bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mono-top signature from stop decay at the HE-LHC
Authors: Yang Xu-Xu , Zhou Hang , Tang Tian-Peng , Liu Ning
Published: January 2021

Searching for the top squark (stop) is a key task to test the naturalness of SUSY. Different from stop pair production, single stop production relies on its electroweak properties and can provide some unique signatures. Following the single production process

pp
→

t

˜

1

χ

˜

1

−

→
t

χ

˜

1

0

χ

˜

1

−

, the top quark has two decay channels: leptonic channel and hadronic channel. In this paper, we probe the observability of these two channels in a simplified minimal supersymmetric standard model scenario. We find that, at the 27 TeV LHC with the integrated luminosity of


=
15

ab

−
1

,

m

t

˜

1

<
1900

GeV

and μ < 750 GeV can be excluded at 2σ through the leptonic mono-top channel, while

m

t

˜

1

<
1200

GeV

and μ < 350 GeV can be excluded at 2σ through the hadronic channel.
Longitudinal dynamics from hydrodynamics with an order parameter *
Authors: Lin Shu , Zhou Gezheng
Published: January 2021

We studied coupled dynamics of hydrodynamic fields and order parameter in the presence of nontrivial longitudinal flow using the chiral fluid dynamics model. We found that longitudinal expansion provides an effective relaxation for the order parameter, which equilibrates in an oscillatory fashion. Similar oscillations are also visible in hydrodynamic degrees of freedom through coupled dynamics. The oscillations are reduced when dissipation is present. We also found that the quark density, which initially peaked at the boundary of the boost invariant region, evolves toward forward rapidity with the peak velocity correlated with the velocity of longitudinal expansion. The peak broadens during this evolution. The corresponding chemical potential rises due to simultaneous decrease of density and temperature. We compared the cases with and without dissipation for the order parameter and also the standard hydrodynamics without order parameter. We found that the corresponding effects on temperature and chemical potential can be understood from the conservation laws and different speeds of equilibration of the order parameter in the three cases.
Evaluation of an electrochemically aligned collagen yarn for textile scaffold fabrication
Authors: Xie Yu , Chen Jiyang , Celik Hakan , Akkus Ozan , King Martin W
Published: January 2021

Collagen is the major component of the extracellular matrix in human tissues and widely used in the fabrication of tissue engineered scaffolds for medical applications. However, these forms of collagen gels and films have limitations due to their inferior strength and mechanical performance and their relatively fast rate of degradation. A new form of continuous collagen yarn has recently been developed for potential usage in fabricating textile tissue engineering scaffolds. In this study, we prepared the continuous electrochemical aligned collagen yarns from acid-soluble collagen that was extracted from rat tail tendons (RTTs) using 0.25 M acetic acid. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed that the major component of the extracted collagen contained alpha 1 and alpha 2 chains and the triple helix structure of Type 1 collagen. The collagen solution was processed to monofilament yarns in continuous lengths by using a rotating electrode electrochemical compaction device. Exposing the non-crosslinked collagen yarns and the collagen yarns crosslinked with 1-ethyl-3-(-3-dimethyl-aminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride to normal physiological hydrolytic degradation conditions showed that both yarns were able to maintain their tensile strength during the first 6 weeks of the study. Cardiosphere-derived cells showed significantly enhanced attachment and proliferation on the collagen yarns compared to synthetic polylactic acid filaments. Moreover, the cells were fully spread and covered the surface of the collagen yarns, which confirmed the superiority of collagen in terms of promoting cellular adhesion. The results of this work indicated that the aligned RTT collagen yarns are favorable for fabricating biotextile scaffolds and are encouraging for further studies of various textile structure for different tissue engineering applications.
Superintegrability of three-dimensional Hamiltonian systems with conformally Euclidean metrics. Oscillator-related and Kepler-related systems
Authors: Cariñena José F , Rañada Manuel F , Santander Mariano
Published: January 2021

We study four particular three-dimensional natural Hamiltonian systems defined in conformally Euclidean spaces. We prove their superintegrability and we obtain, in the four cases, the maximal number of functionally independent integrals of motion. The two first systems are related to the three-dimensional isotropic oscillator and the superintegrability is quadratic. The third system is obtained as a continuous deformation of an oscillator with ratio of frequencies 1:1:2 and with three additional nonlinear terms of the form k
2/x
2, k
3/y
2 and k
4/z
2, and the fourth system is obtained as a deformation of the Kepler Hamiltonian also with these three particular nonlinear terms. These third and fourth systems are superintegrable but with higher-order constants of motion. The four systems depend on a real parameter in such a way that they are continuous functions of the parameter (in a certain domain of the parameter) and in the limit of such parameter going to zero the Euclidean dynamics is recovered.
Monodisperse albumin particles fabricated by membrane emulsification using anodic porous alumina
Authors: Yanagishita Takashi , Asami Reina , Masuda Hideki
Published: January 2021

We obtained monodisperse albumin particles by membrane emulsification using ordered anodic porous alumina with uniform-sized holes. The particle size could be controlled by adjusting the hole size in the alumina emulsification membrane using the linear relationship between the size of particle and the hole. We loaded a fluorescent dye into the albumin particles by adding it to the dispersed phase used for the emulsification. These monodisperse albumin particles with controlled size have potential for use in various applications, in particular, as drug carriers.
Why Are Individuals With Diabetes Less Active? The Mediating Role of Physical, Emotional, and Cognitive Factors
Authors: Cheval Boris , Maltagliati Silvio , Sieber Stefan , Beran David , Chalabaev Aïna , Sander David , Cullati Stéphane , Boisgontier Matthieu P
Published: January 2021

Background

Despite the key role of physical activity in the management of diabetes, many individuals with diabetes do not engage in the recommended levels of physical activity. However, our knowledge of the mechanisms underlying the relationship between diabetes and physical inactivity is limited.

