bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Three Dimensions of Association Link Migraine Symptoms and Functional Connectivity
Authors: Krimmel Samuel R. , DeSouza Danielle D. , Keaser Michael L. , Sanjanwala Bharati M. , Cowan Robert P. , Lindquist Martin A. , Haythornthwaite Jennifer , Seminowicz David A.
Published: April 2021

Migraine is a heterogeneous disorder with variable symptoms and responsiveness to therapy. Due to previous analytic shortcomings, variance in migraine symptoms has been weakly and inconsistently related to brain function. Taking advantage of neural network organization measured through resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) and advanced statistical analysis, sophisticated symptom-brain mapping can now be performed. In the current analysis we used data from two sites (n=102 and 41), and performed Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA), relating RSFC with a broad range of migraine symptoms ranging from headache characteristics to sleep abnormalities. This identified three dimensions of covariance between symptoms and RSFC. Importantly, none of these dimensions bore any relationship with subject motion. The first dimension was related to headache intensity, headache frequency, pain catastrophizing, affect, sleep disturbances, and somatic abnormalities, and was associated with frontoparietal and dorsal attention network connectivity, both of which are major cognitive networks. Additionally, RSFC scores from this dimension – both the baseline value and the change from baseline to post-intervention – were associated with clinical responsiveness to mind-body therapy. The second dimension was related to an inverse association between pain and anxiety, and to default mode network connectivity. The final dimension was related to pain catastrophizing, and salience, sensorimotor and default mode network connectivity. These unique symptom/brain-mappings over three dimensions provide novel network targets to modify specific ensembles of symptoms. In addition to performing CCA, we evaluated the current clustering of migraine patients into episodic and chronic subtypes, and found no evidence to support this clustering. However, when using RSFC scores from the three significant dimensions, we identified a novel clustering of migraine patients into four biotypes with unique functional connectivity patterns. These findings provide new insight into individual variability in migraine, and could serve as the foundation for novel therapies that take advantage of migraine heterogeneity.
Impact of pubertal onset on region-specificEsr2expression
Authors: Drzewiecki Carly M. , Sellinger Elli P. , Juraska Janice M.
Published: April 2021

In female rats, pubertal onset is associated with maturation of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and mPFC-mediated behaviors. These behavioral and anatomical changes are likely due to effects of estrogen at the nuclear estrogen receptor beta (ERβ), which is expressed at higher levels than the estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) isoform in the adult mPFC. Researchers have previously quantified ERβ protein andEsr2RNA in rodents during early postnatal development and adulthood, but an adolescent-specific trajectory of this receptor in the mPFC has not been documented. Given that levels ofEsr2can fluctuate in the presence or absence of estrogens, puberty and the subsequent rise in gonadal hormones could influence ERβ expression in the adolescent brain. To further explore this, we used RNAscope to quantify the amount ofEsr2mRNA in pre-pubertal adolescent, recently post-pubertal adolescent, and adult female rats. We show here thatEsr2expression decreases significantly in the mPFC, striatum and motor cortex between pre-pubertal adolescence and adulthood. In the mPFC, this decrease occurs rapidly at pubertal onset, with no significant decrease inEsr2levels between the recently post-pubertal and adult cohort. In contrast in the striatum and motor cortex, there were no significant differences in the amount ofEsr2between pre- and post-pubertal females. Insofar as the amount ofEsr2is proportional to functional ERβ, these results suggest ERβ decreases in a region-specific pattern in response to pubertal onset and highlight a role for this receptor in the maturational events that occur in the female rat mPFC at puberty.
A critical view of the anthropology of religion
Authors: Fitzgerald Timothy
Published: April 2021

Anthropologists who write textbooks or teach undergraduate courses on the topic of ‘religion’ ought to be more aware of the tradition of critique by religious studies academics of their shared central category. There is a large and growing literature on the modern invention of religion and religions since the colonial era, and the radical shifts in meaning that have occurred in English and other europhone vernaculars since the 17th century. This literature is widely ignored by anthropologists who claim expertise on ‘religion’. ‘Religion’ is a complex, contested product of colonial and class power relations and has been used to control and classify peoples everywhere. The author suggests that the category religion emerged as a placeholder during the colonial era for any institution or practice that impeded (male) private property interests. The idea of ‘religion’ is by no means as innocent and neutral as it appears.
Is Green Islam going to support environmentalism in Indonesia?
Authors: FIKRI IBNU , COLOMBIJN FREEK
Published: April 2021

Various newspaper and scholarly articles have appeared in the past few years which enthusiastically claim that a Green Islam is emerging in Indonesia. This movement is supposedly going to have a major positive impact on pro‐environmental behaviour. In contrast to this optimism, on the basis of our observations of daily life in Indonesia, we question the belief that such a powerful Green Islam is emerging. We argue that, in the cases we have studied, contrary to the scholars and journalists writing about Green Islam, Muslim religious frameworks do not lead to an activist environmentalism. There is no reason to assume that Islam is a major force for pro‐environmental behaviour, and we are therefore doubtful about the potential of Green Islam. Many people, however, interpret their diverse interactions with the environment in religious terms, and Islam does certainly support and legitimize behaviour which is good for the environment, albeit more in the form of unforeseen side‐effects.
Interrogating the promise of technology in epilepsy care: systematic, hermeneutic review
Authors: Papoutsi Chrysanthi , Collins Christian D.E. , Christopher Alexandra , Shaw Sara E. , Greenhalgh Trisha
Published: April 2021

