bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mapping prostatic microscopic anisotropy using linear and spherical b‐tensor encoding: A preliminary study
Authors: Nilsson Markus , Eklund Greta , Szczepankiewicz Filip , Skorpil Mikael , Bryskhe Karin , Westin Carl‐Fredrik , Lindh Claes , Blomqvist Lennart , Jäderling Fredrik
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Tensor‐valued diffusion encoding provides more specific information than conventional diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI), but has mainly been applied in neuroimaging studies. This study aimed to assess its potential for the imaging of prostate cancer (PCa).

Methods

Seventeen patients with histologically proven PCa were enrolled. DWI of the prostate was performed with linear and spherical tensor encoding using a maximal b‐value of 1.5 ms/µm2 and a voxel size of 3 × 3 × 4 mm3. The gamma‐distribution model was used to estimate the mean diffusivity (MD), the isotropic kurtosis (MKI), and the anisotropic kurtosis (MKA). Regions of interest were placed in MR‐defined cancerous tissues, as well as in apparently healthy tissues in the peripheral and transitional zones (PZs and TZs).

Results

DWI with linear and spherical encoding yielded different image contrasts at high b‐values, which enabled the estimation of MKA and MKI. Compared with healthy tissue (PZs and TZs combined) the cancers displayed a significantly lower MD (P < .05), higher MKI (P < 10−5), and lower MKA (P < .05). Compared with the TZ, tissue in the PZ showed lower MD (P < 10−3) and higher MKA (P < 10−3). No significant differences were found between cancers of different Gleason scores, possibly because of the limited sample size.

Conclusion

Tensor‐valued diffusion encoding enabled mapping of MKA and MKI in the prostate. The elevated MKI in PCa compared with normal tissues suggests an elevated heterogeneity in the cancers. Increased in‐plane resolution could improve tumor delineation in future studies.
Effects of Chase Boat Use, Electrofishing Duration, and Water Velocity on Sample Efficiency and Size Structure of Blue Catfish
Authors: Moran Zachary S. , Stoeckel Joseph N.
Published: May 2021

Chase boats are used to assist in the capture of Blue Catfish Ictalurus furcatus because they often surface relatively far from the electrofishing boat (electrofisher) when incapacitated by low-frequency, pulsed DC. We conducted this study to determine how chase boat use affects size-related and capture efficiency metrics of Blue Catfish, and we concurrently examined possible confounding effects of sample duration and velocity on these metrics. We used DC at 15 pulses/s in 5- or 10-min runs during four trials that were stratified by reservoir zone, season, and macrohabitat over a 2-year period in Pool 10 of the Arkansas River (Lake Dardanelle, Arkansas). We captured 4,330 fish in 96 samples and analyzed the catch data by size-group (all fish; >199, >299, and >509 mm). We compared samples of fish captured by an electrofisher alone with those collected by the electrofisher in combination with a chase boat (chase+). The electrofisher-only protocol captured a greater proportion of fish less than 300 mm compared to the chase+ protocol, but length-frequency distributions of larger-size fish did not differ. Overall catch was greater for the chase+ protocol, with the difference generally increasing by size-group except for the largest fish. Catch efficiency was greater for 5- versus 10-min samples for both protocols, with the relative difference increasing as fish size increased. Calculated values of the proportional size distribution of quality-size fish were sufficiently similar among all combinations of protocol and duration for management purposes. The practical implication is that an electrofisher-only protocol can be used to collect representative samples of Blue Catfish, but the use of a chase boat increases the average catch per boat.
A Phase I Trial of Oxaliplatin, Irinotecan, and S-1 Combination Therapy (OX-IRIS) as Chemotherapy for Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer (HGCSG 1403)
Authors: Kawamoto Yasuyuki , Nakatsumi Hiroshi , Harada Kazuaki , Muranaka Tetsuhito , Ishiguro Atsushi , Kobayashi Yoshimitsu , Hayashi Hideyuki , Yuki Satoshi , Sawada Kentaro , Yagisawa Masataka , Nakano Shintaro , Sakamoto Naoya , Komatsu Yoshito
Published: May 2021

Lessons Learned

Background

OX-IRIS is a new combination therapy of oxaliplatin, irinotecan, and S-1 for unresectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), which may be beneficial because S-1 is administered orally and continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is not needed.

Methods

Patients who had not received prior therapy for unresectable PDAC were enrolled. Adenocarcinoma or adenosquamous histology was required. Oxaliplatin and irinotecan were administered on days 1 and 15; S-1 was administered orally twice a day on days 1–14, followed by 14 days of rest (one cycle). Primary endpoints were dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) and maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Secondary endpoints were safety, overall response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS).

Results

In level 0 (oxaliplatin, 85 mg/m2; irinotecan, 100 mg/m2; S-1, 80 mg/m2), two of five patients experienced DLT. In level −1 (oxaliplatin, 65 mg/m2; irinotecan, 100 mg/m2; S-1, 80 mg/m2), DLT could not be evaluated in two of eight patients because one cycle was not completed; one of the remaining six patients experienced DLT. Anemia, thrombocytopenia, fatigue, nausea, anorexia, diarrhea, and peripheral sensory neuropathy were seen frequently in levels 0 and −1. ORR was 30% in levels 0 and −1. Median progression-free survival and median overall survival were 4.1 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.0–8.9 months) and 13.7 months (95% CI, 4.8–22.6 months), respectively.

