bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sensitivity of Myocardial Radiomic Features to Imaging Parameters in Cardiac MR Imaging
Authors: Jang Jihye , El‐Rewaidy Hossam , Ngo Long H. , Mancio Jennifer , Csecs Ibolya , Rodriguez Jennifer , Pierce Patrick , Goddu Beth , Neisius Ulf , Manning Warren , Nezafat Reza
Published: March 2021

Background

Cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) images are often collected with different imaging parameters, which may impact the calculated values of myocardial radiomic features.

Purpose

To investigate the sensitivity of myocardial radiomic features to changes in imaging parameters in cardiac MR images.

Study Type

Prospective.

Population

A total of 11 healthy participants/five patients.

Field Strength/ Sequence

A 3 T/cine balanced steady‐state free‐precession, T1‐weighted spoiled gradient‐echo, T2‐weighted turbo spin‐echo, and quantitative T1 and T2 mapping. For each sequence, the flip angle, in‐plane resolution, slice thickness, and parallel imaging technique were varied to study the sensitivity of radiomic features to alterations in imaging parameters.

Assessment

Myocardial contours were manually delineated by experienced readers, and a total of 1023 radiomic features were extracted using PyRadiomics with 11 image filters and six feature families.

Statistical Tests

Sensitivity was defined as the standardized mean difference (D effect size), and the robust features were defined at sensitivity < 0.2. Sensitivity analysis was performed on predefined sets of reproducible features. The analysis was performed using the entire cohort of 16 subejcts.

Results

64% of radiomic features were robust (sensitivity < 0.2) to changes in any imaging parameter. In qualitative sequences, radiomic features were most sensitive to changes in in‐plane spatial resolution (spatial resolution: 0.6 vs. flip angle: 0.19, parallel imaging: 0.18, slice thickness: 0.07; P < 0.01 for all); in quantitative sequences, radiomic features were least sensitive to changes in spatial resolution (spatial resolution: 0.07 vs. slice thickness: 0.16, flip angle: 0.24; P < 0.01 for all). In an individual feature level, no singular feature family/image filter was identified as robust (sensitivity < 0.2) across sequences; however, highly sensitive features were predominantly associated with high‐frequency wavelet filters across all sequences (32/50 features).

Data Conclusion

In cardiac MR, a considerable number of radiomic features are sensitive to changes in sequence parameters.

Evidence Level

1

Technical Efficacy

Stage 1
Antimicrobial susceptibility and virulence of Enterococcus spp. isolated from periodontitis‐associated subgingival biofilm
Authors: Espíndola Laís Christina P. , do Nascimento Marcus Vinícius M. R. , do Souto Renata M. , Colombo Ana Paula V.
Published: March 2021

Background

This study evaluated the prevalence, virulence and antimicrobial susceptibility of enterococci isolated from the subgingival microbiota of patients with different periodontal status.

Methods

Subgingival biofilm was obtained from individuals with periodontal health (PH) (n = 139), gingivitis (n = 103), and periodontitis (n = 305) and cultivated on selective media. Isolated strains were identified by mass spectrometry. Antimicrobial sensitivity was determined by disk diffusion, virulence genes by polymerase chain reaction, and the subgingival microbiota by checkerboard. Differences among groups were assessed by Kruskal‒Wallis, Mann‒Whitney, and Chi‐square tests.

Results

Enterococcus spp. were isolated from 7.4% of all samples; 53.7% were Enterococcus faecalis. They were more prevalent in periodontitis (9.8%) and gingivitis (7.8%) than PH (2.2%; P <0.05), but no differences among stages of disease severity were observed. High rates of low susceptibility/resistance (>64%) to at least one antimicrobial were observed. Predominant virulence factors included ace (64.3%), asa (39.3%), and esp (35.7%). Fusobacterium nucleatum was prevalent in the subgingival microbiota of enterococci+ individuals, whereas Dialister pneumosintes was found in low frequency in patients with bopD+ enterococci. Oral streptococci were prevalent (>70%) in patients carrying enterococci susceptible to doxycycline (P <0.05), usually bopD‐ and esp‐ (P <0.01).

Conclusions

E. faecalis is increased in periodontitis‐associated biofilm. Oral enterococci carry virulence genes and express resistance to some antibiotics commonly used in dentistry, such as ciprofloxacin and erythromycin. Specific subgingival taxa are associated with oral enterococci, suggesting they may interact with species of the dysbiotic periodontitis biofilm, constituting a potential source of factors to tissue destruction, antibiotic resistance dissemination, and poor response to periodontal therapy.
Lactulose significantly increased the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium and Blautia in mice feces as revealed by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing
Authors: Cui Shumao , Gu Jiayu , Liu Xuemei , Li Dongyao , Mao Bingyong , Zhang Hao , Zhao Jianxin , Chen Wei
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND

Lactulose was one of the earliest prebiotics to be identified. To assess the potential risk of large intakes of lactulose to the intestinal microbiota, mice were fed a diet containing lactulose (0%, 5% and 15%, w/w) for 2 weeks and the changes in the fecal microbiota were evaluated by 16S rRNA high‐throughput sequencing.

