bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Histopathological Evidence of Occipital Involvement in Male Androgenetic Alopecia
Authors: Khunkhet Saranya , Chanprapaph Kumutnart , Rutnin Suthinee , Suchonwanit Poonkiat
Published: November 2021

Background: The occipital region of the scalp is generally accepted as an unaffected area of androgenetic alopecia (AGA) for both genders. However, evidence of AGA involving the occipital scalp has been demonstrated in women; meanwhile, it is unclear whether occipital involvement also occurs in men.

Objective: We aimed to determine if there is occipital involvement in men with AGA.

Methods: This case-control study compared hair counts of scalp biopsy specimens from the occipital region of 82 men with Hamilton-Norwood III-VII and 82 unaffected men.

Results: The mean ages of men with AGA and controls were 40.1 ± 8.9 and 38.6 ± 10.5 years, respectively (P = 0.291). A significant decrease in total hair follicles, terminal hair follicles, follicular units and terminal to vellus (T:V) ratio, along with a significant increase in follicular stelae was indicated in the AGA group compared to controls (all P < 0.05). Subgroup analyses revealed that average counts of total hair follicles, terminal hair follicles and T:V ratios were also significantly lower in males with Hamilton-Norwood VI and VII than in controls (all P < 0.05). There were no correlations between increasing age and hair count parameters, but a significant negative association was found between total follicle numbers and disease duration (r = −0.23, P = 0.02).

Conclusions: AGA can involve the occipital area of male patients with advanced disease. Therefore, the occiput of particular cases should not be used to determine reference data for normal scalp hair, and preoperative measurements of miniaturized hairs in the donor site are strongly recommended in all persons undergoing hair transplantation.
Comparative Genomics Analyses Support the Reclassification of Bisgaard Taxon 40 as Mergibacter gen. nov., With Mergibacter septicus sp. nov. as Type Species: Novel Insights Into the Phylogeny and Virulence Factors of a Pasteurellaceae Family Member Associated With Mortality Events in Seabirds
Authors: De Luca Eliana , Álvarez-Narváez Sonsiray , Maboni Grazieli , Baptista Rodrigo P. , Nemeth Nicole M. , Niedringhaus Kevin D. , Ladner Jason T. , Lorch Jeffrey M. , Koroleva Galina , Lovett Sean , Palacios Gustavo F. , Sanchez Susan
Published: November 2021

ThePasteurellaceaefamily has been associated with fatal diseases in numerous avian species. Several new taxa within this family, including Bisgaard taxon 40, have been recently described in wild birds, but their genomic characteristics and pathogenicity are not well understood. We isolated Bisgaard taxon 40 from four species of seabirds, including one sampled during a mass, multi-species mortality event in Florida, United States. Here, we present a comprehensive phenotypic and genetic characterization of Bisgaard taxon 40 and comparative genomic analysis with reference strains from thePasteurellaceaefamily, aiming at determining its phylogenetic position, antimicrobial susceptibility profile, and identifying putative virulence factors.In silicomultilocus sequence-based and whole-genome-based phylogenetic analysis clustered all Bisgaard taxon 40 strains together on a distinct branch separated from the other members of thePasteurellaceaefamily, indicating that Bisgaard taxon 40 could represent a new genus. These findings were further supported by protein similarity analyses using the concatenation of 31 conserved proteins and other taxonomic approaches such as the percentage of conserved protein test. Additionally, several putative virulence factors were identified, including those associated with adhesion (capsule,ompA,ompH) and colonization (exbD,fur,galU,galE,lpxA,lpxC, andkdsA) of the host and a cytolethal distending toxin (cdt), which may have played a role in disease development leading to the mortality event. Considerably low minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were found for all the drugs tested, in concordance with the absence of antimicrobial resistance genes in these genomes. The novel findings of this study highlight genomic and phenotypic characteristics of this bacterium, providing insights into genome evolution and pathogenicity. We propose a reclassification of these organisms within thePasteurellaceaefamily, designated asMergibactergen. nov., withMergibacter septicussp. nov. as the type species. The type strain isMergibacter septicusA25201T(=DSM 112696).
A Severe Gastroenteritis Outbreak of Salmonella enterica Serovar Enteritidis Linked to Contaminated Egg Fried Rice, China, 2021
Authors: Zhang Yaowen , Liu Kangkang , Zhang Zhenbiao , Tian Sai , Liu Xiong , Qi Hongjuan , Dong Derong , Wang Yong , Liu Meiling , Li Xinge , Han Yiran , Zhu Kunpeng , Liu Hongbo , Yang Chaojie , Liu HONGBO , Du Xinying , Wang Qi , Wang Hui , Yang Mingjuan , Wang Ligui , Song Hongbin , Yang Haiyan , Xiang Ying , Qiu Shaofu
Published: November 2021

