bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
European Society of Thoracic Surgeons electronic quality of life application after lung resection: field testing in a clinical setting
Authors: Pompili Cecilia , Trevis Jason , Patella Miriam , Brunelli Alessandro , Libretti Lidia , Novoa Nuria , Scarci Marco , Tenconi Sara , Dunning Joel , Cafarotti Stefano , Koller Michael , Velikova Galina , Shargall Yaron , Raveglia Federico ,   the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS) Patient Centred Working Group
Published: January 2021

OBJECTIVES

Technology has the potential to assist healthcare professionals in improving patient–doctor communication during the surgical journey. Our aims were to assess the acceptability of a quality of life (QoL) application (App) in a cohort of cancer patients undergoing lung resections and to depict the early perioperative trajectory of QoL.

METHODS

This multicentre (Italy, UK, Spain, Canada and Switzerland) prospective longitudinal study with repeated measures used 12 lung surgery-related validated questions from the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Item Bank. Patients filled out the questionnaire preoperatively and 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after surgery using an App preinstalled in a tablet. A one-way repeated measures analysis of variance was run to determine if there were differences in QoL over time.

RESULTS

A total of 103 patients consented to participate in the study (83 who had lobectomies, 17 who had segmentectomies and 3 who had pneumonectomies). Eighty-three operations were performed by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Compliance rates were 88%, 90%, 88%, 82%, 71% and 56% at each time point, respectively. The results showed that the operation elicited statistically significant worsening in the following symptoms: shortness of breath (SOB) rest (P = 0.018), SOB walk (P < 0.001), SOB stairs (P = 0.015), worry (P = 0.003), wound sensitivity (P < 0.001), use of arm and shoulder (P < 0.001), pain in the chest (P < 0.001), decrease in physical capability (P < 0.001) and scar interference on daily activity (P < 0.001) during the first postoperative month. SOB worsened immediately after the operation and remained low at the different time points. Worry improved following surgery. Surgical access and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) are the factors that most strongly affected the evolution of the symptoms in the perioperative period.

CONCLUSIONS

We observed good early compliance of patients operated on for lung cancer with the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons QoL App. We determined the evolution of surgery-related QoL in the immediate postoperative period. Monitoring these symptoms remotely may reduce hospital appointments and help to establish early patient-support programmes.
Carinal sleeve resection: last exit for bronchial insufficiency—a 17-year, single-centre experience
Authors: Herrmann Dominik , Oggiano Melanie , Gencheva-Bozhkova Plamena , Braun Monique , Neuhaus Gerd , Ewig Santiago , Hecker Erich
Published: January 2021

OBJECTIVES

Bronchopleural fistula after pneumonectomy and dehiscence of an anastomosis after sleeve lobectomy are severe complications. Several established therapeutic options are available. Conservative treatment is recommended for a small fistula without pleural infection. In patients with a bronchopleural fistula and subsequent pleural empyema, surgical management is the mainstay. Overall, the associated morbidity and mortality are high. Carinal sleeve resection is the last resort for patients with a short stump after pneumonectomy or anastomotic dehiscence after sleeve resection near the carina.

METHODS

All patients with bronchopleural fistula after pneumonectomy or sleeve resection who underwent secondary carinal sleeve resection between 2003 and 2019 in our institution were evaluated retrospectively. Patients with anastomotic dehiscence after sleeve lobectomy underwent a completion pneumonectomy. The surgical approach was an anterolateral thoracotomy; the anastomosis was covered with muscle flap, pericardial fat or omentum majus. In case of empyema, povidone-iodine-soaked towels were introduced into the cavity and changed at least twice.

RESULTS

A total of 17 patients with an initial sleeve lobectomy in 12 patients and pneumonectomy in 5 patients were treated with carinal sleeve resection in our department. Morbidity was 64.7% and 30-day survival was 82.4% (n = 14). A total of 70.6% of the patients survived 90 days (n = 12). Median hospitalization was 17 days and the median stay in the intensive care unit was 12 days.

CONCLUSIONS

Carinal sleeve resection is a feasible option in patients with a post-pneumonectomy fistula or anastomotic insufficiency following sleeve lobectomy in the absence of alternative therapeutic strategies. Nevertheless, postoperative morbidity is high, including prolonged intensive care unit stay.
How To Stay in the Loop. A Think-Aloud Study on Dictionary Use by Excellent Secondary-School Students of Ancient Greek
Authors: Bartelds Daniël
Published: January 2021

Dictionary use in secondary-school classics education in the Netherlands is problematic and an important cause of poor translations and text comprehension. Research on the topic is scarce and dictionary training plays a marginal role in the classics teaching practice. This explorative, qualitative think-aloud study examines which dictionary activities lead to success. We observed excellent secondary-school students while they were translating an Ancient Greek text. A feedback loop model, characterised as a slow process of constant verification, is used to analyse their dictionary behaviour. The findings show that successful dictionary activities depend on moving back and forth between text and dictionary, while the students reduce the cognitive load by activating schemata. Performing informed searches and using their fingers or the ribbon bookmark facilitate this process. In addition, closely monitoring the process with a critical mind, and linguistic reflection using appropriate metalanguage seem crucial.
First order least-squares formulations for eigenvalue problems
Authors: Bertrand Fleurianne , Boffi Daniele
Published: January 2021

