bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The deliberate results distortion problem in the road construction materials laboratory and its disposal
Authors: Vasiliev Y E , Menkina U O , Kochnev V I , Sarychev I Y
Published: July 2021

Article considers the issue of asphalt concrete mixtures quality control necessity and analyses the road construction materials laboratory activity with detection description of an unacceptable random or a large systematic (shift) errors. In the process of producing asphalt concrete mixtures, there are many different factors that can influence their quality. In particular, such as: an inevitable change in raw materials properties, which is associated, among other things, with mineral components heterogeneity, for example, in grain size composition, moisture. There may be deviations in materials dosage, temperature variations and various other indicators, it is also necessary to consider subjective factor on performers part. Economic conditions for laboratory tests results distorting include: interest lack in maintaining information reliability and further strict control. There may also be a certain incentive for employee that determines appropriate behavior. Such incentives can both interest employee in providing reliable data, and can direct his actions towards a conscious distortion of information provided. At the present stage of laboratory testing level development of building materials, an important role in making management decisions is played by reliability and objectivity of information received. However, in road construction, laboratory test results distortion is quite large and plays an important role in industry. To increase results reliability of testing materials, recommendations are given for strengthening internal control in organizations, as well as external control by customer organization and / or regulatory authorities to ensure test results reliability.
Assessment of the road transport infrastructure facility functionality loss risk resulting from climate change
Authors: Yakubovich A N , Trofimenko Y V , Yakubovich I A , Shashina E V
Published: July 2021

The cause of a road bridge functionality loss risk in the conditions of climate changes in the Arctic is a decrease in its load-bearing capacity as a result of permafrost soil degradation. Modeling of the soil temperature regime of the bridge piling in Yakutsk for 2 years was performed and the minimum load-bearing capacity of the bridge piling was determined for this period. It was assumed that the average annual air temperature increased by 2 degrees Celsius in combination with an increase in the contrast between summer and winter temperatures. The obtained value of the climate risk level (438 units) allows to continue operating the facility without implementing engineering and technical measures aimed at stabilizing the soil temperature regime.
The development of standards for road restraint systems
Authors: Demiyanushko I V , Tavshavadze B T , Karpov I A , Petrosyan S S
Published: July 2021

The article discusses requirements for road restraint systems, gives recommendations for their classification, formulates the requirements for layout of cameras for recording tests, proposes a method for determining the values of the dynamic deflection and the working width of the road barriers. This work proposes a classification of road barriers; gives the estimates of the influence of tolerances in weight and collision speed of a vehicle in the field tests of road barriers on the values of dynamic deflection and the working width; introduces the concept of category for the dynamic deflection and working width of a barrier; supplements the testing methods for different types of road barriers.
Nanostructures based on carbon and silicon dioxide to improve the properties of building and structural materials
Authors: Kondrat’ev V V , Konstantinova M V , Kononenko R V , Kolosov A D
Published: July 2021

The article presents hardware and technological solutions for obtaining a product containing silicon dioxide from nanodispersed dust of gas cleaning of silicon production, intended to improve the properties of building and structural materials. To obtain nanostructures of carbon and silicon dioxide of the required quality, allowing to improve the properties of building and structural materials, a complex resource-saving technology of their high-tech production was developed. The necessary characteristics of nanodispersed modifying additives have been determined. A technological scheme has been developed; technological operations of thermal vortex enrichment are described. The material balance of thermal vortex enrichment is given.
The concept of functioning of the on-board quality control system for anti-icing pavement treatment
Authors: Mandrovskiy K P , Sadovnikova Y S
Published: July 2021

The article discusses the concept of an electronic system for ensuring the quality of anti-icing processing of sidewalks and other elements of road construction. The object of research is the quality of particle distribution of anti-icing material. In particular, such quality indicators as the width of the processing band, the density of distribution of the material over the coating and the degree of lateral deformation of the processing zone are considered. The subject of the research is the general principle of the control system for the numerical values of the distribution quality indicators. Such a system is based on mathematical models of the movement of individual particles of a material along a flat rotating disk and in air. The original mathematical basis was developed by the authors of the article, taking into account the analytical equations of motion of a particle on a rotating horizontal disk obtained earlier by other researchers and using Newton’s second law. The article describes the algorithm for the functioning of the distribution quality control system, which takes into account geometric, regime and meteorological parameters. The system is designed to work with a symmetrical way of feeding material from the tray to the disc. In addition, the physicochemical properties of the particles of anti-icing material and numerical quality criteria are taken into account, such as the required width of the processing strip, the rate of density of distribution (consumption) of the material and the maximum permissible degree of lateral deformation of the processing zone. The block diagram of the system is presented. As a result of the operation of the proposed system, it becomes possible to change the values of the operating parameters of the equipment in the process of material distribution, providing the required values of quality indicators. Thus, the negative impact on the ecological environment of the city will be reduced and the economic efficiency of anti-icing processing of sidewalks will be increased.
Investigation of the mechanical properties of polymer composite materials with various types of hybrid matrices in the extreme conditions of the Arctic
Authors: Kosenko E A , Baurova N I , Zorin V A
Published: July 2021

