bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimal and Real-Time Control of Water Infrastructures
Authors: van Nooijen Ronald , Koutsoyiannis Demetris , Kolechkina Alla
Published: June 2021

Humanity has been modifying the natural water cycle by building large-scale water infrastructure for millennia. For most of that time, the principles of hydraulics and control theory were only imperfectly known. Moreover, the feedback from the artificial system to the natural system was not taken into account, either because it was too small to notice or took too long to appear. In the 21st century, humanity is all too aware of the effects of our adaptation of the environment to our needs on the planetary system as a whole. It is necessary to see the environment, both natural and hman-made as one integrated system. Moreover, due to the legacy of the past, the behaviour of the man-madeparts of this system needs to be adapted in a way that leads to a sustainable ecosystem. The water cycle plays a central role in that ecosystem. It is therefore essential that the behaviour of existing and planned water infrastructure fits into the natural system and contributes to its well-being. At the same time, it must serve the purpose for which it was constructed. As there are no natural feedbacks to govern its behaviour, it will be necessary to create such feedbacks, possibly in the form of real-time control systems. To do so, it would be beneficial if all persons involved in the decision process that establishes the desired system behaviour understand the basics of control systems in general and their application to different water systems in particular. This article contains a discussion of the prerequisites for and early development of automatic control of water systems, an introduction to the basics of control theory with examples, a short description of optimal control theory in general, a discussion of model predictive control in water resource management, an overview of key aspects of automatic control in water resource management, and different types of applications. Finally, some challenges faced by practitioners are mentioned.
Industrial Policy as an Environmental Policy: Forest Preservation and the Industrialization of Manaus
Authors: Rivas Alexandre A.F. , Kahn James R.
Published: June 2021

The world is experiencing a major dilemma between the need to reduce global warming and to promote economic development. Brazil has the largest tropical rainforest on the planet, which plays an important role in this scenario. In the heart of this forest there is a special economic zone (SEZ), the Manaus Free Trade Zone. Studies indicate that there is a positive relationship between this economic activity and the level of forest conservation in the state of Amazonas, where the Manaus Free Trade Zone is located. There is important literature on SEZs, examining their economic and environmental impact in general, and specifically examining the Manaus Free Trade Zone. There is also a proposal to turn this SEZ into a major Brazilian economic initiative to protect the Amazon rainforest.
A New Economics to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals
Authors: Hernández-Blanco Marcello , Costanza Robert
Published: June 2021

“The Anthropocene” has been proposed as the new geological epoch in which we now live. We have left behind the Holocene, an epoch of stable climate conditions that permitted the development of human civilization. To address the challenges of this new epoch, humanity needs to take an active role as stewards of the integrated Earth System, collaborating across scales and levels with a shared vision and values toward maintaining the planet within a safe and just operating space.

In September 2015, the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which has at its core 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These goals built on and superseded the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Unlike the MDGs, they apply to all countries and represent universal goals and targets that articulate the need and opportunity for the global community to build a sustainable and desirable future in an increasingly interconnected world.

The global health crisis caused by COVID-19 has been a strong hit to a vulnerable development system, exacerbating many of the challenges that humanity faces in the Anthropocene. The pandemic has touched all segments of the global populations and all sectors of the economy, with the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people the most affected.

Understanding the interdependence between SDGs is a key area of research and policy, which will require novel approaches to assess and implement systemic global strategies to achieve the 2030 agenda. Global society requires a new vision of the economy, one in which the economy is recognized to be a subsystem of the broader Earth System (a single complex system with reasonably well-defined states and transitions between them), instead of viewing nature as just another source of resources and sink for wastes. This approach will require acknowledging the value of nature, which, although it has been widely recognized in the scientific literature, has been often ignored by decision-makers. Therefore, there is a need to replace the static, linear model of gross domestic product (GDP) with more dynamic, integrated, natural, and human system models that incorporate the dynamics of stocks, flows, trade-offs, and synergies among the full range of variables that affect the SDGs and human and ecosystem well-being.

The SDGs will only be achieved if humanity chooses a development path focused on thriving in a broad and integrated way, rather than growing material consumption at all costs. Achieving the SDGs is a future where society reconnects with the rest of nature and develops within its planetary boundaries. The new economics and the visions and strategies are aimed at achieving these shared global goals.
Exploring Air Pollution and COVID-19 Linkages in South Asia
Authors: Mani Muthukumara , Yamada Takahiro
Published: June 2021

South Asia is at the epicenter of the global air pollution problems and still evolving in COVID-19 cases and fatalities. There is growing evidence of increased rates of COVID-19 in areas with high levels of air pollution. Air pollution is found to cause cellular damage and inflammation throughout the body and has been linked to higher rates of diseases, including cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, asthma, and other comorbidities. All these conditions also potentially increase the risk of death in COVID-19 patients. The causal link between the exposure to air pollution and COVID-19 is still under investigation around the world, underpinned by rigorous scientific research and peer-review processes. However, in terms of the approach after a careful review of the literature, the instrumental variable (IV) approach is a prospective candidate to establish causality in a reduced-form analysis to overcome endogeneity and measurement errors of air pollution level. An analysis, therefore, using sufficiently anonymized individual and household level information on COVID-19, household air pollution, and other individual and household socioeconomic endowments in the same primary sampling unit (PSU) of the individual and household survey would be necessary to establish the causality. The PSU data are usually available from demographic health surveys (DHS) with randomly displaced location information to maintain anonymity. Also, for the instrument of the exposure to ambient air pollution, the use of thermal inversions is suggested conditional on weather-related variables—for example, temperature, precipitation, wind velocity and direction, and humidity.
Water Supply, Sanitation, and the Environment
Authors: Jagannathan N. Vijay
Published: June 2021

