bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic crushing behavior of closed-cell aluminum foams based on different space-filling unit cells
Authors: Talebi S. , Hedayati R. , Sadighi M.
Published: June 2021

Closed-cell metal foams are cellular solids that show unique properties such as high strength to weight ratio, high energy absorption capacity, and low thermal conductivity. Due to being computation and cost effective, modeling the behavior of closed-cell foams using regular unit cells has attracted a lot of attention in this regard. Recent developments in additive manufacturing techniques which have made the production of rationally designed porous structures feasible has also contributed to recent increasing interest in studying the mechanical behavior of regular lattice structures. In this study, five different topologies namely Kelvin, Weaire–Phelan, rhombicuboctahedron, octahedral, and truncated cube are considered for constructing lattice structures. The effects of foam density and impact velocity on the stress–strain curves, first peak stress, and energy absorption capacity are investigated. The results showed that unit cell topology has a very significant effect on the stiffness, first peak stress, failure mode, and energy absorption capacity. Among all the unit cell types, the Kelvin unit cell demonstrated the most similar behavior to experimental test results. The Weaire–Phelan unit cell, while showing promising results in low and medium densities, demonstrated unstable behavior at high impact velocity. The lattice structures with high fractions of vertical walls (truncated cube and rhombicuboctahedron) showed higher stiffness and first peak stress values as compared to lattice structures with high ratio of oblique walls (Weaire–Phelan and Kelvin). However, as for the energy absorption capacity, other factors were important. The lattice structures with high cell wall surface area had higher energy absorption capacities as compared to lattice structures with low surface area. The results of this study are not only beneficial in determining the proper unit cell type in numerical modeling of dynamic behavior of closed-cell foams, but they are also advantageous in studying the dynamic behavior of additively manufactured lattice structures with different topologies.
Management of Patients With Normal Physical Exams and Ultrasound Evidence of Isolated Septal and Punctate Penile Scarring
Authors: Stern Noah , Punjani Nahid , Brock Gerald
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Atypical penile tunical lesions including isolated septal (ISS) and punctate scarring (PS) are an under recognized and difficult to treat subset of Peyronie's disease (PD) that often present with normal physical exams. Current guidelines provide little direction in the treatment of these men.

Aim

To review the results of our treatment approach in men with ISS and PS.

Methods

Data from all men undergoing duplex ultrasonography for either Peyronie's disease and/or erectile dysfunction over a 3-year period were reviewed. All men with ISS or PS and normal physical exams were included. First- and second-line treatment preferences and satisfaction with treatment in men with ISS and PS were retrospectively reviewed. Logistic regression was used to investigate associations between scar features and treatment preference

Main Outcome Measures

Treatment preference patterns, treatment satisfaction.

Results

A total of 217 men with ISS and 197 men with PS were identified. Of these, 71 ISS and 86 PS patients had normal physical exams. Majority of men in both ISS (70.4%) and PS (81.4%) cohorts initially opted for non-invasive management through either observation, oral therapy, or traction therapy. After initial management 84.5% of ISS and 93% of PS patients were satisfied with their results. A significant trend toward inflatable prostheses as second line therapy was seen in men with PS.

Conclusions

There is a mounting need for clinical guidance in order to best manage men with atypical PD in the absence of societal guidelines and high-quality studies. This series provides guidance to clinicians on the management of these men, suggesting that conservative therapy and education may be sufficient. A standardized approach of increasing invasiveness showed reasonable rates of satisfaction with minimally invasive therapies playing a prominent role.
Informed Consent and Informed Decision-Making in High-Risk Surgery: A Quantitative Analysis
Authors: Long Kristin L. , Ingraham Angela M. , Wendt Elizabeth M. , Saucke Megan C. , Balentine Courtney , Orne Jason , Pitt Susan C.
Published: June 2021

BACKGROUND:

Informed consent is an ethical and legal requirement that differs from informed decision-making—a collaborative process that fosters participation and provides information to help patients reach treatment decisions. The objective of this study was to measure informed consent and informed decision-making before major surgery.

STUDY DESIGN:

We audio-recorded 90 preoperative patient-surgeon conversations before major cardiothoracic, vascular, oncologic, and neurosurgical procedures at 3 centers in the US and Canada. Transcripts were scored for 11 elements of informed consent based on the American College of Surgeons’ definition and 9 elements of informed decision-making using Braddock's validated scale. Uni- and bivariate analyses tested associations between decision outcomes as well as patient, consultation, and surgeon characteristics.

RESULTS:

Overall, surgeons discussed more elements of informed consent than informed decision-making. They most frequently described the nature of the illness, the operation, and potential complications, but were less likely to assess patient understanding. When a final treatment decision was deferred, surgeons were more likely to discuss elements of informed decision-making focusing on uncertainty (50% vs 15%, p = 0.006) and treatment alternatives (63% vs 27%, p = 0.02). Conversely, when surgery was scheduled, surgeons completed more elements of informed consent. These results were not associated with the presence of family, history of previous surgery, location, or surgeon specialty.

