bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The best conditions for the nucleation of carbon nanoparticles in laser-induced plasma
Authors: Kaczmarek Agata , Hoffman Jacek
Published: May 2022

Despite the existence of many more efficient methods of producing carbon nanoparticles, ablation of a carbon target by a laser pulse remains important. It enables studying the bare properties of nanoparticles, not contaminated with reagents or reaction products. The present work analyses the mechanisms of nucleation and growth of nanoparticles in carbon vapours generated during ablation of graphite with a nanosecond laser pulse. The role of both the homogeneous and the heterogeneous (ions) nucleation was investigated, defining the areas of their occurrence. It has been shown that the most favourable conditions are high pressure of the order 1 GPa and relatively low temperature of about 15 000 K. Such conditions are obtainable when ablation occurs in a liquid and the fluence of the laser pulse is low, exceeding the ablation threshold about 2.7 times only. The resulting nanoparticles are relatively homogeneous and have a diameter of approximately 2.5–5 nm.
Peak profile analysis, electrical, dielectric behaviour and defect mediated yellow photoluminescence of zinc oxide nanostructures
Authors: Samanta Pijus Kanti , Rana Naba Kumar , Kar Bappa Sona
Published: May 2022

A simple chemical method has been used to synthesize pure and crystalline ZnO nanoparticles. XRD study revealed hexagonal unit-cell with crystallite size 18.32 nm. Non-Debye type relaxation mechanism leads to an additional constant-phase-contribution to the equivalent parallel RC-network. The grain-boundary effect to the conductivity is found to be very large. The dc conductivity was calculated to be 4.9 × 10−8 (Ω cm)−1. The high loss-tangent at lower frequency is contributed by the large grain boundary effect of the material. The material is highly transparent in the visible window of wavelength with wide and direct band gap of 3.53 eV. The highly intense photoluminescence at 583 nm is attributed to oxygen related defects (interstitials or vacancy).
Leading edge cracking observed in WEST
Authors: Durif A , Richou M , Corre Y , Delommez C , Gunn J-P
Published: May 2022

One of the missions of the WEST tokamak is to test in a realistic tokamak environment, the ITER-like divertor plasma facing components made with tungsten. On exposed leading edges of monoblocks, poloidally-distributed cracks having an average spacing of 0.4 mm, running perpendicular to the cooling tube axis, were observed following the experimental campaigns in 2018. Damage may be induced by different processes which can lead to: brittle fracture below the Ductile to Brittle Transition temperature or ductile failure for which softening (recovery/recrystallization) process plays a major role. To improve our understanding about the leading edge damage process, numerical simulations were run here. The following results are specially studied: (i) the thermal gradients; (ii) the softening fraction gradient and (iii) the stress and strain distributions taking into account the mechanical properties of tungsten (elastic-viscoplastic) and the softening phenomenon. This paper describes the results obtained for a range of WEST steady state parallel heat flux (from 45 MW/ m2 to 70 MW/ m2 ) and disruption (600 MW/ m2 ) heat loading on the leading edge. Estimated results related to the plastic strain accumulation, give an interpretation of the premature cracking of the monoblock leading edge but do not explain the poloidal distribution. According to the numerical results, brittle fracture are expected under disruption as estimated normal stresses are beyond the material yield stress, along 88% of the leading edge.
Neutrino meets ultralight dark matter: 0νββ decay and cosmology
Authors: Huang Guo-yuan , Nath Newton
Published: May 2022

We explore the neutrinoless double beta (0νββ)
decay induced by an ultralight dark matter field coupled to
neutrinos. The effect on 0νββ decay is significant if
the coupling violates the lepton number, for which the ΔL = 2
transition is directly driven by the dark matter field without
further suppression of small neutrino masses. As the ultralight
dark matter can be well described by a classical field, the effect
features a periodic modulation pattern in decay events. However, we
find that in the early Universe such coupling will be very likely to
alter the standard cosmological results. In particular, the
requirement of neutrino free-streaming before the matter-radiation
equality severely constrains the parameter space, such that the
future 0νββ decay experiments can hardly see any signal
even with a meV sensitivity to the effective neutrino mass.
Evidence of Quasi-periodic Oscillation in the Optical Band of the Blazar 1ES 1959+650
Authors: Dong Fu-Tong , Gai Ning , Tang Yanke , Wang Yi-Fan , Yi Ting-Feng
Published: May 2022

We analyzed the optical monitoring data in the R band of TeV blazar 1ES 1959+650 from 2002 to 2018, and provided evidence of a quasi-periodic oscillation in this object. The light curve shows a stable and persistent periodicity at ∼540 days, detected by the Lomb–Scargle periodogram, Jurkevich and weighted wavelet z-transform techniques. The red noise power spectrum was estimated using the PSRESP method, and this period was found to be at >3σ significance level. There are also two possible periodicities at ∼268 and ∼1100 days detected by all three methods. However, their significance levels are relatively low, and thus these two periods cannot be verified by the present data. We discuss several possible physical models that could explain the periodic variability in this object.
Totally asymmetric simple exclusion process with particle annihilation
Authors: Mukherji Sutapa
Published: May 2022

