bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Addressing the Pandemic Training Deficiency: Filling the Void with Simulation in Facial Reconstruction
Authors: Yang Shiayin F. , Powell Allison , Srinivasan Sudharsan , Kim Jennifer C. , Baker Shan R. , Green Glenn E. , Zopf David A.
Published: March 2021

Objective/Hypothesis

To assess the use of a three‐dimensional (3D) printed, multilayer facial flap model for use in trainee education as an alternative method of teaching surgical techniques of facial reconstruction.

Study Design

Cohort study.

Methods

A 3D printed facial flap simulator was designed from a computed tomography scan and manufactured out of silicone for low‐cost, high‐fidelity simulation. This simulator was tested by a group of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery trainees at a single institution. The simulator group was compared to a control group who completed an exercise on a traditional paper facial flap exercise. Both groups underwent didactic lectures prior to completing their respective exercises. Pre‐ and post‐exercise Likert scale surveys measuring experience, understanding, effectiveness, and realism were completed by both groups. Central tendency, variability, and confidence intervals were measured to evaluate the outcomes.

Results

Trainees completing the facial flap simulator reported a statistically significant (p < 0.05) improvement in overall expertise in facial flap procedures, design of facial flaps, and excision of standing cutaneous deformities. No statistically significant improvement was seen in the control group.

Conclusions

Trainees found the facial flap simulator to be an effective and useful training tool with a high level of realism in surgical education of facial reconstruction. Surgical simulators can serve as an adjunct to trainee education, especially during extraordinary times such as the novel coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, which significantly impacted surgical training.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 131:E2444–E2448, 2021
Development and Characterization of a Novel Hydrogel for the Decontaminating of Radionuclide‐Contaminated Skin Wounds
Authors: Cui Feng‐Mei , Wu Zhuo‐Jun , Zhao Rui , Chen Qiu , Liu Zhi‐Yong , Zhao Ying , Yan Hong‐Bing , Shen Guo‐Liang , Tu Yu , Zhou Ding‐Hua , Diwu Juan , Hou Jun , Hu Liang , Wang Guo‐Jing
Published: March 2021

Designing skin decontaminating materials with outstanding therapeutic effects, adhesiveness, and suitable mechanical property has great practical significance in radionuclide‐contaminated skin wound healing. Here, a physically crosslinked hydrogel is constructed via hydrogen bonding of poly acrylamide, sodium alginate (SA), and the complexing agent diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA). The physical and chemical properties of the poly(AAm‐SA‐DTPA) hydrogel (PASD) are detected according to established methods. The decontaminating property and skin wound healing of the PASD are investigated to confirm multi‐functions of wound dressing. The physical and chemical properties results show that the synthesis of the PASD hydrogel is effective and that DTPA is present in the hydrogel. The hydrogel also shows great mechanical and swelling properties. In vitro tests find that PASD shows significant scavenging abilities for strontium and cerium. In vivo experiments show that the PASD hydrogel can remove radioactive strontium from the skin wounds of mice, and can effectively prevent the absorption of radioactive strontium through the skin wound. Furthermore, the PASD hydrogel can effectively promote the formation of granulation tissue in a radioactive contaminated wound. Taken together, the PASD hydrogels, which has good mechanical properties and radionuclides decontamination, is expected to be used as a dressing for radionuclide‐contaminated skin wound healing.
Biodiversity citizen science: Outcomes for the participating citizens
Authors: Peter Maria , Diekötter Tim , Höffler Tim , Kremer Kerstin
Published: March 2021

Citizen science (CS) is regarded as a promising format in environmental and sustainability education as well as in science education. CS projects often assume that participation in the project influences, for example, participants' knowledge or behaviour.

We investigated whether and to what extent biodiversity citizen science (BDCS) projects, from the participants' self‐reported perspective, achieve the following six participant outcomes: (a) content, process and nature of science knowledge, (b) skills of science inquiry, (c) self‐efficacy for science and the environment, (d) interest in science and the environment, (e) motivation for science and the environment and (f) behaviour towards the environment.

For this purpose, we conducted an online survey of 1,160 CS participants across 63 BDCS projects in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Our survey was aimed at adults participating in CS voluntarily.

Survey respondents reported positive changes in all six categories. The most notable result across projects was that self‐reported increases in knowledge, self‐efficacy, interest and motivation were found to be more pronounced when regarding the environment rather than science. Perceived gains in data collection skills were reported to be higher than gains in skills not directly connected to data collection. Reported behaviour changes primarily concerned communication activities, to a lesser degree also gardening activities, and finally more general environmental behaviour.

In addition to these six participant outcomes, respondents mentioned a variety of other positive and negative outcomes, for example, health and well‐being, enjoyment, a sense of satisfaction, an increased connection to people and nature but also a more pessimistic view regarding the future of the environment.

We conclude that BDCS projects could have a high potential for environmental and sustainability education as well as science education. Further research should investigate individual participant outcomes in more depth and should focus on the factors that influence these participant outcomes. Moreover, exploring the perspectives of both project participants and project coordinators would be valuable. In this way, it would be possible to improve the development and design of CS projects. As a result, BDCS projects could more effectively achieve outcomes for the participants, for science and for biodiversity.

