bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Profitable Horizontal Mergers Without Efficiencies Can Increase Consumer Surplus*
Authors: Thomas Charles J.
Published: December 2021

In a standard procurement model I show that consumer surplus can increase after rival sellers consummate a profitable merger that generates no cost savings. This finding contrasts sharply with conventional wisdom in antitrust that horizontal mergers without efficiencies must enhance sellers’ market power to be profitable, thereby harming buyers. The model fits industries in which individual buyers conduct distinct procurement contests for which sellers incur costs to participate, say to assess their cost of fulfilling the contract. Mergers benefit buyers by inducing stronger contest‐level entry, echoing common claims from merging parties that their merger improves competition by creating a stronger competitor.
Supply‐ vs. Demand‐Side Transparency: The Collusive Effects Under Imperfect Public Monitoring*
Authors: Garrod Luke , Olczak Matthew
Published: December 2021

We analyse how market transparency affects collusion under imperfect monitoring where punishment phases occur on the equilibrium path. We show that increased transparency causes a ‘pro‐competitive’ demand‐side effect and an ‘anti‐competitive’ supply‐side effect on the optimal symmetric perfect public equilibrium (SPPE) profits. When transparency increases on both sides of the market, the optimal SPPE profits unambiguously increase at the perfect monitoring limit, because the pro‐competitive demand‐side effect vanishes. This result holds even when there is minimal structure on the competition game. The supply‐side effect also dominates away from the limit under reasonable conditions. We draw conclusions for policy.
College Students Who Are Mindful About Math Achieve Better Grades
Authors: Weed Keri , Usry Christian Hope , Stafford Jane
Published: December 2021

High levels of math anxiety combined with low levels of mindfulness may contribute to disproportionate failure rates in introductory college mathematics classes. Although research has confirmed benefits of mindfulness in reducing anxiety and stress, findings have been less clear regarding links between mindfulness and achievement outcomes. The current study used an adapted version of the Five Factor Mindfulness Questionnaire, with items reworded specifically for activities related to math, to investigate roles of both math anxiety and mindfulness on midterm course grades. Undergraduate math students completed a brief test of math skills, and questionnaires about math anxiety, general mindfulness, and mindfulness about math during the first week of the semester. Course grades were collected at midterm. Results revealed that math skills and the act with awareness facet of mindfulness were significantly associated with course grades. Supporting mindful awareness during introductory college math classes may also enhance achievement outcomes.
Burkholderia cepacia—A rare but important cause of refractory peritonitis in patients with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis: A case report and literature review
Authors: Huang Xiu , Yang Ting , Li Min , Wang Chendan , Zhou Yun , Zhang Jie
Published: December 2021

Refractory peritonitis in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) caused by Burkholderia cepacia is very rare. Herein, we describe a case of B. cepacia‐related refractory peritonitis and present a literature review of similar cases. A 62‐year‐old male patient presented with diffuse abdominal pain, bloating, and turbid peritoneal effluent. Initial dialysis effluent culture was negative for any microorganism. The patient initially underwent treatment with piperacillin–sulbactam. The second dialysis effluent culture was positive for gram stain and later tested positive for B. cepacia. Peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter removal was recommended, and the patient agreed to undergo regular hemodialysis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of B. cepacia‐related refractory peritonitis in a patient undergoing CAPD with no history of a recent hospitalization. B. cepacia infections can result in death in some areas. Therefore, timely catheter removal and switching treatment to hemodialysis is recommended for patients with B. cepacia‐related refractory peritonitis.
The HLA‐B*58:01:42 allele identified in a volunteer bone marrow donor
Authors: Loginova Maria , Smirnova Daria , Kutyavina Svetlana , Paramonov Igor
Published: December 2021

HLA‐B*58:01:42 differs from HLA‐B*58:01:01:01 in codon 303 in exon 5.
Defensa de la visión del mundo y motivos identitarios ante la saliencia de mortalidad y la religión en Lima
Authors: Tavara Ramirez Fernando Adrian , Espinosa Pezzia Agustin , Delgado Taboada José Manuel
Published: December 2021

Justificación. La Teoría del Manejo del Terror (TMT) propone que la saliencia de mortalidad (SM) produce estados de ansiedad que las personas afrontan con la Defensa de la Visión del Mundo (DVM) y la adhesión a Motivos Identitarios (MI). Objetivo. Analizar el efecto de la SM en la DVM y los MI en católicos y ateos de Lima (Perú). Método. Se desarrolló un diseño cuasiexperimental, intersujetos, 2 x 2 [Condición: Experimental vs. Control X Grupo de Creencia: Católicos (n = 30) vs. Ateos (n = 32)]. Los participantes de la condición experimental fueron expuestos a la SM y los de la condición control no, respondiendo posteriormente a cuestionarios de DVM y MI. Resultados. No existen diferencias en la DVM y los MI por condición, ni por la interacción entre condición y grupo de creencia. Sin embargo, analizando las diferencias por grupo de creencia, los ateos muestran mayor DVM y los católicos mayores niveles en los MI de Pertenencia y Continuidad. Discusión. Los hallazgos sobre los efectos de la SM en las variables dependientes son consistentes con resultados en contextos no anglosajones. Adicionalmente, las diferencias entre grupos de creencia se discuten desde un marco de relaciones intergrupales en el contexto peruano.
One Nation, Two Teams: Repositioning the Toronto Blue Jays Among the Threat of a New Entrant
Authors: Dalal Keegan , Declercq Lindee , Piché Megan C. , Hyatt Craig G. , Naraine Michael L.
Published: December 2021

