bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prediction of thermal stress in a concrete gravity dam
Authors: Aniskin Nikolay , Nguyen Trong Chuc
Published: January 2021

Temperature is one of the main factors affecting gravity concrete dams. The effects of many temperature factors on the gravity concrete dam cause additional deformations and tensile stress, as a result, thermal cracks appear. In order to determine the predictive model of temperature regime and thermal stress states in gravity concrete dams is a difficult problem. Because there are a large number of factors that influence temperature regime and thermal stress in the dam during construction and operation. This paper presents the results of numerical modeling of the temperature regime and thermal stress state of the Ban Lai roller-compacted concrete gravity dam (Lang Son province, Vietnam) 56 m high. The model was created using the Midas software package and can evaluate the work of the structure under the influence of temperature during construction and operation phases. The results obtained were taken into account when designing the structure and can make appropriate recommendations.
Improvement of water accounting for irrigation systems
Authors: Fatxulloyev Alisher , Gafarova Aziza , Hamroqulov Jasur
Published: January 2021

The use of water metering devices operating on hydraulic energy for open canals of on-farm irrigation systems, the error in measuring water flow is substantiated. In addition, the article provides an analysis of the water metering in main canals, the possibility of using hydraulic structures. In modern conditions of agricultural development, a special role is assigned to hydro-reclamation, as one of the main factors that guarantee high stable yields of agricultural crops. At present, when water has become an expensive commodity, for the rational and efficient operation of irrigation systems, operational and objective water metering must be carried out, and hydraulic structures on the canals must ensure the supply of specified costs. To control the consumption of water in open canals of irrigation systems, mobile and stationary gauging stations are used -water metering points.
Ploughing quality and energy consumption depending on plough bodies type
Authors: Lobachevsky Y P , Liskin I V , Panov A I , Aldoshin N V , Plyaka V I , Lylin N A
Published: January 2021

Experimental determination of ploughing quality and energy consumption carried out on loamy soils most common for the arable lands in European part of Russia. The field tests done for three standard types of mouldboard body surfaces: cultural, semi-helicoidal (cylindroid) and helicoidal. Results shows that bodies with cylindroid mouldboard surface had better soil crumbling against cultural (digger) body surfaces. Helicoidal bodies supplied better quality of soil layer turnover than cultural and semi-helicoidal ones. Designed plough construction allowed change ploughshares installation angles relative to the furrow line from 25 to 55°. Optimal ploughshares angle to the furrow line obtained 45…50°. The traction resistance force of the plough equipped with helicoidal bodies was measured 6…8% lower than cultural bodies and 3…4% lower than cylindroid ones at tractor speed 2.5…3.0 m-s-1.
The innovative solar energy conversion technologies: solar convective-vortex power systems
Authors: Solovyev Alexander , Solovyev Dmitry , Shilova Liubov
Published: January 2021

The article provides an overview of the existing problems arising in the conversion of radiant energy into the energy of currents, as well as in the transformation of electrical energy in solar convective-vortex power plants. On the practical example of a pilot industrial solar aerobaric power plant, the possibility of implementing solar-convective-vortex power systems is illustrated. As a result of a comprehensive analysis, factors have been determined that allow creating optimal conditions for controlling the processes of concentration of thermal energy of solar radiation into the power of tornado-like flows.
Comparison of adsorbing NO2 in boron and phosphorus doped graphene/ZnO heterojunction
Authors: Jin Yanxin , Ding Jijun , Chen Haixia
Published: January 2021

As a new two-dimensional material, the adsorption properties of the graphene-like ZnO monolayer (ZnO-ML) have been investigated in our previous work. In this paper, the heterojunction are constructed using ZnO-ML and doped graphene. The electronic and adsorption properties of the boron doped graphene/ZnO (B-G/ZnO) and phosphorus doped graphene/ZnO (P-G/ZnO) heterojunction are investigated based on density functional theory (DFT). Firstly, the B-G/ZnO and P-G/ZnO heterojunction are constructed and their structures are optimized. Then, according to the comparison of adsorption energy and adsorption height, the most stable adsorption configurations are obtained. They are the T and TO site corresponding to the B-G/ZnO and P-G/ZnO heterojunction, respectively. Finally, in order to further explore the adsorption mechanism between the heterojunction and NO2 molecule, the band structure, density of states (DOS) and the partial density of states (PDOS) in B-G/ZnO and P-G/ZnO heterojunction are compared. These results can provide more theoretical support for the adsorption properties of heterojunction based on the ZnO-ML.
Recent progress in two-dimensional Ruddlesden–Popper perovskite based heterostructures
Authors: Fang Chen , Wang Haizhen , Li Dehui
Published: January 2021

