bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hidden layer imaging using joint inversion of P‐wave travel‐time and electrical resistivity data
Authors: Yari Mostafa , Nabi‐Bidhendi Majid , Ghanati Reza , Shomali Zaher‐Hossein
Published: January 2021

The combination of geophysical surface‐based imaging techniques, including seismic and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), is now common practice to obtain a more accurate characterization of subsurface structures. Due to model non‐uniqueness and geological heterogeneity, conventional travel‐time tomography cannot solely reveal hidden layers (i.e., low‐velocity zones embedded between layers of higher velocities) in the subsurface. Hence, we present a joint inversion algorithm based on a normalized cross‐gradients function to detect hidden low‐velocity layers. The structural similarity between P‐wave velocity (Vp) and resistivity fields is enhanced by incorporating the normalized cross‐gradients constraint in the joint inversion algorithm. Improved structural similarity can mitigate the problem of the recovery of a hidden layer. We also take advantage of a priori information derived from borehole geological data to reduce the continuous range of possible solutions (i.e., exact‐data non‐uniqueness). In both joint and separate inversions, an auxiliary damping factor is used to ensure convergence, and also the smoothness constraints are applied to deal with instability stemming from error in the data. To verify the performance of the joint inversion procedure, the algorithm is tested on synthetic and real data examples with emphasis on hidden low‐velocity layer detection. Numerical experiments demonstrate that the joint inversion strategy can produce more reliable and better velocity models of the subsurface structures as compared with those obtained through individual inversions. We conclude that this simultaneous joint inversion of Vp and ERT integrates the best of both schemes and makes it possible to improve resolution, and, hence, reduces uncertainties in hidden low‐velocity layer problems.
Origin and distribution of ancient Thai pig lineages
Authors: Chittavichai Thanyaporn , Surat Wunrada , Wetchaphan Sulak , Poungpan Supanat , Boonmala Sukumal , Netmanee Suppakorn , Auetrakulvit Prasit , Khunsong Saritpong , Wattanapituksakul Athiwat , Shoosongdej Rasmi , Wonnapinij Passorn
Published: January 2021

Whether animal domestication in Mainland Southeast Asia (MSEA) developed locally or began with the introduction of domesticated pigs from present‐day China has been discussed at length. This study compared the mitochondrial control region (mtCR) sequences of ancient pig samples from various Thai archeological sites to ancient Chinese pigs and modern Asian pigs. Twenty‐one samples (including eight previously reported ones) from six archeological sites located in three areas of Thailand were applied to haplotype analysis along with 2005 sequences of ancient Chinese pigs and modern Asian pigs. The haplotype network showed that genetic diversity and relationship with ancient Chinese pigs suggested multiple origins of ancient Thai maternal lineages, located in present‐day China and MSEA, specifically Thailand. The distinct mtCR haplotypes found in western compared with those found in eastern and central ancient Thai pigs suggested two possible routes of the past migration. These routes corresponded to the movement of agriculturists from present‐day China to MSEA. Several shared haplotypes found between ancient Thai pigs from different archeological sites suggested people contact in the past. Most ancient Thai pigs left their descendants in the contemporary Asian population. Hence, it was proposed that most maternal ancestors of ancient Thai pigs migrated from present‐day Southern China to MSEA via two routes with some local gene flow degrees and left their descendants in Thailand. These results would pave the way for future studies focusing on the history of MSEA pig domestication.
Bushmeat skeletal waste from an Atlantic African rainforest (Equatorial Guinea) as a test for the Mammal Community Structure Analysis in paleoecology
Authors: Rosas Antonio , Aguado Lorena , García‐Tabernero Antonio , Saladié Palmira , Fero Meñe Maximillano , Ebana Cayetano , Esono Mba Fidel , Morales Juan Ignacio , Andrews Peter
Published: January 2021

Mammalian Community Structure Analysis (MCSA) is a widely used paleoecological method for reconstructing environments in fossil sites where apes and hominins are present. However, any fossil assemblage is the result of complex ecological and taphonomic processes that may obscure biological interpretation. In this work, we test the validity of the MCSA for the reconstruction of African rain forest environments through an actualistic approach. For this purpose, we compare the living Mammalian Community Structure of the National Park of Monte Alen (MA) and surrounding areas (Equatorial Guinea, Río Muni) with the one inferred from associations of skeletal remains (ASRs) collected in villages of the area. It was found that in equatorial rain forest contexts, humans are a significant accumulating agent of skeletal remains, in contrast to other accumulating organisms, which are absent. In villages where hunting of wild animals (bushmeat) is regular, a good number of osteological remains from food residues are deposited near the houses. We collected six samples from five villages and treated each of them as “skeletal associations.” We also considered a cumulative deposit composed by the total sample of 3153 skeletal remains. Mammalian Community Structure was estimated using three ecovariables: weight, locomotor adaptation, and diet. Cluster and Correspondence Analysis of the three ecological variables validated the fauna of MA as that of an African tropical forest. Next, the ASRs were compared with the fauna of MA. Some of the localities allowed accurate environmental reconstruction; however, three “skeletal associations” do not provide the minimum amount of data needed for their characterization, ecological biases being evident. The skeletal assemblage that best matches the living reference community is the composite sample. From a paleoecological reconstruction viewpoint, the tropical forest signal is conserved when evaluating percentage relationships between the most diagnostic ecovariables, particularly fruit‐eating mammals versus carnivores and arboreal mammals. Taken together, the MCSA is effective in detecting African tropical ecosystems.
A Bronze Age mandibular anomaly from Gansu, China
Authors: Yang Shiyu , Mao Ruilin , Zhang Quanchao , Wang Qian
Published: January 2021

