bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling the Spatial and Temporal Evolution of Stress during Multiworking Face Mining in Close Distance Coal Seams
Authors: Zhang Yong , Yang Jinkun , Zhang Jiaxuan , Sun Xiaoming , Chen Chen , Zheng Xiaoyu , Xu Huichen
Published: July 2021

Mining in close distance coal seams (CDCSs) is frequently associated with engineering disasters because of the complicated nature of stress distribution within CDCSs. In order to establish a layout of a roadway to minimize the occurrence of disasters associated with mining CDCS, here the spatial and temporal evolution of stress distribution during the multiworking face mining of a CDCS was explored through numerical simulation based on the engineering and geological conditions of the Nantun Coal Mine. The numerical simulation results indicate that, after the extraction of adjacent multiple working faces, the spatial distribution of stress can be characterized with areas of increased, reduced, and intact stress. The superposed stress of inclined seams that are very close to each other propagates through coal pillars in the bottom floor, and this propagation follows neither the line along the axis of the coal pillar nor the line perpendicular to the direction of the floor. It instead propagates along a line angled with the axis of the coal pillar. The roadway can be arranged in the area with reduced stress, to improve its the stability. Based on the computed spatial and temporal evolution of stress, an optimized layout of roadway was proposed. This layout features a reasonable interval between the mining roadway and a minimal proportion of increased stress areas along the mining roadway and is aligned with geological structures.
Optimal Operation and Financing Decisions in Green Supply Chain with a Capital-Constrained Manufacturer
Authors: Xia Lijuan , Qiao Lixin , Ma Xiaochen , Sun Yuanze , Li Yongli
Published: July 2021

Capital constraint, immensely existing in practice, became major stressors for manufacturers during the green research and development (R & D) triggered by managers integrating green concept into their business models. Considering the initial capital of a capital-constrained manufacturer, this paper formulates a Stackelberg game model comprising a manufacturer and a retailer, to discuss the optimal operation and financing decisions under the bank financing channel and trade credit financing channel, to detect the relationship between the manufacturer’s initial capital and green R & D investment, and to find which financing channel is better by comparing the two financing channels when the same initial capital is set. According to the above analysis, the results find that the capital-constrained manufacturer prefers financing only when meeting certain conditions. Furthermore, financing might be detrimental to the manufacturer but always beneficial to the retailer. Especially, under trade credit financing channel, the profit improvement of the retailer is higher than the manufacturer in the same financing channel, which suggests that the retailer has strong internal motivation to cooperate with the manufacturer from the perspective of financing.
Reliability Sensitivity Analysis Method for Mechanical Components
Authors: Zhang Yan-Fang , Zhang Yan-Lin
Published: July 2021

Based on the univariate dimension-reduction method (UDRM), Edgeworth series, and sensitivity analysis, a new method for reliability sensitivity analysis of mechanical components is proposed. The univariate dimension-reduction method is applied to calculate the response origin moments and their sensitivity with respect to distribution parameters (e.g., mean and standard deviation) of fundamental input random variables. Edgeworth series is used to estimate failure probability of mechanical components by using first few response central moments. The analytic formula of reliability sensitivity can be derived by calculating partial derivative of the failure probability

P

f

with respect to distribution parameters of basic random variables. The nonnormal random parameters need not to be transformed into equivalent normal ones. Three numerical examples are employed to illustrate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method by comparing the failure probability and reliability sensitivity results obtained by the proposed method with those obtained by Monte Carlo simulation (MCS).
Analytical Method for Fluid‐Solid Coupling Vibration Analysis of Hydraulic Pipeline System with Hinged Ends
Authors: Zhang Tianxiao , Cui Jin
Published: July 2021

The vibrations in hydraulic pipeline systems inevitably involve the interaction between the two‐phase media of a solid and fluid. The fluid flowing in the pipeline generates pressure on the pipeline wall and thus causes vibration and deformation in the pipeline, which in turn changes the fluid flow condition, thereby cyclically affecting the deformation and motion of the solid and fluid and making the pipeline system vulnerable to vibration damage. Therefore, it is of great theoretical and practical value to investigate the vibration behavior and characteristics of hydraulic pipeline systems. In this study, the fluid flow‐induced vibrations in a pipeline system are investigated based on Housner’s differential vibration equation of fluid pipelines. Through the application of relevant mathematical theories and methods, the derivation of the inherent characteristics and dynamic behavior of a hydraulic pipeline system with two hinged ends is simplified, and the corresponding equations for the natural frequencies and dynamic response of the system are obtained. The analytical method for analyzing the vibration behavior and characteristics of the system is presented, and the analytical results of the vibration analysis of the system are obtained through computer simulation, providing a theoretical and technical basis for the safe and reliable operation of the hydraulic pipeline system.
Sensory and Physicochemical Properties and Stability of Folic Acid in a Pineapple Ready-to-Serve Beverage Fortified with Encapsulated Folic Acid
Authors: Pamunuwa Geethi , Nilakshi Harshika , Rajapaksha Gagani , Shakoor Farrah , Karunaratne Desiree Nedra
Published: July 2021

