bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oncolytic effect of Newcastle disease virus is attributed to interferon regulation in canine mammary cancer cell lines
Authors: Santos Mariana Rodrigues , Xavier Pedro Luiz Porfírio , Pires Pedro Ratto Lisboa , Rochetti Arina Lázaro , Rosim Daniele Fernanda , Scagion Guilherme Pereira , de Campos Zuccari Debora Aparecida Pires , Munir Muhammad , Ferreira Helena Lage , Fukumasu Heidge
Published: April 2021

Canine mammary carcinoma (CMC) is one of the major health threats in dogs. The oncolytic virotherapy is a promising strategy to treat canine as well as human cancer patients with non‐pathogenic replicating viruses. Here, we evaluated the antitumor activity of one lentogenic, non‐lytic Newcastle disease virus (NDV) LaSota strain expressing GFP (NDV‐GFP) on five different CMCs and one non‐tumorigenic cell line, regarding cell viability, cell death, selectivity index, morphology, global and target gene expression analysis. As evidenced by the selectivity index, all CMC cell lines were more susceptible to NDV‐GFP in comparison with the non‐tumorigenic cells (~3.1× to ~78.7×). In addition, the oncolytic effect of NDV‐GFP was more evident in more malignant CMC cells. Also, we observed an inverse association of the IFN pathway expression and the susceptibility to NDV. The downregulated genes in NDV‐GFP‐sensitive cells were functionally enriched for antiviral mechanisms by interferon and immune system pathways, demonstrating that these mechanisms are the most prominent for oncolysis by NDV. To our knowledge, this is the first description of oncolysis by an NDV strain in canine mammary cancer cells. We also demonstrated specific molecular pathways related to NDV susceptibility in these cancer cells, opening the possibility to use NDV as a therapeutic‐targeted option for more malignant CMCs. Therefore, these results urge for more studies using oncolytic NDVs, especially considering genetic editing to improve efficacy in dogs.
Involvement of TRPC5 channels, inwardly rectifying K+channels, PLCβ and PIP2in vasopressin‐mediated excitation of medial central amygdala neurons
Authors: Boyle Cody A. , Hu Binqi , Quaintance Kati L. , Lei Saobo
Published: April 2021

Key points

Activation of V1avasopressin receptors facilitates neuronal excitability in the medial nucleus of central amygdala (CeM)

V1areceptor activation excites about 80% CeM neurons by opening a cationic conductance and about 20% CeM neurons by suppressing an inwardly rectifying K+(Kir) channel

The cationic conductance activated by V1areceptors is identified as TRPC5 channels

PLCβ‐mediated depletion of PIP2is involved in V1areceptor‐elicited excitation of CeM neurons

Intracellular Ca2+release and PKC are unnecessary for V1areceptor‐mediated excitation of CeM neurons

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) serves as a hormone in the periphery to modulate water homeostasis and a neuromodulator in the brain to regulate a diverse range of functions including anxiety, social behaviour, cognitive activities and nociception. The amygdala is an essential brain region involved in modulating defensive and appetitive behaviours, pain and alcohol use disorders. Whereas activation of V1areceptors in the medial nucleus of the central amygdala (CeM) increases neuronal excitability, the involved ionic and signalling mechanisms have not been determined. We found that activation of V1areceptors in the CeM facilitated neuronal excitability predominantly by opening TRPC5 channels, although AVP excited about one fifth of the CeM neurons via suppressing an inwardly rectifying K+(Kir) channel. G proteins and phospholipase Cβ (PLCβ) were required for AVP‐elicited excitation of CeM neurons, whereas intracellular Ca2+release and the activity of protein kinase C were unnecessary. Prevention of the depletion of phosphatidylinositol 4,5‐bisphosphate (PIP2) blocked AVP‐induced excitation of CeM neurons, suggesting that PLCβ‐mediated depletion of PIP2is involved in AVP‐mediated excitation of CeM neurons. Our results may provide a cellular and molecular mechanism to explain the anxiogenic effects of AVP in the amygdala.
Influence of Tool and Workpiece Properties on the Wear of the Counterparts in Contact Sliding
Authors: Li Wei , Zhang Liangchi , Wu Chuhan , Cui Zhenxiang , Niu Chao
Published: April 2021

In a deep drawing process, the contact sliding between the surfaces of a metal sheet and a die/mold under high contact stresses brings about wear of both the counterpart surfaces. This paper aims to investigate the influence of tool and workpiece properties on the wear behaviors subjected to cylinder-on-flat sliding conditions. The effects of different tool materials (Cr12MoV, SKD11, and DC53), radii, surface hardness, and surface treatment processes including thermal diffusion (TD) coating, nitriding coating, and vacuum heat treatment (VHT) were investigated. Two types of workpieces with high tensile strength (DP980 and QP980) were also applied in the tests. The friction coefficient, surface morphology, and material removal were analyzed with the aid of load cells installed and microscopy measurements. It was found that the DC53 tool experiences the smallest tool wear and material transfer. The least material transfer is attributed to its low adhesion to workpiece material, which also results in more wear debris and a higher friction coefficient. The TD coated tool surface can further improve the wear resistance and bring about the lowest friction coefficient. The debris density associated with the TD coating is also the smallest. These findings provide a useful guideline for the design and optimization of molds/dies for the deep drawing processes of sheet metals.
Combustion of Flat Shaped Char Particles With Oxygen
Authors: Molintas Henry J. , Gupta Ashwani K.
Published: April 2021

