bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of soleus musculocutaneous perforator‐based propeller flap for lower extremity wound coverage after osteocutaneous fibula free flap harvest
Authors: Kaleem Arshad , Patel Neel , Schubert Enrique , Tursun Ramzey
Published: December 2020

Background

Osteocutaneous fibula free flap (OCFFF) donor sites are often covered with skin grafts, with an additional donor site, more postoperative care, and increased cost. The authors examine posterior tibial artery (PTA) based pedicled propeller flaps (PPF) as an alternative for OCFFF donor site coverage.

Patients and methods

Retrospective review of 16 consecutive patients from 30 to 79 years old, who underwent OCFFF reconstruction of head and neck defects (11 mandibular, 5 maxillary), with the closure of donor site with PPF based on a perforator from PTA. Mean donor site defect measured 12.9 × 5.1 cm, PPF was an elliptical design, and rotated 180 degrees in a propeller fashion, to cover donor site defect. Visual analog scale (VAS) was used to assess esthetic results, functional outcomes assessed using mobility and range of motion (ROM), and secondary complications including infections, hematomas, and seromas were recorded. Follow‐up period was noted in months postoperatively. Other information collected included underlying head and neck pathology.

Results

Average dimension of PPF measured 13.9 × 4.1 cm. Successful closure of donor site defects in 14 of 16 patients, with two flaps having partial necrosis, one requiring a secondary skin graft. Follow‐up was 6 to 10 months, esthetic results with mean VAS 8.8 of 10, full ROM, and mobility noted. No secondary complications were observed. The most common pathology noted was squamous cell carcinoma (6 of 16 patients).

Conclusion

PPFs based on the soleus branch of the PTA represent an excellent alternative to skin grafts for the closure of OCFFF donor site defects.
Interlaboratory comparison of angular‐dependent photovoltaic device measurements: Results and impact on energy rating
Authors: Riedel‐Lyngskær Nicholas , Santamaría Lancia Adrián A. , Plag Fabian , Kröger Ingo , Vogt Malte R. , Schinke Carsten , Davidsen Rasmus S. , Amdemeskel Mekbib , Jansen Mark J. , Manshanden Petra , Slooff Lenneke H. , Carr Anna J. , Bliss Martin , Betts Tom , Mayo Mikel E. , Jauregui Iñigo P. , Balenzategui Jose L. , Roldan Ruben , Bellenda Giovanni , Caccivio Mauro , Kräling Ulli , Neuberger Frank , Zirzow Daniel , Crimmins Jim , Robinson Charles , King Bruce , Teasdale Wesley , Kedir Cherif , Watts John , Desharnais Ryan , Poulsen Peter B. , Jakobsen Michael L. , dos Reis Benatto Gisele A.
Published: December 2020

This paper presents the results from an extensive interlaboratory comparison of angular‐dependent measurements on encapsulated photovoltaic (PV) cells. Twelve international laboratories measure the incident angle modifier of two unique PV devices. The absolute measurement agreement is ±2.0% to the weighted mean for angles of incidence (AOI) ≤ 65°, but from 70° to 85°, the range of measurement deviations increases rapidly from 2.5% to 23%. The proficiency of the measurements is analysed using the expanded uncertainties published by seven of the laboratories, and it is found that most of the angular‐dependent measurements are reproducible for AOI ≤ 80°. However, at 85°, one laboratory's measurement do not agree to the weighted mean within the stated uncertainty, and measurement uncertainty as high as 16% is needed for the laboratories without uncertainty to be comparable. The poor agreement obtained at 85° indicates that the PV community should place minimal reliance on angular‐dependent measurements made at this extreme angle until improvements can be demonstrated. The cloud‐based Daidalos ray tracing model is used to simulate the angular‐dependent losses of the mono‐Si device, and it is found that the simulation agrees to the median measurement within 0.6% for AOI ≤ 70° and within 1.4% for AOI ≤ 80°. Finally, the impact that the angular‐dependent measurement deviations have on climate specific energy rating (CSER) is evaluated for the six climates described in the IEC 61853‐4 standard. When one outlier measurement is excluded, the angular‐dependent measurements reported in this work cause a 1.0%–1.8% range in CSER and a 1.0%–1.5% range in annual energy yield, depending on the climate.
Metabolic profiling reveals local and systemic responses of kiwifruit to Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae
Authors: Li Yawei , Wang Xiaojie , Zeng Yunliu , Liu Pu
Published: December 2020

Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa), a bacterial pathogen, causes bacterial canker disease in kiwifruit. To elucidate the local and systemic influences of Psa infection on kiwifruit, comprehensive analyses were conducted by combining metabolomic and physiological approach under Psa‐infected treatment and mock‐inoculated control in leaves, stems, and bleeding saps. Our results show that Psa infection stimulated kiwifruit metabolic reprogramming. Levels of many sugars, fumarate, and malic acid were decreased in Psa‐infected leaves and stems, accompanied by the increased level of amino acids (AAs), which implies the anaplerotic reaction to replenish the TCA cycle generating energy and intermediates for defense‐related metabolic pathways, such as phenylpropanoid metabolism. The inconsistent results were observed in bleeding saps, which may be attributed to the induced phloem transport of carbon (C) out of leaves and such a transport benefits bacterium movement. Arg, Gln, and pyroglutamic acid systematically were accumulated in long‐distance leaves, which probably confers to systemic acquired resistance (SAR) and Psa inoculation accelerated the nitrogen (N) cycling in kiwifruit. Moreover, Psa infection specifically affected the content of phenolic compounds and lignin. Phenolic compounds were negatively and lignin was positively related to kiwifruit Psa resistance, respectively. Our results first reveal that Psa enhances infection by manipulating C/N metabolism and sweet immunity, and that host lignin synthesis is a major physical barrier for restricting bacterial infection. This study provides an insight into the complex remodeling of plant metabolic response to Psa stress.
Evaluation of the effect of thymoquinone in d‐galactose‐induced memory impairments in rats: Role of MAPK, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation pathways and telomere length
Authors: Oskouei Zahra , Mehri Soghra , Kalalinia Fatemeh , Hosseinzadeh Hossein
Published: December 2020