Purpose

To investigate the associations between diabetes and the levels and evolution of physical activity across aging, and to determine whether physical, emotional, and cognitive factors mediate these associations.

Methods

Data from 105,622 adults aged 50–96 years from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) were used in adjusted linear mixed models to examine whether diabetes was associated with physical activity levels and variations across aging. The potential mediators were subjective energy, muscle strength, physical and cognitive disability, sleep problems, depressive symptoms, and cognitive functions. The variables were measured up to seven times over a 13-year period.

Results

Individuals with diabetes demonstrated a lower level and a steeper decrease in physical activity across aging than individual without diabetes. Mediators explained ~53% and 94% of the association of diabetes with the level of physical activity and with the linear evolution of physical activity across aging, respectively. All mediators were significantly associated with physical activity. Physical and cognitive disability as well as depressive symptoms were the strongest mediators, while sleep was the lowest one.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that the etiology of physical inactivity in individuals with diabetes can result from several physical, emotional, and cognitive changes associated with the emergence of this disease.
Elemental Testing Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry in Clinical Laboratories
Authors: Yang He S , LaFrance Delecia R , Hao Ying
Published: January 2021

Objectives

This review aims to describe the principles underlying different types of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and major technical advancements that reduce spectral interferences, as well as their suitability and wide applications in clinical laboratories.

Methods

A literature survey was performed to review the technical aspects of ICP-MS, ICP-MS/MS, high-resolution ICP-MS, and their applications in disease diagnosis and monitoring.

Results

Compared to the atomic absorption spectrometry and ICP-optical emission spectrometry, ICP-MS has advantages including improved precision, sensitivity and accuracy, wide linear dynamic range, multielement measurement capability, and ability to perform isotopic analysis. Technical advancements, such as collision/reaction cells, triple quadrupole ICP-MS, and sector-field ICP-MS, have been introduced to improve resolving power and reduce interferences. Cases are discussed that highlight the clinical applications of ICP-MS including determination of toxic elements, quantification of nutritional elements, monitoring elemental deficiency in metabolic disease, and multielement analysis.

Conclusions

This review provides insight on the strategies of elemental analysis in clinical laboratories and demonstrates current and emerging clinical applications of ICP-MS.
Does Size Affect the Rate of Perforation? A Cross-sectional Study of Medical Gloves
Authors: Zare Asma , Choobineh Alireza , Jahangiri Mehdi , Seif Mozhgan , Dehghani Fatemeh
Published: January 2021

Objectives

Healthcare workers often have unnoticed minor abrasions on their hands, putting them at risk of contracting infectious diseases from patients, if the integrity of the medical gloves is compromised. This study aimed to compare the rate and location of glove perforation between well-fitted and ill-fitted gloves.

Methods

The participants of this cross-sectional study were 45 midwives in the maternity ward of a hospital in Shiraz city, Iran. A total of nine pairs of medical gloves including three pairs of fit size, three pairs of gloves with one size smaller (tight), and three pairs of gloves with one size larger (loose) were given to subjects, and asked them to use the gloves during episiotomy repair operations. After completing the task, all gloves were collected safely and gloves perforation was investigated based on water test (NF EN 455-1).

Results

The perforation rate of the fit, tight, and loose medical gloves was 20, 37.78, and 34.81%, respectively. The results showed a significant difference between glove perforation of different glove sizes (P < 0.05). In general, there was a significant difference between the perforation rate of the fit glove and ill-fitted gloves (P = 0.013).

Conclusions

Wearing the wrong size gloves may increase the glove perforation rate. Providing a wide range of glove sizes by the hospital management, and choosing the best glove size can be very effective in reducing the glove perforation and increasing safety for healthcare workers and patients.
A semisupervised model to predict regulatory effects of genetic variants at single nucleotide resolution using massively parallel reporter assays
Authors: Yang Zikun , Wang Chen , Erjavec Stephanie , Petukhova Lynn , Christiano Angela , Ionita-Laza Iuliana
Published: January 2021

Motivation

Predicting regulatory effects of genetic variants is a challenging but important problem in functional genomics. Given the relatively low sensitivity of functional assays, and the pervasiveness of class imbalance in functional genomic data, popular statistical prediction models can sharply underestimate the probability of a regulatory effect. We describe here the presence-only model (PO-EN), a type of semisupervised model, to predict regulatory effects of genetic variants at sequence-level resolution in a context of interest by integrating a large number of epigenetic features and massively parallel reporter assays (MPRAs).

Results

Using experimental data from a variety of MPRAs we show that the presence-only model produces better calibrated predicted probabilities and has increased accuracy relative to state-of-the-art prediction models. Furthermore, we show that the predictions based on pretrained PO-EN models are useful for prioritizing functional variants among candidate eQTLs and significant SNPs at GWAS loci. In particular, for the costimulatory locus, associated with multiple autoimmune diseases, we show evidence of a regulatory variant residing in an enhancer 24.4 kb downstream of CTLA4, with evidence from capture Hi-C of interaction with CTLA4. Furthermore, the risk allele of the regulatory variant is on the same risk increasing haplotype as a functional coding variant in exon 1 of CTLA4, suggesting that the regulatory variant acts jointly with the coding variant leading to increased risk to disease.

