bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Viral inosine triphosphatase: A mysterious enzyme with typical activity, but an atypical function
Authors: James Amy M. , Seal Susan E. , Bailey Andy M. , Foster Gary D.
Published: January 2021

Plant viruses typically have highly condensed genomes, yet the plant‐pathogenic viruses Cassava brown streak virus, Ugandan cassava brown streak virus, and Euphorbia ringspot virus are unusual in encoding an enzyme not yet found in any other virus, the “house‐cleaning” enzyme inosine triphosphatase. Inosine triphosphatases (ITPases) are highly conserved enzymes that occur in all kingdoms of life and perform a house‐cleaning function by hydrolysing the noncanonical nucleotide inosine triphosphate to inosine monophosphate. The ITPases encoded by cassava brown streak virus and Ugandan cassava brown streak virus have been characterized biochemically and are shown to have typical ITPase activity. However, their biological role in virus infection has yet to be elucidated. Here we review what is known of viral‐encoded ITPases and speculate on potential roles in infection with the aim of generating a greater understanding of cassava brown streak viruses, a group of the world's most devastating viruses.
LF1 regulates the lateral organs polarity development in rice
Authors: Zhang Ting , You Jing , Zhang Yi , Yao Wanyue , Chen Wenbo , Duan Qiannan , Xiao Wenwen , Ye Li , Zhou Yue , Sang Xianchun , Ling Yinghua , He Guanghua , Li Yunfeng
Published: January 2021

The patterning of adaxial–abaxial tissues plays a vital role in the morphology of lateral organs, which is maintained by antagonism between the genes that specify adaxial and abaxial tissue identity. The homeo‐domain leucine zipper class III (HD‐ZIP III) family genes regulate adaxial identity; however, little information is known about the physical interactions or transcriptionally regulated downstream genes of HD‐ZIP III.

In this study, we identified a dominant rice mutant, lateral floret 1 (lf1), which has defects in lateral organ polarity. LF1 encodes the HD‐ZIP III transcription factor, which expressed in the adaxial area of lateral organs.

LF1 can activate directly the expression of LITTLE ZIPPER family gene OsZPR4 and HD‐ZIP II family gene OsHOX1, and OsZPR4 and OsHOX1 respectively interact with LF1 to form a heterodimer to repress the transcriptional activity of LF1. LF1 influences indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA) content by directly regulating the expression of OsYUCCA6. Therefore, LF1 forms negative feedback loops between OsZPR4 and OsHOX1 to affect IAA content, leading to the regulation of lateral organs polarity development.

These results reveal the cross‐talk among HD‐ZIP III, LITTLE ZIPPER, and HD‐ZIP II proteins and provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the polarity development of lateral organs.
Low‐carbohydrate ketogenic diets in body weight control: A recurrent plaguing issue of fad diets?
Authors: Schutz Yves , Montani Jean‐Pierre , Dulloo Abdul G.
Published: January 2021

The most appropriate type of diets to maintain or lose body weight over the medium to long term has been a matter of controversy and debates for more than half a century. Both voluntarily and coercive food restriction, resulting in negative energy and macronutrient balance and hence weight loss, have not been designed to be maintained for the long term. By contrast, when a classical and traditional type of alimentation is consumed in ad lib conditions (e.g., the Mediterranean “diet”), it generally provides an appropriate nutritional density of essential macronutrients and micronutrients; it is hence appropriate for long‐term use, and it provides several benefits for health if the compliance of the individuals is maintained over time. In this short review, we focus on four specific aspects: first, the need to agree on a clear definition of what is “low” versus “high” in terms of total carbohydrate intake and total fat intakes, both generally inversely related, in a representative individual with a certain lifestyle and a certain body morphology; second, the importance of discussing the duration over which it could be prescribed, that is, acute versus chronic conditions, focusing on the comparison between the fashion and often ephemeral low‐carbohydrate diet (acute) with the well‐recognized traditional Mediterranean type of alimentation (chronic), which includes lifestyle changes; third, the particular metabolic characteristics induced by the low‐carbohydrate (high fat) diet, namely, the scramble up of ketone bodies production. The recent debate on ketogenic diets concern whether or not, in iso‐energetic conditions, low‐carbohydrate diets would significantly enhance energy expenditure. This is an issue that is more “academic” than practical, on the ground that the putative difference of 100–150 kcal/day or so (in the recent studies) is not negligible but within the inherent error of the methodology used to track total energy expenditure in free living conditions by the doubly labeled water technique. Fourth, the potential medical risks and shortcomings of ingesting (over the long term) low‐carbohydrate ketogenic diets could exacerbate underlying renal dysfunction, consecutive to the joint combination of high‐fat, high‐protein diets, particularly in individuals with obesity. This particular diet promotes metabolic acidosis and renal hyperfiltration, which ultimately may contribute to a significant reduction in life expectancy in middle‐age people.
Wittgenstein and Phenomenology
Authors: Waal Deva
Published: January 2021