Bone defect in the mandible due to developmental defects, trauma, or diseases is common. However, large scale of mandibular bone atrophy induced by long‐term pressure is rare. This study reported a mandibular anomaly, possibly a secondary lesion, from a Bronze Age adult male excavated from the Dunping cemetery during the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770–256 BCE), Zhang County, Gansu Province, China. The defect presents as an absence of bone mass at the angle of inferior lingual aspect of the mandibular corpus, incorporating the gonial angle of the mandible on the left side. Overall profile of the defect was assessed using morphological observations of the mandible, accompanied by computed tomography (CT) imaging and panoramic dental X‐ray images of the jaws used to assist with the diagnosis. There were no signs of trauma, osteogenic neoplasms, or osteolytic lesions. Pressure resorption, a Stafne defect, was postulated as the primary cause of bone atrophy due to a long‐term lesion of the neighboring submandibular gland, namely, chronic sialadenitis or a benign neoplasm pleomorphic adenoma. This is for the first reported case of a mandible anomaly as such identified from ancient China. This reporting enriches the knowledge of long‐term effects of pressure resorption in the human mandible.
Effect of surface modification and fiber content on the mechanical performance of compression molded polyethylene‐maple composites
Authors: Vázquez Fletes Roberto Carlos , Raymond Alexandre , Rodrigue Denis
Published: January 2021

With the objective of producing more sustainable materials, wood‐plastic composites were produced using linear low density polyethylene and a wide range of maple wood fiber content (up to 80% wt). This was possible by using a simple dry‐blending of the component in a powder form and compression molding. In particular, the effect of different surface treatments (mercerization, maleated polyethylene [MAPE], and their combination) on the morphology and mechanical performance of these composites was studied. The results show that all the surface treatments investigated were able to improve the fiber‐matrix adhesion, leading to better composite homogeneity, and higher mechanical properties. Furthermore, it was possible to increase the amount of wood that can be introduced in the composites compared to untreated fibers. In our case, up to 80% wt of maple fibers were easily processed generating significant improvements in moduli (367%) and strength (50%), especially when a combination of alkali‐MAPE treatment was performed. This simple processing of the composites is interesting to produce different parts size and geometry with limited degradation since no melt compounding is performed. The work also represents a way to produce sustainable, economic, and lightweight composites with improved properties using a high content of renewable filler.
Effect of solution concentration in microfiltration properties of PLA mats produced by solution blow spinning
Authors: Soares de Azerêdo Marina , Marconcini José Manoel
Published: January 2021

In order to remediate the difficulty of access to safe drinking water by 1/3 of the world population, mats produced by solution blow spinning (SBS) have a great potential for use in liquid filtration due to their small pores and high porosity, being capable of filtrating water by retaining particles and even microorganisms. In this context, this work aims the production and characterization of poly (lactic acid) mat obtained by SBS to be morphologically, thermally, and mechanically evaluated, as well as to observe water flux properties. The correlation between structure‐processing‐properties is an important part of the work, which shows that lower concentration of polymeric solution leads to mats with smaller average fiber diameter, greater crystallinity, impacting on their greater tensile strength. The water flux performance shows that mats obtained from higher polymer concentration solutions present less resistance to the water flow, which indicates larger pore diameters.
In‐depth proteomic analysis of Plasmodium berghei sporozoites using trapped ion mobility spectrometry with parallel accumulation‐serial fragmentation
Authors: Hamada Soumia , Pionneau Cédric , Parizot Christophe , Silvie Olivier , Chardonnet Solenne , Marinach Carine
Published: January 2021

Sporozoites of the malaria parasite Plasmodium are transmitted by mosquitoes and infect the liver for an initial and obligatory round of replication, before exponential multiplication in the blood and onset of the disease. Sporozoites and liver stages provide attractive targets for malaria vaccines and prophylactic drugs. In this context, defining the parasite proteome is important to explore the parasite biology and to identify potential targets for antimalarial strategies. Previous studies have determined the total proteome of sporozoites from the two main human malaria parasites, P. falciparum and P. vivax, as well as P. yoelii, which infects rodents. Another murine malaria parasite, P. berghei, is widely used to investigate the parasite biology. However, a deep view of the proteome of P. berghei sporozoites is still missing. To fill this gap, we took advantage of the highly sensitive timsTOF PRO mass spectrometer, combined with three alternative methods for sporozoite purification, to identify the proteome of P. berghei sporozoites using low numbers of parasites. This study provides a reference proteome for P. berghei sporozoites, identifying a core set of proteins expressed across species, and illustrates how the unprecedented sensitivity of the timsTOF PRO system enables deep proteomic analysis from limited sample amounts.
Re‐referrals to a Psychosocial oncology department: A data‐informed approach to Practice
Authors: Virtue Shannon M. , Duffy Nicole , Howrey Hillary L.
Published: January 2021

Key Points

Increased recognition of the need for psychosocial services among oncology patients requires departments to develop practice models that meet patient and organization needs.

