bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psychosocial risk and health care utilization in pediatric sickle cell disease
Authors: Woodward Kerri E. , Johnson Yelena L. , Cohen Lindsey L. , Dampier Carlton , Sil Soumitri
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Pain and complications related to pediatric sickle cell disease (SCD) are associated with higher health care utilization. In other pediatric chronic conditions, psychosocial screening can help identify children and families at risk of increased health care utilization to guide resource allocation, address treatment needs, and improve care. This study aimed to investigate the utility of psychosocial screening in predicting increased health care utilization among youth with SCD.

Methods

Youth with SCD (n = 74, 8–18 years) and their parents were recruited from comprehensive SCD clinics. Parents completed the Psychosocial Assessment Tool (PAT), which categorized family psychosocial risk into one of three categories: Universal (minimal distress), Targeted (elevated distress), and Clinical (persistent distress). Youth reported on their pain characteristics, and health care utilization was extracted from medical chart review. Differences in health care utilization were evaluated using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and moderation analyses.

Results

Based on PAT risk, families were categorized into Universal (56.8%), Targeted (29.7%), and Clinical (13.5%) risk groups, with no significant group differences across demographic variables. Patients in the Targeted group reported significantly higher pain frequency than those in the Universal group (F[2, 66] = 3.7, p < .05). The association between pain frequency and health care utilization significantly varied on the basis of psychosocial risk, such that Clinical psychosocial risk strengthened the connection between pain frequency and health care utilization (β = .2, t = 2.1, p < .05).

Conclusions

Integrating the PAT into routine clinical care may help health care providers identify families in need of greater psychosocial or medical support to further optimize SCD management.
Comparative study of different carbon reinforcements at different length scales on the properties of polyvinyl alcohol composites
Authors: Alexander Rajath , Dinkar Ankit , Biswas Sujay , Dasgupta Kinshuk
Published: May 2021

Comparative studies on the mechanical behavior of the composites of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polymer with different carbon fillers such as multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT), functionalized CNT (f‐CNT), and short carbon fiber (Cf), having similar geometry (1D) but different length scale, have been carried out. Microstructural analysis reveals better distribution of second phases with f‐CNT and Cf compared with MWCNT. Fourier‐transform infrared spectra indicate the interaction of functional groups of CNTs with the polymeric chain of PVA. X‐ray diffraction analysis shows improvement of crystallinity upon addition of carbon filler. Defect analysis of carbon reinforcement is carried out using Raman spectroscopy. The strength of the composite is increased by 138% with MWCNT reinforcement, by 201.8% with f‐CNT reinforcement, and by 87.9% with Cf reinforcement. The fractographs show pullout, branching, and bridging as strengthening mechanisms for MWCNT and f‐CNT in the PVA matrix, whereas mainly pullout as strengthening mechanism for Cf–PVA composite.
Theoretical kinetic studies of ethynyl radical with n‐butane
Authors: Dash Manas Ranjan , Mishra Subhashree Subhadarsini
Published: May 2021

The rate coefficients of ethynyl radical reaction with n‐butane were computed for the first time using the canonical variational transition state theory (CVT) between 150 and 5000 K. The structures and frequencies of all the stationary points are computed at the M06‐2X/6‐31+G(d,p) level of theory. The potential energy surface scanned shows that two rotamers exist for n‐butane. Three different transition states were identified for each rotamers. The rate coefficients obtained over the temperature range of 150–500 K using the M06‐2X/6‐31+G(d,p) theory were used to derive the Arrhenius expression: k(T) = 1.35 × 10−17 T2.0 exp[1326/T] cm3 molecule−1 s−1. It is shown that the H‐abstraction from –CH2– group of n‐butane is the dominant reaction channel over the complete temperature range.
Ion transport and relaxation in phosphonium poly(ionic liquid) homo‐ and co‐polymers
Authors: Banerjee Palash , Pal Pulak , Ghosh Aswini , Mandal Tarun K.
Published: May 2021

In the present work, a poly(ionic liquid) (PIL), poly(triphenyl‐4‐vinylbenzylphosphonium chloride) and a series of its random copolymers with nonionic hydrophobic poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) are synthesized by conventional free radical polymerization (CFRP) and reversible addition‐fragmentation chain‐transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The understanding of some fundamental aspects about ion transport and relaxation mechanism in PIL and PIL copolymers are investigated using dielectric spectroscopy via several theoretical models. The influence of copolymer compositions, physical blending of neat PIL and PMMA, size of counter anions (Cl− and TFSI−) and variation of molecular weights on thermal stability, moisture sensitivity, ionic transport and relaxation properties are also studied. An enhancement of thermal stability and ionic transport property of the PIL copolymer is observed compared to those of the physically mixed blend of two homopolymers with same compositions. The incorporation of hydrophobic PMMA segment definitely decreases the moisture content in PIL copolymers than the PIL itself. In all these PIL‐ based systems, the temperature dependence of ionic conductivity, relaxation time and ion diffusivity are well described by Vogel‐Tammann‐Fulcher model. The studies of some fundamental properties of these new PIL copolymers with less moisture sensitivity may help in using them as potential polymer electrolytes in energy storage devices.
Nonsurgical management of dynamic pneumatocele via endobronchial administration of fibrin sealant
Authors: Klouda Timothy , Gunnlaugsson Sigfus , Shashi Kumar , Alomari Ahmad , Fishman Martha P. , Casey Alicia
Published: May 2021