In this paper1, I give a clarification and interpretation of Wittgenstein’s use of ‘phenomenology’ and of his ‘phenomenological period’. During his phenomenological period (1929–1930), Wittgenstein used the term ‘phenomenology’ in a positive sense for his own work. He later rejected the term, however, by giving ‘phenomenology’ a second, negative sense. Some interpreters suggest that Wittgenstein’s ideas about phenomenology ‘went underground’ as a synonym for grammar.2I investigate this connection between grammar and phenomenology, and sketch the historical context of Wittgenstein’s conception of phenomenology by comparing it with Mach’s earlier and Husserl’s contemporaneous use of the term.
When Outcomes are not Enough: An Examination of Abductive and Deductive Logical Approaches to Risk Analysis in Aviation
Authors: Stogsdill Matthew
Published: January 2021

While airlines generate massive amounts of operational data every year, the ability to use the collected material to improve safety has begun to plateau. With the increasing demand for air travel, the aviation industry is continually growing while simultaneously being required to ensure the level of safety within the system remains constant. The purpose of this article is to explore whether the traditional analysis methods that have historically made aviation ultra‐safe have reached their theoretical limits or merely practical ones. This analysis argues that the underlying logic governing the traditional (and current) approaches to assess safety and risk within aviation (and other safety critical systems) is abductive and therefore focused on creating explanations rather than predictions. While the current “fly‐fix‐fly” approach has, and will continue to be, instrumental in improving what (clearly) fails, alternative methods are needed to determine if a specific operation is more or less risky than others. As the system grows, so too does the number of ways it can fail, creating the possibility that more novel accidents may occur. The article concludes by proposing an alternative approach that explicitly adds temporality to the concepts of safety and risk. With this addition, a deductive analysis approach can be adopted which, while low in explanatory power, can be used to create predictions that are not bound to analyzing only outcomes that have occurred in the past but instead focuses on determining the deviation magnitude between the operation under analysis and historically commensurate operations.
Trade liberalization, selection, and technology adoption with vertical linkages
Authors: Navas Antonio , Nocco Antonella
Published: January 2021

This paper analyses the role played by vertical linkages on the effects of trade liberalization on technology upgrading, average productivity, and welfare in a model of trade with heterogeneous firms. We find that the strength of vertical linkages shapes the effects that trade liberalization produces on firms’ survival and technology upgrading decisions, having an impact on the average productivity of the economy, and ultimately, on welfare. Our calibration results show that vertical linkages, technology upgrading, and their interaction magnify the effects of trade liberalization on average productivity and welfare.
Effectiveness of oral health educational interventions on oral health of visually impaired school children: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Bhor Ketaki B. , Vinay Vineet , Ambildhok Kadambari , Shetty Vittaldas
Published: January 2021

Aim

To evaluate the effect of newer and traditional oral health education (OHE) methods in improving oral health knowledge, oral hygiene status and practices, plaque, gingival, and dental caries status of visually impaired children.

Methodology

Comprehensive literature search was performed by using PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, Google scholar, and Open Gray from 2010 to 2020 for studies in English language. Two reviewers critically assessed the studies for eligibility criteria, and data extraction was performed. Quality assessment of selected studies was executed according to the study designs. A meta‐analysis was carried out using Review Manager 5.3 software.

Results

Twenty‐four articles were included for qualitative synthesis and out that 11 in meta‐analysis. Cumulative standardized mean difference for plaque (Silness and Loe, 1964) and gingival index (Loe and Silness, 1963) was −0.45 (−0.88, −0.02, p = 0.04) and −0.54 (−1.10, 0.03, p = 0.06), respectively favoring newer OHE group as compared to traditional OHE group. Comparison of different newer OHE methods had similar effects on the oral health of visually impaired children.

Conclusion

The study period of included studies was short‐term, so long‐term effectiveness could not be assessed, however newer OHE methods were effective in improving plaque and gingival scores over a short period.
The Iron Cage of Development: A Cross‐National Analysis of Incarceration, 2000 – 2015
Authors: Clark Rob , Herbolsheimer Chancey
Published: January 2021

Comparative studies on incarceration rely heavily on demand‐based explanations, suggesting that prison rates are driven by sentencing practices and the criminalization of certain activities. In turn, such theories are often tested against the backdrop of factors that regulate the supply of offenders and facilities. We agree that supply and demand factors may be proximate causes of prison population sizes, but that socio‐economic development is central to shaping the larger narrative. In this study, we identify a “criminological Kuznets curve,” whereby the association between incarceration rates and economic development is curvilinear, reaching its peak among middle‐income countries. Drawing from a sample of 680 observations across 111 countries during the 2000 – 2015 period, we find that incarceration is strongly associated with factors rooted in development, including crime rates, the age structure of the population, and democratization. We find that human rights conditions are positively associated with incarceration, which we interpret as a shift away from more severe forms of punishment (e.g., death penalty, torture) as societies modernize. Meanwhile, the effects of several other predictors (government expenditures and income inequality) are conditioned by a country’s level of development. Finally, when adding country fixed effects, we show that economic growth increases prison rates among low‐income countries, but reduces them among affluent nations, which directly contributes to the criminological Kuznets curve. Overall, we conclude that prison populations are shaped by both supply and demand factors, but that development processes help organize these relationships.
Multi‐level governance and central‐local tensions: The issue of local discretion in long‐term care policy in Italy
Authors: Arlotti Marco , Parma Andrea , Ranci Costanzo
Published: January 2021

