bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Glenoid concavity has a higher impact on shoulder stability than the size of a bony defect
Authors: Wermers Jens , Schliemann Benedikt , Raschke Michael J. , Michel Philipp A. , Heilmann Lukas F. , Dyrna Felix , Sußiek Julia , Frank Andre , Katthagen J. Christoph
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Surgical treatment of shoulder instability caused by anterior glenoid bone loss is based on a critical threshold of the defect size. Recent studies indicate that the glenoid concavity is essential for glenohumeral stability. However, biomechanical proof of this principle is lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether glenoid concavity allows a more precise assessment of glenohumeral stability than the defect size alone.

Methods

The stability ratio (SR) is a biomechanical estimate of glenohumeral stability. It is defined as the maximum dislocating force the joint can resist related to a medial compression force. This ratio was determined for 17 human cadaveric glenoids in a robotic test setup depending on osteochondral concavity and anterior defect size. Bony defects were created gradually, and a 3D measuring arm was used for morphometric measurements. The influence of defect size and concavity on the SR was examined using linear models. In addition, the morphometrical-based bony shoulder stability ratio (BSSR) was evaluated to prove its suitability for estimation of glenohumeral stability independent of defect size.

Results

Glenoid concavity is a significant predictor for the SR, while the defect size provides minor informative value. The linear model featured a high goodness of fit with a determination coefficient of R2 = 0.98, indicating that 98% of the SR is predictable by concavity and defect size. The low mean squared error (MSE) of 4.2% proved a precise estimation of the SR. Defect size as an exclusive predictor in the linear model reduced R2 to 0.9 and increased the MSE to 25.7%. Furthermore, the loss of SR with increasing defect size was shown to be significantly dependent on the initial concavity. The BSSR as a single predictor for glenohumeral stability led to highest precision with MSE = 3.4%.

Conclusion

Glenoid concavity is a crucial factor for the SR. Independent of the defect size, the computable BSSR is a precise biomechanical estimate of the measured SR. The inclusion of glenoid concavity has the potential to influence clinical decision-making for an improved and personalised treatment of glenohumeral instability with anterior glenoid bone loss.
Positive Configuration Space
Authors: Arkani-Hamed Nima , Lam Thomas , Spradlin Marcus
Published: April 2021

We define and study the totally nonnegative part of the Chow quotient of the Grassmannian, or more simply the nonnegative configuration space. This space has a natural stratification by positive Chow cells, and we show that nonnegative configuration space is homeomorphic to a polytope as a stratified space. We establish bijections between positive Chow cells and the following sets: (a) regular subdivisions of the hypersimplex into positroid polytopes, (b) the set of cones in the positive tropical Grassmannian, and (c) the set of cones in the positive Dressian. Our work is motivated by connections to super Yang–Mills scattering amplitudes, which will be discussed in a sequel.
Computing Spectral Measures and Spectral Types
Authors: Colbrook Matthew J.
Published: April 2021

Spectral measures arise in numerous applications such as quantum mechanics, signal processing, resonance phenomena, and fluid stability analysis. Similarly, spectral decompositions (into pure point, absolutely continuous and singular continuous parts) often characterise relevant physical properties such as the long-time dynamics of quantum systems. Despite new results on computing spectra, there remains no general method able to compute spectral measures or spectral decompositions of infinite-dimensional normal operators. Previous efforts have focused on specific examples where analytical formulae are available (or perturbations thereof) or on classes of operators that carry a lot of structure. Hence the general computational problem is predominantly open. We solve this problem by providing the first set of general algorithms that compute spectral measures and decompositions of a wide class of operators. Given a matrix representation of a self-adjoint or unitary operator, such that each column decays at infinity at a known asymptotic rate, we show how to compute spectral measures and decompositions. We discuss how these methods allow the computation of objects such as the functional calculus, and how they generalise to a large class of partial differential operators, allowing, for example, solutions to evolution PDEs such as the linear Schrödinger equation on $$L^2({\mathbb {R}}^d)$$

L
2

(

R

d

)

. Computational spectral problems in infinite dimensions have led to the Solvability Complexity Index (SCI) hierarchy, which classifies the difficulty of computational problems. We classify the computation of measures, measure decompositions, types of spectra, functional calculus, and Radon–Nikodym derivatives in the SCI hierarchy. The new algorithms are demonstrated to be efficient on examples taken from orthogonal polynomials on the real line and the unit circle (giving, for example, computational realisations of Favard’s theorem and Verblunsky’s theorem, respectively), and are applied to evolution equations on a two-dimensional quasicrystal.
Interaction standards for biophysics: anti-lysozyme nanobodies
Authors: Birchenough Holly L. , Nivia Hilda D. Ruiz , Jowitt Thomas A.
Published: April 2021

