bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of solar supercapacitor by utilizing organic polymer and metal oxides for subsystem of EV
Authors: Rahman Ataur , Myo Aung Kyaw
Published: November 2021

The limitations of the electric vehicles are weight, size, range, charging time and high price tag. Thus, development of a renewable energy-boosting system for EVs is significant. This paper proposes the materials and control system for development of the automotive body panels which are capable to generate electrical energy from solar energy and store the energy not only as structural capacitor but also as solar panel. A solar supercapacitor prototype is developed by utilizing Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer, nano Zinc Oxide and Copper Oxide fillers as the positive and negative electrodes and a dielectric layer sandwiched between the electrodes. Different weight percentage compositions of nano CuO/ZnO filled epoxy reinforced Carbon Fiber and different combinations of separators are investigated experimentally. Samples with higher nanoparticle composition can boost both the energy generation and storage performance. Simulation study is conducted on solar supercapacitor concept which is hybrid energy storage system, modelled as the supplementary renewable energy source of electric vehicle. Experiment data from the laboratory scale organic solar supercapacitor are considered as input reference data to design solar supercapacitor HESS in Simulink to generate electricity from solar energy and provide storage. The solar supercapacitor can be considered as the roof panel of EV and simulated at different solar irradiance (200 ∼ 1000 W m−2) and different load conditions (200 ∼ 500 W) to reflect the practical conditions. The test results of SSC show potential of energy conversion efficiency (η
ec) 17.78%, open-circuit voltage (Voc) 0.79 mV, current density (Jsc) 222.22 A m−2, capacitance (C) 11.17 μF cm−2, energy density (Ed) 120 Wh kg−1 and power density (Pd) 29 kW kg−1. Based on Simulink results, fully charged solar supercapacitor system with solar irradiance of 1000 W m−2 can provide power of 2.3 kWh (18.24 km extra range every hour). Therefore, the system can provide extra 4.56% of conventional EV’s power and range per hour. Solar supercapacitor system integrated with EV battery has the potential to reduce battery size by 10%, weight 7.5%.
Prediction of vibration induced damage in photovoltaic modules during transportation: finite element model and field study
Authors: Desai Umang , Vasudevan Devan P , Kottantharayil Anil , Singh Aparna
Published: November 2021

The transportation of the photovoltaic (PV) modules involves excessive vibrations and shocks. These dynamic loads can crack the solar cells and glass of the PV modules. The cracks generated in solar cells during the transportation phase may not always have immediate implications on the electrical performance of the PV modules. However, in the long-run, cracks generated during transportation of the modules may propagate during operation in field due to wind load, snow load and thermal stresses. The propagation of cracks may create electrical isolation in the cells of a PV module, which can cause loss of electrical power. Therefore, it is important to minimize the damage in PV modules due to transportation and mechanical handling. In this work, PV modules have been transported in packaging following the industry practices to cover a distance of 270 km with accelerometers attached on several modules. Finite element (FE) modelling has been used to calculate natural frequency of vibration for the assembly of the PV modules by simulating the conditions close to the actual transportation experiment. This study shows that transportation makes the modules vibrate at their natural frequency. The first four natural frequencies of vibration calculated through the FE simulations match well with the peaks observed in the power spectral density profiles experienced by PV modules during transportation. Mode shapes corresponding to the first four natural frequencies have also been visualized to identify the contours with maximum displacement. It is hypothesized that out of all the cells, those falling within the contour of maximum displacement would have higher propensity for damage during the transportation. The results presented here can be useful for PV community to improve the packaging methodology, dimensions and material selection of the photovoltaic modules.
Quantum dot technology for quantum repeaters: from entangled photon generation toward the integration with quantum memories
Authors: Neuwirth Julia , Basso Basset Francesco , Rota Michele B , Roccia Emanuele , Schimpf Christian , Jöns Klaus D , Rastelli Armando , Trotta Rinaldo
Published: November 2021

The realization of a functional quantum repeater is one of the major research goals in long-distance quantum communication. Among the different approaches that are being followed, the one relying on quantum memories interfaced with deterministic quantum emitters is considered as one of the most promising solutions. In this work, we focus on the hardware to implement memory-based quantum-repeater schemes that rely on semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) for the generation of polarization entangled photons. Going through the most relevant figures of merit related to efficiency of the photon source, we select significant developments in fabrication, processing and tuning techniques aimed at combining high degree of entanglement with on-demand pair generation, with a special focus on the progress achieved in the representative case of the GaAs system. We proceed to offer a perspective on integration with quantum memories, both highlighting preliminary works on natural–artificial atomic interfaces and commenting a wide choice of currently available and potentially viable memory solutions in terms of wavelength, bandwidth and noise-requirements. To complete the overview, we also present recent implementations of entanglement-based quantum communication protocols with QDs and highlight the next challenges ahead for the implementation of practical quantum networks.
1. The Arctic world
Authors: Dodds Klaus , Woodward Jamie
Published: November 2021

