bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Robust, floatable, steam generator based on the graded porous polyimide film for efficient solar desalination
Authors: Zhang Wenya , Lv Jingchun , Wang Bijia , Zhang Linping , Zhong Yi , Sui Xiaofeng , Xu Hong , Mao Zhiping
Published: April 2021

Solar‐driven seawater desalination is an environmental friendly technology that could relieve global water shortage. However, the practical applications of solar steam generating devices have been limited by the high energy consumption in the manufacturing process, low durability, and difficulties in large‐scale production had limited. Herein, we designed and prepared a polyimide film coated with polypyrrole with graded porous structures (PPy@PI).The photothermal PPy@PI has excellent mechanical properties and thermal stability and requires no nondegradable supporting polymer foam to float in water, making it ideal for desalination applications. Importantly, PPy@PI‐S prepared by single‐sided deposition of polypyrrole on the surface of the polyimide film has high light absorption capacity (93.57%) and low thermal conductivity under wet conditions (0.3641 W m−1 k−1). Under the irradiation of 1 sun (1 kW m−2), the evaporation rate was up to 1.23 kg m−2 h−1 corresponding to a solar energy conversion rate of 84%.The simple preparation process enables large‐scale preparation of PPy@PI.
Parental bonding, depressive experiences, and symptomology: An investigation among college students in Malaysia
Authors: Yen Jodie , Tam Cai L. , Lee Soon L.
Published: April 2021

This study examined the perceptions of parental bonding, depressive experiences of self‐criticism and dependency, and the current level of depressive symptomology among 212 college students from Sabah, Malaysia. The participants completed the brief version of the Parental Bonding Instrument, the Reconstructed Depressive Experiences Questionnaire, and the Patient Health Questionnaire. The results showed significant direct effects of maternal care, maternal overprotection, paternal care, self‐criticism, and dependency on depressive symptomology. In contrast, the indirect effects of self‐criticism and dependency on the relationship between parental bonding and depressive symptomology were not significant. These findings were in line with previous studies that have highlighted the significance of parent–child bonding, self‐criticism, and dependency in the development of depressive symptomology. However, they contradicted previous results on the significant indirect effects of self‐criticism and dependency. This study highlights the importance of parental care and overprotection, as they can predict the manifestation of depressive symptomology at a later stage in life.
Liquid–liquid phase separation of tau: From molecular biophysics to physiology and disease
Authors: Rai Sandeep K. , Savastano Adriana , Singh Priyanka , Mukhopadhyay Samrat , Zweckstetter Markus
Published: April 2021

Biomolecular condensation via liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) of intrinsically disordered proteins/regions (IDPs/IDRs), with and without nucleic acids, has drawn widespread interest due to the rapidly unfolding role of phase‐separated condensates in a diverse range of cellular functions and human diseases. Biomolecular condensates form via transient and multivalent intermolecular forces that sequester proteins and nucleic acids into liquid‐like membrane‐less compartments. However, aberrant phase transitions into gel‐like or solid‐like aggregates might play an important role in neurodegenerative and other diseases. Tau, a microtubule‐associated neuronal IDP, is involved in microtubule stabilization, regulates axonal outgrowth and transport in neurons. A growing body of evidence indicates that tau can accomplish some of its cellular activities via LLPS. However, liquid‐to‐solid transition resulting in the abnormal aggregation of tau is associated with neurodegenerative diseases. The physical chemistry of tau is crucial for governing its propensity for biomolecular condensation which is governed by various intermolecular and intramolecular interactions leading to simple one‐component and complex multi‐component condensates. In this review, we aim at capturing the current scientific state in unveiling the intriguing molecular mechanism of phase separation of tau. We particularly focus on the amalgamation of existing and emerging biophysical tools that offer unique spatiotemporal resolutions on a wide range of length‐ and time‐scales. We also discuss the link between quantitative biophysical measurements and novel biological insights into biomolecular condensation of tau. We believe that this account will provide a broad and multidisciplinary view of phase separation of tau and its association with physiology and disease.
The 5‐HT2C receptor as a therapeutic target for alcohol and methamphetamine use disorders: A pilot study in treatment‐seeking individuals
Authors: Campbell Erin J. , Bonomo Yvonne , Pastor Adam , Collins Lisa , Norman Amanda , Galettis Peter , Johnstone Janice , Lawrence Andrew J.
Published: April 2021

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) are prevalent and have high adverse impacts on both the individual and society. Current treatment strategies for these disorders are ineffective at a population level. Lorcaserin, a 5‐HT2C receptor agonist, has shown potential at reducing the symptoms of substance use disorder. This pilot study (initiated prior to market withdrawal) examined feasibility and safety of lorcaserin treatment in people undergoing residential detoxification and treatment for AUD and MUD. This was an open label pilot study of lorcaserin where participants (n = 10 AUD; n = 8 MUD) received 10‐mg lorcaserin daily for 4 days then twice daily for 1 month. Primary outcome measures included recruitment and retention rate, incidence of treatment‐emergent events, incidence of methamphetamine or alcohol withdrawal‐related events, heart rate, and blood pressure. Secondary measures included pharmacokinetic data and self‐reported alcohol or methamphetamine use, craving, and psychological distress. AUD participants were recruited faster and had a greater retention rate compared with MUD participants. Lorcaserin did not alter vital signs, was well tolerated, and had a similar pharmacokinetic profile to individuals with obesity. Lorcaserin reduced self‐reported alcohol and amphetamine‐type substance use and craving in AUD and MUD participants, respectively. Self‐reported psychological health also improved over the treatment period for all participants. Despite the pilot nature of this study, our data support the notion of 5‐HT2C receptors as a therapeutic target for drug and alcohol abuse.
Reliability analysis of Weibull multicomponent system with stress‐dependent parameters from accelerated life data
Authors: Wang Liang , Zhang Chunfang , Tripathi Yogesh Mani , Dey Sanku , Wu Shuo‐Jye
Published: April 2021

