bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long-term efficacy assessment of current treatment options for epistaxis in HHT
Authors: Dür Cilgia , Anschuetz L. , Negoias S. , Bulut O. C. , Angelillo-Scherrer A. , Caversaccio M.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a vascular disorder that presents with recurrent, intractable epistaxis. The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyze the efficacy of various treatment options for epistaxis in patients with HHT, over a period of 18 years, and to correlate these findings with available evidence in the literature.

Methods

Records of patients with HHT, treated for epistaxis between 2000 and 2018 were analyzed. Treatment procedures carried out and their efficacy were extracted and analyzed.

Results

Forty-three records were evaluated. All patients were given nasal humidifying ointments, 93% required acute treatment with bipolar electrocautery, and 60% underwent atraumatic nasal packing. Recurrent cases were treated medically with tranexamic acid (26%), oestrogen (19%), and bevacizumab (2%). Laser photocoagulation was done in selected cases (40%) and if unsuccessful, septal dermoplasty was performed (2.3%). Endovascular embolization was reserved for life-threatening emergencies (7%).

Conclusion

Epistaxis in HHT is not curable, but can be managed by employing a comprehensive stepwise approach. An algorithm for effective and comprehensive management has been presented.
Spiritual quality of life in family carers of patients with advanced cancer—a cross-sectional study
Authors: Røen Ingebrigt , Brenne Anne-Tove , Brunelli Cinzia , Stifoss-Hanssen Hans , Grande Gunn , Solheim Tora Skeidsvoll , Kaasa Stein , Knudsen Anne Kari
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Caring affects carers’ psychological and physical health, mortality, and quality of life (QoL) negatively. Lower spiritual QoL is associated with anxiety and depression, but the spiritual dimension is rarely investigated in carers. The present study aimed to explore which patient- and carer-related characteristics were associated with spiritual QoL in carers of patients with advanced cancer.

Methods

Secondary analyses were conducted using data from a prospective study investigating integration between oncology and palliative care. Adult patients with advanced cancer and their carers were included, and baseline data considering demographics, clinical characteristics, symptoms, social support, and religious meaning-making were registered. Spiritual QoL was measured using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy - Spiritual well-being (FACIT-Sp-12) questionnaire. Associations to spiritual QoL were explored by bivariate and multivariate regression models.

Results

In total, 84 carers were included, median age was 62.5 years, 52 (62%) were female, and the average spiritual QoL score was 23.3. In bivariate analyses, higher education, social support, and lower patients’ symptom burden were significantly associated with higher spiritual QoL. The multivariate regression model (n=77) had an explained variance (R2) = 0.34 and showed a significant association for social support, higher education, having children < 18 years living at home, and patient’s age.

Conclusion

The study indicates that spiritual QoL in carers were low and were negatively affected by several factors related to both carers and patients. However, there could be other important factors not yet described. Health care professionals should be aware of the known associated factors, as carers who hold these may need extra support.
The Unyvero Hospital-Acquired pneumonia panel for diagnosis of secondary bacterial pneumonia in COVID-19 patients
Authors: Tellapragada Chaitanya , Giske Christian G.
Published: March 2021

The study was undertaken to evaluate the performance of Unyvero Hospitalized Pneumonia (HPN) panel application, a multiplex PCR-based method for the detection of bacterial pathogens from lower respiratory tract (LRT) samples, obtained from COVID-19 patients with suspected secondary hospital-acquired pneumonia. Residual LRT samples obtained from critically ill COVID-19 patients with predetermined microbiological culture results were tested using the Unyvero HPN Application. Performance evaluation of the HPN Application was carried out using the standard-of-care (SoC) microbiological culture findings as the reference method. Eighty-three LRT samples were used in the evaluation. The HPN Application had a full concordance with SoC findings in 59/83 (71%) samples. The new method detected additional bacterial species in 21 (25%) and failed at detecting a bacterial species present in lower respiratory culture in 3 (3.6%) samples. Overall the sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values of the HPN Application were 95.1% (95%CI 96.5–98.3%), 98.3% (95% CI 97.5–98.9%), 71.6% (95% CI 61.0–80.3%), and 99.8% (95% CI 99.3–99.9%), respectively. In conclusion, the HPN Application demonstrated higher diagnostic yield in comparison with the culture and generated results within 5 h.
An active-set algorithm for norm constrained quadratic problems
Authors: Rontsis Nikitas , Goulart Paul J. , Nakatsukasa Yuji
Published: March 2021

We present an algorithm for the minimization of a nonconvex quadratic function subject to linear inequality constraints and a two-sided bound on the 2-norm of its solution. The algorithm minimizes the objective using an active-set method by solving a series of trust-region subproblems (TRS). Underpinning the efficiency of this approach is that the global solution of the TRS has been widely studied in the literature, resulting in remarkably efficient algorithms and software. We extend these results by proving that nonglobal minimizers of the TRS, or a certificate of their absence, can also be calculated efficiently by computing the two rightmost eigenpairs of an eigenproblem. We demonstrate the usefulness and scalability of the algorithm in a series of experiments that often outperform state-of-the-art approaches; these include calculation of high-quality search directions arising in Sequential Quadratic Programming on problems of the collection, and Sparse Principal Component Analysis on a large text corpus problem (70 million nonzeros) that can help organize documents in a user interpretable way.
Observations from the 26th November 2019 Albania earthquake: the earthquake engineering field investigation team (EEFIT) mission
Authors: Freddi Fabio , Novelli Viviana , Gentile Roberto , Veliu Enes , Andreev Stoyan , Andonov Anton , Greco Federica , Zhuleku Emiljano
Published: March 2021