The cargo transport in biological cells often happens under a crowded environment. Past experiments have revealed that cargoes have the ability to self-assemble by associating or dissociating multiple motor proteins, which can impede the forward motion of cargoes on biopolymeric tracks. Motivated by these processes, we study a totally asymmetric simple exclusion process with possibilities of annihilation of particles. The model consists of a one-dimensional track on which two species of particles, one carrying cargoes and the other representing free motor proteins, hop obeying the exclusion principle. Further, the cargo carrying particle can annihilate the other species of particles occupying the forward site at a rate r

a
. The annihilation process causing particle non-conservation leads to a nonlinear coupling between the two species of particles. We show that this system undergoes boundary induced phase transitions in the state. Using the method of boundary-layer analysis, we find mean-field solutions for the average particle distribution profile across the lattice in the steady state. Analyzing these solutions and the phase portrait of the boundary-layer differential equation, we predict the phase diagram, which consists of a low-density, a high-density and a shock phase. We find that the shapes of the density profiles are affected differently in different phases by the annihilation process. The shapes of the density profiles in different phases agree qualitatively with results from numerical simulations.
Evaluation of Process Parameters on Treated Banana Peel Bioadsorbent for Heavy Metals Removal
Authors: Nur Aimi Nadhirah Z , Rabiatul Manisah M , Nabihah A , Norazlina H , Suhaila A
Published: May 2022

Heavy metals have previously been removed from aqueous media using activated carbon as an adsorbent but due to its high cost, researchers are working to develop low-cost adsorbents from agricultural products and by-products. In this research, fresh banana peels were utilised as raw materials, and they were subsequently carbonised using the hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) method to generate an efficient hydrochar adsorbent with the participation of potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution. Pure standard of Fe, Mn and Zn were used as the stock solution for the heavy metal ions removal. The catalysis of KOH with concentration ranging from 0% to 50% by weight were utilized as the reaction media. Parameters including the dosage, metal concentrations, contact time and pH value were carefully investigated. According to the results of concentrations of heavy metals before and after adsorption obtained from AAS, hydrochar produced in 30%wt KOH exhibit the most adsorption capacity and Zn removal exhibit the highest adsorption among all three metal ions used at 83% removal efficiency. The presence of a high number of oxygen functional groups (OFG) is confirmed by FTIR findings, that influence the adsorption reaction. As a result, chemically modified banana peels can be used as a low-cost alternative to other expensive adsorbents for heavy metal removal, and HTC could be a viable technique for producing low-cost adsorbents.
Surfactant membranes architecture and performance: Effect of HLB value and concentration of non-ionic surfactants
Authors: BadrulHaswan B , Hassan A R , Ali K , Redhwan A A M , Nasir A
Published: May 2022

This paper discusses a pioneering work on the effect of hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) values and non-ionic surfactant concentrations on the performance, architecture i.e. morphology and molecular orientation of polyethersulfone/polyether glycol (PES/PEG 600) for surfactant membrane. PES surfactant membranes were developed through phase inversion fabrication technique with the addition of non-ionic surfactants Triton X-100 (TX100) and Tween 20 (T20) into the polymer solution during formulation. The results of the experimental data conducted showed that 2 wt% increase in the concentration of non -ionic surfactants resulted increased in pure water permeated (PWP) flux and salt solution flux. T20 at 3 wt%, the surfactant membrane reached an highest PWP level of around 1200.67 L/m2 × h while showing an highest flux obtained at 31,692 L/m2 x h. Analysis of membrane structure construction from the morphological results of 3 wt% TX100 membrane having lower HLB value yielded highest rejection at 99.7% and became a booster to produce fine membrane structure, subsequently producing high performance surfactant membrane.
Evaluation of Colchicine’s interaction with the ATP-binding region of mice NLRP3-NACHT domain using molecular docking and dynamics simulation
Authors: Lai Hien T. T. , Do Ha M. , Nguyen Toan T.
Published: May 2022

Since the discovery of the role of NLRP3 in microbial infection in 2001, many studies have shown that NLRP3 play a key role in causing many mammal acute and chronic diseases. However, a full understanding of the mechanism of NLRP3 activation is still lacking. Our previous theoretical work and experimental evidence show the role of ATP in interacting with and activating the NATCH region of NLRP3. In this study, we continue to use bioinformatics and molecular dynamic (MD) simulation to evaluate the competitive impact of the interaction the ligand ATP and colchicine (COL) with this NACHT protein. The later ligand is a medication to treat gout attacks. Our results show that COL bind stably to the ATP binding pocket of mice NACHT domain with high numbers of hydrophobic and van der Waals interactions, while hydrogen bond and electrostatic interactions are important types of contact for keeping ATP at its NACHT pocket. Our results assist in buildingin-silicoscreening model for natural compounds with pharmacological effects to NLRP3 similar to colchicine with few side effects. In addition, this work helps to better understand the balance between this inflammasome activation and inhibition, which will help in the improvement and development of new therapies for related diseases.
Experimental study on formation characteristics and influence of ice jam in melting period
Authors: Sun Yi , Gu Zhigang , Ma Jing , Yi Xiaoyan
Published: May 2022