In this paper, reliability estimation of multicomponent system under a multilevel accelerated life testing. When the lifetime of components follows Weibull distribution, the problem of point and interval estimates are discussed from different perspectives. Under a general life‐stress assumption that there are multiple nonconstant and stress‐dependent scale and shape parameters, the maximum likelihood estimates of unknown parameters along with associated existence and uniqueness are established. Approximate confidence intervals are constructed correspondingly via expected Fisher information matrix. Furthermore, some pivotal quantities are constructed and alternative generalized point and interval estimates are also proposed for comparison. In addition, predictive intervals for the lifetime of the multicomponent system are discussed under classical and generalized pivotal approaches, respectively. The results show that the proposed generalized estimates are superior to the conventional likelihood approach in terms of the accuracy. A real data example is carried out to illustrate the implementations of the proposed methods.
GC‐MS analysis of Amaryllidaceae and Sceletium‐type alkaloids in bioactive fractions from Narcissus cv. Hawera
Authors: Berkov Strahil , Pechlivanova Daniela , Denev Rumen , Nikolova Milena , Georgieva Liliya , Sidjimova Borjana , Bakalov Dimitar , Tafradjiiska Radka , Stoynev Alexander , Momekov Georgi , Bastida Jaume
Published: April 2021

Rationale

Narcissus cv. Hawera has been found to biosynthesize some Sceletium‐type alkaloids with antidepressant and anxiolytic activities. This ornamental plant has been poorly studied as a source of bioactive alkaloids including some contraversive reports on in vitro and intact plants. In this study, a detailed GC‐MS characterization of its alkaloid fractions is presented.

Methods

GC‐MS was used for the identification of compounds in the alkaloid fractions. Both underivatized and silylated samples were analyzed simultaneously. Elevated plus maze and tail suspension tests were used to assay the anxiolytic and antidepressant activities. Ellman’s and MTT‐dye reduction assays were used to evaluate the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory and cytotoxicity activities, respectively.

Results

Of the 29 alkaloids, 13 of Sceletium‐type were detected. Two new alkaloids were identified as 2‐oxo‐mesembrine and 2‐oxo‐epi‐mesembrenol. Lycorine was found as a major compound (43.5%) in the crude silylated methanol extract. After the elimination of lycorine by pre‐crystallization, the major alkaloids were 40.8% 6‐epi‐mesembranol, 16.2% 6‐epi‐mesembrenol, and 13.8% sanguinine. This fraction showed anxiolytic and antidepressant‐like activities as well as potent AChE inhibitory and antineoplastic activities.

Conclusions

Silylation of the alkaloid fractions from Narcissus cv. Hawera provides better separation, structural information, and improved sensitivity for compounds with two and more hydroxyl groups. The lycorine‐free alkaloid fraction shows a great potential for further pharmacological studies.
Robotic surgery for colorectal cancer in the Octogenarians
Authors: Westrich Gal , Mykoniatis Ioannis , Stefan Samuel , Siddiqi Najaf , Ahmed Yousra , Cross Matthew , Nissan Aviram , Khan Jim S
Published: April 2021

Background

We evaluated the short‐term outcomes of robotic colorectal cancer surgery in octogenarian patients, focussing on postoperative morbidity and survival.

Methods

All patients ≥80 years in a prospective colorectal cancer database undergoing robotic curative colorectal cancer resection were included. Patient demographics, intraoperative findings, postoperative and oncological outcomes were recorded. Patients were further subdivided into two groups named: old (OG 80–85 years) and very old (VOG ≥ 86 years).

Results

Fifty‐eight consecutive patients were included (median age, 83 years; male, 53.4%; median BMI, 26.5). Median total operative time was 230 min, median blood loss 20 ml, median length of stay 7 days. Major complications were seen in 12% of patients; and the 90‐day mortality rate was 1.7%. Complete R0 resection achieved in 93% of cases, average lymph node harvest was 22. Overall and disease‐free survival was 81% and 87.3%, respectively (median follow‐up 24.5 months). We noticed a trend towards more advanced lesion staging in the VOG, but only N2 stage was significant (p = 0.03). There was a statistically significant difference in overall survival in favour of the OG (p = 0.024).

