bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Discrete approximations of continuous probability distributions obtained by minimizing Cramér-von Mises-type distances
Authors: Barbiero Alessandro , Hitaj Asmerilda 
Published: September 2022

AbstractWe consider the problem of approximating a continuous random variable, characterized by a cumulative distribution function (cdf) F(x), by means of k points, $$x_1<x_2<\dots < x_k$$

x
1

<

x
2

<
⋯
<

x
k

, with probabilities $$p_i$$

p
i

, $$i=1,\dots ,k$$

i
=
1
,
⋯
,
k

. For a given k, a criterion for determining the $$x_i$$

x
i

and $$p_i$$

p
i

of the approximating k-point discrete distribution can be the minimization of some distance to the original distribution. Here we consider the weighted Cramér-von Mises distance between the original cdf F(x) and the step-wise cdf $${\hat{F}}(x)$$

F
^

(
x
)

of the approximating discrete distribution, characterized by a non-negative weighting function w(x). This problem has been already solved analytically when w(x) corresponds to the probability density function of the continuous random variable, $$w(x)=F'(x)$$

w

(
x
)

=

F
′

(
x
)

, and when w(x) is a piece-wise constant function, through a numerical iterative procedure based on a homotopy continuation approach. In this paper, we propose and implement a solution to the problem for different choices of the weighting function w(x), highlighting how the results are affected by w(x) itself and by the number of approximating points k, in addition to F(x); although an analytic solution is not usually available, yet the problem can be numerically solved through an iterative method, which alternately updates the two sub-sets of k unknowns, the $$x_i$$

x
i

’s (or a transformation thereof) and the $$p_i$$

p
i

’s, till convergence. The main apparent advantage of these discrete approximations is their universality, since they can be applied to most continuous distributions, whether they possess or not the first moments. In order to shed some light on the proposed approaches, applications to several well-known continuous distributions (among them, the normal and the exponential) and to a practical problem where discretization is a useful tool are also illustrated.
Disease recurrence in patients with Crohn’s disease after biologic therapy or surgery: a meta-analysis
Authors: Kneißl Sarah , Stallhofer Johannes , Schlattmann Peter , Stallmach Andreas 
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Background
Relapse is a problem in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) after medical therapy (including biologics) and after surgery to treat acute inflammation. It is unclear whether the recurrence rate over time is higher after surgical therapy than after continuous drug treatment.

Aim
We sought to compare clinical relapse rates and the need for re-interventions (resection or therapeutic endoscopic intervention) in patients with CD.

Methods
A meta-analysis was performed according to PRISMA guidelines.

Results
The need for re-intervention with medication or surgery due to surgical or clinical recurrence increased over time. The recurrence rates in patients after ileocecal resection were lower than the rates under biologic therapy. The odds ratio for clinical recurrence under biologics versus after surgical treatment was 2.50 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.53–4.08, p-value < 0.001). The odds ratio for surgical recurrence under biologics versus after surgery was 3.60 (95% CI 1.06–12.3, p-value 0.041).

Conclusion
These findings support surgical resection as a treatment option in patients with CD with limited disease.
Influence of income on diet quality and daily iron and zinc intake: analysis of the National Diet and Nutrition Survey of British females aged 11–14 and 15–18 years
Authors: Thomas Michelle , Coneyworth Lisa , Welham Simon 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Purpose
A negative socio-economic gradient exists for diet and health outcomes. Since cheaper diets are associated with increased energy and lower nutrient density, we investigated the influence of income on iron and zinc intakes and overall diet quality for adolescent (DQI-A) females aged 11–18 years.

Methods
National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS years 7 and 8) data for iron and zinc intake and overall diet quality was assessed by household income quintile across females aged 11–18 years.

Results
Equivalised household income positively correlated with Diet quality index for adolescents (DQI-A) (P < 0.001) Females aged 15–18 years in income quintiles (IQs) I and 2, had a greater proportion of respondents with low to intermediate DQI-A score compared to higher IQs (P = 0.002). NDNS data showed intake was negatively influenced by income amongst females aged 11–14 years for iron (P = 0.009) and zinc (P = 0.001) with those from the lowest incomes consistently consuming significantly less than those from the highest. DQI-A was positively correlated with iron intakes for 11–14 (P = 0.001) and 15–18 years (P < 0.001). Forty-one percent of 15–18-year-olds plasma ferritin stores were below the 15 µg L−1 and 21% had some form of anaemia. Cereal and cereal products were the greatest contributors to iron in all groups.