Two-dimensional (2D) perovskites have recently received increasing attention due to their enhanced environmental stability, layered nature and excellent optoelectronic characteristics. Particularly, the layered nature of 2D perovskites allows to conveniently integrate with other materials to form heterostructures, which can extend device functionalities and improve the performance of the corresponding optoelectronic devices. In this review, we aim to provide a comprehensive presentation of the recent advances of 2D perovskite based heterostructures. We will first give a brief overview on the structure and basic optical properties of 2D perovskites. Then we will focus on 2D perovskite based heterostructures including 2D/2D perovskites, 2D/three dimensional perovskites, 2D perovskites with 2D layered materials as well as 2D perovskites with other optoelectronic materials. Finally, we will outline the current challenges and future research directions in the field of 2D perovskite based heterostructures.
Preparation of recyclable corn straw fiber as oil absorbent via a one-step direct modification
Authors: Shi Yanlong , Feng Xiaojuan , Yang Ruihua
Published: January 2021

Accidental marine oil discharge causes severe environmental pollution and thus remediation is essential. However, the removal and recycling of the spilled oil using economical and highly efficient methods are still major challenges. In this work, an oil absorbent of corn straw fibers (CSF) were prepared via a one-step direct modification with hydrophobic octyltrimethoxylsilane (OTS). With the surface modification, the CSF exhibited both superhydrophobicity and superoleophilicity, and the contact angles of water and oil on the as-prepared samples were 156 ± 1° and 0°, respectively. Owing to the oleophilicity and hydrophobicity features of the CSF, it could be used to selectively absorb oil in water. The adsorption capacity of the as-prepared absorbents for diesel oil, the recyclability, and the reaction mechanism between OTS and the CSF were investigated in detail. The oil absorbent could still remain superhydrophobic even after eleven successive cycles of oil-water separation. With the characteristics of easy biodegradability, durability, and recyclability, as well as the facile procedures involved, oil absorbent of CSF prepared by direct OTS-modification is expected to be used for oil spill cleanup and recovery.
Does the Hispanic Mortality Advantage Vary by Marital Status Among Postmenopausal Women in the Women’s Health Initiative?
Authors: Flores Melissa , Ruiz John M , Butler Emily A , Sbarra David A , Garcia David O , Kohler Lindsay , Crane Tracy E , Corbie-Smith Giselle , Benavente Viola , Kroenke Candyce H , Saquib Nazmus , Thomson Cynthia A
Published: January 2021

Background

Literature assessing the effect of marital status on mortality has underrepresented, or altogether omitted Hispanics and the potential moderating effect of Hispanic ethnicity on these relationships. Given cultural and network dynamics, marital advantages in older Hispanic women may be greater than other groups given their family-focused, collectivist orientation.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to understand whether older Hispanic women exhibited a more pronounced marital advantage as compared with non-Hispanic Whites.

Methods

We used longitudinal data from the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) Observational Study and Clinical Trials (N = 161,808) collected initially from 1993 to 1998 and followed until 2018. Our sample excluded those respondents indicating “other” as their race-ethnicity and those missing marital status and race-ethnicity variables (N = 158,814). We used Cox-proportional hazards models to assess the association between race-ethnicity, marital status, and the interactive effect of race-ethnicity and marital status on survival.

Results

After controlling for socioeconomic status (SES) and health controls, we found a Hispanic survival advantage when compared with non-Hispanic Whites and all other racial-ethnic groups with the exception of Asian/Pacific Islander women (all significant HRs < 0.78, all ps ≤ 0.001). Hispanics had a higher rate of divorce when compared with non-Hispanic Whites. The interactive effect of race-ethnicity and marital status was not significant.

Conclusions

U.S. Hispanic, postmenopausal women exhibit a mortality advantage over and above marital status despite their high rates of divorce. Implications and potential explanations are discussed.

Clinical Trial Registration

NCT00000611.
Follow-up services for delirium after COVID-19—where now?
Authors: Rahman Shibley , Byatt Kit
Published: January 2021

Delirium is a common presentation in older inpatients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and a risk factor for cognitive decline at discharge. The glaring gaps in the service provision in delirium care, regardless of aetiology, after a hospital admission pre-existed the pandemic, but the pandemic arguably offers an opportunity now to address them. Whilst a delirium episode in itself is not a long-term condition, the context of it may well be, and therefore patients might benefit from personalised care and support planning. There is no reason to believe that the delirium following COVID-19 is fundamentally different from any other delirium. We propose that the needs of older patients who have experienced delirium including from COVID-19 could be addressed through a new model of post-acute delirium care that combines early supported discharge, including discharge-to-assess, with community-based follow-up to assess for persistent delirium and early new long-term cognitive impairment. Such a drive could be structurally integrated with existing memory clinic services. To succeed, such an ambition has to be flexible, adaptable and person-centred. To understand the impact on resource and service utilisation, techniques of quality improvement should be implemented, and appropriate metrics reflecting both process and outcome will be essential to underpin robust and sustainable business cases to support implementation of delirium care as a long-term solution.
Exercise Intervention to Normalize Blood Pressure and Nocturnal Dipping in HyperTensive Patients (END-HT): Protocol of a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Lee Eric Kam-Pui , Zhang Daisy Dexing , Yip Benjamin Hon-Kei , Cheng James , Hui Stanley Sai-Chuen , Yu Esther Yee Tak , Leung Maria , Chu Winnie Chiu Wing , Mihailidou Anastasia Susie , Wong Samuel Yeung-Shan
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND

Lack of decrease (≤10%) in systolic blood pressure (BP) during sleep, referred to as non-dipping (ND), independently predicts cardiovascular events and mortality. There has been no prospective and adequately powered randomized controlled trial (RCT) to determine whether exercise, when compared with standard treatment, can normalize ND in patients with hypertension (HT). Further, most patients do not sustain an exercise program by 12 months.