Sustainable Development Goal No. 6 (SDG 6) has committed all nations of the world to achieving ambitious water supply and sanitation targets by 2030 to meet the universal basic needs of humans and the environment. Many lower-middle-income countries and all low-income countries face an uphill challenge in achieving these ambitious targets. The cause of poor performance is explored, some possible ways to accelerate progress toward achieving SDG 6 are suggested.

The analysis will be of interest to a three-part audience: (a) readers with a general interest on how SDG 6 can be achieved; (b) actors with policy interest on improving water supply and safe sanitation (WSS) service issues; and (c) activists skeptical of conventional WSS policy prescriptions who advocate out-of-the-box solutions to improve WSS delivery.
Low Negative Pressure Combined With Supertumescence Microliposuction as a New Method for Repairing Facial Fat Overfilling: A Case Series of 32 Patients
Authors: Yin Bo , Zhang Xinyu , Cai Lei , Han Xuefeng , Li Facheng
Published: June 2021

Background

Face fat overfilling sometimes occurs and is unfortunately very difficult to repair.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to report initial experience of microliposuction with low negative pressure combined with supertumescence (LNPST) in a case series of 32 patients.

Methods

The LNPST microliposuction was performed in 32 patients aged 22 to 41 years (mean [standard deviation] age, 29.6 [4.9] years) with facial overfilling. Discomfort and bleeding were monitored intraoperatively by 2 independent plastic surgeons, who used a grading system to record the results. All patients were followed-up for hematoma within 1 week postoperatively and for skin numbness and muscle paralysis at 1 week and 3 months postoperatively. In addition, at 6 months postoperatively, patient satisfaction with the postoperative aesthetic effects was analyzed by FACE-Q questionnaire.

Results

All patients successfully completed the operation under local anesthesia. The mean intraoperative discomfort and blood-loss scores were 1.69 [0.62] and 1.22 [0.41], respectively. The hematoma score was 1.13 [0.34] within 1 week. Other scores included postoperative skin numbness (1 week, 1.96 [0.62]; 3 months, 1.13 [0.33]) and postoperative muscle paralysis (1 week, 1.22 [0.51]; 3 months, 1.0 [0]). Overall, neither skin necrosis nor serious complications requiring revision surgery occurred. Seventy-two percent of the patients (n = 23) answered the FACE-Q questionnaire and the score was 21.8 (1.7), covering satisfaction with the outcome score into a standard score (81.7 [15.1], from 0 to 100), which verified the high satisfaction rate.

Conclusions

LNPST technology is a safe and effective method for repair of facial fat overfilling, with less bleeding, less nerve injury, fewer complications, and high patient satisfaction.

Level of Evidence: 4
Network-guided identification of cancer-selective combinatorial therapies in ovarian cancer
Authors: He Liye , Bulanova Daria , Oikkonen Jaana , Häkkinen Antti , Zhang Kaiyang , Zheng Shuyu , Wang Wenyu , Erkan Erdogan Pekcan , Carpén Olli , Joutsiniemi Titta , Hietanen Sakari , Hynninen Johanna , Huhtinen Kaisa , Hautaniemi Sampsa , Vähärautio Anna , Tang Jing , Wennerberg Krister , Aittokallio Tero
Published: June 2021

Each patient’s cancer consists of multiple cell subpopulations that are inherently heterogeneous and may develop differing phenotypes such as drug sensitivity or resistance. A personalized treatment regimen should therefore target multiple oncoproteins in the cancer cell populations that are driving the treatment resistance or disease progression in a given patient to provide maximal therapeutic effect, while avoiding severe co-inhibition of non-malignant cells that would lead to toxic side effects. To address the intra- and inter-tumoral heterogeneity when designing combinatorial treatment regimens for cancer patients, we have implemented a machine learning-based platform to guide identification of safe and effective combinatorial treatments that selectively inhibit cancer-related dysfunctions or resistance mechanisms in individual patients. In this case study, we show how the platform enables prediction of cancer-selective drug combinations for patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer using single-cell imaging cytometry drug response assay, combined with genome-wide transcriptomic and genetic profiles. The platform makes use of drug-target interaction networks to prioritize those combinations that warrant further preclinical testing in scarce patient-derived primary cells. During the case study in ovarian cancer patients, we investigated (i) the relative performance of various ensemble learning algorithms for drug response prediction, (ii) the use of matched single-cell RNA-sequencing data to deconvolute cell population-specific transcriptome profiles from bulk RNA-seq data, (iii) and whether multi-patient or patient-specific predictive models lead to better predictive accuracy. The general platform and the comparison results are expected to become useful for future studies that use similar predictive approaches also in other cancer types.
Appreciating the Fear of Conflict and the Possibilities in Disagreement
Authors: Furlong Mark , Brophy Lisa
Published: June 2021

