bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lysine methyltransferase G9a is an important modulator of trained immunity
Authors: Mourits Vera P , van Puffelen Jelmer H , Novakovic Boris , Bruno Mariolina , Ferreira Anaísa V , Arts Rob JW , Groh Laszlo , Crișan Tania O , Zwaag Jelle , Jentho Elisa , Kox Matthijs , Pickkers Peter , van de Veerdonk Frank L , Weis Sebastian , Oosterwijk Egbert , Vermeulen Sita H , Netea Mihai G , Joosten Leo AB
Published: February 2021

Objectives

Histone methyltransferase G9a, also known as Euchromatic Histone Lysine Methyltransferase 2 (EHMT2), mediates H3K9 methylation which is associated with transcriptional repression. It possesses immunomodulatory effects and is overexpressed in multiple types of cancer. In this study, we investigated the role of G9a in the induction of trained immunity, a de facto innate immune memory, and its effects in non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) patients treated with intravesical Bacillus Calmette‐Guérin (BCG).

Methods

EHMT2 expression was assessed upon induction of trained immunity by RNA sequencing and Western blotting. G9a inhibitor BIX‐01294 was used to investigate the effect on trained immunity responses in vitro. Subsequent cytokine production was measured by ELISA, epigenetic modifications were measured by ChIP‐qPCR, Seahorse technology was used to measure metabolic changes, and a luminescence assay was used to measure ROS release. RNA sequencing was performed on BIX‐01294‐treated monocytes ex vivo.

Results

The expression of EHMT2 mRNA and protein decreased in monocytes during induction of trained immunity. G9a inhibition by BIX‐01294 induced trained immunity and amplified trained immunity responses evoked by various microbial ligands in vitro. This was accompanied by decreased H3K9me2 at the promoters of pro‐inflammatory genes. G9a inhibition was also associated with amplified ex vivo trained immunity responses in circulating monocytes of NMIBC patients. Additionally, altered RNA expression of inflammatory genes in monocytes of NMIBC patients was observed upon ex vivo G9a inhibition. Furthermore, intravesical BCG therapy decreased H3K9me2 at the promoter of pro‐inflammatory genes.

Conclusion

Inhibition of G9a is important in the induction of trained immunity, and G9a may represent a novel therapeutic target in NMIBC patients.
Approximations for the product, ratio, and sum ofα‐μrandom variables with application in the analysis of cognitive radio networks
Authors: Leonardo Elvio J. , Mafra Samuel B. , Montejo‐Sánchez Samuel , Fernández Evelio M. G.
Published: February 2021

Novel methods to approximate the probability density function of the product, ratio, and sum ofα‐μrandom variables are presented in this article. The approximations are simple to compute and produce results that range from fairly accurate to perfectly accurate, depending on the parameters of the involvedα‐μdistributions. In addition, as an application of the results, it is investigated the performance of a cooperative cognitive network in which the secondary source and the relays are energy‐constrained nodes and harvest their energy from the primary network.
Effect of the Paris system for reporting urinary cytology with histologic follow‐up
Authors: Rohra Prih , Ocampo Gonzalez Fernando A. , Yan Lei , Mir Fatima , Furlan Karina , Basu Sanjib , Barua Animesh , Cheng Lin , Park Ji‐Weon
Published: February 2021

Background

The Paris system (TPS) for Reporting Urinary Cytology provides a standardized reporting system whose main focus is the diagnosis of high‐grade urothelial carcinoma (HGUC). We conducted a study to see the impact of The Paris System on our cytologic diagnoses with associated histology.

Materials and methods

We reviewed our pathology database regarding urinary specimens in the year before implementation of The Paris System and the year after. We gathered the data regarding cytologic diagnosis and concurrent/subsequent histology.

Results

Over a 1‐year period from 2016‐2017, 486 urine cytology specimens were identified before implementation of The Paris System and diagnosed as follows: 83% benign/negative, 10% atypical, 2% suspicious, 5% HGUC, 0.2% low grade urothelial neoplasm (LGUN), and 0.2% unsatisfactory.

Over a next 1‐year period from 2017 to 2018, 602 specimens used TPS and diagnosed as follows: 85% negative for HGUC, 6% atypical, 3% suspicious, 4% HGUC, 0.17% LGUN, and 2% unsatisfactory.

Although, not listed as a standardized category in The Paris System, our institution used “Negative for high‐grade, cannot rule out low‐grade urothelial neoplasm (NHL)” as a subcategory of Negative for HGUC. 4% of the cases fell into this category.

Focusing on the Atypical category before TPS, histology was available in 15/49 (31%) cases. Of these, 40% had HGUC. Regarding the Atypical category after TPS, histology was available in 21/36 (58%) cases. Of these, 52% were HGUC. For the NHL category, concurrent histology was available in 13/26 (50%) cases. Of these, 67% were low grade urothelial neoplasms.