A freePlain Language Summarycan be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Cathelicidin levels in nasal secretions are associated with the severity of acute bronchiolitis
Authors: Papadaki Maria , Marmarinos Antonios , Tsolia Maria , Gourgiotis Dimitrios , Soldatou Alexandra
Published: March 2021

Objective

To investigate the association of serum vitamin D and nasal secretion antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) levels with the severity of acute bronchiolitis.

Study design

We conducted a prospective single pediatric tertiary care center cohort study of inpatients aged 0–18 months with a first episode of acute bronchiolitis from November 1st 2014 to April 30th 2017. Disease severity was determined by the length of hospitalization and supplemental hospital data. Qualitative measurements included serum 25(OH)D and nasal secretion LL‐37 and β‐defensin‐2 levels. Correlations were examined with the Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis criteria for qualitative and the correlation coefficient Spearman's rho for quantitative factors. Multiple linear and logarithmic regression were performed to adjust for confounding factors.

Results

The study population consisted of 153 infants and toddlers with median age 3.1 months (interquartile range:1.6–4.9). No association was found between serum 25(OH)D and AMPs nasal secretions levels. Serum 25(OH)D and nasal secretion β‐defensin‐2 levels were not associated with the severity of bronchiolitis. In contrast, LL‐37 levels were inversely associated with the length of hospitalization (rho = −0.340, p = .001), the need for medication use (p = .001), as well as the duration of oxygen supplementation (rho = −0.339, p = .001), and intravenous fluid administration (rho = −0.323, p = .001). This association remained significant after adjustment for potential confounders.

Conclusion

A significant association between LL‐37 nasal secretions levels with the severity of acute bronchiolitis was found in hospitalized infants and toddlers. The role of LL‐37 in the pathogenesis of bronchiolitis merits further investigation.
Affordances of engineering with English learners
Authors: Cunningham Christine M. , Kelly Gregory J. , Meyer Natacha
Published: March 2021

In this position paper, we draw from previous research and theoretical developments in the field to propose a set of affordances of engineering with English learners (ELs). Students learning both the language of instruction (e.g., English) and academic subject matter (e.g., engineering, mathematics, science) face the challenge of making sense of linguistically complex terminology of disciplinary knowledge. We posit that engineering provides a unique set of benefits for such learners due to a number of factors associated with the discipline of engineering, including the materiality of the knowledge, the potential for multimodal communication, and the contextualization of knowledge in specific task‐oriented activities. We also recognize that engineering benefits from participation by diverse learners including ELs as solutions are strengthened by a multitude of ideas and perspectives. Although this paper focuses on ELs, we recognize that such affordances are also valuable forallstudents, including native English speakers, and that they may be particularly important for students who may benefit from additional linguistic supports for developing academic literacies. We identify the affordances, anchoring them in elementary classroom experiences and teacher testimonials, and propose a research agenda for future study.
N‐Formylsaccharin as a CO Source: Applications and Recent Developments
Authors: Tan Yan , Lang Jiajia , Tang Meilun , Li Jingjing , Mi Pengbing , Zheng Xing
Published: March 2021

This review describes the research progress of the N‐formylsaccharin as a newly efficient and environmentally friendly carbon monoxide (CO) surrogate in the carbonylation reactions including the synthesis of aldehydes, esters, ketones, acyl fluorides or other reactions. Besides, its advantages in term of inexpensive, ease of handling and stable on storage significantly enhance practicality of the approach in laboratory scale.
A Diverse Micromorphology of Photonic Crystal Chips for Multianalyte Sensing
Authors: Huang Yu , Liu Lingxiao , Yang Xian , Zhang Xiaoyu , Yan Bing , Wu Lei , Feng Pengju , Lou Xiaoding , Xia Fan , Song Yanlin , Li Fengyu
Published: March 2021

The diversity by nano/microstructural material or device constructing can provide the exciting opportunity for sensitivity and selectivity to achieve facile and efficient multianalyte recognition for clinical diagnosis, environment monitoring, etc., in complex system analysis. Colloidal poly(styrene–methyl methacrylate–acrylic acid) (poly(St–MMA–AA)) nanoparticle‐assembled photonic crystals (PCs) can achieve manipulative 3D structural colors and approach PC sensor chip for high‐efficient multianalysis utilizing simple dye. Focusing on the morphology effects of structural color, a PC microchip is designed and constructed with various geometrical micromorphologies. Based on the angle dependence of colloidal‐crystal structural color, the stopband distribution is explored on various morphological PC pixels. Selective fluorescent enhancement is realized for stopband‐matched PCs, which approach the successful discrimination of metal ions and complex multianalysis of groundwater. Meanwhile, printed droplet‐shaping manipulation can achieve a large‐scale structural‐color sensor array of chips with designable nano/microstructures via colloidal assembly. It will be the critical puzzle piece between macromorphology and microstructure for the structural‐color researches.
Fabrications of High‐Performance Planar Zinc‐Ion Microbatteries by Engraved Soft Templates
Authors: Jiang Kang , Zhou Zeyan , Wen Xi , Weng Qunhong
Published: March 2021