Salmonella contamination of eggs and egg shells has been identified as a public health problem worldwide. Here, we reported an outbreak of severe gastrointestinal symptoms caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (S. enteritidis) in China. We evaluated the outbreak by using epidemiological surveys, routine laboratory testing methods, and whole genome sequencing (WGS). This outbreak occurred in a canteen in Beijing, during March 9–11, 2021, 225 of the 324 diners who have eaten at the canteen showed gastrointestinal symptoms. The outbreak had characteristical epidemiological and clinical features. It caused a very high attack rate (69.4%) in a short incubation time. All patients developed diarrhea and high fever, accompanied by abdominal pain (62.3%), nausea (50.4%), and vomiting (62.7%). The average frequency of diarrhea was 12.4 times/day, and the highest frequency of diarrhea was as high as 50 times/day. The average fever temperature was 39.4°C, and the highest fever temperature was 42°C. Twenty strains of S. enteritidis were recovered, including 19 from the patients samples, and one from remained egg fried rice. Antibiotic susceptibility test showed that the 20 outbreak strains all had the same resistance pattern. PFGE results demonstrated that all 20 strains bore completely identical bands. Phylogenetic analysis based on WGS revealed that all 20 outbreak strains were tightly clustered together. So the pathogenic source of this food poisoning incident may was contaminated egg fried rice. Resistance gene analysis showed that the outbreak strains are all multi-drug resistant strains. Virulence gene analysis indicated that these outbreak strains carried a large number of virulence genes, including 2 types of Salmonella pathogenicity islands (SPI-1 and SPI-2). Other important virulence genes were also carried by the outbreak strains, such as pefABCD, rck and shdA. And the shdA gene was not in other strains located in the same evolutionary branch as the outbreak strain. We speculated that this is a significant reason for the serious symptoms of gastroenteritis in this outbreak. This outbreak caused by S. enteritidis suggested government should strengthen monitoring of the prevalence of outbreak clone strains, and take measures to mitigate the public health threat posed by contaminated eggs.
Linear Modeling of Neurophysiological Responses to Speech and Other Continuous Stimuli: Methodological Considerations for Applied Research
Authors: Crosse Michael J. , Zuk Nathaniel J. , Di Liberto Giovanni M. , Nidiffer Aaron R. , Molholm Sophie , Lalor Edmund C.
Published: November 2021

Cognitive neuroscience, in particular research on speech and language, has seen an increase in the use of linear modeling techniques for studying the processing of natural, environmental stimuli. The availability of such computational tools has prompted similar investigations in many clinical domains, facilitating the study of cognitive and sensory deficits under more naturalistic conditions. However, studying clinical (and often highly heterogeneous) cohorts introduces an added layer of complexity to such modeling procedures, potentially leading to instability of such techniques and, as a result, inconsistent findings. Here, we outline some key methodological considerations for applied research, referring to a hypothetical clinical experiment involving speech processing and worked examples of simulated electrophysiological (EEG) data. In particular, we focus on experimental design, data preprocessing, stimulus feature extraction, model design, model training and evaluation, and interpretation of model weights. Throughout the paper, we demonstrate the implementation of each step in MATLAB using the mTRF-Toolbox and discuss how to address issues that could arise in applied research. In doing so, we hope to provide better intuition on these more technical points and provide a resource for applied and clinical researchers investigating sensory and cognitive processing using ecologically rich stimuli.
Reasons and Factors Contributing to Chinese Patients’ Preference for Ustekinumab in Crohn’s Disease: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Yao Lingya , Zhu Xiao , Shao Bule , Liu Rongbei , Li Zhilun , Wu Lexi , Chen Jin , Cao Qian
Published: November 2021

Background and Aims: Ustekinumab (UST) was approved in China for treating moderate-to-severe Crohn’s disease (CD) in 2020. We aimed to identify the reasons and possible contributing factors for UST preference in Chinese patients with CD.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter cross-sectional survey among patients with moderate to severe CD who underwent UST treatment in 27 hospitals. Patients completed a 46-item questionnaire that included information on demographics, clinical characteristics, reasons in favor of UST and shared decision-making perception. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the predictive factors of different UST preferences.

Results: Overall, 127 patients (73 males; mean age, 25.9 ± 9.9 years) completed the questionnaire. Most patients (74.8%) had biologic failure. The most common reason for the latest treatment disconnection was unresponsiveness to the previous medications. The major UST information sources were physicians (96.1%). Nearly half of the patients (44.9%) reported shared decision making regarding UST treatment. No difference was found in the decision-making patterns in terms of sex and age. The most influential reason for UST preference was “effectiveness” (77%, 98/127), followed by “safety” (65%, 83/127), “frequency of administration” (39%, 49/127), and “mode of administration” (37%, 47/127). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that a positive self-rated health status was a contributing factor for UST preference with a low frequency of administration.

Conclusion: This is the first multicenter survey of Chinese patients with CD to identify the possible contributing factors for UST preference. Treatment choice should be discussed with patients because individual preferences are determined by diverse factors.
Application of Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling to Evaluate the Drug–Drug and Drug–Disease Interactions of Apatinib
Authors: Liu Hongrui , Yu Yiqun , Guo Nan , Wang Xiaojuan , Han Bing , Xiang Xiaoqiang
Published: November 2021

Aim: Apatinib is an orally administered vascular epidermal growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitors approved for the treatment of advanced gastric adenocarcinoma or gastric esophageal junction adenocarcinoma. Apatinib is predominantly metabolized by CYP3A4/5, followed by CYP2D6. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential drug–drug interaction (DDI) and drug–disease interaction (DDZI) risks of apatinib in Chinese volunteers.