RESULTS

Lactulose intervention decreased the α‐diversity of the fecal microbiota in both low‐dose and high‐dose groups. The relative abundance of Actinobacteria was significantly increased, while that of Bacteroidetes was significantly decreased after lactulose intervention. At the genus level, the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium belonging to Actinobacteria was significantly increased, and that of Alistipes belonging to Bacteroidetes was decreased in both low‐dose and high‐dose groups. The relative abundance of Blautia was significantly increased from 0.2% to 7.9% in the high‐dose group and one strain of Blautia producta was isolated from the mice feces. However, the strain could not utilize lactulose.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the microbial diversity was decreased after lactulose treatment, with significant increases in the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium. We also provide a strategy to increase the relative abundance of Blautia in the intestine by lactulose feeding at high doses, although the mechanism is not revealed. This will help us understand the prebiotic effect of lactulose on the host health. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
A chemometrics approach comparing characteristics and free radical scavenging capacity of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) oils obtained from seeds and cakes with different extraction methods
Authors: Zhang Youfeng , Zhou Yang , Song Zhihua , Jin Jun , Tang Junjun , Wang Xingguo , Huang Jianhua , Jin Qingzhe
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND

Flax oil, a nutritive vegetable oil, is a rich natural source of the essential C18:3 α‐linolenic acid and trace nutrients (tocopherol, phytosterol, polyphenol, flavonoid, etc.). In most small‐ and medium‐sized facilities, the oil content in pressed cake is as high as 10%, which is not fully extracted and utilized. These cannot be neglected since they account for a considerable proportion. Characteristics and free radical scavenging capacity of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) oil obtained from seeds and cakes with different extraction methods – cold‐pressing, hot‐pressing (120 and 160 °C) and solvent extraction (oil extracted with solvent from flaxseed, cold‐pressed cake, and hot‐pressed cake) – were evaluated and analyzed using chemometrics methods.

RESULTS

The composition of C18:3 α‐linolenic acid of flax oil was not affected by the extraction methods in this work. Flax oils extracted with solvent from pressed cakes had lower content of bioactive minor components (tocopherols and phytosterols) compared with pressed and solvent‐extracted seed oils. The former also showed poorer oxidative stability and free radical scavenging capacity (polar fraction) when compared with the latter. Flax oils could be distinguished with principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis. Tocopherols and phytosterols exhibited significant contributions to the antioxidant capacity of flax oils via correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis.

CONCLUSION

Tocopherols and phytosterols were appropriate and potent indicators for evaluating the antioxidant capacity of flax oil. Results have important implications for the industrial production and nutritional value of flax oil, especially for flax oils from the cakes after pressing. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Associations Among Increases in Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms, Neurocognitive Performance, and Long‐Term Functional Outcomes in U.S. Iraq War Veterans
Authors: Jackson Colleen E. , Ciarleglio Maria M. , Aslan Mihaela , Marx Brian P. , Ko John , Concato John , Proctor Susan P. , Vasterling Jennifer J.
Published: March 2021

Cross‐sectional research suggests that posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) among war zone veterans are associated with functional impairment and poor quality of life. Less is known about the long‐term functional repercussions of PTSS. This study of Iraq War veterans examined the associations between increases in PTSS and long‐term functional outcomes, including the potential contributions of neurocognitive decrements. Service members and veterans (N= 594) completed self‐report measures of functioning and PTSS severity before Iraq War deployment and again after their return (M= 9.3 years postdeployment). Some participants (n= 278) also completed neurocognitive testing at both times. Multiple regression analyses with the full sample—adjusted for TBI, demographic characteristics, military variables, and predeployment PTSS and functioning—revealed that increased PTSS severity over time was significantly associated with unemployment, aOR= 1.04, 95% CI [1.03, 1.06]; poorer work performance; and poorer physical, emotional, and cognitive health–related functioning at long‐term follow‐up,f2s = 0.37–1.79. Among participants who completed neurocognitive testing, a decline in select neurocognitive measures was associated with poorer functioning; however, neurocognitive decrements did not account for associations between increased PTSS and unemployment, aOR= 1.04, 95% CI [1.02, 1.07], with the size and direction upheld after adding neurocognitive variables, or poorer functional outcomes, with small increases after adding neurocognitive measures to the models,f2s = 0.03–0.10. War zone veterans experiencing long‐term increased PTSS and/or neurocognitive decrements may be at elevated risk for higher‐level functional impairment over time, suggesting that early PTSS management may enhance long‐term functioning.
A Network Analysis of DSM‐5 Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms and Event Centrality
Authors: Guineau Melissa. G. , Jones Payton. J. , Bellet Benjamin. W. , McNally Richard. J.
Published: March 2021

The centrality of a traumatic event to one's autobiographical memory has been associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity. In the present study, we investigated the associations between specific features of event centrality (EC), as measured using the Centrality of Event Scale, and specific symptoms of PTSD. We computed a cross‐sectional graphical lasso network of PTSD symptoms and specific features of EC in a sample of trauma‐exposed individuals (n = 451), many of whom met the clinical threshold for a PTSD diagnosis. The graphical lasso revealed intrusive memories, negative trauma‐related feelings, and the perception that the traumatic event was central to one's identity to be influential nodes. Viewing the future through the lens of one's trauma exposure was the EC feature most strongly linked to PTSD. Among all PTSD symptoms, blaming oneself or others for the traumatic event showed the strongest link to EC. The network was stable, allowing for reliable interpretations. Future longitudinal research is needed to clarify the associations among EC features and PTSD symptoms over time.
Understanding the moderation effect of age and gender on the relationship between employee career attitude and organizational citizenship behavior: A developing country perspective
Authors: Joshi Meha , Maheshwari Girish Chandra , Yadav Rajan
Published: March 2021