METHODS

A 2-arm, assessor-blinded RCT, involving 198 hypertensive Chinese patients who have ND will be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a combined exercise (aerobic exercise and resistance training) program to normalize ND. The combined exercise program, “exercise is medicine” (EIM), was developed to maintain exercise habit using a variety of techniques (e.g. 12-week exercise classes, mobile application, wrist trackers, self-scheduling, monitoring, regular feedback, and motivational interviewing). Eligible patients will be randomized to EIM plus usual care or to usual care in 1:1 ratio by stratified randomization according to age and sex. The randomization sequence is blinded to the investigators and allocation is disclosed only after valid consent. Ambulatory BP measurements will be performed at baseline, 3, and 12 months. The primary outcome is proportion of participants with ND at 3 months; secondary outcomes include proportion of participants with ND at 12 months, absolute BP values at 3 and 12 months. Exercise level will be detected by validated questionnaire and compared between 2 arms at 3 and 12 months.

CONCLUSION

The trial will examine the efficacy of treating ND and HT by an exercise program.
Adversarial generation of gene expression data
Authors: Viñas Ramon , Andrés-Terré Helena , Liò Pietro , Bryson Kevin
Published: January 2021

Motivation

High-throughput gene expression can be used to address a wide range of fundamental biological problems, but datasets of an appropriate size are often unavailable. Moreover, existing transcriptomics simulators have been criticized because they fail to emulate key properties of gene expression data. In this article, we develop a method based on a conditional generative adversarial network to generate realistic transcriptomics data for Escherichia coli and humans. We assess the performance of our approach across several tissues and cancer-types.

Results

We show that our model preserves several gene expression properties significantly better than widely used simulators, such as SynTReN or GeneNetWeaver. The synthetic data preserve tissue- and cancer-specific properties of transcriptomics data. Moreover, it exhibits real gene clusters and ontologies both at local and global scales, suggesting that the model learns to approximate the gene expression manifold in a biologically meaningful way.

Availability and implementation

Code is available at: https://github.com/rvinas/adversarial-gene-expression.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
The role of social costs as a mechanism enforcing the honesty of ultraviolet-reflecting signals in a lizard
Authors: Kawamoto Anna , Le Galliard Jean-François , Badiane Arnaud
Published: January 2021

According to animal signalling theory, social costs incurred by aggressive conspecifics are one mechanism maintaining signal honesty. Although our understanding of signal evolution has much improved for pigment-based colours, the mechanisms maintaining the honesty of structural colour signals, such as ultraviolet (UV), remain elusive. Here, we used the common lizard (Zootoca vivipara) to test whether the honesty of UV-reflecting signals displayed on male throats is under social control. To do so, we staged agonistic interactions between non-manipulated focal males and opponents of either larger or smaller body size. We manipulated the UV component of the male throat colour patch to create small cheaters with UV-enhanced throats, large cheaters with UV-reduced throats, and their respective controls. In support of a conventional signal hypothesis, focal males were aggressive towards large cheaters and became submissive when these large cheaters retaliated, and were less submissive against small cheaters. However, that focal males were not more aggressive towards small cheaters contradicts our initial predictions. We confirm that male UV reflectance and bite force were good predictors of contest outcomes in control conditions. Overall, we provide partial evidence suggesting that social costs enforce UV signal honesty in common lizards.
Dimension constraints improve hypothesis testing for large-scale, graph-associated, brain-image data
Authors: Vo Tien , Mishra Akshay , Ithapu Vamsi , Singh Vikas , Newton Michael A
Published: January 2021

For large-scale testing with graph-associated data, we present an empirical Bayes mixture technique to score local false-discovery rates (FDRs). Compared to procedures that ignore the graph, the proposed Graph-based Mixture Model (GraphMM) method gains power in settings where non-null cases form connected subgraphs, and it does so by regularizing parameter contrasts between testing units. Simulations show that GraphMM controls the FDR in a variety of settings, though it may lose control with excessive regularization. On magnetic resonance imaging data from a study of brain changes associated with the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, GraphMM produces greater yield than conventional large-scale testing procedures.
Surgical data recording in the operating room: a systematic review of modalities and metrics
Authors: Levin M , McKechnie T , Kruse C C , Aldrich K , Grantcharov T P , Langerman A
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Operating room recording, via video, audio and sensor-based recordings, is increasingly common. Yet, surgical data science is a new field without clear guidelines. The purpose of this study is to examine existing published studies of surgical recording modalities to determine which are available for use in the operating room, as a first step towards developing unified standards for this field.

