bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Motives of hostile takeovers of transport corporations
Authors: Gerasimenko A
Published: October 2020

At the present stage of development of the transport corporations global market, mergers and acquisitions are widespread. Acquisitions are friendly and hostile. The process of friendly takeover is always preceded by negotiations between the parties. In a hostile takeover, the management of the target company is completely disconnected from the share buyback process. Creating protection against a hostile takeover is the goal of any business, it can serve the interests of the shareholders of the target company if the latter wish to maximize their profits from the sale of their shareholding and have additional arguments for the forced sale of the company. Protection a transport corporation against hostile takeover is the whole range of actions that the board of directors and company management take to reduce the likelihood of a company takeover. To build effective defense of a company, it is very important to understand what motives the aggressors are guided by during a hostile takeover. The question of the motives of the hostile takeover is a key one, but it has not yet received adequate coverage in the theory and practice of corporate governance. This article presents patterns of behavior of takeover participants, analyzes their motives, and evaluates the development of the institution of hostile takeovers of transport corporations.
Legal regulation of sanitary protection zones
Authors: Leskova J
Published: October 2020

The article discusses the main issues of legal regulation of establishment of sanitary protection zones during construction of real estate for transport companies, which directly affect environmental component of transport and construction business and rights of citizens. At present, Russia has legislation establishing sanitary protection zones based on the 2000 classification of industrial facilities and requirements for limiting economic activity within the boundaries of such zones. Existing modern system of Russian legislation on sanitary protection zones is criticized for following points: 1) classification of industrial enterprises requires revision taking into account modern realities; 2) current Russian legislation does not fix the obligation of transport and construction (operating) organizations to plant greenery in sanitary protection zones (at the municipal level, this gap is not always eliminated); 3) the issue of developing common sanitary protection zones for several enterprises has not been resolved; 4) it is required to decide on the need to develop recommendations for landscaping of sanitary protection zones and develop recommendations on landscaping of sanitary zones by the entrepreneurial community (an association of builders - self-regulatory organizations). The foregoing emphasizes the need to conduct research on indicated points. The study was prepared with financial support of Russian Federal Property Fund, the project “Self-regulatory organization as a legal model for implementation and development of social entrepreneurship in the construction sector” No. 18-011-00974.
Research of the needs of passengers of the transport infrastructure of a municipal organization
Authors: Balabanova A
Published: October 2020

The article researches the needs of passengers of the transport infrastructure of a municipal organization, and analyzes the degree of satisfaction of requests from citizens. The article used the method of expert evaluation. In particular, a survey was conducted of citizens who used the municipal bus stations, as well as a conversation with the employees of the bus stations. The survey was conducted in February 2020 at two municipal bus stations in Sochi. To reduce the cost, increase the efficiency and speed of the process, a larger number of questionnaires were distributed electronically and in the paper form directly at the station. The questionnaires were also distributed through social networks and in the form of a QR code in vehicles and on the territory of bus stations. As a result, the following was investigated: passenger satisfaction with openness, completeness, and accessibility of information; passenger satisfaction with timely updating of information and compliance of information with the approved schedule; satisfaction with the comfort of the station conditions; assessment of the friendliness and courtesy of bus station employees; direct communication assessment; performance assessment.
Numerical simulation analysis of effect of energy band alignment and functional layer thickness on the performance for perovskite solar cells with Cd1-xZnxS electron transport layer
Authors: Yu Xing , Zou Xiaoping , Cheng Jin , Chang Chuangchuang , Zhou Zixiao , Li Guangdong , Liu Baoyu , Wang Junqi , Chen Dan , Yao Yujun
Published: October 2020

Energy band alignment between perovskite layer and charge transport layers is critical to the perovskite solar cell efficiency. The thickness of functional layers also has a great influence on the device performance. We have optimized the energy band alignment at the interface between electron transport layer (ETL) and perovskite layer by using appropriate Cd1-xZnxS ETL (x represents the Zn molar concentration). Different hole transport layers (HTLs) have also been selected to address the mismatching energy band alignment at perovskite/HTL interface. Additionally, the thickness of Cd1-xZnxS ETL and perovskite layer (MAPbI3) has been optimized. We performed all the analysis via numerical simulation with wx Analysis of Microelectronic and Photonic Structures (wxAMPS) software. We also compared the results obtained in this study, with results reported in other literature to ascertain the validity of the results. The results show that the device performance could be improved by appropriately increasing the molar concentration of Zn in Cd1-xZnxS. Spike-type energy band structure at the interface of MAPbI3/HTL could favor the performance of perovskite solar cells when MASnBr3 is adopted as HTL. Appropriate ETL and perovskite layer thickness would increase the short circuit current and reduce the recombination loss.
Relativistic aberration and null Doppler shift within the framework of superluminal and subluminal nondiffracting waves
Authors: Saari Peeter , Besieris Ioannis M
Published: October 2020

