bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of receptor of advanced glycation end‐products polymorphisms on prostate cancer progression and clinicopathological characteristics
Authors: Chou Ying‐Erh , Hsieh Ming‐Ju , Wang Shian‐Shiang , Lin Chia‐Yen , Chen Yen‐Yu , Ho Yung‐Chuan , Yang Shun‐Fa
Published: October 2021

The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) overexpression was suggested to be associated with prostate cancer development and poor prognosis. In this study, we focused on the correlations between the clinicopathological characteristics and susceptibility of prostate cancer and RAGE single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). In 579 prostate cancer patients, the RAGE SNPs rs1800625, rs1800624, rs2070600 and rs184003 in patients with or without grade group upgrade were analysed with real‐time polymerase chain reaction. The results demonstrated that the prostate cancer patients who carried the RAGE SNPs rs2070600 ‘GA’ genotypic variants were significantly associated with lower risk to develop grade group upgrade. Moreover, patients with the RAGE rs1800625 ‘TC + CC’ genotypic variants were associated with higher risk of perineural invasion. In 343 prostate cancer patients who carried the RAGE rs1800625 ‘TC + CC’ genotype without grade group upgrade were correlated with higher risk of biochemical recurrence and perineural invasion. In the analysis of TCGA database, significant differences of the RAGE mRNA level were found between the normal controls and prostate cancer patients (p < 0.0001), and the pathologic stage N1 and N0 patients (p = 0.0027). The prostate cancer patients with high RAGE expression were associated with lower overall survival rate (p = 0.025). In conclusion, our results have revealed that the RAGE SNPs rs2070600 and rs1800625 were associated with the grade group upgrade of prostate cancer and clinical status. The RAGE polymorphisms may provide as a pivotal predictor to evaluate prostate cancer disease progression and prognosis.
Preventing opioid‐related adverse drug events: We can do this!
Authors: Gurwitz Jerry H.
Published: October 2021

This editorial comments on the article by Herzig et al in this issue.
Evaluation of hair and nail cortisol concentrations and associations with behavioral, physical, and environmental indicators of chronic stress in cats
Authors: Contreras Elena T. , Vanderstichel Raphael , Hovenga Claire , Lappin Michael R.
Published: October 2021

Background

Chronic stress is implicated in behavioral and health issues in cats, but methods for recognition, evaluation, and measurement of stress are lacking. Cortisol concentration is typically used as an indicator of stress.

Objectives

To evaluate use of an enzyme immunoassay to quantitate hair and nail cortisol concentrations (HCC and NCC) in cats and evaluate associations between HCC and NCC and behavioral, physical, and environmental correlates of chronic stress in cats.

Animals

Forty‐eight adult, owned or community cats.

Methods

Cross‐sectional study. Nail clippings and hair were collected from cats. Medical history and cat daily lifestyle questionnaires were completed by owners or caretakers. A commercial laboratory performed cortisol extraction and quantification using a validated enzyme immunoassay kit. Correlational and regression analyses were used to evaluate associations between HCC and NCC and behavioral, environmental, and medical factors.

Results

Hair and nail cortisol concentrations were significantly associated (rs = 0.70; P < .001), but HCCs varied widely within and among cats. Cats with litterbox issues had significantly increased HCC (P = .02) and NCC (P = .001) as compared to cats without litterbox issues. Cats with groomed coats had lower HCCs (P = .02) as compared to cats without groomed coats, whereas cats with dander and mats had higher NCCs (P = .01) as compared to cats without dander and mats.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

The quantification of NCCs might improve identification and evaluation of chronic stress in cats. The variability of HCCs in individual cats warrants caution using this measurement in chronic stress studies.
Questions on Public Policy and Trust during Covid‐19 in the Middle East and North Africa
Authors: Yellinek Roie
Published: October 2021

Trust is a recurring theme in social‐science literature for disciplines as diverse as psychology, political science, anthropology, sociology, and management. Recently, the concept has even been studied in neurobiology, behavioral economics, and computer science. In discussing the impact of state responses to Covid‐19 on trust in government, one should distinguish between two types of trust: political and social. Political trust refers to the extent to which people have trust in institutions; social trust refers to trust in other people within the community and beyond. While some studies suggest that political and social trust tend to correlate with each other, most studies examine these concepts separately. This article focuses on the impact of Covid‐19 on trust in government in the Middle East: political trust in the context of the pandemic.
Norms of criminal conviction
Authors: Lackey Jennifer
Published: October 2021

In this paper, I offer three different arguments against the view that knowledge is the epistemic norm governing criminal convictions in the Anglo‐American system. The first two show that neither the truth of a juror's verdict nor the juror's belief in the defendant's guilt is necessary for voting to convict in an epistemically permissible way. Both arguments challenge the necessity dimension of the knowledge norm. I then show—by drawing on evidence that is admissible through exclusionary rules—that knowledge is also not sufficient for epistemically proper conviction. A central thesis operative in all of these arguments is that the sort of ideal epistemology underwriting the knowledge norm of conviction should be rejected and replaced with a non‐ideal approach. I then defend an alternative, justificationist norm of criminal conviction that not only avoids the problems afflicting the knowledge account, but also takes seriously the important role that narratives play in criminal courts.
Quantifying skin sensitivity caused by mechanical insults: A review
Authors: Chaturvedi Pakhi , Worsley Peter R. , Zanelli Giulia , Kroon Wilco , Bader Dan L.
Published: October 2021

Background

Skin sensitivity (SS) is a commonly occurring response to a range of stimuli, including environmental conditions (e.g., sun exposure), chemical irritants (e.g., soaps and cosmetics), and mechanical forces (e.g., while shaving). From both industry and academia, many efforts have been taken to quantify the characteristics of SS in a standardised manner, but the study is hindered by the lack of an objective definition.

