bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Arterial carbon dioxide and bicarbonate rather than pH regulate cerebral blood flow in the setting of acute experimental metabolic alkalosis
Authors: Caldwell Hannah G. , Howe Connor A. , Chalifoux Carter J. , Hoiland Ryan L. , Carr Jay M. J. R. , Brown Courtney V. , Patrician Alexander , Tremblay Joshua C. , Panerai Ronney B. , Robinson Thompson G. , Minhas Jatinder S. , Ainslie Philip N.
Published: January 2021

Key points

We investigated the influence of arterial () with and without acutely elevated arterial pH and bicarbonate ([HCO3–]) on cerebral blood flow (CBF) regulation in the internal carotid artery and vertebral artery.

We assessed stepwise iso‐oxic alterations in (i.e. cerebrovascular CO2 reactivity) prior to and following i.v. sodium bicarbonate infusion (NaHCO3–) to acutely elevate arterial pH and [HCO3–].

Total CBF was unchanged irrespective of a higher arterial pH at each matched stage of , indicating that CBF is acutely regulated by rather than arterial pH.

The cerebrovascular responses to changes in arterial H+/pH were altered in keeping with the altered relationship between and H+/pH following NaHCO3– infusion (i.e. changes in buffering capacity).

Total CBF was ∼7% higher following NaHCO3– infusion during isocapnic breathing providing initial evidence for a direct vasodilatory influence of HCO3– independent of levels.

Cerebral blood flow (CBF) regulation is dependent on the integrative relationship between arterial (), pH and cerebrovascular tone; however, pre‐clinical studies indicate that intrinsic sensitivity to pH, independent of changes in or intravascular bicarbonate ([HCO3–]), principally influences cerebrovascular tone. Eleven healthy males completed a standardized cerebrovascular CO2 reactivity (CVR) test utilizing radial artery catheterization and Duplex ultrasound (CBF); consisting of matched stepwise iso‐oxic alterations in (hypocapnia: –5, –10 mmHg; hypercapnia: +5, +10 mmHg) prior to and following i.v. sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3–; 8.4%, 50 mEq 50 mL–1) to elevate pH (7.408 ± 0.020 vs. 7.461 ± 0.030; P < 0.001) and [HCO3–] (26.1 ± 1.4 vs. 29.3 ± 0.9 mEq L–1; P < 0.001). Absolute CBF was not different at each stage of CO2 reactivity (P = 0.629) following NaHCO3–, irrespective of a higher pH (P < 0.001) at each matched stage of (P = 0.927). Neither hypocapnic (3.44 ± 0.92 vs. 3.44 ± 1.05% per mmHg ; P = 0.499), nor hypercapnic (7.45 ± 1.85 vs. 6.37 ± 2.23% per mmHg ; P = 0.151) reactivity to were altered pre‐ to post‐NaHCO3–. When indexed against arterial [H+], the relative hypocapnic CVR was higher (P = 0.019) and hypercapnic CVR was lower (P = 0.025) following NaHCO3–, respectively. These changes in reactivity to [H+] were, however, explained by alterations in buffering between and arterial H+/pH consequent to NaHCO3–. Lastly, CBF was higher (688 ± 105 vs. 732 ± 89 mL min–1, 7% ± 12%; P = 0.047) following NaHCO3– during isocapnic breathing providing support for a direct influence of HCO3– on cerebrovascular tone independent of . These data indicate that in the setting of acute metabolic alkalosis, CBF is regulated by rather than arterial pH.
A Modern Review on Jet Impingement Heat Transfer Methods
Authors: Ekkad Srinath V. , Singh Prashant
Published: January 2021

Jet impingement cooling is considered as one of the most effective heat transfer enhancement techniques. The primary mode of heat transfer enhancement is due to the flow stagnation. The effectiveness of jet impingement as a cooling technique is well documented; however, the application of jet impingement to different problems has been hindered by inability of manufacturing methods to incorporate impingement systems easily into cooling designs. Impingement heat transfer effectiveness can be further improved by improving the jet strength by modifying the jet holes, enhancing surface features, or adding swirl. With an increased usage of this cooling technique and additional modifications in geometry to further enhance the heat transfer capacity to suit different applications, this paper provides a much-needed review of the advancements in the effectiveness of this cooling technique. A comprehensive look at impingement cooling over a variety of modifications and applications with a focus on improved manufacturing techniques impacting novel design and implementation is provided for a variety of heat transfer enhancement applications.
Vocal drum sounds in human beatboxing: An acoustic and articulatory exploration using electromagnetic articulography
Authors: Paroni Annalisa , Henrich Bernardoni Nathalie , Savariaux Christophe , Lœvenbruck Hélène , Calabrese Pascale , Pellegrini Thomas , Mouysset Sandrine , Gerber Silvain
Published: January 2021

