bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bonds of Empire
Authors: Wilson Lee B.
Published: July 2021

Bonds of Empire presents an account of slave law that is entirely new: one in which English law imbued plantation slavery with its staying power even as it insulated slave owners from contemplating the moral implications of owning human beings. Emphasizing practice rather than proscription, the book follows South Carolina colonists as they used English law to maximize the value of the people they treated as property. Doing so reveals that most daily legal practices surrounding slave ownership were derived from English law: colonists categorized enslaved people as property using English legal terms, they bought and sold them with printed English legal forms, and they followed English legal procedures as they litigated over enslaved people in court. Bonds of Empire ultimately shows that plantation slavery and the laws that governed it were not beyond the pale of English imperial legal history; they were yet another invidious manifestation of English law's protean potential.
DIVERSIFICATION IN CATASTROPHE INSURANCE MARKETS
Authors: Cui Hengxin , Tan Ken Seng , Yang Fan
Published: July 2021

Catastrophe insurance markets fail to provide sufficient protections against natural catastrophes, whereas they have the capacity to absorb the losses. In this paper, we assume the catastrophic risks are dependent and extremely heavy-tailed, and insurers have limited liability to cover losses up to a certain amount. We provide a comprehensive study to show that the diversification in the catastrophe insurance markets can be transited from suboptimal to preferred by increasing the number of insurers in the market. This highlights the importance of coordination among insurers and the government intervention in encouraging insurers to participate in the catastrophe insurance market to exploit risk sharing. Simulation studies are provided to illuminate the key findings of our results.
GOODSTEIN SEQUENCES BASED ON A PARAMETRIZED ACKERMANN–PÉTER FUNCTION
Authors: ARAI TOSHIYASU , WAINER STANLEY S. , WEIERMANN ANDREAS
Published: July 2021

Following our [6], though with somewhat different methods here, further variants of Goodstein sequences are introduced in terms of parameterized Ackermann–Péter functions. Each of the sequences is shown to terminate, and the proof-theoretic strengths of these facts are calibrated by means of ordinal assignments, yielding independence results for a range of theories: PRA, PA,$\Sigma ^1_1$-DC$_0$, ATR$_0$, up to ID$_1$. The key is the so-called “Hardy hierarchy” of proof-theoretic bounding finctions, providing a uniform method for associating Goodstein-type sequences with parameterized normal form representations of positive integers.
Treatment with High-Dose Prednisolone in Vigabatrin-Refractory Infantile Spasms
Authors: Al-Shehhi Wafaa , Chau Vann , Boyd Jennifer , Snead Carter , Sharma Rohit , Donner Elizabeth , Go Cristina , Jain Puneet
Published: July 2021

Objectives:

This research aimed to study the short-term seizure outcomes following treatment with 8 mg/kg/day prednisolone in children with infantile spasms (IS) refractory to vigabatrin. We hypothesized that high-dose prednisolone may result in similar rates of electroclinical remission when compared to published ACTH rates.

Methods:

All consecutive children with hypsarrhythmia or hypsarrhythmia variant on EEG with/without IS, who had been treated with vigabatrin as first-line anti-seizure medication (ASM) followed by high-dose oral prednisolone (8 mg/kg/day; maximum 60 mg/day) in cases who did not respond to vigabatrin, were included. Clinical and electroclinical response (ECR) at 2 weeks following initiation of treatment and adverse effects were assessed.

Results:

Sixty-five children were included. A genetic etiology was seen in 38.5% cases. Complete ECR was seen in 30.8% (20/65) of the patients 2 weeks after vigabatrin. Complete ECR was noted in 77.8% (35/45) of the patients, 2 weeks after prednisolone initiation in children who failed vigabatrin, and this was sustained at 6 weeks in 66.7% (30/45) patients. Prednisolone was generally well tolerated.

Conclusions:

High-dose (8 mg/kg/day) oral prednisolone resulted in sustained complete ECR (at 6 weeks) in two-thirds of the children with hypsarrhythmia or hypsarrhythmia variant on EEG with/without parentally reported IS. It was generally well tolerated and found to be safe.
An index measuring adherence to New Zealand Infant Feeding Guidelines has convergent validity with maternal socio-demographic and health behaviours and with children’s body size
Authors: Castro Teresa G. , Gerritsen Sarah , Teixeira Juliana A. , Pillai Avinesh , Marchioni Dirce Maria L. , Grant Cameron C. , Morton Susan M. B. , Wall Clare R.
Published: July 2021

