bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CaVα2δ Autoimmune Encephalitis: A Novel Antibody and its Characteristics
Authors: Lee Soon‐Tae , Lee Byoung Joo , Bae Ji‐Yeon , Kim Young Sook , Han Do‐Hyun , Shin Hyun‐Sook , Kim Soyun , Park Dong‐Kyu , Seo Sang Won , Chu Kon , Lee Sang Kun , Ho Won‐Kyung
Published: January 2021

Objective

Discovery of a novel antibody would enable diagnosis and early treatment of autoimmune encephalitis. The aim was to discover a novel antibody targeting a synaptic receptor and characterize the pathogenic mechanism.

Method

We screened for unknown antibodies in serum and cerebrospinal fluid samples from autoimmune encephalitis patients. Samples with reactivity to rat brain sections and no reactivity to conventional antibody tests underwent further processing for antibody discovery, using immunoprecipitation to primary neuronal cells, mass‐spectrometry analysis, an antigen‐binding assay on an antigen‐overexpressing cell line, and an electrophysiological assay with cultured hippocampal neurons.

Results

Two patients had a novel antibody against CaVα2δ (voltage‐gated calcium channel alpha‐2/delta subunit). The patient samples stained neuropils of the hippocampus, basal ganglia, and cortex in rat brain sections and bound to a CaVα2δ‐overexpressing cell line. Knockdown of CaVα2δ expression in cultured neurons turned off the immunoreactivity of the antibody from the patients to the neurons. The patients were associated with preceding meningitis or neuroendocrine carcinoma and responded to immunotherapy. In cultured neurons, the antibody reduced neurotransmitter release from presynaptic nerve terminals by interfering with tight coupling of calcium channels and exocytosis.

Interpretation

Here, we discovered a novel autoimmune encephalitis associated with anti‐CaVα2δ antibody. Further analysis of the antibody in autoimmune encephalitis might promote early diagnosis and treatment. ANN NEUROL 2021;89:740–752
Group eye movement desensitization and reprocessing interventions in adults and children: A systematic review of randomized and nonrandomized trials
Authors: Kaptan Safa Kemal , Dursun Busra Ozen , Knowles Mark , Husain Nusrat , Varese Filippo
Published: January 2021

This review systematically synthesized existing literature on group protocols of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for treating a range of mental health difficulties in adults and children. We conducted database searches on PsychINFO, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library and Francine Shapiro Library up to May 2020, using PRISMA guidelines. Studies were included if they used at least one standardized outcome measure, if they present a quantitative data on the effect of group EMDR protocols on mental health difficulties and if they were published in English. Twenty‐two studies with 1739 participants were included. Thirteen studies examined EMDR Integrative Group Treatment Protocol (IGTP), four studies examined EMDR Group Traumatic Episode Protocol (G‐TEP), four studies EMDR Integrative Group Treatment Protocol for Ongoing Traumatic Stress and one study considered EMDR Group Protocol with Children. Of the 22 studies included, 12 were one‐arm trials and 10 were two‐arm trials. We assessed risk of bias using a revised Tool to Assess Risk of Bias in Randomized Trials (ROB 2) and Risk of Bias in Nonrandomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS‐I). Overall, the results suggested that Group EMDR protocols might be an effective tool in improving a wide range of mental health‐related outcomes including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety. However, the included studies are limited to methodological challenges. The limitations and future directions are discussed.
Examining the efficacy of video‐based microinterventions for improving risk and protective factors for disordered eating among young adult women
Authors: Atkinson Melissa J. , Diedrichs Phillippa C.
Published: January 2021

Objective

Brief self‐guided activities designed for focused and immediate benefits, termed microinterventions, have the potential to aid reach and engagement in mental health interventions; however further validation is needed. This study evaluated effects of two microinterventions for responding to appearance‐ideal media on risk and protective factors for disordered eating.

Method

Undergraduate women (N= 202,Mage= 19.90,SD= 2.75) were allocated quasi‐randomly to one of three 15‐min video‐based microinterventions (mindfulness, cognitive dissonance, educational control) in the lab and assessed on state outcomes at baseline and immediate posttest. One week later, trait factors were assessed and participants underwent an appearance‐ideal media exposure task.

Results

Both mindfulness and dissonance groups reported significant immediate benefits to state appearance‐ideal internalization, perceived sociocultural pressures and related distress, and mood, compared to educational control (Glass's Δ effect sizes=.40–.94), but not state weight or appearance satisfaction. At 1‐week follow‐up, mindfulness and dissonance groups demonstrated improved trait appearance‐ideal internalization (Δ = .40 and .42), weight and shape concerns (Δ = .27 [ns] and .44), and body appreciation (Δ = .39 and .46) compared to the educational control. There were no effects on trait perceived pressures, negative affect, or body image psychological flexibility, and no differential changes in state outcomes from premedia to postmedia exposure.