Welfare reforms introduced at national level and implying changes in service provision are often managed by local authorities, and this fact paves the way for strong local‐central tensions. One of the sources of such tensions is the spread of local discretion in the implementation of central programs. In current literature, local discretion has been considered as a way not only to preserve local autonomy but also to capture central resources or to shift cost burdens upwards. This opportunistic behaviour is especially spread in countries characterized by weak vertical coordination in their multi‐level governance system. This paper investigates the dynamics of local discretion as a specific phenomenon relating to central‐local tensions by observing the implementation of an innovative national long‐term care program (Home Care Premium), in a national context (Italy) characterized by a high degree of institutional fragmentation. The findings show that, in spite of the programme's centralistic orientation and generous funding, specific discretionary practices have been extensively adopted by local authorities to develop strategies aimed at shifting the costs of local service provision towards central funding. Using a specific measure of local discretion, we examine first the territorial distribution of discretion over the country. Then, a regression model is developed to explain to what extent local discretion is explained by demand‐side, supply‐side or policy legacy factors. Results show the relevance of territorial socio‐economic inequalities in explaining local discretion and related cost‐shifting behaviours by local authorities located in poorest, highly deprived areas.
The Welfare Agenda of the Populist Radical Right in Western Europe: Combining Welfare Chauvinism, Producerism and Populism*
Authors: Abts Koen , Dalle Mulle Emmanuel , van Kessel Stijn , Michel Elie
Published: January 2021

Recent scholarship on the populist radical right tends to imprecisely describe the welfare agenda of this party family with reference to its key ideological characteristics of nativism, authoritarianism, and populism. We propose an alternative analytical framework that considers the multidimensionality of welfare state positions and the “deservingness criteria” that underlie ideas about welfare entitlement. Applying this framework to a sample of four European populist radical right parties, we conclude that three interrelated frames inform their welfare agenda. These parties, we argue, advocate social closure not only on the basis of the deservingness criterion of identity (welfare chauvinism), but also on criteria of control, attitude, and reciprocity (welfare producerism) and on an antagonism between the people and the establishment (welfare populism). Understanding the welfare agenda of the populist radical right requires us to move beyond welfare chauvinism and to reconsider the concept of welfare producerism and its interaction with welfare chauvinism.
Student Perceptions of educational handovers
Authors: Heidemann Lauren A. , Schiller Jocelyn H. , Allen Brittany , Hughes David T. , Fitzgerald James T. , Morgan Helen K.
Published: January 2021

Background

Educational handovers can provide competency information about graduating medical students to residency program directors post‐residency placement. Little is known about students’ comfort with this novel communication.

Objective

To examine graduated medical students’ perceptions of educational handovers.

Methods

The authors created and distributed an anonymous survey to 166 medical students at a single institution following graduation in the spring of 2018. Within this cohort, 40 students had an educational handover sent to their future program director. The survey explored comfort level with handovers (1=very uncomfortable; 5=very comfortable) and ideal content (e.g., student strengths, areas for improvement, goals, grades received after residency application). Respondents self‐reported their performance in medical school and whether a handover was sent. Correlation analyses examined relationships between performance and other variables. T‐tests examined differences between students who did and did not have a handover letter sent.

Results

The survey response rate was 40.4% (67/166) — 47.8% of students felt comfortable with handovers, 19.4% were neutral, and 32.8% were uncomfortable. There was no correlation between self‐reported medical school performance and comfort level. Respondents felt most strongly that strengths should be included, followed by goals. Those who had a handover letter sent expressed significantly higher comfort level (3.8 ± 1.0 vs. 2.6 ±1.3, p=0.003) with this communication.

Conclusion

Medical students reported varying levels of comfort with educational handovers; however, those who had handovers sent had more positive perceptions. In order to improve the education continuum, it is essential to engage students in the development of this handover communication.
Is low‐level laser therapy useful as an adjunctive treatment for canine acral lick dermatitis? A randomized, double‐blinded, sham‐controlled study
Authors: Schnedeker Amy H. , Cole Lynette K. , Diaz Sandra F. , Lorch Gwendolen , Rajala‐Shultz Päivi J. , Jennings Ryan N. , Hostnik Eric T. , Daniels Joshua B.
Published: January 2021

Background

Conventional therapy for canine acral lick dermatitis (ALD) consists of systemic antibiotics and anti‐anxiety medications. Low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) is a noninvasive therapy used to treat inflammatory and painful conditions.

Hypothesis/Objectives

The primary objective was to determine whether LLLT with conventional therapy would be beneficial as an adjunct treatment for ALD. We hypothesized that LLLT and conventional therapy combined would result in a greater reduction in licking Visual Analog Score (LVAS) compared to conventional therapy alone. Secondary objectives were to assess change in lesion/ulcer size, thickness and hair growth.

Animals

Thirteen dogs with a skin lesion consistent with ALD.

Methods and materials

Dogs were randomly assigned to two groups. All dogs received systemic antibiotics and trazodone. The treatment group (TG) received LLLT by laser (130 mW, 2 min) with blue and red light‐emitting diodes (LEDs), while the control group (CG) had sham therapy (laser/LEDs off). Treatments were administered three times weekly for two weeks, then twice weekly for two weeks for a total of 10 visits. Descriptive statistics were performed (mean, median); primary and secondary objectives were assessed with nonparametric ANOVA (Kruskal–Wallis test), with significance set atP < 0.05.