Re‐referrals to psychosocial oncology departments present a challenge to efficiency.

Referral data can be utilized to inform practice models on managing re‐referrals.

Subgroups of re‐referrals are more likely to follow through with engagement in psychosocial oncology services.

Demographic differences across age and racial/ethnic groups were observed in re‐referral patterns.
Structure of human BCCIP and implications for binding and modification of partner proteins
Authors: Choi Woo Suk , Liu Bochao , Shen Zhiyuan , Yang Wei
Published: January 2021

BCCIP was isolated based on its interactions with tumor suppressors BRCA2 and p21. Knockdown or knockout of BCCIP causes embryonic lethality in mice. BCCIP deficient cells exhibit impaired cell proliferation and chromosome instability. BCCIP also plays a key role in biogenesis of ribosome 60S subunits. BCCIP is conserved from yeast to humans, but it has no discernible sequence similarity to proteins of known structures. Here we report two crystal structures of an N‐terminal truncated human BCCIPβ, consisting of residues 61–314. Structurally BCCIP is similar to GCN5‐related acetyltransferases (GNATs) but contains different sequence motifs. Moreover, both acetyl‐CoA and substrate‐binding grooves are altered in BCCIP. A large 19‐residue flap over the putative CoA binding site adopts either an open or closed conformation in BCCIP. The substrate binding groove is significantly reduced in size and is positively charged despite the acidic isoelectric point of BCCIP. BCCIP has potential binding sites for partner proteins and may have enzymatic activity.
Structural basis for substrate specificity of l‐methionine decarboxylase
Authors: Okawa Atsushi , Shiba Tomoo , Hayashi Masaya , Onoue Yuki , Murota Masaki , Sato Dan , Inagaki Junko , Tamura Takashi , Harada Shigeharu , Inagaki Kenji
Published: January 2021

l
‐Methionine decarboxylase (MetDC) from Streptomyces sp. 590 is a vitamin B6‐dependent enzyme and catalyzes the non‐oxidative decarboxylation of l
‐methionine to produce 3‐methylthiopropylamine and carbon dioxide. We present here the crystal structures of the ligand‐free form of MetDC and of several enzymatic reaction intermediates. Group II amino acid decarboxylases have many residues in common around the active site but the residues surrounding the side chain of the substrate differ. Based on information obtained from the crystal structure, and mutational and biochemical experiments, we propose a key role for Gln64 in determining the substrate specificity of MetDC, and for Tyr421 as the acid catalyst that participates in protonation after the decarboxylation reaction.
Multi‐Center Hyperbonding in Phase‐Change Materials
Authors: Lee Tae Hoon , Elliott Stephen R.
Published: January 2021

A comprehensive understanding of chemical interactions underlying the network structure of chalcogenide materials is a crucial prerequisite for comprehending their microscopic structures, physicochemical properties, and capabilities for current or potential applications. However, for many chalcogenide materials, an inherent difficulty is often present in investigating their chemical properties, due to the involvement of delocalized bonding and non‐bonding (“lone‐pair”) electrons, which requires interaction mechanisms beyond that of conventional two‐center, two‐electron covalent bonding. Herein, some recent progress in the development of new interatomic interaction models for chalcogenides is reviewed, in particular focusing on the multi‐center hyperbonding model, proposed in an effort to resolve this issue. The capability of this model in elucidating a diversity of interesting material properties of phase‐change materials (PCMs) is highlighted, including Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST). These include the propensity of high coordination numbers of constituent atoms, linear triatomic bonding geometries with short and long bonds (often ascribed to the effect of a Peierls distortion), abnormally large Born effective charges of crystalline GST, large optical contrast between amorphous and crystalline GST, ultrafast crystallization speed of amorphous GST, and the chemical origin differentiating non‐PCM from PCM chalcogenide materials. Other bonding models for these materials are also briefly discussed.
Supermodding – A special footprint operator for mesoscale data assimilation using scatterometer winds
Authors: Mile Máté , Randriamampianina Roger , Marseille Gert‐Jan , Stoffelen Ad
Published: January 2021