Conclusion

Our study showed that TPS lowered the rate of Atypical from 10% to 6%. After the implementation of TPS, Atypical corresponded to a higher rate of high‐grade urothelial carcinoma. Also, the NHL subcategory had a high positive predictive value for diagnosing low grade urothelial neoplasms.
Spatial patterns of leaf δ13C and δ15N of aquatic macrophytes in the arid zone of northwestern China
Authors: Gong Xusheng , Xu Zhiyan , Peng Qiutong , Tian Yuqing , Hu Yang , Li Zhongqiang , Hao Tao
Published: February 2021

Analysis of stable isotope composition is an important tool in research on plant physiological ecology. However, large‐scale patterns of leaf‐stable isotopes for aquatic macrophytes have received considerably less attention. In this study, we examined the spatial pattern of stable isotopes of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) of macrophytes leaves collected across the arid zone of northwestern China (approximately 2.4 × 106 km2) and attempted to illustrate its relationship with environmental factors (i.e., temperature, precipitation, potential evapotranspiration, sediment total carbon and nitrogen). Our results showed that the mean values of the leaf δ13C and δ15N in the macrophytes sampled from the arid zone were −24.49‰ and 6.82‰, respectively, which were far less depleted than those measured of terrestrial plants. The order of averaged leaf δ13C from different life forms was as follows: submerged > floating‐leaved > emergent. Additionally, our studies indicated that the values of foliar δ13C values of all the aquatic macrophytes were only negatively associated with precipitation, but the foliar δ15N values were mainly associated with temperature, precipitation, and potential evapotranspiration. Therefore, we speculated that water‐relation factors are the leaf δ13C determinant of macrophytes in the arid zone of northwestern China, and the main factors affecting leaf δ15N values are the complex combination of water and energy factors.
Current and time‐lagged effects of climate on innate immunity in two sympatric snake species
Authors: Combrink Lucia L. , Bronikowski Anne M. , Miller David A. W. , Sparkman Amanda M.
Published: February 2021

Changing environments result in alterations at all levels of biological organization, from genetics to physiology to demography. The increasing frequency of droughts worldwide is associated with higher temperatures and reduced precipitation that can impact population persistence via effects on individual immune function and survival.

We examined the effects of annual climate variation on immunity in two sympatric species of garter snakes from four populations in California over a seven‐year period that included the record‐breaking drought.

We examined three indices of innate immunity: bactericidal competence (BC), natural antibodies (NABs), and complement‐mediated lysis (CL).

Precipitation was the only climatic variable explaining variation in immune function: spring precipitation of the current year was positively correlated to Thamnophis sirtalis BC and NABs, whereas spring precipitation of the previous year was positively correlated to T. elegans BC and NABs. This suggests that T. elegans experiences a physiological time‐lag in response to reduced precipitation, which may reflect lack of capital for investment in immunity in the year following a dry year.

In general, our findings demonstrate compelling evidence that climate can influence wild populations through effects on physiological processes, suggesting that physiological indices such as these may offer valuable opportunities for monitoring the effects of climate.
Cardiovascular and renal outcomes with canagliflozin according to baseline diuretic use: a post hoc analysis from the CANVAS Program
Authors: Yu Jie , Arnott Clare , Neuen Brendon L. , Heersprink Hiddo L. , Mahaffey Kenneth W. , Cannon Christopher P. , Khan Sadiya S. , Baldridge Abigail S. , Shah Sanjiv J. , Huang Yuli , Li Chao , Figtree Gemma A. , Perkovic Vlado , Jardine Meg J. , Neal Bruce , Huffman Mark D.
Published: February 2021

Aims

The CANVAS Program identified the effect of canagliflozin on major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) differed according to whether participants were using diuretics at study commencement. We sought to further evaluate this finding related to baseline differences, treatment effects, safety, and risk factor changes.

Methods and results

The CANVAS Program enrolled 10 142 participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus and high cardiovascular risk. Participants were randomized to canagliflozin or placebo and followed for a mean of 188 weeks. The primary outcome was major cardiovascular events, a composite of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or nonfatal stroke. Secondary outcomes included multiple cardiovascular, renal, and safety events. In this post hoc subgroup analysis, participants were categorized according to baseline use of any diuretic. The effect on outcomes was compared using Cox proportional hazards models, while risk factor changes were compared using mixed‐effect models. At baseline, 4490 (44.3%) participants were using a diuretic. Compared with those not using a diuretic, participants using a diuretic were more likely to be older (mean age ± standard deviation, 64.3 ± 8.0 vs. 62.5 ± 8.3), be female (38.9% vs. 33.4%), and have heart failure (19.6% vs. 10.3%) (all Pdifference < 0.0001). The effect of canagliflozin on major cardiovascular events was greater for those using diuretic at baseline than for those who were not [adjusted hazard ratio 0.65 (95% confidence interval 0.54–0.78) vs. adjusted hazard ratio 1.13 (95% confidence interval 0.93–1.36), Pheterogeneity < 0.0001]. Changes in most risk factors, including blood pressure, body weight, and urine albumin‐to‐creatinine ratio, were similar between groups (all Pdifference > 0.11), although the effect of canagliflozin on haemoglobin A1c reduction was slightly weaker in participants using compared with not using diuretics at baseline (−0.52% vs. −0.64%, Pheterogeneity = 0.0007). Overall serious adverse events and key safety outcomes, including adverse renal events, were also similar (all Pheterogeneity > 0.07).

