bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mobilization potential of patients with lymphomas and multiple myeloma involved in autologous stem cell transplant
Authors: Stančev Katarina , Todorović-Balint Milena
Published: May 2021

Introduction: High-dose chemotherapy by following autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) is a standard treatment of multiple myeloma (MM), relapse of Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL). Monitoring of clinical and biochemical characteristics, as well as post-transplant parameters, all point to the importance of mobilization potential. Aim: To evaluate the association of early recovery of neutrophil granulocytes ≥0.5 x 109 /L after 11 days of transplantation (ANC500_11), platelets ≥20 x 109 /L after 13 days of transplantation (PLT20_13) with gender, age, duration of mobilization, as well as radiotherapy or chemotherapy, dose CD34+ cells in the apheresis product and therapeutic response. Material and Methods: The retrospective study included 100 patients, out of which 51 patients with MM, 27 with NHL and 22 with HL, in the period from November 2015, ending December 2018. Results: The median age of the patient was 53(20-67) years. According to the DSS, 69% were in IIIA, while 12.5% of patients were in the IIIB clinical stage. According to the Ann-Arbor staging 92% patients were in the II or III clinical stage. The mediana number of CD34+ cells in the apheresis product was 6.7×106 /kgBM. The median in all three mobilization attempts was 6 days. Engraftment is most often detected during the 11th day. In 78% of patients, mobilization was successful in the first attempt (≥2.0x106 /kgBM) among which 86% were MM and 69,4% of lymphomas (p<0.05). The impacts of age, the number of CD34+ cells in the peripheral blood and the duration of the mobilization did not show a significant difference (p>0.05) in relation to the recovery of ANC500_11 and PLT20_13. Conclusion: Satisfactory CD34+ cellular yield can be provided in the first mobilization attempt in most of the patients using of GCS-F, while in the further mobilization attempts plerixafor was necessery. As opposed to gender, age, duration of mobilization and therapeutic response have no impact on ANC500_11 and PLT20_13.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia in general practice
Authors: Đurović Ljiljana
Published: May 2021

Introduction: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common leukemia in adults, rarely affecting children. It is more common in males over 60. Etiopathogenetically, it represents an abnormal proliferation of lymphocytes in the bone marrow, which are dysfunctional although morphologically similar to mature ones. Case report: Female patient, 66, a housewife, comes for an examination due to fatigue lasting about a month and weight loss of 3-4 kg. She denies other health problems. On the examination, she is alert, oriented to time, space, and persons, eupnoeic, lymphadenopathy on the neck, axillae and groins. She gives away the impression of a patient with mild clinical symptoms. Clinical examination: clear breath sounds in all lung fields, regular heartbeat, clear tones, BP 140/80 mmHg, abdomen at chest level, painless to palpation, liver not palpable, and spleen palpated 2 cm below the costal arch. CBC (complete blood count) showed an increased number of leukocytes 181.30x109 /L and lymphocytosis 92.2%, other parameters were normal. She was referred to the hematologist in the Kraljevo General Hospital, where further diagnostics were performed. Blood count was repeated, Chest X-ray was performed, ultrasound (US) of the abdomen neck, axillae, groins, and heart, virology tests, ENT examination. Abdominal US showed a pathological finding with enlarged liver, spleen, lymph nodes (LN). ENT examination: enlarged tonsils, other findings unremarkable. Since chronic lymphocytic leukemia was suspected, she was referred to the Clinical Center of Serbia. Immunophenotyping (IF) and computed tomography (CT) of the neck, chest, and abdomen were performed. The diagnosis of CLL was confirmed. A Medical Council decided to perform immunochemotherapy (IHT) with fludarabine and rituximab. After 6 received cycles, the patient feels well and the CBC parameters are normal. Conclusion: CLL may be asymptomatic or nonspecific and with mild symptoms in a large number of patients. Therefore, blood tests with leukocytosis and absolute lymphocytosis findings are crucial to suspect the disease and perform further diagnostics.
D-dimer rise in outpatients with COVID 19 and comorbidities
Authors: Miljković Ana
Published: May 2021

Introduction: COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered Coronavirus. Most of the infected people will go through it with mild to moderate respiratory symptoms and recover without any specific treatment. Older people and people with medical issues, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic pulmonary diseases, malignant diseases are at higher risk for the severe form of the disease. Case report: Female patient, 57, physician, presents with symptoms of Sars-Cov-2 virus infection. Her personal history is significant for pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). This is a disease which should be paid special attention to. Conclusion: A new Coronavirus infection, which struck the world a year ago, presents a great challenge for general physicians (GPs) and the health system as a whole. The scientific and medical community and the general public must lean on verified facts in this fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. They should be ready to change their treatment protocols, as new information appears from properly designed, implemented, and presented basic and clinical studies. Each patient should be approached with special care, using up-todate facts and proofs from clinical practice, and guided by the newest treatment protocols thus reducing complications in COVID-19 patients with comorbidities.
Research on internal indicators of financial stability of insurance companies in the Republic of Serbia
Authors: Stevanović Tatjana , Stanković Jelena , Stanković Jovica
Published: May 2021

