bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Status of institutional‐level respectful maternity care: Results from the national Ethiopia EmONC assessment
Authors: Sheferaw Ephrem D. , Bakker Rena , Taddele Tefera , Geta Abiyu , Kim Young‐Mi , van den Akker Thomas , Stekelenburg Jelle
Published: October 2020

Objective

To assess the availability of an institutional‐level respectful maternity care (RMC) index, its components, and associated factors.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study design was applied to a 2016 census of 3804 health facilities in Ethiopia. The availability of an institutional‐level RMC index was computed as the availability of all nine items identified as important aspects of institutional‐level RMC during childbirth. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with availability of the index.

Results

Three components of the institutional‐level RMC index were identified: “RMC policy,” “RMC experience,” and “facility for provision of RMC.” Overall, 28% of facilities (hospitals, 29.9%; health centers, 27.8%) reported availability of the institutional‐level RMC index. Facility location urbanization (urban region), percentage of maternal and newborn health workers trained in basic emergency obstetric and newborn care, and availability of maternity waiting homes in health facilities were positively associated with availability of the institutional‐level RMC index.

Conclusion

Only one in three facilities reported availability of the institutional‐level RMC index. The Ethiopian government should consider strengthening support mechanisms in different administrative regions (urban, pastoralist, and agrarian), implementing the provision training for health workers that incorporates RMC components, and increasing the availability of maternity waiting homes.
Clinical Phenotype and Relevance of LRP5 and LRP6 Variants in Patients With Early-Onset Osteoporosis (EOOP)
Authors: Stürznickel Julian , Rolvien Tim , Delsmann Alena , Butscheidt Sebastian , Barvencik Florian , Mundlos Stefan , Schinke Thorsten , Kornak Uwe , Amling Michael , Oheim Ralf
Published: October 2020

Reduced bone mineral density (BMD; ie, Z-score ≤−2.0) occurring at a young age (ie, premenopausal women and men <50 years) in the absence of secondary osteoporosis is considered early-onset osteoporosis (EOOP). Mutations affecting the WNT signaling pathway are of special interest because of their key role in bone mass regulation. Here, we analyzed the effects of relevant LRP5 and LRP6 variants on the clinical phenotype, bone turnover, BMD, and bone microarchitecture. After exclusion of secondary osteoporosis, EOOP patients (n = 372) were genotyped by gene panel sequencing, and segregation analysis of variants in LRP5/LRP6 was performed. The clinical assessment included the evaluation of bone turnover parameters, BMD by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and microarchitecture via high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT). In 50 individuals (31 EOOP index patients, 19 family members), relevant variants affecting LRP5 or LRP6 were detected (42 LRP5 and 8 LRP6 variants), including 10 novel variants. Seventeen variants were classified as disease causing, 14 were variants of unknown significance, and 19 were BMD-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). One patient harbored compound heterozygous LRP5 mutations causing osteoporosis-pseudoglioma syndrome. Fractures were reported in 37 of 50 individuals, consisting of vertebral (18 of 50) and peripheral (29 of 50) fractures. Low bone formation was revealed in all individuals. A Z-score ≤−2.0 was detected in 31 of 50 individuals, and values at the spine were significantly lower than those at the hip (−2.1 ± 1.3 versus −1.6 ± 0.8; p = .003). HR-pQCT analysis (n = 34) showed impaired microarchitecture in trabecular and cortical compartments. Significant differences regarding the clinical phenotype were detectable between index patients and family members but not between different variant classes. Relevant variants in LRP5 and LRP6 contribute to EOOP in a substantial number of individuals, leading to a high number of fractures, low bone formation, reduced Z-scores, and impaired microarchitecture. This detailed skeletal characterization improves the interpretation of known and novel LRP5 and LRP6 variants. © 2020 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Significance of the ability to differentiate emotional prosodies for the early diagnosis and prognostic prediction of mild hypoxic‐ischemic encephalopathy in neonates
Authors: Liu Lili , Geng Yuehang , Cui Yun , Zhou Yanxia , Sun Guoyu , Peng Cheng , Zhang Rui , Ma Yuanpei , Liu Yanan , Sun Chufan , Hou Xinlin , Chen Junya
Published: October 2020

Background

Perinatal brain injury affects around 300,000 neonates in China each year, early diagnosis and active intervention are also crucial for timely treatment and better prognoses. As hearing is the earliest as well as the most sensitive sense to develop in neonates, we propose that the ability to differentiate among different emotional prosodies may differ between neonates with and without brain injuries.

Methods

We enrolled full‐term neonates admitted to the neonatology department of Peking University First Hospital from January 2016 to December 2016, conducted functional near‐infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) monitoring within 24 hr of admission, and analyzed changes in oxyhemoglobin (ΔHbO2) and deoxyhemoglobin (ΔHb) to study the ability of neonates to differentiate among emotional prosodies. The neonates were followed up to 36 months for neurological outcome evaluation.

