bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic accuracy of postmortem computed tomography for bleeding source determination in cases with hemoperitoneum
Authors: Chatzaraki Vasiliki , Thali Michael J. , Ampanozi Garyfalia
Published: January 2021

Aim

The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the accuracy of postmortem computed tomography and different radiological signs for the determination of the bleeding source in cases with hemoperitoneum confirmed at autopsy.

Methods

Postmortem computed tomography data of consecutive cases with hemoperitoneum confirmed at autopsy were reviewed by two raters, blinded to the autopsy findings. The determination of possible bleeding sources was based on the presence of the sentinel clot sign, blood or sedimented blood surrounding an organ, intraparenchymal abnormal gas distribution, and parenchymal disruption. The bleeding source and the cause of hemoperitoneum (traumatic, surgical, natural, or resuscitation) as reported in the autopsy report were noted. The survival intervals of the deceased were calculated when information about the time of an incident related to death was available in the autopsy reports.

Results

Eighty-five cases were included in the study. Postmortem computed tomography showed 79% sensitivity and 92.1% specificity for the detection of the bleeding source. The sentinel clot sign was associated with surgical or natural causes of hemoperitoneum and longer survival intervals. Sedimented blood around the bleeding source was associated with resuscitation. Abnormal gas distribution within organs and combination of multiple radiological signs provided higher sensitivity.

Conclusion

Postmortem computed tomography provides moderate sensitivity and high specificity for determining the bleeding source in cases with hemoperitoneum. Different PMCT signs are associated with different causes of hemoperitoneum and survival intervals.
A critical review of the pharmacological treatment of REM sleep behavior disorder in adults: time for more and larger randomized placebo-controlled trials
Authors: Gilat Moran , Marshall Nathaniel S. , Testelmans Dries , Buyse Bertien , Lewis Simon J. G.
Published: January 2021

Rapid Eye Movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is a parasomnia causing sufferers to physically act out their dreams. These behaviors can disrupt sleep and sometimes lead to injuries in patients and their bed-partners. Clonazepam and melatonin are the first-line pharmacological treatment options for RBD based on direct uncontrolled clinical observations and very limited double-blind placebo-controlled trials. Given the risk for adverse outcomes, especially in older adults, it is of great importance to assess the existing level of evidence for the use of these treatments. In this update, we therefore critically review the clinical and scientific evidence on the pharmacological management of RBD in people aged over 50. We focus on the first-line treatments, and provide an overview of all other alternative pharmacological agents trialed for RBD we could locate as supplementary materials. By amalgamating all clinical observations, our update shows that 66.7% of 1,026 RBD patients reported improvements from clonazepam and 32.9% of 137 RBD patients reported improvements from melatonin treatment on various outcome measures in published accounts. Recently, however, three relatively small randomized placebo-controlled trials did not find these agents to be superior to placebo. Given clonazepam and melatonin are clinically assumed to majorly modify or eliminate RBD in nearly all patients—there is an urgent need to test whether this magnitude of treatment effect remains intact in larger placebo-controlled trials.
Switching anti-VEGF agent for wet AMD: evaluation of impact on visual acuity, treatment frequency and retinal morphology in a real-world clinical setting
Authors: Granstam Elisabet , Aurell Sandra , Sjövall Kersti , Paul Anna
Published: January 2021

Purpose

The aim of the present cross-sectional real-world study is to evaluate the impact of switch of anti-VEGF agent from ranibizumab to aflibercept on visual acuity, treatment frequency and retinal morphology after 12 months in eyes with ongoing chronic treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) compared to eyes not subjected to switch of anti-VEGF agent.

Methods

Data was obtained retrospectively from the Swedish Macular Register, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) images and electronic patient charts. All eyes included were treated in the same clinical setting at the Department of Ophthalmology at the county hospital of Västmanland in Västerås, Sweden.

Results

In total, 282 and 359 eyes were included in the non-switch and switch cohorts, respectively. The cohorts were well balanced. Visual acuity remained stable during the observation period in both cohorts of eyes. The number of anti-VEGF treatments slowly declined over time in both cohorts of eyes and, consequently, the treatment intervals increased during the observation period. In eyes subjected to switch of anti-VEGF agent, planned treatment interval at 12 months was 7.6 (mean; SD 2.9) weeks compared to 6.8 (mean; SD 2.7) in the non-switch cohort (P = 0.001). OCT images demonstrated lower prevalence of intraretinal and subretinal fluid as well as pigment epithelial detachment at 12 months in eyes subjected to switch of anti-VEGF agent compared to non-switch eyes.

Conclusion

Switch of anti-VEGF agent from ranibizumab to aflibercept did not affect visual function whereas improvement in retinal morphology was observed. These findings suggest a beneficial effect of switching from ranibizumab to aflibercept in eyes with ongoing chronic anti-VEGF treatment irrespective of previous response to ranibizumab. Longer follow-up is required to further evaluate the potential clinical significance of this finding.
Acute kidney injury in children hospitalized for acute gastroenteritis: prevalence and risk factors
Authors: Marzuillo Pierluigi , Baldascino Maria , Guarino Stefano , Perrotta Silverio , Miraglia del Giudice Emanuele , Nunziata Felice
Published: January 2021

Background

We aimed to evaluate prevalence of acute kidney injury (AKI) and its risk factors in children hospitalized for acute gastroenteritis (AGE) to identify early predictors of AKI.