‘The Arctic world’ begins with the definition of the Arctic, which is understood as the land, sea, and ice lying north of the Arctic Circle set at a latitude of approximately 66.5° N. The Arctic tree line is a robust indicator of Arctic-ness as everything to the north is a landscape characterized by shrubs, dwarf trees, and lichen. Arctic warming occurs at least twice as rapidly as the global average, which is a phenomenon known as Arctic amplification. Since 1980, the warming trajectory in the Arctic has been much steeper than that of the rest of the planet.
8. Arctic futures
Authors: Dodds Klaus , Woodward Jamie
Published: November 2021

‘Arctic futures’ discusses the future of the Arctic that starts in the Norwegian territory of Svalbard wherein the Global Seed Vault functions as an Arctic sanctuary for the genetic diversity of crops. The Svalbard archipelago is a hotspot of Arctic amplification as rapid warming has been keenly felt by the small community. However, the environmental changes, no matter how stark and widespread, will not dampen interest in economic development and strategic posturing. Arctic states and northern peoples remain eager to improve their social and economic conditions as well as adapt to ongoing climate change. The Arctic is a haven of international peace and cooperation as the Arctic Council is cited as a governance model that others could emulate.
2. The ancient in the modern
Authors: Virdee Pippa
Published: November 2021

‘The ancient in the modern’ cites R. E. M. Wheeler’s Five Thousand Years of
Pakistan: An Archaeological Outline, which presents the imposing material heritage of Pakistan to the outside world. Wheeler’s attempt of a long history of Pakistan was also intended to preserve this inheritance for future generations of the new-born nation. Wheeler’s outline of the regions make up modern Pakistan, from the Indus to the arrival of the first Arabs. This outline gives us a glimpse of Pakistan’s diverse historical continuum that increasingly goes under-remarked and unremembered. The material and cultural connections and confluences of Pakistan belie the image of a modern monolith.
4. Consolidation and fragmentation
Authors: Virdee Pippa
Published: November 2021

‘Consolidation and fragmentation’ recounts how the government of Pakistan has shifted back and forth from democracy and military rule to secular state and religious state from the time the country was created. For the democratically elected rulers of Pakistan, it has always been a case of holding onto power. As a result, institutional structures, party politics, and the public sphere of Pakistan weakened and eroded, while the crucial role of the army was strengthened. Pakistan's army was strengthened and consolidated by a civil bureaucracy of client–patron networks. The army–bureaucracy nexus formed the cornerstone of Pakistan that made it into an Islamic nation-state.
Political philosophers and the history of political thought
Authors: Whatmore Richard
Published: November 2021

‘Political philosophers and the history of political thought’ discusses the confidence in the 1950s that the ‘right’ system of politics, economy and society had been discovered and linked with a turn away from history and theory. Behavioralism, which was propagated by Heinz Eulau, David Easton, and other political scientists, demanded the analysis of politics through the assertion of claims that could be verified or refuted. Data analysis could test hypotheses and come up with irrefutable policy recommendations. Domestic and international liberalism are coupled with variants of pacific socialism or communitarianism. There are a number of renowned political theorists who turned into public intellectuals, such as Norberto Bobbio and Jürgen Habermass.
Standing at the Border
Authors: Goyal Yogita
Published: November 2021

If we were to heed Edward Said’s call to see our age as “the age of the refugee, the displaced person, mass immigration,” we would need to reimagine identity, citizenship, and human rights on global and intimate scales. This essay explores how we might redefine the boundaries of our literary canons from the specific vantage point of the refugee. How do existing frames for understanding American literary history—whether those of nation and migration, slavery and segregation, Indigenous dispossession and settler colonialism—help fathom the experience of forced migration? Focusing on the African American literary tradition in particular, and guided by the efforts of Toni Morrison and Colson Whitehead, I outline how centering the figure of the refugee leads to new meanings of home and uprooting, requiring a radical rethinking of citizenship and belonging.
MEANGS: an efficient seed-free tool for de novo assembling animal mitochondrial genome using whole genome NGS data
Authors: Song Meng-Huan , Yan Chaochao , Li Jia-Tang
Published: November 2021

Advances in next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have led to an exponential increase in the number of whole genome sequences (WGS) in databases. This wealth of WGS data has greatly facilitated the recovery of full mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes), which are vital for phylogenetic, evolutionary and ecological studies. Unfortunately, most existing software cannot easily assemble mitogenome reference sequences conveniently or efficiently. Therefore, we developed a seed-free de novo assembly tool, MEANGS, which applies the trie-search method to extend contigs from self-discovery seeds and assemble a mitogenome from animal WGS data. We then used data from 16 species with different qualities to compare the performance of MEANGS with three other available programs. MEANGS exhibited the best overall performance since it was the only one that completed all tests, and it assembled full or partial mitogenomes for all of the tested samples while the others failed. Furthermore, MEANGS selects superior assembly sequences and annotates protein-coding genes. Thus, MEANGS can be one of the most efficient software for generating high-quality mitogenomes so far, the further use of it will benefit the study on mitogenome based on whole genome NGS data. MEANGS is available at https://github.com/YanCCscu/meangs.
Secondary structure assignment of proteins in the absence of sequence information
Authors: Khalife Sammy , Malliavin Thérèse , Liberti Leo
Published: November 2021

Motivation

The structure of proteins is organized in a hierarchy among which the secondary structure elements, α-helix, β-strand and loop, are the basic bricks. The determination of secondary structure elements usually requires the knowledge of the whole structure. Nevertheless, in numerous experimental circumstances, the protein structure is partially known. The detection of secondary structures from these partial structures is hampered by the lack of information about connecting residues along the primary sequence.