D‐galactose (d‐gal) induces aging and memory impairment via oxidative stress and neuroinflammation pathways. This study evaluated the neuroprotective activity of thymoquinone (TQ) against d‐gal. d‐gal (400 mg/kg, SC), d‐gal plus TQ (2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg, i.p.), and TQ alone (2.5 and 10 mg/kg) for 8 weeks were administered to rats. The effect of TQ on learning and memory were studied using the Morris water maze test. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels were determined in the hippocampus. The levels of MAPKs (p‐ERK/ERK, p‐P38/P38), cAMP response elements binding (p‐CREB/CREB), advanced glycation end products (AGEs), inflammatory markers (TNFα, IL‐1β), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were analyzed by western blotting. Telomere length was evaluated using real‐time PCR. Memory and learning impairment, MDA enhancement, GSH reduction, and neuroinflammation via increasing the TNFα, IL‐1β, and GFAP contents were observed in d‐gal group. TQ with d‐gal, improved memory impairment, reduced oxidative stress, and alleviated neuroinflammation. The elevated level of AGEs decreased by TQ compared to d‐gal. No changes were observed in the levels of p‐ERK/ERK, p‐CREB/CREB, p‐P38/P38, BDNF, and telomere length following administration of d‐gal or TQ plus d‐gal. TQ improved memory deficits of d‐gal through anti‐oxidative and anti‐inflammatory mechanisms.
E‐Bayesian estimation of reliability characteristics of two‐parameter bathtub‐shaped lifetime distribution with application
Authors: Algarni Ali , Almarashi Abdullah M.
Published: December 2020

This article presents the expected Bayesian (E‐Bayesian) estimation of the scale parameter, reliability and failure rate functions of two‐parameter bathtub‐shaped lifetime distribution under type‐II censoring data with. Squared error loss function and gamma distribution as a conjugate prior distribution for the unknown parameter are used to obtain the E‐Bayesian estimators. Also, three different prior distributions for the hyperparameters for the E‐Bayesian estimators are considered. Some properties of the E‐Bayesian estimators are studied. Using minimum mean square error criteria, a simulation study is conducted to compare the performance of the E‐Bayesian estimators and the corresponding Bayes and maximum likelihood estimators. A real data set is analysed to show the applicability of the different proposed estimators. The numerical results show that the E‐Bayesian estimators perform better than the classical and Bayesian estimators.
Multiconstellation global navigation satellite systems signal analysis over the Asia‐Pacific region
Authors: Ansari Kutubuddin , Bae Tae‐Suk , Seok Hong‐Woo , Kim Min‐Seo
Published: December 2020

We studied five multiconstellation systems (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, and QZSS) signals by selecting 10 MGEX network stations over the Asia‐Pacific region. A comparative analysis with the number of satellite visibilities (NSVs), signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), multipath combination (MPC), and precise point positioning (PPP) including the phase and code residuals (PCRs) of different constellations is carefully investigated to measure the individual performances. The SNR data were extracted on a map representing the elevation angle via wavelet analysis. The analysis indicated that the correlation coefficient of elevation angle with the SNR varies for different satellite orbits, although the number of wavelets corresponded to the visible frequency of satellites. We examined the MPC by using the power spectrum and verified the frequency component of the multipath signature. The results show that the BeiDou and QZSS constellations signals were significantly more affected compared with the GPS and GLONASS signals and less affected compared to the Galileo signal. We plotted PCR from different satellites systems relative to time and elevation angles. It was observed that the QZSS residuals exhibited the largest values, and the Galileo and BeiDou residual values were slightly smaller values compared with the GPS and GLONASS residuals.
Titanium Nanopillar Arrays Functioning as Electron Transporting Layers for Efficient, Anti‐Aging Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Zhao Jie , Sun Peng , Wu Zhongwei , Li Jun , Wang Xiaohan , Xiao Ting , Yang Lin , Zheng Zijian , Huang Zhifeng
Published: December 2020