Thin flat-shaped carbon black particles of 1.5 mm thickness by 22.5 mm diameter were combusted in pure oxygen at atmospheric pressures and temperatures in the range of 500–650 °C. One-film kinetic-diffusion model was derived to characterize the kinetic and energy parameters for particles arranged in the form of a thin flat-shaped configuration. The kinetic and energy parameters, and operating regimes of thin flat-shaped char particles were characterized during the nonisothermal combustion process. The gasification regimes during preheating were also analyzed. Steady-state energy processes were considered to derive an energy conservation equation used for calculating the evolution of char surface temperatures as well as released peak energy rates and the specific energy, which are considered key engineering design parameters. The one-film kinetic-diffusion model showed that combustion of such particles was purely kinetic controlled under these conditions. The activation energy obtained varied between 50 and 74 kJ/mol using discrete time and linear fits to the Arrhenius equation. The total energies released per weight of char converted varied between 32.8 and 40.6 kJ/g. The highest peak energy rate released was 134 J/s when combusting char in O2 at a reactor temperature of 504 °C.
End-of-Use Management of Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries From Sustainability Perspective: A Review
Authors: Cong Liang , Liu Weiwei , Kong Shuai , Li Honglei , Deng Yelin , Ma Huazheng
Published: April 2021

The rapid growth of electric vehicle (EV) market promotes the mass production of lithium-ion batteries. However, the battery production is subjected to high cost and serious environmental issues. Effective and efficient end-of-use lithium-ion battery (LIB) management should be carried out to enhance sustainable development, following the principles of the triple bottom line and circular economy. From the life cycle perspective, battery refurbishing and material recovery are the two major end-of-use options to recover the value of spent batteries. The refurbishing of spent batteries can extend the battery useful life and make full use of battery remaining functional value. Material recycling can recover the battery materials for a new life cycle. However, there still exist many barriers that should be investigated to ensure the success of end-of-use battery recovery. The review covered the pathways to present a full view of end-of-use battery recovery, identified the key bottlenecks in different dimensions, and discussed the strategies for specific scenarios. Industrial practice and pilot projects associated with the two end-of-use options are summarized. In the end, analysis and research suggestions are provided to facilitate the establishment of a sustainable circular battery recovery system.
Double-Layer Deployable Mechanical Network Constructed of Threefold-Symmetric Bricard Linkages and Sarrus Linkages
Authors: Song Xiaoke , Guo Hongwei , Chen Jingjing , Yuan Wenhui , Xu Younan
Published: April 2021

Threefold-symmetric (TFS) Bricard linkages are known for their excellent deployment performance properties. This paper proposes a novel networking method of TFS Bricard linkages and a double-layer mechanical network. First, the angle relationship for parts of the TFS Bricard linkage is analyzed. Then, the angle relationship of two TFS Bricard linkages connected by a scissor mechanism is studied. The result suggests that when the twist angles of the two TFS Bricard linkages are equal, their corresponding planes are parallel, and the link lengths have no effect on the parallel relationship. A novel networking method of the TFS Bricard linkage is recommended according to these results. This mechanical network is constructed of two different sized units and can be plane deployed and be folded with a smaller height. We also propose a hybrid linkage constructed of the TFS Bricard linkage and Sarrus linkage. Two kinds of double-layer mechanical networks are suggested by applying the hybrid linkage to a smaller unit in the mechanical network and using the hybrid linkage as the interlayer pillar. The new networking method and the double-layer mechanical network provide convenience for the TFS Bricard linkage's engineering application.
The Relationship Between Neuromuscular Function and the W′ in Elite Cyclists
Authors: Kordi Mehdi , Parker Simpson Len , Thomas Kevin , Goodall Stuart , Maden-Wilkinson Tom , Menzies Campbell , Howatson Glyn
Published: April 2021

Purpose: To assess the association between the W′ and measures of neuromuscular function relating to the capacity of skeletal muscle to produce force in a group of elite cyclists. Methods: Twenty-two athletes specializing in a range of disciplines and competing internationally volunteered to participate. Athletes completed assessments of maximum voluntary torque (MVT), voluntary activation, and isometric maximum voluntary contraction to measure rate of torque development (RTD). This was followed by assessment of peak power output (PPO) and 3-, 5-, and 12-minute time trials to determine critical power. Pearson correlation was used to examine associations with critical power and W′. Goodness of fit was calculated, and significant relationships were included in a linear stepwise regression model. Results: Significant positive relationships were evident between W′ and MVT (r = .82), PPO (r = .70), and RTD at 200 milliseconds (r = .59) but not with RTD at 50 milliseconds and voluntary activation. Correlations were also observed between critical power and RTD at 200 milliseconds and MVT (r = .54 and r = .51, respectively) but not with PPO, voluntary activation, or RTD at 50 milliseconds. The regression analysis found that 87% of the variability in W′ (F1,18 = 68.75; P < .001) was explained by 2 variables: MVT (81%) and PPO (6%). Conclusions: It is likely that muscle size and strength, as opposed to neural factors, contribute meaningfully to W′. These data can be used to establish training methods to enhance W′ to improve cycling performance in well-trained athletes.
Pyruvate Production by Escherichia coli by Use of Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Variants
Authors: Moxley W. Chris , Eiteman Mark A.
Published: April 2021

