bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Profilin 1 knockdown prevents ischemic brain damage by promoting M2 microglial polarization associated with the RhoA/ROCK pathway
Authors: Lu Ermei , Wang Qian , Li Shengcun , Chen Caiming , Wu Weibo , Xu Yang Xin Zi , Zhou Peng , Tu Wenzhan , Lou Xinfa , Rao Gaofeng , Yang Guanhu , Jiang Songhe , Zhou Kecheng
Published: April 2020

Microglial polarization to the anti‐inflammatory M2 phenotype is essential in resolving neuroinflammation, making it a promising therapeutic strategy for stroke intervention. The actin cytoskeleton is known to be important for the physiological functions of microglia, including migration and phagocytosis. Profilin 1 (PFN1), an actin‐binding protein, is involved in the dynamic transformation and reorganization of actin. However, the role of PFN1 in microglial polarization and ischemia/reperfusion injury is unclear. The role of PFN1 on microglial polarization was examined in vitro in BV2 microglial cells subjected to oxygen‐glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGDR) and in vivo in male mice after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Knockdown of PFN1 inhibited M1 microglial polarization and promoted M2 microglia polarization 48 hr after OGDR stimulation in BV2 cells and 7 days after MCAO‐induced injury in male mice. RhoA/ROCK pathway was involved in the regulation of PFN1 during microglial polarization. Knockdown of PFN1 also significantly attenuated brain infarcts and edema, improved cerebral blood flow and neurological deficits in MCAO‐injured mice. Inhibition of PFN1 effectively protected the brain against ischemia/reperfusion injuries by promoting M2 microglial polarization in vitro and in vivo.
Malignant giant cell tumor of bone or soft tissue treated by surgery with or without radiotherapy
Authors: Chen Wenhao , Yan Zhiyu , Tirumala Venkat
Published: April 2020

Malignant giant cell tumor of bone or soft tissue (MGCTBS) is one of the malignant tumors associated with poor prognosis. However, it remains controversial whether the combined treatment of both surgery and radiotherapy (surgery + RT) leads to better survival outcomes than surgical treatment alone (surgery alone) does for patients diagnosed with MGCTBS. We compared the two treatment strategies using the data provided by Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program. About 357 patients with MGCTBS who received either surgery + RT or surgery alone between 1975 and 2016 in the USA were identified and then matched based on their propensity scores estimated using the patients' baseline characteristics. We also performed a subgroup analysis for patients with high‐grade and regional/distant tumor extension. Unadjusted Kaplan‐Meier curves suggested that the surgery alone group had a better 10‐year survival profile than the surgery + RT group. After propensity score matching, there was no statistical difference between the two treatment groups with respect to the 10‐year cancer‐specific survival and overall survival distributions. A subsequent subgroup analysis demonstrated that the surgery alone group has a similar 10‐year survival comparing with the surgery + RT group for patients with high‐grade and regional/distant tumor extension. The results of our study suggest that RT should not be recommended as a regular therapeutic method for MGCTBS, even for patients with high‐grade histology and distant metastasis Clinical Significance: This study may provide better decision making for surgeons dealing with malignant giant cell tumor of bone or soft tissue. Type of study: Observation study. Level of evidence: Level III.
The Role of Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Early Hepatic Allograft Dysfunction
Authors: Zhou Junbin , Chen Jian , Wei Qiang , Saeb‐Parsy Kourosh , Xu Xiao
Published: April 2020

Liver transplantation (LT) is the only available curative treatment for patients with end‐stage liver disease. Early allograft dysfunction (EAD) is a life‐threatening complication of LT and is thought to be mediated in large part through ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI). However, the underlying mechanisms linking IRI and EAD after LT are poorly understood. Most previous studies focused on the clinical features of EAD, but basic research on the underlying mechanisms is insufficient, due, in part, to a lack of suitable animal models of EAD. There is still no consensus on definition of EAD, which hampers comparative analysis of data from different LT centers. IRI is considered as an important risk factor of EAD, which can induce both damage and adaptive responses in liver grafts. IRI and EAD are closely linked and share several common pathways. However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unclear. Therapeutic interventions against EAD through the amelioration of IRI is a promising strategy, but most approaches are still in preclinical stages. To further study the mechanisms of EAD and promote collaborations between LT centers, optimized animal models and unified definitions of EAD are urgently needed. Because IRI and EAD are closely linked, more attention should be paid to the underlying mechanisms and the fundamental relationship between them. Ischemia/reperfusion–induced adaptive responses may play a crucial role in the prevention of EAD, and more preclinical studies and clinical trials are urgently needed to address the current limitation of available therapeutic interventions.
Analysis of abnormal wear on a certain type of CRH380 high‐speed railway grounding brush
Authors: Wang H.B. , Liu X.T. , Che J.J. , Zhao H.W. , Bhushan B. , Tong J. , Zhuang J. , Ma Y.H.
Published: April 2020

This paper investigated the causes of premature wear of grounding brushes in high‐speed train which was less than 40 % of design service life. The grounding brushes were analyzed from the material composition, microstructure and mechanical property under different wear conditions. The results indicated that their material composition and microstructure were basically identical, and the phase compositions of the four samples were mainly copper (Cu) and carbon (C). There were no obvious defects in the structure. The load differences will give rise to vibration of the friction pairs and lead to electrical erosion on the worn surface. The electrical erosion produced oxides and fused hard particles as well as caused abrasive wear. The test results also indicated that the spring‐induced gap across the contact surfaces resulted in electrical erosion.
Global stability of delay‐distributed viral infection model with two modes of viral transmission and B‐cell impairment
Authors: Elaiw A. M. , Alshehaiween S. F.
Published: April 2020