Acoustic characteristics, lingual and labial articulatory dynamics, and ventilatory behaviors were studied on a beatboxer producing twelve drum sounds belonging to five main categories of his repertoire (kick, snare, hi-hat, rimshot, cymbal). Various types of experimental data were collected synchronously (respiratory inductance plethysmography, electroglottography, electromagnetic articulography, and acoustic recording). Automatic unsupervised classification was successfully applied on acoustic data with t-SNE spectral clustering technique. A cluster purity value of 94% was achieved, showing that each sound has a specific acoustic signature. Acoustical intensity of sounds produced with the humming technique was found to be significantly lower than their non-humming counterparts. For these sounds, a dissociation between articulation and breathing was observed. Overall, a wide range of articulatory gestures was observed, some of which were non-linguistic. The tongue was systematically involved in the articulation of the explored beatboxing sounds, either as the main articulator or as accompanying the lip dynamics. Two pulmonic and three non-pulmonic airstream mechanisms were identified. Ejectives were found in the production of all the sounds with bilabial occlusion or alveolar occlusion with egressive airstream. A phonetic annotation using the IPA alphabet was performed, highlighting the complexity of such sound production and the limits of speech-based annotation.
Pre-low raising in Cantonese and Thai: Effects of speech rate and vowel quantity
Authors: Lee Albert , Prom-on Santitham , Xu Yi
Published: January 2021

Although pre-low raising (PLR) has been extensively studied as a type of contextual tonal variation, its underlying mechanism is barely understood. This paper explored the effects of phonetic vs phonological duration on PLR in Cantonese and Thai and examined how speech rate and vowel quantity interact with its realization in these languages, respectively. The results for Cantonese revealed that PLR always occurred before a large falling excursion (i.e., high-low); in other tonal contexts, it was observed more often in faster speech. In the Thai corpus, PLR also occurred before large falling excursions, and there was more PLR in short vowels. These results are discussed in terms of possible accounts of the underlying mechanism of PLR.
A noninflammatory mRNA vaccine for treatment of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Authors: Krienke Christina , Kolb Laura , Diken Elif , Streuber Michael , Kirchhoff Sarah , Bukur Thomas , Akilli-Öztürk Özlem , Kranz Lena M. , Berger Hendrik , Petschenka Jutta , Diken Mustafa , Kreiter Sebastian , Yogev Nir , Waisman Ari , Karikó Katalin , Türeci Özlem , Sahin Ugur
Published: January 2021

Precision therapy for immune tolerance

Autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), result from a breach of immunological self-tolerance and tissue damage by autoreactive T lymphocytes. Current treatments can cause systemic immune suppression and side effects such as increased risk of infections. Krienke
et al.
designed a messenger RNA vaccine strategy that lacks adjuvant activity and delivers MS autoantigens into lymphoid dendritic cells. This approach expands a distinct type of antigen-specific effector regulatory T cell that suppresses autoreactivity against targeted autoantigens and promotes bystander suppression of autoreactive T cells against other myelin-specific autoantigens. In mouse models of MS, the vaccine delayed the onset and reduced the severity of established disease without showing overt symptoms of general immune suppression.

Science
, this issue p.
145
Characterization of a common progenitor pool of the epicardium and myocardium
Authors: Tyser Richard C. V. , Ibarra-Soria Ximena , McDole Katie , Arcot Jayaram Satish , Godwin Jonathan , van den Brand Teun A. H. , Miranda Antonio M. A. , Scialdone Antonio , Keller Philipp J. , Marioni John C. , Srinivas Shankar
Published: January 2021

Forming the early heart

The heart is the first organ to form during development and is critical for the survival of the embryo. The precise molecular identities of the various cell types that make up the heart during these early stages remain poorly defined. Tyser
et al.
used a combination of transcriptomic, imaging, and genetic lineage–labeling approaches to profile the molecular identity and precise locations of cells involved in the formation of the mouse embryonic heart. This approach allowed them to identify the earliest known progenitor of the epicardium, the outermost layer of the heart, which is an important source of signals and cells during cardiac development and injury.

Science
, this issue p.
eabb2986
Carbonaceous chondrite meteorites experienced fluid flow within the past million years
Authors: Turner Simon , McGee Lucy , Humayun Munir , Creech John , Zanda Brigitte
Published: January 2021

Recent fluid flow in ancient meteorites

Carbonaceous chondritic meteorites are thought to be fragments broken off parent bodies that orbit in the outer Solar System, largely unaltered since their formation. These meteorites contain evidence of reactions with liquid water that was thought to have been lost or completely frozen billions of years ago. Turner
et al.
examined uranium and thorium isotopes in several carbonaceous chondrites, finding nonequilibrium distributions that imply that uranium ions were transported by fluid flow. Because this signature disappears after several half-lives of the radioactive isotopes, the meteorites must have been exposed to liquid within the past million years. The authors suggest that ice may have melted during the impacts that ejected the meteorites from their parent bodies.

Science
, this issue p.
164
Lithium pollution of a white dwarf records the accretion of an extrasolar planetesimal
Authors: Kaiser B. C. , Clemens J. C. , Blouin S. , Dufour P. , Hegedus R. J. , Reding J. S. , Bédard A.
Published: January 2021

Potassium and lithium on a white dwarf

White dwarfs are dense stellar remnants left when a dying parent star throws off its outer layers. The high gravitational fields should cause heavy elements to rapidly sink below the white dwarf surface. Nevertheless some “polluted” white dwarfs have evidence for those materials on their surface, which is thought to be due to the recent accretion of rocky bodies from a surrounding planetary system. Kaiser
et al.
report a white dwarf with pollution by potassium and lithium. This observation provides a record of the composition of the accreted rocky bodies and of the Galactic lithium abundance when the planetary system formed, billions of years ago.

