bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tuberculosis following PD-1 blockade for cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Barber Daniel L. , Sakai Shunsuke , Kudchadkar Ragini R. , Fling Steven P. , Day Tracey A. , Vergara Julie A. , Ashkin David , Cheng Jonathan H. , Lundgren Lisa M. , Raabe Vanessa N. , Kraft Colleen S. , Nieva Jorge J. , Cheever Martin A. , Nghiem Paul T. , Sharon Elad
Published: October 2021

Increased Mtb-specific T
H
1 responses precede tuberculosis associated with PD-1 blockade.
Autologous tumor cell–derived microparticle-based targeted chemotherapy in lung cancer patients with malignant pleural effusion
Authors: Guo Mengfei , Wu Feng , Hu Guorong , Chen Lian , Xu Juanjuan , Xu Pingwei , Wang Xuan , Li Yumei , Liu Shuqing , Zhang Shuai , Huang Qi , Fan Jinshuo , Lv Zhilei , Zhou Mei , Duan Limin , Liao Tingting , Yang Guanghai , Tang Ke , Liu Bifeng , Liao Xiaofei , Tao Xiaonan , Jin Yang
Published: October 2021

This study investigated the application of a therapeutic tumor cell–derived microparticle-based nanodelivery platform in malignant pleural effusion.
No one is safe until we are all safe
Authors: Gilbert Sarah , Hatchett Richard
Published: October 2021

Ending the pandemic will require the world to shift its focus to equitably deploying and optimizing the use of vaccines now being produced at scale.
Complete Genome Sequences of Cluster A6 and Cluster G1 Mycobacterium smegmatis Phages Hoot and Jolene
Authors: Thompson Jon , Özdemir Asli , Topchyan Arsen M. , Torosian Maxwell , Thymianos Victoria Z. , Eagle Angelica , McCormick Juliana , Boyles Leon Kyle G. , Benito Azucena A. , Regner Kurt , Strong Christy , Tsourkas Philippos K.
Published: October 2021

We present the complete genome sequences of
Mycobacterium smegmatis
phages Hoot and Jolene, isolated in Las Vegas, NV. The phages were isolated and annotated by students enrolled in an undergraduate research course at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Hoot is a cluster A6 mycobacteriophage, while Jolene is in cluster G1.
Complete Genome Sequence of
Actinoplanes
sp. Strain L3-i22, Isolated from Soil in Japan
Authors: Yamano Yoshi , Sugimoto Sachiko , Matsunami Katsuyoshi
Published: October 2021

Here, we described the closed complete genome sequence of
Actinoplanes
sp. strain L3-i22, which was obtained from the assembly with long reads and subsequent polishing with short reads. The complete genome consists of a 12,014,766-bp chromosome, with a GC content of 71.4%, and contains no plasmids.
Complete Genome Sequence of Acinetobacter pittii BHS4, Isolated from Air-Conditioning Condensate in Hong Kong
Authors: Saunders B. H. , Lai G. K. K. , Griffin S. D. J. , Leung F. C. C.
Published: October 2021

Acinetobacter pittii
is widespread in the environment, and the
Acinetobacter calcoaceticus
-baumannii
complex, to which it belongs, is a major cause of hospital-acquired pneumonia and bacteremia.
A. pitti
BHS4 was isolated from an air-conditioning unit in Hong Kong and its complete genome sequence (3,901,980 bp; GC content, 38.79%) established through hybrid assembly.
Basin response to the Jurassic geodynamic turnover from flat subduction to normal subduction in South China
Authors: Zhang Wei , Zhang Feng-Qi , Dilek Yildirim , Zhu Kong-Yang , Wu Hong-Xiang , Chen Dong-Xu , Chen Han-Lin
Published: October 2021

Growing evidence supports that the early Mesozoic development of South China was deeply shaped by flat subduction of the paleo-Pacific plate. However, the Jurassic tectonic setting and processes remain controversial. Here, we present new detrital zircon U-Pb ages and sedimentary data from the Jurassic basin in northwestern Zhejiang to constrain the Jurassic tectonic evolution. The continuous Jurassic succession archives an abrupt sedimentary change from a high-energy coastal environment to a proximal and fast-filling terrestrial environment. This lithostratigraphic change was also accompanied by the shift of detrital provenance. Age spectra of the detrital zircons from the bottom of the Jurassic strata show strong 1.0–0.7 Ga and 500–400 Ma populations, which are inferred to be mainly derived from the Yangtze block. In contrast, samples from the overlying Lower–Middle Jurassic were dominated by age groups of 2.0–1.7 Ga and 300–170 Ma, which were probably sourced from the Cathaysia block. The switch of the sedimentary and provenance characteristics reveals that an earliest Jurassic broad sag basin in the inland shifted to an Early–Middle Jurassic retro-arc foreland basin along the coastal region. Abundant Jurassic-aged zircons are compatible with the re-initiation of “normal subduction” in the Early Jurassic. The re-initiation of “normal subduction” resulted in the generation of an accretionary orogeny, continental arcs, and a retroarc foreland basin along the eastern South China margin in contrast to the extensional regime in the inland. The basin response and distinct tectonic regimes of the inland and continental margin in the Early–Middle Jurassic support a geodynamic turnover from flat to normal subduction.
The Mesozoic magmatic, metamorphic, and tectonic evolution of the eastern Gangdese magmatic arc, southern Tibet
Authors: Zhang Ze-Ming , Ding Hui-Xia , Dong Xin , Tian Zuo-Lin , Palin Richard M. , Santosh M. , Chen Yan-Fei , Jiang Yuan-Yuan , Qin Sheng-Kai , Kang Dong-Yan , Li Wen-Tan
Published: October 2021