Ice problem widely exists in the north rivers, especially the ice disaster of the water elevation rise triggered by local ice jam in melting period caused by flowing ice. Therefore, it is of great significance to study the formation and influence of ice jam during the melting period. In this paper, the characteristics of ice flow in Yumenkou reach of the Middle Yellow River during the melting period is studied by laboratory physical model tests using paraffin as model ice. The results showed that: The formation of ice jam is controlled by flow rate and ice density during the melting period. When the flow rate is small and the density of flowing ice is high, there are enough ice cubes in a certain space who have enough time to combine with each other to form an ice jam. An ice jam is made up of at least two ice cubes stacked on top of each other vertically whose backwater influence is at least greater than the maximum height of one ice cube. An ice jam is more likely to form in the wider reaches of the river. The reason for that is, when the flow ice density reaches a certain level, the flow velocity is reduced more due to the wider river width, and the ice cubes are more likely to collide, squeeze and combine with each other, which are not easily transported by water with low flow intensity.
Numerical Simulation of Wake Flow Field in Pitch Motion of Underwater Vehicle
Authors: Huang Bo , Liu Zhongyan , Xu Yujing , Ding Qiaochu , You Guanjie , Pan Mengchun , Hu Jiafei , Zhang Qi
Published: May 2022

The frequent pitching motion of underwater vehicle during the mission will produce a more complex hydrodynamic wake, which is important for the detection and tracking of underwater vehicles. In this paper, a numerical method is presented to simulate the wake field during the pitching motion of an underwater vehicle by combining the dynamic overset grid method. The evolution law of the wake field is analyzed based on the DARPA SUBOFF simplified model. The effects of underwater vehicle speed on the velocity and turbulent kinetic energy of the wake field and the effects of the longitudinal inclination of the underwater vehicle on the extent of the wake field are discussed.It is found that the wake velocity is positively correlated with the sailing speed of the underwater vehicle, the turbulent kinetic energy of the wake field is directly proportional to the 1.75 power of the sailing speed of the underwater vehicle, and the range of wake field is positively correlated with the pitch angle of underwater vehicle. The larger the pitch angle is, the larger the intensity and size of vortex formed in the flow field are, and the farther the vortex can propagate to the rear of underwater vehicle wake.
Study on array fish schools based on lattice Boltzmann method
Authors: Xue Haotian , Xia Jian
Published: May 2022

In order to reveal the energy-saving mechanism in the process of fish swimming, an IB-LB model based on implicit boundary force correction is used to study the same-frequency swimming of the basic unit of the fish schools composed of 6 fish. Through research, it is found that lagging fish can absorb energy from the tail vortex of the fish in front, achieving the effect of energy saving, and the fish directly in front provide more energy than the fish in front of the side, but the overall energy loss of the fish schools is basically the fish alone swim the same.
Seasonal variations in dengue virus transmission suitability in the Americas
Authors: Morin Cory W , Sellers Samuel , Ebi Kristie L
Published: May 2022

Dengue fever (DF) is associated with significant morbidity across the tropics and sub-tropics. Here, we used a temperature-based model of the extrinsic incubation period (EIP) and a temperature and humidity-based model for adult mosquito survival to explore the relationship between seasonal climate variability and DF in Brazil from 2014 to 2019. We found that municipalities with higher mosquito survival probabilities and shorter EIPs were more likely to be associated with DF case reports, but with significant intra-annual variability. A 0.012 or above probability of Aedes aegypti surviving the EIP was associated with a greater than 50% probability of DF being reported in the municipality. We extrapolated these results to the Americas using climate data over the last decade (2010–2019) to map the seasonal change in the range of areas suitable for dengue virus transmission and the magnitude of the population living in those areas. Areas near the Equator exhibited high suitability throughout the year whereas suitability in the subtropics and temperate regions varied seasonally, especially moving poleward. Strengthening our understanding of DF seasonality is essential to mitigating risks, particularly as the Americas experience the impacts of climate change.
Effectiveness of behavioural interventions to reduce household energy demand: a scoping review
Authors: Composto Jordana W , Weber Elke U
Published: May 2022

This paper provides a scoping review of behavioural interventions that target household energy demand. We evaluate 584 empirical papers that test the effectiveness of a behavioural intervention to change behaviour associated with household energy demand. The most studied behavioural tools are providing timely feedback and reminders and making information intuitive and easy to access, followed by (in order) communicating a norm, reframing consequences, making behaviour observable, obtaining a commitment, setting proper defaults, and transitions and habit disruption. The most studied demand-side behaviour is electricity use. There is high heterogeneity in effect sizes. We classified the target behaviours of each study as avoid, shift, or improve behaviours and find that avoid behaviours (in particular, reducing electricity usage) are the predominant focus of researchers. The effectiveness of interventions differs across avoid, shift, and improve responses and by the behavioural tool. Specifically, shifting behaviours are less effectively motivated than avoiding behaviours by using an information intervention but more effectively by using a norm intervention. We review the literature to provide further information about which behavioural tools are most effective for specific contexts. The effectiveness of most behavioural tools are augmented when they are used in the right combination with other tools. We recommend that researchers focus future work on high impact behaviours and the evaluation of synergistic combinations of behavioural interventions.
Spatial verification of a regional ensemble precipitation forecasting system at the Hydrometeorological Research Center of the Russian Federation using a free verification package, MET
Authors: Bundel Anastasia , Astakhova Elena , Olkhovaya Elizaveta , Kirsanov Alexander , Alferov Dmitry
Published: May 2022