Conclusions

Participants on baseline diuretics derived a greater benefit for major cardiovascular events from canagliflozin, which was not fully explained by differences in participant characteristics nor risk factor changes.
Sodium–glucose co‐transporter 2 inhibition in patients hospitalized for acute decompensated heart failure: rationale for and design of the EMPULSE trial
Authors: Tromp Jasper , Ponikowski Piotr , Salsali Afshin , Angermann Christiane E. , Biegus Jan , Blatchford Jon , Collins Sean P. , Ferreira João Pedro , Grauer Claudia , Kosiborod Mikhail , Nassif Michael E. , Psotka Mitchell A. , Brueckmann Martina , Teerlink John R. , Voors Adriaan A.
Published: February 2021

Aims

Treatment with sodium–glucose co‐transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors improves outcomes in patients with chronic heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction. There is limited experience with the in‐hospital initiation of SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with acute HF (AHF) with or without diabetes. EMPULSE is designed to assess the clinical benefit and safety of the SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin compared with placebo in patients hospitalized with AHF.

Methods

EMPULSE is a randomized, double‐blind, parallel‐group, placebo‐controlled multinational trial comparing the in‐hospital initiation of empagliflozin (10 mg once daily) with placebo. Approximately 500 patients admitted for AHF with dyspnoea, signs of fluid overload, and elevated natriuretic peptides will be randomized 1:1 stratified to HF status (de‐novo and decompensated chronic HF) to either empagliflozin or placebo at approximately 165 sites across North America, Europe and Asia. Patients will be enrolled regardless of ejection fraction and diabetes status and will be randomized during hospitalization and after stabilization (between 24 h and 5 days after admission), with treatment continued up to 90 days after initiation. The primary outcome is clinical benefit at 90 days, consisting of a composite of all‐cause death, HF events, and ≥5 point change from baseline in Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire total symptom score (KCCQ‐TSS), assessed using a ‘win‐ratio’ approach. Secondary outcomes include assessments of safety, change in KCCQ‐TSS from baseline to 90 days and change in natriuretic peptides from baseline to 30 days.

Conclusion

The EMPULSE trial will evaluate the clinical benefit and safety of empagliflozin in patients hospitalized for AHF.
Mechanistic Insight into Chemical Reactions of Acyclic Diboryloxy Carbenes: the Activation Strain Model Study
Authors: Yang Ming‐Chung , Su Ming‐Der
Published: February 2021

To understand the origin of the activation barriers of the acyclic dioxycarbene and its heavier congeners, [(HCDippN)2BO]2G14 (G14=group 14 element), density functional theory calculations were used to study their reactivity with dihydrogen and ethene. Our computational results reveal that the insertion reaction of [(HCDippN)2BO]2G14 with H2 is energetically unfeasible from a kinetic viewpoint. On the other hand, only [(HCDippN)2BO]2C and [(HCDippN)2BO]2Si can readily undergo the [1+2] cycloaddition reaction with ethene. The activation strain model (ASM) was used to analyze the present computational results. The theoretical analyses indicate that when a small molecule (H2 or H2C=CH2) reacts with a big molecule ([(HCDippN)2BO]2G14), the former molecule must undergo a substantial deformation to gain a better overlap of electron density with the latter molecule. This circumstance, in turn, causes a large strain energy (ΔESTR,H2 or ΔESTR,C2H4) to influence the corresponding activation barrier. Accordingly, the heavier the central group 14 atom in [(HCDippN)2BO]2G14 is, the larger the atomic radius of G14 is, the higher the activation energies for the insertion reaction of [(HCDippN)2BO]2G14 with dihydrogen and the [1+2] cycloaddition reaction of [(HCDippN)2BO]2G14 with ethene will be, and the lower the reactivity of [(HCDippN)2BO]2G14 will be. This finding could help experimental chemists to design novel carbenes possessing fascinating substituents for carbenic chemistry.
Recommendations for conducting the rodent erythrocyte Pig‐a assay: A report from the HESI GTTCPig‐a Workgroup
Authors: Dertinger Stephen D. , Bhalli Javed A. , Roberts Daniel J. , Stankowski Leon F. , Gollapudi B. Bhaskar , Lovell David P. , Recio Leslie , Kimoto Takafumi , Miura Daishiro , Heflich Robert H.
Published: February 2021

The rodent Pig‐a assay is a flow cytometric, phenotype‐based method used to measure in vivo somatic cell mutation. An Organization for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD) test guideline is currently being developed to support routine use of the assay for regulatory purposes (OECD project number 4.93). This article provides advice on best practices for designing and conducting rodent Pig‐a studies in support of evaluating test substance safety, with a focus on the rat model. Various aspects of assay conduct, including laboratory proficiency, minimum number of animals per dose group, preferred treatment and blood sampling schedule, and statistical analysis are described.
Hot crack susceptibility of cast Mg97Y2Zn1
Authors: Krbetschek Christina , Trân Ricardo , Wemme Heike , Ullmann Madlen , Prahl Ulrich , Rafaja David
Published: February 2021