Dynamic changes in the insurance sector require a new system of performance measures, which enables monitoring of multiple business segments of insurance companies and meets the information requirements of a large number of different stakeholders. In this regard, in the Republic of Serbia a multidimensional system of performance measures is used - the CARMEL framework, made according to the methodology of the International Monetary Fund. Due to the fact that these indicators indicate the effectiveness of different business segments, the analysis of the performance of insurance companies cannot be based only on one of these groups. Assessment of financial stability and ranking of insurance companies can be performed using different data mining algorithms. The obtained results show that key internal factors for the financial stability of insurance companies change under different economic conditions. During the period of the financial crisis the greatest impact on the financial stability of insurance companies had the quality of management, but also the earning capacity and profitability and liquidity of insurance companies. The classification of insurance companies according to their performance is compared with the official rankings offered by the supervisory body based on the value of the balance sheet assets and the value of premiums paid. It can be concluded that the largest insurance companies are not the most successful in all economic conditions. Inadequate capital management, as well as the inability to generate insurance and investment portfolios, has led to a drastic decrease in the profitability of these insurance companies.
Consequences of COVID-19 pandemic on placement of consumer products on the global market and the market of the Republic of Serbia
Authors: Marić Radenko , Đurković-Marić Tijana
Published: May 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020, caused unimaginable shocks on the demand side, especially with consumer goods (Fast-Moving-Consumer-Goods - FMCG). Anti-pandemic measures such as lockdown policy, reduced contacts, and keeping physical distance have caused the accumulation of basic food, a decline in demand for secondary products, and an increase in the share of electronic retail. In this regard, this paper aims to project the placement of consumer products during the COVID-19 pandemic on the market of the Republic of Serbia. The research will include a comparison of the situation on the domestic market in 2019, that is, the period preceding the pandemic, with the period March-August 2020. Based on two possible scenarios for the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, a projection of domicile GDP and sales volume of consumer products is going to be performed. The results of the research will indicate to trade policymakers and competent institutions what measures need to be taken for the revenue and profitability of the retail sector to reach the level they achieved in the period before the pandemic. The paper also presents suggestions for future research related to the subject matter.
A Combined Ship Science-Behavioural Science Approach To Create a Winning Yacht-Sailor Combination
Authors: Scarponi Matteo , Shenoi R. Ajit , Turnock Stephen R. , Conti Paolo
Published: May 2021

The challenge of racing one-design yachts is to maximize the performance of the yacht within the scope allowed by the relevant regulations. Such tuning of the yacht, for a well-policed rule, should only make possible small gains. The main area of possible performance gain is in how best an individual sailor or crew can fine tune their racing strategy. The ability to model such strategic decisions requires an understanding of both the physical behaviour of the yacht and how an individual sailor makes such decisions.

The present study seeks to predict the performances of a yacht-crew system as a whole by deriving numerical models for human behaviour alongside those referring to the physics of yacht motion. The former aspect, a transposition of athletes' psychology within the racing scene, is investigated by means of questionnaires submitted to skilled athletes and structured interviews with sailing coaches. The latter issue, the mechanical side of the problem, is analysed by solving yacht equations of motions in the time domain; crew inputs in terms of yacht steering and sail trim are considered. The paper presents results from simulations in which the yacht-crew system can sail a racecourse in an arbitrary wind pattern, according to strategic and tactical rules derived by common practice and following the decision making schemata obtained above.
A Tool for Time Dependent Performance Prediction and Optimization of Sailing Yachts
Authors: Battistin D. , Ledri M.
Published: May 2021

The development of a tool for predicting the dynamic performances of sailing yachts is presented in this paper. After establishing the equations of motion and the coordinate systems, the modeling of the various contributions to forces and moments of such a mechanical system is presented. These contributions are estimated making use of empirical formulas available in literature. Then the development of the graphical user interface is described, which allows a friendly approach to the solution of various problems, like for example the analysis of a tacking or gybing maneuver, or the study of the behavior in gusty wind. Some preliminary results are shown, for the case of a 37’ IMS racing yacht. They describe validation tests on steady course and round circle, then a tacking maneuver, and finally straight course sailing in gusty wind. They are compared, when possible, with experimental data. As last example, the tool is used in the context of a more sophisticated application, where it is embedded within an automatic optimization loop, aimed at finding the best rudder history during a tack. It is demonstrated how the optimization gives a significant result in terms of boat performance.
ARPRO®: A New Structural Core Material for the Yacht Industry
Authors: Labriola Corrado , Tagarielli Vito
Published: May 2021

Sandwich structures are increasingly used in marine applications where high bending specific stiffness and strength are required.

So far, expanded polymeric foams such as Styrene Acrilonitrile (SAN) and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) have been proved to be the most suitable core materials for motor and sailing yacht sandwich constructions. ISO standards have accepted these materials and suggested design rules built around their mechanical properties. One of the main drawbacks in the application of sandwich composite structures is the fact that their load carrying ability may be significantly reduced by the presence of a local damage such as core indentation or partial face sheet delamination. Local damages usually take place in dynamic scenarios and they can be caused by indentation due to floating object impacts, interaction with mooring structures and rocks or by high deformations due to slamming loads. It should be noted that such damages usually cannot be observed from outside the sandwich construction and they may cause a serious reduction in load-bearing capacity, jeopardizing the safety of the boat and its crew.