Methods

A review of the scientific literature regarding different parameters attributed to the loss of skin integrity and linked with exhibition of SS was conducted. Articles included were screened for mechanical stimulation of the skin, with objective quantification of tissue responses using biophysical or imaging techniques. Additionally, studies where cohorts of SS and non‐SS individuals were reported have been critiqued.

Results

The findings identified that the structure and function of the stratum corneum and its effective barrier properties are closely associated with SS. Thus, an array of skin tissue responses has been selected for characterization of SS due to mechanical stimuli, including: transepidermal water loss, hydration, redness, temperature, and sebum index. Additionally, certain imaging tools allow quantification of the superficial skin layers, providing structural characteristics underlying SS.

Conclusion

This review proposes a multimodal approach for identification of SS, providing a means to characterise skin tissue responses objectively. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has been suggested as a suitable tool for dermatological research with clinical applications. Such an approach would enhance the knowledge underlying the multifactorial nature of SS and aid the development of personalised solutions in medical and consumer devices.
Wound healing in animals: a review of physiology and clinical evaluation
Authors: Lux Cassie N.
Published: October 2021

Wound healing is a complicated process consisting of overlapping phases directed and regulated by many mediators of healing produced locally at the wound. The end goal of wound healing is the production of tissue at the site of injury which has a similar structure and provides protection to the body. Any alterations in the normal healing process can lead to delayed healing or additional tissue damage. Factors that contribute to aberrant wound healing can be species‐specific and include both intrinsic (systemic) factors and extrinsic (environmental) factors. Management of wounds and recognition of alterations can be optimised by adoption of a structured framework for wound assessment, such as the TIME principle (acronym referring to the following categories: tissue, inflammation or infection, moisture, and edge of wound or epithelial advancement). This review article provides an overview of the phases of wound healing, variation of healing among different species, factors reported to delay healing, and an introduction to the TIME principle as a structured approach to clinical evaluation of wounds.
CURRENT DEVELOPMENT OF SORBENTS DERIVED FROM PLANT AND ANIMAL WASTE AS GREEN SOLUTION FOR TREATING POLLUTED AQUEOUS MEDIA
Authors: Martini Sri , Afroze Sharmeen
Published: October 2021

In this review article, the recent development of organic sorbents derived from plant and animal waste for treating polluted aqueous media is presented. The application of biomass has been recognized reliable to adsorb hazardous pollutants contained in wastewater generated by emerging industries. This paper also discusses other existing technologies for removing pollutants including heavy metals, dyes, oil and grease, antibiotic and phenolic compounds from polluted aqueous media. Furthermore, several prominent examples of plant and animal wastes such as eucalyptus bark, pine bark, rice husk, various fruit peels, and animal bones are also properly reviewed. The effects of modification techniques on sorbent performance such as carbonization, pyrolysis, and chemical impregnation using acid or alkaline chemicals are considerably included. Some gaps in current literature are also discussed including the tendency of certain targeted pollutants, the use of simulated aqueous media, the scale of research projects, and the prominent modification procedures. Eventually, based on the relevant literature, clear conclusion has been drawn that these natural disposals have great potentiality as environmentally friendly sorbent alternative to other commercial expensive sorbents, and their reuse has been part of green solutions supporting a circular economy system.
Proposing Waqf New Form (WNF) In Waqf Land Registration System In Malaysia
Authors: Ghazali Noor Azimah , Sipan Ibrahim , Che Yaacob Ahmad
Published: October 2021

This paper highlights and discusses the various forms and procedures involved in the registration process of waqf land and suggest the Waqf New Form (WNF) as a solution to the issues that arise in the registration of waqf land in Malaysia. The study sought to answer the following two research questions: What issues arise in the method of waqf land registration in Malaysia? In what ways can such issues be resolved? Design/methodology/approach: This study employed a qualitative research approach and used content analysis to analyse data. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with lawyers, academicians, and executive officers from the Department of Land and Mines (DLM) and the State Islamic Religious Council (SIRC), and reviewed documents were collected mainly from the Department of Waqf, Zakat and Hajj Malaysia (JAWHAR). The study found the WNF to be a solution to the issues that arise in waqf land registration. It was developed to address the current waqf issues such as problematic registration methods, lengthy and complicated procedures, interference in the civil court jurisdiction, and idle waqf land. The WNF resolved the flaws of the previous waqf land registration system in Malaysia. The WNF will provide solutions to the current registration system within the National Land Code, 1965 (NLC), which will secure property rights in the future
Vascular calcium signalling and ageing
Authors: Harraz Osama F. , Jensen Lars Jørn
Published: October 2021