Technology development is gathering pace in epilepsy with seizure detection devices promising to transform self‐care and service provision. However, such accounts often neglect the uncertainties, displacements and responsibilities that technology‐supported care generates. This review brings together a heterogeneous literature, identified through systematic searches in 8 databases and snowball searching, to interrogate how technology becomes positioned in epilepsy care. We took a hermeneutic approach in our analysis of the 206 included articles, which resulted in the development of a conceptual framework surfacing the underlying logics by which technology‐supported epilepsy care is organised. Each of these logics enacts different techno‐scientific futures and carries specific assumptions about how (often imagined) ‘users’ and their bodies become co‐constituted. Our review shows that studies in this area remain primarily deterministic and technology‐focused. Few draw phenomenological insights on lived experiences with epilepsy or use social theory to problematise the role of technology. We propose future directions for sociotechnical, theory‐driven studies of technology in epilepsy care and offer a framework transferable across other long‐term conditions.
Camera trap survey of mammals in the Fazao‐Malfakassa National Park, Togo, West Africa
Authors: Assou Délagnon , D'Cruze Neil , Kirkland Hannah , Auliya Mark , Macdonald David W. , Segniagbeto Gabriel H.
Published: April 2021

For the first time in Togo, we used camera trapping to investigate the mammal community in Fazao‐Malfakassa National Park (FMNP), a forest and savannah mosaic landscape subject to poaching and other detrimental anthropogenic activity. We compiled a species inventory, that is species occurrence, habitat use and activity patterns during dry and wet seasons. Based on images from >80 locations during 9,007 camera days, we identified 32 mammal species, which, when combined with other published studies, increases the total number of mammals (excluding bats) historically reported to 57 species. Our results confirm the presence of five mammal species evaluated as threatened according to the IUCN Red List, highlighting the significant conservation value of the FMNP. Specifically, it appears to be the only protected area in Togo where the African savannah elephant and the African forest elephant occur sympatrically, and only the second site currently known with direct observations of Walter's duiker. We also report the presence of poachers and other anthropogenic activity within the FMNP. We recommend that continued survey efforts should be combined with detailed ecological data collection, effective law enforcement, community outreach and eco‐tourism development, to safeguard the remaining mammal species communities necessary for a functioning ecosystem in the park.
Consistency of global recommendations regarding open versus laparoscopic surgery during the COVID‐19 pandemic: a systematic review
Authors: Jacob Susan , Hameed Ahmer , Lam Vincent , Pang Tony CY
Published: April 2021

Background

Throughout the COVID‐19 pandemic, there has been worldwide debate regarding whether open surgery should be performed in preference to laparoscopic surgery due to the theoretical higher risk of viral aerosolization by the release of pneumoperitoneum. We aimed to assess the consistency of national and international surgical society recommendations regarding the choice of surgical approach; assess the quality of evidence of viral emission in surgical aerosol; and assess the quality of evidence comparing aerosol generation by different surgical energy devices.

Methods

A systematic review of PubMed, Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases was performed. Three search strategies were employed. Twenty‐eight studies were included in the final analysis and quality appraised. Confidence in review findings was assessed using the GRADE‐CERQual (Confidence in Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative research) tool.

Results

Worldwide recommendations regarding open versus laparoscopic surgery are consistent, with a majority recommending that surgical approach is decided on a case‐by‐case, risk minimization approach. There is limited, low‐quality evidence that viral particles can be emitted in surgical aerosol. There is a paucity of literature on the quantity of aerosol produced by different surgical energy devices, and no evidence to support the use of certain surgical instruments to minimize aerosol production.

Conclusions

There is considerable consistency among worldwide recommendations regarding the choice of surgical approach, although the evidence base is lacking. To inform clinical recommendations, further research examining viral emission, transmission, infectivity and amount of surgical aerosol produced is required.
Reduced frequency of T helper 17 and T helper 1 cells and their association with critical coronavirus disease 2019
Authors: Shahbazi Mehdi , Jafari Mohammad , Moulana Zahra , Sepidarkish Mahdi , Bagherzadeh Mojgan , Rezanejad Maryam , Mirzakhani Mohammad , Javanian Mostafa , bayani Masomeh , Sadeghi‐Haddad‐Zavareh Mahmoud , Mehdinezhad Hamed , Ghadimi Reza , Ghasemzadeh Mostafa , Shokuhi Rad Ali , Mohammadnia‐Afrouzi Mousa
Published: April 2021

There is very little knowledge about the immune responses, particularly cellular immunity to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). The main objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of T helper (Th) cell subtypes, including Th1, Th17, and Treg cells, in moderate‐to‐severe and critical COVID‐19 patients compared to healthy controls. Twenty‐nine moderate‐to‐severe and 13 critical patients confirmed for COVID‐19, and 15 healthy subjects were included in this study. Interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ)‐producing Th1 and interleukin‐17A‐producing Th17 and Treg cells in peripheral blood were measured with flow cytometry. The frequency of Th1 and Th17 was significantly decreased in critical patients compared to healthy subjects (aMD: −2.76 and − 2.34) and moderate‐to‐severe patients (aMD: −1.89 and − 1.89), respectively (p < 0.05). Differences were not significant between moderate‐to‐severe patients and healthy subjects for both Th1 (p = 0.358) and Th17 (p = 0.535), respectively. In contrast, significant difference was not observed between study subjects regarding the frequency of Treg cells. Patients with critical COVID‐19 had a markedly lower Th1/Treg and Th17/Treg ratios compared with the controls and moderate‐to‐severe cases. Our study showed a dysregulated balance of Th1 and Th17 cells and its relation to the severity of COVID‐19.
Anti‐PCSK 9 antibodies increase the ratios of the brain‐specific oxysterol 24S‐hydroxycholesterol to cholesterol and to 27‐hydroxycholesterol in the serum
Authors: Lütjohann Dieter , Stellaard Frans , Bölükbasi Bediha , Kerksiek Anja , Parhofer Klaus G. , Laufs Ulrich
Published: April 2021