CONCLUSIONS:

Surgeons routinely discuss components of informed consent with patients before high-risk surgery. However, surgeons often fail to review elements unique to informed decision-making, such as the patients’ role in the decision, their daily life, uncertainty, understanding, or patient preference.
Using verbal protocol to examine construction of meaning from social studies texts
Authors: Roberts Kathryn L. , Brugar Kristy A.
Published: June 2021

Verbal protocol methodology is used to examine how fourth-grade students construct meaning as they read and respond to two informational social studies texts. Results indicate most students are active readers, often engaging in higher-level comprehension strategies and critical thinking as they read independently. However, critical thinking and comprehension processes are not often captured in their responses to end-of-reading questions (ERQ), which as a result have limited scope and utility for guiding social studies instruction. Results also indicate that when students change their patterns of strategy use for reading and responding to text in response to a change in text, they are more successful on the ERQ than when their strategy use remains stagnant.
Hydrodynamic Constraints on Ore Formation by Basin‐Scale Fluid Flow at Continental Margins: Modelling Zn Metallogenesis in the Devonian Selwyn Basin
Authors: Rodríguez Alejandro , Weis Philipp , Magnall Joseph M. , Gleeson Sarah A.
Published: June 2021

The clastic‐dominant (CD‐type) deposits that are contained within sedimentary basins are major resources of Zn, Pb and Ag, but their formation by basin‐scale hydrothermal mass and energy transport processes is still poorly understood. Using geological constraints from the Late Devonian Selwyn Basin (Canada), we apply quantitative numerical fluid flow modeling to explore the effect of strata permeability, timing of fault opening and increased heat flow in controlling fluid migration, metal leaching and ore formation during an extensional tectonic event. The results indicate that tapping hot fluids from a confined and permeable aquifer at several km depths by means of permeable normal faults is a key factor for the formation of large Zn‐Pb deposits. The hot (282°C) ore‐forming fluids are transported to the shallow subsurface shortly after the initiation of a rifting event (within 100 kyr), before the development of extensive basin‐scale convection patterns that lead to stronger cooling and a reduction in the capacity of the hydrothermal system to make an economic deposit. Such a hydrothermal event can result in metal endowments comparable to the deposits of the Selwyn Basin.
Influence of Two Eddy Pairs on High‐Salinity Water Intrusion in the Northern South China Sea During Fall‐Winter 2015/2016
Authors: Wang Xiangpeng , Du Yan , Zhang Yuhong , Wang Aimei , Wang Tianyu
Published: June 2021

Two processes of high‐salinity water (≥34.7 psu; HSW) intrusion were recorded by an Argo float in the northeastern South China Sea (SCS) during fall‐winter of 2015/2016. Combined with the satellite altimetry and reanalysis data, the influence of related eddy pairs on HSW transport was investigated. The results show that apart from the Kuroshio‐originated anticyclonic eddy (AE), the localized cyclonic eddy (CE), and the westward jet between the eddy pair all contributed to the HSW transport. In the first process, the effect of eddy trapping accounted for 74% of the HSW transport, while the associated jet accounted for the residual 26%. The contribution of the southern CE was stronger than that of the northern AE. In the second process, the Kuroshio‐originated AE and its southern jet dominated the HSW transport. The westward jet conveyed abundant HSW to the interior SCS before the eddy pair propagated westward, accounting for 52% of HSW transport, while AE accounted for 43% and CE for 5%. Energy analysis showed that barotropic and baroclinic instabilities were important for the generation and growth of the AE in both processes, and CE in the first process was produced by baroclinic instability and wind stress work, while CE in the second process was predominantly triggered by barotropic instability. The development of eddy pairs combined with the SCS interior circulation jointly affected the HSW transport. This study identified the important contributions from two eddy pairs and discussed the effect of interior circulation‐Kuroshio interaction on HSW intrusion in the northern SCS.
Tsunami Resonance Characterization in Japan Due to Trans‐Pacific Sources: Response on the Bay and Continental Shelf
Authors: Wang Y. , Zamora N. , Quiroz M. , Satake K. , Cienfuegos R.
Published: June 2021

The tsunami resonance leads to the amplification of wave heights and extends the duration of wave activity. For tsunami warning and coastal planning, it is important to understand resonance behavior. We characterized the tsunami resonance of trans‐Pacific events in the bays and continental shelves of Japan, focusing on the Hokkaido and Sanriku regions. We considered five tsunami events with sources in the Peru–Chile subduction zone and the Alaska–Aleutian subduction zone. Spectral analysis was applied to observed and synthetic waveforms at coastal tide gauges and offshore GPS gauges to study the frequency content of tsunami energy, and modal analysis was conducted to investigate the eigen‐modes of the natural oscillation affected by regional and local bathymetry. It was found that the signatures of trans‐Pacific tsunami sources are lost in the spectra at most coastal gauges, but they partly remain in the spectra at offshore gauges, which are affected less significantly by topography or bathymetry. The predominant periods in the spectra at most coastal gauges match the eigen‐periods of natural oscillation calculated by modal analysis. Hence, we confirmed that regional or local bathymetry is the dominant factor in the resonance behaviors of trans‐Pacific tsunami events, rather than the source location or geometry. These findings are based on the systematic assessment of trans‐Pacific sources and have implications for tsunami warning and coastal planning along the Pacific coast of Japan.
Establishing a Link Between Air Pollution and Dementia
Authors: Sidder Aaron
Published: June 2021

