bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does the Sweating Severity of Primary Hyperhidrosis Sites Affect Post-Sympathotomy Results?
Authors: Çınar Hüseyín Ulaş , Çelik Burçin
Published: December 2020

Background Improvement in quality of life (QOL) and patient satisfaction after endoscopic thoracic sympathotomy (ETS) in patients with primary hyperhidrosis may be affected by various factors. We examined whether the preoperative sweating severity of primary hyperhidrosis sites affects postoperative results.

Methods The records of 112 patients who underwent bilateral ETS were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were divided into three groups according to the sweating severity score obtained from all primary hyperhidrosis sites (primary hyperhidrosis severity score [PHSS]) and analyzed comparatively. Group A (PHSS = 1–4) included 22 patients, Group B (PHSS = 5–8) 36 patients, and Group C (PHSS ≥ 9) 54 patients. Outcome measures included QOL prior to surgery, improvement in QOL after surgery, degree of clinical improvement, presence, severity, localization, and site number of reflex sweating (RS) and general patient satisfaction after 6 months of surgery.

Results The preoperative QOL of patients with higher PHSS (groups B, C) was worse than other patients (group A). More than 91% of all patients had any level improvement in QOL, and over 96% had slight or great clinical improvement. RS developed in 80% of the patients, mostly in the back, very severe in 8%, and in median two different body areas. The overall patient satisfaction rate was more than 95%. There was no significant difference between the three groups in terms of all postoperative results.

Conclusion Preoperative sweating severity of primary hyperhidrosis sites does not affect post-sympathotomy results. Surgeons should not be worried when deciding upon surgery, even in patients with high sweating severity.
Nonvascular Complications of Injectable Fillers—Prevention and Management
Authors: Singh Kuldeep , Nooreyezdan Shahin
Published: December 2020

Injectable filler treatments have increased in popularity because of enhanced safety profile and improved physical characteristics. ISAPS (International Society of Plastic Surgery) put out global data showing 3.7 million hyaluronic acid (HA) filler procedures in 2018, making it the second most often performed procedure in the world, after botulinum toxin. And these are only ‘those’ performed by qualified plastic surgeons. There was a concomitant increase in both the nonvascular and vascular complications, which coincided with the number and type of filler procedures performed. Filler complications were reviewed from existing literature, and an attempt was made to understand etiology, elucidate clinical features, and clarify optimum treatment strategies for each. Complications can be early or delayed in presentation, early consisting of injection site complications like bruising, edema, and hypersensitivity, Tyndall effect, and intravascular injection. Delayed complications included hypersensitivity type IV, acute infections like cellulitis, abscesses, and herpes and delayed ones like granulomas, biofilms, and atypical mycobacterial infections. These were analyzed and treatment options, protocols, and consensus guidelines were suggested. A clear understanding of facial anatomy, physical characteristics of all fillers used, early recognition, and treatment options of complications will ensure optimum outcomes.
Temperature- and size-dependent photoluminescence in colloidal CdTe and Cd
x
Zn1−x
Te quantum dots
Authors: Balakrishnan Janani , L K Preethi , D Sreeshma , Jagtap Amardeep , Madapu Kishore K , Dhara Sandip , Rao K S R Koteswara
Published: December 2020

Semiconductor colloidal quantum dots (QDs) of CdTe and alloyed Cd
x
Zn1−x
Te QDs with N-acetyl-L-cysteine capping ligands are synthesized by a reflux method in aqueous solution. Alloying provides a new degree of freedom to tune the optical and electronic properties of the nanocrystals. The photoluminescence (PL) of Cd
x
Zn1−x
Te QDs is sharper and displays a highly enhanced quantum yield (QY) of 65% relative to the 16% of CdTe QDs. The fluorescence of Cd
x
Zn1−x
Te QDs is observed to be highly stable for over 12 months without degradation, while that of CdTe QDs begins to mildly flocculate around 8 months of storage. To characterise the material structure and composition, UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, x-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry measurements are carried out. To understand the fundamental processes that play in the luminescence behaviour, temperature- and size-dependent PL spectra are investigated in the range 80–300 K. The Varshni and O’Donnell equations fit well on the PL peak emission energies and the Huang–Rhys parameter indicates the strengthening of exciton–phonon coupling in the nanocrystals upon alloying and with decreasing nanocrystal sizes. PL linewidth analysis reveals that the inhomogeneous broadening is considerably reduced in Cd
x
Zn1−x
Te QDs relative to CdTe. Moreover, the quantum confinement effect of the nanocrystals leads to an increase in exciton–acoustic phonon interactions with the coefficients ranging between 26.9 and 95.6 µeV K−1 compared to the bulk CdTe value of 0.72 µeV K−1. Exciton–longitudinal optical phonon interactions are made stronger by the ZnTe alloying with the coefficients lying in the range between 24.8 and 41.7 meV and also with the effect of increasing crystal size. An Arrhenius plot of PL integrated area is used to calculate the thermal activation energy value E

a
of the non-radiative recombination channel, which is 132 meV for CdTe QDs and a higher value of 185 meV for Cd
x
Zn1−x
Te QDs. This is consistent with the observed QY enhancement in Cd
x
Zn1−x
Te QDs as a higher E

a
value indicates reduced generation of non-radiative recombination centres and a decrease in defect densities upon alloying. Cd
x
Zn1−x
Te QDs with enhanced fluorescence properties serve both as a medium for studying fundamental effects of alloying and its properties, and for practical applications such as biomedical labelling and optoelectronics.
Variable-period oscillations in optical spectra in sub-bandgap long wavelength region: signatures of new dispersion of refractive index?
Authors: Bao Yitian , Xu Shijie
Published: December 2020

