bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Heat
Authors: Carpenter D. Rae , Minnix Richard B.
Published: January 2021

Digital meter connected to filament shows resistance varies from about 5 to 10 ohms when heated by heat lamp or held high above burner flame. (Hair dryer not as good because filament vibrates from air stream.) Use TV to make digital readout visible to large class.

CONSTRUCT by carefully removing glass envelope from 200W incandescent bulb (See E-280).
Magnetism
Authors: Carpenter D. Rae , Minnix Richard B.
Published: January 2021

Use as detector of magnetic field of magnets. Point out that because clip is induced magnet, rather than permanent, it will align anti-parallel OR parallel to field, i.e., “arrow” is tangent to field lines. Works best with stronger magnets.

CONSTRUCT by straightening STEEL paper clip leaving a single loop on which to attach string. Seal between two sheets paper or vinyl tape cut to shape of arrow.
Optics
Authors: Carpenter D. Rae , Minnix Richard B.
Published: January 2021

Very convenient light source for optics demos is 35mm projector. Low profile models equipped with zoom lens and 2–position switch for 300W or 500W operation offer greatest flexibility.

Second useful source is 25W straight–filament showcase bulb with clear envelope. Covering top and bottom halves with thin gelatin filters (e.g., red and blue) is advantageous for some demos, especially those with inverted images.
A revised phylogeny of the New Caledonian endemic genus Troglosiro (Opiliones : Cyphophthalmi : Troglosironidae) with the description of four new species
Authors: Giribet Gonzalo , Baker Caitlin M. , Sharma Prashant P.
Published: January 2021

The Cyphophthalmi genus Troglosiro (the only genus of the family Troglosironidae) is endemic to New Caledonia, representing one of the oldest lineages of this emerged part of Zealandia. Its species are short-range endemics, many known from single localities. Here we examined the phylogenetic relationships of Troglosironidae using standard Sanger-sequenced markers (nuclear 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, and mitochondrial 16S rRNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I) and a combination of phylogenetic methods, including parsimony under Direct Optimization and maximum likelihood with static homology. We also applied a diversity of species delimitation methods, including distance-based, topology-based and unsupervised machine learning to evaluate previous species designations. Finally, we used a combination of genetic and morphological information to describe four new species – T. dogny sp. nov., T. pin sp. nov., T. pseudojuberthiei sp. nov. and T. sharmai sp. nov. – and discuss them in the broader context of the phylogeny and biogeographic history of the family. A key to the species of Troglosiro is also provided. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:93541314-8309-468C-BB77-B34C3A81137E
Feature analysis of neuter gender in Spanish and Asturian
languages
Authors: Gil Irene , Gutiérrez Edita
Published: January 2021

It is traditionally considered that there are
three values for pronominal gender (masculine, feminine, neuter). In
this chapter, we explore the idea that there are no neuter pronouns
in Spanish, as neuter doesn’t show agreement effects. Then we focus
on mass neuter agreement, a phenomenon that takes place in an area
of Central and Northern Peninsular Spanish. After studying the kind
of syntactic information that can be obtained from syntactic
atlases, we present an overview of the phenomenon from a purely
descriptive point of view. We finally focus on demonstratives and we
claim that the Asturian demonstrative esto with a
mass noun antecedent is a determiner that takes an uncountable null
noun as its complement, whose features are contextually
recovered.
Gerund structures in Ecuadorian Spanish
Authors: Batllori Montserrat , Hernanz M. Lluïsa , Rubio-Alcalá Carlos
Published: January 2021

In this chapter we study non-prototypical values
of gerunds in Ecuadorian and Andean Spanish. Apart from the standard
aspectual simultaneity reading, gerunds in Andean Spanish encode an
anteriority reading that has been associated to contact with
Quechua. The chapter focuses on this value and claims that there are
two patterns of gerund verbal complexes that exhibit it: an
embedding and a periphrastic one. We provide a syntactic analysis to
account for both and we draw the connection between Ecuadorian
gerunds and converbs in Quechua. Finally, we offer relevant
diachronic evidence that the aspectual values of Andean gerunds are
also attested in the history of Spanish, which supports our
explanation in terms of contact-induced linguistic change.
Using Twitter to build a corpus for linguistic
variation
Authors: Tinoco Antonio Ruiz
Published: January 2021

Data for linguistic analysis from social media
are being used for a variety of reasons. One of the most attractive
reasons is the possibility of gathering very large quantities of
data in the digital form. However, collecting data from these
sources is not always a simple task. In this chapter, a few methods
to harvest data from Twitter will be introduced
like FireAnt, 140dev Streaming API Framework, and
Elastic Stack, as well as visualization tools
like QGIS to map geotagged tweets. Finally, some
examples of tweet analyses are discussed.
Smoking cessation in late life is associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality amongst oldest old people: a community-based prospective cohort study
Authors: Wei Yuan , Lv Yuebin , Zhou Jinhui , Gao Xiang , Duan Jun , Zhao Chao , Yin Zhaoxue , Kang Qi , Wu Bing , Chen Chen , Mao Chen , Li Juan , Shi Xiaoming
Published: January 2021

Objective

we aimed to investigate the association of smoking cessation with risk of all-cause mortality amongst oldest old people (aged ≥ 80 years).