In this paper we discuss spectral properties of operators associated with the least-squares finite-element approximation of elliptic partial differential equations. The convergence of the discrete eigenvalues and eigenfunctions towards the corresponding continuous eigenmodes is studied and analyzed with the help of appropriate $L^2$ error estimates. A priori and a posteriori estimates are proved.
Demonstrating the sustainability of capacity strengthening amidst COVID-19
Authors: Abomo P , Miaka E M , Crossman S J , Hope A
Published: January 2021

The global disruptions caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 crisis posed a threat to the momentum the vector control team at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) and the Programme National de Lutte contre la Tryaponosomiase Humaine Africaine (PNLTHA) had built in their efforts to control tsetse fly populations in the Democratic Republic of Congo. But despite the pandemic and global lockdown, field activities did continue and the same impressive results in tsetse fly reduction were observed and the team followed this by completing a round of ‘tiny target’ deployment without any external presence. Such a success was possible due to the investment in vector control capacity strengthening undertaken by the LSTM and PNLTHA.
Looking for the right balance between human and economic costs during COVID-19 outbreak
Authors: Seghieri Chiara , La Regina Micaela , Tanzini Michela , Tartaglia Riccardo
Published: January 2021

Since the beginning of Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) disease outbreak, there has been a heated debate about public health measures, as they can presumably reduce human costs in the short term but can negatively impact economies and well-being over a longer period.

Materials and methods

To study the relationship between health and economic impact of COVID-19, we conducted a secondary research on Italian regions, combining official data (mortality due to COVID-19 and contractions in value added of production for a month of lockdown). Then, we added the tertiles of the number of people tested for COVID-19 and those of health aids to evaluate the correspondence with the outcome measures.

Results

Five regions out of 20, the most industrialized northern regions, which were affected both earlier and more severely by the outbreak, registered both mortality and economic value loss above the overall medians. The southern regions, which were affected later and less severely, had low mortality and less economic impact.

Conclusions

Our analysis shows that considering health and economic outcomes in the assessment of response to pandemics offers a bigger picture perspective of the outbreak and could allow policymakers and health managers to choose systemic, ‘personalized’ strategies, in case of a feared second epidemic wave.
Heroin Fatality in a Feline: A Case Report with Postmortem Liver Concentrations
Authors: Buchweitz John P , Zyskowski Justin , Lehner Andreas F
Published: January 2021

A case of feline intoxication and fatality with the illicit drug heroin is described. A 5-year-old castrated male domestic shorthair cat was recently diagnosed with an active pneumonitis and left at home for a couple of days under the care of another resident. Upon return, the owner found his cat dead with strong suspicion of foul play. The cat was necropsied by a local veterinary clinic to retrieve the liver for diagnostic toxicology. The postmortem liver sample screened positive for 6-acetylmorphine and 6-acetylcodeine by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Deconvolution techniques were applied to chromatograms, which revealed the additional presence of morphine and mirtazapine. Subsequent quantitation of mirtazapine, heroin, morphine, 6-acetylmorphine and 6-acetylcodeine was performed by gas chromatography--tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry. Although companion animal fatalities arising from toxicities are a likely consequence of drug abuse in a home, this is the first reported case of a malicious feline fatality resulting from heroin with quantitation of heroin metabolites.
Midwakh: Assessment of Levels of Carcinogenic Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Nicotine in Dokha Tobacco Smoke
Authors: Samara Fatin , Alam Isra Arshad , ElSayed Yehya
Published: January 2021

Midwakh, which originated in the Middle East, has started to spread globally with different brands commercialized online and in local stores across Europe and the USA. Dokha is the tobacco used in midwakh. To this day, risk of midwakh smoking is poorly understood. Three different types of dokha were evaluated in this study, classified as cold, medium, and hot using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The concentrations of nicotine and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in raw and smoked dokha samples were measured, and the results were compared to data in the literature on different types of tobacco products. PAH concentrations were used to estimate the toxic equivalency quotient, daily exposures, incremental lifetime cancer risk, and hazard quotient. The level of nicotine in raw dokha exceeded by far the levels reported in cigarettes, cigar, waterpipe, and chewing tobacco. Although only a portion of the nicotine is released into the smoke, the amount of nicotine in dokha smoke exceeded those reported for cigarettes. Two PAHs were found in raw dokha at trace amounts and 12 PAHs were detected in dokha smoke in amounts that exceeded those reported for cigarette smoke. The PAHs distribution showed a specific pattern in the smoke and a higher risk factor than that obtained for cigarettes and other tobacco products. Dokha products present a potential higher risk and immediate action should be taken to avoid its global consumption.
The Development and Validation of a Novel Designer Benzodiazepines Panel by LC–MS-MS
Authors: Mastrovito Rebecca A , Papsun Donna M , Logan Barry K
Published: January 2021