ARPRO® is an expanded polypropylene (EPP) foam extensively used in the automotive industry, where it has gained full approval due to its outstanding energy absorption characteristics. Unlike standard polymeric foams, ARPRO® foams possess a hyper-elastic stress versus strain response and recover their initial shape after having undergone very high deformations. For this reason this material is expected to enable the design of sandwich panels with an enhanced damage tolerance. In the case of an impact, the core stores the energy as it is compressed and once the load is released it will return to its original geometry preventing the skin from debonding. SAN or PVC cores would absorb the energy by destroying their cell structure leading in this way to core-skin delamination. On the other hand, ARPRO® has lower shear and compressive moduli which implies lower sandwich structures performances in static scenarios.

This paper presents static and dynamic testing aimed at determining the relative mechanical performances of sandwich beams cored both with ARPRO® and SAN foams. Comparison of the static and dynamic response ofthe two materials shows that ARPRO® is a potentially competitive core material for composite sandwich construction.
Added Resistance in Seaways and its Impact on Yacht Performance
Authors: Graf Kai , Pelz Marcus , Bertram Volker , Söding H.
Published: May 2021

A method for the prediction of seakeeping behaviour of sailing yachts has been developed. It is based on linear strip theory with some non-linear extensions. The method is capable to take into account heeling and yawing yacht hulls, yacht appendages and sails. The yacht's response amplitude operators (RAO) and added resistance in waves can be predicted for harmonic waves as well as for natural wave spectra. The method is used to study added resistance in seaways for ACC-V5 yachts of varying beam. Results are used for further VPP investigations. The AVPP velocity prediction program is used to study optimum length to beam ratio of the yachts depending on wind velocity and upwind to downwind weighting. This investigation is carried out for flat water conditions as well as for two typical wave spectra. The results show that taking into account added resistance in seaways has a strong impact on predicted performance of the yacht.
Immobilization-induced symptomatic hypercalcemia treated with zoledronate in a child with a left ventricular assist device
Authors: Gün Emrah , Kendirli Tanıl , Botan Edin , Uçar Tayfun , Aycan Zehra , Akar Ahmet Rüçhan
Published: May 2021

Differential diagnosis of hypercalcemia in children includes confirmation of hyperthyroidism, infection, inflammatory processes, and malignant tumors. Immobilization-induced hypercalcemia is rare in healthy individuals, although it can occur in adolescent males, especially after fracture. Immobility can cause increased skeletal calcium release and hypercalcemia, and this condition is also known as resorptive hypercalcemia. We present a case of a 10-year-old adolescent girl with advanced heart failure who underwent implantation with a HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist device. She had symptoms of abdominal pain, vomiting, and constipation on the fifth month of hospitalization. She subsequently developed immobilization-induced symptomatic hypercalcemia (serum calcium, 12.1 mg/dL; corrected calcium 12.8 mg/dL; parathormone, 1.9 pg/mL; calcium/creatinine ratio in spot urine, 1.21). However, hypercalcemia is uncommon in children with advanced heart failure. Bisphosphonate therapy was initiated because our patient did not respond to hydration and furosemide treatment, and she had persistent abdominal pain, vomiting, and constipation. The patient's complaints were resolved on the second day after administrating bisphosphonate, and hypercalcemia did not recur.
Single random measurement of urinary gonadotropin concentration for screening and monitoring girls with central precocious puberty
Authors: Lee Se Young , Kim Ji Myung , Kim Yoo Mi , Lim Han Hyuk
Published: May 2021

Purpose: The gold standard for assessing pubertal activation is the gonadotropinreleasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test (GnRHST), which is invasive, timeconsuming, and inconvenient. This study evaluated whether a single random measurement of urinary luteinizing hormone (LH) concentration could substitute for the GnRHST in diagnosing and monitoring central precocious puberty (CPP) in girls.Methods: Fifty-five girls with breast buds before 8 years of age were assessed by both the GnRHST and urinary gonadotropin assays. Based on the GnRHST results, 29 girls were assigned to the CPP group (peak LH≥5 IU/L), and 26 were placed in the premature thelarche (PT) group (peak LH<5 IU/L). Auxological data and urine and serum samples were collected at baseline and after treatment with a GnRH agonist for 12 and 24 weeks.Results: Although the auxological data did not differ between the 2 groups, the serum levels of insulin-like growth factor-1, basal LH, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, and peak LH; urinary LH; and peak serum LH/FSH and urinary LH/FSH ratios were higher in the CPP group than in the PT group. Pearson correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between the urinary and serum LH concentrations (r=0.660, P<0.001). Receiver-operating characteristic curve analyses showed that a urinary LH concentration of 0.725 IU/L was a cutoff that significantly predicted positivity on the GnRHST. Urinary LH and FSH concentrations declined significantly during GnRH agonist treatment.Conclusion: A single, random measurement of urinary gonadotropin concentration could be a reliable tool for initial screening and therapeutic monitoring of CPP in girls.
Myhre syndrome: the first case in Korea
Authors: Lim Dongjin , Kim Jae Hyun , Lee Jieun
Published: May 2021