Methods

We retrospectively collected clinical and biochemical data of 114 children (57.9% male; mean age 2.9 ± 2.8 years) hospitalized for AGE. AKI was defined according to Kidney Disease/Improving Global Outcomes creatinine criteria. We considered basal serum creatinine as value of creatinine estimated with Hoste (age) equation assuming basal eGFRs were median age-based eGFR normative values for children ≤ 2 years of age, and eGFR 120 mL/min/1.73m2 for children > 2 years. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to explore associations with AKI. We included in multivariate analyses only variables with significant p after Bonferroni correction.

Results

AKI was found in 28/114 (24.6%) patients. No patients required hemodialysis, 2 (1.8%) reached AKI stage 3, 2 (1.8%) AKI stage 2, and 24 (21.0%) AKI stage 1. Mean length of stay was 3.6 ± 1.2, 5.0 ± 1.8, and 10.5 ± 5.8 days, for patients with no, mild, and severe AKI (p < 0.001), respectively. Duration of symptoms before hospitalization (OR = 2.5; 95% CI = 1.3–5.0; p = 0.006), dehydration > 5% (OR = 43.1; 95% CI = 5.4–344.1; p = < 0.001), and serum bicarbonate levels (OR = 1.6; 95% CI = 1.2–2.1; p = 0.001) were independent predictors of AKI.

Conclusions

About one quarter of patients hospitalized for AGE may suffer from AKI with a longer stay for patients with more severe AKI. Particular attention, however, should be paid to volemia and kidney health of patients with AGE especially in the presence of increased duration of symptoms before hospitalization, dehydration, and lower serum bicarbonate levels.

Graphical abstract
Choosing between Gaussian and MPS simulation: the role of data information content—a case study using uncertain interpretation data points
Authors: Madsen Rasmus Bødker , Møller Ingelise , Hansen Thomas Mejer
Published: January 2021

Integration of geophysical data with information such as from boreholes and expert domain knowledge is often performed as cognitive or explicit geological modeling when generating deterministic geological models of the subsurface. However, such cognitive geological models lack the ability to express the uncertainty of layer boundaries. To remedy the shortcomings of this strategy we propose a novel stochastic methodology combining the efforts of probabilistic data integration and cognitive modeling. We treat geological interpretation points from the cognitive model as uncertain “soft” data. These data are then combined with analogous geology in a probabilistic model. We test two ways of combining and sampling from such a probabilistic model. Firstly, a high-entropy setup based on Gaussian distributions simulation. Secondly, lower entropy (and conceivable more realistic) geological solutions are obtained from multiple-point geostatistics (MPS). We apply both ways of solving the problem at a study site near Horsens, Denmark, where airborne transient electromagnetic measurements, seismic data, and borehole information are available and interpreted in cognitive modeling. We explain the complete framework for integrating the uncertain interpretations in geostatistical simulation. Results show that both the Gaussian simulation and multiple-point geostatistical approach allows satisfactory simulations of uncertain geological interpretations and are consistent with prior geological knowledge. Our results suggest that the number of uncertain data points and their information content play a pivotal role in selecting the most appropriate simulation method for the given framework. MPS simulations allow connectivity in scenarios with few data points due to the low entropy of the model. When the number of soft data increases, Gaussian simulation is less prone to produce simulation artifacts, faster to apply, and could be considered preferential to using MPS simulation.
Deep learning-based ambient assisted living for self-management of cardiovascular conditions
Authors: Qureshi Maria Ahmed , Qureshi Kashif Naseer , Jeon Gwanggil , Piccialli Francesco
Published: January 2021

According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular diseases contribute to 17.7 million deaths per year and are rising with a growing ageing population. In order to handle these challenges, the evolved countries are now evolving workable solutions based on new communication technologies such as ambient assisted living. In these solutions, the most well-known solutions are wearable devices for patient monitoring, telemedicine and mHealth systems. This systematic literature review presents the detailed literature on ambient assisted living solutions and helps to understand how ambient assisted living helps and motivates patients with cardiovascular diseases for self-management to reduce associated morbidity and mortalities. Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses technique are used to answer the research questions. The paper is divided into four main themes, including self-monitoring wearable systems, ambient assisted living in aged populations, clinician management systems and deep learning-based systems for cardiovascular diagnosis. For each theme, a detailed investigation shows (1) how these new technologies are nowadays integrated into diagnostic systems and (2) how new technologies like IoT sensors, cloud models, machine and deep learning strategies can be used to improve the medical services. This study helps to identify the strengths and weaknesses of novel ambient assisted living environments for medical applications. Besides, this review assists in reducing the dependence on caregivers and the healthcare systems.
Oral tongue leukoplakia: analysis of clinicopathological characteristics, treatment outcomes, and factors related to recurrence and malignant transformation
Authors: Yang Shih-Wei , Lee Yun-Shien , Chang Liang-Che , Yang Cheng-Han , Luo Cheng-Ming , Wu Pei-Wen
Published: January 2021

Objectives

The tongue is identified as a high-risk site for oral leukoplakia and malignant transformation. The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinicopathological characteristics and treatment outcomes of tongue leukoplakia and assess the factors related to recurrence and malignant transformation.