Discussion

Microinterventions using mindfulness and dissonance techniques show promise for improving some risk and potential protective factors for disordered eating in the immediate and short‐term. Further research is required to substantiate their place within the spectrum of eating disorder prevention, early intervention and treatment techniques.
Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed Oxidative Annulation of Amidines with Alkynes via Sequential C−H Bond Activation
Authors: Meng Yan‐Yu , Zhu Wen‐Jing , Song Yuan‐Yuan , Bu Gang‐Gang , Zhang Li‐Juan , Xu Fen
Published: January 2021

In this paper, a rhodium‐catalyzed sequential two‐fold ortho‐C−H functionalization of N‐phenylbenzimidamide with internal alkyne is reported. The double C−H activations proved viable in a one‐pot fashion with the assistance of C=N and C−N bonds, providing a series of benzimidazoisoquinolines with high levels of positional selectivity control. The operationally simple transformation showed high functional group compatibility and featured the cleavage of C−H bonds located on different a moiety of the N‐phenylbenzimidamide substrates. Detailed mechanistic studies provided strong support for C−H bond cleavage on the N‐phenyl ring to be preferential compared with C−H bond cleavage on C‐phenyl ring. As a multifunctional catalytic platform, the rhodium catalyst conducted two independent and compatible catalytic cycles in one pot.
Comparative Study on Electric Fish Handling Gloves and Immersion Anesthesia for the Surgical Implantation of Transmitters in Brook Trout
Authors: Lamglait Benjamin , Lair Stéphane
Published: January 2021

Although the use of electric fish handling gloves (EFHGs) has been advocated as a no-residue alternative to chemical immobilization for field studies, the impact of their use on fish welfare remains uncertain for surgical procedures. The effects of EFHGs (10–16 mV), with and without local infiltration of lidocaine (6 mg/kg), on stress and muscle integrity after the surgical implantation of an intracoelomic transmitter in adult Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis were compared to the effects of two immersion anesthetics (buffered tricaine methanesulfonate at 60 mg/L and eugenol at 40 mg/L) using blood markers. Lower plane of anesthesia and inconsistent immobilization made surgeries with EFHGs more challenging to perform than surgeries conducted using immersion anesthesia. Plasma cortisol and lactate levels were significantly higher at 1–2 h postprocedure than at the end of the surgery (time 0) for all experimental groups (+210% and +121%, respectively), but no significant differences were detected for the magnitude of these increases between groups. Plasma creatine kinase concentrations significantly increased at 2 h postprocedure for the EFHG treatment groups (+206%), whereas they significantly decreased over the same period for the immersion anesthesia groups (−89%). Residues of lidocaine were not detected in fillets, suggesting the absence of significant systemic diffusion. This study suggests that the use of EFHGs for intracoelomic surgical procedures in Brook Trout induces higher disturbances to muscular physiology compared to immersion anesthesia. Differences in the level of stress, muscular anaerobic activity, or oxidative stress were not documented. Further research is needed to evaluate the analgesic properties of EFHGs and local infiltration with lidocaine.
Improving the Gibbs sampler
Authors: Park Taeyoung , Lee Seunghan
Published: January 2021

The Gibbs sampler is a simple but very powerful algorithm used to simulate from a complex high‐dimensional distribution. It is particularly useful in Bayesian analysis when a complex Bayesian model involves a number of model parameters and the conditional posterior distribution of each component given the others can be derived as a standard distribution. In the presence of a strong correlation structure among components, however, the Gibbs sampler can be criticized for its slow convergence. Here we discuss several algorithmic strategies such as blocking, collapsing, and partial collapsing that are available for improving the convergence characteristics of the Gibbs sampler.

This article is categorized under:

Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Markov Chain Monte Carlo

Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Bayesian Methods and Theory

Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Sampling
Modulation synthesis of UiO‐66 and its outstanding adsorption properties towards low‐concentration methylene blue
Authors: Mao Qiushuo , Liu Xiaoguang , Li Yan , Jiang Yue , Sun Jialin
Published: January 2021

To improve UiO‐66’s adsorption capacity towards methylene blue (MB) of low concentrations, an efficient modulator, butyric acid, has been successfully employed to regulate its defect levels using a modulation method. The butyric acid regulated UiO‐66 has higher degree (6.08 %) of defects, larger mass loss (8.63 %) from 248 to 440 °C, lower BDC2−/Zr molar ratios (0.86) and higher specific surface area (1186 m2/g) than those (5.86 %, 6.98 %, 0.90, and 1024 m2/g, respectively) of the most studied acetic acid modulated one. Furthermore, its SEM images also show the near‐spherical shapes and the formation of many wrinkles/grooves on the outer rough surfaces. Hence when the concentration of MB is as low as 40 mg/L, it can still reach a higher adsorption capacity (143 mg/g) than the mostly studied acetic acid modulated one. The saturated adsorption capacity of UiO‐66 (Butyric acid) almost reaches 765 mg/g, much better than other adsorption materials. In comparison, the acetic acid regulated one shows slightly lower specific surface areas, less defective structures, smoother surface and more polyhedral shapes. It thus reaches a smaller adsorption capacity of about 97 mg/g despite in a rather short time (∼5 min). The underlying mechanism for the above different adsorption behaviors is also addressed. Overall, it is suggest that the butyric acid can significantly change the defect levels in UiO‐66 and thus improve its MB adsorption uptake.
Agroecology and Climate Change Adaptation: Farmers’ Experiences in the South African Lowveld
Authors: Zazu Cryton , Manderson Anri
Published: January 2021