Conclusion

MTD of OX-IRIS therapy was estimated to be level 0, and the recommended dose (RD) for future trial was level −1.
Nivolumab monotherapy after induction chemotherapy, bioradiotherapy, and cetuximab monotherapy leading to complete remission of locoregional advanced tongue cancer: A case report
Authors: Yoshioka Yukio , Hamana Tomoaki , Mishima Takefumi , Tani Ryouji , Toratani Shigeaki , Okamoto Tetsuji
Published: May 2021

Herein, we report on a 66‐year‐old woman with locoregional advanced tongue cancer. She was diagnosed with left side tongue carcinoma and achieved complete remission using nivolumab monotherapy after induction chemotherapy (IC) with docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5‐fluorouracil, followed by intensity‐modulated bioradiotherapy and cetuximab monotherapy. Following bioradiotherapy, she was administered 70 cycles of cetuximab monotherapy. Both IC and bioradiotherapy exerted antitumor effects. However, primary tumor recurrence occurred. She received nivolumab, and the recurrent lesion disappeared after 18 cycles. She has been alive and well for >5 years, showing a successful locoregional control for advanced tongue cancer during this period.
Baseline associations between biomarkers, cognitive function, and self‐regulation indices in the Cognitive and Self‐regulatory Mechanisms of Obesity Study
Authors: Hawkins Misty A.W. , Keirns Natalie G. , Baraldi Amanda N. , Layman Harley M. , Stout Madison E. , Smith Caitlin E. , Gunstad John , Hildebrand Deana A. , Vohs Kathleen D. , Lovallo William R.
Published: May 2021

Objective

Understanding how biological, cognitive, and self‐regulatory factors are related to obesity, and weight regulation is clearly needed to optimize obesity prevention and treatment. The objective of this investigation was to understand how baseline biological, cognitive, and self‐regulatory factors are related to adiposity at the initiation of a behavioral weight loss intervention among treatment‐seeking adults with overweight/obesity.

Methods

Participants (N = 107) in the Cognitive and Self‐regulatory Mechanisms of Obesity Study (Identifier‐NCT02786238) completed a baseline assessment with anthropometric, cardiometabolic, inflammatory, cognitive function, and self‐regulation measures as part of a larger on‐going trial. Data were analyzed with linear regression.

Results

At baseline, body mass index, body fat percentage, and waist circumference (WC) were positively associated with fasting insulin and insulin resistance. Higher WC was related to higher fasting glucose and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). Higher glucose and insulin resistance levels were related to lower list sorting working memory. Higher glucose and HbA1c levels were negatively associated with reading scores. Cognitive function and self‐regulation indices were unrelated.

Conclusions

In adults with overweight/obesity entering a weight loss treatment study: (1) elevated WC and associated glycemic impairment were negatively associated with cognition, (2) poorer executive function and reading abilities were associated with poorer glycemic control, and (3) objectively measured cognitive functions were unrelated to self‐reported/behavioral measures of self‐regulation. Such findings increase understanding of the relationships between adiposity, biomarkers, cognition, and self‐regulation at treatment initiation and may ultimately inform barriers to successful obesity treatment response.
Prenatal histological, cellular, and molecular anomalies in trisomy 21 lung
Authors: Danopoulos Soula , Bhattacharya Soumyaroop , Deutsch Gail , Nih Lina R , Slaunwhite Chris , Mariani Thomas J , Al Alam Denise
Published: May 2021

Down syndrome (DS), also known as trisomy 21 (T21), is the most common human chromosomal anomaly. Although DS can affect many organ systems, lung and heart disease are the leading causes of death. An abundance of existing data suggests that lung abnormalities originate postnatally in DS. However, a single report of branching insufficiency in DS has inferred a potential prenatal origin. The histology of T21 fetal lungs (n = 15) was assessed by an experienced pathologist. Spatial differences in cellular phenotypes were examined using immunohistochemistry (IHC). Comprehensive gene expression in prenatal T21 lungs (n = 19), and age‐matched controls (n = 19), was performed using high‐throughput RNA sequencing (RNAseq) and validated by RT‐qPCR. Histopathological abnormalities were observed in approximately half of T21 prenatal lung samples analyzed, which included dilated terminal airways/acinar tubules, dilated lymphatics, and arterial wall thickening. IHC for Ki67 revealed significant reductions in epithelial and mesenchymal cell proliferation, predominantly in tissues displaying pathology. IHC demonstrated that airway smooth muscle was reduced and discontinuous in the proximal airway in conjunction with reduced SOX2. RNAseq identified 118 genes significantly dysregulated (FDR < 0.05) in T21 lung when unadjusted and 316 genes when adjusted for age. Ontology analysis showed that IFN pathway genes were appreciably upregulated, whereas complement and coagulation cascades and extracellular matrix pathway genes were downregulated. RT‐qPCR confirmed the changes in genes associated with these pathways in prenatal T21 lungs. Our data demonstrate that specific histological, cellular, and molecular abnormalities occur prenatally in different compartments of human T21 lung, which could be representative of premature stage progression. © 2021 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer reinforced polypropylene composites enhanced with carbon nanotubes for use in fused filament fabrication
Authors: Han Jier Y. , Chen Tianran , Mu Qingmin , Baird Donald G.
Published: May 2021