While many teams face difficult decisions regarding their branding, this case emphasizes how external factors can dictate marketing strategies. The Montreal Expos returning to Major League Baseball poses many threats and opportunities for the Toronto Blue Jays. As a result, the Blue Jays must reconsider their use of national identity in their branding—and whether it is appropriate to transition from being Canada’s only team to now sharing the market with the Expos. Nevertheless, the Expos’ return to Major League Baseball provides the Blue Jays with an opportunity to explore new marketing strategies. Case participants are tasked with repositioning the Blue Jays’ marketing strategy in response to the Expos’ return.
Hey Alexa, Launch Twitch: Using Sport Sponsorship to Drive Business Development
Authors: Declercq Lindee , Dalal Keegan , Piché Megan , Burton Nicholas , Naraine Michael
Published: December 2021

In this case study, students will explore how sport sponsorship can be used to drive business development. They will follow the fictitious story of Amazon, developing a plan to expand its operations into the Middle East through the eSports platform Twitch. Twitch, a video game livestreaming site has contributed to the rise popularity of eSports. Thanks to its appeal to the youth demographic, it is revealed Twitch offers a unique platform that can give Amazon a competitive advantage. This aligns with the Middle East’s increasing interest in becoming a global sport leader. After further exploring the Middle East market, the potential value of this sponsorship will be determined. In addition, business-to-consumer strategies will be consulted to justify the plan put forward by Amazon. Learning objectives include understanding the role of new media and being able to understand the early phases of a sponsorship plan.
Are Men and Women Equally Affected by Load Carriage While Landing? Analysis of Balance in Spanish Infantry Soldiers
Authors: Orantes-Gonzalez Eva , Heredia-Jimenez J.
Published: December 2021

In this study, the effect of carrying combat equipment and a backpack on balance between men and women was analyzed by simulating a jump out of an armored fighting vehicle, together with the influence of body composition variables. Thirty-seven men and eight women participated in this study. Three landings were performed by simulating a jump from a wheeled armored vehicle carrying no load, carrying the combat equipment and backpack condition. A force plate was used to measure the amplitude and velocity displacement of the center of pressure and the stabilization time. A significant load effect was found on the total velocity and medial–lateral velocity. The weight of the combat equipment and the body composition variables did not correlate with the balance variables. Male and female soldiers showed similar body balance while carrying military combat equipment.
Infant T cells are developmentally adapted for robust lung immune responses through enhanced T cell receptor signaling
Authors: Thapa Puspa , Guyer Rebecca S. , Yang Alexander Y. , Parks Christopher A. , Brusko Todd M. , Brusko Maigan , Connors Thomas J. , Farber Donna L.
Published: December 2021

Enhanced T cell activation and immune synapse formation by infant T cells promotes generation of lung-homing effector cells.
Risk of left atrial appendage thrombus and stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation and mitral regurgitation
Authors: Melduni Rowlens , Nkomo Vuyisile T , Wysokinski Waldemar , Gersh Bernard J , Deshmukh Abhishek , Padang Ratnasari , Greene Eddie L , Oh Jae K , Lee Hon-Chi
Published: December 2021

Objective

To investigate the association of mitral regurgitation (MR) on thromboembolic risk of patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) undergoing transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE)-guided cardioversion.

Methods

Data for consecutive patients who underwent TEE-guided cardioversion for NVAF between 2000 and 2012 were analysed. MR severity was assessed by Doppler echocardiography and classified as ≤mild, moderate or severe. Left atrial appendage emptying velocities were averaged for five consecutive cycles. Multivariable regression models were used to identify independent predictors of left atrial appendage thrombus (LAAT) and stroke.

Results

2950 patients (age, 69.3±12.2 years, 67% men) were analysed. 2173 (73.7%) had ≤mild MR; 631 (21.4%), moderate MR; and 146 (4.9%), severe MR. Patients with moderate (age, 72.4±10.7 years) and severe (age, 72.8±12.1 years) MR were older than those with ≤mild MR (age, 68.2±12.5 years). The prevalence of LAAT was 1.5% (n=43). CHA2DS2-VASc scores (≤mild MR, 3.0±1.6; moderate MR, 3.5±1.5; severe MR, 3.9±1.5; p<0.001) and heart failure frequency (≤mild MR, 38.4%; moderate MR, 48.0%; severe MR, 69.2%; p<0.001) were increasingly higher with greater MR severity. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed no association of moderate MR (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.38 to 1.56) or severe MR (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.21 to 1.49) with LAAT. During a mean follow-up of 7.3±5.1 years (median 7.5, IQR, 2.7–10.9), 216 patients had an ischaemic stroke. Adjusted Cox regression analysis showed no significant association of moderate MR (HR 1.22, 95% CI 0.88 to 1.68) or severe MR (HR 0.73, 95% CI 0.31 to 1.46) with stroke.

Conclusions

Among patients with NVAF, the presence or severity of MR was not associated with a decreased risk of LAAT or stroke.
Safety and efficacy of the tumor-selective adenovirus enadenotucirev with or without paclitaxel in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer: a phase 1 clinical trial
Authors: Moreno Victor , Barretina-Ginesta Maria-Pilar , García-Donas Jesús , Jayson Gordon C , Roxburgh Patricia , Vázquez Raúl Márquez , Michael Agnieszka , Antón-Torres Antonio , Brown Richard , Krige David , Champion Brian , McNeish Iain
Published: December 2021

Background

Treatment outcomes remain poor in recurrent platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Enadenotucirev, a tumor-selective and blood stable adenoviral vector, has demonstrated a manageable safety profile in phase 1 studies in epithelial solid tumors.