On the 26th of November 2019, an earthquake of moment magnitude 6.4 struck the northwest region of Albania as the result of thrust faulting near the convergent boundary of the Africa and Eurasia plates causing widespread damage to buildings in the city of Durrës and the surrounding areas. Based on the official data from the national authorities, the earthquake caused 51 casualties and 985 million-euro losses, corresponding to 7.5% of the 2018 gross domestic product. This paper summarises field observations made by the Earthquake Engineering Field Investigation Team (EEFIT) after the event. The paper presents an overview of the seismological aspects of the earthquake together with a brief overview of the damage, official loss statistics and the estimated macro- and socio-economic consequences of the event. In addition, it provides a summary of the observed damage to both recent and historical buildings as well as the description of several case studies to illustrate the characteristic damage patterns observed in the main structural typologies of the Albanian building stock. These observations try to identify possible links between the observed damage patterns and the deficiencies in construction practice and use of inappropriate retrofit techniques for historical assets. As many severe damages were observed on modern buildings, this also allows the identification of some gaps and possible areas of development of the current seismic design code. In the end, the lessons learned from the field survey are resumed.
Foliar endophytes in trees varying greatly in age
Authors: Yu Zhongdong , Ding Hongru , Shen Kuocheng , Bu Fangfang , Newcombe George , Liu Huixiang
Published: March 2021

Temple trees, including the gymnosperm Platycladus orientalis and the angiosperm Styphnolobium japonicum, have been planted in China for thousands of years. Tree age thus varies widely from young to ancient trees. Foliar endophytes of P. orientalis and S. japonicum were surveyed in this exploratory study that was based on isolation into culture and sequencing of fungi from trees varying in age from 10 to 5000 years (P. orientalis) and from 10 to 1700 years (S. japonicum). Sequenced endophytes of P. orientalis and S. japonicum belonged to 24 and 16 fungal genera, respectively. Principal components analysis showed that 14 components were necessary to explain 90% of the variance in endophyte community structure in P. orientalis. In S. japonicum eight components were needed for 90%. It is against that backdrop of complex etiology in community structuring, that the relative frequencies (abundances) of 17 of the 24 endophytes from P. orientalis and 9 of the 16 from S. japonicum were significantly correlated with tree age. There were two major trends. Abundant fungal genera [Fusarium + Alternaria = 74.57% (P. orientalis) and 81.24% (S. japonicum)] tended to decline linearly with tree age. Most of the rare fungal genera, in contrast, increased in relative abundance linearly with tree age. Diversity (H′) and richness (Margalef) of endophyte communities in foliage thus increased as the trees aged. Relative abundances of pathogenic endophytes, or latent pathogens, (Pestalotiopsis funerea and Amyloporia subxantha in P. orientalis; Collectotrichum gloeosporioides and Botryosphaeria dothidea in S. japonicum) also increased linearly as the trees aged.Since leaf age does not vary with tree age in the deciduous S. japonicum, nor in the evergreen P. orientalis, ‘tree age’ currently lacks a mechanistic explanation for its apparent importance among common foliar endophytes.
Evidence of synergism among three genetic variants in a patient with LMNA-related lipodystrophy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis leading to a remarkable nuclear phenotype
Authors: Volkening Kathryn , Farhan Sali M. K. , Kao Jessica , Leystra-Lantz Cheryl , Ang Lee Cyn , McIntyre Adam , Wang Jian , Hegele Robert A. , Strong Michael J.
Published: March 2021

Neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), can be clinically heterogeneous which may be explained by the co-inheritance of multiple genetic variants that modify the clinical course. In this study we examine variants in three genes in a family with one individual presenting with ALS and lipodystrophy. Sequencing revealed a p.Gly602Ser variant inLMNA, and two additional variants, one each inSETX(g.intron10-13delCTT) andFUS(p.Gly167_Gly168del). These latter genes have been linked to ALS. All family members were genotyped and each variant, and each combination of variants detected, were functionally evaluated in vitro regarding effects on cell survival, expression patterns and cellular phenotype. Muscle biopsy retrieved from the individual with ALS showed leakage of chromatin from the nucleus, a phenotype that was recapitulated in vitro with expression of all three variants simultaneously. Individually expressed variants gave cellular phenotypes there were unremarkable. Interestingly theFUSvariant appears to be protective against the effects of theSETXand theLMNAvariants on cell viability and may indicate loss of interaction of FUS with SETX and/or R-loops. We conclude that these findings support genetic modifications as an explanation of the clinical heterogeneity observed in human disease.
Is expressivism theologically acceptable?
Authors: Lambert St.John
Published: March 2021