Results and conclusions

We found that neonates showed the early ability to differentiate among emotional prosodies, responding most sensitively to positive emotions, and this ability may have been impaired following brain injury.
Large homogeneous subgraphs in bipartite graphs with forbidden induced subgraphs
Authors: Axenovich Maria , Tompkins Casey , Weber Lea
Published: October 2020

For a bipartite graph , let be the largest such that either contains , a complete bipartite subgraph with parts of size , or the bipartite complement of contains as a subgraph. For a class of graphs , let . We say that a bipartite graph is strongly acyclic if neither nor its bipartite complement contains a cycle. By we denote the set of bipartite graphs with parts of size , which do not contain as an induced bipartite subgraph respecting the sides. One can easily show that for a positive if is not strongly acyclic. Here we ask whether is linear in for any strongly acyclic graph . We answer this question in the positive for all but four strongly acyclic graphs. We do not address this question for the remaining four graphs in this paper.
Inferior epigastric artery lymph nodes: A pathway for systemic dissemination from peritoneal carcinomatosis?
Authors: El Asmar Antoine , Veys Isabelle , Larsimont Denis , Donckier Vincent , Liberale Gabriel
Published: October 2020

Background and Objectives

We report, for the first time in the literature, a metastatic lymphatic pathway along the inferior epigastric vessels, through the inferior epigastric lymph nodes (IELNs), in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC). Interestingly, these lymph nodes (LNs) in the anterior retroperitoneum were not detectable on preoperative imaging. They may, however, represent a pertinent systemic dissemination pathway for PC.

Patients and Methods

In patients undergoing indocyanine green‐fluorescence imaging during cytoreductive surgery for PC, an incidental finding of a hyperfluorescent LN, harboring metastatic tumorous cells, around the inferior epigastric artery was made.

Results

In three out of five patients with clear fluorescent hotspot, the harvested LN was harboring metastatic cancerous cells. None of these nodes, whether negative or positive, was visible on any preoperative imaging modalities. A protocol to sample, in a systematic manner, the IELN in patients with PC, is currently being devised at our institution.

Conclusion

These lymphatic nodes basin and channels might reveal to be a potential passage from peritoneal metastasis to the extraperitoneal lymphatic compartment, representing an independent pathway for cancerous cell dissemination. This will bring us to further investigate the prevalence and the prognostic significance of these LNs.
Measuring U.S. influence in the world
Authors: Guiora Amos N. , Minutolo Marcel C. , Vargas Luis G.
Published: October 2020

We present a methodology to measure how in the process of implementing foreign policy, the United States prioritizes its resources. A measure of the return on the resource allocation is given by the estimated value in achieving the goals of foreign policy per unit of effort invested. The “investment” is represented by the priorities of the regions to influence since the priority serves as a proxy for resource allocation; the return is measured by the degree to which one perceives that the investment has achieved its intended goal. Prioritization is important in determining resource allocation which depends on how the nation‐state perceives the overall effectiveness of its policies relative to the criteria applied in evaluating its performance. We demonstrate through the use of the Analytic Hierarchy/Network Process how to generate priorities and determine the relative influence and effectiveness of resource deployment.
MHA, partners to use screening data to identify MH hotspots
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: October 2020

Since 2014, Mental Health America (MHA) has provided individuals with confidential, online screening tools to help them determine whether they are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition. To date, the program has amassed 6 million screeners. And now, a new initiative announced last month will apply analytics on the data set to find mental health hotspots and address escalating mental health impacts emerging from COVID‐19, officials stated.
Program promotes connection between MH, environment
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: October 2020

Observing that parks and green spaces can help restore people from everyday stresses and challenges, a yearlong, award‐winning program is providing its Texas community with needed resources to achieve overall mental health.
Lingual Linear Lesions: A Clinical Sign Strongly Suggestive of Severe Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Authors: Bao Zhe‐Xuan , Yang Xiao‐Wen , Fang Dong‐Dong
Published: October 2020

Background

Lingual linear lesions (LLLs) are the oral linear lesions located on the dorsum, lateral borders, and/or ventral surface of tongue. It has been suggested that LLLs might be an early clinical sign of vitamin B12 deficiency. Here, a retrospective study was conducted to further investigate and validate the association between LLL and vitamin B12 deficiency.

Methods

Based on the clinical examination, patients with LLLs were enrolled and analyzed retrospectively. Data regarding clinical and laboratory features were obtained. Follow‐up was done at least 6 months following appropriate supplementation therapy.

Results

A total of 57 patients, consisting of 20 males and 37 females with a mean age of 59.12 years (range, 18–80), were enrolled in this study. The hematological examination revealed that 56 (98.25%) of the 57 patients had severe serum vitamin B12 deficiency, and the other 1 patient had a borderline low level of vitamin B12. All the enrolled patients responded well to cobalamin replacement therapy.

Conclusion

LLLs might be a clinical sign strongly suggestive of severe vitamin B12 deficiency.
An efficient tool for solving two‐dimensional fuzzy fractional‐ordered heat equation
Authors: Arfan Muhammad , Shah Kamal , Abdeljawad Thabet , Hammouch Zakia
Published: October 2020

In this work we develop an algorithm to compute analytical solution for a two‐dimensional fuzzy heat equation involving external source term with fractional order. The algorithm is based on the Homotopy perturbation method: The required result is computed in series form which is rapidly convergent to the exact solution. Examples are given to verify the result, which are compared with the exact solution to illustrate the efficiency and the capability of the proposed method.
A palaeoepidemiological investigation of osteomata, with reference to medieval Poland
Authors: Siek Thomas , Rando Carolyn , Cieślik Agata , Spinek Anna , Waldron Tony
Published: October 2020