The present contribution seeks to strengthen the capacity of social workers to respond to the experience of potential or actual conflict. In this project, an initial stage involved scanning the available literature. This process yielded two general findings: (i) most of the available literature is specialist in nature and (ii) the available social work literature concentrates on conflicts between workers and clients. The second stage in the exercise develops a set of linguistic distinctions, for example that disagreement can be distinguished from confrontation. Building on this set, three vignettes are examined as concrete sites in which formulations of, and responses to, conflict are developed. An outline of symmetrical and complementary processes is then introduced. This theoretical material is central at the consideration of a final, more complex vignette—an engagement that consolidates, and then extends, the themes developed earlier in the paper. A general proposition is raised: deliberately engaging with the issue of conflict offers opportunities for personal and professional growth. More specifically, it is suggested that those who tend to avoid conflict can usefully experiment with leaning into, rather than away from, disagreement whilst those who tend towards directness can usefully practice behaviours that engage with difference more obliquely.
Immunological Correlates of the HIV-1 Replication-Competent Reservoir Size
Authors: Ismail Sherazaan D , Riou Catherine , Joseph Sarah B , Archin Nancie M , Margolis David M , Perelson Alan S , Cassidy Tyler , Abrahams Melissa-Rose , Moeser Matthew , Council Olivia D , McKinnon Lyle R , Osman Farzana , Karim Quarraisha Abdool , Abdool Karim Salim S , Swanstrom Ronald , Williamson Carolyn , Garrett Nigel J , Burgers Wendy A
Published: June 2021

Understanding what shapes the latent human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reservoir is critical for developing strategies for cure. We measured frequency of persistent HIV-1 infection after 5 years of suppressive antiretroviral therapy initiated during chronic infection. Pretreatment CD8+ T-cell activation, nadir CD4 count, and CD4:CD8 ratio predicted reservoir size.
To Domesticate the International: The Ideology of Foreign Relations Law
Authors: Chen Yifeng
Published: June 2021

The article responds to the global expansion of foreign relations law as a distinct field of research by critically scrutinizing ideologies and political projects underlying the foreign relations law. The nationalistic sentiment of foreign relations law studies has been consolidated through the production of the Fourth Restatement of Foreign Relations Law of the USA. The foreign relations law is developing itself into a forcible competitor to international law. This article highlights the limits of comparative foreign relations law as well as the importance to transcend functionalism and reductionism in order to critically engage with the discipline. The article emphasizes the importance of transforming the discipline along with a modest, inclusive, and critical style.
Relationship Between Vocabulary Knowledge and Reading Comprehension in Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students
Authors: Zhao Ying , Wu Xinchun , Sun Peng , Chen Hongjun
Published: June 2021

Deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) students face great challenges in becoming proficient readers. Vocabulary knowledge is consistently considered to be an important factor affecting DHH students’ reading ability. However, the mechanism that underlies the relationship between vocabulary knowledge and reading comprehension in DHH students remains unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the roles of word segmentation and reading fluency in the contribution of vocabulary knowledge to Chinese DHH students’ reading comprehension. A battery of tasks were administered to 116 Chinese DHH students from Grades 4 to 6 (mean age = 14.66 years). The results showed that vocabulary knowledge contributed to reading comprehension significantly in Chinese DHH students, and word segmentation and reading fluency played mediating roles in this relationship. Besides, the chain mediation effect of word segmentation and reading fluency was also significant. Revealing these mechanisms, which underlie the relationship between vocabulary knowledge and reading comprehension, is helpful to tailor remediation for DHH students.
Haemoptysis: just another case of endocarditis? A case report
Authors: Huynh Ronald , Morgan Lucy , Yiannikas John
Published: June 2021

Background 

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVM) are rare, and most cases are congenital. They require prompt recognition and management particularly in patients presenting with hypoxia and haemoptysis. We describe a unique case of recurrent endocarditis causing pulmonary artery aneurysms (PAAs) and formation of PAVM.

Case summary 

A 60-year-old woman presented with dyspnoea, haemoptysis, and severe hypoxia. Her background was significant for previous pacemaker lead infection, refractory heart failure secondary to severe tricuspid valve distortion by her pacemaker lead, tricuspid and mitral valve replacements complicated by recurrent endocarditis over several years. Two years prior to her current presentation computed tomography (CT) scanning revealed new small PAAs thought possibly to be mycotic in origin. After her current presentation, prompt high-resolution CT scanning of her chest with contrast revealed significant pulmonary haemorrhage and new clusters of PAVM. Urgent pulmonary angiography confirmed PAVM and was successfully treated with coil embolization. Her dyspnoea, pulmonary haemorrhage, and hypoxia resolved.