Results

Thirteen dogs (six CG, seven TG) were enrolled. There were no significant differences in median LVAS, lesion/ulcer size or thickness of the ALD lesion between TG and CG. There was a significantly greater increase (24%) in hair growth in TG (P = 0.0081) compared to CG.

Conclusions and clinical relevance

Treatment of ALD requires multimodal therapy. Although combining LLLT with conventional therapy did not result in a significantly greater reduction in LVAS, there was a significant increase in hair growth compared to conventional therapy alone.
Clinical signs and diagnosis of feline atopic syndrome: detailed guidelines for a correct diagnosis
Authors: Santoro Domenico , Pucheu‐Haston Cherie M. , Prost Christine , Mueller Ralf S. , Jackson Hilary
Published: January 2021

背景

猫特应性综合征(FAS)涵盖了一系列超敏反应疾病, 以高度多样化的临床表现为特征, 包括皮肤、胃肠道和呼吸系统。这些疾病包括猫特应性皮肤综合征(FASS), 其中超敏反应通常与环境过敏原相关, 尽管食物过敏可能同时存在。也可能累及其他器官系统 (如哮喘)。由于其高度异质性的临床表现, FASS的诊断可能具有挑战性。

目的

国际动物过敏性疾病委员会(ICADA)的一个亚组的任务是总结FASS临床表现的最新信息, 并制定诊断指南。

方法

检索在线引文数据库和国际会议摘要中与猫过敏相关的出版物。必要时结合专家意见。

结果

共找出107篇与本综述相关的出版物。汇编这些资料能够制定FASS临床特征的详细描述和制定指南, 重点是系统性消除具有相似临床特征的其他皮肤疾病。由于皮肤科医生经常使用过敏试验来支持FASS的临床诊断, 因此还对这些方法进行了简要综述。

结论和临床重要性

与犬特应性皮炎相似, FASS的临床诊断是基于相符的临床症状,并排除具有相似临床特征的其他疾病。在确诊FASS之前, 必须消除或排除跳蚤/跳蚤过敏、其他寄生虫、感染和食物过敏。
A corpus‐based approach to Chinese English lexis
Authors: Qin Melissa Xiaohui
Published: January 2021

The study approaches the currency of Chinese English lexis from two perspectives. First, it creates a linguistic profile of 408 high‐frequency Chinese English terms extracted from the Chinese English Dictionary (CED) corpus by conducting a systematic coding and a statistical calculation of their linguistic features and by comparing the quantitative results with numerical distributions in the extant literature. Second, it evaluates the currency of 3484 Chinese English words in CED against six established corpora of world Englishes in GloWbE and ICE by calculating their frequency statistics in these six corpora and re‐evaluates the suitability of GloWbE and ICE for lexical variation by comparing the quantitatively different results generated by the two corpora. Findings of the study cast light on the tendencies of the linguistic behavior of the well‐assimilated Chinese English items and on the nature and feature of the variety data in GloWbE and ICE in the world Englishes scenario.
Las nuevas tecnologías en la actividad aseguradora
Authors: Zapiola Guerrico Martín
Published: January 2021

El autor analiza el impacto de las nuevas tecnologías en la actividad aseguradora -fenómeno conocido como Insurtech- y destaca las posibles cuestiones jurídicas que pudieran surgir, entre ellas, el uso antijurídico de datos personales y el eventual sesgo discriminatorio de los algoritmos utilizados en la operatoria asegurativa. A los efectos de facilitar el debate jurídico de las distintas cuestiones tratadas, el artículo explica los conceptos básicos referidos a cada una de las tecnologías involucradas en Insurtech.
La prescripción extintiva en el contrato de seguro: una aproximación a su incidencia y configuración en el ordenamiento jurídico colombiano
Authors: Bedoya Chavarriaga Juan Camilo
Published: January 2021

La prescripción extintiva constituye un tema central de estudio en relación con el contrato de seguro al delimitar temporalmente el derecho del beneficiario a presentar una reclamación ante la compañía aseguradora una vez ocurrido el siniestro, así como, al tenor de lo dispuesto en el artículo 1081 del Código de Comercio, el ejercicio en cabeza de las partes del negocio jurídico de los derechos y acciones derivados de aquel y las normas que regulan su celebración y ejecución. De allí que, el presente trabajo, pretenda abordar de forma sintética las disposiciones normativas y pautas jurisprudenciales que regulan, bajo el ordenamiento jurídico colombiano, la aplicación de la institución de la prescripción al contrato de seguro y las acciones derivadas de las normas que lo regulan para de esta manera dilucidar la forma en que aplica la prescripción y sus particularidades en algunos procesos.
Stochastic Response of Hysteresis System Under Combined Periodic and Stochastic Excitation Via the Statistical Linearization Method
Authors: Kong Fan , Spanos Pol D.
Published: January 2021

A statistical linearization approach is proposed for determining the response of the single-degree-of-freedom of the classical Bouc–Wen hysteretic system subjected to excitation both with harmonic and stochastic components. The method is based on representing the system response as a combination of a harmonic and of a zero-mean stochastic component. Specifically, first, the equation of motion is decomposed into a set of two coupled non-linear differential equations in terms of the unknown deterministic and stochastic response components. Next, the harmonic balance method and the statistical linearization method are used for the determination of the Fourier coefficients of the deterministic component, and the variance of the stochastic component, respectively. This yields a set of coupled algebraic equations which can be solved by any of the standard apropos algorithms. Pertinent numerical examples demonstrate the applicability, and reliability of the proposed method.
The Flemish Interactive Coaching Monitoring System
Authors: Ponnet Hans , Vangrunderbeek Hans , McCarthy Liam
Published: January 2021