Myhre syndrome (MS) is a rare autosomal-dominant disorder characterized by short stature, intellectual disability, skeletal anomalies, restricted joint mobility, distinctive facial dysmorphism, and deafness. Early diagnosis of MS is difficult because its features progress and become noticeable at school age. Recently, the SMAD4 gene was identified as the major gene responsible for MS. Herein, we report the first Korean case of MS after identification of a SMAD4 mutation by clinical exome sequencing. The patient was born small for gestational age, and she had the typical clinical features of MS, including short stature, characteristic facial appearance, developmental delay, and selective mutism. She was diagnosed with central precocious puberty. Because of the patient’s precocious puberty and short stature, we administered combined recombinant human growth hormone and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist treatments, which resulted in improved height. While there have been 79 cases of MS reported worldwide, to our knowledge, this is the first case of genetically-confirmed MS in Korea.
L’activité des gestionnaires au sein des espaces de discussion sur le travail : le cas de la planification opérationnelle d’une municipalité
Authors: Chadoin Martin , Vézina Nicole , Bilodeau Henriette
Published: May 2021

L’objectif de cet article est de modéliser l’activité de travail développée par la gestionnaire d’une municipalité québécoise au sein d’un espace de discussion conçu lors d’une recherche-intervention. En développant diverses stratégies d’enquête, la gestionnaire favorise le développement de la dimension réflexive de l’activité de ses employés, ainsi que la sienne. Cette discussion, en plus de favoriser des apprentissages mutuels, permet de co-établir une planification opérationnelle, qui servira de référence tant aux employés qu’à la gestionnaire. Par le fait même, elle permettra d’identifier des situations problématiques et de les résoudre.
POJĘCIE OPRESJI SPOŁECZNEJ W UJĘCIU ANN E. CUDD
Authors: Penczek Mateusz
Published: May 2021

Celem artykułu jest analiza i dyskusja definicji opresji społecznej zaproponowanej przez Ann E. Cudd. Na początku zostaną krótko scharakteryzowane wybrane sposoby rozumienia tego zjawiska w filozofii współczesnej. Następnie przedmiotem zainteresowania będą kluczowe elementy definicji opresji przedstawionej przez amerykańską autorkę. W dalszej kolejności scharakteryzowany zostanie społeczny i normatywny wymiar opresji oraz materialne i psychologiczne siły opresji. Do tych ostatnich zaliczają się takie czynniki, jak przemoc i wiarygodna groźba przemocy, nierówności ekonomiczne, racjonalne wybory ofiar opresji, bezpośrednie psychologiczne szkody opresji oraz pośrednie siły opresji psychologicznej, na przykład fałszywa świadomość czy zniekształcone pragnienia. Następnie zarysowane zostaną także najważniejsze interakcje między poszczególnymi rodzajami sił opresji. Na koniec wskazane zostaną zalety i ograniczenia omawianego ujęcia opresji.
NARZĘDZIA CYFROWE DO BADANIA OBRAZÓW
Authors: Radomski Andrzej
Published: May 2021

W artykule zostały omówione narzędzia cyfrowe, za pomocą których można badać zdjęcia, filmy i multimedia. Autor twierdzi, że dotychczasowe metody nie nadają się do badania cyfrowej kultury (przede wszystkim wizualnej, a zwłaszcza do badania dużych kolekcji danych - zwanych big data. Jest to związane z tym, że zostały one opracowane w celu badania tzw. tekstualnego świata. W artykule zostały zaprezentowane różne programy oraz uczenie maszynowe, za pomocą których można badać zarówno cechy samych obrazów, jak i to, co znajduje się na poszczególnych obrazach. Autor na przykładzie cyfrowej analizy dwóch filmów pokazuje możliwości poznawcze współczesnych technologii informatycznych, w tym również sztucznej inteligencji. Tego typu nowe badania obrazów zalicza do humanistyki cyfrowej.
Psychometric properties of the Swedish version of the satisfaction with life scale in a sample of individuals with mental illness
Authors: Garcia Danilo , Nima Ali Al , Kazemitabar Maryam , Amato Clara , Lucchese Franco , Mihailovic Marko , Kijima Nobuhiko
Published: May 2021

Background

Health assessment among individuals with mental health problems often involves measures of ill-being (e.g., anxiety, depression). Health is, however, defined as a state of physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease (WHO, 1948, 2001). Hence, in order to address mental illness during the 21stcentury, we need to develop methods for the prevention, identification and treatment of mental illness; but also, for the promotion, identification, and maintenance of well-being. In this context, over three decades of subjective well-being research have resulted in the development of measures of positive aspects of human life, such as the Satisfaction with Life Scale (Diener et al., 1985). Our aim was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Satisfaction with Life Scale in a Swedish population of individuals with mental illness using both Classical Test Theory (CTT) and Item Response Theory (IRT).

Method

A total of 264 participants (age mean = 43.46,SD= 13.31) diagnosed with different types of mental illness answered to the Swedish version of the Satisfaction with Life Scale (five items, 7-point scale: 1 =strongly disagree, 7 =strongly agree).