Results

We introduce a new methodology to estimate the secondary structure elements from the values of local distances and angles between the protein atoms. Our method uses a message passing neural network, named Sequoia, which allows the automatic prediction of secondary structure elements from the values of local distances and angles between the protein atoms. This neural network takes as input the topology of the given protein graph, where the vertices are protein residues, and the edges are weighted by values of distances and pseudo-dihedral angles generalizing the backbone angles ϕ and ψ. Any pair of residues, independently of its covalent bonds along the primary sequence of the protein, is tagged with this distance and angle information. Sequoia permits the automatic detection of the secondary structure elements, with an F1-score larger than 80% for most of the cases, when α helices and β strands are predicted. In contrast to the approaches classically used in structural biology, such as DSSP, Sequoia is able to capture the variations of geometry at the interface of adjacent secondary structure element. Due to its general modeling frame, Sequoia is able to handle graphs containing only Cα atoms, which is particularly useful on low resolution structural input and in the frame of electron microscopy development.

Availability and implementation

Sequoia source code can be found at https://github.com/Khalife/Sequoia with additional documentation.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics Advances online.
Forced Degradation Study of Zanubrutinib: An LC–PDA and LC–MS Approach
Authors: Gollu Gowri , Gummadi Sowjanya , Vemuri Venkata Deepthi , Nalla Swathi , Mathala Nalini , Allam Sasikala
Published: November 2021

Zanubrutinib is an unfamiliar second generation selective Brutson’s Tyrosine Kinase inhibitor used to treat mantle cell lymphoma. In the present analysis, a new, stability indicating reverse-phase, high performance liquid chromatography method was developed and validated for the determination of Zanubrutinib succeeding degradation studies as pert the International Conference on Harmonization guidelines. The chromatographic separation of Zanubrutinib was achieved in a C18 column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5-μm particle size) using a mobile phase of Acetonitrile: 0.1% Tri Ethyl Amine (65:35 v/v) monitored at 219 nm. The forced degradation studies were conducted by exposing the analyte to acidic, alkaline and neutral hydrolysis, oxidative, reductive, photolytic, and thermal stress conditions and the degradation behavior was studied. The analyte showed degradation under acidic, alkaline, oxidative and reductive stress conditions with additional peaks but, it was stable under neutral, photolytic and thermal stress conditions. The developed method was extended to triple quadruple mass spectrometry to characterize degradation products and to study the fragmentation pattern. Total four degradants were characterized including DP1 in acid &base hydrolysis, DP2 in oxidative and DP3, DP4 in reductive stress condition. As no substantial method was available for quantification of Zanubrutinib and to characterize zanubrutinib degradants, this method can be used for regular analysis in quality control labs.
Social relationships in children: favourable influence of activities promoting self-awareness and empathic interaction
Authors: Carro Natalia , Kuperman Marcelo , D’adamo Paola , Lozada Mariana
Published: November 2021

Embodied and intersubjective experience is crucial to the social cognition processes on which interpersonal relationships are based. We assessed whether promoting these processes through participation in self-awareness and empathic interaction activities can influence social integration among peers in 7- to 8-year-old children. The intervention, conducted in a school context, included mindfulness-based practices (favouring self-awareness), empathic collaboration activities and perspective-taking instances (promoting other-oriented awareness). To evaluate social integration levels, children were asked to complete a sociometric questionnaire, each listing the peers they would choose to play with (positive ties) and those they would prefer not to play with (negative ties). Based on this relational data, two types of directed networks were constructed: positive networks (PN) and negative networks (NN), in two temporal instances (pre- and post-intervention). In both the experimental and waitlist groups, pre–post intervention changes in the topology of peer social networks were evaluated by analysing global network properties such as connectivity, degree distribution, density, reciprocity, transitivity and modular structure. Our findings showed that after participating in the intervention social integration was improved, reflected in increased general interconnection of positive ties: greater average connectivity and density in PN, more equitably distributed choices (no evident leadership), greater cohesion and an increase in the number of reciprocal interactions. Additionally, we found a lower level of social rejection; that is, lower average connectivity and density in NN, the persistence of only mutual negative choices and negative ties confined to small groups. These findings were not observed in the waitlist group. This study demonstrates how participation in an intervention that promotes social cognition processes can influence the structure of peer social networks, favouring social integration. The social network analysis provides quantitative evidence of the plasticity of social relationships in children, constituting a valuable tool for the assessment of this kind of intervention at a group level.
Patching zero-day vulnerabilities: an empirical analysis
Authors: Roumani Yaman
Published: November 2021