The technology of manufacturing carbon plastics samples with various types of hybrid matrices is presented, one of the components of which is completely cured, and the second (technical wax, anaerobic and organosilicon polymer materials) retains its viscoelastic state after forming products, which ensures a change in the mechanical properties of structural materials. The possibility of using carbon plastics with various types of hybrid matrices for the manufacturing of mechanical engineering products that are used in extreme Arctic conditions is studied. A method for conducting mechanical tests to determine the tensile strength of carbon plastics samples with various types of hybrid matrices at temperatures t1 = 20 ± 2°C, t2 = −30°C, t3= −50°C. The results of changes in the strength and deformation properties of carbon plastics with different types of hybrid matrices at negative and positive temperatures compared to the values of the same indicators of carbon plastics without viscoelastic components in the matrix are presented and analyzed.
Wheel rolling on deformable ground with slippage
Authors: Balabina T A , Karelina M Yu , Mamaev A N
Published: July 2021

A characteristic feature of wheeled earth-moving machines and tractors is their operation on deformable soils. This makes it necessary to consider the features of the interaction of elastic wheels with the ground, including such issues as the depth of the track and power losses for rutting, wheel movement along the laid track, rolling with pull, forces and moments acting on the wheel, the effect of wheel parameters and rolling mode etc. When a pneumatic wheel with a high internal air pressure rolls on a deformable soil, the nature of the interaction of the wheels with the soil is such that the wheel can be considered rigid, since its normal deformation is small. This greatly simplifies the calculations associated with the analysis of the operation of wheeled machines taking into account the transforming properties of the wheeled propulsion unit, in particular, the determination of the kinematic and power parameters of the wheel. In this paper, using the motion reversal method, the picture of physical phenomena in the contact of the wheel with the ground has been considered, which made it possible to obtain relatively simple expressions for calculating the circumferential thrust force and the coefficient of tangential elasticity of the pair “wheel-deformable soil”.
Environmental safety diagnosis and maintenance specific of heavy vehicles and buses engines functioning with compressed natural gas
Authors: Boldin A P , Panov Yu V , Solntsev A A , Aksenov P V
Published: July 2021

The results of a statistical survey of the content of toxic components CO, CH and NOX in the exhaust gases of 38 “LiAZ” buses (4th and 5th ecological classes with foreign-made engines) at the nominal and increased engine crankshaft rotation speeds in idle running at compressed (compressed) natural gas in Moscow and adjacent areas of the region. It has been established that, as a first approximation, these modes provide information on the deterioration of environmental safety, primarily in relation to nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, the control of which in ordinary operation by the existing technical regulations for all types of vehicles, including heavy-duty gas vehicles are not provided. Statistical processing, with an assessment of the maximum permissible value of this diagnostic parameter in two idle modes (no more than 50 M-1 for the best attainable states of buses of the 5th ecological class), showed that the absence of such a simple control leads to approximately 75% of faulty states. These indicators can be significantly improved with the introduction of monitoring of operational monitoring of NOx and the development of more complex maintenance technologies. Herewith there is a significant environmental safety improvement of gas motor buses in comparison with diesel versions (approx. 6-8 times) and the technological and economic feasibility of their use for many regions of the country. Preliminary studies of the structure of such a technology have been carried out on a “KAMAZ” gas vehicle, which has an engine control different from “LiAZ” buses. At the same time, the higher NOX emissions level could be considered as allowable for intercity bus transportation and for activities outside the city, however, they can be reduced by about 3…5 times due to the use of the latest versions of pre-chamber devices “Ball Lightning”.
Establishing the requirements for the minimum values of stopping sight distance on the road surface from the condition of vehicle braking safely
Authors: Kuznetsov Yu V , Ghassan Ola Ismail
Published: July 2021

The article is devoted to determine the stopping sight distance from the condition of the possibility stopping a car that moving at design speed. Determination is based on experimental studies of the dependences the coefficient of friction on the vehicle’s speed, when braking happens on the road surfaces that have the minimum permissible coefficient of friction value, established by the current regulatory literature. Braking of vehicles was studied on two surfaces with a minimum value of the coefficient of friction, but they were differing in surface roughness. Based on theoretically calculated braking distances, requirements for stopping sight distance with different design speeds have been developed. The obtained values of stopping sight distances are compared with the values contained in the normative documents of Russia and foreign countries.
Methodology of assessing the regulated crossing throughput with a dedicated lane for ground public transport based on a probabilistic model
Authors: Pospelov P I , Long Le Duc , Tatashev A G , Yashina M V
Published: July 2021

One of the problems of traffic management in the allocation of lanes for ground public transport (GPT) is the organization of the right turn at regulated and unregulated intersections. High traffic intensity at a regulated intersection on the main carriageway and a significant proportion of right-turn traffic leads to numerous violations of the rules of passage when making a right turn. A method for assessing the throughput of a controlled intersection with a dedicated lane before joining is presented on the basis of a deterministic stochastic model.
Analysis of hydrogen use as an energy carrier in transport
Authors: Keller A V , Karpukhin K E , Kolbasov A F , Kozlov V N
Published: July 2021

