bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
When informal work and poor work conditions backfire and fuel the COVID‐19 pandemic: Why we should listen to the lessons from Latin America
Authors: Lotta Gabriela , Kuhlmann Ellen
Published: December 2020

Latin America is among the regions with the highest incidence of COVID‐19 where the pandemic is creating a humanitarian crisis. In this Commentary we aim to reveal underlying problems of this crisis, that may be an underestimated global driver of the pandemic and a serious risk to health and healthcare systems. We set the focus on informal work and related poorly regulated sub‐contracting which create poor work conditions as one dimension of the social determinants of health. We use the examples of Germany and Brazil, as opposite sides geographically and concerning the pandemic, to highlight a need for greater attention to these risks and for systematic inclusion in health systems resilience. In both countries, informal work may turn into hot spots of COVID‐19, thus reinforcing social inequalities on a grand scale both nationally and globally. Our two contrasting country cases thus reveal a global threat that should be treated as such. There is much to learn for Europe and the world from Brazil and Latin America on what happens when informal labour and poor work environments backfire during the COVID‐19 pandemic. We should listen carefully to these lessons.
Transcription factor FOXA3 promotes the development of Hepatoblastoma via regulating HNF1A, AFP, and ZFHX3 expression
Authors: Zhan Xiaoyun , Zhao Alan
Published: December 2020

Objective

In this research paper, we aimed to study the role of FOXA3 in hepatoblastoma (HB) and the molecular mechanism.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry was applied to determine the expression situation of FOXA3 and AFP in HB tissues and the adjacent normal tissues. FOXA3, HNF1A, and ZFHX3 expressions in HB tissues and the normal tissues were measured by Western blot. HB cell lines were randomly divided into 4 groups: Model, si‐NC, si‐FOXA3‐1, and si‐FOXA3‐2 group. The HB cell viability and colony formation characteristics in the 4 groups were explored by CCK‐8 and cell cloning formation assay, respectively. The expression of FOXA3, AFP, HNF1A, ZFHX3, and MYC in HB cells after knockdown of FOXA3 was measured.

Results

FOXA3, AFP, and HNF1A expressions were significantly up‐regulated in HB tissues, while ZFHX3 expression was down‐regulated. Knockdown of FOXA3 markedly inhibited HB cell viability and cloning formation ability. Knockdown of FOXA3 decreased FOXA3, AFP, and HNF1A/MYC expression, while increased ZFHX3 expression.

Conclusion

FOXA3 promotes the occurrence and development of HB by up‐regulating AFP and HNF1A/MYC expression, and down‐regulating ZFHX3 expression.
Prevalence of pretreatment HIV drug resistance in key populations: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Macdonald Virginia , Mbuagbaw Lawrence , Jordan Michael R , Mathers Bradley , Jay Sharon , Baggaley Rachel , Verster Annette , Bertagnolio Silvia
Published: December 2020

Introduction

WHO’s 2019 report on HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) documents a high prevalence of pretreatment drug resistance (PDR) among populations initiating first‐line antiretroviral therapy (ART) in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMIC). However, systematic evidence on the prevalence of PDR among key populations remains limited. We performed a systematic review to characterize levels of PDR in key population groups and compared them to levels of PDR in the “general population” across different geographical regions.

Methods

Ten electronic databases were searched for papers published until February 2019 that included predefined search terms. We included studies that reported the number of successfully tested genotypes and the number of genotypes with drug resistance mutations among antiretroviral therapy treatment naïve people, recently infected people, or people initiating first‐line ART from key populations. To assess the prevalence of PDR for each key population, we pooled estimates using random‐effects meta‐analysis of proportions. Where possible, we computed the differences in the odds of PDR (any, and by drug class) present in each key population compared to the “general population”. The I2 statistic (a measure of heterogeneity between studies) is reported.

Results and discussion

A total of 332 datasets (from 218 studies) and 63,111 people with successful HIVDR genotyping were included in the analysis. The pooled prevalence estimate of any PDR was high among men who have sex with men (13.0%, 95% CI 11.0 to 14.0%, I2 = 93.19), sex workers (17.0%, 95% CI 6.0 – 32.0, I2 = 87.31%) and people in prisons (18.0%, 95% CI 11.0 to 25.0, I2 = 70.18%), but less so among people who inject drugs (7.0%, 95% CI 5.0 to 10.0, I2 = 90.23). Overall, men who have sex with men were more likely to carry any PDR compared to the “general population,” a finding which was statistically significant (odds ratio (OR) 1.28, 95% CI 1.13 – 1.46, I2 48.9%).