Novel illicit benzodiazepines are among the most active areas of new illicit drug manufacture and use. We describe a method for the detection and quantification of etizolam and its metabolite α-hydroxyetizolam, flubromazolam, clonazolam, diclazepam, delorazepam, bromazepam, flubromazepam, phenazepam, flualprazolam, flunitrazolam, and nitrazolam in human whole blood. After addition of internal standards, samples are buffered and extracted using a liquid–liquid extraction. Analysis is performed using positive-ion electrospray tandem mass spectrometry for detection and quantitation. Calibration ranges were established based on the method performance and differed from compound to compound. Replicates at the lowest calibration point for each compound performed within 5% of CV (Coefficient of Variation). The correlation coefficient was >0.990 for all compounds. Relative standard deviation for all compounds was ≤10% of CV and accuracy was  ±10% for both within- and between-run experiments. The maximum average intra- and inter-run imprecision were 5.7%. The maximum average intra- and inter-run imprecision was −8.7%. As part of evaluating the scope for relevancy, samples testing positive in immunoassay but confirmed to be negative in traditional benzodiazepine confirmation method were re-analyzed using this method. The presence of at least one novel benzodiazepine was identified in 70% of these samples. The appearance of these novel “designer” benzodiazepines demonstrates the challenge for toxicology testing and the need for continually updated confirmation methods.
Impact of Multimodal Analgesia in Critically Ill Burn Patients
Authors: Young Sierra R , Duby Jeremiah J , Louie Erin L , Palmieri Tina L
Published: January 2021

Opioids are the mainstay of treatment for burn pain. However, these medications may be associated with respiratory depression and dependence. Multimodal analgesia is an alternative method that utilizes both opioid and nonopioid medications with different mechanisms. This study examines the impact of multimodal therapy for postoperative pain control in a burn intensive care unit.  This was a retrospective cohort study of patients admitted to the burn unit at a tertiary medical center. Consecutively admitted patients with burns greater than or equal to 10% TBSA and intensive care unit length of stay greater than 7 days were eligible for inclusion (2012–2018). Patients were excluded if they received an opioid infusion greater than 48 hours.  Patients treated with multimodal analgesia were compared to those treated with opioids alone. Data were calculated for 5 days after surgery. There were 98 patients in the nonmultimodal group and 97 in the multimodal group. Mean cumulative opioid dose was lower in the multimodal group (1028.7 mg vs 1423.2 mg, P = .0031). Patients with greater than 20% burns had a larger reduction in mean opioid equivalents in the multimodal group (1106 vs 1594 mg, P = .009) compared to patients with burns less than 20% (940 vs 1282 mg, P = .058). There was no difference in mean pain scores on postoperative day 5 (6.2 ± 2.2 vs 5.5 ± 2.3, P = .07) or at intensive care unit discharge (4.7 ± 2.4 vs 4.7 ± 2.8, P = .99). The use of multimodal analgesia significantly reduced cumulative opioid equivalent dose without compromising pain control.
Putting the case for a pluralistic economic geography
Authors: Martin Ron
Published: January 2021

Over the past decade or so, concern has grown in economic geography over whether the discipline has become too pluralised, characterised by the proliferation of conceptual schemas, theoretical approaches and local narratives, between which there is often little communication or coherence, thereby militating against the identification of a clear and generally agreed disciplinary identity and ‘core’ research agenda. In response, some economic geographers have argued that what is now needed is an ‘integrative turn’, in order to arrest and reverse this process of pluralisation. This article explores the complex issue of pluralism and argues there are convincing arguments in support of pluralism, on pragmatic grounds, as a purposive–strategic endeavour, and on normative–melioristic grounds. At the same time, the article explores in some detail the ideas of ‘integrative pluralism’ and ‘boundary objects’ as ways of achieving communication between different perspectives while preserving the advantages of pluralism.
Space use and activity of capybaras in an urban area
Authors: Serra-Medeiros Samara , Ortega Zaida , Antunes Pamela Castro , Miraglia Herrera Heitor , Oliveira-Santos Luiz Gustavo Rodrigues
Published: January 2021

Due to the rapid growth of urban environments, interactions between animals and humans in cities are increasingly common. Large mammals, such as capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), provide benefits to people and biodiversity of urban areas, but can also result in conflicts, such as animal–vehicle collisions or disease transmission. As a consequence, understanding the space use of urban capybara, and the effect of human activity on capybaras, is conducive to the promotion of coexistence. We studied the home range and the role of human disturbance on activity and habitat selection of urban capybaras in the city of Campo Grande (Brazil). We monitored nine groups of capybaras living at four parks: two parks subjected to high human visitation on workdays and two on weekends. Home range of the urban capybaras in the study is larger than those reported in previous studies of wild capybaras. The capybaras under study presented a bimodal activity pattern, which was delayed on days of high human presence, increasing animals’ nocturnality. In addition, habitat selection was completely altered on days of high human presence, leading animals to increase avoidance of urban areas and reversing the selectivity patterns for forests, grasslands, and water bodies, that capybaras show on days with low human presence. Even when completely surrounded by an anthropic environment, our results indicate that a mosaic of grasslands near a water body and forested areas will allow capybaras to maintain daily activity and large home ranges. However, human presence significantly altered the daily activity patterns and habitat selection of capybara. Urban planners should account for these data to improve the coexistence of capybaras with humans and thereby minimize the potential for conflicts.
Deferred Reference of Proper Names
Authors: Kijania-Placek Katarzyna , Banaś Paweł
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we argue that proper names have deferred uses. Following Geoffrey Nunberg, we describe the deferred reference mechanism by which a linguistic expression refers to something in the world by exploiting a contextually salient relation between an index and the referent in question. Nunberg offered a thorough analysis of deferred uses of indexicals but claimed that proper names do not permit such uses. We, however, offer a number of examples of uses of proper names which pass grammatical tests for deferred usage, as put forward by Nunberg.
Optimizing Recruitment of Black Adolescents into Behavioral Research: A Multi-Center Study
Authors: Ellis Deborah A , Rhind Jillian , Carcone April Idalski , Evans Meredyth , Weissberg-Benchell Jill , Buggs-Saxton Colleen , Boucher-Berry Claudia , Miller Jennifer L , Al Wazeer Mouhammad , Drossos Tina , Dekelbab Bassem
Published: January 2021

