bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Corpos inquietos, sexualidades “desviantes” e o devir de novas narrativas jurídicas nas cortes constitucionais
Authors: Lucas Doglas Cesar , Copetti Ghisleni Pamela
Published: September 2021

As sociedades contemporâneas fizeram da sexualidade, dos afetos e do desejo categorias centrais no que diz respeito à construção da subjetividade do sujeito, de modo que a concretização dos direitos humanos atravessa, invariavelmente, os corpos e as sexualidades. Nesse sentido, este texto intenta fazer apresentar, de forma bem objetiva, uma análise juris-prudencial representativa das mais altas Cortes jurisdicionais, nacionais ou internacionais, e em cujo cerne circulam as questões do gênero e da sexualidade. A escolha dos casos levou em consideração os critérios geográfico-espacial e cronológico, selecionando se os entendimentos mais relevantes dos tribunais de países ocidentais e ocidentalizados, mas com diferentes realidades culturais, sociais e econômicas, para além de decisões, envolvendo Cortes regionais de proteção de direitos humanos. Ao final, evidencia se que o Direito, por meio dos tribunais, vem enfrentando, incorporando e narrando esses novos temas, sinalizando para uma importante mudança de paradigma em termos de justiça de gênero e sexualidade.
Crítica a la acción de inconstitucionalidad 113/2018 sobre el libre desarrollo de la personalidad en Jalisco
Authors: Ramírez Bañuelos Jesús Francisco
Published: September 2021

Este es un análisis crítico sobre la resolución adoptada por la Suprema Corte de la Justicia de la Nación en la acción de inconstitucionalidad 113/2018 en la que se declara la invalidez de la porción normativa del artículo 420 del Código Civil del Estado de Jalisco que condiciona a los excónyuges a esperar un año para contraer nuevas nupcias. Se analiza cómo la resolución constitucional protege el derecho fundamental al libre desarrollo de la personalidad y transforma la estructura jurídica local en materia de divorcio.
Real time Drowsy Driver Detection using Polynomial Kernel based Support Vector Machine
Authors: Ahirwar Makhan
Published: September 2021

Abstract: Casualty increases from road accidents day by day. There are so many reasons that accident causes and mostly due to human errors. Driver drowsiness is one of them. A small drowsiness may turn it into a big accident that resulted heavy casualties. If any of the system automatically detects the driver’s drowsiness and alert at real time may secure many lives. Drowsiness can be recognized by different situations such as by opening full mouth, by closing both the eyes and a combination of both. This may advised not to drive at drowsy state. There are various techniques through which drowsiness can be detected at real time but accuracy matters. OpenCV is a highly utilized open source computer vision library through which facial features can be recognized effectively. Polynomial kernel based support vector machine (SVM) is an advanced classification technique through which drowsiness can be classified from face. SVM is advanced machine learning approach through which linear and non-linear data can be classified with higher level of accuracy. System pertained 96.17 % of accuracy. Polynomial kernel is useful for non-linear data separation. Here system classifies the expressional features of face and result accordingly for drowsiness detection. Keywords: Support Vector Machine (SVM), OpenCV, Machine Learning, Non-Linear SVM Model, Drowsiness Detection, Face Detection, Computer Vision.
Comparative analysis of Rectangular Plate by Finite element method and Finite Difference Method
Authors: Gupta Dr. A. R.
Published: September 2021

Abstract: Analysis of rectangular plates is common when designing the foundation of civil, traffic, and irrigation works. The current research presents the results of the analysis of rectangular plates using the finite difference method and Finite Element Method. The results of the research verify the accuracy of the FEM and are in agreement with findings in the literature. The plate is analyzed considering it to be completely solid. The ordinary finite difference method is used to solve the governing differential equation of the plate deflection. The proposed method can be easily programmed to readily apply on a plate problem. The work covers the determination of displacement components at different points of the plate and checking the result by software (STAAD.Pro) analysis. Keywords: rectangular plate, FEM, Finite Difference Method
Hyperbole and emotionalisation: Escalation of pragmatic effects of proverb and metaphor in the “Brexit” debate
Authors: Musolff Andreas
Published: September 2021

(How) Can the use of hyperbole in metaphorical idioms and scenarios contribute to an increase in emotionalisation of public debates? Using a research corpus of quotations from British politicians speeches and interviews and of press texts 2016-2020, this paper investigates hyperbolic formulations in Brexit-related applications of the proverb You cannot have your cake and eat it and related scenarios of national liberation, which appear to have strongly boosted emotionalised public debates. For instance, Brexit proponents reversal of the cake proverb into the assertion, We can have our cake and eat it, and their figurative interpretation of Brexit as a war of liberation (against the EU) triggered highly emotional reactions: triumphant affirmation among followers, fear and resentment among opponents. The paper argues that the combination of figurative speech (proverb, metaphor) with hyperbole heightened the emotional and polemical impact of the pro-Brexit argument. Whilst this effect may be deemed to have been rhetorically successful in the short term (e.g. in referendum and election campaigns), its long-term effect on political discourse is more ambivalent, for it leads to a polarisation and radicalisation of political discourse in Britain (as evidenced, for instance, in the massive use of hyperbole in COVID-19 debates). The study of hyperbole as a means of emotionalisation thus seems most promising as part of a discourse-historical investigation of socio-pragmatic effects of figurative (mainly, metaphorical) language use, rather than as an isolated, one-off rhetorical phenomenon.
Device based prevention of neurological events in coronary artery bypass patients with calcified ascending aorta.
Authors: Szlapka Michal , Peitsmeyer Philipp , Halder Stefanie , Natho Oliver , Lass Michael , Hanke Thorsten
Published: September 2021

