bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conclusion
Authors: Chase Elaine , Allsopp Jennifer
Published: May 2021

This concluding chapter reviews the core questions addressed through the research and considers the implications of the findings for rethinking policy and practice. Young people are subjected to highly complex systems of immigration control intertwined with social support depending on their age, their status on the micro-level and, at the macro-level, a constantly shifting political landscape. Despite these constant shifts, the broad direction of the policy response has remained fairly constant. It persists in being shaped by state-centric views of migration, static conceptions of belonging, and a bias towards a political preference for return. Such path dependency underestimates young people's agency and willingness to embrace risk in their efforts to secure viable futures. The net result is a set of policies that fail to offer a durable solution or act in the best interests of either individual migrant young people themselves or society as a whole. Ultimately, unaccompanied children becoming adult is a global issue, a highly political issue and one that needs to be brought further to the fore in contemporary politics. It raises huge questions of responsibility and care for these young people in an increasingly globalized and connected world.
Introduction: Unhealthy Justice, Damaged Society
Authors: Jones Emma , Graffin Neil , Samra Rajvinder , Lucassen Mathijs
Published: May 2021

This chapter highlights growing international concerns over the levels of mental health and wellbeing within the legal profession. Studies in a range of jurisdictions have consistently shown that legal professionals have higher levels of mental health issues and lower levels of wellbeing than members of the general population. Significant concerns have also been raised around levels of alcohol and substance abuse. This chapter highlights key themes which have emerged from research within other jurisdictions and refers to the need to develop a clear evidence-base within the UK. It emphasises the importance of the mental health and wellbeing of legal professionals within wider society. Not only do current levels of distress lead to great personal suffering, they can lead to lapses in ethical and moral judgement and difficulties in many aspects of legal practice. This can therefore impact on clients, other parties and all who are involved in the justice system.
Catch ’em Early: Making a Lawyer
Authors: Jones Emma , Graffin Neil , Samra Rajvinder , Lucassen Mathijs
Published: May 2021

This chapter explores how a number of the issues around mental health and wellbeing faced by the legal profession can be traced back to the legal education and training provided. Drawing on an international evidence-base relating to the wellbeing of law students, it considers how the professional identity formation of many professionals begins at an early stage and often involved the absorption of potentially unhealthy norms and expectations. In particular, it explores the notion that studying and practising law has a certain status and thus those who follow this route are in some way special or different – one of the key themes identified in this study. The chapter also considers the challenges which can arise when individuals enter the profession but are not provided with adequate training and support, often facing harrowing and difficult situations and cases, but being expected to simply carry on regardless.
Spectacle and Trumpism
Authors: Miller Jacob C.
Published: May 2021

This book offers a new perspective on the theory of spectacle to explain the rise of Donald Trump and Trumpism in American society and politics. While Trump is inseparable from the existence of a mass consumer culture under capitalism, few have elaborated on that aspect of his identity and rise to the Presidency. Drawing on Guy Debord and his interlocutors, as well as others like Deleuze and Guattari and Walter Benjamin, this book conceptualizes spectacle as an embodied assemblage that includes the affective and emotional components of life amid a broader materialization of capitalism in the everyday landscape. Inspired by the methodology of Benjamin’s The Arcades Project, this book triangulates theories of the spectacle with (1) journalistic coverage of the 2016 Presidential campaign and its aftermath and (2) other journalistic coverage of contemporary consumer culture. Together, the spectacle appears as a bundle of intense feelings and sensations that enrol us into new relationships with commodities, technology and data, as well as the materiality of the consumer infrastructure itself, including built environments and the technologies therein. In total, we get a sense not only of how the State uses spectacle to govern, but how the spectacle came to transform the political sphere itself, thereby providing a context for Trumpism. The spectacle, then, leads not only to “post-truth” horizons, but more precise articulations with the far-right. As such, this book illuminates how Trump embodies the frightening potential of capitalist consumerism to intersect with and further enable fascistic forms of power.
Introduction
Authors: Miller Jacob C.
Published: May 2021

The introduction lays the philosophical foundations for the study by discussing Guy Debord’s “The Society of the Spectacle” and relevant critiques. To reconstruct this theoretical approach, the Introduction also incorporates one of the first theorists of the spectacle – Walter Benjamin – and other more contemporary theorists that are essential for understanding the spectacle of consumption today, namely Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari. Justification for “an embodied assemblage” approach is provided, as a way to transcend previous shortcomings of theories of the spectacle. This overview is critical for understanding Trump and Trumpism today.
The Affects of Celebrity Brand
Authors: Miller Jacob C.
Published: May 2021

This chapter explores how Trump’s political identity builds on his status as a celebrity and as a brand. Trump has long utilized media technologies of spectacle in order to enhance his brand identity. As a commercial assemblage, Trump’s business model has been to combine the affective dimensions of celebrity and brand in a way that guarantees the flows of capital and finance that his business enterprise requires. The first chapter provides this context for how we have been socialized by these technologies of post-truth reality during these years and how they came to infect political culture. Trump was gaining celebrity status in the 1980s when President Ronald Reagan was putting similar techniques to work in the White House, providing an early model for Trump to later reinvent.
The Mixing of Democracy and Despotism
Authors: Robé Jean-Philippe
Published: May 2021

