bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sepolture anomale e mutilazioni rituali
Authors: Crispino Anita , Cultraro Massimo
Published: March 2021

L’articolo prende in esame alcuni casi di “sepolture anomale” identificabili archeologicamente in due siti campione della Sicilia centro-orientale, Ciavolaro di Ribera (Agrigento) e Paolina (Ragusa). Entrambi i complessi si riferiscono alla cultura di Castelluccio (2100-1650 a.C. cal.) che rappresenta in Sicilia l’antica età del Bronzo. I due siti, pur nelle diversità dell’azione tafonomica e di architettura funeraria, presentano numerosi elementi in comune sul piano del sistema di manipolazione e selezione delle ossa umane. In entrambi i complessi si registra la presenza di un rituale post deposizionale che prevede la selezione e conservazione di ossa lunghe e crani. Solo nel caso di Paolina si registra una specifica selezione di calotte craniche deposte all’interno di due ambienti costruiti a lastre ortogonali, stanze A e C, forse di tipo ipetrale. Nel più ampio panorama del sistema funerario delle comunità castellucciane, dove per le sepolture ad esse collegate si registra di norma la rimozione successiva dei corpi all’interno del tipo di tomba a grotticella artificiale, i casi di Ciavolaro e Paolina rappresentano un formidabile esempio di regola d’eccezione, verosimilmente collegata a personaggi morti in condizioni particolari (Ciavolaro) o legati simbolicamente a segmenti di rango elevato (Paolina).
Symontosis and conceptual ambivalence in worldmaking
Authors: Ikhane Peter Aloysius Agbonoga
Published: March 2021

In this paper, I explore an African metaphysics of virtual reality (VR). The questions that guide my analysis include: (i) how are we to understand the changes the virtual world causes in how our knowledge and awareness of life are rooted? And (ii) how do we perceive our lived-reality as we go in and come out of a world generated by the computer? Though I take VR to denote a not-quite-actual world that stands in contrast to the physical or primary world, I show that VR is a variant of worldmaking. On this, I controvert the intuition to take African metaphysics of virtual reality to be concerned with an analysis of the ontological contrasts between VR and the primary world. Drawing on the principle of symontosis, I show that African metaphysics of VR is to be concerned with an analysis of the ‘harmony’ of both worlds. In this vein, I present the primary world as providing the metaphysical anchor for the virtual world, as wherefrom, we are rooted and can organise our lived-experience of VR.
Polypharmacy and potential inappropriate drug use in the elderly admitted to the general internal medicine outpatient clinic
Authors: DEMİRCAN Celaleddin , HASANZADE Ulviyya
Published: March 2021

In this study, we aimed to investigate the rates of polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate drug (PID) use in elderly patients who admitted to General Internal Medicine Outpatient Clinic. In this prospective cross-sectional study, the frequency of chronic diseases, the number of drugs used and polypharmacy rates of elderly patients were determined. Then, PIDs rates were investigated according to the 2015 Beers criteria. 304 (58,9% female, 41,1% male) patients were included in the study. 95,8% had at least one concomitant chronic disease, the mean number of drugs used by the patients per day was 4,9 ± 3,3 and the rate of polypharmacy was 52,9%. A total of 124 PIDs were determined in 104 (34,2%) patients, and this rate was higher in patients with polypharmacy (p < 0,05). The most common PIDs; the use of drugs that should be avoided in the elderly (Table 2-related PIDs; 28,3%), and the most common of these was the inappropriate use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).
Thermal Analysis of Waste Heat Recovery Systems Using CFD
Authors: Ganesh C. , Shivshankar M. , Harisha P.
Published: March 2021

The project statement is to optimize the heat transfer in a compact heat recovery unit (Heat Recovery and Emission Control Equipment - HREC) using CFD with application in day to day life. In general, the outgoing exhaust gasses are released to atmosphere at over temperature of the dew point of water vapor in waste gases. Recovering a portion of the waste heat enhances the efficiency of the equipment and as well reduce the emissions providing energy savings and green environment. In this study, the potential of recovering waste heat emitted by any heat generation units in common day to day life and in industry is considered. The Heat Recovery and Emission Control Equipment (HREC) acts an intermediate unit at the exit of hot gas generation unit & feed water heating unit. As a result of the calculation, it was determined that recovery of the waste heat can be employed at many applications as like as a combustion air preheater by means of a recuperator.
Características generales y esquemas de tratamiento en pacientes con diabetes tipo 2 participantes en el estudio IDMPS (International Diabetes Management Practice Study) en Costa Rica
Authors: Fornieri Mary Vinocour , Sánchez Alejandro Cob , Montero Jose Guillermo Jiménez , Mora Baudilio Mora , Li Grace Yung
Published: March 2021

El International Diabetes Management Practice Study es un estudio mundial, observacional, que tiene como propósito determinar el estándar de tratamiento de los pacientes con diabetes mellitus en las diferentes regiones del mundo, y la adherencia a las guías internacionales con respecto al abordaje y manejo de estos pacientes. A nivel mundial, 15016 pacientes con diabetes tipo 2 participaron en el estudio, previamente publicado por Ringborg et al. en la revista International Journal of Clinical Practice, en 2009. La siguiente publicación corresponde a la segunda etapa del estudio que analizó a los pacientes participantes de Costa Rica.
Factores de riesgo para obesidad en población femenina del Istmo de Tehuantepec, Oaxaca, México
Authors: Herrera Blas Bertha , Ruíz Blas Saraí , Zapién Martínez Arturo , Sánchez Cruz Gabriel , Bernardino Hernández Héctor U
Published: March 2021

Justificación y objetivo: la identificación de los factores de riesgo asociados a la obesidad contribuye a implementar estrategias para la modificación de conductas y estilos de vida saludables. En la región del Istmo de Oaxaca, México, no hay registros sobre dicho fenómeno. El presente estudio determina los niveles de obesidad y su relación con factores de riesgo entre la población femenina residente en las localidades de Santa María Xadani y Juchitán de Zaragoza.

