bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of pressure on the structure of multispin complexes
Authors: Romanenko G. V. , Letyagin G. A. , Ovcharenko V. I.
Published: August 2021

Changes in the hydrostatic pressure may significantly affect the spin dynamics of magnetically active compounds. Hence, objects exhibiting spin transitions have attracted attention of researchers in different fields. Since these transitions are reversible and do not cause the chemical decomposition of the compounds, spin state conversions can be responsible for the functional activity of materials as data storage media, external stimulus sensors or actuators for certain solid-state processes. Moreover, multispin compounds can demonstrate specific structural dynamics that is not inherent in diamagnetic compounds, which is of independent interest. The review presents the analysis of recent data on the effect of hydrostatic pressure on the crystal structure and magnetic properties of metal complexes with organic diamagnetic and paramagnetic ligands, exhibiting spin transitions and valence tautomerism, organic paramagnets and single-molecule magnets.
 The bibliography includes 179 references.
The effect of testosterone suppression on health and parasite burden in male eastern grey kangaroos (
Authors: Brandimarti Maquel E. , Gray Rachael , Hilton Zoe J. , Keeley Tamara , Murray ‘Kangaroo’ Phil , Herbert Catherine A.
Published: August 2021

Testosterone has a dualistic effect in males by promoting sexual ornamentation at the cost of immune defence. This trade-off has been demonstrated in several taxa, such that males often host a greater parasite burden compared with female conspecifics. We suppressed testosterone in wild male eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) for 10 weeks using a novel gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) vaccine, Bopriva. We evaluated the impact of testosterone suppression on testes width, parameters of health, tick and worm burden in kangaroos using a before-after-control-impact (BACI) experimental design. Given the potential impact of animal movement on parasite burden, core area use of a subset of males was also determined. Bopriva significantly reduced testosterone in male kangaroos as well as reducing the combined size of testes by 9.6% (P = 0.01). There was no detectable effect of testosterone suppression on parasite burden and core area use in Treated kangaroos compared to Control (placebo) and Before treatment animals. Our results suggest that a duration of suppression longer than 10 weeks may be required to observe changes in parasite burden. Overall, this study provides a suitable framework for future studies to test whether reproductive hormones influence energy allocation, parasitism, and reproductive strategies in marsupials.
Mode of maternal provisioning in the fish genus Phalloceros: a variation on the theme of matrotrophy
Authors: Zandonà Eugenia , Kajin Maja , Buckup Paulo A , Amaral Jeferson Ribeiro , Souto-Santos Igor C A , Reznick David N
Published: August 2021

The placenta is a complex organ that shows high morphological diversity. Among fish, the first vertebrates that have evolved a placenta, the family Poeciliidae exhibits very diverse modes of maternal provisioning even among congeneric species. Here, we investigated the embryonic growth curve across seven recently-described species of the highly diverse genus Phalloceros (Eigenmann, 1907). We also investigated possible intraspecific differences and whether other female characteristics affected embryo mass. We found that embryo mass decreased until around stage 20 and then increased, resulting in a 1.5 to 3-fold mass gain from fertilization to birth. Embryo mass changed non-linearly with stage of development and was affected by species identity (or locality) and female somatic dry mass. This initial loss then gain of embryonic mass during development is unique among other Poeciliidae species and was conserved across populations and species, even though size at birth can vary. Other species instead either lose mass if they lack placentas or gain mass exponentially if they have placentas. The Phalloceros mode of maternal provisioning could thus represent a different form from that seen in other species of Poeciliidae.
Introducing Social Workers: Their Roles and Training
Authors: Burt Mike
Published: August 2021

During the late Victorian and early Edwardian period references to ‘social work’ in the UK emerged in the context of the movement for social reform. Using a wide variety of contemporary literature, archival sources and Internet searches this article finds that, alongside charitable and philanthropic work, the term ‘social work’ referred to a particularly wide range of social, health, educational, industrial welfare and recreation activity. Few attempts were made to attribute an explicit meaning to the term and it was not used as frequently as is sometimes implied by commentaries about the period. However, voluntary and paid workers were increasingly referred to collectively as ‘social workers’ and became the subject of increasing discussion about their roles and need for training. This article traces the developments in references to social work and social workers in the literature and highlights the early debate that took place in the UK and USA about the relative importance of practical work and study of the social sciences, introducing the tension which characterised social workers’ subsequent difficulties in establishing a professional identity.
Precise Point Set Registration Based on Feature Fusion
Authors: Liu Yuying , Du Shaoyi , Cui Wenting , Wang Xijing , Mou Qingnan , Zhao Jiamin , Guo Yucheng , Zhang Yong
Published: August 2021

