bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Overview for the Nanoparticles‐Based Quantitative Lateral Flow Assay
Authors: Wang Zhongxing , Zhao Jing , Xu Xinxin , Guo Lingling , Xu Liguang , Sun Maozhong , Hu Shudong , Kuang Hua , Xu Chuanlai , Li Aike
Published: December 2021

The development of the lateral flow assay (LFA) has received much attention in both academia and industry because of their broad applications to food safety, environmental monitoring, clinical diagnosis, and so forth. The user friendliness, low cost, and easy operation are the most attractive advantages of the LFA. In recent years, quantitative detection has become another focus of LFA development. Here, the most recent studies of quantitative LFAs are reviewed. First, the principles and corresponding formats of quantitative LFAs are introduced. In the biomaterial and nanomaterial sections, the detection, capture, and signal amplification biomolecules and the optical, fluorescent, luminescent, and magnetic labels used in LFAs are described. The invention of dedicated strip readers has drawn further interest in exploiting the better performance of LFAs. Therefore, next, the development of dedicated reader devices is described and the usefulness and specifications of these devices for LFAs are discussed. Finally, the applications of LFAs in the detection of metal ions, biotoxins, pathogenic microorganisms, veterinary drugs, and pesticides in the fields of food safety and environmental health and the detection of nucleic acids, biomarkers, and viruses in clinical analyses are summarized.
Pharmacology of enflicoxib, a new coxib drug: Efficacy and dose determination by clinical and pharmacokinetic‐guided approach for the treatment of osteoarthritis in dogs based on an acute arthritis induction model
Authors: Cendrós Josep‐Maria , Salichs Marta , Encina Gregorio , Vela Jose Miguel , Homedes Josep M.
Published: December 2021

Enflicoxib is a newly developed NSAID of the coxib class. The optimal therapeutic dose to be confirmed in the field studies was established using a combination of pharmacokinetic (PK) modelling and pharmacodynamic (PD) studies. First, a PK study was performed to determine the plasmatic profile of enflicoxib and its active pyrazol metabolite in dogs. Thereafter, two studies using a urate crystal‐induced acute arthritis model allowed to correlate efficacy with plasmatic concentrations. Finally, a population PK model was developed to establish the Minimum Effective Concentration (MEC) and the Maximum Tolerated Concentration (MTC). Enflicoxib plasma concentrations were highest for the first 48 h. Thereafter, pyrazol metabolite concentrations were higher and persisted up to the end of the study. No reduction on the lameness (CLS) or pain scores (PS) was observed in the first hours after enflicoxib administration so no MEC could be established for the parent compound. Both CLS and PS were greatly reduced when the pyrazol metabolite achieved concentrations of 411 ng/ml or higher, so this concentration was established as the MEC for the pyrazol metabolite. Enflicoxib MTC was established at 6723 ng/ml whereas for the pyrazol metabolite it was 4258 ng/ml. The population PK model showed that a loading enflicoxib dose of 8 mg/kg followed by weekly maintenance doses of 4 mg/kg would achieve stable concentrations of the pyrazol metabolite within the therapeutic window (between the MEC and the MTC), and it was considered the most adequate posology to be confirmed in the field clinical studies for the treatment of canine osteoarthritis.
Semantic Interoperability for Logistics and Beyond
Authors: Franke Marco , Hribernik Karl , Thoben Klaus-Dieter
Published: December 2021

A Semantic Mediator was conceived in the CRC 637 (The Collaborative Research Centre 637 “Autonomous Cooperating Logistic Processes” focused on adaptive logistic processes including autonomous capabilities for the decentralised coordination of autonomous logistic objects in a heterarchical structure.) to tackle problems of interoperability of heterogeneous information sources in autonomous cooperating logistics processes. Since the conclusion of the CRC 637, the Semantic Mediator has been developed further and successfully transferred to interoperability problems in different domains, including Industry 4.0, the Internet of Things, and Product Lifecycle Management. This paper will introduce the Semantic Mediator and present examples of its successful application.
The persistent place at Lubrza: a small paradise for hunter-gatherers? Multi-disciplinary studies of Late Palaeolithic environment and human activity in the Łagów lake district (western Poland)
Authors: Sobkowiak-Tabaka Iwona , Milecka Krystyna , Kubiak-Martens Lucy , Pawłowski Dominik , Kurzawska Aldona , Janczak-Kostecka Beata , Kostecki Robert , Hildebrandt-Radke Iwona , Apolinarska Karina , Goslar Tomasz
Published: December 2021