Results

We found positive and significant relationships between the five items of the scale (rranging from 0.37 to 0.75), good reliability (Cronbach’s alpha= 0.86), and that the one-factor solution had best goodness of fit (loadings between 0.52–0.88,p< 0.001). Additionally, there were no significant differences in comparative fit indexes regarding gender and occupation status. All items had high discrimination values (between 1.95–3.81), but item 5 (“If I could live my life over, I would change almost nothing”); which had a moderate discrimination value (1.17) and the highest estimated difficulty on response 7 (3.06). Moreover, item 2 (“The conditions of my life are excellent”) had less discrimination and redundant difficulty with both item 1 (“In most ways my life is close to my ideal”; 2.03) on response 7 and with item 3 (“I am satisfied with my life”; –1.21) on response 1. The five items together provided good information, with especial good reliability and small standard error within −1.00 up to about 2.00 and the highest amount of test information at 0.00 of the level of life satisfaction within this population.

Conclusions

Consistent with previous research, the scale had good reliability and provided good information across most of the latent trait range. In addition, within this population, sociodemographic factors such as gender and occupation status do not influence how individuals respond to the items in the scale. However, the items couldn’t measure extreme levels of low/high life satisfaction. We suggest replication of these findings, the test of additional items, and the modification of items 2 and 5 in order to use the scale among individuals with mental illness.
Halomonas
Authors: Ventosa Antonio , de la Haba Rafael R. , Arahal David R. , Sánchez‐Porro Cristina
Published: May 2021

Ha.lo.mo'nas. Gr. masc. n.hals halossalt; L. fem. n.monasa unit, monad; N.L. fem. n.Halomonassalt (‐tolerant) monad.

Proteobacteria / Gammaproteobacteria / Oceanospirillales / Halomonadaceae / Halomonas

The genusHalomonasis classified within the familyHalomonadaceaeand the orderOceanospirillalesin the classGammaproteobacteria. The cells are Gram‐stain‐negative and non‐endospore‐forming rods. Most strains are motile. Colonies are cream, cream‐yellow, yellow, white, brown, or orange pigmented. Chemoorganotrophic. Strictly aerobic or facultatively anaerobic. Catalase‐positive and oxidase‐variable. Halophilic or halotolerant. Some species are haloalkaliphilic or psychrotolerant. Optimal growth at 0–15% (w/v) NaCl, pH 6.0–10.0, and 20–40°C. The predominant cellular fatty acids include C16:0, C18:1ω7c, C16:1ω7c, C12:03‐OH, and C19:0cyclo ω8c. The predominant respiratory quinone is Q‐9. Currently, the genus includes 102 species, withHalomonas elongataas type species. The strains of the species of this genus were isolated from marine, saline, or hypersaline environments and other saline habitats or salted food.

DNA G + C content (mol%): 51.4–74.3.

Type species:Halomonas elongataVreeland et al. 1980VP.
Humibacillus
Authors: Takahashi Yoko
Published: May 2021

Hu.mi.ba.cil'lus. L. fem. n.
humus
soil; L. masc. n.
bacillus
, rod; N.L. masc. n.
Humibacillus
rod isolated from soil.

“Actinobacteria” / Actinobacteria / Micrococcales / Intrasporangiaceae / Humibacillus

Cells are Gram‐stain‐positive, nonmotile, non‐spore‐forming, and rod‐shaped bacteria that contain
LL
‐diaminopimelic acid (A
2
pm) as the diagnostic diamino acid of the cell‐wall peptidoglycan. The major menaquinone is MK‐8(H
4
). Mycolic acids are not detected. The G + C content of the DNA is 69–70 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence shows a novel lineage within the family
Intrasporangiaceae
, order
Micrococcales
, and a relation with the genera
Intrasporangium
and
Terracoccus
, genera that contain
LL
‐A
2
pm in the cell‐wall peptidoglycan.

The type strain KV‐663
T
was isolated from a soil sample collected in a paddy field in Japan. The strain YM21‐029, which belongs to the same species, was isolated from a lake sediment sample in Japan.

DNA G + C content (mol%)
: 69–70 (HPLC).

Type species
:
Humibacillus xanthopallidus
Kageyama et al. 2008b
VP
.
Salinibaculum
Authors: Cui Heng‐Lin
Published: May 2021

Sa.li.ni.ba'cu.lum. L. fem. pl. n.
salinae
salterns, salt works; L. neut. n.
baculum
, stick; N.L. neut. n.
Salinibaculum
, stick organism from salt works.

Euryarchaeota / Halobacteria / Halobacteriales / Halobacteriaceae / Salinibaculum

Cells are rod shaped under optimal growth conditions, red pigmented, stain Gram‐negative, are motile, and lyse in distilled water.
Salinibaculum
is a neutrophile that grows optimally at pH 7.5 and at 35°C. It is an aerobic, chemoorganotrophic extreme halophile (optimum growth at 3.1 M NaCl) and can grow on sugars, sugar alcohols, organic acids, and amino acids as carbon and energy source. The major polar lipids are the diphytanyl glycerol diether derivatives of phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester (PGP‐Me), and two major and two minor glycolipids. The genus
Salinibaculum
is classified within the family
Halobacteriaceae
, order
Halobacteriales
, and in the class
Halobacteria
. Currently, the genus consists of one species,
Salinibaculum litoreum
(the type species of the genus). The DNA G + C content is 61.9 mol% (genome). The type strain and single strain of
Salinibaculum
was isolated from the salted brown alga
Laminaria
.