Motivated by interest to increase the resilience of smallholder farmers to adapt to climate change through uptake of agroecology, two community development organizations commissioned a project evaluation upon which this book chapter is written. The chapter discusses how smallholder farmers were experiencing implementing agroecology, trying to understand the reasons for adopting such an approach to farming. The chapter also explores and problematizes the relationship between trends in adoption of agroecology and the smallholder farmers’ awareness of climate change and adaptation. The chapter confirms that agronomic and income generation are the key reasons for adoption of agroecology. Most of the farmers reminisced about how their crop yields had declined and soils no longer producing enough to feed the family. Other motivating factors for uptake of agroecology included lack of employment, limited income sources, access to health organic foods, and medicinal value of herbs grown. The chapter further concluded that the correlation between adoption of agroecology and farmers’ awareness of it as a climate change adaptation measure is generally weak. Smallholder farmers adopted agroecology more for responding to issues of food security, than any conscious desire to adapt to climate change. Implications of this observation is that practitioners working with smallholder farmers need to rethink their approaches and design of interventions to integrate climate change education and learning, so that strong connections between the agroecological practices promoted and adaptation to climate change are made. Such an approach has potential to improve the sustainability and value of the agroecological practices adopted.
“Conservation Agriculture,” Possible Climate Change Adaptation Option in Taita Hills, Kenya
Authors: Motaroki Lilian , Ouma Gilbert , Kalele Dorcas
Published: January 2021

The vicious cycle of food insecurity in Kenya and Africa at large is partly attributed to the high reliance on rainfed agriculture, which makes production systems vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change and variability. Conservation agriculture (CA) has been disseminated as a climate-smart practice that operates on three main principles to realize the multiple benefits of making crop production systems more resilient to climate change impacts, enhancing food security, and providing environmental services, such as carbon sequestration. As a major source of livelihood in the Taita Hills, agriculture is constrained by climate change owing to its rainfed nature. The yield and environmental and economic benefits of CA make it a suitable alternative approach to sustainable agricultural intensification, which is fundamentally different from conventional approaches based on intensive tillage and often disrupts ecosystem functions. This chapter provides the rationale for enhancing the adoption of CA in the Taita Hills by evaluating the current challenges affecting crop production, the role of CA in addressing the challenges and its potential benefits, and the barriers that must be overcome in order to promote its wide-scale adoption. A number of constraints appear to hinder the wide-scale adoption of CA in the Taita Hills, including lack of awareness, tenure-related issues, and weak policy and institutional support. Addressing these constraints will help catalyze investments for upscaling CA in the Taita Hills, with potential for replication in other parts of the country.
Open topological recursion relations in genus 1 and integrable systems
Authors: Gomez Oscar Brauer , Buryak Alexandr
Published: January 2021

Abstract

The paper is devoted to the open topological recursion relations in genus 1, which are partial differential equations that conjecturally control open Gromov-Witten invariants in genus 1. We find an explicit formula for any solution analogous to the Dijkgraaf-Witten formula for a descendent Gromov-Witten potential in genus 1. We then prove that at the approximation up to genus 1 the exponent of an open descendent potential satisfies a system of explicitly constructed linear evolutionary PDEs with one spatial variable.
Supersymmetric space-time symmetry breaking sources
Authors: Anderson Louise , Roberts Matthew M.
Published: January 2021

Abstract

We construct new families of deformed supersymmetric field theories which break space-time symmetries but preserve half of the original supersymmetry. We do this by writing deformations as couplings to background multiplets. In many cases it is important to use the off-shell representation as auxiliary fields of the non-dynamical fields must be turned on to preserve supersymmetry. We also consider backgrounds which preserve some superconformal symmetry, finding scale-invariant field profiles, as well as $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 theories on S3. We discuss how this is related to previous work on interface SCFTs and other holographic calculations.
Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between psychotic and depressive symptoms in depressed adolescents
Authors: Kehinde Fiona , Bharmal Aamena Valiji , Goodyer Ian M. , Kelvin Raphael , Dubicka Bernadka , Midgley Nick , Fonagy Peter , Jones Peter B. , Wilkinson Paul ,   IMPACT Consortium
Published: January 2021

Adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) with psychotic features (delusions and/or hallucinations) have more severe symptoms and a worse prognosis. Subclinical psychotic symptoms are more common in adolescents than adults. However, the effects of psychotic symptoms on outcome of depressive symptoms have not been well studied in adolescents. Depressed adolescents aged 11–17 with and without psychotic symptoms were compared on depression severity scores at baseline and at 28- or 42-week follow-up in two large UK cohorts. Psychotic symptoms were weakly associated with more severe depression at baseline in both cohorts. At follow-up, baseline psychotic symptoms were only associated with depressive symptoms in one sample; in the other, the effect size was close to zero. This supports the DSM5 system of psychotic symptoms being a separate code to severity rather than the ICD10 system which only allows the diagnosis of psychotic depression with severe depression. There was no clear support for psychotic symptoms being a baseline marker of treatment response.
Stroke admission rates before, during and after the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Kristoffersen Espen Saxhaug , Jahr Silje Holt , Faiz Kashif Waqar , Thommessen Bente , Rønning Ole Morten
Published: January 2021

Background

There was a significant decrease in stroke admissions during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are concerns that stroke patients have not sought medical attention and in the months after the lockdown suffer recurrent severe strokes. The aims of this study were to investigate how stroke admission rates and distributions of severity varied before, during and after the lockdown in a representative Norwegian hospital population.