Materials and methods

One hundred and forty-four patients who received carbon dioxide laser surgery for tongue leukoplakia from 2002 to 2019 were analyzed statistically.

Results

The follow-up period was 54.90 ± 54.41 months. Thirty patients showed postoperative recurrence (20.83%), and 12 patients developed malignant transformation (8.33%). The annual transformation rate was 2.28%. Univariate analysis showed that a history of head and neck cancer, size of lesion area, clinical appearance, and pathology were significant factors for both recurrence and malignant transformation. In the multivariate logistic regression, a history of head and neck cancer and size of lesion area were independent prognostic factors for recurrence, and a history of head and neck cancer was the only independent factor for postoperative malignant change.

Conclusions

Clinicians should adopt more aggressive strategies for tongue leukoplakia patients with a history of head and neck cancer.

Clinical relevance

These results may help clinicians gain a better understanding of oral tongue leukoplakia.
Susceptibility assessment of soil erosion in overlaying diluvial fan of shallow underground pipelines
Authors: Wang Qingdong , Zhang Yingbin , Lv Qingfeng , Xiang Chenlin , Xia Xiao , Liu Jing
Published: January 2021

Soil erosion is a serious hazards occurring in overlaying diluvial fans of shallow underground pipelines. To learn the extent of soil erosion in such landforms, we propose a method of susceptibility assessment of soil erosion based on a case study of the Chaka diluvial fan, Qinghai Province, China. First, we conducted a field investigation at 24 sites, to obtain the land surface properties. Then, vital information such as soil anti-scouribility, permeability, density, sectional water volume, and pipeline burial depth was collected. The slope grade and the vegetation index were determined with the geographic information system (GIS) technology. Further, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was used to determine the weight of various indices on the potential susceptibility of shallow underground pipelines. The susceptibility classification of the study area soil erosion was obtained based on the GIS overlay analysis tool. Lastly, the susceptibility classification was compared with the results of the field investigation. Their consistency indicates that the proposed method can be successfully implemented to accurately assess soil erosion. The erosion mechanism indicates that occlusion and cementation have an important influence on the susceptibility intensity in overlaying diluvial fans of shallow underground pipelines.
Prognostic significance of peritoneal cytology in low-risk endometrial cancer: comparison of laparoscopic surgery and laparotomy
Authors: Fujiwara Satoe , Nishie Ruri , Ueda Shoko , Miyamoto Syunsuke , Terada Shinichi , Kogata Yuhei , Tanaka Tomohito , Tanaka Yoshimichi , Ohmichi Masahide
Published: January 2021

Background

There is uncertainty surrounding the prognostic value of peritoneal cytology in low-risk endometrial cancer, especially in laparoscopic surgery. The objective of this retrospective study is to determine the prognostic significance of positive peritoneal cytology among patients with low-risk endometrial cancer and to compare it between laparoscopic surgery and conventional laparotomy.

Methods

From August 2008 to December 2019, all cases of pathologically confirmed stage IA grade 1 or 2 endometrial cancer were reviewed at Osaka Medical College. Statistical analyses used the Chi-square test and the Kaplan–Meier log rank.

Results

A total of 478 patients were identified: 438 with negative peritoneal cytology (232 who underwent laparotomy and 206 who undertook laparoscopic surgery) and 40 with positive peritoneal cytology (20 who underwent laparotomy and 20 who received laparoscopic surgery). Survival was significantly worse among patients with positive peritoneal cytology compared to patients with negative peritoneal cytology. However, there was no significant difference among patients with negative or positive peritoneal cytology between laparoscopic surgery and laparotomy.

Conclusion

This retrospective study suggests that, while peritoneal cytology is an independent risk factor in patients with low-risk endometrial cancer, laparoscopic surgery does not influence the survival outcome when compared to laparotomy.
The Responsibility to Protect Internally Displaced Persons in Africa
Authors: Lwabukuna Olivia
Published: January 2021

This article explores the responsibility to protect (R2P) as an organizing concept for preventing, addressing and finding durable solutions to internal displacement in Africa. While the most innovative norms for protecting the forcibly displaced have been conceptualized in Africa, they have not durably addressed displacement, due to limitations in implementation. R2P has similarly faced criticisms emanating from a lack of clarity and distrust. Restated norms underlying frameworks for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and R2P complement each other, and can be operationalized simultaneously through a more credible regional approach, to encourage effective protection of IDPs in Africa. The article explores pillar one, pillar two and the non-coercive elements of pillar three of R2P, and its underlying moral principles, using Kenya as a case study of the process of seeking to secure state responsibility for the protection of displaced civilians victimized by mass atrocities.
Luiz F. G. Labouriau and the dawn of seed science in Brazil
Authors: Daibes L. Felipe , Borghetti Fabian , Ferreira Alfredo G.
Published: January 2021