Electron transporting layers (ETLs), required to be optically transparent in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) having regular structures, possess a determinant effect on electron extraction and collection. Metal oxides (e.g., TiO2) have overwhelmingly served as ETLs, but usually have low electron mobility (μe < 10−2 cm2 V−1 s−1) not favorable for photovoltaic conversion. Here, metal oxides are replaced with metals (e.g., Ti with μe ≈ 294 cm2 V−1 s−1) that are sculptured via glancing angle deposition to be a close‐packed nanopillar array (NaPA), which vertically protrudes on a transparent electrode to obtain sufficient optical transmission for light harvesting in perovskite. Ti NaPAs, whose rough surfaces are passivated with 5 nm thick TiO2 (i.e., Ti NaPAs@TiO2) to suppress exciton recombination, lead to the champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 18.89% that is superior to that of MAPbI3 PSCs without Ti NaPAs@TiO2 or containing TiO2 NaPAs@TiO2, owing to high surface wettability, high μe, and relatively low work function of Ti. Furthermore, Ti NaPAs@TiO2 effectively prevents the decomposition of MAPbI3 to achieve long‐term shelf stability whereby 50‐day aging only causes 15% PCE degradation. This work paves the way toward widening the material spectrum, from semiconductors to metals, to generate a diverse range of ETLs for producing efficient optoelectronic devices with long‐term shelf stability.
Full‐cost recovery = debt recovery: How infrastructure financing models lead to overcapacity, debt, and disconnection
Authors: Furlong Kathryn M.
Published: December 2020

Since the 1970s, the international community has pushed a commercial model for water supply based on utility autonomy and full‐cost recovery. This was supposed to deftly solve the persistent problems of poor service coverage and quality, insufficient revenue, and indebtedness. These problems were attributed to poor governance, considered inherent to government management and almost universal to utilities in low‐income cities, especially in the global South. A good dose of business‐like discipline would get these utilities on track. Things are never so simple. Instead, the international debt‐financing system was at the root of many problems that commercialization was supposed to solve, driving both the acquisition of new debt and a focus on large infrastructure projects that further increased debt burdens while failing to meet the needs of the urban poor. The real goal of commercialization was debt collection: to ensure that international lenders and international investors under financialization–are paid. This has led to unaffordable tariffs and consumer debt for utility services. Escaping this “debt trap” requires a new philosophy of infrastructure financing, one that democratizes decision‐making, focuses on smaller projects of social and environmental value, and considers “use value” rather than simple exchange‐value in assessments of what it means for an investment to be productive.

This article is categorized under:

Human Water > Human Water
Developing a Configuration System for a Simulation Game in the Domain of Urban $$\text {CO}_{2}$$ Emissions Reduction
Authors: Zurmühle Sarah , Gonalves João S. V. , Wäger Patrick , Gerber Andreas , Hilty Lorenz M.
Published: December 2020

In order to help decision-makers find ways to reduce

$$\text {CO}_{2}$$

CO
2

emissions of Swiss cities, a simulation game is being developed within the “Post-fossil cities” project. During the game, participants take on different roles in which they together explore pathways to a future, post-fossil city. An important requirement to the software system of the game was to be easily configurable in order to keep the game adaptive to different target groups of players. We describe a User Interface Management System (UIMS) that has been designed and implemented to realise the flexibility demanded from the game designers’ side. The system allows game facilitators to configure the game and decide what kinds of visualisations are used during game sessions. The paper describes how the configuration system was conceptualised, implemented and integrated into the overall system architecture of the simulation game.
Phonetische Variabilität
Authors: Belz Malte
Published: December 2020

In diesem Kapitel beschreibe ich den Forschungsstand zur auditiven und akustischen Variabilität von Füllpartikeln. In Abschnitt 2.1 fasse ich die Variabilität in der auditiven Wahrnehmung und ihre qualitative, orthographische und symbolphonetische Repräsentationsbreite zusammen. Hieraus motiviere ich die eingehendere Betrachtung der phonetischen Realisierung.
An $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 1 Lagrangian for the rank 1 E6 superconformal theory
Authors: Zafrir Gabi
Published: December 2020

Abstract

We propose that a certain 4d$$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 SU(4) gauge theory flows in the IR to the rank 1 $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 strongly coupled SCFT with E6 global symmetry and 25 free chiral fields. This proposal is tested by comparing various RG invariant quantities, notably, anomalies and the superconformal index. We discuss the generalization to $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 SU(2n + 2) gauge theory models flowing in the IR to the R(2,2n+1) family of strongly coupled SCFTs plus free fields.
Horndeski genesis: consistency of classical theory
Authors: Ageeva Yulia , Petrov Pavel , Rubakov Valery
Published: December 2020

Abstract

Genesis within the Horndeski theory is one of possible scenarios for the start of the Universe. In this model, the absence of instabilities is obtained at the expense of the property that coefficients, serving as effective Planck masses, vanish in the asymptotics t → −∞, which signalizes the danger of strong coupling and inconsistency of the classical treatment. We investigate this problem in a specific model and extend the analysis of cubic action for perturbations (arXiv:2003.01202) to arbitrary order. Our study is based on power counting and dimensional analysis of the higher order terms. We derive the latter, find characteristic strong coupling energy scales and obtain the conditions for the validity of the classical description. Curiously, we find that the strongest condition is the same as that obtained in already examined cubic case.
Acceleration of metal drops in a laser beam
Authors: Da Silva Adrien , Volpp Joerg , Frostevarg Jan , Kaplan Alexander F. H.
Published: December 2020