Zero-day vulnerabilities remain one of the major security threats that are faced by organizations. Once a vendor learns about a zero-day vulnerability, releasing a timely patch becomes a priority given the risk of zero-day exploits. However, we still lack information on the factors that affect patch release time of such vulnerabilities. The main objective of this study is to examine the impact of other as-yet unexplored factors on the patch release time of zero-day vulnerabilities. Using zero-day vulnerability dataset captured between 2010 and 2020, we employ survival analysis technique. Our model explores the impact of vulnerability attack vector, attack complexity, privileges required, user interaction, scope, confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact on patch release timing. Findings show that a zero-day vulnerability is more likely to be patched on time if the vulnerability results in a scope change and affects more vendors, products, and versions. However, a zero-day vulnerability is less likely to be patched on time if it requires privileges and impacts confidentiality. Our sub-analyses also reveal how patch release times vary across different products and vulnerability types.
Use of rapid cardiac magnetic resonance imaging to guide chelation therapy in patients with transfusion-dependent thalassaemia in India: UMIMI study
Authors: Medina Katia Menacho , Abdel-Gadir Amna , Ganga Kartik , Ojha Vineeta , Pratap Surya , Boubertakh Redha , McGrath Louise , Augusto João B , Rikowski Alexander , Mughal Nabila , Khanna Virender Kumar , Seth Tulika , Sharma Sanjiv , Mahajan Amita , Bansal Rajiv K , Srivastava Prabhar , Mahajan Harsh , Mahajan Vidhur , Walker Judith , Seldon Tenzin , Ako Emmanuel , Moon James C , Walker John Malcolm
Published: November 2021

Aims

To explore the impact of incorporating a faster cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging protocol in a low–middle-income country (LMIC) and using the result to guide chelation in transfusion-dependent patients.

Methods and results

A prospective UK–India collaborative cohort study was conducted in two cities in India. Two visits 13 months apart included clinical assessment and chelation therapy recommendations based on rapid CMR results. Participants were recruited by the local patient advocate charity, who organized the patient medical camps. The average scanning time was 11.3 ± 2.5 min at the baseline and 9.8 ± 2.4 min (P < 0.001) at follow-up. The baseline visit was attended by 103 patients (mean age 25 years) and 83% attended the second assessment. At baseline, 29% had a cardiac T2* < 20 ms, which represents significant iron loading, and 12% had left ventricular ejection fraction <60%, the accepted lower limit in this population. Only 3% were free of liver iron (T2* ≥ 17 ms). At 13 months, more patients were taking intensified dual chelation therapy (43% vs. 55%, P = 0.002). In those with cardiac siderosis (baseline T2* < 20 ms), there was an improvement in T2*—10.9 ± 5.9 to 13.5 ± 8.7 ms, P = 0.005—and fewer were classified as having clinically important cardiac iron loading (T2* < 20 ms, 24% vs. 16%, P < 0.001). This is the first illustration in an LMIC that incorporating CMR results into patient management plans can improve cardiac iron loading.

Conclusion

For thalassaemia patients in an LMIC, a simplified CMR protocol linked to therapeutic recommendation via the patient camp model led to enhanced chelation therapy and a reduction in cardiac iron in 1 year.
Statin use and risk of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies
Authors: Olmastroni Elena , Molari Giulia , De Beni Noemi , Colpani Ornella , Galimberti Federica , Gazzotti Marta , Zambon Alberto , Catapano Alberico L , Casula Manuela
Published: November 2021

Aims

As the potential impact of statins on cognitive decline and dementia is still debated, we conducted a meta-analysis of observational studies to examine the effect of statin use on the risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and dementia.

Methods and results

PubMed, Cochrane, and EMBASE were searched since inception to January 2021. Inclusion criteria were: (i) cohort or case–control studies; (ii) statin users compared to non-users; and (iii) AD and/or dementia risk as outcome. Estimates from original studies were pooled using restricted maximum-likelihood random-effect model. Measure of effects were reported as odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). In the pooled analyses, statins were associated with a decreased risk of dementia [36 studies, OR 0.80 (CI 0.75–0.86)] and of AD [21 studies, OR 0.68 (CI 0.56–0.81)]. In the stratified analysis by sex, no difference was observed in the risk reduction of dementia between men [OR 0.86 (CI 0.81–0.92)] and women [OR 0.86 (CI 0.81–0.92)]. Similar risks were observed for lipophilic and hydrophilic statins for both dementia and AD, while high-potency statins showed a 20% reduction of dementia risk compared with a 16% risk reduction associated with low-potency statins, suggesting a greater efficacy of the former, although a borderline statistical significance (P = 0.05) for the heterogeneity between estimates.

Conclusion

These results confirm the absence of a neurocognitive risk associated with statin treatment and suggest a potential favourable role of statins. Randomized clinical trials with an ad hoc design are needed to explore this potential neuroprotective effect.
What does antimicrobial stewardship look like where you are? Global narratives from participants in a massive open online course
Authors: Nampoothiri Vrinda , Bonaconsa Candice , Surendran Surya , Mbamalu Oluchi , Nambatya Winnie , Ahabwe Babigumira Peter , Ahmad Raheelah , Castro-Sanchez Enrique , Broom Alex , Szymczak Julia , Zingg Walter , Gilchrist Mark , Holmes Alison , Mendelson Marc , Singh Sanjeev , McLeod Monsey , Charani Esmita
Published: November 2021

Background

Whilst antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) is being implemented globally, contextual differences exist. We describe how the use of a massive open online course (MOOC) platform provided an opportunity to gather diverse narratives on AMS from around the world.