Fortification of food and beverages with folic acid is carried out frequently as a remedy to folic acid deficiency which causes serious health issues. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of incorporation of folic acid encapsulated alginate submicron particles in pineapple ready-to-serve (RTS) beverages. The encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity of the particles were 91.54 ± 0.45% and 1.02 ± 0.01%, respectively. The photostability and thermal stability studies of folic acid revealed that encapsulation poses a protective effect on folic acid and that dark and refrigerated conditions contribute to higher stability of folic acid. In this study, sensory evaluation of the RTS beverages was carried out through both ranking tests and acceptance tests using a five-point hedonic scale. The sensory panel showed the highest preference to pineapple RTS with incorporated encapsulated folic acid at a quantity of its recommended daily intake (400 µg/200 mL) before heat treatment. Shelf-life evaluations were carried out through measuring physicochemical properties, and pH, titratable acidity, and total soluble solids showed negligible or acceptable changes over two months. Folic acid degradation occurred due to heat treatment, but encapsulation in alginate submicron particles provided heat stability to folic acid. Thus, microencapsulated folic acid may be a successful carrier of folic acid which can be incorporated in beverages such as fortified pineapple RTS.
Tachycardia during Treatment with Risperidone and Paliperidone Palmitate in a Patient without Previous Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Orlins Zachary , Barnett Brian
Published: July 2021

Here, we present the case of a patient who initiated risperidone and developed persistent tachycardia, which was exacerbated by subsequent administration of paliperidone palmitate despite treatment with propranolol. This patient’s experience emphasizes the need for psychiatrists to regularly monitor vital signs after risperidone/paliperidone initiation, dosage increase, or overdose to identify and appropriately manage this potentially harmful side effect. Increasing clinician awareness of this rare side effect will help protect patients with serious mental illness who regularly rely upon these medications, particularly in their long-acting injectable formulations.
Cohort Selection In Utero against Male Twins and Childhood Cancers: A Population-Based Register Study
Authors: Bruckner Tim A. , Catalano Ralph , Das Abhery , Lu Yunxia
Published: July 2021

Background:

Cancer ranks as the second leading cause of death among children ages 1 to 14 years in the United States. Previous research finds that strong cohort selection in utero against males precedes a reduction in live-born males considered frail. We examine whether such cohort selection in utero may similarly affect the frequency of childhood cancers among male live births.

Methods:

We examined 1,368 childhood cancers among males born in Sweden over 144 months, from January 1990 to December 2001, and followed to age 15 in the Swedish Cancer Registry. We retrieved the count of male twins by birth month from the Swedish Birth Registry. We applied autoregressive, integrated, moving average time-series methods to identify and control for temporal patterns in monthly childhood cancers and to evaluate robustness of results.

Results:

Fewer childhood cancers occur among monthly male birth cohorts with elevated selection in utero (i.e., a low count of live-born male twins). This association appears in the concurrent month (coef = 0.04; 95% CI, 0.001–0.079) as well as in the following month in which most births from the twin's conception cohort are “scheduled” to be born (coef = 0.055; 95% CI, 0.017–0.094).

Conclusions:

Elevated cohort selection in utero may reduce the number of frail male gestations that would otherwise have survived to birth and received a cancer diagnosis during childhood.

Impact:

This novel result warrants further investigation of prenatal exposures, including those at the population level, that may induce cohort selection in utero for some cancer types but not others.
Pathological Complete Response after Immune-Checkpoint Inhibitor Followed by Salvage Surgery for Clinical Stage IV Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma with Continuous Low Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio: A Case Report
Authors: Higuchi Mitsunori , Kawamata Takahiro , Oshibe Ikuro , Soeta Nobutoshi , Saito Takuro , Hojo Hiroshi , Matsumura Yuki , Suzuki Hiroyuki
Published: July 2021

Immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) play a crucial role in the treatment of advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, most patients fail this treatment after a limited period. We here report a patient with a pathological complete response after treatment with ICI for stage IV pulmonary adenocarcinoma. A 73-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of hoarseness. A roentgenogram and chest CT scan revealed a huge (78-mm diameter) pulmonary tumor in the right upper lobe and a tumor with cavitation in the left lower lobe. A CT scan also showed enlarged upper mediastinal lymph nodes (LNs). Transbronchial lung biopsy of the tumors showed adenocarcinomas in both. The tumor in the right upper lobe was considered to be the primary with mediastinal LNs metastasis and that in the left lower lobe a pulmonary metastasis. The disease was determined to be cT4N2M1a stage IVA. He was treated with first-line chemotherapy comprising cisplatin, pemetrexed, and bevacizumab for 6 cycles. However, 6 months after initial treatment, the primary and metastatic tumors enlarged, and he was treated with second-line anti-programed death 1 therapy for 7 months with a partial response. 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) revealed weak accumulation of FDG in the primary tumor only with no accumulation in the left pulmonary metastasis or mediastinal lymph node (LNs), despite the LNs still being enlarged. He was diagnosed as having ycT1bN0M0 stage IA2 disease and underwent right upper lobectomy. Postoperative pathological findings revealed that cancer tissues had been replaced by scar tissue and that CD4-positive T cells, rather than CD8-positive T cells, were predominant. It was also noted that he had a lower neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) during immunotherapy than before immunotherapy and after surgery. He was diagnosed to be ypT0N0M0 stage 0 (Ef.3). His postoperative course was uneventful, and he remained well for 12 months after surgery with no further treatment. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with ICIs for advanced NSCLC may be a promising modality, even for clinical stage IV disease, in the near future. Furthermore, NLR during immunotherapy may be a promising biomarker of ICIs treatment.
Safety and Survival Outcomes in Lung Cancer Patients Receiving Carboplatin: Impact of Uncapped Dosage
Authors: Le Bozec Antoine , Boulanger Coralie , Mongaret Céline , Maréchal Antonin , Dewolf Maxime , Slimano Florian
Published: July 2021