Conclusion
Females in the lowest income groups are at greater risk of lower overall diet quality and inadequate iron and zinc intakes. Amongst older adolescents, there is evidence of iron stores being depleted and an increased prevalence of anaemia.
The impact of progredient vessel and tissue stiffening for the development of metabolic syndrome
Authors: Loracher Clemens , Märkl Bruno , Loracher Alois 
Published: September 2022

AbstractEstablished risk factors for the metabolic syndrome as diabetes and arterial hypertension are believed to be the cause of arteriosclerosis and subsequently following diseases like coronary heart disease, apoplexy, or chronic renal failure. Based on broad evidence from the already available experimental literature and clinical experience, an alternative hypothesis is presented that puts an increased vessel and organ stiffness to the beginning of the pathophysiological scenario. The stiffness itself is caused by a persistent activation of mechano-sensitive cation channels like the epithelial/endothelial sodium channel. A further enhancement takes place by proteins like JACD and RhoA coupled phospholipase C coupled G-protein receptors and integrins. A self-enhancing positive feedback loop by activation of YAP/TAZ signaling is a further central pillar of this theory. Further investigations are necessary to verify this hypothesis. If this hypothesis could be confirmed fundamental changes regarding the pharmacologic therapy of the diseases that are currently summarizes as metabolic syndrome would be the consequence.
Early embryonic development of Johnston’s organ in the antenna of the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria
Authors: Boyan George , Ehrhardt Erica 
Published: September 2022

AbstractJohnston’s organ has been shown to act as an antennal auditory organ across a spectrum of insect species. In the hemimetabolous desert locust Schistocerca gregaria, Johnston’s organ must be functional on hatching and so develops in the pedicellar segment of the antenna during embryogenesis. Here, we employ the epithelial cell marker Lachesin to identify the pedicellar domain of the early embryonic antenna and then triple-label against Lachesin, the mitosis marker phosphohistone-3, and neuron-specific horseradish peroxidase to reveal the sense-organ precursors for Johnston’s organ and their lineages. Beginning with a single progenitor at approximately a third of embryogenesis, additional precursors subsequently appear in both the ventral and dorsal pedicellar domains, each generating a lineage or clone. Lineage locations are remarkably conserved across preparations and ages, consistent with the epithelium possessing an underlying topographic coordinate system that determines the cellular organization of Johnston’s organ. By mid-embryogenesis, twelve lineages are arranged circumferentially in the pedicel as in the adult structure. Each sense-organ precursor is associated with a smaller mitotically active cell from which the neuronal complement of each clone may derive. Neuron numbers within a clone increase in discrete steps with age and are invariant between clones and across preparations of a given age. At mid-embryogenesis, each clone comprises five cells consolidated into a tightly bound cartridge. A long scolopale extends apically from each cartridge to an insertion point in the epithelium, and bundled axons project basally toward the brain. Comparative data suggest mechanisms that might also regulate the developmental program of Johnston’s organ in the locust.
Toxoplasma gondii in raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Germany: a serosurvey based on meat juice
Authors: Engel Lydia , Hamedy Ahmad , Kornacka-Stackonis Aleksandra , Langner Torsten , Birka Stefan , Koethe Martin 
Published: September 2022

AbstractToxoplasma gondii seroprevalence was determined in meat juice samples of 820 free-living raccoons from Germany. The animals were collected between December 2017 and April 2021. Using a commercial enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the overall seroprevalence was found to be 48.5%. Statistical analysis revealed significant seroprevalence differences between seasons, sex, and weight of analysed raccoons. The prevalence in late winter/spring (57.7%) was significantly higher than in autumn (38.4%) (p < 0.0003). Male raccoons (50.5%) were more often seropositive than females (41.0%) (p = 0.028). Increasing animal weight had a significant impact on the relative probability of a positive serostatus (odds ratio: 1.783, p < 0.0001). Furthermore, we found regional differences in seroprevalence, but there was no statistically significant difference resulting from animal age, degree of habitat urbanization and hunting year. Meat juice is a suitable medium for serological surveys for T. gondii in meat producing animals, as sampling is even possible after slaughter or during meat inspection when blood is no longer available. The observed high seroprevalence indicates that T. gondii infection is widespread among the German raccoon population providing a potentially relevant source of T. gondii transmission to humans upon consumption or handling of animal products.
250-Year reconstruction of pollarding events reveals sharp management changes in Iberian ash woodlands
Authors: Candel-Pérez David , Hernández-Alonso Héctor , Castro Federico , Sangüesa-Barreda Gabriel , Mutke Sven , García-Hidalgo Miguel , Rozas Vicente , Olano José Miguel 
Published: September 2022