The osteoma, among other forms of benign neoplastic disease, has received little palaeopathological or palaeoepidemiological interest largely because of its asymptomatic nature. This is problematic because these tumours are regarded as common occurrences in bioarchaeological contexts, despite there being scant data to support these claims. This investigation presents a palaeoepidemiological enquiry into osteomata. Five hundred ninety individuals from six skeletal assemblages from Poland, dating from the 9th to 17th century, were macroscopically surveyed for osteomata. This was followed by a palaeoepidemiological analysis, looking at sex‐ and age‐specific prevalence. Ninety‐three osteomata were observed in 67 individuals. The sex‐specific prevalence was 13.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 9.7–18.1) for males and 11.6% (95% CI 7.9–16.2) for females. The age‐specific prevalence for middle adults was 2.1% (95% CI: 0.6–5.2) and 5.3% (95% CI: 2.5–9.8) for mature adults. The results indicated the prevalence of benign tumours was similar between males and females and seemed to increase with age. This case study adds to a sparse area of palaeo‐oncological research and calls for further future investigation.
Assessment of respiratory muscles and motor function in children with SMA treated by nusinersen
Authors: Gómez‐García de la Banda Marta , Amaddeo Alessandro , Khirani Sonia , Pruvost Sandrine , Barnerias Christine , Dabaj Ivana , Bénézit Audrey , Durigneux Julien , Carlier Robert Y. , Desguerre Isabelle , Quijano‐Roy Susana , Fauroux Brigitte
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Nusinersen is associated with an improvement in motor function in children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) but data on respiratory muscles strength are scarce. Respiratory muscles performance and lung function were evaluated in children with SMA 1c and 2 after six injections of nusinersen (M14). Results from patients with SMA2 were compared with data of age‐matched historical controls. Motor function tests (MFM and HINE‐2) were assessed at baseline and M14 in the treated patients.

Results

Sixteen children (2 SMA Type 1c and 14 SMA Type 2), mean age 9.4 ± 2.3 years, were included. The data of 14 historical SMA 2 controls (mean age 9.3 ± 1.9 years) were gathered. The strength of the global inspiratory muscles of SMA 2 treated with nusinersen, assessed on maximal static inspiratory pressure, forced vital capacity, and esophageal pressure during a maximal sniff was significantly better compared with historical controls (p < .05). A significant improvement in MFM and HINE‐2 was observed in the patients with 16 SMA treated with nusinersen after 14 months as compared with baseline.

Conclusion

In children with SMA Type 2, respiratory muscle performance was significantly better after six injections of nusinersen as compared with age‐matched SMA Type 2 historical controls.
Novel method of radiotherapy planning to improve the dose homogeneity at the junction region for breast cancer
Authors: Bi Suyan , Wang Qian
Published: October 2020

Objectives

This article introduces a new method to design the radiation therapy planning after radical surgery for breast cancer in order to provide a better homogeneity of the dose distribution in the junction region between the supra clavicular fossa and chest wall.

Methods

A total of 15 women who received supra clavicular and chest wall irradiation therapy for breast cancer after radical surgery at Cancer Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenzhen Center, Shenzhen, China, between 1 October 2018 and 30 November 2019 were included. The prescription dose was 50 Gy/25 fractions. We designed a new plan on the basis of the original plan for each patient on an Varian Eclipse 13.6 planning system, which added two subfields to each tangential opposing field to change the dose distribution at the junction region. Statistical analysis of the target dose distribution – homogeneity index, conformal index, and irradiation doses to the ipsilateral lung, contralateral lung, heart, left‐side breast, and spinal cord – was carried out for the two groups and the differences were compared.

Results

When comparing the two plans, the planning target volume minimum dose (P = 0.04) and planning target volume of the junction region, which was defined as the target in the junction region minimum dose (P = 0.04), homogeneity index (P = 0.02), and conformal index (P = 0.01) for the new method plan were better than those for the original plan. However, there was no statistically significant difference in all dosimetric parameters of the organs at risk (P > 0.05) between the new and traditional method plans .

Conclusion

Both plans by new and traditional methods for breast cancer after radical surgery can meet the clinical requirements. The prescription dose coverage, conformal index, and homogeneity index for the target in the new method plan were better than those in the traditional method plan. The new method plan provided a better homogeneity of the dose distribution in the junction region, but had no obvious effect on the dose distribution of the organs at risk. As a result, this new planning method can be used in clinical settings.
The effects of pretreatment and coating on the formability of extrusion‐coated multilayer paperboard–plastic composites
Authors: Franke Wilken , Leminen Ville , Groche Peter , Varis Juha
Published: October 2020

Sustainable materials like paperboard can substitute for crude oil‐based polymers in packaging applications and, by doing that, reduce the negative environmental impacts caused by plastic waste. For a broader application in the packaging industry, the forming of paperboard needs to overcome its limited forming behaviour and barrier properties. The presented work aims to influence the forming behaviour of uncoated and polyethylene terephthalate (PET)‐coated paperboard with additives like water, gelatin and soap. Furthermore, the differences in the mechanical behaviour of coated and uncoated materials are investigated. For the studies, tensile, bulge and forming tests were combined with different optical measurement methods. The investigations showed that the overall forming behaviour is affected by the mentioned additives and can be improved. Additionally, the interaction of the coating and substrate paper is investigated under different load conditions.
An algorithm of discrete‐time Bayesian network for reliability analysis of multilevel system with warm spare gate
Authors: Li Xiang , Li Yan‐Feng , Li He , Huang Hong‐Zhong
Published: October 2020