Ensemble weather forecasting is a necessary tool for assessing the probabilities of weather events, alternative scenarios of their development, and forecast uncertainties. At the Hydrometeorological Research Center of the Russian Federation, a regional high-resolution ensemble system is under development with a grid mesh of 2.2 km for the central region of Russia. Consequently, developing a state-of-the-art ensemble verification system is of high priority. In this work, preliminary results of a high-resolution ensemble verification system are given for precipitation as an example. The system includes both standard probability scores and some novel spatial scores. A method for object-based diagnostic evaluation, MODE, is used as the main object-based approach. The system is based on a free verification package, METplus. Examples of scores are given.
Scatter imaging with super-memory effect based on adaptive β-parameter hybrid input-output algorithm-assisted estimation of point spread function
Authors: Cao Chaowei , Cui Guangmang , Zhao Jufeng , He Bintao , Zhu Liyao
Published: May 2022

It is of great significance to realize the imaging of the target behind the scattering medium, which is often limited by the optical memory effect range. In this paper, a non-invasive super-memory effect scattering imaging method based on adaptive β-parameter hybrid input-output (APHIO) algorithm-assisted point spread function (PSF) estimation is proposed. An iterative algorithm APHIO is designed to use the speckle autocorrelation region to constrain the iterative region and optimize the value of the parameter β in the traditional HIO algorithm. Besides, the estimated PSF of the imaging system is combined with a new scanning method to better reconstruct the target object with super-memory effect range. The results show that the APHIO algorithm has the characteristics of faster convergence and more stable reconstruction quality than the traditional HIO algorithm. The overall imaging framework has a good performance in the reconstruction efficiency of the target with super-memory effect range.
“Never Trust the Skin”: A Rationale for Using Polydioxanone Internal Support Matrix to Minimize Scarring in Primary Mastopexy-Augmentation—An Observational Study
Authors: Chiemi Julia A , Kelishadi Shahrooz Sean
Published: May 2022

Background

The process of scar formation is complex and multi-factorial. Basic plastic surgery tenets focus on tension-free techniques to optimize aesthetic outcomes and minimize scarring.

Objectives

Prophylactic use of a polydioxanone (PDO) internal support matrix in cosmetic mastopexy-augmentation to decrease scar burden has never before been described.

Methods

A high volume (n = 41) single-surgeon mastopexy-augmentation experience (S.S.K.) followed scar quality in consecutive cases from June 2020 to July 2021. A minimum of 6 months of postoperative evaluation was required to assess scar quality. Fitzpatrick scores were also evaluated and compared. All surgeries in this study were performed in the dual plane using silicone gel implants, a superior or superomedial dermal pedicle blood supply, and a wise-pattern or vertical scar. Scar quality was evaluated by photography and scored according to an internally developed scar quality scale.

Results

There have been no cases of hypertrophic or keloid scarring. All patients receiving mastopexy-augmentation with prophylactic PDO mesh have a favorable appearance with fine line scars, and the mean scar quality scale score across the cohort was 4.341/5. The mean Fitzpatrick scale score across the cohort was 2.97, and, of the patients who scored a 5 on the scar quality index, the mean Fitzpatrick scale score was 3.545.

Conclusions

Prophylactic use of PDO internal support matrix in silicone gel mastopexy-augmentation offers further protection against poor scarring in patients across the Fitzpatrick scale, with varying degrees of skin quality, and across medium to high-volume implant augmentations. Patients who received PDO prophylaxis demonstrated a better-than-average scar appearance.

Level of Evidence: 4
Collagen and elastic fiber remodeling in the pregnant mouse myometrium
Authors: Ouellette Alexis , Mahendroo Mala , Nallasamy Shanmugasundaram
Published: May 2022

The myometrium undergoes progressive tissue remodeling from early to late pregnancy to support fetal growth and transitions to the contractile phase to deliver a baby at term. Much of our effort has been focused on understanding the functional role of myometrial smooth muscle cells, but the role of extracellular matrix is not clear. This study was aimed to demonstrate the expression profile of sub-sets of genes involved in the synthesis, processing, and assembly of collagen and elastic fibers, their structural remodeling during pregnancy, and hormonal regulation. Myometrial tissues were isolated from non-pregnant and pregnant mice to analyze gene expression and protein levels of components of collagen and elastic fibers. Second harmonic generation imaging was used to examine the morphology of collagen and elastic fibers. Gene and protein expressions of collagen and elastin were induced very early in pregnancy. Further, the gene expressions of some of the factors involved in the synthesis, processing, and assembly of collagen and elastic fibers were differentially expressed in the pregnant mouse myometrium. Our imaging analysis demonstrated that the collagen and elastic fibers undergo structural reorganization from early to late pregnancy. Collagen and elastin were differentially induced in response to estrogen and progesterone in the myometrium of ovariectomized mice. Collagen was induced by both estrogen and progesterone. By contrast, estrogen induced elastin, but progesterone suppressed its expression. The current study suggests progressive extracellular matrix remodeling and its potential role in the myometrial tissue mechanical function during pregnancy and parturition.
Treatment With Reduced-Dose Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole Is Effective in Mild to Moderate Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia in Patients With Hematologic Malignancies
Authors: Hammarström Helena , Krifors Anders , Athlin Simon , Friman Vanda , Golestani Karan , Hällgren Anita , Otto Gisela , Oweling Sara , Pauksens Karlis , Kinch Amelie , Blennow Ola
Published: May 2022

Background

Recent studies have reported that reduced-dose trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) may be effective in the treatment of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP), but data are lacking for patients with hematologic malignancies.