DNA G + C content (mol%)
: 61.9 (genome).

Type species
:
Salinibaculum litoreum
Han and Cui 2020
VP
.
Environmental self‐regulation for sustainable development: Can internal carbon pricing enhance financial performance?
Authors: Ma Jialu , Kuo Jeffrey
Published: May 2021

Internal carbon pricing is an innovative self‐regulation mechanism where companies set their own carbon prices on business operations to mitigate climate risk and achieve sustainable development. While internal carbon pricing has gained popularity among multinational enterprises, its firm‐level impact is underexplored. This research provides novel theoretical and empirical evidence on how the internal carbon price as a cost component can contribute to profitability growth. We construct a panel dataset of 132 multinational enterprises across Europe, North America, and Asia by tracking their use of internal carbon pricing from 2013 to 2017 based on their records at the Carbon Disclosure Project. To address endogeneity bias, we employ propensity score matching method on a fixed‐effects model. Results indicate that using internal carbon pricing can increase return on assets by 1.1%. Firms with internal carbon prices are more likely to reduce cost of goods sold to improve return on assets. Our study suggests that internal carbon pricing as environmental self‐regulation can generate profitability gains through cost reduction. The research also points out the potential of voluntary internal carbon pricing to complement command‐and‐control carbon pricing regulations.
Water uptake of apple trees in the Alps: Where does irrigation water go?
Authors: Penna Daniele , Zanotelli Damiano , Scandellari Francesca , Aguzzoni Agnese , Engel Michael , Tagliavini Massimo , Comiti Francesco
Published: May 2021

Understanding root water uptake sources in agricultural systems is becoming increasingly important in the sustainable management of water resources under changing climatic conditions. In this work, a stable isotope approach was adopted to investigate water sources accessed by apple trees in two orchards growing in two different locations in the upper Etsch/Adige valley (Eastern Italian Alps). We tested the general hypothesis that soil water, composed of a mixture of rain and irrigation water, was the main source for tree transpiration in both fields, but trees could also access groundwater according to the different proximity to the groundwater table of the two orchards. Our results revealed that apple trees during the 2015 and 2016 growing seasons relied mostly on soil water present in the upper 20–40 cm of soils, with an apparently negligible contribution of groundwater, irrespective of the field location in the valley bottom. The isotopic composition of xylem water did not reflect irrigation water composition (or that of groundwater) but rather of rainfall and throughfall, and soil water. We related this behaviour to the intense rate of soil evaporation during the growing period that modified the original isotopic signature of irrigation water in the shallower layers, masking its actual contribution. This work contributes to improving the understanding of water uptake strategies in Alpine apple orchards and paves the way for further analysis on the proportion of irrigation and rainwater used by apple trees in mountain agroecosystems.
Environmental Characterization of Underwater Munitions Constituents at a Former Military Training Range
Authors: Rosen Gunther , Lotufo Guilherme R. , Belden Jason B. , George Robert D.
Published: May 2021

As a result of military activities, unexploded ordnance and discarded military munitions are present in underwater environments, which has resulted in the release of munitions constituents including the high explosives 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX), along with their primary degradation products, to the water column and adjacent sediments. The present study focused on the characterization of underwater exposure and concentrations of energetics such as TNT and RDX at the former Vieques Naval Training Range at Bahia Salina del Sur (Vieques, Puerto Rico, USA), a bay with documented high incidence of munitions. In situ passive sampling using polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCIS) was used for the detection and quantification of constituents in water at target locations approximately 15 to 30 cm from 15 individual potentially leaking munitions, and also at 15 unbiased locations approximately evenly spaced across the Bay. For comparison with POCIS-derived concentrations, grab samples were taken at the POCIS target locations. The POCIS-derived and averaged grab samples agreed within a factor of 3. When detected, munitions constituent concentrations (primarily TNT and RDX) were observed at ultratrace concentrations (as low as 4 ng/L for RDX), except 30 cm from one General Purpose bomb where the TNT concentration was 5.3 µg/L, indicating that low-level contamination exists at Bahia Salina del Sur on a very localized scale despite the relatively high density of munitions, similar to previously reported results for other munitions sites around the world. Sediment and porewater sampled at 4 stations where munitions constituents were detected in the water column had concentrations below detection (approximately 5 µg/kg and 5 ng/L, respectively), suggesting that the sediment was not a sink for these constituents at those locations. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:275–286. © 2021 SETAC. This article has been contributed to by US Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.