Luiz Fernando Gouvêa Labouriau (1921–1996) was a pioneer plant biologist who made significant contributions to plant physiology, mostly by bringing seed germination into a thermobiological context. His studies have set the foundations of seed science in Brazil and keep inspiring researchers until now.
A case of a very large haemorrhagic pericardial effusion in an adolescent patient with COVID-19 infection
Authors: Gokalp Selman , Çilsal Erman , Yukcu Bekir , Yolcu Canan , Akkoc Gulsen , Guzeltas Alper
Published: January 2021

An otherwise healthy 17-year-old adolescent boy presented with upper respiratory tract symptoms and was diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 infection. A haemorrhagic pericardial effusion was found in the transthoracic echocardiography. He was treated with pericardiocentesis, ibuprofen, and hydroxychloroquine. A large pericardial effusion may complicate COVID-19 in children and should be considered in acute decompensation.
Development and validation of protocols for photographed food record by visually impaired people
Authors: Borges Thaís Lima Dias , de Lima Marcos Felipe Silva , Lima Severina Carla Vieira Cunha , Bagni Ursula Viana
Published: January 2021

Objective:

To develop and validate protocols for photographed food record directed to visually impaired people.

Design:

Photographic techniques were established for capturing food images using a smartphone, and written protocols were defined. Thereafter, visually impaired people made photographic records of three standardised meals (breakfast, lunch/dinner, and snack) following the previously developed protocols. These photographs were then evaluated by a panel of experts (nutritionists and photographer) to indicate whether the framing, focus and angle were suitable to identify the food type, food amount and portion size. Agreement between the experts was assessed using Fleiss’ Kappa.

Setting:

Natal, the capital of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.

Participants:

Visually impaired people (n 40); nutritionists (n 2); professional photographer (n 1).

Results:

Both protocols obtained a high proportion of satisfactory photos for all the items in the three dimensions investigated. When overall quality was assessed, the experts’ agreement was a substantial that through the images it would be possible to identify the food type and portion size, both for Frontal Photos (k = 0·70 and k = 0·62, respectively) and Aerial Photos (k = 0·68 and k = 0·70, respectively). The degree of agreement that the photos presented a satisfactory global quality was moderate for the Frontal Photo (k = 0·43) and substantial for the Aerial Photo (k = 0·64). Participants who frequently used smartphone-type cell phones obtained better quality images for all these attributes for both protocols.

Conclusions:

The protocols for photographed food record developed for visually impaired people in this study are feasible and present themselves as an alternative strategy to qualitatively assess their dietary intake.
Microsatellite marker-based genetic diversity of tropical-adapted shrunken-2 maize inbred lines and its relationship with normal endosperm inbred lines of known heterotic classification
Authors: Iboyi J. E. , Abe A. , Adetimirin V. O.
Published: January 2021

Knowledge of the genetic diversity and relationships among maize inbred lines can facilitate germplasm management and plant breeding programmes. The study investigated the level of genetic diversity among S6 lines developed from a tropical-adapted shrunken-2 (sh-2) maize population and their relationship with normal endosperm tropical inbred lines of known heterotic groups. Ninety-one sh-2 maize inbred lines (UI1-UI91) developed in the University of Ibadan super-sweet Maize Breeding Programme were genotyped at 30 simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci, alongside five normal endosperm maize inbred lines viz. TZi3, TZi4, TZi10, TZi12 and TZi15, four of which belong to two heterotic groups. Twenty-three SSR markers were polymorphic and detected a total of 61 alleles, with a range of 2–7 and an average of 2.65 alleles per locus. The polymorphic information content ranged from 0.12 in bnlg1937 to 0.77 in phi126, with an average of 0.36. The gene diversity (He) averaged 0.43. Cluster analysis resulted in five groups consisting of 16, 36, 17, 23 and 3 inbred lines, with one sh-2 line ungrouped. TZi 12 and TZi 15, both of which are of the same heterotic group, clustered with TZi 3 of another heterotic group. Considerable genetic diversity exists among the 96 inbred lines. Only two of the five normal endosperm lines shared clusters with the sh-2 lines. The clustering of the normal endosperm inbred lines is not related to their established heterotic patterns. Inbred lines in two clusters offer the possibility of guiding the exploitation of heterosis among the sh-2 lines.
Evaluating the capacity of small farmers to adopt aquaponics systems: empirical evidence from Brazil
Authors: Brewer Alexandria , Alfaro Jose F. , Malheiros Tadeu Fabricio
Published: January 2021