Methods

All patients discharged from Akershus University Hospital with a diagnosis of transient ischemic attack (TIA) or acute stroke from January to September 2020 were identified by hospital chart review.

Results

We observed a transient decrease in weekly stroke admissions during lockdown from an average of 21.4 (SD 4.7) before to 15.0 (SD 4.2) during and 17.2 (SD 3.3) after (p < 0.011). The proportion of mild ischemic and haemorrhagic strokes was also lower during lockdown with 66% before, 57% during and 68% after (p = 0.011).

Conclusion

The period of COVID-19 lockdown was associated with a temporary reduction in total admissions of strokes. In particular, there were fewer with TIA and mild stroke. Given the need to prevent the worsening of symptoms and risk of recurrence, it is necessary to emphasise the importance to seek medical care even in states of emergency.
Use of a novel camera trapping approach to measure small mammal responses to peatland restoration
Authors: Littlewood Nick A. , Hancock Mark H. , Newey Scott , Shackelford Gorm , Toney Rose
Published: January 2021

Small mammals, such as small rodents (Rodentia: Muroidea) and shrews (Insectivora: Soricidae), present particular challenges in camera trap surveys. Their size is often insufficient to trigger infra-red sensors, whilst resultant images may be of inadequate quality for species identification. The conventional survey method for small mammals, live-trapping, can be both labour-intensive and detrimental to animal welfare. Here, we describe a method for using camera traps for monitoring small mammals. We show that by attaching the camera trap to a baited tunnel, fixing a close-focus lens over the camera trap lens, and reducing the flash intensity, pictures or videos can be obtained of sufficient quality for identifying species. We demonstrate the use of the method by comparing occurrences of small mammals in a peatland landscape containing (i) plantation forestry (planted on drained former blanket bog), (ii) ex-forestry areas undergoing bog restoration, and (iii) unmodified blanket bog habitat. Rodents were detected only in forestry and restoration areas, whilst shrews were detected across all habitat. The odds of detecting small mammals were 7.6 times higher on camera traps set in plantation forestry than in unmodified bog, and 3.7 times higher on camera traps in restoration areas than in bog. When absolute abundance estimates are not required, and camera traps are available, this technique provides a low-cost survey method that is labour-efficient and has minimal animal welfare implications.
Induction of spermatogenesis in men with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism
Authors: Morris Guy C. , Lloyd-Evans Esther , Cahill David J.
Published: January 2021

Purpose

We compared our clinical experience to international standards, assessed by response to treatment and pregnancy rates to ensure our results were comparable.

Methods

Men presenting with azoospermia related to hypogonadism were recruited into a treatment programme which was managed by one person over 8 years in a secondary care facility. Treatment followed published management plans using urinary gonadotropins. Data were collected on success rates in spermatogenesis, as well as variables which might predict success, and costs. Statistical analysis used non-parametric methods.

Results

Of 16 men with HH, 14 achieved spermatogenesis, and 9 had sperm cryopreserved. Of those 14, 6 were successful in achieving a pregnancy with their partner from assisted conception (including ICSI) and one after natural conception. Factors identified to identify men likely to be successful in treatment were whether testicular volume was larger at onset of gonadotropins (median 10 mL) with a trend towards greater success if the cause developed after puberty. Mean treatment costs per man treated amounted to GP£4379/UD$5377 (figures for September 2020).

Success rates from this treatment should exceed 70% in most clinical settings. The likelihood of success improves when testicular volume exceeded 10 mL at initiation of treatment and a trend exists whereby success is more likely whereby when hypogonadism developed after puberty. Treatment costs are at a level likely to benefit quality of life, supporting the delivery of this treatment and where necessary and possible, funding it in line with other fertility treatments. This treatment should be available much more widely as a management option for men with hypogonadism, allowing them to father a biological child, rather than using donor sperm.
Characterization and identification of Au pathfinder minerals from an artisanal mine site using X-ray diffraction
Authors: Nzulu Gabriel , Eklund Per , Magnuson Martin
Published: January 2021

