bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Potential of the Digital Economy in Agriculture
Authors: Akmarov P B , Knyazeva O P , Tretyakova E S
Published: April 2021

Today Russian agriculture is one of the most stable and dynamically developing branches of economy. Huge labour and material resources have been accumulated in this sector. Agriculture employs almost 6% of the country’s human resources, which produce 4.5% of the gross domestic product. The main resource that determines the prospects of agricultural production are land resources, the size of which Russia ranks third in the world. This huge potential has been underused to date. The reason for such position of the industry is backward material and technical base, insufficient level of human resources development and almost complete absence of digitalization. At the same time, there are huge opportunities for modernization of the industry. The country’s food security and development of export potential make agriculture a high-tech industry capable not only of providing food for itself but also for many countries around the world. They can create opportunities to introduce innovative developments that did not exist before and stimulate managerial decisions. The article deals with problematic issues of the development of digitalization of agriculture in the context of expanding the scope of information technologies. It shows the bottlenecks that hinder the wide spread of the digital economy in agriculture. An overview of government programs aimed at the dissemination of information technologies is given. The dynamics of development of innovative technologies in the agro-industrial complex of Russia, their dependence on the investments made, is shown. The main directions of digital transformation of agriculture and scientific and technological development in the field of "smart agriculture" are highlighted.
Sexual Stimulation of Sows as One of the Factors of Increasing the Provision with Pork the Population of the Russian Federation
Authors: Lishchuk A , Malakhova N , Piskunova O
Published: April 2021

Today the development of pig breeding is one of the most perspective lines in animal husbandry, capable of providing the population with high-quality and affordable agricultural products. One of the ways to improve the efficiency of pig breeding is increasing the productivity of animals. The increasing of animals’ productivity is possible only with using of deep knowledge of the relationship between organism and the environment. New reproduction technologies, keeping and hog growing are inevitably accompanied by industrial stresses, which create the preconditions for a weakening of the overall condition of the body and decrease in hormonal status, which leads to a violation of the ovulatory response of the ovaries, a lessening conception rate and sows birth rate, to lengthening of the pork production cycle, and to decreasing in the profitability of the industry. The article describes the results of studies carried out in the conditions of LLC "Znamensky SGC" of the Oryol region, on the study of the hormonal status of sows, diagnosed with ovarian hypofunction and a method of its correction for the formation of full sexual cycle.
Risk System and Railway Safety
Authors: Bulakh M , Okorokov A , Baranovskyi D
Published: April 2021

When organizing transport processes on the railway, the most important component is the safety of railway traffic. Each country has a separate approach for assessing the safety of railway traffic on domestic railways. However, railway safety and other modes of transport is associated with technical or managerial risks. Assessment of the safety condition of traffic on Ukrainian railways is carried out by absolute and specific indicators resulting from statistical data. So far as the existing methodology for assessing the level of railway traffic safety does not provide a real and adequate picture, the problem of developing a risk system is relevant. The paper presents a risk system for assessing the level of actual and predicted safety of railway traffic. The risk system includes general, local, technological and technical risks. Each risk has a quantitative characteristic and can be applied to assess the safety of the railway traffic. The developed risk system is implemented as an application program and implemented at the railway enterprises of Ukraine. The presented system of risks and their posterior and priori values allow us to characterize the real state of railway traffic safety for the study period. Based on the obtained values of posteriori and priori risks, it is possible to characterize the actual and predicted safety of the railway traffic.
Innovative Techniques in the Mechanization of Beekeeping
Authors: Komlatsky V I , Komlatsky G V
Published: April 2021

The innovative development of the agro-industrial complex determines the need for mechanization of all sectors, including beekeeping, through the creation and implementation of technologically interconnected machines and beekeeping equipment. Together, they must ensure the crowding out of manual labor at all stages of production and processing of bee products, create comfortable working conditions, and relieve beekeepers of manual loading of beehives during the nomadic period. Ultimately, the stress load on the bees will decrease and honey collection will increase. The aim of the research was to study the level of mechanization in Russian beekeeping and develop proposals for the technological transformation of the industry. In the course of the research, a scientific substantiation of the principles of industrial beekeeping was formulated, based on the use of the most rational methods of beekeeping. Due to the mechanization of labor-intensive processes (selection and distribution of honeycombs, pumping and processing honey, the use of mobile honey-pollinating complexes), it is possible to simplify the maintenance of bees and achieve high labor productivity.
Methods of Implementation of the Review of the Space of Parametric Profiler
Authors: Kirichenko I A , Starchenko I B
Published: April 2021