Changes in cellular Ca2+ levels have major influences on vascular function and blood pressure regulation. Vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and endothelial cells (ECs) orchestrate vascular activity in distinct ways, often involving highly specific fluctuations in Ca2+ signalling. Ageing is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, but the impact of ageing per se on vascular Ca2+ signalling has received insufficient attention. We reviewed the literature for age‐related changes in Ca2+ signalling in relation to vascular structure and function. Vascular tone dysregulation in several vascular beds has been linked to abnormal expression or activity of SMC voltage‐gated Ca2+ channels, Ca2+‐activated K+ channels or TRPC6 channels. Some of these effects were linked to altered caveolae density, microRNA expression or 20‐HETE abundance. Intracellular store Ca2+ handling was suppressed in ageing mainly via reduced expression of intracellular Ca2+ release channels, and Ca2+ reuptake or efflux pumps. An increase in mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake, leading to oxidative stress, could also play a role in SMC hypercontractility and structural remodelling in ageing. In ECs, ageing entailed diverse effects on spontaneous and evoked Ca2+ transients, as well as structural changes at the EC–SMC interface. The concerted effects of altered Ca2+ signalling on myogenic tone, endothelium‐dependent vasodilatation, and vascular structure are likely to contribute to blood pressure dysregulation and blood flow distribution deficits in critical organs. With the increase in the world's ageing population, future studies should be directed at solving specific ageing‐induced Ca2+ signalling deficits to combat the imminent accelerated vascular ageing and increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.

image
Enhanced Pose Adjustment System for Wing-Box Assembly in Large Aircraft Manufacturing
Authors: Mei Biao , Yang Yongtai , Zhu Weidong
Published: October 2021

Strict quality requirements in aircraft manufacturing demand high-accuracy pose adjustment systems. However, the pose alignment process of a large complex structure is also affected by thermal and gravity deformations to a great extent. Even though the pose adjustment system passes accuracy verification, the pose of the large complex structure remains challenging to smoothly and efficiently converge to the desired pose. To solve this problem, we developed a pose adjustment system enhanced by integrating physical simulation for the wing-box assembly of a large aircraft. First, the development of the pose adjustment system, which is the base of the digital pose alignment of a large aircraft’s outer wing panel, is demonstrated. Then, pose alignment principles of duplex and multiple assembly objects based on the best-fit strategy are successively explored. After that, contribution analysis is conducted for nonideal pose alignment. Immediately following, influences of thermal and gravity deformations simultaneously coexisting for the pose alignment are discussed. Finally, a physical simulation-assisted pose alignment method is developed considering multisource errors, which uses the finite element analysis to integrate temperature fluctuation and gravity field effects. Compared with a conventional digital pose adjustment system driven by the classical best-fit, deviations of the key characteristic points significantly decreased despite the impacts of thermal and gravity deformations. The enhanced pose adjustment system has been applied to large aircraft wing-box assembly. It provides an improved understanding of the pose alignment of large-scale complex structures.
Novel Design of a Rotation Center Auto-Matched Ankle Rehabilitation Exoskeleton With Decoupled Control Capacity
Authors: Wang Tun , Olivoni Enea , Spyrakos-Papastavridis Emmanouil , O'Connor Rory J. , Dai Jian S.
Published: October 2021

This article presents a novel ankle rehabilitation exoskeleton for poststroke patients, the rotational center of which can automatically conform to each individual user’s ankle complex, once they wear the exoskeleton; this property always holds regardless of the point at which the exoskeleton is attached to the human shank. This exoskeleton has 2 rotation degree-of-freedoms (DOFs) and is able to provide 2 different rotation patterns via reconfiguration. In the combined-rotation pattern arrangement, the mechanism can generate all three kinds of rotations that the ankle complex is naturally capable of realizing. Among these rotational motions, the adduction/abduction rotation is a coupled motion. This rotation can be further reduced, or eliminated, by minimizing the distance between the lower connection points of the actuated links and the human ankle complex, and vice versa. For the other rotation pattern, a 90-degree arrangement of the side link offers decoupled motion control of the mechanism. Numerical studies reveal that the required rehabilitation workspace for dynamical gait exercises can be achieved with high dexterity, without generating singularities. Further investigations indicate that this mechanism has great potential for rehabilitating poststroke patients of a wide range of heights and weights.
Negative-cluster ion beam production from the tip of a sharp needle: Suppression of surface charging and surface analysis of an insulated sample
Authors: Fujiwara Yukio , Saito Naoaki
Published: October 2021