As a matter of fact, few, if any, theists have been expressivists about morality. This is probably because expressivism is thought to have unacceptable theological implications. That is, it is thought to imply (1) that God’s goodness depends on our desire-like states, (2) that God’s goodness is not a real property, (3) that it is not true that God is good, and (4) that God’s moral thoughts have no explanation. I argue that expressivism has no such implications and conclude that expressivism is theologically acceptable.
Hilft viel viel? Der Einfluss von Studienstrukturen auf das Professionswissen angehender Physiklehrkräfte
Authors: Schiering Dustin , Sorge Stefan , Neumann Knut
Published: March 2021

Universitäre Lerngelegenheiten sind zentral für den Erwerb des Fachwissens (FW) und fachdidaktischen Wissens (FDW) angehender Lehrkräfte. Die Unterschiede in Umfang und Inhalt der Lerngelegenheiten zwischen den Hochschulen sind jedoch groß. Am Beispiel des Physik-Lehramtsstudiums werden in dieser Studie verschiedene Studienstrukturen und ihr Einfluss auf das FW und FDW angehender Lehrkräfte analysiert. Hierzu wurden Curricula von 20 deutschen Hochschulen für das Lehramt verglichen und Inhalt sowie Umfang ihrer fach- und fachdidaktischen Anteile in den ersten sechs Semestern identifiziert. Mit Blick auf die fachliche Ausbildung angehender Lehrkräfte zeigte sich, dass sie den Umfang der fachdidaktischen Ausbildung um etwa das Fünffache übersteigt. Zudem konnten vier Cluster identifiziert werden, die als prototypische Curricula mit geringem bzw. umfangreichen Fach- und Fachdidaktikanteil interpretiert werden können. Cluster mit umfangreichen Fachanteilen wirken sich dabei signifikant besser auf das FW aus. Zudem ist der Zusammenhang von FW und FDW abhängig von der Studienstruktur, so hängt das FDW von Probanden aus Studiengängen mit geringen Fachdidaktikanteilen stärker vom FW ab.
Advances in Deep Learning Methods for Visual Tracking: Literature Review and Fundamentals
Authors: Zhang Xiao-Qin , Jiang Run-Hua , Fan Chen-Xiang , Tong Tian-Yu , Wang Tao , Huang Peng-Cheng
Published: March 2021

Recently, deep learning has achieved great success in visual tracking tasks, particularly in single-object tracking. This paper provides a comprehensive review of state-of-the-art single-object tracking algorithms based on deep learning. First, we introduce basic knowledge of deep visual tracking, including fundamental concepts, existing algorithms, and previous reviews. Second, we briefly review existing deep learning methods by categorizing them into data-invariant and data-adaptive methods based on whether they can dynamically change their model parameters or architectures. Then, we conclude with the general components of deep trackers. In this way, we systematically analyze the novelties of several recently proposed deep trackers. Thereafter, popular datasets such as Object Tracking Benchmark (OTB) and Visual Object Tracking (VOT) are discussed, along with the performances of several deep trackers. Finally, based on observations and experimental results, we discuss three different characteristics of deep trackers, i.e., the relationships between their general components, exploration of more effective tracking frameworks, and interpretability of their motion estimation components.
Point-cloud segmentation of individual trees in complex natural forest scenes based on a trunk-growth method
Authors: Liu Qianwei , Ma Weifeng , Zhang Jianpeng , Liu Yicheng , Xu Dongfan , Wang Jinliang
Published: March 2021

Forest resource management and ecological assessment have been recently supported by emerging technologies. Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) is one that can be quickly and accurately used to obtain three-dimensional forest information, and create good representations of forest vertical structure. TLS data can be exploited for highly significant tasks, particularly the segmentation and information extraction for individual trees. However, the existing single-tree segmentation methods suffer from low segmentation accuracy and poor robustness, and hence do not lead to satisfactory results for natural forests in complex environments. In this paper, we propose a trunk-growth (TG) method for single-tree point-cloud segmentation, and apply this method to the natural forest scenes of Shangri-La City in Northwest Yunnan, China. First, the point normal vector and its Z-axis component are used as trunk-growth constraints. Then, the points surrounding the trunk are searched to account for regrowth. Finally, the nearest distributed branch and leaf points are used to complete the individual tree segmentation. The results show that the TG method can effectively segment individual trees with an averageF-score of 0.96. The proposed method applies to many types of trees with various growth shapes, and can effectively identify shrubs and herbs in complex scenes of natural forests. The promising outcomes of the TG method demonstrate the key advantages of combining plant morphology theory and LiDAR technology for advancing and optimizing forestry systems.
Assessment of Urinary Lead (Pb) and Essential Trace Elements in Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Case-Control Study Among Preschool Children in Malaysia
Authors: Abd Wahil Mohd Shahrol , Ja’afar Mohd Hasni , Md Isa Zaleha
Published: March 2021

