bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intermittent levosimendan infusion in ambulatory patients with end-stage heart failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 984 patients
Authors: Elsherbini Hagar , Soliman Osama , Zijderhand Casper , Lenzen Mattie , Hoeks Sanne E. , Kaddoura Rasha , Izham Mohamed , Alkhulaifi Abdulaziz , Omar Amr S. , Caliskan Kadir
Published: April 2021

We sought to synthesize the available evidence regarding safety and efficacy of intermittent levosimendan (LEVO) infusions in ambulatory patients with end-stage heart failure (HF). Safety and efficacy of ambulatory intermittent LEVO infusion in patients with end-stage HF are yet not established. We systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases, from inception to January 30, 2021 for studies reporting outcome of adult ambulatory patients with end-stage HF treated with intermittent LEVO infusion. Fifteen studies (8 randomized and 7 observational) comprised 984 patients (LEVO [N = 727] and controls [N = 257]) met the inclusion criteria. LEVO was associated with improved New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class (weighted mean difference [WMD] −1.04, 95%CI: −1.70 to −0.38, p < 0.001, 5 studies, I2 = 93%), improved left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (WMD 4.0%, 95%CI: 2.8% to 5.3%, p < 0.001, 6 studies, I2 = 9%), and reduced BNP levels (WMD −549 pg/mL, 95%CI −866 to −233, p < 0001, 3 studies, I2 = 66%). All-cause death was not different (RR 0.65, 95%CI: 0.38 to 1.093, p = 0.10, 6 studies, I2 = 0), but cardiovascular death was lower on LEVO (RR 0.34, 95%CI: 0.13 to 0.87, p = 0.02, 3 studies, I2 = 0) compared to controls. Furthermore, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was improved alongside with reduced LV size following LEVO infusions. Major adverse events were not different between LEVO and placebo. In conclusion, intermittent LEVO infusions in ambulatory patients with end-stage HF is associated with less frequent cardiovascular death alongside with improved NYHA class, quality of life, BNP levels, and LV function. However, the current evidence is limited by heterogeneous and relatively small studies.
Modelling the size, cost and health impacts of universal basic income: What can be done in advance of a trial?
Authors: Johnson Matthew Thomas , Johnson Elliott Aidan , Webber Laura , Friebel Rocco , Reed Howard Robert , Lansley Stewart , Wildman John
Published: April 2021

Opposition to Universal Basic Income (UBI) is encapsulated by Martinelli’s claim that ‘an affordable basic income would be inadequate, and an adequate basic income would be unaffordable’. In this article, we present a model of health impact that transforms that assumption. We argue that UBI can affect higher level social determinants of health down to individual determinants of health and on to improvements in public health that lead to a number of economic returns on investment. Given that no trial has been designed and deployed with that impact in mind, we present a methodological framework for assessing prospective costs and returns on investment through modelling to make the case for that trial. We begin by outlining the pathways to health in our model of change in order to present criteria for establishing the size of transfer capable of promoting health. We then consider approaches to calculating cost in a UK context to estimate budgetary burdens that need to be met by the state. Next, we suggest means of modelling the prospective impact of UBI on health before asserting means of costing that impact, using a microsimulation approach. We then outline a set of fiscal options for funding any shortfall in returns. Finally, we suggest that fiscal strategy can be designed specifically with health impact in mind by modelling the impact of reform on health and feeding that data cyclically back into tax transfer module of the microsimulation.
Correction to: In vivo comparison of braided (Accero) and laser-cut intracranial stents (Acclino, Credo): evaluation of vessel responses at subacute and mid-term follow-up in a rabbit model
Authors: Mühl-Benninghaus Ruben , Tomori Toshiki , Krajewski Stefanie , Dietrich Philipp , Simgen Andreas , Yilmaz Umut , Brochhausen Christoph , Kießling Mara , Reith Wolfgang , Cattaneo Giorgio
Published: April 2021

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-021-06518-6
Regularization of inverse problems by an approximate matrix-function technique
Authors: Cipolla Stefano , Donatelli Marco , Durastante Fabio
Published: April 2021

In this work, we introduce and investigate a class of matrix-free regularization techniques for discrete linear ill-posed problems based on the approximate computation of a special matrix-function. In order to produce a regularized solution, the proposed strategy employs a regular approximation of the Heavyside step function computed into a small Krylov subspace. This particular feature allows our proposal to be independent from the structure of the underlying matrix. If on the one hand, the use of the Heavyside step function prevents the amplification of the noise by suitably filtering the responsible components of the spectrum of the discretization matrix, on the other hand, it permits the correct reconstruction of the signal inverting the remaining part of the spectrum. Numerical tests on a gallery of standard benchmark problems are included to prove the efficacy of our approach even for problems affected by a high level of noise.
Selection of solar tracking system using extended TOPSIS technique with interval type-2 pythagorean fuzzy numbers
Authors: Umer Rimsha , Touqeer Muhammad , Omar Abdullah Hisam , Ahmadian Ali , Salahshour Soheil , Ferrara Massimiliano
Published: April 2021

The Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) is considered among the most frequently used techniques to deal with multi-criteria group decision-making (MCGDM) conflicts. In this article, we have presented an extended TOPSIS technique in the framework of interval type-2 trapezoidal Pythagorean fuzzy numbers (IT2TrPFN). We first projected a novel approach to evaluate the distance between them using ordered weighted averaging operator and $$(\alpha ,\beta )$$

(
α
,
β
)

-cut. Subsequently, we widen the concept of TOPSIS method formed on the distance method with IT2TrPFNs and applied it on MCGDM dilemma by considering the attitudes and perspectives of the decision-makers. Lastly, an application of solar tracking system and numerous contrasts with the other existing techniques are presented to express the practicality and feasibility of our projected approach.
Chemotherapy in NEN: still has a role?
Authors: Espinosa-Olarte Paula , La Salvia Anna , Riesco-Martinez Maria C. , Anton-Pascual Beatriz , Garcia-Carbonero Rocio
Published: April 2021

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) comprise a broad spectrum of tumors with widely variable biological and clinical behavior. Primary tumor site, extent of disease, tumor differentiation and expression of so matostatin receptors, proliferation and growth rates are the major prognostic factors that determine the therapeutic strategy. Treatment options for advanced disease have considerably expanded in recent years, particularly for well differentiated tumors (NETs). Novel drugs approved over the past decade in this context include somatostatin analogues and 177Lu-oxodotreotide for somatostatin-receptor-positive gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) NETs, sunitinib for pancreatic NETs (P-NETs), and everolimus for P-NETs and non-functioning lung or gastrointestinal NETs. Nevertheless, chemotherapy remains an essential component of the treatment armamentarium of patients with NENs, particularly of patients with P-NETs or those with bulky, symptomatic or rapidly progressive tumors (generally G3 or high-G2 NENs). In this manuscript we will comprehensively review available evidence related to the use of chemotherapy in lung and GEP NENs and will critically discuss its role in the treatment algorithm of this family of neoplasms.
Thyroid sequelae of COVID-19: a systematic review of reviews
Authors: Trimboli Pierpaolo , Camponovo Chiara , Scappaticcio Lorenzo , Bellastella Giuseppe , Piccardo Arnoldo , Rotondi Mario
Published: April 2021

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has the potential to cause multi-organ effects including endocrine disorders. The impact of COVID-19 on the thyroid gland has been described but several aspects have to be clarified. The systematic review was conceived to achieve more solid information about: 1) which thyroid disease or dysfunction should be expected in COVID-19 patients; 2) whether thyroid patients have a higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection; 3) whether the management has to be adapted in thyroid patient when infected. The literature was searched by two authors independently. A 5-step search strategy was a priori adopted. Only reviews focused on the relationship between thyroid and COVID-19 were included. The last search was performed on February 21st 2021. Two-hundred-forty-seven records was initially found and nine reviews were finally included. The reviews identified several potential thyroid consequences in COVID-19 patients, such as thyrotoxicosis, low-T3 syndrome and subacute thyroiditis, while no relevant data were found regarding the potential impact of COVID-19 on the management of patients on thyroid treatment. The present systematic review of reviews found that: 1) patients diagnosed with COVID-19 can develop thyroid dysfunction, frequently non-thyroidal illness syndrome when hospitalized in intensive care unit, 2) having a thyroid disease does not increase the risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection, 3) thyroid patients do not need a COVID-19-adapted follow-up. Anyway, several factors, such as critical illness and medications, could affect thyroid laboratory tests.
Path and Directionality Discovery in Individual Dynamic Models: A Regularized Unified Structural Equation Modeling Approach for Hybrid Vector Autoregression
Authors: Ye Ai , Gates Kathleen M. , Henry Teague Rhine , Luo Lan
Published: April 2021

There recently has been growing interest in the study of psychological and neurological processes at an individual level. One goal in such endeavors is to construct person-specific dynamic assessments using time series techniques such as Vector Autoregressive (VAR) models. However, two problems exist with current VAR specifications: (1) VAR models are restricted in that contemporaneous relations are typically modeled either as undirected relations among residuals or directed relations among observed variables, but not both; (2) current estimation frameworks are limited by the reliance on stepwise model building procedures. This study adopts a new modeling approach. We first extended the current unified SEM (uSEM) framework, a widely used structural VAR model, to a hybrid representation (i.e., “huSEM”) to include both undirected and directed contemporaneous effects, and then replaced the stepwise modeling with a LASSO-type regularization for a global search of the optimal sparse model. Our simulation study showed that regularized huSEM performed uniformly the best over alternative VAR representations and/or modeling approaches, with respect to accurately recovering the presence and directionality of hybrid relations and reliably removing false relations when the data are generated to have two types of contemporaneous relations. The present study to our knowledge is the first application of the recently developed regularized SEM technique to the estimation of huSEM, which points to a promising future for statistical learning in psychometric models.
Analysis of batch asymmetry and batch line position for the decision support in the glass melting process
Authors: Klemiato Maciej , Rotter Paweł , Skowiniak Andrzej
Published: April 2021