Miniaturized energy storage devices (MESDs) provide future solutions for powering dispersive electronics and small devices. Among them, aqueous zinc ion microbatteries (ZIMBs) are a type of promising MESDs because of their high‐capacity Zn anode, safe and green aqueous electrolytes, and good battery performances. Herein, for the first time, a simple and powerful strategy to fabricate flexible ZIMBs based on tailored soft templates is reported, which are patterned by engraving and enables to design the ZIMBs featured with arbitrary shapes and on various substrates. The assembled ZIMBs employing α‐MnS as the cathode materials and guar gum gel as the quasi‐solid‐state electrolyte exhibited very high areal specific capacity of up to 178 μAh cm−2, a notable areal energy density of 322 μWh cm−2 and power density of 710 μW cm−2. Footprint areas of the manufactured ZIMBs as small as 40 mm2 can be achieved. The proposed method based on the engraved soft templates provides a practical route for ZIMB and other MESD designs, which is critical for portable and wearable electronics development.
Systematic identification of risk factors and drug repurposing options for Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Wu Chong , Wu Lang , Wang Jingshen , Lin Lifeng , Li Yanming , Lu Qing , Deng Hong‐wen
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Several Mendelian randomization studies have been conducted that identified multiple risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, they typically focus on a few pre‐selected risk factors.

Methods

A two‐sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study was used to systematically examine the potential causal associations of 1037 risk factors/medical conditions and 31 drugs with the risk of late‐onset AD. To correct for multiple comparisons, the false discovery rate was set at < 0.05.

Results

There was strong evidence of a causal association between glioma risk, reduced trunk fat‐free mass, lower education levels, lower intelligence and a higher risk of AD. For 31 investigated treatments (such as antihypertensive drugs), we found limited evidence for their associations.

Discussion

MR found robust evidence of causal associations between glioma, trunk fat‐free, and AD. Our study also confirms that higher educational attainment and higher intelligence are associated with a reduced risk of AD.
Gravitational wave spectra from oscillon formation after inflation
Authors: Hiramatsu Takashi , Sfakianakis Evangelos I. , Yamaguchi Masahide
Published: March 2021

Abstract

We systematically investigate the preheating behavior of single field inflation with an oscillon-supporting potential. We compute both the properties of the emitted gravitational waves as well as the number density and characteristics of the produced oscillons. By performing numerical simulations for a variety of potential types, we divide the analyzed potentials in two families, each of them containing potentials with varying large- or small-field dependence. We find that the shape of the spectrum and the amplitude of emitted gravitational waves have a universal feature with the peak around the physical wavenumber k/a ∼ m at the inflaton oscillation starting period, irrespective of the exact potential shape. This can be used as a smoking-gun for deducing the existence of a violent preheating phase and possible oscillon formation after inflation. Despite this apparent universality, we also find differences in the shape of the spectrum of emitted gravitational waves between the two families of potentials, leading to discriminating features between them. In particular, all potentials show the emergence of a two-peak structure in the gravitational wave spectrum, arising at the time of oscillon formation. However, potentials that exhibit efficient parametric resonance tend to smear out this structure and by the end of the simulation the two-peak structure is replaced by one broad peak in the GW spectrum. We further compute the number density and properties of the produced oscillons for each potential choice, finding differences in the number density and size distribution of stable oscillons and transient overdensities. We also perform a linear fluctuation analysis and use the corresponding Floquet charts to relate the results of our simulations to the structure of parametric resonance for the various potential types. We find that the growth rate of the scalar perturbations and the associated oscillon formation time are sensitive to the small-field shape of a potential while the macroscopic physical properties of oscillons such as the total number depend on the large-field shape of a potential.
Differenzialdiagnostische Unterscheidung zwischen substanzinduzierten und primären Psychosen:
Authors: Hirjak Dusan , Meyer-Lindenberg Andreas , Brandt Geva A. , Dreßing Harald
Published: March 2021

Substanzinduzierte psychotische Störungen (SIPS) sind häufig und für ca. 25 % der ersten Einweisungen in eine psychiatrische Klinik verantwortlich. Aus klinischer Sicht ist aufgrund ähnlicher psychopathologischer Phänomene die diagnostische Unterscheidung zwischen SIPS und primären (genuinen oder kryptogenen) psychotischen Störungen oft eine Herausforderung. Dieser Umstand wird dadurch erschwert, dass SIPS im Zusammenhang mit Cannabis, Halluzinogenen und Amphetaminen ein erhebliches Risiko des Übergangs in eine primäre psychotische Störung (z. B. Schizophrenie) haben. Im ersten Abschnitt dieser Arbeit werden zunächst zwei exemplarische Fallvignetten aus der allgemeinpsychiatrischen und forensischen Praxis vorgestellt. Danach wird im Sinne einer selektiven Literaturübersicht die Relevanz der differenzialdiagnostischen Unterscheidung beider Störungsbilder aus der Sicht der allgemeinen und forensischen Psychiatrie in Bezug auf Therapie, Prognose und richterliche Entscheidung bezüglich der Unterbringung im Maßregelvollzug (§ 63 vs. § 64 StGB) beleuchtet. Der letzte Abschnitt hat das Ziel, ein strukturiertes Vorgehen zur differenzialdiagnostischen Unterscheidung zwischen SIPS und primären psychotischen Störungen zu erarbeiten. Die in dieser Arbeit dargestellten und diskutierten Konzepte und Befunde sollen klinisch tätigen Psychiatern und Psychologen die Diagnosestellung im allgemeinen und forensischen Kontext erleichtern.
Equilibrium asset pricing with transaction costs
Authors: Herdegen Martin , Muhle-Karbe Johannes , Possamaï Dylan
Published: March 2021