Lead (Pb) is a heavy metal which is abundant in the environment and known to cause neurotoxicity in children even at minute concentration. However, the trace elements calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) are essential to children due to its protective effect on neurodevelopment. The primary objective of this study was to assess the role of Pb and trace elements in the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among preschool children. A total of 81 ASD children and 74 typically developed (TD) children aged between 3 and 6 years participated in the study. Self-administered online questionnaires were completed by the parents. A first-morning urine sample was collected in a sterile polyethene urine container and assayed for Pb, Ca, Mg, Zn and Fe using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Comparisons between groups revealed that the urinary Pb, Mg, Zn and Fe levels in ASD children were significantly lower than TD children. The odds of ASD reduced significantly by 5.0% and 23.0% with an increment of every 1.0 μg/dL urinary Zn and Fe, respectively. Post interaction analysis showed that the odds of ASD reduced significantly by 11.0% and 0.1% with an increment of every 1.0 μg/dL urinary Zn and Pb, respectively. A significantly lower urinary Pb level in ASD children than TD children may be due to their poor detoxifying mechanism. Also, the significantly lower urinary Zn and Fe levels in ASD children may augment the neurotoxic effect of Pb.
Specific Susceptibility to COVID-19 in Adults with Down Syndrome
Authors: Illouz Tomer , Biragyn Arya , Frenkel-Morgenstern Milana , Weissberg Orly , Gorohovski Alessandro , Merzon Eugene , Green Ilan , Iulita Florencia , Flores-Aguilar Lisi , Dierssen Mara , De Toma Ilario , Lifshitz Hefziba , Antonarakis Stylianos E. , Yu Eugene , Herault Yann , Potier Marie-Claude , Botté Alexandra , Roper Randall , Sredni Benjamin , Sarid Ronit , London Jacqueline , Mobley William , Strydom Andre , Okun Eitan
Published: March 2021

The current SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, which causes COVID-19, is particularly devastating for individuals with chronic medical conditions, in particular those with Down Syndrome (DS) who often exhibit a higher prevalence of respiratory tract infections, immune dysregulation and potential complications. The incidence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is much higher in DS than in the general population, possibly increasing further the risk of COVID-19 infection and its complications. Here we provide a biological overview with regard to specific susceptibility of individuals with DS to SARS-CoV-2 infection as well as data from a recent survey on the prevalence of COVID-19 among them. We see an urgent need to protect people with DS, especially those with AD, from COVID-19 and future pandemics and focus on developing protective measures, which also include interventions by health systems worldwide for reducing the negative social effects of long-term isolation and increased periods of hospitalization.
Young Children’s Belonging in Finnish Educational Settings: an Intersectional Analysis
Authors: Puroila Anna-Maija , Juutinen Jaana , Viljamaa Elina , Sirkko Riikka , Kyrönlampi Taina , Takala Marjatta
Published: March 2021

The study draws on a relational and intersectional approach to young children’s belonging in Finnish educational settings. Belonging is conceptualized as a multilevel, dynamic, and relationally constructed phenomenon. The aim of the study is to explore how children’s belonging is shaped in the intersections between macro-, meso-, and micro-levels of young children’s education in Finland. The data consist of educational policy documents and ethnographic material generated in educational programs for children aged birth to 8 years. A situational mapping framework is used to analyze and interpret the data across and within systems levels (macro-level; meso-level; and micro-level). The findings show that the landscape in which children’s belonging is shaped and the intersections across and within the levels are characterized by the tensions between similarities and differences, majority and minorities, continuity and change, authority and agency. Language used, practices enacted, and positional power emerge as the (re)sources through which children’s (un)belonging is actively produced.
Mitochondrial impairments in aetiopathology of multifactorial diseases: common origin but individual outcomes in context of 3P medicine
Authors: Koklesova Lenka , Samec Marek , Liskova Alena , Zhai Kevin , Büsselberg Dietrich , Giordano Frank A. , Kubatka Peter , Golunitschaja Olga
Published: March 2021

Mitochondrial injury plays a key role in the aetiopathology of multifactorial diseases exhibiting a “vicious circle” characteristic for pathomechanisms of the mitochondrial and multi-organ damage frequently developed in a reciprocal manner. Although the origin of the damage is common (uncontrolled ROS release, diminished energy production and extensive oxidative stress to life-important biomolecules such as mtDNA and chrDNA), individual outcomes differ significantly representing a spectrum of associated pathologies including but not restricted to neurodegeneration, cardiovascular diseases and cancers. Contextually, the role of predictive, preventive and personalised (PPPM/3P) medicine is to introduce predictive analytical approaches which allow for distinguishing between individual outcomes under circumstance of mitochondrial impairments followed by cost-effective targeted prevention and personalisation of medical services. Current article considers innovative concepts and analytical instruments to advance management of mitochondriopathies and associated pathologies.
Biofilm on the polymer composites - qualitative and quantitative microbiological analysis
Authors: Ginter-Kramarczyk Dobrochna , Kruszelnicka Izabela , Michałkiewicz Michał , Muszyński Przemysław , Zajchowski Stanisław , Tomaszewska Jolanta
Published: March 2021

Background

Modern technology, which has been getting more and more recognition in the world for the last several years, is the moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) technology. Currently, movable biofilters made of basic polymeric materials, polyethylene and polypropylene.

