bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics—2021 Update
Authors: Virani Salim S. , Alonso Alvaro , Aparicio Hugo J. , Benjamin Emelia J. , Bittencourt Marcio S. , Callaway Clifton W. , Carson April P. , Chamberlain Alanna M. , Cheng Susan , Delling Francesca N. , Elkind Mitchell S.V. , Evenson Kelly R. , Ferguson Jane F. , Gupta Deepak K. , Khan Sadiya S. , Kissela Brett M. , Knutson Kristen L. , Lee Chong D. , Lewis Tené T. , Liu Junxiu , Loop Matthew Shane , Lutsey Pamela L. , Ma Jun , Mackey Jason , Martin Seth S. , Matchar David B. , Mussolino Michael E. , Navaneethan Sankar D. , Perak Amanda Marma , Roth Gregory A. , Samad Zainab , Satou Gary M. , Schroeder Emily B. , Shah Svati H. , Shay Christina M. , Stokes Andrew , VanWagner Lisa B. , Wang Nae-Yuh , Tsao Connie W. ,   On behalf of the American Heart Association Council on Epidemiology and Prevention Statistics Committee and Stroke Statistics Subcommittee
Published: January 2021

Background:

The American Heart Association, in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health, annually reports the most up-to-date statistics related to heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular risk factors, including core health behaviors (smoking, physical activity, diet, and weight) and health factors (cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose control) that contribute to cardiovascular health. The Statistical Update presents the latest data on a range of major clinical heart and circulatory disease conditions (including stroke, congenital heart disease, rhythm disorders, subclinical atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, heart failure, valvular disease, venous disease, and peripheral artery disease) and the associated outcomes (including quality of care, procedures, and economic costs).

Methods:

The American Heart Association, through its Statistics Committee, continuously monitors and evaluates sources of data on heart disease and stroke in the United States to provide the most current information available in the annual Statistical Update. The 2021 Statistical Update is the product of a full year’s worth of effort by dedicated volunteer clinicians and scientists, committed government professionals, and American Heart Association staff members. This year’s edition includes data on the monitoring and benefits of cardiovascular health in the population, an enhanced focus on social determinants of health, adverse pregnancy outcomes, vascular contributions to brain health, the global burden of cardiovascular disease, and further evidence-based approaches to changing behaviors related to cardiovascular disease.

Results:

Each of the 27 chapters in the Statistical Update focuses on a different topic related to heart disease and stroke statistics.

Conclusions:

The Statistical Update represents a critical resource for the lay public, policy makers, media professionals, clinicians, health care administrators, researchers, health advocates, and others seeking the best available data on these factors and conditions.
Sex-Stratified Gene Regulatory Networks Reveal Female Key Driver Genes of Atherosclerosis Involved in Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotype Switching
Authors: Hartman Robin J.G. , Owsiany Katie , Ma Lijiang , Koplev Simon , Hao Ke , Slenders Lotte , Civelek Mete , Mokry Michal , Kovacic Jason C. , Pasterkamp Gerard , Owens Gary , Björkegren Johan L.M. , den Ruijter Hester M.
Published: January 2021

Background:

Although sex differences in coronary artery disease are widely accepted with women developing more stable atherosclerosis than men, the underlying pathobiology of such differences remains largely unknown. In coronary artery disease, recent integrative systems biological studies have inferred gene regulatory networks (GRNs). Within these GRNs, key driver genes have shown great promise but have thus far been unidentified in women.

Methods:

We generated sex-specific GRNs of the atherosclerotic arterial wall in 160 women and age-matched men in the STARNET study (Stockholm-Tartu Atherosclerosis Reverse Network Engineering Task). We integrated the female GRNs with single-cell RNA-sequencing data of the human atherosclerotic plaque and single-cell RNA sequencing of advanced atherosclerotic lesions from wild type and Klf4 knockout atherosclerotic smooth muscle cell (SMC) lineage-tracing mice.

Results:

By comparing sex-specific GRNs, we observed clear sex differences in network activity within the atherosclerotic tissues. Genes more active in women were associated with mesenchymal cells and endothelial cells, whereas genes more active in men were associated with the immune system. We determined that key drivers of GRNs active in female coronary artery disease were predominantly found in (SMCs by single-cell sequencing of the human atherosclerotic plaques, and higher expressed in female plaque SMCs, as well. To study the functions of these female SMC key drivers in atherosclerosis, we examined single-cell RNA sequencing of advanced atherosclerotic lesions from wild type and Klf4 knockout atherosclerotic SMC lineage-tracing mice. The female key drivers were found to be expressed by phenotypically modulated SMCs and affected by Klf4, suggesting that sex differences in atherosclerosis involve phenotypic switching of plaque SMCs.

Conclusions:

Our systems approach provides novel insights into molecular mechanisms that underlie sex differences in atherosclerosis. To discover sex-specific therapeutic targets for atherosclerosis, an increased emphasis on sex-stratified approaches in the analysis of multi-omics data sets is warranted.
Association Between Sex and Treatment Outcomes of Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Versus Drug Therapy
Authors: Russo Andrea M. , Zeitler Emily P. , Giczewska Anna , Silverstein Adam P. , Al-Khalidi Hussein R. , Cha Yong-Mei , Monahan Kristi H. , Bahnson Tristram D. , Mark Daniel B. , Packer Douglas L. , Poole Jeanne E. ,   For the CABANA Investigators
Published: January 2021

Background:

Among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), women are less likely to receive catheter ablation and may have more complications and less durable results. Most information about sex-specific differences after ablation comes from observational data. We prespecified an examination of outcomes by sex in the 2204-patient CABANA trial (Catheter Ablation Versus Antiarrhythmic Drug Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation).

