bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increased local concentrations of growth factors from leucocyte‐ and platelet‐rich fibrin do not translate into improved alveolar ridge preservation: An intra‐individual mechanistic randomized controlled trial
Authors: Wang Xuzhu , Fok Melissa R. , Pelekos George , Jin Lijian , Tonetti Maurizio S.
Published: June 2022

Aim

Leucocyte‐ and platelet‐rich fibrin (L‐PRF) has been tested for enhancing alveolar ridge preservation (ARP), but little is known about the local release profile of growth factors (GF), and the clinical equipoise related to its efficacy remains. This study compared the patterns of GF release, early soft tissue healing, and alveolar ridge resorption following unassisted healing and L‐PRF application in non‐molar extraction sockets.

Materials and Methods

Atraumatic tooth extraction of two hopeless teeth per patient was followed by unassisted healing or L‐PRF placement to fill the socket in 18 systemically healthy, non‐smoking subjects. This intra‐individual trial was powered to assess changes in horizontal alveolar ridge dimensions 1 mm below the crest of alveolar bone. GF concentrations in wound fluid were assessed with a multiplex assay at 6, 24, 72, and 168 h. Early healing was evaluated with the wound healing index and changes in soft tissue volumes on serial digital scans. Hard tissue changes were measured on superimposed CBCT images after 5 months of healing.

Results

L‐PRF resulted in higher GF concentrations in wound fluid (WF) than in the control, but no differences in release patterns or time of peak were observed. No inter‐group differences in early healing parameters were observed. Alveolar bone resorption was observed in both groups. No significant inter‐group differences were observed in hard tissue healing 1, 3, or 5 mm apical to the original bone crest or in the ability to digitally plan a prosthetically guided implant with or without bone augmentation.

Conclusions

L‐PRF increased the GF concentrations in WF of extraction sockets without shifting the pattern observed in unassisted healing, while the increased delivery did not translate into clinical benefits in early wound healing or ARP. The current findings question the assumption that increased local concentrations of GF by L‐PRF translate into improved clinical outcomes. Additional definitive studies are needed to establish the benefits of L‐PRF in ARP (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03985033).
Safety and efficacy of long‐term tofacitinib treatment in East Asian patients with ulcerative colitis in OCTAVE Open
Authors: Matsuoka Katsuyoshi , Hisamatsu Tadakazu , Kim Hyo Jong , Ye Byong Duk , Arai Shoko , Hoshi Masato , Yuasa Hirotoshi , Tabira Junichi , Toyoizumi Shigeyuki , Shi Nanzhi , Woo Joon‐suk , Hibi Toshifumi
Published: June 2022

Background and Aim

Tofacitinib is an oral small molecule Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). We present safety and efficacy data from patients from East Asia (Japan, Korea, and Taiwan) in OCTAVE Open, an open‐label, long‐term extension study.

Methods

Patients in remission at OCTAVE Open baseline received tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily (BID); all others received tofacitinib 10 mg BID. Proportions and IRs (unique patients with events/100 patient‐years) were calculated for adverse events (AEs) of special interest. Efficacy endpoints were evaluated up to 36 months.

Results

In OCTAVE Open, 105/944 patients were from East Asia (tofacitinib 5 mg BID, n = 22; tofacitinib 10 mg BID, n = 83). Overall, 87.6% and 24.8% of patients had AEs and serious AEs, respectively; IRs (95% CI) for AEs of special interest were herpes zoster (HZ; non‐serious and serious), 6.07 (3.40–10.02); serious infections, 1.47 (0.40–3.76); opportunistic infections, 1.91 (0.62–4.45); major cardiovascular adverse events, 0.37 (0.01–2.04); malignancies (excluding non‐melanoma skin cancer [NMSC]), 0.37 (0.01–2.04); and NMSC, 0.00 (0.00–1.35). No deaths, venous thromboembolic events, or gastrointestinal perforations occurred. At month 36, 68.2% and 54.2% of patients had a clinical response, 68.2% and 53.0% had endoscopic improvement, and 63.6% and 49.4% were in remission with tofacitinib 5 and 10 mg BID, respectively.

Conclusions

The HZ IR in East Asian patients was numerically higher versus the global study population; excluding HZ, tofacitinib safety and efficacy were consistent with the global study population.
Black adolescents’ perceptions of transgressor, victim, and bystander: Thinking through a sexual harassment dilemma
Authors: Kruger Ann Cale , Harris Johari , Zabek Faith , Grant Josephine C. , Meyers Joel
Published: June 2022

Scant research exists on adolescent thinking about sexual harassment (SH), and even less on Black adolescents’ thinking. We listened to Black students as they thought aloud about a hypothetical SH dilemma. Participants were 7th graders (N = 21, 10 girls, M = 13.2 years, SD = 2.9) who identified as Black or African American. We presented a hypothetical dilemma about a boy who continues to touch a girl despite her request to stop. Participants were asked to take the perspective of each character as well as their own as a bystander. Using reflexive thematic analysis, we identified patterns in responses and two themes. Black girls saw the event as a failed social transaction requiring relationship repair. Black boys saw the dilemma as individual risk taking that could result in punishment. We consider these themes within an intersectional framework and compare them to the more familiar gendered framework used in research. Our findings provide insight into how Black adolescents think about SH and suggest entry points for culturally responsive social and emotional learning (SEL) curricula.
Informality and financial development: A literature review
Authors: Capasso Salvatore , Ohnsorge Franziska , Yu Shu
Published: June 2022