Availability and implementation

The presence-only model is implemented in the R package ‘PO.EN’, freely available on CRAN. A vignette describing a detailed demonstration of using the proposed PO-EN model can be found on github at https://github.com/Iuliana-Ionita-Laza/PO.EN/

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Comparison of observation-based and model-based identification of alert concentrations from concentration–expression data
Authors: Kappenberg Franziska , Grinberg Marianna , Jiang Xiaoqi , Kopp-Schneider Annette , Hengstler Jan G , Rahnenführer Jörg
Published: January 2021

Motivation

An important goal of concentration–response studies in toxicology is to determine an ‘alert’ concentration where a critical level of the response variable is exceeded. In a classical observation-based approach, only measured concentrations are considered as potential alert concentrations. Alternatively, a parametric curve is fitted to the data that describes the relationship between concentration and response. For a prespecified effect level, both an absolute estimate of the alert concentration and an estimate of the lowest concentration where the effect level is exceeded significantly are of interest.

Results

In a simulation study for gene expression data, we compared the observation-based and the model-based approach for both absolute and significant exceedance of the prespecified effect level. Results show that, compared to the observation-based approach, the model-based approach overestimates the true alert concentration less often and more frequently leads to a valid estimate, especially for genes with large variance.

Availability and implementation

The code used for the simulation studies is available via the GitHub repository: https://github.com/FKappenberg/Paper-IdentificationAlertConcentrations.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
The Way Life Goes On
Authors: Shepersky Tara K
Published: January 2021

Enriching BioScience's role as a Forum for Integrating the Life Sciences, Arts in Science provides an occasional venue for poems, visual art, and other forms of artistic expression that explore and enliven our understanding of life. Through the contributions in this section, we hope to share with our readers the passion for nature that science inspires.
Salsify
Authors: Shepersky Tara K
Published: January 2021

Enriching BioScience's role as a Forum for Integrating the Life Sciences, Arts in Science provides an occasional venue for poems, visual art, and other forms of artistic expression that explore and enliven our understanding of life. Through the contributions in this section, we hope to share with our readers the passion for nature that science inspires.
Cost-effectiveness of bilateral vs. single internal thoracic artery grafts at 10 years
Authors: Little Matthew , Gray Alastair M , Altman Douglas G , Benedetto Umberto , Flather Marcus , Gerry Stephen , Lees Belinda , Murphy Jacqueline , Gaudino Mario , Taggart David P ,   for the Arterial Revascularization Trial Investigators
Published: January 2021

Aims

Using bilateral internal thoracic arteries (BITAs) for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has been suggested to improve survival compared to CABG using single internal thoracic arteries (SITAs) for patients with advanced coronary artery disease. We used data from the Arterial Revascularization Trial (ART) to assess long-term cost-effectiveness of BITA grafting compared to SITA grafting from an English health system perspective.

Methods and results

Resource use, healthcare costs, and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were assessed across 10 years of follow-up from an intention-to-treat perspective. Missing data were addressed using multiple imputation. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were calculated with uncertainty characterized using non-parametric bootstrapping. Results were extrapolated beyond 10 years using Gompertz functions for survival and linear models for total cost and utility. Total mean costs at 10 years of follow-up were £17 594 in the BITA arm and £16 462 in the SITA arm [mean difference £1133 95% confidence interval (CI) £239 to £2026, P = 0.015]. Total mean QALYs at 10 years were 6.54 in the BITA arm and 6.57 in the SITA arm (adjusted mean difference −0.01 95% CI −0.2 to 0.1, P = 0.883). At 10 years, BITA grafting had a 33% probability of being cost-effective compared to SITA, assuming a cost-effectiveness threshold of £20 000. Lifetime extrapolation increased the probability of BITA being cost-effective to 51%.

Conclusions

BITA grafting has significantly higher costs but similar quality-adjusted survival at 10 years compared to SITA grafting. Extrapolation suggests this could change over lifetime.
Exome-Wide Association Study Identifies FN3KRP and PGP as New Candidate Longevity Genes
Authors: Torres Guillermo G , Nygaard Marianne , Caliebe Amke , Blanché Hélène , Chantalat Sophie , Galan Pilar , Lieb Wolfgang , Christiansen Lene , Deleuze Jean-François , Christensen Kaare , Strauch Konstantin , Müller-Nurasyid Martina , Peters Annette , Nöthen Markus M , Hoffmann Per , Flachsbart Friederike , Schreiber Stefan , Ellinghaus David , Franke Andre , Dose Janina , Nebel Almut
Published: January 2021