Discussion 

Acquired causes account for a very small percentage of PAVM and the mechanism of their development is unknown. As she had recurrent right-sided endocarditis and her PAAs developed following this, with new PAVM developing 2 years later; we hypothesize that they were causally related. We believe this is the first case of recurrent left- and right-sided endocarditis leading to formation of PAAs and development of PAVM presenting with significant hypoxia and haemoptysis requiring prompt intervention.
Development of an accessible 10-year Digital CArdioVAscular (DiCAVA) risk assessment: a UK Biobank study
Authors: Dolezalova Nikola , Reed Angus B , Despotovic Aleksa , Obika Bernard Dillon , Morelli Davide , Aral Mert , Plans David
Published: June 2021

Aims

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are among the leading causes of death worldwide. Predictive scores providing personalized risk of developing CVD are increasingly used in clinical practice. Most scores, however, utilize a homogenous set of features and require the presence of a physician. The aim was to develop a new risk model (DiCAVA) using statistical and machine learning techniques that could be applied in a remote setting. A secondary goal was to identify new patient-centric variables that could be incorporated into CVD risk assessments.

Methods and results 

Across 466 052 participants, Cox proportional hazards (CPH) and DeepSurv models were trained using 608 variables derived from the UK Biobank to investigate the 10-year risk of developing a CVD. Data-driven feature selection reduced the number of features to 47, after which reduced models were trained. Both models were compared to the Framingham score. The reduced CPH model achieved a c-index of 0.7443, whereas DeepSurv achieved a c-index of 0.7446. Both CPH and DeepSurv were superior in determining the CVD risk compared to Framingham score. Minimal difference was observed when cholesterol and blood pressure were excluded from the models (CPH: 0.741, DeepSurv: 0.739). The models show very good calibration and discrimination on the test data.

Conclusion

We developed a cardiovascular risk model that has very good predictive capacity and encompasses new variables. The score could be incorporated into clinical practice and utilized in a remote setting, without the need of including cholesterol. Future studies will focus on external validation across heterogeneous samples.
Metagenome-assembled genome (MAG) of Oceancaulis alexandrii NP7 isolated from Mediterranean Sea polluted marine sediments and its bioremediation potential
Authors: Dell’Anno Filippo , van Zyl Leonardo Joaquim , Trindade Marla , Brunet Christophe , Dell’Anno Antonio , Ianora Adrianna , Sansone Clementina
Published: June 2021

Oceanicaulis alexandrii strain NP7 is a marine bacterium which belongs to the Hyphomonadaceae family and was isolated from sediments highly contaminated with metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons released for decades by industrial activities in the Gulf of Naples (Mediterranean Sea). Here, we report the partial genome sequence and annotation of O. alexandrii strain NP7 that contains a chromosome of 2,954,327 bp and encodes for 2914 predicted coding sequences (CDSs) and 44 RNA-encoding genes. Although the presence of some CDSs for genes involved in hydrocarbon degradation processes (e.g., alkB) have already been described in the literature associated with the Oceanicaulis, this is the first time that more than 100 genes involved in metal detoxification processes and hydrocarbon degradation are reported belonging to this genus. The presence of a heterogeneous set of genes involved in stress response, hydrocarbon degradation, heavy metal resistance, and detoxification suggests a possible role for O. alexandrii NP7 in the bioremediation of these highly contaminated marine sediments.
Unexpected Discovery of Hypermutator Phenotype Sounds the Alarm for Quality Control Strains
Authors: Wu Kun , Cheng Zhou-Hua , Williams Emily , Turner Nathan T , Ran Dapeng , Li Haichao , Zhou Xia , Guo Huilin , Sung Way , Liu Dong-Feng , Lynch Michael , Long Hongan
Published: June 2021

Microbial strains with high genomic stability are particularly sought after for testing the quality of commercial microbiological products, such as biological media and antibiotics. Yet, using mutation–accumulation experiments and de novo assembled complete genomes based on Nanopore long-read sequencing, we find that the widely used quality-control strain Shewanella putrefaciens ATCC-8071, also a facultative pathogen, is a hypermutator, with a base-pair substitution mutation rate of 2.42 × 10−8 per nucleotide site per cell division, ∼146-fold greater than that of the wild-type strain CGMCC-1.6515. Using complementation experiments, we confirm that mutL dysfunction, which was a recent evolutionary event, is the cause for the high mutation rate of ATCC-8071. Further analyses also give insight into possible relationships between mutation and genome evolution in this important bacterium. This discovery of a well-known strain being a hypermutator necessitates screening the mutation rate of bacterial strains before any quality control or experiments.
Quantitative trait loci controlling agronomic and biochemical traits inCannabis sativa
Authors: Woods Patrick , Campbell Brian J , Nicodemus Timothy J , Cahoon Edgar B , Mullen Jack L , McKay John K
Published: June 2021

