bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selection criteria for assembling a pediatric cancer predisposition syndrome gene panel
Authors: Byrjalsen Anna , Diets Illja J. , Bakhuizen Jette , Hansen Thomas van Overeem , Schmiegelow Kjeld , Gerdes Anne-Marie , Stoltze Ulrik , Kuiper Roland P. , Merks Johannes H. M. , Wadt Karin , Jongmans Marjolijn
Published: June 2021

Increasing use of genomic sequencing enables standardized screening of all childhood cancer predisposition syndromes (CPS) in children with cancer. Gene panels currently used often include adult-onset CPS genes and genes without substantial evidence linking them to cancer predisposition. We have developed criteria to select genes relevant for childhood-onset CPS and assembled a gene panel for use in children with cancer. We applied our criteria to 381 candidate genes, which were selected through two in-house panels (n = 338), a literature search (n = 39), and by assessing two Genomics England’s PanelApp panels (n = 4). We developed evaluation criteria that determined a gene’s eligibility for inclusion on a childhood-onset CPS gene panel. These criteria assessed (1) relevance in childhood cancer by a minimum of five childhood cancer patients reported carrying a pathogenic variant in the gene and (2) evidence supporting a causal relation between variants in this gene and cancer development. 138 genes fulfilled the criteria. In this study we have developed criteria to compile a childhood cancer predisposition gene panel which might ultimately be used in a clinical setting, regardless of the specific type of childhood cancer. This panel will be evaluated in a prospective study. The panel is available on (pediatric-cancer-predisposition-genepanel.nl) and will be regularly updated.
Correction to: Viscosity Measurement by the “Oscillating Drop Method”: The Case of Strongly Damped Oscillations
Authors: Lohöfer Georg
Published: June 2021

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10765-021-02870-5
Are Autistic and Alexithymic Traits Distinct? A Factor-Analytic and Network Approach
Authors: Cuve Hélio Clemente , Murphy Jennifer , Hobson Hannah , Ichijo Eri , Catmur Caroline , Bird Geoffrey
Published: June 2021

Despite the heterogeneity in autism, socioemotional difficulties are often framed as universal. Increasing evidence, however, suggests that socioemotional difficulties may be explained by alexithymia, a distinct yet frequently co-occurring condition. If, as some propose, autistic traits are responsible for socioemotional impairments, then alexithymia may itself be a symptom of autism. We aimed to determine whether alexithymia should be considered a product of autism or regarded as a separate condition. Using factor-analytic and network approaches, we provide evidence that alexithymic and autistic traits are distinct. We argue that: (1) models of socioemotional processing in autism should conceptualise difficulties as intrinsic to alexithymia; and (2) assessment of alexithymia is crucial for diagnosis and personalised interventions.
Evaluation of Single Event Upset Susceptibility of FinFET-based SRAMs with Weak Resistive Defects
Authors: Copetti Thiago , Cardoso Medeiros Guilherme , Taouil Mottaqiallah , Hamdioui Said , Bolzani Poehls Letícia , Balen Tiago
Published: June 2021

Fin Field-Effect Transistor (FinFET) technology enables the continuous downscaling of Integrated Circuits (ICs), using the Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) technology in accordance with the More Moore domain. Despite demonstrating improvements on short channel effect and overcoming the growing leakage problem of planar CMOS technology, the continuity of feature size miniaturization tends to increase sensitivity to Single Event Upsets (SEUs) caused by ionizing particles, especially in blocks with higher transistor densities such as Static Random-Access Memories (SRAMs). Variation during the manufacturing process has introduced different types of defects that directly affect the SRAM's reliability, such as weak resistive defects. As some of these defects may cause dynamic faults, which require more than one consecutive operation to sensitize the fault at the logic level, traditional test approaches may fail to detect them, and test escapes may occur. These undetected faults, associated with weak resistive defects, may affect the FinFET-based SRAM reliability during its lifetime. In this context, this paper proposes to investigate the impact of ionizing particles on the reliability of FinFET-based SRAMs in the presence of weak resistive defects. Firstly, a TCAD model of a FinFET-based SRAM cell is proposed allowing the evaluation of the ionizing particle’s impact. Then, SPICE simulations are performed considering the current pulse parameters obtained with TCAD. In this step, weak resistive defects are injected into the FinFET-based SRAM cell. Results show that weak defects can positively or negatively influence the cell reliability against SEUs caused by ionizing particles.
Simple periprocedural precautions to reduce Doppler microembolic signals during AF ablation
Authors: Christoph Marian , Poitz David , Pfluecke Christian , Forkmann Mathias , Huo Yan , Gaspar Thomas , Schoen Steffen , Ibrahim Karim , Quick Silvio , Wunderlich Carsten
Published: June 2021

Background

Doppler microembolic signals (MES) occur during atrial fibrillation ablation despite of permanent flushed transseptal sheaths, frequent controls of periprocedural coagulation status and the use of irrigated ablation catheters

Purpose

To investigate the number and type of MES depending on the procedure time, prespecified procedure steps, the activated clotting time (ACT) during the ablation procedure and the catheter contact force.