Using data from a nationally generalisable birth cohort, we aimed to: (i) describe the cohort’s adherence to national evidence-based dietary guidelines using an Infant Feeding Index (IFI) and (ii) assess the IFI’s convergent construct validity, by exploring associations with antenatal maternal socio-demographic and health behaviours and with child overweight/obesity and central adiposity at age 54 months. Data were from theGrowing Up in New Zealandcohort (n6343). The IFI scores ranged from zero to twelve points, with twelve representing full adherence to the guidelines. Overweight/obesity was defined by BMI-for-age (based on the WHO Growth Standards). Central adiposity was defined as waist-to-height ratio > 90th percentile. Associations were tested using multiple linear regression and Poisson regression with robust variance (risk ratios, 95 % CI). Mean IFI score was 8·2 (sd2·1). Maternal characteristics explained 29·1 % of variation in the IFI score. Maternal age, education and smoking had the strongest independent relationships with IFI scores. Compared with children in the highest IFI tertile, girls in the lowest and middle tertiles were more likely to be overweight/obese (1·46, 1·03, 2·06 and 1·56, 1·09, 2·23, respectively) and boys in the lowest tertile were more likely to have central adiposity (1·53, 1·02, 2·30) at age 54 months. Most infants fell short of meeting national Infant Feeding Guidelines. The associations between IFI score and maternal characteristics, and children’s overweight/obesity/central adiposity, were in the expected directions and confirm the IFI’s convergent construct validity.
Aziz Nesin about Himself and His Parents: Poor People in Istanbul during the Late Ottoman Period
Authors: Faroqhi Suraiya
Published: July 2021

A resolute modernist and socialist, Aziz Nesin (1915–95) was definitely an author of the republican period. Born Mehmet Nusret to poor parents, both migrants to Istanbul from the Black Sea coast, he adopted Nesin as his legal surname when surnames became obligatory in 1934. By the 1950s, his satirical short stories and plays had made him famous, but he faced political difficulties for much of his life; likely, it did not endear him to the authorities that he used his experiences with the police as inexhaustible material for his stories.
Managerial Trustworthiness and Buybacks
Authors: Huang Sterling , Snellman Kaisa , Vermaelen Theo
Published: July 2021

CEO trustworthiness is positively related to long-term excess returns after buyback announcements. When the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is trustworthy, statements that the stock is undervalued are more credible. CEO trustworthiness is initially measured by the extent to which people in the county where the company headquarters is located trust each other. Further, the positive impact of trustworthiness on excess returns is higher when the CEO has been a long-term resident of a high-trust county, and correspondingly, trustworthy CEOs are less likely to be accused of financial misreporting. Our conclusions are confirmed when we use alternative measures of trustworthiness such as employee trust and CEO integrity.
Powder X-ray diffraction of daclatasvir dihydrochloride Form N-2 (Daklinza®), C40H52N8O6Cl2
Authors: Hodge Ryan L. , Kaduk James A. , Gindhart Amy M. , Blanton Thomas N.
Published: July 2021

The crystal structure of daclatasvir dihydrochloride Form N-2 (Daklinza®) has been refined using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data and optimized using density functional theory techniques. Daclatasvir dihydrochloride, Form N-2, crystallizes in space group P1 (#1) with a = 7.54808 (15), b = 9.5566 (5), c = 16.2641 (11) Å, α = 74.0642 (24), β = 84.0026 (13), γ = 70.6322 (5)°, V = 1064.150(11) Å3, and Z = 1. The hydrogen bonds were identified and quantified. Strong N–H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds link the cations and anions in chains along the a-axis. The powder pattern has been submitted to ICDD® for inclusion in the Powder Diffraction File™ (PDF®).
Long-term clinical outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting in young children with Kawasaki disease
Authors: Kwak Yujin , Kwak Jae Gun , Cho Sungkyu , Kim Woong-Han
Published: July 2021

Background:

Although coronary artery bypass grafting is not frequently performed in children, Kawasaki disease is one of the most common indications for coronary artery bypass grafting in children. Here, we reviewed the long-term clinical outcomes including graft patency after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Methods:

Between March 2004 and March 2013, six patients with Kawasaki disease underwent coronary artery bypass grafting. All patients were male. Their median age was 13.0 years (interquartile range, 7.8–17.8 years) at the timing of coronary artery bypass grafting, and the median age at the onset of Kawasaki disease was 3.3 years (interquartile range, 1.0–7.0 years). Four patients presented with multiple lesions including aneurysms.

Results:

The median follow-up duration was 12.1 years (interquartile range, 9.5–13.1 years), and there were no operative complications or overall mortality. One patient had pre-operative symptoms such as exertional chest pain and dyspnoea on exertion, whereas one patient had ventricular tachyarrhythmia. There was an improvement in subjective symptoms after surgery in two patients. The left internal thoracic artery, right internal thoracic artery, and saphenous vein were used in five (83.3%), one (16.7%), and two (33.3%) cases, respectively. In all six patients, post-operative single-photon emission CT findings showed improved perfusion compared with pre-operative single-photon emission CT. All grafts were patent as confirmed by coronary angiography or CT angiography.

Conclusions:

Coronary artery bypass grafting could be a good surgical option in children with coronary lesions caused by Kawasaki disease in terms of graft patency and myocardial perfusion.
Deception detection in text and its relation to the cultural dimension of individualism/collectivism
Authors: Papantoniou Katerina , Papadakos Panagiotis , Patkos Theodore , Flouris George , Androutsopoulos Ion , Plexousakis Dimitris
Published: July 2021