Methods

This retrospective study included all adult hematologic patients with PJP between 2013 and 2017 at 6 Swedish university hospitals. Treatment with 7.5–15 mg TMP/kg/day (reduced dose) was compared with >15–20 mg TMP/kg/day (standard dose), after correction for renal function. The primary outcome was the change in respiratory function (Δpartial pressure of oxygen [PaO2]/fraction of inspired oxygen [FiO2]) between baseline and day 8. Secondary outcomes were clinical failure and/or death at day 8 and death at day 30.

Results

Of a total of 113 included patients, 80 patients received reduced dose and 33 patients received standard dose. The overall 30-day mortality in the whole cohort was 14%. There were no clinically relevant differences in ΔPaO2/FiO2 at day 8 between the treatment groups, either before or after controlling for potential confounders in an adjusted regression model (−13.6 mm Hg [95% confidence interval {CI}, −56.7 to 29.5 mm Hg] and −9.4 mm Hg [95% CI, −50.5 to 31.7 mm Hg], respectively). Clinical failure and/or death at day 8 and 30-day mortality did not differ significantly between the groups (18% vs 21% and 14% vs 15%, respectively). Among patients with mild to moderate pneumonia, defined as PaO2/FiO2 >200 mm Hg, all 44 patients receiving the reduced dose were alive at day 30.

Conclusions

In this cohort of 113 patients with hematologic malignancies, reduced-dose TMP-SMX was effective and safe for treating mild to moderate PJP.
Patients selected for dual pathway inhibition in clinical practice have similar characteristics and outcomes to those included in the COMPASS randomized trial: The XATOA Registry
Authors: Fox Keith A A , Aboyans Victor , Debus E Sebastian , Zeymer Uwe , Cowie Martin R , Patel Manesh , Welsh Robert C , Bosch Jackie , Gay Alain , Vogtländer Kai , Anand Sonia S
Published: May 2022

Aims

To determine the characteristics of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), peripheral artery disease (PAD), or both, initiating dual pathway inhibition (DPI) using rivaroxaban 2.5 mg twice daily plus aspirin, and to report their clinical outcomes and bleeding rates in clinical practice compared to the COMPASS randomized trial, which provided the basis for using DPI in this patient population.

Methods and results

XATOA is a prospective registry of 5532 patients: of which, 72.7% had CAD, 58.9% had PAD, and 31.6% had both. The mean age of patients was 68 years and 25.5% were women. The mean follow-up period was 15 months. The most frequently reported reason for initiating DPI was the presence of existing, worsening or newly diagnosed risk characteristics (n = 4753, 85.9%). Before initiating DPI, 75.3% received a single antiplatelet and 18.3% received various antiplatelet combinations. The incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), major adverse limb events (MALE) and acute or severe limb ischaemia was 2.26, 3.57, and 1.54 per 100 patient-years, respectively, among the 5532 patients in XATOA. Corresponding rates in COMPASS were 2.18, 0.19, and 0.12 per 100 patient-years, respectively. Major bleeding rates were 0.95 and 1.67 per 100 patient-years in XATOA and COMPASS, respectively.

Conclusion

High-risk vascular patients are prioritized for DPI in clinical practice, and rates of MACE are similar to COMPASS, but MALE rates are higher in XATOA, consistent with the greater proportion of PAD patients. Major bleeding rates were lower in XATOA. The findings provide support for favourable net clinical benefit of DPI in high-risk vascular patients.

One-sentence summary

The characteristics of patients initiated on dual pathway inhibition (DPI: rivaroxaban 2.5  mg twice daily plus aspirin) have not previously been defined in clinical practice and the XATOA registry findings demonstrate patient outcomes are consistent with those of the COMPASS trial, despite geographic differences in recruitment and the higher proportion of PAD patients.
Theorizing Populist Radical-Right Foreign Policy: Ideology and Party Positioning in France and Germany
Authors: Ostermann Falk , Stahl Bernhard
Published: May 2022

The success of anti-establishment parties across Europe has fueled debate on the role of populism for foreign policy and its contemporary contestation. The almost-election of Marine Le Pen to the French presidency in 2017, the successes of the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) in Germany's 2017 and 2021 federal elections, and the central role these populist radical-right (PRR) parties henceforth play in structuring political debate make their wider foreign policy positions an issue of central concern. Yet, we still lack a thorough understanding how populism and radical-right ideology jointly produce a distinct foreign policy positioning beyond European integration. This article tries to narrow this gap by conceptualizing PRR positioning on trade, climate change, development policies, hegemony, and security and defense issues. The comparative analysis of official documents and voting behavior reveals only subtle differences between the Rassemblement national and the AfD, while demonstrating broad commonalities that have the potential to inform research across other cases and world regions on PRR parties’ foreign policy positioning.
Trauma-Informed Care in Long-Term Care Settings: From Policy to Practice
Authors: O’Malley Kelly A , Sullivan Jennifer L , Mills Whitney , Driver Jane , Moye Jennifer
Published: May 2022