Methods

In a prospective trial, 53 consecutive atrial fibrillation patients underwent pulmonary vein isolation by super-irrigated “point-by-point” ablation. All patients underwent a periinterventional, continuous transcranial Doppler examination (TCD) of the bilateral middle cerebral arteries during the complete ablation procedure.

Results

An average of 686±226 microembolic signals were detected by permanent transcranial Doppler. Thereby, 569±208 signals were differentiated as gaseous and 117±31 as solid MES. The number of MES with regard to defined procedure steps were as follows: gaseous: [transseptal puncture, 26 ± 28; sheath flushing, 24±12; catheter change, 21±11; angiography, 101±28; mapping, 9±9; ablation, 439±192; protamine administration, 0±0]; solid: [transseptal puncture, 8±8; sheath flushing, 9±5; catheter replacement, 6±6; angiography, not measurable; mapping, 2±5; ablation, 41±22; protamine administration, 0±0]. Significantly less MES occurred with shorter procedure time, higher ACT and the use of tissue contact force monitoring.

Conclusion

The current study demonstrates that during atrial fibrillation ablation using irrigated, “point-by-point” RF ablation, masses of microembolic signals are detected in transcranial ultrasound especially in the period of RF current application. The number of MES depends on the total procedure time and the reached ACT during ablation. The use of contact force monitoring might reduce MES during RF ablation.
Treatment success and its predictors as well as the complications of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in a high-volume centre
Authors: Numminen Anna , Penttilä Tero , Arola Olli , Inkovaara Jaakko , Oksala Niku , Mäkynen Heikki , Hernesniemi Jussi
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) is a standard procedure for maintaining sinus rhythm. The aim of this study was to evaluate treatment success and its predictors and to provide quality control data on complications and redo operations in a centre with an initially a low but currently high annual volume.

Methods

Data on patients (n = 1,253) treated with catheter ablation for AF in Tays Heart Hospital between January 2010 and May 2018 was evaluated (n = 1178 ablation-naïve patients and n = 1514 AF ablations). Comprehensive data on patient characteristics, treatment results, redo operations and complications were collected. Treatment success (maintenance of sinus rhythm at 1 year) was evaluated among patients residing within the hospital district (45% of the entire study population).

Results

Treatment success was observed in approximately 62.9% of the ablation-naïve patients. Preoperative predictors of treatment success were paroxysmal AF type, previous use of antiarrhythmic drugs, left atrium diameter and age. The experience at the centre did not associate with the 1-year outcome. A relapse during the first 3-month blanking period was associated with a nine-fold risk of failure at 1 year (unadjusted OR 9.1, 95% CI 5.5–15.1, p < 0.001). The major complication rate was 4.5% (68/1514) with no deaths. Ten percent of the patients needed a redo procedure within the first year.

Conclusions

Patient-related factors are the most significant predictors of treatment success. A relapse during a 3-month blanking period is associated with a very high risk of failure at 1 year.
Lagrangian relaxation based heuristics for a chance-constrained optimization model of a hybrid solar-battery storage system
Authors: Singh Bismark , Knueven Bernard
Published: June 2021

We develop a stochastic optimization model for scheduling a hybrid solar-battery storage system. Solar power in excess of the promise can be used to charge the battery, while power short of the promise is met by discharging the battery. We ensure reliable operations by using a joint chance constraint. Models with a few hundred scenarios are relatively tractable; for larger models, we demonstrate how a Lagrangian relaxation scheme provides improved results. To further accelerate the Lagrangian scheme, we embed the progressive hedging algorithm within the subgradient iterations of the Lagrangian relaxation. We investigate several enhancements of the progressive hedging algorithm, and find bundling of scenarios results in the best bounds. Finally, we provide a generalization for how our analysis extends to a microgrid with multiple batteries and photovoltaic generators.
The role of Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist as a treatment option in calcium pyrophosphate crystal deposition disease
Authors: Altomare Alberto , Corrado Addolorata , Maruotti Nicola , Cici Daniela , Cantatore Francesco Paolo
Published: June 2021

Calcium Pyrophosphate Crystal Deposition (CPPD) disease is characterized by the deposition of calcium pyrophosphate crystals in the cartilage. In most cases, it can manifest as a subclinical condition named chondrocalcinosis, often revealed by joint x-ray examination. In other cases, deposition can cause flares of arthritis, known as acute CPP crystal arthritis. In the last few years, many pathogenic pathways have been discovered. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) plays a key role in the pathogenesis of CPPD disease, both as a mediator of inflammatory response to crystals and as a promoter of damage to articular cartilage. In this review, we investigated the role of IL-1R inhibitor, such as Anakinra, as an alternative to the various therapeutic strategies for CPPD disease, especially among patients resistant to traditional treatment with NSAIDs, corticosteroids and colchicine.
Local Candidates, Place-Based Identities, and Electoral Success
Authors: Schulte-Cloos Julia , Bauer Paul C.
Published: May 2021

