bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Menaquinone-mediated regulation of membrane fluidity is relevant for fitness of Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Flegler Alexander , Kombeitz Vanessa , Lipski André
Published: April 2021

Listeria monocytogenes is a food-borne pathogen with the ability to grow at low temperatures down to − 0.4 °C. Maintaining cytoplasmic membrane fluidity by changing the lipid membrane composition is important during growth at low temperatures. In Listeria monocytogenes, the dominant adaptation effect is the fluidization of the membrane by shortening of fatty acid chain length. In some strains, however, an additional response is the increase in menaquinone content during growth at low temperatures. The increase of this neutral lipid leads to fluidization of the membrane and thus represents a mechanism that is complementary to the fatty acid-mediated modification of membrane fluidity. This study demonstrated that the reduction of menaquinone content for Listeria monocytogenes strains resulted in significantly lower resistance to temperature stress and lower growth rates compared to unaffected control cultures after growth at 6 °C. Menaquinone content was reduced by supplementation with aromatic amino acids, which led to a feedback inhibition of the menaquinone synthesis. Menaquinone-reduced Listeria monocytogenes strains showed reduced bacterial cell fitness. This confirmed the adaptive function of menaquinones for growth at low temperatures of this pathogen.
Correction to: Targeted Inactivation of Rin3 Increases Trabecular Bone Mass by Reducing Bone Resorption and Favouring Bone Formation
Authors: Vallet Mahéva , Sophocleous Antonia , Törnqvist Anna E. , Azfer Asim , Hof Rob van’t , Albagha Omar ME , Ralston Stuart H.
Published: April 2021

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00223-021-00849-w
The Height Invariant of a Four-Parameter Semitoric System with Two Focus–Focus Singularities
Authors: Alonso Jaume , Hohloch Sonja
Published: April 2021

Semitoric systems are a special class of completely integrable systems with two degrees of freedom that have been symplectically classified by Pelayo and Vũ Ngọc about a decade ago in terms of five symplectic invariants. If a semitoric system has several focus–focus singularities, then some of these invariants have multiple components, one for each focus–focus singularity. Their computation is not at all evident, especially in multi-parameter families. In this paper, we consider afour-parameterfamily of semitoric systems withtwofocus–focus singularities. In particular, apart from the polygon invariant, we compute the so-calledheight invariant. Moreover, we show that the two components of this invariant encode the symmetries of the system in an intricate way.
Fibroblast GATA-4 and GATA-6 promote myocardial adaptation to pressure overload by enhancing cardiac angiogenesis
Authors: Dittrich Gesine M. , Froese Natali , Wang Xue , Kroeger Hannah , Wang Honghui , Szaroszyk Malgorzata , Malek-Mohammadi Mona , Cordero Julio , Keles Merve , Korf-Klingebiel Mortimer , Wollert Kai C. , Geffers Robert , Mayr Manuel , Conway Simon J. , Dobreva Gergana , Bauersachs Johann , Heineke Joerg
Published: April 2021

Heart failure due to high blood pressure or ischemic injury remains a major problem for millions of patients worldwide. Despite enormous advances in deciphering the molecular mechanisms underlying heart failure progression, the cell-type specific adaptations and especially intercellular signaling remain poorly understood. Cardiac fibroblasts express high levels of cardiogenic transcription factors such as GATA-4 and GATA-6, but their role in fibroblasts during stress is not known. Here, we show that fibroblast GATA-4 and GATA-6 promote adaptive remodeling in pressure overload induced cardiac hypertrophy. Using a mouse model with specific single or double deletion of Gata4 and Gata6 in stress activated fibroblasts, we found a reduced myocardial capillarization in mice with Gata4/6 double deletion following pressure overload, while single deletion of Gata4 or Gata6 had no effect. Importantly, we confirmed the reduced angiogenic response using an in vitro co-culture system with Gata4/6 deleted cardiac fibroblasts and endothelial cells. A comprehensive RNA-sequencing analysis revealed an upregulation of anti-angiogenic genes upon Gata4/6 deletion in fibroblasts, and siRNA mediated downregulation of these genes restored endothelial cell growth. In conclusion, we identified a novel role for the cardiogenic transcription factors GATA-4 and GATA-6 in heart fibroblasts, where both proteins act in concert to promote myocardial capillarization and heart function by directing intercellular crosstalk.
Glioblastomas with primitive neuronal component harbor a distinct methylation and copy-number profile with inactivation of TP53, PTEN, and RB1
Authors: Suwala Abigail K. , Stichel Damian , Schrimpf Daniel , Maas Sybren L. N. , Sill Martin , Dohmen Hildegard , Banan Rouzbeh , Reinhardt Annekathrin , Sievers Philipp , Hinz Felix , Blattner-Johnson Mirjam , Hartmann Christian , Schweizer Leonille , Boldt Henning B. , Kristensen Bjarne Winther , Schittenhelm Jens , Wood Matthew D. , Chotard Guillaume , Bjergvig Rolf , Das Anirban , Tabori Uri , Hasselblatt Martin , Korshunov Andrey , Abdullaev Zied , Quezado Martha , Aldape Kenneth , Harter Patrick N. , Snuderl Matija , Hench Jürgen , Frank Stephan , Acker Till , Brandner Sebastian , Winkler Frank , Wesseling Pieter , Pfister Stefan M. , Reuss David E. , Wick Wolfgang , von Deimling Andreas , Jones David T. W. , Sahm Felix
Published: April 2021