This paper formulates a virus dynamics model with impairment of B‐cell functions. The model incorporates two modes of viral transmission: cell‐free and cell‐to‐cell. The cell‐free and cell‐cell incidence rates are modeled by general functions. The model incorporates both, latently and actively, infected cells as well as three distributed time delays. Nonnegativity and boundedness properties of the solutions are proven to show the well‐posedness of the model. The model admits two equilibria that are determined by the basic reproduction numberR0. The global stability of each equilibrium is proven by utilizing Lyapunov function and LaSalle's invariance principle. The theoretical results are illustrated by numerical simulations. The effect of impairment of B‐cell functions and time delays on the virus dynamics are studied. We have shown that if the functions of B‐cell is impaired, then the concentration of viruses is increased in the plasma. Moreover, we have observed that increasing the time delay will suppress the viral replication.
Acceptance and commitment therapy for people with rheumatic disease: Existing evidence and future directions
Authors: Hegarty Roisin S.M. , Fletcher Benjamin D. , Conner Tamlin S. , Stebbings Simon , Treharne Gareth J.
Published: April 2020

Introduction

Despite advances in the management of rheumatic diseases, many patients experience persistent pain and fatigue. Psychological interventions are useful adjunctive treatments, but improvements tend to be small, and progress in this area is needed. The aim of this review was to evaluate the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for the treatment of chronic pain and fatigue in patients with rheumatic disease.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsycINFO for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of ACT for the treatment of chronic pain and fatigue in patients with rheumatic disease. Ten RCTs that included people with rheumatic disease were identified, rated for risk of bias, and summarised in terms of effects on relevant outcomes (disability, emotional functioning, pain, and quality of life).

Results

Treatment with ACT was associated with improvements in physical and emotional functioning, pain, and quality of life in chronic pain patients. The favourable effects of ACT were evident when compared with those of treatment as usual or active control conditions (e.g., pain education and novel medication). There was consistent evidence to show that ACT is beneficial in improving physical and emotional functioning in patients with fibromyalgia but a lack of evidence pertaining to patients with other forms of rheumatic disease.

Conclusion

ACT provides benefit for fibromyalgia patients. Further high‐quality research is needed to develop ACT interventions for people with inflammatory rheumatic diseases and to evaluate their effectiveness for managing the pain and fatigue associated with these conditions.
Undergraduate nursing and midwifery student's attitudes to mental illness
Authors: Hawthorne Angela , Fagan Ross , Leaver Elspeth , Baxter Jessica , Logan Pamela , Snowden Austyn
Published: April 2020

Aim

To explore levels of stigma in students of all fields of nursing and midwifery at different years and examine the impact of exposure to people with mental illness.

Design

A cross‐sectional survey was used.

Methods

The Community Attitudes to Mental Illness questionnaire was administered to all branches of student nurses (adult health, mental health, child health and learning disability) and midwives in all three years in one Higher Education Institution (HEI) in Scotland.

Results

Mental health nursing students scored significantly better on all stigma subscales. Stigma worsened with a little professional exposure to people with mental illness but then improved with increasing exposure. Both personal exposure and professional exposure to people with mental illness change perceptions. The professional results follow a J‐curve. Current plans for cross‐field experience involving short or virtual placements during student nurse training are likely to worsen stigma rather than improve it.
Rapid structural characterisation of benzylisoquinoline and aporphine alkaloids from Ocotea spixiana acaricide extract by HPTLC‐DESI‐MSn
Authors: Conceição Rodrigo S. , Reis Isabella M.A. , Cerqueira Amanda P.M. , Perez Consuelo J. , Junior Manoelito C. dos Santos , Branco Alexsandro , Ifa Demian R. , Botura Mariana B.
Published: April 2020

Introduction

Lauraceae alkaloids are a structurally diverse class of plant specialised secondary metabolites that play an important role in modern pharmacotherapy, being useful as well as model compounds for the development of synthetic analogues. However, alkaloids characterisation is challenging due to low concentrations, the complexity of plant extracts, and long processes for accurate structural determinations.

Objective

The use of high‐performance thin layer chromatography coupled with desorption electrospray ionisation multistage mass spectrometry (HPTLC DESI‐MSn) as a fast tool to identify alkaloids present in Ocotea spixiana extract and evaluate the extract's acaricide activity.

Methods

Ocotea spixiana twigs were extracted by conventional liquid–liquid partitioning. HPTLC analysis of the ethyl acetate extract was performed to separate isobaric alkaloids prior to DESI‐MSn analysis, performed from MS3 up to MS7. The extract's acaricide activity against Rhipicephalus microplus was evaluated by in vitro (larval immersion test) and in silico tests.

Results

HPTLC‐DESI‐MSn analysis was performed to identify a total of 13 aporphine and four benzylisoquinoline‐type alkaloids reported for the first time in O. spixiana. In vitro evaluation of the extract and the alkaloid boldine showed significant activity against R. microplus larvae. It was established in silico that boldine had important intermolecular interactions with R. microplus acetylcholinesterase enzyme.