A large literature has documented an inverse relationship between financial development and the size of the informal economy, with some evidence that the link is non‐monotonic and depends on the institutional environment. The direction of causality, however, remains a matter of debate, making it hard to identify the right policy interventions for better economic outcomes. This paper reviews this literature. Drawing on the theoretical literature, it sketches out the various channels through which financial development can influence firms' choice to operate informally at all or the degree to which they operate informally, or vice versa. In addition, this paper summarizes the empirical evidence that, at the moment, suggests causality running in either direction.
Efficacy and safety of palmitoylethanolamide as an adjunctive treatment for acute mania: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Abedini Talieh , Hosseyni Reyhaneh , Ghannadi Farnaz , Moghaddam Hossein Sanjari , Ardakani Mohammad‐Reza Khodaei , Talaei Ali , Akhondzadeh Shahin
Published: June 2022

Aim

Palmitoylethanolamide is an endogenous fatty acid amide with neuroprotective and anti‐inflammatory actions. We performed a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of palmitoylethanolamide combination therapy in acute mania.

Methods

Patients in the acute phase of mania were assigned into two parallel groups given either lithium (blood level of 0.8–1.1 mEq/L) and risperidone 3 mg plus palmitoylethanolamide 600 mg or placebo twice per day for 6 weeks. All participants were assessed with the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), and Extrapyramidal Symptom Rating Scale (ESRS) at baseline and at weeks 1, 2, 4, and 6.

Results

A total of 63 patients (32 in palmitoylethanolamide and 31 in placebo groups) completed the trial. We found a significant effect for time×treatment interaction on the YMRS score (F = 5.22, d.f. = 2.34, P= 0.004) from baseline to study end point. Results from independent t test showed a significantly greater decrease in YMRS scores in the palmitoylethanolamide group, compared with the placebo group, from baseline to weeks 4 and 6 (P= 0.018 and P= 0.002, respectively). There was no significant difference between palmitoylethanolamide and placebo groups based on ESRS scores or ESRS changes in scores (P>0.05).

Conclusions

Our findings provide preliminary evidence that palmitoylethanolamide is an effective adjunctive medication that improves manic symptoms and overall clinical status in acute episodes of mania. However, larger sample sizes and more extended follow‐up therapy are needed in future studies to confirm our findings.
Efficacy of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the treatment of children with non‐severe aplastic anemia
Authors: Zhang Man , Zhu Guanghua , Cai Lixiao , Yuan Meng , Wu Runhui , Jia Chenguang , Wang Bin , Zheng Jie , Ma Jie , Qin Maoquan , Li Sidan
Published: June 2022

Background

Non‐severe aplastic anemia is more likely to develop into severe aplastic anemia, and there is no widely accepted treatment plan at present. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation might be a new therapeutic strategy.

Methods

Retrospectively analyzed 32 patients with non‐severe aplastic anemia who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from September 2007 to September 2020, and the 5‐year estimated overall survival rate and the incidence of graft‐versus‐host disease were analyzed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the treatment of pediatric non‐severe aplastic anemia.

Results

Thirty‐two patients who underwent transplantation, 29 patients (90.6%) survived, 3 patients (9.4%) died. The incidence of acute graft‐versus‐host disease was 51.6% (16/31), including 15 cases (48.4%) of grade I‐II and 1 case (3.2%) of grade III–IV. The incidence of chronic graft‐versus‐host disease was 38.7% (12/31). The 5‐year overall survival rate was 91.8%.

Conclusions

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a practicable, safe, and effective treatment option for non‐severe aplastic anemia pediatric patients who are suitable for transplant.
Impact of allograft types on outcomes after pediatric liver transplantation due to biliary atresia
Authors: Xie Enbo , Sun Chao , Dong Chong , Wang Kai , Zhang Wei , Zheng Weiping , Qin Hong , Han Chao , Yang Yang , Zhang Fubo , Wang Zhen , Xu Min , Gao Wei
Published: June 2022

Background

Several surgical strategies, including split donor transplantation and living donor transplantation, have been used to increase the donor liver pool. This report focuses on the effects of whole, split, and LDLT on recipient outcomes.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the records of all patients with biliary atresia at Tianjin First Central Hospital between April 2013 and December 2019.

Results

A total of 882 patients were included and divided into three groups by graft type, with 198 in the whole‐liver‐transplantation group, 78 in the split liver transplantation group, and 606 in the LDLT group. The median follow‐up time was 39 months, patient survival rates of three groups were 94.4%, 88.5%, and 95.0%, respectively, and graft survival rates were 90.2%, 83.3%, and 94.7%, respectively. We divided the split liver transplantation group into two subgroups according to the donor's age, and patient survival rates exhibited a significant difference only in the group whose donor age was over 45 years. The postoperative complication rates were significantly higher with respect to hepatic artery thrombosis, portal stenosis, and AR; and lower in hepatic venous stenosis, PTLDs, CMV virus, and EBV infection in the WLT group. Our multivariate model showed that donor age ≥45 years, RBC transfusion, pneumonia, and HAT were the independent predictors of allograft loss.