This paper summarises the results of multidisciplinary research, including pollen, plant macroremains, diatoms, Cladocera, molluscs and geochemistry from a 14C dated core and geomorphological records, which reconstruct the palaeoenvironmental conditions faced by Late Palaeolithic hunter-gathers in western Poland. Particular attention was paid to evidence for both human activity and the degree to which Late Palaeolithic groups may have affected the local environment, as recorded by the biogenic sediments in lakes located close to their campsites. Vegetation first appears locally in the Oldest Dryas, and consisted of subarctic tundra vegetation. During the Bølling period the landscape was generally open, with dwarf shrubs and scattered patches of Juniperus and Hippophaë shrubs. Betula (tree birch) expanded locally in the area only in the later Allerød; during the second part of the Allerød period, Pinus and Populus joined birch as a sparse woodland developed. During the Younger Dryas, the landscape changed significantly in comparison to the preceding warm period, as result of cooling and drying of the climate. The presence of microscopic charcoal and charred herbaceous plant particles made it possible to detect human activity. These analyses allowed us to reconstruct fire events near the site during its occupation by Hamburg and Federmesser cultural groups. An increase in the proportion of biogenic elements such as Na, K and Mg in the sediments indicate soil erosion, reflecting the activity of Hamburg groups. A relative increase in the frequency of Cladocera which favour eutrophic and turbid water was recorded in the period linked to Federmesser group activities. The intense use of this area was also indicated during the Younger Dryas.
Enhancing Linear Algebraic Computation of Logic Programs Using Sparse Representation
Authors: Nguyen Tuan Quoc , Inoue Katsumi , Sakama Chiaki
Published: December 2021

Algebraic characterization of logic programs has received increasing attention in recent years. Researchers attempt to exploit connections between linear algebraic computation and symbolic computation to perform logical inference in large-scale knowledge bases. In this paper, we analyze the complexity of the linear algebraic methods for logic programs and propose further improvement by using sparse matrices to embed logic programs in vector spaces. We show its great power of computation in reaching the fixed point of the immediate consequence operator. In particular, performance for computing the least models of definite programs is dramatically improved using the sparse matrix representation. We also apply the method to the computation of stable models of normal programs, in which the guesses are associated with initial matrices, and verify its effect when there are small numbers of negation. These results show good enhancement in terms of performance for computing consequences of programs and depict the potential power of tensorized logic programs.
Determinants of fibrotic atrial cardiomyopathy in atrial fibrillation. A multicenter observational study of the RETAC (reseau européen de traîtement d’arrhythmies cardiaques)-group
Authors: Müller-Edenborn Björn , Moreno-Weidmann Zoraida , Venier Sandrine , Defaye Pascale , Park Chan-il , Guerra José , Alonso-Martín Concepcion , Bazan Victor , Vinolas Xavier , Rodriguez-Font Enrique , Garcia Bieito Campos , Boveda Serge , Combes Stéphane , Albenque Jean-Paul , Guy-Moyat Benoit , Trenk Dietmar , Eichenlaub Martin , Chen Juan , Lehrmann Heiko , Neumann Franz-Josef , Arentz Thomas , Jadidi Amir
Published: December 2021

Aims

Despite advances in interventional treatment strategies, atrial fibrillation (AF) remains associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Fibrotic atrial myopathy (FAM) is a main factor for adverse outcomes of AF-ablation, but complex to diagnose using current methods. We aimed to derive a scoring system based entirely on easily available clinical parameters to predict FAM and ablation-success in everyday care.

Methods

In this multicenter, prospective study, a new risk stratification model termed AF-SCORE was derived in 220 patients undergoing high-density left-atrial(LA) voltage-mapping to quantify FAM. AF-SCORE was validated for FAM in an external mapping-validation cohort (n = 220) and for success following pulmonary vein isolation (PVI)-only (without adjunctive left- or right atrial ablations) in an external outcome-validation cohort (n = 518).

Results

FAM was rare in patients < 60 years (5.4%), but increased with ageing and affected 40.4% (59/146) of patients ≥ 60 years. Sex and AF-phenotype had additional predictive value in older patients and remained associated with FAM in multivariate models (odds ratio [OR] 6.194, p < 0.0001 for ≥ 60 years; OR 2.863, p < 0.0001 for female sex; OR 41.309, p < 0.0001 for AF-persistency). Additional clinical or diagnostic variables did not improve the model. AF-SCORE (+ 1 point for age ≥ 60 years and additional points for female sex [+ 1] and AF-persistency [+ 2]) showed good discrimination to detect FAM (c-statistic 0.792) and predicted arrhythmia-freedom following PVI (74.3%, 54.7% and 45.5% for AF-SCORE ≤ 2, 3 and 4, respectively, and hazard ratio [HR] 1.994 for AF-SCORE = 3 and HR 2.866 for AF-SCORE = 4, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Age, sex and AF-phenotype are the main determinants for the development of FAM. A low AF-SCORE ≤ 2 is found in paroxysmal AF-patients of any age and younger patients with persistent AF irrespective of sex, and associated with favorable outcomes of PVI-only. Freedom from arrhythmia remains unsatisfactory with AF-SCORE ≥ 3 as found in older patients, particularly females, with persistent AF, and future studies investigating adjunctive atrial ablations to PVI-only should focus on these groups of patients.

Graphical abstract
Combined acquisition of diffusion and T2*-weighted measurements using simultaneous multi-contrast magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Breutigam Nora-Josefin , Günther Matthias , Hoinkiss Daniel Christopher , Eickel Klaus , Frost Robert , Buck Mareike Alicja , Porter David A.
Published: December 2021

Object

In this work, we present a technique called simultaneous multi-contrast imaging (SMC) to acquire multiple contrasts within a single measurement. Simultaneous multi-slice imaging (SMS) shortens scan time by allowing the repetition time (TR) to be reduced for a given number of slices. SMC imaging preserves TR, while combining different scan types into a single acquisition. This technique offers new opportunities in clinical protocols where examination time is a critical factor and multiple image contrasts must be acquired.

