bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Jointed Plain Concrete (JPC) Pavement Variability and Method to Complement JPC Design with 3D Pavement Data
Authors: Malone Geary Georgene , (James) Tsai Yichang
Published: March 2021

3D pavement data are increasing in use and availability and open up new opportunities to evaluate variability in pavements. The majority of information we currently have on existing pavements is the result of the Long Term Pavement Performance Program (LTPP). While the program is comprehensive and the data are immense, the study sections are typically only 500 ft in length, which limits the ability to accurately gauge the variability of the distresses in a pavement over a longer length, especially cracking in Jointed Plain Concrete (JPC) slabs. 3D pavement data already collected by transportation agencies have the opportunity to complement LTPP data to analyze variability and improve the use of LTPP data. This paper presents a unique method to complement LTPP data using 3D pavement data, consisting of four steps: (1) crack detection using 3D pavement data; (2) categorize detected cracks by orientation and extent by slab using 3D slab-based methodology; (3) convert categorized slab level cracking into mechanistic-empirical pavement design guide cracking; and (4) perform local calibration with the 3D converted input values. The method uses 3D pavement data to provide a non-discrete value for percent cracking in GPS-3 LTPP sections for the purposes of local calibration. The proposed method is shown to be feasible using 3D pavement data and two JPC LTPP sections in Georgia. The method could be extended to any of the state Departments of Transportation that have active LTPP sections and are now or will shortly be collecting 3D pavement data.
Equating and Assigning Targets in the Adapted Alternating Treatments Design: Review of Special Education Journals
Authors: Cariveau Tom , Helvey Casey Irwin , Moseley T. Kristina , Hester Julie
Published: March 2021

The current review examined the prevalence of the adapted alternating treatments design (AATD) across 22 special education journals and methods to equate and assign target sets to experimental conditions in the AATD. Since the seminal description of the design in 1985, a total of 49 articles were published using the AATD across 12 of the reviewed journals. The most prominent methods of equating target sets differed from prior reviews of behavior-analytic journals, likely due to the preponderance of response chains being targeted in special education research using the AATD. The majority of articles describe at least one method for equating target sets, although multiple methods were common. Additional methodological strengths in this literature included methods to reduce potential bias when assigning target sets to experimental conditions and counterbalancing target sets across participants. Considerations for practitioners and researchers when using the AATD are described.
Neurologic Features Associated With SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Children: A Case Series Report
Authors: Sandoval Francisca , Julio Katherine , Méndez Gastón , Valderas Carolina , Echeverría Alejandra C. , Perinetti María José , Suarez N. Mario , Barraza Gonzalo , Piñera Cecilia , Alarcón Macarena , Samaniego Fernando , Quesada-Rios Pía , Robles Carlos , Izquierdo Giannina
Published: March 2021

Introduction:

Although multiple neurologic manifestations associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection have been described in adults, there is little information about those presented in children. Here, we described neurologic manifestations associated with COVID-19 in the pediatric population.

Methods:

Retrospective case series report. We included patients younger than 18 years, admitted with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and neurologic manifestations at our hospital in Santiago, Chile. Demographics, clinical presentations, laboratory results, radiologic and neurophysiological studies, treatment, and outcome features were described. Cases were described based on whether they presented with predominantly central or peripheral neurologic involvement.

Results:

Thirteen of 90 (14.4%) patients admitted with confirmed infection presented with new-onset neurologic symptoms and 4 patients showed epilepsy exacerbation. Neurologic manifestations ranged from mild (headache, muscle weakness, anosmia, ageusia), to severe (status epilepticus, Guillain-Barré syndrome, encephalopathy, demyelinating events).

Conclusions:

We found a wide range of neurologic manifestations in children with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. In general, neurologic symptoms were resolved as the systemic presentation subsided. It is essential to recognize and report the main neurologic manifestations related to this new infectious disease in the pediatric population. More evidence is needed to establish the specific causality of nervous system involvement.
Association of D-dimer and Fibrinogen With Hypercoagulability in COVID-19 Requiring Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Authors: Chandel Abhimanyu , Patolia Saloni , Looby Mary , Bade Najeebah , Khangoora Vikramjit , King Christopher S.
Published: March 2021

Background:

D-dimer concentration has been used by institutions to identify candidates for intensified anticoagulant treatment for venous thromboembolism prevention and for the mitigation of the microthrombotic complications associated with COVID-19. Thromboelastography (TEG) maximum amplitude (MA) has been validated as a marker of hypercoagulability and MA ≥68 mm has been utilized as a marker of hypercoagulability in other conditions.

Methods:

The goal of this study was to evaluate the relationship between coagulation, inflammatory, and TEG parameters in patients with COVID-19 on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). We performed a single-center retrospective analysis of consecutive patients that received ECMO for the treatment of COVID-19. TEG, inflammatory, and coagulation markers were compared in patients with and without a thrombotic complication. Correlation tests were performed to identify the coagulation and inflammatory markers that best predict hypercoagulability as defined by an elevated TEG MA.