The career orientation of professionals is witnessing a change from traditional to “protean.” This paper investigates how protean career attitude (PC) impacts organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) and gauges the moderation effect of gender and age in the relationship between the two. The paper uses accurate and explanatory novel measures and highlights that women employees exhibit high value‐driven and self‐directed career growth, finds that PC has a significant impact on OCB, and demonstrates the moderation effect of age and gender in the relation between PC and OCB. The outcomes of the study can be extremely beneficial for career strategists to handle the shift swiftly.
Broadband high‐efficiency power amplifier with compact coupling matching network
Authors: Wang Weirong , Liu Guohua , Zhang Zhiwei , Cheng Zhiqun
Published: March 2021

This article presents the design of a broadband high‐efficiency power amplifier (PA) with a compact coupling structure. In theory, the output matching network impedance expression based on the compact coupling structure is derived. According to the load impedance range of the class EFJ PA, the coupling structure is deduced to meet the impedance range of the class EFJ PA. This structure can realize the two functions of impedance transformation and harmonic impedance control. In order to further expand the bandwidth and improve the drain efficiency, the step impedance matching method is used to design the input matching network. To verify this design approach, a broadband high‐efficiency PA over a 115% bandwidth from 0.8 to 3.0 GHz is designed. The measured results show that the PA delivers output power of 40–42.2 dBm with the drain efficiency of 62%–73% and gain of 10–12.2 dB in the target band. The test results are good consistent with the simulated ones.
An end‐to‐end‐trainable iterative network architecture for accelerated radial multi‐coil 2D cine MR image reconstruction
Authors: Kofler Andreas , Haltmeier Markus , Schaeffter Tobias , Kolbitsch Christoph
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Iterative convolutional neural networks (CNNs) which resemble unrolled learned iterative schemes have shown to consistently deliver state‐of‐the‐art results for image reconstruction problems across different imaging modalities. However, because these methods include the forward model in the architecture, their applicability is often restricted to either relatively small reconstruction problems or to problems with operators which are computationally cheap to compute. As a consequence, they have not been applied to dynamic non‐Cartesian multi‐coil reconstruction problems so far.

Methods

In this work, we propose a CNN architecture for image reconstruction of accelerated 2D radial cine MRI with multiple receiver coils. The network is based on a computationally light CNN component and a subsequent conjugate gradient (CG) method which can be jointly trained end‐to‐end using an efficient training strategy. We investigate the proposed training strategy and compare our method with other well‐known reconstruction techniques with learned and non‐learned regularization methods.

Results

Our proposed method outperforms all other methods based on non‐learned regularization. Further, it performs similar or better than a CNN‐based method employing a 3D U‐Net and a method using adaptive dictionary learning. In addition, we empirically demonstrate that even by training the network with only iteration, it is possible to increase the length of the network at test time and further improve the results.

Conclusions

End‐to‐end training allows to highly reduce the number of trainable parameters of and stabilize the reconstruction network. Further, because it is possible to change the length of the network at the test time, the need to find a compromise between the complexity of the CNN‐block and the number of iterations in each CG‐block becomes irrelevant.
Better nurse work environments associated with fewer readmissions and shorter length of stay among adults with ischemic stroke: A cross‐sectional analysis of United States hospitals
Authors: Brom Heather , Brooks Carthon J. Margo , Sloane Douglas , McHugh Mathew , Aiken Linda
Published: March 2021

Stroke is among the most common reasons for disability and death. Avoiding readmissions and long lengths of stay among ischemic stroke patients has benefits for patients and health care systems alike. Although reduced readmission rates among a variety of medical patients have been associated with better nurse work environments, it is unknown how the work environment might influence readmissions and length of stay for ischemic stroke patients. Using linked data sources, we conducted a cross‐sectional analysis of 543 hospitals to evaluate the association between the nurse work environment and readmissions and length of stay for 175,467 hospitalized adult ischemic stroke patients. We utilized logistic regression models for readmission to estimate odds ratios (OR) and zero‐truncated negative binomial models for length of stay to estimate the incident‐rate ratio (IRR). Final models accounted for hospital and patient characteristics. Seven and 30‐day readmission rates were 3.9% and 10.1% respectively and the average length of stay was 4.9 days. In hospitals with better nurse work environments ischemic stroke patients experienced lower odds of 7‐ and 30‐day readmission (7‐day OR, 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.93–0.99 and 30‐day OR, 0.97; 95% CI: 0.94–0.99) and lower length of stay (IRR, 0.97; 95% CI: 0.95–0.99). The work environment is a modifiable feature of hospitals that should be considered when providing comprehensive stroke care and improving post‐stroke outcomes.
Robust reliableH∞optimization control for uncertain discrete‐time Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy systems with time‐varying delay
Authors: Sun Shaoxin , Zhang Huaguang , Su Hanguang , Liang Yuling
Published: March 2021