This paper proposed a novel precise point set registration method based on feature fusion for three-dimensional data. Firstly, for the prominent foreground with dense and continuous cluster structure, we propose an automatic extraction method combining the principal component analysis projection and density-based clustering method. Secondly, for point sets containing noises, we introduce correntropy measurement into registration to weaken their influence. Thirdly, for the precise registration of uneven distribution of points in the same point set, we propose a feature fusion based algorithm which is distribution specific, using point-to-point measurement for densely distributed foreground and point-to-plane measurement for sparsely distributed background, in case that only one measurement method is used for the whole point set the registration gets trapped into local extremum. Finally, we give the optimization algorithm of the proposed method. We conduct experiments on real orthodontics scenes to verify the effectiveness of our proposed feature extraction method and registration algorithm, and experimental results demonstrate that both the proposed solutions are proper for their respective tasks than other existing methods.
EDIL3 deficiency ameliorates adverse cardiac remodelling by neutrophil extracellular traps (NET)-mediated macrophage polarization
Authors: Wei Xiaoqiong , Zou Song , Xie Zhonghui , Wang Zhen , Huang Nongyu , Cen Zhifu , Hao Yan , Zhang Chengxin , Chen Zhenyu , Zhao Fulei , Hu Zhonglan , Teng Xiu , Gui Yiyue , Liu Xiao , Zheng Huaping , Zhou Hong , Chen Shuwen , Cheng Juan , Zeng Fanlian , Zhou Yifan , Wu Wenling , Hu Jing , Wei Yuquan , Cui Kaijun , Li Jiong
Published: August 2021

Aims

After myocardial infarction (MI), injured cardiomyocytes recruit neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages to myocardium, which in turn initiates inflammatory and reparative cascades, respectively. Either insufficient or excessive inflammation impairs cardiac healing. As an endogenous inhibitor of neutrophil adhesion, EDIL3 plays a crucial role in inflammatory regulation. However, the role of EDIL3 in MI remains obscure. We aimed to define the role of EDIL3 in cardiac remodelling after MI.

Methods and results

Serum EDIL3 levels in MI patients were negatively associated with MI biomarkers. Consistently, WT mice after MI showed low levels of cardiac EDIL3. Compared with WT mice, Edil3−/− mice showed improvement of post-MI adverse remodelling, as they exhibited lower mortality, better cardiac function, shorter scar length, and smaller LV cavity. Accordingly, infarcted hearts of Edil3−/− mice contained fewer cellular debris and lower amounts of fibrosis content, with decreased collagen I/III expression and the percentage of α-smooth muscle actin myofibroblasts. Mechanistically, EDIL3 deficiency did not affect the recruitment of monocytes or T cells, but enhanced neutrophil recruitment and following expansion of pro-inflammatory Mertk−MHC-IIlo-int (myeloid-epithelial-reproductive tyrosine kinase/major histocompatibility complex II) macrophages. The injection of neutrophil-specific C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 2 antagonist eliminated the differences in macrophage polarization and cardiac function between WT and Edil3−/− mice after MI. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), which were more abundant in the hearts of Edil3−/− mice, contributed to Mertk−MHC-IIlo-int polarization via Toll-like receptor 9 pathway. The inhibition of NET formation by treatment of neutrophil elastase inhibitor or DNase I impaired macrophage polarization, increased cellular debris and aggravated cardiac adverse remodelling, thus removed the differences of cardiac function between WT and Edil3−/− mice. Totally, EDIL3 plays an important role in NET-primed macrophage polarization and cardiac remodelling during MI.

Conclusion

We not only reveal that EDIL3 deficiency ameliorates adverse cardiac healing via NET-mediated pro-inflammatory macrophage polarization but also discover a new crosstalk between neutrophil and macrophage after MI.
Non-conventional Versus Conventional Strictureplasties for Crohn’s Disease. A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Treatment Outcomes
Authors: Bislenghi G , Sucameli F , Fieuws S , Ferrante M , Sabino J , Wolthuis A , Vermeire S , D’Hoore A
Published: August 2021

Background

Strictureplasties [SXP] represent an alternative to bowel resection in Crohn’s disease [CD]. Over the years, there has been growing interest in the role of non-conventional SXP for the treatment of extensive CD. A systematic review was performed on complications and recurrence following conventional and non-conventional SXP.

Methods

The available literature was screened according to the PRISMA statement, until June 2020. Results were categorised into three groups: studies reporting on conventional SXPs; studies with a mixed cohort of conventional and non-conventional SXPs [% non-conventional SXPs ≤15%]; and studies reporting on non-conventional SXPs. Considered endpoints were postoperative complications and overall and SXP site-specific surgical recurrence. Random-effect meta-analysis and meta-regression were used to obtain and compare combined estimates between groups.

Results

A total of 26 studies for a total of 1839 patients with CD were included. The pooled postoperative complication rates were was 15.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 11.2%-20.3%), 7.4% [95% CI 0.2%-22.9%], and 19.2% [95% CI 5-39.6%] for the three groups, respectively. The rates of septic complications were 4% [95% CI 2.2%-6.2%], 1.9% [95% CI 0.4%-4.3%], and 4.2% [95% CI 0.9%-9.8%], respectively. Cumulative overall surgical recurrence rates were 27.5% [95% CI 18.5%-37.6%], 13.2% [95% CI 8.6%-18.7%], and 18.1% [95% CI 6.8%-33.3%]; and SXP site-specific surgical recurrence rates were 13.2% [95% CI 6.9%-21.2%], 8.3% [95% CI 1.6-19.3%], and 8.8% [95% CI 2.2%-19%], respectively. Formal comparison between the groups revealed no differences.