Methods:

CABANA randomized patients with AF age ≥65 years or <65 years with ≥1 risk factor for stroke to a strategy of catheter ablation with pulmonary vein isolation versus drug therapy with rate/rhythm control agents. The primary composite outcome was death, disabling stroke, serious bleeding, or cardiac arrest, and key secondary outcomes included AF recurrence.

Results:

CABANA randomized 819 (37%) women (ablation 413, drug 406) and 1385 men (ablation 695, drug 690). Compared with men, women were older (median age, 69 years versus 67 years for men), were more symptomatic (48% Canadian Cardiovascular Society AF Severity Class 3 or 4 versus 39% for men), had more symptomatic heart failure (42% with New York Heart Association Class ≥II versus 32% for men), and more often had a paroxysmal AF pattern at enrollment (50% versus 39% for men) (
P
<0.0001 for all). Women were less likely to have ancillary (nonpulmonary vein) ablation procedures performed during the index procedure (55.7% versus 62.2% in men,
P
=0.043), and complications from treatment were infrequent in both sexes. For the primary outcome, the hazard ratio for those who underwent ablation versus drug therapy was 1.01 (95% CI, 0.62–1.65) in women and 0.73 (95% CI, 0.51–1.05) in men (interaction
P
value=0.299). The risk of recurrent AF was significantly reduced in patients undergoing ablation compared with those receiving drug therapy regardless of sex, but the effect was greater in men (hazard ratio, 0.64 [95% CI, 0.51–0.82] for women versus hazard ratio, 0.48 [95% CI, 0.40–0.58] for men; interaction
P
value=0.060).

Conclusions:

Clinically relevant treatment-related strategy differences in the primary and secondary clinical outcomes of CABANA were not seen between men and women, and there were no sex differences in adverse events. The CABANA trial results support catheter ablation as an effective treatment strategy for both women and men.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT00911508.
Willingness to Coexist with Jaguars and Pumas in Costa Rica
Authors: Schauer Jennifer Rebecca
Published: January 2021

Shrinking habitat, depleted prey sources, and hunting increase conflict between humans and jaguars in Latin America. Participant observation was used for 131 open-ended interviews in the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor of Costa Rica to describe and provide recommendations for Panthera’s rancher outreach program. Changing husbandry practices is different than wanting to relocate jaguars or pumas, which suggests willingness to coexist is based on geo-physical proximities. Further, perceived attacks on livestock may be unreliable creating a perception of more predation, villainizing large felines, and challenging coexistence. This study urges wildlife managers to evaluate the effectiveness of relocation; suggests systematic recordkeeping of jaguar and puma attacks; encourages researchers to measure willingness to co-exist with large carnivores based on geo-physical distance; suggests strategies of coexistence may have both cultural and regional differences; and recommends a communication strategy through a citizen science approach, in order to educate ranchers and create social investment among communities.
Typification of Kerner names in Gentiana sect. Endotricha Froel. (currently classified as Gentianella Moench, Gentianaceae)
Authors: REICH DIETER , GUTERMANN WALTER , PREHSLER DAVID , GREIMLER JOSEF
Published: January 2021

Anton Kerner together with his brother Joseph Kerner described five taxa of Gentianella, then classified as species within Gentiana sect. Endotricha. Of these, four were based on material distributed in his seminal Flora exsiccata Austro-Hungarica series. In the following decades a multitude of names was created in this intricate group due to ecotypic polymorphism. We here provide the lectotypes, currently accepted names and synonymies of these five names coined by the Kerner brothers: Gentiana austriaca, G. norica, G. praecox, G. rhaetica and G. sturmiana.
Hypodematium shingii sp. nov. (Hypodematiaceae; Polypodiales): Replacing the misapplied “H. crenatum”, a widespread fern from Asia

Authors: FAN XUE-PING , ZHANG LIANG , KNAPP RALF , HE HAI , GAO XIN-FEN , ZHANG LI-BING
Published: January 2021

Hypodematium shingii (Hypodematiaceae), a new fern species, is described and illustrated from limestone regions in southern China and Southeast Asia. Hypodematium shingii is different from true H. crenatum in morphology and distribution.
Rhexocercosporidium camporesii sp. nov. (Ploettnerulaceae, Helotiales) from Italy

Authors: PHUTTHACHAROEN KUNTHIDA , CHETHANA K.W. THILINI , PHOOKAMSAK RUNGTIWA , MCKENZIE ERIC H.C. , HYDE KEVIN D.
Published: January 2021

