bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Keeping the competition close: The impact of competitor distance in the lodging industry
Authors: Park Chansoo , Kim Young‐Rae , Frye William D.
Published: January 2022

This study applies a distance‐based measurement outlining market boundaries for competition in the lodging industry and investigates the effects of competition across a range of distances. Predetermined administrative boundaries have been the conventional metric used when estimating competition effects in a given geographical area in the lodging industry. For this study, distances are calculated using the location information of 45,623 hotels in the United States extracted from the Smith Travel Research Hotel Census. Our findings suggest a U‐shaped relationship: hotel room prices fall as relative distance increases, due to increasing negative price pressure, until a threshold distance is reached (a radius of 20 km), after which price pressure falls and prices begin to increase. These research findings have implications for hotel managers with respect to competitor management and for hotel investors interested in locating and developing future accommodation establishments.
Long non‐coding RNA Opa interacting protein 5‐antisense RNA 1 promotes mitochondrial autophagy and protects SH‐SY5Y cells from 1‐methyl‐4‐phenylpyridine‐induced damage by binding to microRNA‐137 and upregulating NIX
Authors: Zhao Ying , Xie Ying , Yao Wen‐Yan , Wang Yuan‐Yuan , Song Nina
Published: January 2022

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a leading cause of disability. Long noncoding RNA (LncRNA) OIP5‐AS1 alleviates the accumulation and toxicity of 1‐methyl‐4‐phenylpyridine (MPP+)/‐induced α‐synuclein in human neuroblastoma SH‐SY5Y cells, which may be involved in the pathological process of PD. This study explored the neuroprotective effect of lncRNA OIP5‐AS1 on MPP+/‐induced SH‐SY5Y cell model of PD, so as to provide a theoretical basis for PD treatment. The PD cell model was established (MPP+ group). The overexpression vector oe‐OIP5‐AS1 was constructed and transfected into MPP+/‐induced SH‐SY5Y cells, which were further transfected with miR‐137 mimic or si‐NIX plasmids. The localization of OIP5‐AS1 and its binding sites with miR‐137 were predicted by subcellular isolation and fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis. The targeting relationships between OIP5‐AS1 and miR‐137, and miR‐137 and NIX were detected by dual‐luciferase reporter assays. The mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) and total reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and expressions of α‐synuclein, inflammatory cytokines, and microglia‐activated chemokines, cell activity, and apoptosis were assessed. OIP5‐AS1 was downregulated in MPP+ cells. After OIP5‐AS1 overexpression, miR‐137 was downregulated and NIX was upregulated in MPP+ cells, inflammatory factors and chemokines were downregulated. There were target relationships between OIP5‐AS1 and miR‐137, and miR‐137 and NIX. After OIP5‐AS1 overexpression, miR‐137 overexpression or NIX downregulation inhibited mitochondrial autophagy and ROS levels and aggravated mitochondrial vacuolation; and partially reversed the effect of OIP5‐AS1 overexpression on promoting mitochondrial autophagy and protection on MPP+ cells. Collectively, lncRNA OIP5‐AS1 promoted NIX expression through competitively binding to miR‐137, and promoted mitochondrial autophagy, thus protecting neurons from degeneration which might be seen in patients with PD.
Photo‐Cross‐Linked Single‐Ion Conducting Polymer Electrolyte for Lithium‐Metal Batteries
Authors: Liang Hai‐Peng , Chen Zhen , Dong Xu , Zinkevich Tatiana , Indris Sylvio , Passerini Stefano , Bresser Dominic
Published: January 2022

Polymer electrolytes are considered potential key enablers for lithium‐metal batteries due to their compatibility with the lithium‐metal negative electrode. Herein, cross‐linked self‐standing single‐ion conducting polymer electrolytes are obtained via a facile UV‐initiated radical polymerization using pentaerythritol tetraacrylate as the cross‐linker and lithium (3‐methacryloyloxypropylsulfonyl)‐(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide as the ionic functional group. Incorporating propylene carbonate as charge‐transport supporting additive allowed for achieving single‐ion conductivities of 0.21 mS cm−1 at 20 °C and 0.40 mS cm−1 at 40 °C, while maintaining a suitable electrochemical stability window for 4 V‐class positive electrodes (cathodes). As a result, this single‐ion polymer electrolyte featured good cycling stability and rate capability in Li||LiFePO4 and Li||LiNi0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2 cells. These results render this polymer electrolyte as potential alternative to liquid electrolytes for high‐energy lithium‐metal batteries.
Trophic preferences of the pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum and consequences on its growth in xylem sap
Authors: Baroukh Caroline , Zemouri Meriem , Genin Stéphane
Published: January 2022