Glioblastoma IDH-wildtype presents with a wide histological spectrum. Some features are so distinctive that they are considered as separate histological variants or patterns for the purpose of classification. However, these usually lack defined (epi-)genetic alterations or profiles correlating with this histology. Here, we describe a molecular subtype with overlap to the unique histological pattern of glioblastoma with primitive neuronal component. Our cohort consists of 63 IDH-wildtype glioblastomas that harbor a characteristic DNA methylation profile. Median age at diagnosis was 59.5 years. Copy-number variations and genetic sequencing revealed frequent alterations in TP53, RB1 and PTEN, with fewer gains of chromosome 7 and homozygous CDKN2A/B deletions than usually described for IDH-wildtype glioblastoma. Gains of chromosome 1 were detected in more than half of the cases. A poorly differentiated phenotype with frequent absence of GFAP expression, high proliferation index and strong staining for p53 and TTF1 often caused misleading histological classification as carcinoma metastasis or primitive neuroectodermal tumor. Clinically, many patients presented with leptomeningeal dissemination and spinal metastasis. Outcome was poor with a median overall survival of only 12 months. Overall, we describe a new molecular subtype of IDH-wildtype glioblastoma with a distinct histological appearance and genetic signature.
Sequence diversity and evolution of a group of iflaviruses associated with ticks
Authors: Daveu Romain , Hervet Caroline , Sigrist Louane , Sassera Davide , Jex Aaron , Labadie Karine , Aury Jean-Marc , Plantard Olivier , Rispe Claude
Published: April 2021

We studied a group of tick-associated viruses with characteristics of members of the family Iflaviridae, a family of viruses frequently found in arthropods. Our aim was to gain insight into the evolutionary dynamics of this group of viruses, which may be linked to the biology of ticks. We explored assembled RNA-Seq data sets for different species of ticks. We identified members of five different iflavirus species, four of them novel, and discovered nine new genome sequences, including variants. Five variants represented a virus species associated with Ixodes ricinus. Unexpectedly, a sequence found in the Ixodes scapularis cell line ISE6 was nearly identical to the sequences of I. ricinus variants, suggesting a contamination of this cell line by I. ricinus material. Analysing patterns of substitutions between these variants, we detected a strong excess of synonymous mutations, suggesting evolution under strong positive selection. The phylogenies of the viruses and of their tick hosts were not congruent, suggesting recurrent host changes across tick genera during their evolution. Overall, our work constitutes a step in the understanding of the interactions between this family of viruses and ticks.
Decompositions by sources and by subpopulations of the Pietra index: two applications to professional football teams in Italy
Authors: Porro Francesco , Zenga Mariangela
Published: April 2021

In this paper two innovative procedures for the decomposition of the Pietra index are proposed. The first one allows the decomposition by sources, while the second one provides the decomposition by subpopulations. As special case of the latter procedure, the “classical” decomposition in two components (within and between) can be easily obtained. A remarkable feature of both the proposed procedures is that they permit the assessment of the contribution to the Pietra index at the smallest possible level: each source for the first one and each subpopulation for the second one. To highlight the usefulness of these procedures, two applications are provided regarding Italian professional football (soccer) teams.
Artenschutz und Europarecht im Kontext der Windenergie – Der Klimaschutz und die Auslegung der Ausnahmeregelungen
der Vogelschutzrichtlinie
Authors: Hofmann Ekkehard
Published: April 2021

Während die FFH-Richtlinie ein flexibles und durch die Rechtsprechung in vielen Einzelfragen
geklärtes Instrumentarium zur Rechtfertigung der Verletzung naturschutzrechtlicher Schutzvorschriften
enthält, werden die entsprechenden Ausnahmevorschriften der Vogelschutzrichtlinie von Vielen als erheblich
rigider empfunden. Das VG Gießen ging jüngst sogar soweit, die Erteilung einer Genehmigung für
eine Windenergieanlage aufzuheben, weil die Anlage trotz aller Vorkehrungen zum Schutz der Vögel deren
Tötungsrisiko signifikant erhöht hätte. Das gibt Anlass, der Frage nachzugehen, ob und inwieweit
das Artenschutzrecht dem Ausbau der Windenergie tatsächlich substanzielle und möglicherweise einschneidende
Grenzen setzt. Der Beitrag gelangt zu dem Ergebnis, dass die Vogelschutzrichtlinie bei näherer Analyse
durchaus Möglichkeiten bietet, eine praktische Konkordanz der gegenläufigen Zielsetzungen zu erreichen.
Joint desirability foundations of social choice and opinion pooling
Authors: Casanova Arianna , Miranda Enrique , Zaffalon Marco
Published: April 2021

We develop joint foundations for the fields of social choice and opinion pooling using coherent sets of desirable gambles, a general uncertainty model that allows to encompass both complete and incomplete preferences. This leads on the one hand to a new perspective of traditional results of social choice (in particular Arrow’s theorem as well as sufficient conditions for the existence of an oligarchy and democracy) and on the other hand to using the same framework to analyse opinion pooling. In particular, we argue that weak Pareto (unanimity) should be given the status of a rationality requirement and use this to discuss the aggregation of experts’ opinions based on probability and (state-independent) utility, showing some inherent limitation of this framework, with implications for statistics. The connection between our results and earlier work in the literature is also discussed.
A Numerical Study of the Global Instability in Counter-Current Homogeneous Density Incompressible Round Jets
Authors: Wawrzak Karol , Boguslawski Andrzej , Tyliszczak Artur
Published: April 2021