The article presents the results of the theoretical justification of the method for implementing the survey of the parametric profiler. With all the advantages of using nonlinear effects and hydroacoustic systems in a parametric transmitting mode for profiling the bottom and bottom sediments, the disadvantage is the small area of the bottom surface, scanned by the transmitting array of the profiler, which leads to the need to choose the method of scanning and sensing modes of the parametric profiler for a vertical profiling scheme. The analysis of the main methods of scanning, such as scanning in two planes with a phased receiving-transmitting array, the use of several phased arrays that scan by sector and scanning by the movement of the antenna carrier, allowed us to determine the main advantages and disadvantages of each method of viewing. The results of the theoretical study allowed us to evaluate the method of scanning by the movement of the antenna carrier and obtain expressions for the stages of the full scanning cycle, as well as to calculate the values of the follow-up period in the radiation mode for the values of the number of wave periods of the difference frequency of the radiated acoustic signal and the distance from the bottom of the transmitting antenna that are most common in real conditions of profiling bottom structures.
Social Identity and Values of Managers, as a Factor in Increasing the Effectiveness of Corporate Training
Authors: Pismieniuk E S , Korobova S U
Published: April 2021

The research explores the dynamics in social identity and values of managers through corporate learning experience. The sample comprised 80 managers aged 23-45fromUral businesses. In the course of the study, the sample of managers was divided into two groups: an experimental group, whose managers passed corporate training; and a control group, whose managers did not take part in corporate training. Corporate talent training was part of life-long learning (LLL) in the company. Through corporate training, managers got feedback on the level of their professional competencies and future opportunities for their growth.

The research uncovered differences in the dynamics of social identity and values among managers of the experimental and control groups. The experimental group of managers featured an upward trend in social and role identity with status and resource roles and the choice of “career (success)” value through the learning experience and the obtained feedback in follow-up of the training. The control group failed to express any dynamics in social and role identity and choose any statistically significant values. It has been proved that corporate training and feedback encourages employees to drive their own professional competencies and improve their professional expertise with the value focus on building a career in the company. The dynamics in social identity and values of managers serves as a resource for changes reflecting the features of corporate culture.
Economical, Legal and Socio-Cultural Approaches to Geophagia
Authors: Bashkirova N N , Lessovaia S N
Published: April 2021

Geophagia, which is a phenomenon of earth-eating, was defined as the deliberate ingestion of soil or clay, and related materials by man and animals. Corresponding to recent findings in medicine it can target the neutralization of aflatoxins in food. Geophagia was considered as a very common feature of everyday life in Asian and African countries with deep ethnical and traditional roots. The aim of this research is to investigate the legal basis and to assess the socio – cultural basement and economical potential of the phenomenon of geophagia. As the result of the research some approaches to the adjustment of such phenomenon to the challenges of the current situation including industrial and anthropogenic influences were proposed. Consideration of the phenomenon of geophagia as a part of ethnomedicine with the necessity of governmental support of follow- up research and educational programs for people in communities, in which geophagia is widespread was proved.
The reduction of nonlinear response in near-surface layers by adjusting the electric field amplitude
Authors: Savotchenko S E
Published: April 2021

In this work, we use a special nonlinear dependence of dielectric permittivity to study theoretically the effect of a decrease in the nonlinear response in near-surface layers of a medium, which occurs with an increase in the amplitude of the electric field. We propose a model of nonlinearity in which the Kerr-type nonlinearity abruptly disappears with an increase in the field, and the dielectric permittivity becomes constant and independent of the field. Increasing the electric field leads to the formation of a local zone (optical domain) near the surface with linear optical properties where the dielectric permittivity becomes independent of the electric field. We formulate a nonlinear equation with stepwise dependence of the dielectric permittivity on electric field, and obtain its two types of exact solutions corresponding to the surface waves in media with positive (self-focusing) and negative (defocusing) nonlinear responses. We calculate and analyze the total power flows of thesurface waves of both types. We discuss in detail the features of the obtained solutions in comparison with previously published results. It is shown that the choice of a crystal with an appropriate nonlinear response makes it possible to increase or decrease the field intensity near the crystal surface with practically the same thickness of the near-surface layer with altered optical properties.
Effect of silica nanoparticles on mechanical and thermal properties of intra-inter ply hybrid laminated composites
Authors: M Bharathi , Kumaran S Senthil , Samson P Edwin
Published: April 2021

Emissions coming out from the automobile accounts for significant universal carbon emission. The reduction in the weight of the vehicle even by a kilogram can lead to a significant reduction in the carbon emissions, the use of natural fibre composites reduces the weight of the vehicle to a larger extent and minimises the problems associated with the disposal of the vehicle after its service life. The main objective of the work is to develop a light weight, comparatively eco-friendly natural fibre hybrid composite reinforced with intraply carbon +E-glass plies and unidirectional sunn hemp mat interplies and nano silica particles and to evaluate its mechanical and thermal properties for possible application in automobiles. The addition of nano silica was varied between 1wt % to 4 wt %. Mechanical properties investigation through (tensile and impact tests) and thermo mechanical investigation through dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and heat deflection temperature (HDT) were carried out. Activation energy of the nano composites was determined using Arrhenius model. Failure analysis of the composites was carried out with field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Mechanical and thermal properties was found to be higher for the intra-interply polymer composite reinforced with carbon+E-glass fibres and unidirectional sunn hemp mats with 3 wt %. nano silica particles addition. The results obtained in this work will be useful in designing comparatively environmentally friendlier composite structures
Higher order derivatives of quantum neural networks with barren plateaus
Authors: Cerezo M , Coles Patrick J
Published: April 2021