Abstract

Polar organic chemical integrative sampler placed adjacent to a 500-lb General Purpose bomb, potentially containing munitions constituents (e.g., 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene, hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-s-triazine), at Vieques, Puerto Rico, USA.
Neurocognitive basis of deductive reasoning in children varies with parental education
Authors: Demir‐Lira Ö. Ece , Prado Jérôme , Booth James R.
Published: May 2021

The neurocognitive basis of elementary academic skills varies with parental socioeconomic status (SES). Little is known, however, about SES‐related differences underlying higher‐order cognitive skills that are critical for school success, such as reasoning. Here we used fMRI to examine how the neurocognitive basis of deductive reasoning varies as a function of parental education in school‐aged children. Higher parental education was associated with greater reliance on the left inferior frontal gyrus when solving set‐inclusion problems, consistent with other work suggesting that these problems might more heavily rely on verbal systems in the brain. In addition, children who are at the lower end of the parental education continuum, but have higher nonverbal skills relied on right parietal areas to a greater degree than their peers for solving set‐inclusion problems. Finally, lower parental education children with higher verbal or nonverbal skill engaged dorsolateral prefrontal regions to a greater degree for set‐inclusion and linear‐order relations than their peers. These findings suggest that children with lower parental education rely on spatial and cognitive control mechanisms to achieve parity with their peers with parents who have more education. Better understanding variability in the neurocognitive networks that children recruit as a function of their parental factors might benefit future individualized interventions that best match children's characteristics.
Cytotoxic effect of galvanically coupled magnesium‐titanium particles on Escherichia coli
Authors: Kim Jua , Ren Dacheng , Gilbert Jeremy L
Published: May 2021

Orthopedic device‐related infections (ODRIs) are difficult to control due to microbial biofilm formation and associated with high‐level resistance to conventional antibiotics. In many cases, the only treatment option for ODRI is explantation. Previous studies have shown that application of cathodic potentials at the metal surface can eradicate biofilms, and Mg and Mg‐Ti particles have the same effect as cathodic potentials. This study investigated the effects of Mg and Mg‐Ti particles on established biofilms and planktonic cells E. coli. Bacterial cultures with developed biofilms or planktonic cells were treated with Mg or Mg‐Ti particles, and the viability were assessed using flow cytometry or visual assessment methods (i.e., observation from SEM images and opacity of the solution). It was found that viability of biofilms treated with 16.67 mg/ml of Mg was 2.8 ± 0.96% at the end of 6‐hr killing compared to untreated controls. This extent of killing was more significant compared to 24‐hr grown biofilms treated with ofloxacin, an antibiotic known to be effective against these bacteria. Biofilms treated with 50 and 100 μg/ml of ofloxacin had 62 ± 4.6% and 52 ± 19.3% survival, respectively, where ofloxacin at these concentrations is known to kill planktonic counterparts very effectively. Inhibition zone tests revealed that biofilms within 2 mm of Mg or Mg‐Ti particle clusters were effectively killed. These results demonstrated the potential of Mg or Mg‐Ti particles in killing microbial biofilms and potential for controlling ODRI.
Board attributes and corporate philanthropy behavior during COVID‐19: A case from China
Authors: Xuguang Zhu , Ahmad Muhammad Ishfaq , Ueng Joe , Ramaswamy Vinita
Published: May 2021

This study examines the relationship between board attributes and corporate philanthropic behavior for combating the COVID‐19 epidemic and stock price fluctuations The results show that the philanthropic behavior has a positive effect on the stock prices; that companies with female leaders are more likely to engage in philanthropic behavior; and that the proportion of female's directors is positively correlated with philanthropic behavior. Additionally, the results show that board size is negatively correlated with philanthropic behavior.
Incidence, electrophysiological characteristics, and long‐term follow‐up of perimitral atrial flutter in patients with previously confirmed mitral isthmus block
Authors: Ioannidis Panagiotis , Christoforatou Evangelia , Zografos Theodoros , Charalambopoulos Panagiotis , Kouvelas Konstantinos , Christoulas Georgios , Syros Periklis , Tsitsinakis Georgios , Kappou Theodora , Tsoumeleas Andreas , Floros Sotirios , Tagoulis Dimitrios , Ntarladimas Ioannis , Tagoulis Ioannis , Avzotis Dimitrios , Manolis Antonis S. , Vassilopoulos Charalambos
Published: May 2021

Introduction

After mitral isthmus (ΜΙ) catheter ablation, perimitral atrial flutter (PMF) circuits can be maintained due to the preservation of residual myocardial connections, even if conventional pacing criteria for complete MI block are apparently met (MI pseudo‐block). We aimed to study the incidence, the electrophysiological characteristics, and the long‐term outcome of these patients.

Methods

Seventy‐two consecutive patients (mean age 62.4 ± 10.2, 62.5% male) underwent MI ablation, either as part of an atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation strategy (n = 35), or to treat clinical reentrant atrial tachycardia (AT) (n = 32), or to treat AT that occurred during ablation for AF (n = 5). Ιn all patients, the electrophysiological characteristics of PMF circuits were studied by high‐density mapping.

Results

Mitral isthmus block was successfully achieved in 69/72 patients (95.6%). Five patients developed PMF after confirming MI block. In these patients, high‐density mapping during the PMF showed a breakthrough in MI with extremely low impulse conduction velocity (CV). In contrast, in usual PMF circuits that occurred after AF ablation, the lowest CV of the reentrant circuit was of significantly higher value (0.07 ± 0.02 m/s vs 0.25 ± 0.07 m/s, respectively; P < .001). Patients presented with clinical AT had better prognosis in maintaining sinus rhythm after MI ablation compared with patients presented with AF.