The paper focuses on a global instability phenomenon in counter-current round jets issuing from co-axial nozzles. Three different configurations that differ in a way of the counter flow generation are investigated. Besides typical configurations used in experimental and numerical research performed so far, in which suction applied in an annular nozzle is a driving force for the counterflow, a novel set-up is proposed where the annular nozzle is oriented in the opposite direction and placed above the main one. Such a configuration eliminates the suction of fluid from the main jet, which in previous research was found to have a destructive impact on the occurrence of the global flow instability. The research is performed using a large eddy simulation (LES) method and the computations are carried out applying a high-order numerical code, the accuracy of which has been proven in previous works and also in the present research through comparisons with available experimental data. The research is complemented by the linear stability analysis which supports the LES results and formulated conclusions. In agreement with a number of the previous works it has been shown that the global modes can be triggered only when the velocity ratio (I) between the main jet velocity and the velocity of the jet issuing from the annular nozzle is above a certain threshold level ($$I_{\text {cr}}$$Icr). It has been shown that in the classical configurations of the co-axial nozzles the range of$$I\ge I_{\text {cr}}$$I≥Icrfor which the global instability phenomenon exists is very narrow and it disappears for larger velocity ratios. Reasons for that have been identified through detailed scrutiny of instantaneous flow pictures. In the new set-up of the nozzles the global instability persists for a significantly wider range ofI. It has been shown that$$I_{\text {cr}}$$Icrdepends on both the momentum thickness of the mixing layer formed between the counter-current streams and the applied configuration of the nozzles. The LES results univocally showed that the latter factor decides on the type of the instability mode (Mode I or Mode II) that emerges in the flow, as it directly influences on a length of the region where the counter-current streams are parallel allowing the growth of short or long wave disturbances characteristic for Mode I and Mode II, respectively.
Social Media Screening and Procedural Justice: Towards Fairer Use of Social Media in Selection
Authors: Vosen Eva
Published: April 2021

Companies have started using social media for screening applicants in the selection process. Thereby, they enter a low-cost source of information on applicants, which potentially allows them to hire the right person on the job and avoid irresponsible employee behaviour and negligent hiring lawsuits. However, a number of ethical issues are associated with this practice, which give rise to the question of the fairness of social media screening. This article aims to provide an assessment of the procedural justice of social media screening and to articulate recommendations for a fairer use of social media in the selection process. To achieve this, a systematic literature review of research articles pertaining to social media screening has been conducted. Thereby, the benefits and ethical issues relating to social media screening, as well as recommendations for its use have been extracted and discussed against Leventhal’s (1980) rules of procedural justice. It turns out that without clear guidelines for recruiters, social media screening cannot be considered procedurally fair, as it opens up way too many opportunities for infringements on privacy, unfair discrimination, and adverse selection based on inaccurate information. However, it is possible to enhance the fairness of this practice by establishing clear policies and procedures to standardize the process.
Nanoscale phase separations in as-fabricated thick super duplex stainless steels
Authors: Hosseini Vahid A. , Lindgren Kristina , Thuvander Mattias , Gonzalez Daniel , Oliver James , Karlsson Leif
Published: April 2021

Nanoscale phase separations, and effects of these, were studied for thick super duplex stainless steel products by atom probe tomography and mechanical testing. Although nanoscale phase separations typically occur during long-time service at intermediate temperatures (300–500° C, our results show that slowly cooled products start to develop Fe and Cr separation and/or precipitation of Cu-rich particles already during fabrication. Copper significantly slowed down the kinetics at the expense of Cu-rich particle precipitation, where the high-copper material subjected to hot isostatic pressing (HIP), with Δt500–400 of 160 s and the low-copper hot-rolled plate with Δt500–400 of 2 s had the same level of Fe and Cr separation. The phase separations resulted in lower toughness and higher hardness of the HIP material than for hot-rolled plate. Therefore, both local cooling rate dependent and alloy composition governed variations of phase separations can be expected in as-fabricated condition.
A comparison theorem for cosmological lightcones
Authors: Carfora Mauro , Familiari Francesca
Published: April 2021

Let (M, g) denote a cosmological spacetime describing the evolution of a universe which is isotropic and homogeneous on large scales, but highly inhomogeneous on smaller scales. We consider two past lightcones, the first,$${{\mathcal {C}}_{L}^{-}}(p, g)$$CL-(p,g), is associated with the physical observer$$p\in \,M$$p∈Mwho describes the actual physical spacetime geometry of (M, g) at the length scaleL, whereas the second,$${\mathcal {C}_{L}^{-}}(p, \hat{g})$$CL-(p,g^), is associated with an idealized version of the observerpwho, notwithstanding the presence of local inhomogeneities at the given scaleL, wish to model (M, g) with a member$$(M, \hat{g})$$(M,g^)of the family of Friedmann–Lemaitre–Robertson–Walker spacetimes. In such a framework, we discuss a number of mathematical results that allows a rigorous comparison between the two lightcones$${\mathcal {C}_{L}^{-}}(p, g)$$CL-(p,g)and$${\mathcal {C}_{L}^{-}}(p, \hat{g})$$CL-(p,g^). In particular, we introduce a scale-dependent (L) lightcone-comparison functional, defined by a harmonic type energy, associated with a natural map between the physical$${\mathcal {C}_{L}^{-}}(p, g)$$CL-(p,g)and the FLRW reference lightcone$${\mathcal {C}_{L}^{-}}(p, \hat{g})$$CL-(p,g^). This functional has a number of remarkable properties, in particular it vanishes iff, at the given length-scale, the corresponding lightcone surface sections (the celestial spheres) are isometric. We discuss in detail its variational analysis and prove the existence of a minimum that characterizes a natural scale-dependent distance functional between the two lightcones. We also indicate how it is possible to extend our results to the case when caustics develop on the physical past lightcone$${\mathcal {C}_{L}^{-}}(p, g)$$CL-(p,g). Finally, by exploiting causal diamond theory, we show how the distance functional is related (to leading order in the scaleL) to spacetime scalar curvature in the causal past of the two lightcones, and briefly illustrate a number of its possible applications.
Dynamic microhabitat shifts in space and time of caddisfly larvae (Insecta: Trichoptera) in a first‐order calcareous mountain stream
Authors: Martini Jan , Waringer Johann
Published: April 2021