Science
, this issue p.
168
Pre–T cell receptors topologically sample self-ligands during thymocyte β-selection
Authors: Li Xiaolong , Mizsei Réka , Tan Kemin , Mallis Robert J. , Duke-Cohan Jonathan S. , Akitsu Aoi , Tetteh Paul W. , Dubey Abhinav , Hwang Wonmuk , Wagner Gerhard , Lang Matthew J. , Arthanari Haribabu , Wang Jia-huai , Reinherz Ellis L.
Published: January 2021

PreTCRs use horizontal docking geometry

The T cell receptor (TCR) recognizes peptide-bound major histocompatibility complex molecules (pMHCs) and consists of an α chain in association with a β chain. Both chains have hypervariable complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) that inform whether a particular TCR can recognize a given pMHC. To successfully graduate from the thymus, aspiring αβT cells must generate a functional TCR. During one early checkpoint in this process, the β chain is first paired with a preTβ chain to form the preTCR. Li
et al.
used x-ray crystallography to visualize how preTCRs recognize pMHCs. They report that the CDR3 loop of the preTCR β chain contacts the pMHC with a distinctive lateral topography. This is in contrast to the established binding modality of mature TCRs, whereby all three CDR loops on both α and β chains bind in a vertical orientation. These complexes help solve the mystery of how only functionally rearranged β chains using competent CDR3 loops can properly engage with pMHC at the preTCR stage.

Science
, this issue p.
181
Anterior cingulate inputs to nucleus accumbens control the social transfer of pain and analgesia
Authors: Smith Monique L. , Asada Naoyuki , Malenka Robert C.
Published: January 2021

Social transmission of pain and relief

In mice, both pain and fear can be transferred by short social contact from one animal to a bystander. Neurons in a brain region called the anterior cingulate cortex in the bystander animal mediate these transfers. However, the specific anterior cingulate projections involved in such empathy-related behaviors are unknown. Smith
et al.
found that projections from the anterior cingulate cortex to the nucleus accumbens are necessary for the social transfer of pain in mice (see the Perspective by Klein and Gogolla). Fear, however, was mediated by projections from the anterior cingulate cortex to the basolateral amygdala. Interestingly, in animals with pain, analgesia can also be transferred socially.

Science
, this issue p.
153
; see also p.
122
Comment on “Global distribution of earthworm diversity”
Authors: James S. W. , Csuzdi C. , Chang C.-H. , Aspe N. M. , Jiménez J. J. , Feijoo A. , Blouin M. , Lavelle P.
Published: January 2021

Phillips
et al
. (Reports, 25 October 2019, p. 480) incorrectly conclude that tropical earthworm communities are less diverse and abundant than temperate communities. This result is an artifact generated by some low-quality datasets, lower sampling intensity in the tropics, different patterns in richness-area relationships, the occurrence of invasive species in managed soils, and a focus on local rather than regional richness.
An Integrated HOCl-Producing E-Scaffold Is Active against Monomicrobial and Polymicrobial Biofilms
Authors: Flurin Laure , Raval Yash S. , Mohamed Abdelrhman , Greenwood-Quaintance Kerryl E. , Cano Edison J. , Beyenal Haluk , Patel Robin
Published: January 2021

Oxidizing agents like hypochlorous acid (HOCl) have antimicrobial activity. We developed an integrated electrochemical scaffold, or e-scaffold, that delivers a continuous low dose of HOCl aimed at targeting microbial biofilms without exceeding concentrations toxic to humans as a prototype of a device being developed to treat wound infections in humans.
Mandibular tumour as the primary manifestation of an occult adenocarcinoma
Authors: Kaur Harpreet , Mishra Deepika , Manchanda Smita , Bhutia Ongkila
Published: January 2021

Oral cavity is an uncommon site for occurrence of metastasis and usually indicates widespread systemic disease. Primary tumours from the lung most commonly metastasise to oral soft tissues (31.3%) and jaw bones (22%) among men. It is quite challenging to diagnose a solitary metastatic lesion and to determine the site of primary lesion, due to the rarity of these occurrences. This case report describes the jaw bone as a first sign of occult primary lung adenocarcinoma with multiple metastases in 47-year-old man. The patient was treated with the combination of carboplatin and paclitaxel, and has completed two cycles till date with a stable clinical course. Diagnosis of metastatic carcinoma of jaw is very challenging. The pathologist must have knowledge of ancillary techniques along with clinical, radiological and histological correlation to determine the origin of distant primary.
Incidence and phenotypical variation of outer retina-associated hyperreflectivity in macular telangiectasia type 2
Authors: Mueller Stefanie , Gunnemann Frederic , Rothaus Kai , Book Marius , Faatz Henrik , Bird Alan , Pauleikhoff Daniel
Published: January 2021

Background

Macular telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel) is a neurodegenerative disease resulting in photoreceptor loss. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) reveals outer retina-associated hyperreflectivity (ORaH) as part of this process. The purpose of this study was to describe the incidence and phenotypical variation of ORaH.

Methods

Different parameters of ORaH were analysed: OCT characteristics (Spectralis SD-OCT), correlation with vascular changes (OCT angiography; OCTA 3×3 mm Optovue) and correlation with hyperpigmentation (autofluorescence/fundus images). ORaH was also evaluated regarding the grade of severity of photoreceptor loss (Disease Severity Scale).