The objective of this research was to enhance the mechanical properties of wholly thermoplastic composites (WTCs) used in fused filament fabrication (FFF). Multiscale thermoplastic composites, which were based on the use of polypropylene (PP) reinforced with thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (TLCP) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs), were prepared by a method combining supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2)‐aided exfoliation and dual‐extrusion technologies. Significant enhancement of tensile properties was observed by using 1 wt% exfoliated CNTs to reinforce WTCs consisting of PP with and without maleic anhydride‐grafted polypropylene (MAPP, 16 wt%). With 1 wt% CNTs and 16 wt% MAPP dual reinforcement, 20 wt% TLCP reinforced WTCs based on PP exhibited 265%, 274%, and 182% improvement in the tensile modulus of the filaments, laid up specimens in the concentric pattern, and laid up specimens in ±45° rectilinear pattern, respectively. For tensile strength, 1 wt% CNTs reinforcement combined with 16 wt% MAPP improved the 20 wt% TLCP reinforced WTC filaments, laid down parts in the concentric pattern, and ±45° rectilinear patterns by 73%, 53%, and 65%, respectively. The tensile modulus and strength of multiscale WTC based on MAPP/PP specimens laid down with a concentric pattern are higher than those reported for PP/40 wt% short carbon fiber and PP/48.5 wt% short glass fiber laid down specimens. The advanced tensile modulus properties of 1 wt% CNTs reinforced WTCs are competitive with 9 wt% continuous carbon fiber reinforced nylon composite materials in FFF. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed extremely strong interfacial adhesion between the TLCP fibrils and the matrix in multiscale WTC filaments and laid down parts, compared to the WTCs with no CNTs reinforcement. The advanced interfacial adhesion between TLCP fibrils and matrix resulted in an enhancement in the tensile strength. The exfoliated CNTs were premixed with the matrix, but they were trapped at and aligned with TLCP fibrils, which may be the primary reason for tensile modulus enhancement.
Preference for secondary findings in prenatal and pediatric exome sequencing
Authors: Swanson Kate , Sparks Teresa N. , Lianoglou Billie R. , Chen Flavia , Downum Sarah , Patel Sachi , Rego Shannon , Yip Tiffany , Van Ziffle Jessica , Koenig Barbara A. , Slavotinek Anne M. , Norton Mary E.
Published: May 2021

Objective

We aimed to determine the frequency of accepting secondary findings in families undergoing exome sequencing in prenatal and pediatric settings.

Methods

This was a secondary analysis of prospectively enrolled patients undergoing trio exome sequencing for congenital anomalies or developmental disorders in prenatal and pediatric settings, in which families were offered receiving secondary findings (initially assessed in the proband and, if identified, then in the parents). The primary outcome was frequency of accepting secondary findings. Secondary outcomes included frequency of acceptance in prenatal versus pediatric settings, and sociodemographic differences between those who accepted versus declined secondary findings.

Results

There were 682 families included in the cohort (289 prenatal and 393 pediatric). Overall, 84% (576/682) of families accepted secondary findings: 86.2% (249/289) of families undergoing prenatal versus 83.2% (327/393) pediatric (p = 0.30) testing. Secondary findings were identified in 2.6% (15/576) of cases, with no difference between prenatal and pediatric settings. There were no differences in sociodemographics between families that accepted versus declined secondary findings.

Conclusion

The majority of families undergoing exome sequencing accepted secondary findings; this did not differ in prenatal versus pediatric settings. This highlights the need for guidance surrounding the offer of secondary findings in the prenatal setting.
Enhanced adhesion and electrochemical performance of Si anodes with gum arabic grafted poly(acrylic acid) as a water‐soluble binder
Authors: He Jiarong , Zhang Lingzhi , Zhong Haoxiang
Published: May 2021

Gum arabic grafted poly(acrylic acid) (GA‐g‐PAA) is synthesized as a mechanically robust water‐soluble binder for silicon (Si) anodes in lithium‐ion batteries by graft polymerization of acrylic acid onto GA backbone via a free radical reaction. 1H NMR and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies and thermogravimetric analysis are systematically conducted to confirm the grafting polymerization process. GA‐g‐PAA with different grafting length of PAA shows enhanced adhesion strength and excellent flexibility after grafting. Optimal Si‐GA‐g‐8PAA electrode displays better cyclic stability, higher Coulombic efficiency and superior rate properties compared with a Si electrode with linear PAA binder. The Si‐GA‐g‐8PAA electrode exhibits a high electrical conductivity, low interfacial/charge transfer resistance and high lithium‐ion diffusion coefficient. GA‐g‐8PAA binder with grafted structure not only can maintain the mechanical and electrical integrity of the electrode, facilitating favorable electrochemical kinetics, but also assists in preserving a stable solid electrolyte interphase on Si surface upon long‐term cycling. Such a facile strategy for designing a novel grafted binder shows potential for practical application on high‐capacity anode materials with large volume change. © 2021 Society of Industrial Chemistry.
SWATH‐MS and MRM: Quantification of Ras‐related proteins in HIV‐1 infected and methamphetamine‐exposed human monocyte‐derived macrophages (hMDM)
Authors: Macur Katarzyna , Zieschang Sarah , Lei Shulei , Morsey Brenda , Jaquet Spencer , Belshan Michael , Fox Howard S. , Ciborowski Pawel
Published: May 2021