Conclusions

Robotic surgery is feasible in octogenarian patients undergoing curative colorectal cancer resection and is associated with good post‐operative outcomes and overall survival.
Synthesis of Glucosyl Amino Acid Derivatives for Obtaining N‐Glucopeptides via SPPS: Optimization of the Synthetic Route**
Authors: Rodríguez Verónica , Román Julieth , Insuasty‐Cepeda Diego , Fierro‐Medina Ricardo , Rivera‐Monroy Zuly , García‐Castañeda Javier
Published: April 2021

Building blocks of Fmoc‐Asn‐β‐(2,3,4,6‐tetra‐O‐Acetyl‐D‐glucopyranosyl)‐OH (5) Fmoc‐Asn‐β‐(2,3,4,6‐tetra‐O‐Acetyl‐D‐mannopyranosyl)‐OH (5 a), and Fmoc‐Asn‐β‐(2,3,4,6‐tetra‐O‐Acetyl‐D‐galactopyranosyl)‐OH (5 b) were synthesized from D‐glucose, D‐mannose, and D‐galactose, respectively. The final products and their intermediates were characterized by means of NMR experiments. The synthetic route was optimized, and scaling to obtain 5 g of the Fmoc‐Asn‐β‐(2,3,4,6‐tetra‐O‐Acetyl‐D‐glucopyranosyl)‐OH significantly diminished the amount of solvents and reagents consumed, yielding a faster, cheaper and easy to implement process. The methodology developed allowed obtaining the building blocks with good yields and high purity with only one purification process. The Fmoc‐Asn‐β‐(2,3,4,6‐tetra‐O‐Acetyl‐D‐glucopyranosyl)‐OH building block (5) was used to synthetized N‐glycopeptides derived from LfcinB. The results showed that the incorporation of the building block into the growing chain significantly affects the synthetic process using the SPPS (Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis) Fmoc/tBu strategy. It was established that the position of the building block in the sequence, as well the number of the building blocks incorporated, diminished the yields and purity of the final product. The methodologies reported could be used to synthetized building blocks containing monosaccharides and could contribute to improving N‐glycopeptide synthesis.
Urbanormativity and the university
Authors: Thomas Alexander R. , Fulkerson Gregory M.
Published: April 2021

Urbanormativity assumes the normality of urbane lifestyles, a consequence of living in a society in which most people live in metropolitan areas. Rural students may find their own life experiences underappreciated, but we can include their perspectives and use them to help students to understand their own and others’ experiences.
Ratio of incoherent and coherent scattering intensities of X‐ray and γ‐radiation
Authors: Pavlinsky Gely Veniaminovich
Published: April 2021

It is shown that the Klein–Nishina–Tamm equation determines the total intensity of coherent and incoherent X‐ray scattering. The change in the ratio of these components during the transition from scattering on a resting electron to scattering on the atomic electrons is estimated. Taking into account the innovations, the required ratio is calculated for the atom of three elements with a limited set of scattering angles. The basic expression for incoherent scattering in the Klein–Nishina–Tamm equation allows us to agree, in the first approximation, the calculated value of the total scattering intensity with the experimentally observed results. The current dependences for the intensity of coherent and incoherent x‐ray scattering on the massive multicomponent materials are presented.
More on topological vertex formalism for 5-brane webs with O5-plane
Authors: Hayashi Hirotaka , Zhu Rui-Dong
Published: April 2021

Abstract

We propose a concrete form of a vertex function, which we call O-vertex, for the intersection between an O5-plane and a 5-brane in the topological vertex formalism, as an extension of the work of [1]. Using the O-vertex it is possible to compute the Nekrasov partition functions of 5d theories realized on any 5-brane web diagrams with O5-planes. We apply our proposal to 5-brane webs with an O5-plane and compute the partition functions of pure SO(N) gauge theories and the pure G2 gauge theory. The obtained results agree with the results known in the literature. We also compute the partition function of the pure SU(3) gauge theory with the Chern-Simons level 9. At the end we rewrite the O-vertex in a form of a vertex operator.
Oscillating multiple giants
Authors: Suzuki Ryo
Published: April 2021

Abstract

We propose a new example of the AdS/CFT correspondence between the system of multiple giant gravitons inAdS5× S5and the operators withO(Nc) dimensions in$$ \mathcal{N} $$N= 4 super Yang-Mills. We first extend the mixing of huge operators on the Gauss graph basis in the$$ \mathfrak{su}(2) $$su2sector to all loops of the ’t Hooft coupling, by demanding the commutation of perturbative Hamiltonians in an effective U(p) theory, wherepcorresponds to the number of giant gravitons. The all-loop dispersion relation remains gapless at anyλ, which suggests that harmonic oscillators of the effective U(p) theory should correspond to the classical motion of the D3-brane that is continuously connected to non-maximal giant gravitons.
Anisotropic Robin problems with logistic reaction
Authors: Papageorgiou Nikolaos S. , Rădulescu Vicenţiu D. , Tang Xianhua
Published: April 2021

We consider Robin problems driven by the anisotropicp-Laplace operator and with a logistic reaction. Our analysis covers superdiffusive, subdiffusive and equidiffusive equations. We examine all three cases, and we prove multiplicity properties of positive solutions (superdiffusive case) and uniqueness (subdiffusive and equidiffusive cases). The equidiffusive equation is studied only in the context of isotropic operators. We explain why the more general case cannot be treated.
The epidemiology of overtransfusion of red cells in trauma resuscitation patients in the context of a mature massive transfusion protocol
Authors: Cowan Timothy , Weaver Natasha , Whitfield Alexander , Bell Liam , Sebastian Amanda , Hurley Stephen , King Kate L. , Fischer Angela , Balogh Zsolt J.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusion remains an integral part of trauma resuscitation and an independent predictor of unfavourable outcomes. It is often administered urgently based on clinical judgement. These facts put trauma patients at high risk of potentially dangerous overtransfusion. We hypothesised that trauma patients are frequently overtransfused and overtransfusion is associated with worse outcomes.