While a large body of literature empirically documents an electoral advantage for local candidates, the exact mechanisms accounting for this effect remain less clear. We integrate theories on the political geography of candidate-voter relations with socio-psychological accounts of citizens’ local attachment, arguing that citizens vote for candidates from their own local communities as an expression of their place-based identity. To test our argument, we exploit a unique feature of the German mixed-member electoral system. We identify the causal effect of candidates’ localness by relying on within-electoral-district variation coupled with a geo-matching strategy on the level of municipalities ($$\hbox {N}=11175$$

N
=
11175

). The results show that voters exhibit a strong bias in favor of local candidates even when they are not competitive. More than only expecting particularistic benefits from representatives, citizens appear to vote for candidates from their own local community to express their place-based social identity.
Evaluating Others If They Stand Up for Their Moral Convictions, and Evaluating Ourselves If We Don't Stand Up
Authors: Cramwinckel Florien M. , van den Bos Kees , van Dijk Eric
Published: June 2021

Acting on one’s moral principles is not always easy. Upholding one’s moral beliefs may run counter to one’s social environment or situational demands. It may often cause people to remain silent on their convictions, while at the same time some may show the moral courage to speak out. How do people evaluate those who do stand up, and how does it affect their self-evaluations? In two experimental studies (Ns = 207 and 204), we investigated both types of evaluations. The studies demonstrate that people who failed to uphold their moral beliefs still had positive evaluations of others who showed moral courage. More specifically, pro-gay participants who went along with writing an anti-gay essay denouncing equal rights for sexual minorities had positive evaluations of another person who spoke up and refused this task. The failure to display moral courage had negative consequences for participants’ self-concepts. In Experiment 1, we show that pro-gay participants’ positive self-concepts were lowered after writing an anti-gay essay (vs. a pro-gay essay). In Experiment 2, we reveal that participants' positive self-concepts were lowered only when they were confronted with morally courageous behavior and their own failure to uphold their moral beliefs was visible to the experimenter.
Connect: A Novel Network Approach for Investigating the Co-occurrence of Binary Psychopathological Symptoms Over Time
Authors: Bodner Nadja , Bringmann Laura , Tuerlinckx Francis , de Jonge Peter , Ceulemans Eva
Published: June 2021

Network analysis is an increasingly popular approach to study mental disorders in all their complexity. Multiple methods have been developed to extract networks from cross-sectional data, with these data being either continuous or binary. However, when it comes to time series data, most efforts have focused on continuous data. We therefore propose ConNEcT, a network approach for binary symptom data across time. ConNEcT allows to visualize and study the prevalence of different symptoms as well as their co-occurrence, measured by means of a contingency measure in one single network picture. ConNEcT can be complemented with a significance test that accounts for the serial dependence in the data. To illustrate the usefulness of ConNEcT, we re-analyze data from a study in which patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder weekly reported the absence or presence of eight depression symptoms. We first extract ConNEcTs for all patients that provided data during at least 104 weeks, revealing strong inter-individual differences in which symptom pairs co-occur significantly. Second, to gain insight into these differences, we apply Hierarchical Classes Analysis on the co-occurrence patterns of all patients, showing that they can be grouped into meaningful clusters. Core depression symptoms (i.e., depressed mood and/or diminished interest), cognitive problems and loss of energy seem to co-occur universally, but preoccupation with death, psychomotor problems or eating problems only co-occur with other symptoms for specific patient subgroups.
Understanding variability in greenhouse gas emission estimates of smallholder dairy farms in Indonesia
Authors: Apdini Titis , Al Zahra Windi , Oosting Simon J. , de Boer Imke J. M. , de Vries Marion , Engel Bas , van Middelaar Corina E.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Life cycle assessment studies on smallholder farms in tropical regions generally use data that is collected at one moment in time, which could hamper assessment of the exact situation. We assessed seasonal differences in greenhouse gas emissions (GHGEs) from Indonesian dairy farms by means of longitudinal observations and evaluated the implications of number of farm visits on the variance of the estimated GHGE per kg milk (GHGEI) for a single farm, and the population mean.

Methods

An LCA study was done on 32 smallholder dairy farms in the Lembang district area, West Java, Indonesia. Farm visits (FVs) were performed every 2 months throughout 1 year: FV1–FV3 (rainy season) and FV4–FV6 (dry season). GHGEs were assessed for all processes up to the farm-gate, including upstream processes (production and transportation of feed, fertiliser, fuel and electricity) and on-farm processes (keeping animals, manure management and forage cultivation). We compared means of GHGE per unit of fat-and-protein-corrected milk (FPCM) produced in the rainy and the dry season. We evaluated the implication of number of farm visits on the variance of the estimated GHGEI, and on the variance of GHGE from different processes.

Results and discussion

GHGEI was higher in the rainy (1.32 kg CO2-eq kg−1 FPCM) than in the dry (0.91 kg CO2-eq kg−1 FPCM) season (P < 0.05). The between farm variance was 0.025 kg CO2-eq kg−1 FPCM in both seasons. The within farm variance in the estimate for the single farm mean decreased from 0.69 (1 visit) to 0.027 (26 visits) kg CO2-eq kg−1 FPCM (rainy season), and from 0.32 to 0.012 kg CO2-eq kg−1 FPCM (dry season). The within farm variance in the estimate for the population mean was 0.02 (rainy) and 0.01 (dry) kg CO2-eq kg−1 FPCM (1 visit), and decreased with an increase in farm visits. Forage cultivation was the main source of between farm variance, enteric fermentation the main source of within farm variance.