Variable-period oscillations (VPOs) in various optical spectra in sub-bandgap long wavelength region, including reflection, transmission, absorption, and even luminescence spectra, are a frequently observed phenomenon in various semiconducting and dielectric films. These functional films include nitrides, oxides, silicides, sulfides, and perovskites. Although the phenomenon is widely known to be caused by optical interference, a generalized analytical model for it has not yet been established, probably due to both varying oscillation period and amplitude. In this article, we attempt to develop such a model by introducing a new concise dispersion of the sub-bandgap refractive index, i.e. containing a frictional component. In particular, we show that the VPOs in the reflectance and corresponding transmission shall have reverse maxima and minima in intensity, giving a self-consistent explanation to the existing experimental results in literature. Furthermore, the present analytical method is proven to be accurate for finding optical constants and thicknesses of films. Finally, the rationality of the new dispersion is further argued in terms of a generalized refractive index of crystal with lattice anomalies (e.g. defected and strained lattice), which was derived by Gonçalves et al from the fractional Drude–Lorentz model. In addition, the equivalency between the VPOs and Newton’s rings in energy space is discussed based on the present model.
The Comparative Study of Treated Sewage Water on Mechanical Properties of High Performance Concrete M40 with Conventional Concrete
Authors: Lavanya Damaraju Lakshmi , Bharath Kumar Jonna , Prathyusha Yadav B , Basid MD
Published: December 2020

Concrete, the widely used building material in construction industry.Cement is the primary constituent of concrete, during its production releases the large amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere creating the serious environmental threats like air pollution. The paper discuss the ways to reduce cement composition as building material, so that the construction industry will be more environment friendly by replacing the cement with fly ash to an extent. Fly ash is waste product in thermal power plants creatingdisposal problems on landfills.Treated water effluent from STPs are used in the preparation of concrete makes benefits to the environment. The study investigates the water quality tests like Ph, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, COD,BOD, TSS. The Mix proportions was obtained for the preparation of M40 grade concrete and the Destructive (compressive strength )tests and nonDestructive Tests (rebound hammer, ultrasonic pulse velocity test )was conducted and analysed and compared with conventional M40 grade concrete test values for different ages of concrete 7,14,28 days
A Study on Effect of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement Material over Virgin Material in Bituminous Mix
Authors: Gireesh kumar Pala
Published: December 2020

With increased demand and limited aggregate and binder supply brings the use of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) as a valuable component in Hot Mix Asphalt(HMA) since 1970’s in US. Later on, the use of RAP has evolved into a regular practice in many countries around the world and use of these materials in the past has proven to be economically and environmentally sound. Mixing of RAP in virgin materials has been greatly favored over virgin materials because of increase in cost of asphalt, scarcity of quality aggregates and asphalt. The use of RAP in pavement design is Recycling the left over Asphalt through crushing and is recycled back into asphalt which performs equal or better than the virgin mixtures. Now-a- days being more environmentally friendly is important and hence, recycling on site can offer real benefits not only through better planning and regulations, but also saving in the waste disposal charges, energy saving which is modified into the strengthen material. The use of RAP is gaining momentum in India at present and very less studies were carried out and there were no such studies on complete usage of RAP and hence this study was carried out for complete utilization of RAP content in Bituminous mixture. Experimental results show that, RAP materials has much better resistance under compressive load and impact load than virgin materials, i.e. 8.43% of impact value and 6.23% of crushing value was obtained for RAP whereas 12.83% of impact value and 9.07% of crushing value was obtained for virgin material. It was found that 30 to 50% of RAP material can be preferable for the construction of roads where as on using 100% RAP the pavement becomes weak and unstable.
An adsorption technique applied by plants and factories for purifying gas emissions using modified wastes available at power plants
Authors: Khusnutdinova E M , Nikolaeva L A , Khusnutdinov A N
Published: December 2020

the paper proposes an adsorption-based method of how to remove sulfur dioxide from the gas emissions produced by industrial companies. A power plant waste – chemical water treatment sludge from Kazan CHPP-1 – was used as an adsorption material. The authors refere here to the chemical composition of the sludge and describe the method of its modification. A new sorption material based on power plant waste was tested for removal sulfur dioxide from the gases. This was resulted in kinetic dependence and adsorption isotherm. The mechanism of how the sulfur dioxide can be adsorbed by a new sorption material at different temperatures was studied. The tests revealed Gibbs free energy, differential heat, and adsorption activation energy. The economic and environmental effect of upgrading the process of removal of sulfur dioxide from gas emissions was calculated for the sodium bisulfite production line of L. Ya. Karpov Chemical Plant JSC
Ecological stability of wood species in conditions of root reclamation of salt flats
Authors: Yu Sautkina M , Cheverdin Yu I , Akhtyamov A G
Published: December 2020