Materials and methods

High-resolution, navigator-corrected, diffusion-weighted imaging was performed simultaneously with T2*-weighted acquisition at 3 T in a phantom and in five healthy subjects using an adapted readout-segmented EPI sequence (rs-EPI).

Results

The results demonstrated that simultaneous acquisition of two contrasts (here diffusion-weighted imaging and T2*-weighting) with SMC imaging is feasible with robust separation of contrasts and minimal effect on image quality.

Discussion

The simultaneous acquisition of multiple contrasts reduces the overall examination time and there is an inherent registration between contrasts. By using the results of this study to control saturation effects in SMC, the method enables rapid acquisition of distortion-matched and well-registered diffusion-weighted and T2*-weighted imaging, which could support rapid diagnosis and treatment of acute stroke.
Morbidity profiles in Europe and Israel: international comparisons from 20 countries using biopsychosocial indicators of health via latent class analysis
Authors: Beller Johannes
Published: December 2021

Aim

I examined health/morbidity profiles across 20 countries, determined their associated demographic characteristics and risk factors and compared the distribution of these health/morbidity profiles across countries.

Subject and methods

I used population-based data drawn from the European Social Survey (N = 20092, 52% female, ages 40+) covering 20 mostly European countries (Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland) from 2014. Diverse indicators of health/morbidity were used, including self-rated health, self-rated disability, self-reported health problems and mental health symptoms using the CES-D. Latent class analysis was conducted to determine health/morbidity profiles across countries.

Results

I found that four distinct health profiles best describe overall health/morbidity status in the international sample, each associated with specific demographic and behavioural risk factors: ‘healthy’ profile (62% of participants), ‘unhappy but healthy’ profile (14%), ‘high morbidity, mostly physical’ profile (16%) and ‘high morbidity, mostly psychological’ profile (8%). With few exceptions, participants from Northern Europe and Western Europe were more likely to belong to the ‘healthy’ and the ‘unhappy but healthy’ profiles, whereas participants from Eastern Europe were more likely to belong to the ‘high morbidity, mostly physical’ profile. Distribution of the ‘high morbidity, mostly psychological’ profile appeared to be more uniform across regions.

Conclusions

Distinct morbidity/health profiles could be identified across countries, and countries varied regarding the relative distribution of these profiles. Specific prevention and treatment consequences associated with each profile are discussed. Future studies should further investigate the patterns of overall health and morbidity in Europe’s populations.
Detection of the Phoma pathogens Plenodomus biglobosus subclades ‘brassicae’ and ‘canadensis’ on wasabi, and ‘canadensis’ in Europe
Authors: King Kevin M. , West Jonathan S.
Published: December 2021

Phoma stem canker / blackleg is an internationally important disease of Brassicas including B. napus (oilseed rape, OSR), caused by multiple genetic subclades of the fungi Plenodomus lingam (formerly Leptosphaeria maculans) and P. biglobosus (L. biglobosa). In Spring 2021, Phoma-like disease symptoms were observed on leaves and stems of Eutrema japonicum (wasabi) crops at three UK sites (Northern Ireland, Southern England and the West Midlands). Fungal isolation from wasabi leaf spots yielded colonies with two distinct phenotypes on potato dextrose agar (PDA). Isolates from the Northern Ireland and Southern England sites had white colonies with abundant pink cirri that were confirmed (based on ITS rDNA, beta tubulin and actin sequences) as P. biglobosus subclade ‘canadensis’ (Pbc). Those from the West Midlands site, however, had yellow pigmented colonies and were confirmed by sequencing as P. biglobosus subclade ‘brassicae’ (Pbb). Greenhouse pathogenicity testing showed that Pbb and Pbc wasabi isolates were pathogenic not only to this host but also OSR, B. oleracea (cabbage), and B. rapa (pak choi). Re-isolation of the fungi was attempted and confirmed from lesions that developed on inoculated OSR and wasabi, thus completing Koch’s postulates. These findings represent new discoveries for both Pbb and Pbc on wasabi, plus for Pbc in Europe. The crop health implications of these results are briefly considered.
Immunity and inflammation: the neglected key players in congenital heart disease?
Authors: Wienecke Laura M. , Cohen Sarah , Bauersachs Johann , Mebazaa Alexandre , Chousterman Benjamin G.
Published: December 2021