Conclusions

High prevalence of PDR found in key populations highlights the need to increase access to effective first‐line HIV treatment. The low prevalence of nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) PDR suggests that current WHO recommendations for pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) regimens will remain effective and can be scaled up to prevent new HIV infections in high‐risk groups.
Denitrification, anammox, and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium across a mosaic of estuarine benthic habitats
Authors: Chen Jian‐Jhih , Erler Dirk V. , Wells Naomi S. , Huang Jianyin , Welsh David T. , Eyre Bradley D.
Published: December 2020

Estuaries play a key role in moderating the flow of nitrogen (N) to marine ecosystems. However, the magnitude of this N removal can vary dramatically both within and between estuaries due to the benthic habitats present. Here, we compare denitrification, coupled nitrification–denitrification, anammox, and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) across a mosaic of benthic habitats in the subtropical Noosa River Estuary, Australia. Using 15N tracer techniques and passive pore‐water samplers, we show that coupled nitrification–denitrification was the dominant pathway for N2 production across all habitats, with higher rates in vegetated habitats (10–70 μmol N m−2 h−1) compared to bare sediments (0.9–2 μmol N m−2 h−1). Unusual pore‐water profiles in the macroalgal sediments suggest the presence of sulfur‐driven anoxic nitrification of NH4+ to NO3− and N2. A benthic N budget showed that combined denitrification and coupled nitrification–denitrification accounted approximately 96% of the N2 production, while DNRA accounted for 9% of total NO3− reduction pathways in the Noosa River Estuary. The macroalgae habitat contributed 76% of total N removal via N2 production and 65% of N retention via DNRA, despite accounting for only 25% of the total surface area. We show a strong relationship between seagrass and macroalgae area and N2 production (r2 = 0.8; p < 0.01), and as such, the capacity to mitigate reactive N loads in estuaries may decrease with the large‐scale loss of seagrass and other vegetated habitats.
Robust topology optimization methodology for continuum structures under probabilistic and fuzzy uncertainties
Authors: Meng Zeng , Wu Yang , Wang Xuan , Ren Shanhong , Yu Bo
Published: December 2020

Owing to the variations in geometric dimensions, material properties and external loads in engineering applications, robust topology optimization (RTO) has garnered increasing attention in recent years to account for the uncertain behaviors during the preliminary concept design phases. This paper presents a hybrid RTO method to simultaneously resolve the epistemic and aleatory uncertainties. First, based on the probabilistic and fuzzy methodologies, the hybrid RTO model is formulated with nested double optimization loops using Monte Carlo simulations. Second, an efficient iterative method is proposed based on the perturbation method to accelerate the rate of convergence of the proposed hybrid RTO model. The derivatives of the hybrid robust compliance objective function with respect to the deterministic design variables, random parameters, and fuzzy parameters are then derived using the adjoint variable method. Finally, a T‐shaped beam design, an L‐shaped beam design, and a three‐dimensional cantilever beam design are tested to validate the proposed hybrid RTO method.
Anxiety and Depression in Health Workers and General Population During COVID‐19 in IRAN: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Hassannia Leila , Taghizadeh Fatemeh , Moosazadeh Mahmood , Zarghami Mehran , Taghizadeh Hassan , Dooki Azadeh Fathi , Fathi Mohammad , Alizadeh‐Navaei Reza , Hedayatizadeh‐Omran Akbar , Dehghan Niloufar
Published: December 2020

Background

The COVID‐19 outbreak has exerted a great deal of psychological pressure on Iranian health workers and the general population. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of pandemic on anxiety and depression in Iranian population.

Methods

An online cross‐sectional study was conducted for the general public and healthcare workers in Iran using a questionnaire comprised of demographic questions and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Chi‐square test and univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were conducted.

Results

Of the 2045 participants, 1136 (65.6%) were considered to have moderate and severe anxiety symptoms, and 865 (42.3%) had moderate and severe depression symptoms. The prevalence of anxiety was higher in the females than in the males (OR = 1.4, 95% CI: 1.123‐1.643, P = .002); the prevalence of anxiety was significantly higher in those aged 30‐39 years than in other age‐groups (OR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.123‐2.320, P = .001); furthermore, the prevalence of anxiety and depression was significantly higher in doctors and nurses compared with other occupations ((OR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.367‐2.491, P < .001) and (OR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.154‐2.021, P = .003)). In addition, the prevalence of anxiety symptoms in the likely infected COVID‐19 group was higher than in the noninfected COVID‐19 group (OR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.093‐1.654, P = .005).

Conclusions

Regarding the high prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms, especially among healthcare workers, appropriate psychological/psychiatric intervention necessitates.
Finite element modeling ofCFRPcomposite tubes under low velocity axial impact
Authors: Karagiozova Dora , Ataabadi Pouria B. , Alves Marcilio
Published: December 2020

The dynamic axial crushing response of circular tubes made of unidirectional carbon fiber‐epoxy composite was investigated numerically applying a new approach to the modeling of the delamination process. In the proposed approach, delamination (interface damage) was modeled by inserting isotropic resin plies capable of damage. They are tied to the adjacent laminae and replace the commonly used surface‐based cohesive model. Two multi‐layer models of laminated tubes having cross‐ply and angle‐ply stacking sequences were simulated using stacked conventional shell elements layers to capture the crushing response and intralaminar and interlayer damage of laminated tubes. The progressive failure analysis in Abaqus/Explicit was utilized to model the successive damage of both the interface and laminae. Both the intralaminar layers and isotropic resin layers were modeled by the conventional reduced integration shell element (S4R). The suggested modeling technique offers some advantages compared to the main‐stream interface modeling of the axial impact of laminated tubes. The computational cost is reduced and yet accurate predictions are obtained. The FE models based on the proposed delamination approach were validated by experimental test results obtained by the authors for cross‐ply and angle‐ply tubes subjected to a low‐velocity impact.
Postoperative inpatient utilization of opioid and opioid‐sparing analgesics in the United States hospitals, 2007–2017
Authors: Bykov Katsiaryna , Patorno Elisabetta , Franklin Jessica M. , Vine Seanna M. , Bateman Brian T.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

To evaluate recent trends in inpatient postoperative utilization of opioid and non‐opioid analgesics in US hospitals.