Conclusion

The present study demonstrated that HPTLC‐DESI‐MSn is a useful analytical tool to identify isoquinoline alkaloids in plant extracts. The acaricide activity of the O. spixiana ethyl acetate extract can be correlated to the presence of alkaloids.
Predictive accuracy of markers or risk scores for interval censored survival data
Authors: Wu Yuan , Wang Xiaofei , Lin Jiaxing , Jia Beilin , Owzar Kouros
Published: April 2020

Methods for the evaluation of the predictive accuracy of biomarkers with respect to survival outcomes subject to right censoring have been discussed extensively in the literature. In cancer and other diseases, survival outcomes are commonly subject to interval censoring by design or due to the follow up schema. In this article, we present an estimator for the area under the time‐dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for interval censored data based on a nonparametric sieve maximum likelihood approach. We establish the asymptotic properties of the proposed estimator and illustrate its finite‐sample properties using a simulation study. The application of our method is illustrated using data from a cancer clinical study. An open‐source R package to implement the proposed method is available on Comprehensive R Archive Network.
Enhanced Room‐Temperature Synthesis of Li@f‐MWCNTs for Hydrogen Storage Application
Authors: Konni Madhavi , Kumar Karnena Manoj , Babu Mukkamala Saratchandra
Published: April 2020

The adsorption capacities of hydrogen in Li decorated MWCNTs (Multi Walled Carbon Nano Tubes) i. e. Li@f‐MWCNTs was examined at 70 bar pressure at 253 K and 298 K temperatures. The Experimental conditions were altered by changing the concentrations of metals and solvents such as Dimethyl formamide (DMF), Triethyl amine (TEA) and Water to facilitate the adsorption/desorption of Hydrogen. TEM and SEM were used to study morphology and their structures. At different experimental conditions i. e.70 bar pressure and 253 K, the adsorption isotherms revealed that 1.13 wt % (DMF), 0.85 wt % (TEA) and 0.63 wt % (water), of hydrogen uptake capacities, was achieved by Li@f‐MWCNTs. In comparison with 298 K, at 253 K two to three‐fold increase of hydrogen storage capacity was found in all samples. Additionally, fourfold increase in hydrogen storage capacities was found in comparison with pristine materials.
Development of a Fast, Low‐Cost, Conservative and Ecological Method for Quantifying Gallic Acid in Polymeric Formulations by FTIR Spectroscopy in Solution
Authors: Alfei Silvana , Marengo Barbara , Domenicotti Cinzia
Published: April 2020

The beneficial polyphenol gallic acid (GA) is often loaded in polymeric systems to improve its poor bioavailability and low stability, therefore quantifying its concentration is mandatory. Chromatography is expensive, time long and non‐ecological; partial least square‐based near‐infrared technique requires interpretative chemometrics tools; ultraviolet/visible (UV‐Vis) method is non‐specific and destructive. Herein, using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, a fast, low‐cost, ecological and conservative method for quantifying GA in polymer matrices was developed, by acquiring spectra of GA solutions at different GA concentrations (CGAs). Selected spectral data and CGAs were used to build a linear regression model by least squares approach, subsequently validated adopting samples of three different GA polymer formulations, as validation sets. Test samples were analyzed by FTIR technique and the model was used to determine CGAs, which were predicted with minimal absolute errors (0.01‐0.03). This method is robust and extendable also to other precious polymeric matrices or valuable substances.
Investigation of Resveratrol Adsorption on Pine Pollen Grains: A First‐Principles Study
Authors: Zhao Meilian , Chen Rong , Bai Jing , Guo Jinlin , Qin Wenli , Tong Xinxin , Yan Jie
Published: April 2020

Pollen grains have been successfully used as a solid‐phase extraction sorbent to separate trans‐resveratrol (TRA) in peanut oils. The interactions between TRA and polyphenolic compounds including kaempferol, taxifolin, dihydrokaempferol and naringenin in pollen grains are investigated by first‐principles calculations with M06‐2X functional. The adsorption ability of TRA is the strongest on kaempferol in the studied systems. Interaction analysis indicates that there are π‐π interaction and hydrogen bonds during the adsorption. The structure of the polyphenolic compound determines the adsorption ability. The more planar of the structure and the higher number of hydroxyl group in the polyphenolic compound, the better adsorption of the compound for TRA. Moreover, the investigation of solvent effects illustrates that with the increase in the dielectric constant of the solvent, the stability of the adsorption system improves and the adsorption ability weakens. The results play a significant role in developing new excellent solid‐phase extraction sorbents for TRA.
Kinetics and Numerical Simulation of Dynamic Recrystallization Behavior of Medium Mn Steel in Hot Working
Authors: Sun Xiaoyun , Zhang Mei , Wang Yang , Sun Yuyang , Wang Yunhao
Published: April 2020