As large-scale coach education programs receive a growing amount of attention and investment (e.g., human and financial resources), the case for increased understanding of their impact is a pressing matter. In this paper, the authors outlined the creation of the Flemish Interactive Coaching Monitoring System (FICOMS) within the Flemish School for Coach Education (Belgium). The FICOMS is a data warehouse consisting of multiple databases, which was set up in 2019 to integrate data on coach education and coach certifications (1960–present), active coaches within club-organized sports (2014–present) and sport clubs, sports participants, and sports infrastructure. The FICOMS provides a variety of interactive and externally facing dashboards with useful statistics on coach education and coaching in Flanders. For example, the evolution of dropout ratios of qualified versus nonqualified coaches in sports clubs and sports federations can be identified, as well as the evolution of the percentage of qualified coaches in a specific sport, sports federation, or gender, or regional differences. By describing the main characteristics of FICOMS and sharing some emerging insights and early possibilities, the authors aimed to clarify the potential of this information technology for different stakeholders, such as governments, policymakers, sports federations, Olympic committees, education partners, municipalities, and researchers.
The cortical origin and initial spread of medial temporal tauopathy in Alzheimer’s disease assessed with positron emission tomography
Authors: Sanchez Justin S. , Becker J. Alex , Jacobs Heidi I. L. , Hanseeuw Bernard J. , Jiang Shu , Schultz Aaron P. , Properzi Michael J. , Katz Samantha R. , Beiser Alexa , Satizabal Claudia L. , O’Donnell Adrienne , DeCarli Charles , Killiany Ron , El Fakhri Georges , Normandin Marc D. , Gómez-Isla Teresa , Quiroz Yakeel T. , Rentz Dorene M. , Sperling Reisa A. , Seshadri Sudha , Augustinack Jean , Price Julie C. , Johnson Keith A.
Published: January 2021

An automated method to quantify TAU PET detected initial cortical tauopathy in Alzheimer’s disease and tracked subsequent amyloid-related TAU spread.
Assessment of Piperacillin-Tazobactam-Meropenem Synergy against Serine Carbapenemase-Producing
Enterobacterales
Using Time-Kill Assays
Authors: Lawandi Alexander , Leite Gleice C. , Cheng Matthew P. , Lefebvre Brigitte , Longtin Jean , Lee Todd C.
Published: January 2021

Synergy between piperacillin-tazobactam and meropenem against KPC-producing
Klebsiella pneumoniae
was recently demonstrated. We sought to test the combination against a broader range of serine carbapenemase producers.
The Benzimidazole SPR719 Shows Promising Concentration-Dependent Activity and Synergy against Nontuberculous Mycobacteria
Authors: Pennings Lian J. , Ruth Mike Marvin , Wertheim Heiman F. L. , van Ingen Jakko
Published: January 2021

Nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) is emerging worldwide. Currently recommended multidrug treatment regimens yield poor outcomes, and new drugs and regimens are direly needed.
Invasive fungal disease misdiagnosed as tumour in association with orbital apex syndrome
Authors: Parija Sucheta , Banerjee Aparajita
Published: January 2021

Invasive sino-orbital aspergillosis is a rare cause of orbital apex syndrome (OAS) in immunocompetent patients and often misdiagnosed as tumour because of its aggressive nature and invasive patterns. We report a 23-year-old immunocompetent man presenting with painful progressive loss of vision, ophthalmoplegia and proptosis of the right eye suggestive of OAS. MRI with gadolinium contrast showed an enhancing heterogeneous mass filling the paranasal sinuses, extraconal space and extending up to the right orbital apex. A functional endoscopic biopsy reported as invasive sino-orbital aspergillosis. He was started on intravenous voriconazole and maximal surgical debridement was done. He gradually regained his vision to 20/30 in the right eye. A review of literature reported several such cases which were managed medically or surgically but with poor visual recovery. This case highlights the need for awareness among clinicians for early diagnosis and treatment to prevent vision loss and better survival.
Internal jugular vein thrombosis associated withGranulicatella adiacens
Authors: Kawai Honami , Shiojiri Toshiaki
Published: January 2021

Granulicatella adiacens, which occurs as part of the oral microflora, is an uncommon cause of infection. However, it can cause serious bloodstream infections including infective endocarditis. Although oral bacteria, most commonly theFusobacteriumspp, can cause internal jugular vein (IJV) thrombophlebitis, there are no reported cases of IJV thrombosis causedby G. adiacens. Here we report a patient with septic IJV thrombosis withG. adiacensbacteraemia. A middle-aged man presented to our hospital with fever and altered mental status. Blood cultures were positive forG. adiacens, and pan-scan CT with contrast showed left IJV thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and abscesses in the gluteal muscles. The patient was successfully treated with antibiotics. When confronted withG. adiacensbacteraemia in patients with poor oral hygiene, it is necessary to be cautious of the fact that this organism can cause IJV thrombophlebitis.
Musculoskeletal injury in military Special Operations Forces: a systematic review
Authors: Stannard Joanne , Fortington L
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Special Operations Forces conduct military activities using specialised and unconventional techniques that offer a unique and complementary capability to conventional forces. These activities expose Special Operations Forces personnel to different injury risks in comparison with personnel in the conventional forces. Consequently, different injury patterns are expected in this population. The purpose of this research is to establish high-level evidence informing what is known about musculoskeletal injury epidemiology in Special Operations Forces.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted using three online databases to identify original studies reporting musculoskeletal injury data in Special Operations Forces. A critical appraisal tool was applied to all included studies. Descriptive data were extracted for demographics, study design details and injuries (eg, injury frequency, injury type, body part injured, activity, mechanism, severity). Results were narratively synthesised.