Methods

An innovative solution in the field, mainly because of the large active surface area for biological membrane can be wood polymer composites (WPC). In the research polypropylene (PP) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) was used as the matrix. Two types of commercial wood flour also, selected from conifers, were selected for the study: Lignocel C 120 with particle sizes in the range of 70 μm–150 μm and L9 with dimensions of 0.8–1.1 mm and wood chips, which are used on an industrial scale for the production of chipboards, were used as a filler. A quantitative and qualitative analysis of newly formed biofilms was performed.

Results

The study showed a direct effect of the filler and its particle size on the susceptibility to the formation of the biofilm of on the composites surface.

Conclusions

Polypropylene PPH 648 T and 40% wt. of L9 type wood flour was the most susceptible to biofilm formation. Pure polypropylene PPH 648 T was the least susceptible material.
A medical decision support system for predicting the severity level of COVID-19
Authors: Abbaspour Onari Mohsen , Yousefi Samuel , Rabieepour Masome , Alizadeh Azra , Jahangoshai Rezaee Mustafa
Published: March 2021

The main assay tool of COVID-19, as a pandemic, still has significant faults. To ameliorate the current situation, all facilities and tools in this realm should be implemented to encounter this epidemic. The current study has endeavored to propose a self-assessment decision support system (DSS) for distinguishing the severity of the COVID-19 between confirmed cases to optimize the patient care process. For this purpose, a DSS has been developed by the combination of the data-driven Bayesian network (BN) and the Fuzzy Cognitive Map (FCM). First, all of the data are utilized to extract the evidence-based paired (EBP) relationships between symptoms and symptoms’ impact probability. Then, the results are evaluated in both independent and combined scenarios. After categorizing data in the triple severity levels by self-organizing map, the EBP relationships between symptoms are extracted by BN, and their significance is achieved and ranked by FCM. The results show that the most common symptoms necessarily do not have the key role in distinguishing the severity of the COVID-19, and extracting the EBP relationships could have better insight into the severity of the disease.
Assessment of river water–groundwater–seawater interactions in the coastal delta of Bangladesh based on hydrochemistry and salinity distribution
Authors: Roy Sushanta Kumar , Zahid Anwar
Published: March 2021

A synchronization study among hydrochemistry, hydrochemical facies evaluation, EC observation, salinity distribution and groundwater flow direction has been addressed to assess river water–groundwater–seawater interactions in the coastal delta of southern Bangladesh. The findings show that river water, shallow groundwater and deep groundwater interact with seawater at various intensities within the complex dynamics of hydrochemical facies evaluation. Deep groundwater is intensively influenced by seawater, where shallow groundwater is moderately affected and river water is very negligibly affected. Major cation and anion have been plotted in the Piper diagrams and hydrochemical facies diagrams (HFE-D) to clarify the result. More than 60% of the water samples of the river lie on the Ca-HCO3 (or Mg-HCO3) facies quadrant, and more than 70% of the shallow groundwater samples and more than 95% of the deep groundwater samples lie on the Na-Cl facies quadrant of the HFE-D diagram. River water types are dissimilar, and approximately 82% of facies are characterized by freshening phases and 18% by intrusion phases. Mixed water types with predominate of Na-Cl were observed in shallow groundwater where the hydrochemical facies are characterized by 53 percent freshening phases and 47 percent intrusion phases. Deep groundwater hydrochemistry clearly indicates the dominant Na-Cl type of water in the study area where only four hydrochemical facies are observed and 78 percent correspond to the intrusion phases and 22 percent to the freshening phases. Both direct and reverse cation exchange reactions take place in shallow groundwater, where deep groundwater is predominantly characterized by reverse cation exchange reactions. Two end members: seawater of Bay of Bengal and freshwater, contribute to the exchange reactions in the coastal aquifer of the study area. In terms of nitrate contamination, river waters are affected by negligible to low concentrations, shallow groundwater is affected by moderate to high concentrations and deep groundwater is affected by moderate to very high nitrate concentrations. Dissimilarity in electrical conductivity (EC) values, variation of salinity distribution maps and groundwater flow direction suggest the possible interconnections among river water, groundwater and aquifer sediments. Significant concentrations of Na+ and Cl− ions lead to seawater contamination in groundwater, and HCO3− along with Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+ in river water suggests mixing of freshwater and seawater, which could have adverse effects both in coastal delta aquatic life and in agriculture.
A Concise Guide to Geopressure
Authors: Flemings Peter B.
Published: March 2021