Discrete‐time Bayesian network (DTBN) is a popular tool for the reliability analysis of dynamic systems, which, however, is insufficient in analyzing the reliability of multilevel system (MLS) with warm spare (WSP) gates. Additionally, conventional DTBNs are not able to consider the situation that dormant components and primary components may fail during the same time interval. To this end, this paper analyzes the dynamic reliability characteristics of dormant systems with WSP gates by utilizing DTBNs. Moreover, an algorithm of modeling the conditional probability table (CPT) for WSP gates together with a new schedule of constructing dynamic Bayesian networks is put forward. The validation of the proposed techniques is implemented by Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) and reliability analysis of an actual communication station system.
Development and validation of non‐guided bladder‐neck and neurovascular‐bundle dissection modules of the RobotiX‐Mentor® full‐procedure robotic‐assisted radical prostatectomy virtual reality simulation
Authors: Ebbing Jan , Wiklund Peter N. , Akre Olof , Carlsson Stefan , Olsson Mats J. , Höijer Jonas , Heimer Maurice , Collins Justin W.
Published: October 2020

Background

Full‐procedure virtual reality (VR) simulator training in robotic‐assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) is a new tool in surgical education.

Methods

Description of the development of a VR RARP simulation model, (RobotiX‐Mentor®) including non‐guided bladder neck (ngBND) and neurovascular bundle dissection (ngNVBD) modules, and assessment of face, content, and construct validation of the ngBND and ngNVBD modules by robotic surgeons with different experience levels.

Results

Simulator and ngBND/ngNVBD modules were rated highly by all surgeons for realism and usability as training tool. In the ngBND‐task construct, validation was not achieved in task‐specific performance metrics. In the ngNVBD, task‐specific performance of the expert/intermediately experienced surgeons was significantly better than that of novices.

Conclusions

We proved face and content validity of simulator and both modules, and construct validity for generic metrics of the ngBND module and for generic and task‐specific metrics of the ngNVBD module.
Do policy makers take grants for granted? The efficacy of public sponsorship for innovative entrepreneurship
Authors: Stevenson Regan , Kier Alexander S. , Taylor Shannon G.
Published: October 2020

Research Summary

We investigate the short‐ and long‐term effects of public sponsorship in the form of grants on venture growth and subsequent investment funding. We adopt a temporal approach and assess our results using discontinuous growth modeling. This approach allows us to unpack the complexity of sponsorship interventions and provide insights into how quickly, how long, and under what conditions grants augment growth. Using a proprietary sample of 129 ventures located in eight incubators, we find that securing an initial grant increases the rate at which ventures acquire private investment capital but not revenue over time. We draw on resourcefulness theory and signaling theory and explore the moderating role of venture size. We discuss our contributions to the entrepreneurship and public policy literatures.

Managerial Summary

Are public grants effective at sparking entrepreneurial growth? To deepen our understanding of public policies that are designed to promote innovative entrepreneurship, we investigate the short‐ and long‐term effects of new venture grant sponsorship. We study 129 ventures located in eight business incubators over a 4‐year period. Our results indicate that although there are initial advantages to receiving a grant, there are also potential shortcomings as grant receipt does not directly influence long‐term revenue growth. We theorize that having abundant access to grant capital reduces the ventures need to “stretch” resources and grow revenue over time. Yet, initial grants seem to signal to investors that the venture represent a “good bet” as investment trajectories follow the opposite growth pattern, increasing steadily over time.
Effective Mechanism of B2O3 on the Structure and Viscosity of CaO–SiO2–B2O3‐based Melts
Authors: Sadaf Shama , Wu Ting , Zhong Lei , Liao Zhi-you , Wang Hai-chuan , Wang Wan-lin
Published: October 2020

To have a further study for fluorine‐free mold fluxes, the structure, viscosity characteristics, and crystallization behavior of CaO–SiO2–B2O3‐based melts are studied combing molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and various experiments. The results show that, in the ternary CaO–SiO2–B2O3 glass system, stable structural units of [SiO4]4− tetrahedral, [BO3]3− trihedral, and [BO4]5− tetrahedral formed and the B2O3 addition polymerizes the Si–O network structure to some extent, whereas the influence on B–O network structure various with its content. In fluorine‐free mold fluxes, the viscosity at 1300 °C and melting temperature decrease with B2O3 addition, whereas the polymerization degree of slag network structure changes little, indicating that the melting property change plays a predominant role in decreasing the viscosity at 1300 °C. Moreover, due to the solid precipitation, the viscosity‐temperature curve of fluorine‐free slag in the range w(B2O3) = 4–6 wt% shows the characteristics of alkaline slag, whereas it shows the characteristics of acidic slag in the range w(B2O3) = 8–12 wt%. The MD simulation and experiment results are verified and complemented each other.
Report of the Nomenclature Committee for Algae: 22
Authors: Andersen Robert A.
Published: October 2020