Thermal deformation leads to controllable and effective grain refinement and microstructure optimization in medium Mn steel. To study the appropriate hot deformation parameters, the dynamic recrystallization (DRX) behavior and grain size evolution of medium Mn steel (0.15C‐7Mn) are investigated by thermal‐compression tests. Two types of DRX flow behaviors are observed on the flow curve, that is, single peak and cyclic behaviors. Based on the linear regression of characteristic points, dynamic recovery (DRV) model and DRX model are established. The predicted flow stress using the model established conforms well to experimental results. The correlation coefficient (R) and average absolute relative error (AARE) are 0.99% and 4.95%, confirming the accuracy of the model. After obtaining the value of DRX grain sizes by metallographic observation, grain size evolution model is developed to estimate the microstructure evolution. In addition, the established models are incorporated into DEFORM‐3D to simulate the kinetics and microstructure evolution of DRX. The simulation values are in good agreement with the experimental results, indicating that the finite element method (FEM) is an effective and accurate way for the analysis of thermal compression.
A robust WLAV state estimation based on pseudo‐voltage measurements
Authors: Rakpenthai Chawasak , Uatrongjit Sermsak
Published: April 2020

This paper presents a robust state estimation (SE) based on weighted least absolute value (WLAV) criterion for power systems having both traditional remote terminal units (RTU) and synchronizing phasor measurement units (PMU). It is known that WLAV‐based SE performs poorly when bad data occurred in leverage measurements. To improve the robustness of WLAV‐based SE, a technique for converting actual measurements to pseudo‐voltage measurements is proposed in this paper. Using these pseudo‐voltage measurements, a measurement model containing no leveraging measurement point can be formulated. The SE problem is formulated as a constrained nonlinear optimization based on WLAV criterion and solved by using a primal‐dual interior point algorithm. Several IEEE test systems with mixed measurements have been used to demonstrate the robustness of the proposed method. The results indicate that the proposed method yields superior SE accuracy even under extremely bad data conditions. © 2020 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
PVD solutions for automotive thin film applications
Authors: Gölden Dominik , Ickes Gerd , Hagedorn Harro , Runkel Steffen
Published: April 2020

As automotive lighting is in the transition from a simple combination of an incandescent light bulb with beam shaping reflective surfaces towards quite complex headlamps equipped white matrix LED in combination with transmission optics, the requirements to achieve a high efficiency also changed. While the former headlamps require a high reflectance, the latter design gains a high efficiency via a maximized transmittance. In addition, new challenges arise due to an increasing amount of cameras, new components like Lidar and sensors for driving safety in modern as well as future autonomous driving cars. Physical vapour deposition (PVD) thin film technologies are able to produce coatings for the previously mentioned applications but also offer extraordinary upside potential for future sensor technologies.
Animal Colonialism: The Case of Milk
Authors: Cohen Mathilde
Published: April 2020

The chapter examines ‘animal colonialism’ and one of its iterations, ‘milk colonialism.’ Until the end of the nineteenth century—and sometimes well into the twentieth century—the majority of the world population outside Europe neither raised animals for their milk nor consumed animal milk. With the violent colonization of the New World and other territories starting in the sixteenth century, dairying began to spread globally. European settlers did not set out to colonize lands and people alone, they transported with them animals and plants, including lactating animals such as cows and sheep. These living imports not only disrupted local ecosystems, but also relational patterns by altering, sometimes even severing, the breastfeeding relationship between females, be they animal or human, and their young. By propagating and spreading animal milk consumption and depreciating colonized women’s practice of breastfeeding, the oppression of humans and animals went hand in hand. This account adds a fascinating dimension to the history of the international law of development.
Poisson-Lie plurals of Bianchi cosmologies and Generalized Supergravity Equations
Authors: Hlavatý Ladislav , Petr Ivo
Published: April 2020

Abstract

Poisson-Lie T-duality and plurality are important solution generating techniques in string theory and (generalized) supergravity. Since duality/plurality does not preserve conformal invariance, the usual beta function equations are replaced by Generalized Supergravity Equations containing vector

$$ \mathcal{J} $$

J

. In this paper we apply Poisson-Lie T-plurality on Bianchi cosmologies. We present a formula for the vector

$$ \mathcal{J} $$

J

as well as transformation rule for dilaton, and show that plural backgrounds together with this dilaton and

$$ \mathcal{J} $$

J

satisfy the Generalized Supergravity Equations. The procedure is valid also for non-local dilaton and non-constant

$$ \mathcal{J} $$

J

. We also show that Div Θ of the non-commutative structure Θ used for non-Abelian T-duality or integrable deformations does not give correct

$$ \mathcal{J} $$

J

for Poisson-Lie T-plurality.
Multilepton dark matter signals
Authors: Aguilar-Saavedra J. A. , Casas J. A. , Quilis J. , Ruiz de Austri R.
Published: April 2020

Abstract

The signatures of dark matter at the LHC commonly involve, in simplified scenarios, the production of a single particle plus large missing energy, from the undetected dark matter. However, in Z′-portal scenarios anomaly cancellation requires the presence of extra dark leptons in the dark sector. We investigate the signatures of the minimal scenarios of this kind, which involve cascade decays of the extra Z′ boson into the dark leptons, identifying a four-lepton signal as the most promising one. We estimate the sensitivity to this signal at the LHC, the high-luminosity LHC upgrade, a possible high-energy upgrade, as well as a future circular collider. For Z′ couplings compatible with current dijet constraints the multilepton signals can reach the 5σ level already at Run 2 of the LHC. At future colliders, couplings two orders of magnitude smaller than the electroweak coupling can be probed with 5σ sensitivity.
On stabilization of Maxwell-BMS algebra
Authors: Concha P. , Safari H. R.
Published: April 2020