Métodos: a través de un estudio transversal, se encuestó a 355 mujeres para documentar información sociodemográfica, antecedentes de salud, hábitos de alimentación y ejercicio. Mediante una exploración física se midió la masa corporal y altura para el cálculo del índice de masa corporal, y así se estableció el nivel de obesidad de acuerdo con la Norma Oficial Mexicana NOM-043-SSA2-2012. La información se analizó mediante estadística descriptiva y regresión logística.

Resultados: el 38,6 % de las mujeres presentaba sobrepeso y en el 39,2 % se encontró en algún nivel de obesidad. Los factores de riesgo encontrados fueron la procedencia rural, el hábito de cenar, los antecedentes familiares de enfermedades crónico - degenerativas y el sedentarismo, que representaron un riesgo de 1,6; 1,6; 1,8 y 1,9 veces más a desarrollar algún nivel de obesidad, respectivamente.

Conclusiones: la prevalencia de sobrepeso y obesidad entre las mujeres fue alta (77,8 %). Se identificaron cuatro factores de riesgo para el desarrollo de obesidad. Es necesario implementar estrategias integrales de atención a la problemática en la población estudiada, en particular, en la infantil.

Descriptores: obesidad, sobrepeso, factores de riesgo, mujeres.
Screening Tools for Chronic Post-Surgical Pain
Authors: Wells Charlotte , McCormack Suzanne
Published: March 2021

Potentially relevant risk factors for the development of chronic post-surgical pain include genetics, pre-surgical pain (presence and severity), mental health, surgical techniques, type of surgery, and sex.

Tools to assess these factors may be useful for identifying patients at a higher risk of developing chronic pain post-surgery.

No relevant publications were identified demonstrating a benefit of using tools to assess the risk of chronic post-surgical pain development and improving patient outcomes. Therefore, no conclusions regarding clinical utility can be provided.
The origin of regulatory agencies in the United States: A case of institutional change
Authors: Silva de Carvalho Paula
Published: March 2021

This paper seeks to detail the process that culminated in the creation of the first regulatory agencies and analyzes it through the lens of Douglass North’s (1990) theory of institutional change. The first regulatory agency with power to regulate rates emerged in 1873 in the state of Illinois in the United States amid the conflict between farmers and railroads around rail fares. The analysis of this historical process indicates that North’s theory fits well to explaining the institutional change process that gave rise to the regulatory agencies model once the perception on relative prices was the major factor behind its emergence.
Seasonal patterns of atmospheric mercury in tropical South America as inferred by a continuous total gaseous mercury record at Chacaltaya station (5240 m) in Bolivia
Authors: Koenig Alkuin Maximilian , Magand Olivier , Laj Paolo , Andrade Marcos , Moreno Isabel , Velarde Fernando , Salvatierra Grover , Gutierrez René , Blacutt Luis , Aliaga Diego , Reichler Thomas , Sellegri Karine , Laurent Olivier , Ramonet Michel , Dommergue Aurélien
Published: March 2021

Abstract. High-quality atmospheric mercury (Hg) data are rare for South America,
especially for its tropical region. As a consequence, mercury dynamics are still
highly uncertain in this region. This is a significant deficiency, as South America
appears to play a major role in the global budget of this toxic pollutant.
To address this issue, we performed nearly 2 years (July 2014–February 2016) of continuous high-resolution total gaseous mercury (TGM) measurements
at the Chacaltaya (CHC) mountain site in the Bolivian Andes, which is
subject to a diverse mix of air masses coming predominantly from the
Altiplano and the Amazon rainforest. For the first 11 months of
measurements, we obtained a mean TGM concentration of 0.89±0.01 ng m−3, which is in good agreement with the sparse amount of data available from
the continent. For the remaining 9 months, we obtained a significantly
higher TGM concentration of 1.34±0.01 ng m−3, a difference which
we tentatively attribute to the strong El Niño event of 2015–2016.
Based on HYSPLIT (Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory) back trajectories and clustering techniques, we show that
lower mean TGM concentrations were linked to either westerly Altiplanic air
masses or those originating from the lowlands to the southeast of CHC.
Elevated TGM concentrations were related to northerly air masses of
Amazonian or southerly air masses of Altiplanic origin, with the former possibly
linked to artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM), whereas the latter
might be explained by volcanic activity. We observed a marked seasonal
pattern, with low TGM concentrations in the dry season (austral winter),
rising concentrations during the biomass burning (BB) season, and the highest
concentrations at the beginning of the wet season (austral summer). With the
help of simultaneously sampled equivalent black carbon (eBC) and carbon
monoxide (CO) data, we use the clearly BB-influenced signal during the BB season
(August to October) to derive a mean TGM / CO emission ratio of (2.3±0.6)×10-7 ppbvTGM ppbvCO-1, which could be used to
constrain South American BB emissions. Through the link with CO2 measured in situ and remotely sensed solar-induced fluorescence (SIF) as
proxies for vegetation activity, we detect signs of a vegetation sink effect
in Amazonian air masses and derive a “best guess” TGM / CO2 uptake ratio of 0.058 ±0.017 (ng m−3)TGM ppmCO2-1. Finally, significantly
higher Hg concentrations in western Altiplanic air masses during the wet
season compared with the dry season point towards the modulation of
atmospheric Hg by the eastern Pacific Ocean.
Evaluation of the interactive stratospheric ozone (O3v2) module in the E3SM version 1 Earth system model
Authors: Tang Qi , Prather Michael J. , Hsu Juno , Ruiz Daniel J. , Cameron-Smith Philip J. , Xie Shaocheng , Golaz Jean-Christophe
Published: March 2021