Conclusions

The survival of split liver transplantation group was slightly lower. The types of complications are different from different graft types. Therefore, postoperative monitoring and treatment need to be adjusted according to the different graft types used.
Context‐based dynamic pricing with online clustering
Authors: Miao Sentao , Chen Xi , Chao Xiuli , Liu Jiaxi , Zhang Yidong
Published: June 2022

We consider a context‐based dynamic pricing problem of online products, which have low sales. Sales data from Alibaba, a major global online retailer, illustrate the prevalence of low‐sale products. For these products, existing single‐product dynamic pricing algorithms do not work well due to insufficient data samples. To address this challenge, we propose pricing policies that concurrently perform clustering over product demand and set individual pricing decisions on the fly. By clustering data and identifying products that have similar demand patterns, we utilize sales data from products within the same cluster to improve demand estimation for better pricing decisions. We evaluate the algorithms using regret, and the result shows that when product demand functions come from multiple clusters, our algorithms significantly outperform traditional single‐product pricing policies. Numerical experiments using a real data set from Alibaba demonstrate that the proposed policies, compared with several benchmark policies, increase the revenue. The results show that online clustering is an effective approach to tackling dynamic pricing problems associated with low‐sale products.
The Precariat and the Pandemic: Assessing the Well‐Being of Metro Orlando's Hospitality Workers During the COVID‐19 Pandemic
Authors: Austin Caroline , Donley Amy
Published: June 2022

Recently, the COVID‐19 pandemic has served as a catalyst for precaritization highlighting the instability plaguing many American workers. As the rapid spread of the virus led to the closure of businesses, both temporarily and permanently, the nation reached record high levels of unemployment. The effects of the pandemic have fallen unequally among different groups forcing women, people of color, and low‐income, precarious workers to endure the brunt of the economic downturn. In particular, the hospitality industry, comprised of those employed in restaurants, bars, event/convention centers, theme parks, and the like, was and continues to be the hardest hit by the effects of COVID‐19. We explore the experiences of 454 hospitality industry workers in the Metro Orlando, Florida area during the COVID‐19 pandemic using data collected using an online survey. The purpose of this research is twofold. First, it seeks to identify the effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic upon hospitality workers in the metro Orlando area across the dimensions of employment status, financial stability, mental health, housing, and food security. The second aim of this research adopts Kalleberg and Vallas' recommendation for analysis of hierarchies in precarious work by identifying differential outcomes across the aforementioned dimensions along the lines of race, gender, and income type (salaried, tipped, hourly) to explore stratification within the precariat. Findings reflect the potentially devastating consequences of precarity and expand upon conceptualizations of the precariat by offering empirical evidence of disparities within this group.
Autorías y textos latinoamericanos en el estrado: literatura testimonial y violaciones a los derechos humanos en Jorge Galán y Graciela Bialet
Authors: Falconí Trávez Diego
Published: June 2022

El artículo analiza dos casos de autorías latinoamericanas que fueron llamadas a juicio debido a la publicación de sus obras literarias que, por su corte testimonial, denunciaban violaciones de derechos humanos. El análisis de Jorge Galán en El Salvador (con la novela Noviembre) y de Graciela Bialet en Argentina (con la novela Los sapos de la memoria) ayudan a entender cuestiones tales como los límites de la ficción cuando media el subgénero testimonial o el valor del texto literario en la búsqueda de la verdad objetiva. La revisión de estos casos desde una perspectiva interdisciplinar obliga a que los Law and Literature studies se contextualicen en América Latina y propongan modos de lectura situados en la región y en sus sistemas jurídico y literario que permitan contestar una pregunta: ¿puede la literatura ayudar en los procesos jurídicos?
Current global efforts are insufficient to limit warming to 1.5°C
Authors: Matthews H. Damon , Wynes Seth
Published: June 2022

Human activities have caused global temperatures to increase by 1.25°C, and the current emissions trajectory suggests that we will exceed 1.5°C in less than 10 years. Though the growth rate of global carbon dioxide emissions has slowed and many countries have strengthened their emissions targets, current midcentury net zero goals are insufficient to limit global warming to 1.5°C above preindustrial temperatures. The primary barriers to the achievement of a 1.5°C-compatible pathway are not geophysical but rather reflect inertia in our political and technological systems. Both political and corporate leadership are needed to overcome this inertia, supported by increased societal recognition of the need for system-level and individual lifestyle changes. The available evidence does not yet indicate that the world has seriously committed to achieving the 1.5°C goal.
Dispatches from the redwood rebellion
Tree Thieves: Crime and Survival in North America’s Woods
Lyndsie Bourgon
Little, Brown Spark, 2022. 288 pp.
Authors: Yoder Jeremy B.
Published: June 2022

Tourism fails to compensate for lost timber jobs in protected forests, leading some to theft
In Science Journals
Authors: Vignieri Sacha , Funk Michael A. , Hines Pamela J. , Maroso Mattia , Haas Julie S. , Grocholski Brent , Ash Caroline , Lopez Bianca , Yeston Jake , Ferrarelli Leslie K. , Isles Hannah M. , Titiunik Rocio , Jiang Di , Scanlon Seth Thomas
Published: June 2022

Highlights from the
Science
family of journals
Stimulating the brain may help people who stutter
Authors: Amigo Ignacio
Published: June 2022

