A subcell-enriched Galerkin method for advection problems

In this work, we introduce a generalization of the enriched Galerkin (EG) method. The key feature of our scheme is an adaptive two-mesh approach that, in addition to the standard enrichment of a conforming finite element discretization via discontinuous degrees of freedom, allows to subdivide selected (e.g. troubled) mesh cells in a non-conforming fashion and to use further discontinuous enrichment on this finer submesh. We prove stability and sharp a priori error estimates for a linear advection equation by using a specially tailored projection and conducting some parts of a standard convergence analysis for both meshes. By allowing an arbitrary degree of enrichment on both, the coarse and the fine mesh (also including the case of no enrichment), our analysis technique is very general in the sense that our results cover the range from the standard continuous finite element method to the standard discontinuous Galerkin (DG) method with (or without) local subcell enrichment. Numerical experiments confirm our analytical results and indicate good robustness of the proposed method

Toward an Understanding of the Economics of Charity: Evidence from a Field Experiment

This study develops theory and uses a door-to-door fundraising field experiment to explore the economics of charity. We approached nearly 5000 households, randomly divided into four experimental treatments, to shed light on key issues on the demand side of charitable fundraising. Empirical results are in line with our theory: in gross terms, our lottery treatments raised considerably more money than our voluntary contributions treatments. Interestingly, we find that a one standard deviation increase in female solicitor physical attractiveness is similar to that of the lottery incentive¡ªthe magnitude of the estimated difference in gifts is roughly equivalent to the treatment effect of moving from our theoretically most attractive approach (lotteries) to our least attractive approach (voluntary contributions).

Application of a Cellular Automaton Method to Model the Structure Formation in Soils Under Saturated Conditions: A Mechanistic Approach

Soil functions are closely related to the structure of soil microaggregates. Yet, the mechanisms controlling the establishment of soil structure are diverse and partly unknown. Hence, the understanding of soil processes and functions requires the connection of the concepts on the formation and consolidation of soil structural elements across scales that are hard to observe experimentally. At the bottom level, the dynamics of microaggregate development and restructuring build the basis for transport phenomena at the continuum scale. By modeling the interactions of specific minerals and/or organic matter, we aim to identify the mechanisms that control the evolution of structure and establishment of stationary aggregate properties. We present a mechanistic framework based on a cellular automaton model to simulate the interplay between the prototypic building units of soil microaggregates quartz, goethite, and illite subject to attractive and repulsive electrostatic interaction forces. The resulting structures are quantified by morphological measures. We investigated shielding effects due to charge neutralization and the aggregate growth rate in response to the net system charge. We found that the fraction as well as the size of the interacting oppositely charged constituents control the size, shape, and amount of occurring aggregates. Furthermore, the concentration in terms of the liquid solid ratio has been shown to increase the aggregation rate. We further adopt the model for an assessment of the temporal evolution of aggregate formation due to successive formation of particle dimers at early stages in comparison to higher order aggregates at later stages. With that we show the effect of composition, charge, size ratio, time, and concentration on microaggregate formation by the application of a mechanistic model which also provides predictions for soil aggregation behavior in case an observation is inhibited by experimental limitations

Metaanalyse empirischer Abschreckungsstudien Untersuchungsansatz und erste empirische Befunde

Dieses Papier beschreibt in Grundzügen die Vorgehensweise und erste Ergebnisse einer Meta-Analyse empirischer Arbeiten zur negativen Generalpr ävention. Von vielen hundert Studien aus allen Fach- und Themengebieten wurden zufällig 200 ausgewählt und mittels einer Meta-Analyse ausgewertet. Die daraus resultierenden Ergebnisse deuten darauf hin, dass die Ergebnisse einer Arbeit wesentlich von ihrem Design, den verwendeten Kontrollvariablen und den untersuchten Delikten beeinflusst werden. Es zeigt sich, dass einerseits die Abschreckungshypothese insgesamt eher bestätigt wird, andererseits jedoch noch viele potentielle Hindernisse berücksichtigt werden müssen (Publication Bias, Multikollinearität, etc.). Klarere Ergebnisse sind zu erwarten, sobald die Datenbasis auf einem wesentlich größeren Anteil aller verfügbarer Studien beruht.Meta-Analyse, negative Generalprävention, Abschreckung