By studying substrate (choriotope) preferences of 25 caddisfly taxa in the Schreierbach stream, a calcareous, first order tributary of the Ybbs river (Lower Austria), we aimed on (1) detecting microhabitat preferences in space and time, (2) to relate this information with ontogenetic choriotope shifts, and (3) to explore relationships between feeding guilds and choriotopes chosen. For this, we took six sets of bi-monthly multi-habitat samples of larvae at three stream sections (360 samples). Densities were highest in Drusinae juveniles (53.60 %), Micrasema morosum (15.14 %), Drusus discolor (13.31 %) and D. monticola (4.46 %), and were significantly higher in the upper stream section (1900 ± 1039 larvae m− 2) than in the central (205 ± 23) and lower (141 ± 22). Ivlev electivity indices revealed preferences for Macrolithal in Rhyacophila spp. and Tinodes dives, for Microlithal in Drusinae juveniles, for Megalithal and Phytal in filtering Drusinae and Micrasema, and for Xylal and Akal in Limnephilinae. A cluster analysis of choriotope electivity yielded five clusters, corresponding with functional feeding types. At the instar level, the chosen grain size increased with increasing instar in some species. Observed habitat shifts in space and time reflected the interaction of instar-specific choriotope choice and longitudinal translocations.
The response of groundwater to multiple concerning drivers and its future: a study on Birbhum District, West Bengal, India
Authors: Das Niladri , Sutradhar Subhasish , Ghosh Ranajit , Mondal Prolay , Islam Sadikul
Published: April 2021

Groundwater and its upcoming crisis are the present-day concern of the scientist. This research mainly focuses on responses of groundwater dynamicity to some important drivers, viz. agricultural yield, groundwater irrigated area, groundwater draft, landuse/landcover, and stage of development. The result of this study has been done under three sections. In the first section, the spatiality of groundwater has been discussed where it has been noticed that the western side of the district groundwater level is near the surface due to low drafting and low agricultural yield. Moreover, hard rock geology in the western part disappoints the drilling process. On the eastern part, rich alluvial soil influences high agricultural yield hence groundwater level lowering down rapidly. In the second section, the nature of groundwater levels has been analyzed through the boxplot, and cluster diagram, where boxplots have been drawn over different geological facies, which depicts groundwater is highly fluctuating in hard clay geology. For example, high agricultural intensity and high groundwater draft is the characteristic feature of hard clay geology. The dendrogram in cluster analysis represents a homogeneous groundwater level fluctuating station in three different time series. Last section deals with the future of groundwater level where an artificial neural network (ANN) model has been applied to extract the predicted groundwater level for 2030. This type of environmental analysis, such as groundwater fluctuations in relation to different sensitive parameters and the use of a machine learning model, would aid potential researchers and communities in making wise groundwater use decisions.
A regularity result for minimal configurations of a free interface problem
Authors: Lamberti Lorenzo
Published: April 2021

We prove a regularity result for minimal configurations of variational problems involving both bulk and surface energies in some bounded open region$$\varOmega \subseteq {\mathbb {R}}^n$$Ω⊆Rn. We will deal with the energy functional$${\mathscr {F}}(v,E):=\int _\varOmega [F(\nabla v)+1_E G(\nabla v)+f_E(x,v)]\,dx+P(E,\varOmega )$$F(v,E):=∫Ω[F(∇v)+1EG(∇v)+fE(x,v)]dx+P(E,Ω). The bulk energy depends on a functionvand its gradient$$\nabla v$$∇v. It consists in two strongly quasi-convex functionsFandG, which have polinomialp-growth and are linked with theirp-recession functions by a proximity condition, and a function$$f_E$$fE, whose absolute valuesatisfies aq-growth condition from above. The surface penalization term is proportional to the perimeter of a subsetEin$$\varOmega $$Ω. The term$$f_E$$fEis allowed to be negative, but an additional condition on the growth from below is needed to prove the existence of a minimal configuration of the problem associated with$${\mathscr {F}}$$F. The same condition turns out to be crucial in the proof of the regularity result as well. If (u, A) is a minimal configuration, we prove thatuis locally Hölder continuous andAis equivalent to an open set$${\tilde{A}}$$A~. We finally get$$P(A,\varOmega )={\mathscr {H}}^{n-1}(\partial {\tilde{A}}\cap \varOmega $$P(A,Ω)=Hn-1(∂A~∩Ω).
Complexes of tournaments, directionality filtrations and persistent homology
Authors: Govc Dejan , Levi Ran , Smith Jason P.
Published: April 2021