Methods

A free 3 week MOOC titled ‘Tackling antimicrobial resistance: a social science approach’ was launched in November 2019. Learners were asked specific questions about their experiences of AMS via 38 optional free-text prompts dispersed throughout the modules. Content analysis was used to identify key emerging themes from the learners’ responses in the first three runs of the MOOC.

Results

Between November 2019 and July 2020, 1464 learners enrolled from 114 countries. Overall, 199 individual learners provided a total of 1097 responses to the prompts. The diverse perspectives describe unique challenges present in different contexts including ill-defined roles for pharmacists and nurses in AMS; inadequate governance and policy inconsistencies in surveillance for antibiotic consumption and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in some countries; lack of ownership of antibiotic decision-making and buy-in from different clinical specialties; and human resource and technological constraints. Patients’ knowledge, experiences and perspectives were recognized as a valuable source of information that should be incorporated in AMS initiatives to overcome cultural barriers to the judicious use of antibiotics.

Conclusions

Analysis of learner comments and reflections identified a range of enablers and barriers to AMS implementation across different healthcare economies. Common challenges to AMS implementation included the role of non-physician healthcare workers, resource limitations, gaps in knowledge of AMR, and patient engagement and involvement in AMS.
CircRPPH1 promotes cell proliferation, migration and invasion of non-small cell lung cancer via the PI3K/AKT and JAK2/STAT3 signalling axes
Authors: Xiong Jian-wen , Song Si-bei , Xiong Lin-min , Duan Chuan-hui , Song Qian , Yu Dong-liang , Zhang Xiao-qiang
Published: November 2021

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has markedly increased morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. Circular RNAs were shown to regulate NSCLC progression. But the underlying pathways of the circRPPH1-mediated regulation of NSCLC still need further exploration. We evaluated circRPPH1 levels in NSCLC tissues and cell lines via qRT-PCR. Moreover, using ectopic plasmid incorporation and siRNA assays, we analysed the circRPPH1-mediated regulation of cell proliferation (CP), cell migration (CM) and cell invasion (CI) in NSCLC cell lines (H1975 and A549 cells), using CCK-8, colony forming, scratch wound and transwell assays, respectively. CircRPPH1 levels were remarkably high in the NSCLC tissues and cell lines. The transfection experiments showed that circRPPH1 overexpression was able to promote CP, CM and CI of NSCLC cells, while CP, CM and CI were significantly restrained by the knockdown of circRPPH1. We also displayed that circRPPH1 knockdown suppressed the cell progression via inactivating the PI3K/AKT and JAK2/STAT3 signalling axes. Subsequently, in vivo experiment in nude mice was demonstrated that the inhibition of circRPPH1 could reduce the tumour growth of NSCLC. circRPPH1 may accelerate the growth and metastasis of NSCLC, in culture conditions and in animal models, by stimulating the PI3K/AKT and JAK2/STAT3 signalling axes, thus promoting the development of NSCLC.
Review of the southern African Leptestheriidae (Branchiopoda: Spinicaudata), II: Diagnoses and key
Authors: Rogers D Christopher , Meyer-Milne Elizabeth
Published: November 2021

We review and revise the southern African species of Leptestheria Daday, 1913 (Leptestheriidae) based on type specimens when possible as well as on new material. We recognise four species out of the six hitherto reported from the region south of the Kunene, Okavango, and Zambezi rivers. Leptestheria inermis (Barnard, 1929) is shown to be a junior synonym of L. calcarata (Wolf in Daday, 1923), L. striatoconchaBarnard, 1924, and L. rubidgei (Baird, 1862) junior synonyms of L. siliqvaSars, 1898. Leptestheria setosa (Barnard, 1935) is clearly defined with quantifiable diagnostic characters. A key to the species of Leptestheria of southern Africa is presented as an aid to additional surveys and conservation efforts.
Anchored hybrid enrichment resolves the phylogeny ofLacunicambarusHobbs, 1969 (Decapoda: Astacidea: Cambaridae)
Authors: Glon Mael G , Broe Michael B , Crandall Keith A , Daly Meg , Kong Sungsik , Thoma Roger F , Freudenstein John V
Published: November 2021