The prescription of carboplatin is commonly based on the Calvert formula, and low serum creatinine values can lead to an overestimation of the glomerular filtration rate and of the carboplatin dose. Limited data recommend to cap carboplatin dose at 800 mg, but the risk of suboptimal carboplatin dose is concerning. This study compared hematologic toxicity occurrence and survival outcomes in lung cancer patients receiving carboplatin > or <800 mg based on the Calvert formula (target area under the curve = 5 mg/mL min). Our results show more severe cytopenia in patients receiving carboplatin >800 mg with significant difference for all grades of thrombocytopenia in the uncapped group (37% patients vs. 3%, p = 0.02). For metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer patients, we also observed hematologic toxicity in the uncapped group with more severe anemia (30% of patients vs. 0%, p = 0.03) and all grades of thrombocytopenia (39 vs. 0%, p = 0.02) than the capped group. Concerning the secondary endpoint, we obtained a trend of lower progression-free survival and overall survival in patients receiving carboplatin >800 mg, but no significant difference appears for the both survival criteria. This study aims to improve the determination of carboplatin dosage to know the real impact of carboplatin capping and to find the optimum balance between excessive toxicity and substandard therapeutics outcomes.
Consensus Recommendations of the German Consortium for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Rhiem Kerstin , Auber Bernd , Briest Susanne , Dikow Nicola , Ditsch Nina , Dragicevic Neda , Grill Sabine , Hahnen Eric , Horvath Judit , Jaeger Bernadette , Kast Karin , Kiechle Marion , Leinert Elena , Morlot Susanne , Püsken Michael , Schäfer Dieter , Schott Sarah , Schroeder Christopher , Siebers-Renelt Ulrike , Solbach Christine , Weber-Lassalle Nana , Witzel Isabell , Zeder-Göß Christine , Schmutzler Rita K.
Published: July 2021

Background: The German Consortium for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (GC-HBOC) has established a multigene panel (TruRisk®) for the analysis of risk genes for familial breast and ovarian cancer. Summary: An interdisciplinary team of experts from the GC-HBOC has evaluated the available data on risk modification in the presence of pathogenic mutations in these genes based on a structured literature search and through a formal consensus process. Key Messages: The goal of this work is to better assess individual disease risk and, on this basis, to derive clinical recommendations for patient counseling and care at the centers of the GC-HBOC from the initial consultation prior to genetic testing to the use of individual risk-adapted preventive/therapeutic measures.
Cercarial Dermatitis at Public Bathing Sites (Region Zealand, Denmark): A Case Series and Literature Review
Authors: Al-Jubury Azmi , Bygum Anette , SusannaTracz Eva , Koch Charlotte Näslund , Buchmann Kurt
Published: July 2021

During recent years, we have observed an increasing occurrence of cercarial dermatitis in Denmark. We here describe 5 new cases from 2019 to 2020 associated with bathing in lakes Esrum sø, Furesø, and Ringen with emphasis on clinical symptoms and their relation to previous exposure to bird schistosome cercariae. In 2020, 2 patients from Furesø suffered from different severity of clinical symptoms after morning bathing in the same lake. We suggest that the differential symptoms may be explained by primary versus secondary exposure to the immunogenic pathogen.
The Value of Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology Combined with Puncture Feeling in the Diagnosis of Thyroid Nodules
Authors: Li Li , Chen Xiao , Li Peipei , Liu Yibo , Ma Xiaoli , Ye Yu-Quan
Published: July 2021