We study risk-sharing economies where heterogeneous agents trade subject to quadratic transaction costs. The corresponding equilibrium asset prices and trading strategies are characterised by a system of nonlinear, fully coupled forward–backward stochastic differential equations. We show that a unique solution exists provided that the agents’ preferences are sufficiently similar. In a benchmark specification with linear state dynamics, the empirically observed illiquidity discounts and liquidity premia correspond to a positive relationship between transaction costs and volatility.
Prediction of microalbuminuria from proteinuria in chronic kidney disease due to non-diabetic lifestyle-related diseases: comparison with diabetes
Authors: Ogi Makoto , Seto Takuya , Wakabayashi Yoshinori
Published: March 2021

Background

To suppress increases in kidney failure and cardiovascular disease due to lifestyle-related diseases other than diabetes, early intervention is desirable. We examined whether microalbuminuria could be predicted from proteinuria.

Methods

The participants consisted of adults who exhibited a urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio (uPCR) of < 0.5 g/gCr and an eGFR of ≥ 15 ml/min/1.73 m2 in their spot urine at their first examination for lifestyle-related disease. Urine was tested three times for each case, with microalbuminuria defined as a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) of 30–299 mg/gCr, at least twice on three measurements. Youden’s Index was used as an index of the cut-off value (CO) according to the ROC curve.

Results

A single uPCR was useful for differentiating normoalbuminuria and micro- and macroalbuminuria in patients with non-diabetic lifestyle-related diseases. Regarding the GFR categories, the CO of the second uPCR was 0.09 g/gCr (AUC 0.89, sensitivity 0.76, specificity 0.89) in G1-4 (n = 197) and 0.07 g/gCr (AUC 0.92, sensitivity 0.85, specificity 0.88) in G1-3a (n = 125). Using the sum of two or three uPCR measurements was more useful than a single uPCR for differentiating microalbuminuria in non-diabetic lifestyle disease [CO, 0.16 g/gCr (AUC 0.91, sensitivity 0.85, specificity 0.87) and 0.23 g/gCr (AUC 0.92, sensitivity 0.88, specificity 0.84), respectively].

Conclusion

Microalbuminuria in Japanese individuals with non-diabetic lifestyle-related diseases can be predicted from the uPCR, wherein the CO of the uPCR that differentiates normoalbuminuria and micro- and macroalbuminuria was 0.07 g/gCr for G1-3a, while that in G3b-4 was 0.09 g/gCr.
Neuroimaging in dementia
Authors: Furtner Julia , Prayer Daniela
Published: March 2021

Despite the fact that the diagnosis of dementia is mainly based on clinical criteria, the role of neuroimaging is still expanding. Among other imaging techniques, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays a core role in assisting with the differentiation between various dementia syndromes and excluding other underlying pathologies that cause dementia, such as brain tumors and subdural hemorrhages. This article gives an overview of the standard MRI protocol and of structural radiological reporting systems in patients who suffer from dementia. Moreover, it presents characteristic MRI features of the most common dementia subtypes.
Derived Equivalences for the Flops of Type C2 and ${A}_{4}^{G}$ via Mutation of Semiorthogonal Decomposition
Authors: Morimura Hayato
Published: March 2021

We give a new proof of the derived equivalence of a pair of varieties connected by the flop of typeC2in the list of Kanemitsu (2018), which is originally due to Segal (Bull. Lond. Math. Soc.,48(3) 533–538, 2016). We also prove the derived equivalence of a pair of varieties connected by the flop of type${A}_{4}^{G}$A4Gin the same list. The latter proof follows that of the derived equivalence of Calabi–Yau 3-folds in Grassmannians Gr(2,5) and Gr(3,5) by Kapustka and Rampazzo (Commun. Num. Theor. Phys.,13(4) 725–761 2019) closely.
Circular RNA circGLIS3 promotes bladder cancer proliferation via the miR-1273f/SKP1/Cyclin D1 axis
Authors: Wu Shuilian , Yang Jialei , Xu Haotian , Wang Xin , Zhang Ruirui , Lu Wenmin , Yang Jie , Li Xiaofei , Chen Sixian , Zou Yunfeng , Nan Aruo
Published: March 2021

Extensive research confirmed that circRNA can play a regulatory role in various stages of tumors by interacting with various molecules. Identifying the differentially expressed circRNA in bladder cancer and exploring its regulatory mechanism on bladder cancer progression are urgent. In this study, we screened out a circRNA-circGLIS3 with a significant upregulation trend in both bladder cancer tissues and cells. Bioinformatics prediction results showed that circGLIS3 may be involved in multiple tumor-related pathways. Function gain and loss experiments verified circGLIS3 can affect the proliferation, migration, and invasion of bladder cancer cells in vitro. Moreover, silencing circGLIS3 inhibited bladder cancer cell growth in vivo. Subsequent research results indicated circGLIS3 regulated the expression of cyclin D1, a cell cycle–related protein, and cell cycle progression. Mechanically, circGLIS3 upregulates the expression of SKP1 by adsorbing miR-1273f and then promotes cyclin D1 expression, ultimately promoting the proliferation of bladder cancer cells. In summary, our study indicates that circGLIS3 plays an oncogene role in the development of bladder cancer and has potential to be a candidate for bladder cancer.