A 12‐year‐old male was admitted to the Medical Intensive Care Unit for respiratory failure requiring temporary tracheostomy secondary to an extensive necrotizing methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia. Imaging revealed destructive bronchiectasis and multifocal lung abscesses, more advanced in the right lung. He was discharged home after 42‐day hospital admission. 3.5 months after his discharge, he re‐presented to the Emergency Department with a large right pneumothorax and a pneumatocele measuring 10.2 × 6.2 cm2. He was admitted to the hospital and while his pneumothorax resolved in 2 days, the size of the pneumatocele was noted to fluctuate with different phases of respiration. A computed tomography scan of the chest demonstrated a fistula between the pneumatocele and right upper lobe bronchus. Following discussion between Pulmonary medicine and Interventional radiology, transbronchial closure of the air leak was planned. Intubation was done with a dual‐lumen endotracheal tube. Bronchography was performed using a diagnostic catheter. A large air leak was noted from the anterior segment of the right upper lobe bronchus. Embolization of the fistula was performed using n‐butyl cyanoacrylate (nBCA, glue) injected through a second catheter under fluoroscopic guidance. The residual pneumatocele slowly resolved over 2 months. Endobronchial embolization has been described in the literature as a treatment strategy for air leaks, largely in adult patients. Endobronchial embolization of large pneumatoceles and bronchopleural fistulas may offer an alternative treatment option with less morbidity than the classic surgical approach.
Cystic fibrosis year in review 2020: Section 2 pulmonary disease, infections, and inflammation
Authors: Antos Nicholas J. , Savant Adrienne P.
Published: May 2021

The outlook for those with cystic fibrosis (CF) has never been brighter with ever increasing life expectancy and the approval of the highly effective CFTR modulators, such as elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor. With that being said, the progressive pulmonary decline and importance of lung health, infection, and inflammation in CF remains. This review is the second part in a three‐part CF Year in Review 2020. Part one focused on the literature related to CFTR modulators while part three will feature the multisystem effects related to CF. This review focuses on articles from Pediatric Pulmonology, including articles from other journals that are of particular interest to clinicians. Herein, we highlight studies published during 2020 related to CF pulmonary disease, infection, treatment, and diagnostics.
Effect of electro‐acupuncture at ST 36 on maternal food restriction‐induced lung phenotype in rat offspring
Authors: Mou Qiujie , Ji Bo , Zhao Guozhen , Liu Yitian , Sakurai Reiko , Xie Yana , Zhang Qin , Dai Jian , Lu Yawen , Ge Yunpeng , Shi Tianyu , Xu Shuang , Rehan Virender K.
Published: May 2021

Maternal food restriction (MFR) during pregnancy leads to pulmonary dysplasia in the newborn period and increases susceptibility to diseases, such as asthma and chronic lung disease, later in life. Previous studies have shown that maternal electro‐acupuncture (EA) applied to “Zusanli” (ST 36) could prevent the abnormal expression of key lung developmental signaling pathways and improve the lung morphology and function in perinatal nicotine exposed offspring. There is a significant overlap in lung developmental signaling pathways affected by perinatal nicotine exposure and MFR during pregnancy; however, whether maternal EA at ST 36 also blocks the MFR‐induced lung phenotype is unknown. Here, we examined the effects of EA applied to maternal ST 36 on lung morphology and function and the expression of key lung developmental signaling pathways, and the hypercorticoid state associated with MFR during pregnancy. These effects were compared with those of metyrapone, an intervention known to block MFR‐induced offspring hypercorticoid state and the resultant pulmonary pathology. Like metyrapone, maternal EA at ST 36 blocked the MFR‐induced changes in key developmental signaling pathways and protected the MFR‐induced changes in lung morphology and function. These results offer a novel and safe, nonpharmacologic approach to prevent MFR‐induced pulmonary dysplasia in offspring.
Landfalling tropical cyclone characteristics and their multi‐timescale variability connected to monsoon and easterly formation environments over the western North Pacific
Authors: Teng Hsu‐Feng , Done James M. , Kuo Ying‐Hwa
Published: May 2021