Automatic deception detection is a crucial task that has many applications both in direct physical and in computer-mediated human communication. Our focus is on automatic deception detection in text across cultures. In this context, we view culture through the prism of the individualism/collectivism dimension, and we approximate culture by using country as a proxy. Having as a starting point recent conclusions drawn from the social psychology discipline, we explore if differences in the usage of specific linguistic features of deception across cultures can be confirmed and attributed to cultural norms in respect to the individualism/collectivism divide. In addition, we investigate if a universal feature set for cross-cultural text deception detection tasks exists. We evaluate the predictive power of different feature sets and approaches. We create culture/language-aware classifiers by experimenting with a wide range of n-gram features from several levels of linguistic analysis, namely phonology, morphology and syntax, other linguistic cues like word and phoneme counts, pronouns use, etc., and token embeddings. We conducted our experiments over eleven data sets from five languages (English, Dutch, Russian, Spanish, and Romanian), from six countries (United States of America, Belgium, India, Russia, Mexico, and Romania), and we applied two classification methods, namely logistic regression and fine-tuned BERT models. The results showed that the undertaken task is fairly complex and demanding. Furthermore, there are indications that some linguistic cues of deception have cultural origins and are consistent in the context of diverse domains and data set settings for the same language. This is more evident for the usage of pronouns and the expression of sentiment in deceptive language. The results of this work show that the automatic deception detection across cultures and languages cannot be handled in unified manners and that such approaches should be augmented with knowledge about cultural differences and the domains of interest.
Article 21.5 DSU Appellate Body Report United States – Measures Affecting Trade in Large Civil Aircraft (Second Complaint): Spillovers from Defense R&D Add to the Tug-of-War between Panels and the WTO Appellate Body
Authors: Hillman Jennifer A. , Reynolds Kara M.
Published: July 2021

The March 2019 release of the Appellate Body's compliance report in United States – Measures Affecting Trade in Large Civil Aircraft (Second Complaint) marks yet another chapter in the ongoing Boeing–Airbus dispute. While raising numerous new and old subsidy issues, this paper focuses on one specific aspect, the evaluation of the financial contributions and benefits associated with the Department of Defense (DOD) R&D procurement contracts. The paper describes the differing views taken by the panels compared to the Appellate Body. It highlights two issues that led to an extremely lengthy proceeding: (1) the black or white nature of the decision regarding the characterization of contracts which have features of both purchases of services and joint ventures; and (2) the difficulty in demonstrating a financial contribution flowing from payments for R&D for military systems to Boeing's civil aircraft production. It concludes that this case represents a failure of the WTO dispute settlement system and underscores flaws in the ASCM in that after fifteen years of litigation, no determination was made as to whether or not the DOD R&D contracts examined here constituted impermissible subsidies.
Clinical negligence cases in the English NHS: uncertainty in evidence as a driver of settlement costs and societal outcomes
Authors: Carter Alexander W. , Mossialos Elias , Redhead Julian , Papalois Vassilios
Published: July 2021

The cost of clinical negligence claims continues to rise, despite efforts to reduce this now ageing burden to the National Health Service (NHS) in England. From a welfarist perspective, reforms are needed to reduce avoidable harm to patients and to settle claims fairly for both claimants and society. Uncertainty in the estimation of quanta of damages, better known as financial settlements, is an important yet poorly characterised driver of societal outcomes. This reflects wider limitations to evidence informing clinical negligence policy, which has been discussed in recent literature. There is an acute need for practicable, evidence-based solutions that address clinical negligence issues, and these should complement long-standing efforts to improve patient safety. Using 15 claim cases from one NHS Trust between 2004 and 2016, the quality of evidence informing claims was appraised using methods from evidence-based medicine. Most of the evidence informing clinical negligence claims was found to be the lowest quality possible (expert opinion). The extent to which the quality of evidence represents a normative deviance from scientific standards is discussed. To address concerns about the level of uncertainty involved in deriving quanta, we provide five recommendations for medico-legal stakeholders that are designed to reduce avoidable bias and correct potential market failures.
Wortschatz, Phonem-Graphem-Relationen und Fehlschreibungen bei dem Phonem /f/ in freien Schüler­texten der Jahrgangsstufen 3 – 5
Authors: Siekmann Katja
Published: July 2021

Zusammenfassung. Einleitung: Ein Desiderat in der Deutschdidaktik ist ein aktueller Korpus von Schülertexten, der sprachstatistische Analysen zum Schreibwortschatz, zu Phonem-Graphem-Relationen und zu Schülerfehlern ermöglicht, sodass Rückschlüsse für die schulische und lerntherapeutische Praxis gezogen werden können. Methode: Diese Lücke soll mit 1000 freien Schülertexten der Jahrgangsstufe 3–5 geschlossen werden. Die vorliegende Studie eruiert die 100 häufigsten Wörter des Schreibwortschatzes und die Phonem-Graphem-Relationen für das Phonem /f/ (Basisgraphem: , Orthographeme: ,  und ) in Bezug auf 1) die Häufigkeit der Wörter mit der Phonem-Graphem-Relation, 2) das Verhältnis der Basis-/Orthographeme und 3) die konkreten Fehlschreibungen. Ergebnisse: Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Vermittlung des Wortschatzes nach sprachstatistischen Prinzipien der Häufigkeit und des Aufbaus fachlich fundiert und erstrebenswert ist. Unterschiede zu aktuellen Grundwortschätzen und Verlagsmaterialien werden diskutiert.
Multi‐Point Measurements of the Plasma Properties Inside an Aurora From the SPIDER Sounding Rocket
Authors: Giono Gabriel , Ivchenko Nickolay , Sergienko Tima , Brändström Urban
Published: July 2021