The subject of the analytical review is the power units of electric vehicles using hydrogen fuel cells. A prerequisite of the research is the ever-increasing urgency of developing vehicles with zero emission of carbon dioxide and other harmful substances. Materials are taken both from open sources of information (Internet) and from scientifically reliable sources of information (peer-reviewed publications). The scientific methods of performing this analysis include an informative review of sources. Originality lies in the choice of the topic and the findings from the analysis. As a result of the analytical review the tendencies of the automobile market development have been revealed; the technical advantages of hydrogen fuel cells as compared to batteries have been given; the conclusions have been drawn about the availability of the programs of carbon dioxide emission reduction in the European Union, the USA, Japan, China, Korea as well as about the readiness of the technology of the fuel cells use in the traction electric drive for the introduction, including the patenting of the technologies by the leading automobile manufacturers; the most promising segments of transport for this purpose have been described. The results of the analysis are applicable to the design of electric vehicles and their power plants by vehicle designers and manufacturers.
The development of a dependent mathematical model of dielectric properties of an engine oil to the concentration of soot formation
Authors: Khaziev A A , Sugatov N N , Laushkin A V
Published: July 2021

The frequency of engine oil replacement reaches 150 thousand km for modern trucks, which increases the load on the lubrication system, leads to an increase in the level of contamination and to a greater level of oil degradation. The accumulation of dirt in the oil and, above all, soot leads accelerated wear of bearings, valves and camshafts, and increases the rate of formation of sludge and deposits on the piston rings. All this significantly reduces the engine life. The purpose of the work is to estimate the soot concentration in engine oil by its dielectric parameters measured by the waveguide method. To study the dependence of the dielectric parameters of engine oil on the soot concentration, the transmission line method was chosen and an installation was created that allows measuring the signal amplitude in a given frequency range. Tests performed on various engine oils at soot concentrations in the oil from 0 to 1.06% allowed us to identify the most optimal frequency regions where high sensitivity of the method is achieved. The nature of the change in the dielectric constant of engine oil with an increase in the concentration of soot in it is established. Diagnostic indicators such as the frequency of peak peaks and the signal amplitude at the optimal frequency are identified. Mathematical models of the dependence of the peaks amplitude and frequency on the soot concentration in engine oils are constructed.
Study the effects of methane disulfonic acid sodium salt on Cr (VI) reduction using rotating disk electrode
Authors: Lou Xia , Zhou Ke , Li Zhi , Zhao Qiang , Sun Yan , Luo Chunhui , Yan Kangping
Published: July 2021

Chromium (VI) electroplating plays a vital role in the surface engineering industry for metallic materials due to its high hardness and excellent chemical stability. However, the reduction of Cr (VI) is a series of complex reactions that exhibits low current efficiency. As such, this low current efficiency in the process poses a significant challenge in the adoption of CR (VI) electroplating in the surface engineering industry. Methane disulfonic acid sodium salt (MDAS) is an essential catalyst for Cr (VI) electroplating. In this work, the effects of MDAS on the current efficiency of Cr (VI) electroplating process is studied. It is discovered that the current efficiency increases to about 17% when 4–6 g l−1 MDAS is added in the bath, which is an improvement over the current efficiency of 12% for its counterpart without MDAS. Furthermore, rotating disk electrode method is employed to investigate its interaction mechanism with regards to the reactions which have occurred during this process. It indicates that MDAS demonstrates a remarkable catalytic ability towards the electrochemical reaction which occurs at the lower-potential peak. This lower potential peak corresponds to the electrochemical reaction of Cr (VI) to Cr (0) or Cr (III) to Cr (0).
Minority Stress, Structural Stigma, and Physical Health Among Sexual and Gender Minority Individuals: Examining the Relative Strength of the Relationships
Authors: Flentje Annesa , Clark Kristen D , Cicero Ethan , Capriotti Matthew R , Lubensky Micah E , Sauceda John , Neilands Torsten B , Lunn Mitchell R , Obedin-Maliver Juno
Published: July 2021

Background

Sexual and gender minority (SGM; i.e., non-heterosexual and transgender or gender-expansive, respectively) people experience physical health disparities attributed to greater exposure to minority stress (experiences of discrimination or victimization, anticipation of discrimination or victimization, concealment of SGM status, and internalization of stigma) and structural stigma.

Purpose

To examine which components of minority stress and structural stigma have the strongest relationships with physical health among SGM people.

Methods

Participants (5,299 SGM people, 1,902 gender minority individuals) were from The Population Research in Identity and Disparities for Equality (PRIDE) Study. Dominance analyses estimated effect sizes showing how important each component of minority stress and structural stigma was to physical health outcomes.

Results

Among cisgender sexual minority women, transmasculine individuals, American Indian or Alaskan Native SGM individuals, Asian SGM individuals, and White SGM individuals a safe current environment for SGM people had the strongest relationship with physical health. For gender-expansive individuals and Black, African American, or African SGM individuals, the safety of the environment for SGM people in which they were raised had the strongest relationship with physical health. Among transfeminine individuals, victimization experiences had the strongest relationship with physical health. Among Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish individuals, accepting current environments had the strongest relationship with physical health. Among cisgender sexual minority men prejudice/discrimination experiences had the strongest relationship with physical health.