Methods: Modeling and simulation were conducted using Simcyp Simulator. The input parameters required for modeling were obtained from literature research or experiments. Then, the developed physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models were applied to evaluate single-dose DDI potential in Chinese healthy volunteers with weak and moderate CYP3A inhibitors, strong CYP2D6 inhibitors, as well as CYP3A4 inducers. The DDZI potential was also predicted in patients with hepatic or renal impairment.

Results: The developed PBPK models accurately assessed apatinib pharmacokinetics following single-dose administration in Chinese healthy volunteers and cancer patients. The DDI simulation showed 2–4-fold changes in apatinib exposures by moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors and CYP3A4 inducers. A moderate increase of apatinib exposure (1.25–2-fold) was found with strong CYP2D6 inhibitor. In the DDZI simulation with hepatic impairment, the AUC of apatinib was significantly increased by 2.25-fold and 3.04-fold for Child–Pugh B and Child–Pugh C, respectively, with slightly decreased Cmax by 1.54 and 1.67-fold, respectively.

Conclusion: The PBPK models developed in the present study would be highly beneficial to quantitatively predict the pharmacokinetic changes of apatinib under different circumstances, which might be difficult to evaluate clinically, so as to avoid some risks in advance.
Effects of Xylooligosaccharides on Lipid Metabolism, Inflammation, and Gut Microbiota in C57BL/6J Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet
Authors: Li Fang , Li Qian , Zhang Yu , Zhou Xianrong , Yi Ruokun , Zhao Xin
Published: November 2021

Xylooligosaccharide (XOS) is a source of prebiotics with multiple biological activities. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of XOS on mice fed a high-fat diet. Mice were fed either a normal diet or a high-fat diet supplemented without or with XOS (250 and 500 mg/kg), respectively, for 12 weeks. The results showed that the XOS inhibited mouse weight gain, decreased the epididymal adipose index, and improved the blood lipid levels, including triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. Moreover, XOS reduced the activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alleviated the damage to the liver caused by the high-fat diet. XOS also reduced hyperlipidemia-associated inflammatory responses. Additionally, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction results showed that XOS intervention activated the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway to regulate the fat synthesis, decomposition, and β oxidation; upregulated the mRNA expression levels of carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1 (CPT-1), peroxisome proliferator–activated receptors α (PPAR-α), and cholesterol 7-alpha hydroxylase (CYP7A1); and downregulated the mRNA expression levels of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBPα), and lipoprotein lipase (LPL). On the other hand, XOS enhanced the mRNA expression levels of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), occludin, and claudin-1 in the small intestine; increased the strength of the intestinal barrier; and optimized the composition of the intestinal microbiota. Therefore, it was concluded that XOS regulated the intestinal barrier, changed the intestinal microecology, and played an important role in preventing hyperlipidemia through the unique anatomical advantages of the gut–liver axis.
Who Follows the Rules During a Crisis?—Personality Traits and Trust as Predictors of Compliance With Containment Recommendations During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Schmeisser Yvonne , Renström Emma A. , Bäck Hanna
Published: November 2021

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, many governments tried to contain the spread of the virus by legally restricting social life and imposing national lockdowns. The Swedish government did not enforce a national lockdown, but instead appealed to the individual’s self-responsibility to follow specific containment recommendations developed by the Swedish Public Health Agency. Sweden is thus an especially interesting case to study because of the potential influence of psychological and attitudinal individual-level factors that might contribute to compliance with containment recommendations. Drawing on previous literature on how individuals respond during health crises, we define and evaluate a mediation model that considers the role of personality traits and trust authorities to explain compliance. More specifically, we argue that we need to consider the role of trust in authorities to better understand the relationship between personality traits and compliance. In analyses based on a large-scale representative survey (N = 1,034), we find Conscientiousness to be directly linked to compliance, whereas Agreeableness, Neuroticism and Openness were indirectly related to compliance when trust in the Public Health Agency was taken into account.
A Mediation Model on How Conspiracy Beliefs Concerning the Corona-Crisis Are Related to Corona-Related Behaviours
Authors: Dijkstra Arie
Published: November 2021

Background: The endorsement of Conspiracy Beliefs concerning corona (CBc) may make people reject information from the general media, leading them to not follow recommendations on prevention behaviours, getting tested, and getting vaccinated. The aim of the present study was to understand the relationship between CBc and engaging in these corona-related behaviours.

Method: Two samples of participants (N = 1,004 and N = 159) were recruited independently. Participants filled in a survey that assessed four indicators of the three behaviours, four general psychological determinants (e.g., the seriousness of COVID-19), five behaviour-specific psychological determinants (e.g., test reliability, vaccine effectiveness), and CBc.

Results: The explained variances of the different models with regard to the four indicators of behaviour ranged from 3.9 to 75%. Mediation analyses using Hayes PROCESS model 4 showed significant mediation by general determinants in both samples, and mediation by several behaviour-specific determinants in one sample.

