bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social Cognitive Abilities Predict Unique Aspects of Older Adults’ Personal Social Networks
Authors: Krendl Anne C , Kennedy Daniel P , Hugenberg Kurt , Perry Brea L
Published: March 2021

Objectives

The current study explores whether personal social network characteristics are associated with older adults’ memory and/or social cognitive function (e.g., ability to infer other’s mental states—theory of mind).

Method

120 older adults completed a social network interview, a memory measure, and 2 core measures of social cognitive functions: emotion recognition and theory of mind.

Results

Variation in memory and social cognitive abilities predicted distinct aspects of older adults’ social networks. Having better memory predicted having larger, less-dense social networks, but better theory of mind was associated with having at least one acquaintance in the network, and having more heterogeneous social relationships within the network.

Discussion

Together our findings suggest that disparate social cognitive abilities may serve unique functions, facilitating maintenance of beneficial social connections.
The influence of fluids in the unusually high-rate seismicity in the Ometepec segment of the Mexican subduction zone
Authors: Legrand D , Iglesias A , Singh S K , Cruz-Atienza V , Yoon C , Dominguez L A , Valenzuela R W , Suárez G , Castro-Artola O
Published: March 2021

The rate of earthquakes with magnitudes Mw ≤ 7.5 in the Ometepec segment of the Mexican subduction zone is relatively high as compared to the neighbouring regions of Oaxaca and Guerrero. Although the reason is not well understood, it has been reported that these earthquakes give rise to a large number of aftershocks. Our study of the aftershock sequence of the 2012 Mw7.4 Ometepec thrust earthquake suggests that it is most likely due to two dominant factors: (1) the presence of an anomalously high quantity of overpressured fluids near the plate interface and (2) the roughness of the plate interface. More than 5400 aftershocks were manually detected during the first 10 d following the 2012 earthquake. Locations were obtained for 2419 events (with duration magnitudes Md ≥ 1.5). This is clearly an unusually high number of aftershocks for an earthquake of this magnitude. Furthermore, we generated a more complete catalogue, using an unsupervised fingerprint technique, to detect more smaller events (15 593 within 1 month following the main shock). For this catalogue, a high b-value of 1.50 ± 0.10 suggests the presence of fluid release during the aftershock sequence. A low p-value (0.37 ± 0.12) of the Omori law reveals a slow decaying aftershock sequence. The temporal distribution of aftershocks shows peaks of activity with two dominant periods of 12 and 24 hr that correlate with the Earth tides. To explain these observations, we suggest that the 2012 aftershock sequence is associated with the presence of overpressured fluids and/or a heterogeneous and irregular plate interface related to the subduction of the neighbouring seamounts. High fluid content has independently been inferred by magnetotelluric surveys and deduced from heat-flow measurements in the region. The presence of fluids in the region has also been proposed to explain the occurrence of slow-slip events, low-frequency earthquakes and tectonic tremors.
3-D attenuation image of fluid storage and tectonic interactions across the Pollino fault network
Authors: Sketsiou P , De Siena L , Gabrielli S , Napolitano F
Published: March 2021

The Pollino range is a region of slow deformation where earthquakes generally nucleate on low-angle normal faults. Recent studies have mapped fault structures and identified fluid-related dynamics responsible for historical and recent seismicity in the area. Here, we apply the coda-normalization method at multiple frequencies and scales to image the 3-D P-wave attenuation (QP) properties of its slowly deforming fault network. The wide-scale average attenuation properties of the Pollino range are typical for a stable continental block, with a dependence of QP on frequency of $Q_\mathrm{ P}^{-1}=(0.0011\pm 0.0008) f^{(0.36\pm 0.32)}$. Using only waveforms comprised in the area of seismic swarms, the dependence of attenuation on frequency increases [$Q_\mathrm{ P}^{-1}=(0.0373\pm 0.0011) f^{(-0.59\pm 0.01)}$], as expected when targeting seismically active faults. A shallow very-low-attenuation anomaly (max depth of 4–5 km) caps the seismicity recorded within the western cluster 1 of the Pollino seismic sequence (2012, maximum magnitude Mw = 5.1). High-attenuation volumes below this anomaly are likely related to fluid storage and comprise the western and northern portions of cluster 1 and the Mercure basin. These anomalies are constrained to the NW by a sharp low-attenuation interface, corresponding to the transition towards the eastern unit of the Apennine Platform under the Lauria mountains. The low-seismicity volume between cluster 1 and cluster 2 (maximum magnitude Mw = 4.3, east of the primary) shows diffuse low-to-average attenuation features. There is no clear indication of fluid-filled pathways between the two clusters resolvable at our resolution. In this volume, the attenuation values are anyway lower than in recognized low-attenuation blocks, like the Lauria Mountain and Pollino Range. As the volume develops in a region marked at surface by small-scale cross-faulting, it suggests no actual barrier between clusters, more likely a system of small locked fault patches that can break in the future. Our model loses resolution at depth, but it can still resolve a 5-to-15-km-deep high-attenuation anomaly that underlies the Castrovillari basin. This anomaly is an ideal deep source for the SE-to-NW migration of historical seismicity. Our novel deep structural maps support the hypothesis that the Pollino sequence has been caused by a mechanism of deep and lateral fluid-induced migration.
Cross & Tapper on Evidence
Authors: Munday Roderick
Published: March 2021