The state of artificial tree planting in 54 years after the meliorative effects on the solonetzic soils (land use, gypsum, manure application) and the transformation of annual soil treatments were studied. There was a general decrease in the forest stand and its quality on saline cells compared to common Chernozem. It is shown that the most salt-resistant tree crops are oak, ash and elm, whose safety is higher compared to other breeds tested in the experiment. Pears, apple trees, and poplars are now almost absent from the forest plantation. In the southern part of the saline section, by the age of 54, an ash-oak plantation with poplar and elm trees was formed (in the aggregate of the first two tiers), and in the Chernozem section, an oak-ash plantation with elm trees was formed. Plantings, according to forest management standards, have a significant difference in the composition of the first tier, in the completeness and totality of crowns and the stock of the stem tree. In the Northern part of the experimental site, the difference in the composition of the first two tiers is more significant, since the proportion of ash in the Chernozem section is 20% lower than in solonetzic soils, where the stand is less dense, full, stock and bonitet than the taxational indicators of the stand in Chernozem.
Innovations in the technology for producing asphalt concrete based on neutralized catalyst as a condition for improving the quality of road surfaces
Authors: Egorova G I , Semukhin S P , Egorov A N , Kachalov N A
Published: December 2020

The conditions of safety and environmental friendliness of the operation of roads as an international key problem of our time are disclosed. Objective reasons are shown that reduce the quality indicators of the construction and operation of roads. A call to the technology for producing asphalt concrete based on spent alumina-chromium catalysts is a timely need, due to the increasing requirements of international and Russian standards for the quality of roads and their operating conditions. The main scientific idea is to obtain asphalt concrete based on reduced aluminum-chromium catalyst to improve the quality of road surfaces.

A safe method is proposed for converting toxic waste into safe raw materials, taking into account the conversion of chromium (VI) compounds to chromium (III), which makes it possible to use it as part of asphalt concrete coatings. The optimal amount of alumina-chromium catalyst in the composition of asphalt concrete (6.4 ÷ 12.5 wt. %) is shown. It is proved that the use of reduced aluminum-chromium catalyst in the composition of asphalt concrete increases the proportion of waste in the total raw material balance, expands the range of building materials used in atmospheric conditions.

Samples of asphalt concrete mixtures were prepared and tested according to ISST 9128-97 with the use of spent catalyst additives.

The analysis of the current state of road surface coating technology is carried out. The optimal formulation for the preparation of asphalt mixes based on the spent catalyst having indicators of physical and mechanical properties is better than a standard sample of asphalt concrete. An effective method is proposed for removing toxic hexavalent chromium from spent catalyst as waste by transferring it to non-toxic trivalent chromium. One of the long-term problems of improving the quality of road surfaces with the inclusion of reconditioned spent aluminum-chromium catalysts, as a solution to the industrial and environmental safety of an industrial enterprise and improving the quality of operation and durability of road surfaces has been solved.
Thermophysical properties of lowland Histosols of the Upper Volga woodland (on the example of the Yakhroma river valley)
Authors: Sorokina N V , Shein E V , Pozdnyakova A D , Shvarov A P
Published: December 2020

Annotation. The dependence of thermal diffusivity on volumetric humidity for Histosols developed on wood peat, underlain by sediment peat and mineral peat, was studied using Histosols from the Yakhroma Valley (Moscow Region). The determination was carried out at the stages of dreinage and humidification by the laboratory method of Kondratiev. For the stage of draining, the dependence has a more pronounced dome-shaped form than for the stage of saturation. The highest values of thermal diffusivity were achieved with a volumetric soil water content of 50-55% for Histosols on wood peat and 40-45% for agromineral peat. The approximation of the data was carried out according to the equation of Chang and Horton. As a result of comparing the approximation parameters, it was revealed that they do not significantly differ from each other, which indicates the absence of hysteresis of the thermal diffusivity from humidity for the thermal diffusivity curve, the unambiguous values of which can be used to simulate the temperature regime.
Ultrastructure Aspects Of Acquired Resistance In Plants Under Viral Pathogenesis
Authors: Lega S N , Tikhonova I N , Orobinskaya V N
Published: December 2020

The reported paper analyzes mechanisms of plant resistance to biotic factors with a focus on virus-induced lesions. Ultrastructure transformations occurring in leaf cells of virus-infected plants are studied. The work provides data on morphological features of cellular organelles in systemic and local viral lesions of virus-hypersensitive plants.
Reproduction methods of Iris Spuria varieties in the forest steppe of the Altai Territory
Authors: Dolganova Z V , Tikhomirova L I
Published: December 2020

The subgenus of beardless Iris Spuria (SPU) includes 19 species. The entire spectrum of flower colors of Iris Spuria species selected in Russia and abroad is used for gardening in the forest steppe of the Altai Territory. A low vegetative reproduction coefficient of Iris Spuria is reported: 1-4 for three-year-old plants, and 1-6 for four-year-old plants. A suggested production method of Iris Spuria planting material involving the clonal micro-propagation and adaptation in aeroponics conditions is commercially applicable, furthers the growing high quality young plants and simplifies technological stages. Using this cultivation technique, one mature plant may supply 2048 young plants in a year given that a reproduction coefficient is 2.0. The tissue culture reduces labor and financial costs and production areas.
The influence of the sowing coulters type on the seeding quality and the spring wheat yield
Authors: Belyaev V I , Vol’nov V V , Iakovlev D A , Sokolova L V
Published: December 2020