Graphical abstract
Effect of oxidation on cellulose and water structure: a molecular dynamics simulation study
Authors: Mudedla Sathish Kumar , Vuorte Maisa , Veijola Elias , Marjamaa Kaisa , Koivula Anu , Linder Markus B. , Arola Suvi , Sammalkorpi Maria
Published: March 2021

Enzymatic cleavage of glycocidic bonds is an important, green and biocompatible means to refine lignocellulosic biomass. Here, the effect of the resulting oxidation point defects on the structural and water interactions of crystalline cellulose {100} surface are explored using classical molecular dynamics simulations. We show that even single oxidations reduce the connections within cellulose crystal significantly, mostly via local interactions between the chains along the surface plane but also via the oxidation defects changing the structure of the crystal in direction perpendicular to the surface. Hydrogen bonding on the surface plane of cellulose is analyzed to identify onset of desorption of glucose chains, and the desorption probed. To assess the actual soluble product profile and their fractions resulting from lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase (LPMO) enzyme oxidation on real cellulose crystal samples, we employ High-Performance Anion-Exchange Chromatography with Pulsed Amperometric-Detection (HPAEC-PAD) technique. The findings demonstrate the LPMO oxidation results in soluble glucose fragments ranging from 2 to 8 glucose units in length. Additionally, significantly more oxidized oligosaccharides were released in LPMO treatment of AaltoCell than Avicel, the two studied microcrystalline cellulose species. This is likely to result from the large reactive surface area preserved in AaltoCell due to manufacturing process. Furthermore, as can be expected, the oxidation defects at the surfaces lead to the surfaces binding a larger amount of water both via direct influence by the defect but also the defect induced protrusions and fluctuations of the glucose chain. We quantify the enhancement of water interactions of cellulose crystals due to the oxidation defects, even when no desorption takes place. The molecular simulations indicate that the effect is most pronounced for the C1-acid oxidation (carboxylic acid formation) but present also for the other defects resulting from oxidation. The findings bear significance in understanding the effects of enzymatic oxidation on cellulose nanocrystals, the difference between cellulose species, and cleavage of soluble products from the cellulosic material.
Strategies to manage quality requirements in agile software development: a multiple case study
Authors: Karhapää Pertti , Behutiye Woubshet , Rodríguez Pilar , Oivo Markku , Costal Dolors , Franch Xavier , Aaramaa Sanja , Choraś Michał , Partanen Jari , Abherve Antonin
Published: March 2021

Agile methods can deliver software that fulfills customer needs rapidly and continuously. Quality requirements (QRs) are important in this regard; however, detailed studies on how companies applying agile methods to manage QRs are limited, as are studies on the rationale for choosing specific QR management practices and related challenges. The aim of this study was to address why practitioners manage QRs as they do and what challenges they face. We also analyzed how existing practices mitigate some of the found challenges. Lastly, we connect the contextual elements of the companies with their practices and challenges. We conducted 36 interviews with practitioners from four companies of varying sizes. Since each company operates in different domains, comparing QR management strategies and related challenges in different contexts was possible. We found that the companies apply proactive, reactive, and interactive strategies to manage QRs. Additionally, our study revealed 40 challenges in six categories that companies applying agile methods may face in QR management. We also identified nine contextual elements that affect QR management practice choices and which, importantly, can explain many related challenges. Based on these findings, we constructed a theoretical model about the connection between context, QR management practices, and challenges. Practitioners in similar contexts can learn from the practices identified in this study. Our preliminary theoretical model can help other practitioners identify what challenges they can expect to face in QR management in different developmental contexts as well as which practices to apply to mitigate these challenges.
Interpreting binary neutron star mergers: describing the binary neutron star dynamics, modelling gravitational waveforms, and analyzing detections
Authors: Dietrich Tim , Hinderer Tanja , Samajdar Anuradha
Published: March 2021

Gravitational waves emitted from the coalescence of neutron star binaries open a new window to probe matter and fundamental physics in unexplored, extreme regimes. To extract information about the supranuclear matter inside neutron stars and the properties of the compact binary systems, robust theoretical prescriptions are required. We give an overview about general features of the dynamics and the gravitational wave signal during the binary neutron star coalescence. We briefly describe existing analytical and numerical approaches to investigate the highly dynamical, strong-field region during the merger. We review existing waveform approximants and discuss properties and possible advantages and shortcomings of individual waveform models, and their application for real gravitational-wave data analysis.
A cohort study of men infected with COVID-19 for presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus in their semen
Authors: Burke Corey A. , Skytte AB , Kasiri Saghar , Howell Dixie , Patel Zamip P. , Trolice Mark P. , Parekattil Sijo J. , Michael Scott F. , Paul Lauren M.
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Whether severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can be detected in semen and transmitted sexually is a vital question that has, thus far, been inconclusive. Prior studies, with limited numbers, have included men in various stages of infection with most in the recovery phase of the illness. The timing of test results and severity of illness has made recruiting study participants a significant challenge. Our pilot study will examine semen from men with a recent diagnosis of COVID-19 as well as those in the convalescent phase to determine if SARS-CoV-2 can be detected and its relationship, if any, with the severity of the disease.