We reveal relations between superluminal and subluminal spatiotemporally localized optical pulses and the phenomena of the relativistic aberration of a wavevector and the Doppler shift. It turns out that such waves are Lorentz-transformed versions of simple optical waves generated in another reference frame. The requirement of a null Doppler shift is shown to give rise to a speed associated with the relativistic velocity addition law of a double (two-step) Lorentz transformation. The effects of such a transformation are examined both in terms of four-coordinates and in the spectral domain. It is established that a subluminal pulse reverses its direction. In addition to a change in direction, the propagation term of a superluminal pulse becomes negative. The aberration due to a double Lorentz transformation is examined in detail for propagation invariant superluminal waves (X wave, Bessel X wave), as well as intensity-invariant superluminal and subluminal waves. Detailed symmetry considerations are provided for the superluminal focus X wave and the subluminal MacKinnon wavepacket.
Self-Location in Interactive Fiction
Authors: Antonsen Paal Fjeldvig
Published: October 2020

The aim of this paper is to make sense of a characteristic feature of interactive fictions, such as video game fictions, adventure books and role playing games. In particular, I describe one important way consumers of interactive fiction ‘take on the role’ of a fictional character and are ‘involved’ in the story. I argue that appreciative engagement with such works requires imagining being someone else and imagining parts of the story in a self-locating manner. In short, consuming works of interactive fiction involves imagining the story from the protagonist’s perspective.
A review of current ophthalmic anaesthetic practice
Authors: McRae Laura , Presland Andrew
Published: October 2020

Intro

Ophthalmic surgery ranks among the commonest procedures performed worldwide. This review considers the range of anaesthetic techniques available to the modern ophthalmic anaesthetist, and practical considerations to evaluate in different circumstances. There is a brief summary of the main issues pertaining to the common ophthalmic subspecialties and operations.

Sources of data

Pubmed.

Areas of agreement

We present a view of contemporary ophthalmic anaesthetic practice as we see it, both from current UK clinical experience, and the available published evidence.

Areas of controversy

There is an ongoing debate about the safety of sharp needle blocks (SNBs) compared to subtenons and topical techniques, but SNBs still have a role to play, both in specific cases, and in circumstances where resources are limited.

Growing points

It remains a challenge to provide safe, cost effective anaesthesia to a growing patient base with ever increasing demands and medical comorbidities. There is a continuing trend towards replacing general with local anaesthesia where possible.

Research

Research in ophthalmic anaesthesia, as in so many areas, has been plagued by heterogeneity and small studies. A coordinated, large scale, multicentred approach to research questions in future would help to guide best practice with more certainty.
Disentangling the ecological basis of floral trait variation in NeotropicalPiperspecies
Authors: Valentin-Silva Adriano , Batalha Marco Antonio , Guimarães Elza
Published: October 2020

In generalist pollination systems, it has been assumed that pollinators play a minor role in the diversification of floral traits, but recent studies have pointed to a different scenario. Although pollination in Piper is considered generalist, there are flower and inflorescence variations among subclades that may be associated with different pollinator functional groups. Based on this, we aimed to test whether pollinators influenced the evolution of floral traits in a clade of generalist plants, by studying 17 co-occurring Piper spp. Sixteen species were insect-pollinated (46 species: bees, beetles and flies). We found no evidence of anemophily. Eight species were dependent on pollen vectors for sexual reproduction, but no correlation between floral and pollinator traits was recorded. None of the floral traits presented phylogenetic signal, and the evolution of these traits was not correlated. Nine species were independent of pollen vectors for sexual reproduction. We did not find any evidence of pollinator-driven floral diversification of Piper spp.; we suggest a possible role of abiotic factors as agents of selection on floral diversification. As self-pollination seems to be a common feature in the genus, the flexibility of mating systems could be another important factor related to the maintenance of floral phenotypic variation.
Sensorimotor cortex beta oscillations reflect motor skill learning ability after stroke
Authors: Espenhahn Svenja , Rossiter Holly E , van Wijk Bernadette C M , Redman Nell , Rondina Jane M , Diedrichsen Joern , Ward Nick S
Published: October 2020

Recovery of skilled movement after stroke is assumed to depend on motor learning. However, the capacity for motor learning and factors that influence motor learning after stroke have received little attention. In this study, we first compared motor skill acquisition and retention between well-recovered stroke patients and age- and performance-matched healthy controls. We then tested whether beta oscillations (15–30 Hz) from sensorimotor cortices contribute to predicting training-related motor performance. Eighteen well-recovered chronic stroke survivors (mean age 64 ± 8 years, range: 50–74 years) and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were trained on a continuous tracking task and subsequently retested after initial training (45–60 min and 24 h later). Scalp electroencephalography was recorded during the performance of a simple motor task before each training and retest session. Stroke patients demonstrated capacity for motor skill learning, but it was diminished compared to age- and performance-matched healthy controls. Furthermore, although the properties of beta oscillations prior to training were comparable between stroke patients and healthy controls, stroke patients did show less change in beta measures with motor learning. Lastly, although beta oscillations did not help to predict motor performance immediately after training, contralateral (ipsilesional) sensorimotor cortex post-movement beta rebound measured after training helped predict future motor performance, 24 h after training. This finding suggests that neurophysiological measures such as beta oscillations can help predict response to motor training in chronic stroke patients and may offer novel targets for therapeutic interventions.
Community development and financialization: making the connections
Authors: Finnegan Fergal , McCrea Niamh , Chasaide Nessa Ní
Published: October 2020