Conclusions

Non-conventional SXP did not differ from conventional SXP with respect to safety and long-term recurrence. Consistent heterogeneity was observed and partially limits the conclusions of this study.
Prognostic implications of left heart diastolic dysfunction in adults with coarctation of aorta
Authors: Egbe Alexander C , Miranda William R , Oh Jae K , Connolly Heidi M
Published: August 2021

Aims

The prognostic implication of left atrial (LA) dysfunction and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) in patients with coarctation of aorta (COA) is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine whether LA dysfunction and LVDD were associated with mortality in COA patients.

Methods and results

This is a retrospective review of adults (age ≥18 years) with repaired COA that underwent transthoracic echocardiogram (2000–18). LVDD was determined using the 2016 guidelines for LV diastolic function assessment, and LA dysfunction was assessed using LA reservoir strain. Of 721 patients, LV diastolic function could be determined in 635 (88%); and 414 (65%) had no LVDD, while 146 (23%), 53 (8%), and 22 (4%) had Grade I/II/III LVDD, respectively. The mean LA reservoir strain was 39 ± 11%, and patients were divided into quartiles: top quartile (reference group), mild LA dysfunction, moderate LA dysfunction, and severe LA dysfunction. Grade III LVDD (but not Grades I and II) was associated with death/transplant. On the other hand, there was an incremental risk of death/transplant across LA strain quartiles: mild LA dysfunction [hazard ratio (HR) 1.16, 1.04–2.06], moderate LA dysfunction (HR 1.75, 1.27–3.58), and severe LA dysfunction (HR 3.49, 1.88–7.16). Of 86 patients with indeterminate diastolic function, there was a trend towards a lower 5-year transplant-free survival in patients with LA dysfunction vs. normal LA function (83% vs. 91%, P = 0.06).

Conclusion

LA dysfunction (but not LVDD) was associated with incremental risk of mortality and thus can be used for prognostication in all patients including those with indeterminate diastolic function.
Long-term survival after coronary bypass surgery with multiple versus single arterial grafts
Authors: Thuijs Daniel J F M , Davierwala Piroze , Milojevic Milan , Deo Salil V , Noack Thilo , Kappetein A Pieter , Serruys Patrick W , Mohr Friedrich-Wilhelm , Morice Marie-Claude , Mack Michael J , Ståhle L Elisabeth G E , Verberkmoes Niels J , Holmes David R , Head Stuart J ,   for the SYNTAX Extended Survival Investigators
Published: August 2021

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to evaluate the long-term differences in survival between multiple arterial grafts (MAG) and single arterial grafts (SAG) in patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in the SYNTAX study.

METHODS

The present analysis included the randomized and registry-treated CABG patients (n = 1509) from the SYNTAX Extended Survival study (SYNTAXES). Patients with only venous (n = 42) or synthetic grafts (n = 1) were excluded. The primary end point was all-cause death at the longest follow-up. Multivariable Cox regression was used to adjust for differences in baseline characteristics. Sensitivity analysis using propensity matching with inverse probability for treatment weights was performed.

RESULTS

Of the 1466 included patients, 465 (31.7%) received MAG and 1001 (68.3%) SAG. Patients receiving MAG were younger and at lower risk. At the longest follow-up of 12.6 years, all-cause death occurred in 23.6% of MAG and 40.0% of SAG patients [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 0.74, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.55–0.98); P = 0.038], which was confirmed by sensitivity analysis. MAG in patients with the three-vessel disease was associated with significant lower unadjusted and adjusted all-cause death at 12.6 years [adjusted HR 0.65, 95% CI (0.44–0.97); P = 0.033]. In contrast, no significance was observed after risk adjustment in patients with the left main disease, with and without diabetes, or among SYNTAX score tertiles.

CONCLUSIONS

In the present post hoc analysis of all-comers patients from the SYNTAX trial, MAG resulted in markedly lower all-cause death at 12.6-year follow-up compared to a SAG strategy. Hence, this striking long-term survival benefit of MAG over SAG encourages more extensive use of multiple arterial grafting in selected patients with reasonable life expectancy.

Trial registration

SYNTAXES ClinicalTrials.gov reference: NCT03417050; SYNTAX ClinicalTrials.gov reference: NCT00114972.
Dissenting Opinions and Rights Protection in the European Court: A Reply to Laurence Helfer and Erik Voeten
Authors: Stone Sweet Alec , Sandholtz Wayne , Andenas Mads
Published: August 2021

