bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Covalent Organic Frameworks as Electrode Materials for Rechargeable Batteries
Authors: Wolfson Eric R. , Moscarello Erica M. , Haug William K. , McGrier Psaras L.
Published: February 2021

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are an advanced class of crystalline porous polymers that have garnered significant interest due to their tunable properties and robust molecular architectures. As a result, COFs with energy-storage properties are of particular interest to the field of rechargeable battery electrode materials. However, investigation into COFs as candidates for energy-storage materials is still in its infancy. This review will highlight methods used to fabricate COFs used as electrode materials and discuss the factors that prove critical for their production. A collection of known COF-based energy-storage systems will be featured. In addition, the ability to utilize the storage properties of COFs for systems beyond traditional Li-ion batteries will be addressed. An outlook will address the current progress and remaining challenges facing the field to ultimately expand the scope of their applications.
Compact megajoule-class pulsed power supply for generating long-pulsed magnetic fields
Authors: Matsui Kazuki , Kanda Tomoki , Ihara Yoshihiko , Kindo Koichi , Kohama Yoshimitsu
Published: February 2021

A pulsed power supply with a compact and low-cost electric-double-layer-capacitor (EDLC) is developed for generating pulsed magnetic fields with a long pulse duration of a few seconds. The system is demonstrated in three experimental setups using a 10.7 F- or 50 F-EDLC capacitor bank. By using the 10.7 F-EDLC capacitor bank with a 27 mm wide-bore magnet, the pulsed magnetic field with a peak field strength of 24.3 T and a pulse duration of ∼1 s is generated. The field profiles are reproduced in the theoretical calculations taking Joule heating into account. The calculations are also used to discuss possible variations of the field profile for future investigations.
Detection of magnetic impurities using electron vortex beams
Authors: Wang Yan , Jia Chenglong , Zhang Pengming
Published: February 2021

Electron vortex beams generated by a transmission electron microscope (TEM) are employed to study magnetic properties of an impurity often embedded in materials. Compared to the optical wave, a higher spatial resolving power of electron waves enables the detection of impurities on the nanoscale. Here, we investigate theoretically the interaction of the twisted electrons and the magnetic impurity in which the magnetic dipole moment is taken as a demonstration element. In addition to the usual optical phase, the inhomogeneous vector potential generated by the magnetic dipole moment makes an additional contribution to the intrinsic orbital angular momentum of the twisted electrons, resulting in a dipole-dependent Gouy phase shift. By interfering the outgoing twisted electron beam with a reference cylindrical wave, one can determine the magnitude and orientation of the magnetic dipole directly via the rotational and deformed interference pattern. Furthermore, the pattern is shown to be sensitive to the width of the beam in the focal plane, which provides an effective way to reveal the influence of impurities on the twisted electrons more intuitively and distinctly. The obtained results demonstrate the usefulness of the twisted electron beams for probing the nanoscale magnetism of impurity by TEM, while the proposed model provides the conceptual basis for future developments of the TEM method.
Wing kinematics and aerodynamic forces in miniature insect Encarsia formosa in forward flight
Authors: Cheng Xin , Sun Mao
Published: February 2021

Miniature insects fly at very low Reynolds numbers, and the effect of air viscosity is large. Previous studies in this area are on hover flight. Here, we study the forward flight, by measuring the wing kinematics and analyzing the flows of a typical miniature insect (Encarsia formosa, wing length of about 0.5 mm). In the beginning of the upstroke, the wings quickly accelerate backward at a very large angle of attack and smash on the air (“impulsive rowing”), generating a large thrust; in the rest of the upstroke, the wings come together and move upward, slicing through the air and generating a small negative vertical force and negative thrust. In the beginning of the downstroke, the wings fling open and produce a leading-edge vortex (LEV) on each wing; in the rest of the downstroke, the wings move downward and forward with the LEV staying attached, generating a large vertical force and some negative thrust. The large thrust produced by the “impulsive rowing” overcomes the body drag and the negative thrust produced by the wings in the other parts of the flapping cycle; the vertical forces, produced by the “flinging” and by the downward/forward motion of the wings carrying the LEVs created at the fling, provide the weight supporting force. That is, the tiny insect overcomes the strong viscous effect by fast smashing the wings on the air, by fast flinging open the wings, and by using the LEVs created at the fling.
Topological properties of coupled one-dimensional chains of elastic rotators
Authors: Deymier Pierre A. , Runge Keith , Hasan M. Arif
Published: February 2021

We introduce a model system composed of elastically coupled one-dimensional chains of elastic rotators. The chains of rotators are analogous to elastic Su-Schrieffer–Heeger models. The coupled chain system is shown analytically and numerically to support an unusual number of topological properties such as Dirac degeneracies, band inversion and topological transition as a function of the strength of the parameter coupling the chains, nonseparability of the modes' degrees of freedom along and across the coupled chains that are analogous to entangled Bell states in a multipartite quantum system. Finally, we reveal the formation of a synthetic dimension by allowing the coupling parameter to vary with time, which has the potential to create higher-dimensional synthetic space.
Ultra-low field frequency-swept electrically detected magnetic resonance
Authors: Ashton J. P. , Manning B. R. , Barker W. R. , Lenahan P. M.
Published: February 2021