Conclusion

Safe community environments had the strongest relationships with physical health among most groups of SGM people. Increasing safety and buffering the effects of unsafe communities are important for SGM health.
XRRpred: accurate predictor of crystal structure quality from protein sequence
Authors: Ghadermarzi Sina , Krawczyk Bartosz , Song Jiangning , Kurgan Lukasz
Published: July 2021

Motivation

X-ray crystallography was used to produce nearly 90% of protein structures. These efforts were supported by numerous sequence-based tools that accurately predict crystallizable proteins. However, protein structures vary widely in their quality, typically measured with resolution and R-free. This impacts the ability to use these structures for some applications including rational drug design and molecular docking and motivates development of methods that accurately predict structure quality from sequence.

Results

We introduce XRRpred, the first predictor of the resolution and R-free values from protein sequences. XRRpred relies on original sequence profiles, hand-crafted features, empirically selected and parametrized regressors and modern resampling techniques. Using an independent test dataset, we show that XRRpred provides accurate predictions of resolution and R-free. We demonstrate that XRRpred’s predictions correctly model relationship between the resolution and R-free and reproduce structure quality relations between structural classes of proteins. We also show that XRRpred significantly outperforms indirect alternative ways to predict the structure quality that include predictors of crystallization propensity and an alignment-based approach. XRRpred is available as a convenient webserver that allows batch predictions and offers informative visualization of the results.

Availability and implementation

http://biomine.cs.vcu.edu/servers/XRRPred/.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
School Safety or School Criminalization? The Typical day of A School Resource Officer in the United States
Authors: Higgins Ethan M , Coffey Brandon S , Fisher Benjamin W , Benitez Ivan , Swartz Kristin
Published: July 2021

School resource officers (SROs) have become increasingly common in schools in the United States and this growth of police in schools has taken place as part of a trend of school criminalization. In a school criminalization framework, scholars have focused on physical security measures and punitive outcomes for students, however, the subtler dimensions have been less explored. We draw on 26 interviews where SROs were asked to detail their typical day to investigate whether, and how, SROs criminalize school spaces through routine tasks. In spite of the multi-faceted roles of the SRO, the SROs in this study framed a typical day through a crime control logic where school spaces are criminogenic hotspots and the student body is ripe with potential offenders.
Delay to surgery in acute perforated and ischaemic gastrointestinal pathology: a systematic review
Authors: Murray V , Burke J R , Hughes M , Schofield C , Young A
Published: July 2021

Background

Patients with acute abdominal pathology requiring emergency laparotomy who experience a delay to theatre have an increased risk of morbidity, mortality and complications. The timeline between symptom onset and operation is ill defined with international variance in assessment and management. This systematic review aims to define where delays to surgery occur and assess the evidence for interventions trialled across Europe.

Methods

A systematic review was performed searching MEDLINE and EMBASE databases (1 January 2005 to 6 May 2020). All studies assessing the impact of time to theatre in patients with acute abdominal pathology requiring emergency laparotomy were considered.

Results

Sixteen papers, involving 50 653 patients, were included in the analysis. Fifteen unique timepoints were identified in the patient pathway between symptom onset and operation which are classified into four distinct phases. Time from admission to theatre (1–72 hours) and mortality rate (10.6–74.5 per cent) varied greatly between studies. Mean time to surgery was significantly higher in deceased patients compared with that in survivors. Delays were related to imaging, diagnosis, decision making, theatre availability and staffing. Four of five interventional studies showed a reduced mortality rate following introduction of an acute laparotomy pathway.

Conclusion

Given the heterogeneous nature of the patient population and pathologies, an assessment and management framework from onset of symptoms to operation is proposed. This could be incorporated into mortality prediction and audit tools and assist in the assessment of interventions.
Management of Gustilo–Anderson IIIB open tibial fractures in adults—a systematic review
Authors: Myatt A , Saleeb H , Robertson G A J , Bourhill Jana Keren , Page P R J , Wood A M
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Open tibial fractures are the most common open long bone fracture, despite this, the management of these complex injuries still remains a topic of discussion amongst orthopaedic surgeons.

Sources of data

We searched the EMBASE, MEDLINE and Google Scholar and a systematic review of 7500 articles, leaving 23 after exclusion criteria were applied, in order to analyse the management of open tibial fractures.

Areas of agreement and controversy

Infection was noted to be the most significant concern amongst authors, with definitive external fixation having a high rate of superficial pin-site infection and internal fixation having a high deep infection rate.

Growing points

It is essential to have a combined ortho-plastic approach to the management of these fractures as muscle flaps were the most common form of soft tissue coverage.