In focused ion beam technology, liquid metal ion sources (LMISs) are widely used; however, they cannot produce negative ion beams. In this work, we demonstrate stable negative-cluster ion beam production from a point source by a method similar to LMISs. A negative-cluster ion beam is stably produced from the tip of a sharp needle wetted with a protic ionic liquid, diethylmethylammonium trifluoromethanesulfonate ([dema][TfO]). The time rate of change in the negative ion beam current is less than 1% per hour. The beam is estimated to contain two kinds of negative-cluster ions: [TfO]−([dema][TfO]) (m/z 386.02) and [TfO]−([dema][TfO])2 (m/z 623.08). These cluster ions contain reactive protons enhancing protonation. We investigate surface charging in an electrically insulated material irradiated by the negative ion beam, showing that charging voltage is as low as approximately 1 V. We report that secondary ion mass spectrometry of an insulated organic sample is possible using the negative ion beam without charge compensation.
Collisions of Coins
Authors: Rovšek Barbara , Žigon Sašo
Published: October 2021

This paper addresses a popular topic in science teaching and competitions for primary and secondary school students. Experiments with colliding coins are relatively easy to perform and therefore popular in science lessons. We used the idea in the science competition we organized for pupils aged 6 to 13 years. The science competition is based on a few experiments that the participants have to carry out before the competition. Some years ago, 10- and 11-year-old pupils had to experiment with coins. These were 1-, 10-, 20- and 50-euro cent coins (see Fig. 1), but the experiments can also be carried out with quarters and dimes. The experiments were simple elastic collisions with some obvious but also some profound outcomes, which will be described below. Even if the bodies are moving fast and the collision itself is an instantaneous event, it is possible to reconstruct the trajectories from known initial and final positions of the coins. At the end of this paper, we will present the set of problems that were given in the competition.
Lights, Physics, Action: The Science of Theater Lighting Design
Authors: Smith Donald A. , Coleman Brian
Published: October 2021

A physics professor (DS) and a theater technical instructor (BC) came together in 2018 to plan a general education course on the Physics of Theater Stagecraft. This is less surprising than it sounds, because theatrical lighting design had been Smith’s hobby for almost 30 years, and he has always felt that his understanding of physics helped him better implement the art of stage lighting. In 2019, Guilford College launched a new instructional calendar, and we worked together to offer this interdisciplinary general education course for the first three-week class session. We agreed that our priority was that the students would learn by doing, rather than reading and homework. We spent mornings in the physics lab and afternoons in the theater. There was no final exam—the practical task of creating a design for an actual performance was students’ opportunity to show what they had learned.
Entanglement Ball: Using Dodgeball to Introduce Quantum Entanglement
Authors: Marckwordt Jasmine , Muller Alexandria , Harlow Danielle , Franklin Diana , Landsberg Randall H.
Published: October 2021

Quantum computers are at the forefront of computing; however, few people understand how they work and their capabilities. We present two versions of an interactive activity designed for high school students (ages 13 to 18) that introduce a core quantum concept—entanglement. The first version illustrates a simple connection between two particles, and the second explores different ways that two particles could be entangled. This activity works well for entry-level quantum computing learning and requires minimal materials.
Virtual Laboratories in Physics Education
Authors: Filanovich Anton , Povzner Alexander
Published: October 2021

In this article, we report on the experience of implementing a virtual laboratory complex used in a general physics course, studied by students of technical and natural science specializations at Ural Federal University. We consider the possible use of virtual labs in three directions: in-person classes in the laboratory, conducting in a remote mode, and integration into an online course. Special attention is paid to the implementation of our virtual lab complex in the educational process during the pandemic.
Three psychophysical metrics of auditory temporal integration in macaques
Authors: Mackey Chase , Tarabillo Alejandro , Ramachandran Ramnarayan
Published: October 2021

The relationship between sound duration and detection threshold has long been thought to reflect temporal integration. Reports of species differences in this relationship are equivocal: some meta-analyses report no species differences, whereas others report substantial differences, particularly between humans and their close phylogenetic relatives, macaques. This renders translational work in macaques problematic. To reevaluate this difference, tone detection performance was measured in macaques using a go/no-go reaction time (RT) task at various tone durations and in the presence of broadband noise (BBN). Detection thresholds, RTs, and the dynamic range (DR) of the psychometric function decreased as the tone duration increased. The threshold by duration trends suggest macaques integrate at a similar rate to humans. The RT trends also resemble human data and are the first reported in animals. Whereas the BBN did not affect how the threshold or RT changed with the duration, it substantially reduced the DR at short durations. A probabilistic Poisson model replicated the effects of duration on threshold and DR and required integration from multiple simulated auditory nerve fibers to explain the performance at shorter durations. These data suggest that, contrary to previous studies, macaques are uniquely well-suited to model human temporal integration and form the baseline for future neurophysiological studies.
Evidence of prehistoric human activity in the Falkland Islands
Authors: Hamley Kit M. , Gill Jacquelyn L. , Krasinski Kathryn E. , Groff Dulcinea V. , Hall Brenda L. , Sandweiss Daniel H. , Southon John R. , Brickle Paul , Lowell Thomas V.
Published: October 2021