In their article ‘Walking Back Human Rights in Europe?’, Helfer and Voeten (hereinafter ‘H-V’) argue that a series of High Level Conferences (2012–2018), specifically Brighton (2012), dramatically altered the style of the European Court of Human Rights’ (ECtHR) decision-making. The Grand Chamber began to adopt judgments which, in turn, provoked an unprecedented wave of ‘Walking-Back Dissents’. Such dissents are separate opinions that, in effect, accuse the majority of a Grand Chamber of ‘tacitly overturn[ing] prior rulings or settled doctrine in favour of national governments’ (H-V, p. 823). In an expansive conclusion, H-V suggest that the ECtHR has also generated a rising number of ‘Walking-Back Judgments’, which lower standards of rights protection. We reject H-V’s major claims on the empirical evidence. The outcomes of Brighton and subsequent conferences did not pose a credible threat to the Court, and could not have induced it to ‘walk back’ rights protection. We also closely examined two sets of Walking-Back Dissents identified by H-V, focusing on judgments that would be ‘most likely to fit’ H-V’s ‘expectations’. We found that fewer than one in four judgments analysed actually contained a Walking-Back Dissent. And we identified only one plausible Walking-Back Judgment. We are confident that H-V’s results are inaccurate and cannot be reproduced by external analysts. We conclude by noting factors that H-V do not consider, but that are crucial to understanding the ECtHR’s decision-making. In appendices, posted online, we summarize and give reasons for our coding decisions.
Scandcleft randomized trials of primary surgery for unilateral cleft lip and palate: comparison of dental arch relationships and dental indices at 5, 8, and 10 years
Authors: Heliövaara Arja , Küseler Annelise , Skaare Pål , Bellardie Haydn , Mølsted Kirsten , Karsten Agneta , Marcusson Agneta , Rizell Sara , Brinck Eli , Sæle Paul , Chalien Midia Najar , Mooney Jeanette , Eyres Phil , Shaw William , Semb Gunvor
Published: August 2021

Background and trial design

The Scandcleft intercentre study evaluates the outcomes of four surgical protocols (common method Arm A, and methods B, C, and D) for treatment of children with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) in a set of three randomized trials of primary surgery (Trials 1, 2, and 3).

Objectives

To evaluate and compare dental arch relationships of 5-, 8-, and 10-year-old children with UCLP after four different protocols of primary surgery and to compare three dental indices. The results are secondary outcomes of the overall trial.

Methods

Study models taken at the ages of 5 (n = 418), 8 (n = 411), and 10 years (n = 410) were analysed by a blinded panel of orthodontists using the Eurocran index, the 5-year-olds’ (5YO) index, and the GOSLON Yardstick. Student’s t-test, Pearson’s correlation, chi-square test, and kappa statistics were used in statistical analyses.

Results

The reliability of the dental indices varied between moderate and very good, and those of the Eurocran palatal index varied between fair and very good. Significant correlations existed between the dental indices at all ages. No differences were found in the mean 5-, 8-, and 10-year index scores or their distributions within surgical trials. Comparisons between trials detected significantly better mean index scores in Trial 2 Arm C (at all ages) and in Trial 1 Arm B (at 5 and 10 years of age) than in Trial 3 Arm D. The mean Eurocran dental index scores of the total material at 5, 8, and 10 years of age were 2.50, 2.60, and 2.26, and those of the 5YO index and GOSLON Yardstick were 2.77, 2.90, and 2.54, respectively. At age 10 years, 75.8% of the patients had had orthodontic treatment.

Conclusions

The results of these three trials do not provide evidence that one surgical method is superior to the others. The reliabilities of the dental indices were acceptable, and significant correlations existed between the indices at all ages. The reliability of the Eurocran palatal index was questionable.

Trial registration

ISRCTN29932826.
Craniofacial shape from pre- to post-adolescence
Authors: Maciejewska-Turek Aleksandra , Bilińska Małgorzata , Wellens Hans L L , Fudalej Piotr S
Published: August 2021

Aim

Craniofacial growth demonstrates significant variation and is difficult to predict. The aim of the present investigation was twofold: (1) to assess the association (covariation) between craniofacial shape at pre- and post-adolescence and (2) to evaluate if pre-adolescent craniofacial shape is related (covaries) with growth magnitude and direction.

Subjects and methods

One hundred fifty subjects (86 males and 64 females) untreated orthodontically were selected from AAOF Craniofacial Growth Legacy Collection. Each subject had cephalograms taken before 9 (pre-adolescent stage) and after 15 years of age (post-adolescent). Fourteen curves comprising 123 points (10 fixed and 113 sliding semilandmarks) comprehensively covering the craniofacial skeleton were digitally traced on each cephalogram. Procrustes alignment, principal component analysis, 2-block partial least squares (2B-PLS) analysis, and regression analysis were done after sliding the semilandmarks to minimize bending energy.

Results

The first 16 principal components (PCs) were non-trivial and explained 85.2% of total shape variability in the sample. PC1 depicted mainly variability in the vertical direction, PC2 represented mostly variability in the saddle angle and in the antero-posterior position of the mandible, and PC3 depicted primarily variability of the mandibular shape (steep versus flat mandibular plane). The covariation between pre- and post-adolescent facial shape was statistically significant, both in the pooled sample (RV coefficient = 0.604) and in boys (RV = 0.639) and girls (RV = 0.629). The pre-adolescent shape was weakly associated with the magnitude of facial change—2-block PLS analysis demonstrated that blocks 1 and 2 were independent (P = 0.118, RV = 0.035).

Conclusions

The pre-adolescent shape of the craniofacial complex explained approximately 60% of the post-adolescent shape of the craniofacial complex; however, the relationship between pre-adolescent shape of the craniofacial complex and magnitude of its change was weak.
Assisted Living Residents With Dementia: Being Out in the World and Negotiating Connections
Authors: Ciofi Joy M , Kemp Candace L , Bender Alexis A
Published: August 2021

Background and Objectives

Persons living with dementia, including long-term care residents, and their care partners emphasize the importance of meaningful engagement and stress the need for activity and opportunities to go outdoors or offsite. Yet, little is known about getting out in this population. Here, our objectives are to (a) identify residents’ opportunities for, and experiences with, getting out; (b) understand the significance of getting out; and (c) explain influential factors.