Trials suggest small electric currents aid fluency, but how long the benefits last is unclear
Arati Prabhakar to lead Biden’s science office
Authors: Mervis Jeffrey
Published: June 2022

Applied physicist would bring wealth of policy experience as successor to Eric Lander
Disgraced stem cell surgeon convicted of criminal harm
Authors: Vogel Gretchen
Published: June 2022

Swedish court gives Paolo Macchiarini suspended sentence for death of windpipe transplant patient
A Lipoate-Protein Ligase Is Required for
De Novo
Lipoyl-Protein Biosynthesis in the Hyperthermophilic Archaeon Thermococcus kodakarensis
Authors: Jin Jian-qiang , Sato Takaaki , Hachisuka Shin-ichi , Atomi Haruyuki
Published: June 2022

Based on previous studies in bacteria and eukaryotes, lipoate-protein ligases (Lpls) have been considered to be involved exclusively in lipoate salvage. The genetic analyses in this study on the lipoate-protein ligase in
T. kodakarensis
, however, suggest otherwise and that the enzyme is additionally involved in
de novo
protein lipoylation.
Multicenter Evaluation of the Novel ETEST Fosfomycin for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing of Enterobacterales, Enterococcus faecalis, and Staphylococcus Species
Authors: Goer A. , Blanchard L. S. , Van Belkum A. , Loftus K. J. , Armstrong T. P. , Gatermann S. G. , Shortridge D. , Olson B. J. , Meece J. K. , Fritsche T. R. , Pompilio M. , Halimi D. , Franceschi C.
Published: June 2022

Fosfomycin is a phosphonic acid derivative active against a wide spectrum of Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. It is used for the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections (uUTI) or severe infections by oral or intravenous (i.v.) administration.
Identification and Characterization of Major Bile Acid 7α-Dehydroxylating Bacteria in the Human Gut
Authors: Kim Kyung Hyun , Park Dongbin , Jia Baolei , Baek Ju Hye , Hahn Yoonsoo , Jeon Che Ok
Published: June 2022

In this study, we identified a key 7α-dehydroxylating bacterial group predicted to be largely responsible for converting primary bile acids (BAs) to secondary BAs in the human gut through sequence similarity network, genome neighborhood network, and gene abundance analyses using human gut metagenomes. The key bacterial group was phylogenetically quite different from known 7α-dehydroxylating bacteria, and their abundance was highly correlated with the occurrence of diverse diseases associated with bile acid 7α-dehydroxylation.
Bactericidal Synergism between Phage YC#06 and Antibiotics: a Combination Strategy to Target Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii
In Vitro
and
In Vivo
Authors: Luo Jun , Xie Libo , Liu Min , Li Qianyuan , Wang Peng , Luo Chunhua
Published: June 2022

The treatment of multidrug-resistant bacterial infection is an urgent clinical problem. The combination of bacteriophages and antibiotics could produce synergistic bactericidal effects, which could reduce the emergence of antibiotic resistance and antibiotic consumption in antibiotic-sensitive bacteria, restore efficacy to antibiotics in antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and prevent the occurrence of phage-resistant bacteria.
A Novel Probiotic
Bacillus subtilis
Strain Confers Cytoprotection to Host Pig Intestinal Epithelial Cells during Enterotoxic
Escherichia coli
Infection
Authors: Sudan Sudhanshu , Zhan Xiaoshu , Li Julang
Published: June 2022

ETEC remains one of the leading causes of postweaning diarrhea and mortality in swine production. Due to the rising concerns with the antibiotic use in livestock, alternative interventions need to be developed.
Reduction of disinfection efficacy of contact lens care products on the global market in the presence of contact lenses and cases
Authors: Walters Rhonda , Campolo Allison , Miller Elise , Gabriel Manal M , Crary Monica , McAnally Cindy , Shannon Paul
Published: June 2022

Objective

Sight-threatening infections can be caused by pathogenic micro-organisms colonising the cornea, leading to microbial keratitis (MK). These micro-organisms can be introduced to the eye via improper contact lens use and care. MK can also result from ineffective contact lens care solutions (CLCs), even if the patient is following best practice guidelines. Therefore, it is critical to understand the differences between the effectiveness of popular CLCs on the global market.

Methods and analysis

Following the International Standards Organisation standards 14 729 and 18259, bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcescens, Staphylococcus aureus), fungi (Candida albicans, Fusariumstrains) andAcanthamoebastrains were inoculated into each CLC with and without contact lenses, and held for the manufacturer’s stated disinfection time. Plate counts were conducted to determine the number of surviving micro-organisms.

Results

All CLCs examined met the primary log reduction criteria during stand-alone testing forPseudomonas, Staphylococcus, CandidaandFusarium. renu Multiplus, All Clean Soft, and Kombilösung Super did not meet the primary criteria when challenged withSerratia. Only OPTI-FREE Express exceeded 4 log reduction for both strains ofAcanthamoebatested. We noted a substantial reduction in disinfection efficacy when CLCs were challenged withFusariumin the presence of lenses and cases versus stand-alone testing. OPTI-FREE Express demonstrated significantly less net log reduction loss than the other four CLCs tested.