The Small Payloads for Investigation of Disturbances in Electrojet by Rockets (SPIDER) sounding rocket was launched on February 2nd, 2016 (21:09 UT), deploying 10 free falling units (FFUs) inside a westward traveling auroral surge. Each FFUs deployed spherical electric field and Langmuir probes on wire‐booms, providing in situ multi‐point recordings of the electric field and plasma properties. The analytical retrieval of the plasma parameters, namely the electron density, electron temperature and plasma potential, from the Langmuir probe measurements was non‐trivial due to sheath effects and detailed explanation are discussed in this article. An empirical assumption on the sheath thickness was required, which was confirmed by simulating the plasma environment around the FFU using the Spacecraft Plasma Interaction Software (SPIS). In addition, the retrieved electron density and temperature are also in agreement with the simultaneous incoherent scatter radar measurements from the EISCAT facility. These two independent confirmations provided a good level of confidence in the plasma parameters obtained from the FFUs, and events observed during the flight are discussed in more details. Hints of drift‐wave instabilities and increased currents inside a region of enhanced density were observed by the FFUs.
Numerical Modeling of Complex Stress State in a Fault Damage Zone and Its Implication on Near‐Fault Seismic Activity
Authors: Sainoki A. , Schwartzkopff A. K. , Jiang L. , Mitri H. S.
Published: July 2021

Near‐fault severe seismic activity is frequently observed when excavating deep underground during various engineering projects. The present study elaborates a method to simulate the heterogeneous, complex stress state inside fractured rock mass in a fault damage zone, based on the concept of equivalent elastic compliance tensor and boundary traction method. After verifying the method with the discrete element method, the stress state of the fault damage zone composed of millions of fractures was analyzed. It is then demonstrated that the method is capable of simulating stress anomalies that could be the cause for severe seismic activity. The quantitative analysis indicates that the discrepancy between local and regional fracture densities is one of the dominant factors that produce an intensely stressed region, suggesting the use of local‐to‐regional fracture density ratio as an index to evaluate the potential for stress anomalies and its degree. Furthermore, a model parametric study on fracture properties was carried out to provide insight into the discrepancy in the likelihood of abnormal stress state between jointed host rock and fault damage zone. Lastly, b‐value was computed from thousands of possible seismic events identified in the model, by assuming seismic efficiency and scaled energy. The computed b‐value was found to fall within a reasonable range estimated from induced seismicity in deep underground mines. These results imply that the proposed method may be used to obtain a first‐order approximation of the complex rock mass stress state in fault damage zones and to evaluate the severity of seismic activity.
Inflammasomes as therapeutic targets in human diseases
Authors: Li Yangxin , Huang Hui , Liu Bin , Zhang Yu , Pan Xiangbin , Yu Xi-Yong , Shen Zhenya , Song Yao-Hua
Published: July 2021

Inflammasomes are protein complexes of the innate immune system that initiate inflammation in response to either exogenous pathogens or endogenous danger signals. Inflammasome multiprotein complexes are composed of three parts: a sensor protein, an adaptor, and pro-caspase-1. Activation of the inflammasome leads to the activation of caspase-1, which cleaves pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-18, leading to pyroptosis. Effectors of the inflammasome not only provide protection against infectious pathogens, but also mediate control over sterile insults. Aberrant inflammasome signaling has been implicated in the development of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders. Here, we review the role of the inflammasome as a double-edged sword in various diseases, and the outcomes can be either good or bad depending on the disease, as well as the genetic background. We highlight inflammasome memory and the two-shot activation process. We also propose the M- and N-type inflammation model, and discuss how the inflammasome pathway may be targeted for the development of novel therapy.
Maternal psychosocial risk factors and child gestational epigenetic age in a South African birth cohort study
Authors: Koen Nastassja , Jones Meaghan J. , Nhapi Raymond T. , Lake Marilyn T. , Donald Kirsten A. , Barnett Whitney , Hoffman Nadia , MacIsaac Julia L. , Morin Alexander M. , Lin David T. S. , Kobor Michael S. , Koenen Karestan C. , Zar Heather J. , Stein Dan J.
Published: July 2021

Accelerated epigenetic aging relative to chronological age has been found to be associated with higher risk of mortality in adults. However, little is known about whether and how in utero exposures might shape child gestational epigenetic age (EA) at birth. We aimed to explore associations between maternal psychosocial risk factors and deviation in child gestational EA at birth (i.e., greater or lower EA relative to chronological age) in a South African birth cohort study—the Drakenstein Child Health Study. Maternal psychosocial risk factors included trauma/stressor exposure; posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); depression; psychological distress; and alcohol/tobacco use. Child gestational EA at birth was calculated using an epigenetic clock previously devised for neonates; and gestational EA deviation was calculated as the residuals of the linear model between EA and chronological gestational age. Bivariate linear regression was then used to explore unadjusted associations between maternal/child risk factors and child gestational EA residuals at birth. Thereafter, a multivariable regression method was used to determine adjusted associations. Data from 271 maternal-child dyads were included in the current analysis. In the multivariable regression model, maternal PTSD was significantly and negatively associated with child gestational EA residuals at birth (β = −1.95; p = 0.018), controlling for study site, sex of the child, head circumference at birth, birthweight, mode of delivery, maternal estimated household income, body mass index (BMI) at enrolment, HIV status, anaemia, psychological distress, and prenatal tobacco or alcohol use. Given the novelty of this preliminary finding, and its potential translational relevance, further studies to delineate underlying biological pathways and to explore clinical implications of EA deviation are warranted.
Modelling the links between farm characteristics, respiratory health and pig production traits
Authors: Gray H. , Friel M. , Goold C. , Smith R. P. , Williamson S. M. , Collins L. M.
Published: July 2021