This paper presents the results of research on the analysis of historical data from a vision system developed by the authors, installed inside a glass furnace in one of the packaging glassworks. In particular, the authors focused on analysis of the batch blanket asymmetry coefficient and the batch line position in the furnace tank. The information obtained from the vision system allows to see phenomena occurring in the glass furnace that were previously difficult to notice. Based on this, recommendations for operators have been formulated to facilitate the glass melting process more efficiently. Based on historical process data from the SCADA production system, several models were developed that allow the batch line position in the glass furnace to be estimated. The best accuracy was achieved using the model based on neural networks. Such a model can be used to optimise furnace operation, which is at present based on the experience of human operators.
Assessment of physico-chemical parameters and trace heavy metal elements from different sources of water in and around institutional campus of Lumami, Nagaland University, India
Authors: Hussain Maqbul , Jamir Latonglila , Singh Maibam Romeo
Published: April 2021

The main emphasis of this study was to assess the status of drinking water quality from four different water sources available in and around an institutional campus of Lumami, Nagaland University, with special reference to the detection of trace heavy metal elements. The results of the physico-chemical parameters of the water show that values of DO, BOD5 and free CO2 at S3 are beyond the permissible limit set by WHO and BIS. The values of DO in all the three stations (S1, S2 and S4) are near the maximum permissible limit of drinking water, indicating the deterioration of water quality, whereas the rests of the parameters are below the permissible limit of WHO and BIS. The detection of Hg in all stations along with alarmingly high concentrations of Fe and others such as Cu, Zn, Mn and Se is perceived as a matter of concern. On the other hand, As and Pb were not detected in any station. The detection of Hg and Fe in all the four types of water sources is an indication of contaminant hazards and needs drinking water treatment practices in these areas which in turn have implications on human health.
A Circular Economy Is About the Economy
Authors: Webster Ken
Published: April 2021

In this paper, I outline the scope and the potential of a ‘circular economy’ in the future, one which goes beyond a concentration on recycling and waste management. I argue that three key elements are paramount. The first, and most widely discussed, is its ‘circularity by design’ characteristics. Secondly, but rarely discussed, the intimate relationship between the materials cycle and money and finance systems. Thirdly, encompassing both but often ignored: the way in which a more holistic interpretation of the concept is attached to a worldview or ‘framework for thinking’. This last element is a perspective that understands the economy as less like a machine and more like a nested living system. This worldview includes a stock maintenance emphasis placed in relation to feedback-rich flows. It extends, ineluctably, to the regeneration of natural capital and the restoration of social capital. A systems perspective includes a renewed focus on creating a refreshed industrial or productive economy at all scales as opposed to an expanded extractive or ‘rentier’ economy which is parasitical. This is quite unlike the current, linear, economy which not only extracts and runs down natural and social capitals (or exchanges it for financial capital), but also sees surplus financial reinvested largely in existing assets rather than creating new ones. The opportunity exists to create a ‘systems aware’ circular economy, one which is consistent with our contemporary understanding of ecosystemic relationships, the maintenance of capitals or stocks, the interdependence of different scales and the clear distinction between effective and efficient.
The Outcry
Authors: James Henry
Published: April 2021

The Cambridge Edition of the Complete Fiction of Henry James provides, for the first time, a scholarly edition of a major writer whose work continues to be read, quoted, adapted and studied. The Outcry, James's last completed novel, is an ironic depiction of the contemporary art market in which wealthy Americans are plundering British-owned treasures. James adapted the work, originally written as a play, into novel form with great success. This edition, based on the work's first book appearance in 1911, reconstructs the novel's literary, cultural and historical contexts, includes extensive annotation, and gives a detailed textual history. In exploring the process of adaptation it allows particular insight into James's skills as a novelist. The volume will be of interest to James scholars, art and theatre historians and students of nineteenth- and twentieth-century Anglo-American literature, while also contributing to the developing field of adaptation studies.
The Ambassadors
Authors: James Henry
Published: April 2021

The Cambridge Edition of the Complete Fiction of Henry James provides, for the first time, a scholarly edition of a major writer whose work continues to be read, quoted, adapted and studied. One of Henry James's last three great novels, The Ambassadors offers a witty, observant and profound exploration of the contrast between American and European cultures and of the desire to 'live all you can'. It follows the journey of self-discovery taken by a middle-aged literary gentleman, Lambert Strether, as he sheds his New England perspective and comes to appreciate cosmopolitan society and values, although not without personal cost. This edition, based on the work's first book appearance (Methuen, 1903), illuminates its literary and cultural contexts, contains comprehensive annotation, and provides a detailed textual history. It will appeal to James scholars, book historians and students of early twentieth-century Anglo-American literature and culture, and re-introduce readers to this masterpiece.
The Bostonians
Authors: James Henry
Published: April 2021