Magmatic arcs are natural laboratories for studying the growth of continental crusts. The Gangdese arc, southern Tibet, is an archetypal continental magmatic arc that formed due to Mesozoic subduction of the Neo-Tethyan oceanic lithosphere; however, its formation and evolution remain controversial. In this contribution, we combine newly reported and previously published geochemical and geochronological data for Mesozoic magmatic rocks in the eastern Gangdese arc to reveal its magmatic and metamorphic histories and review its growth, thickening, and fractionation and mineralization processes. Our results show that: (1) the Gangdese arc consists of multiple Mesozoic arc-type magmatic rocks and records voluminous juvenile crustal growth. (2) The Mesozoic magmatic rocks experienced Late Cretaceous granulite-facies metamorphism and partial melting, thus producing hydrous and metallogenic element-rich migmatites that form a major component of the lower arc crust and are a potential source for the Miocene ore-hosting porphyries. (3) The Gangdese arc witnessed crustal thickening and reworking during the Middle to Late Jurassic and Late Cretaceous. (4) Crystallization-fractionation of mantle-derived magmas and partial melting of thickened juvenile lower crust induced intracrustal chemical differentiation during subduction. We suggest that the Gangdese arc underwent the following main tectonic, magmatic, and metamorphic evolution processes: normal subduction and associated mantle-derived magmatism during the Late Triassic to Jurassic; shallow subduction during the Early Cretaceous and an associated magmatic lull; and mid-oceanic ridge subduction, high-temperature metamorphism and an associated magmatic flare-up during the early Late Cretaceous, and flat subduction, high-temperature and high-pressure metamorphism, partial melting, and associated crust-derived magmatism during the late Late Cretaceous. Key issues for further research include the temporal and spatial distributions of Mesozoic magmatic rocks, the evolution of the components and compositions of arc crust over time, and the metallogenic processes that occur in such environments during subduction.
Effect of dietary sources of calcium and protein on hip fractures and falls in older adults in residential care: cluster randomised controlled trial
Authors: Iuliano S , Poon S , Robbins J , Bui M , Wang X , De Groot L , Van Loan M , Zadeh A Ghasem , Nguyen T , Seeman E
Published: October 2021

Objective

To assess the antifracture efficacy and safety of a nutritional intervention in institutionalised older adults replete in vitamin D but with mean intakes of 600 mg/day calcium and <1 g/kg body weight protein/day.

Design

Two year cluster randomised controlled trial.

Setting

60 accredited residential aged care facilities in Australia housing predominantly ambulant residents.

Participants

7195 permanent residents (4920 (68%) female; mean age 86.0 (SD 8.2) years).

Intervention

Facilities were stratified by location and organisation, with 30 facilities randomised to provide residents with additional milk, yoghurt, and cheese that contained 562 (166) mg/day calcium and 12 (6) g/day protein achieving a total intake of 1142 (353) mg calcium/day and 69 (15) g/day protein (1.1 g/kg body weight). The 30 control facilities maintained their usual menus, with residents consuming 700 (247) mg/day calcium and 58 (14) g/day protein (0.9 g/kg body weight).

Main outcome measures

Group differences in incidence of fractures, falls, and all cause mortality.

Results

Data from 27 intervention facilities and 29 control facilities were analysed. A total of 324 fractures (135 hip fractures), 4302 falls, and 1974 deaths were observed. The intervention was associated with risk reductions of 33% for all fractures (121v203; hazard ratio 0.67, 95% confidence interval 0.48 to 0.93; P=0.02), 46% for hip fractures (42v93; 0.54, 0.35 to 0.83; P=0.005), and 11% for falls (1879v2423; 0.89, 0.78 to 0.98; P=0.04). The risk reduction for hip fractures and falls achieved significance at five months (P=0.02) and three months (P=0.004), respectively. Mortality was unchanged (900v1074; hazard ratio 1.01, 0.43 to 3.08).

Conclusions

Improving calcium and protein intakes by using dairy foods is a readily accessible intervention that reduces the risk of falls and fractures commonly occurring in aged care residents.

Trial registration

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12613000228785.
Why do doctors seek peer support? A qualitative interview study
Authors: Horne Ingrid Marie Taxt , Veggeland Frode , Bååthe Fredrik , Isaksson Rø Karin
Published: October 2021

Objectives

To understand how doctors reflect on when and why they seek help from an organised peer-support service.

Design

Data were collected through audiotaped, qualitative, semi-structured interviews. The interviews were analysed with systematic text condensation.

Setting

A peer-support service accessible to all doctors in Norway.

Participants

Thirteen doctors were interviewed after attending a counselling service in fall 2018. They were selected to represent variation in gender, demographics, and medical specialty. Doctors were excluded if the interview could not be held within 10 days after they had accessed peer support.