Satellite observation footprints may extend over many grid points of a high‐resolution limited‐area model, while small and fast model scales may not be traceable by the observing system. We discuss the spatial representation of scatterometer ocean surface winds for the representation of high‐resolution model state variables. A prototype observation operator called supermodding is studied in the variational assimilation framework in order to avoid correcting unconstrained small scales during the assimilation procedure. The challenges connected to small scales that are represented by the mesoscale model with respect to the application of the supermodding operator are discussed through idealised experiments. These results show that the application of the supermodding operator is able to avoid correcting unconstrained small scales, putting focus on the large scales only during data assimilation. Departure‐based diagnostics show that the footprint representation helps to reduce the standard deviation of observation minus background departures (4–5% reduction) while the statistics for the supermodding method show a further reduction (8–11%). The impact of the supermodding approach is discussed through a forecast sensitivity study using a moist total energy norm (MTEN)‐based technique and verification of the forecasts against observations. It is shown that the impact of the supermodding method to ASCAT data assimilation on the upper‐air AROME‐Arctic forecasts is observed over sea and near the surface, and that it is progressively shifted towards 700–800 hPa levels. Both supermodding at 30 km and at 60 km (i.e., twice the effective resolution of the applied scatterometer observations) show significant and consistent improvement on forecasts of lower tropospheric wind and temperature compared to the operational assimilation technique, as such demonstrating the robustness of the supermodding technique.
A novel manipulator with needle insertion forces feedback for robot‐assisted lumbar puncture
Authors: Li Hongbing , Wang Yiyun , Li Yuling , Zhang Jing
Published: January 2021

Background

The use of lumbar puncture for paediatric diagnosis and treatment, such as cerebrospinal fluid sampling and intracranial pressure measurements, is steadily increasing. However, the standard ‘blind’ technique makes it difficult to attain accurate needle insertion.

Methods

In this study, we developed a robot‐assisted system to improve the precision of needle insertion during lumbar puncture. The manipulator can perform orientation, insertion and rotation of the needle as well as linear motion at targeted locations. We focused on accurately sensing the puncture forces during the needle insertion phase and evaluated the piercing force perception of the operator.

Results

The main features of the robot, such as backdrivable joints, physical human–robot cooperation, actuation system with low friction and remote centre of motion mechanism, can enhance overall safety.

Conclusions

Experimental results using a lumbar puncture phantom proved that the manipulator could position the needle tip at targeted locations with good accuracy. The data obtained from the test system also showed that the loss of resistance and peak forces for stiff tissues were accurately perceived by the operator.
Implementation of robot‐assisted total mesorectal excision by multiple surgeons in a large teaching hospital: Morbidity, long‐term oncological and functional outcome
Authors: Hol Jeroen C. , Dogan Kemal , Blanken‐Peeters Charlotte F. J. M. , van Eekeren Ramon R. J. P. , de Roos Marnix A. J. , Sietses Colin , Spillenaar Bilgen Ernst J. , Witteman Bart P. L.
Published: January 2021

Background

Robot‐assisted total mesorectal excision (TME) might offer benefits in less morbidity, better functional and long‐term outcome over laparoscopic TME.

Methods

All consecutive patients undergoing robot‐assisted TME for rectal cancer during implementation between May 2015 and December 2019 performed by five surgeons in a single centre were included. Outcomes included local recurrence rate at 3 years, conversion rate, circumferential resection margin (CRM) positivity rate, 30‐day postoperative morbidity and outcomes of low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) questionnaires.

Results

In 105 robot‐assisted TME, local recurrence rate at 3 years was 7.4%, conversion to open surgery rate was 8.6%, CRM positivity rate was 5.7%, 73.3% had good quality specimen, postoperative morbidity rate was 47.6% and anastomotic leakage rate was 9.0%. Incidence of major LARS was 55.3%.

Conclusions

results of this study described acceptable morbidity, functional and long‐term outcome during implementation of robotic TME for rectal cancer by multiple surgeons in a single centre.
Protect campus from various sources of risk
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: January 2021

Tonya Womack, Director of Campus Safety and Security at Eckerd College, stepped on campus as a student and hasn't left. Since her graduation from the college in 2005, she's been employed by the campus, starting first with a stint in student life and finding her way to campus safety, where she's risen to the institution's top safety position. Womack said that one thing she loves about working at a smaller institution like Eckerd is the ability to dabble in different areas, and expand a variety of skill sets by working with different departments.
Semiparametric Bayes instrumental variable estimation with many weak instruments
Authors: Kato Ryo , Hoshino Takahiro
Published: January 2021

We develop a new semiparametric Bayes instrumental variables estimation method. We employ the form of the regression function of the first‐stage equation, and the disturbances are modeled nonparametrically to achieve better predictive power of the endogenous variables, whereas we use parametric formulation in the second‐stage equation, which is of interest in inference. Our simulation studies show that under small sample sizes, the proposed method obtains more efficient estimates and very precise credible intervals compared with existing IV methods with smaller mean squared error. We applied our proposed method to a Mendelian randomization dataset where a large number of instruments are available and semiparametric specification is appropriate. We obtained statistically significant results that cannot be obtained by the existing methods, including standard Bayesian IV.
Multilevel joint modeling of hospitalization and survival in patients on dialysis
Authors: Kürüm Esra , Nguyen Danh V. , Li Yihao , Rhee Connie M. , Kalantar‐Zadeh Kamyar , Şentürk Damla
Published: January 2021