Patients with severely calcified aorta undergoing conventional cardiac
surgery are at increased risk for postoperative neurologic deficits.
Implementation of cerebroprotective devices may substantially reduce or
even eliminate the risk of adverse neurologic event, thus enabling
surgical therapy, especially when interventional treatment cannot be
considered an alternative option.
The frequent insignificance of a “significant” P-value
Authors: McGiffin David , Cumming Geoff , Myles Paul
Published: September 2021

Null hypothesis significance testing (NHST) and p-values are widespread
in the cardiac surgical literature but are frequently misunderstood and
misused. The purpose of the review is to discuss major disadvantages of
p-values and suggest alternatives. We describe diagnostic tests, the
prosecutor’s fallacy in the courtroom, and NHST, which involve
inter-related conditional probabilities, to help clarify the meaning of
p-values, and discuss the enormous sampling variability, or
unreliability, of p-values. Finally, we use a cardiac surgical database
and simulations to explore further issues involving p-values. In
clinical studies, p-values provide a poor summary of the observed
treatment effect, whereas the three- number summary provided by effect
estimates and confidence intervals is more informative and minimises
over-interpretation of a “significant” result. P-values are an
unreliable measure of strength of evidence; if used at all they give
only, at best, a very rough guide to decision making. Researchers should
adopt Open Science practices to improve the trustworthiness of research
and, where possible, use estimation (three-number summaries) or other
better techniques.
Evaluation of treatment approaches for sinogenic intracranial abscess in children
Authors: Milinis Kristijonas , Thiagarajan Janaki , De Sujata , Sharma Ravi , Leong Samuel , Sinha Ajay , Sharma Sunil
Published: September 2021

Objectives: To evaluate the management practices and outcomes in
children with sinogenic intracranial suppuration. Design: Retrospective
cohort study. Setting: A single paediatric tertiary unit. Participants:
Patients younger than 18 years with radiologically confirmed
intracranial abscess including subdural empyema (SDE), epidural (EDA) or
intraparenchymal (IPA) abscess secondary to sinusitis. Main outcome
measures: The rates of return to theatre, the length of hospital stay
(LOS), death <90 days and neurological disability (ND) at 6
months. Results: A cohort of 39 consecutive patients (41% male, mean
age 11.5) presenting between 2000-2020 were eligible for inclusion. SDE
was the most common intracranial complication (n=25, 64%) followed by
EDA (n=12, 31%) and IPA (n=7, 18%). The mean LOS was 42 days (SD 16).
Sixteen patients (41%) were managed with combined ENT and neurosurgical
interventions, 15 (38.5%) underwent ENT procedure alone and 4 (10.3%)
had neurosurgical only drainage. Four patients initially underwent
non-operative management. The rates of return to theatre, ND and 90-day
mortality were 19 (48.7%), 9 (23.1%) and 3 (7.7%) respectively and
were comparable across the four treatment arms. In the univariate
logistic regression, only the size of an intracranial abscess (10mm)
was found be associated with an increased likelihood of return to
theatre (odds radio 7, confidence interval 1.09-45.1), while combined
ENT and neurosurgical intervention did not result in improved outcomes.
Conclusion: Sinogenic intracranial abscesses are associated with a
significant morbidity and mortality. The size of an intracranial abscess
has a strong association with a need for a revision surgery.
Oxygen Affinity of Transition Metal Cations: A Coherent Descriptor in Catalytic Oxygenate Transformations
Authors: Li Huixiang , Yan Peifang , Xu B.Q. , Zhang Conrad
Published: September 2021

This work reports a complementary descriptor to acidity for metal
cations, oxygen affinity, to scale the interaction strength of metal
cations with oxygenate groups. A method for measuring oxygen affinity is
developed in alkyl methylimidazolium chloride solvents using in-situ far
infrared (FIR) spectroscopy. The relative oxygen affinity values of
metal cations in metal chlorides with model compounds including
cyclopentanol (for alcohols), cyclohexanone (for ketones), ethylene
glycol diethyl ether (for ethers), and H2O are measured from the
dissociation kinetics of the metal-oxygenate complexes. The
concentrations of metal-chloride and metal-oxygenate complexes are
determined during evaporative removal of oxygenate molecules according
to the FIR absorbance of metal-Cl bonds. The oxygen affinity values are
shown to reasonably account for the catalytic performances of metal
cations in furfural-acetone condensation and glucose isomerization
reactions. The oxygen affinity descriptor could be potentially exploited
as an intrinsic property of metal cations broadly in metal chlorides and
metal oxides.
Do We Need To Evaluate Patients With Spontaneous Subconjunctival Hemorrhage For Bleeding Disorders?
Authors: Sayın Selim , Yener Arif
Published: September 2021