Methods

Medline, EMBASE, CENTRAL and PubMed databases were systematically searched for articles describing modalities of data collection in the operating room. Search terms included ‘video-audio media’, ‘bio-sensing techniques’, ‘sound’, ‘movement’, ‘operating rooms’ and others. Title, abstract and full-text screening were completed to identify relevant articles. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed for included studies.

Results

From 3756 citations, 91 studies met inclusion criteria. These studies described 10 unique data-collection modalities for 17 different purposes in the operating room. Data modalities included video, audio, kinematic and eye-tracking among others. Data-collection purposes described included surgical trainee assessment, surgical error, surgical team communication and operating room efficiency.

Conclusion

Effective data collection and utilization in the operating room are imperative for the provision of superior surgical care. The future operating room landscape undoubtedly includes multiple modalities of data collection for a plethora of purposes. This review acts as a foundation for employing operating room data in a way that leads to meaningful benefit for patient care.
Comment on: Underwater-seal evacuation of surgical smoke in laparoscopy during the COVID-19 pandemic: A feasibility report of a simple technique
Authors: Zhang Jianlu , Zhu Bin
Published: January 2021

We raise concerns about the effectiveness of Professor Hamed's smoke disposal methods. In addition, we propose a better way to deal with the smoke. Thank you for your attention！
Reflecting on Mistakes in Practice among Social Workers in China
Authors: Lu Wei , Chen Juan
Published: January 2021

Reflection is widely practiced in human service professions, but little research has examined whether reflection actually translates into action and, if so, how. This article explores the possibilities and limits of reflective practice by drawing on data collected through reflective interviews with fifteen Chinese social workers on mistakes in practice. The findings demonstrate that social workers in China are aware of being reflective, even critically reflective, by pondering mistakes and failures they have encountered. Their reflections, however, do not extend to future action plans. Rather, they prefer to rely on manual-based knowledge providing explicit guidance, reflecting their developing reflective capacity and low professional identity. The article argues that social workers’ reflective awareness needs to be built up, while fully recognising the limits of reflection. To address mistakes, not only do we need to create opportunities for practitioners to reflect, but also to address the risk-management strategies of social work organisations and the independent roles that should be performed by professional social work associations in Mainland China.
Financial Challenges and Capacity among African Refugees in the Southern USA: A Study of Socio-demographic Differences
Authors: Kim Youn Kyoung , Maleku Arati , Lim Younghee , Kagotho Njeri , Scott Jennifer , Ketchum McKenzie M
Published: January 2021

Refugees’ successful integration into US society requires adaptation to economic, financial and social norms. Despite the importance of considering financial challenges (financial stress and financial anxiety) and financial capacity (financial literacy and financial self-efficacy) in reaching personal financial goals, literature examining the relationship between financial challenges and capacity—critical in refugee resettlement and integration—is sparse and fragmented. This study explored financial challenges and capacity amongst resettled African refugees (N = 130) in the southern USA using data from a larger community-based participatory research study that used a mixed-methods approach. We explored socio-demographic differences in financial stress, financial anxiety, financial literacy and financial self-efficacy across African refugee subpopulation groups. Our study highlights the importance of social work advocacy for data disaggregation, which helps establish the scope of the problem, unmask subpopulation differences and make vulnerable groups more visible to facilitate the development of tailored programmes and services to reach economic integration goals. We provide social work implications for data disaggregation in the current coronavirus context, which will leave long-term financial scars on refugee subpopulations.
Long-read targeted sequencing uncovers clinicopathological associations forC9orf72-linked diseases
Authors: DeJesus-Hernandez Mariely , Aleff Ross A , Jackson Jazmyne L , Finch NiCole A , Baker Matthew C , Gendron Tania F , Murray Melissa E , McLaughlin Ian J , Harting John R , Graff-Radford Neill R , Oskarsson Björn , Knopman David S , Josephs Keith A , Boeve Bradley F , Petersen Ronald C , Fryer John D , Petrucelli Leonard , Dickson Dennis W , Rademakers Rosa , Ebbert Mark T W , Wieben Eric D , van Blitterswijk Marka
Published: January 2021

To examine the length of a hexanucleotide expansion in C9orf72, which represents the most frequent genetic cause of frontotemporal lobar degeneration and motor neuron disease, we employed a targeted amplification-free long-read sequencing technology: No-Amp sequencing. In our cross-sectional study, we assessed cerebellar tissue from 28 well-characterized C9orf72 expansion carriers. We obtained 3507 on-target circular consensus sequencing reads, of which 814 bridged the C9orf72 repeat expansion (23%). Importantly, we observed a significant correlation between expansion sizes obtained using No-Amp sequencing and Southern blotting (P = 5.0 × 10−4). Interestingly, we also detected a significant survival advantage for individuals with smaller expansions (P = 0.004). Additionally, we uncovered that smaller expansions were significantly associated with higher levels of C9orf72 transcripts containing intron 1b (P = 0.003), poly(GP) proteins (P = 1.3 × 10− 5), and poly(GA) proteins (P = 0.005). Thorough examination of the composition of the expansion revealed that its GC content was extremely high (median: 100%) and that it was mainly composed of GGGGCC repeats (median: 96%), suggesting that expanded C9orf72 repeats are quite pure. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that No-Amp sequencing is a powerful tool that enables the discovery of relevant clinicopathological associations, highlighting the important role played by the cerebellar size of the expanded repeat in C9orf72-linked diseases.
Contribution of Ionotropic Glutamatergic Receptors to Excitability and Attentional Signals in Macaque Frontal Eye Field
Authors: Dasilva Miguel , Brandt Christian , Alwin Gieselmann Marc , Distler Claudia , Thiele Alexander
Published: January 2021