A new species, Rhexocercosporidium camporesii was collected from dead branches of Scabiosa maritima (Caprifoliaceae) in Forlì-Cesena, Italy. The new species is characterized by a lack of setae surrounding the apothecia and by fusiform, aseptate ascospores containing multiple guttules. Rhexocercosporidium camporesii has larger asci and ascospores than other species of Rhexocercosporidium. Phylogenetic analyses using a combined gene analysis of LSU and ITS sequence data indicated that the new species belongs to Ploettnerulaceae (Helotiales). A detailed morphological description and illustration of the new species are provided.
Mahonia lancasteri (Berberidaceae), a new species originating from Sichuan (China) described from cultivation
Authors: COLIN OLIVIER , HINSINGER DAMIEN DANIEL , STRIJK JOERI SERGEJ
Published: January 2021

Mahonia lancasteri (Berberidaceae) is described from cultivation as a new species from west-central Sichuan, China. A detailed description, distributional data and ecological information along with color photographs are provided. In addition, a comparison of M. lancasteri with morphologically similar species, as well as information about its introduction and history in cultivation, is presented. We also performed a phylogenetic analysis using five molecular loci (nuclear ITS, accD, ndhF, rbcL and psbA-trnH) to further determine the close affinities of M. lancasteri. The new species naturally occurs in sympatry with several other Mahonia species.
Evaluation of ZnO/Carbon Xerogel Composite as a Photocatalyst for Solar and Visible Light Degradation of the Rhodamine B Dye
Authors: Santos Gabriela Spirandelli dos , Goes Clarice Moreira , de Sousa Juliana Giancoli Martins , de Moraes Nicolas Perciani , Chaguri Livia , Rodrigues Liana Alvares
Published: January 2021

This study is focused on the evaluation of the Rhodamine B photodegradation using ZnO/carbon xerogel composite as a photocatalyst, in order to enhance the photocatalytic process efficiency under visible light. The proposed synthesis employs tannin as a precursor for the carbon xerogel,
which enhances the economic and environmental aspect of the composite. The synthesized materials have the hexagonal structure of the zinc oxide (wurtzite), which is homogeneously distributed on the carbonaceous matrix. The diffuse reflectance test shows that light absorption was significantly
enhanced for the composite. The solar light-driven photodegradation results revealed that the synthesized composite achieved virtually complete degradation of the dye present in the solution in less than 3 h, in all concentrations tested. The results of visible light driven photocatalysis
showed that the carbonaceous material presents better photoactivity than the pure oxide (70% and 40% degradation of Rhodamine B, respectively), due to the synergistic effect between the carbon xerogel and zinc oxide on the properties of the composite. The photocatalytic mechanism main active
species are the photogenerated vacancies and superoxide radicals.
Preparation and Characterization of Carbon Xerogel Based Composites for Electrochemical Sensing and Photocatalytic Degradation
Authors: Fort Carmen I. , Rusu Mihai M. , Pop Lucian C. , Cotet Liviu C. , Vulpoi Adriana , Baia Monica , Baia Lucian
Published: January 2021

In order to obtain a multifunctional nanocomposite material-for electrochemical sensors and photocatalytic applications, structures based on Bi, Fe and TiO2 were grown inside carbon xerogel supports (BiFeCX and BiFeCX-TiO2). First, a wet polymer containing Bi and
Fe salts was obtained by following a modified resorcinol-formaldehyde based sol–gel route, followed by drying in ambient conditions, and pyrolysis under inert atmosphere. Then, through TiCl4 hydrolysis, TiO2 nanoparticles were deposited on the BiFeCX xerogel leading
to BiFeCX-TiO2. The morphological and structural characterization of the investigated nanocomposites consisted in X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy and N2 adsorption measurements, revealing
porous carbon structures with embedded nanoparticles and the particularities driven by the pyrolysis and TiCl4 treatment. The new modified electrodes based on BiFeCX or BiFeCX-TiO2 nanocomposite materials, kept in a chitosan matrix (Chi) and deposited on a glassy carbon
(GC) electrode surface (GC/Chi-BiFeCX or GC/Chi-BiFeCX-TiO2), were obtained and investigated for Pb(II) voltammetric detection and H2O2 amperometric detection. Moreover, the BiFeCX-TiO2 nanocomposite was tested for the photocatalytic degradation
of methyl orange. The great potential of BiFeCX nanocomposite material for developing electrochemical sensors, or BiFeCX-TiO2 for sensors application and photocatalytic application was demonstrated.
In Vitro Biocompatibility Test of Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes with Human Osteoblast Cells: Potential Application for Bone Implant Interface Reinforcement
Authors: Ungvári Krisztina , Mészáros Sándor , Szabó Anna , Hernádi Klára , Tóth Zsolt
Published: January 2021

Application of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) as a filler component in composite materials can lead to remarkable increase in mechanical strength. It is a challenging application to form a living bone tissue biocomposite that is reinforced with MWCNTs at a dental implant—bone
interface. The successful biointegration of MWCNT and the implant material depends on the processes of osseointegration, namely surface interactions at the molecular and cellular level. In this work the compatibility of MWCNT with main osseointegration processes has been overviewed with special
attention to the toxicity of MWCNT for interacting human cells, and In Vitro experiments were performed with primary human osteoblast cells. The cells were isolated from oral bone fragments and grown in cell culture conditions. Plate wells were covered with MWCNT layers of three different
densities. Osteoblast cell suspensions were placed onto the MWCNT layers and into empty plate wells. 24 and 72 hours after seeding the attachment and proliferation of cells was evaluated using Thiazolyl Blue Tetrazolium Bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay. The extent of cell death was characterized
by Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) assay. The osteoblast cell viability tests show that cells were attached to all investigated surfaces, but with lower rate to higher density MWCNTs. A low level of cell death was observed in each sample type. Phase contrast and fluorescent microscopic observations
show that although MWCNTs are not toxic for human primary osteoblast cells, an intense interaction of the cells with MWCNTs reduces their proliferation and markedly affects their morphology.
Gadolinium Endofullerenes
Authors: Akhanova Nazym Yerlanovna , Shchur Dmitry Viktorovich , Pomytkin Anatoly Petrovich , Zolotarenko Alexander Dmitrievich , Zolotarenko Anatoly Dmitrievich , Gavrylyuk Natalia Afanasievna , Ualkhanova Marzhan , Bo Wang , Ang Ding
Published: January 2021