Aim of the study: Subconjunctival hemorrage (SCH) is a frequent bleeding
manifestation and a common cause of visits to the primary care. Trauma
in young patients and vascular damage such as hypertension in the
elderly are the most common causes of SCH and the prevalence of
hematological diseases is less than 1%. We aimed to evaluate the
prevalence of congenital or acquired bleeding disorders in patients with
once or recurrent SCH. Methods used to conduct the study: It is a
retrospective study and included fifty-two patients with SCH whose
etiologic factor was not detected. Hemostatic tests were studied in 52
patients (25 male and 27 females) with. All patients included were
evaluated for congenital or acquired bleeding disorder and SCH with once
and those with 2 or more were compared for the laboratory results.
Results of the study: One patient with once and one patient with
recurrent SCH (3.8%) were diagnosed a type I von Willebrand disease
(vWD). The prevalence of patients with type 1 vWD in the study was not
statistically significant when compared with the frequency of von
Willebrand favctor (vWF) deficiency in the normal population. Fibrinogen
level was found to be statistically higher in patients who had SCH once
than those who had recurrent SCH. But fibrinogen level was in normal
range in all patients. Conclusions drawn from the study and clinical
implications: There was no increase in the incidence of congenital or
acquired bleeding disorder in SCH patients compared to normal
population. Therefore, it was considered that spontaneous SCH patients
do not need to be evaluated for bleeding disorder.
Kinetics and mechanism of catalytic oxidation of sodium ethyl mercaptide with microfluidics
Authors: Jiang Linjing , Chen Qi , Liu Mingyu , Zhu Jiqin , Du Le , Wang Yujun
Published: September 2021

Catalytic oxidation desulfurization of gasoline is a key process for the
utilization of petroleum hydrocarbons. However, the inherent mechanism
still remains unclear and the kinetic investigation is usually performed
in processes with limited mass transfer rates. Herein, the kinetics and
mechanism of catalytic oxidation of sodium ethyl mercaptide were
investigated with microfluidics. On the basis of eliminating mass
transfer resistance, the effects of temperature, pressure, residence
time, and gas-liquid flow ratio on the oxidation were assessed.
According to the results of UV-vis spectra and binding constant, it was
confirmed that the catalytic center was in the form of dimer. A
heterogeneous reaction kinetic model was proposed as such. The kinetic
parameters close to intrinsic kinetics and corresponding kinetic rate
expression were obtained.
Strong pairwise ant-plant mutualism has limited spillover effects on an ant community
Authors: Donald Marion L , Miller Tom
Published: September 2021

Pairwise mutualisms are embedded within rich communities of co-occurring
species. Mutualism by definition benefits partner species and theory
predicts these effects can spill over into broader communities, with
consequences for abundance, diversity, and composition. Specifically,
positive feedbacks between partner species may shift competitive
hierarchies and drive reductions in non-partner species. We used
long-term monitoring data spanning 16 years to determine the ant partner
species of tree cholla cacti (Cylindriopuntia imbricata), which reward
ants with extrafloral nectar in exchange for anti-herbivore defense. We
coupled these long-term data with short-term characterization of the ant
community via pitfall trapping, which sampled partner and non-partner
species across ten plots that varied naturally in cactus density. The
long-term data revealed one dominant ant partner (Liometopum apiculatum)
and two other less common partners (Crematogaster opuntiae and Forelius
pruinosus). In the short-term census, the dominant ant partner occupied
more cacti in plots of higher cactus density, and was also found at
higher occurrence within the pitfall traps in the high cactus density
plots, suggesting strong positive feedbacks that promote ant occurrence
where plant partners are available. Despite the consistency of L.
apiculatum partnership with cacti through time and the dominance of this
partnership in areas of high cactus density, spillover effects from this
mutualism appear limited. Of the common ant species, a single
non-partner ant species showed a modest reduction in occurrence at high
cactus density, possibly in response to increased presence of L.
apiculatum. Additionally, the composition and diversity of the ant
community in our plots were insensitive to cactus density variation,
indicating that positive effects on the dominant ant partner did not
have cascading impacts on the ant community. This study provides novel
evidence that pairwise mutualisms, even those with strong positive
feedbacks, may be limited in the scope of their community-level effects.
Novel proteinase-activated receptor-2 (PAR2) antagonist C391 blocks Alternaria-induced human airway epithelial signaling and asthma indicators in murine models
Authors: Rivas Candy , Yee Michael , Addison Kenneth , Lovett Marissa , Pal Kasturi , Ledford Julie , Dussor Greg , Price Theodore , Vagner Josef , DeFea Kathryn , Boitano Scott
Published: September 2021

Background and Purpose: Despite availability of a variety of treatment
options, many asthma patients have poorly controlled disease with
frequent exacerbations. Proteinase-activated receptor-2 (PAR2) has been
identified in pre-clinical animal models as important to asthma
initiation and progression following allergen exposure. Proteinase
activation of PAR2 induces intracellular Ca2+, mitogen activated protein
kinase (MAPK) and -arrestin signaling the airway, leading to both
inflammatory and protective effects. We have developed C391, a potent
PAR2 antagonist effective in blocking peptidomimetic- and
trypsin-induced PAR2 signaling in vitro as well as reducing inflammatory
PAR2-associated pain in vivo. We hypothesized that PAR2 reduction with
C391 would attenuate allergen-induced asthma indicators in murine
models. Experimental Approach: We evaluated the ability for C391 to
alter Alternaria alternata-induced PAR2 signaling pathways in vitro
using a human airway epithelial cell line that naturally expresses PAR2
(16HBE14o-) and a transfected embryonic cell line (HEK 293). We next
evaluated the ability for C391 to reduce A. alternata-induced asthma
indicators in vivo in two murine strains. Key Results: C391 blocked A.
alternata-induced, PAR2-dependent Ca2+ and MAPK signaling in 16HBE14o-
cells, as well as -arrestin recruitment in HEK 293 cells. C391
effectively attenuated A. alternata-induced inflammation, mucus
production, mucus cell hyperplasia and airway hyperresponsiveness in
acute asthma murine models. Conclusions and Implications: To our
knowledge, this is the first demonstration of pharmacological
intervention of PAR2 to reduce allergen-induced asthma indicators in
vivo. These data support further development of PAR2 antagonists as
potential first-in-class allergic asthma drugs.
EFFECTS OF GOAL ORIENTED CARE FOR ADULTS WITH MULTIMORBIDITY. A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS
Authors: Barbato Angelo , D'Avanzo Barbara , Cinquini Michela , Fittipaldo Andrea Veronica , Nobili Alessandro , Amato Laura , Vecchi Simona , Onder Graziano
Published: September 2021