Aims

The serum ratios of the brain‐specific oxysterol 24S‐hydroxycholesterol (24S‐OHC) to cholesterol and to 27‐OHC reflect brain cholesterol turnover. We studied the effect of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 monoclonal antibodies (PCSK9ab) that enhance low‐density lipoprotein receptor activity on serum cholesterol and oxysterol concentrations.

Methods

Twenty‐eight hypercholesterolaemic patients (15 males and 13 females) responding insufficiently to maximally tolerated statin and/or ezetimibe therapy were additionally subcutanously treated biweekly with either the PCSK9ab alirocumab (150 mg, n = 13) or evolocumab (140 mg, n = 15). Fasting serum cholesterol was measured by gas chromatography and the oxysterols 24S‐OHC and 27‐OHC using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry before, after 1‐month (n = 28) and after 3‐month (n = 13) treatment.

Results

As expected, PCSK9ab treatment lowered serum cholesterol and oxysterol levels after 1 month. The serum ratio of 24S‐OHC to cholesterol increased after 1 month by 17 ± 28% (mean ± standard deviation; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.8 to 28%; P < .01) and 24S‐OHC to 27‐OHC by 15 ± 39% (95% CI: 0.2 to 30%; P < .01). Within 3 months, 24S‐OHC to cholesterol increased by 2.8 μg g−1 mo−1 (95% CI: 2.1 to 3.6; P < .01) and 24S‐OHC to 27‐OHC by 0.019 mo−1 (95% CI: 0.007 to 0.032; P < .01).

Conclusion

The serum ratios of 24S‐OHC to cholesterol and to 27‐OHC increased after treatment with PCSK9ab. We hypothesize that this is caused by a reduced entrance of 27‐OHC into the brain, increased synthesis of brain cholesterol, increased production of 24S‐OHC and its secretion across the blood–brain barrier.
Distribution of lymph node metastasis and oncological outcomes of mid‐transverse colon cancer: extended versus transverse colectomy
Authors: Park Hyeong‐min , Lee Jaram , Lee Soo Young , Kim Chang Hyun , Kim Hyeong Rok
Published: April 2021

Aim

The optimal surgical method for cancer of the mid‐transverse colon has not been well established. The present study aimed to explore the distribution of lymph node metastasis and compare the outcomes of extended and transverse colectomies for cancer of the mid‐transverse colon.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed the data of patients with cancer of the mid‐transverse colon treated with either an extended hemicolectomy (right or left) or a transverse colectomy. A propensity score matching analysis was performed to rule out selection bias, and short‐term and survival outcomes were compared. The distribution of lymph node metastasis was also investigated.

Results

A total of 107 patients were included, 70 of whom underwent an extended colectomy while 37 underwent a transverse colectomy. There were no significant differences in the operation time, postoperative complications, hospital stay, 3‐year disease‐free survival (86.5% vs. 90.9%, P = 0.675) and 5‐year overall survival (87.4% vs. 93.0%, P = 0.349) between the two groups after propensity score matching. However, metastases were observed in the lymph nodes along the right colic artery (pericolic [#211], 14.0%; intermediate [#212], 8.2%; apical [#213], 9.8%) in the extended colectomy group.

Conclusion

Extended and transverse colectomies showed similar short‐term and long‐term outcomes for mid‐transverse colon cancer. However, care should be taken to determine the extent of resection considering the possibility of metastatic lymph nodes along the right colic artery.
Donation after circulatory death liver transplantation: An in‐depth analysis and propensity score–matched comparison
Authors: Hobeika Mark J. , Saharia Ashish , Mobley Constance M. , Menser Terri , Nguyen Duc T. , Graviss Edward A. , McMillan Robert R. , Podder Hemangshu , Nolte Fong Joy V. , Jones Stephen L. , Yi Stephanie G. , Elshawwaf Mahmoud , Gaber Ahmed O. , Ghobrial Rafik M.
Published: April 2021

Background

Careful donor‐recipient matching and reduced ischemia times have improved outcomes following donation after circulatory death (DCD) liver transplantation (LT). This study examines a single‐center experience with DCD LT including high‐acuity and hospitalized recipients.

Methods

DCD LT outcomes were compared to a propensity score–matched (PSM) donation after brain death (DBD) LT cohort (1:4); 32 DCD LT patients and 128 PSM DBD LT patients transplanted from 2008 to 2018 were included. Analyses included Kaplan‐Meier estimates and Cox proportional hazards models examining patient and graft survival.