Methods

Eighteen men with a median age of 32 (range, 24-57) who tested positive for COVID-19 by rt-PCR analysis were enrolled and provided a semen sample. The study group demonstrated symptoms of COVID-19 ranging from asymptomatic to moderate and none required hospitalization. Samples were subjected to viral RNA extraction and then processed by real-time RT-PCR using the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, USA) panel of 2019-Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) primers and probes to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA.

Results

Length of time from diagnosis to providing a specimen ranged from 1 to 28 days (median, 6 days). Fifteen participants were symptomatic and three were asymptomatic, including recovering men, at the time of semen collection. No SARS-CoV-2 was detected in any of the semen samples.

Conclusion

Based on these preliminary results and consistent with prior findings, we suggest SARS-CoV-2 is not present in semen during the acute or convalescent phase of COVID-19.
Movement as Method: Some Existential and Epistemological Reflections on Dance in the Health Humanities
Authors: Purser Aimie
Published: March 2021

The embodied creative practice of dance facilitates a particular kind of awareness or attunement which can inform both the therapeutic and the intellectual work of the Health Humanities. This paper therefore considers dance as a way of ‘doing’ Health Humanities in two interlinked ways: dance as a way of healing and dance as a way of knowing. In bringing together carnal and the creative dimensions of human experience, dance offers us a way of making sense of our place in the world that provides us both with much needed existential security (tethering) and much needed epistemological freedom (untethering).
The power of modelling pulsatile profiles
Authors: van Esdonk Michiel J. , Stevens Jasper
Published: March 2021

The quantitative description of individual observations in non-linear mixed effects models over time is complicated when the studied biomarker has a pulsatile release (e.g. insulin, growth hormone, luteinizing hormone). Unfortunately, standard non-linear mixed effects population pharmacodynamic models such as turnover and precursor response models (with or without a cosinor component) are unable to quantify these complex secretion profiles over time. In this study, the statistical power of standard statistical methodology such as 6 post-dose measurements or the area under the curve from 0 to 12 h post-dose on simulated dense concentration–time profiles of growth hormone was compared to a deconvolution-analysis-informed modelling approach in different simulated scenarios. The statistical power of the deconvolution-analysis-informed approach was determined with a Monte-Carlo Mapped Power analysis. Due to the high level of intra- and inter-individual variability in growth hormone concentrations over time, regardless of the simulated effect size, only the deconvolution-analysis informed approach reached a statistical power of more than 80% with a sample size of less than 200 subjects per cohort. Furthermore, the use of this deconvolution-analysis-informed modelling approach improved the description of the observations on an individual level and enabled the quantification of a drug effect to be used for subsequent clinical trial simulations.
Extent, configuration and diversity of burned and forested areas predict bat richness in a fire-maintained forest
Authors: Blakey Rachel V. , Webb Elisabeth B. , Kesler Dylan C. , Siegel Rodney B. , Corcoran Derek , Cole Jerry S. , Johnson Matthew
Published: March 2021

Context

Fire transforms, fragments and sometimes maintains forests, creating mosaics of burned and unburned patches. Highly mobile animals respond to resources in the landscape at a variety of spatial scales, yet we know little about their landscape-scale relationships with fire.

Objectives

We aimed to identify drivers of bat richness in a landscape mosaic of forested and burned areas while identifying spatial scales at which bat richness was most strongly related to extent, configuration, and diversity measures of landscape-level habitat.

Methods

We used multi-species hierarchical occupancy modelling to relate bat richness to landscape variables at 10 spatial scales, based on acoustic data collected in the Sierra Nevada, United States. We also assessed redundancy among landscape variable type (extent, configuration, and diversity) and between focal patch types (forested and burned).

Results

Bat richness was positively associated with heterogenous landscapes, shown by positive associations with pyrodiversity, extent and mean area of burned patches, burned and forested edge density and patch density and relationships were generally consistent across scales. Extent of forest cover and burned areas were highly correlated, but configuration and diversity of these patch types diverged.

Conclusions

Bat communities of our study area appear to be largely resilient to wildfire and adapted to more heterogenous forests and shorter-interval fire regimes that likely predominated before the fire suppression era.
On Cumulative Entropies in Terms of Moments of Order Statistics
Authors: Balakrishnan Narayanaswamy , Buono Francesco , Longobardi Maria
Published: March 2021

In this paper, relations between some kinds of cumulative entropies and moments of order statistics are established. By using some characterizations and the symmetry of a non-negative and absolutely continuous random variable X, lower and upper bounds for entropies are obtained and illustrative examples are given. By the relations with the moments of order statistics, a method is shown to compute an estimate of cumulative entropies and an application to testing whether data are exponentially distributed is outlined.
Being implicated: on the fittingness of guilt and indignation over outcomes
Authors: Björnsson Gunnar
Published: March 2021