Objective. To systematically review the evidence from randomised
controlled trials evaluating the effects of goal oriented care against
standard care for multimorbid adults. Data sources/Study setting.
Existing literature presenting the resulto of randomized trials
assessing the outcome of goal oriented care compared with usual care for
adults with multimorbidity. Study design. Systematic review and
meta-analysis. Data collection/Extraction methods. We searched the
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CENTRAL), EMBASE, MEDLINE,
CINHAL, trial registries such as ClinicalTrial.gov and World Health
Organizational International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP)
and the references of eligible trials and relevant reviews.
Goal-oriented care was defined by the following: goal setting at the
individual level; collaborative identification of goals; valuing and
using the individuals’ resources and skills combined with the medical
standpoint; full entitlement of the person in the goal choice. A total
of 197 studies were reviewed. Ten trials were included. We extracted
outcome data on quality of life, hospital admission, patients’
satisfaction, patient and caregiver burden. Risk of bias was assessed
and certainty of evidence was evaluated using GRADE.. Principal
findings. No study was found fully free of bias. No effect was found on
quality of life (Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) 0.10; 95% CI -0.06
to 0.26) and hospital admission (Risk Ratio (RR): 0.87; 95% CI 0.65 to
1.17). A very small effect was observed for patients’ satisfaction (SMD:
0.15; 95% CI 0.00 to 0.29) and caregiver burden (SMD -0.13; 95%CI
-0.26 to 0.00). Certainty of evidence was low for all outcomes.
Conclusions Despite its sound rationale and the strong push towards its
dissemination, the results of this meta-analysis prevent to reach firm
conclusions about effects of goal-oriented care. Future research should
overcome the shortcomings of studies assessed in this meta-analysis. A
sound application of the indications for research of complex healthcare
interventions is warranted.
Sample preparation for the analysis of key metabolites from cannabinoids biosynthesis in phytoplankton using GC-MS
Authors: Ye Liyun , Budge Suzanne
Published: September 2021

Cannabinoids biosynthesis in phytoplankton has attracted much attention
due to the rapid development of genetic tools and the optimization of
genetic transformation methods in microalgae. To monitor the
biosynthesis process, proper sample preparation and practical
instrumental methods are needed to measure the various precursors,
intermediates, cannabinoids, and their degradation products. The
objective of this study was to develop a sample preparation procedure
for the quantification of olivetolic acid (OA), cannabigerolic acid
(CBGA), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA),
olivetol (OL), cannabidiol (CBD), and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) using
single-quadrupole gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
Isochrysis galbana was used as the model matrix. After methanol
extraction, samples were purified using solid phase extraction (SPE),
silylated with N-methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide, and
analyzed using GC-MS in electron ionization mode. A strong
anion-exchange SPE efficiently recovered OA, CBGA, CBDA, and THCA. A
graphitized carbon black SPE was necessary to purify OL, CBD, and THC.
Both columns removed amino acids, sugars, polyols, and pigments from the
algae extract and prepared samples that are suitable for silylation and
GC-MS analysis. The total protocol, including solvent extraction, SPE,
silylation, and GC-MS analysis, was validated in accordance with the ICH
guidelines. Performance characteristics of our method are superior to
existing protocols with similar complexity in the literature.
Relatedness and the evolution of mechanisms to divide labour in microorganisms
Authors: Liu Ming , West Stuart , Cooper Guy
Published: September 2021

Division of labour occurs when cooperating individuals specialise to
perform different tasks. In bacteria and other microorganisms, some
species divide labour by random specialisation, where an individual’s
role is determined by random fluctuations in biochemical reactions
within the cell. Other species divide labour by coordinating across
individuals to determine which cells will perform which task, using
mechanisms such as between-cell signalling. However, previous theory,
examining the evolution of mechanisms to divide labour between
reproductives and sterile helpers, has only considered clonal
populations, where there is no potential for conflict between
individuals. We used a mixture of analytical and simulation models to
examine non-clonal populations and found that: (1) intermediate levels
of coordination can be favoured, between the extreme of no coordination
(random) and full coordination; (2) as relatedness decreases,
coordinated division of labour is less likely to be favoured. Our
results can help explain why coordinated division of labour is
relatively rare in bacteria, where groups may frequently be non-clonal.
The amyloid concentric β-barrel hypothesis: Models of amyloid beta 42 oligomers and annular protofibrils
Authors: Durell Stewart , Kayed Rakez , Guy H,
Published: September 2021

Amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides, a major contributor to Alzheimers disease,
occur in differing lengths, each of which forms a multitude of assembly
types. The most toxic soluble oligomers are formed by Aβ42; some of
which have antiparallel β-sheets. Previously, our group proposed
molecular models of Aβ42 hexamers in which the C-terminus third of the
peptide (S3) forms an antiparallel 6-stranded β-barrel that is
surrounded by an antiparallel barrel formed by the more polar N-terminus
(S1) and middle (S2) portions. These hexamers were proposed to act as
seeds from which dodecamers, octadecamers, both smooth and beaded
annular protofibrils, and transmembrane channels form. Since then,
numerous aspects of our models have been supported by experimental
findings. Recently, NMR-based structures have been proposed for Aβ42
tetramers and octamers, and NMR studies have been reported for oligomers
composed of ~ 32 monomers. Here we propose a range of
concentric β-barrel models and compare their dimensions to
image-averaged electron micrographs of both beaded annular protofibrils
(bAPFs) and smooth annular protofibrils (sAPFs) of Aβ42. The smaller
oligomers have 6, 8, 12, 16, and 18 monomers. These beads string
together to form necklace-like bAPFs. These gradually morph into sAPFs
in which a S3 β-barrel is shielded on one or both sides by β-barrels
formed from S1 and S2 segments.
Zero-fluoroscopy ablation in patients with cardiac electronic implantable devices
Authors: Shimamoto Keiko , Yamagata Kennichiro , Wakamiya Akinori , Ueda Nobuhiko , Kamakura Tsukasa , Wada Mitsuru , Inoue Yuko , Miyamoto Koji , Nagase Satoshi , Kusano Kengo
Published: September 2021

Introduction: Utilizing a 3-dimensional (3-D) mapping system and
intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) has allowed ablation procedures with
less or without fluoroscopy; however, there is limited data for patients
with cardiac electronic implantable device (CIED) leads regarding the
suspected risk of lead injury. Therefore, we sought to explore technics
to perform safe trans-septal approach and catheter manipulation
technique in patients with CIED leads. Methods and Results: This study
comprised 68 consecutive patients (45 [66.2%] males, median
[interquartile range] 73 [68–77] years old) with CIED who
underwent catheter ablation for supraventricular tachycardia, 16 without
fluoroscopy (zero-fluoro group) and 52 with fluoroscopy
(conventional-fluoro group), between July 2019 and April 2021. All
procedures were performed under a 3-D mapping system and ICE guidance.
We compared the differences in treatment and development of
complications between the two groups. The procedures were mainly atrial
fibrillation (73.6%) and atrial tachycardia. The median time from
venipuncture to trans-septal procedure (zero-fluoro vs.
conventional-fluoro group: 27.0 min vs. 23.5 min, P=0.71) and total
procedure time (215 min vs. 172 min, P=0.55) were not different between
the two groups. The acute procedural success rate (100% vs. 98.1%,
P=1.00) and reduction of atrial high-rate episodes at 6 months (3.2
[0.3–93.9]% vs. 1.0 [0.0–14.9]%, P=0.33) did not differ
between the two groups. No patient showed lead-related complications in
both groups. Conclusions: Zero-fluoro ablation for supraventricular
arrhythmia using 3-D mapping and ICE in patients with CIED leads was
feasible under careful catheter manipulation.
Soil multifunctionality is negatively related to microbial community stochasticity in restored grasslands
Authors: Zhang Yongyong , Resch Monika , Schuetz Martin , Liao Ziyan , Frey Beat , Risch Anita
Published: September 2021

It is generally assumed that there is a relationship between microbial
diversity and multiple ecosystem functions. Although it is indisputable
that microbial diversity is controlled by stochastic and deterministic
ecological assembly processes, the relationship between these processes
and soil multifunctionality (SMF) remains less clear. In this study, we
examined how different grassland restoration treatments, namely harvest
only, topsoil removal and topsoil removal plus propagule addition,
affected i) soil bacterial and fungal community stochasticity, ii) SMF,
and iii) the relationship between community stochasticity and SMF.
Results showed that soil microbial community stochasticity decreased in
all the three restoration treatments, while SMF increased. Soil
multifunctionality was found to be significantly and negatively
correlated with soil microbial community stochasticity. Plant diversity
and plant C/N indirectly influenced SMF by regulating the microbial
community stochasticity. Our findings provide empirical evidence that
when deterministic community assembly processes dominate in soils, then
higher microbial functioning is expected.
The immunological profile of maternal obesity at 28 weeks of gestation underpins common negative pregnancy outcomes
Authors: Rees April , Richards Oliver , Jones Nick , Thornton Catherine
Published: September 2021

Healthy pregnancy is accompanied by various immunological and metabolic
adaptations. Maternal obesity has been implicated in adverse pregnancy
outcomes such as miscarriage, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes
mellitus (GDM), while posing a risk to the neonate. There is a lack of
knowledge surrounding obesity and the maternal immune system. The
objective of this study was to consider if immunological changes in
pregnancy are sabotaged by maternal obesity. Peripheral blood was
collected from fasted GDM-negative pregnant women at 26-28 weeks of
gestation. Analysis was done using immunoassay, flow cytometry,
bioenergetics analysis and cell culture. The plasma profile was
significantly altered with increasing BMI, specifically leptin
(r=0.7635), MCP-1 (r=0.3024) and IL-6 (r=0.4985). Circulating leukocyte
populations were also affected with changes in the relative abundance of
intermediate monocytes (r=-0.2394), CD4:CD8 T cell ratios (r=0.2789),
and NKT cells (r=-0.2842). Monocytes analysed in more detail revealed
elevated CCR2 expression and decreased mitochondrial content. However,
LPS-stimulated cytokine production and bioenergetic profile of MNCs was
not affected by maternal BMI. The Th profile skews towards Th17 with
increasing BMI; Th2 (r=-0.3202) and Th9 (r=-0.3205) cells were
diminished in maternal obesity, and CytoStimTM-stimulation exacerbates
IL-6 (r=0.4166), IL-17A (r=0.2753), IL-17F (r=0.2973) and IL-22
(r=0.2257) production with BMI, while decreasing IL-4 (r=-0.2806).
Maternal obesity during pregnancy creates an inflammatory
microenvironment. Successful pregnancy requires Th2-biased responses yet
increasing maternal BMI favours a Th17 response that could be
detrimental to pregnancy. Further research should investigate key
populations of cells identified here to further understand the
immunological challenges that beset pregnant women with obesity.
Convergence of approximate solutions for singular difference systems with maxima
Authors: Liu Xiang , GOODRICH Christopher , Wang Peiguang
Published: September 2021