Interdisciplinary evidence indicates human activity in the Falkland Islands before European exploration of the South Atlantic.
Ryanodine receptor leak triggers fiber Ca
2+
redistribution to preserve force and elevate basal metabolism in skeletal muscle
Authors: Lamboley Cedric R. , Pearce Luke , Seng Crystal , Meizoso-Huesca Aldo , Singh Daniel P. , Frankish Barnaby P. , Kaura Vikas , Lo Harriet P. , Ferguson Charles , Allen Paul D. , Hopkins Philip M. , Parton Robert G. , Murphy Robyn M. , van der Poel Chris , Barclay Christopher J. , Launikonis Bradley S.
Published: October 2021

RyR1 Ca
2+
leak causes a cascade of events that shifts Ca
2+
to the cytoplasm and mitochondria, supporting force generation.
Maintenance of genome sequence integrity in long- and short-lived rodent species
Authors: Zhang Lei , Dong Xiao , Tian Xiao , Lee Moonsook , Ablaeva Julia , Firsanov Denis , Lee Sang-Goo , Maslov Alexander Y. , Gladyshev Vadim N. , Seluanov Andrei , Gorbunova Vera , Vijg Jan
Published: October 2021

Somatic mutation rates are inversely correlated with life span in mouse, guinea pig, blind mole-rat, naked mole-rat, and humans.
The question of canine origins
Our Oldest Companions: The Story of the First Dogs
Pat Shipman
Harvard University Press, 2021. 272 pp.
Authors: Larson Greger
Published: October 2021

With few solid leads, a paleoanthropologist explores the emergence of the first dogs
Defective viral RNA sensing linked to severe COVID-19
Authors: Schoggins John
Published: October 2021

Genetic variation in a sensor of double-stranded RNA can exacerbate COVID-19
Replication stress response defects are associated with response to immune checkpoint blockade in nonhypermutated cancers
Authors: McGrail Daniel J. , Pilié Patrick G. , Dai Hui , Lam Truong Nguyen Anh , Liang Yulong , Voorwerk Leonie , Kok Marleen , Zhang Xiang H.-F. , Rosen Jeffrey M. , Heimberger Amy B. , Peterson Christine B. , Jonasch Eric , Lin Shiaw-Yih
Published: October 2021

Endogenous and induced replication stress response defects promote tumor immunogenicity via generation of cytosolic single-stranded DNA.
Antarctic Polyester Hydrolases Degrade Aliphatic and Aromatic Polyesters at Moderate Temperatures
Authors: Blázquez-Sánchez Paula , Engelberger Felipe , Cifuentes-Anticevic Jerónimo , Sonnendecker Christian , Griñén Aransa , Reyes Javiera , Díez Beatriz , Guixé Victoria , Richter P. Konstantin , Zimmermann Wolfgang , Ramírez-Sarmiento César A.
Published: October 2021

A myriad of consumer products contains polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a plastic that has accumulated as waste in the environment due to its long-term stability and poor waste management. One promising solution is the enzymatic biodegradation of PET, with most known enzymes only catalyzing this process at high temperatures.
Domain Organization of Lentiviral and Betaretroviral Surface Envelope Glycoproteins Modeled with AlphaFold
Authors: Hötzel Isidro
Published: October 2021

Structural information on the surface envelope proteins of lentiviruses and related betaretroviruses is critical to understand mechanisms of virus-host interactions. However, experimental determination of these structures has been challenging, and only the structure of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gp120 has been determined.
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation Increases Colonic IL-25 and Dampens Tissue Inflammation in Patients with Recurrent Clostridioides difficile
Authors: Jan N. , Hays R. A. , Oakland D. N. , Kumar P. , Ramakrishnan G. , Behm B. W. , Petri W. A. , Marie C.
Published: October 2021

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is an effective treatment for
C. difficile
infection for most patients; however, introducing a complex mixture of microbes also has had unintended consequences for some patients. Attempts to create a standardized probiotic therapeutic that recapitulates the efficacy of FMT have been unsuccessful to date.
Patterns in the Microbial Community of Salt-Tolerant Plants and the Functional Genes Associated with Salt Stress Alleviation
Authors: Zheng Yanfen , Xu Zongchang , Liu Haodong , Liu Yan , Zhou Yanan , Meng Chen , Ma Siqi , Xie Zhihong , Li Yiqiang , Zhang Cheng-Sheng
Published: October 2021

Salinity is an important but little-studied abiotic stressor affecting plant growth. Although several previous reports have examined salt-tolerant plant microbial communities, we still lack a comprehensive understanding about the functional characteristics and genomic information of this population.
Conjunctivitis, episcleritis and anterior uveitis as the first presenting features of granulomatosis with polyangiitis
Authors: Foster Lucas Donato , Nyugen Michael , Margolin Edward
Published: October 2021