The name Amphidoma (Dinophyceae) is not recommended for conservation as being of feminine gender and with a conserved type because the feminine gender is already established, and because there is no known evidence to show that the existing type (A. acuminata) is not congenric with A. nucula, the type proposed for conservation. The name Heterocapsa (Dinophyceae) is recommended for conservation with a conserved type. Two requests for binding decisions were considered, Cosmarium geminatum and C. gemmatum (Streptophyta), and Trigonium (Bacillariophyta) and Trigonum (Streptophyta). The NCA did not consider the names concerned sufficiently similar to be confused and recommended that they not be treated as homonyms.
Responses of cuticular waxes of faba bean to light wavelengths and selection of candidate genes for cuticular wax biosynthesis
Authors: Huang Lei , Xiao Qianlin , Zhao Xiao , Wang Dengke , Wei Liangliang , Li Xiaoting , Liu Yating , He Zhibin , Kang Lin , Guo Yanjun
Published: October 2020

Cuticular waxes play important eco‐physiological roles in protecting plants against abiotic and biotic stresses and show high sensitivity to environmental changes. In order to clarify the responses of cuticular waxes on faba bean (Vicia faba L.) leaves to different light wavelengths, the phenotypic plasticity of cuticular waxes was analyzed when plants were subjected to white, red, yellow, blue, and purple light. Leaf samples from yellow, purple, and white lights were further analyzed, and candidate genes of wax biosynthesis were selected by RNA‐seq technology and transcriptome processing. Yellow light increased the total wax coverage and changed the crystal structure compared with leaves under white light. Light wavelengths changed the relative abundance of dominant primary alcohol from C24 under white, yellow, and red lights to C26 under blue and purple lights. In total, 100,194 unigenes were obtained, and 10 genes were annotated in wax biosynthesis pathway, including VLCFAs elongation (KCS1, KCS4, LACS2 and LACS9), acyl reduction pathway (FAR3 and WSD1), and decarboxylation pathway (CER1, CER3 and MAH1). qRT‐PCR analysis revealed that yellow and purple lights significantly influenced the expression levels of these genes. Yellow light also increased the water loss rate and decreased the photosynthesis rate. Light at different wavelengths particularly yellow light induced the changes of phenotypic plasticity of cuticular waxes, which thus altered the leaf eco‐physiological functions. The expression levels of genes related to wax biosynthesis were also altered by different light wavelengths, suggesting that light at different wavelengths may also be applied in selecting candidate genes involved in wax biosynthesis in other crops.
Effects of soil–structure interaction on the design of tuned mass damper to control the seismic response of wind turbine towers with gravity base
Authors: Dai Kaoshan , Huang Hai , Lu Yang , Meng Jiayao , Mao Zhenxi , Camara Alfredo
Published: October 2020

This paper studies the effect of soil–structural interaction (SSI) on gravity‐based wind turbine towers equipped with tuned mass dampers (TMDs) subjected to earthquake loading. A small‐scale shaking table test of wind turbine towers with TMD was conducted, and the results showed that using TMD designed considering SSI resulted in larger vibration suppression. A simplified analytical numerical model was developed for SSI analysis considering TMD. The effect of soil site class and the earthquake intensity on the response reduction efficiency of the TMD was also discussed using the simplified model. It is concluded that the TMD efficiency depends not only on the soil stiffness but also on the characteristics of the applied ground motions, both of which are affected by the site classes and earthquake intensity levels. Moreover, the peak acceleration ratio (PAR), the root mean square acceleration ratio (RAR), the peak displacement ratio (PDR), and the root mean square displacement ratio (RDR) of the top of the wind turbine tower were obtained with and without TMD for different earthquake intensities and sites. These parameters can be used as references for the rational selection of TMD parameters considering SSI.
dnm1 deletion blocks mitochondrial fragmentation in Δfzo1 cells
Authors: Yang Yanmei , Hu Yinzhi , Wu Lin , Zhang Pan , Shang Jinjie
Published: October 2020

Mitochondrial division and fusion play critical roles in maintaining functional mitochondria. Fzo1 is an outer mitochondrial membrane GTPase that played an essential role in mitochondrial fusion in budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Here, we report the characterization of the Schizosaccharomyces pombe homologue of S. cerevisiae Fzo1p, Fzo1. Disruption of the fzo1 gene in S. pombe results in a fragmented mitochondrial morphology and a dramatically reduced growth on glycerol medium phenotype, indicating that deletion of fzo1 compromises respiratory function. Fluorescence microscopy shows that Fzo1p is located in the mitochondria. Overexpressing Fzo1 from a heterologous promoter induces mitochondrial aggregation. We also find that dnm1 mutations could both block mitochondrial fragmentation and rescue respiration growth defect in Δfzo1 single mutant cells. Our results proposed that a genetic interaction between fzo1 and a balance between division‐ and fusion‐controlled mitochondrial shape and function in S. pombe. This study represents the first report of Fzo1 mediator of mitochondrial fusion in S. pombe.
The complex role of genetic background in shaping the effects of spontaneous and induced mutations
Authors: Goldstein Ilan , Ehrenreich Ian M.
Published: October 2020

Spontaneous and induced mutations frequently show different phenotypic effects across genetically distinct individuals. It is generally appreciated that these background effects mainly result from genetic interactions between the mutations and segregating loci. However, the architectures and molecular bases of these genetic interactions are not well understood. Recent work in a number of model organisms has tried to advance knowledge of background effects both by using large‐scale screens to find mutations that exhibit this phenomenon and by identifying the specific loci that are involved. Here, we review this body of research, emphasizing in particular the insights it provides into both the prevalence of background effects across different mutations and the mechanisms that cause these background effects.
Designing a Research Infrastructure with Impact in Mind
Authors: Vignetti Silvia
Published: October 2020