Despite enormous research efforts, the genetic component of longevity has remained largely elusive. The investigation of common variants, mainly located in intronic or regulatory regions, has yielded only little new information on the heritability of the phenotype. Here, we performed a chip-based exome-wide association study investigating 62 488 common and rare coding variants in 1248 German long-lived individuals, including 599 centenarians and 6941 younger controls (age < 60 years). In a single-variant analysis, we observed an exome-wide significant association between rs1046896 in the gene fructosamine-3-kinase-related-protein (FN3KRP) and longevity. Noteworthy, we found the longevity allele C of rs1046896 to be associated with an increased FN3KRP expression in whole blood; a database look-up confirmed this effect for various other human tissues. A gene-based analysis, in which potential cumulative effects of common and rare variants were considered, yielded the gene phosphoglycolate phosphatase (PGP) as another potential longevity gene, though no single variant in PGP reached the discovery p-value (1 × 10E−04). Furthermore, we validated the previously reported longevity locus cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2B antisense RNA 1 (CDKN2B-AS1). Replication of our results in a French longevity cohort was only successful for rs1063192 in CDKN2B-AS1. In conclusion, we identified 2 new potential candidate longevity genes, FN3KRP and PGP which may influence the phenotype through their role in metabolic processes, that is, the reverse glycation of proteins (FN3KRP) and the control of glycerol-3-phosphate levels (PGP).
One year later: The effect of changing azole-treated bulbs for organic tulips bulbs in hospital environment on the azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus rate
Authors: Rocchi Steffi , Godeau Chloé , Scherer Emeline , Reboux Gabriel , Millon Laurence
Published: January 2021

Azole-treated plant bulbs have already been evoked as a potential explanation of the worldwide spread of azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus (ARAf). We previously pointed out the presence of a high rate of ARAf (71% of A. fumigatus detected on azole-supplemented media) in flower beds containing azole-treated bulbs at the hospital's surroundings. We show here that planting organic bulbs can be a solution to reduce ARAf burden (from 71% rate to below 3%). The results suggest that replacing treated bulbs with organic bulbs may be sufficient to regain a population that is predominantly susceptible in just 1 year.

Lay Summary

Antifungal resistance is increasingly observed in fungal pathogens. This study argues that planting organic bulbs in hospitals’ outdoor surroundings could be a good alternative to continue to beautify green spaces, without the risk of dissipating antifungal-resistant fungal pathogens.
A new determination of the primordial helium abundance using the analyses of H ii region spectra from SDSS
Authors: Kurichin O A , Kislitsyn P A , Klimenko V V , Balashev S A , Ivanchik A V
Published: January 2021

The precision measurement of the primordial helium abundance Yp is a powerful probe of the early Universe. The most common way to determine Yp is the analyses of observations of metal-poor H ii regions found in blue compact dwarf galaxies. We present the spectroscopic sample of 100 H ii regions collected from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. The final analysed sample consists of our sample and HeBCD data base from Izotov et al. (2007). We use a self-consistent procedure to determine physical conditions, current helium abundances, and metallicities of the H ii regions. From a regression to zero metallicity, we have obtained Yp = 0.2462 ± 0.0022, which is one of the most stringent constraints obtained with such methods up to date and is in a good agreement with the Planck result $Y_{\rm p}^{\it {\mathrm{ Planck}}} = 0.2471 \pm 0.0003$. Using the determined value of Yp and the primordial deuterium abundance taken from Particle Data Group (Zyla et al. 2020) we put a constraint on the effective number of neutrino species Neff = 2.95 ± 0.16, which is consistent with the Planck one Neff = 2.99 ± 0.17. Further increase of statistics potentially allows us to achieve Planck accuracy, which in turn will become a powerful tool for studying the self-consistency of the standard cosmological model and/or physics beyond.
A critical role for linker DNA in higher-order folding of chromatin fibers
Authors: Brouwer Thomas , Pham Chi , Kaczmarczyk Artur , de Voogd Willem-Jan , Botto Margherita , Vizjak Petra , Mueller-Planitz Felix , van Noort John
Published: January 2021

Nucleosome-nucleosome interactions drive the folding of nucleosomal arrays into dense chromatin fibers. A better physical account of the folding of chromatin fibers is necessary to understand the role of chromatin in regulating DNA transactions. Here, we studied the unfolding pathway of regular chromatin fibers as a function of single base pair increments in linker length, using both rigid base-pair Monte Carlo simulations and single-molecule force spectroscopy. Both computational and experimental results reveal a periodic variation of the folding energies due to the limited flexibility of the linker DNA. We show that twist is more restrictive for nucleosome stacking than bend, and find the most stable stacking interactions for linker lengths of multiples of 10 bp. We analyzed nucleosomes stacking in both 1- and 2-start topologies and show that stacking preferences are determined by the length of the linker DNA. Moreover, we present evidence that the sequence of the linker DNA also modulates nucleosome stacking and that the effect of the deletion of the H4 tail depends on the linker length. Importantly, these results imply that nucleosome positioning in vivo not only affects the phasing of nucleosomes relative to DNA but also directs the higher-order structure of chromatin.
Prediction of Pathological and Radiological Nature of Glioma by Mass Spectrometry Combined With Machine Learning
Authors: Suzuki Keiko , Yoshimura Kentaro , Kawataki Tomoyuki , Hanihara Mitsuto , Takeda Sen , Kinouchi Hiroyuki
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND

We have previously developed a medical diagnostic pipeline that employs mass spectrometry and machine learning. It does not annotate molecular markers that are specific to cancer but uses entire mass spectra for predicting the properties of glioma.

OBJECTIVE

To validate the power of our diagnostic method in predicting the pathological and radiological properties of glioma with a simple sample preparation procedure.

METHODS

A total of 10 patients with glioma and 4 nonglioma patients who went through surgical resection were enrolled in our hospital. A total of 1020 mass spectra were acquired from 88 specimens. In order to examine the prediction power of the diagnostic pipeline that we have developed, we performed 10-fold cross-validation for pathological and radiological findings and calculated agreement rates with the conventional methods such as pathological diagnosis (World Health Organization [WHO] grading, MIB-1 labeling index [LI], mutations in the isocitrate dehydrogenase [IDH]-1 gene, and positive 5-aminolevulinic acid [5-ALA] fluorescence) and radiological information (gadolinium [Gd]-enhanced area and high-intensity area on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery [FLAIR] imaging).