Cross & Tapper on Evidence has become firmly established as a classic of legal literature. This thirteenth edition reflects on all recent changes and developments in this fast-moving subject. In particular, it fully examines new case law relevant to evidence of privilege, character, and hearsay. The inclusion of some comparative material provides an excellent basis for the critical appraisal of English law. This book remains the definitive guide to the law of evidence.
Population intervention effects in observational studies to emulate target trial results: reconciling the effects of improved sanitation on child growth
Authors: Rogawski McQuade Elizabeth T , Benjamin-Chung Jade , Westreich Daniel , Arnold Benjamin F
Published: March 2021

Background

Improved sanitation has been associated with improved child growth in observational studies, but multiple randomized trials that delivered improved sanitation found no effect on child growth. We assessed to what extent differences in the effect estimated in the two study designs (the effect of treatment in observational studies and the effect of treatment assignment in trials) could explain the contradictory results.

Methods

We used parametric g-computation in five prospective studies (n = 21 524) and 59 cross-sectional Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS; n = 158 439). We compared the average treatment effect (ATE) for improved sanitation on mean length-for-age z-score (LAZ) among children aged <2 years to population intervention effects (PIEs), which are the observational analogue of the effect estimated in trials in which some participants are already exposed.

Results

The ATE was >0.15 z-scores, a clinically meaningful difference, in most prospective studies but in <20% of DHS surveys. The PIE was always smaller than the ATE, and the magnitude of difference depended on the baseline prevalence of the improved sanitation. Interventions with suboptimal coverage and interventions delivered in populations with higher mean LAZ had a smaller effect on population-level LAZ.

Conclusions

Estimates of PIEs corresponding to anticipated trial results were often smaller than clinically meaningful effects. Incongruence between observational associations and null trial results may in part be explained by expected differences between the effects estimated. Using observational ATEs to set expectations for trials may overestimate the impact that sanitation interventions can achieve. PIEs predict realistic effects and should be more routinely estimated.
Multinational Banks and IMF Conditionality
Authors: Dang Trung A , Stone Randall W
Published: March 2021

We find firm-level evidence that US banks receive preferential treatment in countries under IMF conditionality. We rely on investment location decisions to infer firms’ expectations about future profits and find that US firms are approximately 53 percent more likely to acquire financial firms in countries under financial conditionality. IMF programs without financial conditionality and FDI in other sectors serve as placebo tests. Financial conditionality has weak effects on investment decisions by non-US firms, which implies a political-economy interpretation. Firm-level data indicate that the distinctive behavior of US firms is not due to advantages of scale or to a US-firm fixed effect, but to US influence in the IMF. Firms from other major IMF shareholders benefit as well, but the effects are much weaker. The effects are concentrated in the politically relevant firms that have local affiliates, which is consistent with the interpretation that firms lobby for preferential treatment.
Saving National IR from Exceptionalism: The Dialogic Spirit and Self-Reflection in Chinese IR Theory
Authors: Li Xiaoting
Published: March 2021

This study proposes an analytical framework for explaining how national IR (international relations) can keep exceptionalism at bay and join global IR in promoting common understanding. Building on the premise that dialogue is key to bridging the self–other divide, it stresses that self-reflection lies at the heart of a true “dialogic spirit,” which urges the self to recognize its own shortcomings by learning from the other's point of view. By embracing the dialogic spirit and self-reflection, therefore, national IR can distance itself from exceptionalist claims that the “national self” is intrinsically superior to others and so its preferences and interests must outweigh those of the latter. Applying this framework to the nascent Chinese IR theory, this study finds that its leading exponents do try to avoid identifying with such exceptionalist claims, though the complications of their work further illustrate the promise and difficulty of self-reflection in the shadow of rising power.
Validation of PhageDx™Salmonella Assay in Raw Ground Turkey and Powdered Infant Formula: AOAC Performance Tested MethodSM 121904
Authors: Erickson Stephen , Gil Jose , Stach Jessica , Nguyen Minh M
Published: March 2021

Background

The PhageDx™Salmonella Assay is based on the infection of Salmonella spp. by specific bacteriophages and expression of a luciferase reporter gene. Results are generated in as little as 9.5 h for raw ground turkey and 18.5 h for milk-based powdered infant formula (PIF).

Objective

An AOAC Performance Tested MethodsSM (PTM) study was conducted to validate the PhageDx Salmonella Assay for the detection of Salmonella in 25 g raw ground turkey and 100 g PIF test portions.

Method

The performance of the PhageDx Salmonella Assay was compared to that of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) Microbiology Laboratory Guidebook (MLG) 4.10 for raw ground turkey and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM) Chapter 5 for PIF. Inclusivity/exclusivity, product consistency and stability, and robustness testing were conducted.

Results

There was no significant difference between the 25 g raw ground turkey and 100 g PIF PhageDx Salmonella Assay and the USDA/FSIS MLG 4.10 and FDA/BAM Chapter 5, respectively. The reporter bacteriophages were specific for Salmonella and infected 108 strains in inclusivity testing. They did not infect 30 non-Salmonella bacteria in exclusivity testing. Robustness testing showed that the method performed well with specific deviations from the standard protocol. Consistency and stability testing demonstrated that the recombinant phage gave consistent results across three production lots and was stable when stored under appropriate conditions for at least eight months.