Results

The doctors’ perspectives and experiences of when and why they seek support and their expectations of the help they would receive are presented, and barriers to and facilitators of seeking support are discussed. Three categories of help-seeking behaviour were identified: (1) ‘Concerned—looking for advice’ describing help seeking in a strenuous situation with need for guidance; (2) ‘Fear of not coping any longer’ describing help seeking when struggling due to unreasonable stress and/or conflict in their lives; and (3) ‘Looking for a way back or out’ describing help seeking when out of work. Expectations to the help they would receive varied widely. Motivations for seeking help had more to do with factors enabling or restricting help-seeking than with the severity of symptoms.

Conclusions

Many different situations lead doctors to seek peer support, and they have various expectations of the service as well as diverse needs, motivations and constraints to seeking peer support. Further research is warranted to investigate the impact of peer support and how to tailor the service to best suit doctors’ specific needs.
Incidence of stroke, transient ischaemic attack and determinants of poststroke mortality among immigrants in Denmark, 2004‒2018: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Mkoma George Frederick , Johnsen Søren Paaske , Iversen Helle Klingenberg , Andersen Grethe , Norredam Marie
Published: October 2021

Objective

Using recent registry data, we aimed to quantify the incidence of stroke and transient ischaemic attack (TIA) and to examine factors influencing the risk of poststroke mortality among immigrants compared with Danish-born individuals.

Design

Population-based cohort study between 2004 and 2018. We estimated age-standardised incidence rate ratios (IRR) of stroke, stroke types and TIA for each ethnic group using Danish-born individuals as the reference by direct method of standardisation. We calculated the risk of poststroke mortality using Cox proportional hazard regression.

Setting

The study was conducted using Danish nationwide registers.

Participants

All cases of first-ever stroke and TIA by country of origin (n=132 936) were included.

Results

Overall, Western immigrants (IRR=2.25; 95% CI 2.20 to 2.31) and non-Western immigrants (IRR=1.37; 95% CI 1.30 to 1.44) had a higher risk of stroke than Danish-born individuals. The risk of TIA was higher in Western immigrants (IRR=2.08; 95% CI 1.93 to 2.23) followed by non-Western immigrants (IRR=1.45; 95% CI 1.27 to 1.63) than in Danish-born individuals. All-cause 1-year mortality hazard was higher but not significantly different in non-Western men (adjusted HR=1.38; 95% CI 0.92 to 2.08) compared with Danish-born men and additional adjustment for comorbidities reduced the HR to 0.85 (0.51 to 1.40) among ischaemic stroke cases. Among intracerebral haemorrhage cases, the adjusted mortality hazard was decreased in Western men (from HR of 1.76; 95% CI 1.09 to 2.85 to HR of 1.30; 95% CI 0.80 to 2.11) compared with Danish-born men after adjustment for stroke severity. Immigrants with ≤15 years of residence had a lower poststroke mortality hazard than Danish-born individuals after additional adjustment for sociodemographic factors (HR=0.36; 95% CI 0.14 to 0.91).

Conclusions

The age-standardised risk of stroke and TIA was significantly higher among the majority of immigrants than Danish-born individuals. Interventions that reduce the burden of comorbidities, improve acute stroke care and target sociodemographic factors may address the higher risk of poststroke mortality among immigrants.
Gastric venous reconstruction to reduce gastric venous congestion after total pancreatectomy: study protocol of a single-centre prospective non-randomised observational study (IDEAL Phase 2A) - GENDER study (Gastric vENousDrainagE Reconstruction)
Authors: Mehrabi Arianeb , Loos Martin , Ramouz Ali , Dooghaie Moghadam Arash , Probst Pascal , Nickel Felix , Schaible Anja , Mieth Markus , Hackert Thilo , Büchler Markus W
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Total pancreatoduodenectomy (TP) is the standard surgical approach for treating extended pancreas tumours. If TP is performed with splenectomy, the left gastric vein (LGV) sometimes needs to be sacrificed for oncological or technical reasons, which can result in gastric venous congestion (GVC). GVC can lead to gastric venous infarction, which in turn causes gastric perforation with abdominal sepsis. To avoid gastric venous infarction, partial or total gastrectomy is usually performed if GVC occurs after TP. However, gastrectomy can be avoided by reconstructing the gastric venous outflow to overcome GVC and avoid gastric venous infarction. The current study aims to assess the role of gastric venous outflow reconstruction to prevent GVC after TP and avoid gastrectomy.

Methods and analysis

In the current single-centre observational pilot study, 20 patients will be assigned to study after intraoperative evaluation of gastric venous drainage after LGV resection during TP. During surgery, on-site evaluation by the surgeon, endoscopic examination, indocyanine green, gastric venous drainage flowmetry and spectral analysis will be performed. Postoperatively, patients will receive standard post-TP care and treatment. During hospitalisation, endoscopic examination with indocyanine green will be performed on the 1st, 3rd and 7th postoperative day to evaluate gastric ischaemia. Ischaemia markers will be evaluated daily after surgery. After discharge, patients will be followed-up for 90 days, during which mortality and morbidities will be recorded. The main endpoints of the study will include, rate of GVC, rate of gastric ischaemia, rate of postpancreatectomy gastrectomy, rate of reoperation, morbidity and mortality.

Ethics and dissemination

The study protocol has been reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Heidelberg. The results will be actively disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations, and are expected in 2022.

Trial registration number

NCT04850430.
Colorectal cancer and the blood loss paradox
Authors: Almilaji Orouba , Parry Sally D , Docherty Sharon , Snook Jonathon
Published: October 2021

Background

Faecal occult blood (FOB) positivity and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) are common manifestations of colorectal cancer (CRC) and both potentially facilitate diagnosis at an earlier, more treatable stage. It has been assumed that both are the consequence of low-grade blood loss from the tumour bed.