AbstractKey messageTree-ring growth of pollarded narrow-leaved ash trees in Central Spain reveals traditional management cessation in 1970 and property-specific management patterns.AbstractTree pollarding was a dominant management strategy of European forests for centuries creating open agroforestry landscapes with important cultural and environmental values. This traditional practice has been widely abandoned in last decades with a subsequent impact in terms of biodiversity and cultural loss. Central Spain hosts the largest and best-preserved area of pollarded narrow-leaved ash (Fraxinus angustifoliaVahl.) woodlands in Europe. The main aim of this research is to obtain rigorous historical records of pollarding frequency to get adequate information for traditional ash management. We used dendrochronological techniques to evaluate temporal changes of pollarding frequency and rotation length. We analysed the stand level synchrony and the effect of land property on pollarding activity from 322 trees growing in eight pollard stands in Central Spain. Pollarding events were unequivocally identified at tree level by a characteristic change in growth pattern. We identified 2426 tree-level pruning events with the first event dated in 1777. Historical pruning recurrence ranged between 5 and 10 years with higher pollarding frequency on private lands. Pruning events within each site were synchronous, suggesting the existence of a rotational schema within each stand. Pruning frequency decreased drastically in the 1970s matching with the depopulation of rural areas and the general abandonment of traditional practices. Pollarding practices have recovered in recent decades although with lower intensity and lacking the synchronic historical patterns. Providing technical and economic support to make this traditional activity profitably would have strong environmental revenue due the multiple ecosystem services provided by pollarded ashes.
Percutaneous thoraco-lumbar-sacral pedicle screw placement accuracy results from a multi-center, prospective clinical study using a skin marker-based optical navigation system
Authors: Scarone Pietro , Chatterjea Anindita , Jenniskens Inge , Klüter Tim , Weuster Matthias , Lippross Sebastian , Presilla Stefano , Distefano Daniela , Chianca Vito , Sedaghat Sam , Nelson Melissa , Lampe Finn , Seekamp Andreas 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Study design
Prospective multi-center study.

Objective
The study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of pedicle screw placement using a skin marker-based optical surgical navigation system for minimal invasive thoraco-lumbar-sacral pedicle screw placement.

Methods
The study was performed in a hybrid Operating Room with a video camera-based navigation system integrated in the imaging hardware. The patient was tracked with non-invasive skin markers while the instrument tracking was via an on-shaft optical marker pattern. The screw placement accuracy assessment was performed by three independent reviewers, using the Gertzbein grading. The screw placement time as well as the staff and patient radiation doses was also measured.

Results
In total, 211 screws in 39 patients were analyzed for screw placement accuracy. Of these 32.7% were in the thoracic region, 59.7% were in the lumbar region, and 7.6% were in the sacral region. An overall accuracy of 98.1% was achieved. No screws were deemed severely misplaced (Gertzbein grading 3). The average time for screw placement was 6 min and 25 secs (± 3 min 33 secs). The average operator radiation dose per subject was 40.3 µSv. The mean patient effective dose (ED) was 11.94 mSv.

Conclusion
Skin marker-based ON can be used to achieve very accurate thoracolumbarsacral pedicle screw placements.
Herausforderungen und Chancen für die Lithiumgewinnung aus geothermalen Systemen in Deutschland – Teil 2: Potenziale und Produktionsszenarien in Deutschland
Authors: Goldberg Valentin , Nitschke Fabian , Kluge Tobias 
Published: September 2022