Formation of hot cracks in alloys is a critical issue for their production and processing. In this study, the susceptibility of the cast Mg97Y2Zn1 alloy containing long period stacking ordered (LPSO) structures to hot cracking was investigated using tensile tests in a Gleeble testing machine, and described in terms of the brittle temperature range (BTR), which was concluded from the zero strength temperature (ZST), zero ductility temperature, and ductility recovery temperature (DRT). The zero ductility and the DRTs were obtained directly from the mechanical tests, verified using fracture surface analysis in a scanning electron microscope, and correlated with the solidification range that was determined using differential scanning calorimetry. The extent of the BTR was 31 K, the width of the solidification range 100 K. The ZST coincided with the dissolution temperature of the LPSO structures, which means that the hot cracking susceptibility of the cast Mg97Y2Zn1 alloy is dominated by the dissolution of LPSO structures.
A High‐Efficiency, Portable Solar Energy‐Harvesting System Based on a Foldable‐Wings Mechanism for Self‐Powered Applications in Railways
Authors: Hao Daning , Zhang Tingsheng , Guo Liang , Feng Yan , Zhang Zutao , Yuan Yanping
Published: February 2021

With the rapid development of railways, sensors, signal lights and other rail‐side applications are being used to increase the safety of trains. The source of electricity for rail‐side applications remains a problem. In this study, a portable solar energy harvesting system (SEHS) is developed to supply power for rail‐side applications. The designed system can be used as a temporary or permanent power supply due to its portability. The proposed system is composed of two main parts: a solar foldable‐wings module (SFWM), and an energy storage module. The photovoltaic (PV) panels convert the solar energy into electricity, and the generated electricity is stored in supercapacitors which supply power to rail‐side applications. The Beijing–Tangshan Inter‐City Railway is selected for a case study. Theoretical analysis and simulation results show that the annual power generation of the SEHS can be up to 673,994 kWh. We conducted solar radiation simulation experiments on the proposed system in the laboratory using a solar simulator. Experiments show that the maximum output power of the proposed SEHS is 10.934 W when the prototype is loaded with 5 Ω, indicating that the proposed system would be able to supply power for rail‐side applications as a permanent power source or a temporary power source.
Dual‐function interface engineering for efficient perovskite solar cells
Authors: Luan Yigang , Wang Fuhui , Zhuang Jing , Lin Tao , Wei Yuanzhi , Chen Ningli , Zhang Yanyan , Wang Fuyi , Yu Ping , Mao Lanqun , Liu Huibiao , Wang Jizheng
Published: February 2021

Interface engineering has been proven a powerful tool to improve performances of the perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, highly π‐conjugated graphdiyne (GDY) is employed as an interface linker between the perovskite film and the hole transport layer (HTL). It is found that GDY can significantly suppress the formation of metallic Pb (a detrimental defect), and reduces carrier recombination. The linker can also form π‐π stacking interaction with the HTL, and facilitates transport and collection of photogenerated holes. The perovskite/GDY/HTL combination leads to large improvement in both power conversion efficiency (from 19.94% to 22.17%) and device stability. In addition, the GDY is also applied to the 3D/2D PSCs, and an outstanding PCE of 23.42% is achieved.

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Damping implementation issues for in‐structure response estimation of seismically isolated nuclear structures
Authors: Kumar Satyam , Kumar Manish
Published: February 2021

Seismic (base) isolation of a nuclear power plant (NPP) is a viable strategy to reduce seismic demands in structural elements and nonstructural systems and components. Accurate estimation of in‐structure response of base‐isolated NPPs is critical to the analysis and design of safety‐related structural components. Damping models and their implementation in contemporary analysis platforms play a significant role in the numerical response estimation of a nonlinear system. Most of the recent damping studies cater to moment frame buildings for which nonlinearities are modeled using massless rotational springs. There are unique challenges associated with the implementation of damping to numerical models of the base‐isolated NPPs due to the broad frequency range of interest and the markedly different damping characteristics of the isolators and the superstructure. In‐structure response spectra of a base‐isolated NPP are sensitive to the chosen numerical and modeling techniques, both of which are investigated in this paper. Three representations of base‐isolated NPP are considered: (1) a two‐node macro model, (2) a lumped‐mass stick model, and (3) a detailed finite element model. Rayleigh damping, modal damping, uniform frequency damping, and several combinations thereof were used with the three NPP models to obtain the median response of the base‐isolated NPP subject to 30 sets of three‐dimensional ground excitations. The results allow informed decisions regarding the selection of a numerical model and damping implementation to different analysis platforms needed to obtain a reliable in‐structure response of base‐isolated NPPs subject to earthquake shaking.
An engineering approach for evaluating the dynamic response of acceleration‐sensitive secondary systems in flexible structures
Authors: Pardalopoulos Stylianos I. , Manolis George D.
Published: February 2021