Introduction: There are few studies on the role of puncture feeling in thyroid nodules during ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology (US-FNAC), although it is expected to become a new predictive technique. We aimed to analyze the importance of puncture feeling in combination with US-FNAC and investigate whether it can be used as an indicator to predict the nature of thyroid nodules. Materials and Methods: From January 1, 2018, to October 31, 2020, a total of 623 thyroid nodules were included. Puncture feeling was classified as “soft,” “hard,” or “hard with grittiness.” The correlation between puncture feeling and postoperative pathology and the diagnostic value of FNAC combined with puncture feeling were analyzed, and the influence of thyroid nodule size on puncture feeling, FNAC, and FNAC combined with puncture feeling was studied. We further explored the correlation between puncture feeling and histopathology in Bethesda III and IV thyroid nodules. Results: There was a significant correlation between puncture feeling and postoperative pathology (p < 0.001). The sensitivity, negative predictive value, and total coincidence rate of US-FNAC combined with puncture feeling for the diagnosis of thyroid nodules were higher than those of US-FNAC alone (96.1, 83.6, and 94.7% vs. 89.0, 65.5, and 89.7%, respectively). Thyroid nodule size was the influencing factor for puncture feeling, FNAC, and FNAC combined with puncture feeling (p < 0.05 for all). The area under the curve for puncture feeling, FNAC, and FNAC combined with puncture feeling for thyroid nodules of size ≤1 cm was greater than for modules of size >1 cm. Puncture feeling was of great value in diagnosing Bethesda III thyroid nodules (p < 0.001), and all Bethesda IV thyroid nodules had puncture feeling of soft. Conclusion: Puncture feeling is of great value during US-FNAC. “Hard” and “hard with grittiness” were indicators for malignancy, while “soft” indicated that the thyroid nodule was likely to be benign. The diagnostic value of US-FNAC combined with puncture feeling for thyroid nodules is higher than US-FNAC alone, especially when nodule size is ≤1 cm. Puncture feeling is of great value in predicting the nature of Bethesda III thyroid nodules.
The Diagnostic Ability of the Cerebroplacental Ratio for the Prediction of Adverse Perinatal Outcome and Intrapartum Fetal Compromise within One Day of Delivery
Authors: Morales-Roselló José , Loscalzo Gabriela , Jakaitė Vaidilė , Perales Marín Alfredo
Published: July 2021

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the diagnostic abilities of the cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) for the prediction of adverse perinatal outcome (APO) and cesarean section for intrapartum fetal compromise (CS-IFC) within 1 day of delivery. Design: Retrospective observational case-control study. Methods: This was a study of 254 high-risk fetuses attending the day hospital unit of a tertiary referral hospital that underwent an ultrasound examination at 32–41 weeks and gave birth within 1 day of examination. APO was defined as a composite of abnormal intrapartum fetal heart rate or intrapartum fetal scalp pH <7.20 requiring urgent cesarean section, neonatal umbilical cord pH <7.10, 5-min Apgar score <7, and postpartum admission to neonatal or pediatric intensive care units. CS-IFC was defined in case of abnormal intrapartum fetal heart rate or intrapartum fetal scalp pH <7.20 requiring urgent cesarean section. The diagnostic ability of CPR for the prediction of APO and CS-IFC was calculated alone and in combination with estimated fetal weight and gestational clinical parameters, including the type of labor onset, using ROC curves and logistic regression analysis. Results: CPR in multiples of the median (MoM) was a moderate predictor of APO (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.77, p < 0.0001) and CS-IFC (AUC = 0.82, p < 0.0001). The predictive abilities of the multivariable model for APO (AUC = 0.81, p < 0.0001) and CS-IFC (AUC = 0.82, p < 0.0001) did not differ from those of CPR alone . Limitations: The small number of cases and the scarcity of information concerning labor induction. Conclusion: In high-risk pregnancies, CPR MoM is a moderate predictor of APO and CS-IFC when performed within 24 h of delivery.
Allergy to Gibberellin-Regulated Proteins (Peamaclein) in Children
Authors: Biagioni Benedetta , Tomei Leonardo , Valleriani Claudia , Liccioli Giulia , Barni Simona , Sarti Lucrezia , Citera Francesco , Giovannini Mattia , Mori Francesca
Published: July 2021

Background: Gibberellin-regulated proteins (GRPs, Peamaclein) are allergens recently identified in plant-derived food allergy (FA), and little is known about the clinical manifestations of this allergic condition in the European population, especially in children. Objective: Our study aimed to identify and characterize pediatric patients with pollen-FA due to GRP sensitization. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the charts of patients referred to the Allergy Unit of the Meyer Children’s Hospital in Florence for suspected FA. Three main eligibility criteria based on the actual knowledge of GRP allergy were used to select patients deserving further investigations: (1) systemic reactions after consumption of fruit or an unknown culprit food, (2) positive skin prick tests to both cypress pollen and Pru p 3-enriched peach peel extracts, (3) negative in vitro test results for Pru p 3 serum-specific Immunoglobulin E (sIgE). We performed the in vitro test to determine the anti-rPru p 7 (Peamaclein) sIgE levels in the selected patients. Results: We identified 10 pediatric patients with Pru p 7 allergy and described their characteristics. The use of our eligibility criteria showed a high accuracy in identifying these patients: 100% of the selected patients had positive in vitro results for Pru p 7. We therefore proposed a diagnostic algorithm for Pru p 7 allergy. Conclusion: This is the first case series of European pediatric patients with a demonstrated Peamaclein allergy. These findings broaden our knowledge on GRP allergy in pediatric populations and could help clinicians to suspect, diagnose, and manage this recently discovered plant-derived FA.
Complexidade narrativa e dependência em Grande Sertão: Veredas de Guimarães Rosa e Pedro Páramo de Juan Rulfo
Authors: Lima Gabriel dos Santos
Published: July 2021