HIV‐1 infection of macrophages is a multistep and multifactorial process that has been shown to be enhanced by exposure to methamphetamine (Meth). In this study, we sought to identify the underlying mechanisms of this effect by quantifying the effect of Meth on the proteome of HIV‐1‐infected macrophages using sequential windowed acquisition of all theoretical fragment ion mass spectra (SWATH‐MS) approach. The analyses identified several members of the Rab family of proteins as being dysregulated by Meth treatment, which was confirmed by bioinformatic analyses that indicated substantial alteration of vesicular transport pathways. Validation of the SWATH‐MS was performed using an MRM based approach, which confirmed that Meth exposure affects expression of the Rab proteins. However, the pattern of expression changes were highly dynamic, and displayed high donor‐to‐donor variability. Surprisingly a similar phenomenon was observed for Actin. Our results demonstrate that Meth affects vesicular transport pathways, suggesting a possible molecular mechanism underlying its effect on HIV infection hMDM and a potential broader effect of Meth on cellular homeostasis.
Systematic analysis of the ubiquitome in mouse testis
Authors: Guo Yueshuai , Zhang Haotian , Yao Liping , Li Yan , Situ Chenghao , Sha Jiahao , Chen Daozhen , Guo Xuejiang
Published: May 2021

A growing body of evidence now supports the fact that protein ubiquitination is an important modification during the regulation of spermatogenesis. However, little is known about the ubiquitome of the testis. In this study, we created a large‐scale mouse testis ubiquitome profile using di‐glycine remnant antibodies and mass spectrometry and identified a total of 14,219 ubiquitination sites in 4217 proteins. Bioinformatics and phenotypic analyses showed that the ubiquitinated proteins were closely related to meiosis and spermiogenesis. And 512 ubiquitination regulatory enzymes were identified in testis that can exert regulatory functions over ubiquitination: the homologous to E6AP C‐terminus (HECT) and multi‐subunit RING‐finger type E3 ligases were significantly enriched. In addition, we identified 22 new ubiquitination sites on testicular histones and 146 ubiquitinated epigenetic factors, thus demonstrating that ubiquitination plays an important role in epigenetic regulation. Collectively, this in‐depth characterization of the ubiquitome in mouse testis could provide a rich resource for further studies of regulatory events at the protein level during spermatogenesis. All MS data are available via ProteomeXchange with the identifier PXD025866.
Presence of biopsy Gleason pattern 5 + 3 is associated with higher mortality after radical prostatectomy but not after external beam radiotherapy compared to other Gleason Grade Group IV patterns+
Authors: Würnschimmel Christoph , Wenzel Mike , Chierigo Francesco , Flammia Rocco S. , Mori Keiichiro , Tian Zhe , Shariat Shahrokh F. , Saad Fred , Briganti Alberto , Suardi Nazareno , Terrone Carlo , Gallucci Michele , Chun Felix K. H. , Tilki Derya , Graefen Markus , Karakiewicz Pierre I.
Published: May 2021

Background

We hypothesized that Gleason Grade Group (GGG) IV patients treated with radical prostatectomy (RP) or external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) exhibit different cancer‐specific mortality (CSM) rates according to underlying Gleason patterns (GP): 4 + 4 versus 3 + 5 versus 5 + 3.

Materials and Methods

We identified all GGG IV patients treated with either RP or EBRT within the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 2004–2016 database. The effect of biopsy GP on CSM (3 + 5 vs. 4 + 4 vs. 5 + 3) was tested in Kaplan–Meier and multivariable competing risks regression models (adjusted for PSA, age at diagnosis, cT‐, and cN‐stage).

Results

Of 26,458 GGG IV patients, 14,203 (53.7%) were treated with EBRT and 12,255 (46.3%) with RP. Of RP patients, 15.3 versus 81.2 versus 3.4% exhibited biopsy GP 3 + 5 versus 4 + 4 versus 5 + 3 and respective 10‐year CSM rates were 6.5 versus 6.2 versus 12.6% (p < .001). In multivariable analyses addressing RP patients, GP 5 + 3 was associated with two‐fold higher CSM rate than GP 4 + 4 (p < .001), but not GP 3 + 5 (p = .1). Of EBRT patients, 7.6 versus 89.8 versus 2.6% exhibited biopsy GP 3 + 5 versus 4 + 4 versus 5 + 3 and respective 10‐year CSM rates were 12.2 versus 13.8 versus 17.8% (p < .001). In multivariable analyses addressing EBRT patients, no CSM differences according to GP were observed (all p ≥ .4).

Conclusion

In GGG IV RP candidates, the presence of biopsy GP 5 + 3 purports a significantly higher CSM than in GP 4 + 4 or 3 + 5. In GGG IV EBRT candidates, no significant CSM differences according to GP were recorded.
Distributed three‐dimension time‐varying formation control with prescribed performance for multiple underactuated autonomous underwater vehicles
Authors: Li Jian , Du Jialu , Lewis Frank L.
Published: May 2021

This article presents novel distributed prescribed performance control for three‐dimension (3D) time‐varying formation of multiple underactuated autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) with uncertain dynamics and unknown disturbances. Different from the regular prescribed performance function, a novel form of prescribed performance function is proposed such that the time desired for the formation errors of AUVs to reach and stay within the prescribed tolerant band can be preset exactly and flexibly. Furthermore, a simple error mapping function is constructed to transform the formation errors constrained by the prescribed performance into the unconstrained transformed errors. With the aid of radial basis function neural networks, the uncertain item lumped by uncertain dynamics and unknown disturbances of AUVs is artfully converted into a linearly parametric form with only a single unknown parameter. Based on the above, a robust adaptive 3D time‐varying formation control law of AUVs is developed incorporating a second‐order sliding mode differentiator into the backstepping method. The theoretical analysis and simulation results validate our developed formation control scheme.
A study of films based on starch and Na‐montmorillonite designed for prolonged release of oxytetracycline hydrochloride
Authors: Kochkina Nataliya E. , Butikova Olga A. , Lukin Nikolay D.
Published: May 2021