Results

Median MELD score in the DCD LT cohort was 22, with median MELD of 27 for DCD LT recipients with decompensated cirrhosis. No difference in mortality or graft loss was found (p < .05) between DCD LT and PSM DBD LT at 3 years post‐transplant, nor was DCD an independent risk factor for patient or graft survival. Post‐LT severe acute kidney injury was similar in both groups. Ischemic‐type biliary lesions (ITBL) occurred in 6.3% (n = 2) of DCD LT recipients, resulting in 1 graft loss and 1 death.

Conclusion

This study supports that DCD LT outcomes can be similar to DBD LT, with a low rate of ITBL, in a cohort including high‐acuity recipients. Strict donor selection criteria, ischemia time minimization, and avoiding futile donor/recipient combinations are essential considerations.
Conserved residues Glu37 and Trp229 play an essential role in protein folding of β‐lactamase
Authors: Chikunova Aleksandra , Manley Max P. , Ud Din Ahmad Misbha , Bilman Tuğçe , Perrakis Anastassis , Ubbink Marcellus
Published: April 2021

Evolutionary robustness requires that the number of highly conserved amino acid residues in proteins is minimized. In enzymes, such conservation is observed for catalytic residues but also for some residues in the second shell or even further from the active site. β‐Lactamases evolve in response to changing antibiotic selection pressures and are thus expected to be evolutionarily robust, with a limited number of highly conserved amino acid residues. As part of the effort to understand the roles of conserved residues in class A β‐lactamases, we investigate the reasons leading to the conservation of two amino acid residues in the β‐lactamase BlaC, Glu37, and Trp229. Using site‐directed mutagenesis, we have generated point mutations of these residues and observed a drastic decrease in the levels of soluble protein produced in Escherichia coli, thus abolishing completely the resistance of bacteria against β‐lactam antibiotics. However, the purified proteins are structurally and kinetically very similar to the wild‐type enzyme, only differing by exhibiting a slightly lower melting temperature. We conclude that conservation of Glu37 and Trp229 is solely caused by an essential role in the folding process, and we propose that during folding Glu37 primes the formation of the central β‐sheet and Trp229 contributes to the hydrophobic collapse into a molten globule.

Enzyme

EC 3.5.2.6.

Database

Structural data are available in PDB database under the accession number 7A5U.
With Age Comes Respect? And for Whom Exactly? A Quantitative Examination of White and BAME Prisoner Experiences of Respect Elicited through HM Inspectorate of Prisons Survey Responses
Authors: QUINN ANTHONY , HARDWICK NICK , MEEK ROSIE
Published: April 2021

Through the analysis of survey data, collected by HM Inspectorate of Prisons between 2010 and 2019, we examine the responses of adult male prisoners of different ages and ethnicities and the extent to which they report being treated with respect by staff. Survey responses from 62,664 prisoners support the conclusion that Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) prisoners are less likely than white prisoners to report that they are treated with respect; younger prisoners are less likely than older prisoners to do so. Our macro‐level findings demonstrate that there is considerable variation between the subgroups within these broad categories and that a simplification of experiences may lead to incorrect assumptions about the experiences of minority groups in prison. These survey data should be used in conjunction with other resources, such as official data and operational statistics, to support detailed examination of prisoner treatment and conditions for safe, decent and rehabilitative prisons.
Three​‐dimensional porous poly(ε‐caprolactone)/beta‐tricalcium phosphate microsphere‐aggregated scaffold for bone tissue engineering
Authors: ShiraliPour Faeze , Shafiei Seyedeh Sara , Nikakhtar Yeganeh
Published: April 2021

In this study, porous scaffolds made of polycaprolactone (PCL)/β‐tricalcium phosphate (BTCP) biocomposite were fabricated for bone tissue engineering (BTE) applications. The microsphere‐aggregated scaffolds were prepared with various BTCP concentrations (10wt%, 20wt%, 50wt%) by the freeze‐drying method. The porosity of obtained microsphere‐aggregated scaffolds with various pore sizes was 80–85%, where this value was about 70% for the PCL/BTCP (50) sample with no microsphere formation. The results indicated that adding BTCP has enhanced mechanical strength, and the mineralization of PCL/BTCP composite scaffolds has been increased compared to the pure PCL scaffolds in simulated body fluid (SBF). The adhesion and proliferation of mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (mMSCs) seeded onto PCL/BTCP scaffolds were enhanced compared to the PCL. In addition, in terms of differentiation, the incorporation of BTCP led to increasing the mineral deposition and alkaline phosphatase activity of mMSCs. The synergistic effect of using microsphere‐aggregated scaffolds along with BTCP as a reinforcing agent in PCL biocomposite showed that these porous biocomposite scaffolds have the potential application in BTE.
The role of 14‐3‐3 proteins in cell signalling pathways and virus infection
Authors: Liu Jiaqi , Cao Shengliang , Ding Guofei , Wang Bin , Li Yingchao , Zhao Yuzhong , Shao Qingyuan , Feng Jian , Liu Sidang , Qin Liting , Xiao Yihong
Published: April 2021

14‐3‐3 proteins are highly conserved in species ranging from yeast to mammals and regulate numerous signalling pathways via direct interactions with proteins carrying phosphorylated 14‐3‐3–binding motifs. Recent studies have shown that 14‐3‐3 proteins can also play a role in viral infections. This review summarizes the biological functions of 14‐3‐3 proteins in protein trafficking, cell‐cycle control, apoptosis, autophagy and other cell signal transduction pathways, as well as the associated mechanisms. Recent findings regarding the role of 14‐3‐3 proteins in viral infection and innate immunity are also reviewed.
Assortative mating can help adaptation of flowering time to a changing climate: Insights from a polygenic model
Authors: Godineau Claire , Ronce Ophélie , Devaux Céline
Published: April 2021