More than 720,000 patients with end‐stage renal disease in the United States require life‐sustaining dialysis treatment. In this population of typically older patients with a high morbidity burden, hospitalization is frequent at a rate of about twice per patient‐year. Aside from frequent hospitalizations, which is a major source of death risk, overall mortality in dialysis patients is higher than other comparable populations, including Medicare patients with cancer. Thus, understanding patient‐ and facility‐level risk factors that jointly contribute to longitudinal hospitalizations and mortality is of interest. Towards this objective, we propose a novel methodology to jointly model hospitalization, a binary longitudinal outcome, and survival, based on multilevel data from the United States Renal Data System (USRDS), with repeated observations over time nested in patients and patients nested in dialysis facilities. In our approach, the outcomes are modeled through a common set of multilevel random effects. In order to accommodate the USRDS data structure, we depart from the literature on joint modeling of longitudinal and survival data by including multilevel random effects and multilevel covariates, at both the patient and facility levels. An approximate Expectation‐Maximization algorithm is developed for estimation and inference where fully exponential Laplace approximations are utilized to address computational challenges.
The behavior of concrete‐encased steel composite column‐beam joints under cyclic loading
Authors: Şermet Fethi , Ercan Emre , Hökelekli Emin , Demir Ali , Arısoy Bengi
Published: January 2021

This study outlines the cyclic loading response of a concrete‐encased steel profile composite column‐reinforced concrete beam connection. The experimental study performed for an interior joint. The column in joint was designed as a concrete‐encased I‐steel profile composite column according to Eurocode 4, and the beam was designed as a regular reinforced concrete beam according to local building codes. In order to emphasize the effect of the joint design, different steel core orientations were used. The numerical analysis was performed using ABAQUS to predict behavior of the joint. The performance of the samples compared the load‐carrying capacity, ductility, and failure type. Comparisons were made using load–displacement relationships and failure mechanisms. The analysis results showed that the failure was determined by the behavior of the beam, and the joint capacity depended on the shear capacity of the beam.
International multi‐stakeholder consensus for the capabilities most important to employability in the veterinary profession
Authors: Bell Melinda A. , Cake Martin , Mansfield Caroline F.
Published: January 2021

Background: Employability has been defined within the veterinary context as a set of personal and professional capabilities that enable a veterinarian to gain employment, contribute meaningfully to the profession, and develop a career pathway that achieves satisfaction and success. This study explicitly addressed the construct of veterinary employability by exploring the perceptions of multiple stakeholders (recent graduates, employee veterinarians, veterinarian and non‐veterinarian employers, para‐veterinary staff, academics and policy makers).

Methods: A four‐part online survey was distributed internationally via various agencies. Free‐text responses, ratings of capabilities and rankings of categories were analysed.

Results: The congruence of stakeholder responses was notable, regardless of age and geographical location, with minor differences noted in academics' and para‐veterinary staff responses, and gender. The most important capabilities were honesty, ethical behaviour, communicating effectively and collaboratively with clients, knowing when to ask for help, and the willingness to learn. The categories of communication and teamwork ranked highest.

Conclusion: This study adds granularity to the existing evidence for the importance of communication and teamwork. The relationship between the veterinarian (self) and their work, enabled by engagement, meaning and purpose, and respect for their profession was a key finding, and illustrative of how to achieve personal satisfaction and well‐being within the profession.
Richard Henry Hiscock
Authors: Samuels Sarah
Published: January 2021

The son of a farmer, he had a natural respect and love of domestic and wild animals.
Brain penetrating peptides and peptide–drug conjugates to overcome the blood–brain barrier and target CNS diseases
Authors: Zhou Xue , Smith Quentin R. , Liu Xinli
Published: January 2021

Nearly one in six people worldwide suffer from disorders of the central nervous system (CNS). There is an urgent need for effective strategies to improve the success rates in CNS drug discovery and development. The lack of effective technologies for delivering drugs and genes to the brain due to the blood–brain barrier (BBB), a structural barrier that effectively blocks most neurotherapeutic agents from reaching the brain, has posed a formidable hurdle for CNS drug development. Brain‐homing and brain‐penetrating molecular transport vectors, such as brain permeable peptides or BBB shuttle peptides, have shown promise in overcoming the BBB and ferrying the drug molecules to the brain. The BBB shuttle peptides are discovered by phage display technology or derived from natural neurotropic proteins or certain viruses and harness the receptor‐mediated transcytosis molecular machinery for crossing the BBB. Brain permeable peptide–drug conjugates (PDCs), composed of BBB shuttle peptides, linkers, and drug molecules, have emerged as a promising CNS drug delivery system by taking advantage of the endogenous transcytosis mechanism and tricking the brain into allowing these bioactive molecules to pass the BBB. Here, we examine the latest development of brain‐penetrating peptide shuttles and brain‐permeable PDCs as molecular vectors to deliver small molecule drug payloads across the BBB to reach brain parenchyma. Emerging knowledge of the contribution of the peptides and their specific receptors expressed on the brain endothelial cells, choice of drug payloads, the design of PDCs, brain entry mechanisms, and delivery efficiency to the brain are highlighted.

