bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Positive response of tree productivity to warming is reversed by increased tree density at the Arctic tundra–taiga ecotone
Authors: Walker X.J. , Alexander H.D. , Berner L.T. , Boyd M.A. , Loranty M.M. , Natali S.M. , Mack M.C.
Published: January 2021

The transition zone between the northern boreal forest and the Arctic tundra, known as the tundra–taiga ecotone (TTE) has undergone rapid warming in recent decades. In response to this warming, tree density, growth, and stand productivity are expected to increase. Increases in tree density have the potential to negate the positive impacts of warming on tree growth through a reduction in the active layer and an increase in competitive interactions. We assessed the effects of tree density on tree growth and climate–growth responses of Cajander larch (Larix cajanderi Mayr.) and on trends in the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) in the TTE of Northeast Siberia. We examined 19 mature forest stands that all established after a fire in 1940 and ranged in tree density from 300 to 37 000 stems·ha−1. High-density stands with shallow active layers had lower tree growth, higher stand productivity, and more negative growth responses to growing season temperatures compared with low-density stands with deep active layers. Variation in stand productivity across the density gradient was not captured by Landsat-derived NDVI, but NDVI did capture annual variations in stand productivity. Our results suggest that the expected increases in tree density following fires at the TTE may effectively limit tree growth and that NDVI is unlikely to capture increasing productivity associated with changes in tree density.
Lattice study of QCD at finite chiral density: topology and confinement
Authors: Astrakhantsev Nikita , Braguta V. V. , Kotov A. Yu. , Kuznedelev D. D. , Nikolaev A. A.
Published: January 2021

In this paper we study the properties of QCD at nonzero chiral density $$\rho _5$$

ρ
5

, which is introduced through chiral chemical potential $$\mu _5$$

μ
5

. The study is performed within lattice simulation of QCD with dynamical rooted staggered fermions. We first check that $$\rho _5$$

ρ
5

is generated at nonzero $$\mu _5$$

μ
5

and in the chiral limit observe $$\rho _5 \sim \varLambda _{QCD}^2 \mu _5$$

ρ
5

∼

Λ

QCD

2

μ
5

. We also test the possible connection between confinement and topological fluctuations. To this end, we measured the topological susceptibility $$\chi _{\mathrm{top}}$$

χ
top

and string tension $$\sigma $$
σ
for various values of $$\mu _5$$

μ
5

. We observed that string tension grows with $$\mu _5$$

μ
5

. It seems that topological susceptibility also rises with $$\mu _5$$

μ
5

, but to state this more reliably the uncertainties should be reduced. We believe that our results indicate possible connection between topological fluctuations and the strength of confinement.
The full vertex functions constrained by the longitudinal and transverse Ward–Takahashi identities in massless QED3 theory
Authors: Yu Yang , Li Jian-Feng
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we find apart from the Ward–Takahashi (WT) identity, the identity between gamma matrices can also constrain the vertex functions in low-dimensional gauge theories. In (1 + 1) dimensions, the identity between gamma matrices gives the identity between vector and axial-vector vertex functions while in (2 + 1) dimensions it leads to the identity between vector and tensor vertex functions. Then, we derive the expressions of the full scalar, vector and tensor vertex functions in (2 + 1) dimensions Quantum Electrodynamics (QED3) by using the longitudinal and transverse WT identities for vector and tensor currents. Furthermore, we find that in the chiral limit with zero fermion masses, the contribution of Wilson line in full vector vertex function is eliminated and the full vector vertex function is strictly expressed in terms of the fermion propagators when using the identity between vector and tensor vertex functions to further constraint the vertex functions.
On the liftability of expanding stationary measures
Authors: Alves José F. , Dias Carla L. , Vilarinho Helder
Published: January 2021

We consider random perturbations of a topologically transitive local diffeomorphism of a Riemannian manifold. We show that if an absolutely continuous ergodic stationary measures is expanding (all Lyapunov exponents positive), then there is a random Gibbs–Markov–Young structure which can be used to lift that measure. We also prove that if the original map admits a finite number of expanding invariant measures then the stationary measures of a sufficiently small stochastic perturbation are expanding.
Motions of Curves in 4-Dimensional Galilean Space G4
Authors: Gün Bozok Hülya , Aykurt Sepet Sezin , Ergüt Mahmut
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we investigate the flow of curve and its equiform geometry in 4-dimensional Galilean space. We obtain that the Frenet equations and curvatures of inextensible flows of curves and its equiformly invariant vector fields and intrinsic quantities are independent of time. We find that the motions of curves and its equiform geometry can be defined by the inviscid and stochastic Burgers’ equations in 4-dimensional Galilean space.
Fixed point iterations of asymptotically demicontractive and asymptotically hemicontractive mappings in hyperbolic spaces
Authors: Fukhar-ud-Din Hafiz , Khan Safeer Hussain
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we obtain strong convergence results for asymptotically demicontractive and asymptotically hemicontractive mappings in hyperbolic spaces. We present our results in hyperbolic spaces. This class of spaces contains both linear and nonlinear spaces like CAT(0) spaces, [Formula: see text]-trees, Banach spaces and Hilbert spaces. Thus our results are not only novel but also much more general.
SSD-based Workload Characteristics and Their Performance Implications
Authors: Yadgar Gala , Gabel MOSHE , Jaffer Shehbaz , Schroeder Bianca
Published: January 2021

Storage systems are designed and optimized relying on wisdom derived from analysis studies of file-system and block-level workloads. However, while SSDs are becoming a dominant building block in many storage systems, their design continues to build on knowledge derived from analysis targeted at hard disk optimization. Though still valuable, it does not cover important aspects relevant for SSD performance. In a sense, we are “searching under the streetlight,” possibly missing important opportunities for optimizing storage system design.

