bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19): A systematic review of 133 Children that presented with Kawasaki‐like multisystem inflammatory syndrome
Authors: Keshavarz Pedram , Yazdanpanah Fereshteh , Azhdari Sara , Kavandi Hadiseh , Nikeghbal Parisa , Bazyar Amir , Rafiee Faranak , Nejati Seyed Faraz , Sadabad Faranak Ebrahimian , Rezaei Nima
Published: May 2021

Kawasaki‐like disease (KLD) and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS‐C) are considered as challenges for pediatric patients under the age of 18 infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). A systematic search was performed on July 2, 2020, and updated on December 1, 2020, to identify studies on KLD/MIS‐C associated with COVID‐19. The databases of Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Scholar were searched. The hospitalized children with a presentation of Kawasaki disease (KD), KLD, MIS‐C, or inflammatory shock syndromes were included. A total number of 133 children in 45 studies were reviewed. A total of 74 (55.6%) cases had been admitted to pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). Also, 49 (36.8%) patients had required respiratory support, of whom 31 (23.3%) cases had required mechanical ventilation/intubation, 18 (13.5%) cases had required other oxygen therapies. In total, 79 (59.4%) cases had been discharged from hospitals, 3 (2.2%) had been readmitted, 9 (6.7%) had been hospitalized at the time of the study, and 9 (6.7%) patients had expired due to the severe heart failure, shock, brain infarction. Similar outcomes had not been reported in other patients. Approximately two‐thirds of the children with KLD associated with COVID‐19 had been admitted to PICUs, around one‐fourth of them had required mechanical ventilation/intubation, and even some of them had been required readmissions. Therefore, physicians are strongly recommended to monitor children that present with the characteristics of KD during the pandemic as they can be the dominant manifestations in children with COVID‐19.
Testing for differences between two distributions in the presence of serial correlation using theKolmogorov–Smirnovand Kuiper's tests
Authors: Lanzante John R.
Published: May 2021

Testing for differences between two states is a staple of climate research, for example, applying a Student'sttest to test for the differences in means. A more general approach is to test for differences in the entire distributions. Increasingly, this latter approach is being used in the context of climate change research where some societal impacts may be more sensitive to changes further from the centre of the distribution. The Kolmogorov–Smirnov (KS) test, probably the most widely‐used method in distributional testing, along with the closely related, but lesser known Kuiper's (KU) test are examined here. These, like most common statistical tests, assume that the data to which they are applied consist of independent observations. Unfortunately, commonly used data such as daily time series of temperature typically violate this assumption due to day‐to‐day autocorrelation. This work explores the consequences of this. Three variants of the KS and KU tests are explored: the traditional approach ignoring autocorrelation, use of an ‘effective sample size’ based on the lag‐1 autocorrelation, and Monte Carlo simulations employing a first order autoregressive model appropriate to a variety of data commonly used in climate science. Results indicate that large errors in inferences are possible when the temporal coherence is ignored. The guidance and materials provided here can be used to anticipate the magnitude of the errors. Bias caused by the errors can be mitigated via easy to use ‘look‐up’ tables or more broadly through application of polynomial coefficients fit to the simulation results.
Skeletal muscle cellular contractile dysfunction after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction contributes to quadriceps weakness at 6‐month follow‐up
Authors: Tourville Timothy W. , Voigt Thomas B. , Choquette Rebecca H. , Failla Mathew J. , Endres Nathan K. , Slauterbeck James R. , Beynnon Bruce D. , Toth Michael J.
Published: May 2021

Muscle dysfunction following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) may evolve from alterations in muscle contractility at the myofilament protein level. Using a prospective, within‐subject case–control design, we evaluated cellular‐level contractility, cross‐sectional area (CSA), and myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform expression on single muscle fibers 3 weeks post ACLR, and evaluated their relationship to whole muscle strength and patient‐oriented outcomes 6 months post operation. Biopsies of the vastus lateralis were performed 3 weeks post ACLR in 11 subjects (5 females, mean age ± SD = 24.7 ± 6.5 years, height = 172.7 ± 8.2 cm, mass = 75.7 ± 12.5 kg) following first‐time ACL rupture and whole muscle strength and self‐reported pain, function, and quality of life assessed 6 months post ACLR. At 3 weeks post ACLR, force production was reduced (p < 0.01) in MHC I (−36%) and IIA (−48%) fibers compared with the non‐injured leg. When force production was expressed relative to CSA to account for fiber atrophy, reductions remained in MHC IIA fibers (−40%; p < 0.001), but MHC I fibers showed only a trend toward being lower (−13%; p = 0.09). Finally, skeletal muscle fiber functional deficits at 3 weeks post ACLR were associated with whole muscle weakness and less favorable patient‐reported outcomes at 6‐month follow‐up. Thus, ACLR promotes early cellular contractile dysfunction that may contribute to decreased whole muscle strength and patient function, and increased patient‐reported symptoms, at 6‐month follow‐up.
Human meniscus allograft augmentation by allogeneic mesenchymal stromal/stem cell injections
Authors: Struijk Caroline , Van Genechten Wouter , Verdonk Peter , Krych Aaron J. , Dietz Allan B. , van Wijnen Andre J. , Saris Daniel B. F.
Published: May 2021