This article is categorized under:

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Neurological Disease
Witten effect, anomaly inflow, and charge teleportation
Authors: Fukuda Hajime , Yonekura Kazuya
Published: January 2021

Abstract

We study a phenomenon that electric charges are “teleported” between two spatially separated objects without exchanging charged particles at all. For example, this phenomenon happens between a magnetic monopole and an axion string in four dimensions, two vortices in three dimensions, and two M5-branes in M-theory in which M2-charges are teleported. This is realized by anomaly inflow into these objects in the presence of cubic Chern-Simons terms. In particular, the Witten effect on magnetic monopoles can be understood as a general consequence of anomaly inflow, which implies that some anomalous quantum mechanics must live on them. Charge violation occurs in the anomalous theories living on these objects, but it happens in such a way that the total charge is conserved between the two spatially separated objects. We derive a formula for the amount of the charge which is teleported between the two objects in terms of the linking number of their world volumes in spacetime.
Poor glycaemic control is associated with increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood-onset type 1 diabetes: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Liu Shengxin , Kuja-Halkola Ralf , Larsson Henrik , Lichtenstein Paul , Ludvigsson Jonas F. , Svensson Ann-Marie , Gudbjörnsdottir Soffia , Tideman Magnus , Serlachius Eva , Butwicka Agnieszka
Published: January 2021

Aims/hypothesis

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes on the risk of subsequent neurodevelopmental disorders, and the role of glycaemic control in this association. We hypothesised that individuals with poor glycaemic control may be at a higher risk of neurodevelopmental disorders compared with the general population, as well as compared with individuals with type 1 diabetes with adequate glycaemic control.

Methods

This Swedish population-based cohort study was conducted using data from health registers from 1973 to 2013. We identified 8430 patients with childhood-onset type 1 diabetes (diagnosed before age 18 years) with a median age of diabetes onset of 9.6 (IQR 5.9–12.9) and 84,300 reference individuals from the general population, matched for sex, birth year and birth county. Cox models were used to estimate the effect of HbA1c on the risk of subsequent neurodevelopmental disorders, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and intellectual disability.

Results

During a median follow-up period of 5.6 years, 398 (4.7%) individuals with type 1 diabetes received a diagnosis of any neurodevelopmental disorder compared with 3066 (3.6%) in the general population, corresponding to an adjusted HR (HRadjusted) of 1.31 (95% CI 1.18, 1.46) after additionally adjusting for other psychiatric morbidity prior to inclusion, parental psychiatric morbidity and parental highest education level. The risk of any neurodevelopmental disorder increased with HbA1c levels and the highest risk was observed in patients with mean HbA1c >8.6% (>70 mmol/mol) (HRadjusted 1.90 [95% CI 1.51, 2.37]) compared with reference individuals without type 1 diabetes. In addition, when compared with patients with diabetes with HbA1c <7.5% (<58 mmol/mol), patients with HbA1c >8.6% (>70 mmol/mol) had the highest risk of any neurodevelopmental disorder (HRadjusted 3.71 [95% CI 2.75, 5.02]) and of specific neurodevelopmental disorders including ADHD (HRadjusted 4.16 [95% CI 2.92, 5.94]), ASD (HRadjusted 2.84 [95% CI 1.52, 5.28]) and intellectual disability (HRadjusted 3.93 [95% CI 1.38, 11.22]).

Conclusions/interpretation

Childhood-onset type 1 diabetes is associated with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, with the highest risk seen in individuals with poor glycaemic control. Routine neurodevelopmental follow-up visits should be considered in type 1 diabetes, especially in patients with poor glycaemic control.

Graphical abstract
Knowledge of the Culture of Safety in Cholecystectomy (COSIC) Among Surgical Residents: Do We Train Them Well For Future Practice?
Authors: Gupta Vishal , Lal Pawanindra , Vindal Anubhav , Singh Rajdeep , Kapoor Vinay K.
Published: January 2021

Background

Biliary injury is the most feared complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). This study aimed to assess the awareness of culture of safety in cholecystectomy (COSIC) concept among the surgical residents in India.

Methods

A manual survey was conducted among general surgery residents attending a postgraduate course. Survey consisted of questions pertaining to knowledge of various aspects of COSIC, e.g., the critical view of safety (CVS).

Results

With a response rate of 51%, 259 residents were included in this study. They had more exposure to LC (63.3% assisted / performed > 15 LC) than to open cholecystectomy (60.6% assisted / performed ≤ 10 open cholecystectomy). The majority (80.2%) clearly differentiated Calot triangle from the hepatocystic triangle (HCT). However, 25.8% could not correctly define HCT. The majority (88.5%) had seen the Rouviere's sulcus during LC. While almost all (98.4%) respondents claimed to know about the segment 4, only 41.9% could correctly describe it. Awareness of the correct direction of the gallbladder retraction was lower for the infundibulum (53.5%) than for fundus (89.2%). The majority (88.3%) claimed to know CVS but only 11.5% knew it correctly, and 15.1% described > 3 components. The majority (78.7%) practiced to identify the cystic duct‐common bile duct junction. Awareness was low for time‐out (28.1%), intraoperative cholangiography (20.6%), bailout techniques (18.9%), and for overall COSIC concept (15.7%).