Ralstonia solanacearum is one of the most destructive pathogens worldwide. In the last 30 years, the molecular mechanisms at the origin of R. solanacearum pathogenicity have been studied in depth. However, the nutrition status of the pathogen once inside the plant has been poorly investigated. Yet, the pathogen needs substrates to sustain a fast‐enough growth, maintain its virulence and subvert the host immunity. This study aimed to explore in‐depth the xylem environment where the pathogen is abundant, and its trophic preferences. First, we determined the composition of tomato xylem sap, where fast multiplication of the pathogen occurs. Then, kinetic growth on single and mixtures of carbon sources in relation to this environment was performed to fully quantify growth. Finally, we calculated the concentration of available metabolites in the xylem sap flux to assess how much it can support bacterial growth in planta. Overall, the study underlines the adaptation of R. solanacearum to the xylem environment and the fact that the pathogen assimilates several substrates at the same time in media composed of several carbon sources. It also provides metrics on key physiological parameters governing the growth of this major pathogen, which will be instrumental in the future to better understand its metabolic behavior during infection.
A review of Plks: Thinking outside the (polo) box
Authors: Korns Julianna , Liu Xiaoqi , Takiar Vinita
Published: January 2022

The polo‐like kinase (Plk) family is comprised of five different members (Plk1–5), each with their own distinct functions. Plk family members participate in pivotal cell division processes as well as in non‐mitotic roles. Importantly, Plk expression has been correlated with various disease states, including cancer. Multiples therapies, which primarily target Plk1, are currently being investigated alone or in combination with other agents for clinical use in different cancers. As the role of Plks in disease progression becomes more prominent, it is important to outline their functions as cell cycle regulators and more. This review summarizes the structure and both mitotic and non‐mitotic functions of each of the five Plk family members, sequentially. Additionally, the proposed mechanisms for how Plks contribute to tumorigenesis and the therapeutics currently under investigation are outlined.
Encapsulation of Phase Change Materials via Interfacial Miniemulsion Polymerization for High Thermal Energy Storage Density
Authors: Zhao Yuhai , Luo Yingwu
Published: January 2022

Phase change material (PCM) capsules have potential applications as a thermal management material in energy‐efficient buildings. It is desirable for PCM capsules to have high core‐loading and sub‐micrometer particle size. Herein, it is reported that interfacial reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) miniemulsion polymerization can be a convenient method to synthesize high PCM loading polymeric capsule latex. It is found that increasing particle size should be helpful to obtain well‐defined capsules of high PCM loading but post‐addition of surfactant should be carried out to remain the colloidal stability during polymerization. In the case of high PCM loading, a limiting conversion is observed. Increasing crosslinker (DVB) level up to 20 wt% based on monomers can increase the limiting conversion up to 94%. The well‐defined paraffin capsules of 365 nm in diameter is synthesized with 67 wt% PCM loading. The paraffin capsules have a crystallization/melting heat around 105 J g−1. Replacing paraffin with pure n‐octadecane, the crystallization/melting heat is increased up to 144 J g−1.
Recurrent FOXK1::GRHL and GPS2::GRHL fusions in trichogerminoma
Authors: Kervarrec Thibault , Pissaloux Daniel , Poilane Jeremie , Tirode Franck , Tallet Anne , Collin Christine , Tallegas Matthias , Berthon Patricia , Gaboriaud Pauline , Sohier Pierre , Calonje Eduardo , Luzar Boštjan , Goto Keisuke , Cokelaere Kristof , Lamant Laurence , Balme Brigitte , Wild Richard , Neuville Agnes , Deschamps Lydia , Auberger Elisabeth , Paumier Veronique , Bonte Helene , Moulonguet Isabelle , Plantier Françoise , Cales Valérie , Pinsolle Vincent , Roblet Denis , Dupuy Frantz , Dallot Alexiane , Seris Alice , Jouary Thomas , Houben Roland , Schrama David , Hesbacher Sonja , Macagno Nicolas , Battistella Maxime , Cribier Bernard , Vergier Beatrice , de la Fouchardière Arnaud , Jullie Marie‐Laure
Published: January 2022

We report 21 cases of trichogerminoma harbouring previously undescribed FOXK1::GRHL1/2 or GPS2::GRHL1/2/3 in‐frame fusion transcripts. Microscopic examination of a preliminary set of five cases revealed well‐delimitated tumours located in the dermis with frequent extension to the subcutaneous tissue. Tumours presented a massive and nodular architecture and consisted of a proliferation of basaloid cells. A biphasic pattern sometime resulting in tumour cell nests (‘cell balls’) was present. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated the expression of cytokeratins (CKs) 15, 17, and PHLDA1. In addition, numerous CK20‐positive Merkel cells were detected. RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq) revealed a FOXK1::GRHL1 chimeric transcript in three cases and a FOXK1::GRHL2 fusion in two cases. In a second series for validation (n = 88), FOXK1::GRHL1/2 fusion transcripts were detected by RT‐qPCR or FISH in an additional 12 trichogerminomas and not in any other follicular tumour entities or basal cell carcinoma cases (n = 66). Additional RNA‐seq analysis in trichogerminoma cases without detected FOXK1::GRHL1/2 rearrangements revealed GPS2::GRHL1 fusion transcripts in two cases, GPS2::GRHL2 in one case, and GPS2::GRHL3 fusion transcript in one case. Therefore, our study strongly suggests that GRHL1/2/3 gene rearrangements might represent the oncogenic driver in trichogerminoma, a subset of follicular tumours characterized by immature features and numerous Merkel cells. © 2022 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Seed priming with selenium: Effects on germination, seedling growth, biochemical attributes, and grain yield in rice growing under flooding conditions
Authors: Hu Feng‐qin , Jiang Shuo‐chen , Wang Zhun , Hu Kang , Xie Yi‐mei , Zhou Ling , Zhu Jian‐qiang , Xing Dan‐ying , Du Bin
Published: January 2022