Different processes require the detachment of metal drops from a solid material using a laser beam as the heat source, for instance laser drop generation or cyclam. These techniques imply that the drops enter the laser beam, which might affect their trajectory. Also, many laser processes such as laser welding or additive manufacturing generate spatters that can be accelerated by the laser beam during flight and create defects on the material. This fundamental study aims at investigating the effects of a continuous power laser beam on the acceleration of intentionally detached drops and unintentionally detached spatters. Two materials were studied: 316L steel and AlSi5 aluminium alloy. High-speed imaging was used to measure the position of the drops and calculate their acceleration to compare it to theoretical models. Accelerations up to 11.2 g could be measured. The contributions of the vapor pressure, the recoil pressure, and the radiation pressure were investigated. The recoil pressure was found to be the main driving effect but other phenomena counteract this acceleration and reduce it by an order of magnitude of one to two. In addition, two different vaporization regimes were observed, resulting respectively in a vapor plume and in a vapor halo around the drop.
Comparative analysis of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders after solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation reveals differences in the tumor microenvironment
Authors: Overkamp Mathis , Granai Massimo , Bonzheim Irina , Steinhilber Julia , Schittenhelm Jens , Bethge Wolfgang , Quintanilla-Martinez Leticia , Fend Falko , Federmann Birgit
Published: December 2020

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) occur after solid organ transplantation (SOT) or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) and are frequently associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Because of the complex immune setup in PTLD patients, the tumor microenvironment (TME) is of particular interest to understand PTLD pathogenesis and elucidate predictive factors and possible treatment options. We present a comparative study of clinicopathological features of 48 PTLD after HCT (n= 26) or SOT (n= 22), including non-destructive (n= 6), polymorphic (n= 23), and monomorphic (n= 18) PTLD and classic Hodgkin lymphoma (n= 1). EBV was positive in 35 cases (73%). A detailed examination of the TME with image analysis-based quantification in 22 cases revealed an inflammatory TME despite underlying immunosuppression and significant differences in its density and composition depending on type of transplant, PTLD subtypes, and EBV status. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) expressing CD163 (p= 0.0022) and Mannose (p= 0.0016) were enriched in PTLD after HCT. Double stains also showed differences in macrophage polarization, with more frequent M1 polarization after HCT (p= 0.0321). Higher counts for TAMs (CD163 (p= 0.0008) and cMaf (p= 0.0035)) as well as in the T cell compartment (Granzyme B (p= 0.0028), CD8 (p= 0.01), and for PD-L1 (p= 0.0305)) were observed depending on EBV status. In conclusion, despite the presence of immunosuppression, PTLD predominantly contains an inflammatory TME characterized by mostly M1-polarized macrophages and cytotoxic T cells. Status post HCT, EBV positivity, and polymorphic subtype are associated with an actively inflamed TME, indicating a specific response of the immune system. Further studies need to elucidate prognostic significance and potential therapeutic implications of the TME in PTLD.
Immunotherapy and vaccination against infectious diseases
Authors: Ebbers Meinolf , Hemmer Christoph J. , Müller-Hilke Brigitte , Reisinger Emil C.
Published: December 2020

Due to the overuse of antibiotics, infections, in particular those caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria, are becoming more and more frequent. Despite the worldwide introduction of antibiotic therapy, vaccines and constant improvements in hygiene, the burden of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections is increasing and is expected to rise in the future. The development of monoclonal therapeutic antibodies and specific immunomodulatory drugs represent new treatment options in the fight against infectious diseases. This article provides a brief overview of recent advances in immunomodulatory therapy and other strategies in the treatment of infectious disease.
Extracranial dose and the risk of radiation-induced malignancy after intracranial stereotactic radiosurgery: is it time to establish a therapeutic reference level?
Authors: Paddick Ian , Cameron A. , Dimitriadis A.
Published: December 2020

Background

To measure extracranial doses from Gamma Knife Perfexion (GKP) intracranial stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and model the risk of malignancy after SRS for different treatment platforms.

Methods

Doses were measured for 20 patients undergoing SRS on a GKP at distances of 18, 43 and 75 cm from the target, corresponding to the approximate positions of the thyroid, breast and gonads respectively. A literature review was conducted to collect comparative data from other radiosurgery platforms. All data was used to calculate the dose to body organs. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) RadRAT calculator was used to estimate excess lifetime cancer risk from this exposure. Five different age groups covering childhood and younger adults were modelled for both sexes.

Results

Extracranial doses delivered during SRS with the GKP were a median 0.04%, 0.008% and 0.002% of prescription dose at 18 cm, 43 cm and 70 cm from the isocentre respectively. Comparison with the literature revealed that the extracranial dose was lowest from GKP, then linacs equipped with micro-multileaf collimators (mMLC), then linacs equipped with circular collimators (cones), and highest from Cyberknife (CK). Estimated lifetime risks of radiation-induced malignancy in the body for patients treated with SRS aged 5–45 years were 0.03–0.88%, 0.36–11%, 0.61–18% and 2.2–39% for GKP, mMLC, cones and CK respectively.