Denture reinforcement via topology optimization

We present a computational design method that optimizes the reinforcement of dental prostheses and increases the durability and fracture resistance of dentures. Our approach optimally places reinforcement, which could be implemented by modern multi-material, three-dimensional printers. The study focuses on reducing deformation by identifying regions within the structure that require reinforcement (E-glass material). Our method is applied to a three-dimensional removable lower jaw dental prosthesis and aims to improve the living quality of denture patients and pretend fracture of dental reinforcement in clinical studies. To do this, we compare the deformation results of a non-reinforced denture and a reinforced denture that has two materials. The results indicate the maximum deformation is lower and node-based displacement distribution demonstrates that the average displacement distribution is much better in the reinforced denture

mRNA Inventory of Extracellular Vesicles from Ustilago maydis

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) can transfer diverse RNA cargo for intercellular communication. EV-associated RNAs have been found in diverse fungi and were proposed to be relevant for pathogenesis in animal hosts. In plant-pathogen interactions, small RNAs are exchanged in a cross-kingdom RNAi warfare and EVs were considered to be a delivery mechanism. To extend the search for EV-associated molecules involved in plant-pathogen communication, we have characterised the repertoire of EV-associated mRNAs secreted by the maize smut pathogen, Ustilago maydis. For this initial survey, we examined EV-enriched fractions from axenic filamentous cultures that mimic infectious hyphae. EV-associated RNAs were resistant to degradation by RNases and the presence of intact mRNAs was evident. The set of mRNAs enriched inside EVs relative to the fungal cells are functionally distinct from those that are depleted from EVs. mRNAs encoding metabolic enzymes are particularly enriched. Intriguingly, mRNAs of some known effectors and other proteins linked to virulence were also found in EVs. Furthermore, several mRNAs enriched in EVs are also upregulated during infection, suggesting that EV-associated mRNAs may participate in plant-pathogen interactions

Risk factors for prostate cancer in men with false-negative mpMRI: A retrospective single center cohort study of image quality scores and clinical parameters

PURPOSE To identify predictors of prostate cancer (PCa) and clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) in men with prior false-negative multiparametric MRI (mpMRI), focusing on image quality scoring systems and clinical parameters. METHODS In this IRB-approved retrospective single-center study, patients with a negative mpMRI (PI-RADS score ≤2) and subsequent prostate biopsies were included. Histopathological results served as reference standard. Welch's t-Test was conducted to identify significant differences in image quality scores (PI-QUAL and PSHS) between patients with and without PCa/csPCA. In addition, clinical parameters (age, BMI, PSA density) and image quality scores (PI-QUAL and PSHS) were examined as potential predictors of PCa/csPCa detection after a false-negative mpMRI in uni- and multivariate analyses. RESULTS Among 96 patients with negative mpMRI results, 44.8 % had PCa and 16.7 % had csPCa upon biopsy with histopathological confirmation. PI-QUAL scores were significantly lower in patients with PCa (p = 0.03) and csPCa (p = 0.005). PSHS scores were lower in patients with csPCa, but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.1). Higher age (p = 0.035) and a lower PI-QUAL score (p < 0.004) were predictors of subsequent csPCa detection upon biopsy, however, a lower PI-QUAL score was the only independent predictor of missed csPCa in false-negative mpMRIs. CONCLUSIONS Lower image quality scores were associated with missed PCa/csPCa in patients with false-negative mpMRIs, with PI-QUAL being an independent predictor of failed csPCa detection. This highlights the importance of image quality for prostate MRI and advocats the inclusion of its measurement into the standardized report