Quantum neural networks (QNNs) offer a powerful paradigm for programming near-term quantum computers and have the potential to speed up applications ranging from data science to chemistry to materials science. However, a possible obstacle to realizing that speed-up is the barren plateau (BP) phenomenon, whereby the gradient vanishes exponentially in the system size n for certain QNN architectures. The question of whether high-order derivative information such as the Hessian could help escape a BP was recently posed in the literature. Here we show that the elements of the Hessian are exponentially suppressed in a BP, so estimating the Hessian in this situation would require a precision that scales exponentially with n. Hence, Hessian-based approaches do not circumvent the exponential scaling associated with BPs. We also show the exponential suppression of higher order derivatives. Hence, BPs will impact optimization strategies that go beyond (first-order) gradient descent. In deriving our results, we prove novel, general formulas that can be used to analytically evaluate any high-order partial derivative on quantum hardware. These formulas will likely have independent interest and use for training QNNs (outside of the context of BPs).
Indicators Differentiating Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura From Other Thrombotic Microangiopathies in a Canadian Apheresis Referral Center
Authors: Martin Spencer D , McGinnis Eric , Smith Tyler W
Published: April 2021

Objectives

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) caused by ADAMTS13 deficiency with mortality of up to 90% in the absence of treatment, typically therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE). TTP presents similarly to other TMAs in which TPE is ineffective and associated with morbidity and additional costs. Thus, we sought to assess clinical and laboratory parameters differentiating TTP from other TMAs in our institution’s catchment population.

Methods

We reviewed 8 years of data from a Canadian provincial apheresis center, including 100 patients with suspected TMA who underwent ADAMTS13 testing, 35 of whom were diagnosed with TTP. We assessed clinical and laboratory parameters to identify discriminators of TTP and assigned PLASMIC TTP prediction scores.

Results

We observed a higher frequency of neurologic symptoms, more severe thrombocytopenia, and less creatinine elevation in TTP relative to other TMAs. High PLASMIC scores (6-7 points) had 83% sensitivity and 88% specificity for TTP diagnoses; however, ADAMTS13 activity testing was required for correct diagnoses in 14 cases.

Conclusions

Clinical and laboratory parameters including PLASMIC scoring may lead to misdiagnosis in some cases of TMA. ADAMST13 activity testing provides definitive diagnosis of TTP, supporting the role of rapid turnaround ADAMTS13 testing for appropriate treatment of TMAs.
Mid- to Late-Life Body Mass Index and Dementia Risk: 38 Years of Follow-up of the Framingham Study
Authors: Li Jinlei , Joshi Prajakta , Ang Ting Fang Alvin , Liu Chunyu , Auerbach Sanford , Devine Sherral , Au Rhoda
Published: April 2021

Growing evidence relates body mass index (BMI) to poorer health outcomes; however, results across studies associating BMI and dementia are conflicting. A total of 3,632 Framingham Offspring participants aged 20 to 60 years at their second health examination (1979–1983) were included in this study, with 190 cases of incident dementia identified by 2017. Cox proportional hazards regression models were fitted to investigate the association of BMI at each of their 8 exams as a baseline for dementia risk and the associations between obesity and dementia across age groups. Spline models were fitted to investigate nonlinear associations between BMI and dementia. Each 1-unit increase in BMI at ages 40–49 years was associated with higher risk of dementia, but with lower risk after age 70 years. Obesity at ages 40–49 years was associated with higher risk of dementia. Overall, the relationship between BMI and dementia risk was heterogeneous across the adult age range. Monitoring BMI at different ages might mediate risk for dementia across an individual’s lifetime.
An Efficacy Study of a New Radical Treatment for Acne Vulgaris Using Fat Injection
Authors: Zhao Hongli , Hao Lijun , Chen Xinyao , Bai Ruoxue , Luo Sai
Published: April 2021

Background

Fat grafting is a popular operative approach for rejuvenation. Some patients requiring facial fat grafting also have acne. Fat grafting may improve acne in some patients.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess whether fat grafting can improve acne and to analyze the mechanism of action by which such improvement occurs.

Methods

Preoperative and postoperative digital photographs were examined retrospectively in 229 patients who underwent fat grafting to compare the numbers of inflammatory acne lesions. In addition, 18 patients with acne who were treated by injection of subdermal stromal vascular fraction gel (SVF-gel) were examined prospectively. The numbers of inflammatory acne lesions before and after treatment were measured, and changes in the levels of CD4+ T-cell infiltration were determined from immunohistochemical staining.