Top-down attention, controlled by frontal cortical areas, is a key component of cognitive operations. How different neurotransmitters and neuromodulators flexibly change the cellular and network interactions with attention demands remains poorly understood. While acetylcholine and dopamine are critically involved, glutamatergic receptors have been proposed to play important roles. To understand their contribution to attentional signals, we investigated how ionotropic glutamatergic receptors in the frontal eye field (FEF) of male macaques contribute to neuronal excitability and attentional control signals in different cell types. Broad-spiking and narrow-spiking cells both required N-methyl-D-aspartic acid and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor activation for normal excitability, thereby affecting ongoing or stimulus-driven activity. However, attentional control signals were not dependent on either glutamatergic receptor type in broad- or narrow-spiking cells. A further subdivision of cell types into different functional types using cluster-analysis based on spike waveforms and spiking characteristics did not change the conclusions. This can be explained by a model where local blockade of specific ionotropic receptors is compensated by cell embedding in large-scale networks. It sets the glutamatergic system apart from the cholinergic system in FEF and demonstrates that a reduction in excitability is not sufficient to induce a reduction in attentional control signals.
Eculizumab discontinuation in atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome: TMA recurrence risk and renal outcomes
Authors: Ariceta Gema , Fakhouri Fadi , Sartz Lisa , Miller Benjamin , Nikolaou Vasilis , Cohen David , Siedlecki Andrew M , Ardissino Gianluigi
Published: January 2021

Background

Eculizumab modifies the course of disease in patients with atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome (aHUS), but data evaluating whether eculizumab discontinuation is safe are limited.

Methods

Patients enrolled in the Global aHUS Registry who received ≥1 month of eculizumab before discontinuing, demonstrated haematologic or renal response prior to discontinuation and had ≥6 months of follow-up were analysed. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients suffering from thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) recurrence after eculizumab discontinuation. Additional endpoints included: estimated glomerular filtration rate changes following eculizumab discontinuation to last available follow-up; number of TMA recurrences; time to TMA recurrence; proportion of patients restarting eculizumab; and changes in renal function.

Results

We analysed 151 patients with clinically diagnosed aHUS who had evidence of haematologic or renal response to eculizumab, before discontinuing. Thirty-three (22%) experienced a TMA recurrence. Univariate analysis revealed that patients with an increased risk of TMA recurrence after discontinuing eculizumab were those with a history of extrarenal manifestations prior to initiating eculizumab, pathogenic variants or a family history of aHUS. Multivariate analysis showed an increased risk of TMA recurrence in patients with pathogenic variants and a family history of aHUS. Twelve (8%) patients progressed to end-stage renal disease after eculizumab discontinuation; seven (5%) patients eventually received a kidney transplant. Forty (27%) patients experienced an extrarenal manifestation of aHUS after eculizumab discontinuation.

Conclusions

Eculizumab discontinuation in patients with aHUS is not without risk, potentially leading to TMA recurrence and renal failure. A thorough assessment of risk factors prior to the decision to discontinue eculizumab is essential.
Cardiac troponin and defining myocardial infarction
Authors: Kaier Thomas E , Alaour Bashir , Marber Michael
Published: January 2021

The 4th Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction has stimulated considerable debate since its publication in 2018. The intention was to define the types of myocardial injury through the lens of their underpinning pathophysiology. In this review, we discuss how the 4th Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction defines infarction and injury and the necessary pragmatic adjustments that appear in clinical guidelines to maximize triage of real-world patients.
A Review of the Conversational Pragmatic Skills of Children With Cochlear Implants
Authors: Crowe Kathryn , Dammeyer Jesper
Published: January 2021

Many children who use cochlear implants (CI) have strong skills in many aspects of spoken language; however, limited information is available about their mastery of the pragmatic skills required to participate in conversation. This study reviewed published literature describing the pragmatic skills of children who use CIs in conversational contexts. Twenty-five studies met the inclusion criteria, and data were extracted describing participant characteristics, methodology, data type, outcomes, and factors associated with outcomes. Pragmatic skills were described in three broad categories: speech acts, turns, and breakdowns and repairs. Participants showed heterogeneity in age, age at implantation, duration of implant use, and languages used. Studies employed a variety of methodologies, used a range of different sample types and coding strategies, and considered different factors associated that might be associated with children’s pragmatic skills. Across studies, children with CIs were reported to have a range of pragmatic skills in conversational contexts, from few to severe difficulties. The body of literature on this topic is small and considered heterogeneous children with CIs with a wide range of skills. Further research is needed to understand the pragmatics language skills of children with CIs and the factors influencing the diversity in skills observed.
Interpretation of XIAP Variants of Uncertain Significance in Paediatric Patients with Refractory Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Chang Iksoo , Park Seongjun , Lee Hye-Jin , Kim Inki , Park Sojung , Ahn Mi Kyoung , Lee Juhwan , Kang Mooseok , Baek In-Jeoung , Sung Young Hoon , Pack Chan-Gi , Kang Hyo-jeong , Lee Kunsong , Im Ho Joon , Seo Eul Ju , Kim Kyung Mo , Yang Suk-Kyun , Song Kyuyoung , Oh Seak Hee
Published: January 2021