When is it fitting for an agent to feel guilt over an outcome, and for others to be morally indignant with her over it? A popular answer requires that the outcome happened because of the agent, or that the agent was a cause of the outcome. This paper reviews some of what makes this causal-explanatory view attractive before turning to two kinds of problem cases: cases of collective harms and cases of fungible switching. These, it is argued, motivate a related but importantly different answer. What is required for fitting guilt and indignation is that the agent is relevantlyimplicatedin that outcome: that the agent’s morally substandard responsiveness to reasons, or substandard caring, is relevantly involved in a normal explanation of it. This answer, it is further argued, makes sense because when an agent’s substandard caring is so involved, the outcome provides a lesson against such caring, a lesson central to the function of guilt and indignation.
Deep mixtures of unigrams for uncovering topics in textual data
Authors: Viroli Cinzia , Anderlucci Laura
Published: March 2021

Mixtures of unigrams are one of the simplest and most efficient tools for clustering textual data, as they assume that documents related to the same topic have similar distributions of terms, naturally described by multinomials. When the classification task is particularly challenging, such as when the document-term matrix is high-dimensional and extremely sparse, a more composite representation can provide better insight into the grouping structure. In this work, we developed a deep version of mixtures of unigrams for the unsupervised classification of very short documents with a large number of terms, by allowing for models with further deeper latent layers; the proposal is derived in a Bayesian framework. The behavior of the deep mixtures of unigrams is empirically compared with that of other traditional and state-of-the-art methods, namelyk-means with cosine distance,k-means with Euclidean distance on data transformed according to semantic analysis, partition around medoids, mixture of Gaussians on semantic-based transformed data, hierarchical clustering according to Ward’s method with cosine dissimilarity, latent Dirichlet allocation, mixtures of unigrams estimated via the EM algorithm, spectral clustering and affinity propagation clustering. The performance is evaluated in terms of both correct classification rate and Adjusted Rand Index. Simulation studies and real data analysis prove that going deep in clustering such data highly improves the classification accuracy.
Application of NOMA for cellular-connected UAVs: opportunities and challenges
Authors: New Wee Kiat , Leow Chee Yen , Navaie Keivan , Sun Yanshi , Ding Zhiguo
Published: March 2021

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have gained considerable interests in numerous civil applications. To push forward its potentials, cellular-connected UAVs have been introduced. Nevertheless, cellular networks face several bottlenecks such as spectrum scarcity and limited concurrent connectivity. To address these issues, non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) can be adopted. NOMA provides several opportunities for cellular-connected UAVs such as larger rate region, balanced performance between system throughput and fairness, and reduced delay. In this paper, we review important findings of the related studies, and outline new opportunities and challenges in NOMA for cellular-connected UAVs. Monte-Carlo simulations are then performed to analyze the new aerial user’s (AU)’s signal characteristics and evaluate the NOMA performance for co-existence of AU and terrestrial user (TU). Our preliminary results show that NOMA is a promising strategy for cellular-connected UAVs.
SEOM clinical guidelines for pancreatic and biliary tract cancer (2020)
Authors: Gómez-España Mª A. , Montes A. F. , Garcia-Carbonero R. , Mercadé T. M. , Maurel J. , Martín A. M. , Pazo-Cid R. , Vera R. , Carrato A. , Feliu J.
Published: March 2021

Pancreatic cancer (PC) and biliary tract cancer (BTC) are both aggressive and highly fatal malignancies. Nowadays we have a profound knowledge about the molecular landscape of these neoplasms and this has allowed new therapeutic options. Surgery is the only potentially curative therapy in both cancers, but disease recurrence is frequent. In PC, adjuvant treatment with mFOLFIRINOX has improved overall survival (OS) and in BTC adjuvant treatment with capecitabine seems to improve OS and relapse-free survival. Concomitant radio-chemotherapy could also be considered following R1 surgery in both neoplasms. Neoadjuvant treatment represents the best option for achieving an R0 resection in borderline PC. Upfront systemic chemotherapy is the treatment of choice in unresectable locally advanced PC and BTC; then locoregional therapy could be considered after an initial period of at least 3–4 months of systemic chemotherapy. In metastatic PC, FOLFIRINOX or Gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel have improved OS compared with gemcitabine alone. In metastatic BTC, cisplatin plus gemcitabine constitute the standard treatment. Progress in the knowledge of molecular biology has enabled the identification of new targets for therapy with encouraging results that could in the future improve the survival and quality of life of patients with PC and BTC.
The highly flexible disordered regions of the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid N protein within the 1–248 residue construct: sequence-specific resonance assignments through NMR
Authors: Schiavina Marco , Pontoriero Letizia , Uversky Vladimir N. , Felli Isabella C. , Pierattelli Roberta
Published: March 2021