We present the first I/O workload analysis designed with SSDs in mind. We characterize traces from four repositories and examine their “temperature” ranges, sensitivity to page size, and “logical locality.” We then take the first step towards correlating these characteristics with three standard performance metrics: write amplification, read amplification, and flash read costs. Our results show that SSD-specific characteristics strongly affect performance, often in surprising ways.
Microtask Detection
Authors: White Ryen W. , Nouri Elnaz , Woffinden-Luey James , EncarnacióN Mark , Jauhar Sujay Kumar
Published: January 2021

Information systems, such as task management applications and digital assistants, can help people keep track of tasks of different types and different time durations, ranging from a few minutes to days or weeks. Helping people better manage their tasks and their time are core capabilities of assistive technologies, situated within a broader context of supporting more effective information access and use. Throughout the course of a day, there are typically many short time periods of downtime (e.g., five minutes or less) available to individuals. Microtasks are simple tasks that can be tackled in such short amounts of time. Identifying microtasks in task lists could help people utilize these periods of low activity to make progress on their task backlog. We define
actionable
tasks as self-contained tasks that need to be completed or acted on. However, not all to-do tasks are actionable. Many task lists are collections of miscellaneous items that can be completed at any time (e.g., books to read, movies to watch), notes (e.g., names, addresses), or the individual items are constituents in a list that is itself a task (e.g., a grocery list). In this article, we introduce the novel challenge of microtask detection, and we present machine-learned models for automatically determining which tasks are actionable and which of these actionable tasks are microtasks. Experiments show that our models can accurately identify actionable tasks, accurately detect actionable microtasks, and that we can combine these models to generate a solution that scales microtask detection to all tasks. We discuss our findings in detail, along with their limitations. These findings have implications for the design of systems to help people make the most of their time.
Electrochemical Reduction of Copper Complexes with Glycine, Alanine and Valine
Authors: Pary P. , Bengoa L. N. , Azpeitia L. A. , Seré P. R. , Ramallo-López J. M. , Bolzán A. E. , Egli W. A.
Published: January 2021

Basic electrochemical studies of coordination complexes between cupric ions and simple amino acids as ligands (L), namely glycine, alanine and valine, have been carried out to provide insight in the effect of complexation on Cu2+ discharge electrochemistry. The results show that there are strong differences in their cyclic voltammograms, despite the similarities in coordination equilibrium, central atom d electronic structure and inner sphere coordination distances (verified by chemical equilibrium quantification, UV spectroscopy and EXAFS). Evidence of mass transport limitations by diffusion of the neutral CuL2 complexes in solution, and cuprous species generation on the electrode during copper electrodeposition was found, both of which proved to be the main phenomena accounting for the different electrochemical behaviour previously mentioned. Voltammetric studies also showed that, surprisingly, cuprous species are produced not only at the onset of copper electroreduction but at more cathodic potentials. Furthermore, results suggest the existence of a cuprous compound layer beneath the metallic copper deposit. The data gathered in this investigation, leads to the conclusion that the bigger molecular size and organic nature of the ligands induce unexpected processes on the copper electroreduction mechanism.
Caveolin-3 is required for regulation of transient outward potassium current by angiotensin II in mouse atrial myocytes
Authors: Tyan Leonid , Turner Daniel , Komp Karlie R. , Medvedev Roman Y. , Lim Evi , Glukhov Alexey V.
Published: January 2021

Angiotensin II receptor 1 is associated with caveolae and caveolar scaffolding protein caveolin-3 in mouse atrial myocytes that is required for the regulation of Itoby angiotensin II. Downregulation of caveolae/caveolin-3 disrupts this regulation and may be implicated in pathophysiological atrial remodeling.
Sympathetic transduction in humans: recent advances and methodological considerations
Authors: Young Benjamin E. , Greaney Jody L. , Keller David M. , Fadel Paul J.
Published: January 2021

Ever since their origin more than one half-century ago, microneurographic recordings of sympathetic nerve activity have significantly advanced our understanding of the generation and regulation of central sympathetic outflow in human health and disease. For example, it is now appreciated that a myriad of disease states exhibit chronic sympathetic overactivity, a significant predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Although microneurographic recordings allow for the direct quantification of sympathetic outflow, they alone do not provide information with respect to the ensuing sympathetically mediated vasoconstriction and blood pressure (BP) response. Therefore, the study of vascular and/or BP responses to sympathetic outflow (i.e., sympathetic transduction) has now emerged as an area of growing interest within the field of neural cardiovascular control in human health and disease. To date, studies have primarily examined sympathetic transduction under two distinct paradigms: when reflexively evoking sympatho-excitation through the induction of a laboratory stressor (i.e., sympathetic transduction during stress) and/or following spontaneous bursts of sympathetic outflow occurring under resting conditions (i.e., sympathetic transduction at rest). The purpose of this brief review is to highlight how our physiological understanding of sympathetic transduction has been advanced by these studies and to evaluate the primary analytical techniques developed to study sympathetic transduction in humans. We also discuss the framework by which the assessment of sympathetic transduction during stress reflects a fundamentally different process relative to sympathetic transduction at rest and why findings from investigations using these different techniques should be interpreted as such and not necessarily be considered one and the same.
The In Vitro Adsorption Ability of Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM to Benzo(a)pyrene in PM2.5
Authors: Fu Lili , Ning Yan , Zhao Hongfei , Fan Junfeng , Zhang Bolin
Published: January 2021