Abstract

In this work we present different infinite dimensional algebras which appear as deformations of the asymptotic symmetry of the three-dimensional Chern-Simons gravity for the Maxwell algebra. We study rigidity and stability of the infinite dimensional enhancement of the Maxwell algebra. In particular, we show that three copies of the Witt algebra and the

$$ {\mathfrak{bms}}_3\oplus \mathfrak{witt} $$

bms
3

⊕
witt

algebra are obtained by deforming its ideal part. New family of infinite dimensional algebras are obtained by considering deformations of the other commutators which we have denoted as M (a, b; c, d) and

$$ \overline{M}\left(\overline{\alpha},\overline{\beta};\overline{\nu}\right) $$

M
¯

α
¯

β
¯

ν
¯

. Interestingly, for the specific values a = c = d = 0,

$$ b=-\frac{1}{2} $$

b
=
−

1
2

the obtained algebra

$$ M\left(0,-\frac{1}{2};0,0\right) $$

M

0

−

1
2

0
0

corresponds to the twisted Schrödinger-Virasoro algebra. The central extensions of our results are also explored. The physical implications and relevance of the deformed algebras introduced here are discussed along the work.
$$ T\overline{T} $$ deformed CFT as a non-critical string
Authors: Callebaut Nele , Kruthoff Jorrit , Verlinde Herman
Published: April 2020

Abstract

We present a new exact treatment of

$$ T\overline{T} $$

T

T
¯

deformed 2D CFT in terms of the worldsheet theory of a non-critical string. The transverse dimensions of the non-critical string are represented by the undeformed CFT, while the two longitudinal light-cone di- rections are described by two scalar fields X
+ and X

−
with free field OPE’s but with a modified stress tensor, arranged so that the total central charge adds up to 26. The relation between our X

±
field variables and 2D dilaton gravity is indicated. We compute the physical spectrum and the partition function and find a match with known results. We describe how to compute general correlation functions and present an integral expression for the three point function, which can be viewed as an exact formula for the OPE coefficients of the

$$ T\overline{T} $$

T

T
¯

deformed theory. We comment on the relationship with other proposed definitions of local operators.
Safety and efficacy of 2D-fluoroscopy-based iliosacral screw osteosynthesis: results of a retrospective monocentric study
Authors: Rommens Pol Maria , Nolte Eva Mareike , Hopf Johannes , Wagner Daniel , Hofmann Alexander , Hessmann Martin
Published: April 2020

Introduction

Iliosacral screw osteosynthesis is a well-accepted procedure for stabilization of sacral fractures and iliosacral (fracture) dislocations.

Materials and Methods

In this monocentric study, safety and efficacy of conventional 2D-fluoroscopic-guided iliosacral screw insertion were evaluated.

Results

During a 10-year period (2005–2014), 98 patients between the age of 18 and 65 years received 207 iliosacral screws in 101 procedures. Average patient age was 43.2 years. There were 46 Type B and 40 Type C injuries in the AO/OTA classification, nine patients had a fragility fracture of the pelvis. In three patients, primary radiological data were missing. The indication for surgical treatment was a sacral fracture in 97 patients, a pure iliosacral dislocation in 37 patients and a fracture-dislocation in 31 patients. 70 procedures were performed with the patient in supine position, 31 with the patient in prone position. Surgery was done in a minimal-invasive technique in 76 patients, in 22 patients an open reduction was necessary before screw insertion. 81 patients received a unilateral, 17 patients a bilateral screw osteosynthesis. 199 screws were inserted in S1, only eight screws in S2. 65 patients received two screws unilaterally, ten patients two screws bilaterally. There were no vascular or neurologic complications. During in-hospital stay, there were seven complications, which needed 12 operative revisions: three wound infections, two hematomas, one screw malalignment and one early screw loosening. In 28 patients with 56 iliosacral screws, a pelvic CT-scan was performed during follow-up. A penetration of a cortical layer was diagnosed in 20 of these screws. All penetrations were seen in double screw osteosynthesis of S1. In none of the patients, complaints could be explained by the malalignment of these screws. Five operative revisions were performed during follow-up: two for screw loosening, two for fracture healing problems and one for screw malalignment. Metal removal was performed in 39 patients with 75 screws. 2D-fluoroscopic-guided iliosacral screw osteosynthesis is a safe and efficient procedure in clinical practice.

Discussion

A thorough preoperative evaluation of the morphology of the upper sacrum and careful operative procedure are indispensable. Fluoroscopic views in AP, lateral, inlet and outlet must allow recognition of all anatomical landmarks. The indication for double screw osteosynthesis in S1 should be taken with caution. Screw malalignments do not inevitably correlate with complaints.
The Bacillus anthracis class Ib ribonucleotide reductase subunit NrdF intrinsically selects manganese over iron
Authors: Grāve Kristīne , Griese Julia J. , Berggren Gustav , Bennett Matthew D. , Högbom Martin
Published: April 2020