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a rare disorder characterised by inflammation of small-sized and medium-sized blood vessels that result in damage to various organ systems, but it most commonly affects the respiratory tract and kidneys. It is one of the few entities that can present with ocular inflammation as well as renal impairment at the same time. We describe a case of a 38-year-old man with conjunctivitis, episcleritis, anterior uveitis as a first manifestation of GPA. His presentation with red eye and anterior uveitis prompted further workup, which revealed acute renal failure (creatinine 442 mmol/L), elevated inflammatory markers (erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 85 mmol/hour and C reactive protein of 72 mg/L), and a c-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody titre >8. An urgent renal biopsy was performed demonstrating necrotising crescentic glomerulonephritis, which led to the final diagnosis of GPA. Treatment induction with intravenous methylprednisolone and plasmapheresis followed by an oral prednisone taper and intravenous rituximab infusions leading to resolution of all symptoms and normalisation of kidney function. This report highlights conditions that can present with both ocular inflammation and renal dysfunction with a focus on GPA and its ocular manifestations.
Tumid lupus erythematosus and systemic lupus erythematosus: a rare coexistence
Authors: Ali Ailia , Woods Alexander , Porter Caroline , Feldman Steven R
Published: October 2021

A patient diagnosed with tumid lupus erythematosus (TLE) was subsequently found to have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) after presenting to a tertiary care medical centre with shortness of breath and oedema. In this commentary, we discuss this patient’s presentation and the association between TLE and SLE.
Novel two-tiered developmental screening programme for Singaporean toddlers: a quality improvement report
Authors: Oo Nwe Nwe Linn , Ng David Chee Chin , Ostbye Truls , Allen John Carson , Agarwal Pratibha Keshav , Yeleswarapu Sita Padmini , Chong Shu-Ling , Guo Xiaoxuan , Chan Yoke Hwee
Published: October 2021

Early identification of developmental delays with timely intervention, especially before the age of 3 years, can improve child development. In Singapore, however, diagnosis and intervention for developmental delays occur at a median age of 44 months. As early detection and intervention depends on an effective developmental screening programme, we aimed to improve the detection of developmental delays before the age of 3 years in a primary care setting. We did this by implementing a novel two-tiered screening programme which uses three standardised screening tools (Parents’ Evaluation of Developmental Status, PEDS-Developmental Milestones and Ages and Stages Questionnaire-3). We used quality improvement methods to integrate and optimise this two-tiered programme into the existing 9-month and 18-month screening schedule, with an additional screening at 30 months to replace the pre-existing 36-month screening of the National Child Health Surveillance Programme. A total of three Plan–Do–Study–Act cycles were performed to ensure programme feasibility and sustainability. They focused on adequately training the primary care nurses, targeting an 80% screening rate and aiming for 20 min screening tool administration time per child. We assessed the proportion of children referred to the child development units after positive screening for developmental concerns under the new programme, with a pre–post and with–without intervention comparison, and reviewed the screening rates and screening tool administration time. The proportion of 18-month old children referred for developmental concerns improved from 3.5%–7.1% over a 6-month period. For those who received further assessment by developmental specialists after the two-tiered screening, 100% received a definitive diagnosis of developmental delays, similar to the situation before programme introduction. Our quality improvement efforts facilitated successful integration of the two-tiered programme into the pre-existing screening schedule with minimal impact to the clinic workflow. While we highlight challenges in implementation that need to be addressed, our findings support a potential nationwide adoption of the two-tiered programme.
Predicting inhospital admission at the emergency department: a systematic review
Authors: Brink Anniek , Alsma Jelmer , van Attekum Lodewijk AAM , Bramer Wichor M , Zietse Robert , Lingsma Hester , Schuit Stephanie CE
Published: October 2021

Background

ED crowding has potential detrimental consequences for both patient care and staff. Advancing disposition can reduce crowding. This may be achieved by using prediction models for admission. This systematic review aims to present an overview of prediction models for admission at the ED. Furthermore, we aimed to identify the best prediction tool based on its performance, validation, calibration and clinical usability.

Methods

We included observational studies published in Embase.com, Medline Ovid, Cochrane CENTRAL, Web of Science Core Collection or Google scholar, in which admission models were developed or validated in a general medical population in European EDs including the UK. We used the Critical Appraisal and Data Extraction for Systematic Reviews of Prediction Modelling Studies (CHARMS) checklist to assess quality of model development. Model performance was presented as discrimination and calibration. The search was performed on 11 October 2020.

Results

In total, 18 539 articles were identified. We included 11 studies, describing 16 different models, comprising the development of 9 models and 12 external validations of 11 models. The risk of bias of the development studies was considered low to medium. Discrimination, as represented by the area under the curve ranged from 0.630 to 0.878. Calibration was assessed in seven models and was strong. The best performing models are the models of Luckeet aland Cameronet al. These models combine clinical applicability, by inclusion of readily available parameters, and appropriate discrimination, calibration and validation.

Conclusion

None of the models are yet implemented in EDs. Further research is needed to assess the applicability and implementation of the best performing models in the ED.

Systematic review registration number

PROSPERO CRD42017057975.
Drug prescriptions and dementia incidence: a medication-wide association study of 17000 dementia cases among half a million participants
Authors: Wilkinson Tim , Schnier Christian , Bush Kathryn , Rannikmäe Kristiina , Lyons Ronan A , McTaggart Stuart , Bennie Marion , Sudlow Cathie LM
Published: October 2021

Background

Previous studies have suggested that some medications may influence dementia risk. We conducted a hypothesis-generating medication-wide association study to investigate systematically the association between all prescription medications and incident dementia.