Conclusions

The estimated GHGEI was significantly higher in the rainy than in the dry season. The main contribution to variability in GHGEI is due to variation between observations from visits to the same farm. This source of variability can be reduced by increasing the number of visits per farm. Estimates for variation within and between farms enable a more informed decision about the data collection procedure.
Jaws of Platynereis dumerilii: Miniature Biogenic Structures with Hardness Properties Similar to Those of Crystalline Metals
Authors: Zelaya-Lainez Luis , Balduzzi Giuseppe , Lahayne Olaf , Ikeda Kyojiro N. , Raible Florian , Herzig Christopher , Nischkauer Winfried , Limbeck Andreas , Hellmich Christian
Published: June 2021

Nanoindentation, laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy and weighing ion-spiked organic matrix standards revealed structure-property relations in the microscopic jaw structures of a cosmopolitan bristle worm,Platynereis dumerilii. Hardness and elasticity values in the jaws’ tip region, exceeding those in the center region, can be traced back to more metal and halogen ions built into the structural protein matrix. Still, structure size appears as an even more relevant factor governing the hardness values measured on bristle worm jaws across the generaPlatynereis,GlyceraandNereis. The square of the hardness scales with the inverse of the indentation depth, indicating a Nix-Gao size effect as known for crystalline metals. The limit hardness for the indentation depth going to infinity, amounting to 0.53 GPa, appears to be an invariant material property of the ion-spiked structural proteins likely used by all types of bristle worms. Such a metal-like biogenic material is a major source of bio-inspiration.
Design of Functionalized Lobed Particles for Porous Self-Assemblies
Authors: Gorai Biswajit , Rocha Brunno C. , Vashisth Harish
Published: June 2021

Colloidal particles fabricated with anisotropic interactions have emerged as building blocks for designing materials with various nanotechnological applications. We used coarse-grained Langevin dynamics simulations to probe the morphologies of self-assembled structures formed by lobed particles decorated with functional groups. We tuned the interactions between the functional groups to investigate their effect on the porosity of self-assembled structures formed by lobed particles with different shapes (snowman, dumbbell, trigonal planar, tetrahedral, square planar, trigonal bipyramidal, and octahedral) at different temperatures. The dumbbell, trigonal planar, and square planar shaped particles, with planar geometries, form self-assembled structures including elongated chains, honeycomb sheets, and square sheets, respectively. The particles with non-planar geometries (tetrahedral, trigonal bipyramidal, and octahedral) self-assemble into random aggregate morphologies. The structures formed by trigonal bipyramidal and octahedral particles exhibit smaller and homogeneous pores compared to the structures formed by trigonal planar and square planar particles. The porosity in self-assembled structures is substantially enhanced by the functionalization of particles.
Multiscale Contextual Poverty in the Netherlands: Within and Between-Municipality Inequality
Authors: Petrović Ana , Manley David , van Ham Maarten
Published: June 2021

Contextual poverty refers to high proportions of people with a low income in a certain (residential) space, and it can affect individual socioeconomic outcomes as well as decisions to move into or out of the neighbourhood. Contextual poverty is a multiscale phenomenon: Poverty levels at the regional scale reflect regional economic development, while meso-scale concentrations of poverty within cities are related to city-specific social, economic and housing characteristics. Within cities, poverty can also concentrate at micro spatial scales, which are often neglected, largely due to a lack of data. Exposure to poverty at lower spatial scales, such as housing blocks and streets, is important because it can influence individuals through social mechanisms such as role models or social networks. This paper is based on the premise that sociospatial context is necessarily multiscalar, and therefore contextual poverty is a multiscale problem which can be better understood through the inequality within and between places at different spatial scales. The question is how to compare different spatial contexts if we know that they include various spatial scales. Our measure of contextual poverty embraces 101 spatial scales and compares different locations within and between municipalities in the Netherlands. We found that the national inequality primarily came from the concentrations of poverty in areas of a few kilometres, located in cities, which have different spatial patterns of contextual poverty, such as multicentre, core-periphery and east–west. In addition to the inequality between municipalities, there are considerable within-municipality inequalities, particularly among micro-areas of a few hundred metres.
The locomotory apparatus and paraxial swimming in fossil and living marine reptiles: comparing Nothosauroidea, Plesiosauria, and Chelonioidea
Authors: Krahl Anna
Published: June 2021