O presente artigo tem por objetivo realizar uma análise comparativa dos romances Pedro Páramo de Juan Rulfo e Grande Sertão: Veredas de Guimarães Rosa à luz dos problemas da dependência e do subdesenvolvimento. Buscaremos, portanto, discutir aspectos das representações miméticas nos romances, associando-as a enfoques socioeconômicos da realidade latino-americana, também vinculados aos respectivos processos históricos vividos por México e Brasil ao longo do século XX. Desse modo, argumentar-se-á que a linguagem lacônica de Rulfo e sua prosa concisa e melancólica se ligam a uma frustração de expectativas em relação à Revolução Mexicana. Já no caso de Rosa, discutiremos como determinados personagens seus, bem como certo tom profético assumido por seu narrador, configuram uma inserção no debate sobre o desenvolvimentismo brasileiro. Nesse sentido, argumentaremos que as formas de ambas as obras, guardadas as devidas especificidades, se ligam à tentativa de apreender esteticamente universos socialmente convulsionados, cujos aspectos problemáticos permanecem atuais.
Bolívar Echeverría: modernidad barroca latinoamericana
Authors: Ramos César Miguel Salinas
Published: July 2021

El filósofo ecuatoriano/mexicano Bolívar Echeverría desarrolla una teoría original dentro del marxismo crítico latinoamericano, partiendo de la contradicción entre el valor de uso y valor, contradicción que en los tiempos del capitalismo contemporáneo significa generar un ethos o comportamiento concreto y particular que nos permite vivir objetiva y subjetivamente lo invivible, el capitalismo. El filósofo encuentra distintas modernidades que se vinculan dialécticamente con los ethos concretos que surgen espontáneamente, para vivir la contradicción que nos plantea la hegemonía del capitalismo en el mundo de la vida situada en distintos periodos históricos: modernidad realista, romántica, clásica y barroca. Siendo esta última el tipo particular en que las sociedades latinoamericanas vivimos el capitalismo contemporáneo, una configuración producto del devenir histórico singular de nuestras sociedades, principalmente lo acontecido durante los siglos XVI y XVII, en el proceso de constitución de un sistema colonial capitalista global. Su mirada indaga sobre nuestro ser, nuestra constitución y la búsqueda desesperada por modernidades alternativas a la capitalista. En el presente artículo se realiza un diálogo crítico con y sobre la teoría propuesta por el autor sobre la Modernidad Barroca como la forma singular de reproducción de la vida de las sociedades latinoamericanas en el capitalismo contemporáneo. La presente investigación se reproduce entre el marxismo heterodoxo de América Latina y la influencia de la teoría crítica de origen en Frankfurt.
Trecos móveis: a mobilidade em potência e o novo papel social dos objetos na publicidade das marcas
Authors: Nogueira Maria Alice de Faria
Published: July 2021

Uma nova condição social que evidencia a propensão à mobilidade da vida contemporânea faz emergir os “trecos móveis” que oferecem, facilitam ou dão acesso à mobilidade em potência necessária à vida em constante movimento. O objetivo desse artigo é refletir sobre a emergência desse novo papel social dos objetos e discutir a maneira com que esse fenômeno é midiatizado na publicidade de marcas. Para tal tarefa, colocamos em diálogo os autores John Urry, Daniel Miller e Arjun Appadurai, além de apresentar exemplos de campanhas que relacionam o discurso da mobilidade à diferentes categorias de objetos.
Transcriptomic Profiling of Canine Atrial Fibrillation Models After One Week of Sustained Arrhythmia
Authors: Leblanc Francis J.A. , Hassani Faezeh Vahdati , Liesinger Laura , Qi Xiaoyan , Naud Patrice , Birner-Gruenberger Ruth , Lettre Guillaume , Nattel Stanley
Published: July 2021

Background:

Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common sustained arrhythmia, is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and health care costs. AF develops over many years and is often related to substantial atrial structural and electrophysiological remodeling. AF may lack symptoms at onset, and atrial biopsy samples are generally obtained in subjects with advanced disease, so it is difficult to study earlier stage pathophysiology in humans.

Methods:

Here, we characterized comprehensively the transcriptomic (miRNA-seq and mRNA-seq) changes in the left atria of 2 robust canine AF models after 1 week of electrically maintained AF, without or with ventricular rate control via atrioventricular node-ablation/ventricular pacing.

Results:

Our RNA-sequencing experiments identified thousands of genes that are differentially expressed, including a majority that have never before been implicated in AF. Gene set enrichment analyses highlighted known (eg, extracellular matrix structure organization) but also many novel pathways (eg, muscle structure development, striated muscle cell differentiation) that may play a role in tissue remodeling and cellular trans-differentiation. Of interest, we found dysregulation of a cluster of noncoding RNAs, including many microRNAs but also the
MEG3
long noncoding RNA orthologue, located in the syntenic region of the imprinted human
DLK1-DIO3
locus. Interestingly (in the light of other recent observations), our analysis identified gene targets of differentially expressed microRNAs at the
DLK1-DIO3
locus implicating glutamate signaling in AF pathophysiology.