Gold-associated pathfinder minerals have been investigated by identifying host minerals of Au for samples collected from an artisanal mining site near a potential gold mine (Kubi Gold Project) in Dunkwa-On-Offin in the central region of Ghana. We find that for each composition of Au powder (impure) and the residual black hematite/magnetite sand that remains after gold panning, there is a unique set of associated diverse indicator minerals. These indicator minerals are identified as SiO2 (quartz), Fe3O4 (magnetite) and Fe2O3 (hematite), while contributions from pyrite, arsenopyrites, iridosmine, scheelite, tetradymite, garnet, gypsum and other sulfate materials are insignificant. This constitutes a confirmative identification of Au pathfinding minerals in this particular mineralogical area. The findings suggest that X-ray diffraction could also be applied in other mineralogical sites to aid in identifying indicator minerals of Au and the location of ore bodies at reduced environmental and exploration costs.
The role of dyadic interactions between CEOs, chairs and owners in family firm governance
Authors: Sievinen Hanna Maria , Ikäheimonen Tuuli , Pihkala Timo
Published: January 2021

The objective of this case-based study is to understand how the dyadic interaction between the key governance actors can influence the decision-making aimed at directing and controlling a family firm. The study provides evidence that dyadic interaction at the back stage of the formal governance process can offer a privileged position for the family firm owners who serve on the board, and the non-family member Chair of the Board, to influence decision-making before, after and between board meetings. The cases studied suggest that dyadic interactions can serve as preparation for formal board processes and complement and clarify them, yet they also have the potential to conflict with them. Dyadic interaction is also shown to offer important relational and emotional benefits that may not necessarily be achieved through larger group interaction. The findings suggest that although the actors can self-regulate their behaviour through informal rules, the rules may imperfectly address one risk of dyadic interaction—the reduced cognitive conflict among the board.
Strontium in public drinking water and associated public health risks in Chinese cities
Authors: Peng Hao , Yao Feifei , Xiong Shuang , Wu Zhonghua , Niu Geng , Lu Taotao
Published: January 2021

Due to the fact that strontium (Sr) is not involved in the scope of supervision of drinking water in China, the Sr concentration in public drinking water and its related health risks have been neglected for a long time. In this research, public drinking water samples were collected from 314 cities across the country to reveal the concentration and spatial distribution of Sr in public drinking water. In addition, the Monte Carlo method (a statistical simulation method) was applied to evaluate the Sr intake from drinking water and human health risks among different age groups and different regions. As shown in the results, the Sr was in the concentration range of 0.005–3.11 mg/L with a mean value of 0.360 mg/L. There were significant differences in the Sr concentration in different regions; in general, it was high in the north and low in the south. The Sr intakes of infants, children, teens, and adults from drinking water were 0.273, 0.503, 0.633, and 0.784 mg/day, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between Sr concentration in drinking water and bone mineral density (BMD) in the elderly. Especially, the correlation coefficients (r) between Sr concentration and the BMD of the elderly whose age fell in the range of 60–70 years were 0.692 (male) and 0.483 (female). In addition, the Sr concentration in drinking water was positively correlated with the incidence of children’s rickets (r = 0.411), while the Ca/Br ratio was negatively correlated with the incidence of children’s rickets (r = − 0.410). According to the health risk assessment, among people of different ages, infants’ hazard index (HI) value was the highest. The mean value and 95th percentile value were 0.066 and 0.247. Non-carcinogenic risk of Sr through drinking water among different people in different regions was less than 1, which meant no significant damage to human health. This study is the first time to systematically investigate Sr in public drinking water across the whole country. More importantly, the conclusions can be applied to risk control and management of public drinking water.
An approach to achieve overall farm feed efficiency in pig production: environmental evaluation through individual life cycle assessment
Authors: Soleimani Tara , Gilbert Helene
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Use a holistic individual life cycle assessment (LCA) to investigate possible mitigation of environmental impacts through optimisation of overall farm feed efficiency by combining animal selection for feed efficiency and formulation of diets with minimum environmental impacts tailored to pig nutritional requirements.

Methods

A linear multi-objective optimisation method was used to combine diet optimisation tailored to meet the representative nutritional requirements of genetic lines with environmental optimisation of the environmental impacts of the diet. Environmental optimisation was obtained by weighting the environmental impacts of the diet in a single environmental impact score. An individual trait-based LCA model with a cradle-to-farm-gate system boundary and functional unit of 1 kg live pig at the farm gate was applied to genetic lines selected for high (LRFI, high feed efficient line) and low (HRFI, low feed efficient line) feed efficiency data. The production traits of each individual animal in response to the optimised diets were simulated with InraPorc® and imported into the individual LCA model to assess global warming potential (GWP), terrestrial acidification potential (AP), freshwater eutrophication potential (EP), and land occupation (LO) of the overall farm feed efficiency approach.

Results and discussion

Integrating selection for feed efficiency, nutritional requirements of genetic lines (HRFI and LRFI) and environmental diet optimisation resulted in overall mitigation of environmental impacts. Compared to the conventional diet, the environmental score of the optimised tailored diets was reduced by 5.8% and 5.2% for LRFI and HRFI lines, respectively. At the general production system level, the environmental impacts decreased by an average of 4.2% for LRFI and 3.8% for HRFI lines compared to environmental impacts of the lines fed the conventional diet (P < 0.05). The HRFI line with its optimised tailored diet had fewer impacts than the LRFI line with the conventional diet, except for EP. Individual LCA revealed high correlations between environmental impacts and feed efficiency and protein deposition traits.