Secondary systems are nonstructural components that serve important functions within a structure, but are not considered as an integral part of the main structural system. There are many categories of secondary systems addressing architectural aspects, mechanical, electrical, communication, water supply and plumbing functions, as well as being part of the structure's content. The main issue regarding the installation of secondary systems in structures placed in seismically prone regions is preservation of their integrity and functionality during earthquake motions, since failure can have dramatic consequences in terms of property losses and safety concerns. This study introduces a new methodology for approximating the seismic response of acceleration‐sensitive secondary systems with a mass lower than 1% of the total mass of the primary structure, and whose seismic excitation derives exclusively from the motion of that structure, that is, interaction phenomena are ignored. The methodology applies to secondary systems installed on regular and flexible primary structures exhibiting floor diaphragm action and quantifies the seismic demand from information based solely on the deflected shape of the structure at the instant it reaches peak seismic response. The methodology can be applied in alternative ways, depending on the required accuracy of the results and on acceptable computational cost, yielding good quality results when compared to those derived from detailed time‐history analyses. Thus, the present methodology signifies a departure from the current state‐of‐design of acceleration‐sensitive secondary building components, which does not fully account for the vibrations of the primary structure. Finally, the accuracy of the methodology is gauged through a number of application examples involving different combinations of primary‐secondary systems.
The impact of duration of illness on treatment nonresponse and drop‐out: Exploring the relevance of enduring eating disorder concept
Authors: Fernández‐Aranda Fernando , Treasure Janet , Paslakis Georgios , Agüera Zaida , Giménez Mónica , Granero Roser , Sánchez Isabel , Serrano‐Troncoso Eduardo , Gorwood Philip , Herpertz‐Dahlmann Beate , Bonin Eva‐Maria , Monteleone Palmiero , Jiménez‐Murcia Susana
Published: February 2021

Objective

There are no generally accepted definitions or markers of treatment nonresponse in eating disorders (EDs). The aim of this paper was to examine how the duration of illness and other potential prognostic markers impacted on nonresponse and drop‐out from treatment across different EDs subtypes.

Methods

A total sample of 1199 consecutively treated patients with EDs, according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition criteria, participated in this study. Kaplan–Meier curves were calculated for each ED diagnosis in which the probability of recovery was plotted against the duration of illness.

Results

Full remission was more likely for people with binge eating disorder (BED; 47.4%) and anorexia nervosa (AN; 43.9%) compared to bulimia nervosa (BN; 25.2%) and other specified feeding and EDs (OSFED; 23.2%). The cut‐off points for the duration of the illness related with high likelihoods of poor response was 6–8 years among OSFED, 12–14 years among AN and BN and 20–21 years among BED. Other variables predicting nonresponse included dysfunctional personality traits.

Conclusions

Nonresponse to treatment is associated with duration of illness which is in turn associated with poor response to previous treatment. However, there was no evidence for staging the illness using specific duration of illness criteria. Nevertheless, the shorter temporal trajectory for OSFED suggests that early interventions may be of importance for this group.
The effect of forestry on energy efficiency in EU countries: A non‐oriented dynamic slack‐based data envelopment analysis
Authors: Lu Ching‐Cheng , Lin I‐Fang , Wu Dan , Zhang Xuping
Published: February 2021

According to the Paris Agreement signed on 12 December 2015, forests have great impact on controlling CO2 emissions. This study uses the nonoriented dynamic slack‐based data envelopment analysis model to evaluate the impact of a forestry area on the annual and overall energy efficiency in 28 EU countries during 2009‐2016. We found that annual and overall energy efficiency improved slightly and the energy efficiency in each country also changed when the forestry area was used as the output variable. Although the total energy consumption has declined slowly, CO2 emissions have not declined effectively. Thus, it will be challenging for the EU to meet its target of cutting CO2 emissions by 30% by 2030. All countries should take additional measures, such as energetically increasing forestry areas, optimally distributing the labor force among industries, and gradually replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy to improve their energy efficiency.
An oasis soil reference collection for the identification and study of ancient cultivated soils in arid environments (Oasis of Masafi, United Arab Emirates)
Authors: Costa Sophie , Purdue Louise , Dufour Aurélie , Charbonnier Julien
Published: February 2021

Oasis soils result from the combined action of natural and anthropic processes, and thus constitute valuable systems for the understanding of human–environment trajectories over the millennia. The present research aims to develop the study of ancient oasis soils by identifying proxies to detect past agricultural practices. Ten reference pits were dug in Masafi, in both cultivated plots (irrigated plots with palm trees/fruit trees/cereals; manure/ashes/carbonates) and abandoned ones. Bulk sediment samples were analysed for geochemistry/pedo‐sedimentary studies: inductively coupled plasma‐optical emission spectrometry, loss on ignition, pH, electrical conductivity, grain size and magnetic susceptibility. This multiproxy approach enabled the creation of a soil typology of oasis agricultural modes. Irrigation and liming lead to salinisation, particularly in a B‐horizon. Manure creates a hortic horizon, enriched in P and Zn. Ashes can be detected with a simultaneous increase of magnetic and salinity values. Soils in plots with fruit trees/cereals are not distinguishable from those with palm monoculture. Weathering was identified on the basis of the enrichment in Al, Ti, K Na, Ni, Cr and Fe, whereas proxies of ancient practices seem to be preserved after 15 years of abandonment. As leaching processes appear to be limited to the first 50 cm, the durability of soil signatures depends on how they were buried.
Designing a state‐of‐the‐art monitoring system in challenging operating conditions
Authors: Radončić Nedim , Sattlegger Elisabeth , Lacourse‐Dontigny Xavier , Mitsch Thomas
Published: February 2021

The construction joint venture NouvLR is constructing the new light rail network in Montreal. One of the major challenges is the advance below the existing runways and taxiways of the Montreal‐Trudeau International airport and the construction of the subway station below the airport. The airport must remain under operation during the construction, and very tight requirements have been imposed regarding the tolerable surface settlements and availability of the monitoring data. The regulations regarding operations of the airport and possible presence of foreign objects in vicinity of its runways and taxiways represent an additional challenge, requiring usage of less straightforward monitoring concepts. The works for the installation of the monitoring equipment must be closely coordinated with airport operations and require a reliable schedule.