The Cambridge Edition of the Complete Fiction of Henry James provides, for the first time, a scholarly edition of a major writer whose work continues to be read, quoted, adapted and studied. The Bostonians is an extraordinary political and psychological drama narrating the struggle between Northern feminist Olive Chancellor and her cousin, former slaveholder and radical conservative Basil Ransom, for 'possession' of the beautiful, talented Verena Tarrant. The issues raised of the relations between the sexes, between North and South and between differing visions of 'progress' in America are as timely - and contentious - as when the novel first appeared. This fully annotated scholarly edition of one of James's most distinctive and important works features a detailed contextual introduction, full textual history and helpful explanatory annotation. It will be of interest to researchers, scholars and advanced students of Henry James, and of nineteenth- and twentieth-century British and American fiction and literature.
The Portrait of a Lady
Authors: James Henry
Published: April 2021

The Cambridge Edition of the Complete Fiction of Henry James provides, for the first time, a scholarly edition of a major writer whose work continues to be read, quoted, adapted and studied. Widely considered James's first great work of fiction and highly innovative in its narrative techniques, The Portrait of a Lady follows the story of an ardent, idealistic American heroine, Isabel Archer, in a cosmopolitan Europe. It explores individual freedom amidst confining circumstance, romantic choice, and the consequences of disillusionment and betrayal. This edition, based on the most reliable of the work's first book appearances (Macmillan, 1882), provides an authoritative text of one of James's finest long novels, with extensive annotations, a detailed textual history and an analysis of the reasons for its long-held popular appeal. It will be of particular interest not only to James scholars, but also book historians and students of nineteenth-century Anglo-American literature and culture.
The Europeans
Authors: James Henry
Published: April 2021

The Cambridge Edition of the Complete Fiction of Henry James provides, for the first time, a scholarly edition of a major writer whose work continues to be read, quoted, adapted and studied. James's The Europeans gently satirizes both early nineteenth-century New England society and the sophisticated visiting Europeans who encounter it. While this wryly comic novel has had its critical champions - F. R. Leavis and Richard Poirier among them - it has not previously received the scholarly attention it deserves. This edition, based on the work's first book appearance (Macmillan, 1878), reconstructs the novel's literary, cultural and historical contexts, provides extensive annotation, and gives a detailed textual history of the work, drawing on newly available James letters. It will be of interest to James scholars, book historians and students of nineteenth-century Anglo-American literature and culture, and will also re-introduce readers to the pleasures of Henry James's early style.
European Company Law
Authors: de Luca Nicola
Published: April 2021

Taking a text, cases and materials approach, de Luca's successful textbook remains the only offering for students of European company law, and has been thoroughly updated in this new edition. Chapters have been expanded to cover the latest legislation and directives on cross-border mergers, the use of digital tools, and cross-border insolvency, while figures and graphs have been introduced to help illustrate complex processes and relationships. Clearly differentiated explanatory textboxes from the first edition have been revised, and allow students to quickly identify sources such as EU legislation, official documents and excerpts from scholarly papers. The book explores a diverse range of topics, from what European company law is, to the structure of the Societas Europaea Statute, capital markets and takeover law. It continues to be an essential resource for the growing number of graduate courses in European company law, European business law, and comparative corporate law.
Crustal Structure of the Northern Hikurangi Margin, New Zealand: Variable Accretion and Overthrusting Plate Strength Influenced by Rough Subduction
Authors: Gase Andrew C. , Van Avendonk Harm J. A. , Bangs Nathan L. , Bassett Dan , Henrys Stuart A. , Barker Daniel H. N. , Kodaira Shuichi , Jacobs Katrina M. , Luckie Thomas W. , Okaya David A. , Fujie Gou , Yamamoto Yojiro , Arnulf Adrien F. , Arai Ryuta
Published: April 2021

Exploring the structure of convergent margins is key to understanding megathrust slip behavior and tsunami generation. We present new wide‐angle and marine multichannel seismic data that constrain the crustal structure and accretion dynamics of the northern Hikurangi margin. The top of the basement of the Hikurangi Plateau is overlain by a rough, 2–3 km thick layer of volcanic cover with P‐wave velocities (VP) between 3 and 5 km/s. This volcanic cover contributes significantly to seismic reflectivity beneath the shallow subduction plate boundary. The frontal prism structure varies along‐strike from ∼25 km wide with imbricate thrust faults where accretion of trench sediments is undisrupted, to narrower (∼14 km) with slumps and branching, irregular thrust fault geometries, which may reflect lower sediment supply or past seamount collisions. A large thrust fault network in the inner prism with a seismically fast hanging wall indicates a mechanical boundary between a seismically faster deforming backstop and the seismically slower frontal prism. Near the coastline, VP increases between 2.8 and 4 km/s at 2–8 km depth and is 0.5–1.7 km/s slower than the southern Hikurangi margin. Low seismic wavespeeds and low vertical velocity gradients in the inner prism support the hypothesis that a weak overthrusting plate contributes to historic tsunami‐earthquakes and long duration seismic ground motion.
Circularly polarized luminescence from organic micro-/nano-structures
Authors: Deng Yongjing , Wang Mengzhu , Zhuang Yanling , Liu Shujuan , Huang Wei , Zhao Qiang
Published: April 2021