Prevalent irregular rainfall, flooding for weed control, and unleveled fields in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River all contribute to flooding stress on germination and growth of direct‐seeded rice (Oryza sativa L.). Herein, some experiments were conducted so as to assess the effects of seed priming with selenium (Se) on the germination and growth of rice under hypoxia. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized factorial design with two factors and five replicates. Factors included Se concentration (0, 30, and 60 μmol/L) and duration of flooding stress (0, 2, 4, and 8 days). The experimental results showed that Se accelerated seed germination and increased emergence index and final emergence percentage. Additionally, Se increased shoot and root lengths and dry weights, but high Se concentration (60 μmol/L) reduced 18‐day‐old seedling dry weight under long‐term flooding (8 days). Furthermore, Se reduced malondialdehyde content and increased starch hydrolysis efficiency in seeds, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities and seedling soluble protein and total chlorophyll contents. Se improved seedling total Se and organic Se contents while increasing total dry weight and yield. Notably, the highest yield was obtained after a 4‐day flooding period. Although Se priming favored rice seedling emergence and growth under flooding conditions, Se concentrations equal or above 60 μmol/L increased the risk of seedling death during long‐term flooding (≥8 days).
Ultra‐compact accurate wave functions for He‐like and Li‐like iso‐electronic sequences and variational calculus:II.Spin‐singlet (excited) and spin‐triplet (lowest) states of helium sequence
Authors: Turbiner Alexander V. , Lopez Vieyra Juan Carlos , del Valle Juan Carlos , Julian Nader Daniel
Published: January 2022

As a continuation of Part I (Int. J. Quantum Chem. 2021; 121: qua.26586), dedicated to the ground state of He‐like and Li‐like isoelectronic sequences for nuclear chargesZ ≤ 20, a few ultra‐compact wave functions in the form of generalized Hylleraas‐Kinoshita functions are constructed, which describe the domain of applicability of the Quantum Mechanics of Coulomb Charges (QMCC) for energies (4–5 significant digits [s.d.]) of two excited states of He‐like ions: the spin‐singlet (first) excited state 21Sand lowest spin‐triplet 13Sstate. For both states, it provides absolute accuracy for energy ∼10−3 a.u., exact values for cusp parameters and also for six expectation values the relative accuracy ∼10−2. Bressanini‐Reynolds observation about the special form of nodal surface of 21Sstate of helium is confirmed and extended to He‐like ions withZ > 2. Critical chargesZ = ZB, where ultra‐compact trial functions lose their square‐integrability, are estimated:ZB(11S) ≈ ZB(21S) ∼ 0.905 andZB(13S) ∼ 0.902. For both excited states, the Majorana formula—the energy as the second degree polynomial inZ—provides accurately the 4–5 significant digits forZ ≤ 20.
Agile flight for a quadrotor via robust geometry control: Theory and experimental verification
Authors: Gu Xun , Xian Bin , Wang Yinxin
Published: January 2022

This article investigates the agile flight control design for a quadrotor unnamed aerial vehicle in the 3D environment. Due to the need for the high speed flight and aggressive manoeuver in practical scenarios, the kinematic and dynamic models of the unmanned quadrotor are described in SO(3) and the controller is designed in the rotation format, which can avoid the singularity in the Euler angle format and the unwinding issue in the quaternion format. Moreover, comparing with the other existing nonlinear control strategies for the unmanned quadrotor, the proposed controller has the advantage of easy implementation and good robustness to the modeling uncertainties and unknown external disturbances by using the robust‐integral‐signum‐error method. The stability of the closed loop system is proved via the Lyapunov based stability analysis, and the proposed nonlinear robust controller can guarantee the asymptotic convergence of the quadrotor's attitude and position tracking errors. The effectiveness of the proposed agile flight control design is validated via real‐time experiments in comparison with the classical cascaded PID controller. And the experimental results show that the proposed controller achieves much higher flight control accuracy in agile flights.
The Intracellular and Extracellular Microenvironment of Tumor Site: The Trigger of Stimuli‐Responsive Drug Delivery Systems
Authors: Jing Xiaodong , Hu Hao , Sun Yanzhen , Yu Bing , Cong Hailin , Shen Youqing
Published: January 2022

The tumor microenvironment (TME), including intracellular and extracellular microenvironment, contains many biochemical indicators (such as acidity/alkalinity, oxygen content, and enzymatic activity) that are different from the normal physiological environment. These abnormal biochemical indicators can accelerate the heterogeneity of tumors, but on the other hand, they also provide opportunities for the design of intelligent drug delivery systems (DDSs). The TME‐responsive DDSs have shown great potential in reducing the side effects of chemotherapy and improving the curative effect of tumors. In this review, the abnormal biochemical indicators of TME are introduced in detail from both the extracellular and intracellular aspects. In view of the various physiological barriers encountered during drug delivery, the strategy of constructing TME‐responsive DDSs is discussed. By summarizing the typical research progress, the authors prospect the development of TME‐responsive DDS in the future.
Slightly broken higher spin symmetry: general structure of correlators
Authors: Gerasimenko Pavel , Sharapov Alexey , Skvortsov Evgeny
Published: January 2022