Method

A retrospective analysis of 1121 cases of CRC diagnosed at a single centre between 2010 and 2016, comparing cases presenting via FOB-based Bowel Cancer Screening Programme (BCSP) and IDA pathways for a series of variables including age, sex, tumour location and prevalence of anaemia.

Results

The BCSP and IDA pathways each accounted for about 15% of the total case load. There were significant differences between the BCSP and IDA sub-groups in median age (68 vs 78 years: p<0.001), median haemoglobin (138 vs 89 g/L: p<0.001) and proportion of lesions in right colon (31.1% vs 82.5%: p<0.001). The major disparity in the prevalence of anaemia (overall 20.0% vs 98.2%: p<0.001) persisted when controlled for tumour location.

Conclusion

Paradoxically, CRC screening through the detection of FOB positivity and IDA identifies distinctly different sub-populations of cases. The theoretical implication is that an additional mechanism may be required to explain the development of IDA in CRC. The practical implication is that detection of IDA may have a complementary role to the BCSP in population screening for CRC.
A Case of Penetrating Head Injury in an Infant
Authors: Farquharson-Roberts M. A.
Published: October 2021

A case of penetrating head injury in a six month old child is described in the context of the facilities available in Malta at the time. The management is briefly discussed.
Memorabilia
Authors: Guild W. J. F.
Published: October 2021

A brief obituary appears elsewhere in this journal but this edited account of Surgeon Captain Guild’s Service career, which he wrote during his terminal illness, is of sufficient general interest to be published as a short article. Ed.
Case reports: peripheral cranial nerve injuries resulting from hyperbaric exposure
Authors: Shepherd T. H. , Sykes J. J. W. , Pearson R. R.
Published: October 2021

Two cases of peripheral cranial nerve involvement are described which resulted from decompression barotrauma to the middle ear and maxillary sinus respectively. Such decompression incidents are relatively rare and of importance in the differential diagnosis of cranial nerve deficit following hyperbaric exposure or decompression to altitude.
Lateral release for patello femoral pain
Authors: Henley M. , Osborne A. H. , Telfer R. C.
Published: October 2021

A retrospective survey of 586 patients has been carried out. These underwent one of five different types of Lateral Release for patello-femoral pain.

The success rate for each type of Lateral Release is noted and compared in respect of the duration of medical downgrading, morbidity and the Serviceman’s ability to return to a P2 Category.
The first Antarctic winter in tents: The Joint Services Expedition to Brabant Island
Authors: Oakley E. H. N.
Published: October 2021

This, the first in a series of three, describes the medical aspects of the JSE to Brabant Island, Antarctica. The expedition was conceived and led by Commander Chris Furse RN, was logistically light and simple, and used tents instead of huts for accommodation. Main achievements included a 140 mile journey in 5m inflatable boats, the first ascents of 55 peaks, the first complete overwintering in tents, and the 100 mile circumnavigation of the island by canoe. Apart from the well-publicised crevasse fall in which Lieutenant Commander Clive Waghorn RN fractured his femur, medical problems were few and minor. The planning, preparations and problems are described in detail, and subsequent articles will deal with physiological research and clothing and equipment.
Spinal cord decompression sickness: A case history
Authors: Jones D. N. , Hirst A. J. , Mizrahi N. B.
Published: October 2021

The case is presented of a 17 year old commercial diver who developed symptoms and signs of decompression sickness after diving to 42 metres in a caisson. The treatment programme based on telephone communication with the Institute of Naval Medicine at Alverstoke is reviewed. A number of therapeutic Tables were used and of particular interest is the application of a modified Table 62 (extended) whereby the patient was brought from nine metres to the surface over a three hour period on three occasions. It was of concern to the authors that the condition of the patient twice deteriorated after treatment. The treatment was stopped after no further improvement was noted on two successive days. On review one month after discharge the diver had made a full functional recovery and was totally independent.
The Ellison Procedure for antero-lateral instability of the knee
Authors: Walker A. J. , Osborne A. H.
Published: October 2021

Twenty seven patients are assessed who underwent the Ellison Procedure for antero-lateral instability of the knee. Twenty three of these returned to a normal sea-going category at a mean time of 4 months 3 weeks. The Ellison Procedure produced very satisfactory results in those with Grade I or II knee instability.
Step testing as an assessment of physical fitness on Polaris submarines
Authors: Berth-Jones J. , Smith D. J.
Published: October 2021

The fitness of 22 volunteers was assessed at the beginning and end of an SSBN deterrent submarine patrol using the Modified Harvard and Step Up to Physical Fitness tests. This provided a means of evaluating both the value of step tests and the fitness of a sample of the crew.

The overall level of fitness of the group was high and did not change significantly during the patrol.