Conclusion

Perimitral atrial flutter with MI pseudo‐block may be present after MI ablation and has specific electrophysiological features characterized by remarkably slow CV in the MI. Thus, even after MI block is achieved, a more detailed mapping in the boundaries of the ablation line or reinduction attempts may be needed to exclude residual conduction.
The factor structure of the Zanarini Rating Scale for Borderline Personality Disorder: Exploratory Structural Equation Modelling and measurement invariance over time
Authors: Guo Boliang , Li Lingyan , Crawford Michael J. , Morriss Richard
Published: May 2021

Objectives

There is a lack of independent longitudinal evidence on the factor structure and validity of the Zanarini Rating Scale for Borderline Personality Disorder (ZAN‐BPD). This study aimed to investigate the dimensionality of ZAN‐BPD and its conceptual consistency over time.

Methods

Adult BPD participants (n = 276) were recruited for a multicentre, two‐arm randomised clinical trial with ZAN‐BPD measured at baseline and follow up at 12, 24 and 52 weeks. The construct and stability of the ZAN‐BPD across 52 weeks was examined through a measurement equivalence/invariance procedure via Exploratory Structural Equation Modelling.

Results

Factor analysis results showed that the ZAN‐BPD had a bi‐2 factor structure that was stable over 52 weeks with a general factor and two specific factors. Factor loadings for eight of the nine items were greater for the general factor than the two specific factors. Factor 1 contrasts externalising distress with internalising distress. Factor 2 contrasts depression and self‐destruction with interpersonal anxiety and conflict.

Conclusion

ZAN‐BPD is a conceptually and empirically valid measure of total BPD symptom severity in BPD patients over time suitable for use in clinical trials. Two factors related to the expression of distress and self‐harm may be utilised as possible predictors of outcome.
Identifying and mitigating systematic biases in fish habitat simulation modeling: Implications for estimating minimum instream flows
Authors: Rosenfeld Jordan S. , Naman Sean M.
Published: May 2021

Habitat simulation approaches (e.g., PHABSIM) have been used to model instream flows in thousands of streams and rivers and remain the most widely implemented detailed instream flow methodology. However, recent studies suggest that conventional habitat simulation models incorporate assumptions that may systematically underestimate instream flow needs, particularly for drift‐feeding fish. These include: (i) systematic biases in velocity habitat suitability curves (HSCs) caused by territoriality where dominant individuals displace subordinate fish to lower velocity micro‐habitats at high densities, thereby inflating the fitness value of low velocities; (ii) habitat simulation models do not account for flow effects on prey flux to drift‐feeding fishes, which may decrease more rapidly with reduced flow than does available habitat; (iii) use of focal velocities to construct traditional HSCs, which systematically underestimates velocity preference within the broader foraging arena of a drift‐feeding fish, and (iv) inadvertent use of low‐velocity HSCs associated with daytime refuging behavior from predators that may underestimate the higher velocities necessary for crepuscular foraging. Collectively, these factors suggest that current and historic flow prescriptions using traditional habitat simulation methods may underestimate optimal rearing flows for salmonids and other drift‐feeding species by anywhere from 10 to 50%. This implies that traditional instream flow management may be failing to provide the intended level of protection for drift‐feeding fishes in multiple streams at landscape scales. We provide guidelines for identifying contexts where model predictions are likely to be biased and approaches for correcting them.
Optimization of load balancing routing algorithm based on extended localized link states in low earth orbit satellite networks
Authors: Xu Xin , Dong Chaoying , Liu Aijun
Published: May 2021

It has been observed for a long time that there exists a conflict between the un‐uniform terrestrial traffic distribution and the regular satellite deployed in low earth orbit (LEO) satellite networks. This can result in the link congestion in some areas and the network performance degradation. Load balancing routing is an effective method to solve this problem. This paper discusses the optimization of this kind of routing algorithms and focuses on the local optimization problem due to the routing decision based on localized link states. The extended localized link state load balancing routing algorithm (LB‐ELS) is proposed. It makes use of the path congestion states to determine routes avoiding the local optimization and reduces the overhead by the on‐demand route computing and link congestion state exchange mechanism. The triggered local congestion notification mechanism (TLCN) is also presented, which ensures the timely response to the burst traffic changes and further alleviation of the traffic gathering in congestion links. Simulation results show that this algorithm can disperse the traffic better and improve the network performance greatly with an acceptable delay increase and a small overhead.
Morphological Analysis of general system–environment complexes: Representation and application
Authors: Hariharan Thangatur Sukumar , Ganesh L. S. , Venkatraman Vijayalakshmi , Sharma Piyush , Potdar Vidyasagar
Published: May 2021

Systems and their environments must be understood in an integrated manner because any changes in the systems will affect their environments and vice versa in the ubiquitous open systems. Existing studies classify systems based on the diversity of their interactions and the systems' responses to changes in their environments. However, the uses of such classifications are limited. We attempt to address this limitation by using morphological analysis (MA) to identify, represent and characterise the general system–environment complex (SEC) and its components. The latter, called ‘dimensions’, and their respective manifestations, termed ‘variants’, are integrated into the MA representation to enable a holistic understanding of SECs in terms of six dimensions and 101 variants. The resultant representation and characterisation will help researchers identify potential research opportunities, demonstrated through the construction of a variants intersection matrix, and help develop practical principles for system design and evaluation.