Areas timely for developing research

A national pragmatic trial into the management of open tibial fractures is required looking at fixation methods and soft tissue coverage, with at least a 2-year follow-up in order to ascertain the most appropriate management of these fractures and patient-related outcomes.
Driving motor cortex oscillations modulates bradykinesia in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Guerra Andrea , Colella Donato , Giangrosso Margherita , Cannavacciuolo Antonio , Paparella Giulia , Fabbrini Giovanni , Suppa Antonio , Berardelli Alfredo , Bologna Matteo
Published: July 2021

In patients with Parkinson’s disease, beta (β) and gamma (γ) oscillations are altered in the basal ganglia, and this abnormality contributes to the pathophysiology of bradykinesia. However, it is unclear whether β and γ rhythms at the primary motor cortex (M1) level influence bradykinesia.

Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) can modulate cortical rhythms by entraining endogenous oscillations. We tested whether β- and γ-tACS on M1 modulate bradykinesia in patients with Parkinson’s disease by analysing the kinematic features of repetitive finger tapping, including movement amplitude, velocity and sequence effect, recorded during β-, γ- and sham tACS. We also verified whether possible tACS-induced bradykinesia changes depended on modifications in specific M1 circuits, as assessed by short-interval intracortical inhibition and short-latency afferent inhibition. Patients were studied OFF and ON dopaminergic therapy. Results were compared to those obtained in a group of healthy subjects.

In patients, movement velocity significantly worsened during β-tACS and movement amplitude improved during γ-tACS, while the sequence effect did not change. In addition, short-latency afferent inhibition decreased (reduced inhibition) during β-tACS and short-interval intracortical inhibition decreased during both γ- and β-tACS in Parkinson’s disease. The effects of tACS were comparable between OFF and ON sessions. In patients OFF therapy, the degree of short-interval intracortical inhibition modulation during β- and γ-tACS correlated with movement velocity and amplitude changes. Moreover, there was a positive correlation between the effect of γ-tACS on movement amplitude and motor symptoms severity. Our results show that cortical β and γ oscillations are relevant in the pathophysiology of bradykinesia in Parkinson’s disease and that changes in inhibitory GABA-A-ergic interneuronal activity may reflect compensatory M1 mechanisms to counteract bradykinesia.

In conclusion, abnormal oscillations at the M1 level of the basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical network play a relevant role in the pathophysiology of bradykinesia in Parkinson’s disease.
Does hydrostatic pressure influence lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus) heart rate and its response to environmental challenges?
Authors: Zrini Zoe A , Sandrelli Rebeccah M , Gamperl A Kurt
Published: July 2021

Studies on the effects of environmental changes with increasing depth (e.g. temperature and oxygen level) on fish physiology rarely consider how hydrostatic pressure might influence the observed responses. In this study, lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus, 200–400 g), which can exhibit vertical migrations of over 100 m daily and can be found at depths of 500 m or more, were implanted with Star-Oddi micro-HRT loggers. Then, their heart rate (fH) was measured in a pressure chamber when exposed to the following: (i) increasing pressure (up to 80 bar; 800 m in depth) at 10°C or (ii) increasing temperature (12–20°C), decreasing temperature (12 to 4°C) or decreasing oxygen levels (101–55% air saturation at 12°C) in the absence or presence of 80 bar of pressure. Additionally, we determined their fH response to chasing and to increasing temperature (to 22°C) at atmospheric pressure. Pressure-induced increases in fH (e.g. from 48 to 61 bpm at 12°C) were associated with hyperactivity. The magnitude of the rise in fH with temperature was greater in pressure-exposed vs. control fish (i.e. by ~30 bpm vs. 45 bpm between 5°C and 20°C). However, the relative increase (i.e. slope of the relationship) was not different between groups. In contrast, 80 bar of pressure eliminated the small (5 bpm) increase in fH when control fish were exposed to hypoxia. Exhaustive exercise and increasing temperature to 22°C resulted in a maximum fH of 77 and 81 bpm, respectively. Our research shows that pressure influences the fH response to environmental challenges and provides the first evidence that lumpfish have a limited capacity to increase fH.
Atopic diseases and airway-related symptoms in Bavarian pre-schoolers: determinants and association with immunization
Authors: Korbely Christine , Weinberger Alisa , Kutzora Susanne , Huß Jonas , Hendrowarsito Lana , Nennstiel Uta , Heißenhuber Annette , Herr Caroline , Heinze Stefanie ,   for The GME Study Group, Doerk Wiltrud Angelika , Pfister Rosemarie , Sittig Winfried , Strauch Heidi , Thamm Anita , Wunder Tatjana , Frieß-Hesse Franziska , Lang Dagmar , Rudolph Roland , Schmid Gudrun , Winter Isabella , Bockmann Christine , Gampenrieder Margot , Motzet Elisabeth , Schneider Traudl , Tontsch Gerlinde , Woelk Sylvia , Kranebitter Heidi , Mayrhofer Gertraud , Rohrhirsch Brigitte , Weise Luisa , Wolf Kornelia , Baranek Gitte , Koch-Singer Maximilian , Kühnel Ladan , Baghi Otmar , von Bayer Rüdiger , Kries Gabriele , Bolte Hermann , Fromme Annette , Heißenhuber Lana , Hendrowarsito Caroline , Herr Martina , Kohlhuber Joseph , Kuhn Bernhard , Liebl Anja , Lüders Nicole , Meyer Christine , Mitschek Gabriele , Morlock Michael , Mosetter Uta , Nennstiel-Ratzel Dorothee , Twardella Manfred , Wildner Angelika
Published: July 2021

Background

Atopic diseases are among the most common chronic conditions in childhood. Causes of allergies are manifold. The aim of this paper is to evaluate risk factors for atopic diseases and unremitting wheeze and to examine if there is an association between measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination and atopic dermatitis, asthma and unremitting wheeze in Bavarian pre-schoolers.