The step tests appear suitable for the purposes for which they are employed, but unsuitable for the assessment of extremes of fitness. They could be replaced by a simpler, shorter and safer test.
Mortality and ventricular arrhythmia after acute myocarditis: a nationwide registry-based follow-up study
Authors: Kragholm Kristian Hay , Lindgren Filip Lyng , Zaremba Tomas , Freeman Phillip , Andersen Niels Holmark , Riahi Sam , Pareek Manan , Køber Lars , Torp-Pedersen Christian , Søgaard Peter , Hagendorff Andreas , Tayal Bhupendar
Published: October 2021

Objective

Incidence and severity of acute myocarditis vary significantly in previous reports and there is a lack of epidemiological studies on the short-term risks of mortality, heart failure and ventricular arrhythmias in patients with acute myocarditis. Therefore, study aims were to examine 90-day risks of mortality, heart failure (HF) and ventricular arrhythmias in patients with acute myocarditis in comparison to age-matched and sex-matched background population controls.

Methods

In this nationwide register-based follow-up study of patients hospitalised with myocarditis between 2002 and 2018 in Denmark, 90-day risks of all-cause mortality, HF, ventricular arrhythmias (ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation (VF)), cardiac arrest and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation were compared with age-matched and sex-matched controls from the background population (1:5 matching). Absolute risks standardised to the age, sex and comorbidity distribution of the entire study population were derived from multivariable Cox regression.

Results

A total of 2523 patients hospitalised with myocarditis were included. Median age was 48 years (Q1–Q3: 30–69) and 67.7% were men. Comorbidity burden was more pronounced among patients with myocarditis relative to controls. Standardised 90-day all-cause mortality risk was 4.9% for patients with acute myocarditis versus 0.3% for controls (p<0.001). Ninety-day standardised risks for other endpoints were 7.5% versus 0.1% for HF, 1.9% versus <0.1% for VF/VF/arrest risk and 1.6% versus <0.1% for ICD implantation (all p<0.001).

Conclusions

In this large nationwide register-based follow-up study, patients hospitalised with myocarditis had significantly higher 90-day risks of all-cause mortality, HF, ventricular arrhythmias, cardiac arrest and ICD implantation compared with background population controls.
Managing tomato vine decline with soil amendments and transplant treatments: fruit yield, quality, and plant-associated microbial communities
Authors: Van Eerd Laura L. , Zhou Yangxue , Turnbull Amy L. , Johnston-Monje David , Lazarovits George , Loewen Steven A.
Published: October 2021

Tomato vine decline (TVD) disease complex results in fruit yield loss, but what soil management strategies might mitigate it? In commercial fields with a history of TVD, five approaches (soil organic amendments and transplant treatments) were evaluated for their impact on fruit yield, fruit quality, and microbial abundance or diversity at four site-years. One site-year had very high TVD pressure and high variability with no yield differences, thus efforts focused on the remaining site-years. Marketable yield was not different among treatments but numerically followed a trend similar to total yield. Amending soil with poultry manure delayed maturity (i.e., increased proportion of green fruit) and had the greatest total yield increases of 17.2%, congruent with decreased abundance of root pathogens (Verticillium dahliae, Rhizopicnis vagum). Microbial DNA fingerprinting data of rhizospheres, roots and (or) stems suggested treatments did not significantly shift the total diversity fungal nor bacterial populations, but the aforementioned pathogen loads were reduced with the application of organic amendments relative to the untreated control. While drenching tomato transplants with pseudomonad culture increased their presence in roots, pathogen load was not reduced relative to the untreated control. Overall, these results show that soil organic amendments were able to improve tomato total yield in two of four site-years without reducing fruit quality (i.e., soluble solids, pH, colour), perhaps, in part, due to their ability to suppress specific root pathogens in commercial fields.
AAC Hodge Canada western red spring wheat
Authors: Kumar Santosh , Fox S.L. , Nilsen Kirby T. , Green Denis , Fetch Thomas , McCallum Brent , Aboukhaddour Reem , Henriquez Maria Antonia
Published: October 2021

AAC Hodge (BW1069) is a hollow-stemmed, awned and high yielding Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat cultivar suited to the growing conditions in Western Canada. AAC Hodge was 6% higher yielding than AAC Viewfield, the highest yielding check in the Central Bread Wheat Cooperative (CBWC) registration trials (2017–2019). Within the same test, AAC Hodge was 16% higher yielding than Carberry. AAC Hodge matured 1 d earlier than Carberry and 2 d later than Unity; Unity is the earliest maturing check in the eastern prairie growing conditions. AAC Hodge was 7 cm shorter with better lodging resistance than Unity. The lodging score for AAC Hodge was lower than the mean of the checks. The test weight of AAC Hodge was similar to the mean of the checks. Over the 3 yr of testing (2017–2019), the 1000-kernel weight of AAC Hodge was equal to, or higher than all the checks. The grain protein content of AAC Hodge was equal to that of AAC Viewfield. AAC Hodge was rated moderately resistant to Fusarium head blight (FHB; Fusarium graminearum Schwabe) and resistant to leaf rust (Puccinia triticina Erikss.), stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis Westend), stem rust (Puccinia graminis Pers. f. sp. tritici Eriks. & E. Henn), and common bunt [Tilletia caries (DC) Tul. & C. Tul.]. AAC Hodge ranged from resistant to moderately susceptible for its reaction to the Ug99 family of stem rusts. AAC Hodge was resistant to orange wheat blossom midge (OBWM) (Sitodiplosis mosellana Géhin). AAC Hodge was registered under the CWRS class.
Opportunities and trade-offs for expanding agriculture in Canada’s North: an ecosystem service perspective
Authors: KC Krishna Bahadur , Green Arthur Gill , Wassmansdorf Dan , Gandhi Vivek , Nadeem Khurram , Fraser Evan D.G.
Published: October 2021