The current period of finance-driven capitalism, which can be broadly dated from the mid-1970s, has had profound implications for community development. Yet there is relatively little sustained engagement with research on financialized capitalism in community development circles. Bringing together writers and activists from a variety of contexts, the purpose of this special issue is to demonstrate the significance of financialization and its connections, on various levels, to community development globally. This introductory article synthesizes the insights of our contributors with scholarship from the fields of critical political economy, economic and historical sociology, and social movement studies, among others. In doing so, it analyses the diverse and variegated ways financialized capitalism is affecting communities’ access to public resources, affordable housing, safe and stable livelihoods, and a clean and healthy environment. We also highlight how the complexity and depth of financialization, and the extent to which it relies on highly specialized and inaccessible forms of knowledge to reproduce itself, impacts on community development as a form of praxis. The institutional cover provided to the system of finance by states and international financial institutions, and by certain NGOs and community organizations, has deeply embedded financialization at macro, micro and meso levels of the economy and society. However, while financialization places profound and often insurmountable constraints on community development’s democratic ideals, some of our contributors have pointed to possible ways forward. These are characterized by intensive popular education, political engagement and action. We also outline these in the hope that the special issue will contribute to more discussion of these vital processes and stimulate further purposive action.
Intention to receive a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 in Italy and its association with trust, worry and beliefs about the origin of the virus
Authors: Prati Gabriele
Published: October 2020

The aim of the current study was to determine the extent to which Italian people intend to receive a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 and to investigate its associations with worry, institutional trust and beliefs about the non-natural origin of the virus. A sample of 624 people living in Italy was recruited in April 2020 using an online platform. The survey included questions about intention to receive a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, trust, worry and beliefs about the origin of the virus. Most respondents (75.8%) intended to receive a vaccine, while 32 (5.1%) and 63 (10.1%) participants responded ‘No’ and ‘I do not know’, respectively. The remaining participants (9.0%) chose not to respond to this question. Controlling for socio-demographic factors, a multinomial logistic regression model revealed that no intention to receive a vaccine was associated with lower levels of worry and institutional trust, while increased odds for responding ‘do not know’ were found among participants holding beliefs about the non-natural origin of the virus. Vaccine acceptance may not be sufficient to establish a high level of herd immunity and a successful implementation of new pandemic vaccination programs should take into account trust, conspiracy beliefs and worry.
Fecal Microbiota Alterations Associated With Clinical and Endoscopic Response to Infliximab Therapy in Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Zhuang Xiaojun , Tian Zhenyi , Feng Rui , Li Manying , Li Tong , Zhou Gaoshi , Qiu Yun , Chen Baili , He Yao , Chen Minhu , Zeng Zhirong , Zhang Shenghong
Published: October 2020

Background

Gut microbiota dysbiosis is associated with the occurrence and development of Crohn disease (CD). Currently, infliximab (IFX) is used more and more to treat CD; however, gut microbiota alterations during IFX therapy are variable and sometimes even contradictory. We longitudinally identified microbial changes during IFX therapy associated with the clinical and endoscopic response to IFX treatment in CD.

Methods

Fecal-associated microbiota was analyzed using 16S sequencing in 49 patients with active CD who were prospectively recruited at baseline, week 6, and week 30, respectively. Moreover, a model trained on the gut microbiota alterations at week 6 was developed to investigate their potential to predict clinical and endoscopic responses to IFX therapy at weeks 14 and 30.

Results

Characteristics of fecal microbiota composition in patients with CD after IFX treatment displayed an increased diversity and richness, a significant gain in short-chain fatty acid -producing bacteria, and a loss of pathogenic bacteria. Furthermore, certain functional profiles of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways were predictably altered during the treatment period. Increased proportions of Lachnospiraceae and Blautia were associated with IFX efficacy; the combined increase of these taxa at week 6 showed 83.4% and 84.2% accuracy in predicting clinical response at weeks 14 and 30, respectively, with a predictive value of 89.1% in predicting endoscopic response at week 30.

Conclusions

We found that IFX diminished CD-related gut microbial dysbiosis by modifying microbiota composition and function. Specifically, increased Lachnospiraceae and Blautia at week 6 are associated with the clinical and endoscopic response to IFX, providing potentially predictive biomarkers for IFX treatment decision-making.
Solving multiobjective optimal control problems using an improved scalarization method
Authors: Askarirobati Gholam Hosein , Borzabadi Akbar Hashemi , Heydari Aghileh
Published: October 2020