Conclusions

The data collected in the validation study demonstrate that the PhageDx Salmonella Assay meets the qualifications for PTM status.

Highlights

The PhageDx Salmonella Assay is a rapid, specific, sensitive assay capable of detecting a wide range of Salmonella spp. with a significantly shorter turn around time than the USDA/FSIS and FDA reference methods.
The Impact of the First Professional Police Forces on Crime
Authors: Bindler Anna , Hjalmarsson Randi
Published: March 2021

This paper evaluates the effect on crime of creating a fundamental modern-day institution: centralized professional police forces tasked with preventing crime. We study the 1829 formation of the London Metropolitan Police—the first professional force worldwide. Using newly digitized and geocoded crime and police data together with difference-in-differences and pre–post designs, we find evidence of a significant reduction in violent crimes (despite the possibility of offsetting increases in clearance and reporting rates). In contrast, a reduction in property crime is not visible.
Benefit of surgical resection of distant metastasis in soft tissue sarcoma: a systematic review
Authors: Hayashi Katsuhiro , Hiraoka Koji , Akiyama Toru , Iwata Shintaro , Tsuchiya Hiroyuki , Kawai Akira
Published: March 2021

Objective

The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the efficacy of metastasectomy for patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma and to develop a recommendation outlining clinical guidelines for soft tissue sarcoma.

Methods

We searched the pertinent literature from January 1985 to December 2017. Two reviewers evaluated and screened the literature independently for eligibility and extracted data. We evaluated the quality of body of evidence and made a recommendation according to the Grading of Recommendations Development and Evaluation methodology.

Results

Among 244 identified studies, only 10 were finally included in this review and no randomized controlled trial reports were present. The median survival period after metastasectomy ranged from 9.6 to 39.6 months, and the 5-year survival rate ranged from 8 to 52%. The complication rate ranged from 7.3 to 25%, and the perioperative mortality rate was 0–1%. The guidelines committee proposed ‘Metastasectomy can be offered for malignant soft tissue tumours with distant metastases’. This recommendation gained 100% consensus among the members of the guidelines group.

Conclusions

Although the level of evidence is very low, many retrospective studies support a clinical advantage for metastasectomy, and surgical indications should be carefully considered for patients with metastasis from soft tissue sarcoma. Metastasectomy is an option for patients with metastasis and should be done only if it can be performed safely and if potential advantages outweigh disadvantages.
Are tissue samples obtained via remote biopsy useful for fatty acid-based diet analyses in a free-ranging carnivore?
Authors: Galicia Melissa P , Thiemann Gregory W , Dyck Markus G , Ferguson Steven H
Published: March 2021

Fundamental knowledge on free-ranging animals has been obtained through capture-based studies; however, these may be logistically intensive, financially expensive, and potentially inconsistent with local cultural values. Genetic mark–recapture using remote tissue sampling has emerged as a less invasive alternative to capture-based population surveys but provides fewer opportunities to collect samples and measurements for broader ecological studies. We compared lipid content, fatty acid (FA) composition, and diet estimates from adipose tissue of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) obtained from two collection methods: remote biopsies (n = 138) sampled from helicopters and hunter-collected tissue (n = 499) from bears harvested in Davis Strait and Gulf of Boothia, Nunavut, 2010 – 2018. Lipid content of adipose tissue was lower in remote biopsies than harvest samples likely because remote biopsies removed only the outermost layer of subcutaneous tissue, rather than the more metabolically dynamic innermost tissue obtained from harvest samples. In contrast, FA composition was similar between the two collection methods with relatively small proportional differences in individual FAs. For diet estimates in Davis Strait, collection method was not a predictor of prey contribution to diet. In Gulf of Boothia, collection method was a predictor for some prey types, but the differences were relatively minor; the rank order of prey types was similar (e.g., ringed seal; Pusa hispida was consistently the primary prey in diets) and prey proportions differed by < 6% between the collection methods. Results from both methods showed that diets varied by geographic area, season, year, age class, and sex. Our study demonstrates that adipose tissue from remote biopsy provides reliable estimates of polar bear diet based on FA analysis and can be used to monitor underlying ecological changes in Arctic marine food webs.
Cost-effectiveness of ceftazidime/avibactam for infections due to carbapenem-resistant bacteria in Peru
Authors: Bolaños-Díaz Rafael , Angles-Yanqui Eddie , Pérez-Lazo Giancarlo , Sanabria-Montañez César
Published: March 2021

Objectives

The objective of this study was to analyse the cost-effectiveness (C-E) of ceftazidime/avibactam (CAZ/AVI)-based therapy versus colistin (COL)-based therapy for pneumonia and bacteraemia caused by carbapenem-resistant enterobacteria (CRE) adjusted to Peruvian context.

Methods

A Markov decision model was extrapolated from literature to evaluate the clinical and economic consequences of CAZ/AVI-based therapy compared to COL-based therapy for a hypothetical cohort of patients with CRE pneumonia or bacteraemia according to Peruvian context. It was adopted a 5-year time horizon and a Markov-cycle length of 1 year. All patients in the model were assigned to CRE pneumonia or bacteraemia state and may transit through four different health states: home-care, long-term care without dialysis, long-term care with dialysis or death.