Design

this was a prospective cohort study.

Setting

the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey, implemented in 23 provinces of China.

Participants

a total of 28,643 community-dwelling oldest old people (mean age, 92.9 ± 7.5 years) were included.

Methods

in this community-based cohort study, Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the association of smoking cessation with risk of all-cause mortality.

Results

during 136,585 person-years of follow-up from baseline to 1 September 2014, compared with never smokers, hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for all-cause mortality were 1.06 (1.02–1.10) for current smokers, 1.23 (1.09–1.39) for transient quitters (≤1 consecutive years since smoking cessation), 1.22 (1.12–1.32) for recent quitters (2–6 consecutive years since smoking cessation) and 1.11 (1.02–1.22) for long-term quitters (>6 consecutive years since smoking cessation). Cox models with penalised splines revealed an increased risk of all-cause mortality after smoking cessation; the highest mortality risk was observed within 2–4 years after smoking cessation and the risk gradually decreased with duration of smoking cessation. We further conducted subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses to reduce the impact of reverse causation.

Conclusions

smoking is harmful to health in all populations. Our study findings indicated smoking cessation in late life to be associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality amongst oldest old people who have smoked for a long time.
Ethanol production process driving changes on industrial strains
Authors: Nagamatsu Sheila Tiemi , Coutouné Natalia , José Juliana , Fiamenghi Mateus Bernabe , Pereira Gonçalo Amarante Guimarães , Oliveira Juliana Velasco de Castro , Carazzolle Marcelo Falsarella
Published: January 2021

Ethanol production has key differences between the two largest producing countries of this biofuel, Brazil and the USA, such as feedstock source, sugar concentration and ethanol titers in industrial fermentation. Therefore, it is highly probable that these specificities have led to genome adaptation of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains employed in each process to tolerate different environments. In order to identify particular adaptations, in this work, we have compared the genomes of industrial yeast strains widely used to produce ethanol from sugarcane, corn and sweet sorghum, and also two laboratory strains as reference. The genes were predicted and then 4524 single-copy orthologous were selected to build the phylogenetic tree. We found that the geographic location and industrial process were shown as the main evolutionary drivers: for sugarcane fermentation, positive selection was identified for metal homeostasis and stress response genes, whereas genes involved in membrane modeling have been connected with corn fermentation. In addition, the corn specialized strain Ethanol Red showed an increased number of copies of MAL31, a gene encoding a maltose transporter. In summary, our work can help to guide new strain chassis selection for engineering strategies, to produce more robust strains for biofuel production and other industrial applications.
The crest phenotype in domestic chicken is caused by a 195 bp duplication in the intron of HOXC10
Authors: Li Jingyi , Lee Mi-Ok , Davis Brian W , Wu Ping , Hsieh Li Shu-Man , Chuong Cheng-Ming , Andersson Leif
Published: January 2021

The Crest mutation in chicken shows incomplete dominance and causes a spectacular phenotype in which the small feathers normally present on the head are replaced by much larger feathers normally present only in dorsal skin. Using whole-genome sequencing, we show that the crest phenotype is caused by a 195 bp duplication of an evolutionarily conserved sequence located in the intron of HOXC10 on chromosome 33. A diagnostic test showed that the duplication was present in all 54 crested chickens representing eight breeds and absent from all 433 non-crested chickens representing 214 populations. The mutation causes ectopic expression of at least five closely linked HOXC genes, including HOXC10, in cranial skin of crested chickens. The result is consistent with the interpretation that the crest feathers are caused by an altered body region identity. The upregulated HOXC gene expression is expanded to skull tissue of Polish chickens showing a large crest often associated with cerebral hernia, but not in Silkie chickens characterized by a small crest, both homozygous for the duplication. Thus, the 195 bp duplication is required for the development of a large crest and susceptibility to cerebral hernia because only crested chicken show this malformation. However, this mutation is not sufficient to cause herniation because this malformation is not present in breeds with a small crest, like Silkie chickens.
The importance of dominance and genotype-by-environment interactions on grain yield variation in a large-scale public cooperative maize experiment
Authors: Rogers Anna R , Dunne Jeffrey C , Romay Cinta , Bohn Martin , Buckler Edward S , Ciampitti Ignacio A , Edwards Jode , Ertl David , Flint-Garcia Sherry , Gore Michael A , Graham Christopher , Hirsch Candice N , Hood Elizabeth , Hooker David C , Knoll Joseph , Lee Elizabeth C , Lorenz Aaron , Lynch Jonathan P , McKay John , Moose Stephen P , Murray Seth C , Nelson Rebecca , Rocheford Torbert , Schnable James C , Schnable Patrick S , Sekhon Rajandeep , Singh Maninder , Smith Margaret , Springer Nathan , Thelen Kurt , Thomison Peter , Thompson Addie , Tuinstra Mitch , Wallace Jason , Wisser Randall J , Xu Wenwei , Gilmour A R , Kaeppler Shawn M , De Leon Natalia , Holland James B
Published: January 2021