Results

Of 220 eyes with MacTel type 2, 106 demonstrated ORaH. On OCT, the size, the extension into the inner retina and the contact with retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) of the ORaH were variable. On OCTA neovascularisation (NV) in the outer retina (OR) was present at the location of the ORaH in 97.6%. Increasing size of NV correlated with progressive photoreceptor loss. In 86.6% with NV, the flow signals were visible between the OR and the choriocapillaris. In 85.7%, the ORaH was associated with hyperpigmentation on autofluorescence and fundus colour images.

Conclusions

The presence of ORaH is associated with increasing photoreceptor loss and disease severity. In these more advanced cases of the present study, a variable presentation of ORaH in respect to size and form was seen, but in most cases, ORaH was in contact to the RPE. Additionally, ORaH was associated with hyperpigmentation and OR NV on OCTA. These results are consistent with the concept of ORaH representing fibrovascular OR-NV with RPE proliferation after contact with the RPE.
Driving medtech innovation and start-up company formation through successful joint academic/commercial fellowship
Authors: Sharif Faisal , Quinn Ian
Published: January 2021

Aim

Medical devices (medtech) is a strong driver of innovation and new treatments in healthcare. Straddling the fields of engineering and healthcare, successful medtech development demands critical needs assessment, highly skilled medical engineering professionals, and the successful collaboration between medical and other experts. Optimal development and testing need an efficient dialogue with third parties, including regulators and payers. BioInnovate Ireland was established in 2011 as a multidisciplinary, structured programme to shape the future of medical device therapy based on innovation and interdisciplinary cross-fertilisation.

Methods and results

107 fellows have completed the programme covering 20 clinical areas. Fellows have funded companies at a rate of more than 1.5 companies per year which have attracted Irish and international seed funding in excess of €40 million, excluding undisclosed investments.

Conclusions

A multidisciplinary programme targeting mature, experienced professionals can drive a highly successful medtech start-up culture in the right ecosystem.
Measures of trunk muscle strength and their measurement properties: a protocol for a systematic review and narrative synthesis of clinical measures
Authors: Althobaiti Shouq , Rushton Alison , Falla Deborah , Heneghan Nicola R
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Spinal musculoskeletal conditions, including low back and neck pain, are leading causes of disability globally. The trunk muscles, which comprise muscles in the thoracic and lumbar regions, are essential for functional activities, necessitating mobility, motor control and strength. To investigate the effectiveness of interventions directed at improving trunk muscle strength, it is essential to have valid, reliable and responsive performance-based outcome measures (PBOM). While isokinetic dynamometry is considered the gold-standard PBOM, the associated costs, size/weight and operational complexity of this equipment preclude its use in a clinical setting. There is, therefore, a need to evaluate the measurement properties of alternative accessible measures of trunk strength. This systematic review therefore aims to investigate the measurement properties of PBOM of trunk muscle strength measures appropriate for use in a clinical setting.

Methods and analysis

This protocol has been designed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols. CINAHL, Web of Science, Pedro, MEDLINE, EMBASE, SPORTDiscuss will be searched systematically from the database start date up to 16 April 2020, along with reference checking and the grey literature searching. Eligibility criteria include studies investigating measurement properties of PROM for trunk muscle strength for use in a clinical setting in adults with and without spinal musculoskeletal complaints. Two independent reviewers will determine the eligibility of the studies through screening process of titles, abstract and the full text. Both reviewers will assess the risk of bias using COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health status Measurement Instruments risk-of-bias tool and then extract the data from included studies. The overall quality of the included studies will be evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. A narrative synthesis will be carried out if meta-analysis is not applicable. Findings from this systematic review will aid clinicians and practitioners working in the field for example, sport, in using the most appropriate PBOM to measure trunk muscle strength.

Ethics and dissemination

No research ethics application is needed as there are no patient data in this study. The results of this study will be submitted to a peer reviewed journal and presented at conferences.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020167464.
Access to oxytocin and misoprostol for management of postpartum haemorrhage in Kenya, Uganda and Zambia: a cross-sectional assessment of availability, prices and affordability
Authors: Kibira Denis , Ooms Gaby Isabelle , van den Ham Hendrika A. , Namugambe Juliet Sanyu , Reed Tim , Leufkens Hubert GM , Mantel-Teeuwisse Aukje
Published: January 2021

Objective

To assess access (availability and affordability) to oxytocin and misoprostol at health facilities in Kenya, Uganda and Zambia to improve prevention and management of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH).

Design

The assessment was undertaken using data from Health Action International (HAI) research on sexual and reproductive health commodities based on a cross-sectional design adapted from the standardised WHO/HAI methodology.

Setting

Data were collected from 376 health facilities in in Kenya, Uganda and Zambia in July and August 2017.

Outcome measures

Availability was calculated as mean percentage of sampled medicine outlets where medicine was found on the day of data collection. Medicine prices were compared with international reference prices (IRP) and expressed as median price ratios. Affordability was calculated using number of days required to pay for a standard treatment based on the daily income of the lowest paid government worker.

Results

Availability of either oxytocin or misoprostol at health facilities was high; 81% in Kenya, 82% in Uganda and 76% in Zambia. Oxytocin was more available than misoprostol, and it was most available in the public sector in the three countries. Availability of misoprostol was highest in the public sector in Uganda (88%). Oxytocin and misoprostol were purchased by patients at prices above IRP, but both medicines cost less than a day’s wages and were therefore affordable. Availability of misoprostol was poor in rural settings where it would be more preferred due to lack of trained personnel and cold storage facilities required for oxytocin.