Methods

Using Premier Research database (October 2007–September 2017), we identified adults who were hospitalized for inpatient surgical procedures (N = 6 068 133). For each month, we calculated proportion of patients admitted that month who were administered (1) opioids, (2) acetaminophen, (3) non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSADs), and (4) gabapentinoids (gabapentin or pregabalin) during the postoperative period, defined as inpatient postoperative days 1–7, unless discharged earlier. For patients administered opioids, we estimated total and average daily postoperative opioid dose in morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs). Monthly measures were standardized to the distribution of surgeries and the length of postoperative stay within each surgery during the last year of available data.

Results

Overall, 90.8% of patients were administered opioids postoperatively; mean total postoperative dose was 304 MMEs (median 130). Both the frequency and the amount of opioids administered remained stable over 2007–2017. Postoperative use of acetaminophen increased from mean standardized monthly prevalence of 78% in 2007–2008 to 85% in 2017, while the use of NSAIDs remained stable at a standardized mean of 37%. The use of gabapentinoids increased from below 10% in 2007–2008 to the mean standardized monthly prevalence of 23% in 2017.

Conclusion

Despite growing awareness of risks associated with postoperative opioid use, we observed no change in postoperative utilization of opioids in US hospitals. Increasing the use of non‐opioid pain management approaches could constitute an important target in our efforts to curtail US opioid epidemic.
Registration of ‘CP 11‐1956’ sugarcane
Authors: Sandhu H.S. , Zhao D. , Davidson R.W. , Gordon V.S. , Islam M. , McCord P.H. , Sood S. , Baltazar M. , Singh M.P.
Published: December 2020

Sugarcane (a complex hybrid of Saccharum spp.) cultivar ‘CP 11‐1956’ (Reg. no. CV‐198, PI 695075) was released in June 2018 for commercial cultivation on organic (muck) soils in Florida. This cultivar was developed through a collaborative cultivar development program of the USDA–ARS, the University of Florida, and the Florida Sugar Cane League, based at Canal Point, FL. The parents of CP 11‐1956 are CP 03‐2188 (female) and CP 01‐2459 (male). CP 11‐1956 was released because of its excellent combination of disease resistance against major sugarcane diseases and cane and sugar yields that are similar to reference cultivars that are major commercial cultivars in Florida. CP 11‐1956 is considered resistant to brown rust, orange rust, ratoon stunting disease, smut, and mosaic. This cultivar is also moderately resistant to leaf scald and yellow leaf disease. Cane and sugar yields of CP 11‐1956 are similar to the reference cultivar CP 96‐1252 that has occupied the largest acreage in Florida for several years. CP 11‐1956 had poor freeze tolerance compared with several reference cultivars.
Engineering Layered Double Hydroxide–Based Photocatalysts Toward Artificial Photosynthesis: State‐of‐the‐Art Progress and Prospects
Authors: Ng Sue‐Faye , Lau Michelle Yu Ling , Ong Wee‐Jun
Published: December 2020

Layered double hydroxide (LDH) is a class of 2D nanomaterials, which endows auspicious properties for ameliorating the photocatalytic performance in the realm of solar‐to‐chemical production stemming from the chemical versatility of their host layers. However, pristine LDH suffers from slow charge‐carrier mobility, high rate of electron–hole recombination as well as a tendency to agglomerate, rendering them unbefitting for practical use. Due to the aforementioned bottlenecks, structural modifications such as thickness tuning, cocatalyst incorporation, semiconductor coupling, and ternary heterostructure engineering have been extensively investigated to elucidate a new lease of landscape to the burgeoning potential of LDHs toward artificial photosynthesis. This review summarizes a panorama of state‐of‐the‐art advancements related to the synthesis and modification of LDH‐based nanocomposites for enhanced physicochemical properties toward boosted photocatalysis. Particularly, their progress in versatile energy applications in photocatalytic water splitting (hydrogen and oxygen evolution), and nitrogen and carbon dioxide reduction reactions will be systematically presented. Insights into band structures, electronic properties, and charge‐carrier dynamics of LDH‐based nanostructures will be discussed to unravel the structure–performance relationship. Finally, this review will prospect the invigorating prospectives and opportunities in engineering next‐generation LDH‐based photocatalysts with augmented performances to pave new inroads at the forefront of this research.
Weyl Law on Asymptotically Euclidean Manifolds
Authors: Coriasco Sandro , Doll Moritz
Published: December 2020

We study the asymptotic behaviour of the eigenvalue counting function for self-adjoint elliptic linear operators defined through classical weighted symbols of order (1, 1), on an asymptotically Euclidean manifold. We first prove a two-term Weyl formula, improving previously known remainder estimates. Subsequently, we show that under a geometric assumption on the Hamiltonian flow at infinity, there is a refined Weyl asymptotics with three terms. The proof of the theorem uses a careful analysis of the flow behaviour in the corner component of the boundary of the double compactification of the cotangent bundle. Finally, we illustrate the results by analysing the operator$$Q=(1+|x|^2)(1-\varDelta )$$Q=(1+|x|2)(1-Δ)on$$\mathbb {R}^d$$Rd.
On the drawback of local detrending in universal kriging in conditions of heterogeneously spaced regional TEC data, low-order trends and outlier occurrences
Authors: Jarmołowski Wojciech , Wielgosz Paweł , Ren Xiaodong , Krypiak-Gregorczyk Anna
Published: December 2020