A new study examines the relationship between fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and dementia, finding that air pollution may be responsible for up to 2 million dementia cases each year.
A New Approach to Calculate Earthquake Slip Distributions
Authors: Rehnberg Morgan
Published: June 2021

A transdimensional, probabilistic approach is more flexible than traditional least squares fits and provides better handling of sharply varying slip distributions.
Reducing Evaporation From Water Reservoirs Using Floating Lattice Structures
Authors: Assouline Shmuel , Narkis Kfir
Published: June 2021

To accommodate the increase in irrigation water demand, millions of reservoirs were built during the last decades all over the world, but half of the stored water is lost to evaporation. Opaque floating elements are used to cover the reservoirs and suppress evaporation. However, they limit light transmission and oxygen exchange, thus preventing the coupling of fish farming with irrigation. The concept of open, lattice‐like, structures that suppress evaporation while allowing transfer of light and oxygen to the water is presented here. Experimental results under laboratory conditions show that the structure studied has reduced the wind speed above the free water surface, and has suppressed evaporation by 40%–60%. The performances of the lattice‐like structure were compared to those of floating balls. In the absence of wind, the balls that cover ∼90% of the water surface with opaque material are much more efficient in suppressing evaporation than the lattice structure that leaves ∼90% of the water surface uncovered. When the wind blows, the balls‐cover is still more efficient in suppressing evaporation than the lattice structure. However, the ratio between evaporation from the basin covered with the lattice structure and the one covered with balls is higher than 0.75. That shows that the performances of the investigated structure are equivalent to opaque elements covering 50%–85% of the surface. This emphasizes the high efficiency of the proposed concept to achieve significant evaporation suppression while ensuring transfer of light and oxygen, thus allowing efficient management of dual reservoirs.
Maternal genetics influences fetal neurodevelopment and postnatal autism spectrum disorder-like phenotype by modulating in-utero immunosuppression
Authors: Jaini Ritika , Wolf Matthew R. , Yu Qi , King Alexander T. , Frazier Thomas W. , Eng Charis
Published: June 2021

Genetic studies in ASD have mostly focused on the proband, with no clear understanding of parental genetic contributions to fetal neurodevelopment. Among parental etiological factors, perinatal maternal inflammation secondary to autoimmunity, infections, and toxins is associated with ASD. However, the inherent impact of maternal genetics on in-utero inflammation and fetal neurodevelopment in the absence of strong external inflammatory exposures is not known. We used the PtenWT/m3m4 mouse model for ASD to demonstrate the impact of maternal genetics on the penetrance of ASD-like phenotypes in the offspring. PtenWT/m3m4 (Momm3m4) or PtenWT/WT (MomWT) females, their offspring, and placental interface were analyzed for inflammatory markers, gene expression, and cellular phenotypes at E17.5. Postnatal behavior was tested by comparing pups from Momm3m4 vs. MomWT. Mothers of the PtenWT/m3m4 genotype (Momm3m4) showed inadequate induction of IL-10 mediated immunosuppression during pregnancy. Low IL-10 in the mother was directly correlated with decreased complement expression in the fetal liver. Fetuses from Momm3m4 had increased breakdown of the blood–brain–barrier, neuronal loss, and lack of glial cell maturation during in-utero stages. This impact of maternal genotype translated to a postnatal increase in the risk of newborn mortality, visible macrocephaly and ASD-like repetitive and social behaviors. Depending on maternal genotype, non-predisposed (wildtype) offspring showed ASD-like phenotypes, and phenotypic penetrance was decreased in predisposed pups from MomWT. Our study introduces the concept that maternal genetics alone, without any added external inflammatory insults, can modulate fetal neurodevelopment and ASD-related phenotypes in the offspring via alteration of IL-10 mediated materno-fetal immunosuppression.
LncRNA LINC00473 is involved in the progression of invasive pituitary adenoma by upregulating KMT5A via ceRNA-mediated miR-502-3p evasion
Authors: Li Junjun , Qian Yuan , Zhang Chao , Wang Wei , Qiao Yisheng , Song Hao , Li Liyan , Guo Jiazhi , Lu Di , Deng Xingli
Published: June 2021

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and their crosstalks with other RNAs have been revealed to be closely related to tumorigenesis and development, but their role in invasive pituitary adenoma (IPA) remains largely unclear. In our study, LINC00473 was identified as the most upregulated lncRNA in IPA by whole transcriptome RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). Further, its related signaling pathway LINC00473/miR-502-3p/KMT5A was obtained by constructing a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory network. Their expression in IPA and non-invasive pituitary adenoma (NIPA) tissues was verified by qRT-PCR. Then the effects and mechanisms of LINC00473 and its ceRNA network on the proliferation of pituitary adenoma (PA) cells were confirmed by gene overexpression or silencing techniques combined with CCK-8 assay, EdU staining, flow cytometry assay, and double luciferase reporter gene assay in PA cell lines AtT-20 and GT1-1 in vitro and in a xenograft model in vivo. LINC00473 is overexpressed in IPA and can promote PA cells proliferation. Mechanistically, overexpression of LINC00473 restricts miR-502-3p through the ceRNA mechanism, upregulates KMT5A expression, and promotes the expression of cyclin D1 and CDK2, which is conducive to the cell cycle process, thereby promoting the proliferation of PA cells, involving IPA progression.
The RNA-binding protein HuR is a novel target of Pirh2 E3 ubiquitin ligase
Authors: Daks Alexandra , Petukhov Alexey , Fedorova Olga , Shuvalov Oleg , Kizenko Alena , Tananykina Elizaveta , Vasileva Elena , Semenov Oleg , Bottrill Andrew , Barlev Nickolai
Published: June 2021