Abstract. Stratospheric ozone affects climate directly as the
predominant heat source in the stratosphere and indirectly through chemical
reactions controlling other greenhouse gases. The U.S. Department of
Energy's Energy Exascale Earth System Model version 1 (E3SMv1) implemented a
new ozone chemistry module that improves the simulation of the sharp
tropopause gradients, replacing a version based partly on long-term average
climatologies that poorly represented heating rates in the lowermost
stratosphere. The new O3v2 module extends seamlessly into the troposphere
and preserves the naturally sharp cross-tropopause gradient, with 20 %–40 %
less ozone in this region. Additionally, O3v2 enables the diagnosis of
stratosphere–troposphere exchange flux of ozone, a key budget term lacking
in E3SMv1. Here, we evaluate key features in ozone abundance and other
closely related quantities in atmosphere-only E3SMv1 simulations driven by
observed sea surface temperatures (SSTs, years 1990–2014), comparing them with
satellite observations of ozone and also with the University of California,
Irvine chemistry transport model (UCI CTM) using the same stratospheric
chemistry scheme but driven by European Centre forecast fields for the same
period. In terms of stratospheric column ozone, O3v2 shows reduced mean bias
and improved northern midlatitude variability, but it is not quite as good as the
UCI CTM. As expected, SST-forced E3SMv1 simulations cannot synchronize with
observed quasi-biennial oscillations (QBOs), but they do show the typical
QBO pattern seen in column ozone. This new O3v2 E3SMv1 model mostly retains
the same climate state and climate sensitivity as the previous version, and
we recommend its use for other climate models that still use ozone
climatologies.
The Richness of Italian Historical Demography
Authors: Breschi Marco , Fornasin Alessio , Manfredini Matteo
Published: March 2021

In this paper, we present a new methodology for the reconstruction of individual life-histories based on information derived from the integration of different parish registers. This methodology makes it possible to associate the sequence and timing of demographic events not only with the structural features of the households in which they occurred, but also with more general historical context and the economic factors that shaped the lives of people and households. All these elements are then evaluated in a dynamic and temporal perspective, allowing the adoption of a longitudinal approach in the analysis of demographic processes for historical populations.
Beyond the Niche Hypothesis. Property, Marriage, and the Onset of Familial Reproduction in Rural Northwest Germany, 1820–1866
Authors: Fertig Georg
Published: March 2021

The study applies event history analysis to nominative data of three contrasting localities to explore the relationship between property transmission and family formation. This allows testing several hypotheses concerning demographic regulation and family dynamics in preindustrial Europe, including but not limited to the niche hypothesis. The analysis finds evidence for four mechanisms of family formation. Firstly, the death of one or both parents promoted marriage of their children. For farmholders, niche inheritance was an important contribution; but parental death also leads to an increase of nuptiality among those who did not own landed property. Beyond ownership, the importance of familial labour roles, particularly of older and younger women, can explain this observation. Second, marriages resulted from the accumulation of an appropriate marriage fund, as indicated by the results that purchases of land and favorable relative prices contributed to the conclusion of marriages. Third, there was an independent role for family dynamics in the sense that property transmission to one child promoted marriage of siblings. The fourth mechanism relates to autonomous family formation through marriages resulting from sexual encounters (indicated by premarital pregnancy). The relative weight of these four mechanisms is remarkably stable across social class and ecotype.
Success or Failure in the City? Social Mobility and Rural-Urban Migration in Nineteenth- and Early-Twentieth-Century Groningen, the Netherlands
Authors: Paping Richard , Pawlowski Jacek
Published: March 2021

This article studies the relation between rural-urban migration and the upward and downward social mobility of different social groups from the perspective of the sending countryside and not of the receiving city. It utilizes two datasets regarding people born in the Groningen clay soil region (the Netherlands). By applying a revised version of HISCLASS for social stratification, it compares the social mobility of urban migrants with those staying in the countryside. Analysis of both databases shows distinct social differences in rural-urban migration, with children from non-agrarian rural elite families moving very frequently to a city; whereas, children from farmers and unskilled (farm) labourers were much less attracted by urban centres, despite restricted job opportunities in agriculture. Children from lower managers, skilled and lower-skilled workers in industry and services took an intermediate posi­tion. For all social groups (except for children of farmers), male urban migrants had on average a better social mobility performance than rural stayers, whereas for females the differences were rather limit­ed. Children of unskilled workers, who rarely went to large cities, were far more successful than rural stayers. This suggests a positive selection. For Groningen, the findings oppose the pessimistic view of nineteenth and early-twentieth century rural-urban migrants mainly being pushed to the city by local circumstances, although their social opportunities in the countryside were indeed limited. The detailed database shows also that even a temporary movement to the city resulted on average in an improved social mobility performance, an indication that urban migrants of nearly all social backgrounds often accrued extra human capital during their stay in a large city.
What Are the Sources of Organizational Change Capability? The Role of Transformational Leadership and Organizational Justice
Authors: Ha Tung Thanh , Le Phong Ba
Published: March 2021