ZusammenfassungDie hier vorgestellte Arbeit liefert Hintergrundinformationen, um das Potenzial einer künftigen Lithiumproduktion aus geothermalen Fluiden in Deutschland abzuschätzen. Aus der wachsenden Nachfrage und der bisherigen Abhängigkeit von schlecht diversifizierten Überseequellen lässt sich eine hohe strategische Bedeutung einer möglichen Binnenquelle ableiten. Hinzu kommen ökologische Aspekte, wie CO2-ärmere und flächenschonendere Lithiumgewinnungsmethoden.Basierend auf dem Technologievergleich zur direkten Lithiumextraktion aus geothermalen Fluiden und dem heutigen Ausbauzustand der Geothermie in Deutschland und dem französischen Teil des Oberrheingrabens wurden unterschiedliche Szenarien für die extrahierbare Menge an Lithiumkarbonat berechnet. So lässt sich im optimistischsten Szenario unter Berücksichtigung aller zurzeit aktiven Bohrungen eine maximale Produktion von 7200 t/a Lithiumkarbonat-Äquivalent prognostizieren. Damit könnten 5–19 % des jährlichen Bedarfs der geplanten deutschen Batteriezellenproduktion gedeckt werden.Schlüsselparameter für das Prozessdesign sind der nutzbare Volumenanteil des geothermalen Fluids und die Extraktionseffizienz. Die Unsicherheiten in der Ressourcenbewertung bezüglich Größe und Nachhaltigkeit ihrer Bewirtschaftung sind bislang noch beachtlich. Um die großen Potenziale dieser Technologie nutzen zu können, müssen diese zentralen Fragen geklärt werden.
Chronische mesenteriale Ischämie
Authors: Menges Anna-Leonie , Stoklasa Kerstin , Meuli Lorenz , Reutersberg Benedikt , Zimmermann Alexander 
Published: September 2022

ZusammenfassungDie chronische mesenteriale Ischämie (CMI) ist definiert als eine insuffiziente Perfusion des Gastrointestinaltrakts, die länger als 3 Monate andauert. Die häufigste Ursache ist die Arteriosklerose. Typische Symptome sind postprandiale Schmerzen, Gewichtsverlust und Diarrhöen. Besteht eine CMI, besteht grundsätzlich die Indikation zur Revaskularisierung, wobei sowohl eine endovaskuläre (ER) als auch offen-operative Revaskularisierung (OR) zur Verfügung stehen und die A. mesenterica superior das primäre Zielgefäß sein sollte. Klarer Vorteil der ER ist die geringere Invasivität mit niedriger Morbidität und Verweildauer sowie dadurch bedingten geringeren Kosten. Nachteil ist die erhöhte Rezidiv- und Reinterventionsrate. OR bietet eine deutlich bessere Offenheitsrate mit jedoch initial erhöhter perioperativer Morbidität. Im Hinblick auf die Mortalität zeigte sich weder im kurz- noch längerfristigen Verlauf ein signifikanter Unterschied, wobei aussagekräftige prospektive randomisierte Studien mit vergleichbaren Langzeitdaten fehlen. Aktuell wird bei passender Anatomie prinzipiell ein primär endovaskuläres Vorgehen empfohlen. Nach Revaskularisierung sollten engmaschige Verlaufskontrollen zur frühzeitigen Erkennung möglicher Rezidivstenosen durchgeführt werden, um schwere Komplikationen wie die Entstehung einer lebensbedrohlichen akuten mesenterialen Ischämie zu verhindern.
Review of Environmental Monitoring by Means of Radio Waves in the Polar Regions: From Atmosphere to Geospace
Authors: Alfonsi Lucilla , Bergeot Nicolas , Cilliers Pierre J. , De Franceschi Giorgiana , Baddeley Lisa , Correia Emilia , Di Mauro Domenico , Enell Carl-Fredrik , Engebretson Mark , Ghoddousi-Fard Reza , Häggström Ingemar , Ham Young-bae , Heygster Georg , Jee Geonhwa , Kero Antti , Kosch Michael , Kwon Hyuck-Jin , Lee Changsup , Lotz Stefan , Macotela Liliana , Marcucci Maria Federica , Miloch Wojciech J. , Morton Y. Jade , Naoi Takahiro , Negusini Monia , Partamies Noora , Petkov Boyan H. , Pottiaux Eric , Prikryl Paul , Shreedevi P. R. , Slapak Rikard , Spogli Luca , Stephenson Judy , Triana-Gómez Arantxa M. , Troshichev Oleg A. , Van Malderen Roeland , Weygand James M. , Zou Shasha 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThe Antarctic and Arctic regions are Earth's open windows to outer space. They provide unique opportunities for investigating the troposphere–thermosphere–ionosphere–plasmasphere system at high latitudes, which is not as well understood as the mid- and low-latitude regions mainly due to the paucity of experimental observations. In addition, different neutral and ionised atmospheric layers at high latitudes are much more variable compared to lower latitudes, and their variability is due to mechanisms not yet fully understood. Fortunately, in this new millennium the observing infrastructure in Antarctica and the Arctic has been growing, thus providing scientists with new opportunities to advance our knowledge on the polar atmosphere and geospace. This review shows that it is of paramount importance to perform integrated, multi-disciplinary research, making use of long-term multi-instrument observations combined with ad hoc measurement campaigns to improve our capability of investigating atmospheric dynamics in the polar regions from the troposphere up to the plasmasphere, as well as the coupling between atmospheric layers. Starting from the state of the art of understanding the polar atmosphere, our survey outlines the roadmap for enhancing scientific investigation of its physical mechanisms and dynamics through the full exploitation of the available infrastructures for radio-based environmental monitoring.
Communicative Action, Objectifications, and the Triad of Violence
Authors: Coenen Ekkehard 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThis article aims to develop a social theory of violence that emphasizes the role of the third party as well as the communication between the involved subjects. For this Teresa Koloma Beck’s essay ‘The Eye of the Beholder: Violence as a Social Process’ is taken as a starting point, which adopts a social-constructivist perspective. On the one hand, the basic concepts and the benefits of this approach are presented. On the other hand, social-theoretical problems of this approach are revealed. These deficits are counteracted by expanding Koloma Beck’s approach with a communicative-constructivist framework. Thus, the role of communicative action and the ‘objectification of violence’ is emphasized. These aspects impact the perception, judgement and (de-)legitimation of violence phenomena and the emergence of a ‘knowledge of violence’. Communicative actions and objectifications form a key to understanding violent interactions and the link between the micro and macro levels. Finally, the methodological consequences for the research of violence and Communicative Constructivism are discussed. Furthermore, possible research fields are outlined, which open up by looking at communicative action and the objectifications within the ‘triads of violence’.
Characterization of conformational heterogeneity via higher-dimensionality, proton-detected solid-state NMR
Authors: Burakova Ekaterina , Vasa Suresh K. , Linser Rasmus 
Published: September 2022