Results:

A total of 168 TEGs were available in 24 patients. C-reactive protein and fibrinogen were significantly higher in patients that developed a thrombotic event versus those that did not ( P = 0.04 and P = 0.04 respectively). D-dimer was negatively correlated with TEG MA ( P < 0.01), while fibrinogen was positively correlated ( P < 0.01). A fibrinogen >441 mg/dL was found to have a sensitivity of 91.2% and specificity of 85.7% for the detection of MA ≥68 mm.

Conclusions:

In critically ill patients with COVID-19 treated with ECMO, D-dimer concentration had an inverse relationship with degree of hypercoagulability as measured by TEG MA. D-dimer elevation may potentially reflect hemostatic perturbation in patients on ECMO or the severity of COVID-19 related sepsis rather than designate patients likely to benefit from anticoagulation. Fibrinogen concentration may represent a more useful marker of hypercoagulability in this population.
Higher education, gender, and foreign direct investment: Evidence from OECD countries
Authors: Pantelopoulos George
Published: March 2021

The objective of this study was to explore and empirically investigate the relationship between the labour force across educational levels and foreign direct investment (FDI), and to facilitate comparisons of education statistics and indicators across countries based on uniform and internationally agreed definitions. The analysis focuses on OECD countries. The empirical findings suggest that an educated labour force positively affects inward FDI. However, different educational levels do not have the same level of significance; tertiary education appears to have the greatest influence. As far as gender is concerned, the level of female participation in the workforce seems to be crucial in attracting FDI, and governments should therefore adopt policies to promote women’s empowerment.
Prognosis of patients in prolonged coma after severe carbon monoxide poisoning
Authors: Gao Y , Gu H , Yang J , Yang L , Li Z , Zhang J
Published: March 2021

Background:

Late recovery in patients following prolonged coma from carbon monoxide poisoning have been reported, but the probability is unclear. The purpose of this research was to assess the prognosis of patients in prolonged coma after severe carbon monoxide poisoning and related clinical and imaging features.

Methods:

There were 13 patients who had been in a state of coma for >7 days after acute carbon monoxide poisoning in the retrospective observational study, and demographic data, clinical data, laboratory data, complications, and image data were collected. Outcome was assessed by means of the Glasgow outcome scale after 1 year. The relationship between complications and imaging manifestations and prognosis was also analyzed.

Results:

One year after severe carbon monoxide poisoning, two patients (15.4%) had died (GOS 1), nine (69.2%) were in a persistent vegetative state (GOS 2), one (7.7%) was moderately disabled (GOS 4), and one (7.7%) achieved a good recovery (GOS 5) with minimal disability.

Conclusions:

Most patients with prolonged coma after severe carbon monoxide poisoning had a poor prognosis, although the younger patients had a better prognosis. Respiratory failure, hypotension and renal failure during the course of the disease were associated with a poor prognosis. The prognosis of patients with injuries in two sites in early CT was poor. Multiple lesions (≥3) and extensive white matter damage (Fazekas grade (PVH or DWMH) = 3) on MRI of chronic phase were also associated with a poor prognosis.
Government Communication Strategies during Coronavirus Pandemic: United Arab Emirates Lessons
Authors: Radwan Ahmed Farouk , Mousa Sheren Ali
Published: March 2021

Government communication introduced important lessons during the worldwide experience with the COVID-19 pandemic. It is important to apply known efficacious principles of risk and health communication strategies. The purpose of the study is to depict and explore the United Arab Emirates government communication scenario in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic as well as look at the types of strategies, information and messages delivered via digital mediums to handle challenges that are raised based on the Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication model. The study includes a qualitative analysis of two government bodies’ digital platforms: ‘The Ministry of Health and Prevention’ (mohap) and ‘Crisis and Disasters Management Authority’. Results indicated that the UAE government used different communication aims and strategies to face the pandemic according to the risk management scenario. In the quarantine phase, communication focused on giving people information about the disease, raising awareness about the disease, motivating health and behaviour change, informing people about government decisions and procedures. In the coexistence phase communication focused on emphasising the necessity of adherence the health measures, providing information on re-work in institutions and commercial centres, involving people in the health and social initiatives, confronting non-compliance with health precautions. Government communication also focused on facing rumours and false information. UAE government communication used digital platforms and social media to address more than 200 nationalities living in the state for ensuring that they adhere to the precautionary measures and coordinate with the authorities. Government communication was committed to a set of values including equality between citizens of the state and residents, societal and individual responsibility, recognising the frontline medical staff and acknowledging their sacrifices. UAE implemented an integrated, coherent and effective scenario to deal with the crisis. It developed risk communication strategies in health communication to manage the COVID-19 crisis by following international standards and also took into account its own political, economic, social and cultural features. The UAE government used many strategies to inform and convince people including clarification of measures strategy, reassurance strategy, ambiguity reduction strategy, behaviour efficacy strategy, correcting misinformation and rumours, advising strategy.
Emerging Health Technologies and How They Can Transform Healthcare Delivery
Authors: Bhatia Rajesh
Published: March 2021