This study analyses the impacts of tropical cyclones (TCs) that formed in monsoon and easterly environments on the major coastlines of the western North Pacific (WNP) basin during 1981–2009. The TC formation processes, defined as the development of tropical cloud cluster to TC, associated with monsoon environments (monsoon trough, monsoon confluence, and north of monsoon trough) are categorized into monsoon‐type TCs (monsoon‐TCs). Similarly, those associated with easterly flow environments (easterly flow west and southwest of subtropical high) are categorized into easterly‐type TCs (easterly‐TCs). Monsoon‐TCs form farther westward and at lower latitudes than easterly‐TCs, contributing to higher landfall proportion on the coastal countries for monsoon‐TCs. Monsoon‐TCs have a higher probability of affecting southern China, Taiwan and Vietnam, while easterly‐TCs tend to affect eastern China, southern Japan and the Philippines. Monsoon‐TCs have more widely dispersed rainfall and slower translation speed during landfall than easterly‐TCs. These characteristics are consistent with stronger environmental moisture transport and weaker steering flow in monsoon environments. Landfalling TC intensity and size are not different between easterly‐ and monsoon‐TCs. Both easterly‐ and monsoon‐TCs have interannual (1–4 years) and interdecadal (8–11 years) variability, which are related to variability of the large‐scale monsoon trough. El Niño–Southern Oscillation is significantly correlated with the interannual variability of easterly‐ and monsoon‐TCs, and changes in the monsoon‐TC landfall proportion and easterly‐TC landfall intensity. The interdecadal variability mainly affects the background vorticity and cyclonic circulation, leading to changes in the formation number of easterly‐ and monsoon‐TCs. In summary, this study provides evidence for connections between multiscale variability of the large‐scale monsoon and easterly patterns, TC formation environments, and TC impacts on the WNP coasts.
Exophiala dermatitidis pneumonia with bronchiectasis required prolonged voriconazole treatment
Authors: Sekiguchi Ryo , Urabe Naohisa , Sakamoto Susumu , Sasaki Masakazu , Homma Sakae , Kishi Kazuma
Published: May 2021

Exophiala dermatitidis is a black fungus that rarely causes respiratory infection. We report a case of E. dermatitidis pneumonia with bronchiectasis that relapsed after 11 months of voriconazole (VRCZ) treatment in a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patient with bronchiectasis. A 65‐year‐old woman with RA and abnormal findings on chest radiography was referred for assessment of chronic cough and increased sputum production. She underwent bronchoscopy, and E. dermatitidis was identified from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Exophiala dermatitidis chronic lower respiratory tract infection and pneumonia were diagnosed. Although her condition improved after 11 months of VRCZ treatment, chest computed tomography (CT) images showed worsening at five months after the cessation of VRCZ treatment and E. dermatitidis was again detected in BALF. Re‐administration of VRCZ for two years improved symptoms and chest CT images, and her condition is currently stable. In patients with bronchiectasis, E. dermatitidis pneumonia might require prolonged antifungal treatment.
Versatile multilinked aerial robot with tilted propellers: Design, modeling, control, and state estimation for autonomous flight and manipulation
Authors: Zhao Moju , Anzai Tomoki , Shi Fan , Maki Toshiya , Nishio Takuzumi , Ito Keita , Kuromiya Naoki , Okada Kei , Inaba Masayuki
Published: May 2021

A multilinked structure can benefit aerial robots in terms of both maneuvering and manipulation owing to its ability of aerial transformation. A coplanar multilinked model was developed in our previous study. However, the maneuvering and manipulation performances of that model were limited owing to the weak controllability. Therefore, we adopt tilted propellers in this study to enhance controllability. The related design, modeling, and control method are developed to achieve stable hovering and transformation with tilted propellers. Further, state estimation which involves time synchronization between sensors and multilinked kinematics is also presented in this study to enable fully autonomous flight in outdoor environments. The experimental evaluation of the design, modeling, and control method is performed to verify stability during aerial transformation. While, various autonomous outdoor experiments including trajectory following, fast maneuvering for intercepting a target, object grasping for delivery, and blanket manipulation for firefighting are also performed to verify the versatility of the proposed robot platform. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of a multilinked aerial robot that can achieve fully autonomous flight and manipulation tasks in an outdoor environment. We also applied our platform in all challenges of the 2020 Mohammed Bin Zayed International Robotics Competition, and we ranked in the third place in Challenge 1 and in the sixth place in Challenge 3 internationally, thereby demonstrating the reliable flight performance in the fields.
An autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle system for fast exploration of large complex indoor environments
Authors: Krátký Vít , Petráček Pavel , Báča Tomáš , Saska Martin
Published: May 2021

This paper introduces an autonomous system employing multirotor unmanned aerial vehicles for fast 3D exploration and inspection of vast, unknown, dynamic, and complex environments containing large open spaces as well as narrow passages. The system exploits the advantage of small‐size aerial vehicles capable of carrying all necessary sensors and computational power while providing full autonomy and mobility in constrained unknown environments. Particular emphasis is put on the robustness of the algorithms with respect to challenging real‐world conditions and the real‐time performance of all algorithms that enable fast reactions to changes in environment and thus also provide effective use of limited flight time. The system presented here was employed as a part of a heterogeneous ground and aerial system in the modeled Search & Rescue scenario in an unfinished nuclear power plant during the Urban Circuit of the Subterranean Challenge (SubT Challenge) organized by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. The main goal of this simulated disastrous scenario is to autonomously explore and precisely localize specified objects in a completely unknown environment and to report their position before the end of the mission. The proposed system was part of the multirobot team that finished in third place overall and in first place among the self‐funded teams. The proposed unmanned aerial vehicle system outperformed all aerial systems participating in the SubT Challenge with respect to versatility, and it was also the self‐deployable autonomous aerial system that explored the largest part of the environment.
Commercially Developed Tests of Reading Comprehension: Gold Standard or Fool’s Gold?
Authors: Clemens Nathan H. , Fuchs Douglas
Published: May 2021