In this paper, by introducing a new singular fractional difference
comparison theorem, the existence of maximal and minimal quasi-solutions
are proved for the singular fractional difference system with maxima
combined with the method of upper and lower solutions and the monotone
iterative technique. Finally, we give an example to show the validity of
the established results.
The angiotensin antagonist Losartan shifts social reward motivation and punishment sensitivity via modulating midbrain-striato-frontal circuits
Authors: Zhou Xinqi , Xu Ting , Zeng Yixu , Zhang Ran , Qi Ziyu , Zhao Weihua , Kendrick Keith , Becker Ben
Published: September 2021

Background Social deficits and dysregulations in dopaminergic
midbrain-striato-frontal circuits represent transdiagnostic symptoms
across psychiatric disorders. Animal models suggest that modulating
interactions between the dopamine and renin-angiotensin system with the
angiotensin receptor antagonist Losartan (LT) can modulate learning and
reward-related processes. We have therefore determined the behavioral
and neural effects of LT on social reward and punishment processing in
humans. Methods A pre-registered randomized double-blind
placebo-controlled between-subject pharmacological design was combined
with a social incentive delay fMRI paradigm during which subjects could
avoid social punishment or gain social reward. Healthy volunteers
received a single-dose of LT (50mg, n=43) or placebo (n=44). Reaction
times and emotional ratings served as behavioral outcomes, on the neural
level activation, connectivity and social feedback prediction errors
were modelled. Results Relative to placebo, LT switched reaction times
and arousal away from prioritizing punishment towards social reward. On
the neural level the LT-enhanced motivational salience of social rewards
was accompanied by stronger ventral striatum-prefrontal connectivity
during reward anticipation and attenuated activity in the ventral
tegmental area (VTA) and associated connectivity with the bilateral
insula in response to punishment during the outcome phase. Computational
modelling further revealed an LT-enhanced social reward prediction error
signal in VTA and dorsal striatum. Conclusions LT shifted motivational
and emotional salience away from social punishment towards social reward
via modulating distinct core nodes of the midbrain-striato-frontal
circuits. The findings document a modulatory role of the
renin-angiotensin system in these circuits and associated social
processes, suggesting a promising treatment target to alleviate social
dysregulations.
Development and optimization of Lysis gene E as a counter-selection marker with high selection stringency
Authors: Chen Wei , Chen Ruyi , He Ling , Wu Xiaotong
Published: September 2021

Seamless modification of bacteria chromosome is widely performed both in
theoretical and in practical research, for this purpose, excellent
counter-selection marker genes with high selection stringency are
needed. Lysis gene E from bacteriophage PhiX174 was developed and
optimized as a counter-selection marker in this paper. Lysis gene E was
firstly constructed under the control of pL promoter. At 42 °C, Lysis
gene E could effectively kill Escherichia coli. Seamless modification
using E as a counter-selection marker also successfully conducted. It
also works in another Gram-negative strain Serratia marcescens under the
control of Arac/PBAD regulatory system. Through combining lysis gene E
and kil, the selection stringency frequency of pL-kil-sd-E cassette in
E. coli arrived at 4.9×10−8 and 3.2×10−8 at two test loci, which is very
close to the best counter-selection system, inducible toxins system.
Under the control of Arac/PBAD, selection stringency of PBAD-kil-sd-E in
S. marcescens arrived at the level of 10−7 at four test loci. By
introducing araC gene harboring plasmid pKDsg-ack, 5- to 18- fold
improvement of selection stringency was observed at these loci, and a
surprising low selection stringency frequency 4.9×10−9 was obtained at
marR-1 locus, the lowest selection stringency frequency for
counter-selection reported so far. Similarly, at araB locus of E. coli
selection stringency frequency of PBAD-kil-sd-E was improved to 3×10−9
after introducing plasmid pKDsg-ack. In conclusion, we have developed
and optimized a newly universal counter-selection marker based on lysis
gene E. The best selection stringency of this new marker exceeds the
inducible toxins system several fold.
Reopening of the Occluded Saphenous Vein Composite Grafts After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
Authors: Kim Min-Seok , Kim Ki-Bong
Published: September 2021