By older adulthood, nearly all older adults will have been exposed to at least one potentially traumatic event, and the majority (93%) of older veterans report exposure to at least one event. Some may have developed posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during their lifetimes; however, most do not, as the prevalence of PTSD in later adulthood is low. Nevertheless, the long-lasting psychological effects of trauma may manifest in later life, exacerbated by the normative experiences of aging (e.g., medical illness, loss of loved ones, and retirement) and encounters with medical settings. Receiving care in skilled nursing settings may trigger traumatic memories or may aggravate PTSD of symptoms. As the population ages, more individuals will receive care in long-term care environments, leading to increased risk of worsening PTSD. Staff and facilities may not have skills or knowledge needed to address symptoms or reduce retraumatization. Implementing trauma-informed care practices can mitigate these effects and is mandated in skilled nursing facilities; however, no models of trauma-informed care practice in long-term care exist. This article reviews the effects of trauma and PTSD in later life, the effects of medical settings on PTSD, and provides a framework for implementing trauma-informed care in long-term care settings.
Lipid Changes After Induction Therapy in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Effect of Different Drug Classes and Inflammation
Authors: Sleutjes Jasmijn A M , Roeters van Lennep Jeanine E , van der Woude C Janneke , de Vries Annemarie C
Published: May 2022

Background

Dyslipidemia may be an important modifiable risk factor contributing to the increased cardiovascular risk in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The lipid metabolism is subject to both systemic inflammation and drug therapy; however, it is unclear if this effect is drug-class dependent. Our aim was to assess lipid changes after IBD induction therapy and evaluate associated factors with a particular focus on drug class and disease activity.

Methods

In this prospective study, consecutive IBD patients starting systemic therapy (eg, corticosteroids, thiopurines, methotrexate, anti-TNF-α agents, vedolizumab, ustekinumab, and tofacitinib) were included. Primary outcomes were changes in total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), and triglycerides at week 10.

Results

One hundred ninety-eight IBD patients (107 women [54%], median age 36 years; interquartile range [IQR], 27-47) were included: 137 Crohn’s disease (67%), 61 ulcerative colitis (29%), and 8 IBD-unclassified (4%). Median C-reactive protein and fecal calprotectin at baseline were 5.1 mg/L (IQR, 1.6-12.0) and 1040 ug/g (IQR, 383-1800), respectively. Relative increases in total cholesterol, HDL-c, and LDL-c were significant after prednisone (+26%, +31%, +12%) and tofacitinib therapy (+20%, +25%, +26%), respectively. Results remained after adjusting for concomitant corticosteroids, cholestyramine, and PSC diagnosis. Changes in clinical scores were inversely correlated with total cholesterol changes (R −186, P = .014), as was CRP with total cholesterol and LDL-c (R −0.292 and R −0.259, P < .001). No correlation was found with FCP. Lipid changes remained after adjusting for age and CRP.

Conclusions

Prednisone and tofacitinib induction therapy significantly increase serum lipid levels, whereas no changes were observed in other drug classes. The observations seem drug-specific inasmuch as adjustment for systemic inflammation did not alter the results.
Development of a Blocking ELISA Kit for Detection of ASFV Antibody Based on a Monoclonal Antibody Against Full-Length p72
Authors: Caixia Wang , Songyin Qiu , Ying Xiao , Haoyang Yu , Haoxuan Li , Shaoqiang Wu , Chunyan Feng , Xiangmei Lin
Published: May 2022

Background

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is the etiologic agent of African swine fever (ASF), a disease of highly contagious and significant threat to pork production. At present, the sensitive detection methods are the keys to the disease control.

Objective

Full-length p72 is produced by a eukaryotic system, and its monoclonal antibody (mAb) 34C10 is subsequently recovered. A blocking ELISA kit for detection of ASFV antibody is developed based on p72 trimers and 34C10.

Methods

Full-length p72 is expressed and is used as an immunogen to prepare a panel of monoclonal antibodies. The mAb 34C10 is verified by immunofluorescence and tested by ELISAs with positive serums. The constant affinity of 34C10 is then confirmed. A blocking ELISA kit is further developed and is compared with two commercial kits.

Results

The mAb 34C10 is specifically bound to p72 protein, and it exhibits a blocking effect to positive serum. The immunofluorescence assay experiment shows that 34C10 could bind to p72 expressed by baculoviruses, and the binding affinity of 34C10 is found to be as high as 1.85 × 1011 L/mol. The blocking ELISA kit shows high coincidence with a commercial ELISA kit. The sensitivity between these two kits is 97.6% (95%, CI: 90.65–99.58), and the specificity between them is 100% (95%, CI: 98.34–100).

Conclusions

The blocking ELISA developed in this study may have great potential for diagnosis of ASF. The structure of the antigen p72 is found to be a key factor for the performance of the kit.