Constitutional systems of government promoting the protection of property actually lead to a mix of democracy and despotism. This is due to the fact that property, with its absolute prerogatives and the decentralization of sovereignty it represents, was designed to protect individuals’ autonomy. With the advent of a corporate economy, however, these prerogatives were concentrated within corporations used to legally structure business firms. A new form of legal pluralism developed, in an unofficial manner. Global firms are organizations coordinating the operation of large sectors of the economy. But they do it in an unofficial manner. After each of the major crises of the twentieth century - the two World Wars and the Great Depression, in particular - radical evolutions occurred in the legal systems to equilibrate the imbalanced operation of the private side of the Power System. Protective laws were adopted, social rights were granted. Via the Constitutional Revolutions of the twentieth century, the liberal, night watchman State, moved to become the welfare and regulatory State. These Constitutional Revolutions are now being challenged by globalization.
Firms
Authors: Robé Jean-Philippe
Published: May 2021

A sharp distinction must be made between the concepts of « firm » and of « corporation ». The firm is an organization performing an economic activity. The corporation is a type of legal person, most firms of some significance being organized using corporations. A World Wide Web of Contracts is in existence which connects almost everyone to almost everyone. In this web of contracts, some are pure sale and purchase contracts. At the other end of the spectrum, one finds relatively stable clusters of long-term contracts. Some are the contractual substratum of business firms. The Chapter goes on explaining the legal structure of the unincorporated business firm, its position in the World Wide Web of Contracts and the notion of the firm’s limits. It then explains the incorporation process and what changes when a corporation is used to legally structure a business firm. The importance for the corporation to be a legal person is stressed and the fact that the incorporation leads to two separate forms of property rights linked to the same assets - the property right over the productive assets and the property right over the shares of stock issued by the corporation - is explained.
The Idea of Civilization and the Making of the Global Order
Authors: Linklater Andrew
Published: May 2021

This book analyses the impact of the idea of civilization on the global political order. The inquiry explains Norbert Elias’s pioneering examination of the rise of European civilized self-images. It extends the perspective by discussing the interdependencies between state formation which was central to Elias’s explanation and two inter-related phenomena – European colonial expansion and the evolution of the first universal society of states. Special emphasis is placed on European convictions that other societies would become civilized as a result of colonial civilizing offensives and the mimetic behaviour of non-European regimes. The nineteenth century standard of civilization which embodied that belief was an important junction between state formation, colonial expansion and international society. The book concludes with reflections on the cultural
Summary and Conclusions
Authors: Linklater Andrew
Published: May 2021

Elias’s relatively detached investigation of the civilizing process remains the key starting point for those who wish to understand the nature and legacy of the peculiar civilized self- images that arose in the European region.
China's Growing Influence over the Rules of the Digital Road
Authors: Ding Jeffrey
Published: May 2021

executive summary: This essay examines the growing role of China in international standards-setting organizations as a window into its efforts to influence global digital governance institutions and highlights areas where the U.S. can preserve its interests in cyberspace. main argument In recent years China's international influence in shaping the digital rules of the road has increased. Evidence of the country's growing role in digital standards-setting organizations comes from increased numbers of submissions to key international technical standards bodies as well as enhanced Chinese representation in leadership positions in these bodies. This trend is evident in emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, which provide opportunities for China to lead in the formulation of new systems of standards. At the same time, it is important to avoid overstating the country's role in global digital governance. China's standards-setting influence is qualified by the caliber of its submissions and by comparison with other leading countries. policy implications • The U.S. must recognize that China is becoming a more important player in setting international standards for digital technologies, and that this trend comes with both risks and benefits. • To bolster U.S. industry participation in international standards-setting, the U.S. can provide more support for hosting international standards gatherings and for U.S. subject matter experts to participate in standards-setting forums. • International standards-setting organizations can also take steps to check undue Chinese government influence, such as by strengthening anonymous voting procedures.
Journey toward software-defined passive optical networks with multi-PON technology: an industry view [Invited]
Authors: Montalvo Julio , Torrijos Jose , Cortes Daniel , Chundury Rajesh , St. Peter Matt
Published: May 2021

The surge in Internet usage and connectivity worldwide coupled with the emergence of 5G mobile communications has amplified the need for a scalable and sustainable telco networking model. This paper outlines our Open Broadband trial in Brazil and the journey to open software and whitebox hardware as a practical approach to scaling fiber access networks enabling integration into a software-defined network controlled environment while transitioning away from vertically integrated models featuring black box passive optical network (PON) solutions. A key part of this journey is multi-PON capable whitebox optical line terminals (OLTs) with combo-PON (C-PON) optics that play a key role in bridging the transition from G-PON to XGS-PON.
Shot-noise-limit performance of a weak-light phase readout system for intersatellite heterodyne interferometry
Authors: Jiang Yuan-Ze , Jin Xue-Lin , Yeh Hsien-Chi , Liang Yu-Rong
Published: May 2021