RESULTS

Prediction accuracy for WHO malignant grade was 91.37%. Those for MIB-1 LI ≥ 10% and IDH-1 mutation-positive were 82.84% and 87.75%, respectively. Our method achieved an accurate prediction of 95.00% for the 5-ALA-positive lesion. The present method displayed an accuracy of 82.36% in predicting the area of FLAIR hyperintensity and 81.27% for the Gd-enhanced area.

CONCLUSION

Our methodology achieved a higher rate of prediction of glioma in terms of pathology and radiology. Research is ongoing to develop a validation cohort to verify the biological profiles of glioma specimens.
Standardization of imaging methods for machine learning in neuro-oncology
Authors: Li Xiao Tian , Huang Raymond Y
Published: January 2021

Radiomics is a novel technique in which quantitative phenotypes or features are extracted from medical images. Machine learning enables analysis of large quantities of medical imaging data generated by radiomic feature extraction. A growing number of studies based on these methods have developed tools for neuro-oncology applications. Despite the initial promises, many of these imaging tools remain far from clinical implementation. One major limitation hindering the use of these models is their lack of reproducibility when applied across different institutions and clinical settings. In this article, we discuss the importance of standardization of methodology and reporting in our effort to improve reproducibility. Ongoing efforts of standardization for neuro-oncological imaging are reviewed. Challenges related to standardization and potential disadvantages in over-standardization are also described. Ultimately, greater multi-institutional collaborative effort is needed to provide and implement standards for data acquisition and analysis methods to facilitate research results to be interoperable and reliable for integration into different practice environments.
The origins and impact of outflow from super-Eddington flow
Authors: Kitaki Takaaki , Mineshige Shin , Ohsuga Ken , Kawashima Tomohisa
Published: January 2021

It is widely believed that super-Eddington accretion flow can produce powerful outflow, but where does this originate and how much mass and energy are carried away in which directions? To answer these questions, we perform a new large-box, two-dimensional radiation hydrodynamic simulation, paying special attention lest the results should depend on the adopted initial and boundary conditions. We achieve a quasi-steady state at an unprecedentedly large range, r = 2–600rS (with rS being the Schwarzschild radius), from the black hole. The accretion rate onto the central 10 M⊙ black hole is $\dot{M}_{\rm BH} \sim 180 L_{\rm Edd}/c^{2}$, whereas the mass outflow rate is ${\dot{M}}_{\rm outflow} \sim 24 L_{\rm Edd}/c^2$ (where LEdd and c are the Eddington luminosity and the speed of light, respectively). The ratio ${\dot{M}}_{\rm outflow}/{\dot{M}}_{\rm BH} \sim 0.14$ is much less than previously reported. By careful inspection we find that most of the outflowing gas reaching the outer boundary originates from the region at R ≲ 140rS, while gas at 140–230rS forms failed outflow. Therefore, significant outflow occurs inside the trapping radius ∼450rS. The mechanical energy flux (or mass flux) reaches its maximum in the direction of ∼15° (∼80°) from the rotation axis. The total mechanical luminosity is Lmec ∼ 0.16LEdd, while the isotropic X-ray luminosity varies from $L_{\rm X}^{\rm ISO}\sim 2.9 L_{\rm Edd}$ (for a face-on observer) to ∼2.1LEdd (for a nearly edge-on observer). The power ratio is $L_{\rm mec}/L_{\rm X}^{\rm ISO}\sim 0.05$–0.08, in good agreement with observations of ultra-luminous X-ray sources surrounded by optical nebulae.
Mental wellbeing in a pandemic: the role of solidarity and care
Authors: Chan Hui Yun
Published: January 2021

COVID-19 deeply affects many spheres of life. Lockdown measures implemented worldwide have accentuated mental wellbeing changes in the population from the perspectives of space and social relations. These changes leave lasting imprints on individuals and communities. This article draws upon solidarity and care ethics in exploring their role in rebuilding mental wellbeing in the light of constraints arising from lockdown. The diversity of responses to physical and social isolation during the pandemic illuminates the distinctly relational nature of human beings, offering the opportunity for care and solidarity to respond to mental wellbeing challenges in an inclusive and context-sensitive way.
Benefits, Motivations, and Challenges of International Collaborative Research: A Sociology of Science Case Study
Authors: Dusdal Jennifer , Powell Justin J W
Published: January 2021

Contemporary science is marked by expanding and diverse forms of teamwork. Collaboration across organizational and cultural boundaries extends the possibilities of discovery. International collaborative research projects often provide findings beyond what one team could achieve alone. Motivated to maintain existing relationships and grow their scientific network, researchers increasingly collaborate, despite often unrecognized or underappreciated costs, since such projects are challenging to manage and carry out. Rarely studied in-depth and longitudinally, the perspectives of scientific team members are crucial to better understand the dynamics of durable collaboration networks. Thus, this retrospective case study of a sociology of science project applies the novel method of autoethnography to examine teamwork benefits, motivations, and challenges. Key challenges found include spatial distance and differences of culture, language, and career stage. This study, spanning North America, Europe, the Middle East, and East Asia, focused on collaborators’ characteristics and evolving perceptions of team dynamics over a decade.
Effects of Peroxyacetic Acid on Postharvest Diseases and Quality of Blueberries
Authors: Saito Seiya , Wang Fei , Obenland David , Xiao Chang-Lin
Published: January 2021