Although more than 90% of children born with congenital heart disease (CHD) survive into adulthood, patients face significantly higher and premature morbidity and mortality. Heart failure as well as non-cardiac comorbidities represent a striking and life-limiting problem with need for new treatment options. Systemic chronic inflammation and immune activation have been identified as crucial drivers of disease causes and progression in various cardiovascular disorders and are promising therapeutic targets. Accumulating evidence indicates an inflammatory state and immune alterations in children and adults with CHD. In this review, we highlight the implications of chronic inflammation, immunity, and immune senescence in CHD. In this context, we summarize the impact of infant open-heart surgery with subsequent thymectomy on the immune system later in life and discuss the potential role of comorbidities and underlying genetic alterations. How an altered immunity and chronic inflammation in CHD influence patient outcomes facing SARS-CoV-2 infection is unclear, but requires special attention, as CHD could represent a population particularly at risk during the COVID-19 pandemic. Concluding remarks address possible clinical implications of immune changes in CHD and consider future immunomodulatory therapies.
Investigation of the pathophysiology of the retina and choroid in Parkinson's disease by optical coherence tomography
Authors: Kamata Yasuaki , Hara Naoto , Satou Tsukasa , Niida Takahiro , Mukuno Kazuo
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The pathology of Parkinson's disease (PD) is suspected to affect the retina and choroid. We investigated changes in the retina and choroid of patients with PD using optical coherence tomography.

Methods

We examined 14 patients with PD and 22 patients without PD. Patients without PD had no ophthalmic disease other than cataracts. In addition, it was also confirmed that there was no neurodegenerative disease. The retinal nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell layer + inner plexiform layer, and choroidal thickness were compared between both groups. Additionally, the choroidal image was divided into the choroid area, luminal area, and interstitial area using the binarization method, and the area of each region and the percentage of luminal area in the choroid area were analyzed.

Results

Patients with PD had a significantly thinner ganglion cell layer + inner plexiform layer compared to those without PD. The choroid area, luminal area, and interstitial area were significantly decreased in patients with PD compared to those without PD. Seven patients with PD who were successfully followed up showed decreased retinal nerve fiber layer and interstitial area after 3 years.

Conclusion

Autonomic nervous disorders and neurodegeneration in PD can cause thinning of the retina and choroid, as well as a reduction in the choroid area.
3D Integrated Structural, Facies and Petrophysical Static Modeling Approach for Complex Sandstone Reservoirs: A Case Study from the Coniacian–Santonian Matulla Formation, July Oilfield, Gulf of Suez, Egypt
Authors: Ali Ahmed M. , Radwan Ahmed E. , Abd El-Gawad Esam A. , Abdel-Latief Abdel-Sattar A.
Published: December 2021

The Coniacian–Santonian Matulla Formation is one of the important reservoirs in the July oilfield, Gulf of Suez Basin. However, this formation is characterized by uncertainty due to the complexity of reservoir architecture, various lithologies, lateral facies variations and heterogeneous reservoir quality. These reservoir challenges, in turn, affect the effectiveness of further exploitation of this reservoir along the Gulf of Suez Basin. In this work, we conduct an integrated study using multidisciplinary datasets and techniques to determine the precise structural, petrophysical, and facies characteristics of the Matulla Formation and predict their complex geometry in 3D space. To complete this study, 30 2D seismic sections, five digital well logs, and core samples of 75 ft (ft = 0.3048 m) length were used to build 3D models for the Matulla reservoir. The 3D structural model shows strong lateral variation in thickness of the Matulla Formation with NW–SE, NE–SW and N–S fault directions. According to the 3D facies model, shale beds dominate the Matulla Formation, followed by sandstone, carbonate, and siltstone beds. The petrophysical model demonstrates the Matulla reservoir's ability to store and produce oil; its upper and lower zones have good quality reservoir, whereas its middle zone is a poor quality reservoir. The most promising areas for hydrocarbon accumulation and production via the Matulla reservoir are located in the central, southeast, and southwest sectors of the oilfield. In this approach, we combined multiple datasets and used the most likely parameters calibrated by core measurements to improve the reservoir modeling of the complex Matulla reservoir. In addition, we reduced many of the common uncertainties associated with the static modeling process, which can be applied elsewhere to gain better understanding of a complex reservoir.
Plant mediated methane efflux from a boreal peatland complex
Authors: Korrensalo A. , Mammarella I. , Alekseychik P. , Vesala T. , Tuittila E-S.
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Aerenchymous plants are an important control for methane efflux from peatlands to the atmosphere, providing a bypass from the anoxic peat and avoiding oxidation in the oxic peat. We aimed to quantify the drivers of aerenchymous peatland species methane transport and the importance of this process for ecosystem-scale methane efflux.

Methods

We measured seasonal and interspecies variation in methane transport rate per gram of plant dry mass at a boreal fen and bog, which were upscaled to ecosystem-scale plant methane transport.

Results

Methane transport rate was better explained by plant species, leaf greenness and area than by environmental variables. Leaves appeared to transport methane even after senescence. Contrary to our expectations, both methane transport rate and the proportion of plant transport were lower in the fen (with greater sedge cover) than in the bog site. At the fen and bog, average methane transport rate was 0.7 and 1.8 mg g−1 d−1, and the proportion of seasonally variable plant transport was 7–41% and 6–90%, respectively. Species-specific differences in methane transport rate were observed at the ecosystem-scale: Scheuchzeria palustris, which accounted for 16% of the aerenchymous leaf area in the fen and displayed the greatest methane transport rate, was responsible for 45% of the ecosystem-scale plant transport.