Understanding the genetic basis of complex traits is a fundamental goal of evolutionary genetics. Yet, the genetics controlling complex traits in many important species such as hemp (Cannabis sativa) remain poorly investigated. Because hemp’s change in legal status with the 2014 and 2018 U.S. Federal Farm Bills, interest in the genetics controlling its numerous agriculturally important traits has steadily increased. To better understand the genetics of agriculturally important traits in hemp, we developed an F2 population by crossing two phenotypically distinct hemp cultivars (Carmagnola and USO31). Using whole-genome sequencing, we mapped quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with variation in numerous agronomic and biochemical traits. A total of 69 loci associated with agronomic (34) and biochemical (35) trait variation were identified. We found that most QTL co-localized, suggesting that the phenotypic distinctions between Carmagnola and USO31 are largely controlled by a small number of loci. We identified TINY and olivetol synthase as candidate genes underlying co-localized QTL clusters for agronomic and biochemical traits, respectively. We functionally validated the olivetol synthase candidate by expressing the alleles in yeast. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry assays of extracts from these yeast colonies suggest that the USO31 olivetol synthase is functionally less active and potentially explains why USO31 produces lower cannabinoids compared to Carmagnola. Overall, our results help modernize the genomic understanding of complex traits in hemp.
Isoform-specific roles of the Drosophila filamin-type protein Jitterbug (Jbug) during development
Authors: Chung SeYeon , Le Thao Phuong , Vishwakarma Vishakha , Cheng Yim Ling , Andrew Deborah J
Published: June 2021

Filamins are highly conserved actin-crosslinking proteins that regulate organization of the actin cytoskeleton. As key components of versatile signaling scaffolds, filamins are implicated in developmental anomalies and cancer. Multiple isoforms of filamins exist, raising the possibility of distinct functions for each isoform during development and in disease. Here, we provide an initial characterization of jitterbug (jbug), which encodes one of the two filamin-type proteins in Drosophila. We generate Jbug antiserum that recognizes all of the spliced forms and reveals differential expression of different Jbug isoforms during development, and a significant maternal contribution of Jbug protein. To reveal the function of Jbug isoforms, we create new genetic tools, including a null allele that deletes all isoforms, hypomorphic alleles that affect only a subset, and UAS lines for Gal4-driven expression of the major isoforms. Using these tools, we demonstrate that Jbug is required for viability and that specific isoforms are required in the formation of actin-rich protrusions including thoracic bristles in adults and ventral denticles in the embryo. We also show that specific isoforms of Jbug show differential localization within epithelia and that maternal and zygotic loss of jbug disrupts Crumbs (Crb) localization in several epithelial cell types.
Frequency conversion control of photovoltaic grid-connected inverter based on LCL filtering
Authors: Xiao Dongyue
Published: June 2021

Aiming at the problem that the filtering effect of inductor capacitance inductor (LCL) filter becomes worse when the Photovoltaic (PV) system works at low power, this paper presents a control strategy to change the switching frequency according to the instantaneous output power of the inverter. By analyzing the design method of each parameter of LCL filter, a single-stage PV grid-connected inverter structure is used to establish the frequency loop based on grid voltage-oriented vector control to determine the optimal switching frequency under the current power state. The design methods of power detector, frequency calculation and frequency hysteresis comparator are analyzed in detail. Finally, the waveforms of grid-connected current before and after frequency conversion are contrasted by MATLAB simulation to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the inverter control strategy.
Sunflower expellers have greater ileal digestibility of amino acids than sunflower meal, but there are only minor variations among different sources of sunflower meal when fed to growing pigs
Authors: Ibagon Jimena A , Lee Su A , Stein Hans H
Published: June 2021

The objective was to test the hypothesis that there is no effect of origin or processing procedure on the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) and crude protein (CP) in sunflower co-products. Six sources of sunflower meal (SFM) and 1 source of sunflower expellers (SFE) were obtained from Ukraine, Italy, Hungary, and the U.S. Each source of SFM or SFE was the only source of CP and AA in 1 diet and an N-free diet was also used for a total of 8 diets. Eight barrows (body weight: 28.5 ± 2.4 kg) had a T-cannula installed in the distal ileum and were allotted to 1 of the 8 diets using an 8 × 8 Latin square design with 8 periods. The Lys:CP ratio in the 6 sources of SFM ranged from 3.10 to 3.96% with CP concentrations ranging from 27.34 to 36.75%. Crude protein in SFE was 26.87% and the Lys:CP ratio was 3.51%. Concentrations of acid hydrolyzed ether extract in the 6 sources of SFM ranged from 0.60 to 3.11%, but SFE contained 8.77%. Results indicated that the SID of CP was lower (P < 0.05) in SFM from Hungary compared with all other sources of SFM except for 1 of the sources from Ukraine. There were no differences in the SID of Lys, Met, and Trp among sources of SFM, but for most of the remaining indispensable AA, the SFM from Hungary had less (P < 0.05) SID than the other sources. However, only few differences in SID of indispensable AA were observed among the other sources of SFM, but the SID of CP and all AA except Trp was greater (P < 0.05) in SFE compared with SFM. In conclusion, there were only few differences in the SID of the first limiting AA among SFM obtained from Ukraine, Hungary, Italy, and the U.S., but the SID of CP and AA was greater in SFE than in SFM indicating that processing of sunflower seeds influence the nutritional value.
Impact of Syrian Refugees on Turkish Prices
Authors: Genc Ismail H , Naufal George , Gahramanov Emin
Published: June 2021