High-dimensional and high-throughput genomic, field performance, and environmental data are becoming increasingly available to crop breeding programs, and their integration can facilitate genomic prediction within and across environments and provide insights into the genetic architecture of complex traits and the nature of genotype-by-environment interactions. To partition trait variation into additive and dominance (main effect) genetic and corresponding genetic-by-environment variances, and to identify specific environmental factors that influence genotype-by-environment interactions, we curated and analyzed genotypic and phenotypic data on 1918 maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids and environmental data from 65 testing environments. For grain yield, dominance variance was similar in magnitude to additive variance, and genetic-by-environment variances were more important than genetic main effect variances. Models involving both additive and dominance relationships best fit the data and modeling unique genetic covariances among all environments provided the best characterization of the genotype-by-environment interaction patterns. Similarity of relative hybrid performance among environments was modeled as a function of underlying weather variables, permitting identification of weather covariates driving correlations of genetic effects across environments. The resulting models can be used for genomic prediction of mean hybrid performance across populations of environments tested or for environment-specific predictions. These results can also guide efforts to incorporate high-throughput environmental data into genomic prediction models and predict values in new environments characterized with the same environmental characteristics.
RECESSIVE UAA SUPPRESSORS OF THE YEAST SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE
Authors: Ono Bun-Ichiro , Tanaka Mitsuaki , Kominami Masayo , Ishino Yumiko , Shinoda Sumio
Published: January 2021

Recessive lysine-independent revertants were isolated from a ψ+ haploid strain of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae containing one of the leucine-inserting UAA suppressors, SUP29, and various UAA mutations including lys1-1. The majority of the revertants were found to have recessive suppressors in addition to the pre-existing SUP29 mutation. The recessive suppressors were able to suppress only a very limited number of UAA mutations, and none of the UAG mutations thus far examined. The recessive inefficient UAA suppressors were assigned to three complementation groups, sup111, sup112, and sup113. A high incidence of gene conversion was observed for an allele of sup111. An antisuppressor acting on sup111, but not detectably on SUP29, was inadvertently obtained during the course of the study. Interactions between SUP29, sup111 and the antisuppressor asu12 were studied.
MEIOSIS IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER. III. THE EFFECT OF ORIENTATION DISRUPTOR (ord) ON GONIAL MITOTIC AND THE MEIOTIC DIVISIONS IN MALES
Authors: Lin Hsiu-Ping P , Church Kathleen
Published: January 2021

Orientation disruptor (ord), a meiotic mutant that is recombination defective in females and disjunction defective in males and females, has been analyzed using serial section electron and light microscopy. From analysis of primary spermatocytes we have confirmed that ord males are defective in some aspect of the mechanism(s) that holds sister chromatids together during meiosis. In addition, we have determined that ord causes high frequencies of nondisjunction during spermatogonial mitotic divisions, as well as during the meiotic divisions. Mitotic nondisjunction involves the large autosomes more frequently than the sex chromosomes or chromosome 4 and results in high frequencies of primary spermatocytes that are either monosomic or trisomic for chromosome 2 or 3. Abnormalities in spermatocyte cyst formation are also observed in males homozygous for ord. These abnormalities include loss of regulation of meiotic synchrony and the number of gonial cell divisions.
FRAMESHIFT SUPPRESSION IN SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE VI. COMPLETE GENETIC MAP OF TWENTY-FIVE SUPPRESSOR GENES
Authors: Gaber Richard F , Mathison Lorilee , Edelman Irv , Culbertson Michael R
Published: January 2021

Five previously unmapped frameshift suppressor genes have been located on the yeast genetic map. In addition, we have further characterized the map positions of two suppressors whose approximate locations were determined in an earlier study. These results represent the completion of genetic mapping studies on all 25 of the known frameshift suppressor genes in yeast.—The approximate location of each suppressor gene was initially determined through the use of a set of mapping strains containing 61 signal markers distributed throughout the yeast genome. Standard meiotic linkage was assayed in crosses between strains carrying the suppressors and the mapping strains. Subsequent to these approximate linkage determinations, each suppressor gene was more precisely located in multi-point crosses. The implications of these mapping results for the genomic distribution of frameshift suppressor genes, which include both glycine and proline tRNA genes, are discussed.
ADAPTATION AT SPECIFIC LOCI. III. FIELD BEHAVIOR AND SURVIVORSHIP DIFFERENCES AMONG COLIAS PGI GENOTYPES ARE PREDICTABLE FROM IN VITRO BIOCHEMISTRY
Authors: Watt Ward B , Cassin Richard C , Swan Mary S
Published: January 2021