Geopressure drives fluid flow and is important for hydrocarbon exploration, carbon sequestration, and designing safe and economical wells. This concise guide explores the origins of geopressure and presents a step-by-step approach to characterizing and predicting pressure and least principal stress in the subsurface. The book emphasizes how geology, and particularly the role of flow along permeable layers, drives the development and distribution of subsurface pressure and stress. Case studies, such as the Deepwater Horizon blowout, and laboratory experiments, are used throughout to demonstrate methods and applications. It succinctly discusses the role of elastoplastic behaviour, the full stress tensor, and diagenesis in pore pressure generation, and it presents workflows to predict pressure, stress, and hydrocarbon entrapment. It is an essential guide for academics and professional geoscientists and petroleum engineers interested in predicting pressure and stress, and understanding the role of geopressure in geological processes, well design, hydrocarbon entrapment, and carbon sequestration.
Non-International Armed Conflicts in International Law
Authors: Dinstein Yoram
Published: March 2021

This dispassionate analysis of the legal implications of non-international armed conflicts explores the rules regulating the conduct of internal hostilities, as well as the consequences of intervention by foreign States, the role of the UN Security Council, the effects of recognition, State responsibility for wrongdoing by both Governments and insurgents, the interface with the law of human rights and the notion of war crimes. The author addresses both conceptual and specific issues, such as the complexities of 'failing' States or the recruitment and use of child soldiers. He makes use of the extensive case law of international courts and tribunals, in order to identify and set out customary international law. Much attention is also given to the contents of available treaty texts. This new updated edition takes into account the latest events in terms of the practice of States, judicial pronouncements and UN Security Council resolutions.
The Application of Teachings by the International Court of Justice
Authors: Helmersen Sondre Torp
Published: March 2021

How do the judges of the International Court of Justice, the most authoritative court in international law, use teachings when deciding cases? This book is the first book-length examination of how teachings are used in an important international institution. It uses three different methodologies: a traditional legal analysis, an empirical analysis where citations of teachings are counted and interviews with judges and staff. Three main patterns are identified: teachings have generally low weight, but this weight varies between different works and between different judges. The book suggests explanations for the patterns it identifies, in order to contribute to understanding not only when and how teachings are used, but also why, and compares the Court's practice with that of other international courts and tribunals. This study fills a gap in the international legal literature and will be essential reading for scholars and practicing international lawyers.
Targeting unfolded protein response: a new horizon for disease control
Authors: Khanna Madhu , Agrawal Nishtha , Chandra Ramesh , Dhawan Gagan
Published: March 2021

Unfolded protein response (UPR) is an evolutionarily conserved pathway triggered during perturbation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis in response to the accumulation of unfolded/misfolded proteins under various stress conditions like viral infection, diseased states etc. It is an adaptive signalling cascade with the main purpose of relieving the stress from the ER, which may otherwise lead to the initiation of cell death via apoptosis. ER stress if prolonged, contribute to the aetiology of various diseases like cancer, type II diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, viral infections etc. Understanding the role of UPR in disease progression will help design pharmacological drugs targeting the sensors of signalling cascade acting as potential therapeutic agents against various diseases. The current review aims at highlighting the relevance of different pathways of UPR in disease progression and control, including the available pharmaceutical interventions responsible for ameliorating diseased state via modulating UPR pathways.
Total disconnectedness of Julia sets of random quadratic polynomials
Authors: LECH KRZYSZTOF , ZDUNIK ANNA
Published: March 2021

For a sequence of complex parameters
$(c_n)$
we consider the composition of functions
$f_{c_n} (z) = z^2 + c_n$
, the non-autonomous version of the classical quadratic dynamical system. The definitions of Julia and Fatou sets are naturally generalized to this setting. We answer a question posed by Brück, Büger and Reitz, whether the Julia set for such a sequence is almost always totally disconnected, if the values
$c_n$
are chosen randomly from a large disc. Our proof is easily generalized to answer a lot of other related questions regarding typical connectivity of the random Julia set. In fact we prove the statement for a much larger family of sets than just discs; in particular if one picks
$c_n$
randomly from the main cardioid of the Mandelbrot set, then the Julia set is still almost always totally disconnected.
Active ageing policies and delaying retirement: comparing work-retirement transitions in Austria and Germany
Authors: Schmidthuber Lisa , Fechter Charlotte , Schröder Heike , Hess Moritz
Published: March 2021

We investigate how labour market and pension measures associated with active ageing influence retirement behaviour in Austria and Germany. We focus on two conservative welfare states and evaluate how individuals respond to comparable pension scheme changes. Using the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe, findings point to increasing average actual retirement ages in both countries. Early retirement becomes less important while working until pension age has gained in significance. In particular, findings point towards greater de-standardisation of retirement transitions, though to a different extent across the two countries. Whereas gender differences are still prevalent in Austria, in line with traditional conservative welfare state characteristics, we find that Germany exhibits lower gender differences, but instead displays stronger inequalities between education groups. We argue that social risks emerge in Germany that are usually found in liberal welfare states. We suggest that this trend is reinforced by retirement policies that focus on “pushing” individuals out of employment. This study contributes to the understanding of how individuals respond to national policy incentives when making retirement transitions.
Moral navigation and child fostering in Chiawa, Zambia
Authors: White Sarah C. , Jha Shreya
Published: March 2021