Conclusion

Availability and affordability of either oxytocin or misoprostol at health facilities met the WHO benchmark of 80%. However, countries with limited resources should explore mechanisms to optimise management of PPH by improving access to misoprostol especially in rural areas.
Predicting survival in malignant pleural mesothelioma using routine clinical and laboratory characteristics
Authors: Gunatilake Samal , Lodge David , Neville Daniel , Jones Thomas , Fogg Carole , Bassett Paul , Begum Selina , Kerley Sumita , Marshall Laura , Glaysher Sharon , Elliott Scott , Stores Rebecca , Bishop Lesley , Chauhan Anoop
Published: January 2021

Introduction

The prognosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is poor, with a median survival of 8–12 months. The ability to predict prognosis in MPM would help clinicians to make informed decisions regarding treatment and identify appropriate research opportunities for patients. The aims of this study were to examine associations between clinical and pathological information gathered during routine care, and prognosis of patients with MPM, and to develop a 6-month mortality risk prediction model.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with MPM at Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth, UK between December 2009 and September 2013. Multivariate analysis was performed on routinely available histological, clinical and laboratory data to assess the association between different factors and 6-month survival, with significant associations used to create a model to predict the risk of death within 6 months of diagnosis with MPM.

Results

100 patients were included in the analysis. Variables significantly associated with patient survival in multivariate analysis were age (HR 1.31, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.56), smoking status (current smoker HR 3.42, 95% CI 1.11 to 4.20), chest pain (HR 2.14, 95% CI 1.23 to 3.72), weight loss (HR 2.13, 95% CI 1.18 to 3.72), platelet count (HR 1.05, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.10), urea (HR 2.73, 95% CI 1.31 to 5.69) and adjusted calcium (HR 1.47, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.94). The resulting risk model had a c-statistic value of 0.76. A Hosmer-Lemeshow test confirmed good calibration of the model against the original dataset.

Conclusion

Risk of death at 6 months in patients with a confirmed diagnosis of MPM can be predicted using variables readily available in clinical practice. The risk prediction model we have developed may be used to influence treatment decisions in patients with MPM. Further validation of the model requires evaluation of its performance on a separate dataset.
Evaluating the utility of tumour mutational signatures for identifying hereditary colorectal cancer and polyposis syndrome carriers
Authors: Georgeson Peter , Pope Bernard J , Rosty Christophe , Clendenning Mark , Mahmood Khalid , Joo Jihoon E , Walker Romy , Hutchinson Ryan A , Preston Susan , Como Julia , Joseland Sharelle , Win Aung Ko , Macrae Finlay A , Hopper John L , Mouradov Dmitri , Gibbs Peter , Sieber Oliver M , O'Sullivan Dylan E , Brenner Darren R , Gallinger Steve , Jenkins Mark A , Winship Ingrid M , Buchanan Daniel D
Published: January 2021

Objective

Germline pathogenic variants (PVs) in the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes and in the base excision repair gene MUTYH underlie hereditary colorectal cancer (CRC) and polyposis syndromes. We evaluated the robustness and discriminatory potential of tumour mutational signatures in CRCs for identifying germline PV carriers.

Design

Whole-exome sequencing of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) CRC tissue was performed on 33 MMR germline PV carriers, 12 biallelic MUTYH germline PV carriers, 25 sporadic MLH1 methylated MMR-deficient CRCs (MMRd controls) and 160 sporadic MMR-proficient CRCs (MMRp controls) and included 498 TCGA CRC tumours. COSMIC V3 single base substitution (SBS) and indel (ID) mutational signatures were assessed for their ability to differentiate CRCs that developed in carriers from non-carriers.

Results

The combination of mutational signatures SBS18 and SBS36 contributing >30% of a CRC’s signature profile was able to discriminate biallelic MUTYH carriers from all other non-carrier control CRCs with 100% accuracy (area under the curve (AUC) 1.0). SBS18 and SBS36 were associated with specific MUTYH variants p.Gly396Asp (p=0.025) and p.Tyr179Cys (p=5×10-5), respectively. The combination of ID2 and ID7 could discriminate the 33 MMR PV carrier CRCs from the MMRp control CRCs (AUC 0.99); however, SBS and ID signatures, alone or in combination, could not provide complete discrimination (AUC 0.79) between CRCs from MMR PV carriers and sporadic MMRd controls.

Conclusion

Assessment of SBS and ID signatures can discriminate CRCs from biallelic MUTYH carriers and MMR PV carriers from non-carriers with high accuracy, demonstrating utility as a potential diagnostic and variant classification tool.
Written in the stars: did your specialty choose you?
Authors: Morgan Holly , Collins Hannah , Moore Sacha , Eley Catherine
Published: January 2021

Purpose of the study

Established over 2000 years ago, horoscopes remain a regular feature in contemporary society. We aimed to assess whether there could be a link between zodiac sign and medical occupation, asking the question—did your specialty choose you?

Study design

A questionnaire-based study was distributed using an online survey tool. Questions explored the zodiac sign, specialty preferences and personality features of physicians.