Health technologies have been and shall always be an integral part of the health system. Appropriate technologies provide solutions to improve healthcare services at an affordable cost. New biomedical, bioengineering and digital technologies continue to swamp the health system and consume a major part of the health budget. National authorities should develop a policy framework that articulates needs, standards and projections of safe and cost-effective technologies in the context of local epidemiological data and the felt needs of communities. Efficient implementation of health technologies requires availability of an adequate number of skilled human resources for health and infrastructure, for maintenance and replacement or for upgradation of these technologies.
Understanding the Fertility Behavior of Bengali-speaking Hindu and Hindi-speaking Hindu Populations Occupying Similar Urban Locale of Kolkata, West Bengal: A Snapshot Regarding Family Planning Decision-making Process
Authors: Routh Deepa , Maji Suvendu
Published: March 2021

This study was conducted to understand the fertility behavior between the two population groups speaking different languages: Bengali-speaking Hindus and Hindi-speaking Hindus. The study further attempts to study the perception and practice regarding contraception use and their decision-making ability. The present study was conducted in Kolkata, West Bengal. A total of 64 women (Bengali-speaking Hindus: 34 and Hindi-speaking Hindus: 30) ranging between 15 years and 44 years were chosen by convenience sampling method. Semi-structured interview schedule was employed to record the response of the participants. Sociodemographic profile of the participants and of their husbands and fertility history were collected using structured interview. Open-ended questions were asked to the participants to understand their perception about family planning. Case studies were also taken from each participant to know about their decision-making process of family planning. Descriptive statistic was carried out to analyze quantitative data, and for qualitative data, thematic analysis was carried out manually. Mean age of the participants was 33.1 years and that of their husbands was 40.2 years. Age at marriage was low in both the groups. Source of knowledge on contraceptives was mostly husband in both the populations. The husband (100%) played a dominant role in decision-making in both the groups. The role of in-laws played a dominant role in decision-making among the Hindi-speaking population. Withdrawal method was a common method of contraceptives in both the groups.
Necrotizing Enterocolitis Mortality: A New Parameter to Predict High Risk
Authors: García Miriam , Casal Isabel , Pértega Sonia , González Cristina , Bouzán Jesús Caramés
Published: March 2021

Introduction:

Necrotizing enterocolitis, is the most common gastrointestinal emergency in the preterm infant and is associated with high mortality and morbidity. Predict which infants will progress to more severity stages of the illness and are in high risk for mortality is one of the challenges in relation to this disease. The objective of this study is to identify which factors are associated with mortality in infants diagnoses of NEC in our centre along a 12-year period.

Material and Methods:

A total of 124 consecutively patients were included in the study diagnosed of NEC at the Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de A Coruña, Spain. Information was obtained from medical records to compare patient demographics characteristics, prenatal information, clinical and radiological findings, relevant analytical data, therapeutic management and outcomes of infants who survived NEC and infants who died. Informed consent and ethical review board was obtained. Associations were analyzed by bivariate and multivariate analysis.

Results:

Among 124 patients, 110 patients survived NEC and 14 died. In multivariate analysis, the patients who died presented at birth low Apgar levels at minute one, apneas in the neonatal period, coagulopathy and low levels of serum proteins at diagnoses of NEC.
Enhancing Wellbeing for Older Adults With Serious Mental Illnesses: Co-Producing a Positive Psychology Course With Certified Older Adult Peer Specialists
Authors: Ogden Lydia P.
Published: March 2021

Compared to peers in the general population, persons aging with serious mental illnesses (SMIs) face physical health disparities, increased isolation, and decreased subjective experiences of quality of life and wellbeing. To date, limited intervention research focuses on addressing specific needs of persons aging with SMIs and no interventions targeted for that population are informed by the theory and science of positive psychology. With the aim of co-producing a positive-psychology-based program to enhance wellbeing for older adults with SMIs, the author held a series of focus groups and individual interviews with six certified older adult peer specialists. Analysis of the data developed in-depth insights into helpful processes, values, and priorities of individuals aging with SMIs, as well as the creation of a wellbeing-enhancing course curriculum.
Contributions of Preventive Social Services in Early Childhood Home Visiting in a Disadvantaged Area of Sweden: The Practice of the Parental Advisor
Authors: Barboza Madelene , Marttila Anneli , Burström Bo , Kulane Asli
Published: March 2021