A laser interferometer will be used in the spaceborne gravitational-wave detection missions to measure the inter-satellite optical pathlength variations. The phase readout system of the interferometer needs to be carefully designed and tested to accomplish a shot-noise-limited detection performance under the situation of pico-Watt level received lights. In this work, a scheme based on dual-tone acousto-optic diffraction is presented to verify the performance of the weak-light phase readout system. By optimizing the parameters of the photoreceiver and the local strong-light power, the signal-to-noise ratio of the beat-note signal is enhanced. Thanks to the scheme’s common-mode noise rejections for the laser frequency noise, and the optical-path noise, etc., the differential phase noise has achieved a performance of 2×10−4 rad/Hz1/2, which is dominated by the weak-light (∼13 pW) shot noise above the frequencies of 2 mHz.
Nonlinear-dissipation-induced nonreciprocal exceptional points
Authors: Li Tao , Gao Zikai , Xia Keyu
Published: May 2021

Exceptional points (EPs) have revealed a lot of fundamental physics and promise many important applications. The effect of system nonlinearity on the property of EPs is yet to be well studied. Here, we propose an optical system with nonlinear dissipation to achieve a nonreciprocal EP. Our system consists of a linear whispering-gallery-mode microresonator (WGMR) coupling to a WGMR with nonlinear dissipation. In our system, the condition of EP appearance is dependent on the field intensity in the nonlinear WGMR. Due to the chirality of intracavity field intensity, the EPs and the transmission of the system can be nonreciprocal. Our work may pave the way to exploit nonreciprocal EP for optical information processing.
Ultra-low-power four-wave mixing wavelength conversion in high-Q chalcogenide microring resonators
Authors: Jiang Wei C. , Li Kangmei , Gai Xin , Nolan Daniel A. , Dainese Paulo
Published: May 2021

A compact

G
e

11.5

A
s

24

S
e

64.5

chalcogenide microring resonator is fabricated with an intrinsic quality factor of

3.0
×

10
5

in the telecom band. By taking advantage of the strong nonlinearity and cavity enhancement, highly efficient wavelength conversion via four-wave mixing is demonstrated using a microring resonator. Conversion efficiency of

−

33.7

d
B

is obtained by using an ultra-low pump power of 63.8 µW. This work shows that

G
e

11.5

A
s

24

S
e

64.5

chalcogenide microring devices are promising for quantum photonics.
Frequency stabilization of a quantum cascade laser by weak resonant feedback from a Fabry–Perot cavity
Authors: Zhao Gang , Tian Jianfei , Hodges Joseph T. , Fleisher Adam J.
Published: May 2021

Frequency-stabilized mid-infrared lasers are valuable tools for precision molecular spectroscopy. However, their implementation remains limited by complicated stabilization schemes. Here we achieve optical self-locking of a quantum cascade laser to the resonant leak-out field of a highly mode-matched two-mirror cavity. The result is a simple approach to achieving stable frequencies from high-powered mid-infrared lasers. For short time scales (

<

0.1

m
s

), we report a linewidth reduction factor of

3

×

1

0

−
6

to a linewidth of 12 Hz. Furthermore, we demonstrate two-photon cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy of an

N

2

O

overtone transition near a wavelength of 4.53 µm.
Energy transfer coefficients in thulium-doped silica fibers
Authors: Kamrádek Michal , Aubrecht Jan , Vařák Petr , Cajzl Jakub , Kubeček Václav , Honzátko Pavel , Kašík Ivan , Peterka Pavel
Published: May 2021

Energy transfer coefficients in thulium-doped silica fibers are key parameters for a reliable numerical modeling and optimization of high-power fiber lasers pumped at 790 nm and emitting around eye-safer wavelength of 2 µm. We report on determination of the energy transfer coefficients by comparing experimental values and rate-equation-based modeling of thulium fluorescence decays. The study was performed using two pump, 792 nm and 1620 nm, and two signal, 800 nm and 2 µm, wavelengths. The following values were obtained k3011 = (1.9 ± 0.2) × 10−22 m3s-1, k1130 = (1.4 ± 0.2) × 10−23 m3s-1 and k1120 = (3.5 ± 0.1) × 10−23 m3s-1. To the best of our knowledge, this study involves so far the most comprehensive comparison of various fluorescence decays in terms of excitation and detection wavelengths as well as excitation powers.
In-plane excitation of a topological nanophotonic corner state at telecom wavelengths in a cross-coupled cavity
Authors: He Xin-Tao , Li Meng-Yu , Qiu Hao-Yang , Ruan Wen-Sheng , Zhou Li-Dan , Liu Lin , Chen Xiao-Dong , Chen Wen-Jie , Zhao Fu-Li , Dong Jian-Wen
Published: May 2021

In silicon photonics, the cavity mode is a fundamental mechanism to design integrated passive devices for on-chip optical information processing. Recently, the corner state in a second-order topological photonic crystal (PC) rendered a global method to achieve an intrinsic cavity mode. It is crucial to explore such a topological corner state in silicon photonic integrated circuits (PICs) under in-plane excitation. Here, we study both theoretically and experimentally the topological nanophotonic corner state in a silicon-on-insulator PC cavity at a telecommunications wavelength. In theory, the expectation values of a mirror-flip operation for the Bloch modes of a PC slab are used to characterize the topological phase. Derived from topologically distinct bulk polarizations of two types of dielectric-vein PCs, the corner state is induced in a 90-deg-bend interface, localizing at the corner point of real space and the Brillouin zone boundary of reciprocal space. To implement in-plane excitation in an experiment, we fabricate a cross-coupled PC cavity based on the bend interface and directly image the corner state near 1383 nm using a far-field microscope. Finally, by means of the temporal coupled-mode theory, the intrinsic