Conclusions

Knowledge of COSIC among surgical residents seems to be suboptimal, especially for the CVS, time‐out, bailout techniques, and overall concept of COSIC. Strategies to educate them more effectively about COSIC are highly imperative to train them well for future practice.
The Implementation of an Acute Pain Service for Patients Undergoing Open Ventral Hernia Repair with Mesh and Abdominal Wall Reconstruction
Authors: Said Engy T. , Drueding Ross E. , Martin Erin I. , Furnish Timothy J. , Meineke Minhthy N. , Sztain Jacklynn F. , Abramson Wendy B. , Swisher Matthew W. , Jacobsen Garth R. , Gosman Amanda A. , Gabriel Rodney A.
Published: January 2021

Introduction

In this retrospective cohort single‐institutional study, we report the outcomes of implementing a standardized protocol of multimodal pain management with thoracic epidural analgesia via the acute pain service (APS) for patients undergoing ventral hernia repair with mesh placement and abdominal wall reconstruction.

Methods

The primary outcome evaluated was postoperative 72‐h opioid consumption, measured in intravenous morphine equivalents (MEQ). Secondary outcomes included hospital length of stay (LOS) among other outcomes. The two cohorts were the APS versus non‐APS group, in which the former cohort had an APS providing epidural and multimodal analgesia and the latter utilized pain management per surgical team, which mostly consisted of opioid therapy. Using1:1 propensity‐score‐matched cohorts, Wilcoxon signed‐rank test was used to calculate the differences in outcomes. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

There were 83 patients, wherein 51 (61.4%) were in the APS group. Between matched cohorts, the non‐APS cohort's median [quartiles] total opioid consumption during the first three days was 85.6 mg MEQs [58.9, 112.8 mg MEQs]. The APS cohort was 31.7 mg MEQs [16.0, 55.3 mg MEQs] (p < 0.0001). The non‐APS hospital LOS median [quartiles] was 5 days [4, 7 days] versus 4 days [4, 5 days] in the APS group (p = 0.01).

Discussion

A dedicated APS was associated with decreased opioid consumption by 75%, as well as a decreased hospital LOS. We report no differences in ICU length of stay, time to oral intake, time to ambulation or time to urinary catheter removal.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Atom-vacancy hopping in ultra-high vacuum at room temperature in SrTiO3 (001)
Authors: Atif Rasheed
Published: January 2021

The diffusion at atomic scale is of considerable interest as one of the critical processes in growth and evaporation as well as a probe of the forces at an atomically flat reconstructed surface. This atomic-scale migration is critical to investigate in strontium titanate (SrTiO3) as it possesses the same status in oxide electronics as does silicon in ordinary electronics based on elemental semiconductors. Here we show that (001) terminated SrTiO3 reconstructed surface is atomically unstable enough to allow atom-vacancy hopping at room temperature. In this work, SrTiO3 (001) single crystal (7 × 2 × 0.5 mm) was sputtered (0.5 keV, 2.5 µA, 10 min) and annealed multiple times in ultra-high vacuum (UHV) and imaged using scanning tunneling microscope (STM). A relatively unstable surface was observed at low-temperature annealing and tip–surface interactions caused dislocation of mass at the surface. Both square and zig-zag nanolines were observed with atomic resolution where an atom-vacancy hopping was observed in a square diline while imaging at room temperature. The hopping was ceased when sample was annealed at higher temperature and a more compact network of nanolines was achieved.

Graphic abstract
Correlation between tangential distortion of the outer retinal layer and metamorphopsia in patients with epiretinal membrane
Authors: Sakai Daiki , Takagi Seiji , Hirami Yasuhiko , Nakamura Makoto , Kurimoto Yasuo
Published: January 2021

Purpose

To evaluate tangential morphological changes in the outer retina and assess their correlation with the degree of metamorphopsia in patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM).

Methods

This retrospective study included patients with idiopathic ERM who underwent vitrectomy between January 2018 and December 2019. We evaluated the preoperative examination results. Using cross-sectional spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) images along the horizontal/vertical meridian through the fovea, we defined a new parameter, tangential displacement (TD), as the tangential component of the position vector of the distorted outer nuclear layer caused by ERM. Visual function measurements included M-CHARTS results (vertical/horizontal metamorphopsia score [MV/MH]) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). The correlations among the OCT parameters including TD and central foveal thickness (CFT) with visual function measurements were determined.

Results

Overall, 78 eyes of 76 patients (49 females; mean age, 67.9 [± standard deviation, 7.5 years]) were included. The mean horizontal TD was 24.0 ± 73.9 μm, which was significantly different from 0 (p = 0.005). The mean vertical TD was 6.0 ± 76.2 μm, which was not significantly different from 0. The absolute value of horizontal TD was significantly correlated with MV (r = 0.513, p < 0.01) and MH (r = 0.423, p < 0.01). The absolute value of vertical TD was also significantly correlated with MV (r = 0.274, p = 0.02) and MH (r = 0.413, p < 0.01). However, neither value was significantly correlated with BCVA. Multiple regression analysis showed that the horizontal absolute TD was an independent factor associated with both MV (β = 0.635, p < 0.001) and MH (β = 0.259, p = 0.048).