Many seem to believe that researcher‐made tests are unnecessary, if not inappropriate, for evaluating reading comprehension interventions. We suggest that this view reflects a zeitgeist in which researcher‐made (proximal) tests that align with the researchers’ interventions are closely scrutinized and often devalued, whereas commercially developed (distal) tests, typically unaligned with the researchers’ interventions, escape such examination and judgment. We take issue with the zeitgeist. We object to what appears as an unthoughtful rejection of proximal tests and acceptance of the distal ones. We do so first by discussing the multidimensionality of reading comprehension; then, we present evidence that commercial tests explore few of the construct’s many dimensions, differ among themselves in the dimensions they address, and often have little to do with the aims and substance of researchers’ comprehension interventions. We argue that these facts are reason enough to reconsider commercial tests as the gold standard in program evaluation. Finally, we make a case for the supplemental use of researcher‐made tests and offer a framework to help researchers develop tests of reading comprehension that align more and less with their intervention programs.
Structural Evolution of High‐Performance Mn‐Alloyed Thermoelectric Materials: A Case Study of SnTe
Authors: Sun Qiang , Chen Zhi‐Yu , Li Meng , Shi Xiao‐Lei , Xu Sheng‐Duo , Yin Yu , Dargusch Matthew , Zou Jin , Ang Ran , Chen Zhi‐Gang
Published: May 2021

Mn alloying in thermoelectrics is a long‐standing strategy for enhancing their figure‐of‐merit through optimizing electronic transport properties by band convergence, valley perturbation, or spin‐orbital coupling. By contrast, mechanisms by which Mn contributes to suppressing thermal transports, namely thermal conductivity, is still ambiguous. A few precedent studies indicate that Mn introduces a series of hierarchical defects from the nano‐ to meso‐scale, leading to effective phonon scattering scoping a wide frequency spectrum. Due to insufficient insights at the atomic level, the theory remains as phenomenological and cannot be used to quantitatively predict the thermal conductivity of Mn‐alloyed thermoelectrics. Herein, by choosing the SnTe as a case study, aberration‐corrected transmission electron microscopy (TEM)/scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) to characterize the lattice complexity of Sn1.02−xMnxTe is employed. Mn as a “dynamic” dopant that plays an important role in SnTe with respect to different alloying levels or post treatments is revealed. The results indicate that Mn precipitates at x = 0.08 prior to reaching solubility (≈10 mol%), and then splits into MnSn substitution and γ‐MnTe hetero‐phases via mechanical alloying. Understanding such unique crystallography evolution, combined with a modified Debye‐Callaway model, is critical in explaining the decreased thermal conductivity of Sn1.02−xMnxTe with rational phonon scattering pathways, which should be applicable for other thermoelectric systems.
Recent Advances on Electrospun Nanomaterials for Zinc–Air Batteries
Authors: Xia Chenfeng , Zhou Yansong , He Chaohui , Douka Abdoulkader Ibro , Guo Wei , Qi Kai , Xia Bao Yu
Published: May 2021

Zinc–air batteries have received increasing attention in energy storage and conversion technologies. However, several challenges still emerge in the development of high‐level zinc–air batteries. In this regard, electrospun materials with unique nanostructures and characteristics are applied in the high‐performance zinc–air batteries. This work reviews recent progress of electrospun technologies for their diverse application in novel zinc anodes, separators, and air cathodes in zinc–air batteries. After a brief introduction, the fundamental principle and technological parameter of electrospinning technology are discussed, and then multifunctional electrospun nanofiber materials including their fabrication procedures, structures, and electrochemical properties are reviewed in the application of zinc–air batteries. Finally, urgent challenges and opportunities are comprehensively proposed for the electrospun nanomaterials in zinc–air batteries. This work intends to offer readable report for electrospun technology toward their application in zinc–air batteries, which inspires more fabrication approaches and material innovations in energy conversion and storage technologies.
Controlled Construction of Copper Phthalocyanine/α‐Fe2O3 Ultrathin S‐Scheme Heterojunctions for Efficient Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction under Wide Visible‐Light Irradiation
Authors: Mu Zhiyuan , Chen Shuangying , Wang Ying , Zhang Ziqing , Li Zhijun , Xin Baifu , Jing Liqiang
Published: May 2021