Key findings

Intervention with CAZ/AVI becomes progressively more cost-effective from a threshold of S/ 24,000 or US$ 6666 (equivalent to 1 Gross Domestic Product-per cápita [GDP-pc]). The model simulation allowed to calculate an average total cost of S/ 2’971,582 (US$ 825,440) for CAZ/AVI against S/2’056,488 (US$ 571.247) for COL treatment, yielding an incremental cost of S/ 915,094 (US$ 254,193). The cost/QALY for CAZ/AVI treatment against COL therapy approaches to S/23,154 (US$ 6432), something less than 1 annual GDP-pc. There were additional benefits associated with CAZ/AVI in the 5-year horizon, such as: 21 deaths avoided, 86 hospital days avoided, 1 CRF5 avoided and a NMB of S/6649 (US$ 1847).

Conclusions

The present transferability model demonstrates the C-E of CAZ/AVI over COL for the treatment of bacteraemia and CRE pneumonia according to peruvian payment thresholds.
Small crystals with severe consequences
Authors: Klasen Jennifer M , Peterson Caspar J , Fourie Lana L , Boldanova Tuyana , Terracciano Luigi M , Holbro Andreas , Kollmar Otto
Published: March 2021

We present the case of a 23-year-old patient who developed a severe gastric ischemia after the ingestion of a single dose of sodium polystyrene sulfonate (SPS) orally. Emergency surgery confirmed extensive full thickness gastric necrosis, prompting a total gastrectomy. Histopathology showed kayexalate crystals in the gastric wall, suggesting SPS-related ischemic gastritis. After radical resection of the affected stomach, this young patient was able to fully recover. Although effective, the widespread use of SPS to treat hyperpotassemia remains a debated topic because of rare but serious adverse events like the forming of kayexalate crystal residues in the gastrointestinal tract. These crystal residues are mostly found in the large intestine and can lead to ulceration and necrosis. Physicians need to be aware of this rare but potentially devastating adverse effect of SPS ingestion.
Millimetre-resolution mapping of citrate exuded from soil-grown roots using a novel, low-invasive sampling technique
Authors: Tiziani Raphael , Puschenreiter Markus , Smolders Erik , Mimmo Tanja , Herrera José Carlos , Cesco Stefano , Santner Jakob
Published: March 2021

The reliable sampling of root exudates in soil-grown plants is experimentally challenging. This study aimed at developing a citrate sampling and mapping technique with millimetre-resolution using DGT (diffusive gradients in thin films) ZrOH-binding gels. Citrate adsorption kinetics, DGT capacity, and stability of ZrOH gels were evaluated. ZrOH gels were applied to generate 2D maps of citrate exuded by white lupin roots grown in a rhizotron in a phosphorus-deficient soil. Citrate was adsorbed quantitatively and rapidly by the ZrOH gels; these gels can be stored after sampling for several weeks prior to analysis. The DGT capacity of the ZrOH gel for citrate depends on the ionic strength and the pH of the soil solution, but was suitable for citrate sampling. We generated for the first time 2D citrate maps of rhizotron-grown plants at a millimetre resolution to measure an illustrated plant response to phosphorus fertilization, demonstrating that DGT-based citrate sampling is suitable for studying root exudation in soil environments, at high spatial resolution. The change of binding material would also allow sampling of other exudate classes and exudation profiles of entire root systems. These aspects are crucial in cultivar breeding and selection.
A cytosolic oxidation–reduction cycle in plant leaves
Authors: Wieloch Thomas
Published: March 2021

The viewpoint proposes a carbon-neutral biochemical cycle in the cytosol of plant leaves that is up-regulated by reactive oxygen species. Cycling provides NADPH and dissipates energy to counteract oxidative stress.
Serum IL-6 and TNF-α Levels Are Correlated with Disease Severity in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis
Authors: Du Jing , Sun Jinxia , Wen Zhanpeng , Wu Zhicheng , Li Qian , Xia Yuhao , Yang Qiannan , Yang Chao
Published: March 2021

Objective

Previous studies have shown that a number of cytokines participate in the regulation of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). To investigate the potential role of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF-α) in AS pathogenesis, this study examined the serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in patients with AS and its clinical association with disease activity.

Materials and Methods

The serum concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α from 80 patients with AS and 46 healthy control patients (HCs) were examined by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. The correlations between the serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels and the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), computed tomography (CT) imaging-based classification, and laboratory indicators were analyzed using the Spearman correlation test.

Results

Compared to HCs, patients with AS showed higher levels of IL-6 and TNF-α. There was also a positive correlation between the serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels and the BASDAI, the progression of AS, and the CT imaging–based classification. The serum levels of IL-6 correlated closely with C-reactive protein and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. More important, patients with AS with hip joint involvement exhibited a significant elevation of serum levels of TNF-α, and higher IL-6 was detected in patients with the involvement of joints other than the hip and sacroiliac joints.

Conclusion

The serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α can function as important indicators for auxiliary diagnosis and disease activity evaluation of AS.
The Role of Social Support in Concussion Disclosure in United States Air Force Academy Cadets: A Mixed Methods Approach
Authors: Weber Rawlins Michelle L , Johnson Brian R , Jones Emily R , Register-Mihalik Johna K , Foster Craig , De Angelis Karin , Schmidt Julianne D , D’Lauro Christopher J
Published: March 2021

Introduction

United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) cadets are at risk for sustaining concussions; however, several factors inhibit disclosure. We aimed to better understand the role of social support in concussion disclosure.