Methods

Parents filled out a questionnaire on children’s health and environmental and socioeconomic factors. The questionnaire was administered within the Health Monitoring Units in a cross-sectional study in Bavaria, Germany (2014/2015). Data on vaccinations were obtained via the School Entrance Examination, a mandatory examination for pre-school children in Bavaria. Rates of influential factors of atopic diseases and wheeze, MMR and DTP (diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus) vaccination were calculated for all children stratified by health outcomes. To examine if there is an association between MMR vaccination and health outcomes, a multiple logistic regression analysis was performed.

Results

Data were available for 3237 individuals. Symptoms and diseases were more frequent in boys. Higher parental education was associated with a higher prevalence of atopic dermatitis. There were no significant associations between any of the health outcome groups and MMR vaccination in the multiple logistic regression models with adjustment for potential confounders.

Conclusions

The present study is in line with the current state of research that MMR vaccination is not associated with atopic diseases.
Metabolic Syndrome Is Associated With Poor Cognition: A Population-Based Study of 70-Year-Old Adults Without Dementia
Authors: Marseglia Anna , Darin-Mattsson Alexander , Skoog Johan , Rydén Lina , Hadarsson-Bodin Timothy , Kern Silke , Rydberg Sterner Therese , Shang Ying , Zettergren Anna , Westman Eric , Skoog Ingmar
Published: July 2021

Background

Individual conditions of metabolic syndrome (MetS) have been related to dementia; however, their combined impact on the preclinical stage is unknown. We investigated the associations between MetS and domain-specific cognitive function as well as the role of sociodemographic, cardiovascular, and genetic factors.

Methods

Within the Gothenburg H70 Birth Cohort Study-Birth cohort 1944, 1131 dementia-free participants (aged 70 years) were examined during 2014–2016. MetS (central obesity plus at least 2 factors [reduced HDL-cholesterol, elevated triglycerides, blood pressure, or blood glucose]) was identified according to the International Diabetes Federation criteria. Five cognitive domains (memory, attention/perceptual speed, executive function, verbal fluency, visuospatial abilities) were generated after z-standardizing raw scores from 10 neuropsychological tests. Education, heart disease, claudication (indicating peripheral atherosclerosis), and apolipoprotein genotype were ascertained by trained staff. Data were analyzed with linear regression models.

Results

Overall, 618 participants (55%) had MetS. In multiadjusted linear regressions, MetS was related to poorer performance in attention/perceptual speed (β −0.14 [95% CI −0.25, −0.02]), executive function (β −0.12 [95% CI −0.23, −0.01]), and verbal fluency (β −0.19 [95% CI −0.30, −0.08]). These associations were present only among individuals who did not carry any APOE-ε4 allele or were highly educated. However, among those with MetS, high education was related to better cognitive performance. MetS together with comorbid heart disease or claudication was associated with even worse cognitive performance than each alone.

Conclusions

MetS is associated with poor attention/perceptual speed, executive function, and verbal fluency performance. Education, apolipoprotein E-ε4 allele, and comorbid cardiovascular disease influenced the observed associations.
Effects of elevated pCO2 on the physiological energetics of Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas
Authors: Jiang Weiwei , Wang Xiaoqin , Rastrick Samuel P S , Wang Junwei , Zhang Yitao , Strand Øivind , Fang Jianguang , Jiang Zengjie
Published: July 2021

Ocean acidification is predicted to have significant implications for marine calcifying organisms. However, little is known about the physiological responses of Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, to elevated partial pressure of atmospheric carbon dioxide (pCO2) under natural fluctuations associated with a farm environment. The present study evaluated the effect of two pCO2 levels (i.e. ambient ∼625 μatm and elevated ∼1432 μatm) on the physiological processes and growth of C. gigas in in situ mesocosms that simulated the farm environment. Oysters were exposed for 30 days over a sensitive period during their production cycle when they are first exposed to natural coastal conditions. Despite this being a well-known “bottleneck” in production, it remains understudied with respect to climate change. Results showed that elevated pCO2 levels decreased clearance rate, ingestion rate, absorption efficiency, and oxygen to nitrogen ratio, while increasing oxygen consumption and ammonia-N excretion rates. These physiological responses of oysters resulted in a reduction in energy available for growth (scope for growth). No mortality was observed in the control or elevated pCO2 treatments, indicating that although oyster may survive future coastal acidification, the allocation of energy towards production within aquaculture systems will decrease in the future, affecting the culture of these economically important marine bivalves.
Compactifications of Moduli of Points and Lines in the Projective Plane
Authors: Schaffler Luca , Tevelev Jenia
Published: July 2021