Complete digraphs are referred to in the combinatorics literature as tournaments. We consider a family of semi-simplicial complexes, that we refer to as “tournaplexes”, whose simplices are tournaments. In particular, given a digraph $${\mathcal {G}}$$
G
, we associate with it a “flag tournaplex” which is a tournaplex containing the directed flag complex of $${\mathcal {G}}$$
G
, but also the geometric realisation of cliques that are not directed. We define several types of filtrations on tournaplexes, and exploiting persistent homology, we observe that flag tournaplexes provide finer means of distinguishing graph dynamics than the directed flag complex. We then demonstrate the power of these ideas by applying them to graph data arising from the Blue Brain Project’s digital reconstruction of a rat’s neocortex.
Healthcare Experiences of Individuals With Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder/Genito-Pelvic Dysesthesia
Authors: Jackowich Robyn A. , Boyer Stéphanie C. , Bienias Samantha , Chamberlain Susan , Pukall Caroline F.
Published: April 2021

Introduction

Persistent genital arousal disorder/genito-pelvic dysesthesia (PGAD/GPD) is a distressing condition characterized by persistent, unwanted sensations of genital arousal (eg, feelings of being on the verge of orgasm, and of lubrication, swelling, tingling, throbbing) that occur in the absence of sexual desire. Although PGAD/GPD is associated with significant impairments in psychosocial functioning, the healthcare (HC) experiences of affected individuals are not well understood.

Aim

The aims of this study were to examine the barriers to HC, the costs of HC, and the associations among HC experiences, symptoms, and psychosocial outcomes in those with PGAD/GPD symptoms.

Methods

One hundred and thirteen individuals with PGAD/GPD symptoms completed an online, cross-sectional self-report questionnaire about their HC history and experiences.

Main Outcome Measures

Self-reported HC barriers, and financial costs associated with PGAD/GPD HC. Validated measures of HC experiences (eg, comfort communicating with HC practitioners [HCPs]), and psychosocial (eg, depression, anxiety) and PGAD/GPD symptom outcomes.

Results

The majority of participants (56.6%) reported waiting at least 6 months to seek HC for PGAD/GPD symptoms. Those who sought HC approached many HCPs (46.0% approached 6+ HCPs). Several barriers to HC were identified (eg, lack of HCP knowledge of PGAD/GPD), and high costs were reported. A series of multiple linear regression analyses found an association between HC experiences, psychosocial, and symptom outcomes. Specifically, decreased comfort communicating with one's HCP was associated with greater depressive and anxiety symptoms.

Conclusion

High costs and numerous barriers to seeking HC for PGAD/GPD symptoms were identified, and discomfort communicating with an HCP about PGAD/GPD was associated with increased symptoms of depression and anxiety. These results highlight the need for more awareness of this condition in order to improve care for this population.
Comparison of Mitoxantrone–Melphalan and BEAM Conditioning Regimens in Patients with Lymphoma
Authors: Gunes Ahmet Kursad , Serin Istemi , Demir Ilknur , Sarifakiogullari Serpil , Durusoy Salih Sertac , Akkurt Dervis Murad , Ince Idris , Ozkan Gulkan , Cinli Tahir Alper , Pehlivan Mustafa
Published: April 2021

Objective/Background:

Lymphoma is seen as a highly treatable and curable malignancy with aggressive treatment methods. Efficacy is often limited by toxicity and many patients need alternative treatment strategies as they cannot tolerate existing high cytotoxic approaches. Our aim is to compare BEAM [carmustine (BCNU), etoposide, cytarabine (ARA-C, cytosine arabinoside), and melphalan] and mitoxantrone–melphalan (Mx-Mel) regimens utilized in our patients with a diagnosis of lymphoma who underwent autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), and to demonstrate that the Mx-Mel regimen has similar but less toxic results than the BEAM regimen we have been using frequently as standard conditioning regimen.

Methods:

A total of 101 patients with lymphoma who underwent ASCT were included in our study. The BEAM regimen included BCNU, etoposide, ARA-C, and melphalan. The Mx-Mel regimen included mitoxantrone and melphalan.

Results:

Of 101 patients included in the study, 60 (59.4%) received BEAM and 41 (40.6%) received Mx-Mel (40.6%) conditioning regimen. The median time to neutrophil engraftment was 10 (range: 9–20) days and 12 (range: 9–12) days in the BEAM and Mx-Mel arms, respectively; it was statistically significantly shorter in the BEAM arm (p = .001).

Conclusion:

This study demonstrates that the Mx-Mel regimen has similar efficacy and toxicity compared with the BEAM regimen. Although time to neutrophil engraftment was shorter in the BEAM arm, it did not result as significant transplant-related complications between the two regimens. The Mx-Mel regimen is seen as a good alternative with low toxicity and high efficacy.
Can we omit surgery in patients with isolated free fluid following blunt abdominal injury? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Promboon Tatchakorn , Krutsri Chonlada , Sumritpradit Preeda , Singhatas Pongsasit , Lertsitthichai Panuwat , Kitgrongpaibul Panjapon , Thongchai Varinthip , Choikrua Pattawia , Phoprom Napaphat
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACT

Background:

Management of isolated free fluid following blunt abdominal injury in hemodynamically stable patients is still controversial with respect to nonoperative management (NOM) versus immediate laparotomy. This meta-analysis was performed to identify significant intra-abdominal injuries that require therapeutic laparotomy, thus helping in decision-making during initial management.