Microbial production of biochemicals from renewable resources has become an efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional chemical synthesis methods. Metabolic engineering tools are important for optimizing a process to perform at an economically feasible level.
Type VI Secretion System and Its Effectors PdpC, PdpD, and OpiA Contribute to
Francisella
Virulence in Galleria mellonella Larvae
Authors: Brodmann Maj , Schnider Sophie T. , Basler Marek
Published: April 2021

Francisella tularensis
causes the deadly zoonotic disease tularemia in humans and is able to infect a broad range of organisms including arthropods, which are thought to play a major role in
Francisella
transmission. However, while mammalian
in vitro
and
in vivo
infection models are widely used to investigate
Francisella
pathogenicity, a detailed characterization of the major
Francisella
virulence factor, a noncanonical type VI secretion system (T6SS), in an arthropod
in vivo
infection model is missing.
Coelacanth
SERINC2
Inhibits HIV-1 Infectivity and Is Counteracted by Envelope Glycoprotein from Foamy Virus
Authors: Ramdas Pavitra , Bhardwaj Vipin , Singh Aman , Vijay Nagarjun , Chande Ajit
Published: April 2021

SERINC
5 constitutes a critical barrier to the propagation of retroviruses, as highlighted by parallel emergence of anti-SERINC5 activities among distant retroviral lineages. Therefore, understanding the origin and evolution of these host factors will provide key information about virus-host relationships that can be exploited for future drug development.
Species-Specific Valid Ternary Interactions of HIV-1 Env-gp120, CD4, and CCR5 as Revealed by an Adaptive Single-Amino Acid Substitution at the V3 Loop Tip
Authors: Koma Takaaki , Yokoyama Masaru , Kotani Osamu , Doi Naoya , Nakanishi Nina , Okubo Hayato , Adachi Shun , Adachi Akio , Sato Hironori , Nomaguchi Masako
Published: April 2021

Understanding the molecular bases for viral entry into cells will lead to the elucidation of one of the major viral survival strategies, and thus to the development of new effective antiviral measures. As shown recently, HIV-1 is highly mutable and adaptable in growth-restrictive cells, such as those of macaque origin.
Dimer Asymmetry and Light Activation Mechanism in
Brucella
Blue-Light Sensor Histidine Kinase
Authors: Rinaldi Jimena , Fernández Ignacio , Shin Heewhan , Sycz Gabriela , Gunawardana Semini , Kumarapperuma Indika , Paz Juan M. , Otero Lisandro H. , Cerutti María L. , Zorreguieta Ángeles , Ren Zhong , Klinke Sebastián , Yang Xiaojing , Goldbaum Fernando A.
Published: April 2021

Bacteria employ two-component systems (TCSs) to sense and respond to changes in their surroundings. At the core of the TCS signaling pathway is the multidomain sensor histidine kinase, where the enzymatic activity of its output domain is allosterically controlled by the input signal perceived by the sensor domain.
Improving the Precision of Base Editing by Bubble Hairpin Single Guide RNA
Authors: Hu Zhiwei , Wang Yannan , Liu Qian , Qiu Yan , Zhong Zhiyu , Li Kangdi , Li Wenhua , Deng Zixin , Sun Yuhui
Published: April 2021

Base editors are double-strand-break (DSB)-free genome editing tools and have been widely used in diverse living systems. However, it is reported that these tools can cause substantial off-target editing.
Diabetic ketoacidosis with acute severe hypertriglyceridaemia-induced pancreatitis as first presentation of type 2 diabetes
Authors: Kong Man Tek , Nunes Monica Pon , Leong Kan Fat
Published: April 2021

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an acute destructive inflammatory condition of the pancreas. Hypertriglyceridaemia is the third most common worldwide cause of AP. Although the presentation of hypertriglyceridaemic pancreatitis (HTGP) is usually similar to other forms of AP, it may cause more severe AP and worse symptoms. Therefore, apart from the supportive care and treatment for AP, it is necessary to treat the underlying aetiology. There are no established guidelines for managing HTGP. Many treatment modalities have been reported, including intravenous insulin infusion, heparin and plasmapheresis. Randomised trials comparing their efficacy are lacking. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) may be a risk factor for AP, but it is uncertain if AP triggers DKA or vice versa. Here, we describe a case of a 44-year-old man who presented with DKA concurrent with acute severe HTGP as first manifestation of type 2 diabetes mellitus. He was successfully managed with supportive care and intravenous insulin infusion.
Velamentous cord insertion ruptured during labour leading to acute fetal blood loss
Authors: Nagao Takeshi , Kuriyama Erisa , Sato Ami , Yamanaka Michiko
Published: April 2021