Early childhood home visiting to improve health and development is commonly delivered by child health care (CHC) whereas home visitors from the social services are rare. We applied a constructivist grounded theory approach to explore the practice and contributions of parental advisors from the preventive social services in a home visiting collaboration with CHC in a socioeconomically disadvantaged area of Sweden. The analysis rendered a conceptual model of a situation-based practice, built on interactive encounters between parents and professionals. It includes strengthening of positive parenting, connecting parents to additional services, early detection of needs and provision of psychosocial support in accordance with each family’s specific situation. Rooted in the training and experience in social work, the practice can be seen as contributory to the delivery of complex support to families through home visiting and could provide input to efforts of improving training of home visitors in different contexts.
Use of Pediatric Injectable Medicines Guidelines and Associated Medication Administration Errors: A Human Reliability Analysis
Authors: Jones Matthew D. , Clarke Jonathan , Feather Calandra , Franklin Bryony Dean , Sinha Ruchi , Maconochie Ian , Darzi Ara , Appelbaum Nicholas
Published: March 2021

Background:

In a recent human reliability analysis (HRA) of simulated pediatric resuscitations, ineffective retrieval of preparation and administration instructions from online injectable medicines guidelines was a key factor contributing to medication administration errors (MAEs).

Objective:

The aim of the present study was to use a specific HRA to understand where intravenous medicines guidelines are vulnerable to misinterpretation, focusing on deviations from expected practice ( discrepancies) that contributed to large-magnitude and/or clinically significant MAEs.

Methods:

Video recordings from the original study were reanalyzed to identify discrepancies in the steps required to find and extract information from the NHS Injectable Medicines Guide (IMG) website. These data were combined with MAE data from the same original study.

Results:

In total, 44 discrepancies during use of the IMG were observed across 180 medication administrations. Of these discrepancies, 21 (48%) were associated with an MAE, 16 of which (36% of 44 discrepancies) made a major contribution to that error. There were more discrepancies (31 in total, 70%) during the steps required to access the correct drug webpage than there were in the steps required to read this information (13 in total, 30%). Discrepancies when using injectable medicines guidelines made a major contribution to 6 (27%) of 22 clinically significant and 4 (15%) of 27 large-magnitude MAEs.

Conclusion and Relevance:

Discrepancies during the use of an online injectable medicines guideline were often associated with subsequent MAEs, including those with potentially significant consequences. This highlights the need to test the usability of guidelines before clinical use.
Dynamics of pantographic sheet around the clamping region: experimental and numerical analysis
Authors: Laudato M , Manzari L , Giorgio I , Spagnuolo M , Göransson P
Published: March 2021

The experimental and numerical analyses of the linear time-invariant dynamical behavior of the clamping region of a 2D pantographic material are presented. The experimental observations of the clamping area, obtained by means of a specialized stereo microscope, are compared with the results of a second gradient linear model enforcing the same symmetries as the system microstructure.
Cyclophosphamide rescue therapy for relapsed low-grade alimentary lymphoma after chlorambucil treatment in cats
Authors: Kim Changseok , Wouda Raelene M , Borrego Juan , Chon Esther
Published: March 2021

Objectives

The aims of this study were to evaluate the response, outcome and prognostic factors in cats with clinically presumed relapsed low-grade alimentary lymphoma (LGAL) receiving cyclophosphamide as a first-line rescue therapy after failing chlorambucil treatment.

Methods

The medical records of 20 cats (from three institutions, between 2002 and 2017) treated with cyclophosphamide for relapsed LGAL after initial treatment with chlorambucil were retrospectively reviewed. Progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival time (OST) and the association of select variables with measures of outcome were assessed. Adverse events (AEs) were also described.

Results

Eighteen cats (90%) achieved a complete clinical response (CR) for a median duration of 239 days. The median PFS was 215 days. The median OST was 1065 days. The only clinical factor associated with a longer PFS was achievement of a CR with cyclophosphamide treatment. Cyclophosphamide was associated with few and reversible constitutional, gastrointestinal and hematologic AEs.

Conclusions and relevance

Cyclophosphamide appears to be a safe and effective first-rescue therapeutic option for cats with relapsed LGAL.
State of the art report on stub girder flooring systems
Authors: Masoudina Reza
Published: March 2021

Stub girder flooring systems are a widely used system in modern steel buildings. This type of system is a composite flooring system consisting of a continuous steel beam and a reinforced concrete slab set apart by a series of short, and usually wide, flange parts known as stubs. While many studies and research have been conducted on this system in steel-concrete composite structures, comparable comprehensive research has not been done on Stub girder flooring system for timber construction. This study represents a review on stub girders, and focuses on experimental and analytical works in the area. Finally, pervious researches and experimental data about stub girder flooring system have been collected and summarized in a table format which has been listed parameters in the researches.
Seismic performance of RC frames strengthened by RC infill walls
Authors: Cheng Shao-Ge , Zhu Yi-Xiu , Zhang Wei-Ping
Published: March 2021