The taxonomy of North American crayfishes has recently experienced a boom in interest as these crustaceans have become increasingly imperiled. Improving taxonomic resolution can inform and facilitate conservation efforts but has proven challenging for crayfishes due to the limited number of molecular tools available to resolve species complexes and delimit species. The burrowing crayfish LacunicambarusHobbs, 1969 has a particularly convoluted taxonomic history that epitomizes many of the challenges of crayfish taxonomy. Recent studies using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) data to resolve this genus have had mixed results: mtDNA data have successfully resolved species-clades within Lacunicambarus but have failed to resolve interspecific relationships. This has precluded research on evolutionary history and biogeography. Our goal was to resolve the phylogeny of Lacunicambarus using anchored hybrid enrichment (AHE) data, a new source of additional molecular markers for estimating phylogenetic relationships. We present the best resolved phylogeny for Lacunicambarus to date and explore discrepancies between this phylogeny and past ones based on mtDNA data. We use this new phylogeny to explore interspecific relationships within Lacunicambarus and redescribe L. erythrodactylus (Simon & Morris, 2014) and L. nebrascensis (Girard, 1852) comb. nov. Our study demonstrates the tremendous contributions that next-generation sequencing methods like AHE can make to crayfish taxonomy and conservation.
Plasma VP8∗-Binding Antibodies in Rotavirus Infection and Oral Vaccination in Young Bangladeshi Children
Authors: Lee Benjamin , Colgate E Ross , Carmolli Marya , Dickson Dorothy M , Gullickson Soyeon , Diehl Sean A , Ara Rifat , Alam Masud , Kibria Golam , Abdul Kader Md , Afreen Sajia , Ferdous Tahsin , Haque Rashidul , Kirkpatrick Beth D
Published: November 2021

Background

Despite the availability and success of live-attenuated oral vaccines, rotavirus (RV) remains the leading cause of pediatric gastroenteritis worldwide. Next-generation vaccines targeting RV VP8∗ are under evaluation, but the role of VP8∗-specific antibodies in human immunity to RV and their potential as immune correlates of protection remains underexplored.

Methods

We measured plasma RV VP8∗-binding antibodies in 2 cohorts of young children in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Plasma from a cohort study of 137 unvaccinated children aged 6-24 months old hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis was assessed for VP8∗ antibody seropositivity. VP8∗ antibodies were compared with the current standard for RV immunity, total RV-specific IgA (RV-IgA). Additionally, VP8∗ antibody responses were measured as part of an immunogenicity trial of a monovalent, oral, live-attenuated RV vaccine (Rotarix).

Results

Fewer children with acute RV gastroenteritis were seropositive for VP8∗-binding IgA or IgG antibodies at hospital admission compared with RV-IgA, suggesting that the absence of VP8∗-binding antibodies more accurately predicts susceptibility to RV gastroenteritis than RV-IgA in unvaccinated children. However, when present, these antibodies appeared insufficient to protect fully from disease and no threshold antibody level for protection was apparent. In vaccinated children, these antibodies were very poorly induced by Rotarix vaccine, suggesting that VP8∗-specific antibodies alone are not necessary for clinical protection following oral vaccination.

Conclusions

This work suggests that VP8∗-binding antibodies may not be sufficient or necessary for protection from RV gastroenteritis following prior RV infection or oral vaccination; the role of VP8∗ antibodies induced by parenteral vaccination with non-replicating vaccines remains to be determined.
Double aortic arch: a rare cause of stridor in infants
Authors: Aladham Youssef , Bonduelle Quentin , Yaro John , Ahmed Omar
Published: November 2021

Double aortic arch is the most common vascular ring anomaly. It usually presents with symptoms related to tracheal and oesophageal compression. The constricting vascular ring may lead to stridor in infants and young children, which could be mistaken for upper respiratory tract infections or foreign body aspiration. It is therefore prudent to have a high index of suspicion when evaluating cases of paediatric stridor. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging are the diagnostic modalities of choice to investigate vascular rings. We report a case of a stridulous infant with a double aortic arch.
Primary gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the left hepatic lobe: a case report and a review of the literature
Authors: Piachas Athanasios , Tooulias Andreas , Tsoulfas Georgios
Published: November 2021

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) can arise from any site of the gastrointestinal tract. These tumors are known to originate from the interstitial cells of Cajal, located in the gastrointestinal mesenchyme. In the case presented, a 37-year-old Caucasian male was admitted to our Surgery department with 2-month history of mild abdominal pain, early satiety and flatulence. The computed tomography revealed a huge mass in the left hepatic lobe consisting of both spindle and epithelial cells. Immunohistochemistry revealed strong CD117 positivity expression. Only a few other cases of liver GIST have been reported in the literature.
Three dimensional Doppler tomography
Authors: Marsh T R
Published: November 2021

Doppler tomography is a method to compute the emissivity distribution within the co-rotating frames of binary stars from observations of their emission line profiles at multiple orbital phases. A key assumption of the method as it is usually applied is that all gas flow is parallel to the orbital plane of the binary. In this paper, I examine the possibility of lifting this assumption to allow for motion parallel to the orbital ‘z’ axis of the binary as well. I show that the problem is best considered in Fourier space, and that line profiles directly constrain the 3D Fourier transform of the 3D Doppler image in velocity space, but only over the 2D surface of a double-cone centred upon the origin, and aligned with the axis reciprocal to the vz velocity axis. Hence the full information needed for the recovery of the 3D emissivity distribution is simply not available. Despite this, an inversion method is presented and tested on a number of simulated images. While artefacts resulting from the missing information do appear, the tests suggest that there could be some value in applying 3D Doppler tomography to data from real systems, although considerable care is needed when doing so.
Spatial differences in stoichiometry of EGR phosphatase and Microtubule-associated Stress Protein 1 control root meristem activity during drought stress
Authors: Longkumer Toshisangba , Chen Chih-Yun , Biancucci Marco , Bhaskara Govinal Badiger , Verslues Paul E
Published: November 2021