The objective of this work was to explore the ability of lactic acid bacteria strains to bind benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) existing in PM2.5. In this study, we examined the ability of Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM to bind B(a)P in the simulated PM2.5 environment. Among the tested 5 strains, Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM exhibited the best capacity to bind B(a)P, and its B(a)P binding percentage was 60.00%. Simulations of organic and inorganic systems which represent PM2.5 indicated that B(a)P could be absorbed by strain L. acidophilus NCFM. For the inorganic system of pH 5, L. acidophilus NCFM bound 92.74% B(a)P with a cell concentration of 1 × 1010 cfu/mL at 37°C for 8 hr. Regarding the organic system with pH 6, 73.00% B(a)P was bound by strain L. acidophilus NCFM after this bacterium was incubated at 37°C for 10 min. A quick B(a)P binding by this probiotic bacterium took place in the organic system. The removal of B(a)P from PM2.5 was significantly related to incubation time, cultivation temperature, pH, and cell concentration. Thus, our finding shows that long-term consumption of L. acidophilus NCFM is beneficial for the reduction of B(a)P towards the population who are exposed to PM2.5, although the ability of this bacterium to adsorb B(a)P is partly affected by the differences in the origin of PM2.5.
Suspect Multifocus Image Fusion Based on Sparse Denoising Autoencoder Neural Network for Police Multimodal Big Data Analysis
Authors: Wang Jin , Gao Yanfei
Published: January 2021

In recent years, the success rate of solving major criminal cases through big data has been greatly improved. The analysis of multimodal big data plays a key role in the detection of suspects. However, the traditional multiexposure image fusion methods have low efficiency and are largely time-consuming due to the artifact effect in the image edge and other sensitive factors. Therefore, this paper focuses on the suspect multiexposure image fusion. The self-coding neural network based on deep learning has become a hotspot in the research of data dimension reduction, which can effectively eliminate the irrelevant and redundant learning data. In the case of limited field depth, due to the limited focusing depth of the camera, the focusing plane cannot obtain the global clear image of the target in the depth scene, which is prone to defocusing and blurring phenomena. Therefore, this paper proposes a multifocus image fusion based on a sparse denoising autoencoder neural network. To realize an unsupervised end-to-end fusion network, the sparse denoising autoencoder neural network is adopted to extract features and learn fusion rules and reconstruction rules simultaneously. The initial decision graph of the multifocus image is taken as a prior input to learn the rich detailed information of the image. The local strategy is added to the loss function to ensure that the image is restored accurately. The results show that this method is superior to the state-of-the-art fusion methods.
iBLP: An XGBoost-Based Predictor for Identifying Bioluminescent Proteins
Authors: Zhang Dan , Chen Hua-Dong , Zulfiqar Hasan , Yuan Shi-Shi , Huang Qin-Lai , Zhang Zhao-Yue , Deng Ke-Jun
Published: January 2021

Bioluminescent proteins (BLPs) are a class of proteins that widely distributed in many living organisms with various mechanisms of light emission including bioluminescence and chemiluminescence from luminous organisms. Bioluminescence has been commonly used in various analytical research methods of cellular processes, such as gene expression analysis, drug discovery, cellular imaging, and toxicity determination. However, the identification of bioluminescent proteins is challenging as they share poor sequence similarities among them. In this paper, we briefly reviewed the development of the computational identification of BLPs and subsequently proposed a novel predicting framework for identifying BLPs based on eXtreme gradient boosting algorithm (XGBoost) and using sequence-derived features. To train the models, we collected BLP data from bacteria, eukaryote, and archaea. Then, for getting more effective prediction models, we examined the performances of different feature extraction methods and their combinations as well as classification algorithms. Finally, based on the optimal model, a novel predictor named iBLP was constructed to identify BLPs. The robustness of iBLP has been proved by experiments on training and independent datasets. Comparison with other published method further demonstrated that the proposed method is powerful and could provide good performance for BLP identification. The webserver and software package for BLP identification are freely available at http://lin-group.cn/server/iBLP.
An Improved Integrated Clustering Learning Strategy Based on Three‐Stage Affinity Propagation Algorithm with Density Peak Optimization Theory
Authors: Wang Limin , Sun Wenjing , Han Xuming , Hao Zhiyuan , Zhou Ruihong , Yu Jinglin , Parmar Milan
Published: January 2021