This study presents the shake-table tests of a 1/5-scaled RC frame retrofitted with RC infill walls. The intensity of input ground motions increased gradually to comprehensively evaluate the structural seismic behavior. We performed a comparison of the results from the RC frame with masonry walls and that with RC walls. The results showed that the presence of RC infills effectively improved the lateral structural stiffness and loading capacity of the frames and reduced their damage and story drift. RC walls acted as the first seismic line of defense, and their failure was dominated by bending failure and concentrated on the low stories. The displacement ductility of the structure decreased with increasing stiffness of the introducing infills.
Response surface method optimization of a natural gas engine with dedicated exhaust gas recirculation
Authors: Van Roekel Chris A , Montgomery David T , Singh Jaswinder , Olsen Daniel B
Published: March 2021

Stoichiometric industrial natural gas engines rely on robust design to achieve consumer driven up-time requirements. Key to this design are exhaust components that are able to withstand high combustion temperatures found in this type of natural gas engine. The issue of exhaust component durability can be addressed by making improvements to materials and coatings or decreasing combustion temperatures. Among natural gas engine technologies shown to reduce combustion temperature, dedicated exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) has limited published research. However, due to the high nominal EGR rate it may be a technology useful for decreasing combustion temperature. In previous work by the author, dedicated EGR was implemented on a Caterpillar G3304 stoichiometric natural gas engine. Examination of combustion statistics showed that, in comparison to a conventional stoichiometric natural gas engine, operating with dedicated EGR requires adjustments to the combustion recipe to achieve acceptable engine operation. This work focuses on modifications to the combustion recipe necessary to improve combustion statistics such as coefficient of variance of indicated mean effective pressure (COV of IMEP), cylinder-cylinder indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP), location of 50% mass fraction burned, and 10%–90% mass fraction burn duration. Several engine operating variables were identified to affect these combustion statistics. A response surface method (RSM) optimization was chosen to find engine operating conditions that would result in improved combustion statistics. A third order factorial RSM optimization was sufficient for finding optimized operating conditions at 3.4 bar brake mean effective pressure (BMEP). The results showed that in an engine with a low turbulence combustion chamber, such as a G3304, optimized combustion statistics resulted from a dedicated cylinder lambda of 0.936, spark timing of 45° before top dead center (°bTDC), spark duration of 365 µs, and intake manifold temperature of 62°C. These operating conditions reduced dedicated cylinder COV of IMEP by 10% (absolute) and the difference between average stoichiometric cylinder and dedicated cylinder IMEP to 0.19 bar.
Child sexual abuse in religious institutions: A comparative study based on sentences in Spain
Authors: Tamarit Josep M. , Aizpitarte Alazne , Arantegui Laura
Published: March 2021

Child sexual abuse is a global problem that has several physical and psychological health implications for the victims. This study aimed to analyse the way criminal courts respond to allegations of child sexual abuse in religious institutions in Spain compared with cases of abuse committed in other institutional contexts. The sample is composed of 97 abusers from three institutional settings (religious institutions, educational centres, sports centres), responsible for a total of 335 child sexual abuse victims. Some of the results are similar to those found in other countries regarding the sex and age of the victims. There is a predominance of abuse involving bodily contact but without penetration, the abusers’ profiles are diverse, high exposure to minors was paramount as a risk factor, and there is a higher prevalence of diocesan priest abusers compared with members of religious orders. Significant differences were found between the three institutional groups (that is, religious, educational, and sports) in terms of penalties and civil compensation orders imposed on the abusers. The criminal courts consider sexual abuse committed by religious leaders to be a more severe form of the crime compared with abuse committed in other environments. Our study also revealed that several factors substantially influence the criminal courts’ response (for example, proven psychological harm, continuing crime, and the act of penetration), resulting in longer prison sentences and higher civil compensation. The practical implications of these findings are discussed.
Is Palinopsia in Migraineurs a Phenomenon of Impaired Habituation of Visual Cortical Neurons?
Authors: Kalita Jayantee , Misra Usha K. , Kumar Mritunjai , Bansal Robin , Uniyal Ravi
Published: March 2021