Results

1923 physicians responded between February and March 2020. Variations in personality types between different medical specialties were observed, introverts being highly represented in oncology (71.4%) and rheumatology (65.4%), and extroverts in sexual health (55%), gastroenterology (44.4%) and obstetrics and gynaecology (44.2%) (p<0.01). Proportions of zodiac signs in each specialty also varied; for example, cardiologists were more likely to be Leo compared with Aries (14.4% vs 3.9%, p=0.047), medical physicians more likely Capricorn than Aquarius (10.4% vs 6.7%, p=0.02) and obstetricians and gynaecologists more likely Pisces than Sagittarius (17.5% vs 0%, p=0.036). Intensive care was the most commonly reported second choice career, but this also varied between zodiac signs and specialties. Fountain pen use was associated with extroversion (p=0.049) and gastroenterology (p<0.01).

Conclusions

Personality types vary in different specialties. There may be links to zodiac signs which warrant further investigation.
Association between e-cigarette use initiated after cigarette smoking and smoking abstinence: a cross-sectional study among adolescent established smokers in the USA
Authors: Saller Franziska S , Agaku Israel T , Filippidis Filippos T
Published: January 2021

Background

Recent years have seen a rapid increase in the popularity of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) among adolescents in the USA. Evidence on their role in the continuation of or abstinence from cigarette smoking among young smokers remains scarce.

Objective

To examine the relationship between e-cigarette use initiated after cigarette smoking and abstinence from cigarette smoking among US adolescent established smokers.

Methods

The data were drawn from the 2015–2018 National Youth Tobacco Survey—a nationally representative survey of US middle and high school students. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association between ever e-cigarette use and past 30-day abstinence from cigarette smoking. The analytical sample comprised ever established cigarette smokers with or without a history of e-cigarette use after smoking initiation.

Results

Neither experimental (adjusted OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.39–1.14) nor prior established (adjusted OR 1.56, 95% CI 0.96–2.56) nor current established (adjusted OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.41–1.03) e-cigarette use was statistically significantly associated with subsequent abstinence from cigarette smoking among adolescent ever established smokers. These findings were largely consistent across sensitivity analyses using alternative key definitions, although experimental and current established e-cigarette use was significantly negatively associated with past 6-month abstinence.

Conclusions

We found no evidence that e-cigarette use among US adolescents already smoking cigarettes is associated with subsequent abstinence from cigarette smoking; there was some evidence of an inverse association among experimental and current established e-cigarette users. These findings could inform future regulatory and public health efforts regarding youth e-cigarette use and the reduction of youth cigarette smoking in the USA.
Generalized Klein–Gordon oscillator with a uniform magnetic field under the influence of Coulomb-type potentials in cosmic string space–time and Aharonov–Bohm effect
Authors: Ahmed Faizuddin
Published: January 2021

We solve a generalized Klein–Gordon oscillator (KGO) in the presence of a uniform magnetic field including quantum flux under the effects of scalar and vector potentials of Coulomb types in the static cosmic string space–time. We obtain the energy and corresponding eigenfunctions, and analyze a relativistic analogue of the Aharonov–Bohm effect for bound states.
Review of plastic pollution policies of Arctic countries in relation to seabirds
Authors: Linnebjerg Jannie F. , Baak Julia E. , Barry Tom , Gavrilo Maria V. , Mallory Mark L. , Merkel Flemming R. , Price Courtney , Strand Jakob , Walker Tony R. , Provencher Jennifer F.
Published: January 2021

Marine plastic is a ubiquitous environmental problem that can have an impact on a variety of marine biota, such as seabirds, making it an important concern for scientists and policy makers. Although research on plastic ingestion by seabirds is increasing, few studies have examined policies and long-term monitoring programs to reduce marine plastic in the Arctic. This paper provides a review of international, national, and regional policies and long-term monitoring programs that address marine plastic in relation to seabirds in the Arctic countries: Canada, the Kingdom of Denmark (Greenland and the Faroe Islands), Finland, Iceland, Norway, the Russian Federation, Sweden, and the United States of America. Results show that a broad range of international, national, regional and local policies address marine debris, specifically through waste management and the prevention of pollution from ships. However, few policies directly address seabirds and other marine biota. Further, policies are implemented inconsistently across regions, making it difficult to enforce and monitor the efficacy of these policies given the long-range transport of plastic pollution globally. To reduce marine plastic pollution in the Arctic environment, pan-Arctic and international collaboration is needed to implement standardized policies and long-term monitoring programs for marine plastic in the Arctic and worldwide.
Strict Linearizability and Abstract Atomicity
Authors: Wen Tangliu , Peng Jie , Xue Jinyun , You Zhen , Song Lan
Published: January 2021

Linearizability is a commonly accepted consistency condition for concurrent objects. Filipović et al. show that linearizability is equivalent to observational refinement. However, linearizability does not permit concurrent objects to share memory spaces with their client programs. We show that linearizability (or observational refinement) can be broken even though a client program of an object accesses the shared memory spaces without interleaving with the methods of the object. In this paper, we present strict linearizability which lifts this limitation and can ensure client-side traces and final-states equivalence even in a relaxed program model allowing clients to directly access the internal states of concurrent objects. We also investigate several important properties of strict linearizability. At a high level of abstraction, a concurrent object can be viewed as a concurrent implementation of an abstract data type (ADT). We also present a correctness criterion for relating an ADT and its concurrent implementation, which is the combination of linearizability and data abstraction and can ensure observational equivalence. We also investigate its relationship with strict linearizability.
Remarks on k-Clique, k-Independent Set and 2-Contamination in Complementary Prisms
Authors: Camargo Priscila P. , Souza Uéverton S. , Nascimento Julliano R.
Published: January 2021