Several empirical studies report fast evolutionary changes in flowering time in response to contemporary climate change. Flowering time is a polygenic trait under assortative mating, since flowering time of mates must overlap. Here, we test whether assortative mating, compared with random mating, can help better track a changing climate. For each mating pattern, our individual‐based model simulates a population evolving in a climate characterized by stabilizing selection around an optimal flowering time, which can change directionally and/or fluctuate. We also derive new analytical predictions from a quantitative genetics model for the expected genetic variance at equilibrium, and its components, the lag of the population to the optimum and the population mean fitness. We compare these predictions between assortative and random mating, and to our simulation results. Assortative mating, compared with random mating, has antagonistic effects on genetic variance: it generates positive associations among similar allelic effects, which inflates the genetic variance, but it decreases genetic polymorphism, which depresses the genetic variance. In a stationary environment with substantial stabilizing selection, assortative mating affects little the genetic variance compared with random mating. In a changing climate, assortative mating however increases genetic variance compared to random mating, which diminishes the lag of the population to the optimum, and in most scenarios translates into a fitness advantage relative to random mating. The magnitude of this fitness advantage depends on the extent to which genetic variance limits adaptation, being larger for faster environmental changes and weaker stabilizing selection.
Life cycle assessment on the reuse and recycling of the nickel‐metal hydride battery: Fleet‐based study on hybrid vehicle batteries from Japan
Authors: Wang Shuoyao , Yu Jeongsoo , Okubo Kazuaki
Published: April 2021

With the increasing popularity of hybrid vehicles, which were initially commercialized from Japan, the use of nickel‐metal hydride (NiMH) batteries has also increased dramatically. This will inevitably lead to a large number of NiMH batteries in the future. This makes the reuse and recycling of these waste NiMH batteries an urgent concern. Nevertheless, the environmental burden generated from the reuse and recycling processes has not been clarified. Moreover, many NiMH batteries are exported from Japan to developing countries and will eventually be landfilled. Such problems severely weaken the efficiency of the waste battery recycling system in Japan. This research aims to analyze the environmental impact of a NiMH battery under each type of waste treatment strategy using the life cycle assessment (LCA) method. Then, a fleet‐based LCA is performed to show how exactly the collection rate of waste batteries affects the efficiency of the recycling industry. The results show that, if we can reuse or recycle a waste NiMH battery instead of it being directly landfilled, the absolute environmental impact of the NiMH battery can be decreased. Especially in the reuse and recycle scenario, approximately 83 kg of CO2 emissions, 1.37 kg of resource depletion, 0.044 m3 of landfill volume, and 1611 MJ energy consumption will be conserved for each NiMH battery. Moreover, the efficiency of the Japanese recycling industry would significantly improve if more waste NiMH batteries can be recycled or reused in Japan instead of being exported to developing countries.
A comparison study of bottom‐up and top‐down methods for analyzing the physical composition of municipal solid waste
Authors: Zhou Chuanbin , Ma Shijun , Yu Xiao , Chen Zhuqi , Liu Jingru , Yan Li
Published: April 2021

Municipal solid waste (MSW) management is a crucial issue in socioeconomic metabolism and requires multicategory and high‐resolution data, and data on the physical composition of municipal solid waste (PCMSW) are fundamental in MSW research. Extensive financial resources have been invested in the research on field investigations of PCMSW; however, it is time‐consuming and sometimes not truly representative of the studied case. In this work, two bottom‐up and two top‐down approaches were applied for analyzing the PCMSW, namely, field investigation (FI), BP neural network (BPNN), material flow analysis (MFA), and inversion algorithm based on electricity generation of waste incinerator (IAEI). Wuhan City, China, was chosen as the studied case for analyzing and comparing the PCMSW results. The PCMSW values obtained by applying those four methods showed acceptable differences, and the standard deviations of organic fraction, ash and stone, paper, plastic and rubber, textile, wood, metal, glass, and others were 3.94%, 2.77%, 6.57%, 2.22%, 2.49%, 1.36%, 0.53%, 1.19%, and 0.28%, respectively. Use of the MFA, BPNN, and IAEI methods could reduce time and labor spent on manual sampling, sorting, and weighing of MSW, compared to the FI method. BPNN algorithm advances in providing PCMSW data in history and by trajectory throughout the year, whereas IAEI contributes PCMSW data with much higher temporal resolution. Data quality and applicability of different methods were discussed, considering the availability of time, labor, and reference data.
Life cycle assessment of an ecological living module equipped with conventional rooftop or integrated concentrating photovoltaics
Authors: Raugei Marco , Keena Naomi , Novelli Nick , Aly Etman Mohamed , Dyson Anna
Published: April 2021