In this article, the problems of robust reliableH∞optimization control for discrete‐time nonlinear systems with or without time‐delay subject to faults are investigated. A static state feedback controller is explored for Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy systems against nonlinear dynamics, exogenous disturbances, and model uncertainties. In contrast to the design of conventional controllers, the proposed controller is easier and more flexible. The Lyapunov function is utilized to assure the stability of the closed‐loop systems. Besides, linear matrix inequalities are utilized to derive the sufficient conditions by MATLAB toolbox. Finally, two simulation examples are shown to validate the feasibility of the suggested approach.
Velocity‐free fixed‐time attitude cooperative control for spacecraft formations under directed graphs
Authors: Hu Dayong , Zhang Shijie , Zou An‐Min
Published: March 2021

This article addresses the problem of velocity‐free fixed‐time attitude cooperative control for multiple spacecraft under directed communication graphs and in the presence of bounded disturbances. A distributed fixed‐time state observer is designed to estimate the leader's attitude states and a fixed‐time extended‐state observer is presented to obtain accurate estimates of both unmeasurable angular velocities and bounded disturbances. By use of the fixed‐time observers, a distributed fixed‐time attitude cooperative control scheme is proposed to make the states of all spacecraft simultaneously track a time‐varying reference attitude even when the reference attitude is available only to a subset of the group members. Homogeneous Lyapunov function and homogeneity property are applied to demonstrate that the control scheme can guarantee the attitude tracking errors converging to the neighborhood of the origin in fixed time which is independent of initial conditions. Finally, numerical simulations are presented to show the effectiveness of the control law derived here.
Recent Applications of Asymmetric Organocatalytic Methods in Total Synthesis
Authors: Parella Ramarao , Jakkampudi Satish , Zhao John C.‐G.
Published: March 2021

Natural products are the great sources of drugs and leading compounds in drug discovery, as it has been estimated that most of the current medicines are derived from natural products. Total synthesis of natural products, especially those of biological activities, has been an important part of organic chemistry, which, besides its potential practical utilities, also provides new inspirations and novel synthetic methodologies. Over the past two decades, organocatalysis has been shown to be very effective in controlling the stereochemistry of the reaction products and has found many applications in the asymmetric synthesis of natural products and related compounds. In this review we will attempt to summarize some applications of asymmetric organocatalysis in the total synthesis of natural products and related compounds in the past seven years.
Synthesis of 3‐Indole Substituted Sulfonyl 4H‐Chromenes Using Recyclable Cyclometrix Polyphosphazene‐Base Catalysts
Authors: Reddy Sirigireddy Sudharsan , Varyambath Anuraj , Kalla Reddi Mohan Naidu , Song Wenliang , Kim Il
Published: March 2021

In order to build a library of 3‐indole substituted sulfonyl 4H‐chromenes in green protocol the three‐component one‐pot coupling reactions of substituted salicylaldehydes, sulfonyl acetonitriles and indoles have been performed using recyclable and metal‐free heterogeneous base catalysts. The highly cross‐linked cyclometrix polyphosphazenes (cPOPs) synthesized via a single‐step precipitation polymerization of hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene with 4,4’‐oxydianiline or 3,3’‐diaminobenzidine without using any other additives or surfactants were used as catalysts considering the resultant cPOPs intrinsically bear multiple amine moieties on their surface. The resultant cPOP microspheres showed excellent catalytic activity for variety of substrates at mild reaction conditions using a minimum amount of non‐hazardous solvent. No laborious product workup and purification procedures were needed and the cPOPs catalysts were recyclable up to six cycles without leeching and deactivation, satisfying green chemistry principles.
Genome‐wide association mapping identifies novel loci underlying fire blight resistance in apple
Authors: Thapa Ranjita , Singh Jugpreet , Gutierrez Benjamin , Arro Jie , Khan Awais
Published: March 2021

Fire blight, caused by epiphytotic gram‐negative bacteria Erwinia amylovora, is the most destructive bacterial disease of apple (Malus spp.). Genetic mechanisms of fire blight resistance have mainly been studied using traditional biparental quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping approaches. Here, we use large‐scale historic shoot and blossom fire blight data collected over multiple years and genotyping‐by‐sequencing (GBS) markers to identify significant marker–trait associations in a diverse set of 566 apple [Malus domestica (Suckow) Borkh.] accessions. There was large variation in fire blight resistance and susceptibility in these accessions. We identified 23 and 38 QTL significantly (p < .001) associated with shoot and blossom blight resistance, respectively. The QTL are distributed across all 17 chromosomes of apple. Four shoot blight and 19 blossom blight QTL identified in this study colocalized with previously identified QTL associated with resistance to fire blight or apple scab. Using transcriptomics data of two apple cultivars with contrasting fire blight responses, we also identified candidate genes for fire blight resistance that are differentially expressed between resistant and susceptible cultivars and located within QTL intervals for fire blight resistance. However, further experiments are needed to confirm and validate these marker–trait associations and develop diagnostic markers before use in marker‐assisted breeding to develop apple cultivars with decreased fire blight susceptibility.
Major zoonotic diseases of public health importance in Bangladesh
Authors: Chowdhury Sukanta , Aleem Mohammad A. , Khan Md Shafiqul I. , Hossain Mohammad Enayet , Ghosh Sumon , Rahman Mohammed Z.
Published: March 2021