Discussion: Conspiracy Beliefs concerning corona may lead to rejection of general media information, and this may lead to states of psychological determinants that do not stimulate to engage in prevention behaviours, testing, or vaccination. The present study shedS some light on how CBc could be related to corona-related behaviours.
Case Report: Cariprazine Efficacy in Young Patients Diagnosed With Schizophrenia With Predominantly Negative Symptoms
Authors: Vasiliu Octavian
Published: November 2021

Negative symptoms of schizophrenia are among the most invalidating clinical manifestations of this disorder, and they are correlated with poorer prognosis, lower quality of life, and fewer chances for successful social reintegration and professional rehabilitation. Although atypical antipsychotics have been associated with higher efficacy on negative symptoms than typical agents, not all of them are equally effective. Cariprazine is a new D3 and D2 receptor partial agonist, and its high D3 affinity may be useful for decreasing several adverse events (e.g., extrapyramidal symptoms or hyperprolactinemia), and also for increasing this drug's efficacy over negative symptoms. This case series presents three young adults with predominantly negative symptoms during treatment with an atypical antipsychotic, administered in stable dose within the therapeutic range, and for at least 4 weeks prior to the cariprazine switch. These patients (two male and one female, mean age 35.7 years) were diagnosed with schizophrenia, according to the DSM-5 criteria. They were evaluated using Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S), and Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF). Their mean initial values were 80.3 on PANSS, 4.3 on CGI-S, and 48 on GAF. All these patients were already on a treatment with stable doses of atypical antipsychotics (olanzapine 10 mg/day,n= 1, risperidone 6 mg/day,n= 1, and quetiapine 600 mg/day,n= 1). Cross-titration to cariprazine was initiated, from 1.5 mg qd up to 6 mg qd, during a mean period of 2.7 weeks. After 12 weeks of cariprazine 6 mg/day, the positive scale of PANSS was relatively stable compared to baseline, while the negative mean score decreased by 22%. Also, the mean CGI-S improvement was 15.4% and the GAF mean score increased by 17%. The overall tolerability was good, without severe adverse events being reported. Conclusions: Cariprazine is well tolerated and efficient for patients diagnosed with schizophrenia who have significant negative symptoms that impair daily functioning. After 12 weeks cariprazine succeeded in improving negative symptoms, global functioning, and clinical global impression.
The Impact of Strict Public Health Measures on COVID-19 Transmission in Developing Countries: The Case of Kuwait
Authors: Al-Shammari Abdullah A. , Ali Hamad , Alahmad Barrak , Al-Refaei Faisal H. , Al-Sabah Salman , Jamal Mohammad H. , Alshukry Abdullah , Al-Duwairi Qais , Al-Mulla Fahd
Published: November 2021

Background: Many countries have succeeded in curbing the initial outbreak of COVID-19 by imposing strict public health control measures. However, little is known about the effectiveness of such control measures in curbing the outbreak in developing countries. In this study, we seek to assess the impact of various outbreak control measures in Kuwait to gain more insight into the outbreak progression and the associated healthcare burden.

Methods: We use a SEIR mathematical model to simulate the first wave of the epidemic outbreak of COVID-19 in Kuwait with additional testing and hospitalization compartments. We calibrate our model by using a NBD observational framework for confirmed case and death counts. We simulate trajectories of model forecasts and assess the effectiveness of public health interventions by using maximum likelihood to estimate both the basic and effective reproduction numbers.

Results: Our results indicate that the early strict control measures had the effect of delaying the intensity of the outbreak but were unsuccessful in reducing the effective reproduction number below 1. Forecasted model trajectories suggest a need to expand the healthcare system capacity to cope with the associated epidemic burden of such ineffectiveness.

Conclusion: Strict public health interventions may not always lead to the same desired outcomes, particularly when population and demographic factors are not accounted for as in the case in some developing countries. Real-time dynamic modeling can provide an early assessment of the impact of such control measures as well as a forecasting tool to support outbreak surveillance and the associated healthcare expansion planning.
Combined Use of Vinasse and Nitrogen as Fertilizers Affects Nitrification, Ammonification, and Denitrification by Prokaryotes
Authors: de Chaves Miriam Gonçalves , Venturini Andressa Monteiro , Merloti Luis Fernando , Barros Dayane Juliate , Rossetto Raffaella , Kuramae Eiko Eurya , Tsai Siu Mui , Navarrete Acacio Aparecido
Published: November 2021