This article explores the movement of children between households in Zambia as a site of ‘moral navigation’. Moral navigation extends Henrik Vigh's concept of social navigation from contexts of conflict and migration to more socially stable contexts in which well-being depends critically on people's ability to manage relationships. The live, dynamic and mobile character of these relationships means that they require active, real-time cultivation and response. While having practical objectives, these negotiations are also moral, articulated with ideas of what ought to be, and seeking to fulfil sometimes competing ethical projects. Life history interviews present three main perspectives: recollections of times in childhood spent away from birth parents; birth parents’ reflections on having a child living with others; and adults’ accounts of taking in other people's children. Strong norms of kinship unity and solidarity notwithstanding, in practice terms of engagement are differentiated through gender, marital, social and economic status, plus relational and geographical proximity. The pursuit of personal benefit contains the seeds of both contradiction and convergence with the collective good, as a relational understanding of moral selves sees one's own gain as proper, rightful and virtuous when it is realized in and through providing for others.
Trois idées directrices de la philosophie de Dilthey
Authors: Rioux Jean-François
Published: March 2021

Dans cet article, je propose une interprétation de la philosophie de Wilhelm Dilthey qui repose sur trois idées directrices. La première idée identifie l'objet de sa philosophie : la vie. La deuxième idée établit sa méthode, soit l'autoréflexion. La troisième idée clarifie ce qui est révélé par l'autoréflexion, à savoir l'universalité et la variabilité de la vie. Dans un premier temps, je défends que la lecture épistémologique de la philosophie de Dilthey doit être abandonnée. Dans un deuxième temps, je présente mon interprétation de la philosophie de Dilthey.
Everolimus treatment in a 3-month-old infant with tuberous sclerosis complex cardiac rhabdomyoma, severe left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, and hearing loss
Authors: Çetin Mecnun , Aydın Aysun A. , Karaman Kamuran
Published: March 2021

Tuberous sclerosis complex is a rare multisystem genetic disorder characterised by the growth of numerous tumour-like malformations in many parts of the body including skin, kidneys, brain, lung, eyes, liver, and heart. Mutations in the TSC1 or TSC2 genes have been reported to cause disruption in the TSC1–TSC2 intracellular protein complex, causing over-activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin protein complex. In this study, we present a 3-month-old male infant diagnosed with tuberous sclerosis, bilateral neurosensorial hearing loss, Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome on electrocardiography, multiple cardiac rhabdomyomas with severe stenosis in the left ventricular outflow tract, who responded well to the Everolimus therapy.
Resurrection by Surrogation: Spectral Performance in Putin's Russia
Authors: Hanukai Maksim
Published: March 2021

This article examines the emergence of what I call “spectral performance” in Putin's Russia. Focusing on the Immortal Regiment initiative, I investigate the growing importance of practices that ask the living to act as surrogates for the dead. My analysis proceeds in three stages. First, applying a memory studies frame, I show how the Regiment helps preserve memory of WWII in a time of significant generational change. Second, drawing on theories of political theology and biopolitics, I show how the Regiment reaffirms the Kremlin's sovereign power to regulate the boundaries between life and death while symbolically displacing sovereignty from the “flesh” of the people to a growing ranks of “immortals.” Finally, focusing on the question of representation, I show how the Regiment helps construct an oppressive distribution of the sensible that privileges the dead over the living. I conclude by examining St. Petersburg artist Maksim Evstropov's necro-activist project Party of the Dead as a cultural critique of the Regiment.
Characterizing Black Carbon and Gaseous Pollutants on the Yangtze River Across Eastern China Continent
Authors: Ting Y. , Liu D. , Morgan W. T. , Allan J. D. , Coe H. , Li C. , Wang X. , Ye X. , Chen J.
Published: March 2021

The Yangtze River (YR) region and cities along the river have severe deterioration of air quality due to urbanization and economic development. Black carbon (BC) has significant impacts on air quality and climate, however it is poorly characterized across the region. Here we report the first continuous measurements of BC and gaseous pollutants along the YR in wintertime, with an intensive observation period from November 21 to December 4, 2015, covering ∼7° longitude over the continent in China. The highly polluted periods (HPP) with NOx >80 μg m−3 indicated more localized emissions. At the western (longitude <118°E) and eastern (longitude >118°E) ends of the YR valley, the HPP events reduced, mostly since the western end was influenced by terrain height and regional transport, and the eastern end was influenced by easterly oceanic or westerly continental air masses. In these regions, BC core size decreased by 5%–19% during the HPP, and had modes of mass median diameter in the range 120 –180 nm, which was found to be predominately from local sources, contrasting with a more consistent mode ∼200 nm that was due to BC from mixed sources. A comparison of simultaneously measured data from the nearby monitoring stations along the river demonstrated a high consistency of PM2.5 over the river, which reflected the important regional impact on the particulate mass. This study evaluates the shipping emission and regional influence over the YR and may guide the policy maker on mitigating air pollution.
Causes and consequences of pattern diversification in a spatially self-organizing microbial community
Authors: Goldschmidt Felix , Caduff Lea , Johnson David R
Published: March 2021