We have developed a new ultra-low field frequency-swept (FS) electrically detected magnetic resonance (EDMR) spectrometer to perform sensitive EDMR measurements of 4H-silicon carbide (SiC) metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistors at sub-millitesla (mT) magnetic fields. The new spectrometer design enables the detection of so-called ultra-strong coupling effects such as multiple-photon transitions and Bloch–Siegert shifts. In this paper, we present a new spectrometer design and discuss ultra-low field FS-EDMR sensitivity to both multiphoton transitions and Bloch–Siegert shifts of the FS-EDMR response. FS-EDMR effectively eliminates the interference of the sub-mT EDMR response from a near-zero field magnetoresistance (NZFMR) phenomenon that pervades the sub-mT regime in a magnetic field-swept EDMR scheme. We discuss an automatic power leveling scheme, which enables frequency sweeping. We also present results illustrating the Bloch–Siegert shift of the FS-EDMR response. Finally, we study the two-photon transition line shape in the 4H-SiC transistor as a function of the static field, in which we observe a collapse of the two-photon linewidth with decreasing static field and compare our results to the theory of two-photon absorption in EDMR.
Issues for reregulation of private hospital insurance in Australia
Authors: Dobrosak Cale , Dugdale Paul
Published: February 2021

Objective The aim of this study is to explore policy paths towards private health insurance (PHI) reform that might reduce out-of-pocket costs, restore public confidence and allow insurers to finance value-based care. Methods This study used thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with informed opinion holders, including a politician, three former senior public servants and an industry lobbyist. Critical analysis of peer reviewed and grey literature was also conducted. Results PHI regulation is contributing to unexpected out-of-pocket expenses and low-value care. Modification of existing tax incentives would be incapable of significantly increasing PHI coverage. Regulatory reform could restore confidence among policy holders by promoting value-based care, wherein health outcomes are measured and incentivised with remuneration. Conclusions Targeted relaxation of out-of-hospital restrictions should be explored to promote value-based competition and facilitate bundled payments for chronic disease management and community services. To address out-of-pocket diagnostic and procedural costs, insurers should have more responsibility for private specialist’s fees, including by financing the entire provider’s bill through insurance and redirecting the Medicare Benefits Schedule fee to the insurer. What is known about the topic? Healthcare expenditure and out-of-pocket costs have grown rapidly, while confidence and depth of coverage in private health insurance has declined, as has the fiscal appetite for expanding public financing for health care. What does this paper add? This paper outlines the regulatory and policy factors that are contributing to low-value care and unmet expectations from insurance policy holders. It also maps the strategic terrain of the non-government health sector and considers feasible policy options for reforming the PHI industry that do not increase drawings on the public purse. What are the implications for practitioners? An appreciation of the ongoing challenges to financing value-based care provision will inform key stakeholders, including policymakers and health service providers, as reforms are debated and implemented.
The addition of iguratimod can reduce methotrexate dose in rheumatoid arthritis with clinical remission
Authors: Yoshikawa Ayaka , Kotani Takuya , Matsuda Shogo , Hata Kenichiro , Matsumura Yoko , Takeuchi Tohru
Published: February 2021

Objectives

We prospectively evaluated whether the addition of iguratimod (IGU) could sustain clinical remission in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients after tapering of methotrexate (MTX).

Methods

The study included 47 patients; 25 patients in the MTX maintenance group, and 22 patients in the IGU addition group who were treated with additional IGU and tapering of MTX dose. Clinical efficacy and safety were evaluated at 12, 24, and 36 weeks.

Results

In the IGU addition group, the dose of MTX could be reduced from 8.6 ± 2.4 mg/week at baseline to 4.7 ± 2.2 mg/week at 36 weeks (p < .001). Clinical remission was maintained (disease activity score [DAS]28-ESR 1.48 ± 0.63 at baseline and 1.69 ± 0.76 at 36 weeks, p = .911), and disease activity remained low (clinical disease activity index [CDAI] 2.4 ± 1.5 at baseline and 3.1 ± 3.4 at 36 weeks, p = .825). The US-GLOSS score significantly decreased from 9.2 ± 5.3 at baseline to 6.4 ± 4.3 at 36 weeks (p = .034). In the IGU addition group, two patients discontinued IGU because of stomatitis and three patients relapsed during the follow-up period (flare rate: 15.0%). There was no significant difference in RA disease activity at 36 weeks between the two groups.