Aquaponics technology has recently been offered as a good option for sustainable food systems among small-scale farmers, particularly those seeking an organic production or dealing with land quality constraints, such as urban farmers. However, there is a lack of empirical evidence for the capacity of small farmers to adopt the technology. The unique requirements of aquaponics may create technical, economic and even cultural constraints and opportunities. This paper uses empirical evidence gathered with small-scale farmers in São Carlos, State of São Paulo, Brazil, to present the capacity of adoption for the technology, including possible limiting factors and incentives for farmers. The study conducted interviews with owners of ‘agriculturas familiares’ (Portuguese for small family owned farms) within 30 km of São Carlos. The interviews revealed that there is widespread interest in the potential profitability of aquaponics systems, significant interest in environmentally friendly practices, familiarity with organic production and hydroponics and a large base of agricultural knowledge in the community that can drive adoption. However, lack of initial financing, limited human power and concerns about product placement were significant barriers to adoption. For settlement farmers (those working on land formerly abandoned) poor soil quality and water scarcity are key issues that could be alleviated by the technology. The city of Sao Carlos present program for purchasing specific types of products from these farms could be used as a model for increasing aquaponics adoption and relieving success concerns.
Entrustable Professional Activities in der psychiatrischen Weiterbildung: Ein vielversprechendes Konzept
Authors: Pinilla Severin , Matthes Oliver , Gehret Anouk , Huwendiek Sören , Lenouvel Eric , Lindert Susanne , Marty Adrian Philipp , Nick Beat , Nissen Christoph , Schneeberger Andres , Stocker Lea , Wallies Michael , Weidt Steffi , Weiss-Breckwoldt Anja , Klöppel Stefan
Published: January 2021

Zusammenfassung. Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) oder anvertraubare professionelle Tätigkeiten (APTs) sind kompetenzbasierte Lernziele, die sich aus beobachtbaren klinischen Tätigkeiten ableiten. Im Studium der Humanmedizin haben sie mittlerweile schweizweit als Teil des sogenannten PROFILES-Katalogs (Principal Relevant Objectives and Framework for Integrated Learning and Education in Switzerland) Einzug gehalten. Es ist naheliegend, in der Weiterbildung an die neun im Studium vermittelten EPAs anzuknüpfen und EPAs in der Weiterbildung einzuführen. Wir diskutieren diesen Ansatz für die Weiterbildung zum Facharzt Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie aus Sicht verschiedener Weiterbildungskontexte und eines Praxisbeispiels. In diesem Positionspapier beschreiben wir eine Chance für Verbesserung durch die Implementierung von EPAs sowohl in Bezug auf die Qualität der ärztlichen Weiterbildung und damit der Patient_innenversorgung als auch in Bezug auf die Attraktivität des Fachgebiets für ärztlichen Nachwuchs.
Backpressure control with estimated queue lengths for urban network traffic
Authors: Li Li , Okoth Victor , Jabari Saif Eddin
Published: January 2021

Backpressure (BP) control was originally used for packet routing in communications networks. Since its first application to network traffic control, it has undergone different modifications to tailor it to traffic problems with promising results. Most of these BP variants are based on an assumption of perfect knowledge of traffic conditions throughout the network at all times, specifically the queue lengths (more accurately, the traffic volumes). However, it has been well established that accurate queue length information at signalized intersections is never available except in fully connected environments. Although connected vehicle technologies are developing quickly, a fully connected environment in the real world is still far. This paper tests the effectiveness of BP control when incomplete or imperfect knowledge about traffic conditions is available. BP control is combined with a speed/density field estimation module suitable for a partially connected environment. The proposed system is referred to as a BP with estimated queue lengths (BP‐EQ). The robustness of BP‐EQ is tested to varying levels of connected vehicle penetration, and BP‐EQ is compared with the original BP (i.e. assuming accurate knowledge of traffic conditions), a real‐world adaptive signal controller, and optimized fixed timing control using microscopic traffic simulation with field calibrated data. These results show that with a connected vehicle penetration rate as little as 10%, BP‐EQ can outperform the adaptive controller and the fixed timing controller in terms of average delay, throughput, and maximum stopped queue lengths under high demand scenarios.
An Analysis of Products Communicated on Instagram by the Most followed Czech Influencers
Authors: Kvěchová Kateřina
Published: January 2021

The aim of this contribution is to determine and analyse the types of products the five most followed Instagram influencers in the Czech Republic promoted during the period September 2019 – September 2020. The most followed influencers in 2020 were identified on the basis of the highest number of followers (Leoš Mareš, Petr Čech, Jirka Král, Karolina Kurková and Anna Šulcová). The next step was to calculate the frequency of product-related posts by each influencer according to the individual product types. Based on the data, it can be concluded that the most frequent product-related posts are associated with clothing and accessories, followed by magazines, cosmetics, e-shops, sports, travel, culture, children’s goods or restaurants.
The IO–PS in the context of GVC-related policymaking: The case of the South African automotive industry
Authors: Bam Wouter G. , De Bruyne Karolien , Laing Mare
Published: January 2021

Recent years have seen renewed interest in evaluating the effectiveness of industrial policy, especially in the context of global value chains. One approach that might add a complementary view in this domain is product space analysis. To date, product space-based value chain analyses have focused on theoretical debates only, or on empirical applications for a single year. In this paper, we employ the input–output product space (IO–PS) framework combined with a time dimension. We thereby evaluate the effectiveness of industrial policies within a value chain over time. The paper focuses on the case of the South African automotive value chain for the years 1995 to 2017. We evaluate ex post the implemented industrial policies and confirm their (partial) success. We then use the framework to make ex ante recommendations to improve the current policy approach and find that it might pay off to target specific sub-sectors in the future. The results illustrate how the framework can be used to evaluate industrial policies and to identify which parts of the global value chain should be targeted to foster both short- and long-term growth. We also highlight shortcomings of the approach which might limit its application.
Competitive adsorption of ofloxacin enantiomers to goethite: experiments and modelling
Authors: Qin Xiaopeng , Zhong Xiaofei , Du Ping , Chen Juan , Jia Junfeng , He Ying , Liu Fei , Weng Liping
Published: January 2021