The paper aims to clarify the influences of transformational leadership (TL) and aspects of organizational justice on change capacity of organizations. Structural equation modelling is applied to test the relationship among the research factors based on the survey of 315 employees in 72 Vietnamese firms. The results show aspects of organizational justice act as mediating roles in the relationship between TL and organizational change capacity. TL has greater effects on innovative culture, while organizational justice has greater effects on capable champions. This study highlights the importance of building the environment of justice in an organization to link TL and organizational change capacity. This study has provided valuable initiatives and deeper insights on the new and effective pathways for firms to improve their change competence and response more successfully and rapidly towards the shift of competitive context and business environment.
GC-MS Analysis of Spondias mombin (Linn) Methanol Leaf Extract
Authors: Okereke S. C. , Ikpeazu O. V. , Nwaogwugwu C.  J. , Ezekwe A. S. , Nosiri C. I. , Ukogu P. O. , Osita Duru Michael , Emmanuel Akara
Published: March 2021

The bioactive components of Spondias mombin leaf have been evaluated using gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy (GC/MS). The plant were collected washed, shade dried and milled and the methanol extract of the leaf plant were prepared by soxhlet extract method. The methanol extract were analyzed for the identification of phytochemical compounds presenting the Spondias mombin plant leaf using GC/MS methods. Result of the GC-MS analysis of Spondias mombin leaf extract leads to the identification of 8 compounds. The identification of phytochemicals was based on the Molecular Weight, molecular formula, RT (Retention Time) and peak area % (concentration). These peaks indicated the presence of eight bioactive compounds in the extract. The names, molecular formular, percentage composition and molecular masses of these compounds are shown in Table 1. The 8 bioactive compounds are as follows; 9- oxononanoic acid,3-isopropoxy, 1,1,15,5,5 hexamethyl-3- trimethylsioxytrosiloxane (C12H34O4Si4) ,1,4-methanocycloocta(d)pyridazine, 1α4α4aα10α)(C13H2ON2),Hexasiloxane 1,1,3,3,5,5,7,7,9,9,11,11-dodeca methyl,1,4 methanocycloocta (d) pyridazine 1,4,4a,5,6,9,10,10a- octalydro 11,11-dimethyl-(1α,4α4aα10α), Hexasiloxane, 1,1,3,3,5,5,7,7,9,9,11,11 dodecamethyl, 3- isopropoxy-1,1,1,5,5,5 hexamethyl-3-(trimethylsiloxy) trisiloxane C12H34O4Si4 and 1,1,1,3,5,5,5- Heptamethyltrisiloxane(C7H22O2Si3). It is concluded that these bioactive component are known to exhibit medicinal value as well as pharmacological activities.
SREBP1/FASN/cholesterol axis facilitates radioresistance in colorectal cancer
Authors: Jin Yuxiao , Chen Zhiyuan , Dong Jiali , Wang Bin , Fan Saijun , Yang Xiaodong , Cui Ming
Published: March 2021

Acquired and intrinsic radioresistance remains a major challenge during the treatment of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Aberrant cholesterol metabolism precipitates the development of multiple cancers. Here, we report that exogenous or endogenous cholesterol enhances the radioresistance of CRC cells. The addition of cholesterol protects CRC cells against irradiation both in vitro and in vivo. Sterol response element‐binding protein 1/fatty acid synthase (SREBP1/FASN) signaling is rapidly increased in response to radiation stimuli, resulting in cholesterol accumulation, cell proliferation and inhibition of apoptosis. Blocking the SREBP1/FASN pathway impedes cholesterol synthesis and accelerates radiation‐induced CRC cell death. Our findings provide novel insights into the role of the SREBP1/FASN/cholesterol axis in radiotherapy and suggest that it may be a potential target for CRC treatment. Clinically, our results suggest that CRC patients undergoing radiotherapy may benefit from a lowered cholesterol intake.
Comparison of Laser Powder Bed Fusion and Cast Inconel 713 Alloy in Terms of Their Microstructure, Mechanical Properties, and Fatigue Life
Authors: Zhao Jun-Ren , Hung Fei-Yi , Lu Chien-Sheng , Lai I-Chun
Published: March 2021

Herein, laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) and casting Inconel 713 are used as the experimental materials for comparing the microstructure, mechanical properties, and fatigue characteristics. According to the results, the LPBF specimen has a columnar grain morphology that completely differs from the dendritic structure in the casting specimen, little difference in the hardness of the two specimens. In terms of mechanical properties, the LPBF specimen shows higher strength than the casting specimen but slightly lower ductility. In terms of fatigue characteristics, the LPBF specimen is better than the casting specimen under all loadings. For the LPBF specimen, solution heat treatment is used, which can cause the γ' phase to precipitate on the grain boundary and result in a texture effect. This promotes fracture during tensile and considerably reduces ductility. Nevertheless, the unheated LPBF Inconel 713 exhibits better strength and fatigue properties than casting specimens and can, thus, replace the traditional casting materials in the aerospace industry.
Nanomedicine‐Boosting Tumor Immunogenicity for Enhanced Immunotherapy
Authors: Huang Jing , Yang Bin , Peng Yuan , Huang Jinsheng , Wong Siu Hong Dexter , Bian Liming , Zhu Kangshun , Shuai Xintao , Han Shisong
Published: March 2021