Circularly polarized light exhibits promising applications in future displays and photonic technologies. Circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) from chiral luminophores is an ideal approach to directly generating circularly polarized light, in which the energy loss induced by the circularly polarized filters can be reduced. Among various chiral luminophores, organic micro-/nano-structures have attracted increasing attention owing to the high quantum efficiency and luminescence dissymmetry factor. Herein, the recent progress of CPL from organic micro-/nano-structures is summarized. Firstly, the design principles of CPL-active organic micro-/nano-structures are expounded from the construction of micro-/nano-structure and the introduction of chirality. Based on these design principles, several typical organic micro-/nano-structures with CPL activity are introduced in detail, including self-assembly of small molecules, self-assembly of π-conjugated polymers, and self-assembly on micro-/nanoscale architectures. Subsequently, we discuss the external stimuli that can regulate CPL performance, including solvents, pH value, metal ions, mechanical force, and temperature. We also summarize the applications of CPL-active materials in organic light-emitting diodes, optical information processing, and chemical and biological sensing. Finally, the current challenges and prospects in this emerging field are presented. It is expected that this review will provide a guide for the design of excellent CPL-active materials.
A chameleonic macrocyclic peptide with drug delivery applications
Authors: Payne Colton D. , Franke Bastian , Fisher Mark F. , Hajiaghaalipour Fatemeh , McAleese Courtney E. , Song Angela , Eliasson Carl , Zhang Jingjing , Jayasena Achala S. , Vadlamani Grishma , Clark Richard J. , Minchin Rodney F. , Mylne Joshua S. , Rosengren K. Johan
Published: April 2021

The cyclic peptide PDP-23 adopts a different structure depending on conditions. In water it forms a dimer, but can unfold allowing its hydrophobic core to interact with membranes. PDP-23 shows promise as a cell penetrating scaffold for drug delivery.
The unity of science and the disunity of economics
Authors: Ambrosino Angela , Cedrini Mario , Davis John B
Published: April 2021

In the article, we propose a general theoretical framework to distinguish a set of possible options for integration between social sciences. Adopting the so-called ‘nation’ metaphor in order to investigate relationships between disciplines, the framework uses an analogy with Dani Rodrik’s ‘world political trilemma’ (whereby democracy—here self-determination of science—national sovereignty—here disciplines—and global economic integration—here disciplinary integration—are mutually incompatible) to distinguish three different roads to the realisation of the unity of social science (‘reductionism’, ‘integration’ and ‘complexity’). The framework is then applied to recent proposals for unifying the social sciences that have originated within the economics profession at a time of pervasive specialisation and increasing fragmentation. While discussing the origins, the feasibility and the desirability of disciplinary integration projects, we concentrate on the issue of pluralism in both social sciences and within economics and on the ‘structural’ conditions that would permit economics to participate in the development of a transdisciplinary behavioural science.
Cofactor F420: an expanded view of its distribution, biosynthesis and roles in bacteria and archaea
Authors: Grinter Rhys , Greening Chris
Published: April 2021

Many bacteria and archaea produce the redox cofactor F420. F420 is structurally similar to the cofactors FAD and FMN but is catalytically more similar to NAD and NADP. These properties allow F420 to catalyze challenging redox reactions, including key steps in methanogenesis, antibiotic biosynthesis and xenobiotic biodegradation. In the last 5 years, there has been much progress in understanding its distribution, biosynthesis, role and applications. Whereas F420 was previously thought to be confined to Actinobacteria and Euryarchaeota, new evidence indicates it is synthesized across the bacterial and archaeal domains, as a result of extensive horizontal and vertical biosynthetic gene transfer. F420 was thought to be synthesized through one biosynthetic pathway; however, recent advances have revealed variants of this pathway and have resolved their key biosynthetic steps. In parallel, new F420-dependent biosynthetic and metabolic processes have been discovered. These advances have enabled the heterologous production of F420 and identified enantioselective F420H2-dependent reductases for biocatalysis. New research has also helped resolve how microorganisms use F420 to influence human and environmental health, providing opportunities for tuberculosis treatment and methane mitigation. A total of 50 years since its discovery, multiple paradigms associated with F420 have shifted, and new F420-dependent organisms and processes continue to be discovered.
Microbial-driven genetic variation in holobionts
Authors: Zilber-Rosenberg Ilana , Rosenberg Eugene
Published: April 2021