Abstract

We explore a class of CFT’s with higher spin currents and charges. Away from the free or N = ∞ limit the non-conservation of currents is governed by operators built out of the currents themselves, which deforms the algebra of charges by, and together with, its action on the currents. This structure is encoded in a certain A∞/L∞-algebra. Under quite general assumptions we construct invariants of the deformed higher spin symmetry, which are candidate correlation functions. In particular, we show that there is a finite number of independent structures at the n-point level. The invariants are found to have a form reminiscent of a one-loop exact theory. In the case of Chern-Simons vector models the uniqueness of the invariants implies the three-dimensional bosonization duality in the large-N limit.
A multi-environment framework to evaluate the adaptation of wheat (Triticum aestivum) to heat stress
Authors: Telfer Paul , Edwards James , Taylor Julian , Able Jason A. , Kuchel Haydn
Published: January 2022

Key message

Assessing adaptation to abiotic stresses such as high temperature conditions across multiple environments presents opportunities for breeders to target selection for broad adaptation and specific adaptation.

Adaptation of wheat to heat stress is an important component of adaptation in variable climates such as the cereal producing areas of Australia. However, in variable climates stress conditions may not be present in every season or are present to varying degrees, at different times during the season. Such conditions complicate plant breeders’ ability to select for adaptation to abiotic stress. This study presents a framework for the assessment of the genetic basis of adaptation to heat stress conditions with improved relevance to breeders’ selection objectives. The framework was applied here with the evaluation of 1225 doubled haploid lines from five populations across six environments (three environments selected for contrasting temperature stress conditions during anthesis and grain fill periods, over two consecutive seasons), using regionally best practice planting times to evaluate the role of heat stress conditions in genotype adaptation. Temperature co-variates were determined for each genotype, in each environment, for the anthesis and grain fill periods. Genome-wide QTL analysis identified performance QTL for stable effects across all environments, and QTL that illustrated responsiveness to heat stress conditions across the sampled environments. A total of 199 QTL were identified, including 60 performance QTL, and 139 responsiveness QTL. Of the identified QTL, 99 occurred independent of the 21 anthesis date QTL identified. Assessing adaptation to heat stress conditions as the combination of performance and responsiveness offers breeders opportunities to select for grain yield stability across a range of environments, as well as genotypes with higher relative yield in stress conditions.
QTL identification, fine mapping, and marker development for breeding peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) resistant to bacterial wilt
Authors: Qi Feiyan , Sun Ziqi , Liu Hua , Zheng Zheng , Qin Li , Shi Lei , Chen Qingzheng , Liu Haidong , Lin Xiufang , Miao Lijuan , Tian Mengdi , Wang Xiao , Huang Bingyan , Dong Wenzhao , Zhang Xinyou
Published: January 2022

Key message

A major QTL, qBWA12, was fine mapped to a 216.68 kb physical region, and A12.4097252 was identified as a useful KASP marker for breeding peanut varieties resistant to bacterial wilt.

Bacterial wilt, caused by Ralstonia solanacearum, is a major disease detrimental to peanut production in China. Breeding disease-resistant peanut varieties is the most economical and effective way to prevent the disease and yield loss. Fine mapping the QTLs for bacterial wilt resistance is critical for the marker-assisted breeding of disease-resistant varieties. A recombinant inbred population comprising 521 lines was used to construct a high-density genetic linkage map and to identify QTLs for bacterial wilt resistance following restriction-site-associated DNA sequencing. The genetic map, which included 5120 SNP markers, covered a length of 3179 cM with an average marker distance of 0.6 cM. Four QTLs for bacterial wilt resistance were mapped on four chromosomes. One major QTL, qBWA12, with LOD score of 32.8–66.0 and PVE of 31.2–44.8%, was stably detected in all four development stages investigated over the 3 trial years. Additionally, qBWA12 spanned a 2.7 cM region, corresponding to approximately 0.4 Mb and was fine mapped to a 216.7 kb region by applying KASP markers that were polymorphic between the two parents based on whole-genome resequencing data. In a large collection of breeding and germplasm lines, it was proved that KASP marker A12.4097252 can be applied for the marker-assisted breeding to develop peanut varieties resistant to bacterial wilt. Of the 19 candidate genes in the region covered by qBWA12, nine NBS-LRR genes should be further investigated regarding their potential contribution to the resistance of peanut against bacterial wilt.
Burden of mental health and substance use disorders among Italian young people aged 10–24 years: results from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 Study
Authors: Amendola Simone
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The burden of mental health and substance use disorders among Italian young people have not yet been presented in detail, despite adolescents and young adults aged between 10 and 24 years constitute 14.5% of the Italian population. Therefore, the aim of this study was to provide data on the health burden of mental health and substance use disorders among young people (10–24 years) in Italy between 1990 and 2019.