Immunotherapy has revolutionized oncology remarkably and gained great improvements in cancer therapy. However, tumor immunotherapy still encounters serious challenges, especially certain tumors barely respond to immunotherapy. The lack of immunogenicity and subsequent insufficient antitumor immune activation is a pivotal reason. Here, a general introduction and the strengthening strategies of immunogenicity of a tumor for enhanced immunotherapy are reviewed. Specifically, nanotechnology nowadays is playing important roles in increasing the antitumor efficacy of various treatments, including immunotherapy. This review highlights how nanomedicines integrating one or more anticancer therapeutic methods (e.g., cancer vaccines, chemotherapy, phototherapy, and radiotherapy) to increase the tumor immunogenicity for rousing T cell related immune responses and achieving inspiring antitumor efficacy. Given the sophisticated immune evasion mechanisms, rational designed nanodrugs with combinational formulations are summarized to improve therapeutic efficacy in synergistic ways. Nanoplatforms taking advantage of the distinct features of tumor tissue or tumor cell with stimuli‐responsiveness and targeting functions are introduced to accelerate tumor accumulation of drugs successfully and greatly promote therapeutic efficacy with low‐dose administration and programmed drug release. Finally, the related challenges and personal perspectives of nanomedicines for tumor immunotherapy are concluded.
An automated assay for salivary amylase: A validity marker for oral fluid
Authors: Chauncey Sandye , Hobbs Gregory A.
Published: March 2021

Oral fluid is a matrix well suited to use in teletherapy. However, in cases where direct observation is not possible, validity of the specimen is in question. We have adapted a commercial salivary amylase assay for use with the Quantisal™ oral fluid collection system. We have demonstrated acceptable analytical performance and determined a cutoff to distinguish valid from invalid oral fluid specimens. We determined that washing a donor's mouth with water was unlikely to a produce a falsely invalid result if the normal 10 min passes between drinking or eating and oral fluid collection. We conclude that the measurement of salivary amylase is useful for the determination of oral fluid specimen validity in cases where direct observation of the specimen collection is not possible. This feature would be most important in a teletherapy setting, which often does not include a video component. This study describes how an assay for salivary amylase may be used to establish possible substitution. This assay does not rule out adulteration.
Fertile Crescent crop progenitors gained a competitive advantage from large seedlings
Authors: Preece Catherine , Jones Glynis , Rees Mark , Osborne Colin P.
Published: March 2021

Cereal domestication during the transition to agriculture resulted in widespread food production, but why only certain species were domesticated remains unknown. We tested whether seedlings of crop progenitors share functional traits that could give them a competitive advantage within anthropogenic environments, including higher germination, greater seedling survival, faster growth rates, and greater competitive ability.

Fifteen wild grass species from the Fertile Crescent were grown individually under controlled conditions to evaluate differences in growth between cereal crop progenitors and other wild species that were never domesticated. Differences in germination, seedling survival, and competitive ability were measured by growing a subset of these species as monocultures and mixtures.

Crop progenitors had greater germination success, germinated more quickly and had greater aboveground biomass when grown in competition with other species. There was no evidence of a difference in seedling survival, but seed size was positively correlated with a number of traits, including net assimilation rates, greater germination success, and faster germination under competition. In mixtures, the positive effect of seed mass on germination success and speed of germination was even more beneficial for crop progenitors than for other wild species, suggesting greater fitness. Thus, selection for larger seeded individuals under competition may have been stronger in the crop progenitors.

The strong competitive ability of Fertile Crescent cereal crop progenitors, linked to their larger seedling size, represents an important ecological difference between these species and other wild grasses in the region. It is consistent with the hypothesis that competition within plant communities surrounding human settlements, or under early cultivation, benefited progenitor species, favoring their success as crops.
Efficacy of corticosteroid in patients with COVID‐19: A multi‐center retrospective study and meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhan Yuan , Shang Jin , Gu Yiya , Huang Qian , Xie Jungang
Published: March 2021

To evaluate the efficacy of corticosteroids on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) patients with different levels of disease severity. In our multicenter study, 543 patients with confirmed COVID‐19 were classified as non‐severe group and severe group, and then were compared respectively for all‐cause mortality and length of hospital stay between those who received corticosteroids and not. By searching in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and CNKI, we identified 13 retrospective studies and 6 random control trials eligible for criteria of inclusion, and conducted comprehensive meta‐analyses assessing the impacts of corticosteroids on mortality, length of stay, duration of RNA clearance and duration of fever. Our multicenter study demonstrated that low‐dose corticosteroids can reduce mortality in the multivariable Cox regression analysis for severe patients (p = .03), while presented no influence in univariable analysis for non‐severe patients (p = .14). From multivariable analyses, patients with corticosteroids in non‐severe group had longer duration of hospitalization (p = .003), but did not in severe group (p = .18). Moreover, for severe patients, corticosteroids can evidently shorten duration of fever. The same results were summarized in the meta‐analyses supplemented with the result that corticosteroids delayed viral clearing in non‐severe patients. Corticosteroids should be considered based on patient's condition. For patients with non‐severe COVID‐19, corticosteroid was not recommended as a routine therapeutic initiative as that presented prolonged duration of hospitalization and delayed viral clearing, as well as no positive impact on prognosis. While low‐dose corticosteroids may benefit patients with severe COVID‐19 for it can manifestly lower risk of death and improve the clinical status to some extent.
Baseline serum exosome‐derived miRNAs predict HBeAg seroconversion in chronic hepatitis B patients treated with peginterferon
Authors: Hu Qiankun , Wang Qianqian , Zhang Yi , Tao Shuai , Zhang Xueyun , Liu Xiaoqin , Li Xinyan , Jiang Xuhua , Huang Chenlu , Xu Wei , Qi Xun , Chen Liang , Li Qiang , Huang Yuxian
Published: March 2021