Functional starch‐based nanocomposite films containing Na‐montmorillonite (MMT) and oxytetracycline hydrochloride (OTC) are prepared by the casting method; their structure and transport properties are analyzed. The results of X‐ray difraction and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy measurements show that MMT and OTC participates in the formation of a hydrogen bond network in the starch matrix, leading to a decrease in the film crystallinity degree. The MMT incorporation in the nanocomposites lowers their swelling degree. It is established, that the OTC release from the pure starch film is controlled by the Fickian diffusion mechanism. The MMT particles act as containers capable of holding OTC, as well as crystallite obstacles, limiting the OTC movement within the starch matrix structure. An increase in the MMT concentration from 1 to 5 wt% (based on dry starch) in the films leads to prolonged OTC release. The data on the OTC release from the films with a 3% and 5% MMT content best fits the linear superimposition model. The MMT and OTC have opposite effects on the tensile strength of the starch films.
Evaluation of the immunogenicity and efficacy of a chimeric OMP25–OMP31 antigen in BALB/c mice
Authors: Mohammadi Yahya
Published: May 2021

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease causes by Brucella bacteria. So far, there is not any efficient treatment for this infectious disease in animals, although subunit vaccines can be a safe alternative. To this aim, we have designed a new chimeric OMP25‐OMP31 antigen formulated in Chitosan nanoparticles and studied its protective efficiency in vivo. OMP25–OMP31 was produced using spliced overlap extension by polymerase chain reaction and the 3D protein structure and antigenic ability were predicted using computational tools. In addition, the humoural and cellular immune responses were measured by ELISA in six different experimental groups. The immune response showed chimeric rOMP25–OMP31 antigen‐induced higher titers of IFN‐γ and TNF‐α cytokines, while the lowest amount of IL‐4 was dedicated to itself. Also, rOMP25–OMP31 stimulated higher titer of IgG than individual injection of rOMP25 and rOMP31 treatments and the cell proliferation assay demonstrated the vaccination with rOMP25–OMP31 elicits a vigorous antigen‐specific cell proliferative. In addition, the challenge experiment showed immunised mic stimulated a higher level of protection than negative controls. Overall, the results of rOMP25–OMP31 could be promising for considering chimeric constructs as a feasible vaccine candidate for further investigations against brucellosis.
Treatment of crusted sarcoptic mange with fluralaner in a dog
Authors: Quilling Laura L. , Lam Andrea T. H. , Outerbridge Catherine A. , White Stephen D.
Published: May 2021

A 4‐year‐old neutered male Lakeland terrier was presented for evaluation of allergies and onset of new crusting skin lesions. The face, dorsum, limbs and paws were diffusely covered in crusts and adherent scaling. The dog was mildly to moderately pruritic. A single deep skin scraping was performed on the dorsal aspect of the right antebrachium, which showed the presence of Sarcoptes scabiei. Cytologic evidence for superficial pyoderma and otitis externa was also documented. The dog was treated with a single dose of fluralaner and appropriate antimicrobial therapy. One month after treatment, the dog had no Sarcoptes scabiei mites or eggs on skin scraping. Three months after presentation the dog had no recurrence of clinical signs. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported case of crusted sarcoptic mange, or Norwegian‐like scabies, treated with a single dose of fluralaner.
Exploring the implications of the relationship between BMI and household consumptions for countries in transition
Authors: Fan Lida , Habibov Nazim , Luo Rong , Auchynnikava Alena
Published: May 2021

This article explores the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and social status, namely household consumption and university education of the respondents, together with a set of demographics of 27 transitional countries in Eastern Europe using the data of the 2016 Life in Transition Survey. The two‐stage least squares (2SLS) estimations are conducted on the full sample of 27 countries, the sub‐datasets of former Soviet Union republics, as well as other Eastern European transitional countries, males and females, respectively, in an effort to compare the relationships between BMI and social status in different contexts. The results highlighted two important findings: First, household consumption has a strong and positive correlation with BMI across all the sub‐datasets. Second, the father's education of the respondent is a strong predictor in predicting low BMI. These findings indicate that these transitional countries still run the same model as that typical developing countries, 25 years after the beginning of the transition.
Cyclic Diplatinum Complex with a Tröger's Base Ligand and Reductive Elimination of a Highly Strained Ring Molecule
Authors: Yoshigoe Yusuke , Suzaki Yuji , Osakada Kohtaro
Published: May 2021

Distannylated Tröger's base Me3Sn−C6H3−C3N2H6−C6H3−SnMe3 (TB‐(SnMe3)2) reacted with PtCl2(cod) (cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene) to yield a mixture of macrocyclic diplatinum complex composed of two Tröger's base ligands and two Pt(cod) units (1) and oligomers of the −C6H3−C3N2H6−C6H3−Pt(cod)‐ units (2). Heating a toluene solution of isolated complex 1 and excess PPh3 caused reductive elimination of a cyclic dimer of Tröger's base. The product is obtained in a diastereoselective manner. 1H NMR and DFT studies suggested the molecular structure having the Tröger's base units with smaller arylene rings (ϕ=65–66°) than that reported for dimethyl Tröger's base (ϕ=103°).
Measurement of Radioactivity
Authors: Averyn Viktar S.
Published: May 2021

Three basic types of measuring instruments used for the purposes of radiation control and monitoring are spectrometers, radiometers and dosimeters (Gurachevsky 2010).
Environmental Pathways of Radionuclides to Animal Products in Different Farming and Harvesting Systems
Authors: Howard Brenda
Published: May 2021