Highlights

For the first time, the eukaryotic expressed full-length p72 protein is used to recover the monoclonal antibody, and it is coated as antigen during the development of the blocking ELISA kit. This study sheds new light on the development of the blocking ELISA kits, especially for the development of a diagnostic kit for the contagious virus with bio-safety problems.
1 Market Development
Authors: Kate Stephenson
Published: May 2022

This chapter introduces the nature, history, market development, advantages, and disadvantages of company voluntary arrangement (CVA). The CVA gives a mechanism wherein a company and restructure its debts and liabilities with the consent of a majority of its creditors while binding dissenting creditors to continue trading. The process could also restructure the affairs for the benefit of the company's stakeholders as a whole. There is no requirement that a company be insolvent or in financial difficulty to propose a CVA despite the fact that it is a formal insolvency proceeding. The usage of CVAs only increased from 2009 onwards due to the advent of high-street retailers' CVAs compromising landlord creditors and restructure leases portfolios.
2 CVAs in Wider Restructurings
Authors: James Watson
Published: May 2022

This chapter highlights the versatility of the company voluntary arrangement (CVA) as part of the UK's restructuring and insolvency toolkit. CVAs are used in various matters such as implementing a complex multi-party settlement with a diverse range of financial and intercompany creditors, compromising certain pension liabilities, preserving the key assets and value of the relevant business in line with the rules and regulations applied to the CVA company, and facilitating swifter distributions to creditors in line with long-tail administration process. Additionally, the chapter notes the CVA cases of interest correlated to TXU, T&N, Dana, Rangers Football Club plc, and EMF Global.
8 Challenges to CVAs
Authors: Tom Smith
Published: May 2022

This chapter notes the challenges of CVAs, primarily under Section 6 of the 1986 Act. Challenges to a CVAS may come in the forms of jurisdiction or two statutory grounds of challenge under section 6 of the 1986 Act. The basis of challenges varies from unfair prejudice to material irregularity. The challenge under the grounds of unfair prejudice looks into the effect of a CVA's contents on the rights of creditors, while a material irregularity challenge is focused on the circumstances and process by the approval of the CVA. A limit of 28 days is the required observance period when challenging a CVA under the aforementioned grounds.
2 Financial Collateral : From Private to Regulatory Law Reform
Authors: Thomas Keijser
Published: May 2022

This chapter considers the development of the legal framework for financial collateral from the application of traditional law to the private law reform that marked the 1990s and the early years of the new millennium. It discusses the expansion of the collateral markets that went hand in hand with the increased use of market standard documentation for different types of collateral arrangements. It also mentions the first standardized agreements that were developed in the United States (US) and considered as a lex mercatoria for the financial sector. The chapter analyzes the interaction of the phenomena that were part of the realm of private law with regulatory concerns that have emerged in the wake of the global financial crisis. It focuses on the issues of over- and undercollateralization and the treatment of collateral in the context of the resolution of a failing bank.
7 Sufficient Securities, Segregation, and Loss Sharing
Authors: Thomas Keijser
Published: May 2022

This chapter analyzes the occurrence of an imbalance when more securities are credited to the securities accounts of the account holder than its intermediary actually holds. It reviews different reasons that an imbalance can occur that can have a disruptive effect on the intermediated holding system, such as an administrative error or even fraud. It also discusses the requirement that intermediaries should hold sufficient securities to cover the claims of their account holders and examines the allocation of securities to account holders, notably by way of segregation. The chapter highlights allocation as a crucial factor when determining how shortfalls should be distributed in insolvency. It considers the possible impact of new technology, such as the distributed ledger technology (DLT).
The Actual Authority of the Agent
Authors: Munday Roderick
Published: May 2022

This chapter defines actual authority, which refers to the authority the agent possesses as the principal has expressly conferred that authority upon him or because the law regards the authority as having been conferred upon the agent by necessary implication. It explains how the actual authority of an agent that is customarily contrasted with an agent’s apparent authority. It also reviews the scope of an agent’s actual authority when determining the agent’s liability to the principal and settling the bounds of the agent’s authority in cases where other varieties of authority. The chapter talks about the precise extent of an agent’s actual authority that turn on the true construction of the words of his appointment. It examines the ambit of the agent’s authority that is be ascertained by applying the normal principles of interpretation of contracts.
Legal Relations between Principal and Third Party
Authors: Munday Roderick
Published: May 2022

This chapter emphasizes the primary purpose of agency, which is to bring principal and third party into direct contractual relations. It considers disclosed agency, citing situations in which the third party is aware of the existence of a principal, whether that principal is identified or not. It also deals with an anomalous situation, where the agent acts for a principal, whose very existence is concealed from the third party. The chapter explores two exceptions to the principle, nemo dat quod non habet: the doctrine of apparent ownership, and provisions of the Factors Act 1889 that permit mercantile agents to make unauthorized dispositions of their principal’s property to third parties. It examines the disclosed principal’s right to sue and be sued on transactions effected on his behalf that is at the very root of agency.
Lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol: from mechanisms to therapies
Authors: Luo Jie , Wang Jin-Kai , Song Bao-Liang
Published: May 2022