Results

Twenty-one studies were included. Trainees conducting qualification training had the highest injury frequency, up to 68% injured in a training period. The ankle, knee and lumbar spine were the most common body parts affected. Parachuting caused the most severe injuries. Physical training was the most common activity causing injury, accounting for up to 80% of injuries. Running and lifting were common injury mechanisms. Injury causation information was frequently not reported. Partially validated surveillance methods limited many studies.

Conclusions

Injuries are prevalent in Special Operation Forces. Future research should prioritise identifying injury causation information that supports prevention. Focus on improving surveillance methods to enhance the accuracy and comparison of results across cohorts is also recommended.
Predictors of serious bacterial infections using serum biomarkers in an infant population aged 0 to 90 days: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Chang Serena Su Ying , Lim Amanda Zhirui , Ong Gene Yong-Kwang , Piragasam Rupini , Allen John Carson , Ng Kee Chong , Maconochie Ian , Chong Shu-Ling
Published: January 2021

Objective

Young febrile infants represent a vulnerable population at risk for serious bacterial infections (SBI). We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of components of the complete blood count in comparison with C-reactive protein (CRP) to predict SBI among febrile infants.

Design and setting

Prospective cohort study conducted in a tertiary emergency department between December 2018 and November 2019.

Patients

We included febrile infants ≤3 months old with complete blood count results. We analysed their white blood cell count (WBC), absolute neutrophil ratio (ANC), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio, mean platelet volume to platelet count ratio, and compared these to the performance of CRP.

Main outcome measures

SBIs were defined as urinary tract infection, bacteraemia, bacterial meningitis, sepsis, pneumonia, skin and soft tissue infection, bacterial enteritis, septic arthritis or osteomyelitis.

Results

Of the 187 infants analysed, 54 (28.9%) were diagnosed with SBI. Median values of WBC, ANC, NLR and CRP were significantly higher in infants with SBI: WBC (13.8 vs 11.4×109/L, p=0.004), ANC (6.7 vs 4.1×109/L, p<0.001), NLR (1.3 vs 0.9, p=0.001) and CRP (21.0 vs 2.3 mg/L, p<0.001), compared with those without. CRP had the best discriminatory values for SBI, with area under the curve (AUC) of 0.815 (95% CI 0.747 to 0.883), compared with WBC, ANC and NLR. A predictive model consisting of WBC, ANC and NLR in combination with clinical parameters, had an AUC of 0.814 (95% CI 0.746 to 0.883). There was increased discriminative performance when this predictive model was combined with CRP, (AUC of 0.844, 95% CI 0.782 to 0.906).

Conclusion

In young febrile infants, CRP was the best discriminatory biomarker for SBI. WBC, ANC and NLR when used in combination have potential diagnostic utility in this population.
Metastasis-associated macrophages constrain antitumor capability of natural killer cells in the metastatic site at least partially by membrane bound transforming growth factor β
Authors: Brownlie Demi , Doughty-Shenton Dahlia , YH Soong Daniel , Nixon Colin , O Carragher Neil , M Carlin Leo , Kitamura Takanori
Published: January 2021

Background

Metastatic breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death in women worldwide. Infusion of natural killer (NK) cells is an emerging immunotherapy for such malignant tumors, although elimination of the immunosuppressive tumor environment is required to improve its efficacy. The effects of this “metastatic” tumor environment on NK cells, however, remain largely unknown. Previous studies, including our own, have demonstrated that metastasis-associated macrophages (MAMs) are one of the most abundant immune cell types in the metastatic tumor niche in mouse models of metastatic breast cancer. We thus investigated the effects of MAMs on antitumor functions of NK cells in the metastatic tumor microenvironment.

Methods

MAMs were isolated from the tumor-bearing lung of C57BL/6 mice intravenously injected with E0771-LG mouse mammary tumor cells. The effects of MAMs on NK cell cytotoxicity towards E0771-LG cells were evaluated in vitro by real-time fluorescence microscopy. The effects of MAM depletion on NK cell activation, maturation, and accumulation in the metastatic lung were evaluated by flow cytometry (CD69, CD11b, CD27) and in situ hybridization (Ncr1) using colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1) receptor conditional knockout (Csf1r-cKO) mice. Finally, metastatic tumor loads in the chest region of mice were determined by bioluminescence imaging in order to evaluate the effect of MAM depletion on therapeutic efficacy of endogenous and adoptively transferred NK cells in suppressing metastatic tumor growth.