Methods

We conducted a multicenter, open-label, phase 1 dose-escalation and dose-expansion study (OCTAVE) to assess enadenotucirev plus paclitaxel in patients with platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian cancer. During phase 1a, the maximum tolerated dose of intraperitoneally administered enadenotucirev monotherapy (three doses; days 1, 8 and 15) was assessed using a 3+3 dose-escalation model. Phase 1b included a dose-escalation and an intravenous dosing dose-expansion phase assessing enadenotucirev plus paclitaxel. For phase 1a/b, the primary objective was to determine the maximum tolerated dose of enadenotucirev (with paclitaxel in phase 1b). In the dose-expansion phase, the primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Additional endpoints included response rate and T-cell infiltration.

Results

Overall, 38 heavily pretreated patients were enrolled and treated. No dose-limiting toxicities were observed at any doses. However, frequent catheter complications led to the discontinuation of intraperitoneal dosing during phase 1b. Intravenous enadenotucirev (1×1012 viral particles; days 1, 3 and 5 every 28-days for two cycles) plus paclitaxel (80 mg/m2; days 9, 16 and 23 of each cycle) was thus selected for dose-expansion. Overall, 24/38 (63%) patients experienced at least 1 Grade ≥3 treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE); most frequently neutropenia (21%). Six patients discontinued treatment due to TEAEs, including one patient due to a grade 2 treatment-emergent serious AE of catheter site infection (intraperitoneal enadenotucirev monotherapy). Among the 20 patients who received intravenous enadenotucirev plus paclitaxel, 4-month PFS rate was 64% (median 6.2 months), objective response rate was 10%, 35% of patients achieved stable disease and 65% of patients had a reduction in target lesion burden at ≥1 time point. Five out of six patients with matched pre-treatment and post-treatment biopsies treated with intravenous enadenotucirev plus paclitaxel had increased (mean 3.1-fold) infiltration of CD8 +T cells in post-treatment biopsies.

Conclusions

Intravenously dosed enadenotucirev plus paclitaxel demonstrated manageable tolerability, an encouraging median PFS and increased tumor immune-cell infiltration in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.

Trial registration number

NCT02028117.
Test–retest reliability of outcome measures: data from three trials in radiographic and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis
Authors: Boel Anne , Navarro-Compán Victoria , van der Heijde Désirée
Published: December 2021

Objectives

Aim of this study was to assess test–retest reliability of candidate instruments for the mandatory domains of the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis international Society (ASAS)-Outcome Measures in Rheumatology core set for axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).

Methods

Screening and baseline data from COAST-V, COAST-X and RAPID-axSpA was used to evaluate test–retest reliability of each candidate instrument for the mandatory domains (disease activity, pain, morning stiffness, fatigue, physical function, overall functioning and health). A maximum time interval of 28 days between both visits was used for inclusion in this study. Test–retest reliability was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Bland and Altman plots provided mean difference and 95% limits of agreement, which were used to calculate the smallest detectable change (SDC). Data were analysed for radiographic and non-radiographic axSpA separately.

Results

Good reliability was found for Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ICC 0.79, SDC 0.6), C reactive protein (ICC 0.72–0.79, SDC 12.3–17.0), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (ICC 0.87, SDC 1.1) and 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (ICC Physical Component Summary 0.81, SDC 4.7, Mental Component Summary 0.80, SDC 7.3). Moderate reliability was found for Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (ICC 0.72, SDC 1.1), patient global assessment (ICC 0.58, SDC 1.5), total back pain (ICC 0.64, SDC 1.3), back pain at night (ICC 0.67, SDC 1.3), morning stiffness (ICC 0.52–0.63, SDC 1.5–2.2), fatigue (ICC 0.65, SDC 1.3) and ASAS-Health Index (ICC 0.74, SDC 2.5). Reliability and SDC for the radiographic and non-radiographic axSpA subgroups were similar.

Conclusion

Overall reliability was good, and comparable levels of reliability were found for patients with radiographic and non-radiographic axSpA, even though most instruments were developed for radiographic axSpA. Composite measures showed higher reliability than single-item measures in assessing disease activity in patients with axSpA.
Assessment of sediment arsenic and iron occurrence and leaching potential in a potable water treatment plant wastewater stabilization pond system
Authors: Ekhlasi Nia Ali , Bull Harrison , Asadi Mohsen , McPhedran Kerry
Published: December 2021

Wastewater stabilization ponds (WSPs) are commonly used to reduce wastewater metal(loid) concentrations from drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) through sedimentation. However, this results in increased sediment concentrations that can be released back into the overlying water. Thus, our goal was to evaluate the WSP metal(loid)s occurrence and leaching potential. Currently, a Saskatchewan based DWTP’s WSP system was investigated given historically elevated effluent As and Fe concentrations. The WSP consists of five ponds that were sampled on six occasions in 2019 and 2020. In addition, sediments were used in laboratory-based experiments to determine their leaching potential. Overall, the sediments were found to contain elevated concentrations of As and Fe of 25 to 400 mg/kg and 10 000 to 45 000 mg/kg, respectively. Leaching experiments indicated that the pond sediments could potentially release As and Fe with log Kd values ranging from 2.21 to 4.31 L/kg, whereas Fe ranged from 3.32 to 5.53 L/kg.
Effects of Continuous vs Discrete Frequency Scaling and Core Allocation on Energy Efficiency of Static Schedules for Moldable Tasks
Authors: Litzinger Sebastian , Keller Jörg
Published: December 2021