Research Design and Methods

Guided by grounded theory methods, we analyzed qualitative data collected over a 1-year period in 4 diverse assisted living communities. We followed 33 residents with dementia and their care partners. Data include detailed fieldnotes capturing 1,560 observation hours, 114 interviews with residents (where possible), assisted living staff, family members, and other visitors, and record review.

Results

We identified the centrality of “being out in the world and negotiating connections,” which characterizes residents’ experiences with the outside world as a process of “working out” engagement with nature, others, and the community. Being out in the world was consequential to well-being and quality of life. Most residents got out at least occasionally; some lacked opportunities. Among residents who got out, most benefitted from ensuing connections. Yet, not all experiences were positive. Being out in the world varied over time and by individual-, care convoy-, assisted living community-, and neighborhood-level factors.

Discussion and Implications

We discuss the implications of our findings for research and practice surrounding meaningful engagement among persons with dementia, including during crises such as the pandemic.
Logistics distribution de-carbonization pathways and effect in China: a systematic analysis using VRPSDP model
Authors: Ning Tao , Wang Jiayu , Han Yumeng
Published: August 2021

In order to reduce the carbon emission and improve the de-carbonization in distribution of vehicle routing problem with simultaneous delivery and pickup (VRPSDP), a two-stage disruption management method based on the changes of customer demand is proposed in this paper. Firstly, a mathematics model of VRPSDP is established to optimize the parameters and the distribution carbon emission cost and time window deviation. Next, several carbon emission equations in VRPSDP are inducted and designed. Considering the strong global searching ability of quantum particle swarm optimization (QPSO) and combing the advantages of superposition and parallelism of quantum computing, a multi-phase QPSO (MQPSO) is proposed to enhance global searching ability. At last, on the basis of Solomon examples, the validity of the proposed model and MQPSO is tested and compared with the classical algorithms at present. The simulation results show that the proposed method can not only achieve the goal of performance but also meet the practical requirements of reducing carbon emissions in VRPSDP.
Clonorchis sinensis Reinfection Rate and Reinfection Determinants: A Prospective Cohort Study in Hengxian County, Guangxi, China
Authors: Li Zhongjie , Xin Hualei , Qian Men-Bao , Sun Junling , Yang Yichao , Chen Yingdan , Yu Jianxing , Chen Yu , Huang Zhuoxin , Hay Simon I , Jiang Zhihua , Li Shi-Zhu
Published: August 2021

Background

To understand Clonorchis sinensis reinfection and the determinants of reinfection in endemic areas is important in establishment of control measures.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was implemented in Hengxian County, Guangxi, China. Individuals with C. sinensis infection were completely treated, and those cured were enrolled as study subjects and followed up for 3, 6, and 12 months. The reinfection frequency and incidence were calculated, and a multivariable Cox proportional hazard model was constructed to capture reinfection determinants.

Results

Among 635 enrolled subjects, 436 (68.7%) completed follow-up. Of these, 177 (40.6%) were reinfected; 133 (75.1%) were reinfected once, 41 (23.2%) twice, and 3 (1.7%) three times. The incidence of reinfection was 64.0 per 100 person-years. Men (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14–2.44), those with underlying diseases (aHR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.02–1.95), and those with moderate- or heavy-intensity infections (aHR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.14–1.85) had increasing reinfection probabilities.

Conclusions

C. sinensis reinfection is high in endemic areas. Men and high-intensity infection are important determinants of reinfection. Repeated chemotherapy is necessary to control reinfection and its associated morbidities, especially in high-risk individuals. In addition, behavioral education is advised to decrease overall reinfection in endemic areas.
Consumer Timework
Authors: Robinson Thomas Derek , Veresiu Ela , Babić Rosario Ana
Published: August 2021

This article unpacks time as a cultural consumption resource and introduces the concept of consumer timework. Consumer timework refers to marketplace stakeholders’ negotiation of competing interpretations of how the past and the future relate using a wide range of consumption objects and activities. Building on the theory of temporalization, we argue that social tensions, conflicts, and breaks drive the past and the future apart in multiple incompatible ways that individuals and societies must contend. We theorize four fundamental dynamics of consumer timework in which market stakeholders engage: integrative, disintegrative, subjugatory, and emancipatory. Integrative and disintegrative consumer timework respectively harmonize and rupture the multiple temporal orientations (past, present, and future) to create shared communities or counter-communities of time through consumption. Subjugatory and emancipatory consumer timework respectively enforce and disrupt temporal hierarchies of power through consumption. We delineate these temporal dynamics using examples from extant consumer research. We conclude by establishing a future research agenda on consumer timework.
Long-term immunity after a single yellow fever vaccination in travelers vaccinated at 60 years or older: A 10-year follow-up study
Authors: Rosenstein Mareen D , de Visser Adriëtte W , Visser Leo G , Roukens Anna H E
Published: August 2021

Background

In 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) revised their position on yellow fever vaccination, in which revaccination every 10 years was no longer required, and that a single-dose provided life-long protection. However, research data on the immunogenicity of YF vaccine in people aged 60 years and over are scarce. Indeed, immunosenescence may result in lower virus neutralizing antibody titers after primary vaccination and a more rapid waning immunity. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that older travelers, vaccinated at 60 years or older are more likely to become seronegative in comparison to young adults 10 years after primary YF vaccination.