Methods

We used a population-based cohort within the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) databank, comprising routinely-collected primary care, hospital admissions and mortality data from Wales, UK. We included all participants born after 1910 and registered with a SAIL general practice at ≤60 years old. Follow-up was from each participant’s 60th birthday to the earliest of dementia diagnosis, deregistration from a SAIL general practice, death or the end of 2018. We considered participants exposed to a medication if they received ≥1 prescription for any of 744 medications before or during follow-up. We adjusted for sex, smoking and socioeconomic status. The outcome was any all-cause dementia code in primary care, hospital or mortality data during follow-up. We used Cox regression to calculate hazard ratios and Bonferroni-corrected p values.

Results

Of 551 344 participants, 16 998 (3%) developed dementia (median follow-up was 17 years for people who developed dementia, 10 years for those without dementia). Of 744 medications, 221 (30%) were associated with dementia. Of these, 217 (98%) were associated with increased dementia incidence, many clustering around certain indications. Four medications (all vaccines) were associated with a lower dementia incidence.

Conclusions

Almost a third of medications were associated with dementia. The clustering of many drugs around certain indications may provide insights into early manifestations of dementia. We encourage further investigation of hypotheses generated by these results.
New physics in rare B decays after Moriond 2021
Authors: Altmannshofer Wolfgang , Stangl Peter
Published: October 2021

The anomalies in rare B decays endure. We present results of an updated global analysis that takes into account the latest experimental input – in particular the recent results on $$R_K$$

R
K

and BR$$(B_s \rightarrow \mu ^+\mu ^-)$$

(

B
s

→

μ
+

μ
-

)

– and that qualitatively improves the treatment of theory uncertainties. Fit results are presented for the Wilson coefficients of four-fermion contact interactions. We find that muon specific Wilson coefficients $$C_9 \simeq -0.73$$

C
9

≃
-
0.73

or $$C_9 = -C_{10} \simeq -0.39$$

C
9

=
-

C
10

≃
-
0.39

continue to give an excellent description of the data. If only theoretically clean observables are considered, muon specific $$C_{10} \simeq 0.60$$

C
10

≃
0.60

or $$C_9=-C_{10} \simeq -0.35$$

C
9

=
-

C
10

≃
-
0.35

improve over the Standard Model by $$\sqrt{\Delta \chi ^2} \simeq 4.7\sigma $$

Δ

χ
2

≃
4.7
σ

and $$\sqrt{\Delta \chi ^2} \simeq 4.6\sigma $$

Δ

χ
2

≃
4.6
σ

, respectively. In various new physics scenarios we provide predictions for lepton flavor universality observables and CP asymmetries that can be tested with more data. We update our previous combination of ATLAS, CMS, and LHCb data on BR$$(B_s \rightarrow \mu ^+\mu ^-)$$

(

B
s

→

μ
+

μ
-

)

and BR$$(B^0\rightarrow \mu ^+\mu ^-)$$

(

B
0

→

μ
+

μ
-

)

taking into account the full two-dimensional non-Gaussian experimental likelihoods.
FCC: Building on the shoulders of giants
Authors: Myers Stephen
Published: October 2021

The plethora of open questions in particle physics, the new chapter opened by the Higgs boson, and the lack of clear theoretical guidance as to where new theory could lie call for a broad and diverse experimental programme boosting the intensity and energy-frontier. The proposed FCC-integrated programme consisting of a luminosity-frontier highest-energy lepton collider followed by an energy-frontier hadron collider promises the most far-reaching particle physics programme that foreseeable technology can deliver. In this essay, particular emphasis is given to the lessons from the predecessor of the LHC, LEP, which was commissioned in 1989 and finished operation in November 2000.
What can we learn from the conformal noninvariance of the Klein–Gordon equation?
Authors: Hammad F. , Sadeghi P. , Fleury N. , Leblanc A.
Published: October 2021

It is well known that the Klein–Gordon equation in curved spacetime is conformally noninvariant, both with and without a mass term. We show that such a noninvariance provides nontrivial physical insights at different levels, first within the fully relativistic regime, then in the nonrelativistic regime leading to the Schrödinger equation, and then within the de Broglie–Bohm causal interpretation of quantum mechanics. The conformal noninvariance of the Klein–Gordon equation coupled to a vector potential is confronted with the conformal invariance of Maxwell’s equations in the presence of a charged current. The conformal invariance of the nonminimally coupled Klein–Gordon equation to gravity is then examined in light of the conformal invariance of Maxwell’s equations. Finally, the consequence of the noninvariance of the equation on the Aharonov–Bohm effect in curved space–time is discussed.
Predictions for the leptonic Dirac CP-violating phase
Authors: Everett Lisa L. , Ramos Raymundo , Rock Ariel B. , Stuart Alexander J.
Published: October 2021