Climate change will create warmer temperatures, greater precipitation, and longer growing seasons in northern latitudes making agriculture increasingly possible in boreal regions. To assess the potential of any such expansion, this paper provides a first-order approximation of how much land could become suitable for four staple crops (corn, potato, soy, and wheat) in Canada by 2080. In addition, we estimate how the environmental trade-offs of northern agricultural expansion will impact critical ecosystem services. Primarily, we evaluate how the regulatory ecosystem services of carbon storage and sequestration and the habitat services supporting biodiversity would be traded for the provisioning services of food production. Here we show that under climate change projected by Canadian Earth System Model (CanESM2) Representative Concentration Pathway 4.5, ∼1.85 million km2of land may become suitable for farming in Canada’s North, which, if utilized, would lead to the release of ∼15 gigatonnes of carbon if all forests and wetlands are cleared and plowed. These land-use changes would also have profound implications for Indigenous sovereignty and the governance of protected and conserved areas in Canada. These results highlight that research is urgently needed so that stakeholders can become aware of the scope of potential economic opportunities, cultural issues, and environmental trade-offs required for agricultural sustainability in Canada.
Numerical simulation of blood flow effects on rupture of aneurysm in middle cerebral artery
Authors: Shen Xiao-Yong , Xu Hong-Qin , Gerdroodbary M. Barzegar , Valiallah Mousavi S. , Musa Abazari Amir , Imani S. Misagh
Published: October 2021

The morbidity and mortality of aneurysm rupture have raised significantly in current years. In this research, numerical investigations have been performed to disclose the impacts of hemodynamic on the breach and growth of the Intracranial Aneurysms (IA) in the middle cerebral artery (MCA). To perform this research, computational fluid dynamic (CFD) methodology is employed to model the non-Newtonian blood stream through the IA. 3D model of IA is chosen for the analysis blood flow. Wall shear stress (WSS) was evaluated and compared at the high-risk region, where the probability of rupture is high. This study offers precise information and insight about the influence of blood viscosity and velocity on the danger of the aneurysm rupture in the MCA. Our outcomes show that the location and orientation of the aneurysm have direct impacts on the growth of the aneurysm. The main attention of this research is to reveal more vibrant facts about the primary reasons for the rupture of the aneurysm and present connection among the rupture points and the local hemodynamic features. This work tries to demonstrate the critical area on the aneurysm surface by analyzing the WSS and pressure distribution.
A multiscale network-based model of contagion dynamics: Heterogeneity, spatial distancing and vaccination
Authors: Aguiar Maíra , Dosi Giovanni , Knopoff Damián A. , Virgillito Maria Enrica
Published: October 2021

Lockdown and vaccination policies have been the major concern in the last year in order to contain the SARS-CoV-2 infection during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this paper, we present a model able to evaluate alternative lockdown policies and vaccination strategies. Our approach integrates and refines the multiscale model proposed by Bellomo et al., 2020, analyzing alternative network structures and bridging two perspectives to study complexity of living systems. Inside different matrices of contacts we explore the impact of closures of distinct nodes upon the overall contagion dynamics. Social distancing is shown to be more effective when targeting the reduction of contacts among and inside the most vulnerable nodes, namely hospitals/nursing homes. Moreover, our results suggest that school closures alone would not significantly affect the infection dynamics and the number of deaths in the population. Finally, we investigate a scenario with immunization in order to understand the effectiveness of targeted vaccination policies towards the most vulnerable individuals. Our model agrees with the current proposed vaccination strategy prioritizing the most vulnerable segment of the population to reduce severe cases and deaths.
MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS IN OPERATING ROOM: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY
Authors: Behzad Imani , Maryam Bastami
Published: October 2021

Aim: The present study sought to understand the semantics of surgical technologists about the causes and factors inducing musculoskeletal disorders in operating room medical staff. Background: The physical health of operating room technologists, affecting the health of patients, causes mental health problems and reduces occupational performance. Methods: A qualitative and phenomenological study was conducted. The statistical population included all surgical technologists of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, from which 10 individuals were selected by non-probability and snowball sampling methods, and in-depth interviews were carried out for them. Results: In data analysis, the primary code was extracted in the form of 14 sub-themes and 5 main categories, including management factors, facilities, manpower status, destructive factors of the work field, and miscellaneous factors. Conclusion: The operating room medical staff considers muscular discomfort and pain in the head, neck, wrist, back, and legs as skeletal disorder, and they believe that factors such as managerial measures, poor equipment and lack of facilities, manpower status, destructive factors of intensive, long, and repetitive work fields, and some miscellaneous factors are effective in their occurrence. Relevance to clinical practice: As the medical staff are faced with physical, mental, and psychological pressures due to the difficulty of work, lack of facilities, attitudes of supervisors and managers as well as colleagues, this research can be effective and useful in order to introduce more of these dimensions to the relevant authorities.
COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS SIMULATION AND VISUALIZATION OF NEWTONIAN AND NON-NEWTONIAN TRANSPORT IN A PERISTALTIC MICRO-PUMP
Authors: GENDY MOHAMED EL , BÉG O. ANWAR , KADIR A. , ISLAM M. N. , TRIPATHI D.
Published: October 2021