The terrestrial origins of the diapsid Sauropterygia and Testudines are uncertain, with the latter being highly controversially discussed to this day. For only 15 Ma, Nothosauroidea lived in shallow-marine seas of the Triassic. Contrastingly, the pelagic Plesiosauria evolved in the Late Triassic, dispersed globally, and inhabited the oceans of the Jurassic and Cretaceous for approximately 135 Ma. Since the Cretaceous (~ 100 Ma), Chelonioidea, the modern sea turtles, have populated the oceans. All three groups evolved aquatic paraxial locomotion. Nothosaurs swam with their foreflippers, supported by the swimming tail. Plesiosaurs are the only tetrapods to have ever evolved four hydrofoil-like flippers. The plesiosaur flipper beat cycle has been debated for nearly two centuries. The different proposed locomotory styles (rowing, rowing-flight, underwater flight) are discussed in this review. A fourth gait that is employed byCarettochelys insculpta, which combines rowing and flying, is introduced. The osteology of the locomotory apparatus of nothosaurs and plesiosaurs is reviewed and compared to that of extant underwater-flying Chelonioidea. In conclusion, underwater flight remains the favoured locomotory style for plesiosaurs. Also, the review reveals that nothosaur locomotion has largely remained unstudied. Further, our understanding of joint morphologies and mobilities of the foreflipper in nothosaurs, plesiosaurs, and even recent sea turtles, and of the hindflipper in plesiosaurs, is very limited. It is crucial to the discussion of locomotion, to find out, if certain limb cycles were even possible, as evidence seems to point to the improbability of a rowing motion because of limited humerus and femur long axis rotation in plesiosaurs.
Naturalization and spread of the alien species Ozognathus cornutus (LeConte, 1859) (Coleoptera: Ptinidae: Ernobiinae) in Italy
Authors: Cerasa Giuliano , Lo Verde Gabriella
Published: June 2021

Ozognathus cornutus(LeConte, 1859) (Coleoptera: Ptinidae: Ernobiinae), species native to North America, is a saproxylophagous species and is known to feed on decaying tissues within conspicuous galls and on vegetal decaying organic material such as dried fruits or small wood shavings and insect excrements in galleries made by other woodboring species. A few years after the first record in 2011, its naturalization in Italy is here reported. The insect was found as successor in galls ofPsectrosema tamaricis(Diptera Cecidomyiidae),Plagiotrochus gallaeramulorum,Andricus multiplicatusandSynophrus politus(Hymenoptera Cynipidae).The galls seem to have played an important ecological role in speeding up the naturalization process. The lowest proportion of galls used byO. cornutuswas recorded forP. tamaricis(23%), the only host belonging to Cecidomyiidae, while the percentages recorded for the other host species, all Cynipidae forming galls on oaks, were higher: 43.6%, 61.1% and 76.9% inA multiplicatus,S. politusandP. gallaeramulorum,respectively. AlthoughO. cornutusis able to exploit other substrates like dried fruits and vegetables, for which it could represent a potential pest, it prefers to live as a successor in woody and conspicuous galls, which thus can represent a sort of natural barrier limiting the possible damages to other substrates.
Intuitions on Semantic Reference
Authors: Vignolo Massimiliano , Domaneschi Filippo
Published: June 2021

Since Machery et al.Cognition92, B1-B12 (2004) attacked Kripke’s refutation of classical descriptivism, their experiment has been repeated several times, in its original version or in some revised ones, by theorists with contrasting intents. Some repeated the experiment for confirming its results, others for proving them unreliable. One striking characteristic of those surveys is that they mostly replicated the data collected in Machery et al.’sCognition92, B1-B12, 2004 experiment: less than 60% of Westerners showed preference for the causal-historical response. We side with the critics of Machery et al.’s experiment. In this paper, we present the results of a survey that tests some hypotheses for explaining that percentage of Westerners’ preferences without taking it as evidence that more than 40% of Westerners have descriptivist intuitions on semantic reference. The aim of our paper is not merely to question the reliability of Machery et al.’s experiment. In sections 4 and 5 we assess the impact of our survey on the current debate in experimental semantics. We provide a novel account of the nature of the epistemic ambiguity that affects experiments in theory of reference and explain the consequences that our account of the epistemic ambiguity has for subsequent works trying to avoid ambiguities.
Fetal Safety During Fetoscopic Spina-Bifida Repair: Anesthetic Concerns
Authors: Goonasekera Chulananda , Skelton Vanessa A.
Published: June 2021

Prenatal repair of fetal spina-bifida in the 2nd trimester has been shown to improve neurological function after delivery of the baby. Surgery can be performed with partial delivery of the fetus through a uterine incision, or increasingly via fetoscopy. Trocars to allow surgical instrumentation are introduced either via the exteriorized uterus or percutaneously. Both approaches require maternal anesthesia, an immobile anesthetized fetus and a non-contracting uterus. This can be achieved with administration of a general anesthetic to the mother, transplacental anesthesia of the fetus and tocolytic agents as required. Transplacental anesthesia needs to balance adequate depth of anesthesia for the mother and fetus with rapidly reversible uterine atony. The anesthetist is responsible for the safety of both patients. Monitoring of cardio-respiratory parameters for the mother are well established, but the tools available to monitor fetal well-being and access for corrective therapy are limited. Cardiotocography, fetal echocardiography or ultrasound assessment of umbilical or middle cerebral artery blood flow can be monitored for fetal well-being, but interpretation can be difficult. Fetal blood pressure monitoring is not yet feasible. There is a clear need to enhance fetal monitoring and define normal parameters with clear protocols for intervention to improve fetal safety. Abandoning the procedure should be considered to avoid emergency delivery of an extremely premature fetus. More research into suitable fetal monitoring techniques are needed.
Unplanned Disruption Analysis in Urban Railway Systems Using Smart Card Data
Authors: Liu Tianyou , Ma Zhenliang , Koutsopoulos Haris N.
Published: June 2021