Conclusion

Additional use of IGU can effectively reduce the MTX dose required by patients during clinical remission without inducing a flare.
Dynamically tunable single-layer VO2/metasurface based THz cross-polarization converter
Authors: Yahiaoui Riad , Chase Zizwe A , Kyaw Chan , Seabron Eric , Mathews Jay , Searles Thomas A
Published: February 2021

We demonstrate a single-layer THz metadevice that exhibits cross polarization transmission, a key factor to achieve optical activity. The device is comprised of a two-dimensional array of split ring resonators, each with a vanadium oxide (VO2) pad, integrated into one of the two capacitive gaps of the unit cell. Through numerical investigations we find that as the conductivity of VO2 increases the amplitude of the cross-polarization intensity decreases but maintains a wider broadband range than previously reported for single layered hybrid metamaterial (MM) devices as the VO2 transforms from the insulator to metallic phase. Also the asymmetric transmission, optically modulated by the device, is higher than that of multi-layered MM devices. Due to the materials properties of VO2, our results introduce a promising method that allows for an active sub-cycle dynamic tunability for THz polarization conversion with multiple modalities using optical, electrical or thermal switching. The study is an important step forward in developing compact, integrated, passive and active metadevices for polarization and wavefront control application in the THz.
Universal nature and specific features of streamers in various dielectric media
Authors: Babaeva Natalia Yu , Naidis George V
Published: February 2021

In this paper, a review of general and specific properties of ionization waves—streamers is presented. Characteristics of streamers in gases and liquids, sprites in the Earth’s atmosphere and guided streamers in cold atmospheric-pressure plasma jets are discussed. Information on streamer structure, propagation velocity and radius, parameters of the streamer plasma (electron density in the streamer channel, peak electric field in the streamer head) in various media, obtained using diagnostic methods, numerical modeling and analytical approach, is analyzed.
Bend it like dark matter!
Authors: Woithe J , Kersting M
Published: February 2021

Dark matter is one of the most intriguing scientific mysteries of our time and offers exciting instructional opportunities for physics education in high schools. The topic is likely to engage and motivate students in the classroom and allows addressing open questions of the Standard Model of particle physics. Although the empirical evidence of dark matter links nicely to many standard topics of physics curricula, teachers may find it challenging to introduce the topic in their classrooms. In this article, we present a fun new approach to teach about dark matter using jelly lenses as an instructional analogy of gravitational lenses. We provide a brief overview of the history of dark matter to contextualise our presentation and discuss the instructional potential as well as limitations of the jelly lens analogy.
Influence of pulse duration on the process of laser marking of CT80 carbon tool steel products
Authors: Angelov Nikolay , Teirumnieks Edmunds , Lazov Lyubomir
Published: February 2021

Depending on the processing of a particular material, the laser marking process must meet certain requirements. A certain laser peak intensity or fluency must be reached on the treatment surface above which the laser ablation process starts. Some experimental studies have shown that this particular marking threshold is related to many other parameters characterizing the laser source. This requires the realization of an appropriate combination of peak power or pulse energy and the radius of the beam in focus, the frequency of the laser pulses as well as the pulse duration. Achieving high resolution in the marking process requires optimal focusing, and this in turn is associated with the presence of high quality generated and propagated laser radiation. The study concerns the process of laser marking of CT80 carbon tool steel products with wide application in industry. Numerical experiments are performed with specialized software TEMPERATURFELD3D to obtain two-dimensional and three-dimensional temperature fields in the laser impact zone. The influence of the duration of the pulses of fibre laser on the process is investigated. Graphs of the dependence of normalized temperature on time and depth for pulse duration on 10 ns, 100 ns and 1 μs are discussed.
Design of the Reconnaissance UAV based on TGAM
Authors: Zhao Yingjuan , Miu Hongzhen , Ma Jingnan , Du Haimei
Published: February 2021

The application of UAV in military reconnaissance field is mostly fixed-wing aircraft, such as global hawk and predator. But they have no fixed wing aircraft bulky, need a runway to land, the reconnaissance mission is confined to the reconnaissance range larger operations, is now considering the individual special operations to the demand of the UAV reconnaissance, is adopted to helicopter down small four rotor design, convenient carrying, used to fill a vacancy low-altitude reconnaissance a small scale. In addition, considering the clarity and planning of the purpose of the reconnaissance mission, the UAV can carry out the reconnaissance mission of aerial photography and return according to the predetermined route completely, and no excessive human intervention is needed in this process. Therefore, the small quadrotor is mainly designed for autonomous flight system. But fully autonomous flight can not be very good to adapt to the complex environment, for the sake of it, and the principle of liberation operators hands as far as possible, decided to adopt a simple electrical control of auxiliary control flight, to complete after being spotted by enemy UAV height of rise and fall, immediately return to action, such as to ensure the practicability of the reconnaissance drones.
Study on Agricultural Green Efficiency and Its Influencing Factors in Chinese Yangtze River Economic Belt: The FDI Perspective
Authors: Guo Xiaoming , Wang Xi , Huang Sen
Published: February 2021