Method:

We systematically reviewed the PubMed and SCOPUS databases from 2000 to 2020. The primary outcome of interest was identification of significant intra-abdominal injuries requiring therapeutic laparotomy. We performed the meta-analysis using a random-effects model.

Results:

Eight studies involving 7763 patients were evaluated. Isolated free fluid was present in 722 (9.3%) patients. Their median age was 35.82 years, and their average Injury Severity Score was 17.1. The major mechanism of injury was motor vehicle accidents (31.2%). Of 722 patients, 490 underwent initial NOM and 232 underwent immediate laparotomy. The success rate of initial NOM was 98% [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.959–1.002]. The failure rate of initial NOM was 7.4% (95% CI, 0.023–0.126). Significant intra-abdominal injuries were identified in 39.2% of patients (95% CI, 0.127–0.657). Most of the significant intra-abdominal organ injuries were mesenteric injury in 23% of patients (95% CI, −0.004–0.463) and bowel injury in 18.4% (95% CI, 0.098–0.271). A moderate to large amount of fluid on computed tomography and abdominal tenderness were associated with laparotomy (p = 0.000 and 0.040, respectively), but neither was a significant risk factor for therapeutic laparotomy or significant intra-abdominal injury.

Conclusions:

Isolated free fluid following blunt abdominal injury in hemodynamically stable patients does not mandate immediate or delayed laparotomy. Initial NOM can be considered with hemodynamic monitoring of early warning signs of sepsis (e.g., using the Quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment), and serial abdominal examination might help to detect significant intra-abdominal injury requiring therapeutic laparotomy. In patients suspected to have injury after initial NOM and in patients who cannot cooperate, diagnostic laparoscopy will play an important role in minimally invasive diagnosis.
Sludge and transaction costs
Authors: Shahab Sina , Lades Leonhard K.
Published: April 2021

Behavioral scientists have begun to research ‘sludge,’ excessive frictions that make it harder for people to do what they want to do. Friction is also an important concept in transaction-cost economics. Nevertheless, sludge has been discussed without explicit referral to transaction costs. Several questions arise from this observation. Is the analogy to friction used differently in both literatures? If so, what are the key differences? If not, should we develop the concept of sludge when the well-established literature on transaction costs already exists? This conceptual article shows that sludge and transaction costs are related, but distinct, concepts, and that the literature on sludge can benefit from incorporating elements from transaction-cost research. For example, we suggest defining sludge as aspects of the choice architecture that lead to the experience of costs, organize sludges using a typology inspired by the transaction-cost literature, highlight specificity, uncertainty, and frequency as important determinants of the ‘sludginess’ of choice architecture, and show that sludge audits can be conducted using methods developed in the transaction-cost literature.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination preparedness policies in US hospitals
Authors: Beekmann Susan E. , Babcock Hilary M. , Rasnake Mark S. , Talbot Thomas R. , Polgreen Philip M.
Published: April 2021

We surveyed infectious disease specialists about early coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination preparedness. Almost all responding institutions rated their facility’s preparedness plan as either excellent or adequate. Vaccine hesitancy and concern about adverse reactions were the most commonly anticipated barriers to COVID-19 vaccination. Only 60% believed that COVID-19 vaccination should be mandatory.
Validation of an interviewer-administered seven-day semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire for the dietary assessment of preschool children in rural Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Sabuktagin , Lee Patricia , Ireen Santhia , Khan Moudud ur-Rahman , Ahmed Faruk
Published: April 2021

A validation study of an interviewer-administered, seven-day semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (7-d SQFFQ) was conducted in Bangladeshi rural preschool age children. Using a cross-sectional study design, 105 children from 103 households were randomly selected. For the SQFFQ, a list of commonly consumed foods was adapted from the Bangladesh national micronutrient survey 2011–12. The data on the actual number of times and the amount of the children's consumption of the foods in the preceding 1 week were collected by interviewing the mothers. The intake was compared with two non-consecutive days 24-h dietary recalls conducted within 2 weeks after the SQFFQ. Validity was assessed by the standard statistical tests. After adjusting for the energy intake and de-attenuation for within-subject variation, the food groups (cereals, animal source foods, milk and the processed foods) had ‘good’ correlations between the methods (rho 0⋅65–0⋅93;P< 0⋅001). Similarly, the macronutrients (carbohydrate, protein and fats) had ‘good’ correlations (rho 0⋅50–0⋅75;P< 0⋅001) and the key micronutrients (iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin A, etc.) demonstrated ‘good’ correlations (rho 0⋅46–0⋅85;P< 0⋅001). The variation in classifying the two extreme quintiles by the SQFFQ and the 24-h recalls was <10 %. The results from Lin's concordance coefficients showed a ‘moderate’ to ‘excellent’ absolute agreement between the two methods for food groups, and nutrients (0⋅21–0⋅90;P< 0⋅001). This interviewer-administered, 7-d SQFFQ with an open-ended intake frequency demonstrated adequate validity to assess the dietary intake for most nutrients and suitable for dietary assessments of young children in Bangladesh.
Micromammals from the late early Miocene of Çapak (western Anatolia) herald a time of change
Authors: Bilgin Melike , Joniak Peter , Mayda Serdar , Göktaş Fikret , Peláez-Campomanes Pablo , van den Hoek Ostende Lars W.
Published: April 2021

The new fossil micromammal assemblage of Çapak represents a mixture of both Anatolian and European faunal elements. The locality is very important for understanding faunal evolution in the less well-known time interval at the end of the early Miocene of western Anatolia. In Çapak, nine species of rodents and one species of ochotonid were encountered: the hamstersDemocricetodon gracilis,Megacricetodon primitivus,Eumyarionaff.E.montanus,Cricetodoncf.C.aliveriensis,Cricetodonsp., andKarydomyscf.K.strati, the mole-ratDebruijniasp., the squirrelAliveria luteyni, the dormouseMyomimus tanjuaen. sp., and the pikaAlbertona balkanica. The assemblage is referable to Anatolian local zone E or MN unit 4. The relative abundance of the various genera is markedly different from that of the older early Miocene assemblages, suggesting that the environment in Anatolia became drier and had a more open landscape.