Climate change is disrupting our environment and business‐as‐usual practices will fail to reverse its impact. This paper focuses on the impact of the building sector and, in particular, it questions the energy and environmental benefits of advanced integrated and more conventional building‐applied photovoltaic (PV) systems, compared to a traditional municipality utility supply. A demonstration project named the ecological living module (ELM) is used to create a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) of the adoption of these PV systems across three different climatic locations, namely New York City, London, and Nairobi. Findings show that, over the entire life cycle, the solar systems do better than the grid mix in reducing the building's dependence on nonrenewable resources. Unsurprisingly, in comparative terms, these systems do substantially better if the local grid mix is characterized by a predominantly nonrenewable energy profile. When comparing the two solar systems, the environmental impacts of the solar cells are negligible in the advanced system, whereas its structural components result in it being less environmentally friendly than the conventional solar PV. This highlights the possibility of future design iterations of these components to rethink their material ecology in terms of their life cycle—materiality, sourcing, and manufacturing, and so forth. The implications of this work suggest questioning, on a case‐by‐case basis, when and in what contexts integrated solar energy building systems are most plausible. This work also questions the scale at which grid scale distribution should occur.
Sarco‐Model: A score to predict the dropout risk in the perspective of organ allocation in patients awaiting liver transplantation
Authors: Lai Quirino , Magistri Paolo , Lionetti Raffaella , Avolio Alfonso W. , Lenci Ilaria , Giannelli Valerio , Pecchi Annarita , Ferri Flaminia , Marrone Giuseppe , Angelico Mario , Milana Martina , Schinniná Vincenzo , Menozzi Renata , Di Martino Michele , Grieco Antonio , Manzia Tommaso M. , Tisone Giuseppe , Agnes Salvatore , Rossi Massimo , Di Benedetto Fabrizio , Ettorre Giuseppe M. ,   the Sarco‐Model Study Group
Published: April 2021

Background & Aims

Sarcopenia in liver transplantation (LT) cirrhotic candidates has been connected with higher dropouts and graft losses after transplant. The study aims to create an ‘urgency’ model combining sarcopenia and Model for End‐stage Liver Disease Sodium (MELDNa) to predict the risk of dropout and identify an appropriate threshold of post‐LT futility.

Methods

A total of 1087 adult cirrhotic patients were listed for a first LT during January 2012 to December 2018. The study population was split into a training (n = 855) and a validation set (n = 232).

Results

Using a competing‐risk analysis of cause‐specific hazards, we created the Sarco‐Model2. According to the model, one extra point of MELDNa was added for each 0.5 cm2/m2 reduction of total psoas area (TPA) < 6.0 cm2/m2. At external validation, the Sarco‐Model2 showed the best diagnostic ability for predicting the risk of 3‐month dropout in patients with MELDNa < 20 (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.93; P = .003). Using the net reclassification improvement, 14.3% of dropped‐out patients were correctly reclassified using the Sarco‐Model2. As for the futility threshold, transplanted patients with TPA < 6.0 cm2/m2 and MELDNa 35‐40 (n = 16/833, 1.9%) had the worse results (6‐month graft loss = 25.5%).

Conclusions

In sarcopenic patients with MELDNa < 20, the ‘urgency’ Sarco‐Model2 should be used to prioritize the list, while MELDNa value should be preferred in patients with MELDNa ≥ 20. The Sarco‐Model2 played a role in more than 30% of the cases in the investigated allocation scenario. In sarcopenic patients with a MELDNa value of 35‐40, ‘futile’ transplantation should be considered.
Randomised controlled trial of students access to resources in an examination
Authors: Tweed Mike , Desrosiers Jen , Wilkinson Tim J.
Published: April 2021

Introduction

Assessment of healthcare professionals should be authentic to clinical practice. As clinicians regularly use resources in practice, similar resources should be available to those sitting assessment. There is limited information on the impacts of open‐book (resource) assessments on standard setting for use in high‐stakes assessments. This research aims to explore the effects on standard setting and student perceptions when open vs closed resources are available in high‐stakes assessment of medical students.

Methods

Students sat multiple‐choice question (MCQ) examinations under both closed‐ and open‐resource conditions in a randomised crossover design. A standard setting panel set pass‐marks for both closed‐ and open‐resource conditions of delivery, and we compared these pass‐marks with each other and with actual performance. Students responded to a survey on perceptions of open‐resource assessments.

Results

The pass‐mark was set higher when panellists considered open‐resource conditions compared to closed conditions (59% vs 47%), but actual student performance showed no difference in scores between the two conditions. The net effect was that the pass rate was higher for closed than open‐resource conditions (71% vs 34%). Open‐resource conditions increased the time to complete the questions. The students perceived that open resource was more authentic but was more time‐consuming and would require different preparation. Regarding the acceptability of including open resources in high‐stakes assessment, the responses of students were mixed.

Discussion

Pass standards based solely on judgements by panellists experienced in closed‐resource conditions might not be applicable under open conditions. Questions vary in how much time accessing resources may take and the degree of assistance in selecting the correct answer. A programme of assessment could be constructed to include both closed‐ and open‐resource condition assessments depending on the questions’ content and format. Open‐resource conditions may promote assessment preparation that focuses more on seeking and evaluating resources rather than learning facts.
Measurement of membrane integrity in canine spermatozoa using a fluorescent computer‐assisted spermatozoal quantification method after SYBR‐14/PI staining compared with manual counting after CFDA/PI staining
Authors: Watts John
Published: April 2021

