bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mathematical modeling of tumor surface growth with necrotic kernels
Authors: Zhang Hua , Tian Jianjun Paul , Niu Ben , Guo Yuxiao
Published: June 2021

A two‐dimensional tumor‐immune model with the time delay of the adaptive immune response is considered in this paper. The model is designed to account for the interaction between cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and cancer cells on the surface of a solid tumor. The model considers the surface growth as a major growth pattern of solid tumors in order to describe the existence of necrotic kernels. The qualitative analysis shows that the immune‐free equilibrium is unstable, and the behavior of positive equilibrium is closely related to the ratio of the immune killing rate to tumor volume growth rate. The positive equilibrium is locally asymptotically stable when the ratio is smaller than a critical value. Otherwise, the occurrence of the delay‐driven Hopf bifurcation at the positive equilibrium is proved. Applying the center manifold reduction and normal form method, we obtain explicit formulas to determine the properties of the Hopf bifurcation. The global continuation of a local Hopf bifurcation is investigated based on the coincidence degree theory. The results reveal that the time of the adaptive immune system taken to response to tumors can lead to oscillation dynamics. We also carry out detailed numerical analysis for parameters and numerical simulations to illustrate our qualitative analysis. Numerically, we find that shorter immune response time can lead to longer patient survival time, and the period and amplitude of a stable periodic solution increase with the increasing immune response time. When CTLs recruitment rate and death rate vary, we show how the ratio of the immune killing rate to tumor volume growth rate and the first bifurcation value change numerically, which yields further insights to the tumor‐immune dynamics.
Existence and regularity result for Stokes system with special inlet/outlet condition
Authors: Kosewski Przemysław , Wołos Kamil
Published: June 2021

Our aim is to analyze special type of boundary conditions, created to simulate flows like in cardiovascular and respiratory systems. First, we will describe model of viscous, incompressible fluid in a domain consisting many inlets and outlets with open dissipative boundary conditions. The conditions are augmented by the inertia terms. We are posing additional constrains on a fluid motion by a volumetric flow rates or inlet/outlet pressure. Afterwards, we will define weak formulation of the problem and its motivation. Then, we will prove mathematical correctness of proposed conditions by properly modified Galerkin method. Also, we will prove existence of a solution and its uniqueness.
Tubular surfaces associated with framed base curves in Euclidean 3‐space
Authors: Eren Kemal , Yıldız Önder Gökmen , Akyiğit Mahmut
Published: June 2021

The aim of this paper is to examine tubular surfaces with framed base curves. We build the structure of the tubular surface which has singular points. In the second section, we give a brief exposition of framed base curves and framed surfaces, respectively. In the third section, our main results are stated and proved. Moreover, in this section, the normal of the tubular surface and its mean and Gauss curvatures are found, and the characterizations of the parameter curves on the surface are given. Finally, we have expressed the tubular surface with a framed base curve with examples.
Relative expression and prognostic significance of forkhead box P3 in childhood B‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Abdelhafeez Hossam El‐Din A. , Hamid Fatma F. Abdel , Hassan Naglaa M. , Assem Magda M. , Soliman Ahmed F.
Published: June 2021

Background

Despite the favorable survival rates of childhood B‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B‐ALL), a significant number of patients present a dismal prognosis. Forkhead box P3 (FOXP3), a marker of regulatory T cells, functions as a transcription factor involved in immune cell regulation, and its expression correlates with prognosis in many malignancies. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the relative gene expression level of FOXP3 in childhood B‐ALL and to detect its prognostic utility.

Methods

The study included 139 bone marrow samples obtained from 112 patients at diagnosis and 27 healthy children. Following extraction, RNA was reverse transcribed and the relative expression level of FOXP3 was quantified by quantitative PCR. Cytogenetics, immunophenotype, and minimal residual disease were analyzed according to international guidelines.

Results

A highly significant overexpression of FOXP3 was detected in childhood B‐ALL patients at diagnosis, which was associated with a stronger risk for disease relapse and patients’ worse survival. Moreover, multivariate regression models highlighted the independent prognostic value of FOXP3 for childhood B‐ALL. Finally, the combination of FOXP3 relative expression with clinically used disease markers clearly enhanced the prediction of treatment stratification.

Conclusions

High FOXP3 relative expression was associated with inferior outcome suggesting its potentiality as a molecular prognostic marker to predict childhood B‐ALL patients’ outcomes.
The fetal stomach throughout gestation: Normal charts and clinical implication
Authors: Kassif Eran , Weissbach Tal , Shust‐Barequet Shir , Raviv Oshrat , Snenh Samar Abu , Avraham Efrat , Cahan Tal , Koren Natalie , Yulzari Vered , Hadi Efrat , Adamo Laura , Revivo Marva , Tovi Shalev Mazaki , Achiron Reuven , Kivilevitch Zvika , Weisz Boaz , Weissmann‐Brenner Alina
Published: June 2021

Objectives

To construct a nomogram of fetal stomach, and to prospectively determine the clinical value of stomach measurement in pathological cases.