Conclusions

We have compared typical extracranial doses from different platforms and quantified the lifetime risk of radiation-induced malignancy. The risk varies with platform. This should be taken into account when treating children and young adults with SRS. The concept of a therapeutic reference level (TRL), similar to the diagnostic reference level (DRL) established in radiology, is proposed.
Maßnahmengesetzvorbereitungsgesetz und weitere Überlegungen zur Beschneidung des Umweltrechtsschutzes
Authors: Guckelberger Annette
Published: December 2020

Der Beitrag beleuchtet die Bestrebungen zur Beschneidung des Umweltrechtsschutzes durch das Maßnahmengesetzvorbereitungsgesetz
sowie zu einer möglichen Rückkehr zur materiellen Präklusion vor dem Hintergrund des Unionsrechts
und der Aarhus-Konvention.
Identification of peat type and humification by laboratory VNIR/SWIR hyperspectral imaging of peat profiles with focus on fen-bog transition in aapa mires
Authors: Granlund L. , Keinänen M. , Tahvanainen T.
Published: December 2020

Aims

Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) has high potential for analysing peat cores, but methodologies are deficient. We aimed for robust peat type classification and humification estimation. We also explored other factors affecting peat spectral properties.

Methods

We used two laboratory setups: VNIR (visible to near-infrared) and SWIR (shortwave infrared) for high resolution imaging of intact peat profiles with fen-bog transitions. Peat types were classified with support vector machines, indices were developed for von Post estimation, and K-means clustering was used to analyse stratigraphic patterns in peat quality. With separate experiments, we studied spectral effects of drying and oxidation.

Results

Despite major effects, oxidation and water content did not impede robust HSI classification. The accuracy betweenCarexpeat andSphagnumpeat in validation was 80% with VNIR and 81% with SWIR data. The spectral humification indices had accuracies of 82% with VNIR and 56%. Stratigraphic HSI patterns revealed that 36% of peat layer shifts were inclined by over 20 degrees. Spectral indices were used to extrapolate visualisations of element concentrations.

Conclusions

HSI provided reliable information of basic peat quality and was useful in visual mapping, that can guide sampling for other analyses. HSI can manage large amounts of samples to widen the scope of detailed analysis beyond single profiles and it has wide potential in peat research beyond the exploratory scope of this paper. We were able to confirm the capacity of HSI to reveal shifts of peat quality, connected to ecosystem-scale change.
Advances in Knowledge of Androgens: How Intentional and Accidental Neurosteroid Changes Inform Us of Their Action and Role
Authors: Frye Cheryl A. , DaCosta Dan , Lembo Vincenzo F. , Walf Alicia A.
Published: December 2020

Purpose of Review

Here, we summarize current knowledge of androgens’ action gained over the recent years.

Recent Findings

Neurosteroids are produced in the brain and peripheral nerves, independent of endocrine glands have been investigated for how they are regulated, and have actions via non-steroid receptor targets to mediate social, affective, and cognitive behavior and to protect the brain. Androgens’ organizing actions in the peri-natal period have effects throughout the lifetime that may be recapitulated later in life during critical periods and at times of challenge. Developmental changes in androgens occur during mid-childhood, adrenarche, puberty, adolescence, young adulthood, middle age, and andropause. Changes in androgens with a 5α-reductase inhibitor, such as finasteride, result in disruptions in organizational and activational functions of androgens that can be unremitting.

Normal developmental or perturbation in androgens through other means can cause changes in androgen-sensitive phenotypes throughout the lifespan, in part through actions of neurosteroids.
Systems modelling to support the complex nature of healthcare services
Authors: Engelseth Per , White B. E. , Mundal Ingunn , Eines Trude Fløystad , Kritchanchai Duangpun
Published: December 2020

Healthcare is a service commonly associated with lacking performance in relation to output and the economy of production. Contingency theory and complex systems thinking are approaches here combined to study the logistics of healthcare service flows. Contingency theory directs attention to networked interdependencies while complex systems thinking concerns process emergence and flexible resource use in supporting logistics. This hybrid form of analysis gives conceptual direction to information technology development and use to support the logistics of healthcare services. Three small examples of healthcare service as logistics processes in their as-is state are provided and analysed based on the developed analytical framework. These illustrate in detail what exemplifies complexity in this industry. Given the inherently complex nature of many types of healthcare services, this discussion concerns how to conceptually model information systems in healthcare services as a complex system. This chosen complexity-sensitive approach of service logistics constitutes a basis for information technology enabled healthcare service development sensitive to this type of service provision directing focus to the emergent features of healthcare service needs. It is also a basis for further investigation into this topic of information technology use to support the inherent logistical complexity of healthcare services.
The Risk of Generating Technical Debt Interest: A Case Study
Authors: Digkas Georgios , Ampatzoglou Apostolos , Chatzigeorgiou Alexander , Avgeriou Paris , Matei Oliviu , Heb Robert
Published: December 2020

Technical Debt (TD) interest refers to the extra maintenance costs incurred by the very existence of TD items in a system. The generation of TD interest can make or break a system: too little interest and the effect of TD is negligible; too much interest and the system becomes unsustainable. In this paper, we consider the generation of interest as a risk and present a metric to quantify this risk. Subsequently, we validate this metric in two ways. First, we explore whether the metric can be effectively used to prioritize TD remediation. Second, we investigate if adding new code reduces the risk of interest generation. The results of the study suggest that: (a) the proposed risk management metric is capable of efficiently prioritizing TD items; and (b) that the new code that is introduced in the system is usually less risky for producing interest, compared to legacy code.
Exploring the Relation Between Co-changes and Architectural Smells
Authors: Sas Darius , Avgeriou Paris , Kruizinga Ronald , Scheedler Ruben
Published: December 2020