Zoonotic diseases cause repeated outbreaks in humans globally. The majority of emerging infections in humans are zoonotic. COVID‐19 is an ideal example of a recently identified emerging zoonotic disease, causing a global pandemic. Anthropogenic factors such as modernisation of agriculture and livestock farming, wildlife hunting, the destruction of wild animal habitats, mixing wild and domestic animals, wildlife trading, changing food habits and urbanisation could drive the emergence of zoonotic diseases in humans. Since 2001, Bangladesh has been reporting many emerging zoonotic disease outbreaks such as nipah, highly pathogenic avian influenza, pandemic H1N1, and COVID‐19. There are many other potential zoonotic pathogens such as Ebola, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, Kyasanur forest disease virus and Crimean–Congo haemorrhagic fever that may emerge in the future. However, we have a limited understanding of zoonotic diseases’ overall risk in humans and associated factors that drive the emergence of zoonotic pathogens. This narrative review summarised the major emerging, re‐emerging, neglected and other potential zoonotic diseases in Bangladesh and their associated risk factors. Nipah virus and Bacillus anthracis caused repeated outbreaks in humans. More than 300 human cases with Nipah virus infection were reported since the first outbreak in 2001. The highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (H5N1) caused more than 550 outbreaks in poultry, and eight human cases were reported so far since 2007. People of Bangladesh are frequently exposed to zoonotic pathogens due to close interaction with domestic and peri‐domestic animals. The rapidly changing intensified animal–human–ecosystem interfaces and risky practices increase the risk of zoonotic disease transmission. The narrative review's findings are useful to draw attention to the risk and emergence of zoonotic diseases to public health policymakers in Bangladesh and the application of one‐health approach to address this public health threat.
Impact of fatty degeneration on the functional outcomes of 38 patients undergoing surgical repair of gluteal tendon tears
Authors: Maslaris Alexander , Vail Thomas P. , Zhang Alan L. , Patel Rina , Bini Stefano A.
Published: March 2021

Background

Gluteal tendon tears (GTT) can cause pain and weakness of the hip. We analyze the impact of gluteal muscle fatty degeneration, atrophy and tear morphology on clinical outcomes of surgical repair.

Methods

All sequential patients receiving surgical repair of GTTs via anchor sutures between 1/2015 and 11/2018 were retrospectively identified. MRIs were reviewed by a radiologist for tendon retraction, muscle atrophy and tear size. The Goutallier-Fuchs Classification (GFC) was used to quantify fatty degeneration as < 2° or ≥ 2°. Demographic and clinical variables were abstracted from the electronic records. The surveys HHS Section 1 and HOOS Jr. were obtained at last follow-up. The Pearson correlation and one-way ANOVA tests served for statistical analysis of clinical variance.

Results

38 patients were identified, 29 (76.3%) were female. The average age was 67. Of the 11 (28.9%) patients with a prior hip arthroplasty 87.5% of primary THAs had a direct lateral approach. 29 (76.3%) patients were treated open and 9 (23.7%) arthroscopically. At an average follow-up of 20.9 months, patients reported a significant improvement in pain (97%), analgesic use (85.7%), limp (52.6%) and abduction strength (54.2%) (all: P ≤ 0.01). GFC ≥ 2° were associated with significantly worse outcomes in terms of limp (0.19/3 vs. 1.2/3, P = 0.05), HHS-S1 (58.19 vs. 71.68, P = 0.04) and complication rates (37.5% vs. 0%, P = 0.02). There was a strong correlation between tear retraction (P = 0.005), tear size (P = 0.009) and muscle atrophy (P = 0.001) with GFC ≥ 2° but not with clinical outcomes. GFC ≥ 2° was strongly related to lateral THA exposures (P < 0.001). Surgical approach had no impact on clinical outcomes.

Conclusion

While fatty degeneration can negatively impact functional outcomes, pain relief is reliably achieved. Tear morphology and muscle atrophy did not correlate with outcomes in this patient cohort. Patients should be counseled to expect a residual limp after surgery if they have GFC ≥ 2° on MRI.
Mechanical stress and deformation in the rotors of a high-speed PMSM and IM
Authors: Gerlach Martin Enno , Zajonc Maximilian , Ponick Bernd
Published: March 2021

High-speed electric machines are gaining importance in the field of traction drives and aviation due to their high power density. The evaluation of the mechanical stress in the rotor is one crucial part in the design process for this type of machines. The mechanical stress cannot be measured directly. Accordingly, a validation of the calculated mechanical stress is difficult and normally not performed. Instead of the mechanical stress, the deformation at the rotor surface can be measured using a spin test machine with distance sensors. The deformation can then be used to validate the calculation results.

In this paper, the mechanical load exerted on an IM rotor for a$60\,\text{kW}/20000\,\frac{1}{\text{min}}$60kW/200001minhigh-speed electric machine and an PMSM rotor for a$75~\text{kW}/25000\,\frac{1}{\text{min}}$75kW/250001minhigh-speed electric machine is analysed in detail. The mechanical stress and the deformation are calculated and analysed using a FEM simulation model. Then, a spin test is performed on the two rotors. First, the burst speed is determined by operating two rotor samples above their defined test speed. Then, the deformation is measured at the rotor surface for different operating speeds and the defined test speed. The measurement and the simulation results are compared and discussed.