Models for energy-efficient static scheduling of parallelizable tasks with deadlines on frequency-scalable parallel machines comprise moldable vs. malleable tasks and continuous vs. discrete frequency levels, plus preemptive vs. non-preemptive task execution with or without task migration. We investigate the tradeoff between scheduling time and energy efficiency when going from continuous to discrete core allocation and frequency levels on a multicore processor, and from preemptive to non-preemptive task execution. To this end, we present a tool to convert a schedule computed for malleable tasks on machines with continuous frequency scaling [Sanders and Speck, Euro-Par (2012)] into one for moldable tasks on a machine with discrete frequency levels. We compare the energy efficiency of the converted schedule to the energy consumed by a schedule produced by the integrated crown scheduler [Melot et al., ACM TACO (2015)] for moldable tasks and a machine with discrete frequency levels. Our experiments with synthetic and application-based task sets indicate that the converted Sanders Speck schedules, while computed faster, consume more energy on average than crown schedules. Surprisingly, it is not the step from malleable to moldable tasks that is responsible but the step from continuous to discrete frequency levels. One-time frequency scaling during a task’s execution can compensate for most of the energy overhead caused by frequency discretization.
Evaporation of black hole under the effect of quantum gravity
Authors: Ali Riasat , Babar Rimsha , Asgher Muhammad , Shah Syed Asif Ali
Published: December 2021

This paper provides an extension for Hawking temperature of Reissner–Nordström-de Sitter (RN-DS) black hole (BH) with global monopole as well as [Formula: see text]D charged black hole. We consider the black holes metric and investigate the effects of quantum gravity ([Formula: see text]) on Hawking radiation. We investigate the charged boson particles tunneling through the horizon of black holes by using the Hamilton–Jacobi ansatz phenomenon. In our investigation, we study the quantum radiation to analyze the Lagrangian wave equation with generalized uncertainty principle and calculate the modified Hawking temperatures for black holes. Furthermore, we analyze the charge and correction parameter effects on the modified Hawking temperature and examine the stable and unstable condition of RN-DS BH with global monopole as well as [Formula: see text]D charged black hole.
Traversable wormhole solutions with non-exotic fluid in framework of f(Q) gravity
Authors: Sharma Umesh Kumar , Shweta  , Mishra Ambuj Kumar
Published: December 2021

The presence of exotic matter for the existence of the wormhole geometry has been an unavoidable problem in GR. In recent studies, researchers have tried to deal with this issue using modified gravity theories where the WH geometry is explained by the extra curvature terms and NEC’s are not violated signifying the standard matter in the WH geometry. In this paper, we investigate the solutions of traversable wormholes with normal matter in the throat within the framework of symmetric teleparallel gravity [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the non-metricity scalar that defines the gravitational interaction. We analyze the wormhole geometries for three forms of function [Formula: see text]. First is the linear form [Formula: see text], second a nonlinear form [Formula: see text] and third one a more general quadratic form [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] being the constants. For all the three cases, the shape function is taken as [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] is the throat radius. A special variable redshift function is considered for the discussion. All the energy conditions are then examined for the existence and stability of the wormhole geometry.
Comparative Study on Performance of Regenerator for Miniature Pulse Tube Cryocooler with Metal Matrix Materials at Ultra High Frequencies
Authors: Yadav Chetan O. , Ramana P. V.
Published: December 2021

A Miniature Pulse Tube Cryocooler (MPTC) is the first selection for the cooling of IR sensors, infrared detectors, etc. in space technology. The regenerator is one of the key components to operate an MPTC at high efficiency. The objective of this study is to explore the possibilities of the different matrices as regenerator filler materials for MPTC operating at ultra-high frequencies. REGEN 3.3 is one of the best software available for the design and optimization of cryocooler regenerators. We have used REGEN 3.3 for numerical simulations of the three different regenerator matrix materials viz. stainless steel wire mesh screen (SS 635#), brass wire mesh screen (500#) and copper wire mesh screen (500#) at the hot end and cold end temperatures of 300[Formula: see text]K and 80[Formula: see text]K for COP, cooling power, total power losses and pressure losses, at an ultra-high frequency of 100[Formula: see text]Hz and 200[Formula: see text]Hz. The simulation results depict that the regenerator using stainless steel mesh screen shows better results than that of the brass mesh screen and copper mesh screen at 100[Formula: see text]Hz. However, the performance of brass mesh screen and copper mesh screen performs better than the stainless steel at 200[Formula: see text]Hz. Therefore, the proposed matrix materials can be used as regenerator materials for the MPTC at ultra-high frequencies with better performances.
AutoMate
Authors: Jones Benjamin , Hildreth Dalton , Chen Duowen , Baran Ilya , Kim Vladimir G. , Schulz Adriana
Published: December 2021