Detecting the Pareto optimal points on the Pareto frontier is one of the most important topics in multiobjective optimal control problems (MOCPs). This paper presents a scalarization technique to construct an approximate Pareto frontier of MOCPs, using an improved normal boundary intersection (NBI) scalarization strategy. For this purpose, MOCP is first discretized and then using a grid of weights, a sequence of single objective optimal control problems is solved to achieve a uniform distribution of Pareto optimal solutions on the Pareto frontier. The aim is to achieve a more even distribution of Pareto optimal solutions on the Pareto frontier and improve the efficiency of the algorithm. It is shown that in contrast to the NBI method, where Pareto optimality of solutions is not guaranteed, the obtained optimal solution of the scalarized problem is a Pareto optimal solution of the MOCP. Finally, the ability of the proposed method is evaluated and compared with other approaches using several practical MOCPs. The numerical results indicate that the proposed method is more efficient and provides more uniform distribution of solutions on the Pareto frontier than the other methods, such a weighted sum, normalized normal constraint and NBI.
Necrotizing Enterocolitis and the Microbiome: Current Status and Future Directions
Authors: Thänert Robert , Keen Eric C , Dantas Gautam , Warner Barbara B , Tarr Phillip I
Published: October 2020

Decades of research have failed to define the pathophysiology of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a devastating pediatric gastrointestinal disorder of preterm infants. However, evidence suggests that host-microbiota interactions, in which microbial dysbiosis is followed by loss of barrier integrity, inflammation, and necrosis, are central to NEC development. Thus, greater knowledge of the preterm infant microbiome could accelerate attempts to diagnose, treat, and prevent NEC. In this article, we summarize clinical characteristics of and risk factors for NEC, the structure of the pre-event NEC microbiome, how this community interfaces with host immunology, and microbiome-based approaches that might prevent or lessen the severity of NEC in this very vulnerable population.
No Changes in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Suppression and Inflammatory Markers in Cerebrospinal Fluid in Patients Randomly Switched to Dolutegravir Plus Lamivudine (Spanish HIV/AIDS Research Network, PreEC/RIS 62)
Authors: Tiraboschi Juan M , Rojas Jhon , Zetterberg Henrik , Blennow Kaj , Niubo Jordi , Gostner Johanna , Navarro-Alcaraz Antonio , Piatti Camila , Fuchs Dietmar , Gisslén Magnus , Rigo-Bonnin Raul , Martinez Esteban , Podzamczer Daniel
Published: October 2020

A major concern of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) dual therapy is a potentially lower efficacy in viral reservoirs, especially in the central nervous system (CNS). We evaluated HIV RNA, neuronal injury, and inflammatory biomarkers and dolutegravir (DTG) exposure in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in patients switching to DTG plus lamivudine (3TC). All participants maintained viral suppression in plasma and CSF at week 48. We observed no increase in CSF markers of inflammation or neuronal injury. Median (interquartile range) total and unbound DTG in CSF were 7.3 (5.9–8.4) and 1.7 (1.2–1.9) ng/mL, respectively. DTG+3TC may maintain viral control without changes in inflammatory/injury markers within the CNS reservoir.
Complement Activation in the Disease Course of Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Its Effects on Clinical Outcomes
Authors: de Nooijer Aline H , Grondman Inge , Janssen Nico A F , Netea Mihai G , Willems Loek , van de Veerdonk Frank L , Giamarellos-Bourboulis Evangelos J , Toonen Erik J M , Joosten Leo A B ,   RCI-COVID-19 study group, Jaeger Martin , Dijkstra Helga , Lemmers Heidi , van Emst Liesbeth , Schraa Kiki , Jacobs Cor , Hijmans Anneke , Jansen Trees , Weren Fieke , Fransman Liz , Gerretsen Jelle , van de Maat Josephine , Nijman Gerine , Moorlag Simone , Taks Esther , Debisarun Priya , Kouijzer Ilse , Wertheim Heiman , Hopman Joost , Rahamat-Langendoen Janette , Bleeker-Rovers Chantal , ten Oever Jaap , van Crevel Reinout , Hoogerwerf Jacobien , de Mast Quirijn , van der Hoeven Hans , Pickkers Peter , Kox Matthijs , Frenzel Tim , Schouten Jeroen , Hemelaar Pleun , Beunders Remi , van der Velde Sjef , Kooistra Emma , Waalders Nicole , Claassen Wout , Heesakkers Hidde , van Schaik Tirsa , van der Eng Hetty , Rovers Noortje , Klop-Riehl Margreet
Published: October 2020

Background

Excessive activation of immune responses in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is considered to be related to disease severity, complications, and mortality rate. The complement system is an important component of innate immunity and can stimulate inflammation, but its role in COVID-19 is unknown.

Methods

A prospective, longitudinal, single center study was performed in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Plasma concentrations of complement factors C3a, C3c, and terminal complement complex (TCC) were assessed at baseline and during hospital admission. In parallel, routine laboratory and clinical parameters were collected from medical files and analyzed.

Results

Complement factors C3a, C3c, and TCC were significantly increased in plasma of patients with COVID-19 compared with healthy controls (P < .05). These complement factors were especially elevated in intensive care unit patients during the entire disease course (P < .005 for C3a and TCC). More intense complement activation was observed in patients who died and in those with thromboembolic events.