The RING-finger protein Pirh2 is a p53 family-specific E3 ubiquitin ligase. Pirh2 also ubiquitinates several other important cellular factors and is involved in carcinogenesis. However, its functional role in other cellular processes is poorly understood. To address this question, we performed a proteomic search for novel interacting partners of Pirh2. Using the GST-pulldown approach combined with LC-MS/MS, we revealed 225 proteins that interacted with Pirh2. We found that, according to the GO description, a large group of Pirh2-associated proteins belonged to the RNA metabolism group. Importantly, one of the identified proteins from that group was an RNA-binding protein ELAVL1 (HuR), which is involved in the regulation of splicing and protein stability of several oncogenic proteins. We demonstrated that Pirh2 ubiquitinated the HuR protein facilitating its proteasome-mediated degradation in cells. Importantly, the Pirh2-mediated degradation of HuR occurred in response to heat shock, thereby affecting the survival rate of HeLa cells under elevated temperature. Functionally, Pirh2-mediated degradation of HuR augmented the level of c-Myc expression, whose RNA level is otherwise attenuated by HuR. Taken together, our data indicate that HuR is a new target of Pirh2 and this functional interaction contributes to the heat-shock response of cancer cells affecting their survival.
A three-dimensional supramolecular network structure through hydrogen bonding and π–π interaction: synthesis, structure, and the fluorescence detection of balsalazide disodium
Authors: Wang Chen , You Zi Xin , Xing Yong-Heng , Bai Feng-Ying , Shi Zhan
Published: June 2021

Three co-crystal compounds with different dimensions were synthesized. The fluorescence properties of co-crystal 1 were studied, especially detecting balsalazide disodium.
Co-crystals of polyhalogenated diaminobenzonitriles with 18-crown-6: effect of fluorine on the stoichiometry and supramolecular structure
Authors: Vaganova Tamara A. , Gatilov Yurij V. , Malykhin Sergey E. , Pishchur Denis P. , Sukhov Maxim , Zakharov Boris A. , Boldyreva Elena V. , Malykhin Evgenij V.
Published: June 2021

Fluorine in the ortho-position of diaminobenzonitrile promotes the formation of the N–H⋯NC bond which results in a 3D supramolecular structure of the co-crystal.
Impact of tensile and compressive forces on the hydrolysis of cellulose and chitin
Authors: Kobayashi Hirokazu , Suzuki Yusuke , Sagawa Takuya , Kuroki Kyoichi , Hasegawa Jun-ya , Fukuoka Atsushi
Published: June 2021

Compressive forces produced by ball-milling can activate glycosidic bonds of polysaccharides towards mechanocatalytic hydrolysis.
Mo-Modified ZSM-5 zeolite with intergrowth crystals for high-efficiency catalytic xylene isomerization
Authors: Miao Lei , Hong Zhe , Zhao Guoqing , Huang Fangtao , Zhu Zhirong
Published: June 2021

Mo/ZSM-5 catalysts of xylene isomerization were prepared on the intergrowth ZSM-5 support by an impregnation–calcination–reduction procedure.
Thermally induced transformation of a Cu4I4-based cluster to a Cu2I2-based cluster under mild conditions
Authors: Jiang Cheng-gang , Yuan Yan-fang , Meng Xiao-yu , Zhou Ke-Ke , Zhuang Gui-lin , Li Bao , Zhang Tianle
Published: June 2021

Two isomeric cuprous-iodide complexes from a tetranuclear step-cubane Cu4I4 cluster to two butterfly-like Cu2I2 units have been synthesized at different temperatures, followed by a clear color change from yellow-orange to deep red.
Excellent synergistic activity of a designed membrane acting pyridinium containing antimicrobial cationic N-acylethanolamine with isoniazid against mycobacterium
Authors: Subramaniyan Siva Bala , Sengan Megarajan , Subburethinam Ramesh , Veerappan Anbazhagan
Published: June 2021

cNAEs lower the MIC of isoniazid without compromising antimycobacterial activity.
Hierarchical porous CeO2 micro rice-supported Ni foam binder-free electrode and its enhanced pseudocapacitor performance by a redox additive electrolyte
Authors: Arunpandiyan S. , Raja A. , Vinoth S. , Pandikumar A. , Arivarasan A.
Published: June 2021

A hierarchical porous CeO2 micro rice/NF binder free electrode was fabricated via a facile hydrothermal method and the electrochemical performances were enhanced by the addition of 0.2 M K4[Fe(CN)6] redox additive in a 3 M KOH electrolyte.
Pesticide degradation on solid surfaces: a moisture dependent process governed by the interaction between TiO2 and H2O
Authors: Yang Wenda , Wang Zhongwen , Yang Bin , Jiang Yu , Sun Meizhou , Liu Xinghuan , Amin Babar , Ge Guixian , Rodriguez Raul D. , Jia Xin
Published: June 2021