Methods

A cross‐sectional prospective study was conducted between 14 and 40 weeks in well‐dated, low‐risk, singleton pregnancies. Stomach dimensions were acquired in longitudinal plane in which maximal stomach length was measured, and in axial plane in which were measured: antero‐posterior and latero‐lateral. Stomach maximal and axial 1st to 99th centiles were calculated for each gestational‐week.

Results

Five hundred fifty‐four measurements were performed. A cubic polynomial regression model best described the correlation between stomach size and gestational age. The correlation coefficient (r2) was 0.627 and 0.754 (p < 0.001) for the stomach axial and maximal diameters, respectively. Intra‐ and interobserver variability had high interclass correlation coefficients (>0.9). Nomograms were created for predicted stomach axial and maximal 1st, 3rd, 10th, 25th, 50th,75th, 90th, 95th, 97th, and 99th centiles. The nomogram correctly detected 92.3% (12/13) of pathological cases including three bowel obstruction, eight esophageal atresia, and two hypotonic syndromes.

Conclusions

The present study provides updated nomograms of the fetal stomach. Clinical application of these nomograms may assist in preventing unnecessary investigation in falsely perceived small or large stomachs and may improve the in utero detection of true pathologies.
Quantitative proteomics reveals arsenic attenuates stem‐loop binding protein stability via a chaperone complex containing heat shock proteins and ERp44
Authors: Zhao Ruoyu , Wang Binghao , Guo Yan , Zhang Jingzi , Chen Danqi , He Wei Ming , Zhao Yong Juan , Ding Yibing , Jin Chunyuan , Li Chaojun , Zhao Yue , Ren Wei , Fang Lei
Published: June 2021

Arsenic pollution impacts health of millions of people in the world. Inorganic arsenic is a carcinogenic agent in skin and lung cancers. The stem‐loop binding protein (SLBP) binds to the stem‐loop of the canonical histone mRNA and regulates its metabolism during cell cycle. Our previous work has shown arsenic induces ubiquitin‐proteasome dependent degradation of SLBP and contributes to lung cancer. In this study, we established the first comprehensive SLBP interaction network by affinity purification‐mass spectrometry (AP‐MS) analysis, and further demonstrated arsenic enhanced the association between SLBP and a crucial chaperone complex containing heat shock proteins (HSPs) and ERp44. Strikingly, knockdown of these proteins markedly rescued the protein level of SLBP under arsenic exposure conditions, and abolished the increasing migration capacity of BEAS‐2B cells induced by arsenic. Taken together, our study provides a potential new mechanism that a chaperone complex containing HSPs and ERp44 attenuates the stability of SLBP under both normal and arsenic exposure conditions, which could be essential for arsenic‐induced high cell migration.
Clinical efficacy of subgingivally delivered propolis as an adjuvant to nonsurgical periodontal treatment of periodontitis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Assunção Michelly , Carneiro Valéria M. A. , Stefani Cristine M. , de Lima Caroline L.
Published: June 2021

This systematic review and meta‐analysis evaluated randomized and nonrandomized studies that assessed the effect of local subgingival propolis as an adjunct to nonsurgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) in the treatment of periodontitis. A detailed search was carried out in Cochrane Library, Embase, LILACS, LIVIVO, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, with no time or language restrictions. A grey literature search was also conducted. The methodology of included studies was evaluated by the Cochrane RoB2 tool. The certainty of each clinical outcome was assessed by the GRADE system. Meta‐analyses of mean difference were conducted using the random‐effects model, through RevMan 5.4 software. Six studies met the eligibility criteria to be synthesized in the qualitative analysis, and three studies were included in the meta‐analysis. The subgingival application of propolis as an adjunct to NSPT improved probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and bleeding on probing (BOP) in most of the assessed studies. The overall mean difference in PPD reduction was 1.49 mm, 30–45 days after treatment, and 0.8 mm, 90 days after treatment, with very low level of certainty. The overall bias was scored as high risk for all included studies. The adjunctive use of locally delivered propolis associated to NSPT to treat periodontitis may improve periodontal clinical parameters, compared with NSPT alone/placebo. However, the evidence was not strong enough to safely base any clinical recommendation.
Comprehensive analysis of phospholipids and glycerol glycolipids in green pepper by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Yingbo Zhao , Ximan Kong , Yajuan Wang , Huajun Sun , Shujuan Ji
Published: June 2021

Rationale

As important components of plant cells, lipids are involved in various biological functions. However, the composition and content of lipids in cell membranes changes at low temperature resulting in chilling injury and affecting the commercial value of green peppers. Detecting the changes in lipids helps to understand the mechanism of low‐temperature stress in green peppers; however, a comprehensive study of lipid profiles in green pepper has not been well documented.

Methods

Herein, we report an ultra‐performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/QTOF MS) method to determine phospholipids and glycolipids in green peppers and compare five extraction methods among which the isopropanol/chloroform/water (ICW) method demonstrated the best extraction efficiency. The established method was used to determine the membrane lipids of fresh samples, chilled samples(4°C‐20d), and control samples (10°C‐20d).