Complementary prism graphs arise from the disjoint union of a graph [Formula: see text] and its complement [Formula: see text] by adding the edges of a perfect matching joining pairs of corresponding vertices of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. Classical graph problems such as Clique and Independent Set were proved to be NP-complete on such a class of graphs. In this work, we study the complexity of both problems on complementary prism graphs from the parameterized complexity point of view. First, we prove that both problems admit a kernel and therefore are fixed-parameter tractable (FPT) when parameterized by the size of the solution, [Formula: see text]. Then, we show that [Formula: see text]-Clique and [Formula: see text]-Independent Set on complementary prisms do not admit polynomial kernel when parameterized by [Formula: see text], unless [Formula: see text]. Furthermore, we address the [Formula: see text]-Contamination problem in the context of complementary prisms. This problem consists in completely contaminating a given graph [Formula: see text] using a minimum set of initially infected vertices. For a vertex to be contaminated, it is enough that at least two of its neighbors are contaminated. The propagation of the contamination follows this rule until no more vertex can be contaminated. It is known that the minimum set of initially contaminated vertices necessary to contaminate a complementary prism of connected graphs [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] has cardinality at most [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we show that the tight upper bound for this invariant on complementary prisms is [Formula: see text], improving a result of Duarte et al. (2017).
CONVERGENCE PATTERNS IN CRYPTOCURRENCY MARKETS: EVIDENCE FROM CLUB CONVERGENCE
Authors: SAHOO PRADIPTA KUMAR
Published: January 2021

This paper empirically examines the convergence of cryptocurrency markets with particular attention to top 30 cryptocurrencies. The study applies the novel Phillips and Sul panel convergence technique to daily closing price data of 30 cryptocurrencies for the period October 4, 2017 to May 31, 2020. The empirical findings suggest the evidence of divergence and the existence of club convergence across the cryptocurrency markets. The study finds the existence of five clubs in the top 30 cryptocurrency markets. The outcome of the study helps the investors and crypto lovers to diversify their portfolio by seeing the common transition path of the group of currencies.
Heliox administration in anesthetized rabbits with spontaneous inspiratory flow limitation
Authors: d’Angelo Edgardo , Pecchiari Matteo , Bellemare François , Cevenini Gabriele , Barbini Paolo
Published: January 2021

In an obstructive sleep apnea rabbit model, heliox never abolishes tidal inspiratory flow limitation (IFL), but increases inspiratory flow and tidal volume, substantially in some and nearly nil in other animals. Positive response to heliox cannot be predicted on the basis of breathing pattern characteristics or upper airway resistance that preceded IFL onset, but is related to the mechanical and geometrical features of upper airway collapsible segment, as indicated by model simulation.
lncRNA SNHG14 Plays a Role in Sepsis-Induced Acute Kidney Injury by Regulating miR-93
Authors: Shi Chuanchuan , Zhao Yuqian , Li Qi , Li Jianguo
Published: January 2021

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common organ injury in sepsis, which leads to poor prognosis. Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) small nucleolus RNA host gene 14 (SNHG14) was recognized to induce cell injury in LPS-induced acute lung injury and Parkinson’s disease. We want to investigate the functions and mechanisms of SNHG14 in sepsis-induced AKI. Increased expression of SNHG14 was observed in LPS-induced HK-2 cells, and this was due to the activation of the TLR4/NF-κB pathway. In vitro studies showed that SNHG14 was involved in the oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis of LPS-induced HK-2 cells. Further investigations confirmed that SNHG14 exerted the functions via miR-93 which could regulate the activation of NF-κB and STAT3 signaling by targeting IRAK4 and IL-6R. We also found that silencing SNHG14 also alleviated cellular injury processes of IL-1β and IL-6 in HK-2 cells via miR-93. We demonstrate that SNHG14 accelerates cellular injury in sepsis-induced AKI by activating IRAK4/NF-κB and IL-6R/STAT3 signaling via miR-93.
Isometries between Spaces of Vector-Valued Differentiable Functions
Authors: Ranjbar-Motlagh Alireza
Published: January 2021

This article characterizes the isometries between spaces of all differentiable functions from a compact interval of the real line into a strictly convex Banach space.
A Low-Power Stable Wideband Current Source for Acupuncture Point Skin Impedance Measurements
Authors: Qiu Changpei , Zhao Tianxia , Li Qiuping , Wang Xin’an , Xiao Kanglin , Wang Bo
Published: January 2021

A low-power stable wideband current source for acupuncture point skin impedance measurements has been designed employing a differential architecture and negative feedback. The circuits extend bandwidth to 1 MHz, reducing harmonic distortion to 0.24% at 1 MHz. The output impedance is 37 MΩ at 100 kHz and 11 MΩ at 1 MHz. The stability of the output current of the current source when connected to different loads is below 0.1% at frequencies up to 500 kHz and increases to 0.74% at 1 MHz. The circuit was manufactured in a 0.13-μm CMOS technology and measured results are presented. The area of the current source is 0.09 mm2 and its consumption is 1.2 mW. It is intended for low-power acupuncture point skin impedance measurements.
Advanced Power Management and Control for Hybrid Electric Vehicles: A Survey
Authors: Jiang Jielin , Jiang Qinting , Chen Jinhui , Zhou Xiaotong , Zhu Shengkai , Chen Tianyu
Published: January 2021