Umbilical cord rupture (UCR) in utero is a very rare and critical emergency that can cause fetal death within minutes. A 38-year-old nulliparous woman was admitted at 39 weeks in labour. Sudden watery vaginal discharge and bleeding with a rapid drop in the fetal heart rate to 60 beats/min necessitated an emergency caesarean section. A male infant weighing 2632 g was delivered 21 min after the onset of bradycardia; Apgar scores were 0 and 1 at 1 and 5 min, respectively. He was extremely pale; the umbilical arterial blood pH was 6.89 and haemoglobin was 9.0 g/dL. The umbilical cord had a velamentous insertion and was lacerated, with haemorrhage in the outer layer of an umbilical artery close to the placental end. The presentation was typical of UCR: vaginal bleeding following the rupture of membranes. Prompt diagnosis of UCR and termination of pregnancy are essential for fetal survival.
Pseudohyponatraemia caused by acute pancreatitis–derived hypertriglyceridaemia
Authors: Hansen Rasmus Søgaard , Revsholm Jesper , Motawea Mohammad , Folkestad Lars
Published: April 2021

We report a case of pseudohyponatraemia due to severe hypertriglyceridaemia-induced acute pancreatitis, stemming from unknown diabetes. A woman in her late 30s was admitted to the local hospital by her general practitioner due to severe hyponatraemia (116 mmol/L) and upper abdominal pain. At admission to the hospital, there was a discrepancy of 19 mmol/L between arterial and venous sodium, along with severe hypertriglyceridaemia and hypercholesterolaemia. Pancreatitis was diagnosed using a CT scan. The patient received plasmapheresis which significantly reduced triglycerides, and venous plasma sodium was normalised indicating pseudohyponatraemia at admission. Finally, a haemoglobin A1c of 83 mmol/mol was found. Diabetes was diagnosed, and insulin was initiated.
The principles of Nurturing Care promote human capital and mitigate adversities from preconception through adolescence
Authors: Black Maureen M , Behrman Jere R , Daelmans Bernadette , Prado Elizabeth L , Richter Linda , Tomlinson Mark , Trude Angela C B , Wertlieb Donald , Wuermli Alice J , Yoshikawa Hirokazu
Published: April 2021

A comprehensive evidence-based framework is needed to guide policies and programmes that enable children and adolescents to accrue the human capital required to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This paper proposes a comprehensive, multisectoral, multilevel life-course conceptualisation of human capital development by building on the Nurturing Care Framework (NCF), originally developed for the foundational period of growth and development through the age 3 years. Nurturing care (NC) comprises stable environments that promote children’s health and nutrition, protect from threats, and provide opportunities for learning and responsive, emotionally supportive and developmentally enriching relationships. NC is fostered by families, communities, services, national policies and beyond. The principles apply across the life course, endorse equity and human rights, and promote long-term human capital. This paper presents an evidence-based argument for the extension of the NCF from preconception through adolescence (0–20 years), organised into six developmental periods: preconception/prenatal, newborn/birth, infancy/toddlerhood, preschool, middle childhood and adolescence. The proposed framework advances human capital within each developmental period by promoting resilience and adaptive developmental trajectories while mitigating negative consequences of adversities.

Attaining the SDGs depends on strengthening human capital formation, extending throughout childhood and adolescence and supported by NC. Embedded in enabling laws, policies and services, the dynamic NCF components can mitigate adversities, enhance resilience and promote the well-being of marginalised groups. The life-course extension of the NCF is strategically positioned to enhance human capital, to attain the SDGs and to ensure that children or adolescents are not left behind in reaching their developmental potential.
Applications and challenges of AI-based algorithms in the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Khemasuwan Danai , Colt Henri G
Published: April 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic is shifting the digital transformation era into high gear. Artificial intelligence (AI) and, in particular, machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) are being applied on multiple fronts to overcome the pandemic. However, many obstacles prevent greater implementation of these innovative technologies in the clinical arena. The goal of this narrative review is to provide clinicians and other readers with an introduction to some of the concepts of AI and to describe how ML and DL algorithms are being used to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. First, we describe the concept of AI and some of the requisites of ML and DL, including performance metrics of commonly used ML models. Next, we review some of the literature relevant to outbreak detection, contact tracing, forecasting an outbreak, detecting COVID-19 disease on medical imaging, prognostication and drug and vaccine development. Finally, we discuss major limitations and challenges pertaining to the implementation of AI to solve the real-world problem of the COVID-19 pandemic. Equipped with a greater understanding of this technology and AI’s limitations, clinicians may overcome challenges preventing more widespread applications in the clinical management of COVID-19 and future pandemics.
Effectiveness of HPV vaccine by age at vaccination and number of doses: protocol for a population-based matched case–control study
Authors: Oliveira Carlos R , Ortiz Anette Michelle , Sheth Sangini S , Shapiro Eugene D , Niccolai Linda M
Published: April 2021

Introduction

In 2006, the first human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in the USA based on pre-licensure clinical trials that found it to be highly efficacious at preventing persistent infection and precancerous, high-grade cervical lesions (HGCLs) caused by viral types the vaccine protects against. However, the real-world effectiveness of HPV vaccines as used in clinical practice may be quite different from the efficacy found in pre-licensure clinical trials. More than 10 years have passed since the introduction of the vaccine programme. It is critical to determine if the full benefits of HPV are being realised in real-world settings.