A common agricultural practice of combining organic fertilizer vinasse (a liquid residue from sugarcane ethanol production) with mineral nitrogen (N) fertilizer promotes N losses such as greenhouse gas emissions due to the effects of physicochemical changes in soil on the microbiota inhabiting this environment. In this study, we applied microarray GeoChip v.5.0M technology to obtain a better insight into the prokaryotic communities and identify and quantify the N functional gene families associated with the N processes in sugarcane soils without N fertilizer (N0), with urea at 60 kg ha−1 (N60), and with vinasse combined with urea (NV). Soil samples were collected at 7 (T7) and 150 (T150) days after N application, corresponding to maximum and minimum nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, respectively, for molecular and physicochemical analysis. Additionally, the metagenomes of these DNA samples, previously deposited in the MG-RAST server, were accessed to investigate the functions and taxonomic groups associated with selected gene families. The results revealed that 87% of the select gene families were significantly responsive to the fertilizer combined treatment (NV) in the 7 days after the application. The most responsive genes and processes were nitrification [with the amoA gene from ammonia-oxidizing Bacteria (AOB) and Archaea (AOA) and hao from Bacteria], ammonification (with gdh and ureC genes from Bacteria and Archaea), and denitrification (with p450nor from Eukarya). The AOA, Nitrosopumilus, and AOB, Nitrosomonas, were the groups with the greatest functions associated with nitrification, as well as a pathogenic Mycobacterium, with denitrification. The results also revealed that under N fertilizers and decreased O2 in soil, the increases in K and P nutrients can promote the growth of the halophile Archaea Natronomonas and the Bacteria Anaeromyxobacter, which can reduce N2O. In conclusion, this typical agricultural fertilization management may favor functional genes and archaeal and bacterial groups associated with N processes that have the potential to reduce environmental damage in tropical sugarcane soils.
Cassava Production Efficiency in Southern Ethiopia: The Parametric Model Analysis
Authors: Tafesse Alula , Mena Bekele , Belay Abrham , Aynekulu Ermias , Recha John W. , Osano Philip M. , Darr Dietrich , Demissie Teferi D. , Endalamaw Tefera B. , Solomon Dawit
Published: November 2021

Due to capital constraints and land scarcity in developing countries, introducing new technology to boost productivity is difficult. As a result, working to improve cassava production efficiency is the best option available. Cassava is increasingly being used as a food source as well as an industrial raw material in the production of economic goods. This study estimates cassava production efficiency and investigates the causes of inefficiency in southern Ethiopia. Cross-sectional data from 158 households were collected using a systematic questionnaire. The Cobb-Douglas (CDs) stochastic frontier production model was used to calculate production efficiency levels. The computed mean result showed technical efficiency (TE), allocative efficiency (AE), and economic efficiency (EE) levels of 74, 90, and 66%, respectively. This demonstrated that existing farm resources could increase average production efficiency by 26, 10, and 34%, respectively. The study found that land size, urea fertilizer application, and cassava planting cut all had a positive and significant effect on cassava production. It was discovered that TE was more important than AE as a source of benefit for EE. Inefficiency effects modeled using the two-limit Tobit model revealed that household head age, level of education, cassava variety, extension contact, rural credit, off-farm activities involvement to generate income, and farm size were the most important factors for improving TE, AE, and EE efficiencies. As a result, policymakers in government should consider these factors when addressing inefficiencies in cassava production. It is especially important to provide appropriate agricultural knowledge through short-term training, to provide farmers with access to formal education, to access improved cassava varieties, and to support agricultural extension services.
Comparison of Dorsal-to-Ventral Ratios of the Cervical Paraspinal Musculature in French Bulldogs With and Without Cervical Intervertebral Disk Disease and Two Other Breeds Based on CT Scan Measurements
Authors: Hart Julia , Rupp Stefan , Hartmann Katinka , Fischer Carolin , Düver Pia , Forterre Franck
Published: November 2021

Objective:To objectively assess the cervical paraspinal musculature of French bulldogs (FBs) using computed tomography (CT) scan-based measurements, outline differences in other breeds published in the literature, and investigate the potential influence of its cervical paraspinal musculature on predisposed sites for intervertebral disk disease.

Animals:Thirty FBs that underwent CT scans of the cervical spine from the skull to C7/T1 were enrolled. Fifteen dogs were patients suffering from intervertebral disk herniation (IVDH group), and 15 dogs underwent CT scans due to brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS group).

Methods:At the level of each cervical intervertebral disk from C2/C3 to C7/T1, measurements were performed and statistically analyzed. On the sagittal CT scan reconstruction, the height ratio of the dorsal to ventral paraspinal musculature and the angle of the disk axis to vertebral body length were assessed. On the transverse plane, the area ratio of the dorsal and ventral paraspinal musculature and the ratio of force moments were determined at each intervertebral disk level. Finally, ratios were compared to the values of Labrador retrievers and dachshunds published by Hartmann et al. (1).

Results:Comparing the two FB groups, one significant difference was detected in the mean height ratio of the dorsal to ventral paraspinal musculature at the level of C5/C6 (P= 0.0092) and C6/C7 (P= 0.0076), with IVDH FBs having the more prominent dorsal paraspinal musculature. At the level of C3/C4, a significantly less prominent dorsal paraspinal musculature in FBs than in dachshunds (P= 0.0058) and a significantly steeper disk to vertebral body angulation were observed (P= 0.0005).

Conclusion:Although some incidental differences were found, most parameters did not significantly differ between the BOAS and IVDH FBs. Significant conformational differences in the cervical paraspinal musculature and disk to vertebral body length angulation were found between FBs and two other breeds (chondrodystrophic and non-chondrodystrophic). This study's findings suggest that the paraspinal musculature is an additional biomechanical influencing factor on the preferential sites of IVDH in the cervical spine and that other major factors exist in IVDH development, especially in FBs.
Why Do Agricultural Cooperative Mergers Not Cross the Finishing Line?
Authors: Meliá-Martí Elena , Lajara-Camilleri Natalia , Martínez-García Ana , Juliá-Igual Juan F.
Published: November 2021