The interplay between Maintainability and Reliability can be particularly complex and different kinds of trade-offs may arise when developers try to optimise for either one of these two qualities. To further understand how Maintainability and Reliability influence each other, we perform an empirical study using architectural smells and source code file co-changes as proxies for these two qualities, respectively. The study is designed using an exploratory multiple-case case study following well-know guidelines and using fourteen open source Java projects. Three different research questions are identified and investigated through statistical analysis. Co-changes are detected by using both a state-of-the-art algorithm and a novel approach. The three architectural smells selected are among the most important from the literature and are detected using open source tools. The results show that 50% of co-changes eventually end up taking part in an architectural smell. Moreover, statistical tests indicate that in 50% of the projects, files and packages taking part in smells are more likely to co-change than non-smelly files. Finally, co-changes were also found to appear before smells 90% of the times a smell and a co-change appear in the same file pair. Our findings show that Reliability is indirectly affected by low levels of Maintainability even at the architectural level. This is because low-quality components require more frequent changes by the developers, increasing chances to eventually introduce faults.
A novel method to rapidly calculate the urea clearance index and urea reduction rate based on parameters obtained during hemodialysis
Authors: Yang Yue , Chen Jia , Wang Wei , Zhang Yu‐Mei , Li Wen‐Ge
Published: December 2020

Background

The efficacy of hemodialysis (HD) is closely associated with patient survival time and quality of life. The classical method (CLM) to calculate the urea clearance index (Kt/V) and urea reduction rate (URR) requires multiple blood tests. A novel method that may be used as a noninvasive alternative to CLM is required.

Methods

Based on the urea kinetic model, a new method, named the “assessment method” (ASM), was established to calculate blood urea nitrogen after HD, based on parameters obtained during HD. The consistency of the Kt/V and URR values between the ASM and CLM was evaluated in 41 patients from the China–Japan Friendship Hospital between September 2017 and December 2018.

Results

Forty‐one patients (24 males and 17 females; mean age, 55.7 ± 14.2 years) undergoing regular HD in our hospital were randomly selected for this study. The blood flow rate was 244.5 ± 19.6 mL/min and the dialysate flow rate was 500 mL/min. We obtained Kt/V (CLM = 1.40 ± 0.06, ASM = 1.37 ± 0.07) and URR (CLM = 68.6 ± 6.4%, ASM = 67.7 ± 7.2%) values. Paired t‐test indicated no significant differences between the ASM‐ and CLM‐derived values. The intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.907 and 0.916 for Kt/V and URR, respectively. Similarly, Bland–Altman plots suggested good concordance between the 2 methods.

Conclusions

The Kt/V and URR values calculated using the ASM and CLM were in significant agreement, and both can be used to effectively assess the adequacy of HD in patients undergoing maintenance HD. The ASM is an effective, rapid, inexpensive, and noninvasive alternative to the CLM for obtaining Kt/V and URR values. The ASM has good potential for clinical application, particularly for patients in areas of low socioeconomic status.
Kyiv Ukraine
Authors: Adrian Cybriwsky Roman
Published: December 2020

The unrest and violence in Ukraine in recent years shocked the world, and the region's long-term future remains troublingly uncertain. Focusing on the difficulty of Kiev's transition from socialism to market democracy, this book demonstrates how Ukraine reached this turbulent point. Roman Adrian Cybriwsky delves deeply into the changing social geography of the city, recent urban development, and critical problems such as official corruption, inequality, sex tourism, and the heedless destruction of the city's historical architecture - all difficulties that have contributed incrementally to Ukrainian citizens' anger against their government. This thoroughly revised edition brings Cybriwsky's account of events and their ramifications fully up to date, offering the clearest picture we've had yet of what has happened - and what is likely still to come - in Ukraine.
Gerrymandering and Compactness: Implementation Flexibility and Abuse
Authors: Barnes Richard , Solomon Justin
Published: December 2020

Political districts may be drawn to favor one group or political party over another, or gerrymandered. A number of measurements have been suggested as ways to detect and prevent such behavior. These measures give concrete axes along which districts and districting plans can be compared. However, measurement values are affected by both noise and the compounding effects of seemingly innocuous implementation decisions. Such issues will arise for any measure. As a case study demonstrating the effect, we show that commonly used measures of geometric compactness for district boundaries are affected by several factors irrelevant to fairness or compliance with civil rights law. We further show that an adversary could manipulate measurements to affect the assessment of a given plan. This instability complicates using these measurements as legislative or judicial standards to counteract unfair redistricting practices. This paper accompanies the release of packages in C++, Python, and R that correctly, efficiently, and reproducibly calculate a variety of compactness scores.
Transferrin receptor (TFRC) is essential for meiotic progression during mouse spermatogenesis
Authors: Gao Tingting , Lin Meng , Wu Yangyang , Li Kai , Liu Chenchen , Zhou Quan , Shen Cong , Zheng Bo , Huang Xiaoyan
Published: December 2020