The solid-phase photocatalytic degradation is a humidity control process through the interaction between H2O and TiO2.
Sustainable bio-derived materials for addressing critical problems of next-generation high-capacity lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Ling Han Yeu , Chen Hao , Wu Zhenzhen , Hencz Luke , Qian Shangshu , Liu Xianhu , Liu Tiefeng , Zhang Shanqing
Published: June 2021

Sustainable bio-derived materials solve the critical issues of low ionic and electrical conductivity, large volume variation, lithium dendrite formation, and the shuttle effect of the sulfur cathode in lithium-ion batteries.
Phonon scattering in the complex strain field of a dislocation in PbTe
Authors: Sun Yandong , Zhou Yanguang , Gurunathan Ramya , Zhang Jin-Yu , Hu Ming , Liu Wei , Xu Ben , Snyder G. Jeffrey
Published: June 2021

The spatially resolved phonon dislocation scattering process: phonons are scattered or slowed down by the local strain region and dislocation core.
Optimization research on hybrid energy storage system of high‐speed railway
Authors: Qu Kai , Yuan Jiaxin
Published: June 2021

The regenerative braking energy generated during the braking of high‐speed trains affects the power quality of the power grid. Recovery of regenerative braking energy is problem that needs to be solved urgently. The regenerative braking energy of high‐speed railway features high power and high energy. It is difficult to recover it only by using high power density supercapacitors or high energy density batteries. In this paper, a hybrid energy storage system (HESS) composed of supercapacitors and lithium‐ion batteries and its optimal configuration method are proposed for the purpose of obtaining maximum economic benefits for railroad systems. Then the economic benefits when using the HESS and the single energy storage system are compared from the perspective of whether the regenerative braking energy is fully recycled or not. Finally, a simulation analysis with actual load of a high‐speed railway station is performed. The highest benefit is achieved when the regenerative braking energy is partially recovered by the HESS, which can save 3% of the total cost per day and pay back the cost in eight years.
Machine learning and whale optimization algorithm based design of energy management strategy for plug‐in hybrid electric vehicle
Authors: Hou Zhuoran , Guo Jianhua , Xing Jiaming , Guo Chong , Zhang Yuanjian
Published: June 2021

In this paper, a novel energy management strategy with the improved adaptability to various conditions for plug‐in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is proposed. The control parameters, derived from the benchmark test, are optimized offline for different driving conditions. The optimized parameters are implemented according to different driving behaviours identified online. The offline and online cooperation improves performance of energy management strategy in different driving conditions. Three main efforts have been made: Firstly, the valuable features that describe different driving conditions are extracted by random forest (RF) and the features are used for determining driving condition categories, utilized for online driving condition identification by support vector machine (SVM). Secondly, the control thresholds in the developed control strategy are optimized by whale optimization algorithm (WOA) under different driving conditions. The optimal control thresholds for different driving conditions will be called online after certain traffic condition is categorized. At last, simulation‐based evaluation is performed, validating the enhanced performance of the proposed methods in energy‐saving in different driving conditions.
A gradient descend method‐based none‐line‐of‐sight‐induced code delay searching in global navigation satellite system
Authors: Liu Di , Jiang Changhui , Zhu Jianliang
Published: June 2021

In urban areas with narrow streets and tall buildings, none‐line‐of‐sight (NLOS) or multipath (MP) signals severely attenuate the positioning accuracy of the global navigation satellite system (GNSS). vector tracking loop (VT) has been employed in NLOS/MP signal detection and correction; its feasibility and superior performance have been assessed and demonstrated in previous research studies. In VT, the navigation solutions are fed back to calculate the signal tacking parameters and complete the carrier and code tracking. The NLOS/MP reception induces code delay to the code tracking. The generated local signal replicas are mixed with the received signal; the code and carrier discriminators’ outputs are employed as the measurements to estimate the navigation solutions in the VT navigation filter. In order to extract the code delay induced by the NLOS or MP, multiple correlators (MCs) are usually utilised to search for the code delay. However, more correlators will bring much heavier computation load and a real position is necessary for calculating the signal tracking parameters. The strap‐down inertial navigation system (SINS) can generate short‐term accurate navigation solutions. In this work, a gradient descend (GD) method is designed for extracting the NLOS/MP‐induced delay in the correlators’ measurements level. The VT/SINS ultra‐tightly coupled navigation system (VT‐UTC) is developed to obtain mutual aiding between these individual systems. In VT‐UTC, the corrected SINS navigation solutions are employed for calculating the signal tracking parameters, and reliable navigation solutions from the SINS can help to extract the code delays induced by the NLOS. Two field tests with global positioning system L1 signal are carried out for assessing the performance of the GD method in the VT‐UTC framework. Comparisons between the MC and GD method show that the correlators’ computation reduces a lot since much fewer correlators are calculated in the code delay searching. Also, reliable navigation solutions from the SINS could help to calculate the signal tracking parameter while in‐view GNSS satellites are limited.
Gravitational collapse from cold uniform asymmetric initial conditions
Authors: Sylos Labini F. , Joyce M.
Published: June 2021