Methods and analysis

The objectives of this study were to estimate the effectiveness of HPV vaccines as used in real-world clinical settings and to determine the degree to which the vaccine’s effectiveness varies based on age at the time of immunisation and the number of doses received. The study will be a population-based, matched case–control study. Cases will be women with newly diagnosed HGCL associated with HPV types 16 and 18. Matched controls will be women with a normal Pap test result, matched individually to cases in a 2:1 ratio by age, a practice and date of testing. Medical records will be reviewed to determine dates of receipt of the HPV vaccine for all participants. We will use multivariate conditional logistic regression to control for potential confounders.

Ethics and dissemination

This protocol presents minimal risk to the subjects. This protocol has received approval from the Institutional Review Board of Yale University (HIC: 1502015308), and a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Waiver of Authorisation has been granted to allow investigators to recruit subjects for the study. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed, open-access scientific journals and conference presentations.
Characterising and describing postpartum haemorrhage emergency kits in context: a protocol for a mixed-methods study
Authors: Woodward Matthew , Ansari Akbar , Draycott Tim , Winter Cathy , Marjanovic Sonja , Dixon-Woods Mary
Published: April 2021

Introduction

Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is an obstetric emergency requiring prompt and accurate response. PPH emergency kits containing equipment and medications can facilitate this kind of intervention, but their design and contents vary, potentially introducing risk of confusion or delay. Designs may be suboptimal, and relying on localised kit contents may result in supply chain costs, increased waste and missed opportunities for economies of scale. This study aims to characterise contextual influences on current practice in relation to PPH kits and to describe the range of kits currently employed in UK maternity units.

Methods and analysis

This mixed-methods study comprises two phases. The first will use field observations and semistructured interviews to research PPH kits in a small number (3–5) of maternity units that will be selected to represent diversity. Analysis will be conducted both using an established human factors and ergonomics framework and using the constant comparative method for qualitative data analysis. The second phase will use a research and development platform (Thiscovery) to conduct a crowdsourced photography-based audit of PPH kits currently in use in the UK. Participants will tag images to indicate which objects have been photographed. Quantitative analysis will report the frequency of inclusion of each item in kits and the content differences between kit and unit types. All maternity units in the UK will be invited to take part, with additional targeted recruitment strategies used, if necessary, to ensure that the final sample includes different maternity unit types, sizes and PPH kit types. Study results will inform future work to develop consensus on effective PPH kit designs.

Ethics and dissemination

Approval has been received from the UK Health Research Authority (project ID 274147). Study results will be reported through the research institute’s website, presented at conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals.
COVID-19 in patients with hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases: a single-centre cross-sectional study in East London
Authors: Dayem Ullah Abu Z M , Sivapalan Lavanya , Kocher Hemant M , Chelala Claude
Published: April 2021

Objective

To explore risk factors associated with COVID-19 susceptibility and survival in patients with pre-existing hepato–pancreato–biliary (HPB) conditions.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

East London Pancreatic Cancer Epidemiology (EL-PaC-Epidem) Study at Barts Health National Health Service Trust, UK. Linked electronic health records were interrogated on a cohort of participants (age ≥18 years), reported with HPB conditions between 1 April 2008 and 6 March 2020.

Participants

EL-PaC-Epidem Study participants, alive on 12 February 2020, and living in East London within the previous 6 months (n=15 440). The cohort represents a multi-ethnic population with 51.7% belonging to the non-White background.

Main outcome measure

COVID-19 incidence and mortality.

Results

Some 226 (1.5%) participants had confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis between 12 February and 12 June 2020, with increased odds for men (OR 1.56; 95% CI 1.2 to 2.04) and Black ethnicity (2.04; 1.39 to 2.95) as well as patients with moderate to severe liver disease (2.2; 1.35 to 3.59). Each additional comorbidity increased the odds of infection by 62%. Substance misusers were at more risk of infection, so were patients on vitamin D treatment. The higher ORs in patients with chronic pancreatic or mild liver conditions, age >70, and a history of smoking or obesity were due to coexisting comorbidities. Increased odds of death were observed for men (3.54; 1.68 to 7.85) and Black ethnicity (3.77; 1.38 to 10.7). Patients having respiratory complications from COVID-19 without a history of chronic respiratory disease also had higher odds of death (5.77; 1.75 to 19).

Conclusions

In this large population-based study of patients with HPB conditions, men, Black ethnicity, pre-existing moderate to severe liver conditions, six common medical multimorbidities, substance misuse and a history of vitamin D treatment independently posed higher odds of acquiring COVID-19 compared with their respective counterparts. The odds of death were significantly high for men and Black people.
Mental health difficulties among professional jockeys: a narrative review
Authors: King Lewis , Cullen Sarah Jane , McGoldrick Adrian , Pugh Jennifer , Warrington Giles , Woods Gary , Losty Ciara
Published: April 2021

Introduction

Emerging academic literature and high-profile disclosures of mental health difficulties and mental illness from current and former professional jockeys suggest that further exploration of the mental health of jockeys is required. To date, a comprehensive review of jockeys’ mental health has yet to be conducted.