Results

Of the 229 retrospectively evaluated patients who underwent fat grafting, 22 had acne and had complete follow-up data; in these patients, the numbers of acne lesions were significantly lower after than before treatment. The 18 patients who received subdermal SVF-gel injection showed evident improvements in inflammatory lesions after more than 1 year of follow-up. CD4+ T-cell infiltration was significantly decreased at week 4.

Conclusions

Facial fat grafting can improve inflammatory acne lesions, perhaps because adipose-derived stem cells, which are plentiful in SVF-gel, reduce CD4+ T-cell-mediated inflammation responses.

Level of Evidence: 4
HierCC: a multi-level clustering scheme for population assignments based on core genome MLST
Authors: Zhou Zhemin , Charlesworth Jane , Achtman Mark
Published: April 2021

Motivation

Routine infectious disease surveillance is increasingly based on large-scale whole-genome sequencing databases. Real-time surveillance would benefit from immediate assignments of each genome assembly to hierarchical population structures. Here we present pHierCC, a pipeline that defines a scalable clustering scheme, HierCC, based on core genome multi-locus typing that allows incremental, static, multi-level cluster assignments of genomes. We also present HCCeval, which identifies optimal thresholds for assigning genomes to cohesive HierCC clusters. HierCC was implemented in EnteroBase in 2018 and has since genotyped >530 000 genomes from Salmonella, Escherichia/Shigella, Streptococcus, Clostridioides, Vibrio and Yersinia.

Availability and implementation

https://enterobase.warwick.ac.uk/ and Source code and instructions: https://github.com/zheminzhou/pHierCC

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Accounting for technical noise in Bayesian graphical models of single-cell RNA-sequencing data
Authors: Oh Jihwan , Chang Changgee , Long Qi
Published: April 2021

Single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNAseq) data contain a high level of noise, especially in the form of zero-inflation, that is, the presence of an excessively large number of zeros. This is largely due to dropout events and amplification biases that occur in the preparation stage of single-cell experiments. Recent scRNAseq experiments have been augmented with unique molecular identifiers (UMI) and External RNA Control Consortium (ERCC) molecules which can be used to account for zero-inflation. However, most of the current methods on graphical models are developed under the assumption of the multivariate Gaussian distribution or its variants, and thus they are not able to adequately account for an excessively large number of zeros in scRNAseq data. In this article, we propose a single-cell latent graphical model (scLGM)—a Bayesian hierarchical model for estimating the conditional dependency network among genes using scRNAseq data. Taking advantage of UMI and ERCC data, scLGM explicitly models the two sources of zero-inflation. Our simulation study and real data analysis demonstrate that the proposed approach outperforms several existing methods.
Volume–outcome relationship for adrenalectomy: analysis of an administrative dataset for the Getting It Right First Time Programme
Authors: Gray W K , Day J , Briggs T W R , Wass J A H , Lansdown M
Published: April 2021

Background

A minimum volume threshold of at least six procedures per annum per surgeon has been set in UK and European guidelines for adrenal surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate outcomes for adrenal surgery in England relative to annual surgeon and hospital trust volume.

Methods

Data were extracted from the Hospital Episodes Statistics database for England. A 6-year period (January 2013 to December 2018 inclusive) for all adult admissions for unilateral adrenal surgery was used. The primary outcome measure was an emergency readmission within 30 days of discharge following surgery. Procedures were categorized as open or minimally invasive surgery for analysis. Multilevel modelling was used to adjust for hierarchy and potential confounders.

Results

Data for 4189 adrenalectomies were identified. Only one third of surgeons (who operated on just over a half of all patients) performed at least six procedures in the year prior to the index procedure. For open surgery, emergency readmission rates fell significantly from 15.2 to 6.4 per cent for surgeons and from 13.2 to 6.1 per cent for trusts between the lowest- and highest-volume categories. Significant, but less dramatic falls were also seen for minimally invasive surgery.

Conclusion

A volume–outcome effect was identified for adrenal surgery in England. Minimum volume thresholds should be set, although these may need to be more ambitious than the current threshold if outcomes are to be optimized.
Microglial activation and blood–brain barrier leakage: chicken and egg?
Authors: Edison Paul
Published: April 2021

This scientific commentary refers to ‘Microglial activation and blood–brain barrier permeability in cerebral small vessel disease’ by Walsh et al. (doi:10.1093/brain/awab003).
Enabling evidence-led collaborative systems-change efforts: an adaptation of the collective impact approach
Authors: Nichols Naomi , Schwan Kaitlin , Gaetz Stephen , Redman Melanie
Published: April 2021