The study intercompares three stochastic interpolation methods originating from the same geostatistical family: least-squares collocation (LSC) known from geodesy, as well as ordinary kriging (OKR) and universal kriging (UKR) known from geology and other geosciences. The objective of this work is to assess advantages and drawbacks of fundamental differences in modeling between these methods in imperfect data conditions. These differences primarily refer to the treatment of the reference field, commonly called ‘mean value’ or ‘trend’ in geostatistical language. The trend in LSC is determined globally before the interpolation, whereas OKR and UKR detrend the observations during the modeling process. The approach to detrending leads to the evident differences between LSC, OKR and UKR, especially in severe conditions such as far from the optimal data distribution. The theoretical comparisons of LSC, OKR and UKR often miss the numerical proof, while numerical prediction examples do not apply cross-validation of the estimates, which is proven to be a reliable measure of the prediction precision and a validation of empirical covariances. Our study completes the investigations with precise parametrization of all these methods by leave-one-out validation. It finds the key importance of the detrending schemes and shows the advantage of LSC prior global detrending scheme in unfavorable conditions of sparse data, data gaps and outlier occurrence. The test case is the modeling of vertical total electron content (VTEC) derived from GNSS station data. This kind of data is a challenge for precise covariance modeling due to weak signal at higher frequencies and existing outliers. The computation of daily set of VTEC maps using the three techniques reveals the weakness of UKR solutions with a local detrending type in imperfect data conditions.
Determination of the lunar body tide from global laser altimetry data
Authors: Thor Robin N. , Kallenbach Reinald , Christensen Ulrich R. , Gläser Philipp , Stark Alexander , Steinbrügge Gregor , Oberst Jürgen
Published: December 2020

We use global data from the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) to retrieve the lunar tidal Love number $$h_2$$

h
2

and find $$h_2 = 0.0387\pm 0.0025$$

h
2

=
0.0387
±
0.0025

. This result is in agreement with previous estimates from laser altimetry using crossover points of LOLA profiles. The Love numbers $$k_2$$

k
2

and $$h_2$$

h
2

are key constraints on planetary interior models. We further develop and apply a retrieval method based on a simultaneous inversion for the topography and the tidal signal benefiting from the large volume of LOLA data. By the application to the lunar tides, we also demonstrate the potential of the method for future altimetry experiments at other planetary bodies. The results of this study are very promising with respect to the determination of Mercury’s and Ganymede’s $$h_2$$

h
2

from future altimeter measurements.
Log smooth deformation theory via Gerstenhaber algebras
Authors: Felten Simon
Published: December 2020

We construct a $$k\left[ \!\left[ Q\right] \!\right] $$

k

Q

-linear predifferential graded Lie algebra $$L^{\bullet }_{X_0/S_0}$$

L

X
0

/

S
0

∙

associated to a log smooth and saturated morphism $$f_0: X_0 \rightarrow S_0$$

f
0

:

X
0

→

S
0

and prove that it controls the log smooth deformation functor. This provides a geometric interpretation of a construction in Chan et al. (Geometry of the Maurer-Cartan equation near degenerate Calabi-Yau varieties, 2019. arXiv:1902.11174) whereof $$L^{\bullet }_{X_0/S_0}$$

L

X
0

/

S
0

∙

is a purely algebraic version. Our proof crucially relies on studying deformations of the Gerstenhaber algebra of polyvector fields; this method is closely related to recent developments in mirror symmetry.
Fetal Echocardiographic Dimension Indices: Important Predictors of Postnatal Coarctation
Authors: Fricke Katrin , Liuba Petru , Weismann Constance G.
Published: December 2020

The aim of the study is to identify reliable quantitative fetal echocardiographic predictors for postnatal development of coarctation (CoA). In this retrospective study, we included 65 fetuses with a prenatally suspected, isolated CoA, born 2010–2018. Dimensions of the cardiac structures, aortic, and ductal arches expressed as ratios and Z-scores were analyzed in relation to outcome. Fetuses that developed CoA postnatally (34%) exhibited significantly smaller Z-scores of left cardiac structures from the mitral valve to the aortic isthmus. The most sensitive and specific predictors were a carotid-subclavian artery index (CSAI) of < 0.78 (92.3% sensitivity, 96.8% specificity) or a product of isthmus-to-duct ratio in the three-vessel trachea view (3VT) and the mitral-to-tricuspid valve ratio (I/D3VTxMV/TV) of < 0.37 (100% sensitivity, 94.6% specificity). When comparing different Z-score datasets, we observed large and highly significant differences. Postnatal CoA can be predicted with high accuracy during fetal life using CSAI or I/D3VTxMV/TV. The latter may be particularly useful if adequate sagittal aortic arch images cannot be obtained. As significant and clinically unacceptable differences in Z-scores were observed for the same measurements, this calls for a large multi-center collaboration to generate reliable fetal echocardiographic Z-scores.
Current state of perinatal postmortem magnetic resonance imaging: European Society of Paediatric Radiology questionnaire-based survey and recommendations
Authors: Whitby Elspeth , Offiah Amaka C. , Shelmerdine Susan C. , van Rijn Rick R. , Aertsen Michael , Klein Willemijn M. , Perry David , Goergen Stacy K. , Abel Christian , Taranath Ajay , Gascho Dominic , Miller Elka , Arthurs Owen J.
Published: December 2020

Background

Postmortem magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in perinatal and childhood deaths is increasingly used as a noninvasive adjunct or alternative to autopsy. Imaging protocols vary between centres and consensus guidelines do not exist.