Because of the civil war in Syria, refugees immigrated into Turkey between May 2011 and December 2012. We analyse the impact of this phenomenon on prices by searching for endogenous structural breaks. Our method differs from difference-in-differences models where an a priori explicit break date is imposed. Although immigration could lead to higher demand, thus higher prices, at least initially, in immigration regions, it results in arbitrage between regions, eliminating the initial price impact. Our findings suggest that the impact of Syrian immigration on Turkish prices is moderate and does not display a substantial difference between control and treatment regions.
Immediate one-stage breast reconstruction for an 85-year-old breast cancer patient using deep inferior epigastric perforator flap surgery
Authors: Matsui Koshi , Satake Toshihiko , Araki Misato , Kanaya Emi , Igarashi Takamichi , Okamoto Maki , Miwa Takeshi , Hirano Katsuhisa , Watanabe Toru , Sekine Shinichi , Shibuya Kazuto , Hashimoto Isaya , Hojo Shozo , Yoshioka Isaku , Okumura Tomoyuki , Fujii Tsutomu
Published: June 2021

The deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap is widely recognized as safe for use as a first-choice option in autologous tissue breast reconstruction; however, DIEP is often not performed for breast reconstruction in the elderly. We report a case of an 85-year-old woman who underwent DIEP flap reconstruction. Immediate reconstruction was performed after mastectomy. The patient successfully underwent DIEP flap reconstruction with no complications. Other options for reconstruction include a latissimus dorsi flap, a transverse rectus abdominis flap and implant-based reconstruction. DIEP flap reconstruction was performed, which does not cause muscle damage and provides sufficient volume. To our knowledge, this study is the first to report DIEP breast reconstruction in a patient over 85 years of age. This case demonstrates the usefulness of DIEP flap reconstruction for elderly patients.
Timing of meristem initiation and maintenance determines the morphology of fern gametophytes
Authors: Wu Xiao , Yan An , McAdam Scott A M , Banks Jo Ann , Zhang Shaoling , Zhou Yun
Published: June 2021

The alternation of generations in land plants occurs between the sporophyte phase and the gametophyte phase. The sporophytes of seed plants develop self-maintained, multicellular meristems, and these meristems determine plant architecture. The gametophytes of seed plants lack meristems and are heterotrophic. In contrast, the gametophytes of seed-free vascular plants, including ferns, are autotrophic and free-living, developing meristems to sustain their independent growth and proliferation. Compared with meristems in the sporophytes of seed plants, the cellular mechanisms underlying meristem development in fern gametophytes remain largely unknown. Here, using confocal time-lapse live imaging and computational segmentation and quantification, we determined different patterns of cell divisions associated with the initiation and proliferation of two distinct types of meristems in gametophytes of two closely related Pteridaceae ferns, Pteris vittata and Ceratopteris richardii. Our results reveal how the simple timing of a switch between two meristems has considerable consequences for the divergent gametophyte morphologies of the two ferns. They further provide evolutionary insight into the function and regulation of gametophyte meristems in seed-free vascular plants.
Two citrus KNAT-like genes, CsKN1 and CsKN2, are involved in the regulation of spring shoot development in sweet orange
Authors: Zeng Ren-Fang , Zhou Huan , Fu Li-Ming , Yan Zhen , Ye Li-Xia , Hu Si-Fan , Gan Zhi-Meng , Ai Xiao-Yan , Hu Chun-Gen , Zhang Jin-Zhi
Published: June 2021

Shoot-tip abortion is a very common phenomenon in some perennial woody plants and it affects the height, architecture, and branch orientation of trees; however, little is currently known about the underlying mechanisms. In this study, we identified a gene in sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) encoding a KNAT-like protein (CsKN1) and found high expression in the shoot apical meristem (SAM). Overexpression of CsKN1 in transgenic plants prolonged the vegetative growth of SAMs, whilst silencing resulted in either the loss or inhibition of SAMs. Yeast two-hybrid analysis revealed that CsKN1 interacted with another citrus KNAT-like protein (CsKN2), and overexpression of CsKN2 in lemon and tobacco caused an extreme multiple-meristem phenotype. Overexpression of CsKN1 and CsKN2 in transgenic plants resulted in the differential expression of numerous genes related to hormone biosynthesis and signaling. Yeast one-hybrid analysis revealed that the CsKN1-CsKN2 complex can bind to the promoter of citrus floral meristem gene LEAFY (CsLFY) and inhibit its expression. These results indicated that CsKN1 might prolong the vegetative growth period of SAMs by delaying flowering. In addition, an ethylene-responsive factor (CsERF) was found to bind to the CsKN1 promoter and suppresses its transcription. Overexpression of CsERF in Arabidopsis increased the contents of ethylene and reactive oxygen species, which might induce the occurrence of shoot-tip abscission. On the basis of our results, we conclude that CsKN1 and CsKN2 might work cooperatively to regulate the shoot-tip abscission process in spring shoots of sweet orange.
High photosynthesis rate in two wild rice species is driven by leaf anatomy mediating high Rubisco activity and electron transport rate
Authors: Mathan Jyotirmaya , Singh Anuradha , Jathar Vikram , Ranjan Aashish
Published: June 2021