This article conveys the results of a three-year ethnographic study of a pan-Canadian community–university collaboration to prevent and end youth homelessness. The collaboration adapted aspects of a collective impact (CI) approach to pursue a large-scale shift in how youth homelessness is addressed in Canada. The objective of this article is to codify and share the model developed and implemented by the community–university collaboration as an opportunity for ongoing adaptation and learning among others undertaking similarly complex and collaborative systems-change efforts. Findings suggest a CI approach is unlikely to be suitable for large-scale innovation-oriented initiatives, and that context-specific adaptations of the model should be encouraged. To what is already known about collaborative multisectoral partnerships, this article reveals the importance of strategic information sharing, targeted and flexible research and knowledge mobilization efforts, and ongoing attentiveness to the relational dimensions of collaborative evidence-informed systems-change efforts.
Political community resilience in declining rural areas in Finland
Authors: Kumpulainen Kaisu , Husu Hanna-Mari , Nousiainen Marko
Published: April 2021

In this article, we study how declining rural communities build political resilience in Finland. Community resilience is an adaptive process through which rural communities try to maintain their viability in changed circumstances. This process does not entail a submissive attitude, but rather active agency and an effort to influence matters concerning the community’s well-being. We focus on the political dimension of resilience by identifying different local tactics that rural communities adopt to promote their own development following municipal mergers. We classify these tactics into three categories: cooperation, conflict and community-led development. The significant differences between them lie in how the community relates to the new municipality and communicates with its officials and decision-makers. However, none of the three tactics identified in our study are sufficient to ensure the viability of rural communities in the context of municipal mergers.
Novel insights into the electrophysiology of murine cardiac macrophages: relevance of voltage-gated potassium channels
Authors: Simon-Chica Ana , Fernández Marbely C , Wülfers Eike M , Lother Achim , Hilgendorf Ingo , Seemann Gunnar , Ravens Ursula , Kohl Peter , Schneider-Warme Franziska
Published: April 2021

Aims

Macrophages (MΦ), known for immunological roles, such as phagocytosis and antigen presentation, have been found to electrotonically couple to cardiomyocytes (CM) of the atrioventricular node via Cx43, affecting cardiac conduction in isolated mouse hearts. Here, we characterize passive and active electrophysiological properties of murine cardiac resident MΦ, and model their potential electrophysiological relevance for CM.

Methods and results

We combined classic electrophysiological approaches with 3D florescence imaging, RNA-sequencing, pharmacological interventions, and computer simulations. We used Cx3cr1eYFP/+ mice wherein cardiac MΦ are fluorescently labelled. FACS-purified fluorescent MΦ from mouse hearts were studied by whole-cell patch-clamp. MΦ electrophysiological properties include: membrane resistance 2.2±0.1 GΩ (all data mean±SEM), capacitance 18.3±0.1 pF, resting membrane potential −39.6±0.3 mV, and several voltage-activated, outward or inwardly rectifying potassium currents. Using ion channel blockers (barium, TEA, 4-AP, margatoxin, XEN-D0103, and DIDS), flow cytometry, immuno-staining, and RNA-sequencing, we identified Kv1.3, Kv1.5, and Kir2.1 as channels contributing to observed ion currents. MΦ displayed four patterns for outward and two for inward-rectifier potassium currents. Additionally, MΦ showed surface expression of Cx43, a prerequisite for homo- and/or heterotypic electrotonic coupling. Experimental results fed into development of an original computational model to describe cardiac MΦ electrophysiology. Computer simulations to quantitatively assess plausible effects of MΦ on electrotonically coupled CM showed that MΦ can depolarize resting CM, shorten early and prolong late action potential duration, with effects depending on coupling strength and individual MΦ electrophysiological properties, in particular resting membrane potential and presence/absence of Kir2.1.

Conclusion

Our results provide a first electrophysiological characterization of cardiac resident MΦ, and a computational model to quantitatively explore their relevance in the heterocellular heart. Future work will be focussed at distinguishing electrophysiological effects of MΦ–CM coupling on both cell types during steady-state and in patho-physiological remodelling, when immune cells change their phenotype, proliferate, and/or invade from external sources.
Effects of canagliflozin on myocardial infarction: a post hoc analysis of the CANVAS programme and CREDENCE trial
Authors: Yu Jie , Li Jingwei , Leaver Phillip J , Arnott Clare , Huffman Mark D , Udell Jacob A , Perkovic Vlado , Mahaffey Kenneth W , de Zeeuw Dick , Fulcher Greg , Matthews David R , Shaw Wayne , Rosenthal Norman , Neal Bruce , Figtree Gemma A
Published: April 2021

Aims

Given the benefits of sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibition (SGLT2i) in protecting against heart failure in diabetic patients, we sought to explore the potential impact of SGLT2i on the clinical features of patients presenting with myocardial infarction (MI) through a post hoc analysis of CANVAS Programme and CREDENCE trial.