Methods

Ecological study design using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Age- and sex-specific prevalence and years lived with disability (YLDs) of mental health and substance use disorders with the uncertainty intervals were reported as well as their percentual changes between 1990 and 2019.

Results

Prevalence and YLDs rates of mental health and substance use disorders showed negative trends overall between 1990 and 2019. However, diagnoses of attention-deficit/hyperactivity, autism spectrum, conduct and eating (among males) disorders increased as well as cocaine use disorder. The highest levels of disability in terms of YLDs were due to anxiety, depressive, conduct and eating disorders and alcohol use, amphetamine use and opioid use disorders. The disease burden was higher in middle-late adolescence and young adulthood than early adolescence, among females than males for mental health disorders and among males compared to females for substance use disorders.

Conclusion

Findings of the study highlighted disorder-specific patterns of prevalence and YLDs rates and were discussed considering previous research. The public health system should continuously sustain mental health promotion and prevention efforts in young people.
Numerical study of the effect of workpiece thickness on the interfacial behavior of a molten aluminum droplet on a zinc-coated steel sheet
Authors: Cho Won-Ik , Woizeschke Peer
Published: January 2022

In brazing, the interfacial conditions between the molten filler material and the solid workpiece are important, yet they cannot be observed experimentally. A two-dimensional axisymmetric simulation was conducted to analyze the behavior of a single droplet of molten aluminum on zinc-coated steel sheet as a simplified brazing process. The simulation models were verified through a comparison with experimental results in terms of bead shape, zinc distribution, and molten metal behavior. The results show that Young’s equation was not valid in explaining the wetting behavior because of the instant solidification. In this respect, the effects of the workpiece thickness and wetting angle on the bead width were negligible. Two periods of time, namely, the times for the temperature difference and solidification and their ratio (interface number), were defined to analyze the temperature behavior at the interface over time as well as the effects of workpiece thickness. The interfacial temperature behaviors tended to be divided into three regions: linear (or inversely proportional), singular, and convergence. The interface number converged to a value of one with the increase in the thickness.
Calculating the Climatology and Anomalies of Surface Cloud Radiative Effect Using Cloud Property Histograms and Cloud Radiative Kernels
Authors: Zhou Chen , Liu Yincheng , Wang Quan
Published: January 2022

Cloud radiative kernels (CRK) built with radiative transfer models have been widely used to analyze the cloud radiative effect on top of atmosphere (TOA) fluxes, and it is expected that the CRKs would also be useful in the analyses of surface radiative fluxes, which determines the regional surface temperature change and variability. In this study, CRKs at the surface and TOA were built using the Rapid Radiative Transfer Model (RRTM). Longwave cloud radiative effect (CRE) at the surface is primarily driven by cloud base properties, while TOA CRE is primarily decided by cloud top properties. For this reason, the standard version of surface CRK is a function of latitude, longitude, month, cloud optical thickness (τ) and cloud base pressure (CBP), and the TOA CRK is a function of latitude, longitude, month, τ and cloud top pressure (CTP). Considering that the cloud property histograms provided by climate models are functions of CTP instead of CBP at present, the surface CRKs on CBP-τ histograms were converted to CTP-τ fields using the statistical relationship between CTP, CBP and τ obtained from collocated CloudSat and MODIS observations. For both climate model outputs and satellites observations, the climatology of surface CRE and cloud-induced surface radiative anomalies calculated with the surface CRKs and cloud property histograms are well correlated with those calculated from surface radiative fluxes. The cloud-induced surface radiative anomalies reproduced by surface CRKs and MODIS cloud property histograms are not affected by spurious trends that appear in Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES) surface irradiances products.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women seeking fertility treatment: the patient’s perspective
Authors: Wedner-Ross Shona , Schippert Cordula , von Versen-Höynck Frauke
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This study sought the views of women with impaired fertility on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their fertility treatment and psychological wellbeing.

Methods

A cross-sectional, anonymous, online questionnaire was completed in June–December 2020 by 249 women attending fertility clinics across Germany. All women seeking treatment in fertility clinics were eligible to participate. The online survey covered questions about the patient’s quality of life, their opinions about the professional societies’ recommendations and their effects as well as any concerns about infection with SARS-CoV-2.

Results

Three-quarters of participants disagreed with the pausing of fertility treatments. Women who participated from October to December 2020, when the incidence rate was high, were as likely to disagree as participants that participated from June to September 2020 (73% vs 79%, p = 0.3). Seventy-two participants (29%) had their appointments cancelled. Nearly all (97%) reported being upset by this, with 40 (56%) reporting that they were extremely or very disappointed about the cancellation. Women who had to wait 10 weeks or longer were more likely to be upset by the postponement or cancellation of their appointment than women who had to wait a shorter amount of time (p = 0.01). Many participants (41%) were worried about possible negative effects a SARS-CoV-2 infection might have related to their fertility, pregnancy or unborn child.