There is a significant demand in the molecular biophysics community for robust standard samples. They are required by researchers, instrument developers and pharmaceutical companies for instrumental quality control, methodological development and in the design and validation of devices, diagnostics and instrumentation. To-date there has been no clear consensus on the need and type of standards that should be available and different research groups and instrument manufacturers use different standard systems which significantly hinders comparative analysis. One of the major objectives of the Association of Resources for Biophysical Research in Europe (ARBRE) is to establish a common set of standard samples that can be used throughout the biophysics community and instrument developers. A survey was circulated among ARBRE members to ascertain the requirements of laboratories when using standard systems and the results are documented in this article. In summary, the major requirements are protein samples which are cheap, relatively small, stable and have different binding strengths. We have developed a panel of sdAb’s or ‘nanobodies’ against hen-egg white lysozyme with different binding strengths and suitable stability characteristics. Here we show the results of the survey, the selection procedure, validation and final selection of a panel of nanobody interaction standards.
The Role of Visceral Obesity, Sarcopenia and Sarcopenic Obesity on Surgical Outcomes After Liver Resections for Colorectal Metastases
Authors: Runkel M. , Diallo T. D. , Lang S. A. , Bamberg F. , Benndorf M. , Fichtner‐Feigl S.
Published: April 2021

Background

The impact of body compositions on surgical results is controversially discussed. This study examined whether visceral obesity, sarcopenia or sarcopenic obesity influence the outcome after hepatic resections of synchronous colorectal liver metastases.

Methods

Ninety‐four consecutive patients with primary hepatic resections of synchronous colorectal metastases were identified from a single center database between January 2013 and August 2018. Patient characteristics and 30‐day morbidity were retrospectively analyzed. Body fat and skeletal muscle were calculated by planimetry from single‐slice CT images at the level of L3.

Results

Fifty‐nine patients (62.8%) underwent minor hepatectomies, and 35 patients underwent major resections (37.2%). Postoperative complications occurred in 60 patients (62.8%) including 35 patients with major complications (Clavien–Dindo grade III–V). The mortality was nil at 30 days and 2.1% at 90 days. The body mass index showed no influence on postoperative outcomes (p = 1.0). Visceral obesity was found in 66 patients (70.2%) and was significantly associated with overall and major complication rates (p = .002, p = .012, respectively). Sarcopenia was observed in 34 patients (36.2%) without a significant impact on morbidity (p = .461), however, with longer hospital stay. Sarcopenic obesity was found in 18 patients (19.1%) and was significantly associated with postoperative complications (p = .014). Visceral obesity, sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity were all identified as significant risk factors for overall postoperative complications.

Conclusion

Visceral obesity, sarcopenic obesity and sarcopenia are independent risk factors for overall complications after resections of CRLM. Early recognition of extremes in body compositions could prompt to perioperative interventions and thus improve postoperative outcomes.
Vigilance in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus); evolutionary history, predation and human interference
Authors: Reimers Eigil , Eftestøl Sindre , Colman Jonathan E.
Published: April 2021

To elucidate genetic variability in vigilance behaviour for reindeer with historical differences in their interactions with predators and humans, we measured vigilance frequency and duration for grazing reindeer in Southern Norway (Rondane and Norefjell-Reinsjøfjell), Svalbard (Edgeøya and Nordenskiöld Land) and Barf/Royal Bay and Busen in the southern Hemisphere (South Georgia). Averaged for all areas, frequency and duration of vigilance bouts were less than 0.5 and 2.5 s, respectively. Frequency was insignificantly 1.3 times higher in Rondane than Edgeøya, and significantly 2.0, 3.5, 5.2 and 12.4 times higher than Norefjell, Nordenskiöld Land, Barf/Royal Bay and Busen, respectively. Duration per vigilance bout was not different amongst the areas. Thus, while frequency varied considerably, duration remained constant, supporting a hard-wired adaptation to, among other suggestions, an open landscape. Plasticity in frequency allows for flexible behavioral responses to environmental factors with predation, domestication and hunting key drivers for reindeer. Other factors include (1) the open, treeless alpine/Arctic environment inhabited by Rangifer subspecies allowing warning time, (2) grouping behaviour, (3) relative low density of predators and (4) the anatomy and physiology of ungulate vision.
Optimal distributed covering algorithms
Authors: Ben-Basat Ran , Even Guy , Kawarabayashi Ken-ichi , Schwartzman Gregory
Published: April 2021

We present a time-optimal deterministic distributed algorithm for approximating a minimum weight vertex cover in hypergraphs of rank f. This problem is equivalent to the Minimum Weight Set Cover problem in which the frequency of every element is bounded by f. The approximation factor of our algorithm is $$(f+\varepsilon )$$

(
f
+
ε
)

. Let $$\varDelta $$
Δ
denote the maximum degree in the hypergraph. Our algorithm runs in the congest model and requires $$O(\log {\varDelta } / \log \log \varDelta )$$

O
(
log
Δ
/
log
log
Δ
)

rounds, for constants $$\varepsilon \in (0,1]$$

ε
∈
(
0
,
1
]

and $$f\in {\mathbb {N}}^+$$

f
∈

N

+

. This is the first distributed algorithm for this problem whose running time does not depend on the vertex weights nor the number of vertices. Thus adding another member to the exclusive family of provably optimal distributed algorithms. For constant values of f and $$\varepsilon $$
ε
, our algorithm improves over the $$(f+\varepsilon )$$

(
f
+
ε
)

-approximation algorithm of Kuhn et al. (SODA, 2006)whose running time is $$O(\log \varDelta + \log W)$$

O
(
log
Δ
+
log
W
)

, where W is the ratio between the largest and smallest vertex weights in the graph. Our algorithm also achieves an f-approximation for the problem in $$O(f\log n)$$

O
(
f
log
n
)

rounds, improving over the classical result of Khuller et al. (J Algorithms, 1994) that achieves a running time of $$O(f\log ^2 n)$$