Q

factor of a cross-coupled cavity (about 8000) is retrieved from the measured transmission spectra. This work gives deterministic guidance and potential applications for cavity-mode-based passive devices in silicon PICs, such as optical filters, routers, and multiplexers.
Functional-genomic analysis reveals intraspecies diversification of antiviral receptor transporter proteins in Xenopus laevis
Authors: Boys Ian N. , Mar Katrina B. , Schoggins John W.
Published: May 2021

The Receptor Transporter Protein (RTP) family is present in most, if not all jawed vertebrates. Most of our knowledge of this protein family comes from studies on mammalian RTPs, which are multi-function proteins that regulate cell-surface G-protein coupled receptor levels, influence olfactory system development, regulate immune signaling, and directly inhibit viral infection. However, mammals comprise less than one-tenth of extant vertebrate species, and our knowledge about the expression, function, and evolution of non-mammalian RTPs is limited. Here, we explore the evolutionary history of RTPs in vertebrates. We identify signatures of positive selection in many vertebrate RTP clades and characterize multiple, independent expansions of the RTP family outside of what has been described in mammals. We find a striking expansion of RTPs in the African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis, with 11 RTPs in this species as opposed to 1 to 4 in most other species. RNA sequencing revealed that most X. laevis RTPs are upregulated following immune stimulation. In functional assays, we demonstrate that at least three of these X. laevis RTPs inhibit infection by RNA viruses, suggesting that RTP homologs may serve as antiviral effectors outside of Mammalia.
Rapid testing requires clinical evaluation for accurate diagnosis of dengue disease: A passive surveillance study in Southern Malaysia
Authors: Ngim Chin Fang , Husain Syed M. Tupur , Hassan Sharifah Syed , Dhanoa Amreeta , Ahmad Siti Aisyah Abdul , Mariapun Jeevitha , Wan Ismail Wan Fadhilah , Botross Henien Nevein Philip , Jahan Nowrozy Kamar , Pong Lian Yih , Elshahawi Hesham , Hontz Robert D. , Warkentein Tyler , Yunos Nor’azim Mohd
Published: May 2021

Background

Dengue fever is the most common mosquito-borne infection worldwide where an expanding surveillance and characterization of this infection are needed to better inform the healthcare system. In this surveillance-based study, we explored the prevalence and distinguishing features of dengue fever amongst febrile patients in a large community-based health facility in southern peninsular Malaysia.

Methods

Over six months in 2018, we recruited 368 adults who met the WHO 2009 criteria for probable dengue infection. They underwent the following blood tests: full blood count, dengue virus (DENV) rapid diagnostic test (RDT), ELISA (dengue IgM and IgG), nested RT-PCR for dengue, multiplex qRT-PCR for Zika, Chikungunya and dengue as well as PCR tests for Leptopspira spp., Japanese encephalitis and West Nile virus.

Results

Laboratory-confirmed dengue infections (defined by positive tests in NS1, IgM, high-titre IgG or nested RT-PCR) were found in 167 (45.4%) patients. Of these 167 dengue patients, only 104 (62.3%) were positive on rapid diagnostic testing. Dengue infection was significantly associated with the following features: family or neighbours with dengue in the past week (AOR: 3.59, 95% CI:2.14–6.00, p<0.001), cutaneous rash (AOR: 3.58, 95% CI:1.77–7.23, p<0.001), increased temperature (AOR: 1.33, 95% CI:1.04–1.70, p = 0.021), leucopenia (white cell count < 4,000/μL) (AOR: 3.44, 95% CI:1.72–6.89, p<0.001) and thrombocytopenia (platelet count <150,000/μL)(AOR: 4.63, 95% CI:2.33–9.21, p<0.001). Dengue infection was negatively associated with runny nose (AOR: 0.47, 95% CI:0.29–0.78, p = 0.003) and arthralgia (AOR: 0.42, 95% CI:0.24–0.75, p = 0.004). Serotyping by nested RT-PCR revealed mostly mono-infections with DENV-2 (n = 64), DENV-1 (n = 32) and DENV-3 (n = 17); 14 co-infections occurred with DENV-1/DENV-2 (n = 13) and DENV-1/DENV-4 (n = 1). Besides dengue, none of the pathogens above were found in patients’ serum.