Results

MAMs isolated from the metastatic lung suppressed NK cell-induced tumor cell apoptosis in vitro via membrane-bound transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) dependent mechanisms. In the tumor-challenged mice, depletion of MAMs increased the percentage of activated (CD69+) and mature (CD11b+CD27–) NK cells and the number of Ncr1+ NK cells as well as NK cell-mediated tumor rejection in the metastatic site. Moreover, MAM depletion or TGF-β receptor antagonist treatment significantly enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of NK cell infusion in suppressing early metastatic tumor outgrowth.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that MAMs are a main negative regulator of NK cell function within the metastatic tumor niche, and MAM targeting is an attractive strategy to improve NK cell-based immunotherapy for metastatic breast cancer.
Blocking LOXL2 and TGFβ1 signalling induces collagen I turnover in precision-cut lung slices derived from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Wei Ying , Dong Wenting , Jackson Julia , Ho Tsung-Che , Le Saux Claude Jourdan , Brumwell Alexis , Li Xiaopeng , Klesney-Tait Julia , Cohen Max L , Wolters Paul J , Chapman Harold A
Published: January 2021

We recently identified epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a trihydroxyphenolic compound, as a dual inhibitor of lysyl oxidase-like2 and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1) receptor kinase that when given orally to patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) reversed profibrotic biomarkers in their diagnostic biopsies. Here, we extend these findings to advanced pulmonary fibrosis using cultured precision-cut lung slices from explants of patients with IPF undergoing transplantation. During these experiments, we were surprised to discover that not only did EGCG attenuate TGFβ1 signalling and new collagen accumulation but also activated matrix metalloproteinase-dependent collagen I turnover, raising the possibility of slow fibrosis resolution with continued treatment.
The temporary ban on tobacco sales in South Africa: lessons for endgame strategies
Authors: Filby Samantha , van der Zee Kirsten , van Walbeek Corné
Published: January 2021

Background

The endgame literature recommends that, for a tobacco sales ban to be successful, several demand-side preconditions (eg, low prevalence and effective cessation support) should be in place. The South African Government imposed a ban on the sale of all tobacco and vaping products between 27 March and 17 August 2020, as part of the COVID-19 lockdown.

Objectives

To assess how cigarette smokers responded to the sales ban, to evaluate how the ban impacted the cigarette market in South Africa and to use the South African experience to inform endgame planning.

Methods

Regular preban cigarette smokers completed an online questionnaire from 4 to 19 June 2020 (n=23 631), in which they reported on their prelockdown cigarette smoking patterns, quitting behaviour (if relevant) and smoking behaviour during the ban.

Results

About 9% of prelockdown smokers in the sample successfully quit smoking. 93% of continuing smokers purchased cigarettes despite the sales ban. The average price of cigarettes increased by 250% relative to prelockdown prices. Most respondents purchased cigarettes through informal channels.

Conclusions

The demand-side preconditions for an effective sales ban were not in place in South Africa, making a sales ban inappropriate. The South African experience suggests that supply-side factors are also important in ensuring the success of a sales ban. These are: (1) the illicit market must be under control before implementing a sales ban; and (2) an effective sales ban needs to be synchronised with a ban on the manufacture, transport and distribution of cigarettes.
Gravitating superconducting solitons in the (3+1)-dimensional Einstein gauged non-linear $$\sigma $$-model
Authors: Canfora Fabrizio , Giacomini Alex , Lagos Marcela , Oh Seung Hun , Vera Aldo
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we construct the first analytic examples of $$(3+1)$$

(
3
+
1
)

-dimensional self-gravitating regular cosmic tube solutions which are superconducting, free of curvature singularities and with non-trivial topological charge in the Einstein-SU(2) non-linear $$\sigma $$
σ
-model. These gravitating topological solitons at a large distance from the axis look like a (boosted) cosmic string with an angular defect given by the parameters of the theory, and near the axis, the parameters of the solutions can be chosen so that the metric is singularity free and without angular defect. The curvature is concentrated on a tube around the axis. These solutions are similar to the Cohen–Kaplan global string but regular everywhere, and the non-linear $$\sigma $$
σ
-model regularizes the gravitating global string in a similar way as a non-Abelian field regularizes the Dirac monopole. Also, these solutions can be promoted to those of the fully coupled Einstein–Maxwell non-linear $$\sigma $$
σ
-model in which the non-linear $$\sigma $$
σ
-model is minimally coupled both to the U(1) gauge field and to General Relativity. The analysis shows that these solutions behave as superconductors as they carry a persistent current even when the U(1) field vanishes. Such persistent current cannot be continuously deformed to zero as it is tied to the topological charge of the solutions themselves. The peculiar features of the gravitational lensing of these gravitating solitons are shortly discussed.
The newly observed $$ Z_{cs}(3985)^- $$ state: in vacuum and a dense medium
Authors: Azizi K. , Er N.
Published: January 2021

We report on some properties of the newly observed charged hidden-charmed open strange$$ Z_{cs}(3985)^- $$Zcs(3985)-state by BESIII Collaboration. Assigning the quantum numbers$$ J^{P} = 1^{+}$$JP=1+and the quark composition$$ c \bar{c} s\bar{u} $$cc¯su¯and considering it as the strange partner of the famous$$ Z_c(3900) $$Zc(3900)state, we estimate the mass of the$$ Z_{cs}(3985)^- $$Zcs(3985)-resonance in vacuum and compare it with the experimental data. We also investigate its mass, current coupling and vector-self energy in a medium with finite density. Our result on the mass in vacuum agrees well with the experimental data. We estimate the mass and current coupling of the b-partner of this state,$$ Z_{bs}$$Zbs, in the vacuum as well. For its mass we get$$ m_{Z_{bs}}= 10732^{+97}_{-46}~\hbox {MeV}$$mZbs=10732-46+97MeV, which may be checked via other nonperturbative approaches as well as future experiments. We present the dependence of the spectroscopic parameters of$$ Z_{cs}(3985)^- $$Zcs(3985)-state on density and observe that these parameters are linearly changed with increasing in the density.
An analytical anisotropic compact stellar model of embedding class I
Authors: Baskey Lipi , Das Shyam , Rahaman Farook
Published: January 2021