Methods

Trauma patients who received PRBCs within 24 h of admission were identified from the trauma registry during the period January 1 2011–December 31 2018. Overtransfusion was defined as haemoglobin concentration of greater than or equal to 110 g/L at 24 h post ED arrival (± 12 h). Demographics, injury severity, injury pattern, shock severity, blood gas values and outcomes were compared between overtransfused and non-overtransfused patients.

Results

From the 211 patients (mean age 45 years, 71% male, ISS 27, mortality 12%) who met inclusion criteria 27% (56/211) were overtransfused. Patients with a higher pre-hospital systolic blood pressure (112 vs 99 mmHg p < 0.01) and a higher initial haemoglobin concentration (132 vs 124 p = 0.02) were more likely to be overtransfused. Overtransfused patients received smaller volumes of packed red blood cells (5 vs 7 units p = 0.049), fresh frozen plasma (4 vs 6 units p < 0.01) and cryoprecipitate (6 vs 9 units p = 0.01) than non-overtransfused patients.

Conclusion

More than a quarter of patients in our cohort were potentially given more blood products than required without obvious clinical consequences. There were no clinically relevant associations with overtransfusion.
Correction to: Mast cell proliferation in the cerebrospinal fluid after intraventricular administration of anti‑B7H3 immunotherapy
Authors: Kramer Kim , Donzelli Maria A. , Pessin Melissa S.
Published: April 2021

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00262-021-02942-3
Intestinal eosinophils, homeostasis and response to bacterial intrusion
Authors: Gurtner Alessandra , Gonzalez-Perez Ignacio , Arnold Isabelle C.
Published: April 2021

Eosinophils are traditionally considered as end-stage effector cells involved in the pathogenesis of Th2 immune-mediated disorders as well as in the protection against parasite infection. However, this restricted view has recently been challenged by a series of studies revealing the highly plastic nature of these cells and implication in various homeostatic processes. Large numbers of eosinophils reside in the lamina propria of the gastrointestinal tract, at the front line of host defence, where they contribute to maintain the intestinal epithelial barrier function in the face of inflammation-associated epithelial cell damage. Eosinophils confer active protection against bacterial pathogens capable of penetrating the mucosal barrier through the release of cytotoxic compounds and the generation of extracellular DNA traps. Eosinophils also integrate tissue-specific cytokine signals such as IFN-γ, which synergise with bacterial recognition pathways to enforce different context-dependent functional responses, thereby ensuring a rapid adaptation to the ever-changing intestinal environment. The ability of eosinophils to regulate local immune responses and respond to microbial stimuli further supports the pivotal role of these cells in the maintenance of tissue homeostasis at the intestinal interface.
IoT-cloud based healthcare model for COVID-19 detection: an enhanced k-Nearest Neighbour classifier based approach
Authors: Mukherjee Rajendrani , Kundu Aurghyadip , Mukherjee Indrajit , Gupta Deepak , Tiwari Prayag , Khanna Ashish , Shorfuzzaman Mohammad
Published: April 2021

COVID - 19 affected severely worldwide. The pandemic has caused many causalities in a very short span. The IoT-cloud-based healthcare model requirement is utmost in this situation to provide a better decision in the covid-19 pandemic. In this paper, an attempt has been made to perform predictive analytics regarding the disease using a machine learning classifier. This research proposed an enhanced KNN (k NearestNeighbor) algorithm eKNN, which did not randomly choose the value of k. However, it used a mathematical function of the dataset’s sample size while determining the k value. The enhanced KNN algorithm eKNN has experimented on 7 benchmark COVID-19 datasets of different size, which has been gathered from standard data cloud of different countries (Brazil, Mexico, etc.). It appeared that the enhanced KNN classifier performs significantly better than ordinary KNN. The second research question augmented the enhanced KNN algorithm with feature selection using ACO (Ant Colony Optimization). Results indicated that the enhanced KNN classifier along with the feature selection mechanism performed way better than enhanced KNN without feature selection. This paper involves proposing an improved KNN attempting to find an optimal value of k and studying IoT-cloud-based COVID - 19 detection.
Firm Level Evidence of Disaster Impacts on Growth in Vietnam
Authors: Zhou Fujin , Botzen Wouter
Published: April 2021