Objectives

Adolescents of color are underrepresented in behavioral health research. Study aims were to quantify the amount and types of outreach effort needed to recruit young Black adolescents with type 1 diabetes and their primary caregiver into a clinical trial evaluating a parenting intervention and to determine if degree of recruitment difficulty was related to demographic, diabetes-related, or family characteristics.

Methods

Data were drawn from a multi-center clinical trial. Participants (N = 155) were recruited from seven pediatric diabetes clinics. Contact log data were used to quantify both number/type of contacts prior to study enrollment as well as length of time to enrollment. Families were coded as having expedited recruitment (ER) or prolonged recruitment (PR). Baseline study data were used to compare ER and PR families on sociodemographic factors, adolescent diabetes management and health status and family characteristics such as household organization and family conflict.

Results

Mean length of time to recruit was 6.6 months and mean number of recruitment contacts was 10.3. Thirty-nine percent of the sample were characterized as PR. These families required even higher levels of effort (mean of 9.9 months to recruit and 15.4 contacts). There were no significant between-group differences on any baseline variable for ER and PR families, with the exception of family income.

Conclusions

Researchers need to make persistent efforts in order to successfully enroll adolescents of color and their caregivers into clinical trials. Social determinants of health such as family resources may differentiate families with prolonged recruitment within such samples.
Understanding Variation in Longitudinal Data Using Latent Growth Mixture Modeling
Authors: Mara Constance A , Carle Adam C
Published: January 2021

Objective

This article guides researchers through the process of specifying, troubleshooting, evaluating, and interpreting latent growth mixture models.

Methods

Latent growth mixture models are conducted with small example dataset of N = 117 pediatric patients using Mplus software.

Results

The example and data show how to select a solution, here a 3-class solution. We also present information on two methods for incorporating covariates into these models.

Conclusions

Many studies in pediatric psychology seek to understand how an outcome changes over time. Mixed models or latent growth models estimate a single average trajectory estimate and an overall estimate of the individual variability, but this may mask other patterns of change shared by some participants. Unexplored variation in longitudinal data means that researchers can miss critical information about the trajectories of subgroups of individuals that could have important clinical implications about how one assess, treats, and manages subsets of individuals. Latent growth mixture modeling is a method for uncovering subgroups (or “classes”) of individuals with shared trajectories that differ from the average trajectory.
High affinity promoter binding of STOP1 is essential for early expression of novel aluminum-induced resistance genes GDH1 and GDH2 in Arabidopsis
Authors: Tokizawa Mutsutomo , Enomoto Takuo , Ito Hiroki , Wu Liujie , Kobayashi Yuriko , Mora-Macías Javier , Armenta-Medina Dagoberto , Iuchi Satoshi , Kobayashi Masatomo , Nomoto Mika , Tada Yasuomi , Fujita Miki , Shinozaki Kazuo , Yamamoto Yoshiharu Y , Kochian Leon V , Koyama Hiroyuki
Published: January 2021

Malate efflux from roots, which is regulated by the transcription factor STOP1 (SENSITIVE-TO-PROTON-RHIZOTOXICITY1) and mediates aluminum-induced expression of ALUMINUM-ACTIVATED-MALATE-TRANSPORTER1 (AtALMT1), is critical for aluminum resistance in Arabidopsis thaliana. Several studies showed that AtALMT1 expression in roots is rapidly observed in response to aluminum; this early induction is an important mechanism to immediately protect roots from aluminum toxicity. Identifying the molecular mechanisms that underlie rapid aluminum resistance responses should lead to a better understanding of plant aluminum sensing and signal transduction mechanisms. In this study, we observed that GFP-tagged STOP1 proteins accumulated in the nucleus soon after aluminum treatment. The rapid aluminum-induced STOP1-nuclear localization and AtALMT1 induction were detected in the presence of a protein synthesis inhibitor, suggesting that post-translational regulation is involved in these events. STOP1 also regulated rapid aluminum-induced expression for other genes that carry a functional/high-affinity STOP1-binding site in their promoter, including STOP2, GLUTAMATE-DEHYDROGENASE1 and 2 (GDH1 and 2). However STOP1 did not regulate Al resistance genes which have no functional STOP1-binding site such as ALUMINUM-SENSITIVE3, suggesting that the binding of STOP1 in the promoter is essential for early induction. Finally, we report that GDH1 and 2 which are targets of STOP1, are novel aluminum-resistance genes in Arabidopsis.
Imperative Transparency
Authors: Martínez Manolo
Published: January 2021