It can be shown that the two designs do not exceed the maximum mechanical stress for the defined operating range. In the deformation measurement of the IM rotor, a plastic deformation up to$\varepsilon _{\text{IM, pl}} = 8$εIM, pl=8 μm and elastic deformation up to$\varepsilon _{\text{IM, el}}=22$εIM, el=22 μm can be seen. In regards to plastics, PMSM rotor expands up to$\varepsilon _{\text{PMSM, pl}}= 5$εPMSM, pl=5 μm. The maximum elastic deformation of the PMSM rotor is$\varepsilon _{\text{PMSM, el}}=40$εPMSM, el=40 μm. The comparison of the calculated and the measured elastic deformation shows good accordance for the two rotor types. Both models are capable of describing the deformation and the state of stress in the rotors. In burst tests, both rotors withstand rotational speeds far above the defined test speed.
Holistic Assessment of Biochar and Brown Coal Waste as Organic Amendments in Sustainable Environmental and Agricultural Applications
Authors: Amoah-Antwi Collins , Kwiatkowska-Malina Jolanta , Fenton Owen , Szara Ewa , Thornton Steven F. , Malina Grzegorz
Published: March 2021

Organic amendments can improve soil quality which has knock-on environmental and agronomic benefits. However, the use of new and emerging organic amendments such as biochar and brown coal waste (BCW) in soil systems requires continuous holistic assessments for robust consensus building in their environmental and agricultural applications. To examine the application of BCW and woodchip biochar (BIO) in agroecosystems, secondary data from literature on environmental (soil, air and water) aspects were compiled with primary agronomic data from a 3-year multicropping field trial and collated with supplementary data on economic factors (e.g. cost and availability). For the field trial, replicated plots were amended with FYM (for comparative reasons), BCW and BIO at 30, 24.2 and 12.8 for t ha–1, respectively, with and without NPK and cultivated in a cropping sequence of maize, potato and barley. At the end of each season, soils were characterised for pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and fertility (macronutrient contents) in addition to nutrient uptake, nutritional quality and yield of crops. Compared with FYM, biochar and BCW were found to be associated with greater improvements in soil quality (e.g. building of soil structure and C sequestration) and knock-on water and air quality benefits mainly facilitated via increased cation retention and humic-linked sorption which abated gaseous emission and mitigated nutrient and heavy metal leaching. These along with variable improvements in soil chemistry, fertility and nutrient uptake in the agronomic field trial accounted for increased mean crop yield across treatments (higher with NPK): FYM (32.7 and 71.7%), BCW (33.5 and 60.1%) and BIO (21.8 and 48.2%). Additionally, biochar and BCW have lower pollutant (e.g. heavy metals) contents and were found to provide additional sustainability and net abatement cost-benefits. While the agronomic benefits of biochar and BCW were slightly lower compared with that of FYM, their lower environmental footprints and associated sustainability benefits are clear advantages for their adoption in environmental and agricultural applications.
SEOM clinical guideline for the management of cutaneous melanoma (2020)
Authors: Majem M. , Manzano J. L. , Marquez-Rodas I. , Mujika K. , Muñoz-Couselo E. , Pérez-Ruiz E. , de la Cruz-Merino L. , Espinosa E. , Gonzalez-Cao M. , Berrocal A.
Published: March 2021

Melanoma affects about 6000 patients a year in Spain. A group of medical oncologists from Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) and Spanish Multidisciplinary Melanoma Group (GEM) has designed these guidelines to homogenize the management of these patients. The diagnosis must be histological and determination of BRAF status has to be performed in patients with stage ≥ III. Stage I–III resectable melanomas will be treated surgically. In patients with stage III melanoma, adjuvant treatment with immunotherapy or targeted therapy is also recommended. Patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma will receive treatment with immunotherapy or targeted therapy, the optimal sequence of these treatments remains unclear. Brain metastases require a separate consideration, since, in addition to systemic treatment, they may require local treatment. Patients must be followed up closely to receive or change treatment as soon as their previous clinical condition changes, since multiple therapeutic options are available.
Mechanical performance of lightweight ceramic structures via binder jetting of microspheres
Authors: Mummareddy Bhargavi , Burden Edward , Carrillo J. G. , Myers Kyle , MacDonald Eric , Cortes Pedro
Published: March 2021

Geometrically-complex and lightweight ceramic parts manufactured via 3D printing are prospective structures that seem to provide excellent thermal, wear and dielectric performance. In the present work, binder jetted parts based on synthetic lightweight ceramic hollow microspheres were manufactured and evaluated under different testing conditions in order to characterize their mechanical performance. The resulting structures were assessed in terms of quasi-static flexural and compressive strength, and density. Furthermore, microscopy analyses highlighted the composition of the final structures and fracture mechanisms. The printed system mainly consisted of aluminum silicon dioxide, fly ash and traces of metal. The samples yielded similar strength as that achieved on conventional bulk-based 3D printed ceramic structures. It was observed that the strength of the printed microspheres increased by sintering the parts to near-fusion temperatures due to viscous flow of material during sintering. The combination of the proposed process and feedstock represents an attractive manufacturing method for fabricating lightweight structures for applications like composite tooling molds, electromagnetic devices, and biomedical implants.
Trilineage Sequencing Reveals Complex TCRβ Transcriptomes in Neutrophils and Monocytes Alongside T Cells
Authors: Fuchs Tina , Puellmann Kerstin , Wang Chunlin , Han Jian , Beham Alexander W. , Neumaier Michael , Kaminski Wolfgang E.
Published: March 2021