Conclusion

Our study showed that plant species influence the magnitude of ecosystem-scale methane emissions through their properties of methane transport. The identification and quantification of these properties could be the pivotal next step in predicting plant methane transport in peatlands.
Vulnerability and resilience of the road transport industry in Poland to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis
Authors: Osińska Magdalena , Zalewski Wojciech
Published: December 2021

The research aims to examine the vulnerability and resilience of road transport enterprises in Poland to a crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In theory, we refer to the Schumpeterian perspective of creative destruction. In the empirical analysis, survey data on 500 transport companies randomly selected from the database were used. We estimated partial proportional odds models to show the factors responsible for the enterprises' vulnerability and resilience to unforeseen shock. The perspective refers to the total sample size and the division into two subgroups: micro and small and medium enterprises. To justify the results, we calculated a set of statistical indicators and tests. These models enable separating enterprises according to the vulnerability level. Transport enterprises occurred significantly vulnerable to the COVID-19 crisis, particularly the demand shock. The only factor that influenced resilience was the decrease in fuel prices, which allowed a cost reduction. The crisis showed that government aid was helpful in the short run, particularly for micro and small enterprises. The medium-sized enterprises were more resilient than micro and small ones. We formulated several recommendations to help transport enterprises to adjust in the medium term.
Booster Bearing Failure Reduction Through a Novel Thermodynamic Analysis
Authors: Venter Philip , van Eldik Martin
Published: December 2021

The gas booster station of a steel works has experienced excessive bearing failures since commissioning over two decades ago. This station was designed with redundancy, allowing for automatic switch-over between two gas booster fans. Bearing failures were observed, on average once every 15.7 days, with instances where both fans experienced simultaneous downtime. Booster failures resulted in regular station downtime, preventing Coke Oven Gas (COG) transport to an end user. This flammable by-product is used as a heat source and all unutilized volumes are flared, resulting in energy wastages. Furthermore, the absence of COG increases Natural Gas (NG) usage, procured at a cost. Traditional root cause analysis techniques failed to identify the cause of these excessive bearing failures. However, multiple in-depth data analysis studies resulted in a thermodynamic investigation, exposing liquid and solid particles within the COG to be responsible for the failures. This allowed for the design of an in-line particle collector, eliminating excessive failures. Following the particle collector installation, only two strategic bearing changes took place over the next 41 weeks, with reduced bearing vibration levels compared to before. The station experienced no failure downtime during this period, resulting in reduced COG flaring and thus improved energy utilization.
Clinical judgment of the need for professional mental health care in patients with cancer: a qualitative study among oncologists and nurses
Authors: Karchoud Jeanet F. , de Kruif Anja J. Th. C. M. , Lamers Femke , van Linde Myra E. , van Dodewaard-de Jong Joyce M. , Braamse Annemarie M. J. , Sprangers Mirjam A. G. , Beekman Aartjan T. F. , Verheul Henk M. W. , Dekker Joost
Published: December 2021

Purpose

In daily practice, oncologists and nurses frequently need to decide whether or not to refer a patient for professional mental health care. We explored the indicators oncologists and nurses use to judge the need for professional mental health care in patients with cancer.

Methods

In a qualitative study, oncologists (n = 8) and nurses (n = 6) were each asked to select patients who were or were not referred for professional mental health care (total n = 75). During a semi-structured interview, they reflected on their decision concerning the possible referral of the patient. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data.

Results

Respondents reported using a strategy when judging whether professional mental health care was needed. They allowed patients time to adjust, while monitoring patients’ psychological well-being, especially if patients exhibited specific risk factors. Risk and protective factors for emotional problems included personal, social, and disease- and treatment-related factors. Respondents considered referral for professional mental health care when they noted specific indicators of emotional problems. These indicators included lingering or increasing emotions, a disproportionate intensity of emotions, and emotions with a negative impact on a patient’s daily life or treatment.

Conclusions

This study identified the strategy, risk and protective factors, and the indicators of emotional problems used by oncologists and nurses when judging the need for professional mental health care in patients with cancer.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

Oncologists and nurses can play an important role in the identification of patients in need of professional mental health care.
Increased risk of Graves´ophthalmopathy in patients with increasing TRAb after radioiodine treatment and the impact of CTLA4 on TRAb titres
Authors: Shahida Bushra , Tsoumani Kleoniki , Planck Tereza , Modhukur Vijayachitra , Asp Pernilla , Sundlöv Anna , Tennvall Jan , Åsman Peter , Lindgren Ola , Lantz Mikael
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Treatment of Graves´ disease (GD) with radioiodine increases the risk of developing Graves´ ophthalmopathy (GO), and the link between thyroid and orbital tissue may be the presence of TSH-receptors. Radioiodine increases the titers of TRAb and the aim was to investigate the relationship between GO and TRAb titers after treatment with radioiodine and to define the impact of risk genes.

Methods

GD patients without ophthalmopathy or previous treatment with radioiodine were prospectively included at treatment with radioiodine for hyperthyroidism. A follow-up was performed 1 year later for the registration of GO development. The study was performed at a University Hospital Clinic; a referral center of all patients treated with radioiodine in the south of Sweden. The main outcome measures were the development of TRAb, anti-TPO, and anti-TG after 3 months and GO after 12 months and relationship to the genetic background (HLA, CTLA-4, and CYR61).