Background and Aims

Mutations in XIAP can lead to the development of treatment-refractory severe paediatric Crohn’s disease [CD], for which haematopoietic stem cell transplantation is the primary therapeutic option. The interpretation of variants of uncertain significance [VUSs] in XIAP needs to be scrutinized.

Methods

Targeted next-generation sequencing was performed for 33 male paediatric patients with refractory CD admitted at a tertiary referral hospital. To obtain functional data, biomolecular cell assays and supercomputing molecular dynamics simulations were performed.

Results

Nine unrelated male patients harboured hemizygous XIAP variants. Four known pathogenic variants and one novel pathogenic variant [p.Lys168Serfs*12] were identified in five patients, and two novel VUSs [p.Gly205del and p.Pro260Ser] and one known VUS [p.Glu350del] were identified in the remaining four. Among children with VUSs, only the subject with p.Gly205del exhibited defective NOD2 signalling. Using molecular dynamics simulation, we determined that the altered backbone torsional energy of C203 in XIAP of p.G205del was ~2 kcal/mol, suggesting loss of zinc binding in the mutant XIAP protein and poor coordination between the mutant XIAP and RIP2 proteins. Elevated auto-ubiquitination of zinc-depleted p.G205del XIAP protein resulted in XIAP protein deficiency.

Conclusion

A high prevalence of XIAP deficiency was noted among children with refractory CD. Advanced functional studies decreased the subjectivity in the case-level interpretation of XIAP VUSs and directed consideration of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
An international e-Delphi study to identify core competencies for Italian cardiac nurses
Authors: Bagnasco Annamaria , Barisone Michela , Aleo Giuseppe , Watson Roger , Catania Gianluca , Zanini Milko , Thompson David R , Sasso Loredana
Published: January 2021

Aims

The management of cardiovascular patients requires increasingly competent nursing professionals. In Italy, there are no specific postgraduate courses focused on specialist cardiac skills development for nurses. To develop such courses, content incorporating appropriate competencies is required and this study was designed to meet this. To delineate a set of core competencies to develop national educational interventions to ensure cardiac nurses in Italy achieve international standards.

Methods and results

A three-round e-Delphi study including a panel of 32 expert cardiac nurses from the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Italy was conducted; 26 respondents completed all three rounds. The first round sought a list of five competencies from each participant which they were asked to prioritize in Round 2. In Round 3, they were asked to prioritize again with the knowledge of the priorities identified in Round 2. The final list of competencies was those achieving 70% agreement among participants. We identified 14 core competencies spanning a range of areas of competence including technical, interpersonal, health promotion, use of evidence, and management. Only minor differences were evident between the Italian and the international panel regarding the priority given to some core competences, such a leadership and taking patient history.

Conclusion

This is the first study in Italy to delineate cardiac nurses’ core competencies. As such, it provides a foundation for the development of postgraduate educational programmes for cardiac nurses including competencies that are congruent with international standards.
Issues in cyanobacterial taxonomy: comprehensive case study of unbranched, false branched and true branched heterocytous cyanobacteria
Authors: Mishra Deeksha , Saraf Aniket , Kumar Naresh , Pal Sagarika , Singh Prashant
Published: January 2021

The order Nostocales is represented by morphologically diverse forms with respect to the branching patterns and polarity of the filaments. With growing understanding of taxonomy and systematics, members of the order Nostocales have also undergone multiple taxonomic revisions. The last decade has seen a surge in the description of new genera and families within the order Nostocales. In this study, we discuss the taxonomic status of all the newly described and reclassified taxa of some of the prominent morphological forms within the order Nostocales by constructing comprehensive phylogenetic trees. Further, we propose certain strategies that would contribute to resolving the taxonomic complexities arising due to inadequate taxon sampling.
The population genetics of ploidy change in unicellular fungi
Authors: Gerstein Aleeza C , Sharp Nathaniel P
Published: January 2021

Changes in ploidy are a significant type of genetic variation, describing the number of chromosome sets per cell. Ploidy evolves in natural populations, clinical populations, and lab experiments, particularly in unicellular fungi. Predicting how ploidy will evolve has proven difficult, despite a long history of theoretical work on this topic, as it is often unclear why one ploidy state outperforms another. Here, we review what is known about contemporary ploidy evolution in diverse fungal species through the lens of population genetics. As with typical genetic variants, ploidy evolution depends on the rate that new ploidy states arise by mutation, natural selection on alternative ploidy states, and random genetic drift. However, ploidy variation also has unique impacts on evolution, with the potential to alter chromosomal stability, the rate and patterns of point mutation, and the nature of selection on all loci in the genome. We discuss how ploidy evolution depends on these general and unique factors and highlight areas where additional experimental evidence is required to comprehensively explain the ploidy transitions observed in the field, the clinic, and the lab.
Multimorbidity Patterns and Memory Trajectories in Older Adults: Evidence From the English Longitudinal Study of Aging
Authors: Bendayan Rebecca , Zhu Yajing , Federman Alex D , Dobson Richard J B
Published: January 2021

Background

We aimed to examine the multimorbidity patterns within a representative sample of UK older adults and their association with concurrent and subsequent memory.