Results

A total of 98 lipids, including 77 phospholipids and 21 glycolipids, were extracted from green peppers using ICW extraction. The content and profile of phosphatidylcholine (PC) among phospholipids were found to be the highest, accounting for 58.58% of all the phospholipids. The monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG) content among the glycolipids was the highest, accounting for 1.43%. The samples stored at low temperature (4°C, 20d) had a significantly higher PC content and a higher content of lipids containing unsaturated fatty acid residues as compared with the control samples (10°C, 20d). The recovery ranged from 75.55% to 96.64% while the limit of quantification ranged from 10 to 1000 ng mL−1.

Conclusions

The results indicated that the established method provided a reliable platform to study the changes in membrane lipids of a green pepper under low‐temperature conditions.
Stochastic stability and stabilization for stochastic differential semi‐Markov jump systems with incremental quadratic constraints
Authors: Zhang Min , Huang Jun , Zhang Yueyuan
Published: June 2021

The problem of the stochastic stability analysis and state feedback stabilization for nonlinear stochastic differential semi‐Markov jump systems with incremental quadratic constraints is investigated in this article. Different from Markovian process, the transition rate is time varying with known bounds and the sojourn time is conformed to the Weibull distribution in semi‐Markov process. Traditional nonlinear constraint such as Lipschitz, one‐sided Lipschitz, and so forth, is extended to incremental quadratic constraint. By the mode‐dependent Lyapunov function and the slack variable method, the sufficient conditions ensuring that the considered systems are stochastically stable are formulated by linear matrix inequalities. Then, a state feedback controller is designed to drive the closed‐loop system stochastically stable. Finally, an example of helicopter is used to illustrate the superiority as well as effectiveness of the results in this treatise.
Ethylenediamine‐Modified Hollow Porous Nanospheres for Effective Removal of Chromium (VI)
Authors: Wang Huaqing , He Zhiwei , Yu Haitao , Gao Shengguang , Zhang Li , Huang Kun
Published: June 2021

The synthesis of recyclable adsorbents with satisfactory adsorption properties is more beneficial to their value in environment‐related applications. Organic porous polymer has become a potential adsorption material because of its convenient and effective modifiability and relatively high specific surface area. Here, we report for the first time a novel synthesis of ethylenediamine‐modified hollow porous nanospheres (HPNs‐NH2) via hyper‐crosslinking mediated self‐assembly strategy using polylactide‐b‐polystyrene‐b‐polyglycidyl methacrylate (PLA‐b‐PS‐b‐PGM) triblock copolymers as precursors, followed by further ring‐opening of epoxy groups with ethylenediamine (EDA). Owing to the special multistage pore structure, high surface area and a large number of amino active sites, the obtained solid adsorbent HPNs‐NH2 showed high adsorption capacity (493 mg/g) for Cr(VI), and its adsorption performance can still be maintained at a high level after eight cycles. These obvious advantages indicated that HPNs‐NH2 is expected to play an important role in the treatment of hexavalent chromium in sewage.
Effects of Pectins with Different Structural and Conformational Characteristics on Gelatinization and Retrogradation of Corn Starch
Authors: Xie Fan , Wang Zhengwu , Liu Jianhua
Published: June 2021

In this study, the effects of pectin with different structural and conformational characteristics on gelatinization and retrogradation of corn starch are investigated. The structural characteristics analysis showed that the low, medium, and high methoxyl pectin have different molecular weights (4.93×105, 2.59×105, and 3.26×105 Da), branched structures, and intrinsic viscosity (651.11, 641.99, and 1003.30 mL g−1). Pasting properties analysis results demonstrate that the presence of pectin retarded starch gelatinization, and high methoxyl pectin with branched structure affect the viscosity of starch pastes. Furthermore, the presence of high methoxyl pectin changes the viscoelastic property and limits the retrogradation of starch gel significantly. Correlation analysis suggests that the intrinsic viscosity is the major factor regulating the effect of pectin on gelatinization and retrogradation of starch. This study provides a theoretical basis for further in‐depth use of pectin in starchy food.
Team‐based learning and the community of inquiry model
Authors: Restall Greg C. , Clark Michele C.
Published: June 2021

This chapter presents team‐based learning (TBL) as a teaching strategy to support self‐regulated learning in a community of inquiry. It argues for the inclusion of self‐regulated learning as an essential component of Garrison's community of inquiry model, and illustrates how TBL supports and improves the delivery of this online model.
Finite element modeling of electromagnetic properties of 3D printed materials in X‐band spectrum
Authors: Rath Usharani , Pandey Pulak M
Published: June 2021