Methods

This is a 10-year follow-up study of an earlier prospective controlled cohort study. In the original trial, the neutralizing antibody response was measured in older travelers (aged 60–81 years, N = 28) and young adults (aged 18–28 years, N = 30) up to 28 days after a primary yellow fever vaccination. Ten years later, we collected serum samples of 22/28 (78%) elderly (71–85 years) and 14/30 (47%) controls (29–40 years), and determined their neutralizing antibody titers by plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT80). Seropositivity was defined as plaque formation reduction of 80% at a serum dilution of 10 or more (PRNT80 ≥ 10).

Results

All participants (36/36) were still seropositive 10 years after primary vaccination. The geometric mean concentrations were not statistically different between the older and younger participants (6.7 IU/mL vs. 8.6 IU/mL, P = 0.5).

Conclusions

All older travelers were seropositive, 10 years after a primary YF vaccination at the age of ≥60 years. These data suggest that in older travelers a single vaccination is sufficient to convey long-lasting immunity for at least 10 years, and is in support the position of the WHO on a single-dose yellow fever vaccination.
Molecular Monitoring of BCR-ABL Fusion Transcripts in Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia During Treatment Using the Endpoint Fluorescence Method
Authors: Amin Huma , Ahmed Suhaib
Published: August 2021

Objective

The purpose of the study was to compare results and evaluate the agreement between the endpoint fluorescence (EPF) method and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (QPCR) during molecular monitoring of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) receiving treatment.

Materials and Methods

The study was conducted at Molecular Lab of Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan, from January 2017 to December 2018. A total of 150 blood specimens from 30 patients with CML were analyzed at regular intervals during therapy. The detection/quantification of transcript mRNA was done simultaneously using QPCR and the EPF method.

Results

Out of a total of 150 RNA specimens analyzed, 117 (78%) specimens were positive, whereas 33 (22%) were negative for the transcript using both methods at various stages of treatment. Strong linear negative correlations between the cycle threshold and relative fluorescence unit values were observed with P <.0001 at 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of treatment. No significant difference (P >.05) between the means of the BCR-ABL percentage was observed in either method at all stages of treatment. The bias between the 2 methods was calculated as 0.069 ± 3.50, and 95% limits of agreement were 6.92% to –6.79%.

Conclusion

We found that EPF is s simple method to detect/quantify BCR-ABL mRNA expression during treatment with comparable results to QPCR.
Modelling supra-classical logic in a Boltzmann neural network: I representation
Authors: Blanchette Glenn , Robins Anthony , Labuschagne Willem
Published: August 2021

This paper looks at the representation of supra-classical, non-monotonic (SCNM) logic by an artificial neural network. It identifies the features of defeasiblity in this logic related to inference in the context of common-sense reasoning. It considers the machine characteristics that make a representation possible, with reference to previous literature. We describe a theoretical environment for investigating the representation and provide experimental evidence confirming that a Boltzmann machine is a suitable network representation. A Boltzmann machine can learn an input distribution corresponding to a preference relation and explicitly retrieve appropriate model states, constituting one-to-many mappings, entailed by the uncertain information contained in a premiss. The place of the Boltzmann machine in knowledge representation is discussed. In future papers, this neural network model of SCNM logic will serve as an experimental gateway for exploration of typicality and belief revision.
Steps Towards a Minimalist Account of Numbers
Authors: Schindler Thomas
Published: August 2021

This paper outlines an account of numbers based on the numerical equivalence schema (NES), which consists of all sentences of the form ‘#x.Fx=n if and only if ∃nx Fx’, where # is the number-of operator and ∃n is defined in standard Russellian fashion. In the first part of the paper, I point out some analogies between the NES and the T-schema for truth. In light of these analogies, I formulate a minimalist account of numbers, based on the NES, which strongly parallels the minimalist (deflationary) account of truth. One may be tempted to develop the minimalist account in a fictionalist direction, according to which arithmetic is useful but untrue, if taken at face value. In the second part, I argue that this suggestion is not as attractive as it may first appear. The NES suffers from a similar problem to the T-schema: it is deductively weak and does not enable the derivation of any non-trivial generalizations. In the third part of the paper, I explore some strategies to deal with the generalization problem, again drawing inspiration from the literature on truth. In closing this paper, I briefly compare the minimalist to some other accounts of numbers.
Synthetic evolution tracks of giant planets
Authors: Müller Simon , Helled Ravit
Published: August 2021