Conclusion

Postponement of treatments increased distress among patients and should be avoided when possible. Fertility clinics must provide information about the current state of knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 infections in pregnancies and options for immunization.
Melanocytic nevi in sentinel lymph nodes: association with cutaneous nevi and clinical relevance in patients with cutaneous melanomas
Authors: Kretschmer Lutz , Schnabel Viktor , Kromer Christian , Bauer-Büntzel Christoph , Richter Annika , Bremmer Felix , Kück Fabian , Julius Katharina , Mitteldorf Christina , Schön Michael P.
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Melanocytic nevi in lymph nodes (NNs) are an important histological differential diagnosis of initial sentinel lymph node (SN) metastasis in melanoma. Our aim was to associate NN in SNs with clinicopathologic features and survival rates in 1, 250 patients with SN biopsy for melanoma.

Methods

To compare patients with present and absent NN, we used Fisher's exact test, Mann–Whitney U test, and multivariate logistic regression models in this retrospective observational study based on a prospectively maintained institutional database.

Results

NN prevalence in axillary, cervical, and groin SNs was 16.5%, 19.4%, and 9.8%, respectively. NN were observed in combination with all growth patterns of melanoma, but more frequently when the primary was histologically associated with a cutaneous nevus. We observed a decreasing NN prevalence with increasing SN metastasis diameter. Multiple logistic regression determined a significantly increased NN probability for SNs of the neck or axilla, for individuals with ≥ 50 cutaneous nevi, midline primary melanomas, and for individuals who reported non-cutaneous malignancies in their parents. Cancer in parents was also significantly more frequently reported by melanoma patients who had more than 50 cutaneous nevi. In SN-negative patients, NN indicated a tendency for slightly lower melanoma-specific survival.

Conclusions

We found a highly significant association between NN diagnosis and multiple cutaneous nevi and provided circumstantial evidence that cutaneous nevi in the drainage area of lymph nodes are particularly important. The trend toward lower melanoma-specific survival in SN-negative patients with NN suggests that careful differentiation of SN metastases is important.
Identifying extreme COVID-19 mortality risks in English small areas: a disease cluster approach
Authors: Adin A. , Congdon P. , Santafé G. , Ugarte M. D.
Published: January 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic is having a huge impact worldwide and has highlighted the extent of health inequalities between countries but also in small areas within a country. Identifying areas with high mortality is important both of public health mitigation in COVID-19 outbreaks, and of longer term efforts to tackle social inequalities in health. In this paper we consider different statistical models and an extension of a recent method to analyze COVID-19 related mortality in English small areas during the first wave of the epidemic in the first half of 2020. We seek to identify hotspots, and where they are most geographically concentrated, taking account of observed area factors as well as spatial correlation and clustering in regression residuals, while also allowing for spatial discontinuities. Results show an excess of COVID-19 mortality cases in small areas surrounding London and in other small areas in North-East and and North-West of England. Models alleviating spatial confounding show ethnic isolation, air quality and area morbidity covariates having a significant and broadly similar impact on COVID-19 mortality, whereas nursing home location seems to be slightly less important.
Impact of low-intensity heat events on mortality and morbidity in regions with hot, humid summers: a scoping literature review
Authors: Strathearn Melanie , Osborne Nicholas J. , Selvey Linda A.
Published: January 2022

The objective of this study is to determine the impacts of low-intensity heat on human health in regions with hot, humid summers. Current literature has highlighted an increase in mortality and morbidity rates during significant heat events. While the impacts on high-intensity events are established, the impacts on low-intensity events, particularly in regions with hot, humid summers, are less clear. A scoping review was conducted searching three databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science) using key terms based on the inclusion criteria. We included papers that investigated the direct human health impacts of low-intensity heat events (single day or heatwaves) in regions with hot, humid summers in middle- and high-income countries. We excluded papers written in languages other than English. Of the 600 publications identified, 33 met the inclusion criteria. Findings suggest that low-intensity heatwaves can increase all-cause non-accidental, cardiovascular-, respiratory- and diabetes-related mortality, in regions experiencing hot, humid summers. Impacts of low-intensity heatwaves on morbidity are less clear, with research predominantly focusing on hospitalisation rates with a range of outcomes. Few studies investigating the impact of low-intensity heat events on emergency department presentations and ambulance dispatches were found. However, the data from a limited number of studies suggest that both of these outcome measures increase during low-intensity heat events. Low-intensity heat events may increase mortality. There is insufficient evidence of a causal effect of low-intensity heat events on increasing morbidity for a firm conclusion. Further research on the impact of low-intensity heat on morbidity and mortality using consistent parameters is warranted.
Chevkinite-group minerals in selected intrusions of the Mazury Complex, North-Eastern Poland: insights into the formation of a titanite-like phase by hydrothermal alteration
Authors: Domańska-Siuda Justyna , Nejbert Krzysztof , Bagiński Bogusław , Macdonald Ray , Kotowski Jakub , Stachowicz Marcin
Published: January 2022