The wide visible‐light‐driven CO2 reduction to acquire solar fuels is a highly desired green route. Herein, novel ultrathin copper phthalocyanine (CuPc)/α‐Fe2O3 heterojunctions as efficient wide visible‐light‐driven photocatalysts for CO2 reduction are controllably synthesized by the hydroxyl‐induced self‐assembly of CuPc onto ultrathin α‐Fe2O3 as‐pre‐prepared through an Al3+‐regulated hydrothermal method. The optimized CuPc/Fe2O3 heterojunction exhibits about 15‐fold high photoactivity for reducing CO2 to CO and CH4 compared with reported Fe2O3 nanoparticles. The exceptional photoactivity is mainly attributed to the enhanced S‐scheme charge transfer and separation in the resulting closely contacted heterojunction, the extended visible‐light range from molecularly disperse CuPc, and its provided central metal cation (Cu2+) with favorable catalytic function for CO2 activation, mainly by means of the dual‐wavelength photocurrent action spectra, the electrochemical reduction tests, and the in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectra (DRIFTS). This investigation provides new insight about designing and constructing novel metal phthalocyanine (MPc)‐involved S‐scheme heterojunction photocatalysts.
Co‐infection analysis of bacterial and viral respiratory pathogens from clinically healthy swine in Eastern China
Authors: Zhu Haodan , Chang Xinjian , Zhou Jinzhu , Wang Dandan , Zhou Junming , Fan Baochao , Ni Yanxiu , Yin Jie , Lv Lixin , Zhao Yongxiang , He Kongwang , Li Bin
Published: May 2021

Porcine respiratory disease complex (PRDC) is one of the most challenging health concerns for pig production worldwide. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of pathogens associated with PRDC, including porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and bacterial agents, such as Streptococcus suis, Haemophilus parasuis and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, in clinically healthy pigs in Eastern China. Molecular detection revealed positive single‐pathogen detection rates of 59.9%, 27.2%, 52.3%, 33.2% and 0.4% for PCV2, PRRSV, S. suis, H. parasuis and A. pleuropneumoniae, respectively. Co‐infection with more than one pathogen was frequently detected in these samples, with PCV2/S. suis, H. parasuis and PCV2/H. parasuis mixed infection rates of 35.4%, 33.2% and 21.6%, respectively, and PCV2/S. suis/H. parasuis and PRRSV/PCV2/S. suis co‐infection rates of 21.6% and 6.2%, respectively. These results suggest that mixed infections are prevalent among PRDC cases in swine, which may pose a greater threat to the health of herds compared with single‐pathogen infections.
Text‐based question answering from information retrieval and deep neural network perspectives: A survey
Authors: Abbasiantaeb Zahra , Momtazi Saeedeh
Published: May 2021

Text‐based question answering (QA) is a challenging task which aims at finding short concrete answers for users' questions. This line of research has been widely studied with information retrieval (IR) techniques and has received increasing attention in recent years by considering deep neural network approaches. Deep learning (DL) approaches, which are the main focus of this paper, provide a powerful technique to learn multiple layers of representations and interaction between the questions and the answer sentences. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive overview of different models proposed for the QA task, including both a traditional IR perspective and a more recent deep neural network environment. We also introduce well‐known datasets for the task and present available results from the literature to have a comparison between different techniques.

This article is categorized under:

Algorithmic Development > Text Mining

Technologies > Machine Learning
Boosting endoplasmic reticulum folding capacity reduces unfolded protein response activation and intracellular accumulation of human kidney anion exchanger 1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Li Xiaobing , Cordat Emmanuelle , Schmitt Manfred J. , Becker Björn
Published: May 2021

Human kidney anion exchanger 1 (kAE1) facilitates simultaneous efflux of bicarbonate and absorption of chloride at the basolateral membrane of α‐intercalated cells. In these cells, kAE1 contributes to systemic acid–base balance along with the proton pump v‐H+‐ATPase and the cytosolic carbonic anhydrase II. Recent electron microscopy analyses in yeast demonstrate that heterologous expression of several kAE1 variants causes a massive accumulation of the anion transporter in intracellular membrane structures. Here, we examined the origin of these kAE1 aggregations in more detail. Using various biochemical techniques and advanced light and electron microscopy, we showed that accumulation of kAE1 mainly occurs in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes which eventually leads to strong unfolded protein response (UPR) activation and severe growth defect in kAE1 expressing yeast cells. Furthermore, our data indicate that UPR activation is dose dependent and uncoupled from the bicarbonate transport activity. By using truncated kAE1 variants, we identified the C‐terminal region of kAE1 as crucial factor for the increased ER stress level. Finally, a redistribution of ER‐localized kAE1 to the cell periphery was achieved by boosting the ER folding capacity. Our findings not only demonstrate a promising strategy for preventing intracellular kAE1 accumulation and improving kAE1 plasma membrane targeting but also highlight the versatility of yeast as model to investigate kAE1‐related research questions including the analysis of structural features, protein degradation and trafficking. Furthermore, our approach might be a promising strategy for future analyses to further optimize the cell surface targeting of other disease‐related PM proteins, not only in yeast but also in mammalian cells.
NNLO QCD corrections to leptonic observables in top-quark pair production and decay
Authors: Czakon Michał , Mitov Alexander , Poncelet Rene
Published: May 2021

Abstract

We calculate a comprehensive set of spin correlations and differential distributions in top-quark pair production and decay to dilepton final states. Our calculation is performed in the Narrow Width Approximation. This is the first time such a complete study is performed at next-to-next-to leading order in QCD. Both inclusive and fiducial distributions are presented and analyzed. Good agreement between NNLO QCD predictions and data is found. We demonstrate that it is possible to perform high-precision comparisons of fixed-order calculations with fiducial-level data. Subtleties of the top quark definition are raised and clarified. Some of those are found to have a very significant impact on top-quark pair production at absolute threshold.
Interpolation and Sampling with Exponential Splines of Real Order
Authors: Massopust Peter
Published: May 2021