Objective

Our aim was to develop practical, standardised recommendations for perinatal postmortem MRI.

Materials and methods

Recommendations were based on the results of two surveys regarding local postmortem MRI practices sent electronically to all 14 members of the European Society of Paediatric Radiology (ESPR) Postmortem Imaging Task Force and 17 members of the International Society of Forensic Radiology and Imaging Task Force (25 different centres).

Results

Overall, 11/14 (78.6%) respondents from different institutions perform postmortem MRI. All of these centres perform postmortem MRI for perinatal and neonatal deaths, but only 6/11 (54.5%) perform imaging in older children.

Conclusion

We propose a clinical standard for postmortem MRI sequences plus optional sequences for neuroimaging and cardiac anatomy depending on available scanning time and referral indications.
Clinical Outcomes of Ambulatory Endovascular Treatment Using 4-French and 6-French Femoral Access Strategies: The Bio4amb Multicentre Trial
Authors: Brodmann Marianne , Deloose Koen , Steinmetz Eric , Regnard Olivier , Ritter Jens C. , Berger Ludovic , Dahm Johannes B. , Jansen Shirley , Mwipatayi Bibombe P. , Desgranges Pascal , Hausegger Klaus , van den Berg Jos C. ,   on behalf of the BIO4AMB investigators
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Ambulatory peripheral vascular interventions have been steadily increasing. In ambulatory procedures, 4F devices might be particularly useful having the potential to reduce access-site complications; however, further evidence on their safety and efficacy is needed.

Materials and Methods

BIO4AMB is a prospective, non-randomized mulitcentre, non-inferiority trial conducted in 35 centres in Europe and Australia comparing the use of 4F- and 6F-compatible devices. The main exclusion criteria included an American Society of Anaesthesiologists class ≥ 4, coagulation disorders, or social isolation. The primary endpoint was access-site complications within 30 days.

Results

The 4F group enrolled 390 patients and the 6F group 404 patients. Baseline characteristics were similar between the groups. Vascular closure devices were used in 7.7% (4F group) and 87.6% (6F group) of patients. Patients with vascular closure device use in the 4F group were subsequently excluded from the primary analysis, resulting in 361 patients in the 4F group. Time to haemostasis was longer for the 4F group, but the total procedure time was shorter (13.2 ± 18.8 vs. 6.4 ± 8.9 min, p < 0.0001, and 39.1 ± 25.2 vs. 46.4 ± 27.6 min, p < 0.0001). Discharge on the day of the procedure was possible in 95.0% (4F group) and 94.6% (6F group) of patients. Access-site complications were similar between the groups (2.8% and 3.2%) and included predominantly groin haematomas and pseudoaneurysms. Major adverse events through 30 days occurred in 1.7% and 2.0%, respectively.

Conclusions

Ambulatory peripheral vascular interventions are feasible and safe. The use of 4F devices resulted in similar outcomes compared to that of 6F devices.
Impact of chest wall deformity on cardiac function by CMR and feature-tracking strain analysis in paediatric patients with Marfan syndrome
Authors: Lam Hy Van , Groth Michael , Mir Thomas , Bannas Peter , Lund Gunnar K. , Jahnke Charlotte M. , Warncke Malte , Maas Kai-Jonathan , Adam Gerhard , Herrmann Jochen , Tahir Enver
Published: December 2020

Objectives

To evaluate systolic cardiac dysfunction in paediatric MFS patients with chest wall deformity using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging and feature-tracking strain analysis.

Methods

Forty paediatric MFS patients (16 ± 3 years, range 8−22 years) and 20 age-matched healthy controls (16 ± 4 years, range 11−24 years) were evaluated retrospectively. Biventricular function and volumes were determined using cine sequences. Feature-tracking CMR was used to assess global systolic longitudinal (GLS), circumferential (GCS) and radial strain (GRS). A dedicated balanced turbo field echo sequence was used to quantify chest wall deformity by measuring the Haller index (HI).

Results

LV volumes and ejection fraction (EF) were similar in MFS patients and controls. There was a trend for lower right ventricular (RV) volume (75 ± 17 vs. 81 ± 10 ml/m2, p = 0.08), RV stroke volume (41 ± 12 vs. 50 ± 5 ml/m2, p < 0.001) and RVEF (55 ± 10 vs. 62 ± 6%, p < 0.01) in MFS patients. A subgroup of MFS patients had an increased HI compared to controls (4.6 ± 1.7 vs. 2.6 ± 0.3, p < 0.001). They demonstrated a reduced RVEF compared to MFS patients without chest wall deformity (50 ± 11% vs. 58 ± 8%, p = 0.01) and controls (p < 0.001). LV GLS was attenuated when HI ≥ 3.25 (- 16 ± 2 vs. - 18 ± 3%, p = 0.03), but not GCS and GRS. LV GLS (p < 0.01) and GCS (p < 0.0001) were attenuated in MFS patients compared to controls, but not GRS (p = 0.31). RV GLS was attenuated in MFS patients compared to controls (- 21 ± 3 vs. - 23 ± 3%, p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Chest wall deformity in paediatric MFS patients is associated with reduced RV volume, ejection fraction and GLS. Feature-tracking CMR also indicates impairment of systolic LV function in paediatric MFS patients.