The agricultural green development of the Yangtze River economic belt has attracted extensive attention since China’s transition to a high-quality development stage. In this paper, the SE-window-DEA model was used to measure the agricultural green efficiency of the Yangtze River economic belt in China, and it suggested that the lower reaches of the Yangtze River economic belt had the highest green efficiency, followed by the upper reaches and the middle reaches. Then the panel data regression model was used to study the influence of agricultural FDI on the agricultural green efficiency of the Yangtze River economic belt in China. The results of regression model showed that agricultural FDI had a positive effect on the agricultural green efficiency in the Yangtze River economic belt. Finally, this paper put forward feasible suggestions for the Chinese government and enterprises to promote the agricultural green development of the Yangtze river economic belt.
The world’s largest coastal deoxygenation zone is not anthropogenically driven
Authors: Gupta G V M , Jyothibabu R , Ramu Ch V , Yudhistir Reddy A , Balachandran K K , Sudheesh V , Kumar Sanjeev , Chari N V H K , Bepari Kausar F , Marathe Prachi H , Bikram Reddy B , Vijayan Anil Kumar
Published: February 2021

The growing number of oxygen-deficient coastal zones around the world and their impacts on marine life has always been a controversial issue as their development is largely attributed to anthropogenic activities which can be mitigated by human actions. However, contrary to this prevailing understanding, we show here for the first time, using new coherent datasets from estuaries to coastal to offshore regions, that the world’s largest hypoxic-anoxic zone along the west coast of India is formed through a natural process, i.e. upwelling of deoxygenated waters during the summer monsoon. We further demonstrate that the persistence and extent of this coastal oxygen deficiency depend on the degree of deoxygenation of source waters for the upwelling. Consequently, the anoxia is confined only to the central shelf between 11° and 18° N, which is equivalent to almost half of the western Indian shelf, where upwelling brings suboxic waters from the core oxygen minimum zone in the Arabian Sea.
2. The origins of the Cold War in Europe, 1945–50
Authors: McMahon Robert J.
Published: February 2021

‘The origins of the Cold War in Europe, 1945–50’ traces the origins of the Cold War in Europe. In theory and practice, the Americans and British were reconciled to a Soviet sphere of influence in Eastern Europe. At the Yalta Conference in February of 1945, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin tried to resolve some of the basic disputes while also planning the war’s end game. Within weeks of the conference’s closing sessions, however, the Yalta spirit was jolted by mounting Anglo-American dissatisfaction with Soviet actions in Eastern Europe. The Potsdam Conference in July of 1945 and the Truman Doctrine amounted to a declaration of ideological and geopolitical Cold War.
The nature of Islamic law
Authors: Baderin Mashood A.
Published: February 2021

‘The nature of Islamic law’ examines the nature of Islamic law, the understanding of which relates to Islamic legal theory. Many Muslims often claim that Islamic law is the ‘law of God’, in contrast to secular law as ‘man-made law’. This suggests that Islamic law is completely divine, ready-made, and with no human input at all. However, while Islamic law is based textually on immutable divine sources, its interpretation and application are based on mutable human jurisprudence. There are three interconnected questions relating to the nature of Islamic law: Is Islamic law really ‘Law’? Does Islamic law apply only to devotional matters? Is Islamic law completely divine and immutable?
Law of inheritance
Authors: Baderin Mashood A.
Published: February 2021

‘The law of inheritance’ explores the Islamic law of inheritance, the fundamental rules of which are prescribed by the Qur’an and the Sunnah, giving a list of legal heirs with the aggregate of each heir’s entitlement meticulously stated. The three essential elements for the application of Islamic law of inheritance are: the deceased (muwarrith), the estate (tarikah), and the heir[s] (wārith[ūn]). Hanafī jurisprudence classifies heirs into three main specific classes: Qur’anic heirs, Agnatic heirs, and Uterine heirs. Shīʻah jurisprudence classifies them generally into heirs by blood relationship (nasab) and heirs by marriage (sabab).
A comprehensive review of the imbalance classification of protein post-translational modifications
Authors: Dou Lijun , Yang Fenglong , Xu Lei , Zou Quan
Published: February 2021

Post-translational modifications (PTMs) play significant roles in regulating protein structure, activity and function, and they are closely involved in various pathologies. Therefore, the identification of associated PTMs is the foundation of in-depth research on related biological mechanisms, disease treatments and drug design. Due to the high cost and time consumption of high-throughput sequencing techniques, developing machine learning-based predictors has been considered an effective approach to rapidly recognize potential modified sites. However, the imbalanced distribution of true and false PTM sites, namely, the data imbalance problem, largely effects the reliability and application of prediction tools. In this article, we conduct a systematic survey of the research progress in the imbalanced PTMs classification. First, we describe the modeling process in detail and outline useful data imbalance solutions. Then, we summarize the recently proposed bioinformatics tools based on imbalanced PTM data and simultaneously build a convenient website, ImClassi_PTMs (available at lab.malab.cn/∼dlj/ImbClassi_PTMs/), to facilitate the researchers to view. Moreover, we analyze the challenges of current computational predictors and propose some suggestions to improve the efficiency of imbalance learning. We hope that this work will provide comprehensive knowledge of imbalanced PTM recognition and contribute to advanced predictors in the future.
Flipped primary EFL classrooms: impact, feasibility, and potential
Authors: Zou Di , Zhang Ruofei
Published: February 2021