With the trend of low emissions and sustainable development, the demand for hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) has increased rapidly. By combining a conventional internal combustion engine with one or more electric motors powered by a battery, HEVs have the advantages over traditional vehicles in better fuel economy and lower tailpipe emissions. Nevertheless, the power management strategies (PMSs) for conventional vehicles which mainly focus on the efficiency of internal combustion engine are no longer applicable due to the complex internal structure of HEVs. Hence, a large number of novel strategies appropriate for HEVs have been surveyed, but most of the researches concentrate on discussing the classifications of PMSs and comparing their cons and pros. This paper presents a comprehensive review of power management strategies adopted in HEVs aiming at specific challenges for the first time. The categories of the existing PMSs are presented based on the different algorithms, followed by a brief study of each type including the analysis of its pros and cons. Afterwards, the implementation and optimization of power management strategies aiming at proposed challenges are introduced in detail with the description of their optimization objectives and optimized results. Finally, future directions and open issues of PMSs in HEVs are discussed.
Microscale Pore Throat Differentiation and Its Influence on the Distribution of Movable Fluid in Tight Sandstone Reservoirs
Authors: Dong Fengjuan , Lu Xuefei , Cao Yuan , Rao Xinjiu , Sun Zeyong
Published: January 2021

Tight sandstone reservoirs have small pore throat sizes and complex pore structures. Taking the Chang 6 tight sandstone reservoir in the Huaqing area of the Ordos Basin as an example, based on casting thin sections, nuclear magnetic resonance experiments, and modal analysis of pore size distribution characteristics, the Chang 6 tight sandstone reservoir in the study area can be divided into two types: wide bimodal mode reservoirs and asymmetric bimodal mode reservoirs. Based on the information entropy theory, the concept of “the entropy of microscale pore throats” is proposed to characterize the microscale pore throat differentiation of different reservoirs, and its influence on the distribution of movable fluid is discussed. There were significant differences in the entropy of the pore throat radius at different scales, which were mainly shown as follows: the entropy of the pore throat radius of 0.01~0.1 μm, >0.1 μm, and <0.01 μm decreased successively; that is, the complexity of the pore throat structure decreased successively. The correlation between the number of movable fluid occurrences on different scales of pore throats and the entropy of microscale pore throats in different reservoirs is also different, which is mainly shown as follows: in the intervals of >0.1 μm and 0.01~0.1 μm, the positive correlation between the occurrence quantity of movable fluid in the wide bimodal mode reservoir is better than that in the asymmetric bimodal mode reservoir. However, there was a negative correlation between the entropy of the pore throat radius and the number of fluid occurrences in the two types of reservoirs in the pore throat radius of <0.01 μm. Therefore, pore throats of >0.1 μm and 0.01~0.1 μm play a controlling role in studying the complexity of the microscopic pore throat structure and the distribution of movable fluid in the Chang 6 tight sandstone reservoir. The above results deepen the understanding of the pore throat structure of tight sandstone reservoirs and present guiding significance for classification evaluation, quantitative characterization, and efficient development of tight sandstone reservoirs.
Proteolytic Processing of CD44 and Its Implications in Cancer
Authors: Medrano-González Priscila Anhel , Rivera-Ramírez Osmar , Montaño Luis Felipe , Rendón-Huerta Erika P.
Published: January 2021

CD44 is a transmembrane glycoprotein expressed in several healthy and tumor tissues. Modifications in its structure contribute differently to the activity of this molecule. One modification that has provoked interest is the consecutive cleavage of the CD44 extracellular ectodomain by enzymes that belong mainly to the family of metalloproteases. This process releases biologically active substrates, via alternative splice forms of CD44, that generate CD44v3 or v6 isoforms which participate in the transcriptional regulation of genes and proteins associated to signaling pathways involved in the development of cancer. These include the protooncogene tyrosine-protein kinase Src (c-Src)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), the epithelial growth factor receptor, the estrogen receptor, Wnt/βcatenin, or Hippo signaling pathways all of which are associated to cell proliferation, differentiation, or cancer progression. Whereas CD44 still remains as a very useful prognostic cell marker in different pathologies, the main topic is that the generation of CD44 intracellular fragments assists the regulation of transcriptional proteins involved in the cell cycle, cell metabolism, and most importantly, the regulation of some stem cell-associated markers.
Immunohistochemical Analysis of Histone H3 Modification in Newt Tail Tissue Cells following Amputation
Authors: Wu Ji-Wen , Zhang Xu , Sekiya Reiko , Aoyagi Kiyoshi , Li Tao-Sheng
Published: January 2021

Background. Newts have impressive regenerative capabilities, but it remains unclear about the role of epigenetic regulation in regeneration process. We herein investigated histone modifications in newt tail tissue cells following amputation. Methods and Results. Iberian ribbed male newts (6-8 months old) were suffered to about 1.5 cm length of amputation of their tails for initiating regeneration process, and the residual stump of tail tissues was collected for immunohistochemical analysis 3 days later. Compared to the tissue cells of intact tails, c-kit-positive stem cells and PCNA-positive proliferating cells were significantly higher in tails suffered to amputation (

P
<
0.001

). Amputation also significantly induced the acetylation of H3K9, H3K14, and H3K27 in cells of the tails with amputation (

P
<
0.001

), but did not significantly change the methylation of H3K27 (

P
=
0.063

). Conclusion. These results suggest that epigenetic regulation likely involves in newt tail regeneration following amputation.