Methods and results

Individuals with type 2 diabetes and history or high risk of cardiovascular disease (CANVAS Programme) or type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CREDENCE) were included. The intervention was canagliflozin 100 or 300 mg (combined in the analysis) or placebo. MI events were adjudicated as ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-STEMI, and type 1 MI or type 2 MI. A total of 421 first MI events in the CANVAS Programme and 178 first MI events in the CREDENCE trial were recorded (83 fatal, 128 STEMI, 431 non-STEMI, and 40 unknown). No benefit of canagliflozin compared with placebo on time to first MI event was observed [hazard ratio (HR) 0.89; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.75, 1.05]. Canagliflozin was associated with lower risk for non-STEMI (HR 0.78; 95% CI 0.65, 0.95) but suggested a possible increase in STEMI (HR 1.55; 95% CI 1.06, 2.27), with no difference in risk of type 1 or type 2 MI. There was no change in fatal MI (HR 1.22, 95% CI 0.78, 1.93).

Conclusion

Canagliflozin was not associated with a reduction in overall MI in the pooled CANVAS Programme and CREDENCE trial population. The possible differential effect on STEMI and Non-STEMI observed in the CANVAS cohort warrants further investigation.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers: NCT01032629, NCT01989754, and NCT02065791.
Upstream Bundling and Leverage of Market Power
Authors: de Cornière Alexandre , Taylor Greg
Published: April 2021

We present a novel rationale for bundling in vertical relations. In many markets, upstream firms compete to be in the best downstream slots (e.g., the best shelf in a retail store or the default application on a platform). If a multi-product upstream firm faces competition for a subset of its products, we show that tying the monopolised product with the competitive ones can reduce upstream rivals’ willingness to offer slotting fees to retailers. This strategy does not rely on entry deterrence and can be achieved through contractual or even virtual tying. The model is particularly relevant to the Google-Android case.
Voter Mobilisation and Trust in Electoral Institutions: Evidence from Kenya
Authors: Marx Benjamin , Pons Vincent , Suri Tavneet
Published: April 2021

In a large-scale randomised experiment implemented with Kenya’s Electoral Commission, text messages intended to mobilise voters boosted electoral participation. However, the messages also decreased trust in electoral institutions after the election. This decrease was stronger for individuals on the losing side and in areas that experienced election-related violence. We hypothesise that the mobilisation campaign backfired because the Electoral Commission promised a transparent and orderly electoral process but failed to deliver on these expectations. Several potential mechanisms account for the intervention’s unexpected effects, including a simple model where signalling capacity via mobilisation messages can negatively affect beliefs about election fairness.
Importance of correcting genomic relationships in single-locus QTL mapping model with an advanced backcross population
Authors: Mathew Boby , Léon Jens , Dadshani Said , Pillen Klaus , Sillanpää Mikko J , Naz Ali Ahmad
Published: April 2021

Advanced backcross (AB) populations have been widely used to identify and utilize beneficial alleles in various crops such as rice, tomato, wheat, and barley. For the development of an AB population, a controlled crossing scheme is used and this controlled crossing along with the selection (both natural and artificial) of agronomically adapted alleles during the development of AB population may lead to unbalanced allele frequencies in the population. However, it is commonly believed that interval mapping of traits in experimental crosses such as AB populations is immune to the deviations from the expected frequencies under Mendelian segregation. Using two AB populations and simulated data sets as examples, we describe the severity of the problem caused by unbalanced allele frequencies in quantitative trait loci mapping and demonstrate how it can be corrected using the linear mixed model having a polygenic effect with the covariance structure (genomic relationship matrix) calculated from molecular markers.
Influence of saccharide modifications on heparin lyase III substrate specificities
Authors: Wu Jiandong , Chopra Pradeep , Boons Geert-Jan , Zaia Joseph
Published: April 2021

A library of 23 synthetic heparan sulfate (HS) oligosaccharides, varying in chain length, types, and positions of modifications, was used to analyze the substrate specificities of heparin lyase III enzymes from both Flavobacterium heparinum and Bacteroides eggerthii. The influence of specific modifications, including N-substitution, 2-O sulfation, 6-O sulfation, and 3-O sulfation on lyase III digestion was examined systematically. It was demonstrated that lyase III from both sources can completely digest oligosaccharides lacking O-sulfates. 2-O Sulfation completely blocked cleavage at the corresponding site; 6-O and 3-O sulfation on glucosamine residues inhibited enzyme activity. We also observed that there are differences in substrate specificities between the two lyase III enzymes for highly sulfated oligosaccharides. These findings will facilitate obtaining and analyzing the functional sulfated domains from large HS polymer, to better understand their structure/function relationships in biological processes.
The compatibility of fishers and scientific surveys: increasing legitimacy without jeopardizing credibility
Authors: de Boois Ingeborg J , Steins Nathalie A , Quirijns Floor J , Kraan Marloes
Published: April 2021