Motivated by recent developments in bio-inspired medical engineering micro-scale pumps, in this paper, a three-dimensional sequential simulation of a peristaltic micro-pump is described to provide deeper insight into the hydromechanics of laminar, viscous flow in peristaltic propulsion. The Carreau and power-law models are employed for non-Newtonian behavior. The commercial software package ANSYS Fluent is utilized to conduct a numerical simulation of laminar peristaltic pump fluid dynamics, based on the finite volume method and steady space laminar solver. Details are provided for the geometric pump design (conducted with AUTOCAD), pre-processing (meshing) and necessary boundary conditions to simulate the peristaltic flow within the pump. Extensive visualization of velocity, pressure and vorticity contours is included. The present simulations provide a benchmark for future comparison with experimental studies and indeed more advanced numerical simulations with alternative non-Newtonian models. Applications of the study include biomimetic blood flow pumps, blood dialysis machines, micro-scale infusion pumps, etc.
Uniform asymptotics for the discrete Laguerre polynomials
Authors: Dai Dan , Yao Luming
Published: October 2021

In this paper, we consider the discrete Laguerre polynomials [Formula: see text] orthogonal with respect to the weight function [Formula: see text] supported on the infinite nodes [Formula: see text]. We focus on the “band-saturated region” situation when the parameter [Formula: see text]. As [Formula: see text], uniform expansions for [Formula: see text] are achieved for [Formula: see text] in different regions in the complex plane. Typically, the Airy-function expansions and Gamma-function expansions are derived for [Formula: see text] near the endpoints of the band and the origin, respectively. The asymptotics for the normalizing coefficient [Formula: see text], recurrence coefficients [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], are also obtained. Our method is based on the Deift–Zhou steepest descent method for Riemann–Hilbert problems.
Evaluation of eavesdropping error-rates in higher-dimensional QKD system implemented using dynamic spatial modes
Authors: Kamran Muhammad , Malik Tahir , Khan Muhammad Mubashir
Published: October 2021

Secure exchange of cryptographic keys is extremely important for any communication system where security and privacy of data is desirable. Although classical cryptographic algorithms provide computationally secure methods for secret key exchange, quantum key distribution (QKD) provides an extraordinary means to this end by guaranteeing unconditional security. Any malicious interception of communication by a man-in-the-middle on a QKD link immediately alerts sender and receiver by introducing an unavoidable error-rate. Higher-dimensional QKD protocols such as KMB09 exhibit higher eavesdropping error-rates with improved intrusion detection but their practical implementation is still awaited. In this paper, we present the design and implementation of KMB09 protocol using Laguerre–Gaussian orbital angular momentum to demonstrate and highlight the advantages of using dynamic spatial modes in QKD system. A complete error-rate analysis of KMB09 protocol implementation is presented with two different types of eavesdropping error-rates. Furthermore, we also demonstrate the decoy state method to show the robustness of the protocol against photon-number-splitting attack.
Construct Functional Oligonucleotides Simultaneous Targeting FEN1 and MIR-21 Integrate Photothermal Therapy to Inhibit Cancer Cell Growth
Authors: Li Sen , Deng Hongying , Han Zhaoyu , Cai Yanfei , Jin Jian , Yang Zhaoqi
Published: October 2021

Abundant investigators have devoted their efforts to proceed the development of novel strategies aimed at anti-tumor through regulating gene expression negatively. Flap structure-specific endonuclease 1 (FEN1) received widespread attention in becoming a potential target for breast cancer. In this study, a prominent protocol based on small molecular nucleic acids was reasonably demonstrated. Various oligonucleotides containing FEN1 cleavage site and anti-miRNA21 sequences were designed and synthesized as a kind of disturbance factor to FEN1 and miRNA21. In order to obtain an ideal therapeutic outcome, graphene oxide (GO) was also employed, which rendered the whole system with photothermal therapy (PTT) effect. Finally, a novel trinity treatment system came into being with the characteristic of combined therapy involving miRNA21 silencing, FEN1 inhibition and PTT. In short, it is our hope that the designed multifunctional system could provide a promising use for the development of anti-tumor therapy in the foreseeable future.
Refining the upper bound for the numerical radius of Hilbert space operators
Authors: Heydarbeygi Zahra , Khorasani Mohammad Ali Shiran
Published: October 2021

Several upper estimates for the numerical radius of Hilbert space operators are given. Among many other inequalities, it is shown that if [Formula: see text], then [Formula: see text]
Bifunctional MnOx electrocatalysts for zinc–air batteries in alkaline electrolytes
Authors: Renderos Genesis D. , Kuang Jason , Takeuchi Kenneth J. , Takeuchi Esther S. , Marschilok Amy C. , Wang Lei
Published: October 2021

The growing need for rechargeable zinc–air batteries has led researchers to look for low-cost and robust catalytic candidates. Manganese oxides are promising for their low toxicity, natural abundance and low cost. In this review, we summarize the versatility of manganese oxides which is achievable by adjusting synthetic parameters. In addition, we highlight how manganese oxides impact zinc–air electrochemistry.
Multicomponent nickel-based phosphide catalyst for overall water splitting
Authors: Lan Xiuzhang , Gao Sie , Wang Wenbin , Li Rufeng , Ke Buqi , Lu Shaopeng , Li Guoling
Published: October 2021