Due to it being generally regarded as an effective pedagogic approach, the flipped classroom has been widely applied in various disciplines in higher education in many places around the world, but has rarely been used in primary English education. This research investigated teacher and student perceptions of the impact, feasibility, and potential of the flipped EFL classroom by conducting a one-year project among 277 students and eight teachers in a primary school in Hong Kong. Teacher and student reflection, roundtable discussion minutes, and trainer observation and logs were employed as means of continual data collection. The results showed that the flipped classroom improved the teacher–student relationship and teaching and learning performance, and increased teacher and student motivation and confidence. This study demonstrates the high feasibility of using the flipped classroom for primary English education and its great potential for providing students with personalized learning, developing their self-regulated learning and active learning skills.
Clinical significance of J waves with respect to substrate characteristics and ablation outcomes in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy
Authors: Lin Chin-Yu , Chung Fa-Po , Lin Yenn-Jiang , Chang Shih-Lin , Lo Li-Wei , Hu Yu-Feng , Tuan Ta-Chuan , Chao Tze-Fan , Liao Jo-Nan , Chang Ting-Yung , Kuo Ling , Wu Cheng-I , Liu Chih-Min , Liu Shin-Huei , Cheng Wen-Han , Lugtu Isaiah C , Te Abigail Louise D , Huang Ting-Chun , Lee Po-Tseng , Vicera Jennifer Jeanne B , Chen Shih-Ann
Published: February 2021

Aims

J-wave syndrome in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) has been linked to an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmia. We investigated the significance of J waves with respect to substrate manifestations and ablation outcomes in patients with ARVC.

Methods and results

Forty-five patients with ARVC undergoing endocardial/epicardial mapping/ablation were studied. Patients were classified into two groups: 13 (28.9%) and 32 (71.1%) patients with and without J waves, respectively. The baseline characteristics, electrophysiological features, ventricular substrate, and recurrent ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation (VT/VF) were compared. Among the 13 patients with J waves, only the inferior J wave was observed. More ARVC patients with J waves fulfilled the major criteria of ventricular arrhythmias (76.9% vs. 21.9%, P = 0.003). Similar endocardial and epicardial substrate characteristics were observed between the two groups. However, patients with J waves had longer epicardial total activation time than those without (224.7 ± 29.9 vs. 200.8 ± 21.9 ms, P = 0.005). Concordance of latest endo/epicardial activation sites was observed in 29 (90.6%) patients without J waves and in none among those with J waves (P < 0.001). Complete elimination of endocardial/epicardial abnormal potentials resulted in the disappearance of the J wave in 8 of 13 (61.5%) patients. The VT/VF recurrences were not different between ARVC patients with and without J waves.

Conclusion

The presence of J waves was associated with the discordance of endocardial/epicardial activation pattern in terms of transmural depolarization discrepancy in patients with ARVC.
Extrapleural cervico-manubriotomy and clavicular swing for the management of a mesenchymal tumour of the middle scalenus: an adapted anterior thoracic inlet approach
Authors: Todesco Alban , D’Journo Xavier Benoit , Fabre Dominique , Boulate David
Published: February 2021

Surgical approach for resection of tumours involving the thoracic inlet has largely been developed in the context of lung cancer of the superior sulcus. Therefore, initial anterior approaches included a thoracotomy associated with a longitudinal cervicotomy. Here, we describe a variation of the previously described anterior surgical approaches of the thoracic inlet that we performed for the resection of a primary mesenchymal tumour of the left middle scalenus muscle secreting fibroblast growth factor-23 responsible for tumour-induced osteomalacia. This approach allowed a safe control of the great vessels phrenic nerve and brachial plexus as well as a comfortable access to the middle scalenus muscle through an L-shaped incision with a cervico-manubriotomy without thoracotomy. The tumour was resected entirely with the middle scalenus. After 3 months of follow-up, the symptoms resolved entirely.
Risk factors and outcome associated with infection or colonization due to carbapenem-heteroresistant Escherichia coli
Authors: Tan Karen , Kelsom Corey , Chron Amanda , Nieberg Paul , Huse Holly , Wong-Beringer Annie
Published: February 2021

Background

Up to 32% of ESBL-producing Enterobacterales strains display a carbapenem-heteroresistant (cHR) phenotype but its clinical relevance is unknown.

Objectives

To determine risk factors and clinical outcome associated with infection due to cHR ESBL-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-EC).

Methods

A retrospective, case–control study was conducted on patients from whom a pair of clonally related E. coli strains were isolated during separate healthcare encounters with (case) or without (control) development of cHR phenotype in the latter strain. Study groups were compared for host and microbial characteristics and carbapenem exposure. Outcome measures included ICU admission, length of hospitalization, and mortality.

Results

Study patients (15 cases, 10 controls) were elderly (median age: 74 years) with half admitted from home (52%), most (80%) having ≥3 comorbid conditions and severe functional impairment. Case patients were more likely to have ‘index’ ESBL-EC isolating from blood (27% versus 0%; P = 0.125) and have greater cumulative amount and duration of carbapenem exposure than controls. All control ‘subsequent’ isolates were from urine whereas five cHR case isolates were from blood or respiratory sources. More hospitalized case patients required ICU admission (23% versus 0%; P = 0.257) and prolonged hospital stay (>7 days) than controls (62% versus 38%%; P = 0.387).