Conclusions:

Our results capture molecular events that occur at an early stage of disease development using well-characterized animal models and may, therefore, inform future studies that aim to further dissect the causes of AF in humans.
Efficacy and Safety of Percutaneous Pulmonary Artery Subtotal Occlusion and Chronic Total Occlusion Intervention in Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Gerges Christian , Friewald Richard , Gerges Mario , Shafran Inbal , Sadushi-Koliçi Roela , Skoro-Sajer Nika , Moser Bernhard , Taghavi Shahrokh , Klepetko Walter , Lang Irene M.
Published: July 2021

Background:

Balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) is an emerging percutaneous therapy for patients with inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, and patients with mean pulmonary artery pressure ≤30 mm Hg have an excellent survival. Common vascular lesion types are ring-like stenoses (type A), web lesions (type B), subtotal occlusions (type C), chronic total occlusions (CTOs; type D), and tortuous lesions (type E). Occlusive lesions (ie, subtotal occlusions and CTOs) are the most challenging. Risk and benefit of pulmonary occlusive lesion intervention in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension has not been studied. We evaluated the impact of percutaneous pulmonary artery subtotal occlusion and CTO intervention on BPA treatment response.

Methods:

One hundred twenty patients underwent 712 BPA procedures between April 2014 and October 2019 at the Medical University of Vienna. Clinical features and hemodynamics were assessed at baseline and 6 to 12 months after the last BPA session.

Results:

A total of 2542 lesions were targeted: 720 occlusions (28.3%; 352 CTOs and 368 subtotal occlusions) and 1822 nonocclusion lesions (71.7%). Complications occurred in 6.0% of all procedures (severe complications in 0.4% of all procedures). The overall success rate for recanalization of occlusions was 81% (subtotal occlusions [type C lesions], 98%; CTOs [type D lesions], 50%). Number of successfully treated lesions of any type (β, −0.86 [−1.19 to −0.53];
P
<0.001), number of successfully treated occlusions (β, −2.17 [−3.38 to −0.97];
P
=0.001), and number of successfully treated nonocclusion lesions (β, −0.81 [−1.25 to −0.37];
P
<0.001) emerged as predictors of relative change in the mean pulmonary artery pressure. The impact on relative change in the mean pulmonary artery pressure was higher for CTOs (β, −5.88 [−10.49 to −1.26];
P
=0.014) than for subtotal occlusions (β, −2.51 [−4.18 to −0.83];
P
=0.004).

Conclusions:

The number of successfully treated vascular lesions predicts treatment response to BPA. The number of successfully recanalized occlusions (particularly CTOs) appears to have the strongest impact on change in mean pulmonary artery pressure, highlighting the importance of advanced BPA technique.
Central Nervous System-Infiltrating T Lymphocytes in Stroke Are Activated via Their TCR (T-Cell Receptor) but Lack CD25 Expression
Authors: Schulze Juliane , Gellrich Juliane , Kirsch Michael , Dressel Alexander , Vogelgesang Antje
Published: July 2021

Background and Purpose:

T lymphocytes contribute to secondary brain damage after stroke. It has not been fully investigated whether this contribution is caused by antigen-specific or antigen-nonspecific activation of T lymphocytes. Lymphocytes from Nur77
GFP
transgenic mice express a fluorescent protein upon activation via the TCR (T-cell receptor), allowing the differentiation of activation mode in a natural repertoire of immune cells and antigens.

Methods:

Middle cerebral artery occlusion or sham surgery was performed, and T-lymphocyte activation was analyzed by flow cytometry in the brain, spleen, and blood 16 hours, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, and 7 days after surgery.

Results:

Ipsilateral hemispheric T-lymphocyte invasion peaked on day 4 poststroke. Here, we observed PD-1 (programmed cell death protein 1) expression on almost all invading T lymphocytes, while CD25 expression was low. CD25+, CD69+, or PD-1+ T lymphocytes predominantly displayed antigen-specific activation; the opposite was observed for T lymphocytes isolated from the blood. A mixed activation that favored antigen-specific activation was observed in the spleen. PD-1 was upregulated within the brain, whereas CD25 was not. Antigen-specific T lymphocytes home to the brain, while antigen-nonspecifically activated cells remain within the blood.

Conclusions:

Our data clearly demonstrate antigen-specific activation of T lymphocytes infiltrating ischemic brain lesions in stroke. The high expression of inhibitory PD-1 and low expression of CD25 on activated T lymphocytes in the brain most likely reflect immunosuppressive mechanisms.
Rescue of Neglect and Language Impairment After Stroke Thrombectomy
Authors: Desai Shashvat M. , Malhotra Konark , Ramaiah Guru , Tonetti Daniel A. , Haq Waqas , Jovin Tudor G. , Jadhav Ashutosh P.
Published: July 2021

Background and Purpose:

Although National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores provide an objective measure of clinical deficits, data regarding the impact of neglect or language impairment on outcomes after mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is lacking. We assessed the frequency of neglect and language impairment, rate of their rescue by MT, and impact of rescue on clinical outcomes.

Methods:

This is a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database from a comprehensive stroke center. We assessed right (RHS) and left hemispheric strokes (LHS) patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion undergoing MT to assess the impact of neglect and language impairment on clinical outcomes, respectively. Safety and efficacy outcomes were compared between patients with and without rescue of neglect or language impairment.

Results:

Among 324 RHS and 210 LHS patients, 71% of patients presented with neglect whereas 93% of patients had language impairment, respectively. Mean age was 71±15, 56% were females, and median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 16 (12–20). At 24 hours, MT resulted in rescue of neglect in 31% of RHS and rescue of language impairment in 23% of LHS patients, respectively. RHS patients with rescue of neglect (56% versus 34%,
P
<0.001) and LHS patients with rescue of language impairment (64 % versus 25%,
P
<0.01) were observed to have a higher rate of functional independence compared to patients without rescue. After adjusting for confounders including 24-hour National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, rescue of neglect among RHS patients was associated with functional independence (
P
=0.01) and lower mortality (
P
=0.01). Similarly, rescue of language impairment among LHS patients was associated with functional independence (
P
=0.02) and lower mortality (
P
=0.001).