Using controlled numerical N-body experiments, we show how, in the collapse dynamics of an initially cold and uniform distribution of particles with a generic asymmetric shape, finite N fluctuations and perturbations induced by the anisotropic gravitational field compete to determine the physical properties of the asymptotic quasi-stationary state. When finite N fluctuations dominate the dynamics, the particle energy distribution changes greatly and the final density profile decays outside its core as r−4 with an N-dependent amplitude. On the other hand, in the limit where the anisotropic perturbations dominate, the collapse is softer and the density profile shows a decay as r−3, as is typical of halos in cosmological simulations. However, even in this limit, convergence with N of the macroscopic properties of the virialized system, such as the particle energy distributions, the bound mass, and the density profile, is very slow and not clearly established, including for our largest simulations (with N ∼ 106). Our results illustrate the challenges of accurately simulating the first collapsing structures in standard-type cosmological models.
Synthesis of α-Deuterioalcohols by Single-Electron Umpolung Reductive Deuteration of Carbonyls Using D2O as Deuterium Source
Authors: Hou Yuxia , Lai Zemin , Ning Lei , Li Yixuan , An Jie , Li Hengzhao , Li Ailing
Published: June 2021

Deuterium incorporation can effectively stabilize the chiral centers of drug and agrochemical candidates that hampered by rapid in vivo racemization. In this work, the synthetically challenging chiral-center deuteration of alcohols has been achieved via a single-electron umpolung reductive-deuteration protocol using benign D2O as deuterium source and mild SmI2 as electron donor. The broad scope and excellent functional group tolerance of this method has been showcased by the synthesis of 43 respective α-deuterioalcohols in high yields and ≥98% deuterium incorporations. The potential application of this versatile method has been exemplified in the synthesis of 6 deuterated drug derivatives, 1 deuterated human hormone, and 3 deuterated natural products. This method using D2O is greener and more efficient compared to traditional pyrophoric-metal-deuteride-mediated reductive deuterations.
Aproceros leucopoda (elm zigzag sawfly).
Authors: Blake Max
Published: June 2021

Elm zigzag sawfly is considered a minor pest within its native range in East Asia, but since first arriving in Hungary and Poland in 2003 the sawfly has spread rapidly through Europe and is continuing to expand its range. Severe localized defoliation has been recorded by the species throughout Europe on elms in a variety of situations. Most elm species are utilised as host plants, which combined with it being both parthenogenic and multivoltine means populations can build up rapidly in suitable areas. No specific predators are known, and whilst parasitoids have been described on the species in Europe no studies have investigated their efficacy at controlling elm zigzag sawfly. This species was removed from the EPPO Alert List in 2015 following no international action on the species being requested by the EPPO member countries.
Clover yellow mosaic virus.
Authors: Hammond Rosemarie
Published: June 2021

Clover yellow mosaic virus is not recommended for regulation as a quarantine pest by EPPO and is not included in the EPPO Alert List. A comprehensive pest risk analysis was performed by the UK Food and Environment Agency (FERA): https://secure.fera.defra.gov.uk/phiw/riskRegister/downloadExternalPra.cfm?id=3804.
Novel Application of Nutritional Biomarkers From a Controlled Feeding Study and an Observational Study to Characterization of Dietary Patterns in Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Neuhouser Marian L , Pettinger Mary , Lampe Johanna W , Tinker Lesley F , George Stephanie M , Reedy Jill , Song Xiaoling , Thyagarajan Bharat , Beresford Shirley A , Prentice Ross L
Published: June 2021

Dietary guidance emphasizes healthy dietary patterns, but supporting evidence comes from self-reported dietary data, which are prone to measurement error. We explored whether nutritional biomarkers from the Women’s Health Initiative Nutrition and Physical Activity Assessment Study Feeding Study (NPAAS-FS) (n = 153; 2010–2014) and the Women’s Health Initiative Nutrition and Physical Activity Assessment Study Observational Study (NPAAS-OS) (n = 450; 2006–2009) could identify biomarker signatures of dietary patterns for development of corresponding regression calibration equations to help mitigate measurement error. Fasting blood samples were assayed for a specific panel of vitamins, carotenoids, and phospholipid fatty acids; 24-hour urine samples were assayed for nitrogen, sodium, and potassium levels. Intake records from the NPAAS-FS were used to calculate Healthy Eating Index 2010 (HEI-2010), Alternative Healthy Eating Index 2010 (AHEI-2010), alternative Mediterranean diet (aMED), and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) scores. Scores were regressed on blood and urine nutritional measures for discovery of dietary pattern biomarkers using a cross-validated model R2 ≥ 36% criterion (stage 1). Next, stepwise models (P ≤ 0.10 for entry/removal) using NPAAS-OS data were used to regress stage 1 dietary pattern biomarkers on NPAAS-OS self-reported dietary pattern scores using a food frequency questionnaire, a 4-day food record, and a 24-hour recall (stage 2). HEI-2010 and aMED analyses met the cross-validated R2 ≥ 36% criterion in stage 1, while AHEI-2010 and DASH analyses did not. The R2 values for HEI-2010 stage 2 calibration equations were as follows: food frequency questionnaire, 63.5%; 4-day food record, 83.1%; and 24-hour recall, 77.8%. Stage 2 aMED R2 values were 34.9%–46.8%. Dietary pattern biomarkers have potential for calibrating self-reports to enhance studies of diet-disease associations.
Invited Commentary: Childhood Adiposity and the Onset of Puberty—It Turns Out There Is More to Be Learned
Authors: Chavarro Jorge E
Published: June 2021