Postharvest diseases are a limiting factor in the storage of fresh blueberries. Gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea and Alternaria rot caused by Alternaria spp. are important postharvest diseases in blueberries grown in California. Control of these fungal pathogens is generally dependent on preharvest sprays of synthetic fungicides, but in California multiple fungicide resistance has already developed in those pathogens, leading to the failure of disease control. Therefore, alternatives to synthetic fungicides are needed for the control of postharvest diseases. Peroxyacetic acid (PAA) is a disinfectant agent that poses low risk to human health. In this study, we evaluated the effects of postharvest use of PAA at 24 µl liter−1and 85 µl liter−1on fruit decay caused by fungal pathogens and quality of stored blueberry fruit. PAA treatment was applied to four cultivars over three seasons using two methods, dipping or spraying. Dipping blueberries compared with spraying them with PAA and its application at 85 µl liter−1were the most effective treatments. For example, when applied to ‘Snowchaser’ blueberries, this combination reduced naturally occurring decay after 4 weeks of storage at 0 to 1°C from 14.3% among water-treated controls to 2.7% in 2018, and from 25.7% among water-treated controls to 8.6% in 2020. In general, PAA did not adversely affect fruit quality or sensory quality of blueberries. Postharvest use of PAA appears to be a promising means to reduce postharvest decay of blueberries. To reliably obtain an acceptable level of disease control, the best use of PAA may be in combination with other practices rather than using it alone.
Exposure to antithyroid drugs and ethylenethiourea and risk of thyroid cancer: a systematic review of the epidemiologic evidence
Authors: La Vecchia Carlo , Turati Federica , Negri Eva
Published: January 2021

Introduction

The thyroid peroxidase inhibiting compounds methimazole, methylthiouracil, propylthiouracil, thiouracil (i.e. ‘antithyroid’ drugs) and ethylenethiourea have been associated to thyroid tumours in rodents. According to a systematic review by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) published in 2000, evidence for the human carcinogenicity was inadequate.

Methods

We performed an up-to-date systematic review of human epidemiological studies on the association between such compounds and thyroid cancer incidence or mortality.

Results

The literature research (1999–March 2020) identified four relevant articles. Considering also reports from the previous IARC review, this systematic review considered seven reports (five distinct studies) on antithyroid drugs and two on ethylenethiourea. As for antithyroid drugs, three reports based on different follow-ups gave results from a cohort of patients treated for hyperthyroidism in 1946–1964. In the earlier report, thyroid cancer incidence was higher in patients primarily treated with antithyroid drugs (3.2/1000) than in those originally treated with thyroidectomy (0.34/1000) or radioactive iodine (0.88/1000), which can be explained by the higher frequency of subsequent thyroidectomy, and hence the higher chance of cancer detection, in that group (30 vs. 0.5 and 1.2%). The two subsequent reports found no deaths from thyroid cancer among patients treated exclusively with antithyroid drugs through 1990 and 2014. A nested case-control study found an odds ratio (OR) of thyroid cancer of 2.79 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.78–10.02, from a 2-year lag analysis] for ≥3 vs. no propylthiouracil prescriptions. The increased risk can be attributed to advanced diagnosis of an underlying cancer, as suggested by the stronger association observed in a no-lag analysis (OR, 8.03). In a historical cohort of newly diagnosed hyperthyroid patients, the hazard ratio for treatment with radioactive iodine vs. thionamides only was 0.45 (95% CI, 0.21–0.99), possibly due to the closer surveillance of patients receiving thionamides only. Two case-control studies did not find any association with the use of antithyroid drugs. As for ethylenethiourea, no thyroid cancer cases were found in a historical cohort of 1929 workers occupationally exposed in a 15-year period and no association with proxies of mancozeb exposure (a fungicide whose main metabolite is ethylenethiourea) was detected in a cohort of >236 000 farmers.

Conclusion

There is no evidence for a relevant role of either antithyroid drugs or ethylenethiourea on thyroid cancer.
Diagnostic and prognostic value of heat shock protein 90α in malignant melanoma
Authors: Zhang Tengteng , Li Qianqian , Zhang Yiyin , Wang Qianling , Wang Hui , Gu Kangsheng
Published: January 2021

Malignant melanoma is one of the most common tumours of the skin. Heat shock protein 90α (HSP90α) has been applied in the auxiliary diagnosis of various malignancies, as a tumour marker. This study aims to evaluate diagnostic, therapeutic efficacy and prognostic value of plasma HSP90α levels in malignant melanoma. In this study, higher plasma HSP90α levels and abnormal rates were found in malignant melanoma patients than in healthy controls (92.63 vs. 51.84 ng/mL; P 
< 0.001 and 68.30 vs. 8.30%; P < 0.001). Plasma HSP90α levels were higher with Breslow thickness >4 mm, a high Clark level (IV + V), abnormal serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), distant metastases occurrence and Ki-67≥30% (P < 0.05). The area under the curves (AUCs) of HSP90α was greater than LDH in the training (0.847 vs. 0.677) and validation (0.867 vs. 0.672) cohort. Meanwhile, the sensitivity (76.70%) and negative predictive values (78.80%) of HSP90α were higher. Plasma HSP90α levels were significantly reduced in objective response (81.05 vs. 37.26 ng/mL; P = 0.012) and disease control patients (84.16 vs. 47.05 ng/mL; P = 0.002) post-treatment. Patients with normal HSP90α levels had slightly longer progression-free survival (PFS) than those with abnormal levels (8.0 vs. 3.5 months; P = 0.096). Unfortunately, the trend was not statistically significant. In multivariable analysis, immunotherapy was an independent prognostic factor for PFS. Nevertheless, patients with normal HSP90α levels who received chemotherapy(±targeted therapy) without immunotherapy had significantly longer PFS than patients with abnormal levels (6.0 vs. 2.0 months; P = 0.008). Therefore, HSP90α can be used for auxiliary diagnosis and predict the responses to therapy in malignant melanoma patients.
Effects of remifentanil/histamine mixtures in rats responding under a choice procedure
Authors: Minervini Vanessa , Tye Cooper B. , Ghodrati Saba , France Charles P.
Published: January 2021