Conclusions:

Majority of LHS-anterior circulation large vessel occlusion and of RHS-anterior circulation large vessel occlusion patients present with the impairment of language and neglect, respectively. In comparison to 24-hour National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, rescue of these deficits by MT is an independent and a better predictor of functional independence and lower mortality.
Leaning on Legionnaires: Why Modern States Recruit Foreign Soldiers
Authors: Grasmeder Elizabeth M.F.
Published: July 2021

Why do modern states recruit legionnaires—foreigners who are neither citizens nor subjects of the country whose military they serve? Rather than exclusively enlist citizens for soldiers, for the past two centuries states have mobilized legionnaires to help wage offensives, project power abroad, and suppress dissent. A supply-and-demand argument explains why states recruit these troops, framing the choice to mobilize legionnaires as a function of political factors that constrain the government's leeway to recruit domestically and its perceptions about the territorial threats it faces externally. A multimethod approach evaluates these claims, first by examining an original dataset of legionnaire recruitment from 1815 to 2020, then by employing congruence tests across World War II participants, and finally by conducting a detailed review of a hard test case for the argument—Nazi Germany. The prevalence of states’ recruitment of legionnaires calls for a reevaluation of existing narratives about the development of modern militaries and provides new insights into how states balance among the competing imperatives of identity, norms, and security. Legionnaire recruitment also underscores the need to recalibrate existing methods of calculating net assessments and preparing for strategic surprise. Far from being bound to a state's citizenry or borders, the theory and evidence show how governments use legionnaires to buttress their military power and to engineer rapid changes in the quality and quantity of the soldiers that they field.
Realizing Active Inference in Variational Message Passing: The Outcome-Blind Certainty Seeker
Authors: Champion Théophile , Grześ Marek , Bowman Howard
Published: July 2021

Active inference is a state-of-the-art framework in neuroscience that offers a unified theory of brain function. It is also proposed as a framework for planning in AI. Unfortunately, the complex mathematics required to create new models can impede application of active inference in neuroscience and AI research. This letter addresses this problem by providing a complete mathematical treatment of the active inference framework in discrete time and state spaces and the derivation of the update equations for any new model. We leverage the theoretical connection between active inference and variational message passing as described by John Winn and Christopher M. Bishop in 2005. Since variational message passing is a well-defined methodology for deriving Bayesian belief update equations, this letter opens the door to advanced generative models for active inference. We show that using a fully factorized variational distribution simplifies the expected free energy, which furnishes priors over policies so that agents seek unambiguous states. Finally, we consider future extensions that support deep tree searches for sequential policy optimization based on structure learning and belief propagation.
Multilinear Common Component Analysis via Kronecker Product Representation
Authors: Yoshikawa Kohei , Kawano Shuichi
Published: July 2021

We consider the problem of extracting a common structure from multiple tensor data sets. For this purpose, we propose multilinear common component analysis (MCCA) based on Kronecker products of mode-wise covariance matrices. MCCA constructs a common basis represented by linear combinations of the original variables that lose little information of the multiple tensor data sets. We also develop an estimation algorithm for MCCA that guarantees mode-wise global convergence. Numerical studies are conducted to show the effectiveness of MCCA.
“Mit Allerleẏ Geblúmpten Worten”
Authors: Bärmann Michael
Published: July 2021

In the Colmar archives départementales du Haut-Rhin an extensive copy book of the Colmar Augustinian hermits is hold, in which, among other things, a legal dispute over a town property that has probably smoldered for more than half a century has left its written mark. The plaintiffs of the Breisach patrician family von Pforr, who appeared several times in the course of the protracted legal quarrels, are also and above all represented by Antonius von Pforr, who in his later years, worked as a literary author of the Buch der Beispiele in the environment of Archduchess Mechthild von Rottenburg and her son Count Eberhard V im Bart.
A New Approach to Quantifying Raw Material Selectivity in the African Acheulean: Perspectives from Angola and South Africa
Authors: Mesfin Isis , Lotter Matt G. , Benjamim Maria Helena
Published: July 2021

In southern Africa, the use of gravel outcrops has been recorded at a range of Earlier Stone Age sites, and this raises questions about the diversity of raw material sourcing practices adopted by hominins. To assess the existence of sourcing strategies, this study details a new morphometric analysis method that investigates the influence of pebble and cobble shape at two Acheulean case-study sites: Dungo IV (Benguela Province, Angola) and Penhill Farm (Eastern Cape Province, South Africa). Since these assemblages present frequent pebble and cobble artefacts, we investigate these to identify raw material blank properties to then establish whether these properties were intentionally selected for. To do so, we analyse each archaeological sample separately via a technological and morphometrical approach and then compare them with geological samples obtained during fieldwork survey. Overall, these two case studies provide some illustration of variable selection strategies within the southern African coastal plain.
Between Tradition and Revolution
Authors: Stortini Paride
Published: July 2021