To better reflect the precise clustering results of the data samples with different shapes and densities for affinity propagation clustering algorithm (AP), an improved integrated clustering learning strategy based on three‐stage affinity propagation algorithm with density peak optimization theory (DPKT‐AP) was proposed in this paper. DPKT‐AP combined the ideology of integrated clustering with the AP algorithm, by introducing the density peak theory and k‐means algorithm to carry on the three‐stage clustering process. In the first stage, the clustering center point was selected by density peak clustering. Because the clustering center was surrounded by the nearest neighbor point with lower local density and had a relatively large distance from other points with higher density, it could help the k‐means algorithm in the second stage avoiding the local optimal situation. In the second stage, the k‐means algorithm was used to cluster the data samples to form several relatively small spherical subgroups, and each of subgroups had a local density maximum point, which is called the center point of the subgroup. In the third stage, DPKT‐AP used the AP algorithm to merge and cluster the spherical subgroups. Experiments on UCI data sets and synthetic data sets showed that DPKT‐AP improved the clustering performance and accuracy for the algorithm.
Identification of the Range of Nursing Skills Used to Provide Social Support for Mothers of Preterm Infants in Neonatal Intensive Care
Authors: Eskandari Shadi , Mirhaghjou Seyedeh Nooshaz , Maleki Maryam , Mardani Abbas , Gholami Mostafa , Harding Celia
Published: January 2021

Background. Hospitalization of preterm infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) is a stressful experience for parents. Iranian NICUs do not have specified levels of care, nor do they integrate supportive methods of parent support such as family-centered care approaches. This study investigated the range and types of neonatal nursing support, as perceived by mothers of preterm infants, and its association with mothers’ satisfaction with infant care in the NICU. Methods. This is a descriptive, correlational study of mothers of preterm infants who were hospitalized in three different NICUs in Iran. A convenience sampling method was used. Data were collected using three questionnaires that identified (i) demographic information; (ii) social support available; and (iii) parent satisfaction with infant care. Results. Mothers (N = 110) generally rated the support from nurses as being moderate. Correlation analysis identified a moderate association of neonatal nurse social support domains for affirmational (r = 0.44) and concrete aid (r = 0.41), a moderately strong association for affectional support (r = 0.64), and total social support (r = 0.60) with mothers’ satisfaction. Conclusion. There were positive associations between social support from nurses and mothers’ satisfaction with the care of their infants. Therefore, planning to promote and create opportunities for neonatal nurses to support mothers in NICU is important to promote increased maternal satisfaction in infant care.
Evaluation of Reclaimed Hydrated Fly Ash as an Aggregate for Sustainable Roadway Base Material
Authors: Wayne Mark H. , White David J. , Kwon Jayhyun , Kawalec Jacek
Published: January 2021

This paper summarizes the findings from laboratory and field performance testing of reclaimed hydrated class C fly ash (HFA) stabilized with a triangular aperture geogrid. This phase of testing was performed on HFA laboratory specimens and field test sections. The laboratory test results provided estimates for design input values, while the field testing assessed performance characteristics including the as‐constructed modulus of the subgrade reaction, the in situ resilient modulus, and permanent deformation. For the laboratory portion, all results were derived from tests conducted on specimens immediately after sample preparation and after a 7‐day cure. The compressive strength of reclaimed hydrated class C fly ash increases with curing. The strength of the HFA material can be further increased when mixed with a chemical stabilizer. For this project, chemical stabilization with lime was not viable because the lime supplier was too far from both HFA source and project site. Based on cyclic plate load tests, the in situ resilient modulus of the HFA and geogrid‐stabilized HFA layers were determined on site. This paper reports the findings from the laboratory and field plate load test and highlights the potential use of geogrids in the stabilization of HFA.
Revision Surgery for Idiopathic Macular Hole after Failed Primary Vitrectomy
Authors: Lachance Alexandre , You Eunice , Garneau Jérôme , Bourgault Serge , Caissie Mathieu , Tourville Éric , Dirani Ali
Published: January 2021

Purpose. To investigate the anatomical and functional outcomes of revision surgery after failed primary surgery for idiopathic macular hole (MH). Methods. All consecutive patients with MH were identified from a cohort of patients operated between 2014 and 2018 at the CHU de Québec-Université Laval (Québec). The clinical and anatomical features of patients with unclosed MH after primary surgery were retrospectively collected. Our primary outcome was MH nonclosure rate after revision surgery. Our secondary outcomes were best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) with ETDRS scale and MH size of eyes with revision surgery preoperatively and at 3 and 12 months after revision surgery. Results. In our cohort of 1085 eyes, 926 eyes met inclusion criteria and were analyzed in the study. We identified 22 eyes with failed primary surgery (2.4%), of which 20 underwent revision surgery. We had no bilateral MH in these 22 eyes. The nonclosure rate of MH after revision surgery was 15%. The mean final BCVA for closed MH after revision surgery was 55 ± 19 letters. Compared to the initial presentation, the mean change in visual acuity (VA) for closed MH was +4 ± 31 letters and +16 ± 17 letters at 3 and 12 months after the revision surgery, respectively. At initial presentation, patients with failed primary surgery had a baseline MH size of 665 ± 226 μm. The mean MH size after failed primary surgery was 607 ± 162 μm and 546 ± 156 μm for the three unclosed MHs one month after revision surgery. Conclusion. The success rate of revision surgery in eyes with unclosed MH is 85%. After successful revision surgery, eyes demonstrated an improvement in VA and closure of the MH.
Dynamic Changes of Urine Proteome in Rat Models Inoculated with Two Different Hepatoma Cell Lines
Authors: Zhang Yameng , Gao Yufei , Wei Jing , Gao Youhe
Published: January 2021