Fullerenes—A new combining atoms of carbon atoms into the molecule, which can serve as the parent and precursor of a whole class advanced organic compounds. Unsolved problems associated with a correct understanding of the structure, transformation, and behavior of the fullerene
C60 molecule, make it impossible to interpret correctly many of its physicochemical properties. Fullerenes are a new compounds of carbon atoms into a molecule that can serve as the parent and precursor of the whole class of the newest organic compounds. Unresolved problems connected
with correct understanding of structure, transformation and behavior of fullerene molecule C60, do not allow to interpret many of its physico-chemical properties correctly. Since the discovery of fullerenes and the subsequent study of their properties, the interaction of fullerenes
with metals is of fundamental interest. C60-building block (molecule), is similar to the atom, which can be used to create new materials. It has its physical and chemical properties, which a separate atom can't exhibit. First of all it concerns the fact that this molecule, unlike
all molecules known up to the present time, has its own surface. The presence of the surface allows the fullerene molecule to behave as a molecule and as a solid nanoparticle. The dualism of the fullerene molecule allows it, unlike other carbon allotropic forms, to dissolve in various liquid
mediums. The presence of the surface allows fullerene to enclose in its volume separate atoms and molecules. After the initial detection of fullerenes, multiple attempts are made to obtain, distinguish and characterize fullerenes containing metal atoms in their volume. In the present work
the research of the products formed in joint arc evaporation of graphite and gadolinium is carried out. The products formed on the cathode and on the reactor walls are investigated. On the example of gadolinium-containing endofullerenes the conditions of formation of nanoproducts in plasma
conditions, in solutions and at their crystallization are discussed.
Highly Selectivity Molecularly Imprinted Fluorescence Sensor Based on Carbon Quantum Dots for the Determination of Anthraquinones
Authors: Li Yangyang , Qiu Xiuzhen , Wang Yulin , Guo Huishi , Nie Libo
Published: January 2021

Due to the complexity of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), it is very important to develop a method that can recognize anthraquinones, the active ingredients in TCMs, with high selectivity. Here, a molecularly imprinted fluorescence sensor was coated on the surface of carbon quantum
dots (CDs). Allobarbital was used as functional monomer for this application using theoretical calculations and was successfully synthesized and characterized. The template molecule chrysophanol was combined with the functional monomer allobarbital using a hydrogen bond array. Then, a series
of adsorption experiments were performed to study the specific recognition of anthraquinones by the prepared sensors. The results showed that the prepared sensor had a good linear response to concentrations of chrysophanol in the concentration range 0.5 mg · L-1 to 8.0 mg
· L-1, a low detection limit (5.0 μg · L-1), high stability, and a short response time (20 min). Additionally, the obtained fluorescence sensor was successfully applied to selectively recognize anthraquinones in TCMs with recoveries of 90.1% to
101.7%. The prepared sensor displays excellent sensitivity and high selectivity towards anthraquinones, mainly due to the specific hydrogen binding sites for the target molecules. Overall, this fluorescence sensor can selectively recognize anthraquinones in TCMs, and provide a method for quality
monitoring and rational utilization of TCMs.
An Efficient and Functional Fe3O4/Co3O4 Composite for Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Bhatti Adeel Liaquat , Aftab Umair , Tahira Aneela , Abro Muhammad Ishaq , Mari Riaz Hussain , Samoon Muhammad Kashif , Aghem Muhammad Hassan , Shaikh Nek Muhammad , Mugheri Abdul Qayoom , Ibupoto Zafar Hussain
Published: January 2021

The design of efficient, stable, durable and noble metal free electro catalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) are of immediate need, but very challenging task. In this study, iron induction into cobalt oxide (Co3O4) has resulted composite structure by wet
chemical method. The iron impurity has brought an electronic disorder into Fe3O4/cobalt oxide composite thereby efficient oxygen evolution reaction is demonstrated. An addition of iron content into composite resulted the alternation of morphology from Nano rods to clusters
of nanoparticles. The successive addition of iron into composite system reduced the onset potential of OER as compared to the pristine cobalt oxide. A Tafel slope of 80 mVdec-1 indicates the favorable oxygen evolution reaction kinetics on the sample 4. An over-potential of 370 mV
is required to reach a 10 mAcm-2 current density which is acceptable for a nonprecious catalyst. The catalyst is highly durable and stable for 30 hours. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy further provided a deeper insight on charge transfer resistance and sample 4 has low charge
transfer resistance that supported the OER polarization curves. The sample 4 has more electrochemical active surface area of 393.5 cm2. These obtained results are exciting and highlighting the importance of composite structure and leave a huge space for the future investigations
on composite materials for energy related applications.
Influence of Additional Micro-Sized Particles of Dy–Nd–Cu–Al on Magnetic Properties of Sintered Nd–Fe–B Magnets
Authors: Thanh Pham Thi , Oanh Dinh Thi Kim , Yen Nguyen Hai , Dan Nguyen Huy
Published: January 2021