Previous work on the phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI) polymorphism of Colias butterflies led to predictions concerning aspects of differential survivorship and fecundity among the polymorphic genotypes in the wild. Explicit assumptions underlying these predictions were that functional differences among genotypes at the in vitro biochemical level reflected roughly corresponding differences in vivo, and that the interaction of such differences with the thermal dependence of flight capacity was correctly understood. All those predictions tested were confirmed. We now report experimental designs for testing three more of these predictions. They concern both differential survivorship and the flight activity component of differential fecundity. We find, as predicted: (1) certain heterozygotes, kinetically most effective at low temperature, begin flight earlier in the day than do other genotypes (six replicates); (2) among the three most common genotypes, the order of kinetic effectiveness, i.e., 3/4 > 3/3 >> 4/4, is reflected in asymmetric order of heterotic advantage, 3/4> 3/3 >> 4/4, in time of flight initiation, breadth of flight time and/or overall flight density through the day (six replicates); (3) under high temperature stress, the usual survivorship advantage of kinetically favored genotypes is reversed, and the three most thermally stable genotypes show better survivorship.——These results strengthen further the case for direct natural selection on this locus. Implications for population sampling practices, for studies of the adaptive organization of metabolism, and for studies of the interaction of genetic variation with patterns of environmental variability are discussed.
INVOLVEMENT OF GENE 49 IN RECOMBINATION OF BACTERIOPHAGE T4
Authors: Miyazaki Junichi , Ryo Yeikou , Minagawa Teiichi
Published: January 2021

The role of T4 gene 49 in recombination was investigated using its conditional-lethal amber (am) and temperature-sensitive (ts) mutants. When measured in genetic tests, defects in gene 49 produced a recombination-deficient phenotype. However, DNA synthesized in cells infected with a ts mutant (tsC9) at a nonpermissive temperature appeared to be in a recombinogenic state: after restitution of gene function by shifting to a permissive temperature, the recombinant frequency among progeny increased rapidly even when DNA replication was blocked by an inhibitor. Growth of a gene 49-defective mutant was suppressed by an additional mutation in gene uvs X, but recombination between rII markers was not.
A MUTATION ALLOWING EXPRESSION OF NORMALLY SILENT a MATING-TYPE INFORMATION IN SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE
Authors: Gruenspan Harry , Eaton Norman R
Published: January 2021

Mating type in haploid cells of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is determined by a pair of alleles MAT  a and MATα. Under various conditions haploid mating types can be interconverted. It has been proposed that transpositions of silent cassettes of mating-type information from HML or HMR to MAT are the source of mating type conversions. A mutation described in this work, designated AON1, has the following properties. (1) MATα cells carring AON1 are defective in mating. (2) AON1 allows MATα/MATα but not MAT  a/MAT  a diploids to sporulate; thus, AON1 mimics the MAT  a requirement for sporulation. (3) mat  a-1 cells that carry AON1 are MAT  a phenocopies, i.e., MATα/mat  a-1 AON1 diploids behave as standard MATα/MAT  a cells; therefore, AON1 suppresses the defect of mat  a-1. (4) AON1 maps at or near HMR  a. (5) Same-site revertants from AON1 lose the ability to convert mating type to MAT  a, indicating that reversion is associated with the loss of a functional HMR  a locus. In addition, AON1 is a dominant mutation. We conclude that AON1 is a regulatory mutation, probably cis-acting, that leads to the constitutive expression of silent a mating-type information located at HMR  a.
EVOLUTIONARY RELATIONSHIPS OF FOUR SPECIES OF HAWAIIAN DROSOPHILA AS MEASURED BY DNA REASSOCIATION
Authors: Hunt John A , Carson Hampton L
Published: January 2021

Four species of the Hawaiian Drosophila planitibia subgroup which are homosequential in their polytene chromosomes are resident on the islands of Molokai, Maui and Hawaii. Comparisons of DNA sequence divergence in these four have been made by hybridization of total single-copy radiolabeled tracer DNA from each of the species with excess nonlabeled DNA from each of the species, and measurement of the reduction of average melting temperature (ΔTma) was made in 2.4 m tetraethyl ammonium chloride. The mean ΔTma between either D. heteroneura or D. silvestris and either D. planitibia or D. differens was found to be 1.06°, whereas the difference between D. planitibia and D. differens in 0.65° and between D. heteroneura and D. silvestris is 0.75°. These measurements taken together with the distances calculated from isozyme studies, chromosomal relationships, as well as the island locations indicate that the ancestor of these species diverged from other planitibia subgroup flies on Molokai [age 1.8 million years before present, (My BP)]. We hypothesize that one line became the present-day D. differens and diverged probably at the time of formation of East Maui (0.8-1 My BP) to form the species D. planitibia. Flies from the other line migrated to Hawaii soon after its formation (0.7 My BP) to form the two species D. heteroneura and D. silvestris.
PATTERNS OF MITOCHONDRIAL DNA VARIATION IN INDIGENOUS MAIZE RACES OF LATIN AMERICA
Authors: Weissinger A K , Timothy D H , Levings C S , Goodman M M
Published: January 2021