The paper presents data on the influence of the sowing coulters type on the seeding quality and the spring wheat yield in the conditions of the steppe part of Altai Krai. For the grain sowing, seeders are used with the most common types of the sowing coulters such as V-shaped, chisel and disk openers. The wheat was sown after the fallows, the peas and the wheat forecrops. The chisel openers provided the highest sowing quality of wheat seeds. Also the maximum efficiency of the spring wheat cultivation in the extra dry steppe conditions (2012) was achieved by the chisel sowing coulters. In the years with the moderately dry conditions (2006-2011) in the steppe the seeders with the various types of the sowing coulters do not significantly affect the yield structure constituent elements; to a greater extent it depended on the forecrops, the maximal wheat yield was obtained after the fallow.
Combine head mover designing by modern software using
Authors: Pirozhkov D N , Sadov V V
Published: December 2020

The development of technical solutions without using of modern computer-aided design systems is not possible at the present stage. The using of CAD and CAE systems made possible to reduce costs and save time for development of combine head mover. As a CAD and CAE systems were used KOMPAS-3D and APM WinMachine. As a result of a computational experiment, the minimum weight with the required structural strength and rigidity of the combine head mover design was obtained. Obtained data were the base of combine head mover prototype manufacturing and its successful test.
Modeling Elastic and Dissipative Properties of Feed Grain Subjected to Vibration
Authors: Ya Fedorenko I , Levin A M , Tabaev A V
Published: December 2020

Appropriate parameters of feed grain crushers are to be selected relying on the in-depth knowledge of fragmentation regularities in single grains and clear understanding of their deformation rheology. Mathematically, the vibration deformation is a considerably complex process related with originating and propagating cracks in a grain body. Therefore, mechanical analogues and adequate models are needed. The paper demonstrates a suggested rheological model – a combination of Ishinsky, Hook, and Newton bodies correctly demonstrates mechanical processes taking part in a being deformed grain when crushing. Analytically, the loading and unloading curve of a grain is reduced to an appropriate form of the Davidenkov mathematical model.
Analysis of discriminatory characteristics of a video sensor with an exponential correlation function
Authors: Gerasimov V P , Kovalev V D , Yu Darzhaniya A , Magomedov R A , Sokolova E V , Klimenko O V
Published: December 2020

This article presents an analysis of the characteristics of the video sensors functioning both in the visible and “thermal” regions of the spectrum. The influence of errors caused by the non-linearity of the discriminatory characteristic (DC) in the idealized model is studied. The article is devoted to the refinement of the model, taking into account the constant exponent parameter and introducing its value into the algorithm implemented by the onboard video sensor.
The Human Brain Is Best Described as Being on a Female/Male Continuum: Evidence from a Neuroimaging Connectivity Study
Authors: Zhang Yi , Luo Qiang , Huang Chu-Chung , Lo Chun-Yi Zac , Langley Christelle , Desrivières Sylvane , Quinlan Erin Burke , Banaschewski Tobias , Millenet Sabina , Bokde Arun L W , Flor Herta , Garavan Hugh , Gowland Penny , Heinz Andreas , Ittermann Bernd , Martinot Jean-Luc , Artiges Eric , Paillère-Martinot Marie-Laure , Nees Frauke , Orfanos Dimitri Papadopoulos , Poustka Luise , Fröhner Juliane H , Smolka Michael N , Walter Henrik , Whelan Robert , Tsai Shih-Jen , Lin Ching-Po , Bullmore Ed , Schumann Gunter , Sahakian Barbara J , Feng Jianfeng ,   for the IMAGEN consortium
Published: December 2020

Psychological androgyny has long been associated with greater cognitive flexibility, adaptive behavior, and better mental health, but whether a similar concept can be defined using neural features remains unknown. Using the neuroimaging data from 9620 participants, we found that global functional connectivity was stronger in the male brain before middle age but became weaker after that, when compared with the female brain, after systematic testing of potentially confounding effects. We defined a brain gender continuum by estimating the likelihood of an observed functional connectivity matrix to represent a male brain. We found that participants mapped at the center of this continuum had fewer internalizing symptoms compared with those at the 2 extreme ends. These findings suggest a novel hypothesis proposing that there exists a neuroimaging concept of androgyny using the brain gender continuum, which may be associated with better mental health in a similar way to psychological androgyny.
Armed Forces’ Victory in Information Overload
Authors: Dacombe Kate
Published: December 2020

The rate of technological change has never been greater, with an explosion in the quantity and availability of information. Kate Dacombe, Project Support Oﬃcer from Directorate of Information at the British Army Headquarters, explains how Project CADUCEUS will help the Armed Forces to meet the future, head on.
Skills, Knowledge, Attitude
Authors: Fish Ian
Published: December 2020