This chapter outlines the key environmental and metabolic pathways of radionuclides relevant for animals and animal products after NREs. The different methods used to quantify the transfer of radionuclides between relevant environmental pathways are also described. Detailed information is provided for the most important radionuclides that contaminate animals and animal products, namely radiocaesium, radioiodine and radiostrontium. Observed effects on agricultural and game animals after two NREs are also briefly described.
Management Options for Animal Production Systems: Which Ones to Choose in the Event of a Nuclear or Radiological Emergency?
Authors: Nisbet Anne
Published: May 2021

If radionuclides are released into a rural area as a result of a nuclear or radiological emergency (NRE), statutory food restrictions will be issued for places where activity concentrations of one or more radionuclides exceed operational intervention levels (OILs) in foodstuffs. The areas subject to food restrictions may be large, and for some long-lived radionuclides, there is potential for a wide range of food production systems to be disrupted for many years, unless some form of intervention is undertaken. A large number of management options for use in contaminated intensive livestock production, backyard farms and free-ranging livestock have been developed, for application pre-deposition, through to the late phase. As each NRE will be different in terms of its radiological composition and impact on the food chain, it is not possible to establish a generic strategy. Consequently, handbooks for food production systems have been developed to guide decision-makers in the selection and combining of management options, to ensure radionuclides remain below OILs. The handbooks include a stepwise process to progressively evaluate options and eliminate those deemed unsuitable, ultimately providing a short list of options on which to base the recovery strategy.
All $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = (8, 0) AdS3 solutions in 10 and 11 dimensions
Authors: Legramandi Andrea , Lo Monaco Gabriele , Macpherson Niall T.
Published: May 2021

Abstract

We classify AdS3 solutions preserving $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= (8, 0) supersymmetry in ten and eleven dimensions and find the local form of each of them. These include the AdS3×S6 solution of [1] and the embeddings of AdS3 into AdS4×S7, AdS5×S5, AdS7/ℤk×S4 and its IIA reduction within AdS7. More interestingly we find solutions preserving the superconformal algebras $$ {\mathfrak{f}}_4,\mathfrak{su}\left(1,1|4\right),\mathfrak{osp}\left({4}^{\ast }|4\right) $$

f
4

,
su

1
1
4

,
osp

4
∗

4

on certain squashings of the 7-sphere. These solutions asymptote to AdS4×S7 and are promising candidates for holographic duals to defects in Chern-Simons matter theories.
Omega vs. pi, and 6d anomaly cancellation
Authors: Davighi Joe , Lohitsiri Nakarin
Published: May 2021

Abstract

In this note we review the role of homotopy groups in determining non-perturbative (henceforth ‘global’) gauge anomalies, in light of recent progress understanding global anomalies using bordism. We explain why non-vanishing of πd(G) is neither a necessary nor a sufficient condition for there being a possible global anomaly in a d-dimensional chiral gauge theory with gauge group G. To showcase the failure of sufficiency, we revisit ‘global anomalies’ that have been previously studied in 6d gauge theories with G = SU(2), SU(3), or G2. Even though π6(G) ≠ 0, the bordism groups $$ {\Omega}_7^{\mathrm{Spin}}(BG) $$

Ω
7
Spin

BG

vanish in all three cases, implying there are no global anomalies. In the case of G = SU(2) we carefully scrutinize the role of homotopy, and explain why any 7-dimensional mapping torus must be trivial from the bordism perspective. In all these 6d examples, the conditions previously thought to be necessary for global anomaly cancellation are in fact necessary conditions for the local anomalies to vanish.
Incoherent hydrodynamics of density waves in magnetic fields
Authors: Donos Aristomenis , Pantelidou Christiana , Ziogas Vaios
Published: May 2021

Abstract

We use holography to derive effective theories of fluctuations in spontaneously broken phases of systems with finite temperature, chemical potential, magnetic field and momentum relaxation in which the order parameters break translations. We analytically construct the hydrodynamic modes corresponding to the coupled thermoelectric and density wave fluctuations and all of them turn out to be purely diffusive for our system. Upon introducing pinning for the density waves, some of these modes acquire not only a gap, but also a finite resonance due to the magnetic field. Finally, we study the optical properties and perform numerical checks of our analytical results. A crucial byproduct of our analysis is the identification of the correct current which describes the transport of heat in our system.
Higher-spin Cotton tensors and massive gauge-invariant actions in AdS3
Authors: Kuzenko Sergei M. , Ponds Michael
Published: May 2021

Abstract

In a conformally flat three-dimensional spacetime, the linearised higher-spin Cotton tensor ℭα(n)(h) is the unique conserved conformal current which is a gauge-invariant descendant of the conformal gauge prepotential hα(n). The explicit form of ℭα(n)(h) is well known in Minkowski space. Here we solve the problem of extending the Minkowskian result to the case of anti-de Sitter (AdS) space and derive a closed-form expression for ℭα(n)(h) in terms of the AdS Lorentz covariant derivatives. It is shown that every conformal higher-spin action $$ {S}_{\mathrm{CS}}^{(n)}\left[h\right]\propto \int {\mathrm{d}}^3{xeh}^{\alpha (n)}{\mathrm{\mathfrak{C}}}_{\alpha (n)}(h) $$