The theory about the impacts of natural disasters on firms is ambiguous and the empirical evidence on this topic is scarce, which hampers the design of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation policies. In this paper we identify the short-run impacts of storms and floods on firm growth in labor, capital, and sales, using Enterprise Census data (2000–2014) for Vietnam. We define storms and floods with three different disaster measures: physical intensities, number of deaths, and economic damage. The performance of these disaster measures is compared by estimating dynamic growth models using the Blundell–Bond system generalized method of moments. We find evidence that flooding increases labor growth and capital growth but reduces sales growth significantly up to 3 years after flooding. We also find some evidence of positive impacts on labor growth and capital growth but mostly negative impacts on sales growth for storms within 3 years after storms strike. The impacts of floods and storms on firm growth are more pronounced and persistent for small and medium sized firms. Finally, unlike at the macro level, the direction and scale of disaster impacts found at the firm level are fairly consistent across the three disaster measures.
The assessment of the amount of water pollution and its suitability for drinking of the Tyśmienica River Basin, Poland
Authors: Grzywna Antoni , Sender Joanna
Published: April 2021

The quality and potability of waters of the Tyśmienica River Basin were determined in 2017 at eight measuring stations. The paper presents analyses of the physical and chemical parameters of surface waters of the basin. With regard to suspended solids, pH value, electric conductivity, sulphates, ammonia, chlorides and phosphate, the water was classified as having a very good ecological status. In the case of Kjeldahl nitrogen, the waters were classified as having a good ecological status. In the case of the remaining parameters, i.e. BOD, DO, TOC and COD, the status varied among stations. The values of all the physical and chemical parameters complied with the values for undisturbed conditions. Only ammonia and COD showed significant differences among stations. The WPI values for each measuring point ranged from 0.90 to 1.56, what corresponds to the descriptive indicators of moderately polluted water. The high concentrations of COD and TOC indicate that high-performance treatment processes (category A3) must be used to ensure that the water is suitable for drinking.
The Persian irrational performance beliefs inventory (iPBI-Persian): Translation, confirmatory factor analysis, and test–retest reliability, in Iranian athletes
Authors: Nejati Mohammadbagher , Farsi Alireza , Moteshareie Ebrahim , Turner Martin J.
Published: April 2021

This paper reports the development and initial validation of the Persian language Irrational Performance Beliefs Inventory (iPBI-Persian). The original iPBI was developed to provide a validated measure of the four core irrational beliefs of rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) within performance-based samples, such as athletes. Data retrieved from 334 athletes (169 men, 165 women, Mage = 21.52 ± 4.00 years) were analyses using SPSS and LISREL software packages. After the linguistic and cross-cultural adaptation processes, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) results showed that six items did not have acceptable factor loadings. After removal of problem items, a 22-item version was developed (CFI = 0.96). The iPBI-Persian demonstrated excellent levels of reliability, with internal consistency and test–retest reliability, as well as construct validity. This paper indicates that the 22-item iPBI-Persian can be used as a self-assessment instrument to evaluate irrational performance beliefs in Iranian athlete samples.
The Impact of Abortion Underreporting on Pregnancy Data and Related Research
Authors: Desai Sheila , Lindberg Laura D. , Maddow-Zimet Isaac , Kost Kathryn
Published: April 2021

Introduction

The impact on research findings that use pregnancy data from surveys with underreported abortions is not well-established. We estimate the percent of all pregnancies missing from women’s self-reported pregnancy histories because of abortion underreporting.

Methods

We obtained abortion and fetal loss data from the 2006–2015 National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG), annual counts of births from US vital statistics, and external abortion counts from the Guttmacher Institute. We estimated the completeness of abortion reporting in the NSFG as compared to the external counts, the proportion of pregnancies resolving in abortion, and the proportion of pregnancies missing in the NSFG due to missing abortions. Each measure was examined overall and by age, race/ethnicity, union status, and survey period.

Results

Fewer than half of abortions (40%, 95% CI 36–44) that occurred in the five calendar years preceding respondents’ interviews were reported in the NSFG. In 2006–2015, 18% of pregnancies resolved in abortion, with significant variation across demographic groups. Nearly 11% of pregnancies (95% CI 10–11) were missing from the 2006–2015 NSFG due to abortion underreporting. The extent of missing pregnancies varied across demographic groups and was highest among Black women and unmarried women (18% each); differences reflect both the patterns of abortion underreporting and the share of pregnancies ending in abortion.

Discussion

Incomplete reporting of pregnancy remains a fundamental shortcoming to the study of US fertility-related experiences. Efforts to improve abortion reporting are needed to strengthen the quality of pregnancy data to support maternal, child, and reproductive health research.
Aortic valve implantation-induced conduction block as a framework towards a uniform electrocardiographic definition of left bundle branch block
Authors: Calle S. , Coeman M. , Demolder A. , Philipsen T. , Kayaert P. , De Buyzere M. , Timmermans F. , De Pooter J.
Published: April 2021

Introduction

New-onset left bundle branch block (LBBB) following transcatheter or surgical aortic valve replacement (LBBBAVI) implies a proximal pathogenesis of LBBB. This study compares electrocardiographic characteristics and concordance with LBBB definitions between LBBBAVI and non-procedure-induced LBBB controls (LBBBcontrol).

Methods

All LBBBAVI patients at Ghent University Hospital between 2013 and 2019 were enrolled in the study. LBBBAVI patients were matched for age, sex, ischaemic heart disease and ejection fraction to LBBBcontrol patients in a 1:2 ratio. For inclusion, a non-strict LBBB definition was used (QRS duration ≥ 120 ms, QS or rS in V1, absence of Q waves in V5-6). Electrocardiograms were digitally analysed and classified according to three LBBB definitions: European Society of Cardiology (ESC), Strauss and American Heart Association (AHA).