Cybersecurity is an ever-changing environment. Ian Fish FBCS, Chair of the Information Security Specialist Group (ISSP), explores how professionals can keep their skills, knowledge and experience sharp, relevant and ready.
Distribution and Density of Haemaphysalis longicornis (Acari: Ixodidae) on Public Lands in Pennsylvania, United States
Authors: Price Keith J , Witmier Bryn J , Eckert Rebecca A , Boyer Christian N , Helwig Matt W , Kyle Andrew D
Published: December 2020

Since the recent introduction of the Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis Neumann) in the United States, quantitative surveillance information remains lacking, which hinders accurate estimates of population structure and entomological risk. We conducted statewide, active tick surveillance from May to August 2019 and report data on H. longicornis geographical distribution and population density in Pennsylvania. In total, 615 H. longicornis were collected from four counties. Across samples recovering H. longicornis, mean density of H. longicornis was 9.2/100 m2, comparably greater than Ixodes scapularis Say (8.5/100 m2). Density of H. longicornis was also significantly greater in August, largely driven by larvae, and greater in recreational habitat types (12.6/100 m2) and in Bucks County (11.7/100 m2), situated adjacent to the location of the first U.S. discovery of intense infestations. These data are among the first to document H. longicornis from statewide tick surveillance and provide initial measures of population density enabling more quantitative characterizations of distributional patterns.
Precise method for measuring spatial coherence in TEM beams using Airy diffraction patterns
Authors: Yamasaki Jun , Shimaoka Yuki , Sasaki Hirokazu
Published: December 2020

We have developed a method to precisely measure spatial coherence in electron beams. The method does not require an electron biprism and can be implemented in existing analytical transmission electron microscopes equipped with a post-column energy filter. By fitting the Airy diffraction pattern of the selector aperture, various parameters such as geometric aberrations of the lens system and the point-spread function of the diffraction blurring are precisely determined. From the measurements of various beam diameters, components that are attributed to the partial spatial coherence are successfully separated from the point-spread functions. A linear relationship between the spatial coherence length and beam diameter is revealed, thus indicating that a wide range of coherence lengths can be determined by our proposed method as long as the coherence length remains >80% of the aperture diameter. A remarkable feature of this method is its ability to simultaneously determine diffraction blurring and lens aberrations. Possible applications of this method are also discussed.
Backscattered electron imaging and elemental analysis of rapidly frozen plant cells using variable accelerating voltage
Authors: Kaneko Yasuko , Tokunaga Makoto , Tanaka Kyoko , Atsuzawa Kimie , Nishimura Masako
Published: December 2020

Rapidly frozen rosemary leaves were observed at variable accelerating voltages in a low-vacuum scanning electron microscope equipped with a cryo transfer system. After water was sublimated from the fractured face of the leaf, distinct backscattered electron (BSE) images were obtained depending on the accelerating voltages applied. At 5 kV, surface cell wall structure was observed, whereas at 10 and 15 kV chloroplasts lining the inside of the cell wall and membrane were visualized. With energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis, elemental information corresponding to the BSE images was obtained. Besides visualization of the structures and elemental composition close to the living state, information on layers at different depths from the surface could be detected by varying the accelerating voltage in this system.
The Development of Chylothorax in a Child With T-cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma and Ataxia Telangiectasia During Induction Therapy
Authors: Özyörük Derya , Güzelküçük Zeliha , Hacisalihoglu Şadan , Cinel Güzin
Published: December 2020

Chylothorax is an unusual complication of childhood cancer. It causes to additional morbidity and mortality during management. It should be kept in mind that chylothorax may occur due to mass shrinkage during treatment in patients with mediastinal mass and ductus thoracicus invasion at the initial diagnosis and necessary measures should be taken. This case was presented because of the rarity in pediatric oncology practice.
Gender Discrimination? Evidence from the Belgian Public Accounting Profession*
Authors: Hardies Kris , Lennox Clive , Li Bing
Published: December 2020

Prior research finds that women receive lower salaries than men. Similarly, we show that female audit partners in Belgium receive significantly lower compensation than male partners. However, there are alternative explanations for the pay gap other than gender discrimination. For example, the gap in compensation could reflect that men are paid more because they have higher levels of productivity. We provide new predictions and tests of gender discrimination by comparing the fees generated by audit partners (a measure of partner productivity) and the types of clients assigned to partners. Consistent with our prediction of female partners having to meet higher performance thresholds than male partners, we show that female partners generate larger fee premiums, but they are less likely to be assigned to prestigious clients. To test whether these patterns are attributable to gender discrimination, we examine whether the results are stronger in male‐dominated offices, because this is where we would expect to find the most discrimination against women. We find the fee premiums generated by female partners are larger in male‐dominated offices, while the negative association between prestigious clients and female partners is stronger in male‐dominated offices. Collectively, our combined predictions and tests are consistent with female partners facing gender discrimination in audit offices that are dominated by male partners.
The relationship between mental rotation and arithmetic: do number line estimation, working memory, or place‐value concept matter?
Authors: Yang Xiujie , Yu Xiao
Published: December 2020