This study aimed to explore the value of baseline serum exosome‐derived miRNAs for predicting HBeAg seroconversion in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients treated with peginterferon (Peg‐IFN). A total of 120 treatment‐naïve HBeAg‐positive CHB patients who received Peg‐IFN therapy (48 weeks) were enrolled. Next‐generation sequencing was performed to screen the serum exosomal miRNAs that were associated with Peg‐IFN treatment outcome, and qRT‐PCR was used to validate them. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was used to evaluate the predictive efficacy of biomarkers. Thirty‐three patients (27.5%) achieved HBeAg seroconversion (response group), and 87 patients (72.5%) did not achieve HBeAg seroconversion (nonresponse group). In the identification cohort, 40 serum exosome‐derived miRNAs were differentially expressed between the response group (four patients) and the nonresponse group (four patients). In the confirmation cohort, the expression levels of serum exosomal miR‐194‐5p (p < .001) and miR‐22‐3p (p < .001) were significantly downregulated in the response group (29 patients) compared to the nonresponse group (83 patients). Multivariate analysis identified baseline serum exosomal miR‐194‐5p, miR‐22‐3p, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and HBV DNA as independent predictors of HBeAg seroconversion (all p < .05). The AUROCs of serum exosomal miRNAs (0.77 and 0.75 for miR‐194‐5p and miR‐22‐3p, respectively) were higher than that of ALT (0.70) and HBV DNA (0.69). The combination of exosomal miR‐194‐5p and miR‐22‐3p further improved the predictive performance with an AUROC of 0.82. Baseline serum exosomal miR‐194‐5p and miR‐22‐3p may serve as novel biomarkers to predict HBeAg seroconversion in CHB patients treated with Peg‐IFN.
Dynamics of nonlocal strain gradient nanobeams with longitudinal magnetic field
Authors: Arda Mustafa , Aydogdu Metin
Published: March 2021

Flexural dynamics of carbon nanotubes under the longitudinal magnetic field have been investigated in the paper. Carbon nanotube has been assumed as a hollow beam with circular cross section. Nonlocal strain gradient model has been employed in the modeling of nanobeam. Transverse component of Lorentz force, which occurs with longitudinal magnetic field, has been considered as an external force on nanobeam. Stress and strain energy functionals have been defined for the nonlocal strain gradient model using Hamilton principle. Higher‐order governing differential equation of motion for the present problem has been solved with Differential Quadrature Method. Lorentz force and nonlocal strain gradient parameters have been considered in the standard and nonstandard boundary conditions in the present model formulation. Length scale and magnetic field parameters effect on the flexural vibration response of nanobeam have been investigated. Mode shapes of nonlocal strain gradient nanobeam have been depicted on various cases. Softening nonlocal strain gradient model gives physically consistent results and should be used in the analysis. Magnetic field effect shifts the mode shapes of clamped‐free nanobeam. Present study could give useful results for designing of magnetically actuated nanomotors.
Intrauterine growth retardation and lung function of very prematurely born young people
Authors: Harris Christopher , Lunt Alan , Bisquera Alessandra , Peacock Janet , Greenough Anne
Published: March 2021

Objectives

To assess if intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) was associated with reduced lung function at 16–19 years.

Working Hypothesis

Very prematurely born young people who had IUGR would have reduced lung function postpuberty.

Study Design

Prospective follow‐up study.

Patient‐subject Selection

One hundred and fifty‐nine 16–19 year olds born before 29 weeks of gestation; 37 had IUGR.

Methodology

Lung function tests were performed: spirometry was used to assess forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced expiratory flow at 75%, 50% and 25% of expired vital capacity (FEF75, FEF50 and FEF25), peak expiratory flow (PEF) and forced vital capacity (FVC). Functional residual capacity (FRCpleth) total lung capacity (TLCpleth) and residual volume (RVpleth) were measured. Alveolar function was assessed by diffusion capacity within the lungs of carbon monoxide (DLCO). Impulse oscillometry was used to assess respiratory resistance and lung clearance index to assess ventilation homogeneity. Exercise capacity was assessed using a shuttle sprint test.

Results

After adjustment for BMI, the mean FEV­1/FVC, FEF75, FEF25‐75, FRCpleth and RVpleth were poorer in those who had had IUGR, with differences between 0.56 and 0.75 z‐scores. After further adjustment for BPD and postnatal corticosteroid use, only the difference in RVpleth z‐scores remained statistically significant, adjusted difference (95% CI): 0.66 (0.18,1.13). Exercise capacity was lower in those with IUGR and this was more pronounced in males (p=0.04).