Conclusions

Patients with COVID-19 demonstrate activation of the complement system, which is related to disease severity. This pathway may be involved in the dysregulated proinflammatory response associated with increased mortality rate and thromboembolic complications. Components of the complement system might have potential as prognostic markers for disease severity and as therapeutic targets in COVID-19.
Low Inducibility of Latent Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Proviruses as a Major Barrier to Cure
Authors: Siliciano Janet D , Siliciano Robert F
Published: October 2020

The latent reservoir for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in resting CD4+ T cells is a major barrier to cure. The dimensions of the reservoir problem can be defined with 2 assays. A definitive minimal estimate of the frequency of latently infected cells is provided by the quantitative viral outgrowth assay (QVOA), which detects cells that can be induced by T-cell activation to release infectious virus. In contrast, the intact proviral DNA assay (IPDA) detects all genetically intact proviruses and provides a more accurate upper limit on reservoir size than standard single-amplicon polymerase chain reaction assays which mainly detect defective proviruses. The frequency of cells capable of initiating viral rebound on interruption of antiretroviral therapy lies between the values produced by the QVOA and the IPDA. We argue here that the 1–2-log difference between QVOA and IPDA values in part reflects that the fact that many replication-competent proviruses are not readily induced by T-cell activation. Findings of earlier studies suggest that latently infected cells can be activated to proliferate in vivo without expressing viral genes. The proliferating cells nevertheless retain the ability to produce virus on subsequent stimulation. The low inducibility of latent proviruses is a major problem for the shock-and-kill strategy for curing HIV-1 infection, which uses latency-reversing agents to induce viral gene expression and render infected cells susceptible to immune clearance. The latency-reversing agents developed to date are much less effective at reversing latency than T-cell activation. Taken together, these results indicate that HIV-1 eradication will require the discovery of much more effective ways to induce viral gene expression.
Singular patterns of skull shape and brain size change in the domestication of South American camelids
Authors: Balcarcel A M , Sánchez-Villagra M R , Segura V , Evin A
Published: October 2020

Patterns of selection in South American camelids (Lamini) and their unique demographic history establish the llama and alpaca as remarkable cases of domestication among large herd animals. Skull shape is implicated in many changes reported between wild and domestic taxa. We apply 3D geometric morphometric methods to describe skull shape, form, and size, differences among the four species of Lamini. In so doing, we test if domesticated Lamini exhibit changes similar to those in other domesticated groups: not only in the skull, but also in brain and body size. In contrast to other domesticated artiodactyls, very little change has occurred in domestic alpacas and llamas compared to their wild counterparts. Nevertheless, their differences are statistically significant and include a flatter cranium, inclined palate and increased airorhynchy in the domestics. Selection pressures that contrast with those on other herd animals, as well as recent population bottlenecks, likely have influenced the morphological patterns we note in Lamini. High-resolution 3D morphospace allows skull size, shape, and form (shape + size), to discriminate all four species, with form providing the greatest separation. These results help differentiate morphologically the Lamini, which in nature are distinguished mainly by body size, and provide an additional tool to archaeologists for distinction of wild and domestic remains. Most of our shape analyses suggest a marginally closer relationship between the alpaca and vicuña, to the exclusion of the guanaco, supporting the genetic relationships for this group. The expected brain size change between wild and domestic populations is lower than previously thought, with a 15.4% reduction in llama, and 6.8% reduction in alpaca. This is the lowest reduction in brain size thus far reported among domesticated Artiodactyla.
High-resolution spectroscopy of SN 2017hcc and its blueshifted line profiles from post-shock dust formation
Authors: Smith Nathan , Andrews Jennifer E
Published: October 2020

SN 2017hcc was remarkable for being a nearby and strongly polarized superluminous Type IIn supernova (SN). We obtained high-resolution Echelle spectra that we combine with other spectra to investigate its line-profile evolution. All epochs reveal narrow P Cygni components from pre-shock circumstellar material (CSM), indicating an axisymmetric outflow from the progenitor of 40–50 km s−1. Broad and intermediate-width components exhibit the classic evolution seen in luminous SNe IIn: symmetric Lorentzian profiles from pre-shock CSM lines broadened by electron scattering at early times, transitioning at late times to multicomponent, irregular profiles coming from the SN ejecta and post-shock shell. As in many SNe IIn, profiles show a progressively increasing blueshift, with a clear flux deficit in red wings of the intermediate and broad velocity components after day 200. This blueshift develops after the continuum luminosity fades, and in the intermediate-width component, persists at late times even after the SN ejecta fade. In SN 2017hcc, the blueshift cannot be explained as occultation by the SN photosphere, pre-shock acceleration of CSM, or a lopsided explosion of CSM. Instead, the blueshift arises from dust formation in the post-shock shell and in the SN ejecta. The effect has a wavelength dependence characteristic of dust, exhibiting an extinction law consistent with large grains. Thus, SN 2017hcc experienced post-shock dust formation and had a mildly bipolar CSM shell, similar to SN 2010jl. Like other superluminous SNe IIn, the progenitor lost around 10 M⊙ due to extreme eruptive mass-loss in the decade before exploding.
Superfluid vortex-mediated mutual friction in non-homogeneous neutron star interiors
Authors: Antonelli M , Haskell B
Published: October 2020