Conclusion

We found that ERM tended to distort the outer retinal layer toward the temporal side of the fovea. The tangential distortion of this layer was associated with the degree of metamorphopsia, suggesting that misalignment of parafoveal photoreceptors causes metamorphopsia in patients with ERM.
Absence of blood parasites and other vector-borne pathogens in Alpine marmots (Marmota marmota) in Western Austria
Authors: Fuehrer Hans-Peter , Soukup Ilona , Shahi-Barogh Bita , Glawischnig Walter
Published: January 2021

The importance of vectors and vector-borne diseases (VBDs) is increasing on a global scale. Many vectors and pathogens benefit from global warming and can spread to novel habitats where they were formerly not present, including higher altitudes. Various vector-borne pathogens (VBPs), such as Anaplasma phagocytophilum, have been reported in, for instance, red foxes and wild ungulates in the Western Austrian Alps. However, these animals are known to migrate to lower regions in the winter season, and therefore, it is of interest to investigate if VBPs are also present in mammals faithful to their higher altitude alpine habitat all year round. Blood parasites and other VBPs, namely. Trypanosomatidae, piroplasms, Hepatozoon spp., filarioid helminths, Anaplasmataceae, and Rickettisa spp., were thus analysed with PCR in 148 alpine marmots (Marmota marmota). None of the marmots’ blood samples was positive for these VBPs, indicating a low abundance or absence of competent vectors in the alpine region. Alpine marmots seem to be naïve for VBPs (at least in our study area). An overview of VBD agents in other marmot species is given.
Earlier chronotype in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Habers G. Esther A. , van der Helm-van Mil Annette H. M. , Veldhuijzen Dieuwke S. , Allaart Cornelia F. , Vreugdenhil Erno , Starreveld Daniëlle E. J. , Huizinga Tom W. J. , Evers Andrea W. M.
Published: January 2021

Objectives

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients show an earlier circadian rhythm (i.e. serum melatonin peaks earlier during the night, indicating an earlier timing of the internal circadian pacemaker). In the current study, we examined whether the chronotype, which is influenced by the circadian rhythm, is also earlier. In addition, we explored whether chronotype is related to disease activity and patient-reported outcomes.

Methods

The chronotype (Munich Chronotype Questionnaire) of patients with RA (n = 121; mean age 60 years, 73% female) was compared with that of subjects from the general population (norm group; n = 1695) with a one-sample t test. In addition, we investigated chronotype in relation to disease activity (Disease Activity Score; DAS), reported morning stiffness, fatigue (Checklist Individual Strength), and health-related quality of life (RAND-36).

Results

The chronotype of patients with RA was, on average, 23 min (95% CI, 15 to 31 min) earlier than that of the norm group (t(115) = − 5.901, p < 0.001, d = 0.55). Chronotype was not related to disease activity or patient-reported outcomes (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

As expected, chronotype was earlier in RA patients. However, in this correlational study, chronotype was not related to disease activity or patient-reported outcomes. An experimental study is needed to examine whether delaying the circadian rhythm has a positive influence on these outcomes. This insight could improve our understanding of the pathophysiology of RA and contribute to exploring new treatment possibilities.

Key Points• This is the first study examining chronotype in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and how chronotype relates to disease activity and patient-reported outcomes.• We found an earlier chronotype in patients with rheumatoid arthritis than in subjects from the general population.• In this correlational study, chronotype was not related to disease activity or patient-reported outcomes. An experimental study is needed to examine whether delaying the circadian rhythm positively influences these outcomes.
Open source tools for geographic analysis in transport planning
Authors: Lovelace Robin
Published: January 2021

Geographic analysis has long supported transport plans that are appropriate to local contexts. Many incumbent ‘tools of the trade’ are proprietary and were developed to support growth in motor traffic, limiting their utility for transport planners who have been tasked with twenty-first century objectives such as enabling citizen participation, reducing pollution, and increasing levels of physical activity by getting more people walking and cycling. Geographic techniques—such as route analysis, network editing, localised impact assessment and interactive map visualisation—have great potential to support modern transport planning priorities. The aim of this paper is to explore emerging open source tools for geographic analysis in transport planning, with reference to the literature and a review of open source tools that are already being used. A key finding is that a growing number of options exist, challenging the current landscape of proprietary tools. These can be classified as command-line interface, graphical user interface or web-based user interface tools and by the framework in which they were implemented, with numerous tools released as R, Python and JavaScript packages, and QGIS plugins. The review found a diverse and rapidly evolving ‘ecosystem’ tools, with 25 tools that were designed for geographic analysis to support transport planning outlined in terms of their popularity and functionality based on online documentation. They ranged in size from single-purpose tools such as the QGIS plugin AwaP to sophisticated stand-alone multi-modal traffic simulation software such as MATSim, SUMO and Veins. Building on their ability to re-use the most effective components from other open source projects, developers of open source transport planning tools can avoid ‘reinventing the wheel’ and focus on innovation, the ‘gamified’ A/B Street https://github.com/dabreegster/abstreet/#abstreet simulation software, based on OpenStreetMap, a case in point. The paper, the source code of which can be found at https://github.com/robinlovelace/open-gat, concludes that, although many of the tools reviewed are still evolving and further research is needed to understand their relative strengths and barriers to uptake, open source tools for geographic analysis in transport planning already hold great potential to help generate the strategic visions of change and evidence that is needed by transport planners in the twenty-first century.