Conclusions

At 16–19 years of age, those who had IUGR had poorer lung function and exercise capacity compared with those with adequate intrauterine growth.
The Data Shake: An Opportunity for Experiment-Driven Policy Making
Authors: Concilio Grazia , Pucci Paola
Published: March 2021

The wider availability of data and the growing technological advancements in data collection, management, and analysis introduce unprecedented opportunities, as well as complexity in policy making. This condition questions the very basis of the policy making process towards new interpretative models. Growing data availability, in fact, increasingly affects the way we analyse urban problems and make decisions for cities: data are a promising resource for more effective decisions, as well as for better interacting with the context where decisions are implemented. By dealing with the operative implications in the use of a growing amount of available data in policy making processes, this contribution starts discussing the chance offered by data in the design, implementation, and evaluation of a planning policy, with a critical review of the evidence-based policy making approaches; then it introduces the relevance of data in the policy design experiments and the conditions for its uses.
Policy-Related Decision Making in a Smart City Context: The PoliVisu Approach
Authors: Charalabidis Yannis
Published: March 2021

Dealing with the growing quest for better governance, the advancement of ICT provides new methods and tools to politicians and their cabinets on an almost daily basis. In this changing landscape, the PoliVisu project constitutes a step forward from the evidence-based decision making, going towards an experimental approach supported by the large variety of available data sets. Through utilizing advanced data gathering, processing and visualisation techniques, the PoliVisu platform is one of the most recent integrated examples promoting the experimental dimension of policy making at a municipal and regional level.
Distinguishing the Sources
Authors: Reames Donald V.
Published: March 2021

Our discussion of history has covered many of the observations that have led to the ideas of acceleration by shock waves or by magnetic reconnection in gradual and impulsive solar energetic particle (SEP) events, respectively. We now present other compelling observations, including onset timing, SEP-shock correlations, injection time profiles, high-energy spectral knees, e/p ratios, and intensity dropouts caused by a compact source, that have helped clarify these acceleration mechanisms and sources. However, some of the newest evidence now comes from source-plasma temperatures. In this and the next two chapters, we will find that impulsive events come from solar active regions at ≈ 3 MK, controlling ionization states Q, hence A/Q, and, in most gradual events, shocks accelerate ambient coronal material from ≤1.6 MK. When SEPs are trapped on closed loops they supply the energy for flares. In addition to helping to define their own origin, SEPs also probe the structure of the interplanetary magnetic field.
Distributed Ledgers in der Energieversorgung
Authors: Pfister Pascal , Frecè Jan T.
Published: March 2021

Distributed Ledgers werden seit ihrer Entstehung 2009 von vielen Seiten als Mittel zur grundlegenden Umgestaltung ganzer Branchen angepriesen. Während die Technologie sicherlich Potenzial bietet, diverse Steuerungs- und Abwicklungsprozesse zu revolutionieren, bedingt eine solche Umstellung einerseits fundiertes Wissen hinsichtlich der Rollen und Prozesse im entsprechenden Wirtschaftsumfeld sowie der technologischen Grundlagen von Distributed Ledgers, um dauerhaft Mehrwert zu schaffen. Dieses Buchkapitel zeigt am Beispiel der Energieversorgung auf, welche Faktoren für eine mehrwertgenerierende, sichere Implementierung der Ledger-Technologie berücksichtigt werden müssen: von technologischen Fragen bis zur Frage nach neuen Geschäftsmodellen und den damit verbundenen Risiken.
Anwendung von Robotic Process Automation
Authors: Graf Patrik , Meier Markus A. , Tokarski Kim Oliver
Published: March 2021

Die Forschungsarbeit beleuchtet die Technologie Robotic Process Automation (RPA) im Umfeld der Finanzfunktionen und umfasst sowohl die Aufarbeitung des aktuellen Forschungsstands als auch eine primäre Datenerhebung, die sich in zwei Teile gliedert: Einerseits wurden Best Practices in Unternehmen erhoben, welche bereits Erfahrung mit RPA haben. Andererseits erfolgte in Kooperation mit der BKW AG die Erarbeitung einer Fallstudie. Im Vordergrund standen das Nutzenpotenzial und die Anwendungsfälle in Finanzfunktionen sowie generelle Lessons Learned. Die Ergebnisse zeigen auf, dass das in der Theorie attestierte Nutzenpotenzial in der Praxis auftritt, wobei dessen Ausmaß von der Selektion geeigneter Prozesse abhängig ist. Hier haben sich finanzielle Transaktionsprozesse, charakterisiert durch wiederkehrend, gleichartig sowie eine kurze Einarbeitungszeit, als geeignet herauskristallisiert. Für die Implementierung von RPA ist ein Start mit einem motivierten Team sinnvoll, das erste Prozesse in einem Piloten automatisiert. Für die Verankerung im Unternehmen ist ein aktives Changemanagement sowie die frühzeitige Ausgestaltung des Operating Models empfohlen. Die Praxis zeigte zudem, dass einige Stolpersteine gezielt zu adressieren sind. Der Einsatz von RPA ist auch kein Selbstzweck, sondern bedarf einer sachlichen Grenznutzenabwägung.
Hintergrund: Die „Große Transformation“ im Kontext von Forschung und Politik
Authors: Schleicher Katharina
Published: March 2021

Das zweite Kapitel gibt zunächst einen Überblick über die Debatte in Politik, Gesellschaft und Wissenschaft zur Notwendigkeit einer nachhaltigen Entwicklung hin zu ressourcenschonenden Lebensweisen sowie zur Kritik am vorherrschenden Wachstumsparadigma. Danach werden Forschungsansätze vorgestellt, die als Reaktion auf diese Herausforderungen entstanden sind, wie die transdisziplinäre Forschung, Transition-Forschung und die transformative Forschung. Hier wird auch auf die hinter den Forschungsperspektiven liegenden Transformationsdefinitionen eingegangen. Anschließend werden die Handlungsmöglichkeiten von Städten bei lokalen Transformationsprozessen betrachtet und der für die spätere Analyse relevante institutionelle Kontext der Stadt Wuppertal dargestellt.
Fazit
Authors: Schleicher Katharina
Published: March 2021