S
CS

n

h

∝
∫

d
3

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factorises into a product of (n − 1) first-order operators that are associated with the spin-n/2 partially massless AdS values. Our findings greatly facilitate the on-shell analysis of massive higher-spin gauge-invariant actions in AdS3. The main results are extended to the case of $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 AdS supersymmetry. In particular, we derive simple expressions for the higher-spin super-Cotton tensors in AdS3.
Extremal effective field theories
Authors: Caron-Huot Simon , Van Duong Vincent
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Effective field theories (EFT) parameterize the long-distance effects of short-distance dynamics whose details may or may not be known. Previous work showed that EFT coefficients must obey certain positivity constraints if causality and unitarity are satisfied at all scales. We explore those constraints from the perspective of 2 → 2 scattering amplitudes of a light real scalar field, using semi-definite programming to carve out the space of allowed EFT coefficients for a given mass threshold M. We point out that all EFT parameters are bounded both below and above, effectively showing that dimensional analysis scaling is a consequence of causality. This includes the coefficients of s2 + t2 + u2 and stu type interactions. We present simple 2 → 2 extremal amplitudes which realize, or “rule in”, kinks in coefficient space and whose convex hull span a large fraction of the allowed space.
A non-Archimedean analogue of Teichmüller space and its tropicalization
Authors: Ulirsch Martin
Published: May 2021

In this article we use techniques from tropical and logarithmic geometry to construct a non-Archimedean analogue ofTeichmüller space$$\overline{{{\mathcal {T}}}}_g$$T¯gwhose points are pairs consisting of a stable projective curve over a non-Archimedean field and a Teichmüller marking of the topological fundamental group of its Berkovich analytification. This construction is closely related to and inspired by the classical construction of a non-Archimedean Schottky space for Mumford curves by Gerritzen and Herrlich. We argue that the skeleton of non-Archimedean Teichmüller space is precisely the tropical Teichmüller space introduced by Chan–Melo–Viviani as a simplicial completion of Culler–Vogtmann Outer space. As a consequence, Outer space turns out to be a strong deformation retract of the locus of smooth Mumford curves in$$\overline{{\mathcal {T}}}_g$$T¯g.
Correction to: The decrease of non-complicated acute appendicitis and the negative appendectomy rate during pandemic
Authors: Ceresoli Marco , Coccolini Federico , Magnone Stefano , Lucianetti Alessandro , Bisagni Pietro , Armao Teodora , Ansaloni Luca , Zago Mauro , Chiarugi Massimo , Catena Fausto , Braga Marco ,   the Appendicitis-COVID study group, Nizzardo Marco , Nespoli Luca , Fattori Luca , Degrate Luca , Perrone Stefano , Cereda Marco , Pisano Michele , Poiasina Elia , Bertoli Paolo , Ballabio Michele , Braga Stefano , Graziano Giorgio , Tartaglia Dario , Arces Francesco , Mariani Marco , Tagliabue Fulvio , Perrone Gennaro , Annicchiarico Alfredo , Giuffrida Mario , Ferrari Giovanni , Benedetti Antonio , Allievi Niccolò , Ciocca Michele , Pinotti Enrico , Montuori Mauro , Carlucci Michele , Tomajer Valentina , Fugazzola Paola
Published: May 2021

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00068-021-01683-3
Die bundesweiten Maßnahmen zur Alkoholprävention der Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA)
Authors: Schwarz Tobias , Goecke Michaela
Published: May 2021

Im europäischen Vergleich ist der Alkoholkonsum in Deutschland nach wie vor hoch. Eine langfristige Senkung kann zum Rückgang alkoholbedingter Morbidität und Mortalität beitragen. Die Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) fokussiert seit vielen Jahren innerhalb der Suchtprävention die Alkoholprävention und setzt dazu 3 zielgruppenspezifische bundesweite Mehrebenenkampagnen um. Die Kampagne „Null Alkohol – Voll Power“ richtet sich an Jugendliche im Alter von 12 bis 16 Jahren, die Kampagne „Alkohol? Kenn dein Limit.“ besteht aus 2 Teilkampagnen und richtet sich an 16- bis 20-Jährige sowie an Erwachsene. Außerdem bietet die BZgA Sportvereinen die Möglichkeit zur Teilnahme an der Aktion „Alkoholfrei Sport genießen“. In diesem Beitrag werden die Maßnahmen und die dahinterstehenden Konzepte vorgestellt.

Die Kampagnen sind miteinander im Sinne einer Präventionskette verbunden, sodass Synergien genutzt werden können. Sie basieren auf den Kriterien des Social-Marketings und unterliegen einem kontinuierlichen Qualitätssicherungsprozess. Um die Zielgruppen zu erreichen, wird primär die Internetkommunikation genutzt, die ergänzt wird durch personalkommunikative Angebote in Lebenswelten sowie Massenkommunikation in Form von Plakaten, Spots, Anzeigen und Printmedien. Bei der Umsetzung von Angeboten in Schulen, Vereinen oder Kommunen setzt die BZgA auf eine gute Kooperation und Abstimmung mit den Ländern. Als begleitendes Monitoring führt sie seit vielen Jahrzehnten regelmäßig Repräsentativbefragungen u. a. zum Alkoholkonsumverhalten der 12- bis 25-Jährigen in Deutschland durch. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass der Alkoholkonsum im langfristigen Trend in Deutschland zwar rückläufig, aber dennoch hoch ist.
Multiverse to inform neurological research: an example using recovery outcome of neglect
Authors: Moore Margaret J. , Demeyere Nele
Published: May 2021

Objective

Multiverse analysis provides an ideal tool for understanding how inherent, yet ultimately arbitrary methodological choices impact the conclusions of individual studies. With this investigation, we aimed to demonstrate the utility of multiverse analysis for evaluating generalisability and identifying potential sources of bias within studies employing neurological populations.