O
(
f

log
2

n
)

. Finally, for weighted vertex cover ($$f=2$$

f
=
2

) our algorithm achieves a deterministic running time of $$O(\log n)$$

O
(
log
n
)

, matching the randomized previously best result of Koufogiannakis and Young (Distrib Comput, 2011). We also show that integer covering-programs can be reduced to the Minimum Weight Set Cover problem in the distributed setting. This allows us to achieve an $$(f\lceil \log _2(M)+1 \rceil +\varepsilon )$$

(
f

⌈

log
2

(
M
)

+
1
⌉

+
ε
)

-approximate integral solution in $$\begin{aligned} O\left( (1+f/\log n)\cdot \left( {\frac{\log \varDelta }{ \log \log \varDelta } + ({f\cdot \log M})^{1.01}\cdot \log \varepsilon ^{-1}\cdot (\log \varDelta )^{0.01}}\right) \right) \end{aligned}$$

O

(
1
+
f
/
log
n
)

·

log
Δ

log
log
Δ

+

(

f
·
log
M

)

1.01

·
log

ε

-
1

·

(
log
Δ
)

0.01

rounds, where f bounds the number of variables in a constraint, $$\varDelta $$
Δ
bounds the number of constraints a variable appears in, and $$M=\max \left\{ 1, \lceil 1/a_{\min } \rceil \right\} $$

M
=
max

1
,
⌈
1
/

a
min

⌉

, where $$a_{\min }$$

a
min

is the smallest normalized constraint coefficient.
The clinical features, management options and complications of paediatric femoral fractures
Authors: Duffy Sean , Gelfer Yael , Trompeter Alex , Clarke Anna , Monsell Fergal
Published: April 2021

This article discusses the incidence, applied anatomy and classification of paediatric femoral fractures based on critical appraisal of the available evidence. The aim is to identify techniques that are relevant to contemporary practice whilst excluding the technical details of individual procedures that are beyond the scope of this review. Injuries of the proximal, diaphyseal and distal segments are considered individually as there are considerations that are specific to each anatomical site. Femoral neck fractures are rare injuries and require prompt anatomical reduction and stable fixation to minimise the potentially devastating consequences of avascular necrosis. Diaphyseal fractures are relatively common, and there is a spectrum of management options that depend on patient age and size. Distal femoral fractures often involve the physis, which contributes up to 70% of femoral length. Growth arrest is common consequence of fractures in this region, resulting in angular and length-related deformity. Long-term surveillance is recommended to identify deformity in evolution and provide an opportunity for early intervention. Deliberate injury should be considered in all fractures, particularly distal femoral physeal injuries and fractures in the non-walking child.
Metabolic syndrome and adipokine levels in systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis
Authors: Gigante Antonietta , Iannazzo Francesco , Navarini Luca , Sgariglia Maria Chiara , Margiotta Domenico Paolo Emanuele , Vaiarello Valentina , Foti Federica , Afeltra Antonella , Cianci Rosario , Rosato Edoardo
Published: April 2021

Introduction

Aims of study were to evaluate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients and to evaluate serum level of adipokines in SLE and SSc patients with and without MetS.

Methods

Fifty SLE patients and 85 SSc patients were enrolled. The diagnosis of MetS was made according to the criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III. Clinical assessment and serum levels of adiponectin and resistin were evaluate in SLE and SSc patients.

Results

Prevalence of MetS was significantly (p<0.0001) higher in SLE patients than SSc patients (36% vs 10.6%). Median values of resistin were significantly (p<0.001) higher in SLE patients with MetS than SLE patients without MetS [4.01 ng/mL (2.7–4.5) vs 1.92 ng/mL (1.2–3)]. Median values of adiponectin were significantly (p<0.05) lower in SLE patients with MetS than SLE patients without MetS [5.64 ng/mL (4.96–8) vs 8.38 ng/mL (6.54–11.01)]. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Activity Index [8 (6–12) vs 10 (6–13), p<0.01] and Systemic Damage Index [2 (1–3) vs 2 (0–3), p<0.001] were significantly higher in MetS patients than in patients without MetS.

In SSc, the median value of disease severity scale was significantly higher (p<0.05) in MetS patients than in patients without MetS [7 (5–7) vs 5 (3–6)].

Conclusion

Prevalence of MetS is higher in SLE patients. In SLE patients, MetS showed an association with adipokine levels and inflammation/activity disease scores. In SSc patients, MetS was associated with severity of disease.

Key Points• Prevalence of metabolic syndrome is higher in SLE patients than SSc patients.• Resistin is higher in SLE patients with metabolic syndrome.• Adineponectin is lower in SLE patients with metabolic syndrome.• Disease severity scale is higher in SSc patients with metabolic syndrome.
Correction to: Introspective interviewing for work activities: applying subjective digital ethnography in a nuclear industry case study
Authors: Fauquet-Alekhine Philippe , Bauer Martin W. , Lahlou Saadi
Published: April 2021

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10111-021-00678-9
Correction to: Genomic insights advance the fight against black rot of crucifers
Authors: Dubrow Zoë E. , Bogdanove Adam J.
Published: April 2021

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10327-021-01006-9
Congenital anomalies causing hemato/hydrocolpos: imaging findings, treatments, and outcomes
Authors: Tanitame Keizo , Tanitame Nobuko , Urayama Saiko , Ohtsu Kazuhiro
Published: April 2021