Mental rotation is positively related to arithmetic ability; however, the mechanism underlying this relationship remains unclear. The possible roles of working memory, place‐value concept, and number line estimation in the correlation between mental rotation and whole‐number computation were investigated. One hundred and fifty‐five first‐grade students were tested to determine their mental rotation ability, arithmetic ability, and non‐verbal intelligence. One year later, their working memory, place‐value concept, number line estimation, and overall arithmetic ability were assessed. After controlling for age, gender, and prior arithmetic ability, we found that mental rotation uniquely predicted arithmetic ability after one year. Further mediation analyses demonstrated that number line estimation significantly mediated the relationship between mental rotation and arithmetic ability. In contrast, neither working memory nor place‐value concept significantly mediated the relationship between mental rotation and arithmetic ability. This study highlights that mental number line estimation is the most important element explaining the influence of a dynamic spatial skill, that is, mental rotation, on arithmetic ability among young Chinese children.
How old is old for implant therapy in terms of implant survival and marginal bone levels after 5–11 years?
Authors: Etöz Onur , Bertl Kristina , Kukla Edmund , Ulm Christian , Ozmeric Nurdan , Stavropoulos Andreas
Published: December 2020

Aim

To evaluate implant survival and marginal bone levels (MBLevel) at least 5 years after implant installation in patients ≥65 years old.

Methods

Patient records were screened retrospectively for the following inclusion criteria: (1) ≥65 years of age at the time of implant installation, and (2) ≥5‐year radiographic follow‐up or registered implant loss. Association between patient‐ and implant‐related data with radiographically assessed data [i.e. implant survival, mean MBLevel (i.e. average of mesial and distal level) and maximum marginal bone loss (i.e. either mesial or distal loss; maximum MBLoss)] were statistically evaluated by mixed effects multi‐level regression models.

Results

Two‐hundred‐eighteen implants in 74 patients were included with a mean follow‐up of 6.2 years (range: 5 to 10.7 years); four early and six late implant losses have been registered (implant survival rate: 95.4%). Mean MBLevel and maximum MBLoss was 1.24 ± 0.9 mm and 1.48 ± 1.0 mm, respectively. Maximum MBLoss < 2 mm, 2 to 5 mm and ≥5 mm was found in 70.7, 28.8 and 0.5% of the implants, respectively. For both, mean MBLevel and maximum MBLoss, age presented a slightly protective effect (mean MBLevel: Coef. −0.041, p = .016; maximum MBLoss: Coef. −0.045, p = .014).

Conclusion

The high implant survival rate (95.4%), low mean MBLevel (1.24 mm) and low frequency of maximum MBLoss ≥ 5 mm (0.5%) observed herein after 5 to 11 years follow‐up suggest that older age should not be considered as a limiting factor for implant treatment.
Nestorone®, a 19nor‐progesterone derivative boosts remyelination in an animal model of demyelination
Authors: El‐Etr Martine , Akwa Yvette , Rame Marion , Schumacher Michael , Sitruk‐Ware Regine
Published: December 2020

Introduction

We previously showed that Nestorone® (NES), a synthetic progestin structurally related to progesterone, stimulated remyelination of the corpus callosum in a Cuprizone (CUP) mouse model of demyelination in intact females by promoting replenishment with mature oligodendrocytes (OL) (Glia. 2015;63:104‐117). Here, we further investigated the underlying mechanisms of this promyelinating effect.

Methods

We explored whether NES, applied subcutaneously through Alzet mini‐osmotic pumps, regulates specific transcription factors involved in oligodendrocyte progenitor cell (OPC) proliferation and their differentiation into mature OL, using RT‐qPCR and Western Blot analysis.

Results

Our present data show that in comparison to controls, a one‐week treatment with NES, through Alzet mini‐osmotic pumps, enhanced the production of three relevant transcription factor mRNAs encoding Olig2, Myt1, and Sox17. After 3 weeks, NES treatment reversed the effect of CUP on the levels of corresponding Olig2, Myt1, and Sox17 proteins. Moreover, in mice receiving NES + Estradiol (E2) co‐treatment, levels of Olig2, Myt1, and Sox17 proteins did not change as compared to NES alone.

Conclusion

NES alone or with E2 increased the levels of transcription factors, essential for myelin synthesis.
Perceived stress and social support in a large population of people with multiple sclerosis recruited online through the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Bonavita Simona , Sparaco Maddalena , Russo Antonio , Borriello Giovanna , Lavorgna Luigi
Published: December 2020

Background and purpose

The COVID‐19 emergency may cause post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and with regard to people with MS (pwMS) chronic exposure to a wide range of challenging life events has been shown to be correlated with worsening of neurological symptoms, increased lesion burden on brain magnetic resonance imaging and relapses. The aim was to investigate perceived stress, depression, perceived social support, habits and behaviour changes in pwMS through COVID‐19 in comparison to a control group.

Methods

A web‐based survey was posted on SMsocialnetwork.com to investigate perceived stress (using the Perceived Stress Scale), depression (with Patient Health Questionnaire 2) and perceived social support (using Social Provision Scale 10 item) in pwMS and a control group through the COVID‐19 pandemic. A secondary group of people with migraine was investigated.

Results

In all, 1286 answers from 612 pwMS and 674 control people were included in the final analysis. The answers from 318 people with migraine were included for a secondary analysis. A higher proportion of pwMS were depressed (43.1% vs. 23.1%; p < 0.001), had a high level of perceived stress (58% vs. 39.8%; p < 0.001) and felt significantly less social support (median 33 vs. 35; Q1–Q3 28–36 vs. 32–37; p < 0.001) compared to the control group. A higher percentage of people with migraine were depressed (50% vs. 43%, p = 0.04) compared to pwMS.