Results

A total of 177 patients (59 LBBBAVI and 118 LBBBcontrol) were enrolled in the study. LBBBAVI patients had more lateral QRS notching/slurring (100% vs 85%, p = 0.001), included a higher percentage with a QRS duration ≥ 130 ms (98% vs 86%, p = 0.007) and had a less leftward oriented QRS axis (−15° vs −30°, p = 0.013) compared to the LBBBcontrol group. ESC and Strauss criteria were fulfilled in 100% and 95% of LBBBAVI patients, respectively, but only 18% met the AHA criteria. In LBBBcontrol patients, concordance with LBBB definitions was lower than in the LBBBAVI group: ESC 85% (p = 0.001), Strauss 68% (p < 0.001) and AHA 7% (p = 0.035). No differences in electrocardiographic characterisation or concordance with LBBB definitions were observed between LBBBAVI and LBBBcontrol patients with lateral QRS notching/slurring.

Conclusion

Non-uniformity exists among current LBBB definitions concerning the detection of proximal LBBB. LBBBAVI may provide a framework for more consensus on defining proximal LBBB.
Turbulence load prediction for manned and unmanned aircraft by means of anticipating differential pressure measurements
Authors: Galffy Andras , Gaggl Rainer , Mühlbacher Robert , Frank Daniel , Schlarp Johannes , Schitter Georg
Published: April 2021

This paper focuses on the prediction of disturbance effects of the vertical acceleration of an aircraft flying in atmospheric turbulence. To this end, 5-hole probes with high-dynamic differential pressure sensors are installed in front of a fixed-wing unmanned aircraft system (UAS) and a manned experimental aircraft to measure the local airspeed and angle of attack of the airflow. Test flights are performed in light, moderate and severe turbulence to assess the anticipating character and the accuracy of the predicted acceleration. Thereby, depending on the flown airspeed, anticipation times up to 0.1 s are observed. For the UAS the prediction accuracy is assessed to be 71.19% for moderate turbulence and 71.05% for severe turbulence, where vertical acceleration disturbances higher than 30 m/s2are measured. The first manned test flight revealed a prediction accuracy of 61.97%.
Molecular diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 in seminal fluid
Authors: Paoli D. , Pallotti F. , Nigro G. , Mazzuti L. , Hirsch M. N. , Valli M. B. , Colangelo S. , Mastroianni C. M. , Antonelli G. , Lenzi A. , Turriziani O. , Lombardo F.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Due to relevant repercussions on reproductive medicine, we aimed to evaluate feasibility of RT-PCR as a detection method of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in seminal fluid.

Methods

A qualitative determination of the RT-PCR assays in semen was performed through different approaches: (1) efficiency of RNA extraction from sperm and seminal plasma was determined using PRM1 and PRM2 mRNA and a heterologous system as control; (2) samples obtained by diluting viral preparation from a SARS-CoV-2 panel (virus cultured in Vero E6 cell lines) were tested; (3) viral presence in different fractions of seminal fluid (whole sample, seminal plasma and post-centrifugation pellet) was evaluated. Semen samples from mild and recovered COVID-19 subjects were collected by patients referring to the Infectious Disease Department of the Policlinico Umberto I Hospital - “Sapienza” University of Rome. Control subjects were recruited at the Laboratory of Seminology-Sperm Bank “Loredana Gandini'' of the same hospital.

Results

The control panel using viral preparations diluted in saline and seminal fluid showed the capability to detect viral RNA presence with Ct values depending on the initial viral concentration. All tested semen samples were negative for SARS-CoV-2, regardless of the nasopharyngeal swab result or seminal fluid fraction.

Conclusion

These preliminary data show that RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 RNA testing appears to be a feasible method for the molecular diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 in seminal fluid, supported by results of the control panel. The ability to detect SARS-CoV-2 in semen is extremely important for reproductive medicine, especially in assisted reproductive technology and sperm cryopreservation.
Functions of parenting styles on patterns of general and serious delinquency trajectories: A mediated model of school climates and delinquent peer association
Authors: Cho Sujung , Nolasco Braaten Claire
Published: April 2021

Introduction

This study partially tests Agnew’s (2005, 2011) general theory of crime and delinquency, drawing out the differential roles of parenting, constraints, and motivations when comparing general delinquency trajectories and serious delinquency trajectories.

Methods

Using data from a 7‐year follow‐up study of 927 South Korean male adolescents, the study incorporates a group‐based trajectory modeling to identify subgroups, each having a unique pattern of trajectories, respectively.

Results

The models yielded 3 subgroups: Early onset & decreaser, Increaser & late peak, and Normative for general delinquency as well as Serious delinquent, Moderate delinquents, and Normative for serious delinquency. The results reveal that compared to Normative group, parenting styles were significant of both the Moderate and Serious delinquents groups for only serious delinquency even after controlling for constraints and motivations. The odds of belonging to both the Early‐Onset & Decreaser and Increaser & Late Peak groups for general delinquency and the Moderate Delinquents group for serious delinquency were significantly higher for those who more frequently associated with delinquent peers. Depression was significant among members of the Early‐Onset & Decreaser group, while school connectedness was significant among members of the Increaser & Late Peak group for general delinquency. There were no mediating role of constraints and motivations in the parent‐delinquency prediction.