Assembly modeling is a core task of computer aided design (CAD), comprising around one third of the work in a CAD workflow. Optimizing this process therefore represents a huge opportunity in the design of a CAD system, but current research of assembly based modeling is not directly applicable to modern CAD systems because it eschews the dominant data structure of modern CAD: parametric boundary representations (BREPs). CAD assembly modeling defines assemblies as a system of pairwise constraints, called
mates
, between parts, which are defined relative to BREP topology rather than in world coordinates common to existing work. We propose SB-GCN, a representation learning scheme on BREPs that retains the topological structure of parts, and use these learned representations to predict CAD type mates. To train our system, we compiled the first large scale dataset of BREP CAD assemblies, which we are releasing along with benchmark mate prediction tasks. Finally, we demonstrate the compatibility of our model with an existing commercial CAD system by building a tool that assists users in mate creation by suggesting mate completions, with 72.2% accuracy.
Human Adenovirus Serotype 3 Infection Modulates the Biogenesis and Composition of Lung Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles
Authors: Ipinmoroti Ayodeji O. , Crenshaw Brennetta J. , Pandit Rachana , Kumar Sanjay , Sims Brian , Matthews Qiana L.
Published: December 2021

Adenovirus (Ad) is a major causal agent of acute respiratory infections. However, they are a powerful delivery system for gene therapy and vaccines. Some Ad serotypes antagonize the immune system leading to meningitis, conjunctivitis, gastroenteritis, and/or acute hemorrhagic cystitis. Studies have shown that the release of small, membrane-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) may offer a mechanism by which viruses can enter cells via receptor-independent entry and how they influence disease pathogenesis and/or host protection considering their existence in almost all bodily fluids. We proposed that Ad3 could alter EV biogenesis, composition, and trafficking and may stimulate various immune responses in vitro. In the present study, we evaluated the impact of in vitro infection with Ad3 vector on EV biogenesis and composition in the human adenocarcinoma lung epithelial cell line A549. Cells were infected in an exosome-free media at different multiplicity of infections (MOIs) and time points. The cell viability was determined using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and fluorometric calcein-AM. EVs were isolated via ultracentrifugation. Isolated EV proteins were quantified and evaluated via nanoparticle tracking, transmission electron microscopy, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and immunoblotting assays. The cell viability significantly decreased with an increase in MOI and incubation time. A significant increase in particle mean sizes, concentrations, and total EV protein content was detected at higher MOIs when compared to uninfected cells (control group). A549 cell-derived EVs revealed the presence of TSG101, tetraspanins CD9 and CD63, and heat shock proteins 70 and 100 with significantly elevated levels of Rab5, 7, and 35 at higher MOIs (300, 750, and 1500) when compared to the controls. Our findings suggested Ad3 could modulate EV biogenesis, composition, and trafficking which could impact infection pathogenesis and disease progression. This study might suggest EVs could be diagnostic and therapeutic advancement to Ad infections and other related viral infections. However, further investigation is warranted to explore the underlying mechanism(s).
Characteristics of Regular Functions Defined on a Semicommutative Subalgebra of 4-Dimensional Complex Matrix Algebra
Authors: Kim Ji Eun
Published: December 2021

In this paper, we give an extended quaternion as a matrix form involving complex components. We introduce a semicommutative subalgebra

ℂ

ℂ

2

of the complex matrix algebra

M

4
,
ℂ

. We exhibit regular functions defined on a domain in

ℂ

4

but taking values in

ℂ

ℂ

2

. By using the characteristics of these regular functions, we propose the corresponding Cauchy–Riemann equations. In addition, we demonstrate several properties of these regular functions using these novel Cauchy–Riemann equations. Mathematical Subject Classification is 32G35, 32W50, 32A99, and 11E88.
Application of Intelligent Ultrasound in Real-Time Monitoring of Postoperative Analgesic Nerve Block
Authors: Li Zhengwei , Zhao Ling , Wang Wutao , Zheng Ling
Published: December 2021

In order to monitor the effect of nerve block in postoperative analgesia more accurately, this paper puts forward the application research of ultrasonic real-time intelligent monitoring of nerve block in postoperative analgesia. Ultrasonic real-time intelligent monitoring of nerve block in upper limb surgery, lower limb surgery, and abdominal surgery combined with the nerve stimulator. The experiments show that there are 5 cases of adverse reactions when the nerve stimulator is only used, but no adverse reactions occur when combined with ultrasound-guided block. Continuous subclavian brachial plexus block with the ultrasound-guided nerve stimulator can clearly see the subclavian brachial plexus and its surrounding tissue structure, the direction of needle insertion in the plane, and the diffusion of narcotic drugs. The average success rate of block was up to 95.2%, which was significantly higher than that of nerve stimulator alone, and the success rate of recatheterization after the first failure was also improved. The average postoperative analgesia satisfaction was 85.6%, the average operation time was only 20 min, and the subclavian artery and pleura were avoided effectively. No pneumothorax and other complications occurred. The average success rate of ultrasound-guided subclavicular brachial plexus block in 1-2-year-old children was 97%, which was much higher than the average success rate of nerve stimulator localization with 63%. Ultrasound-guided nerve block not only directly blocks nerves under visual conditions but also helps to observe the structures around nerves and dynamically observe the diffusion of local anesthetics, which can significantly improve the accuracy and success rate of nerve block and reduce the incidence of complications.
The Soliton Solutions and Long-Time Asymptotic Analysis for an Integrable Variable Coefficient Nonlocal Nonlinear Schrödinger Equation
Authors: Chen Guiying , Xin Xiangpeng , Zhang Feng
Published: December 2021

An integrable variable coefficient nonlocal nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NNLS) is studied; by employing the Hirota’s bilinear method, the bilinear form is obtained, and the