Sustainable livestock production requires links between farm characteristics, animal performance and animal health to be recognised and understood. In the pig industry, respiratory disease is prevalent, and has negative health, welfare and economic consequences. We used national-level carcass inspection data from the Food Standards Agency to identify associations between pig respiratory disease, farm characteristics (housing type and number of source farms), and pig performance (mortality, average daily weight gain, back fat and carcass weight) from 49 all in/all out grow-to-finish farms. We took a confirmatory approach by pre-registering our hypotheses and used Bayesian multi-level modelling to quantify the uncertainty in our estimates. The study findings showed that acquiring growing pigs from multiple sources was associated with higher respiratory condition prevalence. Higher prevalence of respiratory conditions was linked with higher mortality, and lower average daily weight gain, back fat and pig carcass weight. Our results support previous literature using a range of data sources. In conclusion, we find that meat inspection data are more valuable at a finer resolution than has been previously indicated and could be a useful tool in monitoring batch-level pig health in the future.
Stabilization demands of walking modulate the vestibular contributions to gait
Authors: Magnani Rina M. , Bruijn Sjoerd M. , van Dieën Jaap H. , Forbes Patrick A.
Published: July 2021

Stable walking relies critically on motor responses to signals of head motion provided by the vestibular system, which are phase-dependent and modulated differently within each muscle. It is unclear, however, whether these vestibular contributions also vary according to the stability of the walking task. Here we investigate how vestibular signals influence muscles relevant for gait stability (medial gastrocnemius, gluteus medius and erector spinae)—as well as their net effect on ground reaction forces—while humans walked normally, with mediolateral stabilization, wide and narrow steps. We estimated local dynamic stability of trunk kinematics together with coherence of electrical vestibular stimulation (EVS) with muscle activity and mediolateral ground reaction forces. Walking with external stabilization increased local dynamic stability and decreased coherence between EVS and all muscles/forces compared to normal walking. Wide-base walking also decreased vestibulomotor coherence, though local dynamic stability did not differ. Conversely, narrow-base walking increased local dynamic stability, but produced muscle-specific increases and decreases in coherence that resulted in a net increase in vestibulomotor coherence with ground reaction forces. Overall, our results show that while vestibular contributions may vary with gait stability, they more critically depend on the stabilization demands (i.e. control effort) needed to maintain a stable walking pattern.
Sagittal body alignment in a sitting position in children is not affected by the generalized joint hypermobility
Authors: Czaprowski Dariusz , Gwiazdowska-Czubak Karolina , Tyrakowski Marcin , Kędra Agnieszka
Published: July 2021

Back pain may be related to an improper sitting position. The aim of the study was to assess the sagittal curvatures of the spine in a sitting position in children with generalized joint hypermobility (GJH). The study included 302 children aged 8–14 years. The sagittal curvatures of the spine (sacral slope, lumbar lordosis, thoracic kyphosis with its lower and upper part) were assessed using the Saunders digital inclinometer. In order to assess GJH a 9-point Beighton scale was used. The study revealed no significant differences (p > 0.05) in sagittal curvatures of the spine in a relaxed sitting position between children with and without GJH. Regardless of the occurrence of GJH, kyphotic alignment of the spine was noted in a relaxed sitting. GJH does not affect the position of the trunk in a sagittal plane in a relaxed sitting position in children aged 8–14 years. A relaxed sitting position in children with and without GJH is characterized by a kyphotic position of the spine caused by an improper position of pelvis and lumbar segment of the spine.
A new inflammatory parameter can predict delayed intracranial hemorrhage following ventriculoperitoneal shunt
Authors: Li Shiwei , Wang Hongcai , Li Feng , Chen Maosong , Chen Pandi
Published: July 2021

Delayed intracerebral hemorrhage (DICH) secondary to ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt is considered to be a potentially severe event. This study aimed to investigate the association between a ratio of postoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio to preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLRR) and DICH secondary to VP shunt. We performed a retrospective review of patients who underwent VP shunt between January 2016 and June 2020. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association of DICH and NLRR. Then patients were divided into two groups according to the optimal cut-off point of NLRR, propensity score matching (PSM) method was performed to reconfirm the result. A total of 130 patients were enrolled and DICH occurred in 29 patients. Elevated NLRR and history of craniotomy were independent risk factors for DICH secondary to VP shunt. The optimal cut off point of NLRR was 2.05, and the sensitivity was 89.7%, the specificity was 63.4%. Patients with NLRR > 2.05 had much higher incidence of DICH (40.6% vs 4.5%). Our finding suggested that DICH following VP shunt was not a rare complication and elevated NLRR could independently predict DICH. Inflammatory responses might play an important role in the development of DICH following VP shunt.
Impact of unknown incidental findings in PET/CT examinations of patients with proven or suspected vascular graft or endograft infections
Authors: Husmann Lars , Eberhard Nadia , Huellner Martin W. , Ledergerber Bruno , Mueller Anna , Gruenig Hannes , Messerli Michael , Mestres Carlos-A. , Rancic Zoran , Zimmermann Alexander , Hasse Barbara
Published: July 2021