Key Points

• Paediatric Marfan patients demonstrate reduced RV volume and ejection fraction compared to healthy controls.

• A concordant attenuation in RV global longitudinal strain was observed in Marfan patients, while the RV global circumferential strain was increased, indicating a possible compensatory mechanism.

• Subgroup analyses demonstrated alterations in RV ejection fraction and RV/LV global strain parameters, indicating a possible association of severe chest wall deformity with biventricular dysfunction in paediatric Marfan patients.
The CMIP6 Historical Simulation Datasets Produced by the Climate System Model CAMS-CSM
Authors: Rong Xinyao , Li Jian , Chen Haoming , Su Jingzhi , Hua Lijuan , Zhang Zhengqiu , Xin Yufei
Published: December 2020

This paper describes the historical simulations produced by the Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences (CAMS) climate system model (CAMS-CSM), which are contributing to phase 6 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6). The model description, experiment design and model outputs are presented. Three members’ historical experiments are conducted by CAMS-CSM, with two members starting from different initial conditions, and one excluding the stratospheric aerosol to identify the effect of volcanic eruptions. The outputs of the historical experiments are also validated using observational data. It is found that the model can reproduce the climatological mean states and seasonal cycle of the major climate system quantities, including the surface air temperature, precipitation, and the equatorial thermocline. The long-term trend of air temperature and precipitation is also reasonably captured by CAMS-CSM. There are still some biases in the model that need further improvement. This paper can help the users to better understand the performance and the datasets of CAMS-CSM.
Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) for the treatment of ileocolonic Crohn’s disease: a propensity score–matched analysis
Authors:   SICCR Current status of Crohn’s disease surgery collaborative, Celentano Valerio , Pellino Gianluca , Rottoli Matteo , Colombo Francesco , Sampietro Gianluca , Spinelli Antonino , Selvaggi Francesco
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) aims to minimize the surgical access trauma by reducing the number of abdominal incisions to a single site, potentially offering better cosmetic results and decreased postoperative pain. In this study, we compare the results of SILS ileocolic resection for Crohn’s disease (CD) to conventional laparoscopy and open surgery using a propensity score–matched analysis in a retrospective national multicentre study.

Methods

All consecutive patients undergoing elective SILS ileocaecal or redo ileocolic resection for primary and recurrent CD from 1 June 2018 to 31 May 2019 were included. Patients were matched 1:1:1 with laparoscopy and open surgery according to perianal disease, recurrent disease, penetrating phenotype of CD, history of previous abdominal surgery, preoperative medical treatment with steroids and anti-TNF. Postoperative morbidity within 30 days of surgery was the primary endpoint.

Results

Fifty-eight patients were included in each group, for a total of 174 patients. The conversion rate for SILS and laparoscopy was 10.3% and 12%, respectively, with no difference in the incidence of postoperative complications (13.8% and 12%, p = 0.77), whilst open surgery demonstrated a worse morbidity profile, with a complication rate of 25.9% (p < 0.0001). Median length of hospital stay following SILS ileocolic resection was 5 days, significantly shorter compared to 7 days for laparoscopy and 9 for open surgery (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

SILS ileocolonic resection for CD demonstrated a comparable morbidity profile compared to laparoscopy in selected patients, with a reduced length of postoperative hospital stay.
Formation of Bushveld anorthosite by reactive porous flow
Authors: Maier W. D. , Barnes S.-J. , Muir D. , Savard D. , Lahaye Y. , Smith W. D.
Published: December 2020

Bushveld anorthosites commonly contain the so-called “mottles” comprising irregular, typically centimetric domains of oikocrystic pyroxene or olivine enclosing small, embayed plagioclase grains. The mottles were traditionally interpreted to result from solidification of trapped intercumulus liquid or via in situ crystallisation at the top of the crystal mush. Here, we present microtextural and compositional data of a mottle to place further constraints on the formation of anorthosite layers. Element maps generated by scanning electron microscopy reveal that plagioclase within and around the mottle has markedly elevated An contents (up to An95) relative to the host anorthosite and is strongly reversely zoned. Other unusual features, some of which were reported previously, include a halo of sub-vertically oriented, acicular phlogopite around the mottle, elevated contents of disseminated sulfides, and relatively evolved yet Ni-rich olivine (Fo71–75, 3000 ppm Ni). These features are interpreted to result from reactive porous flow of hot, acidic fluid enriched in nickel and sulfur through proto norite. The fluids dissolved mafic minerals and leached alkalis from the outer rims of plagioclase grains. Reconnaissance studies suggest that reversed zoning of plagioclase is a common feature in Bushveld norite and anorthosite. This implies that reactive porous flow could have been far more pervasive than currently realised and that Bushveld anorthosite layers formed through recrystallisation of norites.
Investigation of anodic behaviour of phenylethers in non-aqueous solvents on platinum and glassy carbon electrodes
Authors: Kiss László , Kovács Ferenc , Kunsági-Máté Sándor
Published: December 2020