Objectives

To examine the existing literature related to jockeys’ mental health, including the prevalence of symptoms associated with mental health difficulties and help-seeking.

Design

A narrative review of the literature was conducted with articles screened from inception until January 2021.

Results

Sixteen studies were included in the narrative review. Studies covered a range of mental health difficulties which included mood (depression), anxiety, distress, disordered eating and substance misuse. Rates of help-seeking among jockeys were also explored. Results indicated that jockeys reported higher levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms compared with other elite athletes. Substance misuse, in particular adverse alcohol use, also appears greater among jockeys than other elite athletes. Distress symptoms appear comparable with other elite athletes. Risk factors for mental health difficulties included injury, perceived stress, athlete burnout, career dissatisfaction and the contemplation of retirement. Weight-making negatively impacts jockeys’ mood and attitudes towards eating, with lower competitive riding weights associated with more disordered eating attitudes. Moreover, help-seeking from mental health professionals appears low.

Conclusion

The review identifies a high prevalence of symptoms of mental health difficulties among professional jockeys. Applied recommendations and future research considerations are proposed throughout the review article.
Molecular diagnosis in non-small-cell lung cancer: expert opinion onALKandROS1testing
Authors: Conde Esther , Rojo Federico , Gómez Javier , Enguita Ana Belén , Abdulkader Ihab , González Ana , Lozano Dolores , Mancheño Nuria , Salas Clara , Salido Marta , Salido-Ruiz Eduardo , de Álava Enrique
Published: April 2021

The effectiveness of targeted therapies with tyrosine kinase inhibitors in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) depends on the accurate determination of the genomic status of the tumour. For this reason, molecular analyses to detect genetic rearrangements in some genes (ie,ALK,ROS1,RET and NTRK) have become standard in patients with advanced disease. Since immunohistochemistry is easier to implement and interpret, it is normally used as the screening procedure, while fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) is used to confirm the rearrangement and decide on ambiguous immunostainings. Although FISH is considered the most sensitive method for the detection ofALKandROS1rearrangements, the interpretation of results requires detailed guidelines. In this review, we discuss the various technologies available to evaluateALKandROS1genomic rearrangements using these techniques. Other techniques such as real-time PCR and next-generation sequencing have been developed recently to evaluateALKandROS1gene rearrangements, but some limitations prevent their full implementation in the clinical setting. Similarly, liquid biopsies have the potential to change the treatment of patients with advanced lung cancer, but further research is required before this technology can be applied in routine clinical practice. We discuss the technical requirements of laboratories in the light of quality assurance programmes. Finally, we review the recent updates made to the guidelines for the determination of molecular biomarkers in patients with NSCLC.
Spinal anesthesia in a patient on monoclonal antibody treatment: a poisoned chalice? A case report
Authors: Herijgers Anneleen , Van Dyck Lisa , Leroy Ilse , Dobbels Laurens , Van de Putte Peter B C
Published: April 2021

Background

Paraplegia is a rare complication of spinal anesthesia.

Case presentation

We report a case of a 68-year-old man who developed postoperative paraplegia and hypoesthesia after spinal anesthesia for an otherwise uncomplicated transurethral resection of the prostate. Acute transverse myelitis was diagnosed based on urgent MRI. A prior history of similar though less severe neurological symptoms after obinutuzumab treatment for follicular lymphoma suggested a potential causative role for obinutuzumab, a novel monoclonal antibody that has not been associated with such devastating neurological side effects yet. High-dose steroid treatment partially attenuated the symptoms, but debilitating hypoesthesia and motor deficit remained present 3 months postoperatively.

Conclusion

The presented case warrants caution when performing neuraxial anesthesia in patients on monoclonal antibody therapies.
Ambient and experimental warming effects on an alpine bryophyte community
Authors: van Zuijlen Kristel , Asplund Johan , Sundsbø Snorre , Dahle Oda Sofie , Klanderud Kari
Published: April 2021

Alpine and Arctic bryophytes have been found to respond negatively to climate change, but as they are often analysed as one functional group, there is limited knowledge on species-specific responses. In this study, we examine how nearly two decades of experimental warming by open-top chambers and ambient warming have affected the bryophyte community structure in an alpine Dryas octopetala L. heath in Finse, southwest Norway. In contrast to what we expected, we found that bryophyte abundance, species richness, and evenness increased over time in the control plots, indicating a positive response to ambient warming. However, the increase in bryophyte abundance and cover was suppressed in experimentally warmed plots compared with control plots. Bryophyte community composition changed in a similar direction in response to both ambient and experimental warming. Acrocarpous mosses were not affected stronger by warming than pleurocarpous mosses, but individual species and taxa showed contrasting responses. Our study highlights the importance of studying bryophyte responses to environmental change, as well as combining long-term observations with experimental warming.
What evidence exists for evaluating the effectiveness of conservation-oriented captive breeding and release programs for imperilled freshwater fishes and mussels?1
Authors: Rytwinski Trina , Kelly Lisa A. , Donaldson Lisa A. , Taylor Jessica J. , Smith Adrienne , Drake D. Andrew R. , Martel André L. , Geist Juergen , Morris Todd J. , George Anna L. , Dextrase Alan J. , Bennett Joseph R. , Cooke Steven J.
Published: April 2021