The aim of this study was to compare measurements of spermatozoal membrane status in dogs using computer‐assisted spermatozoal quantification (CASQ) after staining with SYBR‐14 and propidium iodide (PI) with manual counting after CFDA/PI staining. CASQ was performed on fresh (n = 11) and thawed cryopreserved canine semen (n = 91) using (1) a red long‐pass (LP) filter on an untreated sample (membrane‐disrupted spermatozoa, MDS count) and in a sample with all cellular membranes disrupted (total spermatozoal count, TC), (2) green LP filter for a TC and the red filter for an MDS count and (3) a green short‐pass filter to obtain a membrane‐intact spermatozoa (MIS) count and the red filter to obtain the MDS count, which were added to give a TC (red–green filter CASQ, n = 50). Spermatozoa were also stained with CFDA/PI, manually examined and classified as MIS or MDS. All measurements were performed in duplicate. The percentage of membrane‐intact spermatozoa (MIS) was calculated. The percentage of progressively motile spermatozoa (PMS) was determined subjectively. The data were analysed to measure the agreement between the CASQ and CFDA/PI methods, repeatability of the methods and correlation between the MIS and PMS percentage. Compared with the CFDA/PI method, the agreement of MIS percentage with red filter CASQ was −12% to 34%, green LP filter CASQ −42% to 47% and red–green filter CASQ −23% to 29%. The repeatability of the CFDA/PI and red–green filter CASQ methods were the highest. The MIS and PMS percentages were always correlated (p < .05). Measurement of MIS percentage using red and red–green filter CASQ appeared to be the most reliable automated methods.
VO2peak and 24‐hour sleep, sedentary behavior, and physical activity in Australian truck drivers
Authors: Gilson Nicholas D. , Mielke Gregore I. , Coombes Jeff S. , Feter Natan , Smith Emily , Duncan Mitch J. , Wallis Guy , Brown Wendy J.
Published: April 2021

This study assessed cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and 24‐h sleep, sedentary behavior (SB), and physical activity (PA) in Australian truck drivers. Participants (n = 37 men) attended clinic sessions for an exercise test to exhaustion to establish CRF and wore an accelerometer (Actigraph GT3X+) to estimate sleep, SB, and PA. Relative to normative values, CRF was “below percentile 25” in 51% of drivers (mean [SD] VO2peak=30.1 [7.6] mL.kg‐1.min‐1). Accelerometer data indicated that total vigorous‐intensity (3.5–4.5 min/day) and sustained moderate‐ to vigorous‐intensity PA (>5 min; 0.5–1.6 bouts/day) were limited. The findings show there is a need to design and test PA interventions that can improve poor levels of CRF in truck drivers.
Food quality in a post‐industrial economy: Alternatives to the crisis of the Spanish agricultural sector
Authors: Macías Vázquez Alfredo
Published: April 2021

The Spanish agricultural sector crisis is intimately related to the weak position of local producers in the value chain. In order to analyse this issue, we will use a model that describes the post‐industrial economy value creation process, and the role played by immaterial resources as a structural variable in that process. Collective strategies, like the creation of product designations of origin or the constitution of producers’ organizations, are meant to halt resource rent appropriations by economic actors at the value chain's most concentrated stages. However, they have not performed well, thus giving rise to a debate on new models for the social construction of food quality. Despite their differences, the two cases analysed herein show the need to qualitatively transform the mediators of that social construction, taking into account the economic and institutional context of Spanish rural areas.
Quantitative Evaluation and Optimization of Feeding-Back Previous Cycles Information for Computational Fluid Dynamics Periodic Convergence
Authors: Contreras Jesus , Crespo Javier
Published: April 2021

Unsteady simulations represent an expensive subset of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations in terms of computational resources. Among the unsteady simulations, the time-periodic cases are of special interest in many applications such as turbomachinery. The special characteristics of these cases allow specific methodologies to improve its periodic convergence behavior, neglecting the physical transient to achieve it. The scope of this paper is focused on these unsteady periodic simulations. In this context, departing from a plain Dual Time-Step methodology, where the standard generic procedure is to converge every physical time-step from the solution of the previous one, the effect of feeding-back the previous period information to restart the convergence of the equivalent time-steps in the new period is assessed in this paper. With that aim, options to alleviate the possible penalties of the procedure are presented, and the parameter set election and boundary conditions optimized to define a complete methodology. Finally, a benchmarking of the defined methodology is performed against the standard plain Dual Time-Step technique and the much more efficient Harmonic Balance methodology. For that comparison, a basic two-dimensional (2D) case and a more realistic 3D compressor, both with harmonic torsion vibration, as well as two rotor–stator configurations, are computed and presented here. The results show that a comparable efficiency to the Harmonic Balance technique is achieved with lower memory requirements, meaning that the performance of the plain Dual Time-Step methodology is greatly improved just by changing small parts of its formulation.
Researchers coax stripped-down cells to grow normally
Authors: Leslie Mitch
Published: April 2021

Restoring seven removed genes rescues normal division.
Less can be more in functional materials
Authors: Bassiri-Gharb Nazanin
Published: April 2021

Nanopillar defects in NaNbO
3
induce a large piezoelectric response at high electric fields
Can genomes predict coral bleaching?
Authors: Bay Rachael A. , Guerrero Leslie
Published: April 2021

Expansion of the coral genomic tool kit could facilitate more informed conservation
Color vision
A Natural History of Color
Rob DeSalle and Hans Bachor
Pegasus Books, 2020. 272 pp.
Authors: Rossi Michael
Published: April 2021