Environmental contextThe concentration, types and distribution of antibiotics in soils can have environmental effects and can be modelled using laboratory systems. Adsorption of ofloxacin (OFL) and levofloxacin (LEV) enantiomers to goethite can probe this behaviour and each binds differently to the solid phase. The different behaviour of LEV and OFL in relation to solid-solution partitioning will affect their environmental fate.
AbstractThe adsorption of ofloxacin enantiomers, namely levofloxacin (LEV) and ofloxacin (OFL), to goethite was investigated using batch experiments. Structural information of aqueous and adsorbed LEV or OFL was obtained with ultraviolet–visible (UV-Vis), three-dimensional excitation–emission matrix (EEM) and attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopic methods. The results indicated that LEV molecules formed a bridging bidentate complex (≡(FeO)2–LEV) with the surface of goethite, and OFL formed a monodentate complex (≡FeO–OFL). The adsorption of OFL to goethite was stronger than that of LEV, owing to differences in their physicochemical properties and bonding modes. The adsorption of LEV and OFL to goethite in single systems was well simulated using the charge distribution multi-site complexation (CD-MUSIC) model, but their adsorption in the LEV–OFL–goethite systems was overestimated at pH ~5.2 and high concentrations of LEV–OFL mixture (19.59μM), in which the predicted amounts of adsorbed LEV and OFL were higher (20.0, 30.8%) than the experimental results. Compared with the unprotonated LEV or OFL, the protonated (>99.9%) ones were mainly adsorbed to the surface of goethite, and the single species may be used during their following modelling.
RedefiningRhynchosporasectionTenues(Cyperaceae), a phylogenetic approach
Authors: Silva Filho Pedro J S , Thomas William W , Boldrini Ilsi I
Published: January 2021

Rhynchospora is one of the most species-rich genera of Cyperaceae, comprising c. 400 species in 28 sections. Rhyncospora section Tenues is one of the largest sections and one of the most problematic. Because it is morphologically similar to sections Laevinuces, Luzuliformes and Spermodontes, the characters traditionally used to distinguish section Tenues cannot be reliably used to place species into one of these four sections. These four sections are included in the Psilocarya group of Rhynchospora subgenus Rhynchospora with sections Psilocarya and Dichromena. Previous molecular studies of Rhynchospora indicate that species of the Psilocarya group form a clade and are sister to at least some species of the sections being studied here. Since only 11 of the estimated 41 species in these four sections were included in earlier phylogenetic studies, the relationships among these sections remain unclear. To elucidate these relationships, we conducted a molecular phylogenetic analysis for Rhynchospora, based on plastid trnL-F and nuclear ETS and ITS markers, emphasizing species in these four sections. Results show that sections Laevinuces, Spermodontes and Tenues are individually not monophyletic but, grouped together, form a well-supported clade, Rhynchospora section Tenues s.l. Rhynchospora section Luzuliformes is monophyletic but is not a sister clade of section Tenues.
Two mutations in a maize bronze-1 allele caused by transposable elements of the Ac-Ds family alter the quantity and quality of the gene product.
Authors: Schiefelbein J W , Furtek D B , Dooner H K , Nelson O E
Published: January 2021

The Dissociation (Ds) mutant, Bz-wm, of the maize bronze-1 (bz) locus conditions a leaky phenotype. Plants carrying this mutant allele synthesize a low amount of an altered Bz gene product, which leads to reduced anthocyanin pigmentation in the seed. The molecular analysis reported here shows that the Bz-wm mutant has a 406-bp Ds1 insertion located 63 bp 5' to the start of Bz transcription. Furthermore, the Bz-wm allele contains three additional base pairs within the second exon, relative to the wild-type Bz allele. These additional nucleotides are believed to be derived from the 8-bp target site duplication created by an Activator (Ac) element in a previous allele in the series. The biochemical and molecular analyses of Bz-wm and revertants of Bz-wm indicate that the three additional nucleotides are responsible for the altered enzyme stability, while the Ds1 element affects the steady-state level of Bz-specific protein and RNA. Since the two mutations present in the Bz-wm mutant were each caused by the action of the Ac-Ds transposable element system, these results provide new insights into the ways that transposable elements can modify maize gene expression.
Evolution by gene duplication and compensatory advantageous mutations.
Authors: Ohta T
Published: January 2021

Relaxation of selective constraint is thought to play an important role for evolution by gene duplication, in connection with compensatory advantageous mutant substitutions. Models were investigated by incorporating gene duplication by unequal crossing over, selection, mutation and random genetic drift into Monte Carlo simulations. Compensatory advantageous mutations were introduced, and simulations were carried out with and without relaxation, when genes are redundant on chromosomes. Relaxation was introduced by assuming that deleterious mutants have no effect on fitness, so long as one or more genes free of such mutations remain in the array. Compensatory mutations are characterized by the intermediate deleterious step of their substitutions, and therefore relaxation by gene redundancy is important. Through extensive Monte Carlo simulations, it was found that compensatory mutant substitutions require relaxation in addition to gene duplication, when mutant effects are large. However when mutant effects are small, such that the product of selection coefficient and population size is around unity, evolution by compensatory mutation is enhanced by gene duplication even without relaxation.
Chloroplast DNA diversity in populations of wild and cultivated barley.
Authors: Neale D B , Saghai-Maroof M A , Allard R W , Zhang Q , Jorgensen R A
Published: January 2021

Chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) diversity was found within and among populations (245 accessions total) of wild barley, Hordeum vulgare L. ssp. spontaneum Koch from Israel and Iran. Three polymorphic restriction sites (HindIII, EcoRI, BclI) which define three distinct cpDNA lineages were detected. One lineage is common to populations in the Hule Valley and Kinneret of northern Israel, and in Iran. The second lineage is found predominantly in the Lower Jordan Valley and Negev. The distribution of the third lineage is scattered but widespread throughout Israel. Sixty two accessions of cultivated barleys, H. vulgare L., were found, with two exceptions, to belong to just one cpDNA lineage of wild barley, indicating that the cpDNA of cultivated barley is less variable than its wild ancestor. These results demonstrate the need for assessing intraspecific cpDNA variability prior to choosing single accessions for phylogenetic constructions at the species level and higher.
Mechanisms of mutagenesis by a bulky DNA lesion at the guanine N7 position.
Authors: Sambamurti K , Callahan J , Luo X , Perkins C P , Jacobsen J S , Humayun M Z
Published: January 2021

In order to examine the mechanisms of mutagenesis by a bulky DNA lesion at the guanine N7 position, the replicative form DNA of phage M13AB28 (mp8 without the amber codons in phage genes) was modified in vitro with aflatoxin B1-2,3-dichloride and transfected into appropriate Escherichia coli cells. Forward mutations in the lacZ alpha-complementing gene segment were identified as light blue or colorless plaques on appropriate indicator plates, isolated, and defined by DNA sequencing. Transfection of modified DNA into uvrA-/mucAB+ cells without prior UV (SOS) induction increased mutation frequency eight-fold over untreated DNA, whereas this increase was 12-fold upon SOS induction. Transfection of modified DNA after conversion of the primary guanine-aflatoxin lesions to the stable imidazole ring-opened formamidopyrimidine-aflatoxin suggested that these lesions were nearly equally mutagenic. A majority of point mutations under all conditions affected G:C bp. Base substitutions were in the majority, but significant frameshift mutagenesis was also detected in SOS-induced cells. Both G-to-T transversions and G-to-A transitions were produced at equal efficiency and together accounted for virtually all of the base substitutions induced by the primary lesions. Point mutations occurred predominantly at predicted damage hotspots. The characteristics of base substitution and frameshift mutations, together with available information point to multiple mechanisms of mutagenesis by this class of mutagens. The data indicate that primary lesions have the properties of both a noninstructional and pseudo-instructional lesion. In addition, the sequence context appears to play a role in determining whether a frameshift or a base substitution is induced by this bulky lesion.
A MUTANT AFFECTING MEIOSIS IN NEUROSPORA
Authors: Smith David A
Published: January 2021

Many mutants affecting meiosis increase the occurrence of aneuploid meiotic products. In Neurospora, mutants of this type cause ascospore abortion which is reflected by an increase in the proportion of ascospores failing to develop black pigment. The usefulness of the criterion white-ascospore-production as a signal for the presence of a mutant affecting meiosis is demonstrated by the recovery of several such mutants. One of these is mei-1 (meiotic-1), a recessive mutant on linkage group IV. Crosses homozygous for mei-1 produce 90% white ascospores (vs. 5% in wild-type crosses). Viable ascospores, invariably black, are always disomic for one or more linkage groups; the chromatids assorted into viable ascospores do not engage in crossing over in meiosis. The distribution of viable ascospores in individual asci suggests that all meioses are defective in the first meiotic division, and that most meioses are defective in both divisions.
CHEMOTAXIS-DEFECTIVE MUTANTS OF THE NEMATODE CAENORHABDITIS ELEGANS
Authors: Dusenbery David B , Sheridan Robert E , Russell Richard L
Published: January 2021

The technique of countercurrent separation has been used to isolate 17 independent chemotaxis-defective mutants of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. The mutants, selected to be relatively insensitive to the normally attractive salt NaCl, show varying degrees of residual sensitivity; some are actually weakly repelled by NaCl. The mutants are due to single gene defects, are autosomal and recessive, and identify at least five complementation groups.
Data-driven measures to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in South America: how do regional programmes compare to best practice?
Authors: Blauth Taís Fernanda , Gstrein Oskar Josef
Published: January 2021

• This article analyses data-driven measures used in South America to mitigate the impact of COVID-19. Based on a broad review of relevant programmes in the region three selected cases from Argentina (Cuidar App), Brazil (use of personal data by IBGE), and Chile (CoronApp) are evaluated against best regional and international practices.

• Our findings suggest that programmes in South America mirror approaches in other global regions and as such face many similar challenges. There is no clearly defined purpose, a lack of transparency, and the need for readjustment soon after initial development.