Hydrogen energy is considered as an ideal replacement for traditional fossil energy sources because of its high combustion energy, clean combustion products, and abundant raw material storage. Hydrogen production by electrolysis of water is a highly efficient and feasible method. Besides, the by-product oxygen also has a high economic value. However, the slow kinetics leads to a higher than the theoretical voltage for water decomposition and requires additional energy. To deal with this problem, there is an urgent need to develop electrocatalysts for low consumption, high efficiency, and stable electrolytic water reactions. In recent years, non-precious metal nickel-based phosphide electrocatalysts have attracted a lot of attention. In this paper, three aspects of nickel-based monometallic phosphides, bimetallic phosphides, and polymetallic phosphides are reviewed. Finally, the current status, problems, and future directions of research on nickel-based phosphide electrocatalysts that do not contain precious metals are discussed.
Artificial Intelligence Applications for Industry 4.0: A Literature-Based Study
Authors: Javaid Mohd , Haleem Abid , Singh Ravi Pratap , Suman Rajiv
Published: October 2021

Artificial intelligence (AI) contributes to the recent developments in Industry 4.0. Industries are focusing on improving product consistency, productivity and reducing operating costs, and they want to achieve this with the collaborative partnership between robotics and people. In smart industries, hyperconnected manufacturing processes depend on different machines that interact using AI automation systems by capturing and interpreting all data types. Smart platforms of automation can play a decisive role in transforming modern production. AI provides appropriate information to take decision-making and alert people of possible malfunctions. Industries will use AI to process data transmitted from the Internet of things (IoT) devices and connected machines based on their desire to integrate them into their equipment. It provides companies with the ability to track their entire end-to-end activities and processes fully. This literature review-based paper aims to brief the vital role of AI in successfully implementing Industry 4.0. Accordingly, the research objectives are crafted to facilitate researchers, practitioners, students and industry professionals in this paper. First, it discusses the significant technological features and traits of AI, critical for Industry 4.0. Second, this paper identifies the significant advancements and various challenges enabling the implementation of AI for Industry 4.0. Finally, the paper identifies and discusses significant applications of AI for Industry 4.0. With an extensive review-based exploration, we see that the advantages of AI are widespread and the need for stakeholders in understanding the kind of automation platform they require in the new manufacturing order. Furthermore, this technology seeks correlations to avoid errors and eventually to anticipate them. Thus, AI technology is gradually accomplishing various goals of Industry 4.0.
Maple application for structural identifiability analysis of ODE models
Authors: Ilmer Ilia , Ovchinnikov Alexey , Pogudin Gleb
Published: October 2021

Structural identifiability properties of models of ordinary differential equations help one assess if the parameter's value can be recovered from experimental data. This theoretical property can be queried without the need for data collection and is determined with help of differential algebraic tools. We present a web-based Structural Identifiability Toolbox that rigorously uncovers identifiability properties of individual parameters of ODE systems as well as their functions (also called identifiable combinations) using the apparatus of differential algebra. The application requires no installation and is readily available at https://maple.cloud/app/6509768948056064/
SmartStream
Authors: Köstler Johannes , Reiser Hans P. , Habiger Gerhard , Hauck Franz J.
Published: October 2021

Data streaming platforms connect heterogeneous services through the publish-subscribe paradigm. Currently available platforms provide protection against crash faults, but are not resistant against Byzantine faults like arbitrary hardware faults and intrusions. State machine replication can provide this protection, but the higher resource requirements and the more elaborate communication primitives usually result in a higher overall complexity and a non-negligible performance degradation. As data streaming operates on highly-partitionable append-only state, some of these performance losses can be counteracted by applying speculative execution and sharding. We show the effectiveness of these concepts in a prototype implementation, which only results in a reasonable drop in system throughput and latency during average system utilization, when compared to state-of-the-art data streaming platforms like Apache Kafka, while providing stronger resilience guarantees.
Food Insecurity, Nutritional Inequality, and Maternal–Child Health: A Role for Biocultural Scholarship in Filling Knowledge Gaps
Authors: Piperata Barbara A. , Dufour Darna L.
Published: October 2021

Food insecurity, a significant contributor to nutritional inequality, disproportionately affects women and children in low- and middle-income countries. The magnitude of the problem has inspired research on its impacts on health, especially on nutritional status and, more recently, mental well-being. Current research is dominated by surveillance-type studies that emphasize access, one of food security's four dimensions. Findings are inconclusive regarding the association between food insecurity and women and children's nutritional status, but some evidence indicates that it is a key contributor to mental distress in women. To understand these inconsistent findings, we emphasize the need for research on the strategies that people use to cope with inadequate access to food. We contend that biocultural approaches that recognize the importance of local contexts and the role of broader political-economic factors in shaping them are well suited for addressing current knowledge gaps.
Slippage: An Anthropology of Shamanism
Authors: Grant Bruce
Published: October 2021

If our knowledge of shamanism has been so abidingly partial, so impressively uneven, so deeply varied by history, and so enduringly skeptical for so long, how has its study come to occupy such pride of place in the anthropological canon? One answer comes in a history of social relations where shamans both are cast as translators of the unseen and are themselves sites of anxiety in a very real world, one of encounters across lines of gender, class, and colonial incursions often defined by race. This article contends that as anthropologists have cultivated a long and growing library of shamanic practice, many appear to have found, in a globally diverse range of spirit practitioners, translators across social worlds who are not unlike themselves, suggesting that in the shaman we find a remarkable history of anthropology.