Microwave absorbers are distinctive class of materials, which are used to absorb undesired electromagnetic waves in the microwave spectrum. A finite element modeling approach was utilized in the present study to investigate the microwave absorption properties of three different materials such as polycaprolactone (PCL) polymer, polycaprolactone‐carbonyl iron particle (CIP) composite with random orientation of CIPs, and polycaprolactone‐carbonyl iron particle composite with oriented chain structures of CIPs, fabricated by extrusion‐based 3D printing process. A two‐dimensional model was formulated comprising the material under test and two rectangular waveguides attached to the vector network analyzer. A two‐port network model was used to emulate the real‐time experimental environment. It was found from the electric field distribution plot that the oriented PCL‐CIP model reflects and transmits marginal amplitude of electromagnetic waves when compared with nonoriented PCL‐CIP model followed by pure PCL model. The simulation results were validated with the experimental findings. A minimum loss of electromagnetic energy was observed for oriented model as compared to other models, supporting the experimental findings. Larger domain wall motions and micro capacitor behavior of oriented chains of carbonyl particles were responsible for such microwave absorption properties of oriented composites. The practical utility of the present modeling and simulation approach is multifold as it can be utilized to investigate and compare the electromagnetic shielding behavior of various polymeric composites without any material wastage, machine utilization, and physical testing.
Novel treatment of recurrent abdominal lymphatic malformations in a dog
Authors: Locker Seth H , Maxwell Elizabeth A , Vilaplana Grosso Federico , Bertran Judith , Shiomitsu Keijiro
Published: June 2021

An 8‐month‐old neutered male border collie mix was presented for abdominal distension, lethargy and vomiting. Computed tomography revealed a large, lobulated, fluid‐filled cystic mass within the abdomen. Following subtotal surgical resection and histopathology, a diagnosis of lymphangioma (lymphatic malformation) was made. Five months postoperatively, a recurrence of the lymphatic malformation was diagnosed. Multimodal therapy was instituted consisting of subtotal surgical resection, electrochemotherapy, sclerotherapy and radiation therapy. Ten months postoperatively and 7 months post‐radiation therapy, the dog remained without recurrence of clinical signs, and the lymphatic malformation was reduced in size. The combination of surgical resection, electrochemotherapy, sclerotherapy and radiation therapy seemed to be safe therapeutic options for abdominal lymphangiomas and may aid in medium‐term disease control.
On a gauge-invariant deformation of a classical gauge-invariant theory
Authors: Buchbinder I. L. , Lavrov P. M.
Published: June 2021

Abstract

We consider a general gauge theory with independent generators and study the problem of gauge-invariant deformation of initial gauge-invariant classical action. The problem is formulated in terms of BV-formalism and is reduced to describing the general solution to the classical master equation. We show that such general solution is determined by two arbitrary generating functions of the initial fields. As a result, we construct in explicit form the deformed action and the deformed gauge generators in terms of above functions. We argue that the deformed theory must in general be non-local. The developed deformation procedure is applied to Abelian vector field theory and we show that it allows to derive non-Abelain Yang-Mills theory. This procedure is also applied to free massless integer higher spin field theory and leads to local cubic interaction vertex for such fields.
Power balance modulation strategy for hybrid cascaded H-bridge multi-level inverter
Authors: Gong Renxi , Xue Bo , Liu Jianfeng , Zhang Xinyu
Published: June 2021

Under the traditional hybrid modulation strategy, the output powers of the hybrid cascaded H-bridge inverter are not balanced between the cascaded units. With a hybrid cascaded H-bridge 13-level inverter with a DC side voltage ratio of 1:1:1:3 (referred to as III-inverter in the paper) as the research object, a hybrid modulation power equalization strategy based on carrier rotation is proposed. Under the control of which, the output voltage of inverters is formed by superposition of multiple basic voltage waveforms. Firstly, the hybrid modulation strategy is adopted to modulate the inverter so that the high- and low-voltage units, respectively, operate in the low-frequency and high-frequency states. Then, the pulse sequence within the 3/2 output voltage cycle is made to circulate among all the cascaded units by carrier rotation. Finally, the output voltage of each cascaded units is made to contain all the basic voltage waveforms, thus implementing the output power balance between all the cascaded units. Based on simulation and experiment, the effectiveness of the strategy is verified, and it is shown that under the control of this power balance modulation strategy, the output voltage waveform quality of the inverter is high, there is no current backflow, and the output power can be balanced within 3/2 cycles.
Predictors of Bone Mineral Density Improvement after Parathyroidectomy for Secondary Hyperparathyroidism: A Retrospective Single‐Center Analysis
Authors: Okada Manabu , Tominaga Yoshihiro , Tomosugi Toshihide , Hiramitsu Takahisa , Ichimori Toshihiro , Sato Tetsuhiko
Published: June 2021

Background

Parathyroidectomy (PTx) reportedly increases bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with severe secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT). To date, however, there has not been sufficient evidence on predictors of BMD improvement post‐PTx for SHPT, an issue the present retrospective cohort study aimed to address.

Methods

A total of 173 SHPT patients who underwent total PTx with forearm autograft between 2009 and 2017 were included in the present study. Demographic information, perioperative laboratory data and pre‐ and post‐PTx BMD values (measured by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry) were collected from their medical records. The change in BMD post‐PTx in the lumbar spine was evaluated as the primary outcome. Then, a multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed for a ≥ 10% increase in BMD post‐PTx.