The existence of fundamental cardinal exponential B-splines of positive real order $$\sigma $$
σ
is established subject to two conditions on $$\sigma $$
σ
and their construction is implemented. A sampling result for these fundamental cardinal exponential B-splines is also presented.
Using probabilistic genotypes in linkage analysis of polyploids
Authors: Liao Yanlin , Voorrips Roeland E. , Bourke Peter M. , Tumino Giorgio , Arens Paul , Visser Richard G. F. , Smulders Marinus J. M. , Maliepaard Chris
Published: May 2021

Key message

In polyploids, linkage mapping is carried out using genotyping with discrete dosage scores. Here, we use probabilistic genotypes and we validate it for the construction of polyploid linkage maps.

Marker genotypes are generally called as discrete values: homozygous versus heterozygous in the case of diploids, or an integer allele dosage in the case of polyploids. Software for linkage map construction and/or QTL analysis usually relies on such discrete genotypes. However, it may not always be possible, or desirable, to assign definite values to genotype observations in the presence of uncertainty in the genotype calling. Here, we present an approach that uses probabilistic marker dosages for linkage map construction in polyploids. We compare our method to an approach based on discrete dosages, using simulated SNP array and sequence reads data with varying levels of data quality. We validate our approach using experimental data from a potato (Solanum tuberosumL.) SNP array applied to an F1 mapping population. In comparison to the approach based on discrete dosages, we mapped an additional 562 markers. All but three of these were mapped to the expected chromosome and marker position. For the remaining three markers, no physical position was known. The use of dosage probabilities is of particular relevance for map construction in polyploids using sequencing data, as these often result in a higher level of uncertainty regarding allele dosage.
Smooth 2-Group Extensions and Symmetries of Bundle Gerbes
Authors: Bunk Severin , Müller Lukas , Szabo Richard J.
Published: May 2021

We study bundle gerbes on manifolds M that carry an action of a connected Lie group G. We show that these data give rise to a smooth 2-group extension of G by the smooth 2-group of hermitean line bundles on M. This 2-group extension classifies equivariant structures on the bundle gerbe, and its non-triviality poses an obstruction to the existence of equivariant structures. We present a new global approach to the parallel transport of a bundle gerbe with connection, and use it to give an alternative construction of this smooth 2-group extension in terms of a homotopy-coherent version of the associated bundle construction. We apply our results to give new descriptions of nonassociative magnetic translations in quantum mechanics and the Faddeev–Mickelsson–Shatashvili anomaly in quantum field theory. We also propose a definition of smooth string 2-group models within our geometric framework. Starting from a basic gerbe on a compact simply-connected Lie group G, we prove that the smooth 2-group extensions of G arising from our construction provide new models for the string group of G.
Multi-year assessment of variability in spatial and social relationships in a subterranean rodent, the highland tuco-tuco (Ctenomys opimus)
Authors: O’Brien Shannon L. , Tammone Mauro N. , Cuello Pablo A. , Lacey Eileen A.
Published: May 2021

In some species, populations routinely contain a mixture of lone and group-living individuals. Such facultative sociality may reflect individual differences in behavior as well as adaptive responses to variation in local environmental conditions. To explore interactions between individual- and population-level variabilities in behavior in a species provisionally described as facultatively social, we examined spatial and social relationships within a population of highland tuco-tucos (Ctenomys opimus) at Laguna de los Pozuelos, Jujuy Province, Argentina. Using data collected over 5 consecutive years, we sought to (1) confirm the regular occurrence of both lone and group-living individuals and (2) characterize the temporal consistency of individual social relationships. Our analyses revealed that although the study population typically contained lone as well as group-living animals, individual spatial and social relationships varied markedly over time. Specifically, the extent to which individuals remained resident in the same location across years varied, as did the number of conspecifics with which an animal lived, with an overall tendency for individuals to live in larger groups over successive years. Collectively, these analyses indicate that population-level patterns of behavior inC. opimusare consistent with facultative sociality but that this variation does not arise due to persistent differences in individual behavior (i.e., living alone versus with conspecifics). Instead, based on changes in spatial and social relationships across years, we suggest that variation in the tendency to live in groups is shaped primarily by local ecological and demographic conditions.

Significance statement

Characterizing variation in conspecific relationships is critical to understanding the adaptive bases for social behavior. Using data collected over 5 successive years, we examined temporal variation in spatial and social relationships within a population of highland tuco-tucos (C. opimus) from northern Argentina. In addition to providing the first multi-year assessment of the behavior and demography of this species, our analyses generate important insights into relationships between individual behavior and population-level patterns of social organization. The behavioral variability evident in our study population suggests thatC. opimusis an ideal system in which to explore the causes and consequences of individual differences in social behavior.
Minimally Invasive Oncologic Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery can be Performed Safely on all Weekdays: A Nationwide Cohort Study
Authors: Voeten Daan M. , Elfrink Arthur K. E. , Gisbertz Suzanne S. , Ruurda Jelle P. , van Hillegersberg Richard , van Berge Henegouwen Mark I.
Published: May 2021

Background

Existing literature suggests deteriorating surgical outcome of esophagogastric surgery as the week progresses. However, these studies were conducted in the pre‐centralization and pre‐minimally invasive era. In addition, they failed to correct for fixed weekdays of esophagogastric cancer surgery among hospitals. This study aimed to describe the impact of weekday of minimally invasive upper gastrointestinal surgery on short‐term surgical outcomes.