For a long time, fishery-independent surveys were only carried out by scientists. On-going criticism by Dutch fishers on the North Sea beam trawl survey prompted scientists to invite fishers on board. Since 2007, fishers have annually joined the survey as observers. Observing all steps in the survey like rigging the gear, the selection of fishing locations, catch sorting, and data registration enables fishers to provide feedback based on their experience instead of preconceptions. Where possible, their suggestions for improvements are incorporated. Since fishers joined, the nature of discussions about the survey has changed to being constructive. The fishing industry's trust in survey methods, results, and the scientific crew increased. Scientists gained a better understanding of the importance of the survey for fishers' livelihoods. The observers also inspired continuous scientific scrutiny of the survey, its setup, and objectives. We describe the process of incorporating fishers in a fishery-independent survey, its benefits, and challenges. We show how perceptions about the survey changed. Allowing stakeholders behind the scenes of a survey and taking their expertise into account contributes to a more reciprocal relation in the co-production of knowledge through collaborative research and increases legitimacy. We propose guidelines for involving stakeholders without compromising the survey's and professional credibility.
Initial experience with the new type A arch dissection stent: restoration of supra-aortic vessel perfusion
Authors: Montagner Matteo , Kofler Markus , Heck Roland , Buz Semih , Starck Christoph , Kurz Stephan , Falk Volkmar , Kempfert Jörg
Published: April 2021

OBJECTIVES

The goal of the present study is to investigate changes in supra-aortic vessel perfusion after implantation of the non-covered Ascyrus Medical Dissection Stent (AMDS) for surgical treatment of acute type A aortic dissection.

METHODS

From 2017 to 2020, 16 consecutive patients treated with AMDS and involvement (dissection to total occlusion) of at least 1 supra-aortic vessel were included in the study. Centre-line based computed tomography measurements of true, false and total lumen area using Terarecon software were performed before and after surgery. Changes in the true lumen area were indexed to the entire vessel area. The paired sample t-test was used to assess the significance of the observed differences.

RESULTS

Analysis of supra-aortic vessels and the descending aorta showed significant improvement in true lumen perfusion after the AMDS was implanted. The indexed true lumen area increased postoperatively by 72%, 112% and 30% in the innominate, right and left common carotid arteries, respectively. Total occlusions of both common carotid arteries recovered completely after surgical treatment. The proximal- and the mid-descending aorta showed a 78% and 48% improvement of the indexed true lumen area, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Arch repair using AMDS shows promising results in the treatment of acute type A aortic dissection. Quantitative measurements of true and false lumen perfusion demonstrated a significant increase in true lumen area and a 100% regression of totally occluded supra-aortic branches. Further examination in a larger cohort of patients and comparison with isolated hemiarch repair are needed to confirm positive vascular remodelling after an AMDS implant.
Procurement modes for emergency supplies in the presence of disaster and commercial demands
Authors: Sun Xiaochen , Zhang Jinghui , Hu Wei
Published: April 2021

This paper studies alternative procurement modes for emergency supplies in the presence of a public sector and a private supplier. A key feature of such a supply chain is that the private supplier must consider commercial demand in addition to disaster demand. Three procurement modes are analysed: an option mode (OM), an order-before-disaster mode (OBDM) and a procurement-after-disaster mode (PADM). We provide the optimal decisions associated with these three modes. Theoretical results in the OM show that a large order is not always better for the private supplier. From theoretical and numerical comparative analyses, no mode is absolutely superior. For the public sector, there are two thresholds. When the disaster probability is less than the low threshold, the revenues of all procurement modes are the same; when the disaster probability is larger than the high threshold, the OBDM has the highest revenue; otherwise, the OM has the highest revenue. However, for the private supplier, the PADM always has the highest revenue.
Immuno-antibiotics: targeting microbial metabolic pathways sensed by unconventional T cells
Authors: Eberl Matthias , Oldfield Eric , Herrmann Thomas
Published: April 2021

Human Vγ9/Vδ2 T cells, mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, and other unconventional T cells are specialised in detecting microbial metabolic pathway intermediates that are absent in humans. The recognition by such semi-invariant innate-like T cells of compounds like (E)-4-hydroxy-3-methyl-but-2-enyl pyrophosphate (HMB-PP), the penultimate metabolite in the MEP isoprenoid biosynthesis pathway, and intermediates of the riboflavin biosynthesis pathway and their metabolites allows the immune system to rapidly sense pathogen-associated molecular patterns that are shared by a wide range of micro-organisms. Given the essential nature of these metabolic pathways for microbial viability, they have emerged as promising targets for the development of novel antibiotics. Here, we review recent findings that link enzymatic inhibition of microbial metabolism with alterations in the levels of unconventional T cell ligands produced by treated micro-organisms that have given rise to the concept of ‘immuno-antibiotics’: combining direct antimicrobial activity with an immunotherapeutic effect via modulation of unconventional T cell responses.
Primes and Polynomials With Restricted Digits
Authors: Maynard James
Published: April 2021