Um einerseits die transformative Forschung theoretisch zu fundieren und andererseits den diskursiven Institutionalismus weiterzuentwickeln, wurden in dieser Arbeit beide Perspektiven zusammengeführt und es wurde untersucht, ob durch zwei beispielhafte transformative Forschungsprojekte und ihre geführten Diskurse bereits ein Wandel stattgefunden hat. So konnte mit diesem Buch sowohl ein Beitrag zur Weiterentwicklung des diskursiven Institutionalismus geleistet als auch praktische Empfehlungen für die transformative Forschung gegeben werden. Das abschließende Kapitel fasst nun die Ausgangslage und Ziele, die Methode und Analyse sowie insbesondere die gewonnenen Erkenntnisse und Schlussfolgerungen zusammen.
Synthese und Ausblick
Authors: Freigang Sirkka
Published: March 2021

Das Wissen der Zukunft ist vernetzt, dezentral und interdisziplinär. Im Zentrum dieser Herausforderung stehen menschliche Bedürfnisse und nicht technische Möglichkeiten. Die vorliegende Disseration basiert auf einer transdisziplinären Zusammenführung unterschiedlicher Fachdisziplinen und bündelt Erkenntnisse aus Bildungswissenschaften, Informatik und Architektur verbunden mit dem Ziel, Einflussbereiche und Erfolgsfaktoren zu identifizieren, die im Gestaltungsprozess von menschenzentrierten Smart Learning Environments berücksichtigt werden müssen.
Performance of Agriculture in Gujarat
Authors: Gulati Ashok , Roy Ranjana , Hussain Siraj
Published: March 2021

There have always been large disparities in India’s agricultural performance at the state level because of varying resource endowments and levels of investment in the creation of rural infrastructure. States like Punjab and Haryana performed well in the 1960s and 1970s, while Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh have been star performers during the post-2000 period.
Performance of Agriculture in Madhya Pradesh
Authors: Gulati Ashok , Rajkhowa Pallavi , Roy Ranjana , Sharma Pravesh
Published: March 2021

Madhya Pradesh emerged as the state with the highest growth rate in agriculture. Long clubbed with the so-called BIMARU group of poor northern, central and eastern states, MP successfully broke ranks to set a scorching pace of growth, which has been unparalleled in the past quarter-century. Understanding the factors that helped to drive this growth and drawing lessons for other states at similar levels of development is the main objective of this chapter. Madhya Pradesh’s agricultural GDP increased at 8.1% per annum during 2005–06 to 2016–17, surpassing even record holder Gujarat’s 6% agricultural growth in the same period. The last three years have been even more spectacular: agricultural GDP increased at 11.8% per annum. Keeping this background in mind, this chapter has used secondary data published by the government to study the composition, sources and drivers of agriculture growth in Madhya Pradesh and the lessons that can be drawn for developing states. Although MP has recorded a significant decline in poverty rates from 53.6% in 2004–05 to 35.7% in 2011–12, there is still much to be done to improve the livelihood of the rural population. Moreover, MP’s per capita income is low, standing at Rs. 51,798 per annum (FY14 at current prices) as compared to the national annual average income of Rs. 74,380. Although it is much better than that of Bihar (Rs. 31,199) and Uttar Pradesh (Rs. 36,250), it remains way below top-performing states like Sikkim (Rs. 176,491), Maharashtra (Rs. 114,392), Haryana (Rs. 133,427) and Gujarat (Rs. 106,831). Therefore, the study also makes policy suggestions to bolster agricultural growth in MP.
Boosting CAR T-cell responses in lymphoma by simultaneous targeting of CD40/4-1BB using oncolytic viral gene therapy
Authors: Wenthe Jessica , Naseri Sedigheh , Labani-Motlagh Alireza , Enblad Gunilla , Wikström Kristina I. , Eriksson Emma , Loskog Angelica , Lövgren Tanja
Published: March 2021

Pretreatment of B-cell lymphoma patients with immunostimulatory gene therapy using armed oncolytic viruses may prime tumor lesions for subsequent chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, thereby enhancing CAR T-cell functionality and possibly increasing response rates in patients. LOAd703 (delolimogene mupadenorepvec) is an oncolytic adenovirus (serotype 5/35) that encodes for the transgenes CD40L and 4-1BBL, which activate both antigen-presenting cells and T cells. Many adenoviruses failed to demonstrate efficacy in B-cell malignancies, but LOAd703 infect cells via CD46, which enables B cell infection. Herein, we investigated the therapeutic potential of LOAd703 in human B-cell lymphoma models, alone or in combination with CAR T-cell therapy. LOAd703 could infect and replicate in B-cell lymphoma cell lines (BC-3, Karpas422, Daudi, DG-75, U-698) and induced an overall enhanced immunogenic profile with upregulation of co-stimulatory molecules CD80, CD86, CD70, MHC molecules, death receptor Fas and adhesion molecule ICAM-1. Further, CAR T-cell functionality was boosted by stimulation with lymphoma cells infected with LOAd703. This was demonstrated by an augmented release of IFN-γ and granzyme B, increased expression of the degranulation marker CD107a, fewer PD-1 + TIM-3+ CAR T cells in vitro and enhanced lymphoma cell killing both in in vitro and in vivo xenograft models. In addition, LOAd703-infected lymphoma cells upregulated the secretion of several chemokines (CXCL10, CCL17, CCL22, CCL3, CCL4) essential for immune cell homing, leading to enhanced CAR T-cell migration. In conclusion, immunostimulatory LOAd703 therapy is an intriguing approach to induce anti-lymphoma immune responses and to improve CAR T-cell therapy in B-cell lymphoma.