N

-soliton solutions are constructed. In addition, some singular solutions and period solutions of the addressed equation with specific coefficients are shown. Finally, under certain conditions, the asymptotic behavior of the two-soliton solution is analyzed to prove that the collision of the two-soliton is elastic.
Tumor-Specificity Growth Factor Combined with Tumor Markers in Nuclear Medicine Imaging to Identify Prostate Cancer Osteonosus
Authors: Zhang Xuemin , Chen Zhengfu
Published: December 2021

Objective. This study has explored the application value of malignant tumor SPE growth factor (TSGF) combined with tumor markers (TM) (TSGF + TM) in nuclear medicine imaging to identify prostate cancer osteonosus (PCO). Methods. A retrospective analysis for 70 patients with prostate cancer and bone disease admitted to our hospital was performed, 30 healthy persons in the same period were selected as the control group, and the advantages and disadvantages of various examinations were analyzed. All patients were diagnosed with PET whole body bone imaging. Suspicious lesions could be examined by MRI or CT. According to the results of imaging examination, patients were divided into 40 cases of malignant prostate cancer and 30 cases of benign prostate cancer. All the patients underwent 18F-FDG-PET imaging, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and TSGF + TM determination. The case diagnosis results were compared and analyzed, and the sensitivity (SEN), specificity (SPE), and accuracy (ACC) of various detection methods were calculated. The SEN, SPE, and ACC of positron emission tomography (PET) were 90.9%, 57.8%, and 81.2%, respectively; those of TM were 79.2%, 94.6%, and 69.8%, respectively; and those of TSGF + TM were 95.9%, 100%, and 97.3%, respectively. The accuracy of combined diagnosis of tumors can reach 100%. The AFP and TSGF levels of serum TM were compared and analyzed, and it was found that the benign lesion group and the malignant lesion group showed significant increases compared with the control group, and the difference between the malignant lesion group and the control group was obvious (

P

 < 0.05). SGF combined with TM could obtain a more definite diagnosis in PCO. Conclusion. TSGF + TM combined with 18F-FDG-PET imaging showed important clinical value to diagnose the PCO. The imaging accuracy of TSGF + TM combined with 18F-FDG-PET is 97.3%, and the specificity of tumor diagnosis is 100%. Therefore, the TSGF + TM applied in medical imaging and identification of PCO was worthy of clinical promotion.
Hampton’s Hump: A Notable Radiographic Finding in a Patient with Infectious Endocarditis
Authors: Earle Matthew , Bailey James , Berkeley Ross P.
Published: December 2021

Infectious endocarditis is a relatively uncommon entity that may present with a variety of clinical scenarios, ranging from a stable patient with nonspecific symptoms to a critically ill patient suffering from embolic disease. We report a case of an otherwise healthy 35-year-old female who presented to the Emergency Department with gradually progressive dyspnea, weight loss, and lower extremity edema. As part of her initial evaluation, a chest radiograph was performed and demonstrated Hampton’s Hump, a peripheral wedge-shaped opacity consistent with a possible pulmonary infarct. Further diagnostic investigation in the Emergency Department led to an unanticipated diagnosis of infectious endocarditis. This case serves as an important reminder that nonspecific diagnostic findings need to be appropriately considered in context and is a rare demonstration of Hampton’s Hump associated with infectious endocarditis.
Dialysis Outcomes in a Middle-Income Country: An Updated Comparison of Patient Mortality between Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis
Authors: Sanabria Rafael M. , Vesga Jasmin I. , Johnson David W. , Rivera Angela S. , Buitrago Giancarlo , Lindholm Bengt , Sanchez Ricardo
Published: December 2021

Introduction: Comparisons of survival between dialysis modalities is of great importance to patients with kidney failure, their families, and healthcare systems. Objective: This study’s objective was to compare mortality of patients on chronic hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD) and identify variables associated with mortality. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included adult incident patients with kidney failure treated with HD or PD by the Baxter Renal Care Services network in Colombia. The study was conducted between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2013 (recruitment period), with follow-up until December 31, 2018. The outcome was the cumulative mortality rate at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years. Propensity score matching (PSM) and the Gompertz parametric survival model were used to compare mortality in HD versus PD. Results: The analysis included 12,499 patients, of whom 57.4% were on PD at inception. The overall mortality rate was 14.0 events per 100 patient-years (95% confidence interval [CI], 13.61–14.42). Using an intention-to-treat approach, crude mortality rates were significantly lower in patients receiving HD (HD: 12.3 deaths per 100 patient-years [95% CI, 11.7–12.8] vs. PD: 15.5 [14.9–16.1], p < 0.01). Using a Gompertz parametric survival model, dialysis modality was not significantly associated with mortality (hazard ratio HD vs. PD 1.0, 95% CI, 0.9–1.1). After PSM, the mortality cumulative incidence functions between HD and PD were not statistically significantly different (p = 0.88). Conclusions: The present study in a large cohort of incident dialysis patients with at least 5 years follow-up and using PSM methods showed no differences in cumulative mortality between HD and PD patients. This evidence from a middle-income country may facilitate the process of dialysis modality selection globally.
A modernidade da fábrica da Ford no Brasil
Authors: Catafesta Manuela
Published: December 2021