Methods

Our sample consisted of 11 449 respondents (mean age at baseline was 65.02) from the English Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSA). We used 14 health conditions and immediate and delayed recall scores (IMRC and DLRC) over 7 waves (14 years of follow-up). Latent class analyses were performed to identify the multimorbidity patterns and linear mixed models were estimated to explore their association with their memory trajectories. Models were adjusted by sociodemographics, body mass index (BMI), and health behaviors.

Results

Results showed 8 classes: Class 1: Heart Disease/Stroke (26%), Class 2: Asthma/Lung Disease (16%), Class 3: Arthritis/Hypertension (13%), Class 4: Depression/Arthritis (12%), Class 5: Hypertension/Cataracts/Diabetes (10%), Class 6: Psychiatric Problems/Depression (10%), Class 7: Cancer (7%), and Class 8: Arthritis/Cataracts (6%). At baseline, Class 4 was found to have lower IMRC and DLRC scores and Class 5 in DLRC, compared to the no multimorbidity group (n = 6380, 55.72% of total cohort). For both tasks, in unadjusted models, we found an accelerated decline in Classes 1, 3, and 8; and, for DLRC, also in Classes 2 and 5. However, it was fully attenuated after adjustments.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that individuals with certain combinations of health conditions are more likely to have lower levels of memory compared to those with no multimorbidity and their memory scores tend to differ between combinations. Sociodemographics and health behaviors have a key role to understand who is more likely to be at risk of an accelerated decline.
Public health crisis in the refugee community: little change in social determinants of health preserve health disparities
Authors: Feinberg I , O’Connor M H , Owen-Smith A , Dube S R
Published: January 2021

Structural inequities and lack of resources put vulnerable refugee communities at great risk. Refugees flee their country of origin to escape persecution and flee from war, famine and torture. Resettled refugee communities become particularly vulnerable during times of crisis due to limited English proficiency and poor social determinants of health (SDOH), which create barriers to attaining and sustaining health and wellbeing for themselves and their families. The purpose of this case study was to evaluate SDOH among a refugee community in the Southeastern United States. We surveyed the community twice during a 1-year period to assess various elements of SDOH. Among a primarily African and Southeast Asian refugee community, 76% reported difficulty paying for food, housing and healthcare during the first round of surveys. During the second round of surveys at the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic, 70% reported lost income; 58% indicated concern about paying bills. There was little change during the 12-month study period, showing that SDOH are an enduring measure of poor health and wellbeing for this vulnerable refugee community.
Prognostic significance of histopathological factors in survival and recurrence of atypical carcinoid tumours
Authors: García-Fontán Eva-María , Cañizares-Carretero Miguel-Ángel , Blanco-Ramos Montserrat , Matilla-González Jose-María , Carrasco-Rodríguez Rommel , Barreiro-Morandeira Francisco , García-Yuste Mariano ,   EMETNE members, Spanish Society of Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery
Published: January 2021

OBJECTIVES

Atypical carcinoids are neuroendocrine neoplasms of intermediate degree and low frequency. The aim of this study is to analyse their clinical characteristics and the importance of different histopathological factors in their prognosis.

METHODS

Multicentre cooperative group EMETNE prospectively reviewed 153 patients operated on between 1998 and 2016 with diagnosis of atypical carcinoids. Clinical variables and histopathological features were assessed.

RESULTS

Mean age was 54.36 years, similar for both genders. Concerning pathological study, mean tumour size was 31.7 mm. Rosettes were presented in 17% of the cases and tumoural necrosis in 23.3%. The cell proliferation factor Ki-67 index was 10.7%. The 2- and 5-year overall survival rates were 95.8% and 88.9%, respectively. In the univariate study, statistically significant differences in survival were found for each of the categories of T, N and M factors. Mitotic index and quantification of expression of Ki-67 showed influence in overall survival, although without statistical significance. In the multivariate analysis, factors N, M and mitotic index behaved as independent prognostic factors related to survival. Median disease-free interval in the series was 163.35 months. In cases with loco-regional recurrence, 53% had positive hiliar or mediastinal nodal involvement at the time of the surgery. In the univariate analysis, we observed statistically significant differences in disease-free interval in patients with nodal involvement (P = 0.024) and non-anatomical resections (P = 0.04). Histological characteristics showed no statistically significant differences in disease-free interval.