Background. We have observed reopening of the occluded “no-touch”
saphenous vein (NT SV) composite grafts on follow-up angiograms in
patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graftings (CABG). Methods.
Between 2008 and 2018, 1283 patients received NT SV conduits without or
with surrounding pedicle tissue as composite grafts based on the in situ
left internal thoracic artery (ITA) for CABG and underwent early
postoperative angiographies. Among the 1283 patients, 53 patients showed
55 occluded SV conduit anastomoses, and 46 patients who had 48 occluded
SV anastomoses were re-evaluated by 1-year postoperative angiographies.
Results. Early postoperative angiographies in 1283 patients demonstrated
overall occlusion rates of 1.2% (56/4518); occlusion rates of the ITA
and SV were 0.08% (1/1259) and 1.7% (55/3260), respectively. One-year
angiograms demonstrated that 14 occluded SV anastomoses (29.2% [14/48
occluded SV]) of 14 patients became patent. Reopening of occluded SV
conduits occurred more frequently in NT SV with pedicle tissue than in
NT SV without pedicle tissue (45.0% [9/20] versus 17.9%
[5/28]; P=0.057). When we examined the preoperative and 1-year
postoperative angiograms, reopening of the occluded SV conduits was not
related with progression (P=0.258) or preoperative reversibility score
(P=0.115) of native target coronary artery disease. Conclusions. More
than a quarter of the occluded SV composite grafts on early
postoperative angiograms were patent in the 1-year angiograms. The
reopening rates were higher in patients who had received NT SV conduits
with pedicle tissue than those who had received NT SV conduits without
pedicle tissue.
Spatial distribution of soil water and salt in a slightly salinized farmland
Authors: Ke Zengming , Liu Xiaoli , Ma Lihui , Dong Qin’ge , Jiao Feng , Feng Zhe , Tu Wen , wang zhanli
Published: September 2021

It is important to study the mechanisms associated with the spatial
distribution of soil water and salt to control soil salinization and
promote the sustainable development of farmland. In this study, six
plots in gully farmland in the loess hilly region with different spatial
locations were selected to determine the spatial distributions of soil
water and salt and their correlation using the multifractal method. A
grid method (15 m  15 m, 3,600 m2) was applied in the 0–20 and 20–40
cm soil layers where each sampling site was located at the center point
coordinates. The results showed that the spatial variability of the soil
water and salt were 1.41 and 1.73 times higher, respectively, in the
upstream farmland than the downstream farmland. The uneven runoff and
sediment distributions from gullies in the upstream farmland increased
the spatial variability of the soil water and salt. In addition, the
vulnerability of upstream farmland to waterlogging caused further in
their spatial variability due to narrow landform features. Analysis
using the joint multifractal method showed that the spatial variability
of the soil water and salt was strongly correlated (P < 0.05)
because of the coupling between soil water and salt. In addition, the
spatial variability of the soil water and salt was strongly correlated
in the 0−20 and 20−40 cm layers because of the spatial autocorrelations
of the soil properties (P < 0.05), thereby indicating that the
spatial distributions of soil water and salt in the whole soil layer
could be represented by those in the 0−20 cm layer. Thus, we recommend
using the 0−20 soil layer to sample the distributions of the soil water
and salt. Our results provide a theoretical basis for studying the
interactive mechanisms associated with the distributions of soil water
and salt, and for optimizing the sampling method in the study area.
Correlated evolution of distinct signals associated with increased social selection in female white-shouldered fairywrens
Authors: Jones John , Odom Karan , Hoppe Ian , Nason Doka , Ketaloya Serena , Karubian Jordan
Published: September 2021

Conspicuous female signals have recently received substantial scientific
attention, but the degree to which female-specific selection drives
their evolution remains unclear. Species that express female-specific
phenotypic variation among populations represent a useful opportunity to
address this knowledge gap. White-shouldered fairywrens (Malurus
alboscapulatus) are tropical songbirds with a well-resolved phylogeny
where female, but not male, coloration varies allopatrically across
subspecies. We explored how four distinct signaling modalities, each
putatively associated with increased social selection, are expressed in
two populations that vary in competitive pressure on females. Females in
a derived subspecies (M. a. moretoni) have evolved more ornamented
plumage, more complex vocalizations, and shorter tails (a signal of
social dominance) relative to an ancestral subspecies (M. a. lorentzi)
with drab females. Moreover, in response to simulated territorial
intrusions broadcasting female song, female M. a. moretoni are more
aggressive and more coordinated with their mate in both movement and
vocalizations. These results suggest that correlated phenotypic shifts
in female color, morphology, song complexity, and behavior may have
occurred in response to changes in social selection, consistent with the
idea that female-specific selection has driven the evolution of these
signals.
Risk factors of hepatic dysfunction after total arch repair of acute type A aortic dissection with modified triple-branched stent graft implantation
Authors: Xie Linfeng , Jiang Debin , qiu zhihuang , Wu Qingsong , Xiao Jun , He Jian , Shen Yue , chen liangwan
Published: September 2021