During moderate severity drought and low water potential (ψw) stress, poorly understood signaling mechanisms restrict both meristem cell division and subsequent cell expansion. We found that the Arabidopsis thaliana Clade E Growth-Regulating 2 (EGR2) protein phosphatase and Microtubule-Associated Stress Protein 1 (MASP1) differed in their stoichiometry of protein accumulation across the root meristem and had opposing effects on root meristem activity at low ψw. Ectopic MASP1 or EGR expression increased or decreased, respectively, root meristem size and root elongation during low ψw stress. This, along with the ability of phosphomimic MASP1 to overcome the EGR-mediated suppression of root meristem size and the observation that ectopic EGR expression had no effect on unstressed plants, indicated that during low ψw EGR activation and attenuation of MASP1 phosphorylation in their overlapping zone of expression determines root meristem size and activity. Ectopic EGR expression also decreased root cell size at low ψw. Conversely, both the egr1-1 egr2-1 and egr1-1 egr2-1 masp1-1 mutants had similarly increased root cell size but only egr1-1egr2-1 had increased cell division. These observations demonstrated that EGRs affect meristem activity via MASP1 but affect cell expansion via other mechanisms. Interestingly, EGR2 was highly expressed in the root cortex, a cell type important for growth regulation and environmental response.
Gödel-type solutions in Einstein–Maxwell–scalar field theories
Authors: Ishihara Hideki , Matsuno Satsuki
Published: November 2021

We show that the one-parameter family of Gödel-type metrics are exact solutions in a wide class of Einstein–Maxwell–scalar field theories. In these solutions, the gauge field has a one-form expectation value parallel to the timelike contact form that represents the rotation of the Gödel universe.
TISSUE-EQUIVALENCE OF H2 GAS FOR MICRODOSIMETRY IN NEUTRON FIELDS: A GEANT4 MONTE CARLO STUDY
Authors: Chattaraj Arghya , Selvam T Palani
Published: November 2021

Hydrogen (H2) as filling gas in Tissue-equivalent proportional counter (TEPC) for measurements of microdosimetric distributions in neutron fields is investigated using the Monte Carlo-based Geant4 toolkit. The neutron fields considered are monoenergetic neutrons (1 keV–14 MeV) and ISO reference neutron sources 241Am-Be, 241Am-B, 252Cf and 252Cf + D2O. Based on the energy deposited in the gas cavities (tissue-equivalent (TE) propane and H2) of the TEPC, density scaling correction, ${f}_{\rho }$, to be applied on H2 gas to achieve tissue-equivalence is calculated for the above sources at 1μm site size. The calculated value of ${f}_{\rho }$ for the ISO-neutron sources is 0.40, which suggests that energy deposition in the gas cavities is predominantly due to crossers. In the case of monoenergetic neutrons, depending upon the energy, ${f}_{\rho }$ is in the range of 0.11–0.45. The study shows that the TE propane and H2-based microdosimetric distributions are comparable when the density of H2 is scaled appropriately. Mean quality factor $\overline{Q}$ calculated based on microdosimetric distribution increases initially with neutron energy up to 100 keV and thereafter decreases with energy. Depending upon the neutron energy, TE propane and H2-based $\overline{Q}$ values are comparable to within 3–15%, and for the ISO sources, the comparison is within 5–8%. For the ISO neutron sources, $\overline{Q}$ values are in the range of ~10–15.
Enabling disruptive innovations: a comparative case study of Uber in New York City, Chicago and San Francisco
Authors: Occhiuto Nicholas
Published: November 2021

Much research on disruptive innovations has focused on firms that disrupt existing industries. Yet, regulators and lawmakers are instrumental in containing or enabling market disruption, in ways that are less understood. This article examines taxi industries in New York City, Chicago and San Francisco between 2010 and 2014 to better understand the role of regulators and lawmakers in enabling Uber to disrupt these industries. Relying on 142 interviews, ethnographic observations and primary source documents, I show that regulators and lawmakers used two strategies in responding to Uber: blocking and incorporating. Blocking refers to measures that stop a firm from entering the industry. Incorporating refers to adding, subtracting or modifying regulations to align with an innovative firm’s practices. I identify three incorporating strategies: horizontal venue shifting, vertical venue shifting and reinterpreting existing regulations. Analyzing these strategies more clearly illuminates regulatory change mechanisms and lawmakers’ and regulators’ role in enabling disruptive innovations.
Work Primacy and the Social Incorporation of Unaccompanied, Undocumented Latinx Youth in the United States
Authors: Canizales Stephanie L
Published: November 2021