Genetic variation in holobionts (host and microbiome), occurring in both host and microbiome genomes, can be observed from two perspectives: observable variations and processes that bring about the variation. Observable includes the enormous genetic diversity of prokaryotes, which gave rise to eukaryotes. Holobionts then evolved a rich microbiome with a stable core containing essential genes, less so common taxa and a more diverse non-core, enabling considerable genetic variation. Thus, the human gut microbiome, for example, contains 1000 times more unique genes than are present in the human genome. Microbial-driven genetic variation processes in holobionts include: (1) acquisition of novel microbes from the environment, (2) amplification/reduction of certain microbes in the microbiome, (3) horizontal gene transfer between microbes and between microbes and host and (4) mutation, which plays a role in optimizing interactions between microbiota and between microbiota and host. We suggest that invertebrates and plants, where microbes can live intracellularly, have a greater chance of genetic exchange between microbiota and host, a greater chance of vertical transmission and a greater effect of microbiome on evolution than vertebrates. However, even in vertebrates the microbiome can aid in environmental fluctuations by amplification/reduction and by acquisition of novel microorganisms.
Status Signaling and the Risk of Domestic Opposition: Comparing South Africa and Brazil's Hosting of the 2010 and 2014 World Cups
Authors: van der Westhuizen Janis
Published: April 2021

Whereas much of the literature on status and domestic audiences analyzes how international achievement helps shore up domestic legitimacy, analyses regarding the opposite direction—how the lack of domestic support undercuts status signaling—remain rare. Mega-events constitute a highly public and visible example of conspicuous consumption as a form of status signaling. However, in rising democracies state elites are obliged to frame the benefits of hosting a World Cup in both instrumental dimensions and expressive virtues. In Brazil, the political fallout from the economic crisis, however, made it very difficult for state elites to rely on the expressive value of Brazil's status as World Cup host to subdue domestic opposition driven by instrumental logics. In contrast, for South Africans, the 2010 World Cup not only became an “exceptional status moment” but also constituted a “nation founding moment,” which meant that the expressive significance of hosting the first World Cup in Africa mitigated similar instrumental criticism.
Truth, Justice, and Expertise in 1980s Britain: the Cultural Politics of the New Cross Massacre
Authors: Andrews Aaron
Published: April 2021

This article examines the movement, led by prominent black British activists, which was established in the aftermath of the 1981 New Cross fire. The campaign showed how the racism long experienced by black urban communities eroded trust in state institutions, and it contested the official narrative of the police investigation and a coroner’s inquest through protests and the deployment of alternative forms of expertise. This was not an isolated case. The 1980s was a decade of disasters which led people in marginalized communities to engage in long-running disputes with the state, eroding trust in the truths presented by he state.
Partition Regularity for Systems of Diagonal Equations
Authors: Chapman Jonathan
Published: April 2021

We consider systems of $n$ diagonal equations in $k$th powers. Our main result shows that if the coefficient matrix of such a system is sufficiently nonsingular, then the system is partition regular if and only if it satisfies Rado’s columns condition. Furthermore, if the system also admits constant solutions, then we prove that the system has nontrivial solutions over every set of integers of positive upper density.
Clonality of HIV-1– and HTLV-1–Infected Cells in Naturally Coinfected Individuals
Authors: Katsuya Hiroo , Cook Lucy B M , Rowan Aileen G , Melamed Anat , Turpin Jocelyn , Ito Jumpei , Islam Saiful , Miyazato Paola , Jek Yang Tan Benjy , Matsuo Misaki , Miyakawa Toshikazu , Nakata Hirotomo , Matsushita Shuzo , Taylor Graham P , Bangham Charles R M , Kimura Shinya , Satou Yorifumi
Published: April 2021

Background

Coinfection with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) diminishes the value of the CD4+ T-cell count in diagnosing AIDS, and increases the rate of HTLV-1–associated myelopathy. It remains elusive how HIV-1/HTLV-1 coinfection is related to such characteristics. We investigated the mutual effect of HIV-1/HTLV-1 coinfection on their integration sites (ISs) and clonal expansion.

Methods

We extracted DNA from longitudinal peripheral blood samples from 7 HIV-1/HTLV-1 coinfected, and 12 HIV-1 and 13 HTLV-1 monoinfected individuals. Proviral loads (PVL) were quantified using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Viral ISs and clonality were quantified by ligation-mediated PCR followed by high-throughput sequencing.

Results

PVL of both HIV-1 and HTLV-1 in coinfected individuals was significantly higher than that of the respective virus in monoinfected individuals. The degree of oligoclonality of both HIV-1– and HTLV-1–infected cells in coinfected individuals was also greater than in monoinfected subjects. ISs of HIV-1 in cases of coinfection were more frequently located in intergenic regions and transcriptionally silent regions, compared with HIV-1 monoinfected individuals.