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is the main carrier of cholesterol and cholesteryl ester in circulation. High plasma levels of LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) are a major risk factor of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). LDL-C lowering is recommended by many guidelines for the prevention and treatment of ASCVD. Statins, ezetimibe, and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors are the mainstay of LDL-C-lowering therapy. Novel therapies are also emerging for patients who are intolerant to statins or respond poorly to standard treatments. Here, we review the most recent advances on LDL-C-lowering drugs, focusing on the mechanisms by which they act to reduce LDL-C levels. The article starts with the cornerstone therapies applicable to most patients at risk for ASCVD. Special treatments for those with little or no LDL receptor function then follow. The inhibitors of ATP-citrate lyase and cholesteryl ester transfer protein, which are recently approved and still under investigation for LDL-C lowering, respectively, are also included. Strategies targeting the stability of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase and cholesterol catabolism can be novel regimens to reduce LDL-C levels and cardiovascular risk.
COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake and Factors Associated With Being Unvaccinated Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Other Sexual Identities (LGBTQ+) New Yorkers
Authors: Low Andrea , Wright Connor , Platt Joey , Chang Christiana , Mantell Joanne E , Romero Emily , Hoos David , Mannheimer Sharon , Greenleaf Abigail , Castor Delivette , El-Sadr Wafaa M
Published: May 2022

Routine data on vaccine uptake are not disaggregated by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual identities (LGBTQ+) populations, despite higher risk of infection and severe disease. We found comparable vaccination uptake patterns among 1032 LGBTQ+ New Yorkers and the general population. We identified critical socioeconomic factors that were associated with vaccine hesitancy in this economically vulnerable population.
Occipital Headache Evaluation and Rates of Migraine Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment in Patients Receiving Greater Occipital Nerve Blocks in an Academic Pain Clinic
Authors: Love Shawn M , Hopkins Benjamin D , Migdal Christopher W , Schuster Nathaniel M
Published: May 2022

Objective

Diagnosis of patients with occipital headache can be challenging, as both primary and secondary causes must be considered. Our study assessed how often migraine is screened for, diagnosed, and treated in patients receiving greater occipital nerve blocks (GONBs) in a pain clinic.

Design

Institutional review board–approved, retrospective observational study.

Setting

Academic multidisciplinary pain clinic.

Subjects

One hundred forty-three consecutive patients who received GONBs.

Results

About 75% of patients had been evaluated by neurologists and about 25% by non-neurologist pain specialists only, and 62.2% of patients had photophobia, phonophobia, and nausea assessed. Compared with patients who had been evaluated by non-neurologists, patients who had been evaluated by a neurologist were more likely to have photophobia, phonophobia, and nausea assessed (75.9% vs 20.0%, odds ratio [OR] 12.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.90 to 32.2); more likely to be diagnosed with migraine (48.1% vs 14.3%, OR 5.6, 95% CI 2.0 to 15); less likely to be diagnosed with occipital neuralgia (39.8% vs 65.7%, OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.2 to 0.8); and equally likely to be diagnosed with cervicogenic headache (21.3% vs 25.7%, OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.3 to 1.9). Among patients diagnosed with migraine, 82.5% received acute migraine treatment, 89.5% received preventive migraine treatment, and 52.6% were documented as receiving migraine lifestyle counseling.

Conclusions

Of the patients in this study who had occipital headache and received GONBs, 62.2% were assessed for migraine, and most received appropriate acute, preventive, and lifestyle treatments when diagnosed. Patients seen by neurologists were significantly more likely to be screened for and diagnosed with migraine than were those evaluated by non-neurologist pain medicine specialists only. All clinicians should remain vigilant for migraine in patients with occipital headache.
PD-1 Suppresses the Osteogenic and Odontogenic Differentiation of Stem Cells from Dental Apical Papilla via Targeting SHP2/NF-κB Axis
Authors: Li Na , Li Zehan , Fu Lin , Yan Ming , Wang Yanqiu , Yu Jinhua , Wu Jintao
Published: May 2022

Stem cells from the apical papilla (SCAPs) are important for tooth root development and regeneration of root dentin. Here, we examined the expression of programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) in SCAPs and investigated the effects of PD-1 on odontogenic and osteogenic differentiation, as well as the relationship between PD-1 and SHP2/NF-κB signals. SCAPs were obtained and cultured in the related medium. The proliferation ability was evaluated by the cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) and the 5-ethynyl-20-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay, ALP staining, Western blot, real-time quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), Alizarin Red S (ARS) staining, and immunofluorescence (IF) staining were performed to explore the osteo/odontogenic potential and the involvement of SHP2/NF-κB pathways. Besides, we transplanted SCAPs components into mouse calvaria defects to evaluate osteogenesis in vivo. We found that human SCAPs expressed PD-1 for the first time. PD-1 knockdown enhanced the osteo/odontogenic differentiation of SCAPs by suppressing the SHP2 pathway and activating the NF-κB pathway. Overexpression of PD-1 inhibited the osteogenesis and odontogenesis of SCAPs via activation of SHP2 signal and inhibition of the NF-κB pathway. PD-1 activated SHP2 signal to block NF-κB signal and then played a vital role in osteo/odontogenic differentiation of SCAPs.