Meniscus allograft transplantations (MATs) represent established surgical procedures with proven outcomes. Yet, storage as frozen specimens and limited cellular repopulation may impair graft viability. This proof‐of‐concept study tests the feasibility of injecting allogeneic mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) in meniscus allograft tissue. We investigated the injectable cell quantity, survival rate, migration, and proliferation ability of MSCs up to 28 days of incubation. In this controlled laboratory study, seven fresh‐frozen human allografts were injected with human allogeneic MSCs. Cells were labeled and histological characteristics were microscopically imaged up to 28 days. Mock‐injected menisci were included as negative controls in each experiment. Toluidine blue staining demonstrated that a 100‐µl volume can be injected while retracting and rotating the inserted needle. Immediately after injection, labeled MSCs were distributed throughout the injection channel and eventually migrated into the surrounding tissues. Histological assessment revealed that MSCs cluster in disc‐like shapes, parallel to the intrinsic lamination of the meniscus and around the vascular network. Quantification showed that more than 60% of cells were present in horizontally injected grafts and more than 30% were observed in vertically injected samples. On Day 14, cells adopted a spindle‐shaped morphology and exhibited proliferative and migratory behaviors. On Day 28, live/dead ratio assessment revealed an approximately 80% cell survival. The study demonstrated the feasibility of injecting doses of MSCs (>0.1 million) in meniscus allograft tissue with active cell proliferation, migration, and robust cell survival.
Artificial intelligence and carbon footprints: Roadmap for Indian agriculture
Authors: Mor Surender , Madan Sonu , Prasad Kumar Dharmendra
Published: May 2021

Artificial intelligence technology in the agricultural sector can reduce carbon emissions from agrarian activities and revitalize the whole industry. The Indian agricultural sector has become costly, time‐consuming, and outdated owing to the global warming process. The deployment of AI technology in Indian agriculture is still a distant dream, given the peculiarities like small‐size farms, traditional farming methods, lack of credit, storage facilities, and the decision maker's risk‐seeking attitude. AI solutions need to be delivered at the farmers' doorstep in their local language, with proper training, input support, and in collective/cooperative manner for realizing sustainable and green agriculture.
Long‐term continuous cropping affects ecoenzymatic stoichiometry of microbial nutrient acquisition: a case study from a Chinese Mollisol
Authors: Chen Xu , Han Xiaozeng , Lu Xinchun , Yan Jun , Biswas Asim , Zou Wenxiu
Published: May 2021

BACKGROUND

Soil‐ and plant‐produced extracellular enzymes drive nutrient cycling in soils and are assumed to regulate supply and demand for carbon (C) and nutrients within the soil. Thus, agriculture management decisions that alter the balance of plant and supplemental nutrients should directly alter extracellular enzyme activities (EEAs), and EEA stoichiometry in predictable ways. We used a 12‐year experiment that varyied three major continuous grain crops (wheat, soybean, and maize), each crossed with mineral fertilizer (WCF, SCF and MCF, respectively) or not fertilized (WC, SC and MC, respectively, as controls). In response, we measured the phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs), EEAs and their stoichiometry to examine the changes to soil microbial nutrient demand under the continuous cropping of crops, which differed with respect to the input of plant litter and fertilizer.

RESULTS

Fertilizer generally decreased soil microbial biomass and enzyme activity compared to non‐fertilized soil. According to enzyme stoichiometry, microbial nutrient demand was generally C‐ and phosphorus (P)‐limited, but not nitrogen (N)‐limited. However, the degree of microbial resource limitation differed among the three crops. The enzymatic C:N ratio was significantly lower by 13.3% and 26.8%, whereas the enzymatic N:P ratio was significantly higher by 9.9% and 42.4%, in MCF than in WCF and SCF, respectively. The abundances of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and aerobic PLFAs were significantly higher in MCF than in WCF and SCF.

CONCLUSION

These findings are crucial for characterizing enzymatic activities and their stoichiometries that drive microbial metabolism with respect to understanding soil nutrient cycles and environmental conditions and optimizing practices of agricultural management. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Effects of vacuum packaging storage of minimally processed cassava roots at various temperatures on microflora, tissue structure, starch extraction by wet milling and granule quality
Authors: Odoch Martin , Buys Elna M , Taylor John RN
Published: May 2021

BACKGROUND

Vacuum package storage is commonly applied to reduce postharvest deterioration in minimally processed cassava roots. However, the influence of vacuum packaging conditions on root end‐use quality is poorly understood. Hence, the effects of vacuum packaged storage at ambient, refrigerated and freezing temperatures on microflora, cassava tissue structure and starch extraction by wet milling were studied.

RESULTS

Vacuum packaged storage temperature strongly affected cassava root quality. Minimal adverse effects were obtained with frozen storage. With refrigerated storage, there was negligible microbial growth but some disruption of the parenchyma cell wall structure suggestive of chilling injury. With ambient temperature storage, there was considerable Lactobacilli dominated fermentation. This caused substantial cell degradation, probably due to the production of extracellular cellulolytic and other cell wall degrading enzymes. A benefit of this cell wall breakdown was that it substantially improved starch extraction with wet milling from the stored cassava pieces; by 18% with pieces that had been ambient vacuum packaged and wet milled using a 2000 μm opening screen. However, ambient temperature storage resulted in some starch granule pitting due to the action of extracellular amylases from the fermenting microorganisms.