Conclusions

HIV-1/HTLV-1 coinfection makes an impact on the distribution of viral ISs and clonality of virus-infected cells and thus may alter the risks of both HTLV-1– and HIV-1–associated disease.
International Commercial Courts in the ‘Modern Law of Nature’: Adjudicatory Unilateralism in Special Economic Zones
Authors: Dimitropoulos Georgios
Published: April 2021

International commercial courts are currently proliferating from the last generation special economic zones of the Gulf region to the whole of Asia and Europe. International commercial courts are institutions of a new era of international economic law and adjudication. Zone courts, alongside the new uses of arbitration within special economic zones, may be viewed as the adjudicatory counterpart of the move towards unilateralism in international economic law. The idea is to move cases from the international to the domestic realm and overall domesticate international economic law and adjudication. The unilateral strategy to achieve this is the introduction of new courts that sit in a space between the national and the international and are based on English (common) law. However, the new system does not oblige the transferal of cases. The special economic zones-driven judicial unilateralism adds an investment attraction to the repertoire of states, as well as choices to parties. Adjudicatory unilateralism is thus consubstantially plural. The creation and proliferation of English (common) law-based special economic zones and international commercial courts is a major shift that will have deep implications for the system of international economic law and adjudication.
Race, Income, and Survival in Stage III Colon Cancer: CALGB 89803 (Alliance)
Authors: Lee Seohyuk , Zhang Sui , Ma Chao , Ou Fang-Shu , Wolfe Eric G , Ogino Shuji , Niedzwiecki Donna , Saltz Leonard B , Mayer Robert J , Mowat Rex B , Whittom Renaud , Hantel Alexander , Benson Al , Atienza Daniel , Messino Michael , Kindler Hedy , Venook Alan , Gross Cary P , Irwin Melinda L , Meyerhardt Jeffrey A , Fuchs Charles S
Published: April 2021

Background

Disparities in colon cancer outcomes have been reported across race and socioeconomic status, which may reflect, in part, access to care. We sought to assess the influences of race and median household income (MHI) on outcomes among colon cancer patients with similar access to care.

Methods

We conducted a prospective, observational study of 1206 stage III colon cancer patients enrolled in the CALGB 89803 randomized adjuvant chemotherapy trial. Race was self-reported by 1116 White and 90 Black patients at study enrollment; MHI was determined by matching 973 patients’ home zip codes with publicly available US Census 2000 data. Multivariate analyses were adjusted for baseline sociodemographic, clinical, dietary, and lifestyle factors. All statistical tests were 2-sided.

Results

Over a median follow-up of 7.7 years, the adjusted hazard ratios for Blacks (compared with Whites) were 0.94 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.66 to 1.35, P = .75) for disease-free survival, 0.91 (95% CI = 0.62 to 1.35, P = .65) for recurrence-free survival, and 1.07 (95% CI = 0.73 to 1.57, P = .73) for overall survival. Relative to patients in the highest MHI quartile, the adjusted hazard ratios for patients in the lowest quartile were 0.90 (95% CI = 0.67 to 1.19, Ptrend = .18) for disease-free survival, 0.89 (95% CI = 0.66 to 1.22, Ptrend = .14) for recurrence-free survival, and 0.87 (95% CI = 0.63 to 1.19, Ptrend = .23) for overall survival.

Conclusions

In this study of patients with similar health-care access, no statistically significant differences in outcomes were found by race or MHI. The substantial gaps in outcomes previously observed by race and MHI may not be rooted in differences in tumor biology but rather in access to quality care.
Genetic and Depressive Traits Moderate the Reward-Enhancing Effects of Acute Nicotine in Young Light Smokers
Authors: Whitton Alexis E , Rabinovich Norka E , Lindt John D , Pergadia Michele L , Pizzagalli Diego A , Gilbert David G
Published: April 2021

Introduction

Rates of light smoking have increased in recent years and are associated with adverse health outcomes. Reducing light smoking is a challenge because it is unclear why some but not others, progress to heavier smoking. Nicotine has profound effects on brain reward systems and individual differences in nicotine’s reward-enhancing effects may drive variability in smoking trajectories. Therefore, we examined whether a genetic risk factor and personality traits known to moderate reward processing, also moderate the reward-enhancing effects of nicotine.

Methods

Light smokers (n = 116) performed a Probabilistic Reward Task to assess reward responsiveness after receiving nicotine or placebo (order counterbalanced). Individuals were classified as nicotine dependence ‘risk’ allele carriers (rs16969968 A-allele carriers) or non-carriers (non-A-allele carriers), and self-reported negative affective traits were also measured.

Results

Across the sample, reward responsiveness was greater following nicotine compared to placebo (p = 0.045). For Caucasian A-allele carriers but not non-A-allele carriers, nicotine enhanced reward responsiveness compared to placebo for those who received placebo first (p = 0.010). Furthermore, for A-allele carriers but not non-A-allele carriers who received nicotine first, the enhanced reward responsiveness in the nicotine condition carried over to the placebo condition (p < 0.001). Depressive traits also moderated the reward-enhancing effects of nicotine (p = 0.010) and were associated with blunted reward responsiveness following placebo but enhanced reward responsiveness following nicotine.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that individual differences in a genetic risk factor and depressive traits alter nicotine’s effect on reward responsiveness in light smokers and may be important factors underpinning variability in smoking trajectories in this growing population.