Results

Overall, the median BMD in the lumbar spine was increased by 8.7% post‐PTx. The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age ≥ 70 years (P = 0.005; odds ratio [OR], 0.138; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.034–0.555), serum Ca level (P = 0.017; OR, 0.598; 95% CI: 0.392–0.911) and pre‐PTx BMD in the lumbar spine (P = 0.003; OR, 0.013; 95% CI: 0.001–0.229) were negatively associated with a ≥ 10% increase in BMD post‐PTx.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated that presurgical age, serum Ca levels and BMD values could better predict an improvement in BMD post‐PTx in SHPT patients.
Permian A-type granites of the Western Carpathians and Transdanubian regions: products of the Pangea supercontinent breakup
Authors: Ondrejka Martin , Uher Pavel , Putiš Marián , Kohút Milan , Broska Igor , Larionov Alexander , Bojar Ana-Voica , Sobocký Tomáš
Published: June 2021

Permian biotite leucogranites to granite porphyries and rhyolites form small intrusions in several Alpine tectonic units in the Western Carpathians and the Pannonian region (Slovakia and Hungary). Their A-type signature is inferred from main- and trace-element geochemistry, with high K, Rb, Y, REE, Zr, Th, Nb, Fe/Mg and Ga/Al, low Al, Mg, Ca, P, Sr, V and strong negative Eu-anomaly. This geochemical signature is further supported by the mineralogy comprising local hypersolvus alkali feldspars, annitic biotite and the presence and composition of HFSE accessory minerals. The δ18O values measured for zircon (mean value 8.3 ‰ ± 0.36) may be explained by the melting of igneous material of crustal origin and/or mantle basalts which interacted with low-temperature fluids. The in-situ SHRIMP U–Pb isotope dating of zircon from the granites highlights two different periods of magmatic crystallisation and pluton emplacement: the older 281 ± 3 Ma Cisuralian age in the southern part, Velence Hills in the Pannonian region (Transdanubian Unit) and younger Guadalupian ages in the northern part, the West-Carpathian area: 262 ± 4 Ma (Turčok, Gemeric Unit), 267 ± 2 Ma (Hrončok, Veporic Unit) and 264 ± 3 Ma (Upohlav, granitic pebbles in Cretaceous conglomerates of the Pieniny Klippen Belt). The ~ 280 to 260-Ma interval is simultaneous with post-orogenic or anorogenic, rift-related and mainly alkaline (A-type) magmatism on the broader European scale. Our study documents a close relationship between the Permian continental rifting and the Neotethyan Meliatic oceanic basin opening in the Middle Triassic. The A-type granites originated from the partial melting of the ancient lower crustal quartzo-feldspatic rocks with the possible contribution of meta-basic material from the mantle in an extensional tectonic regime consistent with disintegration of the Pangea supercontinent during the Permian–Triassic period.
Morphological abnormality in thornback ray Raja clavata in the Irish Sea
Authors: Clarke L. J.
Published: June 2021

A free-swimming thornback rayRaja clavataspecimen demonstrating significant morphological abnormality is reported, captured by beam trawl in the Irish Sea off north Wales, UK. The anterior sections of both pectoral fins were separated from the head section for a length of approximately 140 mm extending from the rostrum tip to a point posterior of the spiracles, along with abnormal morphology of the gill slits. This phenomenon has been observed elsewhere but is the first documented example of this abnormality in the eastern Irish Sea, despite widespread targeting of the species across the region by commercial and recreational fishers. Possible causes and consequences of the observed abnormality are discussed.
GIS-based mapping of water-level fluctuations (WLF) and its impact on groundwater in an Agrarian District in Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Kumar P. J. Sajil
Published: June 2021

This study describes the results of groundwater table variation in Thanjavur District before and after the monsoon seasons. Groundwater-level data acquired by the field measurement and the elevation data have been obtained from the topographic survey. Groundwater is the major source for different sectors in this region, and the major portion was used for irrigation. The impacts of geology, soil types, topographic elevation, land-use changes were critically analyzed and identified that these factors are controlling the infiltration capacity. The maximum fluctuation in the water table was 2 m below the ground level; still, 50% of the study area is under threat of overexploitation. This is projecting to a severe shortage in water supply soon. Groundwater quality is threatening by the saline intrusion in the coastal region, and the irrigation return flows inland. The spatial variation maps were useful in visualizing the seasonal water level and fluctuation in Thanjavur. A proper monitoring system, efficient irrigation practices, and effective groundwater recharge structures are recommended.
Concerns About ABA-Based Intervention: An Evaluation and Recommendations
Authors: Leaf Justin B. , Cihon Joseph H. , Leaf Ronald , McEachin John , Liu Nicholas , Russell Noah , Unumb Lorri , Shapiro Sydney , Khosrowshahi Dara
Published: June 2021

For over 50 years, intervention methods informed by the principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA) have been empirically researched and clinically implemented for autistics/individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Despite the plethora of evidence for the effectiveness of ABA-based interventions, some autism rights and neurodiversity activists have expressed concerns with ABA-based interventions. Concerns have included discontent with historical events and possible harm from the procedures and goals targeted. The purpose of this manuscript is to examine some expressed concerns about ABA-based intervention and suggest productive ways of moving forward to provide the best outcomes for autistics/individuals diagnosed with ASD. The authors represent stakeholders from multiple sectors including board certified behavior analysts, licensed psychologists, parents, and autistics/individuals diagnosed with ASD.
Enhancing the collectivist critique: accounts of the human enhancement debate
Authors: Johnson Tess
Published: June 2021