Mitochondrial DNAs (mtDNAs) were isolated from 93 diverse races of maize from Latin America. DNAs were examined by agarose gel electrophoresis of undigested DNA and by BamHI and EcoRI cleavage fragment analysis. Eighteen races contained plasmid-like mtDNAs. One race contained the S-1 and S-2 molecules associated with the S cytoplasmic male-sterile, and 17 were found to have the R-1 and R-2 plasmid-like DNAs. BamHI digestion of mtDNAs generated ten distinct electrophoretograms, and EcoRI digestion produced eight different fragment patterns. Races were assigned to one of 18 groups according to EcoRI and BamHI fragment patterns and whether or not they contained plasmid-like DNAs. Eight races produced restriction patterns similar to one of the characterized cytoplasmic male-steriles C, T, or S. Races from Meso-America and some from South America with Meso-American affinities were separated from other South American races. South American races were placed in three general classes of related groups. There was considerable agreement among the groupings here and those based on morphological and cytological affinities.
NATURAL SELECTION AND DENSITY-DEPENDENT POPULATION GROWTH
Authors: Desharnais R A , Costantino R F
Published: January 2021

Natural selection was studied in the context of density-dependent population growth using a single locus, continuous time model for the rates of change of population size and allele frequency. The maximization principle of density-dependent selection was applied to a class of fitness expressions with explicit recruitment and mortality terms. Three general results were obtained: First, at low population densities, the genetic basis of selection is the difference between the mean recruitment rate and the mean mortality rate. Second, at densities much higher than the equilibrium population size, selection is expected to act to minimize the mean mortality rate. Third, as the population approaches its equilibrium density, selection is predicted to maximize the ratio of the mean recruitment rate to the mean mortality rate.
GENETIC CONTROL OF Adh EXPRESSION IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER
Authors: Maroni G , Laurie-Ahlberg C C
Published: January 2021

Natural variants displaying different levels of expression of the gene for alcohol dehydrogenase (Adh) were subjected to genetic mapping experiments. The strains studied carry one of the two common electrophoretic forms of the enzyme. The difference among Adh  - fast strains appears to be due to multiple loci with trans-acting effects. Differences among Adh  - slow strains are due to modifiers or quantitative sites located very close to the structural gene (less than 0.05 map unit) or part of it. The modifiers detected in the Adhs strains seem to operate only on the structural allele in the cis-position.—A modifier that affects the ratio of ADH levels in larvae and adults was also detected in the Adhs strains. This modifier is also closely linked to Adh and is cis-acting.
Incomes and Child Health in Sub-Saharan Africa, 1990–2018
Authors: Grogan Louise , Moers Luc
Published: January 2021

This paper investigates the relationship between real incomes in Sub-Saharan African countries during 1990–2018 and child wellbeing. A new UNICEF-WHO-World Bank database of child growth and malnutrition and annual measures of child mortality from the World Development Indicators are employed. Changes in real incomes are related to changes in these measures. Real incomes are found to be strongly negatively conditionally associated with stunting, underweight and child mortality. The fraction of each country’s export revenue derived from major non-agricultural export commodities in 1990 is then used to construct a counterfactual value of export revenues. This measure is used to predict real incomes in a country in a year. The impact of incomes on child mortality outcomes is then assessed. Instrumental variables results suggest that improved incomes may have causally reduced neonatal and under-five mortality.
Do Age and Sex Influence Anorectal Manometry Parameters?
Authors: Jutras Gabrielle , Wahba George , Ayuso Eloise , Neshkova Elissaveta , Bouin Mickael
Published: January 2021

Background

High-resolution anorectal manometry (HRM) is widely used in the evaluation of anal incontinence and constipation, which become increasingly prevalent with age. However, the impact of age and comorbidities on physiological digestive parameters remains poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of age on anorectal function.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study on patients at our digestive motility clinic between January 2016 and May 2019. All patients with a normal HRM were included. Clinical data and HRM parameters were collected in a database. Multivariate regression analyses were performed to evaluate the effects of age, sex, medical comorbidities and obstetric history on anorectal HRM parameters.

Key Results

One hundred and forty-four patients were included (mean age: 53 ± 16 years, 72% females). The main indications for anorectal HRM were incontinence (44%), constipation (37%) and anorectal pain (9%). Age was significantly associated with higher maximum tolerable volume (β = +0.48 mL year-1, P = 0.04) and higher rectal compliance (β = +0.04 mL year-1, P = 0.01). Independently from age and medical comorbidities, female demonstrated significantly lower mean endurance squeeze pressure (β = −44.4 mmHg, P < 0.001), maximal squeeze pressure (β = −62.3 mmHg; P < 0.001), volume at first urge (β = −16.7 mL, P = 0.02) and maximum tolerable volume (β = −16.1 mL, P = 0.046). Vaginal birth was associated with lower tolerable maximum pressure (β = −39.4 mmHg, P = 0.046).

Conclusion

Age and sex are independent factors which influence anorectal HRM parameters. These findings should be taken into consideration when interpreting anorectal HRM.
The Role of Law in Enforcing Peace Agreements: Lessons Learned from Colombia
Authors: Müller C Sophia
Published: January 2021