I respond to an objection recently formulated by Barlassina and Hayward against first-order imperativism about pain, according to which it cannot account for the self-directed motivational force of pain. I am going to agree with them: it cannot. This is because pain does not have self-directed motivational force. I will argue that the alternative view—that pain is about dealing with extramental, bodily threats, not about dealing with itself—makes better sense of introspection, and of empirical research on pain avoidance. Also, a naturalistic theory of body-involving commands falls straightforwardly out of our most prominent naturalistic metasemantic accounts, while the token-reflexive contents that would underlie self-directed motivation are more problematic.
Prognosis and treatment effects of HIV-associated talaromycosis in a real-world patient cohort
Authors: Klus Jonathan , Ly Vo Trieu , Chan Cliburn , Le Thuy
Published: January 2021

Talaromycosis is a leading cause of AIDS-associated opportunistic infections and death in Southeast Asia. We have recently shown in the Itraconazole versus Amphotericin for Talaromycosis (IVAP) trial that induction therapy with amphotericin B reduced mortality over 24 weeks, but not during the first 2 weeks. Antifungal treatment effects in real-world settings have not been rigorously evaluated. Using data obtained from patient records at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam from 2004 to 2009, we first developed a prognostic model using Bayesian logistic regression to identify predictors of death. Second, we developed a causal model using propensity score matching to assess the treatment effects of amphotericin B and itraconazole.

Our prognostic model identified intravenous drug use (odds ratio [OR] = 2.01), higher respiratory rate (OR = 1.12), higher absolute lymphocyte count (OR = 1.62), a concurrent respiratory infection (OR = 1.67) or central nervous system infection (OR = 2.66) as independent predictors of death. Fever (OR = 0.56) was a protective factor. Our prognostic model exhibits good in-sample performance and out-of-sample validation, with a discrimination power of 0.85 and 0.91, respectively. Our causal model showed no significant difference in treatment outcomes between amphotericin B and itraconazole over the first 2 weeks (95% credible interval: 0.62, 2.50).

Our prognostic model provides a simple tool based on routinely collected clinical data to predict individual patient outcome. Our causal model shows similar results to the IVAP trial at 2 weeks, demonstrating an agreement between real-world data and clinical trial data.
Hierarchical black hole mergers in multiple systems: constrain the formation of GW190412-, GW190814-, and GW190521-like events
Authors: Liu Bin , Lai Dong
Published: January 2021

The merging black hole (BH) binaries GW190412, GW190814, and GW190521 from the third LIGO/VIRGO observing run exhibit some extraordinary properties, including highly asymmetric masses, significant spin, and component mass in the ‘mass gap’. These features can be explained if one or both components of the binary are the remnants of previous mergers. In this paper, we explore hierarchical mergers in multiple stellar systems, taking into account the natal kick and mass-loss due to the supernova explosion (SN) on each component, as well as the merger kick received by the merger remnant. The binaries that have survived the SNe and kicks generally have too wide orbital separations to merge by themselves, but can merge with the aid of an external companion that gives rise to Lidov–Kozai oscillations. The BH binaries that consist of second-generation BHs can also be assembled in dense star clusters through binary interactions. We characterize the parameter space of these BH binaries by merger fractions in an analytical approach. Combining the distributions of the survived binaries, we further constrain the parameters of the external companion, using the analytically formulated tertiary perturbation strength. We find that to produce the three LIGO/VIRGO O3 events, the external companions must be at least a few hundreds M⊙, and fall in the intermediate-mass BH and supermassive BH range. We suggest that GW190412, GW190814, and GW190521 could all be produced via hierarchical mergers in multiples, likely in a nuclear star cluster, with the final merger induced by a massive BH.
Using artificial neural networks to extract the 21-cm global signal from the EDGES data
Authors: Choudhury Madhurima , Chatterjee Atrideb , Datta Abhirup , Choudhury Tirthankar Roy
Published: January 2021

The redshifted 21-cm signal of neutral hydrogen is a promising probe into the period of evolution of our Universe when the first stars were formed (Cosmic Dawn), to the period where the entire Universe changed its state from being completely neutral to completely ionized (Reionization). The most striking feature of this line of neutral hydrogen is that it can be observed across an entire frequency range as a sky-averaged continuous signature, or its fluctuations can be measured using an interferometer. However, the 21-cm signal is very faint and is dominated by a much brighter Galactic and extragalactic foregrounds, making it an observational challenge. We have used different physical models to simulate various realizations of the 21-cm global signals, including an excess radio background to match the amplitude of the Experiment to Detect the Global EoR Signature (EDGES) 21-cm signal. First, we have used an artificial neural network (ANN) to extract the astrophysical parameters from these simulated data sets. Then, mock observations were generated by adding a physically motivated foreground model and an ANN was used to extract the astrophysical parameters from such data. The R2 score of our predictions from the mock observations is in the range of 0.65–0.89. We have used this ANN to predict the signal parameters giving the EDGES data as the input. We find that the reconstructed signal closely mimics the amplitude of the reported detection. The recovered parameters can be used to infer the physical state of the gas at high redshifts.
Estimating black hole masses in obscured AGN using X-rays
Authors: Gliozzi Mario , Williams James K , Michel Dina A
Published: January 2021