UUID:http://zoobank.org/75f3276c-dcd8-4090-b2f6-d8fc8d3c3f7c
Greater public confidence in the US Supreme Court predicts more jurisdiction stripping
Authors: Ura Joseph Daniel , Wohlfarth Patrick C.
Published: April 2021

A growing body of empirical research shows an association between public support for the US Supreme Court and both judicial independence and congressional court curbing activity. At the same time, studies of jurisdiction stripping show Congress’ efforts to limit federal courts’ jurisdiction are principally related to courts’ workloads rather than ideological differences between courts and Congress. Here, the authors connect these streams of inquiry by testing the hypothesis of a negative relationship between public support for the Supreme Court and jurisdiction-stripping legislation. Contrary to prior studies, the authors find a positive relationship between Americans’ confidence in the Supreme Court and jurisdiction stripping. This result indicates the need for additional research on the interactions among public opinion, federal courts, and Congress.
A compact exact law for compressible isothermal Hall magnetohydrodynamic turbulence
Authors: Ferrand Renaud , Galtier Sébastien , Sahraoui Fouad
Published: April 2021

Using mixed second-order structure functions, a compact exact law is derived for isothermal compressible Hall magnetohydrodynamic turbulence with the assumptions of statistical homogeneity, time stationarity and infinite kinetic/magnetic Reynolds numbers. The resulting law is written as the sum of a Yaglom-like flux term, with an overall expression strongly reminiscent of the incompressible law, and a pure compressible source. Being mainly a function of the increments, the compact law is Galilean invariant but is dependent on the background magnetic field if one is present. Only the magnetohydrodynamic source term requires multi-spacecraft data to be estimated whereas the other components, which include those introduced by the Hall term, can be fully computed with single-spacecraft data using the Taylor hypothesis. These properties make this compact law more appropriate for analysing both numerical simulations and in situ data gathered in space plasmas, in particular when only single-spacecraft data are available.
Multi-objective optimal design of a novel 6-DOF spray-painting robot
Authors: Wu Jun , Wang Xiaojian , Zhang Binbin , Huang Tian
Published: April 2021

This paper deals with the multi-objective optimal design of a novel 6-degree of freedom (DOF) hybrid spray-painting robot. Its kinematic model is obtained by dividing it into serial and parallel parts. The dynamic equation is formulated by virtual work principle. A performance index for evaluating the compactness of robot is presented. Taking compactness, motion/force transmissibility, and energy consumption as performance indices, the optimal geometric parameters of the robot are selected in the Pareto-optimal set by constructing a comprehensive performance index. This paper is very useful for the development of the spray-painting robot.
Global inverse optimal exponential path-tracking control of mobile robots driven by Lévy processes
Authors: Do K. D.
Published: April 2021

This paper formulates and solves a new problem of global practical inverse optimal exponential path-tracking control of mobile robots driven by Lévy processes with unknown characteristics. The control design is based on a new inverse optimal control design for nonlinear systems driven by Lévy processes and ensures global practical exponential stability almost surely and in the pth moment for the path-tracking errors. Moreover, it minimizes cost function that penalizes tracking errors and control torques without having to solve a Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman or Hamilton–Jaccobi–Isaacs equation.
Redei reciprocity, governing fields and negative Pell
Authors: STEVENHAGEN PETER
Published: April 2021

We discuss the origin, an improved definition and the key reciprocity property of the trilinear symbol introduced by Rédei [16] in the study of 8-ranks of narrow class groups of quadratic number fields. It can be used to show that such 8-ranks are ‘governed’ by Frobenius conditions on the primes dividing the discriminant, a fact used in the recent work of A. Smith [18, 19]. In addition, we explain its impact in the progress towards proving my conjectural density for solvability of the negative Pell equation
$x^2-dy^2=-1$
.
Quantifying geographic heterogeneity in TB incidence and the potential impact of geographically targeted interventions in South and North City Corporations of Dhaka, Bangladesh: a model-based study
Authors: Shrestha Sourya , Reja Mehdi , Gomes Isabella , Baik Yeonsoo , Pennington Jeffrey , Islam Shamiul , Jamil Faisel Abu , Cordon Oscar , Roy Tapash , Suarez Pedro G. , Hussain Hamidah , Dowdy David W.
Published: April 2021