Peace agreements are frequently violated. These violations can result in the resumption of armed conflict. Yet, while there is an entire body of political science literature on the factors that influence the success or failure of peace agreements, there are only few legal scholars who deal with the implementation and enforcement of peace agreements. Law has the potential to play a critical role in peace agreement enforcement. At present, however, it is prevented from fulfilling this potential due to controversies on the legal nature of peace agreements, and the limited number of available legal enforcement mechanisms. This article will address some of these controversies on the basis of a Colombian case study. Compared to other contemporary peace agreements, the Colombian peace agreement of 24 November 2016 with the FARC is detailed and comprehensive. It created a range of monitoring mechanisms, such as two UN political missions, a comprehensive follow-up commission (CSIVI), and an international observation mechanism. Despite the abundance of these monitoring mechanisms, gaps in protection remain. An analysis of the mechanisms shows that some peace agreement violations could not be adequately addressed by any of the available mechanisms—be it due to their political nature, or due to their limited mandates. Bearing in mind the relative sophistication of the Colombian peace agreement, this is reason for concern. The article aims to demonstrate the role that law could play in enforcing peace agreements, while also discussing persisting systemic shortcomings in the applicable legal framework.
Reasoning about strategic voting in modal logic quickly becomes undecidable
Authors: Parmann Erik , Ågotnes Thomas
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we show that modal logics for reasoning about social choice quickly become undecidable. In particular, we study modal logics that can be used to reason about situations involving both actual and claimed preferences in the context of a social choice function and argue that reasoning on this level often occurs in social choice. We formally define a particular logic, interpreted in such situations, that can express the properties involved in the Gibbard–Satterthwaite theorem. We then, however, demonstrate that any modal logic interpreted in such situations having a certain natural expressive power, in particular a modality quantifying over all possible claimed preferences, becomes undecidable when there are enough agents in the system. We also discuss a decidable special case and provide a complete axiomatization of fragment of the language.
The power-law component of the X-ray emissions from pulsar-wind nebulae and their pulsars
Authors: Hsiang Jr-Yue , Chang Hsiang-Kuang
Published: January 2021

To look for possible phenomenological connections between pulsar timing properties and emissions from pulsar-wind nebulae and their pulsars, we studied the power-law component of the X-ray emissions from 35 pulsar-wind nebulae that have a detected pulsar in X-rays. Our major results are as follows. (1) The power-law components of the X-ray luminosities, in the energy range from 0.5–8 keV, of the nebulae and of the pulsar both show a strong correlation with the pulsar spin-down power ($\dot{E}$), consistent with earlier studies. However, equally significant correlations with the magnetic field strength at the light cylinder (Blc) are also found. The similar significance level of the correlations with $\dot{E}$ and with Blc suggests that not only $\dot{E}$ but also Blc plays an important role in understanding these power-law emissions. (2) Thermal X-ray emissions are detected in 12 pulsars among the 35 samples. With derived temperature as one additional variable, we found that the photon indices of a pulsar’s non-thermal X-ray power-law spectra can be well described by a linear function of log P, $\log \dot{P}$, and temperature logarithm log T. This indicates that the surface temperature of neutron stars plays an important role in determining the energy distribution of the radiating pair plasma in pulsar magnetospheres.
Super-enhancer mediated regulation of adult β-globin gene expression: the role of eRNA and Integrator
Authors: Gurumurthy Aishwarya , Yu David T , Stees Jared R , Chamales Pamela , Gavrilova Ekaterina , Wassel Paul , Li Lu , Stribling Daniel , Chen Jinyang , Brackett Marissa , Ishov Alexander M , Xie Mingyi , Bungert Jörg
Published: January 2021

Super-enhancers (SEs) mediate high transcription levels of target genes. Previous studies have shown that SEs recruit transcription complexes and generate enhancer RNAs (eRNAs). We characterized transcription at the human and murine β-globin locus control region (LCR) SE. We found that the human LCR is capable of recruiting transcription complexes independently from linked globin genes in transgenic mice. Furthermore, LCR hypersensitive site 2 (HS2) initiates the formation of bidirectional transcripts in transgenic mice and in the endogenous β-globin gene locus in murine erythroleukemia (MEL) cells. HS2 3′eRNA is relatively unstable and remains in close proximity to the globin gene locus. Reducing the abundance of HS2 3′eRNA leads to a reduction in β-globin gene transcription and compromises RNA polymerase II (Pol II) recruitment at the promoter. The Integrator complex has been shown to terminate eRNA transcription. We demonstrate that Integrator interacts downstream of LCR HS2. Inducible ablation of Integrator function in MEL or differentiating primary human CD34+ cells causes a decrease in expression of the adult β-globin gene and accumulation of Pol II and eRNA at the LCR. The data suggest that transcription complexes are assembled at the LCR and transferred to the globin genes by mechanisms that involve Integrator mediated release of Pol II and eRNA from the LCR.
Pain-Related Injustice Appraisals in Youth with Sickle Cell Disease: A Preliminary Investigation
Authors: Miller Megan M , Rumble Deanna D , Hirsh Adam T , Vervoort Tine , Crosby Lori E , Madan-Swain Avi , Lebensburger Jeffrey , Hood Anna M , Trost Zina
Published: January 2021

Objectives

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic disorder that affects approximately 100,000 Americans, the majority of whom are African American. SCD-related pain often has deleterious effects on functioning and quality of life. The inherited nature of SCD, SCD-related stigma, and serious physical and functional impact of SCD-related pain create a situation ripe for individuals to appraise their SCD-related pain as unfair or unjust. The aim of this preliminary investigation is to explore the extent to which pediatric patients with SCD appraise their pain as unjust and how these appraisals relate to functioning.