Hemato/hydrocolpos due to congenital urogenital anomalies are rare conditions discovered in neonatal, infant, and adolescent girls. Diagnosis is often missed or delayed owing to its rare incidence and nonspecific symptoms. If early correct diagnosis and treatment cannot be performed, late complications such as tubal adhesion, pelvic endometriosis, and infertility may develop. Congenital urogenital anomalies causing hemato/hydrocolpos are mainly of four types: imperforate hymen, distal vaginal agenesis, transverse vaginal septum, and obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal anomaly, and clinicians should have adequate knowledge about these anomalies. This article aimed to review the diagnosis and treatment of these urogenital anomalies by describing embryology, clinical presentation, imaging findings, surgical management, and postoperative outcomes.
Effect of Heat Treatment on Microstructure Evolution of X38CrMoV5-1 Hot-Work Tool Steel Produced by L-PBF
Authors: Carasi Gregorio , Yu Bosco , Hutten Esther , Zurob Hatem , Casati Riccardo , Vedani Maurizio
Published: April 2021

The X38CrMoV5-1 hot-work tool steel produced by laser powder bed fusion was investigated to assess the effect of quenching and tempering and direct tempering on the as-built microstructure. After the printing process, the material microstructure appeared to be characterized by a fine cellular network consisting of γ-Fe cell boundaries and α′-Fe cores. Scheil–Gulliver curves, X-ray diffraction patterns, and transmission electron microscopy images suggested a transformation of the inner core zone from δ-Fe to α′-Fe through γ-Fe. Air quenching promoted the transition of the solidification structure into a fully martensitic microstructure. Both as-built and quenched samples revealed the presence of manganese oxides and vanadium carbonitrides forming core-shell structures. After tempering, starting from as-built and from quenched condition, a dispersion of nano-sized V and Cr-rich second phases was formed in the microstructure, achieving hardness values comparable to those obtained by the same alloy produced by conventional methods. The specimen tempered directly after the laser powder bed fusion process showed a hardness peak shifted towards higher temperatures compared to the conventionally tempered sample.
Knowledge Extraction and Discovery Based on BIM: A Critical Review and Future Directions
Authors: Hu Zhen-Zhong , Leng Shuo , Lin Jia-Rui , Li Sun-Wei , Xiao Ya-Qi
Published: April 2021

In the past, knowledge in the fields of Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industries mainly come from experiences and are documented in hard copies or specific electronic databases. In order to make use of this knowledge, a lot of studies have focused on retrieving and storing this knowledge in a systematic and accessible way. The Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology proves to be a valuable media in extracting data because it provides physical and functional digital models for all the facilities within the life-cycle of the project. Therefore, the combination of the knowledge science with BIM shows great potential in constructing the knowledge map in the field of the AEC industry. Based on literature reviews, this article summarizes the latest achievements in the fields of knowledge science and BIM, in the aspects of (1) knowledge description, (2) knowledge discovery, (3) knowledge storage and management, (4) knowledge inference and (5) knowledge application, to show the state-of-arts and suggests the future directions in the application of knowledge science and BIM technology in the fields of AEC industries. The review indicates that BIM is capable of providing information for knowledge extraction and discovery, by adopting semantic network, knowledge graph and some other related methods. It also illustrates that the knowledge is helpful in the design, construction, operation and maintenance periods of the AEC industry, but now it is only at the beginning stage.
High Innovativeness of SMEs and the Configuration of Learning-by-Doing, Learning-by-Using, Learning-by-Interacting, and Learning-by-Science: a Regional Comparison Applying Fuzzy Qualitative Comparative Analysis
Authors: Bennat Tatjana
Published: April 2021

This paper proposes a holistic approach for investigating high innovation performance in SMEs by comparing different German regions. Invoking insights from the innovation mode concept and existing literature on regional innovation, we apply a qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) of 47 interviews with SMEs to show that high innovativeness is based on a bundle of conditions summarized as mechanisms of learning-by-doing, learning-by-using, learning-by-interacting, and learning-by-science. The results indicate that only parts of the DUI mode, in combination with the STI mode, can explain high innovativeness. This has implications for managers as well as for innovation policy, highlighting that there is no universal “best way” to become highly innovative.
On a class of singular anisotropic (p, q)-equations
Authors: Papageorgiou Nikolaos S. , Winkert Patrick
Published: April 2021

We consider a Dirichlet problem driven by the anisotropic (p, q)-Laplacian and with a reaction that has the competing effects of a singular term and of a parametric superlinear perturbation. Based on variational tools along with truncation and comparison techniques, we prove a bifurcation-type result describing the changes in the set of positive solutions as the parameter varies.
Automated tube voltage selection and adapted contrast media injection protocols in CT angiography of the thoracoabdominal aorta
Authors: Eijsvoogel N. G. , Hendriks B. M. F. , Kok M. , Mees B. M. E. , Mihl C. , Wildberger J. E. , Das M.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The aim was to assess the image quality (IQ) in computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the thoracoabdominal aorta utilizing automated tube voltage selection (ATVS) with a subsequently adapted contrast media (CM) injection protocol.