Meiosis is a highly conserved process, and is responsible for the production of haploid gametes and generation of genetic diversity. We previously identified the transferrin receptor (TFRC) in the proteome profile of mice neonatal testes, indicating the involvement of the TFRC in meiosis. However, the exact molecular role of the TFRC in meiosis remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to determine the function of the TFRC in neonatal testicular development by TFRC knockdown using the testis culture platform. Our results showed high TFRC expression in 2-week testes, corresponding to the first meiotic division. Targeting TFRC using morpholino oligonucleotides resulted in clear spermatocyte apoptosis. In addition, we used the chromosomal spread technique to show that a deficiency of TFRC caused the accumulation of leptotene and zygotene spermatocytes, and a decrease of pachytene spermatocytes, indicating early meiotic arrest. Moreover, the chromosomes of TFRC-deficient pachytene spermatocytes displayed sustained γH2AX association, as well as SYCP1/SYCP3 dissociation beyond the sex body. Therefore, our results demonstrated that the TFRC is essential for the progression of spermatocyte meiosis, particularly for DNA double-stranded break repair and chromosomal synapsis.
The map of cognitive processes in boredom: multiple mediation models
Authors: Milea Ion , Cardoş Roxana A.I. , David Daniel
Published: December 2020

Background:

Trait boredom is associated with several internalizing and externalizing problems. Addressing existing research gaps in the field, the present study investigated the map of cognitive processes for boredom, based on the rational emotive behaviour therapy model (REBT).

Aims:

The general aim of the study was to investigate the organization of irrational and rational evaluative cognitions related to boredom, and the association between boredom and depression symptoms and state/trait anxiety.

Methods:

The 233 participants (84% women) completed online scales of evaluative cognitions, trait boredom, trait/state anxiety and depression. Multiple mediation models via the SPSS extension PROCESS were employed.

Results:

The REBT psychopathology and psychological health models were partially confirmed, as the evaluative primary cognitions predicted positively and significantly the secondary ones in both cases. Low frustration tolerance (LFT) and global evaluations (GE), and frustration tolerance (FT), respectively, had significant effects. We found a positive significant association between boredom proneness and the negative dysfunctional emotions investigated.

Conclusions:

Both results offer further support for the hierarchy of cognitions and the distinction between the level of irrationality and rationality in REBT. This is the first attempt to assess a cognitive map of boredom, underlining the importance of (L)FT in relation to boredom. The significance of GE in boredom suggests that people might see themselves responsible, or even blame themselves, others or life itself while bored. The associations of boredom with anxiety and depression are relevant, as its role in those contexts is not yet fully understood.
Putting European Constitutionalism in its Place: The Spatial Foundations of the Judicial Construction of Europe
Authors: Pavone Tommaso
Published: December 2020

The judicial dialogue between national courts and the European Court of Justice as a cornerstone of European constitutionalism – The importance of understanding how place-based identities shape national judges’ willingness to apply EU law and enter into dialogue with the European Court of Justice through the preliminary reference procedure – An interdisciplinary approach for studying lawyers and judges’ legal consciousness and sense of place-attachment – Geospatial and interview evidence of how national lawyers and judges’ participation in the preliminary reference procedure is influenced by their attachment to particular court settings and cities – Consequences for European constitutionalism and future research on the uneven judicial protection of EU rights.
Combined Modeling of US Fluvial, Pluvial, and Coastal Flood Hazard Under Current and Future Climates
Authors: Bates Paul D. , Quinn Niall , Sampson Christopher , Smith Andrew , Wing Oliver , Sosa Jeison , Savage James , Olcese Gaia , Neal Jeff , Schumann Guy , Giustarini Laura , Coxon Gemma , Porter Jeremy R. , Amodeo Mike F. , Chu Ziyan , Lewis‐Gruss Sharai , Freeman Neil B. , Houser Trevor , Delgado Michael , Hamidi Ali , Bolliger Ian , E. McCusker Kelly , Emanuel Kerry , Ferreira Celso M. , Khalid Arslaan , Haigh Ivan D. , Couasnon Anaïs , E. Kopp Robert , Hsiang Solomon , Krajewski Witold F.
Published: December 2020

This study reports a new and significantly enhanced analysis of US flood hazard at 30 m spatial resolution. Specific improvements include updated hydrography data, new methods to determine channel depth, more rigorous flood frequency analysis, output downscaling to property tract level, and inclusion of the impact of local interventions in the flooding system. For the first time, we consider pluvial, fluvial, and coastal flood hazards within the same framework and provide projections for both current (rather than historic average) conditions and for future time periods centered on 2035 and 2050 under the RCP4.5 emissions pathway. Validation against high‐quality local models and the entire catalog of FEMA 1% annual probability flood maps yielded Critical Success Index values in the range 0.69–0.82. Significant improvements over a previous pluvial/fluvial model version are shown for high‐frequency events and coastal zones, along with minor improvements in areas where model performance was already good. The result is the first comprehensive and consistent national‐scale analysis of flood hazard for the conterminous US for both current and future conditions. Even though we consider a stabilization emissions scenario and a near‐future time horizon, we project clear patterns of changing flood hazard (3σ changes in 100 years inundated area of −3.8 to +16% at 1° scale), that are significant when considered as a proportion of the land area where human use is possible or in terms of the currently protected land area where the standard of flood defense protection may become compromised by this time.
Genetic architecture of host proteins involved in SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Pietzner Maik , Wheeler Eleanor , Carrasco-Zanini Julia , Raffler Johannes , Kerrison Nicola D. , Oerton Erin , Auyeung Victoria P. W. , Luan Jian’an , Finan Chris , Casas Juan P. , Ostroff Rachel , Williams Steve A. , Kastenmüller Gabi , Ralser Markus , Gamazon Eric R. , Wareham Nicholas J. , Hingorani Aroon D. , Langenberg Claudia
Published: December 2020