Methods and Materials

We used a mixed methods approach with an electronic survey and interviews. The survey used a 9-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree and 9 = strongly agree) to assess concussion disclosure. Survey items asked cadets whom they felt most comfortable disclosing a concussion or bell-ringer/ding to, how quickly they would seek medical attention for a suspected concussion or bell-ringer/ding, whether cadets would be generally supportive/unsupportive of another cadet disclosing a concussion to medical staff, and whether other cadets important to them would be generally supportive/unsupportive if they reported a concussion to medical staff. Two multivariate linear regressions, one for concussion and one for bell-ringers/dings, were calculated to determine whether cadet choice of the person they felt most comfortable disclosing a concussion or bell-ringer/ding to predicted whether they would immediately seek medical attention for either condition. Choice of person included Air Officer Commanding (AOC)/Academy Military Trainer (AMT), upper classmen, cadet who had recovered from a concussion, cadet, closest friend, teammate, and squadmate. Descriptive analyses assessed whether cadets felt supported or unsupported by other cadets and by those who were important to them concerning concussion reporting. Thirty-four semi-structured interviews were conducted with cadets to explore their views on concussion disclosure.

Results

Increased comfort with disclosing a suspected concussion to an AOC/AMT had higher agreement seeking medical attention (β = 0.28, P < .001). For every 1-point increase in being comfortable disclosing a potential bell-ringer/ding to an AOC/AMT (β = 0.272, P < .001), squadmate (β = 0.241, P = .002), and teammate (β = −0.182, P = .035), agreement for seeking medical attention immediately increased 0.27, increased 0.24, and decreased 0.18, respectively. Interviews indicated cadets would often speak to a peer before seeking medical attention.

Conclusions

Our results suggested that cadets felt comfortable reporting a suspected concussion or bell-ringer/ding to various peers and that those peers would be supportive of that choice, indicating social support. Future interventions should include educating cadets that peers may come to them, especially if they are AOCs/AMTs or squadmates.
The neutrino emission from thermal processes in very massive stars in the local universe
Authors: Yusof N , Abu Kassim H , Garba L G , Ahmad N S
Published: March 2021

We present a new overview of the life of very massive stars (VMS) in terms of neutrino emission from thermal processes: pair annihilation, plasmon decay, photoneutrino process, bremsstrahlung, and recombination processes in burning stages of selected VMS models. We use the realistic conditions of temperature, density, electron fraction, and nuclear isotropic composition of the VMS. Results are presented for a set of progenitor stars with mass of 150, 200, and 300 M⊙Z = 0.002 and 500 M⊙Z = 0.006 rotating models which are expected to explode as a pair instability supernova at the end of their life except the 300 M⊙ would end up as a black hole. It is found that for VMS, thermal neutrino emission occurs as early as towards the end of hydrogen burning stage due to the high initial temperature and density of these VMS. We calculate the total neutrino emissivity, Qν and luminosity, Lν using the structure profile of each burning stages of the models and observed the contribution of photoneutrino at early burning stages (H and He) and pair annihilation at the advanced stages. Pair annihilation and photoneutrino processes are the most dominant neutrino energy loss mechanisms throughout the evolutionary track of the VMS. At the O-burning stage, the neutrino luminosity ∼1047−48 erg s−1 depending on their initial mass and metallicity are slightly higher than the neutrino luminosity from massive stars. This could shed light on the possibility of using detection of neutrinos to locate the candidates for pair instability supernova in our local universe.
Appearance versus disappearance of broad absorption line troughs in quasars
Authors: Mishra Sapna , Vivek M , Chand Hum , Joshi Ravi
Published: March 2021

We present a new set of 84 broad absorption line (BAL) quasars (1.7 < zem < 4.4) exhibiting an appearance of C iv BAL troughs over 0.3–4.8 rest-frame years by comparing the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release (SDSSDR)-7, SDSSDR-12, and SDSSDR-14 quasar catalogues. We contrast the nature of BAL variability in this appearing BAL quasar sample with a disappearing BAL quasar sample studied in the literature by comparing the quasar’s intrinsic, BAL trough, and continuum parameters between the two samples. We find that appearing BAL quasars have relatively higher redshift and smaller probed time-scales as compared to the disappearing BAL quasars. To mitigate the effect of any redshift bias, we created control samples of appearing and disappearing BAL quasars that have similar redshift distribution. We find that the appearing BAL quasars are relatively brighter and have shallower and wider BAL troughs compared to the disappearing BAL sample. The distribution of quasar continuum variability parameters between the two samples is clearly separated, with the appearance of the BAL troughs being accompanied by the dimming of the continuum and vice versa. Spectral index variations in the two samples also point to the anticorrelation between the BAL trough and continuum variations consistent with the ‘bluer when brighter’ trend in quasars. We show that the intrinsic dust model is less likely to be a favourable scenario in explaining BAL appearance/disappearance. Our analysis suggests that the extreme variations of BAL troughs like BAL appearance/disappearance are mainly driven by changes in the ionization conditions of the absorbing gas.
The formation of the milky way halo and its dwarf satellites: a NLTE-1D abundance analysis. IV. Segue 1, Triangulum ii, and Coma Berenices UFDs
Authors: Sitnova T M , Mashonkina L I , Tatarnikov A M , Voziakova O V , Burlak M A , Pakhomov Yu V , Jablonka P , Neretina M D , Frebel A
Published: March 2021