Conclusions

Acute undifferentiated febrile infections are a diagnostic challenge for community-based clinicians. Rapid diagnostic tests are increasingly used to diagnose dengue infection but negative tests should be interpreted with caution as they fail to detect a considerable proportion of dengue infection. Certain clinical features and haematological parameters are important in the clinical diagnosis of dengue infection.
Soil microbial community responses to short-term nitrogen addition in China’s Horqin Sandy Land
Authors: Yayi Niu , Yulong Duan , Yuqiang Li , Xuyang Wang , Yun Chen , Lilong Wang
Published: May 2021

Anthropogenic nitrogen (N) addition has increased soil nutrient availability, thereby affecting ecosystem processes and functions in N-limited ecosystems. Long-term N addition decreases plant biodiversity, but the effects of short-term N addition on soil microbial community is poorly understood. The present study examined the impacts of short-term N addition (NH4NO3) on these factors in a sandy grassland and semi-fixed sandy land in the Horqin Sandy Land. We measured the responses of soil microbial biomass C and N; on soil β-1,4-glucosidase (BG) and β-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) activity; and soil microflora characteristics to N additions gradient with 0 (control), 5 (N5), 10 (N10), and 15 (N15) g N m−2yr−1. The soil microbial biomass indices, NAG activity, and soil microflora characteristics did not differ significantly among the N levels, and there was no difference at the two sites. The competition for N between plants and soil microbes was not eliminated by short-term N addition due to the low soil nutrient and moisture contents, and the relationships among the original soil microbes did not change. However, N addition increased BG activity in the N5 and N10 additions in the sandy grassland, and in the N5, N10, and N15 additions in the semi-fixed sandy land. This may be due to increased accumulation and fixation of plant litter into soils in response to N addition, leading to increased microbial demand for a C source and increased soil BG activity. Future research should explore the relationships between soil microbial community and N addition at the two sites.
Hydrothermal synthesis of hydroxyapatite powders using Response Surface Methodology (RSM)
Authors: Ebrahimi Shamsi , Stephen Sipaut@ Mohd Nasri Coswald , Bin Arshad Sazmal Effendi
Published: May 2021

Hydroxyapatite (HAp)—[Ca10 (PO4)6(OH) 2] has a similar chemical composition to bone material, making it the main mineral supplement in bone-making. Due to its high biocompatibility, hydroxyapatite is widely used in the repair of bone deficiencies and in the production of dental or orthopedic implants. In this research, hydroxyapatite nanopowder was synthesized using a hydrothermal technique. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to investigate the chemical structure and morphology of the synthesized hydroxyapatite powder. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to evaluate the phase analysis of HAp nanopowder. In addition, bioactivity HAp assessment was conducted by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) attached with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDX) analysis. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with central composite design (CCD) was used in order to determine the optimal conditions for yield, size, and crystallinity. Three independent variables (pH, temperature, and hydrothermal treatment time) were investigated. The yield was observed to increase in alkaline conditions; pH showed the greatest influence on the yield, size, and crystallinity of the synthesized hydroxyapatite, based on Analysis of Variance. The results of bioactivity evaluation are showed high bioactivity due to the formation of apatite on the surface of the synthesized nanopowder.
Modeling the oxygen uptake, transport and consumption in an estivating terrestrial snail, Xeropicta derbentina, by the Colburn analogy
Authors: Fischbach Ulf , Köhler Heinz-R. , Wharam David , Gärtner Ulrich
Published: May 2021

The present work gives insight into the internal heat management of the respiratory system in the terrestrial snailXeropicta derbentina, which has to cope with extreme climate conditions in its habitat. A realistic model of the lung´s vein system was constructed and the active diffusive surface of capillaries and main vein was calculated and confirmed by geometrical measurements. We here present a model that is able to validate the measured oxygen consumption by the use of the Colburn analogy between mass and momentum transfer. By combining basic diffusion laws with the momentum transfer, i.e. wall shear stress, at the inner wall of the lung capillaries and the main vein, the progression of the oxygen mass fraction in the hemolymph can be visualized.
Evolution of cancer stem cell lineage involving feedback regulation
Authors: Batool Iqra , Bajcinca Naim
Published: May 2021

Tumor emergence and progression is a complex phenomenon that assumes special molecular and cellular interactions. The hierarchical structuring and communication via feedback signaling of different cell types, which are categorized as the stem, progenitor, and differentiated cells in dependence of their maturity level, plays an important role. Under healthy conditions, these cells build a dynamical system that is responsible for facilitating the homeostatic regulation of the tissue. Generally, in this hierarchical setting, stem and progenitor cells are yet likely to undergo a mutation, when a cell divides into two daughter cells. This may lead to the development of abnormal characteristics, i.e. mutation in the cell, yielding an unrestrained number of cells. Therefore, the regulation of a stem cell’s proliferation and differentiation rate is crucial for maintaining the balance in the overall cell population. In this paper, a maturity based mathematical model with feedback regulation is formulated for healthy and mutated cell lineages. It is given in the form of coupled ordinary and partial differential equations. The focus is laid on the dynamical effects resulting from acquiring a mutation in the hierarchical structure of stem, progenitor and fully differentiated cells. Additionally, the effects of nonlinear feedback regulation from mature cells into both stem and progenitor cell populations have been inspected. The steady-state solutions of the model are derived analytically. Numerical simulations and results based on a finite volume scheme underpin various expected behavioral patterns of the homeostatic regulation and cancer evolution. For instance, it has been found that the mutated cells can experience significant growth even with a single somatic mutation, but under homeostatic regulation acquire a steady-state and thus, ensuing healthy cell population to either a steady-state or a lower cell concentration. Furthermore, the model behavior has been validated with different experimentally measured tumor values from the literature.
PIVKA-II: A biomarker for diagnosing and monitoring patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma
Authors: Tartaglione Sara , Mancini Patrizia , Viggiani Valentina , Chirletti Piero , Angeloni Antonio , Anastasi Emanuela
Published: May 2021