Correct protein metallation in the complex mixture of the cell is a prerequisite for metalloprotein function. While some metals, such as Cu, are commonly chaperoned, specificity towards metals earlier in the Irving–Williams series is achieved through other means, the determinants of which are poorly understood. The dimetal carboxylate family of proteins provides an intriguing example, as different proteins, while sharing a common fold and the same 4-carboxylate 2-histidine coordination sphere, are known to require either a Fe/Fe, Mn/Fe or Mn/Mn cofactor for function. We previously showed that the R2lox proteins from this family spontaneously assemble the heterodinuclear Mn/Fe cofactor. Here we show that the class Ib ribonucleotide reductase R2 protein from Bacillus anthracis spontaneously assembles a Mn/Mn cofactor in vitro, under both aerobic and anoxic conditions, when the metal-free protein is subjected to incubation with MnII and FeII in equal concentrations. This observation provides an example of a protein scaffold intrinsically predisposed to defy the Irving–Williams series and supports the assumption that the Mn/Mn cofactor is the biologically relevant cofactor in vivo. Substitution of a second coordination sphere residue changes the spontaneous metallation of the protein to predominantly form a heterodinuclear Mn/Fe cofactor under aerobic conditions and a Mn/Mn metal center under anoxic conditions. Together, the results describe the intrinsic metal specificity of class Ib RNR and provide insight into control mechanisms for protein metallation.

Graphical Abstract
Towards a human-centred participatory approach to child social care recordkeeping
Authors: Shepherd Elizabeth , Hoyle Victoria , Lomas Elizabeth , Flinn Andrew , Sexton Anna
Published: April 2020

In 2019, there were over 75,000 children and young people in out-of-home care in England and Wales. Recent estimates suggest that up to half a million British people were in state or voluntary care as children, around 1% of the adult population. While individual experiences vary enormously by time and place, care-experienced people share in common the intensive documentation of their lives by social workers, educators, health professionals and associated practitioners. A complex, fragmented legislative and regulatory framework governs the creation and use of these records at the national level. Under UK law, a ‘care file’ must be retained for at least 75 years, so that a substantial legacy of care data is held across the public, voluntary and private sectors. MIRRA: Memory—Identity—Rights in Records—Access, a participatory research project co-produced with care leavers, investigated recordkeeping practices in child social care from multiple perspectives. Interviews, focus groups and workshops with stakeholders identified critical failings in the creation, use, management and access to care records, which do not account for the needs and capabilities of multiple stakeholders. These failings have a direct impact on the well-being and health of care-experienced people throughout their lives. MIRRA researchers developed a human-centred participatory recordkeeping approach to child social care, which this article describes. The approach combines the participatory continuum model (Rolan in Arch Sci 17(3):195–225. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10502-016-9267-7, 2017) and the capabilities approach to social work, rooting child social care recordkeeping in information rights principles. The article makes a contribution to the literature that discusses archival science within a human rights and ethics framework and reflects on trauma-informed practice for information professionals. It also provides guidance on practice improvements for child social care recording.
Flotillin membrane domains in cancer
Authors: Gauthier-Rouvière Cécile , Bodin Stéphane , Comunale Franck , Planchon Damien
Published: April 2020

Flotillins 1 and 2 are two ubiquitous, highly conserved homologous proteins that assemble to form heterotetramers at the cytoplasmic face of the plasma membrane in cholesterol- and sphingolipid-enriched domains. Flotillin heterotetramers can assemble into large oligomers to form molecular scaffolds that regulate the clustering of at the plasma membrane and activity of several receptors. Moreover, flotillins are upregulated in many invasive carcinomas and also in sarcoma, and this is associated with poor prognosis and metastasis formation. When upregulated, flotillins promote plasma membrane invagination and induce an endocytic pathway that allows the targeting of cargo proteins in the late endosomal compartment in which flotillins accumulate. These late endosomes are not degradative, and participate in the recycling and secretion of protein cargos. The cargos of this Upregulated Flotillin–Induced Trafficking (UFIT) pathway include molecules involved in signaling, adhesion, and extracellular matrix remodeling, thus favoring the acquisition of an invasive cellular behavior leading to metastasis formation. Thus, flotillin presence from the plasma membrane to the late endosomal compartment influences the activity, and even modifies the trafficking and fate of key protein cargos, favoring the development of diseases, for instance tumors. This review summarizes the current knowledge on flotillins and their role in cancer development focusing on their function in cellular membrane remodeling and vesicular trafficking regulation.
Biofilms grown in aquatic microcosms affect mercury and selenium accumulation in Daphnia
Authors: Issa Semona , Ciesielski Tomasz Maciej , Mikkelsen Øyvind , Einum Sigurd , Jaspers Veerle L. B.
Published: April 2020

Experiments examining mercury (Hg) toxicity in Daphnia are usually conducted in highly standardized conditions that prevent the formation of biofilm. Although such standardization has many advantages, extrapolation of results to natural conditions and inference of ecological effects is challenging. This is especially true since biofilms can accumulate metals/metalloids and play a key role in their transfer to higher trophic level organisms. In this study, we experimentally tested the effects of spontaneously appearing biofilm in Daphnia cultures on accumulation of Hg and its natural antagonist selenium (Se) in Daphnia magna. We added Hg (in the form of mercury (II) chloride) at two concentrations (0.2 µg/L and 2 µg/L) to experimental microcosms and measured the uptake of Hg and Se by D. magna in the presence and absence of biofilm. To test for consistent and replicable results, we ran two identical experimental sets one week apart. Biofilm presence significantly reduced the accumulation of Hg, while increasing the tissue Se content in D. magna, and these findings were reproducible across experimental sets. These findings indicate that highly standardized tests may not be adequate to predict the bioaccumulation and potential toxicity of metals/metalloids under natural conditions.
Model checking boot code from AWS data centers
Authors: Cook Byron , Khazem Kareem , Kroening Daniel , Tasiran Serdar , Tautschnig Michael , Tuttle Mark R.
Published: April 2020