Materials and methods

A total of 104 consecutive patients referred for CTA of the thoracoabdominal aorta were included. Scans were acquired on a 3rd-generation DSCT using ATVS with a quality reference tube voltage and current of 100 kV and 150 mAs. CM protocols were adapted to kV settings by modifying iodine delivery rate (IDR) whilst maintaining an identical injection time (13.3 s): 0.9 gI/s (70 kV), 1.0 gI/s (80 kV), 1.1 gI/s (90 kV) 1.2 gI/s (100 kV). Both objective (attenuation, contrast-to-noise and signal-to-noise) and subjective (4-point Likert scale: 1 = poor/2 = sufficient/3 = good/4 = excellent) IQ were assessed.

Results

ATVS assigned a 70 kV (n = 88) and 90 kV (n = 16) protocol in most patients. Fewer patients were assigned to an 80 kV (n = 4) and 100 kV (n = 1) protocol, these protocols were, therefore, excluded from further analysis. Attenuation on all designated levels of the thoracoabdominal aorta was diagnostic in 99.0% of the scans; 87/88 scans (98.9%) in the 70 kV group and in 16/16 (100%) in the 90 kV group. Overall mean attenuation was 349 ± 72HU for 70 kV and 310 ± 43HU for 90 kV. Subjective IQ was diagnostic in all scans. Overall effective radiation dose for 70 kV and 90 kV was 1.8 ± 0.2 mSv and 3.4 ± 0.7 mSv, respectively.

Conclusions

Adaptation of CM injection protocols (IDR) to ATVS in CTA of the aorta—scanned with 70 kV and 90 kV—is feasible and results in diagnostic image quality.
Interpretation of Swedish Sign Language Using Convolutional Neural Networks and Transfer Learning
Authors: Halvardsson Gustaf , Peterson Johanna , Soto-Valero César , Baudry Benoit
Published: April 2021

The automatic interpretation of sign languages is a challenging task, as it requires the usage of high-level vision and high-level motion processing systems for providing accurate image perception. In this paper, we use Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and transfer learning to make computers able to interpret signs of the Swedish Sign Language (SSL) hand alphabet. Our model consists of the implementation of a pre-trained InceptionV3 network, and the usage of the mini-batch gradient descent optimization algorithm. We rely on transfer learning during the pre-training of the model and its data. The final accuracy of the model, based on 8 study subjects and 9400 images, is 85%. Our results indicate that the usage of CNNs is a promising approach to interpret sign languages, and transfer learning can be used to achieve high testing accuracy despite using a small training dataset. Furthermore, we describe the implementation details of our model to interpret signs as a user-friendly web application.
An insight on promising strategies hoping to cure HIV-1 infection by targeting Rev protein—short review
Authors: Pai Sahana , Mudgal Jayesh , Kamath B. Venkatesh , Pai K. Sreedhara Ranganath
Published: April 2021

Human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection remains to be one of the major threats throughout the world. Many researchers are working in this area to find a cure for HIV-1. The group of the FDA approved drugs which are currently used against HIV-1 in the clinical practice include nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), integrase inhibitors (InIs), and protease inhibitors (PIs). Fixed dose combinations (FDCs) of these drugs are available and are used as per the anti-retroviral therapy (ART) guidelines. Despite these, unfortunately, there is no cure for HIV1 infection to date. The present review is focused upon describing the importance of a post-transcriptional regulatory protein “Rev”, responsible for latent HIV-1 infection as a possible, and promising therapeutic target against HIV-1.
The Sacred Fount
Authors: James Henry
Published: April 2021

The Cambridge Edition of the Complete Fiction of Henry James provides, for the first time, a scholarly edition of a major writer whose work continues to be read, quoted, adapted and studied. One of James's strangest works, The Sacred Fount, explores ideas of sexual desire and power in an English country house setting. The novel aroused considerable critical bewilderment and hostility on its original publication in 1901 but was retrieved by a subsequent generation of critics who found its ambiguity and stylistic elaboration an instance of James's 'mastery' and an early example of literary modernism. This is the first critical edition of James' landmark text and is supported by a full critical apparatus including introduction, notes, glossary, textual variants and bibliography. The volume will be of interest to researchers, scholars and advanced students of Henry James, and of nineteenth- and twentieth-century British and American fiction and literature.
High‐Altitude Polar NM With the New DAQ System as a Tool to Study Details of the Cosmic‐Ray Induced Nucleonic Cascade
Authors: Similä Markus , Usoskin Ilya , Poluianov Stepan , Mishev Alexander , Kovaltsov Gennady A. , Strauss Du Toit
Published: April 2021

A neutron monitor (NM) is, since the 1950s, a standard ground‐based detector whose count rate reflects cosmic‐ray variability. The worldwide network of NMs forms a rough spectrometer for cosmic rays. Recently, a brand‐new data‐acquisition (DAQ) system has been installed on the DOMC and DOMB NMs, located at the Concordia research station on the Central Antarctic plateau. The new DAQ system digitizes, at a 2‐MHz sampling rate, and records all individual pulses corresponding to secondary particles in the detector. An analysis of the pulse characteristics (viz. shape, magnitude, duration, waiting time) has been performed, and several clearly distinguishable branches were identified: (A) corresponding to signal from individual secondary neutrons; (B) representing the detector's noise; (C) double pulses corresponding to the shortly separated nucleons of the same atmospheric cascades; (D) very‐high multiple pulses which are likely caused by atmospheric muons; and (E) double pulses potentially caused by contamination of the neighboring detector. An analysis of the waiting‐time distributions has revealed two clearly distinguishable peaks: peak (I) at about 1 ms being related to the intracascade diffusion and thermalization of secondary atmospheric neutrons; and peak (II) at 30–1,000 ms corresponding to individual atmospheric cascades. This opens a new possibility to study spectra of cosmic‐ray particles in a single location as well as details of the cosmic‐ray induced atmospheric cascades, using the same data set.
Calving at Ryder Glacier, Northern Greenland
Authors: Holmes F. A. , Kirchner N. , Prakash A. , Stranne C. , Dijkstra S. , Jakobsson M.
Published: April 2021