Background

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an incurable cancer without adequate tumor markers. Our previous study has showed a better diagnostic performance of Protein Induced by Vitamin K Absence II (PIVKA-II) compared to currently used PDAC biomarkers. To corroborate our previous data with a larger sample size and to assess a possible role of PIVKA-II in predicting surgical success. Additionally, to further evaluate the hypothesis of a direct PIVKA-II production by PDAC cells, we examined PIVKA-II tissue expression in a case of PDAC using immunofluorescence.

Methods

We enrolled 76 newly diagnosed PDAC patients and selected 11 patients to determine PIVKA-II levels also after surgical resection. An immunofluorescence (IF) study of PIVKA-II tissue expression was carried out in one of them. PIVKA-II serum values were measured by chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay method (CLEIA) on LUMIPULSE G1200 (Fujirebio-Europe, Belgium).

Results

PIVKA-II serum levels were above the cut-off at baseline in 71 patients (94%) with a median value of 464 mAU/Ml (range 27–40783 mAU/mL); the sensitivity and specificity were 78.67% and 90.67% respectively. Patients with pre-operative PIVKA-II positivity showed a significant decrease (P < 0.015) of median PIVKA-II serum concentrations after surgery: 820 (91–40783) mAU/mL at diagnosis vs 123 (31–4666) mAU/mL post-operatively. IF assay on PDAC sections demonstrated PIVKA-II expression in cancer cells.

Conclusion

These data are the first showing a decreased PIVKA-II serum levels after surgery in PDAC patients and reporting PIVKA-II expression in PDAC tissue. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and to determine PIVKA-II usefulness in diagnosing and monitoring PDAC patients.
Solid-phase excitation-emission matrix spectroscopy for chemical analysis of combustion aerosols
Authors: Mahamuni Gaurav , He Jiayang , Rutherford Jay , Ockerman Byron , Majumdar Arka , Seto Edmund , Korshin Gregory , Novosselov Igor
Published: May 2021

Exposure to ultrafine combustion aerosols such as particulate matter (PM) from residential woodburning, forest fires, cigarette smoke, and traffic emission have been linked to adverse health outcomes. Excitation-emission matrix (EEM) spectroscopy presents a sensitive and cost-effective alternative for analysis of PM organic fraction. However, as with other analytical chemistry methods, the miniaturization is hindered by a solvent extraction step and a need for benchtop instrumentation. We present a methodology for collecting and in-situ analysis of airborne nanoparticles that eliminates labor-intensive sample preparation and miniaturizes the detection platform. Nanoparticles are electrostatically collected onto a transparent substrate coated with solid-phase (SP) solvent—polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The PM organic fraction is extracted into PDMS and analyzedin-situ, thus avoiding liquid-phase extraction. In the SP-EEM analysis, we evaluated external and internal excitation schemes. Internal excitation shows the lowest scattering interference but leads to signal masking from PDMS fluorescence for λ<250nm. The external excitation EEM spectra are dependent on the excitation light incident angle; ranges of 30–40° and 55–65° show the best results. SP-EEM spectra of woodsmoke and cigarette smoke samples are in good agreement with the EEM spectra of liquid-phase extracts. The SP-EEM technique can be used to develop wearable sensors for exposure assessments and environmental monitoring.
Prevention of tunneled cuffed catheter dysfunction with prophylactic use of a taurolidine urokinase lock: A randomized double-blind trial
Authors: Bonkain Florence , Stolear Jean-Claude , Catalano Concetta , Vandervelde Dominique , Treille Serge , Couttenye Marie M. , Dhondt Annemieke , Libertalis Mark , Allamani Mandelina , Madhoun Philippe , Van Craenenbroeck Amaryllis H. , Vanommeslaeghe Floris , Van Hulle Freya , Durieux Philippe , Van Limberghen Ingrid , Tielemans Christian , Wissing Karl Martin
Published: May 2021

Background

The efficacy and cost-effectiveness of prophylactic thrombolytic locks in hemodialysis patients at high-risk of thrombotic dialysis catheter dysfunction is uncertain. We investigated this question in a double-blinded randomized controlled study.

Methods

Prevalent hemodialysis patients from 8 Belgian hemodialysis units, with ≥2 separate episodes of thrombotic dysfunction of their tunneled cuffed catheter during the 6 months before inclusion, were randomized to either: taurolidine heparin locks thrice weekly (control arm) or the same locks twice a week combined with taurolidine urokinase locks once a week before the longest interval without HD (TaurolockU arm). The primary efficacy outcome was the incidence rate of catheter thrombotic dysfunction requiring thrombolytic locks to restore function.