Results

Three months of radioiodine TRAb titers increased in two thirds of patients (p < 0.0005) but not in the other third. Anti-TPO titers were associated with TRAb (R = 0.362, p < 0.0001) but not anti-TG. At follow-up 1 year later (n = 204) 32 patients developed GO with a proportion of 70% in the group increasing in TRAb titers and 30% in the group with unchanged or lower TRAb titers (p-value < 0.0005). Patients with GO had higher titers of TRAb than patients without GO. CTLA-4 (rs231775 SNP) was significantly (p < 0.005) associated with TRAb titers above the median three months after radioiodine.

Conclusions

The increase in TRAb titers after treatment with radioiodine is associated with GO and a genetic variation in CTLA-4 is associated with higher titers of TRAb.
Transient Hypoperfusion to Ischemic/Anoxic Spreading Depolarization is Related to Autoregulatory Failure in the Rat Cerebral Cortex
Authors: Menyhárt Ákos , Varga Dániel Péter , M. Tóth Orsolya , Makra Péter , Bari Ferenc , Farkas Eszter
Published: December 2021

Background

In ischemic stroke, cerebral autoregulation and neurovascular coupling may become impaired. The cerebral blood flow (CBF) response to spreading depolarization (SD) is governed by neurovascular coupling. SDs recur in the ischemic penumbra and reduce neuronal viability by the insufficiency of the CBF response. Autoregulatory failure and SD may coexist in acute brain injury. Here, we set out to explore the interplay between the impairment of cerebrovascular autoregulation, SD occurrence, and the evolution of the SD-coupled CBF response.

Methods

Incomplete global forebrain ischemia was created by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion in isoflurane-anesthetized rats, which induced ischemic SD (iSD). A subsequent SD was initiated 20–40 min later by transient anoxia SD (aSD), achieved by the withdrawal of oxygen from the anesthetic gas mixture for 4–5 min. SD occurrence was confirmed by the recording of direct current potential together with extracellular K+concentration by intracortical microelectrodes. Changes in local CBF were acquired with laser Doppler flowmetry. Mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) was continuously measured via a catheter inserted into the left femoral artery. CBF and MABP were used to calculate an index of cerebrovascular autoregulation (rCBFx). In a representative imaging experiment, variation in transmembrane potential was visualized with a voltage-sensitive dye in the exposed parietal cortex, and CBF maps were generated with laser speckle contrast analysis.

Results

Ischemia induction and anoxia onset gave rise to iSD and aSD, respectively, albeit aSD occurred at a longer latency, and was superimposed on a gradual elevation of K+concentration. iSD and aSD were accompanied by a transient drop of CBF (down to 11.9 ± 2.9 and 7.4 ± 3.6%, iSD and aSD), but distinctive features set the hypoperfusion transients apart. During iSD, rCBFx indicated intact autoregulation (rCBFx < 0.3). In contrast, aSD was superimposed on autoregulatory failure (rCBFx > 0.3) because CBF followed the decreasing MABP. CBF dropped 15–20 s after iSD, but the onset of hypoperfusion preceded aSD by almost 3 min. Taken together, the CBF response to iSD displayed typical features of spreading ischemia, whereas the transient CBF reduction with aSD appeared to be a passive decrease of CBF following the anoxia-related hypotension, leading to aSD.

Conclusions

We propose that the dysfunction of cerebrovascular autoregulation that occurs simultaneously with hypotension transients poses a substantial risk of SD occurrence and is not a consequence of SD. Under such circumstances, the evolving SD is not accompanied by any recognizable CBF response, which indicates a severely damaged neurovascular coupling.
Impact of demand response on occupants’ thermal comfort in a leisure center
Authors: Le Cam Andreea , Southernwood Joanna , Ring Daniel , Clarke Dan , Creedon Rosie
Published: December 2021

Many assets that are normally installed during an energy-efficient building retrofit can also be used to provide flexible services to the electricity grid. By turning off or turning down some mechanical systems during peak times, it is possible for a building to reduce its load on the electricity network. A field demand response event was simulated at a leisure center in Ireland to evaluate the suitability of the site to participate in the Irish demand response market, to assess how much flexibility it can provide, how much the indoor conditions changed during the test, and to examine whether these remained within satisfactory limits. A survey was conducted to determine whether the occupants perceived any changes to their thermal comfort. The simulation was achieved by identifying non-critical mechanical equipment and turning them off for 2 h. A processing station for demand response and energy monitoring delivered the demand response signal to the site’s building management system. The results show that this site had a flexibility potential of 45 kW, which is considered too low to participate in the demand response market, as Irish aggregators favor sites that can offer over 250-kW flexibility. However, the indoor thermal conditions remained within reasonable ranges and the occupants did not notice the impact of the demand response event. This shows that theoretically, if smaller sites were allowed to sell their flexibility to the electricity market, such leisure centers could participate in demand response services without impacting occupants’ comfort.
Gaze and speech behavior in parent–child interactions: The role of conflict and cooperation
Authors: Holleman Gijs A. , Hooge Ignace T. C. , Huijding Jorg , Deković Maja , Kemner Chantal , Hessels Roy S.
Published: December 2021