Inúmeras foram as trocas entre o Brasil e os Estados Unidos na modernidade brasileira no século XX, muitas vezes desmerecidas em detrimento daquelas ocorridas com o continente europeu, e que neste artigo procuraremos dar espaço e buscar seu entendimento. Ao demonstrar que outras frentes de diálogo se consolidaram, os Estados Unidos tiveram um papel essencial justamente quando a arquitetura moderna brasileira se iniciava, a partir da década de 1920. A primeira fábrica da Ford no Brasil, projeto do arquiteto americano Albert Kahn na cidade de São Paulo, em 1921, é um desses edifícios precursores construído com uma linguagem plástica moderna e utilizando concreto armado e grandes planos de vidro. Contudo, apesar da sua relevância, trata-se de um tema pouco abordado pela historiografia. A coleta, análise e divulgação desse material inédito, composto por desenhos arquitetônicos do projeto, disponíveis no acervo do escritório Albert Kahn Associates, configura uma contribuição para a história da arquitetura brasileira, algo que poderá determinar a mudança de paradigmas a respeito da arquitetura industrial e sua importância como parte indissociável do movimento moderno, dando à fábrica a devida importância na qualidade de objeto tanto técnico quanto formalmente inovador.
Por um projeto unificado entre infraestrutura viária e cidade: lições e relações a partir do urbanismo moderno
Authors: Moraes Pedro Barreto de
Published: December 2021

Este artigo confronta teorias e projetos do urbanismo moderno à possibilidade de uma leitura relacional das infraestruturas viárias que impulsionam e absorvem a produção e o crescimento das metrópoles brasileiras. Em primeiro lugar, propõe-se alguns parâmetros e noções a partir dos quais visa-se interpretar tipologias fundamentais de organização e expansão urbana. Em seguida, realiza-se uma revisão sobre proposições seminais de autores modernos, marcadas por uma visão integrada entre arquitetura e infraestrutura. Finalmente, articulam-se possibilidades ensejadas pelos conceitos revisados a características gerais das metrópoles brasileiras, apontando-se questões projetuais dadas pela confrontação entre o campo das ideias e a realidade concreta.
O acontecer da compreensão e o esforço da recepção: experiência estética em Hans-Georg Gadamer e Hans Robert Jauss
Authors: Oliveira Rafael Barros de
Published: December 2021

A relação entre verdade e método, central na filosofia hermenêutica de Hans-Georg Gadamer, tem na consciência estética seu lugar privilegiado de emergência. Sua análise do caráter ontológico da obra de arte pretende reabilitar o conteúdo cognitivo da experiência artística sobre outras bases que a do método científico, paradigma da epistemologia moderna. Hans Robert Jauss se colocou em debate com Gadamer, apresentando sua estética da recepção como formulação alternativa de fundamentação propriamente epistemológica da experiência estética. Neste artigo, trata-se de contrapor os dois autores para, a partir deles, pensar a relação entre verdade, ontologia e epistemologia no âmbito da arte.
Polifonia, Utopia e Sistema-Mundial no Grande Sertão: Veredas
Authors: Coelho Murilo
Published: December 2021

A polifonia como o procedimento literário que, por meio de efeitos mundiais, dá voz às múltiplas vozes do sistema-mundial. Mas do outro lado, uma ideologia autoritária e monológica, amenizada por aspirações utópicas, ditando ou orquestrando essa polifonia: Riobaldo. Patriarca sagaz e carismático, mostraremos como esse narrador dúbio e digressivo conta a história do avanço da civilização sobre o sertão, enfatizando poeticamente o que há de épico e ocultando retoricamente o que há de prosaico nesse feito que, enfim, é tão comum ao mundo moderno: a assimilação de uma zona periférica e em conflito (leia-se, improdutiva) ao sistema-mundial.
Um Mundo em Destroços: ruínas, restos e escrita de si em narrativas escritas e visuais do Oceano Índico
Authors: Brugioni Elena
Published: December 2021

Abordando os debates críticos que caracterizam a pesquisa no âmbito dos estudos do oceano Índico, bem como no campo das literaturas africanas e do debatesobre literatura-mundial (world-literature WReC), este artigo apresenta uma reflexão sobre a ideia de ruínas, restos – debris – e escrita de si – self-writing – como dispositivos estéticos e conceituais através dos quais narrativas visuais e literárias registram o passado e problematizam o futuro, sugerindo novas possibilidades críticas para abordar e analisar formas de narrar e imaginar o presente e a subjetividades no âmbito do que se define como literaturas do oceano Índico.
Mechanical Thrombectomy Up to 24 Hours in Large Vessel Occlusions and Infarct Velocity Assessment
Authors: Inoue Manabu , Yoshimoto Takeshi , Tanaka Kanta , Koge Junpei , Shiozawa Masayuki , Nishii Tatsuya , Ohta Yasutoshi , Fukuda Tetsuya , Satow Tetsu , Kataoka Hiroharu , Yamagami Hiroshi , Ihara Masafumi , Koga Masatoshi , Mlynash Michael , Albers Gregory W. , Toyoda Kazunori
Published: December 2021

Background

We retrospectively compared early‐ (<6 hours) versus late‐ (6–24 hours) presenting patients using perfusion‐weighted imaging selection and evaluated clinical/radiographic outcomes.