Electrooxidation of selected phenylethers was investigated (2-phenoxyethanol, anisole, o-nitrophenyl octyl ether, diphenylether, fenoxycarb) on platinum and glassy carbon electrodes. The chosen solvents were acetonitrile, dimethyl sulphoxide, 1-propanol and mesityl oxide. In acetonitrile, at around 2 V characteristic voltammetric peaks appeared for all compounds. In dimethyl sulphoxide and 1-propanol, no relevant peak appeared due to the high overlapping with solvent electrooxidation. During anodic oxidation of o-nitrophenyl octyl ether and fenoxycarb, a bimolecular reaction takes place predominantly. In mesityl oxide due to its unsaturated bond, identical behaviour was observed for majority of compounds and the differences between the two electrodes are also highlighted in the surface studies. The images made with the aid of an optical microscope showed the formation of islands of products for each substrate after deposition from mesityl oxide.
Validating a short form of the Parental-Caregivers Perceptions Questionnaire (P-CPQ) and the Family Impact Scale (FIS) in Finnish language
Authors: Keränen A. , Karki S. , Anttonen V. , Laitala M-L.
Published: December 2020

Aim

This study aimed to adapt the short-form versions of the Parental-Caregivers Perceptions Questionnaire (P-CPQ), and the Family Impact Scale (FIS) in the Finnish language and to test its validity and reliability. Another aim was to compare the background factors of parents with respect to P-CPQ and FIS outcomes.

Methods

This study was conducted among a convenient sample of parents who visited the public dental clinic in Sievi, Finland, from May to October 2016. A total of 54 parents of 2–8-year-old children completed the short-form of the P-CPQ questionnaire and 50 parents of 2–8-year-olds completed the FIS questionnaire while visiting for their children’s routine dental check-up. Parents completed the self-administered P-CPQ and FIS questionnaires. Reliability and validity of the short-form of the P-CPQ and FIS were assessed. Differences between gender, and family size were evaluated using the Mann–WhitneyUtest and the differences between age groups were evaluated using the Kruskal–Wallis one-way ANOVA test.

Result

The Finnish versions of both the short forms of the P-CPQ and FIS had alpha values within the acceptable range. The scales also showed good construct validity. Toddlers (2–4-year olds) had the highest scores for both the P-CPQ and FIS-8 subscales. Likewise, families with 5 or more children had high FIS scores.

Conclusion

The short form of the P-CPQ and FIS in Finnish language are valid and reliable. The oral health of the child seems to have the greatest family impact among parents with five or more children and in families with 2–4-year olds.
An ethical intuitionist account of transparency of algorithms and its gradations
Authors: Hayes Paul
Published: December 2020

To make evaluations about the morally relevant impacts of algorithms, transparency is needed. This paper lays out discussion of algorithms and transparency in an explicitly moral analysis with a special focus on the domain of justice and security. The paper provides an account of the moral import of transparency, defined itself as an instrumental value denoting a state of affairs conducive to acquisition of knowledge about some X. A normative account of transparency is outlined relying on an intuitionist framework rooted in the works of Ross and Robert Audi. It will be argued that transparency can be derived as a subsidiary (prima facie) principle from other duties including beneficence and justice and that it is groundable in the value of knowledge. Building on this foundation, the paper examines transparency and duty conflict with a special focus on algorithms in justice and security, recognising that complete transparency can be impossible where duties conflict. It is argued that as a subsidiary (prima facie) principle, transparency is overridable but ineradicable, which is to say that sufficiently justifiable reasons for secrecy or opacity can licence limiting transparency, that is, there may be occasion where full transparency is not our final duty.
Salt Tolerance in the Halophyte Suaeda maritima L. Dum.—the Effect of Oxygen Supply and Culture Medium on Growth
Authors: Alhdad Gazala M. , Flowers Timothy J.
Published: December 2020

Suaeda maritima is an annual species that grows in salt marshes and tolerates not only salt but also flooding, although plants are smaller at lower than at higher elevations of salt marshes. We investigated whether adventitious roots play a role in tolerance to flooding and how flooding affects ion accumulation in the shoots, a determinant of growth in this species. We examined the response of plants grown in Stout and Arnon culture solution to different periods of flooding at different salinities and verified our results with plants grown in other culture solutions (Hoagland and Yoshida). We measured growth, photosynthesis and estimated stomatal frequency as well as the accumulation of Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and K+: plants grew and photosynthesised optimally in 200-mM Na+ (in Stout and Arnon solution), but the optimal concentration for growth increased to 450 mM when in Yoshida solution. Flooding always decreased growth, but had little effect on Na+ concentrations. Although plants produced adventitious roots, their mass decreased rather than increased with flooding. The decrease in production of adventitious roots under flooded conditions suggested that they were not important in the tolerance of this species to submergence—an unusual response compared with the general response of flooding-tolerant plants.
Citizenship without Belonging? Contesting Economic Space in Oman
Authors: Ennis Crystal A.
Published: December 2020