Methods

All patients registered in the Dutch Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Audit who underwent curative minimally invasive esophageal or gastric carcinoma surgery in 2015–2019, were included in this nationwide cohort study. Using multilevel multivariable logistic regression, the impact of weekday of surgery on 14 short‐term surgical outcomes was investigated. To correct for interhospital variance in fixed weekday(s) of surgery multilevel analyses was used. Results were adjusted for patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics using multivariable logistic regression analyses.

Results

This study included 4,102 patients undergoing minimally invasive upper gastrointestinal surgery (2,968 esophageal cancer and 1,134 gastric cancer patients). Weekday of surgery did not impact postoperative complications, severe postoperative complications, surgical/technical complications, medical complications, anastomotic leakage, complicated postoperative course, failure to rescue, surgical radicality, lymph node yield, 30‐day/in‐hospital mortality, reinterventions, length of ICU stay, 30‐day readmission, and textbook outcome after neither esophageal cancer nor gastric cancer surgery.

Conclusions

Minimally invasive esophagogastric surgery can be performed safely on all weekdays with respect to short‐term surgical outcomes, which is important information for operation room scheduling.
Concentrations-dependent effect of exogenous abscisic acid on photosynthesis, growth and phenolic content of Dracocephalum moldavica L. under drought stress
Authors: Khaleghnezhad Vahideh , Yousefi Ali Reza , Tavakoli Afshin , Farajmand Bahman , Mastinu Andrea
Published: May 2021

Main Conclusion

The drought conditions and the application of ABA reduce the photosynthetic activity, and the processes related to the transpiration of Dracocephalum moldavica L. At the same time, the plant increases the production of phenolic compounds and essential oil as a response to stress conditions.

In the semi-arid regions, drought stress is the most important environmental limitations for crop production. Abscisic acid (ABA) plays a crucial role in the reactions of plants towards environmental stress such as drought. Field experiments for two consecutive years in 2016 and 2017 were conducted to evaluate the effect of three watering regimes (well-watered, moderate and severe drought) and five exogenous ABA concentrations (0, 5, 10, 20 and 40 μM) on growth, photosynthesis, total phenolic and essential oil content of Dracocephalum moldavica L. Without ABA application, the highest photosynthetic rate (6.1 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1) was obtained under well-watered condition and, moderate and severe drought stress decreased photosynthesis rate by 26.39% and 34.43%, respectively. Some growth parameters such as stem height, leaf area, leaf dry weight and biological yield were also reduced by drought stress. ABA application showed a decreasing trend in photosynthesis rate and mentioned plant growth parameters under all moisture regimes. The highest seed yield (1243.56 kg ha−1) was obtained under well-watered condition without ABA application. Increasing ABA concentration decreased seed yield in all moisture regimes. The highest total phenolic content (8.9 mg g−1 FW) and essential oil yield (20.58 kg ha−1) were obtained from 20 and 5 μM ABA concentration, respectively, under moderate drought stress.
Extensive divergence of projections to the forebrain from neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus
Authors: Li Sa , Dong Xinwen , Kirouac Gilbert J.
Published: May 2021

Neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) respond to emotionally salient events and project densely to subcortical regions known to mediate adaptive behavioral responses. The areas of the forebrain most densely innervated by the PVT include striatal-like subcortical regions that consist of the shell of the nucleus accumbens (NAcSh), the dorsolateral region of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BSTDL) and the lateral-capsular division of the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeL). A recent tracing experiment demonstrated that the PVT is composed of two intermixed populations of neurons that primarily project to either the dorsomedial (dmNAcSh) or ventromedial region of the NAcSh (vmNAcSh) with many of the vmNAcSh projecting neurons providing collateral innervation of the BSTDL and CeL. The present study used triple injections of the retrograde tracer cholera toxin B to provide a detailed map of the location of PVT neurons that provide collaterals to the vmNAcSh, BSTDL and CeL. These neurons were intermixed throughout the PVT and did not form uniquely localized subpopulations. An intersectional viral anterograde tracing approach was used to demonstrate that regardless of its presumed target of innervation (dmNAcSh, vmNAcSh, BSTDL, or CeL), most neurons in the PVT provide collateral innervation to a common set of forebrain regions. The paper shows that PVT-dmNAcSh projecting neurons provide the most divergent projection system and that these neurons express the immediate early gene product cFos following an aversive incident. We propose that the PVT may regulate a broad range of responses to physiological and psychological challenges by simultaneously influencing functionally diverse regions of the forebrain that include the cortex, striatal-like regions in the basal forebrain and a number of hypothalamic nuclei.
Climate change impacts on potential maize yields in Gambella Region, Ethiopia
Authors: Degife Azeb W. , Zabel Florian , Mauser Wolfram
Published: May 2021