Conclusions

Considering the negative impact that prolonged stress may have on clinical and radiological disease activity of pwMS, and bearing in mind that a beneficial effect has been demonstrated and achieved with stress management, it is suggested to promote stress control in these patients during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Temporal instability of lake charr phenotypes: Synchronicity of growth rates and morphology linked to environmental variables?
Authors: Chavarie Louise , Voelker Steve , Hansen Michael J. , Bronte Charles R. , Muir Andrew M. , Zimmerman Mara S. , Krueger Charles C.
Published: December 2020

Pathways through which phenotypic variation among individuals arise can be complex. One assumption often made in relation to intraspecific diversity is that the stability or predictability of the environment will interact with expression of the underlying phenotypic variation. To address biological complexity below the species level, we investigated variability across years in morphology and annual growth increments between and within two sympatric lake charr Salvelinus namaycush ecotypes in Rush Lake, USA. A rapid phenotypic shift in body and head shape was found within a decade. The magnitude and direction of the observed phenotypic change were consistent in both ecotypes, which suggests similar pathways caused the variation over time. Over the same time period, annual growth increments declined for both lake charr ecotypes and corresponded with a consistent phenotypic shift of each ecotype. Despite ecotype‐specific annual growth changes in response to winter conditions, the observed annual growth shift for both ecotypes was linked, to some degree, with variation in the environment. Particularly, a declining trend in regional cloud cover was associated with an increase of early‐stage (ages 1–3) annual growth for lake charr of Rush Lake. Underlying mechanisms causing changes in growth rates and constrained morphological modulation are not fully understood. An improved knowledge of the biology hidden within the expression of phenotypic variation promises to clarify our understanding of temporal morphological diversity and instability.
Declining reproductive success in the Gulf of St. Lawrence’s humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) reflects ecosystem shifts on their feeding grounds
Authors: Kershaw Joanna L. , Ramp Christian A. , Sears Richard , Plourde Stéphane , Brosset Pablo , Miller Patrick J. O. , Hall Ailsa J.
Published: December 2020

Climate change has resulted in physical and biological changes in the world's oceans. How the effects of these changes are buffered by top predator populations, and therefore how much plasticity lies at the highest trophic levels, are largely unknown. Here endocrine profiling, longitudinal observations of known individuals over 15 years between 2004 and 2018, and environmental data are combined to examine how the reproductive success of a top marine predator is being affected by ecosystem change. The Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada, is a major summer feeding ground for humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the North Atlantic. Blubber biopsy samples (n = 185) of female humpback whales were used to investigate variation in pregnancy rates through the quantification of progesterone. Annual pregnancy rates showed considerable variability, with no overall change detected over the study. However, a total of 457 photo‐identified adult female sightings records with/without calves were collated, and showed that annual calving rates declined significantly. The probability of observing cow–calf pairs was related to favourable environmental conditions in the previous year; measured by herring spawning stock biomass, Calanus spp. abundance, overall copepod abundance and phytoplankton bloom magnitude. Approximately 39% of identified pregnancies were unsuccessful over the 15 years, and the average annual pregnancy rate was higher than the average annual calving rate at ~37% and ~23% respectively. Together, these data suggest that the declines in reproductive success could be, at least in part, the result of females being unable to accumulate the energy reserves necessary to maintain pregnancy and/or meet the energetic demands of lactation in years of poorer prey availability rather than solely an inability to become pregnant. The decline in calving rates over a period of major environmental variability may suggest that this population has limited resilience to such ecosystem change.
A retrospective cohort study of early mortality among patients with HIV/TB co‐infection in Shanghai municipality
Authors: Qi TK , Chen J , Zhang RF , Liu L , Shen YZ , Wang ZY , Sun JJ , Song W , Tang Y , Wang JR , Ling YX , Xu SB , Yang JY , Lu HZ
Published: December 2020

Objectives

Tuberculosis (TB) is the most common and fatal opportunistic co‐infection among HIV‐infected individuals. While TB‐associated mortality predominantly occurs in the first 90 days after admission, such a correlation remains unclear in HIV/TB co‐infected patients. Thus, we aimed to investigate the 90‐day mortality and associated risk factors among HIV/TB co‐infected patients in China.

Methods

Adult patients with HIV and a newly confirmed TB diagnosis admitted to the Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center between September 2009 and August 2017 were enrolled. Clinical and laboratory characteristics, key treatments and outcomes were collected retrospectively. The associations between different factors and early mortality were analysed.