Conclusion

Of the popular CLCs on the global market, the product which relies on dual biocides polyquaternium-1 and myristamidopropyl dimethylamine demonstrated the highest disinfection efficacy in microbial disinfection challenges in the absence and presence of contact lenses.
Exploring children’s knowledge of COVID-19 and stress levels associated with the pandemic in Nigeria: a mixed-method study
Authors: Asemota Osamagbe Aiyudubie , Napier-Raman Sharanya , Takeuchi Hajime , Raman Shanti , Asemota Enosakhare Aiyudubie , Nonye Ezeh
Published: June 2022

Background

Children have been relatively spared from the direct effects of COVID-19 globally, but there are significant concerns about indirect effects on the most vulnerable children’s well-being. Nigeria is the largest African nation, but little is known about children’s experience of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our aims were to determine children’s knowledge of COVID-19 and their mental health responses to the pandemic.

Methods

Children aged 6–17 years living in Calabar, Nigeria, were surveyed using a combination of online data collection assisted by parents and on-site data collection at schools. Parents filled out sociodemographic details, while children answered questions about COVID-19 knowledge and preventive measures. An adapted version of the ‘Perceived Stress Scale for Children’ was used to assess stress with additional free text space for expression of views and experiences of COVID-19.

Results

A total of 265 children completed questionnaires, mean age was 12.5 years, 52.1% were girls. All children knew about the virus and over two-thirds (67.8%) had good knowledge of COVID-19 transmission. Children identified television (60.8%), parents (44.2%) and social media (32.8%), as main sources of COVID-19 information. The overall mean stress score among the children was 20.47. Children mentioned the following as stressors: fear of the COVID-19 disease, effect of pandemic restrictions on schooling and social interactions as well as home/family tensions. Parental love and support were overwhelmingly reported as strengths.

Conclusions

Nigerian children in this study had good knowledge and understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic and preventive measures to counter the virus. Children had high stress levels and expressed pandemic-related concerns but parental love and support were mitigating factors. Government and child health service providers need to tailor health and support services in response to children’s needs and concerns.
PD-L1 blockade restores CAR T cell activity through IFN-γ-regulation of CD163+ M2 macrophages
Authors: Yamaguchi Yukiko , Gibson Jackson , Ou Kevin , Lopez Lupita S , Ng Rachel H , Leggett Neena , Jonsson Vanessa D , Zarif Jelani C , Lee Peter P , Wang Xiuli , Martinez Catalina , Dorff Tanya B , Forman Stephen J , Priceman Saul J
Published: June 2022

Background

The immune suppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) that inhibits T cell infiltration, survival, and antitumor activity has posed a major challenge for developing effective immunotherapies for solid tumors. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T cell therapy has shown unprecedented clinical response in treating patients with hematological malignancies, and intense investigation is underway to achieve similar responses with solid tumors. Immunologically cold tumors, including prostate cancers, are often infiltrated with abundant tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), and infiltration of CD163+M2 macrophages correlates with tumor progression and poor responses to immunotherapy. However, the impact of TAMs on CAR T cell activity alone and in combination with TME immunomodulators is unclear.

Methods

To model this in vitro, we utilized a novel co-culture system with tumor cells, CAR T cells, and polarized M1 or M2 macrophages from CD14+peripheral blood mononuclear cells collected from healthy human donors. Tumor cell killing, T cell activation and proliferation, and macrophage phenotypes were evaluated by flow cytometry, cytokine production, RNA sequencing, and functional blockade of signaling pathways using antibodies and small molecule inhibitors. We also evaluated the TME in humanized mice following CAR T cell therapy for validation of our in vitro findings.

Results

We observed inhibition of CAR T cell activity with the presence of M2 macrophages, but not M1 macrophages, coinciding with a robust induction of programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) in M2 macrophages. We observed similar PD-L1 expression in TAMs following CAR T cell therapy in the TME of humanized mice. PD-L1, but not programmed cell death protein-1, blockade in combination with CAR T cell therapy altered phenotypes to more M1-like subsets and led to loss of CD163+M2 macrophages via interferon-γ signaling, resulting in improved antitumor activity of CAR T cells.

Conclusion

This study reveals an alternative mechanism by which the combination of CAR T cells and immune checkpoint blockade modulates the immune landscape of solid tumors to enhance therapeutic efficacy of CAR T cells.
Addressing the challenges restoring clinical services during the COVID-19 pandemic by harnessing the alignment of clinical and management leadership: an example from a large colorectal service
Authors: Tilney Henry Simon , Vaughan Sally , Ho Timothy
Published: June 2022

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed the greatest operational challenge to the English National Health Service since its inception. Elective surgical services have struggled due to the need to protect both staff and patients from viral exposure, and perioperative COVID-19 infection has been associated with significant excess mortality.

Interventions

In this brief report, we describe how through necessity, it has provided an opportunity to redesign services for the benefit of both patients and organisations, with attendant improvement in activity compared with prepandemic metrics. We present the experience of a large district general hospital, using the department of colorectal surgery as a case study, in responding to the pandemic by restoring services and achieving improved short-term outcomes and processes in newly redesignated facilities.

Conclusions

These reorganised surgical services represent a ‘silver lining’ of the pandemic. Clinician-led service restructuring, with positive engagement with staff at all levels, has not only addressed backlogs of urgent elective patients in a safe environment, but has also led to patient benefits and high levels of patient and staff satisfaction.
Occupational hand eczema reduces career length in hairdressers: a prospective cohort study of Danish hairdressers graduating from 1985 to 2007
Authors: Havmose Martin , Thyssen Jacob Pontoppidan , Zachariae Claus , Uter Wolfgang , Johansen Jeanne Duus
Published: June 2022

Background

Occupational hand eczema (OHE) is common in hairdressers, and many leave the trade because of the disease. However, the exact impact of OHE on career length is unknown.