Results

68 hemodialysis patients (32 controls, 36 urokinase) were followed during 9875 catheter days between May 2015 and June 2017. Incidence rate of thrombotic catheter dysfunction was 4.8 in TaurolockU vs 12.1/1000 catheter days in control group (rate ratio 0.39; 95%CI 0.23–0.64). 15/36 (42%) catheters in the treatment group required at least one therapeutic urokinase lock vs 23/32 (72%) in the control group (P = 0.012). The two groups did not differ significantly in catheter-related bloodstream infection and combined cost of prophylactic and therapeutic catheter locks. The TaurolockU group had a numerically higher number of episodes of refractory thrombosis.

Conclusions

Prophylactic use of urokinase locks is highly effective in reducing the number of thrombotic catheter dysfunctions in catheters with a history of recurring dysfunction. Prophylactic use of urokinase locks did not reduce the overall costs associated with catheter locks and was associated with a numerically higher number of episodes of refractory thrombosis.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02036255.
A Bayesian approach to time-varying latent strengths in pairwise comparisons
Authors: Krese Blaž , Štrumbelj Erik
Published: May 2021

The famous Bradley-Terry model for pairwise comparisons is widely used for ranking objects and is often applied to sports data. In this paper we extend the Bradley-Terry model by allowing time-varying latent strengths of compared objects. The time component is modelled with barycentric rational interpolation and Gaussian processes. We also allow for the inclusion of additional information in the form of outcome probabilities. Our models are evaluated and compared on toy data set and real sports data from ATP tennis matches and NBA games. We demonstrated that using Gaussian processes is advantageous compared to barycentric rational interpolation as they are more flexible to model discontinuities and are less sensitive to initial parameters settings. However, all investigated models proved to be robust to over-fitting and perform well with situations of volatile and of constant latent strengths. When using barycentric rational interpolation it has turned out that applying Bayesian approach gives better results than by using MLE. Performance of the models is further improved by incorporating the outcome probabilities.
Nature relatedness as a potential factor to promote physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior in Ecuadorian children
Authors: Molina-Cando María José , Escandón Samuel , Van Dyck Delfien , Cardon Greet , Salvo Deborah , Fiebelkorn Florian , Andrade Susana , Ochoa-Avilés Cristina , García Ana , Brito Jorge , Alvarez-Alvarez Mario , Ochoa-Avilés Angélica
Published: May 2021

Background

Nature relatedness can be associated with health-related outcomes. This study aims to evaluate the associations of nature relatedness with physical activity and sedentary behavior.

Methods

A cross-sectional study involving 9–12 year old children living in Cuenca, Ecuador, was conducted between October 2018 and March 2019. Questionnaires were used to evaluate physical activity (PAQ-C), out-of-school sedentary behavior, nature relatedness and wellbeing. Associations of nature relatedness with physical activity, and sedentary behavior were evaluated using linear regression models or tobit regressions adjusted by age, sex, school type, wellbeing, and body mass index z-score.

Results

A total of 1028 children were surveyed (average age:10.4±1.22 years, 52% female.). Nature relatedness was positively associated with physical activity (β = 0.07; CI 95%: 0.05–0.09; p < 0.001) and non-screen-related sedentary leisure (β = 3.77 minutes; CI 95%: 0.76–6.68; p < 0.05); it was negatively associated with screen time (β = -5.59 minutes; CI 95%: -10.53–0.65; p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Findings suggest that nature relatedness is associated with physical activity and some sedentary behaviors among Ecuadorian school-age children. The promotion of nature relatedness has the potential to improve health.
Global tropical dry forest extent and cover: A comparative study of bioclimatic definitions using two climatic data sets
Authors: Ocón Jonathan Pando , Ibanez Thomas , Franklin Janet , Pau Stephanie , Keppel Gunnar , Rivas-Torres Gonzalo , Shin Michael Edward , Gillespie Thomas Welch
Published: May 2021

There is a debate concerning the definition and extent of tropical dry forest biome and vegetation type at a global spatial scale. We identify the potential extent of the tropical dry forest biome based on bioclimatic definitions and climatic data sets to improve global estimates of distribution, cover, and change. We compared four bioclimatic definitions of the tropical dry forest biome–Murphy and Lugo, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), DryFlor, aridity index–using two climatic data sets: WorldClim and Climatologies at High-resolution for the Earth’s Land Surface Areas (CHELSA). We then compared each of the eight unique combinations of bioclimatic definitions and climatic data sets using 540 field plots identified as tropical dry forest from a literature search and evaluated the accuracy of World Wildlife Fund tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forest ecoregions. We used the definition and climate data that most closely matched field data to calculate forest cover in 2000 and change from 2001 to 2020. Globally, there was low agreement (< 58%) between bioclimatic definitions and WWF ecoregions and only 40% of field plots fell within these ecoregions. FAO using CHELSA had the highest agreement with field plots (81%) and was not correlated with the biome extent. Using the FAO definition with CHELSA climatic data set, we estimate 4,931,414 km2 of closed canopy (≥ 40% forest cover) tropical dry forest in 2000 and 4,369,695 km2 in 2020 with a gross loss of 561,719 km2 (11.4%) from 2001 to 2020. Tropical dry forest biome extent varies significantly based on bioclimatic definition used, with nearly half of all tropical dry forest vegetation missed when using ecoregion boundaries alone, especially in Africa. Using site-specific field validation, we find that the FAO definition using CHELSA provides an accurate, standard, and repeatable way to assess tropical dry forest cover and change at a global scale.
A machine learning prediction model for waiting time to kidney transplant
Authors: Sapiertein Silva Juliana Feiman , Ferreira Gustavo Fernandes , Perosa Marcelo , Nga Hong Si , de Andrade Luis Gustavo Modelli
Published: May 2021