We present atmospheric parameters and abundances for chemical elements from carbon to barium in metal-poor stars in Segue 1 (seven stars), Coma Berenices (three stars), and Triangulum ii (one star) ultrafaint dwarf galaxies (UFDs). The effective temperatures rely on new photometric observations in the visible and infra-red bands, obtained with the 2.5 m telescope of the SAI MSU Caucasian observatory. Abundances of up to fourteen chemical elements were derived under the non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (NLTE) line formation, and LTE abundances were obtained for up to five more elements. For the first time, we present abundance of oxygen in Seg 1 S1 and S4, silicon in ComaBer S2 and Tri ii S40, potassium in Seg 1 S1−S6 and ComaBer S1−S3, and barium in Seg 1 S7. Three stars in Segue 1, two stars in Coma Berenices, and Triangulum ii star have very low [Na/Mg] of −1.08 to −1.67 dex, which is usually attributed in the literature to an odd–even effect produced by nucleosynthesis in massive metal-free stars. We interpret this chemical property as a footprint of first stars, which is not blurred due to a small number of nucleosynthesis events that contributed to chemical abundance patterns of the sample stars. Our NLTE abundances of Sr and Ba in Coma Berenices, Segue 1, and Triangulum ii report on lower [Sr/Ba] abundance ratio in the UFDs compared to that in classical dwarf spheroidal galaxies and the Milky Way halo. However, in UFDs, just as in massive galaxies, [Sr/Ba] is not constant and it can be higher than the pure r-process ratio. We suggest a hypothesis of Sr production in metal-poor binaries at the earliest epoch of galactic evolution.
3C 84: a possibly precessing jet in 43-GHz observations
Authors: Dominik Rune M , Linhoff Lena , Elsässer Dominik , Rhode Wolfgang
Published: March 2021

The central galaxy of the Perseus galaxy cluster, 3C 84 or NGC 1275, hosts one of the closest and well-observed active galactic nuclei (AGNs) and thus offered insights into a variety of phenomena over the past decades. Although close and well observed, some key properties of 3C 84 remain unknown. One of these properties is the inclination angle between the jet and the line of sight, for which a wide range of values can be found in publications. Previous studies have indicated a precessing behaviour of 3C 84’s jet that could explain these discrepancies. In this work, we analyse this behaviour at parsec scales using VLBA-BU-BLAZAR Program 43-GHz data. To obtain the position angles necessary to deduce the precessing motion, we use a primary component analysis to extract angles from the available images. The model parameters are estimated through Bayesian Inference. A clear change in the position angle is visible in our data, consistent with a precession. For a pure, non-relativistic precession model, we find a precession frequency of (12.5 ± 1.8)° yr−1. We further test the possibility of an additional nutation but can, so far, not obtain conclusive results.
Mlh1heterozygosity and promoter methylation associates with microsatellite instability in mouse sperm
Authors: Shrestha Kul S , Tuominen Minna M , Kauppi Liisa
Published: March 2021

DNA mismatch repair (MMR) proteins play an important role in maintaining genome stability, both in somatic and in germline cells. Loss of MLH1, a central MMR protein, leads to infertility and to microsatellite instability (MSI) in spermatocytes, however, the effect of Mlh1 heterozygosity on germline genome stability remains unexplored. To test the effect of Mlh1 heterozygosity on MSI in mature sperm, we combined mouse genetics with single-molecule PCR that detects allelic changes at unstable microsatellites. We discovered 4.5% and 5.9% MSI in sperm of 4- and 12-month-old Mlh1+/− mice, respectively, and that Mlh1 promoter methylation in Mlh1+/− sperm correlated with higher MSI. No such elevated MSI was seen in non-proliferating somatic cells. Additionally, we show contrasting dynamics of deletions versus insertions at unstable microsatellites (mononucleotide repeats) in sperm.
Supply Chain Actors’ Willingness to Switch the Business of Smokeless Tobacco: A Mixed-Methods Study on Naswar Business in Pakistan
Authors: Ahmad Fayaz , Khan Zohaib , Boeckmann Melanie , Khan Muhammad Naseem , Siddiqi Kamran , Ullah Safat , Zeeb Hajo , Forberger Sarah
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Provision of alternate livelihoods to smokeless tobacco (SLT) supply chain (SC) actors can help in curtailing SLT business and its consumption. We explored the reasons for SC actors’ engagement in Naswar (SLT used in South Asia) business and their willingness to switch to other alternatives.

Aims and Methods

We conducted an equal-status concurrent mixed-methods study in four districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. We surveyed 286 general points of sale (GPOS) and exclusive Naswar (EN) vendors through multistage cluster sampling. Additionally, we interviewed 15 tobacco farmers interpretively, being distinct from other SC actors. We assessed the association between vendors’ willingness to switch and their awareness about tobacco-harms, profit margin, Naswar as a family business, length of business, education level, and shop type using logistic regression. Qualitative data assessed the farmer’s viable alternatives to switch and were analyzed using deductive–inductive thematic analysis.

