caratteristiche, l’epidemiologia, la genetica, le caratteristiche immunologiche, la gestione e la terapia.