CONCLUSION

The best vacuum packaging storage conditions for minimally processed cassava depends on application and cost. For short‐term storage, refrigeration would be best for vegetable‐type products. For several months storage, freezing is best. For wet milling applications, this could be combined with subsequent short‐term ambient temperature storage as it improves starch extraction efficiency and could reduce distribution energy costs. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Sulfur cycling in oceanic oxygen minimum zones
Authors: Callbeck Cameron M. , Canfield Donald E. , Kuypers Marcel M. M. , Yilmaz Pelin , Lavik Gaute , Thamdrup Bo , Schubert Carsten J. , Bristow Laura A.
Published: May 2021

The sulfur cycle is an important, although understudied facet of today's modern oxygen minimum zones (OMZs). Sulfur cycling is most active in highly productive coastal OMZs where sulfide‐rich sediments interact with the overlying water column, forming a tightly coupled benthic‐pelagic sulfur cycle. In such productive coastal systems, highly eutrophic and anoxic conditions can result in the benthic release of sulfide leading to an intensification of OMZ‐shelf biogeochemistry. Active blooms involving a succession of sulfide‐oxidizing bacteria detoxify sulfide and reduce nitrate to N2, while generating nitrite and ammonium that augment anammox and nitrification. Furthermore, the abiotic interactions of sulfide with trace metals may have the potential to moderate nitrous oxide emissions. While sulfide/sulfur accumulation events were previously considered to be rare, new evidence indicates that events can develop in OMZ shelf waters over prolonged periods of anoxia. The prevalence of these events has ramifications for nitrogen loss and greenhouse gas emissions, including other linked cycles involving carbon and phosphorous. Sulfur‐based metabolisms and activity also extend into the offshore OMZ as a result of particle microniches and lateral transport processes. Moreover, OMZ waters ubiquitously host a community of organosulfur‐based heterotrophs that ostensibly moderate the turnover of organic sulfur, offering an exciting avenue for future research. Our synthesis highlights the widespread distribution and multifaceted nature of the sulfur cycle in oceanic OMZs.
Recent Advances in Living Cationic Polymerization with Emerging Initiation/Controlling Systems
Authors: Chen Yinan , Zhang Lu , Jin Yi , Lin Xinrong , Chen Mao
Published: May 2021

While the conventional living cationic polymerization (LCP) provided opportunities to synthesizing well‐defined polymers with predetermined molecular weights, desirable chemical structures and narrow dispersity, it is still important to continuously innovate new synthetic methods to meet the increasing requirements in advanced material engineering. Consequently, a variety of novel initiation/controlling systems have be demonstrated recently, which have enabled LCP with spatiotemporal control, broadened scopes of monomers and terminals, more user‐friendly operations and reaction conditions, as well as improved thermomechanical properties for obtained polymers. In this work, recent advances in LCP is summarized with emerging initiation/controlling systems, including chemical‐initiated/controlled cationic reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization, photoinitiated/controlled LCP, electrochemical‐controlled LCP, thionyl/selenium halide‐initiated LCP, organic acid‐assisted LCP, and stereoselective LCP. It is hoped that this summary will provide useful knowledge to people in related fields and stimulate new ideas to promote the development and application of LCP in both academia and industry.
Convective flow of a fractional second grade fluid containing different nanoparticles with Prabhakar fractional derivative subject to non‐uniform velocity at the boundary
Authors: Basit Abdul , Asjad Muhammad Imran , Akgül Ali
Published: May 2021

This article disputes the study of convective flow for improved nanofluid along with an erect heated plate via Prabhakar‐like energy transport. The governing equations for this mathematical model are obtained by Prabhakar fractional derivative. To attain the generalized results for dimensionless velocity profile and temperature profile, a scheme of Laplace transform is applied. By applying the conditions of nanofluid flow, we develop the constantly accelerated, variables accelerated, and non‐uniform accelerated solution of the model. Prabhakar fractional derivative for improved nanofluid based on generalized Fourier's thermal flux is determined for heat transfer. Different structures of graphs are performed for ordinary fractional parameters. As a result, it is found that temperature of Ag − H2O is higher than Cu − H2O and TiO2 − H2O nanoparticles and the reverse trend can be found for velocity. Furthermore, temperature and velocity can be enhanced by increasing the values of fractional parameters.
Adverse events associated with weekly short course isoniazid and rifapentine therapy in pediatric patients with latent tuberculosis: A chart and literature review
Authors: Peck Gabrielle M. , Staat Mary Allen , Huang Felicia Scaggs , Khalil Nadim , Boyce Catherine , Kohlrieser Cara M. , Schlaudecker Elizabeth P.
Published: May 2021

Background

Effective yet safe treatment of latent tuberculosis is important for preventing the spread of tuberculosis and the progression to active disease in pediatric patients. As of 2017, the short course combination regimen of weekly isoniazid and rifapentine (3HP) administered by directly observed therapy (DOT) has replaced 9 months of isoniazid as the standard of treatment for latent tuberculosis in pediatric patients. The literature, limited in size, has established the 3HP regimen's superior safety and adherence.

Methods

We completed a retrospective chart review (n = 22) of pediatric patients at our institution receiving the 3HP regimen via DOT between 2017 and 2019. Frequencies of selected outcomes were compared to previously published data collected in a literature review.