In this work, we investigated the influence of concentration of the additional micro-sized particles of Dy40Nd30Al30 and Nd40Cu30Al30 on magnetic properties of the sintered Nd16.5Fe77B6.5
magnets. The additional particles with size in the range of 1–3 μm were prepared by ball milling method and then mixed into micrometer Nd16.5Fe77B6.5 master powder with different weight fractions before magnetic anisotropic pressing, vacuum
sintering and annealing. The results show that the coercivity of the sintered Nd–Fe–B magnets can be improved considerably by introducing additional particles to the grain boundaries. The improvement of the coercivity Hc of the magnets is clearly dependent on the composition
and concentration of the additional microparticles. The Hc increases linearly from 8.5 kOe to 17 kOe with increasing the weight fraction of the Dy40Nd30Al30 microparticles from 0 to 5%. Meanwhile, the coercivity of the magnet reaches a maximum value
of 11.7 kOe with 4 wt% addition of Nd40Cu30Al30. The quite high maximum energy products, (BH)max > 30 MGOe, were also obtained for the magnets added with the microparticles. The obtained hard magnetic parameters of the magnets can be
applied in practice.
On the Many Applications of Nanometer-Thin Pure Boron Layers in IC and Microelectromechanical Systems Technology
Authors: Nanver Lis K. , Knezevic Tihomir , Liu Xingyu , Thammaiah Shivakumar D. , Krakers Max
Published: January 2021

An overview is given of the many applications that nm-thin pure boron (PureB) layers can have when deposited on semiconductors such as Si, Ge, and GaN. The application that has been researched in most detail is the fabrication of nm-shallow p+n-like Si diode
junctions that are both electrically and chemically very robust. They are presently used commercially in photodiode detectors for extremeultraviolet (EUV) lithography and scanning-electron-microscopy (SEM) systems. By using chemicalvapor deposition (CVD) or molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) to
deposit the B, PureB diodes have been fabricated at temperatures from an optimal 700 °C to as low as 50 °C, making them both front- and back-end-of-line CMOS compatible. On Ge, near-ideal p+n-like diodes were fabricated by covering a wetting layer of Ga with
a PureB capping layer (PureGaB). For GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs), an Al-on-PureB gate stack was developed that promises to be a robust alternative to the conventional Ni-Au gates. In MEMS processing, PureB is a resilient nm-thin masking layer for Si micromachining with tetramethyl
ammonium hydroxide (TMAH) or potassium hydroxide (KOH), and low-stress PureB membranes have also been demonstrated.
Identification of Immune-Related Prognostic Biomarkers in Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Lin Xiaoyan , Ma Jiakang , Ren Kaikai , Hou Mingyu , Zhou Bo , Shen Yong , Zhang Ling , Yuan Ling , Ma Jun
Published: January 2021

Immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer (PC) faces significant challenges. It is urgent to find immunerelated genes for targeted therapy. We aimed to identify immune-related messenger ribonucleic acids (mRNAs) with multiple methods of comprehensive immunoenrichment analysis in predicting
survival of PC. PC genomics and clinical data were downloaded from TCGA. We analyzed relative enrichment of 29 immune cells using ssGSEA and classified PC samples into three immuneinfiltrating subgroups. Immune cell infiltration level and pathways were evaluated by ESTIMATE data and KEGG.
Independent risk factors were derived from the combined analysis of WGCNA, LASSO regression and Cox regression analyses. Immune risk score was calculated according to four mRNAs to identify its value in predicting survival. PPI analysis was used to analyze the connections and potential pathways
among genes. Finally, PC samples were classified into three immuneinfiltrating subgroups. Immunity high subgroup had higher immune score, soakage of immune cells, HLA/PD-L1 expression level, immune-related pathways enrichment and better survivability. Four potential prognostic immune-related
genes (ITGB7, RAC2, DNASE1L3, and TRAF1) were identified. Immune risk score could be a potential survival prediction indictor with high sensitivity and specificity (AUC values = 0.708, HR = 1.445). A PPI network with seven nodes and five potential targeted pathways were generated. In conclusion,
we estimated the state of immune infiltration in the PC tumor microenvironment by calculating stromal and immune cells enrichment with ssGSEA algorithms, and identified four prognostic immune-related genes that affect the proportion and distribution of immune cells infiltration in the tumor
microenvironment. They lay a theoretical foundation to be important immunity targets of individual treatment in PC.
Ulinastatin-Gold Nanoparticles Reduce Sepsis-Induced Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis Through NF-κB Pathway Inactivation
Authors: Xiao Lihua , Chen Yan
Published: January 2021