Surface-attached microbial communities constitute a vast amount of life on our planet. They contribute to all major biogeochemical cycles, provide essential services to our society and environment, and have important effects on human health and disease. They typically consist of different interacting genotypes that arrange themselves non-randomly across space (referred to hereafter as spatial self-organization). While spatial self-organization is important for the functioning, ecology, and evolution of these communities, the underlying determinants of spatial self-organization remain unclear. Here, we performed a combination of experiments, statistical modeling, and mathematical simulations with a synthetic cross-feeding microbial community consisting of two isogenic strains. We found that two different patterns of spatial self-organization emerged at the same length and time scales, thus demonstrating pattern diversification. This pattern diversification was not caused by initial environmental heterogeneity or by genetic heterogeneity within populations. Instead, it was caused by nongenetic heterogeneity within populations, and we provide evidence that the source of this nongenetic heterogeneity is local differences in the initial spatial positionings of individuals. We further demonstrate that the different patterns exhibit different community-level properties; namely, they have different expansion speeds. Together, our results demonstrate that pattern diversification can emerge in the absence of initial environmental heterogeneity or genetic heterogeneity within populations and can affect community-level properties, thus providing novel insights into the causes and consequences of microbial spatial self-organization.
Hepatic HuR protects against the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by targeting PTEN
Authors: Tian Mi , Wang Jingjing , Liu Shangming , Li Xinyun , Li Jingyuan , Yang Jianmin , Zhang Cheng , Zhang Wencheng
Published: March 2021

The liver plays an important role in lipid and glucose metabolism. Here, we show the role of human antigen R (HuR), an RNA regulator protein, in hepatocyte steatosis and glucose metabolism. We investigated the level of HuR in the liver of mice fed a normal chow diet (NCD) and a high-fat diet (HFD). HuR was downregulated in the livers of HFD-fed mice. Liver-specific HuR knockout (HuRLKO) mice showed exacerbated HFD-induced hepatic steatosis along with enhanced glucose tolerance as compared with control mice. Mechanistically, HuR could bind to the adenylate uridylate-rich elements of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on the chromosome 10 (PTEN) mRNA 3′ untranslated region, resulting in the increased stability of Pten mRNA; genetic knockdown of HuR decreased the expression of PTEN. Finally, lentiviral overexpression of PTEN alleviated the development of hepatic steatosis in HuRLKO mice in vivo. Overall, HuR regulates lipid and glucose metabolism by targeting PTEN.
E3 ubiquitin ligase RNF126 affects bladder cancer progression through regulation of PTEN stability
Authors: Xu Huimin , Ju Lingao , Xiong Yaoyi , Yu Mengxue , Zhou Fenfang , Qian Kaiyu , Wang Gang , Xiao Yu , Wang Xinghuan
Published: March 2021

E3 ubiquitin ligase RNF126 (ring finger protein 126) is highly expressed in various cancers and strongly associated with tumorigenesis. However, its specific function in bladder cancer (BCa) is still debatable. Here, we found that RNF126 was significantly upregulated in BCa tissue by TCGA database, and our studies indicated that downregulation of RNF126 significantly inhibited cell proliferation and metastasis through the EGFR/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in BCa cells. Furthermore, we identified PTEN, an inhibitor of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, as a novel substrate for RNF126. By co-immunoprecipitation assays, we proved that RNF126 directly interacts with PTEN. Predominantly, PTEN binds to the C-terminal containing the RING domain of RNF126. The in vivo ubiquitination assay showed that RNF126 specifically regulates PTEN stability through poly-ubiquitination. Furthermore, PTEN knockdown restored cell proliferation, metastasis, and tumor formation of BCa cells inhibited by RNF126 silencing in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, these results identified RNF126 as an oncogene that functions through ubiquitination and degradation of PTEN in BCa.
Loss of retinoic acid receptor-related receptor alpha (Rorα) promotes the progression of UV-induced cSCC
Authors: Zhang Guolong , Yan Guorong , Fu Zhiliang , wu Yuhao , Wu Fei , Zheng Zhe , Fang Shan , Gao Ying , Bao Xunxia , Liu Yeqiang , Wang Xiuli , Zhu Sibo
Published: March 2021

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is prevalent in the world, accounting for a huge part of non-melanoma skin cancer. Most cSCCs are associated with a distinct pre-cancerous lesion, the actinic keratosis (AK). However, the progression trajectory from normal skin to AK and cSCC has not been fully demonstrated yet. To identify genes involved in this progression trajectory and possible therapeutic targets for cSCC, here we constructed a UV-induced cSCC mouse model covering the progression from normal skin to AK to cSCC, which mimicked the solar UV radiation perfectly using the solar-like ratio of UVA and UVB, firstly. Then, transcriptome analysis and a series of bioinformatics analyses and cell experiments proved that Rorα is a key transcript factor during cSCC progression. Rorα could downregulate the expressions of S100a9 and Sprr2f in cSCC cells, which can inhibit the proliferation and migration in cSCC cells, but not the normal keratinocyte. Finally, further animal experiments confirmed the inhibitory effect of cSCC growth by Rorα in vivo. Our findings showed that Rorα would serve as a potential novel target for cSCC, which will facilitate the treatment of cSCC in the future.