Understanding the average motion of a multitude of superfluid vortices in the interior of a neutron star is a key ingredient for most theories of pulsar glitches. In this paper, we propose a kinetic approach to compute the mutual friction force that is responsible for the momentum exchange between the normal and superfluid components in a neutron star, where the mutual friction is extracted from a suitable average over the motion of many vortex lines. As a first step towards a better modelling of the repinning and depinning processes of many vortex lines in a neutron star, we consider here only straight and non-interacting vortices: we adopt a minimal model for the dynamics of an ensemble of point vortices in two dimensions immersed in a non-homogeneous medium that acts as a pinning landscape. Since the degree of disorder in the inner crust or outer core of a neutron star is unknown, we compare the two possible scenarios of periodic and disordered pinscapes. This approach allows us to extract the mutual friction between the superfluid and the normal component in the star when, in addition to the usual Magnus and drag forces acting on vortex lines, also a pinning force is at work. The effect of disorder on the depinning transition is also discussed.
Eta carinae and the homunculus: far infrared/submillimetre spectral lines detected with the Herschel Space Observatory
Authors: Gull T R , Morris P W , Black J H , Nielsen K E , Barlow M J , Royer P , Swinyard B M
Published: October 2020

The evolved massive binary star η Carinae underwent eruptive mass-loss events that formed the complex bi-polar ‘Homunculus’ nebula harbouring tens of solar masses of unusually nitrogen-rich gas and dust. Despite expectations for the presence of a significant molecular component to the gas, detections have been observationally challenged by limited access to the far-infrared and the intense thermal continuum. A spectral survey of the atomic and rotational molecular transitions was carried out with the Herschel Space Observatory, revealing a rich spectrum of broad emission lines originating in the ejecta. Velocity profiles of selected PACS lines correlate well with known substructures: H i in the central core; NH and weak [C ii] within the Homunculus; and [N ii] emissions in fast-moving structures external to the Homunculus. We have identified transitions from [O i], H i, and 18 separate light C- and O-bearing molecules including CO, CH, CH+, and OH, and a wide set of N-bearing molecules: NH, NH+, N2H+, NH2, NH3, HCN, HNC, CN, and N2H+. Half of these are new detections unprecedented for any early-type massive star environment. A very low ratio [12C/13C] ≤ 4 is estimated from five molecules and their isotopologues. We demonstrate that non-LTE effects due to the strong continuum are significant. Abundance patterns are consistent with line formation in regions of carbon and oxygen depletions with nitrogen enhancements, reflecting an evolved state of the erupting star with efficient transport of CNO-processed material to the outer layers. The results offer many opportunities for further observational and theoretical investigations of the molecular chemistry under extreme physical and chemical conditions around massive stars in their final stages of evolution.
Ensembl 2021
Authors: Howe Kevin L , Achuthan Premanand , Allen James , Allen Jamie , Alvarez-Jarreta Jorge , Amode M Ridwan , Armean Irina M , Azov Andrey G , Bennett Ruth , Bhai Jyothish , Billis Konstantinos , Boddu Sanjay , Charkhchi Mehrnaz , Cummins Carla , Da Rin Fioretto Luca , Davidson Claire , Dodiya Kamalkumar , El Houdaigui Bilal , Fatima Reham , Gall Astrid , Garcia Giron Carlos , Grego Tiago , Guijarro-Clarke Cristina , Haggerty Leanne , Hemrom Anmol , Hourlier Thibaut , Izuogu Osagie G , Juettemann Thomas , Kaikala Vinay , Kay Mike , Lavidas Ilias , Le Tuan , Lemos Diana , Gonzalez Martinez Jose , Marugán José Carlos , Maurel Thomas , McMahon Aoife C , Mohanan Shamika , Moore Benjamin , Muffato Matthieu , Oheh Denye N , Paraschas Dimitrios , Parker Anne , Parton Andrew , Prosovetskaia Irina , Sakthivel Manoj P , Salam Ahamed I Abdul , Schmitt Bianca M , Schuilenburg Helen , Sheppard Dan , Steed Emily , Szpak Michal , Szuba Marek , Taylor Kieron , Thormann Anja , Threadgold Glen , Walts Brandon , Winterbottom Andrea , Chakiachvili Marc , Chaubal Ameya , De Silva Nishadi , Flint Bethany , Frankish Adam , Hunt Sarah E , IIsley Garth R , Langridge Nick , Loveland Jane E , Martin Fergal J , Mudge Jonathan M , Morales Joanella , Perry Emily , Ruffier Magali , Tate John , Thybert David , Trevanion Stephen J , Cunningham Fiona , Yates Andrew D , Zerbino Daniel R , Flicek Paul
Published: October 2020