The literature on the relationship between adiposity and the onset of puberty is extensive, both in size and in the length of time this question has been alive in the biomedical literature. It is easy to wonder, then, whether there is anything new to be learned in this crowded field. In this issue of the Journal, Deardorff et al. (Am J Epidemiol. 2022;191(1):7–16) show that it is still possible to innovate in this area. The authors report on the relationship between body mass index at age 5 years and a variety of markers of the onset of puberty. Consistent with the current literature, they show no association between body mass index at age 5 and pubertal onset in boys. They also show an association between obesity at age 5 with earlier onset of secondary sexual characteristics in girls, making an important subject-matter contribution that addresses many of the concerns of the existing literature in assigning causality. At the same time, the authors make an important, although less evident contribution to the practice of epidemiology for studies where the assessment of pubertal status is of interest.
Unexpected acute pulmonary embolism in an old COVID-19 patient with warfarin overdose: a case report
Authors: Coutrot Maxime , Delrue Maxime , Joly Bérangère S , Siguret Virginie
Published: June 2021

Background

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 disease is strongly associated with a high incidence of thrombotic events. Anticoagulation could be a cornerstone in successfully managing severe forms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, optimal anticoagulant dosing in elderly patients is challenging because of high risk of both thrombosis and bleeding.

Case summary

We present here the case of an 89-year-old patient receiving warfarin for atrial fibrillation and valvular heart disease, admitted to the intensive care unit for respiratory failure due to COVID-19. The patient presented with a severe epistaxis associated with warfarin overdose [international normalized ratio (INR) > 10]. After a successful initial reversal using vitamin K per os, INR values greatly fluctuated up to 10, requiring repeated administrations of vitamin K. Despite starting low-molecular-weight heparin therapy at therapeutic dose as soon as INR value was below 2.0, the patient further developed an acute bilateral and proximal pulmonary embolism concomitantly with a sharp D-dimer increase. The combination of azithromycin intake, a known inhibitor of CYP2C9, with the presence of CYP2C9*2 and −1639G>A VKORC1, two variants associated with warfarin hypersensitivity, have likely contributed to explain the warfarin overdose and the difficulty to reverse warfarin effect in this patient.

Discussion

This case report illustrates the complexity of COVID-19 pathophysiology and its management for physicians, especially in patients receiving vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). Infection, concurrent medication use, and pharmacogenetic factors involved in VKA metabolism and pharmacodynamics may lead to a loss of control of anticoagulation. Pulmonary embolism should still be considered in COVID-19 patients even with effective or overdosed anticoagulant therapy.
Intimate partner violence: analysis of current screening practices in the primary care setting
Authors: Perone Hanna R , Dietz Noella A , Belkowitz Julia , Bland Sarah
Published: June 2021

Background

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a largely undetected occurrence in the United States reported by 36–50% of women in their lifetime and associated with extensive physical and psychological implications. Currently, conflicting recommendations exist regarding screening practices with the United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) advocating for and against universal screening, respectively. With research suggesting that women are seldom asked about IPV during clinic visits, further information is needed regarding current screening practices.

Objectives

To identify current IPV screening approaches in the primary care setting and factors that may impact screening completion.

Methods

We retrospectively examined patients presenting for annual examinations at four university-associated primary care clinics in southeast Florida (n = 400). Patient demographics, screener demographics, screening completion, and screening results were collected from the medical record. Results were compared to depression and anxiety screenings due to comparable prevalence and screening recommendations. Pearson chi square and Fisher exact tests were utilized to compare screening rates by demographic characteristics.

Results

IPV screening occurred at a much lower frequency (8.5%) compared to screenings for anxiety (37.3%) and depression (71.3%). Among documented IPV screenings, 64.7% of encounters resulted in patient refusal to be screened. Screening rates were found to be marginally impacted by patient ethnicity (P = 0.052).

Conclusions

Findings of both low screening rates and low screening success raise significant concerns for the shortcomings of advocating for universal IPV screening. Therefore, additional studies are necessary to identify covert barriers to screening completion before universal inquiry is advised.
Conditions for gatekeeping when GPs consider patient requests unreasonable: a focus group study
Authors: Breivold Jørgen , Rø Karin Isaksson , Hjörleifsson Stefán
Published: June 2021

Background

Requests from patients that are regarded by GPs as unreasonable are a source of conflict between GPs and patients. This makes gatekeeping challenging, as GPs negotiate a struggle between maintaining the doctor–patient relationship, protecting patients from the harms of medical overuse and acting as stewards of limited health care resources. More knowledge of how GPs can succeed in these difficult consultations is needed.

Objective

To explore Norwegian GPs’ perceptions of conditions that can promote their ability to act as gatekeepers when facing patient requests which they consider ‘unreasonable’.

Methods

A qualitative study based on three focus groups with Norwegian GPs conducted in 2019, exploring consultations in which the patient made a seemingly unreasonable request, but the GP was able to navigate the consultation in a clinically appropriate manner. Thematic cross-case analysis of verbatim transcripts from the focus groups was carried out using Systematic Text Condensation.