Nanodrug delivery systems have recently become widely studied and applied in the medical field, and nanomaterials have greatly improved drugs’ efficacy. Ulinastatin has been confirmed to inhibit myocardial damage caused by sepsis. However, the effect and mechanism of ulinastatin-gold
nanoparticles (UTI-GN) on sepsis-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis are unknown. Here we explore the effect and mechanism of UTI-GN on sepsis-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to stimulate rat cardiomyocytes to construct an in vitro sepsis model. Enzymelinked
immunosorbent assay detected cellular inflammatory factors NF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Western blots measured iNOS and COX-2 expression. Based on LPS-treated cells, different concentrations of UTI-GN were applied to cardiomyocytes. 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium
bromide (MTT) experiments and flow cytometry measured cell viability and apoptosis, respectively. Western blots evaluated apoptotic protein expression of NF-κB, iNOS, and COX-2. The NF-κB pathway inhibitor BAY11-7082 was further used to explore whether UTI-GN played
a regulatory role through the NF-κB pathway. LPS promotes NF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 production and iNOS and COX-2 expression in cardiomyocytes. The results of the MTT experiment showed that UTI-GN has little toxicity to cardiomyocytes. The flow cytometry and
western blot experiments showed that UTI-GN promoted cell apoptosis and inhibited NF-κB expression. Additionally, the NF-κB pathway inhibitor BAY11-7082 counteracts the UTI-GN effect. UTI-GN inhibits sepsis-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis through NF-κB
pathway inhibition.
Polarimetric Radar Relations for Estimation of Visibility in Aggregated Snow
Authors: Bukovčić Petar , Ryzhkov Alexander V. , Carlin Jacob T.
Published: January 2021

The intrinsic uncertainty of radar-based retrievals in snow originates from a large diversity of snow growth habits, densities, and particle size distributions, all of which can make interpreting radar measurements of snow very challenging. The application of polarimetric radar for snow measurements can mitigate some of these issues. In this study, a novel polarimetric method for quantification of the extinction coefficient and visibility in snow, based on the joint use of radar reflectivity at horizontal polarization Z and specific differential phase KDP, is introduced. A large 2D-video-disdrometer snow dataset from central Oklahoma is used to derive a polarimetric bivariate power-law relation for the extinction coefficient, . The relation is derived for particle aspect ratios ranging from 0.5 to 0.8 and the width of the canting angle distribution ranging from 0° to 40°, values typical of aggregated snow, and validated via theoretical and analytical derivations/simulations. The multiplier of the relation is sensitive to variations in particles’ densities, the width of the canting angle distribution, and particles’ aspect ratios, whereas the relation’s exponents are practically invariant to changes in the latter two parameters. This novel approach is applied to polarimetric S-band WSR-88D data and verified against previous studies and in situ measurements of the extinction coefficient for four snow events in the eastern United States. The polarimetric radar estimates of the extinction coefficient exhibit smaller biases in comparison to previous studies concerning the ground measurements. The results indicate that there is good potential for reliable radar estimates of visibility from polarimetric weather radars, a parameter inversely proportional to the extinction coefficient.
Gracilis Muscle Flap After Superficial Inguinal Lymphadenectomy in an Irradiated Inguinal Field
Authors: Valenzuela Cristian D. , Finlay David , Sabry Zakir , Mariadason James G. , Wallack Marc K.
Published: January 2021

The sartorius muscle transposition flap is the traditional method of femoral vessel coverage after superficial inguinal lymphadenectomy for regionally-metastatic cancers to the inguinal lymph nodes. However, if the groin has undergone radiotherapy, the sartorius muscle is contained within the irradiated field, and may be problematic for wound healing, in addition to being thin at its insertion and intimately related to several nerves. The gracilis muscle has been used for soft tissue defects and vascular graft infections, but its utility as an alternative to the sartorius muscle flap in the setting of radiation has never been reported. Here, we report the successful use of the retroflexed gracilis muscle flap for femoral vessel coverage after superficial inguinal lymphadenectomy, in a patient who previously underwent chemoradiation for locally-metastatic anal squamous cell carcinoma to the groin. An 86-year old female presented with Stage IIIB anal squamous cell carcinoma metastatic to one left inguinal lymph node. She underwent modified Nigro protocol chemoradiation treatment, which included radiation to the inguinal node basins. A left superficial inguinal lymphadenectomy was performed with a retroflexed gracilis muscle flap to cover the femoral vessels. This was chosen over a sartorius flap because the gracilis muscle was not located within the field of radiation. Despite a subsequent groin wound infection, the gracilis muscle flap remained viable and successfully protected the major vessels. We report the gracilis muscle flap as a viable alternative to the sartorius transposition muscle flap for femoral vessel coverage after oncologic superficial inguinal lymphadenectomy in the irradiated groin.
Postoperative Mortality in Patients With Cirrhosis: Reconsidering Expectations
Authors: Klein John , Spigel Zachary , Kalil Jennifer , Friedman Lindsay , Chan Edie
Published: January 2021

Background

A diagnosis of cirrhosis increases a patient’s risk of postoperative mortality. Surgeons are reticent to operate when cirrhosis is known unless no option is available. This study aimed to identify the modern perioperative risk in cirrhotic patients undergoing intervention under general anesthesia for non-transplant operations.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was conducted utilizing the Rush Medical Center electronic medical record. All patients over 18 years of age with a diagnosis of cirrhosis undergoing intervention between 2009 and 2019 were reviewed. 90-day mortality rates in patients grouped by Child’s score, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD), and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease with sodium incorporated (MELDNa) were compared to previously accepted rates.