The Ensembl project (https://www.ensembl.org) annotates genomes and disseminates genomic data for vertebrate species. We create detailed and comprehensive annotation of gene structures, regulatory elements and variants, and enable comparative genomics by inferring the evolutionary history of genes and genomes. Our integrated genomic data are made available in a variety of ways, including genome browsers, search interfaces, specialist tools such as the Ensembl Variant Effect Predictor, download files and programmatic interfaces. Here, we present recent Ensembl developments including two new website portals. Ensembl Rapid Release (http://rapid.ensembl.org) is designed to provide core tools and services for genomes as soon as possible and has been deployed to support large biodiversity sequencing projects. Our SARS-CoV-2 genome browser (https://covid-19.ensembl.org) integrates our own annotation with publicly available genomic data from numerous sources to facilitate the use of genomics in the international scientific response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We also report on other updates to our annotation resources, tools and services. All Ensembl data and software are freely available without restriction.
Development and validation of a risk score for the prediction of cardiovascular disease in living donor kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Ueki Kenji , Tsuchimoto Akihiro , Matsukuma Yuta , Nakagawa Kaneyasu , Tsujikawa Hiroaki , Masutani Kosuke , Tanaka Shigeru , Kaku Keizo , Noguchi Hiroshi , Okabe Yasuhiro , Unagami Kohei , Kakuta Yoichi , Okumi Masayoshi , Nakamura Masafumi , Tsuruya Kazuhiko , Nakano Toshiaki , Tanabe Kazunari , Kitazono Takanari ,   Japan Academic Consortium of Kidney Transplantation investigators
Published: October 2020

Background

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of death in kidney transplant (KT) recipients. To improve their long-term survival, it is clinically important to estimate the risk of CVD after living donor KT via adequate pre-transplant CVD screening.

Methods

A derivation cohort containing 331 KT recipients underwent living donor KT at Kyushu University Hospital from January 2006 to December 2012. A prediction model was retrospectively developed and risk scores were investigated via a Cox proportional hazards regression model. The discrimination and calibration capacities of the prediction model were estimated via the c-statistic and the Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness of fit test. External validation was estimated via the same statistical methods by applying the model to a validation cohort of 300 KT recipients who underwent living donor KT at Tokyo Women’s Medical University Hospital.

Results

In the derivation cohort, 28 patients (8.5%) had CVD events during the observation period. Recipient age, CVD history, diabetic nephropathy, dialysis vintage, serum albumin and proteinuria at 12 months after KT were significant predictors of CVD. A prediction model consisting of integer risk scores demonstrated good discrimination (c-statistic 0.88) and goodness of fit (Hosmer–Lemeshow test P = 0.18). In a validation cohort, the model demonstrated moderate discrimination (c-statistic 0.77) and goodness of fit (Hosmer–Lemeshow test P = 0.15), suggesting external validity.

Conclusions

The above-described simple model for predicting CVD after living donor KT was accurate and useful in clinical situations.
Policing, State Repression, and the Pro-Democracy Movement in Hong Kong
Authors: Maguire Edward R
Published: October 2020

Stott and his coauthors report on findings from their study of the police response to protests in Hong Kong. Their analysis is based on the Elaborated Social Identity Model (ESIM), a powerful framework for understanding the dynamic interplay between protesters and police. They find that by responding in an overly forceful and indiscriminate manner, the police triggered psychological changes among protesters that intensified these events and led to greater levels of disorder. In this reaction essay, I comment on the findings of Stott and his coauthors. I also note how the coercive policing practices used by Hong Kong’s police during the protests harm their relationships with the public, diminish the perceived legitimacy of the police, and undermine human rights.
Perceptual Gains and Losses in Synesthesia and Schizophrenia
Authors: van Leeuwen Tessa M , Sauer Andreas , Jurjut Anna-Maria , Wibral Michael , Uhlhaas Peter J , Singer Wolf , Melloni Lucia
Published: October 2020

Individual differences in perception are widespread. Considering inter-individual variability, synesthetes experience stable additional sensations; schizophrenia patients suffer perceptual deficits in, eg, perceptual organization (alongside hallucinations and delusions). Is there a unifying principle explaining inter-individual variability in perception? There is good reason to believe perceptual experience results from inferential processes whereby sensory evidence is weighted by prior knowledge about the world. Perceptual variability may result from different precision weighting of sensory evidence and prior knowledge. We tested this hypothesis by comparing visibility thresholds in a perceptual hysteresis task across medicated schizophrenia patients (N = 20), synesthetes (N = 20), and controls (N = 26). Participants rated the subjective visibility of stimuli embedded in noise while we parametrically manipulated the availability of sensory evidence. Additionally, precise long-term priors in synesthetes were leveraged by presenting either synesthesia-inducing or neutral stimuli. Schizophrenia patients showed increased visibility thresholds, consistent with overreliance on sensory evidence. In contrast, synesthetes exhibited lowered thresholds exclusively for synesthesia-inducing stimuli suggesting high-precision long-term priors. Additionally, in both synesthetes and schizophrenia patients explicit, short-term priors—introduced during the hysteresis experiment—lowered thresholds but did not normalize perception. Our results imply that perceptual variability might result from differences in the precision afforded to prior beliefs and sensory evidence, respectively.
Economic assessment of a community-based care package for people with lower limb disorder caused by lymphatic filariasis, podoconiosis and leprosy in Ethiopia
Authors: Hounsome Natalia , Kinfe Mersha , Semrau Maya , Ali Oumer , Tesfaye Abraham , Mengiste Asrat , Bremner Stephen , Ahmed Abdulkadir , Fekadu Abebaw , Davey Gail
Published: October 2020