This study investigates the social incorporation of unaccompanied, undocumented Latinx youth workers as they come of age in the United States. Based on research with undocumented Central American and Mexican young adults who grew up as unaccompanied minors in Los Angeles, California, the data reveal that the pressures of financial obligations to families in the sending country and their own sobrevivencia (survival) in the United States, along with limited financial and social resource and mobility, produce a social incorporation trajectory shaped by the primacy of work. Work primacy conditions youth’s educational opportunities, community embeddedness, and family relationships and limits unaccompanied, undocumented youth’s ability to establish and maintain social networks with consequences for their social incorporation. The precarious occupations within the secondary labor market that are characterized by long hours, low wages, labor market restrictions, and unsafe and unsanitary work conditions limit opportunities for socioeconomic mobility for all youth. Women and Indigenous youth are distinctly affected by work primacy. This research advances our understanding of immigrant youth’s lives by examining how institutional context, familial obligations across borders, and limited ethnic networks play a role in shaping the incorporation experiences of unaccompanied, undocumented Latinx immigrants as they come of age in the United States.
Simple Hematological Markers in Predicting the Severity of Transient Tachypnea of Newborn: New Wine in Old Bottles
Authors: Bolat Fatih , Haspolat Necla Yuce , Bolat Guher , Şahin Murat
Published: November 2021

Objectives

To evaluate the validity of red cell distribution width (RDW), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and platelet mass index (PMI) of patients with transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN), and to find out their roles in predicting severity of TTN.

Patients and Methods

In this prospective study, hematological parameters (RDW, PMI) and ratios (NLR, PLR) of 147 patients with TTN and 147 full-term healthy controls were evaluated and compared at birth and at 72nd h of life.

patient

s with TTN and 147 full-term healthy controls were evaluated and compared at birth and at 72nd hours of life.

Results

RDW and NLR were not only significantly higher in patients with TTN at birth (p = 0.001) and at 72nd hours of life (p: 0.001), but also were correlated with days of nasal continuous positive airway pressure therapy, duration of O2 therapy, TTN clinical scores, hospitalization and TTN duration. At a cut-off value of 2.40, NLR had a sensitivity of 82.5% and specificity of 77.5% to predict TTN, the most striking parameter at 72nd hours of life. RDW of 17.75 was also determined as the predictive cutoff value of TTN (sensitivity 72.5%; specificity 67.5%; area under the receiver–operating characteristic curve 0.80; p = 0.001). Multivariate analysis model adjusted for delivery, gestational age, male gender revealed that RDW and NLR were significantly and independently associated with TTN.

Conclusion

RDW and NLR both at birth and at 72nd hours of life can be used as biomarkers to distinguish TTN patients from healthy newborns and to predict the severity of TTN.
The Role of Income Inequality for Poverty Reduction
Authors: Bergstrom Katy
Published: November 2021

This paper approximates the identity that links growth in mean incomes and changes in the distribution of relative incomes to reductions in absolute poverty and examines the role of income inequality for poverty reduction. Under the assumption that income is log-normally distributed, we show that we can approximate this identity well. We find that the inequality elasticity of poverty reduction is larger, on average, compared to the growth elasticity of poverty reduction and that the growth elasticity declines steeply with a country’s initial level of inequality. However, we find that prior changes in poverty were, in large part, explained by changes in mean incomes. This is a consequence of changes in income inequality being an order of magnitude smaller than changes in mean incomes. Overall, our results highlight the important role income inequality can play in reducing poverty despite prior poverty changes being, in large part, a consequence of economic growth.
Pandemic-Related Disruptions in Nursing Education: Zooming Out for an Innovative Interprofessional Simulation
Authors: Clark Angie , Wagner Robin , Brubaker Michael , Acquavita Shauna , Wilder Christine
Published: November 2021

When the COVID-19 global pandemic began, many higher education systems had to restructure their educational delivery system and transition to online learning. This posed a challenge for students in health professions education programs as it impacted their ability to participate in hands-on learning regarding patient care. As a result, the University of Cincinnati College of Nursing developed and implemented simulation-based learning experiences to allow graduate-level social worker, counselor, and psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner students the opportunity to learn as an interdisciplinary team in a virtual format. The Opioid Use Disorder Simulation Case Study discussed in this article was developed as part of the Serving At-risk Youth Fellowship Experience Training program with the overarching aim to prepare culturally competent providers to deliver direct patient care and education around prevention and recovery services to individuals with substance use disorders.
Arthroscopically Assisted Technique for Combined Medial and Lateral Ligament Repair in Multidirectional Ankle Instability
Authors: Gerstner Juan B. , Méndez Lavergne Octavio A. , Blanco Fanny A.L. , Gerstner Saucedo Jochen , Ramírez Dávila Carlos E.
Published: November 2021

An ankle sprain is one of the most common orthopedic injuries, frequently associated with sporting activities. Acute treatment has a traditional standard protocol, but even after undergoing a good rehabilitation program, up to 20% to 40% of patients develop chronic ankle instability. Arthroscopy is a rapidly evolving surgical procedure indicated for the management of this pathology as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool. The objective of this study was to describe an arthroscopically assisted technique for combined medial and lateral ligament repair in patients with multidirectional ankle instability. Clinical and functional results were described in 14 cases (8 female, 6 male) with a minimum 12-month follow-up. The average age was 35.8 years (range: 20 to 57 y), only 1 case of neuritis was reported and resolved without invasive procedures. At the final follow-up, 13 cases had good-excellent results with AOFAS (American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Score) >80 points. We believe that the arthroscopic technique described is as a viable treatment option in patients with multidirectional ankle instability, with similar or better results than open techniques.

Level of Evidence: Diagnostic Level V. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.