Giant planet evolution models play a crucial role in interpreting observations and constraining formation pathways. However, the simulations can be slow or prohibitively difficult. To address this issue, we calculate a large suite of giant planet evolution models using a state-of-the-art planetary evolution code. Using these data, we create the python program planetsynth that generates synthetic cooling tracks by interpolation. Given the planetary mass, bulk and atmospheric metallicity, and incident stellar irradiation, the program calculates how the planetary radius, luminosity, effective temperature, and surface gravity evolve with time. We demonstrate the capabilities of our models by inferring time-dependent mass–radius diagrams, estimating the metallicities from mass–radius measurements, and by showing how atmospheric measurements can further constrain the planetary bulk composition. We also estimate the mass and metallicity of the young giant planet 51 Eri b from its observed luminosity. Synthetic evolution tracks have many applications, and we suggest that they are valuable for both theoretical and observational investigations into the nature of giant planets.
A Bayesian inference and model selection algorithm with an optimization scheme to infer the model noise power
Authors: López-Santiago J , Martino L , Vázquez M A , Miguez J
Published: August 2021

Model fitting is possibly the most extended problem in science. Classical approaches include the use of least-squares fitting procedures and maximum likelihood methods to estimate the value of the parameters in the model. However, in recent years, Bayesian inference tools have gained traction. Usually, Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods are applied to inference problems, but they present some disadvantages, particularly when comparing different models fitted to the same data set. Other Bayesian methods can deal with this issue in a natural and effective way. We have implemented an importance sampling (IS) algorithm adapted to Bayesian inference problems in which the power of the noise in the observations is not known a priori. The main advantage of IS is that the model evidence can be derived directly from the so-called importance weights – while MCMC methods demand considerable postprocessing. The use of our adaptive target adaptive importance sampling (ATAIS) method is shown by inferring, on the one hand, the parameters of a simulated flaring event that includes a damped oscillation and, on the other hand, real data from the Kepler mission. ATAIS includes a novel automatic adaptation of the target distribution. It automatically estimates the variance of the noise in the model. ATAIS admits parallelization, which decreases the computational run-times notably. We compare our method against a nested sampling method within a model selection problem.
Expanding the chemical functionality of DNA nanomaterials generated by rolling circle amplification
Authors: Baker Ysobel R , Yuan Liyiwen , Chen Jinfeng , Belle Roman , Carlisle Robert , El-Sagheer Afaf H , Brown Tom
Published: August 2021

Rolling circle amplification (RCA) is a powerful tool for the construction of DNA nanomaterials such as hydrogels, high-performance scaffolds and DNA nanoflowers (DNFs), hybrid materials formed of DNA and magnesium pyrophosphate. Such DNA nanomaterials have great potential in therapeutics, imaging, protein immobilisation, and drug delivery, yet limited chemistry is available to expand their functionality. Here, we present orthogonal strategies to produce densely modified RCA products and DNFs. We provide methods to selectively modify the DNA component and/or the protein cargo of these materials, thereby greatly expanding the range of chemical functionalities available to these systems. We have used our methodology to construct DNFs bearing multiple surface aptamers and peptides capable of binding to cancer cells that overexpress the HER2 oncobiomarker, demonstrating their potential for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
Problematic substance use: an assessment of workplace implications in midwifery
Authors: Pezaro S , Maher K , Bailey E , Pearce G
Published: August 2021

Background

Problematic substance use (PSU) poses occupational, personal and professional risks. As an occupational group, midwives have been under-represented in research on PSU.

Aims

The aim of this study was to assess self-reported occurrences of PSU, help-seeking behaviours and barriers, and perceptions of impairment in UK-based midwives.

Methods

Self-selecting registered midwives were anonymously surveyed using the Tobacco, Alcohol, Prescription Medications, and Substance Use/Misuse (TAPS) tool, the Perceptions of Nursing Impairment Inventory (PNII) and open-ended/closed questions. Quantitative data were used to explore PSU, help-seeking and attitudes to impairment. Qualitative responses were used to provide richer understandings.

Results

From 623 completed surveys, 28% (n = 176) self-reported PSU in response to work-related stress and anxiety, bullying, traumatic clinical incidents and maintenance of overall functioning. PSU was related to alcohol and a range of restricted drugs. While 11% of those affected indicated they had sought help, 27% felt they should seek help but did not. Reported barriers to help-seeking included fear of repercussions, shame, stigma, practicalities and a perceived lack of support either available or required. Perceptions of impairment were predominantly compassionate with a minority of stigmatizing attitudes displayed.

Conclusions

Overall, 10% of the sample reported they had attended work under the influence of alcohol, and 6% under the influence of drugs other than tobacco or those as prescribed to them. Furthermore, 37% indicated concern about a colleague’s substance use. As stigmatizing attitudes and punitive actions can dissuade help-seeking, changed perceptions and policies which favour alternatives to discipline are suggested to reduce the risk overall.
The Case for the Irreducibility of Geometry to Algebra
Authors: Pambuccian Victor , Schacht Celia
Published: August 2021

This paper provides a definitive answer, based on considerations derived from first-order logic, to the question regarding the status of elementary geometry, whether elementary geometry can be reduced to algebra. The answer we arrive at is negative, and is based on a series of structural questions that can be asked only inside the geometric formal theory, as well as the consideration of reverse geometry, which is the art of finding minimal axiom systems strong enough to prove certain geometrical theorems, given that there are no algebraic structures that one could associate with those minimal axiom systems.
Revealing RNA virus diversity and evolution in unicellular algae transcriptomes
Authors: Charon Justine , Murray Shauna , Holmes Edward C
Published: August 2021