Results

In this retrospective chart review, pediatric patients ages 2–20 years receiving 3HP with DOT for latent tuberculosis experienced frequent adverse events, more severe adverse events such as anaphylaxis, and higher treatment discontinuation than that which has been previously reported in the literature. Of note, our cohort's race/ethnicity differed from the cohorts described in the literature.

Conclusions

Our data suggests that the short course combination regimen for pediatric latent tuberculosis patients may have a higher adverse event rate than previously established. Although this sample size is small, this study urges further investigation of more diverse cohorts to better establish the 3HP regimen's safety and tolerability.
Usnic acid suppresses cervical cancer cell proliferation by inhibiting PD‐L1 expression and enhancing T‐lymphocyte tumor‐killing activity
Authors: Sun Tong Xin , Li Ming Yue , Zhang Zhi Hong , Wang Jing Ying , Xing Yue , Ri MyongHak , Jin Cheng Hua , Xu Guang Hua , Piao Lian Xun , Jin Hong Lan , Zuo Hong Xiang , Ma Juan , Jin Xuejun
Published: May 2021

The programmed cell death 1 (PD‐1)/programmed death ligand 1 (PD‐L1) pathway is abnormally expressed in cervical cancer cells. Moreover, PD‐1/PD‐L1 blockade reduces the apoptosis and exhaustion of T cells and inhibits the development of malignant tumors. Usnic acid is a dibenzofuran compound originating from Usnea diffracta Vain and has anti‐inflammatory, antifungal, and anticancer activities. However, the molecular mechanism of its antitumor effects has not been fully elucidated. In this work, we first observed that usnic acid decreased the expression of PD‐L1 in HeLa cells and enhanced the cytotoxicity of co‐cultured T cells toward tumor cells. Usnic acid inhibited PD‐L1 protein synthesis by reducing STAT3 and RAS pathways cooperatively. It was subsequently shown that usnic acid induced MiT/TFE nuclear translocation through the suppression of mTOR signaling pathways, and promoted the biogenesis of lysosomes and the translocation of PD‐L1 to the lysosomes for proteolysis. Furthermore, usnic acid inhibited cell proliferation, angiogenesis, migration, and invasion, respectively, by downregulating PD‐L1, thereby inhibiting tumor growth. Taken together, our results show that usnic acid is an effective inhibitor of PD‐L1 and our study provide novel insights into the mechanism of its anticancer targeted therapy.
The effect of Cornus mas extract consumption on bone biomarkers and inflammation in postmenopausal women: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Aryaeian Naheed , Amiri Fatemehsadat , Rahideh Seyedeh Tayebeh , Abolghasemi Jamileh , Jazayeri Shima , Gholamrezayi Afsaneh , Motevalian Manijeh , Solaymani‐Dodaran Masoud , Taghizadeh Mohsen , Heshmati Elaheh , Rimaz Shahnaz
Published: May 2021

The drastic decrease in estrogen levels in menopausal women can elevate bone resorption and osteoporosis. Cornus mas extract (C. mas extract) is a potential candidate for treating menopausal‐related bone complications because of its phytoestrogen and anti‐inflammatory contents. It was an interventional double‐blind placebo‐controlled randomized study. Eighty‐four women aged 45–60 years old were randomly allocated to either the extract group receiving 3 capsules of 300 mg C. mas extract or the placebo group receiving 3 capsules of 300 mg of starch powder per day for 8 weeks. Then, venous blood was used to measure bone‐specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), osteocalcin (OC), C‐terminal telopeptide (TC) as well as serum levels of PTH and hsCRP. Our results indicated the decrease in alkaline phosphatase, PTH, and as an inflammation biomarker, hsCRP, between two groups at the end of the study. No statistically significant difference was observed in telopeptide C, osteocalcin, and calcium between the placebo and extract groups after 8 weeks of intervention. In conclusion, the results indicate that the C. mas extract supplement of 900 mg/day may decrease levels of BAP, PTH, and hsCRP. However, this intervention had no beneficial effect on OC and TC in healthy postmenopausal women.
Acetovanillone prevents cyclophosphamide‐induced acute lung injury by modulating PI3K/Akt/mTOR and Nrf2 signaling in rats
Authors: Abd El‐Ghafar Omnia A.M. , Hassanein Emad H.M. , Sayed Ahmed M. , Rashwan Eman K. , Shalkami Abdel‐Gawad S. , Mahmoud Ayman M.
Published: May 2021

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is a medication used as an anticancer drug and to suppress the immune system. However, its clinical applications are restricted because of the toxic and adverse side effects. The present study investigated the protective effect of acetovanillone (AV), a natural NADPH oxidase inhibitor, against acute lung injury (ALI) induced by CP. Rats were administered AV (100 mg/kg) for 10 days and a single injection of CP (200 mg/kg) at day 7. At the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed, and lung samples were collected for analyses. CP caused ALI manifested by the histopathological alterations. Lipid peroxidation and NADPH oxidase activity were increased, whereas GSH and antioxidant enzymes were decreased in the lung of CP‐intoxicated rats. Oral administration of AV prevented CP‐induced lung injury and oxidative stress and enhanced antioxidant defenses. AV downregulated Keap1 and upregulated Nrf2, GCLC, HO‐1, and SOD3 mRNA. In addition, AV boosted the expression of PI3K, Akt, mTOR, and cytoglobin. In vitro, AV showed a synergistic anticancer effect when combined with CP. In conclusion, AV protected against CP‐induced ALI by attenuating oxidative stress and boosting Nrf2/HO‐1 and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling. Therefore, AV might represent a promising adjuvant to prevent lung injury in patients receiving CP.
Fine‐Gray subdistribution hazard models to simultaneously estimate the absolute risk of different event types: Cumulative total failure probability may exceed 1
Authors: Austin Peter C. , Steyerberg Ewout W. , Putter Hein
Published: May 2021