The final geotechnical monitoring design has been performed in close cooperation with the contractor and in tight coordination with the airport authority. In order to allow more straightforward communication, 3D modelling and BIM‐methodology have been used to clearly represent the monitoring equipment, as well as the works required for their installation. The line‐of‐sight considerations in case of tachymeter measurements have been thus directly incorporated and dealt with. The monitoring design has to fulfil the aims of real‐time monitoring of the system behaviour during the construction and the long‐term monitoring of the newly built tunnel, demonstrating the compliance of the structure with the design. The paper is concluded by a summary of ”lessons learned“ regarding the issues of adverse accessibility and a challenging, high risk general environment.
Variant‐set association test for generalized linear mixed model
Authors: Zhan Xiang , Banerjee Kalins , Chen Jun
Published: February 2021

Advances in high‐throughput biotechnologies have culminated in a wide range of omics (such as genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and metagenomics) studies, and increasing evidence in these studies indicates that the biological architecture of complex traits involves a large number of omics variants each with minor effects but collectively accounting for the full phenotypic variability. Thus, a major challenge in many “ome‐wide” association analyses is to achieve adequate statistical power to identify multiple variants of small effect sizes, which is notoriously difficult for studies with relatively small‐sample sizes. A small‐sample adjustment incorporated in the kernel machine regression framework was proposed to solve this for association studies under various settings. However, such an adjustment in the generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) framework, which accounts for both sample relatedness and non‐Gaussian outcomes, has not yet been attempted. In this study, we fill this gap by extending small‐sample adjustment in kernel machine association test to GLMM. We propose a new Variant‐Set Association Test (VSAT), a powerful and efficient analysis tool in GLMM, to examine the association between a set of omics variants and correlated phenotypes. The usefulness of VSAT is demonstrated using both numerical simulation studies and applications to data collected from multiple association studies. The software for implementing the proposed method in R is available at https://www.github.com/jchen1981/SSKAT.
Evaluation of literature searching tools for curation of mismatch repair gene variants in hereditary colon cancer
Authors: Kaushik Varun , Plazzer John‐Paul , Macrae Finlay
Published: February 2021

Pathogenic constitutional genomic variants in the mismatch repair (MMR) genes are the drivers of Lynch syndrome; optimal variant interpretation is required for the management of suspected and confirmed cases. The International Society for Hereditary Gastrointestinal Tumours (InSiGHT) provides expert classifications for MMR variants for the US National Human Genome Research Institute's (NHGRI) ClinGen initiative and interprets variants with discordant classifications and those of uncertain significance (VUSs). Given the onerous nature of extracting information related to variants, literature searching tools which harness artificial intelligence may aid in retrieving information to allow optimum variant classification. In this study, we described the nature of discordance in a sample of 80 variants from a list of variants requiring updating by InSiGHT for ClinGen by comparing their existing InSiGHT classifications with the various submissions for each variant on the US National Centre for Biotechnology Information's (NCBI) ClinVar database. To identify the potential value of a literature searching tool in extracting information related to classification, all variants were searched for using a traditional method (Google Scholar) and literature searching tool (Mastermind) independently. Descriptive statistics were used to compare: the number of articles before and after screening for relevance and the number of relevant articles unique to either method. Relevance was defined as containing the variant in question as well as data informing variant interpretation. A total of 916 articles were returned by both methods and Mastermind averaged four relevant articles per search compared to Google Scholar's three. Of relevant Mastermind articles, 193/308 (62.7%) were unique to it, compared to 87/202, (43.0%) for Google Scholar. For 24 variants, either or both methods found no information. All 6/80 (20%) variants with pathogenic or likely pathogenic InSiGHT classifications have newer VUS assertions on ClinVar. Our study demonstrated that for a sample of variants with varying discordant interpretations, Mastermind was able to return on average, a more relevant and unique literature search. Google Scholar was able to retrieve information that Mastermind did not, which supports a conclusion that Mastermind could play a complementary role in literature searching for classification. This work will aid InSiGHT in its role of classifying MMR variants.
Tracing fault‐related fluids using in situ trace elements: A case study in Upper Cambrian dolostone in Gucheng area, Tarim Basin, NW China
Authors: Lu Ziye , Li Yingtao , Zhang Shaonan , Ye Ning , Zhu Bei , Lu Chaojin , Ding Xiaoqi , Huang Baiwen
Published: February 2021