An ambitious volume lends scientific and cultural context to an expansive concept
Death and rebirth through nonlinear control
Authors: Roztocki Piotr , Morandotti Roberto
Published: April 2021

Nonlinearity in complex photonic systems uncovers implications beyond optics
Stewart Brand's radical environmentalism
We Are As Gods
David Alvarado and Jason Sussberg, directors
Structure Films, 2021. 94 minutes.
Authors: McCray W. Patrick
Published: April 2021

The counterculture icon continues to embrace an outside-the-box approach to the future
Expanding the endless frontier
Authors: Conn Robert W.
Published: April 2021

This month, the U.S. Senate is poised to consider legislation that would expand the National Science Foundation (NSF) and strengthen the U.S. science and technology research ecosystem. The heart of the legislation will be the Endless Frontier Act (EFA), a bipartisan and bicameral bill that was first introduced to the previous Congress in May 2020. With some modifications, this legislation could become a landmark achievement that bolsters U.S. competitiveness.
In Vitro
and
In Vivo
Activities, Absorption, Tissue Distribution, and Excretion of OBP-4, a Potential Anti-Clostridioides difficile Agent
Authors: Liu Lili , Zhou Xuzheng , Li Bing , Cheng Fusheng , Cui Haifeng , Li Jing , Zhang Jiyu
Published: April 2021

Clostridioides difficile
infection (CDI) is considered a major concern of the health care system globally, with an increasing need for alternative therapies. OBP-4, a new oxazolidinone-fluoroquinolone hybrid with excellent
in vitro
activities and good safety, shows promising features as an antibacterial agent.
Supplemental Material: Tectonism and metamorphism along a southern Appalachian transect across the Blue Ridge and Piedmont, USA
Authors: Stowell Harold , al. et
Published: April 2021

Table S1. Uranium, Pb, and Th isotope data and zircon ages.
Migrated PEG balloon causing acute pancreatitis
Authors: Saeed Muhammad Omar , Fleck Thomas , Awasthi Ashish , Shekhar Chander
Published: April 2021

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is a common procedure for an unsafe swallow or inability to maintain oral nutrition. When a PEG tube needs replacement, a balloon gastrostomy tube is usually placed through the same, well formed and mature tract without endoscopy. We present a patient with a rare complication related to the balloon gastrostomy tube, to raise awareness and minimise the risk of this complication in the future. A 67-year-old female patient presented to the emergency department with severe abdominal pain and vomiting. Her gastrostomy feeding tube displaced inwards, up to the feeding-balloon ports complex. After investigations, she was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis. MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) confirmed features of this and, interestingly, an inflated gastrostomy balloon could be seen abutting the major and minor ampullae. The patient confirmed that the PEG tube had been changed to a balloon gastrostomy tube some time ago, but the external fixation plate (external bumper) had been loose lately, with the tube repeatedly moving inwards. She admitted that, 1 day before admission, the PEG tube had receded into the stomach and could not be pulled out with a gentle tug. After reviewing the MRCP images, the balloon was deflated, and the tube retracted. Once correctly placed, the balloon was reinflated, and her symptoms improved over the next 2 days.
Adherence to the test, trace, and isolate system in the UK: results from 37 nationally representative surveys
Authors: Smith Louise E , Potts Henry W W , Amlôt Richard , Fear Nicola T , Michie Susan , Rubin G James
Published: April 2021

Objective

To investigate rates of adherence to the UK’s test, trace, and isolate system over the initial 11 months of the covid-19 pandemic.

Design

Series of cross sectional online surveys.

Setting

37 nationally representative surveys in the UK, 2 March 2020 to 27 January 2021.

Participants

74 699 responses from 45 957 people living in the UK, aged 16 years or older (37 survey waves, about 2000 participants in each wave).

Main outcome measures

Identification of the main symptoms of covid-19 (cough, high temperature or fever, and loss of sense of smell or taste), self-reported adherence to self-isolation if symptoms were present and intention to self-isolate if symptoms were to develop, requesting a test for covid-19 if symptoms were present and intention to request a test if symptoms were to develop, and intention to share details of close contacts.

Results

Only 51.5% of participants (95% confidence interval 51.0% to 51.9%, n=26 030/50  570) identified the main symptoms of covid-19; the corresponding values in the most recent wave of data collection (25-27 January 2021) were 50.8% (48.6% to 53.0%, n=1019/2007). Across all waves, duration adjusted adherence to full self-isolation was 42.5% (95% confidence interval 39.7% to 45.2%, n=515/1213); in the most recent wave of data collection (25-27 January 2021), it was 51.8% (40.8% to 62.8%, n=43/83). Across all waves, requesting a test for covid-19 was 18.0% (95% confidence interval 16.6% to 19.3%, n=552/3068), increasing to 22.2% (14.6% to 29.9%, n=26/117) from 25 to 27 January. Across all waves, intention to share details of close contacts was 79.1% (95% confidence interval 78.8% to 79.5%, n=36 145/45 680), increasing to 81.9% (80.1% to 83.6%, n=1547/1890) from 25 to 27 January. Non-adherence was associated with being male, younger age, having a dependent child in the household, lower socioeconomic status, greater financial hardship during the pandemic, and working in a key sector.

Conclusions

Levels of adherence to test, trace, and isolate are low, although some improvement has occurred over time. Practical support and financial reimbursement are likely to improve adherence. Targeting messaging and policies to men, younger age groups, and key workers might also be necessary.