Intravenous drug self-administration remains the ‘gold standard’ for assessing abuse liability. Failure of a drug to maintain self-administration might indicate the absence of positive reinforcing effects but might also indicate the presence of aversive effects. Sensitivity to aversive and punishing effects of drugs (as well as nondrug stimuli) might collectively determine the likelihood of use, abuse and relapse. Using a choice procedure, this study compared the effects of remifentanil (mu opioid receptor agonist; 0.001–0.01 mg/kg/infusion) and histamine (H1-4 receptor agonist; 0.32–3.2 mg/kg/infusion), alone and in mixtures, to test the hypothesis that remifentanil/histamine mixtures are less reinforcing compared with remifentanil alone and less punishing compared with histamine alone. Male Sprague–Dawley rats (n = 10) chose between an intravenous infusion + a pellet and a pellet alone. Rats were indifferent to saline, chose remifentanil + a pellet over a pellet alone, and chose a pellet alone over histamine + a pellet. The effects of remifentanil/histamine mixtures generally were different from the constituent doses of histamine alone but not from remifentanil alone. A mixture containing 3.2 mg/kg/infusion histamine and either 0.001 or 0.0032 mg/kg/infusion remifentanil was not different from saline but was different from the effects of the constituent dose, insofar as choice increased compared with 3.2 mg/kg/infusion histamine alone and decreased compared with 0.001 or 0.0032 mg/kg/infusion remifentanil alone. Reinforcing doses of remifentanil combined with punishing doses of histamine can yield mixtures that are neither preferred nor avoided, offering ‘proof-of-principle’ for using drug mixtures to avoid adverse effects of opioid receptor agonists.
EVALUATION OF THE EFFICACY OF POSTERIOR SCLERAL CONTRACTION IN THE TREATMENT OF MACULAR HOLE WITH RETINAL DETACHMENT IN HIGH MYOPIA
Authors: Ye Jie , Wu Yue , Zhu Shuangqian , Dong Liang , Qu Jia , Lu Fan , Xue Anquan
Published: January 2021

Purpose:

To evaluate efficacy of posterior scleral contraction for macular hole with retinal detachment in high myopia.

Methods:

Seventy-three macular hole with retinal detachment eyes were treated with posterior scleral contraction. A strip was sent across inferior–temporal scleral surface to posterior pole, then two ends were led out from nasal-inferior to temporal-superior areas. It was tightened to contract posterior sclera with designed axial length shortening ([10% of preoperative axial length-0.5] mm) after aqueous humor was drained from anterior chamber. Recovery was classified as type I (retinal reattachment with MH bridged) and II (retinal reattachment without MH bridged). Follow-up duration was 25.3 ± 18.0 months.

Results:

Axial length was 30.01 ± 2.27 mm at preoperation and shortened by 2.57 ± 0.82 mm intraoperatively. At final postoperation, maintained axial length shortening was 1.87 ± 0.92 mm. Forty-six eyes (63.0%) recovered as type I, 26 eyes (35.6%) as type II, and 1 eye (1.4%) unrecovered. Postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (logarithm of minimal angle of resolution) was better than preoperative one (0.85 ± 0.50 [Snellen 20/125] vs. 1.11 ± 0.56 [Snellen 20/250], P < 0.001) with correlation (r = 0.662, P < 0.001) and consistency (Kappa = 0.34, P < 0.001) between two. Best-corrected visual acuity improvement did not differ between recovery types (P = 0.206).

Conclusion:

Macular hole with retinal detachment was successfully recovered by posterior scleral contraction with axial length shortening. Visual improvement was achieved, correlated, and consistent with preoperative best-corrected visual acuity while independent of recovery types.
OUTER RETINAL TUBULATION MAY RESULT FROM FIBROSED TYPE 2 NEOVASCULARIZATION
Authors: Janse van Rensburg Ernst , Ryu Christina L. , Rampakakis Emmanouil , Vila Natalia , Chan Errol W. , Chen John C.
Published: January 2021

Purpose:

To investigate the role of Type 2 macular neovascularization with subsequent subretinal fibrosis in the pathogenesis of outer retinal tubulation (ORT).

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with stabilized inactive exudative macular degeneration who had been treated with intravitreal injections of antivascular endothelial growth factor agents. Baseline fluorescein and optical coherence tomography images were included. Macular neovascularizations (MNVs) were classified by type and size. Consecutive optical coherence tomography images analyzed for ORT development.