Conclusions

Our findings deserve confirmation with a larger study population and call attention to the potential for increased morbidity with cHR ESBL-EC infections, which underscores the need to screen for cHR phenotype in patients with repeated growth of ESBL-EC, particularly from systemic sites and patients that have had extensive carbapenem exposure.
Place-Based Interventions at Scale: The Direct and Spillover Effects of Policing and City Services on Crime
Authors: Blattman Christopher , Green Donald P , Ortega Daniel , Tobón Santiago
Published: February 2021

In 2016, the city of Bogotá doubled police patrols and intensified city services on high-crime streets. They did so based on a criminological consensus that such place-based programs not only decrease crime, but also have beneficial spillovers for nearby streets. To test this, we worked with Bogotá to experiment on an unprecedented scale. We randomly assigned 1,919 streets to either 8 months of doubled police patrols, greater municipal services, both, or neither. Such scale brings econometric challenges. Spatial spillovers in dense networks introduce bias and complicate variance estimation through “fuzzy clustering”. But a design-based approach and randomization inference produce valid hypothesis tests in such settings. In contrast to the consensus, we find intensifying state presence did not generate substantively meaningful or statistically significant reductions in crime. Our estimates suggest modest direct effects but with crime displaced nearby, especially property crimes. Confidence intervals suggest we can rule out total reductions in crime of more than 2% from the two interventions.
Intraday Market Predictability: A Machine Learning Approach
Authors: Huddleston Dillon , Liu Fred , Stentoft Lars
Published: February 2021

Conducting, to our knowledge, the largest study ever of 5-min equity market returns using state-of-the-art machine learning models trained on the cross-section of lagged market index constituent returns, we show that regularized linear models and nonlinear tree-based models yield significant market return predictability. Ensemble models perform the best across time and their predictability translates into economically significant Sharpe ratios of 0.98 after transaction costs. These results provide strong evidence that intraday market returns are predictable during short time horizons, beyond what can be explained by transaction costs. Furthermore, we show that constituent returns hold significant predictive information that is not contained in market returns or in price trend and liquidity characteristics. Consistent with the hypothesis that predictability is driven by slow-moving trader capital, predictability decreased post-decimalization, and market returns are more predictable during the middle of the day, on days with high volatility or illiquidity, and in financial crisis periods.
Prospective Evaluation of the Addition of Polygenic Risk Scores to Breast Cancer Risk Models
Authors: Li Sherly X , Milne Roger L , Nguyen-Dumont Tu , Wang Xiaochuan , English Dallas R , Giles Graham G , Southey Melissa C , Antoniou Antonis C , Lee Andrew , Li Shuai , Winship Ingrid , Hopper John L , Terry Mary Beth , MacInnis Robert J
Published: February 2021

Background

The Breast and Ovarian Analysis of Disease Incidence and Carrier Estimation Algorithm and the International Breast Cancer Intervention Study breast cancer risk models are used to provide advice on screening intervals and chemoprevention. We evaluated the performance of these models, which now incorporate polygenic risk scores (PRSs), using a prospective cohort study.

Methods

We used a case-cohort design, involving women in the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study aged 50-75 years when surveyed in 2003-2007, of whom 408 had a first primary breast cancer diagnosed within 10 years (cases), and 2783 were from the subcohort. Ten-year risks were calculated based on lifestyle factors, family history data, and a 313-variant PRS. Discrimination was assessed using a C-statistic compared with 0.50 and calibration using the ratio of expected to observed number of cases (E/O).

Results

When the PRS was added to models with lifestyle factors and family history, the C-statistic (95% confidence interval [CI]) increased from 0.57 (0.54 to 0.60) to 0.62 (0.60 to 0.65) using IBIS and from 0.56 (0.53 to 0.59) to 0.62 (0.59 to 0.64) using BOADICEA. IBIS underpredicted risk (E/O = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.48 to 0.80) for women in the lowest risk category (<1.7%) and overpredicted risk (E/O = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.18 to 1.67) in the highest risk category (≥5%), using the Hosmer-Lemeshow test for calibration in quantiles of risk and a 2-sided P value less than  .001. BOADICEA underpredicted risk (E/O = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.67 to 0.99) in the second highest risk category (3.4%-5%); the Hosmer-Lemeshow test and a 2-sided P value was equal to .02.