Results

Product demand—77% and profit margins—75% were the main drivers for selling SLT by EN vendors. Half of the GPOS and 25% EN vendors expressed willingness to stop Naswar’s sale. Vendors aware of tobacco-harms were more willing to switch, but less likely to switch if Naswar was perceived to bring “good profit.” Farmers were mainly cultivating tobacco because of profitability, family-run farm, and perceived land-suitability for tobacco. Lack of government support was main constraint for farmers looking to switch.

Conclusions

A considerable portion of Naswar SC actors in Pakistan are willing to switch to viable alternatives, with profitability of alternatives, support from authorities, and social obligations as key considerations in doing so.

Implications

This study highlights that good profit margins in the Naswar business, lack of awareness of tobacco-related health harms, and absence of the government’s support are key detriments to switching to alternative businesses among Naswar SC actors in Pakistan. These findings are the first to come out in the context of both Pakistan and Naswar product, making a case for policy interventions focusing on tax increases, awareness campaigns about tobacco-harms, and a proactive role by the government to provide support for the security of livelihoods to those tobacco SC actors who want to switch to other alternatives.
Recommendations for procedural sedation in infants, children, and adolescents
Authors: Krmpotic Kristina , Rieder Michael J , Rosen David
Published: March 2021

Many paediatric patients require sedation and analgesia for diagnostic testing and therapeutic procedures outside the operating room. This statement reviews the literature on procedural sedation, focusing on the prevention of adverse events through the selection of appropriate patients, advance preparation for emergency situations, and adequate monitoring during and after the administration of pharmacologic agents. Procedural sedation should only be performed by clinicians who are competent in airway management and resuscitation, as part of a hospital program with active and engaged quality assurance and safety initiatives. Recommendations include the development of institutional policies and procedures for the safe delivery of procedural sedation in infants, children, and adolescents.
GTP binding by Arabidopsis extra-large G protein 2 is not essential for its functions
Authors: Maruta Natsumi , Trusov Yuri , Urano Daisuke , Chakravorty David , Assmann Sarah M , Jones Alan M , Botella Jose R
Published: March 2021

The extra-large guanosine-5′-triphosphate (GTP)-binding protein 2, XLG2, is an unconventional Gα subunit of the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) heterotrimeric GTP-binding protein complex with a major role in plant defense. In vitro biochemical analyses and molecular dynamic simulations show that affinity of XLG2 for GTP is two orders of magnitude lower than that of the conventional Gα, AtGPA1. Here we tested the physiological relevance of GTP binding by XLG2. We generated an XLG2(T476N) variant with abolished GTP binding, as confirmed by in vitro GTPγS binding assay. Yeast three-hybrid, bimolecular fluorescence complementation, and split firefly-luciferase complementation assays revealed that the nucleotide-depleted XLG2(T476N) retained wild-type XLG2-like interactions with the Gβγ dimer and defense-related receptor-like kinases. Both wild-type and nucleotide-depleted XLG2(T476N) restored the defense responses against Fusarium oxysporum and Pseudomonas syringae compromised in the xlg2 xlg3 double mutant. Additionally, XLG2(T476N) was fully functional restoring stomatal density, root growth, and sensitivity to NaCl, but failed to complement impaired germination and vernalization-induced flowering. We conclude that XLG2 is able to function in a GTP-independent manner and discuss its possible mechanisms of action.
Mobilization Started Within 2 Hours After Abdominal Surgery Improves Peripheral and Arterial Oxygenation: A Single-Center Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Svensson-Raskh Anna , Schandl Anna Regina , Ståhle Agneta , Nygren-Bonnier Malin , Fagevik Olsén Monika
Published: March 2021

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate if mobilization out of bed, within 2 hours after abdominal surgery, improved participants’ respiratory function and whether breathing exercises had an additional positive effect.

Methods

Participants were 214 consecutively recruited patients who underwent elective open or robot-assisted laparoscopic gynecological, urological, or endocrinological abdominal surgery with an anesthetic duration of >2 hours. They were recruited to a randomized controlled trial. Immediately after surgery, patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: mobilization (to sit in a chair) and standardized breathing exercises (n = 73), mobilization (to sit in a chair) only (n = 76), or control (n = 65). The interventions started within 2 hours after arrival at the postoperative recovery unit and continued for a maximum of 6 hours. The primary outcomes were differences in peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2, as a percentage) and arterial oxygen pressure (PaO2, measured in kilopascals) between the groups. Secondary outcomes were arterial carbon dioxide pressure, spirometry, respiratory insufficiency, pneumonia, and length of stay.

Results

Based on intention-to-treat analysis (n = 214), patients who received mobilization and breathing exercises had significantly improved SpO2 (mean difference [MD] = 2.5%; 95% CI = 0.4 to 4.6) and PaO2 (MD = 1.40 kPa; 95% CI = 0.64 to 2.17) compared with the controls. For mobilization only, there was an increase in PaO2 (MD = 0.97 kPa; 95% CI = 0.20 to 1.74) compared with the controls. In the per-protocol analysis (n = 201), there were significant improvements in SpO2 and PaO2 for both groups receiving mobilization compared with the controls. Secondary outcome measures did not differ between groups.

Conclusion

Mobilization out of bed, with or without breathing exercises, within 2 hours after elective abdominal surgery improved SpO2 and PaO2.