AbstractSite-specific heterogeneity of solid protein samples can be exploited as valuable information to answer biological questions ranging from thermodynamic properties determining fibril formation to protein folding and conformational stability upon stress. In particular, for proteins of increasing molecular weight, however, site-resolved assessment without residue-specific labeling is challenging using established methodology, which tends to rely on carbon-detected 2D correlations. Here we develop purely chemical-shift-based approaches for assessment of relative conformational heterogeneity that allows identification of each residue via four chemical-shift dimensions. High dimensionality diminishes the probability of peak overlap in the presence of multiple, heterogeneously broadened resonances. Utilizing backbone dihedral-angle reconstruction from individual contributions to the peak shape either via suitably adapted prediction routines or direct association with a relational database, the methods may in future studies afford assessment of site-specific heterogeneity of proteins without site-specific labeling.
Radiochemical effects of thermal neutron capture in Cr(tmhd)3: method development
Authors: Pichler Vanessa , Welch Jan M. , Sterba Johannes H. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThe radiochemical effects of thermal neutron capture in tris(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptandionato)chromium(III) (Cr(tmhd)3) were investigated. A method was devised to quantify the amount of the induced51Cr activity recoverable in the original chemical form and to confirm that it is indeed Cr(tmhd)3. The method is based on a combination of chemical separation (column chromatography and recrystallization) and analytical (radio-TLC, HPLC, and gamma spectrometry) techniques. Cr(tmhd)3samples were irradiated and purified in two steps after irradiation. We found that two of the (three) purification pathways yielded good agreement among final51Cr activity concentrations. The corresponding samples appeared to be of exceptional radiochemical purity.
Kurchatov-type methods for non-differentiable Hammerstein-type integral equations
Authors: Hernández-Verón M.A. , Yadav Nisha , Martínez Eulalia , Singh Sukhjit 
Published: September 2022

AbstractWe consider a generic type of nonlinear Hammerstein-type integral equations with the particularity of having non-differentiable kernel of Nemystkii type. So, in order to solve it we consider a uniparametric family of iterative processes derivative free, with the main advantage that for a special value of the involved parameter the iterative method obtained coincides with Newton’s method, that is due to the fact of evaluating the divided difference operator when the two values are the same. We perform a qualitative convergence study by choosing an auxiliary point, that allow us to obtain the existence and separation of solutions of the given equation, that is, local and semilocal convergence balls can be obtained.