Recent evidence has shown increasing mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet, with a general trend of accelerated mass losses extending northwards. However, different glaciers have been shown to respond differently to similar external forcings, constituting a problem for extrapolating and upscaling data. Specifically, whilst some outlet glaciers have accelerated, thinned, and retreated in response to atmospheric and oceanic warming, the behavior of other marine terminating glaciers appears to be less sensitive to climate forcing. Ryder glacier, for which only a few studies have been conducted, is located in North Greenland and terminates with a floating ice tongue in Sherard Osborn Fjord. The persistence or disintegration of floating ice tongues has impacts on glacier dynamics and stability, with ramifications beyond, including sea level rise. This study focuses on understanding the controls on calving and frontal ablation of the Ryder glacier through the use of time‐lapse imagery and satellite data. The results suggest that Ryder glacier has behaved independently of climate forcing during recent decades, with fjord geometry exerting a first order control on its calving.
Solar origins of a strong stealth CME detected by Solar Orbiter
Authors: O’Kane Jennifer , Green Lucie M. , Davies Emma E. , Möstl Christian , Hinterreiter Jürgen , Freiherr von Forstner Johan L. , Weiss Andreas J. , Long David M. , Amerstorfer Tanja
Published: April 2021

Aims.We aim to locate the origin of a stealth coronal mass ejection (CME) detected in situ by the MAG instrument on board Solar Orbiter and make connections between the CME observed at the Sun and the interplanetary CME (ICME) measured in situ.

Methods.Remote sensing data were analysed using advanced image processing techniques to identify the source region of the stealth CME, and the global magnetic field at the time of the eruption was examined using potential field source surface models. The observations of the stealth CME at the Sun were compared with the magnetic field measured by the Solar Orbiter spacecraft, and plasma properties were measured by the Wind spacecraft.

Results.The source of the CME is found to be a quiet Sun cavity in the northern hemisphere. We find that the stealth CME has a strong magnetic field in situ, despite originating from a quiet Sun region with an extremely weak magnetic field.

Conclusions.The interaction of the ICME with its surrounding environment is the likely cause of a higher magnetic field strength measured in situ. Stealth CMEs require multi-wavelength and multi-viewpoint observations in order to confidently locate the source region; however, their elusive signatures still pose many problems for space weather forecasting. The findings have implications for Solar Orbiter observing sequences with instruments such as EUI that are designed to capture stealth CMEs.
Law, Morality, and the One-System View: A Response to T. R. S. Allan
Authors: Jiménez Felipe
Published: April 2021

This is a response to a recent article by T. R. S. Allan. Allan makes several insightful observations about law and legal practice. As Allan correctly notes, (i) the moral evaluation of legal rules and institutions is carried out within legal practice and its traditions, and therefore the view that we can come up with practice-independent moral principles to evaluate the law is at least dubious; (ii) legislative enactments require judicial interpretation to determine their meaning and their incorporation within a democratic legal system; and (iii) law fulfils its functions, and allows for impartial resolution of disputes, by establishing public standards of justice that displace private judgments about political morality. In this reply, I suggest that—in contrast to what non-positivists like Allan would argue—each of these observations is either compatible with, or reinforces, a positivist view of law and legal institutions. Arguably, non-positivist views still have an advantage over positivism: they seem to fit easily with most citizens’ and officials’ judgments about legal obligation. However, positivism can offer an equally direct explanation of those judgments.
Cost-effectiveness of single-use negative-pressure therapy compared with standard care for prevention of reconstruction failure in prepectoral breast reconstruction
Authors: Murphy J A , Myers D , Trueman P , Searle R
Published: April 2021

Background

Single-use negative-pressure wound therapy (sNPWT) has been reported to reduce the incidence of reconstruction failure in prepectoral breast reconstruction compared with standard surgical dressings. The aim of this economic evaluation was to investigate the cost-effectiveness of sNPWT compared with standard care for the prevention of reconstruction failure in prepectoral breast reconstruction in the UK.

Method

A decision tree model was used to estimate the expected cost and effectiveness per patient. Effectiveness was measured both by the number of reconstruction failures avoided and the gain in quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). The baseline incidence of reconstruction failure (8.6 per cent) was taken from a recently published study of 2655 mastectomies in the UK. The effectiveness of sNPWT used results from a clinical study comparing sNPWT with standard dressings. Previously published utility weights were applied. The cost of reconstruction failure was estimated from detailed resource data from patients with reconstruction failure, applying National Health Service reference costs. One-way, probabilistic, scenario and threshold analyses were conducted.