Conclusions

Although the inclusion of a 313 genetic variant PRS doubles discriminatory accuracy (relative to reference 0.50), models with and without this PRS have relatively modest discrimination and might require recalibration before their clinical and wider use are promoted.
MUSE narrow field mode observations of the central kinematics of M15
Authors: Usher Christopher , Kamann Sebastian , Gieles Mark , Hénault-Brunet Vincent , Dalessandro Emanuele , Balbinot Eduardo , Sollima Antonio
Published: February 2021

We present observations of the stellar kinematics of the centre of the core collapsed globular cluster M15 obtained with the MUSE integral field spectrograph on the Very Large Telescope operating in narrow field mode. Thanks to the use of adaptive optics, we obtain a spatial resolution of 0.1 arcsec and are able to reliably measure the radial velocities of 864 stars within 8 arcsec of the centre of M15, thus providing the largest sample of radial velocities ever obtained for the innermost regions of this system. Combined with previous observations of M15 using MUSE in wide field mode and literature data, we find that the central kinematics of M15 are complex with the rotation axis of the core of M15 offset from the rotation axis of the bulk of the cluster. While this complexity has been suggested by previous work, we confirm it at higher significance and in more detail.
The precessing jets of classical nova YZ Reticuli
Authors: McLoughlin Dominic , Blundell Katherine M , Lee Steven , McCowage Chris
Published: February 2021

The classical nova YZ Reticuli was discovered in 2020 July. Shortly after this, we commenced a sustained, highly time-sampled coverage of its subsequent rapid evolution with time-resolved spectroscopy from the Global Jet Watch observatories. Its H-alpha complex exhibited qualitatively different spectral signatures in the following weeks and months. We find that these H-alpha complexes are well described by the same five Gaussian emission components throughout the six months following eruption. These five components appear to constitute two pairs of lines, from jet outflows and an accretion disc, together with an additional central component. The correlated, symmetric patterns that these jet/accretion disc pairs exhibit suggest precession, probably in response to the large perturbation caused by the nova eruption. The jet and accretion disc signatures persist from the first 10 d after brightening – evidence that the accretion disc survived the disruption. We also compare another classical nova (V6568 Sgr) that erupted in 2020 July whose H-alpha complex can be described analogously, but with faster line-of-sight jet speeds exceeding 4000 km s−1. We suggest that classical novae with higher mass white dwarfs bridge the gap between recurrent novae and classical novae such as YZ Reticuli.
Improving bayesian posterior correlation analysis on type Ia supernova luminosity evolution
Authors: Zhang Keto D , Murakami Yukei S , Stahl Benjamin E , Patra Kishore C , Filippenko Alexei V
Published: February 2021

Much of the cosmological utility thus far extracted from Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) relies on the assumption that SN Ia peak luminosities do not evolve significantly with the age (local or global) of their stellar environments. Two recent studies have provided conflicting results in evaluating the validity of this assumption, with one finding no correlation between Hubble residuals (HR) and stellar environment age, while the other claims a significant correlation. In this Letter we perform an independent reanalysis that rectifies issues with the statistical methods employed by both of the aforementioned studies. Our analysis follows a principled approach that properly accounts for regression dilution and critically (and unlike both prior studies) utilizes the Bayesian-model-produced SN environment age estimates (posterior samples) instead of point estimates. Moreover, the posterior is used as an informative prior in the regression. We find the Pearson correlation between the HR and local (global) age to be in excess of 4σ (3σ). Assuming there exists a linear relationship between HR and local (global) age, we find a corresponding slope of −0.035 ± 0.007 mag Gyr−1 (−0.036 ± 0.007 mag Gyr−1). We encourage further use of our approach to examine HR and host environment correlations, as well as experiments in correcting for luminosity evolution in SN Ia standardization.
Manifestations of oxidative stress and liver injury in clothianidin exposed Oncorhynchus mykiss
Authors: Dogan Demet , Deveci Haci Ahmet , Nur Gokhan
Published: February 2021

This investigation was conducted to evaluate the effects of clothianidin, a neonicotinoid insecticide, on hepatic oxidative stress biomarkers, biochemical indices of blood serum and liver integrity in juvenile Oncorhynchus mykiss following 7, 14 and 21 days of application to environmentally relevant concentrations of 3, 15 and 30 μg/l. The observed hypertrophy caused elevation in hepatosomatic index, a significant increase in serum glucose and a decrease in tissue protein level with extended period of exposure were determined. The treatment resulted in a marked induction in the activities of antioxidant enzymes which were accompanied with simultaneous elevation in MDA and protein carbonyl level reflecting loss of membrane integrity and protein function. Histopathological examination showed liver injury manifested as hepatocellular degeneration, fibrosis, vacuolation, congestion, necrosis, steatosis and pyknosis proceding with the concentration. The stressful condition triggered hyperglycemic and hypoproteinemic conditions which might be proposed as general adaptive response. Moreover, altered liver histology reveals the hepatotoxic potential of clothianidin via oxidative stress as a common pathological mechanism leading to liver injury.
A Diagnostic TaqMan Real-Time PCR Assay for In Planta Detection and Quantification of Colletotrichum theobromicola, Causal Agent of Boxwood Dieback
Authors: Kaur Harleen , Singh Raghuwinder , Doyle Vinson , Valverde Rodrigo
Published: February 2021