Results

Of the 485 laboratory‐confirmed HIV/TB patients [median (range) age = 39 (19–79) years], 413 (85.15%) were male. Diagnosis was confirmed by culture, pathology and acid‐fast bacilli smear alone in 362 (74.6%), 6 (1.2%) and 117 (24.1%) patients, respectively. Multiple drug‐/rifampin‐resistant TB was detected in 21 (5.8%) of the 367 patients with a positive culture. Rifampin or rifabutin was administered to 402 (82.9%) patients. Additionally, 66 (13.6%) and 86 (17.7%) died within 90 days and 1 year of admission, respectively. Of the 64 TB‐related deaths, 59 (92.2%) occurred within 90 days of admission. In Cox regression, central nervous system (CNS) TB [odds ratio (OR) = 2.49, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.46–4.23, P < 0.001], no antiretroviral therapy (ART) within 3 months after admission (OR = 11, 95% CI: 6.4–18.9, P < 0.001), and plasma albumin level < 25 g/L (OR = 1.91, 95% CI: 1.07–3.40, P = 0.021) were associated with early death.

Conclusions

Tuberculosis co‐infection was prevalent and fatal in HIV‐infected patients, with most deaths occurring within 90 days of admission. Early mortality was associated with CNS‐TB, no ART, and serum albumin level < 25 g/L.
CaMKIIγ regulates the viability and self‐renewal of acute myeloid leukaemia stem‐like cells by the Alox5/NF‐κB pathway
Authors: Cheng Jiang‐Hua , Zhang Wen‐Jing , Zhu Jun‐Feng , Cui Di , Song Kai‐Di , Qiang Ping , Mei Chuan‐Zhong , Nie Zheng‐Chao , Ding Bang‐Sheng , Han Zhong , Ding Zhi‐En , Zheng Wei‐Wei
Published: December 2020

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a frequently fatal malignant disease of haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. The molecular and phenotypic characteristics of AML are highly heterogeneous. Our previous study concluded that CaMKIIγ was the trigger of chronic myeloid leukaemia progression from the chronic phase to blast crisis, but how CaMKIIγ influences AML stem‐like cells remains elusive. In this study, we found that CaMKIIγ was overexpressed in AML patients and AML cell lines, as measured by qRT‐PCR and Western blot assays. Moreover, CaMKIIγ decreased when the disease was in remission. Using an shRNA lentivirus expression system, we established CaMKIIγ stable‐knockdown AML cell lines and found that knockdown of CaMKIIγ inhibited the viability and self‐renewal of AML stem‐like cell lines. Additionally, the ratio of CD34+ AML cell lines decreased, and CaMKIIγ knockdown induced the downregulation of Alox5 levels. We further detected downstream molecules of the Alox5/NF‐κB pathway and found that c‐myc and p‐IκBα decreased while total IκBα remained normal. In conclusion, our study describes a new role for CaMKIIγ as a stem‐like cell marker that is highly regulated by the Alox5/NF‐κB pathway in AML stem‐like cells. CaMKIIγ can participate in the viability and self‐renewal of AML stem‐like cells by regulating the Alox5/NF‐κB pathway.
Evidence for an increase in the intensity of inter‐seasonal influenza, Queensland, Australia, 2009‐2019
Authors: Kerr Elenor J. , Malo Jonathan , Vette Kaitlyn , Nimmo Graeme R. , Lambert Stephen B.
Published: December 2020

Background

Inter‐seasonal influenza cases have been increasing in Australia. Studies of influenza seasonality typically focus on seasonal transmission in temperate regions, leaving our understanding of inter‐seasonal epidemiology limited. We aimed to improve understanding of influenza epidemiology during inter‐seasonal periods across climate zones, and explored influenza intensity and strain dominance patterns over time.

Methods

Queensland state‐wide laboratory‐confirmed influenza notifications and public laboratory influenza test data from 2009‐2019 were described by demographics, time period, region and strain type. We compared influenza intensity over time using the WHO Average Curve method to provide thresholds for seasonal and inter‐seasonal periods.

Results

Among the 243 830 influenza notifications and 490 772 laboratory tests reported in Queensland between 2009 and 2019, 15% of notifications and 40% of tests occurred during inter‐seasonal periods, with 6.3% of inter‐seasonal tests positive. Inter‐seasonal notifications and tests substantially increased over time and increases in weekly proportions positive and intensity classifications suggested gradual increases in virus activity. Tropical inter‐seasonal activity was higher with periods of marked increase. Influenza A was dominant, although influenza B represented up to 72% and 42% of notifications during some seasonal and inter‐seasonal periods, respectively.

Conclusions

Using notification and testing data, we have demonstrated a gradual increase in inter‐seasonal influenza over time. Our findings suggest this increase results from an interplay between testing, activity and intensity, and strain circulation. Seasonal intensity and strain circulation appeared to modify subsequent period intensity. Routine year‐round surveillance data would provide a better understanding of influenza epidemiology during this infrequently studied inter‐seasonal time period.
The role of androgen and its related signals in PCOS
Authors: Ye Wenting , Xie Tingting , Song Yali , Zhou Lili
Published: December 2020

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women at reproductive age. However, the underlying pathogenic mechanisms have not been completely understood. Hyperandrogenism is an important clinic feature in patients with PCOS, suggesting its pathologic role in the development and progression of PCOS. However, the actual role of androgen and the related signals in PCOS and PCOS‐related complications have not yet been clarified. In this review, we surveyed the origin and effects of androgen on PCOS and the related complications, highlighted the cellular signals affecting androgen synthesis and summarized the pathological processes caused by hyperandrogenism. Our review well reveals the important mechanisms referring the pathogenesis of PCOS and provides important clues to the clinic strategies in patients with PCOS.