Results

The undiscounted cost per patient associated with reconstruction failure was estimated to be £23 628 (£22 431 discounted). The use of sNPWT was associated with an expected cost saving of £1706 per patient, an expected increase in QALYs of 0.0187 and an expected 0.0834 reconstruction failures avoided. Cost-effectiveness acceptability analysis demonstrated that, at a threshold of £20 000 per QALY, 99.94 per cent of the simulations showed sNPWT to be more cost-effective than standard care.

Conclusion

Among patients undergoing immediate prepectoral breast reconstruction, the use of sNPWT is more cost-effective than standard dressings.
Gender representation in editorial boards of international general surgery journals
Authors: Gallivan E , Arshad S , Skinner H , Burke J R , Young A L
Published: April 2021

Background

Despite women constituting over half of new doctors, gender disparity remains an issue. Surgery has shown particularly slow progress towards gender parity. This study aimed to quantify gender representation within editorial boards of the highest ranking international general surgery journals.

Methods

Surgical journals were collated using two indices: SCImago Journal Rank (SJR) and Journal Impact Factor (JIF). Non-general surgery journals were excluded. Journals were contacted, requesting gender editorial team demographics. Editorial board data were collected via journal websites on 28 November 2019.

Results

The top 25 general surgery journals according to SJR and JIF ranking methods were determined, identifying 28 unique journals. Editorial board data were publicly available for 27 of these 28 surgical journals, and were examined. Women accounted for 20.2 per cent (568 of 2816) of total editorial board positions. Women constituted 11 per cent (4 of 36) of editor-in-chief positions, 32 per cent (29 of 92) of deputy editors, and 19.1 per cent (369 of 1935) of general editorial board positions.

Conclusion

The findings demonstrate gender disparity within editorial boards of the most prominent general surgery journals.
Identifying predictors of ventral hernia recurrence: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Parker S G , . Mallett S , Quinn L , Wood C P J , Boulton R W , Jamshaid S , . Erotocritou M , . Gowda S , . Collier W , Plumb A A O , Windsor A C J , Archer L , Halligan S
Published: April 2021

Background

Ventra hernias are increasing in prevalence and many recur despite attempted repair. To date, much of the literature is underpowered and divergent. As a result there is limited high quality evidence to inform surgeons succinctly which perioperative variables influence postoperative recurrence. This systematic review aimed to identify predictors of ventral hernia recurrence.

Methods

PubMed was searched for studies reporting prognostic data of ventral hernia recurrence between 1 January 1995 and 1 January 2018. Extracted data described hernia type (primary/incisional), definitions of recurrence, methods used to detect recurrence, duration of follow-up, and co-morbidity. Data were extracted for all potential predictors, estimates and thresholds described. Random-effects meta-analysis was used. Bias was assessed with a modified PROBAST (Prediction model Risk Of Bias ASsessment Tool).

Results

Screening of 18 214 abstracts yielded 274 individual studies for inclusion. Hernia recurrence was defined in 66 studies (24.1 per cent), using 41 different unstandardized definitions. Three patient variables (female sex, age 65 years or less, and BMI greater than 25, 30, 35 or 40 kg/m2), five patient co-morbidities (smoking, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ASA grade III–IV, steroid use), two hernia-related variables (incisional/primary, recurrent/primary), six intraoperative variables (biological mesh, bridged repair, open versus laparoscopic surgery, suture versus mesh repair, onlay/retrorectus, intraperitoneal/retrorectus), and six postoperative variables (any complication, surgical-site occurrence, wound infection, seroma, haematoma, wound dehiscence) were identified as significant prognostic factors for hernia recurrence.

Conclusion

This study summarized the current evidence base for predicting ventral hernia recurrence. Results should inform best practice and future research.
Effect of oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy on chemosensitivity in patients with peritoneal metastasis from colorectal cancer treated with cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy: proof-of-concept study
Authors: Prabhu A , Brandl A , Wakama S , Sako S , Ishibashi H , Mizumoto A , Takao N , Ichinose M , Motoi S , Liu Y , Yonemura Y
Published: April 2021

Background

Chemosensitivity testing, including collagen gel droplet-embedded culture drug sensitivity test, has proven to be a useful tool in therapeutic decision-making. This retrospective analysis investigated chemosensitivity testing of peritoneal metastases collected during cytoreductive surgery (CRS), and its impact on survival in patients with colorectal cancer.

Methods

All patients with peritoneal metastasis from colorectal cancer who underwent CRS with or without hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) between November 2008 and October 2014 were included. The growth inhibition rate was expressed as the ratio between the image density after treatment (T) and that before treatment (control, C). Tumours with a reduction in T/C ratio of less than 20 per cent were defined as resistant and those with a reduction of 20 per cent or more as sensitive. Groups were compared for overall (OS) and disease-free (DFS) survival.

Results

Of 84 eligible patients, 81 received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT), including 56 patients with an oxaliplatin-based regimen. Mean(s.d.) follow-up was 23·4(22·9) months. The median overall survival of all patients was 19·0 (i.q.r. 5·7–36·1) months, with a progression-free survival time of 10·1 (4·5–17·0) months. Patients who received oxaliplatin-based NACT had significantly altered chemosensitivity to oxaliplatin; only 20 of 51 such patients showed chemosensitivity to oxaliplatin compared with 16 of 24 who did not undergo oxaliplatin-based NACT (P = 0·046). However, patients who showed chemoresistance to oxaliplatin had similar OS to those with chemosensitivity (18·8 versus 18·1 months; P = 0·835). The choice of HIPEC agents in patients who received oxaliplatin-based NACT did not significantly influence survival (oxaliplatin versus mitomycin C: median OS 20·6 (10·9–24·8) versus 19·0 (10·5–34·6) months, P = 0·811; DFS 6·6 (2·8–25·7) versus 9·3 (4·1–13·9) months, P = 0·191).