A class of solutions of Einstein field equations satisfying Karmarkar embedding condition is presented which could describe static, spherical fluid configurations, and could serve as models for compact stars. The fluid under consideration has unequal principal stresses i.e. fluid is locally anisotropic. A certain physically motivated geometry of metric potential has been chosen and codependency of the metric potentials outlines the formation of the model. The exterior spacetime is assumed as described by the exterior Schwarzschild solution. The smooth matching of the interior to the exterior Schwarzschild spacetime metric across the boundary and the condition that radial pressure is zero across the boundary lead us to determine the model parameters. Physical requirements and stability analysis of the model demanded for a physically realistic star are satisfied. The developed model has been investigated graphically by exploring data from some of the known compact objects. The mass-radius (M-R) relationship that shows the maximum mass admissible for observed pulsars for a given surface density has also been investigated. Moreover, the physical profile of the moment of inertia (I) thus obtained from the solutions is confirmed by the Bejger–Haensel concept.
Wigner–Weyl formalism for the lattice models
Authors: Suleymanov Michael , Zubkov Mikhail
Published: January 2021

We discuss application of Wigner–Weyl formalism to the lattice models of condensed matter physics and relativistic quantum field theory. For the noninteracting models our technique relates Wigner transformation of the fermionic Green’s function with the Weyl symbol [Formula: see text] of lattice Dirac operator. We take as an example of the model defined on rectangular lattice the model of Wilson fermions. It represents the regularization of relativistic quantum field theory and, in addition, describes qualitatively certain topological materials in condensed matter physics. In this model we derive expression for [Formula: see text] in the presence of the most general case of external [Formula: see text] gauge field. Next, we solve the Groenewold equation to all orders in powers of the derivatives of [Formula: see text].
EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE ON MILD STEEL GRADIENT-DISTRIBUTED WBE IMMERSED IN 3.5 wt.% NaCl SOLUTION
Authors: ZHONG QINGDONG
Published: January 2021

To study the corrosion behavior of carbon steel in seawater at different temperatures, a novel electrochemical method called gradient-distributed wire beam electrode technique with high temporal and spatial resolution has been employed. This new wire beam electrode was prepared by three kinds of carbon steel with different carbon contents so that it can evaluate three materials simultaneously in the same corrosion medium (3.5[Formula: see text]wt.% NaCl solution) and improve the accuracy of tests results. After the gradient-distributed wire beam electrode soaked in 3.5[Formula: see text]wt.% NaCl solution for 8[Formula: see text]h, compared with measured at room temperature, the corrosion rate was accelerated greatly and polarity reversal of potential-current was also observed.
Remarks on Centers of Rings
Authors: Huang Juan , Jin Hailan , Kwak Tai Keun , Lee Yang , Piao Zhelin
Published: January 2021

It is proved that for matrices [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] in the [Formula: see text] by [Formula: see text] upper triangular matrix ring [Formula: see text] over a domain [Formula: see text], if [Formula: see text] is nonzero and central in [Formula: see text] then [Formula: see text]. The [Formula: see text] by [Formula: see text] full matrix rings over right Noetherian domains are also shown to have this property. In this article we treat a ring property that is a generalization of this result, and a ring with such a property is said to be weakly reversible-over-center. The class of weakly reversible-over-center rings contains both full matrix rings over right Noetherian domains and upper triangular matrix rings over domains. The structure of various sorts of weakly reversible-over-center rings is studied in relation to the questions raised in the process naturally. We also consider the connection between the property of being weakly reversible-over-center and the related ring properties.
Classification of Spherical Fusion Categories of Frobenius–Schur Exponent 2
Authors: Wan Zheyan , Wang Yilong
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we propose a new approach towards the classification of spherical fusion categories by their Frobenius–Schur exponents. We classify spherical fusion categories of Frobenius–Schur exponent 2 up to monoidal equivalence. We also classify modular categories of Frobenius–Schur exponent 2 up to braided monoidal equivalence. It turns out that the Gauss sum is a complete invariant for modular categories of Frobenius–Schur exponent 2. This result can be viewed as a categorical analog of Arf's theorem on the classification of non-degenerate quadratic forms over fields of characteristic 2.
Levi and Malcev Theorems for Finite-Dimensional Algebras from the Variety Defined by the Identities x2 = J( x,y, zu) =0
Authors: Garza Óscar Guajardo , Rasskazova Marina , Sabinina Liudmila
Published: January 2021

We study the variety of binary Lie algebras defined by the identities [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] denotes the Jacobian of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]. Building on previous work by Carrillo, Rasskazova, Sabinina and Grishkov, in the present article it is shown that the Levi and Malcev theorems hold for this variety of algebras.