Methods and Results

Large vessel occlusion patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy from August 2017 to July 2020 within 24 hours of onset were retrieved from a single‐center database. Perfusion‐weighted imaging was analyzed by automated software and final infarct volume was measured semi‐automatically within 14 days. The primary end point was good outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0–2 at 90 days). Secondary end points were excellent outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0–1 at 90 days), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, and death. Clinical characteristics/radiological values including hypoperfusion volume and infarct growth velocity (baseline volume/onset‐to‐image time) were compared between the groups. Of 1294 patients, 118 patients were included. The median age was 74 years, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 14, and core volume was 13 mL. The late‐presenting group had more female patients (67% versus 31%, respectively;
P
=0.001). No statistically significant differences were seen in good outcome (42% versus 53%, respectively;
P
=0.30), excellent outcome (26% versus 32%, respectively;
P
=0.51), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (6.5% versus 4.6%, respectively;
P
=0.74), and death (3.2% versus 5.7%, respectively;
P
=0.58) between the groups. The late‐presenting group had more atherothrombotic cerebral infarction (19% versus 6%, respectively;
P
=0.03), smaller hypoperfusion volume (median: 77 versus 133 mL, respectively;
P
=0.04), and slower infarct growth velocity (median: 0.6 versus 5.1 mL/h, respectively;
P
=0.03).

Conclusions

Patients with early‐ and late‐time windows treated with mechanical thrombectomy by automated perfusion‐weighted imaging selection have similar outcomes, comparable with those in randomized trials, but different in infarct growth velocities.

Registration

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT02251665.
The Dimensions of Attila the Hun
Authors: McDonald William C.
Published: December 2021

For well over a millennium after his death in the fifth century, Attila the Hun was victim to calumnious artistic and verbal representations as the quintessential barbarian and Other. Some historians defamed him a half-human. Others slandered his name by adapting a brief corporeal catalog compiled by Jordanes in the Getica (c. 551), a history of the Goths. Jordanes’ pejorative assessment of Attila’s supposed physical characteristics (arrogant gait and gaze, snub nose, alleged offensive skin pigmentation) served later chroniclers as an explanation for the failures and successes of Attila, helping to influence reader perception. Medieval and early modern representations of Attila call to mind the campaign against Tamerlane in art and print. Here are gathered for the first time several early German versions of the physical features of Attila, as transmitted by Jordanes.
Gaulish Warriors and Finnish Shoes
Authors: Markey Thomas L.
Published: December 2021

OIr. cing ‘hero’ and cingid ‘steps (marches)’ are reflected in the aristocratic Gaulish name Cingetorix ‘king of marchers (warriors), heroes’. These Celtic tokens, altogether lacking in Italic, have sometimes been considered reflexes of IE *(s)keng- which appears in Classical Sanskrit as khā̆ñjati ‘limps’ and in Greek as σκάζω ‘limp’. It has also been argued that late prehistoric Germanic borrowed a Celtic *kanxsto- ‘stepper, trotter’ (or the like) which it deployed in equestrian terms; so, for example, Old English hengest, hengst ‘gelding, horse’. The pejorative ‘limping’ sense of IE *(s)keng-, which is still maintained in German hinken, was mistakenly thought to have been ameliorated in Celtic allowing cingid to express ‘to step, proceed go, stride, march’. Here, however, it is shown that, other than in loans from Germanic, Celtic lacked reflexes of IE *(s)keng-. It is then demonstrated that Celtic *keng-, as in OIr. cingid, was derived by dissimilation of IE *g̑hengh- ‘to go, stride, ride’. Finally, it is remarked that Proto-Finnic borrowed Proto-Germanic *skenka- < IE *(s)keng- and adapted it as *kenkä > Finnish kenkä / kengä ‘shoe/boot (anything resembling a shoe in function, a heavy boot … for walking or striding in snow)’.
Prospective and Retrospective: Le Corbusier’s Twofold Voyage d’Orient
Authors: Huet Jacobé
Published: December 2021

In 1911, a twenty-three-year-old Le Corbusier embarked on a six-month journey from Dresden to Istanbul, and back to his native Switzerland through Greece and Italy. Upon his return, the young architect unsuccessfully attempted to publish his travel notes as a book in 1912 and again in 1914. Only in 1965, forty days before his death, did Le Corbusier conduct the final revision of his 1914 typescript for publication. The next year, Le Voyage d’Orient was published posthumously. Previous scholarship on this book has overlooked the importance of Le Corbusier’s 1965 edits, consequently approaching the work as an authentic testament of the author’s youthful spirit. Based on a new and contextualized reading of the 1914 typescript hand-annotated by Le Corbusier in 1965, this article demonstrates how the late edits constitute a re-writing of a segment of Le Corbusier’s own history, especially in relation to his ideas of modernity, tradition, inspiration, and attachment to Mediterranean architecture.
The Sekbanbaşı Mescidi or a Lesser-Known Middle Byzantine Church Typology at Constantinople
Authors: Taddei Alessandro
Published: December 2021

Cross-in-square churches are an exceptional feature for the middle Byzantine architecture of Constantinople. The simpler variant of this architectural type is widely known from ‘provincial’ contexts but appears seldomly throughout the city. It should not be absent from modern scholarship, since some few examples of this type of church had survived well into the early 20th century. Because of this paucity of scholarship, the history, functions, and phases of these small edifices are mostly unknown. The now lost Sekbanbaşı Mescidi is a case in point.
Monastic Pathways on the Fourth and Fifth Hills of Constantinople (Eleventh–Fifteenth Centuries)
Authors: Melvani Nicholas
Published: December 2021

The area between the so-called Fourth and Fifth hills of Constantinople is known for its monasteries, especially those from the Komnenian and Palaiologan periods. In general, this part of the city was less urbanised and was therefore suitable for monastic life, but it was intimately connected with various aspects of social, economic, and scholarly activity. The present article examines monuments and itineraries in this area within the urban context and the ceremonial topography of medieval Constantinople in order to highlight the place of these monastic neighborhoods in the Byzantine capital’s public life.