Conclusions

Intervention programs aimed at improving parenting skills can be developed to decrease the likelihood of delinquency.
Wasteocene
Authors: Armiero Marco
Published: April 2021

Humans may live in the Anthropocene, but this does not affect all in the same way. How would the Anthropocene look if, instead of searching its traces in the geosphere, researchers would look for them in the organosphere, in the ecologies of humans in their entanglements with the environment? Looking at this embodied stratigraphy of power and toxicity, more than the Anthropocene, we will discover the Wasteocene. The imposition of wasting relationships on subaltern human and more-than-human communities implies the construction of toxic ecologies made of contaminating substances and narratives. While official accounts have systematically erased any trace of those wasting relationships, another kind of narrative has been written in flesh, blood, and cells. Traveling between Naples (Italy) and Agbogbloshie (Ghana), science fiction and epidemic outbreaks, this Element will take the readers into the bowels of the Wasteocene, but it will also indicate the commoning practices which are dismantling it.
Fit Testing Retrofitted Full-Face Snorkel Masks as a Form of Novel Personal Protective Equipment During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Toigo Stephanie , Jacques Michel , Razek Tarek , Rajda Ewa , Omelon Sidney , Dankoff Frederic , Tohme Rami , Lefebvre Patricia , Deckelbaum Dan L
Published: April 2021

Objective:

Bottlenecks in the personal protective equipment (PPE) supply chain have contributed to shortages of PPE during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, resulting in fractures in the functionality of health-care systems. This study was conducted with the aim of determining the effectiveness of retrofitted commercial snorkel masks as an alternative respirator for health-care workers during infectious disease outbreaks.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis was performed, analyzing qualitative and quantitative fit test results of the retrofitted Aria Ocean Reef® full-face snorkeling mask on health-care workers at the McGill University Health Centre between April and June 2020. Historical fit test results, using medical-grade respirators, for health-care workers, were also analyzed.

Results:

During the study period, 71 participants volunteered for fit testing, 60.6% of which were nurses. The overall fit test passing rate using the snorkel mask was 83.1%. Of the participants who did not previously pass fit testing with medical-grade respirators, 80% achieved a passing fit test with the snorkel respirator.

Conclusions:

The results suggest that this novel respirator may be an effective and feasible alternative solution to address PPE shortages, while still providing health-care workers with ample protection. Additional robust testing will be required to ensure that respirator fit is maintained, after numerous rounds of disinfection.
A new global gridded glacier dataset based on the Randolph Glacier Inventory version 6.0
Authors: Li Yaojun , Li Fei , Shangguan Donghui , Ding Yongjian
Published: April 2021

Gridded glacier datasets are essential for various glaciological and climatological research because they link glacier cover with the corresponding gridded meteorological variables. However, there are significant differences between the gridded data and the shapefile data in the total area calculations in the Randolph Glacier Inventory (RGI) 6.0 at global and regional scales. Here, we present a new global gridded glacier dataset based on the RGI 6.0 that eliminates the differences. The dataset is made by dividing the glacier polygons using cell boundaries and then recalculating the area of each polygon in the cell. Our dataset (1) exhibits a good agreement with the RGI area values for those regions in which gridded areas showed a generally good consistency with those in the shapefile data, and (2) reduces the errors existing in the current RGI gridded dataset. All data and code used in this study are freely available and we provide two examples to demonstrate the application of this new gridded dataset.
Politics of Memory and Nationalism
Authors: Malinova Olga
Published: April 2021

Scholars of nationalism knew about the role of memory and forgetting in nation building long before the contemporary boom of memory studies. Still, they can learn a lot from this relatively new research field. This article offers an overview of the literature on the politics of memory, focusing on different patterns of dealing with a dark past of genocides, civil wars, and political repressions, on the one hand, and on the observations derived from the recent so-called “memory wars” in Europe, on the other. Both issues elucidate a persistent role of nationalism in the contemporary world.
Babi Yar and the Nazi Genocide of Roma: Memory Narratives and Memory Practices in Ukraine
Authors: Kotljarchuk Andrej
Published: April 2021

Thousands of Roma were killed in Ukraine by the Nazis and auxiliary police on the spot. There are more than 50,000 Roma in today’s Ukraine, represented by second and third generation decendants of the genocide survivors. The discussion on Roma identity cannot be isolated from the memory of the genocide, which makes the struggle over the past a reflexive landmark that mobilizes the Roma movement. About twenty Roma genocide memorials have been erected in Ukraine during last decade, and in 2016 the national memorial of the Roma genocide was opened in Babi Yar. However, scholars do not have a clear picture of memory narratives and memory practices of the Roma genocide in Ukraine. A comprehensive analysis of the contemporary situation is not possible without an examination of the history and memory of the Roma genocide before 1991.
How History Shaped the Innovator's Dilemma
Authors: Nicholas Tom
Published: April 2021