Boxwood dieback, caused by Colletotrichum theobromicola, is spreading at an alarming rate in the boxwood industry in the United States. Although C. theobromicola has been accepted as a distinct species within the C. gloeosporioides species complex, it is difficult to distinguish it from other closely related species based on morphology. Moreover, molecular identification of C. theobromicola requires amplification and sequencing of multiple loci, which can be expensive and time consuming. Therefore, a diagnostic TaqMan real-time PCR assay was developed for early and accurate detection and quantification of C. theobromicola in boxwood. The study involved the design of species-specific primers and a TaqMan probe to differentiate C. theobromicola from other closely related Colletotrichum species. The primers and probe discriminate between C. theobromicola and other species in the C. gloeosporioides species complex and can detect C. theobromicola at very low concentrations, illustrating the high specificity and sensitivity of the assay. This TaqMan real-time PCR assay accurately and rapidly distinguishes boxwood dieback from other diseases with similar symptomatology, including Macrophoma blight, Phytophthora root rot, and Volutella blight, as well as some disorders produced by abiotic agents.
The Effect of Psychological Interventions on the Prevention of Chronic Pain in Adults
Authors: Bérubé Mélanie , Martorella Géraldine , Côté Caroline , Gélinas Céline , Feeley Nancy , Choinière Manon , Parent Stefan , Streiner David L.
Published: February 2021

Objective:

Up to 50% of patients develop high-impact chronic pain after an acute care experience and many psychological variables have been identified in this process. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to assess the effect of psychological interventions within 3 months after pain onset.

Methods:

We searched databases for articles published from databases inceptions until July 2019. We used standardized mean differences with 95% confidence intervals to assess treatment effect.

Results:

In all, 18 trials were found eligible; 11 of which were included in the meta-analyses. Trials were mainly performed in back pain patients in the middle to late adulthood. Regarding pain intensity, the effect of psychological interventions compared with standard treatments was nonsignificant at 3, 6, and 12 months. We found a moderate significant effect size in favor of psychological interventions compared with standard treatments with regard to disability at 12 months and a small significant effect with regard to coping with pain at 3 months when compared with information alone. Most of meta-analysis findings were associated with a low level of evidence.

Discussion:

This systematic review and meta-analysis showed no significant effect of psychological interventions on pain intensity. A positive and significant trend related to these interventions was shown on disability and coping with pain, when compared with standard treatment and information, respectively. However, these findings must be interpreted with caution considering the limited sample of trials. More rigorous randomized controlled trials performed in patients with a high-risk psychological profile are required to elucidate the efficacy of psychological interventions in preventing chronic pain.
Anesthesiologists’ Role in Value-based Perioperative Care and Healthcare Transformation
Authors: Mahajan Aman , Esper Stephen A. , Cole Daniel J. , Fleisher Lee A.
Published: February 2021

Health care is undergoing major transformation with a shift from fee-for-service care to fee-for-value. The advent of new care delivery and payment models is serving as a driver for value-based care. Hospitals, payors, and patients increasingly expect physicians and healthcare systems to improve outcomes and manage costs. The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on surgical and procedural practices further highlights the urgency and need for anesthesiologists to expand their roles in perioperative care, and to impact system improvement. While there have been substantial advances in anesthesia care, perioperative complications and mortality after surgery remain a key concern. Anesthesiologists are in a unique position to impact perioperative health care through their multitude of interactions and influences on various aspects of the perioperative domain, by using the surgical experience as the first touchpoint to reengage the patient in their own health care. Among the key interventions that are being effectively instituted by anesthesiologists include proactive engagement in preoperative optimization of patients’ health; personalization and standardization of care delivery by segmenting patients based upon their complexity and risk; and implementation of best practices that are data-driven and evidence-based and provide structure that allow the patient to return to their optimal state of functional, cognitive, and psychologic health. Through collaborative relationships with other perioperative stakeholders, anesthesiologists can consolidate their role as clinical leaders driving value-based care and healthcare transformation in the best interests of patients.
Simvastatin enhances the efficacy of nilotinib in chronic myeloid leukaemia by post-translational modification and drug transporter modulation
Authors: Asari Kartini , Sun Wen Tian , Kok Ze Hui , Lam Yi Hui , Ng Bee Ling , Saunders Verity , White Deborah L. , Chuah Charles , Xiang Wei
Published: February 2021

The resistance of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) remains a significant clinical problem. Targeting alternative pathways, such as protein prenylation, is known to be effective in overcoming resistance. Simvastatin inhibits 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (a key enzyme in isoprenoid-regulation), thereby inhibiting prenylation. We demonstrate that simvastatin alone effectively inhibits proliferation in a panel of TKI-resistant CML cell lines, regardless of mechanism of resistance. We further show that the combination of nilotinib and simvastatin synergistically kills CML cells via an increase in apoptosis and decrease in prosurvival proteins and cellular proliferation. Mechanistically, simvastatin inhibits protein prenylation as shown by increased levels of unprenylated Ras and rescue experiments with mevalonate resulted in abrogation of synergism. The combination also leads to an increase in the intracellular uptake and retention of radio-labelled nilotinib, which further enhances the inhibition of Bcr-Abl kinase activity. In primary CML samples, this combination inhibits clonogenicity in both imatinib-naive and resistant cells. Such combinatorial effects provide the basis for utilising these Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs as a potential clinical approach in overcoming resistance and improving CML treatment.