Results:

One hundred forty-four eyes of 134 patients were included in this study. Sixty eyes presented with pure Type 1 MNV. Eighty-four eyes presented with some Type 2 component of MNV. In total, evidence of ORT is shown in 55 (38%) eyes. In the Type 1 group, 6.7% developed ORT. Outer retinal tubulation developed in 61% of eyes with some Type 2 component of the MNV. Among eyes that developed ORT, 92.7% presented with some Type 2 component. In a multivariate analysis, Type 2 membranes on optical coherence tomography (22.2 [6.1–80.8]; P < 0.001), larger MNV size {>1 DA (5.1 [1.1–24.2]; P = 0.041) and >1.5 DA (9.0 [1.8–44.0]; P = 0.007)}, and presence of subretinal fibrovascular material (3.1 [1.1—8.5]; P = < 0.03) are associated with higher odds of ORT formation. Once the ORT is formed, fibrosis was observed directly underlying the ORT on SD-optical coherence tomography in 70.9% of cases.

Conclusion:

Type 2 membranes at presentation predict ORT formation. Fibrosis often underlies ORT. This suggests that contraction of Type 2 MNV-derived fibrosis may be important in ORT formation.
Incidence and complications of retained lens fragment in the anterior chamber after uneventful cataract surgery in a United Kingdom tertiary center
Authors: Matarazzo Francesco , Phylactou Maria , Aiello Francesco , Gallo Afflitto Gabriele , Yue Sim Sing , Maurino Vincenzo
Published: January 2021

Purpose:

To analyze the outcomes of retained lens fragment (RLF) in the anterior chamber after uneventful cataract surgery.

Setting:

Moorfields Eye Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom.

Design:

Retrospective, observational cross-sectional study.

Methods:

A single-center, retrospective review was performed to identify patients who underwent RLF removal after uneventful phacoemulsification surgery between October 2012 and November 2018; 122 eyes from 121 patients were identified. Patient characteristics, clinical findings, visual outcomes, and need for subsequent surgical procedure were recorded. Main outcomes were change in corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), and number and risk factors associated with additional surgery following RLF removal.

Results:

One hundred twenty-two RLF over a total of 98 467 uneventful phacoemulsification surgeries were identified, with an incidence of 1 (0.124%) in 807 operations. The mean CDVA improved significantly after RLF removal from 0.32 to 0.26 logMAR (SD 0.26) (P = .001). Six eyes (4.9%) had persistent corneal edema that required endothelial keratoplasty (EK) after a mean of 13 months after RLF removal (SD 12 months; median 8; range 4 to 35). Risk factors for EK include α-receptor blocker use (odds ratio [OR], 6.75; 95% CI, 1.069, 42.63), increased interval (month) between cataract surgery and diagnosis of RLF (OR, 1.29; CI: 1.080, 1.541), increased interval between cataract surgery and RLF washout (OR, 1.28; CI, 1.075, 1.522), and RLF diagnosis on gonioscopy (OR, 10.60; CI, 1.885, 59.59).

Conclusions:

RLF is a rare complication of uneventful cataract surgery and appears more frequently in challenging cataract cases and myopic eyes. CDVA improved significantly after RLF removal, but approximately 1 in 20 eyes needed additional surgery–mainly EK for corneal decompensation.
Outcomes of manual small incision cataract surgery and phacoemulsification in eyes with chorioretinal coloboma
Authors: Shekhar Madhu , Pai Aruna , kumar Avitesh , R Sankaranathan , Prasad R Senthil , H S Bhanumathi , Wijesinghe Hiruni Kaushalya , Mishra Chitaranjan
Published: January 2021

Purpose:

To evaluate outcomes of manual small-incision cataract surgery (MSICS) and phacoemulsification in eyes with chorioretinal coloboma.

Setting:

Tertiary eye center, South India.

Design:

Retrospective study.

Methods:

Electronic medical records of 71 patients with chorioretinal coloboma undergoing cataract surgery from January 2017 to December 2019 were evaluated. Demographics, corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), slitlamp biomicroscopy findings, grade of cataract, type of coloboma and associated posterior segment pathology, outcomes of different surgical techniques and risk factors for poor visual outcomes, and intraoperative complications were analyzed.

Results:

Among the 78 eyes studied, 53.9% eyes achieved visual outcome of 20/40 or greater and 20.5% eyes achieved CDVA less than 20/200. For the MSICS group, the median preoperative CDVA was 1.78 (interquartile range [IQR] 1.08 to 2.60) logMAR), which improved to 0.60 (IQR 0.30-1.08) logMAR postoperatively. In phacoemulsification group, the CDVA improved from 0.78 (IQR 0.60-1.00) logMAR to 0.18 (IQR 0.18-0.30) logMAR. Statistically significant visual improvement was noticed in both groups (P < .001 in both). However, eyes that underwent phacoemulsification showed better visual recovery (P < .001). The mean age at presentation was 49.7 ± 10.8 years. MSICS was the most commonly performed surgery (61.54%), and 62 eyes had uneventful cataract surgery. Twelve eyes in MSICS group and 4 eyes in phacoemulsification group had intraoperative complications. Poor visual outcome was associated with male sex, microcornea, hard cataracts, and macular involvement of coloboma.

Conclusions:.

MSICS is an alternative to phacoemulsification in colobomatous eyes with advanced cataract. Hard cataract and microcornea were risk factors for intraoperative complications. Significant postoperative improvement in CDVA was noticed in both macula involved and macula not involved groups.