Metro system disruptions are a big concern due to their impacts on safety, service quality, and operating efficiency. A better understanding of system performance and passenger behavior under unplanned disruptions is critical for efficient decision making, effective customer communication, and identifying potential improvements. However, few studies explore disruption impacts on individual passenger behavior, and most studies use manually collected survey data. This study examines the potential of using automated collection data to comprehensively analyze unplanned disruption impacts. We propose a systematic approach to evaluate disruption impacts on system performance and individual responses in urban railway systems using automated fare collection (AFC) data. We develop a set of performance metrics to evaluate performance from the perspectives of train operations, information provision (communication), and bridging strategy (shuttle bus services to connect stations impacted by a disruption). We also propose an inference method to quantify the individual response to disruptions (e.g. travel or not, change stations or modes) depending on their trip characteristics with respect to the location and timing of the disruption. The proposed approach is demonstrated using data from a busy metro system. The results highlight the ability of AFC data in providing new insights for the analysis of unplanned disruptions, which are difficult to extract from traditional data collection methods. The case study shows that the disruption impacts are network-wide, and the impacts on passengers continue for a significant amount of time after the incident ended. The behavior highlights the importance of real-time information and the need for timely dissemination.
miR-195-5p Regulates the Phenotype Switch of CCSM Cells by Targeting Smad7
Authors: Zhang Jing , Zhang Xingyuan , Cong Shengnan , Zhang Jingjing , Zhang Aixia , Pan Lianjun , Ma Jiehua
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Phenotype switch refers to the process in which smooth muscle cells change from contractile type to synthetic type and acquire the ability of proliferation. Phenotypic transformation involves many changes of cell function, such as collagen deposition and fibrosis, which affect the normal erectile function of penis.

Aim

To investigate the role of miR-195-5p in regulating the Phenotype switch of the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle (CCSM) cells.

Methods

A small mother against decapentaplegic 7(Smad7) virus vector and a miR-195-5p mimics or an si-Smad7 viral vector and a miR-195-5p inhibitor were transfected into CCSM cells. The cells were obtained by primary culture of rat corpus cavernosum smooth muscle tissue. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) experiments, Western blotting, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, transwell experiments, MTT assays, and flow cytometry were used to detect miR-195-5p, Smad7, phenotype switch markers of CCSM cells and related protein expression, as well as changes in cell morphology, migration, proliferation and apoptosis.

Main Outcome Measure

To study the regulation of miR-195-5p in CCSM cells by overexpression and silencing strategies.

Results

Overexpressed miR-195-5p promoted the transformation of CCSM cells from a contractile type to a synthetic type. Meanwhile, the migration ability and proliferation ability of CCSM cells increased, and the apoptosis rate decreased. The expression-silencing of miR-195-5p gave rise to the opposite effect. The results of the rescue experiment demonstrated that overexpressed Smad7 rescued the inhibitory of the switch of the CCSM cell phenotype from the contractile type to the synthesis type caused by overexpression of miR-195-5p alone. Moreover, the enhancement effect of the migration ability and proliferation ability of CCSM cells was also eliminated, and the apoptosis rate was increased. Silencing miR-195-5p and Smad7 at the same time resulted in the opposite effect.

Conclusion

miR-195-5p may regulate the phenotype switch of CCSM cells by targeting Smad7.
Cerebrospinal fluid flow cytometry: utility in central nervous system lymphoma diagnosis
Authors: Au KLK , Latonas S , Shameli A , Auer I , Hahn C
Published: May 2021

Flow cytometry of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is used in isolation or as an adjunct to cytology to increase the sensitivity of detecting primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma. We aim to evaluate the sensitivity of CSF flow cytometry as a diagnostic tool for primary CNS lymphoma in patients presenting with undifferentiated neurologic symptoms. We retrospectively reviewed all CSF samples received by the Calgary Laboratory Services Flow Cytometry Laboratory from 2012- 2015. Clinical data, laboratory investigations, radiologic imaging studies, and pathological data were analyzed. Clinical review extended to 2 years post CSF flow cytometric testing. The number of samples of CSF flow cytometry that were positive for a hematological malignancy was 43/763 (5.6%). The overall sensitivity of the test was 69.4%. A positive result was more likely to occur in patients with a prior history of a hematological malignancy or abnormal enhancement on MRI (p<0.0001). CSF flow cytometry was negative in all patients who did not have a previous hematological malignancy or abnormal enhancement on MRI (n = 247). CSF flow cytometry has a limited role in screening for primary CNS lymphoma, unless a strictly endorsed testing algorithm is applied. It is, however, an invaluable tool in evaluating CNS involvement in patients with a previous diagnosis of hematolymphoid malignancy or abnormal enhancement on MRI.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

This presentation will enable the learner to:

Discuss the costs and benefits of using CSF flow cytometry to diagnose CNS lymphoma

1.