This paper describes our experience with symbolic model checking in an industrial setting. We have proved that the initial boot code running in data centers at Amazon Web Services is memory safe, an essential step in establishing the security of any data center. Standard static analysis tools cannot be easily used on boot code without modification owing to issues not commonly found in higher-level code, including memory-mapped device interfaces, byte-level memory access, and linker scripts. This paper describes automated solutions to these issues and their implementation in the C Bounded Model Checker (CBMC). CBMC is now the first source-level static analysis tool to extract the memory layout described in a linker script for use in its analysis.
Evaluation of Water Quality Parameters in Marshes Zone Southern of Iraq Based on Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques
Authors: Hasab Hashim Ali , Jawad Hussain A. , Dibs Hayder , Hussain Hussain Musa , Al-Ansari Nadhir
Published: April 2020

Al-Hawizeh Marsh is considered a major marsh in the south of Iraq with a longitude of 47° 32″–47° 45″ and latitude of 31° 30″–31° 42″, length of 80 km and width of 30 km, while the depth is from 1.5 to 4 m. It has a significant impact on the ecosystem and provides habitat for several types of living creatures. The surface water and the agricultural lands surrounding this marsh suffered from high level degrees of salinity. In the last decades, radical deterioration of water quality in this marsh happened because of the post-war-related events and several human activities. Landsat-8 data was used to predict and evaluate the spatial variation and map distributions of the salinity, SO4 and CaCO3 within Al-Hawizeh Marsh during the two seasons in the year 2017 based on the development of salinity and minerals mathematical equations. The evaluated values for salinity, SO4 and CaCO3 are found to be minimal in winter and maximum in autumn. The values of correlation coefficient (R2) between the real data and the equation results for the salinity, SO4 and CaCO3 during the two seasons are 0.95, 0.96 and 0.92, respectively.
Social Inequalities in Student Employment and the Local Labour Market
Authors: Jacob Marita , Gerth Maria , Weiss Felix
Published: April 2020

This article examines class-specific employment patterns among students in Germany, taking into account how different local labour market conditions affect the quantity and quality of jobs available to students. We argue that the availability of jobs affects social inequalities in student employment. In particular, we expect a stronger correlation between, on the one hand, the rate and quality of student employment and, on the other hand, students’ socioeconomic background in towns with a large pool of student labour, due to more competition for (good) jobs. Analysing data from German student surveys, we find that employment rates do not differ by social class background, but there are differences in the quality of their employment in terms of the fit between the job and the field of study. While we find that local labour market conditions affect student employment at a general level, in contrast to our expectation, tighter labour market conditions seem to involve little or no disadvantage for students from less privileged social backgrounds.
Characterization of lithological zones of the Isanlu sheet 225, North Central Nigeria, using aerogeophysical datasets
Authors: Akinsunmade Akinniyi , Nguyen Dinh Chau , Wojas Anna , Tomecka-Suchoń Sylwia
Published: April 2020

Gridded aeromagnetic and aeroradiometric datasets of Isanlu sheet 225 were processed and interpreted in order to map the geological structures and characteristic lithology, as well as potential mineral ore zones in the area. Recorded aeromagnetic data were reduced to the magnetic equator before filtering operations which enhanced the magnetic anomalies. Analytic signal map was created, and subsequently a model was generated along a selected profile for better interpretation of the subsurface materials. On the aeroradiometric data were performed both enhancement and statistical operations. The lithological zones were identified. They are metasedimentary rocks, migmatites and igneous rocks occupying varying proportions within the entire area. Some potential radioactive or precious metal ore zones were also localized. A major structure interpreted in the study area trends in the SE–NW direction. Other surface structures were also delineated and general orientation was evaluated. This information may serve as a valuable database for further prospective research and mineral exploration in the region.
Improved delineation of CT virtual bronchoscopy by ultrahigh-resolution CT: comparison among different reconstruction parameters
Authors: Adachi Takuya , Machida Haruhiko , Nishikawa Makiko , Arai Takahiro , Kariyasu Toshiya , Koyanagi Masamichi , Yokoyama Kenichi
Published: April 2020

Purpose

We compared the maximal recognizable bronchial bifurcation order (MRBBO) in CT virtual bronchoscopy (CTVB) using ultrahigh-resolution CT (UHRCT) and different reconstruction parameters.

Materials and methods

We enrolled 38 patients undergoing noncontrast chest CT by UHRCT and reconstructed CTVB utilizing 3 different combinations of reconstruction parameters, as classified into Group A (matrix size, 512; slice thickness, 1.0 mm), Group B (matrix size, 512; slice thickness, 0.5 mm), and Group C (matrix size, 1024; slice thickness, 0.25 mm). In right S1, left S1 + 2, and both S3 and S10, two reviewers counted the number of consecutively identified bronchial bifurcations to compare MRBBO among these groups using Kruskal–Wallis test.