Implications

Individuals carrying genetic risk factors associated with nicotine dependence(rs16969968 A-allele carriers) and those with higher levels of depressive personality traits, showmore pronounced increases in reward learning following acute nicotine exposure. These findingssuggest that genetic and personality factors may drive individual differences in smoking trajectoriesin young light smokers by altering the degree to which nicotine enhances reward processing.

Clinical trial registration

NCT02129387 (pre-registered hypothesis: www.clinicaltrials.gov)
The experience of D/deaf healthcare professionals during the coronavirus pandemic
Authors: Grote H , Izagaren F , Jackson E
Published: April 2021

Background

The coronavirus pandemic, in particular the introduction of masks, presented a huge challenge for the UK’s D/deaf community, many of whom rely on visual cues in lipreading and sign language. This particularly affected D/deaf healthcare professionals (HCPs), who faced significant communication challenges at work due to the lack of transparent masks or other reasonable adjustments.

Aims

To determine the impact that a lack of transparent masks and reasonable adjustments had on communication, confidence at work and well-being among D/deaf HCPs during the coronavirus pandemic.

Methods

A survey was sent to all members of the ‘UK Deaf Healthcare Professionals Group’ on Facebook, the ‘Healthcare Professionals with Hearing Loss’ listserver and promoted on Social Media.

Results

Eighty-three responses were received. Nine (11%) individuals had access to transparent masks. Over three-quarters of respondents reported feeling anxious and fearful of making a mistake due to communication difficulties. Fourteen (17%) were removed from clinical roles due to a lack of reasonable adjustments. One-third felt they would need to consider an alternative career if improvements were not made. Seventy-eight per cent felt the communication needs of D/deaf HCPs had not been met during the pandemic.

Conclusions

D/deaf HCPs felt left behind, isolated and frustrated by a lack of transparent masks and reasonable adjustments to meet their communication needs. Loss of experienced, qualified HCPs has a significant economic and workforce impact, particularly during a pandemic. Urgent action is needed to ensure D/deaf HCPs are provided with the workplace support required under the Equality Act (2010).
Arabidopsis CBP60b is a central transcriptional activator of immunity
Authors: Li Lu-Shen , Ying Jun , Li En , Ma Ting , Li Min , Gong Li-Min , Wei Guo , Zhang Yan , Li Sha
Published: April 2021

Plants use a dual defense system to cope with microbial pathogens. The first involves pathogen-associated molecular pattern-triggered immunity which is conferred by membrane receptors, and the second involves effector-triggered immunity (ETI), which is conferred by disease-resistance proteins (nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat-containing proteins; NLRs). Calmodulin-Binding Protein 60 (CBP60) family transcription factors are crucial for pathogen defense: CBP60g and Systemic Acquired Resistance Deficient 1 (SARD1) positively regulate immunity, whereas CBP60a negatively regulates immunity. The roles of other Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) CBP60s remain unclear. We report that CBP60b positively regulates immunity and is redundant with—yet distinct from—CBP60g and SARD1. By combining chromatin immunoprecipitation-PCRs and luciferase reporter assays, we demonstrate that CBP60b is a transcriptional activator of immunity genes. Surprisingly, CBP60b loss-of-function results in autoimmunity, exhibiting a phenotype similar to that of CBP60b gain-of-function. Mutations at the ENHANCED DISEASE SUSCEPTIBILITY 1-PHYTOALEXIN DEFICIENT 4-dependent ETI pathway fully suppressed the defects of CBP60b loss-of-function but not those of CBP60b gain-of-function, suggesting that CBP60b is monitored by NLRs. Functional loss of SUPPRESSOR OF NPR1-1, CONSTITUTIVE 1, an R-gene, partially rescued the phenotype of cbp60b, further supporting that CBP60b is a protein targeted by pathogen effectors, that is, a guardee. Unlike CBP60g and SARD1, CBP60b is constitutively and highly expressed in unchallenged plants. Transcriptional and genetic studies further suggest that CBP60b plays a role redundant with CBP60g and SARD1 in pathogen-induced defense, whereas CBP60b has a distinct role in basal defense, partially via direct regulation of CBP60g and SARD1.
Ownership, Learning, and Beliefs
Authors: Hartzmark Samuel M , Hirshman Samuel D , Imas Alex
Published: April 2021

We examine how owning a good affects learning and beliefs about its quality. We show that people have more extreme reactions to information about a good they own compared with the same information about a nonowned good: ownership causes more optimistic beliefs after receiving a positive signal and more pessimistic beliefs after receiving a negative signal. Comparing learning to normative benchmarks reveals that people overextrapolate from signals about goods they own, which leads to an overreaction to information; in contrast, learning is close to Bayesian for nonowned goods. We provide direct evidence that this effect is driven by ownership channeling greater attention toward associated information, which leads people to overweight recent signals when forming beliefs. The relationship between ownership and beliefs has testable implications for trade and market expectations. In line with these predictions, we show that the endowment effect doubles in response to positive information and disappears with negative information, and demonstrate a significant relationship between ownership and overextrapolation in survey data about stock market expectations.