Determining the black hole masses in active galactic nuclei (AGN) is of crucial importance to constrain the basic characteristics of their central engines and shed light on their growth and co-evolution with their host galaxies. While the black hole mass (MBH) can be robustly measured with dynamical methods in bright type 1 AGN, where the variable primary emission and the broad-line region are directly observed, a direct measurement is considerably more challenging if not impossible for the vast majority of heavily obscured type 2 AGN. In this work, we tested the validity of an X-ray-based scaling method to constrain the MBH in heavily absorbed AGN. To this end, we utilized a sample of type 2 AGN with good-quality hard X-ray data obtained by the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array satellite and with MBH dynamically constrained from megamaser measurements. Our results indicate that, when the X-ray broad-band spectra are fitted with physically motivated self-consistent models that properly account for absorption, scattering, and emission-line contributions from the putative torus and constrain the primary X-ray emission, then the X-ray scaling method yields MBH values that are consistent with those determined from megamaser measurements within their respective uncertainties. With this method, we can therefore systematically determine the MBH in any type 2 AGN, provided that they possess good-quality X-ray data and accrete at a moderate to high rate.
Redshift evolution of the H2/H i mass ratio in galaxies
Authors: Morselli Laura , Renzini A , Enia A , Rodighiero G
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we present an attempt to estimate the redshift evolution of the molecular to neutral gas mass ratio within galaxies (at fixed stellar mass). For a sample of five nearby grand design spirals located on the main-sequence (MS) of star-forming galaxies, we exploit maps at 500 pc resolution of stellar mass and star formation rate (M⋆ and SFR). For the same cells, we also have estimates of the neutral (MH i) and molecular ($M_{\rm H_2}$) gas masses. To compute the redshift evolution, we exploit two relations: (i) one between the molecular-to-neutral mass ratio and the total gas mass (Mgas), whose scatter shows a strong dependence with the distance from the spatially resolved MS, and (ii) the one between $\log (M_{\rm {H_2}}/M_{\star })$ and log (MH i/M⋆). For both methods, we and that $M_{\rm H_2}$/MH i within the optical radius slightly decreases with redshift, contrary to common expectations of galaxies becoming progressively more dominated by molecular hydrogen at high redshifts. We discuss possible implications of this trend on our understanding of the internal working of high-redshift galaxies.
Nuclear factor-kappa B signaling in endometriotic stromal cells is not inhibited by progesterone owing to an aberrant endoplasmic reticulum stress response: a possible role for an altered inflammatory process in endometriosis
Authors: Choi JongYeob , Jo MinWha , Lee EunYoung , Lee Dong-Yun , Choi DooSeok
Published: January 2021

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress serves as a key modulator of the inflammatory response by controlling nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) signaling. Previous studies from our laboratory have reported an abnormal induction of ER stress linked to progesterone resistance in human endometriotic cells. Therefore, an aberrant ER stress response to progesterone might contribute to the altered inflammatory response observed in endometriotic tissues. To evaluate this hypothesis, we investigated whether ER stress is involved in regulation of NF-κB in endometrial stromal cells and whether induction of aberrant ER stress in endometriotic stromal cells affects pro-inflammatory cytokine production. We found that tunicamycin-induced ER stress inhibited NF-κB activation and pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-6 and COX2) production in TNF-α- or IL-1β-treated normal endometrial stromal cells (NECSs). Tunicamycin increased the expression of A20 and C/EBPβ, which are negative regulators of NF-κB, and this increase inhibited NF-κB activity in NESCs incubated with TNF-α or IL-1β. Similarly, progesterone increased A20 and C/EBPβ expression through upregulation of ER stress in NESCs, resulting in inhibition of NF-κB activity and IL-6 and COX2 production. However, progesterone had no significant effects on induction of ER stress, A20 or C/EBPβ expression, NF-κB activity or IL-6 or COX2 production in ovarian endometriotic cyst stromal cells (ECSCs). In contrast, upregulation of ER stress by tunicamycin significantly reduced IL-6 and COX2 production by inhibiting NF-κB activity in ECSCs. In conclusion, our results suggest that NF-κB activity in endometriotic stromal cells was not inhibited because of an aberrant ER stress response to progesterone, resulting in an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokine production.
Is there more than one species in the genusSpirula(Cephalopoda: Decabrachia): evidence for an Atlantic–Pacific divide
Authors: Hoffmann René , Weinkauf Manuel F G , Fuchs Dirk , Lukeneder Alexander
Published: January 2021