Individualist ethical analyses in the enhancement debate have often prioritised or only considered the interests and concerns of parents and the future child. The collectivist critique of the human enhancement debate argues that rather than pure individualism, a focus on collectivist, or group-level ethical considerations is needed for balanced ethical analysis of specific enhancement interventions. Here, I defend this argument for the insufficiency of pure individualism. However, existing collectivist analyses tend to take a negative approach that hinders them from adequately contributing to balanced ethical analysis, and often leads to a prohibitive stance. I argue this is due to two common problems with collectivist analyses: inappropriate acceptance of individualist assumptions, and failure to appropriately weigh individual vs collective ethical considerations. To further develop the collectivist critique in the enhancement debate, I suggest we may look to collectivism in public health ethics, which avoids these problems.
Development of a Prototype, Once-Daily, Modified-Release Formulation for the Short Half-Life RIPK1 Inhibitor GSK2982772
Authors: Tompson Debra J. , Whitaker Mark , Pan Rennan , Johnson Geoffrey , Fuller Teresa , McKenzie Litza , Zann Vanessa , Powell Marcy , Abbott-Banner Kathy , Hawkins Simon
Published: June 2021

Purpose

GSK2982772 is a selective inhibitor of receptor-interacting protein kinase-1, with a 2–3 h half-life. This study evaluated if a once-daily modified-release formulation of GSK2982772 could be developed with no significant food effect.

Methods

Part A evaluated the pharmacokinetics of GSK2982772 following fasted single-dose (120 mg) administration of two matrix minitab formulations (MT-8 h and MT-12 h) vs 120 mg immediate release (IR) and MT-12 h with a high-fat meal. Part B evaluated once-daily MT-12 h for 3 days at three dose levels. Part C evaluated a matrix monolithic (MM-12 h) formulation at two dose levels in different prandial states.

Results

All modified-release formulations dosed in the fasted state reduced maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), delayed time to Cmax, and decreased area under the curve (AUC) vs IR. When MT-12 h or MM-12 h were co-administered with a meal (standard or high-fat) Cmax and AUC increased. Dosing MM-12 h 1 h before a standard or high-fat meal had minimal impact on exposure vs fasted.

Conclusions

MT-12 h and MM-12 h provided a QD pharmacokinetic profile in the fasted state, however when MT-12 h was dosed with a high-fat meal a QD profile was not maintained. (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03266172).
Curry–Howard–Lambek Correspondence for Intuitionistic Belief
Authors: Perini Brogi Cosimo
Published: June 2021

This paper introduces anatural deduction calculus for intuitionistic logic of belief$$\mathsf {IEL}^{-}$$IEL-which is easily turned into amodal$$\lambda $$λ-calculusgiving a computational semantics for deductions in$$\mathsf {IEL}^{-}$$IEL-. By using that interpretation, it is also proved that$$\mathsf {IEL}^{-}$$IEL-hasgood proof-theoretic properties. The correspondence between deductions and typed terms is then extended to acategorical semanticsfor identity of proofs in$$\mathsf {IEL}^{-}$$IEL-showing the general structure of such a modality for belief in an intuitionistic framework.
Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors: a practical guide for the Dutch cardiologist based on real-world experience
Authors: Zwart K. , Velthuis S. , Polyukhovych Y. V. , Mosterd A. , Smidt L. , Serné E. H. , van Raalte D. H. , Elders P. J. M. , Handoko M. L. , Oldenburg-Ligtenberg P. C.
Published: June 2021

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors include a relatively new class of glucose-lowering drugs that reduce plasma glucose concentrations by inhibiting proximal tubular reabsorption of glucose in the kidney, while increasing its excretion in urine. Recent large randomised controlled trials have demonstrated that many of these agents reduce the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events, hospitalisation for heart failure, cardiovascular death and/or chronic kidney disease progression in patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). Given their unique insulin-independent mode of action and favourable efficacy and adverse-event profile, SGLT2 inhibitors are promising and they offer an interesting therapeutic approach for the cardiologist to incorporate into routine practice. However, despite accumulating data supporting this class of therapy, cardiologists infrequently prescribe SGLT2 inhibitors, potentially due to a lack of familiarity with their use and the reticence to change DM medication. Here, we provide an up-to-date practical guide highlighting important elements of treatment initiation based on real-world evidence and expert opinion. We describe how to change DM medication, including insulin dosing when appropriate, and how to anticipate any adverse events based on real-world experience in patients with DM2 in the Meander Medical Centre in Amersfoort, the Netherlands. This includes a simple algorithm showing how to initiate SGLT2 inhibitor treatment safely, while considering the consequence of the glucosuric effects of these inhibitors for the individual patient.
A short note on inadmissible coefficients of weight 2 and $$2k+1$$ newforms
Authors: Amir Malik , Hatziiliou Andreas
Published: June 2021

Let $$f(z)=q+\sum _{n\ge 2}a(n)q^n$$

f

(
z
)