In 1993, four years prior to the publication of Clayton Christensen's highly influential book, The Innovator's Dilemma, the Business History Review published an article by Christensen titled “The Rigid Disk Drive Industry: A History of Commercial and Technological Turbulence.” The article relates the theory of disruptive innovation to Alfred D. Chandler's work on large vertically integrated enterprises. It was published during a pivotal era of scholarship on innovation, management practice, and industry evolution, much of which used the history of firms, industries, and technologies to build theory. I survey the impact and critiques of Christensen's research agenda, highlighting how it illustrates where the boundaries associated with the “lessons of history” should be drawn.
The Making of Commercial Innovations: The Use of Printed Commercial Circular Letters in France and Europe, 1750-1850
Authors: Bartolomei Arnaud , de Oliveira Matthieu , Deschanel Boris , Mollanger Thomas
Published: April 2021

Working from a database of over 1,700 printed circulars, this article explores the significance of the commercial innovations that took place during the second half of the eighteenth century and the first half of the nineteenth. Studying the chronology of the introduction of printed circulars and their use in mercantile practices, we demonstrate that commercial innovation can be interpreted as the mobilization of new tools and old practices to solve the traditional problems of long-distance trade, in a context where circulars were used to communicate information on trade houses, to search for new commercial partners, and to display one's socioprofessional identity.
Harnessing Technologies in Focus Group Research
Authors: Wallace Rebecca , Goodyear-Grant Elizabeth , Bittner Amanda
Published: April 2021

Focus group research is a useful methodology within and beyond the field of political science, as a source of core or supplementary data. The focus group literature is rich and full of guidance, but advice on using digital tools in certain stages of focus group research is relatively scarce. Aiming to fill those gaps, this article draws on experience with two projects in order to outline how researchers can harness technologies for focus group recruitment and data analysis. While traditional recruitment and data analysis techniques are useful, we identify advantages of technology-assisted approaches, particularly for focus group research with marginalized communities. Geared to both new and existing focus group users, the article identifies fruitful ways to harness a wider range of technologies for conducting focus group research while maintaining consistency with established principles and practices.
The wigner property for CL-spaces and finite-dimensional polyhedral Banach spaces
Authors: Tan Dongni , Huang Xujian
Published: April 2021

We say that a map $f$ from a Banach space $X$ to another Banach space $Y$ is a phase-isometry if the equality
\[ \{\|f(x)+f(y)\|, \|f(x)-f(y)\|\}=\{\|x+y\|, \|x-y\|\} \]holds for all $x,\,y\in X$. A Banach space $X$ is said to have the Wigner property if for any Banach space $Y$ and every surjective phase-isometry $f : X\rightarrow Y$, there exists a phase function $\varepsilon : X \rightarrow \{-1,\,1\}$ such that $\varepsilon \cdot f$ is a linear isometry. We present some basic properties of phase-isometries between two real Banach spaces. These enable us to show that all finite-dimensional polyhedral Banach spaces and CL-spaces possess the Wigner property.
Scattering for critical wave equations with variable coefficients
Authors: Looi Shi-Zhuo , Tohaneanu Mihai
Published: April 2021

We prove that solutions to the quintic semilinear wave equation with variable coefficients in ${{\mathbb {R}}}^{1+3}$ scatter to a solution to the corresponding linear wave equation. The coefficients are small and decay as $|x|\to \infty$, but are allowed to be time dependent. The proof uses local energy decay estimates to establish the decay of the $L^{6}$ norm of the solution as $t\to \infty$.
The Detention of Non-Enemy Civilians Escaping to Britain during the Second World War
Authors: Photiadou Artemis J.
Published: April 2021

Thousands of civilians from Allied and neutral countries reached Britain during the Second World War. Nearly all who arrived between 1941 and 1945 were detained for interrogation – an unprecedented course of action by Britain which has nevertheless seldomly been studied. This article focuses on the administrative history of this process and the people it affected. It demonstrates how certain parts of the state treated non-Britons with suspicion throughout the war, long after fears of a ‘fifth column’ had subsided. At the same time, others saw them favourably, not least because many either offered intelligence, intended to volunteer with the Allied Forces, or work for the war industry. Examining how these conflicting views co-existed within a single detention camp, this article thus illustrates the complex relationship that existed between non-Britons and the wartime state, which perceived them simultaneously as suspects, assets, and allies. By making use of the thousands of resulting interrogation reports, the article also offers more detail than currently exists on the gender and nationality background of those who reached Britain, as well as about the journeys they took to escape occupied territory.
Emperor penguins and the First German South Polar Expedition, 1901–1903: The elusive colony in Posadowsky Bay
Authors: Wienecke Barbara
Published: April 2021

Members of the First German South Polar Expedition (1901–1903) encountered emperor penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri) near their wintering station in the sea ice of Posadowsky Bay, East Antarctica. The penguins appeared to be generally less of scientific interest, but more of a useful resource. Despite the presence of chicks, the men were uncertain about the existence of a breeding colony, and did not record the position of the penguin aggregation they encountered. In later years, only a few sightings confirmed the existence of a colony, and the last ground visit took place in 1960. Based on satellite imagery, a colony appears to exist even now. This paper examines what impact the expedition may have had on this colony, and whether it still exists.