Let $q$ be a sufficiently large integer, and $a_0\in \{0,\dots ,q-1\}$. We show there are infinitely many prime numbers that do not have the digit $a_0$ in their base $q$ expansion. Similar results are obtained for values of a polynomial (satisfying the necessary local conditions) and if multiple digits are excluded.
Aperiodicity: The Almost Extension Property and Uniqueness of Pseudo-Expectations
Authors: Kwaśniewski Bartosz Kosma , Meyer Ralf
Published: April 2021

We prove implications among the conditions in the title for general $\text C^*$-inclusions $A\subseteq B$, and we also relate this to several other properties in case $B$ is a crossed product for an action of a group, inverse semigroup, or an étale groupoid on $A$. We show that if the $\text C^*$-inclusion is aperiodic it has a unique pseudo-expectations, and if, in addition, this pseudo-expectation is faithful, then $A$ supports $B$ in the sense of the Cuntz preorder. The almost extension property implies aperiodicity, and the converse holds if $B$ is separable. A crossed product inclusion has the almost extension property if and only if the dual groupoid of the action is topologically principal. Topologically free actions are always aperiodic. If $A$ is separable or of Type I, then topological freeness, aperiodicity and having a unique pseudo-expectation are equivalent to the condition that $A$ detects ideals in all $\text C^*$-algebras $C$ with $A\subseteq C \subseteq B$. If, in addition, $B$ is separable, then all these conditions are equivalent to the almost extension property.
A Silver Lining? Fewer Non–Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Respiratory Viruses During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic
Authors: Most Zachary M , Holcomb Michael , Jamieson Andrew R , Perl Trish M
Published: April 2021

Nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) have “flattened the curve” of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic; however the effect of these interventions on other respiratory viruses is unknown. We used aggregate level case count data for 8 respiratory viruses and compared the institutional and statewide case counts before and during the period that NPIs were active. We observed a 61% decrease (incidence rate ratio, 0.39; 95% confidence interval, .37–.41; P < .001) in non–severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 respiratory viral infections when NPIs were implemented. This finding, if further verified, should guide future public health initiatives to mitigate viral epidemics.
Keratinocyte IL-36 Receptor/MyD88 Signaling MediatesMalassezia-Induced IL-17–Dependent Skin Inflammation
Authors: Miyachi Hideaki , Wakabayashi Seiichiro , Sugihira Takashi , Aoyama Reika , Saijo Shinobu , Koguchi-Yoshioka Hanako , Fujimoto Manabu , Núñez Gabriel , Matsue Hiroyuki , Nakamura Yuumi
Published: April 2021

Background

Among skin commensal fungi, lipophilic Malassezia species exist on nearly all human skin surfaces. The pathophysiology of Malassezia-associated skin diseases remains poorly understood due in part to the lack of appropriate animal models. Our objective was to investigate the mechanisms underlying Malassezia-induced skin inflammation using a novel murine model that physiologically recapitulates Malassezia skin infection.

Methods

Mice were inoculated epicutaneously with Malassezia yeasts without barrier disruption and in the absence of external lipid supplementation. Skin inflammation, lesional fungal loads, and expression of cytokines and antimicrobial peptides were evaluated in wild-type and mutant mouse strains.

Results

Malassezia-induced skin inflammation and epidermal thickening were observed on day 4 after inoculation in wild-type mice. High fungal burdens were detected in the cornified layer on day 2 and decreased thereafter with near complete clearance by day 7 after inoculation. Malassezia-induced skin inflammation and fungal clearance by the host were interleukin-17 (IL-17) dependent with contribution of group 3 innate lymphoid cells. Moreover, IL-17–dependent skin inflammation was mediated through IL-36 receptor and keratinocyte MyD88 signaling.

Conclusion

Using a new skin infection model, it is shown that Malassezia-induced IL-17– dependent skin inflammation and control of fungal infection are mediated via keratinocyte IL-36 receptor/MyD88 signaling.
A reconfigurable microscale assay enables insights into cancer-associated fibroblast modulation of immune cell recruitment
Authors: Yu Jiaquan , Piazza Amber , Sparks Sidney , Hind Laurel E , Niles David J , Ingram Patrick N , Huang Wei , Ricke William A , Jarrard David F , Huttenlocher Anna , Basu Hirak , Beebe David J
Published: April 2021

Innate immune cell infiltration into neoplastic tissue is the first line of defense against cancer and can play a deterministic role in tumor progression. Here, we describe a series of assays, using a reconfigurable microscale assay platform (i.e. Stacks), which allows the study of immune cell infiltration in vitro with spatiotemporal manipulations. We assembled Stacks assays to investigate tumor–monocyte interactions, re-education of activated macrophages, and neutrophil infiltration. For the first time in vitro, the Stacks infiltration assays reveal that primary tumor-associated fibroblasts from specific patients differ from that associated with the benign region of the prostate in their ability to limit neutrophil infiltration as well as facilitate monocyte adhesion and anti-inflammatory monocyte polarization. These results show that fibroblasts play a regulatory role in immune cell infiltration and that Stacks has the potential to predict individual patients’ cancer-immune response.