Captive breeding programs are widely applied by conservation practitioners as a means of conserving, reintroducing, and supplementing populations of imperilled freshwater fishes and mussels. We conducted a systematic map to provide an overview of the existing literature on the effectiveness of captive breeding and release programs. A key finding is that there is limited evaluation of the effectiveness of such programs at all three stages (i.e., broodstock collection, rearing/release methods, and post-release monitoring). We identified clusters of evidence for evaluating supplementation associated with rearing/release methods for fish growth and survival metrics, and the monitoring stage for fish genetic diversity, growth, and survival metrics, primarily focused on salmonids. However, many studies had inadequate experimental designs (i.e., lacked a comparator). Overall, there was a paucity of studies on the effectiveness of captive breeding programs for imperilled freshwater mussels, highlighting the need to make such information broadly available when studies are undertaken. Outputs from this systematic map (i.e., the map database and heatmaps) suggest that the effectiveness of captive breeding and release programs requires further systematic evaluation.
Theory of neutrino detection: flavor oscillations and weak values
Authors: Porto-Silva Yago P. , de Oliveira M. C.
Published: April 2021

We revisit the theory of neutrino oscillations and describe it through the formalism of weak measurements with postselection. It is well understood that due to the large momentum uncertainty in detection, there is no collapse of the neutrino wavefunction in the momentum or energy basis, and the mass eigenstates are detected coherently. Here we show that postselection, which projects the system to a final flavor state, deforms the system wavefunction in such a way that the momentum detected is not the expectation value of the neutrino mass eigenstates momenta, but the corresponding weak value. We use the weak values to describe the intermediate state in the oscillation process, avoiding problems in defining probability currents for particle states with mass superposition.
Numerical analysis of a degenerate generalized Hopf bifurcation
Authors: Xue Miao , Bi Qinsheng , Li Shaolong , Xia Yibo
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we present a numeric bifurcation analysis of the normal form of degenerate Hopf bifurcation truncated up to seventh order with an equilibrium point located at the origin. By applying the genericity nondegenerate conditions and normal form theory, we study the bifurcation analysis of the codimension-3 Takens–Hopf bifurcation for the difficult case, where a rich bifurcation scenario is displayed. The third Lyapunov coefficient is used to distinguish the different cases of a codimension-3 Takens–Hopf bifurcation point, which can be efficiently computed with the aid of a software program based on the symbolic package Maple, presented in Appendix A. The normal form analysis results can be used to depict the complete bifurcation diagrams and phase portraits. In order to investigate the mechanism of the transitions between equilibrium and limit cycles, the methods of two scales in frequency domain are employed to study the evolutions.
Variable Neighborhood Descent for Multi-Compartment and Multi-Objective Vehicle Routing Problem in Refined Product Distribution
Authors: Wang Xuping , Fan Wenping , Zhan Hongxin , Sun Zilai
Published: April 2021

Refined product distribution is an application of the Multi-compartment Vehicle Routing Problem (MCVRP), which simultaneously considers the vehicle routing, the assignment of heterogonous vehicles and loading policies of multi-compartment. First, we develop an optimization model with the objective of delivering on-time and minimizing transportation cost. Then we propose a Multi-objective Variable Neighborhood Descent Algorithm (MOVND), where the [Formula: see text]-constraint method transforms the original problem into a series of sub-problems of single objective with constraints. Finally, the efficiency of the proposed algorithm is verified by conducting a large number of small and large instances. Mainly including (i) compared with the classical NSGA-2 algorithm for multi-objective VRP, MOVND provides better performance in terms of convergence, spread and distribution; (ii) the multi-compartment vehicles are able to carry a variety of products simultaneously, which can improve the effective utilization of vehicle space and meet the needs of different customers in a single transportation. In addition, heterogonous vehicles that take full advantage of the characteristics of different vehicles are superior to homogeneous ones in terms of operating cost in the practice of the refined product distribution.
Experimental Study on Load Bearing Capacity of Prefabricated Partially Encased Composite Beams
Authors: Wu Kai , Lin Shiqi , Liu Xiaoyi , Mao Fanshen , Tan Chengwei
Published: April 2021