Chevkinite-group minerals forming large and common (up to 0.03 vol%) accessory phases in monzodiorites and granodiorites from the Mesoproterozoic anorthosite-mangerite-charnockite-granite (AMCG) suite intrusions, Mazury Complex, north-eastern Poland, range from pristine magmatic types to hydrothermally altered varieties. The unaltered phase is perrierite-(Ce), with the uncommon feature of having Al dominant in the C site. Hydrothermal alteration of the perrierite-(Ce) followed two main trends: one shows depletion in Ca, Fe, Si, Al and Mg, and increasing Ti contents; the other shows increases in Si, Ti and Ca and decreases in light rare-earth elements (LREE), Y and Mg, at about constant Fe content. The second trend resulted in the formation of a phase compositionally similar to titanite. Result of chemical analyses show that the transition from perrierite-(Ce) to the titanite-like phase is sharp; an electron back-scatter diffraction (EBSD) study shows the titanite- like material to be amorphous. The hydrothermal alteration of a chevkinite-group mineral to titanite has commonly been reported in natural sequences but this is the first record of the identification of a titanite-like phase made on the basis of a structural analysis.
Action recognition by key trajectories
Authors: Camarena Fernando , Chang Leonardo , Gonzalez-Mendoza Miguel , Cuevas-Ascencio Ricardo J
Published: January 2022

Human action recognition is an active field of research that intends to explain what a subject is doing in an input video. Deep learning architectures serve as the foundation for cutting-edge approaches. Recent research, on the other hand, indicates that hand-crafted characteristics are complementary and, when combined, can enhance classification accuracy. Cutting-edge approaches are based on deep learning architectures. Recent research, however, indicates that hand-crafted features complement each other and can help boost classification accuracy when combined. We introduce the key trajectories approach that is based on the popular, hand-crafted method, improved dense trajectories. Our work explores how pose estimation can be used to find meaningful key points to reduce computational time, undesired noise, and to guarantee a stable frame processing rate. Furthermore, we tested how feature-tracking behaves with dense inverse search and with a frame to frame subject key point estimation. Our proposal was tested on the KTH and UCF11 datasets employing Bag-of-words and on the UCF50 and HMDB datasets using Fisher Vector, where we got an accuracy performance of 95.71, 84.88, 92.9, and 81.3%, respectively. Also, our proposal can recognize subject actions in video eight times faster compared to its dense counterpart. To maximize the bag-of-words classification performance, we illustrate how the hyperparameters affect both accuracy and computation time. Precisely, we present an exploration of the vocabulary size, the SVM hyperparameter, the descriptor’s distinctiveness, and the subject body key points.
Abortion occurs during double fertilization and ovule development in Paeonia ludlowii
Authors: Chen Tingqiao , Xie Mengyu , Jiang Yumeng , Yuan Tao
Published: January 2022

Paeonia ludlowii (Stern & Taylor) D.Y.Hong, an endangered species, is indigenous to Tibet, China and propagated only by seed under natural conditions. Its natural reproduction is constrained by low fecundity. Excess seed abortion is a key factor restricting its natural reproduction, cultivation, introduction, and protection. Understanding the specific origin and occurrence of aborted ovules is important for the protection of offspring. Using serial sectioning analysis, we studied the process of pollination and fertilization of P. ludlowii and examined the characteristics of aborted ovules, developmental differences after flowering of normal and aborted ovules, and their ratios at different positions in P. ludlowii ovaries. During pollination, fertilization, and seed development, ovule abortion was frequent, with a random abortion position. There were three types of abortion, namely, abnormal pistil, sterile ovules, and embryo and endosperm abortions. Of these, embryo and endosperm abortions could be divided into early abortion and middle abortion. The early aborted ovules stopped growing on day 12, the endoblast and endosperm in the embryo sac aborted gradually. Furthermore, the shape of the embryo sac cavity changed. The volume of aborted ovules was significantly different from that of fertile ovules. At ripening, the external morphology of different types of aborted seeds was significantly different. The possible reasons for the abortion of the ovules are also discussed.
Potential of Soft-Shell Rugby Headgear to Mitigate Linear and Rotational Peak Accelerations
Authors: Stitt Danyon , Kabaliuk Natalia , Alexander Keith , Draper Nick
Published: January 2022

Rugby union is a popular sport played across the world. The physical contact inherent in the game means that players are at increased risk of concussive injury. In 2019, World Rugby created a new category of permitted headgear under Law 4 as a medical device. This established a pathway for headgear designed to reduce peak accelerations to be worn in matches. Investigations of the potential of soft-shelled protective headgear to reduce head impact accelerations have been mostly limited to the analysis of linear kinematics. However rotational head impact accelerations have long been implicated as far more injurious. The aim of this study, therefore, was to assess the linear and rotational acceleration reduction brought about by soft-shelled rugby headgear. A Hybrid III headform and neck were dropped onto a modular elastomer programmer impact surface, impacting at four different velocities (1.7–3.4 m/s) in five different impact orientations. Impact surface angles were 0°, 30°, and 45°. Peak linear and rotational accelerations, PLA and PRA respectively, were recorded. All headgear significantly reduced PLAs and PRAs when compared to a no headgear scenario. The new generation, headgear reduced all measures significantly more than the older generation of headgear. Impact locations offset from the center of mass of the headform resulted in the highest PRAs measured. As the impact surface angle increased, both PLAs and PRAs decreased. The study demonstrated that headgear tested lowered PLAs by up to 50%, and PRAs by up to 60% compared to the bare headform. Our data suggest that new generation headgear could make a difference on the field in reducing injurious impact accelerations in a collision.
Maps of ticks (Acari: Argasidae, Ixodidae) for Austria and South Tyrol, Italy
Authors: Rubel Franz , Brugger Katharina
Published: January 2022