The Gucheng area, located in the east of the Tarim Basin, is one of the important gas exploration targets, and the Upper Cambrian dolostone is the main pay layer. The dolostone is considered to be altered by hydrothermal fluids, but the hydrothermal altering degrees are still unclear. In this study we report the petrography and in situ trace elemental data, and try to discuss the hydrothermal fluids and their impact on the Upper Cambrian dolostones. Based on the petrography and CL properties, five types of dolomites are identified. MD1 and MD2 are the matrix dolomites. The crystal size of MD1 range from approximately 30 to 100 μm, while the MD2 is larger than 200 μm. Cement dolomite (CD) occurring only in vugs and fractures is subdivided into three types depending on the CL properties. CD‐zone1 is the core of CD with dull CL colours. CD‐zone2 comprises a bright red CL colour zone and a dull CL colour zone, and CD‐zone3 is the rim of CD dolomite with bright red CL colours. MD2 and CD‐zone1 show light rare earth elements (LREE) depletion, middle rare earth elements (MREE) enrichment and negative Eu anomalies. The REEY patterns of CD‐zone3 dolomite are marked by LREE enrichment and positive Eu anomalies. CD‐zone2 is the transitional mineral phase that shows slightly LREE depletion and negative Eu anomalies. The REEY patterns of CD‐zone1 suggest that CD‐zone1 is likely formed by local redistribution of older dolomites in a closed system. The REEY patterns of CD‐zone3 may indicate a magmatic associated hydrothermal fluid. Based on the petrography and in situ trace elemental data, the Permian magmatic fluid, which is recorded in CD‐zone2 and CD‐zone3 dolomites, may be only limited within fractures, while unlikely significantly altered the matrix dolomite in the Upper Cambrian.
Cost‐effectiveness analysis of public health interventions with impacts on health and criminal justice: An applied cross‐sectoral analysis of an alcohol misuse intervention
Authors: Ramponi Francesco , Walker Simon , Griffin Susan , Parrott Steve , Drummond Colin , Deluca Paolo , Coulton Simon , Kanaan Mona , Richardson Gerry
Published: February 2021

Cost‐effectiveness analyses of health care programs often focus on maximizing health and ignore nonhealth impacts. Assessing the cost‐effectiveness of public health interventions from a narrow health care perspective would likely underestimate their full impact, and potentially lead to inefficient decisions about funding. The aim of this study is to provide a practical application of a recently proposed framework for the economic evaluation of public health interventions, evaluating an intervention to reduce alcohol misuse in criminal offenders. This cross‐sectoral analysis distinguishes benefits and opportunity costs for different sectors, makes explicit the value judgments required to consider alternative perspectives, and can inform heterogeneous decision makers with different objectives in a transparent manner. Three interventions of increasing intensity are compared: client information leaflet, brief advice, and brief lifestyle counseling. Health outcomes are measured in quality‐adjusted life‐years and criminal justice outcomes in reconvictions. Costs considered include intervention costs, costs to the NHS and costs to the criminal justice system. The results are presented for four different perspectives: “narrow” health care perspective; criminal justice system perspective; “full” health care perspective; and joint “full” health and criminal justice perspective. Conclusions and recommendations differ according to the normative judgment on the appropriate perspective for the evaluation.
Factors associated with returning to work in head and neck cancer survivors in Singapore: A preliminary exploratory mixed‐methods approach study
Authors: Rangabashyam Mahalakshmi , Koh Shu Qing , Sultana Rehena , Tan Ngian Chye , Iyer N. Gopalakrishna , Soo Khee Chee , Fenwick Eva , Lamoureux Ecosse , Tan Hiang Khoon
Published: February 2021

Background

Little is known about return‐to‐work (RTW) among Asian head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors. We investigated the prevalence and factors associated with RTW among HNC patients with in Singapore.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional mixed‐methods study, 80 HNC patients, who had been working prior to diagnosis, completed questionnaires and 15 participated in qualitative interviews to explore perceived barriers and facilitators of RTW. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate factors associated with not‐returning‐to‐work (NRTW) within 6 months of treatment completion.

Results

Thirty‐five participants reported NRTW 43.8%. Multivariable analysis showed that patients with advanced stage (III‐IV) cancer (odds ratios [OR] = 4.51, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 1.15–13.28, p = 0.006), multi‐modality treatment (OR = 4.62, 95% CI: 1.38–15.52, p = 0.013), and pink‐collar jobs (OR = 9.30, 95% CI: 1.70–50.83, p = 0.010) had higher odds of NRTW.

Conclusion

The factors associated with employment after HNC treatment are complex. Identification of key modifiable factors may lead to improved RTW outcomes.
Associations of insurance, urbanity, and comorbidity with types of palliative care received by patients with head and neck cancer
Authors: Ramsey Tam , Lee Brian , Curran Kent , Desai Vilok , Debiase Carolyn , Galati Lisa , Gildener‐Leapman Neil
Published: February 2021

Background

Our study examined some of the social and medical factors associated with receiving pain palliation alone over more aggressive cytoreductive palliative measures, such as surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation among patients with head and neck cancer.

Methods

This retrospective study used the National Cancer Database 2016 for data analysis. Patient and tumor characteristics were examined using bivariate analysis and logistic regression to identify their association with receiving pain palliation alone versus cytoreductive palliation treatment.