• While the region is heavily affected by COVID-19, the three case-studies analysed demonstrate that policy makers in the region failed to establish trust in the measures. This can be deducted from low penetration rates of the programmes in Argentina and Chile.

• Finally, there are serious concerns regarding the long-term impact of these programmes upon human rights (especially privacy) and human dignity.
Empirical Results for High-definition Video and Augmented Reality Content Delivery in Hyper-connected Cars
Authors: Schipor Ovidiu-Andrei , Vatavu Radu-Daniel
Published: January 2021

Software architecture and applications for the connected car can process and share a variety of digital content, among which high-definition video and augmented reality (AR) content, toward enhanced driving assistance, navigation and infotainment systems and services. However, several technical challenges need to be overcome to make such systems and services viable and efficient, including dealing effectively with a variety of types of systems, devices and platforms, either installed inside the vehicle or represented by the personal mobile and wearable devices of the drivers and passengers. In this paper, we outline these technical challenges and propose a software solution in the form of an event-based middleware layer by modeling the smart, connected car as a specific type of a smart environment. We employ an adapted version of Euphoria, a recently introduced software architecture for general-purpose smart environments, to implement asynchronous communications among heterogeneous input/output devices inside the vehicle. We also adapt Euphoria to fit into the four-layer infrastructure model of the connected car. We conduct a technical evaluation of the request-response time performance achieved with the Euphoria middleware for streaming digital content from 1 Mbps (360p@30fps) to 32 Mbps (4K@30fps) on various devices, either integrated in the vehicle, not integrated but used inside the vehicle and devices outside the vehicle (the control condition). Our results show effective live streaming achieved for 2K content at 30fps with the 600 Mbps network (i.e., the connected car) and for 4K content at 30fps with the 1.7 Gbps network envisioned for hyper-connected vehicles. These results open up opportunities for high-definition video and AR applications in the automotive industry.
KINETIC SIMULATIONS OF THE THERMOLUMINESCENCE CHARACTERISTICS OF LIF:MG, TI INCORPORATING LOCALISED AND DELOCALISED RECOMBINATION
Authors: Eliyahu I , Oster L
Published: January 2021

Kinetic simulations of the thermoluminescence characteristics of LiF:Mg, Ti are reviewed in the framework of conduction band/valence band models. Delocalised recombination models have been mainly applied to the simulation of glow peak shapes, although comparison with experimental data has proven difficult if not impossible due to the scarcity of materials with demonstrably proven ‘single-peak’ glow curves. The delocalised models are incapable of the simulation of TL dose response linear/supralinear behaviour and the dependence of the supralinearity on particle energy. These characteristics require the incorporation of localised, nanodosimetric, recombination processes in the TL mechanisms. These investigations have simulated many of the TL characteristics of LiF:Mg, Ti in kinetic models based on a mixture of both delocalised and localised recombination.
Cis-regulatory Element Hijacking by Structural Variants Overshadows Higher-Order Topological Changes in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Hawley James R. , Zhou Stanley , Arlidge Christopher , Grillo Giacomo , Kron Ken , Hugh-White Rupert , van der Kwast Theodorus , Fraser Michael , Boutros Paul C. , Bristow Robert G. , Lupien Mathieu
Published: January 2021

Prostate cancer is a heterogeneous disease whose progression is linked to genome instability. However the impact of this instability on the three-dimensional chromatin organization and how this drives progression is unclear. Using primary benign and tumour tissue, we find a high concordance in the higher-order three-dimensional genome organization across normal and prostate cancer cells. This concordance argues for constraints to the topology of prostate tumour genomes. Nonetheless, we identify changes to focal chromatin interactions and show how structural variants can induce these changes to guidecis-regulatory element hijacking. Such events result in opposing differential expression on genes found at antipodes of rearrangements. Collectively, our results argue thatcis-regulatory element hijacking from structural variant-induced altered focal chromatin interactions overshadows higher-order topological changes in the development of primary prostate cancer.
SARS-CoV-2 RBD in vitro evolution follows contagious mutation spread, yet generates an able infection inhibitor
Authors: Zahradník Jiří , Marciano Shir , Shemesh Maya , Zoler Eyal , Chiaravalli Jeanne , Meyer Björn , Rudich Yinon , Dym Orly , Elad Nadav , Schreiber Gideon
Published: January 2021

SARS-CoV-2 is continually evolving, with more contagious mutations spreading rapidly. Using in vitro evolution to affinity maturate the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein towards ACE2 resulted in the more contagious mutations, S477N, E484K, and N501Y, to be among the first selected, explaining the convergent evolution of the “European” (20E-EU1), “British” (501.V1),”South African” (501.V2), and ‘‘Brazilian” variants (501.V3). Plotting the binding affinity to ACE2 of all RBD mutations against their incidence in the population shows a strong correlation between the two. Further in vitro evolution enhancing binding by 600-fold provides guidelines towards potentially new evolving mutations with even higher infectivity. For example, Q498R epistatic to N501Y. Nevertheless, the high-affinity RBD is also an efficient drug, inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 infection. The 2.9Å Cryo-EM structure of the high-affinity complex, including all rapidly spreading mutations, provides a structural basis for future drug and vaccine development and for in silico evaluation of known antibodies.