Recent findings indicate the presence of T cell receptor (TCR)-based combinatorial immune receptors beyond T cells in neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages. In this study, using a semiquantitative trilineage immune repertoire sequencing approach as well as under rigorous bioinformatic conditions, we identify highly complex TCRβ transcriptomes in human circulating monocytes and neutrophils that separately encode repertoire diversities one and two orders of magnitude smaller than that of T cells. Intraindividual transcriptomic analyses reveal that neutrophils, monocytes, and T cells express distinct TCRβ repertoires with less than 0.1% overall trilineage repertoire sharing. Interindividual comparison shows that in all three leukocyte lineages, the vast majority of the expressed TCRβ variants are private. We also find that differentiation of monocytes into macrophages induces dramatic individual-specific repertoire shifts, revealing a surprising degree of immune repertoire plasticity in the monocyte lineage. These results uncover the remarkable complexity of the two phagocyte-based flexible immune systems which until now has been hidden in the shadow of T cells.
rMVP: A Memory-Efficient, Visualization-Enhanced, and Parallel-Accelerated Tool for Genome-Wide Association Study
Authors: Yin Lilin , Zhang Haohao , Tang Zhenshuang , Xu Jingya , Yin Dong , Zhang Zhiwu , Yuan Xiaohui , Zhu Mengjin , Zhao Shuhong , Li Xinyun , Liu Xiaolei
Published: March 2021

Along with the development of high-throughput sequencing technologies, both sample size and SNP number are increasing rapidly in genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and the associated computation is more challenging than ever. Here, we present a memory-efficient, visualization-enhanced, and parallel-accelerated R package called “rMVP” to address the need for improved GWAS computation. rMVP can 1) effectively process large GWAS data, 2) rapidly evaluate population structure, 3) efficiently estimate variance components by Efficient Mixed-Model Association eXpedited (EMMAX), Factored Spectrally Transformed Linear Mixed Models (FaST-LMM), and Haseman-Elston (HE) regression algorithms, 4) implement parallel-accelerated association tests of markers using general linear model (GLM), mixed linear model (MLM), and fixed and random model circulating probability unification (FarmCPU) methods, 5) compute fast with a globally efficient design in the GWAS processes, and 6) generate various visualizations of GWAS-related information. Accelerated by block matrix multiplication strategy and multiple threads, the association test methods embedded in rMVP are significantly faster than PLINK, GEMMA, and FarmCPU_pkg. rMVP is freely available at https://github.com/xiaolei-lab/rMVP.
Doing English Grammar
Authors: Berry Roger
Published: March 2021

Grammar is integral to teaching English as a second language, and yet there is often a disconnect between theory and practice. This book bridges that gap by introducing key theories of English grammar and showing how they can be applied in teaching. By drawing on an eclectic range of sources, and using a multidisciplinary approach, Berry links advances in our knowledge of grammar, from theoretical and descriptive viewpoints, with developments in pedagogical practices, to provide a comprehensive overview of the whole process of grammar. The second part of the book contains four case studies of key areas of English grammar in which the insights of the earlier chapters are applied, illustrating how grammar theory is used in practice. Offering new insights into the way English grammar works, this book is invaluable for all professionals who 'do' English grammar: teachers, grammarians, textbook writers and syllabus designers, testers and researchers.
State Formation and Shared Sovereignty
Authors: Close Christopher W.
Published: March 2021

During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, dozens of alliances asserting shared sovereignty formed in the Holy Roman Empire and the Low Countries. Many accounts of state formation struggle to explain these leagues, since they characterize state formation as a process of internal bureaucratization within individual states. This comparative study of alliances in the Holy Roman Empire and the Low Countries focuses on a formative time in European history, from the late fifteenth century until the immediate aftermath of the 1648 Peace of Westphalia, to demonstrate how the sharing of sovereignty through alliances influenced the evolution of the Empire, the Dutch Republic, and their various member states in fundamental ways. Alliances simultaneously supported and constrained central and territorial authorities, while their collaborative policy-making process empowered smaller states, helping to ensure their survival. By revealing how the interdependencies of alliance shaped states of all sizes in the Empire and the Low Countries, Christopher W. Close opens new perspectives on state formation with profound implications for understanding the development of states across Europe.
Barriers and facilitators to influenza-like illness absenteeism among healthcare workers in a tertiary-care healthcare system, 2017–2018 influenza season
Authors: Hoang Johnson Diep , Osman Fauzia , Bean Jero , Stevens Linda , Shirley Daniel , Keating Julie A. , Johnson Shabvon , Safdar Nasia
Published: March 2021

Objective:

Influenza can be introduced and propagated in healthcare settings by healthcare workers (HCWs) working while ill with influenza. However, reasons driving this behavior are unclear. In this study, we examined barriers to and facilitators of absenteeism during the influenza season.