Methods

Participants were youth with SCD (N = 30, mean age = 11.3, 57% boys) who attended a hematology clinic visit. Patients were invited to complete paper-based questionnaires assessing pain-related injustice appraisals, pain catastrophizing, pain and hurt, functional disability, depression, anxiety, and peer relationships.

Results

Results of hierarchical regressions indicate that pain-related injustice significantly predicted functional disability, depression, and anxiety after controlling for patient pain and catastrophizing.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that pain-related injustice appraisals are an important contributor to the pain experience of youth with SCD. Early identification and remediation of pain-related injustice appraisals could have long-term functional benefits for youth with SCD.
High early mortality in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: results from the inception cohort at a tertiary care centre in northern India
Authors: Mehta Pankti , Agarwal Vikas , Gupta Latika
Published: January 2021

Objectives

We determined the mortality along with the proportion of disease related adverse events measured individually and by a composite adverse outcome (devised by including deaths, disability, relapses and minimal response) and its predictors in an inception cohort of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM).

Methods

IIM from the MyoCite cohort (December 2017–19) were reviewed for early outcomes (mortality, IMACS core set). Comparisons were drawn between those meeting the primary and secondary outcomes.

Results

Of 70 patients [62 adults, M:F = 1:4.8, age 43 (28.5–51) and eight children, M:F = 1:1, 14.5 (8.8–16)], dermatomyositis (DM) was the most common subset [29 (41.4%) adults; 7 (87.5%) children]. Over 10 (4–15) months, 10 (15.2%) died and four polymyositis were reclassified. One-year survival for anti-melanoma differentiation antigen 5 (MDA5) subtype was 30% and anti-synthetase syndrome (ARS) subtype was 75%. Overall, lower respiratory infections were the most common cause of death [n = 3 (30%)] followed closely by malignancy and rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RP-ILD). Amongst survivors, a major IMACS response was recorded in 54.5% adults and 100% children. Thirty per cent suffered from moderate to severe disability and 16.7% experienced relapses. Overall, two-thirds accrued the composite adverse outcome. On multivariate analysis, older age and anti-MDA5 predicted mortality. Arthritis, rash and positive ANA reduced and anti-MDA5 increased the risk for the composite adverse outcome.

Conclusion

Indian patients with IIM suffer high early mortality attributable to infection, cancer and RP-ILD, calling for high vigilance post diagnosis. Autoantibodies and certain clinical features identify risk for composite adverse outcomes.
How Does the Local Knowledge of Scientists Influence Their Impact on Governance Performance?
Authors: Yang Lihua
Published: January 2021

Although numerous studies have emphasized the importance of local knowledge and science, as well as collaboration between local people and scientists in social and environmental governance, it is often assumed that local people produce and possess only local knowledge while scientists have only scientific knowledge. The aim of this study was to explore whether and how the local knowledge of scientists influences their impact on governance performance, using desertification control in northern China as a typical case. This research produces three major findings. (1) Scientists’ local knowledge did improve their impact on desertification control. (2) Among the three important types of local knowledge, an understanding of local social relationships, wisdom, and methods was more important than an understanding of local conditions. (3) Successful applications of local knowledge by scientists shared seven collaborative factors that stressed the scientists’ local knowledge, the scientists’ behaviours, and laws and regulations.
Laminar Closure in Double-door Laminoplasty for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy with Nonkyphotic Alignment
Authors: Sakai Kenichiro , Hirai Takashi , Arai Yoshiyasu , Maehara Hidetsugu , Torigoe Ichiro , Inose Hiroyuki , Tomori Masaki , Sakaki Kyohei , Yuasa Masato , Matsukura Yu , Oyaizu Takuya , Morishita Shingo , Yoshii Toshitaka , Okawa Atsushi
Published: January 2021

Study Design.

A retrospective case series.

Objective.

The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and clinical features of laminar closure in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) based on prospectively collected data.

Summary of Background Data.

Laminar closure after single open-door laminoplasty (LAMP) has been reported to result in poor clinical outcomes. However, no studies to date have examined the underlying mechanisms and frequency of laminar closure after double-door LAMP.

Methods.

This study prospectively enrolled 128 consecutive patients with CSM scheduled for double-door LAMP without a laminar spacer at our hospital between 2008 and 2013. Sagittal parameters including C2–7 angle, T1 slope, and cervical sagittal vertical axis (C-SVA), which is defined as the distance between the anterior margin of the external auditory canal plumb line and the posterior-cranial corner of the C7 vertebral body on x-ray, were calculated before and after the operation. Laminar angle was also measured on magnetic resonance images preoperatively and at 1 week and 1 year postoperatively. Laminar closure was defined as > 20% decrease in laminar angle at 1 year compared with that at 1 week postoperatively. The Japanese Orthopedic Association score for cervical myelopathy and the recovery rate determined from the preoperative and postoperative scores were evaluated as clinical outcomes.

Results.