How do perceptions of not belonging inform economic life? For many young Omanis, the labor market is a site of contestation and a space of struggle. In this essay, I explore a neglected dimension of belonging in the Gulf—citizen labor—by looking at Omani millennials in the labor market. Despite holding legal citizenship, a sense of belonging remains elusive in much of the private sector. Many Omani young people perceive a tenuous economic citizenship, complicating narratives around belonging or not belonging in the Arabian Peninsula. I draw from lessons learned while researching my current book and exploring social relations and regulation of labor markets, and reflect on how the knowledge and theories produced concerning Gulf labor markets rarely engage with the citizens in them.
Past records and current distribution of seabirds at Larsemann Hills and Schirmacher Oasis, east Antarctica
Authors: Pande Anant , Mondol Samrat , Sathyakumar Sambandam , Mathur Vinod B. , Ray Yogesh , Sivakumar Kuppusamy
Published: December 2020

Seabird populations in Antarctica serve as indicators to assess the impacts of global environmental change. Ecological data on seabirds in Antarctica are scarce due to limited knowledge on their distribution and abundance in most parts of the continent. In this study, we investigated the status of seabird species around the Indian research stations Bharati at Larsemann Hills, Prydz bay and Maitri at Schirmacher Oasis, central Dronning Maud Land located in east Antarctica. We conducted primary surveys during austral summers under the Indian Antarctic Program and compiled published as well as unpublished information on seabird distribution from these areas. We employed intensive area search methods to locate presence of seabird nesting and moulting sites. Ten species were recorded from Larsemann Hills with confirmed breeding of snow petrel, south polar skua and Wilson’s storm-petrel. Only south polar skua and Adélie penguin were reported breeding at Schirmacher Oasis with unconfirmed breeding of Wilson’s storm-petrel. This study presents the first detailed synthesis of status of seabirds from Larsemann Hills and Schirmacher Oasis regions in Antarctica and serves as a strong baseline for future ecological work on seabirds in the sector of operation of Indian Antarctic Program.
An investigation into the status of Thailand’s music education systems and organisation
Authors: Laovanich Vitchatalum , Chuppunnarat Yootthana , Laovanich Monsikarn , Saibunmi Skowrung
Published: December 2020

The purpose of this exploratory sequential mixed methods research is to (1) analyse research on the problems in music education management in Thailand in the past 5–10 years and (2) explore the current resources of music education in Thai institutions under the Office of The Basic Education Commission (OBEC). The study found that (1) the problems regarding music education in Thailand were lack of experts, lack of music curriculum, lack of musical instruments and proper classrooms, administration systems, lack of budget, lack of music-related activities and disagreement in the perceptions of school directors and teachers; and (2) under the OBEC, there were 30,112 schools in total with 6,781,130 students in the 2018 academic year. As for music teachers, the majority, 68.9%, possess an educational background in music or music education. Overall, most of the schools of all sizes tend to lack Thai, Western and Thai folk musical instruments.
Soft Balancing, Institutions, and Peaceful Change
Authors: Wivel Anders , Paul T. V.
Published: December 2020

As part of the roundtable “International Institutions and Peaceful Change,” this essay examines the role of institutional soft balancing in bringing forth peaceful change in international relations. Soft balancing is understood as attempts at restraining a threatening power through institutional delegitimization, as opposed to hard balancing, which relies on arms buildup and formal alignments. We argue that soft balancing through international institutions can be an effective means to peaceful change, spanning minimalist goals, which aim at incremental change without the use of military force and war, and maximalist goals, which seek more profound change and transformation in the form of continuous interstate cooperation aimed at a more peaceful and just world order. However, the success of soft-balancing strategies in fostering peaceful change varies widely, even in today's globalized and institutionalized international environment. We explore these variations and identify three conditions for success that can inform both academic analysis and political practice: inclusion, commitment, and status recognition. We draw lessons from two historical examples: the Concert of Europe in the early nineteenth century and the League of Nations in the early twentieth century, and discuss how current threats to the liberal international order challenge soft balancing for peaceful change.
Elaboration Tolerant Representation of Markov Decision Process via Decision-Theoretic Extension of Probabilistic Action Language +
Authors: WANG YI , LEE JOOHYUNG
Published: December 2020

We extend probabilistic action language $p{\cal BC}$+ with the notion of utility in decision theory. The semantics of the extended $p{\cal BC}$+ can be defined as a shorthand notation for a decision-theoretic extension of the probabilistic answer set programming language LPMLN. Alternatively, the semantics of $p{\cal BC}$+ can also be defined in terms of Markov decision process (MDP), which in turn allows for representing MDP in a succinct and elaboration tolerant way as well as leveraging an MDP solver to compute a $p{\cal BC}$+ action description. The idea led to the design of the system pbcplus2mdp, which can find an optimal policy of a $p{\cal BC}$+ action description using an MDP solver.
Renewable Energy Federalism in Germany and the United States
Authors: Saurer Johannes , Monast Jonas
Published: December 2020

The Federal Republic of Germany and the United States (US) have adopted different models for energy federalism. Germany allocates more authority to the federal government and the US relies on a decentralized cooperative federalism model that preserves key roles for state actors. This article explores and compares the relevance of federal legal structures for renewable energy expansion in both countries. It sets out the constitutional, statutory, and factual foundations in both Germany and the US, and explores the legal and empirical dimensions of renewable energy expansion at the federal and state levels. The article concludes by drawing several comparative lessons about the significance of federal structures for energy transition processes.