Impact

The respiratory effect of mobilization (out of bed) immediately after surgery has not been thoroughly evaluated in the literature. This study shows that mobilization out of bed following elective abdominal surgery can improve SpO2 and PaO2.

Lay Summary

Mobilization within 2 hours after elective abdominal surgery, with or without breathing exercises, can improve patients’ respiratory function.
Regulatory T cell/Th17 balance in the pathogenesis of paediatric Behçet disease
Authors: Filleron Anne , Tran Tu Anh , Hubert Audrey , Letierce Alexia , Churlaud Guillaume , Koné-Paut Isabelle , Saadoun David , Cezar Renaud , Corbeau Pierre , Rosenzwajg Michelle
Published: March 2021

Objectives

Behçet disease (BD) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disorder of unknown aetiology. The aim of this study was to determine the orientation of T cell subpopulations in paediatric BD and more precisely to look for a regulatory T lymphocyte (Treg)/Th17 imbalance.

Methods

T cell subpopulations were analysed by flow cytometry in the peripheral blood of paediatric patients with acute BD (aBD; n = 24), remitting BD (rBD; n = 12) and in healthy controls (HCs; n = 24). Tregs (CD4+CD25hiCD127−/loFoxp3+), activated Tregs (GITR, LAP, CTLA-4 and HLA-DR expression), CD4+ and CD8+ T cells producing IFN-γ (Th1 and Tc1) or IL-17 (Th17 and Tc17) under polyclonal (OKT3/IL-2) or antigenic (Streptococcus sanguis KTH-1 peptides and heat shock protein 60) stimulation were enumerated.

Results

Th17 (1.9- and 5.1-fold) and Tc17 (4.0- and 2.0-fold) frequency under mitogenic stimulation was significantly increased in aBD and rBD patients as compared with HCs. Th17 frequency under antigenic stimulation was also higher in patients than in HCs. The percentage and number of Tregs and activated Tregs in patients and in HCs were similar. However, when Tregs were removed, antigen-driven differentiation into Th1 and Th17 was significantly boosted in BD but not in HC CD4+ T cells.

Conclusion

There is a bias towards Th17 polarization in aBD and rBD in children. Although we did not observe an increase in the number of Tregs in these patients, their Tregs limit CD4+ T cell differentiation into Th1 and Th17 cells. Thus, in paediatric BD, Tregs seem to incompletely counterbalance a Th17 orientation of the Th cell response.
Protest Waves and Social Movement Fields: The Micro Foundations of Campaigning for Subaltern Political Parties
Authors: Almeida Paul , Sosa Eugenio , Cordero Ulate Allen , Argueta Ricardo
Published: March 2021

The paper examines the individual-level building blocks of getting out the vote (GOTV) for electoral parties that represent subaltern sectors in resource scarce environments. Drawing on theories of protest waves, social movement fields, and threat-induced collective action, we examine the likelihood of campaigning in left party electoral mobilization and party identification. The study implements a modified version of the Caught in the Act of Protest: Contextualizing Contestation (CCC) survey protocol and respondent selection design. We use a sympathy pool sample of over 1,200 May Day participants in Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Honduras to explain the micro-foundations of electoral proselytizing of political parties advocating for disadvantaged populations. We found that involvement in left party electoral campaigning was largely driven by resources deposited during anti-neoliberal protest waves, including prior movement-type protest, civic organizational activity, and economic threat perceptions. Campaigning for the anti-neoliberal party was also associated with a higher level of post-election party identification. The findings suggest that left parties may at times partially overcome economic and political resource deficits by mobilizing individuals deeply embedded in the social movement field.
HFE H63D Limits Nigral Vulnerability to Paraquat in Agricultural Workers
Authors: Wang Ernest W , Trojano Max L , Lewis Mechelle M , Du Guangwei , Chen Hairong , Brown Gregory L , Jellen Leslie C , Song Insung , Neely Elizabeth , Kong Lan , Connor James R , Huang Xuemei
Published: March 2021

Paraquat is an herbicide whose use is associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD), a neurodegenerative disorder marked by neuron loss in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). We recently observed that the murine homolog to the human H63D variant of the homeostatic iron regulator (HFE) may decrease paraquat-associated nigral neurotoxicity in mice. The present study examined the potential influence of H63D on paraquat-associated neurotoxicity in humans. Twenty-eight paraquat-exposed workers were identified from exposure histories and compared with 41 unexposed controls. HFE genotypes, and serum iron and transferrin were measured from blood samples. MRI was used to assess the SNc transverse relaxation rate (R2*), a marker for iron, and diffusion tensor imaging scalars of fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity, markers of microstructural integrity. Twenty-seven subjects (9 exposed and 18 controls) were H63D heterozygous. After adjusting for age and use of other PD-associated pesticides and solvents, serum iron and transferrin were higher in exposed H63D carriers than in unexposed carriers and HFE wildtypes. SNc R2* was lower in exposed H63D carriers than in unexposed carriers, whereas SNc FA was lower in exposed HFE wildtypes than in either unexposed HFE wildtypes or exposed H63D carriers. Serum iron and SNc FA measures correlated positively among exposed, but not unexposed, subjects. These data suggest that H63D heterozygosity is associated with lower neurotoxicity presumptively linked to paraquat. Future studies with larger cohorts are warranted to replicate these findings and examine potential underlying mechanisms, especially given the high prevalence of the H63D allele in humans.