Spirula spirula (Coleoidea: Decabrachia) is a unique deep-sea squid with an uncertain taxonomic status. Here, we apply geometric morphometric analyses to precisely describe changes in conch morphology during the course of ontogeny of 21 specimens collected from 12 localities worldwide. These data were used to explore whether the genus is monospecific or comprises several species. Different 2D and 3D conch parameters are presented based on micro-computed tomography data, combining noninvasive imaging techniques with a range of morphometric analyses. Our data imply that Atlantic and Indo-Pacific specimens form two distinct morphological clusters, potentially representing two pseudocryptic species or two populations undergoing divergence (i.e. in the process of speciation). Given the evolutionary trend from straight to more coiled forms, we suggest that S. spirula represents a neotenous form that migrated from the Indo-Pacific towards the Atlantic via the Agulhas leakage, which has been active since the closure of the Strait of Panama (10–3 Ma).
Differences in Levels of Biomarkers of Potential Harm Among Users of a Heat-Not-Burn Tobacco Product, Cigarette Smokers, and Never-Smokers in Japan: A Post-Marketing Observational Study
Authors: Sakaguchi Chikako , Nagata Yasufumi , Kikuchi Akira , Takeshige Yuki , Minami Naoki
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Cigarette smoking is associated with the risk of certain diseases, but non-combustible products may lower these risks. The potential long-term health effects of the next-generation non-combustible products (heat-not-burn tobacco products (HNBP) or electronic vapor products) have not been thoroughly studied. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of biomarkers of potential harm (BoPH) of one of HNBP (a novel vapor product: NTV (novel tobacco vapor)), under the conditions of actual use.

Aims and Methods

This study was an observational, cross-sectional, three-group, multi-center study. Exclusive NTV users (NTV, n = 259), conventional cigarette smokers (CC, n = 100) and never-smokers (NS, n = 100) were enrolled. Biomarkers of tobacco smoke exposure (cotinine and total 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL)) and BoPH including parameters of physical pulmonary functions relevant to smoking-related diseases were examined, and subjects answered a questionnaire on cough-related symptoms (J-LCQ) and health-related quality of life (SF-36v2®).

Results

Levels of cotinine, total NNAL and BoPH (high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, triglyceride, sICAM-1, WBC count, 11-DHTXB2, 2,3-d-TXB2, 8-epi-PGF2α, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), % predicted value of FEV1 (%FEV1) and maximum midexpiratory flow (FEF25-75)) were significantly different in the NTV group as compared to levels in CC group (p < .05). Significantly higher levels of cotinine, total NNAL, and 2,3-d-TXB2, and lower levels of FEV1 and %FEV1, were observed among NTV users compared to the NS group.

Conclusion

In a post-marketing study under actual use conditions, BoPH associated with smoking-related disease examined in exclusive NTV users were found to be favorably different from those of CC smokers, a finding attributable to a reduction in exposure to harmful substances of tobacco smoke.

Implications

Cigarette smoking is associated with an increased risk of pulmonary diseases like COPD, cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers. There is a growing body of evidence that HNBP reduces the exposure associated with smoking and that there is a favorable change in BoPH. However, long-term effects regarding the relative health risks to HNBP users compared to CC smokers have not been examined. This study provides post-marketing data under actual use conditions of the effects on biomarkers of potential harm in NTV, one of HNBP, exclusive users compared to CC smokers and never-smokers. The evidence suggests that exclusive NTV users have favorable levels of BoPH compared to CC smokers, and that is result from a sustained reduction in exposure to harmful substances of tobacco smoke.
Covid-19 shelter-at-home and work, lifestyle and well-being in desk workers
Authors: Barone Gibbs B , Kline C E , Huber K A , Paley J L , Perera S
Published: January 2021

Background

Emerging cross-sectional reports find that the COVID-19 pandemic and related social restrictions negatively affect lifestyle behaviours and mental health in general populations.

Aims

To study the longitudinal impact of COVID-19 on work practices, lifestyle and well-being among desk workers during shelter-at-home restrictions.

Methods

We added follow-up after completion of a clinical trial among desk workers to longitudinally measure sedentary behaviour, physical activity, sleep, diet, mood, quality of life and work-related health using validated questionnaires and surveys. We compared outcomes assessed before and during COVID-19 shelter-at-home restrictions. We assessed whether changes in outcomes differed by remote working status (always, changed to or never remote) using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).

Results

Participants (N = 112; 69% female; mean (SD) age = 45.4 (12.3) years; follow-up = 13.5 (6.8) months) had substantial changes to work practices, including 72% changing to remote work. Deleterious changes from before to during shelter-at-home included: 1.3 (3.5)-h increase in non-workday sedentary behaviour; 0.7 (2.8)-point worsening of sleep quality; 8.5 (21.2)-point increase in mood disturbance; reductions in five of eight quality of life subscales; 0.5 (1.1)-point decrease in work-related health (P < 0.05). Other outcomes, including diet, physical activity and workday sedentary behaviour, remained stable (P ≥ 0.05). Workers who were remote before and during the pandemic had greater increases in non-workday sedentary behaviour and stress, with greater declines in physical functioning. Wake time was delayed overall by 41 (61) min, and more so in workers who changed to remote.

Conclusions

Employers should consider supporting healthy lifestyle and well-being among desk workers during pandemic-related social restrictions, regardless of remote working status.
An evaluation of influenza vaccine uptake in UK medical students
Authors: Gray G , Cooper J
Published: January 2021

Background

The annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all front-line healthcare workers in the UK and is a crucial way of reducing mortality for vulnerable patient groups. However, to date the UK government has never explicitly monitored influenza vaccine uptake in medical students. This is important to ascertain, as students regularly move between clinical areas and are both a perfect vector for the spread of influenza and at an increased risk of contracting influenza themselves.