Results

In these segments, MRBBO increased from Group A to C. MRBBO was significantly higher in Group C than in both Groups A and B in all the segments except left S10 (P < 0.05 for all). In left S10, it was significantly higher in Group C than in Group A (P < 0.05) but comparable between Groups B and C (P = 0.122).

Conclusions

MRBBO is higher in CTVB by UHRCT utilizing 1024-matrix size and 0.25-mm thickness than parameters currently recommended for CTVB (matrix size, 512; slice thickness, 0.5–1.0 mm).
Mobilisierung des Rechts: Organisierte Interessen und Verfassungsbeschwerden vor dem Bundesverfassungsgericht
Authors: Thierse Stefan
Published: April 2020

Verfassungsbeschwerden werden nicht nur von Einzelpersonen erhoben, sondern auch von Unternehmen, Verbänden oder zivilgesellschaftlichen Interessengruppen. Gleichwohl sind die politischen Implikationen des Verfahrens von der Politikwissenschaft bisher kaum gewürdigt worden. Dies ist umso bemerkenswerter, als sogar die Rechtswissenschaft der Verfassungsbeschwerde eine Mobilisierungs- und Partizipationsfunktion zuerkennt. Vor diesem Hintergrund wirft der vorliegende Beitrag die folgende Frage auf: Unter welchen Bedingungen erreichen organisierte Interessen mithilfe einer Verfassungsbeschwerde eine breite Mobilisierung für ihre Anliegen? Eine Fuzzy-set-Analyse von 35 Verfassungsbeschwerden vor dem Bundesverfassungsgericht identifiziert zwei kausale Konfigurationen für das Phänomen verfassungsrechtlicher Mobilisierungsstrategien. Bei allen Unterschieden teilen diese Verfassungsbeschwerden den Umstand, dass sie von Mitgliederorganisationen erhoben werden, die in Karlsruhe Gesetze und Regierungsakte anfechten.
Medical Students’ Acquaintance with Core Concepts, Institutions and Guidelines on Good Scientific Practice: A Pre- and Post-questionnaire Survey
Authors: Fuerholzer Katharina , Schochow Maximilian , Peter Richard , Steger Florian
Published: April 2020

German medical students are not sufficiently introduced to the ethical principles and pitfalls of scientific work. Therefore, a compulsory course on good scientific practice (GSP) has been developed and implemented into the curriculum of medical students, with the goal to foster scientific integrity and prevent scientific misconduct. Students’ knowledge and attitudes towards GSP were evaluated by a pre-post-teaching questionnaire survey (n = 239). Most participants initially had startling knowledge gaps in the field. Moreover, they were not acquainted with core institutions on GSP, the office of ombudsperson and the nationally binding guidelines on GSP. The pre-post-teaching comparison showed statistically significant improvement in all areas tested; moreover, after the course participants confided more trust in GSP institutions. Applying ethical rules into practice can be challenging; therefore, students need to learn to work independently with guidelines on GSP and should be introduced to institutions providing further guidance. As our study has shown, students are very willing to pursue a scientific career based on integrity and honesty, however, they lack the knowledge how to do so. In light of our results, we therefore recommend to integrate courses on GSP already at an early time into the mandatory curriculum of medical students.
Human Brain Atlases in Stroke Management
Authors: Nowinski Wieslaw L.
Published: April 2020

Stroke is a leading cause of death and a major cause of permanent disability. Its management is demanding because of variety of protocols, imaging modalities, pulse sequences, hemodynamic maps, criteria for treatment, and time constraints to promptly evaluate and treat. To cope with some of these issues, we propose novel, patented solutions in stroke management by employing multiple brain atlases for diagnosis, treatment, and prediction. Numerous and diverse CT and MRI scans are used: ARIC cohort, ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke CT cases, MRI cases with multiple pulse sequences, and 128 stroke CT patients, each with 170 variables and one year follow-up. The method employs brain atlases of anatomy, blood supply territories, and probabilistic stroke atlas. It rapidly maps an atlas to scan and provides atlas-assisted scan processing. Atlas-to-scan mapping is application-dependent and handles three types of regions of interest (ROIs): atlas-defined ROIs, atlas-quantified ROIs, and ROIs creating an atlas. An ROI is defined by atlas-guided anatomy or scan-derived pathology. The atlas defines ROI or quantifies it. A brain atlas potential has been illustrated in four atlas-assisted applications for stroke occurrence prediction and screening, rapid and automatic stroke diagnosis in emergency room, quantitative decision support in thrombolysis in ischemic stroke, and stroke outcome prediction and treatment assessment. The use of brain atlases in stroke has many potential advantages, including rapid processing, automated and robust handling, wide range of applications, and quantitative assessment. Further work is needed to enhance the developed prototypes, clinically validate proposed solutions, and introduce them to clinical practice.
The therapeutic landscape of advanced melanoma
Authors: Richtig Erika
Published: April 2020

The therapeutic landscape of advanced and metastatic melanoma has changed dramatically in the last ten years. Targeted therapies as well as checkpoint inhibitors and oncolytic viruses have launched a broad revolution within this field. First presented at ASCO 2011, changes in melanoma treatment giving “light at the end of the tunnel” have also changed the treatment of many other tumor entities. So oncologists all over the world can offer their patients these treatment options with higher efficacy than we ever had. But despite all optimism we are still losing about half of our patients with metastatic melanoma along the way. In this short review the therapeutic landscape of advanced melanoma is described.