To study the load bearing capacity of prefabricated partially encased composite (PEC) beams, 12 specimens were tested under cyclic loadings. According to the test results, when shear span ratio increases, the failure mode of the specimen changes from shear to bending, while the load bearing capacity of specimens decreases. Some specimens showed asymmetric damage of concrete on both sides of steel web, causing specimens’ bearing capacity to be controlled by bending and shearing as well as by torsion. The use of threaded rods has little effect on the ultimate load of prefabricated PEC beams, but has a great influence on the reduction rate of the load with the increase in shear span ratio. Using the superposition principle, a formula for calculating the shearing capacity of prefabricated PEC beams was proposed. Based on the plane section hypothesis, a method for predicting the bending capacity was also proposed. Two reduction factors were proposed to account for the negative effect of asymmetric damage on the bearing capacity and the weakened bending capacity of specimens without threaded rods. The calculated results match well with the experimental ones. Therefore, they can be used to predict the bending and shearing capacity of prefabricated PEC beams, while providing a reference for engineering design.
The non-abelian tensor and exterior products of crossed modules of Lie superalgebras
Authors: Taha Tahereh Fakhr , Ladra Manuel , Páez-Guillán Pilar
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we introduce the notions of non-abelian tensor and exterior products of two ideal graded crossed submodules of a given crossed module of Lie superalgebras. We also study some of their basic properties and their connection with the second homology of crossed modules of Lie superalgebras.
Redox behavior of iridium octaethylporphycene and electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution
Authors: Zhang Zhi , Koide Taro , Zhou Zihan , Shimakoshi Hisashi , Hisaeda Yoshio
Published: April 2021

The electrochemical properties of [Formula: see text]-octaethylporphycene iridium complex (Ir-OEPo) were determined. Based on the electro-spectro measurement results, the reduction of Ir-OEPo did not occur at the central metal but at the ligand, while the reduction of [Formula: see text]-octaethylporphyrin iridium complex (Ir-OEPor) occurred at the central iridium. A catalytic current was observed during the cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) under a reductive condition, indicating the catalytic reactivity of Ir-OEPo for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). By constant potential electrolysis, hydrogen gas was detected by gas chromatography (GC) and the catalytic reactivity of Ir-OEPo was confirmed. The HER mechanism via ligand reduction of macrocyclic aromatic complexes could be one of the concepts for the development of new catalysts.
A nonautonomous mathematical model to assess the impact of algae on the abatement of atmospheric carbon dioxide
Authors: Tiwari Pankaj Kumar , Singh Rajesh Kumar , Jana Debaldev , Kang Yun , Misra Arvind Kumar
Published: April 2021

The world’s oceans have played an important role in sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide through solubility and the action of algae. Fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide by photoautotrophic algal cultures has the potential to diminish the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, thereby helping to alleviate the trend toward global warming. This work investigates the role of algae in controlling the level of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Partial Rank Correlation Coefficients (PRCCs) technique is used to address how the concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide is affected by changes in a specific parameter disregarding the uncertainty over the rest of the model parameters. Parameters related to algal growth are shown to significantly reduce the level of atmospheric CO2. Further, we explore the dynamics of nonautonomous system by incorporating the seasonal variations of some ecologically important model parameters. Our nonautonomous system exhibits globally attractive positive periodic solution, and also the appearance of double periodic solution is observed. Moreover, by letting the seasonally forced parameters as almost periodic functions of time, we show almost periodic behavior of the system. Our findings suggest that the policy makers should focus on continuous addition of nutrients in the ocean to accelerate the algal growth thereby reducing the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Modeling the dynamics of COVID-19 with carrier effect and environmental contamination
Authors: Hattaf Khalid , Mohsen Ahmed A. , Harraq Jamal , Achtaich Naceur
Published: April 2021

Nowadays, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) poses a major threat to humanity which is caused by a novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China, at the end of December 2019. This novel coronavirus named the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) according to the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV). It spreads directly through close contact with an asymptomatic (carrier) or symptomatic person who is coughing, sneezing, talking, singing and kissing. It also spreads indirectly through contact with an environment contaminated by viral particles of SARS-COV-2. In the absence of effective treatment against COVID-19, awareness can play an important role in reducing cases of COVID-19. In this study, we develop a mathematical model to better describe the dynamics of COVID-19 by taking into account the above modes of transmission and the prosocial awareness. The existence, uniqueness, positivity and boundedness of solutions of the model are discussed. All possible equilibrium points are determined. The local asymptotic stability of these equilibrium points is studied. Suitable Lyapunov functionals are constructed to investigate the global dynamics of the model.
Low-Latency Aerial Images Object Detection for UAV
Authors: Feng Kai , Li Weixing , Han Jun , Pan Feng
Published: April 2021

Visual-based object detection has large applications in security and surveillance for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Meanwhile, the object detectors are required of low-latency and easy to be deployed on embedded onboard platforms. Aiming to address these problems, we present a PA-YOLOv3 aerial images object detector based on YOLOv3 and PANet algorithms, which can be deployed on embedded platforms. The PA-YOLOv3 model uses the dual-tower structure to improve the feature extraction and expression capabilities in feature fusion stage of the network. Besides, we propose a balanced pruning method to reduce the model size and the imbalance of different feature layers during pruning. After balanced pruning, the latency and size of the model are significantly decreased. Finally, we deploy and quantify the model on the embedded platform with TensorRT technology and apply the model on the UAV system for testing. The comprehensive experiments are executed on VisDrone2018 dataset and real-world scenarios. The experimental results show the inference speed of PA-YOLOv3 boost of about [Formula: see text] model pruning and quantization, while maintaining high detection accuracy.