A primary mode of human social behavior is face-to-face interaction. In this study, we investigated the characteristics of gaze and its relation to speech behavior during video-mediated face-to-face interactions between parents and their preadolescent children. 81 parent–child dyads engaged in conversations about cooperative and conflictive family topics. We used a dual-eye tracking setup that is capable of concurrently recording eye movements, frontal video, and audio from two conversational partners. Our results show that children spoke more in the cooperation-scenario whereas parents spoke more in the conflict-scenario. Parents gazed slightly more at the eyes of their children in the conflict-scenario compared to the cooperation-scenario. Both parents and children looked more at the other's mouth region while listening compared to while speaking. Results are discussed in terms of the role that parents and children take during cooperative and conflictive interactions and how gaze behavior may support and coordinate such interactions.
Small Farmers Large Field (SFLF): a synchronized collective action model for improving the livelihood of small farmers in India
Authors: Baruah Sampriti , Mohanty Samarendu , Rola Agnes C.
Published: December 2021

This study pilots the collective action model “Small Farmers Large Field (SFLF)” to overcome the disadvantages faced by millions of small and marginal farmers due to diseconomies of scale and lack of bargaining power in the supply chain. This model is participatory and flexible and allows small farmers to benefit from achieving economies of scale by organizing themselves into groups and synchronizing and harmonizing selected operations. It was piloted in two villages of Odisha, an eastern Indian state, with 112 farmers (35 females and 77 males). These farmers organized themselves into groups and synchronized their operations such as nursery bed management, transplanting, and harvesting collectively to achieve economies of scale. The SFLF farmers purchased inputs (seed and fertilizer) and sold paddy as a group to increase their bargaining power in price negotiations. The results from this pilot study showed that the participating farmers almost doubled their profits. Apart from the monetary benefits, these farmers saved time in many joint activities, including input (seed and fertilizer) purchase, paddy sale, and nursery bed management. Other important benefits of the harmonization and synchronization of farming operations were social harmony and sustainability of the farming system.
Assessing and enhancing the impact potential of marketing articles
Authors: Jaakkola Elina , Vargo Stephen L.
Published: December 2021

Although the impact of marketing is a recognized priority, current academic practices do not fully support this goal. A research manuscript’s likely influence is difficult to evaluate prior to publication, and audiences differ in their understandings of what “impact” means. This article develops a set of criteria for assessing and enhancing a publication’s impact potential. An article is argued to have greater influence if it changes many stakeholders’ understandings or behaviors on a relevant matter; and makes its message accessible by offering simple and clear findings and translating them into actionable implications. These drivers are operationalized as a checklist of criteria for authors, reviewers, and research supervisors who wish to evaluate and enhance a manuscript’s potential impact. This article invites scholars to further develop and promote these criteria and to participate in establishing impact evaluation as an institutionalized practice within marketing academia.
Spatial distribution of ground water quality index using remote sensing and GIS techniques
Authors: Dandge K. P. , Patil S. S.
Published: December 2021

Water is a vital and widely spread component required for sustaining the life. Groundwater is vastly valuable source and it is extremely beneficial for the human beings. But, the toxic elements release from sources such as industries, landfills as well as non-point causes of pollution such as pesticides and fertilizer from the past year showed high levels of pollution in ground water, hence this is very crucial for evaluating the water quality not only for it’s existing usage, but also a its capacity to develop as a sustainable source of water for human utilization. In rural areas of India, Groundwater is a significant water-drinking source. In Bhokardan area of Jalna District, quality of ground water is great significance, because it is a key alternative source of domestic supply along with drinking water and peoples residing there facing several water quality issues for drinking purpose. In this current research work, an endeavor has been developed to investigate the quality of groundwater as well as spatial distribution by utilizing Remote Sensing along with GIS approaches. Water quality analysis was performed for developing the quality index of water, by utilizing 12 quality parameters of water like Alkalinity, pH, Electrical Conductivity, Fluoride, Chloride, Nitrate, Sulphate, Potassium, Total Hardness, E. coli, Turbidity and Total Dissolved Solids measured at 35 different selected locations in this research work. Spatial distribution map showed that each region of research area falls under category of “Poor water” and “Very poor water” except some sites at Northern regions of the area which falls under “Good water” category during pre-monsoon, whereas most of the sites from Northern and Southern part of the region shifted category from poor to good water along with very poor to poor water during post-monsoon season. The quality index data of water of the current research disclosed that, the high WQI “Water Quality Index” values in the samples of groundwater were principally due to the occurrence of higher values of turbidity and E. Coli. The higher level of water quality parameters like TH, EC, alkalinity, potassium, TDS, chloride and fluoride were also accountable for high values of WQI in this research work. None of the location falls under excellent quality for water during pre-monsoon as well as post-monsoon season.
Injuries in Elite Men’s Rugby Union: An Updated (2012–2020) Meta-Analysis of 11,620 Match and Training Injuries
Authors: Williams Sean , Robertson Charli , Starling Lindsay , McKay Carly , West Stephen , Brown James , Stokes Keith
Published: December 2021

Background

The most recent meta-analytic review of injuries in elite senior men’s Rugby Union was published in 2013. The demands of the game at the elite level are continually changing alongside law amendments and developments in player preparation. As such, an updated meta-analysis of injury data in this setting is necessary.