The importance of increasing photosynthetic efficiency for sustainable crop yield increases to feed the growing world population is well recognized. The natural genetic variation in leaf photosynthesis in crop plants is largely unexploited for increasing yield potential. The genus Oryza, including cultivated rice and wild relatives, offers tremendous genetic variability to explore photosynthetic differences and underlying biochemical, photochemical, and developmental traits. We quantified leaf photosynthesis and related physiological parameters for six cultivated and three wild rice genotypes, and identified photosynthetically efficient wild rice accessions. Fitting A/Ci curves and biochemical analyses showed that leaf photosynthesis in cultivated rice varieties IR 64 and Nipponbare was limited due to leaf nitrogen content, Rubisco activity, and electron transport rate compared with photosynthetically efficient wild rice accessions Oryza australiensis and Oryza latifolia. The selected wild rice accessions with high leaf photosynthesis per unit area had anatomical features such as larger mesophyll cells with more chloroplasts, fewer mesophyll cells between two adjacent veins, and higher mesophyll cell and chloroplast surface area exposed to intercellular space. Our results show the existence of desirable variations in Rubisco activity, electron transport rate, and leaf anatomical features that could be targeted for increasing the photosynthetic efficiency of cultivated rice varieties.
Anterior Nucleus of the Thalamus Deep Brain Stimulation with Concomitant Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
Authors: Parisi Veronica , Lundstrom Brian Nils , Kerezoudis Panagiotis , Alcala Zermeno Juan Luis , Worrell Gregory A , Van Gompel Jamie J
Published: June 2021

BACKGROUND

The Food and Drug Administration approved the deep brain stimulation of the anterior nucleus of the thalamus (ANT-DBS) as an adjunctive therapy for drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) in the United States in 2018. The DBS Therapy for Epilepsy Post-Approval Study is further evaluating the safety and effectiveness of ANT-DBS among different patients’ groups. For this study, devices for vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) must be removed prior to enrolment.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the outcomes of concomitant ANT-DBS and VNS treatment for DRE.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed for 33 patients who underwent ANT-DBS using previous VNS to define distinct subgroups: standard ANT-DBS (9 subjects), ANT-DBS with functional VNS (12 subjects), and ANT-DBS with the VNS implantable pulse generator explanted or turned off at the time of the DBS (12 subjects). Effectiveness and safety data were analyzed across the whole population and among subgroups.

RESULTS

A mean decrease in seizure frequency of 55% was observed after a mean follow-up of 25.5 mo. Approximately 67% of patients experienced ≥50% reduction in seizure frequency. Seizure reduction percentage was not significantly different among groups. Approximately 50% of subjects with no appreciable improvement and 75% of those who showed benefit after VNS (including improvement in seizure frequency, seizure severity, and seizure duration or quality of life) achieved a seizure reduction ≥50% after ANT-DBS surgery. There were no complications related to concomitant VNS and ANT-DBS.

CONCLUSION

ANT-DBS for DRE provides excellent results despite previous and ongoing VNS therapy. Removal of VNS does not appear to be necessary before ANT-DBS.
Surgery of Insular Diffuse Gliomas—Part 2: Probabilistic Cortico-Subcortical Atlas of Critical Eloquent Brain Structures and Probabilistic Resection Map During Transcortical Awake Resection
Authors: Pallud Johan , Roux Alexandre , Trancart Bénédicte , Peeters Sophie , Moiraghi Alessandro , Edjlali Myriam , Oppenheim Catherine , Varlet Pascale , Chrétien Fabrice , Dhermain Frédéric , Zanello Marc , Dezamis Edouard
Published: June 2021

BACKGROUND

Insular diffuse glioma surgery is challenging, and tools to help surgical planning could improve the benefit-to-risk ratio.

OBJECTIVE

To provide a probabilistic resection map and frequency atlases of critical eloquent regions of insular diffuse gliomas based on our surgical experience.

METHODS

We computed cortico-subcortical “eloquent” anatomic sites identified intraoperatively by direct electrical stimulations during transcortical awake resection of insular diffuse gliomas in adults.

RESULTS

From 61 insular diffuse gliomas (39 left, 22 right; all left hemispheric dominance for language), we provided a frequency atlas of eloquence of the opercula (left/right; pars orbitalis: 0%/5.0%; pars triangularis: l5.6%/4.5%; pars opercularis: 37.8%/27.3%; precentral gyrus: 97.3%/95.4%; postcentral and supramarginal gyri: 75.0%/57.1%; temporal pole and superior temporal gyrus: 13.3%/0%), which tailored the transcortical approach (frontal operculum to reach the antero-superior insula, temporal operculum to reach the inferior insula, parietal operculum to reach the posterior insula). We provided a frequency atlas of eloquence identifying the subcortical functional boundaries (36.1% pyramidal pathways, 50.8% inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, 13.1% arcuate and superior longitudinal fasciculi complex, 3.3% somatosensory pathways, 8.2% caudate and lentiform nuclei). Vascular boundaries and increasing errors during testing limited the resection in 8.2% and 11.5% of cases, respectively. We provided a probabilistic 3-dimensional atlas of resectability.