Conclusion

Patients who had oxaliplatin-based NACT showed a higher rate of chemoresistance to oxaliplatin at the time of CRS and HIPEC. The impact of chemosensitivity testing on OS remains unclear and needs further investigation.
Associations Between 20-Year Lipid Variability Throughout Young Adulthood and Midlife Cognitive Function and Brain Integrity
Authors: Zeki Al Hazzouri Adina , Caunca Michelle R , Jawadekar Neal , Grasset Leslie , Elfassy Tali , Odden Michelle C , Wu Chenkai , Elbejjani Martine , Launer Lenore , Yaffe Kristine
Published: April 2021

Background

Little is known about long-term lipid variability in young adulthood in relation to cognitive function and brain integrity in midlife.

Method

We studied 3 328 adults from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults. We defined low- and high-density lipoprotein (LDL and HDL) variability as the intraindividual standard deviation of lipid measurements over 20 years of young adulthood (1985–2005). Cognitive tests were administered in 2010. Brain scans were performed in 2010 on 714 participants. To facilitate comparison, cognitive tests and brain metrics were z-scored.

Results

Mean age at baseline was 25.4 years. Higher 20-year LDL variability was associated with worse verbal memory in midlife (β = −0.25, 95% CI: −0.42, −0.08), adjusted for important covariates. Higher 20-year HDL variability was associated with worse processing speed in midlife (β = −0.80, 95% CI: −1.18, −0.41) and brain integrity, for example, smaller total brain volume (β = −0.58, 95% CI: −0.82, −0.34) and worse total brain fractional anisotropy (β = −1.13, 95% CI: −1.87, −0.39).

Conclusions

Higher long-term lipid variability in adulthood was associated with worse cognition and brain integrity in midlife, in a relatively young cohort.
Bidirectional and Dynamic Relationships Between Social Isolation and Physical Functioning Among Older Adults: A Cross-Lagged Panel Model of US National Survey Data
Authors: del Pozo Cruz Borja , Perales Francisco , Alfonso-Rosa Rosa M , del Pozo-Cruz Jesus
Published: April 2021

Background

Previous studies examining unidirectional relationships between social isolation and physical functioning among older adults may be biased due to reverse causality. This study leveraged data from a US national sample of older adults and a novel estimation method to identify bidirectional associations between these 2 phenomena and their associated temporal dynamics.

Methods

The analyses were based on 9 waves of panel data from a sample of adults aged 65 and older from the US National Health and Aging Trends Study (n = 12 427 individuals) and a cross-lagged panel model. Social isolation was measured using the Social Isolation Index (SII) and physical functioning through the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB).

Results

One SD increase in the SPPB was associated with a −0.013 SD decrease (95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.023 to −0.004) in the SII a year later, whereas 1 SD increase in the SII was associated with a larger −0.058 SD decrease (95% CI: −0.069 to −0.046) in the SPPB a year later. The SII→SPPB effect lasted for approximately 5 years, whereas the SPPB→SII lasted for approximately 3 years.

Conclusions

This study confirmed the existence of statistically significant bidirectional associations between social isolation and physical functioning among older adults in the United States, net of reverse causation. Because the effect of social isolation dominates, the findings indicate that public health strategies to promote successful aging should prioritize interventions that enrich older adults’ social networks. Furthermore, the effect time horizons yielded by the model point to the optimal timing for the re-delivery of interventions.
Comparative constitutional adaptation: Democracy and distrust in the High Court of Australia
Authors: Dixon Rosalind , Loughland Amelia
Published: April 2021

The ideas developed by Ely in Democracy and Distrust have had an important influence on at least one member of the High Court of Australia—Justice Stephen Gageler, first as counsel and now as a justice of the Court. This influence has not involved the straightforward “borrowing” of those ideas. Rather, it has involved a more standard-like application of US-style tiered scrutiny in contexts such as the protection of the “channels of political change” and giving narrower ambit to the judicial protection of “discrete and insular minorities.” This, the article suggests, reflects a distinctive form of comparative constitutional adaptation—a process involving, first, the attempt to develop a contextual understanding of Ely’s thought; second, a quite “thick” or “deep” form of comparison between the original and new context; and third, a context-sensitive adaptation of the theory to that new setting. This comparative adaptation has some similarity to the process of “recontextualization” identified in Gunther Frankenberg’s account of an “IKEA” style of global constitutional transfer. But it is distinctive in its direct engagement with foreign constitutional ideas at their source and its attention to the importance of constitutional context, difference, and generality or commonality. Similar forms of comparative constitutional adaptation can be found elsewhere, including in the engagement by Australian Chief Justice, Susan Kiefel, in the development of proportionality doctrines. But attention to Ely’s influence on Justice Gageler’s thought provides a useful window not only into Australian constitutional practice, but also into this distinctive and normatively attractive form of comparative engagement.