Methods

Multiverse analysis was used to evaluate the robustness of the relationship between post-stroke visuospatial neglect and poor long-term recovery outcome within a sample of 1113 (age = 72.5, 45.1% female) stroke survivors. A total of 25,600 t-test comparisons were run across 400 different patient groups defined using various combinations of valid inclusion criteria based on lesion location, stroke type, assessment time, neglect impairment definition, and scoring criteria across 16 standardised outcome measures.

Results

Overall, 33.9% of conducted comparisons yielded significant results. 99.9% of these significant results fell below the null specification curve, indicating a highly robust relationship between neglect and poor recovery outcome. However, the strength of this effect was not constant across all comparison groups. Comparisons which included < 100 participants, pre-selected patients based on lesion type, or failed to account for allocentric neglect impairment were found to yield average effect sizes which differed substantially. Similarly, average effect sizes differed across various outcome measures with the strongest average effect in comparisons involving an activities of daily living measure and the weakest in comparisons employing a depression subscale.

Conclusions

This investigation demonstrates the utility of multiverse analysis techniques for evaluating effect robustness and identifying potential sources of bias within neurological research.
Pareto-like sequential sampling heuristic for global optimisation
Authors: Shaqfa Mahmoud , Beyer Katrin
Published: May 2021

In this paper, we propose a simple global optimisation algorithm inspired by Pareto’s principle. This algorithm samples most of its solutions within prominent search domains and is equipped with a self-adaptive mechanism to control the dynamic tightening of the prominent domains while the greediness of the algorithm increases over time (iterations). Unlike traditional metaheuristics, the proposed method has no direct mutation- or crossover-like operations. It depends solely on the sequential random sampling that can be used in diversification and intensification processes while keeping the information-flow between generations and the structural bias at a minimum. By using a simple topology, the algorithm avoids premature convergence by sampling new solutions every generation. A simple theoretical derivation revealed that the exploration of this approach is unbiased and the rate of the diversification is constant during the runtime. The trade-off balance between the diversification and the intensification is explained theoretically and experimentally. This proposed approach has been benchmarked against standard optimisation problems as well as a selected set of simple and complex engineering applications. We used 26 standard benchmarks with different properties that cover most of the optimisation problems’ nature, three traditional engineering problems, and one real complex engineering problem from the state-of-the-art literature. The algorithm performs well in finding global minima for nonconvex and multimodal functions, especially with high dimensional problems and it was found very competitive in comparison with the recent algorithmic proposals. Moreover, the algorithm outperforms and scales better than recent algorithms when it is benchmarked under a limited number of iterations for the composite CEC2017 problems. The design of this algorithm is kept simple so it can be easily coupled or hybridised with other search paradigms. The code of the algorithm is provided in C++14, Python3.7, and Octave (Matlab).
Primary amputation versus limb salvage in upper limb major trauma: a systematic review
Authors: Nayar Sandeep Krishan , Alcock Harry M. F. , Edwards Dafydd S.
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Severe upper limb injuries can result in devastating consequences to functional and psychological well-being. Primary objectives of this review were to evaluate indications for amputation versus limb salvage in upper limb major trauma and whether any existing scoring systems can aid in decision-making. Secondary objectives were to assess the functional and psychological outcomes from amputation versus limb salvage.

Methods

A systematic review was carried out in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. A search strategy was conducted on the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases. Quality was assessed using the ROBINS-I tool. The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO.

Results

A total of 15 studies met inclusion criteria, encompassing 6113 patients. 141 underwent primary amputation and 5972 limb salvage. General indications for amputation included at least two of the following: uncontrollable haemodynamic instability; extensive and concurrent soft tissue, bone, vascular and/or nerve injuries; prolonged limb ischaemia; and blunt arterial trauma or crush injury. The Mangled Extremity Severity Score alone does not accurately predict need for amputation, however, the Mangled Extremity Syndrome Index may be a more precise tool. Comparable patient-reported functional and psychological outcomes are seen between the two treatment modalities.

Conclusions

Decision regarding amputation versus limb salvage of the upper limb is multifactorial. Current scoring systems are predominantly based on lower limb trauma, with lack of robust evidence to guide management of the upper extremity. Further high-quality studies are required to validate scoring systems which may aid in decision-making and provide further information on the outcomes from the two treatment options.
Automated generation of consistent, diverse and structurally realistic graph models
Authors: Semeráth Oszkár , Babikian Aren A. , Chen Boqi , Li Chuning , Marussy Kristóf , Szárnyas Gábor , Varró Dániel
Published: May 2021

In this paper, we present a novel technique to automatically synthesize consistent, diverse and structurally realistic domain-specific graph models. A graph model is (1) consistent if it is metamodel-compliant and it satisfies the well-formedness constraints of the domain; (2) it is diverse if local neighborhoods of nodes are highly different; and (1) it is structurally realistic if a synthetic graph is at a close distance to a representative real model according to various graph metrics used in network science, databases or software engineering. Our approach grows models by model extension operators using a hill-climbing strategy in a way that (A) ensures that there are no constraint violation in the models (for consistency reasons), while (B) more realistic candidates are selected to minimize a target metric value (wrt. the representative real model). We evaluate the effectiveness of the approach for generating realistic models using multiple metrics for guidance heuristics and compared to other model generators in the context of three case studies with a large set of real human models. We also highlight that our technique is able to generate a diverse set of models, which is a requirement in many testing scenarios.