Design:

Cross-sectional mixed methods study.

Setting:

Ambulatory and inpatient settings in a large, tertiary-care healthcare system.

Methods:

An anonymous electronic survey was sent to HCWs between June 11 and July 13, 2018, asking participants to self-report influenza-like illness (ie, ILI symptoms of fever, chills, cough, or sore throat) during the 2017–2018 influenza season. We conducted a logistical regression analysis to identify factors associated with absenteeism.

Results:

Of 14,250 HCWs, 17% responded to the survey. Although 1,180 respondents (51%) reported symptoms of ILI, 575 (43%) did not stay home while ill. The most commonly perceived barriers to ILI absenteeism included being understaffed (odds ratio [OR], 1.78; P = .04), unable to find a replacement for work (OR, 2.26; P = .03), desiring not to use time off (OR, 2.25; P = .003), and paid by the hour or unable to afford being absent (OR, 2.05; P = .02). Common perceived facilitators of absenteeism included support from coworkers and management, clearer policy, better sick days availability, and lower perceived threat of disciplinary action.

Conclusions:

Reporting to work with ILI symptoms is common among HCWs. Most barriers and facilitators are related to systems. Addressing system factors, such as policies regarding sick days and sick leave and ensuring adequate backup staffing, is likely to facilitate absenteeism among ill HCWs.
Fragmentation theory reveals processes controlling iceberg size distributions
Authors: Åström Jan , Cook Sue , Enderlin Ellyn M. , Sutherland David A. , Mazur Aleksandra , Glasser Neil
Published: March 2021

Iceberg calving strongly controls glacier mass loss, but the fracture processes leading to iceberg formation are poorly understood due to the stochastic nature of calving. The size distributions of icebergs produced during the calving process can yield information on the processes driving calving and also affect the timing, magnitude, and spatial distribution of ocean fresh water fluxes near glaciers and ice sheets. In this study, we apply fragmentation theory to describe key calving behaviours, based on observational and modelling data from Greenland and Antarctica. In both regions, iceberg calving is dominated by elastic-brittle fracture processes, where distributions contain both exponential and power law components describing large-scale uncorrelated fracture and correlated branching fracture, respectively. Other size distributions can also be observed. For Antarctic icebergs, distributions change from elastic-brittle type during ‘stable’ calving to one dominated by grinding or crushing during ice shelf disintegration events. In Greenland, we find that iceberg fragment size distributions evolve from an initial elastic-brittle type distribution near the calving front, into a steeper grinding/crushing-type power law along-fjord. These results provide an entirely new framework for understanding controls on iceberg calving and how calving may react to climate forcing.
AMOURINS SHELLMOUND: UNCOVERING BIODIVERSITY AND CHRONOLOGY THROUGH CHARCOAL ANALYSES
Authors: Macario Kita D , Scheel-Ybert Rita , Ribeiro-Pinto Natacha , Pereira Bruna B , Amaral Dayanne , Alves Eduardo Q
Published: March 2021

In paleoenvironmental research, several proxies are used to reconstruct climate and vegetation. The establishment of a chronological framework allows for the association of different proxies and correlation of events happening in different geographic areas. Cultural deposits, such as the shellmounds found along the coast of Brazil, play an important role in paleoenvironmental interpretations. Here, we have employed anthracological analysis in charcoal fragments from the Amourins shellmound, located at the margins of the Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro. This allowed for the taxonomic identification and selection of short-lived trees and specific parts of plants for accurate radiocarbon dating. We recorded genera and families typical of the Atlantic Forest, restinga forest, open restinga and mangrove. The 14C ages of charred nuts from different occupational layers range from 3807 ± 35 to 3503 ± 70 BP and a sequential chronological model was built, relating the predominance of mangrove vegetation to the period between 4130–3960 cal BP.
CAPITANAS Y PATRONAS. MUJERES EN LA ACTIVIDAD CORSARIA DE MALLORCA EN EL SIGLO XVII
Authors: Seguí Beltrán Andreu
Published: March 2021

El artículo se enmarca en las líneas de investigación actual sobre la mujer en la economía marítima preindustrial. Se trata de un estudio de caso centrado en las capitanas y las patronas durante el auge del corso en Mallorca entre 1635–80. En él se destaca la labor de las mujeres de mar como procuradoras de sus maridos mientras permanecían ausentes, especialmente cuando la situación les exigió demostrar iniciativa e ir más allá de lo estipulado en la procura. Asimismo, se constata un mayor protagonismo en cuatro áreas de la empresa corsaria, mientras ésta se rigió por un modelo de corte familiar.
Search Strategies and Specifications in a Swarm versus Swarm Context
Authors: Moltajaei Farid Ali , Kamal Md Abdus Samad , Egerton Simon
Published: March 2021

This paper proposes and evaluates swarming mechanisms of patrolling unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that can collectively search a region for intruding UAVs. The main contributions include the development of multi-objective searching strategies and investigation of the required sensor configurations for the patrolling UAVs. Numerical results reveal that it is sometimes better to search through a region with a single swarm rather than multiple swarms deployed over sub-regions. Moreover, a large communication range does not necessarily improve search performances, and the patrolling swarm must have a speed close to the speed of the intruding UAVs to maximize the search performances.