Objective

To assess the effect of OHE on career length and risk factors associated with leaving the trade because of OHE in hairdressers followed-up for up to 35 years.

Methods

A prospective cohort study of Danish hairdressers graduating between 1985 and 2007 (n=5219) was performed. A questionnaire was sent in 2009 and 2020. The Danish Labor Marked Supplementary Pension Scheme provided information on affiliation to the hairdressing profession. Career length was assessed by Kaplan-Meier analyses.

Results

The median survival time was 12.0 (95% CI 11.0 to 13.0) years in graduates with OHE and 14.0 (95% CI 12.6 to 15.4) years in graduates without OHE (p<0.001). Graduates with a frequency of hand eczema (HE) of ‘once’, ‘several times’ and ‘almost all the time’ had a median survival time of 20.0 (95% CI 14.6 to 25.4), 12.0 (95% CI 10.7 to 13.3) and 7.0 (95% CI 5.6 to 8.4) years, respectively. Graduates with OHE that left the trade (partly) because of HE constituted 11.7% of the study population. Factors associated with leaving the trade because of HE included a history of atopic dermatitis (adjusted OR (aOR) 2.2 (95% CI 1.2 to 4.0), a history of a positive patch test (aOR 5.1 (95% CI 2.3 to 11.0) and allergy to hair dyes (aOR 9.4 (95% CI 3.4 to 25.6).

Conclusion

Career length is reduced in hairdressers with OHE, especially if frequently relapsing or caused by contact allergy, for example, to hair dyes.
A Novel, Efficient, Green and Real-Time Load Balancing Algorithm for 5G Network Measurement Report Collecting Clusters
Authors: Zhang Pengfei , Li Junhuai , Tang Ye , Wang Huaijun , Cao Ting
Published: June 2022

With the wide application of data mining and deep learning in mobile cellular network operation and maintenance, network measurement report (MR) plays an increasingly important role in artificial intelligence for IT operations (AIOps). For the integrity of MR reported by the operation and maintenance (OM) proxy of base station, existing collecting methods are typically based on static distributed clustering. Due to the lack of effective load balancing scheme, nevertheless, these methods typically result in some issues, e.g., low collecting efficiency, poor scalability, and excessive number of servers. Thus, in this work, leveraging the historical law of uploading MR for load forecasting, we propose the weighted least-connection load balancing algorithm (LPWLC) based on load forecasting. First, the historical law of reported MR is utilized to predict the load. Second, using the strategy of static binding and dynamic load adjustment, we bind OM with the assigned server in one cycle, calculate the server load in real-time, and evaluate the server weight by the load of each server. Finally, real-time load adjustment is carried out in line with the number of request connections and the weight of servers. Compared with the existing ones, the proposed algorithm could remove backup servers, thereby effectively reducing the cost and power consumption. Compared with the existing methods, this method has improved the load balancing degree by 28%, and reduced the energy consumption by 104[Formula: see text]W per hour.
Theoretical and Numerical Analyses and Application of Novel Underdamped Tri-Stable Stochastic Resonances under Symmetric Trichotomous Noise
Authors: He Li-Fang , Liu Qiu-Ling , Jiang Zhong-Jun
Published: June 2022

In this paper, a novel underdamped tri-stable stochastic resonance (NUTSR) is presented in order to overcome the low out-performance of weak signal reinforcement in the classical tri-stable stochastic resonance (CTSR). The two systems are compared using the input and output amplitude as a measure when noiseless. NUTSR improves the output saturation characteristics and has more outstanding signal enhancement capability. In the background of Gaussian noise, the expressions of mean first-pass time (MFPT), steady-state probability density (SPD) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) are derived. The fourth-order Runge–Kutta algorithm and genetic algorithm (GA) is used for numerical simulations. Then the numerical simulation results of the two systems are compared comprehensively, and the theoretical deduction and numerical simulation results of NUTSR are also compared. Moreover, the two systems are applied in two bearing fault types of 6205-2RS JEM SKF and HRB 6205-2Z. Finally, the feasibility of NUTSR is verified under different noise, which is simulated numerically under symmetric trichotomous that NUTSR has better noise immunity and the increase in signal amplitude is more pronounced.
Serre condition for category of gradual modules
Authors: Salamian Saeed , Jara Pascual
Published: June 2022

In this paper, we first describe the gradual modules and the homomorphisms between two gradual modules. Next, we introduce the category G-Mod, whose objects are all gradual modules and morphisms are all homomorphisms between two gradual modules. Also, according to the definition of the gradual module’s structure induced on each homomorphism [Formula: see text], we consider the gradual module’s structure on ker [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. We show that being a monomorphism (respectively, epimorphism) in the category G-Mod is equivalent to a monomorphism (respectively, epimorphism) in the category [Formula: see text]-Mod. As the main result, we prove that in any short exact sequence [Formula: see text], in [Formula: see text]-Mod, if the [Formula: see text]-module [Formula: see text] has a gradual module’s structure, then there are gradual module’s structure on the modules [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] where the short exact sequence created is a short exact sequence in the category G-Mod.
On invariant of the regularity index of fat points
Authors: Thien Phan Van
Published: June 2022