The Fine‐Gray subdistribution hazard model has become the default method to estimate the incidence of outcomes over time in the presence of competing risks. This model is attractive because it directly relates covariates to the cumulative incidence function (CIF) of the event of interest. An alternative is to combine the different cause‐specific hazard functions to obtain the different CIFs. A limitation of the subdistribution hazard approach is that the sum of the cause‐specific CIFs can exceed 1 (100%) for some covariate patterns. Using data on 9479 patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction, we estimated the cumulative incidence of both cardiovascular death and non‐cardiovascular death for each patient. We found that when using subdistribution hazard models, approximately 5% of subjects had an estimated risk of 5‐year all‐cause death (obtained by combining the two cause‐specific CIFs obtained from subdistribution hazard models) that exceeded 1. This phenomenon was avoided by using the two cause‐specific hazard models. We provide a proof that the sum of predictions exceeds 1 is a fundamental problem with the Fine‐Gray subdistribution hazard model. We further explored this issue using simulations based on two different types of data‐generating process, one based on subdistribution hazard models and other based on cause‐specific hazard models. We conclude that care should be taken when using the Fine‐Gray subdistribution hazard model in situations with wide risk distributions or a high cumulative incidence, and if one is interested in the risk of failure from each of the different event types.
Pore structure of concrete under fatigue load in areas with large temperature differences
Authors: Shi Jinna , Zhao Yanru
Published: May 2021

To study the effect of pore structure changes on the fatigue life of concrete in areas with large temperature differences, a concrete fatigue test program was designed after a temperature cycle of −50 to 70°C. Results show that temperature differences considerably influence pores with a size ranging from 0.1 to 27.98 nm. Furthermore, the fatigue life of concrete gradually decreases with the increase in the pore structure parameters of 0.1 to 27.98 nm. This result indicates that the effect of temperature difference on the fatigue life of concrete in areas with large temperature differences must not be ignored. The combined effect of temperature differences and load increases the coarsening rate of the pore structure, and the load remarkably affects pores with a size ranging from 524.26 to 10,000 nm. To characterize the pore structure of concrete under temperature cycling and fatigue load, two pore structure characteristic parameters, namely, comprehensive change rate of pore size (Sz) and pore structure complexity coefficient (Cz), are proposed. These parameters, together with the total porosity (Ptotal), form a three‐dimensional pore structure characteristic parameter and establish the relationship expression between the three‐dimensional pore structure parameters and the fatigue life of concrete (N); thus, they provide basis for the prediction of the fatigue life of concrete on the basis of pore structure.
The Nexus Between Environmental Changes, Culture of Migration, and Migration Aspirations
Authors: Van Praag Lore
Published: May 2021

In this chapter, I delve deeper into the role played by ‘cultures of migration’ in the development of migration aspirations in both Tinghir and Tangier, and how these cultures of migration interact with environmental factors. This chapter builds further on previous insights from migration systems theory, which posits that migration results in multiple flows of material goods, ideas and money (Mabogunje 1970; Levitt 1998). In other words, this theory states that migration results in more than exchanges and flows of people. By building further on the concept of ‘cumulative causation’ (Myrdal 1957), migration systems theory advances that migration results in the transformation of social and economic structures, facilitating more migration. This idea is crucial to fully understand the development of migration aspirations because it pays attention to how contextual feedback loops can either positively or negatively stimulate the further development of migration aspirations (De Haas 2010). Hence, cultures of migration are established through the information sent by emigrants that have left a given region and provide feedback on their migration experiences in the country of destination to their migrant networks living in their region of origin and which ultimately result in shared ideas and beliefs on migration in a particular region (Timmerman et al. 2014).
How Environmental Changes Result in Migration Aspirations and Other Adaptation Strategies of Moroccan Inhabitants and Migrants in Belgium
Authors: Van Praag Lore , Hut Elodie , Zickgraf Caroline
Published: May 2021

This book provides a unique approach to the Moroccan context. Many researchers have conducted fieldwork in Morocco, departing from migration studies (e.g., De Haas 2003, 2006, 2010; Czaika and De Haas 2011; De Haas and El Ghanjou 2000), while others solely focused on environmental and climate changes (e.g., Schilling et al. 2012), leaving the interplay between both to be explored more in-depth. The Moroccan context offers a unique research context because it is confronted with gradual environmental change over the last decades and has initiated considerable action at the national level to develop policies or strategies to counteract these changes. Hence, Morocco in 2019 ranked among the leading countries in the fight against climate change on the Climate Change Performance Index (Burck et al. 2019). Furthermore, Morocco evolved into one of the world’s leading emigration countries in the second half of the twentieth century, being characterized by unexpected developments, including colonial migration, labour migration, family reunification, and, recently, undocumented migration. This led to a high degree of internal differentiation within the Moroccan migrant population and strong and influential migrant networks (De Haas 2007; Schilling et al. 2012; cf. Chap. 10.1007/978-3-030-61390-7_3).
Sweeping the Streets, Cleaning Morals: Chinese Sex Workers in Paris Claiming Their Belonging to the Cosmopolitan City
Authors: Le Bail Hélène , Lieber Marylène
Published: May 2021