Conclusions

Implementation of overall farm feed efficiency would effectively mitigate environmental impacts. A holistic economic evaluation of the resulting trade-off between diet costs and pig performances is now needed to design a comprehensive tool to orientate selection and formulation decisions for sustainable pig production systems.
Combined Perfusion and Permeability Imaging Reveals Different Pathophysiologic Tissue Responses After Successful Thrombectomy
Authors: Potreck Arne , Mutke Matthias A. , Weyland Charlotte S. , Pfaff Johannes A. R. , Ringleb Peter A. , Mundiyanapurath Sibu , Möhlenbruch Markus A. , Heiland Sabine , Pham Mirko , Bendszus Martin , Hoffmann Angelika
Published: January 2021

Despite successful recanalization of large-vessel occlusions in acute ischemic stroke, individual patients profit to a varying degree. Dynamic susceptibility-weighted perfusion and dynamic T1-weighted contrast-enhanced blood-brain barrier permeability imaging may help to determine secondary stroke injury and predict clinical outcome. We prospectively performed perfusion and permeability imaging in 38 patients within 24 h after successful mechanical thrombectomy of an occlusion of the middle cerebral artery M1 segment. Perfusion alterations were evaluated on cerebral blood flow maps, blood-brain barrier disruption (BBBD) visually and quantitatively on ktrans maps and hemorrhagic transformation on susceptibility-weighted images. Visual BBBD within the DWI lesion corresponded to a median ktrans elevation (IQR) of 0.77 (0.41–1.4) min−1 and was found in all 7 cases of hypoperfusion (100%), in 10 of 16 cases of hyperperfusion (63%), and in only three of 13 cases with unaffected perfusion (23%). BBBD was significantly associated with hemorrhagic transformation (p < 0.001). While BBBD alone was not a predictor of clinical outcome at 3 months (positive predictive value (PPV) = 0.8 [0.56–0.94]), hypoperfusion occurred more often in patients with unfavorable clinical outcome (PPV = 0.43 [0.10–0.82]) compared to hyperperfusion (PPV = 0.93 [0.68–1.0]) or unaffected perfusion (PPV = 1.0 [0.75–1.0]). We show that combined perfusion and permeability imaging reveals distinct infarct signatures after recanalization, indicating the severity of prior ischemic damage. It assists in predicting clinical outcome and may identify patients at risk of stroke progression.
Coronavirus biopolitics: the paradox of France’s Foucauldian heritage
Authors: Arminjon Mathieu , Marion-Veyron Régis
Published: January 2021

In this short paper we analyse some paradoxical aspects of France’s Foucauldian heritage: (1) while several French scholars claim the COVID-19 pandemic is a perfect example of what Foucault called biopolitics, popular reaction instead suggests a biopolitical failure on the part of the government; (2) One of these failures concerns the government’s inability to produce reliable biostatistical data, especially regarding health inequalities in relation to COVID-19. We interrogate whether Foucaldianism contributed, in the past as well today, towards a certain myopia in France regarding biostatistics and its relation to social inequalities in health. One might ask whether this very data could provide an appropriate response to the Foucauldian question: What kind of governance of life is the pandemic revealing to us?
A projection-based continuous-time algorithm for distributed optimization over multi-agent systems
Authors: Wen Xingnan , Qin Sitian
Published: January 2021

Multi-agent systems are widely studied due to its ability of solving complex tasks in many fields, especially in deep reinforcement learning. Recently, distributed optimization problem over multi-agent systems has drawn much attention because of its extensive applications. This paper presents a projection-based continuous-time algorithm for solving convex distributed optimization problem with equality and inequality constraints over multi-agent systems. The distinguishing feature of such problem lies in the fact that each agent with private local cost function and constraints can only communicate with its neighbors. All agents aim to cooperatively optimize a sum of local cost functions. By the aid of penalty method, the states of the proposed algorithm will enter equality constraint set in fixed time and ultimately converge to an optimal solution to the objective problem. In contrast to some existed approaches, the continuous-time algorithm has fewer state variables and the testification of the consensus is also involved in the proof of convergence. Ultimately, two simulations are given to show the viability of the algorithm.
Thorstein Veblen on economic man: toward a new method of describing human nature, society, and history
Authors: Ishida Noriko
Published: January 2021

The fact that Veblen was a keen critic of the neo-classical concept of “economic man” is well known. However, the following issues have not been discussed in enough depth: how he rebuilt the traditional theory of human nature through his new methodology of economics, how much his methodological revision broadened the scope of economics, and what kind of phenomena Veblen’s economic theory elucidates. This article examines these issues and aims to show the logical connection between Veblen’s controversial proposal on the methodology of economics and his analysis of economic phenomena. Specifically, it reconsiders Veblen’s analysis of economic action using a unique concept of instincts, his logic of explaining the relation between society and human nature, his way of drawing history from the relativistic worldview, and his characteristic method of grasping the cause and effect of economic phenomena. Finally, it highlights the importance of modifying the concept of “economic man” by focusing on the qualitative aspect. Particular reference is made to the economic concepts of utility, efficiency, and intangibility.
A route planning framework for smart wearable assistive navigation systems
Authors: Ntakolia Charis , Iakovidis Dimitris K.
Published: January 2021