In rapidly growing and high-burden urban centres, identifying tuberculosis (TB) transmission hotspots and understanding the potential impact of interventions can inform future control and prevention strategies. Using data on local demography, TB reports and patient reporting patterns in Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) and Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), Bangladesh, between 2010 and 2017, we developed maps of TB reporting rates across wards in DSCC and DNCC and identified wards with high rates of reported TB (i.e. ‘hotspots’) in DSCC and DNCC. We developed ward-level transmission models and estimated the potential epidemiological impact of three TB interventions: active case finding (ACF), mass preventive therapy (PT) and a combination of ACF and PT, implemented either citywide or targeted to high-incidence hotspots. There was substantial geographic heterogeneity in the estimated TB incidence in both DSCC and DNCC: incidence in the highest-incidence wards was over ten times higher than in the lowest-incidence wards in each city corporation. ACF, PT and combined ACF plus PT delivered to 10% of the population reduced TB incidence by a projected 7%–9%, 13%–15% and 19%–23% over five years, respectively. Targeting TB hotspots increased the projected reduction in TB incidence achieved by each intervention 1.4- to 1.8-fold. The geographical pattern of TB notifications suggests high levels of ongoing TB transmission in DSCC and DNCC, with substantial heterogeneity at the ward level. Interventions that reduce transmission are likely to be highly effective and incorporating notification data at the local level can further improve intervention efficiency.
A large outbreak of measles in the West Midlands, England, 2017–2018: descriptive epidemiology, control measures and lessons learnt
Authors: Mulchandani R. , Sibal B. , Phillips A. , Suleman S. , Banerjee A. , Teagle R. , Foulkes S. , Spence K. , Edeghere O.
Published: April 2021

In November 2017, eight confirmed measles cases were reported to Public Health England from a hospital in the West Midlands. A multidisciplinary Incident Management Team (IMT) was established to determine the extent of the problem and coordinate an outbreak response. Between 1 November 2017 and 4 June 2018, a total of 116 confirmed and 21 likely measles cases were linked to this outbreak; just under half (43%) were aged over 15 years of age. Fifty-five of the confirmed cases were hospitalised (48%) and no deaths were reported. At the start of the outbreak, cases were mostly individuals of Romanian origin; the outbreak subsequently spread to the wider population. Over the 8-month response, the IMT conducted the following control measures: extensive contact tracing, immediate provision of post-exposure prophylaxis, community engagement amongst specific high-risk groups, MMR awareness raising including catch-up campaigns and enhanced vaccination services at selected GP surgeries. Key challenges to the effective control measures included language difficulties limiting community engagement; delays in diagnosis, notification and appropriate isolation of cases; limited resources for contact tracing across multiple high-risk settings (including GPs and hospitals) and lack of timely data on vaccine coverage in sub-groups of the population to guide public health action.
STOCHASTIC MODEL PREDICTIVE CONTROL FOR SPACECRAFT RENDEZVOUS AND DOCKING VIA A DISTRIBUTIONALLY ROBUST OPTIMIZATION APPROACH
Authors: LI ZUOXUN , ZHANG KAI
Published: April 2021

A stochastic model predictive control (SMPC) algorithm is developed to solve the problem of three-dimensional spacecraft rendezvous and docking with unbounded disturbance. In particular, we only assume that the mean and variance information of the disturbance is available. In other words, the probability density function of the disturbance distribution is not fully known. Obstacle avoidance is considered during the rendezvous phase. Line-of-sight cone, attitude control bandwidth, and thrust direction constraints are considered during the docking phase. A distributionally robust optimization based algorithm is then proposed by reformulating the SMPC problem into a convex optimization problem. Numerical examples show that the proposed method improves the existing model predictive control based strategy and the robust model predictive control based strategy in the presence of disturbance.
The Influence of Loading Path on Fault Reactivation: A Laboratory Perspective
Authors: Giorgetti C. , Violay M.
Published: April 2021

The loading path the fault experiences is often neglected when evaluating its potential for reactivation and the related seismic risk. However, stress history affects fault zone compaction and dilation, and thus its mechanics. Therefore, in incohesive fault cores that could dilate or compact, the role of the loading path could not be ruled out. Here we reproduce in the laboratory different tectonic loading paths for reverse (load‐strengthening in the absence of significant fluid pressure increase) and normal gouge‐bearing faults (load‐weakening) to investigate the loading path influence on fault reactivation and seismic potential. We find that, before reactivation, experimental reverse faults undergo compaction, whereas experimental normal faults experience dilation. Additionally, when reactivated at comparable normal stress, normal faults are more prone to slip seismically than reverse faults. We infer that the higher mean stress normal faults experience compacts more efficiently the fault rock, increasing its stiffness and favoring seismic slip.
Interannual Variation in Stable Isotopes in Water Vapor Over the Northern Tibetan Plateau Linked to ENSO
Authors: Jing Zhaowei , Yu Wusheng , Schneider Andreas , Borsdorff Tobias , Landgraf Jochen , Lewis Stephen , Zhang Jingyi , Tang Wenjun , Ma Yaoming , Xu Baiqing , Qu Dongmei
Published: April 2021

The contrasting responses of ice core δ18O records (δ18Oice) from the northern and southern Tibetan Plateau (TP) to the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) complicate δ18Oice‐based temperature reconstructions. These contrasting responses were explored using stable hydrogen isotopes in water vapor (δDv). We found that the interannual variation in δDv from the northern TP is influenced by midtropospheric moisture sources from the Indo‐Pacific Warm Pool, with enriched (depleted) δDv values in La Niña (El Niño) years due to enhanced (weakened) deep convection. In comparison, the interannual δDv variation in the southern TP is mainly influenced by low‐tropospheric moisture from the central Indian Continent, whose δDv is depleted (enriched) in La Niña (El Niño) years. These results demonstrate that moisture transported from different altitudes can lead to opposite isotopic signals of water vapor over the northern and southern TP and can be used to reconcile the contrasting responses of δ18Oice to ENSO.