Urine can accumulate systemic changes with no mechanism to be stable, which may reflect early changes associated with physiological or pathophysiological processes. To explore the potential value of the urine proteome, two rat models were established by intrahepatic injection of two different hepatoma cell lines, CBRH-7919 and RH-35. Urine samples were collected and analyzed. Compared with controls, the two models exhibited different numbers and types of differentially expressed urinary proteins despite having similar histological results. The results were compared with the urine proteome of a Walker 256 (W-256) liver tumor model. The differentially expressed urinary protein patterns in the three models were different. These findings demonstrate that changes in the urine proteomes of the two models can be detected at early stages and that the patterns of differentially expressed urinary proteins can differ even when the histological results are similar. Urinary proteins have potential utility for distinguishing among different tumor cells grown in the same organ.
HDAC5 Loss Impairs RB Repression of Pro-Oncogenic Genes and Confers CDK4/6 Inhibitor Resistance in Cancer
Authors: Zhou Yingke , Jin Xin , Ma Jian , Ding Donglin , Huang Zhenlin , Sheng Haoyue , Yan Yuqian , Pan Yunqian , Wei Ting , Wang Liguo , Wu Heshui , Huang Haojie
Published: January 2021

The tumor-suppressor protein RB acts as a transcription repressor via interaction of its pocket domain with an LXCXE motif in histone deacetylase (HDAC) proteins such as HDAC1. Here, we demonstrate that HDAC5 deficient for the LXCXE motif interacts with both RB-N (via an FXXXV motif) and RB-C segments, and such interactions are diminished by phosphorylation of RB serine-249/threonine-252 and threonine-821. HDAC5 was frequently downregulated or deleted in human cancers such as prostate cancer. Loss of HDAC5 increased histone H3 lysine 27 acetylation (H3K27-ac) and circumvented RB-mediated repression of cell-cycle–related pro-oncogenic genes. HDAC5 loss also conferred resistance to CDK4/6 inhibitors such as palbociclib in prostate and breast cancer cells in vitro and prostate tumors in vivo, but this effect was overcome by the BET-CBP/p300 dual inhibitor NEO2734. Our findings reveal an unknown role of HDAC5 in RB-mediated histone deacetylation and gene repression and define a new mechanism modulating CDK4/6 inhibitor therapeutic sensitivity in cancer cells.

Significance:

This study defines a previously uncharacterized role of HDAC5 in tumor suppression and provides a viable strategy to overcome CDK4/6 inhibitor resistance in HDAC5-deficent cancer.
Targeting Oxidative Phosphorylation to Increase the Efficacy of Radio- and Immune-Combination Therapy
Authors: Boreel Daan F. , Span Paul N. , Heskamp Sandra , Adema Gosse J. , Bussink Johan
Published: January 2021

As tumors grow, they upregulate glycolytic and oxidative metabolism to support their increased and altered energetic demands. These metabolic changes have major effects on the tumor microenvironment. One of the properties leading to this aberrant metabolism is hypoxia, which occurs when tumors outgrow their often-chaotic vasculature. This scarcity of oxygen is known to induce radioresistance but can also have a disrupting effect on the antitumor immune response. Hypoxia inhibits immune effector cell function, while immune cells with a more suppressing phenotype become more active. Therefore, hypoxia strongly affects the efficacy of both radiotherapy and immunotherapy, as well as this therapy combination. Inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) is gaining interest for its ability to combat tumor hypoxia, and there are strong indications that this results in a reactivation of the immune response. This strategy decreases oxygen consumption, leading to better oxygenation of hypoxic tumor areas and eventually an increase in immunogenic cell death induced by radio-immunotherapy combinations. Promising preclinical improvements in radio- and immunotherapy efficacy have been observed by the hypoxia-reducing effect of OXPHOS inhibitors and several compounds are currently in clinical trials for their anticancer properties. Here, we will review the pharmacologic attenuation of tumor hypoxia using OXPHOS inhibitors, with emphasis on their impact on the intrinsic antitumor immune response and how this affects the efficacy of (combined) radio- and immunotherapy.
Efficacy and Safety of Timely Urgent Superficial Temporal Artery-to-Middle Cerebral Artery Bypass Surgery in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Single-Institutional Prospective Study and a Pooled Analysis
Authors: Kim Jang Hun , Yoon Wonki , Kim Chi Kyung , Roh Haewon , Bae Hee Jin , Kwon Taek-Hyun , Suh Sang-il , Oh Kyungmi , Chong Kyuha
Published: January 2021