Identify appropriate clinical indications for using CSF flow cytometry as a first-line test

2.

Apply a testing algorithm to increase the diagnostic yield of CSF flow cytometry
Synthesis of glioma histopathology images using generative adversarial networks
Authors: Levine AB , Peng J , Jones SJM , Bashashati A , Yip S
Published: May 2021

Deep learning, a subset of artificial intelligence, has shown great potential in several recent applications to pathology. These have mainly involved the use of classifiers to diagnose disease, while generative modelling techniques have been less frequently used. Generative adversarial networks (GANs) are a type of deep learning model that has been used to synthesize realistic images in a range of domains, both general purpose and medical. In the GAN framework, a generator network is trained to synthesize fake images, while a dueling discriminator network aims to distinguish between the fake images and a set of real training images. As GAN training progresses, the generator network ideally learns the important features of a dataset, allowing it to create images that the discriminator cannot distinguish from the real ones. We report on our use of GANs to synthesize high resolution, realistic histopathology images of gliomas. The well- known Progressive GAN framework was trained on a set of image patches extracted from digital slides in the Cancer Genome Atlas repository, and was able to generate fake images that were visually indistinguishable from the real training images. Generative modelling in pathology has numerous potential applications, including dataset augmentation for training deep learning classifiers, image processing, and expanding educational material.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

This presentation will enable the learner to:

1.

Explain basic principles of generative modelling in deep learning.

2.

Discuss applications of deep learning to neuropathology image synthesis.
Nodding syndrome, an epidemic young-onset epilepsy-dementia complex in Uganda
Authors: Pollanen MS , Onzivua S
Published: May 2021

Nodding syndrome (NS) is an enigmatic recurrent epidemic neurological disease that affects children in East Africa. The illness begins with nodding of the head and grand mal seizures that may lead to death after several years. The most recent outbreaks of NS occurred in northern Uganda and South Sudan. We describe the clinicopathologic spectrum of NS in Uganda. Ten children or young adults with NS were studied at autopsy and the neuropathological findings correlated with the onset, duration and progression of their neurological illness. All cases had epilepsy with grand mal seizures. Three cases had a clinical course that was predominantly characterized by epilepsy. Seven patients had progressive frontotemporal dementia. Two of the patients with dementia also had progressive quadriparesis. In all cases, the brain revealed tau pathology. In cases with an epilepsy-predominate course, the tau pathology was largely limited to the anterior frontal lobes but cases with dementia had more widespread cortical and subcortical tau pathology. In some cases, the histologic pattern was reminiscent of progressive supranuclear palsy. There are some interesting parallels between NS and the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/Parkinson-dementia complex (ALS/PDC). The similarities are the presence of geographical isolates of disease manifesting in indigenous populations with familial clusters but no clear heritability. Both disorders appear to be related to an unknown environmental factor and both diseases appear to be fading over time in the respective geographical locations. One of the major open questions is whether ALS occurs in NS. This question will be addressed in future clinical studies and postmortem examination of the spinal cord. We propose that NS is a unique epilepsy-dementia complex in East Africa.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

This presentation will enable the learner to:

1.

Describe the clinicopathologic features of a nodding syndrome.

2.

Compare the pathology of NS to ALS/PDC and related disease
A numerical and theoretical study of wind over fast-propagating water waves
Authors: Cao Tao , Shen Lian
Published: June 2021

Effects of fast-propagating water waves on the overlying wind are investigated using simulation and theoretical analysis. By performing a large eddy simulation (LES) of turbulent wind over water waves with high wave age, we observe that the perturbation to wind velocity and pressure by the waves, or the wave-induced airflow, is mainly induced by the vertical movement of the wave surface. We perform scaling analysis to show that the turbulent stress effects on fast wave-induced airflow are negligible. Moreover, we find that the curvilinear model developed for opposing wave effects on wind by Caoet al.(J. Fluid Mech., vol. 901, 2020, p. A27) provides predictions that agree well with the present LES results of wind following fast waves. Our analyses of the results indicate that the fast wave-induced airflow is a quasilinear process. To elucidate the mechanisms for fast wave effects, we split the curvilinear model into two equations corresponding to wave kinematics and forcing by wave elevation, respectively. Using these equations, we illustrate that the vertical component of wave orbital velocity induces a strong airflow perturbation, which produces the dominant components of fast wave-induced airflow and determines its overall spatial structure. Furthermore, we discover that the weak components of fast wave-induced airflow are forced by the dominant components via viscous stress and by the forcing induced by wave elevation, and generate the form drag on the wave surface.
Hustling, cycling, peacebuilding: Narrating postwar reintegration through livelihood in Liberia
Authors: McMullin Jaremey R.
Published: May 2021