Projective duality identifies the moduli spaces $\textbf{B}_n$ and $\textbf{X}(3,n)$ parametrizing linearly general configurations of $n$ points in $\mathbb{P}^2$ and $n$ lines in the dual $\mathbb{P}^2$, respectively. The space $\textbf{X}(3,n)$ admits Kapranov’s Chow quotient compactification $\overline{\textbf{X}}(3,n)$, studied also by Lafforgue, Hacking, Keel, Tevelev, and Alexeev, which gives an example of a KSBA moduli space of stable surfaces: it carries a family of certain reducible degenerations of $\mathbb{P}^2$ with $n$ “broken lines”. Gerritzen and Piwek proposed a dual perspective, a compact moduli space parametrizing certain reducible degenerations of $\mathbb{P}^2$ with $n$ smooth points. We investigate the relation between these approaches, answering a question of Kapranov from 2003.
COVID-19 First Responders: The Gayatri Pariwar and the Immune Ritual Body
Authors: Tackes Nick
Published: July 2021

The following article investigates one North Indian new religious movement’s initial reactions to the onset of COVID-19. The Gayatri Pariwar is an organization popular in Uttar Pradesh, India, and its members believe it is their duty to save the world through a regime of virtuous lifestyle practices, beginning with the reformation of the self. Between mid-March and May 2020, the Gayatri Pariwar responded to the pandemic in three distinctive ways: it folded COVID-19 into the organization’s longstanding eschatological project, pursued ritual practices understood to provide immunity against moral and viral contagion, and insisted upon an ethic of caregiving meant to include society at large in their redemptive mission. This article analyzes the Gayatri Pariwar’s COVID-19–related YouTube video alongside ethnographic data to demonstrate how the Gayatri Pariwar used the viral pandemic as an occasion to reiterate and pursue its identity as a global moral custodian.
SI-MOIRAI: a new method to identify and quantify the metabolic fate of nucleotides
Authors: Ikeda Yoshiki , Hirayama Akiyoshi , Kofuji Satoshi , Hirota Yoshihisa , Kamata Ryo , Osaka Natsuki , Fujii Yuki , Sasaki Mika , Ikeda Satsuki , Smith Eric P , Bachoo Robert , Soga Tomoyoshi , Sasaki Atsuo T
Published: July 2021

Since the discovery of nucleotides over 100 years ago, extensive studies have revealed the importance of nucleotides for homeostasis, health and disease. However, there remains no established method to investigate quantitatively and accurately intact nucleotide incorporation into RNA and DNA. Herein, we report a new method, Stable-Isotope Measure Of Influxed Ribonucleic Acid Index (SI-MOIRAI), for the identification and quantification of the metabolic fate of ribonucleotides and their precursors. SI-MOIRAI, named after Greek goddesses of fate, combines a stable isotope-labelling flux assay with mass spectrometry to enable quantification of the newly synthesized ribonucleotides into r/m/tRNA under a metabolic stationary state. Using glioblastoma (GBM) U87MG cells and a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) GBM mouse model, SI-MOIRAI analyses showed that newly synthesized GTP was particularly and disproportionally highly utilized for rRNA and tRNA synthesis but not for mRNA synthesis in GBM in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, newly synthesized pyrimidine nucleotides exhibited a significantly lower utilization rate for RNA synthesis than newly synthesized purine nucleotides. The results reveal the existence of discrete pathways and compartmentalization of purine and pyrimidine metabolism designated for RNA synthesis, demonstrating the capacity of SI-MOIRAI to reveal previously unknown aspects of nucleotide biology.
Incidental Breast Cancer on Chest CT: Is the Radiology Report Enough?
Authors: Aripoli Allison , Beeler Joley , Clark Lauren , Walter Carissa , Inciardi Marc , Huppe Ashley , Gatewood Jason , Irani Neville , Carroll Melissa , Norris Taylor , Barton Angela , Ackerman Peyton , Winblad Onalisa
Published: July 2021

Objective

To determine the frequency of incidental breast findings reported on chest CT for which breast imaging follow-up is recommended, the follow-up adherence rate, and the breast malignancy rate. The relationship between strength of recommendation verbiage and follow-up was also explored.

Methods

A retrospective review was conducted of chest CT reports from July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2019, to identify those with recommendation for breast imaging follow-up. Patients with recently diagnosed or prior history of breast malignancy were excluded. Medical records were reviewed to evaluate patient adherence to follow-up, subsequent BI-RADS assessment, and diagnosis (if tissue sampling performed). Adherence was defined as diagnostic breast imaging performed within 6 months of CT recommendation. Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to determine statistical significance of categorical and continuous variables, respectively.