Results

93 patients (46% women) aged 22-72 years of all Child-Turcot-Pugh (CTP) (40% A, 36% B, and 25% C) classifications and MELD/MELDNa ranging 6-40 were analyzed. 90-day mortality of the entire population was 16%, significantly lower than expected based on CTP score (16% vs. 32%; P = .0005), MELD (16% vs. 41%; P < .0001), and MELDNa (16% vs. 46.8%; P < .0001). This was also true for CTP-B patients (12% vs. 30%; P = .025), CTP-C patients (35% vs. 70%; P = .0002), patients with MELD >14 (27% vs. 70%; P < .001), and patients with MELDNa >14 (23% vs. 70%; P < .0001).

Conclusion

Data indicate that perioperative mortality is lower than widely accepted. This suggests the need for a national database study using a representative population to determine the risk of mortality for patients with cirrhosis having surgery in recent times. Accurate estimation of this risk allows for meaningful discussion between physicians and patients when deciding to proceed with elective, necessary operations.
The work of conflict mediation: Actors, vectors, and communicative relationality
Authors: Brummans Boris HJM , Higham Lise , Cooren François
Published: January 2021

Mediation is a widely used form of third-party conflict management for which research has primarily focused on the role of mediators. But how are the relations between disputing parties constituted in communication involving written texts, such as official letters or medical reports, during mediation sessions? To gain deeper insight into the communicative dynamics through which third-party disputes are created, sustained, and resolved, this article proposes a new theoretical perspective on mediation that illuminates how human beings and written texts can act as vectors for each other, i.e., how they can make important differences in mediation sessions because they carry or convey what someone or something else is saying, doing, thinking, or feeling and, thus, contribute to composing the nature of disputants’ relations. The value of this vectorial perspective on mediation is subsequently demonstrated through an inductive analysis of video-recorded sessions that took place at an administrative tribunal in Canada. By showing how texts (or their absence) can act as (1) conjunctive vectors that contribute to highlighting disputants’ compatibilities and help them find common ground, or (2) disjunctive vectors that contribute to highlighting their incompatibilities and obstruct their dispute resolution, this article advances the academic and professional literature on the role of communication in conflict mediation work, and reveals significant implications for the study and practice of conflict management in organizations as well as scholarship on relational ontologies.
The effect of intra-workplace pay inequality on employee trust in managers: Assessing a multilevel moderated mediation effect model
Authors: Schulz Felix , Valizade Danat , Charlwood Andy
Published: January 2021

High levels of economic inequality are widely viewed as a key challenge facing both advanced industrial and developing economies. Country-level studies have consistently shown a negative link between income inequality and trust in others. This is typically attributed to greater social distance within unequal societies. Do we observe similar relationships within organisations? This is an important question because employee trust is associated with important outcomes for workers and organisations. We answer it by investigating the relationship between pay inequality and employee trust in managers at the workplace level using large-scale nationally representative matched employer–employee data from Britain. The article uses innovative machine learning methods to demonstrate a curvilinear relationship between pay inequality and trust. When pay inequality is at low to moderate levels, increasing inequality is associated with increasing employee trust but when pay inequality passes a certain threshold the relationship turns negative. The relationship is mediated by employees’ perceptions of manager fairness and moderated by employee collective voice. The implications of these findings for theory, research methodology, practice and future studies are discussed.
The Effects of Computerized Versus Collaborative Professional Development on Teachers’ and Students’ Performance Related to the Concept Anchoring Routine
Authors: Schumaker Jean B. , Walsh Lisa D. , Fisher Joseph B. , Graner Patricia Sampson
Published: January 2021

Two studies investigated the effects of a live, collaborative Professional Development (PD) program versus individualized PD with a multimedia software program. For both studies, teachers were randomly assigned to either a Virtual Workshop (VW) group that used the software program or to an Actual Workshop (AW) group that participated in a face-to-face workshop that included collaborative activities. The same teaching routine, the Concept Anchoring Routine, was taught to the teachers in both studies. In Study 1, teachers’ scores on a knowledge test about the routine and written plans for using the routine significantly improved from pretest to posttest in both groups. The groups’ posttest scores were not significantly different. Similarly, in Study 2, both groups’ posttest scores with regard to their knowledge of the routine, their written plans for use of the routine, and their implementation of the routine in their classes were significantly higher than their baseline scores. There were no differences between the teacher groups after training. The posttest knowledge scores of the whole groups of students being taught by both groups of teachers were also significantly higher than their pretest scores. Similar significant results were achieved by the students with LD. Moreover, the whole groups of students of VW teachers earned significantly higher posttest scores than the whole groups of students of AW teachers. Both teacher groups were satisfied with the training they received and with the routine. The students of both groups were satisfied with the way their teachers used the routine to help them learn.
Numerical simulation experiments and regression modeling for asperity contact of ceramic surfaces
Authors: Tan Yanqing , Li Chengshun
Published: January 2021