Vascular graft or endograft Infections (VGEI) are rare but severe complications of vascular reconstructive surgery, and associated with significant mortality and morbidity risk. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (PET/CT) has been shown to have a high diagnostic accuracy in the detection of VGEI. In this single-center prospective cohort study, we assessed the rate and the impact on patient management of relevant unknown incidental findings in PET/CT of patients with proven or suspected VGEI, and clinical follow-up of all patients was performed. Our study results show a comparably high rate of relevant unknown incidental findings (181 in 502 examinations), with documented direct impact on patient management in 80 of 181 (44%) of all findings. PET/CT scan- and patient-based evaluation revealed impact on patient management in 76 of 502 (17%) of all PET/CT scans, and in 59 of 162 (36%) of all patients, respectively. Furthermore, PET/CT correctly identified the final diagnosis in 20 of 36 (56%) patients without VGEI. In conclusion, in proven and suspected VGEI, PET/CT detects a high rate of relevant unknown incidental findings with high impact on patient management.
Brazil’s sugarcane embitters the EU-Mercosur trade talks
Authors: Follador Marco , Soares-Filho Britaldo Silveira , Philippidis George , Davis Juliana Leroy , de Oliveira Amanda Ribeiro , Rajão Raoni
Published: July 2021

The Brazilian government’s decision to open the Amazon biome to sugarcane expansion reignited EU concerns regarding the sustainability of Brazil’s sugar sector, hindering the ratification of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement. Meanwhile, in the EU, certain conventional biofuels face stricter controls, whilst uncertainty surrounding the commercialisation of more sustainable advanced-biofuels renders bioethanol as a short- to medium-term fix. This paper examines Brazil’s land-use changes and associated greenhouse gas emissions arising from an EU driven ethanol import policy and projections for other 13 biocommodities. Results suggest that Brazil’s sugarcane could satisfy growing ethanol demand and comply with EU environmental criteria, since almost all sugarcane expansion is expected to occur on long-established pasturelands in the South and Midwest. However, expansion of sugarcane is also driven by competition for viable lands with other relevant commodities, mainly soy and beef. As a result, deforestation trends in the Amazon and Cerrado biomes linked to soy and beef production could jeopardize Brazil’s contribution to the Paris agreement with an additional 1 ± 0.3 billion CO2eq tonnes above its First NDC target by 2030. Trade talks with a narrow focus on a single commodity could thus risk unsustainable outcomes, calling for systemic sustainability benchmarks, should the deal be ratified.
Validation of a liquid biopsy assay with molecular and clinical profiling of circulating tumor DNA
Authors: Finkle Justin D. , Boulos Hala , Driessen Terri M. , Lo Christine , Blidner Richard A. , Hafez Ashraf , Khan Aly A. , Lozac’hmeur Ariane , McKinnon Kelly E. , Perera Jason , Zhu Wei , Dowlati Afshin , White Kevin P. , Tell Robert , Beaubier Nike
Published: July 2021

Liquid biopsy is a valuable precision oncology tool that is increasingly used as a non-invasive approach to identify biomarkers, detect resistance mutations, monitor disease burden, and identify early recurrence. The Tempus xF liquid biopsy assay is a 105-gene, hybrid-capture, next-generation sequencing (NGS) assay that detects single-nucleotide variants, insertions/deletions, copy number variants, and chromosomal rearrangements. Here, we present extensive validation studies of the xF assay using reference standards, cell lines, and patient samples that establish high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in variant detection. The Tempus xF assay is highly concordant with orthogonal methods, including ddPCR, tumor tissue-based NGS assays, and another commercial plasma-based NGS assay. Using matched samples, we developed a dynamic filtering method to account for germline mutations and clonal hematopoiesis, while significantly decreasing the number of false-positive variants reported. Additionally, we calculated accurate circulating tumor fraction estimates (ctFEs) using the Off-Target Tumor Estimation Routine (OTTER) algorithm for targeted-panel sequencing. In a cohort of 1,000 randomly selected cancer patients who underwent xF testing, we found that ctFEs correlated with disease burden and clinical outcomes. These results highlight the potential of serial testing to monitor treatment efficacy and disease course, providing strong support for incorporating liquid biopsy in the management of patients with advanced disease.
Genotoxic stress in constitutive trisomies induces autophagy and the innate immune response via the cGAS-STING pathway
Authors: Krivega Maria , Stiefel Clara M. , Karbassi Sahar , Andersen Line L. , Chunduri Narendra K. , Donnelly Neysan , Pichlmair Andreas , Storchová Zuzana
Published: July 2021