Understanding the genetic architecture of host proteins interacting with SARS-CoV-2 or mediating the maladaptive host response to COVID-19 can help to identify new or repurpose existing drugs targeting those proteins. We present a genetic discovery study of 179 such host proteins among 10,708 individuals using an aptamer-based technique. We identify 220 host DNA sequence variants acting in cis (MAF 0.01-49.9%) and explaining 0.3-70.9% of the variance of 97 of these proteins, including 45 with no previously known protein quantitative trait loci (pQTL) and 38 encoding current drug targets. Systematic characterization of pQTLs across the phenome identified protein-drug-disease links and evidence that putative viral interaction partners such as MARK3 affect immune response. Our results accelerate the evaluation and prioritization of new drug development programmes and repurposing of trials to prevent, treat or reduce adverse outcomes. Rapid sharing and detailed interrogation of results is facilitated through an interactive webserver (https://omicscience.org/apps/covidpgwas/).
A gene expression atlas for different kinds of stress in the mouse brain
Authors: Flati Tiziano , Gioiosa Silvia , Chillemi Giovanni , Mele Andrea , Oliverio Alberto , Mannironi Cecilia , Rinaldi Arianna , Castrignanò Tiziana
Published: December 2020

Stressful experiences are part of everyday life and animals have evolved physiological and behavioral responses aimed at coping with stress and maintaining homeostasis. However, repeated or intense stress can induce maladaptive reactions leading to behavioral disorders. Adaptations in the brain, mediated by changes in gene expression, have a crucial role in the stress response. Recent years have seen a tremendous increase in studies on the transcriptional effects of stress. The input raw data are freely available from public repositories and represent a wealth of information for further global and integrative retrospective analyses. We downloaded from the Sequence Read Archive 751 samples (SRA-experiments), from 18 independent BioProjects studying the effects of different stressors on the brain transcriptome in mice. We performed a massive bioinformatics re-analysis applying a single, standardized pipeline for computing differential gene expression. This data mining allowed the identification of novel candidate stress-related genes and specific signatures associated with different stress conditions. The large amount of computational results produced was systematized in the interactive “Stress Mice Portal”.
Functional skeletal muscle constructs from transdifferentiated human fibroblasts
Authors: Xu Bin , Siehr Allison , Shen Wei
Published: December 2020

Transdifferentiation of human non-muscle cells directly into myogenic cells by forced expression of MyoD represents one route to obtain highly desirable human myogenic cells. However, functional properties of the tissue constructs derived from these transdifferentiated cells have been rarely studied. Here, we report that three-dimensional (3D) tissue constructs engineered with iMyoD-hTERT-NHDFs, normal human dermal fibroblasts transduced with genes encoding human telomerase reverse transcriptase and doxycycline-inducible MyoD, generate detectable contractile forces in response to electrical stimuli upon MyoD expression. Withdrawal of doxycycline in the middle of 3D culture results in 3.05 and 2.28 times increases in twitch and tetanic forces, respectively, suggesting that temporally-controlled MyoD expression benefits functional myogenic differentiation of transdifferentiated myoblast-like cells. Treatment with CHIR99021, a Wnt activator, and DAPT, a Notch inhibitor, leads to further enhanced contractile forces. The ability of these abundant and potentially patient-specific and disease-specific cells to develop into functional skeletal muscle constructs makes them highly valuable for many applications, such as disease modeling.
Prediction of disease progression in patients with COVID-19 by artificial intelligence assisted lesion quantification
Authors: Li Yuehua , Shang Kai , Bian Wei , He Li , Fan Ying , Ren Tao , Zhang Jiayin
Published: December 2020

To investigate the value of artificial intelligence (AI) assisted quantification on initial chest CT for prediction of disease progression and clinical outcome in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection and initially of non-severe type were retrospectively included. The initial CT scan on admission was used for imaging analysis. The presence of ground glass opacity (GGO), consolidation and other findings were visually evaluated. CT severity score was calculated according to the extent of lesion involvement. In addition, AI based quantification of GGO and consolidation volume were also performed. 123 patients (mean age: 64.43 ± 14.02; 62 males) were included. GGO + consolidation was more frequently revealed in progress-to-severe group whereas pure GGO was more likely to be found in non-severe group. Compared to non-severe group, patients in progress-to-severe group had larger GGO volume (167.33 ± 167.88 cm3versus 101.12 ± 127 cm3, p = 0.013) as well as consolidation volume (40.85 ± 60.4 cm3versus 6.63 ± 14.91 cm3, p < 0.001). Among imaging parameters, consolidation volume had the largest area under curve (AUC) in discriminating non-severe from progress-to-severe group (AUC = 0.796, p < 0.001) and patients with or without critical events (AUC = 0.754, p < 0.001). According to multivariate regression, consolidation volume and age were two strongest predictors for disease progression (hazard ratio: 1.053 and 1.071, p: 0.006 and 0.008) whereas age and diabetes were predictors for unfavorable outcome. Consolidation volume quantified on initial chest CT was the strongest predictor for disease severity progression and larger consolidation volume was associated with unfavorable clinical outcome.