Assessing the socio-economic impact of a Research Infrastructure (RI) requires an evaluation framework and a data collection plan that should be put in place as early as possible. This essay maintains the idea that if data collection for impact assessment is not episodic, motivated by external requests from stakeholders and funding agencies, but rather becomes a routine activity, it could maximize its potential to inform the RIs management and serve the strategic planning function of the infrastructure.
Designing a Socio-Economic Impact Framework for Research Infrastructures: Preliminary Lessons from the RI-PATHS Project
Authors: Reid Alasdair
Published: October 2020

The Horizon 2020 funded RI-PATHS project aims at providing policy makers, funders and Research Infrastructure (RI) managers the tools to assess the impact on the RI on the economy and their contribution to resolving societal challenges, etc. The goal is to improve the understanding of the long-term impact pathways of the various types of RIs operating in Europe, and, indeed, internationally. In the following we briefly summarise the work carried out by the RI-PATHS consortium partners to mid-2019 and derive useful lessons for future work.
The United Kingdom (UK)
Authors: Amelung Nina , Granja Rafaela , Machado Helena
Published: October 2020

The UK is the possessor of the world’s oldest and largest DNA database by proportion of population: the National Criminal Intelligence DNA Database, established in 1995. As a nation-state that holds one of the world’s largest DNA databases, the UK has been dealing systematically with the societal effects triggered by various ethical controversies. In terms of bordering practices, the UK serves as an example of an ambivalent mode of re- and debordering. This ambivalence derives from the UK’s changing position regarding the Prüm system. In 2014, the UK government, driven by the parliament, decided to opt out of the Prüm Decisions. In 2015, after a Prüm-style pilot project run with other EU Member States, the UK decided to opt in. This decision, nonetheless, included the imposition of limits on other EU countries’ access to the UK’s data. Consequently, the UK’s debordering practices co-exist with rebordering attempts aimed at restricting access to their own data.
Exploring the landscape of heterotic strings on Td
Authors: Font Anamaría , Fraiman Bernardo , Graña Mariana , Núñez Carmen A. , De Freitas Héctor Parra
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Compactifications of the heterotic string onTdare the simplest, yet rich enough playgrounds to uncover swampland ideas: the U(1)d+16left-moving gauge symmetry gets enhanced at special points in moduli space only to certain groups. We state criteria, based on lattice embedding techniques, to establish whether a gauge group is realized or not. For genericd, we further show how to obtain the moduli that lead to a given gauge group by modifying the method of deleting nodes in the extended Dynkin diagram of the Narain lattice II1,17. More general algorithms to explore the moduli space are also developed. Ford= 1 and 2 we list all the maximally enhanced gauge groups, moduli, and other relevant information about the embedding in IId,d+16. In agreement with the duality between heterotic onT2and F-theory on K3, all possible gauge groups onT2match all possible ADE types of singular fibers of elliptic K3 surfaces. We also present a simple method to transform the moduli under the duality group, and we build the map that relates the charge lattices and moduli of the compactification of the E8× E8and Spin(32)/ℤ2heterotic theories.
Dimensional oxidization on coset space
Authors: Harada Koichi , Ho Pei-Ming , Matsuo Yutaka , Watanabe Akimi
Published: October 2020

Abstract

In the matrix model approaches of string/M theories, one starts from a generic symmetry gl(∞) to reproduce the space-time manifold. In this paper, we consider the generalization in which the space-time manifold emerges from a gauge symmetry algebra which is not necessarily gl(∞). We focus on the second nontrivial example after the toroidal compactification, the coset space G/H, and propose a specific infinite-dimensional symmetry which realizes the geometry. It consists of the gauge-algebra valued functions on the coset and Lorentzian generator pairs associated with the isometry. We show that the 0-dimensional gauge theory with the mass and Chern-Simons terms gives the gauge theory on the coset with scalar fields associated with H.
Radiation treatment of hemato-oncological patients in times of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Oertel M. , Elsayad K. , Engenhart-Cabillic R. , Reinartz G. , Baues C. , Schmidberger H. , Vordermark D. , Marnitz S. , Lukas P. , Ruebe C. , Engert A. , Lenz G. , Eich H. T.
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The coronavirus pandemic is affecting global health systems, endangering daily patient care. Hemato-oncological patients are particularly vulnerable to infection, requiring decisive recommendations on treatment and triage. The aim of this survey amongst experts on radiation therapy (RT) for lymphoma and leukemia is to delineate typical clinical scenarios and to provide counsel for high-quality care.

Methods

A multi-item questionnaire containing multiple-choice and free-text questions was developed in a peer-reviewed process and sent to members of the radiation oncology panels of the German Hodgkin Study Group and the German Lymphoma Alliance. Answers were assessed online and analyzed centrally.