Ceramic materials, with their excellent properties, have been widely used in the engineering field. With the ceramic surface as the research object, the properties of elastic contact of ceramic surfaces are studied using the numerical simulation calculation method. In this paper, uniform experimental design is carried out with topography parameters, external load, and material property parameters, which have a direct impact on the surface contact; a numerical calculation model is established and a series of simulation experiments is carried out on the contact of asperities on the ceramic surface, which not only intuitively shows the contact behavior of asperities on the ceramic surface, but also obtains the contact parameters of the surface. Then, the numerical simulation results are compared with those of G-W model, which proves the feasibility of the numerical simulation calculation and shows that the numerical simulation model established in this paper is more in line with the engineering practice than the G-W model. Through the regression analysis of the simulation results, the analytical calculation model between the surface contact parameters and the influencing factors is established, which provides references for quantitative analysis and characterization of contact properties related to the material surface.
Fixed-time tracking control for two-link rigid manipulator based on disturbance observer
Authors: Gao Heli , Chen Mou
Published: January 2021

This paper studies the fixed-time disturbance estimate and tracking control for two-link manipulators subjected to external disturbance. A fixed-time extended-state disturbance observer (FxTESDO) is proposed by improving the extended state observer. Also, a fixed-time inverse dynamics tracking control (FxTIDTC) scheme based on the FxTESDO is given for two-link manipulators. The fixed-time convergence of the FxTESDO and FxTIDTC is proved by the Lyapunov stability theory and with the aid of the bi-limit homogeneous technique. Numerical simulations are employed to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed FxTIDTC.
Pseudospectral method-based optimal control for a nonlinear five degree of freedom active magnetic bearing system
Authors: Saha Sudipta , Banerjee Arunava , Amrr Syed Muhammad , Nabi Mashuq un
Published: January 2021

Active magnetic bearings (AMB) are used to suspend the rotor freely inside the stator to avoid any physical contact between them. Thus, it helps in significantly reducing the wear and tear that may cause a system breakdown. With the advancement of power electronics and the implementation of advanced control techniques, the use of AMB in industrial applications has increased. This paper proposes an optimal control strategy for the five degree of freedom (DOF) AMB system. The time-energy consumption of input is minimized by the application of a relatively new optimal control method called the pseudospectral method (PSM). Since the AMB is a nonlinear system, therefore the implementation of classical optimal control strategies becomes challenging. Thus, the PSM first transforms the optimal control problem at non-uniform nodes and converts it into a nonlinear programming problem, which is relatively easier to tackle. The PSM, as demonstrated in this paper, is able to find optimal solutions using relatively fewer grid points which in turn reduces the computational time and converges to the solution faster. The simulation analysis for the AMB system using two different types of PSM, that is, Legendre PSM and the Chebyshev PSM illustrates the optimal performance of the proposed strategy.
Freedom and domination through time: Jean-Paul Sartre’s theory of the plurality of temporalities
Authors: Lievens Matthias
Published: January 2021

The plural, impure or discordant nature of time has become an important theme in recent critical social and political theory. Against Althusser’s dismissal of Sartre’s presumedly Hegelian understanding of time and history, this article establishes Jean-Paul Sartre as a key figure in this debate on the plurality of temporalities. Especially in the Critique of Dialectical Reason, Sartre understands history and the social in terms of a multiplicity of uneven and non-synchronous temporalisations, rejecting an notion of time as a universal container within which events take place. The originality of Sartre’s approach is that it establishes a link between the notion of the plurality of temporalities and the problem of freedom and domination. His mature social and political theory allows us to understand temporalisation as a strategy for domination, and objective social temporality (e.g. the time of the economy or of machine systems) as key to a form of anonymous or structural domination. A reconstruction of this highly complex and sophisticated approach to thinking domination through time can also shed an original light on the temporal dimension of democracy and totalitarianism.
Retrieval of Bard Simon Nitinol inferior vena cava filters: Approaches, technical successes, complications, and clinical outcomes
Authors: Bundy Jacob J , Chick Jeffrey Forris Beecham , Srinivasa Ravi N , Cooper Kyle J , Gemmete Joseph J , Wadhwa Vibhor , Moriarty John M
Published: January 2021

Objective

The Simon Nitinol filter is a bi-level filtration device designed for permanent implantation that is no longer commercially available, but may result in similar complications to current commercially available long term indwelling temporary or permanent filters. Complications related to indwelling inferior vena cava filters include inferior vena cava thrombosis, inferior vena cava penetration, filter migration, and filter fracture. There is a paucity of reports describing the technical aspects related to retrieval of Simon Nitinol filters.

Materials and methods

This study consisted of five patients with Simon Nitinol filters and describes the indication for retrieval, the retrieval techniques used to remove the filters, technical success, complications, and clinical course.

Results

The indications for retrieval included: abdominal pain ( n = 2; 40%), iliocaval thrombosis ( n = 1; 20%), identification of an intracardiac filter fragment ( n = 1; 20%), and recurrent venous thromboembolic events ( n = 1; 20%). Retrieval techniques included: biopsy forceps ( n = 3; 60%), excimer laser extraction sheaths ( n = 3; 60%), hangman modified loop snares ( n = 3; 60%), rigid endobronchial forceps ( n = 2; 40%), and balloon deflection ( n = 2; 40%). All filters were successfully retrieved. One patient developed a post-procedural intramuscular hematoma near the site of right internal jugular sheath placement.

Conclusions

Simon Nitinol filters may be retrieved safely and effectively using advanced inferior vena cava filter retrieval techniques.