CONCLUSIONS

Lymph node involvement, the development of distant metastasis and mitotic index, more than Ki-67 determination, were shown as independent prognostic factors related to survival of these patients.
Institutional Reform in Myanmar: Preventing Corporate Land Rights Abuses
Authors: Aguirre Daniel , Pietropaoli Irene
Published: January 2021

In 2011, after five decades of authoritarian rule, Myanmar accelerated its military-guided transition, culminating in partially democratic elections in 2015. While land reform was a central part of protest that led to governmental changes, unlawful land confiscation and forced evictions remain central obstacles to transition in Myanmar. The current government has failed to reform the legal framework, institutions, policy and practice violating Housing, Land and Property (HLP) rights. While civil society has called for participatory and accountable institutions, a perceived need to appease the military, to harness the economic power of ‘crony’ businesspeople and to attract foreign investment has left violations of HLP rights inadequately addressed. This article argues that transitional justice’s guarantees of non-reoccurrence are essential to the protection of HLP rights in Myanmar, and that the best method of preventing reoccurrence is through upholding the state duty to protect human rights by reforming laws and institutions.
Spatial distribution of Escherichia coli ST131 C subclades in a centralized Canadian urban region
Authors: Nobrega Diego , Peirano Gisele , Lynch Tarah , Finn Thomas J , Devinney Rebekah , Pitout Johann D D
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Escherichia coli ST131 is the most common multidrug-resistant (MDR) E. coli clone causing bloodstream infections (BSIs) in Calgary. This study describes patient characteristics and spatial distribution of ST131 subclades C1 and C2 causing BSIs in Calgary.

Methods

E. coli from blood (n = 685) obtained in Calgary, Canada, (2016) were PCR screened for ST131 and positives (n = 141) underwent whole genome sequencing. Patient characteristics were analysed using Fisher’s Exact/t-tests and spatial analysis was used to identify clusters.

Results

Overall, 21% of E. coli was identified as ST131 and clade C dominated the population. ST131-C2 was associated with blaCTX-M-15 and significantly more MDR than ST131-C1. The spatial distribution in Calgary showed that ST131-C1 was mainly present in long-term care (LTC) residents whereas ST131-C2 clustered in a specific North East (NE) Calgary sector comprising of six neighbourhoods without LTC centres. This NE sector has high immigration and travel rates from the Indian subcontinent.

Conclusions

This study showed that ST131 C subclades have different geographical distribution patterns in Calgary. We believe that recent travel to and immigration from certain high-risk regions for antimicrobial resistance are responsible for the ST131-C2 NE Calgary clustering pattern.
Molecular and functional diversity of the oxytocinase subfamily of M1 aminopeptidases
Authors: Tsujimoto Masafumi , Aoki Kazuma , Goto Yoshikuni , Ohnishi Atsushi
Published: January 2021

The placental leucine aminopeptidase/insulin-regulated aminopeptidase, endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1 and endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 2 are part of a distinct subfamily of M1 aminopeptidases termed the ‘oxytocinase subfamily’. The subfamily members show molecular diversity due to differential usage of translation initiation sites, alternative splicing and multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms. It is becoming evident that, depending on their intracellular or extracellular location, members of the oxytocinase subfamily play important roles in the maintenance of homeostasis, including the regulation of blood pressure, maintenance of normal pregnancy, retention of memory and trimming of antigenic peptides presented to major histocompatibility complex class I molecules, by acting as either aminopeptidases or binding partners of specific functional proteins in the cells. Based on their molecular diversity and moonlighting protein-like properties, it is conceivable that the subfamily members exert pleiotropic effects during evolution, to become important players in the regulation of homeostasis.
The effects of tool eccentricity on individual P and S head waves in monopole acoustic LWD
Authors: Ji Yunjia , He Xiao , Chen Hao , Wang Xiuming
Published: January 2021

Velocities of P and S waves are main goals of downhole acoustic logging. In this work, we study the effects of an off-center acoustic tool on formation P and S head waves in monopole logging while drilling (LWD), which will be helpful for accurate interpretation of recorded logs. We first develop an analytic method to solve the wavefields of this asymmetric LWD model. Then using a branch-cut integration technique, we evaluate the contributions of branch points associated with P and S waves, and further investigate the effects of tool eccentricity on their characteristics of excitation, attenuation and waveforms. The analyses reveal that the variation of the excitation and attenuation of both P and S head waves with eccentricity depends on frequencies and receiver azimuths strongly. Besides, new resonance peaks appear in excitation spectra due to influences of poles of multipole modes near branch points when the monopole tool is off-center. According to semblance results of individual compressional and shear waveforms, extracted velocities are not affected by tool eccentricity in both fast and slow formations. In fast formations, spectra analyses indicate that S-wave excitation is more sensitive to tool eccentricity than P-wave. Moreover, resonance peaks in P-wave excitation spectra increase with the increasing eccentricity in all directions. In slow formations, off-center tools almost have no influence on both P and S waves at low frequencies, which suggests that the effects of tool eccentricity can be reduced by adjusting the source's operating frequency.