Ex-combatant youth originated the commercial motorcycling sector in Liberia and have played a dominant role in its development. This article collates key insights narrated by one of Liberia's young ex-combatants-turned-commercial motorcyclists, Edwin Nyankoon, to build narrative accounts of peacebuilding around conceptualisation of youth livelihood, identity, and politics after war. The article contributes to diverse literatures on youth agency by emphasising the need for narrative and subject-led methodologies that anchor research questions and data analysis to research participants’ own language and narrated experiences of post war. It applies insights about everyday peace to interpret hustling as bottom-up peacebuilding, in opposition to dominant top-down peacebuilding accounts of ex-combatants. These latter accounts largely fail to see youth actors as peacebuilding agents, constructing them instead as troublemakers and interpreting their livelihood activities in terms of criminality and threat. Additionally, it argues that hustling also constitutes a peacebuilding style. More than a coping strategy or an indicator of peace, hustling-as-peacebuilding-style is performative: relational, embodied, contradictory, and recognisable to its adherents as peace-promoting even if (and arguably because) outsiders construct it as peace-negating. This analysis problematises agency, social relations, gendered identity, and collective security as they relate to ex-combatant and conflict-affected youth during peace processes.
Divided governmental structure and state compliance with international human rights law: A reputation-based approach
Authors: Nie Mintao
Published: May 2021

Previous research has analysed a range of domestic stakeholders that make national governments’ commitments to international human rights law credible, including an independent judiciary, legislative veto players, political opposition groups, and non-governmental organizations. But how do the power dynamics within the government affect state compliance with international human rights law? Building on the basic understanding that international human rights law needs to pass through domestic political and administrative processes before it can be implemented on the ground, this article articulates a reputation-based theoretical framework to explain how the lack of reputational mechanisms at the local level and national leaders’ shifting of blame for non-compliance to sub-national officials and the internal governance structure – two salient characteristics in a decentralized political system – make international human rights law less effective. A case study of US compliance with Article 36 of the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations sheds light on how international reputational concerns interact with divided authority structure to shape national leaders’ and subnational authorities’ policy responses to the enforcement of international human rights standards.
Rheology of right ventricular outflow tract obstruction: sub-pulmonary membrane developing months after primary intervention to treat pulmonary atresia with intact interventricular septum
Authors: Hanna Baher M. , El-Mozy Wesam E. , El-Saiedi Sonia A.
Published: May 2021

Isolated sub-pulmonary membrane is a rare condition, the origin of which has been debatable. Transcatheter treatment of pulmonary valve atresia with intact interventricular septum by radiofrequency perforation and balloon dilatation to restore biventricular circulation is gaining more popularity, with improving results over time. We report in our experience of 79 cases in 10 years the development of a sub-pulmonary membrane in 4 cases: causing significant obstruction requiring surgical excision in one case that revealed a fibrous membrane on pathology; causing mild right ventricular outflow tract obstruction in another and not yet causing obstruction in 2. On cardiac MRI, the right ventricular outflow tract and the right ventricular outflow tract/pulmonary atresia angle showed no morphological abnormalities.
The Imperative to Discuss European Islam: A Response to Grinell and Črnič
Authors: White Jerry
Published: May 2021

Prompted by two recent articles in European Review about the place of Islam in Europe, this article argues for the importance of considering the variants of Islam in Europe that are autochthonous as opposed to connected with migration or immigration. The article discusses the specifics of the Crimean Tatars, Bosnia, Kosovo and Albania, and the Muslims of Georgia by way of illustrating how the issues around European Islam are far from being a marginal curiosity and, in fact, point to key issues in continental culture and politics in the twenty-first century.
What If? Tinkering with the Counterfactual: A Comment on US–Washing Machines (Article 22.6-US)
Authors: Balistreri Edward J. , Mavroidis Petros C. , Prusa Thomas J.
Published: May 2021

Typically, the WTO Arbitrator, when charged with evaluating the permissible level of countermeasures (suspension of concessions), has chosen a counterfactual state of the world where the challenged (illegal) measure has not been adopted at all. The Arbitrator then would calculate the trade lost because of the adopted (illegal) measure, and thus, decide on the level of permissible countermeasures. In US–Washing Machines (Article 22.6-US), deviating from this custom, the Arbitrator adopted a different counterfactual, assuming that the complainant had adopted a different, ‘reasonable’ measure. The Arbitrator then evaluated the trade lost based on the distance between the adopted (illegal) and the ‘reasonable’ measure and calculated the level of countermeasures. In this paper, we explain the multitude of perils facing dispute settlement if this approach is adopted in future disputes. We also advance a few thoughts on rethinking the workings of the Arbitrator when measuring the level of permissible countermeasures, since similar slippery slopes risk being reproduced in future cases.
THE SIMPLE SEPARATING SYSTOLE FOR HYPERBOLIC SURFACES OF LARGE GENUS
Authors: Parlier Hugo , Wu Yunhui , Xue Yuhao
Published: May 2021

In this note we show that the expected value of the separating systole of a random surface of genus g with respect to Weil–Petersson volume behaves like
$2\log g $
as the genus goes to infinity. This is in strong contrast to the behavior of the expected value of the systole which, by results of Mirzakhani and Petri, is independent of genus.