Gain of even a single chromosome leads to changes in human cell physiology and uniform perturbations of specific cellular processes, including downregulation of DNA replication pathway, upregulation of autophagy and lysosomal degradation, and constitutive activation of the type I interferon response. Little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying these changes. We show that the constitutive nuclear localization of TFEB, a transcription factor that activates the expression of autophagy and lysosomal genes, is characteristic of human trisomic cells. Constitutive nuclear localization of TFEB in trisomic cells is independent of mTORC1 signaling, but depends on the cGAS-STING activation. Trisomic cells accumulate cytoplasmic dsDNA, which activates the cGAS-STING signaling cascade, thereby triggering nuclear accumulation of the transcription factor IRF3 and, consequently, upregulation of interferon-stimulated genes. cGAS depletion interferes with TFEB-dependent upregulation of autophagy in model trisomic cells. Importantly, activation of both the innate immune response and autophagy occurs also in primary trisomic embryonic fibroblasts, independent of the identity of the additional chromosome. Our research identifies the cGAS-STING pathway as an upstream regulator responsible for activation of autophagy and inflammatory response in human cells with extra chromosomes, such as in Down syndrome or other aneuploidy-associated pathologies.
Ultrafast optical melting of trimer superstructure in layered 1T′-TaTe2
Authors: Siddiqui Khalid M. , Durham Daniel B. , Cropp Frederick , Ophus Colin , Rajpurohit Sangeeta , Zhu Yanglin , Carlström Johan D. , Stavrakas Camille , Mao Zhiqiang , Raja Archana , Musumeci Pietro , Tan Liang Z. , Minor Andrew M. , Filippetto Daniele , Kaindl Robert A.
Published: July 2021

Quasi-two-dimensional transition-metal dichalcogenides are a key platform for exploring emergent nanoscale phenomena arising from complex interactions. Access to the underlying degrees-of-freedom on their natural time scales motivates the use of advanced ultrafast probes sensitive to self-organised atomic-scale patterns. Here, we report the ultrafast investigation of TaTe2, which exhibits unique charge and lattice trimer order characterised by a transition upon cooling from stripe-like chains into a (3 × 3) superstructure of trimer clusters. Utilising MeV-scale ultrafast electron diffraction, we capture the photo-induced TaTe2 structural dynamics – exposing a rapid ≈ 1.4 ps melting of its low-temperature ordered state followed by recovery via thermalisation into a hot cluster superstructure. Density-functional calculations indicate that the initial quench is triggered by intra-trimer Ta charge transfer which destabilises the clusters, unlike melting of charge density waves in other TaX2 compounds. Our work paves the way for further exploration and ultimately rapid optical and electronic manipulation of trimer superstructures.
Self-cleaving ribozymes: substrate specificity and synthetic biology applications
Authors: Peng Huan , Latifi Brandon , Müller Sabine , Lupták Andrej , Chen Irene A.
Published: July 2021

Self-cleaving ribozymes have become important tools of synthetic biology. Here we summarize the substrate specificity and applications of the main classes of these ribozymes.
Extracellular interactions between graphene nanosheets and E-cadherin
Authors: Yan Zengshuai , Li Lingzhi , Li Shixin , Xu Yan , Yue Tongtao
Published: July 2021

Modes and consequences of extracellular interactions between graphene nanosheets and E-cadherin are revealed by molecular dynamics simulations.
Assessing the mechanisms of action of natural molecules/extracts for phase-directed wound healing in hydrogel scaffolds
Authors: Chummun Itisha , Bekah Devesh , Goonoo Nowsheen , Bhaw-Luximon Archana
Published: July 2021

A single hydrogel scaffold platform with bioactive molecules for multi-phase wound healing tailored to match their molecular mechanisms of action.
An investigation of two copper(ii) complexes with a triazole derivative as a ligand: magnetic and catalytic properties
Authors: Petrenko Yuliia P. , Piasta Karolina , Khomenko Dmytro M. , Doroshchuk Roman O. , Shova Sergiu , Novitchi Ghénadie , Toporivska Yuliya , Gumienna-Kontecka Elzbieta , Martins Luísa M. D. R. S. , Lampeka Rostyslav D.
Published: July 2021

Two copper(ii) complexes were investigated as catalysts for selective oxidation of styrene to benzaldehyde and of cyclohexane to KA oil.
The catalyst-free growth of layer-structured CuInSe2/β-In2Se3 microwires for ultrasensitive self-powered photodetectors based on a lateral p–n junction
Authors: He Jianfeng , Chen Hongyu , Zhao Qixiao , Wang Yifan , Pan Yuan , Huang Shan , Ling Francis Chi-Chung , Wang Shuangpeng , Su Shichen
Published: July 2021

A new building-block of one-dimensional layer-structured CuInSe2/β-In2Se3 lateral p–n junction is realized for high-performance self-powered photodetector.
High-contrast imaging at ten microns: A search for exoplanets around Eps Indi A, Eps Eri, Tau Ceti, Sirius A, and Sirius B
Authors: Pathak P. , Petit dit de la Roche D. J. M. , Kasper M. , Sterzik M. , Absil O. , Boehle A. , Feng F. , Ivanov V. D. , Janson M. , Jones H. R. A. , Kaufer A. , Käufl H.-U. , Maire A.-L. , Meyer M. , Pantin E. , Siebenmorgen R. , van den Ancker M. E. , Viswanath G.
Published: July 2021

Context. The direct imaging of rocky exoplanets is one of the major science goals of upcoming large telescopes. The contrast requirement for imaging such planets is challenging. However, the mid-IR (infrared) regime provides the optimum contrast to directly detect the thermal signatures of exoplanets in our solar neighbourhood.