=
q
+

∑

n
≥
2

a

(
n
)

q
n

be a weight k normalized newform with integer coefficients and trivial residual mod 2 Galois representation. We extend the results of Amir and Hong in Amir and Hong (On L-functions of modular elliptic curves and certain K3 surfaces, Ramanujan J, 2021) for $$k=2$$

k
=
2

by ruling out or locating all odd prime values $$|\ell |<100$$

|
ℓ
|
<
100

of their Fourier coefficients a(n) when n satisfies some congruences. We also study the case of odd weights $$k\ge 1$$

k
≥
1

newforms where the nebentypus is given by a quadratic Dirichlet character.
A novel automated autism spectrum disorder detection system
Authors: Oh Shu Lih , Jahmunah V. , Arunkumar N. , Abdulhay Enas W. , Gururajan Raj , Adib Nahrizul , Ciaccio Edward J. , Cheong Kang Hao , Acharya U. Rajendra
Published: June 2021

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that begins early in childhood and lasts throughout a person’s life. Autism is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Lack of social interaction, communication problems, and a limited range of behaviors and interests are possible characteristics of autism in children, alongside other symptoms. Electroencephalograms provide useful information about changes in brain activity and hence are efficaciously used for diagnosis of neurological disease. Eighteen nonlinear features were extracted from EEG signals of 40 children with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and 37 children with no diagnosis of neuro developmental disorder children. Feature selection was performed using Student’s t test, and Marginal Fisher Analysis was employed for data reduction. The features were ranked according to Student’s t test. The three most significant features were used to develop the autism index, while the ranked feature set was input to SVM polynomials 1, 2, and 3 for classification. The SVM polynomial 2 yielded the highest classification accuracy of 98.70% with 20 features. The developed classification system is likely to aid healthcare professionals as a diagnostic tool to detect autism. With more data, in our future work, we intend to employ deep learning models and to explore a cloud-based detection system for the detection of autism. Our study is novel, as we have analyzed all nonlinear features, and we are one of the first groups to have uniquely developed an autism (ASD) index using the extracted features.
Fire blight plant protection efficacy trial with resistant apple cultivar ‘Ladina’
Authors: Reininger Vanessa , Schöneberg Anita , Holliger Eduard
Published: June 2021

Fire blight is a devastating disease of apple, pear and quince caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Erwinia amylovora. As antibiotics are not allowed against fire blight in Switzerland, optimization of alternative plant protection strategies is required. In this context, fire blight tolerant cultivars become of higher importance to control the disease. A plant protection product efficacy trial against fire blight with the susceptible cultivar ‘Gala Galaxy’ and the tolerant cultivar ‘Ladina’ bred at Agroscope was set up at the Agroscope Steinobstzentrum Breitenhof in 2018. Four different treatment strategies, including an untreated control, were tested on both cultivars after inoculation with Erwinia amylovora. ‘Ladina’ showed less fire blight blossom cluster infection in untreated and treated plants compared to ‘Gala Galaxy’. Blossom cluster infection rates following different plant protection treatments did not differ significantly from each other in ‘Gala Galaxy’ whereas they did in ‘Ladina’.
Modernism, Empire, World Literature
Authors: Cleary Joe
Published: June 2021

After World War I, American, Irish and then Caribbean writers boldly remade the world literary system long dominated by Paris and London. Responding to literary renaissances and social upheavals in their own countries and to the decline of war-devastated Europe, émigré and domestic-based writers produced dazzling new works that challenged London's or Paris's authority to ﬁx and determine literary value. In so doing, they propounded new conceptions of aesthetic accomplishment that were later codiﬁed as 'modernism'. However, after World War II, an assertive American literary establishment repurposed literary modernism to boost the cultural prestige of the United States in the Cold War and to contest Soviet conceptions of 'world literature'. Here, in accomplished readings of major works and essays by Henry James, Ezra Pound, W. B. Yeats, T. S. Eliot, James Joyce, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Eugene O'Neill and Derek Walcott, Joe Cleary situates Anglophone modernism in terms of the rise and fall of European and American empires, changing world literary systems, and disputed histories of 'world literature'.
Characteristics of a later life population in a general adult community mental health service setting
Authors: O’Sullivan R. , Cosgrave M. , Butler A. , Lyne J.P
Published: June 2021

Objectives:

Globally, increasing life expectancy has escalated demands on psychiatric services caring for a later life population. It is recognised that those with enduring mental illness may have specific needs with advancing age. In this study, we describe the characteristics of a population aged over 60 years attending a general adult community psychiatric service and compare demographic and clinical features across age and diagnostic categories. The study aims to gather preliminary information which may guide future local mental health service planning.

Methods:

We conducted a cross-sectional observational study using retrospective chart review of all patients aged over 60 years attending four community mental health teams in North Dublin. Cohorts of attenders were stratified by age comparing 60–64 year age group with the population aged 65 years and over. Attenders were also stratified by diagnosis and regression analysis was used to determine predictors of psychotic disorder diagnosis.

Results:

The study included 127 patients. There was a higher prevalence of psychotic disorders among those aged 65 years and over (n = 73), while those aged 60–64 years (n = 54) were more likely to have depression and non-affective, non-psychotic disorders. Among the population aged 65 years and over 78% (n = 57) were long-term psychiatric service attenders.