Background: Clinical outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) caused by large vessel occlusion (LVO) is not satisfactory if reperfusion treatment fails or is not tried. Aims: We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of urgent superficial temporal-to-middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) bypass surgery in selected patients. Methods: Patients who were diagnosed with LVO-induced AIS in the anterior circulation but had a failed intra-arterial thrombectomy (IAT) or were not tried due to IAT contraindications were prospectively enrolled. Timely urgent STA-MCA bypass surgery was performed if they showed perfusion-diffusion mismatch or symptom-diffusion mismatch in the acute phase of disease. Clinical and radiological data of these patients were assessed to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of urgent bypass procedures. A pooled analysis of published data on urgent bypass surgery in acute stroke patients was conducted and analyzed. Results: In 18 patients who underwent timely bypass, the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score improved from 12.11 ± 4.84 to 9.89 ± 6.52, 1 week after surgery. Three-month and long-term (9.72 ± 5.00 months) favorable outcomes (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] scores 0–2) were achieved in 50 and 75% of the patients, respectively. The pooled analysis (117 patients from 10 articles, including ours) identified favorable mRS scores in 71.79% patients at 3 months. A significant NIHSS score improvement from 11.51 ± 4.89 to 7.59 ± 5.50 was observed after surgery with significance. Major complications occurred in 3 patients (2.6%, 3/117) without mortality. Conclusions: Urgent STA-MCA bypass surgery can be regarded as a safe optional treatment to prevent cerebral infarct expansion and to improve clinical and radiological outcomes in highly selected patients.
Basalzellkarzinom: Hedgehog-Pathway-Inhibitoren bei lokal fortgeschrittenen oder metastasierten Tumoren
Authors: Maschke Jan
Published: January 2021

Die Publikation von Dummer et al. beschreibt die Daten zur Effektivität und Sicherheit des Hedgehog pathway Inhibitors (HPI) Sonidegib in der abschließenden 42-Monatsanalyse der BOLT (basal cell carcinoma outcomes with LDE225 (sonidegib) treatment) Studie. Ursprünglich wurden 230 erwachsene, nicht systemisch mit HPI vorbehandelte Patienten mit Basalzellkarzinomen (BCC), die nicht für eine kurative chirurgische Behandlung oder eine Bestrahlung in Frage kamen, in 58 Zentren aus 12 Ländern zwischen dem 20. Juli 2011 und dem 10. Januar 2013 eingeschlossen. Die primäre Datenanalyse fand 6 Monate nach der Randomisierung des letzten Patienten statt. Diese wurden im Verhältnis 1:2 für die Behandlung mit 200mg (n = 79) oder 800mg (n = 151) Sonidegib pro Tag per os randomisiert. Auf eine zweckmäßige Vergleichstherapie wurde verzichtet, weil bei diesen Patienten mit lokal fortgeschrittenem Basalzellkarzinom (locally advanced Basal Cell Carcinoma, laBCC) oder metastasiertem Basalzellkarzinom (mBCC) keine Spontanremission zu erwarten sei und bei Beginn der Studie kein geeigneter Komparator zur Verfügung stand (die Zulassung von Vismodegib als HPI beim BCC erfolgte 2013). Die Behandlung erfolgte bis zum Fortschreiten der Erkrankung, dem Auftreten von nicht tolerabler Toxizität, bis zum Studienende, dem Rückzug des Einverständnisses oder dem Versterben der Patienten. In Bezug auf die Effektivität wurde das objektivierbare Tumoransprechen (Objective Response Rate, ORR) bei laBCC anhand von modifizierten RECIST (mRECIST) Kriterien durch ein zentrales Gutachterboard bewertet oder mithilfe der RECIST Kriterien bei mBCC. Die Sicherheitsanalyse wurde über die kontinuierliche Dokumentation und Überwachung der unerwünschten Ereignisse (adverse events, AE) vorgenommen.
Association of Level and Increase in D‐Dimer With All‐Cause Death and Poor Functional Outcome After Ischemic Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack
Authors: Hou Huiqing , Xiang Xianglong , Pan Yuesong , Li Hao , Meng Xia , Wang Yongjun
Published: January 2021

Background

D‐dimer is involved in poor outcomes of stroke as a coagulation biomarker. We aimed to investigate the associations of the level and increase in D‐dimer between baseline and 90 days with all‐cause death or poor functional outcome in patients after ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack.

Methods and Results

We collected data from the CNSRIII (Third China National Stroke Registry) study. The present substudy included 10 518 patients within 7 days (baseline) of ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack and 6268 patients at 90 days. Poor functional outcome at 1 year was assessed on the basis of the modified Rankin Scale (≥3). Multivariable Cox regression or logistic regression was used to assess the association of D‐dimer levels with all‐cause death or poor functional outcome. D‐dimer levels at 90 days were lower than those at baseline (1.4 µg/mL versus 1.7 µg/mL;
P
<0.001). Higher baseline D‐dimer level was associated with all‐cause death (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.77; 95% CI, 1.25–2.52;
P
=0.001) and poor functional outcome (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.49; 95% CI, 1.23–1.80;
P
<0.001) during 1‐year follow‐up. Higher D‐dimer level at 90 days was also associated with poor outcomes independently. Furthermore, an increase in D‐dimer levels between baseline and 90 days was associated with all‐cause death (since 90 days to 1 year after index event) (adjusted HR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.12–3.53;
P
=0.019) but not with poor functional outcome (adjusted OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.82–1.41).