Remarkably little is known about the diversity and evolution of RNA viruses in unicellular eukaryotes. We screened a total of 570 transcriptomes from the Marine Microbial Eukaryote Transcriptome Sequencing Project that encompasses a wide diversity of microbial eukaryotes, including most major photosynthetic lineages (i.e. the microalgae). From this, we identified thirty new and divergent RNA virus species, occupying a range of phylogenetic positions within the overall diversity of RNA viruses. Approximately one-third of the newly described viruses comprised single-stranded positive-sense RNA viruses from the order Lenarviricota associated with fungi, plants, and protists, while another third were related to the order Ghabrivirales, including members of the protist and fungi-associated Totiviridae. Other viral species showed sequence similarity to positive-sense RNA viruses from the algae-associated Marnaviridae, the double-stranded RNA (ds-RNA) Partitiviridae, as well as tentative evidence for one negative-sense RNA virus related to the Qinviridae. Importantly, we were able to identify divergent RNA viruses from distant host taxa, revealing the ancestry of these viral families and greatly extending our knowledge of the RNA viromes of microalgal cultures. Both the limited number of viruses detected per sample and the low sequence identity to known RNA viruses imply that additional microalgal viruses exist that could not be detected at the current sequencing depth or were too divergent to be identified using sequence similarity. Together, these results highlight the need for further investigation of algal-associated RNA viruses as well as the development of new tools to identify RNA viruses that exhibit very high levels of sequence divergence.
Melatonin induces Nrf2‐HO‐1 reprogramming and corrections in hepatic core clock oscillations in Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Joshi Apeksha , Upadhyay Kapil K. , Vohra Aliasgar , Shirsath Kavita , Devkar Ranjitsinh
Published: August 2021

Melatonin pleiotropically regulates physiological events and has a putative regulatory role in the circadian clock desynchrony‐mediated Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In this study, we investigated perturbations in the hepatic circadian clock gene, and Nrf2‐HO‐1 oscillations in conditions of high‐fat high fructose (HFHF) diet and/or jet lag (JL)‐mediated NAFLD. Melatonin treatment (100 µM) to HepG2 cells led to an improvement in oscillatory pattern of clock genes (Clock, Bmal1, and Per) in oleic acid (OA)‐induced circadian desynchrony, while Cry, Nrf2, and HO‐1 remain oblivious of melatonin treatment that was also validated by circwave analysis. C57BL/6J mice subjected to HFHF and/or JL, and treated with melatonin showed an improvement in the profile of lipid regulatory genes (CPT‐1, PPARa, and SREBP‐1c), liver function (AST and ALT) and histomorphology of fatty liver. A detailed scrutiny revealed that hepatic mRNA and protein profiles of Bmal1 (at ZT6) and Clock (at ZT12) underwent corrective changes in oscillations, but moderate corrections were recorded in other components of clock genes (Per1, Per2, and Cry2). Melatonin induced changes in oscillations of anti‐oxidant genes (Nrf2, HO‐1, and Keap1) subtly contributed in the overall improvement in NAFLD recorded herein. Taken together, melatonin induced reprograming of hepatic core clock and Nrf2‐HO‐1 genes leads to an improvement in HFHF/JL‐induced NAFLD.
Spike protein of SARS‐CoV‐2 activates macrophages and contributes to induction of acute lung inflammation in male mice
Authors: Cao Xiaoling , Tian Yan , Nguyen Vi , Zhang Yuping , Gao Chao , Yin Rong , Carver Wayne , Fan Daping , Albrecht Helmut , Cui Taixing , Tan Wenbin
Published: August 2021

The spike protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) plays a crucial role in mediating viral entry into host cells. However, whether it contributes to pulmonary hyperinflammation in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 is not well known. In this study, we developed a spike protein–pseudotyped (Spp) lentivirus with the proper tropism of the SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein on the surface and determined the distribution of the Spp lentivirus in wild‐type C57BL/6J male mice that received an intravenous injection of the virus. Lentiviruses with vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein (VSV‐G) or with a deletion of the receptor‐binding domain (RBD) in the spike protein [Spp (∆RBD)] were used as controls. Two hours postinfection (hpi), there were 27‐75 times more viral burden from Spp lentivirus in the lungs than in other organs; there were also about 3‐5 times more viral burden from Spp lentivirus than from VSV‐G lentivirus in the lungs, liver, kidney, and spleen. Deletion of RBD diminished viral loads in the lungs but not in the heart. Acute pneumonia was observed in animals 24 hpi. Spp lentivirus was mainly found in SPC+ and LDLR+ pneumocytes and macrophages in the lungs. IL6, IL10, CD80, and PPAR‐γ were quickly upregulated in response to infection in the lungs as well as in macrophage‐like RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore, forced expression of the spike protein in RAW264.7 cells significantly increased the mRNA levels of the same panel of inflammatory factors. Our results demonstrated that the spike protein of SARS‐CoV‐2 confers the main point of viral entry into the lungs and can induce cellular pathology. Our data also indicate that an alternative ACE2‐independent viral entry pathway may be recruited in the heart and aorta.