Conclusions:

The majority of the sample aged 65 years and over were long-term service attenders with a diagnosis of severe mental illness. Further research is warranted to determine optimal service delivery for later life psychiatric service attenders.
Texture characterization of some large hailstones with an automated technique
Authors: Montagnat Maurine , Bourcier Mathieu , Philip Armelle , Bons Paul D. , Bauer Catherine C. , Deconinck Paul , Hereil Pierre
Published: June 2021

Hailstone structures have been studied for over a century, but so far mainly by manual optical means. This paper presents new texture and microstructure data (i.e. crystal lattice orientations, grain sizes and shapes) measured with an Automatic Ice Texture Analyzer, which gives access to high spatial and angular resolutions. The hailstones show two main characteristics: (1) they are structured with several concentric layers composed of alternating fine equiaxed grains and coarse elongated and radially oriented grains, and (2) they show two texture types with c-axes oriented either parallel or perpendicular to the radial direction. Such textures are compared with the ones observed in lake S1 and S2 ices, respectively. The S1 texture type (with c-axes parallel to the columnar crystals that grew in the radial direction) may result from epitaxial growth from a polycrystalline embryo, while the S2 texture (c-axes in the plane perpendicular to the column direction) may result from the growth from an embryo made of a few crystals with mainly one crystallographic orientation. Our novel high-resolution maps and measurements of both microstructure and texture may help to shed new light on the long-term discussion on the growth mechanisms of large hailstones.
Cahn–Hilliard equations on an evolving surface
Authors: CAETANO D. , ELLIOTT C. M.
Published: June 2021

We describe a functional framework suitable to the analysis of the Cahn–Hilliard equation on an evolving surface whose evolution is assumed to be given a priori. The model is derived from balance laws for an order parameter with an associated Cahn–Hilliard energy functional and we establish well-posedness for general regular potentials, satisfying some prescribed growth conditions, and for two singular non-linearities – the thermodynamically relevant logarithmic potential and a double-obstacle potential. We identify, for the singular potentials, necessary conditions on the initial data and the evolution of the surfaces for global-in-time existence of solutions, which arise from the fact that integrals of solutions are preserved over time, and prove well-posedness for initial data on a suitable set of admissible initial conditions. We then briefly describe an alternative derivation leading to a model that instead preserves a weighted integral of the solution and explain how our arguments can be adapted in order to obtain global-in-time existence without restrictions on the initial conditions. Some illustrative examples and further research directions are given in the final sections.
Wave propagation in a diffusive SAIV epidemic model with time delays
Authors: ZHOU JIANGBO , LI JINGHUAN , WEI JINGDONG , TIAN LIXIN
Published: June 2021

Based on the fact that the incubation periods of epidemic disease in asymptomatically infected and infected individuals are inevitable and different, we propose a diffusive susceptible, asymptomatically infected, symptomatically infected and vaccinated (SAIV) epidemic model with delays in this paper. To see whether epidemic disease can propagate spatially with a constant speed, we focus on the travelling wave solution for this model. When the basic reproduction number of the corresponding spatial-homogenous delayed differential system is greater than one and the wave speed is greater than or equal to the critical speed, we prove that this model admits nontrivial positive travelling wave solutions. Our theoretical results are of benefit to the prevention and control of epidemic.
The Evolution of Complementary Cognition: Humans Cooperatively Adapt and Evolve through a System of Collective Cognitive Search
Authors: Taylor Helen , Fernandes Brice , Wraight Sarah
Published: June 2021

We propose a new theory of human cognitive evolution, which we term Complementary Cognition. We build on evidence for individual neurocognitive specialization regarding search abilities in the modern population, and propose that our species cooperatively searches and adapts through a system of group-level cognition. This paper sets out a coherent theory to explain why Complementary Cognition evolved and the conditions responsible for its emergence. Using the framework of search, we show that Complementary Cognition can be contextualized as part of a hierarchy of systems including genetic search and cognitive search. We propose that, just as genetic search drives phenotypic adaptation and evolution, complementary cognitive search is central to understanding how our species adapts and evolves through culture. Complementary Cognition has far-reaching implications since it may help to explain the emergence of behavioural modernity and provides a new explanatory framework for why language and many aspects of cooperation evolved. We believe that Complementary Cognition underpins our species’ success and has important implications for how modern-day systems are designed.
Microbial colonization of the gastrointestinal tract of dairy calves – a review of its importance and relationship to health and performance
Authors: Virgínio Júnior Gercino Ferreira , Bittar Carla Maris Machado
Published: June 2021

This review aims to explain how microbial colonization of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) in young dairy calves is related to health and, consequently, to the performance of these animals. The review addresses everything from the fundamental aspects of microbial colonization to the current understanding about the microbiota manipulation to improve performance in adult animals. The ruminal microbiota is the most studied, mainly due to the high interest in the fermentative aspects, the production of short-chain fatty acids, and microbial proteins, and its effects on animal production. However, in recent years, the intestinal microbiota has gained space between studies, mainly due to the relationship to the host health and how it affects performance. Understanding how the GIT's microbiota looks like and how it is colonized may allow future studies to predict the best timing for dietary interventions as a way to manipulate it and, consequently, improve the health and performance of young ruminants.