Abstract Background: Hepatic dysfunction (HD) is a serious complication
after cardiovascular surgery. However, risk factors of developing
hepatic dysfunction after acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD) are
largely unclear. Methods: The clinical data of 227 patients with AAAD
repaired by modified triple-branched stent graft implantation from
January 2018 to January 2020 were collected retrospectively, including
preoperative , surgical and postoperative information. Logistics
regression was used to explore the potential risk factors of HD.
Results: In the early stage after operation, a total of 57 patients were
complicated with HD, accounting for 25.11%. The hospital mortality rate
in these patients with HD was 19.30%, while the rate in patients
without HD was only 6.5%. We found that preoperative body mass index
(BMI)>30kg/㎡(OR: 7.054, 95%CI: 1.798-27.678, P=0.005),
preoperative renal insufficiency(OR:7.575,95%CI:2.923-19.629,
P=0.000),preoperative moderate/severe pericardial effusion(OR: 16.409,
95%CI: 2.81-93.444, P=0.002) and cardiopulmonary bypass
time>180min (OR: 7.190, 95%CI: 3.113-16.608, P＝0.000)
were independent risk factors for HD after AAAD repaired by modified
triple-branched stent graft implantation. Conclusions: Preoperative
BMI>30kg/㎡, preoperative renal insufficiency, preoperative
moderate/severe pericardial effusion and cardiopulmonary bypass
time>180min are independent risk factors for HD after total
arch repair with modified triple-branched stent graft implantation in
AAAD patients. And the occurrence of HD after operation would prolong
the time of mechanical ventilation and the hospitalization time of ICU,
and significantly increase the in-hospital mortality of patients.
Keywords: risk factors,acute type A aortic dissection,hepatic
dysfunction, modified triple-branched stent graft implantation, total
arch repair
Personalizing Evidence for Shoulder Fracture Patients Using an Extended Instrumental Variable Causal Forest Algorithm
Authors: Brooks John M. , Chapman Cole G. , Floyd Sarah , Chen Brian K. , Thigpen Charles A. , Kissenberth Michael
Published: September 2021

Objective: To assess the ability of an extended Instrumental Variable
Causal Forest Algorithm (IV-CFA) to provide personalized evidence of
early surgery effects on benefits and detriments for elderly shoulder
fracture patients. Data Sources/Study Setting: Population of 72,751
fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries with proximal humerus fractures
(PHFs) in 2011 who survived a 60-day treatment window after an index PHF
and were continuously Medicare fee-for-service eligible over the period
12 months prior to index to the minimum of 12 months after index or
death. Study Design: IV-CFA estimated early surgery effects on both
beneficial and detrimental outcomes for each patient in the study
population. Classification and regression trees (CART) were applied to
these estimates to create patient reference classes. Two-stage least
squares (2SLS) estimators were applied to patients in each reference
class to scrutinize the estimates relative to the known 2SLS properties.
Principal Findings: This approach uncovered distinct reference classes
of elderly PHF patients with respect to early surgery effects on benefit
and detriment. Older, frailer patients with more comorbidities, and
lower utilizers of healthcare were less likely to gain benefit and more
likely to have detriment from early surgery. Reference classes were
characterized by the appropriateness of early surgery rates with respect
to benefit and detriment. Conclusions: Extended IV-CFA provides an
illuminating method to uncover reference classes of patients based on
treatment effects using observational data with a strong instrumental
variable. This study isolated reference classes of new PHF patients in
which changes in early surgery rates would improve patient outcomes. The
inability to measure fracture complexity in Medicare claims means
providers will need to discuss the appropriateness of these estimates to
patients within a reference class in context of this missing
information.
Echocardiographic Presentations of Isolated Metastasis of Mediastinal Carcinoid to the Left Ventricle: A Case Report
Authors: Huihui Wu , LIhong Wang , Li Hongyan
Published: September 2021

Abstract A mediastinal carcinoid is a low-grade malignant tumor, which
has low risk of metastasis, and cardiac metastasis is even rarer. When a
patient has cardiac metastasis, the primary carcinoid is usually widely
metastasized. In this case report, we presented occurrence of isolated
left-sided cardiac metastases ten years after surgical removal of left
anterior superior mediastinal carcinoid.
Spatial and temporal effects of climate change and land use change on runoff, sediment, nitrogen and phosphorus loss in the Haihe River Basin over the past 40 years
Authors: ding nan , chen yi , Tao Fulu
Published: September 2021

Investigating the impacts of climate and land use changes on basin’s
hydrological cycle and environment is important to provide scientific
evidence to manage the trade-off and synergies among water resource,
agricultural production and environment protection. In this study, we
quantified the contributions of climate and land-use changes to runoff,
sediment, nitrogen and phosphorus losses in the Haihe River basin since
the 1980s. The results showed that (1) climate and land-use changes
significantly increased evapotranspiration (ET), transport loss (TL),
sediment input (SI) and output (SO), and organic nitrogen (ON) and
phosphorus production (OP), with ET, SI, and ON affected most. (2) The
runoff, sediment and ammonia nitrogen were affected most by climate and
land use changes in the Daqing River Basin (217.3 mm), Nanyun River
Basin (3917.3 ton) and Chaobai River Basin (87.6 kg/ha), respectively.
(3) The impacts of climate and land-use changes had explicit
spatial-temporal patterns. In the Daqing River, Yongding River and
Nanyun River, the contribution of climate change to runoff and sediment
kept increasing and reached 88.6%~98.2% and
63%~77.2%, respectively. In the Ziya River and Chaobai
River Basin, the contribution of land use was larger, reaching
88.6%~92.8% and 59.8%~92.7%,
respectively. In the Yongding River Basin, Chaobai River Basin, Ziya
River Basin and Daqing River Basin, the contribution of land use to
nitrogen and phosphorus loss showed an increasing trend in the past 40
years (maximum: 89.7%). By contrast, in Nanyun River and Luanhe River,
the contribution of climate change to nitrogen and phosphorus loss
increased more obviously (maximum: 92.1%). We quantitatively evaluated
the spatial and temporal impacts of climate and land-use changes on
runoff, sediment, and nitrogen and phosphorus loss, which are useful to
support the optimizations of land and water resources in the River
Basin.