Aims

This service evaluation was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of an influenza vaccination programme in one UK medical school and make recommendations to increase vaccination rates in the future.

Methods

This service evaluation collected data about medical student uptake of influenza vaccination in one UK medical school. Two hundred and fifty-one students at different course stages completed questionnaires, answering questions on vaccination status and Likert-scale ‘belief’ questions to assess the subjective reasons behind vaccine refusal.

Results

There was a substantial difference between year group cohorts (~20%), with significantly higher vaccination rates in the preclinical year group. Two significant negative predictors of vaccination were found (P < 0.001), related to scepticism over the effectiveness of the vaccine and lack of convenient access to the vaccination. Results indicated that integrating information about the influenza vaccine into the curriculum would reduce lack of knowledge over the efficacy of the vaccine. The centralization of vaccination programmes at mandatory university-based learning events would mitigate against the problem of diversity of vaccination locations and lack of central accountability.

Conclusions

The results of this service evaluation provide significant predictors of vaccination status for medical students and potential occupational health interventions to improve vaccine uptake in this group.
Bone Flap Resorption in Pediatric Patients Following Autologous Cranioplasty
Authors: Hersh David S , Anderson Hanna J , Woodworth Graeme F , Martin Jonathan E , Khan Yusuf M
Published: January 2021

Following a decompressive craniectomy, the autologous bone flap is generally considered the reconstructive material of choice in pediatric patients. Replacement of the original bone flap takes advantage of its natural biocompatibility and the associated low risk of rejection, as well as the potential to reintegrate with the adjacent bone and subsequently grow with the patient. However, despite these advantages and unlike adult patients, the replaced calvarial bone is more likely to undergo delayed bone resorption in pediatric patients, ultimately requiring revision surgery. In this review, we describe the materials that are currently available for pediatric cranioplasty, the advantages and disadvantages of autologous calvarial replacement, the incidence and classification of bone resorption, and the clinical risk factors for bone flap resorption that have been identified to date.
A general process model for unanticipated state recognition of a telescope drive system
Authors: Li Yun , Yang Shihai , Wu Jiajia , Gu Bozhong
Published: January 2021

This paper presents a three-layer general process model for unanticipated state recognition in a telescope drive system, consisting of an anticipated fault diagnosis layer, an unanticipated normal state isolation layer, and an unanticipated fault state recognition layer. It is proposed for the first time to subdivide the unanticipated state into an unanticipated normal state and an unanticipated fault state in this paper, and to study their theories separately. Unanticipated normal state isolation rules based on angle deviation and amplitude deviation are established, as are unanticipated fault state recognition rules based on angle deviation and deviation contribution factor. Finally, normal operation data of the Antarctic Survey Telescope (AST3-3) combined with fault implantation was used to verify the validity of the model. The results show that the method can effectively carry out isolation of the unanticipated normal state and identification of the unanticipated fault state.
Live monitoring of plant redox and energy physiology with genetically encoded biosensors
Authors: Müller-Schüssele Stefanie J , Schwarzländer Markus , Meyer Andreas J
Published: January 2021

Genetically encoded biosensors pave the way for understanding plant redox dynamics and energy metabolism on cellular and subcellular levels.
SlERF52 regulates SlTIP1;1 expression to accelerate tomato pedicel abscission
Authors: Wang Rong , Li Ruizhen , Cheng Lina , Wang Xiaoyang , Fu Xin , Dong Xiufen , Qi Mingfang , Jiang Caizhong , Xu Tao , Li Tianlai
Published: January 2021

Abscission of plant organs is induced by developmental signals and diverse environmental stimuli and involves multiple regulatory networks, including biotic or abiotic stress-impaired auxin flux in the abscission zone (AZ). Depletion of auxin activates AZ ethylene (ETH) production and triggers acceleration of abscission, a process that requires hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). However, the interaction between these networks and the underlying mechanisms that control abscission are poorly understood. Here, we found that expression of tonoplast intrinsic proteins, which belong to the aquaporin (AQP) family in the AZ was important for tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) pedicel abscission. Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and in situ hybridization revealed that SlTIP1;1 was most abundant and specifically present in the tomato pedicel AZ. SlTIP1;1 localized in the plasma membrane and tonoplast. Knockout of SlTIP1;1 resulted in delayed abscission, whereas overexpression of SlTIP1;1 accelerated abscission. Further analysis indicated that SlTIP1;1 mediated abscission via gating of cytoplasmic H2O2 concentrations and osmotic water permeability (Pf). Elevated cytoplasmic levels of H2O2 caused a suppressed auxin signal in the early abscission stage and enhanced ETH production during abscission. Furthermore, we found that increasing Pf was required to enhance the turgor pressure to supply the break force for AZ cell separation. Moreover, we observed that SlERF52 bound directly to the SlTIP1;1 promoter to regulate its expression, demonstrating a positive loop in which cytoplasmic H2O2 activates ETH production, which activates SlERF52. This, in turn, induces SlTIP1;1, which leads to elevated cytoplasmic H2O2 and water influx.