Mergers have played a relevant role in the business development of many agri-food cooperatives and have led to the consolidation of large cooperative groups which are leaders in their respective business sectors. However, many of the merger processes undertaken fail: some are aborted at the negotiation stage, and others are not approved by members. These failures entail financial and social costs due to frustrated expectations and the time invested in the negotiation process. The objective of this paper is to establish the economic, socio-cultural, organisational and process management factors that underlie this outcome. A survey was conducted among the directors and administrators of a sample of Spanish agri-food cooperatives that had participated in merger processes which were aborted at the negotiation stage or were not approved by their members. Factor and discriminant analyses established the aspects which had the greatest impact on the failure of the merger processes. Far from being economic factors, these analyses reveal that defensive localisms, a lack of commitment to the merger on the part of members and directors, and communication failures were more significant.
Novel Biomarkers Differentiating Viral from Bacterial Infection in Febrile Children: Future Perspectives for Management in Clinical Praxis
Authors: Rhedin Samuel , Elfving Kristina , Berggren Anna
Published: November 2021

Differentiating viral from bacterial infections in febrile children is challenging and often leads to an unnecessary use of antibiotics. There is a great need for more accurate diagnostic tools. New molecular methods have improved the particular diagnostics of viral respiratory tract infections, but defining etiology can still be challenging, as certain viruses are frequently detected in asymptomatic children. For the detection of bacterial infections, time consuming cultures with limited sensitivity are still the gold standard. As a response to infection, the immune system elicits a cascade of events, which aims to eliminate the invading pathogen. Recent studies have focused on these host–pathogen interactions to identify pathogen-specific biomarkers (gene expression profiles), or “pathogen signatures”, as potential future diagnostic tools. Other studies have assessed combinations of traditional bacterial and viral biomarkers (C-reactive protein, interleukins, myxovirus resistance protein A, procalcitonin, tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) to establish etiology. In this review we discuss the performance of such novel diagnostics and their potential role in clinical praxis. In conclusion, there are several promising novel biomarkers in the pipeline, but well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed to evaluate the safety of using these novel biomarkers to guide clinical decisions.
Minimally Invasive Modified Nuss Procedure for Repair of Pectus Excavatum in Pediatric Patients: Single-Centre Retrospective Observational Study
Authors: Jukić Miro , Mustapić Ivan , Šušnjar Tomislav , Pogorelić Zenon
Published: November 2021

Background: The treatment of pectus excavatum can be conservative or surgical. The aim of this study was to determine the factors influencing the outcomes of treatment after a minimally invasive Nuss corrective surgery procedure in pediatric patients. Methods: A total of 30 patient who underwent a minimally invasive Nuss corrective procedure for pectus excavatum from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2020 were included in thisretrospective study. The collected data included thepatient’s demographic characteristics (age, sex, height, weight, body mass index—BMI, Haller index), treatment outcomes (duration of surgery, length of hospital stay, intraoperative complications, early and late complications, postoperative analgesia), and overall patient and legal guardian satisfaction two years after the procedure. Results: A total of 22 male and 8 female patients were included in the study. The median age was 15 years (interquartile range—IQR 14, 16), and the median BMI was 18.5 kg/m2 (IQR 17.7, 20.4) and 18.2 kg/m2 (IQR 16.9, 18.6) for males and females, respectively. The median CT Haller index was 3.67 (IQR 3.48, 4.09) for male and 3.69 (IQR 3.45, 3.9) for female patients. The median surgery duration was 120 min (IQR 100, 130), and the median hospital stay length was 8.5 days (IQR 8, 9.75). Indications for surgery were psychological (47%), followed by respiratory (30%) and combined respiratory-cardiac (20%) and respiratory-psychological disorders (3%). Early complications were observed in 18 patients (60%), and late complications were observed in 7 patients (23.3%). Intraoperative complications were not recorded. The most common early complications were pneumothorax and subcutaneous emphysema (30%), while late complications included bar displacement (10%) and deformity recurrence (6.6%). Overall, the procedure was successful in 93.1% of patients. Upon arrival home, 22 patients (81.5%) used analgesics for at least one day, up to a maximum of six months. A total of 23 (76.7%) operated patients determined that the surgical procedure had excellent results (grade 5), 4 (13.3%) patients report a good result (grade 4), 1(3.3%) patient reported a mediocre result, and one patient (3.3%) reported a bad result (grades 3 and 2, respectively). Conclusion: The Nuss procedure is a safe and effective method for treating funnel chest in children and adolescents. It also providesexcellent cosmetic and aesthetic results as well as subjective satisfaction with the outcome of surgical treatment.
Recombinant Destabilase from Hirudo medicinalis Is Able to Dissolve Human Blood Clots In Vitro
Authors: Bobrovsky Pavel , Manuvera Valentin , Baskova Izolda , Nemirova Svetlana , Medvedev Alexandr , Lazarev Vassili
Published: November 2021