Results

Omission of RT was only considered in a minority of cases if alternative treatment options were available. Hypofractionated regimens and reduced dosages may be used for indolent lymphoma and fractures due to multiple myeloma. Overall, there was a tendency to shorten RT rather than to postpone or omit it. Even in case of critical resource shortage, panelists agreed to start emergency RT for typical indications (intracranial pressure, spinal compression, superior vena cava syndrome) within 24 h. Possible criteria to consider for patient triage are the availability of (systemic) options, the underlying disease dynamic, and the treatment rationale (curative/palliative).

Conclusion

RT for hemato-oncological patients receives high-priority and should be maintained even in later stages of the pandemic. Hypofractionation and shortened treatment schedules are feasible options for well-defined constellations, but have to be discussed in the clinical context.
Interventions to optimize prescribed medicines and reduce their misuse in chronic non-malignant pain: a systematic review
Authors: Alenezi Aziza , Yahyouche Asma , Paudyal Vibhu
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Sub-optimal opioid prescribing and use is viewed as a major contributor to the growing opioid crisis. This study aims to systematically review the nature, process and outcomes of interventions to optimize prescribed medicines and reduce their misuse in chronic non-malignant pain (CNMP) with a particular focus on minimizing misuse of opiates.

Methods

A systematic review of literature was undertaken. Search of literature using Medline, EMBASE and CINAHL databases from 2000 onwards was conducted. Screening and selection, data extraction and risk of bias assessments were undertaken by two independent reviewers. Narrative synthesis of the data was conducted.

Results

A total of 21 studies were included in the review, of which three were RCTs. Interventions included clinical (e.g. urine drug testing, opioid treatment contract, pill count), behavioural (e.g. electrical diaries about craving), cognitive behavioural treatment and/or educational interventions for patients and healthcare providers delivered as a single or as a multi-component intervention. Medication optimization outcomes included aspects of misuse, abuse, aberrant drug behaviour, adherence and non-adherence. Although all evaluations showed improvement in medication optimization outcomes, multi-component interventions were more likely to consider and to have shown improvement in clinical outcomes such as pain intensity, quality of life, psychological states and functional improvement compared to single-component interventions.

Conclusions

A well-structured CNMP management programme to promote medicines optimization should include multi-component interventions delivered by a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals and target both healthcare professionals and patients. There was heterogeneity in definitions applied and interventions evaluated. There is a need for the development of clear and consistent terminology and measurement criteria to facilitate better comparisons of research evidence.
Ain’t going down without a fight: state-and environment-dependence of antipredator defensive aggressive personalities in Carpetan rock lizard
Authors: Horváth Gergely , Martín José , López Pilar , Herczeg Gábor
Published: October 2020

Aggression is one of the most frequently studied behavioural traits across a wide range of taxa; however, most studies evaluate aggressive behaviour in a social context, in which aggressive interactions between conspecifics are motivated by resource control (offensive or social aggression). However, in an antipredator context, the primary role of aggression is defence (defensive or antipredator aggression). Although the neuroendocrinology of antipredator aggression is often studied in domesticated and laboratory animals, how environment and individual state affect this behavioural trait in the wild is largely unknown. Here, by conducting a manipulative experiment, we tested whether (i) consistent between-individual differences (i.e. animal personality) are present in antipredator aggression in adult male Carpetan rock lizards (Iberolacerta cyreni) and (ii) short-term environmental changes (presence vs. absence of predator cues) and differences in individual state (body length, head size, hind limb length) affect individual mean behaviour (i.e. behavioural type). We found moderate-high repeatability in antipredator aggression (willingness to bite a human), indicating the presence of animal personality in this behavioural trait. Lizards were on average more defensive in the presence of predator cues; furthermore, short-legged males showed higher antipredator aggression than long-legged males in the presence of predator cues, probably as an attempt to balance their decreased escape speed. Larger (~ older) males were more defensive than smaller ones, probably due to their increased fighting ability. We conclude that antipredator aggression is an important part of an individual’s behavioural repertoire and its expression is driven by both environmental situation and individual state.

Significance statement

Antipredator/defensive aggression is not the primary antipredatory response; however, when other ways of escape are not possible, actually hurting the predator could be the only way of survival. While this behaviour obviously has substantial effects on fitness, it is severely understudied compared to social/offensive aggression. In a manipulative experiment, we found that there are consistent between-individual differences in antipredator aggression (i.e. willingness to bite during handling) of adult male Carpetan rock lizards (Iberolacerta cyreni), supporting the presence of animal personality and suggesting that this behavioural trait might respond to natural selection. Furthermore, short-term environmental variation (i.e. presence vs. absence of predator cues) in interaction with individual state affected antipredator aggression of individuals, emphasising the ecological and evolutionary relevance of this behaviour.
Risk Score of Neck Hematoma: How to Select Patients for Ambulatory Thyroid Surgery?
Authors: Chereau Nathalie , Godiris‐Petit Gaelle , Noullet Severine , Di Maria Sophie , Tezenas du Montcel Sophie , Menegaux Fabrice
Published: October 2020

Background

The risk of postoperative compressive hematoma is the major limitation for a wide development of ambulatory thyroidectomy (AT). The aim of this study was to establish a risk score of hematoma on the basis of preoperative criteria.

Methods

All patients who underwent thyroidectomy between 2002 and 2017 were reviewed in a high‐volume endocrine surgery center. Multivariate analysis of risk factors associated with hematoma was performed in lobectomy and total thyroidectomy (TT). We assigned the risk factors identified by multivariate analysis weighted points proportional to the regression coefficient values. A simple sum of all accumulated points for each patient calculated the total score.