Route planning (RP) enables individuals to navigate in unfamiliar environments. Current RP methodologies generate routes that optimize criteria relevant to the traveling distance or time, whereas most of them do not consider personal preferences or needs. Also, most of the current smart wearable assistive navigation systems offer limited support to individuals with disabilities by providing obstacle avoidance instructions, but often neglecting their special requirements with respect to the route quality. Motivated by the mobility needs of such individuals, this study proposes a novel RP framework for assistive navigation that copes these open issues. The framework is based on a novel mixed 0–1 integer nonlinear programming model for solving the RP problem with constraints originating from the needs of individuals with disabilities; unlike previous models, it minimizes: (1) the collision risk with obstacles within a path by prioritizing the safer paths; (2) the walking time; (3) the number of turns by constructing smooth paths, and (4) the loss of cultural interest by penalizing multiple crossovers of the same paths, while satisfying user preferences, such as points of interest to visit and a desired tour duration. The proposed framework is applied for the development of a system module for safe navigation of visually impaired individuals (VIIs) in outdoor cultural spaces. The module is evaluated in a variety of navigation scenarios with different parameters. The results demonstrate the comparative advantage of our RP model over relevant state-of-the-art models, by generating safer and more convenient routes for the VIIs.
On the performance of chaotic interleaver for turbo codes
Authors: Sahnoune Ahmed , Berkani Daoud
Published: January 2021

It is well known that the interleaver plays a critical role in the performance of turbo codes and its design using random and deterministic permutations. In this paper, we present a new method to design a deterministic interleaver with random-like behavior based on two-dimensional chaotic map, so called lozi map. The designed interleaver is called chaotic interleaver. The statistical properties and the performance of such interleaver have been investigated and compared with random interleaver and dithered golden interleaver. Chaotic interleaver results in lowering the latency and the complexity of implementation and enhance the reliability and the security of the communication system.
Doubly fed induction generators to enhance inter-area damping based on a Robust controller: $${{\varvec{H}}}_{2}/{{\varvec{H}}}_{\infty }$$ Control
Authors: Goodarzi Ali , Ranjbar Ali Mohammad , Dehghani Moslem , GhasemiGarpachi Mina , Ghiasi Mohammad
Published: January 2021

In this study, an auxiliary damping controller based on a robust controller considering the active and reactive power control loops for a doubly-fed induction generator for wind farms is proposed. The presented controller is able to improve the inter-area oscillation damping. In addition, the proposed controller applies only one accessible local signal as the input; however, it can improve the inter-area oscillation damping and, consequently the system stability for the various working conditions and uncertainties. The oscillatory modes of the system are appointed using the linear analysis. Then, the controller’s parameters are determined using the robust control approaches ($${H}_{\infty }/{H}_{2})$$

H
∞

/

H
2

)

with the pole placement and linear matrix inequality method. The results of the modal analysis and time-domain simulations confirm that the controller develops the inter-area oscillation damping under the various working conditions and uncertainties.
Sexual Disorders and Quality of Life in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Santa Rosa Malcher Claudia Marques , Roberto da Silva Gonçalves Oliveira Kleber , Fernandes Caldato Milena Coelho , Lopes dos Santos Lobato Bruno , da Silva Pedroso Janari , de Tubino Scanavino Marco
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Sexual disorders are the most neglected nonmotor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD). Although doctors seek greater priority to motor manifestations, which are the basis for the diagnosis of PD, the nonmotor symptoms deserve to be highlighted as much as the motor problems because of their strong presence and discomfort in the patients, causing the important impairment in the quality of life (QoL) of the individual with PD.

Aim

Provide the prevalence of sexual disorders among patients with PD and alert the medical profession to investigate and be familiar with problems related to QoL and sexual disorders in PD.

Methods

This is a large literature review on sexual disorders in PD and impaired QoL.

Main Outcome Measures

Sexual disorders in PD and prevalence between genders have been described in epidemiological studies. Neuroanatomy, pathophysiology, risk factors, QoL, and etiologies were reviewed.

Results

The estimate of the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in the form of compulsive sexual behavior in PD is higher in men by 5.2% than in women by 0.5%. This diagnosis is a determinant of intense and persistent suffering and is related to several health problems of a social, economic, personal, family, psychological, and occupational nature, which can even culminate in sexual abuse. It is most commonly associated with the use of drugs commonly used in PD therapy in 98.1% of cases. In addition to this serious public health problem, another common condition of sexual dysfunction occur with the decreased libido by loss of the neurotransmitter dopamine proper of the pathophysiology of PD.

Conclusion

The presence of sexual disorders in PD should be tracked and monitored because of its harmful consequences, whether due to increased sexual behavior or associated psychological distress, as well as the impacts on QoL. Early recognition and adequate treatment of PD in its fullness and richness of associated symptoms are essential for improving QoL.
Nasal vestibular furunculosis: Summarised case series
Authors: Sheik‐Ali Shirwa , Sheik‐Ali Sharaf , Sheik‐Ali Azizi
Published: January 2021

Objective

Nasal vestibular furunculosis (NVF) is characterized by an acute localized infection of the hair follicle in the skin lining of the nasal vestibule. This study provides an up‐to‐date narrative analysis on NVF, its presentation, complications and management.