In total, 110 patients were completely followed up for at least 1 year (follow-up rate: 85.9%). Laminar closure was observed in six cases (5.5%) at the 1-year follow-up. The recovery rate in these six cases was significantly lower than in cases without laminar closure (16.6% vs. 45.1%, respectively). Logistic regression analysis revealed age and C-SVA as significant risk factors for postoperative laminar closure.

Conclusion.

This study is the first to investigate the incidence of laminar closure after double-door LAMP without a laminar spacer. Laminar closure occurred exclusively in elderly patients with kyphotic deformity after LAMP.

Level of Evidence: 4
Mini fluid chAllenge aNd End-expiratory occlusion test to assess flUid responsiVEness in the opeRating room (MANEUVER study)
Authors: Messina Antonio , Lionetti Giulia , Foti Lorenzo , Bellotti Enrico , Marcomini Nicole , Cammarota Gianmaria , Bennett Victoria , Saderi Laura , Sotgiu Giovanni , Della Corte Francesco , Protti Alessandro , Monge García Manuel I. , Romagnoli Stefano , Cecconi Maurizio
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND

The fluid challenge response in surgical patients can be predicted by functional haemodynamic tests. Two tests, the mini-fluid challenge (mini-FC) and end-expiratory occlusion test (EEOT), have been assessed in a few small single-centre studies with conflicting results. In general, functional haemodynamic tests have not performed reliably in predicting fluid responsiveness in patients undergoing laparotomy.

OBJECTIVE

This trial is designed to address and compare the reliability of the EEOT and the mini-FC in predicting fluid responsiveness during laparotomy.

DESIGN

Prospective, multicentre study.

SETTING

Three university hospitals in Italy.

PATIENTS

A total of 103 adults patients scheduled for elective laparotomy with invasive arterial monitoring.

INTERVENTIONS

The study protocol evaluated the changes in the stroke volume index (SVI) 20 s (EEOT20) and 30 s (EEOT30) after an expiratory hold and after a mini-FC of 100 ml over 1 min. Fluid responsiveness required an increase in SVI at least 10% following 4 ml kg−1 of Ringer's solution fluid challenge infused over 10 min.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Haemodynamic data, including SVI, were obtained from pulse contour analysis. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves of the tests were compared with assess fluid responsiveness.

RESULTS

Fluid challenge administration induced an increase in SVI at least 10% in 51.5% of patients. The rate of fluid responsiveness was comparable among the three participant centres (P = 0.10). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (95% CI) of the changes in SVI after mini-FC was 0.95 (0.88 to 0.98), sensitivity 98.0% (89.5 to 99.6) and specificity 86.8% (75.1 to 93.4) for a cut-off value of 4% of increase in SVI. This was higher than the SVI changes after EEOT20, 0.67 (0.57 to 0.76) and after EEOT30, 0.73 (0.63 to 0.81).

CONCLUSION

In patients undergoing laparotomy the mini-FC reliably predicted fluid responsiveness with high-sensitivity and specificity. The EEOT showed poor discriminative value and cannot be recommended for assessment of fluid responsiveness in this surgical setting.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT03808753.
Early postoperative recovery after peri-acetabular osteotomy
Authors: Steinthorsdottir Kristin J. , Awada Hussein N. , Dirks Jesper , Stürup Jens , Winther Nikolaj S. , Kehlet Henrik , Aasvang Eske Kvanner
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND

Peri-acetabular osteotomy is the joint-preserving treatment of choice in young adults with hip dysplasia but is associated with intense pain and high opioid consumption postoperatively.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate whether 48 mg of pre-operative dexamethasone was superior to a standard dose of 8 mg on reducing pain in the immediate postoperative phase.

DESIGN

A randomised, double-blind trial.

SETTING

Single-centre, primary facility. May 2017 to August 2019.

PATIENTS

At least 18 years undergoing peri-acetabular osteotomy.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients were randomised 1 : 1 to 48 or 8 mg dexamethasone intravenous (i.v.) as a single pre-operative injection. All patients received a standardised peri-operative protocol, including pre-operative acetaminophen and gabapentin, total i.v. anaesthesia and local anaesthetic catheter based wound administration.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Number of patients with moderate/severe pain [>3 on a numeric rating scale (NRS)] in the immediate postoperative phase.

RESULTS

Sixty-four patients (32 in each group) were included, and their data analysed. At some point from tracheal extubation until transfer to the ward, the NRS was more than 3 in 75% (24/32) of the 48 mg group and in 66% (21/32) in the 8 mg group, odds ratio 1.571 (95% CI, 0.552 to 4.64), P = 0.585. Patients in the 48 mg group received less opioid [cumulative rescue analgesics, oral morphine equivalents (OMEQ)] during postoperative days 0–4: median [IQR] OMEQ was 36 [15 to 85] mg vs. 79 [36 to 154] mg in the 48 and 8 mg group, respectively, P = 0.034. There were no statistically significant differences regarding complications, rate of infections or readmissions.

CONCLUSION

Forty-eight milligram of dexamethasone did not reduce pain in the immediate postoperative phase compared with an 8 mg dose. We observed insignificantly lower pain scores and significantly lower cumulated opioid requirements in the 48 mg group during the first four postoperative days.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03161938, EudraCT (2017-000544-1)