Results

The analysis revealed three major themes among the conditions that the GPs considered helpful when faced with an ‘unreasonable’ patient request: (i) professional communication skills; (ii) a long-term perspective; (iii) acknowledgement and support of GPs’ gatekeeping role among peers and from authorities.

Conclusion

Professional communication skills and relational continuity need to be prioritized for GPs to maintain their role as gatekeepers. However, support for the gatekeeping role within the profession as well as from society is also required.
Detailed traveltime tomography and seismic catalogue around the 2019 Mw7.1 Ridgecrest, California, earthquake using dense rapid-response seismic data
Authors: White Malcolm C A , Fang Hongjian , Catchings Rufus D , Goldman Mark R , Steidl Jamison H , Ben-Zion Yehuda
Published: June 2021

We derive a detailed earthquake catalogue and Vp, Vs and Vp/Vs models for the region around the 2019 Mw 6.4 and Mw7.1 Ridgecrest, California, earthquake sequence using data recorded by rapid-response, densely deployed sensors following the Ridgecrest main shock and the regional network. The new catalogue spans a 4-month period, starting on 1 June 2019, and it includes nearly 95 000 events detected and located with iterative updates to our velocity models. The final Vp and Vs models correlate well with surface geology in the top 4 km of the crust and spatial seismicity patterns at depth. Joint interpretation of the derived catalogue, velocity models, and surface geology suggests that (i) a compliant low-velocity zone near the Garlock Fault arrested the Mw 7.1 rupture at the southeast end; (ii) a stiff high-velocity zone beneath the Coso Mountains acted as a strong barrier that arrested the rupture at the northwest end and (iii) isolated seismicity on the Garlock Fault accommodated transtensional-stepover strain triggered by the main events. The derived catalogue and velocity models can be useful for multiple future studies, including further analysis of seismicity patterns, derivations of accurate source properties (e.g. focal mechanisms) and simulations of earthquake processes and radiated seismic wavefields.
Germline predisposition to hematopoietic malignancies
Authors: Feurstein Simone , Drazer Michael , Godley Lucy A
Published: June 2021

Once thought to be exceedingly rare, the advent of next-generation sequencing has revealed a plethora of germline predisposition disorders that confer risk for hematopoietic malignancies (HMs). These syndromes are now recognized to be much more common than previously thought. The recognition of a germline susceptibility risk allele in an individual impacts the clinical management and health surveillance strategies in the index patient and relatives who share the causative DNA variant. Challenges to accurate clinical testing include a lack of familiarity in many health care providers, the requirement for DNA samples that reasonably approximate the germline state, and a lack of standardization among diagnostic platforms as to which genes are sequenced and their capabilities in detecting the full range of variant types that confer risk. Current knowledge gaps include a comprehensive understanding of all predisposition genes; whether scenarios exist in which an allogeneic stem cell transplant using donor hematopoietic stem cells with deleterious variants is permissive; and effective means of delivering genetic counseling and results disclosure for these conditions. We are hopeful that comprehensive germline genetic testing, universal germline testing for all patients with an HM, universal germline testing for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell donors, and the development of preventive strategies to delay or even prevent malignancies will be available in the near future. These factors will likely contribute to improved health outcomes for at-risk individuals and their family members.
What We Talk About When We Talk About Soft Power
Authors: Henne Peter S
Published: June 2021

Soft power is a perennial buzzword in policy discussions, but its popularity has not translated into scholarly or policy impact. In this policy article, I argue that this is because many references to soft power are vague and undefined, referring to any use of culture or ideology in a state's foreign policy and leaving unclear soft power's relationship with hard power. Drawing on recent scholarly work on nonmaterial sources of power, I address this issue by arguing that soft power is one among several forms of cultural–symbolic instruments of power that can either complement or substitute for material resources. I also provide a typology to categorize these forms, according to whether they involve direct or diffuse relations, and whether they are intended to integrate or fragment international collective action. This approach can provide more specific language to both analyze and advocate for alternatives to military and economic tools in statecraft. I demonstrate its utility with illustrative case studies on Saudi and Russian foreign policy. This article can contribute to policy debates by allowing for more clarity in discussions on soft power and related forms of power. It can also contribute to scholarship in this area by helping to better connect it to policy discussions.
Executive Power Sharing in the Face of Civil War
Authors: Wucherpfennig Julian
Published: June 2021

Scholars have debated whether executive power sharing can secure peace in multiethnic states, but concerns about endogeneity due to reverse causation render this a difficult problem for empirical analyses. In the absence of a suitable instrumental variable, I explore an actor-based approach by studying a simple formal model. This highlights the conditions under which governments are likely to share power with a domestic challenger depending on the threat of violence. I then formulate a statistical “strategic selection” model that closely mirrors the theoretical model, thereby directly incorporating endogeneity. Applied to data at the level of ethnic groups, the estimation results indicate that power sharing is indeed enacted strategically by governments in anticipation of the risk of conflict. However, shedding new light on an ongoing debate, I find that the critics have overstated the case against power sharing: rather than spurring it, power sharing robustly reduces civil conflict.