Conclusions

Our study shows that high level and an increase in D‐dimer between baseline and 90 days are associated with poor outcomes in patients after ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack.
The God of All Creation
Authors: Steffaniak Jordan L.
Published: January 2021

It is common in evangelical circles to discount theological interpretations based on methodological critiques—especially those related to areas involving reliance on intuitions such as perfect being theology. Therefore, this article argues that the traditional Protestant doctrine of ‘sola scripture’ makes room for natural means besides supernatural revelation such as intuitions in theological formation. It argues this by showing how the alternative understanding of scripture is theologically unsatisfying and impossible. Subsequently, the article defends the use of intuitions such as perfect being theology as compatible with the traditional sola scriptura doctrine.
Seeking Refuge: Grotius on Exile, Expulsion and Asylum
Authors: de Wilde Marc
Published: January 2021

Hugo Grotius is often identified as the founder of the modern concept of asylum. This article argues that Grotius’s most innovative contribution was not his theory of asylum, but his concept of expulsion, and more particularly, his notion that a permanent refuge should be offered to foreigners who had been collectively expelled on religious grounds. The article shows that Grotius’s notion was informed by his own experiences as a lawyer advocating the admission of Sephardi Jews, who had been expelled from Spain and Portugal, to the Dutch provinces. More particularly, it was based on a reinterpretation of Francisco de Vitoria’s concept of the ‘law of hospitality’ and the duty to admit foreigners irrespective of their religious beliefs. Reinterpreting Vitoria’s concept, Grotius was the first to formulate a theory regarding the state’s responsibility to offer a permanent refuge to victims of (religious) persecution.
Political Participation of Aboriginal People (Orang Asli) in Peninsular Malaysia: Examining the Compatibility of the Aboriginal Peoples Act 1954 with Undrip Standards
Authors: Hassan Muhamad Sayuti , Nordin Rohaida
Published: January 2021

The main objective of this article is to critically evaluate the compatibility of the ‘right to political participation’ of the Orang Asli by looking at international law standards. The present study utilises a qualitative socio-legal approach, which analyses the political participation of the Orang Asli under Malaysian law and determines whether the Aboriginal Peoples Act 1954 (apa) can provide for the protection, well-being, and the advancement of the Orang Asli. Arguably, the existing provisions of the apa are not in conformity with the recognition in undrip and in no way guarantee the Orang Asli’s right to self-determination as recognised by international law. Thus, the current study recommends an amendment to the apa and introduces guidelines to empower political participation of the Orang Asli by incorporating the principles of undrip. The amendment is necessary to ensure that the protection of the right to self-determination of the Orang Asli is compatible with international law standards.
Sexting among Young People: Towards a Gender Sensitive Approach
Authors: Agnew Elizabeth
Published: January 2021

Drawing on key theoretical debates on childhood and youth sexuality in tandem with primary data, the article builds upon and advances existing narratives regarding the tensions surrounding gender, pressure and sexting behaviours among young people. Ultimately, the article illustrates a number of gendered pressures which exist when young people engage in sexting, including a prevailing culture of sexism and exposure to a very prevalent sexual double standard. The range and diversity of gendered pressures present thus raises important questions regarding “appropriate” interventions. Consequently, the author argues for a gender sensitive approach at both policy and practice level. In doing so, the article provides new insights on the complexity of gender roles and thus presents a more nuanced understanding of sexting among young people than previous narratives have suggested.
The Philosophy of the Cosmonomic Idea and the Philosophical Foundations of Mathematics
Authors: Strauss Danie
Published: January 2021

Since the discovery of the paradoxes of Zeno, the problem of infinity was dominated by the meaning of endlessness—a view also adhered to by Herman Dooyeweerd. Since Aristotle, philosophers and mathematicians distinguished between the potential infinite and the actual infinite. The main aim of this article is to highlight the strengths and limitations of Dooyeweerd’s philosophy for an understanding of the foundations of mathematics, including Dooyeweerd’s quasi-substantial view of the natural numbers and his view of the other types of numbers as functions of natural numbers. Dooyeweerd’s rejection of the actual infinite is turned upside down by the exploring of an alternative perspective on the interrelations between number and space in support of the idea of infinite totalities, or infinite wholes. No other trend has succeeded in justifying the mathematical use of the actual infinite on the basis of an analysis of the intermodal coherence between number and space.
Cambodia’s Policy towards the Cambodia-Chinese since wwii
Authors: Lin Wen-Pin
Published: January 2021

Although anti-Chinese riots are rare in Cambodia, the ethnic Chinese in Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge era experienced some of the most severe repression in the world. The situation had improved by the 1990s, following the Hun Sen government’s abolishment of discriminatory policies towards them. The positive opinion of the Cambodian-Chinese was given another boost when Chinese capital flooded into the country. Keeping a low profile in politics and contributing to the national economy through their businesses have been the ways in which the ethnic Chinese survived in Cambodia. This does not mean that they have had no interest in politics; rather, they have preferred to engage with it through patron-client relationships with ruling politicians through their businesses. However, as the main stakeholders of the Cambodian political economy and the main pipeline through which Chinese capital flows, the Cambodian-Chinese would be in the firing line should Chinese investment not work out in the long-term.
Rediscovery of Styrax buchananii and S. chrysocarpus, with supplemental descriptions adding fruit and floral characters, respectively

Authors: ZHANG RUI , ZHAO WAN-YI , LIU YU-LIN , FAN YU , TANG MING
Published: January 2021