Leeches are amazing animals that can be classified as conditionally poisonous animals since the salivary cocktail they produce is injected directly into the victim, and its components have strictly defined biological purposes, such as preventing blood clot formation. Thrombolytic drugs are mainly aimed at treating newly formed blood clots. Aged clots are stabilized by a large number of isopeptide bonds that prevent the action of thrombolytics. These bonds are destroyed by destabilase, an enzyme of the leech’s salivary glands. Here, we conducted a pilot study to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of the use of destabilase in relation to blood clots formed during real pathological processes. We evaluated the isopeptidase activity of destabilase during the formation of a stabilized fibrin clot. We showed that destabilase does not affect the internal and external coagulation cascades. We calculated the dose–response curve and tested the ability of destabilase to destroy isopeptide bonds in natural blood clots. The effect of aged and fresh clots dissolving ability after treatment with destabilase coincided with the morphological characteristics of clots during surgery. Thus, recombinant destabilase can be considered as a potential drug for the treatment of aged clots, which are difficult to treat with known thrombolytics.
Hydrodynamic and Sediment Transport Patterns in the Minho and Douro Estuaries (NW Portugal) Based on ADCP Monitoring Data: Part 2—Statistical Interpretation of Bottom Moored Datasets
Authors: Santos Ana Isabel , Oliveira Anabela , Carinhas Dora , Pinto José Paulo , Freitas M. Conceição
Published: November 2021

Exploratory statistical partitioning methods (K-means Clustering analysis) were applied to ADCP monitoring datasets collected inside the Douro and Minho estuaries. This analysis is aimed to discriminate ADCP acoustic responses according to the variations of the suspended particles within the ensonified medium. Based on the interpretation of the results, this work establishes general sediment transport patterns at both estuaries’ exits under continuously varying river flows and tidal amplitudes recorded during a summer dry seasonal scenario (September 2005) and winter high river discharge (January/February 2007) conditions. Results confirm the already known present scarcity of (sandy) sediment export from the Douro and Minho estuaries into the inner shelf and the consequent sediment depletion of the adjacent littoral, with no effective contribution of the Douro and some evidence of sand export observed at the Minho outlet during the winter of 2007.
From Formulas to Functions through Geometry: A Path to Understanding Algebraic Computations
Authors: Barana Alice
Published: November 2021

The teaching of algebra at the secondary school level has faced a great revolution during the last 50 years. While previously, it was focused on technicisms and pure syntactic rules, the most modern trends recommend using a functional approach to algebra and giving more prominence to conversions among different representation registers than treatments as simplifications and expansions. Nowadays, the daily practice in teaching algebra is still influenced by the traditional approach, and there is a need to offer teachers examples of activities that can give meaning to algebraic computations. This study proposes a set of interactive activities for eighth grade students, with a functional approach to formulas in a geometric context. The goal of the study is to investigate how similar activities can help students to develop multiple approaches to problems, understand algebraic formulas, and discern which main problems they face. The activities were tested with about 300 students, and qualitative and quantitative data were analyzed to answer the research questions.
Detecting and Monitoring Early Post-Fire Sliding Phenomena Using UAV–SfM Photogrammetry and t-LiDAR-Derived Point Clouds
Authors: Deligiannakis Georgios , Pallikarakis Aggelos , Papanikolaou Ioannis , Alexiou Simoni , Reicherter Klaus
Published: November 2021

Soil changes, including landslides and erosion, are some of the most prominent post-fire effects in Mediterranean ecosystems. Landslide detection and monitoring play an essential role in mitigation measures. We tested two different methodologies in five burned sites with different characteristics in Central Greece. We compared Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)-derived high-resolution Digital Surface Models and point clouds with terrestrial Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)-derived point clouds to reveal new cracks and monitor scarps of pre-existing landslides. New cracks and scarps were revealed at two sites after the wildfire, measuring up to 27 m in length and up to 25 ± 5 cm in depth. Pre-existing scarps in both Kechries sites appeared to be active, with additional vertical displacements ranging from 5–15 ± 5 cm. In addition, the pre-existing landslide in Magoula expanded by 8%. Due to vegetation regrowth, no changes could be detected in the Agios Stefanos pre-existing landslide. This high-spatial-resolution mapping of slope deformations can be used as landslide precursor, assisting prevention measures. Considering the lack of vegetation after wildfires, UAV photogrammetry has great potential for tracing such early landslide indicators and is more efficient for accurately recording soil changes.
Chirped Periodic and Solitary Waves for Improved Perturbed Nonlinear Schrödinger Equation with Cubic Quadratic Nonlinearity
Authors: Seadawy Aly R. , Rizvi Syed T. R. , Althobaiti Saad
Published: November 2021

In this paper, we study the improved perturbed nonlinear Schrödinger equation with cubic quadratic nonlinearity (IPNLSE-CQN) to describe the propagation properties of nonlinear periodic waves (PW) in fiber optics. We obtain the chirped periodic waves (CPW) with some Jacobi elliptic functions (JEF) and also obtain some solitary waves (SW) such as dark, bright, hyperbolic, singular and periodic solitons. The nonlinear chirp associated with each of these optical solitons was observed to be dependent on the pulse intensity. The graphical behavior of these waves will also be displayed.
Ulam–Hyers Stability and Uniqueness for Nonlinear Sequential Fractional Differential Equations Involving Integral Boundary Conditions
Authors: Al-khateeb Areen , Zureigat Hamzeh , Ala’yed Osama , Bawaneh Sameer
Published: November 2021