Palinopsia in migraine has been reported recently, which may be due to the dysexcitability of visual cortical neurons. In this cross-sectional study, we report the correlation of neuronal dysexcitability with palinopsia using pattern shift visual evoked potential (PSVEP) in 91 migraineurs and 25 healthy controls. The presence of palinopsia was evaluated using a novel objective method, and revealed more frequent palinopsia in the migraineurs compared to the controls (53 of 91 [58.2%] vs 3 of 25 [12%]; P < .001). Five consecutive blocks of PSVEP were recorded for the evaluation of sensitization and impaired habituation. Amplitudes of N75 and P100 in block 1 were considered for sensitization. Impaired habituation of N75 and P100 was considered if any amplitudes in blocks 2 to 5 were higher than block 1. Impaired habituation was more frequent in migraineurs compared with the controls, and was more marked in wave N75 (81.3% vs 32%; P < .001) than wave P100 (63.7% vs 44%; P = .12). Impaired habituations of wave N75 (81.7% vs 58.9%; P = .008) and wave P100 (71.7% vs 46.4%; P = .008) were more frequent in those with palinopsia compared with those without. There was a lack of suppression of P100 amplitude in block 3 in the palinopsia group compared to the controls. The duration of palinopsia correlated with the extent of impaired habituation of N75. It can be concluded that the impaired habituation of PSVEP waveforms is a biomarker of palinopsia in migraine.
Influence of wall composition on moisture related degradation of the wall surfaces in Hagia Sophia, Istanbul
Authors: Mizutani Etsuko , Ogura Daisuke , Ishizaki Takeshi , Abuku Masaru , Sasaki Juni
Published: March 2021

Over the past 10 years, our research team has holistically studied the environmental aspects of the conservation and restoration of the Hagia Sophia, which is suffering from severe degradation of its wall paintings, including the exfoliation of wall paintings and inner finishing materials, mainly due to salt crystallisation. In the present study, we investigated the influence of environmental factors and wall composition on the hygrothermal behaviour in the structure, such as moisture accumulation and evaporation within the walls, which significantly affect salt crystallisation. The differences in distribution of high moisture content at second cornice are depending on the azimuth, and the high correlation between high moisture content and deterioration severity is significant. A two-dimensional numerical model of the simultaneous transfer of heat and moisture considering the measured material physical properties and wall composition of the exedra wall is developed to quantitatively investigate the influence of environmental factors on moisture accumulation. Numerical results show that infiltrated rainwater tends to accumulate because the original builders used connection mortar, which has a much larger moisture diffusivity than that of modern mortar, and the accumulated water at the bottom of the wall is difficult to drain owing to the shape of the wall. In the northwest exedra, the influence of wind-driven rain on water accumulation is similar to that of runoff rainwater from the upper roofs, which probably causes deterioration over a wide area. In addition, the effect of the deterioration suppression measure by the re-covering of the outer surfaces of the west wall in 2013 is verified, and an appropriate suppression measure against water permeation is examined using a numerical model.
Gender Nonconformity and Minority Stress Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Individuals: A Meta-Analytic Review
Authors: Thoma Brian C. , Eckstrand Kristen L. , Montano Gerald T. , Rezeppa Taylor L. , Marshal Michael P.
Published: March 2021

Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals are less healthy than heterosexual individuals, and minority stress endured by LGB individuals contributes to these health disparities. However, within-groups differences in minority stress experiences among LGB individuals remain underexplored. Individuals are more likely to be categorized as LGB if they exhibit gender nonconformity, so gender nonconformity could influence concealability of sexual orientation among LGB individuals, carrying important implications for the visibility of their stigmatized sexual orientation identity and for how they experience and cope with minority stress. Through a meta-analytic review, we examined how gender nonconformity was associated with minority stress experiences among LGB individuals. Thirty-seven eligible studies were identified and included in analyses. Results indicate gender nonconformity is associated with experiencing more prejudice events, less concealment of sexual orientation, lower internalized homonegativity, and higher expectations of rejection related to sexual orientation among LGB individuals. Gender nonconformity is more strongly associated with experiencing prejudice events among gay and bisexual men than among lesbian and bisexual women. Gender nonconformity is systematically associated with minority stress experiences among LGB individuals, and future research must measure and examine gender nonconformity when investigating the role of minority stress in degraded health outcomes among LGB populations.
Identifying subcenters with a nonparametric method and ubiquitous point-of-interest data: A case study of 284 Chinese cities
Authors: Long Ying , Song Yimeng , Chen Long
Published: March 2021

Urban spatial structure, which is primarily defined as the spatial distribution of employment and residences, has been of lasting interest to urban economists, geographers, and planners for good reason. This paper proposes a nonparametric method that combines the Jenks natural break method and the Moran’s I to identify a city’s polycentric structure using point-of-interest density. Specifically, a polycentric city consists of one main center and at least one subcenter. A qualified (sub)center should have a significantly higher density of human activity than its immediate surroundings (locally high) and a relatively higher density than all the other subareas in the city (globally high). Treating Chinese cities as the subject, we ultimately identified 70 cities with polycentric structures from 284 prefecture-level cities in China. In addition, regression analyses were conducted to reveal the predictors of polycentricity among the subjects. The regression results indicate that the total population, GDP, average wage, and urban land area of a city all significantly predict polycentricity. As a whole, this paper provides an alternative and transferrable method for identifying main centers and subcenters across cities and to reveal common predictors of polycentricity. The proposed method avoids some of the potential problems in the conventional approach, such as the arbitrariness of thres hold. setting and sensitivity to spatial scales. It can also be replicated rather conveniently, as its input data, such as point-of-interest data, are widely available to the public and the data’s validity can be efficiently checked by field trips or other traditional data sources, such as land-use maps or censuses.
Correction to: Systematic review of clinical practice guidelines for adults with fractures: identification of best evidence for rehabilitation to develop the WHO’s Package of Interventions for Rehabilitation
Authors:   other members of the Technical Working Group, Gimigliano Francesca , Liguori Sara , Moretti Antimo , Toro Giuseppe , Rauch Alexandra , Negrini Stefano , Iolascon Giovanni
Published: March 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Magical Mathematical Formulas for Nanoboxes
Authors: Kaatz Forrest H. , Bultheel Adhemar
Published: March 2021