In this paper, we explore the theoretical constraints on the observable parameters of neutrino mixing on predictions for the leptonic Dirac CP-violating phase within a well-studied class of simple theoretical models that includes a single source of CP violation due to charged lepton corrections. The approach guarantees that a physically meaningful prediction for the most likely values for the leptonic Dirac CP-violating phase is obtained.
Search for double-beta decay of 106Cd
Authors: Klavdiienko V. R. , Belli P. , Bernabei R. , Caracciolo V. , Cerulli R. , Merlo V. , Brudanin V. B. , Cappella F. , Incicchitti A. , Danevich F. A. , Kasperovych D. V. , Kobychev V. V. , Polischuk O. G. , Tretyak V. I. , Zarytskyy M. M.
Published: October 2021

A radiopure cadmium tungstate scintillator enriched in [Formula: see text]Cd to 66% ([Formula: see text]CdWO4) operates in coincidence (anticoincidence) with two CdWO4 scintillation counters to search for double-beta processes in [Formula: see text]Cd. After 26033 h of data taking, no effects were observed. The half-life limits on the different channels of [Formula: see text]Cd double-beta decay were set at the level of [Formula: see text] yr. A new stage of the experiment is running with an improved sensitivity to all the decay channels thanks to reduction of the background and improvement of the energy resolution.
Diamond distances in Nottingham algebras
Authors: Avitabile M. , Mattarei S.
Published: October 2021

Nottingham algebras are a class of just-infinite-dimensional, modular, [Formula: see text]-graded Lie algebras, which includes the graded Lie algebra associated to the Nottingham group with respect to its lower central series. Homogeneous components of a Nottingham algebra have dimension one or two, and in the latter case they are called diamonds. The first diamond occurs in degree [Formula: see text], and the second occurs in degree [Formula: see text], a power of the characteristic. Many examples of Nottingham algebras are known, in which each diamond past the first can be assigned a type, either belonging to the underlying field or equal to [Formula: see text].

A prospective classification of Nottingham algebras requires describing all possible diamond patterns. In this paper, we establish some crucial contributions towards that goal. One is showing that all diamonds, past the first, of an arbitrary Nottingham algebra [Formula: see text] can be assigned a type, in such a way that the degrees and types of the diamonds completely describe [Formula: see text]. At the same time we prove that the difference in degrees of any two consecutive diamonds in any Nottingham algebra equals [Formula: see text]. As a side-product of our investigation, we classify the Nottingham algebras where all diamonds have type [Formula: see text].
Flat commutative ring epimorphisms of almost Krull dimension zero
Authors: Positselski Leonid
Published: October 2021

In this paper, we consider flat epimorphisms of commutative rings [Formula: see text] such that, for every ideal [Formula: see text] for which [Formula: see text], the quotient ring [Formula: see text] is semilocal of Krull dimension zero. Under these assumptions, we show that the projective dimension of the R-module U does not exceed 1. We also describe the Geigle–Lenzing perpendicular subcategory [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text]. Assuming additionally that the ring U and all the rings [Formula: see text] are perfect, we show that all flat R-modules are U-strongly flat. Thus, we obtain a generalization of some results of the paper [ 6 ], where the case of the localization [Formula: see text] of the ring R at a multiplicative subset [Formula: see text] was considered.
A Finite Element Model for Non-Newtonian Starved Thermal-Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication of 3D Line Contact
Authors: Bai Xueyu , Dong Qingbing , Zheng Han , Zhou Kun
Published: October 2021

A finite element model for the non-Newtonian starved thermal-elastohydrodynamic lubrication of 3D line contact is developed. The model integrates the mutually dependent solutions of the pressure, film thickness, and temperature in a coupled system. The finite difference Elrod algorithm is introduced in the constructed solution scheme to realize the starvation condition and determine the fractional film content. The lubricant velocity and shear rate of three typical non-Newtonian lubricants are derived by using the separation flow method. The interacted solutions are sequentially determined by their corresponding governing equations. After the model validation, the lubrication performances of the three non-Newtonian lubricants are studied at different levels of inlet lubricant supply. The results show that non-Newtonian rheological behaviors have substantial effects on the lubricant temperature, viscosity, shear rate, velocity, and shear stress, which further affect the accuracy of the predictions of friction and lubrication failure. The solutions of lubrication of machined rough surfaces are also presented to demonstrate the generality of the developed model.
Design and Deployment of Expressive and Correct Web of Things Applications
Authors: Krishna Ajay , Le Pallec Michel , Mateescu Radu , Salaün Gwen
Published: October 2021

Consumer Internet of Things (IoT) applications are largely built through end-user programming in the form of event-action rules. Although end-user tools help simplify the building of IoT applications to a large extent, there are still challenges in developing expressive applications in a simple yet correct fashion. In this context, we propose a formal development framework based on the Web of Things specification. An application is defined using a composition language that allows users to compose the basic event-action rules to express complex scenarios. It is transformed into a formal specification that serves as the input for formal analysis, where the application is checked for functional and quantitative properties at design time using model checking techniques. Once the application is validated, it can be deployed and the rules are executed following the composition language semantics. We have implemented these proposals in a tool built on top of the Mozilla WebThings platform. The steps from design to deployment were validated on real-world applications.