The nucleocapsid protein N from SARS-CoV-2 is one of the most highly expressed proteins by the virus and plays a number of important roles in the transcription and assembly of the virion within the infected host cell. It is expected to be characterized by a highly dynamic and heterogeneous structure as can be inferred by bioinformatics analyses as well as from the data available for the homologous protein from SARS-CoV. The two globular domains of the protein (NTD and CTD) have been investigated while no high-resolution information is available yet for the flexible regions of the protein. We focus here on the 1–248 construct which comprises two disordered fragments (IDR1 and IDR2) in addition to the N-terminal globular domain (NTD) and report the sequence-specific assignment of the two disordered regions, a step forward towards the complete characterization of the whole protein.
Comparative FISH analysis of Senna tora tandem repeats revealed insights into the chromosome dynamics in Senna
Authors: Ta Thanh Dat , Waminal Nomar Espinosa , Nguyen Thi Hong , Pellerin Remnyl Joyce , Kim Hyun Hee
Published: March 2021

Background

DNA tandem repeats (TRs) are often abundant and occupy discrete regions in eukaryotic genomes. These TRs often cause or generate chromosomal rearrangements, which, in turn, drive chromosome evolution and speciation. Tracing the chromosomal distribution of TRs could therefore provide insights into the chromosome dynamics and speciation among closely related taxa. The basic chromosome number in the genus Senna is 2n = 28, but dysploid species like Senna tora have also been observed.

Objective

To understand the dynamics of these TRs and their impact on S. tora dysploidization.

Methods

We performed a comparative fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis among nine closely related Senna species and compared the chromosomal distribution of these repeats from a cytotaxonomic perspective by using the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 sequence to infer phylogenetic relationships.

Results

Of the nine S. tora TRs, two did not show any FISH signal whereas seven TRs showed similar and contrasting patterns to other Senna species. StoTR01_86, which was localized in the pericentromeric regions in all S. tora, but not at the nucleolar organizer region (NOR) site, was colocalized at the NOR site in all species except in S. siamea. StoTR02_7_tel was mostly localized at chromosome termini, but some species had an interstitial telomeric repeat in a few chromosomes. StoTR05_180 was distributed in the subtelomeric region in most species and was highly amplified in the pericentromeric region in some species. StoTR06_159 was either absent or colocalized in the NOR site in some species, and StoIGS_463, which was localized at the NOR site in S. tora, was either absent or localized at the subtelomeric or pericentromeric regions in other species.

Conclusions

These data suggest that TRs play important roles in S. tora dysploidy and suggest the involvement of 45S rDNA intergenic spacers in “carrying” repeats during genome reshuffling.
Estimated cumulative X-ray exposure and additional cancer risk during the evaluation and treatment of scoliosis in children and young people requiring surgery
Authors: Loughenbury P. R. , Gentles S. L. , Murphy E. J. , Tomlinson J. E. , Borse V. H. , Dunsmuir R. A. , Gummerson N. W. , Millner P. A. , Rao A. S. , Rowbotham E. , Khan A. L.
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Clinicians and patients must weigh the benefits of radiological imaging against the risks of radiation exposure in the diagnosis and treatment of scoliosis. This report aims to estimate the cumulative absorbed and equivalent dose of radiation in patients undergoing surgical treatment for scoliosis, and to present this as an estimated risk of cancer compared to background radiation levels.

Methods

Retrospective review of estimated absorbed dose on the Computerised Radiology Information System (CRIS®). Patients undergoing surgical correction of scoliosis (age ≤ 25) from August 2010 to August 2015 investigated. Estimated absorbed dose [milligrays (mGy)] recorded. Pedicle screws inserted using image intensification. Equivalent dose [millisieverts (mSv)] and additional cancer risk calculated from the National Research Council document ‘Health risks from exposure to low levels of ionising radiation’ (2006).

Results

271 patients identified. Mean age 15 (range 2–25). Mean total absorbed dose 2136 mGy [standard deviation (SD) 1700 mGy]. Mean number of plain spine radiographs was 8 (SD 3) with total 1884 mGy exposure (SD 1609 mGy). Additional dose provided by CT (mean 0.17 episodes), plain chest and abdominal radiographs and image intensification. Mean number of image intensification episodes was 1.1 with mean estimated exposure 180 mGy (SD 238 mGy). Image intensification accounted for 8% of the estimated absorbed dose during treatment. Estimated mean effective dose delivered was 20.952 mSv equating to an additional cancer risk of 0.27–0.45%.

Conclusion

Additional cancer risk from cumulative imaging is small and equivalent to approximately 8 years of natural background radiation. Use of image intensification for pedicle screw insertion is a minor contribution (8%) to the total patient dose.
“The Time of Lament”: A Momand drama of 1711 through the eyes of Pashtun litterateurs
Authors: Pelevin Mikhail
Published: March 2021

This article offers a comparative examination of the literary responses of four leading early modern Pashtun authors to an armed clash in the Momand tribe in 1711. The responses include a chronicle record in prose (Afżal Khān Khaṫak) and three poems – an elegy (ʿAbd al-Raḥmān Momand), a satire (ʿAbd al-Ḥamīd Momand), and a war ode (ʿAbd al-Qādir Khaṫak). Discussed as both authentic historical documents and creative writings linked to a local social discourse, these Pashto texts enable us to reassess the intensity of everyday literary communications in Pashtun tribal areas in early modern times and append new factual material to the study of ethno-cultural processes within the Persophone oecumene. The salient stylistic and rhetoric diversity of the texts not only highlights the authors’ individual mindsets and literary techniques, but also provides an insight into a variety of social moods, political attitudes and ethics in the Pashtun traditional society.