Fractional-order boundary value problems are used to model certain phenomena in chemistry, physics, biology, and engineering. However, some of these models do not meet the existence and uniqueness required in the mainstream of mathematical processes. Therefore, in this paper, the existence, stability, and uniqueness for the solution of the coupled system of the Caputo-type sequential fractional differential equation, involving integral boundary conditions, was discussed, and investigated. Leray–Schauder’s alternative was applied to derive the existence of the solution, while Banach’s contraction principle was used to examine the uniqueness of the solution. Moreover, Ulam–Hyers stability of the presented system was investigated. It was found that the theoretical-related aspects (existence, uniqueness, and stability) that were examined for the governing system were satisfactory. Finally, an example was given to illustrate and examine certain related aspects.
The Spatiotemporal Characteristics and Dynamic Changes of Tidal Flats in Florida from 1984 to 2020
Authors: Xu Chao , Liu Weibo
Published: November 2021

Tidal flats are playing a critical role in the coastal environment, which mainly rely on satellite images to map the distribution on large spatiotemporal scales. Much effort has been made to monitor and analyze the spatiotemporal dynamics of tidal flats in order to provide worthwhile references for scientists and lawmakers. Instead of considering the dynamics of tidal flats only, this study implemented a series of comprehensive analyses on the tidal flats along the coast of Florida during the period 1984–2020. First, the analyses on the pixel level examined the spatiotemporal characteristics of tidal flat dynamics and the interactions with lands and permanent water. Second, the contiguous pixels of tidal flats were assembled as objects, and two geometric attributes were calculated and used to track the temporal patterns of tidal flat dynamics on this level. Finally, the Mann–Kendall test and Sen’s slope estimator were applied to identify and quantify the significant trends of tidal flat dynamics on the two levels. The results highlighted the differences in tidal flat distributions and dynamics between the Gulf Coast and Atlantic Coast, which further verified effective GIS representations and analyses that could be applied to other coastal studies.
Flash Flood Susceptibility Evaluation in Human-Affected Areas Using Geomorphological Methods—The Case of 9 August 2020, Euboea, Greece. A GIS-Based Approach
Authors: Karkani Anna , Evelpidou Niki , Tzouxanioti Maria , Petropoulos Alexandros , Santangelo Nicoletta , Maroukian Hampik , Spyrou Evangelos , Lakidi Lida
Published: November 2021

Flash floods occur almost exclusively in small basins, and they are common in small Mediterranean catchments. They pose one of the most common natural disasters, as well as one of the most devastating. Such was the case of the recent flood in Euboea island, in Greece, in August 2020. A field survey was accomplished after the 2020 flash floods in order to record the main impacts of the event and identify the geomorphological and man-made causes. The flash flood susceptibility in the urbanized alluvial fans was further assessed using a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based approach. Our findings suggest that a large portion of the alluvial fans of Politika, Poros and Mantania streams are mainly characterized by high and very high hazard. In fact, ~27% of the alluvial fans of Politika and Poros streams are characterized with very high susceptibility, and ~54% of Psachna area. GIS results have been confirmed by field observations after the 2020 flash flood, with significant damages noted, such as debris flows and infrastructure damages, in buildings, bridges and the road networks. In addition, even though the adopted approach may be more time-consuming in comparison to purely computational methods, it has the potential of being more accurate as it combines field observations and the effect of past flooding events.
Cringe and Sympathy: The Comedy of Mental Illness in Flowers
Authors: Hess Linda M.
Published: November 2021

This article on brings together findings from humor studies, especially work on cringe comedy, and disability studies. It analyzes how Flowers uses elements of cringe to question societal norms of the “proper person” in connection to mental illness, but also how Flowers broadens the genre of cringe so that, at times, it becomes a cringe tragedy rather than a cringe comedy, thus taking seriously the pain of mental illness. As a third point, this analysis focuses on the way in which Flowers self-reflexively employs elements of narrativity to draw attention to the cultural constructedness and storyfication of mental illness throughout history.
A Continuity Flow Based Tomographic Reconstruction Algorithm for 4D Multi-Beam High Temporal—Low Angular Sampling
Authors: Henningsson Axel , Hall Stephen A.
Published: November 2021

A mathematical framework and accompanying numerical algorithm exploiting the continuity equation for 4D reconstruction of spatiotemporal attenuation fields from multi-angle full-field transmission measurements is presented. The algorithm is geared towards rotation-free dynamic multi-beam X-ray tomography measurements, for which angular information is sparse but the temporal information is rich. 3D attenuation maps are recovered by propagating an initial discretized density volume in time according to the advection equations using the Finite Volumes method with a total variation diminishing monotonic upstream-centered scheme (TVDMUSCL). The benefits and limitations of the algorithm are explored using dynamic granular system phantoms modelled via discrete elements and projected by an analytical ray model independent from the numerical ray model used in the reconstruction scheme. Three phantom scenarios of increasing complexity are presented and it is found that projections from only a few (unknowns:equations > 10) angles can be sufficient for characterisation of the 3D attenuation field evolution in time. It is shown that the artificial velocity field produced by the algorithm sub-iteration, which is used to propagate the attenuation field, can to some extent approximate the true kinematics of the system. Furthermore, it is found that the selection of a temporal interpolation scheme for projection data can have a significant impact on error build up in the reconstructed attenuation field.