Results

Using multivariate logistic regression analysis, insurance status (odds ratio [OR]: 0.27, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.15–0.50, p < 0.001), urbanity (OR: 1.73, 95%CI: 1.21–2.46, p = 0.002), and Charlson–Deyo scores greater than 3 (OR: 2.49, 95%CI: 1.38–4.47, p = 0.002) were significantly associated with receipt of pain palliation alone.

Conclusions

Clinicians should be aware of non‐health‐related factors, such as insurance status, that may influence patients' receipt of treatments in head and neck cancer.
Dorsal and ventral mossy cells differ in their axonal projections throughout the dentate gyrus of the mouse hippocampus
Authors: Botterill Justin J. , Gerencer Kathleen J. , Vinod K. Yaragudri , Alcantara‐Gonzalez David , Scharfman Helen E.
Published: February 2021

Glutamatergic hilar mossy cells (MCs) have axons that terminate both near and far from their cell body but stay within the DG, making synapses primarily in the molecular layer. The long‐range axons are considered the primary projection, and extend throughout the DG ipsilateral to the soma, and project to the contralateral DG. The specificity of MC axons for the inner molecular layer (IML) has been considered to be a key characteristic of the DG. In the present study, we made the surprising finding that dorsal MC axons are an exception to this rule. We used two mouse lines that allow for Cre‐dependent viral labeling of MCs and their axons: dopamine receptor D2 (Drd2‐Cre) and calcitonin receptor‐like receptor (Crlr‐Cre). A single viral injection into the dorsal DG to label dorsal MCs resulted in labeling of MC axons in both the IML and middle molecular layer (MML). Interestingly, this broad termination of dorsal MC axons occurred throughout the septotemporal DG. In contrast, long‐range axons of ventral MCs terminated in the IML, consistent with the literature. Taken together, these results suggest that dorsal and ventral MCs differ significantly in their axonal projections. Since MC projections in the ML are thought to terminate primarily on GCs, the results suggest a dorsal–ventral difference in MC activation of GCs. The surprising difference in dorsal and ventral MC projections should therefore be considered when evaluating dorsal–ventral differences in DG function.
Dysfunctional beliefs, sleep hygiene and sleep quality in university students
Authors: Humphries Rachael K. , Bath Debra M. , Burton Nicola W.
Published: February 2021

Issue addressed

Poor sleep quality is common among university students and can have negative implications for physical, emotional, cognitive and academic wellbeing. Previous research has identified that sleep beliefs and sleep behaviours are associated with poor sleep quality. However, few studies have examined these variables simultaneously. This study explored associations between dysfunctional beliefs about sleep, sleep hygiene and sleep quality in a sample of university students.

Methods

Participants were recruited from a pool of undergraduate psychology students and included 120 male students and 145 female students with an average age of 20 years (SD = 5.10). Participants completed an online survey including the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes About Sleep Scale, Sleep Hygiene Index and demographic items.

Results

Overall 60.4% of participants (59.4% of women, 40.6% of men) had poor sleep quality. Logistic regression indicated a significant positive association between sleep hygiene and sleep quality, OR = 1.16, P >.001, 95% CI (1.10, 1.23), and no significant relationship between dysfunctional beliefs about sleep and sleep quality, OR = 1.03, P > .79, 95% CI (0.84, 1.26), after adjusting for covariates.

Conclusions

Sleep interventions for university students are needed and could focus on common hygiene components, such as using the bed for activities other than sleeping, engaging in arousing activities before bed and how to manage thinking and worrying before bed. So What? The results of the study demonstrate poor sleep quality is common among university students and indicates that sleep interventions are warranted. The positive association found between sleep hygiene and sleep quality highlights that interventions should focus on behavioural components of sleep.
The implications of COVID‐19 for health workforce planning and policy: the case of Peru
Authors: Rees Gareth H , Peralta Quispe Felipe , Scotter Cris
Published: February 2021

Like many countries Peru is confronting uncertainties due to the COVID‐19 pandemic and its consequences. This is having impacts not only on health systems but also on the planning and preparation of its workforces. In this case article we summarise the progress Peru has been making to improve its workforce capacity and planning and review how Peru has coped with the stresses put on its health system arising from the pandemic. By recounting the responses that the Ministry of Health made through mobilising existing capabilities, additional workers and collaboration with health science faculties and health professional colleges, the article identifies that a longer‐term planning perspective based on skills that services require is something that Peru may consider to compliment the health workforce investments that are already being made. As such, this case provides an example for workforce planners and policy makers to contemplate when considering health workforce planning in post‐COVID uncertainty.
Influence of anisotropy on the Jeffrey fluid convection in a horizontal rotary porous layer
Authors: Yadav Dhananjay
Published: February 2021

Stability analysis of thermal convection for a Jeffrey fluid with rotation in an anisotropic porous medium is examined utilizing a modified Jeffrey–Darcy model. The linear stability theory is applied to examine how the Jeffrey parameter, rotation parameter, and anisotropic parameters affect the convective motion. It is observed that the rotation and the anisotropic in the thermal diffusivity act to delay the start of Jeffery fluid convection, while the Jeffery parameter and the anisotropic in the permeability show a dual effect in the presence of rotation. The extent of the convection cell diminishes with rotation and Jeffery parameters, while it augments with the thermal anisotropy parameter. Also, some previous outcomes are regained as special cases of the current analysis.