Hollow nanostructures are at the forefront of many scientific endeavors. These consist of nanoboxes, nanocages, nanoframes, and nanotubes. We examine the mathematics of atomic coordination in nanoboxes. Such structures consist of a hollow box with n shells and t outer layers. The magical formulas we derive depend on both n and t. We find that nanoboxes with t = 2  or  3, or walls with only a few layers generally have bulk coordinated atoms. The benefits of low-coordination in nanostructures is shown to only occur when the wall thickness is much thinner than normally synthesized. The case where t = 1 is unique, and has distinct magic formulas. Such low-coordinated nanoboxes are of interest for a myriad variety of applications, including batteries, fuel cells, plasmonic, catalytic and biomedical uses. Given these formulas, it is possible to determine the surface dispersion of the nanoboxes. We expect these formulas to be useful in understanding how the atomic coordination varies with n and t within a nanobox.
Pattern recognition in lymphoid malignancies using CytoGPS and Mercator
Authors: Abrams Zachary B. , Tally Dwayne G. , Zhang Lin , Coombes Caitlin E. , Payne Philip R. O. , Abruzzo Lynne V. , Coombes Kevin R.
Published: March 2021

Background

There have been many recent breakthroughs in processing and analyzing large-scale data sets in biomedical informatics. For example, the CytoGPS algorithm has enabled the use of text-based karyotypes by transforming them into a binary model. However, such advances are accompanied by new problems of data sparsity, heterogeneity, and noisiness that are magnified by the large-scale multidimensional nature of the data. To address these problems, we developed the Mercator R package, which processes and visualizes binary biomedical data. We use Mercator to address biomedical questions of cytogenetic patterns relating to lymphoid hematologic malignancies, which include a broad set of leukemias and lymphomas. Karyotype data are one of the most common form of genetic data collected on lymphoid malignancies, because karyotyping is part of the standard of care in these cancers.

Results

In this paper we combine the analytic power of CytoGPS and Mercator to perform a large-scale multidimensional pattern recognition study on 22,741 karyotype samples in 47 different hematologic malignancies obtained from the public Mitelman database.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that Mercator was able to identify both known and novel cytogenetic patterns across different lymphoid malignancies, furthering our understanding of the genetics of these diseases.
Transcriptome profiling of Lymnaea stagnalis (Gastropoda) for ecoimmunological research
Authors: Seppälä Otto , Walser Jean-Claude , Cereghetti Teo , Seppälä Katri , Salo Tiina , Adema Coen M.
Published: March 2021

Background

Host immune function can contribute to numerous ecological/evolutionary processes. Ecoimmunological studies, however, typically use one/few phenotypic immune assays and thus do not consider the complexity of the immune system. Therefore, “omics” resources that allow quantifying immune activity across multiple pathways are needed for ecoimmunological models. We applied short-read based RNAseq (Illumina NextSeq 500, PE-81) to characterise transcriptome profiles ofLymnaea stagnalis(Gastropoda), a multipurpose model snail species. We used a genetically diverse snail stock and exposed individuals to immune elicitors (injury, bacterial/trematode pathogens) and changes in environmental conditions that can alter immune activity (temperature, food availability).

Results

Immune defence factors identified in the de novo assembly covered elements broadly described in other gastropods. For instance, pathogen-recognition receptors (PRR) and lectins activate Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathway and cytokines that regulate cellular and humoral defences. Surprisingly, only modest diversity of antimicrobial peptides and fibrinogen related proteins were detected when compared with other taxa. Additionally, multiple defence factors that may contribute to the phenotypic immune assays used to quantify antibacterial activity and phenoloxidase (PO)/melanisation-type reaction in this species were found. Experimental treatments revealed factors from non-self recognition (lectins) and signalling (TLR pathway, cytokines) to effectors (e.g., antibacterial proteins, PO enzymes) whose transcription depended on immune stimuli and environmental conditions, as well as components of snail physiology/metabolism that may drive these effects. Interestingly, the transcription of many factors (e.g., PRR, lectins, cytokines, PO enzymes, antibacterial proteins) showed high among-individual variation.