We prove invariant of the regularity index of fat points under changes of the linear subspace containing the support of the fat points (Theorem 3.6). Then we show that Segre’s bound is attained by any set of [Formula: see text] non-degenerate equimultiple fat points in [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] (Theorem 4.3). We also give an example showing that there always exists a set of [Formula: see text] non-degenerate equimultiple fat points in [Formula: see text] such that Segre’s bound is not attained (Example 4.4).
On the matroidal path ideals
Authors: Khashyarmanesh Kazem , Nasernejad Mehrdad , Qureshi Ayesha Asloob
Published: June 2022

In this paper, we prove that the set of all paths of a fixed length in a complete multipartite graph is the bases of a matroid. Moreover, we discuss the Cohen–Macaulayness and depth of powers of [Formula: see text]-path ideals of a complete multipartite graph.
Quantum immanants, double Young–Capelli bitableaux and Schur shifted symmetric functions
Authors: Brini A. , Teolis A.
Published: June 2022

In this paper, we introduced two classes of elements in the enveloping algebra [Formula: see text]: the double Young–Capelli bitableaux [Formula: see text] and the central Schur elements [Formula: see text], that act in a remarkable way on the highest weight vectors of irreducible Schur modules.

Any element [Formula: see text] is the sum of all double Young–Capelli bitableaux [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] row (strictly) increasing Young tableaux of shape [Formula: see text]. The Schur elements [Formula: see text] are proved to be the preimages — with respect to the Harish-Chandra isomorphism — of the shifted Schur polynomials [Formula: see text]. Hence, the Schur elements are the same as the Okounkov quantum immanants, recently described by the present authors as linear combinations of Capelli immanants. This new presentation of Schur elements/quantum immanants does not involve the irreducible characters of symmetric groups. The Capelli elements [Formula: see text] are column Schur elements and the Nazarov elements [Formula: see text] are row Schur elements. The duality in [Formula: see text] follows from a combinatorial description of the eigenvalues of the [Formula: see text] on irreducible modules that is dual (in the sense of shapes/partitions) to the combinatorial description of the eigenvalues of the [Formula: see text].

The passage [Formula: see text] for the algebras [Formula: see text] is obtained both as direct and inverse limit in the category of filtered algebras, via the Olshanski decomposition/projection.
Rings of Morita contexts which are Dubrovin valuation rings
Authors: Marubayashi Hidetoshi , Prasetyo Puguh Wahyu , Wijayanti Indah Emilia
Published: June 2022

Let [Formula: see text] be a ring of the Morita context. We define a concept of Dubrovin valuation modules for bi-modules [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] and give necessary and sufficient conditions for [Formula: see text] to be a Dubrovin valuation ring in terms of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text].
A Yarn Nep Prediction Method Combining Grey Correlation and Nearest Neighbour
Authors: Wu Fenglong , Wei Chunxue , Zhang Baowei
Published: June 2022

In recent years, there exist few difficulties for textile industries to predict the yarn nep index for small data and data with mutation. To fill this gap, a yarn nep prediction method combining grey correlation analysis and nearest-neighbour prediction method is proposed. In this paper, 26 indicators such as the raw cotton quality indicators and key process parameters are used as the input of the prediction model for yarn nep. The experimental results show that the relative error of the new method is lower than 10%, while the relative error of the individual data predicted by the traditional three-layer BP neural network is very large. Compared with the BP neural network, the average relative error and root-mean-square error of our proposed method are smaller, while the data are stable and the volatility is small. The prediction performance meets the user’s requirements. The effectiveness of the proposed model is proved.
Global Trade Flows and the Role of Bank Financing: Policy Path for Mitigating Associated Environmental Impacts in Import-Oriented Economies
Authors: Nwani Chinazaekpere
Published: June 2022

International trade and investment flows provide a mechanism for geographical separation between production and consumption processes. In this study, countries that rely heavily on international trade to supply home demand and have reported positive net CO2 emissions from trade (TrdCO2) over the period 1991–2018 were identified. Accounting for possible distributional heterogeneity, this study examined whether the structural composition of bank credit allocation explains TrdCO2 in these countries. With the growing competition for bank credit resources, the impact of a credit allocation system that prioritizes credit demands of government and state-owned enterprises (GSEs) is modeled and compared to another scenario where the credit allocation decisions of banks rather prioritize financing needs of the private sector. The results showed that the structure of bank credit allocation significantly shapes the exposure of these countries to embodied CO2 emissions in the global trade flows. Specifically, restructuring bank credit allocation towards private sector-focused reduces TrdCO2 while a credit allocation system that allocates more credit to GSEs increases TrdCO2. By implication, bank financing of private sector activities encourages cleaner consumption and can help in mitigating trade-related environmental concerns in developing import-oriented economies.
Reliable Constructions for the Key Generator of Code-based Post-quantum Cryptosystems on FPGA
Authors: Canto Alvaro Cintas , Kermani Mehran Mozaffari , Azarderakhsh Reza
Published: June 2022