Results

A follow-up recommendation for breast imaging was included in chest CT reports of 210 patients; 23% (48/210) returned for follow-up breast imaging. All patients assessed as BI-RADS 4 or 5 underwent image-guided biopsy. Incidental breast cancer was diagnosed in 15% (7/48) of patients who underwent follow-up breast imaging as a result of a CT report recommendation and 78% (7/9) of patients undergoing biopsy. There was no significant difference in follow-up adherence when comparing report verbiage strength.

Conclusion

It is imperative that incidental breast findings detected on chest CT undergo follow-up breast imaging to establish accurate and timely diagnosis of breast malignancy. Outreach to referring providers and patients may have greater impact on the diagnosis of previously unsuspected breast cancer.
Intimate Partner Violence and the Role of Breast Imaging Centers
Authors: Wahab Rifat A , Chan Maegan , Vijapura Charmi , Brown Ann L , Asghar Emaan , Frazee-Katz Casey , Mahoney Mary C
Published: July 2021

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is defined as physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, or psychological harm by a current or former intimate partner. In the United States, one in three women will experience a form of IPV in their lifetime. Screening for IPV at breast imaging centers provides an important opportunity to identify and assist affected women. Breast imaging centers provide a private environment where passive and active IPV screening methods can be employed. In addition, when obtaining a mammogram or breast ultrasound, the patient’s upper chest is exposed, which could demonstrate patterns of abuse. This article discusses the need for IPV screening, via both passive and active methods, and implementation steps for breast imaging centers.
Clinical Course and Treatment Implications of Combination Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Mediated Hepatitis: A Multicentre Cohort
Authors: Smith Matthew K , Chan Yin , Suo Aleksi E , Shaheen Abdel Aziz , Congly Stephen E , Tandon Puneeta , Bhanji Rahima A , Wells Malcolm M , Cheng Tina , Ma Christopher
Published: July 2021

Background

Immune-related adverse events can occur after treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), limiting treatment persistence. We aimed to evaluate the clinical course of ICI-mediated hepatitis (IMH) associated with combination ipilimumab and nivolumab treatment.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study including consecutive patients with metastatic melanoma treated with ipilimumab and nivolumab between 2013 and 2018 was conducted at two tertiary care centres. IMH was defined by the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE). We determined the proportion of patients developing IMH, and compared the duration, treatment patterns and outcomes, stratified by hepatitis severity. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was used to evaluate time to hepatitis resolution, and a linear mixed-effects model was used to compare longitudinal outcomes by treatment.

Results

A total of 63 patients were included. Thirty-two patients (51%) developed IMH (34% Grade 1–2, 66% Grade 3–4), at a median of 34 days (IQR 20 to 43.5 days) after the first dose. Baseline FIB4 index ≥1.45 was associated with IMH (OR 3.71 [95% CI: 1.03 to 13.38], P = 0.04). Ninety-four per cent (30/32) of patients had liver enzyme normalization after a median duration of 43 days (IQR 26 to 70 days). Corticosteroid use was not associated with faster IMH resolution or less ICI discontinuation. A total of 24 patients died during the study; no deaths were attributable to hepatitis-related complications. Fifty-three per cent (17/32) of patients resumed anti-PD-1 monotherapy and three patients developed IMH recurrence.

Conclusions

Approximately half of the patients treated with combination ipilimumab and nivolumab developed IMH in this cohort. However, most patients experienced uncomplicated IMH resolution.
Longitudinal Social Grooming Transition Patterns on Facebook, Social Capital, and Well-Being
Authors: Lin Jih-Hsuan Tammy , Hsieh Yeu-Sheng
Published: July 2021

The longitudinal associations between Facebook use and well-being have received limited exploration with mixed results. We argue that the transition pattern of an individual’s social grooming style based on five social grooming behaviors at different times—referred to as the social grooming transition pattern—is the key to exploring this issue. Based on the social grooming style framework, we employed latent transition analysis through a nationally representative, three-year panel survey (N = 710) in Taiwan. We found that active users remained active in social grooming behavior and had options to shift, and inactive users largely remained inactive in terms of Facebook social grooming style. The results indicated that persistent social image managers gained the most social capital and well-being, greater than persistent social butterflies and those who transitioned from image managers to social butterflies, indicating that adopting strategic social grooming styles in the long-term delivered the best social outcomes.

Lay Summary

The long-term interaction between Facebook use and well-being has received limited attention with mixed results. One way to examine this is to study changes in the way that we “groom” one another in Facebook. That is, how we socially interact with others by discussing different topics with various styles and strategies. Based on the social grooming framework, we provide the first study employing latent transition analysis (i.e., to track how people change or maintain their social grooming style across time) to examine this issue using a nationally representative, three-year panel survey from Taiwan. Our study shows that most people maintain a stable user style over time. However, some become less active (e.g., they become “maintainers” or “lurkers”). Thus, the majority of Taiwanese users often do not create their own postings, but rather comment on, or simply view, the content of other Facebook users. By contrast, users who actively groom (e.g., those who are persistent “social butterflies” or “image managers”) continue to create online posts. Our analysis shows that users who are highly social benefit from greater bridging social capital. However, the strategically active social groomer is the winner as they benefit by gaining greater bridging social capital, social connectedness, and social life satisfaction.