Objective

To meta-analyse time-loss injury data in elite senior men’s Rugby Union between 2012 and 2020.

Methods

Electronic databases were searched using the keywords ‘rugby’ and ‘inj*’. Nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Injury incidence rate data were modelled using a mixed-effects Poisson regression model. Days missed data were modelled using a general linear mixed model.

Results

The included data encompassed a total of 8819 match injuries and 2801 training injuries. The overall incidence rate of injuries in matches was 91 per 1000 h (95% confidence interval (CI) 77–106). The estimated mean days missed per match injury was 27 days (95% CI 23–32). The overall incidence rate of match concussions was 12 per 1000 h (95% CI 9–15). The overall incidence rate of training injuries was 2.8 per 1000 h (95% CI 1.9–4.0). Playing level was not a significant effect modifier for any outcome.

Conclusions

The injury incidence rate and mean days missed per injury in the present meta-analysis were higher, but statistically equivalent to, the 2013 meta-analysis (81 per 1000 h and 20 days, respectively). The injury incidence rate for match injuries in elite senior men’s Rugby Union is high in comparison to most team sports, though the training injury incidence rate compares favourably. The tackle event and concussion injuries should continue to be the focus of future preventative efforts.
“Havens of mercy”: health, medical research, and the governance of the movement of dogs in twentieth-century America
Authors: Kirk Robert G. W. , Ramsden Edmund
Published: December 2021

This article argues that the movement of dogs from pounds to medical laboratories played a critically important role in debates over the use of animals in science and medicine in the United States in the twentieth century, not least by drawing the scientific community into every greater engagement with bureaucratic political governance. If we are to understand the unique characteristics of the American federal legislation that emerges in the 1960s, we need to understand the long and protracted debate over the use of pound animals at the local municipal and state level between antivivisectionists, humane activists, and scientific and medical researchers. We argue that the Laboratory Animal Care Act of 1966 reflects the slow evolution of a strategy that proved most successful in local conflicts, and which would characterize a “new humanitarianism”: not the regulation of experimental practices but of the care and transportation of the animals being provided to the laboratory. Our analysis is consistent with, and draws upon, scholarship which has established the productive power of public agencies and civil society on the periphery of the American state.
Biomass Microcapsules with Stem Cell Encapsulation for Bone Repair
Authors: Yang Lei , Liu Yuxiao , Sun Lingyu , Zhao Cheng , Chen Guopu , Zhao Yuanjin
Published: December 2021

Bone defects caused by trauma, tumor, or osteoarthritis remain challenging due to the lack of effective treatments in clinic. Stem cell transplantation has emerged as an alternative approach for bone repair and attracted widespread attention owing to its excellent biological activities and therapy effect. The attempts to develop this therapeutic approach focus on the generation of effective cell delivery vehicles, since the shortcomings of direct injection of stem cells into target tissues. Here, we developed a novel core-shell microcapsule with a stem cell-laden core and a biomass shell by using all-aqueous phase microfluidic electrospray technology. The designed core-shell microcapsules showed a high cell viability during the culture procedure. In addition, the animal experiments exhibited that stem cell-laden core-shell microcapsules have good biocompatibility and therapeutic effect for bone defects. This study indicated that the core-shell biomass microcapsules generated by microfluidic electrospray have promising potential in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
Climate Change and Maritime Boundaries
Authors: Árnadóttir Snjólaug
Published: December 2021

Coastal States exercise sovereignty and sovereign rights in maritime zones, measured from their coasts. The limits to these maritime zones are bound to recede as sea levels rise and coastlines are eroded. Furthermore, ocean acidification and ocean warming are increasingly threatening coastal ecosystems, which States are obligated to protect and manage sustainably. These changes, accelerating as the planet heats, prompt an urgent need to clarify and update the international law of maritime zones. This book explains how bilateral maritime boundaries are established, and how coastal instability and vulnerable ecosystems can affect the delimitation process through bilateral negotiations or judicial settlement. Árnadóttir engages with core concepts within public international law to address emerging issues, such as diminishing territory and changing boundaries. She proposes viable ways of addressing future challenges and sets out how fundamental changes to the marine environment can justify termination or revision of settled maritime boundaries and related agreements.
Re-imagining International Relations
Authors: Buzan Barry , Acharya Amitav
Published: December 2021

Buzan and Acharya challenge the discipline of International Relations to reimagine itself in the light of the thinking about, and practice of, international relations and world order from premodern India, China and the Islamic world. This prequel to their 2019 book, The Making of Global International Relations, takes the story back from the two-century tale of modern IR, to reveal the deep global history of the discipline. It shows the multiple origins and meanings of many concepts thought of as only modern and Western. It opens pathways for the rest of the world into this most Eurocentric of disciplines, encouraging them to bring their own histories, concepts and theories with them. The authors have written this book with the hope of inspiring others to extend these pathways by bringing in a wider array of cultures, and exploring how they thought about and acted in worlds composed of multiple, independent, collective actors.