Recent research on the intellectual history of modern Japan has shown how Buddhism provides a variety of ideas that inspire both conservative and progressive views of society. The aim of this paper is to consider how similar ambiguities and multiplicities can be found in the appropriation of Japanese Buddhism in Italy. In particular, it focuses on two cases: Traditionalist philosopher Julius Evola’s (1898–1974) interest in Zen, and debates in Italian media related to Sōka Gakkai. Building on an anti-democratic reading of Buddhism as the religion of the Aryan Übermensch, Evola found in the modernist Zen of D.T. Suzuki and Nukariya Kaiten tools to resist modernity. Sōka Gakkai’s particular success in Italy, especially in left-wing and progressive contexts, has spurred a mix of praise and criticism in the media; indeed, the analysis of debates around this success has become a way to discuss socio-economic and political issues in the country.
Lectotypification of Dracocephalum royleanum (Lamiaceae)
Authors: TURDIBOEV OBIDJON A. , MAMATQOSIMOV ODILBEK T. , CELEP FERHAT
Published: July 2021

During our literature and herbarium studies, we have come across a typological issue regarding the name Dracocephalum royleanum (= Lallemantia royleana). In this paper, the nomenclatural history of L. royleana is presented and typification of D. royleanum is proposed.
A geometric morphometric evaluation on three populations of endemic species, Dorcadion micans (Cerambycidae, Coleoptera) in Ankara Province from Turkey with a new subspecies description
Authors: OKUTANER ATILAY YAĞMUR , SARIKAYA ASLI DOĞAN , SARIKAYA ÖZKAN , ÖZDIKMEN HÜSEYIN
Published: July 2021

Due to some biological features, species belonging to genus Dorcadion Dalman, 1817 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) can be easily divided into isolated populations. This can be considered as an important factor of speciation process and allows the observation of various effects of biological evolution of taxa. These effects can be measured on morphological characters with some different approaches such as geometric morphometrics. This study aims to determine pronotum and elytra shape differences of the samples of three isolated localities of Turkey (Akyurt, Bala, and Beynam) detected in Ankara, and to contribute to taxonomic and evolutionary knowledge of Dorcadion micans Thomson (1867) by evaluating the analysis of outcomes. As a result, significant differences between populations were detected both in pronotum and elytra. Besides, common variations were observed in some morphological characters of the Bala and Beynam populations, unlike Akyurt population. Accordingly, the distinguishing characters are discussed, and the following new subspecies is described: Dorcadion micans majoripunctum ssp. nov. from Ankara province in Northern part of Central Anatolia.
Quantifying Causal Pathways of Teleconnections
Authors: Kretschmer Marlene , Adams Samantha V. , Arribas Alberto , Prudden Rachel , Robinson Niall , Saggioro Elena , Shepherd Theodore G.
Published: July 2021

Teleconnections are sources of predictability for regional weather and climate, but the relative contributions of different teleconnections to regional anomalies are usually not understood. While physical knowledge about the involved mechanisms is often available, how to quantify a particular causal pathway from data are usually unclear. Here, we argue for adopting a causal inference-based framework in the statistical analysis of teleconnections to overcome this challenge. A causal approach requires explicitly including expert knowledge in the statistical analysis, which allows one to draw quantitative conclusions. We illustrate some of the key concepts of this theory with concrete examples of well-known atmospheric teleconnections. We further discuss the particular challenges and advantages these imply for climate science and argue that a systematic causal approach to statistical inference should become standard practice in the study of teleconnections.
Validation study of canine urine cortisol measurement with the Immulite 2000 Xpi cortisol immunoassay
Authors: Korchia Jeremie , Freeman Kathleen P.
Published: July 2021

We report here validation of the Immulite 2000 Xpi cortisol immunoassay (Siemens; with kit lot numbers <550) for measurement of urine cortisol in dogs, with characterization of the precision (CV), accuracy (spiking-recovery [SR] bias), and observed total error (TEo = bias + 2CV) across the reportable range. Linearity assessed by simple linear regression was excellent. Imprecision, SR bias, and TEo increased markedly with decreasing urine cortisol concentration. Interlaboratory comparison studies determined range-based (RB) bias and average bias (AB). The 3 biases (SR, RB, and AB) and resulting TEo differed markedly. At 38.6 and 552 nmol/L (1.4 and 20 μg/dL), between-run CVs were 10% and 4.5%, respectively, and TEoRB were ~30% and 20%, respectively, similar to observations in serum in another validation study. These analytical performance parameters should be considered for urine cortisol:creatinine ratio (UCCR) result interpretation, given that, for any hypothetical errorless urine creatinine measurement, the error % on UCCR mirrors the error % on urine cortisol. Importantly, there is no commonly used interpretation threshold for UCCR, given that UCCR varies greatly depending on measurement methods and threshold computation. To date, there is no manufacturer-provided quality control material (QCM) with target values for urine cortisol with an Immulite; for Liquicheck QCM (Bio-Rad), between-run imprecision was ~5% for both QCM levels. Acceptable QC rules are heavily dependent on the desired total allowable error (TEa) for the QCM system, itself limited by the desired clinical TEa.