Since 2016, hundreds of Chinese migrants selling sexual services in Paris have been the target of systematic control operations by the police, whose clear objective is to “sweep” prostitution out of some neighbourhoods. In reaction to these measures, a group of Chinese women organized their own collective, The Steel Roses (Les Roses d’Acier), and asked the local government to better prevent violence against sex workers, rather than fight sex workers themselves. By doing so, they tried to embody political agency, and asked for the local government to include them as part of the “local diversity” and as legitimate city users. In a context of local gentrification, where diversity is presented as an important characteristic of these multicultural neighborhoods, such a mobilization by migrant sex workers underlines the ongoing controversy around the definition of diversity, as well as controversy in terms of who is legitimate to embody urban imaging. This chapter proposes to describe the controversy launched by the Chinese sex workers in some districts of Paris as another case study of the ways political power relations contribute to the definition of what is diversity and who belongs to a city defined in terms of cosmopolitanism.
Cosmopolitanism in US Sanctuary Cities: Dreamers Claiming Urban Citizenship
Authors: Lejeune Catherine
Published: May 2021

Sanctuary cities are on the rise and undocumented migrant activism is growing in both the US and Europe. In this context, it seems appropriate to revisit the concept of sanctuaryin its relation to undocumented activism. Based on literature in the field and on ethnographic observation, this chapter explores the way US sanctuary policies foster new forms of urban citizenship to undocumented migrants who rely on the city for their practices, introducing the concept of cosmopolitanism to discuss their “acts of citizenship.”
Generic Places, the Construction of Home and the Lived Experience of Cosmopolitanization
Authors: Duyvendak Jan Willem , Ley-Cervantes Melissa
Published: May 2021

The chapter explores the way in which people under conditions of movement and change deal with plurality in contemporary urban settings by tracing the home-making experiences of a group of Mexican professionals in Madrid (postgraduate students, academics, IT professionals, journalists, and others). While their idea of home aligns discursively within an ideal version of cosmopolitanism (“at home everywhere”), in practice their strategies to feel at home in Madrid show that these privileged movers tend to rely on specific though generic places characterized by their homogenizing tendencies, such as hotel chains, generic coffee places and airports, to achieve a feeling of home.
Making Cosmopolitan Spaces: Urban Design, Ideology and Power
Authors: Semi Giovanni
Published: May 2021

There is a growing scholarly consensus over the transformation of the urban public place from a challenging, conflicting and negotiated one to a festive and convivial place. Decades of gentrification, renewals and city branding have fostered an urban form made of well-regulated and controlled islands of publicness in a sea of privatopias. Beyond structural forces, urban policies and the action of households and citizens, a key role has been played by global architecture and design. With this chapter, we will address this issue looking precisely at the practices of conceiving and designing the public places by urban designers. How the ideals of a cosmopolis, urban and democratic, is put in place by professionals dealing with neoliberal constraints, post-democratic states and refined middle-class users? What is the contemporary meaning of cosmopolitanism, when related to the urban core? Cosmopolitanism for whom, under which conditions? The chapter will provide a case-study detailed analysis of the perspective of urban designers towards projects and urbanism, with a specific attention to public space design.
Understanding Creeping Crises: Revisiting the Puzzle
Authors: Boin Arjen , Ekengren Magnus , Rhinard Mark
Published: May 2021

This chapter returns to the research question that animated the case studies and summarizes the findings of the chapters in this book. It offers provisional answers to our research question and formulates an agenda for future research. Much of the chapter is devoted to thinking through the implications of the creeping crisis perspective for the practitioner community. We build on our research findings to argue that the time for action is now and formulate a set of recommendations that can help jumpstart this agenda.
Earthquakes in Groningen: Organized Suppression of a Creeping Crisis
Authors: Verdoes Alexander , Boin Arjen
Published: May 2021

Natural earthquakes do not occur in the northern part of the Netherlands. Yet, small earthquakes have regularly struck the area since the 1980s. For a long time, it was denied that these earthquakes were caused by the extraction of gas in the area and that these earthquakes could cause any damage. When more, and more severe, earthquakes struck the province of Groningen, these claims became unsustainable. In 2012, a relatively strong earthquake hit the area and the earthquakes became a national policy issue that threatened the legitimacy of the state. The crisis lingered on until 2018 when the national government finally realized that prolonged extraction would cause a deep crisis and decided to terminate the extraction of gas well before the depletion of the field. We argue that this visible and enduring crisis was not recognized and sufficiently addressed because of a societal dependency on the extraction of gas. The crisis was actively suppressed by the main actors, which ultimately undermined the legitimacy of the gas production and the state.
The Year of the Unthinkable
Authors: Boin Arjen , McConnell Allan , ‘t Hart Paul
Published: May 2021