Methods

A literature search was conducted electronically with no time constraints using “Nasal Vestibular Furuncolosis” or “NVF” through Medline, Cochrane Library and Web of Science, including MeSH terms with no language restrictions. Included were: Studies that described NVF's presentation and subsequent management and excluded were: Irrelevant studies that did not provide details about NVF's presentation or management, furthermore studies that alluded to Nasal vestibulitis without furunculosis were excluded. There were no limitations on time, up until the review was commenced in May 2020.

Results

Seven articles complied with the inclusion criteria. All papers reviewed were from 2015 to 2020. Three out of 4 studies reported duration of symptomatic NVF between 3 and 4 days. The most common presentation of NVF was reported as erythema, swelling, tender over the nasal tip. The most frequent, successful management of NVF frequently included intranasal topical mupirocin and in some cases oral sodium fusidate. NVF was reported to clear within 7 days by 2 studies. There were no randomised studies exploring NVF or NVF management.

Conclusion

Although a very common condition, much research is required to allude to the pathophysiology and management of NVF. Future studies should explore the reasons as to the resistance of topical antibiotics in some patients, the differing strains ofstaphylococcus aureusand their resulting complications, the reasons behind the familiar connection and the most effective management plan for NVF.
On exceptional Lie geometries
Authors: De Schepper Anneleen , Schillewaert Jeroen , Van Maldeghem Hendrik , Victoor Magali
Published: January 2021

Parapolar spaces are point-line geometries introduced as a geometric approach to (exceptional) algebraic groups. We characterize a wide class of Lie geometries as parapolar spaces satisfying a simple intersection property. In particular, many of the exceptional Lie incidence geometries occur. In an appendix, we extend our result to the locally disconnected case and discuss the locally disconnected case of some other well-known characterizations.
Strichartz estimates for orthonormal families of initial data and weighted oscillatory integral estimates
Authors: Bez Neal , Lee Sanghyuk , Nakamura Shohei
Published: January 2021

We establish new Strichartz estimates for orthonormal families of initial data in the case of the wave, Klein–Gordon and fractional Schrödinger equations. Our estimates extend those of Frank–Sabin in the case of the wave and Klein–Gordon equations, and generalize work of Frank et al. and Frank–Sabin for the Schrödinger equation. Due to a certain technical barrier, except for the classical Schrödinger equation, the Strichartz estimates for orthonormal families of initial data have not previously been established up to the sharp summability exponents in the full range of admissible pairs. We obtain the optimal estimates in various notable cases and improve the previous results.

The main novelty of this paper is our derivation and use of estimates for weighted oscillatory integrals, which we combine with an approach due to Frank and Sabin. Our weighted oscillatory integral estimates are, in a certain sense, rather delicate endpoint versions of known dispersive estimates with power-type weights of the form

$|\xi |^{-\lambda }$

or

$(1 + |\xi |^2)^{-\lambda /2}$

, where

$\lambda \in \mathbb {R}$

. We achieve optimal decay rates by considering such weights with appropriate

$\lambda \in \mathbb {C}$

. For the wave and Klein–Gordon equations, our weighted oscillatory integral estimates are new. For the fractional Schrödinger equation, our results overlap with prior work of Kenig–Ponce–Vega in a certain regime. Our contribution to the theory of weighted oscillatory integrals has also been influenced by earlier work of Carbery–Ziesler, Cowling et al., and Sogge–Stein.

Finally, we provide some applications of our new Strichartz estimates for orthonormal families of data to the theory of infinite systems of Hartree type, weighted velocity averaging lemmas for kinetic transport equations, and refined Strichartz estimates for data in Besov spaces.
Vacuum exhausted isolation locker (VEIL) to reduce inpatient droplet/aerosol transmission during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Gopesh Tilvawala , Grant Alex M. , Wen Jessica H. , Wen Teresa H. , Criado-Hidalgo Ernesto , Connacher William J. , Friend James R. , Morris Timothy A.
Published: January 2021

The vacuum-exhausted isolation locker (VEIL) provides a safety barrier during the care of COVID-19 patients. The VEIL is a 175-L enclosure with exhaust ports to continuously extract air through viral particle filters connected to hospital suction. Our experiments show that the VEIL contains and exhausts exhaled aerosols and droplets.
Local, Regional, or Global Asset Pricing?
Authors: Hollstein Fabian
Published: January 2021

Analyzing several developed and emerging international markets, I test the ability of global, regional, and local models to explain a large set of 134 cross-sectional anomalies. My main finding is that both global and regional factor models create substantially larger average absolute alphas than local factor models. Annual (absolute) anomaly portfolio alphas are on average 1.7 and 1.1 percentage points higher, respectively, with global and regional than with local factor models. Even for the most recent period, there is no evidence of a catch-up of global and regional factor models. There is substantial potential for international diversification of anomaly strategies.