Results

For lobectomy [31 hematoma among 3912 patients (0.8%)], the weighted points of Vit K antagonist (VKA) were 3 (OR 9.86), and 1 in male gender (OR 2.4). For TT [162 hematoma among 13,903 patients (1.2%)], the weighted points of VKA were 4 (OR 12.18), 1 in male gender (OR 1.89), and 1 for diabetes (OR 1.86). Other factors weighted 0 in both groups. A total score >1 was linked to a risk of hematoma > 1.3% for lobectomy or TT. AT should not be proposed to any patient under VKA, and in case of TT, to male patients with diabetes. Prospectively, patients had AT from May 2018 to February 2020, 529 patients underwent ambulatory TL (483) or TT (46) and only one patient experienced neck hematoma.

Conclusion

We established a simple and reproducible predictive score of early discharge for lobectomy and TT that could be useful for patients’ management.
CT venography correlate of transverse sinus stenosis and venous transstenotic pressure gradient in unilateral pulsatile tinnitus patients with sigmoid sinus wall anomalies
Authors: Zhao Pengfei , Ding Heyu , Lv Han , Li Xiaoshuai , Qiu Xiaoyu , Zeng Rong , Wang Guopeng , Wei Jian , Jin Long , Yang Zhenghan , Gong Shusheng , Wang Zhenchang
Published: October 2020

Objectives

To investigate the correlation between transverse sinus stenosis (TSS) and transstenotic pressure gradient (TPG) in unilateral pulsatile tinnitus (PT) patients with sigmoid sinus wall anomalies (SSWA).

Methods

Fifty-seven patients with unilateral venous PT were retrospectively included. All of them underwent CT venography and catheter manometry, accompanied with SSWA. The degree, length, shape (intrinsic/extrinsic/dysplasia), location (proximal/middle/distal, referring to the relative position of TSS and the Labbé vein junction) of TSS, the types of SSWA (dehiscence/diverticulum), and the degree of transverse sinus outflow laterality were assessed, and the correlations with ipsilesional TPG were analyzed.

Results

The mean value of ipsilesional TPG was 7.61 ± 0.52 mmHg. The degree and length of ipsilesional TSS were positively correlated with TPG (p < 0.001, p’ < 0.001), respectively. TPG was significantly larger in patients with contralateral transverse sinus dysplasia than those without (p = 0.023) and significantly smaller in patients with ipsilesional sigmoid sinus diverticulum than those with isolated dehiscence (p = 0.001). No statistical difference in TPG was shown between ipsilesional TSSs of different shapes or locations (p > 0.05). No correlation was noted between the degree of ipsilesional transverse sinus outflow laterality and TPG (p = 0.051). Stepwise linear regression indicated that the degree (β = 9.207, 95% CI = 3.558–14.856), length (β = 0.122, 95% CI = 0.025–0.220) of ipsilesional TSS, and contralateral transverse sinus dysplasia (β = 1.875, 95% CI = 0.220–3.530) were significantly correlated with TPG (R2 = 0.471).

Conclusions

The degree, length of ipsilesional TSS, and contralateral transverse sinus dysplasia may be used to predict TPG in unilateral PT patients with SSWA.

Key Points

• CT venography may act as a screening tool to help low-probability unilateral pulsatile tinnitus (PT) patients with sigmoid sinus wall anomalies (SSWA) avoid invasive catheter manometry.

• The degree and length of ipsilesional transverse sinus stenosis (TSS) are positively correlated with transtenotic pressure gradient (TPG) in unilateral PT patients with SSWA.

• Ipsilesional TPG is larger in unilateral PT patients with contralateral transverse sinus dysplasia than those without and is smaller in unilateral PT patients with sigmoid sinus diverticulum than those with isolated dehiscence.
Die Dorfapp als Ersatz für die Dorfkneipe?
Authors: Sept Ariane
Published: October 2020

Immer mehr Dörfer nutzen sogenannte Dorfapps. Teilweise sollen diese verlorenen gegangene Treffpunkte und Kommunikationsorte wie Läden oder Kneipen ersetzen. Aber kann eine Dorfapp die Dorfkneipe ersetzen? Dazu werden im Artikel am Beispiel des Dorfes Dreis-Brück in Rheinland-Pfalz und seiner Dorfapp die unterschiedlichen Funktionen der Kneipe systematisiert und mit den Möglichkeiten der Dorfapp verglichen. Im Zentrum steht die Dorfkneipe als Informations- und Kommunikationsort, aber auch ihre Rolle als Treffpunkt, Ort der Entspannung, Ankunftsort sowie als Emotions- und Erinnerungsraum wird beleuchtet. Soll eine Dorfapp teilweise Funktionen von verloren gegangenen Kneipen übernehmen, kann eine systematische Betrachtung der Probleme, die mithilfe digitaler Tools gelöst werden sollen, im Kontext einer Systematisierung von analogen Raumeigenschaften hilfreich sein, um letztlich Verknüpfungen zwischen digitalen Angeboten und analogen Orten zu entwickeln. Der Artikel versteht sich als Beitrag zur raumbezogenen Auseinandersetzung mit gastronomischen Einrichtungen und zur Rolle von Digitalisierung in ländlichen Räumen.