COVID-19 brought the ‘unthinkable’ to our doorstep. The pandemic caused a series of global, and interconnected, health, economic, social, institutional and political crises that are unprecedented in living memory. Political leaders struggled to contain the virus and persuade anxious, weary citizens to behave this or that way in order to overcome a giant collective action problem. This chapter is a primer for the detailed examination of political and policy responses to this impossible challenge. It describes pivotal governance challenges and the constraints operating on the crisis response.
Real-world comparative effectiveness of triplets containing bortezomib (B), carfilzomib (C), daratumumab (D), or ixazomib (I) in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) in the US
Authors: Davies Faith , Rifkin Robert , Costello Caitlin , Morgan Gareth , Usmani Saad , Abonour Rafat , Palumbo Antonio , Romanus Dorothy , Hajek Roman , Terpos Evangelos , Cherepanov Dasha , Stull Dawn Marie , Huang Hui , Leleu Xavier , Berdeja Jesus , Lee Hans C. , Weisel Katja , Thompson Michael , Boccadoro Mario , Zonder Jeffrey , Cook Gordon , Puig Noemi , Vela-Ojeda Jorge , Farrelly Eileen , Raju Aditya , Blazer Marlo , Chari Ajai
Published: May 2021

Multiple available combinations of proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulators (IMIDs), and monoclonal antibodies are shifting the relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) treatment landscape. Lack of head-to-head trials of triplet regimens highlights the need for real-world (RW) evidence. We conducted an RW comparative effectiveness analysis of bortezomib (V), carfilzomib (K), ixazomib (I), and daratumumab (D) combined with either lenalidomide or pomalidomide plus dexamethasone (Rd or Pd) in RRMM. A retrospective cohort of patients initiating triplet regimens in line of therapy (LOT) ≥ 2 on/after 1/1/2014 was followed between 1/2007 and 3/2018 in Optum’s deidentified US electronic health records database. Time to next treatment (TTNT) was estimated using Kaplan-Meier methods; regimens were compared using covariate-adjusted Cox proportional hazard models. Seven hundred forty-one patients (820 patient LOTs) with an Rd backbone (VRd, n = 349; KRd, n = 218; DRd, n = 99; IRd, n = 154) and 348 patients (392 patient LOTs) with a Pd backbone (VPd, n = 52; KPd, n = 146; DPd, n = 149; IPd, n = 45) in LOTs ≥2 were identified. More patients ≥75 years received IRd (39.6%), IPd (37.8%), and VRd (36.7%) than other triplets. More patients receiving VRd/VPd were in LOT2 vs other triplets. Unadjusted median TTNT in LOT ≥ 2: VRd, 13.9; KRd, 8.7; IRd, 11.4; DRd, not estimable (NE); and VPd, 12.0; KPd, 6.7; IPd, 9.5 months; DPd, NE. In covariate-adjusted analysis, only KRd vs DRd was associated with a significantly higher risk of next LOT initiation/death (HR 1.72; P = 0.0142); no Pd triplet was significantly different vs DPd in LOT ≥ 2. Our data highlight important efficacy/effectiveness gaps between results observed in phase 3 clinical trials and those realized in the RW.
Talus morphology differs between flatfeet and controls, but its variety has no influence on extent of surgical deformity correction
Authors: Flury Andreas , Hasler Julian , Beeler Silvan , Imhoff Florian B. , Wirth Stephan H. , Viehöfer Arndt
Published: May 2021

Background

Progressive collapsing foot deformity (PCFD) is a complex 3-dimensional (3-D) deformity with varying degrees of hindfoot valgus, forefoot abduction, and midfoot varus. The first aim of this study was to perform a 3-D analysis of the talus morphology between symptomatic PCFD patients that underwent operative flatfoot correction and controls. The second aim was to investigate if there is an impact of individual talus morphology on the success of operative flatfoot correction.

Methods

We reviewed all patients that underwent lateral calcaneal lengthening for correction of PCFD between 2008 and 2018 at our clinic. Radiographic flatfoot parameters on preoperative and postoperative radiographs were assessed. Additionally, 3-D surface models of the tali were generated using computed tomography (CT) data. The talus morphology of 44 flatfeet was compared to 3-D models of 50 controls without foot or ankle pain of any kind.

Results

Groups were comparable regarding demographics. Talus morphology differed significantly between PCFD and controls in multiple aspects. There was a 2.6° increased plantar flexion (22.3° versus 26°; p = 0.02) and medial deviation (31.7° and 33.5°; p = 0.04) of the talar head in relation to the body in PCFD patients compared to controls. Moreover, PCFD were characterized by an increased valgus (difference of 4.6°; p = 0.01) alignment of the subtalar joint. Satisfactory correction was achieved in all cases, with an improvement of the talometatarsal-angle and the talonavicular uncoverage angle of 5.6° ± 9.7 (p = 0.02) and 9.9° ± 16.3 (p = 0.001), respectively. No statistically significant correlation was found between talus morphology and the correction achieved or loss of correction one year postoperatively.

Conclusion

The different morphological features mentioned above might be contributing or risk factors for progression to PCFD. However, despite the variety of talar morphology, which is different compared to controls, the surgical outcome of calcaneal lengthening osteotomy was not affected.