A first compilation of georeferenced tick locations in Austria and South Tyrol, Italy, is presented here. This allows the tick fauna to be examined in the various climatic regions of the European Alps. The dataset comprises 424 tick locations of Austria and 48 tick locations of South Tyrol, which were digitized from literature and visualized in the form of geographical maps. The tick fauna of Austria includes two species of Argasidae in the genera Argas and Carios and 15 species of Ixodidae in the genera Dermacentor, Haemaphysalis, and Ixodes, altogether 17 tick species. In addition, two species of Ixodidae in the genera Hyalomma (each spring imported by migratory birds) and Rhipicephalus (occasionally imported by dogs returning from abroad with their owners) are included in the tick atlas. Of these, the georeferenced locations of 18 tick species are depicted in maps. The occurrence of the one remaining tick species, Ixodes inopinatus, is given at the level of the federal states. The first Austrian distribution map of the long-legged bat tick Ixodes vespertilionis, which was reported from 21 caves, deserves special mention. The most common and widespread tick species is Ixodes ricinus, with records in all nine federal states of Austria, followed by Ixodes canisuga, Ixodes hexagonus, and I. vespertilionis in six federal states each. Haemaphysalis concinna and Dermacentor reticulatus are only endemic in the eastern plains, while Dermacentor marginatus only occurs in the west, in the Tyrolean Alpine valleys. Eight tick species were reported from South Tyrol, Italy. There, the most frequently flagged tick from the vegetation is also I. ricinus, while D. marginatus and Haemaphysalis punctata are often collected from sheep. The locations are shown together with those from North and East Tyrol on a separate Tyrol map. The tick atlas in Austria and South Tyrol as well as the underlying digital dataset in the supplement contribute to the closing of data gaps in global distribution maps of ticks and improve the data basis for new species distribution models.
Eradication of rabbits from islets is essential for conservation of microinsular vegetation and narrow endangered flora: the case of Medicago citrina (Fabaceae) in s’Espartar islet (Balearic Islands, Western Mediterranean Basin)
Authors: Rita Juan , Capó Miquel , Cursach Joana
Published: January 2022

The introduction of exotic herbivores to islands is one of the most harmful challenges to the conservation of insular biodiversity, causing the extinction or geographical reduction of many plant species worldwide and motivating conservation actions from environmental managers. Here, we evaluated the recovery of plant communities, specifically the endangered Medicago citrina, on a small islet close to Ibiza (Western Mediterranean Basin) after the complete eradication of introduced rabbits (fully eradicated in 2016). To evaluate the variation of plant richness and coverage, five permanent plots were installed in 2015 to record over five years. Additionally, an exhaustive census geolocating all M. citrina individuals was carried out in 2019. Total vegetation cover, plant richness and Shannon’s diversity index significantly increased throughout the study period. We counted 2,322 M. citrina individuals over 15 cm tall and a large number of seedlings. Therefore, this population not only successfully recovered, but also established the largest population in the entire geographic distribution of this species. The demographic structure is dominated by young individuals and a few large individuals, and the distribution across the island is heterogeneous since the largest spots of individuals were located in ravines where air currents probably provided seeds from plants located in inaccessible cliffs. However, the appearance of the invasive insect Icerya purchasi now threats the population of M. citrina as it feeds on the tissues of adult plants and compromises its development and survival. This study proves the eradication of herbivores is the most efficient way to conserve vulnerable species.
Identification of miR-4510 as a metastasis suppressor of gastric cancer through regulation of tumor microenvironment via targeting GPC3
Authors: Ma Hai-fen , Shu Peng , Shi Xiao-hai , Wang Min , Jiang Mao-fen
Published: January 2022

The genes miR-4510 and glypican-3 (GPC3) have reported to be closely associated with tumors, with miR-4510 inversely correlated with GPC3 mRNA and protein in hepatocellular carcinoma samples. Glypican-3-expressing gastric cancer (GPC3-GC), characterized as gastric cancer (GC) expressing GPC3, accounts for 11% of the GC cases. However, the expression and mechanism of action of miR-4510 in GPC3-GC have not been clearly defined. We found that miR-4510 expression in GC tissues was significantly lower than that in the adjacent tissues (p < 0.001). miRNA-4510 expression in GPC3-GC was significantly lower than that in GPC3‐negative GC tissue (p < 0.001). Our study confirmed that miR-4510 is inversely correlated with GPC3 in gastric cancer samples and that GPC3 is a direct target gene of miR-4510. The proportion of M2 macrophages in GC with low expression of miR-4510 was significantly increased, while the proliferation of CD8+ T cells was limited. miR-4510 may change the immunosuppressive signals in the tumor microenvironment by downregulating GPC3 and inhibiting gastric cancer cell metastasis. Oxaliplatin treatment may become a specific therapeutic drug for patients with miR-4510 inhibition and GPC3-GC.