We conducted an implementation research study to integrate a holistic package of physical health, mental health and psychosocial care for podoconiosis, lymphatic filariasis and leprosy into routine healthcare in Gusha cluster, Guagusa Shikudad district, northwest Ethiopia. The healthcare package included training patients in lower limb hygiene and skin care and provision of shoes, hygiene supplies and medication. The implementation activities included training events, workshops, awareness raising, self-help groups, supportive supervision, staff secondments and advisory board meetings. The cost of implementing the care package in Gusha cluster, with a population of 30 558 people, was 802 655 Ethiopian birr (ETB) (£48 159) and the cost of delivering care to 235 participants was 204 388 ETB (£12 263), or 870 ETB (£52) per person. There was a 35% decrease in the mean disability scores (measured using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0) and a 45% improvement in the dermatology-specific quality of life (measured using the Dermatology Life Quality Index) at the 3-month follow-up compared with baseline. There were reductions in the number of days with symptoms, days off usual activities/work and days with reduced activity due to illness, all of which were statistically significant. Our pilot suggests that integration of the care package into routine healthcare in Ethiopia may be effective in improving health-related quality of life and disability and reducing time out of economic activity due to illness.
Peripheral nerve blockade and novel analgesic modalities for ambulatory anesthesia
Authors: Desai Neel , El-Boghdadly Kariem , Albrecht Eric
Published: October 2020

Purpose of review

Despite peripheral nerve blockade offering analgesic benefits and improving patient satisfaction, it has not been well adopted in ambulatory anesthesia. In this review, we aim to summarize the evidence underlying peripheral nerve blockade, local anesthetic adjuncts, continuous peripheral nerve blockade and novel analgesic modalities, with the objective to provide recommendations on postoperative analgesia optimization after peripheral nerve blockade in an ambulatory setting.

Recent findings

Barriers to the widespread use of peripheral nerve blockade in ambulatory anesthesia could include lack of education and training, and increased anesthetic induction time. Strategies that have demonstrated promise to increase duration of action and attenuate rebound pain phenomenon after peripheral nerve blockade include multimodal analgesia, local anesthetic adjuncts and continuous infusion of local anesthetic. Dexamethasone has been demonstrated to be the most effective local anesthetic adjunct. Continuous peripheral nerve blockade is a reasonable alternative but at the expense of additional costs and logistical reorganization. There is currently insufficient data to promote the ambulatory use of liposomal bupivacaine, cryoanalgesia and percutaneous peripheral nerve stimulation.

Educational programs and parallel processing may promote peripheral nerve blockade in an ambulatory setting, improving the patient experience in the postoperative period. Intravenous dexamethasone should be considered wherever appropriate as part of a multimodal analgesic strategy to optimize postoperative pain control.
Brain Injury Is More Common in Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Than Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Shoskes Aaron , Migdady Ibrahim , Rice Cory , Hassett Catherine , Deshpande Abhishek , Price Carrie , Hernandez Adrian V. , Cho Sung-Min
Published: October 2020

Objectives:

Despite the common occurrence of brain injury in patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, it is unclear which cannulation method carries a higher risk of brain injury. We compared the prevalence of brain injury between patients undergoing venoarterial and venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Data Sources:

PubMed and six other databases from inception to April 2020.

Study Selection:

Observational studies and randomized clinical trials in adult patients undergoing venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation reporting brain injury.

Data Extraction:

Two independent reviewers extracted the data from the studies. Random-effects meta-analyses were used to pool data.

Data Synthesis:

Seventy-three studies (n= 16,063) met inclusion criteria encompassing 8,211 patients (51.2%) undergoing venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and 7,842 (48.8%) undergoing venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients had more overall brain injury compared with venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (19% vs 10%;p= 0.002). Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients had more ischemic stroke (10% vs 1%;p< 0.001), hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (13% vs 1%;p< 0.001), and brain death (11% vs 1%;p= 0.001). In contrast, rates of intracerebral hemorrhage (6% vs 8%;p= 0.35) did not differ. Survival was lower in venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (48%) than venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (64%) (p< 0.001). After excluding studies that included extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation, no significant difference was seen in the rate of overall acute brain injury between venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (13% vs 10%;p= 0.4). However, ischemic stroke (10% vs 1%;p< 0.001), hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (7% vs 1%;p= 0.02), and brain death (9% vs 1%;p= 0.005) remained more frequent in nonextracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation compared with venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Conclusions:

Brain injury was more common in venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation compared with venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. While ischemic brain injury was more common in venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients, the rates of intracranial hemorrhage were similar between venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Further research on mechanism, timing, and effective monitoring of acute brain injury and its management is necessary.