Level of evidence

III.
Can energy self-sufficiency be achieved? Case study of Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship (Poland)
Authors: Igliński B. , Kiełkowska U. , Piechota G. , Skrzatek M. , Cichosz M. , Iwański P.
Published: May 2021

An analysis was carried out to show whether the Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship (Poland) could become energy self-sufficient. The technical potential of electricity and heat from renewable sources has been calculated. The calculated values are 6.93 TWh/year of electricity and 15.84 PJ/year of heat—these amounts would ensure the energy independence of the Voivodeship. The Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship is an example of transformation towards “green” energy, it shows that such transformation is also possible in Poland even in short term. This would reduce air pollution as well as limit the import of energy resources. It is very important, it allows us to think with optimism and implement Poland’s energy transformation towards renewable energy (RE). Additionally, a SWOT analysis of each type of RE in the Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship was presented. The SWOT analysis makes it possible to identify the strengths, weaknesses, prospects and threats for RE in the Voivodeship and the whole country. It has been found that there is a great interest of investors in RE in the Voivodeship, there is usually a great public support for new energy sources, and the biggest barriers are high investment costs and complicated law in Poland.

Graphic abstract
The conceptualisation of vital communities related to ageing in place: a scoping review
Authors: Pani-Harreman Katinka E. , van Duren Joop M. A. , Kempen Gertrudis I. J. M. , Bours Gerrie J. J. W.
Published: May 2021

Older people today are more likely to age in their own private living environment. However, many face declining health and/or other issues that affect their ability to live independently and necessitate additional support. Such support can be provided by formal networks, but a considerable part can also be offered by informal networks of older people themselves. Going beyond these networks, older people can additionally and perhaps even more substantially benefit from vital communities. Nevertheless, even though this term is increasingly common in the literature, its meaning remains indistinct. A more thorough understanding of this concept might provide valuable knowledge that health care professionals, researchers and community workers can use to offer meaningful and effective support. The purpose of this paper is to draw on existing empirical research on vital communities to build knowledge of the different descriptions and dimensions of the concept. Arksey and O’Malley’s scoping review methodology was adopted. Our search, conducted on 23 March 2020 and updated on 06 January 2021, yielded 4433 articles, of which six articles were included in the scoping review. We deduced that the conceptualisation of a vital community is based on three dimensions: the aim of a vital community, the processes behind a vital community and the typical characteristics of a vital community. None of the selected studies have mapped all three dimensions. Nevertheless, we assume that understanding all three matters when vital communities aim to contribute to the quality of life of people ageing in place.
An unconventional robust integrator for dynamical low-rank approximation
Authors: Ceruti Gianluca , Lubich Christian
Published: May 2021

We propose and analyse a numerical integrator that computes a low-rank approximation to large time-dependent matrices that are either given explicitly via their increments or are the unknown solution to a matrix differential equation. Furthermore, the integrator is extended to the approximation of time-dependent tensors by Tucker tensors of fixed multilinear rank. The proposed low-rank integrator is different from the known projector-splitting integrator for dynamical low-rank approximation, but it retains the important robustness to small singular values that has so far been known only for the projector-splitting integrator. The new integrator also offers some potential advantages over the projector-splitting integrator: It avoids the backward time integration substep of the projector-splitting integrator, which is a potentially unstable substep for dissipative problems. It offers more parallelism, and it preserves symmetry or anti-symmetry of the matrix or tensor when the differential equation does. Numerical experiments illustrate the behaviour of the proposed integrator.
Neurodevelopmental toxicity assessment of flame retardants using a human DNT in vitro testing battery
Authors: Klose Jördis , Pahl Melanie , Bartmann Kristina , Bendt Farina , Blum Jonathan , Dolde Xenia , Förster Nils , Holzer Anna-Katharina , Hübenthal Ulrike , Keßel Hagen Eike , Koch Katharina , Masjosthusmann Stefan , Schneider Sabine , Stürzl Lynn-Christin , Woeste Selina , Rossi Andrea , Covaci Adrian , Behl Mamta , Leist Marcel , Tigges Julia , Fritsche Ellen
Published: May 2021

Due to their neurodevelopmental toxicity, flame retardants (FRs) like polybrominated diphenyl ethers are banned from the market and replaced by alternative FRs, like organophosphorus FRs, that have mostly unknown toxicological profiles. To study their neurodevelopmental toxicity, we evaluated the hazard of several FRs including phased-out polybrominated FRs and organophosphorus FRs: 2,2′,4,4′-tetrabromodiphenylether (BDE-47), 2,2′,4,4′,5-pentabromodiphenylether (BDE-99), tetrabromobisphenol A, triphenyl phosphate, tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate and its metabolite bis-(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate, isodecyl diphenyl phosphate, triphenyl isopropylated phosphate, tricresyl phosphate, tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate, tert-butylphenyl diphenyl phosphate, 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate, tris(1-chloroisopropyl) phosphate, and tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate. Therefore, we used a human cell–based developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) in vitro battery covering a large variety of neurodevelopmental endpoints. Potency according to the respective most sensitive benchmark concentration (BMC) across the battery ranked from <1 μM (5 FRs), 1<10 μM (7 FRs) to the >10 μM range (3 FRs). Evaluation of the data with the ToxPi tool revealed a distinct ranking (a) than with the BMC and (b) compared to the ToxCast data, suggesting that DNT hazard of these FRs is not well predicted by ToxCast assays. Extrapolating the DNT in vitro battery BMCs to human FR exposure via breast milk suggests low risk for individual compounds. However, it raises a potential concern for real-life mixture exposure, especially when different compounds converge through diverse modes-of-action on common endpoints, like oligodendrocyte differentiation in this study. This case study using FRs suggests that human cell–based DNT in vitro battery is a promising approach for neurodevelopmental hazard assessment and compound prioritization in risk assessment.

Graphical abstract