Advances in quantum computing have urged the need for cryptographic algorithms that are low-power, low-energy, and secure against attacks that can be potentially enabled. For this post-quantum age, different solutions have been studied. Code-based cryptography is one feasible solution whose hardware architectures have become the focus of research in the NIST standardization process and has been advanced to the final round (to be concluded by 2022–2024). Nevertheless, although these constructions, e.g., McEliece and Niederreiter public key cryptography, have strong error correction properties, previous studies have proved the vulnerability of their hardware implementations against faults product of the environment and intentional faults, i.e., differential fault analysis. It is previously shown that depending on the codes used, i.e., classical or reduced (using either quasi-dyadic Goppa codes or quasi-cyclic alternant codes), flaws in error detection could be observed. In this work, efficient fault detection constructions are proposed for the first time to account for such shortcomings. Such schemes are based on regular parity, interleaved parity, and two different cyclic redundancy checks (CRC), i.e., CRC-2 and CRC-8. Without losing the generality, we experiment on the McEliece variant, noting that the presented schemes can be used for other code-based cryptosystems. We perform error detection capability assessments and implementations on field-programmable gate array Kintex-7 device xc7k70tfbv676-1 to verify the practicality of the presented approaches. To demonstrate the appropriateness for constrained embedded systems, the performance degradation and overheads of the presented schemes are assessed.
Aging is associated with enhanced central but impaired peripheral arms of the sympathetic baroreflex arc
Authors: D’Souza Andrew W. , Klassen Stephen A. , Badrov Mark B. , Lalande Sophie , Shoemaker J. Kevin
Published: June 2022

The present study demonstrates for the first time that the spontaneous baroreflex threshold gains of integrated muscle sympathetic nerve activity burst occurrence and medium-sized action potential clusters are greater in older compared with young adults. Since sympathetic transduction was blunted in older compared with young adults, we interpret the data to indicate that the central arc of the baroreflex is enhanced in older adults to compensate for impairments in the peripheral arc.
Evaluation of Coordinated Development of Logistics Development and Low-Carbon Economy in Wuhan Based on Big Data
Authors: Wang Zhixuan , Chen Wen
Published: June 2022

Logistics industry in Wuhan city under the influence of economic development and related logistics policies, consumer demand is increasing, achieving a steady and rapid sustainable development. However, the ensuing high-energy consumption and high pollution have caused great pressure and negative impact on the environment of Wuhan city, and the pollution control problem has gradually aroused the common concern of the government, people, and relevant scholars, and the future development trend of low-carbon logistics has become a research hotspot of this new industry of logistics. In recent years, Wuhan city has been deeply affected by haze, and low-carbon and sustainable development is an important driving force for activities related to energy saving and emission reduction in Wuhan city at present. The logistics industry, as a high potential industry with high-speed development, is a key industry for environmental management and supervision, and the contradiction between the high-speed development of logistics industry and environmental pollution problem needs to be properly handled. This paper measures and analyzes the comprehensive efficiency of the logistics industry in Wuhan city from the perspective of low-carbon development, describes the current situation of the development of low-carbon logistics in Wuhan city and the problems that exist, analyzes them, and proposes feasible policies and establishments to make a contribution to the future development of low-carbon logistics in Wuhan city. This paper analyzes and organizes a large amount of literature, defines the definition of low-carbon logistics and performance evaluation, and selects the performance evaluation method that meets the research topic of this paper. On the basis of theoretical support, combined with the current situation of the development of low-carbon logistics industry in Wuhan city, reasonable indicators are selected for regression analysis of impact factors, and this paper’s low-carbon logistics efficiency evaluation index system is established to evaluate the performance of the low-carbon logistics industry in Wuhan city from 2010 to 2019, and finally put forward targeted policy recommendations.
The Association between Serum Total Bile Acid Level and Long-Term Prognosis in Patients with Coronary Chronic Total Occlusion Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Zeng Xinchun , Jian Zhijie , Li Shanshan , Xu Yu , Li Bolin , Ding Ning , Zhang Yiqiong , Zhang Hui , Wu Yue , Yang Jian , Yuan Zuyi , Cheng Lele
Published: June 2022

Background and Aims. Bile acids, the key products for elimination of cholesterol, play an important role in coronary artery disease (CAD). However, few studies focused on the roles of more accessible serum total bile acids (TBA) in the prediction of adverse cardiovascular events for coronary chronic artery occlusion (CTO). The aim of this study was to explore the potential relationship between serum TBA and long-term prognosis in patients with CTO undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods. Baseline TBA was determined in 613 patients with CTO after PCI in the present study. All patients were divided into 3 groups according to the median (3.5 μmol/l) and the normal upper limit of the TBA (10 μmol/l). The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality, and the secondary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Results. Average age in this study was

65.44
±
9.94

years old. The median of TBA was 3.5 (2.1-6.1) μmol/l. Over a median follow-up of 33.5 months, compared to those with below 3.5 μmol/l TBA, 3.5 ~ 10 μmol/l TBA was associated with significantly reduced risk for the MACE (hazard ratio (HR): 0.59, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.40 to 0.88;

p
=
0.009

) even after adjustment for baseline variables. However, TBA did not predict all-cause mortality and cardiovascular death. Spline analyses showed an L-shaped relationship of the serum TBA with the incidence of MACE. Conclusions. Moderate fasting serum TBA level has a predictive value for MACE even after adjusting for lifestyle and clinical risk factors in CTO patients undergoing PCI.