Conclusions

Our results indicate several uniform aspects of gastropod immunity, but also apparent differences betweenL. stagnalisand some previously examined taxa. Interestingly, in addition to immune defence factors that responded to immune elicitors and changes in environmental conditions, many factors showed high among-individual variation across experimental snails. We propose that such factors are highly important to be included in future ecoimmunological studies because they may be the key determinants of differences in parasite resistance among individuals both within and between natural snail populations.
Blinatumomab-induced T cell activation at single cell transcriptome resolution
Authors: Huo Yi , Sheng Zhen , Lu Daniel R. , Ellwanger Daniel C. , Li Chi-Ming , Homann Oliver , Wang Songli , Yin Hong , Ren Ruibao
Published: March 2021

Background

Bi-specific T-cell engager (BiTE) antibody is a class of bispecific antibodies designed for cancer immunotherapy. Blinatumomab is the first approved BiTE to treat acute B cell lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). It brings killer T and target B cells into close proximity, activating patient’s autologous T cells to kill malignant B cells via mechanisms such as cytolytic immune synapse formation and inflammatory cytokine production. However, the activated T-cell subtypes and the target cell-dependent T cell responses induced by blinatumomab, as well as the mechanisms of resistance to blinatumomab therapy are largely unknown.

Results

In this study, we performed single-cell sequencing analysis to identify transcriptional changes in T cells following blinatumomab-induced T cell activation using single cells from both, a human cell line model and a patient-derived model of blinatumomab-mediated cytotoxicity. In total, the transcriptome of 17,920 single T cells from the cell line model and 2271 single T cells from patient samples were analyzed. We found that CD8+ effector memory T cells, CD4+ central memory T cells, naïve T cells, and regulatory T cells were activated after blinatumomab treatment. Here, blinatumomab-induced transcriptional changes reflected the functional immune activity of the blinatumomab-activated T cells, including the upregulation of pathways such as the immune system, glycolysis, IFNA signaling, gap junctions, and IFNG signaling. Co-stimulatory (TNFRSF4 and TNFRSF18) and co-inhibitory (LAG3) receptors were similarly upregulated in blinatumomab-activated T cells, indicating ligand-dependent T cell functions. Particularly, B-ALL cell expression of TNFSF4, which encodes the ligand of T cell co-stimulatory receptor TNFRSF4, was found positively correlated with the response to blinatumomab treatment. Furthermore, recombinant human TNFSF4 protein enhanced the cytotoxic activity of blinatumomab against B-ALL cells.

Conclusion

These results reveal a target cell-dependent mechanism of T-cell activation by blinatumomab and suggest that TNFSF4 may be responsible for the resistant mechanism and a potential target for combination therapy with blinatumomab, to treat B-ALL or other B-cell malignancies.
CIPK11: a calcineurin B-like protein-interacting protein kinase from Nitraria tangutorum, confers tolerance to salt and drought in Arabidopsis
Authors: Lu Lu , Chen Xinying , Wang Pengkai , Lu Ye , Zhang Jingbo , Yang Xiuyan , Cheng Tielong , Shi Jisen , Chen Jinhui
Published: March 2021

Background

TheCIPKsare a group of plant-specific Ser/Thr protein kinases acting in response to calcium signaling, which plays an important role in the physiological and developmental adaptation of plants to adverse environments. However, the functions of halophyte-derivedCIPKs are still poorly understood, that limits a potential application ofCIPKsfrom halophytes for improving the tolerance of glycophytes to abiotic stresses.

Results

In this study, we characterized theNtCIPK11gene from the halophyteNitraria tangutorumand subsequently analyzed its role in salt and drought stress tolerance, usingArabidopsisas a transgenic model system.NtCIPK11expression was upregulated inN. tangutorumroot, stem and blade tissues after salt or drought treatment. OverexpressingNtCIPK11inArabidopsisimproved seed germination on medium containing different levels of NaCl. Moreover, the transgenic plants grew more vigorously under salt stress and developed longer roots under salt or drought conditions than the WT plants. Furthermore,NtCIPK11overexpression altered the transcription of genes encoding key enzymes involved in proline metabolism inArabidopsisexposed to salinity, however, which genes showed a relatively weak expression in the transgenicArabidopsisundergoing mannitol treatment, a situation that mimics drought stress. Besides, the proline significantly accumulated inNtCIPK11-overexpressing plants compared with WT under NaCl treatment, but that was not observed in the transgenic plants under drought stress caused by mannitol application.

Conclusions

We conclude thatNtCIPK11promotes plant growth and mitigates damage associated with salt stress by regulating the expression of genes controlling proline accumulation. These results extend our understanding on the function of halophyte-derivedCIPKgenes and suggest thatNtCIPK11can serve as a candidate gene for improving the salt and drought tolerance of glycophytes through genetic engineering.