Styrax buchananii, recorded as endemic to Myanmar, has been known only in flower and S. chrysocarpus, endemic to China, only in fruit. Here we report the rediscovery of S. buchananii and S. chrysocarpus after ca. 100 and 70 years, respectively, since their publication. Both species were found in Yunnan Province, China. We also update the morphological descriptions of the two species to include fruit and floral characters, respectively, and provide a table of morphological characters that distinguish them from each other. A distribution map, photographs of living plants, and conservation assessment of each species are also provided.
Begonia scorpiuroloba, a new species in Begonia sect. Platycentrum (Begoniaceae) from southern Guangxi of China
Authors: TIAN DAI-KE , GE BIN-JIE , XIAO YAN , TIAN QI , LI CHUN
Published: January 2021

Begonia scorpiuroloba sp. nov., a new species in Begonia sect. Platycentrum (Begoniaceae) from southern Guangxi of China, is described and illustrated. Morphologically, it is mostly similar to B. pedatifida, but differs clearly by its narrower lobes, denser hairs on leaf surface, obtuse angle of leaf base, subequal tepals of female flowers and late flowering. This new species is endemic to Guangxi and is assigned to Endangered (EN) according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.
Two new species of Senecio (Compositae, Senecioneae) from Peru
Authors: BELTRÁN HAMILTON , CALVO JOEL
Published: January 2021

Two new species of Senecio are described from Peru. One thrives in the high Andes of the southeastern department of Lima and the other one occurs in the lomas vegetation of southern Ica. Both species are compared with the morphologically closest taxa and useful characters for their proper identification are provided. A distribution map, illustrations, and pictures of living plants are also presented.
Neotropical Stomopogon (Diptera, Muscidae): new species, redescriptions and key to species
Authors: FOGAÇA JOÃO M. , GOMES LUCAS R. P. , COURI MÁRCIA S. , RODRÍGUEZ-FERNANDEZ JAIME I. , DE CARVALHO CLAUDIO J. B.
Published: January 2021

Stomopogon Malloch (Diptera, Muscidae) is a Neotropical genus recorded from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile and Peru. In this contribution, the genus is revised, and three new species are described, one from Bolivia (Murillo, La Paz), one from Brazil (Palmas, Paraná) and one from Peru (Wayqecha, Cuzco). The descriptions include color images, illustrations and ultrastructural morphology of the terminalia of the adult. We provide an identification key to the species of Stomopogon and an updated map with species’ distributions. Stomopogon acuta (Malloch, 1934) is proposed as a new junior synonym of S. inculta Stein, 1911.
Description of Hypocambala zizhongi sp. nov. and the new combination, Glyphiulus polytrichus (Golovatch et al., 2011) comb. nov., based on morphological and molecular data (Spirostreptida: Cambalidea: Cambalopsidae)
Authors: JIANG XUAN-KONG , ZHANG ZU-XU , CHEN HUI-MING , XIE ZHI-CAI
Published: January 2021

The recent delimitation of the cambalopsid genera Hypocambala and Glyphiulus is debatable. The focus of controversy is whether the presence of crests on the trunk rings is an appropriate key character dividing these two genera. To address this issue, we conducted a molecular phylogenetic analysis including species with or without crests belonging to Hypocambala and species with crests belonging to Glyphiulus. The results of the phylogenetic analysis suggest that cambalopsids with crests are monophyletic and sister to a species without crests. Hypocambala polytricha, a cambalopsid with crests that is in a clade with crested Glyphiulus species, should be transferred to Glyphiulus. Therefore, a new combination is proposed, Glyphiulus polytrichus comb. nov. In addition, a discussion on the boundary between these two genera and a description of a new species, Hypocambala zizhongi sp. nov., are provided.
Description of two new species of sandlances, genus Bleekeria (Perciformes, Ammodytidae) from the Andaman Sea (northeastern Indian Ocean)
Authors: PSOMADAKIS PETER N. , YOSHINAGA TATSUKI , WAH ZI ZA , IDA HITOSHI
Published: January 2021

Two new species of Bleekeria Günther, 1862 are described from specimens collected in the Andaman Sea off the coast of Myanmar during bottom surveys conducted by the R/V Dr Fridtjof Nansen in 2015 and 2018. They are distinguished from each other and from congeners by a combination of morphological and meristic characters as well as fin coloration and genetic variance. Bleekeria albicauda sp. nov. has pelvic fins, 40–41 dorsal-fin rays, 54–55 total vertebrae, no teeth in jaws, 4 scale rows between dorsal-fin origin and lateral line, a single row of about 10 scales on mid-upper part of opercle, scales on central part of body clearly shorter than their height, caudal fin with white upper and lower lobes when fresh (unique within the genus). Bleekeria nigrilinea sp. nov. has no pelvic fins, 37–39 dorsal-fin rays, 49–50 total vertebrae, 2½ scale rows between dorsal-fin origin and lateral line (the smallest count within the genus with B. estuaria of Mozambique brackish water), 5–6 scales on mid-upper part of opercle arranged in a single row, scales on central part of body clearly longer than their height, upper and lower margins of caudal fin black when fresh (unique within the genus). The COI gene sequences of the two new species showed clear genetic divergence (pairwise K2P, >10 %) from Bleekeria estuaria Randall & Ida, 2014 and Bleekeria mitsukurii (Jordan & Evermann, 1902). A key to the species of Bleekeria is provided.