Background

Predicting waiting time for a deceased donor kidney transplant can help patients and clinicians to discuss management and contribute to a more efficient use of resources. This study aimed at developing a predictor model to estimate time on a kidney transplant waiting list using a machine learning approach.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study including data of patients registered, between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2017, in the waiting list of São Paulo State Organ Allocation System (SP-OAS) /Brazil. Data were randomly divided into two groups: 75% for training and 25% for testing. A Cox regression model was fitted with deceased donor transplant as the outcome. Sensitivity analyses were performed using different Cox models. Cox hazard ratios were used to develop the risk-prediction equations.

Results

Of 54,055 records retrieved, 48,153 registries were included in the final analysis. During the study period, approximately 1/3 of the patients were transplanted with a deceased donor. The major characteristics associated with changes in the likelihood of transplantation were age, subregion, cPRA, and frequency of HLA-DR, -B and -A. The model developed was able to predict waiting time with good agreement in internal validation (c-index = 0.70).

Conclusion

The kidney transplant waiting time calculator developed shows good predictive performance and provides information that may be valuable in assisting candidates and their providers. Moreover, it can significantly improve the use of economic resources and the management of patient care before transplant.
Comparison of different preparation techniques of dried blood spot quality controls in newborn screening for congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Authors: Grecsó Nóra , Zádori Anita , Baráth Ákos , Galla Zsolt , Rácz Gábor , Bereczki Csaba , Monostori Péter
Published: May 2021

In newborn screening, samples suspected for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), a potentially lethal inborn error of steroid biosynthesis, need to be confirmed using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Daily quality controls (QCs) for the 2nd-tier CAH assay are not commercially available and are therefore generally prepared within the laboratory. For the first time, we aimed to compare five different QC preparation approaches used in routine diagnostics for CAH on the concentrations of cortisol, 21-deoxycortisol, 11-deoxycortisol, 4-androstenedione and 17-hydroxyprogesterone in dried blood spots. The techniques from Prep1 to Prep5 were tested at two analyte concentrations by spiking aliquots of a steroid-depleted blood, derived from washed erythrocyte suspension and steroid-depleted serum. The preparation processes differed in the sequence of the preparation steps and whether freeze-thaw cycles were used to facilitate blood homogeneity. The five types of dried blood spot QCs were assayed and quantitated in duplicate on five different days using a single calibration row per day. Inter-assay variations less than 15% and concentrations within ±15% of the nominal values were considered acceptable. Results obtained by means of the four dried blood spot QC preparation techniques (Prep1, Prep2, Prep4 and Prep5) were statistically similar and remained within the ±15% ranges in terms of both reproducibility and nominal values. However, concentration results for Prep3 (spiking prior to three freeze-thaw cycles) were significantly lower than the nominal values in this setting, with differences exceeding the ±15% range in many cases despite acceptable inter-assay variations. These findings have implications for the in-house preparation of QC samples in laboratory developed tests for CAH, including 2nd-tier assays in newborn screening.
Immunity onset alters plant chromatin and utilizes EDA16 to regulate oxidative homeostasis
Authors: Pardal Alonso J. , Piquerez Sophie J. M. , Dominguez-Ferreras Ana , Frungillo Lucas , Mastorakis Emmanouil , Reilly Emma , Latrasse David , Concia Lorenzo , Gimenez-Ibanez Selena , Spoel Steven H. , Benhamed Moussa , Ntoukakis Vardis
Published: May 2021

Perception of microbes by plants leads to dynamic reprogramming of the transcriptome, which is essential for plant health. The appropriate amplitude of this transcriptional response can be regulated at multiple levels, including chromatin. However, the mechanisms underlying the interplay between chromatin remodeling and transcription dynamics upon activation of plant immunity remain poorly understood. Here, we present evidence that activation of plant immunity by bacteria leads to nucleosome repositioning, which correlates with altered transcription. Nucleosome remodeling follows distinct patterns of nucleosome repositioning at different loci. Using a reverse genetic screen, we identify multiple chromatin remodeling ATPases with previously undescribed roles in immunity, including EMBRYO SAC DEVELOPMENT ARREST 16, EDA16. Functional characterization of the immune-inducible chromatin remodeling ATPase EDA16 revealed a mechanism to negatively regulate immunity activation and limit changes in redox homeostasis. Our transcriptomic data combined with MNase-seq data for EDA16 functional knock-out and over-expressor mutants show that EDA16 selectively regulates a defined subset of genes involved in redox signaling through nucleosome repositioning. Thus, collectively, chromatin remodeling ATPases fine-tune immune responses and provide a previously uncharacterized mechanism of immune regulation.