CONCLUSION

Functional mapping under awake conditions has to be performed intraoperatively in each patient to guide surgical approach and resection of insular diffuse gliomas in right and left hemispheres. Frequency atlases of opercula eloquence and of subcortical eloquent anatomic boundaries, and probabilistic 3-dimensional atlas of resectability could guide neurosurgeons.
Health-related quality of life in meningioma
Authors: Haider Sameah , Taphoorn Martin J B , Drummond Katharine J , Walbert Tobias
Published: June 2021

Background. Meningiomas are the most common primary intracranial tumor in adults. Although frequently histologically benign, the clinical severity of a lesion may range from being asymptomatic to causing severe impairment of global function and well-being. The diversity of intracranial locations and clinical phenotypes poses a challenge when studying functional impairments, however, more recent attention to patient-reported outcomes and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) have helped to improve our understanding of how meningioma may impact a patient’s life.Methods. Treatment strategies such as observation, surgery, radiation, or a combination thereof have been examined to ascertain their contributions to symptoms, physical and cognitive functioning, disability, and general aspects of daily functioning.Results. This review explores the multidimensional nature of HRQOL and how patients may be influenced by meningiomas and their treatment.Conclusion. Overall, treatment of symptomatic meningiomas is associated with improved HRQOL, cognitive functioning, and seizure control while tumor size, location, histologic grade, and epileptic burden are associated with worse HRQOL.
Role of food fortification with vitamin D and calcium in the bone remodeling process in postmenopausal women: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Fonseca Santos Ramara Kadija , Santos Cynthia Batista , Reis Aline Rocha , Brandão-Lima Paula Nascimento , de Carvalho Gabrielli Barbosa , Martini Ligia Araújo , Pires Liliane Viana
Published: June 2021

Context

Foods containing vitamin D reduce the deficiency of this vitamin and improve bone turnover.

Objective

To discuss effects of the intake of vitamin D–fortified foods in isolated form or associated with calcium on bone remodeling in postmenopausal women.

Data Sources

PubMed, Lilacs, Scopus, and Bireme databases. OpenThesis and Google Scholar were searched as “grey literature”. Medical subject headings or similar terms related to food fortified with vitamin D and bone in postmenopausal women were used.

Data Extraction

Information was collected on study methodology and characteristics of studied populations; dosage; the food matrix used as the fortification vehicle; duration of intervention; dietary intake; 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels; serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations; bone resorption and/or formation markers (ie, carboxy terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen [CTX], tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase isoform 5b [TRAP5b], and procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide [P1NP]); main results; and study limitations.

Data Analysis

Five randomized controlled trials involving postmenopausal women were included. The mean ages of participants ranged from 56.1 to 86.9 years. Daily consumption of soft plain cheese fortified with 2.5 µg of vitamin D3 and 302 mg of calcium for 4 weeks resulted in a mean increase of 0.8 ng/mL in 25(OH)D and 15.9 ng/mL in P1NP levels compared with baseline, and decreased CTX, TRAP5b, and PTH values. A similar intervention for 6 weeks, using fortified cheese, showed a reduction only in TRAP5b values (−0.64 U/L). Yogurt fortified with 10 µg of vitamin D3 and 800 mg of calcium did not change P1NP values after 8 weeks of intervention, but was associated with decreases of 0.0286 ng/mL and 1.06 U/L in PTH and TRAP5b, respectively. After 12 weeks of eating the fortified yogurt, 25(OH)D levels increased by a mean of 8.8 ng/mL and PTH levels decreased in by a mean of 0.0167 ng/mL.

Conclusions

The interventions contributed toward the improvement of the bone resorption process but not to the bone formation process in postmenopausal women.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42019131976.
Understanding the Pain Management Landscape Within the US Bleeding Disorder Community: A Multi-Center Survey
Authors: Witkop Michelle , Santaella Maria , Nichols Cynthia D , Lambing Angela Y , Baumann Kimberly , Curtis Randall G , Humphrey Christi , Humphries Thomas J , Newman Jennifer , Durben Nancy , Fritz Rhonda , Mauer Kimberly , Thibodeaux Constance B , Wheat Emily , Buckner Tyler
Published: June 2021

Objectives

Pain is a known complication in persons with hemophilia (PWH) as a result of muscle and joint bleeding. Little is known regarding national Hemophilia Treatment Center (HTC) practice patterns related to pain management. The aim of this study was to: 1) Describe pain management practice patterns of HTC providers, 2) Identify gaps and areas of alignment with the CDC pain guidelines, and 3) Address educational opportunities for pain management. This survey is the first extensive description of multidisciplinary practice patterns of pain management for PWH.

Methods

This descriptive study involved physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, physical therapists, and social workers from federally funded Hemophilia Treatment Centers (HTC) eligible to complete an online survey exploring pain management practice patterns within the CDC pain guidelines.

Results

Results of this survey shed light on areas of strength and cohesiveness between HTC providers, including the following: dedication to effective pain management, utilization of non-pharmacological pain options, trial of non-opioid medications first before opioids, maintaining follow-up with patients after opioid prescription initiation, recognizing and utilizing clinically important findings before prescribing opioids, and counseling their patients regarding potential risk factors.

Conclusions

There remain opportunities to incorporate into clinical practice consistent use of tools such as formal screening questionnaires, opioid use agreements, written measurable goals, ongoing prescription monitoring, and written plans for discontinuation of opioid therapy. These results provide opportunities for improvement in education of HTC team members thus optimizing pain management in persons with bleeding disorders.