Aims. We aim to exploit novel fast-chopping techniques newly developed for astronomy with the aid of adaptive optics to look for thermal signatures of exoplanets around bright stars in the solar neighbourhood.

Methods. We used the upgraded Very Large Telescope Imager and Spectrometer for the mid-InfraRed (VISIR) instrument with high-contrast imaging capability optimised for observations at 10 μm to look for exoplanets around five nearby (d < 4 pc) stars. The instrument provides an improved signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) by a factor of ~4 in the N-band compared to standard VISIR for a given S/N and time.

Results. In this work, we achieve a detection sensitivity of sub-mJy, which is sufficient to detect a few Jupiter mass planets in nearby systems. Although no detections are made, we achieve most sensitive limits within <2″ for all the observed targets compared to previous campaigns. For ϵ Indi A and ϵ Eri, we achieve detection limits very close to the giant planets discovered by RV, with the limits on ϵ Indi A being the most sensitive to date. Our non-detection therefore supports an older age for ϵ Indi A. The results presented here are promising for high-contrast imaging and exoplanet detections in the mid-IR regime.
Current asset management of military construction joint stock corporations
Authors: Thi Khanh Van Hoang , Quoc Toan Nguyen , Hoang Long Le
Published: July 2021

The restructuring of Construction Enterprises in Military since 2000 by equitization and divestment is considered as a part of the reforming of State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) that is a crucial pillar of the Government’s structural reform toward a market-oriented economy under deeper international economic integration in Vietnam. The outcome of analysis indicates that reform of Military Construction Enterprises has made progress that has resulted in a significant expansion in the production capacity, improvement of expertise and management ability, and enhancement of competitiveness. On the other hand, the reforming of Military Construction Enterprises has been confronted with a range of issues such as financial management, improving labor productivity or innovating technology. The article focuses on the status of current asset management, which plays a crucial role in the financial management of Military Construction Joint Stock Corporations, then highlights significant achievements, and points out shortcomings to be eliminated in order to restructure Military Construction Joint Stock Corporations in the coming time.
Numerical-analytical calculation of a cylindrical reservoir taking into account creep
Authors: Chepurnenko Anton , Polyakova Tatyana , Rozen Marina , Grigoryan Marina
Published: July 2021

The article proposes a numerical-analytical solution to the problem of axisymmetric loading of the closed cylindrical shell, taking into account the creep of the material. The calculation is performed using the functions of A.N. Krylov in combination with the method of Euler and Runge-Kutta of the fourth order. Comparison with the solution using the finite difference method is presented.
Simulate the single-throw electric upcut shears operation in Mathcad
Authors: Drozdov Anatoly
Published: July 2021

The relevance of sheet processing technology, which finds increasing application, is given. Efficient equipment for sheet metal processing and sheet mounting is justified and proposed. This article deals with upcut shears’ operation. The solution to the mathematic model of manual upcut shears using Mathcad is provided.
The beams with composite reinforcement inclined sections’ finite element modeling operation results comparison with the results of the laboratory samples’ tests
Authors: Shilov Alexander , Shilov Petr
Published: July 2021

The results of a numerical experiment are presented, within the framework of which finite element modeling of the reinforced concrete beams support sections with external composite reinforcement beams inclined sections operation was carried out, as well as their comparison with the results of an experiment carried out on real laboratory samples, similarly reinforced on the support areas by external composite U-shaped cross clamps. The strength of inclined sections of both real laboratory specimens and their design models was considered. Both numerical and real experiments were carried out at three values of the shear fracture span: 1.5h0; 2.0h0 and 2.5h0. The obtained results of the numerical experiment are compared with the results of laboratory tests on beams in order to analyze the accuracy of the calculation results and to find the optimal method for modeling and taking into account the external composite reinforcement clamps in the design models that would most accurately reflect their contribution to the operation of the inclined section of bent reinforced concrete elements. For the numerical experiment, the method of finite element modeling of samples was used. An assessment of the method used for computational modeling of the operation of inclined sections reinforced with external composite reinforcement is given.
Improvement of wind power units towers constructions and their numerical simulation
Authors: Sabitov Linar , Mailyan Levon , Akhtyamova Leysan , Ziganshin Almaz , Yazyev Serdar
Published: July 2021

This article discusses new efficient tower structures (power transmission towers (PTT), support for wind turbines (WT) etc.), for which the patents for inventions of the Russian Federation have been obtained. Methods for their calculation in the ANSYS software package are given in order to determine the stress-strain state (SSS) and defining their actual work. Application of new technical solutions in the WTtowers construction will reduce material consumption by 15%.
To the question of action on the rods lying on elastic foundation, inertial load with a variable speed of its movement
Authors: Ivanchenko Igor
Published: July 2021

A method for calculating the rods on elastic foundation under the inertial load action when it moves at a variable speed is proposed. Test problems about a force or load movement with variable speeds along a hinged beam and about the movement with a high-speed railway car deceleration along a track section modeled by a hinged supported beam of great length on an elastic foundation are considered. The selection of the elastic foundation material of the rail track determines the dynamics of the high-speed railway car in different modes of its movement. To construct the methodology, the previously proposed by the author of the article solutions are used: a step-by-step procedure for solving the problems of unsteady dynamics of structures and the method of “nodal accelerations” to take into account the action on structures of a moving inertial load.