Changing climate conditions are supposed to have particularly strong impacts on agricultural production in the tropics with strong implications on food security. Ethiopia’s economy is profoundly dominated by agriculture, contributing to around 40% of the gross domestic product. Thereby, Ethiopia is one of the most vulnerable countries to the impact of climate change and has a wide gap in regional climate change impact studies. In this study, we systematically investigate climate change impacts on yields for the Gambella region in Ethiopia, exemplarily for maize. Here, we show how yields change until 2100 for RCPs 2.6, 4.5, and 8.5 from a climate model ensemble under rainfed and irrigated conditions. While rainfed yields decrease by 15% and 14% respectively for RCPs 2.6 and 4.5, yields decrease by up to 32% under RCP 8.5. Except for RCP 8.5, yields are not further decreasing after 2040–2069. We found that temperature increase, changing soil water availability, and atmospheric CO2 concentration have different effects on the simulated yield potential. Our results demonstrate the dominance of heat response under future climate conditions in the tropical Gambella region, contributing to 85% of total yield changes. Accordingly, irrigation will lose effectiveness for increasing yield when temperature becomes the limiting factor. CO2, on the other hand, contributes positively to yield changes by 8.9% for RCP 8.5. For all scenarios, the growing period is shorted due to increasing temperature by up to 29 days for RCP 8.5. Our results suggest that new varieties with higher growing degree days are primarily required to the region for adapting to future climate conditions.
Arsenic, cadmium, lead and thallium in coal ash from individual household furnaces
Authors: Kleszcz Krzysztof , Karoń Iwona , Zagrodzki Paweł , Paśko Paweł
Published: May 2021

52 coal ash samples from individual households were analyzed to determine the pH and the concentrations of four toxic elements: arsenic, cadmium, lead and thallium. The method used was atomic absorption spectrometry with graphite-furnace atomization. The ash samples originated from various coal grades and statistical analysis showed existing correlations between the concentrations of studied elements, pH and the coal grades. The maximum concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, lead and thallium were 50,900, 43,500, 128,900, and 6660 µg/kg, respectively. The results were compared with the published data for the ash of industrial origin.
Correction to: A general framework for classifying costing methods for economic evaluation of health care
Authors: Špacírová Zuzana , Epstein David , García-Mochón Leticia , Rovira Joan , Olry de Labry Lima Antonio , Espín Jaime
Published: May 2021

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10198-021-01313-0
Terraced landscapes of the Shouf Biosphere Reserve (Lebanon): analysis of geomorphological variables
Authors: Corrieri Federica , Piras Francesco , Abou Assi Marwa , Focacci Marco , Conti Leonardo
Published: May 2021

This work aims to characterize the agricultural heritage system surrounding the Shouf Biosphere Reserve (SBR) in Lebanon, through a landscape analysis based on assessing current ecosystems. In the past, the SBR landscape was intensively terraced and cultivated to produce many different crops. Today, although the terraced surface has been reduced, it is still a characteristic of the area, encouraging the quality of the landscape and increasing local biodiversity. During and after the war (the 1950s), the migration of population caused the abandonment of many cultivated terraces with the loss of a wide range of ecosystem services. This trend should be reversed to ensure these ecosystem services. The diversity of the land uses, and the richness of fauna and flora species raise the importance of the role of the SBR in maintaining the complex ecosystem and increasing its resilience capacity. The objectives of preserving biocultural diversity and traditional local agricultural practices can be achieved through sustainable development policies for the dynamic conservation of landscapes. In this study, it was shown that distance from roads to terraced areas is a fundamental factor in the preservation and maintenance of terraces. As well as the aspect and the slope influence the positioning of the terraces and therefore the species cultivated on them.
Psychological and Physiological Effects of Imagery Rescripting for Aversive Autobiographical Memories
Authors: Strohm Miriam , Siegesleitner Marena , Kunze Anna E. , Werner Gabriela G. , Ehring Thomas , Wittekind Charlotte E.
Published: May 2021

Background

Imagery Rescripting (ImRs) is a promising intervention to reduce symptoms associated with aversive memories, but little is known about its working mechanisms. The present study investigates whether ImRs increases perceived mastery and attenuates emotional reactivity to memory retrieval on a subjective and physiological level.

Methods

Seventy-nine individuals reporting memories of distressing real-life events were randomly allocated to ImRs, positive imagery (PI), or no-intervention control (NIC). The memory was reactivated before the intervention and at 1-week follow-up to assess subjective measures and physiological reactivity (heart rate [HR], skin conductance level [SCL], and facial electromyography activity [EMG]) during memory retrieval.

Results

ImRs was superior to PI and NIC on subjective memory distress and helplessness, but not on other emotions. ImRs did not exceed PI and NIC in reducing state stress symptoms or increasing perceived mastery. Physiological reactivity (HR, EMG) decreased from pre-intervention to follow-up with no differences between groups.

Conclusions

Positive effects of ImRs on helplessness and distress were found. Null findings regarding mastery might result from timing of its assessment or the fact that rather high-functioning participants were included. The lack of between group differences on physiological responses indicates that ImRs did not exceed habituation effects in the present sample.